Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Zimbabwe seeks more Chinese investment in energy sector amid power shortages Xinhua) 09:34, November 21, 2024 HARARE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government on Wednesday encouraged more Chinese investments into the country's energy sector amid the ongoing power supply challenges. At the Zimbabwe-China Business Forum held in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital, Minister of Energy and Power Development Edgar Moyo said that the Southern African country's energy sector offers immense potential for further Chinese investments, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). "The BRI initiative offers a unique platform for financing and implementing projects that contribute to sustainable development. We view Zimbabwe's energy sector as a key area of focus under the BRI," Moyo said in a speech read on his behalf at the forum, which was a one-day event with about 100 people in attendance. He stressed China's importance in shaping Zimbabwe's energy future and lauded the Asian country for its unwavering support and collaboration in power and energy development over the past years. According to Moyo, Zimbabwe requires investments particularly in the development of renewable energy, as well as power storage, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. "Zimbabwe is blessed with abundant sunlight, making solar energy a viable option for scaling up our energy supply. We invite Chinese companies with expertise in renewable energy to partner with us in developing large-scale solar farms, as well as small-scale projects for local communities and industries," Moyo said. The Zimbabwean government has undertaken reforms including offering various incentives to encourage independent power producers and private sector participation in the renewable energy sector, Moyo said. "I invite the Chinese business community to take full advantage of the opportunities in Zimbabwe's energy sector," Moyo said, underscoring the urgent need for Zimbabwe to develop climate-resilient energy solutions amid the increasing challenges posed by climate change to the country's power generation. Zimbabwe currently faces a deficit of up to 400 MW in local generation capacity, largely due to falling water levels at Kariba Power Station, the major hydropower plant, as a result of the El Nino-induced drought. The reduced power generation has resulted in persistent nationwide power cuts since August. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe (2nd L), Song Lingdong (1st R) and Wang Haoze (1st L) attend a see-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 30, 2024. [Photo/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. 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. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe One dead two injured in Costa Mujeres hotel construction site collapse Isla Mujeres, Q.R. State authorities have begun an investigation into a construction site structure collapse that left one dead and two injured. The collapse of a large metal structure happed at an under-construction hotel site in Costa Mujeres. According to authorities, the collapse happened at the H10 hotel Wednesday afternoon killing one worker. A 12-meter tall metal structure reportedly collapsed, hitting several workers. Killed was 53 year old Jose Roberto C. He was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit in the head by the falling metal. One of the injured is reported to be 25 year old Jose Alejandro C who was transferred to hospital with a hip fracture. The identity of the second injured worker is unknown. In a statement, the State Attorney General (FGE) said they have started of an investigation to clarify the events where one person lost his life and two more were injured after the fall of a structure in a construction site in Costa Mujeres, in the Continental Zone of Isla Mujeres. Personnel from this Social Representation are carrying out the collection of evidence at the scene of the events, which will be integrated into the investigation file in order to determine the cause of this mishap. Reports vary of between two and three workers being injured in the collapse. The Municipal Civil Protection Coordination of Isla Mujeres proceeded to close the Costa Mujeres construction site following the accident. Carlos Gamboa Ortiz, Director of Isla Mujeres Civil Protection, said they are conducting an exhaustive investigation to determine the safety and compliance with work regulations. Gamboa Ortiz said that since municipal government personnel were the first responders, as established by protocol, contact was immediately established with the State Coordination of Civil Protection of Quintana Roo and the State Attorney Generals Office (FGE). He says they are working in close coordination with the other agencies to determine the cause of the accident and possible corresponding sanctions. Police and municipal and state inspectors are working to find the cause of the construction site accident. On social media, Isla Mujeres Mayor Atenea Gomez Ricalde sent her condolences regarding the collapse at the construction site of the H10 hotel in Costa Mujeres, which unfortunately left one worker dead and three people injured. The Municipal Coordination of Civil Protection and Firefighters of Isla Mujeres reported that since they became aware of the incident, they went to the site where together with elements of the Isla Mujeres Police, they are working in a coordinated manner with the State Attorney Generals Office (FGE) and the State Coordination of Civil Protection of Quintana Roo to find the cause and determine the corresponding sanctions. The H10 hotel construction site has since been closed pending an investigation. The head of the Municipal Coordination of Civil Protection, Carlos Gamboa Ortiz, reported that at this time, an exhaustive investigation is being carried out to determine the safety of the worksite, which is why it was closed. We regret this accident and send our condolences to the family of the victim. You are here: China The eighth Technology Diplomat Innovation Resource Matchmaking Action takes place in Beijing, Nov. 20, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] The eighth Technology Diplomat Innovation Resource Matchmaking Action took place in Beijing on Wednesday, themed "Open Cooperation and Innovative Development." The Beijing International Cooperation Center of Science and Technology hosted the event to strengthen international innovation connections, accelerate technological advancement and support Beijing's development as a global innovation hub. China continues to pursue its innovation-driven development strategy. In 2023, the country's research and development spending exceeded 3.3 trillion yuan ($455 billion), marking an 8.14% increase compared to the previous year. Alongside these efforts, the nation maintains a strong focus on international scientific collaboration. Zhuang Jia, deputy director-general of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, underscored China's global approach to technological innovation. She noted the country's growing integration into worldwide innovation networks and its role in global tech governance. To date, China has established sci-tech cooperation with over 160 countries and regions and signed more than 110 intergovernmental agreements. Zhuang emphasized the role of science and technology diplomats as bridges between Chinese and global scientific communities and as catalysts for international sci-tech cooperation. She said the event would strengthen international collaboration in emerging technologies and benefit humanity through innovation. This year's matchmaking event was officially incorporated into the series of Zhongguancun Forum, a state-level platform for global sci-tech innovation exchanges and cooperation. Zhang Yulei, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission and the Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park, reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to sci-tech innovation. She noted that Beijing strives to meet world-class innovation standards by supporting international cooperation among diverse innovation entities and facilitating the orderly exchange of global innovation resources. In recent years, Beijing's R&D spending has consistently exceeded 6% of its GDP, with about 16% going to basic research comparable to leading innovative countries. Five major cooperation agreements were signed between China and partners from Italy, the U.K., France, and Croatia at the eighth Technology Diplomat Innovation Resource Matchmaking Action held in Beijing, Nov. 20, 2024. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] Five major cooperation agreements were signed between Chinese institutions and partners from Italy, the U.K., France and Croatia, covering medicine, food science and pollutant treatment technologies. Speaking on behalf of the signatories, Antonio Apicella, a distinguished professor and founder of the Advanced Materials Lab at Italy's University of Campania, highlighted the achievements of the China-Italy Science, Technology & Innovation Week. He emphasized the significance of Sino-Italian collaboration in innovation and education for future development. During the policy promotion session, officials presented management measures for funds supporting the international development of the Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone. Diplomatic representatives from Indonesia, Mexico, Algeria, Namibia and Peru shared updates on their countries' technological developments and outlined opportunities for cooperation with China. The event also featured presentations of 10 innovative projects from countries including Germany, Sweden and South Korea. These projects showcased the latest advances in artificial intelligence, drones, hydrogen energy markets, forest disease monitoring and elderly care, demonstrating global progress in high-impact technological fields. At its core, the divine feminine represents a sacred, life-giving energy that transcends gender binaries. It is a force of creation, nurturing, and intuition - a wellspring of wisdom and compassion that has been celebrated across cultures and belief systems throughout human history. The divine feminine is not merely a concept or an abstract idea; it is a living, pulsing essence that resides within each of us, waiting to be awakened and integrated into our daily lives. Reclaiming the Feminine Archetypes Across the globe, the divine feminine has been embodied in a rich tapestry of goddesses, deities, and feminine archetypes. From the ancient Egyptian Goddess Hathor to the Hindu Goddess Durga, these powerful feminine figures have long been revered for their multifaceted attributes, which include fertility, creativity, healing, and protection. By reconnecting with these archetypal representations, we can tap into the deep well of feminine wisdom and reclaim the sacred aspects of our own being. Advertisement The Duality of Masculine and Feminine Energies Contrary to popular belief, the divine feminine is not solely the domain of women; it is a universal energy that resides within all individuals, regardless of gender. Similarly, the divine masculine is not exclusively the realm of men. Each of us contains a unique blend of masculine and feminine energies, which work in harmony to create a holistic, balanced existence. When these two energies are in sync, we experience a profound sense of wholeness and alignment. However, when one energy dominates the other, it can lead to an imbalance, manifesting in various challenges and disharmony in our lives. By understanding and honoring the delicate dance between the masculine and feminine, we can cultivate a deeper self-awareness and facilitate the integration of these complementary forces. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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Xi is paying a state visit to the country after he attended the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. China and Brazil are two major developing countries in their respective hemispheres, he said, noting that in the past 50 years, they enjoyed a relationship that transcends mountains and seas, and found a right way for major developing countries to get along with each other, one that is based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and amity. Brazil, Xi said, is the first country to establish a strategic partnership with China, and the first Latin American country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. In recent years, under the joint strategic guidance of two heads of state, the two countries are increasingly becoming reliable friends with a shared future and positive forces for peace, he said. The China-Brazil relationship is at its best in history, which has not only improved the well-being of the people of the two countries, but also defended the common interests of developing countries, enhanced the strength and voice of the Global South, and made outstanding contributions to world peace and stability, Xi added. Xi noted that China and Brazil have also decided to establish synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Brazil's development strategies. He hailed the decision to elevate ties and to align the two nations' development strategies as another historic moment in the development of bilateral ties, which demonstrates the global, strategic and long-term nature of China-Brazil relations, meets the expectations of both peoples, gives impetus and support to the modernization of the two countries, and demonstrates their resolve to jointly defend international fairness and justice and promote common development of the world. China, Xi said, is ready to work with Brazil to continually enrich China-Brazil relations in the new era, be "golden partners" who help each other succeed, and keep working toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind and creating a more just world and a more sustainable planet. Together, China and Brazil will make even greater contribution to the peace and progress of humanity, he added. For the future development of bilateral ties, Xi called on the two sides to firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests such as sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, be strategic partners of mutual trust and set a good example of solidarity, cooperation, mutual benefit and common development for countries in the Global South. Xi also urged the two countries to strengthen people-to-people exchanges in culture, education and youth to consolidate popular support for the China-Brazil community with a shared future. He said the two countries should deepen synergies of development strategies, urging them to seize the historic opportunity of synergizing the BRI with Brazil's development strategies, deepen cooperation in such key areas as economy and trade, infrastructure, finance, science and technology, and environmental protection, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as space, agricultural science and technology, and clean energy. China prioritizes poverty alleviation in national governance, supports Brazil's Fome Zero (Zero Hunger) program, and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Brazil on poverty reduction so that the two peoples can live a better life. Xi urged China and Brazil to demonstrate their distinctive strength in safeguarding world peace and justice. The two countries should practice genuine multilateralism, make fair remarks and take fair actions, so as to make global governance more just and equitable, he said. Noting that China highly values Brazil's international status and influence and supports Brazil in playing a greater role on the international stage, Xi said China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Brazil at the United Nations, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, support Brazil's presidency of BRICS next year, promote high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make BRICS voice louder on upholding multilateralism and improving global governance. Xi also called on the two countries to make distinctive contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind. As major developing countries, China and Brazil should take the lead in conducting consultations, promoting global solidarity, jointly addressing global challenges concerning the future of mankind, and strengthening cooperation in such fields as green transformation, sustainable development, climate change, artificial intelligence governance, he said. China is willing to support Brazil in hosting the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, he said. He recalled that 10 years ago he joined leaders of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) leaders in announcing the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum, which ushered China-LAC relations into a new era featuring equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and benefits for the people. Xi said China stands ready to work with Brazil to ensure the success of the China-CELAC Forum, better synergize the BRI with the development strengths and needs of the LAC region, and strive for more achievements in building a China-LAC community with a shared future. For his part, Lula said Brazil and China are good friends that respect and depend on each other, adding that China is Brazil's most important strategic partner, and the Chinese people are the most trustworthy friends of the Brazilian people. In the past 50 years, Brazil-China cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results, Lula noted, saying that Brazil looks forward to taking Xi's visit as a new starting point for more tangible results in bilateral relations. Brazil also expects to work with China to build a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, Lula added. Brazil is vigorously promoting development strategies such as New Growth Acceleration Program, new industrial policy and the Routes for South American Integration initiative, which are highly compatible with the China-proposed BRI, Lula said. Enhanced synergy of development strategies between Brazil and China will greatly contribute to Brazil's reindustrialization, promote the integration of South America, and set an example of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit among developing countries, he said. The working groups of the two sides should step up discussions and promote cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure, finance, industrial chains, science and technology, and ecological conservation, Lula said, adding that more Chinese enterprises are welcomed to invest and conduct cooperation in Brazil. Brazil expects to improve its level of connectivity and logistics with China, and promote the common development and prosperity for Brazil, Latin America and China, Lula said. Brazil, Lula said, opposes the "new Cold War," and advocates the building of a multi-polar world and a global partnership based on equality and mutual respect, adding that he appreciates China's strong support for Brazil's G20 presidency. He said Brazil will continue to deepen communication and cooperation with China within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, BRICS and G20, and enhance the voice and influence of the Global South in global governance. The Brazilian side is also ready to maintain close multilateral coordination with China and make positive contributions to the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis and other hotspot issues. Following their meeting, the two presidents jointly met the press. Xi noted that it is his second visit to this land full of love and hope after five years, saying that on the eve of his departure, he received many letters from Brazilian friends from all walks of life, which brimmed with Brazilian people's appreciation of the friendship between China and Brazil and their expectations for deepening the friendship between the two countries. Xi added that he was deeply moved. The Chinese leader said his talks with Lula were cordial, friendly and fruitful. Xi also said that the world today is not peaceful, and there are still many regions plagued by wars and turbulence. Mankind belongs to an indivisible security community, and only by pursuing a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security can a path to universal security be found, Xi said, noting that China and Brazil have jointly issued a "six-point consensus" on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and launched a "Friends of Peace" group with relevant countries of the Global South on the Ukraine crisis. He called for gathering more voices committed to peace to pave the way for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis. Xi also expressed concerns about the continued spread of the conflict in Gaza, and called for a ceasefire and an end to the war at an early date, the implementation of the two-state solution and unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question. Both China and Brazil share the tradition and sense of responsibility of upholding justice and morality, Xi said. China is ready to work with Brazil to enrich the China-Brazil community with a shared future, firmly defend genuine multilateralism, and jointly sound a strong message in the new era of development rather than poverty, cooperation rather than confrontation and justice rather than hegemony, so as to jointly build a better world, he added. Lula said although the two countries are far apart, they share similar values, extensive common interests and deep and solid friendship, and their cooperation bears strategic significance and global influence. China is Brazil's most important trade and investment partner, and Chinese enterprises in Brazil have strongly promoted Brazil's economic and social development, he noted. Brazil and China have highly consistent positions on major issues such as international development and security, he said, adding that the two countries will further strengthen communication and coordination within the United Nations, G20, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, jointly advocate the reform of the global governance system, build a more just, democratic, equitable and sustainable international system, and promote peaceful and diplomatic solutions to hotspot issues. Skeptical Science New Research for Week #47 2024 Posted on 21 November 2024 by Doug Bostrom, Marc Kodack Open access notables Projected increase in the frequency of extremely active Atlantic hurricane seasons, Lopez et al., Science Advances: Future changes to the year-to-year swings between active and inactive North Atlantic tropical cyclone (TC) seasons have received little attention, yet may have great societal implications in areas prone to hurricane landfalls. This work investigates past and future changes in North Atlantic TC activity, focusing on interannual variability and evaluating the contributions from anthropogenic forcing. We show that interannual variability of Atlantic TC activity has already increased, evidenced by an increase in the occurrence of both extremely active and inactive TC seasons. TC-resolving general circulation models project a 36% increase in the variance of North Atlantic TC activity, measured by accumulated cyclone energy, by the middle of the 21st century. These changes are the result of increased variability in vertical wind shear and atmospheric stability, in response to enhanced Pacific-to-Atlantic interbasin sea surface temperature variations. Robust anthropogenic-forced intensification in the variability of Atlantic TC activity will continue in the future, with important implications for emergency planning and societal preparedness. The Summer Heatwave 2022 over Western Europe: An Attribution to Anthropogenic Climate Change, Feser et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: The European summer heatwave 2022 was exceptional in its intensity, duration, and spatial extent (Copernicus Observer 2022). Large-scale and persistent high temperatures, both over land and over sea, in combination with local droughts characterized the extraordinary heatwave. Both methods showed that the heatwave was an extreme event, in terms of temperature differences between present-day, preindustrial, and +2C times and in its statistics. According to our results, the anthropogenic contribution was crucial for the high temperatures of the extreme heatwave of summer 2022. Pervasive fire danger continued under a negative emission scenario, Kim et al., Nature Communications: Enhanced fire-prone weather under greenhouse gas warming can significantly affect local and global carbon budgets from increased fire occurrence, influencing carbon-climate feedbacks. However, the extent to which changes in fire-prone weather and associated carbon emissions can be mitigated by negative emissions remains uncertain. Here, we analyze fire weather responses in CO2 removal climate model experiments and estimate their potential carbon emissions based on an observational relationship between fire weather and fire-induced CO2 emissions. The results highlight that enhanced fire danger under global warming cannot be restored instantaneously by CO2 reduction, mainly due to atmospheric dryness maintained by climatic inertia. The exacerbated fire danger is projected to contribute to extra CO2 emissions in 68% of global regions due to the hysteresis of climate responses to CO2 levels. These findings highlight that even under global cooling from negative emissions, increased fire activity may reinforce the fire-carbon-climate feedback loop and result in further socio-economic damage. Partisan belief in new misinformation is resistant to accuracy incentives, Stein et al., PNAS Nexus: One explanation for why people accept ideologically welcome misinformation is that they are insincere. Consistent with the insincerity hypothesis, past experiments have demonstrated that bias in the veracity assessment of publicly reported statistics and debunked news headlines often diminishes considerably when accuracy is incentivized. Many statements encountered online, however, constitute previously unseen claims that are difficult to evaluate the veracity of. We hypothesize that when confronted with unfamiliar content, unsure partisans will form sincere beliefs that are ideologically aligned. Across three experimental studies, 1,344 conservative and liberal US participants assessed the veracity of 20 politically sensitive statements that either confirmed or contradicted social science evidence only known to experts. As hypothesized, analyses show that incentives failed to correct most ideological differences in the perceived veracity of statements. Sixty six to 78% of partisan differences in accuracy assessment persisted even when monetary stakes were raised beyond levels in prior studies. Participants displayed a surprising degree of confidence in their erroneous beliefs, as bias was not reduced when participants could safely avoid rating statements they were unsure about, without monetary loss. These findings suggest limits to the ability of disciplining interventions to reduce the expression of false statements, because many of the targeted individuals sincerely believe them to be true. From this week's government/NGO section: Powering United States Primary Steel Decarbonization, Snook et al., Clean Energy Buyers Association The U.S. primary steel industry will require 174 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity annually by 2050 to slash up to 57% of the industrys emissions and help achieve global aims to reduce carbon emissions. The 174 TWh would be a 159 TWh increase from business-as-usual practices. To power this next generation of steel with carbon-free energy would require at least 28 gigawatts (GW) of solar and wind resources and 58 GW of battery storage by 2050, as well as interregional transmission reform. The reports findings amplify the need for transmission reform as well as accelerated deployment of carbon-free energy to power these steel-making facilities and processes, retain domestic competitiveness, and reduce emissions deep in corporate supply chains. The economic cost of extreme weather events, Oxera Consulting LLP, International Chamber of Commerce The authors estimate that climate-related extreme weather events have cost the global economy more than $2 trillion over the past decade. They used almost 4,000 events which impacted a total of 1.6 billion people between 2014 and 2023. In the last two full years alone, global economic damages reached $451 billion representing a 19% increase compared to the previous eight years of the decade. The analysis highlights the acute impact on many developing economies with single extreme weather events often imposing economic costs more than a countrys annual GDP. 94% of Europeans support measures to adapt to climate change, according to EIB survey, European Investment Bank Almost three-quarters of people polled across the European Union recognize the need to adapt their lifestyle due to the effects of climate change, according to the annual Climate Survey commissioned by the European Investment Bank. Among the challenges facing their countries, respondents ranked climate change second only to the cost of living. Many believe that investing in adaptation now will not only boost the economy but will also prevent higher costs in the future. The Survey presents the views of over 24,000 respondents from across the European Union and the United States on the topic of climate change. In the EU, 24,148 people took part in the survey, which was conducted in August 2024. 132 articles in 58 journals by 855 contributing authors Physical science of climate change, effects Enhanced understanding of warming and humidifying on ground heat flux in the Tibetan Plateau Hinterland, He et al., Atmospheric Research 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107799 Estimated human-induced warming from a linear temperature and atmospheric CO 2 relationship, Jarvis & Forster, Nature Geoscience Open Access 10.1038/s41561-024-01580-5 Irreversible changes in the sea surface temperature threshold for tropical convection to CO 2 forcing, Park et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-024-01751-7 Observed Pathways and Interannual Variability of the Warm Inflow Onto the Continental Shelf in the Southern Weddell Sea, Steiger et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans Open Access 10.1029/2023jc020700 Reductions in atmospheric levels of non-CO 2 greenhouse gases explain about a quarter of the 1998-2012 warming slowdown, Su et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-024-01723-x Unparalleled EA-like leading mode of variability in the early 20th century highlights the need for understanding non-stationarity in the North Atlantic climate system, Halifa-Marin et al., Atmospheric Research Open Access 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107796 Observations of climate change, effects 20th century climate warming and human disturbance triggered high aquatic production and strong water-column mixing in maar Lake Xiaolongwan, northeastern China, Tu et al., Anthropocene 10.1016/j.ancene.2024.100442 Accelerated drying trends over Northeast Asia by anthropogenic forcing during 19482010, Guo et al., Atmospheric Research 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107781 Accelerating onset of heatwaves after the Meiyu termination in the middle-lower Yangtze River basin, Wei et al., Atmospheric Research 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107782 Anthropogenic climate change doubled the frequency of compound drought and heatwaves in low-income regions, Zhang et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-024-01894-7 AtmosphereOceanSea Ice Feedbacks Sustain Recent Barents Sea Ice Loss despite Cooler Atlantic Water Inflow, Chatterjee et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-24-0020.1 Global Climate-Driven Sea Surface Temperature and Chlorophyll Dynamics, Venegas et al., Marine Environmental Research Open Access 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106856 High-resolution satellite imagery reveals a recent accelerating rate of increase in land evapotranspiration, Jaafar & Sujud, Remote Sensing of Environment Open Access 10.1016/j.rse.2024.114489 Observations Over a Century Underscore an Increasing Likelihood of Compound Dry-Hot Events in China, Duan et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2024ef004546 Role of warming trend in occurrence of record-breaking high-temperature events in China during the past 40 years, Kuang et al., Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society 10.1002/qj.4897 Substantial Increase in SubDaily Precipitation Extremes of Flooding Season Over China, Wang et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access pdf 10.1029/2024gl112182 The Summer Heatwave 2022 over Western Europe: An Attribution to Anthropogenic Climate Change, Feser et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 10.1175/bams-d-24-0017.1 Instrumentation & observational methods of climate change, effects SARAH-3 satellite-based climate data records of surface solar radiation, Pfeifroth et al., Earth System Science Data Open Access 10.5194/essd-16-5243-2024 Modeling, simulation & projection of climate change, effects An intensification of surface Earths energy imbalance since the late 20th century, Li et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-024-01802-z Climate change effects on the localized heavy rainfall event in northern Japan in 2022: Uncertainties in a pseudo-global warming approach, Tahara et al., Atmospheric Research Open Access 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107780 Extremes of Temperature and Precipitation Under CMIP6 Scenarios Projections Over Central Hokkaido, Japan, Zhou et al., International Journal of Climatology Open Access pdf 10.1002/joc.8680 More than three-fold increase in compound soil and air dryness across Europe by the end of 21st century, Shekhar et al., Open Access 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3143908/v2 Pervasive fire danger continued under a negative emission scenario, Kim et al., Nature Communications Open Access 10.1038/s41467-024-54339-2 Projected Changes of Kuroshio in a Warming Climate, Huang et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-24-0095.1 Projected Changes to Characteristics of El Nino-Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole, and Southern Annular Mode Events in the CMIP6 Models, Chung et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2024ef005166 Projected increase in the frequency of extremely active Atlantic hurricane seasons, Lopez et al., Science Advances Open Access 10.1126/sciadv.adq7856 Weakened large-scale surface heat flux feedback at midlatitudes under global warming, Wang et al., Nature Communications Open Access 10.1038/s41467-024-54394-9 Weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation driven by subarctic freshening since the mid-twentieth century, Pontes & Menviel, Nature Geoscience 10.1038/s41561-024-01568-1 Advancement of climate & climate effects modeling, simulation & projection An improved and extended parameterization of the CO2 15 m cooling in the middle and upper atmosphere (CO2&cool&fort-1.0), Lopez-Puertas et al., Geoscientific Model Development Open Access 10.5194/gmd-17-4401-2024 Enhanced Blocking Frequencies in Very-High Resolution Idealized Climate Model Simulations, De Luca et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2024gl111016 Evaluating the ALADIN-climate model reanalysis over Central Europe, Beranova et al., Atmospheric Research Open Access 10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107809 Evolution and prospects of Earth system models: Challenges and opportunities, Pan et al., Earth 10.1016/j.earscirev.2024.104986 Lightweight climate models could be useful for assessing aviation mitigation strategies and moving beyond the CO 2 -equivalence metrics debate, Arriolabengoa et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-024-01888-5 Robust handling of extremes in quantile mapping "Murder your darlings", Berg et al., Geoscientific Model Development Open Access 10.5194/gmd-17-8173-2024 Cryosphere & climate change Glacier mass change and evolution of Petrov Lake in the Ak-Shyirak massif, central Tien Shan, from 1973 to 2023 using multisource satellite data, Wang et al., Remote Sensing of Environment 10.1016/j.rse.2024.114437 Twenty-first century global glacier evolution under CMIP6 scenarios and the role of glacier-specific observations, Zekollari et al., The Cryosphere Open Access 10.5194/tc-18-5045-2024 Unveiling the devastating effect of the spring 2022 mega-heatwave on the South Asian snowpack, Hassan et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-024-01857-y Sea level & climate change Improved Sea Level Reconstruction from 1900 to 2019, Wang et al., Journal of Climate 10.1175/jcli-d-23-0410.1 Scalable, data-assimilated models predict large-scale shoreline response to waves and sea-level rise, Vitousek et al., Scientific Reports Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41598-024-77030-4 Paleoclimate & paleogeochemistry Opinion: Distribute paleoscience information across the next Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, Kaufman & Masson-Delmotte, Climate of the Past Open Access 10.5194/cp-20-2587-2024 Response of atmospheric CO 2 changes to the Abyssal Pacific overturning during the last glacial cycle, Zhang et al., Global and Planetary Change 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2024.104636 Biology & climate change, related geochemistry Assessment of non-stationary tree growth responses in the forest-tundra and southern taiga of central Siberia, Kirdyanov et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2024.110296 Climate change scenarios forecast increased drought exposure for terrestrial vertebrates in the contiguous United States, van den Bosch et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-024-01880-z Contrasting Future Growth of Norway Spruce and Scots Pine Forests Under Warming Climate, Martinez del Castillo et al., Global Change Biology Open Access 10.1111/gcb.17580 Evapotranspiration increase is more sensitive to vegetation greening than to vegetation type conversion in arid and semi-arid regions of China, Zhu et al., Global and Planetary Change 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2024.104634 Flowering seasonality and airborne pollen recent trends in Sierra de las Nieves, the southernmost National Park in continental Spain, de Galvez-Montanez et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2024.110295 Global Distribution of Alien Mammals Under Climate Change, Biancolini et al., Global Change Biology Open Access 10.1111/gcb.17560 Indirect effects of warming via phenology on reproductive success of alpine plants, Zhang et al., Journal of Ecology 10.1111/1365-2745.14449 Investigating climate anomalies associated with the sudden mortality of balsam fir trees in eastern Canada, Broom et al., Frontiers in Forests and Global Change Open Access 10.3389/ffgc.2024.1472699 Low-elevation forest extent in the western United States constrained by soil surface temperatures, Holden et al., Nature Geoscience 10.1038/s41561-024-01577-0 Major distribution shifts are projected for key rangeland grasses under a high-emission scenario in East Africa at the end of the 21st century, Messmer et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-024-01731-x Marine climate indicators in the Adriatic Sea, da Costa et al., Frontiers in Climate Open Access 10.3389/fclim.2024.1449633 Multi-Omics Inform Invasion Risks Under Global Climate Change, Chen et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.17588 Performance of Acanthina monodon juveniles under long-term exposure to predicted climate change conditions, Paredes-Molina et al., Marine Environmental Research 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106855 Recurrent marine heatwaves compromise the reproduction success and long-term viability of shallow populations of the Mediterranean gorgonian Eunicella singularis, Sarda et al., Marine Environmental Research Open Access 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106822 Reviews and syntheses: Biological indicators of low-oxygen stress in marine water-breathing animals, Roman et al., Biogeosciences Open Access 10.5194/bg-21-4975-2024 Spatial and temporal pattern of forest carrying capacity and its influencing factors in China, Japan, and Korea based on climate change, Hao et al., Frontiers in Forests and Global Change Open Access 10.3389/ffgc.2024.1396430 Spatial Distribution Pattern of Aromia bungii Within China and Its Potential Distribution Under Climate Change and Human Activity, Zhang et al., Ecology and Evolution Open Access 10.1002/ece3.70520 Sustainable Land Use Strengthens Microbial and Herbivore Controls in Soil Food Webs in Current and Future Climates, Sunnemann et al., Global Change Biology Open Access 10.1111/gcb.17554 The trade-offs associated with the adaptions of marine microalgae to high CO 2 and warming, Liang et al., Marine Environmental Research 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106853 Tree Germination Sensitivity to Increasing Temperatures: A Global Meta-Analysis Across Biomes, Species and Populations, Vicente & Benito Garzon, Global Ecology and Biogeography 10.1111/geb.13921 Heroic interference should not be the endgame of coral-reef restoration, Matz, Nature 10.1038/d41586-024-03782-8 GHG sources & sinks, flux, related geochemistry Annual grass invasions and wildfire deplete ecosystem carbon storage by >50% to resistant base levels, Maxwell et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access pdf 10.1038/s43247-024-01795-9 Drought conditions disrupt atmospheric carbon uptake in a Mediterranean saline lake, Alfadhel et al., Biogeosciences Open Access 10.5194/bg-21-5117-2024 Ecological restoration enhances dryland carbon stock by reducing surface soil carbon loss due to wind erosion, Song et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Open Access 10.1073/pnas.2416281121 Enhancing Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Techniques for Monitoring Greenhouse Gas Plumes at Point Sources, Kim et al., Atmospheric Environment 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2024.120924 GHG emissions intensity analysis. Case study: Bioethanol plant with cogeneration and partial CO 2 recovery, Galvan et al., Energy for Sustainable Development 10.1016/j.esd.2024.101598 Impact of wetland conversion to cropland on ecosystem carbon budget and greenhouse gas emissions in Northeast China, Li et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2024.110311 Managing the Global Wetland Methane-Climate Feedback: A Review of Potential Options, Ury et al., Global Change Biology Open Access 10.1111/gcb.17585 Resolving Uncertainty in the Response of Australia's Terrestrial Carbon Cycle to Projected Climate Change, Teckentrup et al., Geophysical Research Letters Open Access 10.1029/2024gl111398 Seasonal CO 2 amplitude in northern high latitudes, Liu et al., Nature Reviews Earth & Environment 10.1038/s43017-024-00600-7 Spatial and temporal variations of gross primary production simulated by land surface model BCC&AVIM2.0, Li et al., Advances in Climate Change Research Open Access 10.1016/j.accre.2023.02.001 The Fate of Deep Permafrost Carbon in Northern High Latitudes in the 21st Century: A Process-Based Modeling Analysis, Liu et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2024ef004996 The key role of forest disturbance in reconciling estimates of the northern carbon sink, OSullivan et al., Communications Earth & Environment Open Access 10.1038/s43247-024-01827-4 CO2 capture, sequestration science & engineering Advancing the frontiers of CO 2 geological storage: A statistical and computational perspective, Li et al., Earth 10.1016/j.earscirev.2024.104906 High-temperature carbon dioxide capture in a porous material with terminal zinc hydride sites, Rohde et al., Science 10.1126/science.adk5697 Decarbonization Assessing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonization potential of household biogas plant: Nepal's case study, Jha et al., Energy for Sustainable Development 10.1016/j.esd.2024.101592 Comparative Economic Analysis of Bifacial Roof-top PV Systems, Sahu et al., Energy for Sustainable Development 10.1016/j.esd.2024.101593 Feeding the zombie plant: The struggle over biomass in the United States, Costache & Spector, Energy Research & Social Science 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103816 How to measure the efficiency of bioenergy crops compared to forestation, Egerer et al., Biogeosciences Open Access 10.5194/bg-21-5005-2024 Institutional work after hype: The case of biogas in Germany, Park & Grundmann, Energy Research & Social Science Open Access 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103820 Load profiles of residential off-grid solar systems on the Navajo Nation, Louie et al., Energy for Sustainable Development 10.1016/j.esd.2024.101572 Multi-year field measurements of home storage systems and their use in capacity estimation, Figgener et al., Nature Energy Open Access 10.1038/s41560-024-01620-9 Scalable fabrication of wide-bandgap perovskites using green solvents for tandem solar cells, Duan et al., Nature Energy 10.1038/s41560-024-01672-x Aerosols Increasing aerosol emissions from boreal biomass burning exacerbate Arctic warming, Zhong et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-024-02176-y Revealing dominant patterns of aerosol regimes in the lower troposphere and their evolution from preindustrial times to the future in global climate model simulations, Li et al., Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Open Access 10.5194/acp-24-12727-2024 Climate change communications & cognition Discursive Construction of Climate Change Knowledge in Lake Chilwa Basin, Malawi, Chavinda, Environmental Communication 10.1080/17524032.2024.2427293 Localizing (or Not) Climate Change in Spanish-Language Newspapers in the United States, Johnston, Transactions of the American Mathematical Society Open Access pdf 10.2307/2000510 Online searches shape climate views, Markowitz, Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-024-02118-8 Partisan belief in new misinformation is resistant to accuracy incentives, Stein et al., PNAS Nexus Open Access 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae506 Agronomy, animal husbundry, food production & climate change A First Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Agricultural Peatlands in Canada: Evaluation of Climate Change Mitigation Potential, Strack et al., WIREs Climate Change Open Access pdf 10.1002/wcc.925 Assessing the impact of forest management and climate on a peatland under Scots pine monoculture using a multidisciplinary approach, B?k et al., Biogeosciences Open Access 10.5194/bg-21-5143-2024 Changing climates, changing lives: Voices of a Brazilian Amazon farming community in a time of climate crisis, Monteverde et al., PLOS Climate Open Access 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000522 Deepening Root Inputs: Potential Soil Carbon Accrual From Breeding for Deeper Rooted Maize, Cotrufo et al., Global Change Biology Open Access 10.1111/gcb.17591 A First Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Agricultural Peatlands in Canada: Evaluation of Climate Change Mitigation Potential, Strack et al., WIREs Climate Change Open Access pdf 10.1002/wcc.925 Assessing the impact of forest management and climate on a peatland under Scots pine monoculture using a multidisciplinary approach, B?k et al., Biogeosciences Open Access 10.5194/bg-21-5143-2024 Changing climates, changing lives: Voices of a Brazilian Amazon farming community in a time of climate crisis, Monteverde et al., PLOS Climate Open Access 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000522 Evaluating the Usefulness of the C-S-R Framework for Understanding AM Fungal Responses to Climate Change in Agroecosystems, Heuck et al., Global Change Biology 10.1111/gcb.17566 Flowering delay in apple could alleviate frost-induced yield loss under climate change in China, Chen et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2024.110313 Identification of key chlorophyll fluorescence parameters as biomarkers for dryland wheat under future climate conditions, Lotfi et al., Scientific Reports Open Access 10.1038/s41598-024-80164-0 Lower methane and nitrous oxide emissions from rice-aquaculture co-culture systems than from rice paddies in southeast China,, Fang et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 10.1016/j.agrformet.2023.109540 Modeling biochar effects on soil organic carbon on croplands in a microbial decomposition model (MIMICS-BC&v1.0), Han et al., Geoscientific Model Development Open Access 10.5194/gmd-17-4871-2024 Predicting future climate scenarios: a machine learning perspective on greenhouse gas emissions in agrifood systems, Behvandi & Ghorbani, Frontiers in Environmental Science Open Access 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1471599 Climate change economics Author Correction: World economies progress in decoupling from CO 2 emissions, Freire-Gonzalez et al., Scientific Reports Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41598-024-75404-2 Climate change mitigation public policy research 1 + 1 > 2? The synergistic effect of carbon emissions reduction policies: empirical evidence from China, Jiang et al., Climate Policy 10.1080/14693062.2024.2424230 Carbon data and its requirements in infrastructure-related GHG standards, Xu & MacAskill, Environmental Science & Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103935 Comparative analysis of the levelized cost of hydrogen production from fossil energy and renewable energy in China, Tang & Li Li Li, Energy for Sustainable Development 10.1016/j.esd.2024.101588 Decoupling effect and influencing factors of carbon emissions in China: Based on production, consumption, and income responsibilities, Lu et al., Advances in Climate Change Research Open Access 10.1016/j.accre.2024.10.001 Do climate change policies affect labour market distortions? Empirical evidence from China's low-carbon city pilots, Shen et al., Climate Policy 10.1080/14693062.2024.2428757 1 + 1 > 2? The synergistic effect of carbon emissions reduction policies: empirical evidence from China, Jiang et al., Climate Policy 10.1080/14693062.2024.2424230 Carbon data and its requirements in infrastructure-related GHG standards, Xu & MacAskill, Environmental Science & Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103935 Comparative analysis of the levelized cost of hydrogen production from fossil energy and renewable energy in China, Tang & Li Li Li, Energy for Sustainable Development 10.1016/j.esd.2024.101588 Decoupling effect and influencing factors of carbon emissions in China: Based on production, consumption, and income responsibilities, Lu et al., Advances in Climate Change Research Open Access 10.1016/j.accre.2024.10.001 Inequality is driving the climate crisis: A longitudinal analysis of province-level carbon emissions in Canada, 19972020, Jorgenson et al., Energy Research & Social Science Open Access 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103845 Localization vs globalization of carbon emissions trading system (ETS) rules: how will Chinas national ETS rules evolve?, Zeng et al., Climate Policy 10.1080/14693062.2024.2427724 Nudging households to save electricity with feedback: Experimental evidence from Vietnam, Nguyen et al., Energy Policy 10.1016/j.enpol.2024.114378 Perceived support for climate policy in Australia: The asymmetrical influence of voting behaviour, Leviston et al., Journal of Environmental Psychology Open Access 10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102488 Policy implications of implementing residential PV solar energy systems in developing regions, Shand et al., Energy Policy 10.1016/j.enpol.2024.114414 State capacity and varieties of climate policy, Meckling & Benkler, Nature Communications Open Access 10.1038/s41467-024-54221-1 Systematic assessment of the achieved emission reductions of carbon crediting projects, Probst et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-024-53645-z Systematic assessment of the achieved emission reductions of carbon crediting projects, Probst et al., Nature Communications Open Access pdf 10.1038/s41467-024-53645-z The ideational impacts of Indonesia's renewable energy project failures, Wibisono et al., Energy for Sustainable Development Open Access 10.1016/j.esd.2024.101587 Climate change adaptation & adaptation public policy research Australias national climate risk Assessment: Identifying climate risk interdependencies within the infrastructure and built environment system for effective climate adaptation, Romanach et al., Climate Risk Management Open Access 10.1016/j.crm.2024.100670 Climate shocks and food insecurity: Are Burkinabe households resilient in the face of various disruptions?, Derra & Aziz Traore Derra, Climate Risk Management Open Access 10.1016/j.crm.2024.100667 Climate-resilient strategy planning using the SWOT methodology: A case study of the Japanese wind energy sector, Bachmann et al., Climate Risk Management Open Access 10.1016/j.crm.2024.100665 Constructing climate change rentierism in Jordan, Poberezhskaya & El-Anis, Environmental Politics Open Access 10.1080/09644016.2024.2427527 Effective Adaptation Options to Alleviate Nuisance Flooding in Coastal MegacitiesLearning From Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Scheiber et al., Earth's Future Open Access 10.1029/2024ef004766 How are Indian cities adapting to extreme heat? Insights on heat risk governance and incremental adaptation from ten urban Heat Action Plans, Singh et al., PLOS Climate Open Access pdf 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000484 The potential of social innovation to shift the limits to climate adaptation, Ziervogel & Hamann , Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability Open Access 10.1016/j.cosust.2024.101491 Understanding how landscape value and climate risk discourses can improve adaptation planning: Insights from Q-method, Johnson et al., Environmental Science & Policy Open Access 10.1016/j.envsci.2024.103947 Climate change impacts on human health Climate change, mass casualty incidents, and emergency response in the Arctic, Malik et al., Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability Open Access 10.1088/2634-4505/ad8fcc Impact of climate change on vaccine responses and inequity, Zhang et al., Nature Climate Change 10.1038/s41558-024-02192-y Understanding the role of climate change in disaster mortality: Empirical evidence from Nepal, Chapagain et al., Climate Risk Management Open Access 10.1016/j.crm.2024.100669 Climate change & geopolitics Interrelations between security and the zero-carbon energy transition in the Finnish and Norwegian Arctic, Sivonen & Kivimaa, Energy Research & Social Science Open Access 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103841 Green means good: challenging the absence of international justice in just transition plans, Letourneau & Schmaus, Environmental Sociology 10.1080/23251042.2024.2427601 Other Evaluating corporate climate risk assessment results: Lessons learned from Taiwans top 100 enterprises, Lee et al., Climate Risk Management Open Access 10.1016/j.crm.2024.100668 Recent Freshening of the Subpolar North Atlantic Increased the Transport of Lighter Waters of the Irminger Current From 2014 to 2022, Fried et al., Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans Open Access 10.1029/2024jc021184 Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives The need for carbon-emissions-driven climate projections in CMIP7, Sanderson et al., Geoscientific Model Development Open Access 10.5194/gmd-17-8141-2024 Articles/Reports from Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations Addressing Aspects of Climate Change The economic cost of extreme weather events, Oxera Consulting LLP, International Chamber of Commerce The authors estimate that climate-related extreme weather events have cost the global economy more than $2 trillion over the past decade. They used almost 4,000 events which impacted a total of 1.6 billion people between 2014 and 2023. In the last two full years alone, global economic damages reached $451 billion representing a 19% increase compared to the previous eight years of the decade. The analysis highlights the acute impact on many developing economies with single extreme weather events often imposing economic costs more than a countrys annual GDP. In 12 months the renewables market has moved but governments have not, Altieri et al., Ember The authors analyze national 2030 renewable capacity targets for 96 countries and the EU as a bloc. These countries collectively account for 96% of the worlds renewable capacity, 95% of global electricity sector demand and 94% of global power sector emissions. National targets are sourced from national strategy or plans, executive orders, official projections, or credible third-party studies. National targets are up to date as of 24 October 2024. To calculate an estimated global target, the authors adjusted the target to account for the missing 4% of global renewable capacity. Global Carbon Budget 2024, Friedlingstein et al., Global Carbon Project The 2024 Global Carbon Budget projects fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of 37.4 billion tonnes, up 0.8% from 2023. Despite the urgent need to cut emissions to slow climate change, the researchers say there is still no sign that the world has reached a peak in fossil CO2 emissions. With projected emissions from land-use change (such as deforestation) of 4.2 billion tonnes, total CO2 emissions are projected to be 41.6 billion tonnes in 2024, up from 40.6 billion tonnes last year. Over the last 10 years, fossil CO2 emissions have risen while land-use change CO2 emissions have declined on average leaving overall emissions roughly level over that period. This year, both fossil and land-use change CO2 emissions are set to rise, with drought conditions exacerbating emissions from deforestation and forest degradation fires during the El Nino climate event of 2023-2024. With over 40 billion tonnes released each year at present, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere continues to rise driving increasingly dangerous global warming. Climate Fragility Programming Resource Guide, US. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development Climate change impacts are not isolated occurrences. Rather, they interact with additional pressures and contextual factors, resulting in diverse compound risks. This complexity is notably pronounced in fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable contexts, where the combined effects of climate change and conflict mutually reinforcing, creating a dual burden. The socioeconomic factors that make a place vulnerable to climate change (e.g., exclusionary political institutions, low economic development, inequitable distribution of key resources) are often also the same factors that can make a place vulnerable to conflict. The ramifications of conflict, spanning both physical destruction and institutional breakdown, exacerbate the deterioration of systems crucial for resilience against climate-related shocks. Why renewable energy matters in the context of peace and stability, Lentschig et al., Clingendael Many fragile and conflict-affected states face vulnerabilities due to fossil fuel dependence. Energy access rates in these countries are often extremely low, hindering socioeconomic development. Decentralized renewable energy can help to foster stability and to integrate climate, energy, and peacebuilding efforts. This requires de-risking investments and emphasizing local peace-related benefits of renewable energy projects. No Escape On the frontlines of climate change, conflict and forced displacement, Parker et al., United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees The plight of displaced populations and the communities hosting them have often been underreported and their voices excluded and marginalized. The authors analyze the current realities to reveal a story of immense scale: 90 million displaced people are living in countries with high-to-extreme exposure to climate-related hazards and nearly half out of all forcibly displaced people are bearing the burden of both conflict and the adverse effects of climate change. These include countries like Sudan, Syria, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Somalia. Understanding Linked Climate and Weather Hazards and the Challenges to Federal Emergency Management, Horn et al., Congressional Research Service Recent disasters have strained affected state, local, tribal, and territorial governments (SLTTs) and revealed the limits of federal authorities to assist with emergency management activities including disaster response (urgent efforts to save lives and protect property and the environment); recovery (restoring essential services and facilities); and mitigation (reducing long-term risks to life, property, and the environment). Is the Global Workforce Ready for the Energy Transition?, Romina Bandura and Clara Bonin, Center for Strategic and International Studies Whether the energy transition happens fast or slow, what is clear is that the global workforce is not ready for the changes to come. Unfortunately, governments are not doing enough to guarantee a just, or even smooth, shift. The authors analyze the workforce implications of the energy transition and presents broad actions that governments, labor, businesses, and civil society actors can take to better prepare workers for the future. Solving Climate Change. A guide for learners and leaders, Jonathan Koomey and Ian Monroe, IOP Publishing This book comprehensively frames the climate problem and cuts through common conceptual confusions that impede rapid action. The first chapter describes the history, nature, and scope of the climate problem. The second chapter describes how to stabilize the climate by ending fossil fuels, minimizing non-fossil emissions, and creating a climate-positive biosphere. The authors identify five technical pillars of climate action needed to stabilize the climate, each of which gets a chapter. These include electrifying (almost) everything, decarbonizing the electricity grid, minimizing non-fossil emissions, promoting efficiency and optimization, and removing carbon from the atmosphere. The book then moves beyond the narrow technical and policy focus of most previous climate solutions work by detailing three more "institutional" pillars that require action: aligning incentives, mobilizing money, and elevating truth. The least developed countries report Leveraging carbon markets for development, Akiwumi et al., United Nations Conference on Trade and Development The authors ask essential and timely questions about whether, and to what extent, carbon markets can contribute to green structural transformation in the least developed countries. These countries have contributed only marginally to the climate crisis but are among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Most least-developed countries are small emitters of greenhouse gases, yet they have chosen to play an active part in the global response to climate change by setting ambitious targets in their nationally determined contributions. This presents challenges and opens up opportunities for synergies and building bridges across policy areas. The authors highlight the current state of play and the future potential of carbon markets to mobilize finance and undertake mitigation of greenhouse gases in the least developed countries. The institutional requirements and technical capacities necessary for least developed countries to benefit from these markets are examined, while associated challenges and risks are highlighted. 94% of Europeans support measures to adapt to climate change, according to EIB survey, European Investment Bank Almost three-quarters of people polled across the European Union recognize the need to adapt their lifestyle due to the effects of climate change, according to the annual Climate Survey commissioned by the European Investment Bank. Among the challenges facing their countries, respondents ranked climate change second only to the cost of living. Many believe that investing in adaptation now will not only boost the economy but will also prevent higher costs in the future. The Survey presents the views of over 24,000 respondents from across the European Union and the United States on the topic of climate change. In the EU, 24,148 people took part in the survey, which was conducted in August 2024. Analise Das Emissoes de 1970-2023 Gases de Efeito Estufa e Suas Implicacoes Para As Metas Climaticas Do Brasil (Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From 1970-2023 and Their Implications for Brazil's Climate Goals), Tsai et al., The Climate Observatory and Imaflora As emissoes brutas de gases de efeito estufa do Brasil em 2023 foram de 2,3 bilhoes de toneladas de gas carbonico equivalente (GtCO2e) medidas em potencial de aquecimento global em cem anos (GWP) conforme o 5o Relatorio de Avaliacao (AR5) do IPCC. Isso representa uma reducao de 12% em relacao a 2022, quando o pais emitiu 2,6 bilhoes de toneladas. E a maior queda de emissoes desde 2009, ano em que o SEEG registrou os menores niveis de poluicao climatica da serie historica completa iniciada em 1990 (1,77 GtCO2 e). A reducao foi puxada pela queda de 24% nas emissoes por desmatamento, na esteira da retomada, pelo governo atual, das politicas de comando e controle da devastacao na Amazonia. A reducao das emissoes por desmatamento na floresta tropical foi de 37%, de 1,074 bilhao de toneladas de CO2 e para 687 milhoes de toneladas (MtCO2 e). Brazil's gross greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 were 2.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) measured in 100-year global warming potential (GWP) according to the IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5). This represents a 12% reduction compared to 2022 when the country emitted 2.6 billion tons. This is the largest drop in emissions since 2009, the year in which the SEEG recorded the lowest levels of climate pollution in the complete historical series starting in 1990 (1.77 GtCO2e). The reduction was driven by a 24% drop in emissions from deforestation, in the wake of the current government's resumption of command and control policies to combat devastation in the Amazon. The reduction in emissions from deforestation in the tropical forest was 37%, from 1.074 billion tons of CO2e to 687 million tons (MtCO2e). Artificial Intelligence for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap, ICEF Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to make very significant contributions to climate change mitigation in the years ahead. This includes incremental gains (such as increasing output at solar farms and improving energy efficiency in buildings) and transformational gains (such as helping discover important new materials for clean energy technologies). Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from computing operations for AI are less than 1%and perhaps much less than 1%of global GHG emissions. These emissions will very likely increase in the years ahead, in amounts that could be modest or significant. The main barriers to realizing AIs potential to help reduce GHG emissions are a lack of data and a lack of trained personnel. Governments, companies, and educational institutions should work together to overcome these barriers. Fairshares, Finance, Transformation. Fair Shares Assessment, Equitable Fossil Fuel Phase Out, and Public Finance of a Just Global Climate Stabilization, Civil Society The authors detail the profound damage caused by the Global Norths unwillingness to do their fair share of climate effort, especially related to climate finance, and how that damage is further exacerbated by the organized obstructionism of the fossil fuel industry and the parasitism of the global rich. They show in detail that there is plenty of money to fund a just, ambitious, effective, and equitable global climate transition, even without implementing the deep systemic changes that are also needed. The authors also detail these badly needed system change reforms, divided into more immediate reforms and the longer-term objectives, needed to allow the world to address growing inequities and stop the climate crisis. Powering United States Primary Steel Decarbonization, Snook et al., Clean Energy Buyers Association The U.S. primary steel industry will require 174 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity annually by 2050 to slash up to 57% of the industrys emissions and help achieve global aims to reduce carbon emissions. The 174 TWh would be a 159 TWh increase from business-as-usual practices. To power this next generation of steel with carbon-free energy would require at least 28 gigawatts (GW) of solar and wind resources and 58 GW of battery storage by 2050, as well as interregional transmission reform. The reports findings amplify the need for transmission reform as well as accelerated deployment of carbon-free energy to power these steel-making facilities and processes, retain domestic competitiveness, and reduce emissions deep in corporate supply chains. Disaster displacements disproportionately impact women, girls in fragile contexts, United Nations Population Fund Disaster-related internal displacement is a truly universal phenomenon, with major impacts seen in even high- and middle-income countries including many of the countries that have contributed the most to global climate change. While exposure to disasters is widespread ability to cope is not: Almost a quarter of disaster, displacements took place in countries with low Human Development Index scores (HDI measures social and economic development); almost a quarter took place in low-income countries; over a third of displacements are in countries with the highest vulnerability to climate change and least capacity to address it. The State Permitting Playbook, Thomas Hochman, Foundation for American Innovation The United States faces significant challenges in its ability to build and maintain critical infrastructure, develop new technologies, and compete globally in strategic industries. More than 75 percent of the permits authorized by federal law are issued by the states. This presents both challenges and opportunities for state policymakers. States have the power to streamline permitting processes and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. The author aims to provide state legislators with a comprehensive understanding of the key environmental permitting issues affecting economic development and to highlight potential areas for reform. Warming Projections Global Update, Ellis et al., Climate Analytics and the NewClimate Institute The Climate Action Tracker is an independent scientific project that tracks government climate action and measures it against the globally agreed Paris Agreement aim of "holding warming well below 2C and pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5C. CAT quantifies and evaluates climate change mitigation targets, policies, and actions. It also aggregates country action to the global level, determining likely temperature increases during the 21st century. CAT further develops sectoral analysis to illustrate the required pathways for meeting the global temperature goals. Climate Changes Four Irelands 2023: An Audience Segmentation Analysis, Desmond et al., Yale Program on Climate Change Communication The author's analysis identified four climate change audiences in Ireland. The Alarmed (34% of the Irish population) understand that human-caused climate change is a real and immediate threat. The Concerned (48% of the Irish population) are convinced that climate change is serious, but compared to the Alarmed are less worried and view it as a less immediate threat. The Concerned also have lower levels of support for climate change policies. For instance, only 35% of the Concerned think climate change should be a very high priority for the Government of Ireland, compared to 66% of Alarmed. The Cautious (14% of the Irish population) think climate change is happening but are less sure of the causes and are less likely to think it will affect them personally. The Doubtful (4% of the Irish population) are not worried about climate change and do not perceive it as a threat. Deploying a World-Renowned Advanced Nuclear Industry in Texas, Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group, Public Utility Commission of Texas The authors outline policy recommendations for consideration by the Texas Legislature that would establish Texas as the centralized location for manufacturing and global deployment of small modular advanced nuclear reactors. The benefits of advanced nuclear energy for Texas include enhancing the reliability of the ERCOT grid by providing safe, reliable, and affordable power; enhancing Texas energy security and meeting growing power demand; promoting economic development and unlocking new industry opportunities; and cementing Texas status as the energy capital of the world. COP out: Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, and Central Asia building three times as much fossil as wind and utility-scale solar capacity, Norman et al., Global Energy Monitor The COP29 climate change conference falls at a critical time, as countries evaluate their pledges to climate action before submitting revised ambitions in respective Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs next year. Stimulating collective ambition requires leadership, precisely what COP29 host Azerbaijan has yet to deliver in its plans. The host nation's approach is modest, at best, with wind and solar projects in development only expected to bring about a 10% increase in renewables share of capacity by 2027 and no plans for further projects beyond that date. Global Energy Monitor's Global Integrated Power Tracker data indicate similarly low levels of progress against unambitious targets across the region, with a 13 GW deficit in targeted renewable capacity additions among Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) countries. At the same time, the fossil-powered buildout continues apace, with more than three times as much fossil capacity under construction in the CCA region than from wind and utility-scale solar. Course correction is essential to uphold the collective pledges on energy made at COP28. Obtaining articles without journal subscriptions We know it's frustrating that many articles we cite here are not free to read. One-off paid access fees are generally astronomically priced, suitable for such as "On a Heuristic Point of View Concerning the Production and Transformation of Light" but not as a gamble on unknowns. With a median world income of US$ 9,373, for most of us US$ 42 is significant money to wager on an article's relevance and importance. Here's an excellent collection of tips and techniques for obtaining articles, legally. Unpaywall offers a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that automatically indicates when an article is freely accessible and provides immediate access without further trouble. Unpaywall is also unscammy, works well, is itself offered free to use. The organizers (a legitimate nonprofit) report about a 50% success rate The weekly New Research catch is checked against the Unpaywall database with accessible items being flagged. Especially for just-published articles this mechansim may fail. If you're interested in an article title and it is not listed here as "open access," be sure to check the link anyway. How is New Research assembled? Most articles appearing here are found via RSS feeds from journal publishers, filtered by search terms to produce raw output for assessment of relevance. Relevant articles are then queried against the Unpaywall database, to identify open access articles and expose useful metadata for articles appearing in the database. The objective of New Research isn't to cast a tinge on scientific results, to color readers' impressions. Hence candidate articles are assessed via two metrics only: Was an article deemed of sufficient merit by a team of journal editors and peer reviewers? The fact of journal RSS output assigns a "yes" to this automatically. Is an article relevant to the topic of anthropogenic climate change? Due to filter overlap with other publication topics of inquiry, of a typical week's 550 or so input articles about 1/4 of RSS output makes the cut. A few journals offer public access to "preprint" versions of articles for which the review process is not yet complete. For some key journals this all the mention we'll see in RSS feeds, so we include such items in New Research. These are flagged as "preprint." The section "Informed opinion, nudges & major initiatives" includes some items that are not scientific research per se but fall instead into the category of "perspectives," observations of implications of research findings, areas needing attention, etc. Suggestions Please let us know if you're aware of an article you think may be of interest for Skeptical Science research news, or if we've missed something that may be important. Send your input to Skeptical Science via our contact form. Journals covered A list of journals we cover may be found here. We welcome pointers to omissions, new journals etc. Previous edition The previous edition of Skeptical Science New Research may be found here. Cher, what is your plan? the star asked herself in 1975 as she jetted from Burbank to Las Vegas to marry the musician Gregg Allman. A good question, and one Cher learned to take seriously only by the end of that decade, which is where the newly published first volume of the long-awaited memoir Cher by Cher stops, on the verge of her blossoming as an actor. Readers, of course, will buy this irresistible book for the parts where Chers famousfor its candid (yet not-quite-gossipy) accounts of meetings and run-ins with everyone from Jackie Kennedy and Lucille Ball to the Rolling Stones and Salvador Dali, its naked dress and its scandalous divorces. There are funny stories about famous people, fond remembrances of her childrens early years, and many, many descriptions of outfits. (On that plane to Vegas, she was wearing a powder-blue two-piece with white lace trim.) Throughout, despite the involvement of ghostwriters (Cher herself is dyslexic), her voice rings out frank, profane, and delightfully unaffected. Slate receives a commission when you purchase items using the links on this page. Thank you for your support. But despite the delights of the books latter half, its the story of Chers life and roots before her arrival at the brink of stardom that offers the real key to the divato both her personality and her particular flavor of celebrity. Cher begins way back, with Chers maternal great-grandparents, whose small farm was lost when her great-grandfather died while blowing up stumps for the railroad, and whose children had to be distributed among friends and relatives, a pattern repeated across the generations. Ours was a sad, strange story of Southern folk coming from nothing and carving out a life after the Great Depression, Cher writes, recounting how her 10-year-old grandmother was sent to work in a boardinghouse, where she caught the eye of a local bakers assistant. By the time she was 13 and he was 17, she was pregnant with Chers mother, Jackie (who later changed her name to Georgia). He was violent, they were broke, and the couple survived by picking cotton while dragging the infant Jackie along behind them through the fields on a burlap gunnysack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackie had a precocious singing voice, and by the time she was 5, her father was carting her around to saloons, propping her up on the bar, and having her sing the blues to pay for his drinks. Her mother ran off, so her father parked her at the home of an aunt and uncle, where she was molested. Then he and his daughter hitchhiked to Los Angeles to try to launch Jackie as a child star. The 8-year-old ended up selling Christmas cards on the street. Her father had just persuaded her mother to come back to him when she learned that hed fathered another child, by a teenager. At one point, when Jackies mother had (briefly) found a stable partner and won custody of Jackie and her younger brother, her father turned on the gas in their vermin-ridden Oklahoma City apartment in the middle of the night and vanished, leaving his children to die. (Jackie realized what was happening and got the two of them out in time.) Then her mother left her new husband for the mans nephew. Advertisement I mean, jeez. My family. You couldnt make it up. Cher I mean, jeez. My family. You couldnt make it up, Cher writes. Its true; theres more drama packed into those first few chapters than there is in the glamorous cavalcade to come. As the adult Jackie/Georgiaalso pregnant at 13, with Cher, and abandoned by her charming, adulterous junkie husbandstruggled to get by waiting tables and working as a cigarette girl, she too was often forced to park her infant daughter with neighbors or, in one particularly traumatic case, with a bunch of nuns who initially refused to give the child back. Occasionally the beautiful Georgia did well, landing jobs as a Hollywood extra or latching on to prosperous men, but her situation remained precarious. She took Chers neer-do-well father back not once but twice, to the bafflement of everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Its from this milieu of economically marginal chancers that Cher emerged, a world where substance abuse, violence, crime, adultery, and general shiftlessness seemed inescapable. It shaped much of her life as a star, not only her attraction to addicts like Gregg Allman but her strangely persistent connection to Sonny Bono. Cher rightly credits Bono with launching her career. Certainly, he was one of the rare men in her early life with the focus and self-discipline to accomplish anything. At first, when she was 16 with nowhere to stay, he let her move in with him in exchange for housekeeping. It seems that romance kindled only after he overheard her singing in the next room. Cher recounts the pairs success as a pop duo in the 1960s, then their abrupt fall from the charts, followed by a desperate, grueling period as a lounge act, during which they once performed for a crowd of four. On this circuit, they gradually developed a style of funny marital banter that made them popular again and led to the hit CBS variety series The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, which ran for four seasons. Advertisement Related From Slate The New Book From One of the Worlds Greatest Writers Revisits an Early Masterpieceand Improves It Read More In 1972, as Cher became aware of Bonos many infidelities, she also discovered that hed deceived her into signing a contract that virtually made her his indentured servant. Her new boyfriend, record executive David Geffen, informed her, You work for Sonny. You have no rights, no vote, no money, nothing. Youre an employee of something called Cher Enterprises with a salary you were likely never paid and three weeks vacation per year. He owns ninety-five percent of the company and the rest belongs to his lawyer. With Geffens help (Note to Cher: What were you thinking leaving him for Allman? That man was a keeper!), she pulled herself out of the hole again and established a solo career that included a short-lived variety show of her own. And yet, Cher somehow remained friends with Bono, and in 1975 the couple even reunited to do two seasons of a revived Sonny & Cher Showalthough she did, at least, have the sense not to remarry him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bono remained the person Cher turned to when she needed advice about her career and dealings with the press, and in a way it makes sense. He, perhaps better than anyone else, understood the nature of her charisma. It arose from her hardscrabble, rootless origins. Before Cher becameas she is described in the one-sentence author bio on the dust jacket of Chera global icon, she was a certain kind of 60s girl, long-haired, rootless, barefoot, insouciant, and ever so slightly vulnerable. Advertisement Sonny & Chers first hit, Baby Dont Go, is the farewell call of a girl who never had a mother and hardly knew my dad, who shops in secondhand stores and has had enough of the way this old town laughs at me. Many of her solo hits afterward told similar stories about a girl born in the wagon of a travelin show (Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves) shunned by the people of the town, and a mixed-race woman whose family never settled, went from town to town because they were welcomed nowhere (Half-Breed). The first big break Sonny & Cher got came when the concierge at the London hotel where theyd made reservations took one look at her striped bell-bottoms and his caveman vest and refused to give them a room. By the next day, theyd become a national story, and Baby Dont Go had soared up the U.K. charts. Advertisement This misfit cool made Cher a star in the 60s and 70s, when the image of the scrappy, soulful wanderer held an especially romantic allure. She was a girl mocked and rejected by the small-minded and provincial, who triumphed in the greater world thanks to her unconventional beauty, her innate sense of style, and above all her authenticity. Even as Cher evolved into a full-fledged diva, her feet never left the ground. So much of the charm in Cher comes not from the stories about other celebrities, but from her vivid memories of childhood, her long friendships with other women, her penchant for cooking big holiday meals for her family. She can turn a phrase and speak the unvarnished truth. Theres the husband who drilled the hick out of her mother, her praise for Lucille Ball as a balls-to-the-wall kick-ass chick, and her admission, when cornered by a reporter asking about her failed marriage to Allman, that after years of having decisions made for me by Sonny, I was making my own but was bound to get it wrong sometimes. Cher was no calculating Madonna or steely Streisand. She played it by ear, like so many of us, taking her knocks with grace and her wins with humility. This makes Cher the best sort of company in stormy times. If she can make it through and thrive, maybe the rest of us can too. In Maite Alberdis documentary The Mole Agent, an elderly Chilean man goes undercover inside a nursing home to investigate charges that one of the residents is being abused and taken advantage of. In A Man on the Inside, the new Netflix series basedvery looselyon Alberdis movie, the stakes are lowered substantially. Rather than elder abuse, Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson), a retired professor of engineering and recent widower, is employed to root out the person behind the disappearance of a ruby necklace that may not have been worth that much in the first place. As is true of the other worlds created by Michael Schur, no one here is cruel or mean-spirited in any particularly pernicious wayeven The Good Places demons were more like gleeful pranksters than the embodiment of evil. Tempers occasionally run short, and misunderstandings abound, but for the most part, everyone tries their best, and its rarely enough. When hes first hired by a private eye looking for an accomplice, The Mole Agents Sergio, who is in his 80s, struggles with the simplest of tasks: Just mastering a smartphones photo app is a challenge, and forget about successfully placing a FaceTime call. Charles is a little more tech-savvy, but while he knows his way around an iPhone, he is utterly lost when it comes to subterfuge. Asked by his prospective employer, Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada), to take a surreptitious snap of two strangers, Charles ends up posing for selfies with them, reflecting both his lack of chill and his yearning for human connection. A year after his wifes death, Charles lives alone in his spacious modernist house, reading spy novels and clipping out the occasional newspaper article to send to his daughter, Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), with a scrawled notation in the margins: Fascinating! Shes only a two-hour drive away, but shes busy raising three teenage boys, and besides, she and her father were never exactly close. Her mother, she explains, was the one she could talk to. Dad was the one youd go to for the most efficient directions from Point A to Point B. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underlying A Man on the Insides eight half-hour episodes, which feature names and faces familiar from previous Schur shows like Parks & Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, is an understanding that life is hard enough without introducing the conflicts and threats that are usually the stuff of drama. The biggest threat to an older persons well-being, explains the homes director, Didi (Stephanie Beatriz), isnt illness or injury: Its loneliness, a condition that survival only makes more acute. If Charles makes a lousy spy, especially at first, its partly because hes unpracticed in the art of subterfuge, but its also, we come to understand, because his people skills have been atrophying for years, as hes traded the college lecture hall for a quiet crossword at the breakfast table (he does it in ink, of course) and spent months with his grief as his primary companion. Hes supposed to be keeping a low profile and not drawing the other residents notice, but when a man who looks like Ted Danson walks into a facility where women outnumber men several times over, thats an impossibility, and the attention hits him like a narcoticwell, that and the weed he ends up smoking after his welcome party. Advertisement The show evolves gently over the course of its first season, as Charles fends off a crush from another resident (Sally Struthers) and the sputtering hostility of her sometime-boyfriend (John Getz). He makes a friend in Calbert (Stephen McKinley Henderson), talking over late-night backgammon about their strained relationships with their children, and an ally in Beatrizs Didi, a boundlessly patient and upbeat administrator who burns off stress by laying on the floor under her desk with a pair of noise-canceling headphones. The investigation never quite goes away, but because the presence of a hard-hearted thief who swipes precious heirlooms from the most vulnerable would explode the series softly lulling tones, you realize quickly that the mystery wont be a whodunit but an explanation of why the it wasnt what we thought it was. In the first episode, Didi takes Charles on a tour of the facility, and the way he balks at her offer to show him the buildings memory-care wing tells you all you need to know about where the story is actually headed. Advertisement If streaming shows can suffer from an overreliance on twists, desperate to propel viewers toward the Next Episode button rather than risk any hint of closure, A Man on the Inside errs in the opposite direction, unrolling at a leisurely stroll. Without the structure of a network shows act breaks or the broadcast sitcoms imperative to always be driving to the next laugh line, the series just kind of drifts along amiably, counting that youd rather soak in its hot bath than risk changing the channel and catching a chill. (The goofiest gags are reserved for the end credits, where several characters are assigned last names, never spoken on screen, like Chagughlaight-Accourse and Autumnal-Stojakovic.) But once youve caught on to the fact that its a cozy mystery in sitcom clothing, you might just enjoy the warmth. The first thing you need to understand about the new movie version of Wicked is that, despite being only Part I of a two-part adaptation, it is in fact lengthier than the entire blockbuster stage musical on which it is based. At two hours and 40 minutes, its about 10 minutes longer than the original, two-hour-and-30-minute Broadway musicalthe actual run time, if you exclude the shows typical 15-minute intermission. The movie does not itself slot in time for such an intermission (this aint the 60s), but it ends right at the plot point that serves as the musicals famed Act 1 finale: Defying Gravity, the song belted by an unjustly persecuted Elphaba as she finally rides off into the skies on her broom, destined to be forever vilified as the Wicked Witch of the West. You could be forgiven for not realizing that this is all just Part I, given that the marketing has tended to advertise it as simply Wicked. But even as an adaptation of the shows first act, which usually clocks in at 90 minutes, it nearly doubles the length. Thats a lot of Wicked, but heres a surpriseit actually kinda works, so far, and Im very much in line with my colleague Dana Stevens rave. In the years leading up to Part Is release, a flurry of news stories teased all sorts of new goodies to be included in the film: additional songs from composer Stephen Schwartz (likely to be featured in Part Two, out next November), more plotlines and details from the eponymous 1995 novel that inspired the musical, and various added elements to the beloved songs. But how exactly does that contribute to a Part I thats a whole hour longer than Wickeds first act? We break it down below. The Plot Wicked: Part I makes the smart decision not to add many side plots. Instead, it uses much of the added run time to deepen its main charactersand the complex relationships between them. This begins right from the moment of Glindas opening flashback, as she recounts Elphabas unfortunate upbringing. The out-of-wedlock baby, born with green skin and subsequently spurned by her parents, is then shown to be raised mostly by a nanny bear (voiced by three-time Olivier Award winner Sharon D. Clarke), who never appears in the show. The movie also changes how she ends up at Shiz University, to further accentuate her place as a neglected outcast in the family. In the musical, Elphaba and her sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode) enroll at Shiz together, but in the movie, just Nessarose is slated to attend; its only after their father (Andy Nyman) pushes Elphaba to ensure that Nessarose makes it to her dorm safely that Elphaba follows her to a campus gathering spot and ends up with an unexpected invitation to the school. That comes about when, in a moment of worry and panic, she casts a spell that lifts Nessarose into the air and carries many surrounding objects with her, causing a huge mess and embarrassing Nessarose, who rolls away in a huff. Shiz headmistress Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) witnesses this and, impressed, not only admits Elphaba to the school but also offers to give her private magic lessonssessions we see throughout the film, though theyre never shown in the musical. (In the show, Elphaba merely pulls Nessaroses wheelchair away from Madame Morrible, who then gets Glinda to room with Elphaba.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also see more of the oppressed, talking animals at Shiz University. In the musicals first act, the goat professor Dr. Dillamond (voiced by Peter Dinklage) is the primary animal character. Theres more of him here, and more of his animal colleagues, including a tamarin monkey, an owl, a deer, and a shoebill. The Something Bad sequence, originally just a classroom-set duet between Elphaba and Dillamond, becomes a mostly solo song for the latter in an added scene, where we see him meeting with other animals to discuss Ozs escalating discrimination against its nonhuman residents. Elphaba sneaks outside their meeting space and eavesdrops but is eventually noticed and welcomed in by Dillamond. Another new bit involving Dillamond: A film-only character, Miss Coddle (The Greatest Showmans Keala Settle), is portrayed as a Dolores Umbridgestyle heel who forces Dillamond from the university, as Oz further expels its animal populations from public life. Another character who gets a bit more shine during this midsection: Fiyero (Bridgertons Jonathan Bailey), the shared romantic interest between Glinda and Elphaba. After Dillamond is fired, the new rules for how animals will be treated at Shiz are made clear when a new professor wheels in a lion cub (the future Cowardly Lion) in a cage. In the musical, Elphaba erupts in rage on the spot, and she runs away with Fiyero while bringing the cub with them; in the movie, Elphaba hatches a separate plan with Fiyero outside of class to sneak into the classroom, take the cub, and free him in the surrounding woods, where Fiyero and Elphaba have just so happened to first meet a few scenes back. (In the show, their first encounter is on Shizs campus.) Advertisement Advertisement Part Is climax is also elongated and given more of the action audiences might expect from a Hollywood finale. It kicks off with Glinda and Elphabas visit to the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), who explains his vision for a fancy brick road; the young witches settle on yellow as a suitable color, a lore-building moment absent from the stage production. The subsequent escape sequence doesnt make a rush of things, showing Glinda and Elphaba failing to take the Wizards hot-air balloon out of his castle (a plot point that doesnt occur in the show) and the latter struggling to fly at first before mastering her skill and taking control of her broom. In the show, she takes off pretty much immediately. The song that plays throughout that stirring event (you know, Defying Gravity) is stretched out to accommodate the changes, which brings us to Advertisement The Songs Wicked: Part I doesnt include any new musical numbers, but the beloved songs are all given significant flourishes, and Fiyeros Dancing Through Life gets an extra-special boost. Although the musical stages that song at the party where Elphaba and Glinda finally cement their friendship, Jon M. Chu, who made his name as the director of the Step Up movies, gives Dancing much more bombast, lengthening the song, slowing its rhythm, and placing the choreography in various cinematic settings, a giant rotating library among them. (For a general idea of how the movies soundtrack diverges from the cast recording, just compare the corresponding track lengthsmany of the films versions are at least a minute or two longer.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive mentioned the reasons why Something Bad and Defying Gravity are longer than expected, but One Short Day, the catchy ballad that soundtracks Elphaba and Glindas trip to the Emerald City, is also given an extra job: Several lines are added to explain the Grimmerie, a mystical spellbook owned by the Wizard (and later read by Elphaba, when casting the spell that gets a monkey to painfully sprout new wings). The stage version, as Wicked fans well know, is more narrowly focused on the awe-inspiring wonders of the Emerald City. If the conventions of modern big-budget filmmaking require a bit more of an exposition dump, I suppose you might as well do it in song. This article was republished in partnership with Balls and Strikes. In 2023, the renowned Supreme Court lawyer Tom Goldstein announced his retirement, explaining that when the court is controlled by a six-justice conservative supermajority, there is very little that an advocate for the little guy can hope to accomplish anymore. This week, Goldstein, best known as the founder and publisher of SCOTUSblog, reemerged to offer the sort of keen insight available only to a man who argued more than 40 cases before the justices during his illustrious career: that under the Constitution, winning a presidential election makes any crimes you may have committed magically vanish. This is the thrust of Goldsteins latest op-ed in The New York Times, in which he calls for the prompt dismissal of all ongoing prosecutions of President-elect Donald Trump. With the election now over, the courts have to decide quickly whether to move forward, Goldstein writes. Although this idea will pain my fellow Democrats, all of the cases should be abandoned. Goldstein does not defend Trumps real-world conduct at issue in any of these cases. They are, in no particular order, aimed at his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia; his payment of illegal hush money to kill an unflattering news story about an extramarital affair; his mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago mansion; and his complicity in the Jan. 6 insurrection, an anniversary that Trump will soon celebrate by watching many of the same lawmakers who almost died at his supporters hands take the formal steps necessary to make him president of the United States. Instead, Goldstein argues that operation of the democratic process has rendered these prosecutions illegitimate. The Constitution trusts the judgment of the American people to decide whether the cases against Mr. Trump, as he has argued, were political and calculated to stop him from being elected, he writes. The people had plenty of opportunities to hear both sides, and they have spoken. Goldsteins claim here is that under the Constitution, the 2024 election basically was a trial, and Trumps victory is a definitive not guilty verdicta verdict that applies not only to the three cases that have yet to go to trial, but also to the one in which jurors already found Trump guilty, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purported constitutional equivalence between criminal trial outcomes and presidential election results will come as a surprise to anyone with a passing familiarity with criminal trials or presidential elections. Prosecutions, for example, take place in the controlled environment of a courtroom; presidential elections, by contrast, take place in a barely regulated political landscape in which reactionary billionaires are free to buy as many votes as they can afford. Prosecutions are decided by randomly selected juries of a fixed number of ones peers; presidential elections are decided by whatever coalition decides to show up to the polls that day. Prosecutions are about determining the culpability of a specific person for a specific act in a specific jurisdiction. Presidential elections are, in effect, very expensive national popularity contests, in which an individual voters perception of a nominees alleged criminality may have everything, something, or nothing to do with how they ultimately choose to cast a ballot. Related From Slate Im Losing It With the Democrats Read More For a multitude of good reasons, the Constitution firmly rejects the legitimacy of determining innocence or guilt by popular referendum, and certainly does not contemplate allowing people accused of crimes to opt out of the criminal legal system by running for and winning elected office. (I would have thought an acclaimed Supreme Court advocate would understand basic stuff like this, but here we are.) In a courtroom, telling outrageous lies under oath is the sort of thing that can land you in prison. Out on the campaign trail, telling outrageous lies earns you raucous applause, credulous media coverage, and a 2-point polling bump. Advertisement Advertisement In perhaps the most absurd passage in the op-ed, Goldstein discusses the pending state charges against Trump, which, unlike the federal cases, the president cannot unilaterally kill once he takes the oath of office. A central pillar of American democracy is that no man is above the law. But Mr. Trump isnt an ordinary man, Goldstein writes. (See if you can spot the qualifier he added!) Advertisement The slippery-slope argument Goldstein is trying to make is that allowing state prosecutions of a sitting president could set a troubling tit-for-tat precedent in the future. But somehow he misses the excruciatingly obvious problem that if, in fact, no man is above the law, everything he writes before and after this paragraph is either: 1) a vacuous justification for ascendant authoritarianism, or 2) the sort of critical thinking that, if you were to include it in an AP Government exam in high school, would prompt a concerned note from your teacher asking if you were getting enough sleep. As it turns out, the real central pillar of American democracy is that no man is above the law, unless that man is deemed sufficiently extraordinary for one reason or another, in which case retired members of the Supreme Court bar will dust off their keyboards to crank out half-baked blog posts conflating an election result with a legal exoneration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout, Goldstein expresses great concern about the dangers that politically driven prosecutions might pose to the democratic order; elections, he asserts, play a critical role in sussing out which prosecutions are political and which are not. In Goldsteins view, Democrats desire to see the cases through just proves that their support is based not on confidence in the prosecutors legal theories and evidence, but instead on politics and hatred of Mr. Trump. But Goldstein never grapples with the implications of endorsing a framework that, in the name of scrupulously avoiding political prosecutions, would require prosecutors to look the other way basically anytime a president commits a crimeno matter how worthy of prosecution the crime may be, and no matter how threatening the crime is to the democratic order that Goldstein says he is so concerned with preserving. And like so many of Trumps ostensibly reluctant defenders in the legal profession, Goldstein does not acknowledge the simple fact that his proffered solutiondismissing a criminal prosecution because the defendant happened to win a presidential electionis just as political a choice as proceeding as if the defendant were anyone else. Advertisement Like the Supreme Courts decision in Trump v. United States, which transformed the Richard Nixon when the president does it, its not illegal adage into an ironclad principle of constitutional law, Goldsteins logic would turn democratic elections into get-out-of-jail-free cards for anyone who can afford to buy one. Regular people, of course, would still be subject to regular criminal courts, where they might get life in prison for stealing a few VHS tapes. Wealthy politicians, by contrast, would be allowed to do as many crimes as they please, secure in the knowledge that as long as they file the paperwork necessary to run for office, and thereafter manage to convince a plurality of the electorate to vote for them, they will enjoy the privilege of being able to escape accountability altogether. Advertisement I am not sure why Goldstein feels passionately enough about the subject to be this bootlickingly wrong about it in public. But his choice to do so demonstrates how malleable this countrys conception of justice really is: If a defendant is famous and powerful enough, elite lawyers will write in to the newspaper of record to cravenly argue that, as a matter of constitutional law, famous and powerful people actually shouldnt be subject to the legal system at all. As the saying goes, when youre the president, they let you do it. Disclosure: For about a year beginning in 2009, I wrote weekly, unpaid round-up posts for SCOTUSblog, and unsuccessfully interviewed with Goldstein for a job as his personal assistant. For my SCOTUSblog author page, I had a friend take my picture in front of the brick facade at the old National Capital YMCA, because I was a 22-year-old recent college graduate during the Great Recession, and needed the several hundred dollars it would have cost to get a professional headshot for rent. Flash Smoke caused by an Israeli missile attack rises from the city of Palmyra, central Syria, Nov. 20, 2024. [Photo/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. Yes, the #MeToo movement launched a culture- and law-changing reckoning with sexual harassment, abuse, and power, first in the U.S., then across the globe. But in recent weeks it has become clear that the movement also, perversely, seems to have empowered right-wing men to act with even more impunity than before. Nowhere is this more apparent than in President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet and close staff picks, several of whom have been accused of sexual misconductnot to mention the president himself, who has not only been credibly accused but found liable for sexual abuse in court. Its like the dark inverse of this (lightly paraphrased) line from The Incredibles: If everyone is super, then no one will be. This appears to be the emerging conservative mentality. If everyone is a sexual predator, then no ones history of misdeeds matters (or, at least, no one needs to be held accountable). MAGA Republicans seem to be having their own #MeToo moment, except here, a growing cohort of men is essentially saying: Oh, another man accused of sexual predation? #MeTooand so what? Being accused of sexual harassment, abuse, or assault is no longer disqualifying; on the right, it has been normalized. It may even be an asset. The file of sexual misconduct allegations against Trumps Cabinet nominees is certainly robust. There is Matt Gaetz, Trumps pick for attorney general, who was investigated by the Justice Department he is now set to lead for sex trafficking involving sex with a minor, and by the House Ethics Committee for those same alleged crimes as well as using illicit drugs, showing photos and videos of women he was sexually involved with to colleagues on the House floor, and other improprieties. The committee has rules about not releasing damning reports around the time of a members election, and so its report on Gaetz remained unpublished through Nov. 5; as the group prepared to release it, he was nominated for AG and resigned from Congress. There is Fox News host Pete Hegseth, Trumps nominee for secretary of defense, who paid a woman off after she said he raped her at a California Federation of Republican Women conference, which she was attending along with her husband and their young children; Hegseth maintains that the encounter was consensual, and that the payout was only to protect his job. There is Elon Musk, tapped to co-run the yet-to-exist Department of Government Efficiency, who was sued for creating a sexually hostile workplaceaccording to the lawsuit, treating women as sexual objects to be evaluated on their bra size and bombarding the workplace with lewd sexual banter. There is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accused of groping the babysitter (not to mention a history of womanizing, wildly irresponsible drug use, and the abuse of more than one animal corpse). Even Trumps very few female nominees arent immune: There is Linda McMahon, just nominated to serve as secretary of education, who is currently being sued by victims who assert she knew about the abuse they were suffering at WWE, the company she co-founded and ran with her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And of course there is the president-elect himself. Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation by a Manhattan jury, and ordered to pay the woman the jury found he assaulted, the writer E. Jean Carroll, more than $80 million. Trump was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records for a bribe stemming from sex with Stormy Daniels, with whom he was cheating on his postpartum wife; Daniels version of the encounter also sounds not exactly consensual. And Trump has faced sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct accusations from more than a dozen women. All of these men deny the accusations against them. Related From Slate Whew, Thats a Lot of Smoke Around Matt Gaetz Already Read More Of the more than two dozen Cabinet and staff members Trump has nominated, there are nearly as many accused sexual abusers as there are women. And that sends a pretty clear message about who Trump Term Two is for. But it also demonstrates the efficacy with which conservatives have undercut #MeToo, and womens claims to bodily autonomy more broadly. The first election of Trump, after the publication of the Access Hollywood tape on which he bragged about sexually violating women by grabbing them by the genitals, was part of what fueled the Womens March and later #MeToo, both furious responses to the sexual impunity of powerful men. And while #MeToo managed to hold a handful of prominent men accountable and change laws across several states, many other men dodged accusations and either retained or ascended to important roles. The most notable among them is arguably Brett Kavanaugh, one of Trumps Supreme Court picks, who was accused of sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford while they were both in high school. Kavanaugh denied the accusations; Blasey Ford gave incredible and compelling testimony at his Senate confirmation hearing; and despite Kavanaughs angry and reactive testimony, he was confirmed to the benchthe highest court in the land. It was from that perch that he then went on to sign on to the opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the era of abortion rights across the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the background of all this, reactionary conservative men are cheering the end of the anti-Trump feminist fight. The white supremacist Nick Fuentes started a social media trend when he posted what may be the tagline of this particular moment: Your Body, My Choice. Forever. The line is a reference to the longtime abortion rights slogan My Body, My Choice, but it also has an undeniably rapey ring. And that is not a coincidence: The power to legally force a woman to endure the permanent and sometimes dangerous full-body evolution of gestating a pregnancy for nine months, followed by the pain and risk of childbearing, is not so different from the power to force a woman into sex. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the same organs are generally involved; both acts force a woman to suffer a painful invasion of her most intimate body parts; both take what should be happy and pleasurable events (having a baby, sex) and turn them violent and violating; and both assume that a womans body may be used against her will, as a vessel for someone elses desiresa mans sexual ones, the states reproductive ones. Your Body, My Choice makes clear the relationship between the forced births and pregnancies of abortion bans and the forced sex of rapeand the desire for misogynistic humiliation and male dominance that underlies both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is coming into his second term as the president who ended legal abortion in all 50 states. He is also the first convicted felon to hold the office, and the first to have been found liable for sexual abuse. He ran a campaign catering to disaffected and often misogynistic men (Get every man you know to the polls, Trump senior adviser Stephen Miller tweeted on Election Day) and saw a 12-point advantage among male voters under 30 compared with female voters the same age. It is hard to see this as anything other than an anti-feminist backlash. Advertisement And at least on the right, it seems to be the case that so many men were accused of sexual predation that the impact of sexual assault and misconduct accusations has been drained of its potency. One of #MeToos revelations was just how many women had experienced abuse, and just how many men had behaved astonishingly badly. Sexual abuse, feminists have argued, is troublingly common. Trump and the conservatives who support him seem to have embraced a fun-house-mirror version of this ubiquity argument: Men accused of sexual abuse are everywhere. And so they should face consequences nowhere. Sprudge has published every kind of coffee story on Japan over the last 15 years, from neighborhood guides to cafe deep-dives to omakase tours and beyond. But this is only a fraction, but a glimpse, of the totality of coffee thats available to drink on these coffee-loving islands. Between the vending machines available everywhere, 24/7 convenience stores with their own cafe-like menus such as Machi Cafe by Lawson, traditionally old school kissatens, theres a universe of coffee options to explore. Today were taking you to a particularly interesting facet of Japanese coffee culture: Kaldi Coffee Farm, a kind of supermarket with more than 460 locations across Japan, most of them open until 9:00pm, and all of them featuring a keen focus on coffee coffee coffee, as the name might imply. A treasure hunt Kaldi Coffee Farm stores are present in every Japanese prefecture, from Okinawa to Hokkaido. Coffee is a huge focus here, but its not all they sellat Kaldi youll also find imported goods, spices, frozen sweets, cheeses, and so much more. The brands story begins in 1977, when coffee was still considered a luxury item in Japan and barely consumed at home; the brands mother-company called Camel Coffee started importing green beans, roasting, and doing wholesale. After the boom of coffee shops, leading to an increase of coffee interest and consumption among the Japanese society, Camel Coffee explored the idea to open a store focusing on coffee only and imported goods such as canned tomato, pasta, fish sauce, and coconut milkitems frequently requested by coffee shops for their wholesale needs. They opened their first Kaldi Coffee Farm store in 1986 in Shimotakaido (Tokyo), focusing on coffee. Nowadays you can easily spot the blue and brown shop fronts of Kaldi Coffee Farm in malls or tucked-away in calm backstreets near train stations. The shop itself feels something like a maze or treasure hunt, with narrow aisles that allow only one person at a time to explore each shelf. Its neatly organized to guide you through a journey of discovering various delicacies from overseas. The dim, warm lighting creates an atmosphere reminiscent of a library, inviting you to explore at a leisurely pace. Youll find yourself wandering through an extensive lineup of wines, then moving on to explore shelves of spices before discovering the biscuits and tea area. Your journey ends in the widest spacethe coffee sectionright in front of the registers. A flavorful sanctuary As one browses their way across Kaldi Coffee Farm, youll notice a series of brochures available for free on many of the shelves. In the coffee section these printed materials include brew guides, recipes, and details about the origin of the beans, along with the parameters for each available coffee including information like roast level and acidity. At the entrance of Kaldi theres always samples to tryiced coffee on hot days, warm coffee on chilly ones, and always a number of promotional items to try. For US-based readers, its fair to compare this experience to the sample section at Trader Joesexcept in the wintertime at Kaldi, you might even be given samples of warmed, spiced wine! As for the coffee itself, what theyre selling at Kaldi also projects a certain Trader Joes quality. Youll find a consistent lineup of approximately 30 coffee varieties, including seasonal blends, special editions, a range of single origin coffees, and novelty premium options familiar to longtime coffee drinkersthink Jamaica Blue Mountain or Hawaii Kona. Online the coffee options go even deeper, including many Cup of Excellence winning single origin coffees. The sum total is a coffee program thats very much built for accessibility and mass appreciationhaving 400+ shops does that for youbut with some real gems to discover for discerning coffee drinkers. The shop also sells a wide array of coffee brewing gear, including coffee spoons for measuring, canisters, servers, mugs, cold brew bottles, drippers, filters, and much more. Embracing Coffee Culture at Kaldi Coffee Farm Kaldi Coffee Farm embraced the rise of specialty coffee trends just in time, seamlessly blending with Japans diverse coffee consumption culture. It is adapted to everyones tastes: kissaten enthusiasts can find dark roasted blends or classic choices like Indonesia Mandheling, while more adventurous coffee aficionados can try lightly roasted Kenya beans or indulge in premium options. When you step into Kaldi Coffee Farm, you enter a place where you can explore, learn, and indulge in the world of coffee, no matter your level of literacy. Its a space where familiar atmosphere comforts nostalgia, and new discoveries awaitfrom wines to coffee and tea, theres always something intriguing to seek. Japan hosts more than its fair share of award-worthy cafes, the sorts of places youve seen on Instagram, or read about on Sprudge. But its fun to experience somewhere like Kaldi Coffee Farm in addition to those rare, special places; every Kaldi store is immediately welcoming and approachable, especially if you dont speak the language. Youll find another vantage point for coffee culture in Japan at Kaldi Coffee Farmand a unique experience thats really a lot of fun. Pauline Daid-Poisot is a coffee professional and freelance journalist based in Tokyo. This is Pauline Daid-Poisots first feature for Sprudge. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/always-close-to-the-people-kremlin-weighs-in-on-likelihood-of-putin-visiting-donbass-1120950876.html 'Always Close to the People': Kremlin Weighs in on Likelihood of Putin Visiting Donbass 'Always Close to the People': Kremlin Weighs in on Likelihood of Putin Visiting Donbass Sputnik International Russian President Vladimir Putin may travel to Donbas, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sputnik, adding that the president is always close to those who need his help. 2024-11-21T11:25+0000 2024-11-21T11:25+0000 2024-11-21T11:25+0000 russia ukrainian crisis vladimir putin dmitry peskov mariupol https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/07/1120812595_0:0:3216:1808_1920x0_80_0_0_23db775169d1e3138f0380d2e3abc049.jpg "Of course, I do not rule out that such visits will occur again ... Our president is always close to the people, close to those who need his care and assistance," Peskov stressed. In March 2023, Vladimir Putin embarked on an extensive working visit to Mariupol. Getting behind the wheel himself, the president toured various districts of the city. According to the Kremlin spokesman, numerous elements of the trip were impromptu, including stops at the Philharmonic Hall and for conversations with local residents. Putin was accompanied on this visit by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.In April of that year, Putin visited the headquarters of the Dnepr Battlegroup in the Kherson region and the headquarters of the National Guard's 'Vostok' unit in the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR). https://sputnikglobe.com/20241119/full-text-of-russias-updated-nuclear-doctrine-1120932192.html mariupol Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International putin donbass, ukrainian crisis, ukraine conflict, putin mariupol https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/australia-restricts-access-to-social-media-for-children-under-16---government-1120949596.html Australia Restricts Access to Social Media for Children Under 16 Australia Restricts Access to Social Media for Children Under 16 Sputnik International The Australian government introduced on Thursday a bill banning children under the age of 16 from using social media. 2024-11-21T08:51+0000 2024-11-21T08:51+0000 2024-11-21T08:54+0000 world australia social media https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105006/10/1050061020_0:180:1920:1260_1920x0_80_0_0_02e62419bdf916561af09ed96828c37e.jpg "Today the Government has introduced world-leading legislation to enforce a minimum age of 16 years for social media. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 will deliver greater protections for young Australians during critical stages of their development," the Australian prime minister's office said in a statement. Social media platforms themselves will be responsible for ensuring that children under 16 cannot create an account, with fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.2 million) for systemic breaches, the statement said. The "age-restricted social media platforms" will include Snapchat, TikTok, X and Instagram (owned by Meta*), among others. At the same time, access to messaging and online games will be allowed, as well as to health and education services, including Headspace, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom and YouTube. *banned in Russia for extremism https://sputnikglobe.com/20240831/nearly-9000-fine-for-using-x-with-a-vpn-in-brazil---court-1119967921.html australia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International australia social media ban, social media ban, social media freedom of speech, access to children social media https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/first-flights-of-russias-fully-homegrown-mc-21-aircraft-set-for-spring-2025-1120951580.html First Flights of Russia's Fully Homegrown MC-21 Aircraft Set for Spring 2025 First Flights of Russia's Fully Homegrown MC-21 Aircraft Set for Spring 2025 Sputnik International The first flights of the fully domestically manufactured MC-21 passenger plane are scheduled for late March - early April 2025, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov said on Thursday. 2024-11-21T11:56+0000 2024-11-21T11:56+0000 2024-11-21T11:56+0000 russia mc-21 russia european union (eu) irkutsk aviation plant russian economy under sanctions https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107681/32/1076813266_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_cbbcfa6bbfb7381dfd81d251eaccc7bb.jpg "Flights of the fully domestically produced version of the MC-21 aircraft will begin in late March - early April," Alikhanov said in an interview with the Rossiya 24 broadcaster. The first flight tests of the Russian-made MC-21 aircraft are expected to begin in 2024. The MC-21 is a medium-range narrow-body aircraft developed by the Yakovlev Corporation. Serial production of the aircraft is scheduled to begin in 2025 at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. The European Union banned the supply of civilian aircraft and spare parts to Russia and obligated lessors to terminate contracts with Russian airlines after Moscow launched its special military operation in Ukraine. Aircraft maintenance and insurance services have also been banned, while the EU, the United States, Canada and a number of other countries have closed their airspace to Russian aircraft. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241004/angara-system-to-play-key-role-in-providing-russia-with-independent-access-to-space--putin-1120411863.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International mc-21,russian passenger plane, irkutsk aviation plant, european union, sanctions against russia, russian economy under sanctions https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/from-putin-to-ukraines-nato-bid-takeaways-from-merkels-memoirs-1120951716.html From Putin to Ukraines NATO Bid: Takeaways From Merkels Memoirs From Putin to Ukraines NATO Bid: Takeaways From Merkels Memoirs Sputnik International The 700-page book was written in cooperation with Merkels longtime political adviser Beate Baumann. Among other topics, it covers Merkels childhood, political rise and 16 years as chancellor. 2024-11-21T12:19+0000 2024-11-21T12:19+0000 2024-11-21T12:19+0000 germany angela merkel vladimir putin russia us donald trump book ukraine nato https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/15/1120951437_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_1eecc5febfdf6aa31f5e74619b47e5b4.jpg With former German Chancellor Angela Merkel due to present her book titled "Freedom: Memories 1954-2021" in Berlin on November 26, some extracts have already emerged online. What are they all about?On Russia "Russia was and remains geopolitically irreplaceable if only because it is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council with veto power."On Putin's 2007 Munich Conference Speech"What struck me most was his sense of his own rightness," Merkel writes, referencing Russian President Vladimir Putins keynote speech at the 2007 Munich Security Conference, where he gave his vision of Russia's role in the global arena, warned against the unipolar world and pushed for a collective security system.On Trump"He saw everything from the perspective of the property developer he was before entering politics," Merkel pointed out, referring to her impression of Donald Trump back in 2017 when he was first elected US president."Each parcel of land could only be sold once, and if he didn't get it someone else did. That's how he saw the world," she added.On Putin-Trump RelationsHe [Trump] "seemed to be completely enchanted by the Russian president [at the time]," Merkel wrote as she looks back at how Trump asked her in detail about Putin in 2017.On Ukraine and Georgia's NATO Membership"Admitting a new [NATO] member should bring more security not only to the new member but also to NATO. Therefore, there are criteria for admitting a country that, in addition to its military capabilities, also take into account the candidate's domestic climate," Merkel wrote, stressing that discussing the issue of NATO expansion without taking into account Moscows position was "extremely careless." https://sputnikglobe.com/20220608/merkel-defends-her-stance-on-talking-to-putin-throughout-her-16-years-in-office-1096122890.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230430/merkel-says-many-nations-were-not-interested-in-diplomatic-solution-of-ukraine-conflict-1109988914.html germany russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International former german chancellor angela merkel's book, upcoming presentation of former german chancellor angela merkel's book, russian president vladimir putin's 2007 munich conference speech, putin-trump relations, ukraine's nato bid https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/hungary-to-deploy-air-defense-systems-near-border-with-ukraine---defense-minister-1120947915.html Hungary to Deploy Air Defense Systems Near Border With Ukraine - Defense Minister Hungary to Deploy Air Defense Systems Near Border With Ukraine - Defense Minister Sputnik International Hungary will deploy air defense and control systems in the country's northeast, which borders Ukraine, Hungarian Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky has said. 2024-11-21T04:56+0000 2024-11-21T04:56+0000 2024-11-21T04:56+0000 military russia ukraine hungary european union (eu) joe biden viktor orban army tactical missile system (atacms) ukrainian conflict ukraine crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/15/1120948029_0:175:3072:1903_1920x0_80_0_0_a257054244aa701516468cf52beb9876.jpg "In preparations for everything that might happen, I have ordered to install in the northeastern parts of the country newly purchased air defense and control systems... With the help of these systems, we can improve detection accuracy in the airspace control zone and reduce the time of response," Szalay-Bobrovniczky said in a video message posted on social media on Wednesday. The measure was taken after Ukraine received permission to use West-provided missiles for strikes deep into Russian territories and changes in Russian nuclear doctrine, he said, adding that Budapest "continues to believe that peace will be achieved through diplomacy and not through military force." On Wednesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban 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. 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; and 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. French newspaper 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-mile) radius inside Russia. Kremlin 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. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241119/biden-greenlighting-strikes-deep-inside-russia-polarizes-europe---former-pentagon-analyst-1120932667.html russia ukraine hungary Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International hungary-ukraine relations, hungary-ukraine war,s, hungary-ukraine, american weapons, us weapons, us atacms, british, atacms, guided missiles https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/mercenaries-from-france-shoot-civilians-in-selidovo-in-dpr---eyewitness-1120952931.html Mercenaries From France Shoot Civilians in Selidovo in DPR - Eyewitness Mercenaries From France Shoot Civilians in Selidovo in DPR - Eyewitness Sputnik International French mercenaries shot civilians in the city of Selidovo in the Donetsk People's Republic before retreating from the settlement, a local resident told Sputnik on Thursday. 2024-11-21T13:57+0000 2024-11-21T13:57+0000 2024-11-21T14:03+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis russia-nato showdown ukraine mercenaries https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/0a/1116098759_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_247a631874b5d29cd39fb46adc973f0c.jpg On October 29, the Russian Defense Ministry said that it had taken control of Selidovo, which is located 40 kilometers (24.9 miles) northwest of Donetsk and is of great strategic importance. "When Ukraine withdrew, it entered houses, knocked out apartment doors, shot civilians who were there. A man was left alone, barricaded the door, they could not break it down. And so he heard French speech, and on the radio they answered in Ukrainian 'the tasks are completed, there is no time, we are moving on.' That is, they had the task of shooting civilians. The French were shooting, there were Ukrainians and French. And the answer was received on the radio in Ukrainian," the eyewitness said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241012/russian-investigators-open-criminal-case-against-us-mercenary-who-took-part-in-kursk-attack-1120522316.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia-nato showdown, russia's special operation, ukraine crisis, ukraine conflict, tbilisi hired guns https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/putin-russia-strikes-ukrainian-defense-facility-with-new-oreshnik-ballistic-missile-1120955755.html Putin: Russia Strikes Ukrainian Defense Facility With New Oreshnik Ballistic Missile Putin: Russia Strikes Ukrainian Defense Facility With New Oreshnik Ballistic Missile Sputnik International President Putin announced that Russia's Armed Forces carried out a combined strike using the latest Oreshnik medium-range missile against a Ukrainian defense industry facility in response to American and British weapon strikes on Russian territory. 2024-11-21T17:19+0000 2024-11-21T17:19+0000 2024-11-22T12:09+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine vladimir putin russia ukraine russia's new oreshnik ballistic missile https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/15/1120956225_0:0:3188:1793_1920x0_80_0_0_f1abec0c8484a34a06d9d75510f8548e.jpg Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Kievs use of long-range weapons will not affect the course of the special military operation, and all its objectives will be achieved. Illusions about the possibility of delivering a strategic defeat to Russia, about the events currently unfolding in the zone of the special military operation, particularly in light of the use of long-range Western-made weapons against our territory [should not be held]," Putin said in his address on Thursday.On the Response to Long-Range Weapon AttacksThe president reported that on November 19, Ukrainian forces attacked targets in the Bryansk region with six ATACMS missiles, followed by Storm Shadow system strikes in the Kursk region on November 21. Air defense systems repelled the attacks, resulting in no casualties or significant damage.Putin emphasized that the conflict in Ukraine has acquired global dimensions after these attacks. He noted that the use of long-range munitions against Russia is impossible without specialists from the countries where they were manufactured."We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities. In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond equally decisively and symmetrically," the president stated.He added that Kievs use of long-range weapons will not affect the course of the special military operation, and all its objectives will be achieved.On the International Security SystemPutin likewise emphasized that the international security system was destroyed by the United States, which made a mistake by withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019.Putin added that Moscow will respond decisively and symmetrically in the event of escalation. He stated that Russia always advocates resolving disputes peacefully but warned against underestimating its readiness for any developments.The president also said that the deployment of Russian intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles will depend on the actions of the US and its allies. Targets for future tests of advanced missile systems will be chosen based on threats to Russia."Of course, when selecting targets for such systems as Oreshnik on Ukrainian territory as a necessary countermeasure, we will inform civilians and request citizens of friendly nations in those areas to leave dangerous zones in advance," the head of state stressed."This will be done openly, publicly, and out of humanitarian considerations, without fear of opposition from the enemy," Putin emphasized during his address.NATO Actions Prompt Oreshnik Missile TestsThe Oreshnik missile system is being tested in combat conditions as a response to NATO countries' aggressive actions against Russia, he announced."In response to the use of American and British weaponry on November 21 this year, Russian armed forces conducted a combined strike on one of Ukraine's defense-industrial complex facilities. This included testing one of Russia's latest medium-range missile systems in combat conditions. In this case, a ballistic missile equipped with non-nuclear hypersonic technology, referred to as Oreshnik by our missile forces, [was used]" Putin stated during his address.Modern air defense systems cannot intercept Oreshnik missiles, which attack targets at a speed of Mach 10about 2.5-3 kilometers per second, Putin explained. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/vladimir-putin-puts-us-and-west-on-notice-with-state-of-the-art-missile-strike-1120957371.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/russias-hypersonic-oreshnik-missile-system-shows-nato-escalation-will-come-at-price---experts-1120957219.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International dnepropetrovsk missile strike, oreshnik missile, russian missiles https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/representatives-of-60-countries-attend-event-on-brics-summit-at-russian-embassy-in-japan-1120949336.html Russian Embassy in Japan Hosts Major BRICS Event Drawing 60 Global Delegates Russian Embassy in Japan Hosts Major BRICS Event Drawing 60 Global Delegates Sputnik International Representatives of 60 countries and some 20 ambassadors have taken part in an event dedicated to the BRICS summit in Russias Kazan held in the Russian Embassy in Tokyo, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Thursday. 2024-11-21T08:44+0000 2024-11-21T08:44+0000 2024-11-21T08:55+0000 world brics multipolar world kazan saudi arabia russian embassy japan https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0a/16/1120629001_0:0:3344:1881_1920x0_80_0_0_eec3685c315d9b4841c74787164299c3.jpg The 16th BRICS summit was held in Russia's Kazan from October 22-24 and focused on strengthening multilateralism, integrating new members of the bloc and addressing regional challenges. The leaders adopted a joint declaration that underscored the need to further enhance BRICS solidarity and cooperation based on mutual interests and key priorities. Speaking at the event, Russian Ambassador to Japan Nikolay Nozdrev touched on the role and influence of BRICS in the modern world and on the summits results. The ambassador also noted that the BRICS summit in Kazan had attracted a lot of media and political attention, including from Japan. As a result, there were numerous requests from foreign diplomats and media representatives to hold a press conference to discuss the outcomes of the summit. BRICS is an intergovernmental association created in 2006. Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the bloc on January 1, 2024. The year began with the accession of new members to the association. In addition to Russia, Brazil, India, China and South Africa, it now includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, according to the website of the Russian 2024 BRICS Chairmanship. Saudi Arabia has not reportedly formalized its participation but has been taking part in BRICS meetings. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241028/pepe-escobar-brics-make-history---can-they-keep-the-momentum-1120707386.html kazan saudi arabia japan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International brics, global south, multipolar world, global anti-west sentiment, dedollarization, russia-nato showdown Flash At least 16 people were killed on Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. According to the NNA, Israeli airstrikes killed five people in the towns of Maarakeh and Qlaileh in the city of Tyre, killed one person, and injured another in the town of Ibl al-Saqi in Marjeyoun district. In addition, Israeli raids led to three deaths in the village of Zefta, three deaths in the town of Ain Qana, and four deaths in the village of Habbouch, the NNA said. Lebanese military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes launched 21 airstrikes on 18 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, while Israeli artillery shelled 12 border towns and villages with about 50 shells. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the war on Oct. 8, 2023, reached 3,558, while injuries went up to 15,123. Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced in separate statements on Wednesday that its members targeted with rockets and drones several Israeli sites in northern Israel, including the Shraga base, a logistics base for the 146th Division, and the cities of Acre and Safed, without mentioning the casualties. Hezbollah also claimed that until Tuesday, it has killed 110 Israeli soldiers, wounded 1,050 others, and destroyed 48 Merkava tanks and nine bulldozers, among other military equipment and vehicles. The Israeli army has not commented on this. 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. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/russia-liberates-dalneye-settlement-in-donetsk-region-1120950067.html Russia Liberates Dalneye Settlement in Donetsk Region Russia Liberates Dalneye Settlement in Donetsk Region Sputnik International The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the the Yug Battlegroup had secured the settlement of Dalneye in the Donetsk Region. 2024-11-21T09:52+0000 2024-11-21T09:52+0000 2024-11-21T09:52+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russian ministry of defense https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/10/1119787516_0:30:3362:1921_1920x0_80_0_0_1e26ebe0c3d0464447b45ffc7aed9472.jpg "Through decisive actions, forces of the Yug Battlegroup liberated the settlement of Dalneye in the Donetsk People's Republic [DPR]," the ministry's briefing stated.Furthermore, forces of Russia's Yug Battlegroup repelled a Ukrainian counterattack, inflicting losses of up to 380 personnel within a day. Strikes targeted formations of the 33rd and 54th Mechanized Brigades and the 56th Motorized Infantry Brigade near Chervonoye, Seversk, Verolyubovka, Dachnoye, and Kurakhovo in the Donetsk People's Republic. The battlegroup also destroyed equipment including a UK-made 155-mm Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, two 152-mm D-20 guns, a 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and four 105-mm M119 howitzers supplied by the US. Additionally, a Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station and a field ammunition depot were eliminated.Other DevelopmentsSever Battlegroup: Ukrainian forces lost up to 145 personnel, two tanks, and 11 armored vehicles. Formations of the 116th Territorial Defense Brigade and the 5th Border Detachment were struck near Lebedevka and Kazachya Lopan in the Kharkov region. Losses included a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.Zapad Battlegroup: The forces of the battlegroup inflicted losses on four Ukrainian brigades in Kupyansk, Zagryzovo, Glushkovka, and Krasny Liman, repelling five counterattacks. Ukrainian losses reached up to 480 personnel, two infantry fighting vehicles, a UK-made M198 howitzer, two 152-mm D-20 guns, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Two Enclave-N electronic warfare stations and four ammunition depots were also destroyed.Tsentr Battlegroup: The grouping advanced deeper into Ukrainian defenses, repelling 11 counterattacks and inflicting over 385 personnel losses. Strikes targeted the 100th Mechanized, 68th Infantry, 425th Air Assault Brigades, and other units near Grodovka, Sukhoy Yar, Dachenkoye, Ulyanovka, Dimitrov, and Pravdovka. Equipment losses included two Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, an M113 armored personnel carrier, a D-20 gun, two Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers, two D-30 howitzers, and a 100-mm Rapira anti-tank gun.Vostok Battlegroup: Ukrainian losses included up to 145 personnel, a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, and an M113 armored personnel carrier. The grouping took advantageous positions and struck formations of the 33rd Mechanized, 71st Infantry Brigades, and 130th Territorial Defense Brigade near Zelenoye Pole, Ulakly, and Novoselka in the Donetsk Peoples Republic. A counterattack by the 36th Marine Brigade was repelled, and a 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer was destroyed.Dnepr Battlegroup: The forces of the battlegroup destroyed a field ammunition depot, nine vehicles, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Ukrainian losses totaled up to 85 personnel, with strikes targeting the 31st Mechanized, 141st Infantry Brigades, and the 118th and 126th Territorial Defense Brigades near Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka in the Zaporozhye region, as well as Burgunka and Nikolskyoe in the Kherson region. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241031/russia-forces-carrying-out-cascade-offensive-strategy-on-battlefield---experts-1120737637.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special military operation, ukraine crisis, ukraine conflict, russia-nato showdown, us arms for ukraine, special op https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/russia-will-not-supply-gas-to-austria-in-act-of-charity-1120952142.html Russia Will Not Supply Gas to Austria in Act of Charity Russia Will Not Supply Gas to Austria in Act of Charity Sputnik International Moscow considers its decision to halt gas supplies to Austrian oil and gas company OMV justified and will not supply gas to the country as an act of charity, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday. 2024-11-21T12:28+0000 2024-11-21T12:28+0000 2024-11-21T12:28+0000 economy russian economy under sanctions gazprom export omv germany russia nord stream https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/10/1100842069_0:229:3234:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_1e5b2deb0088603799830fca22398ad3.jpg Gazprom Export has notified OMV of the suspension of supplies as of November 16, Zakharova told a briefing. This decision followed a ruling in favor of the Austrian company in an arbitration dispute with the Russian side over a lawsuit filed in January 2023 regarding alleged under-deliveries in the fall of 2022 of gas that was supposed to go on to Germany. She added that the reduction of gas flows was due to objective reasons, the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline and the interruption of transit through Poland via the Yamal-Europe pipeline, pointing to the provisions of the Russian presidential decree 172 of 2022 on the special procedure for foreign buyers to fulfill obligations to Russian natural gas suppliers. OMV said on Friday that it expected Russia's Gazprom Export to stop gas deliveries to Austria as of November 16. Earlier on November 13, OMV said the case over Gazprom Export's gas supplies to Germany had ended in its favor, with an international arbitration panel awarding it 230 million euros ($242 million) plus interest and costs for payments under the contract for supplies to Austria. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240818/gazprom-transferring-42mln-cubic-meters-of-gas-through-ukraine-1119811471.html germany russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian economy under sanctions, sanctions against russia,gazprom export, omv https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/us-providing-ukraine-with-antipersonnel-mines-threatens-civilian-lives---human-rights-watch-1120947825.html US Providing Ukraine With Antipersonnel Mines Threatens Civilian Lives - Human Rights Watch US Providing Ukraine With Antipersonnel Mines Threatens Civilian Lives - Human Rights Watch Sputnik International The US sending antipersonnel mines to Ukraine to use in its conflict with Russia risks civilian lives and violates the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) non-governmental organization has said. 2024-11-21T04:51+0000 2024-11-21T04:51+0000 2024-11-21T04:51+0000 world ukraine ukrainian crisis us arms for ukraine joe biden human rights watch russia-nato showdown https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/1f/1106865471_0:309:3050:2025_1920x0_80_0_0_5906844eaebf325fd20daeb3feebee92.jpg On Wednesday, two US officials told The Washington Post, that US President Joe Biden had approved sending antipersonnel mines to Ukraine. 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. "President Biden's decision to transfer antipersonnel landmines risks civilian lives and sets back international efforts to eradicate these indiscriminate weapons... The US should reverse this reprehensible decision, which only increases the risk of civilian suffering in the short and long term," Mary Wareham, deputy crisis, conflict and arms director at the NGO was quoted as saying on Wednesday. The move also violates "the most successful humanitarian disarmament treaty of the past 25 years," HRW added in a statement. "By accepting and using antipersonnel mines, Ukraine risks further violating the Mine Ban Treaty," the statement read. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said it was hard to say if reports about Biden's approval of supply of anti-personnel mines to Kiev are true, adding that such move from outgoing US administration is not ruled out. 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.The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention was opened for signature in Ottawa in 1997. So far, 164 countries around the world have acceded to the convention. The United States, China, and Russia are among nations that are not parties to the treaty. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/us-decision-to-send-antipersonnel-mines-to-ukraine-to-disrupt-global-balance-of-power---belarus-1120942129.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20241120/as-biden-adds-fuel-to-ukraine-fire-with-mines-russia-vows-unshakable-defense-1120938203.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian crisis, ukraine mines, human rights ukraine, ukraine conflict, ukraine anti-personnel mines https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/us-senate-denies-resolutions-to-block-military-sales-to-israel-1120947266.html US Senate Denies Resolutions to Block Military Sales to Israel US Senate Denies Resolutions to Block Military Sales to Israel Sputnik International The US Senate has not supported the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRD) aimed at blocking the sale of over $20 billion in offensive US weaponry to Israel. 2024-11-21T04:35+0000 2024-11-21T04:35+0000 2024-11-21T04:35+0000 americas us gaza strip us senate senate israel joint direct attack munition (jdam) bernie sanders https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/17/1105741459_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_6972b4fec55579f702a16b8f0e4c3103.jpg The vote was held on three resolutions, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders. The first resolution was supported by 18 lawmakers, while 79 others voted against it, the second was rejected by a 19-78 vote, and the third received the support of only 17 members of the Senate. The resolutions urged to block the sale to Israel of additional Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and enhanced JDAM receivers, tank cartridges, 120-mm High Explosive mortar cartridges, and Modified M1148A1P2 Medium Tactical Vehicles. Sanders also called on to block the sale of 50 new F-15IA aircraft, associated weapons and parts, and upgrade kits for existing F-15 aircraft, according to the document. Sanders has repeatedly stressed that arms sales to Israel violate the US laws. He accused the Israeli government of violating international rules and pointed out that it is illegal for the US to provide it with additional weapons. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, fighters of Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages. Israeli authorities say that about 1,200 people were killed during the raid. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip and announced a complete blockade of the enclave. The death toll from the Israeli attacks has surpassed 43,900 in the Gaza Strip, according to local health authorities. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241113/whats-behind-saudi-crown-princes-demand-to-israel-not-to-attack-iran-1120876939.html americas gaza strip israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International americas, us israel ties, israel lobby, mideast crisis, middle east conflict, mideast war https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/vladimir-putin-puts-us-and-west-on-notice-with-state-of-the-art-missile-strike-1120957371.html Vladimir Putin Puts US and West 'On Notice' with State-Of-The-Art Missile Strike Vladimir Putin Puts US and West 'On Notice' with State-Of-The-Art Missile Strike Sputnik International As Russian President Vladimir Putin lamented the use of Western long-range missiles against Russia, retired CIA intelligence officer and State Department official Larry Johnson points out that the missiles would fall under the now-defunct INF Treaty. 2024-11-21T18:58+0000 2024-11-21T18:58+0000 2024-11-22T12:09+0000 analysis russia vladimir putin larry johnson inf treaty intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty (inf) missiles russia's new oreshnik ballistic missile https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/15/1120957533_0:0:1417:798_1920x0_80_0_0_816a1630ea82ce17670bf874a8b102d3.png Recall that there was the intermediate range nuclear forces treaty that was signed. It came into effect with Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev back in December of 1987, Johnson tells Sputnik. And that treaty dealt with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, missile launchers with a range of 500 to 1000km, ie short-medium range and 1000 to 5500 are called intermediate range.According to him, the recent missile strike against the city of Dnepropetrovsk in Ukraine was President Putins way of sending a message to the West and to the United States who earlier unilaterally abrogated the INF Treaty.The aforementioned strike on Dnepropetrovsk, he says, shows that Russia developed both a short-medium range and an intermediate range ballistic missile with MIRV capability, which refers to multiple independent reentry vehicles so that one missile can carry a warhead with multiple warheads that can disperse.What makes this particularly interesting is this is a hypersonic so this travels at a speed that no Western air defense system is capable of stopping, Johnson adds. So Vladimir Putin in destroying this one defense facility in Dnepropetrovsk was sending a very clear message to the West that more will follow. We'll see if the West backs down now or not. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/putin-russia-strikes-ukrainian-defense-facility-with-new-oreshnik-ballistic-missile-1120955755.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Vladimir Putin puts the US and West on notice with state-of-the-art missile strike Sputnik International Vladimir Putin puts the US and West on notice with state-of-the-art missile strike 2024-11-21T18:58+0000 true PT2M05S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia new missile, larry johnson, inf treaty, ukraine missile strike I would bet you that AgriSompo does not want American farmers to know that their parent company is sponsoring this kind of thing. It would almost be like Apple donating to Trump. Woah. Not that not that I ever worked there. Flash 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. Nokia has announced a five-year expansion of its multi-year agreement to supply Microsoft Azure with datacenter routers and switches. Nokias data center networking portfolio will enhance the scalability and reliability of Azure datacenters around the world. The partnership will grow Nokias global footprint to over 30 countries and strengthen its role as a strategic supplier for Microsofts worldwide cloud infrastructure. The new agreement also builds upon the companies existing collaboration around open source SONiC, and highlights Nokias continued innovation in developing and expanding SONiC capabilities, including in the area of chassis-based support for high-capacity network roles within the datacenter. As part of the expansion, Nokia will supply its 7250 IXR-10e platform to deliver multi-terabit-scale interconnectivity within Microsofts datacenters. Nokia will also continue to deliver its custom developed management top of rack switch that is used extensively throughout the Azure network. The Nokia SONiC-based data center routers and switches will be deployed both in greenfield locations and used in support of Microsofts migration from 100GE to 400GE connectivity within existing facilities. This will enable Microsoft to meet increasing traffic demands for years to come with Nokias exceptional networking performance and reliability. Deployment of the Nokia 7250 IXR-10e will begin in February. Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IP Networks business at Nokia, said, We are pleased to move to the next phase of our relationship with Microsoft by expanding the agreements product scope, geographical reach and time commitment to five years. As a result of this new deal, Nokia will further increase the scalability and reliability of Microsoft Azure datacenters around the world. This win affirms Nokias commitment to being a strategic supplier for tier one hyperscaler companies, and highlights that our multi-year strategic investments and approach have put us on the right trajectory. David Maltz, Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Azure Networking, said, As leaders in the advancement of cloud compute, we are continuously expanding our global footprint to support the massive growth in compute workloads. Over the past six years we have worked with Nokias engineers to develop their routers running SONiC to rapidly advance our expansion at the quality our customers demand. 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: Attendees listen during a panel discussion with Ambassador Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology for the Office of the President of Kenya, from top left, Hong Yuen Poon, Deputy Secretary of Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information, Lucilla Sioli, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Office for the European Commission, and Dr. Seth Center, Acting Special Envoy Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, at the convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio in San Francisco, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu The U.S. leads the world in developing artificial intelligence technology, surpassing China in research and other important measures of AI innovation, according to a newly released Stanford University index. There's no surefire way to rank global AI leadership but Stanford researchers have made an attempt by measuring the "vibrancy" of the AI industry across various dimensions, from how much research and investment is happening to how responsibly the technology is being pursued to prevent harm. "The gap is actually widening" between the U.S. and China, said computer scientist Ray Perrault, director of the steering committee that runs Stanford's AI Index. "The U.S. is investing a lot more, at least at the level of firm creation and firm funding." The California-based university's Institute for Human-Centered AIwhich has ties to Silicon Valley's tech industryreleased the report Thursday as government AI officials from the U.S. and several allies met in San Francisco this week to compare notes on AI safety measures. Here's which countries made the top 10: United States The U.S. ranks No. 1 on Stanford's list and has consistently held that position since 2018 when it overtook China. It has far outpaced China in private AI investment, which hit $67.2 billion in the U.S. last year compared to $7.8 billion in China, according to the report. It also leads in publishing responsible AI research. It's no surprise that the home of commercial AI powerhouses such as Google and Meta, along with relative newcomers like OpenAI and Anthropic, has produced many notable AI models that have influenced how the technology is being developed and applied. The U.S. also gets some points for having a number of AI-related laws on the books, though Congress has yet to pass any broad AI regulations. China China has requested far more patents than any other country regarding generative AI, the U.N. intellectual property agency said earlier this year. Stanford researchers counted that as one measure of China's strong growth in AI innovation but not enough to lead the pack. Still, the report says that "China's focus on developing cutting-edge AI technologies and increasing its R&D investments has positioned it as a major AI powerhouse." China's universities have produced a large number of AI-related research publications and it has commercial leaders developing notable AI models, such as Baidu and its chatbot Ernie. United Kingdom Coming in at No. 3 is the UK, which also ranked high in research and development, and educational infrastructure due to top computer science universities churning out a skilled AI workforce. It's also home to Google's AI subsidiary DeepMind, whose co-founder recently won a Nobel Prize; and "had more mentions of AI in parliamentary proceedings" than any other country. Last year, the UK hosted the world's first international AI safety summit. India Close behind the UK was India, thanks to a "strong AI research community," improvements in economic investments tied to AI and a robust public discourse about AI on social media, according to the report. United Arab Emirates The UAE's deliberate focus on AI appears to have paid off in the Middle Eastern nation's fifth-place score. It was one of the top locations for AI investments. Microsoft earlier this year said it was investing $1.5 billion in UAE-based tech firm G42, which is overseen by the country's powerful national security adviser. Based in Abu Dhabi, G42 runs data centers and has built what's considered the world's leading Arabic-language AI model, known as Jais. The rest of the top 10 Rounding out the top 10 are France at No. 6, followed by South Korea, Germany, Japan and Singapore. France, home to the buzzy AI startup Mistral, ranked high in AI policy and governance. Both it and Germany are part of the European Union's sweeping new AI Act that places safeguards on a range of AI applications based on how risky they are. The EU also follows the U.S. in developing a plan to expand semiconductor production within the bloc. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Modern technologies like social media are making it easier than ever for enemies of the United States to emotionally manipulate U.S. citizens. U.S. officials warn that foreign adversaries are trying to produce tremendous amounts of false, misleading information online to sway public opinion in the U.S. Just this July, the Department of Justice announced it had disrupted a Kremlin-backed disinformation campaign that used nearly one thousand fake social media accounts in an attempt to spread disinformation. While AI is commonly used on offense in disinformation wars to generate large amounts of content, AI is now playing an important role in defense, too. Mark Finlayson, a professor at FIU's College of Engineering and Computing, is an expert in training AI to understand stories. He has spent more than two decades studying the subject. Persuasivebut falsestories Storytelling is important to spreading disinformation. "A heartfelt narrative or a personal anecdote is often more compelling to an audience than the facts," says Finlayson. "Stories are particularly effective in overcoming resistance to an idea." For example, a climate activist may be more successful in convincing an audience about plastic pollution by sharing a personal story of a rescued sea turtle with a straw lodged in its nose, rather than only citing statistics, Finlayson says. The story makes the problem relatable. "We are exploring the different ways stories are used to drive an argument," he explains. "It's a challenging problem, as stories in social media posts can be as brief as a single sentence, and sometimes, these posts may only allude to well-known stories without explicitly retelling them." Suspicious handles Finlayson's team is also exploring how AI can analyze usernames or handles in a social media profile. Azwad Islam, a Ph.D. student and co-author on a recent paper published with Finlayson, explains that usernames often contain significant clues about a user's identity and intentions. The paper was published in the Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media, a conference in artificial intelligence. "Handles reveal much about users and how they want to be perceived," Islam explains. "For example, a person claiming to be a New York journalist might choose the handle, '@AlexBurnsNYT' rather than '@NewYorkBoy," because it sounds more credible. Both handles, however, suggest the user is a male with an affiliation to New York." The FIU team demonstrated a tool that can analyze a user handle, reliably revealing a person's claimed name, gender, location and even personality (if that information is hinted at in the handle). Although a user handle alone can't confirm whether an account is fake, it can be crucial in analyzing an account's overall authenticityespecially as AI's ability to understand stories evolves. "By interpreting handles as part of the larger narrative an account presents, we believe usernames could become a critical tool in identifying sources of disinformation," Islam says. Questionable cultural cache Objects and symbols can carry different meanings across cultures. If an AI model is unaware of the differences, it can make a grave mistake in how it interprets a story. Foreign adversaries can also use these symbols to make their messages more persuasive to a target audience. Anurag Acharya is a former Ph.D. student of Finlayson's who worked on this problem. He found that training AI with diverse cultural perspectives improves AI's story comprehension. "A story may say, 'The woman was overjoyed in her white dress.' An AI model trained exclusively on weddings from Western stories might read that and say, 'That's great!' But if my mother saw this sentence, she would take great offense, because we only wear white to funerals," says Acharya, who comes from a family of Hindu heritage. It is critical that AI understands these nuances so it can detect when foreign adversaries are using cultural messages and symbols to have a greater malicious impact. Acharya and Finlayson have published a recent paper on this topic, presented at a workshop at the Meeting of the North American Chapter of the Association for Computational Linguistics (NAACL), an AI conference. Helping AI find order in chaos Another difficulty of understanding stories is that the sequence of events that a narrative tells is rarely laid out neatly and precisely in order. Rather, events are often found in pieces, intertwined with other storylines. For human readers, this adds dramatic effect; but for AI models, such complex interrelations can create confusion. Finlayson's research on timeline extraction has significantly advanced AI's understanding of event sequences within narratives. "In a story, you can have inversions and rearrangements of events in many different, complex ways. This is one of the key things that we have worked on with AI. We have helped AI understand how to map out different events that happen in the real world, and how they might affect each other," Finlayson says. "This is a good example of something that people find easy to understand but is challenging for machines. An AI model must be able to order the events in a story accurately. This is important not only to identify disinformation, but also to support many other applications." The FIU team's advancements in helping AI understand stories are positioned to help intelligence analysts fight disinformation with new levels of efficiency and accuracy. More information: Azwad Anjum Islam et al, A Semantic Interpreter for Social Media Handles, Proceedings of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media (2024). DOI: 10.1609/icwsm.v18i1.31343 Anurag Acharya et al, Discovering Implicit Meanings of Cultural Motifs from Text, Proceedings of the Sixth Workshop on Natural Language Processing and Computational Social Science (NLP+CSS 2024) (2024). DOI: 10.18653/v1/2024.nlpcss-1.4 Provided by Florida International University 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: Australian legislation could force social media firms to take steps to prevent those under 16 years of age from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail to keep children off their platforms, under new laws tabled before Australia's parliament Thursday. The legislation would force social media firms to take steps to prevent those under 16 years of age from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Failing to do so would mean fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million). Australia is among the vanguard of nations trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be among the world's strictest measures aimed at children. Details about how social media companies are expected to enforce the ban remain unclear. The proposed laws would also include robust privacy provisions that require tech platforms to delete any age-verification information collected. Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said Thursday that social media companies had a responsibility for the "safety and mental health" of Australians. "The legislation places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place," she said. Some companies will be granted exemptions from the ban, such as YouTube, which teenagers may need to use for school work or other reasons. Rowland said that messaging servicessuch as WhatsAppand online gaming would also be exempt. Once celebrated as a means of staying connected and informed, social media platforms have been tarnished by cyberbullying, the spread of illegal content, and election-meddling claims. If the proposed law passes, tech platforms would be given a one-year grace period to figure out how to implement and enforce the ban. Social media companies have said they will adhere to new legislation but have cautioned the government against acting too quickly and without adequate consultation. Analysts have also expressed doubt it would be technically feasible to enforce a strict age ban. Katie Maskiell from UNICEF Australia said Thursday the proposed legislation would not be a "solve-all" for protecting children and much more needed to be done. She added the laws risked pushing young people onto "covert and unregulated online spaces". Several other countries have been tightening children's access to social media platforms. Spain passed a law in June banning social media access to under-16s. And in the US state of Florida, children under 14 will be banned from opening social media accounts under a new law due to come into force in January. In both cases, the age verification method has yet to be determined. 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new book has outlined why public institutions should recognize a new human right to free internet access and what such a right could look like. "Free Internet Access as a Human Right" is a culmination of research by Dr. Merten Reglitz, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Birmingham and has been published today by Cambridge University Press. The research argues that the new human right to free internet access should include protection from government censorship, surveillance and misuse, and private companies harvesting data. Dr. Reglitz explained, "For most of us, a world without internet access is just unthinkable. We need it for our jobs, to maintain relationships, learn, access services, and to express ourselvesit is one of the most important parts of modern living. However, the internet as it currently stands is not without its problems. "Some states greatly limit their populations' digital access to limit criticism and monitor activity. We also have mostly unregulated social media platforms dominating the digital world and harvesting data for profit, not to mention internet users harming others online. "All this infringes on our human rights, including freedom of expression, privacy, and free and fair elections. A new human right would need to address this so that people would have a right to be protected from hostile actors online. "My research over the years has outlined why access should be considered a human right, but in this book, I have set out what this right would have to require and what needs to be done to protect our human rights online." The book sets out a draft article so that "everyone shall have the right to access and use the internet without arbitrary interferences by any other party." The draft article specifies that governments should provide "the technological means and skills needed for guaranteed, meaningful access to the internet that is of sufficient quality for people to effectively make use of their human rights and that any justified restrictions of the right must be () Necessary, proportionate, and minimal." One of the biggest threats to internet access as a human right is global inequality and poverty, with a third of the global population without access mostly because those people cannot afford it. To overcome this, Dr. Reglitz argues that authorities should invest in data and digital services, broadband infrastructure and basic digital skills so that everyone can meet the basic requirements for getting online, such as: access to sufficient digital data (i.e. by meeting the 2 GB for 2% of monthly GNI per capita target), and permanent access to a smartphone; that all are covered by at least 4G mobile broadband networks, and that everybody has the opportunity to acquire basic digital skills. The research argues that this "global standard of duties" is feasible for most states to guarantee for their citizens, at least for those who cannot afford access themselves. Dr. Reglitz added, "Despite the internet being a vital part of modern life, access is still unequal. This limits the ability of those who remain offline to fully enjoy other human rights that being online helps to facilitate, so states must provide citizens with the tools they need to get online. These requirements might not be affordable for poorer countries, but a series of minimum core obligations would help them work towards free internet access as a human right." These minimum obligations would include a national broadband plan, developing networks to connect public venues to the internet, and joining an international organization to access the funding needed to deliver free and fair access. Dr. Reglitz concluded, "The values and demands included in this idea are not optional. They are necessary to the premise that everyone possesses equal moral dignity and is entitled to live a decent life, which is exactly what our human rights protect. Today, we live in societies that are ever-more characterized by the information flows and connections made possible by the digital world. "Recognizing and defending this right would have the potential to make the world a better place for everyone, with the help of the internet." More information: Merten Reglitz, Free Internet Access as a Human Right. DOI: 10.1017/9781009520508 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: ZRob. Credit: Mojtaba Karbasi It seems simple: The robot ZRob, a small machine easily placed on a table, holds a drumstick and beats a drum. In reality, it is anything but simple. ZRob's arm has a flexible grip, just like the human wrist. It also has an artificial intelligence (AI) that helps it optimize its movements. If you put several ZRobs together, they can play drum rolls, which requires very fine movements. They can also play rhythms entirely different from what humans can achieve but with a touch of human sensitivity. "Playing together, the robots will find a pattern unlike everything else," Mojtaba Karbasi says. He has developed ZRob as part of a doctoral thesis at the RITMO Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion, University of Oslo. Karbasi will defend his dissertation November 29. A bio-inspired approach Humans still manage several tasks better than robots. Humans are far more complex. For instance, we can see a glass of water, estimate its weight, and thus lift it without spilling. "Humans talk, move and touch things. We have several senses and can act on what we sense with adapted movements. Machines cannot do this," Alexander Refsum Jensenius, professor at RITMO and Karbasi's supervisor, says. He believes that machines will have to become multimodal, i.e., have more senses, if they are to interact well with people in the future. Karbasi had this in mind and used a so-called bio-inspired approach when developing ZRob and the AI model that comes with it. Similar to a human wrist "We are not trying to copy a human, but rather to take the human body as a starting point. Musical robotics is a controlled way of working with this. It does not have potentially dangerous consequences," Jensenius says. One of the things that makes ZRob more human is his arm. Two springsone on each sidegive the arm some of the flexibility of the wrist. The springs and the AI make the robot adaptable, an important feature when hitting a drumhead in motion. ZRob has two senses: It listens and can sense where its arm is. Credit: Frontiers in Robotics and AI (2024). DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2024.1450097 The body of the robot shapes the behavior Karbasi explains that the springs in the various versions of ZRob are of different sizes. The AI helps each robot to find its behavior. "If a robot is trying to play a double stroke, it wants to find the right action parameters to execute it. If you change the springs, the behavior will change, too. The robotic body thus helps to shape the behavior," Karbasi says. If several robots play simultaneously, you may hear rhythms humans cannot play. "Different physical characteristics completely shape the output. It is like a piano piece played by forty fingersunpredictable, and it is hard for humans to imagine how it was produced." He does not believe that this kind of music can touch people the same way as humanly played music. Nevertheless, he believes that his robots can inspire musicians. "A robot that precisely mimics human behavior is not inspiring. Then humans could do the same, even better. However, if we manage to create robots that take some humanity into them but are unique in their way, it inspires to a much greater extent," Karbasi says. It also opens up new possibilities; he adds and mentions the newly developed robots of the company Boston Dynamics: The robots resemble humans, but have a different way of standing up and can even turn their upper body 360 degrees. Jensenius believes that ZRob is interesting for musicians since it can create new types of rhythms and play faster than humans play. Credit: Mojtaba Karbasi In addition, it can be a practical help. "If you play the guitar and sing, you can get a drum robot to play with you. If you are a drummer who has lost an arm, you can use a robot as a replacement," Jensenius says. The research also has a high transfer value, according to Jensenius. "If we manage to create complex drum robots that sense and adapt their behavior accordingly, we are closer to creating robots that can perform other types of actions, such as lifting a glass of water or cutting a cucumber without problems." Karbasi has also published multiple papers on ZRob, and some of his latest research is published in the journal Frontiers in Robotics and AI. More information: Seyed Mojtaba Karbasi et al, Embodied intelligence for drumming; a reinforcement learning approach to drumming robots, Frontiers in Robotics and AI (2024). DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2024.1450097 Journal information: Frontiers in Robotics and AI Provided by University of Oslo This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Reinforced concrete structures are subjected to significant loads. These structures must endure the weight and vibrations from high-speed and freight trains, as well as the forces acting on high-rise buildings. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly inspect the entire structure and assess the condition of the building material. Until now, monitoring has relied on complex material tests that are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly. For instance, inspectors often tap bridges by hand with hammers to check for cavities, which can require temporarily closing the bridges. Despite these regular tests, serious material failures, such as the collapse of the Carola Bridge in Dresden, cannot be completely ruled out. This is why research into ultrasonic testing methods has been going on for a long time. The CoDA (Concrete Damage Assessment by Coda Waves) research group has now presented promising results for a new method: ultrasound-based, highly sensitive coda wave interferometry (CWI). This method enables not only selective testing of structures but also continuous and comprehensive monitoring. As a result, critical changes to buildings can be detected early, allowing for timely measures to prevent closures or evacuations. Measurements under real conditions CWI is a method for monitoring and analyzing material changes, particularly suitable for concrete and prestressed concrete components. It uses ultrasonic waves to detect very small changes in the material structure. This technique is particularly useful for detecting stress states and potential damage at an early stage. The CoDA research group (DFG FOR 2825), consisting of researchers from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the Bundesanstalt fur Materialforschung und -prufung (BAM), Ruhr-Universitat Bochum (RUB) and Bochum University of Applied Sciences (BO), is now testing the application of CWI for monitoring reinforced concrete structures in long-term tests on two structures. Since 2021, the researchers have been using ultrasonic sensors to assess the condition of the Ganstor Bridge, which spans 96 meters between Ulm and Neu-Ulm. In 2022, measurements also commenced at the Scheidplatz subway station in Munich, where the sensors monitor the load on the ceiling caused by the streetcar traffic above. The collaborative efforts and findings from the ongoing research on the Ganstor Bridge were presented at the International Conference on Bridges in Danube Basin (ICBDB 2024) on 21 November at TUM. Computer-aided models interpret sensor signals The tubular sensors, measuring just 75 millimeters in length and 20 millimeters in diameter, are permanently installed in boreholes or directly within structures during production. They continuously provide data on the current load and any age-related changes in the material. However, the signals from the ultrasonic sensors do not immediately reveal the extent or exact location of any damage. They must undergo a process of translation and interpretation. When combined with machine learning, ultrasound data can be interpreted to reveal changes in the physical properties of materials, such as stiffness, across different scales. Not only can these methods determine the extent of damage, but they can also identify its location. The data collected from the sensors is transmitted to a server, enabling remote monitoring of the structure. This advancement allows for centralized monitoring of multiple structures in the future. 'Permanent monitoring with minimal intrusion' The spokesperson for the CoDA project, Christoph Gehlen, Professor of Materials and Materials Testing in Civil Engineering at TUM, says, "The results of our years of testing under real conditions are clear: We have succeeded in refining the CWI measurement method to such an extent that we can use our sensors and complex evaluation models to monitor even large buildings in the future with minimal intrusion in the structure. "The decisive factor here is our systematic and holistic approachwhich takes into account everything from external influences such as temperature and humidity to a variety of different factors for evaluating the signals." More information: Eva Jagle et al, Interdisciplinary Research on the Application of New Ultrasonic Methods for Improved Structural Health Monitoring (2024). DOI: 10.14459/icbdb24.19 Provided by Technical University Munich Brazos County and the cities of Bryan and College Station have joined forces in a lawsuit aimed at stopping water being taken from the Simsboro Aquifer for use nearly 100 miles away in Georgetown and the surrounding area. The county commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agreed to share a third of the cost with the two cities in hiring an attorney to protest the proposed water transfer from Robertson County, which also utilizes the Simsboro Aquifer. I just want to say that weve always been told all along that water is the next oil. Were there, Commissioner Steve Aldrich said. And being able to maintain the ability to have resources available for our community in its future I think are extremely important and Im glad were involved in this. County Judge Duane Peters said protecting water supplies is critical to the area. Water is critical to not only Brazos County, but Robertson County, which the request has been made to transport that to, I think right now, to Williamson County, and thats what this is about, to stop shifting water from our local area to somewhere else, Peters said. And we end up trying to figure out how were going to cover water uses, not only in Brazos County but Hearne, Franklin, Calvert theyll all be impacted by that if this happens. So Im glad were a part of that suit. In a statement, Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez said the city has worked hard to manage water resources. Our community has worked diligently to protect and manage these water resources, he said. We hope other public and private water users, such as Up Well, are committed to conserving Brazos Valleys water resources, including water in the Simsboro Aquifer. Bryan hired attorney Jim Mathews of Mathews and Freeland, P.C., and the county and College Station will reimburse the city their shares of the bill. Mathews will represent the cities and the county in discussions, state hearings, lawsuits and other interactions involving local water permits, according to the city. In May, seven applicants applied for a transport permit with co-applicant Up Well Brazos Valley Farm LLC and all were approved for consideration by the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District (BVGCD). The applicants included Clifford A. Skiles III, James C. Brien, L. Wiese Moore LLC, Cula dBrazos LLC, Ely Family Partnership LP, and Fazzino Investments LP. San Francisco-based Up Well LLC, which is backed by over $1 billion in capital from New York and Wall Street investors, is pursuing permits to extract up to 100,000 acre-feet of water annually from the Simsboro Aquifer, a critical water source for communities, agriculture, and institutions in the Brazos Valley. This amount of water is equivalent to over two times the amount of water currently used annually by the cities of Bryan, Calvert, College Station, Franklin, and Hearne COMBINED, Bryan city officials said in a statement. The Texas A&M University System also opposes the water transfer proposal. Burn ban, disaster declaration extended Even though Brazos County received much-needed rain in the last few days, it was not enough for the commissioners to end the burn ban or the disaster declaration. In fact, both were extended at Tuesdays session. I did speak with the fire chiefs [Monday] night in reference not only to the declaration, but the burn ban itself and currently our conditions are still dry, even after yesterdays rain we only got about a half an inch across most of the county, said Jason Ware, deputy emergency management coordinator for Brazos County. Our numbers only improved a slight bit, so it is the recommendation that we continue this for at least the next 30 days or however long we need to until we get some more beneficial rain. We have a very slight chance of rain over the next seven days so the conditions will probably start deteriorating again over the next few weeks or so. Peters made the initial disaster declaration on Oct. 17. That order was set to expire Wednesday, but the court unanimously extended it another 30 days. Dead wood donation The county entered into an interlocal agreement with The Texas Historical Commission to donate dead trees from the Boonville Cemetery for use at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. According to the agreement, the county has several dead trees to remove from the cemetery and the historic site is in need of the trees for renovation work being done there. The county will make available timbers that are at least 4 inches in diameter and 16 feet in length. Washington-on-the-Brazos will be responsible for collecting and hauling the timbers. I just think its great that we have to have an interlocal agreement to deal with dead trees that were taking down, to transfer that property. Thats pretty unique, Aldrich said. A lot of people dont understand the steps you have to go through as a local government, particularly a county government, to be able to do something like this. Youll be able to visit your trees if you want to at Washington-on-the-Brazos, noted Brazos County General Counsel Bruce Erratt. My parents are from Shanghai and moved to the US in the early 1980s, where I was born and raised. They grew up during the Cultural Revolution and were taught not to believe in spirits. They are both medical scientists, naturally skeptical, and were unable to find satisfactory answers when they briefly explored Christianity. However, my mom still encouraged me to attend activities at a Baptist church right next to our apartments because she thought the kids there would be a good influence on me. A scarcity of love and loss of identity My parents sacrificed to give me the best life, but I almost never received physical or verbal affection. Conversations were a rare occurrence at home, and I was ostracized at school for being different. Once, when I asked my dad about the purpose of life, he said there was nonewe just need to work hard. If we eat bitterness now, we can suffer less later and maybe be comfortable in old age. I asked what happens after we die. Nothing. Theres nothing. I started having my first suicidal thoughts when I was six years old. During the darkest times, I would hold on to the idea of becoming a father one day, so I could show my future children how much I love them. I wished I had been born white, so I could be loved for who I was and treated as a person. At home, my parents didnt care how I felt, what I thought, or what I wanted out of life. I was just expected to focus on studying math because there are a lot of Chinese kids in California and I needed to compete with them one day. People couldnt see past my race. When I won first place in a citywide elementary school math competition, I wanted someone to be proud of me. At home, I got a cold, So what? At school, people couldnt see past my race. My classmates told me, It doesnt count because youre Asian. Nurtured by church, lost to philosophy To get away from home, I went to the local church whenever it was unlocked: for choir, youth group, Sunday worship, and just to walk around in the dark alone. I felt nurtured by the adults there. In seventh grade, I asked to be baptized. Eventually, we moved into a house, and I couldnt find a church to walk to. I tried to convert my dad, but started doubting my own faith when I couldnt answer his questions. In my high school senior year English literature class, we were introduced to philosophies claiming that life had no intrinsic purpose; namely, absurdism, existentialism, and nihilism. By this time, I had no prayer life and was borderline agnostic. In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus writes, The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a mans heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. I found this to echo what my dad told me. Nietzsches concept of the Ubermensch (the superior human, from the book "Thus Spake Zarathustra") made me question whether religion prevented us from reaching our full potential (a man who achieves greatness by rising above conventional Christian morality to create and impose his own values). The book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer hit me hardest, "I asked God to keep his finger on the shoulder of that one But he let Alex die. So on December 26, when I learned what happened, I renounced the Lord. I withdrew my church membership and became an atheist. I decided I couldnt believe in a God who would let something that terrible happen to a boy like Alex." It became my mission to protect people from religion and counter-evangelize Christians. After reading this, I formally renounced my faith in God too. Religion is a crutch for people who are mentally weak, I thought. From that day, I hated Christianity in particular. It became my mission to protect people from religion and counter-evangelize Christians. Chasing belonging: freedom, fraternity, and emptiness I moved away from my parents to study nuclear engineering at Georgia Tech. I was studious at first, but as time went on, I started exercising my freedom, thinking that I would be happy when I fitted in. I started drinking and partying, and devoted most of my time to meeting new people and spending time with friends. In my third year, I joined a fraternity. Moving in was a dream come true. I had always wanted a brother and now I had 80 of them. I felt cool for the first time, as though I was finally a real American. When the novelty wore off, I was still depressed. My new friends were incredibly supportive, but I had a deep desire to be loved that only God could satisfy. As an Asian American male, I had been conditioned by society to believe that I was unattractive and undesirabledefinitely not worth loving. I felt like I had love to give, but nobody was interested. Being in a relationship could heal me, I thought, but no girls were interested in a broken guy. The future looked bleak. I grew tired of living and hoped that an accident would put me out of my misery. Escaped death, into a deeper hole A few months later, I lost control of my car on the interstate and flipped a few times before landing upside-down in a ditch. My seat belt suspended me in midair with my face a few inches away from being impaled on the windshield glass. While climbing out, I realized I didnt want to die after all. One passerby couldnt believe that I survived. Somebody was watching over you, he told me. I responded that God isnt real. In my final semester of school, I got back in touch with my freshman-year roommate who invited me to take MDMA (the drug, ecstasy) at a rave. I just wanted to feel happiness whether it was fake or not, and took it in hopes of self-medicating my depression. It seemed to work, and the experience was magical. Strangers were warm and accepting of me for just being me. I felt intimately connected to and loved by them. I doubted that this love could be fully explained entirely by neurochemistry. For the first time, I began to believe that spiritual realities existed. What were the implications of my free will? I spent the next few months looking into New Age and New Thought philosophy and tried other psychedelic drugs in the pursuit of truth. One day, I noticed a rock on the ground that was of no interest to me. I picked it up, just because I could, and it dawned on me that I had free will. I reflected on this discovery. What were the implications of my free will? There were trillions of molecules in that rock, yet I was able to move them through space. What am I? I wondered. Am I some kind of god? Reflecting on Nietzsches philosophies reminded me of the first Harry Potter book, where Professor Quirrell (the bad guy) tells Harry, There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it. If I wanted to get ahead in life, I couldnt allow myself to be constrained by laws or conscience. For the sake of power, I had to become what some might call evil. I thought about Hitler and Stalin. They seemed like great models of the potential that man could achieve. For the sake of self-preservation in the face of evil, I realized I had to become the greatest evil in the world myself. After graduating from Georgia Tech, I moved into a house with my freshman-year roommate and his acquaintance. The new roommate was a biochemical engineering student who made drugs. One night, when they were both out of town, I heard a loud banging on our front door; it was a drug raid on our house. I was surrounded in the living room by about 14 law enforcement officers, answering their questions about my new roommate. They asked if I did drugs. Too scared to lie, I said yes, but I dont sell them. The officer in charge thanked me for my honesty and told me it was my lucky dayhe was only interested in the roommate. After his arrest, he stopped by the house one day and told me that when he was in jail, he started believing in God. Facing God in the dark: struggles and surrender The movie Inception was showing in theaters and is still one of my favorite movies. It was about people using dream-sharing technology to extract information from their subjects subconscious. I wondered if life on earth was a shared dream. In the movie, the background characters were just projections of the dreamers subconscious, but they could attack and actually hurt the dreamer. My roommates arrest made no sense in this frameworksurely nobody dreams of being arrested. I rationalized that perhaps the roommate didnt believe himself to be above the law, and fell victim to his subconscious. Therefore, I needed to take full control over my mind if I ever wanted to dream a better life for myself. I confidently proclaimed: I am God. If God did not exist, there was no absolute frame of reference, so I was free to shape reality however I wanted. I combined the ideas that resonated with me most: the Ubermensch from Existentialism, discovering my inner divinity from New Age, and manifestation of mental states into reality from New Thought. I knew what I wanted now. Believing with all my heart, I confidently proclaimed: I am God. God made his presence felt instantly. I was home alone but recognized the sound of police officers walking around outside my bedroom. They somehow knew I had committed a thoughtcrime; I was not allowed to have this kind of power, and they were here to arrest me. My mind started racing when I realized I was sober and wide awake. Were the police just my subconscious minds projection of God? But I dont believe in God. I cant let them get into my room. Stop, stoprelax, I said to myself out loud. That sounds crazy. The house is locked, and nobody is here. Someone was looking at me through the closed bedroom door thoughI could feel it. I stood up to lock the door and felt a cold shock when I suddenly heard the music start playing in my room. It was the Overture/Work Song from Les Miserables (the musical). Was it a coincidence that my laptop glitched at that specific moment and randomly selected a prison-themed song to play? Wanting to turn the song off as soon as possible, I grabbed my laptop. To my horror, I saw it was turned off, but the music was clearly audible from inside my room. I felt trapped. Though I was seeing my bedroom with my eyes, I felt as though I was already in jail and that whoever was outside my room could hear my thoughts. What is this place? Whats going on? I asked. The song was still playing, and God answered me through the lyrics. It was the hell I was destined for, "The sun is strong, its hot as hell below theres twenty years to go youll always be a slave look down, look down, youre standing in your grave..." At one point, a prisoner in the song asks, How long, O Lord, before you let me die? I felt myself ask that same question along with the song, and God answered that I would not; I was eternally here, and time did not exist in this state. I felt my stomach drop again in fear. The claustrophobia was agonizing. I still believed that I was God, and wrongfully imprisoned. I worked up my courage to try and reason my way out. I recognized that both I and this other being were claiming to be God, but I knew there could ultimately only be one. I thought if only I had more faith in myself, I could bend reality to my own liking and take control. I turned toward the door and said, I dont care who you think you are, but Im the one true God and youre not. You better watch out because Im coming for you. A booming voice filled the room. It was so powerful I thought I might be crushed. How dare you Satan! I will cast you into hell! I froze in terror and felt like I was experiencing the fall of Satan in first person. A few moments later, I was once again aware of being back in my bedroom. God told me he was going to end my life; he had heard enough. Tomorrow, people would find my lifeless physical body, and my soul would languish in this prison for eternity. "I dont want to be an evil person and I dont want power." Shaking, I instinctively knelt down on the floor. I begged, Im sorry God, I dont want to be an evil person and I dont want power. Its all rightfully yours. Please dont end my life right now. Ill do anything. If you can please just give me another chance, Ill be goodIll do anything. The name Jesus popped into my head, so I thought about him. God said, Ok, I forgive you. I love you. I know youve been searching for truth with drugs, but you dont need to do that anymore, its time to quit. I agreed to quit everything immediately. God also told me he was always there if I wanted to talk. He showed how the events in my life fit together, and how they all led me to the present moment. This was my chance to start a new life. It took me a few moments to process and then I felt an explosion of emotion: I was at peace, relieved (to be alive), grateful, happy, excited, and finally whole. It was around 11 pm but I needed to tell anyone who would listen. I called a good high school friend, Phil, who I hadnt spoken to in years because I hated getting invited to church. God spoke to me! I believe in God now! After listening to my story, Phil told me hed prayed for me last night. What did you pray for? I asked. Phil said he asked that God would do something big in my life. After we ended the call, I couldnt contain myself so I called another friend, Rob, to tell him about how Phil had prayed for my conversion and it happened. Rob also told me hed prayed the night before that God would do something. Coming home: reconcile, reconnect and relive The next morning, I called my parents to say I love you for the first time. I forgave them for everything, and told them how much I appreciated them for being good parents. They were mostly confused by the conversation since we never called each other unless we needed something. I told them that God was real and that he had talked to me last night. They cautioned me dont believe in anything too much (a little is OK), and not to waste my time with religion when I should be thinking about my career. Quitting drugs meant I had to abandon my entire social circle. It was homecoming week at Georgia Tech, so after talking with my parents, I went back to campus to visit my fraternity. Typically, pledges dont go anywhere near the alumni during homecoming to avoid being hazed, so I was shocked when one of the freshmen pledges, Kelsey, walked straight up to me. Do you want to go to church with me on Sunday? he asked. Did God send him? I wondered. It was well known that I detested Christianity. Who told you to ask me? I started to ask, but I was too dazed to get most of the words out. Dont you know who I am? I finally managed to say. Kelsey told me he knew I was an atheist and didnt know why he approached me. I told Kelsey about what happened last night and asked where he went to church. I havent been to church in years, he told me. Well then why did you ask me of all people?, I pressed. I dunno, but as soon as I saw you today, I just thought I should come up to you and ask he said. We found a few other guys and went to a non-denominational church as a group that Sunday. I learned more about Jesus and started reading the Bible. My parents and I are closer than weve ever been, and they are much more accepting of my faith. God has also blessed me with a wonderful wife and the gift of fatherhood. Loving my children has helped heal a lot of my childhood wounds. Holding them before bed every night has helped me reflect on the magnitude of Gods love for us; its wild to think that I am loved by God more than I love them. God has shown me that his love is always faithful and he pursues us even when we actively choose against him. Originally published by ChinaSource. Republished with permission. Gregory Wu (a pseudonym) is an Assistant Professor of Statistics and has been involved with student ministry at his university. 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. Chinese companies shine at Egypt's largest ICT expo Xinhua) 09:47, November 21, 2024 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) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Part-time pastor and politician, Venancio Mondlane, urged his supporters to participate in peaceful nationwide demonstrations from November 13th to 15th to protest against alleged vote rigging. Mondlane, who ran as an independent candidate after the main opposition backed another candidate in the October 9th general elections, maintains that the elections did not reflect the wishes of the people. Mondlane has served as a pastor with the Igreja Ministerio Divina Esperanca (Divine Hope Ministry Church) in Maputo whose leader Luis Fole, met outgoing President, Filipe Nyusi, on November 8th. Mondlane has been on record saying that Fole is his spiritual leader. President Nyusi posted on Facebook that the talks centered on how the church and the government can work together for the stability and the development of the country. The 50-year-old part-time pastor who started his career as an engineer was seeking to unseat the independence party FRELIMO which has been in power since 1975. Mozambiques National Electoral Commission on October 24 announced Daniel Chapo as the winner of the presidential election with 70% of the votes cast going to the FRELIMO candidate. Mondlane contested the results and escaped the country after his lawyer and friend, Elvino Dias, was killed while preparing an election petition. He posted on his Facebook profile that he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt while in asylum in South Africa weeks after the elections. Mondlane said he left the continent fearing for his life and that of his family but has continued to call for peaceful protests, which have grounded the country to a halt. The street protests have been met with force by the police. At least 30 people have been killed, scores injured and over 400 arrested since October 19th according to human rights organizations. On November 4th, residents of the capital, Maputo, and other cities started banging pots from their balconies and in different neighborhoods as a form of alternative protest mobilized on social media. The European Union questioned the transparency of the elections and condemned the killing of Dias, and that of Paulo Guambe, one of the leaders of the Podemos Party, which was supporting Mondlane. The US embassy and the African Union also condemned the killing of the two Mondlane allies who were shot by assailants in Maputo. Catholic Bishops, in a terse letter, claimed that there was rampant irregularities in the polls such as ballot box stuffing, altered results sheets and many other ways of hiding the truth. The irregularities and frauds, by and large committed with impunity, increase the lack of trust in the election bodies, and in leaders who abdicate from their dignity, and despise the truth and sense of service which should guide those whom the people trust with their votes, said the bishops. Other independent poll observers also raised irregularities, fraud and vote tampering. Mondlane, who is also a former radio presenter, galvanized the significant youth population under the banner Save Mozambique - this country is ours. The youth population, under 35 years, is estimated to be 80% of the population. Mondlane used his widespread social media presence to mobilize supporters who have expressed frustration with the governance of the country, noted the non-profit, International Crisis Group. This sentiment is particularly intense among young people living in towns who are active on social media and make up the core of Mondlanes support base, said the Crisis Group. The protests are expected to exert pressure on the Constitutional Council which has the powers to audit and annul the election results. Before his shot at the presidency, Mondlane ran for other elective posts including the mayoral seat in Maputo in 2018 and 2023 and was an MP between 2020 and 2024. At the same time, Botswana, considered Africas most stable democracy, voted overwhelmingly to eject the independence party, the Botswana Democratic Party, which has been in power for 58 years. Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi handed power to Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Duma Boko in a peaceful and smooth transition. Indonesia, France step up cooperation in economy, defence By Vietnam News Agency Thu, November 21, 2024 | 10:25 pm GMT+7 Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto discussed economic and defence cooperation during a bilateral meeting on Tuesday with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Antara reported. President Prabowo Subianto (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo courtesy of Antara. President Macron commended Indonesia's plan to enhance its defence cooperation with France through the provision of Rafale jet fighters and joint development of submarines. Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL and French Naval Group have set up a joint venture to build the Scorpene Evolved submarine equipped with advanced propulsion and weaponry technology. The collaboration allows Indonesia to receive knowledge transfer from France and strengthens the maritime industry's self-sufficiency, according to the Indonesian news agency. Meanwhile, Indonesia's Defence Ministry has also completed the three contracts necessary to purchase 42 Rafale fighter jets produced by Frances Dassault Aviation. The first Rafale fighter jets are expected to arrive in Indonesia by early 2026. Touching on bilateral economic cooperation, Macron suggested both sides continue organising the France-Indonesia Business Forum, with the latest event held in September with the participation of the public and private sectors of the two countries. 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. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Luis Rodriguez, Xfinity comp tech supervisor, is shown at a cable box outside a home in this 2021 photo. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Texas plan for using about $3.3 billion in federal money to improve broadband internet access for the estimated 7 million residents who are not connected. Melissa Phillip/Staff photographer Fiber-optic cable in rural areas will be necessary to expand broadband access across Texas. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Texas plan for using about $3.3 billion in federal money to improve broadband internet access for the estimated 7 million residents who are not connected. James A. Gekiere/AFP via Getty Images The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved Texas plan for using about $3.3 billion in federal money to improve broadband internet access for the estimated 7 million residents who are not connected. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Texas won federal approval to move forward with its plan to improve broadband internet access for the estimated 7 million residents who are not connected. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the federal agency that advises the president on telecommunications policy issues, approved Texas plan to use about $3.3 billion in federal money, part of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD, program. The $42.45 billion program is part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NTIA made the announcement Tuesday that proposals for how the money will be used have now been approved in every state, territory and the District of Columbia. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas received the most money of any state. Texas first submitted its plan in December 2023. At the same time, the state has awarded more than $1 billion in state and federal tax dollars for broadband investments. The BEAD program has taken some time, said Greg Conte, director of the Texas Broadband Development Office. But what weve developed and had approved this morning shows how were approaching this in a methodical way. The office announced grant awards for its Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas program, or BOOT, earlier this year. On Monday, applicants in 15 counties were awarded $580 million to connect 80,000 locations. As for the BEAD funding, Texas will not begin spending it right away. First, internet service providers, nonprofits, and local and tribal governments have a chance to challenge federal maps that show where internet connections are needed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Those maps will help influence where the $3 billion will be spent. There likely will be several challenges, as service providers and local officials have questioned the accuracy of the map. We want to make sure the data being provided to us by the federal government is accurate and up to date, Conte said. In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo congratulated the Texas broadband office, saying We look forward to working with you to ensure that everyone in the state is connected. The BEAD Challenge Process will be open from Dec. 3 through Dec. 17. The National Investment Company, Kuwaits market leading investment bank, has this morning announced the successful sale of a 3.2% stake in Boursa Kuwait, the national stock exchange operator, to leading international and regional institutional investors for $43 million. The NIC sold a total of 6.5 million shares, representing a 3.2% stake in Boursa Kuwait. The sale was executed through an Accelerated Book Build in collaboration with EFG Hermes. Following the transaction, NIC retains a significant 12.5% shareholding in Boursa Kuwait, reaffirming its confidence in the exchanges robust business model and promising growth trajectory. The partial exit broadens Boursas shareholder base across several renowned international hedge funds and institutional investors. Khaled Al Falah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NIC, said: "This divestment is a testament to our dynamic investment strategy and disciplined risk management approach. We are immensely optimistic about Boursa Kuwaits evolution and prospects, guided by its management team." "The proceeds from this transaction strengthens our financial position and prepares us for strategic investment opportunities, particularly as we accelerate our regional expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE," he stated. Al Falah said: "By selectively introducing renowned international hedge funds and institutional investors into Boursa Kuwaits shareholder base, we are enhancing the exchanges global profile and fostering a more diversified investor community." NIC has been instrumental in Boursa Kuwaits transformation journey. The Capital Markets Authority initiated the privatization of Boursa Kuwait in early 2019, with NIC leading a prominent investment consortium. This consortium, comprised of leading local companies and the Athens Stock Exchange, successfully acquired a 44% stake of Boursa Kuwait for approximately $62 million.-TradeArabia News Service Leading UAE developer Arada has started work on its ultra-luxury Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah following the award of the projects first construction contract. Designed in partnership with Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio and the Pritzker-Prize-winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando, Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah features panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline, as well as 90,000 sq ft of high-quality amenities and 52 individually designed homes, said Arada in a statement. The contract to carry out enabling works at the project, which includes shoring, piling, dewatering and excavation, has been awarded to International Foundation Group (IFG), an experienced Dubai-based operator that specialises in deep foundation and ground solutions. Work has commenced onsite and is expected to be completed in March next year following which the main construction contract for the project will be awarded. Alongside the start of construction at Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah, Arada has also opened the projects dedicated Show Apartment at the master developers sales office in City Walk. The Show Apartment features a replica living room, master bedroom, master bathroom, boudoir and dining room, all exclusively designed by Armani/Casa, along with materials and furnishings provided by the iconic brand. Arada Group CEO Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said: "Were pleased to have started construction on Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah and look forward to working with our partners, Tadao Ando and Armani/Casa to bring this unique residential project to life." "It is a new landmark for one of Dubais most coveted neighbourhoods, offering impeccable design and architecture alongside an impressive collection of top-class amenities," he stated. "Every beautifully appointed home is defined by a desire to bring extravagant ocean and skyline views into its interior, with a wide array of configurations including including two-, three-, four-, five-bedroom and penthouse residences all offering unrestrained access to the exterior view," he added. The upcoming project includes two presidential suites, which combine numerous different internal function areas including a contemplative courtyard space with reflective pool, a personalised gym, libraries, a private cinema, and a private parking lounge with space for seven cars with an opulent mega-terrace featuring an infinity pool. Alkhoshaibi said buyers of penthouses and presidential suites will have the opportunity to work directly with Armani/Casa to deliver a truly bespoke interior scheme for their homes. "Since its launch earlier this year, Armani Beach Residences has been named Best Branded Residences in major luxury lifestyle magazine Robb Reports Best of the Best annual awards, as well as Waterfront Project of the Year at the 2024 Pillars of Real Estate Awards," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Austrian group MCI Mining Construction International (MCI) and Saudi-based EPC contractor Within Construction for General Contracting Company have signed a strategic co-operation and distribution agreement that will see the duo deliver advanced, integrated solutions to the rapidly expanding mining and construction sectors in the kingdom. A global leader in mining, earthmoving, and material handling machinery, MCI said this landmark partnership is set to transform the mining, earthmoving and material handling market in Saudi Arabia. The agreement combines MCIs cutting-edge design and engineering expertise with Within Constructions robust local market knowledge and execution capabilities. Together, the two companies will provide comprehensive solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of the Saudi market, leveraging MCIs world-class machinery and Within Constructions on-site project management and assembly proficiencies, it stated. Driven by a shared vision to become the leading provider of mining, earthmoving, and material handling equipment and services in Saudi Arabia, this collaboration is poised to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs through state-of-the-art equipment, it added. "This partnership represents a significant opportunity to align our strengths and deliver unparalleled value to our customers in Saudi Arabia," remarked Engineer Alfred Topf, the Chief Executive Officer of MCI. "By combining our engineering excellence with Within Constructions local expertise, we are poised to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, reliable equipment in this dynamic market," he stated. The partnership also emphasizes the importance of tailored solutions, ensuring that machinery and services are custom-built to meet the unique demands of the Saudi market. Furthermore, the collaboration leverages the strong on-ground presence and execution capabilities of Within Construction, underscoring the significance of local expertise in driving success, he added. Engineer Naif Al Jabr, the Chairman of Within Construction, said: "We are excited to partner with MCI, whose reputation for innovation and quality is well known. This agreement will enable us to offer comprehensive solutions that address the evolving needs of our clients and support the Kingdoms ambitious infrastructure and industrial development goals." Goran Latkovic, as the central leader of this strategic partnership, will oversee the coordination of marketing strategies and operational activities, ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment between MCI and Within Construction. Latkovic brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of both markets, which will be crucial in driving the success of this partnership. On the collaboration, Latkovic said: "This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and excellence. We are combining our strengths to deliver solutions that will set new standards in the industry." "I look forward to leading this joint effort and ensuring that our customers in Saudi Arabia benefit from the best in mining and material handling technology," he added. The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY) recently welcomed a group of participants from the Takween Field Training Programme, launched by the Ministry of Education. This initiative seeks to promote professional integration by offering students a chance to experience the future work environment and develop key skills during their hands-on training. In collaboration with this initiative, ASRY will offer a comprehensive introductory programme for 56 students, featuring lectures, training sessions, specialised workshops, and guided tours of the companys facilities. In-depth understanding This programme will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the shipbuilding and repair processes, starting from the initial design stages and progressing to advanced maintenance operations. Ahmed Buali, Acting Director of the ASRY Human Resourses Division, highlighted the importance of supporting these initiatives, which play a crucial role in fostering cooperation between the industrial and educational sectors in the kingdom. He further emphasised that ASRY is committed to continuously providing an exceptional training environment for youth, helping to prepare and equip them to enter the workforce as key contributors to advancing the kingdoms growth and development.--TradeArabia News Service PwC Middle East has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Emkan Education, a Saudi consultancy specialising in education and skills development advisory services. The announcement underscores PwC's commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's ambition to develop its education sector and enhance the Kingdoms talent as it diversifies its economy. A formal ceremony was conducted at the Ministry of Investment in the presence of Engineer Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Investment. The transformation of Saudi Arabias education and skills development sector is critical to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, to enable workforce development, nurturing innovation and empowering citizens, said the top consultancy in a statement. The acquisition of Emkan Education brings a team of exceptional professionals to PwCs Middle East education practice. With deep expertise and recognition as sector leaders in education, this team will further strengthen PwCs leading capabilities in the education and skills sectors across the region, it stated. In line with Saudi Vision 2030s focus on empowering national talent and enhancing womens contributions to the workforce, the team includes three distinguished Saudi female leaders - Dr Mounira Jamjoom, Sara Zaini and Basma Bushnak - who are celebrated for their significant impact in the education sector. Under the leadership of Roland Hancock, PwC Partner and Education & Skills Leader, the combination of Emkan Educations local expertise with PwCs global reach will enable the firm to support regional clients in achieving their strategic objectives and contribute to the development of a thriving, future-ready education ecosystem in the Kingdom and beyond. Hani Ashkar, PwC Middle East Senior Partner, said: "We are delighted to welcome Emkan Education to PwC Middle East. This combination is a significant milestone in our commitment to helping shape the future of education across the region." "By integrating Emkans deep expertise with PwCs global capabilities, we are strengthening our ability to deliver tailored solutions that align with the broader goals of economic transformation and skills development across the Middle East," noted Ashkar. "Together, we will help build a future-ready education ecosystem that empowers the next generation of leaders and innovators throughout the region," he added. On the announcement, Riyadh AlNajjar, Middle East Chairman of the Board and KSA Senior Partner at PwC Middle East, said: "Education and upskilling is the cornerstone of sustainable development, driving progress across all sectors. At PwC, we are deeply committed to supporting the Kingdoms Vision 2030 goals." "This acquisition strengthens our ability to help clients deliver world-class education while fostering the local talent and expertise that will be critical to the future success of Saudi Arabias knowledge economy," he stated. Dr Mounira Jamjoom, the Co-founder of Emkan Education, pointed out that joining forces with PwC Middle East marked an exciting new chapter for the Saudi consultancy. "Together, we are committed to delivering bespoke solutions that will enhance Saudi Arabias education system, drive human capital development, and play a key role in achieving the transformative goals of Vision 2030," she added. Basma Bushnak, the CEO of Emkan Education, said: "This is an achievement not just for Emkan Education but for all Saudi professionals. I am confident that this partnership will lead us to new heights and I look forward to what we can achieve together."-TradeArabia News Service Diriyah Company, Saudi Arabias mixed-use developer driving the transformation of historic Diriyah into a premier global destination, will present the latest developments of its flagship project - with special focus on Diriyah Square - at the upcoming MAPIC 2024 in Cannes. A world-leading retail summit, MAPIC will be held from November 26 to 28 in the French city. Diriyah Company said its participation at MAPIC features a series of high-level engagements, underscoring the companys commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban development. The Saudi developer will put spotlight on Diriyah Square - the dynamic centrepiece of the 14-sq km masterplan. Designed to be the vibrant heart of Diriyah, it is poised to become a landmark destination for shopping, dining, culture, and lifestyle, stated the company. Located on the outskirts of the KSA capital, Riyadh, Diriyah will be a cornerstone of Saudi Arabias transformation. Backed by the Public Investment Fund, Diriyah is projected to attract 50 million annual visits by 2030, playing a key role in advancing the Kingdoms economic diversification goals under Vision 2030. During the three-day event, Alfie Gibbs, the Chief Development Officer, will speak at the Retail and Urban Regeneration Summit. Bringing together international cities, investors, landlords and retailers, the event will focus on mixed-use and retail urban regeneration projects on November 26. Nawaf Rajeh, Development & Innovation Marketing Senior Director, will next day participate in Putting the community at the heart of a projects success, shining the spotlight on reframing regeneration for the community by embracing local input to create relevant, long term destinations. During the event, Gibbs will also host an invitation-only briefing on Diriyahs plethora of retail projects, with exclusive insight into opportunities for investments and partnerships, it added.-TradeArabia News Service The Department of Energy Abu Dhabi (DoE), the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative (MBZWI), and the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) have championed the need for innovative and collaborative water solutions. At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the three entities participated in a panel discussion entitled "Water and Climate Change: Integrating Desalination, Reuse, Renewable Energy, and Stewardship for Sustainable Water Solutions," which focused on innovative approaches to addressing water shortages exacerbated by climate change. Water scarcity is a crucial issue with the United Nations World Water Development Report citing that nearly 6 billion people could face clean water scarcity by 2050 due to rising demand, dwindling water resources, and increased pollution, driven by rapid population and economic growth. This figure may be an underestimation, as the impact of these drivers - along with unequal growth, accessibility, and varying water needs - could exacerbate the crisis even further. Unified global effort Ahmed Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Energy Abu Dhabi, said that securing a sustainable water future for all requires unified global effort: "Addressing global water challenges demands a strategic approach that combines advanced technologies with strong collaboration between governments, industry leaders, and financial institutions. Abu Dhabi is leading by example, driving innovation in desalination, water reuse, and energy-efficient water management. At the Department of Energy Abu Dhabi, we are dedicated to enabling and shaping a future where the energy and water sectors are resilient, sustainable, and forward-looking. Our role is to create an environment that attracts investors and operators while ensuring adoption and implementation of best practices to shape a secure and sustainable future for all. As the world grapples with the dual threats of water scarcity and flooding, the DoE will highlight the importance of integrating cutting-edge water technologies such as desalination and water reuse into secure long-term water resources. Abu Dhabis leadership in energy-efficient desalination technologies and AI-driven water management systems will also be emphasised, showcasing how innovation is transforming water management while aligning with the UAEs net-zero targets. Abu Dhabis advancements, including low-carbon desalination plants like Al Taweelah, demonstrate how government policies and technological innovation are converging to sustainably meet increasing water demands. Public-private partnerships was a central theme of the discussion, with the Mohamed Bin Zayed Water Initiative showcasing how collaboration between government entities and private sector players in the UAE can accelerate the implementation of large-scale water infrastructure projects. These partnerships are essential for promoting innovation and ensuring the financial viability of sustainable water solutions on a global scale. Urgent threat Ayesha Al Ateeqi, from the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative (MBZWI), said: Increasing water scarcity represents an urgent threat to global security and prosperity. Positive progress is being made on this issue, but we cannot afford to be complacent. We must work together to accelerate the pace of innovation and the development of new solutions to this growing challenge. To that end, The Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative is dedicated to helping address global water scarcity by supporting the development and application of breakthrough technologies while raising the importance of water scarcity on the global agenda. Collaboration between industry, the public sector, academia, and innovators is crucial to creating a world in which water is more accessible, more affordable, and more sustainable for all. The panel also explored the critical role of responsible water management in industrial sectors, highlighting how businesses can reduce their water footprint and protect ecosystems. Shannon K McCarthy, Secretary General of IDRA, remarked: In an era where climate change drives both water scarcity and flooding, innovative technical solutions like desalination and water reuse are essential to ensure adaptation and mitigation of water scarcity. Addressing the full spectrum of water challenges requires a holistic approach that includes water conservation, clean water production, industrial water stewardship, protecting natural water resources, circular water systems, and decarbonizing water treatment technologies through combining renewable energy. This collaboration at COP29 sets the stage for the upcoming IDRA World Congress 2024 in Abu Dhabi, taking place from December 8 to 12, 2024. The Congress will build on the themes discussed at COP29, providing a platform for young innovators, policymakers, and global leaders to explore sustainable water solutions. Initiatives aimed at educating and engaging the next generation, such as Abu Dhabis youth-focused conservation programmes, will be spotlighted, ensuring that young leaders are equipped to face future water challenges.--TradeArabia News Service Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has announced the ground breaking of its low-carbon Ruwais liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Al Dhafra Region, thus leveraging synergies and integration opportunities across Adnocs value chain including the supply of feedstock. On the mega project, Adnoc said Ruwais LNG will support global energy security and drive industrial growth in Al Dhafra region and once operational, the project will more than double Adnocs UAE LNG production capacity to over 15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). The ceremony, held in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, was attended by a high-level delegation of dignitaries and senior officials from the Abu Dhabi Government. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc Managing Director and Group CEO, welcomed Sheikh Hamdan and the delegation to Al Ruwais Industrial City. Later Sheikh Hamdan toured the Borouge 4 site and reviewed the progress of the Hail and Ghasha and TaZiz mega-projects, Adnocs other strategic initiatives that are set to transform the Al Dhafra Region into an energy tradingand advanced industrial hub. Adnoc said the group is investing approximately AED175 billion ($47.6 billion) in the Ruwais LNG, Hail and Ghasha, Borouge 4 and TaZiz mega-projects, leveraging synergies and integration opportunities across Adnocs value chain including the supply of feedstock. Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Hamdan said: "The mega-projects span the energy value chain from gas production and liquefaction to chemicals, using artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies to boost efficiency and reduce emissions." "These significant investments reinforce Adnocs commitment to sustainable economic growth in Al Dhafra Region by drivinginfrastructure development and job creation, while fostering a thriving domestic industrial ecosystem," he noted. He underscored the importance of Adnocs ongoing mega-projects in the Al Dhafra Region, which are supporting the UAEs economic growth and prosperity. Borouge 4, one of the UAEs largest industrial projects, will see the company progress with the worlds largest single-site polyolefin complex. On completion next year, the project will boost Borouges production capacity by 1.4 mtpa to 6.4 mmtpa, delivering up to $1.9 billion (AED7 billion) in annual revenue. On the TaZiz chemicals and transition fuels ecosystem under development in Al Ruwais, Adnoc said it is scheduled to commence production in 2027. The new TaZiz plant aims to produce 4.7 mtpa of chemicals by 2028 in Phase 1, with Phase 2 set to increase total production to over 11 mtpa, it added. Dr Al Jaber said: "Along with Borouge 4, Hail and Ghasha and TaZiz, these strategic mega-projects will provide more lower-carbon energy to the world, while strengthening the UAEs energy security, accelerating In-Country Value and boosting economic diversification, in line with our leaderships directives. "The Hail and Ghasha project, which aims to operate with net zero emissions, is set to produce 1 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, as the UAE becomes one of the largest global producers of high-quality sulfur in the world," he added.-TradeArabia News Service DHL Express has appointed Abdulaziz Busbate as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHL Express Mena (Middle East and North Africa), effective January 1, 2025. He will succeed Nour Suliman, who recently stepped into a non-executive advisory role within DHL Group as President Mena. Abdulaziz Busbate will be based in Bahrain and will report directly to John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. Bringing 24 years of management experience at DHL Express to the role, Busbate began his journey in Saudi Arabia, leading various commercial teams and contributing significantly to the organisation's profitable growth. In 2014, he transferred to Bahrain as Country Manager, where he focused on service improvement and commercial development. In 2021, Busbate returned to Saudi Arabia as Managing Director, successfully driving forward the companys strategy, including significant enhancements to service quality, investments in infrastructure and capacity, and development of the local workforce. Pivotal role We are excited to welcome Abdulaziz Busbate to this pivotal role, said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. His extensive experience, proven track record, and deep understanding of the region will be invaluable as we continue to drive growth and innovation in the Middle East and North Africa market, which continues to be a strategically important market for our customers and a source of talented, motivated employees for our global organisation. "I'm honoured to lead this great team and build upon our strong foundations in this diverse, dynamic, and entrepreneurial region," said Abdulaziz Busbate. "My focus will remain on expanding DHL's leadership position in the Middle East and North Africa, enabling growth and delivering exceptional service to our customers. We will continue to invest in making DHL a Great Place to Work for our people and a pioneer of sustainable logistics, delivering a positive contribution to the communities we serve."--TradeArabia News Service Krohne, a global leader in process instrumentation and measurement solutions, has announced the strategic expansion of its Middle East and Africa team. This growth initiative aims to bolster the 104-year old family-owned companys capabilities across Systems, Turnkey Project Management, and extend reach into growing markets, particularly in Southern Africa, said the company in a statement. Continued growth of Krohne Middle East and Africa team ensures sustainable innovation to drive energy transition and lower carbon across industries through next-generation measurement technology and digitisation, it stated. Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Duisburg, Germany, Krohne offers local contacts for instrumentation projects of any size in over 100 countries. It stands for innovation and highest product quality as one of the market leaders in manufacturing and process instrumentation as well as measurement solutions and services in many industries. The key highlights of its expansion plan includes: *Enhanced Systems Expertise: Valued customers can take advantage of the new hires with specialized knowledge in industrial process systems to strengthen their ability to deliver comprehensive solutions. *Turnkey Project Management: Experienced project managers have joined our team to oversee complex, end-to-end implementations, ensuring seamless execution and client satisfaction. *Southern Africa Focus: Krohne has recruited talented professionals to spearhead growth in the Southern African market, recognizing its potential for industrial development. *Hybrid Workforce Model: The expanded team operates across the Middle East and Africa, providing localized support and expertise. The focus on human-centric consultancy is crucial to delivering the customer service experience expected today. *Commitment to Service Excellence: The team expansion aligns with a sincere dedication to exceeding customer expectations and maintaining high standards of service. On the key move, Jay Gadhavi, the General Manager of Krohne Middle East and Africa, said: "This strategic team growth reflects our commitment to the region and our goal of deepening relationships with key industrial players." "By enhancing our capabilities in critical areas, we are well-positioned to support the region's industrial growth whilst contributing to its sustainable development goals," noted Gadhavi. Krohne remains dedicated to delivering innovative measurement solutions and superior customer service across the Middle East and Africa and beyond. This team expansion reinforces their position as a trusted partner in process instrumentation and measurement technology throughout the region, he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Pearl Lounge at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) has won the prestigious APEX World Class by Yates+ award for 2025, in recognition of its commitment to delivering a superior guest experience focused on safety and well-being, sustainability, and exceptional food and beverage offerings. Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), said this recognition places The Pearl Lounge among an elite group of only four airport lounges worldwide to receive this award in the inaugural year of the lounge category. This announcement was made at the Bahrain International Airshow, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, from November 13-15, 2024. The APEX World Class by Yates+ award programme, now in its fourth year, celebrates the highest standards of airline and airport lounge excellence, focusing on key aspects of the modern traveller experience. The rigorous selection process involves a comprehensive audit by Yates+ (Yates and Partners), a leading guest experience consultancy; peer review by Associate Professor Dr Maxwell Winchester of Victoria University and Copenhagen Business School; and a thorough evaluation of Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and customer reviews. BIA Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Yousif AlBinfalah, said: This prestigious recognition by APEX World Class by Yates+ award is a testament to our dedication to providing an exceptional guest experience at The Pearl Lounge. It reflects the passion and hard work of our team, who strive every day to create a truly world-class environment for our travellers, reflecting our key to success, which is deeply rooted in our commitment to creating remarkable and unforgettable experiences for every visitor. TradeArabia News Service Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air has announced its return to AlUla in Saudi Arabia as a seasonal destination from November 26 to February 25, 2025. Building on the success of Gulf Air's inaugural seasonal flights to AlUla International Airport in February this year, the airline will operate two weekly flights using an A320 aircraft. This move marks an important expansion of Gulf Air's network and offers more convenience and travelling options for Gulf Air passengers, said the Bahrain flag-carrier in a statement. The flight schedule to AlUla International Airport (ULH) includes two weekly flights from Bahrain International Airport every Tuesdays and Saturdays. On Tuesdays, Flight GF 191 will depart from Bahrain at 10:40am and arrive in AlUla International Airport at 1pm and on Saturdays, GF 192 will take off from Bahrain at 3:10pm and land in AlUla International Airport at 5.30pm. Gulf Air said this step further enhances its connectivity across its network, establishing stronger links between AlUla and key global destinations, including feeder routes from Bahrain, the GCC, and Europe. "Andy Was Here" stickers were designed by BarbacoApparel. The San Antonio-based T-shirt company created the design as a Dia de los Muertos homage to Handy Andy grocery stores and their grocer mascot. Courtesy BarbacoApparel Of course one of the most beloved grocery store icons in San Antonio should get the Dia de los Muertos treatment. At least that's how Nydia Huizar saw it several years ago, when the co-owner and designer for BarbacoApparel whipped up a sugar skull version of Handy Andy, the bespectacled brand character for the former supermarket chain in San Antonio. Titled "Andy Was Here," the Handy calavera celebrates the beaming grocery store clerk in all his buzz-cut and boxy-glasses glory, down to the same round head and pencil behind the ear that Huizar first saw as a kid when she wandered down Handy Andy store aisles and thumbed through Handy Andy newspaper ads. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The logo was so iconic, she said. And I do know a lot of people, myself included, have memories of going there before H-E-B was so prevalent in town. Theres something about a bygone cartoon grocer that still stocks fond memories in San Antonio. For several generations, the city was home to not one, not two but three different supermarket chains that each had its own merry mascot in a store apron bearing savings. In addition to the titular Handy Andy, shoppers also could turn to the bow-tied clerk of Centeno Super Markets and the porcine face of Piggly Wiggly. For many San Antonians of a certain age, these smiley-happy avatars were a welcome face on an otherwise ho-hum drudge through the weekly shopping list. And while they may be gone from our city's collective grocery store runs, they live on in our collective memories. And on the occasional sticker or T-shirt. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Here's a closer look at those San Antonio grocer icons of old. Handy Andy A former Handy Andy grocery store is shown in 1988 at the corner of Nacogdoches Road and North New Braunfels Avenue. Handy Andy and its cheerful grocer mascot were San Antonio staples for more than 80 years. Rick McFarland/Express-News file photo Handy Andy's ever-smiling pitchman graced the chain's branding and marketing throughout its 85 years in San Antonio. That started in April 1927, when brothers A.L. and E.C. Becker opened the first Handy Andy in the city at 1716-18 Broadway. Many San Antonians got their first look at the Handy Andy character in a teaser ad that ran in the March 18, 1927, edition of the San Antonio Light. Under the headline "Buying Hints for the Housewives," the small advert simply read "Handy Andy is coming to town" and featured the titular character with rolled-up sleeves and arms spread wide over a range of household goods. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A close-up of the original Handy Andy grocer logo from the late 1920s is pictured in a portion of an ad from the Aug. 23, 1929, edition of the San Antonio Evening News. The supermarket chain Handy Andy opened its first store in San Antonio in 1927. Express-News archives On the eve of the store's San Antonio debut, Handy Andy ran a giant two-page ad in the April 1, 1927, edition of the San Antonio Evening News. This time, the patriarchal headline read "Mrs. Housewife: Meet Handy-Andy!" and highlighted various brand-name products with the aforementioned logo. At the center of the ad, Handy Andy addressed shoppers as "your time and money-saving friend" that was "here to stay, folks." Handy Andy stuck around San Antonio well into the 21st century, often in his trademark apron but also in the occasional Halloween costume or other seasonal garb to match the sales occasion. He even made the leap to television commercials as a silent animated character. One such spot featured a tiny cartoon Handy Andy in the produce section helping a store clerk grab a bag for a shopper with an armful of apples. TUNE IN FOR MORE: San Antonio's most memorable commercials from the 1980s and '90s including Pace Picante Sauce The Handy Andy grocer mascot (far right) appeared in the supermarket's advertising and branding for more than 80 years, often in his trademark apron but also in holiday attire to match seasonal promotions. Pictured is a portion of a Thanksgiving ad from the Nov. 22, 1938, edition of the San Antonio Evening News. Express-News archives Then there was the time Andy took on the foxy mascot of Fox-Stanley Photo Products, famous for their photo-developing stands at shopping center parking lots. In 1981, Chuck Anderson of Anderson Advertising in San Antonio whipped up an ad campaign where the grocer and the fox logos faced off in a quiz show and buzzed in with who had the best photo services. Andy outfoxed the fox with better deals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Years later, Anderson said the spots worked simply because the Handy Andy character embodied the Handy Andy business. "Very likeable. Friendly. All the adjectives that you'd want to put in a store manager," Anderson said. But even Andy's charms could not save the business from the competitive price wars of the 1980s that lead to H-E-B's dominance in San Antonio. Handy Andy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1981, then changed ownership for the next 30 years as locations dwindled. The city's six remaining stores in closed in 2012. Centeno Super Markets The Centeno supermarket on West Commerce Street is shown in 1967. The former San Antonio-based grocery chain used a grocer logo similar to that of Handy Andy, another former San Antonio staple. UTSA Special Collections Picture a younger, chubbier Handy Andy with a fuller head of hair and you have the happy helper for Centeno Super Markets, at one point the largest independent grocer in San Antonio. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Famed San Antonio artist and advertising executive Lionel Sosa came up with the well-coiffured clerk as a caricature of Eloy Centeno, the grocery company's longtime president. Centeno asked Sosa to develop the mascot in the late 1960s as the family business grew. I had worked with him ever since I was in high school doing his window banners," said Sosa, who these days focuses more on painting portraits than crafting logos. "He loved it immediately." The Centeno Super Markets mascot was designed by famed San Antonio artist and advertising executive Lionel Sosa. Sosa based the little grocer on Eloy Centeno, who ran the family business for much of its time in San Antonio. The pictured image is a close-up from an ad in the April 7, 1968, edition of the San Antonio Express and News. Express-News archives Sosa recalled drafting a rough sketch of the Centeno mascot as a dot-eyed character with a big "C" on his apron and a hairstyle that matched Eloy Centeno's combed-back look minus the premature gray. Sosa's late business partner Lupe Garcia then finished out the design. The mascot appeared in various Centeno ads and branding, though he came along a good 40 years after the first store opened. In 1928, Jose Joe Centeno Sr. and his wife, Jesusa, launched Centeno Super Markets out of a small space that adjoined their West Side home at 415 Rivas St. As the family grew so did the business, eventually leading to Centenos first flagship location on West Commerce Street in 1948. This is a close-up of a Centeno Super Markets ad that ran in the Nov. 8, 1978, edition of the San Antonio Light. The ad highlights the 30th anniversary of the flagship Centeno's store that opened in 1948. Express-News archives Eloy Centeno and his brother Joe Centeno Jr. ran the West Commerce store for several years until Joe Centeno Jr.s sudden death in 1956 from appendicitis. Eloy Centeno took over the business and expanded it to five locations by the late 1970s. Centeno Super Markets cultivated a civic presence in the city's Mexican-American community as well as a commercial one. Its bilingual ads included slogans such as "Las tiendas de usted y de toda la familia Mexicana!"/"The stores for you and the entire Mexican family!" Eloy Centeno also opened the stores' ovens to the late Raul Jimenez in the early days of the restaurateur's annual Thanksgiving dinner for those in need. Centeno stores also fell prey to the 1980s price wars and H-E-B's subsequent rise in the market. By 1990, all Centeno locations closed. THE RISE OF H-E-B: How H-E-B became one of San Antonio's only major grocers Piggly Wiggly The exterior of a Piggly Wiggly in San Antonio is shown in 1975. Jose Barrera/Staff file photo Piggly Wiggly first wiggled into San Antonio in 1918, just a couple of years after founder Clarence Saunders launched the revolutionary self-service grocery store chain in Memphis, Tenn. Saunders never gave the full story behind the Piggly Wiggly name. According to the company's website, he may have come up with it while riding a train and seeing a bunch of pigs struggle to wiggle under a fence. Another tale goes that when someone asked him why he chose the rhyming name, he simply replied, "So people will ask that very question." In any case, Piggly Wiggly made a name for itself across the country, topping out at a little more than 2,600 stores by the early 1930s. The company originally used a simple text badge for a logo. That changed for good in 1949 when Piggly Wiggly introduced its familiar cartoon pig mascot with the paper hat. True to type, the little piggy also wears a grocery store apron. The Piggly Wiggly mascot is shown inside a Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Sheboygan, Wis., in 2023. The chain launched out of Memphis, Tenn., in 1916 and opened its first store in San Antonio in 1918. Matthew Ludak for The Washington Post via Getty Images Of course, Mr. Pig or Mr. Piggly Wiggly, as he was sometimes called, did have more than just a work smock in his wardrobe. The character also appeared in seasonal garb and even as a defender of Texas liberty and low, low prices in a giant "Remember the Alamo..." ad that ran in the Oct. 16, 1960, edition of the San Antonio Express and News. Piggly Wiggly looms large in an Alamo-themed ad that ran in the Oct. 16, 1960, edition of the San Antonio Express and News. Express-News archives Piggly Wiggly had 24 locations in San Antonio by 1966, only to see those drop to nine roughly a decade later. Piggly Wiggly wiggled out of the San Antonio market in 1978 citing distribution issues. 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. Vietnamese semiconductor design company Hyphen Deux has formed a strategic partnership with global tech leaders Arm Korea Ltd and CoAsia SEMI to develop AI applications capable of identifying smart city solutions. The partnership will focus on enhancing video-based monitoring systems to enhance traffic coordination. According to Bui Duy Khanh, founder and CEO of Hyphen Deux, the company is currently developing an AI chip capable of real-time surveillance camera analysis and the detection of dangerous traffic situations, such as accidents, legal violations, and congestion. Our system enables timely action, improving traffic management, reducing traffic-related incidents, and optimizing urban resource utilization, Khanh elaborated. The partnership with Arm and CoAsia SEMI is a critical step toward advancing Vietnams AI capabilities and building sustainable smart city infrastructure, he added. SW Hwang, president of Arm Korea, reaffirmed the companys support for Vietnam, including workforce training and assistance for companies like Hyphen Deux in developing effective AI solutions. Shin Dong Soo, CEO of CoAsia SEMI, addressed the potential for this partnership to create cutting-edge solutions for smart cities across Vietnam and the broader Southeast Asian region. The Hyphen Deux Arm Korea CooAsia SEMI cooperation is a signal that AI solutions for traffic-related issues are gaining ground. According to a report released by Capgemini, AI has reduced car dependency, encouraged public transportation use, and alleviated traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Countries like Singapore and South Korea are leveraging AI to optimize traffic flow and enhance road safety. While addressing the 2024 Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum in late September, Nguyen Trung Chinh, board chairman of Vietnamese tech giant CMC Corporation, proposed positioning the city as a global AI hub. AI is not just a technology but a critical driver of economic growth, Chinh said. The CMC Corporation leader expressed optimism that Vietnams GDP could rise 14 percent by 2030 through effective AI adoption. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! WASHINGTON -- 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. 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. The new DESI findings focused on the growth of what is called the cosmic structure, dating back to when the universe was about 20 percent 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. "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 percent of the cosmos, and dark energy, which may account for 68 percent 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. 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. Mayor Ron Nirenberg listens to a presentation from city employees about the proposed budget for the 2025 fiscal year at City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 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 Nov. 19, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News District 10 councilman Marc Whyte asks questions during a financial presentation from 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 The next mayor of San Antonio could wield a lot less power over appointments to key boards and commissions that oversee the city-owned utilities, San Antonios transit agency and its public housing authority. A majority of City Council members want more say over who sits on these bodies, some of which have the power to fire and hire agency heads, adopt budgets and shape city policy. We have a responsibility to sit with the resumes and ensure that the folks that are being appointed to represent and make these tough decisions are in alignment with the goals that the city of San Antonio has established, District 5 City Councilwoman Teri Castillo said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The West Side councilwoman authored the proposal to give the council greater influence over who serves on the City Charter Review Commission, the Housing Commission and the board of Opportunity Home San Antonio. Many council members see the next few months as the prime time to revamp how the mayor makes appointments. A newcomer will hold the mayors seat come June the first time since June 2017 that someone other than Mayor Ron Nirenberg will hold the office. Nirenberg disagrees with the rush to overhaul the process so soon before a new mayor and City Council are sworn in. All 10 council seats will be up for election in May, with four of those seats likely open, meaning that an incumbent wont be on the ballot. If were to be cognizant of how little time many of us have left in these positions, I dont believe that we should change the rules for our immediate successors, Nirenberg said Wednesday during a council discussion of Castillos proposal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the lame-duck mayor had little influence over most of the council, who backed Castillos push for changes. Last month, Council Members Marc Whye and Melissa Cabello Havrda joined Castillo in expanding her initial proposal to include the boards of CPS Energy, San Antonio Water System and VIA Metropolitan Transit. The upcoming mayors race loomed over Wednesdays discussion. Council Members John Courage, Manny Pelaez and Adriana Rocha Garcia have announced their campaigns, as has former District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry. Cabello Havrda is expected to join them. The race has also drawn City Hall outsiders like former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos and tech entrepreneur Beto Altamirano. Advertisement Article continues below this ad My concern remains that the mayor is not always going to be the mayor, said District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, referring to Nirenberg. Even when the mayor has been the mayor, the mayor has not been perfect. The next mayor will not be perfect, and I worry that the next mayor is not going to be thoughtful in terms of diversity, experience, background. We are running out of time before that next mayor is seated, he added. Castillo has criticized Nirenbergs appointments to the board of San Antonios public housing agency. Opportunity Home manages 6,070 public housing units across 74 properties, and its seven-member board helps shape its policies and oversees its programs. In recent years, the agencys waiting list has more than tripled. State law grants the mayor the sole power to appoint this board, but Castillo wants to devise an interview process so council members can discuss and recommend potential board members ahead of the mayors appointment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its still unknown just what changes the council could make to have more say over who the mayor appoints. City Manager Erik Walsh will devise a potential work plan for a yet-to-be-created council committee to OK in December. That committee will discuss potential changes to the local ordinance governing the make-up of boards and commissions and how their members are appointed. It could also devise ways for the council to provide input for appointments that state law places in the mayor's hands. Cabello Havrda told the San Antonio Express-News that people have asked her why shes pushing to limit some of the next mayors power particularly when shes eyeing the seat. NEW DELHI -- Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by U.S. prosecutors for his alleged role in a $265 million scheme to bribe Indian officials, plunging his conglomerate deep into crisis for the second time in two years. Multiple counts of fraud - which U.S. authorities say involved a firm that was listed in New York and affected American investors - were levelled against Adani, who is one of the world's richest people, as well as seven other defendants. The charges follow much turmoil for the Adani Group last year after short-seller Hindenburg Research issued a report that accused it of using offshore tax havens improperly - which the company denied. Shares and bonds of Adani firms tumbled on Thursday and Adani Green Energy, the company at the centre of the allegations, also cancelled a $600 million sale of U.S.-dollar denominated bonds. Arrest warrants have been issued in the U.S. for Adani and his nephew Sagar and prosecutors plan to hand those warrants to foreign law enforcement, court records show. Sagar is an executive director at Adani Green and currently oversees its "strategic and financial matters". Adani Group said in a statement that the allegations were "baseless and denied", adding that it would seek "all possible legal recourse". U.S. federal prosecutors said the defendants agreed to pay the bribes to Indian government officials to obtain power supply contracts expected to yield $2 billion of profit over 20 years, and develop India's largest solar power plant project. They also said the Adanis and another executive at Adani Green Energy, former CEO Vneet Jaain, raised more than $3 billion in loans and bonds by hiding their corruption from lenders and investors. The three were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. The Adanis were also charged in a parallel U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) civil case. "Gautam and Sagar Adani were engaged in the bribery scheme during a September 2021 note offering by Adani Green that raised $750 million, including approximately $175 million from U.S. investors," the SEC said in a press statement, adding that a company central to the scheme, Azure Power, use to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. "The Adani Green offering materials included statements about its anti-corruption and anti-bribery efforts that were materially false or misleading in light of Gautam and Sagar Adani's conduct," it added. Indian authorities, including the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), did not respond to requests for comment on the U.S. charges. Azure Power also did not respond to a request for comment. Debopriyo Moulik, a criminal lawyer based in New Delhi, said he expected the Adani Group to seek a dismissal of the indictment. "Since (an) arrest warrant has been issued, the U.S. authorities will have to approach the Indian government through the Indian embassy to execute such warrant in India," he added. India and the U.S. have an extradition treaty. Shares in Adani Green Energy plunged 16 percent and stocks for many other firms in the conglomerate, including flagship firm Adani Enterprises, lost more than 10 percent. The group lost $20 billion in value in Thursday's trade in India, putting its firms' combined market capitalisation at $148 billion. Before last year's Hindenburg report, the group's market value was $235 billion. Adani dollar bonds slumped, with prices down between 3-5c on bonds for Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone. Workers prepare blades of a power-generating windmill turbine for transport, at the plant of Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) at Mundra, India, April 11, 2024. Photo: Reuters 'Numero uno', 'The big man' Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration has been accused by political opponents of favouritism toward Adani in government decisions. Modi and Adani, who both are from the western state of Gujarat, have denied impropriety. On Thursday, India's Congress party reiterated calls for a parliamentary investigation into alleged wrongdoing by the Adani Group. A probe by SEBI in the wake of the Hindenburg report is ongoing. The unsealed criminal charges by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York showed some conspirators referred privately to Gautam Adani with the code names "Numero uno" and "the big man," while Sagar Adani allegedly used his cellphone to track specifics about the bribes. Five other defendants were charged with conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a U.S. anti-bribery law, and four were charged with conspiring to obstruct justice. None of the defendants is in custody, a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn said. Gautam Adani is believed to be in India. Gautam Adani is worth $69.8 billion according to Forbes magazine, making him India's second-richest man after Mukesh Ambani. He is one of the few billionaires formally accused in the United States of criminal wrongdoing. Shares in GQG Partners, an Australia-listed investment firm that is a major Adani backer, slid 20 percent, its largest one-day fall since it listed three years ago. It said in a statement that it was monitoring the charges. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his spouse chaired a grand welcome ceremony at the highest level for Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse in Putrajaya, Malaysias administrative capital, on Thursday (local time). Party chief Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur at 11:00 am on Thursday, commencing their three-day official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of PM Ibrahim and his spouse. Before the welcome ceremony, PM Ibrahim and his spouse greeted the Vietnamese Party chief and his spouse at the door of a car carrying the top Vietnamese official, and all of them headed toward a platform of honor. Vietnamese Party chief To Lam reviews a guard of honor in Malaysia, November 21, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Following the ceremony, the two leaders had official talks and witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents. Vietnam and Malaysia established diplomatic ties on March 30, 1973, and set up a strategic partnership in August 2015. Malaysia is Vietnams neighbor and a key strategic partner in Southeast Asia, as well as one of the latters priorities in diplomatic activities, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The Vietnamese Party chiefs official visit to Malaysia was expected to mark an important milestone for the Vietnam-Malaysia relationship, contribute to solidifying the political trust between the two nations, and show the consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party and state in deepening cooperation with regional countries, including Malaysia. Vietnam hopes that the two countries will bring their ties to a new height and proactively build a strong and united ASEAN community. Vietnamese Party chief To Lam (R) shakes hands with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, November 21, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Vietnamese Party chief To Lam (L, 2nd) shakes hands with Malaysian officials in Malaysia, November 21, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Vietnamese Party chief To Lam writes in a guest book at the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office, November 21, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Dominican Republic President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona pledged to foster multifaceted ties and witnessed the signing of two cooperation agreements during their talks in Santo Domingo on Wednesday. The talks took place as part of PM Chinhs visit to the Caribbean country from Tuesday to Thursday at the invitation of Dominican Republic President Abinader. During their meeting, the two leaders agreed to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in various areas, particularly in economics, trade, investment, agriculture, science and technology, culture, and education. Both reiterated the need to boost potential cooperative areas such as digital transformation, green transition, digital economy, renewable energy, telecommunications, defense, tourism, environmental protection, and climate change response. PM Chinh proposed that Hanoi and Santo Domingo proceed with negotiations on four cooperative documents, including a free trade pact, an investment encouragement and protection agreement, and two others related to ordinary visa exemptions and cooperation on culture, education, training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. According to President Abinader, one of the Dominican Republics strategic targets is to promote multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam as both countries share various common goals, especially since the republic officially opened its embassy in Hanoi last year. President Abinader and PM Chinh agreed to help Vietnamese exports further penetrate into the Latin American-Caribbean regions and for the Dominican Republic's major exports to garner more accessibility in Southeast Asian markets, according to the Vietnam News Agency. An overview of the talks between a Vietnamese delegation led by PM Pham Minh Chinh (L) and its Dominican Republic counterpart headed by President Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, November 20, 2024. Photo: Doan Bac / Tuoi Tre The two leaders affirmed their commitments to promoting multilateralism, strengthening support for each other in international organizations and multilateral forums, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Non-Aligned Movement, the South-South cooperation framework, and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation. In discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides agreed to support the settlement of international disputes and disagreements through peaceful means in line with international law, particularly the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. After the talks, PM Chinh and President Abinader witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding on the establishment of a joint committee for trade and technical facilitation, and on the cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Diplomatic and Consular Academy of the Dominican Republic. The two sides also launched a joint statement reaffirming the determination of both governments and outlining the measures agreed upon to further solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between the two nations. Vietnam and the Dominican Republic established diplomatic relations on July 7, 2005 and the Caribbean country opened its embassy in Hanoi on February 25, 2023. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held meetings with the leaders of Spain, Paraguay, Canada, Singapore, the UAE, the Vatican, and the World Health Organization on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil on Tuesday (local time) to discuss stronger cooperation. PM Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday afternoon last week, commencing a three-day visit to attend the G20 Summit and bilateral activities. The trip was made at the invitation of President of Brazil and Chair of the 2024 G20 Summit Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his spouse. The Vietnamese government leader conveyed greetings from Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the leaders. He also extended invitations from the Party chief and state president to these leaders to visit Vietnam. During talks with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, PM Chinh proposed the two nations sign a new joint action program as soon as possible, while strengthening multifaceted cooperation. He expected Spain to push other European Union (EU) members to quickly ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and the European Commission to lift its illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing warning against Vietnamese seafood. The Spanish prime minister hinted at deepening their cooperation in infrastructural development such as subways, urban railways, and urban planning, while joining hands to hold various cultural events and supporting each other at multilateral forums in preparation for the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2027. The Vietnamese premier invited his Spanish counterpart to Vietnam in 2025, then securing his acceptance. The Spaniard also offered an invitation to the top Vietnamese official to visit Spain at an appropriate time. At a meeting with UAE Minister of State Ahmed Sayegh, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is willing to become a strategic supplier of halal products, helping ensure food security in the UAE. Sayegh said that the UAE would actively support and share its experience with Vietnam in developing an international financial hub, enhancing the connection between innovation centers of the two nations. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) talks to UAE Minister of State Ahmed Sayegh in Brazil, November 19, 2024. Photo: Doan Bac During a meeting with Paraguayan President Santiago Pena, the Vietnamese leader mentioned strengthening cooperation between the two countries and urged greater collaboration in economy, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. He proposed Paraguay continue supporting the finalization of the internal assessment of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) to facilitate the signing of the Vietnam-MERCOSUR free trade agreement. Responding to PM Chinhs proposal, President Pena affirmed that Paraguay always cherishes the relationship with Vietnam, ready to act as a link between the Southeast Asian country and MERCOSUR, the world's leading food trading region. During a meeting between PM Chinh and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the leaders outlined strategies to deepen their bilateral partnership. Key discussions included elevating ties, promoting high-level delegation exchanges, and advancing the development of next-generation Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks. They also agreed to enhance connectivity in infrastructure, logistics, and digital networks, pledging to collaborate on clean and renewable energy development, establish an ASEAN electricity grid, and exchange expertise in building international financial hubs. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) meets his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong in Brazil, November 19, 2024. Photo: Doan Bac PM Chinh and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau reached a consensus on strengthening the bilateral relations, intensifying economic, trade, investment, and ODA cooperation, and expanding partnership in peacekeeping force training. The two nations should utilize the benefits of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, of which both countries are members, heard the meeting. Meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Vietnamese prime minister expressed gratitude and appreciation for WHO support in providing vaccines to Vietnam through the COVAX mechanism, which played a crucial role in the countrys response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The prime minister also emphasized Vietnam's commitment to its partnership with the WHO, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration to safeguard public health. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) meets Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in Brazil, November 19, 2024. Photo: Doan Bac During talks between PM Chinh and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in Vietnam-Holy See relations in recent years, marked by high-level visits and delegation exchanges. Cardinal Parolin said that Pope Francis looks forward to visiting Vietnam, aiming to strengthen the connection between the Holy See and the Catholic Church in Vietnam while further enhancing ties between Vietnam and the Vatican. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out the latest news in Vietnam today: Politics -- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held meetings with the leaders of Spain, Paraguay, Canada, Singapore, the UAE, the Vatican, and the World Health Organization on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil on Tuesday (local time). -- State President Luong Cuong on Wednesday hosted a reception for President of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia Alen Simonyan, who is on an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Society -- The Politburo has given the green light to a project to develop a comprehensive international financial hub in Ho Chi Minh City and a regional financial center in Da Nang City, central Vietnam. -- Police in Hanoi, in collaboration with police in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ministry of Public Security, busted a transnational hi-tech fraud ring, charging 18 scammers and freezing assets totaling over VND2 trillion (US$78.6 million), an officer said on Wednesday. -- The highly-anticipated new Rach Dia bridge, which connects District 7 and Nha Be District in Ho Chi Minh City, will open to traffic on November 30. Business -- Chu Lai Port in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam officially opened a new shipping route directly connected to the United States on Monday, contributing to attracting cargo and shipping lines and expanding its transportation network. Lifestyle -- The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee on Wednesday decided to recognize Ben Thanh Market as a city-level architectural relic site. -- The administration of Cat Hai District in the northern city of Hai Phong has issued a ban on kayaking services in Cat Ba Archipelago because of concerns over the safety of tourists. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Eliminating wastefulness -- especially the waste of opportunities -- is crucial for the survival and growth of Vietnamese provinces and the nation as a whole. Missed opportunities are everywhere in Vietnam, each a reminder of what could have been. If seized, these chances might have paved the way for a brighter future. As a country, Vietnam must focus on making sacrficies for new opportunities, otherwise it risks falling into the middle-income trap. The Ban Mong reservoir project in Nghe An Province, located in the north-central region, is a typical case of wastefulness. After 14 years of sluggish progress, the project has not only stalled but it has also led to significant state budget losses, with a cost overrun of over VND1.8 trillion (US$70.8 million). Police have prosecuted those involved in the project, which could have been the largest irrigation project in Nghe An, boasting a capacity of 225 cubic meters of water. Once finished, it is expected to serve nearly 20,000 hectares of agricultural land in Quy Hop, Nghia Dan, and Tan Ky Districts, Thai Hoa Town, and three communes in Anh Son District. It will also supply water to the Ca River in the drought season at a speed of 23 cubic meters of water per second, and reduce floods during the rainy season. Beyond the over-VND1.8-trillion cost overrun, the project's prolonged delays have severely impacted local households. Many had hoped to use water from the reservoir to irrigate 20,000 hectares of farmland in the area, only to face continued setbacks. While the cost overrun is a blow to the state budget, it is the loss of opportunities and livelihoods for local residents that is the real shame. Had the project been completed on time, thousands of people could have relied on their farmland for a stable livelihood. Families would have had more resources to invest in their childrens education, paving the way for brighter futures and nurturing talents that could have significantly contributed to the nations development. Opportunities like these must not be allowed to slip by if the country is to move from 'developing' to 'developed.' Tackling such wastefulness is a top priority of Party General Secretary To Lam, who has suggested effective solutions for creating widespread impact. These solutions include a stronger focus on improving and effectively implementing wastefulness prevention and control regulations, as well as strictly handling individuals and units which cause losses or waste of public assets. Efforts to identify and address major violations must be strengthened, with violators held accountable as examples to deter others. The Party chief also emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of wasteful use of public assets, natural resources, and funds designated for the welfare of the people and national development. He required resolutions for long-stalled key national projects, low-efficiency projects causing significant waste and loss, and poor-performing commercial banks. An important task, he said, is to scale down the apparatus of the Party, the National Assembly, the government, the Fatherland Front, and socio-political organizations for greater efficiency. He advocated for fostering a culture of waste prevention and control within agencies and organizations, making it a routine part of their daily activities. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! With Ho Chi Minh Citys first metro line scheduled to begin commercial operations in December, many detailed guidelines have been provided for locals and tourists. The link runs from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City, a district-level administrative unit of the southern metropolis, through three underground stations and 11 stops above the ground. Ngo Hai Duong, head of the Road Transport Management Division at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that various bus routes are connected with the metro. The Public Transportation Management Center is in the process of launching 17 electric bus routes to match the opening of the metro line, he said. Besides, the city is working to prepare four-seater electric vehicle and public bicycle services at the three underground stations, including Ba Son, Ben Thanh, and the Municipal Theater, to facilitate passengers access to the metro line. The municipal department also aims to link the metro and water bus routes in 2025 to increase access to the new mode of transportation. Pedestrians will use footbridges to reach the stations, and five parking lots have been built near some stations to make it easier for commuters who ride a bike or motorcycle. The department also took into account the traffic organization around the station areas and along the metro line, including installing signs, painting roads, and renovating sidewalks and roadbeds. A project to open bicycle lanes to link the metro line in District 1, District 3, District 5, and Binh Thanh District will get off the ground in December. The department announced that the city is finalizing ticket prices for metro rides. To encourage residents to embrace the new transportation option and boost its competitiveness, the first metro line will be subsidized. Passengers will have the flexibility to purchase tickets either with cash or through their bank accounts, Duong added. The department has sent the municipal Peoples Committee a fare proposal for the first metro line, with ticket prices ranging from VND6,000 (US$0.2) to VND20,000 ($0.8) per trip. Under the proposal, single-trip fares for passengers paying with cash will range from VND7,000 ($0.27) to VND20,000 ($0.80), depending on the distance. Non-cash payments will be slightly lower, at VND6,000-19,000 ($0.25-0.75) per ride. The department is also drafting a fare integration plan to streamline connections between buses and the metro system. The plan, aimed at improving convenience for public transport users, will be submitted to the municipal administration for approval. According to Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company, station ticketing systems have been designed to support e-tickets, flexible fare adjustments, and multiple payment options. The first metro line is 19.7 kilometers long, including 2.6 kilometers of underground urban rail link and 17.1 kilometers of elevated track, carrying a price tag of VND43.7 trillion ($1.7 billion). The line has a total of 17 trains, each capable of accommodating 930 passengers, including 147 sitting and 783 standing. The metro line project got off the ground in 2012 and is set to start commercial operations in late 2024. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Politburo has given the green light for a project to develop a comprehensive international financial hub in Ho Chi Minh City and a regional financial center in Da Nang, central Vietnam. The all-powerful political bureau also agreed to establish agencies to manage, operate, and supervise these financial centers, as well as to handle disputes according to international regulations and practices. Over the next five years, eight types of policies to develop international financial centers in line with international practices and Vietnams conditions will be issued and deployed. At the same time, six types of policies currently employed by large global financial centers will be piloted in Vietnam in order to aid in the development of a road map to continue developing the countrys financial sector. These policies will then be officially applied from 2030. The Politburo tasked the governments Party Civil Affairs Committee with setting up a steering committee for regional and international financial hubs, studying and assessing the impact of policies, and cooperating with the law-making National Assemblys Party units to issue legal documents on financial centers. The government's Party Civil Affairs Committee, the Standing Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, and the Standing Board of the Da Nang Party Committee will be responsible for overseeing the study and release of specific plans, preparing resources to execute the project, as well as ensuring close cooperation and the clear assignment of tasks for central and local agencies. The Politburo required relevant agencies, as well as the entire political system, to prioritize the project and asked that it be implemented in a drastic, comprehensive, and consistent manner in a strong, innovative spirit. According to the plan released by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the administration in Da Nang proposed developing a financial center on over 70 hectares of land. The center can be expanded in phases, Lao Dong (Labor) newspaper reported. The city has determined that the regional financial center includes not only infrastructure but also policies and mechanisms for financial activities. A financial center in Vietnam will capitalize on the country's strengths, offering open and competitive tax policies alongside robust operational and regulatory frameworks. However, the Da Nang Peoples Committee estimates that establishing the regional financial center could take at least five years. The lengthy timeline is attributed to the complex process of selecting an appropriate operational model for the center. Meanwhile, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration Phan Van Mai earlier stated that the citys international financial center would be established by 2030. The city plans to continue developing infrastructure, especially in District 1 and the Thu Thiem area in Thu Duc City, as well as train and attract high-quality human resources to meet the financial hubs requirements, according to Nguoi Lao Dong (Laborer) newspaper. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The body of a foreign man was found floating along the shore near a beach in Hoi An, central Vietnam on Wednesday morning, marking the second corpse discovered this week in the famous tourist city. Local residents discovered the body and reported it to authorities who immediately dispatched officers to cordon off the scene at Tan Thanh Beach and conduct an autopsy. Releveant agencies later brought the corpse of the man, whom they believe to be 45 years old, to the Hoi An mortuary in the eponymous city, situated in Quang Nam Province. According to locals, the beach area had been hit by strong waves over the past several days and it is likely the man drowned while sunbathing. The Hoai River in Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, where the body of a foreign man was found on November 19, 2024. Photo: Tan Thanh Functional agencies are working to identify the victim and investigate his death. Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, a cyclo (pedicab) driver discovered the body of another foreign man, about 20 years old, floating on the Hoai River, near Hoi Ans Bach Dang promenade. Before the body was discovered, a social media post had been circulating about a foreign man who went missing while touring Hoi An with his friends. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Investigative journalist Linton Besser, who this week was awarded a Walkley Award, will be presenter of ABCs Media Watch from 2025. He replaces Paul Barry who announced earlier this year that 2024 will be his last season in the presenter chair. Besser is a former foreign correspondent who has reported from around the world for Four Corners, Foreign Correspondent and 7.30. His has also filed for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Bulletin. Besser has won four Walkley Awards, two Kennedy Awards and a George Munster Award. His work has prompted public inquiries, including a Royal Commission, corruption findings and criminal prosecutions against business figures, politicians and other public officials. Linton Besser said, Tm thrilled and sobered to be given the opportunity to host this important television program and hope to continue its great tradition. The media is big business and hugely influential. Its mission may be to hold others to account but it too deserves the blowtorch. For years, members of the public have described to me a fundamental distrust of the media. They lump us together, the good and the bad. Rather than despairing at this uncomfortable reality Im going to try in my own small way to do something about it. Media Watch remains Australias best public guardrail against bad behaviour by the press. Chief Content Officer Chris Oliver-Taylor said, Linton is an award-winning and hugely accomplished journalist who brings decades of experience and no doubt a wonderful flair and style to this key position. Media Watch plays a unique role working on behalf of the public and its mission has remained unchanged during its incredible 35-year history. Each week it holds the media industrys most powerful outlets and personalities to account with uncompromising scrutiny. In an increasingly fragmented and tech-savvy media landscape this has never been more important. Joining Besser at Media Watch next year as Executive Producer is investigative reporter and Gold Walkley winner Mario Christodoulou. He replaces Tim Latham, who is also stepping down at the end of the year. Christodoulou has worked as a journalist with the Sydney Morning Heralds Investigations unit, Four Corners and Background Briefing. Their first show as host is on Monday 3 February. Paul Barry & Tim Latham wrap on Monday 2 December. About Linton Besser Linton Besser is an investigative journalist, former foreign correspondent, newspaper reporter and television documentary maker of more than two decades experience. His first full-time job in the media was as a producer for Nines Today program in 2003, before he then moved into country and regional newspapers, first in Dubbo and then in Wollongong. In 2007 he joined The Sydney Morning Herald where he wrote about planning, transport and state politics, before moving to the papers investigations desk. Besser joined the ABC in 2013, and Four Corners the following year, where he was a reporter for five years. Among his groundbreaking reports, he was the first journalist to identify the infiltration of Crowns Macau properties by Chinese triads, and his investigation into the $13 billion Murray Darling Basin Plan led to a Royal Commission and a string of criminal prosecutions. In 2018, he was appointed the ABCs Europe Correspondent, covering major international stories including Brexit and the outbreak of early Covid outbreaks in Italy. Since 2021 Besser has been an investigative reporter and editor with ABC News. This year, his work has focused on Australias high rates of recidivism, including a fly-on-the-wall documentary on the realities of life after prison in NSW. His investigation into the strata industry has run across 730, Four Corners and AM and prompted sweeping changes to the industry and to the law which governs it. Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net. Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023. Nine Melbournes managing director Matt James will be moving into a senior strategy role across the wider Nine Group, as part of their Transformation Team. James has been managing director at GTV9 for four years, and previously served as Managing Director of Mi9 and Group Director of Powered, and has 35 years global media experience. Andrea Salmon will take on an expanded role as Director of Sales and Managing Director of Nine Melbourne and will continue to report to Michael Stephenson. She has over 20 years of experience in senior media roles including leadership positions at Southern Cross Austereo and Bauer (ACP). Moving forward in Melbourne, Radio will continue to report to Tom Malone, Publishing to Tory Maguire, Television to Michael Healy, and Sales to Michael Stephenson. Amended. Production has commenced on new six-part drama series, The Family Next Door, led by Teresa Palmer (The Clearing, The Fall Guy), Bella Heathcote (The Moogai, Pieces of Her) and Philippa Northeast (Territory, The Newsreader). Based on New York Times bestselling Australian author Sally Hepworths novel of the same name and adapted for television by Sarah Scheller (Strife, The Letdown), the series is also written by Pip Karmel (Total Control), Julia Moriarty (Total Control) and Andrew Anastasios (Troppo), and tells the story of enigmatic Isabelle (Palmer) who moves into a small seaside cul-de-sac where her obsessive drive to solve a mystery casts suspicion on four neighbouring families. Currently filming in Victoria, it is directed by Emma Freeman (The Newsreader, Interview with the Vampire) and also features Catherine McClements (Return to Paradise, Total Control), Ming Zhu Hii (Prosper, La Brea), Jane Harber (Offspring, In Limbo), Bob Morley (The 100, In Limbo), Daniel Henshall (Snowtown, How to Make Gravy), Tane Williams Accra (Shortland Street, Fantasy Island), Dominic Ona Ariki (One Lane Bridge, Erotic Stories) and Maria Angelico (Strife, The Newsreader). ABC Head of Scripted, Rachel Okine said: The Family Next Door is a funny and authentic portrayal of suburban life and exploration of motherhood, underpinned by a compelling mystery. We are so excited to be part of bringing Sally Hepworths propulsive novel to the screen, steered by an incredibly talented team of creatives. Producer Melinda Wearne said: Beyond is thrilled to announce The Family Next Door, a contemporary Australian story of a woman on a quest to solve a mystery who disrupts the lives of four families, revealing the love that binds them and the secrets that can tear them apart. It is a privilege to be working with Australias leading talent and key creatives to produce this story for global audiences Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said: We are excited to support The Family Next Door, a gripping new drama that expertly intertwines mystery with the complexities of family and motherhood. Under Sarah Schellers creative vision and Emma Freemans direction, this series promises to engage audiences with its rich storytelling and intriguing characters. We believe it will resonate not just in Australia, but internationally, showcasing the strength of Australian narratives in the mystery genre. VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said We are delighted to support the screen adaptation of The Family Next Door, by New York Times bestselling Victorian author Sally Hepworth. With some of Australias most exciting talent in front of and behind the camera including writer Sarah Scheller, director Emma Freeman, and Victorias stunning coastal locations as a backdrop to the riveting drama. This enthralling project is yet another VicScreen-supported production that will showcase our local screen industry to global audiences. It will screen in 2025. Production credit: Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. A Beyond Entertainment and Muse Entertainment co production. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC. Developed and produced in association with VicScreen. International Distribution Sphere Abacus. Written by Sarah Scheller, Pip Karmel, Julia Moriarty and Andrew Anastasios. Directed by Emma Freeman. Series Producer Dean OToole. Produced by Melinda Wearne. Beyond Executive Producers David Ogilvy, Jenny OShea. Muse Executive Producers Joel Rice and Meghan Mathes Jacobs. ABC Executive Producers Rachel Okine and Rebecca Anderson. Author, Sally Hepworth. Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to strike the UK with a new ballistic missile after using the weapon to hit a target in Ukraine. Downing Street condemned Mr Putin for further escalating the conflict by using a ballistic missile with a range of several thousand kilometres against the city of Dnipro. Mr Putin suggested the missile could be used to hit Kyivs allies who have given Ukraine permission to use Western-supplied weapons to hit targets within Russia. The UK is believed to have allowed its Storm Shadow missiles to be used by Ukrainian forces within the Kursk region of Russia, while the US has given permission for its ATACMS weapons to be fired at targets in Mr Putins country. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Putin confirmed Russia has tested a new intermediate-range weapon, saying it came in response to Ukrainian strikes on the Russian territory with US and British missiles earlier this week. The Russian leader declared that Russia would issue advance warnings before strikes on other countries to allow civilians to evacuate to safety. In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the Ukrainian defence industry, Mr Putin said in a televised address. One of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested in combat conditions, in this case, with a ballistic missile in a non-nuclear hypersonic warhead. He added: We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities. ADVERTISEMENT The US said the weapon was a new, experimental intermediate-range missile based on Russias existing RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. In Westminster, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres. No 10 said it was an example of escalatory behaviour from Russia. (PA Graphics) But the Prime Ministers spokesman added it only serves to strengthen our resolve and to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to act in self-defence against Russias reckless and illegal invasion. Defence Secretary John Healey said: Since the illegal invasion of Ukraine began, Russia has consistently and irresponsibly escalated the conflict while Ukraine continues to fight in self-defence for a democratic future. ADVERTISEMENT Todays ballistic missile attack is yet another example of Putins recklessness. The missiles range far outstrips that of newly authorised US and British supplied weapons. The distance from Moscow to London is around 2,500km, suggesting the range of the new missile could threaten the UK. Russias military claims it has shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, following reports that debris from the weapons had been discovered in the countrys Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have launched an incursion. Mr Healey earlier revealed to a committee of MPs that the UK knew Russia had been preparing for months to fire a new ballistic missile. (PA Graphics) Mr Healey warned Ukraine faces a serious moment in its defence against Mr Putins invasion, but refused to confirm that Kyiv had been given permission to use Storm Shadow in Russia. ADVERTISEMENT Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly declined to comment publicly on the use of Storm Shadow. It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin, the Defence Secretary told MPs. Battle lines in Ukraine are now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion, Mr Healey said, citing British intelligence. Speaking at the same time, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the House of Commons the UK will not be deterred or distracted by reckless threats from Mr Putin, who has lowered the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal. Sir Keir also insisted that all the UKs support for Kyiv was in accordance with international law and always for self-defence. I had a meeting with the UK delegation led by Chief of the Defence Staff @AdmTonyRadakin_. We discussed defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Particular pic.twitter.com/EcjqfTuR49 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2024 The head of the UKs armed forces visited Ukraine to discuss the countrys military needs. Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky met Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin in Kyiv. Mr Zelensky said: We discussed defence co-operation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the armed forces of Ukraine. Particular attention was given to Ukraines current military needs and the continued support from our partners. A JetBlue A320, dubbed Whats Old is Blue Again, lands at San Antonio International Airport, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. Jerry Lara, Staff / San Antonio Express-News A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-232 lands at San Antonio International Airport on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer People check in for their American Airlines flights in Terminal B at San Antonio International Airport, Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 27, 2022. Five airlines, including American, were tentatively awarded round-trip, nonstop service to Reagan last month. Sam Owens/Staff photographer A passenger walks past the American Airlines ticketing counter on May 24, 2024. Five airlines, including American, were tentatively awarded round-trip, nonstop service to Reagan last month. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL American Airlines gates are seen at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arranging, Va., Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in Washington. Five airlines, including American, were tentatively awarded round-trip, nonstop service to Reagan last month. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press Three budget airlines including one that tried to derail American Airlines' bid to fly nonstop from San Antonio to Washington, D.C., and another that declared bankruptcy this week are pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation to reconsider their bids for service to Washington Reagan National Airport. Five airlines, including American, were tentatively awarded round-trip, nonstop service to Reagan National last month. They and the three failed applicants had through Nov. 8 to submit feedback regarding the selections. City leaders had tried for decades to win nonstop service to D.C. but failed because of rules restricting the number of direct flights to Reagan National, frequently referred to as DCA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The slot rule controls the number of takeoffs and landings at DCA. The perimeter rule prohibits flights to or from airports outside a 1,250-mile boundary around DCA. Supporters of the rules say they prevent additional congestion and delays at Reagan National. But a bill re-authorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, which Congress passed in May, created several new slots for nonstop service from airports outside the perimeter, giving the San Antonio airport and others a shot. Now that the comment period for airlines has closed, airport officials are waiting to see if they get to keep their tentatively awarded service to Reagan National. Transportation Department officials haven't indicated when they will make a final decision. Once they do, airlines are expected to launch their DCA routes within three months. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Airport Director Jesus Saenz has said it was unlikely that San Antonio would get bucked from the winning lineup during the comment period. He said San Antonio was an appealing option for the contest because it met two key criteria that Congress called for: it adds a flight at an airport outside of the perimeter boundaries that does not currently have a nonstop option to DCA, and it increases competition among carriers at the Arlington, Virginia, airport. "I feel like it's 99.9% complete," Saenz said last month. San Antonio business and government leaders have long pushed for the flight, saying that military personnel and the citys medical, cybersecurity and information technology companies need easier access to the nations capital. The other airlines tentatively approved to fly direct to Reagan National despite the slot and perimeter rule restrictions include: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Alaska Airlines from San Diego, California Delta Air Lines from Seattle Southwest Airlines from Las Vegas United Airlines from San Francisco Complaints JetBlue Airways bashed the Department of Transportation for awarding large airlines the coveted routes and rejecting all the low-fare competitors that applied. "Despite broad proclamations and promises to make airline competition policy a top priority, DOTs actual track record has inflicted on the travelling public the opposite of what it claims to be doing: it continues to make already dominant carriers even stronger, while preventing smaller carriers from growing and thus comparatively weakening them," JetBlue said in its objection. "This is government favoritism for high-fare legacy carriers." JetBlue and United Airlines tried to derail American Airlines' bid before the tentative selections were announced last month. Advertisement Article continues below this ad JetBlue said it ought to win one of the slots over San Antonio since the Texas city is "within driving distance to/from Austin," whose Austin-Bergstrom International Airport offers nonstop service to Reagan National. United cited the San Antonio area's size, calling it "a smaller metropolitan area than many others in consideration," adding that the route would have "limited booking demand." Frontier and Spirit, the department ruled, were ineligible because the new nonstop flights must be divvied up among airlines that operated out of Reagan National as of May 2024. Spirit hasn't had a flight at DCA since it sold its slots to Southwest Airlines in 2012. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Spirit said it wants the department to reconsider. The airline believes that it technically qualifies as an operating carrier because the Code of Federal Regulations identifies exceptions for airlines that transferred their slots to other airlines. Frontier, however, does provide service to DCA. Nevertheless, the department disqualified the airline, stating that technicalities outlined in federal code make Frontier a "new entrant" rather than existing carrier, despite the fact that the department had awarded the carrier slots in past years without raising this issue. "We submit that logic is flawed, inconsistent with the statutory scheme, and, as noted above, contrary to the DOTs prior determinations," the carrier said in its objection letter. Spirit and Frontier have set their sights on Alaska Airlines and called on the Department of Transportation to take the airline off the list of awardees. The carriers argue that a codeshare agreement Alaska holds with American makes Alaska ineligible, but the department disagreed. Spirit and JetBlue are both facing financial woes. Spirit filed for bankruptcy on Monday to restructure its debt after struggling to recover from the pandemic-caused plunge in air travel and a failed merger with JetBlue. The Florida-based carrier has lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020. ONG THAP Viet Nam may achieve the target of pangasius export turnover of US$2 billion in 2024, according to deputy general secretary of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), To Thi Tuong Lan. She made the forecast at a conference reviewing the pangasius industry in 2024 and its tasks in 2025 that was held on November 17 in ong Thap by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in coordination with the People's Committee of ong Thap Province. The opportunity for the industry to develop exports further is the positive result of anti-dumping tax and pangasius inventory reduction in major export markets, according to Lan. The lack of raw materials may last until the first quarter of 2025, so the peak season at the end of the year is an opportunity for businesses to improve export prices. Other advantages include positive signals from the recovery of the US economy, opportunities of increasing market shares in small retail markets in addition to traditional ones and potential demand for pangasius products in the world. According to the report of the Department of Fisheries, total output of pangasius will be about 1.67 million tonnes in 2024, the same output as in 2023. Pangasius export turnover in the first ten months reached $1.56 billion, an increase of 8.9 per cent over the same period in 2023. At present, the Mekong Delta region, the largest pangasius producer in Viet Nam, has a total of 1,278 pangasius farming facilities, of which, 1,107 have farming registration certificates or farming region codes. Pangasius is predominantly farmed in some provinces in the Mekong Delta such as ong Thap, An Giang, Can Tho, Ben Tre and Vinh Long. By the end of October, the output of pangasius fingerling fish was estimated at 3.9 billion. This year, the output of fingerling fish is estimated to reach 40 billion for the farming areas. The Department of Fisheries has set the target for 2025 to reach a pangasius output of about 1.65 million tonnes. The export turnover target is about $2 billion. The industry's key tasks and solutions in 2025 are to continue the programmes improving the quality of pangasius fingerling fish and pay researching and gradually replacing fishmeal and fish oil in feed production with many types of other feed ingredients of plant origin, insects, microalgae, microbial protein and seaweed in the future. In addition, the pilot application of Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) is implemented for pangasius breeding farms to ensure biosafety and improve survival rates. RAS is a technology where water is recycled and reused after mechanical and biological filtration and removal of suspended matter and metabolites. At the same time, building a brand for Vietnamese pangasius products through technological innovation, strict quality control applied from farming to processing and obtaining certifications related to food safety, greenhouse gases and environmental safety, Halal standards, helping the industry ensure consistent product quality and increase the value of Vietnamese pangasius products. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung uc Tien has requested ministries, branches and localities to develop pangasius with large-scale production ensuring biosafety, to strictly control the use of antibiotics in farming and strict management for pangasius fingerling fish production facilities, and to ensure quality controls. In addition, pangasius production and processing must be directed towards green production to reduce emissions and improve the effectiveness of scientific research on pangasius farming and production. Along with forming a closed chain in production-processing-consumption, it is necessary to increase the application of science and technology, take advantage of by-products to increase product value. In addition to traditional markets, the industry needs to seek and develop new potential markets, including Muslim markets that have Halal certification requirements. VNS HA NOI Techcom Securities JSC (TCBS) has successfully issued over 1.74 billion shares to existing shareholders at a 1:8 ratio, significantly boosting its charter capital. The issuance, fully funded by retained earnings and share premium, utilised over VN9.19 trillion (US$361.7 million) in share premiums and VN8.24 trillion in undistributed profits after tax as of the end of 2023. Notably, the newly issued shares have no transfer restrictions, enhancing liquidity for shareholders. Following the issuance, TCBS's charter capital surged to over VN19.61 trillion, with a total outstanding share count exceeding 1.96 billion. This milestone positions TCBS ahead of SSI, though the lead may be short-lived as SSI plans to raise its charter capital to VN19.64 trillion through the sale of 151.1 million shares. The increase in capital was approved at TCBSs 2024 Annual General Meeting. A subsidiary of Techcombank, which holds a 94 per cent stake, TCBS continues to assert its financial dominance. In the second quarter of 2023, the company issued 105 million shares at VN97,542 per share, raising VN10,242 billion. The entire issuance was acquired by Techcombank, increasing its stake from 88.7 per cent to 94 per cent. The securities industry in Viet Nam is witnessing an intense race for capital expansion. Leading firms like VNDirect, Saigon - Hanoi Securities, Vietcap and Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation are also raising funds through various means, including rights issues, private placements and stock dividends. These efforts are driven by rising demand for margin trading and the introduction of Decree 68, effective November, which eliminates the 100 per cent margin deposit requirement for institutional foreign investors. At the end of the third quarter, TCBS reported outstanding loans of nearly VN25.5 trillion and achieved profit of nearly VN1.1 trillion, the highest in the industry for the quarter. However, this marked a decline compared to both the previous quarter and the same period in 2023. VNS QUANG NINH AVANEST Vietnam Nutrition JSC exported the first batch of birds nests to China through the Bac Luan II bridge border gate in the northern province of Quang Ninh on Wednesday. The shipment includes instant birds nest products and refined birds nests. The company is the first Vietnamese enterprise to be granted a code by China's General Administration of Customs, allowing the export of two product categories of refined bird's nest and cooked bird's nest jars. The partner of AVANEST Vietnam is Dongxing Zhenpin Preferred Trading Co., Ltd., based in Dongxing, China. The activity marks the beginning of a promising collaboration between businesses from the two nations, paving the way for expanding Viet Nam's official bird's nest exports to this potential market. The Vietnamese enterprise was facilitated with streamlined export procedures when filing customs declarations at the Mong Cai international border gates customs office. One year ago, the first batches of Vietnamese birds nests were officially exported to China through the Huu Nghi international border gate in Lang Son Province under a protocol signed between Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Chinas General Administration of Customs. China's expansion of bird's nest imports through official border gates has significantly boosted opportunities for Viet Nam's swiftlet farming, and bird's nest production and processing industries. As the world's largest consumer of bird's nest products, China demands more than 300 tonnes annually, accounting for 80 per cent of the global market. VNA/VNS HCM CITY The Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corporation (SABECO) on Wednesday officially inaugurated the cutting-edge SABECO Beer Research and Development Centre (SRC). The event marked a bold movement in the companys journey towards sustainability through product innovation and technological mastery, contributing to the development of Viet Nams beer industry and reaffirming the value of Vietnamese brands on the international stage. Driven by a deep-seated passion for brewing excellence, generations of SABECO technicians and artisans have envisioned a future where Vietnamese beverages stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's finest. The idea for the SRC project arose from practical needs that continuous innovation is essential to meet the ever-evolving demands of a dynamic market and constantly changing consumer preferences. SABECO has long recognised that a robust and dedicated R&D infrastructure is crucial for pushing the boundaries of brewing science by an in-depth beer research and development system to innovate technology, research new materials and processes, and improve and produce new beers that align with Vietnamese culinary culture and tastes. To prepare for this ambitious undertaking, SABECO sent numerous technical staff members to participate in Brewmaster training courses in Germany the heart of global brewing expertise to enhance their knowledge and gain experience. The SRC represents a pivotal step in SABECOs strategy to enhance production capabilities and deliver world-class beer products, expanding the brands presence in international markets. With the desire to fully master beer production technology and processes, including the most specialised and unique ones, the SABECO team collaborated with major domestic and international partners for nine months to build machinery and install the entire production line using the world's most advanced technology. Located at the Nguyen Chi Thanh Brewery, the birthplace of the Bia Saigon brand since 1875, the SRC is designed as a fully automated miniature brewery, equipped with complete production capabilities. This allows brewing experts to research and experiment with new recipes and processes before transferring them to 26 breweries nationwide. At the inauguration ceremony, Lam Du An, Deputy General Director of SABECO in charge of Technology and Production, highlighted the rich experience of SABECOs brewmasters, passed down through generations, who have been trained at leading global institutions and deeply understand both Vietnamese consumer preferences and market trends, yet they previously lacked the resources to fully unleash their creativity. The establishment of SRC will be the perfect place for them to create more new recipes with thorough processes and efficiency, bringing consumers high-quality beverage products and thereby realizing the dream of developing the Vietnamese beverage industry to world-class levels, An said. Lester Tan, SABECO CEO, said: The launch of the SRC demonstrates SABECOs commitment to continuous innovation and the application of advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness. We drive sustainable growth by optimising resource management, nurturing a highly skilled workforce, and delivering high-quality products. Through our achievements, SABECO is committed to generating positive value for the company, our shareholders, and partners across our value chain. As the oldest brewer in Viet Nam with nearly 150 years of brewing history and nationally-acclaimed brands Bia Saigon and 333, SABECO operates 26 breweries and 11 trading subsidiaries, supported by a distribution network of more than 200.000 retailers nationwide. As a leading corporation in Viet Nam, SABECO is committed to bringing positive values to SABECO and stakeholders while supporting community development through our performance, people, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam will continue to create favourable conditions for enterprises from South Korea to expand their investments in the country, especially in some prioritised sectors such as hi-tech, biotechnology, electronics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, biological technology, smart cities, and high-quality human resources. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh delivered this statement at the Viet Nam- Korea Investment Cooperation Forum 2024 held in Ha Noi on Thursday. The Deputy PM called on Korean firms to support Vietnamese enterprises in joining their value chains and consider Viet Nam a strategic destination for building research and development centres. He also encouraged Korean companies to make recommendations and advise the Vietnamese Government, relevant ministries and central sectors on how to remove barriers facing them in doing business and adjust policies to improve the nation's investment and business environment. During the forum, he said the Vietnamese Government highly appreciated the business activities and contributions of Korean enterprises in Viet Nam, adding that there has been a strong shift from simple processing sectors to high-tech industries, energy projects and finance-banking. These will open up opportunities for the business communities of the two countries to foster their cooperation. The Vietnamese Government also highly valued South Korea's rich experience in developing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as many Korean SMEs have grown strongly to become large and prestigious corporations in the region and internationally, he said. He said that Vietnamese SMEs have been growing, proactively promoting the application of technology and innovation and participating deeply in the regional value chains, including those of Korean enterprises. These firms also have potential and strengths in many fields such as processing, manufacturing, electricity-electronics, agriculture and agricultural products, food processing, information technology, textiles and footwear. The presence of businesses from Viet Nam and South Korea at the conference demonstrated their desire to promote bilateral cooperation, contributing to fostering two-way relations between the two countries, Deputy PM Binh remarked. In the spirit of "harmonious benefits, shared risks", the Vietnamese Government would continue to facilitate investments from foreign businesses including those from South Korea, he concluded. In his speech at the forum, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) Kim Ki Mun said successful models from Korea, such as Samsung's smart factory or smart farm, would be valuable lessons for Vietnamese enterprises in improving production capacity and technological innovation. He also described the event as a good chance for two countries' businesses to share their experiences and seek new cooperation opportunities, adding that Korean enterprises were willing to cooperate in joint ventures, transfer technologies and share production experiences to Vietnamese SMEs. Nguyen Van Than, chairman of the Vietnam Association of SMEs, agreed, saying that these events would help create long-term and sustainable connection platform between two business communities. The forum witnessed five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) inked between Vietnamese and Korean business associations and ten others signed among businesses of the two countries. These MoUs are expected to foster bilateral cooperation in several areas such as smart technology, production, product distribution and human resources training. Currently, South Korea is one of Viet Nam's leading sources of foreign investment. In the first half of this year, Korean investors pumped US$1.4 billion into Viet Nam, an increase of 16 per cent year-on-year, ranking it fourth among 84 countries and territories in terms of investment. As of June 2024, the Korean investment in Viet Nam reached nearly $87.5 billion with over 10,000 projects, accounting for 25 per cent of the total number of projects and more than 18 per cent of the total foreign investment registered in the country. Viet Nam expects another strong investment wave from South Korea amounting to tens of billions of US dollars soon, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. In terms of official development assistance, South Korea is a big contributor, with Viet Nam accounting for 20 per cent of its total ODA, mainly with loans to fund urban transport infrastructure, education and training, environment, clean energy, and information technology. VNS HA NOI The World Bank (WB) has released a report which explores how Viet Nam can upgrade its participation in global value chains to become a high-income country by 2045. In its report entitled "Viet Nam 2045: Trading Up in a Changing World Pathways to a High-Income Future", the bank said integration into global markets has been the key driver of Viet Nam's development success over the past 40 years, propelling one of the longest and fastest economic expansions in modern history. Today, Viet Nam is one of the most open economies in the world with about half of the countrys GDP and every second job, directly and indirectly depending on exports. Building on its past success, Viet Nam has set ambitious goals for the future, aiming to become a modern, high-income economy by 2045. This requires sustaining annual per capita GDP growth of about 6 per cent over the next two decades. Achieving this goal will depend on Viet Nam's ability to move up the value chain by advancing into higher value-added manufacturing and services through investments in technology, skills, and innovation. And Viet Nam will need to manage this transformation amid heightened global uncertainty and profound shifts in the global trading system. To sustain rapid growth, Viet Nam will need to transition from labour-intensive, low value-added final assembly into higher value-added manufacturing and services, said Manuela V. Ferro, World Bank Vice President for East Asia & Pacific. In addition, amid global trade shifts and rising uncertainty, diversifying trade and investment partnerships will be essential for building resilience and ensuring long-term success. The WB proposed a multipronged approach to unlock productivity growth, attract private investment, and upgrade participation in global value chains. Policy options include deepening regional trade integration; linking domestic enterprises to global supply chains; promoting skill- and technology-intensive manufacturing and high-value-added services; and transitioning to low-carbon, climate-resilient production. VNS HCM CITY After its inclusion in the 'Top 12 Happy Workplaces' for 2024, MM Mega Market Vietnam (MMVN) has once again been honoured in the list of 'Top 100 Best Places to Work in Vietnam 2024' in the large enterprise category by Anphabe. The award reaffirms MMVNs enduring efforts to establish itself as a top-of-mind employer brand for its workers and within the broader labour market. Tran Kim Nga, Corporate Development Director of MM Mega Market Vietnam, said: MM Mega Market Vietnam is incredibly proud to participate in Anphabes 'Top 100 Best Places to Work in Vietnam' and to receive such remarkable results. With a People are the Future philosophy, MMVN has been implementing holistic, diverse and inclusive initiatives to foster growth and nurture talent across all levels, from interns to senior management. This survey and recognition also serve as a valuable measure of our people strategies and the appeal of MMVNs Employer Brand among current and future employees. The fast-moving retail industry is associated with a high-pressure work environment due to its dynamic and rapidly changing nature. Thus, the workforce in this sector is highly diverse, particularly in operational roles. With over 3,000 employees across its stores nationwide, MMVN is committed to ensuring its employees thrive in their professional expertise and developing essential soft skills to reinforce the companys core values. Specifically, MM Mega Market implements a robust learning and development system that encompasses professional knowledge, workplace etiquette and skill development through various methods. These include in-person workshops at the head office led by MMVNs experienced professionals or external industry experts. Employees can also access a wide range of translated and customised online courses via MMVNs specialised e-learning platform. In 2023, the company platform included over 242 training topics, constituting 85,399 training hours with an average of nearly 26 training hours per employee annually. At MMVN, every individual is empowered, respected and nurtured in an environment that values transparency, equality and diversity across gender, age, identity and ethnicity. In 2023, women made up 54 per cent of the companys workforce, with an impressive 47 per cent of leadership positions held by women. This recognition underscores MMVNs dedication to creating an exceptional workplace where everyone can grow, contribute and feel valued. VNS BANGKOK Srinakharinwirot University has hosted a Vietnamese speaking contest for university students in Thailand to promote and spread the Vietnamese language here. This is the first of its kind held between five universities of Thailand. The final round of the first edition took place on November 20. Bui Thi Hue, Minister Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand, said that the bilateral relationship is thriving across various fields, particularly within the framework of the Viet Nam-Thailand enhanced strategic partnership. The two countries are not only friendly neighbours but also key economic partners. Therefore, learning Vietnamese language in Thailand plays a crucial role in strengthening the bilateral friendship, while also opening up new opportunities for students. With the theme of potential tour guides for Vietnamese visiting Thailand, 15 finalists took the stage to introduce in Vietnamese language a favourite destination in Thailand, based on a video clip they had prepared during the preliminary round. Following the presentations, the contestants answered questions in Vietnamese from the judges, related to the content of their video. At the end of the contest, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung, and Dean of the Srinakharinwirot Universitys Faculty of Humanities presented one special, one first, two second, two third and nine consolation prizes to the winners. Hung said the contest provided a valuable intellectual platform, helping to promote the learning of Vietnamese language and enhance understanding of Vietnamese culture in Thailand. He added the embassy will continue to support and collaborate with the university in devising Vietnamese language programmes in the coming time. VNA/VNS Quynh Anh For many, the question of where to live, where to travel, or where to plant one's roots is not always easy to answer. It's a mystery, a journey of discovery. Yet, the more we travel, the more we come to realise that there is a place where our hearts truly belong. For Sarah Matthews, that place is Ha Noi. It only took one visit for her to know that the capital of Viet Nam is where she is meant to be. Sarahs story with Viet Nam dates back to her childhood in Kansas. She had always been aware of Viet Nam beyond the headlines and historical records, because her uncle, who lived in Viet Nam during the 1990s, often returned home and shared stories from his life in the country. These stories planted a seed in her, one that would grow stronger over time. In 2018, she made the decision to come to Viet Nam to live and work. Nearly seven years later, Ha Noi has become her second home. I remember flying over Ha Noi for the first time, looking out the airplane window, and seeing the rice paddies below, she told Viet Nam News. It was a landscape so unlike anything I had experienced before. I knew this place would feel different. The sights, sounds, and smells were all so alive, so vibrant. Even amidst the chaos, I felt a deep connection to the city and connection with myself in a way I never had before, she added. Like many foreigners who move to Viet Nam, Sarah initially came to work as an English teacher. But her true passion lies in the creative and performing arts. In Ha Noi, she discovered the Ha Noi Voices choir, where her love for music was able to truly flourish. I do a lot of singing, performing, and acting, Sarah said. Through the choir, Ive had incredible opportunities to perform and explore my artistic side. I also do voiceover work, which has led to some exciting projects, she noted. In addition to her work with the choir, Sarah has had the chance to sing many songs in Vietnamese, including Nho ve Ha Noi (Remembering Ha Noi), a piece she performed with deep emotion during the recent 70th anniversary of Ha Nois Liberation Day. For a foreigner, singing in Vietnamese is no simple task, but Sarah had already gained some experience with the language and its pronunciation. Still, preparing for this performance was a challenge. I found out about the project to perform Nho ve Ha Noi not long before the recording, she recalls. I only had one day to learn the song and half a day to practise it. I broke the song down line by line, word by word. This process not only helped me learn the song but also allowed me to connect with the emotions and meaning behind the lyrics, Sarah said. The song left a profound impression on Sarah. When I first listened to it, I could hear the beauty in the song and the deep meaning in the lyrics, she told Viet Nam News. Each verse paints a picture of life in Ha Noi, of memories of the past and the present, and all the emotions that come with the capital city. It was an exciting challenge to learn and perform such a beautiful song in Vietnamese. Living in Viet Nam has offered me many unique opportunities, she said. As a foreigner, she has been able to perform on stages she never imagined, such as the Ha Noi Opera House. Her involvement in local arts and cultural activities has opened doors to experiences that she cherishes deeply. Being a foreigner in Viet Nam and participating in these cultural activities have brought me opportunities that have been really special, she noted. The Vietnamese people have welcomed me with open arms. Ive made so many meaningful friendships, both with locals and other expats, Sarah said. Sarahs love for Viet Nam extends beyond her professional life. She relishes the opportunity to experience local traditions and moments with her Vietnamese friends. Whether its visiting family members during Tet (Lunar New Year) to help make Banh Chung (square sticky rice cakes) or joining friends for a temple visit just before midnight, Sarah has become a part of the fabric of Vietnamese life. Sometimes I participate in cultural activities, like learning how to make lotus tea or attending events with friends of Vietnamese heritage, she said. Its such a special experience to learn more about the countrys traditions and to be a part of them. Viet Nam is the place where my journey of self-discovery began. It opened my heart and mind in ways I never imagined. There are still so many new things to learn, and every day feels like an exciting adventure, she added. Sarahs decision to settle in Ha Noi has been met with full support from her family, especially her mother. My mom knew that I am here because I am living a life that brings me fulfilment, Sarah said. Shes proud of me for taking on the challenges of living in a foreign country, in a place with a different language and traditions. Shes happy that Im doing things that push me outside my comfort zone, she added. For Sarah, Ha Noi is more than just a place to live its a place where her heart feels at home. Through her work, her music, and her connection to the local community, Sarah has found a sense of belonging that she never anticipated. Ha Noi, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and warm-hearted people, has captured her heart, and she will continue to share her love for this beautiful city with the world. VNS Texas mom Marisa Christie went to the hospital for a scheduled C-section and suffered a rare amniotic fluid embolism. Katie Collins - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images A Texas woman who was clinically dead for 45 minutes miraculously woke to find that she gave birth to healthy triplet daughters, according to family and news reports. Early this year, Tomball couple Marisa and Dylan Christie learned that she was pregnant with triplets, she told TODAY. The couple, who also have a 4-year-old son, were daunted but excited to learn that their family of three would soon double. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The pair headed to a Houston-area hospital for a scheduled cesarean section on Aug. 21, and Christie successfully delivered three healthy baby girls, according to TODAY. Just as the triplets were placed on her chest, doctors noticed that Christie had turned gray and was seizing. Doctors started CPR as Christie began hemorrhaging, and after about an hour she was placed on an ECMO machine that pumped blood for her. Her anesthesiologist told TODAY that she was clinically dead for 45 minutes. ALSO READ: San Antonio woman sent to prison for aiming laser at SAPD helicopter Christie was experiencing an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare reaction to amniotic fluid that can often be fatal. According to the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation, the exact cause of the condition is unknown. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The new mom of four was unconscious for a week before waking up to discover she had delivered her triplets. Christie's last memories were from 48 to 72 hours before she gave birth, she told KHOU. She had vague memories of her daughters on her chest, but she told TODAY that she thought it was a dream until her husband told her that she had indeed delivered. According to a Wednesday update on a GoFundMe page launched for the family, Christie and the infants have all returned home from the hospital. The baby girls named Charlotte, Kendall and Collins stayed in the NICU for a time in order to gain weight, TODAY reported. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ngo uc Manh In October 2008, Tohru Ninomiya came to Viet Nam for the first time and worked for a rubber manufacturing company. He was pleasantly surprised by the peacefulness of the capital Ha Noi and especially admired the unique beauty of Hoan Kiem Lake, but was unhappy to witness many people littering, and there were very few rubbish bins around. "If the litter around the lake was reduced, this area would be even more beautiful," the 76-year-old man thought at the time. In March 2011, he used his own money to buy paper bags, clips and gloves and invited five colleagues to start picking up rubbish at ong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Hoan Kiem Lake. At that time, this activity was maintained every two weeks and then moved to every Sunday morning from September 2012. Come rain or shine His beautiful actions spread and inspired many environmentalists in Hanoi, who started joining his activities. One of them is Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong, a retired meteorologist. She said: "If foreigners love Hanoi and spend their own money and effort to pick up rubbish, then we must be more dedicated than that." According to Phuong, to call on everyone to protect the environment and honour all volunteers, she created a Facebook page "Cleaning Hoan Kiem Lake with Ninomiya" to post the group's trash collection activities, both to preserve the images and to spread the activities further. Each rubbish collection session lasts 30 minutes, with an average of 20 members, and at peak times, the number increases to 50-60, including Vietnamese and members from many different countries. The tools are placed neatly on the ground so that anyone can participate, from children, students and parents to workers, the elderly, and experts. Inspired by the groups activities, many passers-by joined and even donated to the cause. Spread a message Some people wonder why the volunteer group only collects rubbish for 30 minutes each session, thinking that these activities are just "a drop in the ocean" or "a waste of time". At first, Ninomiya felt a bit sad, but according to him, "30 minutes is enough and reasonable to maintain a long-term movement". "If the activity lasts longer, the members will get tired, especially on hot summer days, and easily lose their enthusiasm", the Japanese man explained. Understanding what is "enough and reasonable", Ninomiya's project has attracted the attention of everyone, gradually expanding its scope of influence, and having a significant impact on people's awareness. "Although the scale of garbage collection is not large, and the time is not long, we hope that our activities will help reduce some garbage, make the environment cleaner, create more jobs for recyclers and help bring garbage into the circular economy," Phuong said. Mottainai is a Japanese phrase conveying a sense of regret over waste, or stating that one does not deserve something because it is too good. The term can be translated to English as "What a waste!" or the old saying, "Waste not, want not." Adhering to this philosophy, Ninomiya, who no longer lives in Viet Nam and has retired home to Japan, believes that educating children is the core of forming environmental awareness. In particular, families and schools are the ones who guide children to form daily trash-picking activities. "I hope that in five to 10 years, everyone will have the habit of picking up trash together," he said. For a better future Ninomiya did not know how long he could stay in Vietnam, so he transferred most of the group's activities to Vietnamese volunteers. He said he had fulfilled his mission as the initiator and leader, hoping that the next generation would inherit and expand the project. He returned to Japan in April 2024 to take care of his health issues, but he is hopeful he can return whenever possible. After 10 years, Ninomiya and Phuong noticed that the awareness of hygiene around Hoan Kiem Lake has improved significantly, with many trash bins placed by the local government around the area. According to Phuong, the group's persistence and perseverance have contributed to changing people's awareness, making them realise that behind every stone bench around Hoan Kiem Lake lies a landfill that can be filled with a paper bag. - VNS The Asia-Pacific Regional Civil Society Young Feminist Forum on Beijing+30 took place in Bangkok, Thailand as a side event of the Beijing+30 Review Conference. Three outstanding Vietnamese representatives at the Young Feminist Forum spoke to Viet Nam News reporter Thu Trang about their points of view on gender equality and womens empowerment. Tong Khanh Linh, Deputy Director of the Centre for Education Promotion and Empowerment of Women (CEPEW) The Young Feminist Forum has been inspiring. This is the first formal regional attempt to integrate young peoples voices and participation in the gender equality policy agenda. At the forum, we had opportunities to discuss and identify young feminist priorities and actionable recommendations on gender equality from a youth lens, building upon those emerging for the Asia-Pacific region in the Beijing+30 review. Corresponding to the Centre for Education Promotion and Empowerment of Women (CEPEW)s research and expertise focus, I participated in and contributed to two thematic discussions. The first is on accountability frameworks for inclusive digitalisation. I shared the importance of gender mainstreaming in digital laws and policies, bridging the gender gap in digital standardisation and participation in the digital policy-making process, and ensuring sex-disaggregated data is collected and made accessible to inform laws and policies. While the rapid digital transformation in Viet Nam champions leaving no one behind and has indeed empowered many women and girls, especially those from disadvantaged regions and groups, our research shows that current national strategy on gender equality (2021-2030) has not mainstreamed emerging digital issues, and the national strategy on digital transformation (until 2030) has not addressed digital-related gender challenges. Research, evidence, and awareness of gender issues in digital transformation remain limited across national, regional, and international levels. The second discussion is on decision-making and political participation. I shared four recommendations at the forum, including gender mainstreaming in laws and policies; enhancing womens political leadership in STEM ministries, especially in top decision-making positions; promoting mens participation to contribute to substantive equality for all; and engaging womens experiences and voices in peace-making processes. After the Fourth World Women Conference in Beijing in 1995, Viet Nam has achieved significant progress in gender equality at institutional, legal, and practical levels. I want to mention the national and local gender equality and womens advancement agencies. International and local organisations have closely cooperated with these institutions to promote substantive equality and womens rights in the country. Adopting the 2006 Law on Gender Equality and the 2007 Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control (amended in 2022), as well as different national strategies for gender equality and womens advancement, are the most significant achievements in strengthening legislation in this field. These laws and policies benefit not only young people but also youths who have recently actively participated in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of this legislation. Viet Nam has also made progress in women's political and workforce participation. In the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly in 2021, the proportion of female representatives in the National Assembly increased to 30 per cent, the highest since 1976, and even higher than the global average of 25 per cent. Notably, Vietnamese women's workforce participation is approaching that of men (72 per cent for women and 82 per cent for men). These figures represent important legacies for younger generations in the political and socio-economic spheres. In an uncertain but fast-changing world, women and youths face many challenges. Viet Nam is no exception. In the framework of this article, I would mention gender stereotypes and age-based discrimination from family to societal levels that not only women and youths, but also men and elderly people face. The development of artificial intelligence (AI) will contribute to the development of the world, but also to the escalation of disinformation, fake news, gender bias, and hate speech based on gender, age, ethnicity, abilities, and so on. These challenges and beyond may limit the rights and potential of women and youths if not properly and cautiously regulated. Recently, CEPEW has been implementing a project on 'Promoting womens participation and leadership in the digital transformation process in Viet Nam through research, communication, and advocacy activities', with support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. We have been reviewing the gender responsiveness of Viet Nams digital policies and womens participation in digital policy-making. Preliminary findings from our research suggest that gender stereotypes are still deeply rooted in our society, preventing girls from pursuing STEM education and careers. Subsequently, women have not been playing decision-making roles in digital standardisation. With rapid digital transformation and AI fundamentally restructuring the labour market demands, Vietnamese women and young girls will be left behind without continuous and concentrated policies and investments to enhance their digital skills and active participation in digital industries. Yet, the danger is when gender equality is assumed to have been achieved, by looking at the surface statistics of the ratio of womens access to mobile phones or the Internet. Meanwhile, the real challenge lies in enabling women to effectively use their access to mobile phones and the Internet to generate incomes and ensure their livelihoods. Viet Nam is in the process of amending the 2006 Law on Gender Equality. I hope this amendment will create a comprehensive law that covers direct and indirect discrimination against women and men belonging to different backgrounds including race, ethnicity, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and others. The law also includes all civil, political, economic, social, and cultural affairs. The gender mainstreaming process should also be more detailed in the amended gender equality law. In the last election in 2021, more than 45 per cent of the National Assembly candidates were female, instead of the 35 per cent required by current electoral law. This number suggests the possibility of an amendment that legally mandates a gender quota of at least 45 per cent of candidates of each gender in the official list. Such an amendment would help reach a target of 35 per cent of female elected deputies at the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels. This target was mentioned in the previous strategy for gender equality and recommended by the United Nations Committee for Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to Viet Nam. Gender-based violence is also a field that I would like to see improve in Viet Nam. Two national surveys on domestic violence against women show that two-thirds of interviewed women confirmed violations by their husbands and partners. The ratio of women with disabilities faced with gender-based violence was still higher. However, we lack national data on other kinds of gender-based violence. I wish Viet Nam had a comprehensive national survey that could cover different types of gender-based violence against women and men, girls and boys. It would help inform legislation and allocation of resources to solve the issues. Finally, as expressed by many other young female colleagues at the Young Feminist Forum, we wish to see not just tokenisation of womens participation, but authentic participation in the political sphere, especially in top decision-making positions. We also want to see more opportunities for the involvement of women under 35 in political leadership in the country. ang Thuy Duong, LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) Rights Programme Manager under the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE) At the forum, I expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of a historic youth space under the Beijing+30 framework in the Asia-Pacific. With this opportunity, I emphasised the importance of feminist leadership in comparison with traditional women's leadership, particularly in the context of Viet Nam. I shared that young feminists have an important role in shaping a new vision of leadership one that embraces the feminist values of inclusivity and collective action. This can be achieved through intergenerational and intersectional dialogue, where we bridge the gap between experienced activists and younger feminists, to promote a vision of feminist leadership that is transformative for all women and marginalised communities. Viet Nam has made great strides aligned with its principles of equality and non-discrimination. Some significant actions include removing the prohibition on same-sex marriage, legalising the right to gender affirmation (although the draft Law on Gender Affirmation is experiencing some disheartening delays), and issuing a declaration that being LGBT is not an illness. In terms of society and culture, there has been a noticeable shift towards greater acceptance and visibility of the LGBTI community, with more public events, increased representation in media and public discourse and growing support from diverse sectors, including the business community. In the past few years and -- as can be expected -- in the years to come, the LGBTI community has faced and will continue to face challenges amid rising anti-gender narratives. While Vietnamese society has had a significantly positive shift in public attitude towards LGBTI people since 1995, were also witnessing a rise in anti-LGBTI rhetoric, mostly in cyberspace for now, which is directly hurting LGBT youth and fuelling resistance within society. Hopefully, in the near future, we will see a shift toward a more inclusive understanding of gender equality, embracing gender-diverse people beyond the binary framework. In the shorter term, Im looking forward to seeing the review process of the draft Gender Affirmation Law picked up where it was left off (heading towards being passed), and same-sex marriage legalisation being considered for the next revision of the Marriage and Family Law. Nguyen Khanh Linh, Deputy Director of the Social Affairs Division under the Centre for Women and Development (CWD) The youth forum was a great opportunity for me. At the forum, I saw the great energy of young people from different countries in the region, which showed the deep concern of the younger generation about the issues that women and children have been facing. Each young person expressed their wish for strong and sustainable development and committed to robust actions to create positive change and respond to current and future issues. As a young person working in the field of gender equality, focusing on implementing responses and ending violence against women and children, I shared practical lessons learned during my work in Viet Nam. Many of these lessons came from the work being done at the Peace House and the efforts of agencies, organisations and individuals in the country to protect women and children from gender-based violence. Participants at the forum emphasised the importance of intersectional coordination, collecting data on gender-based violence and investing in a budget for victim support and protection activities, and proposed activities to connect and share experiences between countries. All of the delegates were impressed with the efforts of the Peace House under the Viet Nam Women's Union, recognising the activities as important work to end violence against women and children. Achievements in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in Viet Nam have demonstrated the Government's strong concern for this issue. These achievements include the Government's work to refine relevant policy and legal systems, prioritising the promotion of gender equality, developing programmes and activities to raise awareness in the community, and enhancing the full and responsible participation of concerned organisations. Empowerment is important because when encouraged to participate, the younger generation will feel responsibility and turn it into action to improve themselves, contribute their voices to the community and create positive change. In the new era, women and the younger generation may face difficulties if they do not have the opportunity and potential to access rapid changes in technology. This is especially true for women and young people in mountainous or remote areas and on islands. The development of information technology also brings safety risks for women and children, such as being exploited for their images or harassed, abused, or scammed online. Women who are victims of domestic violence are increasingly controlled through the use of tracking and positioning devices. Climate change is also a major challenge that can limit the potential of women and youths because they are more vulnerable than men to environmental and climate risks. According to the results of a survey conducted by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in 2022, 81.9 per cent of respondents said that the level and scope of vulnerability and negative impacts on women and children are greater than men in the face of environmental and climate risks. This is especially true for groups of women who are already vulnerable due to multi-layered inequality, such as ethnic minority women, women in rural areas, the poor and migrants. In the years to come, I hope that gender equality issues will continue to receive attention from leaders at all levels from central to local levels, and that gender equality will be integrated into effective programmes and activities. Gender-responsive budget allocation, especially the State budget for services to support victims of gender-based violence (such as the activities of the Peace House) will hopefully be strengthened to ensure timely and comprehensive support services. Ensuring that victim support services are always ready and respond promptly is an important factor to ensure victims' safety and their legitimate rights and interests, contributing to ending violence. I hope that women and girls especially women and girls in disadvantaged areas will gradually gain the opportunity to access information technology for self-development, ensuring the participation and leadership of women and girls in science, technology, and the digital transformation. At the same time, women will hopefully gain the skills to respond to and minimise the risk of violence, abuse or trafficking through social networking platforms. VNS SANTO DOMINGO Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader Corona chaired a joint press conference on November 20 morning (local time) to inform the outcomes of their talks and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries. At the press conference, in front of a large number of officials and reporters from both countries, President Abinader Corona once again warmly welcomed PM Chinh and his spouse and the Vietnamese delegation to visit the Dominican Republic. The President said that with the establishment of diplomatic relations and the establishment of its embassy in Viet Nam, the Dominican Republic hoped to accelerate its strategy of strengthening diplomatic relations with Viet Nam. Recently, Viet Nam and the Dominican Republic have promoted many cooperative activities and shared complementary activities in many fields, especially agriculture, in which Viet Nam has provided vaccines to prevent swine fever for the Dominican Republic. According to President Abinader Corona, PM Chinh's visit to the Dominican Republic this time is of important significance. The two leaders had talks and discussions to continue expanding and concretising cooperation agreements and at the same time, promote new agreements and cooperation between the two countries in fields such as defence, telecommunications, oil and gas, tourism and other fields with potential and needs of both sides for the benefit of both countries and their people. PM Chinh thanked President Abinader Corona for his respectful, sincere, and thoughtful welcome and believed that his visit to the Dominican Republic this time is historic, creating new momentum and opening a new page in Viet Nam - Dominican Republic relations. Recalling the event that President Ho Chi Minh met with revolutionary, Professor Juan Bosch, the first President of the Dominican Republic, when he came to Ha Noi to attend the Conference of Latin American countries to unite with Viet Nam in in 1965, PM Chinh said that Viet Nam and the Dominican Republic had many similarities: similar ideals, all for national independence, happiness, and prosperity of the people. According to the PM, the two economies can complement and promote mutual development. The two countries have unique cultures; have important geopolitics in the two regions of ASEAN and South America; have high political reliability; treasure friendship and value sincerity and trust; have the desire to build a strong, prosperous country with happy and prosperous people. Emphasising that the above similarities are an important foundation for the two countries to promote cooperative relations to a new height, the PM proposed the two sides speed up negotiations, leading to the signing of four agreements including: Free trade agreement; Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement; Agreement on cultural, education-training and tourism cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and Agreement on Visas to create the best conditions for exchanges between the two countries. Also according to the PM, the two sides discussed many potential areas of cooperation such as digital transformation, digital economy, building a digital society, telecommunications development; energy exploitation including oil and gas, solar energy, wind energy; agricultural cooperation, including vaccine production; creating conditions and promoting cooperation between businesses of the two countries. PM Chinh emphasised that in the context of the current international situation, the two sides agreed to call for solidarity and enhanced international cooperation, not only for the two countries and their people but for peace and cooperation and development in the regions and the world, especially Viet Nam will be a bridge for the Dominican Republic to cooperate with ASEAN and the Dominican Republic will work as a bridge for Viet Nam to cooperate with the South American region. PM Chinh conveyed the greetings, congratulations and invitations of General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and the PM himself and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the President and other leaders of the Dominican Republic to visit Viet Nam on the occasion of the 20th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. Also at the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents including: A Memorandum of Understanding on establishing the Viet Nam - Dominican Republic Joint Committee to promote trade and investment; A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam and the Diplomatic and Consular Academy of the Dominican Republic. Earlier, on the morning of the same day, PM Chinh, his spouse, and the Vietnamese delegation attended a ceremony commemorating the founders of the Dominican Republic and laid a wreath at the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration in the capital of Santo Domingo together with the Dominican Republic's Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez. VNA/VNS SANTO DOMINGO Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader Corona held talks in Santo Domingo on November 20 morning (local time) as part of the Vietnamese leader's official visit to the Caribbean country. Both leaders affirmed the significance of the first high-level visit since Viet Nam and the Dominican Republic established their diplomatic ties on July 7, 2005, hailing it as a historic milestone and a vital impetus for elevating the bilateral ties to a new stage of deeper and more practical development. PM Chinh conveyed the regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and their invitations to President Abinader Corona to visit Viet Nam in 2025 on the occasion of the 20th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties to further elevate the bilateral ties based on the strong current foundation. The President accepted the invitations with pleasure, with the visit's exact timing to be coordinated through diplomatic channels. Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the positive strides in the bilateral friendship and cooperation, particularly in politics-diplomacy, economy, trade, and development cooperation, as well as their mutual support at multilateral forums. They underscored the significance of preserving and promoting the value of late President Ho Chi Minh Monument in Santo Domingo and the monument in Ha Noi dedicated to Professor Juan Bosch, the first President of the Dominican Republic, lauding them as symbol of the bilateral solidarity and friendship. The host and guest agreed on the need to further facilitate high-level and all-level exchanges and meetings via Party, Government and Parliamentary channels, as well as locality-to-locality and people-to-people exchanges. These efforts aim to strengthen the foundation of political relations, enhance mutual understanding, and provide a solid basis to expand and improve the effectiveness of the bilateral ties. They also stressed the necessity to improve the legal framework for bilateral cooperation, maximise the effectiveness of the political consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries and soon hold the second political consultation. Both sides agreed to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in all areas, particularly in economy, trade, investment, avoiding double taxation, agriculture, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, digital economy, telecommunications, renewable energy, security and crime prevention, sustainable tourism development, culture, education, environmental protection, and climate change response. They also agreed to hold the first session of the Joint committee for economic, trade, and industrial cooperation soon. PM Chinh proposed the two sides negotiate a free trade agreement, an investment protection agreement, as well as agreements on cultural, educational, and training cooperation, and another on ordinary visa exemption. For his part, President Abinader Corona expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for effectively providing vaccines against African swine fever to the Dominican Republic. The two leaders emphasised the need and potential to expand business and investment cooperation between the two countries, especially in telecommunications, energy and oil, construction, agriculture, and tourism. They shared the view on the necessity of enhancing trade and investment promotion activities, connecting businesses, and facilitating market access for each countrys strong export items, while also using each country as a gateway to access the markets of the Southeast Asian and Latin America-Caribbean regions. The two leaders affirmed their commitments to promoting multilateralism, enhancing cooperation, and supporting each other in international organisations and multilateral forums of which both are members, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Non-Aligned Movement, the South-South cooperation framework, and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), for the benefit of the people of both countries and to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in both regions and the world. Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides agreed to support the settlement of international disputes and disagreements through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, particularly the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Following the talks, the two leaders chaired a joint press conference and announce the Viet Nam-Dominican Republic Joint Declaration, reaffirming the determination of both governments and outlining the directions and measures agreed upon to further strengthen the solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between the two countries in the future. VNA/VNS HA NOI General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Ha Noi on Thursday morning for a three-day official visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his spouse. The Party chief is accompanied by Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC) and Chairman of the PCC's Commission for Internal Affairs Phan inh Trac; Politburo member and Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen; Politburo member and Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang; Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chief of the PCC's Office Nguyen Duy Ngoc; Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the PCC's Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung; Member of the PCC, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son; Member of the PCC and National Assembly Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong; along with several other members of the PCC, leaders of various ministries, agencies and localities. The visit is a key milestone in Viet Nam-Malaysia relations, aimed at consolidating political trust between the two countries at a high level. It underscores Viet Nam's consistent policy of attaching importance to and fostering relations with neighbouring and regional countries, including Malaysia. It also reflects Viet Nam's desire to elevate its trustworthy and effective cooperation with Malaysia to a new phase which is at a higher level and more practical, to meet development requirements of both countries in the new period. VNS SANTO DOMINGO Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had separate meetings with President of the Dominican Republics Senate Ricardo de los Santos Polanco and President of the Chamber of Deputies Alfredo Pacheco in Santo Domingo on Wednesday afternoon (local time), as part of the Vietnamese leader's official visit to the Caribbean country. The host leaders hailed the visit's historical significance as PM Chinh is the first high-ranking Vietnamese leader to visit the Dominican Republic. It comes at a time when the wo countries have seen positive strides in their relationship towards the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic ties on July 7, 2025. Viet Nam treasures its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Dominican Republic as part of its broader foreign policy towards the Latin America-Caribbean region, and specifically with the Dominican Republics Congress, Chinh said. PM Chinh shared the positive outcomes of his earlier talks with President Luis Abinader Corona, during which the two sides issued a joint declaration and agreed to increase the exchange of delegations and improve the legal framework for bilateral collaboration across various sectors. The Vietnamese leader also revealed his proposal for the two countries to promptly negotiate agreements on free trade, investment protection, cultural and education-training cooperation, and visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders. Appreciating the results achieved at the talks between PM Pham Minh Chinh and President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader Corona, the leaders of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies affirmed their support for the directions and measures proposed by both governments to bring the friendship and cooperation between the two countries to a new development stage to effectively and practically serve the development process in each country. They were also committed to strongly supporting the early negotiations on agreements on free trade, investment protection, cultural and education-training cooperation, and visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders, believing that achieving these agreements soon will bring tangible benefits to businesses and citizens of both countries, and significantly elevate the bilateral relations to a new height. On this occasion, PM Chinh conveyed the thanks of the Vietnamese National Assembly to the Senate of the Dominican Republic for recently arranging a warm welcome for the delegation from the Vietnamese NA's Committee for Foreign Affairs, led by its Chairman Vu Hai Ha, during their working visit to the Dominican Republic in July this year. He welcomed and appreciated the establishment of a friendship parliamentarians group with Viet Nam in the Dominican Senate and announced that the Vietnamese NA had established a friendship parliamentarians group with the Dominican Republic on November 15, 2024. This will be an important channel for cooperation between the two legislatures in particular, and the two countries in general, PM Chinh stressed. On behalf of NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, PM Chinh extended the regards and invitations to the leaders of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic to visit Viet Nam. The top legislators of the Dominican Republic accepted the invitations with pleasures. VNS HA NOI The National Assembly (NA) on Thursday morning discussed a draft resolution which could allow additional land to be given over to build small groups of houses. The draft resolution is to pilot commercial housing projects using existing or transferring land use rights. Expressing support for the document, NA Deputy Trinh Xuan An from southern ong Nai Province said that the draft has sufficient political, legal and practical grounds as outlined in the proposal and appraisal report. The NA adopting this resolution will serve as a foundation to use and increase land resources for socio-economic development, he said. Addressing the nationwide scope of the pilot programme, An noted that the project must meet the requirements stated in the resolution before starting the implementation process. He also suggested designing a specific article detailing the rights and responsibilities of real estate businesses in order to develop a healthy and appropriate market without surges in land prices or violations. NA Deputy Pham Van Hoa from ong Thap Province also agreed to pilot the programme nationwide, avoiding the mechanism of favours and concerns about the selection of pilot localities. He added that the NA and the Government need to address cases where people have moved into their new apartments but still encounter challenges in completing legal procedures. Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment o uc Duy noted that this resolution is to provide additional land access for commercial housing projects that are not included in the current Law on Land. Regarding the mechanisms for transferring land use rights and land access for commercial housing projects, the minister noted that the 2014 Law on Housing limited private negotiations with land users, and land use right holders requesting a change of use purpose to carry out commercial housing projects. The amended 2024 Law on Land also introduced stricter regulations regarding this matter. Accordingly, commercial housing projects of less than 20 hectares will have difficulty accessing land resources as they do not belong to the project category that allows land recovery by the State. They are also not eligible for land use right transfer or change of land use purpose, if the project area does not have existing residential land. Therefore, the purpose of this resolution is to address the bottlenecks that are reported across the country, especially in smaller provinces where the real estate market is modest and has few urban zone projects of 20 hectares or more. Due to the scale of the issue, it is necessary to implement this resolution nationwide to ensure fairness, said Duy. Regarding food security and farmland protection, the minister emphasised that this issue is under strict control from the planning stage at the national and provincial level, as well as in construction and urban development plans. Plans and policies have stated that agricultural land can be converted to non-agricultural use for social-economic development projects, including those for commercial housing projects under this resolution, as well as other projects in line with the 2024 land law. Therefore, whether carried out based on the Law on Land or the pilot mechanism of this resolution, all projects must comply with these plans, which are already required to ensure 3.5 million hectares for rice fields and forest coverage, said minister Duy. VNS HA NOI The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said that it has urged the Vietnamese community living in Ukraine to prepare the best options to keep themselves and their families safe, including evacuating from major cities, amid escalating developments in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Spokeswoman for the foreign ministry Pham Thu Hang was responding to questions about the safety of Vietnamese citizens in Ukraine following reports of temporary closures of many countries' embassies in Ukraine (including the United States), as well as fresh warnings to remain vigilant in the wake of air attack threats. "The Vietnamese community should also regularly follow updates from both local consular authorities and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Consular Department and the Vietnamese diplomatic mission, in order to respond to emergencies in a timely manner," Hang said. Citizens are also advised to stay in contact with Vietnamese associations in Ukraine and the contact points at the Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine. Hang recommends that Vietnamese citizens avoid travelling to Ukraine unless absolutely necessary. "For assistance, Vietnamese citizens can contact the citizen protection hotlines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy," she said. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam on Thursday rejected claims that it is tightening visa controls and stressed its commitment to facilitating the entry, exit, and residence of foreign nationals. "Viet Nam's consistent policy is to facilitate the entry, exit, and residence of foreign nationals in the country, contributing to its socio-economic development," spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on Thursday during a regular press briefing in Ha Noi over inquiries about reports of Viet Nam's increasing scrutiny of foreign nationals entering the country and engaging in activities inconsistent with their visa purposes. Hang noted that on August 15, 2023, Viet Nam enacted amendments and supplements to laws concerning the entry, exit, and residence for Vietnamese nationals, as well as laws on entry, exit, transit, and residence for foreigners in Viet Nam. The revised visa regulations "include various provisions to further facilitate foreign nationals coming to Viet Nam for purposes such as studying, working, investing, exploring markets, or tourism, in compliance with Vietnamese laws," Hang emphasised. VNS PHNOM PENH President of the Cambodian National Assembly (NA) Samdech Khuon Sudary chaired a solemn welcome ceremony in Phnom Penh on Thursday afternoon for NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State, who are on an official visit to the neighbouring country. Right after the welcome ceremony, the two top legislators held talks. Earlier, Man and the Vietnamese delegation laid wreaths at the Independence Monument, the Norodom Sihanouk Memorial and the Viet NamCambodia Friendship Monument a symbol of solidarity and friendship between the two countries which is to commemorate Vietnamese fallen soldiers who carried out the noble international mission to help the Cambodian people escape from the Pol Pot genocidal regime. The Viet NamCambodia Friendship Monument also shows Viet Nam's gratitude to Cambodia for its assistance during the past struggle for national reunification. The visit, Man's first official visit to Cambodia as Chairman of the Vietnamese NA, 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 Cambodia. During the visit, the Vietnamese top legislator is scheduled to pay a courtesy call to King Norodom Sihamoni; hold talks with National Assembly President Khuon Sudary; pay a courtesy call to President of the Cambodian People's Party and President of the Senate Hun Sen; meet with Prime Minister Hun Manet; visit former NA President Heng Samrin; receive President of the CambodiaViet Nam Friendship Association and the CambodiaViet Nam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group Men Sam An; and attend the inauguration ceremony of the Cambodian NAs administrative building - a gift from the Party, State and people of Viet Nam. The visit aims to take Viet NamCambodia relations into a new phase of development, strengthen strategic trust and promote cooperation between the two legislatures. VNS China takes actions to cope with climate change 09:55, November 21, 2024 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) entering into force. 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. Photo shows a solar farm in Jiangkou village, Shanggao county, Yichun, east China's Jiangxi province. (People's Daily Online/Zhou Liang) 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. A hydrogen-powered smart tram is assembled at a plant in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan province, Sept. 10, 2024. The tram will be exported to Malaysia. (People's Daily Online/Wang Yu) 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 for 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 memoranda of understanding on South-South climate cooperation with 42 developing countries. The cooperation includes establishing low-carbon demonstration zones, carrying out mitigation and adaptation projects, and conducting exchange workshops to strengthen these countries' climate response capabilities. Photo shows a wind farm in Qinglong county, southwest China's Guizhou province. (People's Daily Online/Xiao Xiong) "China will continue to strengthen South-South cooperation in addressing climate change by leveraging its advantages in photovoltaic technology, new energy vehicles, 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. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump talks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border at Shelby Park, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton failed in every one of his attempts to convince the U.S. Supreme Court to halt President Joe Bidens immigration policies. But the Texas Republicans repeated losses might have actually helped clear the way for President-elect Donald Trump to roll out an immigration crackdown that includes mass deportations, detention of migrant families and more. The Texas losses underscore how little appetite the high court has for challenges to presidential authority on immigration matters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some immigration law experts say the rulings against Texas during Bidens term could make it more difficult for blue states to try and stop Trumps crackdown in the courts. The Texas losses dramatically softened the ground that President Trump has to work with, said Leon Fresco, an immigration attorney based in D.C. That is not to say that Democratic-led states and advocacy groups will not turn to the courts to challenge Trumps immigration policies, as they did repeatedly during his first term, hampering his efforts to institute a travel ban, restrict asylum and force migrants to wait in Mexico while their cases were considered in the U.S. I wouldn't be surprised if litigation ends up being a smaller part of immigration advocacy in this administration, Cabot said. Theyve been signaling pretty strongly on these issues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Paxtons office did not respond to a request for comment. States could now have a harder time showing they have standing to sue in some cases after Texas unsuccessful bid to block Bidens immigration enforcement priorities. When the Democrat took office, he limited U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation targets to just those seen as threats to national security, public safety or border security. Texas and Louisiana sued, arguing in part that the narrower scope would drive up their costs for law enforcement, education and health care, because the federal government was not deporting more immigrants. During arguments before the Supreme Court, justices questioned whether a ruling for Texas would open the door for states to grind virtually any federal policy to a halt by arguing the policy costs them money. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the end, the high court ruled 8-1 against Texas. The costs to the states were not enough to give them standing to sue, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump appointee, wrote in a majority opinion. By ensuring that a plaintiff has standing to sue, federal courts prevent the judicial process from being used to usurp the powers of the political branches, he wrote. Kavanaugh stressed the ruling was meant to be narrow, and that states could still show standing to sue in other cases. But it has already been an issue in some of the states efforts to end other immigration-related policies, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama-era program shielding from deportation those brought to the country as children. READ MORE: Donald Trump picks ally of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to oversee mass deportations In that case, lawyers for the Department of Justice last month argued before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that Texas does not have standing, pointing to the Supreme Court ruling. Judges on the appeals court questioned whether the Supreme Court decision had gutted state standing doctrine and amounted to a huge sea change. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its a huge deal, said Kathleen Bush-Joseph, an attorney and policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute. Bush-Joseph said there are still other avenues to sue, and that she expects states to still raise constitutional challenges, even if they may have a harder time convincing some judges. Joshua Blackman, a constitutional law professor at South Texas College of Law Houston, said Democrats may have an easier time proving an immigration law or policy caused harm, which is key to getting standing. Thats because they tend to sue over what they say is over-enforcing of the law, as opposed to Republicans who tend to sue over a lack of enforcement. Generally, when the government's doing too much, that creates injuries; when the government's not doing enough, that does not create injuries, Blackman said. So it's easier for the Democrats to gin up standing than for the Republicans. Lawsuits are all but certain to crop up as Trump rolls out enforcement policies like his mass deportation effort. Hes promised on day one to declare a national emergency and use the military to deport immigrants, and Texas has already offered up border land to help. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bush-Joseph said it is possible to imagine egregious cases in which individuals picked up as part of that may actually be U.S. citizens or could raise due process claims. But she said it is not clear if those individual cases would result in courts halting full policies. There will be judicial recourse, but policies may not be blocked right away, or at all in some cases, she said. Perhaps complicating matters is another Supreme Court decision against Texas that could make it harder for states to convince courts to issue nationwide injunctions that would halt Trumps immigration policies, even temporarily. In 2021, Texas and Missouri challenged Bidens effort to end a Trump-era policy requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were heard in the U.S. The states argued scrapping the Trump policy would violate immigration law. A district court judge in Texas agreed, ruling the government had to either detain migrants or send them to a neighboring country and issued a nationwide injunction requiring the administration to carry out the policy. But the Supreme Court eventually ruled that the lower court did not have the authority to do so because immigration law generally prohibits lower courts from entering injunctions that order federal officials to take or to refrain from taking actions related to deportations or removals. Only the high court can do that, they said. The decision could potentially make it harder to convince district judges to issue nationwide injunctions that would block Trumps mass deportation efforts, for instance. Getting sympathetic judges to issue injunctions against Trump policies in his first term was a key strategy for blue states and immigrants rights groups, said Cabot, the UH immigration clinic director. Judges in California blocked Trumps travel ban, his so-called remain in Mexico policy and restrictions he pushed on migrants who traveled through other countries before seeking asylum in the U.S. Winning those cases in the first Trump administration was about delay. It was about having the federal district court in San Francisco say, This is ridiculous, Im issuing a nationwide injunction, Cabot said. That was strategy even if we expected the Supreme Court to overturn the injunctions and rule negatively on the merits, at least we could delay it for a while. Blackman said the question of the legality of a nationwide injunction from a lower court has persisted for about 10 years with no resolution from the Supreme Court, which will eventually need to decide the matter once and for all. Several of the justices, including Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas, have voiced criticism over the legal maneuver. PUTRAJAYA General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam on Thursday held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, following an official welcome ceremony hosted for him at the Prime Ministers Office of Malaysia. Anwar Ibrahim affirmed that Malaysia has always supported Viet Nam from the early stages of its renewal process and ASEAN membership to its current development phase. He congratulated To Lam on his election as Party General Secretary of Viet Nam and reaffirmed the importance of this visit to strengthening mutual understanding and enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Expressing his delight at visiting Malaysia once again, Lam highlighted that his visit would play an important role in fostering friendship and mutual understanding, and creating new opportunities for deeper cooperation between the two countries for the benefit of their people and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. The Malaysian PM congratulated Viet Nam on its impressive achievements over nearly 40 years of renewal, particularly in economic and social recovery, overcoming the heavy consequences of war, and addressing difficulties caused by natural disasters. He praised Viet Nam's positive and comprehensive transformation, especially the development of its economy and key industrial sectors. He also expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and General Secretary To Lam, the country would successfully realise its development goals. The Vietnamese leader appreciated Malaysias dynamic development and congratulated the country on its significant achievements under the leadership of PM Anwar Ibrahims coalition government. He said he believes that Malaysia would succeed in implementing its comprehensive development strategy for the new period, particularly the "MADANI Economy: Empowering the People" and the "New Industrial Master Plan 2030." The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong, deep, and comprehensive development of Viet Nam-Malaysia relations since their diplomatic ties were established in 1973, especially the achievements in bilateral and multilateral cooperation since the two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2015. Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed Malaysia's strong commitment to its relationship with Viet Nam and thanked the country for its important support. Lam underscored Viet Nam's appreciation for Malaysias continuous support in Viet Nam's development, ASEAN integration, and international engagement. Viet Nam attaches importance and gives high priority to its relationship with Malaysia, he stressed. The two leaders emphasised that the two countries share many cultural and historical similarities, noting their common interests and desire to contribute to peace, security, and development. Both leaders agreed to elevate the Viet Nam-Malaysia relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the benefit of their people, as well as for peace, sustainable development, and prosperity in ASEAN and the world. They reached a common perception on major directions to strengthen cooperation in key areas of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two leaders also agreed to reinforce political trust, further expand and deepen collaboration in defence and security, enhance relations via the party, state, government, and parliament channels, and increase exchanges of high-level visits. They instructed relevant agencies to soon develop an action plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2025-2030 period. General Secretary To Lam and PM Anwar Ibrahim shared a common view on strengthening economic connectivity for sustainable development, creating more resources for the new phase of growth for both countries. They agreed to promote cooperation in developing the Halal industry, encourage businesses to invest in each others markets, and enhance collaboration in areas such as science and technology, green economy, innovation, digital transformation, and green energy. VNA/VNS HA NOI The National Assembly (NA) on November 21 approved the Law on amendments and supplements to a number of articles of the Law on Pharmacy, with 426 deputies present at the session voting in favour, accounting for 88.94 per cent of the total number of NA deputies. Among the amendments, the revised law introduces changes to Article 56 of the current law concerning the authority, documentation, procedures, and timelines for issuing, renewing, amending, or supplementing licenses for drug registration and raw materials serving drug production. Specifically, the validity period for drug registration licenses is set at five years from the date of issuance or renewal, except in certain cases. For drugs requiring ongoing safety and efficacy monitoring, the validity period is three years. Earlier, Nguyen Thuy Anh, Chairwoman of the NA Committee for Social Affairs, presented a report on the draft of the freshly adopted law. She stated that in response to feedback from deputies, the NA Standing Committee directed the inclusion of provisions to control the number of registration licenses for drugs with identical active ingredients and raw materials, aligning with socioeconomic conditions over time as well as to prioritise investment in IT infrastructure and digital transformation in pharmaceutical activities. Regarding preferential policies and investment support in the pharmaceutical industry, based on the majority opinion of deputies, the NA Standing Committee agreed with the Governments proposal to apply special investment incentives for new projects in the pharmaceutical field with a total investment capital of at least VN3 trillion (US$118.02 million). These projects must disburse a minimum of VN1 trillion within three years from the date of investment registration certificate issuance or investment policy approval. On drug price management, the NA Standing Committee reviewed and concurred with the Governments proposal to implement measures for publishing projected wholesale prices for prescription drugs. VNS PHNOM PENH National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Cambodia's National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary on Thursday held official talks in Phnom Penh, underscoring the importance of solidarity ties in a complex and changing world. Cambodia's top legislator warmly welcomed and sincerely thanked Chairman Man for his official visit to Cambodia, his participation in the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP), and the inauguration ceremony of the Cambodian National Assembly's new administrative building a valuable gift from the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam to the Cambodian National Assembly. NA President Khuon Sudary emphasised that Chairman Man's presence, along with a high-ranking delegation from Viet Nam, reflects the importance attached to the friendly and neighbourly relations between the two nations, characterised by mutual trust, close brotherhood, and a long-term strategic partnership. NA President Khuon Sudary extended warm greetings to Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and other Vietnamese leaders, as well as to the people of Viet Nam. Chairman Man noted this is his first official trip to Cambodia as Viet Nam's top legislator, aimed at implementing agreements between the two countries leaderships and building upon the outcomes of Vietnamese President To Lams visit to Cambodia, and conveying the Vietnamese leaders' well-wishes to Cambodian leaders. The two leaders shared updates on socio-economic developments in their countries and engaged in substantive discussions on measures to strengthen cooperative relations between the two nations and their legislatures in the future. Chairman Man highlighted Viet Nam's aspiration to foster closer ties with Cambodia in Viet Nam's rising era, for the mutual benefit of both peoples. He reaffirmed the consistent policy of Viet Nam's Party and State that prioritises the consolidation of the traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and sustainable long-term partnership with Cambodia, for the benefits of the two peoples, and for peace, stability and development in the region and in the world. Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the robust development of bilateral relations across various sectors. Cooperation in the defence and security sectors remains an important pillar of the Viet Nam-Cambodia relationship, contributing to political stability and socio-economic development in both nations. NA President Khuon Sudary congratulated Viet Nam on its achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and expressed appreciation for Viet Nam's vision of a new era of development. She underscored that Viet Nam's success also benefits Cambodia, as the two nations share intertwined destinies, contributing to the stability of the Mekong region. In the context of globalisation and political and economic upheavals, the two sides said only solidarity and strengthened cooperation can help the two countries overcome difficulties and challenges. Bilateral relations not only bring about economic benefits but also contribute to the prosperity of the Southeast Asian region and elevating the two countries' status in the world arena. They emphasised the need to continue exchange experiences and lessons in areas of mutual concerns, especially in institution building, perfecting the legal system, supreme supervision and decision-making in each country's important issues. The two leaders agreed on the importance of fostering collaboration between the two legislators, building on the existing good cooperative mechanisms both bilaterally and multilaterally, especially among young parliamentarians and female parliamentarians. The two also stressed promoting mutual support at multilateral forums. Chairman Man called on Cambodia to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses and the Vietnamese diaspora in Cambodia to thrive, contributing to both countries' socio-economic development, as well as facilitate the building of a border of peace, friendship, and development. The two sides shared confidence that the outcomes of the talks would strengthen the traditional friendship and enhance cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia, particularly between their legislative bodies, in alignment with the aspirations and interests of their peoples. VNS PHNOM PENH Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man and President of the Cambodian NA Samdech Khuon Sudary co-chaired the inauguration ceremony of the Cambodian NA's administrative building in Phnom Penh on Thursday. The project symbolises the solidarity and traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Cambodia, a gift from the Party, State, and people of Vietnam to the Party, State, and people of Cambodia on the occasion of the state visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia by the late General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in July 2017. The construction of the building commenced in December 2021. Man emphasised that this event was a shared joy for the two NAs and people of the two countries. He stressed that Viet Nam and Cambodia are close neighbours with a long-standing and traditional relationship, nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, and has become an invaluable shared asset of the two nations. The relations between the two NAs have developed well on both bilateral and multilateral aspects, especially after they signed and implemented the Cooperation Agreement in 2022, contributing positively to the development of the bilateral relations. On this occasion, on behalf of the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam, Man expressed his gratitude to the Cambodian NA, President of the NA Khuon Sudary, and agencies of the two countries for their close and effective coordination in the design, construction, and completion of the building, meeting the technical and architectural standards. The construction units, engineers, and construction workers have contributed their efforts, dedication, and brainpower, and worked day and night without fear of difficulties to inaugurate and put the building into use soon. Man stressed that the inauguration and early operation and effective use of the building will support the Cambodian NA in better performing its functions and tasks of representing the will and aspirations of the people, contributing to building a more prosperous Cambodia. He hoped that the relations between the two countries and the two legislatures would be constantly consolidated and developed comprehensively and sustainably. For her part, Khuon Sudary expressed her deepest gratitude to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for their support and assistance in the construction of the Cambodian NA's administrative building. She affirmed that this is a symbol of the close-knit, sustainable and long-lasting friendship and solidarity between Cambodia and Viet Nam, which has existed for a long time and is also practical evidence of the spirit of "good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-lasting sustainability" of the two countries. Khuon Sudary said that this new administrative building has supplemented and met the practical needs of the Cambodian NA, especially contributing to the need for administrative reform and human resource development. After nearly 36 months of construction, in November 2024, the Cambodian NA's administrative building was completed and officially handed over to the functional units for management and use. The project has 12 storeys and two basements for parking. VNA/VNS KUALA LUMPUR Rear Admiral Nguyen inh Hung, Deputy Commander of the Viet Nam People's Navy, paid a courtesy call on Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain, Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy, in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Hung, who is accompanying Party General Secretary To Lam on an official visit to Malaysia, congratulated Zulhelmy on his recent appointment as the Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy in September 2024. He expressed his hope that, in his new position, Zulhelmy will continue to lead the Royal Malaysian Navy towards further development and contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. Hung took this occasion to convey the congratulations from Rear Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, Commander of the Viet Nam People's Navy, to Zulhelmy. Hung noted that, after more than 50 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Malaysia and nearly 10 years of bilateral strategic partnership, the relationship between the two countries has been continually strengthened and developed, becoming deeper and more substantive across all areas. Particularly, Viet Nam and Malaysia are neighbouring coastal nations with many similarities in history and culture, both members of the "common roof" of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he said. Along with the robust development of the bilateral relations, cooperation between the two armies, and particularly the two navies, has consistently been reinforced and enhanced, with many positive results in recent years, he noted. He said that the Navy Chiefs of both countries have maintained regular contact through visits, talks, and informal meetings, adding that the two sides have established, maintained, and effectively utilised a bilateral naval consultation mechanism, regularly sending delegations and ships to participate in multilateral activities hosted by either party, providing mutual support in hydrographic cooperation, and assisting in the training of command officers for the Viet Nam Peoples Navy. For his part, Zulhelmy took this occasion to invite Vice Admiral Nghiem, leader of Vietnamese navy, to pay an official visit to Malaysia soon. Regarding bilateral naval cooperation, Zulhelmy affirmed Malaysia's readiness to strengthen and enhance the cooperative relationship in the future, including welcoming Vietnamese naval vessels to visit Malaysia. As Malaysia prepares to assume the rotating ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Zulhelmy expressed his hope for Viet Nam's support in ensuring Malaysia's successful chairmanship, particularly in strengthening and expanding cooperation between the two navies. He also invited the Viet Nam side to send a delegation to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), which Malaysia hosts biennially. To further enhance naval cooperation, the two sides agreed to continue discussions on establishing a joint maritime patrol mechanism and a communication channel between their navies. This aims to maintain peace and stability in adjacent maritime areas and effectively address non-traditional security challenges. Both sides also committed to promptly sharing information and coordinating to resolve incidents involving fishing vessels and fishermen of either country violating each other's territorial waters, aiming to prevent and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. At the meeting, Hung signed the Royal Malaysian Navy's guestbook and exchanged symbols of the two navies. VNA/VNS SANTO DOMINGO Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation attended the inauguration of the upgraded President Ho Chi Minh Statue and laid a wreath at the statue in Santo Domingo on the morning of November 21 (local time) as part of the PMs official visit to the Dominican Republic. Also present at the event were Miguel Mejia, General Secretary of the United Left Movement (MIU) Party, Santo Domingo Mayor Dio Astacio, as well as ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from various countries. The statue is located in Ho Chi Minh Square in the centre of the city, alongside those of other world-renowned figures such as Cuban national hero Jose Marti, famous Cuban-Dominican general Maximo Gomez y Baez, Dominican revolutionary Maximiliano Gomez Horacio, and former South African president Nelson Mandela. The square and statue of President Ho Chi Minh were built in 2013 with contributions from the administration of Santo Domingo, the MIU, and local residents to highlight the indomitable spirit, humane values, and moral example set by Ho Chi Minh, who heroically fought for the independence and freedom of the Vietnamese people. It also honours his contributions to the struggles for national liberation by the people of Viet Nam, Latin America, and the world. The inauguration ceremony was held solemnly, featuring the national anthems of both the Dominican Republic and Viet Nam. In his speech, Mayor Dio Astacio highlighted President Ho Chi Minh as a figure who transcended all ideological boundaries, citing his famous quote "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom," which resonates in all oppressed nations around the globe. The mayor emphasised that Viet Nam, with its rich culture and history, has demonstrated its strength and resolve throughout its history. He noted that the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Statue in Santo Domingo is a recognition of the late leader's immense contributions, symbolising the strong bond between the Vietnamese and Dominican people built on mutual respect and a shared aspiration for development. Recalling the relationship between the two nations, which was founded by President Ho Chi Minh and the Dominican Republic's President Juan Bosch, General Secretary of the United Left Movement (MIU) Party Miguel Mejia said that, since the inauguration of the Ho Chi Minh Square and Statue, members of the movement and Vietnamese delegations have visited to pay homage to the late leader. Mejia described PM Chinh's visit to the Dominican Republic as a trip of historical significance, continuing and marking an important milestone that opens a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries. Laying a wreath at the statue, PM Chinh expressed deep emotion when witnessing the profound affection of the Dominican people for President Ho Chi Minh, a hero of national liberation and a great man of culture. He noted that the Ho Chi Minh Statue in Santo Domingo, along with the Statue of Professor Juan Bosch in Ha Noi, serves as a symbol of the long-standing solidarity, friendship, and shared bonds between the two nations. They are also significant landmarks for educating future generations about the traditional relationship between the two nations and destinations for visitors to pay tribute to and honour the late leaders of the two countries. On behalf of the Party, Government, and people of Viet Nam, PM Chinh sincerely thanked Mejia, the leadership of the MIU Party, and Dominican friends for their friendship and active contributions to Viet Nam and the relationship between the two countries, two Parties, and peoples over the years. PM Chinh expressed his admiration for the Dominican Republic's struggle for independence. He highlighted the cultural and historical similarities between the two nations and noted that his visit, the first high-level trip in nearly 20 years of diplomatic relations, will bring the bilateral relationship to a new phase of growth. Accordingly, the friendship and political relations will be strengthened and cooperation in various potential sectors will be expanded. The PM affirmed Viet Nam's deep appreciation for the solidarity, support, and assistance extended by the Dominican people during the country's struggle for national liberation and unification in the past, as well as in its current process of national construction and development. PM Chinh commended the collaboration and invaluable support from the Dominican Republics United Left Movement Party and Dominican friends in organising the restoration and inauguration of the upgraded Ho Chi Minh Statue. He expressed his confidence that Dominican friends will continue to preserve and promote the special significance of this meaningful symbol, as Viet Nam cherishes and upholds the value of the Statue of Professor Juan Bosch in Ha Noi. VNS PHNOM PENH President of the Cambodian National Assembly (NA) Samdech Khuon Sudary, on behalf of the State of Cambodia, awarded the Royal Order of Sahametrei (The Grand Cross), the highest honour that Cambodia bestows upon foreigners, to Chairman of the Vietnamese NA Tran Thanh Man on November 21. In his remarks at the ceremony, First Vice President of the Cambodian NA Cheam Yeap said that Cambodia and Viet Nam have built a good and special friendship, adding that this is a factor that has created effective cooperation, bringing substantial and tangible benefits to both nations. The Cambodian Kings decision to award the Royal Order of Sahametrei to Man is a testament to the noble friendship between the two nations, he noted. For his part, the top Vietnamese legislator underscored that the order is not just his personal honour but also an acknowledgment of the contributions of the Vietnamese National Assembly and generations of Vietnamese leaders to strengthening the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between Viet Nam and Cambodia, for the benefit of their people, and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. "The Party, State, National Assembly, Government, and people of Viet Nam attach special importance to fostering the relations with Cambodia," he stressed. He expressed his delight at the positive development of the partnership between the two legislative bodies, elaborating that it has become increasingly intensive and effective, contributing practically to the consolidation and enhancement of the enduring solidarity and friendship between Viet Nam and Cambodia. Man reaffirmed Viet Nams unwavering solidarity and strong support for Cambodias development, expressing his hope that Cambodia will continue to achieve greater and more comprehensive milestones in its nation-building efforts. He emphasised that Viet Nam considers Cambodias achievements a source of great encouragement for and also those of Viet Nam. Expressing his honour to receive the prestigious award from Cambodia, the Vietnamese NA Chairman pledged to continue working hard to strengthen and promote the special friendship and solidarity between the Parties, States, National Assemblies, and people of the two countries. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Health has set a target to establish a national monitoring system for antibiotic use and consumption in humans by 2025. This initiative is part of Viet Nam's intensified efforts to curb the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance and to prevent the spread of drug-resistant microorganisms and infectious diseases. The plan, detailed in Decision 3465/Q-BYT issued in 2024, is part of the MoHs action plan on antimicrobial resistance prevention and control in the period of 2024-2025. Signed by Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, the plan outlines specific measures aimed at addressing the alarming increase in antimicrobial resistance cases in Viet Nam. According to the MoH, superbugs resistant to nearly all antibiotics have emerged globally, driven by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals and agriculture, alongside limited access to clean water and sanitation. In Viet Nam, the antimicrobial resistance situation remains a significant challenge, demanding concerted efforts from all sectors of society. The plan outlines four key strategic goals to address antimicrobial resistance. The first goal aims to improve awareness among local authorities, healthcare professionals and the public. By 2025, all centrally-managed cities and provinces are expected to develop and fund antimicrobial resistance prevention plans for 2023-2030. At least 50 per cent of adults and mothers and 60 per cent of healthcare workers will possess accurate knowledge about antimicrobial resistance prevention. The second goal focuses on enhancing systems for monitoring antimicrobial resistance trends and detecting resistant microorganisms. By 2025, half of MoH-managed hospitals and at least one hospital per province will join the antimicrobial resistance surveillance network. Furthermore, the capacity of three national reference laboratories will be upgraded, surveillance activities will expand to community settings and 90 per cent of personnel in the surveillance system will receive specialised training. The plan targets the adoption of infection control measures in hospitals to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance. By 2025, 40 per cent of hospitals (excluding district hospitals) are expected to establish antimicrobial resistance control plans. Additionally, at least 40 per cent of ministry and province-level hospitals and 15 per cent of district hospitals will implement microbiological diagnostic and antimicrobial resistance surveillance techniques. By 2025, the MoH aims for 30 per cent of hospitals to implement antimicrobial stewardship programmes and to establish a national surveillance system for monitoring antibiotic use and consumption. These goals collectively aim to build a robust framework for combating antimicrobial resistance and ensuring sustainable healthcare practices. The MoH emphasised that fighting antimicrobial resistance requires the participation of all sectors, including local governments, health authorities and the public. The measures laid out in the action plan not only aim to mitigate the antimicrobial resistance crisis, but also to ensure sustainable and responsible healthcare practices in Viet Nam. VNS HA NOI The celebration of World Children's Day in Viet Nam on Wednesday was marked by a message from UNICEF and partners calling for starker action in dealing with the climate crisis, to protect the environment for every child in the future. Climate action is also a key theme in UNICEF's annual State of the World's Children report, which was also released on Wednesday. One of the countries particularly exposed to climate change risks, climate-related disasters in Viet Nam have left disproportionate effects on children. These disasters have become a harsh reality for millions of children and their families and resulted in disruptions to essential healthcare, nutrition, education and social and child protection services - harming childrens ability to survive, thrive and develop to their full potential. The conference comes two months after the devastating Typhoon Yagi devastated large parts of northern Viet Nam, leaving more than 318 people dead and injured more than 2,000, with countless homes and schools, as well as health facilities and critical infrastructure destroyed or severely damaged. Typhoon Yagi drove home the truth that climate change is devastating communities," said Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam. "This isnt the next generations problem, its already ours. Collectively we must do everything we can to protect children and their families from climate change and the devastation it leaves in its wake. Every child has the right to a safe and liveable future. Marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) annually on 20 November, this years theme for Viet Nam is aligned with CRC General Comment No. 26, adopted by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2023, which emphasises childrens right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as vital to their overall well-being. Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: "Viet Nam is at a critical juncture in addressing the increasing impacts of climate change on its youngest citizens. The government remains persistent in its commitment to advancing policies and partnerships that protect children from climate-related risks, while also promoting sustainable development. "Through collective, tireless efforts, we have the capacity to convert adversities like Typhoon Yagi into catalysts for progressive development. This approach guarantees that every child can look forward to a future that is not only safe and healthy but also filled with potential." To highlight the importance of strengthening the climate resilience of communities and finding long-term solutions, the Young Voices for Climate Action event took place today in Ha Noi to promote collective climate action and empower children to be at the heart of Viet Nams climate response. In his remarks, Ito Naoki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Viet Nam underscored the collaborative efforts between the Japanese and Vietnamese governments on various disaster management initiatives. Naoki also highlighted the assistance being extended through UNICEF, targeting children, a group highly vulnerable to the impacts of the disaster. The Japanese government intends to continue to contribute to disaster risk reduction for vulnerable children in the field of climate change in Viet Nam, for example, through the horizontal development of disaster drills focused on children, and by supporting the reconstruction of primary schools and evacuation centers damaged by the recent typhoon, Naoki said. The report 'State of the Worlds Children 2024: The Future of Childhood in a Changing World' warns that the future of childhood hangs in the balance unless urgent action is taken to safeguard childrens rights in a changing world. It forecasts that three major megatrends climate and environmental crises, demographic change and breakthrough technologies will impact childrens lives by 2050 and beyond. In response, the report underscores the importance of placing child rights, as outlined in the CRC, in all strategies, policies and actions. It calls for investing in education, services, and sustainable and resilient cities for children, expanding climate resilience in infrastructure, technology, essential services and social support systems as well as delivering connectivity and safe technology designs for all children. VNS VIENTIANE Laos and other ASEAN member countries are enhancing ASEAN defence cooperation and addressing existing and future security challenges. The enhancement of cooperation and unity among ASEAN Member States aligns with the theme of the 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting which took place in Vientiane on Wednesday: ASEAN: Together for Peace, Security and Resilience. Closer cooperation between ASEAN countries was the main topic of discussion by ASEAN defence ministers, who convened at the National Convention Centre. Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Chansamone Chanyalath, and other ASEAN delegates participated in the meeting. General Chansamone said: We note that regional and global situations are posing complexity and unpredictability, threats and challenges to peace, security, cooperation and socio-economic development in the region and the world as a whole. These include traditional and non-traditional threats and challenges, particularly geo-political shifts, major power rivalry, arms race, and natural disasters. Against this backdrop, we need to continue discussing and navigating ways to ensure that our region is resilient and responsive to emerging threats and challenges. At the same time, ASEAN member states need to work closely with one another to maintain unity and ASEAN centrality as a driving force for external cooperation, and take appropriate measures to handle security challenges. General Chansamone said the meeting had reached consensus on its intended objectives, which are vitally important for the future of the ASEAN Political and Security Community. Participants agreed to adopt the ADMM-Plus Experts Working Groups Observership Protocol, A Future Ready ADMM and ADMM-Plus: A Strategy Paper, Vientiane Joint Declaration of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting for ASEAN: Together for Peace, Security and Resilience, and other related documents and issues. These will contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability, security and resilience in the region and beyond. On behalf of the Ministry of National Defence, I would like to express my sincere thanks to you all for your contribution to the success of this meeting as well as the enhancement of cooperation and unity among ASEAN Member States, which aligns with the theme of the 18th ADMM: ASEAN: Together for Peace, Security and Resilience, General Chansamone said. Vientiane Times/ANN Elon Musk outlined plans Wednesday for his new role as "efficiency" czar -- signaling an assault on federal spending and staffing that would be backed by President-elect Donald Trump's executive powers and a conservative Supreme Court. In the Wall Street Journal, the world's richest man said he was taking aim at hundreds of billions of dollars in government spending -- including funding for public broadcasting and abortion rights group Planned Parenthood -- as well as at bureaucracy that represents an "existential threat" to US democracy. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said that he, along with fellow businessman and Trump loyalist Vivek Ramaswamy, 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," Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in their most detailed remarks since Trump named them heads of a new Department of Government Efficiency. Musk said DOGE -- a nod to Musk's support for a cryptocurrency -- will prepare a list of regulations issued by government agencies without Congress approval, which Trump could then invalidate by executive order. "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 authorized by Congress," Musk said. He added that a reduction in regulations would pave the way for "mass head-count reductions across the federal bureaucracy," and said DOGE would aim to cut more than $500 billion in government expenditures. "With a decisive electoral mandate and a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, DOGE has a historic opportunity for structural reductions in the federal government," Musk said. Why is it vital for commercial banks to implement environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria? Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, deputy head of the Steering Committee for Environmental, Social, and Governance at Agribank The adoption of ESG practices is increasingly essential for commercial banks to thrive in a sustainable and competitive environment. It enables a bank to build a strong reputation with key stakeholders, including governments, regulatory bodies, customers, partners, employees, and communities. This not only enhances brand positioning and trust but also translates into increased sales and the ability to scale operations sustainably. International credit rating agencies now assess banks on their ESG implementation to evaluate risks. These assessments provide a valuable reference for investors, fund managers, and other stakeholders, helping them compare companies, assess risk levels, and make informed decisions. Integrating such policy into the management process thus enhances a banks reputation and competitiveness. Sustainable development also allows banks to seize new growth opportunities by fostering the development of innovative products and services. These include green credit, green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and carbon credits, which align with emerging economic and environmental trends. This adaptability allows banks to create unique products and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Another crucial aspect is improving risk management. By identifying ESG-related risks, banks can proactively address factors that could negatively impact their portfolios, partners, or brand reputation. Such risks, whether present now or emerging in the future, could significantly disrupt a banks financial system. How does Agribank incorporate ESG into operations? Agribank integrates green principles into its operations in compliance with the governments regulations and guidelines set by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV). To institutionalise these efforts, Agribank has established a steering committee and working group, which oversee the banks implementation plan. However, Agribank faces unique challenges in adopting ESG, given its primary focus on the agricultural sector. Agriculture is among the sectors most vulnerable to climate change and is associated with intensive use of resources like water, fertilisers, and chemicals. Moreover, many of its customers operate in areas affected by deforestation, compounding environmental concerns. The absence of a clear legal framework for ESG implementation further adds to these challenges. Despite these difficulties, Agribank has achieved notable progress in its ESG journey. These accomplishments stem from the concerted efforts of the board and employees across its network, supported by the government, the SBV, and international financial institutions. Notably, Moodys has assigned Agribank an ESG Credit Impact Score of CIS 2, the highest among Vietnamese commercial banks. This rating is competitive globally for banks with comparable credit ratings, underscoring Agribanks strong commitment to green principles. There is now guidance for resource-saving activities What are the key solutions driving ESG implementation at Agribank? Agribank has employed a multipronged approach to effectively integrate ESG into its operations while addressing obstacles. The bank has developed mechanisms, policies, and organisational structures to promote green banking. In this context, it has also introduced policies on sustainable development, a green finance framework, and social finance guidelines, which underpin its commitment to ESG principles. To support these initiatives, the bank has refined its organisational structure, assigning clear functions and responsibilities to relevant units and establishing a dedicated department for sustainable development. Agribank has also aligned its credit activities with international standards, prioritising sectors that align with ESG principles. This includes creating a list of sectors that face restrictions or are excluded from receiving credit. Agribank remains committed to financial inclusion and focuses on providing capital for agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, with a significant proportion of its total loans about 65-70 per cent allocated to these sectors. This commitment is further supported by mobile transaction units and group lending mechanisms to enhance access to finance. To improve operational efficiency, Agribank is upgrading its IT systems to support green banking and implementing a comprehensive environmental and social risk management framework. This framework includes internal guidance for managing related risks in credit activities, as well as tools to measure energy, water, and paper consumption, ensuring that resource-saving practices are embedded across the organisation. Agribank boasts tools to measure energy and paper consumption How does Agribank promote ESG awareness among stakeholders? Raising awareness and fostering ESG adoption among employees, customers, and stakeholders is a key focus for Agribank. The bank has developed a suite of green financial products and services to meet sustainability standards. It also formulates preferential policies to encourage lending to environmentally friendly projects and business plans. These efforts align with Agribanks broader business strategies and its aim to support small businesses, cooperatives, and women-led enterprises. Agribank leverages digital technology to promote non-cash payments and environmentally friendly financial habits among consumers. It also integrates insights from international best practices, staying updated on Vietnams commitments to green growth, sustainable development, and climate change response. These efforts are complemented by proactive measures to draw in foreign funding for green projects and issue green bonds. Social sustainability is another key priority. Agribank ensures fair and equitable policies for its employees, while encouraging them to participate in community activities and support disadvantaged groups. Efforts to protect consumer rights and promote financial literacy further strengthen its social impact. To instil green values throughout its organisation, Agribank invests in communication and training initiatives. Employees are educated on the importance of ESG practices, with a focus on green banking, environmental and social risk management, and the benefits of sustainable products and services. Simultaneously, customers are informed about Agribanks green banking offerings, encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly habits. In addition to internal initiatives, Agribank actively discloses its ESG performance to external stakeholders. The bank has begun producing independently audited sustainable development reports. It works with consulting organisations to develop ESG policies, measure criteria, and ensure compliance with international reporting standards. VIR hosts 'ESG in Banking: Leading Through Implementation' conference Vietnam Investment Review organised the conference themed "ESG in Banking: Leading Through Implementation" at the Pullman Hotel, Hanoi on November 19. ESG implementation in banking: from awareness to action Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Dao Minh Tu emphasised that increasing ESG implementations requires financial institutions to consistently comply with evolving regulations, demonstrating environmental and social responsibility while enhancing their credibility and transparency. Banking sector contributes to ESG, green growth, and sustainable development The banking sector has positioned itself as a pioneer in greening investment capital and enhancing social responsibility to achieve green growth and sustainable development goals. The 22-year strategic partnership marks an important milestone in promoting sustainable energy solutions in the retail sector and strengthens GreenYellow's position as a key energy partner for top retailers in Vietnam. The French company founded in 2007, has been a major player in the energy transition in France and internationally for 17 years. As part of the agreement, GreenYellow Vietnam will commission rooftop solar power plant of four LOTTE Mart stores, supporting the retailer's commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. This solar project, with an installed capacity of 2.66MWp, will produce 3,600GWh of clean, local energy in the first year, avoiding the emission of 2,436 tonnes of CO 2 each year. The collaboration follows GreenYellow Vietnam's successful partnerships with prominent retailers, including Mega Market and GO Mall, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted energy partner. "Through our recent partnership with LOTTE Mart, a leading Korean retailer, GreenYellow consolidates its position as a key energy partner in the retail sector in Vietnam, and reinforces its commitment to sustainability and innovation alongside the top names in the industry," says Yoan Guyon, chief commercial officer of GreenYellow Vietnam. In a recent statement, Nguyen Tat Tu Linh, business development manager of this project, expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration, "This partnership marks a turning point, and we are confident in its potential to pave the way for new synergies. Together, we aspire to create sustainable value that supports the growth of both our organisations. This commitment reflects our commitment to nurturing strong relationships and promoting shared success." Present in Vietnam since 2008 with the opening of LOTTE Mart Nam Sai Gon, LOTTE Mart has risen to the top 10 most reputable retailers in 2024, according to Vietnam Report. This partnership reflects its commitment to integrating sustainable practices into its operations, aims to improve its energy efficiency and promote a greener future through solar energy. The installation of rooftop solar systems will allow LOTTE Mart to achieve significant energy savings, with both economic and environmental benefits. Once completed, the project will generate 3.6GWh of clean energy annually, equivalent to the annual consumption of 600 average Vietnamese households, consisting of four people and each consuming about 6MWh. As an expert in decentralised solar photovoltaic production, energy efficiency projects, energy services and electric mobility, GreenYellow supports its customers throughout the value chain. The group is responsible for the development, financing and operation of infrastructure projects enabling them to produce green, local and competitive energy, reduce their energy consumption and thus accelerate their decarbonisation. GreenYellow investing in New Wing's rooftop solar power system GreenYellow, a French energy management company, has signed a deal to invest in a rooftop solar power project for New Wing Interconnect Technology Co., Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of Foxconn Group. Green goals can be achieved with collective focus The Asian Development Bank and GreenYellow Smart Solutions Vietnam last week inked a $13.8 million loan agreement for rooftop photovoltaic solar systems. Sebastien Prioux, CEO of GreenYellow Vietnam and Cambodia, talked to VIRs Nguyen Thu about the companys goals in the Vietnamese market and what it expects from upcoming policy. According to data from The ASEAN GenAI Startup Report published by GenAI Fund in mid-October, the startup landscape in Southeast Asia is seeing a notable up tick in funding despite the global 'startup winter'. While ASEANs overall startup funding hit a five-year low in the first quarter of the year, raising just $1.4 billion across 177 rounds, GenAI startups in the region have shown resilience, with two-thirds of emerging startups securing early-stage funding. Of the top 10 funded GenAI startups in Southeast Asia, seven are based in Singapore, one in the Philippines, and two in Vietnam. This trend aligns with the broader ASEAN startup growth pattern, as Vietnam ranks as the regions second-fastest-growing market for GenAI startups at 27 per cent, following Singapore at 44 per cent. Photo: vir.com.vn The report, which surveyed over 700 startups across Southeast Asia, supports this momentum. The growth in Vietnamese GenAI startups is expected to accelerate over the next 18 months, amid suggestions that Vietnam could become a key hub for the nascent technology. It predicts that Vietnams share of the ASEAN GenAI startup market will increase from 27 per cent to 35 per cent as local startups expand their capabilities. Vietnamese startups are demonstrating how tailored, localised solutions are allowing Vietnamese GenAI startups to draw in significant investment. AI Hay, a tech startup based in Ho Chi Minh City, was selected by Amazon Web Services (AWS) in September for the AWS Global Generative AI Accelerator programme, aimed at promoting innovation among startups developing GenAI applications. Priya Lakshmi, head of Startup Business Development for ASEAN at AWS, said, "We selected three Southeast Asian startups, including one from Vietnam, to participate in this accelerator. This choice underscores the quality and potential of startups in this region. Our selection process focused on not only the innovative use of AI, but also the foundational strength of the teams and their ability to deliver real value to customers." While advanced models from large corporations focus on broad, general-purpose applications, AI Hay has taken a different approach by developing highly localised use cases tailored to the needs of Vietnamese users. By focusing on specific use cases that resonate with its target audience, AI Hay has identified high-demand applications in academic assistance and real-time updates. Nguyen Tho Chuong, AI director at AI Hay, told VIR, "The core value lies in addressing specific use cases tailored for Vietnamese users. Through focused experimentation, weve developed key applications in high-demand areas, such as academic support and current event updates. This approach enables us to deliver specialised solutions that meet daily needs." Similarly, Reforged Labs has leveraged its niche focus to secure growth opportunities. The company provides a GenAI workspace tailored for game marketers, allowing them to benefit from AI capabilities in a sector that relies heavily on creativity and performance. In August, Reforged Labs raised $3.9 million in seed funding from global venture capital firms and angel investors to support it in advancing its AI technology and refining its creative and performance models. Another standout GenAI startup in Vietnam is Vbee, which gained recognition for its innovative solutions. In August, Vbee's conversational AI platform, developed by Vbee Data Services and Solutions JSC, won first prize at the 2024 Qualcomm Innovation Challenge. The accolade has since opened doors for Vbee to connect with Qualcomms partner network, expanding its potential for growth and collaboration. While the outlook for investment in GenAI startups in Vietnam is promising, experts warn that challenges remain. Speaking with VIR, Denning Tan, partner at GenAI Fund, said, "Vietnam has a skilled workforce, but as GenAI evolves, the advantage of technical expertise is diminishing. With AI code generators now allowing code to be created through natural language programming, Vietnamese GenAI startups will need to upskill their workforce to stay competitive, or risk losing their edge in coding expertise." Recognising these challenges, the Vietnamese government is collaborating with major tech firms to support startup growth. In July, the National Innovation Centre (under the Ministry of Planning and Investment) partnered with Google to launch the Google for Startups Accelerator scheme, which aims to strengthen talent and networking opportunities for Vietnamese startups by providing valuable tools and mentorship. The programme includes the 'Google AI Startups Masterclass', an eight-week online course offering entrepreneurial skills, and the 'Google for Startups Accelerator Southeast Asia: Vietnam, AI-focused' initiative. This accelerator helps Vietnamese AI startups to grow and scale by connecting them with Google experts. Additionally, the Google Startup AI Space enables startups to rapidly create prototypes and commercialise their applications, enhancing Vietnams competitiveness in the regional GenAI landscape. How should Vietnamese companies prepare for the effects of climate change? Typhoon Yagi in September underscored the urgent need for businesses to treat climate-induced risks as a critical operational concern. Companies must remain vigilant against the unpredictable impacts of climate-driven natural disasters. To mitigate these risks, businesses should consider a range of strategies. Pham Nguyen Vinh, corporate development director at Dragon Capital Conducting climate risk assessments is a vital first step. Following the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures enables companies to identify and evaluate the risks posed by climate change to their operations. The framework provides guidance on governance, strategy, risk management, metrics, and targets, helping businesses enhance their resilience. Reviewing insurance policies is also crucial. Insurers already account for climate risks in premiums for regions exposed to extreme weather events. Companies should ensure their policies adequately protect assets and minimise financial losses in high-risk areas. Having a comprehensive emergency response plan is essential. Businesses must establish robust protocols for asset protection, worker safety, and post-disaster recovery. For example, factories in the northern port city of Haiphong, heavily impacted by the typhoon, could benefit from investing in higher building standards to withstand extreme weather. Strengthening infrastructure to withstand severe weather also plays a critical role in reducing long-term impacts and ensuring operational stability. By proactively addressing climate risks, businesses can safeguard sustainable operations in an increasingly challenging environment. What initiatives can help businesses manage emissions and build a carbon market? Encouraging Vietnamese companies to track greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and work towards establishing a carbon market requires initiatives that focus on standardisation, incentives, and technical support. Standardising procedures is essential for consistency across sectors. Clear guidelines on measurement criteria, monitoring systems, and data collection methods ensure that businesses report their emissions accurately. Providing tailored advice for each sector on appropriate technologies and emissions reduction methods further facilitates implementation. Unified reporting standards also enhance clarity. For instance, the handbook on GHG emissions reporting, launched by the State Securities Commission and the International Finance Corporation in August 2023, offers practical guidance for businesses. Developing financial incentives and technical support is another important step. Incentives such as tax reductions or preferential loans for green projects within the green taxonomy, as well as subsidies for emissions inventory and reduction investments, can ease the transition for businesses. Equipping companies with specialised expertise is equally vital. Training programmes and technical tools offered by the government and investment organisations help businesses develop carbon management skills, reduce compliance costs, and transition to low-emission operations. What regulatory requirements impact Vietnamese businesses in emission reduction? Globally, at least 29 countries now mandate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, with the EU leading efforts towards carbon neutrality by 2050. Over 40 countries require regular GHG emissions reporting, particularly for high-revenue companies. The EUs Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, issued in 2023, requires emissions reporting by 2025. Locally, several regulations are shaping corporate responsibilities in emissions reduction. Since last month, entities emitting over 3,000 tonnes of CO2e annually must conduct emissions inventories every two years. Starting in 2026, high-emission sectors such as energy, transport, and industrial production will be required to implement emissions reduction measures. Listed companies are mandated to include environmental and social impact reports in their annual disclosures, addressing both direct and indirect GHG emissions and reduction initiatives. Meanwhile, the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) aims to cut emissions by at least 55 per cent from 1990 levels by 2030. The mechanism, currently in its transitional phase, imposes carbon taxes on imports such as steel, cement, aluminium, and fertilisers. Although these exports represent a small portion of Vietnams trade, the CBAM significantly increases costs, reducing competitiveness in the EU market. To maintain EU market access, Vietnamese businesses must align with CBAMs transparency requirements. Companies should establish robust emissions tracking and reporting systems and streamline internal practices to reduce emissions across supply chains. Adopting green production processes and automation software for carbon management can further lower compliance costs, improve data accuracy, and meet regulatory demands. In addition to meeting these requirements, green production practices offer a competitive edge in markets where consumers value environmental sustainability. Full ESG adoption the priority for Agribank As sustainable development becomes a mandate for the banking industry, Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, deputy head of the Steering Committee for Environmental, Social, and Governance at Agribank, talked with VIRs Nhue Man on the importance of adopting ESG criteria. Standard Chartered committed to Vietnams financial success According to the International Monetary Funds World Economic Outlook Report in April this year, Vietnam is the only Southeast Asian representative in the top 10 countries with a forecast of 6.4 per cent growth from 2024 to 2029. The steering committee is chaired by Tran Sy Thanh, Chairman of Hanoi Peoples Committee, and includes 22 members, comprising city leaders and heads of various departments and agencies. The committee is tasked with devising and implementing comprehensive, effective plans to prevent the waste of public assets across all sectors of the city. The city has assigned the committee four major tasks, encompassing 23 specific issues requiring close review and execution. The objective is to resolve bottlenecks in land use, natural resource management, and off-budget investments while ensuring efficiency and cost-saving in public investment and state budget expenditures. Photo: Hanoi's People Committee The establishment of the steering committee highlights Hanois determination to lead the nation in preventing waste and optimising the management of public assets. The formation of the committee is in alignment with Hanois commitment to building a transparent, effective administration that prioritises community welfare and efficient public asset management. Following its establishment, the steering committee convened to assess the progress and challenges of the Phung Khoang Lake Park project, spanning Nam Tu Liem and Thanh Xuan districts, which has garnered public attention due to prolonged obstacles. Hanoi aims to start construction immediately and complete the project before the Lunar New Year 2025. At a meeting on October 30, Hanoi Peoples Committee addressed critical issues in significant projects, including 148 Giang Vo, Phap Van-Tu Hiep Student Housing, and Kim Quy Park. These efforts have accelerated project timelines, improved investment efficiency, and contributed to the socioeconomic development of the city. Chairman Tran Sy Thanh called for heightened accountability among residents, civil servants, and public officials in combating the waste of public assets. He stressed the need for collective efforts to unlock potential resources and generate tangible benefits for society. To facilitate public involvement, Hanoi Peoples Committee has introduced official channels for citizens to report instances of waste or inefficiency. Feedback can be submitted via the citys electronic information portal (https://hanoi.gov.vn) or the iHanoi application for Hanoi citizens. Hanoi sets sights on becoming innovation hub Hanoi is not only Vietnams political and economic centre but also a leader in science, technology, and innovation, both nationally and regionally. Hanoi sets dual path through green and digital transformation Green and digital transformation are becoming dual drivers of growth for Hanoi, paving the way for the citys modern and sustainable development. HDBank continued its streak of achievements with the Excellent Annual Report Award in the financial sector for the sixth consecutive year. This result comes from HDBank's continuous efforts in improving the quality of information disclosure, towards international standards such as the ASEAN CG Scorecard. Bui Hoang Hai, vice chairman of the State Securities Commission (right), presents the Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance (Large Cap) to HDBank. Photo: HDBank In the field of corporate governance, HDBank was honoured in the Excellence in Corporate Governance Award (Large Cap), and also won the Best Annual General Meeting of Shareholders Award (AGM) for the second consecutive year. HDBank has been at the forefront of adopting a flexible approach to AGMs, offering both online and in-person participation to maximise convenience and protect shareholder interests. This commitment to accessibility is especially significant given the 2024 Awards focuses on corporate governance criteria in line with the latest Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) standards, which now include a 40 per cent weighting for international best practices. The recognitions at VLCA 2024 are the result of HDBank's outstanding and sustainable operational efficiency. As of the end of the third quarter of 2024, HDBank posted profit before tax of VND12.7 trillion ($499.5 million), up 46.6 per cent over the same period. Total assets exceeded VND629 trillion ($24.7 billion), up 23.9 per cent. Total capital mobilisation hit VND559 trillion ($21.9 billion), a 24.8 per cent increase from the previous year. Total outstanding loans rose to VND412 trillion ($16.2 billion), up 16.6 per cent. The banks profitability ratios include a 26.7 per cent return on equity, 2.2 per cent return on assets, and a non-performing loan ratio of 1.46 per cent. Along with business activities, HDBank also takes the lead in activities for the community and the environment. In the first nine months of 2024, HDBank carried out many meaningful corporate social responsibility activities such as donating tens of thousands of health insurance cards to the poor; building houses of gratitude; supporting poor students; responding to the programme to eradicate temporary houses and run-down houses nationwide launched by the prime minister; deploying a preferential credit package of VND12 trillion ($472 million) for customers affected by Storm Yagi and activities to support people affected by floods in the northern provinces. The VLCA 2024, a prestigious annual event organised by HSX, HNX, and Vietnam Investment Review, attracted over 500 listed companies. The organising committee recognised HDBank for its excellent disclosure of information on risk management, non-performing loan assessment and control, and effective capital use. These three awards reflect HDBank's ongoing commitment to information transparency, compliance with advanced governance standards, and promotion of sustainable environmental, social, and governance practices. These efforts create value for shareholders, customers, and the community. HDBank posts outstanding business results in first half of 2024 HDBank held its Q2 investor conference on August 8, where it announced positive business results for the first half of the year. HDBank and Proparco credit financing tops $100 million HDBank has strengthened its existing collaboration with Proparco by securing a new credit facility of $50 million towards its sustainable development targets. In late October, Vingroup signed an MoU with Benya Technologies, representing a group of investors from the Middle East and Africa exploring investment opportunities in Vietnam. Plenty of investors have their eyes on various sectors up and down Vietnam Photo: Shutterstock The two sides will assess feasibility and develop plans for several projects, including a hyper-scale data centre and related technical, power, and water treatment infrastructure. The total investment is estimated at $3.5 billion. The hyper-scale data centre project will be developed in three phases, reaching an estimated capacity of 300MW, with the aim of meeting both domestic and international digital infrastructure needs and contributing to local social and economic development. Benya CEO and chairman Ahmed Mekky said, We are thrilled to partner with Vingroup to tap into the vast potential of the global big data and cloud computing markets. Vingroups reputation and strong execution capabilities give us great confidence in this partnership. We believe that this collaboration will not only benefit both companies but also contribute significantly to the development of the digital economy in Vietnam and the region, creating lasting value for society and the community. Also last month, South Korean conglomerate SK Group acquired Vietnam-based semiconductor company ISCvina Manufacturing in a deal worth $300 million. ISCVina was funded by ISC Co., Ltd, a South Korean microchip manufacturing group that serves as a supplier for many high-tech corporations. ISCvina is operating in Ba Thien 2 Industrial Park in the northern province of Vinh Phuc. Eric Johnson, partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, said there is certainly interest among certain investors in semiconductors and data centres, although he is not expecting a material uptick in cross border merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in these sectors in the near term. This is mainly because there are currently very few investable companies operating in these sectors in Vietnam. We might see some greenfield projects in this space, although energy limitations in some parts of the country and labour expertise will be issues here for the near term. I think we might see a sharp increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects given the results of the recent US election and the pro-LNG policies that we expect the new administration to adopt, he added. In March, for example, LNG terminals and downstream infrastructure company AG&P LNG, a subsidiary of Nebula Energy, acquired 49 per cent in Cai Mep LNG Terminal, located in Ba Ria- Vung Tau province in the south. Vietnams M&A activities are mainly concentrated in financial services, healthcare, real estate, and energy. FiinGroup identified financial services, healthcare, and energy as attractive industries for investors, collectively contributing 57 per cent of the total M&A value during the first nine months of 2024. Meanwhile, emerging sectors like semiconductors, data centres, and LNG are attracting the interest of buyers. In particular, Vietnams tech sector is on the radar of foreign investors, especially data centres. This increase in interest is mainly attributed to the new Law on Telecommunication 2023, which allows foreign investors to own up to 100 per cent of data centre companies. In late October, Singaporean telecoms provider M1 Limited agreed to acquire 70 per cent in ADG National Investment and Technology Development Corp, an IT solutions provider based in Vietnam. M1, through its wholly owned subsidiary AP Tech Holdings, will pay a total purchase consideration of VND720 billion ($28.4 million). Johnson of Freshfields added that these emerging sectors are linked to Vietnams strong economic growth and growing middle class, and to the supply chain shifts seen over the last several years, especially with respect to industrial real estate. These emerging sectors will develop slowly from an M&A context, but lots of investors have their eyes on these sectors in Vietnam at the moment, Johnson said. The momentum will remain driven by strong economic fundamentals, supply chain shifts that favour Vietnam, and continued improvement of investment procedures for foreign investors. Reform adds to strong M&A outlook The flow of capital from foreign investors into Vietnams real estate market has remained positive, with multiple transactions currently under negotiation. Seck Yee Chung, partner of Baker McKenzie Vietnam, discussed with VIRs Bich Ngoc on the markets outlook. Foreign investors step up M&A activities in Vietnam Vietnams merger and acquisition transactions are being driven by foreign investors across various sectors. Ngu Truong, managing partner of law firm Vilasia, spoke with VIRs Thy Nguyet about the current trends and tastes among investors. The government submitted a proposal to the National Assembly (NA) last week, seeking approval for the North-South high-speed railway project. The estimated cost of this ambitious venture is $67.34 billion, with construction expected to begin in late 2027 and conclude by 2035. Major railway requires debt considerations Spanning more than 1,540km, the railway will connect Ngoc Hoi station in Hanoi to Thu Thiem station in Ho Chi Minh City, passing through 20 provinces and cities. The system will be a double-track railway with electrified infrastructure, allowing for speeds of up to 350km per hour. While primarily designed for passenger transport, the railway will also meet dual-use requirements for national defence and security and be capable of transporting goods if required. The project will utilise nearly over 10,800 hectares of land and adopt advanced technology equivalent to that used in developed countries with high-speed rail systems. It is anticipated to unlock significant economic opportunities by leveraging land resources, boosting the development of industries such as construction and materials, and supporting tourism, services, and urban development. Additionally, the railway is expected to reduce environmental pollution, decrease traffic accidents, and create millions of jobs. During construction, the project is projected to contribute an average of 0.97 percentage points annually to GDP growth. The National Assembly Economic Committee (NAEC) conducted extensive consultations with experts and relevant agencies to assess the feasibility of the project. In its report to the NA, the committee noted that the proposal aligns with Vietnams railway network development plan towards 2030. However, while broadly supportive of the governments proposal, the committee recommended further studies to ensure the railway integrates effectively with the national railway network, urban rail systems, expressways, and regional and international railway connections. Despite its transformative potential, the projects substantial capital requirements have raised concerns. The government estimates the projects total cost at $67.34 billion, which will be fully state-funded. However, under the NAECs calculations, this figure exceeds the total mid-term public investment (MTIP) capital from the central budget for 2021-2025 by 114 per cent, and accounts for 60 per cent of the total MTIP capital volume from the state coffers in this period. Capital allocation NAEC Chairman Vu Hong Thanh emphasised the importance of a detailed analysis of the capital structure. He pointed out that the governments proposal lacks specifics on funding requirements for each stage of the project. This is not in line with the regulations in the Law on Public Investment and will need to be carefully considered and discussed by the NA, so that special policies and mechanisms can be devised and applied to the project, Thanh stated. This will help ensure legal foundations for the projects implementation process, especially ensure the compliance of the current law, and the Politburos Regulation No.189-QD/TW released in October 2024 on controlling power, and preventing and combating corruption in use and management of public finance and assets. When it comes to the capacity of the state budget for this project, the governments proposal and other relevant documents submitted to the NA have also failed to specify investment periods, and estimated capital for each individual period. Meanwhile, this is a crucial job that needs discussions and coordination among relevant ministries and agencies to that a specific capital mobilisation scheme can be made, according to the NAEC. What is more, the pre-feasibility study announced by the government also highlighted significant ongoing costs. From 2036 to 2066, the railway is projected to incur annual operation and maintenance expenses of VND25 trillion ($1 billion). However, the government has not clarified funding sources for these expenses. Therefore, in order to have a basis for the NA to consider and decide, the government is requested to report more clearly on the capital mobilisation and allocation plan, and the ability to balance the state budget capital used for the whole railway project, the NAEC stated. At the same time, it is proposed that the government review the portfolios of capital for priority investment projects in the coming stages and the priority capital allocation plan for the projects, and report to the NA for determination on each stage accordingly. The government proposes funding the project over the next 12 years, with annual disbursements of $5.6 billion. This represents about 1.3 per cent of GDP in 2023 and 1 per cent of GDP in 2027 when construction is expected to commence. The government asserts that the project will not compromise public debt safety, government debt, or foreign debt levels. By 2030, all three indexes will be lower than the permissible limits [of under 50 per cent of GDP]. Meanwhile, the national foreign debt repayment and budget deficit will likely increase, the proposal said. After 2030, the public debt will likely be lower than the permissible level, while other indexes may increase but not much as compared to the scenario of no investment in the high-speed railway. The government also underlined that this scenario of assessing the public debt safety index does not take into account the projects contribution to GDP growth during the construction period. The investment cost for facilities and equipment will be repaid by Vietnam Railways Corporation, and there will be revenues from land exploitation in the projects areas, and the projects commercial operations. However, the NAEC has argued that national foreign debt repayments and the budget deficit will likely increase at a high level. NAEC calculations revealed that the budget overspending will average at 4.1 per cent of GDP, up by more than 30 per cent as compared to the targeted level of only 3 per cent, while the national foreign debt repayment will average at as much as 33-34 per cent of GDP, which will be far higher than the permissible limit of 25 per cent of total state budget revenues. Ensuring legal compliance Last week at the NA, many deputies said that like in the past, the state budget in the coming years will likely still face a deficit, with the source of public investment capital largely coming from loans. They emphasised the need for prudent budget management to ensure macroeconomic stability. Resolution No.07-NQ/TW on restructuring the state budget and managing public debt was cited as a framework for maintaining financial sustainability. NA deputy Hoang Van Cuong representing Hanoi suggested that in the NAs resolution on adopting the construction of the railway project, it is necessary to clarify the function of the project: transport passengers or goods. Special attention must be paid to the investment form and the possible risks of investment capital addition, Cuong said. For example, a number of urban railway projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been delayed for many years, with investment capital increased. Moreover, the important thing is technological transfer. We need to master all stages of investment and avoid any technological dependence during the projects lifecycle, Cuong continued. It is not important to cooperate with any foreign nation in tech, but it is important that we must have it transferred. If we rely on foreign tech, it will be very costly during installation, repair, and maintenance which will lead to financial debts for the future. The NAEC recommended that the government assess the projects potential impacts on public debt and budget deficits in the medium and long term. Strict adherence to public debt safety indicators is essential to ensure national financial security and avoid undue debt repayment pressures in future periods. It also called for the government to clarify the capital mobilisation and allocation strategy to ensure the projects alignment with national regulations. Specifically, the committee stressed the importance of adhering to the Law on Public Investment and rules which govern public finance and asset management to prevent corruption and ensure transparency. Additionally, the government was urged to review and report on priority initiatives for upcoming stages and outline specific capital allocation plans. This includes providing detailed assessments of the impact on public debt, the budget deficit, and the states capacity to repay loans over the medium and long term. Deputies emphasised that ensuring sustainable public finance should remain a top priority. By ensuring transparency, adhering to legal frameworks, and carefully managing resources, Vietnams leaders say the country can work towards completing this transformative project while maintaining financial stability and public trust. High-speed rail could yet become reality To ensure that a high-speed north-south railway proposal maximises opportunities for socioeconomic breakthroughs, the planning, resource mobilisation, and implementation are undergoing rigorous consideration. Investment opportunities abound in railway infrastructure Efforts are underway to promote the railway sector for investment, as two new national railway lines are scheduled for investment sooner than planned, with more to follow. On November 15, Ninh Thuan Peoples Committee joined efforts with Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee to organise a conference in the metropolis to promote Ninh Thuans investment, trade, and tourism potential. The event, enticing over 150 businesses and investors, is a strategic step to ramp up the provinces investment appeal, especially in the industrial sector. Areas in Ninh Thuan, like Ca Na, are utilising their wind and sunlight resources Truong Van Tien, director of the Centre for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion of Ninh Thuan, said the event presented the provinces potential, strengths, investment environment, and industrial parks (IPs) and clusters to businesses and investors, as well as interested parties from other localities at home and abroad. Participants are keen on exploring investment cooperation opportunities in energy and renewables, high-quality tourism, processing and manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, construction, and real estate. In addition, infrastructure investment, and production in IPs and clusters also garner investors prime attention, said Tien. Tran Quoc Nam, Chairman of Ninh Thuan Peoples Committee, noted that Ninh Thuan is currently home to three IPs - Thanh Hai, Du Long, and Phuoc Nam - with a total area reaching 855 hectares, in addition to Ca Na IP with a scale of over 820ha, whose investment policy is being submitted for approval. Available land in IPs and clusters is still quite abundant, and rental rates are about 30 per cent lower than those of localities in the region. There are better conditions for investors to access land and infrastructure for production and business development, Nam said. The IPs prioritise investment attraction into processing, high-tech, and environmental protection industries, ensuring sustainable and effective investment. Three IPs are in the stage of technical infrastructure development and investment attraction, of which Thanh Hai IP built technical infrastructure on 58ha using the state budget, and enticing 22 projects with a total registered capital approximating $110 million. Foreign investment capital comes to more than $16 million. Phuoc Nam IPs phase 1 has wooed 13 projects with investment value reaching $15.5 million, of which foreign capital is equivalent to $5.6 million. Du Long IP is home to six projects costing approximating $81 million, of which capital from overseas amounts to $31.2 million. Meanwhile, Ca Na IP is waiting for the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to appraise the current status of forest land, which covers nearly 400ha. Ca Na aims to take advantage of the immense wind and sunlight resources of the area. In addition, it also orients a number of mechanical engineering and other high-tech and heavy industries. Meanwhile, at an investment promotion conference in the central coastal region held in October in Quy Nhon city, Trinh Minh Hoang, Vice Chairman of Ninh Thuan Peoples Committee, said the government is about to deploy investment in a number of key national projects, strongly promoting connectivity for the development of Ninh Thuan and other localities in the central coast. This includes adding Thanh Son airport to the master plan for national airport and seaport system development; the Cam Lam-Vinh Hao section belonging to the North-South railways eastern part has been completed and put into operation; and the Ca Na seaport complex has put a 100,000DWT port into operation, Hoang said. These projects bring multi-faceted benefits to driving local socioeconomic development, strongly promoting potential, advantages, and attracting investment to Ninh Thuan, Hoang added. Su Dinh Vinh, head of Ninh Thuan Industrial Parks Management Board, said that the board will complete technical infrastructure of IPs and ICs in the area and prioritise attracting investors from the ASEAN Economic Community, as well as member nations of various trade deals. The province will expedite more domestic and foreign investment promotion programmes, thus presenting its potential, strengths, and advantages of local IPs and ICs to the wider community of businesses and investors, Vinh said. Ninh Thuan inspired to form effective agriculture As Vietnam is stepping up efforts to cope with climate change, investment into adaptation activities will produce positive impacts in the short and long term. Ninh Thuans renewable projects facing delays According to Ninh Thuan Department of Industry and Trade, two solar power projects remain on hold, awaiting the revised implementation plan for an extension, while wind power projects have yet to receive a pricing mechanism to begin construction. According to Quang Chau, managing partner of Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers, 2024 has witnessed vibrant merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in Vietnams education sector, driven by a young and growing middle class increasingly willing to invest in quality education. Demand is particularly strong for K-12 schools offering international curricula and specialised training institutions, including those focusing on foreign language education. This presents opportunities for investors seeking stable growth in the promising Vietnamese market. Notable dealmaking points to breakthroughs in education, photo freepik.com Many local education providers have strong facilities and systems but struggle with financial and operational challenges due to limited management expertise, uncontrolled diversification, and difficulties in school operations, Chau explained. These weaknesses make them attractive acquisition targets for foreign investors. Partnering with or acquiring shares in these local players allows foreign investors to leverage local expertise, align with Vietnamese educational preferences, and enhance localisation an essential factor for success in this market, Chau continued. Recent notable deals include Nutifoods investment in Anne Hill International School in August, Vuihocs acquisition of The IELTS Workshop in May, and Excelsior Capital Vietnams investment in Kapla Education in April. Additionally, KKR-backed Malaysia-based Taylors Education Group is reportedly considering the acquisition of Vietnam-based Koala House. Vietnams regulatory framework further supports this trend by allowing 100 per cent ownership of educational institutions, making market entry more accessible and acquisitions a more attractive alternative to greenfield investments. Greenfield projects often face significant barriers, such as complex licensing processes and high initial costs. A report by FiinGroup in March highlighted the rapid rise in private education spending in Vietnam, drawing interest from both domestic and international investors. Foreign players have entered the market not only through acquisitions but also via greenfield projects and business collaborations, it said. The Vietnam Innovation & Tech Report 2024, jointly released the following by the National Innovation Centre and Do Ventures, noted record-breaking investments in education in 2023. The sector saw a 107 per cent on-year increase, making it the second-most funded area with 67 deals, trailing only healthcare. According to Huong Trinh, partner at BDA Partners, market consolidation and platform expansion will continue to draw in attention from strategic investors, private equity, and venture capital firms. Global and regional players are actively seeking acquisitions of local education providers to strengthen their presence in Vietnam and expand platforms across the region. Simultaneously, local players with foreign backing are pursuing bolt-on opportunities to consolidate the market further. K-12 education remains one of the most active subsectors, while growing demand for private higher education is driving interest in Vietnamese universities, Trinh said. Private equity and venture capital firms will continue to play critical roles in capitalising on the significant growth potential of Vietnams education sector, Trinh added. Financial sponsors typically focus on scaling operations to enhance efficiency and profitability, leading to increased investment in infrastructure, technology, and teacher quality. Moreover, with many education providers already backed by PE and VC firms, we anticipate more exits from financial sponsors in the coming years, she explained. Chau from Rajah & Tann LCT Lawyers further added, M&A activity in the sector is expected to be driven by two key trends through 2025: the acquisition of distressed assets and the growth of edtech investments. Local educational institutions experiencing financial difficulties present unique opportunities for investors. Acquiring these existing assets, complete with all necessary licenses, offers foreign players a cost-effective market entry and the opportunity to revitalise established brands. While regulatory hurdles and funding limitations persist, edtech remains a compelling area for investment, particularly in early childhood education innovations and specialised platforms like online grading tools. However, investors must navigate complex regulatory conditions around foreign ownership and operational requirements, which will heavily influence M&A strategies and deal structures, Chau added. The dual appeal of traditional education and edtech, combined with a favourable regulatory environment, positions Vietnams education sector as a strategic focus for both domestic and international investors. These developments promise not only profitable returns but also a transformative impact on Vietnams education landscape, Chau added. Australia and Vietnam foster education and training towards green economy An Australian education delegation is in Vietnam to take part in the Australia Southeast Asia Business Exchange (A-SEABX) Mission from September 25-27 in Hanoi and Haiphong, focusing on the transition to net zero and advancing green economy priorities. Growing opportunities for Vietnamese students in New Zealand The Education New Zealand (ENZ), in collaboration with the New Zealand Embassy and Consulate General, hosted the 2024 New Zealand Education Fair in Hanoi on October 20. Two Schools, One Vision: XCL World Academy and XCL American Academy to Merge XCL Education Group today announced the merger of XCL American Academy into XCL World Academy in August 2025. PVFCCo supports educational development PetroVietnam Fertilizer and Chemicals (PVFCCo) continues to place a top priority on education alongside other social welfare activities. The 16th Vietnam M&A Forum, held by VIR under the auspices of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, will take place at the JW Marriott Saigon Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday, November 27. Themed A Blossoming Market, the event will feature in-depth discussions about emerging M&A opportunities across potential areas such as real estate, retail, technology, renewable energy, financial services, and logistics. Activities for the 2024 edition include the main forum with leading Vietnamese and international speakers; honouring businesses with outstanding deals and the best M&A advisory firms in the 2023-2024 period; and the official bilingual publication of Vietnam M&A Outlook 2024. President-elect Donald Trump, who has long criticized NATO as overly reliant on American money, on Wednesday nominated loyalist Matthew Whitaker to the crucial post of ambassador to the alliance. "Matt is a strong warrior and loyal Patriot, who will ensure the United States' interests are advanced and defended," Trump said in a statement. "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. Whitaker served as acting attorney general during Trump's first term. NATO has been bracing for Trump's return to the White House after he threatened in February to stop guaranteeing US protection for member states if he did not believe they contributed enough financially. Alliance chief Mark Rutte was quick to congratulate the Republican after his election victory and played up the positive impact he said Trump could have. "His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO," Rutte said. Barriers for businesses without approved residential land could be removed soon, photo Le Toan Last week, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Do Duc Duy presented a draft resolution to the National Assembly (NA), proposing expanded land use rights for commercial housing projects on non-residential land. Under the Housing Law, since 2015, developers could only build commercial housing projects if their land plots included a portion designated for residential development. This regulation has significantly restricted the implementation of projects in areas lacking designated residential land, particularly in new urban zones, Duy said. He noted that individuals and households are limited to using a maximum of 400 square metres of their land plots for residential purposes, with the remainder classified as agricultural land. Consequently, developers often face challenges in acquiring land use rights for residential purposes in commercial housing projects. Most real estate projects rely on land initially designated for other purposes, such as traffic use or green space. To address these obstacles and boost the real estate markets land supply, the government proposes allowing investors to acquire use rights for agricultural land, non-agricultural land, and other land types for commercial housing projects. If approved, this policy will be piloted for five years, starting from January, Duy said. According to Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association, the real estate sector in Vietnam is optimistic about the resolutions potential approval by the 15th NA. This resolution will enable investors and businesses to access non-residential land through voluntary agreements, paving the way for commercial housing projects. Such agreements between individuals and businesses can reduce disputes and lawsuits, complementing existing methods like land auctions or competitive bidding for land-use projects, Chau said. He added that the resolution could also help increase the supply of housing projects, contributing to lower housing prices. Nguyen Hoang, a consultant based in the southern province of Dong Nai, told VIR that under the current approach, the Land Law 2024 prevents businesses without residential land from being approved as investors, even if their projects align with urban planning and land-use plans. This barrier has hindered businesses in developing commercial housing projects. The proposed resolution will remove these roadblocks, encouraging investment and development, Hoang said. Reports from local authorities reveal that nearly 580 commercial housing projects nationwide have been implemented under the current agreement mechanism. Of these, almost 500 projects face hurdles related to residential land requirements. The NA is expected to consider and approve the resolution at the end of its eighth session, scheduled for November 30. The figures represent an increase of over 10 per cent in volume and 23 per cent in value compared to the same period in 2023. The Philippines remains Vietnam's largest rice market, accounting for over 45 per cent of market share. Rice exports to the Philippines came to 2.9 million tonnes in October, representing around 80 per cent of their total rice imports of 3.7 million tonnes. Indonesia and Malaysia follow as the next largest markets. Among Vietnam's top 15 rice export markets, Malaysia showed the strongest growth, with a more than two-fold increase in export value. Vietnam's Trade Office in the Philippines predicts that the country's demand for rice will continue to rise through the end of the year due to increased domestic consumption and weather-related damage to their year-end harvest. The Philippines' total rice imports for 2024 are forecast to exceed four million tonnes. Photo: baodautu.vn According to vtv.vn, Do Ha Nam, vice chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, "2024 will continue to be a strong year for Vietnamese rice exports, exceeding 8 million tonnes with a value surpassing $5 billion, the highest ever recorded." "Prices could rise by year-end due to limited domestic supply and flood impacts. The Philippines strongly prefers Vietnamese aromatic rice, making India's increased supply unlikely to replace Vietnamese exports," said Nam. Vietnamese enterprises secured three lots totalling 83,500 tonnes, representing 17 per cent of Indonesia's 500,000-tonne rice tender in October. Indonesia managed to obtain more favourable prices in this tender compared to previous rounds thanks to India's participation. Nonetheless, the lower quality of Indian rice compared to Vietnamese or Thai sources led to smaller successful bid volumes. Despite India's return to the rice export race, Nam said, "This won't significantly impact Vietnamese rice prices. The rice market will remain relatively stable with low risk, as Indian rice varieties differ from Vietnamese ones. Indian rice is primarily lower-grade and exported to African markets, while Vietnamese farmers have largely converted to high-quality rice varieties." "Vietnam is gradually developing a distinctive rice sector compared to other countries. We focus on aromatic and high-quality rice while reducing lower-grade varieties. This is progressively establishing a market position with unique products and distinct pricing," Nam said. Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said, "India has reopened rice exports and 5 per cent broken rice has some impact. However, in the high-quality rice value chain, Vietnam maintains relatively good export prices." China is another traditional market for Vietnam and remains inactive as prices haven't met expectations. "Chinese importers are predicted to return during the upcoming winter-spring crop, helping maintain stable output and prices for Vietnamese rice," said Tien. Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director of Agency for Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said, "Rice remains an essential commodity globally and it presents significant future business opportunities. Export businesses must increase their adaptability and flexibility to effectively capitalise on these opportunities." Ministry building long-term strategy on rice exports, market stabilisation: official The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is building a long-term strategy on rice export and market stabilisation, following bans by several countries, according to Deputy Director of the MoIT's Import-Export Department Tran Quoc Toan. Vietnam set to boost agricultural exports to China Vietnam in the first six months of this year harvested a bumper crop from its agro-forestry-fishery exports to China which is now its largest buyer in this sector. This signifies a bold movement in SABECOs journey towards sustainability through product innovation and technological mastery, contributing to the development of Vietnams beer industry and reaffirming the value of Vietnamese brands on the international stage. SABECO wants to achieve technological mastery and elevate Vietnam's beverage industry. Photo: SABECO Located at the Nguyen Chi Thanh Brewery, the birthplace of the Bia Saigon brand since 1875, the SRC is designed as a fully automated miniature brewery, equipped with complete production capabilities. This allows brewing experts to research and experiment with new recipes and processes before transferring them to the 26 breweries nationwide. Lam Du An, deputy general director of SABECO in charge of Technology and Production, highlighted the rich experience of SABECOs brew masters, passed down through generations. They have been trained at leading global institutions and deeply understand Vietnamese consumer preferences and market trends, yet they previously lacked the resources to unleash their creativity fully. The establishment of SRC will be the perfect place for them to create more new recipes with high process and efficiency, bringing consumers high-quality beverage products and thereby realising the dream of developing the Vietnamese beverage industry to world-class levels," An said. The SRC represents a pivotal step in SABECOs strategy to enhance production capabilities and deliver world-class beer products, expanding the brands presence in international markets. SABECO to achieve technological mastery and elevate Vietnam's beverage industry to global standards. Photo: SABECO The launch of the SRC demonstrates SABECOs commitment to continuous innovation and the application of advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness," Lester Tan, SABECO CEO, emphasised. "We drive sustainable growth by optimising resource management, nurturing a highly skilled workforce, and delivering high-quality products. Through our achievements, SABECO is committed to generating positive value for the company, our shareholders, and partners across our value chain, he added Driven by a deep-seated passion for brewing excellence, generations of SABECO technicians and artisans have envisioned a future where Vietnamese beverages stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's finest. The idea for the SRC project arose from practical needs that continuous innovation is essential to meet the ever-evolving demands of a dynamic market and constantly changing consumer preferences. SABECO has long recognised that a robust and dedicated R&D infrastructure is crucial for pushing the boundaries of brewing science through an in-depth beer research and development system to innovate technology, research new materials and processes, and improve and produce new beers that align with Vietnamese culinary culture and tastes. To prepare for this ambitious undertaking, SABECO sent numerous technical staff members to participate in Brew master training courses in Germany the heart of global brewing expertise to enhance their knowledge and gain experience. With the desire to fully master beer production technology and processes, including the most specialised and unique ones, the SABECO team collaborated with major domestic and international partners for nine months to build machinery and install the entire production line using the world's most advanced technology. SABECO to achieve technological mastery and elevate Vietnam's beverage industry to global standards. Photo: SABECO As the oldest brewer in Vietnam, with nearly 150 years of brewing history and nationally acclaimed brands Bia Saigon and 333, SABECO operates 26 breweries and 11 trading subsidiaries, supported by a distribution network of more than 200,000 retailers nationwide. The brand portfolio includes some of the most cherished beer brands in Vietnam, namely Bia Lac Viet, Bia Saigon Chill, 333 Pilsner, Bia Saigon Special, Bia Saigon Export, Bia Saigon Lager, and Bia Saigon Gold. These brands outstanding quality has also gained recognition internationally with over 54 rewards from 2019. SABECO named top 10 F&B company for eighth year in a row Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO) has once again been named one of the Top 10 Prestigious Companies in the Food and Beverage Industry for 2024 by Vietnam Report. This marks the eighth consecutive year SABECO has been featured in these rankings. SABECO steps up to serve society in times of strife Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation has come to the aid of people struggling after Typhoon Yagi through a series of initiatives. SABECO brands win big at 2024 International Beer Cup The brands of Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO) have won a series of awards at Octobers International Beer Cup in Sapporo, Japan. The seminar Tokyo-Vietnam Business Partnership, hosted by the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Support Centre on November 20, provided comprehensive support and insights for small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam, covering areas from startup and commercialisation to market expansion, overseas ventures, and succession or revitalisation, with a focus on entering the Japanese market, particularly the prime opportunities in Tokyo. Overview of the conference. Photo: Tokyo SME Support Centre During the event, insights were shared on the private research report e-Conomy SEA 2024, and Yuji Ikeda, Singapore representative at Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support Co., Ltd. said that Vietnam's digital economy was expected to reach $36 billion at the end of this year, a 16 per cent increase from the previous year, ranking third among Southeast Asia's major six countries, after Indonesia and Thailand. This represents remarkable progress. As digital economies powered by AI are expected to grow, it goes without saying that stronger collaboration between Vietnam and Japan, centred on technology, will be increasingly important, Ikeda said. The development of digital transformation has accelerated the digital economy in various sectors. Looking at Japan's industry, we find that Japan has a high percentage of R&D investment in its GDP. It leads the world in the proportion of technical and semi-specialised workers in the labour force, and its competitive edge in research and development continues to produce new technologies. Founded in early 2016, NTQ Japan has rapidly emerged as the boom of NTQ Solution in the Japanese market. After seven years of establishment and growth, NTQ Japan has solidified its position as a leading and reputable technology company in software development and digital transformation solutions, becoming a trusted partner for numerous major corporations in Japan and globally. Mizuno Gia Cat, brand manager at NTQ Japan, a software development and IT consulting firm, projected that by 2030, despite all efforts, Vietnam may only supply around 50,000 IT professionals proficient in Japanese, while the demand shortfall could reach up to 800,000. This remains a modest figure, underscoring the vast untapped potential of the Japanese IT market," she noted. Mizuno Gia Cat, brand manager at NTQ Japan speech at the conference. Photo: Tokyo SME Support Centre She emphasised the importance of enhancing training for Japanese-speaking IT personnel to meet the growing demand in Japan. Although challenges persist, particularly with the Japanese yen experiencing significant depreciation, the market still offers many opportunities. Businesses must adopt diverse management and development strategies to adapt to changes in the business environment, she added. As a leading technology company in software development and digital transformation solutions in Japan, NTQ Japan highlighted that Tokyos government and local organisations have implemented numerous support programmes for the Vietnamese community, ranging from visa procedures to business investments. Notably, real estate companies and specialised services for Vietnamese individuals have made it easier for the community to purchase property and make investments in Japan. With comprehensive support and a favourable business environment, Japan is becoming an ideal destination not only for Vietnamese residents but also for Vietnamese businesses seeking opportunities here, Mizuno said. Japanese investors highly appreciate Vietnamese property market Representatives from around 180 Japanese businesses and investors on April 1 attended a Tokyo workshop on Vietnamese real estate, during which many of them highly appreciated the potential of Vietnams property market. Tech in Asia makes Vietnamese debut Tech in Asia, a Singapore- and Jakarta-based online media platform that focuses on the tech startup industry, hosted its inaugural Saigon Summit in Ho Chi Minh City on May 30. The VLCA is committed to updating its criteria annually, ensuring Vietnamese firms gradually integrate global standards, thereby building trust among both domestic and foreign investors. Tran Anh Dao, acting deputy CEO Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange In 2024, it introduced notable changes in corporate governance assessments, increasing the weight on compliance with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) best practices. This shift marks an objective to move Vietnamese firms beyond mere regulatory compliance and towards advanced governance standards that incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors - a standard embraced by developed markets. The VLCAs role goes beyond recognition. It aims to drive sustainable governance improvements across Vietnams corporate sector, encouraging resilience and innovation in the face of evolving business challenges. This years awards focus on promoting sustainable growth through digital transformation and climate response - urgent issues at the forefront of todays economic development. Vietnams long-term vision is clear: to place its corporate governance among the top five in ASEAN. This goal is more than a strategic aspiration. It is a critical foundation for enhancing competitiveness, attracting foreign investment, and shaping a positive global financial image. With this ambition, the VLCA aims not only to award excellence but to elevate the standards of Vietnams listed companies by championing progressive governance initiatives. To achieve this, we call for a united effort - among businesses, regulators, and market partners - to enhance corporate quality and strengthen the market. A vital element in Vietnams regional ambitions is the adoption of international governance standards. Through its corporate governance category, the VLCA continues to advocate for the application of OECD principles and best practices from developed markets. These standards strengthen shareholder rights, promote transparency in management, and boost competitiveness, which is crucial for building investor confidence, particularly among foreign investors. Transparency is the cornerstone of modern corporate governance, and the VLCAs focus is on encouraging companies to improve their information disclosure mechanisms. Our goal is for companies to go beyond mandatory reporting requirements, proactively providing essential information to safeguard shareholder interests and maintain investor confidence. This approach ensures fairness and equity across the securities market. Sustainability is also a core focus of the VLCA, which actively promotes ESG criteria in corporate reporting. Sustainable practices are becoming essential in assessing a companys growth potential. Through its sustainability reporting category, the VLCA encourages companies to integrate ESG standards into their operations, which enhances business effectiveness, protects the environment, and contributes to society. This is a crucial step in positioning Vietnam more competitively within the region and internationally. A vacant section of downtown will be made over with a stream and walking paths that meander past waterfalls, a plaza, a shaded amphitheater and limestone bluffs, according to an artist rendering that ignited the Waco City Councils enthusiasm this week. The rendering showed the $167 million first phase of a 12- to 20-year redevelopment of downtown Waco. The phase begins next year with the creation of the Barrons Branch District between Washington and Jefferson avenues near the Brazos River. The tract, which once was a Hispanic neighborhood called Calle Dos, is largely vacant now except for a Waco Independent School District track facility. Phase 1A of the project is 30% designed and is set to go to bid in mid-2025, with construction to begin later in the year, city staff said in a presentation to council Tuesday. The project is part of an overall redevelopment planned and designed by the citys chosen master developer, Hunt Development Group of El Paso. After seeing the rendering and related video, Mayor Jim Holmes called the vision amazing. I think ultimately people are going to forget about the San Antonio River Walk, and this is going to be the premier riverwalk in the world, Holmes quipped. Beyond the amenities shown in the rendering, Phase 1A will also provide street extensions and water and sewer utilities city officials say are crucial to downtown growth over the next 50 years. Phase 1A will be followed in 2026 by Phase 1B, which will create a new City Hall and Waco ISD administration building at Washington Avenue and Fourth Street. Tom Balk, the citys director of strategic initiatives, told the council that the project is on schedule and on budget. But what were really excited about is the new drawings and a walk-through video that shows what the reconstructed Calle Dos could look like, he said. Calle Dos was a Mexican immigrant neighborhood along the banks of the Brazos River that formed after World War I. It remained a center of Hispanic culture in Waco until the start of federal Urban Renewal that began around 1958, according to wacohistory.org. Its boundaries were approximately between Fourth Street, Washington Avenue, present-day Waco Drive and the river. The new rendering gives a birds-eye view of a reconstructed Barrons Branch Creek as it flows through the new Calle Dos toward the Brazos River. Balk also showed an 85-second video walk-through that starts at a manmade waterfall and follows along through businesses to a footbridge and eventually to a restored historic fountain, called La Pila, a view line to St. Francis on the Brazos Catholic Church. During the council meeting, Alice Rodriguez, who has held the District 2 council seat for 26 years, told a story about the significance of that water feature in her youth and the youth of her parents generation. She recalled people in the neighborhood who didnt have showers took turns bathing in the waterfall that formed downstream of the fountain, with separate times reserved for men and women. Im excited about this, guys: Floyd Casey Park and this area here, these are the first places in all the time I have been on the council that the city has ever honored its Hispanic heritage, Rodriguez said. Barrons Branch currently runs to the Brazos River through a large drainage tunnel that was installed about a decade ago. The project would create a second tunnel to relieve flooding on Barrons Branch, as well as a meandering canal that would be supplied with recirculated Brazos River water, similar in appearance to the San Antonio River Walk. The new drainage features would remove 16 acres from federal floodplain designations, opening the tract to development. In Barrons Branch we will build not just the creek and the shaded amphitheater seen in the renderings and the video but also the park and plaza and street features, and all of this will attract private developers, Balk told the council Tuesday. In an interview Wednesday, Balk said he is hearing interest from local, regional and out-of-state developers, though he wouldnt say which states. Balk said the city council's actions set the stage for developer interest. The city launched a national competitive process to hire Hunt Development Group of El Paso as a master developer. Then it adopted a strategic road map that laid out actual, concrete steps to begin the project and make it real. Third, the council appropriated $12 million for design services of Phase 1. "That's enough evidence for a lot of interested investors and developers to start following closely," Balk said. "We're seeing that interest." Balk also expanded on the utility plans, saying that the water and sewer lines the city will run and the streets and plazas it will build are being designed and planned to accommodate the growth forecast for the next 50 years and beyond. Planned capacity accommodates the growth in all the redevelopment phases plus the growth of downtown proposed in the citys comprehensive plan, plus an engineered margin on top of that, Balk said. Balk said the street work, along with utilities and drainage work for the creek would substantially be covered by existing funding streams. He said the city can also tap into revenues from water, sewer and the newly created stormwater utility fee. He said the infrastructure work will create an inviting area for private developers to build multistory buildings, which will raise property values and increase tax revenues, which will be captured by the downtown Tax Increment Financing Zone. The TIF in turn will help fund streets and utilities for the subsequent phases of the project, Balk said. Balk emphasized the need for public feedback. He said a Phase 1A design open house will be held Dec. 6 in the Cooper Room at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, 101 S. Third St., 5:307 p.m., just before the Christmas tree lighting at Heritage Square. Balk and Hunt officials will also staff a booth at Waco Wonderland from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 7 to field question from the public. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct and remove quotes from Balk that were incorrectly transcribed. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley strongly raised her voice against President-elect Trump's decision to appoint former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to his Cabinet. Speaking on her SiriusXM show, Nikki Haley Live, Haley said Wednesday that both selections are extremely concerning. She highlighted Gabbard's remarks about Russia's war on Ukraine and her advocacy for pardoning Edward Snowden, who disclosed classified U.S. intelligence. "She opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran. She opposed designating the Iran military as terrorists who say death to America every single day," Haley said. "She said that Donald Trump turned the U.S. into Saudi Arabia's prostitute. This is going to be the future head of our national intelligence." Haley further criticized Gabbard, calling it "disgusting" that the military veteran traveled to Syria in 2017 "for a photo op with Bashar al-Assad" while he was attacking his own people. Haley also condemned Gabbard's skepticism over Assad's responsibility for chemical attacks against civilians. Regarding Kennedy, Haley argued that he was "not a health guy," despite his years of advocacy on issues related to food, medicine, and vaccines for American consumers. She added that he should be subjected to "hard questions" from senators during the confirmation process. "He's a liberal Democrat, environmental attorney trial lawyer who will now be overseeing 25 percent of our federal budget and has no background in healthcare," Haley said. "So some of you may think RFK is cool, some of you may like that he questions what's in our food and what's in our vaccines, but we don't know, when he is given reins to an agency, what decisions he's going to make behind the scenes." Several of Trump's cabinet picks have sparked controversy, with some of them under FBI investigation. Meanwhile, the President-elect is rushing to nominate his allies before he takes office in January. The most concerning of all picks clearly has to be his choice for Attorney General. Trump nominated former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz for the position. However, it came to light that he has been under investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and campaign fund misuse. Meanwhile, Gaetz's resignation from Congress shortly after his nomination halted the release of a House Ethics Committee report into his probe. Trump's pick for Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, is also under fire as he too faced allegations of sexual assault back in 2017. However, no charges have been filed against him. Ukraine on Thursday alleged that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight in an attempt to strike Dnipro city, located in the southeastern part of the country. However, doubts have been cast over Kyiv's claim as a Western official said the weapon used was not an ICBM. According to ABC News, the official said it was likely a ballistic missile aimed at Dnipro. The Ukrainian military also claimed that eight other missiles were filed along with the ICBM, of which they shot down six. Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a statement on social media saying that they were investigating if the missile was an ICBM. "[Putin] is so afraid that he is already using new missiles. And he is looking around the world for other places to find weapons: now in Iran, now in North Korea," he wrote. Moscow is yet to respond to the claims made by Ukraine. The UK prime minister's spokesperson, who spoke anonymously but on the record to the Guardian, said that they are "urgently" looking into reports. "As you will understand it is a rapidly developing situation and I don't want to get ahead of our intelligence services who are looking at these reports urgently, but if true, clearly this would be another example of grave, reckless and escalatory behavior from Russia and only serves to strengthen our resolve," he added. The already tense war between Ukraine and Russia further escalated after the Biden administration last week allowed Kyiv to use US-provided, long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) inside Russian territory. The Kremlin heavily criticized the move, with officials saying that the U.S. was adding fuel to the fire by lifting the ban. Just after news of the alleged ICBM attack surfaced, retired US Major General Mark MacCarley told CNN that this move could be a warning that Moscow might target the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. "You could say that Russia shot first at Dnipro as a statement suggesting that if Ukraine does not back away from the use of, let's say, the newly provided ATACMS (longer-range American missiles) from the US and the storm shadows from Britain, that Russia will use the same longer range intercontinental ballistic missile and hit Kyiv," he told CNN. Meanwhile, Russia has also been receiving support from North Korea as reports surfaced that Pyongyang's troops had deployed to help Moscow's army drive Ukrainian forces out of Russia's Kursk border region. Putins address after the use of Western long-range missiles on Russian territory. Main points: On November 19, 6 ATACMS missiles and on November 21, Storm Shadow systems struck targets in the Kursk and Bryansk regions, air defense systems repelled the missile attacks. There were casualties in the Kursk region. The conflict in Ukraine has acquired elements of a global character after attacks by long-range Western missiles on Russia Putin announced a successful test of the newest medium-range missile Oreshnik, their modern air defense systems do not intercept, these missiles attack targets at a speed of 10 Mach, this is 2.5-3 kilometers per second The targets to be hit during further tests of Russias newest missile systems will be determined based on the threats to the country Russia considers itself entitled to use weapons against military facilities of countries that allow their weapons to be used against it Russia will offer in advance to civilians in Ukraine and citizens of other countries to leave areas of possible destruction in the event of the use of systems such as Oreshnik; there are currently no means of counteracting such weapons In Dnepropetrovsk, Russia struck a complex that produces, among other things, missile technology. WtR Not saying much about what I see. Just watching and learning and in amazement at Russian capabilities But hang on to your panties, Russia is getting pissed off with the USA and UK, very pissed off Video below, yes Putin is pissed and Russians are wanting the West to pay Putins full address on the situation in the special operation zone after the use of Western long-range missiles on Russian territory https://windowstorussia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/VID_20241121_204927_893.mp4 No one to blame except the asses in the West. Enjoy the weaponry that we have never seen yet and look in the mirror, Russia just took out hundreds of NATO Scum in Ukraine. Russia just gave a hint at a totally unstoppable Ballistic missile. NATO is West, you know??? Well you should know and thus NATO, USA, UK, EU is and are responsible for everything happening When I said in the past that Russia does not need nukes to take out a city, I was not joking. It just aint funny that the West is now trying to get us all dead Never forget who started this Enuff Said! WtR The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a hate crime hoax conviction against Jussie Smollett. The actor was found guilty of orchestrating a fake racist and homophobic attack on himself and providing false information to police. "Today we resolve a question about the State's responsibility to honor the agreements it makes with defendants," the court wrote in documents obtained by Fox News."Specifically, we address whether a dismissal of a case by nolle prosequi allows the State to bring a second prosecution when the dismissal was entered as part of an agreement with the defendant and the defendant has performed his part of the bargain. We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendant's conviction." Smollett, who is Black and gay, alleged that he had been attacked by two men wearing ski masks. Not only did they hurl racial and homophobic slurs, but also placed a noose around his neck. The claim sparked an international uproar and prompted an extensive investigation by Chicago police. At the time, Smollett was starring in the television drama Empire, filmed in Chicago. Prosecutors later accused him of staging the attack out of frustration with the studio's response to hate mail he had received. "We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust," Justice Elizabeth Rochford wrote in the 5-0 decision. "Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the state was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied." According to the testimony at his trial, Smollett allegedly paid $3,500 to two men he knew from Empire to stage the attack. However, he pleaded not guilty, testifying that "there was no hoax" and claiming he was the victim of a hate crime in his Chicago neighborhood. He was sentenced to 150 days in jailserving six days before being released pending appealalong with 30 months of probation and a restitution payment of approximately $130,000. Later, his conviction was upheld by a state appellate court, ruling that no guarantee was made that he wouldn't face further prosecution after accepting his original plea deal. Fleet of Merry Minis to travel across North Wales to raise funds for Hope House This article is old - Published: Thursday, Nov 21st, 2024 A fleet of magnificent Minis will take to the roads of North Wales next month to raise funds for childrens charity Hope House/Ty Gobaith. Members of the North West Minis aim to put out over 20 Minis during the day. Their Merry Minis event is being supported by leading North Wales law firm Swayne Johnson, which has a base in Mold, and offices in St Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin, Llandudno and Tattenhall, near Chester, will see cars, drivers and passengers getting into the Christmas spirit with fancy dress as they take to the road on Saturday morning, December 14. Club members own all kinds of Mini, ranging from vintage examples of the car, which first took to the road in 1959, to the latest marques made by German car giant BMW. North West Minis administrator Lisa Harbour, who is also Head of the Family Team at Swayne Johnson, says the mighty minis will meet up at Broughton on Deeside before setting off on a roundabout route. They will take in breakfast at the Ponderosa on the Horseshoe Pass before setting off via Bala for Colwyn Bay where the club members will put the finishing touches to the cars ready for their visit to Ty Gobaith. Lisa said: Hope House/Ty Gobaith is a fantastic charity which supports children with life-limiting conditions and their families at its hospices at Conwy and Oswestry and which serves a huge area of North Wales, Cheshire and Shropshire. It does such wonderful work and provides so much more than is available through the NHS and that incudes visits like this when the young people at the hospice in Conwy will be able to see these wonderful cars in their Christmas best. I joined Swayne Johnson last year and one of the things that attracted me to them was their commitment to the areas where they operate and they have offices at Tattenhall, near Chester, at Mold, Ruthin, Denbigh, St Asaph and Llandudno. They encourage us to support local good causes and organisations and Hope House/Ty Gobaith covers such a huge area where we operate and does such amazing work that this is a really good fit for us at Swayne Johnson Solicitors and for North West Minis, who have been very keen to use their platform to support local causes. To be honest when my husband got a Mini at first I wasnt very impressed but then I drove it and became hooked. Ive now got a very nice Mini to get me to work and back. North West Minis is a friendly and inclusive club for Mini enthusiasts across North Wales and North West England. From small local meets to club stands at bigger events our members are always eager to share their passion with each other and with their local communities. Vanessa Marubbi, Hope House Area Fundraiser, said: We are so excited to welcome North West Minis to Ty Gobaith next month The children and families will be delighted to see the Merry Minis we cant wait to see their faces. We are so grateful to Swayne Johnson and North West Minis for making his possible. Visits like this mean that the children we care for have the chance to experience things in the comfort of the hospice surroundings making sure that the dont miss out on magical festive moments. We would also like to thank Swayne Johnson for their ongoing support. Each year it costs 9.6 million to run the hospices and we simply could not do this without the generosity and kindness of local businesses and our community. Swayne Johnson Managing Director Lynette Viney-Passig said: Were delighted to help Hope House/Ty Gobaith with the fantastic work they are doing with young people from across the area where we practice. Supporting Hope House is very important for us many of the firms employees are parents themselves and supporting a children and family charity is only natural and Swayne Johnson wants to support the wonderful work that is being carried out by Hope House/Ty Gobaith right across North Wales and the borders. We have a tradition of encouraging our staff to become involved with the communities in which we operate and we have a strong tradition of supporting local charities and good causes and we set up our special Swayne Johnson Charity Fund to make it easier for applications to be made to us for help. The aim was to enable us to identify local charities and those serving North Wales and Cheshire and it has worked very well and already we have helped a number of worthy recipients and are looking forward to receiving more enquiries. For more on Swayne Johnson, including how apply to their Charity Fund, go to http://www.swaynejohnson.com/ and to donate to the Merry Minis go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/merryminis-1731792357327 Waless health services remain under strain as waiting lists continue to rise This article is old - Published: Thursday, Nov 21st, 2024 Health services across Wales continue to come under strain with just half of all immediately life-threatening 999 calls receiving an emergency response within eight minutes last month. Figures released today by the Welsh Government show that the Welsh Ambulance Service received the second highest number and proportion of immediately life-threatening calls per day on record in October. Throughout the month 5,497 category red (immediately life-threatening, someone is in imminent danger of death, such as a cardiac arrest) calls were made to the service. Just 50.4 per cent of these calls received an emergency response within eight minutes. Whilst this is 1.4 percentage points higher than September it is still well below the Welsh Governments target of 65 per cent of red calls receiving a response within the eight minute timeframe. Handover delays at hospitals are seen as one of the main contributing factors against the delay in ambulance response times. Last month around 22,000 hours were lost due to this reason. Emergency departments In October across Wales there were just under 94,900 attendances to all emergency departments an average of 3,060 attendances per day. Across North Wales there were 21,003 attendances at the regions hospital last month. Of this 5,517 attended the Wrexham Maelor Hospital with 45.3 per cent of patients seen within four hours. This is below the Welsh Governments target of 95 per cent of new patients spending less than four hours in emergency departments from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge. The Welsh Government also has a target of no patient waiting more than 12 hours in emergency departments from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge. In October 85.7 per cent of patients were seen in the Wrexham Maelor Hospital within 12 hours while 77.2 per cent were seen within eight hours. Across Wales 68 per cent of patients in all NHS emergency departments spent less than four hours in the department from arrival until admission, transfer or discharge. This was lower than the previous month and remains relatively low in historical context. NHS waiting times In September, the number of pathways waiting longer than one year for their first outpatient appointment increased by 0.4 per cent compared to the previous month to 79,855. The Welsh Governments own planned care recovery plan target was not met although there has been a fall of 22.2 per cent since the peak in August 2022. Under the Welsh Governments own Planned Care Recovery Plan two year waits in most specialities were expected to be eliminated by March 2023. But this target has never been met. The number of patient pathways waiting less than 26 weeks increased to 54.2 per cent in September. Just over 23,700 pathways were waiting more than two years this is a slight decrease from Augusts figure of just under 24,200. In September the Welsh NHS recorded 801,300 open patient pathways. This is an increase from 800,200 from the previous month. With many patients waiting to start more than one sort of treatment the actual number of people on an NHS waiting fell slightly to 618,200 in September. Cancer waiting times During September 1,823 people started their first definitive treatment, which is 121 more than the previous month. At least 75 per cent patients should start treatment within 62 days of first being suspected of cancer. The Welsh Governments own planned recovery plan established a new target of 80 per cent which should be reached by 2026. However performance worsened against the Welsh Governments 62 day target which dropped from to 55.0 per cent from to 56.5 per cent in the previous month. According to leading charity Macmillan 2024 is on track to be the worst year on record for cancer waiting times performance in Wales. The charitys own data shows that between January and September 2024, more than 7,200 people with cancer in Wales waited more than two months to start treatment following an urgent referral. In September alone, more than 800 people with cancer in Wales waited more than 62 days to start treatment from first being suspected of having cancer this was almost half (45 per cent) of all those who started treatment in that month. In the same month just 37 per cent of people with a lower gastrointestinal cancer such as bowel cancer started their treatment within 62 days from first being suspected of having cancer, with similar figures for urological cancer (38 per cent) and gynaecological cancer (38 per cent). Kate Seymour, Head of Advocacy (Geographies) at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Cares announcement this week of 50m funding to tackle the longest waits and help ease winter pressures on the healthcare system is welcome. But this is another missed opportunity to set out specific plans to reduce cancer waiting times, which are so urgently needed, and todays figures show little sign of improvement for those waiting for treatment. We are still waiting for the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to clearly lay out how he will tackle the completely unacceptable delays in Wales cancer services to ensure everyone affected by cancer, no matter who they are or where they live, has access to the support they need. Political response The Welsh Conservatives have branded todays figures as a crisis point the Welsh healthcare system. Sam Rowlands MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister said: I fear that we are at crisis point as waiting list figures continue to head in the wrong direction in Labour-run Wales. The Labour Health Ministers latest initiatives, even if his expectations are met, will barely scratch the surface in terms of tackling these excessive, record-breaking waits for treatment. Something needs to change, fast. The Welsh Conservatives will stand up for the Welsh peoples priorities by eliminating restrictive guidance blocking cross-border and cross-sector working and by enacting a substantial workforce plan to boost staffing numbers, with a tuition fee refund for healthcare workers at its heart. However Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles, said the Welsh Government has increased the amount of funding to support health boards reduce the longest waiting times to 50m. This is an extra 22m, on top of the 28m announced last month. According to Mr Miles this funding will enable health boards to increase capacity in the NHS in Wales and use the private sector, where available. As part of this 50m package of investment, 3m will go towards cutting the longest waiting times for childrens neurodevelopmental assessments as part of wider work to transform services, explained Jeremy Miles MS. Im pleased to see the number of patient pathways waiting more than a year and two years for treatment have fallen in the last month. This shows positive progress is being made across Wales to reduce the longest waiting times. I hope to see this continue. While there has been a small rise in the overall number of patient pathways waiting to start treatment, more than half are waiting less than 26 weeks and there was a fall in the number waiting more than 36 weeks in September. We recognise the impact long waits for treatment can have on someones life, both mentally and physically, so we have a laser-like focus on reducing the longest waits and improving access to patient care. More than 1,800 people started cancer treatment in September and nearly 14,000 people received the good news they didnt have cancer. There were also reductions in the long waits for both diagnostics and therapies services and some reductions in the numbers of pathway of care delays. Urgent and emergency care services continue to be under great pressure in October, the Welsh Ambulance Service received the second highest number and proportion of immediately life-threatening calls per day on record, but more than half of these calls received a response within eight minutes. The extra 50m to reduce long waits will mean more people will be seen and treated by the NHS between now and the end of March and I want to thank health boards and local authorities for embracing the 50-day challenge to speed up hospital discharge and ensure people can recover from their illness or injury in the comfort of their own home. Welsh Parliament backs 16% budget increase ahead of Senedd expansion and reform This article is old - Published: Thursday, Nov 21st, 2024 The Senedd signed off on a 16% budget increase, with the Welsh Parliament set to expand to accommodate an additional 36 politicians from 2026. Members voted 31-13 to approve the Senedd Commissions 83.8m budget for 2025/26, which includes an extra 11.6m for the reforms, public-sector pay and infrastructure. Hefin David described next years spending plans for the commission which is responsible for support services and the Senedd estate as a transformational, step-change budget. The Caerphilly Senedd member, who is the commissioner responsible for the budget, said the 16% uplift will cover a 60% increase in the size of the Senedd. But the Conservatives criticised the ballooning costs, describing Senedd reform as the wrong priority while around one in five people in Wales are waiting for NHS treatment. Stronger Leading a debate on November 20, Dr David said the budget for the 12 months from April will address four key pressures: Senedd reform; the Bay 2032 project looking at offices as the Ty Hywel lease runs down; critical infrastructure projects; and a 5% pay award for staff. He said the 6.5m allocated to the reform programme includes costs for employing new staff, and reconfiguring the debating chamber and new members offices. Dr David told the Senedd: In these turbulent times strengthening a democracy is often a difficult but certainly noble endeavour. While I in no way devalue the objections of those opposed to reform, those members who have supported Senedd expansion have done so to build a stronger parliament for the people of Wales. Expensive Janet-Finch Saunders, the Conservative Senedd commissioner, said the budget reflects significant efforts to ensure effective management of public funds. She told the Senedd that the costs compare favourably with the Scottish Parliament which is nearly 200,000 more expensive per member. But she reiterated her partys opposition to expansion, saying: We still believe that these resources would be better allocated to essential public services, such as health care, education, our road infrastructure, social services I could go on. Ms Finch-Saunders told the chamber that she had been inundated with messages from members of the public calling for a referendum of expansion. Pointing to a 147% increase for Senedd reforms and related work, she said: This, sadly, is not justified especially given the financial pressures facing public services in Wales. Rushed Under the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act, the Welsh Parliament will grow from 60 to 96 members and adopt a new electoral system from 2026. The legislation was passed in May, with a two-thirds supermajority voting in favour. Peredur Owen Griffiths, who chairs the finance committee, which published a report on the spending plans, said a majority of committee members supported the budget. But he cautioned that the commission could do more to show how it is driving efficiency savings, saying the corporate body should not be immune due to Senedd expansion. Labours Mike Hedges, a finance committee member who also supported the budget plans, argued the commission would benefit from a flatter structure. But, urging the first minister to postpone reforms beyond 2026, he said: I believe Senedd expansion is being rushed and we all know when something is rushed, mistakes are made. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter Cary Darling is the arts and entertainment editor for the Houston Chronicle. He can be reached at cary.darling@houstonchronicle.com. He oversees the coverage of movies, television, pop music and the fine arts. He joined the Chronicle in 2017 as a writer specializing in arts, entertainment and pop culture, with an emphasis on film and media. A native of Los Angeles and a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, he has been a features/arts reporter at the Orange County Register, Miami Herald and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The Washoe County coroner has identified the man who died after being stabbed in City Plaza in downtown Reno last week. The medical examiner says 32-year-old Harlan S. Arnett of Oregon died after being transported to Renown Regional Medical Center. The coroner says Arnett died after being stabbed in the neck. Reno Police responded to the area near the BELIEVE sign around 10 a.m. last Thursday. Police say the suspect, 50-year-old Sedrick Romero was arrested a few blocks away. Romero was booked into the Washoe County on an open murder charge. Police believe the stabbing was an isolated incident and say there's no threat to the community. If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900. K tc x vung bin tai x Tam Quang, huyen Tuong Duong (Nghe An). Anh: TTXVN phat Chap cnh nhung uoc mo Tai Nghe An hien c 2 m hnh K tc x vng bin do cc on Bin phng trien khai, o au at tai x Tam Quang (Tuong Duong) v Truong Trung hoc co......[Nhieu Hon...] 2025-02-25 Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo. Houston Zoo This weekend marks the first weekend of Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo, alongside the debut of Artechouses immersive holiday experience. Heres a look at these highlights and more events happening around town. City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic Kick-Off Party Visitors stroll along the festive holiday decorations near Discovery Green, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer The City Lights Downtown Holiday Magic Kick-Off Party features live music, strolling performers and a craft station for the family. The festivities will continue through Dec. 31, featuring 12 themed holiday villages at locations like Discovery Green, Alley Theatre, Post Houston, Hilton Americas-Houston and Marriott Marquis. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When: Nov. 22: 5:30-8 p.m. Where: Avenida Houston, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas Zoo Lights Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo. Houston Zoo Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo offer a festive holiday experience with immersive light displays, including the new Whimsical Wildlife Tree and Twinkle Trail. Visitors can enjoy cookie decorating, colorful light pathways and animal-themed lanterns in Holiday Grove. Special highlights include the Snowy Slopes photo spot, Santas Workshop visits until Dec. 23, and a sensory-inclusive night on Dec. 2. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When: Through Jan. 5: 5:30-10:30 p.m. Where: 6200 Hermann Park Drive Artechouse Houston ARTECHOUSE debuts its first immersive holiday experience this season. Artechouse Artechouse presents its first Holiday Spectacular, an immersive blend of art, technology and festive design. The event features the 'Tingle Bells Immersion Gallery,' a 20-minute ASMR-inspired experience with nostalgic digital landscapes and calming soundscapes. Guests can also explore 'Spectacular Factory,' a whimsical holiday-themed display with floating bells, candy canes, and dancing nutcrackers. The XR Bar enhances the experience with augmented reality and seasonal drinks, including non-alcoholic options. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When: Through Jan. 5 Where: 600 W 6th St MORE FROM ANA KHAN: 10 Houston holiday, nutcracker markets to shop local this season Texas Renaissance Festival: Highland Fling Advertisement Article continues below this ad Carter Smith and Thomas Hallinan play at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Kent Manor Texas Renaissance Festivals Highland Fling weekend highlights Scottish traditions with Highland Games, a Bonnie Knees contest and a haggis eating competition. When: Nov. 23-24 Where: 21778 FM 1774 Advertisement Article continues below this ad Skating Stars on Ice at Discovery Green Skating Stars at Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green. Discovery Green Houstons top figure skaters perform demonstrations on the Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green, showcasing their skills and inspiring visitors. When: Nov. 24: 7-7:15 p.m. We all need a go-to restaurant, the kind of place you can show up to any time of day and get exactly what you were craving. A kitchen that seamlessly transitions from morning to night is a niche usually filled by diners and hotel restaurantsand there are plenty of good ones to check out in SF, including the 24-hour Pinecrest Diner and Terrene Restaurant and Bar at 1 Hotel. But for a cafe that walks the line between the twoa place you can go regardless of who youre with, how youre dressed, and whether youre craving a full meal, a cup of coffee, or a tippleis a breed of restaurant rarely found in this citys landscape. From the Transamerica Pyramid complexs brand new Cafe Sebastian to the Presidios Il Parco, these seven restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. Cafe Sebastian (Courtesy of Cafe Sebastian) The transformed Transamerica Pyramid debuted the first of its three upcoming dining concepts last week, an all-day eatery from celeb chef Bradley Kilgore. Cafe Sebastian is designed to transition from morning to midday to night without skipping a beat, a lofty goal theyve achieved with the help of an extensive in-house pastry program that furnishes everything from babka and cinnamon rolls with Japanese brown sugar to the milk bread and sourdough baguettes used in their organic egg salad and mortadella sandwiches at lunch. There are heartier dishes in the morning too, like a croque monsieur waffle made with mornay and prosciutto cotto, and a handful of dinner centerpieces, including baked sea scallops with fine herb and Meyer lemon risotto. The high-ceilinged, elegant space crafted by Kevin Klein Design is a charming spot for a meal or a glass of wine (ordered QR code-style) but they also have grab-and-go items like yogurt parfaits and salads. // Open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm on Saturday, and 9am to 6pm on Sunday; 546 Sansome St. (FiDi), cafesebastiansf.com Mattina (Courtesy of @mattinasf ) Beloved SF chef Matthew Accarrino opened his all-day, everyday restaurant Mattina last year with a seasonally-driven menu of Cal-Italian dishes that moves slickly from morning to night. Mornings are for coffee and breakfast, which includes loaded charcoal-grilled biscuits and milk bread, frittatas, oven-baked eggs, and pastries like caramel apple biscotti. Lunch and dinner feature housemade pastas, charcoal grilled skewers (spiedini), and showstoppers like brick oven whole branzino, and late-afternoons are for appi hour , Accarrinos take on Italian aperitivo culture when every vermouth spritz is served with pizza al taglio. Dont miss Thursday nights, when Mattina does BBQ Italian style. // Open 10am to 9pm Thursday and Friday, 9am to 9pm Saturdays and Sundays, and 5pm to 9pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 2232 Bush St. (Pac Heights), mattinasf.com Il Parco (Lemon Ad Media) All-day dining darling Il Parco, a light-filled cafe-meets-market, opened late last year to furnish park goers with food and drinks morning, noon, and night. At breakfast, ready-to-grab and on-demand options like breakfast bowls, quiche, scones, and toasts rotate regularly to pair with coffee, tea, and smoothies. Lunch and dinner feature paninis and pizzas made with pillowy focaccia, piadina (flatbread sandwiches) loaded with porchetta and chicken Milanese, and two types of lasagna complimented by craft spritzes like the fragola (aperol, strawberry syrup, prosecco, and soda) and wine. Theyve also got an arsenal of house and California-made pantry goodies like jams and mushroom jerky. The space is too small for indoor seating but its the Presidio, who wants to eat inside anyway when the views from outdoor picnic tables, the Glass Pavilion, and the Main Post lawn are so epic? // Open daily from 8am to 7pm; 215 Lincoln Blvd. (Presidio), ilparcosf.com Rad Radish (Courtesy of @eatradradish_ ) Fresh, peak-season produce is the star at Rad Radishs all day long. The plant-based Hayes Valley cafe follows up their kick-ass chilaquiles (plus, breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, and chia pudding) at breakfast with lunch and dinner selections that include neatball masala, probiotic bowls, orecchiette and spicy sausage arrabbiata, and burgers. Stop by anytime for a snack (chili crisp cauliflower, anyone?) and a probiotic mango basil soda or low-ABV cocktail; the bright, colorful restaurant in the former The Grove space has plenty of room for hanging out or getting some work done. // Open 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 9pm Saturday to Sunday; 301 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), eatradradish.com Todo El Dia (Courtesy of Todo El Dia) Whenever your hankering for tacos hits, the appropriately named Todo El Dias got you. The Mexico City-inspired cafe, which opened this spring from the team behind Tacolicious, has four egg-enhanced versions at breakfast (plus, tres leches french toast, chilaquiles, and more), another four at lunch and dinner (think pork chile colorado, camaron frito, and chile verde), and even one for dessert, the housemade chocotacolicious. Tortas, salads, snacks, and rotisserie chicken round out the menu in the afternoon and evening. // Open daily 9am to 8pm; 4063 24th St. (Noe Valley), todoeldiasf.com Brendas French Soul Food (Courtesy of @brendasfrenchsf ) No matter the time of day, Brenda Buenviaje of Brendas French Soul Food and Brendas Meat & Three is cooking up Creole-style comfort food. Most importantly, both restaurants are part of the new Brendas Kickass Breakfast Club, when sandwiches like the Messy Mess (runny egg, fried chicken cutlet, devil dip, American cheese, chipotle remoulade, tomato, butter toasted roll) and the Pillow Queen (scrambled egg with succotash and white cheddar, chipotle remoulade, tomato, butter toasted roll) are just $5 from 8am to 11am Monday through Friday. Yeah, you read that right: five-freaking-dollars. Brendas greatest hits are up for grabs throughout the day too, including butter pecan french toast at breakfast, shrimp and grits with spicy tomato-bacon gravy at lunch, and fried chicken at dinnerand anytime is a good time for her cant miss beignets, crawfish-stuffed or otherwise. // Open from 8am to 8pm Monday and Wednesday to Sunday and 8am to 3pm on Tuesdays; 652 Polk St. (Lower Nob Hill), frenchsoulfood.com Youre running late because you cant find your keys. Of course, theyre buried in your bag. You walk into the living room to retrieve something important. What was it again? An acquaintance greets you in the grocery store. Her name escapes you. Members only Moments of forgetfulness can happen at any age, and according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), may happen even more as you age. Still, memory lapses can provoke anxiety for older adults who are often left wondering whether its all normal or a sign of something more serious. Its important for people not to be too upset at every little cognitive change, says John Dickson, M.D., a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Still, research suggests many are. Results from a 2019 National Poll on Healthy Aging found that nearly half of respondents ages 50 to 64 are worried about developing dementia. Similarly, a 2021 survey from AARP found that nearly half of adults 40 and older think its likely they will get dementia. In reality, about 1 in 9 Americans 65 and older has dementia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While dementia is not inevitable, it is important to know the warning signs so that you or a loved one can get evaluated if there are concerns, Dickson says. Heres what to look out for. What is dementia? Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life. It can diminish focus, attention, language skills, problem solving and visual perception. Dementia can also make it difficult for a person to control emotions and can even lead to personality changes. More than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, according to the World Health Organization. Video: 5 Signs of Dementia 15 warning signs of dementia 1. Short-term memory loss. Its one thing to forget the name of the actor who starred in the movie you went to see with friends yesterday. Its another to forget you went to see a movie with friends yesterday. Those more significant lapses especially when it comes to recent events are concerning, says Judith Heidebrink, M.D., a neurologist and clinical professor at University of Michigan Health. Short-term memory loss can be a common symptom of Alzheimers disease, the most common type of dementia, Dickson says. Thats because the short-term memory-forming center of the brain, called the hippocampus, is affected early in the disease process. 2. Word loss. Weve all experienced a time or two when your brain cant find the right word, even though its on the tip-of-the-tongue. That can be normal, says Heather Whitson, M.D., a professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and director of the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. But if its happening a lot and you find that a person is substituting in words that dont fit the conversation, thats worrying. AARPs Brain Health Resource Center Find more on brain health plus dementia, stroke, falls, depression/anxiety and Parkinsons disease. Learn, take action, build healthy habits For example, Whitson says, a person might want to ask, Have you seen my jacket? But when they cant find the word for jacket, they ask, Have you seen my shirt? Another warning sign is difficulty joining, following or completing conversations. Those types of communication skills can be an early symptom, Heidebrink says. 3. Difficulty multitasking. If youre someone who has always put out a Thanksgiving dinner without a hitch, and suddenly you find that staple side dishes are missing from the spread, the rolls are burned and dinner is delayed by two hours, that could signal something more serious is at play. If it just doesn't seem like it's happening well, or it's happening with a lot more effort, that would be a sign that there are executive function issues, Whitson says. Michele Treacy, 60, and her husband Patrick have kept a safe deposit box at their local Bank of America branch for 20 years. We store all sorts of vital documents birth certificates, wedding license, mortgage docs, car titles, will and living trust docs, Michele says. Theyve always had peace of mind knowing their important paperwork was safely stored and accessible. But during the pandemic they each lost parents, Micheles father in 2020 and Patricks mother in 2021, and had a hard time accessing their parents wills in their safe deposit box. Both times I had to call [the bank] to request to have someone meet me at the closed branch so I could get access to the necessary documents, Michele recalls. It was time consuming and a hassle during a difficult time. Members only Then, when their branch in Lincoln Park, New Jersey closed and failed to reopen post-pandemic, their box was relocated to a branch 10 miles from their home, which Michele says has been inconvenient. The couple also noticed a steady rise in rental fees throughout the years, although being platinum customers they have been offered discounts and pay $139 annually for a small box. Because of the higher fees, the duo has decided to cancel their box. We are going with a secure fire-proof and flood-proof home safe from now on, Michele says. The Treacys arent alone in discovering surprising aspects of safe deposit boxes. And despite perceptions that theyre a dying breed, there are still over 20 million safe deposit boxes in the U.S., estimates Dave McGuinn, president of Safe Deposit Specialists, a financial consulting firm based in Houston, Texas. Whether you currently rent one or are considering getting one, here are 10 things to know about safe deposit boxes. 1. The contents are not insured The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) defines a safe deposit box as a storage space provided by the bank. Therefore, any contents inside are not insured by the government agency if damaged or stolen. And unfortunately, financial institutions dont insure the contents either. The contents are not protected by FDIC insurance, so if the bank is involved in a natural disaster or terrorism attack, you may lose your valuable contents with no way to recover their value, says Jaclyn Roberson, a senior partner at Roberson Duran Law in San Antonio, Texas. The only way to insure the contents is to take out a separate insurance policy. This can typically be set up as a rider to your renters or homeowners insurance. The premium is calculated based on the appraised or estimated value of each item. I've also heard that some insurance companies will discount and lower the premium because the items are secured in a vault and not inside the renter's home, says McGuinn. 2. You cant grant someone access in a pinch As an estate planning and probate attorney, Roberson deters clients from storing their original estate planning documents in a safe deposit box. Sure, it seems like a relatively safe place to hide important paperwork, but if your designated executor or agent needs to access those documents, the bank will deny them access if they are not the person who leased the safe deposit box, she explains. Even if this person is given the key and passcode, many banks will still deny access if their name is not on the safe deposit box lease as a joint renter, she warns. Members of the Conroe ISD school board gather at the Deane L. Sadler Administration Building in 2022. Conroe ISD's newly seated "Mama Bear" trustees unanimously overturned former board members' actions and reinstated the 2023 bylaws for the districts School Health Advisory Council. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Conroe ISD's newly seated "Mama Bear" trustees unanimously overturned former board members' actions and reinstated the 2023 bylaws for the districts School Health Advisory Council. In a separate vote, the board reinstated members who applied to join the council after previous action reduced the number of participants to 21 from 47. In May, the board approved new bylaws for the council in a 4-3 vote after former Board President Skeeter Hubert requested that the board update the councils bylaws. Hubert said the council needed guardrails after hearing concerns from members about what the council should address. Advertisement Article continues below this ad New Board President Misty Odenweller and trustees Tiffany Nelson and Melissa Dungan were the nay votes. The Mama Bears ran as a slate in 2022, and one of their main issues was getting what they called inappropriate materials out of school libraries and classrooms, which they claim are indoctrinating Conroe students. According to information from School Health Advisory Council Chairman Bryce Speer in the boards May meeting packet, the council did not support the changes to the bylaws, noting it gives trustees too much control and severely hindered the SHACs ability to serve the students of CISD effectively and productively, and undermines the legislated intent of the SHAC. During Tuesdays board meeting, Odenweller said she placed the item on the agenda after the previous action silenced members. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The changes put in place by previous board members put up barriers and roadblocks and dictated to the SHAC how they would operate and concentrate their work violating (state law that creates the council), Odenweller said. Odenweller said the council's intent is for parents and community members to weigh in on topics related to physical and mental health and have a direct line of communication with the board. They are not intended to go through a chain of employees, not through a superintendent but directly to the board in their voice on their concerns, Odenweller said. The Texas Education Code was amended in 1995 to create local health education advisory councils. These councils are groups appointed by school districts to serve at the district level. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Members of the council come from different areas of the community and from within the school district. The majority of members must be parents who are not employed by the district. Several former board members said the council had become emboldened and arrogant in dictating action to the board. ABP Network has solidified its leadership position in the latest Comscore Rankings for both MMX and VMX leaderboards, while remaining the most preferred destination for News across the platforms including and not limited to Websites, Apps, CTVs and YouTube. Becoming the #2 publisher in India with a reach of 122 million unique users on Comscore VMX leaderboard (September 2024), ABP Network surpassed India Today Group, Zee Digital and Times Network. The top position on the Comscore VMX ranking signifies ABP Network's sheer dominance for VOD, LIVE TV consumption led by YouTube. ABP Network with a reach of 97.8 million unique visitors stood strong on the 6th position on Comscore MMX leaderboard (October 2024), ahead of NDTV and Times Network, solidifying its position for the Websites and App properties. The latest data from Comscore VMX for September 2024 reveals that ABP Network has achieved a remarkable viewership of 1.2 billion views, maintaining top position as the most trusted news sources in India. ABP Ananda has firmly established itself as the leader in video engagement within the Bengali market, amassing an impressive 285 million video views in September. This remarkable achievement not only solidifies its position as the #1 choice among Bengali publishers but also highlights its consistent audience appeal. Viewers consumed over 800 million minutes of content, a figure that rivals the combined viewership of the next two publishers on the leaderboard. This unparalleled performance underscores ABP Anandas dominance in the Bengali language media landscape. ABP Majha has also achieved the #1 spot in the Marathi market with a reach of 18 million viewers and 270 million views in September. ABP Majha dominates the market with over 50% higher reach than the closest competition, which showcases its consolidated position in the market before, during and after the crucial Maharashtra Assembly Elections. Also Read: ABP LIVE honors Impact Leaders at Impact Makers Conclave 2024 Newly sworn in Metro Police Chief Ban Tien is congratulated after a ceremony at Houston City Hall on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Houston. Chief Tien, who along with HPD, has worked in DEA and is a veteran, is the first Asian American to lead the department. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Newly sworn in Metro Police Chief Ban Tien is congratulated after a ceremony at Houston City Hall on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Houston. Chief Tien, who along with HPD, has worked in DEA and is a veteran, is the first Asian American to lead the department. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Former HPD police chief Troy Finner hugs Captain Megan Tien after her husband, Ban Tien was sworn in as METRO Police Chief at Houston City Hall on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Houston. Chief Tien, who along with HPD, has worked in DEA and is a veteran, is the first Asian American to lead the department. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Dressed in ao dai, community members showed their support as former HPD Executive Assistant Chief Ban Tien is sworn in as METRO Police Chief at Houston City Hall on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Houston. Chief Tien, who along with HPD, has worked in DEA and is a veteran, is the first Asian American to lead the department. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Newly sworn in METRO Police Chief Ban Tien kisses his daughter, Carey, 12, after she pinned a new badge on him during a ceremony at Houston City Hall on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Houston. Chief Tien, who along with HPD, has worked in DEA and is a veteran, is the first Asian American to lead the department. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Ban Tien was sworn in as Metro police chief Nov. 15 after Mayor John Whitmire announced he would take over for former Chief Vera Bumpers. He is heading the nearly 300-officer agency after a lengthy career at the Houston Police Department, most recently in helping guide the agency through a scandal that saw more than 264,000 cases suspended with an internal code citing a lack of personnel. Metro officers police the city's public transit facilities and the roads and areas around them. Tien did not respond to requests for an interview about his new role. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE FROM HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Three officers got into a fight at IAH. Was the investigation proper? Whitmire has touted the potential he sees in the Metro Police Department since winning the mayoral election in 2023 and has praised the job he thinks Tien can do in charge. Heres everything to know about the transit groups new leader: A long career in law enforcement Tien joined the U.S. Army out of high school before starting a career in law enforcement. His careers have included stints as a special agent at the Drug Enforcement Agency and 32 years in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves and 25 years with the Houston Police Department. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He was the first Asian American to serve as an executive assistant chief for the Houston Police Department. Taking on a suspended cases scandal Former Houston Police Chief Troy Finner praised Tien for the role he played in bringing the agencys suspended cases scandal to light. Finner said it was in November 2023 that Tien first approached him and told him investigative divisions across the department had been using a code citing a lack of personnel to suspend cases for years. Police leaders soon learned the agency had used the code more than 264,000 times since 2016 and reassigned more than 100 people to look through every case and reach out to victims, with Tien leading the charge. In my opinion, Ban Tien should get a lot of credit for this, Finner said earlier in 2024. He had the courage to come and tell me when I expected other people of high rank to come and tell me whats going on. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tiens role overseeing the suspended cases investigation continued until Chief Noe Diaz arrived in Houston in August, shortly after which he was reassigned to lead the agencys field operations, which includes patrol divisions. Arrival at Metro In January, shortly after taking office, Whitmire said he wanted to merge Metro police with the Houston Police Department, adding the agencys 300 officers to Houstons almost 6,000-person department. But former Metro board chairman Sanjay Ramabhadran said at the time the move would be more complicated than it may seem. Whitmire said he hoped Tien cultivated better collaboration between the two agencies and that better public safety might increase ridership numbers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Doug Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers Union, said the agencys 300 or so officers would help bolster the larger agencys ranks significantly. Houston police leaders have said they wish the department could add as many as 2,000 additional officers. The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) has announced the appointment of Saurabh Jain as its new Director General. This strategic move comes as ADIF continues to strengthen its position as a key advocate for the Indian digital ecosystem. Saurabh Jain is a distinguished figure in India's technology landscape, bringing over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and digital innovation to his new role at ADIF. His appointment is expected to enhance ADIF's mission of fostering a thriving, innovative, and competitive digital ecosystem in India. Prateek Jain, Associate Director-Starup and Alliances, Alliance of Digital India Foundation commented on the development, saying, We are delighted to welcome Saurabh Jain as ADIF's new Director General. His extensive experience in building and scaling digital businesses, combined with his deep understanding of the startup ecosystem, makes him the ideal leader to drive ADIF's initiatives forward. Saurabh's vision aligns perfectly with our goal of creating a level playing field for digital startups in India. Throughout his career, Saurabh has made significant contributions to various facets of the tech industry. He is the founder of Fun2Do Labs, an innovative EdTech startup that is pioneering "Transmedia Education" tailored for primary school children. Prior to this, he served as Vice President at Paytm, where he led the 'Build for India' initiative aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs and fostering technological advancements. Saurabhs role has further solidified his commitment to supporting India's digital entrepreneurs. Furthermore, he has served on the National Expert Advisory Committee on Entrepreneurship for the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, from 2020 to 2023. He also founded OpenClass, a free tech education initiative that provided college students with access to cutting-edge technology topics. Expressing enthusiasm over his new role, Saurabh Jain said, I am honored and excited to take on the role of Director General at ADIF. Having been part of India's digital revolution, I understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our startup ecosystem. My vision is to work collaboratively with all stakeholders startups, policymakers, and industry leaders to create an environment where innovation thrives and digital businesses can scale sustainably. Saurabh holds a Chartered Accountancy degree from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a B.Com (Hons) from ARSD College, University of Delhi. He has also completed the ILSS Leadership Program, focusing on NGO Management, Corporate CSR, and Social Startups. Under Saurabh's leadership, ADIF is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of India's digital landscape. The organization aims to ensure that the country remains at the forefront of global digital innovation while advocating for policies that support sustainable growth in the digital economy. Also Read: Leela Palaces & RedBeryl Forge Alliance to Elevate Luxury Travel Experiences Renowned Indian actress and activist Shabana Azmi is being celebrated at the 46th Festival des 3 Continents in Nantes, France. The festival, dedicated to showcasing cinema from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, is honoring Azmi with a special retrospective marking her 50 illustrious years in Hindi cinema. Iconic films such as Ankur and Mandi, both helmed by legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, have drawn packed screenings, highlighting her enduring appeal. Sharing her joy on social media, Azmi posted: "Roaming the streets in #Nantes. Perfect weather. Had screenings of #Ankur and #Mandi to packed audiences. #ShyamBenegal wish you were here." The retrospective features a selection of her acclaimed works, including Masoom and Arth, and celebrates her versatility as an actress and her significant contribution to socially conscious cinema. French audiences have long cherished Azmi's films, with her work receiving accolades at esteemed venues like the Cinematheque Francaise, the Centre Pompidou, and previous editions of the Festival des 3 Continents. This year marks a milestone in Azmi's career, recently celebrated at the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) with the Excellence in Cinema Award. A recipient of five National Film Awards for Best Actress, she has also earned international acclaim with performances in Madame Sousatzka (1988), City of Joy (1992), and more recently, Shekhar Kapur's What's Love Got to Do with It? and Steven Spielberg's Halo. Beyond cinema, Azmis legacy as an activist for housing and womens rights resonates globally. In 1989, she was honored alongside luminaries like Mother Teresa and Rigoberta Menchu at the Biennale of Human Rights in France, receiving recognition from President Francois Mitterrand for her social impact. As the festival celebrates global storytelling, Azmi's retrospective stands as a testament to her artistic brilliance and unwavering commitment to cinema as a tool for change. NP Digital India, one of leading performance-driven creative digital marketing agency, is delighted to announce the appointment of Rubeena Singh as Managing Director. In her new role, Rubeena will lead the agencys business and focus on development of new capabilities and solutions, and widen and deepen client relationships. With over two decades of extensive experience, Rubeena Singh is a seasoned leader with a proven record of driving growth, managing large-scale operations, and leading transformative initiatives. Her deep expertise in the digital marketing landscape, combined with her ability to stay ahead of industry trends, has consistently resulted in exceptional outcomes for clients and teams. A recipient of multiple industry accolades, Rubeenas leadership is both well-recognized and celebrated across the marketing domain. We are thrilled to welcome Rubeena Singh to NP Digital India, said Prady, CEO and Co-Founder of NP Digital India. Her extensive expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence perfectly align with our vision to deliver unmatched results for our clients. Rubeenas deep understanding of the digital ecosystem and her ability to build and nurture strong client relationships will be instrumental in driving our next phase of growth. We are excited about the remarkable contributions she will bring to our team. Prior to joining NP Digital India, Rubeena held key leadership roles, including COO at moneycontrol, CEO of iProspect India and Country Manager for Josh. During her tenure as Country Manager for AnyMind Group, she spearheaded the growth of Anymind beyond India, in UAE and Saudi Arabia and in new business segments. Rubeenas focus on innovation and operational excellence has consistently set industry benchmarks and contributed to the success of the organizations she has led. Commenting on her new role, Rubeena Singh said, "I am excited to join NP Digital India, a company known for its innovation and dedication to performance marketing excellence. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team here to build new solutions, expand the client base, and contribute to the continued success of the organization. Together, we will set new benchmarks in delivering value to our clients and stakeholders." Rubeenas leadership marks a pivotal milestone for NP Digital India as the company continues to expand its footprint and capabilities in the rapidly evolving digital marketing landscape. Her appointment underscores NP Digital Indias commitment to investing in exceptional talent to achieve ambitious growth goals and deliver transformative results for its clients. One of leading global travel service provider Trip.com ha announced a strategic partnership with Meru Utama Sdn Bhd (VGI Airports) to launch a high-visibility brand campaign at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The campaign will see Trip.com branding prominently displayed across key out-of-home (OOH) advertising spaces throughout KLIA, including aerobridges, airside, and landside areas, reaching millions of travellers from around the world. This collaboration marks a significant step for Trip.com as it continues to expand its presence in the Southeast Asian market, leveraging KLIAs status as one of the regions most important travel hubs. The campaign will enhance brand awareness by leveraging high-traffic locations at KLIA, including aerobridges, walkways, and other prominent spaces in the airport, to connect with millions of passengers annually. Stephane Thong, General Manager, Trip.com Malaysia, said: We are thrilled to partner with Malaysia Airports on this exciting brand campaign. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a key gateway to Asia and beyond, making it an ideal platform to showcase Trip.coms offerings to an international audience. This collaboration not only boosts our brand visibility but also demonstrates our commitment to supporting the resurgence of global travel. Herman Lim, General Manager, VGI Airports, added: As the appointed media concessionaire for KLIA, we are delighted to welcome Trip.com as a key brand partner. The synergy of this partnership perfectly demonstrates the power of advertising at one of Asias premier airports, with Trip.coms global reach and innovative travel solutions resonating well with the diverse international audience passing through KLIAs terminals. KLIA is one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia, serving as a major transit point for international travellers. The recent 14-17 September long weekend in Malaysia saw a substantial increase in travel demand, with bookings for Kuala Lumpur growing 174% year-on-year. Top outbound destinations for Malaysian travellers in that period included China, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. The campaign will provide passengers with greater awareness of Trip.coms comprehensive travel solutions, from flight bookings to hotel accommodations, car rentals, and destination experiences, and reinforces Trip.coms commitment to providing seamless and innovative travel services to its users. Also Read: EaseMyTrip signs Jacqueline Fernandez as brand ambassador ZEE's Dilfluencers campaign is making waves by blending the authenticity of TV characters with the precision of digital platforms. Featuring Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff, the campaign highlights the deep emotional resonance of ZEEs iconic TV characters, positioning them as trusted companions and cultural touchstones for millions of Indian households. The campaign is rooted in the message #SachTohYehiHai, celebrating ZEEs legacy of over three decades of impactful storytelling. These characters, shaped by compelling narratives of resilience, empowerment, and transformation, have become more than just on-screen personas. They are regarded as family members, friends, and confidants by viewers across urban and rural India. The bond audiences share with our characters is unlike any other. It is authentic, enduring, and built on years of trust, said Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer, ZEE. With Dilfluencers, we are leveraging this extraordinary emotional connection to redefine how brands engage with consumers. Known for his everyman appeal and sincerity, Shroffs role in the campaign humorously yet meaningfully underscores the importance of trust and connection. Jackie Shroff embodies the qualities that define ZEEs characters real, reliable, and deeply resonant. His authentic voice and connection across generations amplify the message of TV characters as the OG influencers, resonating with both Gen Z and wider audiences, Mahadev explained. One of the most significant advantages of the Dilfluencers campaign is its potential to create lasting brand loyalty. By leveraging the trust that ZEEs characters have built over years of engagement, brands have the opportunity to foster deeper, more emotional connections with their audience. Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer, ZEE, highlighted the credibility that TV characters bring to brand messaging. Unlike social media influencers who operate in an unregulated space, ZEEs characters offer a unique blend of trust and relatability that enables brands to go beyond quick conversions. They have the power to influence perceptions and drive sustained engagement, which is invaluable in todays highly competitive market, he explained. ZEEs massive reach and influence bolster the campaigns potential. The networks audience spans over 722 million monthly unique TV viewers, with a weekly cumulative social reach of 960 million. With over 20 channels in 10 languages and a vast portfolio of 100+ top shows, ZEE continues to captivate audiences across Indias diverse socio-cultural landscape. This dominance in both traditional and digital media shows the enduring appeal of ZEEs storytelling. Our characters are household names, transcending linguistic and geographical boundaries. This pan-India resonance is a testament to the trust our audiences have placed in us, said Sehgal. These characters are not just part of fictional worlds; they are woven into the fabric of our viewers lives. Their influence extends beyond the screen, shaping perceptions, and inspiring change, Mahadev added. He emphasised that the campaign is as much about celebrating ZEEs rich storytelling legacy as it is about charting a new path for brand engagement. The power of our characters lies in their relatability. They represent everyday heroes, caregivers, and dreamers people who resonate deeply with our audience. The campaign aligns closely with ZEEs guiding philosophy, Aaj Likhenge Kal, which emphasises shaping a better tomorrow through meaningful action today. By spotlighting characters that inspire hope, courage, and resilience, the campaign reflects ZEEs commitment to storytelling that drives societal change. From Hindi-language hits like Kundali Bhagya and Bhagya Lakshmi to regional favourites such as Lakshmi Nivasa on Zee Kannada and Padamati Sandhyaragam on Zee Telugu, ZEEs characters have consistently mirrored Indias diversity while fostering a sense of unity. This emotional storytelling is central to ZEEs strategy, ensuring content remains rooted in consumer insights. Mahadev added, Our initiatives like Hamara Parivar foster a two-way conversation with audiences, allowing us to adapt dynamically and reimagine iconic shows for todays sensibilities. Both leaders reflected on ZEEs performance this year. While the Hindi-speaking markets faced challenges, the regional markets, particularly in South and East India, experienced strong growth. Sehgal commented, Zee Marathi has started regaining market share, and our focus on regional storytelling has yielded positive results. Mahadev highlighted how this years content innovation leveraged cultural nuances, such as stories rooted in the Mumbai-Konkan region, resonating deeply with viewers. However, both acknowledged that the Hindi markets stagnation requires attention, with hopes for revival in the remaining months of the year. As ZEE marks its 65th year, both Mahadev and Sehgal are optimistic about the future. Mahadev outlined plans for 2025, emphasising innovation in storytelling and a platform-agnostic approach. Content will increasingly travel across screens, ensuring discovery on both digital and traditional platforms, he said. Sehgal echoed this sentiment, pointing to rural economic growth as a key driver of advertising spends in smaller towns. He added, Advertisers are beginning to recognise the long-term brand-building power of TV. With more successful movie releases on the horizon, we anticipate increased viewership and advertiser interest. Despite fierce competition from digital platforms, ZEE remains steadfast in promoting TVs unmatched value. While platforms like Meta and YouTube dominate ROI-driven campaigns, many brands are returning to TV after realising the impact of digital-only strategies on brand equity, Sehgal observed. The Dilfluencers campaign exemplifies ZEEs commitment to redefining storytelling. As Mahadev concluded, Our mission is to create stories that resonate across platforms, bridging emotional authenticity with modern consumer engagement. Also Read: Zee 24 TAAS's AI Anchor Zeenia Leads Gautam Adani Faces $250 Million Bribery, Fraud Charges in US Over Solar Contracts 2 Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani and key associates are facing charges from US prosecutors in connection with an alleged $250 million bribery scheme aimed at securing favorable terms for solar energy contracts in India. These contracts, prosecutors claim, could yield profits exceeding $2 billion. The indictment, filed in the Eastern District of New York, accuses Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and former executives of Adani Green Energy Ltd., including ex-CEO Vneet Jaain, of engaging in securities fraud, conspiracy, and wire fraud. The charges extend to allegations that the Adani Group concealed these bribes from US banks and investors who financed its projects. Bribery Allegations and Concealment Between 2020 and 2024, the defendants allegedly paid $250 million to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts. According to court documents, Adani and his co-conspirators, including Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal of Azure Power Global, orchestrated the payments through elaborate means. Some conspirators reportedly referred to Gautam Adani using code names like Numero Uno and The Big Man. The indictment revealed that Sagar Adani allegedly used his personal cellphone to track bribery specifics and handled sensitive communications, which US prosecutors obtained through judicially authorized searches. Global Implications The case has significant international ramifications, as Adani Green Energy raised $175 million from US investors, while Azure Powers stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange. These ties to US markets brought the case under the jurisdiction of US anti-fraud and anti-corruption laws. The charges also implicate three former employees of the Canadian pension fund CDPQ, a shareholder in Adani-linked firms. The employees allegedly obstructed the investigation by destroying emails and providing false information to authorities. Adani Groups Response The Adani Group has not issued an official statement regarding the allegations, but it has previously denied similar accusations. This latest turmoil follows a $150 billion market value wipeout triggered by allegations of brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud by Hindenburg Research in January 2023. Legal and Financial Fallout The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also filed a civil case against the Adanis, seeking penalties and bans on holding officer or director positions in US-listed companies. Additionally, federal charges under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act target five other individuals involved in the alleged bribery. This indictment puts Adani and his conglomerate under intense scrutiny, potentially jeopardizing one of the worlds largest solar energy projects while reigniting questions about corporate governance and corruption in international markets. ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas Leader Deif Over Alleged War Crimes 2 The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif (also known as Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri) for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the ongoing Gaza conflict. The warrants stem from accusations that Netanyahu and Gallant intentionally deprived Gazas population of essentials such as food, water, medicine, and electricity during military actions, which the ICC deems as constituting war crimes. Hamas leader Deif is accused of orchestrating the October 7 attack on Israel, involving crimes such as murder, torture, and hostage-taking. Although Israel is not a member of the ICC and rejects its jurisdiction, the court stated that Israels acceptance of its authority is not required. Israel claims it has killed Deif in airstrikes, though Hamas has not confirmed this. The warrants carry international implications, especially for travel and diplomatic engagements of the accused. Kuki MLAs Demand Statewide AFSPA in Manipur for Recovery of Looted Arms 2 Ten Kuki legislators in the Manipur Assembly, including seven from the ruling BJP-led alliance, have called for the extension of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) across the state to recover over 6,000 looted weapons. The demand follows the Centres decision on November 14 to reimpose AFSPA in six police station areas, including violence-hit Jiribam, citing the continuous volatile situation due to ethnic clashes. In a joint statement, the Kuki MLAs urged the extension of AFSPA to the remaining 13 police jurisdictions, asserting that the measure is essential to contain the unrest and recover the looted arms. The violence, which erupted on May 3, 2023, during a Tribal Solidarity March opposing the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, has led to over 220 deaths. The MLAs also stressed the need for political dialogue to bring lasting peace to the state. The legislators criticized a recent resolution by Manipurs BJP-led NDA MLAs for a mass operation against Kuki militants following the killing of six civilians in Jiribam. They termed the resolution divisive and communal and called for impartial investigations into all killings since May 3, 2023, to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This appeal highlights deep divisions within Manipurs political landscape, with Kuki MLAs seeking broader measures to restore law and order while addressing allegations of bias in government actions. Scott Bannon, director of the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, speaks at a meeting on possible changes to saltwater fishing rules.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com The first of a series of public meetings on possible changes to saltwater fishing regulations showed that officials are considering changes that could affect how Alabama anglers go after shark, flounder and red snapper, among other species. Most of the possible changes could be considered fine-tuning. But state officials also are looking at the possibility of setting limits on common snook, a species that has begun to establish a presence in Alabama as average water temperatures have risen. Theyre also looking at possible limits on skates and rays to protect them from wasteful fishing by bowhunters. Scott Bannon, director of the Marine Resources Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), along with other Marine Resources personnel, held a session Tuesday night at Spanish Fort Community Center. Bannon said the division is weighing various concerns and wants public input on responses which, in some cases, include letting the status quo stand. Marine Resources will present its findings to a Conservation Advisory Board in early 2025, Bannon said. That board could recommend changes or further study by late spring. The species involved, the concerns and the changes under consideration: Sheepshead Existing limits for sheepshead were set in 2012: 10 fish per person per day, with a minimum fork length of 12 inches. Officials say theyve seen a decline in recreational catch per unit of effort as well as a decline in commercial landings. One possible change would be to increase the minimum length. While Florida shares Alabamas 12-inch minimum, Mississippis is 14 inches and Texas is 15 inches. Louisiana does not regulate sheepshead. However, officials have reasons to think that increasing the minimum size might not improve the spawning stock biomass, a term for the total weight of fish that are mature enough to reproduce. The average length of sheepshead caught by Alabama anglers is 15.5 inches. Another possible change would be to lower the bag limit, possibly from 10 to eight. Mississippis limit is 15, while Floridas is eight and Texas is five. Officials think this would allow for more fish to be released and potentially increase the overall spawning stock and reproductive output. Red drum/redfish Slot limits are higher in all other Gulf Coast states, starting at 18-inch minimums. Louisiana and Florida do not allow anglers to keep any oversize fish. The possible change under discussion is to end the allowance for oversize redfish. Common snook Snook puts regulators and anglers in an interesting situation. Its not a species native to Alabama, so it isnt regulated. However, for more than a decade now, people have been catching snook in the waters around Perdido Bay. Theres a definite upside to this: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission describes the common snook as one of Floridas most popular inshore game fish because of its spectacular fighting ability and merit as table fare. Early on, officials thought the snook were visiting but not overwintering in Alabama waters. Now they seem to overwinter, said Anson. This is part of a larger trend of warm-water fish extending their habitat northward as global ocean temperatures rise. Its called tropicalization, and what could be healthy for some species might be harmful for others. Anson said Alabama conservation officials have been talking to their counterparts in Florida, whove seen snook rising from south Florida and spreading across the Panhandle. Related: Tropical fish found off Alabama coast as waters warm: Theyre everywhere you go Heres the deal. Theres two ways to look at it, said Bannon. Theyre not from here. Theres no regulation, you could catch them all, we could go ahead and be done with it. But most people that are catching them dont want that, they want some form of protection. As much as people think were a no agency, our job is to provide access to the fisheries. So, this is a new fishery, people are enjoying it, they should get to enjoy it. So to come out with no data and say no, I dont think really falls in line with the way we view how we do conservation. Theyre not a native species, so in theory we could wipe them out and its okay, it has no impact on the environment, said Bannon. But theres also the possibility that protecting the new snook fishery could help it develop into a boon for coastal fishing. The potential action put on the table by Marine Resources is a one-fish limit with a minimum total length of 24 inches. This would be lower than Floridas limit of one fish with a 28-inch to 33-inch total length. The audience on hand at Tuesdays meeting seemed to favor taking action to nurture the snook fishery, possibly even the institution of a catch-and-release protocol or a tagging program. Tripletail Officials say theyre picking up on concern about the tripletail population and are waiting on more data. While its too early to say, that data could lead them to tighten up the existing recreational and commercial limit of three fish per person per day, with a minimum total length of 18 inches. One course of action might be to impose a boat limit as well as an individual limit. There may not be a need for anything, said Bannon. This is one that just comes up a lot, so we wanted to just put that out there for you guys to provide us some feedback about what you are seeing on the water. Skates and rays Anson said there currently are no state or federal limits on skates and rays. But he said theyre a slow-reproducing class that is under pressure from a new source. They have been an increasing target for bowfishing, said Anson. For bowfishermen, they have charters that go out at night and use lights to shoot them with bow and arrow. The problem, Anson said, is that in some cases hunters are targeting rays merely to collect their tails as trophies, returning the injured fish to the water with unknown mortality (rays can regrow their tails, though a ray without one is presumed to be at a disadvantage in the meantime). There is a role for skates and rays, theyre scavengers. Theyre not crustacean killers, said Bannon. When we see stacks of them on shore Im going to use the reference to, everybody thought it was okay to ride on the train and shoot the buffalo, until they couldnt. I dont want to take away anybodys business, I am very pro-business but in order for that business to stay in business, they need those species to stay." Bannon said that if ray hunters are removing 35 to 70 tails per trip, thats 35 to 70 critters that reproduce very slowly that are dead or injured, with a potential long-term impact on the population. I just dont think thats a sustainable practice, said Bannon. I definitely dont think its good stewardship. Anglers present at Tuesdays meeting spoke of the practice with some scorn, with one saying it was like shooting a deer just to cut the horns off. Potential responses could be to institute a low recreational bag limit, such as two fish per person; prohibiting anglers from cutting off the tails or part of the tails; or requiring people using a gig, spear or bow and arrow to keep all the rays they catch. Sharks The Marine Resources Division is considering a change that would allow very limited longline commercial shark fishing in some state waters. Lines would be limited to 2400 feet of line and 50 hooks, among other constraints. Flounder The division is considering the possibility of increasing the commercial gillnet limit from the current 40 fish per vessel to 60 or higher. Bannon said this was aimed at providing some relief for the small and diminishing population of licensed commercial gillnet users. Red snapper Research suggests the abundance is stable when it comes to the red snapper fishery, so the changes under consideration have more to do with access than with limits. In recent seasons the state has opened its red snapper season the Friday before Memorial Day and kept it open for four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, until the catch approached the years recreational quota. Graphs of the action show that snapper seasons get off to a fast start, with a lot of boats hitting the water in the first few weeks, then taper off dramatically through later summer and fall. A change under consideration would be to open the 2025 season seven days a week through June, then switch to four-day weekends in July. Captain and Crew One area of discussion is not species-specific. Alabama law allows charter captains and crew to keep a daily bag limit of fish on one trip per day. Marine Resources figures seem to show that captains and crews have made relatively little use of the provision. Possible courses of action include ending the captain and crew allotment, or letting it stand. The second meeting in the series will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf, 4671 Orange Beach Parkway. The third is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Tillmans Corner Community Center, 5055 Carol Plantation Road. According to the meeting announcement, the sessions will be streamed at https://aldcnr.webex.com/meet/scott.bannon. Ancient Miao embroidery drives tourism boom in rural SW Chinas Guizhou People's Daily Online) 10:53, November 21, 2024 Yang Wenli, a native of Huawu, a Miao village in Qianxi city, southwest China's Guizhou Province is preserving the ancient art of Miao embroidery. The traditional craft gained recognition as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2006. "Miao embroidery is a traditional craft that has been passed down through generations," said Yang, who was born after 1995. "Though I resisted learning the craft as a child, I'm now dedicated to passing on these techniques," she added. Photo shows Miao embroidery products. People's Daily Online/Long Zhangyu) As a municipal-level inheritor of Miao embroidery and head of a local workshop in Huawu village, Yang has introduced the craft to wider audiences through livestream shows and other platforms. "Our best livestream show brought in nearly 90,000 yuan ($12,420) in sales. This year, our workshop's sales volume has already exceeded 2.3 million yuan, surpassing last year's total," she said. Yang leads a team that includes designers, drawing young talent back to their hometown. Her product range has evolved from traditional embroidery to creative cultural items, including sachets, scarves, sun hats, decorative paintings and mouse pads. Through the years, Yang has expanded the workshop's operations and innovated Miao embroidery techniques, helping the industry thrive while improving embroiderers' livelihoods. This summer, Yang received her first international orders after foreign visitors, captivated by Miao embroidery during their workshop visit, commissioned custom pieces. Recognizing Miao embroidery's cultural significance, Yang plans to expand internationally to showcase this traditional Chinese art form to global audiences. The village has transformed into a tourist destination through its development of Miao embroidery, ginger cultivation and huangba production a local sticky rice dessert aided by infrastructure improvements, according to Huawu village Party head Xiao Yangqun. Xiao said the village has attracted more than 800,000 visitors and generated 160 million yuan in tourism revenue this year. This success story reflects a broader national effort to preserve intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, China has established a four-tier system of intangible cultural heritage lists at national, provincial, municipal and county levels, recognizing more than 100,000 representative items and 90,000 inheritors. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Frank Billingsley, Chief Meteorologist of KPRC-TV Why do you like being a meteorologist: "I like the fairly instant feedback of knowing if the forecast verified and examining what happened if it was wrong." What are the obstacles of being a meteorologist: "As amazingly good as our forecasts have become, Mother Nature can still have its own mind." Fun fact: "I love to play the card game of Bridge. When I can find a little time, I play a few hands every day on the computer or my phone." Al Torres Frank Billingsley at the farewell party for Dominique Sachse at Steak 48 Thursday Oct 28 ,2021. Dave Rossman/Contributor Frank Billingsley, former KPRC meteorologist will soon step into a new role as an executive producer for Houston Public Media, according to a news release. The popular Houston weatherman, who has been on television since 1989, will bring his on-air experience and jolly personality to the new job. Earlier this year, Billingsley departed from Houston TV station KPRC after almost three decades there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Frank Billingsleys reputation as a Houston legend precedes him, said Josh Adams, Houston Public Media station manager in the release, His experience and connection to our community align perfectly with Houston Public Medias mission to inform and inspire. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team and look forward to the impact his presence will have." Billingsley started working as a meteorologist in 1982 in Roanoke, Va, before taking his talent to Biloxi, Miss. for a few years, which led him to the Lone Star State. As Houston Public Media expands their content, Billingsley will be featured in a multi-platform talk show Hello, Houston that is set to premiere in early 2025. The new show will also feature broadcaster Ernie Manouse and producer Celeste Schurman, according to the release. Billingsley said in the release that he is excited about the new opportunity to sit alongside his new colleagues to discuss Houston life. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Of course, I'll still get to talk about the weather, but Celeste, Ernie and I have fun and fascinating discussions about politics, arts, concerts, restaurants, clubs, people: everything that makes this city so great, he said. More longtime Birmingham radio personalities have left the air this fall as Summit Media replaces hosts with syndication. On Oct. 29, Kim Moore, also known as The Night Bird, quit her decades-long, highly-rated night show on 98.7 Kiss FM. She worked at the station for more than 25 years. Moore is one of multiple people who have left various stations so far this year. In June, Darryl Johnson of 98.7 Kiss FM and Young Dil of 95.7 Jamz were laid off. In October, Leo Taylor and Pisani Baldwin of 610 WAGG also were laid off. Baldwin made the announcement on Facebook. And just like that the station that has been a staple for our community is no longer as youve known it to be, Baldwin said. Summit Media owns radio stations around the country and is headquartered in Birmingham. Representatives currently working at Summit Media did not respond to repeated calls or emails from AL.com. Kiss, JAMZ and WAGG are three urban stations that drove the highest radio ratings in Birmingham, according to Nielsen Ratings. As of Nov. 20, the hosts have either been replaced by a syndicated personality thats based in other markets or music has filled the time slot where they were previously on air. Johnson, Dil, Taylor, Baldwin and Moore had all worked for the company since its inception in 2012. Prior to that, all of the stations were owned by Cox Media where the same talent previously worked. The hosts took pride in playing music that appealed to local listeners. Now, they say, the stations dont sound the same. Johnson, who was on air at Kiss since 1997, recently developed a health condition. A GoFund Me was created to pay for medical expenses. Darryl Johnson inside Summit Media studios.Darryl Johnson Shelia Smoot, previously the news director at Summit Media up until June 2024, will now air The Sheila Smoot Show weekly on WAGG and Tuscaloosas Townsquare Media station, WTUG, according to a statement she provided to AL.com. Smoot has had a long career in broadcasting. She said she believes the market is changing. Twenty years ago you didnt have directors of social media. Or you didnt have digital content creators. You didnt have those jobs. So when youre in media positions, you got to understand thats how it will always be, Smoot said. Recent layoffs have caused people on social media to call for a boycott of the company. Bruce Henderson Jr. commented under Baldwins post, Praying for you all! Time to boycott! If we all stop listening, they will get the message! You cant fire all our favorite and we still listen to you! Im livid, Phoenix Rising said on Facebook. Under Risings post, Rose Walker commented, I stand with you, no more will I listen to any of these stations! In August, former Jamz personality, Buck Wilde, announced that he was returning to the hip hop station. Wilde took Dils former on-air slot, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. In 2023, Summit Media did not budget for the annual live radio broadcast of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show for the Magic City Classic. Smiley took it upon himself to host the show at Hoovers Stardome Comedy Club. From department stores to restaurants and more, a lot of great Alabama businesses have come and gone over the years. So when our friends at This is Alabama asked its Facebook followers to tell them what Alabama stores and eateries they used to love, we knew we were in for a trip down memory lane and would quickly be reminded of many great businesses that have closed over the years. From Parisian to Catfish Cabin, The Lamplight, Red Bird Inn and more, you can take a look at nine of the businesses readers used to love below, and you can read all of the responses -- and add your own -- on the This is Alabama Facebook page. Catfish Cabin in Albertville, Ala., is closing after more than 40 years in business. Catfish Cabin Catfish Cabin, which had several locations in Alabama, came up often as a restaurant folks used to love. Most notably, the Albertville location of the beloved eatery announced on Facebook that it would be closing its doors after more than four decades in business in 2021. The restaurant was known for serving everything from catfish filets to ribeye steaks, seafood gumbo, homemade desserts and much more. That said, Catfish Cabin II remains open in Athens. Read more: Albertvilles Catfish Cabin closing after four decades The Lamplighter The Lamplighter in Tuscaloosa may have shuttered its doors more than 30 years ago, but that didnt keep it from garnering a spot on this list. Known for its wide menu offering affordable steaks, fresh seafood and more, The Lamplighter closed its doors sometime in the 1980s. Even with so much time passing, many folks still have fond memories of eating there, including Linda Smelley of The Waysider Restaurant. Thats been so long ago that I cant even remember when that was, Smelley told AL.com But it was always good. Read more: Ask an Alabama chef: What old restaurant do you miss the most? The former Parisian store on 2nd Avenue North from circa 1939. (Birmingham Public Library) Parisian Department Store Many residents from all over the state have fond memories of shopping at Parisian department stores, which got their start in Birmingham in 1877 and opened multiple locations in Alabama before ultimately going out of business in 2006. While these days online shopping is the go-to, many readers said they missed visiting the old department store and the experience of shopping there. Read more: Comeback Town: Soft-spot in my heart for an old Birmingham department store Red Bird Inn Another restaurant that closed nearly 40 years ago but is still missed by readers is The Red Bird Inn. Located on Seibels Road in Montgomery when it opened in the 1920s, the eatery was known for its fried chicken and onion rings, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. It closed its doors for good in 1983, but the memory of its signature dishes lives on. The Pizitz building on 2nd Avenue North in Birmingham was restored to house a food court, retail space and apartments. (Frank Couch)al.com Pizitz Department Store Like Parisian, Pizitz department store was once a shopping destination for families all over the state before its closure in 1988. Louis Pizitz opened his first store in the late 1800s, which grew into several locations throughout the Birmingham and Huntsville area. Today, the Pizitz building where the department store was founded is now home to The Pizitz Food Hall, offices, apartments and the Sidewalk Film Center. Read more: BBQ restaurants we miss Britlings Cafeteria Britlings Cafeteria once had locations all over Birmingham after the first restaurant was opened in 1919 by W.B. Johnson. At one time, there were three downtown and several more in the suburbs, but during the 1970s and 1980s, each Britlings location eventually closed due to the competition of other eateries. Still, readers said they missed the popular cafeteria, and we like to think some of them still have that signature mug kids who finished their milk were awarded. Read more: Britling Cafeterias were part of Birminghams dining landscape for years A photo of classic Huntsville restaurant Zesto. (Courtesy Amelia Mathison) Zesto Zesto first got its start in Huntsville in 1947 as an ice cream shop franchise before being converted into a diner-style eatery in 1951 that became known for its dip dogs and dip burgers. While it closed in the early 2000s, anybody craving a dip dog can still score one and much more at the ZestoAF food truck run by Amelia Mathison, the daughter of former owners Earl and Virgina Noe. Read more: The spirit of classic Huntsville restaurant Zesto rides again McCollums Catfish In 2016, McCollums Catfish in Decatur served dinner for the last time, and fans of the seafood spot have been missing it ever since. Open since 1961, the family-owned restaurant developed a strong following of loyal customers thanks to its menu of fresh seafood, hamburger steaks and more, but ultimately rising food costs and competition for business led to its demise, according to WHNT. Bonus: Quincys Restaurant Quincys, a popular steakhouse and buffet in the early 90s, might not have got its start in Alabama, but many readers still brought it up as the restaurant they miss the most (and yes, those yeast rolls were a big part of why). The restaurant chain once had more than 200 locations throughout our state and the rest of the South, but today, there ARE only two Quincys still open and neither is in Alabama. Celebrities have threatened to leave the United States for years if Donald Trump were to be elected as the President of the United States. It appears at least one Hollywood celebrity is making good on her promise. Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi - The Wrap is reporting, per a person close to DeGeneres - have moved to England, saying Trump was the reason. The couple put their California estate on the market. According to the report, DeGeneres has moved to the Cotswolds, a rural area in south-central England. The Wrap did report DeGeneres has other California properties, and it is unclear what the comedian plans to do with them. However, Fox News Digital reported the home was sold in August prior to the election. Fox News, citing a source, reports that Trumps re-election had inspired the couples decision to jump ship. Whether the sale of the property in August was linked to plans to move abroad remains unclear. DeGeneres announced her support for Vice President Kamala Harris in September by reposting Taylor Swifts Instagram endorsement. She added, This childless cat lady couldnt agree more, a shot at Vice President-elect JD Vance. Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily. Jussie Smolletts 2021 conviction has been reversed by the an Illinois Supreme Court. Today, we resolve a question about the States responsibility to honor the agreements it makes with defendants, the Illinois Supreme Court wrote in its ruling, per WGNTV. Specifically, we address whether a dismissal of a case by nolle prosequi allows the State to bring a second prosecution when the dismissal was entered as part of an agreement with the defendant and the defendant has performed his part of the bargain. We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we, therefore, reverse defendants conviction. Smollett was convicted of falsely reporting a 2019 hate crime against him in 2021. Smollett, who is Black and gay, alleged his attackers shouted racist and homophobic slurs at him before putting a noose around his neck on a Chicago street. Smollett was on the television drama Empire, which filmed in Chicago, and prosecutors alleged he staged the attack because he was unhappy with the studios response to hate mail he received. He was found guilty of five counts of disorderly conduct for setting up the attack. Smolletts attorneys have argued that the case was over when the Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxxs office dropped an initial 16 counts of disorderly conduct. A grand jury restored charges after a special prosecutor took the case. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Once known as one of the nations finest medical facilities to treat the mentally ill, the old Bryce Hospital building now houses a state-of-the-art student Welcome Center on the Tuscaloosa campus of the University of Alabama. In 2016, I toured the facility after the majority of buildings were razed, leaving only its original administration building and four wings. It was creepy and fascinating to see its features taken down to the studs and being restored for a new purpose. Obsolete medical equipment was scattered, patient rooms were stripped, floors had been removed and piles of bricks were everywhere. The interior of the 1861 Bryce Hospital when renovations began in 2016. This photo shows the floor removed so you can see the doorways to the old patient rooms from the basement.Kelly Kazek At the time, the universitys facilities planner hoped the $95 million renovation would be completed by 2020. The pandemic and other issues delayed progress and Randall Welcome Center and a Museum of Mental Health opened in January 2024. I recently was able to tour the main building again and was impressed with the rescue of this important building thats listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A display at the Museum of Mental Health inside the old Bryce Hospital, which is now Randall Welcome Center at the University of Alabama. This display shows an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) shock machine used at Bryce Hospital in the 1960s when doctors thought this type of treatment was beneficial in treating mental illnessKelly Kazek Eight years after my first tour, much of the work is completed but the massive rotunda and the wings sprouting from the main building are still under construction. Some of that space will be used for offices of faculty and staff for UAs Department of Theatre and Dance, said Matthew McLendon, Ph.D., associate vice president of UA Enrollment Management, whose department is housed in the building. The ceilings of the porches at Randall Welcome Center, the former 1861 Bryce Hospital, are painted "haint" blue, a Southern tradition meant to keep out evil spirits.Kelly Kazek Bryce Hospital gets new life The hospital opened in 1861 as the Alabama Insane Hospital, sometimes written Alabama Hospital for the Insane, and was later renamed for its founding physician Peter Bryce. Legend says Bryce and his family watched from the buildings rotunda as Union troops burned the campus in 1865. Peter Bryce was a progressive doctor and his hospital was established as a place where patients with mental illness or addiction were housed in beautiful surroundings and performed therapeutic work in a pastoral setting. It was designed using the then-popular Kirkbride Plan, with staggered wings to allow the maximum sunlight for patients. To provide a sense of purpose, patients would do chores on the farms or in other areas of the hospital until, in the mid-20th century, courts ruled that patients could not be made to work. The hospital was named one of the five best in the world in the 1880s. A Museum of Mental Health is located on the second floor of Randall Welcome Center at the University of Alabama. The museum and Welcome Center take up a portion of the 1861 Bryce Hospital Administration Building, which has been extensively renovated. It opened in January 2024.Kelly Kazek At its largest in the 1970s, the 168-acre hospital compound included farms with crops and livestock, kitchens, doctors and nurses quarters, parlors for visitors, patient rooms, a community room for dancing and parties, and quarters for the superintendent. Bryce and his family lived on the top floor of the administrative building during his time there. Ripleys Believe It or Not once listed Bryce Hospital as having the longest roofline in the world. The interior of the rotunda of the 1861 Bryce Hospital when renovations began in 2016.Kelly Kazek The hospital closed in 2014 and patients were moved to a new mental health center nearby. The old property and buildings were purchased by the University of Alabama for use as a welcome and for office for the performing arts department. MORE: A look at Bryce in historic photos The majority of the 1861 administration building was used to create the Randall Welcome Center, where students come when they first visit the university. The center is named for the late Pettus Randall and his wife, Dr. Catherine J. Randall. It features areas for prospective students to gather for campus tours, a lounge, theater and UA admissions offices in its 15,000 square feet, the UA website says. The wrought-iron stair railing with rose design was restored from the 1861 Bryce Hospital for use in the new Randall Welcome Center at the University of Alabama.Kelly Kazek McLendon said the center has been well-received. The response from prospective students, families and guests have been overwhelmingly positive, McLendon said. The Randall Welcome Center provides the opportunity for guests to learn about many different aspects of the university through engaging and interactive content delivery platforms. Both students and guests have commented on how impressive the facility is and how the information provided in the interactive space is helpful to learn more about UA. In 2016, the hospitals original administration building and wings were taken down to the studs to begin renovation for the Welcome Center. See the 2016 photos here. The Museum of Mental Health inside the old Bryce Hospital, which is now the Randall Welcome Center at the University of Alabama. This display shows the silverware engraved with "AIH" (Alabama Insane Hospital) and photos of Dr. Peter Bryce and his wife, Ellen.Kelly Kazek Honoring the history The hospitals exterior has been lovingly restored and the original wrought-iron stair railing with a rose design was saved. Throughout the building, many of the original features were either preserved or recreated, McLendon said. There was a lot of effort and planning that went into the overall project. In the central pavilion is a cast iron staircase from the early period of the hospitals existence that has been refurbished and relocated within that part of the building. Throughout the building, reclaimed wood from the original building now makes up several areas of flooring and was even used for office signage. Most of the central part of the building along with the space in the west wings were preserved in the same floorplan that was in place when the hospital was operational. A nurse's uniform and other artifacts in the Museum of Mental Health inside the 1861 Bryce Hospital, which now also houses Randall Welcome Center at the University of Alabama.Kelly Kazek The museum, created to honor the buildings history, was beautifully designed and curated by the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Everyone from prospective students and families to general visitors to the building have taken advantage of being able to visit that space, McLendon said. Architectural salvage from the 1861 Bryce Hospital is on display at the Museum of Mental Health. The museum is located inside the old hospital building, which now also houses Randall Welcome Center at the University of Alabama.Kelly Kazek Steve Davis, historian for the ADMH, was largely responsible for the museum, McLendon said. In a 2016 interview with AL.com, Davis said when he worked at Bryce in the 1970s, people would arrive asking for tours of the hospital that was the subject of many local tales. When visitors began interfering with the staffs work, Davis set up a small museum in the parlor and dining room of the old superintendents home, which is now gone. The collection was later moved to the main building in the 1980s and now much of it is on display to allow the public to come in and learn about the history of mental health in Alabama. The museum is free to visit and well worth your time. The interior of the 1861 Bryce Hospital when renovations began in 2016.Kelly Kazek Exhibits include a vintage nurses uniform, a set of silverware engraved AIH, an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) shock machine used at Bryce Hospital in the 1960s when doctors thought this type of treatment was beneficial in treating mental illness, an antique wooden wheelchair, metal markers removed by vandals from patients graves at Bryce Cemetery, medical kits, models of the hospital property, architectural remnants and much more. The museum also includes a piece of an original door jamb from the main buildings that was signed by carpenters. It said: A. Anderson, superintendent of Philadelphia carpenters who worked on this institution in the month of August 1860/T. Districh/T. David/W. Whellan/Jeff Jacham/Jackson Bryers. Two children were found safe after the running vehicle they were left inside was stolen Thursday from outside a Birmingham methadone clinic. Police said it was about 10 a.m. when the childrens mother left the children - a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl - in a running vehicle when she went inside New Seasons treatment center on Clifford Circle in east Birmingham. While she was inside, several people jumped into her Toyota Tacoma, and sped away. One of the men, police said, was also a client at the treatment center. Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted the Birmingham police, including the U.S. Marshals, the FBI, Irondale police, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, Tarrant police and ALEA. Officer Truman Fitzgerald said employees at the center were able to provide crucial information, including the possible identity of at least one of the suspects. The business also has a good video surveillance system. Two of the suspects were taken into custody in the Tarrant area. They told investigators where they had abandoned the truck. The children were found safe just over two hours after they were taken. They were inside the stolen truck, which had been abandoned in a small field on Burgin Avenue. The two suspects taken into custody were interviewed and released without being charged. The suspect who police say stole the vehicle remains at large. The childrens mother told AL.com, Im thankful theyre OK. She and her family declined further comment. The family left New Seasons after the children were found, following a caravan of police vehicles to the Burgin Avenue location. Dozens of police vehicles lines both sides of the street there. The mother was reunited with her children, hugging them tightly before they were loaded into car seats in a family friends vehicle. Police said they dont expect her to be charged. They were safe but we still got them medical treatment,' Fitzgerald said. We are happy we recovered those children. That was our main priority. Birmingham Interim Police Chief Michael Pickett said he appreciates the number of agencies that pitched in to help, the swift capture of the suspects, and the safe recovery of the children. With any crime, and involving children, we want to move as quickly as quickly as we can,' Pickett said. The seamless communication and the seamless collaboration you saw today is the reason why these kids were recovered so quickly and why the suspects are in custody. A Mobile County teenager was sentenced to eight years behind bars in connection to the fentanyl overdose death of a 15-year-old in 2022. On Wednesday, a judge sentenced Jackson Powell Lewis, 19, to serve 97 months in state prison for unlawful distribution of a controlled substance. According to court records, Lewis was also sentenced to serve one year at Mobile Metro County Jail for criminally negligent homicide. In September, a jury found Powell guilty of both charges related to her death. Taylor was found dead Aug. 31, 2022 at her home. Adrianna, a student at Mary G. Montgomery High School, was about to turn 16 at the time of her death. During Lewiss trial prosecutors provided evidence demonstrating that he gave her the deadly dose of fentanyl. The sheriff at the time told AL.com that they crushed up what they thought were opioids and were snorting them. The pills were laced with fentanyl. Lewis will serve the sentences concurrently and will be given credit for time served. Celebrity Birmingham attorney Alexander Shunnarah, famous for his Call Me Alabama billboards across the state, gave away 1,000 turkeys on Thursday afternoon in front of his new office at the former Birmingham News building. Im just giving back, Shunnarah said. Birmingham is just who I am. Its the third annual turkey giveaway for Shunnarah. It means a lot to me, and I appreciate their help, because a lot of people dont have enough for Thanksgiving, said Michelle Jackson, who picked up a turkey from Shunnarah for the second year in a row. The line for free turkeys extended around the block. Im going to eat good on Thanksgiving, said Steve Duncan, picking up his turkey. I appreciate it. It helps me out a lot. Shunnarah moved into what is now his national headquarters at 2200 Fourth Avenue North in Birmingham on Aug. 1, after purchasing the building in April from Kemper Insurance Co. It was built in 2006 as The Birmingham News building. Alabama Media Group moved out in 2014 and now has an office in the Denham Building. Shunnarah runs a call center in the building with 270 employees. He represents 60,000 customers in 27 states. The new building has made giving away turkeys easier, Shunnarah said, allowing for four giveaway stations along Fourth Avenue North and 22nd Street North. Turkeys these days, theyre not cheap, said Shunnarah. He paid $30 apiece for the Honeysuckle white frozen turkeys, he said. Shunnarah was born and raised and attended school in Birmingham, then opened his law firm in 2001 on Clairmont Avenue. Everyone in Birmingham has always supported me, Shunnarah said. I just feel compelled to give back to the community. I really do. Im not doing it to get cases. Birmingham is loyal to me anyway. It feels great. I love to give. Ive been blessed. I do it from my heart. He also feels it helps meet a need. Most of these people are Birmingham residents, he said. Most people who come to get the turkey really need the turkey. When you do something nice, it leaves you with a really good feeling. Eds Pet World, a fixture in downtown Homewood selling exotic animals, tropical fish and even toys since 1982, has put its building up for sale. Seth Cosby, the owner and son of the stores namesake, Ed Cosby, said hes not yet ready to discuss details on the future of the store beyond confirming the building is up for sale. Im super busy, Cosby said as he prepared to leave the store on a trip Thursday, but promised to reveal more later. The building is listed for sale for $2.2 million by RealtySouth and LAH Commercial Real Estate. The first Eds Pet World opened in 1974 in Columbiana, then moved to the Hoover Mall before settling in Homewood at the current location at 2730 18th Street South. Eds Pet World has been an eclectic dealer of exotic animals for decades, a go-to place if you wanted to buy a Burmese python, a parakeet, a bearded dragon or a tarantula. The store was like a condensed zoo, with cockatiels sharing space with rabbits, hamsters and snakes. The walls are lined with aging Star Wars and superhero toys, usually still in their original packages. From 1988-2000, a three-legged, tiger-striped cat named Cassidy greeted customers as they entered the odoriferous premises. Employees for decades would bring animals for show to childrens birthday parties and to the Homewood Public Library, where children could pet a dwarf caiman alligator, a tortoise, a cockatiel or a tarantula. The store has often been a magnet for controversy. In 2001, a woman sued the store for $5 million when she said Charlie the Amazon parrot, who had lived in the store for 10 years, dove into her face and bit her under her left eye. A Jefferson County jury awarded her $3,000. Animal rights activists have long complained about the store. This year, more than 700 people signed a petition calling for closure of the store because of what the petition described as deplorable conditions for the animals. Authorities are looking for family members of a man who died earlier this month in Irondale. Marion Allen Mosley, 58, was found dead Nov. 4 inside his home. Police made the discovery during a welfare check requested by a concerned neighbor. Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said Mosleys cause of death is pending, but there was no sign of trauma or foul play. Mosleys body is ready to be released for burial but coroners officials have not been able to locate his relatives. Mosley listed previous Alabama addresses in Birmingham, Anniston, Gadsden, Moody, Thomasville and Tuscaloosa, and Georgia addresses in Macon and Taylorsville. Family members are asked to call the coroners office at 205-930-3603. 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 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 Houston ISD tapped Laurenzo Early Childhood Center's principal to lead Lantrip Elementary School, an announcement to Lantrip families indicates. Janet Benavides, a nearly 20-year educator, will replace Lantrip's Valiza Castro, who was placed on administrative leave Monday. Benavides will start full time at Lantrip on Dec. 2. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sarah Tovar, a teacher at Laurenzo, was selected to be that school's interim principal, according to an announcement to families there. PRINCIPAL TRACKER: Schools with leadership turnover since Mike Miles became superintendent HISD's decision to place Castro on leave blindsided many parents, who shared they did not receive clarity from HISD as to why Castro was removed. Parents protested by the school on behalf of the principal Wednesday morning. Some wore t-shirts calling for state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles to be fired, not their principal. Protest signs indicated support for Ms. Castro and a demand for transparency. Parent Clarissa Ayala said she has known Castro since the educator taught her now 17-year-old daughter in pre-K. Ayala said she was excited to hear Castro would lead Lantrip this academic year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "And, I mean, she seems so organized and she's just on the ball," Ayala, parent of a Lantrip nine-year-old, said. "She hasn't had a chance, I don't think, to even make a difference there." Ayala noted it has been a few months since Castro's appointment to the East End environmental science magnet school. The U.S. Department of Transportation says it would need congressional allocation to be able to provide direct help to the Shiloh community, near Elba, Coffee county, but in the meantime is working with other federal agencies to get resources. Congress has not authorized any programs or funding for DOT that can provide emergency relief directly to communities experiencing hardship, so this whole-of-government approach is critical to help the Shiloh community access federal assistance that is not available through DOT alone, the federal agency said in a statement to AL.com Wednesday. The Black community of Shiloh is seeking help with flooding issues caused by highway construction and is asking the federal transportation department for compensation for damages to homes and other things before an administration change in Washington come January. A voluntary agreement between the Alabama Department of Transportation and the federal transportation agency in October provides a path to fix the flooding, which the community says started because of the project to expand Highway 84 beginning in 2018. But the community, which says it has dealt with flooding for six years, wants relief payments beyond the Voluntary Resolution Agreement (VRA). Work is already underway to implement the commitments of the VRA, and the Federal Highway Administration is in weekly contact with Alabama DOT to ensure that the actions required under the VRA are implemented, the federal transportation department said. The timing of the completion of the improvements will depend on which of the two options identified in the VRA is pursued. Timothy Williams, who represents the community, commends the federal transportation agencys effort to work with other agencies but says time is of the essence. They told us theyre doing a whole-of-government approach, thats good, Williams said. What theyre doing, finding other avenues. But thats not going to solve an emergency situation right now because you have to wait months and years just to get that money, Anything can happen. Weve got reports showing that the house can collapse any day now. Were living under the mercies of God. God forbid, if the house collapses and kills people, then the state and ALDOT and U.S. DOT are going to be liable because they know its an emergency situation. So grants are good, but the time frame that you have to wait on it. The community says the requirement to write grants to access federal aid from other agencies is an added burden. Were not grant writers, Williams said. We dont know how to do that stuff. Were at the mercies of other people. If the community doesnt know how to do grants and doesnt have anybody working with them, then they would be left in the cold. Theyre working with a government approach. But why make the community try to do grants when we were put in this situation? Federal transportation officials say they have been working on behalf of the community for months. Since June, DOT has provided enhanced technical assistance to help the Shiloh community access federal resources through DOTs Thriving Communities initiative and provided a dedicated community liaison to regularly work with the community, the federal agency said. DOT staff have convened an interagency group, set up meetings to help identify options to assist the Shiloh community, and been in touch regularly with the community. To date, DOT has helped the Shiloh community meet with the following agencies to access funding and other relief options: The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) on Wednesday arrested and charged Seven Nelson, 19, with reckless murder in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred last month, according to a recent release. On Saturday, Oct. 12, a Huntsville Police officer who was patrolling in the 3300 block of Meridian Street heard multiple gun shots. Several officers responded to a gas station at 3310 Meridian Street and found Damien Obrien Manning, 22, with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A second victim, who was not identified by HPD, died later that weekend at Huntsville Hospital. Nelson marks the fourth and final arrest in relation to this incident, HPD said. Tyler ONeal Andrade, 21, of Huntsville, Kennedy Thomas Turner, 20, of Huntsville, and Jordan Latrell Smith, 21, of Huntsville, have also been arrested and charged. The HPD Major Crimes Unit will now focus on working with the Madison County District Attorneys Office to ensure the successful prosecution of all individuals charged in connection to the shooting, the release said. A Mobile County man accused of sexually abusing a woman and forcing her to marry him is no longer facing a kidnapping charge, according to court records. Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Spiro Cheriogotis on Wednesday denied prosecutors motion to change the kidnapping charge against Roy Clowder to unlawful imprisonment, records showed. Clowder, 38, of Coden, still faces sexual abuse and robbery charges in connection with the Oct. 11 incident. Clowder allegedly encountered the victim at a convenience store on Dauphin Island Parkway. He allegedly asked the woman if she could give him a ride home and on the way to the car he allegedly brandished a gun, the Mobile County Sheriffs Office said. Clowder allegedly took control of the vehicle by holding the victim at gunpoint and forced her to get into the passenger seat. Clowder then proceeded to drive the car to a church where he made the woman marry him on the steps outside, officials said. Clowder drove the victims car to several locations around DIP with victim inside, MCSO said in a statement. Clowder even went to a local church and forced the victim to participate in a mock wedding on the steps outside of the church. After her family called the police, officers called her phone. Clowder allegedly answered and then abandoned the vehicle. The group Clean Up Alabama is calling on Fairhope city officials to withhold $250,000 of capital money from the Fairhope Public Library and are urging for the immediate resignation of the library boards chair. The concerns from the nonprofit group stem from what they say is an inappropriate position taken by Anne Johnson, the library chair, in defense of books on display at the Fairhope Public Library. A release by Clean Up Alabama the Prattville non-profit that has led book challenges across Alabama -- includes a link to the city email addresses of Fairhopes elected officials demanding the resignation of Anne Johnson as the chair of the citys library board. The group alleges that books they find objectionable remain within the library and are in violation to guidelines implemented by the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) in July. Johnson, in a statement to AL.com, said Fairhope Librarys policies have already been approved by the APLS and are in compliance with the new administrative code. The state does not require us to move or remove books, Johnson said in a statement. The books challenged are written for and catalogued for a young adult audience. Many are cautionary tales for young people. It is up to the parents or guardians to guide their childrens reading choices. Not any one particular group of people. The Fairhope City Council is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. on Thursday, but at least two council members and Mayor Sherry Sullivan said the concerns are not likely to be addressed by elected officials. This topic has been discussed ad nauseum, but its on the table again, said Fairhope City Councilman Corey Martin, adding that the council will not be discussing the matter at Thursdays meeting. Our legal team will evaluate the allegations and decide whether the library is following the APLS guidelines. To our knowledge, the library has been complying and has received a letter acknowledging that compliance with the law. Clean Up Alabamas concerns claim two books Parts and Hearts by Jensen Hillenbrand and Grown by Tiffany Jackson clearly violate the new APLS policy guidelines but remain displayed within the library. According to Clean Up Alabama, the Fairhope library is asserting that the APLS board grants the exemption of education materials. But the group claims no exemption exists, citing the administrative code that an exemption is only for religious, history, anatomy, and biology texts. According to the group, these books fall outside those categories. Clean Up Alabama is also Johnsons recent remarks at a Read Freely Alabama town hall event, which illustrates to them that she has undermined the needs and concerns of Fairhope families and shown a clear bias in favor of these far-left groups. Sullivan said that city officials have been inundated with letters from Clean Up Alabama and its supporters as well as supporters of the current library board. Those letters, which oppose Clean Up Alabamas efforts, claim Johnson and other library officials are facing baseless attacks from anti-library extremists. We must ensure that our library board remains independent and politically neutral, continuing to uphold our communitys core value of intellectual freedom, according to the letter that objects to Clean Up Alabamas efforts. The extremists who have attacked and maligned our beloved library are few in number and do not represent our community at large. The letter also refers to an AL.com article posted Sunday that quotes Johnson as saying that 60% of Fairhope library patrons, since last month, have chosen all-access library cards for their kids. The APLS guidelines are new, and most libraries in Alabama do not have similar statistics, although the Athens-Limestone County Public Library reports about 66% of parents choosing all-access cards for children since they implemented a new policy in June. Among the polices that libraries need to adopt to receive state aid are new library card guidelines for minors under age 18. The guidelines require parental approval before a minors card is permitted to checkout materials within the librarys adult sections, the policy states. In Fairhope, the library has a three-tiered library card system. Johnson said during a town hall meeting last week that the restricted access cards for teens (ages 13-17) and juveniles (ages 3-12) are split at 20% each, while the all-access cards signed off by parents is at 60%. The APLSs policies do not require a tiered approach for individual library systems to issue library cards. The requirement reads that for a library system in Alabama to receive state aid, it must approve written guidelines establishing separate library cards for minors under 18, and a requirement for parental approval before a minors card is permitted to check out materials from a librarys adult section. We hope you recognize our libraries have been under an intense, politically motivated attack at the state level and have already been forced to comply with draconian administrative code changes in order to receive the necessary funding to maintain their level of service to our communities, the letter to Fairhope city officials reads. The concerns in Fairhope are not unlike elsewhere in Alabama and around the U.S. where libraries have become Ground Zero for the latest culture wars primarily over objections about the display and location of LGBTQ+ titles. Read more: Inside the blistering battle over Alabama libraries: Burn the freaking books Fairhope council meetings, since last year, have at times been inundated with people with concerns over the libraries and the books that are displayed within it. Councilman Jack Burrell said the city wants to make sure the library is complying with state law, but that elected officials have not had enough time to fully investigate the latest claims raised by Clean Up Alabama. We expect the library to abide by the new state policies, Burrell said. Will we threaten them with cutting their funding? Its an option but there is not talk about that yet. I think cooler heads can prevail. Burrell said the concerns from Clean Up Alabama have not fallen on deaf ears, and that we have found a couple of questionable books on the shelves at the Fairhope Public Library. But, he said, the books are often moved around Baldwin County through inter-library loans and are moved into different sections the library. There are a lot of things we can do to make it right short of cutting funding and asking for a resignation, Burrell said. We can work things out in a calm manner, I think, without getting worked up and taking peoples jobs away and cutting funding to our library. Alabama executed Carey Dale Grayson for the 1994 brutal slaying and mutilation of a hitchhiker in Jefferson County on Thursday evening, making it the states sixth execution in 2024. Earlier Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for 50-year-old Grayson to be killed using the relatively new method of pumping nitrogen gas into a mask fitted over an inmates face and suffocating him to death. It was the third nitrogen gas execution carried out in the United States all by Alabama. The execution took place at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore at 6 p.m. Thursday. It marks the most executions in a single year in more than a decade. Grayson used his last words to curse the warden in charge of the prison. Grayson was convicted with three other men-- all teenagers at the time-- for the murder and mutilation of 37-year-old Vicki Lynn Deblieux. The woman had been hitchhiking when she was picked up by the group of teenagers. Her body was found days later at the base of a cliff. Her daughter, Jodi Haley, was present at Holman prison on Thursday night. She described her mother at a press conference following the execution. She was unique. She was spontaneous, she was wild. She was funny and she was gorgeous to boot, Haley said. She said she didnt know what it was like to have a mother while going through life events like graduation, marriage, and children - opportunities that were stolen from her. But Haley also focused on Grayson and her stance against the death penalty. Grayson was abused in every possible way, including having cigarettes put out on his skin, facing physical and sexual abuse and being thrown out on the street as an adolescent, Haley said. I have to wonder how all of this slips through the cracks of the justice system. Because society failed this man as a child and my family suffered because of it, she said. Haley wondered what kind of positive impact Grayson could have had on lives. The eye for an eye justification for the death penalty its not right, Haley said. Murdering inmates under the guise of justice needs to stop, Haley said. State sanctioned homicide needs never be listed as cause of death, she said. I dont know who we think we are. To be in such a modern time, we regress when we implement this punishment. I hope and pray my mothers death will invoke these changes and give her senseless death some purpose, Haley said. The execution The curtains to the execution chamber opened at 6:06 p.m. The prison warden read the death warrant and pointed the microphone to Graysons face to utter his last words, but then immediately backed off after Grayson said, For you, you need to f*** off. Grayson, at one point, also pointed up the middle finger on at least his left hand, which was visible to media witnesses. Hes cussed out most of our employees tonight so we were not going to give him the opportunity to spew that profanity, said Commissioner John Hamm on why the warden took away the microphone. But following Graysons death, his attorney and spiritual advisor Kacey Keeton said that Grayson had more to say when the microphone was taken away. Keeton, who was sitting in the execution chamber with Grayson, said that he was cursing at Raybon specifically with his expletives and not at the broader audience. After the microphone was taken and those in the witness rooms could not clearly hear him, Keeton said Grayson talked about how he committed a horrible crime and how sorry he was for it, adding that he had been sorry for over 30 years. According to Keeton, Grayson said he repented and that he was saved and knows God, and hopes for forgiveness. He talked about the prison and disappointment in the system, mentioning that people there are committing murder and are serial killers. Grayson said, according to Keeton, that he hopes everyone knows the state is committing murder in the name of Alabama and the people that live there. He said he was praying for everyone, that God was with them. Grayson continued leaning his head forward following his remarks and said something in a loud manner towards what appeared the middle execution viewing room, where state officials usually sit, as a guard hung the microphone up and the warden went into a separate room to begin the execution. The gas apparently started flowing at 6:12 p.m., followed by Grayson gasping and raising, shaking his head left to right. About 6:14 p.m., both of his legs on the gurney raised up. His movements slowed, but he had what appeared to be periodic gasps over the following six minutes when he stopped moving. At a press conference following the execution, Hamm said the first movements Grayson was doing were all show and the later movements were consistent with nitrogen gas executions. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a press release following the execution, listing his time of death as 6:33 p.m. She said in a press release, Some thirty years ago, Vicki DeBlieuxs journey to her mothers house and ultimately, her life, were horrifically cut short because of Carey Grayson and three other men. She sensed something was wrong, attempted to escape, but instead, was brutally tortured and murdered. Even after her death, Mr. Graysons crimes against Ms. DeBlieux were heinous, unimaginable, without an ounce of regard for human life and just unexplainably mean. An execution by nitrogen hypoxia bares no comparison to the death and dismemberment Ms. DeBlieux experienced. I pray for her loved ones that they may continue finding closure and healing. Earlier in the evening, an Alabama Department of Corrections spokesperson released details of Graysons final meals and visitors. He refused his breakfast and lunch tray, but had coffee and Mountain Dew. For his final meal, Grayson had from local restaurants soft tacos, beef burritos, a tostada, chips and guacamole, and a Mountain Dew Blast. His visitors included his attorneys Matt Schulz, Kacey Keeton, and Robin Konrad. Grayson also had calls with Konrad and Keeton. Amnesty International had urged people today to contact Ivey to seek clemency for Grayson. Earlier this week, Death Penalty Action held a protest outside the Capitol in Montgomery on his behalf. The crime Deblieux was kidnapped while hitchhiking from Chattanooga to see her mother in Louisiana. She accepted a ride from Grayson, Kenny Loggins, Trace Duncan, and Louis Mangione on the Trussville exit of Interstate 59 on Feb. 22, 1994. Deblieuxs nude and dismembered body was found four days later at the bottom of a cliff on Bald Rock Mountain in St. Clair County. Court records show after picking up the woman, the teens took her to an abandoned area near Medical Center East in Birmingham, where they all drank. At some point, the teens attacked and killed Deblieux, drove her body to St. Clair County, then tossed her body and luggage off the cliff. According to testimony in the teens 1996 trials, Mangione went home while the other three returned to the scene and mutilated her body. They stabbed Deblieuxs body more than 180 times, cut open her chest cavity, severed her fingers, and more. The teens later gave a finger to Mangione, who showed it to other friends who then contacted police. All of the bones in Deblieuxs face and head were broken, and all but one tooth was missing. She was identified by an old X-ray of her spine. Grayson was 19 at the time of the slaying. Mangione was 16, while Loggins and Duncan were both 17. Conviction and sentence Although different versions of who was the ringleader of the attack at their trials, Grayson, Loggins and Duncan were all convicted and Jefferson County Circuit Judge Mike McCormick sentenced those three to death. Graysons sentence came after a unanimous recommendation from the jury. The judge sentenced Mangione to life in prison without parole. But years later, Loggins and Duncan had their sentences changed to life in prison after the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says juveniles (17 or younger) cant be sentenced to death. Justice Antonin Scalia cited the Deblieux case in his dissent in that ruling of teens that commit murder that involve truly monstrous acts. After a separate ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, Duncan and Loggins had yet more hearings to allow a judge the opportunity to grant them a possibility of parole in the future. Loggins was not given the chance of parole; Duncan will be eligible for parole in 2029. Mangione was also made eligible for parole in 2029 after an appeal. Deblieux Vicki Deblieuxs half-brother, Mike Deblieux, told AL.com on Wednesday he hopes Grayson asks for forgiveness and that God has mercy on his soul. But Mike Deblieux said hes for the death penalty. An eye for an eye What they did to her, I think they all should have been put to death, he said. It was horrific what they did, Mike Deblieux added. He said he knows from reading about the trial that the boys were on drugs and theyre taking pills and drinking and probably not in their right mind at the time, but you know, theres no excuse for that and you got to account for your actions. Though, the younger Deblieux said he understands the legal reasons why the others are not on death row. He does not know any family members who plan to attend Graysons execution. Mike Deblieux said he and Vickis mother is still alive, but is not attending. The half-siblings have different fathers. Mike Deblieux doesnt remember much about Vicki, who moved with her mother to the Monroe area of Louisiana after their parents divorced when he was about 7 and Vicki was about 14. He stayed behind with his other siblings. So, you know, I have just a few memories of her growing up, he said. My mother still thinks about it today. I mean, its affected her whole life, I just remember when it happened, it was devastating to all of us, really. Just hard to believe it happened. Vicki had two daughters who would probably have been in their late teens at the time she was killed, Mike Deblieux said. Mike Deblieux said he recalled his half-sister was living up in Chattanooga around the time of her death. What she was doing there (Chattanooga), I have no clue. I know she was trying to get back home to see my mother - her mother. But, you know, I guess she didnt have the means, so she was trying to hitchhike back (to Louisiana), Deblieux said. Abe Bonowitz of Death Penalty Action leads a protest outside the Capitol in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, against a scheduled execution in Alabama using nitrogen gas. (Kim Chandler/Associated Press)AP Appeals The U.S. Supreme Court denied Graysons request to review his case and to halt his execution on Thursday morning. The last appeals in Graysons case had centered on Alabamas new method of using nitrogen gas to suffocate him. He and other death row inmates had previously sued in 2012 to prevent his execution by lethal injection and later when nitrogen gas was announced, he was among the inmates who signed up for that method. However, critics citing how the first two people executed shook for several minutes say the nitrogen gas method needs more scrutiny, particularly if other states follow Alabamas path and adopt the new execution method. In its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court and request to halt the execution, attorneys with the Middle District of Alabama Federal Public Defenders Office representing Grayson said the case has national significance. Graysons petition for writ of certiorari (review) raises issues of national importance among the 27 states that permit capital punishment and the federal government: whether the Eighth Amendment prohibits suffocating a conscious prisoner and whether a states refusal to prevent conscious suffocation via a novel method of execution superadds terror and pain in violation of the Eighth Amendment." The Alabama Attorney Generals Office maintained that execution by nitrogen hypoxia is constitutional and the prior executions have gone according to plan. What is generally uncontested from the evidence is that the ADOCs (prison systems) nitrogen hypoxia protocol has been successfully used twice, and both times it resulted in a death within a matter of minutes. When media witnesses described the first inmate - Kenneth Smith - executed by nitrogen hypoxia as having writhed on the gurney, what the journalists who described Smith writhing did not know was that when Smith was first moving on the gurney, he had not breathed in any nitrogen gas. That suggests his movements were voluntary or associated with holding his breath. Graysons lawyers had also been seeking a strong sedative if the execution proceeds, but the lawyers on Thursday morning withdrew that request and an emergency hearing set for 11:30 a.m. was canceled. AL.com reporter Ivana Hrynkiw contributed to this report. House Ethics Committee investigators probing sexual misconduct allegations against former congressman Matt Gaetz obtained records showing that he paid more than $10,000 to two women who testified before the committee, according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive material. The records that were exhibited during closed-door testimony displayed 27 PayPal and Venmo payments disbursed between July 2017 and January 2019 totaling over $10,000 paid to the two witnesses, that person said. Some payments were for sex, the witnesses testified to the committee. ABC News first reported on the exhibits. The news came as the House Ethics Committee declined to release its report on sexual misconduct allegations against Gaetz (R-Florida) after a closed-door meeting Wednesday, and as President-elect Donald Trumps embattled attorney general pick attempted to sell himself on Capitol Hill to skeptical GOP senators. There was not an agreement by the committee to release the report, said Rep. Michael Guest (R-Mississippi), the committees chair. The investigation centers on whether Gaetz paid for sex with a 17-year-old at drug-fueled parties while he was serving in Congress. Gaetz, who denies the charges, resigned last week, shortly before the committee was expected to deliberate on whether to release the report. The committee faces intensifying pressure from Democrats, as well as some Republicans, to release its findings on Gaetz, who faces a tough road to confirmation after being tapped to lead the Justice Department. But Trumps allies and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) have said it would be inappropriate to release it. Two House Democrats are forcing the House to consider the matter anyway. Rep. Steve Cohen (Tennessee) introduced a resolution that would force the House Ethics Committee to preserve all documents in its now-ceased investigation into Gaetz, while Rep. Sean Casten (Illinois) said he wants the House to require the committee to release its report. Ethics has their power to get their act together five minutes ago. Five minutes from now, I do not know what they are going to do, he said. What I know at this point is that we cannot trust the Ethics Committee to do the ethically correct thing. Both motions were filed under privilege Wednesday, meaning the House must vote on them in the next 48 legislative hours. The votes could happen as soon as Thursday or when the House returns from its Thanksgiving recess Dec. 3. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have also requested that files related to the FBIs investigation of Gaetz be included in the confirmation hearing. A spokesman for the Trump transition defended Gaetz. The Justice Department received access to roughly every financial transaction Matt Gaetz ever undertook and came to the conclusion that he committed no crime, Alex Pfeiffer, a Trump transition spokesman, said in a statement. These leaks are meant to undermine the mandate from the people to reform the Justice Department, he said. The Justice Department closed its sex trafficking investigation without ever charging Gaetz. On Wednesday, Vice President-elect JD Vance attempted to shore up Gaetzs imperiled path to running the Justice Department, working to convince senators that he deserves a confirmation hearing. Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee, which will process Gaetzs nomination, met with the former congressman Wednesday morning alongside the incoming vice president. Vance posted a warning to them on social media Wednesday, saying that the lawmakers owe their majority to Trumps electoral coattails. He deserves a cabinet that is loyal to the agenda he was elected to implement, Vance wrote. The first meeting of the morning was with the outgoing top Republican of the committee, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Graham exited the meeting defiant, insisting that the process to confirm Gaetz is becoming a lynch mob. Im not going to be part of a process that leaks information that shouldnt be leaked. Im not going to legitimize the process to destroy the man because people dont like his politics, Graham said. He will be held to account in the confirmation process. He deserves a chance to make his argument why he should be attorney general. Some Republicans have expressed doubt that Gaetz could be confirmed as attorney general in part because of the allegations he faces - as well as the long list of Republican enemies he made when he orchestrated the ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) last year. I think its an extremely difficult path. In fact, I just dont see a path forward at this point, said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), a Trump ally who has feuded with Gaetz in the past. But he has a right to push as hard as he wants to, and if he wants a hearing on it, thats between him and the president. Senate Republicans, including the incoming chair of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), have said they want access to the House Ethics Committee report. They have said that if they do not obtain it, they plan to call witnesses to the investigation to testify, suggesting the hearing could become a divisive spectacle. But Gaetz, a combative MAGA warrior who has never shied away from the media, has told senators he wants the chance to make his case in public. The hearing is an opportunity for him to, under oath, in front of everybody, to walk through it, said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), after leaving a meeting with him. So, I mean, its, thats why I think its a great opportunity for him. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a member of the panel, said he thinks Gaetz is aware his confirmation hearing would be like Kavanaugh on steroids, a reference to the three-day proceedings in which an emotional Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh angrily defended himself from an accusation that he assaulted a girl while in high school. Hes a smart guy, Im sure he realizes that, Cornyn said. Gaetz did not get into the specifics of the allegations he faces, senators said, but insisted that they are false and reminded them that the Justice Department never charged him with a crime after investigating the matter. He expressed confidence that what is before the committee are a series of false accusations, said Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). Lee said Gaetz is making the case to Senate Republicans that he deserves a confirmation hearing. The president-elect remains behind the choice. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), who traveled on Trumps plane with him Tuesday, said Trump did not lobby senators who were there to support Gaetz but did make it clear he hopes he will be confirmed. Trump said something like, Gee, I really want to get that done, when Gaetz was brought up, and called him a good guy, Cramer said. By Jacqueline Alemany, Liz Goodwin, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Meryl Kornfield, Marianna Sotomayor An Irondale man has been sentenced to federal prison for detonating an explosive device outside the Alabama Attorney Generals Office. Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27, pleaded guilty in August to malicious use of an explosive device. A federal judge on Thursday sentenced him to nine years in prison. Kyle Calvert attacked the Alabama Attorney Generals Office with a shrapnel-filled explosive and then fled the scene, but this sentence ensures he will not escape accountability for his crime, said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. Acts of violence like this one against our public institutions endanger public servants and entire communities, and they must not be tolerated. According to the plea agreement and other court documents, Calvert in the predawn hours of Feb. 24 detonated an explosive device outside of the AG Steve Marshalls office in downtown Montgomery. No one was injured. Calvert admitted during his plea hearing to manufacturing the device. He used, nails and screws as shrapnel and accelerants to cause an explosion. Prior to planting the device, Calvert placed stickers on various downtown buildings. The stickers had graphics advocating for various political ideologies. Some stickers included the phrase Support your local antifa. Among those stickers identified as being placed in Montgomery and matching Calverts collection included: An Antifa logo superimposed over a rainbow flag background, with the words, ANTI-FASCISM IS COMMUNITY SELF-DEFENSE. An image of a multi-tiered pyramid-like structure with individuals located on each tier, with the words, TOPPLE ALL HIERARCHIES. The A symbol, assessed to represent anarchy, next to an image of an AK-47 rifle, superimposed over a black background with leaves and flowers, with the words, DEFEND NATURE. A purple-colored sticker with a masked face inside of a female pictogram. The words at the top of the sticker read, FEMINIST ACTION. A white sticker with spatter font which reads, EAT THE RICH. The A inside the word EAT is in the shape of the anarchy symbol. An image of multiple masked and hooded individuals, one carrying a sling, and another wearing goggles. In the center of the sticker, the Antifa symbol is displayed above the words, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ANTIFA. A black sticker with red and white font with the words, FRIENDS DONT LET FRIENDS BECOME COPS. A red anarchy symbol surrounded by a red heart are in the lower right corner of the sticker. Calvert claimed in his plea that he has no affiliation with antifa. Antifa, short for Anti-Fascist, does not describe a particular group, but rather describes individuals who adhere to what they consider as anti-fascist beliefs. The term Antifa is often associated with anarchist violent extremists, individuals who, in addition to holding anti-fascist beliefs, are also opposed to capitalism and the current form of the U.S. government and who advocate violence to achieve their goals, the charging documents explained. Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, is charged with malicious use of an explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive device.(Federal Court Documents) Surveillance footage showed that at 2:50 a.m. that morning, a person wearing a dark jacket, hat, mask and goggles, was seen on video in the area of the Alabama Statehouse. At 3:03 a.m., the person was observed placing a sticker on the doors of the Alabama State Capitol building. Then, at 3:35 a.m., the person was seen walking northbound in the area of Washington Avenue and Decatur Street towards the Attorney Generals Office. At 3:42 a.m., surveillance footage captured a large explosion near the Attorney Generals Office. At 3:43 a.m., the person was seen walking north on Bainbridge Street towards Monroe Street and away from the Alabama Attorney Generals Office. Several minutes later, at about 3:49 a.m., a security officer working at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) called 911 to report that an explosion had occurred about five minutes prior, at the northwest corner of Washington Avenue and Bainbridge Street. At 3:54 a.m., a Montgomery police officer arrived in the area. Because of the location of the explosion, the officer was unable to see any evidence of it from his vantage point. At 4:13 a.m., records state, the officer cleared the call as unfounded. The damage wasnt then discovered until Monday morning when workers arrived back to the downtown area to begin the work week. According to multiple video surveillance captures of the suspect and a thorough analysis of the video images, the subject appeared to be a white male, wearing a black or dark leather-like jacket, with dark colored pants, a gray or tan beanie hat, black or dark leather-like shoes, a blue facemask and goggles with a thick black strap with thick circular lenses. Investigators used video surveillance footage of the suspect at known locations to estimate that he was about 6-feet, 2-inches tall and slender. He had a unique walk in which his toes pointed inward when he took a step. The suspects walk appeared to be more pronounced on his right side which caused the appearance of a limp when he walked. Investigators learned that the device was a coffee container-like which contained insulation material soaked in a gasoline or lighter fluid substance, a mortar, firecrackers and nails. The FBI laboratory report classified the explosive as an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The general components of an IED consist of an explosive main charge, a fusing system, and sometimes a container and/or fragmentation. Additional enhancements may be added to an IED to increase its destructive capability and lethality. This IED used commercially available pyrotechnic fireworks as the main explosive charge, a coffee can as a concealment container, and was enhanced with added fragmentation and ignitable liquids, the FBI agent wrote. The addition of metal screws, nails, and other hardware to this IED demonstrates weaponization characteristics due to the enhanced fragmentation effect that those materials would create. The addition of ignitable liquids to the IED demonstrates weaponization characteristics due to the enhanced ability for the IED to initiate a fire. The action of placing and initiating the IED on the walkway beside a government building demonstrates that this device was used as a weapon against property and/or to cause injury/death, the agent wrote. The FBI investigated the case with assistance from ATF and AlEA. Middle District of Alabama Assistant U.S. Attorneys Russell T. Duraski and Brett J. Talley prosecuted. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. By Dino Grandoni Americas support for Ukraine boils down to the eastern European countrys lucrative mineral deposits, Alabamas senior senator claimed Wednesday. Its all about the minerals over there, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said during an appearance on Steve Bannons War Room podcast. About $11 trillion worth of minerals. Ukraine has some of the worlds largest reserves of titanium and iron ore along with massive lithium and coal deposits, the Washington Post reported. Tuberville made the claim when Bannon asked if there should be investigations into this criminal conspiracy, particularly in things even like Ukraine ..., referring to President Bidens term in office. Tuberville said that after the Biden announced its intention to forgive a $5 billion loan to Ukraine as the country defends itself from a Russian invasion, some of the senators said, well make that back in the minerals. In an appearance on CBS Face the Nation in June, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who supports Ukraine, referenced Ukraines mineral wealth. Theyre sitting on $10 trillion to $12 trillion of critical minerals in Ukraine. They could be the richest country in all of Europe. I dont want to give that money and those assets to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to share with China, he said. Tuberville has been critical of support for Ukraine. Earlier this year, Tuberville voted against a $95.3 billion aid package to Ukraine and Taiwan. Were $35 trillion in debt with NOTHING to show for it. Theres an invasion at our southern border. Our roads and bridges are falling apart. Our schools systems are getting worse by the day. Our military cant recruit, Tuberville posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, shortly after the February vote. And the US Senate just prioritized Ukrainian pensions over Americans. In September, the senator called the war unwinnable and said Ukraine is the most corrupt country on the face of the planet, claiming the conflict puts the world at the brink of nuclear war. On Wednesday, Tuberville suggested the war has been costly in both dollars and human lives. Are you kidding mean? I mean, we got a million people killed over there the war shouldve never started, he said. For Indigenous people, Native American Heritage Month carries a different weight this year. Since 1990, November has been a time for Americas first people to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways of life. These cultural practices have experienced a renaissance in the past 15 years amid a wave of historic victories that have consolidated and returned millions of acres of Native American land, strengthening environmental protection and advancing the fight against climate change . While these gains are monumental, they are not immune to political shifts. As Native Americans honor traditions deeply rooted in the land and environment, recent progress faces serious threats under a second Donald Trump presidency. His plans to dismantle environmental protections, combined with cabinet appointments aligned with the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 a sweeping 922-page conservative policy agendacould threaten tribal sovereignty. The agenda includes the potential opening of federally managed public lands of cultural significance to tribes to fossil fuel extraction. Under Project 2025, and a Trump administration, we will go backwards, said Judith LeBlanc , executive director of the Native Organizers Alliance and member of Oklahomas Caddo Nation. At this point, our main obstacle to practicing our belief systems is climate change, energy extraction, and the selling off of public lands. 15 years of land progress Over the last decade, the momentum of the Land Back movement, which promotes the return of traditional Indigenous lands to communal ownership, has gained momentum alongside federal programs like the Land Buy-Back Program for Tribal Nations, which began under the Obama administration following the 2009 settlement of Cobell v. Salazar. The landmark class action lawsuit highlighted decades of mismanagement that cost Native American individuals and tribes billions of dollars held in trust. The case underlined how, even in the modern era, the U.S. government was still fighting against Indigenous groups, trying to right the wrongs of the past. The government settled the case for $3.4 billion, with $1.5 billion going to individual tribes and members and $1.9 billion helping consolidate over 3 million acres of Native lands in 15 states. The program restored fractionated native landsindividual allotments created by the Dawes Act of 1887 and later divided among multiple heirs in later yearsto tribal trust ownership, making it easier for tribes to develop and protect their lands. The checkboard system of land ownership on many reservations historically left communities and landowners unable to make basic decisions about their homelands, said during a speech formally ending the program in Dec. 2023. The Land Buy-Back Programs progress puts the power back in the hands of tribal communities to determine how their lands are used from conservation to economic development projects. Growing movement for land return FILE - Wolf Ramerez of Houston, Texas, center, joins others with the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas in holding up his fists as indigenous and environmental activists protest in front of the White House in Washington, Oct. 11, 2021. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling expanding state authority to prosecute some crimes on Native American land is upending decades of law in support of tribal sovereignty. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)AP The federal scheme accelerated the Land Back movements goal of returning lands to Indigenous control, strengthening tribal sovereignty, and enabling tribes to exercise self-determination over their lands. The movement has led to numerous municipalities, states, and the federal government returning land that once belonged to tribes. Nick Tilsen , an Oglala Lakota president of the NDN Collective, an Indigenous group spearheading the Land Back movement, called it a war cry for the liberation of Indigenous people. Since 2003, at least 100 tribal land recoveries have occurred involving over 70 federally recognized tribes, an intertribal coalition, and six Indigenous-owned land trusts, according to research by Kalen Goodluck , a Dine, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian journalist and photographer based in Albuquerque, N. Mex. Goodluck found tribes recovered around 420,000 acres between 2003 and Sept. 2023., through private donations, transfers from land conservancies , land title purchases, and federal and state legislation. Tribes have reclaimed ancestral lands in Illinois , Virginia , Oregon , New York , Minnesota , and California. In the summer 2023, on the 5th anniversary of Californias apology to Native American people, the state transferred over 2,800 acres of ancestral land to the Shasta Indian Nation and the 40-acre Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery to the Fort Independence Indian Community of Paiute Indians, marking the first such transfer under a new state directive. The Yurok Tribe of Northern California reclaimed 125 acres along the Klamath River, strengthening salmon habitats and ceremonial practices. Some land transfers have been tiny but significant. In 2023, a water advocacy group representing three California tribes bought a five-acre property from Three Creeks healing retreat. Meanwhile, a private resident in Altadena, Los Angeles County, returned one acre to Tongva Tribe descendants after 200 years. Environmental benefits to Indigenous stewardship The land returned to Indigenous stewardship isnt just a victory for Native communities; it benefits the environment on a broader scale. Tribal lands are often managed with sustainability in mind, blending traditional ecological knowledge with modern science. The Yurok Tribes work to restore salmon populations in the Klamath River, which runs through southern Oregon and northern California, demonstrates this approach. The tribe spent decades advocating for the removal of dams to revive fish habitats and repair regional biodiversity. The last of four dams is scheduled for removal at the end of 2024. Researchers spotted the first salmon in 112 years in the Klamath River basin last October. The return of our relatives, the ciyaals, is overwhelming for our tribe, said Klamath Tribes Secretary , using the Klamath-Modoc word for salmon. This is what our members worked for and believed in for so many decades. The salmon are just like our tribal people, and they know where home is and returned as soon as they were able. Trumps 2016 and 2024 environmental policy plans FILE - In this Aug. 10, 2005 file photo, tourist Chris Farthing from Suffolks County, England, takes a picture of Anasazi ruins in Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. The preservation and protection of Native American cultural sites would be a priority of U.S. land managers under one of the options up for consideration as they work to amend an outdated guide for management of oil and gas drilling across a sprawling area of northwestern New Mexico. (AP Photo/Jeff Geissler, File)AP These practices contrast sharply with the fossil fuel industries likely to dominate federal land policy under a Trump administration . Trump has made no secret of his plans to prioritize oil, gas, and mining projects that, research shows, lead to long-term ecological harm, from polluted waterways to destruction of habitats. For clues on what effect Trump will have on the Native American community in his second term, just look at his first. Between 2016 and 2020, Trump oversaw sweeping changes to federal land management policies, many of which disproportionately affected Native American lands. Leadership roles within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of the Interior were filled by individuals who bypassed Congressional vetting. Trump ended the annual White House Tribal Nations Conference , a hallmark of Obamas administration for eight years. Early in his presidency, Trump issued executive orders and memorandums rolling back critical public lands and wildlife protections. His America First energy agenda fast-tracked contentious projects like the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines , both of which faced fierce and prolonged resistance from Native communities and their supporters. Additionally, Trump slashed the Bears Ears National Monument an Indigenous-driven initiativeby 85%, undermining its status as a landmark in collaborative land stewardship. While Native American issues were not a prominent feature of Trumps 2024 campaign, his broader policy priorities pose significant risks. These include the potential repeal of the Antiquities Act of 1906, a cornerstone of American conservation law used to establish national monuments, many protecting sacred Indigenous sites. Project 2025, which Trump has repeatedly distanced himself from, explicitly calls for expanded oil and gas development on public lands. These policies could have catastrophic consequences for areas like the Chaco Cultural Historic National Park in New Mexico, where tribal leaders have fought for decades to prevent oil and gas leasing within a 10-mile radius of the park. President Joe Biden ordered a 20-year ban on drilling around the park in 2023 and restricted oil production in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, home to the Gwichin people. These protections are fragile. Trump could revoke past executive orders, and federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the Environmental Protection Agency face significant protection rollbacks under a Trump administration guided by Project 2025. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, one of the wealthiest politicians in the country, could play a central role in Trumps policy overhaul if confirmed as the next Interior Secretary. As governor, Burgum championed strong pro-fossil fuel policies and would manage U.S. federal lands, including national parks and wildlife refuges, and oversee relations with 574 federally recognized Native American tribes as Secretary of the Interior. Burgum would also lead a new energy council seeking to establish U.S. energy dominance worldwide, including managing Bureau of Land Management oil and gas leases, which slowed considerably under Biden. Hes long advocated for rolling back critical environmental safeguards to let polluters profit, the Sierra Club said on Nov. 15. Doug Burgums ties to the fossil fuel industry run deep and, if confirmed to this position, he will surely continue Donald Trumps efforts to sell out our public lands to his polluter pals. Our lands are our nations greatest treasure, and the Interior Department is charged with their protection. Andrea Leinfelder is the space reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at andrea.leinfelder@houstonchronicle.com. Andrea has written about NASA and the commercial space sector since 2020, with her coverage spanning human spaceflight, robotic exploration and operations in low-Earth orbit. She also follows Elon Musk's Texas footprint. Originally from Florida, Andrea graduated from the University of Florida in 2012 and has worked for the Houston Chronicle since 2014. She previously wrote for The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla. She enjoys traveling, eating her way across Texas and chasing her 2-year-old son and 6-year-old dog. Staff Reports news@albanyherald.com ATLANTA The American Red Cross has expanded its Community Adaptation Program into Chatham County with support from a $1 million gift from the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation. A first for the state, CAP will partner with trusted, local organizations specializing in health, hunger and housing to enhance resources for families struggling with pre-existing social inequities. The Federal Emergency Management Agencys National Risk Index has identified Chatham County as more at risk of the adverse impacts of natural disasters than 99% of all U.S. counties, making it a prime candidate for this new initiative. Working on the front lines to respond to frequent and intense disasters, the Red Cross sees first-hand how chronic physical and mental health conditions, food insecurity and the availability of safe and affordable housing are worsened by these events. CAP is a multiyear effort designed to increase support for socially and geographically vulnerable communities while reducing disaster-caused displacement. Stronger and more frequent disasters are repeatedly striking communities across the country, creating incredible suffering for families, Cliff Holtz, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, said. Last month, I visited some of the communities hit hardest by recent disasters that will need support today, tomorrow and in the many months ahead. We are grateful for Atlanta Gas Light Foundations generosity and partnership as we work to expand the capacity of entire communities and adapt to help people in times of dire need. The devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters have been felt by everyone across our service territory, but when conditions are at their worst, our employees at Atlanta Gas Light are at their best, Pedro Cherry, president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light, said. We believe in giving back to the communities where our employees live, work and serve. Supporting the Red Cross Community Adaptation Program allows us to extend our commitment to safety, resilience and well-being, ensuring that our neighbors receive the help they need in times of crisis. The Atlanta Gas Light Foundation is committed to supporting those who are transforming lives by addressing the complex challenges facing Georgias communities with revolutionary vision, Serena Levy, president of the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation, said. The Community Adaptation Program is such an initiative because it combines long-term vision with local experts and community leaders to identify solutions that are targeted to meet the local community needs. We are proud to champion efforts that drive meaningful and sustainable change across Georgia. CAP will build the capacity, capability and business continuity of Chatham County nonprofit organizations to help increase community resilience and lessen the impact of disaster-caused displacement on the most vulnerable in this area. In turn, CAP partners will commit to working with the Red Cross before, during and after disasters to help mitigate disaster-caused poverty. Through these partnerships, the Red Cross will help strengthen the resiliency of the entire frontline community. At the end of the organizations most recent fiscal year, the Red Cross Community Adaptation Program was operating in 17 other counties across the country, with more than 200 hyperlocal partners and more than $10 million in funds committed for hundreds of different resilience projects. The Red Cross estimates that this support has helped hyper-local partners serve some 100,000 households, impacting about 300,000 people. Building on lessons learned from the initial CAP communities, the Red Cross plans to expand to additional counties and parishes over the next several years. More importantly, the Red Cross is taking relevant learnings and integrating them across its entire disaster program. The Atlanta Gas Light Foundation supports nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Georgia. A subsidiary of the Southern Company Gas Foundation, its mission is to advance social justice, enable economic mobility, care for the environment and provide community assistance in the areas where Atlanta Gas Light employees live, work and serve. The foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization funded by an endowment from Southern Company Gas. To learn more, visit www.atlantagaslight.com/. The proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been tasked by President-Elect Trump to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies. But the DOGE is also a once-in-a-century opportunity to improve the health and wealth of the American people. Although reducing the discretionary budget by $2 trillion would be a huge success, we should strive for an even more long-lasting result. That means dealing with the politically untouchable mandatory entitlements spending on Social Security and Medicare to make them more efficient and solvent. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, The drivers of the growth in primary spending are Social Security and federal health care programs -- namely Medicare. In FY2023, the federal government spent $1.35 trillion on Social Security (22% of the budget) and $1.56 trillion (25% of the budget) on major health care programs, most of which was for Medicare and Medicaid. The objective of DOGE should not be to cut these, but to restructure them to be more effective and efficient in generating investment returns (for Social Security) while reducing fraud and sick care costs (for Medicare). Social Security accounted for 22% of the total federal budget. In 2023, the trust funds that support Social Security ran a deficit, depleting the funds by $41 billion. This deficit is only expected to get worse, but can be reduced by either increasing contributions, reducing benefits, or increasing the yield on trust fund investments. Politicians have tried the first two methods, which are both difficult and unpopular, but never the third, which is truly the best way to ensure solvency and secure this critical safety net. With proper restructuring, Social Security can grow its way out of its deficit. Instead, the trust fund has been used as a piggy bank to fund federal deficits at an extremely low rate of interest. As we downsize government and move towards a balanced budget, we should also change how we invest the trust fund. American citizens own the Social Security system and it is only right that they be allowed to benefit from the financial success of America just like wealthy investors who are able to invest in stocks, bonds, real estate, and other higher-yield investments. But instead of privatizing it, we should establish a new public fiduciary to manage investments to obtain superior investment returns while carefully managing risk. The managers of such a fiduciary would be accountable for its investment returns and would effectively compete with giant investment companies such as Vanguard and Black Rock. But it would act only as a fiduciary for the American people, with no authority to pursue Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) or other politically-motivated goals. In fact, we can use such a fiduciary to also eliminate the financial conflicts of interest of elected officials and senior federal bureaucrats. Instead of just trying to ban all federal legislators from engaging in insider stock trading, and monitoring to ensure they dont cheat, they should be required to deposit their investment funds, as well as congressional pension funds, into a pool to be managed by the Social Security fiduciary during their term of office. This would align the financial incentives and investment returns of Congress and senior administration officials with that of the American people. The second part of this restructuring of mandatory spending would focus on making Americans healthier so we can spend less on sick care while improving health and life expectancy. This brings us to Medicare and the entire public health sector, soon to be run by nominated HHS Director Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. under a mandate to Make America Healthy Again. If we promote and invest in healthy lifestyles and food, instead of just the sick care system, we can stop the out-of-control growth of health care spending. We spend about twice as much as other large, wealthy countries, yet have a more obese and sick population. Our current health care spending focuses on getting Americans hooked on medications instead of helping them to stay healthy. And, of course, we need new systems, processes, and data analytics to cut down on the massive amount of Medicare fraud. Had our public health system promoted regular exercise, healthy food, Vitamin D, and other supplements, for instance, fewer Americans would have died or suffered from the COVID-19 virus. Government efficiency isnt just about deciding what to cut, but what to spend money on in order to promote the life, liberty and happiness of the American people. What would such a restructuring look like? We can start by tackling the epidemic of childhood obesity in public elementary schools by funding daily physical fitness and sports, healthy breakfast and lunch foods, classes on nutrition and cooking, and preventive health care, including vitamins or other supplements, as needed. Obesity kills more people each day than COVID ever did. It also means a reassessment of the entire childhood vaccination schedule, which is likely causing harm in the form of asthma, allergies, delayed development, autoimmune disorders, autism, and other health-destroying maladies. The food stamp program also needs to be entirely revamped to focus on healthy food, supplements and preventive health care. Private schools should also be assessed and provided incentives to deliver healthy food and physical fitness activities. This might include denying federal student aid, or even state funding, to private schools that fail to promote fitness and healthy food. Or, it might include funding for certified classes on nutrition and cooking. Finally, the big pharma and big food industries need to be held accountable and brought to heel to start getting Americans healthy instead of making and keeping people sick for profit. This should be directly translated into Medicare policies and funding as well as a federated system of investigating and regulating unhealthy foods and medicines. For instance, state health officials should be given the funding and authority they need to enact their own health programs and override or ignore corrupt federal health officials if they have been captured by their regulated industries and fail to do their jobs. Section 1801 of the original 1965 Medicaid law specifically denies the federal government the authority to control over the practice of medicine or the manner in which medical services are provided. In 2023, $150.9 billion (11%) of Social Security spending went to disability benefits and $50.9 billion (4%) covered other, including survivor, benefits. If Americans were healthier, as a result of improvements to our food and health care, we could probably reduce the amount spent on disabilities and survivors, which could then be shifted to help cover the cost of longer life expectancy. Incentives to promote healthier lifestyles could include health insurance rebates or a Social Security bonus for people who stay in good health and do not run up large health care expenses. In summary, the DOGE should not limit itself to finding ways to cut the discretionary budget -- it should also work to refocus how the federal government promotes the general welfare, as well stated by our Founders. David Thalheimer is a graduate of (pre-radicalized) George Washington University and Harvard University, the Air War College, and the National Intelligence University. He retired from the US Air Force as a colonel and now works as an engineer in the field of cybersecurity. Image: Vivek Ramaswamy On November 18, 2024, Politico reported that London and Paris had given Ukraine their Storm Shadow/SCALP long-range missiles to Ukraine. As of this writing (Wednesday, November 20, 2024), Reuters reported that Ukraine fired a volley of up to twelve Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles into Russias Kursk region, a day after Ukraine fired six U.S.-manufactured ATACMS missiles into Russias Bryansk region. That Ukraine fired a UK missile today makes evident that Biden must have permitted Kyiv to launch NATO long-range missiles into Russia. The redefinition of Russias policy on nuclear deterrence that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed this week, makes clear that Russia now considers the United States, the UK, and NATO at war with Russia. Lobbing a few NATO-manufacture long-range missiles into Russia is unlikely to make any tactical or strategic difference in the war, not when Russia controls much of the Russian-speaking areas of Ukraine, including the Crimea as well as Donetsk and Luhansk provinces in eastern Ukraine. As I wrote in a previous essay, the Biden decision is best explained by what appears to be a preemptive military coup in which U.S. generals fearing prison terms and possible convictions for treason prefer the risk of triggering a global thermonuclear war rather than allowing Donald Trump to take office on January 20, 2024. Image by AI. For months, Putin has left no doubt that he will launch a retaliatory tactical nuclear response if Ukraine launches NATO-manufactured long-range missiles into Russia. On May 6. 2024, Moscow summoned the British ambassador to the Russian Foreign Ministry to issue a warning that Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with British-supplied weapons could bring retaliatory strikes against British military facilities and equipment on Ukrainian soil or elsewhere. Then, on September 12, 2024, former Russian President and current Deputy Chair of Russias Security Council Dmitry Medvedev threatened the UK following a meeting between Britains Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Ukrainian President Zelensky in Ukraine. During that meeting, Lammy promised Ukraine 100 years of British support. In a post on X, Medvedev claimed, So-called Ukraine will not last a quarter of that time. The island called Britain is likely to sink in the next few years. Our hypersonic missiles will help if necessary. On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the U.S. and several Western embassies in Kyiv closed after receiving specific information of a potential significant air attack. Just a few days before that, on November 17, 2024, NATO member Poland scrambled fighter jets close to Polands border with Ukraine after Russia launched a massive aerial attack on Kyivs energy infrastructure overnight. The Deep State initially had available only three strategies to keep Trump from returning to the White House. All three have failed, requiring a more extreme strategynuclear war. The Department of Justice, along with prosecutors in Georgia and New York, did everything possible to bring criminal legal indictments against Trump to diminish his financial resources with the goal of imprisoning him. The criminal prosecution strategy has failed so far, with Judge Merchan postponing sentencing indefinitely in the Stormy Daniels hush-money case and Special Counsel Jack Smiths cases winding down. Trump survived two assassination attempts. On July 13, 2024, Trump turned his head to the right to look at a chart, causing the bullet to miss his skull, hitting only his ear. Trumps survival appeared to many to be an act of God. Embedded algorithms were discovered in the State Board of Election voter registration databases that permitted certifiable votes to be cast by false voter records created by a cryptographic scheme that assigned legitimate state voter IDs to non-existent votes. As reported on our website, GodsFiveStones.com, Andrew Paquette, Ph.D., discovered cryptographic algorithms in New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, with algorithms yet to be reported also found in New Jersey, Texas, and Hawaii. With these efforts having failed, whats left is to escalate the weaponry that the U.S. and various NATO partners supply to Ukraine to provoke a nuclear response from Russia. Fearing that Trump would fulfill campaign promises to dismantle the woke Deep State, the New World Order military/industrial/intelligence complex prefers to risk nuclear war rather than allow Trump to return to the White House. Even a limited Russian nuclear response would hamper Trumps ability to end the war in Ukraine quickly after his inauguration. Should a Russian nuclear response lead to a global thermonuclear war, the World Economic Forums depopulation goals would only be achieved much sooner than anticipated. Its important to remember that Vladimir Putin does not have a history of bluffing. Putin appears to speak consistently and calculatedly, carefully choosing his words to have a particular desired effect. Since his interview with Tucker Carlson on February 6, 2024, Putin has been telegraphing that the two eastern provinces in Ukraine are closely allied with Russia, explaining that, from Russias perspective, the greatest threat to Russian national security was the possibility that Ukraine would be accepted into NATO. The disclosures that the CIA had secret spy bases established on Ukraines border with Russia, along with Russian claims that the U.S. has operated gain-of-function biological laboratories in Ukraine, are obvious threats to national security. Putin has pleaded to have them verified by credible international investigations. In an overabundance of caution, Trumps senior advisors have prevented him from meeting with foreign heads of state, respecting concerns Trump would be accused of violating the 1799 Logan Act that criminalizes unauthorized American citizens attempting to negotiate a dispute between the United States and a foreign government. But with the world on the precipice of nuclear war, what is desperately needed is a reliable backchannel within which Trump can begin negotiations with Putin over terms and conditions to end the war in Ukraine. Given that Trump is officially President-Elect, his status is arguably elevated above that of an unauthorized citizen. Clearly, members of President-Elect Ronald Reagans senior advisory team had back channels with Iran to release on Reagans inauguration day the 444 American hostages Iran had held in captivity since November 4, 1979. Reagan managed to communicate to Ayatollah Khomeini that he did not have Jimmy Carters initial sympathy for Khomeinis radical Islamic revolution, nor did Reagan intend to lead an inept military that could not successfully conduct a helicopter rescue mission in the desert. Here, too, President Trump must convey to Putin in words of one syllable that he will abandon NATO if NATO persists in reckless military strategies originating with a lame-duck president who apparently suffers from some form of mental disabilities, making him vulnerable to shadow advisers. We cannot Make America Great Again if we allow the Biden administration to get us into a thermonuclear war. Trump must derail the Deep States fourth and last strategy to make sure Trump does not have a successful second term in office. Trump must block the Deep States plan to bait Putin into using nuclear weapons on the battlefield for the first time since the end of World War II, thanks to Biden allowing Ukraine to lob tactically pointless US- and NATO-manufactured missiles into Russias sovereign territory. With Putin having promised to retaliate with a tactical nuclear strike against Ukraine, President-Elect Trump risks catastrophe if he fails to communicate with Putin. GodsFiveStones.com is a tax-deductible 501(c)3 foundation created by Jerome R. Corsi, Ph.D., and Karladine Graves, M.D., managed by Capstone Legacy Foundation. As reported on GodsFiveStones.com, Andrew Paquette, Ph.D., has discovered cryptographic algorithms in the State Board of Elections voter registration databases in New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona and yet to be reported in New Jersey, Texas, and Hawaii. As noted in a statement on Donald J. Trumps election victory published on November 8, 2024, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano explained that the algorithms allowed false voter registrations to be printed and concealed, which could be used in various election fraud schemes, including counting absentee ballots by nonexistent voters. By exposing the scheme, Dr. Corsi prevented the creation of millions of fraudulent votes for Kamala Harris. Recently, Washington Post columnist and MSNBC contributor Jennifer Rubin claimed that Senate Republicans who approve of President Donald Trump's cabinet picks must pay a "political price." "The people who irresponsibly put dangerous, treasonous, unfit people in positions of authority are responsible not only for those people but for all the horrors that will unfold" "Democrats better get started now tracking these people, holding these people accountable, and making clear to ordinary voters who voted for what and whos responsible for what." "You have to be pithy. What do I mean by pithy? How about this: Republicans want to kill your kids. It's actually true." "If you're gonna oppose vaccinations, if you're gonna stop breakthrough medical research, if you're gonna allow minors and all sorts of people to get semi-automatic weapons, which they use to shoot up schools, well, then you are responsible for kids' health and death, unfortunately. It has to be that simple and that direct, and it has to be over, and over, and over again," Rubin also supported the boycott against her MSNBC colleagues Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski who sort of acknowledged their failings following the electoral results and met with President Trump in a move that seemed like remedial measures. Last month, Rubin attacked WaPo owner Jeff Bezos for preventing the paper from endorsing Kamala Harris: "A billionaire who has a business aside from The Post that does business with the federal government deciding not to run afoul of a man who has declared war on democracy and on the free press, and I still find it absolutely inconceivable that someone who owns a newspaper would do this." "I am equally troubled by the fact that the reason given was not candid, was not accurate. Why mess around if you say, 'Hey, I'm a businessman. I don't want to endorse anyone because I don't want to affect those businesses.' Yeah, everyone will be aghast, but at least you'd be honest. At least you'd be taking responsibility" "This is a matter of how free societies defend themselves against fascist threats." Now for some facts. A winning President has the right to choose whoever he deems suitable for his cabinet. Rubin's threat to Senate Republicans should they approve of Trump's picks is anti-democratic, also the "political price" warning could seen as a call to violence, especially considering Trump survived two assassination attempts. "Democracy Dies in Darkness" is the motto of the WaPo. With her vile threats, Ruben attacked democratic values with a sledgehammer. Like Democrats usually do, she blamed her opponents for what her side was guilty of. With their advocacy for abortion and gender alteration procedures for young children, it is the Democrats who are destroying the lives of children. Her attack against Bezos was baseless too. Bezos expected Kamala to lose and didn't want his paper to suffer the ignominy of endorsing a loser. If Bezos feared reprisals from Trump, he would have blocked anti-Trump articles on the WaPo. So why must we care about the insane claims of a washed-up WaPo contributor driven to derangement following the Trump landslide victory? Simply because it reveals the thinking of the Democrats. Why should we care about the Democrats when Trump won with a landslide? Trump did win all the swing states, the Electoral College, and the popular vote. President Trump won 2,552 counties while Harris won just 382 counties. Yet despite having an abominable record and being a catastrophic candidate, Harris won 74,103,830 votes. The members of the media such as Rubin are self-righteous and brainwashed, which prevents them from comprehending the vacuousness of their utterances. The likes of Rubin are inhabitants of their echo chambers where diversity of thought is forbidden and mediocrity is celebrated as long as there is adherence to groupthink. Rubin has recently locked her X'profile to avoid scrutiny. Rubin's copious shortcomings were exposed when Bill O'Reilly challenged her about the mendacity of her claims against him. Ruben embarrassed herself as she floundered and blundered through the segment, unable to cite a single fact. The problem is that 74.1 million who voted for Biden's debacle-prone deputy still believed every syllable presented in the mainstream media. The mainstream media is the propaganda wing for the Democrats, which explains why their opinions and buzzwords for any given occurrence are always identical and in perfect synchronicity. This is how they successfully concoct and push narratives until they become the mainstream de facto premise in D.C. A perfect example is the Trump-Russia collusion hoax. This premise was so preposterous that Trump mocked it during his campaign. The proponents of this disinformation campaign were relentless but vague. They couldnt tell if votes were altered by the Russians. They couldn't cite specifics about any exchanges between Trump and the Russian government. They merely engaged in innuendo while repeating the word 'collusion'. The hysterical drum-beating about 'collusion' caused the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. The probe hung like a sword for almost two years of Trump's first term and cost taxpayers $32 million. Many of Trump's allies were targeted, often with unusual force. When Trump was cleared the probe report was purposefully worded vaguely to imply guilt. Consequently, Democrats are still baselessly claiming that Trump is subservient to Putin. Republicans should have dismissed and ridiculed the premise of collusion. They should have launched a pressure campaign to demand that the probe be shut down. Instead, they were hesitant and meek. Some even supported the probe in an attempt to prove to be the 'good ones'. Trump's then A.G., Jeff Sessions recused himself from the probe, which gave the Democrats a free rein. This was Democrats attempting to invalidate the mandate Trump received in November 2016 and they were successful. Back in 2017 Republicans controlled the White House, the House, and the Senate, yet they were relegated to helpless spectators while the Democrats used the state machinery to wreak havoc against their primary political opponent. The probe slowed the pace of the implementation of the MAGA agenda. The probe and the GOP failure to counter Democrat hoaxes were the leading reasons for the routing the Republicans faced in the 2018 mid-terms. Once the Democrats were in control of the House their sole goal was to destroy Trump which they attempted with two baseless impeachments and one Stalinist show trial. It is nothing short of miraculous that despite all this Trump managed to deliver so much during his first term. The GOP is at a similar juncture now, i.e. in control of the White House, the Senate, and the House. The rants from the likes of Jennifer Rubin may seem laughable but they could easily become the next narrative in D.C. It appears the Trump team has learned their lessons and will fight back. Trump's cabinet picks are certainly promising, which has explained the outrage from the likes of Rubin. Hopefully, the Republicans in Congress will also join the resistance. The war to take back the nation will take myriad battles. The first battle was successfully won on November 5th, 2024, many such emphatic triumphs are essential for the war to be won. Image: Edward Kimmel See also Monica Showalters Crazy new innovation from DOGEs Vivek: Making the federal workforce actually show up for work linked here. If I didnt know any better, Id think that a new(ish) Health and Human Services rule adopted in April of this year, which made the vetting process for potential sponsors of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) a whole lot less intrusive for the adult applicant(s), was a strategic change to promote the trafficking of children, because thats exactly what its done, and Xavier Becerra is to blame. How can he possibly rationalize a process that doesnt implement rigorous criminal background checks for every single potential sponsor? If you read the rule, standard protocol is a quick scan of the sex offender registry and a public records check but FBI background checks only apply to some potential sponsors. Law of unintended consequences or a natural progression of a deliberately planned scheme? Yesterday, Becerra testified at Capitol Hill before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, and his admissions will sicken youwhen Texass Chip Roy quizzed Becerra on whether or not he could account for the roughly 400,000 UACs whose whereabouts are reportedly unknown, requiring he respond with either a yes or a no, Becerra sidestepped and launched into a filibustering word salad. See below, around 02:18 elapsed time: Mr. Secretary, how can you credibly claim that HHS is working to protect these children? A vetted sponsor that rapes and murders the people that they're entrusted to? ...That's what you think is appropriate care for these children? pic.twitter.com/WaqezbLQ6c Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) November 20, 2024 But then in the same breath, Becerra also admitted his agency does lose custody of illegal alien minors once theyve been placed with the not-so-vetted sponsors: Congressman, as I explained the process. We get these kids when they are referred to us by the Department of Homeland Security. We then provide them with care while they are in our custody. We lose custody of those kids once we find a vetted sponsor with whom they can stay. And there we have it. Some of the children have been tracked down though living with pedophiles and at strip clubs; from a report at the Washington Examiner: Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) asked Becerra about the possibility of children ending up with MS-13 gang members as sponsors. But if you dont do the vetting right, you dont know if theyre engaged in criminal activity. Thats how you end up with an MS-13 gang member as the sponsor, the Arizona Republican said in the hearing. Thats how you end up with pedophiles getting 20 children in the same home The vetting has been crappy. Thats the bottom line. [snip] Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) questioned the HHS secretary about why unaccompanied minor children were settled at a strip club in Florida and then pimped out by an aunt who has no relation to them at all. For a video of the exchange between Tiffany and Becerra, see here: HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra cannot answer why he placed unaccompanied children with sponsors whose address was a strip club. He also cannot explain why he allowed them to be pimped out by individuals with no family ties to them. This is a sickening failure of oversight. pic.twitter.com/ozD8JBBaoB Rep. Tom Tiffany (@RepTiffany) November 20, 2024 Crimes against humanity should reap their just reward. Image: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr, unaltered. For those of us who voted for President-elect Donald J. Trump, our joy is accompanied by a feeling of relief that we dodged an existential bullet. Concomitantly, since President Trump has made his epic comeback, his detractors have realized they cant use the same lies they did last time to diminish him. So they have come up with the lame group-think accusation that President Trump and his amazing (to date) cabinet nominees are cruising for revenge. Revenge may very well be a byproduct of the future actions of his stellar cabinet to-be, but revenge is not his goal. When asked about the bruited canard of revenge, President Trump responded that his only revenge would be success. Yet avengement, perhaps not purposely, will also follow. For Trumps followers, the joy of absorbing and applauding his subsequent cabinet nominees has created a calm but heartfelt jubilation. It comes from the belief that his cabinet is of rock star quality and that things will really be all right. And so, with the anticipated success from what Trump has avowed will be his mission, he will be avenging the American people. It is almost impossible not to draw connections between President Trump and his exhilarating band of cabinet nominees with the Marvel Comics array of superheroes, also known as the Avengers. (Marvel characters shifted alliances, and multiple individuals played the same and different parts over the years.) A few comparisons follow: Obviously, President Trump is Captain America, the ultimate superhero. As the story goes, during World War II, a weak citizen, known as Steve Rogers, repeatedly tried to join the U.S. military but was rejected. He agreed to participate in a scientific experiment which transforms him into the first superhero and is forever known as a defender of Americas ideals of freedom. President Trump has proved, repeatedly, that he is courageous, has grit, and truly loves America. One cannot think of any politician, alive today, who has voiced greater true love for America and the American people. Vice President J.D. Vance is the epitome of Thor. Thor has unmatched strength and durability. He fought alongside the team and won numerous victories saving the universe. He was always counted on for his extreme courage and loyalty. Tulsi Gabbard changed her party affiliation from Democrat, to Independent, and finally to Republican. She mirrors Marvel character Diamondback. Diamondback is feisty, a warrior, and in-sync with Captain America. Gabbard served in the military, and like Diamondback, switched alliances during her life. Elise Stefanik, enjoying a meteoric rise in the Republican Party, is most well-known for her witty, brave, and brilliant take down of three heads of Ivy League universities who refused to confront anti-semitism on their campuses. She will be excellent in her nominated role as Ambassador to the United Nations. Like her Marvel character, Agent Maria Hill, Stefanik will do well butting heads with the anti-semitic bunch at the UN and supervising her own staff. Trump, with his entire cabinet, will be avenging the innocent girls and women who have been kidnapped, raped, and murdered by criminals who did not belong in America. He will be avenging the citizens caught in devastating and life-threatening floods and hurricanes who were deliberately ignored by FEMA for those who openly shared their allegiance to Trump. He will be avenging on behalf of the forgotten little guy, abused by selfish people who gained financially from facilitating the border invasion. Just how many 501(c)(3) enterprises have illicitly gained and been complicit in the border insurrection? Regardless of the ill-gotten gains, these people have blood on their hands. He will be avenging against criminal financing of the illegals who have swept across our borders, without recourse, and who have sucked up resources meant for citizens. These include housing, food, utilities, walking around money, health, and education, while many hard-working families struggled to obtain and maintain the same goods and services. Yes, we have our Captain America and hes here to make us whole again. Image: YouTube video screen grab. U.S. immigration laws should be applied as fairly as possible. That includes deporting illegal aliens, and Prince Harry may be one if he lied (which seems feasible given the revelations in his book Spare) about his drug use on his visa application. The disgraced duke is married to a conniving and manipulative U.S. citizen, who, as a tacit supporter of Kamala, irresponsibly spouts accusations about racism and sexism when things dont go her way. Despite their unholy matrimony, Harry can still be deported. A Heritage Foundation lawsuit to make Harrys visa documents public could eventuate his deportation. However, a judge ruled that the documents should be kept private, saying the public does not have a strong interest in disclosure of the Duke's immigration records. Um, tell that to the multitudes of otherwise legal immigrants who have settled here, and their disrupted families, who have been deported because of their past drug offenses. Dare to tell every MAGA patriot who believes in America First, Always, that they dont have a strong interest in ensuring illegal aliens, even those with pompous accents that grate, are properly and promptly deported. The Biden administration has protected the royal traitor, but now theres a new DHS sheriff in town. Per Neil Gardiner, Director of Heritage Foundations Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, the new Homeland Security secretary could, order a review of Harrys immigration application. President Trump could also order this. Its not inevitable, but its not ineffable, either. Indeed, president Trump hinted that Harry could be deported if his drug use was not declared on his visa application. While it could become a bit of a sticky wicket if King Charles III seeks to curry favor for his son (or just prevent him from returning to jolly old England), many legal experts agree that Trump has the power to deport the duke. Theres a lot on his plate, but this is not trivial -- part of applying immigration laws fairly includes the equal treatment of immigrants who face drug charges. It seems draconian to them, so, pending changes to the system, they should at least have confidence that our current immigration laws are enforced without regard to royal status. A status that is actually now somewhat dubious as Harry has alienated much of the monarchy. Hes royal, all right -- a royal pain in the neck. Even President Trump has not taken kindly to Harrys royal disloyalty, saying he wouldnt protect Harry because he betrayed the Queen, adding, "That's unforgivable. He would be on his own if it was down to me. Well now it is down to Trump. Harry can see the writing on the wall, perhaps thats the motivation behind his purchase of a home in Europe. Hes very unpopular in the U.K, approaching levels as low as Prince Andrew, so theres speculation he chose Portugal. Good! Perhaps he can help plan the next Invictus Games -- hes not totally irredeemable -- from the Algarve. As we protect America by closing our borders and deporting illegal aliens (and immigrants who have committed drug offenses long ago) restoring faith in our immigration system partially requires ditching the uncharming prince if he lied about his drug usage. It will be a bonus if Meghan follows in tow. Image: AT via Magic Studio President Joe Biden made a unilateral decision to approve Ukraines use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS)long-range USA-manufactured missileson targets inside Russia without introducing a resolution into Congress declaring war on Russia. On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin formally signed a revision to Russias state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence. That revision specified the following: Aggression against the Russian Federation and (or) its allies on the part of any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state is considered as their joint attack. The revised policy also specified that Russia would consider a nuclear strike if Russia or its ally, Belarus, faced aggression with the use of conventional weapons that created a critical threat to their sovereignty and (or) their territorial integrity. On the same day, Ukraine fired six ATACMS missiles at a military depot in the Russian region of Bryansk. Under the terms of Russias newly redefined nuclear weapons policy, Russia is now at war with the United States, with no indication that President Biden has any intention of sending to Congress a resolution declaring that the United States is at war with Russia. Congress saving the world. Image by AI. Congress need not stand by idly, watching without recourse, as a lame-duck president (whose mental competence must be considered questionable) authorizes Ukraine to fire USA-manufactured missiles into Russiaa policy that has as its only rational purpose to induce Russia to use a tactical nuclear bomb in retaliation. Does anyone think arming Ukraine with ATACMS to lob into Russia will win the war for Ukraine while Russia occupies the essential Russian-speaking parts of UkraineCrimeaand controls parts of Donetsk and Luhansk Provinces in eastern Ukraine? Under the authority of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, Congress can pass rescission legislation that, according to the Congressional Institute, is considered under expedited procedures, making it easier for a simple majority of each Chamber of Congress to revisit spending decisions. There is also an exception in U.S. law allowing Congress to pass a rescission bill without the presidents signature. A Ford administration White House memo dated September 13, 1976, entitled Enactment of Legislation Without the Approval of the President, specified the following: Article I, section 7, clause 2 of the Constitution provides in pertinent part: Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approves he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law. The Constitution thus gives the President the primary options of approving a bill by signing it, or of returning it to Congress with his objections. In the latter case it becomes law only if approved by two-thirds of both Houses of Congress. What the Ford administration makes clear is that Congress can override a presidential veto by passing the act by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. (Usually, an act is passed with a simple majority.) This check prevents the president from blocking an act when significant support for it While the process of passing rescission legislation to block ATACMS from being used by Ukraine to attack Russia may take longer than the presidential transition period that ends with President Trumps Inauguration on January 20, 2025, the very fact of originating the legislation in Congress will send clear messages to Presidents Biden, Putin, and Trump. That message will be that Congress does not approve the funding of a reckless executive decision made by a lame-duck president (with questionable mental acuity) that could lead to a World War III thermonuclear confrontation before it was over. Those generals worried that Trump, once in office, might move to court-martial them with treason charges have once again calculated poorly, betting that by getting Biden to escalate the war in Ukraine, they could save their hides. The introduction of rescission legislation in Congress will send a clear message to Biden that influential (most likely bipartisan) voices in Congress have no appetite for a war with Russia. Biden should be reminded that Congress has the authority to extend the impeachment process to officials who are no longer in office. With rescission legislation introduced into Congress, President Zelensky will quickly realize that continued use of ATACMS missiles would effectively terminate Ukraines ability to get continued congressional funding to support the war. President-Elect Trump could publicly applaud the introduction of the legislation, repeating with emphasis his desire to end the war in Ukraine once he is back in the White House. Putin could convince his military, and perhaps even more importantly, his fellow Russian citizens, that by restraining a Russian nuclear retaliation (that he is now authorized to launch), he is showing restraint worthy of praise. Members of Congress who do not support the introduction of recission legislation would realize that the likelihood the Congressional process to pass the legislation without the presidents signature would take more time than is available before the Inauguration. Thus, even those members of Congress who feel they would ultimately have to vote against the measure can be relieved that a final vote may never have time to come to the floor of both houses. In the final analysis, a president willing to risk starting WWIII to make sure Trumps second term would fail will be trumped by a Congress willing to deescalate the war in Ukraine at the risk that as president once again, Trump might end a war that never would have been fought had the Democrats not stolen the 2020 presidential election. GodsFiveStones.com is a tax-deductible 501(c)3 foundation created by Jerome R. Corsi, Ph.D., and Karladine Graves, M.D., managed by Capstone Legacy Foundation. As reported on GodsFiveStones.com, Andrew Paquette, Ph.D., has discovered cryptographic algorithms in the State Board of Elections voter registration databases in New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona and yet to be reported in New Jersey, Texas, and Hawaii. As noted in a statement on Donald J. Trumps election victory published on November 8, 2024, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano explained that the algorithms allowed false voter registrations to be printed and concealed, which could be used in various election fraud schemes, including counting absentee ballots by nonexistent voters. By exposing the scheme, Dr. Corsi prevented the creation of millions of fraudulent votes for Kamala Harris. Wherever leftists have political control, they pass laws and regulations claiming that they are sanctuary cities and states where illegal aliens will be protected from a federal government seeking to enforce immigration laws. In his first term, Trump didnt know how to stop this, and under Biden, the federal government was an accomplice in illegal immigration. Now, though, if Tom Homan needs to be and is confirmed as Trumps border czar (its unclear if he needs to be) and if federal judges follow the law, this illegal activity will finally stop. The federal government has absolute control over immigration law under the supremacy clause. However, across America, various states and municipalities have effectively told the feds that youre not the boss of me. As of 2017 (yes, when Trump was president), California passed a law officially declaring itself to be a sanctuary state, free from the burden of federal immigration laws. Less than two years later, Colorado passed a variation of the same law. Other states that officially interfered in one way or another with enforcing federal immigration laws are Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Image: YouTube screen grab (cropped). Meanwhile, the nation is dotted with sanctuary cities, both in states that have no laws on the subject or that ban the whole sanctuary concept. Atlanta, Georgia, for example, says its a sanctuary city even though the state bans the concept. The Massachusetts legislature hasnt passed laws one way or another, but the state Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that people cannot be held simply because ICE wants them, while Boston is all-in on sanctuary city status. Other major sanctuary cities are Detroit, Ann Arbor, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and multiple jurisdictions in Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia. In each case, the authorities who announced their sanctuary status were and are openly defying the federal governments complete and absolute authority over immigration in America, including removing illegal aliens from American soil. And for eight years, theyve gotten away with it. The whole sanctuary state and city thing, of course, was a fallow issue during the Biden years. He turned all of America into a sanctuary, not for people fleeing genocide, but for those coming because America is nicer than where they live. The government benefits are an enticement, as are the opportunities for crime or advancing the global caliphate. However, with Trumps return, the sanctuary concept has returned, too. Thats because, in response to the voters overwhelming preference, Donald Trump has promised to deport millions of illegal aliens. Last time, Trump was stopped when leftists found compliant judges in out-of-the-way jurisdictions, got injunctions stopping Trumps immigration policies, and froze the federal governments ability to execute the law. The RINOs in Congress didnt help, for they refused to fund Trumps policies. This time around, the illegal immigration activists are readying the same tactics. Naturally, theyre already lining up the lawsuits. Leftist governors are also swinging into action, as are blue-city leaders. Bostons Mayor Michelle Wu was equally adamantBostons illegals will stay in her city. Homan is having none of this, as he explained in the wake of Mayor Wus insistence that her illegal aliens would be safe from deportation: He said federal law prohibits people from harboring or concealing an illegal alien from federal law enforcement officers. Look, theres a clear line here, and they cant cross a clear line, he said. They can not cooperate, but there are certain laws in place that they cant cross. And I hope she doesnt cross it. The risk for Wu and others like her is that Homan is correct. Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy explains: He pointed out that it is a federal felony under Section 1324(1)(a)(iii) of the immigration laws (Title 8, U.S. Code) if a person, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, conceals, harbors, or shields from detection, or attempts to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, such alien in any place, including any building or any means of transportation[.] The Supreme Court has explained, in United States v. Gillock (1980), for example, that "in those areas where the Constitution grants the Federal Government the power to act, the Supremacy Clause dictates that federal enactments will prevail over competing state exercises of power." As a result, state or municipal officials who are accused of violating federal criminal law will not be heard to claim in their defense that they were carrying out official state policies even if those policies are codified in laws, regulations, or ordinances at the state or local levels. I sincerely hope that Homan and Trump can do what the American people want them to do: Stop the lawlessness that starts when aliens cross illegally into America. Worse, this lawlessness extends to federal authorities flying illegal aliens all over the country (including flying murderers to their destinations of choice) while local governments hand them free shelter, food, and medical care. All of this mocks the rule of law in America. Congress needs to get on board with Trumps plan, and the Trump administration had better have a way to deal with two-bit, essentially-criminally-inclined district court judges who use their small courtrooms to block the entire federal government from functioning under the Constitution. As always happens when Democrats are trying to destroy someone, they bring up sex charges against them. So, of course, we are told that Matt Gaetz is a sex criminal. The fact that Merrick Garlands DOJ tried desperately to prosecute Gaetz on those charges and couldnt even get to square one should put paid to the allegation, as should Mollie Hemingways expose about the unreliable man behind the Gaetz slurs. While Gaetz may have engaged in sleazy behavior, it wasnt illegal. Voters understand this, as shown by the fact that the public has been insufficiently moved by the attack on Gaetzs morals. The Democrats, therefore, have escalated the slurs. They now contend that an unidentified hacker has discovered harmful files from the House of Representatives investigation into the charges against Gaetz. Again, color me unimpressed. First, as of this writing, we dont know if these files are even real. Second, if Merrick Garland couldnt bring Gaetz down, theres no there there. Also, I dont trust the House of Representatives, which is a political bodyand theres no doubt that Gaetz has made enemies among Republicans as well as Democrats. He pushes, and the RINOs dont like it. Image: YouTube screen grab (cropped). In any event, the House report is history because Gaetz has resigned from the House. Therefore, the House Ethics Committee has announced that it will not release the unfinished report. Naturally, thats not what Democrats want. Rep. Sean Casten (D. IL) has announced that hes moving to force the Ethics Committee to make the report public. In addition to attacks from left, many Senate Republicans are also dragging their heels about confirming Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R. GA), who has a razor-sharp brain despite the sometimes blonde affect, tweeted out the perfect response. Although her tweet is ostensibly to her fellow Republicans, it really applies to congresspeople, on both sides of the aisle: 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. 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. Ill make sure we do. Greene is right. What she says is a reminder that, while weve given our elected representatives agency under the Constitution to make the laws that govern us, they are the servants, and we are the masters. They work for us and not vice versa. Its unconscionable that they use the privileged positions weve handed to them to engage in immoral and illegal activity, which we then pay for, even as they hide their sins from us. It's time for a housecleaning in Congress. If what they did cost us money or constituted a crime, its time for us to know. Frankly, Greenes proposal should be acted upon whether or not Republicans are foolish enough to reject Trumps plan to have as his Attorney General a young, vigorous, aggressive, pro-active man who has himself been a victim of a hyper-politicized Department of Justice. Its time to clean house in the government, and that includes bringing the peoples elected agents to heel. Annette Jackson wears Christmas lights glasses as she attends the annual Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market at NRG Center on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 in Houston. Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market has become the signature holiday fundraising shopping event in Texas that kicks off the holiday season Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Santa Jim points to the lit up trees after ceremonially pushing a button to turn on the Uptown Houston holiday lights along Post Oak Boulevard on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Houston. The 300 iconic holiday trees contain 250 individually controllable LED light units that are designed to create more than 16 million color possibilities along Post Oak Boulevard from the West Loop to Richmond Avenue. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Testing of lights is shown during the installation of the Uptown Houstons holiday trees along Post Oak Boulevard Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Houston. 300 holiday trees that are 20-foot tall will line Post Oak Boulevard from the West Loop to Richmond Avenue. The Uptown Houstons iconic holiday trees will be illuminated 24-hours a day in November and December. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A new holiday-themed bar is set to open in Houston, bringing joy, cheer and boozy drinks to the area. Chicago-based holiday pop-up Frostys Christmas Bar, known for its trendy set up with multiple locations in New York and Los Angles, plans to bring its Christmas-themed bar to downtown Houston at 2106 Dallas, suite 100. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Frostys Christmas Bar Houston will be opening its doors for the holiday season Nov. 29 and feature three bars inside a multiple-level location and includes a dance floor, life-size nutcrackers, santas and elves dancing as holiday music plays, according to its website. BEST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Which Houston neighborhood has the best Christmas lights? Frostys Christmas Bar was not immediately available for comment through social media. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ticket types and timeslots varies as all ages are allowed until 7 p.m. when only patrons age 21 and older are allowed. One way the liberal agenda progresses is through the tyranny of regulations. Congress often enacts laws that have disastrous and even unintended consequences on business, education, and society. These laws can generate regulations that liberal administrators interpret in manners Congress never envisioned. When citizens or firms challenge these rules and regulations, their efforts can become mired in court processes that can take years to resolve. Many affected parties are forced out of business as they wait for justice. In this waiting attrition game, liberal regulators have gamed the system to work in their favor. With the coming administration, many are asking how to overturn the vast maze of woke regulations burdening the economy and other sectors. The Biden Administration was especially heavy on regulation in its efforts to impose its wrongheaded eco-agenda. It has bent the rules even to the point of forcing plant closings to reach its climate emission goals. Certain options are not on the table. Changing laws is time-consuming and consensus is difficult to reach, especially with slim majorities in Congress. Informing the courts of a change in legal philosophy and interpretation is deemed an insufficient reason for court intervention and change. The plague of partisan politics in these matters should be avoided at all costs. Lawyer Chris Horner writes in the Wall Street Journal that quick change is possible if government lawyers follow certain procedures embedded in the American legal system. The beauty of law is that certain equity mechanisms exist that allow for quick changes that favor the better practice of justice. Law need not be a rigid framework that systemizes abuse without redress. Instead, proper law acknowledges the reality of human error and adjusts accordingly. Horner believes that regulation overreach can be remedied quickly by using what is called "confessing error." This would not involve new legislation, partisan politics or radical changes in philosophy. In a confession of error, government attorneys simply inform a court that the state has legally erred in some aspect of a law, requiring an annulment or reconsideration of a rule. By confessing error, the government admits a mistake that naturally calls for correction. Confessing errors occurs when new evidence arises, circumstances change or bad interpretations subvert the purpose of the law. It becomes evident that measures must be taken to adapt the law by changing its rules and regulations. In the present situation, the new Trump Administration would not have to look for cases right away. The current (and stalled) challenges to flawed regulations can be immediately brought up for review. At the same time, government lawyers can seek out other improprieties in the public record that are based more on leftist ideology than a concern for the common good. Some regulators have openly admitted in public documents to bending the rules that advance their causes. When such cases are obvious and well presented, Horner believes that Courts would almost certainly accept a confession of error of law, fact or procedure supported by documents that illustrate the admitted wrongdoing. In this way, the runaway power of regulators could be checked and justice delivered. If the new administration fast-tracks its confession of errors, it could remove many of the woke shackles weighing down industry and society. Regulation does not have to be a deadly swamp with no escape. Practices like the confession of errors are there to quickly relieve Americans in distress. Unfortunately, those benefiting from excessive regulation will oppose this move. For them, any confession of errors can be seen as an admission of guilt. However, due to the discreet nature of the procedure, confessing error assigns no blame but merely acknowledges the mistake. Thus, it would solve the problem of excessive overreach quickly, inexpensively and amiably. The new administration should pursue this policy with all urgency. Image: RawPixel.com Deborah Gonzalez was elected as the District Attorney for Athens-Clarke And Oconee Counties in Georgia. Her district encompasses the University of Georgia, where an illegal alien brutally raped and murdered Laken Riley, a nursing student. She is also a hard leftist who is obsessed with race and supports open borders. Those obsessions explain why she did not seek the death penalty in Laken Rileys case, nor will she do so in other casesan act of prosecutorial nullification that should lead to her being fired. When Gonzalez ran for office in 2020, she received enthusiastic support from far-left organizations, such as Voting While Black, a branch of Color Of Change PAC, a Soros-funded organization. When Voting While Black endorsed her, it specifically claimed as one of her virtues the fact that she would End death penalty prosecutions. Voting While Black wasnt making this up. Deborah Gonzalez did indeed make refusing to apply the death penalty one of the central planks of her platform: If we are to establish reforms that make our community whole, we have to stop pursuing the death penalty in the DAs office. ... As a DA candidate, I have promised to never seek the death penalty... Image: Deborah Gonzalez, Western Judicial Circuit DA Office (public domain). Once she entered office, Gonzalez turned her campaign promise into official policy. Indeed, she went beyond that, explaining that her policy was intended to protect all illegal aliens: Athens-Clarke District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, who appointed a special prosecutor to take over the prosecution of Jose Ibarra at the end of February amid criticism over her own prosecutorial record, laid out her soft-on-crime reforms when she assumed office in January 2021. Gonzalez said her office would no longer seek the death penalty and when considering charging defendants, she would take into account collateral consequences to undocumented defendants, according to a copy of the district attorneys policies shared by Georgia state Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Barrow). Before going any further, its worth noting that Gonzalez has openly stated that she intends to violate federal law. Thus, it is a federal offense if a person knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, conceals, harbors, or shields from detection, or attempts to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection, such alien in any place, including any building or any means of transportation... (8 USC sec. 1324(1)(a)(iii). With the trial of Jose Ibarra, Gonzalez made good on that policy. Ibarras conviction was based on truly overwhelming evidenceand he didnt even bother to fight the case that hard, refusing to go in front of a jury, and instead insisting on a judge trial. The undisputed facts were that he went to the University of Georgia campus to hunt for a rape victim and, when he found Laken Riley, he attacked. She fought for 18 hard minutes as he raped and strangled her before bashing her head in. The judge instantly found him guilty of murder. Under GA Code 16-5-1, A person convicted of the offense of murder shall be punished by death, by imprisonment for life without parole, or by imprisonment for life. (Emphasis mine.) However, when it came to imposing sentence on Ibarra, the judge didnt have before him the choice of executing Ibarra for his heinous crime. Instead, Gonzalezs charging papers provide only the options of a life sentence with or without parole. The judge chose the without parole option. The problem with Gonzalezs policy is that its an illegal usurpation of legislative power. The people elect legislators to make the laws. The prosecutors exist only to apply those laws to alleged wrongdoers via the mechanism of trials hedged about with the protections of due process. While prosecutors have some discretion to decide how to handle specific cases, they do not have the discretion to nullify laws entirely. We saw this play out in Florida in 2022, when Andrew Warren, another Soros prosecutor, announced that he would not prosecute entire classes of offenses with which he disagreed. Ron DeSantis responded by firing him. DeSantis did so by using his authority under the Florida Constitution, which imposes on the governor the obligation to take care that the laws be faithfully executed... (Fla. Const., Art. IV, sec. 1(a).) Warren fussed about suing after being fired but eventually slunk away. It may interest Georgias governor, Brian Kemp, to know that under the Georgia Constitution, he too has the responsibility to take care that the laws are faithfully executed... (Ga. Const., Art V, Sec. II, para. II.) Biden administration policies led to Ibarra, a member of a violent criminal gang, illegally entering our country and, after committing serious criminal offenses in New York, getting a free flight to and unsupervised living in Athens, Georgia. Safely ensconced in Georgia, Ibarra, true to his criminal impulses, brutally attacked and murdered a vibrant young woman. Now, thanks to Gonzalezs illegal and unethical conduct as a prosecutor, Ibarra will live out the rest of his life getting free food, shelter, and medical care at taxpayer expense. Governor Kemp, fire Deborah Gonzalez! If justice can no longer be done to Laken Riley, at least let it be done to others who are victimized in Athens-Clarke And Oconee Counties, Georgia. And maybe Border Czar Tom Homan, you should look into her record, too. On the day that the illegal immigrant Venezuelan gang member was found guilty of brutally murdering Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, FOX News turned for comment to Tom Homan, President-elect Trumps choice as the new border czar. During the past three and a half years, Homan has been a frequent guest on FOX News speaking the truth about the deadly consequences of the Biden-Harris administrations open borders policy. During a live interview with FOX News host Laura Ingraham on her prime time program The Ingraham Angle, Homan was emotional as he commented on Rileys death and explained what President-elect Donald Trump has in store for the 12 to 14 million illegal immigrants who have been welcomed into this country during the Biden-Harris regime. Homan, who is 62, has had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. According to his Wikipedia page: Homan joined what was then called the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1984, serving as a Border Patrol agent, investigator, and supervisor. He was appointed by President Barack Obama as Immigration and Customs Enforcements executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations in 2013. Providing some insight into how the Democrats have betrayed their responsibility to enforce border laws in recent years, Homans Wikipedia bio notes: In 2015, President Obama gave him [Homan] a Presidential Rank Award as a Distinguished Executive. A Washington Post article at the time stated, "Thomas Homan deports people. And he's really good at it." Following is a slightly edited transcript, provided by FOX News media, of Homans interview yesterday with Laura Ingraham. A video of Homans interview can be watched here. LAURA INGRAHAM, FOX NEWS HOST: Now, most Americans are still breathing a sigh of relief now that they know real change is coming to Washington. Some of those who are not breathing a sigh of relief tonight, the family of Laken Riley, because they lost their beautiful daughter. And they lost her at the hands of a monster illegal alien from Venezuela. Murderer Jose Ibarra got a life sentence without parole but it doesn't seem like that's real justice, not when you hear the words from Laken's mom [addressing the judge before Ibarras sentencing]. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ALLYSON PHILLIPS, LAKEN RILEYS MOM: Your Honor, on February 22nd of 2024, our family and friends were given a life sentence without a chance of parole. Jose Ibarra took no pity on my scared, panicked and struggling child. There is no end to the pain suffering and loss that we have experienced or will continue to endure. (END VIDEO CLIP) INGRAHAM: If you don't tear up listening to the heartbreaking words of that mother. But remember, Democrats, Kamala, our border czar, they knew that Joe Biden's rescinding Trump's border policies would result in thousands of criminals moving into our communities. They knew it Joining me now, Tom Homan, the man tapped as Trump's border czar. He's going to oversee the enforcement of the border, the deportation of millions of migrants who game the system, many of them criminals who are allowed in under fraudulent circumstances. Tom, thank you for joining us. This testimony -- it was so hard to watch. I forced myself to watch it because I -- we all as Americans -- need to watch this. Your reaction to what you just heard. TOM HOMAN, INCOMING TRUMP BORDER CZAR: You know, Laura, a lot of people ask me, why I get so emotional when I do Fox News, and why I get -- why I scream at members of Congress. Because Ive seen so much tragedy, Ive talked to hundreds of angels and moms and dads who buried their children because they're killed by illegal alien. This is the latest. You know, Ive talked to little girls as young as nine years old that were raped multiple times by members of cartel, when he -- when you look in her eyes and everything innocent and pure has been ripped from her soul, and her life will never be the same. I mean, it's just -- Im tired of it. The government failed the Laken Riley family. If President Trump was president, he [Rikeys murderer Ibarra] would be sitting in Mexico and the remain in Mexico program, and if he did get to New York, and he was arrested for injuring a child in New York, ICE should be able to arrest him because the priorities under Trump where if you're in the country illegally, you're a target. But because Secretary Mayorkas put the priorities so low, even the injury to the child didn't meet the standards so ICE could even place a detainer on him. So this could have been prevented. This young lady's dead. And I want every mayor, every governor of a sanctuary jurisdiction to listen to that tape, listen to this young girl fight for her life, fight for her breath, trying to survive, terrified. I want you to understand what she went through, like the 5-year-old boy in the back of the tractor trailer that I held, I found him dead -- that baked to death, I thought about what the last hour of his life was like. You need to listen to this tape. And for those governors and mayors who are saying they're going to stop Tom Homan, they're going to stop President Trump -- shame on you. Your responsibility is protect your communities and that's what we want to do is protect your community. Tom Homan on The Ingraham Angle, FOX News channel November 20, 2024 Screenshot used with permission of FOX News Media Ingraham next turned the discussion to the statements by Democrat governors and mayors insisting that they would continue to not cooperate with federal authorities planning, under Trump, to enforce the countrys immigration laws. INGRAHAM: Well, Tom, we have the Boston mayor saying she's not going to help. We have other sanctuary city mayors and other leaders, governors saying they're not going to take part in this mass deportation. But we know American citizens overwhelmingly support deporting people from this country; take us through how it will work -- what lists you will cross reference to try to find the people that are here and how will this play out? HOMAN: First of all, so those -- those people who say they're going to stop us dont know what they're doing -- they will not. Im going to do this job, men and women of ICE are going to do this job. You're not going to stop us. But let me give you a word of advice: if you impede us, therere going to be consequences. Read Title VIII, United States Code 1324 (iii). It is a felony to harbor and conceal -- knowingly harbor and conceal -- an illegal alien. So read that statute and don't cross that line. But look, President Trump has made it clear, coming around the gate is public safety threats and national security threats, and we have plenty of them to find. Under Biden administration, removal of criminal aliens has decreased 74 percent. So we have got a target rich environment. Were going to prioritize those public safety threats. And for any governor or mayor who doesn't want public safety threats taken out of their communities, you should resign your office because you're number one responsibility is to protect those communities. We have ways of find people. I can't -- Im not going to explain it here on national TV because of law enforcement sensitive. But we will find many of these folks. They will be arrested. They'll be detained and they'll be removed. And so -- what these facilities doing and get back on sanctuary cities, they don't want us into jails, which means we got to go to communities and find them. So these sanctuary cities are putting officers at risk because rather than the safety and security of jail, we cant take him [illegals]ninto custody easily. Now, we got to send a team to the street to arrest on his turf Ingraham next asked Homan how the incoming Trump administration will be able to deport millions of illegals. INGRAHAM: I want to get back to how you move these people out of the country and how you detain them before they're removed, Tom, because I know Texas has offered 1,500 acres for basically a super detention facility to house people as they're processed out. Do you imagine you will utilize that area for this type of operation? HOMAN: We absolutely will. When we find somebody, a targeted enforcement operation, when they get arrested, they'll be detained. They have to be detained for a short while we get travel documents from their host country. Host country has to agree that, yeah, theyre our national. We get travel documents. We get flight arrangements, flight agreements. So we're going to detain them for a little while. Sanctuary states said they're not allowing any detention facilities in their state -- fine. Then we'll arrest them. We'll fly them out of the state and detain them outside the state, again, away from their families, their attorneys. Thats what you want, that's what youll get. You're not going to stop us doing what we're going to do. So we'll move them to a state where we can detain them. There's plenty of sheriffs across this country who are willing to give us empty beds. They want the funding and we can put them in a jail all across the country. We'll have no problem finding a place to detain these people. It's going to cost money, so weve got to have the money to do it. But President Trump's going to do everything he can to make sure we have the funds to do this. So they will be they arrested, detained, put in an airplane and go home. INGRAHAM: But, Tom, there are a lot more people than that, right? There are millions and millions of people who are here under fraudulent circumstances. They didn't really qualify for asylum but they're here. And there are going to be emotional videos, you know what it's going to be. Tom Homan's mean, here's a mother and her child, and you're shipping them back or you're separated. That is -- I just know that's coming. They're going to rely on that to try to shut this down, think they can pressure you to shut this down. HOMAN: No, they're going to pressure Tom Homan to shut it down. You can write all the negative stories you want of me, I don't care because here's what -- here's the issue, you can't have send millions of people to the border, demand the right to see a judge, demand the right to make a fraudulent asylum claim. Okay, we'll give you a due process at great taxpayer expense, but at the end of that due process, the federal judge orders you removed, you're going to be removed. Because what is -- what is the option? If we don't remove em, then shut down the immigration court because of the court order doesn't mean anything anymore. So shut down the immigration court, take the board (ph) throughout the border because there's no consequences violating our law. You can't demand due process and not accept the final decision of the courts. And if you don't do that, we'll never solve the south -- southwest border or the northern border crisis -- because -- then you send a message to the whole world -- INGRAHAM: Tom, we're just learning that there's another caravan that's now been growing. It's now at 1,500 migrants and it's -- and it's rushing to the border, trying to get there obviously before inauguration day. Your message to them tonight and to the Biden administration that I imagine will, you know, perhaps waive a lot of these people in. HOMAN: I think President Trump needs to make a phone call down there and tell them they going to stop that caravan or they're going to have consequences like he did before. And if you want to spend every bit of your money, you want to sell your house and your savings and give it to the criminal cartels to come to America, understand this: you're not going to be staying. You're going to be leaving. We're going to make sure of that. I talked about prioritization of public safety threats and national security threats, but if you're in the country illegally, you're not off the table. We're just going to prioritize a smart way, take the worst first that pose the most danger this community, but if you're in the country illegally, you got a problem. You enter the country illegally which is a crime and you're going to be held accountable. Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran investigative journalist who has been working for six decades in a variety of media, both mainstream and alternative. On Saturday, Nov. 16, Peter discussed his recent articles at American Thinker on John B. Wellss nationally-syndicated radio program Ark Midnight on the Salem Radio Network. Audio of the segment featuring Peter can be listened to at Peters YouTube channel here. Imagine the good offices of Gun-Grabber Incorporated the moment the phrase mass casualty incident ripples across the airwaves. In an instant, its like the scene in the original Ghostbusters movie, with the Anni Potts character answering a call; hitting a big alarm button on her desk; and yelling, Weve got one! Without hesitation, they spring into action, inserting the relevant information into pre-written press releases and social media posts to quickly exploit other peoples pain for their crass political gain. Theres no time for facts. Theres no time for concern for the victims or their families. There are political points to make to push for moms demanding the complete confiscation of every gun in every town. Never mind that its not a good look for them. But then the big letdown is that those mass casualty incident didnt take place where, per their big lie, theres an epidemic of gun violence. No, it took place in a Utopia of their gun control dreams: Communist Red China. Even worse, the massacre tools werent even guns, but cars and knives. Uh-oh! Whats a gun-grabber to do? Pretend it didnt happen, and wait for better opportunities. Luckily for the gun-grabber lobby, their fellow leftists in the Chinese Communist Party were also anxious to downplay the story, so it quickly disappeared. But then, 4 Days Later, 8 Murdered In Mass Stabbing, proving the same point. Even worse, a similar type of attack occurred in a place known for its strict liberty control, where everyone is supposed to be safe because of the ridiculous adage that if no one has a gun, no one needs a gun. Our socialist betters forgot to mention that, as in red China, there are other weapons available. Ramon Rivera was arrested in the stabbing spree, according to two New York City officials. A knife-wielding assailant killed two men and critically wounded a woman during an hourslong, seemingly unprovoked stabbing spree through the streets of New York City on Monday, authorities said. The two slain men attacked near 444 W. 19th St. at 8:22 a.m. ET and then by 500 E. 30th St. at 10:27 a.m. were taken to Bellevue Hospital, where they were pronounced dead, officials said. We can dispense with the ban the new threat idiocy because mass murderers will always figure out ways of killing people. Knives can never be banned because all that is needed to make one is material that will hold an edge and a way to make it sharp. Materials include stone, metal, glass, plastic, ceramic, hard candy, etc. Its going to be impossible to ban stone, metal, glass, plastic, ceramic, hard candy, etc. So much for getting rid of knives. Now, imagine the anti-freedom slog storm if those three mass casualty incidents had used a different tool something the fascist far left desperately wants to confiscate in the name of our safety. And what if those tragedies had taken place in the states where guns can be carried? Instead of a superficial report, we would have seen wall-to-wall coverage. And we would have seen the gun-grabber groupies go all in on condemning our gun culture and, of course, gun violence. Its no wonder the incremental moves toward gun confiscation are losing support. According to Gallups latest polling, support for a handgun ban has fallen to just 20 percent and support for an assault weapons ban has cratered to just 52 percent. Gun bans were a constant call from both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris over the last four years. President Biden often combined the call with dubious factual, legal, and historical arguments. Its axiomatic that its a lot easier to control the law-abiding than the lawless. So, on top of their constant desire to control everyone, leftists find it a lot easier to punish the innocent for the acts of criminals than to take steps actually to solve the problem. Thus, if theres an issue with criminals with guns, the obvious answer (at least to the left) is to control the people who never commit a crime, because they will comply with their edicts, and leftists can claim they did something. Never mind that these actions endanger the innocent, as we see in these three examples. D Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, former director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a longtime contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack. Image via Pexels. Elon Musk is making history. No, not in being the first African-American to have as much as he has. It's not an identity thing, though he is fiercely American. Up until now, one's identity was the only subject of "historic firsts," right, Kamala Harris. Nor is it even in saving free speech, which yes, he has done. It's not in selling the most aspirational car for the young, which he is also doing. It's not in being the world's richest man, which he is. It's not in making the paralyzed walk, though he is doing that, too. It's not in bailing out the U.S. space program, which he did when a couple of astronauts were left stranded in space. It's not in rescuing the hurricane-battered people of North Carolina or the war-shocked people in Ukraine with his instant internet service through his Starlink, which he did. It's not in cleaning up the Augean stables of government which he is doing now. He's the mighty rocket man, sending off the biggest, heaviest, fastest rockets in the history of the world -- real historic firsts -- right now. His company SpaceX has managed to devise a machine that can catch a falling 20-story rocket stage in mid-air, as happened shortly before the election. Now he's launched the heaviest rockets in history -- giants: It should give anyone the shivers. It's as if a space and tech renaissance is unfolding before our eyes, and we will soon see marvels and wonders we never thought possible. So it makes sense that President Trump, who recognizes greatness, would make an appearance at one of these history-making launches, like King George II who stood to hear the first rendition of Handel's Messiah. It was the right thing for a leader of a great country, seeing a citizen perform great, consequential acts, to do. Musk is making America a place of hope, innovation, exploration, wealth, conquests, discovery, excitement, mission, achievement, greatness. This was how the West was won, how the Rockies were earned, how the Age of Discovery began, how the Renaissance blossomed. Musk embodies all of it, and there is nothing he is more passionate about than literally reaching for the stars and reaching as far as Mars and beyond. One step closer to the Mars pic.twitter.com/uc8seOMXOq Don Wick (@yayavarkm) November 20, 2024 Young men everywhere look up to him as they have never looked up to anyone else in their lifetimes. President Trump has just about adopted him as his son, the two are inseparable. Musk is like something awakened in the American spirit, something come to life that had been thought to be long dormant, extinct. So yes, Trump was there to lay witness on behalf of the entire country, to greatness in the making. Great president, great entrepreneur. And thank goodness they are known to one another. The incredible thing is that with all the greatness Musk has brought us, it's more than passing strange that the sitting president of the United States, Joe Biden, has given him exactly zero recognition, zero acknowledgement. He sent in his legal goons to harass Musk on a number of fronts, in the same kind of lawfare they've directed at President Trump. He refused to invite Musk and his company, Tesla, to his summit of electric car makers. Now he's completely ignoring Musk's record feats at SpaceX, the likes of which we have not seen since the moonshot of 1969. Does anything speak to Joe's smallness, his pettiness, his jealousy, his pecksniffery, his his worm-like directing vision, than this? Joe's absence is proof of his mediocrity and absence of greatness. What a sad sack, a pathetic, resentful, bitter little man, who cannot bear to recognize citizens in his midst of soaring greatness. That President Trump is completely unlike that, and stands by Musk as Musk edges closer to conquering Mars for all mankind tells us a lot about President Trump and what he will accomplish. Musk's greatness is recognized by Trump, while miserable, mediocre Biden picks at him and snipes at him, trying to take him down. Nothing shows the difference between Trump and Biden more clearly than in how they treat a national treasure like Elon Musk. Image: X screen shot Artificial Intelligence, the technology that will lead humanity either to a technological utopia or to hell in a handbasket. Were at the point in AI development where either reality could come true. AI is fire, and were all cavemen about to learn both its constructive and destructive potential. While CEOs and spokespersons of the major companies developing AI try their best to assure us that their flavor of the technology is safe, its those very companies that make AI less than safe. Obviously, we cant speak for ALL companies, but we can shine a light on the biggest whales in the pond. These include companies like Google, Meta, OpenAI, and Microsoft. Companies like Anthropic, Perplexity, and Apple matter, but the aforementioned companies are some of the ones making the biggest moves in the AI market. Sure, Apple is a MASSIVE company, but for the time being, its still a hardware-first company; it hasnt made any major moves in the AI market just yet. AI technology was never going to be safe, lets face it. Gears are turning, and have been turning for a while, that basically eliminate any possibility of that happening. Just another profit-driven rat race We all like to think that AI is being pioneered by massive nerds who just want to make the world a better place. While Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, and Mark Zuckerberg are nerds, theyre CEOs first and foremost. This means that the main focus is making sure that their AI is profitable. They need to keep the investors happy, as always. So, releasing the newest and flashiest AI trumps making it actually safe. AI is just another profit-driven rat race, and this brings all of the classic pitfalls. As much as we like to believe the lines that we hear during the keynotes, the fact of the matter is that safety just isnt the priority. Safety doesnt only mean crafting AI technology that doesnt produce inaccurate or racist content. Safety also pertains to keeping an AI tool from taking jobs en masse. Were already seeing AI search engines and tools like Googles AI Overviews taking over the space. Any moron can see how tools like these can devastate countless businesses around the world. Well, guess what, OpenAI is now competing with Google, and vice versa. Also, both of those companies are competing against Perplexity. Theyre already locked in a heated battle over this market, and now its a mad dash to make their tools more useful. Its unlikely that any company is going to back down for the sake of the businesses and people affected by this. Nope! Now, its time for the companies to buckle down and make the most user-friendly AI search engine to spite the competition. Companies cant prioritize safety at this point because they need to make their AI tools more useful and popular than the competition. If they cant, then their investors will take their dollars elsewhere. Prioritizing safety means taking a step back and asking how people will be negatively affected by a technology. However, weve been seeing some pretty sleazy moves by these big AI companies. Were seeing companies like RunwayAI, Meta, and Alphabet (basically Google) going to Hollywood and other film studios to use their licensed media to train their AI video generators. This technology is poised to put thousands of people in the film industry on the street, but companies need data to make their models the biggest and best on the market. To hell with the people! Without proper regulation, AI companies are free to pull out all the stops to make sure their AI is the best, and theres no one to stop it. What about the other companies? The companies making the AI are some pretty bad players, but we cant forget about the companies using the AI. The moment we saw some of ChatGPTs abilities, one of AIs worst traits became apparent. This technology gives companies the ability to clear out workers left and right. Should we really be surprised? Most big businesses wont hesitate to cut entire teams of people if it means that they can maximize profits, and this has been true since LONG before AI existed. As newer technologies launch that bring added efficiency, companies shed their human workers to maximize their profits. Well folks, guess what AI is. Thats right! Its a new technology that brings added efficiency. Why pay a team of writers when two people could just have ChatGPT pump out articles at twice the speed? Wait, this AI tool can simulate a real call center agent? Why do I need humans on the phones?! I dont get why I need to bring a crew of filmmakers on set when I can just generate these shots. There are several companies out there that have not sold out to AI and still employ human work, but those companies have to share space with profit-hungry mega-corporations. Were already seeing AI tools that make several roles in several industries obsolete. Whats worse is that were seeing people being let go left and right. Artists, writers, composers, and other workers are being let go because pushing out AI-generated slop at a fifth the time and price is more important than human beings. With the way that big businesses have been historically, there was no way that AI wasnt going to put people on the street by the boatload. As AI technology gets more advanced, were going to see this trend continue. Lets not forget about the money Guess how much money these major corporations have made off of AI technology. $0.00. Currently, AI technology is a massive financial loss for the companies involved. This applies to the companies training the AI models, not the smaller businesses that use these models. The main reason why these companies are struggling to turn a profit is that training their models costs a ton of money. Thats one of the biggest expenses and, as you can imagine, its been going up over the years. As we reported (via Epoch), the cost of training AI models has more than doubled each year since 2016. Back in 2016, the average cost of training an AI model was about $15K, and that was for rudimentary models. In 2024, the average price sits at $11 million. This is just the average, and larger companies pay much more to train their models. For example, Google spent an estimated $120 million training Gemini 1.0 Ultra. Since then, weve gotten additional models from Google like the Gemini 1.5 series. Not only that, but Google has several other models that it trains on a daily basis. This goes for other major companies like Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI. Theyre leaking money like its nobodys business, but the fact of the matter is that it IS other peoples business. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta are notorious for letting thousands of employees go. Together, these companies have laid off tens of thousands of workers in the past few years. Well, with them spending more money each year on their AI tech, and with their AI tech not making any money, we can only expect the layoffs to continue. What makes this worse is the fact that Google is heavily relying on AI technology internally. With AIs increasing costs and capabilities, who can tell how many more people will lose their jobs? Thats only one side of the coin. Prices are already rising for consumers across the board, as the economy is suffering. The same thing goes for the services offered by companies like Google and Microsoft. Well, with them sinking money into AI, we can also expect prices for their services to rise to compensate. OpenAI already stated that the price for ChatGPT Plus will rise to $22/month by the end of 2024. As these companies invest more money into AI, we know that some of those costs will trickle down to users. AI is power-hungry! AI is a pretty expensive technology, and were not just talking about money. It demands a ton of energy. In order to train these models, companies need massive data centers that run constantly. Well, these data centers require a ton of energy to keep running. Google and the other companies arent exactly shutting these data centers down for the night either. Nope, theyre running 24/7. This is bad enough, but the fact of the matter is that the companies are adding more chips to these data centers as their AI models grow. Their energy demands will grow right along with them. Again, these companies primary focus is making the model to end all models. They dont care about what it takes to get to that point. So, power consumption will skyrocket as AI models grow. A report from Barclays states that data centers currently account for about 3.5% of the energy consumption in the U.S. 3.5% is a pretty small number, but its a pretty substantial chunk of ALL of the energy consumption in the country. By 2027, that number could grow to 5.5%, and it could reach 9% by 2030. So, if the report is true, then AI data centers could account for almost 10% of the countrys energy use in just six years! If this keeps up, then were on the fast track to an energy crisis. Since these companies are locked in heated battle, none of them can back down to save energy. They need to gather more GPUs, expand their data centers, and run up the worlds energy bill even more for the sake of AI. Its pretty tough to use AI for your business if theres no energy to actually run your business. What makes this worse is the fact that several of the top AI companies including Google, Microsoft, and Meta are looking into nuclear power. This energy source is scary enough as is, but now companies are looking to have more reactors made to sustain their data centers. Sure, nuclear meltdowns arent common, but they do happen. Ostensibly, with more reactors, the chance of meltdowns will only increase. If companies are already eyeing nuclear tech just two years into the AI age, one can only wonder what will happen just 10 years down the road. Will companies still be on the prowl for more robust energy sources? Energy is one thing that we dont really think about, but its one of those things that we all have to share. If one source hogs it up, then there wont be enough to go around. Theres the effect on the environment When most people think about AI technology, they dont really think about its effects on the environment. However, every company has a carbon footprint, and that goes especially for large companies. Producing carbon isnt specific to AI companies. However, AI is a catalyst thats ramping up how much carbon these companies belch into the air. Dont take our word for it, take it from Googles own mouth. The company reported that its carbon emissions have increased 48% over the past five years. While its recent AI ambitions came about two years ago, the company has been training its AI models for much longer. Another example is Microsoft, which reported a 30% carbon emissions increase since 2020. We cant overlook the fact that other factors contributed to each companys carbon emissions increase. However, the rapid expansion of AI data centers, acquisition of GPUs, and other factors greatly caused their emissions to balloon. Again, we have to ask the question, what will happen just 10 years down the line? Companies have carbon-neutral goals they plan to hit within a decade, but theyre going in the wrong direction. The more that they expand their AI models, the larger their carbon footprint grows. Sadly, the environment is already suffering from centuries of human beings. well, existing. With major companies further pushing for more powerful AI, how can we expect them to properly offset their emissions? You cant stop a car if your foots planted on the gas. The hard way The AI age is still dawning, and were just starting to see some of its effects. For as much as the CEOs of major companies like to highlight all of the benefits of AI, were seeing several of the opposite. Were seeing people losing their jobs, price hikes, increased carbon, and increased energy usage. Every technology has its good and bad sides, and AI is no different. However, the main people who have the ability and responsibility- to make it safe are the main ones making it one of the most dangerous technologies to ever come about. AI technology could have some major negative effects on humanity, and we dont know what they are yet. But, if companies dont change their ways, well find out what they are the hard way. News around the world of cybersecurity never stops emerging. Malicious third parties constantly target both regular people and prominent organizations, depending on what theyre after. For the latter, they often resort to complex methods based on very specific vulnerabilities that not even the manufacturer of the compromised tech product or software is aware of. Thats what happened with Apple, which is sending out a zero-day patch to multiple devices. Zero-day vulnerabilities are those that device manufacturers are not aware of. However, potential attackers could discover and actively exploit them while theyre available. While Apple is one of the companies that takes the most care of its users security and privacy, it is not free from occasional incidents. Zero-day vulnerability in Apple devices addressed with a patch Today, Apple has sent out emergency updates with a zero-day patch for several devices The addressed vulnerabilities are CVE-2024-44308 and CVE-2024-44309. The former allowed arbitrary code execution when visiting certain malicious websites, while the latter took advantage of WebKit to trigger a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. Apple has disclosed both vulnerabilities, revealing that they may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems. However, the company has not provided specific details about the exploit methods or the targets of the attacks. The patch is available now on multiple devices. The software versions that include it are iOS 18.1.1/iPadOS 18.1.1, iOS 17.7.2/iPadOS 17.7.2, macOS Sequoia 15.1.1, and visionOS 2.1.1. Safari is also receiving the 18.1.1 update with the patch. According to the report, Clement Lecigne and Benoit Sevens, members of Googles Threat Analysis Group (TAG), detected the vulnerabilities. This suggests that attackers could have used them to try to breach high-level targets. This includes prominent politicians or representatives relevant to national security. Rival governments may have financed such attacks. This is not the first zero-day vulnerability that Apple has had to fix this year. The company has addressed a total of four zero-day software incidents throughout 2024. Qualcomm has its sights set on Apple as it delivers its Snapdragon X chips to the laptop market. Just like Apples M-series chips, Qualcomms ARM-based processors offer better battery life and thermals compared to traditional Intel and AMD processors. According to a new report, we might see a Snapdragon X chip designed for entry-level laptops. Qualcomms newest chips seem to bring the goods in terms of power, but power comes at a price. The computers using its Snapdragon X Elite chips sit comfortably above $1,000. Weve seen some more affordable computers running the less powerful Snapdragon X Plus. Its a step in the right direction, but trying out Qualcomms latest and greatest still costs a pretty penny. Qualcomm could launch a Snapdragon chip for entry-level laptops Qualcomm just held its investor day, which is an important event for any major brand. During the presentation, the company talked about its milestones and where its going. Of course, Qualcomm had to dedicate some time to talk about AI, but what tech company isnt obsessed with that technology nowadays? However, during a presentation, we saw a slide showing the entire lineup of Snapdragon X devices. Along with the Snapdragon X Elite, X Plus (10-core), and X Plus (8-core), we see another chip with the text Coming soon on it. Next to it, we see Entry (meaning entry-level) and $600+. So, it looks like this unnamed chip will power laptops as cheap as $600. A $600 laptop is rather affordable, but it can still offer some decent power. Right now, details about this chip are basically non-existent. For instance, Qualcomm doesnt even show a name for the chip. Since all of the more powerful chips are either an Elite or Plus variant, this lower-powered chip could just be called the Snapdragon X. When it comes to the cutbacks, you should expect weaker performance and diminished AI smarts. You may not see as much on-device AI processing on computers using this chip. As for the official launch, sources claim that Qualcomm will show this chip off at CES 2025, so well see more of it then. Circle to Search has emerged as one of the most handy AI-powered features for Android users lately. First seen in the Galaxy S24 series and Pixel 8 series, Circle to Search is now available on different smartphones including the Motorola Razr 2024 lineup. Its been several months since Google announced Circle to Search, but it seems the company isnt done tweaking the features toolbox. Google is reportedly redesigning the Circle to Searchs toolbox Yesterday, folks over at Android Authority reported seeing a redesigned UI for the toolbox when accessing Circle to Search. In the recent Google app APK teardown (version 15.45.43.ve.arm64 beta), the publication found a chunkier interface. Additionally, all the UI elements are encased in a rounded box. Lets not forget that the music search icon still sits next to the search bar in the updated toolbox. However, we expect Google to allow users to swap between the music search, translation, or Lens button. Whats more interesting is that theres a new app drawer button in place of the translate button. When you tap on it, youll see a sub-menu showing the Len, Translate, and Music icons. This change appears to bring back the Google Lens shortcut which the company removed last month. However, accessing Lens and the other aforementioned tools would require an extra tap. On the bright side, this app drawer button could allow Google to add extra tools in the future. This way, the company wont have to continue shrinking the search bar to fit in new UI elements. Moving on, Google is apparently making changes to let you use Circle to Search in videos. However, its still unclear whether the feature will apply to a specific platform or videos across your device. Time will tell when we will see these changes. But one thing remains clear, Google is doing its part to make Circle to Search more useful for the users. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said that Google must sell Chrome in order to end search monopoly. Competition needs to be restored, and this is the way to sort out the problem in DOJs eyes. The DOJ filed a new proposal in which it says that Google must sell Chrome The DOJ filed a new proposal in DC District Court, which refines earlier high-level outline of remedies. All of this follows Judge Amit Mehtas ruling on Googles search monopoly earlier this year. This new filing contains a broad range of requirements that DOJ hopes the count will follow through on. The main request listed is the sale of the Chrome browser, which seems to be the key for the DOJ. The government did not specifically ask for Google to divest its Android business The DOJ did not request for Google to spin out its Android business. The door has been left open for that too, though. It was also said that Google might choose divestiture of Android itself if it doesnt want to comply with some of the other rules that have been proposed (in relation to self-preferencing Google Search in Android). The government is also asking the court to prohibit Google from offering money or anything of value to third parties to make Googles search engine its default. As many of you know, Google pays a hefty yearly sum to Apple in order to keep Google Search default on its products. It was also requested that Google made it possible to rivals to access its search index at marginal cost, and on an ongoing basis. Google will also be required to syndicate its search results, ranking signals, and US-originated query data for 10 years should this proposal go through. An AI-related request was also made The government also wants Google to let websites opt out of its AI overviews without being penalized in search results. Do note that this is still not a final proposal, however. The DOJ will file a revised version of this proposal in early March next year. Why then? Well, because the government and Google will go back to the DC District Court in April for a two-week remedies trial. Thats basically the final stage of the trial. During it, Judge Mehta will need to determine the best way to restore competition in the markets. A puppy named Coffee is brought into the Petco Love's Mega Adoption Event by Laura Tripp of the Montgomery County Animal Shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Friday, Aug 16, 2024 in Houston. Over 1,000 dogs and cats looking for their forever home will be available for adoption over the weekend.. Jill Karnicki Houston's municipal animal shelters are reaching a breaking point. Month after month, both BARC, which serves the city of Houston, and Harris County Pets, which serves the unincorporated areas of Harris County, have reported shelter populations that are at or above critical capacity. Population strain is a trend that's grown increasingly worse in recent months, culminating in an October report that indicated Harris County Pets had almost twice the number of dogs it was equipped to handle. But there's no silver bullet for solving this issue the animals at Houston's animal shelters will need the community's help to avoid euthanasia, according to Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare nonprofit dedicated to ending euthanasia nationwide. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Saving the lives of dogs and cats in animal shelters is the responsibility of everyone in every community, said Sophia Proler, a regional director for Best Friends Animal Society. Animal shelters and the staff who work there can only create and sustain lifesaving programs if they have community support and participation. Here's what Houstonians can do to help address the region's growing animal welfare crisis: Adopt, don't shop Advocates have argued that one of the biggest problems contributing to the stray animal crisis is the prevalence of for-profit pet businesses, or "puppy mills." These businesses can attract potential adopters away from animal shelters, and irresponsible breeders sometimes abandon unsold pets, adding to the growing stray population. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Residents often seek out these businesses as an alternative to adoption because they believe the animals they sell are more reliable or less likely to have behavioral or health problems, said Daphna Nachminovitch, senior vice president of cruelty investigations at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. But she said, with so many dogs filling up Houston's shelters, the chances of finding the perfect fit for a potential adopter's family are high, it's just a matter of vetting the animals before taking them home. "I think that it's really important for prospective adopters to ask questions and not be pressured into taking a dog of any breed that doesn't fit their family," she said. "Dogs are so resilient. I've seen dogs who have been through horrific ordeals, and they still have faith in humans." Foster programs For residents whose homes can't accommodate another fuzzy friend on a permanent basis, both BARC and Harris County Pets offer various fostering programs that allow volunteers to temporarily care for shelter animals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Volunteers will need to fill out a foster application with either shelter before they can take an animal home. Generally speaking, fosters must be 18 years or older, live within 45 minutes of the shelter they received the animal from, be willing to administer basic medical care like flea and tick treatments and be available for meet-and-greets with potential adopters. All medical treatment is provided free of charge by the shelter. Volunteer at a shelter Those who simply don't have the space to house a shelter animal can still contribute by volunteering at BARC, Harris County Pets or any one of the many Houston-area animal shelters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Volunteers at Harris County Pets must be at least 16 years old, complete a background check and attend an orientation session. Younger pet lovers can still volunteer at BARC, which requires applicants be at least 13 years old, but they will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Jobs range from kennel cleaning to dog walking, and volunteers can receive validated community service hours. Donate cash or supplies If time and space are both in short supply, donating cash or pet supplies can also help Houston's struggling shelters. Monetary contributions can be made to Harris County Pets through the shelter's nonprofit, Friends of Harris County Pets. The city also has a website dedicated to handling cash donations made to BARC, and supports various programs such as birthday donation campaigns. In addition, both shelters are in need of the following supplies: Treats for cats and dogs Food for kittens, cats and dogs Clean towels Various cleaning supplies Clean and unused pet enrichment items, such as chew toys and frisbees Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris County Pets also maintains an Amazon Wish List that is updated regularly with the shelter's immediate needs. GIVING BACK: How to donate and volunteer at organizations across the Houston area For some time now, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has been pursuing an antitrust case against Google. The Mountain View giant has already had a few unfavorable rulings. One of the authorities proposals is to break up the company, splitting certain key divisions into independent organizations. Amidst all this, a union of Google workers has met with the DOJ to raise some concerns about the matter. Google workers express concerns to the DOJ about their situation ahead of the final ruling Initially, the possibility of Google separating some key divisions seemed like the most improbable. After all, such a decision would bring massive changes to the companys structure. Even the tech industry would notice the changes, whether for better or worse. However, lately, there has been repeated talk about this scenario. While nothing has been decided yet, it now seems a bit more possible than it was before. Google employees are also aware of the huge change that breaking up the company could bring. Possibilities range from notable changes in their positions, modifications in working conditions, or even potential job loss. So, at a meeting on October 23, three members of the Alphabet Workers Union (AWU) had a video conference with representatives of the DOJ Antitrust Division. The meeting aimed to remind authorities that any decision they make will impact the employees. Therefore, they insist on having their voices heard before. Our approach is really coming out of a sense of, no decisions about us, without us, said Parul Koul, president of the AWU and a software engineer at Google. Google reportedly discouraged employees from expressing their concerns publicly The initial proposal from the authorities to break up Google involves separating it from the Chrome and Android divisions. There are also less problematic proposals that involve changes to contractual terms or the data licensing policy. According to The Verges report, AWU representatives said that Google has tried to discourage them from speaking out both internally and externally. Google spokesperson Peter Schottenfels responded by stating that the company was simply asking that employees not speak about ongoing litigation on behalf of Google without prior approval. However, employees did not take it so well and filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board in early 2024. Another concern for Google employees is potential retaliation for sharing their concerns. Parul Koul says they are aware of the inherent risk in having these conversations and advocating for ourselves. However, they feel it is important to make sure that they are part of the conversation. After all, their employment situation could also be at stake. A new refined solution proposal to arrive soon Its noteworthy that the union is neither for nor against the proposal to break up Google. Their real concern is to be protected from any decision made by the authorities or Google. Anyway, the DOJ will present a modified version of the proposed solution next week. TSMC and Samsung Foundry represent two opposite realities of the same segment in the tech industry. While Samsung is severely struggling with the low yield rate of its 3nm wafers, its direct rival has not only perfected the process but is working on its next generational leap. In line with what we have seen in the industry in recent months, TSMC has confirmed that its 2nm process is right on-track. Currently, TSMC is in a particular position in the semiconductor production segment. Although theres not a monopoly, most big names are looking for the Taiwanese companys factories. This is because its wafers are by far the most reliable and efficient. This has led to Samsung Foundry losing contracts with multiple big customers, including NVIDIAthe leader in the AI chips segmentand Qualcommone of the leaders in processors for Android devices. TSMCs 2nm process roadmap is right on-track TSMC recently updated the Logic Technology section of its website with details about its 2nm process. The company has officially confirmed that they are ready to start producing 2nm chips as early as 2025. They have very high expectations for their next-gen manufacturing process. A report from October revealed that the demand for TSMCs 2nm chips is even higher than that of 3nm, which was already quite high. In fact, 3nm and 5nm chips have been the most in-demand in TSMCs history. However, the company expects the 2nm process to overtake both in the coming years. As usual, the new manufacturing process will bring intrinsic improvements in terms of performance and energy consumption. These improvements come in addition to the enhancements that chip designers incorporate into their products. For example, Qualcomm implemented the new Oryon cores in its 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite. The company expects quite high demand According to reports, Apple is set to introduce 2nm chips produced by TSMC. The Cupertino giant is expected to implement the next-gen process in the M5 SoCs that will power future Macs and iPads. Meanwhile, Bionic chips for iPhones will use 2nm wafers starting in 2026. TSMC also expects big orders from customers such as Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and Intel, among others. Even Google will produce its next-gen Tensor processors in the Taiwanese companys factories. Mirwais Ibrahimi, left, chats with Ahmad Sultani, job coordinator at AmeriCorps/Connect Community, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. They discuss services that might be available to Ibrahimi after the closing of The Alliance, a Houston-based refugee agency in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer The collapse of The Alliance, one of Houstons stalwart refugee resettlement groups, did not come as a shock to the nonprofits and other agencies with ties to the regions refugees and immigrants. It merely added to their often stacked workload of providing classes, offering financial help and helping newcomers navigate the residency process. And the timing of the collapse was less than ideal, as Houston continues welcoming immigrants and agencies prepare for a changing federal immigration landscape under the incoming Trump administration. A mainstay of refugee resettlement in Houstons Gulfton neighborhood and beyond for four decades, The Alliance abruptly closed in June. Simultaneously, the Ethiopian Community Development Council, which had for years funded refugee efforts through The Alliance, opened a Houston branch office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Even with the handoff, other refugee and immigrants rights agencies braced to shoulder some of The Alliances load, either when former Alliance clients come to them or through coordination efforts often overseen by the Texas Office of Refugees. Despite uncertainty around future immigration policy and the national border, the refugees keep coming at least for now. Demand for refugee services is at historic levels. In fiscal year 2024, which ended Sept. 30, the U.S. State Department reported that it resettled 100,000 refugees nationwide. That is the largest number of resettlements since 1994, according to the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. In that same period of time, Texas welcomed 9,764 refugees, according to State Department reports, with more than 5,400 arriving from three countries: Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan. Many of them landed to a welcome from the YMCA, Catholic Charities, Interfaith Ministries and other groups with The Alliance notably absent of late. "When an agency closes, TXoR coordinates and collaborates with the agency's other primary funders to ensure clients are referred to other providers in the region with the capacity to serve them, said Jeff Demers, state refugee coordinator for the group. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Texas Office of Refugees is a nonprofit organization with no role in state government, as Texas lawmakers do not participate in federally-funded refugee resettlement. That has left the work to nonprofits, some affiliated with national groups and capable of receiving federal funds, to help with everything from housing refugees to job placement and language classes. Though many of the groups receive money from the same sources such as United Way or the Texas Office for Refugees each is a separate nonprofit with its own board of directors, programs and internal financial reporting. They work closely together, providing service to hundreds of refugees and thousands of immigrants across various programs, but rarely comingle their money. As a result of their separate status, they are reluctant to make assumptions or comment on the inner workings of other groups. More than a dozen agencies working with refugees in the Houston area declined to comment on The Alliances unraveling, citing either lack of knowledge about the agencys inner workings or discomfort commenting on spending choices made by others. It is not our place to comment or speculate on the financial or operational decisions of other refugee resettlement agencies, said Jeff Watkins, chief international initiatives officer for the YMCA of Greater Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Others locally and nationally said taxpayer money must be carefully documented, but could not say whether any of The Alliance spending raised concerns. As a general matter, we believe that public funds should be expended properly, efficiently and effectively by any agency receiving such funds, for the purpose for which they were intended, said Michelle Mittelstadt, director of communications and public affairs at the Migration Policy Institute. And we believe in transparency in the use of public funds where possible. ECDC, which absorbed some of The Alliances staff and clientele along with some of its tasks in refugee resettlement, also declined to comment on the agencys spending choices, although the Washington-based group had outlined concerns with The Alliances spending in letters to its leadership. The Alliance operated several non-resettlement programs that were unrelated to our programs, ECDC communications director Lullit Paulos wrote in an email response to questions. We deeply respect our four-decade partnership with The Alliance and defer to them to comment on their internal efforts. Sharafuddin Emadi, 45, looks at his family as the ECDC-Houston Multicultural Center van is taking them to their apartment, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. The Afghanistan family of five, traveled from Qatar, was the second case for the new refugee agency that replaced the recently shuttered Alliance. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Different sources, different missions While many agencies work with refugees in Houston, only four operate today as nonprofits affiliated with the State Department: Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, ECDC, Catholic Charities and the YMCA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The others rely on different sources of funding. Across Texas, many of the people volunteering to welcome newcomers can often eschew state and federal funds. We do not thrive on government money, said Margaret Constantino, executive director of the Center for Refugee Services in San Antonio. Instead of working with refugees for housing or job placement, which is mostly utilizing federal funding, the Center for Refugee Services and other smaller nonprofits concentrate on other needs. We have 500 babies who get diapers from us every month, she said. As a result, she said her agency can operate on partnerships and charitable donations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If we can show results, that is going to impress funders, Constantino said. The same is largely true at the national level, said Eskinder Negash, president of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, which has been resettling refugees for more than a century before federal officials even had a role in the process. A solid financial footing and good reputation begins with a respected board of directors and executives, he said. Leadership is always the key, whether it is a nonprofit or for-profit companies, Negash said. Organizations that show success through the programs, and in their financial forms, tend to succeed, while those that start to slip quickly can change their reputations, Negash said. Everything is about oversight and having the right board members, he said. An uncertain future The coming months might bring more challenges for those nonprofit leaders than anytime in the past four years as they respond to changes from Washington and a rethinking of refugee priorities. As the new fiscal year began Sept. 30, President Joe Biden set a 2025 goal to resettle 125,000 refugees, the same total he has set each year of his presidency. While the U.S. never admitted that many refugees in a single year of Biden's presidency, the 197,000 who did arrive during Biden's term are thousands more than arrived under his predecessor, Trump. During Trump's first term, the nation admitted 118,000 refugees, according to the Migration Policy Institute, a low for a presidential term since Jimmy Carter and modern immigration policy. Trump's is expected to slash resettlement in his return to the White House as part of a broader effort to tighten immigration. This is a given, sadly, American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick wrote in a social media post. Trump will issue a temporary ban on refugee resettlement on day one and slash overall numbers. Orgs will have to lay off tons of staff and the four years of rebuilding will be wiped away in months. It absolutely sucks but its already locked in and coming our way. With changes looming, many of the agencies said that uncertainty more so than the loss of The Alliance could upend their spending by reducing the demand for refugee resettlement while thousands of newcomers are acclimating to Houston and the U.S. Still, they are not reacting immediately, many said. We will not be making significant changes to our programs or services until we have a clearer understanding of the implications, scope and timing of any potential policy decisions or changes that might be instituted by the incoming administration, Watkins said of YMCA services. Some services, officials said, are inevitable. Bernie Taupin has praised his very savvy and wickedly funny wife for elevating his career over the last decade which saw him win an Oscar, be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and receive the Library of Congresss Gershwin Prize. The British lyricist is best-known for his long-time collaboration with Sir Elton John spanning more than five decades, with hits including Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Bennie And The Jets and Crocodile Rock. Taupin was honoured with an outstanding career achievement award during the 15th annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, which he attended with his wife, Heather Taupin, and daughter Charley Indiana May. Bernie Taupin and Heather Lynn Hodgins Kidd (Ian West/PA) Ive had a sort of renaissance of sorts in the last 10 years, and thats due in no simple part to someone who was every day going out and pushing for me and elevating everything I do and elevating my name, and that is the very savvy and wickedly funny, Heather Taupin, the music star said of his fourth wife, whom he married in 2004. Shes done more for me in 20 years than anybody ever did before. It comes after Taupin and Sir Elton received the Library of Congresss Gershwin Prize in March, months after Sir Elton inducted Taupin into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2020, Taupin and Sir Elton won the Oscar for best original song for (Im Gonna) Love Me Again from the biopic Rocketman. The track also won the best original song at the Golden Globes, following Taupins 2006 win in the same category for A Love That Will Never Grow Old from hit film Brokeback Mountain. Presenting Taupin with his career achievement award, US star Jimmy Jam described the lyricist as one of the greatest poets in music history. Taking to the stage, Taupin said he is a man of few words but noted the contradiction given his career as a songwriter. When I started out, I was just lucky to get out of a life of drudgery and become what I always wanted to be, which is somebody who tells stories and who got to write creatively, the 74-year-old said. And luckilyI got to be associated with the very best there is, and you know who Im talking about, he said, referencing Sir Elton. Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin with their Best Original Song Oscar (Jennifer Graylock/PA) There are people out there that lay their life on the line every day and protect homes and save lives and defend the defenceless. But I really believe that those who get to enjoy the creative process are the luckiest people aliveit is a God-given gift. Taupin said he feels grateful that Im not on the bootheel of a boss. Nobody gets to tell me what to do, I get to write what the hell I want to write and I am so lucky for that, he added. Taupin and Sir Elton were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992. Taupin most recently wrote the original track Never Too Late which features in Sir Eltons upcoming Disney+ documentary Elton John: Never Too Late. Among those at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, which honours composers and songwriters for their contribution to film and TV, was nominee Finneas OConnell -who posed on the red carpet with his father Patrick OConnell. Big Issue vendors are to be offered devices allowing them to sell the magazine through contactless payments on mobile phones. A partnership with giffgaff builds on a trial which saw 250 Big Issue sellers use giffgaff devices, leading to an increase in sales by an average of 30%. Refurbished devices will be offered to all vendors across the UK, while giffgaff will also support Big Issues work on helping people find sustainable jobs through its recruitment arm. The Big Issue said digital exclusion was a significant barrier for people in poverty wanting to work. Ash Schofield, giffgaff chief executive, said: Were proud to continue our partnership with Big Issue Group, providing more refurbished devices so that every vendor across the UK can take cashless payments and connect to essential services and support. Russell Blackman, Big Issue managing director, said: Our mission is creating income generating opportunities for marginalised people. This groundbreaking, multi-year partnership with giffgaff helps us crack one of the most significant barriers for people experiencing poverty digital exclusion and means well improve the lives of many more vendors and Big Issue Recruit candidates. Thanks to these devices and wider support from giffgaff, well strengthen our means of communication between vendors and our support teams, allowing our vendors to access our services much easier. Dorina, who sells the Big Issue in London, previously received a giffgaff device and called it a big help, explaining: Being cashless is good. I used to have a card reader, but it broke in the rain. Now I can just use my phone, my customers touch (their cards) on my phone and thats it. Its Christmas coming up. Not many people carry cash. Englands hospitals were within hours of running out of some items of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the early months of Covid-19, Matt Hancock has said. The former health secretary told the Covid-19 inquiry some PPE was in very short supply during the first wave of the pandemic. He also said he believes vaccines should be mandatory for NHS and social care staff in any future pandemic, while masks should be worn in hospitals from day one. Lead counsel to the inquiry, Jacqueline Carey KC, asked Mr Hancock: Do you accept that entering the coronavirus pandemic as we did, without a single gown, severely hampered the ability to provide safe and appropriate PPE for healthcare workers? Mr Hancock replied: The stockpile that we had was not as good as it needs to be in the future, absolutely. Asked if England ever ran out of PPE, he said: As a whole? No, but individual locations did. We came extremely close. We came within small numbers of items on a regular basis during April and May 2020 by the second wave, we were in better shape. Asked about no more stock of gowns in April 2020, he said: Gowns I think at one point we got to within six or seven hours of running out. We were working incredibly hard to make sure that we didnt (run out). We nearly did. On the question of whether facemasks should be worn by hospital staff, visitors and workers in a future pandemic, he said: It should be brought in immediately, and supplies need to be ready, preferably in each hospital, to make that possible. Furthermore, Mr Hancock said, ensuring health and social care workers are fully vaccinated is a reasonable step that should be expected and should be brought in to the NHS and social care at the same time. Vaccination as a condition of deployment came into effect in November 2021 and required Care Quality Commission-registered care home staff to be fully vaccinated in order to be deployed in care homes unless medically exempt from April 2022. Mr Hancock said he regretted that decision as social care and the NHS should have had the rule at the same time, adding: If you are employed to care for others, then you should take reasonable steps to ensure you are not harming those in your care. A clinically proven vaccine is a reasonable step that should be expected. The former MP also defended the Stay Home, Save Lives, Protect the NHS messaging implemented during the pandemic (PA) Earlier, Mr Hancock said he ruffled some feathers protecting the NHS from political interference during the Covid-19 pandemic. He said: Within the running of the NHS, we were protected in a way because of the independence of the NHS. And therefore the people being difficult for Number 10, part of my job was to provide a shield from that. And I know that I ruffled some feathers in doing so, but my job was, ironically, also to protect the NHS from some of that. Mr Hancock, who was booed by a campaigner as he arrived to give evidence, told the inquiry that interference from Number 10 caused incredible difficulties with regards to testing people for Covid-19. The third module of the probe is examining the impact of the virus on healthcare systems across the four nations. Mr Hancock was asked about his witness statements, which suggested inappropriate political interference from Number 10, and whether that interference applied to the scope of these hearings. He said: Well, of course some of it did. For instance, the biggest interference that caused difficulties was within testing, where some of the political appointees in Number 10 caused incredible difficulties. Mr Hancock also claimed that former first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, caused all sorts of difficulties as the pandemic unfolded. At the start of the inquiry hearing on Thursday, Mr Hancock was asked whether frontline staff had been protected during the pandemic. He said government did everything we possibly could, adding: Does that mean, in a system that employs 1.4 million people in the NHS, with another around two and a half million in social care, that every decision was perfect? Of course it wasnt. Andrea Barrett (left) and Sarah Steven outside the Covid inquiry building (Jordan Reynolds/PA) The former MP also defended the Stay Home, Save Lives, Protect the NHS messaging implemented during the pandemic. Asked by if he thought the messaging had struck the right balance, Mr Hancock replied: Yes. We needed to ensure that the public across the whole of the UK understood the importance of staying at home whenever possible in order to stop the spread of the virus. He told the inquiry that it was literally true that if we didnt stop the spread of the virus, then the NHS would be overwhelmed, by which I mean the system as a whole would have been unable to cope with the demand on it, as wed seen in other countries like Italy. Baroness Heather Hallett, who is chairing the inquiry, asked Mr Hancock about his comments that the NHS was available to all in the pandemic according to need. She told him that people who needed cancer screening or who needed a major surgery like a hip operation could not access the care they required. Mr Hancock replied: It was not safe clinically to go for some cancer treatment during the pandemic, because cancer treatment sometimes involves reducing the immune system. It was better to delay some non-urgent operations in order to protect both the space in the NHS and the patients themselves because, as we know, youre more likely to catch Covid in a hospital than in almost any other setting. He said the overall point is, that we did not have a collapse in the system. Mr Hancock resigned from his post the day after video footage emerged of him kissing his former aide, Gina Coladangelo, in his ministerial office during a time of coronavirus social-distancing restrictions. After his dramatic exit from the front bench, he appeared on the ITV reality show Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! The former health secretary was met with calls of liar from demonstrators as he left Dorland House after giving evidence on Thursday. The first of two late and over-budget ferries being built at a beleaguered Scottish Government-owned shipyard has been delivered. The Glen Sannox has been handed to the Governments ferry procurement arm Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) after it was given the green light by regulators earlier this week. CMAL aims to have it enter service by early to mid-January. The vessel and its sister ship the Glen Rosa were due to enter service in 2018 but have been beset by problems which have also quadrupled the 97 million initial cost. In 2019, the Scottish Government rescued Ferguson Marine from administration, discovering issues with the design and build of the ships which pushed their delivery dates back repeatedly. It ignited a political firestorm which sparked two parliamentary inquiries and one of the longest running scandals since devolution. The delivery comes seven years to the day since then first minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the yard to launch the Glen Sannox which was far from finished at the time and had had its windows painted on. The shipyard was saved from administration in 2019 (Jane Barlow/PA) Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said on Thursday the delivery of the ferry is an important milestone for Ferguson Marine. She added: The Glen Sannox will provide resilience to the fleet, delivering vital lifeline services to islanders, and I am encouraged that the Scottish Governments wider programme to procure six new ferries by 2026 has taken another major step forward. Ferguson Marine interim chief executive John Petticrew said it is a day to look forward. He added: Glen Sannox is a fine vessel, well capable of providing decades of service for islanders and visitors. However, there is no doubt its been a long haul getting to this point, and we sympathise with ferry users who have waited so long to see this day. Looking to the future, our ability to adapt, learn from and successfully overcome considerable challenges demonstrates the resilience and skills of our workforce, and will provide huge value as we tender for future contracts. The vessel will now undergo multiple weeks of trials by CMAL to ensure it is up to the job of transporting passengers between the mainland and the Isle of Arran before it can enter service. CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs said: Im sure many people will join us in celebrating this milestone today. The Glen Sannox will now undergo final trials before entering service on the Arran route (Jane Barlow/PA) It has been a long time coming, but we have now taken ownership of the MV Glen Sannox and are just weeks away from her entering service. This is the first of six major vessels being replaced in our fleet, with the other five well under way. We are working hard to rejuvenate the Scottish ferry fleet and infrastructure, on behalf of communities across Scotland. Duncan Mackison, interim chief executive of ferry operator CalMac, said: MV Glen Sannox is a welcome addition to the CalMac fleet. Her arrival will benefit communities across the whole west coast ferry network, as new tonnage gives us more flexibility in how we deploy vessels. Our crew are excited to sail her and will now get to work to complete operational trials and familiarisation work in the next few weeks before she enters service for Arran. GMB Scotland, the biggest union at Ferguson Marine, welcomed completion of the Glen Sannox but said securing future work for the Port Glasgow yard is now the priority. Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, said: The workers at Ferguson Marine are skilled, committed and entirely blameless for the errors made during this project. They have done their job to the highest quality, working tirelessly to deliver two huge ferries, which their yard was ill-equipped for, despite the many problems not of their making. Now firms from around the world are being asked to bid to build Scotlands small ferries, exactly the kind of work this yard successfully completed for generations. There is no doubt that work should come to Port Glasgow and the future of Ferguson Marine secured. Opposition politicians accused the SNP of failing to take responsibility for the delays and increasing costs. Scottish Liberal Democrat economy and communities spokesman Willie Rennie said: Ask the SNP to build a ferry and theyll give you a fake launch, years of delays, a stream of excuses and a ship thats millions of pounds over budget. Not a single minister has ever resigned over this scandal, no minister has ever apologised to islanders or compensated them for the disruption. Its a massive display of arrogance that island communities wont forget. Scottish Conservative transport spokeswoman Sue Webber said: (The SNP) have betrayed islanders at every turn and squandered an eye-watering amount of taxpayers money in delivering the Glen Sannox, yet nobody in the SNP has taken responsibility for their appalling failures. Five men have been appeared in court charged over the smuggling of migrants from the UK to France in lorries, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. Madjid Belabes, 52, Said Bouazza, 54, Mourad Bouchlagehem, 43, Mohammed Mabrouk, 44, and Samir Zerguine, 51, were arrested on Wednesday morning and appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with conspiracy to facilitate the illegal entry of a person into an EU country France. Their arrests came after more than 200 north African migrants, including children, were discovered in lorry trailers travelling from the UK to France on multiple occasions last year, according to the NCA. Belabes, of Camberwell Grove, Camberwell, south-east London, is suspected of being a high-ranking member of the people smuggling crime network, the agency said. Bouazza, of Oxestalls Road, Surrey Quays; Zerguine, of Flint Street, Southwark both south-east London; Bouchlagehem, of Weymouth Terrace, Shoreditch, east London; and Mabrouk, of Hall Place, near Paddington, north-west London, are accused of transporting migrants in cars and vans to be loaded into lorries. The group is believed to be made up of Algerian and Egyptian nationals. Twenty people have been arrested as part of the investigation to date, the NCA said. Chris Hill, branch commander, said: These arrests represent a key moment in our ongoing investigation into a large-scale criminal network responsible for smuggling north African migrants from the UK to France. People smugglers dont care about the safety or wellbeing of human beings they transport, whether it is in boats or HGVs. Theyre driven solely by profits. The same crime groups smuggling people out of the country are often engaged in bringing people in too, so operations like this allow us to target their UK footprint. People leaving the UK in lorries may be doing so because they are wanted by law enforcement, they may be trying to dodge French immigration checks, or they may be being trafficked or exploited. The risks to both the people being transported and to border security remains, regardless of the direction they are travelling in. Another man suspected of being involved in a people smuggling organised crime group appeared in a different UK court on Thursday. Arsen Feci appeared at Nottingham Crown Court charged with assisting unlawful immigration to the UK over his alleged involvement in bringing people from France and Belgium, the NCA said. The 46-year-old, from Broxtowe Street, Nottingham, was extradited to the UK from Spain and was arrested on Wednesday at Heathrow Airport. The NCA said he was arrested in Spain in August having fled the UK in March last year when he was bailed by the courts ahead of a trial. Investigators believe Feci was allegedly involved in buying equipment and sourcing people to staff crossings from France and Belgium to the UK. John Swinney has described Stephen Flynn as a star with immense talent amid concerns over the SNP Westminster leaders plans to run for Holyrood. The First Minister said Mr Flynn has a huge contribution to make to the party. Mr Flynn revealed last week that he intends to run in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election for a seat currently filled by SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll. He sparked a backlash from within his party when he said he will continue being an MP, although he also vowed not to take two salaries. Amid questions over the Aberdeen South MPs political ambitions, Mr Swinney also said he would stay on as party leader after 2026. MP Stephen Flynn has caused an internal row within the SNP after announcing his intention to run as an MSP (Lucy North/PA) Speaking to journalists after First Ministers Questions on Thursday, Mr Swinney said of Mr Flynn: I think hes one of our great stars. I think Stephen has a huge contribution to make to the activity and agenda of the SNP he is a superb contributor. The SNP leader said it is up to the party whether Mr Flynn is allowed to run as an MSP, and added: But let there be absolutely no doubt that I think Stephen Flynn is one of our stars and I think hes got a huge contribution to make to our party. The First Minister who previously served as both an MSP and an MP for two years said holding two jobs was very, very demanding. He added: Thats a very real fact thats got to be considered in any judgment about that issue. Speaking of Mr Flynn, he said: He is an immense talent and hes a superbly talented individual. Public finance minister Ivan McKee said holding jobs in Holyrood and Westminster is not sustainable (Fraser Bremner/Daily Mail/PA) His comments came after SNP public finance minister Ivan McKee earlier said double-jobbing as an MP and MSP isnt sustainable. Mr Flynn, who wants to contest the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine seat, was among the SNP politicians who criticised former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross for dual mandates. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland on Thursday, Mr McKee praised Mr Flynns talent but cautioned against taking on both jobs at once. I think double-jobbing working as an MP and an MSP isnt sustainable, he said. Ive got a full-time job as an MSP and a minister, I gave up work that I had, a consultancy and a directorship that I had that was paid work. I didnt need to give it up when I came into Parliament, (but) I recognised that this was a full-time job that needs a full-time commitment. Speaking at the weekend, Mr Flynn said the situation was not particularly pleasant and he shut down suggestions his attempted move to Holyrood is a bid to manoeuvre himself into position to be the next party leader. Ukraine faces a serious moment in its defence against the Russian invasion, Defence Secretary John Healey said as he refused to be drawn into confirming reports the war-torn nation has launched British-supplied long-range missiles at its foe. Russias military said it has shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, following reports that debris from the weapons had been discovered in the countrys Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. The Prime Minister has meanwhile insisted UK support for Ukraine is always for self-defence and compliant with international law, as he accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of wanting destruction not peace. Kyiv has meanwhile claimed Moscow has fired intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICMBs) at one of its cities, which would be the first time such a weapon has been used in the war. Storm Shadow missile. See story POLITICS Ukraine. Infographic PA Graphics. An editable version of this graphic is available if required. Please contact graphics@pamediagroup.com. British ministers have avoided questions about whether the UK has given permission for Volodymyr Zelensky to fire its long range missiles into Russian territory, after President Joe Biden announced the United States had. And at the first session of the Commons Defence Committee this Parliament, Mr Healey proved no exception. Asked to confirm reports Storm Shadow had been used by Ukraine, the Defence Secretary said: I wont be drawn on the operational details of the conflict. It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin. Battle lines in Ukraine are now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full scale Russian invasion, Mr Healey said, citing British intelligence. This is a serious moment that I come before the committee, he told MPs. Mr Healey added: While the Ukrainian actions on the battlefield speak for themselves, be in no doubt that UK Government is stepping up our support for Ukraine, determined to continue doubling down our support for Ukraine. Speaking at the same time, Sir Keir Starmer told the House of Commons the UK will not be deterred or distracted by reckless threats, in reference to Vladimir Putin lowering the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal. This was widely seen as a response to Mr Bidens announcement he would give Ukraine permission to use US-made long-range ATACMS missiles. Sir Keir also told MPs: We have consistently said well do what it takes to support Ukraine and put it in the best possible position going into the winter. The UKs support for Ukraine is always for self-defence, it is proportionate, co-ordinated, agile and a response to Russias own actions and it is in accordance with international law. Downing Street later described the unconfirmed reports Russia had launched an ICBM into Ukraine as deeply concerning. But the Prime Ministers official spokesman said he did not want to get ahead of our intelligence services who are looking at these reports urgently, adding: But if true, clearly this would be another example of grave, reckless and escalatory behaviour from Russia and only serves to strengthen our resolve. On Wednesday, the Defence Secretary announced that two former Royal Navy flagships, a frigate and a pair of support tankers would be decommissioned. During the committee hearing, Mr Healey said UK military equipment capabilities were in large part not good enough for the future and that our forces deserve better equipment to do their job better. Mr Healey told the committee: The rapidly changing nature of warfare that Ukraine tells us and amplified by the accelerating development of technology means that the sort of capabilities in large part that we have are just not good enough for the future. When we work with allies, we have to make sure that our UK contribution isnt just a major contribution to the collective deterrence and strength of our alliances, but is also part of the leading edge that sees us setting the pace of some of the necessary transformations. Mr Healey said the UK was doing everything that we can to make sure Ukraine was successful on the battlefield and capable of withstanding the Russian pressure. He added: If President Zelensky and the Ukrainians decide there is a point, at some point, that they want to start the talking, our job will be to support them in any of the negotiations, just as it is with the fighting. Two-time Oscar nominee Jude Law has criticised fossil fuel companies, saying they need to answer for their environmental actions. The British actor joined Academy Award winner Sir Mark Rylance, Irish comedian and actress Aisling Bea, 1917 star George MacKay, Oscar nominee Michael Shannon and model and actress Lily Cole to back Global Witnesss Payback Time campaign. Ahead of climate summit Cop29 drawing to a close on Friday, famous faces have joined the charity in claiming that oil and gas companies broke the climate, amid extreme weather events over the last year, and they should pay to fix it. Sir Mark Rylance is backing the campaign (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) The UN talks, which are taking place in Azerbaijan, are looking at securing climate finance for low-income countries. They come in the wake of devastating weather extremes, and warnings that 2024 is on track to be another record hot year and the world is heading for a catastrophic 3.1C of warming on current policies. Law, 51, said: Oil, gas and coal are harming our planet, causing a surge in deadly weather events. Its time for fossil fuel firms to answer for their actions. Also among the backers of the Global Witness campaign are Irelands former president Mary Robinson, English musicians Brian Eno and Jon Hopkins, Ahsoka actress Rosario Dawson, Harry Potter star Bonnie Wright as well as directors Adam McKay, known for The Big Short, and Joshua Oppenheimer, who made The Act Of Killing. Michael Shannon said: This is the most important issue facing humanity today. The earth will survive. But we are destroying ourselves. We are destroying our childrens future. The evidence is irrefutable and persistent. Please acknowledge this and find space in your heart to do something about it. Next month, his musical The End, also starring MacKay, and directed by Oppenheimer, comes out. Comedian and writer Aisling Bea (Ian West/PA) The film is an apocalyptic musical about a wealthy family living in an underground bunker several years after the end of the world, to which they directly contributed. MacKay said: I am honoured and proud to be part of this action, and part of the film The End. Hopefully, it will spark a new beginning and continuation of truth. Fossil fuels account for more than 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN. Azerbaijan, which has been criticised by human rights campaigners for cracking down on environmental activists in the country as it hosts Cop29, is a major oil and gas producer. It has previously rejected claims of a crackdown on environmental defenders, and denied holding political prisoners. Karate Kids Ralph Macchio: It means the world to have star Mr Miyagi-adjacent US actor Ralph Macchio said it means the world to me to be cemented adjacent to his late Karate Kid co-star Pat Morita on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Macchio, who starred as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid film trilogy and six seasons of Netflixs Cobra Kai, appeared at the Los Angeles ceremony alongside his co-stars William Zabka and Tamlyn Tomita. The 63-year-old unveiled his star which lay next to that of the late Morita, who played beloved Mr Miyagi in the film franchise. To have this star placed right next to my acting partner from that film, the great Pat Morita, is so meaningful to me, so powerful to me, Macchio said. Our partnership is something I always described as a soulful magic of The Karate Kid films, and he is still here today blessing all these stories that are moving forward. I can feel him here. It is only fitting I shall remain Miyagi-adjacent until the end of time, he joked. Tamlyn Tomita, from left, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka attend a ceremony honouring Macchio with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Macchio thanked those for the thoughtful placement of his star, adding: The fact that that was part of the decision in putting us together, it means the world to me. Macchios breakout role was starring in Francis Ford Coppolas 1983 film The Outsiders, before joining the cast of The Karate Kid a year later and starring in two sequels. Zabka, who signed autographs for fans dressed in Karate Kid costumes ahead of the ceremony, said he first met Macchio at auditions for the original film in 1984. Ralph Macchio attends a ceremony honouring Macchio with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) From day one he was a big star and a big talent, but he was Ralph. He was so grounded and so easy to be withAfter all these years he hasnt changed one bit, the 59-year-old said. Zabka, who played Macchios on-screen rival Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid franchise and Cobra Kai, described his co-star as loveable, sincere, and talented. He kicked his way into our hearts in the 1984 movie and literally right through my face, he joked. How do you measure a friendship and a relationship of four decades, it is a gift that we get to keep doing this togetherI love him like a brother. Ralph Macchio is the first to stand on his star during a ceremony honouring him (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Tomita, who played Macchios on-screen love interest Kumiko in The Karate Kid Part II before reprising the character in Cobra Kai, said she had travelled from Okinawa in Japan to attend the Walk of Fame induction. She said that Macchio taught her everything about what it means to act and to be an actor, saying his sweet kindness always seeped through. Tomita said the pair first met during a chemistry test four decades ago where she could not breathe but Macchio made it fun, light and so easy to fall in love with. She also noted his good old-fashioned class, adding: I will always be the woman who will fight for your honour. The Walk of Fame ceremony comes a day after British rock band Coldplay released a new music video for their song The Karate Kid, starring Macchio. Matt Hancock has told how he ruffled some feathers protecting the NHS from political interference during the Covid-19 pandemic. Giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, the former health secretary said part of his role was to shield the NHS from people being difficult in Number 10. He said: Within the running of the NHS, we were protected in a way because of the independence of the NHS. And therefore the people being difficult for Number 10, part of my job was to provide a shield from that. And I know that I ruffled some feathers in doing so, but my job was, ironically, also to protect the NHS from some of that. Mr Hancock, who was booed by a campaigner as he arrived to give evidence, told the inquiry that interference from Number 10 caused incredible difficulties with regards to testing people for Covid-19. The third module of the probe is examining the impact of the virus on healthcare systems across the four nations. Mr Hancock was asked by inquiry counsel Jacqueline Carey about his witness statements which suggested inappropriate political interference from Number 10, and whether that interference applied to the scope of these hearings. He said: Well, of course some of it did. For instance, the biggest interference that caused difficulties was within testing, where some of the political appointees in Number 10 caused incredible difficulties. Former health secretary Matt Hancock giving evidence (UK Covid-19 Inquiry/PA) Earlier, Mr Hancock also claimed that former first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, caused all sorts of difficulties as the pandemic unfolded. At the start of the inquiry hearing on Thursday, Mr Hancock was asked whether frontline staff had been protected during the pandemic. He said government did everything we possibly could, adding: Does that mean, in a system that employs 1.4 million people in the NHS, with another around two-and-a-half million in social care, that every decision was perfect? Of course, it wasnt. Asked whether the imposition of visiting restrictions, which meant that some people could not be at the bedside of a dying relative, or have their partner with them in childbirth, were too strict, he said: I think that we were balancing incredibly difficult considerations on both sides. I think, on balance, we got those broadly right across the pandemic, but I entirely understand and feel the very strong arguments on both sides. The former MP also defended the Stay Home, Save Lives, Protect the NHS messaging implemented during the pandemic (PA) He added: Where I think we got it wrong, for instance, was the way that the funeral guidance was applied on the ground, it wasnt as had been intended. But of course, funerals are places where people gather and are deeply emotional and people come together, and that was also the thing that was driving the spread of the virus. So these were very difficult considerations, and broadly on balance, I think they were about right. The former MP also defended the Stay Home, Save Lives, Protect the NHS messaging implemented during the pandemic. Asked by if he thought the messaging had struck the right balance, Mr Hancock replied: Yes. We needed to ensure that the public across the whole of the UK understood the importance of staying at home whenever possible in order to stop the spread of the virus. He told the inquiry that it was literally true that if we didnt stop the spread of the virus, then the NHS would be overwhelmed, by which I mean the system as a whole would have been unable to cope with the demand on it, as wed seen in other countries like Italy. Elsewhere, Mr Hancock said he challenged Public Health England which was scrapped and replaced with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) repeatedly over concerns about asymptomatic transmission of the virus. He said he was told at daily meetings about the virus from January 2020 that tests dont work if people dont have symptoms. He added: I challenged the advice from Public Health England repeatedly from then over the next three months, and eventually the formal advice was changed. He said he could see evidence from China of asymptomatic transmission but this was also refuted by the World Health Organisation. So the whole global clinical system was trying to say theres no asymptomatic transmission. And I kept seeing straws in the wind, if you like, anecdotal evidence that there was, and continued to challenge on this point. Andrea Barrett (left) and Sarah Steven outside Dorland House in London where Matt Hancock is giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (Jordan Reynolds/PA) Baroness Heather Hallett, who is chairing the inquiry, asked Mr Hancock about his comments that the NHS was available to all in the pandemic according to need. She told him that people who needed cancer screening or who needed a major surgery like a hip operation could not access the care they required. Mr Hancock replied it was not safe clinically to go for some cancer treatment during the pandemic, because cancer treatment sometimes involves reducing the immune system. It was better to delay some non-urgent operations in order to protect both the space in the NHS and the patients themselves because, as we know, youre more likely to catch Covid in a hospital than in almost any other setting. He said the overall point is, that we did not have a collapse in the system. He added that he felt facemasks should be worn by hospital patients, visitors and staff immediately in the event of a future pandemic. Mr Hancock served as health secretary from 9 July 2018 to 26 June 2021 and played a key role in the Governments initial response as the pandemic unfolded. He resigned from his post the day after video footage emerged of him kissing his former aide Gina Coladangelo in his ministerial office during a time of coronavirus social-distancing restrictions. After his dramatic exit from the front bench, Mr Hancock appeared in the ITV reality show Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! More than a third of online shoppers almost 15 million people experienced a problem with a parcel delivery in the last month, according to an annual Citizens Advice study. Just before a Black Friday and Christmas shopping surge, the charity said its survey revealed a worrying trend of worsening customer service among delivery firms. While Royal Mail and Amazon both achieved an overall score of three out of five stars, standards continued to slip in areas including customer service. Four out of the five firms included in the study Royal Mail, Amazon, Yodel and Evri saw their customer service scores drop from last year, while DPDs score remained the same. The Citizens Advice parcels league table looks at the top five delivery companies by parcel volume and measures their performance against customer service, delivery problems and how well they meet the needs of consumers who have extra accessibility needs, such as needing longer to answer the door. Its survey suggests 36% of all online shoppers in the UK experienced a delivery issue in the last month, such as parcels left in insecure locations and arriving late. The worst offenders were Yodel (42%), DPD (40%) and Evri (37%), according to the poll. Of those who experienced a problem with their delivery, 48% had a further issue trying to resolve it the highest level for three years including not being able to find the right company contact details or not receiving a response. All providers except DPD saw their score on customer service decline in the last year. Citizens Advice called on Ofcom to investigate carriers whose complaints processes were failing consumers, and fine them if necessary. It also wants the regulator to expand its guidance to make sure people with accessibility needs are able to share them with parcel companies. Citizens Advice chief executive Clare Moriarty said: For four years in a row, our parcels league table shows that when it comes to customer service, poor performing parcel companies are clearly stuck in transit. Worrying numbers of people face having to chase lost, late or damaged parcels and those with accessibility needs are continuing to be overlooked by firms. With a seasonal surge of deliveries on the horizon, parcel companies must do more to protect shoppers. Ultimately we need Ofcom to get to the root cause of these persistent failings and, where necessary, fine the worst offenders if they fail to up their game. An Amazon spokesman said: Every day at Amazon, incredible employees and independent delivery partners come together to provide fast, reliable and safe delivery for our customers. The vast majority of deliveries make it to customers without issue. In the rare case something occurs, we work with customers directly to make it right. A Yodel spokesman said: The overwhelming majority of the 200 million parcels we handled over the last 12 months were delivered correctly on the first attempt and we actively encourage and welcome all customers to provide feedback on every one of our deliveries. Our Have Your Say feedback survey encourages all customers to review their delivery. In the last 12 months we have received over 5.5 million responses and 86% of our customers have had a positive experience. We have also made specific improvements to the accessibility of our services, including options for customers to divert deliveries and share any specific requirements with us via the Yodel app. A spokeswoman for Evri said: This year we will deliver around 800 million parcels, including millions for Amazon. We have invested 32 million to further improve our own operations, with over 99% of parcels delivered on time, and to make it easier for consumers to contact us we have opened up new ways to get in touch online and by phone. We are committed to instilling a culture where every parcel matters and we know there is more to do. Thats why weve launched a partnership with disability equality charity Scope, to help disabled people and ultimately all of our customers have a better parcel delivery experience. Royal Mail said: Since last year we have led the industry by providing customers with options to register their accessibility needs. This includes requesting posties knock louder or take more time when waiting for a customer to come to the door. We are working hard to further improve our service and have continued to introduce more convenient options for customers, such as automatic redelivery and safe place delivery preferences. We also have a robust, accessible complaints process in place with avenues to escalate to impartial bodies. DPD said: We dont recognise the findings from this survey at all and have raised significant concerns about the methodology, directly with Citizens Advice. In contrast, a recent survey from consumer group Which? gave DPD an 88% customer satisfaction score, while DPD topped the Money Saving Expert parcel delivery customer satisfaction poll for the ninth time in 2024. Opinium Research surveyed 8,011 UK adults who had received a parcel in the last month from Royal Mail, DPD, Yodel, Amazon Logistics or Evri between September 13 and October 11. Donald Trumps critique of Nato is entirely rational - Brandon Bell/REUTERS Britain is provoking Vladimir Putin by allowing Storm Shadow missiles to be fired into Russian sovereign territory for the first time. Note, by the way, that this was only possible with American permission because these missiles depend on US targeting systems. Britain is right, along with the US, to free Ukraines hands to attack Russia on its own soil, even though it should have been done years earlier in the war and is now probably much too little, much too late. It beggars belief, however, that on the very same day that around 12 Storm Shadows hit a Russian military headquarters in Kursk, the British Defence Secretary announced more cash-saving cuts to the UKs own Armed Forces, including critically important ships, helicopters and drones. The British Government claims that these capabilities are being retired to make room for new and improved systems. But where are they? And with the threat to Europe rising, the British Defence Secretary seems only to promise even more cuts to come: These will not be the last difficult decisions I will have to make, to fix the defence inheritance that we were left with. What kind of message is this sending to the Wests enemies and potential enemies? A lack of resolve, a lack of commitment to the UKs own defences and an invitation to aggression. Equally important is the message it sends to Britains allies, particularly the United States. Since the presidential election earlier this month, European leaders have been wringing their hands over what a second Trump term might mean for their defences. In his first term, the President-elect repeatedly badgered Nato leaders about freeloading on the back of the US. Matthew Whitaker, his nominee as ambassador to Nato, is also likely to be highly critical of under-performing allies riding on Washingtons coat-tails, taking advantage of American defence spending while scrimping on their own so they can spend more on welfare. Trumps position is entirely reasonable and no rational person should question it. All members of Nato are right to be alarmed. But their reactions are all wrong. Frances Emmanuel Macron thinks an EU army is the answer, to boost Europes ability to act independently of the US, an idea of course lapped up by Brussels bureaucrats desperate to further consolidate EU power. Britains Keir Starmer seems to want in on this project, with negotiations now underway on a UK-EU defence pact that would lock the UK in not only to defence but also to foreign policy and intelligence sharing with Brussels. Instead of building unnecessary and counterproductive new structures that would serve only to undermine and divide Nato, the best way to Trump-proof European defence is to increase actual military capabilities by spending much more on hard fighting power rather than endless bureaucracies and shiny new headquarters. But that is precisely the opposite of what the UKs new Labour Government is doing now and promises to do more of. The strategic defence review which will be published next year will undoubtedly include more budget cuts to help fill the black hole in the public finances. Following Joe Bidens calamitous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Nato may well be on the brink of a second strategic defeat. President Zelensky is now talking of an end to the Ukraine conflict next year through diplomatic means. That is likely to see Putin holding on to all or most of the territory he has conquered by force since 2022 and before. If so, it will mean Russia has prevailed over both Ukraine and Nato. Nato as a whole will have to reflect on what that means for the future of the alliance. The coming months will be pivotal and alliance members should be looking to show strength to their enemies and friends alike. Instead they are further hollowing out what are already highly inadequate defences. The Archbishop of Canterbury stepped down from his role in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse - Doug Peters/PA The Archbishop of Canterburys attendance of a British Museum dinner the day after he stepped down from the Church was jaw-dropping, Private Eye editor Ian Hislop said. The Most Rev Justin Welby attended a gathering of the great and good a day after he announced he was quitting over a Church of England abuse scandal, Hislop has revealed. Hislop described it as jaw-dropping that the Archbishop had turned up to the British Museum trustees annual dinner last week. The Archbishop released a statement on Tuesday of that week saying he was stepping down in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse. The move followed days of pressure after a review concluded that John Smyth, the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church, might have been brought to justice had the Archbishop formally reported him to police in 2013. Ian Hislop said he told the Archbishop it is lovely that you have resigned - Jamie Lorriman Hislop, a team captain on the satirical show Have I Got News for You, said he was in disbelief that Archbishop Welby appeared at the museum event a day later. In a column in Private Eye, Hislop wrote: It was a gathering of the great and good, but as I stood with a drink in my hand, I couldnt help noticing that the man standing across the Great Court from me was the Archbishop of Canterbury. This was the day after he had been forced to resign in disgrace for his role in an appalling scandal and cover-up of monstrous abuse in the Church of England. Like many guests there, I could not believe he would turn up to a public event. It was jaw-dropping. Ian Hislop saw the Archbishop in the British Museums Great Court - Gonzalo Azumendi/Image Bank He said the Archbishop had approached his group and introduced himself, before looking around and commenting, isnt this lovely? Hislop went on: I am afraid at this point I couldnt contain myself and refused to allow him to use the politeness of the British establishment to get away with what I thought was extraordinarily shameless behaviour. I said, It is lovely that you have resigned. Hislop said the Archbishop looked surprised by the comment. Lambeth Palace has said it does not comment on private conversations. The Archbishop intends to complete his official duties by Jan 6 and is likely to have very little public-facing activity between now and that date, Lambeth Palace said on Wednesday. Official functions will be delegated to Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York. The BBC said Archbishop Welby will not deliver the traditional televised New Year message on New Years Day. A spokesman for the broadcaster said: Lambeth Palace have confirmed that there will not be a New Years message from the Archbishop of Canterbury this year. It will resume next year when the new Archbishop of Canterbury has been appointed. The Archbishop delivered his first televised New Year message in 2014, and each year since then. The Church of England has not yet confirmed whether he will deliver the Christmas Day sermon from Canterbury Cathedral. Asylum seekers arrive at a hotel in New York - Eduardo Munoz Alvarez The Biden administration has quietly scrapped in-person check-ins for tens of thousands of illegal migrants in New York, according to reports. At present asylum seekers waiting for a court hearing are required to check in periodically in person at their Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office. These in-person checks are set to be replaced by a glitchy ICE Portal app in the Empire State in December, which insiders have warned could make it easier for migrants to evade the authorities. Homeland Security sources told the New York Post up to 100,000 migrants in New York City will initially be enrolled in the new system. They told the US paper that while in-person checks are linked to searches for past arrests or outstanding warrants, the app does not perform the same checks. The gear-change comes less than two months before Donald Trumps inauguration. One of Mr Trumps key campaign messages was that he will carry out mass deportations starting on his first day in office. Its a little glitchy The app reportedly has not worked on Android phones and does not collect GPS location data when someone uses a laptop to check in, the sources said. Under the current system, migrants must provide proof of their current address for in-person appointments and the database will flag arrest warrants to ICE officers. We need that information that if these people dont go to court, they have absconded, they have a final order of removal. We need that data to go start looking for people, the source said. Tens of thousands of migrants have arrived in New York in the last two years - Andrea Renault/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Ed Cuccia, a Manhattan-based immigration lawyer, said several of his clients had already been given the app when it was piloted, with the instructions to check-in up to once a week. Its a little glitchy, he told The Telegraph. I had people that it didnt work properly for, they had to keep pushing the buttons, he added. Bit of a joke But Mr Cuccia, of Cuccia Law Firm, said he does not think the system change will make much difference as the in-person checks are already a bit of a joke. Theres not much difference between this app thing and in-person reporting. You just say hi, hello, he said. He added: The system is so massively backlogged, Ive got people checking in then getting court dates for 2032, and thats not even a court date, per se... Its a date to come in to get your court date. More than 223,000 migrants have arrived in New York City since the spring of 2022, with tens of thousands still housed in shelters. Eric Adams, the citys mayor, has consistently railed against the Biden administration about its handling of the migrant crisis. Let me tell you something New Yorkers, never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to I dont see an ending to this, he said last year. This issue will destroy New York City. Kayla Mamelak Altus, Mr Adams press secretary, told The Telegraph: This election, the American people sent a resounding message: they are fed up with our broken immigration system. For decades, Washington has endlessly talked about comprehensive reform, but delivered nothing of substance. Cities should not have to carry the cost and burden of a national problem. Democrats and Republicans must come together to pass meaningful immigration reform for the first time in four decades. Obstructionist transition Mark Morgan, the former acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, told the New York Post that the Biden administrations loosening of immigration protocol constituted the opposite of a peaceful transition of power. This is an obstructionist transition, he said. What theyre trying to do in the last final day, theyre going to try to put up as many roadblocks and obstacles and throw as many grenades as they can on their way out. The Telegraph has contacted ICE and Mr Adamss office for comment. Jair Bolsonaro addresses supporters during a rally in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 25 February 2024. Photograph: Andre Penner/AP The former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and some of his closest allies are among dozens of people formally accused by federal police of being part of a criminal conspiracy designed to obliterate Brazils democratic system through a rightwing coup detat. Federal police confirmed on Thursday that investigators had concluded their long-running investigation into what they called a coordinated attempt to violently dismantle the constitutional state. In a statement, police said the report which has been forwarded to the supreme court formally accused a total of 37 people of crimes including involvement in an attempted coup, the formation of a criminal organization, and trying to tear down one of the worlds largest democracies. The accused include Bolsonaro, a disgraced army captain turned populist politician, who was president from 2018 until the end of 2022, as well as some of the most important members of his far-right administration. Related: Bolsonaro laid out plan for Brazil coup after defeat by Lula, ex-commanders say They included Bolsonaros former spy chief, the far-right congressman Alexandre Ramagem; the former defense ministers Gen Walter Braga Netto and Gen Paulo Sergio Nogueira de Oliveira; the former minister of justice and public security Anderson Torres; the former minister of institutional security Gen Augusto Heleno; the former navy commander Adm Almir Garnier Santos; the president of Bolsonaros political party, Valdemar Costa Neto; and Filipe Martins, one of Bolsonaros top foreign policy advisers. Also named is the rightwing blogger grandson of Gen Joao Baptista Figueiredo, one of the military rulers who governed Brazil during its 1964-85 dictatorship. The list contains one non-Brazilian name: that of Fernando Cerimedo, an Argentinian digital marketing guru who was in charge of communications for Argentinas president, Javier Milei, during that countrys 2023 presidential campaign. Buenos Aires-based Cerimedo is close to Bolsonaro and his politician sons. The long-awaited conclusion of the police investigation comes just days after federal police officers made five arrests as part of a roundup of alleged members of a plot to assassinate Bolsonaros leftwing successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his centre-right vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin, as well as the supreme court judge Alexandre de Moraes. Shortly before police announced the end of their inquiry, Lula voiced gratitude that the attempt to poison him had failed. Im alive, the 79-year-old leftist said during a speech. Gen Mario Fernandes, one of the five people arrested over the alleged Green and Yellow Dagger assassination plan, was also among the 37 people named by federal police on Thursday and like the others was formally accused of being part of a criminal coup attempt. We are at war, Fernandes allegedly said in one message discovered by police investigators. Bolsonaro has previously denied involvement in an attempt to overturn the result of the 2022 election, which he lost to Lula. Speaking to a journalist from the Brazilian news site Metropoles after he was named in the police report, the former president said he needed to see what was in the investigation. Im going to wait for the lawyer, Bolsonaro added. Braga Netto, Heleno and other prominent names on the list made no immediate comment about the accusations in the federal police report, which the police statement said was based on a large trove of evidence gathered through plea deals, searches and the analysis of financial, internet and phone records. But prominent pro-Bolsonaro politicians criticized the report, with Rogerio Marinho, the leader of the opposition in the senate, attributing it to the incessant persecution targeting Brazils right. The more they persecute Bolsonaro, the stronger he gets, tweeted Sostenes Cavalcante, a Bolsonarista congressman from Rio. The alleged pro-Bolsonaro coup attempt allegedly played out during the turbulent final days of his four-year administration, which came to an end when he was narrowly defeated by Lula in the second round of the 2022 presidential election. In the lead-up to that crunch vote, a manifesto signed by almost a million citizens warned that Brazilian democracy was facing a moment of immense danger to democratic normality amid widespread suspicion that plans were afoot to help Bolsonaro cling to power even if he lost. After losing his re-election bid, Bolsonaro flew into temporary exile in the US while thousands of supporters gathered outside military bases around Brazil to demand a military intervention that never came. The failed attempt to overturn Lulas victory culminated in the 8 January 2023 riots in the capital, Brasilia, when radicalized Bolsonaristas rampaged through the presidential palace, congress and supreme court. Nearly two years later, Lula is in power but the far-right threat to his administration remains. Last Wednesday night, a member of Bolsonaros political party was killed after apparently blowing himself up with homemade explosives while attacking the supreme court. During a search of the mans trailer, police reportedly found a cap emblazoned with the slogan of Bolsonaros far-right movement: Brazil above everything. God above all. In a video statement, Paulo Pimenta, Lulas communications minister, said the government was utterly perplexed and outraged by the revelations that the former president and members of the military had allegedly been plotting to bring down Brazils democracy with almost unbelievable audacity. These are very grave crimes [and] very serious accusations, added Pimenta, who said Lulas administration would now wait for the public prosecutors office to decide which of the 37 would be prosecuted and put on trial. Those convicted would have to pay for the crimes they had committed against democracy, against the constitution and against the Brazilian people, said Pimenta. Bolsonaro in Jail, the minister wrote alongside his video, echoing a call from many progressive Brazilians. Simone White is suspected of having unknowingly drunk methanol at a bar in Vang Vieng A British lawyer has died and several other UK tourists are in hospital after apparently being poisoned by a drink laced with methanol in Laos. Simone White, 28, is suspected to have unknowingly drunk methanol at a bar in Vang Vieng last week while on holiday. She is the fifth tourist to have died in a suspected mass drink-spiking case in the popular backpacking destination. At least seven others, including other British holidaymakers, have been taken to hospital. The victims, mostly guests at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, became ill after drinking alcohol on the night of Nov 12. The Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos. The manager has denied selling tainted alcohol to guests They are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which is a cheaper alternative to the ethanol found in alcoholic drinks, but can cause severe poisoning or death. Ms White, from Orpington, in the London borough of Bromley, was taken to hospital following a night out with friend Bethany Clarke, a healthcare worker who is also from Orpington. It is not clear when Ms White died or her cause of death. Her family were unavailable for comment when approached by The Telegraph on Thursday. Ms White was an intellectual property and technology lawyer for Squire Patton Boggs, a US law firm, according to her LinkedIn profile. She attended St Olaves Grammar School in Orpington and studied law at Newcastle University before taking the fast-track course at the BPP law school. Please avoid all local spirits A Foreign Office spokesman said: We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities. Police in Laos have opened an investigation into the poisoning. Ms Clarke, who was also treated in hospital, said her liver started to shut down after drinking free shots offered by one of the bars in Vang Vieng. She warned other travellers to avoid all local spirits on a Facebook group for backpackers in Laos. Urgent please avoid all local spirits, she wrote. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as [they are] so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning. She wrote that she was very fatigued and then fainted, then just felt nauseous and then my liver started to shut down. She added: I got to the private hospital in time but underwent many infusions and tablets and days of recovery. An Australian teenager, two Danish women in their 20s, and an American man are also reported to have died in Laos. Bianca Jones, a 19-year-old from Melbourne, died in hospital on Thursday Bianca Jones, 19, from Melbourne, who had travelled to south-east Asia with a friend, was confirmed to have died by her parents in a statement to the Herald Sun newspaper. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away, Michelle and Mark Jones said. She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us. We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers weve received from across Australia. The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling. Ms Joness friend, Holly Bowles, 19, was also admitted to hospital after the pair went on a night out in Vang Vieng. They were found by staff at the Nana Backpackers Hostel when they failed to leave their room on time. Most of the victims had been guests at the Nana Backpacker hostel - AP Duong Duc Toan, the manager of the hostel, said he had served more than 100 guests on the night of Nov 12 with free shots of Lao Tiger vodka mixed with ice and Coke Zero. But he denied that the alcohol was tainted, and said the hostel had not sold or given away drinks which caused the travellers to fall ill. We dont do anything wrong, for sure, Mr Toan told ABC, the Australian network. I really take care of all of the customers [who] stay with our hotel and our hostel. He told the Herald Sun: Right now the police (are telling) every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng... not only our hostel, other hostel and hotel customers have the same problem. Landlocked Laos, one of south-east Asias poorest nations, is a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is popular among backpackers seeking parties and adventure sports. Thousand of farmers gathered for a demonstration on Whitehall on Tuesday - Dan Kitwood/Getty The Government has denied claims it is looking at changing inheritance tax rules to make it easier for farmers aged over 80 to pass their estates down. Farming groups have been calling for the change, which would water down the Governments inheritance tax raid on farmers, since it was announced in the Budget. Last month, the Chancellor announced 20 per cent inheritance tax would be imposed on farm assets worth more than 1 million from April 2026. On Thursday, The Guardian reported that the Government was considering amending gifting rules for over-80s to mean they do not have to live an additional seven years. But the Treasury has denied it is making any changes to the policy, which the Government has vociferously defended since it was introduced in the Budget. A Treasury spokesman said: We remain committed to fully implementing the policy and are not considering mitigations. The Government has not yet done a full impact assessment of exactly who will be hit by the policy, and has been accused by campaigners of vastly underestimating the consequences of the tax. It has argued that the changes will only impact around a quarter of farms, and said the changes are necessary to help plug the gap in its finances. Environment Secretary Steve Reed speaks at at the Country Land and Business Association conference in London - James Manning/PA The reports came after Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, appeared at the Country Land and Business Associations (CLA) annual conference on Thursday. He was challenged over the mental health impact on older farmers, and said the Government would listen to try and understand how we can make that easier to bear. But he said the country cant go on the way that it was going on. Weve become a basket case globally for international investors. He later told reporters that it was never too late to look at your tax planning and your succession planning, even if farmers were as old as 93. Mr Reed also refused to apologise for the anxiety caused to farmers over the changes, which he said were necessary to fund rural public services. Its hard to be sorry for trying to make this countrys economy work and our public services work, he told reporters. The Government says the changes will reduce the amount of people buying farmland to avoid taxes, and says the tax break disproportionately benefits the wealthiest 7 per cent of estates. But it has been accused by farming groups of carrying out a vindictive plan that could force the break-up of family farms and threaten food security. More than 10,000 farmers came out on the streets of London on Tuesday to protest against the plans, and the National Farmers Union has vowed not to stop in its calls for a U-turn. Ministers in Defra, including Mr Reed, have been sent out to defend the policy, despite reports they were not consulted on the plans. In his speech to the CLA, Mr Reed said he had heard the anguish of the countryside on the streets of London earlier this week, and said the gap between rural and urban Britain was becoming quite a chasm now. He announced that the Government would soon produce a 25-year farming roadmap that would focus on making farming and food production more profitable in the decades to come. We may not agree over the inheritance tax changes, but this government is determined to listen to rural Britain and end its long decline, he said. People visiting the booth were advised not to disclose any personal information. Photograph: Peter Diem/Lukasgesellschaft The small, unadorned church has long ranked as the oldest in the Swiss city of Lucerne. But Peters chapel has become synonymous with all that is new after it installed an artificial intelligence-powered Jesus capable of dialoguing in 100 different languages. It was really an experiment, said Marco Schmid, a theologian with the Peterskapelle church. We wanted to see and understand how people react to an AI Jesus. What would they talk with him about? Would there be interest in talking to him? Were probably pioneers in this. The installation, known as Deus in Machina, was launched in August as the latest initiative in a years-long collaboration with a local university research lab on immersive reality. After projects that had experimented with virtual and augmented reality, the church decided that the next step was to install an avatar. Schmid said: We had a discussion about what kind of avatar it would be a theologian, a person or a saint? But then we realised the best figure would be Jesus himself. Short on space and seeking a place where people could have private conversations with the avatar, the church swapped out its priest to set up a computer and cables in the confessional booth. After training the AI program in theological texts, visitors were then invited to pose questions to a long-haired image of Jesus beamed through a latticework screen. He responded in real time, offering up answers generated through artificial intelligence. People were advised not to disclose any personal information and confirm that they knew they were engaging with the avatar at their own risk. Its not a confession, said Schmid. We are not intending to imitate a confession. During the two-month period of the experiment, more than 1,000 people including Muslims and visiting tourists from as far as China and Vietnam took up the opportunity to interact with the avatar. While data on the installation will be presented next week, feedback from more than 230 users suggested two-thirds of them had found it to be a spiritual experience, said Schmid. So we can say they had a religiously positive moment with this AI Jesus. For me, that was surprising. Related: London premiere of movie with AI-generated script cancelled after backlash Others were more negative, with some telling the church they found it impossible to talk to a machine. One local reporter who tried out the device described the answers as, at times, trite, repetitive and exuding a wisdom reminiscent of calendar cliches. The feedback suggested there had been a wide disparity in the avatars answers, said Schmid. I have the impression that sometimes he was really very good and people were incredibly happy and surprised and inspired, he said. And then there were also moments where he was somehow not so good, maybe more superficial. The experiment also faced criticism from some within the church community, said Schmid, with Catholic colleagues protesting at the use of the confessional while Protestant colleagues seemingly took umbrage at the installations use of imagery in this way. What had most struck Schmid, however, was the risk the church had taken in trusting that the AI would not dole out responses that were illegal, explicit or offer up interpretations or spiritual advice that clashed with church teachings. In the hope of mitigating this risk, the church had carried out tests with 30 people before the installation of the avatar. After the launch, it ensured that support was always close by for users. We never had the impression he was saying strange things, said Schmid. But of course we could never guarantee that he wouldnt say anything strange. Ultimately, it was this uncertainty that had led him to decide that the avatar was best left as an experiment. To put a Jesus like that permanently, I wouldnt do that. Because the responsibility would be too great. He was swift, however, to cite the broader potential of the idea. It is a really easy, approachable tool where you can talk about religion, about Christianity, about Christian faith, he said, musing that it could be refashioned into a sort of multilingual spiritual guide that could answer religious questions. For him, the experiment and the keen interest it had generated had shown him that people were looking to go beyond the Bible, sacraments and rituals. Schmid said: I think there is a thirst to talk with Jesus. People want to have an answer: they want words and to listen to what hes saying. I think thats one element of it. Then of course theres the curiosity of it. They want to see what this is. Elon Musk has also said that Britain is going full Stalin in response to inheritance tax changes on farms. Photograph: David Swanson/Reuters Elon Musk has said UK MPs will be summoned to the United States of America to explain their censorship and threats to American citizens in a fresh escalation of tensions between the worlds richest man and Labour. Musk, who has been a fixture at the side of Donald Trump since his re-election as US president, was responding to a Guardian report on Wednesday that the Commons science and technology select committee would call him to give evidence in the new year in its inquiry into the spread of harmful content on social media after the August riots. The committees chair, Chi Onwurah, a Labour MP, said she wanted to see how Musk, who owns the X social media platform, reconciles his promotion of freedom of expression with his promotion of pure disinformation. X hosts accounts by figures including Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate, who were accused of inciting people to join Islamophobic protests. Musk, who has more than 205 million followers on X, responded by saying the MPs would be summoned to the US. He has previously complained that prison sentences handed down to people who stoked the riots on X are a breach of free speech rights and said: I dont think anyone should go to the UK when theyre releasing convicted paedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts. He has labelled the British prime minister two-tier Kier, alleging that not all communities were equally protected by police in the UK, while Jess Philips, a government minister, has labelled X a place of misery. Musk weighed in on changes to inheritance tax on farms by saying on Monday that Britain is going full Stalin. Peter Mandelson, who is tipped to become the next UK ambassador to Washington, then called for an end to the feud between Musk and the UK government, calling him a sort of technological, industrial, commercial phenomenon with whom the UK must build bridges. Related: How Elon Musk became Donald Trumps shadow vice-president In an interview with the Guardian on Thursday, Peter Kyle, the secretary of state for science and technology, denied there was a feud and called Musk an innovator of extraordinary proportions, the like of which our globe, our humanity, very rarely sees. He said he was ready to have a frank conversation where we disagree, but also strive to find common ground. However, Kyle added: The way that he has characterised British society is wrong. I would love to have a conversation with him about how, with his view of free speech, we can keep people safe. Free speech, in my view, doesnt include the right to sow either misinformation or hatred to a degree that damages either people or communities as happened in August and that led to arrests because that was criminal activity. Related: Trumps cabinet picks are agents of his contempt, rage and vengeance | Sidney Blumenthal Kyle said he was in touch with X and has had many conversations with them about the nature of free speech and how it should be applied. He also said he had no plans to go off X, simply because I respect so much of the audience thats there and I do want to communicate with. It was not immediately clear to what threats to American citizens Musk was referring in his call for British MPs to be summoned to Washington, but one of his US-based online followers claimed, without providing evidence, he was called by British police and threatened with charges if he did not take down certain posts during the riots. Another follower described the MPs wish to call Musk to give evidence as a trap, saying: Theyll detain him at the border, demand to see the contents of his phone, and charge him under counter-terrorism laws when he refuses. Asked about Musks response, Onwurah said: X is one of the most relevant social media platforms to our inquiry. We want to hear from senior figures at the company so that we can gather the best evidence possible. And Mr Musk is the most senior representative of X, with strong views on misinformation as well as freedom of expression, an important subject in its own right. Musk has started calling himself first buddy in relation to the president-elect and has been given the job of reforming US government efficiency. It appears he will have considerable influence on the regulation of artificial intelligence, especially considering he owns an AI startup, xAI, which has attracted billions of dollars in investment from the Qatar sovereign wealth fund and Silicon Valley private equity giants. Nancy Friedman wrote in 2016: You could say that kakistocracy is government by the shitty. Illustration: Cold War Steve/The Guardian Matt Gaetz chosen to run the justice department. Fox hosts in charge of the Pentagon and transportation. Elon Musk as head of layoffs. And Robert F Kennedy Jr and Dr Oz overseeing the nations health. Some have likened Donald Trumps administrative picks to a clown car; others are calling our incoming leadership a kakistocracy, or government by the worst people, as Merriam-Webster puts it. The word has been trending online, with a burst in search traffic in recent weeks and a new dedicated subreddit. Its not the first time Trump has (accidentally) made the term famous; many discovered it in his first term. But even after Gaetzs departure, the kakistocracy of 2016 looks like Mister Rogers Neighborhood compared with the president-elects new batch of sidekicks. Its not the first time a president has popularized the term. Trump would be horrified to know he shares this distinction with several of Americas least-discussed presidents, including Rutherford B Hayes, James Garfield and Chester A Arthur. This trio somehow forgettable despite the fact that the middle one was assassinated led the US from the late 1870s to the early 1880s, a period following Reconstruction that saw the expansion of Jim Crow laws and segregation, as well as another election in which the parties clashed over the results. That span saw a surge in the use of the word, as Kelly Wright, assistant professor of language sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, points out based on Oxford English Dictionary data. Hayes term was absolutely being described as a kakistocracy, she says. (1880 was also a general election year in the UK, another country known for its contributions to the English language. That year, William Gladstone became prime minister for the second time; perhaps his opponents were among those giving the word a boost.) Related: Loyalists and jesters fill Trumps winter White House for court of King Donald In fact, as Andre Spicer wrote in the Guardian in 2018, the term has been around since at least 1644, during the English civil war, when a sermon warned of a mad kinde of Kakistocracy looming. Its roots, of course, go back even further its borrowed from the Greek kakistos, or worst, which itself probably comes from the Proto-Indo-European word kakka, meaning to defecate. In other words, as Nancy Friedman wrote at her blog on language in 2016, you could say that kakistocracy is government by the shitty. The term resurfaced on both sides of the Atlantic in the 19th century. Initially it tended to refer to government by the unskilled, unknowledgeable and unvirtuous, rather than the infallible aristocracy, Spicer wrote, but by the 20th century, it referred more to government by the corrupt. Today, Friedmans definition seems most apt. Some of this is about there being a diagnosis, and if theres a diagnosis, then maybe theres a treatment Nicole Holliday But why does a word that is rarely used in common speech have such longevity? Nicole Holliday, acting associate professor of linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley, likens the terms use to identifying a disease: Some of this is about there being a diagnosis, and if theres a diagnosis, then maybe theres a treatment, she says. Wright agrees. Those embracing the term, she says, may be thinking: I didnt know there was a word for this, and now that I do it helps me understand whats going on. Americans, Holliday says, love labels. We like having words for things, because then they seem like theyve been en-thing-ified in what sociolinguists call enregisterment, kakistocracy becomes an identifiable phenomenon. Language is social, Holliday notes, and when we have conventionalized ways of talking about things, it makes us feel less alone especially when other ways of describing the situation feel inadequate. Of course, its not just the modern American left that uses the word; another ex-Fox host, Glenn Beck, used it during the Obama years; Boris Yeltsin also received the distinction. In fact, Wright says, usage has been fairly stable for five centuries. We have no real opposite of kakistocracy, because competency is assumed to be the normal order of things, Holliday says. Its not notable that the government is being run by the most competent people, because, indeed, thats what you think should be happening. Its only notable when its not. If Houston is a national model for reducing homelessness as the New York Times, CBS and the BBC have all proclaimed why do so many people here still sleep on the streets? This editorial board spent a year and a half trying to get to the bottom of that question. One answer is a shortage of temporary shelter beds. And oddly, thats by design in a city that has spent almost every available dollar on permanent housing for the most vulnerable population: the chronically homeless. At a press conference today, Mayor John Whitmire is expected to announce a plan to address that problem. Some of his solutions wont be popular, but in our opinion some are long overdue. To truly understand why homelessness persists, we talked with dozens of experts and officials. The clearest answers, of course, came from the people themselves who bed down at night under highways and along the bayous. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Alexa Southwick, 37, visits SEARCH Homeless Services in downtown Houston on August 26, 2024. She was given a list of shelters and completed a housing assessment. Southwick says that she has tried for months to get a bed in a Houston shelter. Sharon Steinmann When we met Alexa Southwick, 37, at an overnight encampment near City Hall in August, she had been sleeping on the streets for more than three months despite calling shelters and showing up in person. Alexa Southwick, 37, gets ready to sleep on the sidewalk at Bayou Place in downtown Houston on August 23, 2024. Sharon Steinmann Alexa Southwick, 37, gets ready to sleep at Bayou Place in downtown Houston on August 23, 2024. Sharon Steinmann Patric Thomas, 45, usually spends several hours in the Central Public Library in downtown Houston on July 3, 2024. Sharon Steinmann Patric Thomas, 45, usually spends several hours in the Central Public Library in downtown Houston on July 3, 2024. Sharon Steinmann A native of Houston who grew up in the suburbs and says she struggles with mental illness, Southwick was sitting cross-legged on a red sleeping bag, her roller suitcase, backpack, mobile phone and a plastic zipper bag of snacks arranged as neatly around her as a jeweler arranges a glass display. Equally meticulous in searching for shelter, she says she keeps getting the same rejections: Were full, or we only have space for families. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In three months, I have not had one night in a shelter, she told us. THE WAY HOME: Read how Houston handed a homeless woman keys to an apartment and a new life We followed her for a day. At 5:30 a.m., she packs all her belongings. She and other homeless people downtown are forced to vacate city sidewalks by 7 a.m. At night, she shifts to a different stretch of pavement to avoid being ticketed or robbed. Then she heads to the Beacon, a nonprofit that provides breakfast, showers, laundry and legal services. But theres only so much they can do. Alexa Southwick, 37, prays at Holy Cross Chapel in downtown Houston on August 26, 2024. Sharon Steinmann A Beacon program officer told us that when they try to find beds for homeless clients, nine out of 10 times the shelters are full. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Instead of spending on expanding shelters, Houston government and nonprofit agencies have for years worked together to move the chronically homeless into apartments. A collaborative of more than 100 organizations, called the Way Home, has moved more than 30,000 people from the streets since 2011. It cut homelessness by 60%. Sheri Macek waits for the next bus in downtown Houston as she makes her way Bible study from her new apartment in Spring, TX to Sagemont Church in far southeast Houston on September 17, 2023. Sharon Steinmann We once had our doubts about this system, but weve seen it work. We followed one woman, who had lived under a Highway 288 bridge for about seven years, as outreach workers from the Coalition for the Homeless built trust with her. She eventually agreed to move to a shelter called the Navigation Center, which is run by the nonprofit Harmony House. While there, caseworkers from the Salvation Army found her an apartment in Spring and the federal government subsidizes the rent. Supportive services, including mental health care, helped her stay sober. She has worked a couple of elections as a poll worker and is looking for full-time employment. An extraordinary transformation. A yawning gap in the Way Home Houston should be proud of the Way Home. It makes sense to prioritize the chronically homeless defined as people with disabilities who have been on the streets for more than a year. They are the most vulnerable and most likely to die. The business case is compelling as well. It costs taxpayers more to police, jail and treat the chronically homeless in emergency rooms than it does to house them with supportive services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But Houstons system still leaves too many out in the cold or out in the scorching summer. The last time we were able to reach Alexa Southwick in October, she was still on the streets. By that time, she hadnt had shelter for more than five months. We spoke to at least 30 unhoused people for this series and many are in the same predicament. That includes the recently evicted, the couch surfers who overstayed their welcome, the motel residents who cant afford another night, and even the mother who reclines her drivers seat each evening to sleep in the family car while her child nods off in the back seat. Amber, 40, and her children, Emily, 4, and Dawson, 17, take shelter on the porch of a friend during a downpour north of Harris County on October 31, 2024. The family has been homeless since Hurricane Beryl damaged their camper in July. Sharon Steinmann Amber has been there. The 40-year-old mother asked us not to share her last name, but she did show us the foam pad in her trucks backseat where her 4-year-old daughter slept while her 17-year-old son made do in the passengers seat. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I went to almost every single shelter, even the Star of Hope Mission, Ive been to several different ones where unfortunately they didnt have room and they had waiting lists, said Amber, who grew up in Houston and Las Vegas. She drove for Lyft while her son watched her daughter. It was enough to pay for meals but not rent. Amber bought a used camper, hitched it to her pickup and raised her kids in RV parks for more than a year. Hurricane Beryl flooded the trailer in July. Amber, 40, shows how she and her two children sleep in their truck north of Harris County on October 31, 2024. She and her children, Emily, 4, and Dawson, 17, have been homeless since Hurricane Beryl damaged their camper in July. Sharon Steinmann Help finally came from a kind stranger. In September, one of Ambers Lyft passengers connected her with Meg Pohodich, the CEO of Harmony House, a nonprofit that serves people living on the street or at risk of homelessness. Pohodich helped Amber secure three months of rental assistance. This is the type of situation where if we didnt get her and the kids inside, she could become chronic, Pohodich told us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Before COVID funding ran dry for Houstons homeless housing program, Amber could have qualified for a full year of rent through rapid rehousing. For now, shes grateful for any help. Earlier this month, we watched Ambers shock as Cort Furniture unloaded a new set of matching couches, beds and a dining set. Her daughter, who has been homeless her entire young life, would sleep for the first time in her own room. Amber, 40, and her daughter, Emily, 4, sit on a bed donated by Harmony House along with Cort Furniture in their newly rented mobile home on November 4, 2014. The family became homeless after Hurricane Beryl damaged their camper in July. Sharon Steinmann She calls it her princess room. Ill paint it pink for her, her mom says. Houston needs more options for struggling families. Weve heard anecdotally from social workers and nonprofit leaders that fathers and mothers with children are increasingly asking for assistance. These families often dont show up in official figures because they hide, afraid of losing their children if someone finds out theyre homeless. Mike Nichols, the former CEO of the Coalition for the Homeless and the current housing director for Houston, acknowledges a flaw in the system. He told us, People have had to wait on the street for housing, people have had to wait on the street for mental health care. The shelter beds does have often require sobriety or dont allow pets. And with federal housing vouchers frozen since February, the chronically homeless as well are having to wait much longer, months, before being housed. Haven for Hope Residents are seen on the Haven for Hope campus in San Antonio on April 23, 2024. The facility is a 22-acre, 1,600-person shelter with an extraordinary range of services all located together pet boarding, dental care, psychiatric care, ID recovery, GED classes, family housing. Sharon Steinmann Mayor Whitmire and other city and county officials are trying to find solutions, including permanent funding sources that arent dependent on temporary bursts from Washington. Going back to his time at the Texas Senate, he has admired San Antonios Haven for Hope, a 22-acre, 1,600-person shelter. Some strong believers in the housing-first model look down on the place, believing the millions spent on the giant complex would better go to permanent housing. It doesnt help in our polarized society that Haven for Hopes founding CEO, Robert Marbut, served as Donald Trumps homeless czar during his first term as president. We kept an open mind and took a day trip down I-10 in April to see Haven for Hope for ourselves. One section of the facility is a barebones courtyard and cafeteria thats open to anybody, even people who may have gotten high right outside the gates. At night, cots are laid out on the cafeteria floor. The other section looks like a college campus with an extraordinary range of services all located together pet boarding, dental care, psychiatric care, ID recovery, GED classes, family housing. Dormitory beds are pictured at the Haven for Hope campus in San Antonio on April 23, 2024. The facility is a 22-acre, 1,600-person shelter with an extraordinary range of services all located together pet boarding, dental care, psychiatric care, ID recovery, GED classes, family housing. Sharon Steinmann Haven for Hope is the main reason that San Antonio has more than double the shelter beds per capita of Houston, though David Huete, the vice president for transformational services there, told us that they are jealous of Houstons ability to house far more people in apartments with supportive services. Your system really serves those chronically homeless folks very well, because you have so many spaces for them to move into, but unfortunately due to the lack of shelter beds, theyre more likely to be on the streets until they can get into that housing, said, Huete, a Houston native who described the situation as morally bankrupt. That is a jarring characterization, and we agree. Houstons system may be a national model in one respect, but it is sorely lacking in another. One giant shelter like Haven for Hope doesnt make sense for sprawling Houston, but we can learn from San Antonio. All of the above Hannah Lebovits, a professor at the University of Texas Arlington who studies homelessness, told us that cities need to create a menu of options. That sounds right to us. Homeless individuals are a varied bunch, just as we all are. They also have constitutional rights and cant be compelled to live in a shelter. Patric Thomas, 45, takes the elevator at the Central Public Library in downtown Houston on July 3, 2024. When he was homeless, he would spend hours there a day, reading and copying scriptures. Sharon Steinmann When we met with 45-year-old Patric Thomas in August, he told us hed rather sleep on the ground at the Texas Medical Center Transit Center than at a shelter. There's a lot of things that goes on in them shelters, like drugs, and things are getting rougher now, Thomas said. He still found a way off the streets. He now pays $70 per week to live at a worker dorm run by Harmony House with 16 bunk beds to a room. How does he afford it? A rather challenging landscaping job: we watched him don a hazmat-style suit in 90-degree weather and pull poison oak from a vacant lot. Patric Thomas, 45, works removing vegetation, including poison oak, from a vacant lot on August 22, 2024. Thomas now pays $70 per week to live at a worker dorm run by Harmony House. Sharon Steinmann Some people live in worker housing long-term because they like communal living and the affordability. Thomas wants to save enough wages to rent an apartment one day. Pohodich, the Harmony House CEO, told us the worker dorm is also close to capacity. Yet another unmet housing need. Houston should adopt an all-of-the-above strategy: more shelter beds, more worker housing, more short and medium-term rental assistance, more mental health care and more permanent housing. More facilities and services cost more, of course. And city and county budgets alone cannot cover the costs. A resident sits in the computer room at the worker dorm run by Harmony House on July 20, 2024 in Houston, TX. The residence offers communal living and affordability for $70 per week. Sharon Steinmann The good news is that Houston seems to have the people, organizations and philanthropists to address the problem before our streets start to resemble tent cities in California. Weve got to sustain the progress weve made. Whitmire seems committed to building a better, more comprehensive system. He told us in September that hes proposing a $75 million plan with a third of funding each from the city, county and private donors as a bridge to more permanent funding sources. During a City Council meeting last month when a resident of Magnolia Park demanded measures to address loitering and criminal activity, the mayor responded that Houston would open a city-sponsored encampment. At a Nov. 12 event held by the Coalition for the Homeless, however, housing director Mike Nichols said thats not where were going and has instead stressed expanding existing shelters. We eagerly await details, but not more urgently than those on the streets awaiting a bed to fall into tonight. Whitmire and his staff must do everything they can to avert a crisis in this city for the homeless, and for all of us. Want to stay up to date on our most recent thought-provoking editorials, columns and Letters to the Editor? Our Opinion-focused 'SaysHou' newsletter delivers our weekly highlights, directly to your inbox. Sign up now. Queen Camilla speaks with actor Toby Stephens at Buckingham Palace - Aaron Chown/Reuters The Queen has told actor Toby Stephens of her sadness about his mothers death, saying she always had so much fun with the late Dame Maggie Smith. Queen Camilla, speaking to Stephens at a Buckingham Palace reception for the Queens Commonwealth Essay Competition, said she was so sorry to learn of the actresss death in September and called her a legend. In a warm exchange as the Queen met with the performers who were due to read winning essays at the event, she told him: We really loved her, and had so much fun with her. Stephens replied: Well, vice versa. Its just sad for the whole country, she was a legend, the Queen added. Smith died in September aged 89. At the time, the King and Queen released a written tribute saying: As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances, and her warmth and wit that shone through both off and on the stage. Smith and her son Toby Stephens at the Shakespeare Globe Awards in London in 1992 - DAVE BENETT/GETTY IMAGES Dame Maggie Smith died in September at the age of 89 - Dame Maggie Smith/AP The actress had a long friendship with the Royal family. In 2015, the then Prince Charles hosted a joint 80th birthday party for the actress and playwright Sir Ronald Harwood at Clarence House. She attended the Sandringham Flower Show regularly and was a guest at the King and Queens Coronation in 2023. Smith also attended numerous official receptions with the couple, from the 1999 premiere of Tea with Mussolini where she spoke to Prince Charles in a line-up to the 2019 party for the Oscar Wilde Society where she was photographed in conversation with Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall. Other notable appearances include the 2016 Pride of Britain Awards and a party for British Oscar winners in the same year. Smith was also a private guest at parties, lunches and dinners over the decades. She was made a Companion of Honour by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle in 2014. Maggie Smith with Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, at a 2019 reception hosted by Gyles Brandreth (right) to mark the anniversary of Oscar Wildes birth - John Phillips/Getty Images Stephens was among the four famous faces who read excerpts of stories from the winners and runners-up of the essay prize, the longest-running competition of its kind in the world. The Queen told young authors they make me proud to be a member of the Commonwealth and fill me with hope for its future. One of the stories was read by Clive Myrie, who feared he would be late to the engagement while doing his BBC day job, and was greeted cheerfully by the Queen with the words: Youve managed to extract yourself? I made it clear I had an appointment with Your Majesty, he joked. The remaining two extracts were read by Tanya Reynolds and Richard Ayoade, both of whom spoke to the Queen about the talent of the young writers and how moved they had been by reading their stories. Its lovely to see all this talent The Queen also met the young winners and runners-up of the prize: 15-year-old Evangeline Khoo, senior winner, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 13-year-old Erynn Liew, junior winner, from Puchong, Malaysia; 16-year-old Cristabelle Yeo, senior runner-up, from Singapore; and 13-year-old Victor Austin Kiyaga, junior runner-up, from Mukono, Uganda. She congratulated the teenage writers and their parents, praising their brilliant, absolutely brilliant work. Its lovely to see all this talent, she told them, asking questions about their schools and when they started writing stories. Victor, who is the second Queens Commonwealth Essay Competition winner from his Ugandan school, used the moment to invite the King and Queen to his country. The Queen said she would love to come and would tell my husband. Hearing that Cristabelle was from Singapore, she said she had whizzed through the country on her way to and from the recent Royal visit to Australia and Samoa, adding that it was a very nice place to stop. The event was hosted by Gyles Brandreth, a long-term supporter of the Queens literacy campaigning, with guests including Booker Prize winner Ben Okri, author Francesca Simon, former Spice Girl Geri Horner, and bestselling historical novelist Philippa Gregory, who told the Queen she was so glad you are feeling better after her chest infection. A performance from the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club choir closed the event. The Queen met the young winners and runners-up of the prize, praising their brilliant, absolutely brilliant work - Aaron Chown/PA Guests were invited to see books, manuscripts and tiny doll house books from the Royal Collection, including Queen Elizabeth, the late Queen Mothers copy of PL Travers Mary Poppins, published in 1934. In a speech, the Queen told guests it is a huge pleasure to welcome you to Buckingham Palace today and celebrate the record-breaking year of 35,000 entries from 54 Commonwealth countries. Pamela Travers (or PL Travers, as it says on the cover of this book) once said something very astute about writing that I remembered when I read your brilliant entries, she told finalists. She said, A writer is, after all, only half his book. The other half is the reader. I think that by this she meant that a really good piece of writing stirs up the reader and, by some strange magic, makes the reader part of the story. This is definitely true of our wonderful finalists: thanks to your talents, your readers are taken on amazing journeys with you across the Commonwealth, from Gambia to Grenada, from Bangladesh to Botswana, from Malta to Malaysia. You make us part of your story; you invite us to share your concerns and your passions; and you eloquently express the power of Our Common Wealth. I am full of admiration for you all. You make me proud to be a member of the Commonwealth and you fill me with hope for its future. Now, if Mary Poppins were here, I wonder if she would be telling me to hurry up with a brisk Spit Spot so that we can get on to the prize giving. I will therefore end by saying that there is just one word to describe you all... You are utterly supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Queens charity launches book donation campaign Meanwhile, the Queens literary charity launched its first book donation campaign as it kicked off a UK-wide social outreach campaign. The Queens Reading Room is planning a grassroots drive that aims to foster closer social ties. It comes after its first scientific study found earlier this year that reading for just five minutes a day can reduce stress by almost 20 per cent and improve concentration by 11 per cent. The book donation station was unveiled in Kensington, west London, on Thursday, with books to be donated to the Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Library. The charity said it was the start of a much broader push to reach all corners of the UK. Vicki Perrin, CEO of the Queens Reading Room, described reading as an enormously precious vehicle for social connection. Theres something so uniquely exciting about picking up a book you know somebody else has cherished, but above all else, we really hope that many people will be inspired to stop by and donate a book they have really connected with, to help spread the joy of reading this Christmas. William Bush, left, and Dylan Thomas became friends at school and were sharing a house in Llandaff, Cardiff, at the time of Bushs murder. Photograph: Wales news service The heir to a pie company fortune has been found guilty of the murder of his best friend on Christmas Eve. Dylan Thomas, 24, the grandson of the pie company tycoon Sir Stanley Thomas, killed his friend William Bush, 23, at their home in Llandaff, Cardiff. Thomas had previously admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility but was found guilty of murder on Thursday after a week-long trial at Cardiff crown court. Stanley Thomas, the founder of Peters Pies and whose wealth is estimated at more than 200m, sat in court throughout the trial. The court heard that Dylan Thomas had been staying at his grandmothers house, just outside Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan, the night before he attacked Bush. He told his grandmother, Sharon Burton, that he wanted to go back to the house he shared with Bush to walk his dog, Bruce. Burton sat in the car on 24 December 2023 while Thomas went inside, before returning minutes later, banging on the window covered in blood. She carried out CPR on Bush until paramedics arrived. Bush sustained 37 stab wounds in the attack, including 16 to the neck, and people on the street described horror screams from inside the house. The jury heard that, before going to the house from his grandmothers, Thomas had researched the anatomy of the neck online. Thomas and Bush had been friends since they were about 13, having met at Christ College Brecon, a private school in mid-Wales. The defendant was described to the jury as being something of a loner, while Bush was more outgoing and active. Thomas appeared before the court on Thursday by videolink from Ashworth High Secure hospital, Liverpool, where he is being treated for schizophrenia. He looked impassive as the verdict was read. During the trial, the jury heard from Dr Panchu Xavier, a consultant forensic psychiatrist at Ashworth, who said the defendant could have been having a psychotic episode during the attack and for up to six months before the event. The jury heard that Thomas had been arrested for trying to enter Buckingham Palace a few months before the attack. Thomas told officers he was looking for energy fields between the palace and Cleopatras Needle, an obelisk in central London. The court was told that in the months before the attack Thomas had confessed to his friend that he had thought about killing him. Bushs girlfriend, Ella Jefferies, told the court her partner had barricaded his door, fearing Thomas would enter. The prosecutor, Greg Bull KC, said the motive of the killing was hidden. He said: To all intents and purposes, they were good friends and thats one of the mysteries of this case, we dont know what caused Dylan Thomas to act in the way he did. The defence argued Thomas was mentally unwell at the time, insisting there was a gamut of signs of psychosis, but the prosecution said he had shown clear thinking before the attack. Bull said Thomas was in a downward spiral while Bush was achieving success with a job, girlfriend and plans to buy or rent a house. Outside the court, Bushs sister, Catrin, said: My family have been completely devastated by the brutal and senseless murder of our much loved Will. Words cannot describe the impact this has had on our family. Will was innocently getting ready to return back to Brecon to spend Christmas with us all when the attack took place, and instead of Will arriving at our door for dinner on Christmas Eve, it was Dyfed Powys police to deliver the beyond-devastating news. Dylan Thomas is an evil, manipulative liar. We have seen no evidence of any remorse or taking responsibility for his actions that day. We can only hope that he will never be released back into the community. Thomas will be sentenced on 16 December. A protest in Mexico City by members of the Sonora River Basin Committee, against the pollution of the Sonora River by mining companies. Photograph: Rodrigo Oropeza/AFP/Getty Images Human rights defenders have faced brutal reprisals for standing up to extractive industries with links to UK companies or investors, according to a report calling for a law obliging firms to do human rights and environmental due diligence. Peace Brigades International (PBI) UK says a corporate accountability law requiring businesses to do due diligence on their operations, investments and supply chains could have prevented past environmental devastation and attacks. Its report, published on Thursday, details cases from Colombia, Honduras, Indonesia and Mexico where it says human rights defenders have paid the price for UK corporate profits. Christina Challis, the advocacy manager at PBI UK, said: A mandatory due diligence law is needed to oblige UK businesses to identify, prevent and mitigate their impacts, and to ensure there are consequences if they dont. This will mean that less communities need to take a stand, and lead to less risks for those who choose to. The UK is behind the curve. Labour can only live up to its pre-election promises to protect rights and the environment if they hold corporations to account. Calling for a new act, PBI UK, one of 39 civil society groups in the Corporate Justice Coalition, says mandatory due diligence laws already exist in France, Germany and Norway while the EU has approved a directive on the matter. It says such a law should reverse the burden of proof on to businesses so that they are liable where they failed to prevent harm unless they took all reasonable steps to prevent it from occurring. Among the cases highlighted in the report are that of the FTSE 100 company Fresnillo, which was found by a Mexican agrarian court to have operated a goldmine illegally on communal land and was ordered to pay compensation and restore the site. There has also been violence against anti-mining activists in Sonora, north-west Mexico. Fresnillo has said it was not responsible for the deaths of community members and that its own employees were victims of violence. It said it had complied with all laws and had vacated land as instructed by the court. Jesus Javier Thomas, who campaigned against the mine, is among a group of Indigenous and Afro-descendent representatives from Indonesia, Peru and Colombia and grassroots land defenders from Kenya, Liberia and Mexico who will meet a cross-party group of parliamentarians in Westminster to demand a new law. Profit cannot be put before life, he said. Another example highlighted is that of UK-listed company, Amerisur, which was accused of colluding with Farc guerillas amid opposition to its oil exploitation in the Colombian Amazon. The company denies the allegations. The report says more than 150 companies and investors, parliamentarians from across the political spectrum and four in five Britons (based on a YouGov poll) have backed a new act. The Department for Business and Trade said: We are clear that no company in the UK should have forced labour in its supply chain, no matter where they operate in the world, and that businesses should act where they find issues. We have also strengthened the rules on excluding suppliers linked to modern slavery from public procurement opportunities. We keep our approach to how the UK can best tackle forced labour and environmental harms in supply chains under continual review. Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu Imagine: moments after the democratic leader of one of our closest allies lands at Heathrow, he finds himself arrested and handcuffed by British police, awaiting trial and possibly never to see the outside of a jail again. With Britain duty-bound to its obligations as a founder member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), that astonishing scenario may now be an imminent reality. Its difficult to know quite where to begin after the Courts farcical decision to issue warrants for Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. The charges against them are of the gravest nature. They are accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Court claims there are reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. Already the Israeli president Isaac Herzog has rightly branded the issuing of the warrants an absurd decision. He is using polite diplomacy in choosing such measured words. Id call it a scandalous betrayal of the ideals that led to creation of the court in 2002. Its mission to bring to justice those responsible for the gravest crimes of concern to the international community was hailed by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan as the cause of all humanity. Quite how bringing trumped-up charges against Israels leaders furthers that cause escapes me. Remember, Netanyahu is leading a country that has been locked in an armed struggle for survival against terror groups throughout its entire history. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to a genocidal attack of unprecedented savagery, in which more than 1,200 men, women and children were murdered in acts of unthinkable cruelty. In the war that has followed, the IDF have pursued Hamas into Gaza, where terrorist gunmen have used the entire population as one giant human shield. Tragically, there have been civilian deaths, but these are a consequence of the decision of Hamas to locate their gunmen among families, and to hide their military bases in hospital and schools. Such casualties are an unavoidable fact of war, but are entirely despite the great efforts to which the IDF has gone to minimise civilian deaths, often putting their own soldiers in harms way instead of taking the easy option of using the overwhelming air firepower they have at their disposal. The only crimes against humanity have been those committed by Hamas, which deliberately sought to kill as many Israelis as possible, and makes no distinction between combatants and civilians. As for the charge of starvation as a method of warfare, even UN officials acknowledge there is no evidence for this absurd fiction. If there are shortages, they are the result of Hamas and other armed gangs hijacking the convoys carrying abundant supplies into Gaza. Beyond the details of the charges, in issuing the warrants, the ICC shatters basic principles of international law. The crucial concept is complementarity, which means that the court steps in only when every other route to justice is blocked. But Israel is a well-functioning democracy with a robustly independent judiciary. Human rights campaigners have successfully brought prosecutions through the courts. Leading politicians have been put on trial. One prime minster was even jailed. In fact, Id say that those in power may well have a greater chance of getting away Scot-free in Britain than Israel. Of course, Hamas does not put its murderous leaders on trial, and the ICC in its defence will point to the fact that it has also issued a warrant for the arrest of the terror groups leader Mohammed Deif. The problem is that Deif is almost certainly dead. The IDF are adamant he was killed in an air raid in Gaza in July. Hamas claim he is still alive, without any evidence. I suspect the court has issued the warrant only to give the impression of objectivity and balance, in a horrifically misconceived moral equivalence that would seek to put the butchers of Hamas in the same bracket as Israels elected leaders. The terror groups paymasters Iran must be gleeful as a once respected international institution does their bidding. Israel is at the frontline of a war against Tehran and its proxy forces, but this is a conflict which threatens the UK and the entire west. No surprise that the warrants have been seized upon by what remains of Hamas, which today called the ICC decision an important historical precedent. The UK is now at a crossroads. If the Government chooses to enforce these warrants and say it will arrest Netanyahu if he comes here, we are party to a sickening betrayal of Israel. Or this country can show true moral leadership, declare that these warrants are a hollow mockery of justice and unthinkable though it once may have been consider pulling out of the ICC. The already beleaguered international order will only be further imperilled if we continue to maintain the pretence that this court is still fit for purpose. History will be unforgiving in its verdict for those who parrot its lies. Lord Austin served as Labour MP for Dudley North from 2005 - 2019 The international criminal court has issued arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the countrys former defence minister Yoav Gallant and the Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes relating to the Gaza war. It is the first time that leaders of a democracy and western-aligned state have been charged by the court, in the most momentous decision of its 22-year history. Netanyahu and Gallant are at risk of arrest if they travel to any of the 124 countries that signed the Rome statute establishing the court. Israel claims to have killed Deif in an airstrike in July, but the courts pre-trial chamber said it would continue to gather information to confirm his death. The chamber ruled there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bore criminal responsibility as co-perpetrators for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The three-judge panel also said it had found reasonable grounds to believe Deif was responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes including murder, torture, rape and hostage taking relating to the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 in which fighters killed more than 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, and kidnapped 250. The US criticised the move, with Joe Biden describing the warrants in a statement on Thursday night as outrageous. Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence none between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security. Netanyahus office denounced the chambers decision as antisemitic. Israel utterly rejects the false and absurd charges of the international criminal court, a biased and discriminatory political body, the office said in a statement, adding that no war is more just than the war Israel has been waging in Gaza. The statement pointed to an investigation into accusations of sexual misconduct against the ICC prosecutor Karim Khan who sought the charges against the three men in May. Khan, 54, has denied the allegations and said he will cooperate with the investigation. Netanyahu said in a video statement: No outrageous anti-Israel decision will prevent us and it will not prevent me from continuing to defend our country in every way. We will not yield to pressure. The US national security council issued a statement fundamentally rejecting the courts decision. We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision, the statement said, without any detail of the alleged errors. The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter. In coordination with partners, including Israel, we are discussing next steps. The US has previously welcomed ICC war crimes warrants against Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials for atrocities committed in Ukraine, exposing the Biden administration to accusations of double standards from many UN members, particularly from the global south. Netanyahu can expect more resounding support from the incoming Donald Trump administration. During his first term, in 2020, Trump imposed US sanctions on the ICC, aimed at court officials and their families. The then secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, made clear the sanctions were imposed because the ICC had begun investigating the actions of the US and its allies in Afghanistan, as well as Israeli military operations in the occupied territories. The UK is expected to agree to the request to arrest Netanyahu if he came to Britain, although Downing Street refused to directly confirm this, saying only that it would respect the courts independence. A spokesperson said a UK-based court procedure would be needed to approve any request. The panel said the full version of the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant were secret in order to protect witnesses and to safeguard the conduct of the investigations, but the judges released much of their reasoning. This focused on the obstruction of the supply of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which it judged to be deliberate. The chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, the written ruling said. The warrants were broadly welcomed by human rights groups. Balkees Jarrah, an associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, said they would break through the perception that certain individuals were beyond the reach of the law. Whether the ICC can effectively deliver on its mandate will depend on governments willingness to support justice no matter where abuses are committed and by whom, Jarrah said. These warrants should finally push the international community to address atrocities and secure justice for all victims in Palestine and Israel. Israel has denied committing war crimes in Gaza and has rejected the jurisdiction of the court. However, the pretrial chamber noted that Palestine had been recognised as a member of the court in 2015, so the ICC did not require Israeli approval to investigate crimes on Palestinian territory. The chamber also rejected an Israeli appeal for the warrants to be deferred, saying the Israeli authorities were informed of an earlier ICC investigation in 2021, and at that time, Israel elected not to pursue any request for deferral of the investigation. An ICC statement said of Deif that the chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Deif is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder, extermination, torture and rape and other form of sexual violence, as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture, taking hostages, outrages upon personal dignity, and rape and other forms of sexual violence. Khan had sought warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, but they were killed in the conflict. Israels claim to have killed Deif has been neither confirmed nor denied by Hamas. Related: Mazyouna, whose face was ripped off by Israeli missile, allowed to leave Gaza Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, condemned the ICCs decision, saying it showed moral blindness and was a shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. Yair Lapid, another opposition leader, called it a prize for terror. The warrants have been issued at a sensitive moment for Khan, in the face of an investigation of claims of sexual misconduct. The inquiry will examine the allegations against the prosecutor, which, the Guardian reported last month, include claims of unwanted sexual touching and abuse over an extended period, as well as coercive behaviour and abuse of authority. The alleged victim, an ICC lawyer in her 30s, has previously declined to comment. The arrest warrants could increase the external pressure on Netanyahus government as the US seeks to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but could well strengthen the prime ministers political position in Israel in the short term, as most Israelis reject the ICCs jurisdiction, regarding it as interference in their countrys internal affairs. Biden has said he does not believe Netanyahu is doing enough to secure a ceasefire, after the Israeli leader vowed not to compromise on Israeli control over strategic territory inside Gaza. Netanyahu has accused Hamas of failing to negotiate in good faith. Jair Bolsonaro, former Brazilian president, has been citred for his alleged part in riots in 2023 - TERCIO TEIXEIRA/AFP Jair Bolsonaro, Brazils former president, plotted a coup to overturn the countrys 2022 election along with dozens of ex-ministers and senior aides, federal police said on Thursday. Brazilian polices final report is the culmination of a two-year investigation into Mr Bolsonaros alleged role in an election-denying movement that swept the country and sparked riots in January 2023. The former president, known as Trump of the Tropics, is one of 37 people alleged to have plotted to overturn the nations election result, in which the hard-Right leader lost to Leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Investigators also found evidence Mr Bolsonaro knew of a plot to kill Mr da Silva, according to a police source familiar with the probe. Mr Bolsonaro, a disgraced army captain who served as Brazils president from 2018 to 2022, was charged alongside his former spy chief, Alexandre Ramagem, and former defence ministers Gen Walter Braga Netto and Gen Paulo Sergio Nogueira de Oliveira. The details of the allegations have yet to be officially made public but are believed to relate to a series of events starting with the then presidents unsubstantiated warnings of electoral fraud before the vote. Storming congress They are also thought to include his alleged involvement in his supporters storming congress and the supreme court in Brasilia in January 2023, events that echoed the 2021 riot at the US Capitol. Earlier this week, four senior military officers and a federal police officer were arrested for allegedly plotting a coup against Mr da Silva and his assassination along with his then vice president elect Geraldo Alckmin. One of them, Gen Mario Fernandes, was an adviser to Mr Bolsonaro at the time of the alleged plot, in December 2022. According to CNN Brazil, the former president is now accused of having full knowledge of the plan by the group, nicknamed the black boys. The coup case is just the latest legal headache to hit Mr Bolsonaro, 69, since he stepped down from office. He is already banned from public office until 2030. The former president, who advocated for the use of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial, to treat Covid-19, was already being prosecuted for faking his vaccine records. He is also accused of failing to declare diamonds gifted to him as president by foreign dignitaries and then selling them in the United States. Mr Bolsonaro has long been a polarising figure in Brazil, once swearing in as a member of congress with an oath celebrating a notorious army torturer who worked during Brazils 1964-1985 military dictatorship, a regime for which he often expressed nostalgia. On noticing the flag flying over Edinburgh City Council, JK Rowling tweeted youve got to be f---ing kidding me - Samir Hussein/WireImage A Scottish council has been accused by JK Rowling of honouring the death of a notoriously violent transgender prisoner by flying a flag above its headquarters. Edinburgh City Council flew the pink, blue and white-striped flag above the city chambers on Wednesday to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance. In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, the local authority said it was a day to remember people who have lost their lives in acts of transgender violence. Feminist campaigners said the only Scot included in the official list of those being commemorated was Tiffany Scott, who was one of the UKs most violent inmates before the 32-year-olds death earlier this year. Scott, who was previously known as Andrew Burns, had been convicted of a string of offences, including stalking a 13-year-old girl from behind bars by sending letters. The criminal came out as transgender in 2016 but is understood never to have begun any physical transitioning nor to have possessed a gender recognition certificate. Scott died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Feb 29 after becoming unwell in HMP Grampian. Tiffany Scott, aka Andrew Burns, was in jail for a string of offences , including stalking a 13-year-old girl - Central Scotland News Agency The row was triggered by the city council posting a picture of the transgender pride flag flying above the city chambers to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance. JK Rowling, who lives in Edinburgh, took to social media to criticise the councils decision to fly the flag and responded to the disclosure that Scott was being commemorated by stating: You have to be f---ing kidding me. She said: Really looking forward to the day a flag is flown for Scottish victims of femicide, but sure, lets hear the list of trans people whove been murdered in Scotland. Ever. Questions were also raised about Scotts inclusion on an international list of people being commemorated for TDOR as there had been no suggestion that the criminals death was linked to transphobia. For Women Scotland (FWS), a feminist campaign group that led opposition to Nicola Sturgeons self-ID gender reforms, posted: So Edinburgh City Council flew a flag for this violent man? Who made that decision? Marion Calder, a FWS director, said: Its absolutely ridiculous for Edinburgh Council to raise this flag. Its virtue signalling for one of the most dangerous prisoners that Scotland has ever had. FWS replied to the Harry Potter authors post, saying: Its even more sickening when you see the only name on the list who hails from Scotland. This linked to a thread from another account that examined TDOR and warned that the commemoration day isnt quite what it seems. The transgender flag flying over Edinburghs city chambers - X It highlighted Scotts name on the list and the criminals history of serious violence against numerous women and stalking of a 13-year-old girl. When Scott died earlier this year, the criminal was serving an indefinite sentence under an order for lifelong restriction and had been described as one of the most menacing people in the Scottish prison system. Scott had been deemed an unmanageable risk to public safety and could only ever have been released if it was decided this was no longer the case. The convict had attacked a nurse in Cheshire in 2010 and committed a series of other offences while in custody. These included attacking a prison nurse with a chair, punching and attempting to bite prison officers, smearing excrement in a cell and ripping up tear-proof clothing in a suicide attempt. During a court appearance last year, Scott had to be accompanied by seven guards when appearing to face assault charges. Despite a long history of violence, a move to a womens facility was said to have been approved. But the move was halted following the public backlash over trans rapist Isla Bryson being initially sent to a female prison. A city council spokesman said: Were extremely proud to be one of the friendliest and most diverse cities in the world. Everyone is welcome to make Edinburgh their home and to live their lives with dignity and free from prejudice. Councillors agreed to support the Day of Remembrance in 2019, and we continue to fly the flag annually above the City Chambers to remember those who have lost their lives to transgender violence. Ryan Borgwardt Green Lake County Sheriffs Office A kayaker accused of faking his own death to start a new life has sent a proof of life video to police saying he is safe. Ryan Borgwardt, 44, spent months plotting to stage his own demise and abandon his family in Wisconsin after speaking to a woman from Uzbekistan, according to police. Green Lake County sheriff Mark Podoll said they had made contact through a woman who speaks Russian with the father-of-three, who was reported missing after he failed to return from a kayaking trip on Aug 11. On Nov 11, we got in contact with Ryan through her. That was a big turning point, he told a press conference. Mr Podoll said they believed Mr Borgwardt was in Eastern Europe, although they are not sure of his exact location, and he does not appear to be in danger. Officers asked Mr Borgwardt to film himself answering questions that only he would know the answers to. In the selfie-style clip, Mr Borgwardt says: Good evening, its Ryan Borgwardt...Today is November 11th. Its approximately 10am by you guys. Im in my apartment. I am safe, secure. No problem. Hope this works. Sheriff Mark Podoll told a press conference police had made contact with Mr Borgwardt through a woman who speaks Russian - Green Lake County Sheriff's Office via AP The bizarre case began on Aug 11 when Mr Borgwardt sent his wife a text saying he was turning his kayak around on Green Lake to return to shore. He was not heard from again and was reported missing the following day. Mr Borgwardts kayak and life jacket were discovered and he was thought to have drowned, but no body was found following a thorough scour of the lake. In October, authorities found Mr Borgwardts name had been checked by law enforcement in Canada on Aug 13, Mr Podoll said. Officers also discovered the missing man had been in communication with a woman from Uzbekistan. He had cleared his browsing data before he left, moved funds to foreign bank accounts and obtained a new passport. He had also taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January, the sheriff said. Canadian flight Mr Podoll said Mr Borgwardt admitted to officers that he had faked his own death and had fled the country by paddling his kayak out into Green Lake, one of the deepest in the state, in a child-sized boat, before overturning the kayak and paddling back. He proceeded to get on an e-bike and travelled to the Canadian border on buses via Detroit, before boarding a flight in Canada. We are continuing to verify this information, Mr Podoll said. We do not know where Ryan exactly is, Mr Podoll said. He has not yet decided to return home. Weve had nearly daily communications with Ryan, he said, adding that Mr Borgwardt had not spoken to his wife or children, did not think responders would spend more than two weeks looking for him and feels bad about the amount of hours weve put in. Mr Podoll said he wanted Mr Borgwardt to return to Wisconsin to clean up the mess that he has created and come home to his kids. He added: Christmas is coming, and what better gift could your kids get than to be there for Christmas? He said the authorities were considering whether to file criminal charges against Mr Borgwardt. Training CPR compression techniques on manikins representative of both sexes may help people feel more comfortable in a real-life emergency. Photograph: Microgen Images/Science Photo Library/Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF Most CPR manikins dont have breasts, which contributes towards women being less likely to receive life-saving first aid from bystanders, a study has found. The study led by Dr Rebecca Szabo, the lead of the Gandel Simulation Service at the Royal Womens hospital in Melbourne, analysed all manikin models on the global market designed for adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Of the 20 different manikins, the researchers found all them had flat torsos, with only one model having a breast overlay. Eight were identified as male and seven had no gender specified. The study, published in the journal Health Promotion International, highlights the findings as an equity issue with implications for the human right to health. Australian research published in June found women are less likely to receive life-saving CPR after cardiac arrest and less likely to survive. Related: Government by the worst: why people are calling Trumps new sidekicks a kakistocracy A survey by St John Ambulance in the UK, published in October, found women who go into cardiac arrest in public are less likely than men to receive chest compressions from bystanders as people worry about touching their breasts. The study suggested unequal outcomes for women after cardiac arrest may start in CPR training and CPR manikin design related to implicit bias. Szabo, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, embarked on her research when she could not find any CPR manikins with breasts to train healthcare workers in life support for maternal cardiac arrest in pregnancy. She was concerned as Melbournes Delta Covid-19 wave in 2021 was leading to sicker patients and more ICU admissions. In the end we purchased a chest plate with breasts online, Szabo said. Its similar to what a drag queen would wear and goes on like a singlet. We put that on our manikin for training. Szabo said CPR compression technique is no different for women, and that training on manikins representative of both sexes may help people feel more comfortable being confronted with a bra, breasts and something different in a real-life emergency. Breasts may also influence how defibrillator pads are applied, especially if there are breast implants or larger breasts, she said. Despite worse CPR outcomes for women being well documented, our study shows despite this little has changed in diversity of available CPR training manikins globally, Szabo said. Our study is the first of its kind to name this as a gender and human rights issue linking this to business human rights and the commercial determinants of health. The authors of the study have urged CPR training providers and manufacturers to commit to improving the diversity of CPR training manikins, which they say should be the responsibility of those organisations. Governments, manufacturing companies, training bodies and those of us procuring and using these important training products all play an important role to address this important issue that may improve outcomes for women, Szabo said. She said this aligned with the aims of the National Womens Health Advisory Council, chaired by Australias assistant minister for health, Ged Kearney, to tackle medical misogyny, on a range of key concerns including cardiovascular disease. Prof Bronwyn Graham, the national director of the Centre for Sex and Gender Equity in Health and Medicine opened in March by The George Institute for Global Health, said Szabo and colleagues findings are emblematic of a widespread bias in the health and medical ecosystem that has led to healthcare practices being optimised for the white male body; with detrimental and sometimes deadly implications for anyone who doesnt fit this mould. It highlights the critical need for regulatory bodies at all stages of the health and medical pipeline from fundamental research through to the tools used to educate healthcare providers to have policies that mandate consideration of sex and gender, she said. Without such policies, these often insidious biases remain, and we will continue to put the lives of women and girls, and other marginalised sex and gender groups (including those with variations in sex characteristics, trans, and gender-diverse people) at risk of harm on a daily basis. Britains sick population will soon exceed the entire population of Croatia - Mike Kemp/Getty Images One of the most important figures in British public life was slipped out yesterday as a technical annexe in the Department of Work and Pensions website. The number of working-age people on long-term sickness benefit had already hit a scandalous 3.2 million and was heading for 3.8 million in five years time. This is the equivalent of losing a city the size of Glasgow from the UK economy. The new post-Budget forecast: 4.1 million in just four years time. Britains sick population will soon exceed the entire population of Croatia. This is a social and economic calamity, unaffordable on every level. The waste of lives (let alone money) is on a scale that is hard to imagine. Had this happened 20 years ago, it would trigger crisis talks: who is going to grow the economy? How to save the collapse in the workforce? But this exodus is offset by another post-Budget forecast: that net immigration will settle at about 300,000 a year for the foreseeable. This means more than enough newcomers to take the place of those we intend to sign off sick. It is quite possible to run an economy on this basis. Weve been doing it for some time: all of the employment rise in the past five years, for example, is accounted for by the unprecedented immigration surge. Once, mass joblessness was seen as a social evil: when unemployment hit three million in the Thatcher years, uproar followed. When sickness benefit levels reached three million recently, no one cared. If workers can be imported, the pressure to reform the benefits system is reduced. Those ensnared in the welfare trap become easier to forget about. Ive long been a supporter of mass immigration, thinking every economy needs to be open to the world and its talents. My hunch is that Britains recent welcome of the Hong Kong Chinese, for example, will turn out to be the biggest skills injection of modern times. In general, immigrants flatter most social metrics and now make up one in five workers. We have managed all this with far less of the xenophobic backlash recently seen on the Continent. But those of us who argue that immigration is a net benefit need to be honest about what we mean. Yes, we can list the advantages. But we ought to admit to the drawbacks and who suffers them. Those who employ immigrants (as cleaners, bartenders, nannies) will have a different view than those who find themselves competing with the newcomers for housing, school places, GP appointments or jobs. Another disadvantage is that immigration covers up a great many social problems, especially welfare dysfunction. Ive just finished a film for Channel 4 about sickness benefits, which I regard as one of the worst scourges of our time. At a church hall serving free lunch in Boston, Lincolnshire, a woman told me that local jobs (factories and farms) once paid so much you could take out a mortgage on them. But waves of newcomers kept such wages nailed down, she said, eroding the idea of being able to earn a decent living. She had no animosity towards immigrants, but did resent an economic model that she felt was hollowing out communities. The Brexit vote was, in large part, a vote for a new settlement. The idea was that politicians would tighten the migration taps, calm things down. Employers might have to offer more wages, training or both. They might invest in automation, rather than waste humans in jobs that robots could easily do (the UK is one of the least automated countries in the world). This was the chance to turn the Brexit vote into a new, more cohesive economic settlement. But ministers lost their nerve. A welfare system that absorbed so many in lockdown was not giving them back, leading to acute skills shortages. Immigrants solved too many problems. A million of them arrived in the last year of Tory rule. Next week, the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to launch her welfare reform plan. She is under no doubt about the size of the problem and has told me about the need for a revolution in welfare. Well soon see what she has in mind, but immigration control will have to be part of it. Its sometimes said that a modern economy can never return to the modest migration numbers seen before the turn of the century. But this assumption is now being challenged by a country that was, until recently, getting migration badly wrong. Not so long ago, Sweden was in crisis after taking on far more refugees than it was able to handle. But a few months ago Ulf Kristersson, its prime minister, announced that he had not just cut net migration but reversed it: the number leaving now exceeds the number arriving. Anders Hall, one of his state secretaries, is in London this week meeting British officials and sharing tips. Sweden doubled the minimum salary requirement for immigrants, upped deportations and cut the number of refugees it takes in by 80 per cent. The latest idea is to offer as much as 25,000 to migrants who agree to remigrate. Perhaps most strikingly, Sweden managed all this while a member of the European Union. They just used existing powers a bit better, as the UK could have done at any stage. I met Hall this week and asked him what the overall lesson was. Efforts have to be widespread and concerted, he said: its not about one silver bullet, not even four or five. You need to start with a consensus that migration and the economy are linked, that the old model was heading the wrong direction and go out from there. If Sweden can do this within the EUs free movement rules, Britain ought to be able to manage with full Brexit powers. But it would first require the political will: and a sober look at the situation and the Ghost of Christmas Future laid out today by the DWP data. On current trends, a country struggling to build houses will be welcoming 1.5 million immigrants over the next five years while consigning 840,000 off to long-term sickness benefits. Does this sound like a sensible way to run an economy or society? If not, its time to get thinking. Britains Benefit Scandal airs on Channel 4 on Monday December 2 JD Vance and Matt Gaetz meet with senators in Washington DC on Wednesday. Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock Matt Gaetz, the former Florida congressman, withdrew from consideration to serve as Donald Trumps attorney general on Thursday, amid intense scrutiny of allegations of sexual misconduct, ending the brief nomination of one of Trumps most controversial cabinet picks. After meeting with senators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Gaetz determined that his nomination was becoming a distraction to the critical work of the new Trump administration, he explained on X. Related: Who is Matt Gaetz, the Trump loyalist picked for attorney general? There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trumps [justice department] must be in place and ready on Day 1, Gaetz said. I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and Im certain he will Save America. A source familiar with Gaetzs nomination process told the Guardian that privately confirmed opposition from four senators enough to sink the nomination if no Democrats defected was what pushed Gaetz to decide to withdraw. The announcement comes a little more than a week after Trump said he was nominating Gaetz to be attorney general, the chief law enforcement officer of the United States. A staunch Trump ally disliked by some fellow Republicans in Congress, Gaetz always faced an uphill battle to be confirmed. He came under intense scrutiny last week over allegations he had sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl. The justice department declined to charge Gaetz last year as part of a sex-trafficking investigation. But details of his encounter and relationships were beginning to seep out. Just before he announced he was withdrawing his nomination, CNN reported that the woman he is alleged to have had sex with when she was 17 told the House ethics committee there had been a second sexual encounter with Gaetz. ABC News and the New York Times reported earlier this week on records of Venmo transactions connecting Gaetz to women who said that he paid them for sex. Gaetzs announcement comes one day after the House ethics committee deadlocked over releasing its report on the allegations. At least one House Democrat on the committee, Representative Sean Casten of Illinois, said on Thursday he would continue to push for the full release of the Gaetz report. In a post on Truth Social, Trump, who had reportedly been calling senators to lobby for Gaetzs confirmation, said that Matt has a wonderful future. I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General, he wrote. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do! Related: Those who try to emulate Teflon Trump often come unstuck just ask Gaetz A staunch Trump ally known for theatrics such as wearing a gas mask on the House floor, Gaetz resigned from Congress the day Trump announced his nomination. It is unclear who Trump will now pick to lead the justice department, which the president-elect has pledged to use to prosecute his enemies. Gaetzs withdrawal comes as Trumps pick to lead the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faces accusations of sexual assault. A police report made public this week contains allegations from a woman regarding a 2017 encounter with Hegseth in which she says he took her phone, blocked her from leaving his hotel room and sexually assaulted her. Hegseth has denied the allegations. Matt Gaetz was a ridiculous, horrible and dangerous AG selection. That Republican senators were not willing to rubber-stamp his nomination is a hopeful sign that a modicum of sanity persists in Washington, said Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, a watchdog group, in a statement. But Gaetz was not the only Trump nomination threatening America and theres every reason to worry about who Trump will appoint in Gaetzs stead. Additional reporting from Martin Pengelly Mazyouna Damoo, seen here with a volunteer British doctor, Mohammed Tahir, needs urgent surgery on her face, which is unavailable in Gaza. Photograph: Courtesy of Children Not Numbers The Israeli authorities have permitted Mazyouna Damoo, a 12-year-old Palestinian girl whose face was ripped off when an Israeli missile struck her home in June, to leave Gaza for medical treatment, five days after the Guardian reported that repeated requests for her urgent medical evacuation had been denied. Last Friday, the Guardian highlighted the Damoo familys desperate battle to get Mazyouna evacuated from Gaza to the United States to receive emergency surgery on devastating injuries to her face sustained in a missile attack by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which tore off half of her cheek and exposed her jawbone. The family said that, since June, five requests for medical evacuation had been refused, with no explanation from the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (Cogat), the Israeli military body in Gaza responsible for issuing permits to travel abroad. Her evacuation was confirmed by Cogat, which told the Guardian: Following a thorough evaluation and diagnosis of her medical condition, the girl has been granted approval to leave Gaza accompanied by her mother. Ongoing coordination with the relevant authorities will ensure the continuation of her treatment. It added: Cogat makes every effort to approve the departure of children and their families for medical treatment, subject to security checks conducted by Israeli security authorities before they enter Israels sovereign territory. Doctors had warned that Mazyounas life would be in danger if she did not receive urgent surgery. There is still shrapnel in her neck causing her immense pain every time she moves and her wound has become infected. She requires specialised maxillofacial surgery, which is not available in Gaza. After initially saying that Mazyounas mother would not be permitted to travel with her, Cogat has now allowed her mother and younger sister to leave with her. They also sustained injuries during the June attack, which killed two of her other siblings. The three left Gaza for Jordan this morning via the Kerem Shalom border crossing and will be flown to the US for Mazyounas surgery as soon as possible. Related: Mazyounas face was ripped off when a rocket hit her home. Israel has refused to allow her evacuation Ahmed Damoo, Mazyounas father, has been left alone in Gaza, with no prospect of being reunited with his surviving family members. I am happy my daughter will finally get the medical treatment she desperately needs, he said. But it breaks my heart not knowing when or if I will ever see my family again. According to the UN childrens aid agency, Unicef, there are an estimated 2,500 children in Gaza in urgent need of medical treatment they cannot receive in the territory, where most health infrastructure has been destroyed over the past 14 months of war. It said children were being evacuated at a rate of fewer than one a day. FAJR Scientific, a medical aid organisation, has been trying to evacuate Mazyouna for treatment to the US since June. Due to months of delays, Mazyounas condition has deteriorated significantly, said Mosab Nasser, chief executive officer at FAJR Scientific, who flew to Jordan on Wednesday to accompany the family to the US for treatment. Nasser said children in Gaza were being denied the medical care that could save them and were then prevented from leaving for places where help awaited them, with the Israeli authorities making exceptions only when its too late. He cited the example of four-year-old Elia Younis, who suffered fourth-degree burns and amputations after an Israeli airstrike near her home. Her mother, Eslam, also suffered severe burns and blood infection but was denied medical evacuation and died last month. We recently evacuated Elia to Jordan but by then she had sepsis and spent the last week in an ICU in Amman, said Nasser. Sadly, she passed away last night and will be buried this afternoon all this could have been avoided if she had just been allowed to evacuate sooner. This article was amended on 21 November 2024 to update The Mineral Resources boss, Chris Ellison, has previously acknowledged he failed to disclose revenue generated by overseas entities to tax authorities earlier in his career. Photograph: MinRes Embattled mining billionaire Chris Ellison has told shareholders he cant stress enough how much I hate what Ive done after a series of scandals engulfed the company he leads, Mineral Resources. The Perth businessman has previously acknowledged he failed to disclose revenue generated by overseas entities to tax authorities earlier in his career. A company investigation later found he had also used business resources for his personal benefit. In the fallout, the MinRes chief executive announced he would step down from the company he founded within 18 months, while company chair, James McClements, would leave before next years general meeting. Ellison told shareholders on Thursday he had made an error in judgment. I deeply regret the impact this has had on the business and our people, Ellison said at the companys annual general meeting in Perth. I cant stress enough how much I hate what Ive done; a dark cloud in my life that Ill live with for ever. MinRes shares have been under extreme pressure in recent weeks in the aftermath of the tax revelations, first made public by the Australian Financial Review. Related: More than 300 Australian university executives make more money than state premiers, report reveals The share price has halved this year due to a combination of weak commodity prices and a sell-off triggered by the governance issues. In response, shareholders voted down the companys executive pay plans on Thursday, with more than 65.6m votes cast against the remuneration report, compared to 21.3m in favour. The result represents a first strike against executive pay, which could result in a board spill if shareholders replicate the result next year. While some shareholders expressed support for Ellison at the meeting, many also questioned the boards decision not to make investors aware of the governance matters prior to the media reports. We were not in a position to disclose information because it was subject to ongoing inquiries, McClements said. Ellison has previously said that he and his business partners operated overseas entities to buy mining equipment to import and sell in Australia before the companys listing in 2006. Some of that machinery was sold to MinRes. The mining boss, who apologised for not disclosing the revenue to authorities at the time, went on to inform the ATO of the matters in 2021, with all outstanding tax, penalties and interest now repaid. I own those mistakes, and Im standing here, I take full responsibility for them, Ellison said on Thursday. Ellison is a prominent businessman who set a property price record in 2009 after paying $57.5m for a Perth home on the Swan River. At the time it was the most expensive house sale recorded in Australia. He recently made headlines for his strident criticism of flexible work arrangements that extended to wanting to keep workers from stepping out of the office during the day. The company, which started in mining services, has gone on to become a major mining and infrastructure business with a large portfolio of iron ore and lithium assets. The University of Melbourne (pictured) and Western Sydney University had 15 executives earning more than their premiers, according to the report. Photograph: Agenzia Sintesi/Alamy Hundreds of university executives are raking in more money than state premiers, a new report reveals, pointing to a governance crisis threatening the sector. The report, released by the National Tertiary Education Union on Thursday and informed by hundreds of worker stories, found 306 senior executives were earning more than the premiers of their universitys state, at an average of half a dozen for each institution. The high salaries appeared to have been plucked from thin air, the NTEU report contended, with little correlation between executive pay and international ranking or financial performance. Dr Alison Barnes, the NTEU national president, said the report reflected a deep governance crisis threatening universities and pointed to the need for an urgent federal parliamentary inquiry. There are more than 300 senior university executives getting paid more than their state premier, she said. The average vice-chancellor gets paid almost double what the prime minister takes home. Related: A perception that Sydney is crass: why The Kyle and Jackie O Show bombed in Melbourne University councils stacked with corporate appointees have failed to justify these salaries, undermining the credibility of our institutions. Of 545 positions on university governing bodies, just 137 were elected by staff, students and graduates, the report found, while 143 were corporate executives or consultants from for-profit organisations. At Monash University, 16 executives were taking in more than Victorias premier, Jacinta Allan, despite reporting a net deficit of $9m in 2023. The university is poised to face court next month over a wage theft dispute. A spokesperson for Monash said it was committed to paying staff correctly and resolve the longstanding NTEU federal court claim by mediation: If this is not possible then Monash University will be defending the action in the Federal Court. They said Monash was one of the largest universities in Australia and disputed they had the highest number of staff remunerated more than the premier of Victoria, contending that unlike a number of other universities, its definition of executive officer extended beyond the immediate executive group to roles across the university, including deans. The University of Melbourne and Western Sydney University had 15 executives earning more than their premiers, according to the report. A spokesperson for the University of Melbourne said it recently negotiated enterprise agreement salary increases that were among the highest paying in the sector to support staff who were essential to creating a positive student experience. The university engages consultancies to provide external expertise to better inform and guide our processes and operations, they said, adding that this accounted for 1% of total expenses in 2023. In response to the federal governments proposal to introduce an international student cap, the university introduced a number of common-sense measures, such as a reduction in discretionary spending and a pause on non-essential staff recruitment to vacant roles or the creation of new roles. Universities have faced criticism over the high remuneration of vice-chancellors, averaging $1m in 2023 compared with the prime ministers wage of $587,000. The report echoed comments from the Fair Work Ombudsman, which has identified universities as a regulatory priority, finding entrenched non-compliance in the higher education sector and trends of poor governance and management oversight. There is no university-specific regulation regarding conflicts of interest and paid external appointments of senior executives, while consultants reports are often commercial in confidence. The University of Wollongongs interim vice-chancellor John Dewar is a partner at the advisory and investment firm KordaMentha which was hired separately to his appointment to conduct two independent reviews of the institutions structure. In a letter to council members delivered last month, theNTEUs Wollongong branch warned Dewars appointment damaged the integrity, credibility and even validity of managerial decision-making. A University of Wollongong spokesperson said Dewar had taken unpaid leave from KordaMentha for the duration of his time as vice-chancellor and made a declaration outlining his ongoing role, in line with the universitys conflict-of-interest policy. A management plan was agreed and has been adhered to. Professor Dewar was not involved in the tender process the program is driven by and reports to UoW council. In another instance, a university spent more than $75,000 on an installation for a chancellor, the report found, while at a third institution, fountains made from Italian granite were built at a new building costing hundreds of thousands at the same time as layoffs and cuts to research. Asked about allegations in the report of a corporatised culture leading to wage theft and job cuts, the Universities Australia chief executive Luke Sheehy said the sector needed both major parties to stop playing politics and release a plan to properly support teaching and research. Reduced funding for teaching under the job-ready graduates package and in research, the long tail of the pandemic and the impact of visa processing changes has left the sector in a very difficult and uncertain financial environment, he said. Christina Haynes claimed her former partner had failed to honour agreements made after their separation - Champion News A multi-millionaires former partner has told a court she was promised half of the 18million London mansion they shared during a lunch in the Alps. Christina Haynes, 44, who was 20 when she met Mark Austin, now 70, split from him in 2017. She is now suing him and the company that owns the house at the High Court in an attempt to win a 12 million payout. The court was told the former couple began what Ms Haynes described as a blissfully happy relationship after meeting in 2000, and went on to have two children. After their split, Mr Austin, whose fortune stood at 66 million in 2018, agreed at the Family Court to pay her 2.75 million to buy a new house for her and the children. But the court heard Mr Austin never honoured the agreement and Ms Haynes, now the head of operations at furniture designer Hiroca, is suing him for 3 million the 2.75 million he allegedly owes plus legal costs. House owned by investment trust She is also suing Hamersley Invest Anstalt, the ultimate owner of the west London mansion, to sell the 18 million house and give her half of the proceeds. Ms Haynes claims Mr Austins investment manager assured her at a mountaintop lunch in Liechtenstein in 2014 that she would receive half of the propertys value if the couple ever split up. Cheryl Jones, her barrister, told the High Court that the manager, who was not named, assured her that she and the children were protected, that there was security for them and they could trust him. Ms Haynes says that her status as equal beneficial owner of the house was formalised in a 2016 letter from Mr Austin to the trust manager. Ive been to court with regard to this matter over 18 times, she told the court. These life events are scarred on my memory, which have affected my dreams and every waking moment. I used to receive a significant fund of around 400,000 a year from Mark to use at my discretion. Everything was from Mr Austin at the time. I was highly dependent on him. In December 2018, Ms Haynes says, she and Mr Austin agreed a consent order under which he was to pay her 2.75 million to buy a new house, and agreed to her staying in the family home until the new property was purchased. In October 2019, a Family Court judge attached a penal order to the consent order, as it had not been paid, along with more than 200,000 of legal costs. In 2020, the manager of the controlling overseas trust behind Hamersley Invest Anstalt wrote to Ms Haynes giving her notice to leave, as the house was to be sold. But Ms Haynes obtained an injunction preventing her eviction and in 2021 was also granted charging orders worth 3 million by the High Court against the value of the property. Property owner is counter-suing Hamersley Invest Anstalt says that it no longer has any ties to Mr Austin and is counter-suing in an attempt to force Ms Haynes out of the house. Ian Clarke KC, its barrister, told the court any promises made to Ms Haynes were no longer binding because the trusts control structure had changed and Mr Austin was no longer connected to it. Under cross-examination, Ms Haynes admitted to the court that she had not mentioned her beneficial interest in the property in previous Family Court proceedings. I didnt believe I was entitled to it at the time, she said. I believed I would be entitled to it in the future. Mr Austin failed to file a defence in the case, barrister Ms Jones said. Judge Joanne Wicks KC reserved her decision in the case to be given at a later date. The Doge founders want to put work-from-home policies out to pasture. Composite: AP, Reuters Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy suggested Donald Trump could require government employees to be in the office five days a week as part of an effort to trim the size of the federal workforce. 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, Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in a Wednesday op-ed in the Wall Street Journal. Trump has tapped both men to lead the newly created department of government efficiency. The two men, who have no previous experience in government, also suggested Trump would undertake large-scale firings and relocate government agencies outside of Washington. Musk requires employees at SpaceX and Tesla to work in person and has described it as a moral issue. People should get off the goddamn moral high horse with the work-from-home bullshit, he said in 2023. Around 50% of federal government workers are not eligible for telework, according to a report released earlier this year from the Office of Management and Budget. Those who are eligible for telework, spent 60% of regular working hours at in-person job sites. These numbers indicate that the Federal workforce has telework rates generally in line with the private sector, the report said. Everett Kelley, national president for the American Federation of Government Employees, a union that represents more than 800,000 federal workers, told CNN: The implication that federal employees writ large are not working in-person is simply not backed up by data and reality. Republicans have pushed the Biden administration over the federal governments approach to telework, including a provision on a spending bill that the White House provide more information on workplace flexibility. In April 2023, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum telling federal agencies to substantially increase meaningful in-person work at Federal offices while still using flexible operational policies as an important tool in talent recruitment and retention. Some federal workers told CNN that a five-day in-person work mandate would upend their lives and not be feasible. One employee who spoke with the outlet works for the Library of Congress and took a $12,000 pay cut when they moved to the midwest during the Covid-19 pandemic and bought a home. Another employee told CNN they would have to commute two to three hours to the nearest office. In their op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy sketched out other ways they believed the federal government could save money, including audits, and improved procurement. They also suggested pushing to allow the president to block expenditures by Congress, a move they acknowledged would likely require a ruling from a US supreme court Trump has shaped in his favor. With a decisive electoral mandate and a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, DOGE has a historic opportunity for structural reductions in the federal government. We are prepared for the onslaught from entrenched interests in Washington. We expect to prevail, they wrote. Allison Pearson will face no further action from police Essex Police has dropped its investigation into Allison Pearson, the Telegraph journalist, for an alleged hate crime. Pearson, an award-winning writer, was being investigated for allegedly stirring up racial hatred with a social media post made in November last year. Two police officers called at her home at 9.40am on Remembrance Sunday to tell her she was under investigation and invited her to a voluntary interview. The officers refused to tell her any details about which post on X, formerly Twitter, was being investigated, or who made the complaint against her. After a major backlash, including from Boris Johnson who called the inquiry an appalling attack on free speech, Essex Police announced on Thursday that it had closed its investigation. Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, the National Police Chiefs Council hate crimes lead, will now conduct an independent review of the forces handling of the case. Reacting to the decision, Ms Pearson said that she was vindicated. Allison Pearson speaks at an event on Thursday, an hour after receiving the news that her case would be dropped - ELLIOTT FRANKS She said: I am relieved but also it has been a dreadful experience, waking up, and going to sleep with dread. Waking up in the small hours thinking I am under police investigation, thats not nice for anyone let alone a law-abiding citizen. I feel angry with Essex Police, I do not believe there was ever any case to answer, I was expressing my opinion in what I thought was a free society. She added: It is a win for The Telegraph. I hope it is a win for common sense. I am vindicated personally but I have become far more concerned about how widespread this is and how it is casting a chilling effect on free speech. I would like to sincerely thank all the Telegraph readers, their support has meant the absolute world. The Crown Prosecution Service advised that no charges should be brought against Ms Pearson after reviewing the case. Essex Police said it would therefore take no further action and dropped the investigation. Pearson initially believed that the matter was being treated as a non-crime hate incident (NCHI) rather than a criminal investigation. The force responded that this was wholly inaccurate and said that as the public would expect it had body-worn video of the encounter, which it claimed entirely supports our position. However, it prompted criticism of the incidents, which do not meet the criminal threshold but are recorded by police regardless. Ms Pearsons treatment was attacked by MPs, a leading barrister and Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, amid claims it was an Orwellian over-reaction and a potential threat to free speech. This needs to stop https://t.co/wvwxkHvVMT Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024 Graham Stringer, the Labour MP, who accused the police of Stasi-like behaviour over Pearson in the Commons, said: I am pleased to see that the exposure to discussion in the Commons seems to have helped persuade the police to withdraw their action. Writing in The Telegraph he added: The police have enthusiastically embraced the recording of non-crime hate incidents. Non-crime incidents have never been required by parliament in legislation and it is certainly not a crime to make somebody feel uncomfortable. In this category, the police have interviewed people for tweeting feminist songs and not allowing a guide dog into a shop. If only Orwell was alive today. Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, said the decision was an embarrassment for the police and demonstrated why the recording of non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) needed to be scrapped. What a waste of vital police time and resources. This is an embarrassment for the police and the government and questions need to be asked about how this matter got so out of hand in the first place, she told The Telegraph. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: It should never have come to this. The police should not be policing thought or speech. Police time should only be spent on criminality or behaviour likely to lead imminently to criminality. I urge the Government to urgently change the guidelines on NCHIs to stop it happening again. An Essex Police spokesman said: We investigate crimes reported to us without fear or favour. Were sometimes faced with allegations of crime where people have strong opposing views. Thats why we work so hard to remain impartial and to investigate allegations, regardless of where they might lead. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Tory leader, said: Hallelujah!! Common sense at last. However I still think that serious questions need to be asked about the leadership of the police which seems to have been sold out to the malicious protesters who represent a tiny proportion of the electorate. Get back on the streets where shoplifting is rife and gang violence ever present. The scale of the investigation was revealed by The Telegraph, with officers from the Metropolitan Police, Sussex Police and Essex Police all handling the complaint over the past year. The Telegraph understands that the post was reported to the Metropolitan Police as a potential breach of the Malicious Communications Act in November last year. The case was then passed to Sussex Police, which marked it as a possible non-crime hate incident. Sussex Police passed it to Essex, where Pearson lives. It is understood Essex made two assessments of the complaint before opening an investigation under section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986, relating to material allegedly likely or intended to cause racial hatred. Toby Young, director of the Free Speech Union that provided legal support for Pearson, said Essex Police should now return to policing our streets, not our tweets. He said: Essex Police should never have investigated this tweet in the first place. It didnt come close to being a criminal offence, which theyve now effectively acknowledged. I hope the public outcry over this huge waste of time and resources means Essex Police will go back to policing our streets, not our tweets. Its not their job to investigate newspaper columnists for wrongthink. Roger Hirst, police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex, said he would closely scrutinise Essex Polices approach to this case on behalf of the public. He added: Having discussed this with the Chief Constable I have agreed that he should commission NPCC national hate crime lead, Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, to undertake an independent review. This will support my scrutiny of the forces approach. It is important the public have confidence in their police service. This investigation has caused significant distress for Ms Pearson and a large amount of public concern. It has raised a number of important questions that need to be addressed so all of us can be confident the police are acting properly. My role as the police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex is to ensure the police exercise their powers effectively, without fear or favour, and that is what I will continue to do. Colette Fairbanks was sacked after sharing offensive posts about immigrants on social media Supporting Brexit is not a belief protected from workplace discrimination, an employment tribunal has ruled. Wanting to leave the EU is an opinion rather than a philosophical belief that falls under equality laws, a judge has said. As a result, employees who voted in favour of Brexit cant claim discrimination on that basis. Colette Fairbanks, a former Ukip councillor, claimed she was bullied and harassed by the charity she worked at over her political views. Ms Fairbanks was sacked from her job at Change Grow Live, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity, after sharing offensive posts about immigrants on social media. The former councillor took the charity to a tribunal, arguing she had philosophical beliefs protected by the Equality Act. These beliefs included opposition to illegal migration, that the UK should be outside of the EU and a desire to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the tribunal found that these are not beliefs which are protected by the Equality Act, but rather a strongly held opinion. Only philosophical beliefs protected Ms Fairbanks started working for Change Grow Live on October 10 2022. In an interview for the job, she said she had been a local councillor, but did not mention this was for Ukip in Wyre, Lancashire between about 2017 and 2019. A colleague relayed the details to her manager around February 2023 and Ms Fairbanks claimed that she was bullied and harassed from this point onwards. In July 2023, she was sacked from the job in Fleetwood, Lancashire because of offensive posts she shared on Twitter, though she denied that one of the accounts they came from belonged to her. The comments on Twitter referred to fake asylum seekers and complained that immigrants received priority for housing and public services. Ms Fairbanks made a claim for discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief after she was sacked. Only philosophical beliefs are protected by the Equality Act. The tribunal found that there were social media posts which were said to have [been] made by the claimant and which no doubt would be found offensive by many. Dismissing her claim, employment judge Paul Jumble said: There has to be a distinction between a philosophical belief and a strongly held opinion. If, for example, wanting to leave the EU was held to be a philosophical belief then more than half the British electorate would have a belief that fell within [equality laws], which could not be the intention of the legislation. The tribunal, held in Manchester, found that Ms Fairbanks had genuinely held opinions and views but she did not convince the tribunal she had any underlying philosophical belief. Vladimir Putin has said Russia fired an experimental ballistic missile at a military site in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday morning, and that Moscow had the right to strike western countries that provided Kyiv with weapons used against Russian targets. The Russian president, speaking during an unannounced televised address to the nation, appeared to directly threaten the US and UK, who earlier this week allowed Ukraine to fire western-made Atacms and Storm Shadow missiles into Russia. Related: Whats behind the escalating situation in Ukraine? podcast The new ballistic missile was called Oreshnik [the hazel], Putin said, and its deployment was a response to US plans to produce and deploy intermediate and short-range missiles. He said Russia would respond decisively and symmetrically in the event of an escalation. Russia reserves the right to use weapons against targets in countries that permit their weapons to be used against Russian targets, Putin added, in his most explicit threat to attack western countries who have been providing military aid to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. US and UK sources indicated that they believed the missile fired on Dnipro was an experimental nuclear-capable, intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which has a theoretical range of below 3,420 miles (5,500km). That is enough to reach Europe from where it was fired in south-western Russia, but not the US. Ukraines air force had initially claimed Russia had fired a longer-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). However, the president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, later softened the claim to say the missile fired had all the parameters of an ICBM in terms of speed and altitude of flight. Obviously, Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground. Obviously, Putin is terrified when normal life simply exists next to him, Zelenskyy said. When a country simply wants to be and has the right to be independent. In a statement published on Telegram, Zelenskyy later said the missile strike was final proof that Russia definitely does not want peace. Related: The wests reckless escalation of the war in Ukraine will cause more suffering, for no strategic gain | Simon Jenkins The missile was fired from the Astrakhan region of Russia, Ukraines air force said, meaning that it travelled about 500 miles to reach its target, as part of a wider salvo of nine missiles between 5am and 7am. Six of the missiles were intercepted by Ukraines air force but the new ballistic missile was not stopped. Video of the incident from a distance showed the ground being struck in multiple flashes, though damage and casualty reports were modest. The missile was said to have hit without consequences, Ukraines air force said, though it added that complete information about victims had yet to be received. Fabian Hoffmann, a doctoral research fellow at Oslo University who specialises in missile technology and nuclear strategy, said the significance of the Oreshnik missile strike was that it appeared to carry a type of payload that is exclusively associated with nuclear-capable missiles. Ukraine used US Atacms missiles to target what it said was a weapons depot in Russias south-western Bryansk region on Monday, and fired a salvo of Storm Shadow missiles on Wednesday at a command post in Kursk, where Kyivs forces hold a small bridgehead of territory inside Russia. Ukraine had previously used both weapons to strike targets inside its internationally recognised borders, but had been lobbying the US and UK for months to allow it to strike airfields, bases and depots deeper inside Russia. Related: How might Russia respond to UK and US letting Ukraine hit it with their missiles? Both sides are stepping up their military efforts in the near three-year-long war ahead of the inauguration of Donald Trump on 20 January. The Republican president-elect has said he wants to end the war, though it is unclear how he proposes to do so, and each side is hoping to improve its battlefield position before he takes office. A US official told the Guardian that Russia had launched an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine, of which Russia likely possesses only a handful. UK sources made similar comments and the weapon was described as having a range of a few thousand kilometres. Russia is required by a treaty to inform the US of the launch of certain kinds of ballistic missiles, in the hopes of preventing an escalatory ladder that could lead to an all-out nuclear war. A US official said Russia had pre-notified Washington of the launch before the attack in an attempt to prevent a retaliation though Russia said it had only done so 30 minutes before through the USs Nuclear Threat Reduction Center, according to the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov. On Wednesday the US suddenly announced that its embassy in Kyiv would be closed that day after receiving warning of a potential significant air attack somewhere in Ukraine. No further details were provided and, after a nervous day in the Ukrainian capital, the embassy reopened. The US official also told the Guardian that Russia may have used the weapon as an attempt to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters or attract public attention, but that the weapon would not be a gamechanger in the conflict. Russia likely possesses only a handful of these experimental missiles, the official said. Earlier on Thursday, the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, appeared to inadvertently reveal some details about the early-morning strike during a live press briefing. A hot mic captured Zakharovas phone conversation with an unidentified caller who instructed her not to comment on the ballistic missile strike. Notably, the caller did not use the word intercontinental. In the brief telephone exchange footage of which remains available on the foreign ministrys official account on X the caller appears to disclose that the strike targeted the Yuzhmash military facility in Dnipro. Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum united to condemn the decision by a three-judge panel of the international criminal court to issue arrest warrants for the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the former defence minister Yoav Gallant. Netanyahus office described the warrants as an antisemitic decision equivalent to the modern Dreyfus trial, referring to the 1894 trial of a French artillery captain of Jewish descent that has become one of the most prominent examples of antisemitism. Netanyahu added: Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and charges against it by the international criminal court, which is a biased and discriminatory political body. Related: Why did ICC issue Netanyahu arrest warrant and what are the implications? Under the Rome statute that established the ICC, the court was set up to be an independent body that stands apart from international politics. The Israeli statement said: There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza since the seventh of October 2023, after the terrorist organisation Hamas launched a murderous attack against it, and carried out the greatest massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The decision was made by a corrupt chief prosecutor trying to save his own skin from the serious charges against him for sexual harassment, and by biased judges motivated by antisemitic hatred of Israel, it continued, referring to claims made against the chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, which Khan has denied. Benny Gantz, a former member of Netanyahus war cabinet, in a post on X described the ICC move as moral blindness and [a] shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. The Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, said: This is a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity. Taken in bad faith, the outrageous decision at the ICC has turned universal justice into a universal laughing stock. It ignores the plight of the 101 Israeli hostages held in brutal captivity by Hamas in Gaza. ICC judges said reasonable grounds existed to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant had committed the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder and persecution. Most outspoken in Israel was the far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said Israel should annex the West Bank in response to the ICCs issuance of the arrest warrants. The response to the arrest warrants: applying sovereignty over all areas of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], Jewish settlement throughout the entire land, he said. Describing the warrants as an unprecedented disgrace, Ben-Gvir said the ICC once again demonstrates that it is antisemitic from beginning to end. Israels foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said: This is a black moment for the international criminal court, in which it lost all legitimacy for its existence and activity. In fact, this is an attack on Israels right to defend itself. This attack is directed against the most attacked and threatened country in the world, which is also the only country that other countries in the region openly call for and work to destroy. The opposition leader, Yair Lapid, described the warrants as a reward for terrorism. Israel is defending itself against terrorist organisations that attacked, murdered and raped our citizens. These arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism, he said. The chair of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, who has previously served as defence minister under Netanyahu, said the move provided further proof of the double standards and hypocrisy of the international community and the UN institutions. He said: The state of Israel will not apologise for protecting its citizens and is committed to continuing to fight terrorism without compromise. The warrants were issued on a day when Netanyahu was meeting the US special envoy Amos Hochstein in Jerusalem to discuss recent renewed efforts to secure a ceasefire with Hezbollah. Hochstein has been in Beirut this week to advance an agreement to halt fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Describing the response by Israeli politicians to the ICC decision, Dahlia Scheindlin, a political scientist, told the Guardian: Everything to do with international institutions tends to unite the opposition and coalition. There is a widespread conviction in Israel that international institutions are antisemitic and hypocritical. It is early, but you would expect a show of unity, even if Netanyahu is not popular because Israelis see it as an attack on the state. It has been a sword of Damocles hanging all these months. The court had to do it or lose credibility. 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. Controversially, some proponents of rewilding would like to reintroduce apex predators like the lynx to reassert the natural hierarchy of the wild - Alamy Stock Photo In the 1950s, workmen digging up the south side of Trafalgar Square, in the heart of London, unearthed the bones of extinct mammals that roamed Britain 120,000 years ago. They included cave lions, straight-tusked elephants and a giant herbivore known as an aurochs, which is regarded as the wild ancestor of todays domestic cattle. Prized by our distant forebears who depicted its muscular physique and magnificent horns in prehistoric cave paintings it was hunted relentlessly. The aurochs fell extinct on these shores some 3,000 years ago and the last recorded aurochs died in Poland in 1627. Yet aurochs-like herbivores will soon be back in Britain. Trees for Life, a conservation charity, announced recently that it plans to introduce a social herd of 15 to an enclosure on its Dundreggan Estate, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, in the spring of 2026. Known as tauros, the cattle in question are not genetically identical to the aurochs but have been back-bred in the Netherlands from ancient cattle breeds to replicate its characteristics as closely as possible. These aurochs-proxies are expected to crash around their new Highland home in the way that their iconic ancestors once did across Britain rootling in the earth, de-barking trees and generally roughing things up and thats the whole point. A paleolithic cave painting of aurochs from Altamira, Spain - Getty I cant wait to see them here, says Steve Micklewright, the CEO of Trees for Life, because they are brilliant animals, very imposing, but also because they will wake up the landscape, bring back processes that are missing. The introduction of the tauros to the Highlands will mark a new chapter in a process known as rewilding, which has been gathering pace in Britain over the past decade. The most high-profile example is the Knepp Estate in West Sussex, where large grazing animals such as longhorn cattle are transforming hundreds of hectares of poor-quality farmland, and the majestic white stork is breeding again in Britain after 600 years. Meanwhile, a herd of European bison are kicking up a storm in a corner of Kent, white-tailed eagles are riding the thermals above the south coast of England for the first time since the late 18th century and the industrious beaver is once again damming Britains rivers. But these initiatives do not herald a new golden age of natural abundance. On the contrary, they are taking place against the background of and in response to a biodiversity crisis. According to the latest State of Nature report, which collates data from a wide range of environmental, academic and governmental bodies, Britains wildlife species have declined by an average of 19 per cent since 1970, with one in six now at risk of disappearing altogether. Our wildflower meadows have been wiped out almost completely. Every independent index of study shows you that what life is left is declining very fast, says Derek Gow, a farmer, author and passionate advocate of rewilding. What does rock bottom actually look like? In some parts of the country were in it already. Longhorn cattle on the 3,500 acre Knepp Estate in West Sussex - Andrew Crowley Britain has become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world because of a variety of factors. Proponents of rewilding believe that conventional methods of nature conservation have been too localised and timid to stop the rot and, in some cases, counterproductive. In 2010, the Lawton Review, an independent report led by Prof Sir John Lawton, a distinguished ecologist, pointed the way. It said that the system we had of a large number of very small, unconnected, areas [to protect a certain set of species] was failing as our conservation strategy, says Prof Bob Smith, the director of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent, which is part of the Wilder Blean Bison project in Kent. The Lawton Reviews recommendations were distilled into a few key ideas: create more sites; make them bigger; manage them better; and join them up. The rewilding movement has taken this on board and taken it a step further. Rewilding doesnt seek to conserve specific species but, rather, to restore ecological processes to the point where nature is allowed to take care of itself, in the words of Alastair Driver, the director of the charity Rewilding Britain. Rewilding involves (but is not confined to) the reintroduction of so-called keystone species on land that is not productive for farming or forestry keystone species being animals that have a disproportionately significant effect on their environment in relation to their numbers. Big herbivores such as bison or aurochs-proxies are one example but the rewilders real poster boy is the beaver. Gow likens this semi-aquatic rodent to a pilot light in a boiler. He says: Because if that pilot light is not burning, none of the rest of your apparatus will work. Beavers had been hunted (for their fur and for a secretion called castoreum, used in perfume) to near-extinction in Britain by the Middle Ages, though there is evidence that they may have survived in isolated pockets into the 18th century. Reintroduction began in Scotland in 2009 and there are now more than 20 locations, both wild and enclosed, across Britain where you can see them including the London Borough of Ealing. The beaver is the poster boy of the rewilding movement - Getty Images In the autumn of 2023, a family of beavers was relocated, under licence, from Scotland to an eight-hectare (20-acre) enclosure in a wood and wetland site called Paradise Fields in west London. This community-led project breaks new ground on two fronts, says Elliot Newton, the project leader. Its the only one in the UK where beavers are being reintroduced into an urban environment, and the only one where the site is freely accessible so anybody can come in here at any time of day. Surrounded by the hum of traffic as well as 1.2km (three quarters of a mile) of fencing and self-closing gates the beavers have re-landscaped their new back yard and had several kits (young). Though shy and nocturnal, they leave plenty of evidence of their industry in the form of felled and gnawed trees and the dams they build from the timber. On a tour of the site Newton points out a dam of typically ramshackle yet intricate construction. The reason beavers build dams and create these complex wetlands is primarily because theyre petrified of being attacked and eaten by a wolf, he says. Damming the brook here, between sections of raised ground, has resulted in a 60cm (2ft) difference in water level and created an escape hatch a pool of deep water that they can plunge into if they feel threatened while crossing the land. The happy by-product of all this landscape disruption is the creation of habitats for all sorts of mammals, birds, insects and plants that hitherto have been scarce or locally extinct as recent sightings at Paradise Fields have borne out. The reshaped land and new growth also lock up carbon and provide resilience against the increased likelihood of both flooding and drought, which are a result of climate change. This is why the beaver is feted by rewilders as the ultimate ecosystem-engineer and the symbol of a new way of doing things that, they say, is just a revival of the old. One of the countrys most important rewilding sites is a 160-hectare (400-acre) farm called Rewilding Coombeshead on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon. At its Species Recovery Centre, Gow and his team are breeding species in captivity for release into designated areas across Britain. These include: beavers, white storks, turtle doves (once the sound of summer, now almost vanished), wildcats (currently confined to a tiny population in the far north of Scotland) and water voles. Water voles (the inspiration for Ratty in The Wind in the Willows) are our fastest declining mammal, having disappeared from over 90 per cent of the places where they once thrived. They make a really good meal for birds, fish and mammals, so the fact theyre not there in the British landscape now is a huge gap, says the manager Nick Viney. For a few years at Rewilding Coombeshead Gow kept another aurochs-proxy, known as Heck cattle or, more rudely, as Nazi cows. They originated in Germany in the pre-war years when brothers Heinz and Lutz Heck the latter a committed Nazi and friend of Hermann Goring attempted to back-breed a cattle of supposed Aryan purity to resemble the aurochs. The experiment to introduce them to Devon didnt work. Derek Gow with his Heck cattle in West Devon - Steven Haywood The biggest mistake we made was pushing them into a forest environment where we lost all control of them, explains Gow. And all of a sudden, you get these animals that dont want to come through your yard to be TB-tested. They became more and more difficult, more and more aggressive. Eventually one attacked another so severely that it had to be put down, at which point Gow admitted defeat and had the entire herd destroyed. He believes that there are lessons there for the Highlands tauros project. There are going to be challenges, which Im sure the guys at Trees For Life are aware of, he says. Steve Micklewright agrees that huge animals like the tauros need to be treated with respect, but points out that they are being bred from different, less aggressive cattle types than the Heck. As the rewilding movement attempts to shake up long-held views of land use and management, there are edges of conflict and inevitable pushback. Tim Bonner, the CEO of the Countryside Alliance, which promotes the rural way of life and field sports, talks of a lunatic fringe with messianic attitudes and objects to giant herbivores being brought in. There seems to be an obsession with charismatic megafauna, much of which doesnt work in modern Britain, and a new trend for releasing things that werent here in the first place, he says. If they wish to enhance the ecology, there are domestic breeds that do the job just fine. This latter point is contested by rewilders. Theres a real lack of understanding about these kinds of animals in the landscape in the UK context, which were battling against, says Paul Hadaway of Kent Wildlife Trust, which introduced bison to Blean and Thornden Woods in Kent in 2022. Unlike the tauros, the bison are classified as dangerous wild animals and the eight-strong herd has to be kept behind both an electric fence and a people fence. Our aspiration is to be able to demonstrate that you dont need that second fence, says Hadaway. The European bison, the continents largest land mammal, is not native to Britain - Paul Grover Even the word rewilding is a problem for some. If you start by telling farmers that they have no future, which is essentially what rewilding says, youre not going to engage them, says Bonner. Gow admits that the word has become a toxic term while Hadaway says he prefers to stick to wilding. I find that re- prefix so unhelpful because it takes you down all sorts of rabbit holes, he says. One of those rabbit holes concerns the state of nature we should be trying to hark back to. The megafauna, whose remains lie under Trafalgar Square, arrived on these shores via the land bridge known as Doggerland, which connected Britain to mainland Europe before the last Ice Age. But trying to return us to the Pleistocene is absurd, says Prof Smith of DICE, and working out what the baseline should be is often arbitrary. The European bison now in Kent are almost certainly not native to Britain unlike the beaver or aurochs so they cannot be re-introduced. Its about finding the best species to create the natural processes rather than saying, thousands of years ago we had these really big, cool cattle, it would be nice to have them back, says Smith. The most contentious issue of all and the logical end point of the rewilding process is the idea of reintroducing the apex predators of wolves and lynx to reassert the natural hierarchy of the wild. They would certainly alleviate the problem of the deer population, which is now running out of control in parts of Britain. But they also kill livestock, and wolves in particular pose a threat to humans though many believe that threat is exaggerated. The wolf was heavily persecuted here and had probably fallen extinct by the Middle Ages, but in the 21st century, its numbers are on the rise across Europe. Under the Bern Convention of 1982 the wolf is classified as a strictly protected species and in the past decade its population is estimated to have nearly doubled, to around 20,000. According to EU figures, wolves are now killing up to 65,000 head of livestock, mostly sheep, a year (there have been no human fatalities attributed to wolf attacks in the past quarter-century) and in September the European Commission proposed downgrading its protected status. Some people suspect that this may not be unrelated to the fact that a pet pony called Dolly belonging to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was killed by a wolf in Lower Saxony in 2022. Gow is a vocal advocate of the reintroduction of wolves under the right circumstances he wrote Hunt for the Shadow Wolf: The Lost History of Wolves in Britain and certainly believes that Dollys fate has had something to do with it. The change of policy in Europe is not being driven by economics because the impact of wolf predation on domestic livestock is still very low and certainly well out of kilter with the impact of domestic dogs, he claims. Whatever the merits of wolf reintroduction, the idea provokes atavistic fears and its unlikely to happen here in the short or medium term. The Eurasian lynx a medium-sized wildcat with distinctive ear tufts that fell extinct in Britain 1,300 years ago is a different matter. Lynx would have a much, much lower impact than wolves and people would very rarely see them, says Prof Smith. He cites the case of Germany, where tolerance for lynx is generally high because of farming practices and strong support from the government, which includes a compensation scheme [for lost livestock]. Lynx and wolves are also back in the Netherlands, a country both smaller and more densely populated than Britain, which has a system of fences, guard dogs and wildlife corridors in place to manage them. Though their presence there is not without controversy, it seems fair to say that European countries are far more sanguine than Britain about living alongside potentially dangerous wild animals. Lynx were once native to the UK, but were driven to extinction between 500 and 1,000 years ago due to hunting and loss of habitats - Moment RF One of the reasons for this is that these animals either never went away or have already walked back in. Therefore, as Alastair Driver of Rewilding Britain points out, the authorities dont have to go through the angst of deciding whether to reintroduce them or not. There is also the advantage that vast tracts of wild land still exist, allowing herds of bison to roam free in Eastern Europe, while golden jackals are flourishing from Finland to Spain. Britains scope for rewilding is modest by comparison. Driver points out that Rewilding Britain is advising on projects covering 200,000 hectares (500,000 acres) of England and Wales, which he says he is proud of. But it is just 1.3 per cent of the land surface. These sites are providing cores of biodiversity that could then spill out into the surrounding countryside if the government was brave enough to start implementing significant policies and funding to back them up, he says. Meanwhile the overall trend in Britains stock of natural riches continues downwards. One key to reversing it, say rewilders, is for our national parks and government-owned land to be managed much more for biodiversity (one described the likes of Dartmoor and the Lake District as places where nature goes to die). They also believe that farmers should be incentivised through ELMs (Environmental Land Management schemes) to be part of local nature recovery strategies, and that agriculture needs to move to more sustainable and regenerative methods a tricky sell to many farmers given the multiple challenges and uncertainties that they have faced recently. The position of the National Farmers Union (NFU) on rewilding is hedged with concerns for the potential impacts on current farming practices and farmland. It said it was unable to provide a comment for this article but suggested that I look at previous statements it has made. Last year, in written evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committees inquiry into species reintroduction, the NFU said it believes species recovery efforts and management should focus on species already present in England before undertaking reintroductions. Rewildings proponents reckon our sanitised culture has lost touch with what reintroductions can do not just clearing the way to a more abundant future, but re-connecting us with a shared past. People are astounded that in Britain these creatures can exist, says Gow, but so many of these species that we think of as being unfamiliar, un-British, and too spectacular to be true, are just things that we extinguished 500 or a thousand years ago. Robert F Kennedy Jr attends a Trump rally in Glendale, Arizona, in August. Photograph: Rebecca Noble/Getty Images A woman who publicly accused Robert F Kennedy Jr of sexual assault when she worked for him as a babysitter said she was motivated to do so when he released a campaign ad based on a famous advertisement for his uncle, President John F Kennedy. Related: Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be Trumps attorney general I literally was just watching the Super Bowl and saw the ad and thought, Youve gotta be kidding me, Eliza Cooney told USA Today. Released when Kennedy was running for president as an independent, the ad attracted criticism from members of the famous Democratic political family. Kennedy Jr apologized but kept the ad online. Nine months later, after dropping out of the presidential race and backing Donald Trump, Kennedy is Trumps nominee for US health secretary. A hugely controversial choice given his promotion of vaccine conspiracy theories and other disputed health claims, Kennedy is also one of a number of Trump cabinet picks to be accused of sexual misconduct. Cooney initially told Vanity Fair about how she went to work for Kennedy in 1998, when she was 23 and he was a 45-year-old environmental attorney. Describing a series of unwanted advances, she said Kennedy ultimately came up behind her and began groping her, putting his hands on her hips and sliding them up along her rib cage and breasts, before being interrupted by someone walking into the room. When Kennedy was asked about Cooneys allegations, he told the BreakingPoints podcast he was not a church boy I have so many skeletons in my closet, but refused to comment further. In the USA Today interview published on Wednesday, Cooney said: I know that there are hard-working people who dont have skeletons in their closet. And I wish we were electing people with fewer skeletons in their closet. In July, it was widely reported that Kennedy sent a text to Cooney after the Vanity Fair story was published. He wrote: I read your description of an episode in which I touched you in an unwanted manner. 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. I never intended you any harm. If I hurt you, it was inadvertent. I feel badly for doing so. Cooney told USA Today: I dont know if its an apology if you say, I dont remember. In the context of all his public appearances, it seemed a little bit it didnt match. It was like a throwaway. USA Today said it had contacted a lawyer for a Kennedy non-profit and Trumps transition team for comment. Perhaps busy dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct against Pete Hegseth, the nominee for defense secretary, and Matt Gaetz, then the nominee for attorney general, the Trump transition did not immediately respond. The next day, Gaetz withdrew from consideration for a cabinet post. Cooney said she was not speaking out about Kennedy to try to stall his nomination or upend the confirmation, but was just doing it for the public record, having first told people of the alleged assault in 2023 during the #MeToo movement, which began in 2017 and when many women named their sexual abusers. Saying that for a long time she brushed this off a little bit, seeing sexual assault as just the price of doing business, Cooney added: Its remarkable that its as prevalent as it is. And I just wonder have we made any progress? This is like a rewind. This article was amended on 22 November 2024 to clarify that Eliza Cooney first told people in 2023, not in 2017, of the alleged assault against her by Robert F Kennedy Jr. People examine the damage done by the Russian strike on Dnipro - Mykola Synelnykov/Reuters Credit: Telegram / dnepr_operativ Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine for the first time early on Thursday morning, Kyivs air force has said. It said the missile hit Dnipro, in southern Ukraine, a few minutes after being fired from a site in Astrakhan, by the Caspian Sea. A defence source later told Ukrainian media that the missile was an RS-26 Rubezh, which Kyiv believes Moscow fired in response to Ukraine firing Western-made missiles into Russia. The missile was reportedly fired as part of a wider attack on Dnipro, which Ukraine said injured two people and sparked fires in an industrial area. A rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities was damaged and a fire broke out at a residential building, emergency services said. From early morning, the aggressor massively attacked the region, Sergei Lysak, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional administration, said in a statement. Firefighters work at the scene of the Russian strike on Dnipro - Press Service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Anadolu via Getty Images People examine the damage done by the Russian strike on Dnipro - Mykola Synelnykov/Reuters The RS-26 is classified as an ICBM under a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia, but can be seen as an intermediate-range ballistic missile when used with heavier payloads at ranges below 5,500 km, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies said. But Western missile experts have cast doubt on whether an ICBM was launched by Russia. Andrey Baklitskiy, a weapons of mass destruction senior researcher at the United Nations, pointed out that Moscow did not inform Washington of the launch 24 hours in advance, as is custom. Theres a lot we dont know, said Mr Baklitskiy. If true, this will be totally unprecedented and the first actual military use of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Not that it makes a lot of sense, given their price and precision. The RS-26 Rubezh weighs 50 tonnes and carries a warhead three times larger than the Iskander missiles. The missile has been described as being in an experimental phase, given that it has barely been test fired. It can fly at five times the speed of sound, which makes it hard for the Patriot missile systems that guard Kyiv to shoot down. Pavel Podvig, also a weapons of mass destruction senior researcher at the UN, said Russia mothballed its RS-26 Rubezh missiles in 2018. One cannot rule out that RS-26 was taken out of its retirement for a strike, he added. This implies that Russia had a number of these missiles in storage for almost 10 years. Not impossible, but rather unlikely. The Kremlin has not officially commented, but Russias foreign ministry spokesman received a phone call during a live press briefing on Thursday ordering her not to comment on reports of a ballistic missile strike. Masha, an unknown male voice said on the phone, addressing spokeswoman Maria Zakharova using a nickname for Maria, on the Yuzhmash ballistic missile strike that the Westerners have started talking about, we are not commenting at all. Yuzhmash refers to a Ukrainian rocket manufacturer in Dnipro. Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone in the classic 1972 film The Godfather. Photograph: Cinetext Bildarchiv/Paramount/Allstar A severed horses head has been discovered at the property of a Sicilian businessman, in what local authorities believe may be a mafia intimidation tactic reminiscent of a scene from The Godfather. The animals head was left on the seat of a digger owned by the man, a construction contractor in Altofonte, near the Sicilian capital, Palermo. The remains of a pregnant cow and its calf were also found at the site. The businessman, who is well known in the town, reported the incident to police and told them he had previously received threats and warnings. Police think he may have been targeted for allegedly refusing to pay protection money or comply with other mafia demands. The scene echoes the moment in Francis Ford Coppolas 1972 film when a producer wakes to find the severed head of his thoroughbred horse in his bed. Angela De Luca, the mayor of Altofonte, said her community had been deeply disturbed. I was petrified, I cant comprehend such barbarity, she said. This act seems to take us back to the middle ages, with its unacceptable methods. The news sparked a row on the island, where more than 20 mafia bosses have been released from prison in recent months after serving their sentences. Delivering severed animal heads or dismembered animal bodies is among the most common intimidation tactics employed by the mafia in Sicily, predating the Godfather. According to investigators, the tactic serves the dual purpose of terrorising its victims and striking at their most cherished bonds: animals to which they are often deeply attached. Last May, the head of a goat was found in front of the home of a construction entrepreneur in Palermo and in 2023, a pigs head was hung at the gate of a police station in the province of Messina. In 2017, a decapitated bird was discovered in front of the school in Palermo dedicated to the legendary anti-mafia judge Giovanni Falcone, who was murdered by Cosa Nostra in 1992. The Royal Courts of Justice, London. Strategic litigation against public participation (Slapps) are often used to try to stop journalists or campaigners from exposing wrongdoing. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA Excessive legal threats used to silence those who tried to expose the Post Office Horizon scandal and allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed should be outlawed, a cross-party group of MPs have said. MPs raised a series of cases, documented by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, where media outlets and whistleblowers have been prevented from publishing material that they believed was in the public interest. Under the last government, the House of Commons came close to bringing in legislation banning strategic lawsuits against public participation, known as Slapps. But Heidi Alexander, a justice minister, said on Thursday the government do not currently intend to legislate this parliamentary session against abusive legal threats. She said Slapps represent an abuse of our legal system that have a profound psychological impact but argued they are a complex area and we should not legislate in haste. Related: Labour delays proposals to ban oppressive Slapps lawsuits Despite the governments refusal to commit to legislation, MPs supported the Labour MP Lloyd Hattons non-binding Commons motion, which called on ministers to introduce comprehensive anti-Slapp legislation that provides swift dismissal of such cases, protects those targeted from prohibitive legal costs, and ensures that Slapp filers face significant financial deterrents. Others, including the former Conservative culture secretary John Whittingdale, supported his call for stronger action against Slapps. He said it had been appalling that the Kremlin-backed Wagner group leader was allowed to bring defamation proceedings against the Bellingcat founder Eliot Higgins while he faced UK government sanctions. Andy Slaughter, a Labour MP, said Slapps were typically brought by people of unlimited resources to deter publication they are used to protect people like Mohamed Al Fayed wilfully and knowingly using the court system to hide their misdeeds. Julian Lewis, a Conservative MP, said journalists and experts were sent letters by the Post Office that tried to frustrate their exposure of the Horizon scandal in which post office operators were wrongly convicted. Experts interviewed by the BBC were sent intimidating letters by Post Office lawyers about their participation in the programme, Lewis said, which delayed a broadcast by some weeks. It has now emerged that the Post Office took multiple aggressive actions to shut down the story about its failures over prosecutions that were sparked by the faulty Horizon software, he said. Lewis added: The Post Office now sings a welcome different tune. It says that the organisation is committed to supporting the ongoing public inquiry and that it is fair and right for the Post Office to be held to account by journalists. Max Wilkinson, a Liberal Democrat MP, raised the case of a media outlet, Inside Housing, which found apparent examples of leaking sewage and damp problems at a London office conversion that was housing asylum seekers and homeless people. This clear case of public interest should have involved the naming of the landlord and the building. That would have enabled power to be held power to account. But when the journalist gave the landlord a right of reply, they received a letter from solicitors threatening legal action. Inside Housing did not name the landlord in the case, saying the time and money involved in any legal action could not be borne. Sian Berry, a Green MP, also raised the case of a resident called Ben Jenkins who attempted to highlight problems with the quality of housing provided by GreenSquareAccord, and ran a website urging other residents to report their issues through him. Berry said it had been very much in the public interest for Ben to be speaking out against these issues although no one would say he did not send a lot of communications and publish negative information about his housing provider. She said Jenkins had been accused by Green Square Accords lawyers of harassment, copyright infringement and putting himself forward to complain on behalf of others, and that the company had asked Jenkins to sign undertakings to avoid legal action, which he did. A spokesperson for GreenSquareAccord said: The action we have taken has been done so responsibly, legitimately and in response to the very serious impact the sustained, vexatious and inappropriate behaviour and actions of Mr Jenkins has hadon our organisation and the wellbeing of many of our colleagues. Apsana Begum, an independent MP, highlighted an investigation by freelance journalist Tom Latchem into a foster care home run by reality TV star Ampika Pickston, who is the fiancee of billionaire owner of West Ham, David Sullivan. Mr Latchem published a story with the outlet Byline Times about the home having its licence suspended by Ofsted due to reported serious safeguarding failings, she said. I understand, however, that he believes hes been prevented from further reporting on the care home. She said that Latchem was sent a letter by lawyers warning that if he published anything defamatory or libellous, they would advise their client to sue. She added: I am told that Ms Pickstons lawyers said their communications with the journalist were courteous and cordial and did not prevent him from any reporting. Nevertheless, itll be surely understandable to the House that he feels he cannot afford to face down someone with such resources, just as it is obvious who loses out if accountability and transparency regarding the treatment of children in care homes is thwarted. Since September, at least 890 incidents of food-borne illnesses have been reported - AFP South Africa has classified a spate of poisonings as a national disaster, after at least 23 children have died in recent months. A five-year-old-boy this week became the latest suspected victim when he died after reportedly eating snacks from a small shop in Soweto. Several of the deaths have been blamed on pesticide-tainted food bought from small convenience shops in townships, though it is not clear if all the incidents are linked. President Cyril Ramaphosa last week unveiled a plan to remove suspect pesticides from the streets and shops, and ordered that informal convenience stores known as spaza shops, or tuck shops, register within 21 days. In the worst of the recent incidents, in October six children died after allegedly consuming snacks bought from a spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto. Toxicology reports found they had been poisoned by an organophosphate pesticide called terbufos. The chemical is highly toxic and widely used in citrus, maize and potato agriculture, but often also illegally sold as a street pesticide against township rat infestations. Mr Ramaphosa said last week: After stringent testing, a chip packet found on one of the children who had died had traces of terbufos on both the inside and the outside of the packet. Samples were taken from 84 spaza shops in inspections after the childrens deaths and revealed that three spaza shops had evidence of terbufos use. Inspectors have also found food stored next to pesticides. Our people have every right to be upset and to be angry in the face of such tragedies, Mr Ramaphosa said. Since September, at least 890 incidents of food-borne illnesses have been reported. Velenkosini Hlabisa, minister for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, said classifying the poisonings as a national disaster gave authorities greater regulatory powers to enforce standards. He said it was possible the government could go further, with a full blown declaration of a national disaster which would grant sweeping emergency powers. Doctors will also have to urgently report the deaths of any patients under the age of 12, in an attempt to give experts a better idea of the scale of the problem. Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, minister of health, said that terbufos was often widely available and not only found in spaza shops. He said it was also for sale at taxi ranks and by street vendors. He said: Its all over so I dont think theres a need to target any one area. John Steenhuisen, agriculture minister, said the terbufos found in investigations so far did not appear to be locally manufactured. He said: If one looks at the pictures of what has been found in spaza shops, it differs quite significantly from the colour and texture of locally produced terbufos. Many spaza shops are owned by foreign nationals and the poisonings have added to tensions about the number of migrants in the country. Shopowners have questioned whether 21 days is enough time to register all their businesses. There are an estimated 1,000 spaza shops in Soweto alone. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Benjamin Netanyahu accused the court of anti-Semitism - ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Benjamin Netanyahu accused International Criminal Court judges of holding anti-Semitic hatred toward Israel after it issued arrest warrants against him and the countrys former defence minister. The Israeli prime minister showed his contempt for the decision by launching a personal attack against Karim Khan, the ICCs chief prosecutor. The decision was made by a corrupt chief prosecutor attempting to save himself from serious allegations of sexual harassment, and by biased judges driven by anti-Semitic hatred toward Israel, Mr Netanyahu said on Wednesday. Mr Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, Israels former defence minister, have been accused by the ICC of crimes against humanity and war crimes for their role in the war against Hamas in Gaza. The ICCs decision means the politicians risk being arrested in any of the 124 countries that are signed up to the court. Both Israel and the US have argued the ICC does not have any jurisdiction over the Jewish state as it is not a member of the court. We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision, the White House said in a firm rebuke of the arrest warrants on Thursday. The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter. The court also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the Hamas military chief, who is seen as the orchestrator of the Oct 7 attacks. Israel claimed to have killed Deif earlier this year, which Hamas is yet to confirm. An Israeli official told The Telegraph that the arrest warrant was expected but that the government considers it an outrageous, political move. I find it hard to believe that any of Israels allies will arrest a sitting prime minister, but we are in touch with all of them now to figure out how to contain the situation, the official said. Mr Netanyahu compared the arrest warrants to a modern-day Dreyfus trial and it will end in the same way. It was in reference to an infamous 19th century court case in which Alfred Dreyfus, a French Jewish army captain, was wrongly convicted of treason. Mr Netanyahu accused Mr Khan, the ICCs chief prosecutor, who is British, of lying when he told American senators that he would take no action until he had visited Israel. Instead, he cancelled his arrival in Israel last May, several days after suspicions of sexual harassment were made against him, and announced his intention to issue arrest warrants, the prime minister said. Mr Gallant, who was recently fired by Mr Netanyahu, also delivered an angry reaction to his arrest warrant, saying it will be remembered in infamy. It places the State of Israel and the murderous Hamas leaders on the same level, thereby legitimising the murder of babies, the rape of women and the kidnapping of elderly people from their beds, said Mr Gallant. PM respects independence of the ICC Sir Keir Starmer backed the ICC after it issued the warrants. When asked about the issue, Sir Keirs official spokesman said the Government respected the independence of the court but declined to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived in the UK. The spokesman said: We respect the independence of the ICC, which is the primary institutional institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes in relation to international law. This Government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terror groups. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza. Isaac Herzog, Israels president, described the ICCs decision as a dark day for justice and humanity and said the arrest warrants were issued in bad faith. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israels national security minister, echoed accusations of anti-Semitism against the ICC and said the government should respond by annexing the West Bank. Joe Biden, the US president, said: The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence none between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security. Mike Waltz, Donald Trumps pick for national security adviser, said the court should expect a strong response to the anti-Semitic bias of the ICC and United Nations come January. Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, called on Washington to sanction the ICC in response to its decision. The arrest warrants were welcomed by Hamas, who said they represented an important step towards justice. Basem Naim, a Hamas official, said: It can lead to redress for the victims in general, but it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, also praised the decision, which he said restores hope and trust not only in international law along with UN institutions, but also in the importance of justice, accountability and prosecution of war criminals. Beyond the reach of the law Some human rights groups also applauded the arrest warrants. Balkees Jarrah, the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, said they break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law. Peace Now, the Israeli NGO, said the war against Hamas has become disproportionate, allegedly using unlawful means such as starvation. Under Netanyahus leadership, Israel has become a pariah state, and this is a low point in our history as a people and a nation. The ICC has no power to enforce its warrants but any country that has signed the Rome Statute, which established the courts existence, would be obliged to arrest Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant. Mr Khan said in a statement: I appeal to all States Parties to live up to their commitment to the Rome Statute by respecting and complying with these judicial orders. He also called on countries that are not members of the ICC to work together towards upholding international law. 07:53 PM GMT Round-up of todays events Thank you for following our live blog. Here is a round-up of todays events. The International Criminal Courts most senior prosecutor has urged the bodys 124 members to act on arrest warrants issued against Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. Sir Keir Starmer has backed the ICCs decision to issue a warrant for Netanyahu. He declined to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived in the UK. The United States fundamentally rejects the ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, a White House national security council spokesman said and is deeply concerned by the decision to do so. Italys defence minister, Guido Crosetto, said his country would be obliged to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited. 07:34 PM GMT White House is deeply concerned by decision to issue arrest warrants The White House has said it remains deeply concerned by the ICCs decision to seek arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister. 07:19 PM GMT Italy is bound by ICC to act on arrest warrants, says Crosetto Italys defence minister, Guido Crosetto, said his country would be obliged to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited. Crosetto, whose country holds the G7 rotating presidency this year, told RAI televisions Porta a Porta programme said that if Netanyahu or Gallant were to come to Italy, we would have to arrest them. It was not a political choice but Italy was bound as a member of the ICC to act on the courts warrants, Crosetto said. 06:49 PM GMT Netanyahu: ICC warrant wont stop me from continuing to defend Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has said the warrant issued for his arrest by the ICC wont stop me from continuing to defend Israel. 06:35 PM GMT Dutchs Foreign Minister cancels trip to Israel Caspar Veldkamp, The Netherlands Foreign Minister, has cancelled his trip to Israel, the Dutch news agency ANP has said, citing leaked plans of the trip as the reason. 06:12 PM GMT Italian government will arrest Netanyahu if he came to country The Italian government would have to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to the country, its defence minister Guido Crosetto has said. 05:35 PM GMT ICC prosecutor urges its 124 members to act on arrest warrants The International Criminal Courts most senior prosecutor has urged the bodys 124 members to act on arrest warrants issued against Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The ICC has no power to enforce its warrants but technically, any country that has signed the Rome Statue would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu or Gallant. Karim Khan in a statement, the ICCs chief prosecutor, said in a statement:I appeal to all States Parties to live up to their commitment to the Rome Statute by respecting and complying with these judicial orders. He also called on countries that are not members of the ICC to work together towards upholding international law. Khan said his investigation into the situation in Gaza was continuing and his team was looking into additional lines of inquiry in areas under the Courts jurisdiction, which include Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. 05:30 PM GMT Turkey praises ICC decision to issue ICC arrest warrants. Hakan Fidan, Turkeys foreign minister, hailed as a very important step the decision by the ICC to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister He wrote on X: This decision is an extremely important step in bringing to justice the Israeli authorities who committed genocide against Palestinians. 05:20 PM GMT ICC prosecutor urges members to live up to their commitments Karim Ahmad Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, has urged members to comply with arrest warrants. He said that countries that belong to the court must live up to their commitments and has also called on the co-operation of non members. 04:45 PM GMT Trudeau: We will abide by rulings of the ICC Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, has said his government will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the International Criminal Courts. He told a televised news conference. Its really important that everyone abide by international law. We stand up for international law, and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts. 04:31 PM GMT Palestine welcomes arrest warrants for Netanyahu The Palestinian Authority welcomed the International Criminal Courts arrest warrants on Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICCs decision represents hope and confidence in international law and its institutions, it said in a statement published by official Palestinian news agency Wafa, and urged ICC members to enforce a policy of severing contact and meetings with internationally wanted individuals, Netanyahu and (Yoav) Gallant. 04:21 PM GMT Starmer backs ICC warrant Sir Keir Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. When asked about the issue, Sir Keirs official spokesman said the Government respected the independence of the court. He declined to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived in the UK. The spokesman said: We respect the independence of the ICC, which is the primary institutional institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes in relation to international law. This Government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terror groups. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza. Under the Conservatives, the British government had told the court it intended to challenge the plans for the arrest warrants. However weeks after coming to power, Sir Starmers government reversed that position and said it would not object. 03:48 PM GMT US rejects ICC decision to issue arrest warrants The United States fundamentally rejects the ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, a White House national security council spokesman said. We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision, the spokesman added. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Donald Trump, called for the Senate to sanction the ICC, saying the court was a dangerous joke. It is now time for the US Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body. 03:33 PM GMT Suella Braverman: ICC is making a mockery of the law Suella Braverman has accused the ICC of making a mockery of the law, writes Dominic Penna. The Tory MP and former home secretary told The Telegraph: The issuing of an arrest warrant from the ICC for Israeli Ministers is outrageous and brings the ICC into disrepute. Israel is fighting for survival against Hamas terrorists who wish to wipe Jewish people off the face of the earth. To equate Hamas brutality with legitimate defensive measures of the democratically elected Israeli government is absurd and brings the ICC to shame. That this Labour government effectively supports the ICCs action puts the UK at odds with one of our closest allies in the Middle East. The ICC has lost credibility with this politicised decision which has no objective evidential basis. Theyve made a mockery of the law and undermined the international rules based system. 03:21 PM GMT UK should not enforce farcical arrest warrant, says Robert Jenrick Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said the ICC now has no credibility, writes Dominic Penna. Mr Jenrick said: The UK should not enforce this farcical arrest warrant from a politicised court that is itself mired in scandal. This latest decision will only fuel the growing perception the ICC is a kangaroo court. Equating Israels war of self defence with Hamas is absurd. The ICC has no credibility when it turns a blind eye to the crimes of tyrants like Khomeini and Putin. 03:14 PM GMT Irelands PM: ICC arrest warrants is extremely significant step Irelands prime minister has said the ICCs issuing of arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Dief is an extremely significant step. The court points to reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility for crimes perpetrated in the war in Gaza, Simon Harris said. Mr Harris also pointed to the arrest warrant for Hamas commander Mohammed Dief, who Israel claims to have killed earlier this year. The court points to reasonable grounds that Mr Deif ... is responsible for crimes against humanity, Mr Harris noted. The Irish leader said his government has long expressed profound concern that rules of international humanitarian law have not been upheld during the war in Gaza. 02:45 PM GMT Priti Patel: ICC decision is deeply concerning and provocative Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: The decision by the ICC to issue arrest warrants for the democratically elected leader of Israel and Israels former defence minister is deeply concerning and provocative. This will do nothing to bring about the release of all hostages held and the bringing of much-needed aid into Gaza. In issuing these warrants, the ICC are drawing a moral equivalence with the actions of the terrorist leadership of Hamas, which it is wrong to do. The Conservative Government did not believe the ICC has jurisdiction in this area, as Israel is not a signatory to the Rome statute, and because Palestine is not recognised as a state. The Labour Government must condemn and challenge the ICCs decision. 02:37 PM GMT Netanyahu compares ICC ruling to modern-day Dreyfus trial Benjamin Netanyahus office has released a statement comparing the ICCs ruling to the Dreyfus affair of 1894, when the French government wrongly convicted a Jewish army officer of treason. The anti-Semitic decision of the International Criminal Court is comparable to the modern-day Dreyfus trial -- and it will end in the same way, Netanyahu said, referencing the fact the French state eventually exonerated Albert Dreyfus. Mr Netanyahu added that the decision to issue an arrest warrant was made by a corrupt chief prosecutor attempting to save himself from serious allegations of sexual harassment. The ICC announced earlier this month that Karim Khan, its chief prosecutor, would face an external investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Mr Khan has denied all the allegations and vowed to cooperate with the investigation. 01:52 PM GMT Pictured: Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif As well as issuing arrest warrants for Israels prime minister and former defence minister, the ICC also sought the arrest of Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Israel has claimed that it killed Deif earlier this year. A shadowy figure, he had been on Israels most wanted list for nearly three decades and survived at least seven assassination attempts that left him with impaired sight and movement. Senior Hamas leader Mohammed Deif 01:28 PM GMT The ICC has turned universal justice into a laughing stock, Israeli president says Israels president has attacked the ICCs arrest warrant decision, saying the court has turned universal justice into a laughing stock. It makes a mockery of the sacrifice of all those who fight for justice - from the Allied victory over the Nazis till today, Isaac Herzog said. He added: It ignores the basic fact that Israel was barbarically attacked and has the duty and right to defend its people. It ignores the fact that Israel is a vibrant democracy, acting under international humanitarian law, and going to great lengths to provide for the humanitarian needs of the civilian population. 01:12 PM GMT Arrest warrants are assault on justice and truth, Israeli parliament speaker says The ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is an assault on justice, truth, and the universal right of self-defence, the Israeli parliament speaker has said. In a statement, Amir Ohana went on to say that the decision marks a dark day in the history of international law. Continuing, Mr Ohana said the ICC had chosen to politicise its mandate, turning itself into a tool of terrorists and those who seek to delegitimise Israels right to exist. He called on democracies across the world to take heed of the dangerous precedent this decision sets, threatening all nations fighting the scourge of terrorism. We reject this decision with the full moral force of our conviction and will continue to act decisively to defend our people and our sovereignty. Mr Ohana signed off the message by saying that the ICC didnt get the memo on Mohammed Deif. The ICC also issued an arrest for Deif, the leader of Hamas military wing, who Israel claims to have killed earlier this year. Benjamin Netanyahu arriving at the Netzarim Corridor, Israels main military supply route into the Gaza Strip, Nov 19 - Israeli government press office/AFP 12:59 PM GMT Human rights groups applaud Netanyahu arrest warrant Some human rights groups have applauded the ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law, the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. ActionAid, an international charity that works with women living in poverty, said it welcomed the ICCs move. It added: The Pre-Trial Chambers finding that Israeli officials Netanyahu and Gallant intentionally deprived civilians in Gaza of essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and fuel is a grave indictment of their barbaric actions in Gaza. Hundreds of people gather near the US Embassy building to demonstrate for a ceasefire in Gaza - Anadolu 12:51 PM GMT Benny Gantz condemns ICC decision Benny Gantz, a political rival to Benjamin Netanyahu, has condemned the ICCs decision to order the arrest of the Israeli prime minister and former defence secretary Yoav Gallant. Mr Gantz said the move showed moral blindness and was a shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. 12:46 PM GMT House of Commons reacts to ICC arrest warrants Bob Blackman, the chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, shared a post saying the ICC gave Hamas a strategic win with its ruling. Two Labour MPs who are currently serving six-month suspensions from the party both called on Sir Keir Starmer to back the ICCs ruling. Jeremy Corbyn, who now sits as an independent MP after losing the Labour whip, said: The ICCs arrest warrants are long overdue. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary must immediately endorse this decision. That is the bare minimum. Will the UK Government now, finally, honour its international obligations to prevent genocide and end all arms sales to Israel? Zarah Sultana, the MP for Coventry South, said: The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The UK government must comply with the ICC, end all arms sales, impose economic sanctions & suspend its trade deal with Israel. Nothing less will do. Apsana Begum, the MP for Poplar and Limehouse, added: The ICC have now issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netayanhu and Yaov Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The UK Government needs to get behind the ICC now, uphold international law and end its own complicity. 12:43 PM GMT Farage: The ICC loses more credibility with each day that passes Nigel Farage has criticised the ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, saying the court loses more credibility with each day that passes. The Reform UK leader said in March that there was a growing prejudice against Israel and Israelis beginning to run through Britains public services. 12:33 PM GMT Arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism, Israeli opposition leader says Arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Courts (ICC) for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant are a reward for terrorism, Israels opposition leader has said. Yair Lapid, from the centrist Yesh Atid party, said he condemned the ICCs decision and that Israel had been defending itself against terrorist organisations that attacked, murdered and raped our citizens. 12:22 PM GMT Hello and welcome to our live coverage Were bringing you the latest updates after arrest warrants were issued for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Yoav Gallant, his former defence minister, by the International Criminal Court. Randy Boissonnault has been accused of falsely claiming indigenous ancestry for personal gain. A Canadian minister who referred to himself as Strong Eagle Man has resigned from his role after being accused of faking having indigenous heritage. Randy Boissonnault, who was named as employment minister last year, had faced calls to resign over apparently conflicting versions of his ancestry. His stake in a company that claimed to be indigenous-owned is also under scrutiny for bidding on federal contracts set aside for indigenous businesses. Mr Boissonnault will resign immediately to focus on clearing the allegations made against him, the office for Justin Trudeau, Canadas prime minister, said in a statement. The Liberal MP, a former member of his partys indigenous caucus, has apologised for the confusion about his ancestry, and insisted that he had never claimed to be indigenous. He also said that he had not consented to his business partners claiming their company was indigenous-owned. Three Conservatives were asked to leave the House of Commons on Tuesday for unparliamentary language towards Mr Boissonnault, after they variously labelled him a fraud, fake and corrupt. Blake Desjarlais, an indigenous MP, accused Mr Boissonnault of pretendianism a term which means falsely claiming indigenous ancestry for personal gain. Ancestry wheel of fortune Don Davies, a New Democrat MP, said Mr Trudeau should have already removed him from the Cabinet and claimed that the prime minister lacked a strong ethical compass. Jody Wilson-Raybould, a former Liberal minister, wrote on social media: A prime minister committed to true reconciliation would have removed Randy from Cabinet long ago. Instead, we get to watch white people play ancestry wheel of fortune. Mr Boissonnault has referred to himself as a non-status adopted Cree, one of the biggest indigenous tribes in Canada, and claimed that his great-grandmother was a full-blooded Cree woman. He once claimed that his indigenous name was Strong Eagle Man, He has subsequently said that his great-grandmothers family instead had Metis heritage, which is a separate tribe. Mr Boissonnault apologised last week for not being clear about his heritage, which he said he was learning about in real time, Canadian media reported. He added that he had left the Liberal indigenous caucus in 2021, having joined to represent the large urban indigenous population in his constituency. A spokesman for Mr Boissonnault told Canadian media that the former minister declared himself a non-status adopted Cree after it was suggested by an indigenous researcher. It was an explanation of his adoptive familys indigenous history as they understood it at the time, she said. It comes after Mr Trudeau has tried to build bridges with Canadas 600 indigenous tribes, formally apologising for past mistreatment and earmarking billions of dollars for indigenous communities. But he has also faced criticism for firing Canadas first indigenous justice minister in 2019 after a falling out. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, the veterans affairs minister, will temporarily assume Mr Boissonnaults responsibilities following his resignation. The investigation was led by the arrest of a 17-year-old in Benalmadena last month A teenager has been arrested in Spain for allegedly leading a hitman service that provided criminal clients with underage assassins. Spains national police force said it had arrested a minor and his parents, all Swedish citizens, in their home in Alicante, from where the son and father operated their alleged murder-for-hire network. The boy, reported to be just 14, played a key role in the recruitment and payment of other minors hired to commit murders, according to a police statement. He allegedly recruited other youths from Sweden and Denmark on the messaging app Telegram, which he then used to provide details and instructions on targets and organise the delivery of weapons and explosives. The rate for a hit was reportedly between 20,000 (16,667) and 50,000. The raid took place at an apartment in Alicante - Policia Nacional The national police, who raided the familys home earlier this month, said on Wednesday: This home was set up as an operations centre, from where the suspects managed the social media accounts used to recruit young people and give the subsequent orders for the execution of murders. Police in Spain began to investigate the organisation after arresting a 17-year-old in May who was found loitering around a residential complex in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol. Investigators determined that the suspect, a Swedish national, had been flown into Spain to murder a motorbike gang member and intended to escape on the e-scooter provided by the organisation. The suspect was found in possession of gloves and insulating tape, elements police believe he was planning to use in the murder he was planning to commit. The police said that the organisation was preparing to supply him with an assault rifle for the planned attack against the bike gang member, thought to have been commissioned by a rival criminal gang. Spanish police said those arrested were either Swedish or Danish - and all of African descent - Policia Nacional Having foiled that alleged murder plot, Spanish police began to investigate the organisation behind the plan, uncovering a network of underage killers-for-hire. Sweden and Denmarks police forces co-operated in the investigation. Two other minors, also of Swedish nationality, have been arrested in Denmark in possession of firearms and accused of planning to commit a murder. All of the suspects arrested were Swedish and Danish nationals of north African descent, according to ABC. Drug trafficking The organisation is also suspected by the police of being involved in drug trafficking and money laundering to conceal the criminal origins of its gains. Police sources said they were certain that the organisation had been behind several murders over recent years. According to the sources, the family of three rarely left their apartment in San Juan, a town about six miles north east of central Alicante. The sources said this was the first time that an organisation using children as assassins had been uncovered operating in Spain. In Sweden it is more common; we have seen videos in which 13 year-olds shoot an adult to death with a much greater cold-bloodedness than experienced professionals, sources from the investigation told ABC. Spanish police said the investigation had also uncovered a major criminal network between Sweden and Eastern European countries. Ukrainian servicemen in Lugansk, February 2022 - AFP In the acknowledgements for his new book on Russias subjugation of Ukraine, historian Eugene Finkel credits not just the usual rollcall of researchers and editors, but a promising former student of his at John Hopkins University, Victor Muller Ferreira. A bright, diligent graduate, Muller Ferreira emailed Finkel in 2020 to ask for a recommendation for an internship at the International Criminal Court in the Hague. Finkel happily obliged. It was a whole two years later, in June 2022 three months into Russias invasion of Ukraine that Muller Ferriera was unmasked as Sergei Cherkasov, a spy for Russias GRU military intelligence. It horrified his old professor not just because hed vouched for him, but because it suggested Cherkasovs handlers had known about the invasion for a long time. Was the GRU trying to infiltrate the ICC in 2020 because Moscow was already planning a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, [or] at least strongly thinking about it? Finkel writes. Its easy to see why Cherkasov sought out Finkel for a reference: hes Ukrainian-born, has written extensively on the Holocaust and was among the first scholars to argue that Moscows invasion met the legal definition of genocide. Finkels new book, Intent to Destroy: Russias 200-year quest to dominate Ukraine, was written to fight back against Cherkasovs deceit. It narrates Ukraines long and unhappy forced marriage to Russia, in which Moscow has been variously controlling partner, neighbour-from-hell and spurned lover the madness of Putins special military operation being a final fit of murderous jealousy. Since the mid-19th century, dominating Ukraine and denying Ukrainians an independent identity, let alone a state, have been the cornerstone of imperial, Soviet, and, eventually, post-Soviet Russian policies, Finkel writes. He adds: Nothing scares a Russian autocrat more than a democratic and free Ukraine, because if Ukrainians can build a democracy, then the supposedly fraternal Russians might too. The rot, Finkel argues, goes back nearly 1,000 years, to when Kyiv, not Moscow, was the capital of the ancient state Rus. After Kyiv was destroyed by the Mongols, Moscow gained the upper hand, from then on viewing Ukraine as its backyard, be it as a wheat-growing breadbasket or buffer zone against Europe. The Czars curbed the publication of Ukrainian language books, and institutionalised Russian as the tongue of the educated elite. Crucially, the relationship also acquired a spiritual dimension. When the Crimean war prevented young Czarist nobles going on grand tours of Europe, they would travel around Ukraine instead, re-imagining it as a Slavic Rome.In Russian travelogues of the era, Ukraine is often described as Russian Italy, writes Finkel. A land of antiquity and the cradle of Russias own civilisation. Members of the Civil Guards fly their flags after the USSR takeover of Latvia - Corbis Historical After the Soviet empire replaced the Czars, things improved at first. Lenin was happy to promote local languages and cultures as long as they championed Marxist ideology, calculating that to do so would also defang nationalist movements in the blocs republics. But that policy was reversed under Stalin, who felt that Ukrainianisation had become a movement against Russians in general. Stalin responded with the Holodomor, or Death by Hunger in 1932-1933, the Kremlin-orchestrated operation to dispossess Ukrainians of their land and grain. In the cities where educated Russophiles lived, food was kept available. But in rural areas, five million starved to death. Today, Ukrainians regard it as their genocide. Under Khrushchev who spent part of his boyhood in Ukraine restrictions on Ukrainian language were eased once more. But Ukrainian national identity only really flourished following independence in 1991. That, though, pitted a new generation of Ukrainians with no attachment to the Soviet Union against throwbacks like Putin inaugurated as Russias president in 2000 who wanted it restored. While Finkel blames this neo-imperialism mainly on the Red-Brown alliance of Soviet nostalgics and Russian ultra-nationalists, he points out that Moscows intellectual class never really accepted loss of empire either. The writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, for example, railed against Ukraines independence, whinging that Russia lost 12 million Russians and 23 million more Russian speakers. Intent to Destroy is published by Basic Finkels book is a well-written, accessible account of the Moscow-Kyiv dynamic, as well as a good general history of the region. He is as perceptive on Ukraines future as he is on its past, making a strong case for Kyivs Nato membership. The alternative, he warns, could be Ukraine becoming a big Israel, which will seek its own independent nuclear deterrent. The Israel model might unfortunately mean... a society where the memory of war and genocide is the key pillar of national identity, he adds. In this model, each threat and attack could trigger existential fears and drive violent overreaction. Cherkasov, the would-be Hague spy, was sentenced to 15 years in jail (now reduced to five). Finkel says that even if his former student one day reads the book he inspired, he doubts he will ever understand the damage and injustice carried out by the state he serves. For the rest of us, though, Intent to Destroy helps explain just why Putin has spilt so much blood on Ukraines soil. Intent to Destroy is published by Basic at 25. To order your copy for 19.99, call 0330 173 0523 or visit Telegraph Books Ancient Greece comes to Beijing: A cultural bridge between two civilizations 14:08, November 21, 2024 By Kostas Papathanasiou ( People's Daily Online The copy of the Golden "Mask of Agamemnon" among the artifacts presented in the exhibition "Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at the Beijing Capital Museum, Nov. 20, 2024. (Photo/People's Daily Online) The grandeur of ancient Greece was brought to life at the Beijing Capital Museum, where the exhibition "Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" was officially inaugurated in a heartfelt opening ceremony. The ceremony, held in the museums prestigious hall, was chaired by Tan Xiaoling, deputy director of the Capital Museum, who warmly welcomed the distinguished guests and attendees. She then introduced Evgenios Kalpyris, ambassador of Greece in China. In his eloquent speech, Kalpyris highlighted the shared values between the Greek and Chinese civilizations, noting that such cultural exchanges strengthen the profound bonds of friendship between the two nations. Evgenios Kalpyris, ambassador of Greece in China, addresses the audience during the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at the Beijing Capital Museum, Nov. 20, 2024. (Photo/People's Daily Online) Next, Zhang Lixin, director of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Bureau, addressed the audience with heartfelt remarks, expressing Beijings pride in hosting this exhibition. She emphasized its role in enriching cultural dialogue and providing visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the wonders of ancient Greece. Representing Greece's archaeological expertise, Eleni Papadopoulou, director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Chania, took the stage to stress the significance of the exhibition. She spoke of the mutual respect and strong ties between Greek and Chinese cultures, which continue to inspire collaborations such as this exceptional display. Left to right, Han Zhanming, director of the Capital Museum of Beijing, Zhang Lixin, director of Beijing Cultural Heritage Bureau, Evgenios Kalpyris, ambassador of Greece in China and Eleni Papadopoulou, director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Chania, together reveal the title of the exhibition "Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at the Beijing Capital Museum, Nov. 20, 2024. (Photo/People's Daily Online) The ceremony concluded with an address by Han Zhanming, director of the Beijing Capital Museum, who extended a warm welcome to all and invited attendees to explore the treasures of the exhibition. Distinguished guests in attendance The event was graced by the presence of several high-ranking diplomats, reflecting its international significance. Among the audience were ambassadors from Jordan, Austria, India, Italy, Bulgaria, and Romania with their spouses, as well as the newly appointed Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Greece in China, Alexandros Vidouris. Their participation underscored the global importance of cultural diplomacy and the shared admiration for the heritage of ancient Greece. Among others, Yong Wang, secretary general of the Center for Chinese and Greek Civilizations at Southwest University, Chongqing in southwest China attended the opening ceremony. Exhibition is presented to the attendees by the Greek specialized staff who traveled to Beijing for the opening ceremony in the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at the Beijing Capital Museum, Nov. 20, 2024. (Photo/People's Daily Online) Cultural diplomacy at its finest "Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" is more than an exhibitionit is a cultural bridge that connects two ancient civilizations with shared values of wisdom, innovation, and mutual respect. This extraordinary display invites audiences to reflect on the legacy of the past while forging new cultural connections for the future. As the exhibition opens its doors, it promises to captivate visitors of all ages, offering a memorable experience that celebrates history and the enduring friendship between Greece and China. Distinguished attendees at the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at the Beijing Capital Museum, Nov. 20, 2024. (Photo/People's Daily Online) Foreign attendee observes the marble bust of Homer presented at the Capital Museum of Beijing through the exhibition "Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at the Beijing Capital Museum, Nov. 20, 2024. (Photo/People's Daily Online) (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) BIGHIT MUSIC has released a statement announcing the temporary break of TXT member Soobin. On November 19, the agency announced on the fan platform Weverse that Soobin would undergo a temporary hiatus. BIGHIT MUSIC then shared that Soobin had experienced "signs of being unwell" and was sent to the hospital for medical attention. According to the medical staff, Soobin was advised to take his time to rest and recover. After discussing TXT's activities with the rest of the members, it was concluded that Soobin would be prioritizing his recovery. As a result, Soobin would be unable to attend multiple scheduled events, such as the 2024 MAMA Awards, the group's "ACT: PROMISE" Encore Show in Japan, fan meetings, and other end-of-the-year ceremonies. "We would like to apologize to our fans and ask for your generous understanding," the agency added. BIGHIT MUSIC continued that Soobin will do his best to rest and return to fans in good health. The company also assured that Soobin would receive BIGHIT's support in his recovery. [Notice] TOMORROW X TOGETHER ( ENG/JPN/CHN)https://t.co/6GkMqyilPL TXT OFFICIAL (@TXT_bighit) November 19, 2024 Here's how MOAs reacted to the news: Polish president Andrzej Duda at the opening of the anti-missile base in Redzikowo. Nato says is it part of its air defence programme - Adam Warzawa/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Russia has said it has identified a US missile base in Poland which it claims raises the prospect of a nuclear war between Moscow and Nato. Moscow branded the facility in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast a provocation on Thursday, just days after Washington permitted long-range missile strikes by Ukraine against targets on Russian soil. This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies in the North Atlantic Alliance in the strategic sphere, Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministrys spokeswoman, said. This leads to undermining strategic stability, increasing strategic risks and, as a result, to an increase in the overall level of nuclear danger. The US missile facility, which was commissioned in 2009, was opened on Nov 13 as part of a broader air-defence programme by the Nato military alliance in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has sought to ratchet up the prospect of a nuclear war after Joe Biden authorised the use of Western missiles in strikes inside Russia by Ukrainian forces. Shortly after news of the decision was leaked to The New York Times, Russia claimed that US-supplied Atacms rockets were used to hit a target inside Russia. The base was formally opened on Nov 13 - Mateusz SlodkowskiAFP via Getty The accusations were followed up by claims that UK-provided Storm Shadow cruise missiles were launched at a target inside Kursk, a Russian region partially occupied by Ukraine. Vladimir Putin then signed into law a decree which broadened the use of its nuclear arsenal. The new doctrine states an attack from a non-nuclear state, if backed by a nuclear power, will be treated as a joint assault on Russia. Experts say the threat is largely a desperate attempt by Moscow to prevent strikes on its territory using Western weapons. Poland has claimed the base mentioned by Russia poses no threat. A Russian missile test earlier this year. Moscow claims the new facility escalates the chance of nuclear conflict - Russian Defence Ministry/AFP via Getty Images A spokesman for Warsaws foreign ministry said no nuclear missiles were based there and its functions were purely defensive. It is part of Aegis Ashore, a Nato programme to defend the alliance against short and mid-range ballistic missiles. Given the nature and level of threats posed by such Western military facilities, the missile defence base in Poland has long been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction, which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons, Ms Zakharova said. It is a base that serves the purpose of defence, not attack, Pawel Wronski, Polands foreign ministry spokesman, hit back. Such threats will certainly serve as an argument to strengthen Polands and Natos air defences, and should also be considered by the United States. A fallen tree on top of a fire department vehicle in Seattle. Photograph: David Ryder/Reuters A major storm swept across the US north-west, battering the region with strong winds and rain, causing widespread power outages, closing schools and downing trees that killed at least two people. Related: California and Pacific north-west brace for an atmospheric river but what is it? The Weather Prediction Center issued excessive rainfall risks through Friday, and hurricane-force wind warnings were in effect as the strongest atmospheric river a large plume of moisture that California and the Pacific north-west has seen this season overwhelmed the region. The storm system that hit starting Tuesday is considered a bomb cyclone, which occurs when a cyclone intensifies rapidly. Crews were working to restore power to over 650,000 people on Wednesday evening in Washington state. An estimated 100,000 people were without power in British Columbia, as well as 24,000 in northern California. Falling trees struck homes and littered roads across western Washington. A woman was killed on Tuesday when a tree fell on a homeless encampment in Lynnwood, north of Seattle, local fire department officials said on social media. A second woman was killed near Seattle when a tree fell on her home, Bellevue fire officials said. Two people were injured when a tree fell on their trailer in Maple Valley, south-east of Seattle. The storm is expected to range for days, unleashing snow, with blizzard and avalanche warnings in the mountains, and hurricane force winds over the region. The intensity of the storm, measured by its minimum central air pressure, was consistent with a category 4 hurricane, the Washington Post reported. Conditions known as an atmospheric river are also expected to extend from Hawaii to California. Atmospheric rivers are exactly what they sound like. These long streams of overhead moisture or as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (Noaa) says, the rivers in the sky have delivered both destructive and drought-reducing downpours with alarming intensity. What is an atmospheric river? And other weather terms explained Here's a short breakdown of the different kinds of storms that have lashed the west coast of North America this winter. Atmospheric river The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration refers to these as rivers in the sky for good reason. Characterized by long streams of moisture in the atmosphere, the average atmospheric river carries an amount of water vapor that rivals the flow at the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River and strong ones can hold up to 15 times that amount. That moisture is released as rain or snow when ARs make landfall and typically are accompanied by strong, gusty winds adding to their destructive tendencies. Pineapple express These particularly strong atmospheric rivers are named for their origin. Pulling moisture from the Pacific around Hawaii, Pineapple Express storms have been known to unleash torrents of precipitation when they reach the west coast of the US and Canada and have dumped roughly 5in of rain on California in a single day, according to the National Ocean Service. Bomb cyclone These low-pressure storm systems help create atmospheric rivers, pushing them from the Pacific to the coast. Unlike hurricanes or other storms where the center is the strongest, bomb cyclones can generate the worst weather at their edges. El Nino This is a climate pattern characterized by unusually warm surface ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific. Along with its counterpart La Nina which, in turn, refers to a period of colder-than-average sea surface temperatures these patterns can impact weather around the world. While the weather doesnt always align, El Nino is associated with warmer temperatures, and generally delivers drier conditions in the northern US and Canada, and wetter ones bringing increased flood risks through the south. Gabrielle Canon, US climate and extreme weather correspondent A low-pressure system, which has helped spur the storm and whip up winds, intensified so quickly it is considered a bomb cyclone, explained Richard Bann, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service weather prediction center. The fire department in Bellevue, Washington, urged people to stay inside on the lowest floor of their homes and away from windows. An Amtrak train was also involved in a collision outside of Seattle and CNN obtained videos of downed trees on power lines. Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines, the National Weather Service in Seattle posted in a warning. The storm is expected to slowly travel south and stall over northern California in the next few days. On Friday, rainfall could reach up to 20in (500mm) in parts of south-western Oregon and northern California. On the east coast, New York City is under its first drought warning in more than 20 years. New York Citys reservoirs are at about 60% capacity, but are usually above 79% capacity at this time of year, Rohit Aggarwala, the commissioner of the citys department of environmental protection, told NBC News. Over the last 10 weeks, the city has had 8.23in less rain than is typical for the period. The New York City area is expected to see some rain from Wednesday night through Friday that could total up to 3in. Experts say that will not be enough to overcome the severe drought, but hope it could slow the fires. We hope it will be enough to wet dry leaves and pine needles that fuel these fires, Bill Goodman, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service told the New York Times. But well just have to see what happens, and take it one storm at a time. The fires come as scientists warn that the climate crisis is causing more extreme weather events. Hot air causes more water to evaporate from the earth and can cause extreme flooding. But when the conditions are not there for rain, the water evaporating creates more dry conditions that can dry out the ground. The Jennings Creek wildfire in New Jersey and New York has affected more than 5,000 acres of land, and more than 160 homes were ordered to evacuate. The New York fire department has established a brush fire taskforce after they saw 300 brush fires over 18 days, according to ABC7. In a typical year, the department sees half that number. Firefighters put out a brushfire in Highbridge Park in upper Manhattan on Tuesday that burned through 10-15 acres of brush. Reuters contributed to this report Bernie Sanders said: The United States of America is complicit in these atrocities. This complicity must end. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images The US Senate has blocked legislation that would have halted the sale of some US weapons to Israel, which had been introduced out of concern about the human rights catastrophe faced by Palestinians in Gaza. Senator Bernie Sanders had introduced what are called joint resolutions of disapproval, seeking to block the Biden administrations recent sale of $20bn in US weapons to Israel. Moves to advance three resolutions all failed, garnering only about 20 votes out of the chambers 100 members, with most Democrats joining all Republicans against the measures. The Senate was to vote later on Wednesday on two other resolutions that would stop shipments of mortar rounds and a GPS guidance system for bombs. Sanders introduced the measures in September as Israel continued its assault on Gaza which has killed at least 43,000 people. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus extremist government has not simply waged war against Hamas it has waged war against Palestinians, Sanders said a press conference held on Tuesday ahead of the vote. Much of whats been happening there has been done with US weapons and American taxpayer support, Sanders continued, adding that the US has provided more than $18bn in military aid to Israel and delivered more than 50,000 tons of armaments and military equipment. The United States of America is complicit in these atrocities. This complicity must end. The Sanders-led effort to stop the flow of arms to Israel came after the country failed to meet the US-imposed deadline of 12 November to increase humanitarian aid and allow at least 350 trucks into Gaza a day. Despite Israels failure, the US took no action. Under US law, military assistance must not be given to foreign security forces that have committed human rights violations. However, the Biden administration has largely refused to stop the transfer of weapons to Israel, despite persistent accusations of war crimes from human rights experts. Senator Elizabeth Warren had voiced support for the resolutions and condemned the Biden administration for not taking action against Israel for failing to meet its deadline for aid into Gaza. The failure by the Biden administration to follow US law and to suspend arms shipments is a grave mistake that undermines American credibility worldwide, Warren said in a statement. If this administration will not act, Congress must step up to enforce US law and hold the Netanyahu government accountable through a joint resolution of disapproval. It is not the first time Sanders has led such an effort, and this one was not expected to pass. But backers hoped significant support in the Senate would encourage Israels government and Joe Bidens administration to do more to protect civilians in Gaza. The Democratic senator Jeff Merkley, who co-sponsored the resolutions, said he opposed the transfer of offensive weapons used for bombing, which has produced massive deaths, massive injuries, massive destruction. I stand before you today as someone who has spent a lifetime advocating for Israels economic success and for their security in a very difficult part of the world, Merkley said, adding: But the Netanyahu government has taken policies that are out of sync with American values. More than 65% of housing, schools and healthcare facilities have been destroyed by Israeli forces, according to UN data. All 12 universities in the territory have been damaged or destroyed, according to Wafa, the Palestinian news agency. The UN also estimates that about 90% of Gazas 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced. Humanitarian groups on the ground have reported malnutrition and starvation and global food security experts say famine in northern Gaza is imminent. A spokesperson from Oxfam, a British non-governmental organization that has been providing aid to the displaced in the region, said: The Senate must vote to finally end arms transfers to Israel, as we see the crisis continue to escalate with warnings of imminent famine and entire communities being permanently erased in North Gaza governorate. Israel is blocking humanitarian aid, and is meanwhile using US weapons in attacks that have killed thousands of children, aid workers, and journalists, destroyed schools, hospitals, vital infrastructure for clean water and more, and displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, where there is nowhere safe. It has been more than a year since Hamass surprise and deadly attacks on 7 October 2023. Negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly failed. AFP and Reuters contributed reporting Pro-Palestine supporters have used the defence MoU as a way to attack Jacinta Allans Victorian government. Photograph: Gemma Hubeek/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock A secretive memorandum of understanding between the Victorian government and the Israeli defence force will not be renewed. Guardian Australia has confirmed the MoU between the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions and the international defence cooperation directorate of the Israel defence ministry, which was signed on 7 December 2022, will lapse when it expires next month. The purpose of the MoU was to identify potential opportunities for collaboration on projects that could deliver significant advanced manufacturing capabilities, highly skilled jobs and economic benefits for Victoria, a government spokesperson said. Since it was signed, no joint projects were entered into under the MoU and it will not be renewed. The MoU was signed before the Israel-Gaza war but has come under increased scrutiny since the conflict began, along with a partnership between the government and weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems. The Greens have repeatedly used question time to grill the government on the MoUs contents and behind the scenes, Labor MPs have been urging the premier, Jacinta Allan, not to renew it. Related: Arrest warrant against Netanyahu coincides with crisis at ICC The same MPs were rankled last week when Allan criticised pro-Palestinian protesters for planning a demonstration outside Myers Christmas windows. She said the demonstration would not help bring an end to the conflict but instead sought to divide Victorians. The Victorian Greens leader, Ellen Sandell, said public pressure had worked. Labor are clearly feeling the pressure, they know that Victorians are appalled, she said, as she called for the government to also rip up its partnership with Elbit Systems. Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, also welcomed the decision, describing it as an important step toward Victoria adopting a more principled approach. Consistently, the Victorian government must now cancel any agreements and partnerships with Elbit Systems, he said. The full text of the MoU has not been made public but documents from the Victorian government, released under freedom of information laws, show its purpose was to foster trade relations and support greater collaboration on defence industry objectives. However, the government has stressed it was not supplying arms or weapons to Israel and the MoU was not legally binding. The decision to let it expire comes after the federal government has also amended or lapsed at least 16 defence-related export permits to Israel in recent weeks, amid a review of all 66 permits approved prior to the conflict. The full review is expected to conclude in the coming months. Rawan Arraf, the executive director of the Australian Centre for International Justice, welcomed the states decision not to renew the MoU. She described the relationship between the Victorian government and Israels defence ministry as untenable, legally and ethically. Arraf also urged the federal government to reconsider its own two-way military and defence ties with Israel. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry the peak national body representing the Australian Jewish community declined to comment. Sarah Schwartz, co-executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, welcomed the change in language by both the federal and Victorian governments in recent weeks. Almost 44,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began 13 months ago, according to the health ministry in Gaza. The war is in response to the 7 October attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 people were taken hostage. The international criminal court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters Benjamin Netanyahu has become the first leader of a western-style democracy to have an arrest warrant issued in his name by the international criminal court. The court has also issued warrants for his former defence secretary, Yoav Gallant, and the Hamas military leader, Mohammed Deif. Here the Guardian explains why the warrants have been issued and what they mean in practice. On what grounds have the warrants been issued? The warrants relate to the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the Israeli military response in Gaza. The ICCs three-judge panel said it had found reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. In addition the panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe they bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population. The panel said of Deif that it had found reasonable grounds to believe that he was responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder, extermination, torture and rape and other form of sexual violence, as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture, taking hostages, outrages upon personal dignity, and rape and other forms of sexual violence. The ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan had also sought warrants for two other senior Hamas figures Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh but they have since been killed. Israel also claims to have killed Deif, but the courts pre-trial chamber said it would continue to gather information to confirm his death. What are the practical implications for Netanyahu and Gallant? The ICC relies on 124 member states of the Rome statute, which established the court, to execute arrest warrants. Member states are obliged to arrest individuals wanted by the ICC who set foot on their territory and, while they do not always do so, it means that the accused will have to consider whether they are willing to risk travelling. Last year, Vladimir Putin decided not to go to South Africa amid speculation that he would be detained under an arrest warrant issued by the ICC for overseeing the abduction of Ukrainian children in Russias invasion of Ukraine. Neither Israel nor its closest ally, the US, are members, nor are the possible venues for ceasefire talks, Qatar and Egypt, although that may be a moot point as neither Netanyahu nor Gallant have attended the talks. Jordan and Tunisia are the only Arab member states other than Palestine. Another staunch Israel ally, Germany, is a member of the ICC, as are all European Union countries. Switzerland is a member, as is Japan. All Latin American countries, bar Cuba and Haiti, are ICC members, as are 33 African countries. How does the ICC have jurisdiction over Israel when it isnt a member? The ICC has jurisdiction for both alleged crimes committed by a national of a member country and alleged crimes committed in the territory of a member state. Palestine acceded to the Rome statute in 2015, and the ICC ruled in 2021 that it was a state, thereby extending the courts jurisdiction to territories occupied by Israel since 1967 Gaza and the West Bank including East Jerusalem. Who is the prosecutor who sought the warrants? Khan is a British barrister appointed as the ICC prosecutor in 2021 after a secret ballot process. He previously represented the Kenyan vice-president, William Ruto, at the ICC when he was charged with crimes against humanity after post-election violence in 2007, and Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president who was convicted of war crimes at a special court for Sierra Leone. The warrants have been issued at a sensitive moment for Khan, who is facing an external investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. The inquiry will examine the allegations against the prosecutor, which, the Guardian reported last month, include claims of unwanted sexual touching and abuse over an extended period, as well as coercive behaviour and abuse of authority. Khan has denied the allegations and said he will cooperate with the investigation. The alleged victim, an ICC lawyer in her 30s, has previously declined to comment. Elon Musk In 2012, the Tesla tycoon Elon Musk took a Boris bike on a tour around London, bathing in the Olympics love-in, declaring to his Twitter followers that I really like Britain! Musk had good reason to be pleased that year, having made his first appearance on the prestigious Forbes Billionaire List with a modest 1.58 billion fortune. Twelve years later, Musks fortune is valued at $316.5 billion (250 billion), thanks to Tesla becoming the worlds largest car company and SpaceX becoming the planets leading space launch provider. But, jarringly, his valuation of the UK appears to have gone into reverse gear. The South-African born tycoon has used the social media platform that he bought in 2022 to warn, during the riots earlier this year, that civil war in the UK was inevitable and attack Two-Tier Keir Starmer and the UK repeatedly. At the same time, Starmers government was accusing social media companies of adding fuel to the fire during the riots. Ofcom, the media regulator, said there was an increased risk of such sites being used to stir up hatred and provoke violence. On Wednesday, it emerged that MPs on the Commons science and technology committee, chaired by Labours Chi Onwurah, intended to summon Musk for questioning over the spread of disinformation on X, formerly Twitter. He retorted: They will be summoned to the United States of America to explain their censorship and threats to American citizens. Musk took a Boris bike on a tour around London in 2012, declaring to his social media followers that I really like Britain! The skirmishes between Musk and Labour that started in the summer appear to have been unhelpful for Starmers relationship with the man who has become one of Donald Trumps closest lieutenants. On Tuesday, Lord Mandelson, tipped to become the next UK ambassador to Washington, and one of Labours savviest operators, warned: [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. But Musk, who will lead Trumps new Department of Government Efficiency, isnt the only member of the president-elects team to take a dim view of todays Britain. Trumps allies appear to view Britain as a cautionary tale of what happens if governments attempt to bear down on free speech and of the effects of mass migration. In July, JD Vance, Trumps pick for vice-president, said: I have to beat up on the UK, and claimed that since Labour took over [the UK would be] the first truly Islamist country to get a nuclear weapon. Last month, Vance said: London doesnt feel fully English to me anymore, right? Labour took Vances initial remarks as an attack on Britains diversity, with James Murray, the Treasury minister, saying that in Britain, were very proud of our diversity. Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, also responded: We won votes across all different communities, across the whole of the country, and were interested in governing on behalf of Britain and also working with our international allies. And it appears that the scale of illegal migration to the UK might be influencing Musks views too, both of Labour and modern Britain. In September, in a possible indication of how he may view Labour, he tweeted: Massive illegal immigration will ensure permanent one-party rule in America, just as it has done in California. Since the Democratic Party is soft on crime, it is also strongly favored by criminals, so their perverse, but very real, incentive is to maximize criminal immigration. Once you understand the incentives, the behaviors are easy to predict. The irony is that, prior to his recent criticism, the evidence of Musks fondness for the UK is manifold. Margaret Thatcher was like my English Nana Indeed, in April 2013, Musk revealed that he was a fan of Margaret Thatcher. He wrote: Always admired Margaret Thatcher she was tough, but sensible & fair, much like my English Nana. He added: Britain went from dreary to Great again. Musks English Nana was Cora Amelia Robinson, who was born in Liverpool and married Elons South African grandfather, Walter Henry James Musk. Musk emigrated to Canada from South Africa in 1989 but eventually moved to Californias Silicon Valley and became a US citizen. In 2002, he made his initial fortune thanks to his involvement with PayPal. Two years later, Musk would use that money to invest in motor start-up Tesla before eventually taking control of the company. In 2008, he met Talulah Riley, the British actress who starred in Pride and Prejudice and the St Trinians, in a London nightclub, and two years later they would marry in Dornoch Cathedral in the Highlands. Their marriage ended in 2016. But, in 2022, court documents revealed that during Musks legal battle with Twitter, Riley urged him to buy the platform, saying: Its very easy to exploit and is being used by radicals for social engineering on a massive scale. And this s--- is infecting the world. Please do something to fight woke-ism. Musk married British actress Talulah Riley in 2010. They divorced the following year, then remarried in 2013 to divorce again in 2016 - Nick Harvey/WireImage Last year, Musk tweeted praise for another British Prime Minister, describing Rishi Sunak as an asset to the UK, having been persuaded to attend the then Tory leaders AI conference in London. On July 29, following Labours election win, Musk tweeted approvingly about a High Court decision which ruled that the previous governments ban on puberty blockers was lawful. Earlier that month, Musk said that he was tricked into allowing his son Xavier to go on puberty blockers before reappearing as his trans daughter Vivian Wilson and blamed the woke mind virus. In a response to a tweet from JK Rowling, Musk wrote: Thank goodness for common sense in the UK. Now this should be applied to the US as soon as possible. But the same day, a mass stabbing of children in Southport would provoke a fire storm of rumours about the attacker on X and other social media platforms. The following day, protestors clashed with police in the Merseyside town and riots subsequently spread around the UK, leading to more than 1,000 arrests. Starmer warned: Let me also say to large social media companies, and those who run them violent disorder clearly whipped up online... that is also a crime. Its happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere. Arrested for making comments on Facebook! Is this Britain or the Soviet Union? On Aug 6, Musk, responding to reports that people had been arrested for making offensive comments on Facebook, declared: Arrested for making comments on Facebook! Is this Britain or the Soviet Union? He later publicly criticised Starmers early release of prisoners, tying that policy to police action against British social media users for posts deemed to be hateful. I dont think anyone should go to the UK when theyre releasing convicted pedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts, he posted on X in September. Then, last week, having criticised a decision by police to investigate Allison Pearson, a journalist at The Telegraph, over a year-old post on X, he declared that Britain is turning into a police state. Prof Sander van der Linden, from Cambridge Universitys psychology department and an expert on misinformation and social media, says: I think Elon has become so fixated on the UK because he sees the regulation of hate speech and incitement of violence as a direct threat to his business model. Extremist content gets engagement and is monetized by influencers. The academic adds: The UK model of balancing harms and benefits of free speech and stricter regulation of online safety is the exact opposite of what he is campaigning for in the US, so it is perhaps not surprising he sees the UK (and Europe) as a threat to his business model and aims to undermine domestic affairs here in the UK by stirring up division on the topic. I think he is clearly on a war path because he is frustrated, he has no control over the UK, and he doesnt like being held accountable for his speech. Britain is going full Stalin Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader with close links to Trump and Musk, disagrees, saying: Elon has huge respect for Britain, the mother of the English-speaking world. He clearly sees the Starmer government is threatening essential freedoms built on and defended over centuries. Gawain Towler, a communications chief at Reform and a long-term Farage ally, adds: From the moment that Musk took over Twitter, the liberal establishment in the US and UK have had a lot of hate for him. He was prepared to lose a lot of money because he saw that Twitter had taken sides in the broader political debate. He had seen how it behaved in the last US election when it removed Trump and censored free speech. He says: [Musk] has had a long-term interest in the UK, where he sees essential freedoms have come from, and are written into the US constitution. He has an almost naive belief in right and wrong but has been prepared to put his billions into defending that and he has been watching the UK very carefully ever since he took over Twitter. On Monday, Musk even waded into the row over Labours inheritance tax hike on UK farmers by stating: Britain is going full Stalin. But, Towler insists: This is not a Keir Starmer thing. It is a liberal establishment thing. What is clear is that the stakes for Starmer and his government could not be higher. A Ukrainian serviceman fires a howitzer towards Russian positions near Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region on 18 November 2024. Photograph: 24th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces/AFP/Getty Images The proportion of the world engulfed by conflict has grown 65% equivalent to nearly double the size of India over the past three years, according to a new report. Ukraine, Myanmar, the Middle East and a conflict corridor around Africas Sahel region have seen wars and unrest spread and intensify since 2021, according to the latest Conflict Intensity Index (CII), published by risk analysts Verisk Maplecroft. While there was a lull in the levels of conflict globally during the Covid-19 pandemic, experts say there has been a rising trend of violence for at least a decade, while many longstanding crises continue unabated. Hugo Brennan, research director at Verisk Maplecroft, said recent conflicts have had far-reaching impacts on businesses, economic growth and food security, with supply chains disturbed by Russias invasion of Ukraine, which endangered grain exports to the Middle East and Africa, and attacks by Houthi rebels from Yemen on Red Sea shipping. Conflict risks are increasing, they have for the last few years and global businesses need to think about that. You can look at international media and think: I dont have a factory in Sudan, it does not affect me, but because of the supply chain impacts, a conflict in a faraway place can impact you, he said. According to the report, the equivalent of 6.15m sq km (2.4m sq miles) is afflicted by fighting between or within states, meaning 4.6% of the worlds landmass is now affected by conflict compared with 2.8% in 2021, with the number of deaths in conflict rising by 29%. In total, 27 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia, India, Indonesia and Thailand, have experienced a significant increase in risk since on the CII since 2021. The report identified a conflict corridor covering the Sahel and Horn of Africa, from Mali to Somalia, where it said violence had doubled in the past three years. It said 86% of Burkina Faso was now embroiled in conflict, while Sudan and Ethiopia have seen large-scale outbreaks of violence. Angela Rosales, CEO of SOS Childrens Villages International, which helps children separated from their families, said 470 million children worldwide are affected by wars, including in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza and Lebanon, with serious impacts that go beyond death and injury. Children in conflict-affected areas are at risk of losing family care if their homes are destroyed, parents are killed or if they become separated when fleeing violence, she said. They are especially vulnerable to exploitation, enslavement, trafficking and abuse. Prof Clionadh Raleigh, president of civilian harm monitor Acled (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data), said that while new conflicts were emerging, with a 27% rise in violent events since the Ukraine war, older conflicts were also persisting. There are far fewer conflicts ending or becoming less intense and there are far more of them cropping up, she said, highlighting that in countries such as Myanmar, with numerous armed rebellions involving smaller groups, it was difficult to reach an all-encompassing peace settlement. These smaller conflicts, they tend to be able to evolve, and theyre very flexible to the political system they find themselves in. So they can be very difficult to end. Raleigh said she was concerned that violence would only increase, partly because of tensions between Iran and Israel but also because there is a trend of perpetrators of coups and assassinations, or militias using violence to impose power, being able to act without facing consequences. Iain Overton, executive director of Action on Armed Violence, a charity that monitors civilian harm, said there are trends of rising violence if compared with 2010, which included highs during the middle of the decade in Syria and Iraq. He noted that compared to the mid-2010s, when much of the violence involved non-state armed groups who relied on small arms and improvised explosives, there was a more recent rise in violence involving clashing states. The 2020s are going to be defined as the decade of the airstrike and particularly the drone strike, said Overton. Essex Police have closed an investigation into a journalist for alleged incitement of racial hatred over a post online that has since been deleted. An independent review will be launched into the forces handling of the case. Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson said she was wearing her dressing gown when she was spoken to by two constables from Essex Police on Remembrance Sunday, about a year-old post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. News of the visit sparked a backlash, including from former Conservative prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, who both called the incident appalling, and X owner Elon Musk. Essex Police had been carrying out an investigation under the Public Order Act but said on Thursday that it decided to take no further action after the Crown Prosecution Service advised that no charges should be brought. The force added that the National Police Chiefs Council hate crime lead has agreed to conduct an independent review into the forces handling of the matter. An Essex Police spokesman said: We investigate crimes reported to us without fear or favour. Were sometimes faced with allegations of crime where people have strong opposing views. Thats why we work so hard to remain impartial and to investigate allegations, regardless of where they might lead. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and shadow home secretary Chris Philp called for the guidelines on non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) to be reviewed in the wake of the case against Ms Pearson being dropped. Very pleased that Essex Police have now dropped this investigation into @AllisonPearson. Journalists should not be getting visits from the police for expressing opinions. The credit goes to Allison for standing her ground. Non-crime hate incident reports have increased Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) November 21, 2024 Ms Badenoch said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: Journalists should not be getting visits from the police for expressing opinions. Non-crime hate incident reports have increased exponentially as they appear to be used beyond the original intentions of the legislation created over 20 years ago. Its time to look (yet again) at the guidelines and review whether the overall policy is still fit for purpose. Mr Philp took to social media to say: It should never have come to this. The police should not be policing thought or speech. Police time should only be spent on criminality or behaviour likely to lead imminently to criminality. I urge the Govt to urgently change the guidelines on NCHIs to stop it happening again. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was delighted the case has been dropped, adding that his party would repeal hate speech laws. Speaking on her Planet Normal podcast, Ms Pearson said the visit by Essex Police upset her. Whatever I did or didnt tweet, if somebody found it offensive, that to me is still not a reason for two policemen to come to my house on a Sunday morning, she said. Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to strike the UK with a new ballistic missile after using the weapon to hit a target in Ukraine. Downing Street condemned Mr Putin for further escalating the conflict by using a ballistic missile with a range of several thousand kilometres against the city of Dnipro. Mr Putin suggested the missile could be used to hit Kyivs allies who have given Ukraine permission to use Western-supplied weapons to hit targets within Russia. The UK is believed to have allowed its Storm Shadow missiles to be used by Ukrainian forces within the Kursk region of Russia, while the US has given permission for its ATACMS weapons to be fired at targets in Mr Putins country. Mr Putin confirmed Russia has tested a new intermediate-range weapon, saying it came in response to Ukrainian strikes on the Russian territory with US and British missiles earlier this week. The Russian leader declared that Russia would issue advance warnings before strikes on other countries to allow civilians to evacuate to safety. In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the Ukrainian defence industry, Mr Putin said in a televised address. One of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested in combat conditions, in this case, with a ballistic missile in a non-nuclear hypersonic warhead. He added: We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities. The US said the weapon was a new, experimental intermediate-range missile based on Russias existing RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. In Westminster, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres. No 10 said it was an example of escalatory behaviour from Russia. (PA Graphics) But the Prime Ministers spokesman added it only serves to strengthen our resolve and to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to act in self-defence against Russias reckless and illegal invasion. Defence Secretary John Healey said: Since the illegal invasion of Ukraine began, Russia has consistently and irresponsibly escalated the conflict while Ukraine continues to fight in self-defence for a democratic future. Todays ballistic missile attack is yet another example of Putins recklessness. The missiles range far outstrips that of newly authorised US and British supplied weapons. The distance from Moscow to London is around 2,500km, suggesting the range of the new missile could threaten the UK. Russias military claims it has shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, following reports that debris from the weapons had been discovered in the countrys Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have launched an incursion. Mr Healey earlier revealed to a committee of MPs that the UK knew Russia had been preparing for months to fire a new ballistic missile. (PA Graphics) Mr Healey warned Ukraine faces a serious moment in its defence against Mr Putins invasion, but refused to confirm that Kyiv had been given permission to use Storm Shadow in Russia. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly declined to comment publicly on the use of Storm Shadow. It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin, the Defence Secretary told MPs. Battle lines in Ukraine are now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion, Mr Healey said, citing British intelligence. Speaking at the same time, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told the House of Commons the UK will not be deterred or distracted by reckless threats from Mr Putin, who has lowered the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal. Sir Keir also insisted that all the UKs support for Kyiv was in accordance with international law and always for self-defence. I had a meeting with the UK delegation led by Chief of the Defence Staff @AdmTonyRadakin_. We discussed defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Particular pic.twitter.com/EcjqfTuR49 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2024 The head of the UKs armed forces visited Ukraine to discuss the countrys military needs. Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky met Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin in Kyiv. Mr Zelensky said: We discussed defence co-operation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the armed forces of Ukraine. Particular attention was given to Ukraines current military needs and the continued support from our partners. Sir Keir Starmer backed the International Criminal Court after it issued arrest warrants for Israels prime minister and former defence minister over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Downing Street said the Government respected the independence of the ICC after the warrants were issued for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the court, based in The Hague, was the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. A domestic court process would be required before Mr Netanyahu faced arrest if he set foot in the UK. Situation in the State of Palestine:#ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejects the State of Israels challenges to jurisdiction and issues warrants of arrest for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. Learn more https://t.co/opHUjZG8BL Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) November 21, 2024 The ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas armed wing, over the October 7 2023 attacks that triggered Israels offensive in Gaza. Israel is believed to have killed Deif in an airstrike, but Hamas has never confirmed his death. The issuing of warrants for the Israeli prime minister and ex-defence minister along with a Hamas leader, led to critics claiming the court was drawing a moral equivalence between the government of a democracy and a group banned as a terrorist organisation in many countries, including the UK. The Prime Ministers spokesman said: This Government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy, and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terrorist organisations. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza which is essential to protect civilians, ensure the release of hostages, and to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza. Asked if Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he came to the UK, the spokesman said: We are not going to get into hypotheticals. The decision by the ICC to issue arrest warrants for the democratically elected leader of Israel and Israel's former Defence Minister is deeply concerning and provocative. This will do nothing to bring about the release of all hostages held and the bringing of much-needed aid Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) November 21, 2024 The ICC said there were reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant were responsible for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The ICC pre-trial chamber also found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population. The impact of the warrants is likely to be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the ICC. Mr Netanyahu said Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and there is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the warrants were concerning and provocative. She criticised the ICC for drawing a moral equivalence between Israels actions in Gaza and the Hamas terrorist atrocity on October 7, 2023, which triggered the military response. She said: The Labour Government must condemn and challenge the ICCs decision. Before the election in July, Tory ministers had been considering lodging a legal challenge to the issuing of arrest warrants, but the Labour administration dropped that idea, saying it was a matter for the court to rule on. Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller said: The previous Conservative government denigrated the International Criminal Court and undermined the UKs standing on the world stage. It is vital that the new Government complies with our obligations under international law by committing to upholding this ruling, including enforcing arrest warrant. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his Independent Alliance group of MPs wrote to Sir Keir urging him to confirm the UK would enforce the arrest warrants. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Plaid Cymrus Liz Saville Roberts and Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer also urged an end to UK arms sales to Israel. Sir Keir Starmer has defended holding talks with Chinas president Xi Jinping, telling MPs: The world is safer when leaders talk. The Prime Minister said the two had a frank, constructive, pragmatic discussion in the margins of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The talks came a day before China jailed 45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, which the UK later criticised, and as MPs renewed calls for Hong Kong businessman and British national Jimmy Lai to be released from prison. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping of China during the G20 summit in Brazil (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Making a Commons statement on the G20 and Cop29 summits, Sir Keir said of the discussions: This was the first leader-level meeting between the United Kingdom and China for six years. We had a frank, constructive, pragmatic discussion. As G20 economies and permanent members of the Security Council, and at a time of huge volatility, we both recognised the importance of engagement. I was clear that we will always act in our national interest, we need to work together on challenges like climate change and delivering growth, we agreed a new dialogue on these issues, which the Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) will take forward with vice-premier He in Beijing. Of course there will continue to be areas where we dont agree and we will address them clearly and frankly. That includes a number of issues on human rights, the sanctioning of members of this House and of course Hong Kong. But here too we need to engage. The lesson of history is that were better able to deal with problems and the world is safer when leaders talk. So we agreed to keep this channel of communications open. Sir Keir Starmer during a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping of China while attending the G20 summit in Brazil (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressed Sir Keir as to what tangible benefits came from his meeting with Mr Xi. She said: A day after his meeting with President Xi, in which the Prime Minister said he wanted a respectful relationship, where both countries avoid surprises, 45 pro-democracy campaigners were imprisoned in Hong Kong. I was disappointed not to hear the Prime Minister condemn that at the time. Conservative former minister Tom Tugendhat accused Sir Keir of bowing to the people in Beijing, while former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said Hong Kong refugees were worried about the Prime Ministers failure to condemn Chinas incarceration of pro-democracy campaigners. Mr Tugendhat said any Government minister meeting a Chinese official should first meet the family of Jimmy Lai or someone from Hong Kong living in the UK. He told MPs: There are Hongkongers here in the United Kingdom today who are threatened by the Chinese state here in the UK today, and it is (Sir Keirs) job to defend the people of this country, not to bow to the people in Beijing. Conservative former minister Tom Tugendhat accused Sir Keir of bowing to the people in Beijing (Jacob King/PA) /> The Prime Minister replied: Defending the people of this country is what we do every day. Raising these important issues is the right way to do it. I was very clear about what I raised. Its a matter of public record, as he will well know. Sir Iain, who is one of a number of British parliamentarians sanctioned by China, said President Xi had put four red lines for his meeting with the Prime Minister, one of which was about democracy and human rights, on which he said he would allow no challenge. He continued: Now, during the course of the meeting, what has concerned many Hong Kong refugees here who fled Hong Kong and I have been in contact with them they were worried about the Prime Ministers failure to condemn the arrest of the 45 and to call for their release, and that of Jimmy Lai. He added: Would (Sir Keir) now get to the despatch box and say right now that he, as Prime Minister, condemns the Chinese government for their arrest and incarceration of the 45 peaceful democracy campaigners and call for them to release them and Jimmy Lai immediately because theyre in breach of the Sino-British agreement. The Prime Minister replied: I said I condemned it a moment ago, and Im happy to say so. I just did and I will say it again. He added: It is important that where we have these significant differences, particularly on issues of human rights, that we have frank, open discussions about them and that is why these matters have been raised repeatedly. Labour MP Tony Vaughan asked if the UK is now in a better position to advance UK interests and to challenge China on important issues such as human rights. Sir Keir said: Its about getting the balance right and thats why I took a pragmatic approach in the interests of this country to further our interests and have frank discussions where they are necessary. But I do believe that it is better that we meet and engage than we are absent from the international stage. The Prime Minister welcomed the Indonesian president to Downing Street as the pair celebrated 75 years of relations between the two countries. Sir Keir Starmer greeted Prabowo Subianto outside Number 10 on Thursday afternoon. Mr Subianto, who was inaugurated last month, saw the Prime Minister earlier this week at the G20 leaders summit in Brazil. Sir Keir Starmer welcomed President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia to No 10 on Thursday (Lucy North/PA) Sir Keir and Mr Subianto discussed economic growth and trade between the UK and Indonesia and agreed to launch a new strategic partnership in 2025, Downing Street said. The leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation in defence and security. Ahead of their meeting, the Prime Minister told Mr Subianto: Its fantastic to be able to welcome you here. I saw you earlier this week but it is fantastic to have you here at Downing Street. Mr Subianto said it was a great honour to be welcomed to Number 10. In a joint statement, the Prime Minister and president said through their new partnership the UK and Indonesia will work together to make the next 75 years more prosperous, secure, and sustainable for all our peoples. Sir Keir arrived back in the UK on Wednesday after being in Brazil earlier this week. The Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into French defence giant Thales for suspected bribery and corruption. Authorities in the UK and France said they are carrying out a joint probe into the firm, which employs more than 7,000 staff in the UK. Thales is one of the Governments key defence contractors, and built hundreds of lightweight missiles which the UK sent to Ukraine in September. It comes after police in France, the Netherlands and Spain searched the companys offices in June, over suspicions of corruption linked to arms sales abroad, according to reports. Investigators from the SFO and French authority Parquet National Financier have informed the company of the investigation, they said on Thursday. Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Nick Ephgrave QPM, said: Working collaboratively with our international partners is a crucial factor in the fight against international corruption and with this case I hope to reinforce the SFO and PNFs long-standing relationship, built on mutual cooperation and shared success. We will together rigorously pursue every avenue in our investigation into these serious allegations. Thales specialises in defence electronics, and built the 650 so-called Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) that the UK announced it would supply to Ukraine in September, in a 162 million order. The lightweight weapons, manufactured at one of Thales plants in Belfast, are designed for short-range fire, and can hit targets up to about six kilometres away in the air and on the ground. Thales also won a 1.8 billion UK defence contract in February, which will see it maintain the Royal Navys fleet of ships and submarines for the next 15 years. A Thales spokesperson said: Thales confirms that the SFO and the PNF have commenced an investigation in relation to four of its entities in France and the UK. Thales is co-operating with the PNF in France and the SFO in the UK. The group complies with all national and international regulations. As the investigation is ongoing, Thales will not comment further. Politicians in a coastal town which has a friendship exchange with a community in Gaza have written a letter to the Prime Minister urging the Government to act in the escalating crisis in the Middle East following pressure from residents. A protest was held outside the Hastings Borough Council offices, in East Sussex, on Wednesday ahead of a full council meeting after Jewish and Palestinian solidarity groups said a motion to discuss the conflict in Gaza was blocked for a fourth time. Calls have been mounting for councillors to demand a ceasefire, including at a previous meeting in March that ended abruptly after a member of the public asked representatives if they were holding a motion on the topic. Residents have raised 22,000 this year for people in Al-Mawasi, Gaza, with which the Hastings Friends of Al-Mawasi group have been building a friendship and language exchange for the last three years, the Hastings & District Palestine Solidarity Campaign (HDPSC) said. Ahead of the meeting on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Hastings Jews for Justice added: Standing for justice, peace and dignity for Palestinians is a matter of huge importance to people in this town as we can see by the positive responses to actions taken in their support. In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer read out by leader of the council Julia Hilton at the meeting, she said: In Hastings, we feel this tragedy acutely. Our town is home to diverse communities, including those with ties to the Middle East, as well as British Jewish and Muslim residents. The conflicts reverberations are felt here, and we must ensure it does not sow division among us. Our connection to the region is profound. This relationship has facilitated cultural exchange and provided much-needed humanitarian aid. In the wake of the recent bombings, our commitment to Al-Mawasi has only deepened, as we strive to support our friends in their time of need. The Green Party group leader added: Hastings is a small town with a big heart. Through the friendship shared between our community groups and Al-Mawasi, we have demonstrated the power of community solidarity. However, meaningful, lasting change requires leadership at national and international levels. The text, which has so far been endorsed by the councils Green and Labour party groups, and Labour mayor Judy Rogers, urges the Government to advocate for a ceasefire and stop arms exports to any party involved in the conflict, alongside supporting local and global connections and upholding international law. Secretary of HDPSC, Laurie Holden, said the group welcomed the letter after 13 months of urging political leaders to give voice to the strong feelings in our town over the crisis. Though it is no substitute for the democratic process of discussing and voting on a motion to establish an official council position, it does mean that we heard the Labour group in Hastings finally urging an end to arms sales to Israel, he said. We will keep up the pressure to ensure our local representatives take a public and decisive stand against genocide, against apartheid and for the rights and dignity of Palestinians. The move comes as Maidstone Borough Councils political chief Stuart Jeffery also wrote to Foreign Secretary David Lammy calling for the Government to press for a ceasefire and to end all arms exports to Israel given the plausible cause for genocide on Tuesday. The UK government is supporting an 18-year-old man who allegedly faces up to 20 years in jail for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old in Dubai. Marcus Fakana, of Tottenham, was with his parents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the end of August when a holiday romance blossomed with another Londoner, who has since turned 18, campaign group Detained In Dubai said. After returning to the UK and seeing pictures and chats, the girls mother reported the relationship to Dubai police, who then arrested Mr Fakana at his hotel, it is alleged. He was held at the notorious Al Barsha Police Station for three days, unable to make a phone call or speak with his parents, according to Detained In Dubai. Marcus Fakana allegedly faces up to 20 years in jail (Detained in Dubai/PA) In Dubai, if an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18, they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor. The relationship would be legal in the UK. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said: We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family. 18yr old Londoner detained in #Dubai and faces 20 years in jail over sex with a 17 year old Brit. Marcus and his family are calling on local MP, Rt Hon David Lammy for assistance. Please help Marcus @DavidLammy pic.twitter.com/AIEdSpZbt9 Radha Stirling (@RadhaStirling) November 20, 2024 Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained In Dubai, who is assisting Mr Fakana, said: 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. Dubai has only recently legalised out-of-wedlock sex for tourists but still hosts a strict Islamic legal system. The girl was just a few months younger than Marcus and he didnt know that at the time. Since his arrest, she has turned 18 and Marcus would not be facing 20 years in jail. This is not something Dubai should be prosecuting. Mr Fakana told Detained In Dubai that he and the girl had a wonderful tome together and really liked each other and that he was frightened when police officers arrested him. He went on: Im living in Airbnbs that are costing my family 2,000 per month. They had to go home to work. They earn a humble living, 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. The police demanded 10,000 AED (2,200) 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. Police in Dubai have been approached for comment. New figures revealing an increase in the number of young people not in education, a job or training show that their future is being eroded, it has been warned. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that 13.2% of all people aged 16 to 24 in the UK were not in education, employment or training (Neet) in July to September 2024, up on the previous quarter and on the same time last year. An estimated 15.1% of young men and 11.2% of young women were said to be Neet, giving a total of 946,000. The TUC said the number had increased by 9% over the past year. General secretary Paul Nowak said: Every young person needs a good start to their working life, to set them on a path of opportunity and security, but what we are seeing today is that young people are paying the price of the Tories toxic economic legacy. Extended periods of unemployment can severely affect the long-term career prospects and financial stability of young people. Young people up and down the country are facing the same cost-of-living crisis as everybody else. So long periods without earning have the very real potential to push more into poverty. We welcome Labours youth guarantee commitment. It is vital that these plans offer young people good quality training and access to decent, paid work. Russell Hobby, chief executive of charity Teach First, said: With 13.2% of young people not in education, employment or training, were witnessing the erosion of their futures before our eyes. We know that the proportion of these young people from disadvantaged backgrounds remains unacceptably high, as unequal opportunities early on shut the door on future careers. Dr Andrea Barry, principal economist at the Youth Futures Foundation, said: The ongoing unemployment crisis has left hundreds of thousands of young people experiencing the scarring effects of being left out of opportunities to earn or learn at a young age, damaging their future prospects. Stephen Evans, chief executive at the Learning and Work Institute, said: The number of young people not in education, employment or training is estimated to be at its highest level in a decade. The number of Neets has risen by 150,000 since the pandemic, a 20% rise. Which water companies are in financial trouble and which paid out bonuses? A swathe of water companies have been stopped from using customer money to pay bonuses to bosses this year. Ofwat said it halted about three-quarters of the total bonuses proposed by firms from being funded by consumer payments, while also disclosing which companies are high on its financial watchlist. As authorities try to clamp down on the privatised water industry, the PA news agency breaks down what is going on at each firm around the country. Thames Water Thames Water paid 770,000 in bonuses to its chief executive and chief financial officer but Ofwat stopped it from using customer money to fund them. The struggling London water provider is in 16 billion of debt, and recently warned that it would need rescue funding to survive beyond next year. Thames is in the process of finalising that deal in the form of more loans, worth a further 3 billion to keep it afloat into 2026. Ofwat put Thames in its most serious action required category of financial monitoring, and singled it out for criticism, saying it urgently needs to address its financial position. Nonetheless, it paid out 195.8 million in dividends to shareholders last year, a practice Ofwat said it will halt from Thames this time around. Thames Water was prevented from paying bonuses with customer money (Andrew Matthews/PA) Southern Water and South East Water Southern Waters top executives got 312,000 in bonuses which were paid by shareholders, not customers. Ofwat said the company did not give a reason that the award at all was justified. And on its company finances, regulators put Southern Water in its action required category one of only three firms, along with Thames and South East Water. It too, has large amounts of debt 6 billion of it which ratings agency Moodys recently downgraded to junk status. South East Water is also in the most serious category of financial monitoring, as it suffers from ongoing financial pressures caused by high spending and more expensive loan repayments. Those pressures have prompted concerns over its financial resilience, said Ofwat. Despite this, its top executives received 187,000 in bonuses last year. They were partly funded by money from customer bills. Neither Southern or South West paid out a shareholder dividend last year, and Ofwat said they will not be allowed to this time around without special permission from the regulator. Southern Water was one of three firms where regulators said action was required to fix their finances (Andrew Matthews/PA) Regulators have elevated concern Seven companies were placed in the second-most serious category on Ofwats financial watchlist, called elevated concern. Among them, Yorkshire Water was stopped from funding its bosses 616,000 in bonuses with customer cash. The regulator pointed to risks for financial resilience partly caused by penalties it imposed earlier this year over Yorkshire Waters environmental performance. Wessex Water, meanwhile, has suffered deterioration in its finances over the last year, Ofwat said. Despite this, bosses got 387,000 in bonus and incentive payments but they were not funded by customers. Our new powers on bonuses mean that 9 water companies wont be using customers money to fund them. This is because we believe these payouts dont properly reflect company performance last year. More details: https://t.co/BD9lGsBxZJ pic.twitter.com/pRPiaWgb1M Ofwat (@Ofwat) November 21, 2024 And SES Water bosses got 386,000 in bonuses, which were funded partly by customers. Ofwat said it would closely monitor the companys finances after it was bought by listed utilities firm Pennon earlier this year. Affinity Water, Northumbrian Water and Portsmouth Water all remained on Ofwats watchlist for another year also, amid concerns over their finances. Affinity bosses got 395,000 in bonuses, funded partly with customer money. Northumbrian got 315,000 and Portsmouth were paid 100,000 in bonuses, both paid for by shareholders. The rest The remaining companies were not flagged for concern on their finances most of them handed out bonuses to top bosses. They include Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, which was stopped by the regulator from using customer money to fund 163,000 in bonuses to bosses. Severn Trent Water handed bosses 2.6 million in bonuses and LTIP (long-term incentive plan) payments, while United Utilities chiefs got 1.4 million. Neither funded the payments with customer cash. South West Water bosses got 470,000 in incentive pay, while Anglian Water paid its finance chief a 95,000 bonus, also funded by shareholders, not customers. South Staffs Water gave its chief executive a 49,000 bonus. Hundreds of schools are closed amid snowy conditions ahead of disruption forecast for the weekend as Storm Bert sweeps in. A Met Office yellow warning of snow and ice is in place across northern Scotland until midday on Thursday, with 2-5cm of snow expected fairly widely. A new alert has now been issued warning of snow and ice for much of Scotland, northern England and parts of western and eastern England and Wales between midday on Thursday and 10am on Friday. (PA Graphics) The Met Office said Storm Bert is then expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow to parts of the UK through the weekend and warned of travel disruption and potential flooding. More than 114 schools are shut in the Highland Council area on Thursday due to snow, including Inverness Royal Academy where pupils were told their prelim exams planned for the day will be rescheduled. Almost 40 schools in Aberdeenshire are also shut while many others had delayed openings, and in Moray around 12 are closed and others opened late. It comes after more than 100 schools or nurseries were closed in Scotland on Wednesday because of the weather. South of the border, 89 schools are shut in Devon on Thursday, 18 in Dorset and 60 in Cornwall, while in Wales around 10 are closed in Conwy, 18 in Denbighshire and two in Wrexham. (PA Graphics) The weather has also caused transport disruption, with Stagecoach Highland services in Inverness suspended due to road conditions and Stagecoach Bluebird services in Moray disrupted. Parts of south-west England including Plymouth and Exeter are under a yellow warning for snow until 3pm on Thursday, with 5-10cm predicted in higher parts of Dartmoor. Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: A northerly airflow will continue to feed snow showers into Scotland over the next few days, with this reaching lower levels at times and bringing the potential for some travel disruption. Overnight temperatures will drop below zero fairly widely over the next few days, which has resulted in some ice warnings, with further warnings likely through this week. On Thursday, a mixture of snow, sleet and rain is likely to affect the South West, which could potentially bring disruption. Its likely high ground in the area will see snow, with a mixture of conditions likely at lower levels. A sheep in snowy conditions near the village of Goathland in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park (Danny Lawson/PA) Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said there will be brighter skies outside the warnings areas across the country on Thursday, but more bitterly cold temperatures are likely in the evening. Yellow warnings for rain have been issued from Saturday to Sunday morning in south-west England and Wales. There is already a yellow warning for heavy snow on Saturday followed by a rapid thaw and rain on Saturday night in north-east and north-west England, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, and much of Scotland. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: Storm Bert marks a shift to much milder air and wintry hazards will gradually diminish through the weekend, but heavy snowfall is expected across parts of northern England and Scotland for a time on Saturday, especially over higher ground, and warnings are in place. Heavy rain through Saturday and Sunday, especially in southern and western parts of the UK, will also bring impacts for some with a number of warnings in place. We expect 50-75mm of rainfall quite widely within the warning areas, but in excess of 100mm is possible over high ground in parts of Wales and south-west England. In addition, rapid melting of lying snow over the weekend and periods of strong winds are likely to exacerbate impacts and bring the potential for travel disruption, as well as flooding for some. When Prince Wise, a 9-year-old heart transplant recipient, started brainstorming menu ideas with chef Fernando Canales he mentioned how much he liked lobster. The chef felt surprised by Prince's "expensive taste" in food. When Chantell Hardin cooks, her son, Prince Wise, 9, often stands beside her in the kitchen learning how to prepare food and sampling spices. He always asks questions, Hardin, 30, of Pittsburgh, tells TODAY.com. In my seasoning closet, I have over 50 (spices), and he wants to know what (each) tastes like. Princes love of food led to a sophisticated palate, and he often asks his mom to make a seafood boil or to take him to the sushi bar. But when Prince developed a serious heart condition in 2021, his stint in the hospital brought this routine to a halt. Prince required a heart transplant, which he eventually received. Soon after, he connected with Make-A-Wish of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia and was gifted a trip. A year later, when the organization was looking for someone to help create a new menu item for the Fairmont Pittsburghs restaurant, Floor 2, as part of a fundraiser, the team reached out to Prince. We got really emotional because it was such a blessing (to be asked), Hardin says. It was so breathtaking to know that he actually did this. Sudden illness and a heart transplant In 2021, Prince, then 7, suddenly fell ill. Prince passed out on the floor, Hardin says. His eyes started to roll to the back of the head. Worried that he had a COVID-19 infection, his father rushed him to an urgent care clinic where doctors recommended Prince go to the childrens hospital. When Hardin arrived at the hospital, she was stunned to see dozens of staff in Princes room. I immediately knew something was severely wrong, she says. Everything happened so quick. At that time, we were told he had to go to immediate surgery in order to save his life. Princes heart was enlarged, and doctors used a Berlin Heart a machine that helps a childs heart pump when they are in heart failure to steady Prince's condition while he waited for a heart transplant. He had something called dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the left ventricle of the heart cannot pump effectively because it is too swollen, according to Penn Medicine. It can cause heart failure. It was the worst nightmare ever, Hardin says, adding that doctors said Prince's chances of surviving without a heart were low. He was in critical condition, she says. Prince remained hospitalized while he waited for a heart. Luckily, after three months, one became available, and he was able to undergo transplant surgery. Following that, he needed to recover and undergo rehabilitation to learn how to walk and talk again. When he was finally able to eat without a feeding tube, he noted the hospital food wasnt up to his usual standards. He ordered a cheeseburger with a berry smoothie every day, Hardin says. It was one of the only things he liked. Prince Wise loves vegetables and seafood. When tasked with creating a new meal at Floor 2, the 9-year-old thought of some of his favorites, lobster and crab. Prince was relieved when he could finally go home. Immediately, he requested his favorite meal: a seafood boil. While he eventually started cooking again, Prince still struggles with tremors in his hands, making it tough for him to prep and cook sometimes. Still, his love for food hasnt waned. He tends to get frustrated, Hardin says. I let him do certain things that I know (are) not putting too much of a (strain) on him. But yes, hes in the kitchen with me all the time still. Last year, Make-A-Wish of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia granted Prince a wish to visit theme parks in Orlando, Florida and he loved his experience there. And while Hardin sometimes received general updates from Make-A-Wish, she didnt expect their relationship to go further than the vacation. So, when the family received an email asking if Prince might want to be involved in creating a dish to raise money for the local chapter of the nonprofit, they were thrilled. We burst out in tears, she says. This is what he really wants. Creating a dish Prince visited the kitchen of Floor 2 twice. The first visit allowed him to become familiar with the kitchen layout, food availability and to brainstorm ideas. And the second time, he made the dish. Executive chef Fernando Canales was surprised that Prince arrived at the first meeting with a solid idea about what he wanted to make. I was impressed when he said, Oh I love crabcakes, because hes a kid, Canales tells TODAY.com. When he told me, Oh I love lobster. I was like, You have expensive taste. Canales had been thinking of adding crab to the menu so when Prince suggested the crabcakes, it seemed like a perfect fit. He showed Prince the vegetables the kitchen stocked, they discussed how to plan around seasonal availability and they talked about sides and condiments to elevate the sandwich to restaurant-worthy status. Prince knew he wanted avocado to be part of the dish, and Canales backed the idea. He thought the creamy fruit would add depth to the crabcakes. I am from Mexico so, of course, I love avocado, Canales says. (Its) a really good flavor with avocado and the crab together. At their second meeting, the two spent about four hours cooking together to create the crabcake dish. Prince was adamant that the sandwich be served with thin fries, like those at McDonalds. And Canales showed Prince how to make tartar sauce to add something extra to the meal. I was helping him and teaching him a little bit, he says. But it wasnt really hard with him because Prince already knows some things. Canales enjoyed working with Prince. It reminded him of when he was the same age learning how to make chiles rellenos with his mother. This sparked his interest in becoming a chef. When Im in the kitchen I feel really comfortable, and he feels (the) same. I can see him really (having) fun, Canales says. He asked questions about what is this? What is that for? Why are you using butter for the bread? The finished dish Princes crabcake sandwich and fries has two crabcake patties, avocado, tartar sauce and fries. Its available at Floor 2 until Dec. 21, 2024, and 10% of its profits will benefit Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Prince Wise, a 9-year-old heart transplant recipient's signature dish, the Crab Cake Sandwich. Wise created the menu item with chef Fernando Canales. The staff gifted Prince an apron and chefs hat with his name on it and a set of childrens cooking knives so he could continue practicing at home. Though Hardin knew her son liked the finer foods in life, even she was surprised by his choices. I didnt know he would go get real fancy, Hardin says. I know my childs taste I thought he would go more so toward the crab legs. Hardin was so impressed when she tasted the sandwich after watching her son working so diligently in the kitchen. He rocked it, she says. Everything was so natural for him. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Texas Governor's Office (The Center Square) Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order to protect Texans from the coordinated harassment and coercion by the People's Republic of China (PRC) or the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The order directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to target and arrest anyone implementing CCP influence operations like Operation Fox Hunt, an initiative of the PRC to forcibly return people to China its identified as so-called dissidents living in the U.S. The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China, Abbott said. Texas will not tolerate the harassment or coercion of the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally call Texas home by the Chinese Communist Party or its heinous proxies. Abbott issued the order ahead of the legislature convening in January to consider bills related to national security and China. This is after in the last legislative session he said he would sign a bill banning foreign nationals from countries, including the PRC, that pose national security threats to the U.S. from purchasing land in Texas. The bill was blocked by a Republican state House committee chair after the CCP spearheaded a campaign against it, The Center Square reported. He also issued the order after the FBI criminally charging CCP-linked individuals who were allegedly involved in Operation Fox Hunt to harass, stalk, and coerce U.S. residents to return to the PRC. Those targeted are often guilty of nothing more than opposing the PRC government or CCP actions, including by exposing corruption, the order states. More recently, in 2023, the FBI brought charges against 44 Chinese nationals allegedly operating illegal PRC police stations in New York City. The FBI action stemmed from a nonprofit report identifying 102 overseas police service stations operating in 53 countries, including in Houston, The Center Square reported. Operation Fox Hunt was launched in 2014 to target Chinese nationals living outside of China, according to the FBI. In 2016, Xinhua News reported a total of 1,032 fugitives returned to China from over 70 countries and regions through Fox Hunt. In 2017, Xinhua reported CCP operatives had caught 3,317 fugitives from over 120 countries and regions in the five previous years. The CCPs Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in 2017 also identified 22 people on its most wanted list, 10 of whom were living in the U.S. In 2019, the CCP launched roughly 555,000 domestic corruption cases in 11 months, according to CCDI and CCP National Supervisory Commission data. Among them, disciplinary measures were taken against 485,000 people; 19,000 were criminally investigated, according to the data. In a July 2020 speech to the Hudson Institute, FBI Director Christopher Wray described numerous ways that the CCP created a national security threat, including targeting hundreds of U.S. citizens or green card holders through Fox Hunt. The CCP wants to force them to return to China using shocking tactics, he said. China describes Fox Hunt as an international anti-corruption campaign its not, Wray sai. Instead, Fox Hunt is a sweeping bid by General Secretary Xi to target Chinese nationals whom he sees as threats and who live outside China political rivals, dissidents, and critics seeking to expose Chinas extensive human rights violations. One way they do this, he explained, is to send an emissary to the targets family in the U.S. to convey a message. The target had two options: return to China promptly or commit suicide, he said. And what happens when Fox Hunt targets refuse to return to China? In the past, their family members both here in the United States and in China have been threatened and coerced; and those back in China have even been arrested for leverage. Abbotts order instructs DPS to partner with local and federal law enforcement officials to identify and charge individuals suspected of crimes related to exploiting dissidents on behalf of any foreign government. It also charges DPS with investigating and documenting individuals suspected of planning, attempting, or carrying out acts of repression, develop training programs that can be used to identify and report such threats, and provide policy recommendations by January 15, 2025, on how to counter such threats. DPS was also tasked with introducing a hotline and updating the states iWatch Texas Community Reporting System to allow Texans to directly report any suspicious acts of oppression or coercion by PRC or CCP actors, or other foreign adversaries against Texans. Texans are encouraged to report suspicious activity at iwatchtx.org, through the iWatchTexas mobile app, or by calling 844-643-2251. Reports can be anonymous. Courtesy of YSL Beauty "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Courtesy of YSL Beauty There are rumors about Bianca Jagger, and then there is the truth. Having been in the public eye for most of her life, Jagger wont waste time in an interview settling the difference between the two. When you try to correct public perception, or say something different than how other people perceive you she starts to say, before trailing off. She doesnt finish the sentence, but the unsaid is clear. You can make your own assumptions, but she knows who she is and what she cares about along with what she prefers not to discuss anymore. Appearing over Zoom with an elegant, rounded bouffant and a light wash of red lipstick, Jaggers etched cheekbones and regality are why her face and style have dominated mood boards for decades. It also makes her a natural pick to be the voice of a new digital project for YSL Beautys Libre fragrance, LIBRE FLOWERS & FLAMES. Its the first time that Jagger has ever worked with a beauty brand, but as a human right advocate, the meaning behind Libre (freedom in French) holds special significance. Below, Jagger talks to ELLE.com about the truth behind a rumored beauty secret, redefining beauty standards, and having the courage to age. I once read that a beauty secret of yours is to do your makeup, and then sit in the bath. Is that true? Well, that is a fantasy of Andy Warhol. He was a very close friend, and we talked about many things. He was very curious about women and our secrets, or what he thought we were like, so he thought that was true. The truth is that sometimes when Im in a hurry, I do my makeup before I have a bathbut its not because I think that the bath will enhance my makeup. As you know, the steam of the bath could make you a bit sweaty, and that wouldnt be so great for makeup. That is one of those fantasies. Its wonderful. It was Andys fantasy. Why not? In some of your famous photos, youve worn red lipstick. Is it a signature? Well, I love red lipstick, as you can see. I dont often wear makeup. I certainly dont wear any makeup at home. In fact, I always make a joke about the way I look when Im at home. I dont really comb my hair. I did my hair today for you, and I put on some makeup to do this interview, but in general, I dont. I do love red lipstick, and there is a lipstick that sadly has been discontinued by Makeup For Ever. I couldnt imagine putting on makeup, if I didnt finish by putting that on. Do you have a nighttime ritual? I wish I would go to bed earlier. I have either a bath in the morning or at night. I do a lot of work for the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation on social media. I am on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, and I take them all very seriously. In order not to make a fool of myself, I have to read a lot of newspapers, and I have to watch a lot of news. I read and I post messages in English, French, and Spanish. It takes a lot of work, because I do it myself. I do social media at night, because I work all day. It can sometimes be distressing because of the images that I have to see. The few times that I go out, Ill go see a film, play, or go to the opera. I love opera, contrary to what many people may think of the kind of music that I like. I see friends, but I am not such a sociable person, really. Whatever it is that I do at night, the one thing that I should do is sleep, and go to sleep early. What is your first scent memory? My mom, and she was a very important influence in my life. My mother loved the rainforest. She loved wild flowers. I would walk through the rainforest with her, and she would teach me the names of orchids. She loved them throughout her life. My mother also had a friend who brought to her very renowned perfumes from Paris, like Guerlains LHeure Bleue and Mitsouko. Apart from the scent of orchids, those were some of the first perfumes I smelled. These scents are really important to me in my life. Every day, I make myself an aromatherapy oil that I mix myself and use in my bath and [on my] body. That is really important to me. I am a Taurus, and we love scents. I am also a vegetarian, and apparently we have an acute sense of smell, and I dont smoke. This contributes to how I feel happy, having the fragrances that inspire me around me. Do you think power and beauty are connected? In preparation for today, I wanted to find a quote about beauty that I liked. Picasso said: Beauty? To me, it is a word without sense, because I do not know where its meaning comes from nor where it leads to. There are days I have thought that I was beautiful, but a lot of days I think, No, my God, I look terrible. It has to do with what we [as women] feel, how confident we feel about ourselves, about who we are. When we are empoweredwhen we have been able to overcome obstacles and the limitations that we have to face as womenthat is when we feel most beautiful. But beauty is a very abstract concept, and it is more of an enigma, really. If I could say one thing to young women or to women in general, its that we shouldnt allow the media or corporations to tell us what we are supposed to do. You can see that I havent had any cosmetic surgery in my life. Dont think that I didnt sometimes wonder, Did I do the right thing? Should I have done cosmetic surgery? Would I feel better? In the end, I decided, no, I want to have the courage to age without having cosmetic surgery. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Its a more profound concept. Beauty also has to do with how healthy we are, and the [ability] to live a healthy and happy life. How did your views on beauty affect your decision to say yes to this project? I was attracted to the concept, because the fragrance is called Libre, which translates to freedom. Freedom is a concept that I have struggled for throughout my life. It is something really important for me. I thought, How wonderful that there is a fragrance using that name. YSL Beauty also makes me feel closer to someone [Yves Saint Laurent], whom I loved and admired. I have not endorsed any company throughout my life. I have been free from endorsing products, and this is the first time that I have done it. What was it like to be in front of the camera for this campaign? Ive been photographed by many great photographers, but I am always very nervous about being photographed. Im always concerned about how well I look, the fact that I am not 25 anymore, that I dont have cosmetic surgery, and that what you see is what you get. That has always been nerve-racking. Courtesy of YSL Beauty The project was designed to celebrate resilient women. Do you see yourself as one? I do see myself as one. But in my mind, the quintessential example of a resilient woman was my mother, because of her independence and determination to achieve her goals. My parents divorced when I was 10 years old, and my mother found herself single without a profession and with three young children to care for. She was prepared to sacrifice her life to give us a better opportunity than she ever had, as my mother was orphaned. Life was difficult for a divorced woman in Nicaragua in the 1950s, and it was her resilience that carried her forward. Witnessing the discrimination that she endured as a divorced woman inspired me to campaign for womens rights. If we look back, my mother was a pioneer who believed in womens emancipation at a time when we were regarded as second-class citizens. She was my earliest inspiration, and it was because of her that I decided I would never accept being treated as a second-rate citizeneither because of my gender or my status. As a woman, we are expected to excel in all aspects of our life, and that is not something that is expected of men. Women have long been overlooked and undervalued and viewed as an appendix to a man. The social denigration and violence inflicted upon us continues. We need to continue to be aware and to stand up to that, so that we can achieve gender equality. Are there any misleading public perceptions about you that you want to correct? Not really. When I more openly became a human rights defender and set up a foundation, there was a lot that I needed to prove, so that [people] knew this was not a passing fantasy of mine, but my mission in life. I think that I have passed that stage. My body of work has shown that I am a committed human right defender, and that my work is really my raison detre. What is important in my life is human rights, democracy, justice, the protection of the environment, my family, my daughter, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren, and future generations. I dont think that I need to be defending or struggling [against] perception. I just hope that people follow me and see the campaigns that I embark upon. I hope that they will think they are useful, and that young woman will look at me and think, If she was able to make it, so can I. Youve been well-known as a beauty and fashion icon. Did your human rights work cause some initial confusion or questioning from people? One of my great loves in life is human rights, but also art and fashion. In my social media, I try to not be so hardcore, even though in the world that we live today, its difficult not to be hardcore about rights. I also think its important to show that I am not just a hardcore human rights defender. I am someone who loves fashionand not just fashion, but style. People like Yves Saint Laurent are a great influence and inspiration in my life. I am a complex individual, Im not black and white, and everything is not just only about being a human rights defender. Im a woman. Im a human. Yes, I love beauty, I love freedom, and I love style. I would be a liar if I said to you that I dont, and style doesnt mean fashion, by the way. Style is something else. There is so much that I learned from Yves Saint Laurent, who did everything to liberate women. For example, he sent women in trouser suits down the runway. Anyone that knows me knows how much I wear trouser suits, and it is liberating for women to be able to work with trousers. I am a lot more complex than people may think, and I dont want to be put into a little box [that defines] who I am. If style is not just fashion, then what is it? Style is a lasting concept. Its not a [particular type of] fashion or when a designer dictates the length of the skirt you should wear, or how your hair is supposed to look. It is to know who you are and know what fits you, whats good, and whats beautiful. The clothes that I wear are not very different [from] the clothes I wore in 1970. In fact, I shave many of my clothes from that time. Fortunately, my weight hasnt changed that much, and I can wear many of those old clothes. A beautiful suit by Yves Saint Laurent will be beautiful in the 70s and 60s, today, and tomorrow, and in 20 years. Thats what style is, and that is the embodiment of style for me. A lot of my Latine friends have told me that they see you as an icon, especially in terms of Latine representation. I am someone who was born in Nicaragua, and that is really important to me. But I feel that I am a citizen of the world. I am a woman, regardless of where I was born. Is there such a thing as a beauty secret? Know who you are. Libre Eau de Parfum $135.00 at sephora.com This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. You Might Also Like By Ricardo Brito BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's Federal Police will present on Thursday a formal accusation against former President Jair Bolsonaro in their investigation of an alleged coup conspiracy after he lost the 2022 election, police sources said. The final police report caps nearly two years of speculation about Bolsonaro's role in the election-denying movement that culminated in riots by his supporters that swept the capital Brasilia in January 2023, just a week after his rival President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office. Many protesters said they wanted to create chaos to justify a military coup. Some of the alleged conspirators had a plan to assassinate Lula before he took office, police say. Investigators found evidence Bolsonaro was aware of that alleged plan, one police source said. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing and called the investigation political persecution. His lawyer told Reuters he would wait to see the report before commenting. Formal police accusations would be a fresh blow to Bolsonaro's plans to run for president in 2026. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's recent victory had buoyed Bolsonaro allies trying to overturn a court decision that has blocked him from public office for attacking the legitimacy of the 2022 vote. Once police present their report to Brazil's Supreme Court, the office of the prosecutor general will decide whether to press charges against Bolsonaro and any former aides implicated. The police investigation will point to Bolsonaro as a key player in the conspiracy and seek to hold him criminally responsible for an attempt to violently overthrow democratic rule, one police source told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The source said senior members of Bolsonaro's government will also be implicated, including his 2022 running mate, retired General Walter Braga Netto, who was defense minister, and retired General Augusto Heleno, who was national security adviser, along with some 40 other suspects. Heleno's lawyer declined to comment, and a representative for Braga Netto's did not immediately reply to requests for comment. ARRESTS THIS WEEK Police on Tuesday arrested five people suspected of involvement in the assassination plot targeting Lula, then president-elect, and his running mate Geraldo Alckmin, days before they took office. Lula, speaking at the presidential palace on Thursday, said he was lucky to be alive. "The attempt to poison me and Alckmin didn't work and here we are," he said. Tuesday's arrests included retired Brigadier General Mario Fernandes, who had served as a deputy minister in Bolsonaro's cabinet. Police said they found in his possession a document outlining the plan that had been printed out at the presidential palace. A police source said investigators had confirmed Bolsonaro was at the presidential palace when the document was printed, and they had identified conversations between his associates suggesting the former president was aware of the plot. Three active duty officers arrested on Tuesday had special forces training. Bolsonaro, a hard-right politician who had been an army captain, filled the top tiers of his government with military officers. Bolsonaro never recognized his October 2022 electoral defeat and he left Brazil days before Lula's inauguration for Florida. He eventually returned to Brazil and surrendered his passport to police investigating his role in the capital riots, when supporters stormed and vandalized the Supreme Court, Congress and the executive presidential palace. Earlier this year, federal police finished separate criminal probes of Bolsonaro and his associates, formally accusing them of tampering with COVID-19 vaccination cards while in office and of embezzling jewelry gifted by the Saudi government. He denied wrongdoing in both cases. A person close to Brazil's Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet said he is likely to consider the result of all three probes targeting the former president before making a decision on presenting charges, without any clear deadline. (Reporting by Ricardo BritoAdditional reporting by Luana Maria Benedito and Eduardo Simoes in Sao PauloWriting by Anthony Boadle and Manuela AndreoniEditing by Brad Haynes and Rosalba O'Brien) The Biden administration on Wednesday released a wide range of options for the long-term future of the Colorado River, which officials said "provides the framework for a realistic and fair path" to protect the needs of 40 million people in seven states and Mexico who rely on the overused, fast-dwindling river and its mighty reservoirs for irrigation and drinking water. The alternatives range from doing nothing, considered a nonstarter because of mounting drought and climate change, to proposed steep requirements for northern states to contribute far more river water than they currently do to keep the aging Lake Powell reservoir and critical infrastructure functioning, and to stabilize the entire system for decades to come. While there is not enough time left to complete required environmental reviews, none of the Biden administration officials ruled out a possible breakthrough conservation consensus among states that could possibly have funds allocated from remaining infrastructure and climate resilience funds by year's end. A White House climate advisor, an Interior Department official and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton, speaking in a brief call with reporters, urged the states to keep working together, and most of the alternatives noted that the federal government has the authority to impose a solution if none is reached by consensus. That threat, raised by Touton in 2021, drove the seven states to reach agreement in exchange for billions in federal funding, including nearly $1 billion for California desert districts and farmers, to be paid to conserve major amounts of water though 2026, when "interim" guidelines expire. "Now is the time for the Basin states and Tribes to redouble their work toward a consensus alternative," acting Deputy Interior Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis said in the call. "The alternatives we are announcing today show that path. I urge them to do so." Chances of an agreement by year's end are low But the chances of achieving any long-term consensus by January appear lower than ever. The Colorado River Upper Basin, comprised of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico, and the Lower Basin, made up of California, Arizona and Nevada, have been quarreling for months over seemingly irreconcilable differences. The northern states say they are unfairly forced to send most of their water downstream each year, and want the right to hold more back. The heavily populated southern states and several outside experts say that defies the new reality of a shrinking river. None had much to say about Wednesday's announcement, and some escalated an increasingly public war of words, with California's Colorado River Commissioner, JB Hamby saying if Colorado doesn't agree to make cuts, Denver's water supply could could be disrupted, because of longstanding water rights that give farmers first crack over cities. Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network, said Wednesday's news changes little. "In reading the tea leaves, the conflict between the upper and lower basins respective visions remains palpable. There is a major fight over managing Lake Powells elevations that has not yet been resolved. Read more: Biden White House likely won't finish long-term Colorado River plan, unveils five options Janet Wilson is senior environment reporter for The Desert Sun, and co-authors USA Today Climate Point, a weekly newsletter on climate, energy and the environment. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Colorado River water crisis update: Chances of 2024 agreement are low Amanda Servedio, 36, was struck and killed and her bike in a hit and run in Astoria last month. Police have identified the suspected burglar wanted for mowing down a female bicyclist with his truck while fleeing police in Queens last month. Bekim Fiseku, 53, is wanted for homicide over the death of 36-year-old Amanda Servedio in Astoria, who was run down just two blocks from her home at around 11 p.m. on Oct. 22, the NYPD said Wednesday. Surveillance video obtained by The Post showed a speeding Dodge Ram hit the passing cyclist at the intersection of 34th Avenue and 37th Street hurling Servedio from her ride into a parked BMW, police said. Bekim Fiseku, 53, is wanted by police for homicide. Amanda Servedio, 36, was struck and killed on her bike in a hit-and-run in Astoria last month. @aservedio4/facebook She was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital where she died from her injuries. Cops were responding to a report of a burglary 10 minutes earlier at 39th Avenue and Crescent Street in Dutch Kills just over a mile away when they spotted the pickup with a covered rear license plate, authorities and sources said. The officers began following the truck, believing the three occupants inside to be suspects in the burglary, but the driver refused to stop and sped off. Police immediately ended their pursuit after the fatal crash to tend to Servedio, who had suffered trauma to the head and body. The truck fled the scene and was later found abandoned near Newtown Road and 47th Street. Her devastated mother was spotted sobbing outside of her apartment building the following morning being consoled by friends and neighbors. Surveillance footage showed the moment she was struck by the truck. NYPost Servedio was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital but died from her injuries. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post Servedio, an Arkansas native who worked as a senior tax accountant at a Midtown firm, had been living alone in Astoria for some time, according to her neighbors. She tracked her bike rides on the exercise app Strava which showed she regularly went on treks as long as 26 miles. Servedio was a real cyclist, according to her neighbor, Phillips. You regularly see her coming in and out with her bicycle on her shoulder. She did a lot of organized rides, the neighbor told the Post last month. She rode a lot. And she rode with organized groups and youd regularly see her coming in after these long organized rides walking up the stairs with [the bike on] her shoulder. The couple welcomed their daughter together in September 2018 Alessandra Benedetti - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Daniel Craig When it comes to choosing roles, Daniel Craig is keeping his 6-year-old daughter in mind. The actor spoke to The New York Times about his new movie Queer, sharing that although starring as James Bond in the Bond franchise has given him the flexibility to choose certain jobs, now that he's done with the role he's had to be more open with his career. But noting that he has a young child at home, Craig thinks about his daughter Grace as he decides what roles to consider. "I've got a 6-year-old at home," says the actor, who shares his daughter with his wife, actress Rachel Weisz, 54. "And I don't want to be away from home as much as I have in the past." 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. Cindy Ord/Getty Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz Related: Rachel Weisz Says Husband Daniel Craig and Their Daughter, 4, Are 'Bonding' Over 'Star Wars' Alongside his younger daughter, Craig is dad to daughter Ella, 32, whom he shares with ex-wife Fiona Loudon. He is also stepdad to Weisz's son Henry, 18, whom she shares with ex Darren Aronofsky. While appearing on a 2023 episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Weisz shared that her then-4-year-old daughter got a little too "obsessed" with Star Wars after watching it with her father. "It was like a father-daughter bonding experience, and they started on the original ones," Weisz told host Stephen Colbert. "I'm not that deep into it, but my daughter got obsessed. She kept saying, 'Google this. Google this: What does Darth Vader look like under his mask?'" Dave J Hogan/Getty Daniel Craig and daughter Ella "She wants to know everything," she added. "She's obsessed with the mythology and these characters are so real for her." Weisz said Grace's fascination with the movies was getting a little "too intense," so her father stepped in to tell her that Star Wars "is broken." "We were in London when this happened," Weisz said. "[Grace] said, 'Dad says Star Wars is broken.' So they can't watch it anymore. And we just got to New York and she said, 'Is Star Wars broken in New York too?'" "And so I said, 'Yeah, yeah it's broken,'' Weisz joked. FILE - In a silhouette, Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro speaks to the media upon arrival to the airport in Brasilia, Brazil, June 29, 2023, where Supreme Electoral Court judges evaluate the case which claims he abused his power by using government communication channels to promote his campaign and cast unfounded doubts on the country's electronic voting system. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) SAO PAULO (AP) Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro has been a target for investigations since his early days in office, and the swarm of cases since his failed reelection bid in 2022 has left him in ever-deeper legal jeopardy. In the latest development Thursday, he was formally accused of attempting a coup to keep himself in the presidency. In another case, the electoral court ruled the far-right leader ineligible to run for office until 2030. There are dozens of other probes that could produce criminal charges at low-level courts, where he could appeal any eventual conviction. But the country's Supreme Court will have the final say regarding more than five in-depth investigations, including into the alleged coup attempt, which could land the former president behind bars or under house arrest. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases, and his allies have alleged they are political persecution, while recognizing the severity of the legal risks on multiple fronts. Here's a look at the biggest threats and where they stand: Coup Attempt Federal police on Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 others for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections. The accusation is sealed, but among other things authorities had been investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in the capital of Brasilia. STATUS: Police sent their findings to Brazils Supreme Court, which will refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Electoral Misdeeds Brazils highest electoral court in June ruled that Bolsonaro used government communication channels in a meeting with diplomats to promote his reelection bid and sow distrust about the vote. The case focused on a meeting the prior year, during which Bolsonaro used government staffers, the state television channel and the presidential palace in Brasilia to tell foreign ambassadors that the countrys electronic voting system was rigged. The ruling rendered him ineligible for office until 2030, although he has insisted that he will run in the 2026 race. The court also found that Bolsonaro abused his power during Brazils Independence Day festivities, a month before the election. The ruling didnt add years to Bolsonaros ineligibility, but made any appeal less likely to succeed. A third case is also pending at the court. STATUS: Bolsonaros appeal of the initial ruling was denied. Vaccination Fraud Bolsonaro has been formally accused of directing an official to tamper with a public health database to make it appear as though he and his 12-year-old daughter had received the COVID-19 vaccine in order to bypass U.S. entry requirements. During the pandemic, he railed against the vaccine, characterized the choice to receive a shot as a matter of personal freedom and has repeatedly said he never did so. The Federal Police accused Bolsonaro of criminal association and inserting false data into public records, which carry maximum penalties of 4 and 12 years in prison, respectively. It was the first formal accusation against him since he left office. STATUS: Brazil's Supreme Court sent the accusation to the prosecutor-general, who is weighing whether to use it to press charges. Local media reported that he was seeking to consult American authorities about whether Bolsonaro used the forged document to enter the country, and that having done so could result in U.S. legal action. Saudi Jewels Federal Police have probed whether Bolsonaro directed officials to smuggle luxury jewelry worth millions into Brazil from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, then acted to prevent them from being incorporated into the presidential collection and instead retain ownership for himself. Investigators summoned Bolsonaro for questioning in April and August of 2023. He has returned the jewelry in question. STATUS: The Federal Police formally accused Bolsonaro of money laundering and criminal association, according to a source with knowledge of the accusations. A second source confirmed the accusation, although not for which specific crimes. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly. Pandemic Sabotage Brazils Federal Police is investigating Bolsonaro for inciting crimes against public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, which include encouraging people not to wear masks and causing alarm about non-existent danger of vaccines accelerating development of AIDS. A Senate inquiry commission also spent months investigating his pandemic-era actions and decisions, and recommended nine criminal charges. Brazils former prosecutor-general Augusto Aras, widely seen as a Bolsonaro ally, decided not to file any charges based on the lawmakers' findings. They have urged Aras' successor to reopen the case. STATUS: The investigation is ongoing. Fake News, Digital Militia Brazil's Supreme Court in 2020 ordered an investigation into a network allegedly spreading defamatory fake news and threats against Supreme Court justices. The probe has yielded the imprisonment of lawmakers from the former president's circle and raids of his supporters' homes. In 2021, Bolsonaro was included as a target. As an offshoot of that probe, the Federal Police is also investigating whether a group operating inside Bolsonaros presidential palace produced social media content aimed at undermining the rule of law. The group, allegedly comprised of aides and Bolsonaros politician son, has been widely referred to as a digital militia and the hate cabinet. STATUS: Both investigations are ongoing. ___ Biller reported from Rio de Janeiro The former talk show host and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have recently been spotted out and about in the celeb-favorite Cotswalds region Randy Holmes via Getty Ellen DeGeneres has relocated to the English countryside, a source tells PEOPLE. The former talk show host, whose long-running eponymous series ended in May 2022, has moved abroad after finding a house she fell in love with in the U.K. "Ellen was in England house hunting in the beginning of October. She ended up finding a house that she loved and purchased it shortly after," the source says. Just last week, Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, were spotted at The Farmer's Dog, a pub owned by the English TV presenter and journalist Jeremy Clarkson in the Cotswolds. "They hung out with [Clarkson's partner, actress] Lisa Hogan and James Blunt, and The Corrs performed at the pub," the source adds. A representative for DeGeneres did not immediately reply to PEOPLE's request for comment. Kelly Sullivan/Getty Related: Ellen DeGeneres Admits It Was 'Devastating' Being Labeled as Mean After Talk Show Scandal: 'It Consumed Me for a Long Time' A real estate insider back in California tells PEOPLE that the couple sold their estate in Santa Barbara county in August for $96 million. Ellen is a well-known collector of multimillion-dollar homes, and owns several properties in Southern California. The Cotswolds is a popular spot for U.K. celebrities to pick up a country estate. The Beckhams have a home there, as does Kate Moss, Elizabeth Hurley, the artist Damian Hirst, and former British Prime Minister David Cameron. King Charles's estate Highgrove House is also located here. Getty Images DeGeneres stepped out of the spotlight after nearly 20 years on the air following toxic workplace accusations made against her in 2020. The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which was on the air for 19 seasons, aired its final episode in May 2022. The entertainer spoke out for the first time in a Netflix comedy special, "Ellens Last StandUp" tour, in July 2024 and addressed her controversies. Related: 9 Hollywood Stars Who Have Moved Abroad Let me catch you up on whats been going on with me since you last saw me, she said. I got chickens. Oh yeah, and I got kicked out of show business for being mean. When later questioned about whether she would return to fame in the future, now that she has had time to reflect on her mistakes, DeGeneres gave a hard no. This is the last time youre going to see me. After my Netflix special, Im done, she said. WASHINGTON Tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy outlined a plan Wednesday for President-elect Donald Trump to oversee a massive reduction in the federal workforce, arguing the employees won't be needed after Trump eliminates "thousands of regulations" in his next administration. Musk and Ramaswamy, who Trump last week named co-heads of a new Department of Government Efficiency, singled out in a Wall Street Journal op-ed federal employees "who view themselves as immune from firing thanks to civil-service protections." The duo pointed to recent Supreme Court decisions to argue the incoming president has the executive power to nullify many regulations unilaterally without Congress, pursue "large-scale firings" of federal workers and relocate some agencies outside of Washington. They said "a drastic reduction in federal regulations" would require vastly fewer federal employees. "DOGE intends to work with embedded appointees in agencies to identify the minimum number of employees required at an agency for it to perform its constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated functions," their op-ed reads. Musk and Ramaswamy, two loyal Trump allies, were tapped to lead the effort to "dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies." Although dubbed a department, the Musk/Ramaswamy-led effort is effectively an outside advisory commission not a formal agency with no legal authority. The incoming Trump administration is expected to revive a plan to convert some employees to "Schedule F," status which strips them of job protections, among other efforts to cut the workforce. Elon Musk speaks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19, 2024 in Brownsville, Texas. Musk and Ramaswamy said the number of federal employees to cut "should be at least proportionate" to the number of regulations that are eliminated. "Not only are fewer employees required to enforce fewer regulations, but the agency would produce fewer regulations once its scope of authority is properly limited," they said. They did not specify how many workers could be downsized, or which agencies would be targeted, if their plan is carried out. They said "employees whose positions are eliminated deserve to be treated with respect, and DOGEs goal is to help support their transition into the private sector," without providing specifics on how such a transition would work. More: Trump taps Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead new 'Department of Government Efficiency' Trump would be able to use existing laws to give targeted federal workers incentives for early retirement and provide voluntary severance payments "to facilitate a graceful exit," they added. Musk, the richest man in the world, has quickly turned into a leading voice in Trump's orbit. The president-elect joined Musk in Brownsville, Texas, on Tuesday for the launch of Musk's SpaceX Starship. In the WSJ op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy cited the Supreme Court's 2022 West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency and 2024 Loper Bright v. Raimondo decisions to argue "a plethora of current federal regulations exceed the authority Congress has granted under the law." Their group plans to install legal experts within federal agencies to review regulations before presenting a list of rules for Trump to consider halting through executive action and initiating a process for review and rescission. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Presidential Candidate, speaks to a crowd at the Post-General Impact Ohio By Ohio Chamber of Commerce event at COSI on Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Musk and Ramaswamy acknowledged "conventional wisdom" might suggests civil-service protections prevent the president from firing federal workers. But they argued Trump has the broad power under the Supreme Court's 2021 Collins v. Yellen decision to pursue "reductions in force" that don't target specific employees. They also floated the possibility of requiring these workers to return to in-person work five days a week, predicting it "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 said. Democrats and other Trump opponents have criticized the DOGE undertaking, arguing Trump and his allies aim to end government protections in a host of critical areas, from education to the environment to entitlement programs. They've also jabbed Trump for bringing in two individuals to fill the job of one, though Musk and Ramaswamy have said they won't take salaries for their positions. "We are entrepreneurs, not politicians," they wrote in the op-ed. "We will serve as outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees. Unlike government commissions or advisory committees, we wont just write reports or cut ribbons. Well cut costs." Contributing: Reuters Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Musk, Ramaswamy float 'large-scale firings' for federal workforce Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, attends the Nvidia AI Summit Japan, in Tokyo, Nov. 13, 2024. (Akio KonBloomberg/Getty Images) Most analysts on Nvidias earnings call focused their questions on the rollout of the AI chip leaders next-generation Blackwell platform, as well as topics like the companys margins and supply chain. But there are massive Donald Trumpsize questions hanging over the semiconductor industry, and CEO Jensen Huang did field one inquiry about what the President-elects return to the Oval Office could mean for the business. Trumps calls for worldwide tariffs would presumably affect Nvidia. Despite his general tough-on-China rhetoric, previous comments casting doubt on Americas commitment to help Taiwan defend itself against a potential Chinese invasion have weighed on chip stocks. Taiwan is the home of Nvidias preeminent supplier, TSMC. The unpredictability of the president-elect is now an overhang on basically all of tech, said Ted Mortonson, a managing director and tech desk sector strategist at Baird. Whatever a second Trump administration decides to do, Huang said, Nvidia will be on board. Thats our highest mandate, he said. We will comply fully with any regulation that comes along. Nvidia, as well as other chipmakers, has struggled to make chips for the Chinese market to meet export controls from the Biden administration, which is also reportedly weighing additional measures on sales to wealthy nations in the Persian Gulf. Sales to China, once making up a quarter of the companys revenue, accounted for just 12% of business last quarter, per Bloomberg. Angelo Zino of CFRA Research said theres a possibility a more transactional approach from the Trump administration regarding China, compared with the currents administration blanket bans, could potentially benefit the worlds largest company. China, he said in a recent note, is currently a generation or two behind when it comes to AI chip development. According to our Washington Analysis team, Trump may be willing to offer more advanced AI chips to other nations, even China, if the price is right while maintaining a certain technology lead, he wrote. Still, Trumps proposed universal tariff could pose challenges, given that 57% of Nvidias business is done abroad, according to Bloomberg. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress touted momentum in demand for so-called sovereign AI, or nations investing in their own gen AI infrastructure, saying deployment of GPUs in India has grown 10-fold. CFRA believes sovereign AI could account for $11 billion to $12 billion in revenue this year. Nonetheless, no matter whos in the White House, Nvidias importance to the U.S. as a national security asset looms large. There is a worry that now this is a national defense company, Mortonson said. Amid many unknowns, its obvious Huang and his company must navigate much more than meeting ravenous demand. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com 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. 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." 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. 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. 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 The new cruise will set sail from Miami and head to Cozumel, Mexico, where fans will get to explore Mayan ruins, from Nov. 6 - Nov. 10 Eli Johnson/Hallmark Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise Holiday fans will soon get to deck the halls on the high seas alongside their favorite Hallmark stars! The Hallmark Channel and cruise charter company Sixthman announced that thanks to the success of its two 2024 Hallmark Christmas Cruises, they are doing it again in the fall of 2025 with a new itinerary of festive activities and experiences with some of its most popular stars. Next years cruise will take place on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship which is nearly twice the size of the Norwegian Gem ship used this year and will be setting sail from Miami toward Cozumel, Mexico from Nov. 6 - Nov. 10. The cruise promises a floating winter wonderland for fans on board with several activities both on and off the sea. The merriest, most festive vacation at sea, the Hallmark Christmas Cruise brings all the magic and wonder of Hallmark Channels celebrated Christmas movies to life through an immersive winter wonderland ornamented with top Hallmark stars and a littering array of one-of-a-kind holiday experiences, the network said in its release. Eli Johnson/Hallmark Jonathan Bennett leads the ugly sweater contest on the first Hallmark Christmas Cruise Related: Hallmark Announces First Immersive Christmas Experience with Appearances from Its Stars! (Exclusive) Fans, their loved ones, and friends both old and new will have a unique opportunity to create lasting traditions and unwrap unforgettable new memories, the company added. The cruise will kick off with a sail-ebration and a tree lighting ceremony to give fans that feeling of being in their favorite Hallmark film. This will then be followed up by four-days worth of holiday activities including Christmas carol-oke, ugly seater competitions, Christmas crafts and cookie decorating. Guests will also get to see their favorite Hallmark stars during behind-the-scenes panels, and get some star treatment with the chance to watch an exclusive premiere of a new Hallmark Channel holiday movie. Eli Johnson/Hallmark The Hallmark stars aboard the Hallmark Christmas Cruise Related: Hallmark Channel Adds Second Christmas Cruise After Fans Sold Out First Sailing in 1 Day Fans will also get to have a little bit of rest and relaxation in between the activities with the amenities on the Norwegian Joy, which includes a pool deck with multiple hot tubs, a Mandara Spa, Body Waves Fitness Center and bar, among other amenities, according to the press release. For those looking for enjoyment beyond the cruise, shore excursions in Cozumel, Mexico will also be available. Some of the excursions include fishing, snorkeling, and diving opportunities as well as chances to explore the nearby Mayan ruins, which will be available to book 4-6 weeks prior to sailing. 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. Hallmark A photo of the Norwegian Joy cruise ship. Hallmark Channel's cruises have proved popular. among fans in recent months. Its first cruise (which set sail from Nov. 5-9, 2024) sold out within the first day of the presale, prompting organizers to announce a second cruise from Nov. 17-21, 2024. And there was still a 60,000-person waitlist to join. That cruise sailed from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas. Fans looking to nab a spot on the 2025 Hallmark Christmas Cruise, pre-sale sign-ups for tickets will open on Thursday, Nov. 21, while public on-sale will start on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. ET. For more information on the Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise, visit hallmarkchannelcruise.com. They did the math. Sheriffs in Wisconsin sprang into action Friday night when a 10-year-old boy called 911 with an epic educational emergency: math homework. The confused kiddo had been struggling with his practice problems, and when his family members also found themselves stumped, the boy turned to law enforcement for help, the Shawano County Sheriffs Office reported. He said, Maam, I know Im not supposed to be calling 911 for this, but I really could use some help with my homework, dispatcher Kim Krause told ABC 2. Police dispatcher Kim Krause answered a 10-year-olds plea for homework help last Friday. WBAY Shawano County Sheriff Deputy Chase Mason went to the boys home and helped with his homework. WBAY Krause, who hadnt been trained in decimals, was unable to assist over the phone, but a deputy was dispatched to the boys home to help him solve the math mystery. Personally, I am also not overly proficient when it comes to math, but nonetheless, I responded to assist, Deputy Chase Mason wrote in his after-action report. With the help of Deputy Mason, they were able to work together and solve the decimal-related math problems, . After finishing the assignment with an assist from the law, he did receive a warning to only call 911 for life-threatening emergencies moving forward. When he goes to school and all of the students see it theyre going to think its so cool, the deputy told ABC 2. Just hopefully they dont all call me for math help next time. Dispatcher Kim Krause said the boy called 911 after he and his family were stumped by his math problems. WBAY Deputy Chase Mason was able to help, but asked the boy not to call 911 outside of a real emergency. WBAY Shawano is a county of around 40,000 residents outside Green Bay. County Sheriff George Lenzner told ABC 2 they were only able to respond to the unusual SOS because it was a slow evening, but their officers have been known to help people with small crises like snow-shoveling and replacing mailboxes. A great teaching moment for all. Thank you, Deputy Mason, for taking time out of your day to be a friend to this young man! the office wrote. (This story has been updated to add new information.) The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; his former defense minster, Yoav Gallant; and Ibrahim al-Masri, a senior Hamas official. The warrants mean the court has reason to believe all three have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. But their arrests are far from guaranteed. What crimes are Netanyahu and Gallant charged with? The court said it has reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for using "starvation as a method of warfare," which it classifies as a war crime. The pair are also suspected of crimes against humanity as "part of a widespread and systematic attack" on civilians in Gaza, including murder, persecution, and "other inhumane acts." The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to international prosecutors, Netanyahu and Gallant deprived civilians in Gaza of necessary supplies for their survival, including food and medicine, and impeded essential humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. More: 'Worst-case' famine possible in Gaza as 1.84 million acutely malnourished, report says Those actions, prosecutors claim, "created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, which resulted in the death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration." Netanyahu and Gallant also may bear "criminal responsibility" for intentionally attacking civilians, according to the court. The alleged crimes took place from the day after the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel last year through at least May 20, when ICC prosecutor Karim Khan filed applications for the arrest warrants. Netanyahu and Gallant rejected the charges and refused to turn themselves in for arrest. "Israel utterly rejects the false and absurd charges of the International Criminal Court, a biased and discriminatory political body," Netanyahu said in a statement on Thursday. "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not give in to pressure. He will continue to pursue all the objectives that Israel set out to achieve in its just war against Hamas and the Iranian axis of terror," the statement read. Gallant said the court's decision places the State of Israel and the murderous leaders of Hamas in the same row. The decision sets a dangerous precedent against the right to self-defense and moral warfare and encourages murderous terrorism, he said in a statement. President Joe Biden also rejected the ICC decision, and his White House reaffirmed its position from May when the ICC initially requested the warrants. "The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous," Biden said in a press release. "Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence none between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security." Will Netanyahu and Gallant be arrested? Netanyahu and Gallant won't be arrested on Israeli soil, since Israel has not signed onto the Rome Statute, the central treaty that sets out the court's jurisdiction and rules. Since the court has no police force of its own, it must rely on the countries that have signed the Rome Statute to carry out arrests. That means the arrest warrant could prevent Netanyahu and Gallant from traveling to the 124 countries that have signed the statute, where they could be arrested. But even countries who have signed the statute sometimes don't necessarily carry out arrests on the ICC's orders. For example, Mongolia, a signatory of the statute, did not arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin when he visited the country in September. Putin is wanted for arrest by the court for alleged crimes connected to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Who was the Hamas leader who is wanted for arrest? The court also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, a senior Hamas commander referred to by the ICC as Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri. Deif, born in 1965, is the highest-level commander of Hamas military wing, one of several Palestinian militant groups that orchestrated the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Although some reports say Deif was killed, ICC prosecutors said on Nov. 15 that they couldn't confirm whether he is dead or alive. The court also previously filed arrest warrants for senior Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, but withdrew them after the two were confirmed dead in Israeli attacks.The ICC said Deif is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity, beginning with Hamas attack last Oct. 7, including murder, extermination, torture, taking hostages, rape and other form of sexual violence, and outrages upon personal dignity. More: Friends lost, relatives at odds: How Oct. 7 reshaped lives in the U.S. The court said it found "reasonable grounds to believe" that senior Hamas leaders, including Deif, Sinwar and Haniyeh, jointly agreed to carry out the Oct. 7 attacks. Under their command, the ICC said, Hamas fighters "carried out mass killings" in Israel's border communities and at the Supernova music festival, including firing on and throwing grenades at people seeking shelter. The leaders were also charged for ordering the kidnapping of the more than 200 Israeli hostages taken during the attack. The international court also issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. What is the Rome Statute? The Rome Statute sets out which crimes are under the International Criminal Court's purview and the process the court uses to prosecute them. It gives the court jurisdiction over people suspected of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and, as of 2018, the crime of aggression. The statute was established in 1988, when the first ICC was created through a conference of 160 countries. In issuing the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, the court unanimously rejected challenges that Israel brought under the statute. According to the statute, the court's pre-trial chamber can issue an arrest warrant if it has reasonable grounds to believe the person committed one of the crimes under its purview. A warrant for arrest could also be issued to make sure a person appears for a trial or to prevent them from continuing a crime or obstructing an investigation into a crime. After a suspect is arrested, the court begins hearings to confirm the charges. Three judges then have 60 days to decide if the court has enough evidence to bring the case to trial. If the suspect is not arrested, ICC officials can make legal submissions, but the hearings can't start. If the judges decide the evidence is sufficient, the trial begins. Convicts can receive sentences of up to 30 years in prison. Life sentences are only handed out in "exceptional circumstances," according to the court. Has the U.S. signed the Rome Statute? The U.S. is not a state party to the Rome Statute, so Netanyahu and Gallant could still enter U.S. borders without risking arrest. The U.S. refuses to sign the statute in part because it fears that could open up members of the U.S. military to international charges. Although the U.S. played a role that led to the court's creation, it was one of seven countries that voted against the Rome Statute in 1998. Bill Clinton signed the statute two years later, but it was never ratified by the U.S. Senate, and George W. Bush effectively took the U.S. off the list of signatories. Contributing: Joey Garrison This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and others. So what happens now? Photo illustration by Elizabeth Ciano // Stacker // Shutterstock Life-sized cardboard cutouts, lightsaber chopsticks (that actually light up!), bacon-themed bandagesthese days, anything the mind can dream up can be sold and purchased online. According to the Census quarterly retail e-commerce sales report, e-commerce accounted for roughly 16% of total retail sales in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2024. It marked a 6.6% increase from the same period the year prior. In 2022, digital commerce reached more than $1 trillion in sales for the first time, per analytics company Comscore. While e-commerce has been a boon for big and small businesses alike, allowing brands to reach customers all over the world, the digital marketplace is still a Wild West of unregulated products, inaccurate marketing copy, and counterfeit items. According to a survey by Michigan State University researchers, 7 in 10 shoppers unknowingly bought counterfeit products online in 2023. The RealReal used data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Census records to highlight the proliferation of counterfeit goods in e-commerceand what consumers can do to protect themselves. A 2019 Wall Street Journal investigation called the e-commerce giant Amazon "a flea market" where vendors sold goods that falsely claimed to be certified or approved by agencies, even if those goods did not meet compliance standards. The paper found high lead levels in baby products, motorcycle helmets falsely claiming to be approved by the Department of Transportation, and unregistered pesticides. Of course, babies chew on baby toys, motorcycle helmets ought to protect their wearers in a fender bender, and pesticides need to be safe for humans and the local ecosystem, but online marketplaces that don't authenticate the marketing claims of goods make buying online safely bewildering for consumers. The RealReal Counterfeit seizures on the rise There are many reasons why counterfeit items slip through the cracks. Big platforms like Amazon sell a diverse range of goods from vitamins to clothing to cleaning products all over the world, with each country and municipality having different regulations for different categories of products. As a result, the process to vet these products has to be equally as detailed. "They monetize every single transaction on their platform, either in terms of a cut of the monetization or in terms of the data," Ramesh Srinivasan, a professor at the department of information studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, told Stacker. "If you're monetizing counterfeit sales, you then have at least a material responsibility tied to the benefits that you're getting from such sales." The Customs and Border Protection agency, which is in part responsible for enforcing intellectual property rights and upholding trade laws, seized $3.33 billion worth of counterfeit goods in 2021during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, that number dropped to $2.76 billion, which is still a 111% increase from 2020. Items found to be in violation of trade and intellectual property rights mostly hail from China, Hong Kong, India, and the United States, according to a 2023 Customs and Border Protection report. When ranked by value, popular counterfeit items include handbags and wallets, jewelry and watches, and apparel. Globally, counterfeits represented up to 3.3% of world trade in 2016, according to the latest study available by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and EU Intellectual Property Office. According to their study, globalization, the increased importance of intellectual property in helping boost sales, and low levels of governance are all contributing to the rise of counterfeits. COVID-19 only exacerbated those factors, filling in the need for essential goods as supply chains were disrupted. Ann Haritonenko // Shutterstock What's being done to fight counterfeits In the 2019 Wall Street Journal story, Amazon argued it was a selling platform, not a seller, and therefore was not responsible for deceptive claims made by vendors on its site. The SHOP SAFE Act, a bipartisan-led bill reintroduced to the House of Representatives in June, may render that excuse useless. "All these platforms, whether it's an e-commerce platform, or whether it's a social media platform, they basically treat themselves like they like open marketplaces, so to speak, for voices or posts or products," Srinivasan said. The SHOP SAFE Act, an acronym for Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-Commerce, could open up selling platforms like Amazon to lawsuits if consumers buy counterfeit items on their platforms. The bill lists a set of best practices for selling platforms to follow in order to monitor trademark infringement, like creating proactive screening measures and terminating accounts that have been repeatedly flagged for violating rules and selling counterfeit goods. According to Srinivasan, legislation like this can help define what better practices are, even if they fall short of catching all counterfeit items. "What can actually occur here is what 'better' is, is actually spelled out by regulatory agencies," Srinivasan said. "Then [tech companies'] ability to adhere to those laws, we can vet." Apart from legislation, government agencies are also asking consumers to be more aware when algorithms fail, and they've provided a few recommendations on how to steer clear of counterfeits, which include checking to see that consumers are submitting secure payments on websites that begin with https://. Brands will often publish a list of platforms they sell onplatforms not listed on the brand's website are likely selling counterfeit items masquerading as that brand. Counterfeit goods may also have small differences in packaging from legitimate goods, such as different colors, fonts, or label sizes. Report any suspicious items to the appropriate government agencythe Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center are just a handful of the web of regulators. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on The RealReal and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. By Crispian Balmer and Laila Bassam JERUSALEM/BEIRUT (Reuters) -Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah traded deadly blows on Thursday as their war raged on despite signs of progress in U.S. ceasefire efforts, with airstrikes pounding Beirut's southern suburbs and rockets flying into northern Israel. U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein was in Israel for talks with Israeli officials to try to secure a ceasefire which he declared was "within our grasp" on a visit to Beirut earlier this week. Indicating gaps remain, a senior Lebanese official told Reuters that Beirut had sought changes to the U.S. ceasefire proposal, to include ensuring a speedier withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon. The diplomacy marks the most serious attempt yet to end the conflict between Israel and the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah, part of the regional spillover of the Gaza war that erupted more than a year ago. In southern Lebanon, an Israeli airstrike killed three people in the village of Chaaitiyeh, some 10 km (6 miles) from the border, the Lebanese health ministry said. In Israel, a 30-year-old man was killed when shrapnel from a rocket struck a playground in the northern town of Nahariya, Israel's MDA medical service said. "The Israeli government is not safeguarding my security, my residents or the residents of the north (of Israel). It is not possible to live in such a situation like this," Nahariya Mayor Ronen Marelly told public broadcaster Kan. The Israeli military said about 10 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards Nahariya. "Most of the projectiles were intercepted and fallen projectiles were identified," the military said in a statement. Channel 12 said three rockets hit the coastal town. Hezbollah's al-Manar television station, citing its correspondent, confirmed rocket fire towards Nahariya and the surrounding area. BLASTS SEND UP CLOUDS OF DEBRIS Airstrikes on Beirut's Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs shook the capital, with at least 10 powerful blasts sending up thick clouds of debris. The Israeli military issued a statement on X ahead of strikes warning residents they were near Hezbollah targets against which it would soon take action. Residents have largely fled the area since Israel went on the offensive in September. White House envoy Hochstein left for Israel after declaring progress during two days of talks in Lebanon with officials including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, endorsed to negotiate by the Iran-backed Hezbollah. Speaking before he left Beirut, Hochstein said he was going to Israel to try to close an agreement if possible. The diplomacy aims to end a conflict that has inflicted massive devastation in Lebanon since Israel began its offensive, mounting airstrikes across wide parts of the country and sending in troops. Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera showed thick smoke rising from the town of Khiyam in southern Lebanon, some 6 km (4 miles) from the border, a focal point of ground battles between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli 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, which has suffered major blows since Israel began its offensive in September, has kept up rocket fire into Israel, attacking Tel Aviv this week. Its fighters are battling Israeli troops on the ground in the south. 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. Hezbollah strikes have killed more than 100 people in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. They include more than 70 soldiers killed in strikes in northern Israel and the Golan Heights and in combat in southern Lebanon, according to Israel. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Saul in Jerusalem; Tom Perry in Beirut; Clauda Tanios and Jana Choukeir in Dubai; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by William Maclean) Amber Guyger on the first day of the trial in Dallas in 2019. A jury ordered former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger to pay $98 million after it found that she used excessive force in the fatal shooting of Botham Jean in his home six years ago. Botham Jean. The civil verdict and penalty for Guyger, 36, came five years after she was convicted of murder in the 2018 killing of Jean and sentenced to a decade in prison. Guyger did not attend the three-day trial, nor did she have a lawyer present, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. The attorney who represented her in her criminal trial told the station that she didnt have the money to hire one. The jury found that Guyger acted with "malice, willfulness, or callous and reckless indifference" to Jean's safety and rights and awarded his family $60 million in punitive damages, a verdict form shows. The jury awarded an additional $38 million in compensatory damages for mental anguish, loss of earnings and other claims, the document shows. Jeans family had sought $54 million in damages, according to NBC Dallas Fort-Worth. The family and their legal team called the verdict a "powerful testament to Bothams life and the profound injustice of his death." "This case laid bare critical issues of racial bias and police accountability that cannot be ignored," they said in the statement. "Todays verdict sends a clear message that law enforcement officers who commit crimes cannot be insulated from the consequences of their actions. In a federal complaint first filed in 2018, Jeans family described Guyger's actions on the night of Sept. 6, 2018, as "clearly excessive and clearly unreasonable." Guyger, who denied the allegations, was off-duty but in uniform when she returned to the Dallas apartment complex where she lived after having worked a 13-hour shift, prosecutors said at her criminal trial. Sammie L. Berry speaks as church members and Botham Jean's family gather at Greenville Avenue Church of Christ in Richardson, Texas, after the funeral service in 2018. Guyger lived one floor below Jean, 26, an accountant whom she'd never met, and mistakenly entered his apartment believing it was her own, authorities have said. At the time, Jean was in his living room eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream. She ordered him to raise his hands, Guyger testified at her criminal trial, but he began moving toward her and yelling. "I never wanted to take an innocent persons life. Im so sorry, Guyger testified. This is not about hate its about being scared. Guyger is white. Jean, a native of St. Lucia, was Black. "I know that when everything goes dark, the sun's still up there," said Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Barbara Kingsolver at the 'Oscars of Books' 75th event Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty (2) Host Kate McKinnon and fiction winner Percival Everett The 2024 National Book Awards were presented to winners in fiction, nonfiction, young people's literature and translated literature, as well as awards for lifetime achievement and service to the literary community. Comedian and author Kate McKinnon emceed the event and Jon Batiste performed as the musical guest. During their acceptance speeches, authors spoke about their commitment to resisting AI encroachment, supporting literature as a form of resistance and source of hope and standing together as a community. The winners of the 2024 National Book Awards have been announced, and some familiar names graced the stage. Winners in the fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature and young people's literature categories received their honors on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony in New York City. Author and comedian Kate McKinnon emceed the event and Jon Batiste performed as the musical guest. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Jon Batiste at the National Book Awards Two lifetime achievement awards were also presented at the ceremony: Barbara Kingsolver was recognized with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and W. Paul Coates received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. "I wanted to be here because books do so many things. They inspire, they transport, they kill spiders when you can't find a shoe," McKinnon said in her opening address, after joking that she didn't have the "necessary gravitas" to host the event. 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. "Ultimately we tell stories because we want help. A book is an offering. It's a hand in the darkness. A way of saying, 'I know. Isn't this crazy?' And that's something that a robot will never be able to do," McKinnon continued. "Robots do not know what it is like to be certain you're going to die one day. Robots do not experience racism or food insecurity. Robots do not lose their partners, weep over election results or receive a devastating diagnosis." Related: Kate McKinnon's New Book Feels Like Lemony Snicket Meets Tim Burton: 'Wonderful Blend of Silliness and Heart' (Exclusive) "But we know these things. People know these things," McKinnon concluded. "And so until we have solved the problems of death and loneliness and their byproducts, war and climate change, sensitive souls, we'll continue to offer their thesis of how to make the most of our fragile and fleeting time on this burning planet surrounded by other red hearts. And in that way, writing a book is nothing short of an act of kindness." David Levenson/Getty Author and lifetime achievement award-winner Barbara Kingsolver During her acceptance speech, Kingsolver also spoke about the importance of books as a guiding force during times of hardship. "I've written through crises that seemed unsurvivable to me," she said. "So I know that when everything goes dark, the sun's still up there." "Artists get called a lot of dreamy things. We're lighthouses, we're visionaries. We are soothers of the savage beast maybe, but I think we're at our best as disruptors, when we challenge the lazy belief that my best interests are everybody's best interests," Kingsolver continued. "We get to crack people open ... We use our best, beautiful tricks to lure people into letting go of themselves for a little while so they can look into the soul of another human. Because that empathy, my friends, is our salvation. As James Baldwin told us, we are still each other's only hope." Here's which books and authors won in each category: FICTION: James by Percival Everett National Book Awards 'James' by Percival Everett James, written by Percival Everett, puts a twist on Mark Twain's classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by instead following the perspective of Jim, an escaped slave who is traveling with Huckleberry. In his acceptance speech, Everett noted that the enthusiasm for books in the room did give him some hope for the future before adding, "It's important to remember, hope is a strategy." Everett's other books, Dr. No, The Trees, Telephone, So Much Blue, Erasure and I Am Not Sidney Poitier, have also won and been nominated for a range of awards. Everett is a Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Southern California, and lives in Los Angeles with his wife Danzy Senna. Related: Jeffrey Wright Discusses Erasure, the Novel that Inspired American Fiction: Its A Great Read (Exclusive) NONFICTION: Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling by Jason De Leon National Book Awards 'Soldiers and Kings' by Jason De Leon Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling, by Jason De Leon, is the author-anthropologist's account of human smugglers guides, or "the one who can potentially lead you through danger" at the United States-Mexico border. When accepting his award, De Leon joked that his sons would be disappointed he didn't get to hug McKinnon. The comedian then sprinted onstage and wrapped him in a bear hug. "See, if you manifest it, it will come," the winner added. De Leon is a professor of Anthropology and Chicana/o Studies, and Director of the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles. His earlier book, The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail, won four awards since being published in 2015. POETRY: Something About Living by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha National Book Awards 'Something About Living' by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha Something About Living, by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, captures both the unrivaled beauty and persistent struggle that is ingrained in the Palestinian collective experience, told through American language to highlight its history of erasure. In addition to her work as a poet, Tuffaha is also an essayist and translator. She has published six books and is presently curating a series, Against Silence, for Words Without Borders about Palestinian writers. TRANSLATED LITERATURE: Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi and translated by Lin King National Book Awards 'Taiwan Travelogue' by Yang Shuang-Zi Taiwan Travelogue, by Yang Shuang-zi and translated by Lin King follows a young Japanese novelist who travels to Taiwan in 1938. She then befriends a local woman, with whom she forms a powerful bond. The novel was a smash hit upon its first publication in Mandarin Chinese in 2020 and also won Taiwans highest literary honor, the Golden Tripod Award. King is a writer and translator of Mandarin and Japanese; another of her translations is The Boy from Clearwater, a historical graphic novel series by Yu Pei-Yun and illustrated by Zhou Jian-Xin. YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE: Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi National Book Awards 'Kareem Between' by Shifa Saltagi Safadi Kareem Between, written by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, follows young Kareem as he navigates seventh grade, stuck between countries, friends, football, parents "and between right and wrong." Safadi has authored multiple picture books, including The Gift of Eid, and reviews Muslim books on her self-run Muslim Mommy Blog. A Syrian immigrant herself, she came to the United States at a young age and now lives near Chicago with her family. Charles B. Warren, 1924 Credit - Library of Congress While President-elect Donald Trump has begun to announce his Cabinet appointees, many of his picks still need to be confirmed by the Senate. But Trumps controversial and unconventional choices will test the Republican-led Senates loyalty, and could potentially lead to a situation that hasnt happened in 100 years. In U.S. history, only twelve Cabinet nominations have been rejectedand rarely has a Presidents Cabinet pick been denied by his own party. The last time it occurred was in 1925, when the Republican-controlled Senate rejected President Calvin Coolidges attempts to nominate Charles B. Warren as Attorney General. TIME put Warren on its cover in January 1925 after Coolidge announced the nomination. It is said that the President wanted Mr. Warren as someone to whom he was close, someone he could rely on, TIME wrote. Intellectually he is probably the ablest man whom Mr. Coolidge has added to the Cabinet, the story continued, describing Warren as suave of face, almost good looking. January 26, 1925 TIME cover TIME further described Warren as "a capable strategist, hard to trick, always ready for sortie or counter-attack, complete and instant master of the forces of his mind." But issues soon arose with the nomination. Warren had been involved in a Sugar Trust scandal involving the Michigan Sugar Company, where he had recently resigned from his position as president. The Michigan Sugar Company was one of seventeen companies charged by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for engaging in a wrongful combination and conspiracy to suppress competition in the distribution and sale of beet pulp in interstate commerce, according to a statement published in New York Times on Feb. 10, 1925. Warren was named as a defendant in the suit. The evidence presented demonstrated clearly that Mr. Warren was the agent and instrument of the sugar trust in acquiring control of the Michigan beet sugar industry and suppressing competition from that source, according to the Times statement, which also claimed that any alleged conspiracy committed by the companies were sanctioned by Warren. Senators feared that his connection would leave him unable to impartially enforce anti-trust laws. One Congressman, Missouri Senator James Reed, argued, I trust that a sufficient number of Senators who have not been seduced to political apostasy by the family sap bucket, or gorged into stupefaction by buckwheat cakes and Vermont maple syrup, or lulled to moral insensibility by the melody of waves breaking against the prow of the Mayflower I trust there are enough left to vote against delivering the Department of Justice into the hands of the Sugar Trust. The first confirmation vote resulted in a 40-40 tie, which could have been broken by Vice President Charles Dawesif he hadnt at the time been taking a nap at the nearby Willard Hotel. A group of Republicans warned Coolidge against resubmitting the nomination, but the President still nominated him a second time. The White House released a statement saying, The President is making every effort to secure the confirmation of Mr. Warren. . . . He has decided on no other appointment. [In case Mr. Warren is not confirmed] he will offer him a recess appointment. He hopes, however, that the unbroken practice of three generations of permitting the President to choose his own cabinet will not be changed. The Senate again rejected Warren, 46-39. Since then, only two nominations have been rejected Lewis Strauss for Secretary of Commerce in 1959 and John Tower for Secretary of Defense in 1989, both of whom were Republican nominees rejected by a Democrat-controlled Senate. Write to Simmone Shah at simmone.shah@time.com. A coffee shop in Middleborough, Massachusetts, went viral overnight for offering free coffee to customers who entered the shop while dancing. A video of customers participating in the promotion was posted on Coffee Milano Cafes TikTok account on Monday and has since been viewed over 5 million times as of Wednesday afternoon. The viral post highlights how businesses are finding new customers by amping up their online presence, moving away from traditional marketing methods that are not delivering the same reach anymore. Owner Josh Rashid told CNN that business picked up after the video was posted, attracting curious new customers while delighting cafe regulars. Were a small little town here in Middleborough, and its fun. A couple of people were in the store when it happened, and they came in the next day and said, Oh my gosh, I saw your video on my For You page, he said. The sign posted outside of Coffee Milano Cafe informing customers of the promotion. - Coffee Milano Cafe Inspired by a similar promotion by a pizza shop, Rashid posted a sign telling customers they would receive a free coffee if they danced for five seconds. The sign also informed them that they would be filmed and featured on the cafes social media. Rashid told CNN that the cafes TikTok account gained over 10,000 followers since the video was posted, up from roughly 4,000 followers. Small businesses really need to be on these platforms where potential customers are searching, said Kristyn Shay, social media director at SCORE, a nonprofit offering resources for small business owners. Its really an exciting time for small businesses to go viral on platforms like TikTok and be where younger potential customers are hanging out. What TikTok fame means for small businesses Rashid told CNN that the staff had only started creating short, playful videos using trending TikTok sounds four weeks ago when he decided to shake up their marketing strategy. Were in a digital world and word of mouth is great, but at the same time, were glued to our phones, he said. It just shows us how powerful social media is, and as a business owner, we have to adapt and do what we can. Rashid said that the reaction to the cafes promotion was so positive that he plans to bring back the deal every month. But it comes with a catch. He said he would not post an announcement or schedule an official date. Instead, he plans on leaving Easter eggs across the cafes social media for customers to find hints to future promotions. When you have a viral moment, its an indicator that youre doing something right, Shay said. Maybe you tested a new strategy. Maybe that strategy was to be a little bit more silly and the audience responded to that. And to those who worry about the cafe losing out on profits, Rashid says its not a problem. Youve got to have some joy in this world, and if a little five second dance brings you joy, then its worth the free coffee. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA) - UN humanitarians warned on Thursday that one in four people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo suffers from crisis or worse levels of hunger that affects a staggering 25 A crowd gathers at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the city's Go-Go Museum and Cafe in the city's historic Anacostia district on Monday in Washington, D.C. Go-Go music is the official music of the nation's capital, and the museum is a celebration and preservation of the music and a tribute to its pioneers. Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images In2019,a tenant of a luxury apartment building in the Shaw neighborhood in Washington, D.C., complained of constant noise emanating from a MetroPCS storefront nearby. The noise flowing from the speakers outside the store was the sound of go-go music, an outgrowth of funk music born in the nations capital. When T-Mobile informed store owner Donald Campbell that he would need to turn off the music due to a potential lawsuit over the sounds that he has played since the 90s, a throng of residents and supporters organized protests on the corner to demand go-go returned to Georgia and Florida avenues. Eventually, T-Mobile acquiesced. Campbell was allowed to play his beloved music outside of his store again. Utilizing the hashtag #DontMuteDC, an online petition and the steady beat of go-go, the protesters showed the world that the sound of the district would never be silenced. With the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the highly-anticipated Go-Go Museum and Cafe in D.C.s historic Anacostia neighborhood Monday, the museums creators have cemented go-gos place in the lineage of Black liberation music from Komfa in Guyana, Candomble in Brazil, and Santeria in Cuba. Black people, throughout history and across time and space, have used our trauma of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade of forced displacement. Theres certain things that happen to Black people wherever we are, whether its in Cuba or Brazil or Jamaica or anywhere, said Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, the museums chief curator and author of Go-Go Live: The Musical Life and Death of a Chocolate City. Go-go music is just one of these manifestations of that Afro-modern existence that we have, that weve turned our pain into power, she said. The "This Is Go-Go" exhibit inside of the Go-Go Museum and Cafe in Anacostia. Phil Lewis/HuffPost The museum is the product of community activist and go-go promoter Ronald Moten, who said he came up with the idea in 2009. This looks like the old D.C. in many ways, Moten explained. We want to be thriving, prosperous, and engaging for all people. I think we have a chance to do that. The museum, which spans more than 8,000 square feet, is interactive. Inside, there are photos and artifacts from other go-go legends, like Junk Yard Band, DJ Kool, E.U., Gregory Sugarbear Elliot, Rare Essence, and more. Theres a cafe, lead by prominent chef Angela Bethea, a stage for live performances, a recording studio, holograms of go-go legends, and more. As soon as visitors walk into the museum, they are greeted by a large photo of the late guitarist Chuck Brown, the godfather of go-go, who is perhaps best known for his 1979 hit track Bustin Loose with The Soul Searchers. But go-go emerged from the 1968 civil unrest in the nations capital following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The 1968 uprisings scarred the landscape of D.C.s neighborhoods and left an economic void that go-go filled, Hopkinson said, noting she made this argument in her book. By the 1980s, go-go was undoubtedly a musical force with live events in backyards and clubs across the nations capital. In the 90s and the early aughts, however, go-go saw a crackdown due to authorities who linked the genre to violence, nearly snuffing it out of existence. In February 2020, go-go became the official music of the district after Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a bill that aimed to preserve the genre. We have over 80 museums in Washington, D.C., but until today, we had one missing, Bowser told the large crowd of go-go supporters who attended the museums ribbon-cutting ceremony. Now we can say when people come to visit our city and when young people are talking about our history and culture, that we have a Go-Go Museum. It is the only museum in the district dedicated to the history of go-go music. A crowd gathers to hear the Junk Yard Band and the Back Yard Band at the official ribbon-cutting ceremony of the city's Go-Go Museum and Cafe on Monday in Washington, D.C. Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images An exhibit dedicated to the #DontMuteDC movement shows how we very specifically took the pain of that gentrifier on that corner, God bless her, who sparked this movement because thats why we have a museum, Hopkinson continued. Locals are excited about the Go-Go Museums opening, particularly in the Anacostia neighborhood, a predominantly Black area of D.C. that has long been underfunded. Truth be told, a lot of people dont want to come over here. As you start to get closer and closer to Anacostia Station, you start to see what changes, said Yvette Tariq, a local historian and D.C. native who manages the DC Decades Instagram page with her husband, Mustafa Tariq. Once you have a museum pop up, then youll see that people will start to respect it more. But we have always respected this side of town. The Go-Go Museum also pays homage to the genres roots. While the polyrhythmic musical genre was popularized by Chuck Brown in the 1970s, there are several exhibits within the museum that describe go-gos West African roots and its relationship to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Among the only popular Black music genres that has not been colonized, an exhibit read. An interactive exhibit featuring a hologram of Go-Go legend Gregory "Sugar Bear" Elliott, lead vocalist of the band E.U., is one of the features of the Go-Go Museum and Cafe. Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images At the heart of the museum is community. The museums curators hope that the space will someday include music programming for local youth. With the opening of the Go-Go Museum and Cafe, Hopkinson believes that the genre will never be silenced in the district again. We are constantly being displaced. We are constantly being criminalized. We are constantly being muted. Our voices are muted. Our bodies are muted. Our music is muted. Now that the Go-Go Museum is here, go-go music will never be muted again, Hopkinson proudly told the crowd of supporters in Anacostia who had come to celebrate the music they love. We have a home forever. The Go-Go Museum and Cafe will fully open its doors to the public in February. A news helicopter incidentally captured a mysterious orb-like object zooming over the Hudson River and past Lower Manhattan. Up for interpretation. A news helicopter incidentally captured a mysterious orb-like object zooming over the Hudson River and past Lower Manhattan. In the final seconds of a Fox 5 news report that aired Monday, an orb-shaped object or light can be seen in the crystal clear New York sky, making an arcing pathway in the direction of the news chopper which was filming from south of the Battery. A news helicopter incidentally captured a mysterious orb-like object zooming over the Hudson River and past Lower Manhattan. FOX 5 New York The orb appears white in the distance and takes on a blue tint as it gets closer to the camera. The potential object outpaces every boat on the Hudson and quickly arcs its way past the news chopper. It is unclear whether the orb is a real-world object or a light refraction on a lens or piece of glass. Some of the worlds foremost ufologists have expressed doubt over its real-world potential. Avi Loeb, a theoretical physician, cosmologist and Harvard professor, believes the apparent orb is an artifact of the video. This is most likely an optical artifact from the helicopter glass in front of the camera, namely a bright spot from the reflection of sunlight as the camera gradually changes its orientation relative to the sun and the ground, Loeb tells The Post. The orb appears white in the distance and takes on a blue tint as it gets closer to the camera. FOX 5 New York But even if it was a real object, the apparent speed is of an order the speed of sound and not extraordinary, Loeb concludes. Tim Gallaudet, a retired rear admiral in the United States Navy and CEO of Ocean STL consulting, concurred with Loeb. For several reasons, looks like an artifact and not an actual UAP, Gallaudet told The Post, using the acronym for unidentified aerial phenomenon. A rep for Good Day New York, which originally aired the clip, tells The Post they are not able to identify when the footage was recorded adding that it was likely within the last calendar year. In the final seconds of a Fox 5 news report that aired Monday, the orb-shaped object or light can be seen in the crystal clear New York sky, making an arcing pathway in the direction of the news chopper. FOX 5 New York An anonymous source at Good Day opined that the orb is in fact a physical object but merely a drone that appears to be moving at an incredible speed due to the movement of the helicopter in conjunction with the movement of the camera. A similar parallax effect was just used as an explainer for the famous GOFAST UAP FLIR radar video, which was reportedly solved by the Pentagon on Tuesday. Good Day also confirms that the footage has not been tampered with by digital editors on its staff. The orb appears to be opaque, not transparent or translucent. This characteristic indicated to photo experts at The Post that it is not a standard lens flare, which refracts see-through light on camera lenses and also bears a distinct aperture mark. At the start of the video, it appears that the object crosses in front of a building in New Jersey near Hoboken. A brief shadow is visible on a building. The trace of the shadow is then picked up by the possible object or photographic blemish in question. The little dot then quickly crosses the tree line and enters the airspace of the Hudson River, moving away from New Jersey, banking along the Lower Manhattan shoreline and down toward the mouth of the bay. The speck follows two distinct arcing pathways, first going across the camera left to right, then banking back left, cutting across the center of the frame movement that could described as directed. If the supposed object did originate in the sky in the vicinity of Hoboken and then proceeded to travel all the way down river, passing the tip of Manhattan, it would indicate an incredible speed of 2,700 miles per hour that would relegate identifying the object to the realm of pure speculation. If the object traversed the (conservatively put) three-mile distance in four seconds, it would put its speed somewhere in the vicinity of 2,700 miles per hour. Some of the worlds foremost ufologists have expressed doubt over its real-world potential. FOX 5 New York This speed would be more than double the speed of an F18 fighter jet. The strange sight caught the eye of Good Day New York newsman Dan Bowens, who was on the desk with co-anchor Tashanea Whitlow at the time Hayley Fixlers segment aired. Bowens took to Instagram after Mondays show and posted a clip of the orb curving down the Hudson River. Avi Loeb, a theoretical physician, cosmologist and Harvard professor, believes the apparent orb is an artifact of the video. FOX 5 New York Anyone else see this on Good Day?, the Emmy winner wrote in an Instagram Story. What is that? A balloon? Bowens could not be reached for comment. The object appears to be not dissimilar to other unidentified objects that have been reported around the world. The little dot then quickly crosses the tree line, and enters the airspace of the Hudson River, moving away from New Jersey, banking along the Lower Manhattan shoreline. FOX 5 New York Last year, the Pentagon released radar footage of a metallic orb zooming through the controlled airspace of an active military zone. The military does not know what these objects are, according to Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, former director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office. Just this past week, members of Congress held a hearing where witnesses alleged secret crash retrieval programs, communication with non-human intelligence, and government intimidation of UAP whistleblowers. RALEIGH - More Helene relief will now be allocated by North Carolina lawmakers in both the House and Senate, but not without controversy from Democrats who say it's not nearly enough and contains "power grab" provisions. On Oct. 9 the General Assembly passed the first round of Hurricane Helene relief funding, which amounted to $273 million and passed in the House and Senate unanimously. A couple of weeks later, they passed another bill coming in at over $600 million. On Nov. 19 and 20, nearly two months from the storm's initial touch-down, legislators passed a relief bill for much less money that includes several other unrelated provisions and a trail of controversy. The bill, which is over 100 pages long and was only publicly available a couple of hours before lawmakers voted on it, allocates $227 million to the Helene Fund, but not all of that has been appropriated yet. The relief passed 63-46 in the House and 30-19 in the Senate. More: NC lawmakers override Gov. Coopers school voucher bill veto; Public schools to lose $4M Some areas in Lake Lure, NC on Oct. 26, 2024 are still surrounded by debris from last month's Tropical Storm Helene. Democrats were frustrated over a lack of money going to relief efforts, but also at the changes it makes to high-power state positions, including the governor and attorney general, both of which will be Democratic seats in January and could see less power and autonomy if the bill becomes law. None of us do well with unfettered power and it gets worse when we pretend like it's not happening," Rep. Robert Reives, D-Chatham said during House debate on the bill Tuesday night. "And today is the biggest abuse I have seen since I've been here, and that is saying a lot. Lindsey Prather, D-Buncombe, said she sees the bill as 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. Sen. Dan Blue, D-Wake, agreed, but added that "North Carolinians see through it." Gov. Roy Cooper has also been outspoken on the issue, saying in the days leading up to this session that legislators should forego funding the Opportunity Scholarship, a taxpayer funded private school voucher program, and instead focus on Helene relief. Gov. Roy Cooper walks with Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett on Memorial Hwy following Tropical Storm Helene, October 7, 2024. Tricia Ann Cotham, R-Mecklenburg, clapped back at Cooper and other Democrats rhetoric during debate for the passage of HB 10, which included more funding for the scholarship. "We do not need to set up a false choice between hurricane relief and public school funding and funding for the opportunity scholarship program," Cotham said Nov. 19. "It is shameful for our governor to try and set up a fight between hurricane victim relief and children. They are not the same." All of this legislative work is taking place while residents 200 miles away in Asheville just got potable water back on Nov. 18. I think people down here in Raleigh may not totally understand the tough spot that were in in Western North Carolina," Rep. Eric Ager, D-Buncombe, said at a press conference. "I think two days ago Asheville finally got potable water back." Many are still struggling to find work, open their businesses and restore their homes and properties. We lost the month of October, which is our biggest revenue month of the year in Western North Carolina with the tourism economy, Ager said. That's like losing three to six months of revenue, he said. The relief bill now heads to the governors desk; however, three Republicans in the House voted against the bill, meaning if Cooper veto's it, the chambers may not have the numbers to override his veto. Tensions were high in the gallery as well, with claps after a Democratic legislator's remarks, Mark Robinson, who was presiding over the Senate, requested gallery members be removed. Some shouted "fascist!" and "shame!" as they were cleared out. The gallery was cleared mid debate on the Helene relief bill in the Senate today pic.twitter.com/MoORnfsNKp Sarah Gleason (@sarahgreporting) November 20, 2024 What are the Helene provisions? The bill titled "Disaster Relief-3/Budget/Various Law Changes" was filed under S382 and gives $2 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for soil and water conservation and $25 million for debris removal. In total, the state has now allocated over a billion dollars in funding for the storm efforts. While state legislators work on relief efforts, Cooper is traveling to Washington D.C. to ask for more than $25 million from the federal government, according to a press release from the governor's office. What about the items unrelated to Hurricane Helene? The bill also includes several unrelated measures to the storm. For example, it gives over $33 million to childcare stabilization grants, allows the extension of several different permits and allots money for an AI school safety pilot program in New Hanover and Davidson counties, among several other provisions. $50 million will also be given to the Office of Recovery and Resiliency to fund ReBuild NC's building projects in Eastern North Carolina for Florence and Matthew victims. It also states that the auditor will financially monitor the organization. NCORR under scrutiny: What does it mean for Helene relief? But what legislators were fired up about are the power changes to state positions. The Attorney General, which will soon be Democrat Jeff Jackson, would be stripped of his power to argue any cases that arent in line with the position of the General Assembly. It also takes the power away from the governorship to appoint State Board of Elections members. Instead, the auditor, who will be Republican Dave Boliek, would appoint the members to the board. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said they've been trying to create a board of elections with "balance," for years. The board currently has a Democratic majority. There are also changes to voting procedures. The provisions would shorten the time for county boards to cure ballots and for voters to fix errors in registrations or provisional ballots. This would further stress our county boards of elections," Rep. Allen Buansi, D- Orange, said. Berger said they may need to look into whether "staffing issues would need to be addressed" in next year's budget in response to questions about whether county boards have the staffing to make shorter deadlines happen. President of the North Carolina NAACP chapter, Deborah Dicks Maxwell said in a Tuesday press release that these shortened deadlines could hurt Black voters who often rely on these mechanisms to overcome systemic barriers to voting." Republicans say the new rules are aimed at making the process more efficient. Among several other changes in the bill, the State Highway Patrol would become its own entity, two more judges would be appointed by the General Assembly and the superintendent of public instruction, which is shifting to Democratic control, would lose some power. Cooper called the bill a power grab that ignores real support to communities hit hard by hurricane Helene in an X statement Tuesday. Whats missing from the bill? Since the onset of Helene recovery, Western Democrats have been asking for housing help and grants for businesses. This bill doesnt meet those requests, according to Democratic Rep. Caleb Rudow, of Buncombe County. Rudow ran unscuccessfully for the 11th Congressional set Nov. 5 to incumbent Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards. "We've got 4,800 people in the region who are still in FEMA hotels," Rudow said. "They can't resume normal life, reboot our economy until they have stable, permanent housing. Some will be faced with homelessness once FEMA support runs out. They need housing assistance." N.C. State Rep. Caleb Rudow speaks to volunteers at the Buncombe County Register of Deeds in downtown Asheville Oct. 1, 2024, where residents gathered to do welfare checks in the area. As of Sept. 30 there have been a reported 12,000 requests for help. Even Republicans during debate said this bill does not cover what they plan on giving toward Helene efforts. They need more time to sort through requests, Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, said. He thinks over the next month, the legislature will create a vetting committee to thoroughly look through the requests needed. Theyre drinking from the fire hose, with requests, and many have massive price tags. Ager pushed back at this theory at a press conference. We don't need to study or vet the impact of this storm, we know what happened and those of us out there in the community know whats needed, he said. We are trickling out money and playing a dangerous game of chicken with Congress, Rudow said. More: Buncombe rental assistance, emergency housing code approved as Helene took 8,200 jobs More: WNC public officials, 400 signees, call for post-Helene eviction moratorium, rental aid Sarah Gleason, reporting from Raleigh, is the North Carolina Elections Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 3rd Helene relief bill passes NC House, Senate amid controversy Alabama death row inmate Carey Dale Grayson is set to be executed on Thursday with nitrogen gas a controversial method that some witnesses describe as torture. If Grayson's execution moves forward, he will become only the third inmate in the U.S. ever executed by nitrogen gas hypoxia. The other two such executions also were in Alabama earlier this year. Grayson would also become the 22nd inmate executed in the U.S. so far this year. Carey Dale Grayson, now 49, was one of four teenagers convicted of capital murder in the torture, bludgeoning and mutilation of Vickie Lynn Deblieux on Feb. 21, 1994. Deblieux, 37, was hitchhiking from southeastern Tennessee to visit her mother in West Monroe, Louisiana, when the four teens picked her up along a highway near Trussville and soon after proceeded to kill her, court records say. Here's what to know about the execution. Carey Dale Grayson, sentenced for murder on March 8, 1996 What was Carey Dale Grayson convicted of? On Feb. 21, 1994, Deblieux was dropped off by a friend in Chattanooga near Interstate 59, where she began catching rides southwest. At some point, Grayson who was 19 and three other teens picked Deblieux up along a Jefferson County interstate in Alabama, about 15 miles northeast of Birmingham. The teens stopped at a wooded area on Bald Mountain, and proceeded to beat, stomp and kick Deblieux. Testimony showed Grayson and another teen stood on her throat to kill her. Her body was eventually tossed off a cliff but the teens returned later and mutilated her corpse, cutting the body at least 180 times, removing a portion of a lung and cutting off her fingers, court records show. The teens became suspects in the murder when one of the boys showed one of Deblieuxs fingers to a friend. In addition to Grayson, a jury convicted Kenny Loggins, Trace Duncan and Louis Mangione in the murder. Duncan, Loggins and Mangione had their death sentences reversed and were each given life in prison without the possibility of parole. The move came in 2005 after the U.S. Supreme Court banned the execution of people who were younger than 18 when they committed a crime. When and where is the execution? The execution is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, about an hour northeast of Mobile. The prison will release Grayson's last meal and last words following the execution. How is Carey Dale Grayson being executed? Grayson will be killed by nitrogen hypoxia, which was used for the first time in the U.S. when Alabama executed Kenneth Eugene Smith in January. Smiths execution by the method drew national and international scorn and media attention, including a protest from the Vatican. Smith appeared to writhe and convulse on the gurney for at least four minutes during the execution. State and prison systems' officials had said before the execution that Smith should lose consciousness within seconds, and be dead within minutes once the gas started flowing into the full-face mask Smith wore. Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm called Smiths execution textbook, in a news conference about half an hour after the Smith died. With the nitrogen hypoxia method, the condemned breathes pure nitrogen through a mask that displaces oxygen in their system. Proponents claim it is an almost instant and painless method. Opponents claim it is untried and amounts to torture. On Sept. 26, Alan Eugene Miller became the second Alabama inmate executed with nitrogen hypoxia as the method. What could stop Carey Dale Grayson's execution? Grayson has filed multiple appeals throughout the years and lost. His last hope for a reprieve remains with the U.S. Supreme Court and Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, who responded to a question from the Montgomery Advertiser about the timing of Grayson's execution the week before Thanksgiving by saying: "Did Carey Grayson give any consideration to the fact that he robbed Vicki DeBlieux and her family of now 30 Thanksgivings?" Smith's attorneys have been arguing that the nitrogen gas method could amount to cruel and unusual punishment since it did not guarantee a painless death for their client. Who is Carey Dale Grayson? Grayson has bipolar disorder and his mother died when he was 3 after battling mental illness, according to court records. A forensic psychologist testified that Grayson was "in a manic state" during the murder but that he "did know the difference between right and wrong and was able to appreciate the nature and quality or wrongfulness of his acts, court records say. In a police interview, Grayson described the younger teens as committing the most heinous acts during the crime. When asked about why they killed Deblieux, court records say, he told police that he didn't know and that "it was not his problem. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carey Dale Grayson to be executed with nitrogen gas: What to know. By Stephen Nellis and Aditya Soni SAN FRANCISCO/BENGALURU (Reuters) -Nvidia's revenue forecast on Wednesday disappointed Wall Street, raising questions over whether the artificial intelligence boom is waning. But the answer, according to Nvidia executives, analysts and investors, is a resounding no. Shares of the chipmaker were up about 1% in premarket trading on Thursday after erasing earlier losses, while peers Intel and Qualcomm were down between 0.5% and 1%. AI chip rival AMD was edging higher. There is no shortage of companies eager to create new AI systems using Nvidia's superior chips, and the world's largest publicly listed company is selling them as fast as its chipmaking contractor Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co(TSMC) can make them. U.S.-listed shares of TSMC fell 0.5% in trading before the bell. Nvidia forecast its slowest revenue growth in seven quarters on Wednesday, and said supply chain constraints would lead to demand for its chips exceeding supply for several quarters in fiscal 2026. Analysts have largely attributed the expected slowdown to the "law of large numbers" as Nvidia's towering growth feeds tough year-on-year comparisons following a boom in AI infrastructure investment after the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in late 2022. Making these chips is hard, and a flaw that was found in one of Nvidia's chips over the summer is not helping. Its new flagship chip, named Blackwell, is actually made up of multiple chips that have to be glued together in a complex process the chip industry calls advanced packaging. While TSMC is racing to expand capacity, packaging remains a bottleneck for Nvidia and other chip companies. "Blackwell adds more advanced packaging from TSMC than prior chips, which adds a wrinkle," said Ben Bajarin, CEO and principal analyst at research firm Creative Strategies. He expects Nvidia will have more demand than it can supply for all of 2025. Missteps by Nvidia have exacerbated the issues. The design flaw in Blackwell forced Nvidia to undertake what it calls a "mask change." CEO Jensen Huang said the flaw, which has since been fixed, lowered Blackwell chip yields, which are the proportion of chips that come off the manufacturing line fully functional. While Nvidia never elaborated on the flaw, complex chips like Blackwell can take months to produce because they require hundreds of manufacturing steps. Many of these steps involve shining ultraviolet light through a series of complex masks to project the image of a chip's circuits on a disc of silicon - a process akin to printing the chip. The mask change appears to have set back Nvidia's production timelines and cost it money, analysts said. "There's the risk that the bottlenecks worsen rather than improve, and that could damage revenue projections," said Michael Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital. During a conference call with investors, Nvidia executives said the company has shipped about 13,000 samples of its new chip and expects to beat its initial estimates that it would sell several billion dollars' worth this quarter. "We're at the beginning of our production ramp, which always comes with opportunities for yield improvement," Huang told Reuters on Wednesday. "We are ramping Blackwell from zero to something extremely large. By definition, the laws of physics would say that there's a limit to how fast you can ramp." In the short term, the production ramp-up is expected to pressure gross margins. Nvidia executives warned investors the company's margins would sink several percentage points to the low-70% range until production kinks are ironed out. Hendi Susanto, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, which holds Nvidia shares, said there was no doubt that demand for the company's chips remained "absolutely and exceptionally strong" for the foreseeable future. "The key focus is supply - how much supply Nvidia can produce," he said. (Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco and Aditya Soni and Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru; Editing by Sayantani Ghosh, Jamie Freed and Devika Syamnath) Parents of 7-year-old face murder charge after allegedly gluing her mouth shut (Oklahoma County Detention Center) An Oklahoma mother and her boyfriend who allegedly glued shut their 7-year-old daughters mouth, have been charged with murder. Violet Mitchell, 7, weighed only 29 pounds when she died in August. Now, the girls mother Lisa Mitchell, 31, and her boyfriend Anthony Yonko, 37, each face a second-degree murder charge, court records show. The child endured extensive abuse in her short life, according to an arrest report obtained by KOCO. She died on August 2, according to her obituary. Her mother would beat the child mostly with a broomstick and would tie her legs with zip ties to the crib, the mothers cousin told police in the report. When she could, the cousin would untie the little girl and take glue out of her mouth when it was sealed shut, she said. Lisa Mitchell, 31, faces a murder charge in connection with the death of her 7-year-old daughter (Oklahoma County Detention Center) Mitchell and Yonko took violet to the SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in early August. About an hour after arriving, Violet was pronounced dead. A doctor told police at the time that the child had bruises on her body, red fluid coming out of her mouth, and weighed just 25 pounds, KFOR reported. The medical examiners office ruled the childs cause of death to be failure to thrive after finding the top of a baby bottle lodged in her small intestine, KOCO reported. She had sunken eyes and was wearing a diaper that was otherwise sized for a 3-year-old, the office noted. She was essentially skin on bone, the autopsy report said, according to Law & Crime. Anthony Yonko, 37, was arrested in connection with the death of Violet Mitchell. He also faces a murder charge (Oklahoma County Detention Center) It is unclear to this examiner if the intestinal obstruction by the foreign body is accidental or intentional, the report stated. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services told the outlet: This childs death is a profound tragedy, and we are grateful to our law enforcement and medical partners whose efforts will help us and the community better understand the circumstances surrounding her death. Tiffany Mitchell, Lisas sister, and David Yonko, Anthonys brother, also face second-degree murder charges, records show. Their role in the matter is not immediately clear. All four have pleaded not guilty, court records show. They are being held at Oklahoma County Detention Center. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has accused President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of supporting the UK handover of the Chagos islands in order to appease China (Getty Images) A Republican senator who is a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump has falsely accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of being behind the British governments decision to turn over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands including the location of a key military base to Mauritius despite the deals origins under the previous Conservative-led government. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana used time for debate over a trio of Democratic-authored resolutions to cut off certain kinds of arms to Israel to rail against the agreement that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers government reached with Mauritius over the status of the archipelago in October. In remarks delivered from the Senate floor, Kennedy who is not related to the famous family that has produced multiple Democratic officeholders since the 1960s described the pending agreement as a crisis that he was only recently alerted to. Kennedy accused Biden and Harris of giving away the important British-American military base on Diego Garcia, one of the islands that will be turned over to Mauritian authorities once the agreement is completed, albeit with a 99-year lease that guarantees continued American control of the island. Heres what President Biden is doing and Vice President Harris, they say, we need to ... grant independence to the Chagos islands, but not let the people of the Chagos islands run their country. We need to give the Chagos islands back to Mauritius, he said. A US Air Force B-1B bomber takes off from the Diego Garcia military base on a strike mission against Afghanistan in Diego Garcia in 2001 (DoD/AFP via Getty Images) He also claimed the agreement reached by the British government to hand over the Chagos Islands is cell-deep stupid because the Chagos Islands and Mauritius dont have a relationship anymore and accused both the Labour-led UK government and Biden and Harris of supporting the agreement to satisfy bureaucrats at the United Nations. The United Nations is saying: United Kingdom, you bad people, give back give the Chagos Islands back, but not let the Chagos Islands be free. They want to give the Chagos islands back to Mauritius, and President Biden could stop it, and so could Vice President Harris, but theyre for it, all in an effort to curry favor with the people at the United Nations who walk around with their NPR tote bags and their organic broccoli and have great relationships with media, members of media ... who they think write history, he said. But the Louisiana Senator failed to mention that the Chagos deal, to which the United States is not a party, is the end result of negotiations which started two years ago under then-foreign secretary James Cleverly. The talks stalled under Cleverlys replacement, Lord Cameron, but were revived after Labour took power in the July 2024 general election. Despite the public record showing the lack of American involvement in the talks, Kennedy claimed that the foreign policy crisis caused by the deal was all because President Biden and Vice President Harris want to appease the United Nations and urged the incoming Trump administration to call a halt to the process. President Trump: Please, pretty please with sugar on top, pick up the phone and call the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and say dont sign that treaty, he said. Dont give away the Chagos islands. Dont give away Americas military base. UK prime minister Keir Starmer at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (PA Wire) The deal with Mauritius is not due to come into place until next year but has been backed by the outgoing Biden administration. It could be an early flashpoint between Sir Keirs government and the incoming Trump administration, as US government sources say Mr Trump is looking to veto the deal, which is set to come into force after his inauguration in January, over global security fears. The Independent has reported that Mr Trumps transition team has requested legal advice from the Pentagon over the agreement after allies of Nigel Farage had pushed Mr Trumps team to investigate the consequences of the Chagos Islands deal ahead of the US election. Ahead of an urgent question in the Commons last week, Mr Farage told The Independent that Mr Trump would be attempting to veto the deal. He said: Its happening! The controversy adds to tensions between the Labour-led government and Mr Trumps team over issues including continued support for Ukraine, tackling climate change and a row over alleged election interference in America by the Labour Party. Past tweets by foreign secretary David Lammy calling the president-elect a neo-Nazi have also caused issues. A US government official source told The Independent: Trump has received a UK-sourced briefing on Chagos and has asked the presidential transition team to work with the Pentagon to get legal advice. He has expressed a stance in principle to object to the deal if elected on the advice of the Department of Defense based on their global security posture. Mr Trumps incoming national security adviser, Florida Representative Mike Waltz, has been highly critical of the deal as well. Recently, Mr Waltz said: Should the UK cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius, I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum. Meanwhile, Mr Trumps nominee for secretary of state, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, has described the deal as concerning as it would provide an opportunity for communist China to gain valuable intelligence on our naval support facility in Mauritius. MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera, who is vying for a top European Commission job, on Wednesday defended the state's handling of last month's deadly floods in Valencia and said climate change was largely to blame for the disaster. Speaking to lawmakers, Ribera, who is also environment and energy minister, said long-delayed additional flood defences in Valencia region would likely not have prevented the worst flood-related disaster in Spain's history as they had been designed for smaller catastrophes. Such works "would have been clearly insufficient to contain that torrent of floodwater," she said, although she acknowledged that they could have limited the impact of a deluge that killed over 220 people, swept away bridges and roads, and destroyed thousands of homes. The main opposition People's Party (PP) has accused Ribera of inaction and neglecting her duties and has been trying to block her appointment as a European Commissioner in charge of environment policies and competition. The nomination is yet to be approved by the European Parliament. The central government has said the regional administration, led by PP's Carlos Mazon, was responsible for a tardy response to warnings issued by the state weather service and hydrography experts. Mazon has said the information he received was "insufficient, inaccurate and late" to issue a corresponding alert to citizens. Regions are in charge of disaster management in Spain, but the events quickly gave rise to a blame game between the minority leftist government and the conservatives. Ribera said Spain must improve its officials' capacity to respond to the increasing threat of climate events. "Action protocols, regulations and alerts must be adapted to climate risk. But it is of little use to have all the necessary information if those who have to respond do not know how to do so," she said in a tacit reference to Valencia's regional authorities. Scientists say extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Meteorologists believe the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe. The Bank of Spain said on Wednesday that floods were likely to have knocked 0.2% off Spain's gross domestic product in the last quarter of the year. (Reporting by Emma Pinedo, writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Aislinn Laing) The Hague, Netherlands (PANA) - The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in its composition for the Situation in the State of Palestine, on Thursday unanimously issued two decisions rejecting challenges by Israel brought under articles 18 and 19 of the Rome Statute A New York City urologist was handed a life sentence Wednesday after previously being convicted of the yearslong sexual abuse of patients, some of whom were minors. Darius Paduch, 57, of North Bergen, New Jersey, worked as a urologist at two prominent New York medical institutions. He was convicted in May of six counts of inducing a person to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five counts of inducing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Paduch worked as a urologist in New York City from 2003 through 2023 with a specialization in male infertility and male reproductive health. He enticed and induced multiple victims to travel to his practicing office in Manhattan from at least 2007 to 2019, where he would sexually abuse them, the the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York said in a news release. Paduch would also persuade victims to visit other locations in New Jersey to commit sexual abuse, and he continued doing so when he moved his practice to a Long Island hospital in 2019, according to federal prosecutors. Darius Paduch. Prosecutors said that during medical appointments, Paduch would masturbate patients, expose himself to them, grope them, and exchange texts and emails including with minors in which he made inappropriate and sexual comments. In one instance, prosecutors said, Paduch invited a patient onto his boat, where he provided the patient with sedatives and masturbated them. Paduch used his position to make or attempt to make victims believe that the sexual abuse he was inflicting was medically necessary when, in fact, it was not, prosecutors said. He would often direct victims to make follow-up appointments, leading to years of abuse for some, according prosecutors. Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, called Paduchs actions perverse and pervasive. Darius Paduch was a sexual predator who preyed on patients seeking treatment for sensitive medical issues," Williams said in a statement. "He used his position as a renowned urologist at prestigious hospitals to sexually assault vulnerable patients, including children, to gratify his own sexual desires." Paduch was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. Paduchs attorney, Michael Baldassare, said in a statement reported by the Associated Press that he would file an appeal in the coming days. Doctor Paduch maintains his innocence and we are confident that someday he will be vindicated, Baldassare said. The attorney had not responded to an emailed request comment from NBC News sent overnight at the time of publication. If you are a child being abused, or know a child who may be facing abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453, or go to www.childhelphotline.org. States often have child abuse hotlines, but if you suspect a childs life is in imminent danger, call 911. 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. 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. 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 President-elect Donald Trump's controversial pick to be secretary of the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, met with Republican senators on Capitol Hill on Thursday amid new details about allegations of sexual assault from a 2017 incident -- coming the same day former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, facing his own sexual misconduct allegations, withdrew his name from consideration to be Trump's attorney general. The woman who accused Hegseth, a former Fox News host, of sexual assault in 2017 told police at the time that he took her phone and blocked her from leaving the room the night of the incident, according to a 22-page police report obtained by ABC News. Hegseth told police at the time the encounter was consensual. MORE: New details of Hegseth sexual assault claim documented in police report PHOTO: Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he departs a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 21, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) On Thursday, Hegseth responded to a question about the sexual assault claim, saying "the matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared and that's where I am going to leave it." While it is true that Hegseth never faced charges in the matter, investigators found the alleged victim's version of events compelling enough to refer the matter to prosecutors. Hegseth later paid the woman who accused him of sexual assault as part of a settlement agreement without admitting any wrongdoing. MORE: Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration as Donald Trump's attorney general Hegseth's comment came after Karoline Leavitt, the spokesperson for the Trump transition, said the "report corroborates what Mr. Hegseths attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated, and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false." Nowhere in the report does it say the allegations were found to be false. Hegseth, an Army veteran, could face a challenging road to confirmation and spoke with Republican senators in hopes of helping his nomination process. Hegseth met with several Republican senators Thursday morning including Sens. John Barrasso, Roger Wicker, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty. Asked if the Hegseth allegations and police report came up in their conversation, Wicker said they didn't get into specifics. "We weren't specific, but, ya know, since no charges were brought by the authorities, we have only press reports," Wicker said. PHOTO: Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth departs following a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 21, 2024. (Nathan Howard/Reuters) Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee -- which will manage the secretary of defense nomination and eventual hearing, said Hegseth would be in "pretty good shape" during his confirmation process. Barrasso called the former Fox News host a "strong nominee" after their meeting. "Pete pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power -- not the current administration's woke political agenda," Barrasso said. PHOTO: Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he departs a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 21, 2024. (Nathan Howard/Reuters) Republican Sen. Joni Ernst said she believes an FBI background check into Hegseth would be "helpful" in knowing more about Trump's pick. Ernst, a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services committee, also said "there's a lot floating around out there, we need to actually be able to visit with him face to face, and I know the committee will do a thorough vetting." MORE: Trump defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth was flagged as potential military 'insider threat' because of 'Deus Vult' tattoo Hegseth has been involved in other controversies as well. He has said in interviews before being named that he advocated a "frontal assault" on the DOD, including firing what he called "woke" generals and eliminating the Pentagon's diversity goals. He also argued that women shouldn't be allowed in ground combat. although he's okay with their serving as pilots or in other military roles, because he claims that has led to the military's physical standards being lowered and changed capabilities of combat units. Hegseth's Capitol Hill visit comes just one day after Vice President-elect JD Vance and former Rep. Matt Gaetz met with senators to make his case for the attorney general role. Gaetz announced Thursday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration. Gaetz's meetings with senators took place the same day the House Ethics Committee decided against releasing the report into him over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. -ABC News' Arthur Jones and Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this report. Hegseth says he's 'completely cleared' in sex assault case. The police report doesn't say that. originally appeared on abcnews.go.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. Russia launched a barrage of missiles at Ukraine Thursday in its first major retaliation for Ukraine's attack earlier in the week on a military facility in the Russian region of Bryansk. That strike saw the Ukrainians use American-made and supplied long-range missiles known as ATACMS, which President Biden had given the Ukrainian forces permission to fire deeper into Russian territory only two days earlier. Moscow had warned the U.S. and its NATO allies for months against granting Ukraine permission to fire Western missiles into Russia, and Mr. Biden's weekend decision to permit such strikes drew stark new warnings from lawmakers and Russian media close to President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. was escalating the nearly three-year conflict at the risk of sparking a new world war. The U.S. and its allies have argued that it's Putin escalating the war he started by ordering the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, including by deploying more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers to bolster his own forces in recent weeks. But there was little doubt that Moscow would respond to the Ukrainians' first use of the American ATACMS to strike inside Russia somehow, and air raid sirens blared across the country Wednesday as the U.S. closed its embassy in Kyiv and warned of a possible imminent "significant air attack." The attack didn't come on Wednesday, but rather overnight, with Russian missiles targeting several cities but hitting central-eastern Dnipro the hardest. The Ukrainian Air Force claimed that Russia's assault on the city included its first use during the war of an intercontinental ballistic missile, though a Western official told CBS News on Thursday that an ICBM was not used in the strike. Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, Nov. 21, 2024. / Credit: State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk Region/Anadolu/Getty Two U.S. officials also told CBS News that Russia had fired a ballistic missile, not an ICBM on Thursday, with one saying it appeared to have been an intermediate range ballistic missile launched from just east of Volgograd, Russia, to target Dnipro. If accurate, that would be a flight path of about 500 miles. Despite the denials from U.S. officials, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on social media that "all the characteristics" of a Russian missile used in the strike on Dnipro "corresponds to an intercontinental ballistic missile," though he said an investigation was underway to confirm exactly what had been fired at the city. Zelenskyy accused "our crazy neighbor" Russia of using his country "as a testing ground" for its new weapons. A U.S. official told CBS News later Thursday that Russia was believed to have launched an experimental intermediate range ballistic missile based on the country's RS-26 Rubezh missile. The U.S. was notified prior to the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels, the official said, adding that the U.S. had briefed Ukraine and close allies and partners in recent days about the possibility that Russia could use such a weapon in order to help them prepare. Russia is likely to only possess a handful of the experimental weapons, the official said, noting that Ukraine has withstood countless Russian attacks with missiles that had significantly larger warheads that this experimental IRBM. The official also added that President Biden earlier this year said the U.S. was providing Ukraine with hundreds of additional Patriot and AMRAAM missiles to strengthen its air defenses, many of which have already been delivered. During a live televised news conference in Moscow on Thursday, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova received a phone call and a man identified only as "Masha" could be heard ordering her not to make any comment on the "ballistic missile strike that the Westerners have started talking about" in Dnipro. The Ukrainian air force did not say what the purported Russian ICBM had targeted or whether it had caused any damage, but the Dnipro regional governor, Serhiy Lysak, said the strike damaged an industrial enterprise and ignited fires in the city, wounding 15 people. The Ukrainian Air Force said the Russian attack also included a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven cruise missiles all weapons used many times previously by Russia during the war. Six of the Russian missiles were shot down, the air force said. The strike came hours after the CBS News team in Kyiv, along with hundreds of thousands of residents of the Ukrainian capital, were forced to scramble for cover in underground parking lots, metro stations and basements on Wednesday as air raid alarms sounded. In the end, no missiles landed on Wednesday, leaving Ukraine to accuse Russia of a psychological attack. "We are very worried," one young Kyiv resident told CBS News. "We want to keep our country. We want to live in peace." After more than two and a half years of war in Ukraine, the scars and the anxiety run deep. "It could happen any minute, any hour," Major Taras Berezovets, of Ukraine's Territorial Defense force, told CBS News, arguing that Russia and Putin are blackmailing his country, trying to frighten Ukrainians into surrendering "trying to make the conclusion that any sort of opposition to Russian invasion is absolutely useless." Some believe both Russia and Ukraine are trying to maximize their gains and with them, their leverage for any future cease-fire talks before President-elect Donald Trump comes back into office in January. There's significant fear in Ukraine and in European capitals that Trump could cut U.S. support for Kyiv, forcing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government to accept a negotiated truce with Russia that sees Ukraine give up land occupied by Putin's forces. 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 Bermix Studio | Unsplash (The Center Square) The City of Sedona is expected to revise its firearms ordinance after lawmakers requested an investigation into its legality. The ordinance, originally adopted in 2009, is scheduled to be updated at the December 10, 2024 City Council meeting to ensure it complies with Arizona Law, a city spokesperson told The Center Square in a statement. The Center Square reported earlier this week that Republican Reps. Quang Nguyen and Selina Bliss raised questions about the language of the ordinance as it pertains to the carrying of weapons on trails and open space areas, along with other concerns they believe could go too far. "The Ordinance then exempts persons who possess a CCW permit. Yet since 2010, Arizona has allowed individuals who legally carry a weapon openly to also carry a concealed weapon without a permit, subject to some restrictions," Nguyen wrote in October. "Further, the Ordinance purports to regulate places other than parks and preserves (i.e., trails and "open space areas"- a broad, vague, and undefined phrase)," he added at the time. Now, the two Republican lawmakers have asked Attorney General Kris Mayes to see if the ordinance violated state law and the Second Amendment. However, Nguyen told The Center Square that he would ask the attorney general to drop the request if certain changes are made. "Im very pleased to hear that the City of Sedona is now considering action to update its firearms ban ordinance to align with the states preemption law. As we stated in our letter, if the City repeals the unlawful ordinance, Representative Bliss and I would withdraw our SB 1487 request to the Attorney General, he said in a statement. 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. 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. 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. 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. Tap water for about 1 in 3 Americans could contain a byproduct from the decontamination process that may be toxic, according to a study published Thursday. For over a century, public water systems have used chemical compounds to kill pathogens that cause waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever, saving countless lives. This purification process has been carried out using chlorine. In the 1970s, researchers found chlorine could react to organic compounds in water to produce chemical reactions that cause cancer, low birth weight babies and miscarriages. Since the 1990s, many public systems have switched to inorganic chloramine, a chlorine derivative, to purify water supplies. Systems serving about 113 million people in the U.S. use this process. This alternative purifying chemical produces hundreds of byproducts, including an unidentified product that befuddled scientists. In findings published in the journal Science, researchers have identified that compound, chloronitramide anion. They found it has possible risks linked to carcinogens and could be harmful to reproductive and developmental health. There is, I would say, good reason to investigate the toxicity, lead author Julian Fairey, an associate professor of engineering at the University of Arkansas, told reporters in a briefing. And those studies need to commence. The study raises questions about methods used for decades to disinfect water and could prompt research into safer techniques for ridding water supplies of pathogens. In a statement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the study advanced the understanding of the byproduct from chloramine, but said regulatory action would only happen after further investigation. The federal agency develops regulations using processes outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act. These processes rely on the best available peer-reviewed science, the EPA statement said. There may not be dramatic effects from this byproduct, especially since research hasn't yet shown harms at the population level, said David Sedlak, director of the Berkeley Water Center, who was not involved in the study. Water treatment has been immensely successful in most communities, said Sedlak, who is also a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. The challenge is to detect and treat issues when they arise, including during disinfection. It's best to solve this problem at the drinking water treatment plant, he told USA TODAY. That way everyone in our community is protected. With backing from a National Science Foundation grant, Fairey and scientists from EPA and ETH Zurich, a public university in Switzerland, isolated and identified the byproduct from inorganic chloramine decomposition. Researchers then applied their technique in 10 drinking water systems that use chloramine in seven U.S. states. All 40 samples collected had the byproduct. Levels of the byproduct were as high as 120 micrograms per liter of water, the study found, above the regulatory limits for many disinfection byproducts, which tend to be around 60 to 80 micrograms per liter. The median concentration found in the study was 23 micrograms per liter. The chloronitramide anion byproduct was not found in water systems that used alternative disinfectants, researchers noted. Using EPA analyses, researchers sought to assess potential risks from the compound. They found chloronitramide anion was linked to 84 categories of harm to humans, including chronic toxicity, prenatal development and toxicity that can pass from generation to generation. The study concluded the byproduct is a potential human health concern" and called for an immediate evaluation of its levels in water sources, finished drinking water and wastewater. Researchers also suggested further assessment of its carcinogenicity and reproductive and developmental toxicities." David Andrews, deputy director of investigations and senior scientist at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, said the study shows there's a need for better national monitoring and toxicity data to assess overall risk. The group has its own list of harmful compounds. "These disinfectant byproducts do have health implications and health harms," he said. "It points to the need for, really, a comprehensive evaluation of our drinking water quality and water filtration." The toxic effects of this byproduct arent yet known, said David Wahman, a research environmental engineer at the EPA, who was a co-author of the study. Researchers recommend people use a Brita filter or similar product for tap water. These filters use carbon to rid tap water of such compounds. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Byproduct of tap water purification could be toxic, study says By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to block three resolutions that would have halted the transfer of some U.S. weapons to Israel, introduced by progressives concerned about the human rights catastrophe faced by Palestinians in Gaza. All of the votes in favor came from the Democratic caucus, while "no" votes came from both Democrats and Republicans, underscoring the divide within President Biden's Democratic party over policy toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Seventy-nine of the 100 senators voted against advancing a resolution that would have blocked sales of tank rounds to Israel, while 18 approved it and one voted present. Seventy-eight opposed a second measure, which would have stopped the shipment of mortar rounds, while 19 supported it and one voted present. And 80 voted against a third measure that would have stopped shipments of joint direct attack munitions (JDAMS) kits, with 17 in favor and one voting present. The kits, which convert a standard unguided bomb using fins and a GPS guidance system into a guided weapon, are made by Boeing. The "resolutions of disapproval" were filed by Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent who caucuses with Democrats, and co-sponsored by a handful of Democrats who also have been critics of the treatment of civilians in the war. A decades-long tradition of strong bipartisan support for Israel in Congress meant the resolutions were never likely to pass, but backers hoped significant support in the Senate would encourage Israel's government and Biden's administration to do more to protect Palestinian civilians. Sanders had filed a total of six resolutions, covering some $20 billion in weapons for Israel, but brought up only three for votes this week. The Biden administration opposed the resolutions. In a list of 11 talking points sent to Democratic senators, it said, among other things, that providing military equipment to Israel is investment in Israel's long-term security, as it faces threats from Iran and elsewhere, and that the administration is "working constantly" to improve conditions in Gaza. HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE Most of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people has been displaced and the enclave is at risk of famine, more than a year into Israel's war against Hamas in the Palestinian enclave. Gaza health officials say more than 43,922 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's offensive. Sanders said the military aid to Israel violates U.S. law barring weapons sales to human rights abusers, noting the many deaths of children and older Palestinians, and accusing Israel of blocking aid shipments. "It is time to tell the Netanyahu government that they cannot use U.S. taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of U.S. and international law and our moral values," Sanders said in a Senate speech before the vote. Opponents said the timing of the resolutions was inappropriate as Israel faces threats from militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and arch-enemy Iran. "Israel is surrounded by enemies dedicated to its annihilation," the Senate's Democratic majority leader, Chuck Schumer, said in a Senate speech before the votes. But it could have been the last chance to stop any weapons sales before Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Many U.S. Muslims voted against Trump's Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, in this month's presidential election, citing the administration's support for Israel. But Trump in his first term strongly supported the conservative Netanyahu's government. Israel says it has been working to address humanitarian needs and the main problem with aid deliveries was U.N. distribution challenges. Its embassy in Washington did not respond this week to a request for comment on Sanders' resolutions. Biden, whose term ends in January, has strongly backed Israel since Hamas-led gunmen attacked in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The Biden administration last month told Israel it had 30 days to improve the flow of aid to Gaza or risk consequences to U.S. military assistance. After that period, Washington said on Nov. 12 it concluded that Israel had made progress and was not currently impeding aid to Gaza. Many aid groups disagreed. U.S. law gives Congress the right to stop major foreign weapons sales by passing resolutions of disapproval. Although no such resolution has both passed Congress and survived a presidential veto, the law requires the Senate to vote if a resolution is filed. Such resolutions have at times led to angry debates embarrassing to past presidents. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Don Durfee, Sandra Maler, Chris Reese, Cynthia Osterman and Michael Perry) By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. deputy attorney general has suspended a controversial civil asset-forfeiture program by the Drug Enforcement Administration that targeted unsuspecting airline passengers and subjected them to potentially unlawful seizures of cash from their bags. The Justice Department's inspector general, Michael Horowitz, announced the suspension of the DEA's program by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in a new report released on Thursday that raised grave concerns about the program and questioned whether some of the searches were conducted legally. "The DEA was not complying with its own policy on consensual encounters conducted at mass transportation facilities, resulting in personnel creating potentially significant operational and legal risks," Horowitz wrote in a memo to Monaco and Anne Milgram, the DEA administrator. Civil asset forfeiture has long been a controversial program that critics argue infringes on people's constitutional rights against unlawful search and seizure. It allows police to search and seize property from people who may be suspected of a crime, even if they are never charged. The proceeds from the seizure are typically split among the law enforcement agencies involved in the search, creating what some argue is a perverse financial incentive for federal, state and local police departments. The property owner can recover the assets only if he or she can prove the seizure was not connected to any criminal activity, creating a legal burden that is costly and time-consuming. Horowitz's report on Thursday said that an ongoing investigation by his office uncovered a number of troubling revelations. In one such example, a DEA office tapped an airline employee as a confidential source who tipped off agents any time a passenger purchased a plane ticket within 48 hours of departure. Agents would use that last-minute purchase as a justification to then approach those passengers and try to get the passengers to agree to let them search their bags. In cases where the agents searched and seized cash, the confidential source received a cut of the proceeds from the seizure, the report said. One such search was caught on video by a passenger, and later made public by the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit devoted to defending people's constitutional rights. In the video, a DEA agent can be seen demanding to search the bag of a passenger identified only as "David C," who became ill while on a business trip and was forced to re-book his flight from Cincinnati, Ohio, to New York to a new time at the last minute. "Where's your bag at?" a DEA agent can be seen asking him on camera. "I'm the DEA. I'm the government." In 2020, during President-elect Donald Trump's first term in office, the Institute for Justice filed a class action against the DEA and the Transportation Security Administration, saying the agencies were unlawfully seizing cash from passengers without probable cause. That case is still pending. The DEA and the TSA had no immediate comment on Thursday. Dan Alban, a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice and the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the case, said he believes the report "confirms many of the allegations" in the lawsuit. While he said the suspension of the program is a welcome development, he cautioned that without a permanent legal change, the directive by Deputy Attorney General Monaco could be rescinded. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch in Washington; Additional reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Matthew Lewis) The Hague, Netherlands (PANA) - The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in its composition for the Situation in the State of Palestine, on Thursday unanimously issued a warrant of arrest for Mr Quinografia, a portrait of the famously timid Mafalda cartoonist Quino, and Habana Libre, a take on rebellious youth in Cuba, look like potential standouts at Ventana Docs, a selection of 12 doc features from across Latin America and Spain. A notable number have been developed at prestigious labs, whether Sundance Festival programs (Bleeding Heart, Violent-House-Fiction) or Spains Pompeu Fabra University. Two tell trans stories (I Believe, Yren) and with it, chart resistance and intolerance, main banes of other Ventana Sur titles. More from Variety Many are intimate stories, of the directors battle with HIV (How to Live With), or reconnection with his father (Capitan), or battle to accept his fathers suicide (The Curve). Some mix the personal and a larger political canvas, as in Violent-House-Fiction and Family Politics where the director reconnects with his family as his father battles for office representing ex-dictator Alberto Fujimoris far right-wing Cambio 90 party. At least a third of the doc features are co-produced with Spain, rapidly emerging as a go-to-partner for Latin American titles, whether fiction or non-fiction. A drill-down on titles: Bleeding Heart, (Antonio Romero Zurita, Ecuador) The film uses personal archives and testimonies to reconstructs the memory of Elena, a woman who died of AIDS in 2013, addressing family silences and societal stigma surrounding her illness and death. Produced by Runga Arte Experimental, backed by the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund (2020), IFCI Screenplay Fund (2020), a Walden Residency (2022) and Bolivia Lab (2019). Capitan, Laura Otalora Pardo (Colombia, Spain) Playlab Films and Tomato Content produce this documentary about Efren, a lifelong mariner who now spends his days in a residence for Alzheimers patients. Efren is also director Laura Otalora Pardos father, and this film is their story of reconnection. Previous honors as a project include the FDC Development Grant in Colombia, best project at DokLab Nabarra and the public award at Punto de Vista Pitch. Next stop is the Miradas Festival in Medellin, kicking off today. Capitan The Curve, Agustin Flores, (Uruguay, Spain) Structured as a co-production between Uruguays Trapecistas Producciones and Spains Zona Cielo Films and Insumisa Films, a doc interweaving the story of Jorge Firpo, a legendary horse trainer who retires after a life dedicated to creating champions, and the story of the director, confronting the pain of his fathers suicide. Selected for the Laboratory for Editorial Support of Creative Documentaries (LABED) of Barcelonas Pompeu Fabra University, Spains gold standard for doc development. Emergency Measures, (Andre Bomfim, Brazil) A doc feature depiction of the Maria da Penha Patrol in Brazils In Maceio which battles to break the cycle of violence against women, protecting victims, some at life-threatening risks. Bomfilm comments that under female command, the Patrol has never lost a woman. However, maintaining this goal is an enormous task in a society and institution riddled with sexism, he adds. Set up at Sao Paulos Mirafilmes, part of DocSP 2023, where it won the Chile Conecta Award. Emergency Measures Family Politics, Martin Rebaza Ponce de Leon (Peru) Co-produced by La Union Cine and Animalita Cine, this film tells the story of Martin, a Germany-based filmmaker who returns to the Peruvian Amazon to reconnect with his family during his fathers campaign for office as a representative of ex-dictator Alberto Fujimoris far right-wing Cambio 90 party. The feature was financed with backing from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture and won the FICVINA Award at the Lima International Film Festival in 2023. Habana Libre, Lina Maria Rivera (Colombia) This mixed-media doc features three young skateboarders in Havana, Cuba who search for freedom and personal fulfillment by redefining socialist monuments as skate parks. Its story examines the frustrated dreams and daily personal revolutions that defy social and economic constraints in Cuba. Cineopia Art House, which focuses on mixing genres and formats, produces the documentary, which promises to be anything but conventional. Habana Libre How to Live With, (Luisa Garcia Alva, Peru) A project with a long history, with Garcia Alva first mentored on it by Hernan Musaluppi back in 2016 and presented recently at the Lima Fests Manana WIPs. Autobiographical, it traces the directors odyssey from her HIV diagnosis to her experience of living with HIV in a modern world. The first feature title from Projazz, a young Peruvian production company. I Believe, Florencia Wehbe (Argentina) In largely catholic Argentina, the Virgin of La Rosa Mistica manifests herself in the home of Maria Belen Ochoa, a trans woman from a village in Cordoba who became the first trans mother in Argentina in 2010 after being visited by the Virgin in a dream. Maria Dolores Chaig and Dario Mascambroni produce for Lumina. I Believe Quinografia,(Mariano Donoso y Federico Cardone, Argentina, Spain) Oneof the biggest commercial packages at Ventana Docs, a portrait of the famously timid cartoonist Quino, creator of the Mafalda comic strip, translated into 30 languages, which is shot in six languages and four countries. Produced by Argentinas Curandero Producciones And Spains El Gatoverde Producciones and picked up by Spanish pubcaster TVE, the doc feature has a series of open lines and conversations for broadcast on platforms in Latin America, says producer Ciro Nestor Novelli. Vicissitudes of Light, Marcel Beltran (Cuba) Beltrans disturbing view of Cuba during the revolution has received backing from Go Cuba! World Cinema Amsterdam, the Norwegian Fun for Cuban Cinema, Miradas Doc in Spain and DocsMX in Mexico. Expressed through the genius, censorship and delirium of Chinolope, a photographer loved and hated by the Cuban establishment, the film documents the encounters and misunderstandings inside the artists claustrophobic home as the revolution he knew collapsed outside its walls. Vicissitudes of Light Violent-House-Fiction, Maria Ruiz Garcia, (Venezuela, Spain) A creative hybrid doc blurring the lines between reality and fiction to portray the loss of the directors grandparents house in Caracasan event marked by violence, intimidation, police abuse and extortion. Produced by Dos Margaritas, based on Margarita Island, Venezuela, and Una caza en el abismo in Valencia, Spain, and put through a Sundance Collab Workshop headed by David Finch and Maya Cueva. Violent-House-Fiction Yren, Tania Cattebeke Laconich (Paraguay) Pororo Films produces this story of trans activist Yren Rotela in conservative Paraguay, where the life expectancy for a trans person is approximately 35 years. Yren and her peers work to establish self-sustainability for the Casa Diversa, the only TLGBQ+ home shelter in the country. As a work in progress, this year the film has already screened at Malaga, the Latino GuadaLAjara Film Festival and the Austin Film Society. Yren Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. An ex New York-area urologist was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after being convicted in connection to years-long sexual abuse of patients, including minors, federal prosecutors said. Darius Paduch, 57, of North Bergen, New Jersey, was sentenced in New York City by Judge Ronnie Abrams after being found guilty of six counts of inducing a person to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five counts of inducing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Paduch, was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York. The office's top prosecutor, Damian Williams, called Paduch a sexual predator who preyed on patients seeking treatment for sensitive medical issues both inside and outside of hospital rooms. "He used his position as a renowned urologist at prestigious hospitals to sexually assault vulnerable patients, including children, to gratify his own sexual desires," Williams said in a statement after sentencing. "Paduchs abuse was perverse and pervasive, spanning over a decade and victimizing patients. He repeatedly violated his oath to Do No Harm. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams speaks after the unsealing of an indictment in New York City. Ex middle school teacher sentenced: Former teacher who sexually abused 14-year-old Maryland student will serve 12 months of 30-year sentence 11 victims testified, dozens more came forward According to an indictment and evidence presented at his May trial, the doctor worked at "two prominent medical facilities" in New York City over a two-decade period that ended in last year, specializing in male infertility and sexual medicine. At trial, 11 victims testified about being sexually abused by him, according to federal prosecutors, and dozens more provided impact statements with the court before he was sentenced. Darius Paduch While working as a urologist, Paduch enticed and induced multiple victims to travel to his medical offices at a prominent hospital in Manhattan, so he could sexually abuse them. "Paduch also induced certain victims to travel to New Jersey where he abused and assaulted the victims under the guise of medical care," according to the release. About 2019, the former doctor began practicing at a different hospital located in Long Island, where he continued to sexually abuse patients, the release continues. Doctor invited victim to his boat, provided sedatives before abuse According to federal prosecutors, Paduch invited at least one patient to his boat, where he provided the person with sedatives before sexually abusing the victim. A U.S. Marshal removes guardrails in front of the Southern District of New York federal courthouse. "Paduch used his position at prominent medical institutions in New York to make or attempt to make the victims believe that the sexual abuse he inflicted on them was medically necessary and appropriate, when, in fact, it was not," prosecutors said. Paduch also invited at least two patients, both minors, to serve as high school interns. As a result of his actions, the release continues, some victims attended appointments with him "over the course of multiple years," at which Paduch repeatedly abused them. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Urologist Daniel Paduch sentenced to life for sexual abuse of patients remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Next, Splunk identified the Cisco partners who were eager to expand into security and observability but needed a path to do so. We created the Partner First program for Cisco partners interested in selling, managing services, and building on Splunk, she said. This program helped them acquire the necessary skills, accreditation, and badging. Simultaneously, we began testing how to transact on the global price list, allowing Splunk partners to continue selling with Cisco through Ciscos program. This has been a good start to ensuring that partners are skilled and capable for cross-selling. OHara said Splunk had 6,500 accounts partners could work together on. This was a critical step in helping them learn how to sell, identify opportunities, and accelerate business, she said. The 6,500 accounts can now transact on Ciscos global price list. Aligning the local market Theres a lot of partner-to-partner opportunity emerging, especially in APJ and the A/NZ market, claimed OHara. Cisco might have the customer relationship and the contract vehicle with enterprise customers, but they may not yet have the skills to support the deployment and expansion of Splunk, she said. This has led to a lot of organic partner-to-partner activity. Were even seeing Cisco partners looking at acquiring Splunk boutique partners to enter the market more quickly. According to OHara Splunk is seeing this in EMEA and in the US, and now its seeing similar exploration in APJ, particularly in the A/NZ markets. Cisco partners are acquiring skills through acquisitions or organically partnering to speed up their go-to-market efforts, she said. As long as Splunk ensures that when it integrates with Cisco, its stature doesnt get overshadowed by the size and scope of Ciscos networking business, OHara said. Thats why Cisco and Splunk have been very specific about announcing the Partner 360 program, which will bring Cisco partners into the program first. Additional resources to support the A/NZ channel Although these changes are coming into play both Davies and OHara state that channel partners in A/NZ will continue to work with the same channel teams at Splunk. We really wanted to make sure partners felt comfortable and confident in the investment. The investments theyve made and the teams that were supporting them, so that they didnt feel like we were disappearing, said Davies. The release of Splunk AppDynamics, unified observability platform, announced during Cisco Live in Melbourne will also bring additional resources. The integration of AppDynamics under the Splunk umbrella in APJ has added more resources, especially in observability and security for the A/NZ markets, said OHara. This is an additive move, bringing more technical and sales capability for our partners. Davies clarified what this means, weve brought the AppDynamics team together and the channel team across as well to make sure we support those AppDynamics partners. The trusted partner managers whove been working with AppDynamics partners are still very much part of our team, and theyre now helping partners on that journey of building out their observability capability. He said the vendor has also made specific market investments, such as adding incremental capability to New Zealand and Canberra specifically, in recent months. Were seeing as customers are going on this journey, the role partners are playing is so important to that, and we wanted to make sure we invested to support that as well, he said. We have put additional people into both NZ and Canberra, on top of our existing partner management infrastructure that was supporting the Splunk partners across the region. Nomura Research Institute Australia and New Zealand (NRI A/NZ) has had a leadership change, with the appointment of Kaylene OBrien as CEO, taking over from Dean Langenbach who resigned in early November. OBrien has 30 years of experience in working with consulting firms and IT solutions, having previously led Capgeminis business in A/NZ, as well as Deloitte Consulting in Australia. NRI A/NZ president Tomohiro Yamazaki said OBriens commitment to innovation and excellence in client service is evidenced by her successful track record and is well aligned with the firms goals for the business. She is well placed to work with the teams across our different businesses, collaborating and innovating to keep NRI at the forefront of digital transformation, he said. Her leadership will support NRI A/NZs goal of becoming a transformation partner for its customers in the region, claimed Yamazaki. He acknowledged Langenbachs leadership during his five years at the NRI A/NZ helm and his 20-year contribution to the company when it was known as ASG Group. by Vladimir Rozanskij Public schools at all levels, from kindergartens to universities, are growing in the countries of the region. And in several cases it is the state itself that is stimulating investors with the aim of modernising the education and training system. Astana (AsiaNews) - High-level education always requires large financial investments, which cannot only be borne by the state budget, but require decisive action on the part of businessmen. In the countries of Central Asia, this approach is still far from being effective and systematic, but in recent times it is becoming more and more incisive, with public schools at all levels, from kindergartens to universities, and in several cases the State itself stimulating investors, starting with childcare and pre-school education. In Kyrgyzstan, there are more than 200 private educational institutions at all levels, financed in various ways by three sources, state, private and external, supported by many international organisations. The best example is the donor coalition Schools-2030, which finances many projects in the sphere of public education and vocational training. Uzbekistan has an active policy of state-private partnership in the field of pre-school education, which has enabled the opening of more than 2000 kindergartens throughout the country. The state business support fund provides very substantial aid for these facilities. There are also plans for a general improvement of school education by creating a special office for the modernisation of the education and training system. Tajikistan has the problem of school overcrowding, especially in rural areas, and a shortage of teaching staff. Due to the lack of buildings, facilities and organisation, pupils and students are often forced to split into two or three shifts during the day. Here, too, there are plans to give more impetus to private initiative in education, creating positive competition that can improve services in education in general. Private educational institutions are practically absent in Turkmenistan, even though legislation formally permits their activities. The only public school in the country is the International School of Asgabat, which functions with the direct support of the US government. Due to the strict regulations that apply to the Turkmen education system, many children remain deprived of access to pre-school education, and there is a need for very radical reforms in this field. The education sector in Kazakhstan is highly dependent on the influences of demographics and many other factors, which require the participation of private capital and the solution of many open problems. Experts claim, however, that the country is moving more and more decisively in the direction of larger investments in education at all levels, up to and including vocational retraining of adults. Among the public schools in Kazakhstan, there is no shortage of those that perform welfare and charity functions, and take the development of society as a whole to heart, also working as non-profits, in which the school administrations donate all profits to the growth of the educational activities themselves. A very effective example of this is the practice of the Kazaco-British Technical University, for the development of which 11 billion tenge (approximately 20 million euro) has been invested in recent times. The institute is administered by the Nnef foundation, founded by Dinara Kulibaeva, a businesswoman and daughter of former president Nursultan Nazarbaev, with the help of her husband Timur Kulibaev, also a prominent businessman and president of the National Olympic Committee. It is one of the few organisations in Kazakhstan, and in the whole of Central Asia, that proposes the concept of lifelong education, Long Life Learning, where education begins at the age of two and continues into old age. The aim of this and similar institutions is to offer Central Asian territories an educational standard at the level of the best countries in the world. by Melani Manel Perera In the inaugural session of the new Parliament, the president of Sri Lanka announced an imminent new debt agreement with the International Monetary Fund. Tourism, trade, and new technologies are the leading sectors for a type of development that distributes benefits to all. He also stressed that racist politics would not be allowed to re-emerge. Colombo (AsiaNews) The President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, spoke this morning at the inaugural session of the tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka, which was elected last week. Referring to past conflicts, he said: We have shed enough blood and tears over such divisions. It is our collective responsibility to ensure future generations are free from this strife. Following the election of Asoka Sapumal Ranwala as Speaker of Parliament, Dissanayake delivered the government's policy statement as required by the Constitution. In his speech, he stated that racist policies will not be allowed to re-emerge and pledged to act against the resurgence of religious extremism in the country. "No one will enjoy legal immunity under the present Government, we pledge to establish a democratic state free from fear and suspicion. Freedom is something common to all of us. We must reaffirm the rule of law, he stated. Laws that are passed must be properly enforced, and the public must be convinced that the law is operational. However, in recent times, people have lost faith in this. No politician or person in authority is above the law; everyone must be subject to it. While targeting no one in particular, the president promised to ensure that those responsible for these controversial crimes will be brought to justice," he stressed. Turning to economic priorities, Dissanayake said that his government expects to reach a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund by tomorrow and intends to sign separate agreements with each of its official creditors. To deal with the countrys economic collapse, the president called for a new economic framework to rapidly expand the production of goods and services. At the same time, he stressed the importance of citizen involvement in the economy. No matter how much we produce, if the benefits are confined to only a portion of the population, it will not be effective. Our policy is to ensure that economic benefits flow fairly to the people." On tourism, Dissanayake indicated the goal of generating US$ 8 billion in revenues over the next three to four years. Government will also focus on training information technology professionals, aiming at increasing their numbers from 85,000 to 200,000 within five years to make the country competitive on global markets. The president also highlighted Sri Lanka's potential as a trading and maritime hub. He called stressed that, despite significant investments in the sector, more must be done to develop seed farms and boost the entire sector through new subsidies to revive rural communities. He described farm debt a major social tragedy, and promised to fight poverty and increase the "Aswesuma" social welfare benefits. INDIA-UNITED STATES Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been formally charged with fraud in the United States. The documents filed yesterday in New York allege that Adani - a tycoon very close to Prime Minister Modi - and other senior executives agreed to payments to Indian officials to win contracts for his company in the renewable energy sector that are expected to yield more than billion in profits over 20 years. Prosecutors accuse Adani of collecting billion in loans and bonds, including from US companies, based on false and misleading statements about the company's anti-corruption practices and policies. Shares of Adani Group companies are experiencing a wave of selling on the stock market with the group losing about billion in capitalisation in just a few hours. THAILAND A woman in Thailand has been sentenced to death in the first of a series of cases in which she is accused of killing 14 friends with cyanide. The Bangkok court found Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, guilty of putting poison in the food and drink of a wealthy friend while they were travelling last year. The friend's relatives refused to accept that she had died of natural causes and the autopsy found traces of cyanide in her body. NORTH KOREA - RUSSIA North Korea and Russia signed a cooperation protocol after a meeting in Pyongyang on trade, economy, science and technology, North Korean state media KCNA reported. The report contains few details, but the Russian news agency TASS said on Tuesday that the countries agreed to increase flights. Between January and September, more than 5,000 people travelled between Russia and North Korea, more than 70 per cent of them by plane. PHILIPPINES - INDONESIA A Filipino woman spared execution in Indonesia on drug trafficking charges in 2015 will return to her homeland after years of negotiations between her Southeast Asian neighbours. Mary Jane Veloso was arrested in the city of Yogyakarta for carrying 2.6 kg of heroin hidden in a suitcase in 2010. In the end, the goal is not only to transfer her, but also to gain the clemency of our President, said Foreign Ministry official Eduardo Jose de Vega at a press conference in Manila, the capital. ISRAEL - GAZA - USA Israeli forces shelled northern Gaza again, killing 88 Palestinians in two waves of attacks in Beit Lahiya and the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City. Meanwhile, the US Senate rejected a bill aimed at blocking the sale of US arms to Israel in the context of the aggression against Gaza, an outcome that rights advocates say does not detract from the growing push for aid to Washington's main ally. GEORGIA Georgian special forces cleared the tent city that demonstrators had gathered in the centre of Tbilisi as a protest against the parliamentary elections, using water jets and pepper spray and arresting several people, destroying the camera of a cameraman of the TV channel Mtavari and detaining other journalists, one injured is hospitalised. TURKMENISTAN - UZBEKISTAN At the Dashoguz-Sabat border crossing in Turkmenistan, problems have again arisen for Turkmen citizens intending to travel to Uzbekistan to visit their relatives abroad, and also for small entrepreneurs working between the two countries, all of whom are subjected to extraordinary document checks for alleged irregularities in the work of migrants. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Monday brought together Libyan institutions, civil society organisations from across the country, and international counterparts in a working group session to discuss the challenges and opportunities in supporting disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) efforts in the North African country Shanghai-based SpaceSail wants to reach remote areas of Brazil in the coming years thanks to an alternative to Starlink. The South American country currently relies on Elon Musk's company, but the latter has recently faced off the countrys Supreme Court. Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) Beijing is set to challenge Elon Musks satellite business. Chinas SpaceSail recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazil's state-owned telecommunications company, Telebras, to provide broadband Internet services to the South American country. Coincidentally, Chinese President Xi Jinping was undertaking a visit to South America. After attending the inauguration of a Chinese-built mega port and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), both in Peru, Xi flew first to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 summit and was then welcomed yesterday by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazils capital, Brasilia. The two leaders, who signed 37 bilateral agreements in various sectors, are determined to expand our cooperation over the next 50 years in areas such as sustainable infrastructure, energy transition, artificial intelligence, digital economy, healthcare, and aerospace," Lula said on X. SpaceSail proposes to guarantee Internet connection to remote areas of Brazil thanks to a network currently under construction (called Qianfan or "Thousand Sails") with thousands of satellites that will operate in low Earth orbit (at altitudes of up to 2,000 kilometres above the earths surface). The system should be up and running in 2026. Last year, nearly six million people lacked access to the Internet in Brazil due to limited technological capabilities, high costs and, to a lesser extent, a lack of available services. The partnership between SpaceSail and Telebras marks the first major success for the Chinese company, which, according to WeChat, is in talks with more than 30 countries. Through this deal, Brazil, which according to French newspaper Le Monde has granted SpaceSail access to the Alcantara Satellite Launch Centre, hopes to reduce its dependence on Starlink, owned by SpaceX, already active in over 100 countries, with 46 per cent share of the Brazilian market. In recent months, Musk, who will join the new US administration once Donald Trump takes office as president on 20 January, has been involved in a legal dispute with Brazil's Supreme Court for refusing to appoint a legal representative in the country and for failing to delete some accounts that had deliberately spread false information and hate speech. Starlink was forced to pay a series of fines; otherwise, it would have lost its licence to operate in the country. Last month, a Brazilian delegation visited SpaceSail's headquarters in Shanghai. I was impressed and excited about the new technologies that SpaceSail can bring to Brazil, wrote Brazils Communications Minister Juscelino Filho in a post on X. What we are working on is so that Brazilian society can have options of more than one company offering the service that is essential and fundamental for the population today, especially in remote areas," Filho told CNN Brasil. SpaceSail, which also operates under the name of Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology, aims to launch 15,000 spacecraft by 2030, Chinese state media report. The company, which secured US$ 925 million in government funding in February, has so far launched two batches of 18 satellites, one in August and one in October, but expects to have more than 600 in orbit by the end of next year. The Chinese government has repeatedly emphasised Starlink's role in defending Ukraine against Russia. Satellite technologies have in fact potential applications in the military field and several weapons manufacturers have begun to focus on launching satellites into space. Brazil's armed forces are also Starlink customers. Qianfan, however, is only one of several Chinese projects challenging Starlink in the conquest of the earths overcrowded orbit. Experts note that at least 9,000 satellites are currently orbiting around the Earth, which should rise to 40,000 by 2030. The China Satellite Network Group, for example, has developed the Guowang network, also known as SatNet, which is expected to consist of 13,000 satellites; however, its construction has not yet begun. RED LANTERNS IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHINA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY THURSDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. A priest has denounced the decay around the historic St Ignatius College, residence for professors and seminarians. The Indonesian Minister of the Environment demanded immediate action and threatened legal action against the local administration, which admitted to having difficulties. Yogyakarta (AsiaNews) - A Jesuit priest, Fr. Mutiara Andalas, has attracted the attention of the Indonesian authorities by lying on a mountain of rubbish to denounce the mismanagement of waste disposal in the city of Yogyakarta. The symbolic gesture, which took place at the beginning of October but only recently went viral on social media, triggered an immediate reaction from the local authorities and the Minister of the Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq. The rubbish is piled up in a temporary area near the historic St Ignatius College, a residence for Jesuit professors and seminarians. "This mountain of rubbish is located next to our fence and the campus of Sanata Dharma University," Fr Andalas explained to AsiaNews. The priest was accompanied in the action by a student named Vian, originally from Flores Island in eastern Nusa Tenggara province. "At first we wanted to collect the waste and take it to the Yogyakarta Regional House of Parliament, but we decided to opt for a different gesture to attract more attention." The spread of the video on social media prompted the environment minister to visit the site. During the visit, Minister Nurofiq floated the idea of taking legal action if the problem is not resolved quickly. "If waste management had been done properly, then such an unfortunate situation would not have occurred at the Mandala Krida site," the minister said, accusing the local administration of neglecting the condition of the depot despite the government having provided several billion rupees for waste disposal. Every day, about 300 tonnes of waste are generated in Yogyakarta, but only 180 tonnes are collected and disposed of, admitted Mayor Sugeng Purwanto. The rest remains piled up, exacerbating the risk of sanitation problems for the surrounding community, including St Ignatius College and the Sanata Dharma University campus. The governor and sultan of Yogyakarta, Hamengkubuwono X, said he was infuriated by the mismanagement of the situation, urging the mayor to address the problem more seriously. However, the lack of coordination with civil agencies and the absence of an effective plan for a fixed disposal site continue to hinder the resolution of the problem. Best Tips for Music Festival First-Timers 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your First Music Festival Experience I was, admittedly, reluctant to attend my first music festival. The idea of drug-impaired humans in a field of claustrophobia was about as appealing as stapling my lip to a wall or getting a tooth pulled without Novocaine. But the promise of seeing Chappell Roan encouraged me to recently attend Austin City Limits and I emerged not only unscathed, but with a newfound appreciation for festival culture and the people it attracts. RELATED: Discovering the Ultimate Nature Retreat Of course, no two music-filled weekends are the same, but Ive gathered quite a few helpful tips for anyone who may be fearful of large crowds, extreme heat, and the general stresses of traveling to see their favorite artist. 1. Pack Wisely When it comes to clothes, festival fashion can be super wacky and out of the box, but an opportunity to showcase personal style (and without judgment!). But consider comfort as priority number one, as youll likely be standing for hours at a time and under intense sun. Pack thin layers and consider the material. I saw a group of girls sporting metallic tights and suede jackets (which they eventually tied around their waists). While they looked cool and fun, they also looked like they soiled themselves. Thats no bueno, especially if youre attempting to lure in a potential love interest. Other essentials include a collapsible water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, bandana and/or face mask (there can be lots of dirt kicked up), mini fan, lip balm, painkillers, a hat, Band-Aids, electrolyte powder, and even allergy meds for those who are sensitive to the great outdoors. Also, be sure to check the festivals bag policies. Organizers explicitly state acceptable sizes and whether or not a bag has to be clear. And yes, they will absolutely turn you away if you dont meet proper guidelines. 2. Take Advantage of Credit Card Offerings Big music festivals attract big sponsors that often plan events or offer perks to incentivize member participation. American Express, in partnership with Delta SkyMiles and Resy, hosted a World to Table culinary experience exclusive to Delta SkyMiles Reserve Consumer and Business Card Members. We made custom cowboy hats, ate Peruvian-inspired cuisine from Chef Valerie Chang, and enjoyed live music under the stars on a classic Texas ranch. It is not uncommon for companies like Amex to award its most loyal customers when they sign on as corporate sponsors. In fact, they often encourage card members to take advantage of these one-of-a-kind experiences, which can sometimes be as memorable as the main event itself. This took place on our first night and completely set the tone for the whole weekend. 3. Leave Time to Explore the City Around You Dont feel the need to spend your entire long weekend day-drinking and jamming out. Chances are likely that there is an entire town to explore. My friend Clare and I not only got some of the best barbecue at Rollin Smoke and Caribbean eats at Canje, but we also hit up Austin Pickle Ranch for a couple hours of killer pickleball. We then went on a lovely nature walk through the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Strike a balance between raging and appreciating the city that is hosting you. It may just be the last time you find the time to visit and explore for a while. 4. Accept That You Wont See Every Band or Musician Plan your schedule in advance. Its best to map out which acts you want to see most in a festivals app so that you can prioritize who you need to listen to and when. Bigger acts will also draw bigger crowds, so keep in mind that you may need to secure a prime viewing location an hour or two before the performer hits the stage. And while your instinct may be to continue drinking, an inevitable trip to the bathroom may mean youll lose your spot and get separated from friends. 5. Stay Somewhere Comfortable Youre going to have long and exhausting days, so a shoddy motel simply isnt going to give you the rest and relaxation you need and deserve. We opted for the Thompson, which was ideally situated downtown and gave us everything we needed during downtime: a gym, an on-site restaurant, and comfy rooms with modern upgrades. Had we stayed somewhere less accommodating, we certainly wouldnt have left saying we should do this again next year. You Might Also Dig: The Armenian government still did not rule out that participation just as the annual UN summit on climate change kicked off on November 11. None of its representatives eventually flew to the Azerbaijani capital for the two-week event. As regards the event held in Baku, something had to take place so that Armenia could participate, said Sargis Khandanian, the chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on foreign relations. And given that Armenian prisoners are being held in Baku, it is logical that Armenian and Azerbaijan should have achieved some result on this issue, that Azerbaijan should have freed and repatriated prisoners. But that didnt happen. In my personal view, without that [release] it was very hard to imagine Armenias participation in the event, Khandanian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. Armenian press reports said late last month that Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is ready to attend COP29 if the Azerbaijani side agrees to release some captives. Yerevan had dropped its objections to Bakus bid to host the global summit last December as part of a deal that led to the release of 32 other Armenian soldiers and civilians held in Azerbaijani captivity. Khandanian revealed earlier that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian proposed to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev last month that their foreign ministers hold two-day intensive talks to iron out their remaining differences and sign a bilateral peace treaty before COP29. The senior lawmaker allied to Pashinian suggested on Thursday that Baku lacks the political will to strike such a deal. Armenia does have the political will to finalize and sign the peace treaty within days or weeks, he said. Baku makes the signing of the treaty conditional on a change of Armenias constitution which it says contains territorial claims to Azerbaijan. 21 November 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) "The railway is an energy-saving mode of transport. The reason for our participation in COP29 is to support the decarbonization of transport. We support Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) in terms of digitization and decarbonization. Regardless of the expectations at COP29, it is a pleasure to work with ADY, who is quite visionary about the decarbonisation of the rail system across the country. I am very proud that we have been cooperating with Azerbaijan in the railway sector for many years." Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. New York, US (PANA) - The United States on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip 21 November 2024 12:27 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more At the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan, discussions focused on the impact of climate change on vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth, and the role of green skills in combating these challenges, Azernews reports. On November 20, the COP29 Blue Zone hosted an event dedicated to exploring climate change effects on these groups, alongside strategies for combating them and sharing international experiences. The event, organized by the Gender Hub Azerbaijan in partnership with the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry, the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations, and the United Nations, was titled Enhancing Green Capabilities: A Commonwealth Experience. It aimed to address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and their critical role in climate action. The event gathered 35 participants from 12 countries, including representatives from NGOs, international organizations, climate activists, and youth leaders, who contributed to discussions and shared local applications of global practices. High-level speeches were delivered by Patricia Janet Scotland, Secretary General of the United Nations Secretariat; Nigar Arpadarai, Deputy of the Azerbaijani National Assembly; Syed Navid Qamar, member of the Pakistani National Assembly; and Nick Baker, head of the COP29 department at the British Embassy in Azerbaijan. The event was moderated by Maryam Majidova, Chairperson of Gender Hub Azerbaijan. A panel discussion featured experts such as Giovanna Mingarelli, co-founder of M&C Consulting; Nafula Vafula-Gitonga, co-founder of Ushindi Empowerment Group; and Nasar Hayat, representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Azerbaijan. The panel addressed climate change's impact on women and youth in various countries and explored both local and international strategies to mitigate these effects. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A session, engaging participants in a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences. COP29, held at Baku Stadium until November 22, is Azerbaijan's largest-ever event and the first COP conference to be held in the region. A major expectation from the summit is the agreement on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Target (NCQG) for climate finance. The event also showcased 14 initiatives linking climate action with sustainable development goals, including green energy corridors, clean hydrogen, and methane reduction in organic waste, all aimed at advancing global climate goals. 21 November 2024 19:05 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On the 11th day of COP29, focused on Nature and Biodiversity, Indigenous People, Gender Equality, and Oceans and Coastal Zones, Brazil's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, addressed the High-Level Event on Forests for Climate, Nature, and People, Azernews reports. Silva emphasized the critical role of standing forests in combating climate change and their alignment with promoting a just transition. Maintaining standing forests is not just an environmental issue but also a way to ensure no one is left behind, she stated. She highlighted Brazils ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce emissions by 67% by 2035 and the adoption of ten high-level principles on the bioeconomy under Brazil's G20 presidency. Notably, Silva underscored Brazils efforts to curb deforestation in the Amazon, achieving a 45.7% reduction in the past year, equivalent to preventing approximately 400 million tons of CO2 emissions. She also introduced the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), an innovative mechanism designed to provide financial incentives for conserving and restoring tropical forests. The TFFF mobilizes private capital alongside sovereign investments to sustainably finance forest conservation, Silva explained. This initiative seeks to value ecosystem services, preserve water cycles, and support the livelihoods of indigenous and traditional communities. As Brazil prepares to host COP30 in Belem, Silva called for stronger integration of forests and nature into the commitments of the climate, biodiversity, and desertification conventions, emphasizing their collective importance for global sustainability. 21 November 2024 15:35 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecological and Natural Resources, Umayra Taghiyeva, delivered a compelling address at the third high-level event of the RioTrio initiatives at COP29, which focused on the urgent intersections of forests, climate, nature, and biodiversity, Azernews reports. Her speech highlighted the importance of synergy between global environmental frameworks and underscored the role of indigenous communities, gender equality, and sustainable land management in combating climate change. In her speech, Minister Taghiyeva emphasized the significance of collaborative action across the three core environmental conventionsthe UNFCCC, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)which she described as the Rio Conventions. The partnerships forged through these agreements are not just technical but political, symbolizing a unified front in the global fight against environmental degradation. "I am honored to stand with you today as we confront the intertwined challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation," said Minister Taghiyeva. "The RioTrio initiatives offer a platform for collective action. We are not just addressing individual issues in isolation. We are working together to bring about comprehensive solutions that benefit people, nature, and the climate." Taghiyeva also took the opportunity to thank the Republic of Colombia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their partnership in hosting the event, noting that the success of the RioTrio initiatives depends on the strength of these alliances. A key component of her address was the need for harmonized data and knowledge sharing among countries, institutions, and conventions. Minister Taghiyeva emphasized that aligning data-sharing systems could enable nations to track progress in climate action, biodiversity preservation, and land restoration more efficiently. She argued that simplifying reporting processes, reducing duplications, and aligning indicators across conventions would lead to better-informed decision-making and foster stronger accountability. She also spotlighted the value of indigenous knowledge in shaping solutions that are not only scientifically sound but also socially and culturally relevant. Taghiyeva called for the integration of local and indigenous communities' insights into global data systems, underscoring their role in developing effective, context-specific solutions to environmental challenges. Indigenous peoples are the guardians of vast, critical ecosystems, and their perspectives should be at the heart of our strategies, she said. Their deep knowledge of the land is indispensable for ensuring that our policies are both meaningful and impactful." The Minister concluded her remarks with a call to action, urging all delegates and participants to contribute their ideas creatively and to think beyond traditional silos. She reminded the gathering that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved through isolated efforts, but rather through integrated solutions that combine efforts across conventions, sectors, and regions. "The challenges are enormous," Taghiyeva stated, "but the opportunity to act is even greater. Together, we can create a sustainable future for our planet and its people." As COP29 moves into its final days, discussions are expected to deepen on how to enhance global coordination to address the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation. 21 November 2024 17:32 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more At a press conference held at COP29, Laura Daniel Davis, the Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Rick Spinrad, the Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, shared the United States' significant progress in tackling climate change, Azernews reports. Reflecting on her experiences at COP26 in Scotland, Davis emphasized the enduring achievements made under the Biden-Harris administration, specifically the Department of Interiors efforts to transition to a clean energy economy. "It is truly up to every single one of us to move our collective work forward for the benefit of workers, communities, families, and for a safer, cleaner planet for all of us," she stated. One of the standout achievements mentioned by Davis was the U.S. government's efforts to meet President Biden's ambitious climate goals. "When President Biden took office, he tasked our administration with creating 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, and every day the Department of Interior has answered that call," Davis said. The U.S. has already approved the nation's first 10 commercial offshore wind projects, with a combined capacity of over 15 gigawattsenough to power more than 505 million homes. With offshore wind projects now delivering clean power to U.S. communities, Davis noted that the country is already halfway to meeting the 30-gigawatt target set by President Biden in just a few short years. These projects, which span the Atlantic Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific waters, promise to create economic opportunities and jobs, boosting local economies and addressing environmental justice. Turning to onshore clean energy efforts, Davis announced that the Department of Interior has already exceeded its goal of permitting 25 gigawatts of clean energy on public lands by 2025. "We've facilitated the development of 29 gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power 12 million homes," Davis shared. The department has also approved 41 renewable energy projects, including some of the largest solar and transmission developments in U.S. history. A particularly noteworthy initiative is the Greenlink West transmission project in Nevada, a 472-mile-long transmission line that will connect clean energy sources to power approximately 1.2 million homes. These efforts, Davis emphasized, are crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change while creating well-paying jobs and promoting economic growth in local communities. 21 November 2024 13:26 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Russian House in Baku will host an exhibition and concert dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the outstanding Soviet and Russian composer, musicologist, and educator Alfred Garrievich Schnittke on November 27, Azernews reports. The the event is organized jointly by the Russian House in Baku, the Russian National Museum of Music, and the Baku Musical Academy with the support of the A.G. Schnittke Moscow State Institute of Music. Alfred Schnittke is one of the major Soviet composers of the second half of the 20th century, whose concert performances have always generated excitement. A pioneer of the technique of polystylistics, Schnittke could convincingly express himself in the musical languages of various genres and stylistic directions. His work is characterized by acute attention to contemporary issues, the fates of humanity, and human culture. The dilemmas of the world and culture, of good and evil, of faith and skepticism, of life and death that permeate his oeuvre make Schnittke's compositions an emotionally articulated philosophy. Specifically for the anniversary of the remarkable musician, the Russian National Museum of Music has prepared an exhibition, which will be accessible at the Russian House in Baku. The exhibition covers different spheres of Schnittke's creativity: film music, theater, and instrumental music. Among the exhibits are Schnittke's musical manuscripts, unique personal items, archival photographs, and scenes from famous films such as "The Tale of How Tsar Peter Took an Ethiopian Woman as His Wife," "Crew," "Tale of Wanderings," "Little Tragedies," "Agony," and others. The concert program of the evening will include works by Schnittke from various genres, as well as a piece by his younger contemporary, the outstanding Azerbaijani and Russian composer Farhad Rzayev, performed by laureates of international competitions: the People's Artist of Azerbaijan, professor at the Baku Musical Academy Ulvia Gadjibekova, soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater Yulia Geidarova, soloist of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli Sabina Guliyeva, associate professor at the Baku Musical Academy Nargiz Salmanly, Baku Musical Academy lecturer Nargiz Kengerli, and the choir of St. Michael's Cathedral in Baku conducted by Kristina Efendieva. Guests at the Russian House in Baku can expect a surprise- the Baku premiere of one of Schnittke's works. The host and curator of the event is Alena Inyakina, a Doctor of Philosophy in Art History and senior lecturer at the Baku Musical Academy. 21 November 2024 18:00 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more An international scientific and theoretical conference titled "Maqsud Shayxzoda's Literary Creativity and Modernity," dedicated to Maqsud Shayxzoda, one of the founders of Uzbek drama has been held with the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Uzbekistan and in collaboration with the Tashkent State Transport University, Azernews reports. Scholars from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the USA, China, and other countries participated in the conference. The event took place in the Maqsud Shayxzoda Conference Hall at Tashkent State Transport University. The university's Vice-Rector, Associate Professor Dilshod Baratov, spoke about the significant role of Maqsud Shayxzoda's works in fostering a spirit of patriotism and heroism among the younger generation. He expressed deep gratitude to the Azerbaijan Cultural Center for organizing such an event and for their ongoing collaboration with Tashkent State Transport University, wishing success to the conference participants. At the event, Gulshan Kangarli, an employee of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan named after A. Bakikhanov, stressed the special attention given to Maqsud Shayxzoda's literary heritage in Uzbekistan, which instils a profound sense of pride, noting the significant role Shayxzoda's creativity plays in strengthening literary and cultural ties between the two brotherly nations. Kazakh scholar Professor Nurlan Mingibayev spoke about the influences of M. Shayxzoda's work on Kazakh literature. Karimulla Mammadzade, a PhD in philology and an employee of the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Uzbekistan, emphasized that Azerbaijan's great son, Maqsud Shayxzoda, holds a unique place in Uzbek literature and culture. He discussed the impact of Sheikhzade's creativity not only on Uzbek literature but also on all areas of Uzbek culture and art. Speakers at the conference included Elyar Karimov, a professor at Hofstra University in the USA (online), Almaz Ulvi, head of a department at the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature (online), Jessi Liu, an associate professor at Hebei University in China, Murad Halmet, an employee of Kastamonu University (online), Aybibi Isgandarova, an associate professor at Mirza Ulugh Beg National University of Uzbekistan, and Honored Journalist Flora Qumar, among others, who spoke about the life and works of Maqsud Sheikhzade. The scientific conference later continued with an artistic component at the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Uzbekistan. Before the artistic presentation, Nadir Alimirzayev, the Deputy Director of the Center, noted that the organization has always kept Maqsud Shayxzoda's creativity in focus, supporting the publication of works, the production of films, articles, and television programs related to him each year, as well as holding conferences and seminars. Subsequently, a documentary titled " Maqsud Shayxzoda - Son of Two Peoples," prepared by the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in collaboration with Uzbekistan's "Media Art" film company, was screened. The film features thoughts and memories from scholars and figures in art and culture from Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan regarding Maqsud Shayxzoda's creativity. During the literary and artistic segment of the conference, students from Tashkent State Transport University presented poetry compositions, performances, and national dances performed by the Cultural Center's "Azerbaijan" dance group, showcasing works by Maqsud Shayxzoda. Maqsud Shayxzoda was a Soviet-Uzbek writer, poet, playwright; literary and linguistic scholar, author of translations of classical works of world literature into Uzbek (Shakespeare, Pushkin, Lermontov, Akhundov, Rustaveli, Charents, Mayakovsky, Byron and others) and educator. By nationality, he was an Azerbaijani. He was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Uzbek SSR in 1964. Maqsud Shayxzoda was a writer, poet, and playwright from the Soviet era in Uzbekistan. He was also a scholar of literature and languages and translated many important works from world literature into Uzbek, including those by Shakespeare, Pushkin, and Byron. He was of Azerbaijani descent. In 1964, he received the title of Honored Artist of the Uzbek SSR. Shayxzoda started writing poems during his school years and shared them at school events. His first poem was published in 1921 in Baku in a newspaper called "Communist." Many of his early poems, written in Azerbaijani, are kept as manuscripts in a collection called " Shayxzoda's Notebooks." After being exiled, his first book of poems in Uzbek, titled "Ten Poems," was published in Tashkent in 1930. He then released other collections, such as "Consonant with me " (1933), "Third Book" (1934), and "Republic" (1935). The poems from this time reflect themes of patriotism and love. He also tried different styles of poetry, but not all of them were as successful. 21 November 2024 11:02 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more At the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku, Kazakhstan took the initiative to develop carbon farming. Azernews reports that within the framework of the side event, the Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Mansur Oshurbayev, emphasized that the application of carbon farming can reduce carbon emissions and ensure the sustainable development of agriculture. Murat Temirjanov, Chairman of the Land Resources Management Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, noted that the development of carbon farming requires the application of modern technologies and strict legislative support. During the discussions, experts emphasized that Kazakhstan has a high potential for leadership in the field of carbon farming. This can contribute to the modernization of the technological structure of the country and the creation of a large number of jobs. 21 November 2024 14:27 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Policy and Program Support Office of the UN Development Program (UNDP), praised Azerbaijan's efforts in climate adaptation during an event titled "Resilience Measures for the Caucasus Mountains and Its Surroundings: National Adaptation Plans (NAP) and Regional Approaches," held within the framework of COP29, Azernews reports. Speaking at the event, Neto congratulated the government of Azerbaijan on submitting its national adaptation plan to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), describing it as a significant milestone. He acknowledged the critical role of Azerbaijan-UNDP collaboration in advancing adaptation to climate change and reducing carbon emissions. "In the framework of the partnership with the government of Azerbaijan, important work is being done in the direction of the integration of the renewable energy strategy, increasing energy efficiency, and protecting biodiversity through fundamental approaches. It is very important to take measures against the risks caused by climate change, especially in mountain ecosystems and sensitive communities," said Neto. He also emphasized the global financial gap in addressing climate change adaptation, noting that developing countries require at least $250 billion annually for adaptation measures, while current international financial flows fall significantly short. "UNDP works together with the UN system to strengthen the fight against climate change and expand adaptation measures until 2025. A strategic approach at the national and regional level will contribute to the implementation of adaptation measures on a larger scale," he added. Since 2017, UNDP has provided technical support to 42 countries through the Green Climate Fund, assisting them in developing their national adaptation processes. Neto commended Azerbaijan's progress in presenting its national adaptation plan and stressed the need for mobilizing financial resources to ensure the success of climate adaptation efforts. "Together, we can build a sustainable and resilient future to meet the challenges posed by climate change," he concluded. 21 November 2024 19:22 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The United States is seeking to sign an agreement with China to notify each other of test launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), Azernews reports. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Policy and Countering WMD Proliferation made the statement at a conference on nuclear issues at the Washington Center for Strategic and International Studies. "I consider it positive that the PRC recently provided advance notification of the launch of its ICBM. Not all parties in the region were notified, but the United States was. And, as already reported, the United States reciprocated on a one-time basis regarding the planned regular test of its Minuteman-3 intercontinental ballistic missile. Yes, it was scheduled for election day (in the USA, November 5th). But it was a planned, regular test. We provided very good advance notice in this regard," the statement said. "However, it would be even better to have an agreement in some format that allows for this exchange of information on ICBM launches on a regular basis, and not just on a one-time basis in certain cases," Johnson said. According to him, such an agreement would contribute to "reducing risks" between the United States and China. "It would be very, very useful in this regard," said the representative of the U.S. military department. 21 November 2024 23:00 (UTC+04:00) The orders for Togg's new color option Ayder, which was introduced to the public at the beginning of this month, have been produced and shipped. Ayder Green, which is the latest color option among the domestic and national Togg T10X and represents the Black Sea Region, was made upon the request of Togg CEO Gurcan Karakas at the ceremony where the first vehicle landed in Gemlik by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The colors include Anatolian Red, Gemlik Blue, Cappadocia Beige, Oltu Black, Pamukkale White and Kula Gray. On the other hand, Ayder Green is being promoted all over Turkey with shopping malls and mobile stands. Togg ranked first in the brand rankings in the Turkish electric car market with 20,140 sales and a 31 percent market share in the 10-month period of the year. With this figure, Togg outpaced its closest competitor by 12,773 units. Washington, DC, United States (PANA) - Amid growing calls to invest in human capital and expand job opportunities for Africas burgeoning youth population, a new report underscores the challenges faced by a critical demographic: Africas adolescent girls 21 November 2024 20:00 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Recent developments in the Russo-Ukrainian war have raised apocalyptic concerns worldwide. After green-lighting Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russia and Moscow's change in its nuclear doctrine, rumours spread in the media about the possibility of World War III. The White House and President-elect Donald Trump have not yet commented on the issue, but Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.'s remarks have heightened concerns. Trump Jr. noted that the military-industrial complex seems intent on ensuring the onset of World War III before his father has a chance to create peace and save lives. Speaking to Azernews on the issue, Dr Frank Musmar shared his views on this already aggravated situation. He noted that however, he rules out that the world will witness a nuclear war, despite WWIII being nigh as the result of the tension. Let me explain why. The news lately highlighted President Biden's authorization to the Ukrainian military to use the system known as ATACMS to help defend its forces in the Kursk region in western Russia. The short-range ballistic missiles can strike targets 190 miles away with a warhead containing about 375 pounds of explosives but cannot travel as far as a cruise missile or intercontinental ballistic missile. It is a tactical move to push the Russian forces backward and force them to abandon more lands, he noted. Dr Musmar pointed out that even Russian President Vladimir Putin updated Russia's nuclear doctrine where Moscow will consider aggression from any non-nuclear state but with the participation of a nuclear country a joint attack on Russia; it is a tactical use also showing the Kremlin could respond aggressively to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory with American long-range missiles. From the first day of this war, I said that this conflict would be solved on a round table with an agreement implemented by the party with the upper hand on the ground. Moreover, I expected that this war would end even before knowing the election results in the USA and whether Democrats or Republicans won the election because the Ukrainians were exhausted, lost nearly 75% of their elite forces, and had a problem recruiting more soldiers. Moreover, financial support has exhausted the budgets of the USA and Europe, making future support a challenge, he added. He said that accordingly, any peace plan will be based on the line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine that becomes like a demilitarized zone, and each party (USA and Russia) is playing now to decide the size of this buffer area based on the success of the ground (Putin said that any peace deal must acknowledge the territory Russia has taken). Moreover, the deal will guarantee that Ukraine retains its independent sovereignty, and Russia will get the guarantee of neutrality from Ukraine, which does not join NATO or some of these allied institutions, he opined. As for the consequences in the case of Russia's resorting to the nuclear bomb, the expert did not confirm it as serious saying that Moscow is far more patient to choose this option. In the end, he added that he believes it will be a year of peace and deals and agreement. He underscored that President Trump is a pragmatic man who seeks solutions through economic politics. WRAL-TV is reporting: The person who oversees North Carolinas rebuilding efforts after hurricanes Matthew and Florence is no longer employed by the state. Laura Hogshead is no longer employed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety in her role as the director of recovery and resiliency for ReBuild NC, the departments chief communications officer Jody Donaldson announced Wednesday. Donaldson said Pryor Gibson is serving as interim director of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency. "Together in the House and Senate we have tried to hold [ReBuild NCs] feet to the fire for their failures, said State Sen. Danny Britt, R-Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties. Britt said he felt that ReBuild NC's "inaction" was "shameful." Hogshead had held the position since late 2018. Her page was taken off the state's website. "Hogshead oversees the expenditure of hurricane recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for areas hit by hurricanes Matthew and Florence," the site read before the page was taken down. "Hogshead also oversees the expenditure of U.S. Department of Treasury Coronavirus Relief Fund and Emergency Rental Assistance allocations through the states pandemic-related emergency rental assistance program." NC disaster recovery agency failures: How did we get here? On Monday, Hogshead faced tough questions from lawmakers during an Oversight Committee meeting on Monday. Her leadership and the program's slow progress have drawn criticism for years. WRAL's Documentary Unit has extensively covered the program's struggles in "Aftermath: North Carolina hurricane victims left behind." Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2018) left thousands of low-income North Carolinians homeless. ReBuild NC was tasked with using nearly $800 million in taxpayer funds to help these uninsured residents rebuild their homes. Hogshead had previously acknowledged the program's failures. These are my decisions, my staffing decisions, my policy decisionsand that is on me, Hogshead said during a 2023 legislation hearing. Despite the criticism, Hogshead had resisted calls to resign, insisting she is the best person to lead the program. Gov. Roy Cooper has also admitted the programs pace has been unacceptable, calling for faster progress. However, Cooper has not removed Hogshead, a decision Republican lawmakers have repeatedly criticized. Indiana's state Attorney General has announced an investigation of human trafficking of illegal aliens centered on Tyson Foods plant in Logansport, Indiana. Logansport is one of the towns that has made the news over being overrun with Biden's illegal aliens. Tyson Foods is one of the 400 employers that a pro-migrant NGO funded by a Turkish billionaire has boasted will hire the migrants they send. There are staffing agencies and other operations, also apparently connected to the Turkish billionaire, who was a big Kamala Harris supporter, involved in the operation to send illegal aliens to these companies. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/indiana-ag-opens-human-labor-trafficking-probe-tyson-meat-plant Don't expect North Carolina's AG to do anything like this as our outgoing AG, Josh Stein, is very leftwing, and his successor-elect is even more leftwing. China, Laos conduct "Peace Train-2024" humanitarian medical rescue drill Xinhua) 14:11, November 21, 2024 VIENTIANE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The "Peace Train-2024" China-Laos humanitarian and medical joint rescue exercise has been held at Phonhong Railway Station in Phonhong district of central Laos' Vientiane province. The exercise held on Wednesday highlighted the joint command and joint rescue of the Chinese and Lao militaries. The two sides jointly carried out courses such as the treatment of the wounded and sick, health and epidemic prevention, and psychological emergency intervention. Through multiple sub-item training and concentrated exercises, the medical teams of both sides were able to complete various divisions of labor and cooperation. During the exercise, on-site search and rescue forces quickly entered the disaster area to search for and rescue the injured in distress. The China-Laos joint medical rescue team organized the classification and emergency treatment of the injured and sick, carried out food and water source testing and environmental disinfection in the disaster area, and used rescue helicopters and field ambulances to send the injured to hospital. The accommodation and disposal team, the critical care team, and the surgical team quickly determined the medical treatment plan, carried out bedside electrocardiograms, ultrasound examinations and clinical tests, performed damage control operations, and organized joint consultations. The treatment of the wounded was orderly and effective. In this exercise, the Lao military mainly participated in disaster site search and rescue, hospital treatment, and evacuation of seriously injured patients. After the joint exercise, all participants carefully organized a review, summarized and commented on the deficiencies, further standardized joint rescue operations and professional support coordination, and improved the quality and effectiveness of joint exercises. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) AFP, November 20, 2024 Checking imported books, removing texts from libraries and distributing lists of banned titles Taliban authorities are working to remove "un-Islamic" and anti-government literature from circulation. Checking imported books, removing texts from libraries and distributing lists of banned titles Taliban authorities are working to remove "un-Islamic" and anti-government literature from circulation. The efforts are led by a commission established under the Ministry of Information and Culture soon after the Taliban swept to power in 2021 and implemented their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or sharia. In October, the Ministry announced the commission had identified 400 books "that conflicted with Islamic and Afghan values, most of which have been collected from the markets". The department in charge of publishing has distributed copies of the Koran and other Islamic texts to replace seized books, the ministry statement said. The Ministry has not provided figures for the number of removed books, but two sources, a publisher in Kabul and a government employee, said texts had been collected in the first year of Taliban rule and again in recent months. "There is a lot of censorship. It is very difficult to work, and fear has spread everywhere," the Kabul publisher told AFP. Books were also restricted under the previous foreign-backed government ousted by the Taliban, when there was "a lot of corruption, pressures and other issues", he said. But "there was no fear, one could say whatever he or she wanted to say", he added. Checking imported books, removing texts from libraries and distributing lists of banned titles Taliban authorities are working to remove "un-Islamic" and anti-government literature from circulation. The efforts are led by a commission established under the Ministry of Information and Culture soon after the Taliban swept to power in 2021 and implemented their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or sharia. In October, the Ministry announced the commission had identified 400 books "that conflicted with Islamic and Afghan values, most of which have been collected from the markets". The department in charge of publishing has distributed copies of the Koran and other Islamic texts to replace seized books, the ministry statement said. The Ministry has not provided figures for the number of removed books, but two sources, a publisher in Kabul and a government employee, said texts had been collected in the first year of Taliban rule and again in recent months. "There is a lot of censorship. It is very difficult to work, and fear has spread everywhere," the Kabul publisher told AFP. Books were also restricted under the previous foreign-backed government ousted by the Taliban, when there was "a lot of corruption, pressures and other issues", he said. But "there was no fear, one could say whatever he or she wanted to say", he added. "Whether or not we could make any change, we could raise our voices." Contradictory to religion AFP received a list of five of the banned titles from an Information Ministry official. It includes "Jesus the Son of Man" by renowned Lebanese-American author Khalil Gibran, for containing "blasphemous expressions", and the "counterculture" novel "Twilight of the Eastern Gods" by Albanian author Ismail Kadare. "Afghanistan and the Region: A West Asian Perspective" by Mirwais Balkhi, an education minister under the former government, was also banned for "negative propaganda". During the Taliban's previous rule from 1996 to 2001, there were comparatively few publishing houses and booksellers in Kabul, the country having already been wracked by decades of war. Today, thousands of books are imported each week alone from neighbouring Iran which shares the Persian language with Afghanistan through the Islam Qala border crossing in western Herat province. Taliban authorities rifled through boxes of a shipment at a customs warehouse in Herat city last week. One man flipped through a thick English-language title, as another, wearing a camouflage uniform with a man's image on the shoulder patch, searched for pictures of people and animals in the books. "We have not banned books from any specific country or person, but we study the books and we block those that are contradictory to religion, sharia or the government, or if they have photos of living things," said Mohammad Sediq Khademi, an official with the Herat department for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (PVPV). "Any books that are against religion, faith, sect, sharia... we will not allow them," the 38-year-old told AFP, adding the evaluations of imported books started some three months ago. Images of living things barred under some interpretations of Islam are restricted according to a recent "vice and virtue" law that codifies rules imposed since the Taliban returned to power, but the regulations have been unevenly enforced. Importers have been advised of which books to avoid, and when books are deemed unsuitable, they are given the option of returning them and getting their money back, Khademi said. "But if they can't, we don't have any other option but to seize them," he added. "Once, we had 28 cartons of books that were rejected." Clearing stock Authorities have not gone from shop to shop checking for banned books, an official with the provincial information department and a Herat bookseller said, asking not to be named. However, some books have been removed from Herat libraries and Kabul bookstores, a bookseller told AFP, also asking for anonymity, including "The History of Jihadi Groups in Afghanistan" by Afghan author Yaqub Mashauf. Books bearing images of living things can still be found in Herat shops. In Kabul and Takhar a northern province where booksellers said they had received the list of 400 banned books disallowed titles remained on some shelves. Many non-Afghan works were banned, one seller said, "so they look at the author, whose name is there, and they are mostly banned" if they're foreign. His bookshop still carried translations of Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "The Gambler" and fantasy novel "Daughter of the Moon Goddess" by Sue Lynn Tan. But he was keen to sell them "very cheap" now, to clear them from his stock. 1. Saint Marys Physician Services will close its clinic in Atkins, Ark., on Dec. 19. One of the physicians at the Millard-Henry Clinic of Atkins, family medicine physician Timothy Johnson, MD, will be leaving the clinic for an administrative position with the state of Arkansas. The clinics other provider, Jennifer Jacobs, APRN, will be relocating to the practices clinic in Dover, Ark. 2. Patients at a Chicago location of San Francisco-based Forward are unable to access medical records after the healthcare startup, known for its AI-driven doctor-in-a-box service, announced its closure. The shutdown comes a year after Forward raised $100 million in a series E funding round. Founded in 2017, Forward initially positioned itself as a primary care concierge medicine service. However, it later shifted to offering CarePods self-service health stations where patients could perform tasks like taking their own blood samples, sequencing DNA and testing for illnesses like COVID-19, all without interacting with a healthcare provider. 3. The Portland (Ore.) Clinic will be closing all patient care and clinical services at its downtown location in mid-December, ongoing safety concerns for staff and clients. The medical chain will shutter patient care at its downtown office, citing crime concerns in the area. Providers and patients will be relocated to its other five neighborhood locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The downtown building will house administration, scheduling and supply chain, with around 100 employees at the location each day, a spokesperson for the clinic told Beckers. The ruling affirmed that the noncompete clause in the contract between David Lankord, MD, a pediatric intensivist, and his former employer, Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Lutheran Health Physicians, is unenforceable and that he is possibly entitled to monetary damages from Lutheran. The noncompete clause attempted to restrict Dr. Lankford from practicing medicine within a 30-mile radius of any Lutheran facilities for up to a year after his employment ends. According to the report, the judge ruled that Lutheran breached Dr. Lankords contract after changing his job duties and that the noncompete was overly broad. During his first four years of employment at Lutheran, Dr. Lankoford worked in pediatric intensive care units. In October 2022, Lutheran eliminated several pediatric hospitalist positions and shifted their workload to intensivists, like Dr. Lankford. Overburdened by a heavier case load, Dr. Lankford quit his position with Lutheran and tried to get out of his noncompete. In February, Lutheran sued Dr. Lankford and his new employer, Parkview Health, also in Fort Wayne. A judge dismissed those cases. The judges ruling said that the noncompete was overly broad in its geographic restrictions, which would have forced Dr. Lankford to travel an hour to the nearest hospital for work. The amount of financial damages he is entitled to will be determined at trial. Lutheran Health Physicians did not immediately respond to Beckers request for comment but this article will be updated if any more information becomes available. The building sold for more than most office properties in the Bay Area have been trading for, according to the report. It was acquired by fuel retailer Vintners Distributors. The property is currently 46% leased by Fresenius Medical Care. Vintners plans to occupy the rest of the facility and use it as its corporate headquarters. The building sold Nov. 4 to East Main Street Owner, a property management company. The building was 100% leased at the time of sale. The 73,000-square-foot outpatient medical building is home to three tenants, including Summit Health, as Walgreens Boots Alliance, which occupies roughly 50% of the building, Greenwich Hospital, as Yale New Haven Health and Specialty Surgery Center of Connecticut. The building was most recently sold in 2007 for $14.25 million. The acquisition of the Rapid City, S.D.-based facilities includes the 46% ownership stake held by the hospitals physicians, as well as the remaining 54% owned by Medical Facilities Corp. Sanford is purchasing both stakes to assume full control, according to the report. The ability to be able to partner with them is really what makes this so attractive and makes them the partner we want to be doing this with, Sanford President and CEO Bill Gassen said in an interview with the publication. If this were just acquiring an asset out there, we wouldnt be interested in that. This transaction marks a major escalation in Rapid Citys healthcare market, currently dominated by Monument Health, according to the report. But Sanford has long expressed interest in expanding its presence in the area. Its always been a market weve wanted to continue to invest in and grow in, Mr. Gassen continued. We had the privileged opportunity to come together with incredibly talented physicians at Black Hills Orthopedic & Spine Center and Black Hills Surgical Hospital. The acquisition follows a decades-long war between Sanford and the physician-owned hospital industry, according to the report. Under former Sanford leadership, including President and CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft and Vice President of Public Policy Cindy Morrison, the system lobbied extensively against POHs, arguing they prioritize high-revenue procedures for privately insured patients while leaving nonprofit hospitals with a greater share of lower-paying cases. Supporters of POHs argue that outside of decreased costs, they can deliver superior care, better staffing, and higher-quality facilities. Sanford eventually won a major battle in the war, the report continued citing the Affordable Care Acts ban on new POHs. As lawmakers consider repealing the ACA restrictions on POHs, as reported by Medscape on May 13, this acquisition could serve as a bellwether for broader changes in the healthcare sector. ASC leaders gathered at Beckers 30th Annual Business and Operations of ASCs Meeting in Chicago to discuss the tradeoffs of partnering with hospitals. For a variety of reasons, sometimes you need to associate yourself with the 800-pound gorilla in order to maintain your footprint, so to speak. And then the big question is if youre going to associate, what do you do? Michael Redler, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Connecticut Orthopaedics in Camden, said. Leveraging hospitals more favorable reimbursement rates is a primary factor driving ASCs toward these partnerships. I think the reasons that you may consider that given a certain market is one you can achieve closer to a hospital outpatient rate depending on the involvement of the hospital, Dr. Redler said. You do have their negotiating power, but you have to be very, very careful to choose a hospital system that will do what they say. He cited a previous partnership that his center engaged in, where the larger system did not follow through on various promises made to the ASC. They didnt do a damn thing that they said they were going to do. They kind of gave you that, well, you get to use our name, Dr. Redler said. From that experience, his center was able to pivot into a more equitable partnership. So we were able to get out, he said. Were now with Hartford Healthcare, who has done everything they said they were going to do and has helped us achieve better rates. Hospital partnerships can also help fill caseloads at ASCs and provide a wider range of resources for smaller centers. And frankly, between SCA and Hartford Healthcare, even with this current IV fluid shortage with a horrific hurricane in North Carolina, theyve kept us going with fluids, Dr. Redler said. So the right partner doesnt have to be a hundred-pound gorilla and they dont have to be the evil person, but you got to be really careful because its not going to be an equal playing field there. ASC leaders gathered at Beckers 30th Annual Business and Operations of ASCs Meeting in Chicago to discuss the trends theyre watching over the next five years. HOPD vs. ASC reimbursement disparity Procedures performed in hospitals can cost 58% more than the same procedures performed in an ASC, according to a 2023 analysis by Blue Health Intelligence, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Associations data analytics company. Medicare hospital pay also increased by 70% between 2001 and 2023, whereas physician payment only increased by 9% over the same period, according to the American Medical Association. CMS also recently finalized a 2.83% cut to physician payments for 2025, further widening the gap between ASC and hospital payments. Predictions in the ASC market in the next five years I see it growing and if theres legislation that changes the reimbursement where theres parity or closer to parity between hospital outpatient and ASC, said John Prunskis, MD, medical director and principal of Chicago-based DxTx Pain & Spine. While ASC leaders want their rates to be closer to parity with hospitals, there is doubt that this will materialize in the next five years. Obviously the ongoing viable success is perhaps going to [mean] leveling the playing field a little bit in terms of the reimbursement, said Michael Redler, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Connecticut Orthopaedics in Camden. But Im going to predict to you that in an ideal world, the ASC wants to get very close to those hospital outpatient rates, but you may not want to completely get them because that would be complete parity. And why? Because one of the calling cards of an ASC is a high-quality, lower-cost alternative. And thats one of the things that also will drive patients and also insurers to the market. More high acuity procedures A key factor in the growth of ASCs will be the continued migration of high-acuity procedures from HOPDs, which relies on ASCs maintaining their key selling point as a venue for high-acuity procedures at a lower cost. How can we do these higher acuity cases? Well, you need to have great anesthesia, you need to have great regional blocks, Dr. Redler said. This could be particularly important for orthopedic centers. In the last quarter, Dallas-based United Surgical Partners International, the largest ASC chain in the U.S., saw a 7.6% increase in net revenue per case, driven by high-acuity procedures and a favorable payer mix. The companys ASCs experienced a 19% increase in total joint replacements compared to last year, and USPI recently partnered with San Diego-based Synergy Orthopedics to develop the largest musculoskeletal ASC in San Diego. Continued focus on patient comfort and experience Both physicians predicted that the relatively hassle-free experience of ASCs compared to that of hospitals will continue to forge the path for sustained growth in the industry as the demand for surgical procedures increases. [Patients] dont have to park their car 600 yards away and spend all day and the case gets delayed. And infection rates are generally lower in ASCs in a hospital setting, Dr. Prunskis said. According to a February 2024 report by SCA Health, infection rates are six times lower in ASCs than in hospital outpatient departments. ASC patient experience scores also hit a five-year high in 2023, according to a June report from Press Ganey. No matter what were doing with ASCs, [as long as] our number one goal is patient care, patient comfort and patient outcome, then everything else along the way builds upon that, Dr. Redler said. One way that Dr. Redlers ASC is achieving this goal is through bridging the efficacy gap, through emerging technologies in anesthesia and pain management that will allow patients to enter the neuromodulation phase of recovery sooner and from their own homes. And if you can get that in a surgical center-type setting, youre going to have a winning situation. The patients can actually take their iPhone to control the neuromodulation, he said. Not only are they comfortable in real-time, but you then have real-time data of how theyve been affected. Thats the next wave, when that comfortable patient with higher acuity is home, its going to be a win-win situation. And with that kind of methodology, youre going to have a great future for ASCs. Amarillo, Texas-based Northwest Texas Healthcare System has closed its two freestanding emergency departments in Amarillo due to hospital contractor NES Health's inability to meet coverage requirements. NES Health is a physician-led organization that specializes in emergency physician staffing and outsourced hospital management solutions. "It is unfortunate that NES, the contract provider for emergency services, has been unable to meet its coverage requirements, resulting in intermittent closures of our freestanding emergency departments," a spokesperson for the health system said in a Nov. 21 statement shared with Becker's. While the physicians involved in the pay issue work at NWTHS's freestanding EDs, the health system does not employ them or pay their salaries. "NWTHS became aware of a payroll issue with the contractor provider and we continue to assist with this unfortunate situation," the statement said. "We appreciate the expertise, talents and dedication of the independent physicians who provide care to patients at our hospital and will do all possible to ensure that access to quality care is maintained by NWTHS." News of the closures come after emergency department physicians at Daly City, Calif.-based Seton Medical Center, have also gone unpaid for around two and a half months. MedPage Today reported in early November that NES Health had cited its "temporary shortfall in monthly revenue" as the reason why its contracted physicians were not receiving pay. Up to 30 hospitals nationwide have been affected by the pay issues, David Canepa, San Mateo (Calif.) County board of supervisors vice president, said in a Nov. 13 statement shared with Becker's. Patients who need emergency care have been directed to the emergency department at NWTHS's main hospital. Becker's has reached out to NES Health for comment and will update this story should more information become available. Bryan, Texas-based CapRock Health System is closing its Bryan-based CapRock Hospital and freestanding CapRock 24-Hour Emergency Care center in College Station, Texas, on Dec. 13, KBTX reported Nov. 19. "It has been our privilege to provide patients with the highest quality emergency and hospital care," Lon Young, MD, CMO of CapRock Health System, said in a statement shared with KBTX. "Due to a combination of economic and market factors, it is no longer feasible for CapRock to continue our operations." CapRock is a locally owned healthcare system that comprises the hospital and freestanding ER. The hospital is a fully licensed facility that features inpatient care, an emergency room and imaging suites. CapRock's freestanding emergency care center is a hospital outpatient department in connection with CapRock Hospital, according to the health system's website. The system plans to provide their employees with severance packages and resources to aid in the transition, according to an internal memo shared with the publication. Becker's has reached out to CapRock Health System and will update this story should more information become available. 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Regional Hospital as chief medical officer. The 400-bed facility is part of Baptist Health South Florida. As CMO at Boca Raton Regional, Dr. Holubek will oversee clinical operations and work with system-level leaders at Baptist to inform policies and procedures, according to a Nov. 20 news release sent to local news publications. He joins the health system from University Hospital in Newark, N.J., where he served as CMO for nearly four years. Prior to that, he was CMO at WellStar Atlanta Medical Center, which closed in 2022. Midwives and family medicine physicians are no longer allowed to deliver babies at West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Ill., according to WBEZ, a Chicago-based radio station. The hospital abruptly ended its agreement with PCC Community Wellness Center after more than 20 years, WBEZ reported Nov. 21. Three OB-GYNs from PCC can continue delivering babies at West Suburban. However, the hospital said it is excluding midwives and family medicine physicians from this practice because of concerns about liability insurance. Annette Payot, director of midwifery at PCC, said the decision could worsen maternal health inequities. She also questioned the hospital's reason, stating that PCC carries its own medical malpractice insurance. In a Nov. 19 email, West Suburban Medical Center CEO Manoj Prasad, MD, told hospital staff the organization plans to open two new OB-GYN clinics. Becker's has reached out to West Suburban Medical Center and PCC Community Wellness Center for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available. Nurses at Northwell Health's Huntington Hospital have voted to join the New York State Nurses Association, according to a union news release shared with Becker's. The Nov. 20 election, conducted by the National Labor Relations Board, was to determine whether approximately 677 nurses at Huntington would choose union representation by New York State Nurses Association, Huntington Hospital Nurses Association, or not at all. The workers voted 344 for NYSNA, 205 for HHNA and one against union representation, according to the NLRB. Three challenged ballots will not be counted because they aren't determinative to the election outcome. An NLRB spokesperson told Becker's the hospital must begin bargaining in good faith with the NYSNA. Parties have five business days to object to the election. The NLRB will certify the election outcome if no objections are filed. Becker's reached out to HHNA-AFT and will update the story if a comment is received. Huntington nurse Liliana Perez, RN, said in the NYSNA release: "We have received overwhelming support from NYSNA nurses over the last few months and are so proud to be joining them. With New York's largest and strongest union for registered nurses behind us, we know anything is possible." Northwell Health issued the following statement to Becker's: "Huntington Hospital thanks our registered nurses who participated in the representation election. The ballots were counted, and as a result of the election, our RNs will be represented by the New York State Nurses Association. "It is now time to come together and move forward as we deliver outstanding care to the communities that we are privileged to serve. The hospital looks forward to continuing our important work caring for patients, together, as we have always done." NYSNA represents 3,600 members across six Northwell facilities. Editor's note: This story was updated on Nov. 22. Medical residents and fellows affiliated with Brown University and employed at Care New England and Brown University Health hospitals in Rhode Island are taking steps toward unionization. On Nov. 15, physicians filed two separate petitions with the National Labor Relations Board, seeking elections to decide whether to join the Service Employees International Union's Committee of Interns and Residents. The union filed one petition on behalf of 229 interns, residents, chief residents, and fellows who work at Care New England's Butler, Women and Infants and Kent hospitals. It filed another petition on behalf of 721 interns, residents, chief residents, and fellows employed at Brown University Health, formerly known as Lifespan Health, who work at Rhode Island Hospital. The NLRB provides various paths to forming a union. According to the labor board's website, the NLRB will conduct an election if at least 30 percent of workers sign cards or a petition indicating their support for unionization. Workers would then vote on whether to unionize. Employers may also voluntarily recognize a union based on signed union-authorization cards or other evidence. Brown University Health shared the following statement with Becker's: "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." Care New England shared the following statement with Becker's: "Women and Infants, Kent and Butler hospitals each received a notice. They are reviewing the information." In a news release shared with Becker's, the union said: Physicians "say they want to form a union to gain a seat at the table to advocate for themselves and their patients, especially immigrant and refugee patients, and other folks coming from working-class communities of color who often face the highest barriers to care. Contending with rampant burnout, long hours, intense stints of night shifts, inadequate pay, overwork, and other issues, the doctors feel that their well-being is inseparable from the health of the people of Rhode Island." NI Chamber President Cat McCusker with Suzanne Wylie (NI Chamber), David Walliams and Paul Murnaghan (BT) pictured at the NI Chamber's annual President's Banquet in ICC Belfast. (Pic: PressEye) The UK governments Budget has thrown obstacles in the path of business in Northern Ireland, one of the years biggest gathering of businesspeople has heard. Addressing 1,100 business leaders at the NI Chambers annual Presidents Banquet, its president Caitroina McCusker said members had communicated their unease following the announcement from Chancellor Rachel Reeves last month. The Budget ushered in changes which will hit business hard, including increases in employer national insurance contributions, as well as changes to business asset disposal relief and inheritance tax. Ms McCusker said: I have heard from many of our members that the Chancellors Autumn Budget has thrown obstacles into the path of businesses and that the acceleration of the tax burden adds to the already high cost of doing business, leaving some employers with tough choices if they are to remain competitive and grow. She said it had compounded other, existing problems. Confidence is not where it should be. "We need to pick up the pace on many issues to unlock growth including wastewater, planning, skills, childcare and digital connectivity. Ms McCusker called for innovation in the economy, with measures including the use of AI in public sector transformation. And the PwC boss stressed that getting Northern Ireland back on track with its climate change targets could unlock a wall of green capital and investment. Ms McCusker, regional market leader at the business advisory firm, said a new workforce development agency could ensure the region has the skills needed in a digital economy, and called for solutions to the burden of unaffordable childcare. The business leader also challenged business and political leaders in the room to reflect on how we can each use our imaginations constructively to identify opportunities that others may overlook, challenge the status quo and raise our collective ambition. Reflecting on a year which saw the devolved institutions restored, she called for greater partnership between the public, private and third sectors, saying: We now have a draft Programme for Government, a budget and a legislative programme. "Now, we need to build on that. Through collaboration, co-design and co-delivery we have so much potential to deliver for our economy and most importantly, for our people. To address the issues at play, she said there was a need for a long-term economic plan which not only recognises the stark realities but with ambition addresses them head on, supporting our businesses to invest, innovate, export and succeed. The event was sponsored by NI Chambers communications partner BT, along with supporting sponsors ABL Group, Barclays, Mattioli Woods and Tughans, as well as drinks reception sponsor Vanrath, Media Partner, Bauer Media Group and drinks partner, Diageo. Childrens author and TV star David Walliams was the events guest speaker. Paul Murnaghan, regional director for business, BT in Northern Ireland, added: BT is delighted to once again support the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerces Presidents Banquet, a flagship event in the NI business calendar. "Now in our 18th year of collaboration and partnership, we congratulate the Chamber who work tirelessly throughout the year for the benefit of all NI businesses large and small. "The banquet presents a great opportunity to network, celebrate successes and also to come together and explore opportunities and debate challenges facing businesses and the NI economy. NI Olympic hero goes for gold again as he makes final of RTE show: It would be nice to win... Ireland badly needed convincing win over Italy to end Six Nations on high and this just wasnt it Football Dele Alli sent off 10 minutes into first appearance in over two years Emma Papaconstantinou, who lost her brother Georgie to leukaemia when she was only four years old (Credit: Brian Morrison Photography) A schoolgirl who struggled to cope with the death of her brother has joined Marie Curie in calling for better bereavement services in schools. Emma Papaconstantinou (15), who lost her brother Georgie to leukaemia when she was only four, is supporting a campaign from the charity for greater focus on how schools can help young people experiencing bereavement in early life. Statistics show that most young people will experience a bereavement before they leave school. Now Marie Curie has launched a report designed to embed a culture and practice of grief education and bereavement support across education in Northern Ireland. The report consolidates the findings from a three-year Schools Bereavement Programme supporting bereaved children and young people in schools and colleges. Senior policy managers at Marie Curie and experts including the chair of the Northern Ireland bereavement network, Dr Patricia Donnelly OBE and NI mental health champion Professor Siobhan ONeill have backed the campaign. It has also received support from the Department of Education as well as teachers and young people. Children and young people grieve. We may grieve differently to adults, or even to each other, said Emma, helping to launch the report recommendations on Wednesday. But we need support from the place where we spend the majority of our time, the place that has a duty to look after our wellbeing and as part of this we need to be taught about our grief so we can understand it. She said she remembers suffering panic attacks during seemingly innocuous activities while at primary school following the death of her brother. As part of my school experience, I vividly remember the panic that would wash over me when we were made to say how many siblings we had in French or every icebreaker activity that involved family trees, she said. I would think what on earth do I say? If talking about grief and loved ones that have died was normalised, the fear of saying we are bereaved wouldnt be a problem, she added. I think the best way to do this is by educating our young people on death and grief. Joan McEwan, associate director of policy and public affairs at Marie Curie, said the new evidence provided by the charitys report fills a gap in knowledge and highlights the views of young people, parents and carers, and teachers. Emma Papaconstantinou, who lost her brother Georgie to leukaemia when she was only four years old (Credit: Brian Morrison Photography) The wider education and public health sectors have also fed in views, she added. The launch of the final report is a significant milestone on the journey and has allowed us to not only present the findings and evidence gathered, and especially the learning from schools, but also to table and discuss our recommendations for further strengthening grief education and bereavement support in schools. I am confident we will have people with the drive, passion, and importantly the mandate needed to make the necessary changes to policy and practice. The report highlights that every childs bereavement experience is unique and that this should be respected, with support offered and tailored to individual need. Among the findings of the report are that teachers need more information and guidance so they can feel more confident and competent when supporting their pupils. The report also found that children and young people also want to be informed about, and involved, in developing the bereavement information and support available to them in school. The reports five main recommendations aim to support every school in becoming a compassionate community, supporting children and young people to be better prepared for bereavement, to feel safe and able to learn and develop while they grow around their grief. It calls for a strengthening of Department of Education led policy guidance on grief education and bereavement support, including a requirement for every school to have a bereavement policy. It recommends that all teaching staff should have a range of opportunities to receive bereavement training and said the curriculum should offer a range of opportunities for pupils to discuss bereavement and grief. And the report urged the Health and Education sectors to collaborate on better support for bereaved young people. Education Minister Paul Givan welcomed what he said was a valuable insight and evidence on attitudes towards grief. It highlights how important it is that we support children and young people, that experience loss, through grief education and bereavement support in schools, the Minister said. School staff should continue to use the resources and training opportunities available, to enable them to support children and young people in school. The role of school leaders is vitally important in having the policies and programmes in place to support a wider whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing. US giant Johnson & Johnson denies claim asbestos was in its baby powder and caused illness Sharon Doherty, one of thousands of women in the UK taking legal action against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson over alleged links between talcum powder and cancer A woman from Londonderrry is among thousands of women in the UK 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, who lives in Derry, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on the left side, 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. 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 now 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 the firm, 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. 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. A man has been injured after an early-morning accident in south Belfast. The victim is thought to have left the scene. Police have appealed for him to come forward. Inspector Carey said: We received a report that a male pedestrian was struck by a car in the Botanic Avenue area shortly before 1.30am. Officers attended, however the injured man had made off from the scene. "It was reported that he may have received an injury to his shoulder. "Damage was also caused to the car, a maroon coloured Mazda. We are keen to speak with the injured man, or any other people who were in the area at the time, and who may have witnessed the incident. The public toilet in Drumquin is to be transformed into a one-bedroom apartment Plans for a new apartment in a Co Tyrone village could be described as bog standard. Thats because the proposed fancy new flat in Drumquin is to be built in a former public toilet. The loo was put up for sale earlier this year by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for a guide price of between 15,000 and 20,000. It is understood the new owner has applied for planning permission to transform the disused toilet into a one-bedroom apartment. If permission is granted, the work would involve an extension being added on to the current building in the centre of the village. However, not everyone is happy, with one local resident lodging an objection to the apartment plans. The resident, who lives beside the old loo, claims the extension to the building could block the view from their property. However, the new owner of the toilet block insists his plans will be good for the village. The proposal to upgrade and modernise the existing building will remove an unsightly structure that offers the potential for loitering, a supporting statement submitted with the planning application states. The proposal is a sustainable well integrated addition to the village contributing to local housing need. Due to its central location it is very accessible, being within walking distance of the village amenities on offer. The proposal is designed to a high standard and will be a positive addition to the locality. There was great interest in the former toilet when it was put up sale. It was originally believed the building would be converted for business use. However, in the supporting statement the new owner claims the building is too small for any form of commercial or industrial enterprise and is more suited for residential use. If given the go-ahead, its believed the Drumquin loo could be the first former public toilet in Northern Ireland converted into living accommodation. An MP whose Belfast constituency was the worst affected in Northern Ireland by the summers anti-immigration riots has said social media owners have never demonstrated sufficient responsibility for the power they currently hold. South Belfast MP Claire Hanna was speaking after it was revealed that X owner Elon Musk will be summoned by MPs to testify about the role of his social media platform in spreading disinformation during the violence that rocked Northern Ireland and England. 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 TikTok, are also expected to be called for questioning. The first evidence sessions are expected to take place in the new year. Forty-five people have been arrested and 35 charged, including an 11-year-old boy, amid violence and disorder which spread across Northern Ireland in August, following anti-immigration rallies in response to the stabbing of three girls in Southport, England. During the disorder, windows of houses were broken, cars and various objects were set on fire, and police officers were attacked with bricks and masonry by many masked assailants. Several businesses owned by migrants were torched or vandalised during trouble in south Belfast. SDLP leader Ms Hanna said it is vital that we get a grip of social media for the years ahead. She added: There can be no doubt that, despite the many positives, it has helped fuel violent unrest across these islands and around the world in recent years. Misinformation, abuse and extreme imagery is also rife, with untold impacts on many people and real harm to our democracy and our society. It is not sustainable to have such control over public discourse in the hands of a small number of private companies, who have never demonstrated sufficient responsibility for the power they currently hold. The owners of these sites have gotten away with it for far too long and we need laws to catch up to the Wild West online and stop its corrosive influence. Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl who hails from Zimbabwe, a neighbouring country of Mr Musks South African homeland said she would be particularly keen to hear Elon Musks views on freedom of expression and tackling disinformation. She added: I welcome any opportunity for MPs to question how social media companies treat hate speech, conspiracy theories or incitement to violence, but particularly considering what happened in our city over the summer, and the fear it caused and impact it continues to have. In the year to September, the PSNI recorded 409 more race hate crime incidents compared to the previous year an increase of over a third. The main reports concern criminal damage and arson. 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 Islamophobic protests in the wake of the Southport killings. Chi Onwurah, the Labour MP who chairs the select committee, said Mr Musk has very strong views on multiple aspects of this. Mr Musk clashed with ministers over the summer after he repeatedly claimed two-tier policing existed in the UK and attacked the Government for what he claimed was a crackdown on freedom of speech during the disorder. 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 after the mid the billionaires increasingly influential role in world affairs having been a vocal campaigner for Donald Trump and donated millions of pounds to his presidential campaign. The owner of Tesla and X will co-head the US Department of Government Efficiency nicknamed Doge after Mr Musks favourite cryptocurrency which is tasked with cutting business regulations and government spending. Mr Musk has been contacted for comment. Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimer's, his family has announced. His family said he had "spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment". Gardai said the man is currently detained at a Garda station in the Garda North Western Region The scene of the explosion in 2022 A man has been arrested in relation to the Creeslough explosion tragedy in Co Donegal in 2022 in which ten people died. The man, in his 60s, was arrested by investigating gardai this morning. Gardai said the man is currently detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda station in the Garda North Western Region. The investigation into the fatal explosion at a building complex in Creeslough, Co Donegal is ongoing, (and is) co-ordinated from Milford Garda Station where an Incident Room is established under the direction of a Garda Senior Investigating Officer, a garda spokesperson said. "The investigation continues to be led by local gardai in Donegal Division, supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and other agencies including the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Ten people in total, including four men, three women and three children, ranging in age from five to 59, died in the blast that ripped through the Co Donegal villages Applegreen service station and a nearby apartment block on Friday October 7, 2022. They were Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan, Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, James O'Flaherty, Martina Martin, Hugh Kelly and 14-year-old Leona Harper. Last month, several families of those who died met Irelands Justice Minister to press their case for a public inquiry. While gardai continue to investigate the circumstances of the explosion, families of those who died have called for an inquiry into non-criminal factors of the blast. The families met Helen McEntee at Government Buildings in Dublin as well as ministers Charlie McConalogue and Eamon Ryan. Speaking after the meeting, which lasted an hour and a half, the families said the engagement was very successful. An emotional Sir Tony Blair paid tribute to his former deputy prime minister John Prescott as he said there was no one quite like him in British politics. The former Labour prime minister paused as he spoke to BBC Radio 4s Today programme when he said he felt devastated by Lord Prescotts death at age 86. Lord Prescott, a key figure of the New Labour project, died peacefully and surrounded by relatives at his care home, his family has announced. Sir Tony told the BBC Lord Prescott was deeply proud of his working class background, as he shared the best advice given to him by his former deputy was always to remember that we had two bits of the coalition in the Labour Party. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content He said: One bit of the coalition was, you know, your progressive middle class, but the other was your aspirational working class. And its very important to realise this about John he was proud of his working class roots, but he didnt celebrate them in the sense of saying, you know, I want everyone to stay as they are. The ex-PM also spoke of Lord Prescotts unifying presence in a Downing Street which often saw disagreements between Sir Tony and his chancellor, Gordon Brown. He looked upon himself as a bridge and indeed he was a bridge. He was a vital part of keeping the whole show together, Sir Tony said. Lord Prescott, ennobled in 2010 after serving as an MP for Hull over four decades, once balanced a teacup and saucer on his stomach when he first met with the King, who was then Prince of Wales, Sir Tony also recalled. The former prime minister said that Charles asked him what do you think it signifies? Sir Tony added: I said I dont think it really signifies anything it was classic John, but he would have had the same blunt conversation with the then-Prince Charles as he would have had with me. In a written tribute to his close colleague, Sir Tony had described Lord Prescott as one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics; one of the most committed and loyal; and definitely the most unusual. Left to right, Cherie Blair, Tony Blair, John Prescott and Pauline Prescott waving to the crowd at the end of the Labour Party conference in Blackpool in 1996 (Fiona Hanson/PA) He also said Lord Prescott could talk in the bluntest and sometimes bluest language, but added this concealed a first rate intellect which meant he thought as deeply about issues as much as he cared about them. Sir Tony, under whom Labour won three consecutive terms of office, said these victories could not have been possible without Lord Prescott. He was a commanding presence. He represented the wing of the party which was not New Labour, but he did it in a way which never reduced the effectiveness of our appeal and indeed extended it, broadening the base of our support, he added. Among Lord Prescotts political achievements were the revival of British inner cities, the Kyoto climate treaty, and completing the Channel Tunnel, Sir Tony said. He added: Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart. John was as good a friend as you could ever hope to have, with a deep sensitivity, even vulnerability. He will deservedly occupy a special place in the pantheon of the Labour leadership; he will be mourned by his many friends and fans around the world and for me, personally, today is a day of profound sadness but also immense pride in having known him and worked with him: a great man and great servant of country and party. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 51F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Areas of patchy fog. Low 51F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. BENNINGTON A Pownal man charged in 2023 in a sexual assault on a sleeping toddler will go to trial on two counts in December. Jonathan Gardner, 35, was charged in September 2023 with the aggravated sexual assault of a child and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child after a Sept. 13 Department of Children and Families intake report stated that the 5-year-old was taken to the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center two days before after screaming out in pain while using a bathroom. Gardner is set for a jury pick on Dec. 3, followed by a two-day jury trial on Dec. 4 and 5. He is facing a possible life sentence if convicted. According to a police affidavit, when the mother initially asked the child if anyone had touched her, she said yes but refused to talk about it. The toddler then confided in another adult that Gardner had been touching her when she was sleeping. There were other children living in the residence, as well. A forensic nurse at the hospital spoke with the victim in the SVMC Emergency Room, where the toddler confided that someone hurt her in private areas and that she wanted to tell what happened in those areas but wouldnt say anything. The nurse then reported her findings to DCF. An interview with investigators later revealed the child was woken up from her beauty sleep, naming Gardner as the person who woke her up. When asked if anyone touched her, the child told police, Only Johnny. Former State Prosecutor Alexander Burke had initially requested Gardner be held on a $50,000 secured bond due to the seriousness of the charges, plus several conditions, including no contact with the toddler or the mother. Defense attorney Kate Lamson argued for a striking of bail because Gardner had no felony convictions at the time and had family close by in the area. Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady, citing Gardners lack of criminal record in 2023, deemed him not to be a flight risk and released him on a $5,000 unsecured bond, with conditions, including an additional condition of not having anyone under the age of 16 allowed to visit or live in his residence. A week after Gardner was released, he was arrested on stalking and harassing the victim. Gardner was charged with allegedly cutting off electricity service at their home, having their trash cans removed from the premises, and, according to the victims family, stealing their cat all considered harassment of the victims, which is banned in his conditions of release. Gardner was initially charged with four counts, two of stalking and two of violating his conditions of release from the prior case. However, McDonald-Cady did not find probable cause for the two felony stalking charges due to the narrow scope of the definition of stalking in Vermont and because the original conditions did not mention stalking as a barred action. After some legal maneuvering by State Prosecutor Jared Bianchi, one of the stalking charges was amended as a misdemeanor and reinstated. This was accomplished by removing the 5-year-old as one of the stalking victims because she, according to Judge McDonald-Cady, cannot own property; therefore, the charge does not fit the definition of stalking. McDonald-Cady then added the word stalking to Gardner's current conditions of release. Gardner was again able to walk out of the courtroom. Its overwhelming right now, one of the victims told the Banner after Gardners second release. He is charged with so much but still manages to walk free as if nothing happened. As of right now, my safety and my kids safety is threatened. It plays a big role in everything we do being that Im stalked and hes coming around. Right now, I feel scared that hes out there. I dont feel safe. The charges carry penalties of two years maximum for the misdemeanor stalking charge and six months each for the two violations of conditions if Gardner is found guilty. Soon after his second arrest, Gardner was arrested a third time after not showing up for a scheduled arraignment on violating his conditions of release for the second time. He was supposed to be arraigned for a violation of the conditions of release charge stemming from his original felony case but failed to appear, prompting Judge McDonald-Cady to order an arrest warrant. He was subsequently cited for new violations before the scheduled hearing. Gardner was placed under arrest after showing up for a parole appointment. The newer violation charge, another misdemeanor, stems from two separate incidents in late September 2023 when Gardner allegedly parked his car in front of the victims residence and sat there in violation of his condition of release that he stay a minimum of 300 feet from the victim and her residence. After his third arrest in October 2023, Gardner was ordered held without bail. Gardner was one of the subjects in a Banner investigation on bail and the justice system here in Bennington County. He was cited in the article as a serious felony sexual assault defendant who, against the wishes of state prosecutors, was released back into the community without any secured bail or curfew after being charged with a severe and violent crime. It is unclear whether the victim will testify at the upcoming trial. Eagle Archives, March 13, 1957: Mr. and Mrs. Philip Wynne brought their family of three from Leeds, England, to Pittsfield in 1951, looking for security from nuclear fission and greater opportunity for their children. Six years later, they're not sure about the security; they are about the opportunity. PITTSFIELD After a lightning strike set the steeple at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church aflame in June 2023, its congregation needed a new home. The Linden Street church, a longtime fixture on the West Side, became uninhabitable after the fire due to extensive smoke and water damage. The Rev. Constance Harris, pastor of the church, acknowledged the challenges ahead on the day the fire occurred, but pledged not to let it disrupt religious services or the church's weekend meal distribution, which feeds up to 400 residents every Saturday. Within the week, she got a call from The Rev. Mike Denton, minister of the United Church of Christ in Pittsfield, letting her know there was a space to worship if she wanted it: the First Church of Christ, at 27 East St., which has been up for sale since January 2020. The congregations of First Church of Christ and South Congregational Church consolidated into the United Church of Christ in January 2023. With worship services now held at 110 South St., the Park Square sanctuary was empty on Sundays. Denton was quick to pick up the phone when he saw the news of the fire, since the joint congregation had a space to offer. It was just one of these rare opportunities that we had a sanctuary that we could share, Denton said. Thanks to that arrangement, Harris made good on her word: the congregation hasnt missed a single Sunday of worship and with some help from the Christian Center, the church was also able to maintain its food distribution and outreach services, too. Now, the congregation can call the church home: on Nov. 5, the First Church of Christ was sold to Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church for $75,000, ending a yearslong uncertainty about its future. The purchase was a joyous outcome for Jennifer Kerwood, moderator of First Church of Christ, since it meant another church was moving into the hallowed space. Kerwood explained the church had been on the market officially for about two years, from January 2020 to December 2022, and initially had an asking price of $499,000. By June 2022, that number had dropped to $399,000 then, the efforts to sell it became more passive due to a change in Realtors. At the start of 2023, the church was still on the market, but its leadership was relying on word of mouth to make a sale. By June 2023, the congregation from Price Memorial had moved in to use the space temporarily while they got back on their feet but soon, church leaders began having I wonder if conversations, as Kerwood called them, pondering if it made sense to make the residency permanent. Negotiations began in spring 2024, and the two parties eventually landed on an asking price of $75,000 a figure that made the church whole from boiler repairs and other maintenance needs before the sale, Kerwood said. The First Church leadership wasnt looking to make a big profit, she said rather, the transaction passed it on to a community who needs it. Its really fantastic, Kerwood said. Theyre using that building to the hilt, as it should be used were really happy about it. The move will allow Price Memorial Church to expand its community services, Harris said those include meal distribution, a monthly free blood pressure screening and after-school homework help for kids led by Manny Slaughter. The church may also be a warming center as soon as this winter, Harris said, as long as it can get the proper authorizations. Its a bittersweet moment for the congregation, Harris said Price Memorial has a rich history on the West Side, but the new location will allow the church to grow in its service to the city. Although our heart is definitely on the West Side of Pittsfield, this has allowed us a little bit more of a reach into the community, Harris said. Harris also said it was significant for the churchs predominantly Black congregation to take ownership of the chapel on Park Square, reflecting on a time many years passed where Black residents were not able to become clergy or fully participate in worship. The stone church has stood on Park Square since 1853. It is home to several historically protected features, including some of the first stained glass windows ever created by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Denton said that Price Memorials outreach ministries will fit right in with the collaborative network of services being provided by faith communities in downtown Pittsfield. It just feels awesome, Denton said. Its just like another piece of the puzzle coming together for being able to serve people together. LENOX With a simple welcome aboard from Select Board members and a round of applause, Jay R. Green is now officially the incoming town manager. Not too much of a ceremony here, Selectman Ed Lane quipped as he presided over the formal contract signing during Wednesdays Select Board meeting televised by CTSB-TV. Green, a Pittsfield resident, will start at Lenox Town Hall in early to mid-January after wrapping up his six-year tenure as Adams town administrator. After his official signing on to the job in Lenox, the terms of his contract with the town became public. His starting salary in Lenox will be $155,000 per year, but since Green will begin his tenure midway through fiscal 2025, he will get increases as of July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, that are not less than what other nonunion town employees get. The town also will pay Green 8 percent of his salary for each payroll period into a deferred compensation or individual retirement account, as he chooses. He will get 25 days of vacation leave annually, reflecting his prior years of public service, as well as six days of sick leave and three personal days. His term continues through June 30, 2027, and may be extended for additional terms by written agreement. His job performance will be reviewed annually by the Select Board beginning June 30, 2025. Here are some of the other key provisions of the employment agreement, according to the document on file at Town Hall: Although the work week is expected to range from 40 to 45 hours, the document states that its understood Green must devote a great deal of time outside normal office hours on town business and needs to be available 24 hours a day. As a result, the town manager, who is not eligible for any overtime pay, can establish an appropriate flexible work schedule based upon changing workload and operational demands. The Select Board and Green will set up a detailed list of goals and objectives beyond daily management and administration of the towns business affairs. A formal, written public evaluation of Greens job performance will take place annually based on those goals. That evaluation shall serve as the primary determining factors when addressing subsequent contract extension for the town manager, the agreement states. The town manager agrees to avoid any other regular employment activity or commercial enterprise during his tenure. But he may engage in limited public sector consulting projects or limited teaching assignments" with prior notice and approval by the Select Board, as long as there is no impact on his job performance or any potential conflict with the towns interests. The Select Board chose Green last month, citing his deep familiarity with the town's finances and upcoming projects. Board members also viewed him as a protege of former Town Manager Christopher Ketchen. After the boards unanimous decision, Green told The Eagle he was "quite honored and rather humbled. I really appreciate the Select Board's trust in me and faith to be the next town manager of Lenox. Outgoing state Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli, whose 22-year tenure at the State House ends on Dec. 31, continues to serve as interim town manager in Lenox. Ketchen, whose last day was June 30, stepped down after 10 years in the post for a state finance administration job overseeing local aid distribution to all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. You are the owner of this article. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Stewart Edelstein, a Stockbridge resident, is author of several books, including Dubious Doublets: A Delightful Compendium of Unlikely Word Pairs of Common Origin, from Aardvark/Porcelain to Zodiac/Whiskey, The Covid-19 Zeitgeist: Fifty Essays, and An Alphabetical Romp Through the Flora of Berkshire Botanical Garden from Agave to Zinnia. Samsung R&D Institute, Noida and IIT Bombay sign MoU to pioneer research in digital health, AI November 21, 2024 | Thursday | News Five-year partnership aims to drive cutting-edge research and develop next-generation technologies in digital health and artificial intelligence Samsung R&D Institute, Noida (SRI-Noida), has strengthened its commitment to industry-academia collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). Under this MoU, SRI-Noida and IIT Bombay will explore breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, and other critical areas. The five-year partnership will facilitate joint research projects, providing IIT Bombay students and faculty an opportunity to collaborate with Samsung engineers. This approach will not only open newer avenues for the students, but will enhance their industry readiness. In addition, it will equip Samsung engineers with specialized training and certification programmes from IIT Bombay in emerging technologies such as digital health and AI. The MoU was formally signed by Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director of SRI-Noida, and Prof. Upendra V. Bhandarkar, Associate Dean of Research and Development at IIT Bombay. The event, which took place at IIT Bombay, was attended by faculty members from the Koita Centre for Digital Health (KCDH), including Prof. Ranjith Padinhateeri, Head of KCDH, Prof. Nirmal Punjabi and Dr Raghavendran Lakshminarayanan. The MoU encourages the publication of joint research papers, promoting knowledge sharing that will drive technological progress and industry-aligned innovation. Through this partnership, Samsung and IIT Bombay are setting the foundation for a sustained exchange of expertise that will push the boundaries of next-generation technologies and inspire future breakthroughs. Fortis Healthcare partners with Molnlycke Healthcare India for awareness on wound care November 20, 2024 | Wednesday | News Patients with pressure injuries are estimated to have a higher risk of mortality (2 times) compared to patients living without pressure injuries Fortis Healthcare has partnered with Molnlycke Healthcare India, to launch an essential educational initiative in recognition of Stop Pressure Injury Day, observed on the third Thursday of November every year (November 20th this year). The initiative supports educational and training programmes centered on best practices in advanced wound care. As part of the awareness campaign, Fortis Hospitals, led by Captain Sandhya Shankar Pandey, organised workshops, hands-on training and educational sessions for healthcare staff to underscore the importance of prevention and early intervention in managing pressure injuries. In collaboration with Molnlycke Healthcare India, this initiative supports educational, and training programmes centered on best practices in advanced wound care at Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, under the supervision of Ms Girja Sharma, Chief of Nursing, Fortis Shalimar Bagh and Fortis Group of Hospitals in the National Capital Region. Patients with pressure injuries are estimated to have a higher risk of mortality (2 times) compared to patients living without pressure injuries. Research indicates that during acute hospitalisation, patients who develop pressure injuries have a greater risk of mortality rate, about 67% as compared to 15% for patients without pressure injuries. The most common pressure injuries are on the sacrum, heels, greater trochanter, ischial tuberosity, and back of the head. Dr Bishnu Panigrahi, Group Head Medical Strategy and Operations, Fortis Healthcare and Capt. Sandhya Shankar Pandey, Chief of Nursing - Fortis Healthcare Group of Hospitals said, This programme sets a new benchmark in healthcare partnerships, aiming to reduce the prevalence and impact of pressure injuries. Our aim is to empower healthcare staff with essential skills and knowledge to prevent and manage pressure injuries, ultimately enhancing patient care standards. Boehringer Ingelheim and RED.Health sign MoU to strengthen emergency stroke care in pre-hospital setup in India November 21, 2024 | Thursday | News Collaboration marks a significant milestone in improving emergency healthcare services in the country Boehringer Ingelheim India, through its Angels Initiative, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RED.Health, the emergency care expert, to strengthen emergency pre-hospital stroke care services in India. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing emergency healthcare and supporting timely, life-saving medical interventions. India is currently witnessing a rise in stroke cases, and according to data, stroke is now the fourth leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of disability. The MoU includes the implementation of formal stroke protocols for RED.Health ambulances and the utilisation of specific stroke scales like FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) during patient transport. Furthermore, all training and support provided by the Angels Initiative will be at no financial cost to RED.Health, underscoring the shared commitment to improving emergency medical care in the country. In addition, RED.Health will gain access to advanced stroke life support and emergency medical service certification programmes via the Angels Initiative platform, enhancing the capabilities of their emergency response teams. RED.Health Ambulance will also participate in EMS Angels Awards for their quality monitoring through stroke registry on stroke patients' delivery. "We believe that organised, timely intervention can transform stroke outcomes. The collaboration with RED.Health Ambulance Services strengthens emergency stroke care and ensuring every patient receives rapid, high-quality assistance. Together, we are building a healthcare system that puts patients at the heart of healthcare and raise hope for families across India", said Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Managing Director, Boehringer Ingelheim India. Prabhdeep Singh, Founder and CEO of RED.Health, added, Stroke impacts over 1.9 million people across India annually, and timely intervention is crucial for saving lives and improving outcomes. Partnering with Boehringer Ingelheim enhances our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to stroke cases nationwide. This MoU represents a significant step in empowering our emergency response teams with advanced training and protocols, reaffirming our dedication to elevating emergency medical services and extending vital, life-saving support to communities across the country. Indian Medical Association launches Commonwealth Alliance of Medical Professionals on Antimicrobial Resistance November 21, 2024 | Thursday | News To address the escalating threat of AMR, particularly in India The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has taken a significant step in the global fight against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) by launching the Commonwealth Alliance of Medical Professionals on Antimicrobial Resistance (CAMP-AMR). This initiative unites leaders from Commonwealth nations to address the escalating threat of AMR, particularly in India, which is recognized as a hotspot for antibiotic-resistant infections. Dr Narendra Saini, Chairman of IMA, underscored the critical nature of the challenge, stating, "AMR is a formidable threat to public health in India, contributing to 297,000 deaths directly and another 1.04 million associated deaths in 2019 alone. This alliance is a beacon of hope and action, aiming to reverse these alarming trends through unity and coordinated efforts." He further elaborated, "AMR arises when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines like antibiotics, antibacterials, and antivirals. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that this resistance renders infections increasingly difficult or impossible to treat, thereby heightening the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability, and mortality. We must act swiftly and decisively to address this crisis." Dr J A Jayalal, President of the Commonwealth Medical Association, expressed the collective resolve of the alliance, The Commonwealth Declaration on AMR symbolises our unified commitment to confronting this silent pandemic. By harnessing the collective expertise and resources of Commonwealth nations, we aim to significantly curb the threat of AMR and ensure effective healthcare interventions remain available for future generations. Dr R V Asokan, IMA National President, highlighted the strategic vision of the initiative, CAMP-AMR is a strategic imperative in our battle against AMR. It is crucial that we eliminate over-the-counter sales of antibiotics and enhance public awareness about their judicious use. Through this alliance, we are determined to implement robust measures and policies to prevent the further spread of AMR in India. India launches first indigenous antibiotic Nafithromycin to combat drug resistance November 20, 2024 | Wednesday | News It is ten times more effective than current options image credit- pib In a ground breaking step for Indias biotechnology sector, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh formally launched the first indigenous antibiotic Nafithromycin for drug resistant infections. The antibiotic Nafithromycin has been developed with the support of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a unit of the Department of Biotechnology and has been brought to market under the trade name Miqnaf by pharma company Wockardt. It is the country's first indigenously developed antibiotic aimed at tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Dr Jitendra Singh described the three-day treatment regimen of Nafithromycin as a game-changer in addressing drug-resistant pneumonia, a condition responsible for over two million deaths globally each year. India, which bears 23% of the worlds community pneumonia burden, faces challenges with existing treatments, including widespread resistance to drugs like azithromycin. The new antibiotic, developed by Wockhardt with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), is ten times more effective than current options and offers a safer, faster, and more tolerable solution for patients. Nafithromycins efficacy stands out as it targets both typical and atypical pathogens, offering a potent solution where no new antibiotic in this class has been developed worldwide for over three decades. Remarkably, it is ten times more effective than azithromycin and achieves comparable outcomes with just a three-day regimen, as validated by clinical trials. The development of Nafithromycin represents 14 years of dedicated research and an investment of 500 crores, with clinical trials spanning the US, Europe, and India. Supported by BIRAC under its Biotechnology Industry Partnership Program (BIPP), the initiative showcases the power of public-private collaboration in advancing healthcare innovation. Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that the drug is now awaiting final approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for manufacturing and public use, marking a major leap forward in Indias fight against AMR. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Swati Maliwal Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing them of promoting and rewarding Bibhav Kumar, whom she referred to as a "goon". In a post on X on Thursday, Maliwal claimed, "For beating me up, Arvind Kejriwal ji has given huge rewards to his beloved goon Bibhav Kumar. He now occupies the top administrative post in Punjab as Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister." She added that Kumar, out on bail for allegedly assaulting her, has been given a position where senior officials, including the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) and Chief Secretary, report to him. Maliwal criticized Punjabs AAP leadership, alleging that CM Bhagwant Mann has become a "rubber stamp" under Kejriwals influence. She lamented, "The talented youth of Punjab are leaving the country while goons are being showered with salaries in lakhs, luxury cars, bungalows, and servants." She claimed that senior MP N.D. Gupta was evicted from his official bungalow at 10, Feroz Shah Road, alleging that the property was illegally handed over to Kumar. "This goon is living in Gupta ji's house, forcibly taken from him at his age. How can a person labeled a goon by the Supreme Court be given such privileges, violating his bail conditions? Just imagine how many secrets this man must be hiding," Maliwal questioned. The MP further raised concerns over the safety of women in Punjab under Kumar's alleged influence, stating, "If goons run the Punjab government, how will women in the state feel secure? Bhagwant Mann ji, you too have sisters and daughters at home. A Chief Minister must not allow himself to be reduced to a mere rubber stamp." Bibhav Kumar is Arvind Kejriwal's close aide and manager, both personal and political and is accused of assaulting Maliwal at the CMs residence on May 13. He was arrested on May 18 and produced late that night before a local court which sent him to five days under police custody. The Supreme Court later granted him bail after over 100 days in judicial custody. A cyclist rides along the 1500 block of Chestnut Street in San Francisco in May. Yuri Avila/The Chronicle The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency unveiled a draft of its citywide bicycle infrastructure plan on Tuesday after more than two years in development but it comes with no binding deadlines and few guarantees. The Biking and Rolling Plan lays out a vision for the citys streets where every resident is minutes away from a network of safe bike paths that crisscross the whole city, north to south and east to west. Agency staff presented the first draft of the plan, which is based on research and outreach that began in July 2022, to the SFMTAs Board of Directors on Tuesday evening. Planning to include biking and rolling as part of our transportation system makes it safer for those who want to bike and roll, and it creates certainty for all of those who dont, Christy Osorio, the plans project manager, said at the meeting. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If the plan is implemented as written, the city would see a significant expansion of infrastructure for biking and rolling, a term that references transit modes like skateboards, power chairs and scooters. The ultimate goal is for every San Francisco resident to live within one quarter-mile of a high-quality bikeway low-speed corridors largely separate from vehicle traffic, like the bike lanes by the Marina Green and the Embarcadero. Right now about 80% of residents do, but the agency hopes to fill in critical gaps in the existing bike network. Expanding safe bike infrastructure could unlock a new transit mode for San Franciscans who are scared to bike or roll on the citys streets. According to a survey the agency conducted, about 80% of San Francisco residents want to bike and roll, but only 23% feel safe enough to do so, Osorio said. Converting those would-be bicyclists could also help the city achieve its goal of shifting 80% of trips taken in the city to sustainable transit modes by 2030. Despite some residents social media posts claiming the plan will cause widespread road closures and decimate parking, the plan contains no proposals for new car-free streets, and none of the bike lanes it does suggest have been approved. So far, the Biking and Rolling Plan is little more than a set of guiding principles, a map overlaid with differently colored lines, and a wish list of long-term projects. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If the plan is implemented, projects that deliver the biggest safety improvements while minimizing disruption to road conditions will be prioritized, Osorio said. Those priority projects include adding a bikeway to Jefferson Street to connect the wharf to Fort Mason, Tunnel Tops Park and the Ferry Building, and adding a two-way bike lane along the edge of Interstate 280 in Glen Park. Then there are the longer-term projects and big ideas, like creating a multimodal corridor plan for Columbus Avenue in North Beach and finding funding for a bike path spanning the Bay Bridge, according to the plan. No additional car-free zones, like JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park, are proposed in the plan. But no projects are guaranteed, and beyond a general 20-year timeline, the plan has no specific deadlines. Each individual project in the plan must be approved by the SFMTA board before construction can begin. At Tuesdays meeting, bicyclists and biking advocates criticized the plan as insufficiently ambitious and said its goals which include putting people first and delivering the plan are not measurable. Christopher White, executive director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, lambasted the plans lackluster ambition and lack of timelines and said it seemed designed to anticipate opposition. The opposition will still be there and advocates who would otherwise support the plan will be demoralized and distrustful, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Project staff said the agencys budget challenges make committing to specific projects or deadlines difficult. The SFMTA has projected a $12.7 million deficit for its two-year budget spanning fiscal years 2024 through 2026, a shortfall the agency has attributed to decreased transit ridership and parking revenue compared to pre-pandemic levels. I want to emphasize that our financial constraints are so dire and so big, Maia Small, SFMTAs planning director, said at the meeting. Saying were gonna build X by X date when we dont control a lot of those challenges is a difficult thing to do. The plan contains no funding projections, though those numbers are expected for the next draft. Advocates also questioned why the plan contains no concrete commitments to bike lane projects even after two-plus years of open houses, surveys and interviews. But project staff said they have used that time to build relationships in historically underserved neighborhoods through deep, patient engagement. Rebuilding trust is a long process, and its a process based on actions and not just words, said transportation planner Ben Frazier. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The plan contains six community action plans tailored for these neighborhoods: Western Addition, the Tenderloin, South of Market, Mission, Excelsior and Bayview. Those plans seek to respond to needs in those communities, where bike lanes arent always a priority, staff said. Osorio said some residents have asked, Why are you talking to us about bike lanes when the sidewalk needs repair? These differing levels of community readiness mean that the agency might need to grant other improvements at the same time as or before adding bike lanes, she said. But board members said project staff need to balance the need for thorough community outreach with the urgency of building out the bike network. What is the guard against the agency and staff saying, Oh, this community is not ready. Five years later, the community is not ready. Ten years later, the community is not ready? director Mike Chen asked. Project staff defended their process. Outreach is not about us going and telling people what we want to do, Small said. Outreach is truly about dialogue and embracing what they say. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 England's Central Criminal Court. Wednesdays episode also saw podcaster GK Barry and Dean McCullough take on the bushtucker trial, Drown In The Dumps. Advertisement 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. US president Joe Biden dropped his opposition to Ukraine firing US missiles at targets deep inside Russia in response to North Korea's entry to the war, a shift in US policy that took on added urgency following Donald Trump's November 5th election win, sources familiar with the matter said. Mr Biden for months resisted pleas from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to ease limits on the use of US-supplied ATACMs missiles, which can reach far into Russian territory, wary of potentially drawing Nato into a conflict with a nuclear-armed power. Advertisement But Moscow's decision to deploy North Korean soldiers to Russia's Kursk region represented a major escalation that demanded a response, a senior US official and two other sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The election of Mr Trump - who is deeply sceptical of US support for Ukraine - added pressure on the administration to loosen the rules on the use of the weapons and take other steps to bolster Ukraine as it suffers repeated setbacks on the battlefield, said two other sources familiar with the matter. The decision could help to "Trump-proof" parts of Mr Biden's Ukraine agenda by strengthening Ukraine's position in case they lose US support, one of the sources said. Mr Trump has repeatedly criticised US military aid to Ukraine, raising fears that he might suspend weapons supplies. Advertisement The relaxation of the restrictions on US weapons may have come too late to alter the course of the conflict but could help Ukraine defend the foothold it has in Kursk. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A State Department spokesperson declined to say whether Mr Biden had authorised the longer-range strikes but said Russia was escalating the conflict by deploying North Korean troops. Moscow has vowed to respond to what it sees as an escalation by the West. A US official said on Thursday that Russia may have fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile during an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, in a likely warning to Nato. Advertisement Strengthening Kyiv's hand The relaxation of US conditions was conveyed to Ukraine during a November 12th call between secretary of defence Lloyd J Austin and Ukrainian minister of defence Rustem Umerov, said a source familiar with the discussions. A day later, secretary of state Antony Blinken informed Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte and European officials of the decision as well as his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, during a trip to Brussels, a senior US official said. Ukraine conducted its first long-range strike under the new policy on Tuesday, announcing it had fired US ATACMS missiles on an arms depot about 110 km inside Russia. British missiles Mr Biden's easing of weapons restrictions appeared to open the door for US allies to allow their own weapons to be used in new ways. On Wednesday, Ukraine fired a volley of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia. Advertisement Since the elections, the Biden administration has taken other actions to support Kyiv, approving the use of anti-personnel mines to slow Russia's advance in Ukraine's east and allowing US defence contractors to work inside Ukraine to repair US-supplied weapons, enabling the Ukrainians to keep more of the gear in active use. For months, Ukrainian officials pleaded with Americans to let them use the 190-mile range rockets for targets deeper inside Russian territory, arguing that their inability to hit air bases hosting warplanes involved in strikes on Ukraine was a major handicap. But the Biden administration declined to give a green light. US officials have been sceptical of the value of letting Ukraine use weapons such as the ATACMs, arguing that Moscow has already moved some bombing targets out of range, and that Ukraine already has domestically made rockets and kamikaze drones that can reach into Russian territory. Advertisement They have also worried that such a move could risk a direct war between Nato and Russia, a possibility some experts and US lawmakers have downplayed. North Korean troops Russia's decision to deploy thousands of North Korean troops to join the fighting changed the administration's thinking. The US acknowledged in late October that it had seen evidence of North Korean troops in Russia for possible deployment in the Ukraine conflict. North Korean soldiers had docked in the eastern port city of Vladivostok, after boarding ships in early-to-mid October from North Korea's Wonsan region, and were taken to three military training sites in eastern Russia, White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. The following week Mr Blinken said as many as 8,000 North Korean forces were in Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have controlled territory since August. Easing US controls on the use of the missiles was intended to send a message to the North Koreans and Russians that the shift was unacceptable, as well as hamper their efforts to push Ukrainians out of Kursk, said a senior US official familiar with the administration's thinking. The official acknowledged that relaxing the restrictions risked a further escalation of the conflict - but noted that Russia has so far taken no action against states other than Ukraine. And a congressional aide said they believed the new policy only applied to the Kursk region. "Ukraine is only authorised to shoot deeper into Russia to constrain the Russian-North Korean effort to push Ukraine out of the Russian territory," the aide said. Dublin would be safer with a Fianna Fail minister for justice, senior party figures have suggested. The partys justice spokesman Jim OCallaghan said work needed to be done to tackle the feeling that the capital is not safe at certain times. Advertisement Mr OCallaghan said the party would introduce 1,000 more gardai in the city, adding: We want to make Dublin safer. Several Fianna Fail representatives, including deputy leader and Finance Minister Jack Chambers as well as Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, gathered at Sandymount Strand to launch the partys Dublin-centred policy document for the General Election. Asked if Fianna Fail would be willing to sacrifice the housing portfolio for justice, Mr OBrien told reporters: We want both. He added: On justice, like Jim has outlined it here: People in many parts of Dublin, particularly at night, dont feel safe in the centre of our city. Advertisement That needs to change and with Fianna Fail, that will change. Mr Chambers said Fianna Fail was focused on building a more liveable city and ensuring economic growth in the capital. The document comes almost one year after Irelands capital was beset by rioting, which renewed a focus on policing in the city. The party claims it will deliver a safe Dublin through increased policing and a crackdown on anti-social behaviour. Advertisement Fianna Fail wants more gardai participating in frontline policing and expanded use of body-worn cameras. The party also wants a dedicated transport police unit. Housing minister Darragh OBrien (right), with Mary Fitzpatrick and Jack Chambers on Sandymount Strand in Dublin Photo: Cillian Sherlock/PA. Fianna Fail would allow gardai to use facial recognition technology and remove face coverings at protests, increase penalties for public-order offences. Previously flagged measures include the introduction of dispersal orders and public space protection orders. The party also wants to decriminalise the possession of cannabis for personal use but introduce laws to require those found in possession of illegal drugs to attend treatment or education programmes. Advertisement It would also mandate social media platforms to share drug-related information with gardai and criminalise tools used in drug trafficking like pill presses. Sinn Fein spokeswoman Louise OReilly said long-standing serious issues with crime in the city have not been tackled in any serious way by Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. She called for a renewed garda recruitment campaign and added: Dublins unsafe streets are a legacy of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in government. Fianna Fails Dublin manifesto includes a 175 million urban communities initiative to revitalised disadvantaged areas with youth programmes and community development measures. Advertisement It further pledges the delivery of affordable housing and childcare as well as accessible healthcare. Election 2024 A taoiseach at an IRA funeral would cause hurt, Ha... Read More Fianna Fail also said it wants to foster a culture of entrepreneurship with its supports for businesses, as well as making Dublin a hub for AI and digitisation. Elsewhere, the party pledged to deliver the Metrolink, expand the Dart network and remove the Dublin airport passenger cap as soon as possible. The document includes a 250 million fund for a parks and pitches fund to acquire new parks and playing fields as well as other measures for arts and culture including funding for a night-time economy strategy. Mary Lou McDonald has told a group of Dublin students they will live their best years in a united Ireland as she set out her partys vision for young people. The Sinn Fein president was surrounded by students on the campus of Dublin City University as she promised reforms on housing and mental health. Advertisement Among the issues students raised with her as she arrived for the event were the short window new voters had to register, the high cost of car insurance, Gerry The Monk Hutchs election bid, and a united Ireland. Ms McDonald told the students: I hope all of you have, youre all registered to vote because this is a very important election for everyone, especially your generation. In my mind, this is your election, this is the moment where you make your mark. Aaron Casey, a journalism student, asked about the partys plan for Northern Ireland and the cost of unity. Advertisement Ms McDonald said: Its a measure of how much has changed that there (Michelle ONeill) is, against all of the odds, and more than that shes a First Minister for all. Were really, really conscious that we have to build this new Ireland, and we have to do it together. Whatever happened in the past, and you must remember the past and all the rest of it, the job is the here and now and to build tomorrow. I feel so optimistic. Advertisement I think all of you are going to live your best years in a united Ireland. Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald speaking to students at the launch of the partys policy document for young people at the DCU, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. I think were going to have referendums in this decade and I think we need to go out and really imaginatively set out what the best Ireland looks like for all of us. I dont have a question for you, I just wanted to say youll be a fantastic taoiseach, said Samuel Kennedy, 20, the manager of DCU TV. Asked about Mr Hutchs election bid, Ms McDonald said that anyone can run for election, but she represented families that suffered because of gangland violence. Advertisement She added: It wasnt glamorous, its not cool, its not funny. There were people, families and children left very, very traumatised still by that and that kind of activity in communities brings nothing but bad news and hardship, especially for young people. Erica Elliott asked about the partys plans for disability services, while Amy Casey, an international relations student from Co Roscommon, raised concerns about access to mental health supports. Ms Casey said she had been nine months waiting for an appointment, and said while housing is important, without mental health the country wont run. Advertisement If Sinn Fein promise to work on that, Sinn Fein will be getting my vote, Ms Casey told Ms McDonald. Taoiseach Simon Harris canvassing at Avoca in Malahide Castle, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Meanwhile, Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris canvassed in the Avoca shop in Malahide Castle, where issues such as school places for children with additional needs were raised. Election 2024 Fianna Fail with eyes on justice portfolio pledges... Read More Mr Harris also met Audrey Howard, the mother of Ciara and Rachel Howard, whose business designed Simon Harris mugs with his quote You Aint Seen Nothing Yet. They were very quick off the mark, Mr Harris said to Mrs Howard. Well the mug sits on the desk of the Taoiseachs office Im trying to keep it there. Hoover Tower is seen at Stanford. A Stanford professor, Hunter Fraser, had been accused of domestic violence by a former girlfriend but saw those charges dismissed. He claimed she was injured by accident. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge on Tuesday agreed to dismiss domestic violence charges against Hunter Fraser, the Stanford University professor who went missing for three days in the wilderness last year. Attorneys for Fraser, 45, said in court filings that the case stemmed from a tickle party game in which he chased his daughter around the house and tried to tickle her. During one such episode in July 2022, the daughter and Frasers former girlfriend blocked a bedroom door to keep Fraser out. As he pushed it open, the girlfriend fell backward and the door hit her in the chest, leaving a mark, the filings said. Frasers former girlfriend accused him of assault and called police. However, the daughter characterized the push as an accident in interviews with investigators. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Once prosecutors had evaluated the evidence and the accident defense, they found they were unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, said Sean Webby, a spokesperson for Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen. A year after the incident, Fraser disappeared for three days in a national park in Washington state in the midst of a 40-day backpacking trip. He said he had slipped on a snowy slope and become disoriented and lost deep in the woods, where he followed a stream and wandered up a mountain pass into a snowy field. Eventually, Fraser emerged on the Dosewallips River Trail and encountered other hikers, allowing authorities to call off a massive search that included ground teams, dogs and helicopters. Besides tossing the domestic violence case, Judge Thomas Kuhnle also ended a protective order he had granted on behalf of Frasers ex-girlfriend. Fraser characterized himself as a victim in a written statement, calling the ordeal painful and devastating, and asserting that a simple accident was manipulated into a narrative portraying me as an abuser, something I am not and never have been. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He is still teaching biology and running a genetics lab at Stanford. A judge sentencing a man for an attack on "an innocent bystander" in Dublin's Temple Bar has described the area as a violent, post-apocalyptic no-go area where people are unsafe. Judge Pauline Codd made her remarks while sentencing the 25-year-old to four years for assault causing harm to a man on Bedford Row. Advertisement Jordan Maguire, of no fixed abode, had pleaded guilty to the offence on November 1st, 2022, and to the production of a can of cider in the course of the assault. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was shown CCTV footage of Maguire punching, kicking and stomping on the man as well as beating him with a cider can during what his own barrister described as barbaric and savage behaviour. Garda Michael Walsh testified that a different man had initially assaulted the injured party but that this had not been caught on CCTV. Maguire then became involved and was captured on footage carrying out the assault in the doorway of a shop. The court heard that the injured party had no idea why it had happened. Advertisement Garda Walsh told Emer Ni Chuagain BL, prosecuting, that Maguire was sleeping rough in Dublin city centre at the time, no longer being welcome at home. He was on bail at the time. He had more than 50 other convictions, including for robbery, a threat to kill, criminal damage, possession of knives, as well as two assaults causing harm committed since this incident. He is currently serving a sentence of three years and nine months for those assaults. Oisin Clarke BL, defending, said this was a very brutal attack on the victim. He noted that his clients first ever offence was at the age of 21, two years before this assault. He pointed out that it was highly unusual for someone to come before the courts for the first time at 21 and then commit a litany of offences. Advertisement He explained that it followed the death of his mother and his subsequent abuse of drugs and alcohol, leading to his grandmother asking him to leave their home. He did not deal with his grief in the appropriate fashion, he said. He got involved in a dispute that had absolutely nothing to do with him, he said of this offence. The judge described the violence as mindless and senseless. Advertisement Mr Clarke agreed. His behaviour was barbaric and savage, he said. He said his client is due for release in January 2027 and asked the court not to add to his lengthy sentence. Judge Codd said that she has heard assaults described but that the visual effect of seeing somebody being punched and stomped on via CCTV rendered it more visceral. Advertisement She pointed out that Maguire had left the scene and returned with a cider can, which he used to beat down on the injured partys head. She said he was lucky not to be before the court on more serious charges. One wonders in terms of the atmosphere in Temple Bar because the court sees levels of violence meted out there by groups and gangs of young men, she said. It seems that Temple Bar is becoming a violent post-apocalyptic place. Its shocking to see it, that people cant be safe down there. It makes it a no-go area for people. She said that there had to be a general deterrent against instinctive vicious assaults on innocent bystanders. She commented on how Maguire had dealt with his grief. Sadly, young men dont deal with these things with appropriate counselling, she said. She imposed a four-year prison sentence but suspended the final six months provided he attended counselling in relation to his addiction and grief trauma issues. The High Court has refused to find that a regulation preventing asylum seekers from working in the public sector is disproportionate or unlawful. The request was made by an international protection applicant from the Middle East who alleged his right to work was breached by the blanket prohibition contained in the 2018 Irish law that transposes an EU directive. Advertisement Asylum seekers are entitled to seek access to the labour market in Ireland if still awaiting a decision on their international protection application after five months. In his decision refusing to grant the requested declaration, Mr Justice Barry ODonnell said EU law does not provide for unqualified access to the labour market. Restrictions can be imposed by member states so long as they do not impede effective access to work, he said. The judge said the applicant came to Ireland in January 2023 and applied for international protection. He had worked as a pharmacist since 2005, with a particular specialisation in public health sector pharmacy, the judge said. The Minister for Justice permitted the man to access the labour market here from the end of August 2023 until his asylum application was determined. He secured refugee status in October 2023, which entitled him to seek and enter employment in the same way as an Irish citizen. Advertisement However, the High Court continued to hear his case, which included a claim for damages arising out of an alleged breach of his rights for the 50-day period when he was an asylum seeker entitled to labour market access. He claimed he was prevented from taking up pharmacy work in the public sector during this time due to the prohibition in the 2018 regulations. He was working in a private pharmacy in September 2023 and alleged he was being paid less than someone with his experience and qualifications should attract. He claimed the Irish prohibition on public sector work amounts to a disproportionate limitation on his labour market access without legitimate justification and in breach of the EU directive. It breached his rights under the Irish Constitution and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, he argued. The State parties the ministers for employment and justice, the Attorney General and Ireland contended that different EU member states adopt different measures for regulating access to their labour markets. Advertisement The State is entitled to take into account that unimpeded access may lead to disproportionate numbers of third country nationals arriving in the State who may ultimately fail in their application for international protection, they added. Mr Justice ODonnell was satisfied the State parties established there is a concern, borne out by historic experience, about creating such pull factors. Ireland Woman who claimed her car aquaplaned on Tipperary... Read More He said the mans complaint was not about accessing the labour market per se, but that he could not access his preferred employment. This does not appear to form a basis for a successful challenge of the measures, the judge said. The primary purpose of allowing effective labour market access is to promote the dignity of international protection applicants by enhancing their self-sufficiency, he said. He was not persuaded that Irelands restriction on public sector employment infringes asylum seekers rights to effective labour market access or that the restriction is disproportionate. He refused the application. A man has been arrested after 110,000 of cocaine was seized in Limerick city on Wednesday. This followed searches carried out at four residential properties in the Garryowen area. Advertisement During the searches, gardai seized cocaine with a street value of over 110,000 along with 11,000 Alzopralam tablets. A number of rounds of firearms ammunition and a small sum of cash was also seized. A male in his 20s was arrested and is currently detained under the provisions at a Garda Station in Limerick. All substances seized are subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland. Investigations are ongoing and further updates will follow. A man has been sentenced to three years in prison for the robbery of an American college student, who ended up injured on the ground after withdrawing money from an ATM. James Hawkins (24) of Ellis Quay Hostel, Ellis Quay, Dublin 7, had pleaded guilty to one count of robbery on February 21st, 2023, at College Green in Dublin. Advertisement At his sentence hearing in July, Garda Robert Kennedy told Jane Murphy BL, prosecuting, that the young American woman was studying at Trinity College and had gone to an ATM at around 6.30pm. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the victim withdrew 200 and put it in her purse, which she placed in her pocket. She next remembered being on the ground with a man standing over her and his hand in her pocket. Hawkins pulled at the victim's pocket, ripped it and got her wallet. The woman didn't resist as she was scared that he might hurt her. Hawkins then ran off and was followed towards Grafton Street by some members of the public. Advertisement The victim was left in a state of distress, with cuts to her knees and her tights torn. Along with the 200 cash, her wallet contained her Trinity College identification card, her American identification card, debit and credit cards and another small amount of cash. Members of the public assisted her until gardai arrived. She didn't require treatment at a hospital. CCTV Gda Kennedy told the court that CCTV was obtained from Grafton Street, showing the direction in which Hawkins ran after the robbery. He was identified from the footage and arrested. Hawkins made full admissions when interviewed and identified himself on CCTV. He said that while he was taking tablets at the time, he did recall taking the purse. Advertisement He apologised and said it shouldn't have happened. The court heard no victim impact statement was available as gardai have been unable to contact the victim recently. It is believed she has returned to the United States. Hawkins has 76 previous convictions for all District Court matters, including theft and burglary. He has been on remand in recent months, having served a sentence on an unrelated matter. Gda Kennedy agreed with defence counsel that Hawkins was homeless at the time of the offence and is known to have addiction issues. Advertisement It was further accepted that he co-operated with gardai and entered an early guilty plea. The court was told Hawkins is originally from Tipperary, and his parents are deceased. He had addiction issues to heroin and crack cocaine but is now clean. Apology letter Counsel said his client wished to apologise to the court, gardai and the victim, handing in a letter of apology. He said this is Hawkins's first conviction for robbery and his first for violent offending. Hawkins accepts he is facing a custodial sentence, but counsel asked the court for as much leniency as possible and to consider partly suspending any sentence imposed. Advertisement Hawkins lost contact with his siblings due to his drug use but has reconnected with them while in custody. He has an offer of accommodation with one of them and wishes to move back to Tipperary, re-engage with sport and work with a drugs counsellor. Upon his release, his client also has an offer of work from another family member. Judge Orla Crowe noted from a urine analysis report that the former addict is now negative of all drugs and that this was "entirely to his credit". Ireland Colm Fox inquest: Garda investigation fails to est... Read More She described as an aggravating factor how frightening this must have been for a young woman standing at an ATM in the dark. Noting that the maximum sentence for robbery is life in prison, she imposed a three-year sentence. However, she suspended the final six months for two years, putting him under probation service supervision for 12 months to provide him with a structured return to society. The hope would be hed be in a position to lead a law-abiding life, she said. Hawkins stood to enter the bond before being led away. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Chinas President Xi Jinping on Wednesday 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 US 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. Advertisement That reflects a broader trend, experts said. Last week, Mr Xi inaugurated a 1.3 billion-dollar (1.03 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 Mr Lula visited China seeking to strengthen ties and mend relations with its biggest trade partner after a rocky period under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. Advertisement Mr Bolsonaros politician 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. Mr 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 Mr Bolsonaro who showed little interest in global affairs. In remarks to journalists on Wednesday, Mr 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. Mr Xi referred to China and Brazil as reliable friends with a shared destiny and positive forces to promote peace. Advertisement From January to October 2024, trade between the countries amounted to 136.3 billion dollars (107.7 billion), according to a November 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 programme for Chinese companies to build transportation, energy and other infrastructure around the world. President Xi Jinping and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pose for photos with their bi-lateral agreements at the Alvorada palace in Brasilia, Brazil (Eraldo Peres/AP) 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. Advertisement 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 Mr 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 Mr Brites. Brazil will maintain its rapprochement and bargain to a certain extent, but I think there will be a limit, he added. The UK's former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimers, his family has announced. His family said he had spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment. Advertisement The former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman died peacefully and surrounded by relatives at his care home, they said. Lord Prescott was a key figure of Sir Tony Blairs New Labour project, seen by many as custodian of the partys traditional values in the face of a modernising leadership. He was ennobled in 2010 and introduced to the upper chamber as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull having served for four decades as an MP for the city. In a statement released after his death, his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said that representing the people of Hull had been his greatest honour. Advertisement We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 86, they said. He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery. Lord Prescott was a key figure in the New Labour project (Jonathan Brady/PA) John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment, doing so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to becoming Britains longest serving deputy prime minister. John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour. We would like to thank the amazing NHS doctors and nurses who cared for him after his stroke in 2019 and the dedicated staff at the care home where he passed away after latterly living with Alzheimers. Advertisement Lord Prescott with his wife Pauline (Credit: The Prescott Family) As you can imagine, our family needs to process our grief so we respectfully request time and space to mourn in private. Thank you. Former US vice president Al Gore, who worked with Lord Prescott on the Kyoto Protocol climate change agreement in 1997, said he had never worked with anyone in politics on my side of the pond or his quite like John Prescott. Mr Gore said in a statement: He possessed an inherent ability to connect with people about the issues that mattered to them a talent that others spend years studying and cultivating, but that was second nature to him. He fought like hell to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol and was an unwavering champion of climate action for decades to come. Im forever grateful to John for that commitment to solving the climate crisis and will miss him as a dear friend. Advertisement Over a British parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Lord Prescott served for 10 years as deputy prime minister after Labours 1997 general election landslide. Lord Prescott ceased to be a member of the upper chamber earlier this year after suffering health difficulties (Andrew Cowan/PA) At times short-tempered, he once famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit to North Wales in 2001. But during much of his time in office, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown. He also oversaw the environment, transport and the regions, a brief which included helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Advertisement Lord Prescott was a loyal supporter of Sir Tony in office but subsequently critical of parts of New Labours legacy, denouncing Britains involvement in the Iraq War. He also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn during his time as party leader in the face of fierce criticism. World Trump chooses former acting attorney general Matt... Read More Born in Prestatyn in Wales on May 31 1938 the son of a railwayman, het left school at the age of 15 to work as a trainee chef and then as a steward on the Cunard Line before entering politics. In a private letter in 2007, Sir Tony said his former deputys role smoothing out problems, sorting out colleagues and trouble-shooting had been an integral part of getting things done. The former UK prime minister said: The completely unique Prescott blend of charm and brutality made always more effective by the unpredictability of which would be predominant got you through the decade, kept the government together and above all, gave me a lot of fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy. Two former Georgia election workers who won a 148 million-dollar (117 million) defamation judgment against Rudy Giuliani asked a judge on Wednesday to penalise him even further, saying he continues to falsely accuse them of tampering with ballots during the 2020 presidential election. Lawyers for Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea Shaye Moss, said in a filing in US District Court in Washington, DC, that Mr Giuliani repeated the allegations against them on two recent broadcasts of his nightly show on the social media platform X. Advertisement The women asked the judge to hold Mr Giuliani in contempt and impose sanctions against him. A lawyer for Mr Giuliani, Joseph M Cammarata, said on 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, Mr Cammarata said at a news conference in New York City. He accused lawyers for Ms Freeman and Ms Moss of doing everything in their power to break an 80-year-old patriot. Mr Giuliani was found liable for defamation and ordered to pay 148 million dollars last year to Ms Freeman and Ms Moss for accusing them of ballot tampering as he pushed then-president Donald Trumps unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud. Advertisement The women said they faced death threats after Mr Giuliani accused them of sneaking in ballots in suitcases, counting ballots multiple times and tampering with voting machines. Lawyers for Ms Freeman and Ms Moss said in Wednesdays court filing that Mr Giuliani referred to them again on his recent video broadcasts on X, formerly Twitter. They said Mr Giuliani said they never let me show the tapes that show them quadruple counting the ballots. The filing accuses Mr Giuliani of saying his tapes showed Ms Freeman and Ms Moss passing these little little hard drives that we maintain were used to fix the machines right and they say it was candy. Advertisement Even after the 148 million-dollar judgment against him, Ms Freeman and Ms Moss said Mr Giuliani has continued to falsely accuse them. The US District Court in Washington, DC has permanently barred him from making any statements that suggest the women engaged in any wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 presidential election. In a statement, Mr Giulianis spokesman, Ted Goodman, called the new legal filing an attempt to deprive Mayor Rudy Giuliani of his First Amendment right to freedom of speech. A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in south-western Iceland has spewed lava from a fissure in its seventh eruption since December. The eruption started with little warning at 11.14pm local time on Wednesday and created a fissure around 1.8 miles long but was estimated to be considerably smaller than the previous eruption in August, Icelands meteorological office that monitors seismic activity said. Advertisement In the big picture, this is a bit smaller than the last eruption and the eruption that occurred in May, said Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, a professor of geophysics who flew over the eruption with the Civil Protection Agency to monitor the eruption. This photograph provided by Civil Protection in Iceland shows a new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland (Civil Protection in Iceland via AP) While the eruption poses no threat to air travel, authorities warned of gas emissions across parts of the peninsula, including the nearby town of Grindavik. The repeated volcanic eruptions close to the town of 3,800 people about 30 miles south west of the capital, Reykjavik, have damaged infrastructure and property and forced many residents to relocate to guarantee their safety. Grindavik is not in danger as it looks, and it is unlikely that this crack will get any longer, although nothing can be ruled out, Prof Magnus Tumi said. Advertisement The fissure is around 1.8 miles long (Marco di Marco/AP) Around 50 houses were quickly evacuated after the Civil Protection Agency issued the alert, along with guests at the famous Blue Lagoon resort. Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, averages one eruption every four to five years. The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and disrupted trans-Atlantic air travel for months. Russias air defence systems have shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, officials said. The announcement, which came in the defence ministrys daily round-up of the special military operation in Ukraine, did not say when or where it happened or what the missiles were targeting. It said six HIMARS rockets and 67 drones were also shot down. Advertisement The claims came after Ukraine said that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) overnight targeting the city of Dnipro in the east of the country the first time Moscow has used such a missile in the war. Ukraine did not provide any evidence that an ICBM, apparently armed with conventional warheads, was used in the attack. President Volodymyr Zelensky said a missile matches the speed and altitude of an ICBM. The Kremlin refused to comment on the strike. Ukraine has reportedly used Storm Shadow cruise missiles (Lewis Joly/AP) The attack comes in a week when tensions have repeatedly soared, as the US eased restrictions on Ukraines use of American-made longer-range missiles inside Russia and the Kremlin lowered its threshold for launching nuclear weapons. Advertisement The range of an ICBM which can exceed 3,400 miles is beyond what is needed to attack Ukraine. But such missiles are designed to carry atomic warheads, and the use of one, even with a conventional payload, would serve as a chilling reminder of Russias nuclear capability and a powerful message of potential escalation. In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, Ukraines air force said an ICBM was fired at Dnipro, along with eight other missiles, and that the Ukrainian military shot down six of them. Two people were wounded in the attack, and an industrial facility and a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities were damaged, according to local officials. The air force statement did not specify the exact type of ICBM but said it was launched from Russias Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea. Advertisement Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is, Mr Zelensky said. And how afraid he is. Ballistic missiles can have a range of anywhere from under 310 miles to more than 3,400 miles in the case of intercontinental ones. Ballistic refers to the shape of their trajectory. Since the Cold War era, Moscow and Washington have given each other advance notice about ICBM launches to prevent the other side from perceiving a test launch as a nuclear attack. They have stuck to exchanging such warnings despite increasing tensions which ratcheted up again in recent days. Advertisement Earlier this week, the Biden administration authorised Ukraine to use US-supplied, longer-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia a move that drew an angry response from Moscow. Days later, Ukraine fired several of the missiles into Russia, according to the Kremlin. The same day, President Vladimir Putin signed a new doctrine that allows for a potential nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. The doctrine is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons. In response, Western countries, including the US, said Russia has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behaviour throughout the war to intimidate Ukraine and other nations. They have also expressed dismay at the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine. Measles could become more prevalent in the US following the decision by president-elect Donald Trump to appoint vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr as secretary of health, according to Professor Luke ONeill. Prof ONeill has recently returned to Ireland after attending conferences in the US. The Irish biochemist and immunologist said there is consternation in certain circles in the US over the appointment of Mr Kennedy, who is yet to be confirmed by the Senate. Advertisement In a recent interview with National Public Radio in the US, Mr Kennedy said Mr Trump had given him three instructions: to remove corruption from health agencies, to return these bodies to evidence-based science and medicine, and to end the chronic disease epidemic. The 70-year-old has been a prominent vaccine sceptic, although he has stressed that he has never been anti-vaccine. Prof ONeill expressed concern about the appointment of Mr Kennedy. He told the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk radio that the evidence in favour of vaccines is so compelling. Now the problem is, if a figure like [Robert F Kennedy Jr] begins to doubt vaccines, that will stop a certain per cent of people. Maybe 10 per cent less people will then allow their kids to be vaccinated, and that will give rise to these diseases. Advertisement Measles will be a huge worry, its going up, and that's a very damaging disease it kills children. Many survive and end up deaf a big cause of deafness, back in the 40s and 50s, was measles. Mr ONeill added that claims by Mr Kennedy of a direct correlation between vaccines and autism were massively damaging. He's on record as a massive anti-vaxxer [and] he was the one who pushed vaccines causing autism, which was a massively damaging thing, because the uptake of measles vaccine went down, and kids died, he said. Advertisement When I was over there I heard that any companie now working on vaccines, their share prices have fallen because the worry would be reduced uptake of vaccines in America. Meanwhile, Prof ONeill also expressed anxiety about plans by Mr Kennedy to reduce fluoride in drinking water in the US. Explained Who is RFK Jr? Kennedy family black sheep, vaccine... Read More [Mr Kennedy]'s not using science in his prognostications, and he's against fluoride, and he's completely wrong with that. He's right in that high-dose fluoride can have certain nasty effects, but it's only tiny amounts [in drinking water]. There's about 100 times the amount of fluoride in your toothpaste than there will be in water, for instance. But he's made these claims that fluoride is very damaging, and it's not, scientifically, not true, at least at the levels that it's in water. Authorities are searching for Franklin Enrique Sarceno Orla, 34, who is charged with sexual assaulting two men and kidnapping one of them, according to the Santa Clara District Attorneys Office. Provided by Santa Clara District Attorney's Office A Mountain View barber was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting two men and kidnapping one of them, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office said. Authorities are searching for Franklin Enrique Sarceno Orla, 34, who was arrested for sexual assault in August, but was released after posting $250,000 bail and has since fled. If Sarceno Orla is caught and convicted, he could face life in prison, the DAs office said. Police began investigating Sarceno Orla in July after a man said he had woken up injured and woozy after having drinks with him. Forensic tests confirmed that the man had been sexually assaulted, the DAs office said. A second victim told police he had lost consciousness after having beers with his barber, Sarceno Orla. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police believe that since 2018, Sarceno Orla may have assaulted at least 20 men while they were passed out or severely intoxicated, and that he videotaped many of the assaults, the DAs office said. Authorities are trying to identify those victims. There was a sexual predator in our community, and we thank the Mountain View Police Department for identifying him, District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. With the help of courageous victims, investigators, and the public we will soon have him in custody to keep him from ever hurting anyone again. Authorities are asking for any additional victims of Sarceno Orla to come forward, noting that sexual assault victims have a right to anonymity and confidentiality. Any possible victims are encouraged to call the Mountain View Police Department at 650-903-6618 or email Detective Lauren Riffel at lauren.riffel@mountainview.gov or Detective Guillermo de Lira at guillermo.delira@mountainview.gov. An Indian businessman who is one of the worlds richest people has been indicted in the US on charges he duped investors in a massive solar energy project in his home country by concealing that it was facilitated by alleged bribery. Gautam Adani, 62, was charged in an indictment unsealed on Wednesday with securities fraud and conspiring to commit securities and wire fraud. Advertisement He is accused of defrauding investors who poured several billion dollars into the project by failing to tell them about more than 250 million dollars (197 million) in bribes paid to Indian officials to secure lucrative solar energy supply contracts. Several other people connected to Mr Adani, his businesses and the project were also charged. Gautam Adani is a power player in the worlds most populous nation. He built his fortune in the coal business coal in the 1990s. His Adani Group grew to involve many aspects of Indian life, from making defence equipment to building roads and selling cooking oil. In recent years, he has made big moves into renewable energy. Advertisement Last year, a US-based financial research firm accused his company of brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud. The Adani Group called the claims a malicious combination of selective misinformation and stale, baseless and discredited allegations. The firm in question is known as a short-seller, a Wall Street term for traders that essentially bet on the prices of certain stocks to fall, and it had made such investments in relation to the Adani Group. Real estate dynamo David Di Pillas HMC Capital has pulled off Australias biggest new public company listing in years, fuelled by investors wanting to tap into the explosive growth of AI-driven data centres. HMCs well-publicised initial public offering, the DigiCo REIT, will begin trading on the Australian stock exchange on December 12 at a market capitalisation of $2.74 billion after securing underwriting from banks and other big investors. David Di Pilla sees strong growth prospects in the US for the new DigiCo REIT. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Such was the enthusiasm among underwriters for the new digital infrastructure property trust that its capitalisation was upsized by $100 million to cater for demand. That reflects the quality of the underlying assets and the desire of investors to get exposure to the digital sector, clearly something thats hard to get high-quality exposure to, Di Pilla said. Advertisement Review Eating outMargaret River This freewheeling Margaret River pop-up is blazing a new trail for modern Asian cooking While BMX bandits practice bar spins and grommets drop-in, an emerging cooking talent is serving game-changing dahl, punchy pickles and other bold Burmese cooking at Dahl Daddys. Max Veenhuyzen November 21, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 3 Dahl Daddys prawn curry. Max Veenhuyzen 2 / 3 Fried egg paratha. Max Veenhuyzen 3 / 3 Dahl with rice and line-caught Augusta nannygai. Max Veenhuyzen Previous Slide Next Slide 14.5 / 20 How we score Asian$$$$ Where do people that live in Margaret River eat and drink? Its a question that visitors to the South West Google and ponder incessantly, hopeful that a local will spill the beans on somewhere to get a taste of The Real Margaret River. Im no Margaret River local, but after infiltrating numerous southwest friendship groups, I like to think Ive gleaned a few insights into regional dining habits. Advertisement There are, of course, the classics. The Saturday Margaret River farmers market, say. (See Nadia and Cam at the Harlequin Dessert caravan for vegan and gluten-free baked goods of the highest calibre). Settlers Tavern remains a blueprint for the dream country pub, while local aquanauts congregate at White Elephant Cafe for post-swim coffees over winter. Yet the community has also found space in its heart for newer arrivals. Newcomers such as Mikis Open Kitchen, a singular, regionally focused tempura restaurant thats also one of the townships few options for a flash dinner. (See also desendent, a contemporary, Japanese-inspired restaurant that opened in January.) The terrific burgers at Normal Van have won it many admirers, while many working parents confess to having the hots for Dominos and how its helped make weeknight dinners a little more manageable. Margaret River, my friends, is a-changing. Imogen Mitchen and Corey Rozario are doing great things with their pop-up at Margaret River skate park. Max Veenhuyzen If you didnt expect the Margaret River food discussion to include pizza, youll probably be surprised to hear that the cafe at the local skate park also cops a mention. Or at least on the nights that it gets hijacked by young go-getters, Imogen Mitchen and Corey Rozario. Advertisement Since last May, the couple have used the space to host their pop-up, Dahl Daddys: a fresh-faced curry canteen serving food inspired by Rozarios South Asian heritage (dad was Burmese, mum was British.) Yes, Rozario knows that he doesnt look typically Burmese, yet hes not cooking typically Burmese, either. Take Dahl Daddys namesake. As anyone familiar with South Asian food knows, standard dahl recipes dont exist and cooking methods vary from house to house, family member to family member. When I first tasted Rozarios dahl last winter, I was stunned by its deep, warming complexity. What is this sorcery? How does not-so-old mate get this much flavour from legumes? How do I taste Papa Rozarios OG dahl that this is based on, I wondered. Fast-forward 18 months and Rozario has fine-tuned and streamlined his dahl game to create something that still bangs while being less time-intensive to prepare: crucial for a kitchen that only starts cooking once the cafe closes and has just four hours to get dinner up. Previously made with a mix of legumes, Rozarios dahl is now all red lentil. A vivid spiced ghee brings colour and the low buzz of chilli to the party. In the early days, modular menus let guests fine-tune orders with Rozarios wondrous housemade condiments. Now chef accessorises dishes himself, perhaps deploying a zippy lemon pickle as a sharp counterpoint to the dahl, or using balachaung a fiery, crunchy mass of fried onion and seafood to really redline flavour levels. 14 / 20 Review This suburban pizzeria brings a plus-sized slice of Naples to Canning Highway While the dahl is always on, the rest of the menu is fluid and reflects Rozarios whims and the ingredients at hand. When papayas are ripening in Carnarvon, Dahl Daddys serves thin baw thee thoke ($22): Burmas equivalent to Thailands famous shredded green papaya salad, som tum. Rozarios zesty version is low on sugar, high on toasted sesame seeds and fried split yellow peas plus the fruit and veg is shaved into svelte threads rather than sliced into fat chunks. Pickled tea leaves are coarsely blitzed into a paste and used to dress scraps of shaved cabbage in a cool interpretation of laphet thoke ($22). Advertisement Although vegetarians will feel seen here, meatier dishes are also part of the kitchens repertoire. You can get your dahl bulked out with grilled line-caught nannygai from Augusta ($37); or you can subject yourself to the sadistic joys of a wicked prawn curry ($38) where the prawns heads form the base of the fiery, weapons-grade gravy and their bodies are separately grilled until just-so. While curries and dahl all come with jasmine rice as standard-issue, side orders of flaky paratha ($4.50) are essential for plate-mopping purposes. The nature of Dahl Daddys operation means that there are limited serves of everything each night. Come late and youll likely miss out on Thai pad krapow ($35) stir-fried with local kangaroo, or charcoal-grilled chicken satay ($12). True, sold out stickers are no ones idea of a good time, but the warm nature of staff such as Lewis Stephens and Monique Piper and of course Rozario and Mitchell themselves goes a long way to taking the sting out of that FOMO. It doesnt hurt either that dinner is served in a fuss-free, outdoor space soundtracked by dreamy beats. Its a setting that feels distinctly, wonderfully Margaret River and Dahl Daddys is, for my money, one of the South Wests most unique, delicious and essential dining addresses. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the solitary dessert: an excellent raspberry and hazelnut brownie ($8.50) starring local Bahen & Co chocolate that has the chocolate content of six lesser brownies. Predictable, someone jokingly asks if the brownies were baked with any additional ingredients. Perhaps something of the seven-leafed, resinous variety. Not this time. Instead of edible weeds, these brownies feature sprigs of colourful Geraldton wax snipped from local plants. Margaret River, my friends, is a-changing. The low-down Vibe: an exciting, freewheeling blueprint for casual Asian dining. Go-to dish: dahl and rice. Drinks: small-scale soft drinks plus housemade beverages including a brilliant chai. Cost: about $70 for two, excluding drinks. More than 6 million Australians face hefty out-of-pocket fees at 38 private hospitals after the countrys second-largest hospital operator pulled out of agreements with dozens of funds, as the health minister urges the parties to end their long-running stoush. In an escalation of the funding war between private hospitals and health insurers, Healthscope announced on Friday that it would be terminating its contracts with major health insurer Bupa and 22 smaller not-for-profit funds represented by the Australian Health Services Alliance (AHSA). Healthscope chief Greg Horan says private hospitals face a viability crisis and some insurers have refused to pay for rising healthcare costs. Credit: Oscar Colman Healthscope chief executive Greg Horan said the company had been left with no choice but to cancel the agreements after the insurers threatened legal action against its decision in October to impose up to $100 out-of-pocket fees on Bupa and AHSA members using their facilities. In the absence of fair funding, this fee was Healthscopes best option, Horan said in a statement. The response from the insurers was lawfare, and we are not prepared to engage in protracted and expensive legal challenges. The man who led police to the body of his partner in his eastern suburbs apartment had just been released on parole after savagely beating her in the same room earlier this year. Shane Tucker has not been charged over the death of Christine Dawson, 66, who was found dead with head injuries in the ground-floor Astoria Circuit unit in Maroubra on Monday. Christine Dawson (centre) was found dead in a Maroubra apartment on Monday; police investigating the scene. Credit: Nine News The 50-year-old called emergency services and police arrested him at the scene for breaching an AVO involving another woman, known by the initials HM for legal reasons, after he had contacted her that day. Forensic tests are now under way, including a post-mortem on Dawson, to determine what caused the death of the New Zealand-born grandmother, and where the investigation will lead. Poker machine players will not use cashless gambling accounts unless they are mandatory and they will need to include strong harm-minimisation measures such as spending limits if they are to be effective, according to research conducted by one of the panel members overseeing the governments cashless gaming trial. University of Sydney professor Sally Gainsbury released the findings of her research on pokie players at West HQ to a gambling conference on the Gold Coast on Thursday, nine days before the government is due to receive a report on its own cashless gambling trial. Sally Gainsbury is the director of the Gambling Treatment and Research Centre at the University of Sydney. Most surveyed players said they would not use the technology if it was voluntary due to privacy concerns or the ease of continuing to play with cash. Some were concerned that cashless play would accelerate their gambling spend, leading the researchers to conclude that binding spending limits, time-outs and statement summaries would be a necessary component of the new system. Unseasonable rain in Perth could mean the pitch for the Border-Gavaskar series opener against India becomes easier to bat on the longer the Test goes on. Persistent showers on Tuesday forced Australia to cancel their afternoon training session, but it also heavily impacted the preparations of ground staff at Optus Stadium. Despite having to adjust to the rainy conditions, WA Cricket head curator Isaac McDonald is comfortable with how the pitch would play. Australian captain Pat Cummins and Indias Jasprit Bumrah. Credit: Getty Images Australia crushed Pakistan at Optus Stadium last September, skittling the tourists for 89 in their second innings as unpredictable bounce made batting a nightmare. I dont think the weather will make this pitch fall apart, McDonald said. There will be some deterioration, grass will stand up during the game and offer that variable bounce. In terms of those big snake WACA cracks, I dont think the weather will get us there. There will be some really good pace and bounce in the pitch, it will just be how well they look after the ball; 8-10 mms of grass sitting in that range. McDonald said he would leave between eight and 10mm of grass on the pitch. That estimation delighted star quick Josh Hazlewood, with Australia aiming to keep their perfect Test record at Optus Stadium intact. Australia overcame India in the first Test at the ground when it opened back in 2018, beating New Zealand (2019), the West Indies (2022) and Pakistan (2023) since. Indias solitary Test win in Perth came at the WACA Ground back in 2008. I love playing in Perth, Hazlewood. The wicket is always a nice one to bowl pace, its bouncy and a few cracks, potentially, Hazlewood said on Wednesday. I think the conditions suit us. Were probably more used to it with that bounce and pace. AAP Kyiv: Ukraine fired a volley of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia on Wednesday, the latest new Western weapon it has been permitted to use on Russian targets, a day after it fired US-made ATACMS missiles. The Biden administration also announced it would give Ukraine antipersonnel mines to help it slow Russias battlefield advances, marking the second major shift in US military support for Kyiv in days. A British Storm Shadow missile in flight. Credit: MoD UK The strikes by the British missiles were widely reported by Russian war correspondents on Telegram and confirmed by an official on condition of anonymity. A spokesperson for Ukraines General Staff said he had no information. Moscow has said the use of Western weapons to strike Russian territory far from the border would be a major escalation in the conflict. Kyiv says it needs the capability to defend itself by hitting Russian rear bases used to support Moscows invasion, which entered its 1000th day this week. I was feeling sad that Melania may not care to come play first lady in the second Trump administration. She visited the East Wing only a couple of times during her husbands first term, turning into the first lady of absenteeism, according to Katie Rogers, the author of American Woman, a history of modern first ladies. Her office there was so empty, her staff used it as a gift-wrapping station. Even so, I thought we might get a little comme il faut from the Portrait, as Ivanka Trump nicknamed her stepmother a small bow to protocol. But not likely. As some in the Trump orbit point out, its no accident that Barron is going to New York University, not a university in Washington, DC, like Georgetown or American. President-elect Donald Trump with Elon Musk before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on Tuesday. Credit: AP Melania will probably move in to the White House and drop by the capital, looking impervious and gorgeous. But in general, the Slovenian Sphinx is going to get even more sphinxy this time. She has made her disdain for DC clear. She skipped the ritual torch-passing of having tea in the Yellow Room of the White House with Jill Biden as the two presidents met. Jill Biden had to settle for handing a note to Donald Trump to take back to Melania in Palm Beach, Florida. The New York Post reported that Melania abhorred the Bidens because of the Mar-a-Lago documents raid in 2022, when she felt violated by FBI agents with a search warrant snooping in the drawer with her fine washables. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. I have known Pam for many years She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney-General! Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General. Credit: AP Bondi, 59, was the first female attorney-general of Florida, where Trump now lives, and worked for him during his first term as part of his Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission. She also campaigned for the Republican against Kamala Harris in the election, and is close to Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara Trump. At a rally on November 2, as Trump sought to shore up support among women, she told the crowd: I was a prosecutor for 18 years. I worked for President Trump. Hes my friend, and I can tell you, he surrounds himself with a lot [of] all strong, bright, brilliant women. On Wednesday, tensions erupted on Capitol Hill over whether to release a House Ethics Committee report detailing Gaetzs alleged drug use and sexual misconduct involving a 17-year-old girl and other women. Hours before his abrupt withdrawal, The New York Times also obtained a document in which investigators outlined how Gaetz and a friend sent thousands of dollars through the payment app Venmo to dozens of people who were allegedly involved in sex parties from 2017 to 2020. Although Gaetzs run in a Trump White House has effectively ended, he is not the only scandal-plagued cabinet pick Trump has made. As the president-elect steps up his push to make Peter Hegseth the new secretary for defence, the Fox News host has been accused in a newly released police report of raping a woman after he took her phone, blocked the door of his hotel room and refused to let her leave. Hegseth, a 44-year-old army veteran and co-host of Fox and Friends, was never charged over the incident, which took place when he was a keynote speaker at a California Federation of Republican Women conference in October 2017. The 22-page report offers the first detailed account of what the woman alleged transpired and one that is at odds with Hegseths version of the incident, which he insists was consensual. According to the report, the woman, identified only as Jane Doe, told police she was staying at the Hyatt Hotel in Monterey, California, where she met Hegseth at an after-party. Pete Hegseth interviewing Trump in his capacity as a Fox News reporter in 2017. Credit: AP Both had been drinking that night and ended up in Hegseths hotel room, where she reported that he took her phone from her after asking who she had been texting. She claimed he blocked the door with his body when she tried to leave the room and that she repeatedly told him no. He then sexually assaulted her. Hegseth has admitted paying the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off any potential threats to his career at Fox, the Rupert Murdoch-owned cable network where he came to Trumps attention. Speaking briefly at Capitol Hill where he is lobbying Republican senators to give him the job of running the multibillion-dollar Defence Department Hegseth told reporters: Ill keep this very simple: the matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared. Thats where Im going to leave it. And while news of allegations surprised Trumps team when they first emerged last week, Republicans have nonetheless rallied around the nominee as he met senators on Thursday (Friday AEDT) to call for their support. Loading Among them was Republican Bill Hagerty, who posted a photo with Hegseth and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance after their meeting, saying he looked forward to confirming him. Pete knows that the defence secretarys job is to empower the men and women of our military to carry out their patriotic duty, not consign them to serve as political pawns in a broken Washington, said Hagerty. Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price in Oakland on April 17. A public defender accused the recently recalled DA of retaliating against a client after Price was denied a request for support to fend off the recall effort against her. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Alameda County public defenders have accused outgoing District Attorney Pamela Price of retaliating against one of their clients in the run-up to a murder trial this summer. In a court filing on Wednesday, the public defenders office claimed Price unfairly approved harsher charges after a deputy public defender declined her request to support Price as she attempted to fend off a recall election. In the filing, Assistant Public Defender Jennie Otis asked a judge to toss the sentencing enhancement levied against her client, claiming that it was authorized by Price after Otis spurned Prices request on the eve of trial. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Otis client, Jamal Thomas, in July was convicted of first-degree murder for shooting his neighbor in 2020. The jury also found that Thomas was eligible for a sentencing enhancement for the use of a firearm, meaning that Thomas could spend an additional 10 years in prison before he would be eligible for parole. It is hard to think of a more retaliatory motive than personal animus at the accuseds attorney, the office said in the motion. A spokesperson for Prices office on Wednesday evening said he was unable to immediately comment, and that requests for a response to the filing came too close to the end of the business day. Price conceded to the results of the recall this week and will leave office after the election results are certified. In the court filings, the public defenders office said Price called Otis on the evening of June 23, the day before Thomas murder trial began. Price told Otis she called to ask for support to fight the recall effort against her, the motion claims. Price knew that Otis had donated to Prices last campaign, Otis said in the motion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Otis said she was reluctant to donate again, and told Price her administration was extremely disorganized and chaotic, according to the motion. Ultimately Ms. Price did not ask for money during the call, Otis said in the motion. When Price pressed Otis about her criticisms, Otis mentioned her clients trial that was beginning the next morning, and said the district attorneys office had yet to finalize charging decisions. Thomas case was filed in 2020 under Prices predecessor, Nancy OMalley. Thomas was initially charged with multiple sentencing enhancement allegations that could increase his time in prison if convicted. Price barred her staff from filing sentencing enhancements after she took office in 2023, except in extraordinary situations and with approval from supervisors. But the enhancements remained intact as Thomas trial was set to begin, court records confirm. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In response, Ms. Price clarified that the default position was that no enhancements were to be charged: if none were authorized by the eve of trial, none were to be prosecuted, the public defender motion states. Charging decisions were not to be made on the eve of trial. Otis said in the motion that she understood this to mean that prosecutors would not seek sentencing enhancements in Thomas case. But the following day, as the trial began, Otis said she found out that the 10-year enhancement for using a firearm would remain on the list of charges. Otis said she also learned from the trial prosecutor that Price had personally authorized it. Otis mentioned the call from Price in court a few days later, telling Alameda County Superior Court Judge Thomas Reardon that she was concerned about the prosecutions pursuit of the enhancement following that conversation, according to a June 27, court transcript. Otis did not disclose in court that Price had sought campaign support during the call but alerted the judge and prosecutors that she would file a motion later on. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Reardon said discussions about sentencing enhancements between prosecutorial and defense teams were not the business of the court absent an allegation of impropriety, according to court transcripts. Reardon said he would revisit the issue in the future should Otis formally accuse Price of wrongdoing, the transcript states, in a quote that public defenders also cited in their Wednesday motion. That time is now, the public defenders said. On July 16, a jury found Thomas guilty of first-degree murder for shooting his neighbor, 44-year-old Miles Armstead, in 2020. Thomas repeatedly threatened Armsteads family in the months leading up to the shooting, prosecutors said. The jury additionally found the firearm allegation to be true. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Building a home in Australia now takes nearly 50% longer than it did four years ago, with average times for houses, townhouses, and apartments reaching 13, 16, and 33 months, respectively, in the 2024 financial year, PropTrack reported. New research from the University of South Australia and RMIT University revealed that landlords already participating in affordable housing schemes are largely satisfied and that more could join if properly incentivised, AHURI reported. Melbourne and Sydney lead development potential Melbourne emerged as the city with the greatest potential, with more than 472,000 lots capable of delivering almost 1.2 million new units. Sydney followed closely, with nearly 351,000 sites and a potential for more than 934,000 units. China's leading industrial park aims for globally attractive open hub Xinhua) 15:48, November 21, 2024 BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China has pledged to build one of its leading industrial parks into a globally attractive two-way open hub. The Ministry of Commerce, in a notice, stressed the support for the Suzhou Industrial Park in east China's Jiangsu Province in promoting reform, opening up key areas, and improving the ability to garner global resources. Multinationals will be encouraged to establish R&D, sales and distribution centers in the industrial park to promote the development of the headquarters economy. The notice said the pilot on an integrated funds pool of renminbi and foreign currencies would be deepened, with more convenient cross-border receipts and payments. According to the notice, qualified medical institutions will be encouraged to conduct clinical research in cutting-edge biopharmaceutical fields such as immune cell, stem cell and gene therapies. The Suzhou Industrial Park was founded in 1994 as the first intergovernmental cooperation project between China and Singapore. It has witnessed closer cooperation between the two sides and has become a hotbed of innovation and openness. The notice said China will support the industrial park in expanding digital economy cooperation with Singapore, including pilots on cross-border data flows and business and trade facilitation measures, and in working with Singaporean institutions to jointly build a China-Singapore medical center. The industrial park also aims to develop into an influential regional center for technology and innovation that is attractive to global talent and has better intellectual property rights protection, and a globally competitive industrial hub with strong biopharmaceutical industries, high-end, intelligent and green equipment manufacturing sectors, and the integration of advanced manufacturing and modern services. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) California Highway Patrol officers arrested a man suspected in a 2021 deadly shooting after initially pulling him over for a seat belt infraction, officials said. Chris Carlson/Associated Press A man suspected in a 2021 fatal shooting was arrested last week after he was pulled over for an alleged seat belt infraction in Solano County, authorities said Wednesday. Jeremiah Lacy, 27, of Vallejo, had been on the run since the October 2021 shooting, officials said. Authorities allege he was involved in a robbery and shootout that killed Christina Velez, 33, on East Main Street in Merced. About 2:45 p.m. Friday in Fairfield, a California Highway Patrol officer pulled Lacy over for not wearing a seat belt, the agency said. Lacy didnt turn over an ID and provided the officer with a false name, birth date and license number, the CHP said. After several unsuccessful attempts to identify him, authorities used a fingerprint reader. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After Lacy was identified, authorities learned there was a $1.5 million warrant out for his arrest in connection with the homicide. He was arrested and booked into jail. Our officers vigilance and quick action turned a routine enforcement stop into the arrest of a murder suspect, CHP Capt. Noah Hawkins said in a statement. This is a powerful example of how proactive policing keeps our communities safe. Lacy is the third suspect arrested in the case. Emari Prescott, now 25, was injured in the shootout and was arrested soon after he sought medical treatment at a hospital; and Travis Rucks, now 23, was captured in San Pablo in 2022. Boomi, the intelligent integration and automation leader, announced today the winners of its 2024 Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) Customer Innovation Awards, recognized at its 2024 Boomi World Tour stop in Sydney. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120762319/en/ Boomi Announces 2024 APJ Customer Innovation Award Winners (Photo: Business Wire) The winners were honored for pioneering innovative solutions by integrating applications and data into transformative, business-enhancing systems using the Boomi Enterprise Platform. This years recipients were chosen for their outstanding performance in the following criteria: demonstrating business impact through exceptional, quantifiable results; digital transformation; innovative projects; social impact; modernization; integration excellence; and automation excellence. This years winners include: Norths Collective - APJ Customer of the Year Award Norths Collective powered its digital transformation strategy with Boomi, connecting its siloed systems and centralising operational and member data. This has helped the NSW-based hospitality group bolster business decision-making and deliver hyper-personalized member experiences, which has shown tangible results, including an 8X jump in email click-throughs. Norths Collective powered its digital transformation strategy with Boomi, connecting its siloed systems and centralising operational and member data. This has helped the NSW-based hospitality group bolster business decision-making and deliver hyper-personalized member experiences, which has shown tangible results, including an 8X jump in email click-throughs. HEB Construction (HEB) - Business Excellence Award HEB extended its use of the Boomi platform to maximise the effectiveness of an existing third party AI-powered road monitoring tool. Using Boomi to integrate the AI tool with its Geographic Information System (GIS) and central and local government Work and Asset Management (WAM) platform, HEB delivers more timely, accurate insights to its maintenance team and clients. This follows the organizations successful introduction of Boomi to form system alignment between its local New Zealand operations and global parent company. Uniting Care Queensland (UCQ) - Healthcare Excellence Award Uniting Care Queensland delivered a reliable and scalable service across its four hospitals with Boomi. From radiology, pathology, and maternity wards to government claim services, statutory reporting, and food services, UCQs decision to replace its legacy integration platform with Boomi has enabled an uplift and further reuse across its sites. Among its 110 integrations, the Boomi Enterprise Platform also supports the financial processing across billing, claims, and recoveries. Toyota Motors Corporation Australia (TMCA) - Innovation Award TMCA used the Boomi platform to enhance connectivity across its corporate business systems, including integrations with certain systems at TMCA franchise network here in Australia, and also enabled certain digital products for Toyota customers. This helped the automotive group to establish a unified view of customer information and supports accurate record keeping for better governance and customer experience outcomes while promoting back-end reusability in integrations and API and async driven development. Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) - Social Impact Award TRC implemented Boomi to streamline its digital services delivery to residents, including maintenance requests, water payments, and residential development applications. With service forms integrated into the councils many systems, residents now benefit from a mobile-friendly, pre-populated application process, which reduces their time to complete requests and streamlines previously tedious administrative processes for council staff. Over the past year, integration and automation have been the driving forces behind digital transformation, where our customers have taken the spotlight, said Thomas Lai, Vice President and General Manager of APJ at Boomi. The 2024 APJ award winners exemplify companies committed to a variety of business outcomes, from smarter decision-making to enhanced stakeholder engagement, and boosting productivity. We are immensely proud to be involved in driving transformative change within the innovative projects recognized this year. In response to the overwhelming number of highly qualified submissions for this year's APJ Customer Innovation Awards, Boomi is pleased to also recognize and honor all nominees. Each of the submitting customers demonstrated excellence and exceptional work using the Boomi Enterprise Platform. "By connecting their digital investments with Boomi and improving their data visibility, our customers are making a notable impact in their industries, delivering tangible benefits in productivity and enhancing the experiences of stakeholders and their communities, said Lai. Additional Resources 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/20241120762319/en/ Telness Tech, a leading telecom technology provider, is partnering with VAS2Nets and Lebara to launch a new Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in Nigeria. The initiative will introduce a telecom service aimed at the rapidly growing telecommunications market in Nigeria. The operator will be powered by Telness Tech industry leading software and customer experience, while bringing Lebara, an internationally recognized telecom brand to an entirely new region and expansive market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241118892327/en/ from the left; Jonas Cedenwing (Founder CTO, Telness Tech), Teniola Stuffman (Group Executive Director Business Development VAS2Nets), Martina Klingvall (Founder, CEO Telness Tech) (Photo: Business Wire) In this ambitious partnership, several international telecom companies have joined forces to make this venture possible. Lebara is one of worlds most recognized MVNOs with direct operations in five European markets, and brand licenses in further five countries - now including Nigeria. Telness Techs fully automated platform will streamline, automate the new operator, enabling industry leading customer experience. Processcom will also play a key role, providing the mobile core infrastructure necessary for the networks functionality. With Vas2Nets as the leading partner, coordinating all international companies in this joint endeavor. Martina Klingvall, CEO and Founder of Telness Tech, expressed excitement about the collaboration: "This international partnership allows us to bring our cutting-edge telecom technology to Nigeria and is an important step in Telness Techs rapid international expansion, following our recent entry into the U.S. market. To enable such a massively recognized brand as Lebara to enter yet another market, combined with our advanced technology and VAS2Nets local expertise - will bring a world class service that to Nigerias digital population." The multi-million-dollar agreement spans several years and includes the launch of both prepaid and postpaid mobile services, with future for PBX solutions. Telness Tech will provide the critical OSS and BSS platforms, ensuring smooth customer management and operations. VAS2Nets, the lead partner, will spearhead the launch of this new operator, which aims to be one of the first new mobile operators to go live in Nigeria. Teniola Stuffman, Group Executive Director of Business Development at Vas2Nets, highlighted the importance of the collaboration: "This project enables us to offer Nigerians a high-quality, affordable mobile service through the combined expertise of VAS2Nets, Telness Tech, and Lebara and Processcom. Enabling us to deliver one of the first new mobile operators in Nigeria in years, and with the best technology and offerings on top of that. Rest assured, were very proud to lead this joint endeavor Daniel Upson, Director of Partnerships at Lebara, comments: Im extremely excited about combining all of these capabilities together, between our brand, Telness Techs technology and VAS2Nets local expertise, I believe we will deliver a truly world class experience for mobile consumers in Nigeria. About Telness Tech Telness Tech is international software company behind the highest-rated digital mobile operator in Europe, Telness, (4.9/5 on Trustpilot) and was originally founded in 2016. Telness Tech enables cloud-based mobile operators (MVNOs) and other telecommunications companies to launch fully digital user-centric solutions that maximize customer satisfaction and minimize costs through full automation About VAS2Nets: Vas2Nets is a technology solutions provider in Nigeria, focused on delivering high-quality telecom services that cater to the growing digital economy in West Africa. Providing a one-stop shop, to individual and business customers, to meet all their mobile digital services and digital banking requirements. VAS2Nets leverages its cutting-edge technology, expertise, licenses and relationships to deliver innovative mobile and digital solutions. About Lebara: Lebara is a leading international telecommunications brand known for providing affordable, reliable mobile services to diverse communities around the world. Since its inception, Lebara has grown to serve millions of customers across multiple countries, including the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. Through strategic brand licensing partnerships, Lebara is expanding into emerging markets, aiming to bridge the digital divide and connect people globally. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241118892327/en/ Political newcomer Adena Ishii has edged out Vice Mayor Sophie Hahn to win the job of mayor in Berkeley, a city of 119,000. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Adena Ishii, a newcomer to city politics, was elected as Berkeleys next mayor beating out two veterans of the citys political scene, according to the latest results released Wednesday. Ishii, a nonprofit consultant and the former president of the local League of Women Voters, had received 51% of the vote, edging out Council Member Sophie Hahn, who received 49% of the vote, after ranked choice voting tabulations were applied. Hahn conceded on Wednesday night. Ishii told the Chronicle she was just super grateful, really proud of our team, and we are ready to get to work. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hahn said in a statement released Wednesday that she had called to congratulate Ishii on her win. Hahn was elected to the City Council in 2016 and gave up her seat to run for mayor. Her last council meeting will be Dec. 3. While its not the outcome we hoped for, Im full of gratitude for the amazing support youve shown throughout, Hahn said to her supporters. She said she was proud of the 100% positive campaign we ran, and that we shared a strong vision of progress and possibility, grounded in love for this community. Ishii previously told the Chronicle that she had decided to run for mayor because City Hall was in need of a reset. The mayors primary job is to manage the City Council. The mayor also holds one of the nine council seats. Im really interested in uniting our city and coming together so that we can make changes and focus on our problems and move forward from a toxic and broken past, Ishii said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ishii said she supports building affordable housing in every Berkeley neighborhood, more homeless shelters and having enough mental health support for people living on the street. She also wants to expand the citys specialized care unit, a non-police group that responds to mental health and substance use crises, so that it runs 24 hours a day. Hahn had promised to revitalize downtown if she won. Our downtown is in a terrible state of distress, our streets and sidewalks are crumbling, our old City Hall (building) has been shuttered for almost a decade now, Hahn previously told the Chronicle. We need to reinvest and make sure that our city is as great as the people who live here. Ishii will take over the role from Mayor Jesse Arreguin, who has held the position for the past eight years and gave up his seat to run for state Senate. He won his race with more than 57% of the vote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 9:06PM Embed from Getty Images The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly escalating its antitrust case against Google, urging the presiding judge to order the tech giant to divest its Chrome browser, according to a report from Bloomberg. This drastic measure stems from the DOJ's assertion that Google has illegally monopolized the search market. According to Bloomberg, the DOJ argues that Google leverages Chrome to cross-promote its products, thereby limiting competition and stifling innovation. To address these concerns, Bloomberg says the government's lawyers have outlined a series of proposed remedies, including: Separating Android from Search and Google Play : This would decouple Google's mobile operating system from its core search and app store services. But it won't force Google to sell Android. Increased transparency for advertisers: Google would be required to provide advertisers with more granular control over their ad placements and to share more detailed information about its advertising algorithms. Curbing AI data access: The DOJ supposedly seeks to limit Google's ability to use website content to train its artificial intelligence models without explicit permission from content owners. Banning exclusive contracts: The government aims to prohibit Google from entering into exclusive agreements that hinder competition, which it claims are central to the antitrust case. Google's Regulatory Affairs Vice President, Lee-Anne Mulholland, has denounced the DOJ's proposals as "radical" and outside the scope of the current legal proceedings. VIA The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council overrode Benton Countys farmland-preservation law and voted Nov. 20 to recommend Washington Gov. Jay Inslee permit a solar project on 3,000 acres of agricultural land. The Wautoma solar project, with a maximum capacity of 470 megawatts, would be one of Washingtons larger solar installations. Although opposed by the county, the proposal received little other opposition. Solar panels and batteries would be in a remote valley about 40 miles west of the Tri-Cities in southeast Washington. A declining aquifer is making farming less viable, according to landowners. Innergex Renewable Energy, which is based in Canada, plans to connect to a nearby Bonneville Power Administration transmission line. EFSEC approved the project unanimously. Overall, this is a very well put together application, EFSEC Chairwoman Kathleen Drew said. The county asked EFSEC to reject the project. The county opposes large-scale wind and solar projects on farmland. The county also opposed the larger Horse Heavens wind and solar project 4 miles from the Tri-Cities. EFSEC acknowledged it was preempting the countys land-use law, but decided the need for renewable energy was more important. Four brothers who own most of the land Innergex will lease were the only ones to speak at a hearing in October on whether to preempt the countys law. The ranch will continue to have cattle and dryland crops, they said. Im 71 years old. It would be nice if the solar went in. Wed have steady income for the next 25 years, said one of the brothers, Robin Robert. Innergex anticipates installing about 1.3 million panels, according to EFSEC documents. Each panel would be about 6 1/2-feet long and 4-feet wide. Innergex operates 89 renewable energy facilities in Canada, the U.S., France and Chile. San Francisco District 11 supervisor Ahsha Safai, left, and nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie listen while incumbent mayor London Breed speaks during a San Francisco mayoral candidate debate at KQED hosted by the station and the San Francisco Chronicle in San Francisco, on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Carlos Avila Gonzalez Non-profit founder and Levis heir Daniel Lurie ousted Mayor London Breed in Novembers election with a definitive 55% to 45% of final-round ranked choice votes. Lurie captured significant support everywhere in the city, among all types of voters, and consistently outpaced Breed in each round of the ranked choice tally. Breed was unpopular. Her administration had been blamed for high property crime, visible homelessness, a devastating drug crisis and a hollowed-out downtown. But Breeds downfall wasnt the result of a uniform swing against her. In fact, compared to the last contested election in 2018, it represented a flip in the citys voting habits. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That year, Breed won by uniting the lowest-income and the richest sections of the citys electorate and was opposed most strongly by progressives in the citys geographic middle. But this year, a Chronicle analysis shows, Breed lost disproportionate support among the wealthiest voters. Meanwhile, progressives' support for her held steadiest. Breed bled support among the wealthiest A Chronicle analysis from earlier this month showed that the city can be divided into five geographic clusters based on historical voting habits: Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Progressive Crescent , which includes a boomerang-shaped group of neighborhoods from the Haight down to the Mission and Bernal Heights Working-Class S.F. , which includes lower income, less college-educated and immigrant-heavy parts of the Bayview, Tenderloin, Mid-Market and Outer Mission Asian S.F. , which includes Asian-majority areas of the citys west and south, as well as Chinatown The Upper Crust , which spans the wealthiest parts of the city in the Marina, Seacliff, West of Twin Peaks, Telegraph Hill, Nob Hill and the Embarcadero The Urbanist Middle, which covers upwardly mobile neighborhoods like Noe Valley, the Castro, Potrero Hill, the Inner Richmond and North Beach Each cluster contains between 11% and 26% of the citys voting-age population. In her initial 2018 run, Breed did well among all groups, but outperformed in the Upper Crust cluster, where she received 43% of the first-choice vote, and in the Working-Class cluster, where she garnered 40%. That horseshoe-shaped coalition of upscale and downscale voters harkened back to the one that brought former Mayor Willie Brown to power. By contrast, former San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom in his first run and the late mayor Ed Lee each relied on combinations of the citys moderate Upper Crust and more geographically peripheral Asian voters to propel them into office. This year, Breeds 2018 coalition fractured. Lurie placed first in three of the five clusters in first-choice voting, losing only to Breed in the Working-Class S.F. cluster and to Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin in the Progressive Crescent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Breeds loss was driven by slides among all of the citys groups, but nowhere more than among the Upper Crust cluster where she went from earning the most first-round votes in 2018 to third place, behind Lurie and former Supervisor Mark Farrell. Luries best performance came in this cluster, where he captured over a third of the first-choice vote. Lower income and progressive areas carried the torch for Breed The other leg of Breeds 2018 coalition, the Working-Class S.F. cluster, held up better. Only in this cluster did she manage to place No. 1 among first-round votes, but still bled support to Peskin on the left and Lurie in the center. Remarkably, Breeds weakest group from her 2018 run held up best in November. That year, the citys Progressive Crescent neighborhoods backed Breed by only a narrow margin ahead of then-Supervisor Jane Kim. This year, Peskin won among progressives, but only narrowly: Breed slid less here than anywhere else, perhaps reflecting a sense that she had been attentive to some progressive priorities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad By Cillian Sherlock, PA Dublin would be safer with a Fianna Fail minister for justice, senior party figures have suggested. The partys justice spokesman Jim OCallaghan said work needed to be done to tackle the feeling that the capital is not safe at certain times. Mr OCallaghan said the party would introduce 1,000 more gardai in the city, adding: We want to make Dublin safer. Several Fianna Fail representatives, including deputy leader and Finance Minister Jack Chambers as well as Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, gathered at Sandymount Strand to launch the partys Dublin-centred policy document for the General Election. Asked if Fianna Fail would be willing to sacrifice the housing portfolio for justice, Mr OBrien told reporters: We want both. He added: On justice, like Jim has outlined it here: People in many parts of Dublin, particularly at night, dont feel safe in the centre of our city. That needs to change and with Fianna Fail, that will change. Mr Chambers said Fianna Fail was focused on building a more liveable city and ensuring economic growth in the capital. The document comes almost one year after Irelands capital was beset by rioting, which renewed a focus on policing in the city. The party claims it will deliver a safe Dublin through increased policing and a crackdown on anti-social behaviour. Fianna Fail wants more gardai participating in frontline policing and expanded use of body-worn cameras. The party also wants a dedicated transport police unit. Housing minister Darragh OBrien (right), with Mary Fitzpatrick and Jack Chambers on Sandymount Strand in Dublin Photo: Cillian Sherlock/PA. Fianna Fail would allow gardai to use facial recognition technology and remove face coverings at protests, increase penalties for public-order offences. Previously flagged measures include the introduction of dispersal orders and public space protection orders. The party also wants to decriminalise the possession of cannabis for personal use but introduce laws to require those found in possession of illegal drugs to attend treatment or education programmes. It would also mandate social media platforms to share drug-related information with gardai and criminalise tools used in drug trafficking like pill presses. Sinn Fein spokeswoman Louise OReilly said long-standing serious issues with crime in the city have not been tackled in any serious way by Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. She called for a renewed garda recruitment campaign and added: Dublins unsafe streets are a legacy of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in government. Fianna Fails Dublin manifesto includes a 175 million urban communities initiative to revitalised disadvantaged areas with youth programmes and community development measures. It further pledges the delivery of affordable housing and childcare as well as accessible healthcare. Fianna Fail also said it wants to foster a culture of entrepreneurship with its supports for businesses, as well as making Dublin a hub for AI and digitisation. Elsewhere, the party pledged to deliver the Metrolink, expand the Dart network and remove the Dublin airport passenger cap as soon as possible. The document includes a 250 million fund for a parks and pitches fund to acquire new parks and playing fields as well as other measures for arts and culture including funding for a night-time economy strategy. Advertisement Chile-based Cementos Bio Bio revealed that on 29 May it received an offer from US group Mississippi Lime Co to acquire 100 per cent of the company and that the shareholders are negotiating the sale of the company. The offer, for almost US$500m, was reported in an essential fact filled with the Financial Market Commission 30 May. However, the board decided to make the information public because a shareholder of Bio Bio, Peruvian company Yura, gave an offer last week for 20 per cent of the Chilean cement company, thus reaching 40 per cent of the shares. Yura bought 20 per cent of Bio Bio for US$50m in 2019. Felipe Vial, the president of Cementos Bio Bio, said, The initiation of a takeover bid by Yura Chile SpA makes it necessary for all shareholders and the market in general to have all the information that could be relevant for their investment decisions. The offer from Mississippi Lime Co was for 100 per cent of the shares but would be declared successful if at least 67 per cent of the shares were obtained. The US company proposed an indicative price of US$1.89 per share. Bio Bio holds 264,221,000 shares, giving a 100 per cent valuation of US$499,377,690. The essential fact disclosed this Tuesday continued: The board of directors in the extraordinary session of this date placed on record that the due diligence process has been substantially concluded recently and that negotiations by the shareholders are still ongoing. The disclosure of the negotiations with Mississippi Lime Co will probably scupper the Yura groups takeover bid for Bio Bio, as the Peruvian bid valued the Chilean company at around US$250m, half of what the US company are offering. Advertisement Adani Group has strongly refuted the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against its chairman Gautam Adani, and other executives, in connection with a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme. US authorities allege that Gautam Adani and seven other defendants, including his nephew Sagar Adani, agreed to pay about US$265m in bribes to Indian government officials to obtain contracts expected to yield US$2bn of profit over 20 years, and develop India's largest solar power plant project. Prosecutors also said the Adanis and another executive at Adani Green Energy, former CEO Vneet Jaain, raised more than US$3bn in loans and bonds by hiding their corruption from lenders and investors. Gautam Adani, one of the wealthiest individuals and the chairman of the Indian conglomerate Adani Group, has been indicted in New York for his alleged involvement, US prosecutors announced. A spokesman for Adani Group dismissed the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green Energy as "baseless and denied". Adani Group emphasised that, as stated by the US Department of Justice itself, "the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty." The group added that all possible legal recourse would be sought. "The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," the spokesman added. Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. Tasting menus in the Bay Area can feel like an endless parade of dishes. John Blanchard/The Chronicle It took me a long time to visit Hilda and Jesse. With positive buzz, an unabashedly queer ethos and decor that can only be described as Pee-Wees Playhouse: Miami Edition, youd think it would be catnip for me. But each week, as I planned my upcoming meals, this sentence on their website gave me pause: During dinner service, a la carte is unavailable. I am not a tasting menu hater far from it. Many of my most memorable meals have been at restaurants that hew to the format, and in my prior civilian life, I was often game for celebrating special occasions with 11 courses, paired with wines. But since moving to San Francisco from New York, I have been gobsmacked by the sheer quantity of tasting menus in the region. Partially this is attributable to the density of fine dining restaurants, which are more apt to require you to participate in a chefs tasting. But in New York, plenty of white tablecloth joints will sell you a $69 guinea hen or a $100 sole almondine for two, whereas in the Bay Area, with few exceptions you must relinquish all choice to dine fine. Mignardise at Quince, one of San Franciscos many tasting menu restaurants. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle More befuddling still to me are the number of more casual, dare I say, youthful establishments in San Francisco that have embraced fixed menus. In addition to Hilda and Jesse theres 7 Adams, Azalinas and Mijote, all relatively new spots that serve four or five courses for under $90. A la carte? We dont know her. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A tasting menu might be how I want to eat once a month, but once a week? I wondered why I was out of step with this quirk of Bay Area dining culture, similarly to how I prefer to eat at the late, late hour of 7:30. (Come to think of it, maybe theres a causal relationship between early reservations and meals that run three hours.) I thought of my cousin, who used to own a menswear store in Hayes Valley. Her clients were, in general, 20- and 30-something tech workers who had large disposable incomes and were willing to outsource matters of style and taste. Could this apply to dining as well? If I commanded an engineers salary, maybe I would be grateful for the plentitude of expensive restaurants where there are no decisions to be made. Or perhaps, staying with the tech thread, a tasting menu format is attractive to the types of venture capital investors who would like to add a restaurant to their portfolios. If they want both a feather in their cap and a return on their investment, that means one thing: a Michelin star, and boy does Michelin love a tasting menu. Of the 35 starred restaurants in the Bay Area, only four do not offer one. If you were a skilled young chef looking for investment, you might be tempted to pander to the monied class. I called up a few of those skilled young chefs as well as some veteran restaurateurs to test my theories about the chokehold that tasting menus have on the region. The answer is far simpler: Its the economy, stupid. Co-owner Ollie K.C. Liedags places finishing touches on a dish at Hilda and Jesse in San Francisco. Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle With the high cost of labor, rent and ingredients, San Francisco is a uniquely expensive place to run a business. Hilda and Jesse, originally open only for brunch, offered an a la carte menu when owners Ollie K.C. Liedags and Rachel Sillcocks first dipped a toe into dinner service. The check averages were not making sense for us, Liedags explained. Hilda and Jesses $89 tasting menu is inexpensively priced compared to most others in the city, and its a tremendous deal for five inventive courses from an alum of Atelier Crenn. But $178 is also more than my spouse and I would have spent on food on a Monday night had there been an a la carte menu. Would we each have ordered a dessert? Probably not. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That split dessert conundrum is what drove Kosuke Tada to embrace a set menu at Mijote. In almost all respects, a meal there reminds me of neighborhood spots in Paris where you can pop in for a glass of wine and a few plates selected from a chalkboard. But at Mijote, youre committed to four (wonderful) courses for $82. All things being equal, Tada would prefer it werent this way. Bistrot Paul Bert is my home, he says of the tres cool Parisian neo-bistro where he cut his teeth. They do all a la carte, but they have the culture where everyone orders an appetizer, entree and dessert. Here, if Mijote were to offer an a la carte menu, patrons would order one plate, maybe an app to share. One dessert, four spoons in France? How puritanical. A first course of tuna, beet and basil at Mijote, which offers a rotating set menu. Adahlia Cole/Special to The Chronicle I see myself in what Tada describes. If Im dining off duty, a few shared dishes is how I prefer to eat, guilty as charged. But in my defense, I am a product not only of Chinese restaurants, where everything is shared, but also of late-aughts small plate culture. Twenty years ago, Id wager American diners had more in common with Tadas Parisian clientele, but family style/shareable plate/creative tapas restaurants revolutionized the way many of us order. We do things a little bit differently here has morphed into this is just the way I eat now, and check averages are surely a casualty. In a way, tasting menus are an attempt to course correct by saying that, here, grazing is not an option. We cant afford it. I may not be so out of step with my fellow Bay Areans according to Lindsay Tusk, owner of Quince. People feel handcuffed by tasting menus, she says. Not only is the cost high Quinces 10-course tasting menu is $390 but the time commitment can feel onerous. Despite all of Quinces accolades over the past 20 years, Tusk says diners repeatedly asked for a la carte options so they could control the length of their meal. And so, when they reopened Quince last year after a renovation, Tusk and her husband, chef Michael Tusk, introduced an a la carte menu. Its been a success. Its great if you can do both, I suppose, Tusk says, but it does defeat the economic argument of a tasting menu. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When Quince underwent a significant remodel, the fine dining restaurant offered a more casual bar where guests dont have to commit to a tasting menu. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Another restaurant tackling that complicated both/and model is Mister Jius, which switched to a tasting menu format in its dining room last year. A la carte is still offered at the bar and at designated high tops in the main space. Owner Brandon Jew saw a tasting menu as the next challenge for himself as a chef, but his decision was also financially motivated. We were going to be experiencing a slow death, he says of the former incarnation of his Chinatown restaurant. We didnt have the amount of diners to sustain the a la carte format. The math problem is, like, do I think we can get 200 people here to spend $80, or do I think its more realistic to have 100 spend $160? The transition to a tasting menu format has been a positive one for Jew, who, like the Tusks, owns several restaurants that operate at different price points. He finds that diners who have prepaid for a tasting menu ($145 and up) are more engaged and open to learning about the techniques and ingredients used in Chinese cuisine. Jew also sees a staffing advantage in a tight labor market. As far as their training, I think a lot of younger cooks arent seeing the value of a la carte, says Jew with a gentle, parental tongue click. As it got more competitive for talent, we had to be attractive as a kitchen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mister Jius and its upstairs bar, Moongate Lounge, in Chinatown. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle The tradeoff that Jew has made was evident to me earlier this year. His dining room used to thrum, but on my visit the space felt formal and hushed, more like what you might expect from, well, a tasting menu restaurant. Jew feels certain he has made the right choice for the long-term sustainability of his business, but he concedes that there are cons. I like having energy in the space, he says, and I dont want to get to that level where its just way too expensive for people to come. Where is this middle ground where its still accessible, but were able to give people a special, memorable experience? And, crucially, to stay in business. When I visited, the bar was full, but the dining room was not. Then again, it didnt have to be. In Jews recollection, his staff received the news of the updated menu positively, with the possible exception of Franky Ho, his chef de cuisine. He wasnt against it, Jew says, but he was like, Aw. I like how it is now. When Ho and fellow Mister Jius alum Mike Long decided to open their own place, they knew it would be a la carte. We enjoy small, hole-in-the-wall type restaurants, Long told me, and we want to be cooking in the type of environment that wed feel comfortable eating in. Four Kings is the realization of Ho and Longs vision, and its one of my favorite new restaurants of the year. The energy in the space is electric, the vibe convivial and warm. Its the type of spot where you can easily blow it out with a bottle of sake, a whole squab and a half dozen small plates, or drop in solo at 9:30 p.m. for a beer and a plate of mapo spaghetti. Diana Chou (left to right), Nancy Chen, Margaret Lee and Jenny Chou dine at Four Kings, one of the most exciting new restaurants in San Francisco. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle Before moving back to the Bay Area, I would have said that Four Kings epitomizes the type of restaurant that young urban chefs seek to open when striking out on their own a place their friends would want to hang out, not their parents. In New York, maybe you stage in a tasting menu restaurant, but you dont open one. In San Francisco, however, Ho and Long seem to be bucking the trend, and I for one am grateful. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ciders (and cider-adjacent beverages) for Thanksgiving, from left: Onirique Recolte Hivernale, Christian Drouin Jus de Poire, South Hill Full Bloom Orchard and Le Pere Jules Pommeau de Normandie. Esther Mobley/The Chronicle If youre a wine lover and you havent sampled some of the amazing craft ciders that are available today, you are missing out. Not only is the quality of cider whether made in the U.S. or abroad higher than ever, but its also more wine-like. Increasingly, winemakers double as cider makers, and many are blending wine grapes with apples to create complex, boundary-defying (and, more often than not, sparkling) beverages. The best ciders fulfill the same mandate as a great wine: a deft balance of tannin, acidity, body and alcohol, with expressive aromas and evocative flavors. Theyre serious drinks that can stand up to a serious meal. Cider is ultimately a wine product, and weve always thought of it that way, said Mike Reis, owner of Redfield, an excellent cider bar and shop in Oakland. Advertisement Article continues below this ad So heres my challenge to you: Open at least one bottle of cider at your Thanksgiving table next week. I asked Reis to recommend a few bottles that would work well for the big meal. While he (like me) doesnt subscribe to the school of thought that insists on hyper-specific food and drink pairings, he generally advises looking for ciders that are on the richer, fuller-bodied, structured side, with higher acidity and higher tannin. This might sound counterintuitive if youve been reading a lot of Thanksgiving wine pairing articles, which typically warn against high tannins and full bodies. But these things are relative. Ciders often top out around 7% alcohol, which is about half as much as many California wines. And a tannic cider is not going to dry out your mouth the way an astringent, young Nebbiolo would. And for those who do seek to match the flavors of their plate to their glass, cider fits the bill. What could be better with earthy, sweet butternut squash and pecan-dotted cranberry sauce not to mention, of course, apple pie than a beverage that captures the flavors of peak autumn? Here are four bottles to consider opening on Thanksgiving, all available at Redfield (5815 College Ave., Oakland). Onirique Recolte Hivernale Reis called this new cidery probably the local producer that Im most excited about coming online this year. Located in Sebastopol, Onirique is owned by a French-American father and son who are applying traditional techniques from Normandy to Sonoma County fruit. The Recolte Hivernale is Oniriques top bottling, blending three apple varieties with a small amount of Bosc pear. Its gorgeous, with a clean, fresh apple flavor thats tempered by savory edges, crisp acidity and a refreshingly bubbly texture. Open it as an aperitif instead of sparkling wine, then keep it flowing throughout the meal. $25/750ml. Advertisement Article continues below this ad South Hill Full Bloom Orchard This Champagne-method cider from a producer in Ithaca, N.Y. is fully estate-grown, meaning all of the apples were grown on its own farm. Redfield offers more recent vintages, but Reis recommends the 2019 for Thanksgiving. Its richly textured, with floral aromas and rustic, earthy flavors that dont veer fully into funk. The bitter, tannic bite will be a nice match for substantial dishes. If youve got a natural wine lover at the table, pour a little extra of this into their glass. $27.50/750ml. Le Pere Jules Pommeau de Normandie Pommeau is a traditional Normand beverage that I had never tried before Reis sold me this bottle recently, a blend of young apple brandy with fresh apple juice. (The apple brandy that goes into Pommeau is younger than what would qualify as Calvados, the traditional apple brandy of Normandy, which must be aged for at least two years.) This bottling clocks in at 17% alcohol, a little less than what youd find in a typical Port. Its perfumed and intensely appley, with a sweetness that feels a lot less syrupy than what youd find in fortified wines like Madeira. Enjoy a glass with your dessert course; I can think of few better matches for pumpkin or apple pie. $32/700ml. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Christian Drouin Jus de Poire The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimers Center of Excellence, East Hamilton, is making progress toward opening in early 2025 and is now accepting reservations.The new community at 1775 Generations Way is Phase II of the Morning Pointe of East Hamilton Senior Living campus, which is expanding its assisted living and Alzheimers care services. It is next door to the current Morning Pointe of East Hamilton Assisted Living and Memory Care. The entrance is off East Brainerd Road by the Publix Super Market at the Shops at Enclave, a rapidly growing area of the county.The Lantern will feature 60 apartments with two distinct levels of memory care, expanding the model of care.These are Lamplight, a large area for residents with early-stage Alzheimers and dementia who are more active, and Lantern, a more intimate and quiet space designed for more advanced stages. Several floor plan choices are available, including studios and companion two-bedroom apartments.To reserve an apartment or learn more about the campus, call 423-973-0003.Hamilton County is a very fast-growing area of Tennessee, and we are expanding the Morning Pointe of East Hamilton campus to serve the growing population, said Greg A. Vital, Morning Pointe Senior Living co-founder and president. Our goal is to provide the services and support that families in the area need along their memory care journey.Care staff will be specially trained in dementia and Alzheimers. Services and amenities at The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimers Center of Excellence, East Hamilton will include:- Licensed nurses providing oversight of health, wellness, and medication management;- Single-level living;- Licensed, clinical, and care staff available 24 hours a day;- 24-hour personalized care services;- Medication assistance and reminders;- Periodic check-ins;- Personal grooming assistance, such as bathing or getting dressed;- Assistance with transferring to a bed or chair;- Escorting to meals and events;- Incontinence management; and- On-site occupational, physical, and speech therapy.Programming will include a variety of life enrichment such as arts and crafts, wellness offerings like exercise classes, and intergenerational activities, such as partnering with local schools.Residents will benefit from Morning Pointes Farm to Table program with local, farm-fresh and seasonal ingredients. And memory care specific offerings will include the Best Friends Approach, Teepa Snows Positive Approach to Care, Meaningful Day purposeful programming, music therapy, art therapy and cuddle therapy.Upon completion of Phase II of the campus, the original Morning Pointe of East Hamilton will transition to assisted living-only. The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimers Center of Excellence, East Hamilton will be the 42nd Morning Pointe Senior Living community. A Florida man is suing the city of Chattanooga for a wreck on Frazier Avenue that left him unable to walk and took the lives of his wife and young son. Meanwhile, the District Attorney's office said it decided not to prosecute a local doctor who was involved in the incident. Prosecutor Brian Finlay said, "In response to your inquiry, after a review of the available evidence including multiple videos of the incident, we do not believe a jury would convict Patrick McGinty if he were charged." Octavio Devia Paz, of Jacksonville, filed the complaint in Circuit Court in connection with the wreck last Nov. 25. The suit says he was standing at the corner of Frazier and Forrest Avenue with his family when a vehicle being driven by Randy Vega was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Dr. McGinty. The Vega vehicle then hit Mr. Paz, Ana Posso, 41, and Johnathan Paz, age one year and 11 months. The wife and son were killed on impact. Octavio Paz has undergone 127 surgeries and incurred over $1.5 million in medical bills, it was stated. The complaint says in April 2016 the city hired Alta Planning & Design for a Frazier Avenue traffic study. It says the study recommended reducing the number of travel lanes and on-street parking spaces, but the changes were not made at the time. The suit says, "Octavio Paz is extremely grateful for the work performed by the defendant city on Frazier Avenue since his serious injuries and deaths of his wife and son. He believes that the city's recent efforts will make Frazier Avenue safer for pedestrians. However, the work performed by the city to make this area safer for pedestrians came too late for Octavio Paz, his wife and young child. There had been six other wrecks at the same corner prior to this one, it was stated. Every realtor has a unique journey that shapes their passion for the industry, and this one is no exception. From a career rooted in healthcare and a love for animals to serving in multiple leadership roles at Greater Chattanooga Realtors, Karen Parris has embraced every opportunity to grow, give back, and support her community. With a strong focus on education, professionalism, and making a difference, her story reflects the dedication and drive that Realtors bring to their work every day. What did you do before transitioning into this profession? I worked in the healthcare industry, handling customer service and collections, and scheduled and processed claims for insurance companies, hospitals, and medical centers in the Chattanooga area. Also, I handled collections and administrative work for an engineering company. In my earlier years, I worked in the pet care industry. My parents started a boarding, training and grooming kennel, and my dad was once ranked second in the nation for obedience training. Growing up, I helped in the kennel with upkeep and caring for the cats and dogs and other assorted animals. There was never a dull day. I also worked for a veterinarian as well. I've always loved animals and being out in nature, and I still do today. My fur babies always make me smile, love unconditionally, and are always happy to see you come home. You ran and prevailed for a second term on the Board of Directors (BOD). Why did you choose to continue serving in a leadership capacity? Serving a second term on the Board of Directors has allowed me to deepen my understanding of the vital work that happens behind the scenes at the Greater Chattanooga Realtors. I've gained a greater appreciation for the dedicated volunteers on the Board and various committees who work tirelessly, using their resources and skills to make decisions that benefit all Realtors in our Association. It has been a privilege to serve on the Placemaking and Diversity & Inclusion committees and to act as the board liaison for the Community Partnerships committee, which organizes fundraisers for Snack Packs for kids and the Tee Up & Wine Down in support of Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, serving on the Grievance and Professional Standards committees has highlighted the importance of the Realtor Code of Ethics in maintaining high industry standards for both realtor and their clients. My time on the MLS committee gave me valuable insight into the ongoing efforts required to update our MLS system and adapt to the ever-changing real estate landscape. With 16 years in real estate, my volunteer roles have broadened my knowledge, strengthened my passion for the industry, and allowed me to give back to a profession I truly love. What would you like your peers to know about what our Association offers its members? The Association offers many free educational classes. The instructors are top-notch and provide real-life insight into the courses they offer. Complimentary refreshments are available, and the learning environment is very nice. The staff is very accommodating. Another perk is the designation classes the Association offers. November is Designation Awareness Month, and I obtained a few designations, which gave me a wider scope of expertise in those areas. My designations are currently "GREEN," which taught me more about energy efficiency and sustainability in real estate. C2EX - "Commitment to Excellence" is designed to elevate every aspect of your skills, strengths, and standards. AHWD - At Home With Diversity - This certification program prepares realtors to work effectively with and within today's increasingly diverse pool of homebuyers and sellers. ABR - Accredited Buyer's Representative - The focus is on working directly with buyer-clients at every stage of the home-buying process. SRS - Seller Representative Specialist - This is the premier credential in seller representation. It is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance. What is your favorite part of being a realtor? I enjoy buyers' excitement while searching for homes and sellers that have just listed their house and showings have quickly begun. I like the adventure of traveling on new roads I have never been on, even though I am a Chattanooga native and have been in the industry as long as I have. You never know what you may see or what situation you may run into each day. I like my clients to experience a little fun along the way to keep stress at a minimum. I want my clients to know "I've got their back" in real estate, and they can focus on working and taking care of their loved ones. I strive to guide buyers and sellers smoothly through the process of buying or selling a home. What do your fellow realtors do in the community that you love and want others to know about? Many agents within my office at Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty help prepare lunches at the Ronald McDonald house each month. The Ronald McDonald House provides families with the care and resources they need when their child is sick and supports programs and services that directly improve the health and well-being of children. This facility offers comfortable, convenient, free lodging accommodations that guarantee a hot meal every night and a community environment for families going through a difficult journey. There is so much that is offered within this faculty, such as the mindful room for mental wellness, where families can engage in mindfulness activities during their stay while their child is in the hospital. They also offer a House to Home program that supports families throughout their child's wellness journey after they are discharged from the hospital. Have you read any recent books you want to share with others? I recently read "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale. This book focuses on faith and inspiration by using the power of prayer for all aspects of your daily life. The author wrote this book with the sole objective of helping the reader achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life. I found guidance toward achieving my hopes and dreams. From helping clients find their dream homes to supporting impactful community programs like the Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity, Karen embodies the spirit of service and leadership that defines the profession. Her commitment to excellence, continued education, and giving back highlights the value Realtors bring to the community and each other. Whether guiding clients or volunteering, they are passionate about making a positive impact every step of the way. #ThatsWhoWeR Pastor Ernie Reno has been in the ministry for nearly 50 years, mostly in the same church, but God used the last 25 years to prepare him for the worst event of his life. Ernie (as he prefers being addressed) is proud of his Hixson, Tn. heritage and living in Chattanooga all his life. Ernie was educated in Hixson area schools, graduating from Hixson High School in 1972. He started playing the saxophone in elementary school and was a standout musician in his high school band. Ernie said the saxophone was a natural; it was the instrument of choice for several members of his family so he wanted to start music lessons on the sax at the age of 10. It was anything music in the Reno family. Ernie learned the sax quickly; in the fifth and sixth grades, he was promoted to playing with the Hixson Jr. High School Band. The love for the band continued in high school. Ernie said he dreamed of being a high school band director so he enrolled at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and trained under directors Barry Jones and Morris Bales, his musical mentors. They were the tops and best in Chattanooga, he said. Ernie said he loves all the big bands; one of his favorites is the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He got to talk with the director and several members when they performed at Lee University in Cleveland. Ernie earned his bachelor of theology degree from the Christian Life School of Theology and, while still being a pastor, he enjoyed teaching music history and appreciation. He said he trusted Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was nine, but it was a decade or so later that he made a solid commitment to serve the Lord. Ernie said he went back and forth between the Lee Highway Church of God and the Woodmore Church of God. It was at Woodmore where he fell in love with Karen Cerezo, who became his wife of 48 years. One night after a youth group meeting, they went out to eat and started dating. As they say, the rest is history. He said it was a marriage God put together. Pastor Reno said God called him to the ministry in 1976, but it wasnt that of a pastor who preaches several times a week. God had changed his dreams of becoming a band director into calling him into the ministry of leading worship. He accepted a leadership role in music at the Lee Highway Church of God now known as City Church of Chattanooga. Pastor Reno was able to lead the church choir and also share saxophone solos with his church family. He remembers the days of camp meeting behind the legendary church on Lee Highway and singing out of the Red Back Hymnal. Pastor Reno said it was always hot but a great time of spiritual enrichment and fellowship. Pastor Reno said his wife was an outstanding student at Lee University and became a dedicated teacher. She loved the classroom and seeing her students excel. While raising a family, the minister worked closely with his wife Karen who taught math at the Hamilton Heights Christian Academy. Pastor Reno said, Karen loved the school especially keeping scores at their sporting events. She enjoyed so much watching the children compete. I always tried to be there with her. Pastor Reno said in the early 90s the position of Care ministries pastor came available. We made it a matter of prayer and decided it was the direction God was leading me. My calling didnt change but the location did, from the congregation to hospital rooms. Little did the minister know that God was preparing him for what would be the worst event of his life. The associate pastor, with a glowing smile and friendly greeting, visited friends and church members in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and made almost daily visits to hospitals. He also conducted many funeral services. Friends said Ernie was Gods representative to those who were hurting. Pastor Reno said the shock of his life came the evening Karen had chest pains. She quickly brushed it off as reflux or something she ate. The couple went to bed but a few hours later his forever sweetheart got up and collapsed. Pastor Reno called 911 and, while waiting on help, he started administering CPR. He praised the paramedics and emergency room staff at Parkridge Medical Center, saying, They did their best. Then came the worst news; the widow maker artery had 100 percent blockage. Ernie said his pastor and church family provided amazing support with plenty of prayer while he was trying to process what was happening, Id been through this with others; I was in shock, but still trusted the Lord who never makes a mistake. Ernie Reno said goodbye to the love of his life one week later. In His words, talking with emotion, It was hard, it was very hard. Karen and I had just celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary a week before her heart attack and the memories were fresh. We always leaned on our faith in God. (That night) I had so many people around me, family, friends, church staff and Pastors Mike and Shannon Chapman. They were all praying. Continuing, the pastor said, I had walked through this with others for many years, but that night I just had to surrender her to the Lord and say it's ok. I know you can heal her on earth or you can completely heal her, whichever YOU choose. I had said the same thing to God after trying to have children for 13 years and within a month Karen was pregnant with twins. Ernie said he was so glad he got to travel with Karen and family members before his wifes passing. As a couple, our favorite retreat was the Whitestone Inn in Kingston, Tn. Its a wonderful place, out in the country with a 5 star restaurant. Its really good. We also enjoyed trips to see the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville and Atlanta Braves. Pastor Reno said he faced having to put into practice what hed been preaching for years. He said, Although grieving, God was always by my side. His favorite scripture verse is Proverbs 3: 56, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Ernie said, I love my children; my twin daughters, Krista and Kara, my son and daughter-in-law, Carson and Macey. Im excited that Christmas will be extra special this year with my one-year-old grandson, Briggs. Holding back his emotion, Ernie Reno said, Tears are good, its good to cry, its not good to suppress tears. Its good for your soul and its part of the grieving process. After two years, its still part of the grieving process. There are times when the pain and hurt is so great I have to be alone and this is alright. The minister said, Ill never get over losing Karen who was always thinking of others. Theres still the spirit of sadness during my Thanksgiving and Christmas season, but I just want to praise God. Regardless of our circumstances, Thanksgiving should be a re-affirmation that God is in control and all our blessings come from him. You can praise God in the middle of your mess. Pastor Reno said, I remember being on a hospital elevator with a distraught lady. Ive never had anyone turn down prayer, so I prayed with that lady in the parking lot, I never saw that lady again leaving the results in HIS hands; but thats what God called me to do. Pastor Reno said he may slow down in a couple of years, but as Gods servant, he doesnt plan to retire, just rewire. I love my church family and many friends and will try to be of comfort as long as Im able. Pastor Reno said someday his ministry might continue, working part time in funeral services. People especially need a friend while making those end of life decisions; I get a blessing just out of listening. Ernies favorite pastime is hiking. After a knee replacement, he hopes to explore some new trails here in Hamilton County. When asked his favorite foods, Ernie responded, I really like steak but theres nothing like a fresh pot of turnip greens. I was raised on them. Kara Reno said of her father, My dad is always willing to share Jesus Christ and hes my hero. My Dad is a model for building relationships. Dad has a special gift for being present with people, allowing them to be themselves during their joy and grief. Not everyone has this, but my dad has the ability to see them through whatever the trial may be. Sometimes its talking to them or just sitting with them showing them the love of Jesus. Im so thankful my Dad has this God given gift. Celebrating his 70th birthday soon, join this writer in wishing Ernie Reno a happy birthday. Heyearl1971@epbfi.com Red Bank Baptist Church at 4000 Dayton Blvd. at the corner of Ashland Terrace has opened a private school. The city is responsible for establishing a school safety zone for the public as well as students around schools whether they are public or private. The city of Red Bank has authorized Barge Design Solutions to develop and design a school zone around Point Christian Academy, the new school. Barge will also do a study of Ashland Terrace to establish a speed limit which the commission would have to approve. The engineers will tell the city where signs and lights are needed and where entrances and exits to the school should be located. Barge will be paid $44,500 for this work. Barge Design Solutions has also been contracted to do a study of Dayton Boulevard to do a feasibility study for multi-modal transportation improvement options. The agreement is that Barge will perform the professional services for the project for an amount not to exceed $59,100. A grant from the Department of Health for $50,000 will be added to $9,100 that the city put in the 2025 budget for community development to pay for the study. Barge Design Solutions is also contracted to engineer two projects relating to stormwater. One is the completion of Red Banks comprehensive stormwater assets management plan. And the second is the restoration of the detention ponds in White Oak Park. To pay for both projects, the city will use a TDEC water infrastructure grant with the required match coming from American Rescue Plan Funds. The total amount for the work is not to exceed $76,250. Rezoning property in Red Bank was approved for three locations at the commission meeting Monday night. 107 Cartwright St. was rezoned from R-1A residential to R-TZ residential townhouse/zero lot line. The change will allow three attached dwellings to be built. They are being built to sell, not rent. and will add to the citys inventory of affordable housing at a lower price range. A two-story building and the property next door to Walgreens at 4105 Dayton Blvd. was rezoned from R-3 Residential to C-1 Commercial. The two-story building there is already substantially commercial, said Leslie Johnson, public works deputy director, so the new zoning designation is more appropriate. Commissioner Pete Phillips said it has always been used commercially so this is essentially a correction. The city ordered a new brush truck for the public works department in 2021 but it is just now ready for delivery. In the time since the order was placed, the cost of the truck has increased by $33,000. The commissioners approved paying that extra amount with money from the solid waste fund. Another unexpected expense for the public works department is to make repairs to the New Holland tractor that was purchased in 2018. Public Works Director Tate said that this equipment is used eight months out of the year, primarily for mowing, and it has been well maintained. The repairs need to be done now to get it ready for spring. The one-time expense to make the repair is $13,258. That amount was budgeted to come from the street department. Red Bank has been using Geographic Information System (GIS) services from Hamilton County since 2006. This provides free regional data and identifies zones and address information to the public. And the information is continually updated. The commission authorized paying $10.730 to the county on behalf of the county Geospatial Technology Department for continuing to have this service. Another $159,056 was earmarked and the expenditure approved for payment to R.J. Young to digitize records and to implement a document management system to access the records electronically and by computer. The board of commissioners has approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2025 operating budget. That will allow for the unbudgeted expenditures and grants received to be appropriated after which they can be spent. The amendment to the general fund is $132,226.35 and the solid waste fund was amended in the amount of $52,233.90. Red Bank has joined Buyboard Interlocal Cooperative Purchasing, another co-op program that opens up additional inventory and good prices for items the city needs to buy. And the commissioners authorized an application to the Tennessee Arts Commission for a grant of up to $1,000 that would require the city to match the amount. If received, it would be used to help add another yearly event to the citys calendar, an art show planned for September. Red Bank commissioners also adopted a new air pollution control ordinance. This includes the most current of various federal regulations. The same ordinance has been adopted by every municipality in Hamilton County. The Thursday night meeting was the last for Pete Phillips in his role as a commissioner. He was thanked for his four years of service and for sharing his perspective, always with integrity and with the best interest of the community in mind, his fellow commissioners said. Georgia Northwestern Technical College, in partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia, is celebrating Apprenticeship Week in Georgia (Nov. 17-23) by recognizing the value Registered Apprenticeship Programs have in developing a skilled workforce for Northwest Georgia. This years Apprenticeship Week celebrates Georgias historic investment in apprenticeships through the High Demand Apprenticeship Program, which has led to unprecedented growth of apprenticeships throughout the state.Officials said, "GNTC is one of Georgias 22 technical colleges that sponsor registered apprenticeships, making it an integral part of the largest registered apprenticeship network across the state.As a sponsor, GNTC works closely with local businesses to address workforce needs and create career pathways for Georgias workforce through the Registered Apprenticeship Program model."In recent years, GNTC has launched six Registered Apprenticeship Programs, supporting 145 apprentices and partnering with 19 employers. These efforts have been critical to supporting growth across high-demand industries and furthering Georgias role as a leader in workforce development."GNTC continues to offer apprenticeship opportunities, primarily in industrial maintenance and commercial truck driving, to area employers. This partnership allows an employer to upskill new and incumbent employees into a skilled position thus providing an internal pipeline of talent, said Angela Berch, vice president of Economic Development at GNTC.Employers who want to learn more about apprenticeship opportunities are asked to email John Gentry, director of Academic Affairs at GNTC, at jgentry@gntc.edu. The CARTA board of directors on Thursday voted unanimously to approve a delayed labor contract and to establish permanently the Read and Ride fare-free program for K-12 students. The collective bargaining agreement gives union members a three percent wage increase, totaling $594,000 in annual increases. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1212 President Lakecha Strickland said the deal was approved by 99 percent of union members. She called the agreement a vision to get us moving forward with a mindset of growing this place. Ms. Strickland said the collaborative process ushered in attorney-free meetings with the CARTA administration, a first during her tenure. CARTA President and CEO Charles Frazier spoke to Local 1212 at the labor hall. Board Chairman Johan de Nysschen praised the agreement as well. The previous contract expired July 1. After protracted discussion, employees are appropriately compensated within the realities of constraint, he said. There is no such thing as winner takes all in business agreements, he said. He said he is hopeful that free CARTA services for students of Hamilton County Schools will create an organic collaboration with funders outside city limits. County Mayor Weston Wamp cut the county's$105,000 from the budget last year, a token measure, Chairman de Nysschen said. That way you ensure that the status quo is maintained and probably gets worse, he said. Read and Ride riders may ride alone or may be accompanied by an adult, whose fare is also free, along any CARTA fixed route. The program has provided 9,500 free trips to date since it began June 1. It was reported that CARTA ridership is up 4.7 percent year-to-date when compared with 2023. Downtown shuttle ridership is up 20 percent and Care-a-Vans 5,000 trips reported in October are an all-time year-to-date high. I feel like we have answered the call, Mr. Frazier said. Really were just getting started. Mr. Frazier accepted his position at the November board meeting one year ago, amid the citys request to increase ridership using current resources, and to demonstrate CARTAs value to the community. Board member Stephen Culp pressed that CARTA must work to interpret the data. Why it matters in this community to people who ride and do not ride, he said. Mr. Frazier has begun district tours with each city councilperson and county commissioner. His first with City Council Vice Chair Jenny Hill of District 2 explored CARTA Route 16 in North Chattanooga. They identified a possible neighborhood circulator pilot, similar to the downtown shuttle but meant to connect residents to schools, shopping or other everyday errands. Mr. Frazier said Councilwoman Hills insight also helped to identify unserved areas and places where infrastructure such as sidewalks or bus stop amenities are lacking. In other efforts to be more visible in the community, CARTA will provide a warming bus at the Grateful Gobbler Walk on Thanksgiving Day and drive a bus in the MAINx24 parade Dec. 7. Home News Catholic health share ministry urges Trump to make changes to US healthcare system Leaders of a Catholic healthcare sharing ministry are urging President-elect Donald Trump to make changes to the healthcare system in the United States as part of an effort to "Make America Healthy Again." Chris Faddis, president of the Catholic healthcare sharing ministry Solidarity Healthshare founded in 2016, wrote a letter to Trump Tuesday following his victory in the 2024 presidential election. In the letter, Faddis and Solidarity Healthshare's Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Oertle outlined a series of steps they want the incoming administration to take. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Over the past four years, Americans have seen the cost of their healthcare rise exponentially under a health system and [a Food and Drug Administration] plagued by waste and inefficiency even as the quality of care has plummeted," they wrote. "In 2025, families on the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) plan are projected to pay an average of 13.5% more for their plans, the largest healthcare premium increase in more than a decade." The Solidarity Healthshare leaders also expressed concern that "Studies also show that the United States is falling far behind other nations in its ability to provide essential medical care to patients who need it," attributing what they characterized as an inadequate healthcare system to "Big Pharma, Big Insurance, and Big Hospital Systems' depersonalized, bureaucratic approach to treatment." Insisting that the current healthcare system is "no longer serving patient needs," Faddis and Oertle urged the Trump administration to "encourage diagnostics and treatments that address the root causes of chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease and diabetes, and reverse the medical industry's current costly habit of merely treating symptoms." They cited this course of action as a first step in unleashing a "new wave of care tailored to each individual person." "A holistic, individualized approach to federal healthcare is in short order," they added. "Under current regulations, patients who seek such care must go outside of their traditional health plans to receive it or opt into health sharing ministries that provide the personalized care they desire." Faddis and Oertle asked Trump to overhaul the FDA's patent restrictions. "Providers and patients must be freed to use off label medications and alternative treatments such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to treat conditions including COVID-19 and be empowered to rely on nutraceuticals and vitamins that enhance patient health but that cannot be patented under current FDA guidelines." "The administration must ensure top notch environmental quality and public health protections," the letter stated. "Far too many patients suffer from chronic and terminal conditions resulting from environmental toxicities. Yet, their doctors frequently fail to consider environmental causes when diagnosing patients." The letter states that most oncologists "never evaluate carcinogens when patients come to them with cancer, even though many toxins are carcinogenic." "Our government leaders should bolster regulations on pollutants that harm air and water quality," the letter contends. After citing "endocrine disruptors, plastics and forever chemicals" as examples of pollutants "linked to cancer and respiratory diseases" the government should increase regulation of, the Solidarity Healthshare leaders urged the administration to push back on "easy access to processed foods and additives" while working to increase "access to nutrient-dense whole foods." They identified the "unchecked production of processed, nutrient-deficient foods" as the cause of "chronic diseases" that are "undermining Americans' health, and reducing the lifespans of their families and loved ones." "Addressing the root causes of illness and prioritizing positive outcomes for individual patients has proven highly effective for improving the health [of] Solidarity HealthShare members. All Americans deserve access to this kind of care." The letter concluded with a call for the Trump administration to enable healthcare companies to embrace "each person's dignity and God-given right to life," saying, "Health policies should be centered around protecting the doctor-patient relationship and providing life-affirming care to the most vulnerable, especially the elderly, the unborn and the chronically ill." "Securing this type of care would not only protect faithful Catholics in healthcare who after having their conscience rights threatened by Vice President Harris voted for Trump at the ballot box by an 18-point margin, but it would reflect the reality that holistic, life affirming care is also the highest quality healthcare for all Americans." Faddis and Oertle's letter comes less than a week after Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. When announcing the former Democratic and independent candidate for president as his pick to lead the agency, Trump vowed that Kennedy would restore HHS 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!" Repealing and replacing Obamacare, the law also known as the Affordable Care Act that governs the healthcare system in the U.S. today, was a priority of the Trump administration's first term. However, the effort to reform healthcare largely disappeared after the U.S. Congress rejected a replacement plan in 2017. The implementation of Obamacare has led to multiple court cases brought by faith-based employers challenging the law's mandates that require employer-sponsored healthcare coverage to cover the cost of contraception and other procedures, surgeries and interventions that violate their deeply held religious beliefs. Concerns about religious liberty materialized in the 2024 election when Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, suggested that she would not include religious liberty exemptions in a national abortion mandate during an interview last month. Home News Christian group warns that proposed Australian online misinformation law risks limiting free speech Critics of abortion and trans ideology could be silenced in Australia after parliamentarians backed a proposed law to give the countrys media authority more powers, vexing the Australian Christian Lobby. Australian lawmakers approved the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 in the House of Representatives by 78 votes to 57 on Nov. 7. The bill has now been referred to the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for further scrutiny. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The legislation amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, and imposes certain obligations on digital communication platform providers for distributing digital content deemed reasonably verifiable as false, misleading or deceptive, summarized the Parliament of Australia on its website, and is reasonably likely to cause or contribute to serious harm of a specified type. The law also expands the compliance and enforcement powers of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). It would mean the ACMA is enabled to receive information from providers as needed, and determine standards for misinformation, with parties falling foul of the proposed law facing financial fines. Proponents for the law cited concerns about online misinformation expressed by 75% of Australians in a survey by the University of Canberra for its Digital News Report: Australia 2024. However, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) lashed out at the new legislation, calling it both Orwellian and an unmatched threat to freedom of speech in Australia. The proposed legislation would allow the government of the day to impose their subjective view of truth onto public discourse and effectively silence dissenting voices, said Michelle Pearse, CEO of the ACL. Pearse expressed particular worries about the bill silencing the rights of pro-lifers and people opposed to trans ideology. The departments own impact analysis states the bill would stop the spread of information that might reverse the rights of women and LGBTQI+ people, suggesting it may well silence pro-life views and views that oppose trans ideology, Pearse warned. She added that limiting freedom of speech in such a way could threaten democracy itself in the country. Pearse expressed further fears that digital platforms faced threats with enormous fines if they failed to remove so-called misinformation, should the bill pass through the Senate. By granting ACMA the ability to arbitrarily determine what is false, misleading or deceptive and what is reasonably likely to cause or contribute to harm, this bill gives the government unprecedented control over the media narrative on contentious and disputed topics, she added. Pearse compared the bill to a similar previous Exposure Draft Bill, gaining 23,000 responses from the public during a consultation, with concern about the broad new powers proposed for the ACMA to censor online content. This is especially concerning for Christians and Australians who disagree with radical ideologies being pushed by influential fringe groups, Pearse continued. We have already seen the E-Commissioner forcibly remove posts on X, which criticize radical gender ideology. Many parliamentarians opposed the new legislation, expressing similar concerns to the ACL, according to Pearse who accused the Australian government of pushing this through. The ACL is disappointed to see the Australian government rush these reforms through the House of Representatives after giving Australians only 11 days to formally respond to the bill, added Pearse. The ACL is now calling on the Australian government to abandon its online misinformation bill and commit to protecting democratic freedom of speech. In a Human Rights Scrutiny Report dated Oct. 10, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights acknowledged that the bill supports several human rights, as per the Universal Declaration. However, it also found issues with the proposed law in regards to legal rights to freedom of expression and to privacy. The issue with freedom of expression, according to the human rights committee, is the proposed monitoring and regulation of disseminated information by the ACMA actually limits the right. A further limitation are found in the extra powers proposed for the ACMA in approving standards and making rules, alongside information and documents provided to the media authority by digital providers, which might involve the disclosure of personal information. The committee expounded that freedom of expression rights were allowed to shock or disturb according to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, either orally, in writing or print, in the form of art, or through any other media of an individual's choice. Furthermore, the committee acknowledged this legal right carried special duties and responsibilities" but pointed to restrictions on the right to freedom of expression must be construed strictly and any restrictions must be justified in strict conformity within certain limits. In regards to privacy, the committee said the scheme would regulate potentially content deemed seriously harmful: However, this would not prevent a digital service provider platform from regulating content in circumstances outside the scope of scenarios contemplated by the bill so as to avoid the risk of a civil penalty for non-compliance. The committee gave as an example someone posting factually incorrect content about a local election. Under the proposed law, the platform could remove this content on the basis that it is incorrect and political even if that end-user had a very small following and so the dissemination of their views would be unlikely to have a tangible impact on that election or lead to any other tangible harm. The committee also warned that nothing would prevent a platform provider, under the proposed bill, from regulating more content than is specified in a code or standard. Home News Jen Psaki claims cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers are 'best practice' for gender-confused kids White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki defended giving experimental puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children and teens suffering from gender dysphoria as a best practice and warned that the federal government would take action against states that ban such practices. Critics of medicalized gender transition and elective surgeries to remove breast tissue and mutilate the genitals of underage youth say these practices are unethical and lead to a lifetime of sterilization and maimed bodies. At a White House press briefing Thursday, Psaki condemned Republican elected officials for what she derided as engaging in a disturbing cynical trend of attacking vulnerable transgender kids for purely partisan, political reasons. Paski specifically singled out Republican lawmakers in Alabama for debating legislation that she claimed would target trans youth with tactics that threatens to put pediatricians in prison if they provide medically necessary, lifesaving healthcare for the kids they serve. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Psaki Says Sex Reassignment Surgery, Puberty Blockers for Kids Is Best Practice, States Preventing It Will Be Held Accountable pic.twitter.com/ZmboFDFIYx Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 7, 2022 "Just like the extreme government overreach weve seen in Texas, where politicians have sent state officials into the homes of loving parents to investigate them for abuse just to harass and intimidate the LGBTQI+ community todays vote in Alabama will only serve to harm kids," Psaki said. Alabamas lawmakers and other legislators who are contemplating these discriminatory bills have been put on notice by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services that laws and policies preventing care that healthcare professionals recommend for transgender minors may violate the Constitution and federal law. Though Psaki claimed that every major medical association agrees that gender-affirming healthcare" for gender-confused youth is a "best practice and potentially lifesaving, the American College of Pediatricians maintains that there is not a single long-term study to demonstrate the safety or efficacy of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries for transgender-believing youth. Puberty blockers may actually cause depression and other emotional disturbances related to suicide," the American College of Pediatricians states. "In fact, the package insert for Lupron, the number one prescribed puberty blocker in America, lists emotional instability as a side effect and warns prescribers to Monitor for development or worsening of psychiatric symptoms during treatment. The American College of Pediatricians listed some of the side effects associated with the use of Lupron as a puberty blocker, including: osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, cognitive impairment and, when combined with cross-sex hormones, sterility. Side effects associated with cross-sex hormones include an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers across their lifespan. In addition to concerns about the side effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, testimony from detransitioners who previously underwent treatment seeking to change their gender but now identify with their biological gender has also motivated efforts to ban the procedures for minors. Appearing on 60 Minutes last spring, a group of detransitioners described how undergoing what supporters laud as gender-affirming care made their mental health worse, not better. One of the detransitioners, a male who once identified as female, reported that he had never really been suicidal before until I had my breast augmentation. He recalled that about a week afterward, I wanted to actually kill myself, adding: I had a plan, and I was going to do it but I just kept thinking about my family to stop myself. Another detransitioner, a female who once identified as male, developed a really disturbing sense that, like, a part of my body was missing, almost a ghost limb feeling about being like, theres something that should be there after having an elective mastectomy. Before she took questions from members of the White House Press Corps, Psaki concluded her opening remarks by proclaiming that LGBTQI+ people cant be erased or forced back into any closets and kids across our nation should be allowed to be who they are without the threat that their parents or their doctor could be in prison simply for helping them and loving them. Psaki then vowed that President Biden has committed in both words and actions to fight for all Americans and will not hesitate to hold these states accountable. The "Vulnerable Child Protection Act," the Alabama bill Psaki took issue with during Thursdays press conference, bans state employees as well as employees of school districts from prescribing, dispensing, administering, or otherwise supplying puberty blocking medication to stop or delay normal puberty, performing surgeries that sterilize, performing surgeries that artificially construct tissue with the appearance of genitalia that differs from the individuals biological sex and removing any healthy or non-diseased body part or tissue. The Republican-controlled Alabama House of Representatives approved the measure Thursday after the state Senate voted to approve it earlier this year. The Vulnerable Child Protection Act now sits on Republican Gov. Kay Iveys desk, where it awaits her signature. Arkansas has already passed a law banning the prescription of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors over the objection of the states Republican governor. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has characterized such procedures as child abuse. Last week, a bill banning gender reassignment surgeries for minors became law in Arizona. Home News University of Maine System refused to sell property to church over beliefs: lawsuit A church is suing the University of Maine System for allegedly refusing to sell a property to the congregation because of its religious objections to same-sex marriage. Calvary Chapel Belfast filed the complaint against UMS and some of its staff members in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, Bangor Division, Tuesday. The church submitted a proposal to UMS to purchase a vacant property known as the Hutchinson Center to accommodate its growing congregation, the filing states. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Although UMS initially allowed Calvary Chapel to negotiate the purchase of the center in August, complaints from community members over the theologically conservative views on sexual ethics and pressure from other bidders for the property led UMS to rescind their offer, the complaint reads. Through their rescission of the bid award to Plaintiff, Defendants acted to exclude Plaintiff from a government program solely due to its religious identity and the expression of its Bible-centered beliefs and viewpoint, including its beliefs on marriage and sexuality, claims the lawsuit. Defendants discriminatory action deprived Plaintiff of its right to freely participate in a government program while expressing its beliefs without punishment. The University of Maine announced last week that the center property is awarded to a nonprofit called Waldo Community Action Partners, which offered $3.06 million for the property, well above the estimated value of $2.52 million. WCAP demonstrated proof of funds and their top-scoring proposal did not have any contingencies that could delay a timely transition of the property, which the university anticipates could be completed by early 2025, said the university in their announcement. As is standard with System solicitations, the university has the right to terminate negotiations at any point if they are not proceeding in a manner that is in its best interest as a public institution. The church's lawsuit claims that after its award was rescinded, it again participated in the request for proposal process but was denied in favor of WCAP. The lawsuit described the WCAP as a "secular bidder that had maliciously criticized the Churchs religious identity and beliefs and on whose Board sits a State Senator who openly stoked flames of religious hostility towards the Church in the community." "UMSs actions, culminating in the award of RFP 2025-031 to WCAP, represent a continuation of its pattern of discriminatory treatment toward the Church and a conspiracy against its constitutional rights," the complaint states. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver, whose Christian conservative legal group is representing Calvary Chapel, said in a statement on Tuesday that UMS violated the First Amendment by discrimination against a church because of its Christian beliefs. Such discrimination is unlawful, stated Staver. It is a sad day when government officials violate the Constitutional rights of its citizens. This is a costly mistake for the University of Maine System. In an emailed statement to The Christian Post, a UMS spokesperson denied any wrongdoing. The University of Maine System is still reviewing the complaint that was filed on Tuesday, Nov. 19 but strongly disagrees with any allegations of discrimination, stated UMS. As we have previously stated, every organization had the same opportunity to submit a proposal to purchase the Hutchinson Center, and every proposal received was scored by the same objective standards. The UMS added that those with lower-scoring offers may formally protest the award decision in writing through this Friday and that the System received a formal protest from Calvary Chapel Belfast. Consistent with our long-standing practice, the award is stayed until this protest is resolved, they added. Home News Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be Trumps attorney general Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has announced that he's withdrawing his name from consideration for United States attorney general under the Trump administration. In a statement posted to his X account on Thursday afternoon, Gaetz said he had met with members of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday and appreciated their thoughtful feedback. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, stated Gaetz. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1, he added. Gaetz concluded by saying that he will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America. For his part, President-elect Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account and immediately responded, commending Gaetzs recent efforts and believing that he had a promising future. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect, Trump said. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do! Earlier this month, Trump had announced that he was going to nominate Gaetz as attorney general, with the decision reportedly creating an audible gasp among some Republican lawmakers. Gaetz, who had helped orchestrate the removal of fellow Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House speaker while in Congress, faced several accusations of sexual misconduct. Gaetz, who has represented Florida's 1st Congressional District since 2016 until he resigned his seat upon his nomination, was weathering an investigation by the House Ethics Committee that had been ongoing since 2021. Gaetz was accused of attending sex parties, taking illegal drugs and paying a 17-year-old for sex. He has denied any wrongdoing. The vote to release the ethics investigation was reportedly slated to occur shortly before Gaetz resigned, according to The Hill. In addition to opposition from Democrats and progressive activists, conservative groups and activists like the Liberty Counsel also took issue with his nomination. "The nomination of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General is shocking and disappointing to those who have followed this man and the lurid scandals and serious allegations of sex parties and drugs during his tenure in the U.S. Congress," said Liberty Counsel President Mat Staver in a statement released last week. "Gaetz does not want America to know the result of the Ethics investigation. Matt Gaetz has neither the experience nor the moral character to serve as the highest law enforcement officer of the United States of America. Gaetz should do President Trump and all of America a favor and withdraw his name from consideration." Home News SPLC doxxes writers for Babylon Bee's sister site; Elon Musk calls group 'criminal organization' A far-left civil rights group has released a report attacking the Christian satire site The Babylon Bee and its sister news site, Not The Bee, over business connections tied to CEO Seth Dillon and exposed the identity of the site's writers. The Southern Poverty Law Center "Hatewatch" Data Lab report focused on Dillon's satirical websites, uncovering not only past business connections tied to Dillon but also the identities of 14 pseudonymous writers for "Not the Bee" all while the site worked to protect their anonymity. The SPLC's "Inside the Beehive" report accused Dillon of publishing content that critiques progressive ideologies, particularly on issues related to immigration and gender. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe According to the report, nearly 600 articles on the site have been tagged with terms like "Illegal Immigration," "Biden's Border Bloodbath," and "Deportation Now," with another 800 pieces focused on gender ideology, LGBT topics and "stories [that] frequently misgender and mock" trans-identified men and women. Noting that "many Not the Bee stories feature strongly anti-[LGBT] and anti-immigrant themes," the report also referred to Not The Bee's use of Bible references, including those about "millstones," a reference to Jesus' warning in the Gospel condemning those who lead children astray, which the report claims targets LGBT people. In addition to noting Dillon attended a Christian college in Florida, the report lists a number of Dillon's previous ventures. SPLC reports that Dillon ran online so-called "paper mills" offering term paper services for college students for as much as $18.95 per page. SPLC cited one 2006 customer review claiming one of Dillon's ventures never fulfilled an order. Another review claimed one of his services used "plagiarized" work. Florida made it illegal for businesses to sell term papers to students in 2011. The report also publicly identified or "doxxed" 14 pseudonymous Bee writers, including Managing Editor Joel Berry, who allegedly used the name "Davey Crockett" for 140 articles. The report also criticized one Bee writer, Peter Heck, for arguing that "the Bible be taught, discussed, analyzed, explained and understood in every public school in the United States." The report linked to a cached version of a 2015 article profiling Heck's career as a public high school teacher, in which he stated, "The entire premise of the course is that an educated person knows the Bible." SPLC maintains its report was based on "publicly available data" and "publicly viewable source code." The information obtained does not appear to be a data breach "despite the website's efforts to keep information secure," the report stated. In response to the report, Dillon said in an X post Wednesday that the SPLC "extracted sensitive information from our site, then used that information to contact our writers directly." Dillon declined to provide additional comment to CP Wednesday and only said, "right now we're exploring legal options." CP reached out to the SPLC for comment Wednesday. This story will be updated if a response is received. Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk, who famously gave an interview to The Bee in December 2021, replied to Dillon's post by calling the SPLC "a criminal organization [in my opinion]." The Christian conservative policy tank, the Family Research Council, also responded to the report, calling it "more shameful behavior" from the SPLC. The group pointed to the 2012 arrest of a Virginia man who used an SPLC "hate map" as a resource in a planned shooting at the Family Research Council's headquarters in Washington, D.C. "Doxxing individuals you disagree with puts their safety and well-being at risk," the organization said. "As does placing someone on a 'hate map,' like the SPLC did in 2012, which led a gunman to our headquarters with the intent to kill as many staff members as possible, wounding our building manager." Originally founded to assist poor black communities in the South, the SPLC has faced growing criticism in recent years for its increasingly controversial "hate list," which has expanded its scope to include mainstream pro-life and pro-family organizations that oppose the homosexual and trans agendas, such as Alliance Defending Freedom, the Family Research Institute, the Ruth Institute, the American College of Pediatricians, Do No Harm, Family Watch International and the World Congress of Families. In March 2021, SPLC Chief of Staff Lecia Brooks claimed to the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee that "the Southern Poverty Law Center is not anti-Christian at all" despite the group routinely classifying Christian organizations as "hate" groups. Brooks said many churches and institutions that oppose "marriage equality" are not on the "hate map" and that over 65% of SPLC staff "identify as Christian." Home News SPLC labels moms group concerned about kids' education as 'extremist' hate group, akin to the KKK The Southern Poverty Law Center is facing criticism for listing the parental rights group Moms for Liberty on its hate map alongside the infamous Ku Klux Klan white supremacist group. The left-leaning activist organization compared Moms for Libertys message of parental rights and family values to organizations that opposed desegregating schools during the U.S. civil rights era. SPLC also likened the parental rights group to the Moral Majority that advocated for Christian prayer in schools and against homosexuality. SPLC accused Moms for Liberty of being at the forefront of the mobilization of hard-right attacks against schools, noting that such groups appeared to gain momentum due to the pandemic-related school closures. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe But they have grown into an anti-student inclusion movement that targets any inclusive curriculum that contains discussions of race, discrimination and LGBTQ identities, the report noted. Moms for Liberty co-founders Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich told The Christian Post in a Monday statement that the groups goal is to help parents be a part of their childrens education, a mission that began two years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nationwide school lockdowns prompted some parents to withdraw their children from public school, feeling as if remote learning measures were harmful to their childs education. Empowering parents continues to be our mission today and that has fueled our organizations growth like wildfire to now 45 states in the country, the organizations co-founders stated. Name-calling parents who want to be a part of their childs education as hate groups or bigoted just further exposes what this battle is all about: Who fundamentally gets to decide what is taught to our kids in school parents or government employees? they continued. We believe that parental rights do not stop at the classroom door and no amount of hate from groups like this is going to stop that. SPLCs list includes 1,225 organizations, labeling 523 of them as so-called hate groups and 702 as antigovernment extremist groups. The list of hate groups included 230 Moms for Liberty chapters and 12 chapters of another parental rights group, Parents Defending Education. Another group included on SPLCs hate group list is the Family Research Council, a faith-based think tank that advocates for traditional family values. FRC President Tony Perkins said in a statement shared with CP earlier this month that SPLCs hat map is dangerous and wrong, citing a 2012 shooting at the FRC headquarters by a gunman who was inspired by the SPLC hate map. The suspect attacked the FRC building after SPLC included the conservative family-values think-tank on its list of anti-gay organizations. It is a cloaked attempt by the SPLC to intimidate and silence anyone who holds to a biblical worldview or advocates for conservative principles, Perkins said about SPLCs hate map. Yet somehow, the SPLC is still viewed as a legitimate source of information and analysis by the mainstream media and even government agencies. In 2018, the SPLC was forced to issue a formal apology to British social commentator Maajid Nawaz, a former Islamist revolutionary group member who was deradicalized, and his Quilliam Foundation for listing them on its hate map. The SPLC paid Nawaz $3.3 million in a settlement for falsely claiming that he and Quilliam were an anti-Muslim group. SPLCs branding of parental rights organizations as hate groups comes amid multiple instances of parents objecting to the curriculum at their children's schools that has garnered media attention. As CP reported last month, a group of parents filed a lawsuit against members of the Montgomery County Board of Education and Montgomery County Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight. The complaint alleged that the school district barred parents from opting their children out of classroom instruction that includes LGBT-themed books. They (the parents) come from many faith backgrounds, including diverse strands of Islam and Christianity. Their concerns reflect those of thousands of other Montgomery County parents from a variety of faiths and political persuasions, the lawsuit stated. In September 2021, the parent of a student in Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia read aloud sexually explicit material and shared graphic images featured in two books available in the districts high school libraries at a school board meeting. The mother read aloud from one of the books, Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe: I cant wait to have your c--- in my mouth. I am going to give you the b------ of your life and then I want you inside me. She also read an excerpt from another book, Lawn Boy, which has a section promoting pedophilia by depicting an underage boy performing fellatio on an older man, which is a depiction of illegal child sexual assault. The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation last month into another Virginia-based school district, Loudoun County Public Schools. A letter by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights by America First Legal Foundation (AFLF) in January had raised concerns about the districts handling of two separate claims of sexual assault carried out by the same male student in 2021. As CP previously reported in December, a special grand jury indicted former LCPS Superintendent Scott Ziegler and the school system's public information officer Wayde Byard following an investigation that found the district lied to parents about the alleged sexual assaults. The indictment came after the Loudoun County School Board voted to fire Ziegler following the grand jury reports conclusion that district leaders were "looking out for their own best interests" in their responses to the sexual assaults. During a June 2021 school board meeting, Ziegler told parents concerned about a transgender bathroom policy that would allow students to enter opposite-sex bathrooms that "we don't have any records of assaults occurring in our restrooms." The grand jury wrote in the report that the superintendents statement was a "bald-faced lie." The board ultimately approved Policy 8040 in August 2021, three months after the first sexual assault incident. Home Opinion Offending people to Heaven or flattering to Hell Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). As Christians, we are commissioned to speak the truth. We are not to cater to deception for political etiquette or social acceptance; rather, we must speak the truth in everything, even if it offends people. Offending people does not have to be done in a mean or spiteful way. Our words of truth can be delivered softly, with love. Scripture states, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11). Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe We are to exemplify the fruit of the spirit in everything we do so that people will know we are Christians from our fruits: Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). When we anchor our words of truth in these spiritual fruits, there is a marked absence of hatred, anger, accusations, or negativity. Our words may offend, but our intent is grounded in the truth of the Holy Spirit so that none should perish but come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). We are inundated with deception and lies, and these attacks are waged on some of the most fundamental truths. As an example, God created males and females (Genesis 5:2). These differences manifest in physical structures and are guided by the chromosomes we inherit within our cells. This truth is found throughout Gods creation including within the animal kingdom and even among plants. The union of sperm and egg, derived from males and females, brings forth new life. Yet we are now being coerced into agreeing that if a person decides that they are no longer male or female, we must agree with their assertions. If we deny their truth, we are accused of committing violence. It is an act of deception to go along with this type of assertion. A male who sees himself as a female is not anchored in truth. He is male. When we accept pronouns that do not match the truth, we deny the truth. In doing so, we deny Christ. When we go along with the confusion of the most basic principles, we empower the Father of Lies, the devil, to continue his spiritual war on Gods creation (John 8:44). Attitudes toward sin are becoming more casual, even among Christians. Many Christians speak about homosexuality, promiscuity, adultery, pornography, and other sexual sin with nonchalance. These Christians often state, Well, if it isnt hurting anyone, I dont see anything wrong with it, often adding, Why should I care what people do in their bedrooms? This type of indifference exemplifies a lack of truth. These acts are hurting people. Most of the time, the person it hurts the most is the one committing the acts. This hurt manifests itself in the form of illness and disease, broken families, depression, anxiety, lowered self-esteem, and further descent of sinful behaviors that lead to destruction. God gave us commandments because He is our Father, loves us, and wants us to live fruitful lives. When we do not share the truth that sinful acts are against Gods commandments, then we allow people to perish. We all understand when parents tell their children not to play in the road or with fire. Parents know the potential for harm from these activities and offer guidance to their children, so they dont perish. If we looked over and saw someone drowning and then turned our heads and said, Well, they are not hurting anyone else, so I will not say anything, that person will perish. Similarly, when we turn our heads from sin and say nothing, we allow people to die in their sins without hearing the truth. Telling them the truth may offend them, but it serves as an intervention that can give them an eternal life raft to admit their sin, repent, and inherit everlasting life. One of my favorite pastors, JD Farag, who preaches the truth boldly, often says, I'd rather offend people into the Kingdom of Heaven than flatter them into Hell. As Christians, we are commissioned to spread the Gospel and the truth of Jesus Christ. Often, in doing so, we will make people mad. Jesus said, Do you suppose that I came to give peace on Earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division (Luke 12:51). Jesus came to the world so we would not perish. As followers of Christ, we should love people enough to tell them the truth, so they do not die in their sins. Turning our heads and saying nothing while people sin, or worse, telling them it is okay to sin, will lead to everlasting punishment. This is not an act of love. False Christs at the end of the Church age In Matthew 24, the disciples approached Jesus and asked him, What will be the signs of the end? Jesus answered and said, Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name saying, I am the Christ and will deceive many (Matthew 24: 3-5). Many new-age churches today offer a false Christ. These churches essentially say, Come here! Christ is here, and he says it is okay to sin, or Come here, this Jesus accepts sexual sin, or This Jesus accepts any sin you want to revel in. These false representations of Christ lead people down a path of destruction and allow them to rebuke God's commandments and live in rebellion openly. We should not attend brick-and-mortar buildings camouflaged as churches that proclaim such lies and deception. In our efforts to make people happy, tell them what they want to hear, actuate their sin, and caudle lies, allowing them to feel accepted by Christ despite their sinful nature, we partake in their destruction. Telling people the truth is not easy, and it is not easy to face conflict, especially in a society that threatens to cancel you, fire you, isolate you, or even kill you for not going along with the narrative. However, when we deny truth, we deny Christ. Our silence is an open rejection of the message he brought us and to the Gospel of salvation. Remaining silent when lies are being proclaimed makes us guilty of denying the truth. Telling the truth in the face of certain consequences is not easy. What Jesus did was not easy. He delivered a message of truth that infuriated the Pharisees. So much so that they plotted against Him and killed Him; he was rejected, beaten, tortured, mutilated, mocked, and endured pain that many of us will never know. Why did he do this? Because he loved us enough to come to Earth and tell us the truth. The price for bringing us the truth was ultimately his death. But that death led to his resurrection, our only path to forgiveness, and a promise of everlasting life with our Father, Yahweh. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16) Jesus set the example that we are to follow. We are to hold fast to the truth. We should uphold truth while bearing the fruits of the spirit. It is not okay to demean, insult, or treat people disrespectfully. Acting in these ways will only drive people further from the truth of Jesus Christ. We should, however, hold to the truth, rooted in the fruits of the spirit, even if it means we share in Christ's suffering. Doing so fulfills our great commission (Matthew 28: 16-20). As Paul was about to be executed, he said, To live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). We should live our lives in Christ, in truth, as an act of love. Even if we die for the sake of truth, we can die knowing that we upheld the commission, upheld love, and will be with Christ forever. Home News Christian girl rescued from forced marriage to elderly Muslim man LAHORE, Pakistan 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 an elderly Muslim man. Sana Javed, 18, the youngest of seven children, had gone to a nearby shop in Lahore, Punjab Province on June 9 but never returned home. 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 again until Nov. 14. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe 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 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. Originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News Home News Christian leaders, politicians react to ICC's arrest warrant for Israel PM Netanyahu Politicians and faith leaders are raising concerns after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant Thursday over its military offensive in Gaza. The International Criminal Court, a supranational organization tasked with "trying individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression," released a statement Thursday announcing that it issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over "crimes against humanity and war crimes" that purportedly took place between Oct. 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024. The time period covered by the warrant overlaps with the conflicts that have erupted in the Middle East after the terrorist organization Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, launched a deadly invasion in Southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says that over 44,000 people have died in Gaza since Israel's military offensive began, a tally that doesn't differentiate between civilians and combatants. The Israeli government has long accused Hamas of using citizens as human shields. The warrant, which extends to Israel's Minister of Defence Gallant, alleges that both men engaged in "the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts." According to the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC that issued the warrant, there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant "each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population." "The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least 8 October 2023 to 20 May 2024," the warrant stated. "The finding is based on the role of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant in impeding humanitarian aid in violation of international humanitarian law and their failure to facilitate relief by all means at its disposal." The warrant maintains that the actions of Netanyahu and Gallant caused the "disruption of the ability of humanitarian organisations to provide food and other essential goods to the population in need in Gaza." "The aforementioned restrictions together with cutting off electricity and reducing fuel supply also had a severe impact on the availability of water in Gaza and the ability of hospitals to provide medical care," the document states. The warrant characterizes Israel's military action as "calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza." While the chamber stopped short of charging Netanyahu and Gallant for "the crime against humanity of extermination," the warrant alleges that they committed "the crime against humanity of murder." The arrest warrant drew intense reactions from politicians on both sides of the aisle, faith leaders and advocacy organizations. The following pages highlight reactions to the development. Home News FBI investigates explosion at California church labeled 'hate group' by SPLC The FBI is investigating after an explosive device was thrown at a southern California church on Saturday, weeks after it was threatened with an arson attack over its pastors views and harsh rhetoric toward the LGBT community. The bombing, which involved an improvised explosive device, broke the windows of the First Works Baptist Church in the Los Angeles County town of El Monte. The local news outlet KTLA5 reported that no one was injured but that 14 homes and eight apartments within the vicinity of the church were temporarily evacuated. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe An improvised explosive device was apparently detonated here at the church, causing some damage, El Monte Police Chief David Reynoso was quoted as saying. Lt. Christopher Cano told reporters that officers arrived at the scene and found smoke coming from the windows of the building. It appeared that the walls to the church had been vandalized as well as all the windows, Cano said, according toThe San Gabriel Valley Tribune. [The windows] appeared at first to be smashed, then we realized that the windows were not smashed, that they had actually blown out from some type of explosion. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said that it is too early into the investigation to state if the attack could be considered a hate crime. As to the question of whether this was a hate crime, thats always going to be considered among the theories when a house of worship is attacked, Eimiller said, according to the newspaper. But it would be premature to confirm any motive at this time, and we are not ruling any other motive out. Pastor Bruce Mejia had earlier told police about a threat of arson the church received on social media. Some of those within that LGBTQ group caught one of my sermons that are online and theyve just been harassing ever since, trying to get me out of El Monte, trying to get me and myself and my church out of El Monte by signing a petition, Mejia said at the time, according to The Press-Telegram. The pastor added that while the church filed a complaint with authorities, were not going to pursue it. We feel its not worth it. Were not the violent ones here. First Works had been the site of protests in recent weeks due to opposition to Mejias preachings on sexuality and marriage. Reynoso told the media that it is not fair at this stage of the investigation to speculate on whether anyone involved in protests against the church was involved in the attack. I dont even want to talk about the protests because it wouldnt be fair in any way, shape or form to link the two together, the police chief said, according to The Los Angeles Times. We cannot speculate that anyone involved in previous demonstrations is connected to or involved with this in any way. The group, Keep El Monte Friendly, which organized the protests, canceled a demonstration scheduled for Sunday outside the church. We understand that what they preach can make people upset. However, we would never promote, encourage or condone any violence or acts of harm, the group said in a statement. Our intent is to unite the community and keep El Monte a safe place for all regardless of gender identity, race or sexual orientation. First Works issued two posts Saturday featuring two Bible verses. The first verse was Psalm 9:17, which reads: The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. The second verse, Romans 12:19, states: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written: Vengeance is mine. I will repay, saith the Lord. The online petition launched three weeks ago calls on El Monte Mayor Jessica Ancona to not only recognize First Works as a hate group but to also take them out of our city. The petition is supported by over 15,000 people. The city of El Monte and its constituents do not condone this church and want their members to know that they cannot congregate here, the petition reads. In June 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center, a far-left civil rights organization, listed First Works as one of 88 hate groups in California, labeling the church anti-LGBTQ. SPLC also reported in 2019 that Mejia participated in a Make America Straight Again conference and called for government executions of members of the LGBT community. Although there is no official word yet on the motive in Saturdays bombing, this is not the first time that a Christian organization listed by the SPLC as a hate group has been attacked. In August 2012, the Washington, D.C. headquarters of the Christian conservative lobbying organization Family Research Council was attacked by a gunman who later told investigators that he chose FRC as a target after visiting the SPLC website. At the time, FRC President Tony Perkins accused SPLC of being reckless in labeling organizations 'hate' groups because they disagree with them on public policy. St. Rose Hospital in Hayward is staying open after a community effort led to its acquisition by the Alameda Health System. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle 2012 Maria Amaya was born at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, as was her daughter, Alicia, 7, who is being treated for asthma at St. Rose, which is five minutes from their home. At a recent hearing about St. Roses future, Maria shared how both her parents were having extreme difficulty breathing due to COVID during the height of the pandemic. She rushed them to St. Rose where doctors found that their lungs had collapsed. They had to be intubated for two months and their lives were saved. If they had traveled 30 minutes or an hour to another hospital, they likely would have died. The Amayas are among 30,000 patients annually, including thousands of low-income families, who depend on the vital lifeline of St. Rose. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Desperate community efforts to save those local hospitals have often ended in disappointment and frustration. But with the recent announcement that St. Rose Hospital is being acquired by the Alameda Health System, the Amaya family and so many others know that their beloved hospital, including the emergency room, cardiac catheterization lab and a sparkling new 27-bed sub-acute unit will be there for them for the foreseeable future. How did Hayward and Alameda County buck the trend of small independent hospital closures? It took a community that refused to give in to despair, along with exceptional leadership and coordination from nonprofit organizations, elected and appointed government officials, and effective collaboration and support from the regional health care community. The COVID pandemic was a blow to hospitals which lost revenue from fewer patients and surgeries, increased costs for protective equipment and safety protocols, stressed doctors and nurses, and the need to hire expensive traveling professionals. Generous federal government assistance helped mitigate some of the financial hits, but St. Rose has not come close to its pre-pandemic caseloads and revenue. It is only through regular significant subsidies from Alameda County that its doors have remained open. This was not sustainable. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The study concluded that St. Rose could not continue as a stand-alone hospital and that the best outcome would be for a larger health system to acquire it. The St. Rose board of directors, under the leadership of retired Hayward Fire Chief Garrett Contreras, selected Alameda Health System, which last week agreed to acquire St. Rose. Alameda Health is of one the few California public systems that has stepped up to save an independent nonprofit community safety net hospitals in years. In the past decade, Alameda Health has successfully integrated the struggling Alameda Hospital and San Leandro Hospital into its system. 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 Most importantly, the patients who depend upon St. Rose, including the Amaya family, showed up at rallies and government hearings to tell their stories and make their heartfelt case for saving their community hospital and their lifeline. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It takes a community to build a hospital, and it takes the vigilance of that community to make sure that the hospital will be there for everyone when they, their loved ones and their neighbors need it. Home News SPLC accused of pushing kids book that says kids can trans identify at age 2, sexualizes children The Southern Poverty Law Center is facing allegations that the group is promoting a book for elementary school students that normalizes sexual behavior among children, drawing criticism from conservative Christian groups. Conservative news website Breitbart published a report last week about the SPLC's "Learning for Justice" project, which includes an "LGBTQ Library" with a list of recommended books and practices that are controversial. Jeff Johnston, the culture and policy analyst for the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based Focus on the Family, denounced the guide as promoting "false ideologies and damaging behaviors for children of all ages." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "It promotes the false idea that there are not two sexes male and female but a variety of 'gender identities,'" said Johnston in a statement emailed to The Christian Post on Monday. "It encourages schools to violate privacy and safety in restrooms, locker rooms and showers by allowing students who 'identify' as the opposite sex into those spaces. And it urges schools to use curriculums that are radical and sexualized. This is ideology masquerading as education." Senior Fellow for Education Studies at the Christian conservative activist organization Family Research Council Meg Kilgannon also took issue with the guide, telling CP that the SPLC "has been in the business of sexualizing children in the name of 'diversity' for years." Kilgannon directed CP to a 2019 paper by the FRC, updated last year, which documented examples of the SPLC's "Learning for Justice" program engaging in controversial practices. "When sexual progressives want to teach children with 'no normative pressures around sex,' parents should know that kind of thinking can include the idea that age restrictions on sexual behavior adults and children is a 'normative pressure,'" she explained. "SPLC isn't interested in preserving childhood innocence when they train teachers to implement Queer Theory in classrooms in California and around the country. School systems that rely on teacher training materials from SPLC should be aware of the dangerous political and sexual ideologies SPLC's 'free materials' include." One of the recommended books in the guide, which received considerable attention from Breitbart, is Sex is a Funny Word by Cory Silverberg, which is aimed at younger readers. "Less controversial than its title suggests, this comic book for kids includes children and families of all makeups, orientations and gender identities, providing an essential resource about bodies, gender and sexuality for young children that will help caregivers guide difficult conversations," claims the guide. The comic book features an illustration of a girl having an orgasm, with its author being quoted as wanting "a world with no normative pressures around sex." Elsewhere, the guide claimed that "children often know their gender as early as 2 or 3 years old" and that they "do not need to be pubescent or sexually active to 'truly know' their gender identity or sexual orientation." CP reached out to the SPLC for a response to the book, but a response wasn't received by press time. Under the category of "Classroom Culture," the guide encouraged teachers to wear nametags indicating their chosen pronouns and encouraged the conducting of "pronoun check-ins." "Collective pronoun check-ins help students learn peers' pronouns without forcing nonbinary students to come out repeatedly," the guide continued. "You may say, 'To make sure we're referring to each other accurately, let's go around so everyone can share their name and pronoun.' This process can help transgender and nonbinary students feel seen, not singled out." Launched in 1991 and originally named "Teaching Tolerance," "Learning for Justice" describes itself as an educational resource project helping schools combat discrimination and celebrate diversity. "Our free educational resources articles, guides, lessons, films, webinars, frameworks and more help foster shared learning and reflection for educators, young people, caregivers and all community members. Our engagement opportunities conferences, workshops, and school and community partnerships provide space where people can harness collective power and take action," its website states. "Through this continual cycle of education and engagement, we hope that we can build and maintain meaningful relationships with communities and we can all move from learning for justice to creating it." A far-left civil rights group, SPLC has garnered much controversy and backlash over its labeling of several conservative Christian organizations, including FRC, as "hate groups." This became a major point of contention in 2012 when a gay rights activist inspired by the SPLC entered FRC's Washington, D.C. headquarters and attempted to kill the staff. The SPLC apologized to ex-Muslim activist Maajid Nawaz in June 2018 and paid him $3.3 million in a settlement after wrongfully including him in a report on anti-Muslim activity. In March 2019, the SPLC fired its founder, Morris Dees, in response to several allegations of sexual misconduct, as well as claims of racist behavior within the progressive group. Home News From 'Elf' to 'Bonhoeffer,' Todd Komarnicki on telling stories that matter: 'One man against the devil' Todd Komarnicki, the visionary filmmaker behind Sully and producer behind the beloved Christmas film "Elf," is now tackling his most profound story yet with Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin, a film about the German pastor and theologian who stood against the Nazi regime. Im drawn to stories of one man against the system, the 59-year-old director and producer told The Christian Post. In Elf, its Buddy fighting for Christmas spirit in a jaded New York. In Sully, its Captain Sullenberger defending his heroic actions against a skeptical system. And in 'Bonhoeffer,' its one man against the devil. Bonhoeffer, born in 1906, became a symbol of defiance during a time when moral compromise was common. Despite a promising future in the German church, he denounced Adolf Hitler as early as 1933, giving sermons that defied Nazi ideology and condemned the churchs collaboration. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The pastors poignant statement, Silence in the face of evil is itself evil, was the guiding force that would ultimately lead him to resist the Nazis, even at the cost of his life. Bonhoeffer was executed in 1945 due to his resistance to the Nazi regime. Komarnickis film, from Angel Studios and releasing Nov. 22, dives into the complexities of Bonhoeffers life a pastor who plotted to assassinate Hitler in the name of justice and moral responsibility. Rated PG-13, Bonhoeffer" stars Jonas Dassler as Bonhoeffer, the founding member of the Confessing Church. Then I Will, the end-title track for the new film, written and performed by Lauren Daigle, declares obedience to Gods calling, even in the face of death. Bonhoeffers story of moral courage resonates today, Komarnicki explained, not because of his superhuman strength but because of his struggles and doubts. What I found in Bonhoeffer was a man who wrestled deeply with God, Komarnicki shared. He doubted, he questioned, and yet he acted. He saw injustice and stood against it. He saw Jews being othered, and he fought for them. He saw the Gestapo infiltrating his church, and he preached against it. All of this came from a purity of courage rooted in his love for God. As the world witnesses a rise in antisemitism and division, Komarnicki told CP that Bonhoeffers story is more relevant than ever. Its not just about antisemitism, he noted. Its about the alarming trend of othering labeling people, dividing communities and justifying it as righteousness. Bonhoeffer lived as a man for others, as he called Jesus. His life challenges us to stop judging and start serving. The film, which does include some mild language, highlights Bonhoeffers transformation from a promising academic to a man willing to risk everything for what he believed was right. At just 27 years old, Bonhoeffer denounced Hitler from the pulpit, declaring that no leader could supplant God. Komarnicki said that many Americans are often unfamiliar with Bonhoeffers story because history classes largely skip over the years before the U.S. entered World War II. But his research uncovered a man whose defiance of Nazi ideology came at significant personal cost and whose legacy is deeply inspiring. For Komarnicki, faith is inseparable from his work. The director, who counts the late Pastor Tim Keller and Narnia author C.S. Lewis among his greatest influences, told CP that he wraps every project in prayer. I don't know who I am outside of Jesus Christ. It's 100 percent my identity. So I don't think about my faith as a thing. I think about my life in Christ, he said. My life is hid in Christ. Every day begins with surrender. I pray without ceasing. Thats how I live and how I create. Jesus is King. No one else determines my destiny, he added. If groups in back rooms decide not to work with me because Im outspoken about my faith, so be it. But Ive never experienced that. What I do know is that good art flows from living an open-handed life, as Jesus taught dont worry about tomorrow, dont store up treasures in barns. Surrender and create. Komarnickis approach to filmmaking mirrors this sense of surrender. He told CP he believes that great art happens when creators live open-handedly, unburdened by worry or the pressures of control. Dont worry about tomorrow, dont store up in barns just surrender everything, he said. Thats the only way good art happens. Its an expression of creativity that flows through you, not something you calculate or control. For Komarnicki, the notion that being an outspoken Christian could hinder his career has never been a concern. Its possible that in back rooms, people decide not to work with me because of my faith, he said. But Ive never experienced that. And Im very clear: there is nobody out there who is the gatekeeper of my destiny. Jesus is King. Thats who I walk with. This unshakable confidence in Gods sovereignty frees him to focus on what matters creating meaningful stories and living authentically, he said, adding: I could have any job, whether its as a filmmaker or an oil rigger. The point is to fully be who Im supposed to be and do it all for His glory, by His grace. For Komarnicki, the intersection of faith and creativity is a calling: We are co-creators with God, he said. Every day is an opportunity to do what matters, to live to give and give to live. The world is noisy with judgment and division, but were called to be people who wash feet, not point fingers. And in todays polarized world, Komarnicki believes Bonhoeffers legacy is more relevant than ever. Weve forgotten the grace weve been given and the call to love and serve. Instead of dividing, we need to be inviting. Bonhoeffer reminds us of what it truly means to follow Christ a life of sacrifice, courage and humility. Komarnicki told CP his passion for Bonhoeffers story extends beyond the film itself. He sees it as a call to action for Christians to live more like Christ serving rather than judging. Jesus, with all power from on high, wrapped a towel around His waist and washed His disciples feet, he said. If were doing anything other than that, were missing the point. Bonhoeffer, he said, is not just a historical drama but a spiritual challenge to a divided world. As the film nears its release, the director said he hopes audiences will see Bonhoeffer not just as a hero of the past but as a guide for living in the present, a reminder that even in the face of evil, faith and grace are enough. Its easy to doomscroll or get lost in the noise, he said. But every day is an opportunity to do what matters. Bonhoeffers life reminds us that courage and faith can prevail, even against the darkest odds. Home News Trans lawmaker Sarah McBride won't use women's bathrooms on Capitol Hill Sarah (Tim) McBride, the first transgender-identified individual elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, has agreed to refrain from using women's facilities amid an ongoing debate about female-exclusive spaces on Capitol Hill following his election. In a statement Wednesday, McBride, Delaware's 34-year-old representative-elect, promised that despite his disagreements with the rules Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., outlined earlier in the day about the use of sex-segregated facilities, he would follow them. He remarked that discussions about bathrooms are an effort to "distract from the real issues facing this country," adding that he remains hard at work preparing for his new role. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe McBride publicly announced in 2012 while attending American University that he identified as a woman. His recent election to represent Delaware's at-large district brought the debate about men accessing women's spaces to Capitol Hill. Speaker Johnson, a conservative Baptist, was forced to weigh in and outline a set of guidelines. Johnson issued a statement Wednesday regarding the use of single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings, clarifying that restrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms "are reserved for individuals of that biological sex." "It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol," Speaker Johnson stated. "Women deserve women's only spaces." Responding to The Christian Post's request for further comment, a spokesperson for McBride confirmed that the newly elected official does not intend to use the men's restroom despite agreeing to follow Johnson's guidelines. Instead, McBride plans to use private facilities, according to the spokesperson. In a statement provided to CP, the representative-elect said his goal is to represent his constituents, including LGBT constituents, not himself. This means not "allowing a right wing culture war machine to turn [him] into an issue." "I am continuing to work to guarantee that the Capitol complex is safe for all staff and interns and visitors," McBride stressed. "I can deal with this, other people shouldn't have to." In his statement, McBride said that serving in Congress will be the "honor of a lifetime." "I continue to look forward to getting to know my future colleagues on both sides of the aisle," McBride continued. "Each of us were sent here because voters saw in us something that they value." "I have loved seeing those qualities in the future colleagues that I've 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." The bathroom debate taking place on Capitol Hill gained media attention after Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., introduced a resolution Monday to require lawmakers and their staffs to use restrooms that aligns with their biological sex. "Biological men do not belong in private women's spaces. Period. Full stop. End of story," Mace wrote in a Monday X post, which included a copy of the proposed resolution. In response to a comment about her proposal, the female lawmaker declared, "We must protect girls everywhere for this sick policy of forcing men into private spaces for women and girls." According to the resolution, allowing men into single-sex facilities like bathrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms reserved for women "jeopardizes the safety and dignity" of female employees or government officials. Mace's resolution would prohibit House employees from using any of the facilities in the Capitol or House offices not reserved for their sex. The sergeant-at-arms would be responsible for enforcing that policy. Speaking to reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill, Mace confirmed her bill was in response to McBride. "Yes and absolutely, and then some," Mace said. "I'm absolutely 100% going to stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women's restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms. I will be there fighting you every step of the way." An earlier article described emerging AI regulations for the U.S. and Europe. Building on that perspective, this article describes examples of AI regulations in the rest of the world and provides a summary on global AI regulation trends. First, although the EU has defined a leading and strict AI regulatory framework, China has implemented a similarly strict framework to govern AI in that country. Second, some countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have implemented sector-specific AI requirements while allowing other sectors to follow voluntary guidelines. Lastly, voluntary frameworks have been proposed by many countries such as Singapore and Japan, to encourage AI innovation. The G7 collection of nations has also proposed a voluntary AI code of conduct. India has avoided any commitment to AI regulations, at this time relying on existing legislation that protects personal digital privacy, an example that many other countries are following. The complexity of varying global AI regulations is challenging for CIOs. Indeed, as IDC reported in a earlier this year, the U.S. has a complex web of differing state laws regarding AI (Navigating the Fragmented U.S. AI and GenAI Regulatory Landscape, IDC, July 2024). The complexity increases for CIOs that operate in a global environment, where national regulations span the spectrum from detailed and prescriptive such as in the EU or China, to voluntary or non-existent, such as India. China follows the EU, with additional focus on national security In March 2024 the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) published a draft Artificial Intelligence Law, and a translated version became available in early May. The Law provides a set of frameworks that are as comprehensive as the EU AI Act, with the intention of balancing the need for innovative AI development with the need to safeguard society. Importantly, where the EU AI Act identifies different risk levels, the PRC AI Law identifies eight specific scenarios and industries where a higher level of risk management is required for critical AI. The identified scenarios where AI is used include judicial, news, medical, biometric recognition, autonomous driving, social credit, social bots and where AI is used by state organizations. This allows for more rapid and targeted legislation when needed. Lastly, Chinas AI regulations are focused on ensuring that AI systems do not pose any perceived threat to national security. The UAE provides a similar model to China, although less prescriptive regarding national security. UAE has proactively embraced AI, to both foster innovation while providing secure and ethical AI capabilities. In particular, the UAE AI Office created an AI license requirement for applications in the Dubai International Finance Centre. Further, the Dubai Health Authority also requires AI license for ethical AI solutions in healthcare. The G7 AI code of conduct: Voluntary compliance In October 2023 the Group of Seven (G7) countries agreed to a code of conduct for organizations that develop and deploy AI systems. The code of conduct is directed by 11 guiding principles, many of which focus on risks, vulnerabilities, security, and protections. As well, the principles address the need for accountability, authentication, and international standards. The G7 leaders directed their national ministers to implement the code of conduct, stressing the need to maximize the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks. However, notably absent from the code is any form of enforcement or penalty; compliance is completely voluntary. Similar voluntary guidance can be seen in Singapore and Japan. Singapore emphasizes AI innovation particularly in the financial sector, with no specific set of AI regulations. The government continues its emphasis on protection of digital privacy as a mechanism for controlling inappropriate AI. Japan has taken a slightly different approach, with two directions: voluntary guidelines for all industries and sector-specific restrictions on large platforms to safeguard the use of AI (Navigating the AI Regulatory Landscape: Differing Destinations and Journey Times Exemplify Regulatory Complexity, IDC, March 2024). The rest of the world: Light-touch or non-existent AI regulations India provides a model of how the rest of the world approaches AI, which aligns with the G7 model of voluntary compliance. As described by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, India has a light touch approach to AI regulation, with a model that strikes a balance between innovation and safety while not delaying the countrys steady progress toward a growing and profitable digital economy. While India has multiple laws and regulations regarding electronic data and protection of digital privacy (e.g., the Information Technology Act of 2000), a single AI responsibility or a focused AI act such as that of the EU, does not exist. Recognizing the global economic importance of AI, Indias approach is to encourage AI development while monitoring AI usage to prevent societal abuse. For many countries in the world, AI is recognized as economically important yet is dominated by the U.S. and countries of the EU. Innovation is seen as key to societal and economic improvement, with AI leading the list of innovation levers. Regulations are sometimes seen as a hindrance to innovation, and many jurisdictions will wait and watch for global consensus to emerge on AI regulations. Unfortunately for CIOs, the global AI regulatory map will continue to be incomplete and uneven with developments occurring asynchronously in various countries. As IDC points out in a review of 11 jurisdictions, each country begins with a different set of goals, a different destination, and a variety of timelines for AI regulation (Navigating the AI Regulatory Landscape: Differing Destinations and Journey Times Exemplify Regulatory Complexity, IDC, March 2024). However, for the larger jurisdictions, such as the UK, EU or China, and some of the United States, CIOs must pay attention to established and emerging AI regulations and the probability of government enforcement. This is an unexpected new role for CIOs, but offers an opportunity for leadership in a fast-developing and complex global environment. Learn more about IDCs research for technology leaders OR subscribe today to receive industry-leading research directly to your inbox. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the technology markets. IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG Inc.), the worlds leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. Recently voted Analyst Firm of the Year for the third consecutive time, IDCs Technology Leader Solutions provide you with expert guidance backed by our industry-leading research and advisory services, robust leadership and development programs, and best-in-class benchmarking and sourcing intelligence data from the industrys most experienced advisors. Contact us today to learn more. Dr. Ron Babin, an adjunct research advisor for IDC, is a senior management consultant and professor who specializes in outsourcing and IT management (ITM) issues. Dr. Babin is a professor in IT management at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. Babin has extensive experience as a senior management consultant at two global consulting firms. As a partner at Accenture, and prior to that at KPMG, he was responsible for IT management and strategy practices in Toronto. While at KPMG, he was a member of the Nolan Norton consulting group. His consulting activities focus on helping client executives improve the business value delivered by IT within their organizations. In his more than 20 years as a management consultant, Babin has worked with dozens of clients in most industry sectors, mainly in North America and Europe. Currently, Babins research is focused on outsourcing, with particular attention to the vendor/client relationship and social responsibility. He has written several papers and a book on these topics. Jessica DiDia was accustomed to her body feeling broken her limbs swollen, her muscles aching. And after years of living on San Franciscos streets in the grip of fentanyl, she was no stranger to the citys emergency rooms, where she was often taken after overdosing or experiencing a seizure. So in early October, when severe back pain led Jessica, 37, to ask police officers to call an ambulance for her, she didnt think much of it. Then an ER doctor took an ultrasound of her pelvis. Congratulations! Youre pregnant, she said the doctor told her. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I said, Really? I had no idea. Not only was Jessica pregnant, but she was already in labor. She soon delivered a 5-pound, 6-ounce baby girl with a head full of dark hair and thick eyebrows. Jessica is wheeled out of the neonatal ICU as she says, Bye, baby, three days after giving birth. She soon returned to San Franciscos streets to smoke fentanyl. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Unexpectedly giving birth was only the latest turn in Jessicas life, which she has lived both in the public eye and on the citys jagged edge. For the past few years, the Chronicle has documented her journey through homelessness and addiction in the Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods. She has almost died, repeatedly, from overdoses, only to be revived by the antidote nasal spray Narcan. Her mother, Laurie Steves, tried again and again to save her after Jessicas brother died of an overdose, frightened at the thought of losing another child. But the pull of the powerful opioid, which masked her anxiety and bipolar disorder, was too strong. A routine of stealing and getting high in San Francisco was tough to kick, Jessica acknowledged, describing her painful lifestyle as a vortex pulling her in every time she thought about leaving. Steves declined to comment for this story. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jessica is embraced by her mother, Laurie Steves, in her hospital bed four days after giving birth. Jessica, who is addicted to fentanyl, was overwhelmed, irritated and anxious. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Jessicas story highlighted the shortcomings in the citys efforts to treat its sickest drug users, but also spoke to the difficulty of helping those who repeatedly reject offers of assistance. Now her experience having a baby brings to light another dimension of the problem. As San Franciscos drug crisis has worsened, more babies have been born with signs of withdrawal or prenatal exposure to drugs, with the numbers jumping from 24 in 2020 to 50 last year at San Francisco General Hospital. Another maternity hospital in the city, California Pacific Medical Centers Van Ness Campus where Jessica gave birth has seen a slight increase in opioid-exposed newborns since 2020, according to a spokesperson for the hospital. While Kaiser Permanente would not provide data, one doctor there said that since 2020 she has seen an increase in pregnant patients using fentanyl. Jessicas friend Adam Mesnick, who owns a sandwich shop in SoMa, was hopeful that giving birth would motivate her to get sober. Over the past few years, Mesnick and Jessica developed a sort of rhythm. She came by his sandwich shop for food and other resources, and he offered to take her to treatment which she repeatedly turned down. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Along the way, the two swapped witty comments and sarcastic jokes, often over a bottle of Coca-Cola. Through his account on the social platform X, @bettersoma, Mesnick often posted photos and videos of Jessica, part of a contentious effort to broadcast up-close scenes of the drug crisis and shame the city into doing more to intervene. When Mesnick visited Jessica in the hospital a few days after she gave birth, he watched her hold her daughter and felt a glimmer of hope, he said. Having a baby can be an inflection point for women who may finally seek treatment for addiction. Mesnick said he tried to talk to Jessica at the hospital about drug treatment, but failed to persuade her. He questions whether a more formal intervention from health care professionals could have swayed her. When she had her baby, there was a window there that was very critical, that could have been helpful to promote the push toward treatment, he said. But unfortunately, it went the wrong direction. Deli Board sandwich shop owner Adam Mesnick holds up a onesie to give to Jessica, days after she gave birth. The baby clothing was a gift from Jessicas mother, Laurie Steves. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle After giving birth, Jessica was intubated for two days due to pneumonia, while her daughter, who was born prematurely and underweight, was cared for in the hospitals neonatal intensive care unit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jessica held her daughter several times while recuperating in the hospital, but she knew she didnt want to keep the baby. She said she was told in early adolescence that she could not carry a baby to term, and a miscarriage she experienced several years ago solidified that belief. As a result, Jessica said, she never planned to have kids. Although holding her daughter put a smile on her face, she said it also confirmed for her that she didnt want to be a mother. So when medical staff told Jessica that she was free to leave the hospital, she bolted without stopping by the intensive care unit again to say goodbye to her daughter. Jessica prepares to leave the hospital four days after giving birth unexpectedly in San Francisco. After delivering the baby, she was intubated for several days due to pneumonia. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Minutes before she left, a reporter witnessed Jessica acknowledge to Child Protective Services that she understood the decision she was making that if she abandoned the baby, her child would go into the foster care system. Due to privacy laws, it is unclear who is caring for the baby and whether Jessica might ever see her again. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jessica quickly returned to the streets to smoke fentanyl. I dont like the hospital, she said later. Why would I want to be in jail if I dont have to be? She now spends most nights on sidewalks without a tent. Since giving birth less than two months ago, shes returned to various San Francisco hospitals by ambulance at least five times. The reason for each hospitalization was not clear, though one was due to her seizure disorder, which began about seven years ago after a staph infection from a dirty needle reached her brain. Jessica sleeps in a hospital bed after suffering from seizures in San Francisco weeks after giving birth. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle While some mothers, like Jessica, opt out of trying to secure custody of their child, some choose treatment and try to keep the baby. San Francisco offers two free addiction treatment programs where new mothers can live with their newborn babies while receiving care, the 20-bed Epiphany Center and 15-bed Womens Hope perinatal program. Because the epidemic of fentanyl addiction is relatively new, theres little data on how the drug impacts birth outcomes or early childhood health. But decades of research on opioids such as heroin and prescription painkillers show that the main risks are low birth weight and preterm delivery before 37 weeks, according to obstetricians and addiction researchers. Jessicas daughter was born at 35 weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Opioid use during pregnancy can also affect development of the fetus or the babys brain and spinal cord, but theres no consistent evidence that opioid use disorder during pregnancy leads to higher rates of birth defects or cognitive issues, researchers said. Babies whose mothers used opioids during pregnancy can be born with a dependence on the drug, called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which typically shows up within 72 hours after birth, said Dr. Deborah Ansley, an OB-GYN at Kaiser Permanente and medical director for the Northern California region of Early Start. The Kaiser prenatal program counsels patients who use opioids, nicotine, alcohol and cannabis. Newborns with this syndrome can be excessively irritable, have tremors or jitteriness, have trouble sleeping and eating, and exhibit excessive sucking. The condition is treatable with low doses of opioids, barbiturates or the drug clonidine, and these babies often need to be hospitalized for days or weeks, Ansley said. The birth outcomes are better if the patient receives medication-assisted treatment during pregnancy such as methadone or buprenorphine. While there are real concerns about how fentanyl might affect childhood development, experts also pointed to the crack baby hysteria of the 1980s as a cautionary tale. At the time, there was widespread fear that women who used crack cocaine during pregnancy would put their children at risk of physical and intellectual disabilities for the rest of their lives. But decades later, those fears turned out to be overblown. The long-term effects of being exposed to cocaine before birth appear relatively small. It turned out to be a nothingburger, said UCSFs Dr. Diana Coffa, who works at San Francisco General Hospital and teaches addiction medicine. Id categorize it as a moral panic. I think were at risk of something like that again right now. Its unclear how officials decide whether parents struggling with addiction can keep their babies. The San Francisco Human Services Agency, which manages Child Protective Services, would not explain the process after a woman with a substance use disorder gives birth or the factors weighed when deciding whether to place the child with the mother. A spokesperson for HSA stated only that it is committed to keeping children safe in San Francisco and works closely with a wide range of agencies to provide services to parents, children and families in need. Jessica argues with her mother, Laurie Steves, about the custody of her newborn baby in San Franciscos SoMa neighborhood a few weeks after Jessica gave birth. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle When a person like Jessica relinquishes custody, caseworkers will often try to place a newborn directly into a prospective adoptive home rather than the foster care system, where the baby would await a permanent placement, said Nicol Stolar-Peterson, a licensed clinical social worker and child welfare expert. If the mother is interested in maintaining custody of the child, Stolar-Peterson said, caseworkers gauge her motivation for treatment, as well as her history with other children. Babies are fast-tracked in court versus older children because of their adoptability, but also theyre so vulnerable at that age, she said. Looking at permanency from the very beginning is really key in child welfare. While fatal drug overdoses are trending down in San Francisco, the city has still recorded 542 deaths so far this year, according to preliminary figures. The outgoing administration of Mayor London Breed has pointed to a crackdown on drug dealers and the expansion of treatment as partly behind the drop, though experts are uncertain about the potential factors. For Jessica, death is a possibility every time she shoots up or smokes fentanyl, but that danger and the deaths of those around her a longtime boyfriend fatally overdosed in 2022 havent been enough to push her into recovery. Jessica said her current boyfriend, the babys father, was not motivated to see the newborn. The reason she didnt visit her daughter after leaving the hospital, she said, was because it was humiliating to go without him. I think a lot of what youre seeing out of Jessica at this point is shame, Mesnick said. The reality is she knows better than anybody that shes not capable of taking care of a baby. Back on the streets after a recent hospital stay, Jessica took a hit of fentanyl on a sidewalk in SoMa and held tightly to a tree to keep herself upright. When asked about her next steps, she rattled off excuses about why she didnt want to seek treatment. Still, on that day, Jessica had hopes for her babys future. Obviously, she said, I want her to be happy. Jessica smokes a cigarette while high on fentanyl in a doorway on Mission Street weeks after giving birth in San Francisco. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Tender identification number: FY25-CM-COB (01) Tender title: Rehabilitation and construction of sidewalks in Cobilea village, Soldanesti raion Launch date: November 21, 2024 Deadline for Bid Submission: December 12, 2024, 10:00 (Chisinau local time) Contracting authority: International Research & Exchanges Board Washington D.C., Chisinau Branch (IREX) Comunitatea Mea Program, a program administered by the International Research & Exchanges Board Washington D.C., Chisinau Branch (IREX) and funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), invites competent and experienced contractors to submit a Bid for the Rehabilitation and construction of sidewalks in Cobilea village, Soldanesti raion The Bidding Documents, along with all related documents and forms for this tender, are accessible at https://tender.md.irex.org/ro/info Scope of Work: The project aims to improve the local infrastructure in the village of Cobilea, by building the sidewalk along the central road, over a length of 1,032.00 meters, distributed as follows: Sector 1: PC 0+00 PC 2+38 (238 meters) Sector 2: PC 10+00 PC 13+28 (328 meters) Sector 3: PC 0+00 PC 4+66 (466 meters) The construction work will include: preparatory works and earthworks; installation of prefabricated concrete curbstones 100x30x15 cm 1,042.00 m; installation of prefabricated concrete curbstones 100x20x8 cm 1,032.00 m; installation of pedestrian paving 1,539.00 m2; installation of tactile paving 11.00 m2; restoration of the asphalt concrete surface adjacent to the curb 155.00 m2. For more details on the Scope of Work, please see Section III TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND BOQ The estimated period for the completion of the works is a maximum of four (4) months. TENDER DEADLINES (all mentioned times are local, Chisinau time): REGISTRATION: Interested Bidders must register their firms by December 10, 2024, 17:00 by filling out the Registration Form and sending it ONLY to tender.cm.md@irex.org PROJECT SITE VISIT: IREX will organize a Project Site visit on: Date: December 04, 2024 Time: 12:00 (Chisinau local time) Location: in front of the Mayoralty of Cobilea village, Soldanesti raion The IREX focal point for the arrangement is: tender.cm.md@irex.org -------------------------------------- Please, confirm your participation at the Project Site visit, ONLY by email to tender.cm.md@irex.org by December 02, 2024, 10:00 (Chisinau local time). A representative of IREX and LPA will be available to meet the intending Bidders at the address indicated above. The IREXs representative will not be available at any other time and day for Project Site visits. The costs of visiting the Project Site shall be the Bidders own responsibility. The Bidders can raise questions, see technical documentation, check the Project Site environment. IMPORTANT: No verbal statement made during the Project Site visit shall modify the terms and conditions of the Bidding Documents, unless specifically incorporated in the Bid Bulletin of the Bidders Project Site visit or issued as an amendment to Bidding Documents. REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATIONS/QUESTIONS FROM BIDDERS: If the Bidders have any questions or need clarifications during or after the Project Site Visit, they can submit the questions or clarifications ONLY to tender.cm.md@irex.org until December 06, 2024, 10:00 indicating the tender number in the subject title. IREX shall forward copies of its response to all registered Bidders as a Bid Bulletin, as well as the Bid Bulletin will be available to all prospective Bidders on https://tender.md.irex.org/en/info on the same page as the Bidding Documents, including a description of the inquiry, but without identifying its source BID SUBMISSION: Bids must be received by IREX ONLY at tender.cm.md@irex.org not later than December 12, 2024, 10:00. Bids received after the deadline, as well as incomplete Bids will not be considered. Bid proposals can be submitted electronically only. Financial offers shall be made in MDL (Moldovan Lei). Detailed information regarding the submittal of the bids is presented in the Bidding Documents. No appeal against contract decision award is allowed. Documents/bid proposals sent electronically need to be addressed ONLY to the following e-mail address tender.cm.md@irex.org not later than deadline mentioned in the timeline above. If the electronic files are more than 25 MB in memory, the Bidder may submit the Technical and Financial Offer by saving the files on one of the file sharing platforms such as Google Drive, OneDrive, DropBox, send.Tresorit.com etc. and submitting a link ONLY to tender.cm.md@irex.org IMPORTANT: For electronic submission, in order to secure the secrecy of the financial bid, please archive the financial offer into an encrypted zip file. DO NOT SEND THE PASSWORD with your original electronic submission, but instead save it securely and send the zip file. The password shall be requested by IREX for successful technical offers after the technical evaluation will be complete and final records of the technical score have been made. The financial offers that were not password protected, IREX will still consider and protect their secrecy but at least 1 (one) person from IREX would be able to access the file and this will be considered acceptable by the bidder. PERIOD OF VALIDITY OF BIDS: Bids must remain valid for 90 (ninety) days after the bid submission deadline date specified in Bidding Documents. The period of the validity of Bids shall be until March 12, 2025, inclusive. Details are provided in the Bidding Documents. BID SECURITY: The Bidder must furnish as part of its bid, a bid security in the total amount of 31,711 MDL and shall be valid for a minimum of twenty-eight (28) days after the expiration of the period of validity of the Bidders Bid mentioned in the Bidding Documents. The Bid security shall be valid for a minimum until April 09, 2025 inclusive. Details are provided in Bidding Documents. ATTENTION: The beneficiary of the bid security is the International Research & Exchanges Board Washington D.C., Chisinau Branch (IREX). Evaluation Method for the Award of Contract: IREX will consider a combination of technical score and financial score, with a ratio of 50-50. Detailed evaluation criteria and formulas are provided in the Bidding Documents. For further information, please visit https://tender.md.irex.org/ro/info By applying to this Tender, the Bidder agrees and accepts all conditions and rules, listed in this Bidding Documents. Bidders shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of their bids and contract negotiation. Comunitatea Mea will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the tender. Participation of Bidders in this Tender will not generate any IREX obligations toward any Bidder. Comunitatea Mea reserves the right to accept or reject any bid that does not conform with the requirements of the bidding documents or to annul the entire tender process and reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to any Bidder. All personal data are for the internal use of IREX and confidentiality is guaranteed. IREX does not discriminate against any bidder on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or transgender status), national origin, age (40 or older), physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, membership in an employee, organization, political affiliation, or participation in protected equal employment opportunity (EEO) activities. Peste o mie de copii din raionul Criuleni vor avea acces gratuit la un spatiu modern pentru joaca si lectura America House invites school students to a workshop on becoming a global citizen. Led by Fulbright English Teaching Assistants, participants will explore key aspects of global citizenship through open, rotating discussions. The goal is to collaboratively generate ideas, share perspectives, and develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be a global citizen in todays interconnected world. Register now, the number of places is limited! https://forms.gle/bdNANwA2p3gQzK6S7 Alte articole de la acest autor: IOM is looking for partners among qualified Government Agencies, Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs), International Organizations (IOs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Non-Profit Agencies (NPAs), International Civil Society Organizations (ICSOs) or Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to be further engaged by IOM to deliver non-profit activities, jointly contributing time and resources and sharing risks and responsibilities linked to the projects, targeted at providing a robust response to the needs of beneficiaries in Moldova. CEI-MD10-2024-002 PROTECTION ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINIAN REFUGEES AND VULNERABLE HOST COMMUNITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA As part of IOM`s efforts to promote the highest standards of international protection and humanitarian assistance to migrants, internally displaces population and host communities, IOM mission to the Republic of Moldova is launching the present Call for Expression of Interest for implementation of projects in the location and outcome areas specified in the Terms of Reference (Annex 1), expected to be implemented from 15 December 2024 to 15 June 2025. Interested organizations should submit a Concept Note and other relevant documents requested herein, to demonstrate their unique advantage and added value in developing and implementing a Partnership Agreement with IOM. For more details please access: Call for Partners | Moldova Deadline for submission:1 December 2024, 24:00 Alte articole de la acest autor: The family of the late Captain Tom Moore repeatedly benefited from the mismanaged charity set up in his name, an investigation has found. Today, the Charity Commission published the findings of its statutory inquiry into the Captain Tom Foundation following a three-year investigation. Its report finds serious and repeated instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of the charity concerning the conduct and actions of Hannah Ingram-Moore (Captain Toms daughter) and her husband Colin. It notes that the charity was founded during the Covid-19 pandemic amid unprecedented national and international media interest in Captain Tom and his family, which would have been an extremely stressful situation which was only compounded by the subsequent death of Captain Tom. However, it adds: The commission has concluded that Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moores misconduct and/or mismanagement wasnt an isolated incident but a repeated pattern of behaviour which continued past the worst of the pandemic. NCVO warned that the report could dent public confidence in giving but said it doesnt reflect the hard work of thousands of charities that abide by the principles of ethical decision-making. Repeated pattern of behaviour The regulator opened a compliance case into the foundation, set up in June 2020 after Captain Tom raised over 38.9m for NHS Charities Togethers Covid-19 appeal. Its engagement with the Captain Tom Foundation escalated to a full inquiry in June 2022 due to concerns including intellectual property and trademark issues not being fully considered upon the charitys establishment. Hannah Ingram-Moore was a trustee from February 2021 until her resignation in March 2021 and interim chief executive from August 2021 to April 2022. Colin Ingram-Moore was a trustee between February 2021 and June 2024. As a result of its investigation, the commission disqualified both Hannah and Colin Ingram-Moore from being trustees or senior managers at any charity for 10 and eight years, respectively. Its inquiry found Hannah and Colin Ingram-Moore were responsible for a pattern of behaviour which saw them repeatedly benefitting personally from their involvement in the Captain Tom Foundation. The report cites their link to each other and the charitys connections to their private companies including Club Nook and CTV and repeated failures to manage conflicts of interest which led to direct and indirect private benefit for the family. It also criticises the charitys other unconflicted trustees Stephen Jones and Simon DeMaid (who resigned on 15 March 2021), both of whom it said lacked sufficient oversight and administration control at times. Numerous instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement Among the numerous instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement by the Ingram-Moore family, the report highlights an ambassador services agreement with Virgin Media. On 22 September 2021, Hannah Ingram-Moore signed an agreement with Virgin Media to judge and present the Virgin Media Captain Tom Foundation Connector Awards. The agreement defined the ambassador as Hannah Ingram-Moore on behalf of the Captain Tom Foundation who was personally paid 18,000 while Virgin Media donated 2,000 to the charity. The commissions report says the minutes of trustee meetings at that time do not record that Hannah Ingram-Moore had informed all trustees about the details of the project, including her remuneration. While she claimed to have contracted with Virgin Media in a personal capacity, the inquiry doesnt agree with her assertion and finds no evidence to suggest that this work was done outside her contracted work hours, or that annual leave was booked to undertake the role. The inquiry found that by personally receiving remuneration for the ambassador agreement, Mrs Ingram-Moore created a conflict of interest which the full board of trustees shouldve been made aware of so that it could adequately be managed. Public misled on several occasions The report says that the Ingram-Moore family misled the public on several occasions, notably in their handling of public communications about publishing deals for books authored by Captain Tom and statements on Hannah Ingram-Moores salary. On the books, Hannah Ingram-Moore signed a publishing agreement with Penguin Books and Club Nook and a tripartite agreement between the charity and both firms. The family originally indicated that sales from the first publishing agreement would support the charity and/or that it would donate to the charity directly. However, the report states that no funds have been transferred to the charity from the books sales, which instead turned out to be a purely commercial endeavour that benefited the Ingram-Moores company Club Nook. It says there was a clear public expectation that by purchasing the books, funds would be received by the charity and that the Ingram-Moores did not seek to correct these expectations. The inquiry considers both Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moores conduct in respect of the first publishing agreement and the position they have adopted in not seeking to rectify matters has or is likely to have damaged public trust and confidence in the charity and charities generally. Findings could dent public confidence in giving Commission chief executive David Holdsworth praised Captain Toms fundraising achievements for NHS Charities Together but said the foundation set up in his name had failed to live up to his legacy of others before self, which is central to charity. The public and the law rightly expect those involved in charities to make an unambiguous distinction between their personal interests, and those of the charity and the beneficiaries they are there to serve, he said. This didnt happen in the case of the Captain Tom Foundation. We found repeated instances of a blurring of boundaries between private and charitable interests, with Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore receiving significant personal benefit. Together, the failings amount to misconduct and/or mismanagement. In response, NCVOs executive director Saskia Konynenburg said: We know this news could dent public confidence in giving, but it shouldnt. This case doesnt reflect the hard work of thousands of charities that abide by the principles of ethical decision-making, champion integrity and openness while also transforming millions of lives every day. Charities need the support of the public like never before, as theyre facing growing demand and higher costs to deliver their services, while funding continues to fall. The circumstances of this case are very unique and the outcomes of the investigation are clear. In a statement, ACEVO said the case underscores the crucial role of robust and effective regulation in maintaining the health and integrity of our sector. The trust that individuals and organisations place in charities must be protected, and it is essential that regulators take proportionate action when such rare yet deeply damaging behaviours occur, it said. This not only safeguards the sector but also benefits all those who rely on its support. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. As the dust settles following the election, a pressing question has arisenagainwithin journalism circles as to what to do about X, a platform whose owner, Elon Musk, has acted in hostile ways toward members of the mainstream press, wholeheartedly backed Donald Trumps election bid, and is now preparing to lead a not-yet-existent Department of Government Efficiency under Trumps administration. Some journalists have simply decided to leave. Last week, The Guardian announced that it would stop posting on X altogether, citing disturbing content promoted on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism. La Vanguardia, a Spanish newspaper, joined the exodus, also citing toxic content. Several high-profile journalists and media figures have individually taken the leap as well, announcing that theyre either leaving the platform completely or plan to spend significantly less time on it. While X hit a yearly traffic peak on Election Day, that was followed by the highest exit numbers since Musk acquired the platform, then known as Twitter, in 2022: over a hundred and fifteen thousand users in the US deactivated their accounts the day after the election, according to The Independent. The exodus has translated, at least in part, into a surge of new users joining Bluesky, a social network launched by Jack Dorsey in 2019, while he was still the chief executive of Twitter. (Dorsey left Blueskys board of directors in May.) As of Tuesday, the platform was reaching twenty million users, over 40 percent of whom have joined since late October. As Wired put it, when it comes to reactions to a Trump election victory, Im Moving to Bluesky may be the new Im Moving to Canada. Charlie Warzel, a staff writer at The Atlantic, is among the journalists to have waved goodbye, having done so even before the election. After watching the racism dial turn further and further on this site, I decided to try and publicly make as definitive a case as I could, he posted on X. Were so far past the point of no return that Im out of excuses for myself. Jay Rosen, a press critic and journalism professor at New York University, announced his intention to leave as well. For a while Twitter was a way to do journalism education in public, for a publicand for free, he wrote on X. I no longer know how thats done. Rosen, who is on Bluesky, added that while he will no longer be participating in the discourse on X, he will keep his account there open. Bluesky is definitely having a moment; at time of writing, it was the number one trending app on Apples App Store. But its still not clear if the excitement will stick. After all, this isnt the first time that many journalists have threatened to leave Twitter; after Musk completed his purchase of the platform, members of the media around the world held their breath. Journalists think theyre better than everybody else, Musk tweeted in December 2022, and proceeded to suspend half a dozen tech reporters who had tweeted about an account that shared publicly available travel data relating to Musks personal jet. Despite this strained relationship, a Tow Center analysis from February 2023 found that, among a sample of four thousand journalists from nineteen US publications including the New York Times and the Washington Post, only ten had deactivated their accounts since Musk took over. And some journalists who appeared to have left Musks X eventually returned. Ezra Klein, the New York Times columnist and podcast host, stopped posting there two years ago, right before Musks acquisition. (It was astonishing at this point that journalists were still using the platform, he wrote.) But Klein returned to X in July, and has been active ever since. Semafors Max Tani asked Klein about this U-turn. Twitter is bad for a lot of things, Klein replied, but its good for factional conversations and this is a very factional moment inside the Democratic Party. According to Aske Kammer, an associate professor of journalism studies at Roskilde University in Denmark, Blueskys success in media circles will depend on whether journalists sources stay on X or themselves move to Bluesky. As long as politicians, businesses, and interest groups remain on X, Kammer said, it will be difficult for journalists to abandon it completely. For Kammer, the big question is whether journalists will actually leave X, or divide their attention between both platforms. Dan Kennedy, a professor at Northeastern Universitys journalism school, notes that journalists digital footprints are becoming more scattered compared with the era when Twitter was a more unified hub of conversation. I dont think theres going to be one platform anymore, he said. But I do think that Bluesky is reaching a critical mass where I can read most of what I need to read and do most of what I want to do on Bluesky. Back in 2022, Darren Linvill, a social media researcher and associate professor at Clemson University, said that journalists were reluctant to leave X since they had invested years in building a following there. Were talking about their brand here, Linvill said. Especially when you dont know what the future holds. I mean, maybe Elon is gonna give it up. Two years later, it doesnt appear as if Musk is going anywhere anytime soon. For some users, his recent political activitycombined, perhaps, with the declining technical quality of X under his ownershiphas been the final straw. (Many journalists have a tough time professionally being on a platform owned by a political actor, Kammer said.) In the aftermath of the election, Tow reran its analysis of four thousand journalists on X and found that the number leaving had increased to two hundred and tena noticeable jump, especially since that figure does not include journalists who have transitioned from active posters to lurkers, who see what other people are saying on X but no longer contribute to the discourse themselves. Sign up for CJRs daily email In the lead-up to the election, Kammer said that hed noticed a surge in users on Bluesky, including media figures and academics, actually participating in discussions there. And a migration isnt just happening in the US; there are also traces of one in Denmark, where Kammer is based, and more broadly in Europe. From a research perspective, Kammer said, this is an exciting moment; a new window for change has opened up. To me, Bluesky has a bit of the feel that Twitter had ten years ago, he said. Its a bit of a blast from the past. Aisvarya Chandrasekar contributed research assistance. Other notable stories: This morning, Ukraines military said that Russia had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, at the city of Dnipro. If confirmed, the strike would mark the first use of such a weapon in the war, but major news organizations could not immediately confirm Ukraines claim, and a Western official has since briefed reporters that while Russia fired a ballistic missile, it was not an ICBM. Russian officials, for their part, have declined to say much; indeed, while conducting a media briefing this morning, Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the countrys foreign ministry, took a phone call during which someone on the other end of the line could be heard instructing her not to comment on the missile claims. As the independent Russian news site Meduza notes, its unclear who she was speaking with or whether the call was prearranged. And finally, a quick note on yesterdays newsletter, in which Josh Hersh spoke with the podcast expert Nicholas Quah and Quah at one point used the word grok. Some readers were apparently confused by the term, so: grok is a verb that, according to Merriam-Webster, means to understand something profoundly and intuitively, and may be the only word to have entered English via Martian (no, not really, obviously). Incidentally, Grok is also the name of an AI chatbot linked to Elon Musks X. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. Earlier this year Agather Atuhaire, founder of the Agora Center for Research, a Ugandan newsroom that lives somewhere between activism and investigative reporting, received a message from the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, a unit tasked with gathering information regarding potential threats to Ugandan national security. The message followed a series of big scoopsallegations of corruption by the Speaker of the Ugandan parliament; a story that went viral about health facilities lacking specialists, equipment, or really any capacity to treat patients; another about roads across Uganda that cost millions but disintegrated shortly after they were laid. It came via a call to Atuhaires sister, and as far as anyone can recall, it said something like: Tell her we will kill her. We know where she is. We know where she was jogging yesterday. [They were correct.] She should keep quiet like others have kept quiet about corruption in this country. If she cannot stand how corrupt the country is, she should seek asylum in the West. After all, she works with Westerners. (Atuhaire is a 2024 Time 100 inductee and 2024 US State Department International Woman of Courage recipient.) Agora appears to be in the crosshairs of an increasingly authoritarian Ugandan government. Yoweri Museveni, the revolutionary turned autocrat who has been in power for the past thirty-eight years, has presided over a slow but steady erosion of checks and balances, the rule of law, andin particulara free press. Before 2010, it was rare for journalists to be arrested. That is no longer the case. And in 2013, when two publications, Daily Monitor and the Red Pepper, revealed a secret succession plan for Musevenis son to take over for him, they were shuttered. (Daily Monitor has since reopened but is seen to be cowed.) Before 2016, radio stations could share verified election results in real time. But that year the government shut down first Facebook and eventually the whole internet, during election season. Theres never any reason given. You just get to know that they dont want any alternative sources of information apart from those they control, Atuhaire said. Agora has been a particularly meddlesome opponent. It shares its reporting in a series of threads or through Spaces discussions on its X account. According to the World Economic Forum, Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. According to Atuhaire, they are chronically online and simply dont read two-thousand-word reports in traditional newspapers. They believe those platformsdue to government pressureself-censor anyway. Sign up for CJRs daily email On X, Agora attaches hard evidencescreenshots, copies of financial documentsto back up its claims. It also crowdsources information from its followers. During its investigations into health facilities and roads, for instance, followers were encouraged to send in photos. We are going to allow everyone to share information, Atuhaire said. The newsroom has also developed a knack for bringing its work home to its readers. In February 2024, when Agora alleged that Anita Among, Speaker of Ugandas parliament, had funneled state money9.6 billion Ugandan shillings ($2.61 million)to the private accounts of her subordinates, Ugandans were outraged. The investigation was picked up by radio stations and newspapers across the country and was even reported in different languages. In a June 2024 address, Museveni claimed that unnamed investigative journalists (but clearly referring to Agora) were working for foreign interests and diverting our people through the media to the interests of foreign parasites. (Agora operates on a nonprofit model, and its only major funder is the United States Agency for International Development.) Among herself said that the investigation into her office was retaliation by foreign interests for her advocacy for the Anti-Homosexuality Act, which passed in 2023. It made little difference. The story has been in the news cycle for the past eight months and eventually prompted a protest in July that called for public accountability. Even if our authorities here dont hold those people accountable, Ugandans keep tormenting them, Atuhaire said. She also pointed out that half of the Ugandan governments own budget comes from foreign donors. Agora has guts. They are brave in a way that activism hasnt been for a long time, Lydia Namubiru, the Ugandan editor of Pan-African publication The Continent, said over a WhatsApp call. She chose the word activism deliberately. Agora certainly eschews neutrality, even provides its detractors ammunition to discount its work on the basis of bias. I have struggled with this dilemma in my mind for a long time, Atuhaire said in a WhatsApp text exchange. A recent (if unfortunate) similar example is Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation, which worked with open-source investigative outlets to uncover deep-rooted corruption in the Russian governmentincluding, eventually, a plot to kill Navalny himself. (He later died in unclear circumstances in an Arctic Russian prison facility.) There is this one difference I read that confirmed to me that there was no contradiction, Atuhaire said. This definition says: Activists simply recognize that their goal is to create a better world, while journalists apparently want the same thing but have a hard time admitting it. But, she added, the virtue I accept to be enslaved by is facts. I will collect all the facts that are required to advocate for a certain position. But I dont take any political sides. Namubiru says Agoras impact has been particularly seismic because the innovative way it shares its investigations means the government cannot interfere. They havent figured out a way to incapacitate itmaybe eventually something will work. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo speaks during an international artificial intelligence safety event in San Francisco on Wednesday. The work of the global AI consortium could change dramatically once President-elect Donald Trump retakes the White House. Chase DiFeliciantonio/The Chronicle One version of how artificial intelligence safety might play out at the highest levels of government was on display on a rainy Wednesday at the Golden Gate Club in San Franciscos Presidio, where officials from the newly established U.S. AI Safety Institute and experts from around the world convened to hammer out common rules and testing regimes for AI programs. The meeting of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes, a 10-nation consortium working on international norms and safety procedures for emerging AI software, was meant to support what could become a trillion-dollar market while at the same time ensuring AI doesnt hurt people. One of the most important actions we can take to advance AI safety and innovation is close collaboration with our global partners, said the U.S. institutes director, Elizabeth Kelly, flanked by American flags and backdropped by a rain-shrouded Golden Gate Bridge. The event included representatives from Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Japan, Kenya, Singapore, South Korea and the U.K. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Weighing over the collaborative approach and the hundreds of assembled participants from government, industry and academia was uncertainty prompted by the arrival of a second Trump administration. As experts talked cooperation, they considered the risk that new U.S. leadership could see America go it alone and follow whatever rules it sees fit for AI. President-elect Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of international accords during his first term, including agreements on climate action and nuclear weapons, and he made it clear during the 2024 campaign that he intends to undo President Joe Bidens executive order on building safe and secure AI. He has also said repeatedly that his priority is to stay ahead of China in AI development. That perspective currently enjoys support on both sides of the aisle. A bipartisan Congressional committee has called for funding advanced AI research to ensure that the U.S. continues to outstrip Chinas progress. And in prerecorded remarks delivered at the conference, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the U.S. and its allies must work to ensure the Chinese Communist Party does not write the rules of the road on this critical technology. The unanswered question is whether the new administration might hamper international cooperation, including a planned AI summit in Paris in February. Indiana Republican Sen. Todd Young suggested in prerecorded remarks at the summit that for now the U.S. wont take an isolationist approach. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Global collaboration is essential, he said. The challenges and opportunities (AI) presents cant be tackled by one country alone. Trump adviser Elon Musk, who owns his own AI company, also could persuade the president-to-be to remain engaged with global stakeholders. Musk has repeatedly warned of the potential risk that unchecked AI poses to human life. The keynote address at Wednesdays event was delivered by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, whose department oversees the U.S. AI institute. We are home to the greatest AI companies in the world, she said. That means we have an obligation to lead in the work of AI safety. Raimondo warned of the risks of the technology, but also its myriad benefits in medicine and education. Advertisement Article continues below this ad AI in the hands of non-state actors applied to bioterrorism gets pretty scary pretty fast, she said. But, we have a choice; were the ones developing this technology. Lets not let our ambition blind us and allow us to sleepwalk into our own undoing. The meeting included talks with AI luminaries like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, European Commission AI office director Lucilla Sioli, and former California Supreme Court Justice and Gov. Gavin Newsom AI adviser Mariano-Florentino Cuellar, among others. Amodei raised an alarm about the potential for autocratic governments to use AI to build massive misinformation campaigns, and the threat posed by increasingly autonomous AI programs that companies like his are building. The U.S. institute recently announced it had worked with Amodeis company, as well as OpenAI, to test its latest AI models before release for risks such as the willingness of the software to help supercharge a cyberattack. We absolutely have to make testing mandatory, Amodei conceded. But we have to be really careful about how we do it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During her own remarks, Raimondo said that if you cant certify that an AI system is safe, it shouldnt be released. Raimondo also stressed that the U.S. AI Safety Institute, is not a regulator, but more akin to a government science lab. We also dont want to be in the business of stifling innovation, she said. Newsom vetoed a California bill earlier this year aimed at requiring some testing for the largest AI programs. To guard against potential harms such as AI-powered cyberattacks, the U.S. AI agency said ahead of the event that it plans to convene the departments of defense, energy, and others to study how AI programs can be safety tested in areas such as cybersecurity and for military uses. The international consortium also issued a joint statement of purpose on Wednesday promising to facilitate a common technical understanding of AI safety risks and mitigations, and unveiled testing results from big AI programs like Metas Llama 3 on its general academic knowledge, certain types of hallucinations and linguistic capabilities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Governments from the U.S., South Korea, Australia and a host of nonprofits announced $11 million in funding aimed at curbing AI being used to commit fraud, impersonate people and contribute to child sexual abuse material. Frances first-ever AI minister, Clara Chappaz, in San Francisco for the conference, furthered the theme of global cooperation in a briefing on Thursday. The scheduled February meeting in Paris, she said, will include heads of state and will not only focus on safety, but see safety as a tool to build confidence in this technology so that people can adopt AI more readily. J-16 multi-role fighter jet taxis on flightline China Military Online) 16:20, November 21, 2024 A J-16 multi-role fighter jet attached to an aviation regiment under the Chinese PLA Air Force taxis on the flightline during a round-the-clock flight training exercise on October 10th, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xu Chengcheng) A J-16 multi-role fighter jet attached to an aviation regiment under the Chinese PLA Air Force soars into the air during a round-the-clock flight training exercise on October 10th, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xu Chengcheng) A J-16 multi-role fighter jet attached to an aviation regiment under the Chinese PLA Air Force taxis on the flightline during a round-the-clock flight training exercise on October 10th, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xu Chengcheng) A J-16 multi-role fighter jet attached to an aviation regiment under the Chinese PLA Air Force taxis on the flightline during a round-the-clock flight training exercise on October 10th, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xu Chengcheng) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) After Williams-Sonoma reported a successful quarter on Wednesday, CEO Laura Alber told CNBC's Jim Cramer how the homeware and furniture company prices items in a tough consumer environment, saying it's important to be upfront about cost. "When we price the goods the first time, we want you to say, 'wow, that's a great price, and how gorgeous is that product?'" she said. "And that's the focus we've had since the pandemic, is to continue to pull back on this up/down promotional pricing that so many of our competitors run." Williams-Sonoma beat earnings and raised its outlook, sending shares to a new all-time high to finish up 27.54% by close. The company runs its namesake brand along with furniture retailers West Elm and Pottery Barn. Alber critiqued the short-term promotion and discount pricing strategy sometimes used by other retailers, saying this approach isn't successful in the long term, as customers become "trained to wait for that promotion." She suggested customers trust the "pricing integrity" of Williams-Sonoma when it initially prices items. Williams-Sonoma is known as a high-end brand, but Alber claimed the company's prices are attainable. She said the holiday season has already brought out shoppers, and they're more eager to buy products than they were during the pandemic. "There's a lot of people selling things that are beautiful," Alber said. "But our prices are approachable." Rajiv Jain, founder and chief investment officer of GQG Partners, during an interview in New York, US, on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. The stock, which fell as much as 25%, pared some losses to close 19.32% lower, still marking the investment firm's steepest one-day fall since its listing on Oct. 2021. Shares of Australia-listed GQG Partners plunged on Thursday to post their worst day on record, after Adani Group Chair Gautam Adani was charged with fraud in New York. Shares of Adani Group companies also nosedived, as Indian stock markets opened for trade. The Nifty 50 index was down 0.75%, while the BSE Sensex was 0.73% lower. GQG is Adani Enterprises' fourth-largest shareholder, owning about 3.94% of the firm, according to LSEG data. In a statement sent to CNBC, GQG said that it was are monitoring the charges, adding that "our team is reviewing the emerging details and determining what, if any, actions for our portfolios are appropriate." The investment firm also pointed out that its portfolios have "diversified investments," saying that over 90% of clients assets are invested in issuers unrelated to the Adani Group. GQG has reaped rich rewards investing in Adani whose shares tumbled after a short-seller report in January 2023 by New York's Hindenburg Research accused the company of fraud. Rajiv Jain, chairman and chief investment officer at GQG Partners, told CNBC in January this year that his profits on Adani stood at about $4 billion, but he was likely done investing in the group. Hindenburg had charged Adani Group of "brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades," sending shares plunging by more than 54% in the first quarter of 2023. Hindenburg Research website displayed on a laptop screen and Adani logo displayed on a phone screen are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on February 2, 2023. Gautam Adani, the billionaire chairman of India's Adani Group, was indicted on Wednesday along with seven others in New York federal court for his involvement in a large-scale bribery and fraud scheme. Following the news, the conglomerate saw shares of its companies nosedive. Adani Enterprises is one of the country's top three conglomerates. It has businesses in many sectors, including ports, airports, renewables and cement. The latest development comes after the conglomerate spent most of 2023 attempting to move beyond allegations of accounting fraud and stock market manipulation made by short seller Hindenburg Research. Here's a timeline of Adani headlines in the past year, tracking a series of allegations and counter-allegations since the publication of Hindenburg's report, up until his indictment. January 2023 At the start of last year, Hindenburg announced its short position in Adani Group, accusing Adani of engaging in "brazen" stock manipulation and accounting fraud, calling it the "largest con in corporate history." Adani-affiliated stocks saw a sharp sell-off after the report was released, and Adani's net worth plunged by $6 billion overnight. The conglomerate rebutted Hindenburg's accusations of embezzlement and fraud with a 413-page response, calling the latter's report a "malicious combination of selective misinformation," adding that it has "always been in compliance with all laws." Around that time, Adani Enterprises kicked off a 200 billion rupee ($2.45 billion) secondary share sale which was fully subscribed in spite of the short-seller storm. March 2023 to May 2023 In March, India's Supreme Court sets up an independent six-member panel to investigate the allegations made in the Hindenburg report. Then in May, the court-appointed panel said it has "drawn a blank" in its probe into Adani group, according to Reuters. December 2023 to January 2024 By the end of 2023, Adani Enterprise shares had recovered from the fallout and concluded the year with smaller declines of 26%. India's top court in January announced that the Adani Group will not be subject to additional investigations beyond the scrutiny by the market regulator, providing significant relief to the conglomerate. At the time, Adani took to X, expressing his gratitude for those who have "stood by" the group. "Truth has prevailed," he wrote, adding that "our humble contribution to India's growth story will continue." Adani subsequently catapulted to become the richest person in Asia again, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index in January. August 2024 Hindenburg released a new report accusing the chair of India's capital markets regulator of having conflicts of interest that prevented an in-depth probe of fraud allegations. The report claimed that both SEBI chair Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband had previously held offshore funds that were also used by the Adani Group. Both denied the accusations, saying the report's claims were baseless. November 2024 Adani was indicted along with seven others in New York federal court, accused of paying over $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts that could generate over $2 billion in profits. The 62-year self-made Indian billionaire expanded his empire through deals and the backing of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Forbes. Modi has been accused by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for assisting the Adani Group in securing contracts in Sri Lanka, India and Australia. Adani now stands in 18th place on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Update: This story's headline has been changed to remove mention of Hindenburg. Alphabet shares fell 4% on Thursday, after the Department of Justice called for Google to divest its Chrome browser as a remedy to its antitrust case. The proposed breakup would, according to the DOJ filing Wednesday night, "permanently stop Google's control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet." It's the latest development in a yearslong, bipartisan antitrust battle against Google. In August, a federal judge ruled that the company held an illegal monopoly in both search and text advertising, violating Section 2 of the Sherman Act. The DOJ's request represents the agency's most aggressive attempt to break up a tech company since its antitrust case against Microsoft, which reached a settlement in 2001. Chrome, which Google launched in 2008, provides the search giant with data it then uses for targeting ads. The DOJ said in the filing that forcing the company to get rid of Chrome would create a more equal playing field for search competitors. "To remedy these harms, the [Initial Proposed Final Judgment] requires Google to divest Chrome, which will permanently stop Google's control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet," the 23-page filing reads. Additionally, the DOJ said that Google should be prevented from entering into exclusionary agreements with third parties like Apple and Samsung. The department also said Google should be prohibited from giving its search service preference within its other products. Remedies should prevent Google from eliminating "emerging competitive threats through acquisitions, minority investments, or partnerships," the DOJ said, adding that they should run for 10 years. "The proposed remedies are designed to end Google's unlawful practices and open up the market for rivals and new entrants to emerge," the filing said. Search advertising accounted for $49.4 billion in revenue in Alphabet's third quarter, representing three-quarters of total ad sales in the period. In addition to its call for Google to sell Chrome, the DOJ said forcing the search company to divest its Android mobile operating system would also assist in restoring competition, "but Plaintiffs recognize that such divestiture may draw significant objections from Google or other market participants." Instead, the DOJ suggested that the other remedies should be enough to "blunt Google's ability to use its control of the Android ecosystem to favor its general search services," and if they "ultimately fail to achieve the high standards for meaningful relief in these critical markets, the Court could require return to" the Android divestiture suggestion. In a blog post on Thursday, Kent Walker, Google's legal chief, called the DOJ's proposal an "overbroad proposal" that would impact privacy and artificial intelligence investments at a critical time. Walker added that it "goes miles beyond the Court's decision" and "would break a range of Google products even beyond Search." Google has said it will appeal the monopoly ruling, which would draw out any final remedy decisions. WATCH: Traders talk regulatory headwinds in Big Tech space The U.K. competition authority previously said it was considering requiring Microsoft to apply the same pricing for its software regardless of which cloud it's hosted on. Igor Golovniov | Sopa Images | Lightrocket via Getty Images LONDON Britain's competition regulator is preparing remedies aimed at solving competition issues in the multibillion-pound cloud computing industry. The Competition and Markets Authority is set to unveil its provisional decision detailing "behavioral" remedies addressing anti-competitive practices in the sector following a months-long investigation into the market, two sources familiar with the matter told CNBC. The sources, who preferred to remain anonymous given the investigation's sensitive nature, said that the cloud market remedies could be announced within the next two weeks. The regulator previously set itself a deadline of November to December 2024 to publish its provisional decision. A CMA spokesperson declined to comment on the specific timing of its provisional decision when asked by CNBC. watch now Cloud infrastructure services is a market that's dominated by U.S. technology giants Amazon and Microsoft . Amazon is the largest player in the market, offering cloud services via its Amazon Web Services (AWS) arm. Microsoft is the second-largest provider, selling cloud products under its Microsoft Azure unit. The CMA probe traces its history back to 2022, when U.K. telecoms regulator Ofcom kicked off a market study examining the dominance of cloud giants Amazon, Microsoft and Google . Ofcom subsequently referred its cloud review to the CMA to address competition issues in the market. Why is the CMA concerned? Among the key issues the CMA is expected to address with recommended behavioral remedies, are so-called "egress" fees charging companies for transferring data from one cloud to another, licensing fees viewed as unfair, volume discounts, and interoperability issues that make it harder to switch vendor. According to one of the sources, there's a chance Google may be excluded from the scope of the competition remedies given it is smaller in size compared to market leaders AWS and Microsoft Azure. Amazon and Microsoft declined to comment on this story when contacted by CNBC. Google did not immediately return a request for comment. What could the remedies look like? The CMA has said previously in June that it was more minded toward considering behavioral remedies to resolve its concerns as opposed to "structural" remedies, such as ordering divestments or operational separations. The watchdog said in a working paper in June that it was "at an early stage" of considering potential remedies. Solutions floated at the time included imposing price controls restricting the level of egress fees, lowering technical barriers to switching cloud providers, and banning agreements encouraging firms to commit more spend in return for discounts. One contentious measure the regulator said it was considering was requiring Microsoft to apply the same pricing for its software regardless of which cloud it's hosted on a move that would have a significant impact on Microsoft's pricing structures. In a speech Thursday at U.K. policy thinktank Chatham House, CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell announced plans for a review in 2025 into the regulator's approach to approving mergers. In an interview with the Financial Times published earlier in the day, she defended the regulator's track record on competition enforcement amid criticisms from Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the agency was holding back growth. Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group, following a Bloomberg Television interview at the company's headquarters in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Gautam Adani says he'll shift control to his scions in the early 2030s. Photographer: Sumit Dayal/Bloomberg via Getty Images This report is from this week's CNBC's "Inside India" newsletter which brings you timely, insightful news and market commentary on the emerging powerhouse and the big businesses behind its meteoric rise. Like what you see? You can subscribe here. The head of a $25 billion Indian energy company, the former CEO of a New York-listed energy firm, and one of Asia's wealthiest men were set to meet in New Delhi to discuss business. To prepare for the meeting, Vneet Jaain, chief executive of Adani Green Energy , photographed a document on his cellphone. This document, according to the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District of New York, summarized the amounts the Indian energy company was owed by Azure Power , previously listed on the NYSE, for bribing Indian government officials. Jaain's phone and other electronic devices were seized as evidence by U.S. prosecutors in their months-long investigation and included in the indictment on Wednesday in a New York federal court on charges related to a massive bribery and fraud scheme. The U.S. prosecutors also allege that Gautam Adani, the second most-wealthy Indian man, personally met with Indian government officials to further their "bribery scheme." They allege that about $265 million in bribes were offered to Indian officials to "motivate" the state-owned electricity distribution companies to purchase solar power from Adani and related companies at above-fair market prices. The indictment also describes a trail of evidence that Adani and his executives left behind, such as presentation slides and spreadsheets. One document is alleged to reveal $7 million paid to secure a 650 megawatt power purchase agreement and $76 million as bribe for a 2.3 gigawatt contract. The prosecutors have also successfully obtained an arrest warrant for the billionaire from a federal court. Why are U.S. authorities involved? The 62-year-old billionaire and others are charged with misleading U.S. and international investors as they raised more than $3 billion in capital to fund those energy contracts. "As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from U.S. and international investors," said Breon Peace, U.S. attorney for the eastern district of New York. "Adani and other defendants also defrauded investors by raising capital on the basis of false statements about bribery and corruption, while still other defendants allegedly attempted to conceal the bribery conspiracy by obstructing the government's investigation," added James Dennehy, FBI assistant director in charge. The Securities Exchange Commission also piled in, calling the actions by Adani and two others a "massive bribery scheme." "During the alleged scheme, Adani Green raised more than $175 million from U.S. investors, and Azure Power's stock was traded on the New York Stock Exchange," the SEC said in a statement justifying its jurisdiction and cause in the investigation. What's Adani's response? An Adani Group spokesperson said the allegations made by the U.S. Department of Justice and the SEC against the directors of Adani Green Energy are "baseless and denied." "The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," the spokesperson told investors. Azure Power has said that the company has continued to cooperate with U.S. authorities and its staff referenced in the U.S. indictment were no longer associated with the company. What's the impact on Adani? Aside from the steep share price falls, where Adani Enterprises lost nearly a quarter of its market value, there have also been wider ramifications. Investors in Adani's bonds have also suffered steep price drops after news of the indictment emerged. There are also concerns about whether Adani companies will be able to raise debt in the future in U.S. markets. "The indictment of Adani Group's chairman and other senior officials on bribery charges is credit negative for the group's companies," Moody's, a credit ratings agency, said in a statement. "Our main focus when assessing Adani Group is on the ability of the group's companies to access capital to meet their liquidity requirements and on its governance practices." The Adani Group was also forced to withdraw a planned $600 million bond sale on Thursday. Even ardent believers of Adani also appear to be rethinking their backing of the conglomerate. GQG Partners, which poured $1.9 billion into Adani companies despite a short-seller attack in 2023, told investors it was "reviewing the emerging details and determining what, if any, actions for our portfolios are appropriate." The investment management firm's Sydney-listed shares also lost a fifth of their value on Thursday. Broader implications and impact The allegations against the Adanis could also risk souring foreign investors' sentiment and threaten to accelerate outflows from India. Foreign institutional investors pulled record sums from local bourses in October, and November also looks very similar. "The U.S. bribery charges against Gautam Adani further complicate the calculus for foreign investors with respect to India," Matt Orton, chief market strategist at Raymond James, told CNBC's Tanvir Gill. "While the 10% pullback on the Nifty presented investors with an interesting entry point to deploy capital, the Adani charges will pose a significant overhang to sentiment. In an environment where the U.S. continues to march higher, why add headline risk now in India?" Orton added that select Indian equities still remained attractive despite the wider negative sentiment. Investors are also concerned about lenders exposed to Adani Green Energy, the firm under the spotlight. One estimate by analysts at Citi puts Indian banks on the hook for more than $15 billion in borrowings and collateralized loans, with the State Bank of India owed large chunks of the debt. Elsewhere, Singapore-headquartered lender DBS Group has previously disclosed nearly $1 billion in loans to other Adani companies. DBS declined to comment on the matter. But it's not just investors and financial firms feeling the heat. Regulators in India have also come under severe scrutiny for their association with Adani. "The Federal Bureau of Investigations has said [Adani] has committed a criminal act. Why isn't [India's] Central Bureau of Investigations saying the same? Why isn't SEBI saying the same?" questioned India's opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, referring to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), according to a CNBC translation. Earlier this year, the stock market regulator's chair, Madhabi Buch, was accused of having a conflict of interest while investigating Adani group companies, according to short-seller Hindenburg. Now, politicians are calling for her to be sacked. watch now A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. Crypto investor Justin Sun paid $6.2 million for a banana duct-taped to a wall, highlighting the soaring values of crypto and viral art. Sotheby's last night auctioned off the infamous banana, titled "Comedian," created by Italian artist and cultural prankster Maurizio Cattelan. After a heated battle with six others, Sun emerged as the winner, bidding online and paying in crypto. Italian visual artist Maurizio Cattelan's duct-taped Banana entitled "Comedian," is on display during a media preview at Sotheby's in New York, on November 8, 2024. Kena Betancur | Afp | Getty Images "This is not just an artwork," Sun said in a statement. "It represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history. I am honored to be the proud owner of this iconic work and look forward to it sparking further inspiration and impact for art enthusiasts around the world." "Comedian" shot to fame at its debut at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, priced at $120,000. The image of a banana duct-taped to a wall, and and priced at six figures, went viral over social media and attracted such massive crowds that the work had to be removed. There were three editions of "Comedian" created and sold, with one going to the Guggenheim Collection thanks to an anonymous donor, and the other two purchased. Get Inside Wealth directly to your inbox The Inside Wealth newsletter by Robert Frank is your weekly guide to high-net-worth investors and the industries that serve them. Subscribe here to get access today. The seller of the Sotheby's banana had purchased it from one of the original buyers and was reselling it. For his $6 million, Sun will get a roll of duct tape, instructions on how to "install" the banana and (most importantly) a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing it as an original work of Cattelan's. The banana is not included, since it will quickly rot and need to be constantly changed for display. In his statement, Sun said he plans to eat the banana "as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture." People look at Italian visual artist Maurizio Cattelan's duct-taped Banana entitled "Comedian," during a press preview at Sotheby's in New York, on October 25, 2024. The viral artwork was unveiled in 2019, and one of the artwork's three "editions" is going back on sale on November 20, 2024, and is estimated by Sotheby's to sell for between $1m and $1.5m. Timothy A. Clary | Afp | Getty Images Shares of Snowflake surged more than 31% on Thursday, after third-quarter results beat analyst estimates on the top and bottom line. And analysts see even more gains in store. The sharp move higher puts the cloud-based data stock on pace for its best day ever. Snowflake executives on Wednesday upped their full-year product revenue forecast to $3.43 billion, or growth of 29%, compared to a previous estimate that called for $3.36 billion. SNOW YTD mountain Snowflake stock headed for its best day ever on Thursday. The company added on Wednesday that it plans to partner with the Amazon-backed artificial intelligence startup Anthropic. CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy also noted that Snowflake could grow its business involving the federal government. Goldman analyst Kash Rangan reiterated a buy rating on Snowflake following its third-quarter results, and maintained his price target of $220 per share. Rangan's forecast implies more than 70% upside from Wednesday's $129.12 close. "Given the company's strong competitive positioning, we continue to view Snowflake as well positioned to capitalize on a generational shift of data and analytics to the cloud, with strong secular tailwinds including cloud adoption, big data, AI/ML [artificial intelligence/machine learning], and secure data sharing which we expect will drive durable growth for the foreseeable future," Rangan said. JPMorgan, others bullish too JPMorgan Chase analyst Mark Murphy maintained an overweight rating on Snowflake stock, but increased his price target to $185 per share. Murphy's forecast implies more than 47% upside moving ahead. "We expect Snowflake to continue to grow revenue at a rapid scale," Murphy said. "We believe the combination of alignment to secular trends like data growth and digital transformation, very rapid revenue growth at scale, and a solid, efficient business model makes Snowflake an exceptional asset among software companies." Elsewhere, Bank of America analyst Brad Sills was encouraged that demand trends showed stark improvement in the third-quarter, and said he's encouraged by the company's efforts to broaden its data engineering and AI segments. The analyst reiterated his neutral rating on Snowflake stock but increased his price target to $185 per share from $160, equating to more than 43% upside moving forward. "We look for more material traction outside the core before concluding that Snowflake has widened the competitive moat from pure play and hyperscaler platforms," Sills cautioned. Wells Fargo's Michael Turrin reiterated an equal weight rating on Snowflake following its quarterly results, but hiked his price target to $150 per share from $125. Turin's outlook calls for roughly 16% upside ahead. Turrin remains neutral on the stock largely because Snowflake's multiple current sits at the higher echelon of its peers in the software segment, he noted. He added that he remains optimistic that the company will remain a key player in the space, however. "While SNOW remains a leader in cloud data, heightened competitive intensity coupled with a budding AI-led product cycle presents questions on the platform's [long-term] differentiation and the company's ability to sustain similar levels of growth into the future," Turrin said. Democratic California state senator Scott Weiner of District 11 (which includes San Francisco), authored the vetoed bill. He spoke at the AI Quality Conference in June about the bill and stated, "As human beings, we have a tendency to ignore risk until there's a problem." Wiener clarified that the bill did not intend to interfere with startup innovation, but rather keep tabs on "very large, powerful models" by requiring a minimum training budget of $100 million for specified company types. California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed California's bill at the end of September but signed into law another bill which requires transparency in generative AI systems. Some of the critiques of the vetoed bill remain relevant in potential future regulation in California and beyond. The AI Alliance , a self-proclaimed community of creators, developers and adopters in the AI space, worries certain regulations "would slow innovation, thwart advancements in safety and security and undermine California's economic growth." In 2024, AI bills have been introduced in 45 states plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Colorado AI Act which requires a developer of a high-risk AI system to avoid algorithmic discrimination is the first of its kind to be signed into law in the U.S. and was even ahead of the European Union AI Act. Despite California's recently vetoed state bill on "safe and secure innovation for frontier artificial intelligence systems," U.S. tech leaders remain on edge. California's status as a national and global technology hub could be at risk of stifled innovation, opponents to similar legislation say. The U.S. and, more specifically, California's Silicon Valley, are technology hubs of the highest degree. Along with that designation comes an expectation of consistent innovation. Tatiana Rice, deputy director for U.S. legislation at non-profit, non-partisan think tank Future of Privacy Forum, said the U.S. as a whole is in a unique position given the fact that it's one of the only G20 nations to not have a comprehensive data privacy law (similar to the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR). "A lot of the privacy risks associated with AI can be tackled through a comprehensive data privacy regime," she said. The U.S. has historically approached data privacy with decentralized, state-by-state legislation, which is where AI regulation is currently headed. While the formerly introduced American Data Privacy and Protection Act (which has since been replaced with the proposed American Privacy Rights Act) tried to tackle data privacy at the federal level, it quickly became a culture war because of civil rights protections included in the text. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has published a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights based on five principles: safe and effective systems; algorithmic discrimination protection; data privacy; notice and explanation; and human alternatives, consideration and fallback. But with a new administration on the way in, and President-elect Trump's approach to regulation expected to be more favorable to corporations though there are critics of big tech within his ranks the White House may reverse course and bring the federal approach to AI in line with a broader ethos of minimal government involvement to drive competitive technological innovation. In that case, the onus will remain at the state level, where individual states will have to toe the line between tech hub status and secure innovation. 'Common-sense AI regulation' At the state level, Jonas Jacobi, CEO of ValidMind, an AI risk management company for financial institutions, said, "The wrong regulation can absolutely kill innovation." But, he added, "that doesn't mean there shouldn't be regulation. There should be common-sense regulation, especially around these huge foundational models, which are incredibly powerful." Mohamed Elgendy, CEO of AI and ML testing platform Kolena, has a slightly different view. "Setting the threshold on the brain power of the model versus the application, it just doesn't make sense," he said. In this, Elgendy is differentiating models, like GPT, from their applications, like ChatGPT. "The way I see the risks of AI is really not about the capability of it," Elgendy said. "It's on the security side, that malicious use." Jacobi echoes this part of the sentiment. "I don't think you can hold [developers] accountable for everything that happens when people use their models," he said. Rice says U.S. companies threatening to leave their home states for an overreach of AI regulation have some say, but that it would take a lot for California's tech hub to dissipate. Despite state-by-state fragmentation, Rice said there are people working to find a model approach. Senator Robert Rodriguez, a Democratic majority leader of the Colorado Senate, and Democratic Connecticut State Senator James Maroney are two people "trying to be cognizant of avoiding a patchwork of AI regulations in the way that has happened with data privacy," said Rice. Regarding Colorado's successful AI bill, Maroney wrote on Facebook, "It is unfortunate that Connecticut chose not to join Colorado as a leader in this space. But we will be back with a bill next year." Even a model approach, if done wrong, could pose a major risk to the U.S. "Everybody's looking at California, especially when it comes to tech," Elgendy said. If anything, companies could leave the entire country, which would be a nightmare from a cybersecurity perspective, he said. Elgendy's company is currently in the midst of a nine-month case study of sorts to develop AI "gold standards" by working with regulatory bodies for sectors like finance and ecommerce. Kolena is aiming to have an actionable set of guidelines and standards that can provide clear guidance for builders and regulators across these major industries, filling the void that has so far been left by federal lawmakers and regulators. Even without congressional movement, Elgendy noted, industry leaders will make progress. "We definitely believe that no one team can do this alone," he said. My top 10 things to watch Thursday, Nov. 21 1. Nvidia's quarterly results were much better than expected, and the whole overheating Blackwell chips thing was overblown, says the company. The AI chip king just can't make enough Blackwells and gross margin will be improving next year, producing much better numbers. Lots of stories about guidance not being good enough, which is, alas, untrue, too. As we wrote for Investing Club members , Nvidia's report clear our lofty bar and we upped our price target in response. 2. Nvidia shares actually on track to open more than 1% higher after initially being lower in extended trading Wednesday. Its turnaround was helping the broader market, with all three U.S. stock benchmarks working into the green in the premarket. Bitcoin's furious postelection rally continued, topping the $98,000 level for the first time. 3. Palo Alto Networks reported a very strong quarter with a 21% gain in remaining performance obligations (RPO ), a key metric of total value of contracted revenue yet to be delivered. CEO Nikesh Arora, who appeared on "Mad Money" on Wednesday evening, said he refuses to be judged by billings, arguing they are no longer an accurate depiction of growth at the cybersecurity company. 4. Snowflake shares surged more than 20% after reporting the quarter we were looking for. The data analytics software maker's RPO of $5.7 billion represented 55% year-over-year growth, while product revenue soared 29%. They are taking it to Databricks and, without naming anyone, talked about the cost of implementing their competitors' tools. I think there is a lot of sampling going on, and Software's consumption model works as a way to test AI. 5. There were multiple Palo Alto Networks price target hikes from Wall Street analysts. We went to $450 per share from $380 on the Club stock. Shares, however, were lower Thursday morning. Perhaps, it's some profit-taking since the stock ran up ahead of earnings. 6. Multiple analyst price target cuts for Target after Wednesday's earnings disaster. The stock lost more than 21% during the regular session. It was up modestly Thursday morning. So far, there were no major downgrades. Research firms are keeping their buy or hold ratings on shares. Some analysts cited problems like shipping and others pointed to cyclicality. I think it's more about competition from Walmart and Club names Costco and Amazon . 7. There were big, big price target hikes for misunderstood Club name TJX Companies . We raised our price target to $135 per share from $130. It's very strange that this keeps happening. The off-price retailer behind T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods is a known under-promise, over-deliver company when it comes to guidance and earnings. 8. Club holding GE Healthcare offered positive medium-term financial targets at its investor day. The maker of MRI machines and other medical devices expects adjusted EBIT, or earnings before interest and taxes, to grow in the high teens to 20% between 2026 and 2028. It also qualified the long-term revenue opportunity it sees for two key radiopharmaceuticals, Vizamyl for Alzheimer's and Flyrcado for coronary artery disease. 9. Oppenheimer raised its Salesforce price target to $385 per share from $330. The analysts said that hiring at Salesforce and the trend of companies boosting their IT budgets indicate a better-than-expected quarter coming up for the Club holding. Salesforce is set to report earnings after the market close on Dec. 3. 10. Citi research analysts raised their Goldman Sachs price target to $585 per share from $485. Kind of a catch-up call since the stock trades around the new PT level. The analysts kept their neutral rating, saying the market is pushing this one too hard. I think, however, there will be many more IPOs coming, which would really tee up the likes of Goldman as well as Club names Morgan Stanley and to some extent Wells Fargo. Sign up for my Top 10 Morning Thoughts on the Market email newsletter for free (See here for a full list of the stocks at Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) 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. My top 10 things to watch Thursday, Nov. 21 Starbucks is exploring major moves to resurrect its struggling China business. The news Starbucks on Thursday said it's exploring the "best path to growth" in the world's second-largest economy, which includes "exploring strategic partnerships." New CEO Brian Niccol also said words to that effect on the company's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call last month. The coffee giant's statement was in response to a Bloomberg report that Starbucks is considering selling a stake in its China operations. According to Bloomberg, such options could spur investment from Chinese companies or private equity firms to help Starbucks navigate the domestic coffee market. Shares of Starbucks rose 1.5% following the news. Bloomberg also said that no decision has been made but came as major shareholder Elliott Investment Management pressured new Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol and his team to figure out a plan for China, the company's No. 2 market behind the U.S. The Starbucks statement also said: "We are fully committed to our business and partners, and to growing in China. As we said on our Q4 earnings call , Brian is spending time [to] better understand our operations as well as the macro and competitive challenges in China." On the company's post-earnings call on Oct 30, which followed an ugly fiscal fourth-quarter preannouncement , Niccol added the U.S. was his near-term priority, "but our international business presents significant opportunities." Big picture China has been a challenge for Starbucks, and other American companies for that matter, as Chinese consumer wallets have been stretched in a weak economy that has been slow to recover from the Covid pandemic. Same-store sales at Starbucks locations in China dropped 14% year over year. Starbucks also faces stiff competition from mass market competitors such as Luckin Coffee, a popular Chinese chain known for cheap prices. Bottom line Jim Cramer has repeatedly said that he believes Niccol is the right leader to turn around Starbucks not only internationally but here in the U.S., too. "Niccol is not fooling around. Everything is on the table" Jim said Thursday on "Squawk on the Street." Jim added that the situation in China is "going to be solved very quickly." "There's a reason why Starbucks stock hasn't gone down from when Niccol was picked," Jim argued, touting Niccol's successful six-years-plus leading Chipotle . Niccol started as Starbucks CEO in September, replacing Laxman Narasimhan who was ousted after just 17 months on the job. Narasimhan took over in March 2023 for three-time CEO Howard Schultz. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long SBUX. 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. An employee services in a Starbucks coffee truck at Wuhan International Plaza on October 6, 2022 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. Getty Images Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading. Nvidia Shares of the chipmaker added 0.5% in midday trading, after gyrating earlier in the session. Nvidia beat on top and bottom lines for the third quarter, posting adjusted earnings of 81 cents per share on revenue of $35.08 billion. Analysts polled by LSEG had called for earnings of 75 cents per share on $33.16 billion in revenue. Nvidia also gave a better-than-expected forecast for the current quarter. Baidu U.S. shares of the Chinese search engine fell 5.9% after Baidu's third-quarter revenue declined by 3% compared to the year-ago period . Still, the company posted a 12% increase in its non-online marketing revenue, fueled mostly by growth in its artificial intelligence cloud business. Alphabet Shares declined 4.7% on news that the Department of Justice is pushing a federal judge to force Google divest its Chrome internet browser in order to create a more level playing field for competitors in the search industry. That follows a ruling in August that Google has a monopoly in the search market. Snowflake The data analytics software maker saw shares skyrocket roughly 32.7%, after the company's better-than-expected third-quarter results . The stock is heading for its best day ever. Snowflake also called for $3.43 billion in fiscal 2025 product revenue, implying 29% growth. CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy said Snowflake is focusing more on saving money. Merus Shares of the cancer therapeutics company gained 3.3%. Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of Merus with a buy rating, saying it sees big gains ahead driven by the company's cancer treatment. Netflix Shares rose about 1.5% on the heels of Bank of America reiterating its buy rating on the stock and upping its price target to $1,000. The bank cited live events, as well as Netflix's in-house ad tech platform, as catalysts for growth. Crypto-related stocks Stocks tied to cryptocurrencies earlier rose after the price of bitcoin crossed $98,000 for the first time , but they fluctuated after Galaxy Digital CEO Michael Novogratz warned that a pullback in bitcoin will come eventually. MicroStrategy was down more than 16%, while Coinbase dipped 7.7%. Miner Mara Holdings gained roughly 6.8%, while trading platform Robinhood dipped about 2.7%. BJ's Wholesale Club Shares moved 8.3% higher after the warehouse club's third-quarter adjusted earnings beat the Street's estimates. BJ's also boosted its full-year guidance. The company said it will increase its membership fee and announced plans to repurchase $1 billion shares. PDD Holdings Shares of the e-commerce giant, which owns Temu, fell 10.6%. PDD missed profit and revenue estimates. CNBC's Sean Conlon, Yun Li and Michelle Fox contributed reporting. Check out the companies making headlines before the bell. Snowflake Shares surged more than 21% following the company's better-than-expected third-quarter results and strong guidance. Snowflake posted adjusted earnings of 20 cents per share on revenue of $942 million. Analysts surveyed by LSEG were looking for 15 cents in earnings per share on revenue of $897 million. Palo Alto Networks The cybersecurity stock fell 2% after the company issued fiscal second-quarter guidance largely in-line with expectations. Palo Alto Networks guided for adjusted earnings of $1.54 to $1.56 per share on revenue of $2.22 billion to $2.25 billion. That was roughly in line with the Street's forecast of $1.55 per share in earnings and $2.23 billion in revenue, per FactSet. Palo Alto also announced a 2-for-1 stock split. Nvidia Shares of the chipmaker fell around 1% despite its third-quarter earnings results topping Wall Street's expectations . The company posted 81 cents in adjusted earnings per share on revenue of $35.08 billion, while analysts had penciled in 75 cents in earnings per share on revenue of $33.16 billion, according to LSEG. Crypto-related stocks Stocks tied to bitcoin moved higher after the price of the cryptocurrency hit $98,000 for the first time . MicroStrategy soared about 11%, while Coinbase jumped nearly 4%. Others linked to the cryptocurrency like miner Mara Holdings and financial services platform Robinhood also saw gains, rising almost 10% and more than 3%, respectively. Baidu U.S. shares of the Chinese search engine fell more than 1% after the company's third-quarter revenue declined by 3% compared to the year-ago period . That said, Baidu posted a 12% increase in its non-online marketing revenue, which was mainly driven by its artificial intelligence cloud business. BJ's Wholesale Club The stock popped nearly 8% after the warehouse club reported a third-quarter earnings beat and raised its full-year guidance. BJ's also announced a plan to repurchase $1 billion shares and said it will raise its membership fee. Merus Shares gained 2.5% after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of the cancer therapeutics company with a buy rating, saying it sees big gains ahead on the back of Merus' cancer treatment. CNBC's Sarah Min, Hakyung Kim and Michelle Fox Theobald contributed reporting. US Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks to members of the media after speaking on the House floor about a possible Motion to Vacate to oust US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on October 2, 2023. Matt Gaetz said Thursday he is withdrawing as President-elect Donald Trump's pick for U.S. attorney general, ending the controversial bid that put prior allegations of sexual misconduct in the spotlight. "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many," Gaetz said in a statement posted on his X account. "While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," said the former Republican congressman from Florida. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General," he said. The Department of Justice's investigation into whether Gaetz sex trafficked a minor girl ended last year without charges being filed. But the House Ethics Committee later restarted its own probe of allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, gave special favors to personal contacts, and tried to obstruct government efforts to investigate him. CNN's Paula Reid said that Gaetz's withdrawal came less than an hour after he was contacted by the outlet for comment on its report that a woman told the ethics panel that she had had two sexual encounters with Gaetz in 2017, when she was 17 years old. Gaetz has denied having sex with an underage girl. His decision to resign from Congress after being tapped for AG effectively ended the ethics probe by removing him from the committee's jurisdiction. The House committee, which is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, on Wednesday deadlocked on a vote to release a report on its probe of Gaetz. Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, the committee's ranking Democrat, said the members agreed to reconvene on Dec. 5 to "further consider this matter." Trump said on Truth Social later Thursday that Gaetz "was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect." Investors looking for alternative ways to profit off of Nvidia 's impending Blackwell chip rollout may want to take a look at these derivative plays. Shares of Nvidia whipsawed Thursday and most recently were up 1%. The moves came despite the company topping quarterly earnings expectations and Wall Street's forecast. The stock has been volatile amid concerns of a slowdown following several quarters of monstrous revenue growth and lofty guidance beats. However, many analysts overlooked those worries and lifted their price targets, anticipating a mammoth ramp of Blackwell graphics processing units next year. However, Nvidia isn't the only company that will benefit from Blackwell's success. Bank of America's Brad Lin views chip supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing as one of the biggest knock-on beneficiaries due to the need for stronger computer power as artificial intelligence models proliferate. TSM YTD mountain Shares this year "The results underscore robust structural Al demand, with limited digestion periods as adoption accelerates," he said. "NVIDIA's intact one-year cadence for datacenter GPU development is particularly favorable for TSMC, supporting [average selling price] content growth." Coupled with a strong AI demand environment that show no signs of waning, Lin views the consist cadence of product launches from Nvidia as another tail wind that should improve Taiwan Semiconductor's visibility. Citi's Asiya Merchant sees a positive readthrough from the results for original equipment manufacturers such as Dell and Hewlett Packard Enterprise , which have alluded to a $171 billion to $174 billion total addressable AI market by 2027. Semiconductor product manufacturers Macom Technology Solutions and Semtech are other potential beneficiaries from a strong Blackwell rollout, according to Stifel's Tore Svanberg. He expects the quarter-over-quarter downtick in data networking revenue to reverse come January. "Net-net, we believe this suggests a more neutral [near-term] impact but a continued healthy positive [long-term] impact on DC networking-oriented companies in our coverage," he wrote. This includes companies such as Marvell Technology , Credo Technology and Astera Labs . GE Vernova can help meet the massive energy demands from artificial intelligence, according to Wells Fargo. The firm initiated coverage of the energy company with an overweight rating. Its price target of $385 implies more than 12% upside from Wednesday's close. The company was spun off from General Electric earlier in 2024 , alongside other GE assets. Analyst Michael Blum said robust power demand tied to AI could lead to GE Vernova emerging as a key beneficiary, especially because the subsequent buildout will require an update to the power grid. Specifically, the analyst thinks gas will be the most in demand form of energy moving forward, which could translate to an 8% compounded annual growth rate for GE Vernova over the next eight years. GEV YTD mountain GE Vernova stock. "As power demand grows and more distributed generation is added to the mix, aging grids will require significant investment to manage the increasingly complex and dynamic environment," Blum said. "GEV's transformers, HVDC [High-voltage direct current], and grid software offerings are well positioned to benefit from this growing demand." Blum expects power demand to grow at a 3% compound annual growth rate from 2024 to 2032. The analyst also noted GE Vernova trades at a discount relative to the S & P 500. The stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 9.9, per FactSet, while the broad market index trades at 24 times forward earnings. "We project high levels of demand for its suite of generation and grid products, and believe the company has strong potential to accrete margin through price raises and lean manufacturing," Blum said. watch now Famed computer scientist Yoshua Bengio an artificial intelligence pioneer has warned of the nascent technology's potential negative effects on society and called for more research to mitigate its risks. Bengio, a professor at the University of Montreal and head of the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms, has won multiple awards for his work in deep learning, a subset of AI that attempts to mimic the activity in the human brain to learn how to recognize complex patterns in data. But he has concerns about the technology and warned that some people with "a lot of power" may even want to see humanity replaced by machines. "It's really important to project ourselves into the future where we have machines that are as smart as us on many counts, and what would that mean for society," Bengio told CNBC's Tania Bryer at the One Young World Summit in Montreal, a gathering of young leaders addressing the challenges facing the world today. Machines could soon have most of the cognitive abilities of humans, he said artificial general intelligence (AGI) is a type of AI technology that aims to equal or better human intellect. "Intelligence gives power. So who's going to control that power?" he said. "Having systems that know more than most people can be dangerous in the wrong hands and create more instability at a geopolitical level, for example, or terrorism." A limited number of organizations and governments will be able to afford to build powerful AI machines, according to Bengio, and the bigger the systems are, the smarter they become. "These machines, you know, cost billions to be built and trained [and] very few organizations and very few countries will be able to do it. That's already the case," he said. "There's going to be a concentration of power: economic power, which can be bad for markets; political power, which could be bad for democracy; and military power, which could be bad for the geopolitical stability of our planet. So, lots of open questions that we need to study with care and start mitigating as soon as we can." We don't have methods to make sure that these systems will not harm people or will not turn against people We don't know how to do that. Yoshua Bengio Head of the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms Such outcomes are possible within decades, he said. "But if it's five years, we're not ready because we don't have methods to make sure that these systems will not harm people or will not turn against people We don't know how to do that," he added. There are arguments to suggest that the way AI machines are currently being trained "would lead to systems that turn against humans," Bengio said. "In addition, there are people who might want to abuse that power, and there are people who might be happy to see humanity replaced by machines. I mean, it's a fringe, but these people can have a lot of power, and they can do it unless we put the right guardrails right now," he said. AI guidance and regulation Bengio endorsed an open letter in June entitled: "A right to warn about advanced artificial intelligence." It was signed by current and former employees of Open AI the company behind the viral AI chatbot ChatGPT. The letter warned of "serious risks" of the advancement of AI and called for guidance from scientists, policymakers and the public in mitigating them. OpenAIhas been subject to mounting safety concerns over the past few months, with its "AGI Readiness" team disbanded in October. "The first thing governments need to do is have regulation that forces [companies] to register when they build these frontier systems that are like the biggest ones, that cost hundreds of millions of dollars to be trained," Bengio told CNBC. "Governments should know where they are, you know, the specifics of these systems." As AI is evolving so fast, governments must "be a bit creative" and make legislation that can adapt to technology changes, Bengio said. Its not too late to steer the evolution of societies and humanity in a positive and beneficial direction. Yoshua Bengio Head of the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms Companies developing AI must also be liable for their actions, according to the computer scientist. "Liability is also another tool that can force [companies] to behave well, because ... if it's about their money, the fear of being sued that's going to push them towards doing things that protect the public. If they know that they can't be sued, because right now it's kind of a gray zone, then they will behave not necessarily well," he said. "[Companies] compete with each other, and, you know, they think that the first to arrive at AGI will dominate. So it's a race, and it's a danger race." The process of legislating to make AI safe will be similar to the ways in which rules were developed for other technologies, such as planes or cars, Bengio said. "In order to enjoy the benefits of AI, we have to regulate. We have to put [in] guardrails. We have to have democratic oversight on how the technology is developed," he said. Misinformation The spread of misinformation, especially around elections, is a growing concern as AI develops. In October, OpenAI said it had disrupted "more than 20 operations and deceptive networks from around the world that attempted to use our models." These include social posts by fake accounts generated ahead of elections in the U.S. and Rwanda. "One of the greatest short-term concerns, but one that's going to grow as we move forward toward more capable systems is disinformation, misinformation, the ability of AI to influence politics and opinions," Bengio said. "As we move forward, we'll have machines that can generate more realistic images, more realistic sounding imitations of voices, more realistic videos," he said. This influence might extend to interactions with chatbots, Bengio said, referring to a study by Italian and Swiss researchers showing that OpenAI's GPT-4 large language model can persuade people to change their minds better than a human. "This was just a scientific study, but you can imagine there are people reading this and wanting to do this to interfere with our democratic processes," he said. The 'hardest question of all' Low-cost carrier IndiGo has launched daily non-stop flights between Chennai and Penang in Malaysia from December 21. The new route marks Penang as the airline's third direct destination in Malaysia, after Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi. The direct flight from Chennai has been launched to meet rising demand for travel between the two cities, providing a cost-effective option for business and leisure travellers. Additionally, IndiGo will resume flights between Bengaluru and Kuala Lumpur starting December 21, 2024.IndiGo's Head of Global Sales, Vinay Malhotra said, "We are extremely pleased to expand our network into Malaysia even further with the launch of daily, non-stop flights from Chennai to Penang. IndiGo will now operate 28 weekly flights from India to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, and Penang in Malaysia.""This expansion underscores IndiGo's commitment to connecting not just major hubs, but also emerging destinations like Langkawi & Penang, offering options for business as well as leisure. IndiGo remains committed to delivering an affordable, timely, courteous, and hassle-free travel experience across our expansive network," he added.With direct connection to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, and Penang, IndiGo is expecting more tourists travelling between the two countries. India is Malaysia's fifth-largest source market.Moreover, IndiGo's Chennai-Penang flight will reduce travel time from 7 to 4 hours between the two countries, providing a convenient travel option. Additionally, Chennai will serve as a connecting hub for passengers from Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai heading to Penang.Penang is known for its street food, beautiful beaches, and rich history. The island offers an exciting blend of modern street art, colonial architecture, and natural beauty, including rainforests. 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. VIDEO | Members of the Indian community accorded a warm welcome to PM Modi (@narendramodi) as he arrived in Georgetown, #Guyana. (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/EOsud0bGci Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 20, 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been with the 'The Order of Excellence' in Guyana during the final leg of his three-nation tour following the G20 Summit in Brazil. Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali conferred the country's highest honour on PM Modi for his exceptional service to the global community, statesmanship and contribution to deepening the India-Guyana ties.Meanwhile, Barbados will also confer its top award, the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados, to Prime Minister Modi. This comes after Dominica announced its highest national honour, the Dominica Award of Honour, for him.Dominican President Sylvanie Burton honoured him with the highest honour in recognition of his work during the COVID-19 outbreak and his commitment to improving India-Dominica relations.Before this, Nigeria felicitated Modi with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). This made him the second foreign dignitary to receive the prestigious honour. Earlier in 1969, Queen Elizabeth was awarded the GCON.With all these awards, the prime minister's total number of international accolades now stands at 19.Earlier, PM Modi arrived in Guyana, where he was received at the airport by President Irfan Ali and PM Mark Phillips. His visit was the first by an Indian PM to Guyana in more than 50 years.Following his arrival, the prime minister also met with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley at a hotel in Georgetown.The Prime Minister earlier noted, "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." PM Modi' s five-day international trip started with a visit to Nigeria, followed by the G20 Summit in Brazil and then to Guyana. 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. November 21, 2024: NATO efforts to halt Iran from supplying Russia with ballistic missiles to use in Ukraine are not yet having much impact. Ukraine reports they are still being hit by Iranian missiles fired by Russian forces. NATO sanctions are directed at Iranian airlines as well as key political and military officials. Iran says it will block any further missile transfers and admits that some missiles were sent to Russia in the past. The U.S. government still bans Ukraine from using American-supplied missiles for attacks into Russia. That may change with the recent election of a new American president. Time will tell. Meanwhile Ukraine is building more of its own drones and using them for long-range attacks on Russian targets including Moscow. The Russian government cant hide the explosions in and around its cities. Russian media may provide little information but Russians have access to foreign media via the internet and can find out what is going on. Outsiders can also monitor Russian messages on international apps. The majority of Russian citizens are angry and fed up with the war in Ukraine. That war has brought the average Russian sanctions, shortages and threats from their own government to not criticize Putin or the war. That did not work because Russians realized the government did not have enough prisons for all the people who opposed the war. President Putins allies want the war ended because these allies are oligarchs with large holdings in the Russian economy. The war is costing these oligarchs a lot of money. Putin has another problem. Russia has lost so many soldiers in Ukraine that they have run out of troops. Its not just over half a million dead and wounded Russians, but several million Russian military age men who have fled the country. Putin tried to overcome that by expanding the age to 50 years old that men could be taken into the military. These older men had more clout, connections and ways to avoid being sent to Ukraine. Putin hired 12,000 North Korean mercenaries, but these are only a stopgap. The North Korean soldiers are more interested in deserting and fleeing to European countries than in getting killed in Ukraine, though they appreciate the video porn available on cell phones their supply sergeants sell to them. Russian forces continue to gain ground in eastern Ukraine, but at great cost. Ukrainian forces are on the defensive and minimizing their own casualties while maximizing Russian losses. Ukraine doesnt mind losing territory because the Ukraine front is a thousand kilometers long and the Russians can no longer man it adequately. Ukraine can and does make counterattacks, like the one in August where Ukrainian forces invaded Kursk province and still control over a thousand square kilometers of Russian territory. Russia is out of everything, including ideas on how to deal with the mess they have created. One Russian operation is still working. That is a Cyber War and blackmail campaign in partnership with neighboring Belarus to carry out sabotage missions in Poland and other NATO countries that are aiding Ukraine. That is not working out because the targeted nations discovered details of the Russian operation and publicized it all. That caused Russia to deny everything and quietly back off. David Spade was gobsmacked when Dane Cook told him the news this week on the Fly on the Wall podcast. Cook confessed that he didnt remember the exact details, but someone told him that he more or less hosted back-to-back episodes of Saturday Night Live. It was like the end of one season, and I think Im back-to-back host because I opened the next season, he said. Or perhaps there was one Cook-free episode in between? Maybe it was one, he conceded. It was like within three episodes, I hosted twice. Shit, exclaimed Spade. Get more famous. My God! Don't Miss Hosting (or nearly hosting) back-to-back episodes is one hell of an accomplishment. The only problem is, Cook didnt come close to it. Youd think a comedian would remember something like this, but Cooks two SNL hosting stints came nearly a year apart first on December 3, 2005, then again on September 30, 2006. Still pretty fast, but the gap between host assignments only places Cook in a tie for 16th on the all-time list. Shame on Spade and Dana Carvey for just accepting the assertion as fact, but Cook remains justly proud of being asked to SNL twice especially after the bench incident. Whats the bench incident? By 98, everybody made it pretty clear to me: If you didnt have a Saturday Night Live or an HBO Young Comedian Special, if you didnt have one of those two things, you werent gonna zeitgeist. You werent invited to the party. Good news for Cook: SNL wanted him to audition as a possible replacement for Spades buddy Adam Sandler. They were looking at me, he explained. They were coming down to see me in the Village. I was just doing gigs down there, going back and forth from Boston. It could have been the opportunity that would make Cook zeitgeist, to use his parlance. But on my way to my audition at SNL, I had a full-on panic attack, he said. I sat on a bench outside of Rockefeller Plaza, and I didnt go in. I actually called my manager. I said I cant do it. And he is like, Why? Theyre all waiting for you. They want to see you. Theyre looking for something to fill that void. Advertisement But Cook wasnt the comedian to plug that Sandler-sized hole, at least not in 1998. He knew from comedy friends that working on the show could be confrontational, and I was very beta at that time, he confessed. I was like, Im not going to be able to fight for skits. I can barely get my food order out for a waiter at lunch. Im not going to be able to survive at SNL. His managers werent happy, and Cook wasnt happy with himself either. While doing D-level gigs in Tampa, he watched Jimmy Fallon on SNL in the place he could have been. He was on the stand-up circuit with up-and-comers like Dave Chappelle and Tracy Morgan, but I felt like everybody else had a trajectory, he said. And every time I walked by that bench at Rockefeller Plaza, I was like, Im an asshole. I cant believe I screwed it. Advertisement Thank goodness Cook had those back-to-back SNL hosting gigs to rebuild his confidence. Jimmy Fallon has been on a heater lately, using The Tonight Show as a medicine wagon from which to sell his childrens books, haunted house tours and Christmas albums. But just when you thought a cash-grab comedian couldnt get any more shameless, along comes Chevy Chase to say, Hold my holiday beer. Theres Chase on Instagram, fast asleep in his chair, waking only long enough to bust open the cumbersomely named 35th Anniversary Christmas Vacation Legacy Box LIMITED EDITION. Having already sold different versions of this product to us in four different decades, the money-hungry comic is back at it in his Official Chevy Chase Shop, offering a boxed set (ONLY 300 AVAILABLE!) that includes: 7 trading cards A custom anniversary poster signed by Chase Two limited-edition ornaments A deck of cards A bag of popcorn One additional insert card The additional insert card is the purported prize here. It could be a piece of cardboard signed by Juliette Lewis, Randy Quaid (!), Beverly DAngelo, Brian Doyle Murray, Miriam Flynn or Chase. Or it could be a Chase relic the comic has been cutting his old SNL costumes into tiny scraps and selling them off for $500 a pop. Even Fallon hasnt ripped up his Barry Gibb Talk Show disco shirts (yet). Missing from the holiday package? National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (only $14.99 on DVD at Amazon), an item one might expect to find in a National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Legacy Box. Heres guessing Chase doesnt want to split the spoils with Warner Bros., or the estate of writer John Hughes, the guy who invented Clark Griswold. Much easier to sell Lisas Goodys gourmet popcorn (double-possessive theirs, not mine) and mark up the wholesale. Advertisement Speaking of price, the National Lampoons Christmas Vacation box that doesnt include National Lampoons Christmas Vacation can be yours for only 300 bucks. If Chases website is to be believed, there are only 138 left, so act fast! And if you dont have $300 burning a hole in your pocket, Chase will part with a Griswold-themed tin of popcorn (Lisas Goodys, no doubt) for only 100 smackers. Holiday shirts are available as well, featuring un-trademarkable slogans like Do You Want to Hold My Balls? Advertisement You might want to wear those items when you attend Friday nights An Evening with Chevy Chase After National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation in Reading, Pennsylvania. Nearly $80 orchestra seats are still available. Its an evening that promises plenty of jingle-jingle-jingle a merry sound emanating from either Santas sleigh or your money in Chevys pocket. Most of the time, describing a show as something a whole family can enjoy, from age 8 to 88, means a whole family will be fine having it on while they look at their phones. People like looking at their phones, so this is a thriving TV genre, encompassing the likes of Dancing With the Stars, The Floor and Judge Steve Harvey. But with Thanksgiving imminent, and thus the likelihood that youre going to be gathering near a TV with loved ones of wide-ranging ages, Netflix has made a show the whole family can actually enjoy. A Man On The Inside is a caper, a buddy comedy and a meditation on grief, and pulls off all three effortlessly. In the show, which drops all eight episodes of its first season today, Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) is a private investigator whos approached with a case: Evan (Marc Evan Jackson) needs her to investigate the theft of an heirloom necklace from his mothers room at Pacific View, her San Francisco retirement home. Julies intrigued, but as a woman in her 30s, she doesnt see a way in unless she could possibly find a man of retirement age to move into Pacific View and collect information on her behalf. An old-fashioned newspaper classified ad seeking male applicants aged 75 to 85 who have their own phone attracts interest from Charles (Ted Danson). A retired engineering professor and relatively recent widower, Charles has so little to fill his days that his daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) challenges him to find a hobby he can be passionate about and after meeting with Julie, Charles decides this investigation could fit the bill. With Julie posing as Emily (unbeknownst to Emily herself), Charles moves in and sets about spending his one allotted month learning what he can about the residents, and who might be responsible for taking the necklace as well as other items, valuable and not, that go missing during Charles stay. Don't Miss The series was adapted from the Oscar-nominated Chilean documentary feature The Mole Agent by Michael Schur after director and EP Morgan Sackett suggested both the idea and that Schur cast Danson as his lead. In addition to the direct source material, A Man on the Inside may remind you of a couple of other TV series, past and present. This isnt the first time Danson has played an inexperienced PI. For three seasons, Danson co-starred on HBOs sitcom Bored to Death as George Christopher, a magazine editor assisting his friend and protege Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman) with his new sideline as a private investigator. There are also echoes here of Schur and Dansons last collaboration, The Good Place, in which Danson played (literal) demon Michael, a character with a highly secret plan and a facility with improvisation to protect himself from exposure. But any show that revolves around an older person taking on an unofficial role in solving crime will naturally draw comparisons to Only Murders in the Building, and A Man on the Inside has a similarly cozy vibe, promising a minimal amount of peril for its elderly protagonists. Advertisement As is to be expected in a show about senior citizens, death and grief are topics explored onscreen. In some ways, Charles lost his wife Victoria long before her death, since she had dementia and he was her primary caregiver; looking after her at their home, as he had promised her he would earlier in her illness, was a sometimes difficult undertaking that brings up painful emotions for Charles when he first visits Pacific View, particularly when he arrives at the threshold of The Neighborhood, as the residences memory care unit is euphemistically called. Advertisement Once Charles does move in, the peers he meets have all lost their partners (or were never married); even the facilitys director, thirtysomething Didi (Stephanie Beatriz), is mourning her late mother. But what could have been a heavy watch is, instead, hopeful. We see how meaningful it is for the Pacific View residents to build community with each other, and to make new friends later in life. Charles compares the experience to high school, another environment where some of our longest-lasting friendships are cemented, after starting through the random chance of forced proximity. Charles might not have sought to be the third side of a septuagenarian love triangle; having ended up in someone elses romantic drama, however, seems to be an experience he finds unexpectedly bracing, as does waking up after a night of partying with a full pizza stuck to his back. Advertisement Of course, the main driver of the plot is Charless investigation into the necklace theft an undertaking that proves more thrilling than any hobby Emily could have suggested for him. Its always fun watching an amateur gaining mastery, and while Julie does impart some basic sleuthing skills, Charles has to learn on the job. Were told he has always been disciplined and analytical Victoria was the impulsive, creative one and Danson clearly relishes the moments when Charles gets to a clue through a clever improvisation. (Its not always a clue, either. A charming moment comes early when Charles asks Julie if he can give her, as Emily, a cute nickname like Emerino or Eminem. She flatly refuses, but when he then calls her Froggy in front of Didi, hes quietly self-congratulatory knowing shell have to go along with it from then on.) Advertisement Charles is also in nearly every scene, which means that calling this partly a buddy comedy isnt quite accurate: Its more of a buddies comedy. From the master/apprentice relationship between the businesslike Julie and the enthusiastic Charles, we transition to Charles parrying lascivious interest from his Pacific View neighbor Virginia (Sally Struthers); Charles facing envious hostility from the communitys previous alpha male, Elliott (John Getz); Charles forming a true friendship over backgammon with the introverted Calbert (Stephen McKinley Henderson), who left his life in D.C. to be closer to his tech-employed son but rarely sees him; and Charles redefining his relationship with Emily, who also gets drawn, giddily, into the case. Advertisement Advertisement One of the first observations Julie makes about Charles is that hes a natural spy she can tell hes guarded and while this has been true of Charles even with Emily, particularly since Victorias death, a side benefit of his work at Pacific View is forcing him to confront this truth about himself, and work on making changes. Weve seen Danson play, among many other roles, the coolest guy in any room (Sam Malone on Cheers), an unflappable showbiz star (himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm) and a supernatural architect working toward redemption for his demonic acts (Michael in The Good Place). Dansons characterization of Charles feels appropriately for a man in his silver fox era like its built on everything hes learned over his long and spectacular career. Consequently, its the best thing hes done in years. Everyone crashed out in front of Netflix after a turkey dinner next week will undoubtedly agree. No need to tear your hair out over an international flight to Istanbul Any traveler heading to Turkey shouldnt have to pay scalper prices thats basically the bald pitch for Ryanair. Most lucky individuals who arent (or arent yet) a part of the hair-loss community probably dont realize that rejuvenating hair growth is often an international endeavor. Thanks to the United States of Americas love affair with exorbitant medical costs, balding American men and, sometimes, balding American women who wish to undergo hair transplant surgery usually choose to pursue the procedure in other countries, with one state leading the way in elective medical tourism: Turkey. Don't Miss According to CBS News, the price for follicular unit grafts at a clinic in Istanbul is typically one-third or even one-fifth the cost to get the procedure in America, and it only follows that bald people on a budget would use the same thrifty approach to transportation that they use with surgery: Theres something hilarious and audacious about a corporate Twitter account targeting their own thrifty customers with a burn this ruthless. Its like if an old-timey clothing shop tweeted a picture of a bald guy that reads, How did you know Im looking for a newsboy hat? Or maybe if a barber shop tweeted a picture of a bald guy with the caption, How did you know I want a goatee and a mustache wax? Advertisement Funny enough, this is far from the first time that the Ryanair social media team woke up and chose violence against their own customers. In fact, anyone who has angrily tweeted at the budget airlines official account within the last few months has found that Ryanair is even more hostile to its customers than it is to their legroom and it's absolutely hilarious: November 21, 2024: The U.S. Navy has several problems with women serving at sea. One is the individual strength of female sailors. While some female sailors can beat a male at arm wrestling, most women are smaller and not as strong as their male counterparts. This causes some problems about ships where, even on a 100,000 ton aircraft carrier, there are a lot of small spaces and areas that are reached, or can only be reached, by ladders or small staircases. This situation is more acute on submarines, where some women also serve. Women literally cannot handle the weight of items that have to be carried up or down ladders and staircases, and this is critical in emergency situations, which can include a wounded or injured male sailor weighing 68-91 kg. Female sailors weigh about 55 kg and have far less upper body strength than men. This causes problems in peacetime that can be ignored. In wartime, or any emergency situation, you cannot pretend and the reality of the situation is unavoidable. Peacetime operations present few incidents where female sailors have weight related problems. This allows the problem to be ignored. That will not be the case in wartime and after that there will be inquiries and Congressional investigations that will criticize and condemn what happened and declare that it will never happen again. Currently about 20 percent of ship crews are female and, because women reenlist at only half the rate as men, there is a shortage of female chief petty officers to supervise these women. Female chiefs that are available tend to be less experienced than their male counterparts and that leads to discipline problems. Combine that with the political pressure not to discipline women who misbehave on the job and the lack of experienced female chiefs means there are more problems than the navy is comfortable with. Its not just sexual problems but female sailors using those ploys that women have long employed to get their way in the workplace. Its not politically correct to even admit this sort of thing exists, but in the last few decades the U.S. military has found it prudent to modify NCO training to include showing the male sergeants and petty officers how to handle female subordinates. After generations of dealing only with men, these NCOs, even those with daughters, were surprised to be told what they could expect from female subordinates. Female NCOs dont have to be taught, they already know. Thus having experienced female chiefs on ships keeps the younger female sailors in line. The underlying problem is that women often prefer to leave the navy rather than put up with long periods away from their young children. The navy tries to accommodate the sailors who are mothers but the U.S. Navy is a navy that spends a lot of time at sea and, if female sailors are allowed to spend less time at sea, male sailors will spend more and that will cause morale and retention problems with male sailors. It will also anger the wives of those male sailors. The navy also loses a lot of female officers to motherhood, but that is less noticed because the female chiefs are more essential and the shortages there are noticed. As the old saying goes, officers command but it is the chiefs who actually run the navy. Moreover female officers, like female civilian managers, can still achieve high rank if they have fewer children, none at all or simply put up with long separations from the kids. Thus female officers have reached high rank while female enlisted chiefs are in short supply. High ranking female officers tend to get more publicity as well. Thus it was big news in 2010 when the navy had the first female officer serving as a CAG (commander of a carriers air group) . This was no surprise to those in the navy. This was not a surprise to the admirals as it was part of a long-term trend. It began in the mid-1970s when the U.S. Navy began letting women into the Naval Academy and flight school. Within four decades there were women commanding combat aircraft squadrons, cruisers, an amphibious task force and a carrier task force. The 2010 female CAG had, two years earlier, been the first female commander of a navy combat squadron, a unit of 245 personnel that operated a dozen F-18Cs. The squadron commander flew combat missions, in addition to running the squadron. The new CAG has been in the navy since 1985, when she entered the Naval Academy. She was a flight instructor in 1993 when the Department of Defense changed its policy and allowed women to fly combat missions. When she took over VFA 105, she already had 3,000 hours in the F-18, and 600 carrier landings. After running VFA 105, her next assignment was a staff job in the Pentagon. Her husband was also a naval aviator, and they have a young daughter. At the same time another female 1985 Naval Academy graduate took command of Task Force 73. This was another first. There have also been some less memorable firsts, like the removal of a female captain of a warship for abusive treatment of the crew, and her demeanor and temperament in general. The relieved captain was also a 1985 Naval Academy graduate. Over the last century women have been increasingly a part of the military. In most Western nations over ten percent of military personnel are female. In the U.S. military its now 18 percent. A century ago it was under one percent, almost all nurses with a few doctors. More women are in uniform now because there aren't enough qualified men, especially for many of the technical jobs armed forces now have to fill. In the United States women became more of a presence in the armed forces after the military went all-volunteer in the 1970s. That led to more and more combat-support jobs being opened to women. This became popular within the military because the women were often better at these support jobs. This led to women being allowed to serve on American combat ships in 1994. In most NATO countries about 12 percent of sailors are women, while in Britain it is 11 percent, and in the United States 18 percent. Once women were allowed to fly combat aircraft, it was only a matter of time before some of them rose to command positions. By 2010, about ten percent of navy officers were female, as were nine percent of enlisted personnel and 12 percent of navy pilots were women, as were 13 percent of all flying personnel. In the air force seven percent of pilots were women. By 2010 women commanded warships and air combat units, including fighter squadrons. The proportion of women in command positions continues to rise while the navy has growing problems obtaining enough female chiefs. During World War II over five million women served in the military, although they suffered fewer losses than the men, several hundred thousand did die. These women were often exposed to combat, especially when fighting as guerillas or operating anti-aircraft guns and early warning systems in Russia, Germany, and Britain. Russia also used women as traffic cops near the front line, as snipers, and as combat pilots. They tried using them as tank crews and regular infantry, but that didnt work out. Women were most frequently employed in medical and other support jobs. The few who served as snipers or pilots were very good at it. In the last century there have been several attempts to use women in combat units, and all have failed. When given a choice, far fewer women will choose combat jobs (infantry, armor, artillery) than will men. But duty as MPs does attract a lot of women, as do jobs like fighter, bomber, helicopter pilots and crews, and aboard warships. That works. Meanwhile the casualty rate for women in Iraq was over ten times what it was in World War II, Vietnam, and the 1991 Gulf War 30,000 women served. A lot of the combat operations experienced by women in Iraq involved base security or guard duty. Female troops performed well in that. These were jobs that required alertness, attention to detail, and ability to quickly use your weapons when needed. In convoy operations women have also done well, especially when it comes to spotting, and dealing with, roadside bombs and ambushes. Going into the 21st century, warfare is becoming more automated and less dependent on muscle and testosterone. That gives women an edge, and they exploit it, just as they have done in so many other fields. But most women still want to have children. Thats kind of essential because without lots of new kids humans would be another species gone extinct. The military life, at least in the American forces, is not hospitable to child rearing, at least for the troops themselves. North Korean fake IT worker scams are evolving to incorporate theft and extortion as more examples of targeting against technology and other companies emerge. The deception typically features North Korean operatives posing as legitimate IT professionals in attempts to gain employment at Western firms, almost always for positions that offer remote working options. Once hired, these remote workers exploit their insider access to carry out reconnaissance against a firms infrastructure and steal sensitive information while collecting a salary that is funnelled back to the North Korean regime. The word free has always tempted employees who are looking for an app or template to make their work easier. These days, combine free with AI and the lure is almost irresistible. Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, free AI-themed apps have exploded. Unfortunately, some are created by threat actors. One of the latest examples, reported this week by Malwarebyes, claims to be an AI video editor, but really installs the Lumma Stealer malware. Victims were lured by promises like Create breathtaking videos in minutes, No special skills required anyone can do it, and On September 1 were giving away 50 lifetime licenses to our AI editor! Photo: Frankie Alduino Ben Barbro (pictured above) Bagpiper, Caldwell, New Jersey Im curious how you got started with the bagpipe. Are you Scottish? I have Scottish ancestry, but Im not from Scotland. Theres no connection in that way. I felt compelled to learn about 25 years ago when I met a guy who was in the Canadian Army in World War II. Bagpipe was his passion, and he taught me how to play. Is this your full-time job? Occasionally, I play a paid gig, but typically its me doing it just because I love it. My day job is at a pharmaceutical company. You were playing outside to welcome everyone. How did that go? I was kind of like the Scottish beacon. People could hear bagpipes and knew, Okay, thats the way to the event. Curious kids and people walking came up and said Thank you. Some people shoved a few bucks in my pocket. Others were asking for directions. I was like, Im just here playing the gig. Im not sure how to get to the carousel. Theres a raffle. Did you enter? I bought three tickets. They were raffling off a big bottle of Scotch, but my ticket came up for a purse. I guess my daughter will get that. It doesnt really go with my look. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. by Austin Bay November 20, 2024 Pete Hegseth has a very fine mind -- a mind strategically informed by a superb military combat record and some 20 years of active duty and reserve Army service. Dodging bullets and crawling through mud at 0200 hours are physically grueling and mentally sobering experiences. A soldier learns firsthand spinmeisters in Congress and the faculty lounge usually know zero to zip about real-world military challenges. Based on what he's done in battle as well as said on the record, Hegseth understands the Pentagon's Job One is fielding an American military that is stronger, better prepared and deadlier than any other military on the planet. That means recruiting and training disciplined military personnel who can operate everything from submarines to space craft. That means buying and deploying weapons that not only work but outclass all adversaries, current and future. Moreover, Hegseth strikes me as having reformist moxie, the confidence, focus and energy required to overhaul the bureaucrat-ossified, morale-degraded and recruit-starved Department of Defense the Biden administration has left the American people. Hegseth's Bronze Star medals and moxie make him a natural enemy of the Beltway Clerks that infest Washington, the sallow political menials like Biden National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan who never had time to wear a military uniform but excel at looking serious while lying about the Afghanistan withdrawal. So, yes, he's a fine choice for Donald Trump's secretary of defense. I mentioned the recruitment shortfall. It's chronic. My column of Oct. 3 addressed in detail Pentagon recruiting issues and some bureaucrat tricks to hide it. Since 1973, the U.S. armed services have relied on volunteers. The Pentagon must recruit physically and mentally qualified personnel and retain them. Recruiting is expensive -- the Army annually spends $1.1 billion on recruitment marketing and advertising. But the problem isn't simply money. Leftist media didn't want to address servicemembers' objections to divisive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) programs mandated by the Biden administration. Those programs are based on "oppressor versus oppressed" narratives. They undermine what the military calls unit cohesion, the trust, bonding, mutual reliance, confidence and synchronization a war-winning military organization must possess. There is anecdotal evidence DEI and transgender initiatives have discouraged recruits. Hegseth says DEI goes away when Trump becomes president. Then there's the problem of political generals and admirals -- another source of morale degradation and institutional rot. Here's what I hope is the worst example of flag rank malfeasance. In their book "Peril," Bob Woodward and Robert Costa claimed shortly after the Jan. 6 Washington semi-riot Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley decided he simply had to take personal action outside the chain of command in order to prevent an out-of-control Trump from starting a nuclear war against Communist China. Note the subject Milley addressed was potential U.S. military action against America's most potent adversary. Note he spoke to the Chinese officers without approval from Trump. Note Milley decided on his own Trump was out of control. Reflect for a moment -- was Milley writing his own self-serving Hollywood script? He apparently had no evidence Trump was preparing to start a war. In a column written in late September 2021, I argued Milley's action weakened U.S. national security and put the U.S. constitutional system at risk. Why did he do it? My guess: to secure the largesse of Biden and the Beltway media. Do I know for sure? No. But that's why Pete Hegseth needs to conduct an investigation, and perhaps convene a court martial. Insuring the integrity of the chain of command and constitutional order is absolutely essential. DEI. Political generals. After dealing with these issues, SecDef Hegseth can turn to rebuilding the Navy. I say buy long-range fast attack craft and integrate them with unmanned drone vessels and drone aircraft (see my column of Feb 1). Then move on to manned light attack helicopters integrated with aerial drones, unmanned ground vehicles and highly mobile light armored infantry brigades. Hegseth should also revitalize the Office of Net Assessments and bring it back to Dr. Andrew Marshall standards. Pete, you'll be busy. MBABANE Aspiring model and diligent pageant titleholder Noncedo Mamba is making waves in the Miss Africa Unite voting leaderboard as she aims for the prestigious crown. Currently positioned in second place, Mamba has garnered 141 votes, closely trailing Malawis Divine Dhaka, who leads with 218 votes. This was yesterday at the time of compiling this report. Mamba, a student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology where she is majoring in Public Relations, has demonstrated a fierce determination that resonates with many aspiring pageant participants in Eswatini. Her ambitions extend beyond merely winning titles; she is committed to empowering women and the youth within her community, embodying the spirit of social responsibility that is vital in the contemporary pageant landscape.Her journey in the pageant world has seen her achieve notable accolades. To add to her achievements, she has been crowned Miss Cultural Heritage second princess for 2022/2023 and earned the title of Miss Culture International Second runner-up. These titles not only showcase her capabilities as a model, but also her dedication to championing cultural heritage and social issues. The Miss Africa Unite 2024 Finals will take place in Gaborone, Botswana, on December 7. This international pageant serves as a vital platform aimed at promoting peace, unity and interoperability among African nations, a mission that resonates deeply with Mambas advocacy for positive social change.As she campaigns for the crown, Mamba is actively urging fellow citizens of Eswatini to support her by participating in the voting process. Voting is free; simply visit the Miss Africa Unite website and log in using your Facebook account, she explained. Her call to action reflects a growing awareness of the importance of community support in achieving success on international stages. Excitement The countdown to the finals generates excitement not just for Mamba, but also for pageant enthusiasts in Eswatini, as her participation highlights the potential of young women to achieve significant recognition through pageantry. Her efforts mark a key moment for aspiring pageant stars in the kingdom, encouraging them to pursue their own paths in the modelling industry. The participation of models like Mamba serves as an inspiration for many young women in Eswatini and beyond, demonstrating the impact that such platforms can make in fostering personal growth and regional unity. As the finals approach, it presents a remarkable opportunity for the nation to come together in support of Mamba and celebrate the qualities that pageants can cultivate, including confidence, resilience and community engagement.With Mambas strong track record and her drive to elevate the representation of Eswatini in international pageantry, her journey in the Miss Africa Unite competition is poised to excite and inspire pageant followers. Would you protest against your local Tesco opening on a Sunday? The chance would be a fine thing in most of the UK, where the idea that Sunday is a day of rest is a forgotten mystery. Tesco is open and that is that. But some of the people of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis are still fighting against the supermarket giants decision to start trading on the Sabbath on November 17. It is part of a long, slow war between the modern world and the old one, which reached its final stage with the introduction of Sunday air services to the island, in 2002, and Sunday ferries in 2009. Yet Lewis still has a very high proportion of Christian believers, and the idea of Sunday as a day of rest is still one of the Ten Commandments. A century ago, that would have counted for a lot. Remember the whole plot of the film Chariots Of Fire, in which Eric Liddell refuses on principle to run in his Olympic race because he has been timetabled to do so on Sunday? Millions applauded him then. Now most people laugh at such niceties. The Lords Day Observance Society and the National Secular Society have both been involved in the Stornoway stand-off, but was there ever really a contest? Tesco, of course, says that jobs will be created, the excuse for almost anything remotely controversial, which could equally well be used for a new casino. And they say that nobody will be made to work on Sunday. Well, no doubt that is true. But imagine, when the shifts are being drawn up, what it might be like to be the person who didnt want to take on any Sunday work. Compulsion isnt the only thing that enforces conformism to the new world. Residents of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis are fighting against Tesco's decision to start trading on the Sabbath on November 17 I am very sorry for the Christians of Lewis. Couldnt we still have somewhere in these islands where the old ideas were still respected? Like them, I have a soft spot for the notion that society should have one agreed day when within reason everyone is free from what the poet Philip Larkin called the toad, work. It has to be the same day for everyone. It is no good just allowing people to have a day off at some point. It has to be an agreed day of the week. For there has to be some time when families can get together. If there is no such time, families can weaken and break, as they lose proper contact with each other and drown in the sparkling, flashy culture in which we work most of the time and then buy our lives back with the coin of fun, as the American sociologist C. Wright Mills once tellingly described it. I write this wistfully as a serial Sabbath breaker, who chose to work in the newspaper trade. I have, as an entirely predictable result, spent much of my life actually working on Sundays. I have no real excuse for this apart from ambition or self-indulgence. Its not like being a doctor or a fireman. I cant claim anyone would have died or suffered if I hadnt worked. I did it because it suited me. But I wish, for many reasons, that it hadnt worked out that way. It isnt the person who works on Sunday who is damaged by it. It is the people who would have preferred him or her to be at home. I remember Sundays as they were in this country 60 years ago. In the small Devon town where I was at boarding school, the loudest noise was that of church bells. The streets were bleakly empty. Traffic was sparse. The pubs opened for two hours at lunchtime and then for three hours in the evening, in both cases after church services had finished. It isnt the person who works on Sunday who is damaged by it, Peter Hitchens believes, but the people who would have preferred him or her to be at home Even the weather seemed different. I associated Sunday with black skies and icy downpours of rain fresh from the Atlantic. The peace and the absence of commerce were irksome to me as a child, and later as a teenager for much of this persisted well into my adulthood. Of course religious believers (as I am) have their own reasons for wanting a Sabbath rest. But a lot of non-religious people liked a day that included a relaxed lunchtime in the pub, followed by a Sunday roast. As George Orwell put it in his essay The Decline Of The English Murder: It is Sunday afternoon, preferably before the war. The wife is already asleep in the armchair, and the children have been sent out for a nice long walk. He then described how Roast beef and Yorkshire, or roast pork and apple sauce, followed up by suet pudding and driven home, as it were, by a cup of mahogany-brown tea, have put you in just the right mood. Your pipe is drawing sweetly, the sofa cushions are soft underneath you, the fire is well alight, the air is warm and stagnant. And in these blissful circumstances, what is more enjoyable than to read about a horrible murder in the newspaper, as we used to do, and sometimes still do? It is in fact a very good description of the somnolent, silent, domestic Sundays we all once had, perhaps relieved by an uplifting Charles Dickens adaptation on the TV. It was a day quite different from any other day, and I miss it. Peter Hitchens writes that there has to be some time when families can get together. If there is no such time, families can weaken and break, as they lose proper contact with each other True, it was dismal for the lonely person, as Christmas can be. The French wit Hyppolyte Taine described Victorian London on a Sunday as being like a vast well-ordered cemetery. And I see no objections to a few concessions. There was always at least one shop open, for Sunday papers and small purchases like biscuits. But if you think the idea of a Sabbath day is dead, you only need to travel a bit on the Continent or in the Middle East. In modern efficient Germany, shops start closing on Saturday lunchtime and if you cant do your shopping while they are still open, your neighbours will think you are an idiot. You arent allowed to make a noise that might bother your neighbours, such as hoovering the house or mowing the lawn. In Jewish Israel, trains dont run, and in the more religious areas, such as Jerusalem itself, a deep peace falls. It is actively unwise to drive through the more militantly devout parts of the Israeli capital, where using a car on the Sabbath is considered sacrilegious and extremely rude. In some tower block hotels, the lifts run continuously, stopping at every floor, so guests do not have to press any buttons which is a breach of the Biblical rule against work. In Cairo, on a Friday, a delicious holiday atmosphere descends on the city as everyone rises late, and thousands slip out to the bakers shops to collect great honey-coloured discs of fresh bread for breakfast, before multitudes crowd into the hundreds of mosques for prayers. Something similar happens in the Iranian capital, Tehran. You do not need to be part of it to be impressed by the unity of it, and if you are me to envy the peace and release from the clangour and urgency of everyday. The headline on this newspaper's front page yesterday made my blood run cold. I'm sure it will have had a similar effect on many who saw it. It read: 'Putin clears way for nuclear strike.' The Mail reported that 'Moscow threatened nuclear retaliation after Ukraine fired long-range rockets into Russia for the first time'. If you had told me when the Cold War ended 33 years ago that such an article would appear in a British newspaper during my lifetime, I wouldn't have believed you. Even at the most dangerous point in the Cold War the 1962 Cuban missile crisis I doubt that such a terrifying story could have been published. The Mail's headline was right. We are entering uncharted territory. I fear Russia could unleash some sort of nuclear weapon in the coming months. President Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to fire US-made missiles deep into Russia represents an escalation. These ATACMS weapons are reliant on American military satellites, and require logistical support the Ukrainians can't provide. It has also emerged that Biden, in the dying days of his presidency, has agreed to give Ukraine anti-personnel mines in an attempt to slow down Russian troops advancing in the east of the country. Yesterday's report that British-supplied Storm Shadow long-range missiles have been used by Ukraine in Russia for the first time presumably with the agreement of the British Government only increases my sense of dread. A Russian 152mm artillery gun fires into Ukraine as the war in the East accelerates To threaten nuclear retaliation, as Putin has done, is unconscionable. But the Kremlin is surely justified in believing that the Western threat to Russia has increased. We are all of us less safe than we were this time last week. And yet yesterday seemed just another day. We digested Jeremy Clarkson's remarks about inheritance tax during the farmers' protest in London. We read that Pep Guardiola is likely to remain manager of Manchester City for another two years. In comfortable Britain life goes on as usual. Not so in Sweden, Norway and Finland, where millions of citizens are receiving government advice about what to do in the event of war. Are the authorities in these countries neighbouring Russia excitable? Or are they more realistic than our own stolid and blinkered Government? Experts here are mostly united in saying that Putin is bluffing, and the likelihood of his using a nuclear weapon is virtually zero. In newspaper articles, and in monologues on daytime television, confident ex-military types remind us that the Russian President has previously issued several dire threats that were never carried through. Maybe they're right. I will pray so. But how can they be sure? Putin is a paranoid and irrational dictator whose irrationality was illustrated by his order to invade Ukraine 1,000 days ago, when this terrible, bloody war began. The behaviour of monsters cannot be predicted. This is what I believe: Russia had no right to invade Ukraine, even though its sense of being increasingly encircled by American-led Nato wasn't entirely fanciful. Putin has pursued the war in a barbaric fashion, killing thousands of Ukrainian civilians. He is a war criminal and a wicked man. Two Soviet soldiers cover their ears as a mortar shell is fired beside the Dnieper in the Zaporizhzhia region But I also believe that Ukraine, brave as its troops undoubtedly are, can never win this war. Despite being supplied with tens of billions of dollars of Western aid, its army has lost ground this year, with Russia taking 185 square miles of Ukrainian territory in October alone. Russia has three times the population and far greater natural resources. No man has been more enthusiastic about the need to arm Ukraine than Lord Dannatt, a former Chief of the General Staff. But he realises that victory for Ukraine isn't possible. He recently told the BBC that 'Ukraine will have to accept a negotiated settlement with Russia, but President Zelensky won't like it'. Zelensky's government will probably have to cede Russian-speaking Crimea (which Putin seized in 2014) and much of the ethnically Russian extreme east of Ukraine currently occupied by Moscow's troops. It's sad. It is contrary to natural justice. It means force will be rewarded. But it is also inevitable. This is where Donald Trump comes in. The maverick President-elect has claimed he can end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. That is obviously idiotic. But he could set a path towards peace very speedily. For all his many faults, Trump has grasped one truth that current Western leaders haven't dared utter in public. Zelensky can't be allowed to be the sole arbiter of how and when this war ends, because the outcome affects us all. I wrote recently in these pages that if a 'capitulation' were forced on Zelensky by Trump that would 'embolden Putin in further adventures'. That is certainly a danger, though I may have overstated the case. There must, of course, be no capitulation. But Ukraine will have to give up land if the war is to end. Any concession is bound to be greeted by charges of appeasement. It is an old and stale cry, and those who raise it invariably draw false parallels with the 1930s. These critics will assert that Trump is the new Neville Chamberlain. They will declare that if aggressors are allowed to keep what they have taken, they will come back for more. A drone operator with high-tech VR headset in operation as the Kremlin stages its next assault on Ukraine And so, to be fair, could Putin, perhaps turning his attention to the Baltic states. We should remember, though, the Russian people are almost certainly tired of war, and may not have the appetite for perpetual conflict. What is the alternative to the kind of peace settlement Trump has in his turbulent mind? A perpetual slog in which Ukraine gradually loses more territory? Escalation by Western powers so that an unstable and desperate Putin pushes the nuclear button, most likely against Ukraine but conceivably against a Western power? The reported firing by Ukraine of British-supplied Storm Shadow long-range missiles in Russia is an alarming development. If true, it puts us even more squarely in Putin's sights. No 10 has so far refused to confirm or deny that these weapons have been used. How naive and unimpressive most Western leaders seem, not least in this country! Sir Keir Starmer robotically repeats his commitment to Ukraine, and is now taunting a dangerous tyrant by allowing a lethal British missile to be deployed. And yet, as Britain sinks deeper into the morass, Defence Secretary John Healey yesterday announced savage cutbacks to our already tottering Armed Forces, including 31 front- line helicopters, a pair of Commando assault ships, and 46 Watchkeeper Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. A Royal Navy frigate is also being scrapped. The way to deal with Vladimir Putin is not to poke and threaten the irascible bear. It is to build up our defences dramatically and quickly. If, God forbid, Moscow despatched a nuclear missile towards London, we would probably, unlike Israel, be unable to shoot it down. Our politicians, Tory and now Labour, have left us perilously unprepared to defend ourselves. And now this hopeless, reckless Government is pushing us closer to what could be an apocalyptic war with Russia. On Tuesday this week, and again on Wednesday, Mrs U braved the icy dawn to trek across London and put in a nine-hour day of free childcare for grandchild number three. She gives up these two days every fortnight, alternating with the child's other grandmother, who comes up to town from Hampshire to perform the same duty during my wife's weeks off. The two of them are among the army of grannies (it's almost always the grandmothers, while we grandfathers find less disagreeable things to do than changing nappies), who provide 766 million hours of free childcare each year, saving parents a cool 3.5 billion in nursery costs. So says a report out this week from the Resolution Foundation, which finds that seven in ten mothers with a child under ten go out to work up from 41 per cent in 1992 while more than a quarter of grandparents share some of the burden of looking after their children's offspring. We oldies have our other uses, too, giving our young what financial help we can, whether by helping them with deposits on homes if we can afford it, guaranteeing their rents, as I have done, or saving our 'boomerang kids' an estimated 3 billion per month in housing costs when they fly back to the family nest. Meanwhile, finds the foundation, living with parents into adulthood can also bring wider emotional support although I'm not sure that our own 31-year-old boomerang kid, son number four, would necessarily agree. Indeed, he often gives the impression that he would be happier with rather less of his ancient parents' company, if only he could afford to move out. Deep down, however, I'm sure he realises he has good reason to be grateful for that most hard-wired of human instincts, our urge to look after our young and do the best we possibly can for them. It's almost always the grandmothers, while we grandfathers find less disagreeable things to do than changing nappies), who provide 766 million hours of free childcare each year, saving parents a cool 3.5 billion in nursery costs A report out this week from the Resolution Foundation finds that seven in ten mothers with a child under ten go out to work up from 41 per cent in 1992 while more than a quarter of grandparents share some of the burden of looking after their children's offspring (stock image) It's that instinct, above all, that makes the family the most enduringly humane and effective support network and welfare system known to man. True, we may often be exasperated by our near and dear. But for most of us and certainly for my wife, when she cares for our grandchildren striving to see them all right is a labour of love. As for me, the laziest man in the world, my determination to look after my wife and young is the one thing that has kept me toiling away at the typeface, one week short of my 72nd birthday. (OK, it's one of the two things, the other being my ruinous addiction to Marlboro Reds, at 16.50 a packet). Mind you, the family support network isn't just a one-way street, running from the older members to the younger. This new survey also finds that millennials in early adulthood are about 30 per cent more likely than previous generations of a similar age to provide care for the sick, disabled or elderly. Indeed, 9 per cent of adults, according to the foundation, now give at least five hours of such care every week, thereby saving the state a small fortune. Why is it, then, that our present Government seems determined to undermine the family as an institution, or at least to scupper our efforts to give our relatives all the help we can? Think of the Chancellor's decision to impose 20 per cent inheritance tax on family farms worth more than 1million. Rachel Reeves is imposing a tax that could eat up ten years' earnings or more for some farmers, forcing many to sell up and so bringing down the curtain on centuries of history If all farmers were obsessed by money alone, and out only for themselves, they'd have to be half bonkers to carry on working every hour God sends, in all weathers, to earn a truly pathetic return on inherited land worth a few million quid. Why not sell up and invest those millions more profitably, or just devote themselves to living it up on the French Riviera? That seems to be what went through the mind of Labour's Barry Gardiner (Brent North), when a farmer taking part in this week's protest at Westminster told him about the paltry income he earned from his multi-million pound assets. 'You have a very inefficient use of capital,' he said. 'That's farming,' replied the farmer, exasperated by the MP's ignorance. But of course most third, fourth, fifth or tenth generation farmers are not in it for the money. They are in it for their love of the way of life, certainly, but also out of a feeling of duty to their forefathers and that primeval urge to pass on what they can to their children. It's good for agricultural production, too, since nobody understands their own bit of land or breed of livestock better than those who have picked up their knowledge and skills at their fathers' and grandfathers' knees. On many family farms, indeed, children are out milking or helping with the harvest almost as soon as they're out of nappies. Yet here is Rachel Reeves, imposing a tax that could eat up ten years' earnings or more for some farmers, forcing many to sell up and so bringing down the curtain on centuries of history. Why does Labour do it? A part of the answer, of course, is the party's traditional hostility to landowners, whom it still tends to see as periwigged aristocrats, grinding the faces of the masses. But it also springs from the long-standing Socialist belief that it's wickedly unfair for some children to have any sort of advantage denied to others, bestowed on them by their parents through a mere accident of birth. Rachel Reeves is imposing a tax that could eat up ten years' earnings or more for some farmers, forcing many to sell up and so bringing down the curtain on centuries of history. Pictured: Farmers protesting against changes to inheritance tax This same thinking surely lies behind the Government's vindictive decision to slap 20 per cent VAT on private school fees a measure likely to raise only a trifling sum for the Treasury, if that, but which will prevent all but the richest from giving a leg-up in life to their progeny. Most obviously of all, of course, this hostility to the idea of benefiting from accidents of birth lies behind Labour's ill-thought-out plan to drive hereditary peers from the Lords. Never mind that these include some of the most hard-working, experienced and open-minded members of the House, driven by a spirit of public service handed down through their families for generations. Who cares if their eviction threatens to leave our legislature poorer? Not Sir Keir Starmer, apparently. As far as he is concerned, it seems, anything gained through family or an accident of birth whether a farm, a decent education or a seat in the Lords is an affront to the masses and the Socialist State. So it is that over the years (and not only under Labour, to be fair), an ever-growing state has sought to take on more and more of the responsibilities that were traditionally the province of the family. The trouble is that, again and again, the state has proved it's just not very good at looking after people. Hence that army of grannies, slogging through the winter to serve as unpaid nannies. Hence those young adults, giving up their time to care for the sick and the elderly. Hence, too, those legions of young adults still living with their parents because successive governments have made it impossible for them to get homes of their own. Instead of undermining the traditional family at every turn driving unwilling mums out to work, making divorce easier and frustrating parents' aspirations for their young how about acknowledging that, from the cradle to the grave, it does a damn sight better job of caring than any government ever will? The International Criminal Court likes to present itself as an instrument of global justice. But that is a perfect illustration of the depths of its self-delusion. In reality, the court is a vengeful, partisan body, whose lopsided choice of targets make a mockery of its claims to be an unbiased tribunal. When the court was established in 2002, Kofi Annan, the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, declared that its work would be 'the cause of all humanity'. Today, such rhetoric sounds increasingly absurd, given the ICC's ugly obsession with Israel. Like so many other global institutions, including the UN itself, the court has developed a neurotic hostility towards the Jewish state, an attitude reflected in its determination to drag its leaders into the dock for war crimes. It is a vindictive campaign that reached a new low yesterday when the court issued arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. In an attempt to give the illusion of balance, the court also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, the military commander of Hamas, the terror group that controls Gaza. But far from strengthening its credibility, this merely further exposed the court's unfitness to sit in judgment over the Middle East. For a start, the issuing of a warrant for Deif borders on the farcical, since he was reported to have been killed in July. The International Criminal Court likes to present itself as an instrument of global justice. But that is a perfect illustration of the depths of its self-delusion, says Leo McKinstry The court issued arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) and former defence minister Yoav Gallant More importantly, by including Deif alongside the two Israeli politicians, the court shamefully implied that there is a moral equivalence between Islamist terrorists and representatives of a democratically elected government. That pretence is a disgraceful distortion of the truth, revealing a contempt for morality and recent history. Supporters of the court's move point to the tough action that Israel has taken recently in Gaza and Lebanon, which reportedly has left 44,000 people dead and 2.3 million citizens displaced. 'War crimes and crimes against humanity cannot go unpunished,' said Belgium's deputy prime minister Petra de Sutter, a member of the Greens and Europe's most senior transgender politician. But such a stance ignores the fact that Israel has only acted in response to the brutal invasion of its territory by Hamas on October 7 last year, when the terror group carried out an orgy of murder, rape and hostage-taking. Israel was justified in protecting its sovereignty and citizens by destroying Hamas's capacity to inflict terror, just as it was justified in attacking Hezbollah, which had kept up an unceasing barrage of rockets fired indiscriminately at its towns and cities. Instead of cheering on the prosecution of Israel, the world's leading governments and institutions should show solidarity with the Jewish state, the only true democracy in the Middle East and a remarkable beacon of prosperity and technological advance. The US has been consistent in denouncing the court's manoeuvres as 'outrageous' but Britain, disturbingly, has been far less steadfast. When the court first requested approval of the arrest warrants in May, the Tory government objected. Palestinians walk amid the destruction following an Israeli strike in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on November 10, 2024 An injured man reacts while sitting on the rubble of a building hit by an Israeli strike in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip Netanyahu referred to British human rights lawyer Karim Khan as 'one of the great anti-Semites of modern times' But all that changed when Labour came to power and David Lammy was installed as Foreign Secretary. One of his first acts was to withdraw Britain's reservations about the warrants, claiming that international law should take its course. Netanyahu was understandably furious at the act of treachery by a nation which is meant to be one of Israel's strongest allies. So fierce was his indignation that he allegedly snubbed Lammy when he visited Israel in August. But Netanyahu has even stronger feelings of anger towards the ICC's chief prosecutor, British human rights lawyer Karim Khan, whom he has described as 'one of the great anti-Semites of modern times'. For all Khan's eagerness to get Israel in the dock, there is a dark cloud hanging over him, not just relating to accusations of prejudice, but also multiple, serious allegations of sexual harassment by a female colleague. In testimony that has been backed up by other women working in this field, Khan is said to have made unwanted advances, including touching, groping and pressing his tongue in her ear. Khan said last month there was 'no truth to suggestions of such misconduct' and added that he had requested an inquiry into what he termed apparent 'disinformation' related to the case. There is more than a whiff of hypocrisy about this whole saga. Khan has said he was motivated to act against Israel by requests from South Africa, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti and Bangladesh. All these nations have far worse human rights records than Israel, which is a land of freedom. Political liberties are entrenched there far more deeply than among any of its neighbours. For the sake of humanity and democracy, the Jewish state must be defended, not subjected to this judicial farce. Interview: China holds consistent position on safeguarding interests of developing countries, says Zambian expert Xinhua) 16:29, November 21, 2024 LUSAKA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- It is China's consistent position to speak for the interests of developing countries on various international occasions such as the G20 meetings, a Zambian expert has said. "China is seen as a moral custodian of the supreme interest and economic interest of the developing countries," Njunga-Michael Mulikita, an advisory board member of the International Relations Association of Zambia, said in a recent interview. Hailing China as a true friend of Africa over the years, he said that China played a crucial role in supporting the admission of the African Union (AU) as a member of the G20 last year, and that this achievement will greatly enhance Africa's influence and strengthen the role of the Global South. Noting it was an anomaly for a continent with a population of over 1 billion to be excluded from global governance, the expert said the AU's entry into the G20 was a right step in correcting the historical injustice, and would legitimize the voice of the G20. As the world is facing multiple challenges, countries need to work in solidarity through mechanisms such as the G20 to address the challenges, he said, voicing the hope that the G20 will continue to enhance international cooperation and solidarity. Mulikita urged the G20, which groups the world's major economies, to focus more on equality and justice in the management of global issues, and work closely to foster economic growth and encapsulate the interests of all countries. He said countries need to heed China's calls to tackle the global North-South divide and ensure that the interests of all countries were considered in decision-making. The expert commended the Global Development Initiative (GDI), noting that the China-proposed initiative is important as it ignited attention to development issues and has the capacity to revive international cooperation between the North and South as well as revive international solidarity, friendship and common purpose. He expressed delight that the initiative has already received support worldwide. According to China's Foreign Ministry, more than 100 countries and many international organizations including the United Nations have supported and participated in the GDI. Additionally, more than 80 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) MANZINI The female teacher who is accused of armed robbery, yesterday made her maiden court appearance. Khumbuzile Nomcebo Nkambule (42) was allegedly involved in an armed robbery that saw E1 122 226 in cash and cellphones stolen from an MTN outlet at Manzini Sophie Complex. Her co-accused, who appeared separately, in a confession, spilled the beans on how the crime was committed and how much each of them allegedly received as their share. Nkambule, from Helemisi, is alleged to have committed the offence with her relative and four South African men. They allegedly planned and executed the robbery on September 30. Appearing before Manzini Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi, Nkambule was charged with robbery after being accused of collaborating with the armed men, a traditional healer and a relative in a plot to use muti (traditional medicine) to aid them in committing the crime. One of the co-accused, Sandile Gwebu, who has since been arrested, confessed about his involvement in the crime during a court appearance on Tuesday, shedding light on the details of the robbery. Gunpoint According to the charge sheet, Nkambule purportedly used force and violence at gunpoint to rob Janulabedim Patel, a shop owner. She is said to have stolen various items, including two Nokia C3 cellphones valued at E4 400, a Huawei cellphone valued at E400, and another Nokia C3 worth E1 300. In addition, over E1 million in cash was taken from Patels lawful possession. An impeccable source provided further details, revealing how the robbery unfolded. Gwebu reportedly received a call from the teachers brother, Mbongeni, a traditional healer from Mbekelweni, who explained that he needed Gwebus help for a job. When Gwebu arrived at the traditional healers home, he was reportedly asked if his car was in good condition for the task. Upon hearing that it was not, the healer supposedly arranged for Bakhe Dlamini, the teachers husband, to provide a vehicle for the operation. The nature of the job was not specified at this point. The healer is said to have then contacted four South African men via WhatsApp, informing them that the car was ready and they would be picked up by Bakhe at Sicunusa Border Gate. Firearms The four men arrived with firearms, and spent the night at Gwebus place. The next day, they set off for the location of the planned robbery.According to the source, the healer gave the group muti to sprinkle at the scene of the crime. Upon arrival at the MTN shop on the previous day, the group scanned the area, determining where to position the getaway car, which was parked near Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre. They planned to use the Toyota Leites route to escape.The robbery was set to take place the following day. Bakhe suggested that his wife join the operation to help distract the security guard. Bakhes wife, who is Nkambules sister, travelled in Gwebus car, while Bakhe drove the four South Africans in his vehicle. On the day of the robbery, Nkambule reportedly exited the vehicle to carry out her role of distracting the security guard. However, she was reportedly instructed to wait outside as the South Africans had entered the shop, armed with guns. Gwebu, who had witnessed the armed men overpowering the security guard, retreated, while Nkambule went to the nearby Manzini Bus Rank, eventually waiting at Build it. Meanwhile, the getaway car remained parked at Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre.It was later revealed that an employee at the MTN outlet had tipped off the robbers, providing information about the cash in the store, the safe keys and the number of workers present. Gwebu witnessed the armed men leaving the store with two money bags. He was then called by Nkambule, who asked him to pick her up from Build it. After picking her, they were contacted by the South Africans, who enquired if they had seen any police officers along the way. They were told there were none. Laptops The armed men reportedly informed the duo that they had discarded laptops and cellphones stolen from the shop during their escape. Upon reaching the designated meeting point, Nkambule and Gwebu found the men dividing the stolen money. It was reported that Nkambule received E40 000 as her share, with Gwebu receiving the same amount. The remainder of the money was reportedly split among the South Africans, based on their roles in the robbery.Afterward, the South Africans stashed their firearms in Bakhes car, and he drove them to Sicunusa Border Gate, where he crossed legally. The other robbers used an informal crossing point, meeting up with Bakhe on the South African side, where he dropped them off at their homes.The robbery appeared to have gone unnoticed until police officers approached Gwebu on Monday, informing him that Nkambule had been arrested in connection to the crime. Investigations revealed that the group was also linked to other robberies across the country. Nkambules case continues, and the court is set to hear further evidence. She was remanded in custody until November 27, pending committal to the High Court. As Britons brace themselves to take on the big festive food shop, supermarkets, too, are preparing to compete for consumers' cash. Channel 5 documentary A Very M&S Christmas, which aired on Wednesday night, delved into the high-end supermarket's strategy ahead of December 25 to entice customers to spend in even more stores. The British retailer has introduced a number of new features to its stores, offering customers a more vibrant shopping experience. And the results are clearly paying off for the brand. Since supermarkets were changed five years ago, the store has seen an impressive rise in sales. Last year, the retailer reported a nearly 10 per cent increase in food sales during the Christmas period. This is in part thanks the retailers innovative new 'food hall' setup which is designed to guide the customers through the store with fresh visuals and tasty smells, and intentional product placing - all which encourage them to buy more. The documentary revealed that Brits have 'even more desire to spend' this year, suggesting the supermarket could be set for even higher profits this 'Golden quarter'. 'M&S hope to get you to their stores by reinventing supermarkets as food halls,' the narrator said. In a new Channel 5 documentary A Very M&S Christmas, that aired on Wednesday, one psychologist revealed how the luxury supermarket M&S has reinvented it's supermarket layout to entice customers to spend even more in stores (stock image) Last year, the retailer reported a nearly 10 per cent increase in food sales during the Christmas period 'Since 2019, it's undertaken a wide ranging store renewal programme intended to give the feeling of a vibrant, fresh food market and create a more enjoyable and experiential way of shopping.' Group editor of the Retail Gazette, Gemma Goldfingle, said: 'With their new food halls M&S has set of what a new supermarket should be like.' 'Walking into the new format stores, it doesn't look like your traditional M&S, you go in and think, what is this?' Consumer psychologist at Anglia Ruskin University, Dr Cathrine Jansson-Boyd, revealed how the supermarket have set about enticing customers with their new, easy to use style shops. 'You have the green spaces, you have the fruit and the vegetables and flowers to give the representation of it being green.' The supermarket has added fruit, beg and flowers to the front of their stores to encourage customers in with fresh surroundings. M&S stores have also increased the size of their aisles to make for a better shopping experience. 'We are used to often squeezing past other shoppers in supermarkets narrow aisles. It's something that M&S are determined to change in their stores,' read the narrator. Dr Cathrine explained: 'People don't like being bumped into when they're out shopping. That in itself, that interpersonal touch. People will perceive the shop negatively if they are bumping together.' The documentary revealed that Brits have 'even more desire to spend' this year, suggesting the supermarket could be set for even higher profits this 'Golden quarter' The new format stores also have an increase of hot and cold takeaway food options instore. Several stores now have sushi and pizza counters so hungry shoppers can eat while they are aisle browsing. Brand directors at the supermarket have looked internationally for inspiration of their new food market. Gemma Goldfingle said: 'M&S may well have been inspired by other supermarkets on the continent. 'Particularly France, where you go in and fresh food takes pride of place.' Dr Cathrine revealed another technique for how stores entice customers through the experiential shopping experience. 'The reason why you'd put flowers at the very entrance of a food hall or any retail outlet in fact, is to give this kind of perception that it's green and fresh. 'It's usually then followed by fruits and vegetables which, again, enhances this freshness.' Another successful technique is the allure of the bakery smell - which Cathrine said encourages customers to buy more. 'If they're clever, they should have fresh bread smell. Everyone loves the smell of fresh bread and this means they are drawn towards it. It's almost like a guidance through the shop, for the consumer,' she said. And product placement also plays a significant role. Brand directors at the supermarket have looked internationally for inspiration of their new food market Higher end products that are more expensive are stacked up high, at eye level so they are the first thing that catches customer's eyes. Dr Cathrine said: 'They put their cheaper products further down, and this is because when consumers actually go into store, they engage in visual search strategies. 'And the last place you look at is the bottom and of course the profit margins are a lot lower.' 'The fact that they're sticking with that kind of green colouring is a very good thing. Whether we like it or not, we think of the colour green as something that represents organic, sustainable, good for workers kind of colour. 'So the fav that they're now aligning that with food halls is a great idea because that's what they're trying to represent.' For almost 20 years my bully had me in her grip. I was six when she told me our headmaster had called me fat and useless. I cried myself to sleep that night. She would regularly beat me up if she'd had a bad day and, when I was 12, she punched me so hard she dislocated my jaw, which still clicks to this day. I was an overweight child with buck teeth, freckles and red hair, while she was beautiful and slim. She took delight in ostracising, ridiculing or ignoring me and told me she hated me on a daily basis. She routinely referred to me as a slug and, in one of many examples of ritual humiliation, she once ordered me to strip naked, demanding I give her clothes back after happily encouraging me to borrow them an hour earlier. Not once did a parent or teacher come to my aid. Victoria was cunning: she knew how to hide her behaviour. But the main reason for all the adults turning a blind eye? Victoria is my sister, who's two years older than me. Sibling abuse is often dismissed by society referred to as 'rivalry', which suggests it's both mutual and understandable, a rite of passage almost. There's the Cinderella fairytale, of course, but even that is about stepsisters, not blood relatives. Apart from that rather black-and-white portrayal, bullying by siblings is something of a taboo. Yet in many ways it's not dissimilar to domestic abuse you have to live with your bully and learn to tread on eggshells, desperate not to incur their wrath. As a result, I've grappled with low self-esteem all my life. My desperate desire to please and so avoid the notice of bullies like my sister led me to veer off course at school, drinking and taking drugs. I left home at 19, purely to escape her, and the deep-seated lack of self-respect engendered by Victoria's treatment dogged me. I'd even say low self-esteem was a factor in me being raped at 21. The anonymous woman recounts how, as a child, her sister would beat her up when she had bad days and even once made her strip naked and give her her clothes [stock image] I was the youngest of three girls, raised in a beautiful townhouse in the South-West. My parents split when I was two, but materially we didn't want for anything. Mum was a solicitor and dad a management consultant. We had a maid until I was nine, and I went to a co-ed school where I was happy. It wasn't a neglectful childhood, yet growing up in the 1980s, parents just let children get on with it. One of my earliest memories is of Victoria warning me that she was stronger and older than me and that I'd have to do what she said. When I complained to Mum, she'd gently but firmly told me I had to learn to stand up for myself. The first time Victoria beat me up, by punching me, I was five. I was so shocked I cried and cried. Mum was at work so, as usual, there was no witness to the worst of my sister's behaviour. We shared a room, so even in my sleep I'd have no respite. I'd often wake up freezing to discover she'd pulled my duvet off in the night. We had an older sister, Sarah, but there were four years between her and me, and our relationship during childhood was distant. Victoria never let Sarah see what she was doing to me. As for Victoria, I still don't know what I did to earn her unending hatred. My only theory is that she was jealous of my arrival, because until then she'd been the youngest. Was my crime getting more attention than her as a newborn? Victoria would attack me a couple of times a week, cunningly never hitting my face or limbs where bruises would show. I would try to protect myself, but she'd sit on me and pin me down. It was genuinely horrific. I'd disassociate from my little body, going to a different place in my mind. Then there were sly pinches to my tummy and punches to my ribs. No one saw those markings. When she went too far, I'd occasionally get a letter from her saying how much she loved me (though never apologising). I remember feeling so confused. After our parents split, we'd spend two weeks at Mum's and then two weeks at Dad's. It was only at our mother's that my sister felt she had free reign to attack me. My father, who quickly remarried, was very strict. Although we were largely left to our own devices at his rambling farmhouse, Victoria didn't put a foot out of line in front of him. My stepmum was a difficult woman to be around, too. Now I recognise that she'd been trying and failing to have her own children with Dad, losing 11 babies via miscarriage. Little wonder she had zero interest in being a stepmum to three girls. As for my father, I never enjoyed being with him. I found him a cold and remote man. It was only my mother I could talk to, despite her failure to intervene. I frequently told her that I hated my sister, and begged her to let me live somewhere else or for my sister to go elsewhere. Even she could see this wasn't a normal request for a ten-year-old, and arranged for me to see a therapist on a weekly basis. I'd cry profusely in the sessions, telling the therapist how hurt I was that my sister repeatedly hit me and called me fat, useless and ugly. Yet I don't remember learning anything helpful certainly it never translated into anything changing at home. The only benefit was it made me open to therapy as an adult. As a ten-year-old, she had weekly therapy, often crying profusely as she recounted her troubles with her sibling during the sessions [stock image] I have truly never understood what motivated Victoria, who was never sent for therapy, as far as I knew. In her twenties, she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour. I've often wondered if this might have affected her personality in some way, but I've never known for certain. Still, the effects on me were profound. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I sought refuge in food, especially sugar, and was very overweight while at primary school. I also sucked my thumb until the age of 13 and wouldn't go anywhere without my blankie or my pink bunny rabbit. Victoria often told me my parents had wanted to disown me as a baby. Growing up utterly believing this, my personality was moulded into a desperately insecure little being. I was very quiet at home, constantly trying to avoid Victoria's wrath. I took some degree of comfort from the fact it wasn't just me: Victoria would also go to war with Sarah. They'd fall out whenever Victoria took Sarah's INXS cassette tape. I'd try desperately to keep the peace when they fought but they'd simply talk over me or ignore me. I'd also do anything to please my parents just to get a crumb of attention from them. But doubtless, they didn't notice me because I kept myself invisible. I can see now, of course, that Victoria had some serious issues yet they were never addressed. She would convincingly lie when I told my parents what she'd done to me. And even when she punched me in the jaw, my parents, with bigger fish to fry, simply left us to it. As I didn't require medical treatment, Victoria got away with it. The one bright light of my childhood was Tina, the maid we had until I was nine. I absolutely loved her. She was the only adult who saw what was going on and would nurture and comfort me. She did everything she could to protect me, and was even brave enough to tell my sister off if she did something that made me cry. Most importantly, Tina was a loving presence, happy to be around me, or let me sit with her while she was cooking. I know she tried to tell my mum about Victoria because I'd hear them talking sometimes I still don't understand why my mother didn't listen. I was devastated when Tina had to leave because Mum could no longer afford to pay her. One of the worst days of my childhood came a year later, when I was ten and had invited some friends to the house after school. My mum was working, as usual, and Victoria answered the door, only to let my friends in and lock me out. I was left on the doorstep for an hour, being allowed back inside when my sister knew Mum would return home. Victoria played with my friends, who, it seems, did not object. The bullying continued into my teens. When Victoria learned to drive at 18, I'd sometimes be in the car with her because one of our parents would have insisted she take me with her into town. On three occasions, I said something she didn't like and she tried to push me out of the passenger door while we were moving once on a roundabout. As a youngster she dropped out of school and turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with the constant bullying - and was raped at 21 in London Another time, she told me I could borrow her clothes and I took it as a friendly overture. But an hour later, when we were in the car together, she ordered me to take them off, then kicked me out of the car. She left me almost naked in just my bra and knickers in the street. She did return for me minutes later, but refused to let me put her clothes back on, so I had to be driven home in my underwear. I never borrowed anything of hers again. By this point, my life had already taken a worrying turn. At 13, I had fallen in with the wrong crowd at school and began smoking and drinking. Mum didn't notice, and when Dad asked why I smelled of smoke (he would fetch me from a party and comment), I'd lie and say it was my friends doing it. At 16, I dropped out of school I didn't care about my academic trajectory, I just wanted to be accepted. Then, at 19 and desperate to get away from my bully and forge my own path, I left home to become an au pair. I moved to London, alone and pretty vulnerable, and ended up being raped at 21. Looking back, I feel as if I had no self-esteem, thanks to Victoria's bullying and my parents' distance, and put myself in danger as a result. After all, I'd been repeatedly in dangerous situations at home this was just one more to add to the list. It took many years to rebuild my shattered confidence. Slowly, I learned to put myself first, throwing my energy into work, and I now run a successful estate agency. I accept I'm guilty of being a workaholic, but that's the way I've learned to suppress the dark feelings that come from being the miserable Cinderella of my family. Throughout my 20s, I drank a lot in social situations to overcome my inhibitions. If anyone chose to date me I'd be so suspicious of their motives, no relationship lasted longer than a fortnight. That changed when I had therapy in my early 30s. A good friend recommended a life-changing (for me) psychologist who helped me to see that my sister's abuse wasn't my fault. Until then, I'd been convinced I'd never get married and I definitely didn't want to bring children into this world. But in my mid-30s, I met Tom, a kind, patient man an engineer on a dating site. He believed my account of my childhood, and was so sympathetic. We got married five years after meeting, and had our children two years later. When I discovered I was having a daughter, my first reaction was terror I was terrified that history would repeat itself. When two other girls followed, I made it my priority to teach them about being kind to others and to each other; that they are a team, rather than rivals. They are now tweens and I am so proud and grateful to say that we're all very close. As for my family, you may well wonder why I've still not challenged my mother about the fact she never took my side. The truth is, I am still too frightened to discover the answer. Whatever she says, I know it will disappoint me. As a result, I don't see my parents or my eldest sister very often. I'm in a family social media group with them and that's it. And it won't surprise you that I have as little as possible to do with Victoria. She has a son and is a single mother, and has never once acknowledged or apologised for her appalling behaviour towards me. For many years, I tried to be the better person and make peace with her, despite frequently falling out. But, at last, I've decided for my sanity that our relationship is over. I stopped speaking to her 18 months ago when we had yet another disagreement this time about her borrowing money from our mother. I have finally recognised that she was never a sister to me, so I'm losing nothing. If I could go back in time, I'd tell my childhood self that you don't need to accept bullying just because your bully is your sister. You have every right to be in the world, too. Of course, I can't rewrite history. Instead, I focus on my own daughters. I cuddle each of them every single day and tell them how much I love them. When they have issues, we work through them together, and I make certain each child is heard. Every year I organise a photo album of our previous 12 months. Unlike me, they will have happy memories to look back on the loving childhood that sadly I never got to enjoy myself. All names and identifying details have been changed. I was stumbling around in my first term at university when a young man approached me, demanding: Hey, whats your name and what department are you in? I didnt know this guy, and I didnt like his bullish tone. Hed fired the question at me like a policeman trying to nail a shifty suspect. It was as if he thought I owed him an answer. But hed caught me off guard and in a hurry, so I quickly blurted a confession. Youre studying Italian? he repeated with a snort that registered both disbelief and the need for further explanation. I shrugged, glanced at my watch and skidded off to my lecture. From long experience, I suspected that the problem, as far as this young black man was concerned, was that I was black but not black enough. Back in the mid-Seventies, there werent many black students at Hull University. I definitely stood out, but for the small clique of the African and Caribbean brotherhood, I aroused a particularly keen curiosity. A stray black female, who kept herself to herself, I was a wild card and they couldnt fathom me. Shouldnt I be studying sociology, economics or politics like most of the other black students? Why wasnt I hanging out with them on campus? Why was I so buttoned down? Id grown up as a biracial Barnardos child who, aged three, was put into foster care with a white family in an all-white community in rural North Yorkshire. They were a caring, working-class family and their home and the town where they lived was my world until I was 18. But there hadnt been much room for being black. In this small white community, my hi-vis skin colour meant I was black enough for kids to call me names; black enough for them to make fun of my springy afro hair. And, at five, I was black enough to win first prize as a golliwog in a fancy dress competition no boot polish required. Tina Shingler grew up as a biracial Barnardo's child who was put into foster care Tina with daughter Phoebe, whom she had with the Black-American husband she met in the US in her 20s. Tina says she wasn't 'black enough' and was treated like a 'novelty act' by his family But with little knowledge of my white birth mother and none of my black father, I had no role models for exploring my black heritage. And, in order to fit in, I absorbed the habits and behaviours of the white working-class people I lived with. I learned to roller skate and ride a bike with the other kids and there was fish and chips on Fridays and a roast with Yorkshire pudding on Sundays. University may have been the first time I encountered black people openly questioning my racial authenticity, but it wouldnt be the last. More surprisingly, though, were the encounters with white people who thought they could make a better job of being black than me, too. After failing my A-levels, I decided to go to Italy as an au pair while I re-thought my future. There I met my Italian boyfriend, Vito, whose big passion in life was jazz music. I was an R&B gal with a liking for Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. The strangled squeak and squeal of free jazz set my nerves on edge. How do you not get it? This is your music! cried Vito when I was unmoved by Miles Davis tying a tune in knots on the trumpet. There was nothing for it. He, the white Italian guy, would have to teach me, the black woman, how to appreciate the daring virtuosity of Davis and John Coltrane. Listen more carefully. Lean into it harder, he urged. What was wrong with me; it was in my genes, wasnt it? We were together when I returned to the UK for university but we split in my third year by which time I was taking my year out in Italy. I found myself working in a school where the kids thought I was an enigma wrapped in a mystery: a black woman who claimed to be British, who was teaching them English? Can you sing like Aretha? asked one. I shook my head in disbelief. Rather than picking my way around English syntax in the classroom, these children had visions of me gyrating in sequins and belting out a number on stage. Sure, I was black, but not in the gutsy way they would have liked me to be. Tina arriving at her foster home, aged three. Born to a white mother and black father, she was placed with a white family in an all-white community in rural North Yorkshire Playing at home as a five year old. In order to fit in, Tina absorbed the habits of the white working-class people she lived with, learning to ride a bike and roller skate with local children Aged seven on a seaside trip in Yorkshire Back in the UK for my finals, I began dating a Jamaican student. I noticed the other black brothers now looked on me with approval. Now I was doing things right. That said, my boyfriend told me with a light-hearted chuckle that it was a shame I would never get to meet his parents because I was too light skinned, too British to meet with their approval. They expected him to be with a proper black girl, you know, preferably from Jamaica. Despite them living in Crewe. We werent at the meet the family stage, but it was still hard to hear. Too bad. They sound like terrific people, I said with deadpan sarcasm. Even when I married my Black-American husband in my 20s while visiting the US, I still wasnt black enough. We went on to have our daughter, Phoebe, and I worked in Washington DC for ten years. But to my husbands family in North Carolina, I was a novelty act once again. Cars full of relatives would drive over just to take a look at me and hear me talk. Sometimes theyd use my husband as an interpreter to decipher my clipped British consonants. Lord, honey, you speak so pretty! exclaimed one captivated aunt. Another thing that set me apart from most Black-Americans was that I kept my hair natural. By the Eighties, the afro had been and gone; now Americans, both black and white, looked askance at my natural kinky hair. It was passe, it was unfashionable, and in the embassy where I worked, a black colleague hinted, it looked unprofessional. Again, I was guilty of not conforming to standard behaviours for black people. Tina says she did not conform to standard behaviours for black people. After ten years in America she returned to the UK as a divorced single mother with her daughter, then aged five In Black-American culture back then, unkinking your natural hair was seen as an essential step towards acceptability. Bowing to pressure, I spent five hours in a salon getting my hair chemically relaxed, but I never did get used to the sight of myself with straight hair and I couldnt wait for it to grow out. Im not alone. Ive heard plenty of similar stories from biracial people like me who have found their behaviours, tastes and lifestyles challenged as not being black enough to conform to some unwritten standard of authenticity. Celebrities and high-profile power brokers find themselves in the same cultural firing line. When Barack Obama became US President in 2009, he had to convince the Black-American Establishment that he was black enough. Brought up by his single white mother in Hawaii with an absent black father, what were his black credentials? Just how black was he exactly? I had no idea who my own self was, states Obama of his early years in his autobiography. For those of us who are betwixt and between, unravelling our identity and our place in the world can be a perplexing business. Black and white. Neither and both. After ten years in America, I returned to the UK as a divorced single mother with my five-year-old daughter. With an absent Black-American father and a biracial British mother, growing up in the UK has not been without its challenges for her, either. Now 40, she wears her blackness with a sense of cultural ownership that says theres more than one way of being black. It seems to me we are all products of our environments and experiences, and learning to embrace all of it is surely how we show our true colours. It is hard to describe the atmosphere in words. When a group of mothers come together with their newborn babies often just weeks or even days old you find deep connections are quickly forged. The mutual support they offer feels like a huge maternal hug, something visceral and instinctive and utterly unique. This is what I found when I turned to La Leche League (LLL), one of the oldest and largest charities supporting women in the world. With organisations in more than 80 countries, and 70 branches in the UK, LLL promotes breastfeeding through education and helps women who struggle to feed their babies as many do in those magical mother-to-mother meetings. When my first child was born in 2016, I found feeding hard, but felt a surprisingly strong biological urge to persist. Saved by my local La Leche League in Edinburgh, I fell in love with the charity, and in time became what it calls a Leader a breastfeeding counsellor myself. Throughout the pandemic and beyond, as I had my second baby and while working as a vet, I ran support groups in my community. Indeed, I believed in the purpose and methods of LLL so much, I became a Trustee and member of the Council of Directors of LLLGB. But no longer. Two weeks ago I resigned, unable to stand by while I feel the objectives of a charity I love are changed beyond all recognition, and utterly fed up with being called a bigot and even a Nazi for raising my concerns. Put simply, LLL is forcing Leaders to allow male people who want to breastfeed babies into meetings that were previously reserved for biological women only. When Miriam's first child was born in 2016, she found it hard to breastfeed. She says she was 'saved' by her local La Leche League and, in time, became a breastfeeding counsellor In doing so, not only are they changing that wonderfully intimate atmosphere, theyre also making Leaders support the concept of male lactation in ways that many of us find uncomfortable. The truth is, the presence of biological males at LLL meetings will change the dynamic completely and may stop women getting the help they need. I remember feeling a bit miffed that my husband couldnt stay with me at the first LLL meeting I attended, but it didnt take long for me to understand why. Women bare all emotionally and physically. They talk about difficult, even coercive, relationships. They chat about their sex life after having a baby and how they feel about their changing body. They swap stories of perineal tears and prolapses, pressure from others to give a bottle, and so many more things. The women who come to our meetings might be breastfeeding outside the home for the first time. They might have cracked and mangled nipples. They might feel failure, guilt and then elation when feeding begins to work. There are often tears of joy and pain. My objection to male people joining in is not a trans rights issue. I believe everyone should be free to live how they want, be addressed with kindness and respect, and enjoy all the freedoms we have come to expect in 2024. What is happening with La Leche League, and in many other charities and organisations, is an issue of sex not gender identity. Often, we spy the first signs of a radical shift when language begins to change. About three years ago, in LLL publications and materials, I noticed mother being replaced with parent, breastfeed being replaced with chestfeed, and women constantly being referred to as breastfeeding families. La Leche League, which helps mothers to breastfeed in group sessions, has seven founders, including Marian Tompson But these language changes very quickly evolved into what I feel is a total departure from LLLs philosophy and mission, led by a group of zealots from within the organisation. Leaders who expressed concerns about clarity of language for example for women for whom English is not their first language were ridiculed. As an inclusive organisation, we were told, we would have to welcome to our meetings trans-identifying men who wished to breastfeed. But this struck a group of us as wrong for many reasons, not least whether or not it was physically safe for a baby to be breastfed by a biological male. Biological males who want to attempt breastfeeding have to take a cocktail of drugs. The NHS tells biological women to check with their GP before taking so much as an ibuprofen tablet. There were other safeguarding concerns, including the social and physiological safety of a mother separated from her baby so a male can breastfeed, the psychological safety of women in the room where a man is present, and the need for privacy for women with certain religious beliefs. When a group of worried Leaders raised these concerns, we were told we were transphobic, and even compared to racists and Nazis. It felt as if language was being deliberately used to confuse us. Were we changing it to include non-binary female people, male people, transmen (biological women who have transitioned and present as men)? It wasnt clear. And it mattered. Amid the confusion, the Leader body were led to believe nothing untoward was happening and that any questions or concerns were from old, bigoted Leaders who would hopefully shuffle off soon. I remember a post on Facebook which said they hoped all those who disagreed with their view on inclusion would hurry up and die. Eventually, a group of British Trustees articulated our concerns to the LLL International Board in America. This then triggered an email from the Board to all LLLGB Leaders which clearly stated that GB Leaders were obliged to provide breastfeeding support to all nursing parents, regardless of their gender identity or sex. We found this worrying, and knew it contravened the objects of LLLs British branch as set out to the Charity Commission, which begin with the words: To promote the physical and psychological health of mothers and children . . . Yet the Charity Commissions reaction, when we raised it with them, was dismissive, condescending and ultimately unhelpful. They did not seem to care that a minority of members were trying to push the charity in a direction that could harm those mothers and children, and they did not seem to care that a group of ideologues in the US had unreasonable influence over a British charity. If felt as if they were essentially rolling their eyes and telling us to stop bickering like silly little girls. Miriam Main believes LLLGB is forcing its leaders to allow male people who want to breastfeed babies into meetings that were previously reserved for biological women only [stock image] Despite this, the LLLI Board is standing firm and insisting women in the UK must support male lactation and breastfeeding, if we want to be Leaders. Indeed, it has demonstrated its power by removing my Leader accreditation and those of other Trustees who have raised concerns. This is not because of anything we have done as breastfeeding counsellors, but because we performed our legal duty as Trustees by questioning whether we are sticking to our charitable objects. Their actions have left hundreds of women who regularly attend La Leche League meetings bereft of support. The LLLI Board has shown that theoretical male lactation trumps the needs of real women living in the UK. That is why I resigned from the board. Similar concerns have now forced one of the very founders, 94-year-old Marian Tompson, who set up La Leche League in 1956, to denounce its modern incarnation as a travesty of my original intent. LLL has shifted, she said in a hard-hitting letter to senior figures within the organisation this week, from a focus on mothering to indulging the fantasies of adults. Many have asked why I stayed for so long or how other Leaders can stand this. It is very hard to describe how life-changing LLL (in its true form) has been, and the emotional ties and responsibility that Leaders feel towards LLL and their local mums. The grief I feel at losing LLL from my life is huge. Until now it has been easier for Leaders to turn a blind eye and carry on running meetings. Many are private women who dont like making a fuss and are simply trying to help others as they were helped themselves. I stand with them the shocking truth I am revealing to the public is not of their making. But it is time now for Leaders in the UK to listen to their hearts, and decide what to do next. Their valuable work and the help hundreds of women and babies receive every day depends on it. Unless you've spent the past 20 years living under a rock, you've likely heard of and at the very least smelled the exotic scents of Glasshouse candles. The company, which has established itself as the leading fragrance brand in the Southern Hemisphere, is known for its stunning packaging, unique city-inspired ranges and - especially at this time of year - tempting gift packs. Now, ahead of its busiest season, founder Nicole Eckels has spilled some of the brand's biggest secrets - including her personal favourites, the best-sellers and how she manages to come up with such inspired new scents. Nicole, a New Yorker who spent two decades living in Sydney, founded Glasshouse in 2005 to fill the 'luxury' candle gap in the market - despite many doubting it would work. Long story short, it did. 'I've always loved the power of scent to transport you - whether it's to a memory, a feeling, or a place. Candles have always been an essential part of my life; they create an atmosphere and make a house feel like a home,' she tells FEMAIL. 'I wanted to create a brand that brought that sense of warmth and luxury into people's lives without the premium price tag. And I think that's what Glasshouse Fragrances has done so well: making luxury fragrance accessible to everyone.' Some of Nicole's earliest memories are of her mother's perfumes - the beautiful bottles on her vanity and the way the fragrances filled the air. Glasshouse founder Nicole Eckels (pictured) has spilled some of the brand's biggest secrets - including her personal favourites The brand has just released its famous Christmas range (pictured) 'As a teenager, I noticed my mother started using home fragrances and I loved the cosy, inviting atmosphere. It became part of her ritual, and I felt a sense of warmth every time they were lit,' she recalls. Her journey really began when she started work in the cosmetics industry where she spent many years at Chanel. 'That's where I really began to appreciate the depth of my olfactory senses. While I might forget names, I can instantly recall and identify almost any scent,' she says. 'The true turning point, though, came when I moved to Australia. It was there that I decided to turn my passion for fragrance into a career, and that's when Glasshouse Fragrances was born.' What are the three candles you always have in your home no matter the season? 1. Forever Florence: For the way it comforts and envelops you, like a big cosy powdery floral hug. 2. Sunsets in Capri: Summer seems to last a little longer with the zesty scent of mandarin and peach that lingers longer than the sun will. 3. Midnight in Milan: For the way it makes you feel powerful and sexy as it transports you to one of the most inspiring cities on earth leaving behind a silage of rose and saffron. 'While I might forget names, I can instantly recall and identify almost any scent,' Nicole says The A Tahaa Affair (pictured in purple) soy candle is by far the best-seller and often sells out in certain regions What is the perfect scent to give as a gift? When it comes to gifting candles, I always go for scents that are fresh and well-balanced - something that's universally loved. Citrus and fresh notes are always a safe bet, which is why I often choose our Amalfi Coast or our Sea Mist candles. They're refreshing and uplifting, making them perfect for any occasion. Which candle sells out more than any other? Our A Tahaa Affair soy candle is by far our best-seller and often sells out in certain regions. People just love it - it's a perfect balance of sweet and warm, and it has a real following. We put so much time and care and love into what we do, and it makes us feel very proud to see that people love the products. The other best-selling candles are Kyoto in Bloom and One Night in Rio. How do you come up with such unique scents? I'm privileged to work with an incredible team of perfumers, and our process of creating unique scents begins with a lot of creativity and exploration. We aim to craft fragrances that aren't just ordinary but truly inspire and transport our customers. For us, it's not just about the scent itself it's about the experience it evokes. Above all, we're committed to ensuring our fragrances perform exceptionally well across all formats. Our goal is to satisfy even the most discerning fragrance lover, making sure every candle, diffuser, or product delivers on both quality and impact. What's been your biggest business challenge so far? Perfecting the craft of our products. While many brands in our space outsource production to contract manufacturers, we've made the conscious decision to produce all our candles and diffusers ourselves. It's been a long journey and honing this skill over the years has come with its challenges but I'm thrilled to say that we've finally achieved the quality we set out to create. Honestly, I haven't come across a candle or diffuser that matches the quality of Glasshouse Fragrances - it's something we're incredibly proud of. What is your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those looking to break into the consumer market? Stay true to what you believe in, and never underestimate the power of patience. Building a brand takes time, and you need to be ready to weather the tough times. Surround yourself with great people, stay focused, and be prepared to adapt when necessary. A beloved aide - who was 'like a mother' to Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands - has 'suddenly' stopped working for the Dutch Royal Family, local media reports. Eveline van den Bent had worked with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's children for 18 years. According to RTL, she was first hired as a nanny in 2006, and eventually became the couple's personal assistant, being appointed as private secretary in 2020. The Government Information Service (RVD), which handles the royals' communications, has confirmed to the outlet that Eveline is no longer employed by the family, but it is not known why. Amelia, now 20, has known the aide, who was by her side through some of the most challenging moments, since she was three years old. When the young royal was forced to move to Madrid after being threatened by organised crime groups in the Netherlands shortly after she began her university studies in 2022, Eveline was a regular visitor. In a book by Dutch author Claudia de Breij, Eveline was praised for her constant presence and unwavering loyalty. 'She is always there,' Amalia had said of the aide. 'She knows what I don't like, she sees when I'm tired of a photo shoot.' Eveline van den Bent (right, stood up) had worked with King Willem-Alexander (left) and Queen Maxima 's (centre) children for 18 years. Right, sat down, Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands. Pictured last year According to RTL , she was first hired as a nanny in 2006, and eventually became the couple's personal assistant, being appointed as private secretary in 2020. Pictured in 2018 Amelia, now 20, has known the aide, who was by her side through some of the most challenging moments, since she was three years old. Amalia and Eveline in 2018 Images from as recently as April show the royal's 'right hand woman' anchored around the girls, be it to support with holding coats or simply being on standby to help out. Eveline's support to the family wasn't limited to just the Crown Princess - she also saw Alexia, 19, and Ariane, 17, grow up. Photos from the King's birthday earlier this year saw the doting Eveline putting a jacket on Alexia when she was chilly. A royal expert has expressed her shock at the move from Amalia's 'confidante', revealing it's a 'striking' surprise. 'I saw with my own eyes how involved Eveline was,' Annemarie de Kunder told RTL. 'Wherever Amalia went, Eveline stood behind her. Like a mother, she kept an eye on Amalia.' The presenter added that the aide was 'always there' for the princess, and that they grew 'even closer to each other' in recent years. 'In addition to the good relationship they have, it would also have made sense workwise if she had stayed,' she added, with Amalia taking on more royal duties in the future. 'Eveline would have been the perfect person to guide Amalia in that.' Photos from the King's birthday earlier this year saw the doting Eveline putting a jacket on Alexia when she was chilly A royal expert has expressed her shock at the move from Amalia's 'confidante', revealing it's a 'striking' surprise. Eveline pictured left, in April However, blogger All Things Amalia has suggested that there may simply not be enough left for Eveline to do 'with Ariane in Italy, Alexia in London and Amalia in Amsterdam'. 'Maybe after eighteen years she wanted something different than the royal bubble of Orange,' the writer penned. 'In any case, it's a somewhat mysterious exit for the woman who played a major role in the life of the Crown Princess in the background.' FEMAIL has reached out to RVT, which handles the Royal House's communications, for comment. It comes as, in September, Amalia unveiled a dramatic new look as she returned to the Netherlands for the first time following a kidnap threat. The future European Queen recently spent over a year living in Spain as a result of growing fears for her safety but has made two public appearances at The Hague this week. The royal cut a glamorous figure in a bottle green caped gown by Safiyaa London - a designer favoured by the Princess of Wales and Duchess of York - to attend the opening of Dutch parliament two months ago. Willem-Alexander and Maxima's eldest daughter looked equally as sophisticated in a navy gown for a gala at Noordeinde Palace. Maxima pictured with a young Princess Amalia in 2006 - the year Eveline was hired to work as a nanny Maxima and Willem-Alexander pictured together with their young daughters in 2007, in the Netherlands Amalia appeared visibly more confident in front of the camera - having been shielded from the public eye over her family's concerns for her safety as well being the subject of cruel body shaming on social media. In October 2022, she began a degree in Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics at Amsterdam University and moved into halls. However, the high-profile student was forced to abandon her original living arrangements after being threatened with kidnap by Dutch organised crime gangs. In April, the Dutch public broadcaster NOS revealed the 'Princess of Orange' did ultimately escape the confines of The Hague and spent a year studying in Madrid. Amalia, who first in line to the throne, is said to speak fluent Spanish thanks to her mother, who is Argentine by birth. Officials would not confirm details of Amalia's initial departure from her studies in Amsterdam, but the move came weeks after reports that Amalia and Prime Minister Mark Rutte were mentioned in communications by organised crime groups - leading to fears of kidnappings. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at the time: 'I'm very sorry for her and I'm obviously very concerned about it.' He added that Dutch authorities were doing everything to ensure that the princess is safe. It comes as, in September, Amalia unveiled a dramatic new look as she returned to the Netherlands for the first time following a kidnap threat 'She can't live in Amsterdam and she can't really go outside (the palace)... It has enormous consequences on her life. There is no student life for her like others have,' said an emotional Queen Maxima at the time. Amalia herself told reporters during a royal family tour of the Caribbean early last year that she missed 'the normal life of a student', having hoped she would be able to enjoy the student experience like her peers. 'Sadly the reality was different,' she said. Her father, King Willem-Alexander, said in the podcast Through the Eyes of the King that the situation had 'had a very hard impact' on his daughter and his family. 'The uncertainty, the lack of freedom, that is not how you want to raise your children and what you want to pass on to your children,' he said. The Minister for Justice and Security, Dilan Yesilgoz, told reporters in the weeks following Amalia's withdrawal from studies in Amsterdam: 'I guarantee that our security services work hard day and night to guarantee her safety. 'It is terrible that this is necessary, in the first place for the Crown Princess herself.' Hans remained close with son-in-law David after his daughter Wendie passed This is the heartwarming moment a father who lost his daughter to cancer walks his son-in-law's new partner down the aisle at their wedding. Hans Bender, 85, was honoured when bride, An Smith, 54, asked if he would walk her to the altar to marry his son-in-law, David Smith, 48, this month. David had previously been with Hans' daughter, Wendie Bender, 42, for a decade - up until she passed away from breast cancer in 2012. But when David found love again with An a few years later, Hans welcomed her into the family with open arms. An helped raise Hans' grandchild, Hannah Bender, 25, who is Wendie's daughter from a previous relationship. And since first meeting David, An has become close with Hans and his wife (Wendie's mother), Annelies. An and David tied the knot in an emotional ceremony in Hong Kong - with many of Wendie's friends present. Daughter Hannah, who works in marketing, is and currently living in Brussels, Belgium, said: 'She [An] asked my grandpa [Hans] if he would walk her down the aisle. Hans walked his son-in-law's new wife, An, down the aisle in a ceremony in Hong Kong. Pictured L-R: Hans, the officiator, An and David 'He said yes immediately. He gave the most heart warming speech. 'It was very emotional and a lot about my mum and how he was grateful David has found new love. I was sobbing.' David and An got married on a boat and the emotional clip shows Hans walking down the aisle with An in front of all of their family and friends. At one point, An and David stumble as the waters are unsteady, but laugh it off and quickly get back up on their feet. Loved-up duo, David and An, were all smiles as they showed off their wedding rings and guests threw confetti in the air to commemorate the special day. Hannah - who grew up in Hong Kong - was just 13 when she lost her mother. She said: 'My mum [Wendie] would light up a room when she'd come into one.' She has always been close with her stepfather, David, but found it hard to see him happy again when he met An in 2013. Hannah said: 'It was weird. I wanted my stepdad to be happy again. 'I'd only known him with my mum. I realised she's really not there anymore.' Hannah would often see her stepfather at her mother's parents' house - as they remained in touch with David too. An is pictured with her new husband David and Hannah, Wendie's daughter from another marriage Wendie Bender - Hans' daughter - passed away in 2012 after battling breast cancer David and his step-daughter Hannah, 25, have remained close since her mother passed away Hannah (L) admitted that it was hard to see David happy again when he met An (R) but she the pair grew close over the years Over time as Hannah grew up she formed a close relationship with An. She said: 'We get on insanely well now. I can't imagine life without her.' When An and David got engaged in 2022, An asked Hans to be the one to take her down the aisle. When the time came to tie the knot this month, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Hannah said: 'It was such a heart-warming moment. I felt she [her mother] was very present. 'All my mum's friends came up to me and all the women were sobbing. 'Just before passing she said she'd come back as a yellow butterfly. 'During the ceremony there were all these beautiful yellow butterflies.' Hannah said the union of her their marriage has shown her just how important her family is to her. Hannah - who grew up in Hong Kong - was just 13 when she lost her mother Hannah is pictured with her grandparents Hans and Annelies at a restaurant Hannah said the union of her their marriage has shown her just how important her family is to her. Pictured; An, David and Hannah Hannah is pictured with her grandparents, Hans and Annelies as a child David and Hannah shared a heartfelt hug at the wedding which took place in Hong Kong She said: 'Family has always been important to all of us. It showed us family is the number one priority. 'Everyone is super loving. Everyone has open hearts.' Hannah says she can always 'count on' her stepdad and now sees An as a 'second mum'. She said: 'She's like a mother figure to me. She's very career driven. She's an inspiration to be raised by.' The son of the Crown Princess of Norway will be imprisoned for one week as he was remanded in custody following a second accusation of rape since Tuesday. Marius Borg Hiby, 27, is also banned from having visitors and letters during this period due to the risk of tampering with evidence, as police believe they have uncovered another rape, NRK reports. His lawyer yvind Bratlien has this morning confirmed they will not be appealing detainment. Earlier this week authorities said in a statement that Marius who was born from a relationship prior to his mother's 2001 marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, had been 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. Yesterday, he faced a second accusation of rape without intercourse with a woman who is unable to resist the act. Bratlien told Norwegian publication VG that his client denied the claims and that he was cooperating with police during their investigation. The son of the Crown Princess of Norway will be imprisoned for one week as he was remanded in custody following a second accusation of rape since Tuesday Borg Hiby was detained on August 4 following a night-time row at a woman's apartment in Oslo and accused of causing bodily harm to the resident, with whom he was having a relationship, police said. Norwegian media reports said police found a knife stuck into one of the walls of the woman's bedroom at the time. He was arrested again in September for violating a restraining order. According to police, when he was arrested on Monday he was in a car with the alleged victim from the August incident. On Tuesday, police also said the suspicions relating to the August incident now included domestic abuse. Earlier this week Crown Prince Haakon told NRK that he 'would have liked to be at home with his wife' - 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. Earlier this week authorities said in a statement that Marius who was born from a relationship prior to his mother's 2001 marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, had been arrested Monday evening The Norwegian royal family was rocked by Hiby's first arrest at the beginning of August, after Rebecca Helberg Arntsen was left in hospital. Pictured with his mother in 2016 When he turned 20, the royal court announced Marius was stepping away from public life and his profile was removed from the family's official website Marius pictured with other members of the Norwegian royal family, including the King, Queen, and heir to the throne in June 2022 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 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. 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. It comes as yesterday, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway stepped out looking stylish to attend a concert as she resumed her royal duties following a bout of illness '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. It comes as on Monday, his mother - Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway - stepped out looking stylish to attend a concert as she resumed her royal duties following a bout of illness. The 51-year-old was snapped arriving at a concert for the 50th anniversary of record label Kirkelig Kulturverksted in Oslo on Sunday evening. She looked cheerful and radiant despite her recent health struggles and her son's situation. Mette-Marit opted for a full-length cross-patterned blue coat over a chic pair of navy trousers and simple heels. She clutched a small embellished Prada handbag, kept her makeup minimal and wore her blonde locks down her shoulders. The appearance comes just days after Mette-Marit made a visit to the Army's Engineer Battalion, where her daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, has been serving, signalling the princess is in better health. Mette-Marit has been gradually returning to her official royal duties after she fell ill due to medicinal side effects associated with her chronic lung disease. In late October, the Norwegian Royal Court confirmed to Femail that she was taking some time off, saying: 'H.K.H. The Crown Princess is on sick leave. 'Due to side effects of the medication that Her Royal Highness is using for her chronic lung disease, she is on sick leave, initially for a week. Her official program during this period will be cancelled or postponed.' Earlier that month, the court warned that Mette-Marit's current course of treatment for pulmonary fibrosis may interfere with her planned duties over the coming weeks. The Crown Princess's health condition was first made public in 2018, when it was revealed Mette-Marit had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis or the thickening of lung tissue. At the time, Mette-Marit issued a statement explaining that the condition 'means my working capacity will vary' to accommodate her treatment including 'periods of time without an official programme'. 'For a number of years, I have had health challenges on a regular basis, and now we know more about what is involved,' the mother-of-three said. 'The condition means that my working capacity will vary. Pulmonary fibrosis is incurable and worsens over time, but the Norwegian royal's doctor, Professor Kristian Bjro at the National Hospital, said they'd been monitoring her condition for several years and the 'disease progression has been slow over this period'. Not much is known about the unusual variant of fibrosis that was detected in Mette-Marit's lungs but, according to the Royal House, 'there is broad consensus that, unlike other more common types of pulmonary fibrosis, it is not related to environmental or lifestyle factors'. The fact that the disease was detected at an early stage improves Mette-Marit's prognosis, as per the Palace's official statement. Queen Letizia of Spain looked typically chic this morning as she attended the Luis Carandell Journalism Awards Ceremony in Madrid wearing a tweed jacket made by survivors of human trafficking. The royal, 52, who was once a journalist herself, arrived at the Senate Palace wearing an elegant woolen cape and carrying her 1,500 Caroline Herrera Doma Insignia Satchel Bag. But underneath she sported a more meaningful piece - a ruby red tweet jacket with frayed detailing along the hem which was designed and constructed by the Association for the Prevention, Reintegration and Care of Prostituted Women's fashion school. As Letizia was introduced and the audience applauded, she placed a hand on her chest in gratitude. The Queen of Spain, who worked as a TV reporter before marrying into the Spanish royal family in 2004, looked thrilled to attend the awards at the Senate Palace and honour excellence in political reporting. Adding a touch of glitz to her ensemble, she sported a pair of silver hoop earrings and finished off her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup. The mother-of-two let her brown hair fall down to her shoulders in soft waves. Letizia 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. The royal, 52, who was once a journalist herself, arrived at the Senate Palace to honour excellence in political reporting wearing an elegant woolen cape With her she carried a 1,500 Caroline Herrera Doma Insignia Satchel Bag - a staple in her wardrobe This is not the only journalistic engagement Letizia has attended this week. She and her husband King Felipe IV honoured the winners of the 41st annual Francisco Cerecedo award on Monday night which is given to journalists who promote freedom of expression. And yesterday the 52-year-old royal attended the Madrid Press Association Awards at the Real Casa de Correos in Puerta del Sol, which serves as the office for the head of regional government. Once again Letizia looked effortlessly glamorous in a smart three-piece suit - from another relatively affordable high street brand - Mango. Her own 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 Australian daily paper, La Nueva Espana, she went on to work for ABC, a popular national newspaper that enjoys the third largest circulation in Spain. Letizia arrives at the Senate Palace with the Senate President Pedro Rollan Underneath her woolen cape, the mother-of-two sported a more meaningful piece - a ruby red tweet jacket with frayed detailing along the hem which was designed and constructed by the Association for the Prevention, Reintegration and Care of Prostituted Women's fashion school As Letizia was introduced and the audience applauded, she placed a hand on her chest in gratitude Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano presenting TV news at Television Espanola 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. Today's journalistic engagement comes weeks after the King and Queen of Spain were pelted with mud by protestors in the flood-hit region of Valencia. They travelled to Paiporta on November 3 to pay their respects to victims and give their condolences to those affected by the floods, which claimed the lives of over 200 people. During the outing, Letizia appeared to be crying as she spoke to one woman, with the Queen wrapping her hands around her shoulder. She also consoled groups of sobbing local women affected by the flash floods and gave them hugs as they explained their situations to the royal. Meanwhile, her husband King Felipe was heckled and had dirt thrown at him by furious locals during the visit. Queen Letizia appeared to be crying as she spoke to a woman in Paiporta on November 3 On Tuesday, Letizia and her husband returned to the floor-hit region for the first time since they were heckled by angry residents Hecklers also targeted Letizia, as a video showed the Queen with mud on her face, as she was helped through the busy streets by her entourage. On Tuesday, Letizia and her husband returned to the floor-hit region for the first time since they were heckled by angry residents. The Queen, 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. A group of nurses embroiled in a year-long dispute over a transgender policy have accused their NHS trust of 'ignoring' concerns for their safety. Bethany Hutchinson, who lives in County Durham, is one of eight women who are taking the NHS employment trust to a tribunal after their hospital allowed a transgender woman to use the women's changing room. Ms Hutchinson, a nurse who works at the Darlington Memorial hospital in County Durham appeared on Women's Hour on Radio 4 yesterday where she spoke to BBC journalist, Nuala McGovern. The nurse, who insisted she doesn't allege her transgender colleague is a 'predator' in any way, shared details of the ongoing row between hospital nurses who launched complaints against County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. Complaints about the policy have led to a year long dispute with staff, who claimed the response from the trust was 'extremely unsupportive' and that temporary solutions failed to resolve the issue. One solution offered by the trust was to allocate a 'locker room' - though this was deemed insufficient by Hutchinson, who described the trans worker as biologically 'male'. Funded by the Christian Legal Centre, which acts on behalf of evangelical Christians in the UK, the nurses are now launching an employment tribunal against the trust. The nurses - Bethany Hutchison, Lisa Lockey, Annice Grundy, Tracey Hooper and Joanne Bradbury - have been dubbed the 'Darlington Five'. (From left) Lisa Lockey, Annice Grundy, Tracey Hooper and Bethany Hutchison are four of the 'Darlington Five' who launched action against their NHS trust for alleged sexual harassment Bethany claimed staff noticed the colleague was using the changing room despite not having 'any warning or consultation from senior management'. She explained: 'This has led to nurses having panic attacks before their shifts, it's led to international women wearing clothing underneath their uniform because obviously, culturally they can't be exposed in any kind of undress in front of any other male other than their husbands. 'And generally just a feeling on anxiety amongst staff, you know, staff looking over their shoulder worried that this person is going to walk in and a state of undress.' Ms Hutchinson said she refused to refer to the colleague in question as female, describing them as 'I would say a male' - though they themselves use she/her pronouns. 'I don't agree to using that,' Bethany said. 'They are a male, they are acting like a male, they have all their male parts in place and I believe sex is a biological fact. It's not interchangeable.' Ms Hutchinson objected to the policy which allows transgender identifying women to access 'female' spaces. 'I personally don't believe you should allow anyone in with XY chromosomes because, where do you draw the line. But it's not up to me to make that decision,' she said. Ms Hutchinson made the decision to take the issue to an employment tribunal, claiming the trust put her and other nurses 'at risk'. Despite claiming she had never alleged the individual in question was 'a predator', Ms Hutchinson said the policy within the NHS put women at risk of 'harassment, rape, sexual assault, voyeurism' Ms Hutchinson objected to the policy which allows transgender identifying women to access 'female' spaces 'Not by this particular person I may add. I've never alleged that this person is a predator. 'But the policy that the trust has in place puts women as risk because it states that men can self identify as women and access the female changing room.' Despite claiming she had never alleged the individual in question was 'a predator', Ms Hutchinson said the policy within the NHS put women at risk of 'harassment, rape, sexual assault, voyeurism.' She described the environment working alongside their transgender colleague as 'hostile'. 'I would like to point out that this is not a campaign against this one person, I do not hold anything against this person,' she said, but added they were the 'catalyst' to her taking action. She claimed the trust had been 'extremely unsupportive' in their response to complaints first made a year ago. During a meeting with HR, Ms Hutchinson said she and other nurses were told to be more inclusive and that they needed to 'broaden their mind set'. She said: 'I'm dealing with nurses who've experienced sexual abuse as a child, nurses who been in relationships that are violent that have been violent at the hands of males, and I would defy anyone to sit across from these nurses and say you need to broaden your mindset.' One solution proposed by the trust involved using a 'locker room' to separate the complainants from the trans staff member. The tribunal is being funded by the rightwing group, Christian Legal Centre, which is part of Christian Concern Discussing the suggested solution, Ms Hutchinson said: 'I believe the trust think that they have done this to appease us, but my argument is that changing room, that locker room, still falls under the same policy. There is not another policy in place. So, if a transgender individual or self IDing person wanted to access that changing room they can.' The tribunal is being funded by the evangelical group, Christian Legal Centre, which is part of Christian Concern. Bethany described herself and her family as 'unapologetically Christian' though added the tribunal was 'not a Christian campaign'. In 2023. the Christian group represented anti-abortion campaigners from the group attempted to challenge buffer zones at abortion clinics. Earlier this year, the group supported a member of staff from a school after she was sacked for 'gross misconduct' for sharing Facebook posts criticising plans to teach LGBT+ relationships in primary schools. A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: 'The Trust is committed to providing a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all colleagues and patients, operating within the law and adhering to national policies. 'Additional alternative changing facilities have been put in place, these include a private, individual, lockable changing room. An office has been converted into a locker room for the storage of belongings. 'The Trust has processes in place for listening to and responding to concerns raised by any of our colleagues. We take all concerns raised seriously and investigate them thoroughly. An internal investigation continues to take place while the legal proceedings also continue.' An influencer and make-up artist who worked with the likes of Charlotte Tilbury has died following a short battle with stage four bowel cancer. Irene Roozbayani, from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, passed away on November 7 aged just 41 after being diagnosed with the disease back in April. Tributes have poured in following the death of the beloved make-up artist, described as a 'loyal friend' and 'always happy' by loved ones. Irene's heartbroken father, Yousef Rouzbayani, described his daughter as 'very generous, happy, and always liked to make people laugh'. He said: 'Everybody loved her and she was so friendly, always introducing me to new friends that she had made as she grew up. 'She had expensive taste, I remember that, but I think this really helped her in her career. I have lost the person that was always in my heart, and I will never forget her.' On the night Irene passed away, Mr Rouzbayani 'cuddled and spoke' to his daughter. He added: 'Even though she couldn't speak back to me, I saw a tear in her eye. I want the people who knew here to remember her for the person that she was, and I miss her so much.' Irene Roozbayani, from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, passed away on November 7 aged just 41 after being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer at the beginning of the year Speaking to Chronicle Live, Irene's friend Helena Ganley said: 'Irene always had time to make you feel special, and she always treated you like you were the only person in the room. 'She loved children so much, giving them attention and putting some lip gloss on the little girls, and she was loved and adored by everyone.' Born in Scotland to Iranian parents, Irene later moved to South Shields at the age of five. In the years that followed, Irene would put her skills and passion for make-up to incredible use as she began wielding an impressive career from the moment she took on her first make-up job at MAC. She later went on to work in the wedding industry by specialising in bridal make-up, before leaving to join Charlotte Tilbury at Fenwick in Newcastle, just as the now-global brand was on the rise. It wasn't long before Irene built up an extraordinary career that enabled her to travel the globe and work with a host of notable designers, including Vivienne Westwood, while gaining thousands of followers online. Helena said: 'Her name was a brand, she was very highly regarded and when people booked her, they weren't just getting make-up, they were getting her as a whole person. 'She did so much to make people feel comfortable, and she was kind and funny which put people at ease on their big day.' The influencer and make-up artist had worked with the likes of Charlotte Tilbury (pictured) Tributes have poured in following the death of the beloved make-up artist (pictured, centre), described as a 'loyal friend' and 'always happy' by loved ones Irene worked in the wedding industry by specialising in bridal make-up, before leaving to join Charlotte Tilbury Sadly, Irene's high-flying life took a tragic turn when she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer at the start of the year. By the time she was diagnosed, the disease had already spread throughout her body. Posting on Instagram, Irene's friend Alex said she received the devastating news of her diagnosis while they were staying in the Marriott Hotel. Alex said Irene put up 'one hell of a fight' throughout the seven-month battle, in which she 'maintained a positive outlook and took on every challenge with such grace'. On finding out, Helena said the pair 'looked at each other and burst out crying' when she visited Irene for the first time time in hospital. Despite undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy, brave Irene continued to work throughout treatment Irene's heartbroken father, Yousef Rouzbayani, described his daughter as 'very generous, happy, and always liked to make people laugh' Irene built up an extraordinary career that enabled her to travel the globe and work with a host of notable designers, including Vivienne Westwood, while gaining thousands of followers online She added: 'She was so positive throughout, taking everything in her stride, and she is the bravest person for dealing with it all.' Despite undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy, brave Irene continued to work throughout treatment because she didn't want to upset or let her customers down. Helena explained how Irene 'adored going to work,' and the make-up artist would often arrive to bookings earlier than arranged so she'd 'get a chance to speak to everyone.' She continued: 'Right at the end, she spent eight days at Marie Curie, and even there she remained positive, and the staff were amazing with her.' Described by Helena as a 'loyal friend, so receptive and insightful,' Irene quickly cemented her place in friendship groups as the one who would arrive fashionably late to gettogethers, but nobody would mind as 'that was just her.' She added: 'We could just talk on the phone for hours, effortlessly. When my little girl was born, she showered her with gifts and kisses, and she was the greatest godmother you could ask for.' A woman who interviews killers for documentaries has revealed what it is really like to talk to murderers. Zoe Hines, from London, works as a director and producer for the wildly popular Netflix docuseries I Am a Killer. Over the course of her decade-long career, the videographer - who previously worked on Netflix's I Am a Stalker and the ID Discovery show Women in Prison - has sat down with 100 prisoners, including 13 killers, in various 'maximum-security prisons across the United States.' Now, Zoe has spoken to Business Insider about what it is really like to be in a room with convicted felons and murderers, and she admitted that it can be extremely 'intense.' 'The process of getting in front of them is so intense in itself that you go into this procedural headspace,' she told the publication. 'Once you're actually in the visiting area with the inmate, that world shrinks down to the two of you. 'And then there's a really equally intense, but very different set of feelings. 'Then it's the case of, "OK, I'm sat opposite this person who has done this horrendous thing, who admits they've done this horrendous thing, who has subsequently been through the judicial process of being judged for that."' Zoe Hines, from London, works as a director and producer for the wildly popular Netflix docuseries I Am a Killer - and she has revealed what it's really like to talk to murderers For each episode of I Am a Killer, Zoe explained that she and her team get two one-hour sessions with the inmates. And the hardest part for her is making sure they get what they need from the prisoner in the limited time that they have. Zoe said the interviews can be 'confronting and complicated' because she needs to get them to talk about 'the worst thing they've ever done and the lowest point of their lives' in 'only an hour.' In addition, she added that picking the right people to feature in the series is 'incredibly labor intensive.' 'You are looking for a point of interest, whether that's the inmate themselves and their journey and whether they have grappled with what they've done and the remorse associated with it, or whether it's the judicial process that they've been through, the legal process, that can often be a subject in and of itself,' she shared. 'The title of the show is I Am a Killer. So the most important thing for story selection is that the incarcerated person accepts some responsibility for taking that person's life.' After going through databases and finding someone who may have an interesting story to share, they then have to go through the lengthy process of getting permission from the prison. Next, they correspond with the inmate via letters for 'several months' before they finally set up an in-person visit. She has interviewed 100 prisoners, including 13 killers, in various 'maximum-security prisons across the United States' The outlet added that they don't like to feature 'mass killers and sexual abusers to prevent copycats.' Zoe explained that throughout the whole process, they have to keep the 'victims' and their 'families' in minds at all time. 'Everything we do is with their welfare at the forefront of our concerns,' she stated. In the end, she said she hopes to show 'human stories' in the show, adding, 'I think the general idea that everybody who takes another person's life is a monster is flawed. I think humans, we're all flawed to a certain degree.' The artist, 72, was honored at the 2024 awards in Nashville on Wednesday George Strait had fans in fits of laughter with his reactions as he watched an array of performances at the Country Music Awards on Wednesday night. Often referred to as the 'King of Country,' the legendary artist, 72, was honored with the prestigious Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the genre. But before he came to the stage to accept the award, George had to sit through performances from the likes of Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood and audiences were quick to point out that he didn't look very impressed. Taking to X, viewers noted that George appeared 'disgusted at the state of country music' and flooded the social media platform in hysterics. One wrote: 'George Strait is setting there at the [CMAs], saying to himself, where am I at? Country has gone to this?' Another said: 'My entire timeline is just pictures of George strait looking disappointed.' A third laughed: 'George Strait trying to figure out what the hell he's watching as Bailey Zimmerman does cartwheels on the stage at the [CMAs].' 'George Strait looks very disgusted at the state of Country music,' a fourth added. 'Nobody here is remotely Country music. Just Pop music and Bro Country.' George Strait's reactions at the Country Music Awards 2024 had viewers in stitches The artist, 72, was honored with the prestigious Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award A fifth continued: 'These quick clips to George Strait in the audience have me cracking up. 'He looks as thrilled to be there as I do when I'm stuck in a meeting that could have been an email.' The 2024 CMA Awards kicked off with a bang as Chris Stapleton delivered a show-stopping performance alongside a surprise guest. Dressed in his signature black pants, shirt, and jacket, topped with his iconic cowboy hat, the country legend commanded attention from the start. He was joined by Post Malone, making his CMA debut after the release of his first country album, F-1 Trillion, in August. The rapper-turned-country star matched Chris's look in a black suit and cream-colored cowboy hat, bringing an unexpected yet seamless energy to the stage. Together, they performed California Sober, a track from Post Malone's debut country album. Following the heartfelt tributes, George took the stage, offering emotional shout-outs to his fans, friends, and family most notably to his wife of 53 years, Norma. George didn't appear too impressed as he watched an array of performances Viewers noted that George appeared 'disgusted at the state of country music' 'I want to thank the CMAs for adding my name to the incredible artists on the small list of recipients carrying the name of the icon Willie Nelson,' he began. 'I want to thank all these great artists who performed some of my songs that I've recorded over the years. It's amazing to hear y'all do them. 'I'm so glad I got 'em before you. 'So great to have you all here. But especially Norma, who's supported me for just shy of 53 years in December. It's been an amazing 53 years, too.' George has had a career spanning over four decades, with 60 number-one hits to his name more than any other artist in any genre. Debuting in 1981 with his album Strait Country, he quickly became known for his traditional country sound and distinctive voice. George has won numerous accolades, including a staggering 22 Academy of Country Music Awards and 20 Country Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1989 and 1990. He was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Richard and his wife, Alejandra Silva, plan to spend 'some years' abroad The Pretty Woman actor, 75, will have left the country by Thanksgiving Richard Gere is set to relocate to Spain with his wife, Alejandra Silva, and family after years of living in the United States. The Pretty Woman actor, 75, revealed that he would be out of the country and in the Spanish capital of Madrid in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with Alejandra's loved ones. Sharing the major move on Wednesday's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Richard began by joking: 'My wife is Spanish. Is this a problem for anybody out there?' He then announced: 'But my wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here, so we're going to spend some years in Madrid.' 'Our kids are bilingual so they're going to flourish there,' he continued. Richard and Alejandra, who wed in 2018, share two sons: Alexander, five, and James, four. In addition, the Hollywood A-lister is stepfather to the Spanish activist's 11-year-son, Albert. He is also dad to son Homer, 24, whom he welcomed with his second wife, actress Carey Lowell. Richard Gere is quitting the United States for Spain with his wife and kids The Pretty Woman actor confirmed his plans to relocate on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Richard did confirm that he won't be quitting America forever and added: 'Of course I'll be back.' Speaking about his family, Richard gushed: 'I love my wife, she's incredible. Great mother. 'Kids are healthy and happy. Of course, there's nothing more than that.' Turning his attention to their Thanksgiving plans, he continued: 'My wife grew up in a big Spanish family, like a big Italian family, and her grandmother was kind of the glue that held that all together. 'And the grandmother passed away [about] two years ago, so my wife, I can see her morphing into the new grandmother of this extended family. 'So shes already planning for 35 people for Sunday lunches.' Surprisingly, Richard isn't the only celeb to ditch the U.S. of late. According to The Wrap, Ellen DeGeneres' recently moved to England with her wife, Portia de Rossi. Richard's wife Alejandra Silva, whom he wed in 2018, is a Spanish political activist The couple share two sons, Alexander, five, and James, four, as well as Alejandra's son from a previous relationship The couple are now reportedly living in the Cotswolds, a rural portion of southwest England that is about 100 miles from London. Meanwhile, Eva Longoria fled what she claims to be a 'dystopian' America and now lives between Mexico and Spain in fear that if 'Trump keeps his promises' America will become a 'scary place.' Richard's appearance on of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon came hours after he flipped off Savannah Guthrie at the start of his interview on the Today show. The program quickly derailed when the show aired a clip of the actor starring in his new political thriller, The Agency. Producers, however, cut the scene before the A-lister's character Bosko gave the middle finger, so Richard took matters into his own hands and acted out the moment live in Studio 1A. As Savannah introduced him to viewers, Richard proudly flipped her off leaving her completely shocked. Defending the move, Richard said: 'Sorry, but that's what I did in the piece.' A stunned Savannah instantly attempted to hide Richard's hand with her script, while declaring that she was 'bleeping' him. 'You just did an obscene gesture on this family morning show,' she said. Social media users are mocking Donald Trump voters who reportedly wanted to get rid of Obamacare and later realized they needed it for their own health insurance. The Affordable Care Act, a federal law that increased health insurance coverage across the U.S., launched in 2010 when Barack Obama was president, so it earned the nickname 'Obamacare.' Over the years, Donald has publicly slammed the policy multiple times, and he swung a lot of voters during his 2024 campaign by promising to replace it with a 'better' and 'less expensive' alternative. However, following his win, some who voted for him but are now at risk of losing their own health insurance are now regretting it. Some people have allegedly admitted that they didn't even realize that Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act were the same thing - and social media users are making fun of them for making the mistake. One man, named Bernard Taylor, explained in a TikTok video posted last week that he had just seen a clip shared by a man who confessed that he thought they were two different things. 'I'm sorry but is this real life? This can't be real life right now,' he said. 'I just saw a video of a guy who said he voted for [Trump] because he was gonna get rid of Obamacare. 'He didn't like Obamacare, and he was voting to get rid of it. But he said he wasn't worried because he's unemployed and on disability, so he has his insurance through the Affordable Care Act.' Social media users are mocking Donald Trump voters who wanted to get rid of Obamacare - only to later realize that they actually need it for their own health insurance Some people allegedly admitted they didn't realize that Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act were the same thing - and social media users are making fun of them for it Bernard erupted into laughter as he continued to tell his followers that the man ended up making the discovery mid-video. 'He starts [freaking] out, like, "Why would you name them two different things?" You literally voted to cancel the health insurance that you depend on right now,' he said. 'I'm looking forward to the laughs that will come in the next few years. That's my silver lining because the jokes are gonna write themselves. It's funny but it's not funny.' It's unclear who posted the video that Bernard was referring to. Another person on the video-streaming platform, named Mollee, uploaded a clip of herself poking fun at the situation. 'When you don't want Obamacare, you want the Affordable Care Act,' she wrote. In it, she held a plate of toast as she sarcastically said, 'I don't want toast, I asked for crispy bread.' She then sat down on a couch and angrily announced, 'I don't want to sit on a couch, I want to sit on a sofa.' One man, named Bernard Taylor, explained in a TikTok video posted last week that he had just seen a clip shared by a man who confessed that he thought they were two different things People all across TikTok have been making fun of people who made the mistake X, formerly Twitter, has also been flooded with posts about it Another TikTok creator posted a clip of herself and wrote, 'I didn't know Obamacare was the same thing as the ACA. I'm going to lose my insurance.' 'Oh well, too bad, bye,' she mouthed along to a sound from Sesame Street. 'People are breaking down on TikTok because they just realized Obamacare *is* the Affordable Care Act,' a man named Brian Allen wrote on X. 'The heartbreaking part? So many have pre-existing conditions. One man admitted he voted for Trump without knowing it was Obamacare that allowed his mother with stage 4 cancer to get treatment. 'This is what happens when misinformation wins out over facts.' He added in another post, 'Millions of Americans still dont understand that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is Obamacare - and that ignorance has been weaponized for political gain.' 'Many idiots voted for MAGA just to see Obamacare repealed whilst simultaneously saying the Affordable Care Act will be saved my MAGA,' someone else said. 'It's the same thing you uninformed imbeciles, and you literally just shot yourself in the foot, so enjoy.' 'My reaction to people that didn't know that the ACA and Obamacare are the same thing,' another user captioned a meme that said, 'Oh my God it's not an act is it? You really are that stupid.' In 2016, Trump branded Obamacare as a 'catastrophic rise in premiums and debilitating loss of choice and just about everything else.' Earlier this year, during his campaign, he vowed on Truth Social that he was going to launch an 'alternative' that was 'better' and 'less expensive' if he was elected. But when asked about it during his debate with Kamala Harris, he said he had 'concepts of a plan' but didn't share many other details on it. Back in 2017, a woman named Kathy Watson told the LA Times that she had voted for Donald, despite Obamacare 'saving her life,' because she believed he wouldn't follow through on his threats to eliminate the law. The Florida-native explained that she suffered from a heart condition and previously battled diabetes, high blood pressure, and two cancers. After years of being denied insurance coverage, she was finally able to get on a plan thanks to the ACA. 'I would have lost everything without that,' she said. She added amid news that Trump was pushing to end the program, 'I'm not really sure about [him] anymore.' The King this afternoon met with scientists, business and indigenous leaders King Charles looked solemn on Thursday as he shared a traditional Maori greeting with New Zealand conservationist Mere Takoko. The monarch, 76, hosted hundreds of scientists, businesses and indigenous leaders to celebrate the launch of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance at St James's Palace in London. The King and Ms Takoko performed The Hongi, a traditional and sacred greeting in which two people welcome each other by rubbing noses, often pressing their foreheads together. Ms Takoko is the first Indigenous Pacific ambassador to King Charles' Circular Bioeconomy Alliance and has met the monarch on multiple occasions. The Hongi is an important part of New Zealand's culture and those who are offered the greeting should always accept, because of its significance. If a New Zealander should perform the Hongi with you, it means that you are to be 'unified' with the person and that you are now more than a guest. Charles appeared in great spirits throughout the event as he greeted and shook hands with guests, looking jolly as he entertained with his usual jokes. Wearing a smart navy suit paired with a bright blue tie, Charles engaged in conversation with the likes of Tanya Steele, Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai, President of the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, and John Schellnhuber. King Charles III and Mere Takoko perform The Hongi, a traditional Maori greeting at St James's Palace King Charles III shakes hands with John Schellnhuber as he joins scientists, businesses and indigenous leaders to celebrate the launch of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance at St James's Palace The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, founded in 2020, officially became a registered UK charity in September 2023. Its mission is to foster positive change by creating sustainable value chains that revolutionise land use, food production, health, and industrial systems. The initiative employs a comprehensive science-based framework, partnering with experts, indigenous and local leaders, and utilising a unique 'Living Lab' activation model. Writing in the New Zealand Herald following the event, Ms Takoko said: 'Standing in that grand palace, I realised something profound. 'While those walls may represent human notions of royalty, our planet is nature's palace. And within it, all life deserves respect. 'This is the journey we are embarking on. A journey from exploitation to respect. It's a journey of reconciliation, of healing the wounds of the past and building a future where the songs of whales echo through healthy waters for generations to come.' The event focused on how communities, and industries such as fashion, food, pharma can embrace new nature-based approaches. Participants discussed the need to Re-Nature, Re-Think and Re-Activate to create an ecosystem that connects international companies, local stakeholders, and the finance industry to holistically redesign supply chains around regenerative landscapes. Takoko is the first Indigenous Pacific ambassador to King Charles' Circular Bioeconomy Alliance Wearing a smart navy suit paired with a bright blue tie, Charles engaged in conversation Charles appeared in great spirits throughout the event as he greeted and shook hands with guests What is the hongi and why is the traditional Maori greeting so sacred to the people of New Zealand? The hongi is the traditional Maori greeting that sees two people welcome each other by rubbing or touching noses. It is a New Zealand tradition that comes from the Maori legend on how women were created. The hongi is an important part of New Zealand's culture and those who are offered the greeting should always accept, because of its significance. If a New Zealander should perform the hongi would you, it means that you are to be 'unified' with the person and that you are now more than a guest. Hongi roughly translates to 'sharing of the breath' and when you complete it as a guest, you are given a sense of responsibility for the island. To display this, you may be given some tasks to complete to show your loyalty and appreciation. In the past, you may have had to fight on the island's behalf but in modern times you must complete personal tasks such as no trace on the island and respecting its natural beauty. Advertisement 'Nature is the keystone infrastructure regulating our planetary system, including its climate, the food we eat, the water we drink and the oxygen we breathe', said Marc Palahi, CEO of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance. 'Nature is also the basic fabric supporting all our economic activities, even if our economic system fails to value it because bees, birds and trees do not send bills to us. 'It is time to reimagine our world and centre it around Nature - our most important capital and the basis for human health and wellbeing. 'This requires understanding, valuing, and investing in Nature to transform our economy rather than to offset for its failure. We have the knowledge and technology for this transformation, we just need the wisdom and mindset to do it.' At the event, The King met with experts and companies and investors working to accelerate the transition towards nature-positive businesses in sectors such as food, fashion, health, tourism and the built environment. New Living Labs and initiatives bring together pioneering corporates & communities to regenerate landscapes The event saw the CBA announce the launch of two new pioneering Living Labs, to demonstrate how to holistically create regenerative landscapes and nature-positive supply chains in symbiosis with local communities and indigenous people. The King was certainly in a good mood as he viewed a coffee display The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance, founded in 2020, officially became a registered UK charity in September 2023 The initiative employs a comprehensive science-based framework, partnering with experts, indigenous and local leaders, and utilising a unique 'Living Lab' activation model The King appeared in great spirits as he cracked his usual jokes It comes after the King and Queen hosted a glittering diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening, 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. King Charles III joins scientists, businesses and indigenous leaders to celebrate the launch of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance King Charles III meets Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai during the event at St James's Palace King Charles III joins scientists, businesses and indigenous leaders to celebrate the launch of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance Camilla matched the stunning tiara with an aquamarine and diamond necklace and earrings from her own collection. Her Majesty also sported the King's 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. The King, who wore white tie with traditional knee breeches and buckled shoes, was seen chatting warmly to his guests. The Princess of Wales did not join the family group. In September, Catherine, 42, announced a slow and measured return to royal duties after the conclusion of her cancer treatment. As such, she is instead focusing her energies on organising her annual carol concert at Westminster Abbey early next month. The Duchess of Edinburgh appeared solemn as she made an appearance at a memorial service to mark the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings. Sophie, 59, attended the event on, which commemorated the terrorist attacks that saw 200 people injured and 21 killed in 1974. Two blasts ripped apart the Mulberry Bush and the nearby Tavern In The Town, between 8.15pm and 8.20pm. Devices exploded within minutes of each other in two city centre pubs. Six innocent men were found guilty of the murders but the convictions overturned 16 years later after one of Britain's worst miscarriages of justice. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) has never officially admitted responsibility, but is widely believed to have carried out the attacks. The wife of Prince Edward, who was present among other notable guests on Thursday, including Labour politician Jess Phillips, was also seen making a speech. Sophie wore an elegant khaki green coat for the occasion, which she teamed with grey suede boots. The Duchess also donned burgundy leather gloves in the cold weather, and styled her blonde hair in an updo. The Duchess of Edinburgh appeared solemn as she made an appearance at a memorial service to mark the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings Sophie, 59, attended the event on, which commemorated the terrorist attacks that saw 200 people injured and 21 killed in 1974 The wife of Prince Edward , who was present among other notable guests on Thursday, including Labour politician Jess Phillips, was also seen making a speech Crowds gathered at 1000 Trades Square, outside New Street station, to mourn the horrific events, and many laid down wreaths. Those in attendance were visibly emotional as they marked 50 years since the tragedy. Justice 4 the 21 group organized the minute's silence, which continues to fight for a full public inquiry into the tragedy. At an inquest in 2019, five men were named in connection with the attacks, including two who are still alive but deny involvement. Relatives of the victims had been waiting for decades to find out officially what happened to their loved ones. Earlier this month, Sophie was present amid emotional scenes at the Cenotaph in London, where Kate Middleton appeared to have been reflecting on the British citizens who lost their lives during combat, but also the tough year she's had. The Princess of Wales, 42, has only just started to ease back into high-profile public events after she announced that she is cancer-free, following her treatment which she started earlier this year. Her diagnosis was challenging for her husband, Prince William to process, with the future King admitting that he's experienced 'the hardest year in my life'. Sophie wore an elegant khaki green coat for the occasion, which she teamed with grey suede boots The Duchess also donned burgundy leather gloves in the cold weather, and styled her blonde hair in an updo The Duchess of Edinburgh pictured during a memorial service at 1000 Trades Square, outside New Street station Sophie was seen quietly sitting during the service, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings The royal spoke during the event today. More than 200 people were injured and 21 were killed in bomb blasts at two city center pubs on November 21, 1974 Highlighting her constant presence throughout, Sophie simply placed her hand on Kate's shoulder as the pair walked off the balcony after the service. The warmth of her palm displayed not just the comfort of a family member, but also a friend and a mother. At the same event, Sophie - who stepped up her royal appearances when during Kate's absence - was pictured with Kate and William's children, Prince Louis, six, and Princess Charlotte, nine, further exhibiting her maternal instincts. Bending down so she was closer to them, the Duchess chatted to the Wales children during their public appearance on the Buckingham Palace Balcony. Sophie - who is a mother to Lady Louise, 21, and James Wessex, 16 - made the young royals feel consoled through her powerful body language. Elsewhere, earlier this week the Duchess of Edinburgh proved to be the perfect guest as she effortlessly cut a slice of cake when attending the Wellbeing Of Women's 60th anniversary event in London. Sophie put her best fashion foot forward in a floral patterned dress, cinched at the waist with an eye-catching belt. The Max Mara silk crepe dress featured a sophisticated V-neck design and flared sleeves. Labour MP Jess Phillips was also seen at the event, and appeared emotional as she commemorated the tragedy Andy Street, former Mayor of the West Midlands andJess Phillips pictured during a memorial service at 1000 Trades Square Sophie wrapped up warm as she attended today's event, which commemorated the tragedy in 1974 Pictured: A minute's silence being observed during a memorial service at 1000 Trades Square today Members of the public were visibly emotional as they attended the event, which took place in Birmingham Twenty-one people died and about 200 were injured on November 21 1974 when bombs exploded minutes apart. Sophie pictured at the event The Duchess appeared visibly moved as she was among the attendees, and also made a speech Members of the public during a memorial service at 1000 Trades Square, outside New Street station in Birmingham Members of the public lay flowers during a memorial service to commemorate the tragedy today Adding a touch of glitz to her glamorous ensemble, the mother-of-two opted for a pair of statement gold earrings and a dainty bracelet. Sophie's hair was styled into loose waves and she wore just a hint of makeup to accentuate her features. The duchess' visit coincides with the launch of the Wellbeing of Women's research impact report, which maps the charity's contribution to improving women's health since it was founded. As the charity's patron, Sophie thanked its volunteers for their tireless work to support the Wellbeing of Women over the years. In a speech, the charity's chair, Professor Dame Lesley Regan thanked the Duchess of Edinburgh 'for helping us show gratitude to our volunteers'. She continued: '[They] have played a crucial fundraising role ranging from taking part in challenge events such as spending 59 days solo at sea, to raising over one million pounds at our annual Christmas fairs.' Sophie was named the Royal Patron of the Wellbeing of Women charity - that focuses on improving access to gynaecological and reproductive health care - in May 2021. During a conversation with Regan at the time, Sophie said it's 'about time we really had a grown-up conversation' about women's health. Then the Countess of Wessex, Sophie added she has a 'vested interest' in coming on board as the charity's royal patron because 'not a woman on the planet can say they haven't had to access support'. 'We've all been there, and it's about time we really had a grown-up conversation about it.' It comes years after Lea, 38, became embroiled in a conspiracy theory The Hustlers actress, 31, has finally put the age-old rumor to bed Keke Palmer has weighed in on the age-long rumor that her former Scream Queens costar, Lea Michele, can't read. For years, there has been speculation that Glee star Lea, 38, is illiterate. But now Hustlers actress Keke, 31, has put the hearsay to bed once and for all by rubbishing them during a recent interview. Speaking on The Toast podcast earlier this week, Keke admitted that while she had never heard of the conspiracy theory, she did know that Lea could in fact read. 'Damn, that's crazy,' she said in response to the rumors. 'Why do people do this stuff?' Hosts Jackie and Claudia Oshry then asked Keke if she'd ever seen Lea 'reading a book on set.' After somewhat of a pause, Keke revealed that she hadn't although added that it was unlikely that anyone had seen her read either. She said: 'I've never seen her reading, but I know that she can. I mean, dang, I know that she can read, y'all. Keke Palmer has weighed in on the age-long rumor that Lea Michele can't read For years, there has been speculation that Glee star Lea, 38, is illiterate. 'She's got to Y'all know the girl can read!' Keke and Lea starred alongside each other in satirical dark comedy slasher television series Scream Queens, which aired on Fox from September 22, 2015, to December 20, 2016. The series, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, also featured Emma Roberts, Skyler Samuels, Glen Powell, Diego Boneta, Abigail Breslin, and Billie Lourd. Scream Queens was set in New Orleans, Louisiana and followed sorority Kappa Kappa Tau (KKT), which is targeted by a serial killer using the university's Red Devil mascot as a disguise. The rumor that Lea can't read first circulated in 2018 after two self-proclaimed super fans posted a Facebook Live video with 'evidence.' Robert Ackerman and Jaye Hunt claimed that the brunette beauty only had to 'learn, like four words' for one of her earlier roles in the musical Ragtime. When the starlet crossed over to TV, the 'super fans' claimed that Glee and Scream Queens producer Ryan Murphy covered for her. 'Ryan Murphy knows the secret, and she only works with him because he reads her her lines and she remembers them,' Jaye said in his Facebook video. Keke and Lea starred alongside each other in the television series Scream Queens And it was only a matter of time before users on X, formerly Twitter, began buying into the theory. Lea has previously spoken out to rubbish rumors that she can't read, brandishing the hearsay sexist. In 2022, she told The New York Times: 'I went to Glee every single day; I knew my lines every single day. 'And then there's a rumor online that I can't read or write? It's sad. It really is. I think often if I were a man, a lot of this wouldn't be the case.' She has since poked fun at the speculation. In 2023, when news broke that her idol Barbra Streisand was releasing a memoir she rushed to TikTok to joke she had '265 days to learn to READ!!!!' The couple had their special day recorded on vinyl, but it went missing in 2022 A married couple have been reunited with their 1966 wedding day recording after they accidentally sold it in an estate sale whilst moving homes. Dr. Phil Schmidt and Donna Packer were college students when they said 'I do' in Los Altos Hills, California on August 21, 1966. The couple had their special day recorded on vinyl, so that they could listen back to their vows, the prayers, and cheers from their loved ones. In March 2022, the Schmidts decided to leave their home in Austin, Texas, after more than 46 years and relocated to a retirement community in Denver to be closer to their daughter and her family. 'We had an estate sale that cleared out everything from our home that wouldn't fit in our new apartment,' Donna explained to KXAN. 'We had a large record collection and somehow our wedding vinyl made its way into a jazz cover. 'Makes me wonder what other treasure we left behind?!' she added. A few months ago, a woman named Katie Ornelas discovered the couple's wedding record, misplaced in the sleeve of The Modern Jazz Quartet at Music Inn, a live album recorded in 1956, during a thrift store haul. Married couple Dr. Phil Schmidt and Donna Packer have been reunited with their 1966 wedding day recording after they accidentally sold it The couple accidentally sold the vinyl in 2022 because it was tucked in the sleeve of The Modern Jazz Quartet at Music Inn Phil and Donna's wedding recorded their special day in 1966, including their vows and the prayers 'We put it on, and we were just instantly, just connected with that record and wanted to make sure it found its way back to its family, because it was in a different sleeve [than the vinyl cover],' Katie told KXAN. 'So we anticipated that it's probably missing its owners,' she said, explaining that she shared the story with the media, hoping to track down the owners. Luckily, the story found its way to the best friend of Donna and Phil's daughter, who read the article online, and the pair confirmed that they were the mystery couple. 'We celebrated our 58th anniversary last August. What a gift for us to have this recording back in time for our 59th next year!' Donna said. The happy reunion comes just weeks after an elderly couple were reunited with precious film footage of their wedding after almost six decades. Aileen and Bill Turnbull got married in 1967 and were left with just their memories after the cine film of their big day in Aberdeen went missing. However, they were reunited with the footage last month, 57 years after they wed, when it was found by chance by a nephew of the man who had loaned them the camera equipment. The couple, both 77, emigrated to Australia in 1981 and happened across a social media appeal from Terry Cheyne, who had not recognized anyone from the footage. The couple were college students when they said 'I do' in Los Altos Hills, California on August 21, 1966 Aileen and Bill Turnbull were reunited with memories of their special day when a man found the 1967 footage of their wedding earlier this year Aileen said it was 'surreal' to watch the film again as she and her husband had only seen it once before it was lost. 'It was absolutely amazing, I couldn't believe it. I was looking through Facebook, and up came this wedding photograph. My husband was sitting here, I turned to him and I said 'there's our wedding photograph',' she said. The couple married in Mastrick Church in Aberdeen in August 1967 and unusually for the time, their first moments as man and wife were filmed on a cine camera loaned from a colleague of Bill's. They then borrowed a projector to watch the three-minute clip of themselves leaving the church, but the footage went missing and unbeknown to the couple they had inadvertently returned it along with the projector. They moved to Brisbane where they raised their family and are now grandparents and had never expected to see their wedding film again, but it was found by Terry Cheyne in April when he was sorting through his collection of old cine reels at his home in Aberdeen to transfer them onto DVD. Keen to trace the couple in the footage, Terry put out an appeal on social media but it was six months before his post was spotted by Aileen. The Turnbulls were thrilled when Terry sent them the clip as it showed members of their family who have since passed away. Do you turn up to your GPs surgery with a shopping list of ailments, inform them youve already consulted Dr Google, or play down your problem when pressed? Chances are your doctor secretly wants to pen a prescription for a new patient. KERRY PARNELL spoke to medics across the UK to find out what they would like you to do and what they really wish you wouldnt Dont say you consulted Dr Google While its good youve done some research, most doctors are not a fan of Dr Google. I typically say: Dr Google or Dr YouTube havent been to university, says a hospital specialist, adding, if the patient subsequently gets shirty, they reply: Just because I have been a passenger on a plane, does not mean I know how to fly it and can tell the pilot what to do. Another medic, a GP, says their go-to response is: How fascinating, before writing a note in my book that will never be looked at again. Do present your most serious ailment first If youre going to take a shopping list of problems to your GP, at least put the most serious one at the top. A rural-based GP says: The most annoying thing for me is someone presenting with a list of 17 problems, with fairly trivial issues at the start. Then at the end, just as Im trying to wrap things up, they reveal they have chest pain. An inner-city GP says when they encounter the list, they ask the patient to hand it over, declaring, well work out the most important together. Doctors don't want you to stay away from their surgery too long, or underplay your problem when you do turn up KERRY PARNELL spoke to medics across the UK to find out what they would like you to do and what they really wish you wouldnt Do say its serious While some patients visit their GP at the first sign of a sniffle If you come in and tell me it hurts when you twist your wrist round and bend your fingers back, Ill pause, then advise you not to try that unnatural movement, says one GP. Conversely, no doctor wants you to stay away from their surgery too long, or underplay your problem when you do turn up. Some of my most wonderful patients are farmers, explains the rural GP. One of our old jokes is a farmer booked in by reception with a scratch, is usually an emergency with a bleeding amputation, as farmers are so tough. I absolutely adore my older stoic patients, says another GP. There was one dear man in his 90s, who I asked if hed moved back into the area as we didnt have any notes since 1976. He told me he hadnt needed to bother us since then, but had made this appointment to tell me he was lonely, as his wife had passed away. He wanted it noted that when he died, hed like, old age to be put on his death certificate, like the Queen. A few months later, I was able to fulfil his wish. Do tell the truth Theres no point lying, if you want help. From the alcoholic who hotly denied he had a problem but arrived for a GP consultation with a bottle of whisky in hand and on being questioned over his alcohol intake, made deep eye contact, before ostentatiously pouring it down my sink, to the hospital patient who, just off a ventilator, headed straight outside for a cigarette, theres nothing more likely to make a doctors heart sink. Dont use euphemisms Medics have seen and heard it all, so speak plainly. I have gentlemen tell me theyre having problems with, their portholes, says a London-based GP. Many patients tell me they are spending too many pennies. Luckily I can translate. The best way to discuss your problem is, in simple layman terms, says the hospital specialist. Even better, if the patient clearly tells us what they consider to be a good outcome or are able to identify what they would like to be changed as a result of treatment. Dont have questionable hygiene issues Want to know which kind of patient really stinks, in doctors opinions? I dont like people who arent very clean, who shed bits of skin on my floor, says a city-based GP. However, dont stress about the personal grooming aspect all the doctors I spoke to agreed they dont care about anything down there just as long as its clean. One GP admitted to tackling the hygiene issue by advising pungent patients to, take one tablet after a bath. So now you know! Brits heading to popular holiday hotspots in South East Asia have been warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol while abroad, after the death of a British woman. Simone White, 28, is the fifth tourist to have passed away after falling dangerously ill last week after drinking shots allegedly laced with methanol while on holiday in Laos. At least seven others, including other British holidaymakers, remain in hospital following the 'poisoning' at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in the popular resort town of Vang Vieng. Australian Bianca Jones, 19, also died in the horrific incident alongside two Danish women in their 20s and a 56-year-old American man. In response the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is urging Brits to be cautious about drinking in Laos and keep an eye-out for signs of counterfeit booze. Methanol poisoning is a little-known risk present in many parts of the world with criminal gangs sneaking it into replicas of well-known spirit brands which can then be served at bars in cocktails. The recent wave of deaths and critical injuries comes a year after a coroner warned the British Government wasn't doing enough to warn travellers of the risk posed by contaminated alcoholic drinks following the death of a British woman in Indonesia. Methanol, like the ethanol we consume in beer, wine and spirits, is a colourless liquid that smells similar to booze but is far cheaper to produce. Brit Simone White, 28, is an associate lawyer based in London specialising in intellectual property and technology at American law firm Squire Patton Boggs - but is now fighting for her life in hospital Bianca Jones, 19, has become the fourth person to die after consuming alleged 'methanol-laced' drinks in Vang Vieng, Laos 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 But its affects are for more catastrophic. When broken down by the body methanol produce toxic chemicals that actively kill cells, leading to organ damage and occasionally, death. As little as one shot of a methanol-laced spirit can be enough to kill. Symptoms of poisoning begin around 12 hours after consumption and resemble consuming too much alcohol including nausea and vomiting. Even if treatment is delivered quickly, sensitive tissues like the eyes can become irreversibly damaged, leading to permanent blindness or vision loss. In an update to its travel advice for Laos FCDO urging Brits to be cautious about drinking in the country. It said Brits should take care of any spirit-based drinks, particularity those offered for free. The FCDO said to minimise risk people should only consume drinks from licensed liquor stores, bars and hotels and to check the spellings and print quality of labels of bottles for signs of counterfeit products. 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 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.' Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan, who served the shots, denied it was his Tiger Vodka that had made the tourists sick. Mr Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and insisted it had not been tainted by himself or his staff. It comes a year after a British coroner said the FCDO should do more to warn Brits overseas about the risks of methanol poisoning. The recommendations were made in a report written after an inquest into the death of Kirsty Margaret McKiel, 38, who died in Bali in 2022 from methanol poisoning after consuming alcohol she believed was safe. Coroner Alison Mutch wrote that the issue was a growing problem in areas of Asia but there as lack of knowledge of the risk among Brits. CCTV footage from inside the villa showed the Binaca and Holly 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 'Methanol is used rather than ethanol in spirits aimed at the Western market and sold even through apparently reputable suppliers,' she said. 'There was little publicity by the UK Government of the risk in contrast to the approach taken by the Australian Government who had undertaken a campaign to increase awareness to protect their citizens travelling in areas of Asia such as Bali.' A response by the FCDO said it would 'strengthen its language' surrounding the risk of methanol poisoning in Indonesia and 'would consider' if there was a need to reflect the risk of methanol poisoning in other countries. 'We will consider how to represent this alongside other risks to British nationals so that we set out all relevant risks proportionally,' the response read. The FCDO said it would also work with student ambassadors to warn young people about the risks of methanol poisoning overseas in general. The Australian Government publishes an active list online of countries where methanol poisoning has been recorded, this includes Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Turkey and now Laos. The UK's equivalent resource for on the risk of methanol poisoning overseas doesn't mention any specific countries. Instead, Brits must visit a specific safety information page for their destination. MailOnline contacted the FCDO for any further advice or changes it had made to information on methanol poisoning. Methanol poisoning is most frequently reported in Asia though cases are known to occur in destinations more frequently visited by Brits such as Turkey. One famous incident in 2011 involved the death of four Russians on a yacht after consuming a whiskey bottle containing methanol. Barbers today sounded the alarm over a concerning rise in young men catching ringworm from haircuts. Cases of the contagious skin fungus that can cause disfigurement have jumped significantly in just a handful of months, they claim. Barbers believe this is due to more men opting for skin fade haircuts when the sides are shaved short, and length is left on top at 'cheap, dirty, unqualified' shops 'littering the high streets'. But the Government today said it still had 'no plans to regulate the hairdressing sector'. Despite ringworm's reputation as a scalp disease of Victorian slum-dwellers, it is a common fungal infection, estimated to affect between ten and 20 per cent of the population mainly children. Transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, despite its name it is not caused by a worm. It can also be passed on through infected objects, such as bedsheets, combs or towels. Mike Taylor, who runs a barber training academy in Poole, Dorset said he had seen 'loads of cases' recently. Cases of the contagious skin fungus that can disfigure have jumped significantly in just a handful of months, they claim. Pictured, a 2022 case in Australia of a boy who contracted ringworm after visiting the barber Barbers believe this is due to more men opting for skin fade haircuts. Pictured, a 2022 case in Australia of a boy who contracted ringworm after visiting the barber The barber, who has worked in the industry for 34 years, told the BBC he believes cheaper shops are failing to keep their equipment clean. He said: 'I'd say 70 to 80 per cent of clients come in ask for skin fades. 'To get that effect you've got to use the foil clipper, but the problem is it takes in hair and it needs to be thoroughly cleaned.' He added: 'The high street is depleting, it's dying and then suddenly there's 12 barber shops on the same street and they're all trying to go a little bit cheaper than each other. 'If the prices have to be knocked down then something else has to go and maybe it is all the time spent cleaning the equipment or the time spent getting the proper knowledge. 'Sometimes the cheapest price isn't always the best price.' Gareth Penn, the registrar at the Hair and Barber Council, also called for a 'mandatory register for those who wish to trade as hairdressers or barbers'. The council, based in Hampshire, is a statutory authority for hairdressing in the UK. But it is currently only a voluntary register. Pictured, illustration of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the cause of scalp ringworm Gareth Penn, the registrar at the hair and barber council, also called for a 'mandatory register for those who wish to trade as hairdressers or barbers' 'This opens up hairdressing and barbering to those that are not trained, or qualified, or worse, those who wish to use our industry as a front for illegal activity,' he said. A government spokesperson said: 'We have no plans to regulate the hairdressing sector, however we will always seriously consider evidence when it's provided. 'We work closely with the industry to address skills and training needs, and HMRC is also working to tackle tax fraud in the sector.' Cases of ringworm are usually treated with antifungal medications available on prescription such as gels and creams. But sometimes oral antifungal medication is needed as well. Common signs of the fungal infection include itchiness, a scaly ring-shaped area, scattering of bumps which range in colour from red on white skin to reddish, brown or grey on black skin. Slightly raised expanding rings or a round flat patch of itchy skin are other key signs, according to the NHS. Dr James O'Donovan, an NHS medic and technical advisory group member at the World Health Organization, also advises people to avoid sharing 'combs, hats, hairbrushes, towels and pillowcases with other people'. In a YouTube video watched over 125,000 times, he explained this is 'because fungus can live for a long period of time'. If a child is affected, it is vital school teachers and parents of classmates are made aware, he added. 'Other family members should be examined by a doctor and treated,' he said. 'Sometimes it's best for the whole family to be treated with a medicated antifungal shampoo twice weekly for four weeks, whether or not a fungal infection is proven.' The husband of a mother of-three who died from aggressive ovarian cancer at just 35 has told of how he blames her use of talcum powder for her untimely death and plans to sue the firm that makes the product. Jeffrey Wright, now 76, lost his 'slim and fit' wife Maureen to the disease in the 90s, who was mother to their children aged 17, 12 and five at the time. The first sign that something was wrong was a lump in the left side of her stomach during a fitness class. Despite undergoing surgery to remove the mass, as well as subsequent chemotherapy, it was later revealed the disease had spread to other parts of her body, including her spine, liver and kidney. Within five years of her diagnosis, Ms Wright was dead. As she had no family history of cancer nor other risk factors, he grew curious about reports he'd read linking the disease to talcum powder. 'For as long as I can remember there was always talc in our bathroom,' said Mr Wright, who lives in Essex and is a retired businessman. 'Maureen would use it all over her body after showering. If I kissed her just afterwards, I would say to her that I could smell the talc on her lips.' Now, Mr Wright is one of thousands of Brits who plan to take on one of world's largest pharmaceutical firms over claims that the bathroom cabinet staple has the potential to cause tumours. In what could be one of the largest actions of its kind in British history, nearly 2,000 patients and bereaved family members are expected to sign up to a class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. Lawyers for the UK claimants say powder sold by the company was contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos, something they allege the pharma giant knew and tried to suppress. The loss of Mr Wright's wife meant he was forced to quit his retail business to care for her and their children. Her death left life-long scars, he said. They all left school without any meaningful qualifications because they couldnt settle down to study, sometimes walking out of class in the middle of the day because they were angry about the loss.' One of those who believes talcum powder use has robbed them of a loved one is Jeffrey Wright whose wife Maureen (pictured), died of ovarian cancer in the 90s after developing the disease at just 35 Nearly 2,000 cancer patients, survivors and their families are expected to sign up to a class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson Linda Jones, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last November, is among the women launching the class action Speaking of his intention to join class action against Johnson & Johnson he added: I used to joke that when she married me, I was punching above my weight. 'She was also a fighter. Its still so hard to believe what happened to her. But it should act as a warning for others. Another seeking compensation is Linda Jones, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last November. Doctors have told the 66-year-old she may only have a few years left to live. The company director from North Devon recalled how her mother use to put talc on her body when she was a baby, and she herself kept using it for years after. 'We just trusted what the adverts said and believed it was a good product,' she said. '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. '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 have already died because they may have been exposed.' Cassandra Wardle, from Alfreton in Derbyshire, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022 at the age of just 44, is another woman taking part in the action. Mrs Wardle said talcum powder was used on her as a baby and as an adult she would regularly use talcum powder as a deodoriser across her whole body, including her genitals. Cassandra Wardle, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, is among the women launching the class action 'It's just what people did. Johnson and Johnson talcum powder was in every home and was a trusted brand,' she said. '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.' Sharon Doherty, 57, from Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was another talc user diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020. Despite surgery and six months of chemotherapy, Ms Doherty was recently told her cancer has returned. She is now awaiting further NHS treatment. Tom Longstaff, a partner at KP Law which is representing the British claimants 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.' In 2020, Sharon Doherty, 57, who lives in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer on the left side, and fallopian tube cancer on the right side Ovarian cancer, which develops in the ovaries, has been described as a 'silent killer' as symptoms don't present until late stages of the disease The British action follows thousands of similar claims in the US which have led Johnson & Johnson to pay out billions of dollars in compensation. 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 (10.3bn) has been paid out or set aside in response to the action. Talc powder was popular for decades for its ability to keep skin dry and to help avoid rashes, and was used by adults and on 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. However, some of these studies have been criticised for 'recall bias' because they asked women with ovarian cancer to remember if they had ever used talc. While actions against the Johnson & Johnson have been successful several cases have since been overturned on appeal. The company has denied the allegations posed by the claimants, with representatives saying, 'they defy logic, rewrite history and ignore the facts'. 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.' 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, which has some women involved are concerned they might not live to see the conclusion. Almost three-quarters of US adults are overweight or obese, according to a new study. That leaves just an estimated 86million people with a healthy BMI of under 25, a situation the researchers described as 'an epidemic'. The new study, one of the most comprehensive of its kind, compiled data from more than 100 different surveys, polls and studies that have been conducted since 1990. They found about between 72 and 75 percent of American adults were overweight or obese, meaning they had a body max index (BMI) of above 25 and 30, respectively. For children, they found more than a third of children and adolescents up to age 25 were overweight or obese. Using these trends from the past three decades - the researchers predicted that the number of overweight and obese adults will reach 213million by 2050. That means that two in three adults alone will be obese, not even accounting for overweight people. However, separate CDC research published recently has suggested that the tide might be turning, and rates might actually be falling as part of an 'Ozempic effect.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The CDC's September 2024 report was part of a national survey which was conducted from 2021 to 2023 to get information on different health trends, called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Their September issue had data from 2022 to 2023 and compared trends as far back as 2013. The rates they calculated come from them applying the survey they took to the whole country, which means its an estimation based on the most recent ten year trends. It also only included people with a BMI over 30, who are considered obese, and didn't consider people in the overweight range, from 25 to 30. By contrast, the Lancet paper took in data up to 2021, and considered studies as far back as 1990. They combined the surveys used by the CDC with other measurements from private universities and polling companies to add more data to the sample. Obesity is of concern to public health officials largely because there are a large number of health conditions associated with being overweight - including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The study authors said this has a striking affect on both the individual dealing with health problems, and on the wider economy and healthcare system. In 2016, healthcare costs associated with obesity totaled as much as $481billion. The researchers suggest that a confluence of factors may be contributing to this epidemic, including the fact that healthy, fresh food, tends to be more expensive and less accessible than highly processed foods that are high in sugar and fat. Their study, published in the journal The Lancet, pulled data from 134 different sources from 1980 to 2021 to create their dataset. This included CDC surveys, Gallup polls and long term studies like Women's Health Across the Nation. There were over 100 different scientists from international organizations participating in the research, forming a group called the GBD 2021 US Obesity Forecasting Collaborators. Combining the information from these different sources, they created maps for obesity prevalence from 1990 to 2021, based on age and gender. They then used a model to apply the trends they'd observed over the past three decades to the next 25 years. They sorted people into three groups: children, aged five to 14, adolescents aged 15 to 24 and adults aged over 25 years. They also placed them into different groups based on weight. Perry started out in 2016 with mukbangs of a different nature - more tame serving sizes often times accompanied with his pet parrot In this video from Summer 2022, Mr Perry is celebrating his '400 Pound Milestone' with food from the Cheesecake Factory Tess Holliday, 35, a model and influencer, has openly shared her struggles with weight and an eating disorder online Overweight people had a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or over and obese adults had a body mass of 30 or more. For example, a person who is five feet and four inches tall that ways 150 pounds would have a BMI of 26. A person who is five feet and ten inches tall that weights 245 pounds is obese. They found that in 2021, roughly 15.1million children, 21.4million adolescents and 172million adults were overweight or obese. The state with the highest rate of male adolescents who were overweight or obese was Texas, with an estimated 52 percent, and the state with the highest rate for female adolescents was Mississippi, with an estimated 63 percent. From 1990 to 2021, the percentage of male and female adolescents across the US with obesity specifically increased by 158 percent and 185 percent respectively. In adults, the percentage increased 123 percent in men and 99.9 percent in women. What they found suggested that the amount of people overweight or obese will continue growing over the next 25 years. By 2050, their model predicts there will be 43.1million obese or overweight children and adolescents and 213million obese or overweight adults. That means that one in three adolescents and two in three adults will be obese. The most concerning part of the paper, the study authors wrote, is the trends in children. Children who develop weight problems are more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and psychological or social issues, according to 2023 research from the University of Illinois. They are also more likely to die young than average weight children. Jaelynn Chaney, 27, is a plus size travel influencer (she is pictured here on vacation in Lake Oswego, Oregon) Brittany Sauer tragically passed away at age 28 from complications due to Type 2 diabetes. Shortly before her death, she spoke tearfully to the camera, saying that she had 'ruined her life' with food and binge eating Currently, over weight creators who post videos of themselves eating food are at an all time high. Muk-bang creators like Nicholas Perry, better known by his username Nikocado Avocado, make videos of themselves binging on massive amounts of food, regularly consuming more 10,000 calories in front of the camera. In his 7 years as a food creator, Perry has gained at least 150 pounds and garnered a net worth of $2million, a DailyMail.com investigation revealed. People have also watched as their favorite creators lives have ended in tragedy as a result of their weight - as was the case of TikToker Brittany Sauer's, who died at age 28. In some of Sauer's final videos she said she felt she had 'ruined her life' with binge eating. Critics of this content have previously told the Daily Mail that content that shows binge eating online 'normalizes overeating' in an unhealthy way. Though recent gains have been made in weight loss - particularly as more and more people become users of GLP-1 inhibitors like Ozempic, the researchers said that there needs to be broad institutional change to curb obesity. This includes expanding insurance coverage to cover weight loss procedures, cracking down on the amount of sugar and fat allowed into products and issuing regulations to make healthy options more affordable. This could include implementing a tax on sugar sweetened beverages, for example. The researchers said: 'Without major reform, the forecasted trends will be devastating at the individual and population level, and the associated disease burden and economic costs will continue to escalate.' Froot Loops cereal have landed at the center of a political battle over artificial ingredients linked to cancer. There have been growing calls for the colorful hoops to be stripped of synthetic dyes like red 40, yellow 5 and yellow 6, as they have already been banned in Canada and Europe. Hundreds of thousands have signed a petition calling for Kellogg's to ban unnecessary additives, Trump's incoming health chief Robert F Kennedy Junior has criticized the company and advocates in Texas are pushing for ban on all Kellogg's cereals in public schools. But despite mounting pressure, the cereal giant is unlikely to make changes, according to Marion Nestle, a top nutritionist who was a professor at New York University for almost 30 years. She told CNN that studies that have shown how people believe brightly colored foods taste better and they 'much prefer them' over naturally colored options. When cereal companies have replaced synthetic dyes with natural alternatives, Ms Nestle says that 'people don't buy them [and] they don't want them as much.' 'So from the cereals company's standpoint, this is a marketing imperative,' she adds. Ms Nestle also points to cultural differences between the US and the rest of the world. 'Americans seem to prefer the brightly colored neon colored dyes more than the Europeans do. A leading nutritionist has revealed the sinister reason cereal companies won't remove cancer-linked chemicals from their products Your browser does not support iframes. 'The Europeans buy the cereals with natural dyes. But we don't. So it's a problem for the cereal companies.' Pointing to one example of a fall in sales after the removal of food additives, Ms Nestle looks at General Mills' brightly colored Trix. She says: 'In 2017, General Mills said they would take the color dyes out of Trix. 'Guess what? Sales fell. General Mills put the dyes back in. You know, and I thought that I actually liked the colors that they were using in between. 'But people didn't buy them and the sales dropped by 5 percent or something like that. That's all it takes.' She added: 'They're not public health agencies. They're businesses with stockholders to please. That's the bottom line.' Ms Nestle notes that the the food colorings are only used for 'cosmetic reasons' and they 'have no actual function in the cereal other than to make it attractive.' Kellogg's promised to remove artificial colors and ingredients from all of its cereals nearly a decade ago by 2018 but has yet to deliver on that promise. Ms Nestle bluntly says this is because is 'if they take them out, people won't buy them'. Ex-USDA food chief Dr Darin Detwiler previously told DailyMail.com that Kellogg's Froot Loops is the worst breakfast cereal in the US due to the number of chemicals the colorful rings contain. Red 40, a dye that gives the hoops their neon red color, has been branded the most concerning additive used in the food industry. Along with Froot Loops, other recognizable foods that currently have Red 40 in them include Fruity Pebbles, Trix, Nacho Cheese Doritos, Skittles, M&Ms and Gatorade. It's banned in several European countries for its link to hyperactivity and cancer, and are not present in most products internationally such as those in Australia and Canada. Dr Detwiler joined with campaigners, including actress Eva Mendes, this fall, in a bid to encourage Kellogg's to 'consider reformulating their products to reduce the use of artificial additives, dyes, and high sugar levels.' Marion Nestle - a prominent nutritionist who was a professor at New York University for almost 30 years - says it will be very hard to force change among the cereal makers Along with red 40, the American variety of Fruit Loops contains yellow 5, blue 1, yellow 6, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which have been linked to health problems in children. Canadian Froot Loops replaced these dyes with concentrated blueberry, carrot, and watermelon juices. While studies show that colorants can cause health problems, Ms Nestle argues that there are holes in the research. She reveals: 'The problem for scientists is that the research is extremely difficult to do. 'You can't take two populations of kids and lock them up and feed them one set food dyes and one set not food dyes and keep them there for some number of years and see whether it affects their behavior. 'You're not allowed to do studies like that. So they do studies on animals. And the animal studies are done with much higher doses than are currently available in the food supply. And those studies show harm. So how do you interpret that?' In Europe, Ms Nestle says food companies 'use what's called a precautionary principle, which makes sure these things are safe before they use them.' In the US, 'because the Food and Drug Administration is so badly underfunded and doesn't have the personnel or the resources to do this kind of thing, they are forced to take the generally recognized as safe approach, which, you know, people have been complaining about that for decades, that it doesn't work.' A medical malpractice lawyer has offered three tips to help people get the best care possible the next time they go to a hospital. Tom Bosworths video posted five days ago has since earned more than 31,000 views and dozens of comments from health professionals who endorsed his advice. They are: never go to the hospital without a witness, always know who the attending physician is and make sure doctors communicate their plan of care. Bringing a friend or relative to the hospital means having a witness if things go sideways - they are misdiagnosed, given the wrong medicine, etc - and the person who tags along can bolster the patients case for medical malpractice or simply better communication with doctors and nurses. Its always good to have someone there, he said. Knowing the doctor in charge the attending physician is also crucial to ensuring you get the best possible care. Often, patients are treated by resident physicians who are medical doctors but are still in training and not yet certified to practice medicine unsupervised. He added that doctors and nurses should be forthright about what their diagnosis is, the kinds of interventions doctors will take, whether it's a course of antibiotics or blood tests, and if they are not, patients should speak up and demand answers. So you need to be your own advocate and figure that out, he said. Tom Bosworth's advice is to never go to the hospital without an advocate, always know who the attending physician is, and make sure doctors communicate their plan of care Medical errors, such as incorrect diagnostics or medication dosing, kill an estimated 200,000 Americans or more every year, and harm around 400,000 people annually. They also lead to thousands of medical malpractice claims filed every year. He said: I know that you dont always have that power but if you can bring someone with you because you need a witness in case something happens and the doctors deny what you say happened. It's possible that a witness would need to testify in a case or be deposed, and it lends validity to the patient's testimony. A common problem, according to nurses as well as patients, is that doctors often dont communicate effectively with patients, particularly when it comes to discussing what kind of treatment course they plan to take. Withholding a treatment plan can also erode trust between the patient, their advocate, and the doctor. This can be highly distressing for patients and their advocates. Without knowing the course of treatment in full, patients cant give informed consent, an ethical bedrock of medicine. Mr Bosworth, who specializes in medical malpractice and personal injury, practices in Philadelphia. His video has garnered almost a hundred comments, with one saying: That just happened to me at the emergency room. I passed out because I was dehydrated and the nurse wrote in my notes that I had my head in the toilet. My sister-in-law was with me thank goodness. Mr Bosworth, who specializes in medical malpractice and personal injury, practices in Philadelphia Medical errors, such as incorrect diagnostics or medication dosing, kill an estimated 200,000 Americans or more every year Your browser does not support iframes. Another commenter said: They almost double dosed me with strong pain meds 1.5 hours apart. Fortunately, I caught it. My tip: text time & dose of all meds so someone else knows also. And a third said: As a former ER nurse, former med mal defense lawyer, and current med mal plaintiffs lawyer, I agree with this advice. While residents may not be fully qualified yet, there are some advantages to being treated by one. Having two medical experts to weigh in, including one fully trained and can correct diagnostics and treatment plans when needed, can help when dealing with a particularly tough case. Most of us will agree that few knits feel more luxurious than a cashmere jumper. The incredibly soft but delicate fabric, which is spun from the under-fleece of cashmere goats, is all we want to wrap ourselves in once the temperatures drop below zero. However, this warmth and cosiness does come at a cost. A cashmere goat produces no more than 200 to 300 grams of the lightweight fibre per year, and it takes three to four goats to just make one jumper. This rarity, along with the labour-intensive process and skilled craftsmanship required, contributes to the high-end price tag of cashmere knitwear. Its an investment, but that doesnt have to mean buying designer labels; there are some great-quality cashmere collections on the high street. Below, weve listed nine of our favourite affordable brands, from reliable retailers like John Lewis to online-only labels such as Rise & Fall. And remember to make cashmere last longer, youll need to care for it. That means only washing it by hand in cool water, placing it flat on a towel to dry (without wringing out the water), de-pilling it from time to time and storing it in breathable zip-up garment bags. The best affordable cashmere brands on the high street Uniqlo Other than its sell-out designer collabs, the Japanese retailer is known for its high-quality basics that look far more expensive than their high street price tag with some clever styling. The 90 cashmere turtleneck is available in 18 colours and is one of our favourite silhouettes, although wed recommend sizing up for a slouchier, modern fit. Jumper, 89.90, Uniqlo John Lewis From fine-knit roll necks to relaxed V-necks and fitted crew necks, John Lewis has an extensive range of cashmere knitwear in a variety of colours. Even better, in our opinion, is the retailer's offering of priced-just-right cashmere accessories; the 35 gloves, 45 beanie and 59 scarf have all earned their spot on our Christmas wish list. Scarf, 59, John Lewis Marks & Spencer M&S is another high street brand offering an impressive, high-quality cashmere collection at an attainable price point. For a not-so-boring take on the two-piece, check out the Autograph collection; its twin sets have long been favoured by the fashion set for versatility, and the latest iteration with contrast trim is perfect for layering over a white tee. Vest, 69, cardigan, 95, M&S Intimissimi Following the success of its ultralight cashmere knitwear collection the long-sleeve tops, which retail for 45, have been worn by the likes of Hailey Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski and Kendall Jenner the underwear brand has launched its first 100% cashmere jumper. It comes in six neutral colours and has a flattering boat neckline. Jumper, 119, Intimissimi Massimo Dutti Massimo Dutti, the older sister brand to high street giant Zara, has an underrated cashmere collection of elevated wardrobe staples. Prices range between 59.95 for gloves and 599 for ankle-length cardigans, but its slightly-oversized V-neck and round neck knits average around 189 and come in a range of colours, including a fiery red. Cardigan, 189, Massimo Dutti Jigsaw Each season, Jigsaw nails its knitwear collection with pieces that just feel a little more directional and sartorial than the average high street jumper. Its cashmere offering, which is 100% fully traceable, is no different think brushed crew necks, roll necks with seam detailing and tops with cap sleeve silhouette. Jumper, 225, Jigsaw Cos With its slouchy fit and ribbed detailing on the collar and cuffs, the chunky cashmere crew neck jumper from Cos became somewhat of a cult purchase last winter. To keep up with demand, the retailer has brought it back in five colourways the beige might already be in our basket and reworked it into a turtleneck iteration thats already selling out. Jumper, 225, Cos Everlane Already a fixture on every fashion editor's radar for its inventory of modern basics think straight-leg jeans, stretchy tees and oxford shirts direct-to-consumer brand Everlane is able to offer its products without the traditional retail markup, which is why its cashmere pieces range between 106 for a tank top and 222 for a boxy turtleneck. Jumper, 151, Everlane Rise & Fall In similar fashion, Rise & Fall partners directly with manufacturers to produce small quantities, which allows the British-born brand to sell high-quality pieces at a fraction of their usual price. And while cashmere loungewear will always be pricier than fleece-lined sweatsuits, we do think this set is worth the investment. Hoodie, 225, trousers, 195, Rise & Fall Want to buy a Jaguar? Because suddenly, I dont want to own one. My F-Type, once my pride and joy, is now an embarrassment to me. And apparently, Im an equal embarrassment to the manufacturer. Theyre desperate to disown me and anyone who looks like me middle-class, male, white, and heteronormative. Preparing for the launch of its new range on December 2, Jaguar has provoked outrage and ridicule with the release of a 30-second advert featuring eight androgynous and miserable-looking catwalk models in ludicrous clothes. And not a car in sight. The commercial opens with a yellow pod on a pink Martian landscape. As the doors slide open, with a pulsing mechanical sound, the robotic mannequins step out. One has a collar like a lampshade and her puffy skirt round her knees. Beside her is a woman with a rectangular chunk chopped out of her Afro and pom-poms for ankles. Both women happen to be black. At their shoulder is an Asian man all in yellow with a velour doughnut around his middle. Create exuberant, urges the caption. Live vivid. A man with a greying bob spins round like a clockwork dancer on a musical box, trailing paint from a brush in his hand. Delete ordinary, declares the next caption. Then an albino woman produces a yellow sledgehammer: Break moulds, we are exhorted, though she doesnt break anything. Copy nothing. Its a ludicrous spectacle and, if the word Jaguar didnt appear for three seconds at the end, you might assume it was intended to sell perfume, or possibly hallucinogenic mushroom soup. Jaguar provoked outrage and ridicule with the release of a 30-second advert featuring eight androgynous and miserable-looking catwalk models in ludicrous clothes, James Esses writes Its an extraordinary departure from the image Jaguar has built up as a British icon over many decades. The brand isnt British, of course, and hasnt been since it was sold to Tata Motors, part of the Indian steel conglomerate of the same name in 2008. But until now it has been proud of its 80-year automotive pedigree. Even the tagline Copy nothing is a tacit nod to the firms founder, Sir William Lyons, who said, A Jaguar should be a copy of nothing. We Jag drivers have long revelled in the brands macho, hedonistic and luxurious reputation. Ten years ago, their promotions department came up with the Good to be bad theme, featuring actor Tom Hiddleston at the wheel, revving the engine and reciting Shakespeare. It showed off the cars to such wicked effect that the Advertising Standards Authority promptly banned the campaign. It encouraged buyers, said the ASA, to drive in a way that was irresponsible and illegal. Jaguar has ditched the traditional logo with its all-capitals lettering, replacing it with a weedy typeface Theres no danger of that now. The characters in the current ad look as though theyd only travel by electric scooter or UFO. On social media, the reaction has been scathing. How to destroy your brand in 30 seconds, one commenter wrote under the ad on YouTube. This is not a rebrand, this is Jaguars farewell to the world, said another. But the marketing department appears not so much defiant as arrogant and utterly unself-aware. What the actual hell is this? demanded one user on X. The future, responded Jaguars social media team, managing to sound both pompous and sanctimonious in two words. That future includes ditching the traditional logo with its snarling big cat and the all-capitals lettering, replacing it with a weedy typeface that reads JaGUar. The British brand has a decorated past, with many A-list celebs endorsing the company - none more regal than Princess Diana, here pictured with an XJ Sovereign in 1987 When one person asked, Umm where are the cars in this ad? Is this for fashion? Jaguar replied, Think of this as a declaration of intent. Go woke, go broke, warned a tweeter. Go hard, retorted the manufacturer. Billionaire owner of Tesla and X, Elon Musk, joked: Do you sell cars? Yes, replied Jaguar smugly. Wed love to show you. Join us for a cuppa in Miami on December 2? Thats a reference to the forthcoming product launch in Florida rumoured to be an electric four-door saloon costing 100,000. Perhaps the most ominous of the responses came when someone questioned whether this was the real Jaguar online account. Soon youll see things our way, they replied, sounding more like the East German secret police than a British car-maker. Jaguars middle-aged managing director Rawdon Glover is as unrepentant as his teenage social media team. He expects the majority of current Jaguar customers to abandon the brand, and that 85 per cent of future sales will be to first-time customers. Its obvious that he and his executives are ashamed of the people who buy his cars ... people like me. Were seen as overwhelmingly white, Brexity and past the first flush of youth. Were no longer welcome and neither is our money. Apparently, hes unaware of the catastrophic consequences suffered by US beer brand Budweiser, which tried to give its Bud Light brand a woke makeover by hiring transgender TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney to revamp its image. So many people switched to drinking other lagers in protest that Bud Light forfeited its dominance as Americas bestseller. Just last week, Boots tried a similar trick with their Christmas advert, starring Adjoa Andoh, the actress who described the Kings Coronation as terribly white, in the role of Mrs Claus and using gender-neutral pronouns. Jaguar's rebrand ahead of their all-electric future has led James Esses to consider selling his motor for one of Elon Musk's Teslas - the owner of the EV firm having recently been appointed 'efficiency tsar' in President-elect Trump's team The new logo sees a sleek, simple design spell out the 'J' of Jaguar - a stark contrast to the outgoing macho design Unsurprisingly, it sparked a backlash online. Boots clearly didnt get the memo that people want to be entertained and charmed by Christmas adverts not lectured or sneered at. But increasingly, businesses appear happy to jettison their entire customer base in favour of such woke virtue-signalling, even if it hits them in the pocket. Activists first. Loyal customers second. Not that Jag owners, who for some reason might be tempted to go electric after this catastrophic rebrand, will be able to get one any time soon. The next generation EVs are not expected to go on sale until 2026, so customers will go elsewhere. Meanwhile, in a double insult to loyal British Jag-drivers, overseas buyers will still be able to order the F-Pace which went out of production in the UK earlier this month. Its also increasingly clear that EVs are not the eco-friendly marvels weve been led to believe. Their battery manufacture involves mining for rare metals, often causing serious environmental harm. And while their electric engines create negligible carbon emissions, much of the power they consume is itself generated with fossil fuels. Critics claim their tyres disintegrate more quickly, due to their greater weight, which causes pollution. And Britains potholed roads are already unfit for use in many places. All Jaguars insistence that EVs are the future ignores the obvious fact that the UK lacks the infrastructure to support the electric cars we already have, never mind millions more. The recharging points dont exist. Most people dont have private driveways for overnight charging. And our National Grid isnt ready for a massive increase in demand. I dont believe electric vehicles are the future. Neither does the general public, judging by the falling sales of EVs. Other manufacturers from Ford to Porsche report that the market is shrinking, and are cutting back on electric production. Even if I did decide to purchase one, it wouldnt be from a salesman in shoulder-length PVC gloves and shaved eyebrows, dressed in 50ft of shimmering gauze. It would be a Tesla from the enemy of woke, Elon Musk. The salary sacrifice tax perk designed to boost EV ownership is an essential thing for all electric car buyers to consider. Employees whose work offers salary sacrifice scheme can potentially save 40 per cent on the cost of a brand new electric car. By effectively allowing buyers to get an electric car from pre-tax earnings, salary sacrifice is one of the best ways to make a new EV more affordable, especially as they are still expensive compared to petrol and diesel cars. And despite rumours to the contrary, salary sacrifice was left alone in the Autumn Budget. This is not surprising considering its popularity: research has found EV salary sacrifice is up 68 per cent year-on-year. So, how can you use this to your advantage to get an EV through an employer benefit scheme and how does it save you money? We explain. What is salary sacrifice? EV salary sacrifice is a tax-advantaged formal arrangement between an employer and an employee, which allows employees to give up a portion of their salary for a non-cash benefit in this case an electric car Salary sacrifice is a tax-advantaged formal arrangement between an employer and an employee which allows employees to give up a portion of their salary for a non-cash benefit in this case an electric car. As the employee you benefit because the portion of the salary you've given up for your car is not subject to income tax or NICs, so your taxable salary is reduced. Salary sacrifice is most commonly used for workplace pension contributions and cycle-to-work schemes and allows the employee to pay out of pre-tax earnings, saving on both income tax and national insurance. Salary sacrifice can also be used more widely but to limit the system being used for widespread tax dodging, the tax benefit is clawed back on most things through benefit-in-kind rates, which we explain below. Pensions, electric cars and bicycles are notable exceptions to this clawback. How does salary sacrifice for EVs work? If you sign up for an EV salary sacrifice then you will be getting a car on a finance scheme that works in a similar way to popular personal lease and PCP deals. You choose a car from a list of vehicles approved by your employer, based on your budget, needs and wants. You pay a monthly payment over a set period of time, which is effectively funding the depreciation in the car's value. Unlike with a PCP deal, however, there may not be the option to make a balloon payment and take ownership at the end. You lease the EV from your employer, who leases it from a third-party firm and your EV can be for either business or personal use. The amount your car costs to lease each month is deducted from your salary before tax. Typically schemes are between two and four years. As long as you're over 18 and don't have a driving licence without too many points you should be eligible. How does salary sacrifice get an electric car for less? Salary sacrifice means that your taxable income is reduced and you get servicing, maintenance and insurance of your EV included usually too Monthly payments for an electric car through salary sacrifice effectively come out before tax - you are swapping your income for your company making a payment for the car. As your income is lower, you do not pay the income tax and national insurance that you would have done on that sum, so, by getting an electric car via salary sacrifice there's a great cost-saving benefit. Basic rate taxpayers save 20 per cent income tax and 8 per cent national insurance on the monthly payment, higher rate taxpayers save 40 per cent income tax and 2 per cent national insurance, and additional rate taxpayers save 45 per cent income tax and 2 per cent national insurance. Salary sacrifice also lowers taxable income and so can help the removal of child benefit above 60,000 and mitigate the 60 per cent tax trap when the personal allowance is removed above 100,000. Another big benefit of salary sacrifice is that servicing, maintenance and insurance are usually bundled into the monthly cost, so in the case of an electric vehicle you only pay for charging. As many offices offer charging points at work as well, you might even be able to charge up for free. What tax do you pay on EV salary sacrifice? Electric cars through salary sacrifice are not entirely tax-free and a small amount of the benefit is clawed back. Currently you pay benefit in kind tax (BIK) on electric cars. BIK is a tax on benefits you get from your employer on top of your salary. For EVs it is very low but rising at a rate of 1 per cent a year. Currently it's fixed at 2 per cent for zero and low emission cars EVs but by 2027/2028 BIK will be 5 per cent. In contrast, for petrol and diesel cars BIK can be all the way up to 37 per cent. Low BIK rates are a huge subsidy and tax benefit of EVs and make them perfect for salary sacrifice schemes. If you lease a Tesla Model Y which costs 500 a month and you fall into the 40 per cent tax bracket, you would pay 200 tax on that 500, leaving you with 300. Effectively then your Tesla Model Y is only costing you 300 via salary sacrifice How the EV savings work with salary sacrifice If you want an EV for 500 a month and after looking at the options on offer through your work salary sacrifice scheme, you decide on a new Tesla Model Y, this is how the financial benefit would work. The 500 monthly payment is salary sacrificed and deducted from your income. If you fall into the 40 per cent tax bracket, you would have paid 200 income tax on that 500, leaving you with 300. But by salary sacrificing the money, it isn't taxed. Effectively, then your Tesla Model Y which costs 500 to lease is only costing you 300. And as you don't pay 2 per cent national insurance on the 500 either, you'll benefit from a further saving. The entry-level Tesla Model Y costs 46,990 and scores 0g/km CO2 emissions which means that BIK tax is currently just 2 per cent. It's rising by 1 per cent each year, so for 2025/26 it'll be at 3 per cent. At the time of writing 939.80 is taxable, which (if you're a 40 per cent taxpayer) you'll pay 40 per cent on. In a year that's just 375.92 you'll pay in BIK, or 31.33 a month. Salary sacrifice in the current EV climate - the easiest way to switch? Salary sacrifice is proving an increasingly popular way to get a new electric car. The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association recorded that salary sacrifice leasing schemes were up 68 per cent year-on-year (YOY) in Q3 2023. And 91 per cent of salary sacrifice cars in Q1 2023 were fully electric. A 2022 YouGov survey found that once employees fully understood the benefits of salary sacrifice, three quarters (74 per cent) said they would like the scheme on offer at their workplace. In October 2024 EV salary sacrifice provider The Electric Car Scheme said it had seen significant overall growth of 160 per cent due to demand for both new and used EVs via salary sacrifice. And the availability of schemes is set to increase. In the last quarter of 2023 HR Magazine found that more than two thirds (68 per cent) of small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) were considering offering electric car salary sacrifice to employees, with more than half (56 per cent) planning to implement it in the next 12 months. Considering the Government has recently reaffirmed the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, drivers are increasingly aware they are required to make the switch to zero emissions. Many are looking to employers to help them make this switch, at the same time businesses are trying to transition to a greener model and reduce carbon footprint, as well as keep employees happy. Electric car salary sacrifice provides people with a way into an electric car while saving money and with very little hassle - one reason why it's so popular. Can you lease used EVs via salary sacrifice? Used EVs aren't available through all salary sacrifice providers - it depends on the scheme Theoretically yes, but in practice because employers don't lease the car to you themselves but via a dedicated salary sacrifice company then you'll only be able to choose from the EVs the salary sacrifice leaser offers. However this is usually a very wide range of EVs, so it's unlikely you'll have an issue finding one for you. Not all salary sacrifice providers offer leasing of used EVs - it is on a scheme by scheme basis - so check your employer's scheme to find out. Can you buy the EV when the lease period ends? Usually, as is the default for salary sacrifice schemes, you can only give back the car - but some schemes may let you buy the EV at its market value at the end of the agreement. Jaguar has shifted up another gear with its controversial rebrand by teasing a first glimpse of its radical new electric concept car - and it doesn't have a rear window. The British firm is - quite literally - not looking back on its bold and daring new company direction revealed this week as it is set to follow in the tyre tracks of EV rival Polestar in contentiously ditching the traditional glass rear window in its future models in favour of a rear-facing camera linked to a digital interior mirror. Teaser images, released by Jaguar and members of its brand strategy team on social platforms, show a section of the rear quarter and pop-out cameras that will feature on the upcoming 'Design Vision Concept', which is being unveiled in Miami on 2 December. The EV, which appears to have enormous proportions, a remarkably wide and flat body and bulging rear wheel arches, will signal the design language of Jaguar's first trio of next-generation battery cars that spearhead its rebirth as an all-electric premium motor company from 2026. Its flat body panels have drawn comparisons to Tesla's Cybertruck, which itself is one of the most controversial models to enter the market in recent history. Jaguar's choice to omit a conventional rear window for its future EVs threatens to heave even more public criticism in the company's direction, with infuriated petrolheads taking to social media in recent days to describe its advertising campaign and decision to ditch the classic roaring cat badge as 'woke' and 'unhinged'. Jaguar is - quite literally - not looking back on its controversial rebrand: The British car maker, which has hit headlines this week with a radical new company identity, has provided a first glimpse of its dramatic new electric concept vehicle being unveiled early next month. And, contentiously, it doesn't have a rear window Jaguar's head of global brand strategy and insight, Richard Green, shared images of a pop-out panel on the concept car The panel, which features the new IBM-inspired Jaguar leaper logo, appears to conceal a rear-facing camera, which would send an image to a digital rear-view camera to compensate for drivers not having a rear window An image of the rear section posted on official Jaguar channels on Wednesday evening hints at a very wide concept vehicle with a dramatic body combining smooth curves and hard-edged straight elements. The prototype's design will take influence from Jaguar's new logos, which were unveiled on Tuesday as part of the firm's media blitz to signal its change in identity. Prominent across the vehicle's rear section is a panel of straight slats, which mirror those backing the new 'leaper' logo showcased earlier in the week, which Jaguar says was inspired by IBM's trademark emblem. It is unclear if the rear light cluster will be incorporated into these slats or if they are separate on a section of the Jaguar's tail that's out of sight in the image shared by the 90-year-old car maker. Another two images, which were shared on LinkedIn by Jaguar's head of global brand strategy and insight, Richard Green, on Thursday, show a pop-out panel that again features the reimagined leaper stamp. It appears to conceal the rear-facing camera, as the brand looks destined to ditch conventional mirrors and glass rear window panels. While the conversation-triggering teaser image posted to social media on Wednesday was accompanied by the words 'copy nothing' - reiterating the mantra of JLR company founder William Lyons - many will argue that Jaguar will in fact be mimicking one of its biggest rivals. Prominent across the concept vehicle's rear section is a panel of straight slats, which mirror those backing the leaper logo showcased earlier in the week The classic Jaguar 'growler' logo has been ditched as the car firm reinvents itself to appeal to a younger audience of car buyers Polestar, itself a progressive electric car company with a fashion-influenced and cinematic advertising campaign, earlier this year launched its landmark Polestar4 - the first UK car ever sold without a rear window. Design bods at the Chinese-owned car firm - which is a spin-off of Volvo - said they opted to dispense with the rear glass to provide more headroom for passengers sat in the back. To compensate, the 4 gets a high-definition roof-mounted camera to provide the driver with a view of what's lurking behind. This is linked to a digital rear-view mirror, which can also be switched to a conventional glass mirror for when drivers need to keep an eye on children squabbling in the back seats. The Polestar 4 - the third car from the Swedish EV brand - is the first car without a rear window to arrive on UK road. Jaguar looks set to be going in a similar direction by ditching the glass in its future EV models, if the Design Vision Concept is anything to go by Polestar's 4 has no rear window to provide more headroom for rear passengers. Instead of glass, it uses a roof-mounted high-definition camera that links to a digital mirror on the windscreen The rear-view digital mirror is also two-way so you can switch it to a regular mirror to check on rear passengers a must if you have kids This is Money's Freda Lewis-Stempel drove the Polestar4 in October and said: 'For the most part, I really didn't miss or feel hampered by the lack of a rear window during my driving stint. 'The HD camera worked very well; it was sharp and clear, and the wide dynamic range picked up far flung angles. Looking in the electronic rearview mirror was a one-for-one swap and, honestly, I forgot that it was a camera mirror for most of the driving. 'It was only when pulling out at junctions and reversing into parking spaces that I remembered there was no glass having glanced over my shoulder. 'But even with parking or reversing, many of us are - rightly or wrongly - so used to using cameras these days that there wasnt much difference to my actions in any other new motor. You couldnt do the extra check behind, but it wasnt the end of the world. 'You should also remember that many van and lorry drivers do without a rear window - and they mostly manage just fine. 'I should say, though, that I dont wear glasses, so bespectacled drivers definitely need to give the camera mirror a proper trial when test driving.' While a camera-based system replacing a rear window appears to work in practice, plenty of drivers will argue it is an unnecessary move to fix a problem that simply doesn't exist. Adopting the tech is also likely to drive up manufacturing and vehicle prices, as well as open the door to additional electrical gremlins which, if the camera and digital mirror were to rear their ugly head and stop working, could potentially cause an avoidable safety risk. The concept will be shown in full on 2 December (3 December UK time) at Miami Art Week. It will preview the four-door electric GT first seen - heavily camouflaged - at the beginning of its rigorous testing regime last week The four-door 'Grand Tourer' is one of an all-new three-EV line-up due from 2026. The production car is expected to produce more than 575bhp and have a battery range to cover in excess of 430 miles Prices will start above 100,000 - almost double the average cost of a new petrol or diesel Jaguar in 2024 - and see Jaguar go head-to-head with EV heavyweights including the Audi e-tron GT, Mercedes EQS, Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S While traditionalists are likely to be unhappy with this latest move, it appears upsetting former Jaguar buyers is not a major concern for the firm's executives. Bosses have said this week that they expect to lose the vast majority of the company's existing customer base as a direct result of its new brand identity and switch to only electric vehicles. Managing director Rawdon Glover told us that 85 per cent of future clients would be new to the Jaguar brand as it looks to target a much younger audience. Only 15 per cent around one in seven of buyers from 2026 onwards are expected to be existing customers. This is the 'scale of the transformation', he said. While optimistic about the brand's future, Glover also conceded that there is 'no Plan B'. 'We think it is going to be a success,' he told This is Money. 'There are a lot of people out there who have not got Jaguar on their shopping list. We have to persuade and convince them.' Glover also stressed they had to be 'fearless', adding: 'This is a complete reset. Jaguar is transformed to reclaim its originality and inspire a new generation.' Jaguar managing direction Rawdon Glover (left) says the ambitious EV move and rebrand won't appeal to 85% of the company's existing customers. Instead, it is aiming for a younger client base Gerry McGovern, Jaguar's chief creative officer, is unapologetic over the redesign. He said yesterday: 'It will make you feel uncomfortable. That's fine' JLR design boss, Jerry McGovern, who has previously penned the new Land Rover Defender as well as the latest Range Rover and smaller Range Rover Evoque, added: 'We are creating Jaguar for the future, restoring its status as a brand that enriches the lives of our clients and the Jaguar community.' Discussing the new direction, McGovern has been unapologetic about courting controversy with the rebranding and restyling of Jaguar: 'It will shock, surprise and polarise,' he told This is Money. 'It will make you feel uncomfortable. That's fine. The world is not standing still.' His aim was to 'amplify our unique British heritage' in a modern 21st century manner. Speaking at a briefing at JLR's design centre at Gaydon in Warwickshire, he said he wanted to create the same stir that the E-Type created in the 1960s: 'The brief I set was to be jaw-dropping.' He went on: 'This has been years in the making. It's not just about reshaping a car. It's about redefining and reimagining a brand. It's about reimagining Jaguar. This is big,' before jokingly promising: 'We have not been sniffing the white stuff.' JLR CEO Adrian Mardell has described Jaguars rebirth as 'something spectacular'. The concept will be shown in full on 2 December (3 December UK time) at Miami Art Week. It will preview the four-door electric GT first seen - heavily camouflaged - at the beginning of its rigorous testing regime last week. Jaguar's next-generation electric four-door 'Grand Tourer' is one of an all-new three-EV line-up due from 2026. The production car is expected to produce more than 575bhp and have a battery range to cover in excess of 430 miles. Prices will start above 100,000 - almost double the average cost of a new petrol or diesel Jaguar in 2024 - and see Jaguar go head-to-head with heavyweights including the Audi e-tron GT, Mercedes EQS, Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S. Jaguar's new rebrand has attracted accusations the company has gone 'woke' - as it launched the new look with an advert featuring no cars This is the new Jaguar logo - a roundel made up of the letter 'J' that looks the same both ways up The company already showcased its new Jaguar logo typography featuring largely lower case letters - save for a single capitalised 'G' - in what the company is calling a 'complete reset' The 'growler' logo, the universally recognised snarling Jaguar head badge used for decades on the grilles and bonnets of iconic cars including the E-Type, has fallen victim to a revamping of the firm's style and identity as it seeks out younger customers Jaguar's rebrand hits headlines... and not for the right reasons Jaguar audacious rebrand launched this week - reportedly the brainchild of a team of 800 marketing and advertising folk - has caused a major public stir. Customers and car fans have been angered by the company's decisions to ditch its classic iconography, including the 'growler' badge depicting a roaring big cat that has graced iconic cars from its past - notably the E-Type. The company's fresh direction also included a questionable advertising campaign, with a video that features precisely no cars and a techno music soundtrack and the slogans 'create exuberant', 'live vivid', 'delete ordinary' and 'break moulds'. The new look sparked a furious reaction in recent days. 'Congratulations,' weighed in one commenter on Jaguar's Instagram. 'You've killed a British icon.' 'Hello, thanks for the feedback! Well be sure to pass it onto the team. Best wishes,' the firm said to many of its detractors on social media. 'Go woke, go broke,' wrote several people in tweets to the firm. 'Go hard,' Jaguar fired back. Responding to an almost accusatory tweet reading 'I thought you guys made cars??', the firm's social media team simply said: 'We do. All will be revealed.' Jaguar has unveiled its new 'brand' look with a technicolour advertisement that features precisely no cars Jaguar has been accused of going 'woke' by car fans on social media - but responses from the firm suggest it is not bothered by the reaction Jaguar has given short shrift to the outrage on social media - and even invited Elon Musk, boss of direct rival Tesla, to the launch event for its new concept car in Miami Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk got in on the act, asking the firm via his X platform: 'Do you sell cars?' Jaguar replied warmly, inviting him to the launch event for its new concept car at Miami Art Week. It said: 'Yes. We'd love to show you. Join us for a cuppa in Miami on 2nd December?' The bold new strategy and brand identity is a significant pivoted away from the qualities that made Jaguar distinctly British. This includes discarding its associations with the stoicness of Inspector Morse in his red Mk2, or Ben Kingsley, Mark Strong and Tom Hiddleston purring that villains 'all drive Jaguars' in a (now banned) TV advert. Jaguar has long been associated with the likes of Inspector Morse (as played by John Thaw, above) - rarely seen without his iconic Mk2 The Jaguar E-Type - a stone-cold design classic (left) - and its spiritual successor the F-Type (right) are now consigned to the past The radical move is part of Jaguar's complete reimagination as it races ahead of the 2030 deadline for car firms to stop selling petrol and diesel cars in the UK. It had already promised to become an 'exclusive premium EV brand' from 2026, doing away with the internal combustion engine it has relied upon for nine decades, some four years earlier than the Government intends to ban sales of new combustion cars. Saying it will start with a 'clean sheet', the company has already set about resetting its social media platforms, with Instagram now showing just two posts to the company's 17million followers: these being the concept teaser image and the daring advertisement. Its new advertising campaign has drawn comparisons to the legendary Silk Cut cigarette adverts, which featured no cigarettes. The tobacco brand famously sponsored Jaguar's most iconic race car, the XJR-9, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1988. While many have blasted the liberal ad for not featuring a single car, it is at least an accurate depiction of the auto company's current position. Jaguar has already withdrawn from the UK car market and said it will not offer any new models for 12 months as part of a 'sunset period' it says was a strategic decision to create a 'fire break' for dealers and customers to prepare for its electric rebrand. Production of right-hand-drive UK cars has already ended, though its biggest model - the F-Pace SUV - is still being built for overseas markets, while the electric E-Pace remains available to 'corporate clients into 2025'. The boss of one of the UKs largest software groups said more businesses will replace workers with artificial intelligence (AI) as tax hikes announced in the Budget leave them searching for ways to cut costs. Steve Hare, chief executive of Sage, says companies looking to use AI to boost productivity would now step up their efforts. That trend towards a more digital economy was already there but in many ways, this [the Budget] accelerates it, he said. Steve Hare, chief executive of Sage, companies already looking to use AI to boost productivity, would step up their efforts Newcastle-based Sage provides companies with software that makes it easier to manage their accounts. The firm has been using AI-powered tools for several years and this year unveiled Sage Copilot, an AI assistant based on the same technology as chatbots like ChatGPT. Hare stressed that Sage did not want to replace staff with robots but instead use its tools to elevate the work of humans. We are using machines to help our customers be more efficient and allow them to spend their time where they think it is best to grow their business, he added. The comments came as Sage shares hit a record high up 17.9 per cent, or 192.5p, to 1269.5p after a 43 per cent rise in profit to 452million for the year to September on the back of strong demand. The group also cheered investors by unveiling plans to buy back 400million of its own stock. Business leaders and analysts have warned that the rise in costs due to the Budget would lead to increased AI use and automation, putting jobs at risk. Retailers and hospitality firms are particularly vulnerable as lowering the threshold at which employers begin to pay National Insurance Contributions from 9,100 to 5,000 hits their ability to hire lower-paid workers. At the same time, Chancellor Rachel Reeves raised the rate from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent. Investment bank RBC Capital Markets said last week it could mean more self-scan checkouts at supermarkets. Earlier this month Allison Kirkby, the boss of telecoms giant BT, warned the company would go harder and faster with cost-cuts to counter the tax increase, including more AI and automation to improve productivity. 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. When Donald Trump first won a presidential election in 2016, Corey Burke and her trans wife considered leaving the country. Instead, they decided to stay and 'dig their heels in', according to her wife's book about their relationship and their life. Eight years on, Burke, 33, is now behind bars after allegedly hacking her father to death with an ice axe in an election night meltdown. It was a stunning development for Burke. Burke had a high-flying job with Jeff Bezos' space exploration company Blue Origin. The company is yet to comment on the allegations against her. Her wife, Samantha Leigh Allen, has enjoyed a glittering career as a Conde Nast editor. In her best-selling book, Real Queer America: LGBT Stories From Red States, Allen writes about how the couple struggled to deal with the 2016 presidential election. 'After [Trump] won... my wife, Corey, raised the possibility of leaving the country,' Allen shared. However, she added the couple decided to stay in the US - 'to buckle down and just see this thing through.' 'I wanted to be a part of that red-state resistance. I wanted to stay in the real Americaand so did Corey, once the initial shock wore off,' Allen wrote. The Blue Origin employee allegedly killed her father during a mental health crisis Burke's $800,000 home is pictured. Police say she shattered the windows in an 'act of liberation' after killing her father The alleged killer and her wife, trans author Samantha Leigh Allen Burke and Allen married just months before the election - in Coral Gables, a Miami suburb. They met in Indiana in 2013 shortly before Burke moved to Atlanta to be with Allen. 'We laughed about our officiant, Mario, who accidentally referred to Corey as my husband when he recited the heterosexual ceremony script out of habit,' Allen wrote of the wedding. The author referred to Burke as her 'Big Boo, one true love, and the brains behind this whole operation.' She said Burke was half Puerto Rican and half-Irish, adding that she was 'white-passing.' 'The hardest part of writing this book was being away from her. I cant wait until we can pack up a kid-filled van of our own one day and hit the road. That would be a Nightmare come true,' she added. The prominent lesbian couple was also featured in the 2014 documentary Inside her Sex, which explores 'female sexuality and shame through the eyes and experiences of three women from different walks of life.' The two shared Allen's gender-transition journey, which saw them raise thousands of dollars in donations for her sex-reassignment surgery and drive from Atlanta to San Francisco for the procedure. 'This is Corey, perched on our kitchen table,' Allen said as she introduced the alleged killer to the camera. Allen shared the pair met in Indiana at the Kinsey Institute for Research and Sex Gender and Reproduction. The couple is seen above in a promotional image for the 2014 documentary Inside her Sex Allen raised thousands of dollars in donations in order to receive the procedure 'We met on a Wednesday and we had sex for the first time on Thursday night,' Allen said. 'The amazing thing about the sexual dynamic that I have with Corey is that everything is just totally open and totally honest and having a conversation about what we wanna do sexually is as simple as having a conversation about where we wanna go for dinner,' she added. By 2016 they appeared to have moved to Miami, where Burke worked for in Human Relations for the Fox Networks, per her Linked In. Allen also spoke about still wanting sex-reassignment surgery despite the fact she was 'still having better orgasms than' she ever had before. 'But my feelings about what's there aesthetically have really shifted,' she explained. 'Having a vagina means being able to receive something in a way that mechanically and aesthetically lines up with my experience of my own sexuality,' Allen told the camera as she unwrapped a box of female sanitary pads. 'Are you happy I got you that?' Burke asked Allen. In one scene, the alleged killer is seen topless as she fixes her hair in front of a mirror. When asked what part of Allen's transition she was excited about, Burke replied, 'sex.' 'I'm also excited for you to be happy and feel more comfortable... it's not fun to watch you be unhappy about your appearance or clothing.' In one scene of the doc, the alleged killer is seen topless in front of a mirror Allen is seen on the documentary as she is about to receive gender-reassignment surgery After Allen's surgery, the couple are seen happily frolicking in Miami, with Allen wearing a smart blue bathing suit. A decade later Burke has been accused of killing her dad after he supposedly refused to turn off the lights in the home they shared, which she purchased in 2023. Burke appears to have moved to Washington state in 2019, and began working at Blue Origin in 2022 as a training coordinator, according to her LinkedIn. She allegedly told police she had to bite her father while choking him because 'he was too strong.' Burke added that she felt better once her father 'went limp.' Police say Burke confessed to police that she 'freaked out,' claiming there was 'something important about Election Day.' Investigators say Burke came out of the Rainier Valley home with a bloody face and appeared to be having a mental health crisis. Burke reportedly told detectives that 'she knew that she could not convince her father to keep the lights off', so went upstairs and retrieved the murder weapon. She then tripped her father and strangled him before attacking him with the ice axe. Burke then bit him and hit him several times in the head and side with the blunt and sharp ends of the ice axe, cops say. His body was found in the basement. The Blue Origin project manager told police she wanted to help people 'change their attachment to their parents' She had apparently smashed several windows and later told police she did so in an 'act of liberation' after she killed her father. She had reportedly been 'clapping inside her home' when cops arrived. A neighbor first dialed 911 after spotting her smashing picture windows. The officer who responded to that call discovered the horror she'd unleashed inside. Police say they recovered a bloody silver-and-blue ice climbing pick at the crime scene. The day after the murder she reportedly whispered to one police officer, 'I killed him.' Burke added that she had a strained relationship with her father and said she had been 'overwhelmed' on election day. She added that she wanted to help people 'change their attachment to their parents.' According to police documents, Burke allegedly described how she killed her father, saying 'it was really hard, really fu****g hard' and 'there were points where she felt she wasnt going to be able to.' Burke was charged with first-degree murder on Friday and is being held on $2million bail. She is due in court on November 21. Neighbors told police the father and daughter lived in the home together, and that Timothy was mostly home-bound because of health issues. DailyMail.com has reached out to Blue Origin for comment on this story. A British tourist was left amazed by cutting-edge technology in China after using his palm to pay for a packet of chips at a convenience store. The new technology, dubbed PalmPay, enables people to make payments by simply hovering their hands over a sensor equipped with an infrared camera. This sensor analyses both the unique palm print and the vein pattern beneath the skin, allowing for secure and convenient palm-print payments. Travelling couple Ben and Reanne Dridge experienced the futuristic technology during a visit to Zhuhai, China, and shared a video on social media. 'We're in China, and this is how advanced the cashless payment is in this country,' Mr Dridge said in the clip, which has recorded more than two million views. At the counter, Mr Dridge hovered his palm over a terminal and paid for a packet of chips without tapping his debit card, phone or using cash. 'Wherever you are in the world, you can pay with your palm print,' Ms Dridge said. 'How clever is that? It's literally one of the best things I've ever seen.' Mr Dridge added: 'China is living so far in the future it's uncomprehendable.' A British tourist was left amazed by cutting-edge technology in China after using his palm to pay for a packet of chips at a convenience store The cutting-edge technology scans palm prints and vein patterns to enable fast, secure, and cashless payments. Travellers who do not want to use the technology still have the option to pay via card, their phone or cash. Tencent, the developer of the tech, is confident it will become more mainstream. The palm technology can also be used to unlock doors at homes and workplaces, as well as to pay for public transport. 'The application scenarios can be a little different,' Guo Rizen of Tencent told CNN. 'We're hoping that palm payments can save people the trouble of carrying physical items, so that our lives become more convenient.' However, security experts warn that the system could face major security risks. 'Retailers get hacked all the time. When most retailers get hacked, at worst you have to change your credit card number,' Surveillance Technology Oversight Project executive director, Albert Fox Cahn, previously told the MIT Technology Review. Palm recognition tech can also unlock homes, workplaces, and pay for public transport, making daily life easier 'But you can't change your palm print if that gets compromised. 'So we look at this as a way for people to potentially save a couple of minutes in line at the price of their biometric privacy for the rest of their lives.' Edward Santow, a professor of responsible technology at UTS, also offered some words of caution. 'When your personal information is hoovered up at a huge scale, that creates a kind of honey pot for cybercriminals. 'And if that information is obtained illegally, it can then be sold on the black market and it can cause you enormous problems.' Howard Marks's smuggling of cannabis across the world made him millions of pounds and gave him the luxury lifestyle that most of us can only dream of. The self-styled Mr Nice was the drugs kingpin who evaded police on multiple continents for decades. But the moment the Welshman discovered the authorities were closing in on him is revealed in a new documentary. Hunting Mr Nice: The Cannabis Kingpin plays to viewers a recording of a phone conversation where an associate told the smuggler in Cockney rhyming slang that his phone was being tapped by the US drug enforcement agency. The man told Marks, 'I think your dog is sick', prompting the drug lord to ask if it was 'seriously ill'. Craig Lovato, the DEA agent who eventually snared Marks, admits he was confused by the message until a fellow expert told him: 'The dog means phone. In Cockney, it's dog, bone, phone. So when someone says your dog is sick, it means your phone is tapped.' The revelation that his calls were being listened to prompted Marks to hold up his phone to what Mr Lovato calls his 'fantastic' stereo set, 'so I could listen to some classical music that he was listening to'. Marks, who died from cancer in 2016, was finally arrested in 1988 and went on to spend seven years behind bars at a prison dubbed 'America's toughest'. Howard Marks's smuggling of cannabis across borders made him millions of pounds and gave him the luxury lifestyle that most of us can only dream of The self-styled Mr Nice was the drugs kingpin who evaded police on multiple continents for decades. Above: Some of the disguises used by the smuggler After his release, his bestselling autobiography, Mr Nice, won him millions of fans around the world and sparked a second career as a public speaker and campaigner. The new documentary brings together Marks's criminal inner circle and those who hunted him. It traces activities in the mid-1980s, when he was trafficking tens of millions of dollars worth of cannabis across the world. As well as DEA agents, detectives from the Metropolitan Police and officials from HM Revenue & Customs were on his tail. Marks was born in Kenfig Hill, near Bridgend, South Wales, in August 1945. His father was a foreman at the Port Talbot steelworks, whilst his mother was a teacher. While many of his contemporaries went to work in the steel industry or as miners, Marks won a place at Oxford's Balliol College to read physics. It was there that he began smoking cannabis, which was widely available to undergraduates. He endured the harrowing experience of a close university friend dying from taking a combination of drink and drugs, but that did not stop Marks from using illicit substances. Hunting Mr Nice: The Cannabis Kingpin plays to viewers a recording of a phone conversation where an associate told the smuggler in Cockney rhyming slang that his phone was being tapped. Above: The moment former DEA agent Craig Lovato listens to the recording Marks asked his associate: 'Now, regarding the sickness of the dog, is it seriously ill do you think?' Howard Marks seen arriving at court in Madrid before his extradition hearing sought by Germany and the United States Howard Marks with his wife Judy at a press conference in Palma, Majorca He built an image as a 'nice' drug smuggler who abhorred violence After graduating from Oxford in 1967, he moved to Brighton with his first wife Ilze and initially embarked on a post-graduate science course at Sussex University. But he gave that up after realising that smuggling cannabis could make him a lot of money. As he revealed in his book, Marks first used the drum kits and speakers of travelling rock bands to hide drugs. He then moved on to deliveries of furniture, allowing him to expand his operation. However, in 1973 he was arrested in the Netherlands on drug-trafficking charges. Marks had by then been asked by a Balliol contemporary who was in MI6 if he would consider using his underworld knowledge to help British intelligence. This was the story the smuggler told to police in Holland in the hope of persuading them he was not a genuine drug dealer. But the Dutch police did not believe him and instead extradited him to Britain. Howard Marks spent seven years in prison. His initial sentence was 25 years Former drug smuggler Howard Marks (right) addresses pro-legalisation protesters in Trafalgar Square in 1998 He always insisted that cannabis was harmless and never gave up his campaign for legalisation Marks was released on a 20,000 bail, which he then jumped. The criminal went on to use a host of aliases, disguises and false passports to come and go. Yet, in 1979, the smuggler was arrested again at a Channel port. In his trial at the Old Bailey in 1980, Marks - who was charged with being the British link in a 20million cannabis operation - again claimed he had been working for MI6. He had the backing of a Mexican witness who gave evidence saying that Marks was working for Britain and Mexico to infiltrate the Colombian drugs cartel and the IRA. Amazingly, the jury believed the far-fetched tail and Marks was acquitted. He did, though, get a sentence of 18 months for possessing false passports, but was released after two months because of the time already spent behind bars. Once back to business, Marks expanded further - to the point where he had 25 companies that laundered his drug money. By then, he was living with second wife Judy and their children in Palma, Majorca. But, in America, DEA agent Lovato was catching up with him. When Marks and Judy were arrested in July 1988, police seized 16 tons of cannabis worth 35million. Marks fought a furious legal battle to try to stop his extradition to America, but the action failed. At his trial, Marks was sentenced to 25 years in prison. His wife was given 18 months. He served less than a third of his sentence at Terre Haute federal penitentiary in Indiana before being released on parole. Marks was then given a 100,000 advance to write his autobiography, which was published in 1996. He painted himself as a good-natured drug dealer who abhorred violence. The book was turned into a 2010 film starring Rhys Ifans. Marks stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in 1997 on the single issue of cannabis legalisation. He and his wife separated in 2003 and the former smuggler moved back to Wales. Marks always cast doubt on medical evidence that cannabis has a damaging effect on the human brain, or that it could lead users to take heroin and other hard drugs. And until the end of his life, he continued insisting that he had committed a 'victimless crime'. The Daily Mail's coverage of Howard Marks's acquittal at his trial in 1981. He claimed he had been working for MI6 The Daily Mail's coverage after the arrest of Marks and his wife Judy in Majorca in 1988 The Mail's coverage when it emerged that Marks was to be extradited to the US in 1988 Marks was handed a 25-year prison sentence in October 1990 But in a 2009 interview, Judy sharply disagreed with her former husband, telling the Mail: 'For years I was terrified living with him. I used to beg him to stop dealing. 'I nagged him non-stop. We quarrelled over it. But he was unbelievably selfish. And the family was devastated, destroyed. 'I look back and think what an idiot I was. I regret that I wasn't more forceful. 'His own children got hurt. Patrick was only one when both of us were arrested. I was in prison for a year in Madrid away from the children. 'It was a terrible, painful time and Patrick suffered the most. A lot of people got very hurt. So no, I wouldn't call his crimes victimless.' The two-part documentary Hunting Mr Nice: The Cannabis Kingpin, airs tonight on BBC Two at 9pm, and next Thursday. With less than six weeks left of 2024, the spectre of global conflict looms larger with each passing day as nations across multiple continents brace themselves for potential catastrophe. The world finds itself increasingly polarised, the threads of diplomacy fraying under the weight of territorial disputes, rocket barrages, promises of retaliation - and the ever-present threat of a radioactive Armageddon. In Eastern Europe, Kyiv's audacious strikes deep into Russian territory with US and UK-supplied missiles this week were met with an alarming response when Vladimir Putin launched a brand new experimental hypersonic missile into Ukraine. East-West tensions are now at heights unseen since the Cold War, with NATO scrambling to scale up their military capacities and European governments instructing civilians to prepare for the unthinkable. The Middle East is reeling amid the aftermath of Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel - a dastardly scheme that triggered an inferno of violence and has left tens of thousands dead in Gaza and Lebanon with no clear end in sight. Hamas and Hezbollah's chief backer Iran has further escalated the situation with missile and drone strikes against Israel, while analysts suspect Tehran is drawing dangerously close to developing nuclear weapons. In the Indo-Pacific, China's escalating aggression against Taiwan and the Philippines has stoked fears of an explosive clash in this strategically critical region. Recent months have seen Beijing adopt an increasingly threatening posture with top US defence officials warning China could attempt an invasion of Taiwan well before the end of the decade. All the while, Kim Jong Un stands by, his fist clenching the keys to North Korea's burgeoning nuclear arsenal having completely severed ties with South Korea and sent troops to aid Putin in his war on Ukraine. Here, MailOnline explores how these fault lines are deepening and assesses the potential for a spark in any one of the above theatres to push us over the edge into a new World War. A Swedish artillery team fires a projectile from an Archer self-propelled Howitzer during the NATO 'Exercise Lightning Strike' on November 20, 2024 Russian army's multiple rocket launcher Solntsepyok fires towards Ukrainian positions in the border area of Kursk region Russia & Ukraine The week which saw the 1000th day of war in Ukraine brought with it several shocking escalations. The first domino fell on Tuesday morning when a fiery explosion at an ammunition depot lit up the night sky in Karachev, around 75 miles from the Ukrainian border, after ATACMS rockets penetrated Russian air defences over Bryansk. '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'. Mere hours later, Vladimir Putin 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 in response to attacks on its territory. Then on Wednesday, reports emerged that Ukraine had deployed UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles in a series of strikes in Kursk. Russia's amended nuclear doctrine, 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. Ukraine's attacks in Bryansk and Kursk meet these criteria - and the Russian President has previously said he would consider Western nations 'direct participants' in the Ukraine war if their weapons were used by Ukraine to hit targets in Russia. Security camera footage out of the central-eastern city of Dnipro showed several projectiles streaking in and detonating in a series of violent, fiery explosions Russian actions on Thursday morning ushered the world yet closer to disaster. Scarcely more than 48 hours after Ukraine first hit Russian soil with ATACMS rockets, Putin's forces struck the city of Dnipro with an advanced hypersonic missile in a move described as a 'clear and deeply concerning escalation' by Western leaders. Ukraine's air force initially reported Russia had deployed an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with shocking footage showing how multiple warheads rained down over the plants of state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer Yuzmash. But Putin later on Thursday said Russia had launched an 'Oreshnik', one of Moscow's newest intermediate-range missiles. He said it travelled at 10 times the speed of sound, rendering Ukrainian air defences powerless to shoot it down. Russian sources said the range was 5,000km (3,100 miles), allowing Russia to strike most of Europe and the west coast of the United States. Pavel Podvig, a senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, said earlier this year: 'If there were to be some kind of a massive launch - or several [Russian] missiles were launched - then it's pretty much impossible to guarantee that everything will be intercepted'. Russia boasts a fearsome nuclear arsenal with more atomic weapons than any other country. It is said to have some 5,800 nuclear warheads, 1500 of which are operational and ready for deployment with Putin declaring in March that his nation was ready for the eventuality of a nuclear war 'from a military-technical point of view'. Zelensky vowed his forces would 'never surrender' to Putin's Russia ATACMS - Army Tactical Missile - being fired from an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System A fiery explosion lit up the night sky around 77 miles from the nearest Ukrainian border at an ammunition store in Karachev, in Russia's Bryansk region, on Tuesday Meanwhile, countries in Europe are scrambling to prepare for a wider war with Russia. The German government has reportedly compiled a 1000-page plan entitled 'Operation Deutschland', under which Germany would 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. 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. NATO is also holding its largest-ever artillery exercise just 70 miles from the Russian border this week. 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. October 2022 - the launch of a Russian nuclear capable Yars missile at Plesetsk cosmodrome Russia boasts a fearsome nuclear arsenal with more atomic weapons than any other country (Pictured: the mushroom cloud from the Soviet Union's Tsar Bomba - the largest nuclear weapon ever tested) North Korea There was a time not so long ago when it seemed as though the West could reconcile its differences with North Korea. In 2018, Trump became the first US president to ever meet a North Korean leader, coming face to face with Kim Jong Un at a summit in Singapore in a landmark moment heralded by analysts as Washington recognising the so-called Hermit Kingdom as a legitimate state. It triggered a major shift in bilateral relations as Pyongyang's dynastic chief engaged in talks with US diplomats, laid the foundations for denuclearisation and appeared genuinely keen to repair relations with the West. Trump and Kim met again in 2019 for a historic handshake in the demilitarised zone splitting the Korean peninsula - but weeks later their talks went off the rails. Ever since, Kim has pursued a much more hawkish policy, seeking closer ties with the likes of Russia and China while ordering military scientists and his massive defence industry to embark on a campaign of rapid armament and nuclear expansion. But relations between North and US-backed South Korea have plummeted in recent months as Kim flaunted his advancing nuclear and missile programme, which includes various nuclear-capable weapons to hit Seoul and intercontinental ballistic missiles that can potentially reach the US mainland. Last month, the North amended its constitution to define South Korea as a 'hostile' state, months after Kim declared Seoul his country's 'principal enemy'. The constitutional amendment came as North Korean troops blew up railroads and highways linking the two Koreas in a symbolic cutting of ties. All the while, Pyongyang relationship with Moscow is growing ever stronger. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un aims a weapon as he visits the training base of the special operations armed force of North Korea's army at an undisclosed location in North Korea This undated picture released this month by North Korea shows the test launch of a Hwasongpho-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at an undisclosed location Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attend a state reception in Pyongyang, North Korea June 19, 2024 Putin paid Kim a state visit over the summer and the result was a new mutual defence pact that states each nation must come to the other's aid if either of their territories are threatened. North Korea is believed to have sent hundreds of thousands of artillery shells and hundreds of missiles to Moscow for use on Ukraine. And there are said to be more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers deploying to fight alongside Putin's troops to push back the Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region, with Ukrainian and South Korean intelligence warning thousands more may follow. Last week, Kim personally oversaw the testing of new kamikaze drones, watching on as they sent cars erupting into flames before ordering military and industrial chiefs to accelerate mass production of the weapons. And in September, North Korea unveiled to the world the first-ever glimpse into a facility producing weapons-grade uranium for its ever-growing nuclear arsenal. Kim also stressed the need to further augment the number of centrifuges to 'exponentially increase the nuclear weapons for self-defence,' a goal he has repeatedly stated in recent years. North Korea needs greater defence and preemptive attack capabilities because 'threats perpetrated by the US imperialists-led vassal forces have become more undisguised and crossed the red-line,' North Korea's state-run news agency said. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, his daughter and an official watch what it says is an intercontinental ballistic missile launching from an undisclosed location in North Korea in December 2023 Kim Jong Un inspected the live artillery firing by graduates of O Jin U Artillery Academy but state media did not report when the exercise took place Israel, Iran and the Middle East Hamas' ruthless October 7, 2023 attacks on Israeli civilians set in motion a series of events in the Middle East that has triggered multiple wars, seen tens of thousands of people massacred and left the entire region on the brink of disaster. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has doubled down on his vows to eradicate Hamas and dismantle Hezbollah while seeking to secure his premiership, surrounding himself with loyalists and hard-right, pro-war figures. The death toll in Gaza is approaching 50,000 thanks to Israel's incessant bombardment of the desolate Palestinian territory, while civilians across southern Lebanon and in the capital Beirut have been subjected to similar punishment as of late as the IDF seeks to cripple Hezbollah. Israel has also traded intermittent missile and drone strikes with its ultimate enemy Iran - the chief backer of both Hamas and Hezbollah - raising the fear of an uncontrollable conflict. Recent weeks have seen a pause in the exchanges with both sides signalling a willingness to hold back a potentially catastrophic escalation. But Iran is believed to be pressing ahead with its nuclear programme and could be months away from developing nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic's estimated stockpile of enriched uranium has reached more than 32 times the limit set in the 2015 nuclear deal, the UN nuclear watchdog warned in a report earlier this week. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that as of October 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%. Iran had capped its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief and other key provisions as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed in 2015, but kickstarted nuclearisation efforts anew after the US backed out of the deal under Donald Trump three years later. In this picture released by the Iranian Defence Ministry on Thursday, May 25, 2023, Khorramshahr-4 missile is launched at an undisclosed location in Iran Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel The IAEA did confirm that Iran was starting to prepare to stop increasing its enriched stockpile of uranium amid discussions with investigators. But Kasra Aarabi, Director of IRGC Research at United Against Nuclear Iran, told MailOnline: 'In the past four years during the Biden presidency, the circle around the Ayatollah have started to openly discuss weaponisation as the regime has significantly increased its uranium enrichment to near weapons-grade levels. 'Those who claim the regime would never use nuclear weapons are the same people who, for decades, claimed the regime in Iran would never directly attack Israel. 'Make no mistake, if the regime in Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons this would constitute an existential threat not just to Israel, but also the West as a collective.' Most analysts agree that Washington's support for Israel is likely to increase next year after president-elect Donald Trump appointed several pro-Israeli figures to key positions in his transition cabinet. But analysts are split over what such support might look like and whether Trump will give Israel free rein to continue its military offensives in Gaza and Lebanon - or push Netanyahu to bring the conflict to a swift, albeit potentially brutal, close. Meanwhile, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian is not the anti-Western cleric his ill-fated predecessor Ebrahim Raisi was, and appears willing to renegotiate with Washington in search of sorely-needed sanctions relief. Iran's resolutely hardline Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei could well spoil those efforts, however. A handout picture provided by the Iranian Army media office on January 19, 2024, shows the launch of a missile during a military drill at an undisclosed location in southern Iran Iranian leader Ali Khamenei meets members of Assembly of Experts at Imam Khomeini Hosseiniyeh in Tehran, Iran, on November, 7 2024 China, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific The economic and military behemoth that is China is set on cementing its influence in the Indo-Pacific region - a term used to describe the area where the Indian and Pacific Oceans converge and the more than two dozen countries located there. But nowhere is its increasingly aggressive defence posture more visible than in its behaviour towards Taiwan. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sees the self-governing island as a renegade province to be brought back under Beijing's control - something the authoritarian president Xi Jinping has said he's willing to do by force. But Taiwan's elected Democratic Progressive Party steadfastly argues it presides over a self-governing, democratic, capitalist society with overwhelming support from its people. In October, China launched 'total blockade' drills around Taiwan in an open show of force after Taipei vowed to resist any attack. The fresh round of war games saw Chinese military warships, planes and land vehicles encircle the island and its outlying territories as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) declared it was conducting 'joint assaults' to practise 'patrols, blockades of key ports and areas, and assaults on maritime and ground targets'. The PLA Eastern Theatre Command also said the drills were a 'stern warning to the separatist acts of 'Taiwan Independence forces'. Former US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Philip Davidson predicted that an invasion of Taiwan by China could occur as early as 2027, while an analysis of emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific region by RUSI estimated the period 2027-2033 as 'one of acute danger' for Taipei. A diagram released by the coast guard showed four fleets encircling Taiwan and moving in an anticlockwise direction around the island Armed military vehicles patrol outside the Songshan Airport in Taipei after China deployed fighter jets and warships to encircle Taiwan on October 14, in drills Beijing said were aimed at sending a 'stern warning' to 'separatist' forces on the self-ruled island Taiwan has remained defiant thus far. 'In the face of enemy threats, all officers and soldiers of the country are in full readiness,' its defence ministry said in October. Taipei has long been allied with the US and has a bristling military arsenal equipped with state-of-the-art American air and sea defence systems, manned by highly trained troops. But the island's landmass and military might are simply dwarfed by the PLA, meaning the US would be forced to step in and protect the island should China launch an attack. To that end, many analysts are calling on the US to dramatically scale up its military posture and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific in the hopes of discouraging Beijing. In the meantime, Washington is seeking to strengthen relationships and military cooperation with several Indo-Pacific nations including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and others to monitor China's moves. Beyond Taiwan, China's Navy has come into increasingly frequent clashes with vessels from the Philippines in recent months amid disputes over several island territories in the South China Sea. China asserts sovereignty over nearly all of the strategic waterway, including areas that have long been claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Brunei. Chinese soldiers march with the national flag (C), flanked by the flags of the Communist Party of China (R) and the People's Liberation Army (L) during a military parade at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on October 1, 2019 China's military declared last year it is 'ready to fight' after completing three days of large-scale combat exercises around Taiwan In a show of its nuclear capabilities, the Chinese military conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in September. Beijing had not launched a test of an ICBM at such a scale since 1980. 'This is extremely unusual and likely the first time in decades that we've seen a test like this,' said Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Despite the fact that Beijing has never disclosed the size of its nuclear arsenal, US intelligence said China had rapidly expanded its nuclear capability and possessed over 500 warheads as of May last year. It has been estimated that the number will likely reach over 1,000 by 2030. Changes to the numbers, capability and readiness of Chinese nuclear forces in the coming years were 'likely to outpace' potential developments by the nuclear forces of any rival, the Pentagon concluded in a report issued in October last year. Convicted murderer Lyle Menendez is having a clandestine fling from his prison cell with a British university student he met online, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. Sources said Lyle, 56, is so besotted with blonde Milly Bucksey, 21, that he has even told her he wants to divorce his devoted wife who he married in 2003 the month before his new love was born. Lyle adores Milly', an insider with knowledge of the romance told DailyMail.com. 'And she refers to him as her boyfriend even though hes married.' The romance first blossomed at the start of this year, when Lyle spotted Milly on a Facebook group in his name that is run by his wife Rebecca Sneed, 55. According to those familiar with the situation, he initially approached her under an alias before confessing his true identity to the smitten student. Since then, their romance has spiced up and even led to Lyle getting busted by prison guards at the top-security Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, for possessing a contraband cell phone he was using to contact his new squeeze. A record of that incident was included in ousted Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon's resentencing memo, filed in Los Angeles at the end of October. It showed he was caught with the phone on March 15 in the cell he shares with 'multiple other people'. Despite being busted, DailyMail.com has learned that Lyle has since acquired a second illicit cell phone, which he has been using to stay in touch with the University of Manchester student. Lyle Menendez, 56, started an affair with 21-year-old British university student Milly Bucksey and had her come all the way from Manchester to visit him in prison on September 14 Lyle's secret affair with the university student began online after he messaged her after spotting her on his wife's Facebook group she runs in his name Bucksey changed the cover of her Facebook page to a picture of Ocean Beach in San Diego on September 17. The beach is just 20 miles from Imperial Beach where Lyle's wife Rebecca Sneed, 55, relocated to be closer to him She has even made the 5,300-mile journey from her home in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, to San Diego to visit her much older boyfriend and was photographed with him in prison. Photos, exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, show the pair inside the prison. In one they pose in front of one of the distinctive murals in the prison yard with their arms wrapped lovingly around each other. In another they pose with a large dog, and a third has Milly sitting on Lyle's knee. A time stamp on the picture shows it was taken on Saturday, September 14 a date corresponding with the Friday to Sunday visiting hours at the lock-up and nine days before Milly's university started its fall semester. In what appears to be a loving gesture to her jailbird lover, Milly changed the cover photo on her Facebook page to a picture of Ocean Beach in San Diego on November 17. The beach in the laid-back surfer neighborhood has a distinctive palm-fringed promenade and cream lifeguard towers, both of which can be seen in Milly's photo. In an ironic twist, Ocean Beach is just 20 miles from Imperial Beach the southern San Diego neighborhood where Lyle's lawyer wife has lived since relocating from California state capital of Sacramento in October 2020 to be closer to him. When DailyMail.com attempted to contact Milly at her home in England, her father Peter, 78, firmly closed the door. A spokesperson for the Menendez family did not respond to a request for comment. Lyle's latest fling is not the first time he has been caught cheating on his spouse from prison. His first marriage to Chicago-native Anna Eriksson came to a juddering halt in 2001 after she caught him sending love letters to another woman. In one of the pictures taken inside the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, the love-smitten pair pose with a large dog Lyle has been hoping for an early release from his life sentence but the discovery of illicit cell phones and the replacement of LA district attorney George Gascon could complicate that Lyle wants to divorce his devoted lawyer wife Rebecca Sneed, he allegedly told Bucksey Lyle (right) is now in prison in San Diego with his younger brother Erik Milly made the 5,300-mile journey from her home in England to visit her much older boyfriend in prison. Lyle's first marriage to Chicago-native Anna Eriksson failed in 2001 after she caught him sending love letters to another woman But this time, the stakes are higher for Lyle and his brother Erik, 53, who have become a cause celebre following the smash-hit success of Ryan Murphy's biographical crime drama anthology, Monster: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Los Angeles County DA Gascon announced he was planning to pursue a lighter sentence for the brothers in October, telling reporters that the pair 'have paid their debt to society'. But he was voted out of office in this month's election and will step down on December 1. His replacement, Republican-turned-Independent Nate Hochman, 60, has thrown the brothers' bid for freedom into jeopardy by saying he plans to review Gascon's decision. The revelation that Lyle had a second contraband cell phone could also have implications for the case, particularly as California Governor Gavin Newsom this week declined to offer the brothers immediate clemency instead saying he intends to wait for the outcome of Hochman's review. That won't happen until after Hochman takes office. A resentencing hearing scheduled for December 11 is likely to be postponed as a result. In a statement to CNN following his victory, Hochman said: 'Before I can make any decision about the Menendez brothers' case, I will need to become thoroughly familiar with the relevant facts, the evidence and the law.' The former federal prosecutor added: 'I will have to review the confidential prison files for each brother, the transcripts from both trials and speak to the prosecutors, law enforcement, defense counsel and the victims' family members. 'If for some reason I need additional time, I will ask the court for that time.' Milly lives in Altrincham, England with her parents Peter, 78, and Karen, 57, Bucksey Milly celebrated New Year's 2022 with a group of friends at her high school Former LA DA George Gascon initially said in October he was pursuing a lighter sentence for the brothers. But Gascon's ousting by the new DA Nate Hochman has put his initial decision in jeopardy, as Hochman declared he had to view the case in its entirety before making a decision Erik and Lyle Menendez have been in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez since March 1990 and were convicted of the double homicide in a 1993 trial The brothers have been locked up since March 1990 when they were arrested for the brutal 1989 shotgun slayings of their parents Kitty and Jose. Both confessed to the gruesome killings at the family home in Beverly Hills but said they snapped after enduring years of sexual abuse at Jose's hands. That argument fell flat at their 1993 trial with prosecutors successfully arguing that the murders were carried out for financial gain after the brothers went on a $700,000 spending spree in the weeks after the shootings. As a result, they were both handed life without parole and sent to separate prisons, although they were eventually reunited at the San Diego lock-up in 2018. Like his brother, Erik also got married while behind bars. He wed Tammi Saccoman in a waiting room at Folsom State Prison in June 1999. 'Our wedding cake was a Twinkie. We improvised. It was a wonderful ceremony until I had to leave,' Saccoman said. 'That was a very lonely night.' President Donald Trump issued the stark warning on Friday, while revealing ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are progressing - but catastrophe could yet be unleashed without peace. Speaking to the Justice Department he said: 'I think we have it, I think we have it, but this could lead to World War III, very easily, could very easily lead to World War III. 'But I think we're in pretty good shape, a lot better than where we were before we got involved. That was heading into World War III territory, that would've been a war like no other because of nuclear weapons, and other types of weapons that you don't even wanna know about.' Cotswolds homeowners have seen the value of their homes rise more than anywhere else in England - as the picturesque region plays host to raunchy TV series drama Rivals. The 'bonkbuster' Disney+ show, adapted from Jilly Cooper's steamy novel, is set in the county and depicts warring media factions vying for the lucrative regional broadcast contract. And, the show's runaway success has raised more than just eyebrows with Cotswold homeowners enjoying the biggest monthly price boost in the latest House Price Index report. The average home in the region increased by 4 per cent in value from August to September, worth nearly 20,000, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). However, house prices in the same region actually fell by 3 per cent over the last 12 months making the average property now worth 490,887. In comparison, house prices across the UK rose around an average of 8,000 in the last year, analysis from Purplebricks show. Over the 12 months from September 2023, average property prices rose by 2.9 per cent despite falling 0.3 per cent from August this year, the HPI showed. The average price of a home in the UK fell slightly bringing an end to the eight months of consecutive rises as the average price of a home is now valued at 292,000. The average home in the region increased by 4 per cent in value from August to September, worth nearly 20,000, according to ONS data. Picture: A four bedroom property in Stroud up for 850,000 Pictured: The spacious kitchen area complete with wooden furnishings of the four bedroom property in Stroud Every region across the country saw an annual rise with England recording a 2.5 per cent gain, Wales a modest 0.4 per cent and Scotland an impressive 5.7 per cent year-on-year. Properties in the North East defied the trend and grew considerably in value, with a gain of 6.5 per cent or 11,092 in the last 12 months, making the average home now worth around 164,788. Homeowners in Scotland have enjoyed a positive 12 months with a 5.7 per cent rise from last September but will be left disappointed with an almost 1 per cent loss from August. Scottish homes now sit at an average price of around 198,046 - a loss of over 1,900 despite the trend of the last year. Indeed, it is Scots from the far north of Shetland who are the Brits with the most to celebrate today. Homes on the archipelago have risen by 19 per cent from September 2023 with an increase of 39,527 over the year, sure to warm the islanders during a cold winter. An average home on Shetland will set buyers back 212,527 according to the report from today - a rise from 173,000 last September. And, homes in East Renfrewshire increased 11 per cent over the last year, adding some 32,433 to their value, making them the average home worth 323,433. South of the border, homeowners were seeing an average of 3 per cent equivalent to 7,720 being added to the value of their home, making the average English property worth 303,034. Your browser does not support iframes. House prices in the Cotswolds actually fell by 3 per cent over the last 12 months making the average property now worth 490,887. Pictured: A three bedroom house in Chipping Norton up for 550,000 Pictured: The living room of the three bedroom house in Chipping Noton complete with wood burning stove In comparison, house prices across the UK rose around an average of 8,000 in the last year, analysis from Purplebricks shows. Pictured: A five bedroom house in Chipping Norton up for 925,000 Pictured: A bedroom and en-suite bathroom in the five bedroom home in Chipping Norton Homeowners in the capital won't have much to celebrate today as London has seen the average price of a property fall for the month and year, according to the HPI report. Properties in the UK's most populated city lost around 1 per cent of their value, a decrease in value of around 2,628 annually. The average price of a home in London now stands at 525,586 with many boroughs in the city losing out. The five biggest losers in the entire United Kingdom are boroughs of London including the City of London and plush Kensington and Chelsea. City of London property owners' homes have dropped 20 per cent from September 2023 losing more than 150,000 in value. Meanwhile in Kensington and Chelsea, home of E4's reality show Made in Chelsea, there was a 12 per cent loss equating to 141,988 being lost. Nick Gunga, managing director of Purplebricks Estate Agency said: 'This slow down should be seen as little more than a bump in the road. 'Prices often fluctuate up and down and the overall trajectory is on the incline - mortgage rates are falling and many homes are being put up for sale due to the change in capital gains tax and stamp duty announced in the Budget. 'It is clear that the Government is keen to impress in the housing market with their own agenda through the Budget however homeowners are unlikely to enjoy the downturn in house prices however slight. 'Many homeowners have finally enjoyed reaping the rewards of a strengthened housing market which will hopefully continue to trend in the right direction.' QUESTION: Which is the world's largest model rail set? Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany, is the world's largest model railway system. It is home to a miniature railway that stretches over ten miles (16,491m). The model world includes miniature versions of Hamburg, the German Alps, France, Italy, North America and Scandinavia. It is home to 1,231 trains, over 12,000 wagons, 5,278 buildings, 292,110 figurines, 11,080 cars and trucks, 157,000 trees, 1,403 signals, 3,627 switches, 521,500 LED lights and 47 planes. Miniatur Wunderland was started in 2000 by twin brothers Frederik and Gerrit Braun. Frederik was the ideas man, Gerrit the strategist and engineer who made Frederik's dream a reality. The UK's biggest model railway, Heaton Lodge Junction, is two-and-a-half miles long. It was businessman Simon George's dream to recreate his favourite childhood spot -a railway junction near Mirfield in West Yorkshire. The longest model railway track ever assembled was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary, The Biggest Little Railway In The World, hosted by Dick Strawbridge and Claire Barratt. This was a temporary 71-mile model railway that ran from Fort William to Inverness. Dominic Curtis, Newcastle upon Tyne Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, Germany, is the world's largest model railway system QUESTION: Did Pope John XXIII ask a comic author to rewrite the catechism of the Catholic Church to make it more accessible? Giovannino Guareschi (1908-1968) was an Italian humourist and political journalist. He gave us The Little World Of Don Camillo. These were short stories about Don Camillo, a Catholic priest who has a friendly rivalry with Peppone, the Communist mayor of his little village. Tomorrow's questions Q: Why is a hoax known as a 'canard'? Nicola Vernon, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Q: Who introduced the first powered shower? Mark Dranfield, Buxton, Derbys Q: Do the British Armed Forces still use any types of ordnance that were used during the Second World War? Jill Franks, Lancaster Advertisement The hot-headed priest consults with Christ on the altar cross in his church, and the reader is privy to the Lord's often provocative answers. The two men have a grudging affection for each other, despite their ideological differences. The stories are some of the most popular and charming works in Italian literature, beloved of clergy and laity alike. In 1959, Pope John XXIII, a great admirer of the stories, invited Guareschi to write a new catechism (a summary of the official teachings of Roman Catholic beliefs, including creeds, sacraments, commandments and prayers). This new catechism was to feature Don Camillo however, Guareschi declined the offer. Sonia Glenn, Woking, Surrey QUESTION: Near-death experiences (NDEs) are mainly Christian-orientated in the West. Have there been NDEs involving other religions? In his 1975 book Life After Life, psychiatrist Raymond Moody coined the term 'near-death experiences'. Moody has since documented numerous NDEs, discovering that many of these experiences share common features, such as the feeling of being out of one's body, the sensation of travelling through a tunnel and encountering a bright light, meeting dead loved ones and reaching a 'point of no return'. In 2010, Dr Rajiv Parti, an anaesthetist of Indian descent, had a near-death experience following complications from cancer surgery. He reported an out-of-body state where he could see his physical body on the operating table and the surgical team working on him. Parti described encountering several spiritual figures and deities. He also encountered a 'being of light' and 'angels'. He recorded his experiences in Dying To Wake Up: A Doctor's Voyage Into The Afterlife And The Wisdom He Brought Back. Sam Bercholz is an American teacher of Buddhism who had an NDE following coronary bypass surgery. Bercholz experienced a vision of the underworld, a place of unending suffering where human souls go to meet their karmic retribution. He wrote about this experience in his book A Guided Tour Of Hell. Mellen-Thomas Benedict was a U.S. artist and agnostic who specialised in stained glass, and, in 1982, was suffering with terminal brain cancer. During this time, he claimed that he was dead for more than an hour and a half, rose up out of his body and went into 'the light'. Curious about the universe, he was taken far into the remote depths of existence and even further, into the 'void of nothingness' beyond the universe. Benedict returned to life, fully recovered from his cancer. His experience is often cited in discussions about consciousness and life after death. He recorded his story in his book, Journey Through The Light And Back. Benedict finally passed away in 2017. Janice Brand, Redhill, Surrey A massive train strike across greater Sydney has been sensationally called off at the eleventh hour after the union and the NSW government met for crucial talks. The NSW premier, key ministers, bureaucrats and representatives of five unions sat down on Thursday afternoon to discuss the three-day strike and were able to come to an agreement - much to the relief of millions of commuters. The NSW government has agreed to run 24-hour trains this weekend with 'intense bargaining' for a long-term deal with the union to begin over the next two weeks. 'I am pleased that we've been able to reach an agreement with the unions, meaning that Sydneysiders can get where they need to go on Friday and Saturday, over the weekend,' Transport Minister Jo Haylen said. 'My number one job is to keep our city moving, to make sure people can get where they need to go, and they have the information that they need to plan their lives.' Mr Minns said he was grateful to the union for agreeing to the interim arrangements and acknowledged efforts on both sides of the table. 'They're tough negotiators... they know what they're doing. It's not an indictment on them but they fight hard on behalf of their members,' he said. However, he said it wasn't possible to run 24-hour trains 'every weekend, forever'. The key players who can potentially avert a massive train strike across the greater Sydney area are meeting for crucial talks in a last-ditch effort to stop the shutdown (pictured Martin Place station in Sydney) 'The main reason for that is that so much of the maintenance and repair of the transport system operates because people are incredibly hardworking and their job starts at two o'clock in the morning when the [trains] shut down,' he said. He said the state government simply 'ran out of time' with negotiations. 'The heat's on us to get an agreement, I think the union feels the same way,' he said. 'It would have been great to get a long term agreement negotiated in the last 48 hours, we ran out of time, and neither side was prepared to let commuters suffer as a result of that reality.' The stunning backflip comes after the not-for-profit advocacy group Business NSW says the Rail, Tram and Bus Union strike would have cost the state $50.7million. Business NSW chief executive Daniel Hunter, Business Western Sydney director David Borger and Business Sydney director Paul Nicolaou co-signed a statement calling the protected industrial action 'economic sabotage'. 'The ripple effect of the irresponsible and damaging train strike action will cost jobs, hurt essential services and is a kick in the guts for hardworking businesses. White-collar workers have the advantage of being able to work remotely,' they said. 'However, many of the 415,000 people employed in the retail sector and 306,000 people employed in the hospitality sector won't be able to perform their duties remotely.' The Sydney Trains strike was due to go ahead from 4.15am on Friday until Sunday morning and would have impacted a host of concerts, matches and performances. Ticketholders for Pearl Jam, all 12 A-League women and men's games, the theatre juggernaut Hamilton, the Nepal Festival at Darling Harbour and a James Blunt concert would all have been affected. Murderer turned best-selling author Mark 'Chopper' Read confronted Alan Jones about being arrested in a public toilet on live TV more than 25 years ago, leaving the shock jock uncharacteristically lost for words. 'Chopper', a notorious criminal who claimed to have killed up to seven people before transforming himself into a loveable rogue and writer of successful, semi-autobiographical novels, rang the Midday Show hosted by Kerri-Anne Kennerley in March 1998. The clip resurfaced online this week after Jones was charged with a string of historic sex offences on Monday following accusations he abused his position of power as a top-rating radio host to prey on young men. The footage from 1998 began with Chopper defending his decision to feed a man into a cement mixer. 'He was a heavy duty heroin dealer,' Chopper told a clearly-unimpressed Kennerley. 'He killed more people than I've killed in my wildest dreams.' At this point, Jones interjected with a lecture. 'There are law enforcement authorities in this country who are responsible for dealing with heroin dealers,' he said. Mark 'Chopper' Read (pictured) rang the Midday Show hosted by Kerri-Anne Kennerley in March 1998 Jones' harangue earned the applause of the crowd but he was caught completely off guard by Chopper's next comment (pictured: Jones' face during the confrontation) 'It is not the responsibility of any Australian citizen to think they can chop people up and murder them because they deal in heroin, otherwise we'd have the law of the jungle prevailing and everyone would be the custodian of the law.' Jones' harangue earned the applause of the crowd but he was caught completely off guard by Chopper's follow-up comment. 'People who throw stones better make sure they don't live in glass houses, Alan,' Chopper observed. 'We are not talking about anybody living in glass houses, Chopper,' Jones responded before the convicted criminal cut him off. 'Well, I never got arrested in a public toilet in London.' Chopper was referring to an episode almost a decade before in December 1988 when Jones was arrested in a public toilet near London's Picaddily Circus and later charged with outraging public decency. The toilets were located in an area known as a gay beat at the time and police had been ordered to target homosexuals meeting at the public facilities. All charges were later dropped and Jones has always declared his innocence. After Chopper's comment, an audible gasp could be heard in the studio as Kennerly sought to defend her co-host. After Chopper's comment, an audible gasp could be heard in the studio as Kennerly (pictured) sought to defend Jones Chopper was referring to an episode almost a decade before in December 1988 when Jones was arrested in a public toilet near London's Picaddily Circus and later charged with outraging public decency (pictured: the Daily Mirror's headline the following day) 'Chopper, I'm actually pulling the plug on this, I have no desire to listen to anything else you have to say,' she said. 'Thank you very much for calling, that's as polite as I can possibly be.' A quietly seething Jones then sought the moral high ground. 'In relation to the final comment by Chopper Read, I guess that indicates the kind of person we're dealing with,' he said. 'Justice takes its course in all things and you don't dignify those things by any kind of remark.' The Herald Sun's Deadline column said the audience was left dumbfounded by the interaction, while 'the Midday camera crew members almost wet themselves with sheer, unadulterated joy'. 'It was, as master comic writer Tony Martin noted 23 years later, a priceless exchange,' the column observed. 'Martin noted mischievously in 2020: 'A lot of people (are) getting stuck into Kerri-Anne Kennerley, but let's never forget that she was the one who introduced Alan Jones to Chopper Read in what is still one of Australian TV's greatest moments'.' Jones, 83, was arrested at around 7.45am on Monday at his Circular Quay apartment and taken to Day Street Police Station in the Sydney CBD after detectives searched his home. He was later charged with 26 offences involving nine alleged victims spanning two decades. Jones's lawyer said he would be defending the charges. He was granted conditional bail and will next appear in court on December 18. There's a method to Donald Trump's madness but it's still madness. That appears to be especially true when it comes to the President-elect's picks for his cabinet. On Tuesday, former Congressman Matt Gaetz arrived on Capitol Hill to meet with Republican Senators who could make or break his nomination for attorney general. But at this juncture, even Trump reportedly thinks Gaetz has only a 50 percent chance at confirmation. As many as 30 Republicans could oppose him, and at least two GOP senators have said they will already. Just two more firm 'no' votes would seal his fate. And Gaetz isn't winning over many new fans. This week, an attorney for two women, who allegedly testified to the House Ethics Committee, said that Gaetz paid them for sex and invited them to a dozen drug-fueled sex parties. One of the women claims she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl. If true, that would constitute statutory rape. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and a previous Justice Department probe into these allegations was dropped last year, but the Washington rumor mill is merciless and it runs on people who know Gaetz up close. There's a method to Donald Trump 's madness - but it's still madness. That appears to be especially true when it comes to the President-elect's picks for his cabinet. On Tuesday, Matt Gaetz arrived on Capitol Hill to meet with Republican Senators who could make or break his nomination for attorney general. At this juncture, even Trump reportedly thinks Gaetz has only a 50 percent chance at confirmation. (Pictured: Gaetz with his wife Ginger Luckey.) Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin a former MMA fighter and MAGA loyalist claimed last year that Gaetz would openly boast about his sexual conquests. 'We had all seen the videos he was showing on the House floor [...] of the girls that he had slept with,' Mullin said. 'He'd brag about how he would crush [erectile dysfunction] medicine and chase it with an energy drink so he could go all night.' As of writing, Senator Mullin remains a solid 'maybe' on Gaetz. Gambling that nothing else damaging to Gaetz comes out before his confirmation hearings is a bad bet. This all raises the question: Why would Trump tap such a man to be the nation's chief law-enforcement officer? It's not for his legal acumen. Gaetz, the entitled son and grandson of prominent Florida politicians, has barely practiced law, spending just two years handling small cases at a politically connected firm before running for office. He's also never managed an organization. Most of his experience with criminal justice is as a potential defendant. It's not that Gaetz is a loyal party man either. After Trump backed Kevin McCarthy for Speaker, Gaetz nearly handed the House to Democrats by leading a rebellion that later ousted McCarthy from the speaker's chair. As we've already established, Gaetz does not appear to be a man of integrity. After Trump announced his AG pick last week, Gaetz resigned from the House early, perhaps to prevent the release of a pending Ethics Committee report into the allegations against him. He previously beat the rap before, in 2008, when he was arrested for driving under the influence but never convicted. All of which must have been known to Trump before he selected Gaetz. And, indeed, the ensuing backlash doesn't appear to have tempered the President-elect. Trump is reportedly now calling senators to lobby for Gaetz, while simultaneously pushing to bypass the Congress altogether. Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin (pictured), a former MMA fighter and MAGA loyalist, claimed last year that Gaetz would boast about his sexual conquests on the House floor. Trump and his allies are encouraging the Senate to take an extended recess so that he can make 'recess appointments' a constitutional loophole through which a president can fill administration vacancies if Congress is out of session. But that would be a drastic and unprecedented step that the Supreme Court might find to be illegal. While presidents have used recess appointments before, none have demanded that the Senate let them appoint their initial Cabinet while lawmakers are still in town. It seems Trump has chosen Gaetz for one reason: To reform the Justice Department from within. And it's a noble cause. Attorney general is a big job, maybe the biggest on the president's team. The position demands a prudent legal counselor and grants vast powers that are dangerous in irresponsible hands. Joe Biden's attorney general unleashed all manner of crazy woke lawsuits and oversaw the appointment of the special prosecutor, Jack Smith, who charged Trump in two criminal cases. The Justice Department, founded in 1870, is also an enormous bureaucracy that can stymie a chief executive and Trump ran on a series of ambitious and controversial pledges to begin mass deportations, restore strict law and order, rein in the FBI and severely slim down the civil service. Gaetz's unfitness for the job could be an asset in Trump's eyes if it prompts entrenched DOJ prosecutors and agents to resign in protest rather than serve under him. Perhaps he's being hired as a disruptor, not as a manager. In Trump's war against the 'deep state,' Gaetz seems like a nuclear weapon. But, even in this understanding of Trump's thinking, the Gaetz pick still isn't a good choice. No scenario seems attractive. For even if he were to be confirmed as AG by the Senate, there is little likelihood that he'd know how to run the department well enough to accomplish the things Trump wants. Gaetz's unfitness for the job could be an asset in Trump's eyes if it prompts entrenched DOJ prosecutors and agents to resign in protest rather than serve under him. Perhaps he's being hired as a disruptor, not as a manager. On the other hand, if Gaetz were selected via a controversial recess appointment, and the Supreme Court later ruled that appointment to be illegal, everything he does in office would become invalid. And finally, and perhaps most likely, if the Senate did go forward with confirmation hearings and then shoot down Gaetz's nomination, Trump will be setting himself against his own party's senators. Some of those senators are up for re-election in 2026; Trump isn't. Undermining them with base voters and costing them their seats could end up reducing Trump's influence in Congress and thwart his agenda in his final two years. Yes, Trump may have his reasons for wanting a disruptive attorney general. All of them will backfire. I have spent years working with teens, as a teacher and school counsellor in NSW public schools, and now in private practice as a psychologist and cyberpsychology educator for all ages. I started exploring cyberpsychology in my psychology Honours thesis on Year 10 boys and video games back in 2009. And my Masters' thesis examined self-control and problematic smartphone use in Year 7 students. I see first-hand some of the shocking, sad and sometimes preventable issues that arise from developing minds accessing powerful technology too young, too often and without appropriate supervision. But I don't believe that hasty plans to ban teens from social media are an effective or meaningful way to address concerns about the youth mental health crisis. That said, I also believe in parents' right to choose to delay uptake of smartphones and social media and that reducing the peer pressure to be on social media until at the very least high school would be a great first step that we could collectively take tomorrow. These are some of the reasons I'm not on board with the current ban plans - with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government introducing legislation to the House of Representatives on Thursday morning. Reason #1. The research on social media and youth mental health is actually pretty murky and inconclusive. If you have read (or pretended to read) Jonathan Haidt's hefty Anxious Generation, you will think that the research is all stitched up. It's not, by a long shot - even Professor Pat McGorry agrees. We need to research the complex, dynamic ways individuals use social media, not just track time spent - which is like counting digital calories without considering the nutritional content. I have spent years working with teens, as a teacher, school counsellor, and now in private practice as a psychologist and cyberpsychology educator for all ages. I don't believe this plan is an effective way to address concerns about the youth mental health crisis 2. Social media use, like 'screentime', is not one thing - it's a million things, some of which are positive Boiling all ways of using social media down to binary notions of good vs bad is not only unhelpful but shows how little adults understand about the complexities, utilities and benefits of social media. When we use it intentionally, and in empowered ways to align with our goals and values, research like this shows positive outcomes. There are already a range of tools to help manage use, from parental controls, to block and mute buttons. Bans ignore the benefits (for instance - watching Question Time in Parliament on YouTube!) and create more risk and marginalisation for vulnerable, isolated young people who use social media beneficially. 3. Effective age verification technology doesn't exist (yet) and will be expensive to build and maintain. We are trying to legislate a solution that has been abandoned in the countries that tried it. To verify someone's age, we need to verify their identity this means folks over 16 also will need to prove their age through these 'age gate' systems - so Baby Boomers will also have to navigate verification to use Facebook. This will set up third party tech companies to store identity documents, and create a digital bank vault that could become a target for hackers and scammers. It's called the world wide web, and getting around a geographical boundary is as simple as V-P-N. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland are expected to introduce the legislation banning social media use for under 16s to Parliament today 4. Bans don't teach young people skills to navigate digital spaces. Like any complex skill, learning to use social media to requires role modelling, repetition and rehearsal. As with pool safety and learning to swim or driving, we must support young people to learn dynamic ways of participating safety and intelligently in social media spaces and manage a range of conditions and situations. Young people learn through experience, not just theory (or single guest speaker sessions at assembly). So creating sandboxed versions of social media platforms, like the new Instagram Teens accounts recently launched, helps them learn with digital training wheels on. We don't hand kids the keys to the SUV at 16 and let them drive. We also didn't ban cars when people tragically had accidents- we set safety standards, developed more road rules and changed licensing regulations. 5. A ban can signal permission for parents to be more hands off with digital wellbeing practices - and that will reduce pressure on big tech to prioritise accountability. The ban may inadvertently enable parents to abdicate their responsibility for monitoring and guiding their children's online behavior. We didn't grow up with this technology and it has caught many parents off guard in terms of confidence managing devices, setting boundaries and navigating the conflict that often arises. Parents need more practical support to tackle these issues, not flimsy, fear-fuelled laws that are unenforceable. Making 'social media' illegal doesn't stop kids accessing it. They will do so in more covert and risky ways, and wander into darker spaces with even fewer trust and safety measures than the big players, once again catching overwhelmed and exhausted parents off guard. Even if Parliament ignore the recommendations of its own joint select committee and these laws pass before Christmas, it will be over 12 months before the legislation can reasonably come into effect. There are a range of practical actions parents and carers can take today to improve the digital wellbeing of the teens and tweens in their lives. Young people's mental health deserves our immediate and sustained attention and action. This is best delivered through deliberate legislative design, not desperate deployment. Let's move wisely, to effectively protect people. Jocelyn Brewer is a Sydney-based psychologist and founder of Digital Nutrition. Kellyanne Conway hit out at a liberal graduate student who questioned her record during President-Elect Donald Trump's first term during a Harvard University discussion. The former advisor to the president appeared at the Ivy League institution on Tuesday to discuss the 2024 presidential election and what challenges Trump may face in his second term. But when audience members got a chance to ask Conway some questions, second-year Master of Public Policy student Jane Petersen took the opportunity to try to slam her for once claiming there were 'alternative facts' about the size of the crowd at Trump's inauguration. 'I wanted to ask you a question about your job as White House spokesperson,' Petersen began. 'In that role, you said things that were pretty audacious [and] caused people to question things that they have seen with their own eyes. 'I was always wondering whether it was a survival response in what seemed like what was a very chaotic White House, or was it a strategy? So was it strategy or was it survival? You know, all the bantering with journalists the alternative facts. Was it strategy or was it survival?' At first, Conway simply asked if Petersen knew what the term 'alternative facts' meant, to which she said, 'I'm aware.' 'Can you please explain it for us?' Conway then challenged the girl. 'Tell the person who uttered it on her third Sunday show of the day, looking into a blank camera, and then immediately said what I meant.' The girl then seemed to backtrack, saying: 'Well we could also do other examples.' But Conway cut her off, urging Petersen to answer the question 'to be fair.' Kellyanne Conway hit out at a liberal graduate student who challenged her record during President-Elect Donald Trump's first term Jane Petersen, a second-year Master of Public Policy student, took the opportunity to try to slam her for once claiming there were 'alternative facts' about the size of the crowd at Trump's inauguration 'You're not going to go back eight years and do that,' Conway said. At that point, the master's student tried to rephrase her question, saying she was asking Conway about her experience in the White House. But still, Conway doubled down. 'No,' she said. 'You gave me two choices and they're inaccurate.' Petersen then attempted to explain Conway's use of the term 'alternative facts,' but when she mentioned she was 'assuming,' Conway once again hit out at her for that. By then, the student said she thought it was 'interesting that you decided to come here and know that you're going to be accepting questions from students and yet -' prompting Kellyanne to respond. 'OK so then I'll answer it, thank you for your question,' she said. 'You gave me choices, and they're both inaccurate,' Conway replied, noting that it was 'rich' for Petersen to suggest her actions in the White House were a 'survivor's response... since you know nothing about me.' Conway asked Petersen (pictured) if she knew what she meant when she used the term 'alternative facts,' to which she said she was 'aware' Conway insisted she answer the question 'to be fair' 'So alternative facts, I gave you a good chance there, and it's a great chance for you because I don't need any more air time, I get plenty of it,' she continued. 'First of all, my job was counselor to the president. I said "no" to press secretary. Forty-two minutes after President Trump was elected, he offered me that job. He said "You'd be great at that job," I said "I would be terrible at that, I'm not even sure what they do." 'Some days I'm still not sure, and clearly I'm not sure after these four years,' Conway said, taking aim at the Biden administration's claims that the border is secure despite migrants flooding into the country. 'President Biden is behind the scenes, he's a trapeze artist and a triathlete. You just can't see it,' she insisted. 'So I hope you take these same concerns to the people who've lied to your face for four years in this administration, all the way to this crushing defeat of a sitting vice president who should have been, who could have been the first female president of color in our nation's history, but instead had to eat and own all the lies that had been told by this administration.' Conway was at Harvard on Tuesday to discuss the 2024 presidential election and what challenges Trump may face in his second term She then went on to note that there's an entire chapter of her book, Here's The Deal, in which she explains her use of the phrase 'alternative facts.' 'Alternative facts was very simple,' Conway said. 'It was, I meant to say "alternative information, additional facts." It wasn't George Orwell. It wasn't a new set of facts.' 'If you want to be judged by two words in your life, it will take me - it wouldn't take me much time to find those two words,' Conway insisted to Petersen. 'But I don't do that. I don't look at people that way,' she said. 'I don't look at people that way.' She then said she was 'really proud that I was able to tell people what was going on in the White House... I'm very happy to have told the country that I work for the president,' going on to list some of Trump's policies like tax cuts, trade deals and moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. 'So here's what I do, I look at the full measure of people, and if the idea is to try to cut them down from one bad thing they said or one bad day they had or one article they wrote, then I wish you a much happier life than all that. Conway concluded by saying she was proud to have served in Trump's administration 'So I don't have an answer to a question that doesn't make a lot of sense to me, except to say that you can read my book about alternative facts, you can listen to the many interviews I gave about it. 'It was never actually a different set of facts, and that's pretty obvious,' she said. 'And I will say this, you go back to 2016, the media, who I guess just [makes] a whole living on getting the elections wrong - on that they're consistent - they couldn't get enough of Donald Trump and Kellyanne Conway during the election, every show, every minute. 'So I'm well on the record saying which states he was going to win, how he was going to win in 2016, where he was going to win. And then, he won and people changed. They turned just like that when we needed the media's help to tell the country what's going on, to co-parent the White House in the mainstream media, to responsibly co-parent the country for four to eight years' Conway claimed, snapping her fingers. 'Instead, they turn out to be a lot of deadbeat dads interested in not getting the story, but getting the president and tearing us down,' she claimed. The 'progressive' district attorney who prosecuted the case for the migrant who brutally murdered nursing student Laken Riley said she wouldn't seek the death penalty because it would cause 'collateral consequences to undocumented defendants.' Jose Ibarra, 26, was convicted Wednesday 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. Many Republicans were shocked that Ibarra, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela, was not given a death sentence. Deborah Gonzalez, a liberal prosecutor funded by George Soros, said in February that her office would 'no longer seek the death penalty' because life without parole already constitutes 'very substantial punishment.' Gonzalez made several other 'soft-on-crime' policy decisions out of a desire to impact 'the community's fundamental faith in the system.' That included not charging simple marijuana offenses, not using mandatory minimum sentencing and taking 'into account collateral consequences to undocumented defendants.' She was forced to step down from the case and appoint a special prosecutor after being unable to get convictions. She's also previously been slammed for dismissing charges against a child rapist who was later convicted of the attack and even her own former supporters believe her to be incompetent. She lost her re-election campaign to an independent by 20 points in November. 'Progressive' prosecutor Deborah Gonzalez said she wouldn't seek the death penalty for Laken Riley's killer because it would cause 'collateral consequences to undocumented defendants' Riley's body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus 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. '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 Laken's 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.' Decisions like this are considered the main reason Gonzalez lost her re-election by 20 points to independent Kalki Yalamanchili, in a race where Gonzalez ran 16 points behind Kamala Harris, who won the district. When Gonzalez took office, she released a memorandum detailing revised policies on prosecution, sentencing and rehabilitation programs. But she quickly retracted it because of intense backlash. Gonzalez made several other 'soft-on-crime' policy decisions out of a desire to impact 'the community's fundamental faith in the system' 'I think part of it is because Im outspoken and I am unapologetically a Democrat, and I consider myself a progressive prosecutor,' Gonzalez said of the criticism. 'There are many prosecutors who dont like that word - progressive - but to me, what it means is that we need to look at this differently. ... We need to always ask ourselves, `Is this in the interest of justice?' When Gonzalez took office, dozens of staff left. Though turnover is normal when new district attorneys enter office and offices across Georgia face staffing shortages, it is especially pronounced for progressive prosecutors. The early exodus in Gonzalez's office was driven by policy disagreements, said Patrick Najjar, a former prosecutor under Gonzalez. But it didn't take long for the office to descend into a 'downward spiral' due to poor management, he said, adding that he was overwhelmed by his caseload and left after five months. June Teasley, who left Gonzalezs office, said Gonzalez didn't have the prosecutorial experience for the job. 'People left Deborahs office because they couldnt function under her disjointed attempt to be a progressive prosecutor,' Teasley said. Girtz, the Athens-Clarke County mayor, supported Gonzalez when she ran for state House and for DA. But in November, supported Yalamanchili. 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 'Even if you call yourself a progressive, part of that is just making sure that the wheels of justice turn and dont grind to a halt,' Girtz said. 'And unfortunately, the wheels are not turning very smoothly these days.' Yalamanchili has said he would clean up the 'general dysfunction' in the office, including low conviction rates. Gonzalez blames staffing shortages and said she hired eight prosecutors in recent months. Gonzalez also has faced legal reprimands, including having been cited at least four times for not communicating with victims about cases and sued for violating open records laws. She said her critics are trying to 'distract' from her office's accomplishments, which include expunging peoples records, resentencing five people and referring 15 juveniles to restorative justice programs. 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. '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. 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 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. 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. He spoke about her case at the Republican convention, where he blamed the Biden Administration for letting her killer into the country. 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. An Irish expat has been forced to farewell Sydney after just three weeks after he found it 'impossible' to find long-term work and a place to live. Jordan Morris from Northern Ireland fled the Harbour City for Bali after less than a month after admitting he underestimated how hard the move was going to be. He posted a video to social media titled 'Goodbye Sydney' in which he revealed two weeks in Indonesia would be cheaper than staying in a hostel. 'I think we underestimated just how difficult it is to get set up here in Sydney, and after only three weeks, we are leaving the country,' Mr Morris said. His mission to find a three-bedroom home has been complicated by the fact that one of his friends has not arrived in Australia from Ireland yet. 'We're trying to secure a three-bed flat with only two people and honestly, it's just proving to be impossible,' the expat said. Despite scoring some temporary 'donkey work' labouring for a few days, Mr Morris explained it was only so they could afford the next few weeks. 'It's actually going to be cheaper for us to go to Bali for two weeks than it is to stay in Sydney. Which honestly just blows my mind,' he said. But the group haven't given up on Sydney just yet. 'When we come back from Bali, the plan is to get some temporary work till Christmas,' Mr Morris said. 'Enjoy Christmas here, and then in the New Year... try and secure some sort of long-term work and somewhere to live.' Dozens of Aussies couldn't believe the expat had given up after just three weeks. 'Genuine question (no hate), did you do any research before moving here?' one said. 'Great planning,' a second user wrote. 'Three weeks! Come on that's nothing!' a third agreed. 'It's seems a lot of people idealise Australia before coming here without truly understanding the reality,' a fourth commented. Jordan Morris (pictured) from Northern Ireland admits he and his mates 'underestimated' how hard it was going to be to find accommodation and jobs in Sydney The expat says staying in Bali for two weeks will be cheaper than staying in a hostel in Sydney (pictured Sydney renters line up to inspect a property in February) Other expats suggested Mr Morris try his luck in other places in Australia. 'Come to Queensland! Beaches are just as beautiful and heaps of accommodation. Trying to live in Bondi is insane,' one wrote. A third added: 'Perth is better than Sydney for employment and also weather!' 'If you're willing to go a little more remote there's plenty of work around,' a third said. Sydney, Australia's most expensive city, had a low 1.5 per cent rental vacancy in October, according to SQM Research's latest data. And it's unlikely to improve in the short-term as more people relocate back to the city as organisations call workers back into the office. The median rent in Sydney is a eye-watering $775 for a house and $720 for a unit, according to Domain's latest data and is currently described as a 'landlords market'. In the latest October figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate has remain unchanged at 4.1 per cent across the country, with recruitment rates also slowing down. Newly-elected lawmaker Rep. Sarah McBride says she'll abide by a new House policy on transgender bathrooms saying she'll keep her focus on the kitchen table issues that got her to Congress. 'Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families,' she posted after House Republicans imposed the ban weeks before she is set to be sworn in. The first openly transgender lawmaker will have to use the men's bathroom after she is sworn in in January. That could include the crowded and conveniently located men's room just off the Speaker's Lobby where male lawmakers in dark suits sometimes duck in to relieve themselves between votes. '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 and later posted online. '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, after previously calling the ban a distraction. 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.' 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 The statement echoes the above-the-fray posture she took in her race, where she told voters in her home state that 'too many politicians want to divide us' and called for 'blocking out the noise and focusing on what actually matters isn't easy.' She is stepping in to fill the seat of incoming Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester in President Biden's home state. Backing up his incoming colleague was Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.). He posted on Twitter: 'Theres no job Im afraid to lose if it requires me to degrade anyone. If thats a defining issue for a voter, there will be a different candidate. We have a bathroom in my office that anybody is welcome to use, including Representative-elect Sarah McBride.' McBride will also have a bathroom in her congressional office. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a bill to ban transgender women from using female restrooms on Capitol Hill and acknowledged that it was about McBride. She called McBride a 'man', a predator and accused her of being 'mentally ill.' McBride posted on the matter and said she is 'not here to fight about bathrooms' 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 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' Johnson, the Trump-aligned House Speaker presiding over a razor-thin majority, 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. Egging her on was Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who inveighed against 'mentally ill men pretending to be women invading our spaces.' 'Yes, he's mentally ill. He's a biological male pretending to be a woman,' she said of her future colleague. 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. That last policy position was one of the biggest applause lines at his campaign rallies, and was featured in wall-to-wall TV ads by his campaign. Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin was universally mocked after claiming Democrats should tell voters Donald Trump's Cabinet picks 'want to kill your kids.' Rubin, 62, a former conservative commentator at the Jeff Bezos-owned paper, now largely advocates for Democrats and on her podcast, 'Jen Rubin's Green Room.' She gave some shocking advice to liberals going forward after Trump's victory over Kamala Harris. 'You have to boil it down to nuts and bolts and you have to be pithy,' she said, when saying how Democrats can get their message to low information voters. She then asked: 'What do I mean by pithy? How about this: Republicans want to kill your kids. It's actually true.' Rubin cited Trump Cabinet choices such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has made disputed claims in the past, for secretary of health and human services. She also complained about conservatives' pro-gun agenda. 'If you're going to oppose vaccinations, if you're going to stop breakthrough medical research, if you're going to allow minors and all sorts of people to get semiautomatic weapons which they use to shoot up schools well then, you are responsible for kids' health and death,' she said. Anti-Trump conservative Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin was in hysterics claiming Democrats should tell voters Donald Trump 's Cabinet picks 'want to kill your kids' Conservatives on social media immediately met her with an equally pithy response. 'Jen Rubin hides under protected posts while telling her audience 'Republicans want to kill your kids.' No. It's the Democrats that die on the hill of abortion, and abortion kills. Abortion killed over ONE MILLION UNBORN BABIES in 2023 alone,' wrote one conservative. Citizen Free Press wrote: 'Jen Rubin is a garbage human. She is one of 5 most annoying democrat bootlickers in mainstream media.' Libs of Tik Tok added: 'Democrats: We need to tone down the rhetoric! How did politics get so divisive? Jen Rubin: Democrats' message should be that Republicans want to k*II your kids.' 'Jen Rubin, a deranged, elderly leftist witch who has claimed to be conservative for years... Now claims Republicans want to 'kill your kids.' This is how pathetic the media is getting,' wrote Tim Young. Rubin signed an op-ed on behalf of several Washington Post columnists outraged at the paper's refusal to endorse Kamala Harris. She has also been calling for a boycott of MSNBC, a network she often appears on, as a response to the hosts of Morning Joe's secret meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The Washington Post's boss has hit back at claims it was Jeff Bezos who squashed the paper's endorsement of Kamala Harris. Rubin signed an op-ed on behalf of several Washington Post columnists outraged at the paper's refusal to endorse Kamala Harris The outlet, which is owned by the billionaire Amazon founder, announced it will not be supporting either presidential candidate. 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. However, publisher Will Lewis rejected claims that Bezos was involved in the endorsement decision. A prominent New Zealand lawyer has died while mountain climbing in Australia. Lee Lee Heah, 69, suffered a fatal fall on Tuesday while climbing Mount Arapiles, a world renowned rock climbing spot in western Victoria. Emergency crews were called to the area about 3.30pm after the woman fell about eight metres from the final section of the climb, known as Esmiko Nell. Veteran climber Zorba Parer, who was visiting the mountain separately to Ms Heah heard a cry and free climbed 80m up the rock face without a harness to reach her. Two other climbers also followed him up the mountain, while another pair at the top abseiled down about 30m. 'I could see a body wedged in the crack which didn't look good, it looked like she had fallen directly on the ledge,' Mr Parer told the ABC. 'I scrambled up and checked on her, there was no pulse,' he said. He said he pulled up the woman's belay partner and he, assisted by the five others, commenced CPR. It took about 20 minutes to reach Ms Heah and another 20 minutes before a police rescue helicopter arrived. Lee Lee Heah (pictured) suffered a fatal fall on Tuesday while climbing Mount Arapiles The national park is considered among the best climbing spots in the world A report will be prepared for the Coroner. Tributes to Ms Heah have been shared on social media. 'She was well known for her rock climbing skills, having scaled many mountains in all parts of the world,' her brother Mike Heah said. 'She was also a well known surfer. She simply loved the outdoors.' Another person said Ms Heah 'loved life, she loved her friends and family and was the best friend ever'. 'What a beautiful inspiring soul. I will miss your infectious laugh and your fabulous sense of humour,' another said. President of the Canterbury branch of the Criminal Bar Association, Nicola Hansen, said Ms Heah was 'a fierce advocate, utterly unflappable in court, and represented her clients with unwavering determination. 'Her adventures outside the courtroom were legendary and awe inspiring, a true testament to her bravery and indomitable spirit.' The Victorian Labor government has recently announced permanent climbing bans on more than half of the routes at Mt Arapiles after temporary bans on some sections were introduced in recent years. Mount Arapiles draws in climbers from across Australia and the world as it is considered one of the best rock climbing areas in the country. The proposed plan, done in consultation with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC), prohibits new routes and walking 'off track', even for bushwalkers. Ms Heah was a well known lawyer in Christchurch and was an experienced climber The Victorian Labor government this month announced a climbing ban on much of Mount Arapiles national park after consultation with a local indigenous group It will introduce 'designated areas' as the only approved climbing locations which will result in 63 per cent of previously climbable terrain being off limits. Recreational activities will also not be permitted near cultural heritage areas, though it is unclear where the boundaries will be drawn. According to the Save Grampians Climbing organisation, climbers make up 90 per cent of all visitors to Mt Arapiles State Park, with visitation levels exceeding 50,000 people a year. Declaration Crag in the Arapiles National park has already been formally closed through a 'protection declaration' with maximum penalties for contravention being a $297,000 fine for an individual. 'No actual climbing organization was consulted about these climbing area bans at Arapiles,' the group said. 'Climbing Victoria, the peak body representing outdoor climbers in Victoria, and the Australian Climbing Association Victoria were both blindsided by the announcement on Melbourne Cup Eve'. The Crown Princess of Norway's son has been hit with a second rape accusation just two days after his arrest over another allegation of sexual assault. Marius Borg Hiby, 27, who is the son of Crown Princess Mette Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, was arrested on Monday evening on suspicion of attacking a woman in April this year. Since then the investigation has unearthed a second allegation as the police requested the 27-year-old be remanded in custody. According to police, the second allegation 'involves sexual intercourse without consent with a woman incapable of resisting the act'. A judge ruled on Wednesday that the troubled mechanic, often dubbed the 'Black Sheep' of the Norwegian royal family, will be detained for up to one week as police continue to investigate the claims. yvind Bratlien told Norwegian publication VG that his client denied the claims and that he was cooperating with police during their investigation. Mr Bratlien said he would appeal the detention ruling but welcomed the fact that judges had not granted the police request for a two-week detention. 'We consider that promising,' he said in a written statement to public broadcaster NRK. Marius Borg Hiby, 27, who is the son of Crown Princess Mette Marit and stepson of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, was arrested on Monday evening on suspicion of rape 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 Hiby has denied raping a woman 'in her own home on the day he met her' after he was arrested on Monday 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 is facing serious accusations, which the police and the judiciary will deal with... I am convinced they will do a good job,' Crown Prince Haakon, 51, told NRK before the detention order. He also said '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. Hiby (left) 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 The Crown Prince, who is the heir to the throne, 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'. The rape accusations comes after he was accused of bodily harm following a late-night row on August 4 at the Oslo apartment of a woman he was having a relationship with, police said. Norwegian media reported that police found a knife stuck in one of the woman's bedroom walls at the time. Hiby was arrested again in September for breaching a restraining order. 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. On Tuesday, police also said the suspicions relating to the August incident now included domestic abuse. 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. The Norwegian royal family was rocked by Hiby's first arrest at the beginning of August, after Rebecca Helberg Arntsen was left in hospital. Pictured with his mother in 2016 Marius pictured with other members of the Norwegian royal family, including the King, Queen, and heir to the throne in June 2022 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. 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. Norway's Crown Prince Haakon has broken his silence after police revealed that his stepson was arrested on suspicion of rape 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 '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. A judge has ruled that Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted of the 2022 killings of four college students. Kohberger, 29, is accused of brutally murdering University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves in their off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022. He is being held without bail after being charged in 2023 with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary. Judge Steven Hippler sided with the state in their attempt to leave the death penalty on the table for Kohberger after hearing oral arguments earlier this month. 'The court concludes relief in defendant's favor is not warranted on any of the motions,' he said, pointing out that capital punishment is constitutional and legal in the state of Idaho. Attorneys for Kohberger argued that international, federal and state law all make it inappropriate for the case, the Idaho Stateman reports. During a pre-trial motion hearing, Kohberger's defense team made a broad range of arguments against the death penalty, saying in part that it does not fit today's standards of decency, that it is cruel to make condemned inmates sit for decades on death row awaiting execution and that it violates an international treaty prohibiting the torture of prisoners. But 4th District Judge Hippler questioned many of those claims, saying that the international treaty they referenced was focused on ensuring that prisoners are given due process so they are not convicted and executed without a fair trial. A judge has ruled that Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted of the 2022 killings of four college students The victims (pictured left to right) Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle were killed in their off-campus home while attending the University of Idaho in 2022 Prosecutors noted that the Idaho Supreme Court has already considered many of those arguments in other capital cases and allowed the the death penalty to stand. Still, by bringing up the issues during the motion hearing, Kohberger's defense team took the first step toward preserving their legal arguments in the court record, potentially allowing them to raise them again on appeal. Kristi and Steve Goncalves, the parents of Kaylee Goncalves, attended the November 7 hearing on the matter. Afterward they said the details of the case show the death penalty is merited. 'You've got four victims, all in one house - that's more than enough,' Steve Goncalves said. Kristi Goncalves said she talked to the coroner and knows what happened to her daughter. 'If he did anything like he did to our daughter to the others, then he deserves to die,' she said. Kohberger's defense team had successfully argued that Kohberger's trial should be held outside of Moscow, Idaho, where the murders took place due to strong emotions and extensive media coverage. Hippler became the presiding judge over the case once it was moved. (L-R) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were stabbed to death on November 13, 2022 Judge Steven Hippler sided with the state in their attempt to leave the death penalty on the table for Kohberger after hearing oral arguments earlier this month Now, his trial - scheduled to begin with jury selection on July 30, 2025 - is being heard in Ada County in Boise in hopes of a more favorable jury. Prosecutors have claimed that Kohberger's DNA was found on a Ka-Bar knife sheath found at the victim's off-campus home, though no murder weapon was ever found. Officials have also claimed that cell phone data and surveillance put Kohberger's car at the crime scene. Kohberger was a PhD criminology student and teaching assistant at Washington State University's Pullman campus, a 15-minute drive from Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger has maintained his innocence since his arrest and filed his alibi in 2023 as 'late night drives'. The Goncalves said they wanted to thank everybody for their help and support and added that the GoFundMe to support them was helping them through the legal process. They have rented a home in Boise so they can attend. An Aussie dog walker who filmed himself deliberately dropping a client's pet Doodle on the ground has been slammed by viewers over the sickening act. Ryan, who runs a dog walking business called Luna Moon's Pet Care on the Gold Coast, was taking the pooch for a walk a few weeks ago. He recorded a video, which has since been deleted, expressing his disdain for the dog breed, while he was holding the Doodle in his arm. 'What's wrong with Doodles? Apart from f*****g everything,' he said. The business owner then released the pooch from his grip before the dog fell to the ground. The clip quickly went viral and sparked outrage from Aussies including the dog owner who accused Ryan of not doing his job properly. 'What a disgusting way to treat my dog, pay for your services just for you to bash my dog online. Great business model,' he wrote. Ryan hit back at the comments and asked the owner why he seemed to be bothered by what he thought was a seemingly harmless act. The dog walker filmed himself deliberately dropping a client's pet Doodle while he took the pooch for a walk (pictured) before the video of the incident was posted to TikTok 'Your dog? Can you please explain the problem here?' he asked. The dog owner accused Ryan of dropping the Doodle twice 'from five feet' high and urged him not to speak disparagingly of certain dogs just because he doesn't like the way they are bred. 'Whether you agree with the breeding of them or not, you need to realise there's people that are affected by you talking negatively about their dog,' they wrote. 'Very disappointed'. Ryan apologised for what happened in a separate video posted to TikTok. Despite the apology, many pet owners were unimpressed by the way he treated the Doodle. 'Shouldn't be dropping any animal regardless of breed,' one wrote. 'Your behaviour towards a client's dog was absolutely vile,' another wrote. 'If that were my dog, you would be physically incapable of continuing this business you're running,' a third added. Others leapt to his defence and acknowledged his apology and that he had learnt from his mistake. 'You're all acting like he dropped the dog from a balcony, he has admitted he f*****d up, now move on with your lives,' one wrote. Ryan told Daily Mail Australia he regrets his actions and said he 'made a huge mistake'. 'I dropped the dog from a height that was higher than I should have whilst making a bad tasted video,' he said. He explained the video wasn't about the dog, but the clip was being critical of the unethical breeding practices of Doodles. He said the client informed him they no longer wanted him to walk their dog and dismissed suggestions there was any malice involved in filming the video. 'I made a video in response downplaying the height that I dropped the dog from, which is not what I should have done. I took the video down,' Ryan said. He said he also offered to pay for any injuries the dog may have sustained after he was informed by someone else that its owner had taken the Doodle to the vet. Daily Mail understands the RSPCA received complaints about the incident and informed Ryan they weren't concerned about his activities. It is understood an official monitored Ryan's work before he was asked to post another video on social media to explain that the RSPCA had spoken to him. Daily Mail Australia contacted the RSPCA for further comment. Pet enthusiasts have mixed feelings about Doodles, which are a cross breed between a Poodle and other dogs such as a Golden Retriever, Labrador and Cocker Spaniels. The popularity of the pooch has led to the controversial rise of unethical breeding of the pets. The move has been consistently criticised as it risks the health and temperament of dogs by interfering with their genetics and also affects their physical characteristics. Doubt is being cast on claims made by Kat Williams about joining the US Marine Corps when he was a teenager as records fail to show he was ever enlisted. For at least the last eight years, the popular comedian has referenced an association with the elite fighting force, but a CBS investigation has now triggered suspicion. A Freedom of Information Act request filed for Williams' records resulted in the military arm being unable to verify his assertions. There is no evidence of him ever entering military service or attending any Marine Corps recruit training camps. Army veteran Anthony Anderson labeled the finding a 'slap in the face of people who have earned the title of Marine'. 'Boot camp for the Marine Corps is not an easy task. To call yourself a Marine, you have to go through at least 13 weeks of boot camp and successfully navigate the crucible,' he told CBS. 'People have died in training at boot camp trying to earn the title of Marine.' The Emmy-winning actor has previously bragged about his alleged military experience when talking about his personal life in video blogs, during his stand-up routines and in interviews. In 2016, Williams addressed his drug abuse allegations in a video where he said: 'Ever since I got out of the Marine Corps, I can only breathe out of one nostril.' After years of Katt Williams laying claim to a military backstory, the US Marine Corps says there is no record of him ever entering military service or attending any recruit training camps He was arrested and charged that same year with disorderly conduct and battery chargers after a fight with a teenager at an apartment complex in Georgia. Soon after his arrest he spoke about it on stage, suggesting he had let the 17-year-old wrestler win during the fight, and said: 'I'm Semper Fi [the motto of the United States Marine Corps] till I die. 'Marine Corps b****. I passed motherf***ing boot camp at 16.' In 2023, Williams appeared on Mac Maron's WTF podcast and told a similar story. He said: 'And then I attempt to join the Marine Corps, and I go off to boot camp and I pass, and then they reveal that I'm too young, and they give me a little ceremony because I did pass, you know, oo-Rah.' Williams' surely-worded claims about his alleged time with the military played out to Maron's 55 million annual listeners. He added: 'When you come back everybody gets the ceremony and I was supposed to have been, probably put in the brig or court-martialed or something, but they didn't treat me like that. 'As far as the Marine Corps thing, whatever those commercials were selling, you remember those commercials back in that time. If you wanted to join a gang, the Marines was the gang to join.' In one chat earlier this year, Williams sat down with ESPN's Shannon Sharpe on his podcast, Club Shay Shay, and spoke of the comedian's upbringing in Florida. There is no evidence of him ever entering military service or attending any Marine Corps recruit training camps, according to an official who responded to the information request The near three-hour interview garnered more than 83 million views on YouTube. During the conversation, Williams said: 'I try to join the Marine Corps, and they won't accept me because I'm too young, and I've lied and told them I'm 16 and my family is moving down, and I don't have my ID but it's coming. And so, they [the Marines] let me go to the boot camp.' The Freedom of Information Act request filed by CBS asked officials to search for his enlistment using his birth name of Micah Sierra Williams as well as his social security number and his date of birth. 'We searched the filed maintained by the Manpower Management Performance Branch but were unable to identify Mr Williams as a member or former member of the US Marine Corps,' said an official response to the request. If Williams' story is accurate, according to the Marine officials, there would be records of his enlistment his graduation and discharge, even if he fraudulently enlisted as a minor. An elected First People's state assembly wants a say in how Indigenous history is taught in schools with a truth-telling inquiry to have ongoing input. Victoria's First Peoples' Assembly, which is beginning negotiations on a treaty between it and the state government on Thursday, said it wasn't seeking to make specific changes to the curriculum but to have an ongoing role in its development. Assembly co-chair Rueben Berg said the work of the state's Indigenous truth-telling inquiry, called the Yoorrook Justice Commission, should be incorporated into history lessons and and with the body making decisions on what is taught. To do this the body could draw on a 'huge range of expertise' from Indigenous Victorians, Mr Berg told The Guardian. Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has previously said the truth-telling commission's findings could be included in curriculum to teach children about the state's past and about persisting inequalities. Modelled on South Africa's post-apartheid 'Truth and Reconciliation' hearings, Yoorrook has the same powers as a royal commission and can subpoena documents and summon witnesses. While it does not exercise judicial power, it can refer information about alleged crimes to law enforcement authorities. Allen gave public testimony to the Commission in April. First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria co-chair Rueben Berg (pictured right) said the truth-telling body could call on 'a huge range of expertise' to help oversee the school curriculum 'The Premier shared her reflections on how the state's history had deliberately excluded the "bloody stains of colonisation" for too long,' the October Assembly annual report stated. Mr Berg said he wanted Victoria to experience truth-telling beyond the work of the commission and proposes 'place-based' sessions. 'We can actually ensure that truth-telling goes out to different towns and different regions and is able to describe the cumulative impact of all those different things on those particular regions so that everyone who lives in that area can have an understanding about the impact of colonisation,' he said. Mr Berg also said the assembly was ready to take up a broader role in determining indigenous place names. 'We want to remove some of the barriers that exist in the process of dual-naming,' he said. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said there was no timeframe on treaty negotiations set to start this month The Assembly's annual report released in October said that well as a statewide treaty there will be separate Traditional Owner Treaties in regions across Victoria to ensure 'local knowledge can inform decision-making at a community level'. In its negotiations The Assembly also seek 'the power to hold the Victorian Government to account for its promises and the ability to scrutinise policies, practices and services to make sure they are up to scratch and delivering for mob'. A treaty should also say how and when recommendations from the Yoorrook Justice Commission will be implemented. Other proposals put up by the 33-member elected assembly include 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. Ms Allen said there was no timeframe on treaty negotiations and any deal struck would have to pass parliament. Following the defeat of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which was opposed by a majority of Victorians and well as going down nationally, the Opposition withdrew its support from the treaty process. She may have vowed to leave the United States after Donald Trump's election win, but this week Eva Longoria made a dazzling return to Los Angeles as she mingled with stars at the Elle Women in Hollywood event. Pictured embracing Demi Moore inside the Four Seasons Hotel, the Desperate Housewives star, 49, exuded glamour as she wore a shimmering gold one-shoulder gown with her long brunette hair styled into Old Hollywood-inspired waves. The actress, who fled what she claims to be a 'dystopian' America, now lives between Mexico and Spain in fear that if 'Trump keeps his promises' America will become a 'scary place.' Other stars in attendance at the A-list bash included actresses Saoirse Ronan and Carey Mulligan, who dazzled as they enjoyed the celebratory evening. It comes as Ronan shared her dream of playing a villain in the James Bond franchise yesterday, explaining that she doesn't 'get to do modern-day movies' as much as she would like. If cast, the four-time Oscar nominee would make history as the first female lead Bond villain in more than 60 years. The Texas born actress, who has spent her 'whole adult life' in California, said she feels the American 'chapter in my life is done now' and no longer wants to live in Los Angeles, alleging the city has been 'changing'. Pictured embracing Demi Moore inside the Four Seasons Hotel, the Desperate Housewives star, 49, exuded glamour as she wore a shimmering gold one-shoulder gown with her long brunette hair Eva Longoria, (left) wearing Ralph Lauren, and Ariana Greenblatt at ELLE's 2024 Women in Hollywood celebration Saoirse Ronan and Carey Mulligan attend ELLE's 2024 Women in Hollywood celebration Longoria, who has Spanish citizenship, and her producer husband Jose Baston, a native of Mexico, have been living abroad with their six-year-old son Santiago while she works on her CNN miniseries Searching for Spain - a follow up to last year's Searching for Mexico. The Desperate Housewives actress, who campaigned hard for Kamala Harris to win the presidential election, fears that if Donald Trump 'keeps his promises' the US will be a 'scary place'. 'I get to escape and go somewhere,' the Flamin' Hot director told Marie Claire magazine. 'Most Americans aren't so lucky. They're going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.' It comes as Trump has started to fill key posts in his second administration and sent shockwaves through the Republican party with his announcement that he'll nominate Matt Gaetz as his Attorney General. Keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with MAGA allies rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields, Trump also named Elon Musk for a new cost- and waste-cutting role, Fox News host Pete Hegseth to run the sprawling Defense Department, and Tulsi Gabbard - who infuriated critics with claims about 'biolabs' in Ukraine - to be Director of National Intelligence. Eva Longoria proved nothing has changed since her Desperate Housewives days as she showed off her incredibly youthful looks at ELLE Women in Hollywood Eva, who looked radiant and was sporting a smooth and glowing complexion, dazzling in a glitzy champagne-hued dress Longoria broke her silence on the disappointment of Trump winning the 2024 White House race. 'The shocking part is not that he won... It's that a convicted criminal who spews so much hate could hold the highest office,' the Hollywood multi-hyphenate told Marie Claire magazine. 'I would like to think our fight continues...If he keeps his promises, it's going to be a scary place,' added the cover girl, who posed for Felix Valiente. She also revealed that she and her family are happily splitting their time between Mexico and Spain. The actress was given the honorary title 'Dame' due to her family roots tracing back to the Spanish city of Oviedo, where her ancestors are from. Britain's two longest-serving MPs have come together from opposite ends of the political spectrum to urge the Commons to reject the proposed law that would legalise assisted suicide. Left-wing Labour veteran Diane Abbott and Tory Sir Edward Leigh made the highly unusual joint intervention to warn that the Bill being voted on next week is being rushed through and will put vulnerable people at risk. The pair said that politicians should make laws based on their effect on the whole of society, not just as a result of campaigns led by celebrities, in what will be seen as a reference to Dame Esther Rantzen. And they also raised concerns that lobbying groups calling for the radical reform are trying to take advantage of the 'inexperienced new Parliament' with more than half of MPs elected for the first time in July. Ms Abbott and Sir Edward, known as the Mother and Father of the House after serving since the 1980s, wrote in the Guardian: 'The flawed process has been lamentable and wholly unacceptable for a matter of such importance.' They pointed out that the Private Members' Bill put forward by Labour's Kim Leadbeater was published just 18 days ahead of the crucial second reading next Friday, whereas a decade ago MPs had seven weeks to study a previous attempt to legalise assisted dying. 'The inadequacy of this timescale is heightened by the unprecedented number of new MPs. 'Parliament will have sat for just 12 weeks by the time MPs vote on what is, quite literally, a matter of life and death,' Ms Abbott and Sir Edward wrote. Veteran Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh (pictured) has warned that the assisted dying dill is being rushed through Parliament and will put vulnerable people at risk Ms Abbott (pictured) and Sir Edward, known as the Mother and Father of the House after serving since the 1980s, wrote in the Guardian: 'The flawed process has been lamentable and wholly unacceptable for a matter of such importance' 650 dying wishes were placed on trees outside the House of Commons last week by campaign group Dignity in Dying 'There is more than a suspicion that the pressure groups behind this proposed change have sought to take advantage of an inexperienced new parliament.' They went on to warn that vulnerable minorities may feel a 'duty to die' if the law is changed, citing the example of a poor pensioner whose children cannot afford houses and whose savings are spent on social care. Although such incidents would be 'relatively rare', the MPs say the 'only adequate safeguard is to keep the current law unchanged' while also increasing investment in palliative care. It had been expected that the bill would pass the first hurdle in the Commons next week given widespread public support for assisted suicide and the large number of Labour MPs assumed to be socially liberal. Its supporters say it has been drafted to include numerous safeguards, restricted help to terminally ill people with less than six months to live who must obtain permission from two medical professionals and a High Court judge. But a number of prominent ministers including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood have said they will vote against, prompting bitter rows within the party. Yesterday four new Labour MPs revealed they would oppose the bill, citing fears over the risks to vulnerable people as well as the impact on the NHS. Campaign group Dignity in Dying also placed the trees with dying wishes outside Scottish parliament ahead of the assisted dying bill's vote Wes Streeting (pictured) is one of four big-name Labour MPs set to vote against the bill Streeting will be joined by Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood (pictured) in voting down the bill Ministerial aide Preet Kaur Gill also said she would vote against, writing: 'Asking healthcare workers to administer assisted dying would fundamentally alter the nature of their work and introduce complex ethical challenges into their daily practice.' However Labour MP Andy Slaughter, who chairs the Justice Select Committee, said there were risks in not updating the law. 'We should recognise that others are already being assisted to die abroad, but without any protection from our law. 'Those who plan their deaths in secret at the moment may be doing so because they feel that they are a burden, but because they can't discuss their fears with their families, they are unable to be reassured. It is the status quo which lacks protections, and this Bill which will deliver them.' An Ohio judge has blasted a killer who smashed his girlfriend to death with a hammer in a case he labeled 'the most brutal murder' he's ever seen. Sean Goe, 27, was found guilty of murder, felonious assault, gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence in the murder of his girlfriend, 24-year-old Raychel Sheridan following an intense four-day trial. In delivering Goe's life sentence, Stark County Common Pleas Court Judge Frank Forchione delivered a scathing summary of his actions. 'Mr. Goe, you sold your soul to the devil,' he said. 'I have ordered you to receive the maximum sentence on every count because you deserve the maximum sentence. It is without a doubt, the most brutal murder that I've seen.' The Canton-native savagely beat his girlfriend with the blunt end of a hammer striking her at least 10 times. Goe attacked the woman so viciously police were unable to identify her with a photograph. After fatally striking the then 24-year-old, Goe then attempted to cover up the heinous crime as he dumped Sheridan's body in a nearby park and used bleach to cover up his trail. Raychel Sheridan, 24, was beat so viciously police were unable to identify her with a photograph Sean Goe, 27, was found guilty of murder, felonious assault, gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence in the murder of his girlfriend, 24-year-old Raychel Sheridan Sheridan was later discovered on July 3 after a park's department employee found her body wrapped in plastic and inside a garbage can a local Canton town park. 'Displaying the lowest level for human life, you then wrapped the body in a sheet and dumped it in a park near Mother Goose Land,' Forchione said. 'This is the person that at one point you claimed that you were in love with. Instead, you threw her in the trash like a piece of garbage.' The day before officials found her body, Sheridan's mother called police to perform a welfare check on her at the apartment her and Goe shared. Lisa Sheridan told police she had not heard from her daughter and subsequently reported her missing. Upon their arrival, Stark County Sheriff deputies noted the apartment door was open, yet no one was inside. However, police reports reveal the inside of the apartment 'looked suspicious.' Deputies then requested a search warrant, but while they waited, they saw what they believed to be Sheridans maroon Jeep Liberty driving down the street with Goe behind the wheel. As police eventually stopped Goe, he took off running into a nearby wooded area. Goe was arrested the next morning on active warrants for burglary, grand theft of a firearm and domestic violence involving Sheridan. The day before officials found her body, Sheridan's mother called police to perform a welfare check on her at the apartment her and Goe shared. Pictured: Raychel Sheridan and Sean Goe 'Mr. Goe, you sold your soul to the devil,' Stark County Common Pleas Court Judge Frank Forchione (pictured) said before imposing the life sentence. After fatally striking the then 24-year-old Goe then attempted to cover up the heinous crime as he dumped Sheridan's body in a nearby park and used bleach to cover up his trail 'As a result of the search warrant executed at the apartment of Raychel Sheridan and Sean Goe, evidence was recovered indicating foul play,' the release noted, adding, 'Detectives have determined that Sheridan was murdered inside the apartment.' Goe was indicted on two counts of murder and single counts of felonious assault, burglary, tampering with evidence, grand theft of a firearm or dangerous ordnance and gross abuse of a corpse in August, according to online court records obtained by PEOPLE. He was held on a $1 million bond and pleaded not guilty. After refusing to speak in court during his November sentencing, Goe sat in silence as Forchione continued to tear into him calling the convict 'morally bankrupt' with 'no fiber of decency,' WKYC reported. Sheridan's mother and her boyfriend, Dwyane Scaggs, were also present in court that day as they wore matching T-shirts set with a photo of their daughter. Sheridan's mother, Lisa Sheridan and her boyfriend, Dwyane Scaggs, were also present in court that day as they wore matching T-shirts set with a photo of their daughter 'I used to smile, but you have taken all of that away,' the grieving mother said through tears. 'She was a true sunflower in our darkest days. You have murdered our baby girl. My question is, why would you do this?' Goe will be eligible for parole after serving 29 years in prison. 'What you have done to us is truly evil. I hope that you spend the rest of your miserable life in prison,' she added. Sean 'Diddy' Combs is facing yet another sexual assault lawsuit, this time from a former model who claims she was just 17 years old when she attended one of the rapper's infamous White Parties in the Hamptons. The unidentified accuser said she attended the A-list bash at Combs' mansion on July 4, 2004, and encountered multiple celebrities before she was allegedly sexually assaulted, Business Insider reports. 'The event was lavishly decorated, featured live music performances and boasted top-tier food and beverages, an atmosphere of opulence and luxury, full of celebrities,' says the suit, which was filed in New York federal court late on Tuesday. 'Many unsuspecting individuals, like Plaintiff, were recruited to attend these parties.' The suit goes on to claim that the alleged victim was drugged with a spiked drink, and ultimately lost consciousness. At one point, the plaintiff claims, Combs and two of his body guards approached the then-teenager and threatened her. 'Combs told Plaintiff that she would be in danger if she spoke about what had occurred, stating that he "ran New York and would ruin her,"' the suit alleges. 'At this point, Plaintiff recognized that at least Combs had sexually assaulted her, while she was unconscious. She feared for her life.' Rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs is facing yet another sexual assault lawsuit A suit filed in federal court late Tuesday claims a then-17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by the hip hop mogul at his celebrity-filled Fourth of July White Party in 2004 It is unclear from court documents how the victim was able to determine that the hip hop mogul was the one who sexually assaulted her. But it says, she agreed not to speak to police about what had occurred in exchange for her cellphone and her purse - which she was forced to hand over upon arrival at the party, according to the Washington Post. She was then allegedly escorted to a hotel in East Hampton. The suit is one of more than 20 civil suits filed on behalf of alleged Diddy victims by Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee. Two of the other plaintiffs have claimed they were also sexually assaulted at Combs' 1998 and 2006 White Parties. Buzbee announced on Instagram Thursday that he expects to file even more suits every week 'naming Mr. Combs and others as defendants as we continue to gather evidence and prepare the filings.' But Combs' attorneys have repeatedly denied the claims, as they hit out at Buzbee, claiming he is profiting off of Combs' legal troubles. 'As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process,' Erica Wolff told Business Insider. 'In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor.' It is just one of more than 20 civil suits filed on behalf of alleged Diddy victims by Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee She added that a recently-filed lawsuit against Buzbee by an unidentified celebrity adds credibility to their claims that the Texas lawyer is extorting A-listers. That suit, which was filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that the Texas lawyer threatened to unleash false claims of sexual assault unless the celebrity agreed to pay an exorbitant settlement. According to the complaint, Buzbee's alleged tactics included sending demand letters outlining serious but unfounded accusations, such as multiple instances of rape involving minors at parties purportedly hosted by music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs. The man claims Buzbee threatened to release 'entirely fabricated and malicious allegations of sexual assault - including multiple incidents of rape of a minor, both male and female - against Plaintiff if he refuses to comply with their demands.' The suit, seen by TMZ, states how Buzbee's demand letters allege the plaintiff raped the males and females while they were under the influence of drugs. The lawsuit also states that these claims were entirely baseless and maliciously designed to coerce the plaintiff into a settlement to avoid public scandal and reputational harm. 'With Combs behind bars and payment unlikely to be forthcoming any time soon, Defendants devised a scheme to obtain payments through the use of coercive threats from anyone with ties to Combs,' the suit says. Buzbee has since said the suit is 'not only without legal merit,' but is also 'laughable,' Business Insider reports. Still, Wolff says it 'exposes [Buzbee's] barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs.' Diddy remains behind bars in New York City as he faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution The rapper, however, remains behind bars in New York City. He was federally charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution on September 17, 2024. Prosecutors have said he arranged 'Freak Offs,' described as 'elaborate and produced sex performances' arranged and directed by the hip hop mogul while he masturbated and often recorded them. He was allegedly aided by associates and employees, and silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently seeking to be freed to house arrest through a $50 million bail package. A top National Crime Agency official was secretly sacked for gross misconduct in the second scandal to be exposed by the Mail in less than a week. Charlie Edwards, the 130,000-a-year 'Director of Strategy' at Britain's version of the FBI, was dismissed after a panel concluded he 'acted inappropriately during a procurement exercise' and accepted undeclared 'hospitalities' from a company involved in the process. Sources said the controversy is linked to the NCA's 10th anniversary celebrations last year when the Agency's boss, Graeme Biggar, boasted about its crime fighting achievements in videos posted online. A special birthday party at County Hall in London, attended by ministers, politicians, a Who's Who of the police and law enforcement world and other VIPs, was the climax of the festivities. But amid enormous secrecy, the anniversary celebrations later became the subject of an embarrassing misconduct probe involving one of its most senior officials, whose rank was equivalent to a deputy chief constable. Inquiries uncovered concerns about the process for awarding of a contract, and gifts received in return, which resulted in Mr Edwards, a former senior figure at the Cabinet Office, being dismissed. Last night the scandal deepened after the NCA declined answer a series of pertinent questions from the Mail, including details of the contract at the centre of the row, and the value of the undeclared 'hospitalities' received. Charlie Edwards (pictured), the 130,000-a-year 'Director of Strategy' at Britain's version of the FBI , was dismissed after a panel concluded he 'acted inappropriately during a procurement exercise' The latest row to engulf the Agency comes after the Mail revealed on Saturday how Britain's 'most controversial policeman', Steve Rodhouse - joint deputy head of the NCA on 200,000 a year - was secretly found guilty of misconduct three years ago after 'recklessly' leaving his work laptop in the backseat of his car while attending the theatre with his wife. The device, containing details of highly sensitive operations against serious and organised crime, was stolen along with classified paper documents - sparking a huge security scare. The incident was hushed up with Mr Rodhouse receiving a written warning rather than his marching orders. Now Director-General (Strategic Projects) at the NCA, he is currently awaiting a gross misconduct board for allegedly lying at the conclusion of Scotland Yard's disastrous VIP child sex abuse inquiry, Operation Midland, which wrecked the lives of innocent figures such as ex armed forces chief and D-Day hero, Lord Bramall. Critics accuse Glasgow-born Mr Biggar, an Oxford-educated civil servant, of overseeing a 'culture of cover-up' at the NCA to shield it from embarrassment and public scrutiny. Last year the NCA marked its 10th anniversary in style. There were lavish video productions trumpeting its achievements over the last ten years since it launched in October 2013 and a series of access all areas podcasts by a leading investigative journalist. Mr Biggar, the head of the law enforcement agency which works internationally as well as domestically, even appeared in a filmed question and answer format. Then he was asked when it meant to reach the milestone and he replied with mock humility claiming the institution, which boasts and 860 million budget, was 'just marking a number'. Steve Rodhouse (pictured) - joint deputy head of the NCA on 200,000 a year - was secretly found guilty of misconduct three years ago after 'recklessly' leaving his work laptop in the backseat of his car while attending the theatre with his wife But sat in front of the NCA coats of arms and dressed in a business-like suit and tie he continued: 'It shows that we have reached maturity as an organisation really established in this country. 'It's a really important moment for us all to reflect on the brilliant work that we have been doing for the last decade and how we can better tackle the decade ahead.' With a Miami Vice-style soundtrack playing in the background, Mr Biggar said crime was evolving so the NCA needed to evolve with it. 'So, we're going to focus our efforts upstream,' he added. In response to a series of questions from the Mail, the NCA issued a statement relating to the misconduct probe into Mr Edwards. 'Following a panel hearing, the NCA's Director of Strategy, Charlie Edwards, was found to have committed gross misconduct,' a spokesperson said. 'The panel, chaired by an NCA Director, concluded that he acted inappropriately during a procurement exercise and failed to declare hospitalities provided by a commercial organisation involved in that process. 'The panel found that this was a serious error of judgment amounting to gross misconduct which justified his dismissal from the Agency. 'The NCA expects the highest standards of conduct from all of our officers. Where those standards are not met appropriate action will be taken.' 'An appeal is ongoing in this case.' It added: 'This matter was handled in line with our regulations and misconduct policies, which we adhere to without exception. The NCA does not hold public misconduct hearings.' The Agency declined to say when exactly Mr Edwards was sacked, and why it had not publicised his dismissal until challenged by the Mail this week. In response to a series of questions from the Mail, the NCA issued a statement relating to the misconduct probe into Mr Edwards As Director of Strategy at the NCA, Mr Edwards was 'responsible for the Agency's Strategy and overseeing its implementation; Corporate governance; Performance, assurance and risk; Communication and engagement, Private Offices and Secretariat; Enterprise Design Authority and Portfolio Management'. According to his LinkedIn profile, he left the NCA in September after working for it for nearly three years and is now a senior adviser at the International: Institute for Strategic Studies. Contacted last night, Mr Edwards would only say: 'I am appealing the decision on a number of grounds.' Two years ago, the Mail revealed how a senior NCA official in the Caribbean had been sacked for gross misconduct. Amid great secrecy, Annie Norris, who was based at the British High Commission in Barbados, was fired after an inquiry into the sale of a high value 'covert asset' used to spy on drug traffickers. She faced the internal inquiry into claims she misused resources at the UK's version of the FBI. This included claims she sold the NCA-owned surveillance asset to a friend at a discounted price and ran up huge roaming bills on her agency mobile phone, according to sources. Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, a victim of Mr Rodhouse's Operation Midland inquiry said: 'I urge Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to launch an immediate, high-level independent inquiry into the NCA's fitness for purpose.' Another distinguished former chief officer said: 'Due to Rodhouse's seniority, the head of the NCA had a duty of candour to tell the public what had happened. There has been a cover-up. Rodhouse should have been forced to resign.' Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, a victim of Midland, said: 'Without doubt, Mr Rodhouse is Britain's most controversial police chief by far. I am concerned there has been a cover-up at the NCA to protect Mr Rodhouse and the agency from public scrutiny and acute embarrassment.' Misinformation which helped fuel the summer's riots was 'turbo-charged' by foreign bots, Britain's head of counter-terror policing has said. False information about the alleged perpetrator of the Southport attack received more than 27million impressions on Twitter as violence erupted in 27 towns. Matt Jukes also criticised 'unhelpful' commentators who know that certain information cannot be released while legal proceedings are active but presented this as 'evidence of cover-up and conspiracy.' The latest figures show that policing the disorder over the summer cost 31.7million - but this sum is expected to increase once all forces who provided mutual aid cover report their own data. Over a 12-day period, officers clocked up more than 40,000 hours of public order shifts, the National Police Chiefs' Council said. So far 1,590 people have been arrested, of whom 17 per cent were aged under 18.The total number of charges brought is 1,015. Of the arrests made so far, 99 were for offences committed online. Mr Jukes said there was a misconception that the 'thought police' had arrested hundreds of people for voicing their opinions. Misinformation which helped fuel the summer's riots was 'turbo-charged' by foreign bots, Britain's head of counter-terror policing has said. Pictured: Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport Matt Jukes, Britain's head of counter-terror policing (pictured), criticised 'unhelpful' commentators who know that certain information cannot be released while legal proceedings are active but presented this as 'evidence of cover-up and conspiracy' False information about the alleged perpetrator of the Southport attack received more than 27million impressions on Twitter as violence erupted in 27 towns. Pictured protesters near a burning police vehicle in Southport Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is among those who have claimed there has been a cover-up over the Southport murders of three young girls in July. '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 said. The vast majority of misinformation spread online was driven by people within UK communities, but foreign interference played a huge role in stoking violence, Mr Jukes added. A Mail investigation revealed obscure platform Channel3Now spread false rumours that the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker and on an MI6 watch list. And Mr Jukes said misinformation of this type was further 'turbo-charged' by foreign bots, some of which were of Russian origin. '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,' he told reporters at a policing conference.' And we would just see that the amplification, automation of that reach of those messages which were at times hateful, at times misinformation.' Some middle class people with good jobs 'lost everything' because they got swept up in the riots, the Labour police and crime commissioner for Cleveland said at the same briefing. Misinformation about the identity of the 17-year-old suspect in July 29's deadly stabbing attack in Southport sparked a violent protest The Labour police and crime commissioner for Cleveland Matt Storey (pictured) said: 'The cops have given me examples of people who had really good jobs, really settled lifestyles, middle class, and have lost everything because they basically got drawn into it [rioting]' Riot police hold back protesters after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport Matt Storey, who was elected in May, said: 'The cops have given me examples of people who had really good jobs, really settled lifestyles, middle class, and have lost everything because they basically got drawn into it [rioting].' Mr Storey said much of the violence was motivated by hate and racism, with people exploiting the Southport tragedy to give voice to prejudiced views which they already held.' As an elected representative, I want to speak with the people who perpetrated the violence and ask why they did it,' Mr Storey said. 'And if they do hold prejudiced views, I want to know why they hold them and understand how we can best educate people.' The father of an alleged 'predator' was heard defending his daughter to police as a search warrant was executed on his property. Alyssa Zinger, now 23, is accused of pretending to be a homeschooled 14-year-old girl to prey on teenage boys - one as young as 12 - to engage in sexual acts when she was 21. Now newly-emerged bodycam footage captured her dad's reaction to police turning up on his door where he insinuated that his daughter was the one who had been taken advantage of. Investigators executed a search warrant at the Zinger family's home on November 24, 2023, to seize Alyssa's cellphone following accusations of an alleged pornographic video featuring her and the young victim. Her father spoke to the cops outside of his home and said that his 'beautiful young daughter' had 'a lot of problems' and 'mental issues'. 'We have been doing nothing but being 100 percent cooperative,' he said and shrugged while being told they were unable to enter their home before the warrant arrived. After acknowledging that the situation 'sucks' because he can't go inside the home while cops are working, he added that Zinger had 'got messed up with the wrong kid, even though he's a lot younger'. 'My daughter, never been in trouble in her life - even though he's young, she had never been in trouble in her life - until she was starting to get with him,' he said in the footage. Alyssa Ann Zinger, 23, of Tampa, Florida, allegedly pretended to be a homeschooled 14-year-old girl to prey on middle schoolers and engage in sex acts with younger boys 'My daughter, never been in trouble in her life - even though he's young, she had never been in trouble in her life - until she was starting to get with him,' said Zinger's father before the police searched his home for his daughter's cell phone He then referred to the young victim as 'insane' and said: 'Like I said my daughter has never been in trouble in her life, this kid is 14 years old he's got girls at his house, videotaping them, making porn at 14. 'My daughter's 22, she was a virgin till she was 21.' Zinger was arrested in November 2023 for allegedly engaging in more than 30 sexual acts with young boys with at least five victims. It is claimed that she had posed as a homeschooled teenager and contacted the victim on Snapchat, before allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with him. She was then arrested for a second time with additional charges for sex crimes when four more victims said they had also been targeted by Zinger. Authorities said she had sexual intercourse with the first victim multiple times and allegedly sent pornographic video to several children over Snapchat. She has been charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery and five counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim who is between 12 and 15 years old. The age of consent in Florida is 18. Court records state that Zinger waived her right to an arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the charges. She was released from Orient Road jail on November 24, a day of her arrest and paid a $7,500 bond on each second-degree felony charge, records show. The 23-year-old was arrested in November for engaging in more than 30 sexual acts with at least one student as young as 12 from Wilson Middle School According to search warrants, Zinger and the victim allegedly met over Snapchat at the end of May 2023. Until their breakup in September, the victim believed she was 14 years old. Once officials interviewed the victim, it was revealed that the suspect allegedly engaged in sexual activity with him approximately 30 times and told him that she molested other boys in the past. Chief Lee Bercaw of the Tampa Police Department said, 'It is disturbing and unsettling to see an adult take advantage of a child and prey on them. 'Anyone who may have been a victim of Zinger's, we encourage you to come forward. The Tampa Police Department will support you and ensure a predator like Zinger doesn't cause you or others additional harm.' In July, the accused and victim were allegedly caught shoplifting from Nordstrom at International Plaza and Bay Street. She identified herself to an officer using her actual name but said she was born in 2009. The officer could not find information on her with the 2009 date of birth she provided but found one of Alyssa Ann Zinger, who was born in 2001. Chief Lee Bercaw of the Tampa Police Department said: 'It is disturbing and unsettling to see an adult take advantage of a child and prey on them' She told the officer that she had a half-sister of the same name. But after the relationship was revealed, employers at a Tampa Publix where Zinger worked also confirmed she was an adult. In April earlier this year, Zinger was denied bond after Judge Laura Ward said no terms of release would have the safeguards to keep the community safe, according to Fox 13. 'You don't really seem to grasp the problem here,' Judge Ward said. 'You are the problem here. Your actions on these boys are illegal. And it's not okay, whether they took the video, or you took the video. You are the only adult.' In June, after she asked for pre-trial release, it was agreed that Zinger would stay in jail until her trial. A London-born 15-year-old who died of leukaemia will be made a Saint next year. Pope Francis confirmed that Carlo Acutis, known as 'God's influencer', will be appointed as a Saint in an official ceremony in April, during the Catholic Church's Jubilee for Adolescents in Rome. The 'techie' teen - born in 1991 to an Italian mother and half Italian, half English father - will be canonised alongside activist Piero Giorgio Frassati. The Pope said: 'I want to say that next year, on the day of adolescents, I will canonise Blessed Carlo Acutis, and on the day of the youth, next year, I will canonise Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.' The Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi, where Acutis is buried, confirmed the news, saying that Acutis will be canonised during a special Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on April 27, 2025, in St Peter's Square. Acutis spent most of his life in Milan and his family visited Assisi every year around Easter, as it was his favourite place, and is where he asked to be buried. He spent much of his spare time designing an online exhibition about Eucharistic miracles around the world. Due to his proficiency with computers, he has been referred to as a 'saint of the ordinary,' and also a possible patron saint for IT workers. He died from an aggressive form of leukemia in 2006 and would be 33 if he were still alive. Acutis will be the Catholic Church's first millennial to be canonised. Carlo Acutis (pictured) limited himself to one hour of video games each day so that he could devote more time to his religion Acutis, who died of leukaemia in 2006 aged 15 and was informally known as 'God's influencer' is about to become a saint He would be only the second Briton to become canonised in nearly 50 years In 2020, the Pope recognised the healing of a young boy in Brazil from a rare form of pancreatic cancer attributed to Acutis. Shortly after, he was beatified which is the first step towards sainthood. Earlier this year, the Pope recognised a second miracle - the healing of a student in Florence who had a bleed on the brain. Pope Francis called him a role model for young people who are frequently tempted by 'self-absorption, isolation and empty pleasure.' The Pope said: 'Carlo was well-aware that the whole apparatus of communications, advertising and social networking can be used to lull us, to make us addicted to consumerism and buying the latest thing on the market, obsessed with our free time, caught up in negativity,' Crux reported. His mother Antonia Salzano previously said that she now refers to her late son as her 'saviour' as he taught her more and more about his faith and credits him with her conversion into Christianity. He grew up in Milan where he took care of his parish website and later that of a Vatican-based academy. Acutis's parents, Antonia (front) and Andrea (rear) are greeted by Cardinal Agostino Vallini during the beatification ceremony in Assisi, central Italy, in October 2020 An image of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis is seen during his beatification ceremony celebrated by Cardinal Agostino Vallini in the St Francis Basilica, in Assisi, Italy, in October 2020 Carlo (pictured) grew up in Milan where he took care of his parish website and later of a Vatican-based academy Carlo is pictured as a young boy waving to the camera as he enjoys a holiday in the snow Acutis (pictured) was a devout Christian when he was alive and attended daily mass What are the five steps to becoming a saint? Five-year wait: Five years usually needs to have passed after someone's death for the process to begin. This allows for a period of reflection on the case. Servant of God: The bishop of the diocese where the person has died investigates whether their life was holy enough to be deemed a 'servant of God'. Life of heroic virtue: The Congregation for the Causes of Saints looks at the case. If they approve it is passed onto the Pope, who declares the subject a person of 'heroic virtue'. Beatification: A miracle needs to happen to a person who has prayed to the person in question. Canonisation: A second miracle is attributed to the person who has been beatified. Advertisement From the age of three, he would donate his pocket money to the poor and later at school supported victims of bullying and spent his evenings cooking and delivering meals to the homeless. He told his parents in his final words: 'I die happy because I didn't spend any minutes of my life in things God doesn't love.' Even after his death, the youngster, informally known as 'God's influencer', was performing miracles, supposedly healing a critically ill child and a brain bleed victim in 2012 and 2022. He was raised by first an Irish nanny then a Polish one. They claim he was inspired in part by St Francis of Assisi, who was born in the same town Carlo was laid to rest. Remarking over her late son, Ms Salzano told the Times: 'Sometimes these beautiful [saints] are all very old and used to live in a very different world so young people don't feel so close to them. 'Carlo was young and handsome and always smiling and was a computer genius and would play on his PlayStation and Game Boy. 'To have a saint that played with the same things as you do is something that really touches these young people.' Ms Salzano said Carlo had a 'special relationship' with God from an early age, even though her family was not religious. He was raised by first an Irish nanny then a Polish one. They claim he was inspired in part by St Francis of Assisi, who was born in the same town he was laid to rest He also helped the homeless and stood up for bullied classmates at school. Pictured: Young Acutis with his dog at Christmas His mother Antonia Salzano (pictured) refers to her late son as her 'saviour' She told Shalom Tidings that she had only ever been to mass three times before Carlo began dragging her to church at the age of three and a half. Around the same time he began asking questions about his faith and engaging in practices she had never heard of including honouring existing saints, leaving flowers at shrines, and spending hours in church. The youngster even limited himself to one hour of video games each day so that he could devote more time to his religion. 'Every minute wasted is one less minute to glorify God,' his mother said. Since his death, He has garnered a global following, and his body was moved to the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Assisi where it is currently on display. In the UK, he has been remembered by the Archbishop of Birmingham, who in 2020 established the Parish of Blessed Carlo Acutis with churches in Wolverhampton and Wombourne. The Archbishop of Canterbury will leave his post at the start of January after resigning over the Church of England's worst abuse scandal, Lambeth Palace announced yesterday. Justin Welby was forced to quit last week after a damning review found that his failures contributed to the Church's most prolific child abuser never being brought to justice. The review stated Welby 'could and should' have reported John Smyth's abuse of boys and young men to police in 2013. Lambeth Palace said that Archbishop Welby will complete his official duties by 6 January and is likely to carry out 'very little public-facing activity' before then. His resignation came after the Makin review concluded that barrister John Smyth's 'abhorrent' abuse of more than 100 boys and young men was covered up within the Church. Lambeth Palace also said that Dr Welby's official functions will be taken over by the Archbishop of York, the second-most senior bishop in the CofE, after he steps back from the role. The Rev Stephen Cottrell is likely to take on this responsibility for some time, as it took nine months before Dr Welby was in post after the resignation of his predecessor Lord Rowan Williams. This is likely to prove controversial as Archbishop Cottrell is also facing calls to quit after he was accused of 'ignoring' 11 separate safeguarding complaints including some involving leading figures in the Church. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, (pictured) will leave his post at the start of January after resigning over the Church of England's worst abuse scandal, Lambeth Palace announced yesterday Justin Welby was forced to quit last week after a damning review found that his failures contributed to the Church's most prolific child abuser never being brought to justice Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, who led an independent body probing abuse in the CofE, said she had repeatedly raised concerns with Dr Cottrell, 66, but argued he left victims 'in the wilderness'. She told The Mail on Sunday: 'The real currency of leadership is transparency and trust. Sadly, Stephen [Cottrell] has not demonstrated either with survivors. 'I believe stepping down is the most appropriate thing to do.' Steve Reeves, a consultant hired by the Anglican Church to lead its Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB) review of abuse handling, has also called on Archbishop Cottrell to resign. He added that the Archbishop of York is unfit for such high office, claiming there is 'no evidence' he has prioritised victims of Church abuse. A spokeswoman for the Archbishop of York denied that he had 'ignored' safeguarding cases and he has since said: 'I'm not going to resign.' Archbishop Cottrell also ruled himself out of the running to be Archbishop of Canterbury and told the Guardian that the CofE may need to rethink the role of the most senior Bishop in England and the head of the global Anglican faith after the 'unprecedented crisis' following the Smyth report. In a statement, Lambeth Palace said: '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). Lambeth Palace said that Archbishop Welby will complete his official duties by 6 January and is likely to carry out 'very little public-facing activity' before then '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 Canterbury's 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.' Lambeth Palace couldn't say last night whether Dr Welby would deliver the Archbishop of Canterbury's customary Christmas sermon or New Year message before his departure. But Lambeth Palace did not set a date on which the Archbishop would cease to hold office, stating that this 'will be set in agreement with the Privy Council'. This means that Dr Welby could continue receiving his 85,000 salary and living in Lambeth Palace until an agreement is reached. Negotiations on Australia's first treaty with Aboriginal people have started, but a fight is brewing over letting the wider public have their say. Talks between the Victorian government and First Peoples' Assembly officially kicked off on Thursday. The Treaty Authority will oversee the talks, acting as an independent umpire. There will be no statewide treaty with Indigenous Victorians unless approved by parliament, but the opposition is demanding the public have the final say. Premier Jacinta Allan said treaty was an opportunity to provide a better, fairer society for all Victorians but conceded talks would be difficult. 'I remain really positive about these negotiations,' she said. 'We are considering the challenges and the consequences of the unbroken line of injustice that was a caused by that initial colonial dispossession.' Ms Allan refused to put a time frame on how long talks could last, saying a final agreement would not be binding and need to be ticked off by parliament. Victorian premier Jacinta Allan says her government is fully committed to implementing a Treaty The First Peoples' Assembly in Victoria is made up of 33 elected representatives from around the state The state opposition withdrew its support for treaty in January following the failed national voice to federal parliament referendum, citing concerns about cultural heritage laws. Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the premier should be putting any agreement to the people, not just parliament. 'This is something that concerns all the people and questions of this magnitude should not be decided ... just by bringing it forward in the parliament,' he said. 'The premier knows that her government will have a majority of the lower house and may well be able to secure the 21 votes in the upper house. 'But is that enough? Is that fair to say to Victorians "well, we are going to change and overhaul the way we have lived our lives in this state for generations upon generations". 'I'm betting the Victorian people want a direct say in the matter.' Members of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, Rueben Berg (right) and Aunty Esme Bamblett He flagged the matter should be put to the people at the 2026 state election or 'some other means' when asked if he would support a plebiscite. Although Victoria recorded the highest 'yes' vote of any state at 45.85 per cent in the voice referendum the measure still failed to carry. In late October, the newly elected Queensland Liberal-National government ended the state's truth-telling inquiry. The inquiry was set out in Queensland's Path to Treaty Act, which passed parliament with bipartisan support in 2023. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said he planned to repeal the act and suggested truth-telling would not unite the state. Russia is threatening to unleash new 'massive' missiles capable of striking anywhere in Europe after dozens of US and UK-made rockets were fired into Kursk. In a dramatic development on Wednesday, up to 12 Storm Shadow rockets were launched at targets in the southern Russian province where Kyiv troops have seized territory. Fragments of the Storm Shadow missiles were recovered by Russian military bloggers on Wednesday afternoon and unverified pictures posted on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Sir Keir Starmer. In retaliation, Russia is now preparing to launch its deadly RS-26 or Frontier missiles from a base in Astrakhan by the Caspian sea, local media has reported. The weapons weigh up to 50 tonnes and have a range of 3,600 miles, although they have never been used in combat. Kyiv has instead been hit by smaller, slower Iskander missiles since the war began in February 2022. The Kremlin has already warned this week it would respond harshly to the sanctioning of the use of US and UK-made missiles on Russian territory. The Storm Shadow missiles struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials are believed to be holed up One image shows a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow' Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy ATACMS - Army Tactical Missile - being fired from an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System According to Moskovky Komsomolets, a Moscow-based newspaper, a military expert had openly talked about retaliation. Timur Syrlanov, a Russian military analyst, said Ukraine should be 'trembling' over the use of the RS-26 rocket. The newspaper reported he said: '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 Ukraine's critical infrastructure and, possibly, to targets in Kyiv itself. 'Let them tremble, be afraid, and wait for landings anywhere. Moreover, the enemy understands perfectly well that our weapons can reach any targets throughout Ukraine.' Putin yesterday provocatively signed off changes to the country's laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed against Ukraine. And his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov chillingly warned that the strikes by Ukraine were a clear signal that Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' and that Russia would 'react accordingly'. The terrifying sabre rattling was confirmed by the Russian President's close ally Dmitry Medvedev. Posting on X, the Deputy Chair of Russia's security council said it meant 'World War III'. It came after Kyiv launched six 'ATACMS' rockets from an undisclosed location over the border into Russian territory on Tuesday. The strikes triggered a fiery explosion at a depot in Karachev, believed to be storing ammunition supplied by North Korea, around 75miles from the Ukrainian border. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with New People party's leader Alexey Nechaev in Moscow on November 19 The RS-26 or Frontier missiles weigh up to 50 tonnes and have a 3,600 mile-range, although they have never been used in combat Images being shared on social media show what appear to be fragments of a British Storm Shadow missile in Marino, Kursk Residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, found fragments from a Storm Shadow missile As tensions escalate in the Russia-Ukraine war, the UK's Defence Secretary announced the British military would be hit by 500 million worth of cuts. John Healy said the Labour Government would scrap six major programmes across the Armed Forces, including the Army's main fleet of drones and two amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. The plans have been criticised by former defence secretary Ben Wallace who argued they would send a message of weakness to the UK's adversaries. Writing in The Telegraph, he said: 'For our enemies to be deterred they must know we intend to have no holes in our capabilities, or at least we will soon be upgrading them. 'To tell the world we are scaling back our capabilities when our enemies are doing the opposite is pure folly. 'No one is fooled by the tired and misleading excuse by Labour that ''we have to wait for a defence review'' yet another one.' A fiery explosion lit up the night sky around 77 miles from the nearest Ukrainian border at an ammunition store in Karachev, in Russia's Bryansk region, on Tuesday Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19 Vladimir Putin 's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (pictured) chillingly warned that Moscow would 'react accordingly' as he described the strike as a signal Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with Denmark's prime minister at the presidential palace in Kyiv, on November 19 In videos recorded in the village of Maryino in Russia's Kursk region yesterday, multiple explosions were heard preceded by high-pitched whistling apparently from incoming missiles. The footage also showed smoke rising from buildings. Unconfirmed reports suggested Ukraine had targeted an underground command and control facility 50 miles inside Russia with Storm Shadow missiles. 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. 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.' Victorians may soon receive a new public holiday to celebrate Indigenous culture as negotiations officially begin for a statewide treaty. The public holiday would commemorate the date when a treaty is signed and celebrate the diverse Indigenous cultures and languages of the state. Ngarra Murray, co-chair of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, explained to the ABC that the public holiday proposal originated from the desire to integrate Aboriginal culture more deeply into everyday life. 'A day that's all about inclusivity, so being able to celebrate all together as a community,' Ms Murray said in October. 'Because treaty is not just about people, it's about all peoples that live here on our country.' Negotiations on Australia's first treaty with Aboriginal people between the Victorian government and First Peoples' Assembly officially kicked off on Thursday. The Treaty Authority will oversee the talks, acting as an independent umpire. Premier Jacinta Allan said treaty was an opportunity to provide a better, fairer society for all Victorians but conceded talks would be difficult. 'I remain really positive about these negotiations,' she said. Members of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, Rueben Berg (right) and Aunty Esme Bamblett 'We are considering the challenges and the consequences of the unbroken line of injustice that was a caused by that initial colonial dispossession.' Ms Allan refused to put a time frame on how long talks could last, saying a final agreement would not be binding and need to be ticked off by parliament. Earlier last month, the assembly made clear it expects to have substantial decision-making functions. 'We want a process and timeline for providing the Assembly with real decision-making powers on First Peoples matters,' the First Peoples Assembly said in its annual report. 'It will be mob making decisions about mob.' In addition the Assembly will demand an advisory role to government on policies beyond those pertaining principally to Aboriginal people. Victorian premier Jacinta Allan says her government is fully committed to implementing a Treaty 'When decisions aren't primarily about mob, but still impact us, we want the Assembly to be able to ensure that Victorian Government ministers and the public service get advice directly from First Peoples,' the report said. The Assembly will also seek 'the power to hold the Victorian Government to account for its promises and the ability to scrutinise policies, practices and services to make sure they are up to scratch and delivering for mob'. A Treaty should also say how and when recommendations from the 'truth-telling' Yoorrook Justice Commission will be implemented. Modelled on South Africa's post-apartheid 'Truth and Reconciliation' hearings, Yoorrook has the same powers as a royal commission and can subpoena documents and summon witnesses. While it does not exercise judicial power, it can refer information about alleged crimes to law enforcement authorities. This is the moment a volcano near Iceland's capital erupted yet again, spewing fountains of lava and smoke and forcing multiple evacuations. The eruption began at 23:14 at the Sundhnuks crater on the Reykjanes peninsula, with a 'small earthquake' occurring at 10:30pm. It is 20 miles south-west of Reykjavik, where the most recent eruption ended on September 6. This will be the tenth eruption in three years, the country's meteorological office said. The nearby fishing town of Grindavik, home to nearly 4,000 residents before an evacuation order in December last year, remains largely deserted due to the threat from lava flows. But the remaining 50 to 60 residents, the Svartsengi Power Station and the Blue Lagoon, a spa facility with hotels and large natural pools, have been evacuated. It looks like the gas pollution will go to the south and out to sea, so there won't be any ill-effects on locals. Dramatic video and photographs show a wall of magma lighting up the sky tonight. A volcano near Iceland's capital erupted yet again, spewing fountains of lava and smoke The eruption began at 23:14 at the Sundhnuks crater on the Reykjanes peninsula, with a 'small earthquake ' occurring at 10:30pm Those at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa near the town of Grindavik have also been evactuated At the moment, flights to and from Keflavik Airport are operating as usual and according to schedules. Iceland, with nearly 400,000 inhabitants, is located on the fault line between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. This makes it a seismic hotspot with geysers, warm-water springs and dozens of volcanoes. Mayor Fannar Jonasson said this eruption came as a shock, with the next one expected at the end of the month. He said: 'But that is how unpredictable nature is.' The lava flow is flowing to the west, but the speed is currently unknown. It is between Sylingarfell and Stora Skogfell. The Svartsengi geothermal power plant on the Reykjanes peninsula has been evacuated Lava is seen flowing from the Sundhnuks volcano on May 30 of this year Lava near the town of Grindavik, located in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, on March 17 Benedikt Ofeigsson from the Norwegian Meteorological Agency told local media Channel 2: 'There is currently nothing in danger, and if this does not develop much differently than it has been doing, the infrastructure should escape this quite well.' Icelandic authorities have erected barriers to divert the streams of molten rock away from the town of Grindavik, the power station and the Blue Lagoon. Scientists have warned that Reykjanes is likely to experience repeated volcanic outbreaks for decades, possibly even centuries. But the eruptions are not expected to cause the level of disruption seen when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano burst in 2010, spreading ash clouds across Europe and grounding some 100,000 flights globally. Former President John F. Kennedy acted out his own assassination just two months before he would be shot dead by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas. The 35th president of the United States and his wife, Jackie, had decided in the summer of 1963 and create their own James Bond-like film, which were favorites of the then-president, according to Vanity Fair. They then spent the weekend of September 21 and 22 filming scenes at Hammersmith Farm, a compound in Rhode Island owned by Jackie's family, with the First Lady acting as director and chief photographer, Robert L Knudsen, behind the camera. None of the actors - all of whom were friends of the first family or their Secret Service agents - realized that two reporters in a nearby boat were watching the presidential party onboard JFK's Honey Fitz yacht that day. The reporters were accompanied by a photographer who had a camera with a zoom lens, and managed to get some shots from the set. The photos were never published, even as the Associated Press ran a story describing the scene at the pier with headlines in newspapers like 'Kennedys Cut Up for Camera at the Weekend Retreat.' But Knudsen's son retained photos from the shoot, as well as some footage from the president's short film, which he shared with Vanity Fair. One of the photos shows Knudsen in a business suit, perched atop a pier post with his camera. John F Kennedy acted out his own assassination just two months before he was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas The photos were never released, but photographer Robert L Knudsen kept the film The family were seen on the Honey Fitz yacht on a holiday in 1963 They acted out a scene that JFK himself wrote a script for Off to the side, the president could be seen holding a towel - presumably to clean off ketchup that had spurted from his mouth as he pretended to die. Jackie could also be seen standing next to the photographer, looking like she is directing, and two children are also visible: Caroline Kennedy and Marcantonio Crespi, the son of Countess Vivian Stokes Crespi, who spent the weekend with the first family. For years, the only thing known about the home film was that the Kennedys enjoyed making a film that weekend at Hammersmith Farm, with Kennedy's good friend, Red Fay, who originally claimed he was the only one killed in the footage. 'We were bored and we decided to put the photographer to good use,' Fay recounted to the Associated Press in 1983, following the release of Ralph Martin's JFK biography, A Hero for Our Time. But Knudsen noted that Kennedy wrote the script himself, and there were several different takes. In some, the president was the one that was shot, while in others, Fay was the one who fell to the ground. Once the film was completed, Jackie received one copy and Fay received another - but it is thought he destroyed it following his longtime friend's assassination. No other copies were thought to exist. Knudsen, however, retained seven minutes from the original shoots. One scene shows the presidential party leaving the Honey Fitz, when JFK suddenly clutches his chest and falls as if he were struck by bullets, Vanity Fair reports. He and his wife, Jackie (pictured) invited their friends to her family's compound in Rhode Island where they created their own James Bond-inspired film Among those in the film was JFK's good friend, Red Fay (left) who originally insisted he was the only one killed in the film. His wife is seen her giving the then-president a palm reading onboard his yacht, the Honey Fitz Others in the party then step over his body, but Fay trips and falls over the president, at which point a 'gush of red surged from the president's mouth,' soiling the front of his shirt. Another sequence shot by Knudsen showed a station wagon full of Secret Service agents pulling up to the house, and screeching to a halt before eight jump out of the vehicle. Among the agents in the scene was Roy Kellerman, who would later be in charge of agents in Dallas, riding in the presidential limo in the front passenger seat, and Paul Landis - the First Lady's agent. She had asked them to participate in their project. 'We're making a movie about the president's murder,' Jackie reportedly told the agents, 'and we'd like you and the other agents to drive up to the front of the house, then jump out and run toward the door.' When they did, the agents found the president lying on the floor with ketchup smeared over him, and Jackie sitting on the staircase directing, Landis recounted. He said he understood it was a prank and admitted it was odd, but he thought it was typical of the couple's playful nature when outside the public view. In other scenes, Fay could be seen with a rope around his neck and ketchup on his mouth and shoulder, while others showed him and the countess dropping a pistol into a bag that is then taken away. Records from the White House theater show that JFK and Jackie, along with Fay and another close family friend, Bill Walton, screened 'home movies' the following day, on September 23. JFK and Jackie would again watch the film a week later with the Washington Post's Ben Bradlee, a confidant of the president's, and Bradlee's then-wife, socialite Tony Pinchot. But after JFK was shot in the head while riding in a motorcade with the top down on November 22, 1963, the film gained renewed attention. Some thought it showed the president's willingness to take physical risks, like he did by insisting he ride with the roof down, and staff members and outside observers quipped that it showed JFK was laying fast and loose with security in his off-hours. Knudsen, meanwhile, told the Associated Press in 1983, 'I wondered if it was a premonition he had or a quirk of fate.' Mckinley Cheshire, a Palm Beach-based psychiatrist, also said the film 'could easily have been just a fantasy to release a lot of his own internal fears and counter his own phobic behavior - an effort to face the reality that his life was indeed in danger.' The psychiatrist went on to suggest that JFK's decision to have others step over his body was 'his way of saying they must carry on without him.' After JFK was shot in the head while riding in a motorcade with the top down on November 22, 1963, the film gained renewed attention The president was keenly aware of the possibility he could be killed in office, Cheshire revealed. He had once told the Irish ambassador, 'Crowds don't threaten me. It's that fellow standing on the roof with a gun that I worry about.' Just one month before his assassination, JFK was also reading a book providing a minute-by-minute account of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, and even on the morning of his death, he made a remark about the potential for an assassination. The president reportedly told his wife at the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, 'You know, last night would have been a hell of a night to assassinate a president. 'I mean it; there was the rain and the night, and we were all getting jostled,' Jackie later recounted. 'Suppose a man had a pistol in a briefcase,' the president suggested. 'Then he could have dropped the gun and the briefcase and melted away in the crowd.' An MP has revealed that teenager Isla Bell engaged with her on social media about violence against women, before being allegedly murdered herself. 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 two men are in custody charged over her alleged murder. On Thursday, Victorian MP Georgie Purcell revealed that Ms Bell had been a passionate advocate for ending violence against women. I didnt know Isla personally, but I did watch as she engaged on my own Instagram page, Ms Purcell said. She made jokes and offered solidarity. And she also liked my posts about ending femicide and attending the national rallies against violence. But the reality is, while women are devastated when this happens, we are not shocked. Ms Purcell, who represents the Animal Justice Party in the Victorian Parliament, added: 'Isla turned 20 in the time she was missing.' Isla Bell (pictured) was last seen leaving her Brunswick home, in Melbourne , at about 6pm on October 4, just days before her 20th birthday On Thursday, Victorian MP Georgie Purcell (pictured) revealed that Ms Bell had been a passionate advocate for ending violence against women 'She had a family trip planned to the Great Barrier Reef and she was so excited,' she wrote. 'I want to say more about the person I am told she was as a friend, a daughter, an aunty but that shouldnt actually matter.' On Wednesday, Marat Ganiev, 53, of St Kilda, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court charged with Ms Bell's murder. His co-accused, Eyal Yaffe, 57, of Hampton, faces a charge of assisting an offender with murder. Daily Mail Australia revealed that police will allege the 19-year old texted her friend just hours before her alleged murder expressing her happiness at finding the man of her dreams. In a Snapchat post sent on October 7, Ms Bell, who was last seem leaving her Brunswick home in Melbourne three days earlier on October 4, told her friend that she had 'found the best sugar daddy', court documents state. Ms Bell told her friend this 'sugar daddy' had lavished her with gifts and 'saved her from sex traffickers'. She had allegedly shacked up with Ganiev just two days earlier - a day after her frantic mother reported Ms Bell missing to police. Ms Purcell, who represents the Animal Justice Party in the Victorian Parliament, made the post on Instagram Marat Ganiev, 53, of St Kilda appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with murdering Isla Bell Eyal Yaffe (pictured) is accused of helping the man who allegedly murdered Isla Bell conceal his alleged crime Police allege Ganiev murdered Ms Bell just after midnight on October 7. Why it is alleged he did so remains a mystery for now. Her remains were found at a tip at Dandenong six weeks later on November 19 and are yet to be formally identified. On Wednesday, Ms Bell's 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. 'I was so proud of your choices this year, your strength to endure despite your suffering. '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 her daughter 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. For the six weeks Ms Bell was missing, lampposts and walls throughout Melbourne were plastered with missing persons posters calling for her to come home. Her mother told The Age she had the 'deepest empathy for all life forms'. 'An exquisitely beautiful soul, it is an unspeakable torment to know that despite my daughters love for the world she felt the depth and breadth of its cruelty,' Ms Spokes said. 'I have two cherished daughters, one in the flesh and one in spirit, both live in my heart and walk by my side, always.' Islamabad, Nov 21 (UNI) At least 33 people were killed and 30 others injured in a gun attack carried out on passenger vans in the Kurram district of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, according to a Tehsil Headquarters Hospital official Dr Muhammad Ishaq. The medical superintendent of the hospital Alizai said the injured were being referred to various hospitals in the district and some to Peshawar, Dawn reported. A top provincial official said the toll could go up. Meanwhile, Ahmady Shama Station House Officer Kaleem Shah told Dawn.com that 38 people were killed, including three women, and 11 were injured in the attack that took place in the Lower Kurram area. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the incident and expressed his condolences to the bereaved of the deceased. Attacking innocent passengers is a cowardly and inhumane act, he was quoted as saying in a post on X by Pakistan people's Party media cell. He added that those responsible for the incident should be punished. He urged that timely medical aid be provided to the injured. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur directed a delegation comprising the chief secretary, provincial law minister and the areas MNA and MPA to visit Kurram immediately. The incident comes amid a sharp rise in the number of terrorist attacks in the restive Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Attacks escalated after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan outfit ended a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022 and vowed to target security forces. Last month, two terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in KPs North Waziristan district. Twelve security personnel and six terrorists were killed after a checkpost was targeted in the Mali Khel area of KPs Bannu, the militarys media affairs wing said a day ago. UNI SSP CS1808 A police constable who allegedly distributed child exploitation material may have to wait until 2025 to get access to use the internet to contact his lawyers. Zachary Edward Murphy, 20, appeared for the first time before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday after he was charged with one count each of using a carriage service to access child abuse material and using a carriage service to distribute child abuse material. Court documents seen by NewsWire reveal police will allege Constable Murphy used a carriage service to access and distribute child abuse material that were 'computer generated images' from a home in Deebing Heights in Ipswich between January 27 and June 29, 2024. The Southern Region constable was charged on October 18 and granted conditional bail. He was ordered to not have any contact either directly or indirectly with any child under 16 years of age unless directly and constantly supervised by a responsible adult, according to documents. Constable Murphy was also prohibited from accessing the internet except for the purpose of self-education, banking or employment while on bail. During Thursday's court appearance, Constable Murphy's lawyer, Annie Bryan, sought to amend his bail to allow him to use the internet to be able to communicate with his 'legal and health providers'. Magistrate Penelope Hay said she would not be amending his bail in court on Thursday, instead explaining to Ms Bryan that her client would need to make a bail application to amend his conditions. Zachary Murphy (pictured) allegedly distributed child exploitation material Constable Murphy was suspended by Queensland Police following his arrest in October Ms Hay ordered a full brief of evidence be provided to Constable Murphy's legal team and adjourned the matter to January 13 for further mention. Following Constable Murphy's arrest in October, Queensland Police suspended him until further notice. 'In keeping with our commitment to high standards of behaviour, transparency and accountability, we have undertaken to inform the public when a member of the service faces serious allegations of misconduct,' the QPS said in a statement in October. 'This does not mean that the allegations against the member have been substantiated.' Hospital bosses tried to shut doors in the early stages of the police investigation into Lucy Letby, a public inquiry heard yesterday (wed). Former Detective Chief Superintendent Nigel Wenham said police were unaware of the spike in unexpected deaths on the neo-natal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital until March 2017 - nine months after the former neo-natal nurse was removed from working with patients. Medical director Ian Harvey got in touch with the officer, who sat on the local Child Death Overview Panel, following pressure from medics, who were concerned executives were planning for Letby to return to work on the ward. Mr Wenham said he initially met senior managers but a powerful and critical meeting with doctors a few weeks later, in May, reinforced his view that a criminal investigation into the spike in unexpected deaths was needed. And he paid tribute to the tenacity of the medics, who he said repeatedly tried to raise concerns but were shut down by senior managers. That meeting, I cant describe how powerful it was, Mr Wenham said. They were knowledgeable. They had lived and breathed these events for several years and they had the opportunity now to just speak to someone and be listened to and believed... it felt as though we werent just going to push them away, like they had been in the past, or threatened or intimidated. They were just very powerful in what they were saying and committed and we all owe them a great deal for coming forward and speaking out the way they did. Lucy Letby was found guilty of murdering seven newborn babies and attempting to kill six others between 2015 and 2016 This is the moment former neo-natal nurse Lucy Letby was arrested at her home in 2018 Mr Wenham said police should have been notified earlier but added: A lot of doctors involved did raise concerns repeatedly and continued to raise those concerns and they were shut down, sadly. Mr Wenham said he met with senior managers, including Mr Harvey and chief executive Tony Chambers, on May 12, ahead of a meeting with the consultants who had emailed him a detailed document outlining their concerns. The officer said the document, which included graphs and tables on expected survival rates for premature babies, staffing levels and rotas and details of each individual infant death, was incredibly powerful and important. But when he met Mr Chambers and Mr Harvey, Mr Wenham said they told him the information was nothing new, and that it failed to highlight specific allegations that would cause them to believe a criminal act had been committed. Mr Chambers added that it could become a matter for the doctors watchdog, the General Medics Council, if the consultants refused to move on and accept no wrongdoing had occurred, which he said would create a more dangerous environment for sick babies. Asked about the tone of the meeting, Mr Wenham agreed it appeared doors were trying to be shut by the senior managers at this early stage, and that they were trying to direct a mindset. But Mr Wenham, a former detective who spent 30 years with Cheshire police investigating homicide and working in safeguarding and public protection, said it was clear to him that police needed to go and speak to the consultants to make sure they could speak freely. Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital That meeting, with Dr Ravi Jayaram, Dr Stephen Brearey and Dr Susie Holt, three days later, on May 15, was the most critical and important event, Mr Wenham added. I can still recall how these clinicians presented, he said. They were completely professional, knowledgable and passionate about their work on the neo-natal unit. They were relieved they could speak to the police about their concerns. This further reinforced my view that this would now progress to a criminal investigation. The decision to launch Operation Hummingbird, Cheshire polices investigation into the spike in deaths, was made later the same day. Mr Wenham said the investigation team couldnt avoid the fact that Letby had been mentioned or that she was a significant individual, but he insisted officers had a very open mind from the outset. Letby, 34, is currently serving 15 whole life sentences after being convicted of trying to murder seven babies and attempting to murder seven more - one infant she attacked twice - between June 2015 and June 2016. The inquiry, at Liverpool Town Hall, is expected to sit until January. Melbourne teen Bianca Jones has died in hospital after drinking poisoned alcohol while on the trip of a lifetime with her best friend in Laos. The 19-year-old is the fourth person to die after drinks were mixed with methanol and served to guests at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in the popular party town of Vang Vieng. Ms Jones had been on a gap year holiday with her best friend Holly Bowles - who remains fighting for life in hospital - when they both fell ill on November 12. Earlier on Thursday, the US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen, a 56-year-old man, in Vang Vieng. The Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed two young women from Denmark have also died. A British woman, 28-year-old Simone White, is also reportedly among those affected by the suspected mass poisoning, and she is recovering in hospital. And the New Zealand government has confirmed a New Zealander is unwell and 'may be a victim of methanol poisoning in Laos.' Ms Jones' devastated family confirmed her death in a statement. 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away,' they said. 'She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us. Melbourne teen Bianca Jones (pictured) has died in hospital after drinking poisoned alcohol while on the trip of a lifetime with her best friend Holly Bowles in Laos Holly Bowles (left) and Bianca Jones (right). Holly, 19, remains fighting for life in a Thai hospital 'We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we've received from across Australia. 'The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through our grief and begin to heal. Thank you for respecting our family's space. 'With heartfelt appreciation, Mark, Michelle and Lachlan Jones.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Ms Jones in parliament on Thursday. 'We've received a very sad confirmation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that tragically, Bianca Jones has lost her life,' he said. 'Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. This is every parent's very worse fear, and a nightmare that no one should have to endure. 'All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak. Bianca's trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come. 'Memories that she should have carried with her into the long, bright future that lay ahead of her. It is beyond sad that this is not to be.' A man who helped Ms Jones and Ms Bowles told the Herald Sun they had been drinking at Jaidee's bar on the beachfront in Vang Vieng (pictured) Albanese also mentioned Ms Bowles, 'who is fighting for her life there in Laos.' 'Australians hold her and her family in our hearts as we pray for her, and we hope for a good recovery.' Ms Jones and Ms Bowles, also aged 19, 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, before reportedly going to nearby Jaidee's party bar. 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. CCTV from inside the hostel shows one the girls being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike being driven by a hotel staff worker. They were then rushed to separate hospitals in Udon Thani and Bangkok in neighbouring Thailand. Ms Jones' family previously said they hoped police got to the bottom of the alleged alcohol poisoning. 'Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia,' they told the Herald Sun on Wednesday. Simone White, from the UK, is also reportedly among those affected by the suspected mass poisoning, and is recovering in hospital '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.' It comes after hostel manager Duong Duc Toan, who served the girls the Laotian vodka, has claimed it wasn't him who 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. Local authorities are still investigating the alleged mass poisoning. Photos of a mural depicting Alan Jones being gagged have resurfaced on social media following bombshell allegations of indecent assault and sexual touching. The satirical artwork was painted on a wall in Chippendale, in inner-city Sydney, by street artist Scott Marsh in 2019, in response to a controversial comment from Jones about then-New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Jones was broadcasting on Sydney's 2GB at the time and verbally attacked Ms Ardern following comments she made criticising Australia's actions over climate change at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu, an island nation in the South Pacific. 'Here she is preaching on global warming and saying that we've got to do something about climate change,' Jones said. 'I just wonder whether (then-PM) Scott Morrison is going to be fully briefed to shove a sock down her throat.' Around a week after Jones' comments, Mr Marsh painted the mural, and posted an image of it with the hashtag #wouldntitbenice. Following Jones' arrest on Monday, Mr Marsh reposted the image of his mural, and asked: 'What took so long?' The 'sock in her mouth' incident played a significant role in the events leading up to Jones' retirement from 2GB in 2020. Photos of a mural depicting Alan Jones being gagged have resurfaced on social media following bombshell allegations of indecent assault and sexual touching Jones is pictured wearing an emerald green ensemble as he snarled at the waiting media pack as he left Day Street Police Station on Monday afternoon Ms Ardern at the time said she would not give the remark a response. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that Jones breached multiple broadcasting codes. Jones later apologised for his comments, was counselled and also wrote an apology to Ms Ardern. It comes after Jones, 83, was arrested on Monday at his luxury Circular Quay apartment. He is facing a total of 26 charges related to alleged indecent assault and sexual touching. The charges include 11 counts of aggravated indecent assault, 11 counts of assault with act of indecency, 2 counts of sexually touching another person without consent, 2 counts of common assault. The youngest alleged victim was 17-years-old at the time of the alleged offences. Jones' high profile lawyer, Chris Murphy, said he would be defending the charges. He is scheduled to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on December 18. READ MORE: PR guru tries to capitalise on train strike A major dispute between Sydney trains and the NSW government has been calmed hours before a strike threatened to bring the network to a standstill. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the government will run as many 24-hour train services as possible this weekend to prevent the strike action. 'Intensive bargaining will begin between the government and unions in NSW over the next two weeks with a view from all sides to get a long-term deal across the unions that cover rail in the state that will last multiple years,' he said. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) previously said industrial action would go ahead from Friday morning to Sunday mid-morning. It was expected to be one of the biggest rail strike shutdowns the city has seen. There are a number of events in Sydney this weekend including a Pearl Jam concert and six A-League double headers and delays and congestion were expected. About 700,000 people take a train in Sydney every day so well over a million commuters would have been affected if the trains had stopped running for more than 48 hours. Transport for NSW said the Sydney Trains Intercity Network would have also been 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.' A strike that threatened to bring Sydney Trains to a standstill this weekend has been called off Could other public transport cover future strikes? Sydney Metro was not impacted by the strikes but unrelated maintenance works will see it closed Saturday and Sunday. The NSW government said it would put on extra services to run every four minutes all day Friday until 8pm, where it would have shifted to eight-minute services until the last train from Central to Tallawong at 1.30am Saturday. Sydney Light Rail would have run all weekend and services increased between 7am-7pm on Saturday, similar to a Friday timetable. Extra buses would also have been brought in to ease the load across the network. Before it was cancelled completely, the strike had already been pushed back from Thursday to allow 40,000 Pearl Jam fans to get home that night. But ticket data showed many of the Pearl Jam concertgoers for Saturday live on The Central Coast and in Newcastle. '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,' warned transport chiefs. 'Parking at Olympic Park is almost sold, and the 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 light rail network was not going to be affected by the strike and would have kept running The strike would have affected well over a million commuters causing significant congestion What are the union's demands? The RBTU, which represents train drivers as well as cleaners, CCTV operators and technicians across the rail network, is demanding better pay and working conditions. They want a 32 per cent pay rise over four years. They also want training allowances, an extra 1 per cent superannuation employer contribution and for super to continue to be paid while on extended leave such as maternity leave or worker's compensation. The RBTU also wants more flexible working conditions including a 35-hour work week with no reduction in pay and better overtime rates. It also wants annual leave to increase from four weeks to five weeks for non-shift workers and six weeks for shift workers. The light rail network along with buses, ferries and the metro would have covered some of the shutdown but delays would have still been a major issue How did negotiations crumble? NSW Transport Minister Jo Heylan said there have been more than 50 bargaining meetings between the NSW government and the union, including 28 where more than 90 delegates had attended. '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. 'This will cause significant disruption to people's lives and to the operation of our city. 'You can't simply click your fingers and change the way a very big system works.' RBTU NSW secretary Toby Warnes said: 'The reason we won't lift the bans at this stage is ongoing frustrations with the government for not sitting at the negotiating table'. The union had given the government an ultimatum to either run all rail lines around the clock from Thursday to Sunday, or there would be a complete shut down. The government agreed to 24-hour trial last weekend, but said it would not be possible this week. Instead it had proposed to run a 24-hour service between Hornsby and Strathfield. 'Please be assured our teams are doing their very best to keep the system running reliably,' Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland said. 'It is a very challenging period as more and more of these industrial bans are put in place.' The compromise deal came when the government agreed to run as many 24-hour train services as possible this weekend from Thursday night. A VietJet plane has been diverted back to Australia after a passenger suffered a medical emergency on the way to Ho Chi Minh City. Flight VJC92 was only in the air for an hour before it made a U-turn near Carnarvon on the Western Australian coastline after taking off at 10.30am local time. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is due to land back in Perth at about 1pm local time with paramedics already waiting on the tarmac. A Perth Airport spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the diversion was due to an onboard medical emergency but could not elaborate until the plane had landed. The spokesperson said the same plane would likely fly out again on its original route once the situation was under control. The connection between the two cities was launched by VietJet on November 21 last year with two return services per week. This was later upgraded to four flights per week and competitor Vietnam Airlines followed suit with three flights a week. The six-and-a-half-hour, non-stop flight is run by both companies using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Perth Airport said passengers would likely fly out again on the same plane later on Thursday afternoon (pictured is the U-turn the plane made near Carnarvon on the WA coastline) Two inmates in solitary confinement have revealed the 'exceedingly unusual' way they got pregnant without even meeting. Daisy Link, 29, gave birth to a baby girl on June 19, while serving time at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade, Florida . She had been behind bars for about two years at that point, serving time without bond for allegedly murdering her boyfriend. The pregnancy confounded Link's family, who suggested she was sexually assaulted and demanded an internal investigation, WSVN reports. But it has now been revealed that the baby's father is another inmate, Joan Depaz, 23, who is also accused of murder. The two had never met face-to-face and when asked if they ever even touched, Depaz told the news station: 'Never, like the Virgin Mary.' Instead, the couple explained, Depaz passed his semen through the air conditioning vents in their cells. 'You would knock on it and you can hear the people from the different floors,' Link said. 'You would stand on the toilet and actually to be able to talk to them.' Accused murderers Daisy Link, 29, (left) and Joan Depaz, 23 (right) devised a plan to get pregnant while in solitary confinement Their baby was born on June 19, and is now in the custody of Depaz's mother Through the vents, the two inmates began a romantic relationship, passing notes and photos back and forth. 'Being in isolation for so long, you begin to spend hours and hours talking to this person, you know, to the point where it's almost as if you're in the same room as them,' Link explained. Eventually, Depaz shared his dream of sometime having a baby. 'I'm not gonna get to do that for a really long time,' he said he remembers telling Link. 'So if I had to choose somebody, you know, it would be you. 'And she was like, "Yeah, we could do that."' For her part, Link said she doesn't 'know what my fate is' and doesn't know what is actually hers. 'If we're gonna go out, might as well just go out with a bang, you know?' she said. 'If it works, it works. But it definitely did.' Link called her baby girl 'a miracle' and a 'blessing' after the unusual method they used to get pregnant The couple then devised a plan in which Depaz would pass his semen to Link, using a chain of bedding. 'I put the semen in Saran Wrap every day like five times a day for like a month straight,' he recounted. 'He would kind of like roll it up almost like a cigarette and he would attach it to the line that we had in the vent, and I was pulling it through,' Link added. 'From there, I had placed it inside of, you know, the yeast infection applicators? I had placed it inside of there, and then from there, yeah I administered it.' She said it only took a few times before she became pregnant, and when she found out she was with child, she said she was 'very excited' and 'ecstatic.' 'I can't believe it worked,' Link said. 'I think everything happened for a reason.' 'She's a miracle baby. She's a blessing.' Link had been behind bars for about two years when she gave birth to her daughter, serving time without bond for allegedly murdering her boyfriend An internal affairs investigation into the couple's successful scheme at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade, Florida is ongoing Dr. Fernando Akerman, the medical director of Fertility Center of Miami, told the news station the chances of their plan resulting in a successful pregnancy is slim, but not impossible. 'We estimate that probably their chances were less than five percent, but that is not to say that the chances were zero,' he said. 'So this is absolutely a case that is exceedingly unusual. To my knowledge, I've never heard or read anything like this.' Link and Depaz are now in separate jails, but still talk on the phone and see their daughter - who is now living with Depaz's mother - on video visits. 'She could be anything,' Link said of her baby girl. 'I think that she's gonna be something great.' In the meantime, officials with Miami-Dade Corrections say an internal affairs investigation into the couples' successful scheme is ongoing. An Aussie family has launched a desperate appeal to help repatriate a father-of-two after a freak accident in Papua New Guinea. Adam Sharam, from Inverell in northern New South Wales, was two days into the fishing trip of a lifetime with his best mates on November 12 when the group were thrown overboard by a wayward wave which capsized their boat. He was struck by the boat's propeller blades which left him with extensive injuries, including a fractured skull and deep gashes to his head and legs. His quick thinking mates managed to pull Mr Sharam from the water and helped stem the bleeding until emergency responders arrived. He was rushed to Port Moresby Hospital, where he spent several days in ICU and has undergone multiple surgeries. Now out of intensive care, Mr Sharam has a long road to recovery. 'His injuries are horrific ... but at least he's still with us ... he was very lucky,' his mother Helen Travers told Seven News. 'He's been very lucky not to lose his leg ... but we don't know what the full extent of his knee damage is and what underlying issues there will be.' Avid fisherman Adam Sharam remains in a Port Moresby hospital after a freak accident The father-of-two suffered extensive injuries to his head and legs in the boating accident The family are looking at a $78,000 bill to medivac Mr Sharam home and have set a GoFundMe. 'Adam has just recently had a new baby boy Jake and along with his little girl Tilly, who has just turned 3 his wife Sarah are at home in Inverell missing him and looking forward to him coming home,' Ms Travers wrote on the page. 'Unfortunately like a lot of us do Adam didn't take out travel insurance and now pays the price of a huge medical expense and is miles away from his family who are missing him dearly.' The GoFundMe has already raised more than $25,500 within hours on Thursday. The father-of-two was slashed by the boat's propeller blades after a wave knocked him and his mates overboard 'He absolutely loves his fishing, he goes out after a hard day at work,' his mother added. 'He always teaches other people and shares his knowledge with them.' 'Adam is always the first person to help someone in need, and now he needs your help 'We would like to be able to get Adam back to Australia for treatment, but to Medivac Adam home with a critical care doctor and nurse, we are looking at $78,000.' John Prescott has died at the age of 86, his family revealed today. The former Labour MP and peer passed away to the sound of his favourite jazz music and surrounded with loved-ones at his care home after a long battle with illness. Lord Prescott was Tony Blair's political bruiser and battering ram - the pugnacious bridge between New and old Labour who could down a pint in five seconds and was always up for a fight, including his most recent battles with a stroke and Alzheimer's. The son of a railwayman and a servant from north Wales, Lord Prescott was a fine boxer as a boy after moving to Yorkshire - and his most famous moment was when he thumped a farmer who had egged him outside a Labour rally in Rhyl in 2001. After the 'Prescott Punch' his boss Mr Blair had remarked that 'John is John' as footage of his deputy prime minister's left jab and the wrestling match that followed went around the world. Prescott, who avoided an assault charge, later joked he was 'connecting with the electorate' when he thwacked a member of the public. Today the former prime minister was tearful as he said: 'I am devastated. There was no-one quite like him in British politics. Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart'. The former Labour deputy prime minister was nicknamed 'Two Jags' due to his long love affair with them while in high office, including one infamous trip where he drove 200 yards in one to attend an engagement to avoid his wife's hair being ruffled. But he famously got rid of them in 2021, declaring: 'I am now Zero Jags. It is my own small contribution to cutting carbon emissions'. For more than a decade, the ex-merchant seaman and cruise ship steward provided a crucial link with the party's working-class roots as Sir Tony's reforming drive led critics to accuse him of abandoning socialism altogether. He was also a go-between when Blair and Gordon Brown's relationship failed. Alongside him throughout was his wife of more than 60 years, Pauline, who stood by him after an affair with a secretary 24 years his junior became public in 2006. He said later that he was struggling with the pressures of political life - and should have told her - and that their relationship improved when she accepted his apology for the betrayal. The moment John Prescott punched Craig Evans in 2001 after he egged the Labour politician will go down in political history Mr Prescott wrestling Craig Evans. Lord Prescott later quipped he was 'connecting with the electorate' His family said he had 'spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment' as he worked under Sir Tony Blair (right) Lord Prescott and his loyal wife Pauline on his 82nd birthday in 2020. She stood by him for more than 60 years Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott arrives at Downing Street in his ministerial Jaguar. He also had one for personal use, earning him the moniker 'Two Jags' Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at the 1998 Brit awards after being soaked with water by Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba. Prescott speaks at the Labour Party Conference in Blackpool, October 1992 Former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott (pictured in 2012) has died at the age of 86, his family has said Lord Prescott became used to the finer things in life, enjoying croquet on the lawn of his country house at a time when he was in charge of the country. He had lived an extraordinary life. The young man who went to sea after failing his 11-plus, later became a trade unionist and indispensable figure in Sir Tony Blair's New Labour project. His family said he had 'spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment'. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair today recalled the moment John Prescott punched a protester who threw an egg at him in 2001. Sir Tony told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he answered 'well, John is John' at a subsequent press conference. He said: 'Someone smashed an egg on his head, and he turned up, and he turned around, and he punched the guy and laid him out. 'This caused a huge sort of fracas, obviously... We had to give a press conference in the election campaign the next day, and some people were saying, well, look, he's deputy prime minister - you know, you can't have a deputy prime minister thumping a voter. 'And then there were other people who said, yeah, but you know... he had this egg slammed in his head, and he turned around and whacked the guy, and a lot of people think, well, fair enough. A long debate ensued, Sir Tony said, adding: 'Finally, at the press conference, when I was asked about that, I just said, well, John, is John. And so was that supposed to be an answer? I said, Yeah, that's an answer, that's as much as you can say.' Lord Prescott was a key yet controversial figure of Sir Tony Blair's New Labour project, seen by many as custodian of the party's traditional values in the face of a modernising leadership. He was ennobled in 2010 and introduced to the upper chamber as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull having served for four decades as an MP for the city. In a statement released after his death, his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said that representing the people of Hull had been 'his greatest honour'. Tributes are pouring in from across the political spectrum for Lord Prescott, with Sir Tony saying he is 'devastated' by the news. And Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the political giant will be remembered for 'his conviction, courage, and strength of character.' In a statement, Lord Prescott's family said: 'We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 86.' 'He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery. 'John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment, doing so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to becoming Britain's longest serving deputy prime minister. 'John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour. 'We would like to thank the amazing NHS doctors and nurses who cared for him after his stroke in 2019 and the dedicated staff at the care home where he passed away after latterly living with Alzheimer's. 'In lieu of flowers and if you wish to do so, you can donate to Alzheimer's Research UK. 'As you can imagine, our family needs to process our grief so we respectfully request time and space to mourn in private. Thank you.' Lord Prescott ceased to be a member of the upper House in July this year after facing health difficulties. He had served as an MP from 1970 to 2010, and as Deputy Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007. John Prescott's wife, Pauline (left) and sons confirmed the news on Thursday morning John Prescott and Tony Blair appear at the Labour party conference in 1996 Then-Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott speaks at the Labour party conference in 2004 Prescott also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn during his time as party leader in the face of fierce criticism He had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019, official records show, and had not voted since February 2023. Over a parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Lord Prescott served for 10 years as deputy prime minister after Labour's 1997 general election landslide. Paying tribute to Lord Prescott, former prime minister Gordon Brown said: 'Few achieve something akin to heroic status in their own lifetime, particularly when having to deal with the compromises of being in government, but John Prescott became - and will remain - a legend of the Labour Party: self-educated, passionate in his beliefs, courageous in the causes he adopted, and despite an outwardly deceptive image of uncompromising toughness, he was generous believing in the good in everyone - even the person he famously punched during a general election campaign of course in self-defence. 'He not only rose from waiter and cabin steward, through Oxford's Ruskin College, to the positions of deputy Labour leader and deputy prime minister, but often forgotten are his achievements: with Al Gore the moving force behind the first agreement on the environment at Kyoto, the pioneer of modern regional policy which paved the way for devolution and elected mayors, and the housing minister who repaired and improved 1.4 million homes. 'He was a titan. Between 1997 and 2007 helping John Smith and Tony Blair reform the Labour Party to make it electable, and then the former boxer was key to holding the ring and keeping things together during difficult times such as over Iraq. 'He and his wife Pauline were always a glamorous couple, she and their sons always devoted to supporting his work and our thoughts are with her and her sons and wider family. 'John Lennon said the the working class hero is a difficult thing to be, but I think John would be just fine with being remembered that way. He wanted the good things in life for everyone and not just himself. And he showed that Britain can be a country where if you work hard you can fill your potential.' Lord Mandelson, one of the key figures during the transformation of the Labour Party under Tony Blair, said Lord Prescott was 'the cement that kept New Labour together'. Paying tribute to the former deputy prime minister, Lord Mandelson said: 'John Prescott was one of the all time greats of the Labour Party. 'We owed so much to him - his determination, his courage, his loyalty. 'He was the cement that kept New Labour together, a massive force for good as well as a tremendous personality.' For more than a decade, the ex-merchant seaman provided a crucial link with the party's working-class roots as Sir Tony's reforming drive led critics to accuse him of abandoning socialism altogether. At times short-tempered, he once famously punched protester Craig Evans who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit to Rhyl, North Wales in 2001. And at the Brit awards in 1998 he was left soaked after he had a bucket of ice cold water thrown over him by Chumbawamba drummer Danbert Nobacon. But during much of his time in office, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown. He also oversaw the environment, transport and the regions, a brief which included helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Lord Prescott was a loyal supporter of Sir Tony in office but subsequently critical of parts of New Labour's legacy, denouncing Britain's involvement in the Iraq War. In a statement this morning, Sir Tony said he is 'devastated' to hear of Lord Prescott's passing, adding: 'I relied on him many times: when in difficulty, under attack; and less well known when I needed someone whose gut instinct I trusted better than my own. 'To say we were partners would never capture the nature of our relationship. The was nothing formal about it. We met and talked regularly. Rules of protocol were cast aside. Debates were had which could be fierce. But once concluded, the common line was kept. Then-Deputy Prime Minister Prescott is pictured with then-Prince of Wales Charles in 1998 John Prescott poses with Angela Rayner in boxing gloves - after famously punching a protester in 2001 Lord Prescott saw red after the man threw an egg at him, ruining his suit during the election campaign 'The truth is for all the difficulties and the differences and the jokes about us both and our 'odd couple relationship', we had developed a genuine admiration, respect and affection for each other. 'Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart. John was as good a friend as you could ever hope to have, with a deep sensitivity, even vulnerability.' Current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of John Prescott. 'John was a true giant of the Labour movement. He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. 'During a decade as Deputy Prime Minister, he was one of the key architects of a Lbour government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation. 'So much of John's work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow. From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime. 'Across the Labour Party and the union movement he will be remembered for his conviction, courage and strength of character. 'His passion, force of personality and pride in his working-class roots was key to his authenticity - an honesty that was recognised and respected across the political divide and across the nation. 'On behalf of the Labour Party, I send my condolences to Pauline and all his family, to the city of Hull which he served as MP for forty years, and to all those who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.' Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott speaks in support of Jeremy Corbyn at a campaign event in 2017 Lord Prescott was Deputy Prime Minister for a decade, attending Cabinet and mediating between Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown First Minister of Scotland John Swinney added: 'Very sorry to hear of the death of John Prescott. He devoted his political life to the Labour Party and to social justice. I extend my sympathy to John's wife Pauline and her family and to his Labour family who will mourn the loss of a unique man.' Other politicians also paid tribute, with former MP and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans writing: 'RIP John Prescott - a giant in British politics for over 40 years- a true Socialist who rose through the ranks to become Deputy Prime Minister. 'He was gutsy - partisan with a punch - and the Labour Party was his DNA - an internationalist of huge ability and colour. A one off!' Former US vice president Al Gore, who worked with John Prescott on the Kyoto Protocol climate change agreement in 1997, said he had 'never worked with anyone in politics - on my side of the pond or his - quite like John Prescott'. Mr Gore said in a statement: 'He possessed an inherent ability to connect with people about the issues that mattered to them - a talent that others spend years studying and cultivating, but that was second nature to him. 'He fought like hell to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol and was an unwavering champion of climate action for decades to come. I'm forever grateful to John for that commitment to solving the climate crisis and will miss him as a dear friend.' Karl Turner, the Labour MP for East Hull who succeeded Lord Prescott in Parliament, said his 'contribution to public life will never be forgotten'. In a statement posted on X, Mr Turner said: 'John had an unwavering dedication to the people of Hull. Having known John for all of my life, I know first hand the impact that he had on many thousands of people across the city and the country.' He added: 'John's legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those he served and the city he loved.' Maria Eagle, the Labour MP for Liverpool Garston, described Lord Prescott as a great Labour deputy leader after his death aged 86. She recalled his work for the relatives of those who lost their lives in the sinking of the MV Derbyshire in 1980. In a post on X, she wrote: 'I'll always remember what he did for the MV Derbyshire families, insisting on work that led to the vindication of their deceased relatives, who they felt had been blamed for the sinking.' Prescott also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn during his time as party leader in the face of fierce criticism. And he previously posed for pictures with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, poking fun at his famous antics by wearing boxing gloves. Born in Prestatyn in Wales on May 31, 1938 the son of a railwayman, Lord Prescott left school at the age of 15 to work as a trainee chef and then as a steward on the Cunard Line before entering politics. As well as becoming an accomplished amateur boxer, he was also becoming active in the Labour Party and the National Union of Seamen. He was one of the 'tight-knit group of politically motivated men' denounced by prime minister Harold Wilson for organising a seamen's strike in 1966. Despite incurring the Labour leader's displeasure, he nevertheless secured the party's nomination for the safe seat of Hull East, which he won in the 1970 general election, having stood unsuccessfully in Southport four years earlier. In office, he was rewarded with the new 'super ministry' covering the environment, transport and the regions as well as the title of deputy prime minister. In that role he was credited with a number of successes, including helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change and creating regional development councils as well as reforms to the transport system. However, he was also involved in a series of clashes with the press who gave him the nickname 'two Jags' - a reference to his official 'work' Jaguar and his own - while urging the public to take fewer journeys by car. Meanwhile his ambitious aim of developing an 'integrated transport policy', embracing all areas of his department's remit, proved a stretch too far and after the 2001 election it was broken up leaving him with oversight for the regions. It was during the 2001 campaign that he had his infamous encounter with protester Craig Evans, who struck him with an egg, prompting Lord Prescott to retaliate with a straight left to the jaw. The incident however did no damage to the party at the polls, while Lord Prescott joked that he had simply been obeying Sir Tony's orders. 'He told us to connect with the electorate, so I did,' he said. During Labour's second term, Lord Prescott increasingly found himself drawn into the role of peacemaker between Sir Tony and Mr Brown, amid the chancellor's growing frustration at the unwillingness of his erstwhile friend to step aside. After Labour was re-elected in 2005 with a reduced majority, those tensions became more pronounced. Lord Prescott meanwhile suffered personal humiliation in April 2006 when the Daily Mirror disclosed that he had been conducting a two-year affair with one of his secretaries. His wife, Pauline, was said to have been devastated. A poor showing in the local elections the same month saw him stripped of his departmental responsibilities - although he retained the title of deputy prime minister, along with his full cabinet salary and two grace-and-favour homes. Further embarrassment followed when pictures emerged of him playing croquet on the lawns of his Dorneywood country house on a Thursday afternoon when he was supposed to be 'running the country'. It prompted a contrite Lord Prescott to deliver an apology to Labour's annual party conference, telling delegates 'I let myself down, I let you down,' and that he would be standing down as deputy leader when Sir Tony resigned. Following Sir Tony's departure from No 10 in May 2007, Lord Prescott announced he would not be standing again as an MP, and following the 2010 general election he was introduced to the Lords as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull. In a private letter in 2007, Sir Tony said his former deputy's role 'smoothing out problems, sorting out colleagues and trouble-shooting' had been an 'integral part of getting things done'. The former prime minister said: 'The completely unique Prescott blend of charm and brutality - made always more effective by the unpredictability of which would be predominant - got you through the decade, kept the government together and above all, gave me a lot of fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy.' One man set himself on fire during escape A man set himself on fire after he and two other arsonists torched a popular nightclub in front of shocked witnesses. Footage filmed by a bystander captured the moment a trio of masked men fled from the LUX Nightclub in Melbourne's South Yarra shortly before 2am on Thursday. Minutes earlier, the men were seen getting out of a small blue hatchback and carrying jerry cans into the nightclub in full view of witnesses on the street. On their way out, one man was seen trying to extinguish his pants and sleeves which had set alight after dousing the nightclub. A second man tried patting down the clothes while a third was seen pouring more accelerant onto the footpath outside the club. The trio got back into the hatchback and were last seen driving north along Chapel Street toward Richmond. Bystander Erik Lund was on his way home when he spotted the balaclava-clad men entering the club. 'I saw some guy kicking this shutter and then I realised something was actually happening, not just vandalism,' Mr Lund told the Herald Sun. A trio of arsonists dressed in all black were caught seen by bystanders rushing into LUX Nightclub in Melbourne with jerry cans just before 2am on Thursday One of the men was filmed trying to pat out flames on their arms and leg after they had set alight while he was in the building '[I saw] them running in, breaking in, the alarm started going off, and then it's like quiet for a minute, then suddenly they all came running out with fire on their hands and clothes and behind them and everything.' Mr Lund claimed to have seen one of the men carrying an axe or sledgehammer. He called triple-0 and emergency services arrived to extinguish the blaze. Up to 50 firefighters and 15 fire trucks raced to the scene to battle the inferno on the top floor of the nightclub, which took almost two hours to extinguish. The blaze spread to a neighbouring clothes shop, which was also damaged. Nobody was inside either building at the time and no injuries were reported. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, which is bring treated as supicious. No arrests or charges have yet been laid. Dozens of firefighters were sent to the flaming building which took hours to extinguish The incident was one of three suspicious fires across Melbourne overnight. Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said it was only a matter of time before someone is killed. 'The behaviour of these offenders is nothing short of frightening,' he said. 'While I know some people think it's funny to see people light themselves on fire in situations like this, the reality is that we could have had a number of people killed as a result of this fire. 'We have said it before and we'll say it again it is only sheer luck that stands between a fire that damages a property and a fire that kills dozens of people. 'Fire is absolutely uncontrollable and the sheer recklessness of this offending is just abhorrent.' 'Someone will eventually die from these mindless arsonists who give no thought to the deadly consequences of their actions.' Insp Murray urged the public to come forward with any information they may have regarding the arsonists. He also requested medical professionals who have treated suspicious burns and pharmacists who have sold burn treatments speak to authorities immediately. No one was injured in the firebombing but the nightclub needs a 'complete rebuild' and a neighbouring fashion store was also damaged in the blaze Chapel Street remained closed until mid-morning Thursday due to structural damage to the fire-affected building. A community alert regarding smoke in the area was also issued. Acting Assistant chief fire officer Mitch Simons said the club would need a 'complete rebuild'. '[Fire crews] found the premises on the second floor was fully alight with flames starting to go through the roof,' he told 3AW. 'It's a complete rebuild, fire engulfed the whole area of the nightclub and in the roof. 'Once the windows broke and the air got in, the fire really took hold through the roof then there was not much we could do.' LUX's firebombing was one of three suspicious across Melbourne overnight Two other Middle Eastern cafes are also being investigated after each experienced their own suspected arson attack in the same night. Kasr Sweets cafe in Coolaroo was partially set alight when a car drove into it at 1.10am before another was driven into Fayrouz Cafe in Caroline Springs around 3am. The Kasr Sweets cafe which sells Lebanese sweets remained cordoned off well into the morning while teams worked to evaluate its damage after a car drove into it. 'Emergency services were called ... after reports a car had been driven into a confectionery store and a fire occurred,' police said in a statement. 'Fire crews extinguished the blaze which damaged the store and nearby premises. Fortunately no one was injured. 'Police will investigate whether the incident is linked to any other recent incidents.' A second car also caused extensive damage at the Fayrouz Cafe. Residents living in apartments above the cafe were evacuated and told to find alternate accommodation for the time being. Dozens of apartments suffered smoke and water damage and inspectors have said residents cannot return until the structural integrity of the building is ensured. Detectives are investigating whether the fire at LUX and the incident at Fayrouz Cafe are connected to another suspected firebombing in the city's north. Chennai, Nov 21 (UNI) An Implementation Agreement (IA) was signed between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Australian Space Agency (ASA) on crew and crew module recovery for the prestigious maiden human flight Gaganyaan mission. The IA was also to further strengthen the cooperation in space activities between Australia and India. The IA enables cooperation between both space agencies on crew and crew module recovery for Gaganyaan missions, ISRO said on Thursday. The IA was signed by DK Singh, Director, HSFC on ISRO side at Bengaluru and Jarrod Powell, General Manager, Space Capability Branch, on ASA side at Canberra. ISRO has embarked on the Human Spaceflight (Gaganyaan) programme with an objective of demonstrating human space flight capability to Low Earth Orbit in an Indian Crew Module with up to three crew members for up to three days and safely recovering them after the mission. The IA enables the Australian authorities to work with Indian authorities to ensure support for search and rescue of crew and recovery of crew module as part of contingency planning for ascent phase aborts near Australian waters. India and Australia are enduring strategic partners and both space agencies are working closely and are committed to explore current and future collaboration activities. The signing of the IA is another step forward in the cooperation between Indian and Australian space agencies. UNI GV 1655 A group of property investors have been slammed as 'crass and selfish' for boasting about the number of homes they own while drinking champagne on a luxury boat on Sydney Harbour - although not all Aussies agree. The clip was posted to TikTok by the Scouting Australia Podcast which is hosted by buyer's agent Sam Gordon and property investor Jimmy Ibrahim. Those filmed on the boat enjoying the high life and bragging about their lavish lifestyles all work for investment firm Australian Property Scout (APS). 'From admin to the top we are all property investors at APS,' the clip was captioned. The man filming the revellers on the boat asked each of them how many investment properties they had. A man wearing sunglasses who said he owns 16 properties had the highest number among those asked while a woman sheepishly she only had the one. Another man added: 'Not enough! We only have two (investment properties).' He did so in a manner suggesting he didn't intend to be so low on the APS rankings for long. Several others revealed they own five properties while two others boasted that they had 10 and 12 respectively. A glamorous group of investors (one pictured) has been slammed as 'crass and selfish' for boasting about how many properties they own At a time when buying a home is becoming unaffordable than ever for so many Australians, the tone deaf nature of the group's bragging rubbed many viewers up the wrong way. 'Everything wrong with Sydney in a reel,' one commented. It sparked a fiery response from the Australian Property Scout Instagram account 'Barely any of the properties are in Sydney,' the organisation replied in the comments. Another viewer wrote that 'You make it so easy to hate you', to which APS owner Sam Gordon replied 'the feeling is mutual'. A third wrote: 'The whole reason Australia is in a rental crisis right now all on one boat,' another poster said, prompting Mr Gordon to brand their comment as 'silly and uneducated'. One asked 'What is wrong with this f****** country?', while another spoke for many in describing the flaunting of wealth in this manner as 'So crass and selfish.' The backlash prompted other viewers to jump to the investors' defence. 'Great example for your clients,' one wrote. Sam Gordon (pictured right) has some very strong views on why owning multiple investment properties is a good thing But the complaints kept coming. You only need one' property and people 'wonder why we have a housing crisis,' another viewer fumed. Mr Gordon responded with a lesson on how property investors such as him think. 'Australia needs private rental properties less than 1 per cent is provided by the government,' he wrote. The original commenter wrote back, saying 'Most of people can't even afford one property and small groups of people have multiple expensive properties which are rented out for very high prices.' But Mr Gordon continued with his defence, writing 'Okay so what's the solution? If every landlord in Australia sold out there would be no rental properties and where would you or I live? 'The government made the decision in the eighties to go away from social housing and turned to private investors to provide this. 'To say all properties are very expensive and rented very high is a massive generalisation - most landlords lose money holding their properties every year compared to the rent they receive.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Australian Property Scout for comment. The median rental price in Australia is more than $600 a week, while the median house price is now over $900,000. It's much higher than that in some cities though, with the median house price in Sydney reaching a record $1.65million last month. In Brisbane, the median house price is $966,382, while in Melbourne it's $912,000. A survey by financial comparison website Finder's Wealth Building Report found that nine per cent of Australia own at least one investment property while one in 10 are thinking about buying an investment property in the next year. But Finder also reported that 47 per cent of homeowners struggled to pay their mortgages last month. One of those not struggling is Fijian man Victor Kumar, who migrated to Australia with just $4,500 to his name in 1997, and now owns 100 properties. He's often criticised for his extensive property portfolio, with many accusing him of contributing to Australia's housing crisis. 'Investors like myself are not to blame for the housing crisis,' Mr Kumar recently told Daily Mail Australia. 'I'm actually adding to housing supply, not taking away, because none of my properties are vacant and they are providing accommodation. 'With the properties I buy, I also build granny flats, I build multiple dwellings on them. I'm actually increasing the supply, as opposed to taking it away.' He said he and his wife Reshmi know what it's like to struggle. 'We were renters once as well. So we know how it works, and we know the troubles we had gone through when we were renting,' he said. 'If a person does not have a rental history, we give them a go so that they can actually get a rental property.' A stowaway snake has delayed a packed plane of terrified travellers and cabin crew before a television star came to the rescue. Virgin Australia flight VA1482 took off almost half an hour after its scheduled departure from Broome to Perth on Thursday morning after the unwelcome passenger was spotted slithering under economy seats. Star shipwreck hunter Andre Rerekura and his co-star Anouska Freedman were onboard the flight at the time. Mr Rerekura, who stars in Disney's hit show Shipwreck Hunters Australia, leapt into action and calmly removed the snake from the plane. '(Andre Rerekura) saving the day, there was a snake on the plane and he caught it and got it off,' his co-star later posted on Instagram. 'Only in Western Australia.' His brave action prompted cheers from relieved cabin crew and passengers 'There's never a dull moment in aviation, but that certainly takes the cake,' a crew member was heard saying over the loudspeaker in a separate video of the incident. Shipwreck hunter Andre Rerekura was spotted climbing back into his seat after capturing the snake 'Only in Western Australia': Mr Rerekura's co-star applauded his efforts once the snake was removed 'We do have a gentleman onboard who has safely taken it off the aircraft. 'We are going to continue as normal I don't really know what else to say.' 'I don't really know what else to say. Thanks everyone.' Daily Mail Australia understands that the snake was non-venomous and was given to airport officials. Mr Rerekura later told the ABC the snake was a 'cute' Stimson's python. 'They pretty much shut the whole plane down and everyone was going to get disembarked and sent off the plane which we weren't that keen for because everyone wanted to go home,' he said. 'As soon as I saw it, I identified it pretty easily ... so I knew it was safe [and] I knew it was just scared and super shy.' 'So I just wanted to get it off real quick ... it was super cute but some of the air hostesses were running the other way.' He said he was offered a complimentary drink for his effort and opted for a soda water. A Virgin Australia spokesperson confirmed that a snake had been found on the plane and removed before the flight continued to Perth as expected. Professionals are normally tasked with extracting snakes from airplanes, the airline revealed, and a handler had been called before Mr Rerekura stepped in to assist. The airline thanked passengers for their patience during the incident. Broome International Airport chief executive Craig Shaw told the ABC he was "uncertain how the reptile came to be on board". Daily Mail Australia has contacted Broome Airport for further comment. A British lawyer is fighting for her life in a critical condition in hospital and an Australian 19-year-old has become the fourth person to die amid a mass poisoning event in Laos last week. At least four people have now died in total with 11 more still in hospital after they were allegedly served drinks laced with methanol at a bar in Vang Vieng, a popular backpacking destination. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend Holly Bowles, also 19, remains gravely ill in hospital with British lawyer Simone White, 28. 'This is every parent's very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure,' Albanese said. 'We also take this moment to say that we're thinking of Bianca's friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life.' The poisoning, which occurred on the night of November 12, had already claimed the lives of two Danish women in their 20s and a 56-year-old US citizen before Bianca Jones succumbed last night. Brit Simone White, 28, is an associate lawyer based in London specialising in intellectual property and technology at American law firm Squire Patton Boggs - but is now fighting for her life in hospital Bianca Jones, 19, has become the fourth person to die after consuming alleged 'methanol-laced' drinks in Vang Vieng, Laos 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 Ms White, from Orpington in Kent, was among the group of backpackers taken to hospital when she became ill last week in Vang Vieng. She 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. 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.' Ms Jones and Ms Bowles, both aged 19 from Melbourne, also 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. They were rushed to Udon Thani and Bangkok Hospital respectively after telling hostel staff they needed medical attention. Simone White (left) and Bethany Clarke (right) both fell ill on holiday in Southeast Asia 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 The hostel remains open but is not currently accepting new guests (Pictured: Nana's Backpackers bar) Tourists kayaking in the party town of Vang Vieng in Laos It is not yet known where the contaminated alcohol came from. The hostel's manager told the Associated Press that more than 100 guests received free shots of Lao vodka from their bar on November 12, with no one else reporting health issues. 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 has spent every minute possible by Holly's side. He told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday: 'Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit, in critical condition, she's on life support. '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 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 What is methanol poisoning and why is it dangerous? Methanol is a dangerous form of alcohol that tastes and smells like standard alcohol and is typically used as a substitute in illegal alcoholic beverages. Experts say the alcohol initially causes similar symptoms to drunkenness before more serious symptoms kick in between 8 and 18 hours after consumption. The chemical liquid contains a toxic metabolite known as formic acid which initially causes blurred vision and even blindness. It then enters the brain leading to confusion, seizures and coma, before the acid builds up in the body causing respiratory failure, circulatory shock and kidney failure. Fatal doses typically end in multiple organ failure and death. Source: George Braitberg, Head of Emergency Medicine at University of Melbourne Advertisement 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. Nana Backpacking 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 said. 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 Bowles' father said his family were spending every moment they could by her bedside in Thailand Asked about media reports, Denmark's Foreign Ministry said 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.' Snow and ice are set to cause further chaos for commuters across the country ahead of heavy rainfall this weekend. A yellow weather warning for frequent snow showers, possible hail and icy conditions is in place for much of north and west Scotland until midday, with the Met Office warning of difficult travelling conditions. Between 2cm and 5cm of snow is expected widely and it could reach 10cm in some parts of the north-west mainland, with higher ground seeing 15cm to 20cm (up to 7.8ins), the Met Office said. This comes after Brits woke up to sub-zero temperatures and a snow-covered landscape on Wednesday that sparked warnings for commuters. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has since activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) for London and has urged people to connect anyone who is sleeping rough with local services. A yellow warning for ice with a 'few sleet or snow showers' now remains in effect until 10am covering most of Scotland, the East and West Midlands, the East, north-east and north-west of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Yorkshire. Parts of south-west England including Plymouth and Exeter have also received a yellow warning for snow between 5am and 3pm on Thursday, with 5cm to 10cm predicted in higher parts of Dartmoor. Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'A northerly airflow will continue to feed snow showers into Scotland over the next few days, with this reaching lower levels at times and bringing the potential for some travel disruption. NORTH YORK: Snow and ice are set to cause further chaos for commuters across the country today. Pictured: Vehicles navigate snowy conditions on the A169 on November 20 TYNEMOUTH: A yellow weather warning for frequent snow showers, possible hail and icy conditions is in place. Pictured: A dog walker takes a stroll on Wednesday morning GOATHLAND: Fresh snow covers a village in the North York Moors National Park. Between 2cm and 5cm of snow is expected widely and it could reach 10cm in some parts of the north-west mainland 'Overnight temperatures will drop below zero fairly widely over the next few days, which has resulted in some ice warnings, with further warnings likely through this week. 'On Thursday, a mixture of snow, sleet and rain is likely to affect the southwest which could potentially bring disruption. It's likely high ground in the area will see snow, with a mixture of conditions likely at lower levels. 2-5cm of snow is possible in places at lower levels, with around 10cm possible over higher parts of Dartmoor.' Simon King, the lead BBC weather presenter and meteorologist, also warned that the weekend's weather 'is looking pretty dire'. He claimed there would be severe gales, heavy snow in Northern England and Scotland before heavy rain and potential flooding this weekend. However, on Sunday the weather is looking much milder with highs of 15C in London. Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said there would be brighter skies outside the warnings areas across the country on Thursday morning and into the afternoon But she added that a 'severe frost' was also likely before more 'bitterly cold' temperatures on Thursday evening. Yellow weather warning UPDATED Snow across parts of southwest England Thursday 0500 1500 Latest info https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs Stay #WeatherAware https://t.co/kjdQf7nejp pic.twitter.com/uNV8xBNLhv Met Office (@metoffice) November 21, 2024 Want to know what Thursday has in store? Check out the latest 4cast pic.twitter.com/00bRyRVI4F Met Office (@metoffice) November 20, 2024 Elsewhere in the UK, overnight temperatures reached a low of -10C in southern Scotland. Up to 8in (20cm) of snow is expected in Scotland by midday today as well as up to 6in (15cm) in Devon and Cornwall by 3pm. It comes after new yellow warnings for rain were also published from Saturday to Sunday morning in south-west England and Wales. There was already a yellow warning for heavy snow on Saturday followed by a 'rapid thaw' and rain on Saturday night in north-east and north-west England, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, and much of Scotland. Met Office spokesperson Andrea Bishop said: 'A deep area of low pressure is expected to bring a spell of prolonged and, at times, heavy rainfall across a large part of the UK this weekend. 'Across south-west England, rain is expected to develop during Saturday morning with heavier rain likely later in the day and overnight into early Sunday morning. 'Fifty to 75mm of rain is expected to fall fairly widely during this time with a chance that some places over Dartmoor could see 100-125mm. Strong southerly winds will accompany the heavy rain and may locally exacerbate impacts.' Yellow weather warnings for rain and snow have also been issued for Saturday The inclement conditions will continue into Sunday affected large parts of the UK WHITLEY BAY: A resident of Whitley Bay in North Tyneside was seen on Wednesday morning clearing snow from a car NORTH TYNESIDE: Overnight snow was seen covering Cullercoats Bay yesterday morning PEAK DISTRICT: A car drives through the A57 Snake Pass in the Peak District, Derbyshire on Tuesday More than 100 schools or nurseries were closed in Scotland on Wednesday because of the weather, with 52 shut in the Highland Council area, 51 in Aberdeenshire, 11 in Moray and two in Shetland. Insurance and roadside assistance company RAC said on Wednesday that drivers were suddenly facing 'some of the worst road conditions we've seen all year' and that a sharp rise in vehicle breakdowns was reported on Wednesday morning as drivers' batteries failed. The AA predicted 'a major increase in (its) workload' due to sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice, and urged drivers to check forecasts before travelling and to do so with 'extreme caution' in the hardest-hit areas. RAC Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson said: 'The first taste of winter means drivers are suddenly contending with the some of the worst road conditions we've seen all year. 'With freezing temperatures already causing disruption in the east and north of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and snow showers now affecting regions further south, we advise motorists to plan well as ice forms on untreated surfaces.' Travel expert Nicky Kelvin, Editor at Large at The Points Guy, told MailOnline: 'Expect delays and last-minute cancellations, especially for those travelling during the morning commute rush. 'Additionally, most rail network operators will offer refunds on tickets affected by severe delays. Others may also provide rail replacement bus services for any train cancellations. 'If your journey is disrupted by 15 minutes or more, read the network operator's website for more information on what compensation you might be eligible for.' He added: 'Safety is key. If you do not need to travel, it is best to avoid it. For those who are still planning on travelling by train, remember to purchase your tickets using a credit card to ensure your purchase is fully protected.' Russia this morning threatened to strike US air bases in Poland with 'advanced weapons' hours after it reportedly launched an advanced missile as part of a brutal barrage of targets across Ukraine. Moscow said the opening of a new US ballistic missile defence base in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast will 'increase the overall level of nuclear danger', adding it had been added to a list of possible targets for Russia. The facility, opened on November 13, forms part of a broader NATO missile shield called 'Aegis Ashore' designed to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic weapons. 'This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies,' Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said of the airbase's unveiling. '(The base) has been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons,' she concluded. Her statement came minutes after Ukraine's air force reported that a suspected ICBM had been fired from a base in Russia's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early this morning. Russian authorities have not yet confirmed the launch, but if true it would be the first time such a powerful missile has been deployed in the war. Some analysts expressed incredulity over reports of a fully-fledged ICBM being deployed, arguing that the reported range of the strike - roughly 700km or 454 miles - fell short of what would typically be expected of an intercontinental missile. Russia this morning allegedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a brutal barrage of targets in Ukraine The RS-26 or Frontier missiles weigh up to 50 tonnes and have a 3,600 mile-range, although they have never been used in combat The Storm Shadow missiles struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials are believed to be holed up Russian President Vladimir Putin, listens to a report by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, during a one-on-one meeting at the Kremlin, November 20, 2024 The alleged strike comes after Ukraine used US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles to demolish targets inside Russia following approval by Sir Keir Starmer this week - something Moscow had warned for months would be seen as a major escalation. Ukraine's air force did not specify the missile that had been fired, but its launch comes mere hours after a Russian military analyst said Moscow's forces could unleash its fearsome RS-26 'Frontier' missile in retaliation for the Storm Shadow strikes. The Frontier missile is a nuclear-capable weapon weighing roughly 36 tonnes with a range of up to 3,600 miles. It has never before been used in combat, but analysts said it could be deployed with a conventional warhead in a strike that Ukraine's air defences would be powerless to intercept. Ukrainska Pravda, a Kyiv-based media outlet, cited anonymous sources saying the missile was indeed an RS-26 'Frontier', a solid-fuelled ICBM that was first successfully tested in 2012. Murky security camera footage out of the central-eastern city of Dnipro showed the moment warheads rained down over Yuzhmash, a prominent Ukrainian state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer. Experts said the use of an ICBM or similarly advanced long-range weapon to deliver conventional explosives was very costly, but that it served to illustrate how Moscow could dramatically escalate the conflict. Dr Ruth Deyermond, Senior Lecturer in Post-Soviet Security at King's College London, told MailOnline: 'This strike has no obvious military value - they could achieve the same objectives without sacrificing an ICBM. It looks very much as if it's signalling to the West what Russia could do if it chose to - launch a nuclear-armed missile. 'But it's actually a sign of weakness,' she added. 'The Russian government knows what would happen to it if they did attempt to use any kind of nuclear weapon, so they have to resort to bluffing.' Dr Mattias Eken, a defence and security analyst at RAND Europe, expressed doubt the missile was in fact a fully fledged ICBM. 'The reported range of 700km falls short of the typical intercontinental range, casting doubt on its classification as a full-fledged ICBM. 'If the missile was indeed an ICBM, Russia would have been required to provide advance notification to the US to prevent triggering missile warning systems and possible retaliatory actions.' The Russian attack this morning targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure, Ukraine's air force said, at a time of escalating moves in the 33-month-old war. The Kremlin deployed Tu-95MS strategic bombers to launch cruise missiles and MiG-31K fighters to fire hypersonic Kinzhal rockets in a calculated bid to plunge Ukraine into darkness as a bitter winter approaches. Some Russian missiles reportedly struck the towns of Kremenchuk and Myrhorod, while areas in Kyiv, Odesa and Sumy regions suffered blackouts as the electrical grid gave out. NATO scrambled F-16 warplanes over neighbouring Poland and ground-based air defence and radar systems were put on the 'highest state of readiness' amid the attack, while Ukraine's air force reported air defences shot down six Kh-101 cruise missiles. The wide-ranging attacks by Russia this morning come on Ukraine's annual Day of Dignity and Freedom Poland scrambled NATO F-16 aircraft this morning for air defence patrols amid the attack on Ukraine The Aegis Ashore Poland missile defence system on the occasion of an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Naval Support Facility in Redzikowo, Poland in November 13, 2024 Poland's President Andrzej Duda speaks standing in front of the deck house of the Aegis Ashore missile defence system is seenin Redzikowo, northern Poland in November 13, 2024 Responding to Zakharova's statements on the opening of the Redzikowo air defence base, a Polish foreign ministry spokesman pointed out there were no nuclear missiles at the facility and that it is purely defensive in nature. 'Such threats will certainly serve as an argument to strengthen Poland's and NATO's air defences, and should also be considered by the United States,' added the spokesman, Pawel Wronski. NATO's Aegis Ashore air defence system constitutes a network of bases that use radar tracking systems from the US Navy's Aegis warships to identify and shoot down oncoming ballistic missiles with American SM-3 rockets. There are currently two sites online, one in Romania and one in Poland, reinforced by an early warning system based in Turkey and US Navy ships in Spain. The wide-ranging attacks by Russia this morning come on Ukraine's annual Day of Dignity and Freedom, honouring the beginning of its struggle for independence and liberty. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address today: 'We remember the real price of freedom for Ukraine. 'And we do not forget all our people of different times who fought for Ukraine and became a model of dignity for the world. 'Thanks to people, thanks to the desire of our people to preserve freedom and independence for Ukraine, our state will always be on the political map of the world. Always free and sovereign.' This morning's bombardment of Ukraine also comes less than 24 hours after Kyiv launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Kursk. Fragments of the missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Marino were recovered by military bloggers on Wednesday afternoon, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Sir Keir Starmer. Russia this morning officially acknowledged the strikes, saying its air defences shot down two of the projectiles along with six HIMARS rockets and 67 drones. One image shows a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow' Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy ATACMS - Army Tactical Missile - being fired from an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System According to Moskovsky Komsomolets, a Moscow-based newspaper, a Russian military expert had openly talked about retaliation for the Storm Shadow strike with an ICBM. Timur Syrlanov, a Russian military analyst, said Ukraine should be 'trembling' over the use of the RS-26 'Frontier' rocket. '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 Ukraine's critical infrastructure and, possibly, to targets in Kyiv itself,' he said. 'Let them tremble, be afraid, and wait for landings anywhere. Moreover, the enemy understands perfectly well that our weapons can reach any targets throughout Ukraine.' is estimated to be 12 metres (40 ft) long and can carry an 800kg (1,765-pound) nuclear warhead - though Kyiv confirmed that only conventional munitions were used in this morning's strike. The RS-26 Putin on Tuesday signed off changes to the country's laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed against Ukraine. And his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov chillingly warned that the strikes by Ukraine were a clear signal that Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' and that Russia would 'react accordingly'. The terrifying sabre rattling was confirmed by the Russian President's close ally Dmitry Medvedev. Posting on X, the Deputy Chair of Russia's security council said it meant 'World War III'. It came after Kyiv launched six 'ATACMS' rockets from an undisclosed location over the border into Russian territory on Tuesday. The strikes triggered a fiery explosion at a depot in Karachev, believed to be storing ammunition supplied by North Korea, around 75miles from the Ukrainian border. 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 Residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, found fragments from a Storm Shadow missile As tensions escalate in the Russia-Ukraine war, the UK's Defence Secretary announced the British military would be hit by 500 million worth of cuts. John Healy said the Labour Government would scrap six major programmes across the Armed Forces, including the Army's main fleet of drones and two amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. The plans have been criticised by former defence secretary Ben Wallace who argued they would send a message of weakness to the UK's adversaries. Writing in The Telegraph, he said: 'For our enemies to be deterred they must know we intend to have no holes in our capabilities, or at least we will soon be upgrading them. 'To tell the world we are scaling back our capabilities when our enemies are doing the opposite is pure folly. 'No one is fooled by the tired and misleading excuse by Labour that ''we have to wait for a defence review'' yet another one.' Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19 Vladimir Putin 's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (pictured) chillingly warned that Moscow would 'react accordingly' as he described the strike as a signal Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with Denmark's prime minister at the presidential palace in Kyiv, on November 19 In videos recorded in the village of Marino in Russia's Kursk region yesterday, multiple explosions were heard preceded by high-pitched whistling apparently from incoming missiles. The footage also showed smoke rising from buildings. Unconfirmed reports suggested Ukraine had targeted an underground command and control facility 50 miles inside Russia with Storm Shadow missiles. 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. 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.' Billionaire Elon Musk has taken to his own social media platform X to slam the Albanese government's bill to ban social media for teens under-16. If passed, social media companies could be slapped with fines of up to $50m if they fail to do enough to verify a user's age on their platforms. The world-first legislation, introduced into parliament on Thursday, would also create a legal definition of social media. But Mr Musk, who has been named by President-elect Donald Trump to head a new department of government efficiency, has weighed in saying it 'Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians,' he captioned a retweet of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spruiking the age-limit reforms. The Bill might not be popular with Mr Musk, but it will likely get a warm welcome in parliament. There has been broad bipartisan support for restricting minors' access to social media for some time, with states and territories mulling their own bans. Though, the Bill is not without critics. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has championed the Bill to keep under-16s off social media The Bill has upset X owner Elon Musk who says the proposed Australian reforms as 'a backdoor way to control the internet' Independent MP Zoe Daniel warned on Thursday morning that it could unintentionally make platforms 'less safe'. 'My biggest concern about it really is that it doesn't substantively change what the platforms need to be doing on their platforms, and there may be an unintended consequence that the platforms actually become less safe,' she told the ABC. 'If you were to create a system where the platforms have to take responsibility, mitigate risk and be transparent about how they're doing that and what tools they're using, then that sort of provides, potentially, an environment where everyone can be in a safe space. 'What we're doing is saying, 'Well, we're going to lock everyone under 16 out, and then everyone else can do whatever they want in there'. 'And also, we know that some people under 16 will get in. I don't think that that's really a good pathway to go down.' Meanwhile, Snapchat is expected to be captured in the definition of social media under Australian law. Snapchat lets users exchange photos, videos and messages rather than offering a posting board-type feature, such as Facebook, Instagram or X Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians https://t.co/694yCzWOaB Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 21, 2024 Social media companies could be slapped with fines of up to $50m under new laws introduced by the Albanese government. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis There was some uncertainty around whether Snapchat could escape the proposed ban by arguing it was a messaging service and not a social media platform. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has likened the ban to age restrictions on alcohol, acknowledging people can get around it but arguing that it sets a standard. The laws would come into force 12 months after passing. The eSafety commissioner would be responsible for enforcing the legislation. A cult investigation in Thailand took a horrifying turn as police uncovered 12 mummified bodies allegedly being used for black magic rituals. Shocked officers raided an encampment on Wednesday following reports that cult devotees were 'meditating with corpses' to learn the power of clairvoyance. Black magic gurus at the Siri Chan Forest Monastery in Kamphaeng Phet claimed the bodies, including the corpse of a child, gave followers supernatural powers. When authorities breached the hideout nestled among bamboo, they uncovered 17 graves with 12 human bodies - four recently deceased and eight skeletons. Some of the graves had been lined with banana leaves and salt to preserve the bodies, allegedly so they could be used for cult rituals. Alleged cult leader Phra Ajarn Saifon had previously claimed the religious group had 69 branches across Thailand. He also said in interviews that he was capable of other supernatural feats such as swapping bodies and walking through crocodile pits unscathed. Police excavated 12 bodies, including one belonging to a child, from the Thai encampment Followers claimed the bodies gave them supernatural powers Followers were allegedly trying to learn the powers of clairvoyance by meditating with corpses Police said there was evidence the corpses had been preserved with salt and leaves Police Colonel Anek Chansorn of Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Police, said that officers are investigating how the bodies were transported to the monastery. 'An investigation has been started. If we find something isn't right, we will investigate them for charges of hiding corpses,' he said. 'We will proceed with the prosecution if we find evidence of wrongdoing.' The police added that documentation was found that relatives of the deceased had donated the bodies to the monastery. DNA tests were underway to allow the families to claim the cadavers. Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Office of Buddhism has ordered other activities to cease at the Siri Chan Forest Monastery, found to have been unauthorised. Officers have cordoned off the area in the meantime. Mae Mai, a follower of the suspected cult, said: 'The monastery teaches something original that cannot be learned at ordinary temples. 'The master, Phra Ajarn Saifon, spent not only days but ten years learning clairvoyance. 'Practitioners have to spend around six hours meditating and going through specific processes before meditating in front of the corpses.' Thailand's population is predominantly Buddhist, but many people hold beliefs outside the religion, such as the worship of local spirits and fear of ghosts. Police have since called off all activities at the monastery and sealed it off with a cordon Documents showed relatives of the deceased had donated the bodies to the monastery Officials worked through the night, uncovering horrifying evidence of cult activity Thailand is predominantly Buddhist but also home to a number of black magic sects Skeletons and recently deceased corpses were excavated from the site in rural Thailand In May 2022, Thai witchcraft boss Tawee Nanla was arrested after police found 11 dead bodies in his home in Chaiyaphum province. He was said to have detained several of his followers and forced them to eat his urine and faeces - presented as cures for diseases. Provincial Gov. Kraisorn Kongchalad said Thawee had at least a dozen followers living with him, while coffins containing bodies were scattered around the house. Authorities believe the group existed for more than four years without anyone noticing because of the remote location of the leader's forest house. While in January of this year, Thai witch doctor Ajarn Man, also an alleged cult leader, sparked outrage as footage emerged of him licking followers' bottoms in a bizarre ritual meant to bring them good fortune. Police said they took no action as there were no complaints filed by his alleged victims. A trailer has been released for the new fly-on-the-wall documentary following Jacob Rees-Mogg and his family in what has been dubbed the 'British Kardashians'. Meet the Rees-Moggs is set to star the former MP, his wife Helena and their six young children: Mary, Peter, Thomas, Anselm, Alfred and Sixtus. The Discovery+ documentary will also follow his failed General Election campaign after he spectacularly lost his North East Somerset seat last week while standing next to a man dressed as baked beans. The documentary also follows the servants who work for the family, including maids, a nanny and cooks. In one hilarious scene in the trailer, Sir Jacob's maid is seen making a bed and then ironing some white boxers. She said: 'He does like his boxers being ironed'. Jacob explains this by saying 'I am just lazy, that's all'. The trailer shows the family around their mansion in Somerset alongside clips of Jacob out campaigning in the general election. Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg was a conservative MP from 2010 to 2024 and served in the government under Boris Johnson and Liz Truss Helena Rees-Mogg seen riding a horse whilst Jacob stands beside her in a green coat Jacob and Helena have six children who are all featured in the fly-on-the-wall documentary In the trailer, Sir Jacob said: 'I am afraid and this is probably a sin, I quite enjoy winding people up.' The trailer features clips of Sir Jacob being shouted at by members of the public, with the former MP largely unfazed by their comments. In one interaction a woman shouts 'I hope you lose your job', to which Jacob replies 'thank you so much.' Another woman is interviewed saying: 'I would be over the moon if Rees-Mogg is gone.' His children feature a lot in the documentary, in once scene in the trailer they are asked: 'Do you consider you and your family to be posh?' His eldest daughter Mary replies: 'We have posh accents so, yeah if we are being real, we are quite posh.' In another scene, one of his young sons excitedly tells his dad 'lets go to Disney' with Jacob batting away the suggestion saying 'I don't want to go to Disneyland at all'. Promoting the first look on X (Twitter), Sir Jacob joked that the show was available with 'the latest Magic Lantern technology'. Meet the Rees-Moggs, available with the latest Magic Lantern technology via Discovery plus. Stream #MeetTheReesMoggs on 2nd December. pic.twitter.com/jLp3zHSIeY Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) November 20, 2024 How can Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who once said he had made 'no pretence to be a modern man at all, ever' hope to stand toe to toe with the media juggernaut that is the Kardashians? Jacob Ress-Mogg is descrobed as 'the most controversial reality candidate' as he is seen sipping a glass of wine Jacob and his wife Helena pictured in the new 'Meet the Rees-Moggs' documentary for Discovery His sons are also asked about how they would describe their father, one says 'funny' and the other disagrees saying he is 'very unfunny'. The documentary has been dubbed the 'British Kardashians', but Jacob says 'I think this will be a rather different kettle of fish actually than the Kardashians'. Despite 17 years of marriage, Helena reveals in the trailer that it wasn't love at first sight with Sir Jacob but asks the crew not to 'tell him that'. Sir Jacob is a precocious and at just nine he wrote his first will and testament. When he was 12, he was selling stocks and shares and would amuse classmates by calling his stockbroker at lunch time. As an adult, his interest and ability to make money grew and he is now worth an estimated 100million. Together with his wife, he is also a director of the UK company Saliston. Its most recent accounts show net assets of 10.3million. Since their marriage in 2007, he and Helena Rees-Mogg have also bought two properties in which they live. The first is a house in his North East Somerset constituency which they purchased outright in 2010 for 2.9million; the second is a house in Westminster which they bought in 2018 for 5.6million. Sir Jacob was spectacularly ousted as the MP for North East Somerset in the General Election A 12-year-old Jacob Rees-Mogg reads the Financial Times Wealth experts have speculated Rees-Mogg's mother-in-law, Lady Juliet Tadgell, is worth in the region of 95million thanks to her property interests in Britain and America and her extensive art collection. As Helena Rees-Mogg is Lady Juliet's only surviving child (her half-brother died in 1998 aged 36), it seems fair to assume that she will one day inherit some of her mother's estate. The politician lost his Somerset North East & Hanham seat in July's General Election to Labour's Dan Norris by more than 5,000 votes. Afterwards, he said he could not 'blame anybody other than myself' and that it had been 'a very bad night for the Conservatives'. A furniture designer is locked in a multi-million pound court fight for half of an 18million house she insists was promised to her during a lunch with her tycoon ex 'on a snowcapped mountain' in the Alps. A furniture designer is locked in a multi-million pound court fight for half of an 18million house she insists was promised to her by her tycoon ex during a lunch in the Alps. Christina Haynes, 44, shared the west London home with multimillionaire boyfriend Mark Austin, 70, and their two children after the couple met in 2000 and began a 'blissfully happy' relationship. By 2017, the pair had split, and now she has taken him to court demanding 2.75 he agreed to pay her in previous proceedings to buy a new house for her and their children. She has also started proceedings against Hamersley Invest Anstalt, the company through which a trust has owned the house since 2006. In a battle at the High Court, Ms Haynes last week claimed that she had been promised half of their former home when Mr Austin took her to a lunch with the manager of his wealth trusts in the Liechtenstein Alps in 2014. Ms Haynes says her ex sat next door while, over a mountaintop lunch, the trust boss assured her that a private promise from Mr Austin that she would have half the value of the house would be honoured. Now 44, and head of operations at furniture design company Hiroca, she is asking Judge Joanne Wicks KC to order that the house be sold so she can get her share of the proceeds, and for an outstanding 3m she is owed by her ex, including legal costs, to come out of his share. Christina Haynes is locked in a multi-million pound court fight with her tycoon ex and his former company for half of their 18million house which he reportedly promised her The furniture designer, now 44, is pictured outside London's High Court However, Hamersley Invest Anstalt says it no longer has any ties to Mr Austin after he was removed as a beneficiary. The company is itself suing, trying to force Mrs Haynes out of the London property which she had formerly shared with her ex. The High Court heard that Ms Haynes, a former travel editor at now defunct luxury lifestyle magazine Tramp, met her tycoon ex Mark George Austin in 2000 and fell head over heels in love. In the witness box, she told Judge Wicks that the couple were initially 'blissfully happy' and that she was 'highly dependent' on him, having given up her job to raise their children. Ms Haynes said that when the house was bought and put in the company's name she was asked to sign an occupation agreement 'for tax reasons,' stating she was a 'caretaker' and could be asked to moved out with her family on 60 days' notice. Her barrister Cheryl Jones told the court that no legal advice was taken on the occupation agreement and it was not witnessed. She says she gave her then boyfriend a 60,000 inheritance from her mother to invest and paid for some of the works to the house herself, as well as managing the household and the property after Mr Austin sold his image library company Digital Vision Ltd in 2006, putting the proceeds into trusts and moving to Switzerland to minimise the tax he would pay. Ms Haynes told the court that in 2014 her ex took her to Liechtenstein to meet the manager of the trusts and that during that trip 'assurances' were made that, despite his wealth being squirrelled away, she would be looked after financially if they split up. During the meeting, the then trust manager had 'confirmed that the agreement between Mr Austin and Ms Haynes would be adhered to' and 'assured her that she and the children were protected, that there was security for them and they could trust him,' the barrister added. Ms Haynes has two separate claims a claim for 3m against Mr Austin personally and one against the company for half of the house The deal was sealed over 'lunch on the snow-covered mountains,' Ms Haynes told the judge, with the trust manager 'reassuring me that despite not being married this was still security for us and I could trust him.' 'I was assured that my home and my children were protected,' she added. The arrangement that Ms Haynes was equal beneficial owner of the house with Mr Austin was formalised in a formal letter to the trust manager penned by Mr Austin in 2016, she says. The couple split in 2017 and in December the following year they agreed a consent order under which Mr Austin was to pay her 2.75m to buy a new house and agreed to her staying in the family home until the new property was purchased. In October 2019, a Family Court judge attached a penal order to the consent order, as it had not been paid along with over 200,000 worth of legal costs. In 2020, the manager of the controlling overseas trust behind Hamersley Invest Anstalt wrote to Ms Haynes giving her notice to leave, as the house was to be sold. But Ms Haynes obtained an injunction preventing her eviction and in 2021 was also granted charging orders of around 3m against the value of the property in relation to the money she was owed by her ex. The case reached court last week, with Judge Wicks asked to decide whether Ms Haynes should be thrown out or whether the 18m house should be sold so she can get her half share plus 3m from her ex's portion. Her barrister Ms Jones told the judge that, after they had begun their relationship, Ms Haynes had on his urging given up her job and devoted herself to Mr Austin and their family, such that she was 'entirely dependant' on him. Giving evidence, Ms Haynes said: 'I've been to court with regard to this matter over 18 times... These life events are scarred on my memory, which have affected my dreams and every waking moment. The High Court (pictured) heard that Ms Haynes met her tycoon ex Mark George Austin in 2000 and fell head over heels in love 'I used to receive a significant fund of around 400,000 a year from Mark to use at my discretion. Everything was from Mr Austin at the time. I was highly dependent on him.' But despite that dependency and his agreement to pay her 2.75m, he had 'failed to honour it or pay the costs orders made against him,' her barrister added. 'He remains in contempt of the penal Family Court orders that he should pay the agreed housing fund,' she added. She said that Ms Haynes has two separate claims a claim for 3m against Mr Austin personally and one against the company for half of the house. Turning to the claim against the company, she said: 'Hamersley Invest Anstalt is not entitled to possession, as she occupies the property with Mr Austin's permission, pending a housing fund which has not yet been provided. 'The company and Mr Austin are estopped from withdrawing consent given in those terms to the court.' She also insisted that the 'caretaker' occupation agreement, even if valid, had been 'superseded' by the Alpine promises in 2014. Based on the promise of half the house, Ms Haynes had formed a 'detrimental reliance,' she added. 'Mrs Haynes was reassured at a high and elaborate level that her future was secured,' she said. 'She relied on that and, as a result, has lost ten years of opportunity to establish her own, properly secure future. 'She has looked after the children alone and with little assistance from Mr Austin. Her conduct following the agreement was manifestly to her detriment. 'That reliance means that repudiation of the promise is unconscionable and in itself causes harm. Ms Haynes claimed that she had been promised half of their former home when Mr Austin took her to a lunch with the manager of his wealth trusts in the Liechtenstein Alps, pictured 'She is entitled to and should receive 50% of the proceeds of sale.' However, the company's lawyers are arguing not only that Ms Haynes has no interest in the house, but also that Mr Austin has no right to any part of it either. Its barrister, Ian Clarke KC, asked the judge to throw out the designer's claim to the house because it is not bound by the promises she says were made. He argued that, even if promises were made, the structure of control of the trusts has changed such that they are no longer binding and that Mr Austin now has no personal connection to the wealth in the fund. Cross-examining Ms Haynes, he said she had stated in the Family Court proceedings that she had no beneficial interest in the house. 'That contradicted what you say in these proceedings,' he put to her in the witness box. 'I accept that,' she said, but added, 'that was the case at the time because I first needed an order for sale'. But the barrister put to her: 'An application (before the Family Court) that neglects to mention a 50% interest in an 18m house would be materially misleading.' However she replied: 'I didn't believe I was entitled to it at the time. I believed I would be entitled to it in the future.' Although Mr Austin is the defendant in relation to the claim for the outstanding 3m, Ms Jones said he had 'failed to file a defence.' The judge has now reserved her decision in the case to be given at a later date. He was the politician who pulled no punches and in the wake of Lord John Precott's death, his most famous political moment is being remembered again. The former Labour MP and peer passed away yesterday surrounded with loved-ones at his care home after a long battle with Alzheimer's. The son of a railwayman and a servant from north Wales, Lord Prescott was a fine boxer as a boy - and his most famous moment was when he thumped a farmer who had egged him outside a Labour rally in Rhyl in 2001. The ex-merchant seaman earned the nickname 'two jabs' following the incident - a variation on 'two Jags', which referred to his fondness for luxury cars. The punch happened when Lord Prescott had just got off his campaign bus, the Prescott Express, to speak at a Labour rally. As he walked past a line of protesters, he was struck by an egg which covered his suit. Lord Prescott turned and punched the protester and a brawl occurred - all captured by TV cameras. Police officers managed to intervene and 29-year-old Craig Evans, a farm worker from Denbigh, was taken away in handcuffs. Lord John Prescott's most famous moment was when he thumped a farmer who had egged him outside a Labour rally in Rhyl in 2001 The incident helped cement his reputation as the politician who pulled no punches (Pictured in 2015) Mr Prescott wrestling Craig Evans. Lord Prescott later quipped he was 'connecting with the electorate' John Prescott and Tony Blair appear at the Labour party conference in 1996 Lord Prescott said at the time: 'I was attacked by an individual. In the melee that followed I clearly defended myself.' Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday he 'had a lot of really funny times' with his deputy, adding 'he could be a very amusing guy'. Clearly emotional, he said: 'I was just thinking this morning about the the time when in the 2001 election - remember when someone smashed an egg on his head and he turned around and he punched the guy and laid him out? 'This caused a huge sort of fracas, this was an immense media story, and we had to give a press conference in the election campaign the next day. 'And some people were saying, 'Well, look, he's deputy prime minister, you can't have a deputy prime minister thumping a voter.' 'And other people said ... 'he had this egg slammed in his head, and he turned around and and whacked the guy, and a lot of people think, Well, fair enough.' 'And so there was nothing you could do. So we had a long debate about it and finally, at the press conference, when I was asked about it, I just said, 'Well, John is John.' 'And so was that supposed to be an answer? I said, 'Yes, that's an answer.' That's as much as you can say, and that's what he was like, there were no rules that he really abided by. 'I feel a huge sense of loss, because it wasn't just a political relationship. I had a profound affection for him.' A number of newspaper surveys carried out after the punch suggested the public supported his actions. Lord Prescott was interviewed by police but he was not prosecuted. The Crown Prosecution Service concluded there was no realistic chance of convicting him because he had acted in self-defence. Former Labour Cabinet minister Paul Murphy has been telling BBC Radio Wales Breakfast how he helped clean up John Prescott after a man threw an egg at him during the general election campaign in 2001. The infamous incident, where Prescott responded by punching the man, has come to be known as the 'Prescott Punch' or the 'Rumble in Rhyl'. 'I was hosting the meeting he was coming to and I recall vividly that I was inside the hall and somebody came in to tell me that someone had thrown egg at John, and I said 'dear me or other words', and two seconds later he'd hit him,' says Murphy, describing it as a 'very difficult situation'. 'He (John) came in dishevelled, and you can imagine his language was quite strong, and I was with him when he was washing the egg off and then the phone calls came in from Alistair Campbell and, of course, Tony Blair'. Mr Evans spent several hours in police custody but no action was taken against him either. In June that year, Labour won a second term in government. Today the former prime minister was tearful as he said: 'There was no-one quite like him in British politics. Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart'. The former Labour deputy prime minister was nicknamed 'Two Jags' due to his long love affair with them while in high office, including one infamous trip where he drove 200 yards in one to attend an engagement. But he famously got rid of them in 2021, declaring: 'I am now Zero Jags. It is my own small contribution to cutting carbon emissions'. His family said he had 'spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment' as he worked under Sir Tony Blair (right) Lord Prescott and his loyal wife Pauline on his 82nd birthday in 2020. She stood by him for more than 60 years Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at the 1998 Brit awards after being soaked with water by Danbert Nobacon of Chumbawamba. Prescott speaks at the Labour Party Conference in Blackpool, October 1992 Former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott (pictured in 2012) has died at the age of 86, his family has said Lord Prescott became used to the finer things in life, enjoying croquet on the lawn of his country house at a time when he was in charge of the country. He was nicknamed 'two Jags' after it emerged he had two Jaguar cars. But in 2021, he revealed he no longer had them after becoming increasingly interested in climate change. Alongside him throughout was his wife of more than 60 years, Pauline, who stood by him after an affair with his secretary became public in 2006. He said later that he was struggling with the pressures of political life - and should have told her - and that their relationship improved when she accepted his apology for the betrayal. He had lived an extraordinary life. The young man who went to sea after failing his 11-plus, later became a trade unionist and indispensable figure in Sir Tony Blair's New Labour project. His family said he had 'spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment'. Syria: Death toll rises to 49 in Israeli attack in Palmyra city Damascus, Nov 21 (UNI) 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. A Labour policing chief has claimed that some middle class people with well-paid jobs 'lost everything' when they got drawn into taking part in the summer riots. Matt Storey, the commissioner for Cleveland, said they had 'really settled lifestyles' which had now evaporated. He said he will be going into prisons to speak to those convicted to ask: 'Why did you do it?' Mr Storey suggested some of the 'mindless violence' had been carried out by people who held anti-police views. The latest figures show that policing the disorder over the summer cost 31.7million - but this sum is expected to increase once all forces who provided mutual aid cover report their own data. Over a 12-day period, officers clocked up more than 40,000 hours of public order shifts, the National Police Chiefs' Council said. So far 1,590 people have been arrested, of whom 17 per cent were aged under 18.The total number of charges brought is 1,015. False information about the alleged perpetrator of the Southport attack received more than 27million impressions on Twitter as violence erupted in 27 towns. Pictured protesters near a burning police vehicle in Southport Misinformation which helped fuel the summer's riots was 'turbo-charged' by foreign bots, Britain's head of counter-terror policing has said. Pictured: Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out in Southport Matt Storey, the commissioner for Cleveland, has claimed that some middle class people with well-paid jobs 'lost everything' when they got drawn into taking part in the summer riots Of the arrests made so far, 99 were for offences committed online. Mr Storey was speaking at the National Police Chiefs' Council conference where he suggested why some people decided to join in or start the chaos, reported The Telegraph. In Middlesbrough he said the riots had largely been started by people who wanted to 'exploit' the Southport killings so they could 'voice offensive views and prejudices'. While he claimed some with anti-police views had started the carnage in Hartlepool. '[Police] have told me of people who had really good jobs, really settled lifestyles, middle class, and have lost everything because they basically got drawn into it,' he said. 'I think that restorative justice work will be really important in a preventative sense, because we need to make sure these things don't happen again. 'And that's not going to happen if we don't understand from the people who did it why it happened in the first place.' He said he would be going into prisons to understand why some people hold prejudice views and how to educate them to make them not have those anymore. Mr Storey said much of the violence was motivated by hate and racism, with people exploiting the Southport tragedy to give voice to prejudiced views which they already held. Protesters spray fire extinguishers at riot police officers during scenes of unrest in Sunderland on August 2 A police car burns as officers are deployed on the streets of Hartlepool following a violent protest on July 31 Misinformation about the identity of the 17-year-old suspect in July 29's deadly stabbing attack in Southport sparked a violent protest Riot police hold back protesters after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport Matt Jukes, Britain's head of counter-terror policing (pictured), criticised 'unhelpful' commentators who know that certain information cannot be released while legal proceedings are active but presented this as 'evidence of cover-up and conspiracy' Britain's head of counter-terror policing Matt Jukes has said that misinformation which helped fuel the summer's riots was 'turbo-charged' by foreign bots. False information about the alleged perpetrator of the Southport attack received more than 27million impressions on Twitter as violence erupted in 27 towns. Mr Jukes also criticised 'unhelpful' commentators who know that certain information cannot be released while legal proceedings are active but presented this as 'evidence of cover-up and conspiracy.' He said there was a misconception that the 'thought police' had arrested hundreds of people for voicing their opinions. '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 said. The vast majority of misinformation spread online was driven by people within UK communities, but foreign interference played a huge role in stoking violence, Mr Jukes added. A Mail investigation revealed obscure platform Channel3Now spread false rumours that the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker and on an MI6 watch list. And Mr Jukes said misinformation of this type was further 'turbo-charged' by foreign bots, some of which were of Russian origin. '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,' he told reporters at a policing conference. Children In Need's chairwoman has quit over 460,000 of grants awarded to a controversial transgender youth group hit by a series of child sex abuse scandals. Rosie Millard, 59, accused the charity of 'institutional failure' in an explosive letter announcing her resignation after six years - as she slammed the organisation's 'dithering' chief executive. News of her resignation came just days after Children In Need raised 39.2million during its fundraiser on Friday - with former Top Gear host Paddy McGuinness drumming up 9million by riding his chopper bike 300 miles. Writer and broadcaster Ms Millard slammed Children In Need's chief executive, Simon Antrobus for his response to revelations that 466,000 was awarded in grants to LGBT Youth Scotland, which supports gay and transgender people aged 13 to 25. Children In Need started giving the charity cash seven months after James Rennie, LGBTYS's then chief executive, was convicted in 2009 of sexually assaulting a baby boy, having been part of a sordid paedophile ring. This year another man, Andrew Easton - who co-authored a 'coming out guide' for LGBTYS, was convicted of sharing indecent images of children including abhorrent pictures of newborn babies. The grants to the youth group were only suspended in May of this year after Ms Millard said she alerted Children In Need to the 2009 case and, after a review, funding was withdrawn three months later, The Times reports. Ms Millard accused Mr Antrobus of not responding with the 'necessary level of seriousness' to the scandal, and claimed he only cut the funding out of fear of negative publicity. She also alleged that upon hearing of the scandal, he had said it ruined his enjoyment of a Bruce Springsteen concert. Rosie Millard (pictured) stepped down as the chairman for BBC Children In Need over grants awarded to a youth transgender group hit by child sex abuse scandals Ms Millard slammed Children In Need's chief executive, Simon Antrobus (pictured left alongside Pudsey Bear) for his response to the revelations In her letter, Ms Millard said: 'That they could write this about the reported rape of a child is astonishing.' In a statement on Wednesday night she said: 'It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as chair of BBC Children in Need. 'Witnessing the incredible impact of our supporters' generosity on the lives of children and young people has been truly inspiring. I'm immensely proud of the collective achievements we've made together.' Following her stepping down, Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC, praised Ms Millard for her leadership during her six years with the charity. 'She has had a significant impact on countless children and young people and we wish her all the best for the future,' Mr Davie said. But Mhairi Crawford, chief executive of LGBTYS, told The Times Millard's resignation letter 'demonstrates the ideologically driven nature of her attacks on our organisation'. LBGTYS's ex-boss James Rennie, from Edinburgh, was jailed for life for horrific child sex assaults after he was unmasked as a member of one of Britain's worst-ever paedophile rings. Rennie, a former SNP government advisor, sexually assaulted a three-month-old child he was trusted to babysit for. He also conspired to get access to children in order to abuse them, with the paedophile often accessing a dedicated Hotmail account for the sex abuse ring he was in while at work, a court heard. Paedophile James Rennie was jailed in 2009 for sexually assaulting a baby boy. Prior to that, he was the chief executive of LGBT Youth Scotland Andrew Easton - who co-authored a schools 'coming out guide' for LGBTYS - was this year convicted of sharing indecent images of children including vile pictures of newborn babies Andrew Easton co-authored a 40-page transgender 'coming out' guide in 2010 for children as young as 13, with advice on surgery, hormones, and transitioning. Easton was later convicted of downloading and distributing indecent images of children, including newborn babies. He was caught with dozens of video files - some containing the most serious category of child abuse images - by cybercrime officers over internet chats with someone he believed to be a vulnerable 13-year-old he called 'baby boy'. He was convicted in August, avoiding prison in favour of a Community Payback Order. LGBTYS admitted Easton had contributed to an early version of the 'coming out guide' which it said may still be in use but has been superseded by another, similar, document - 'co-produced with young people aged 13-25 who are trans, non-binary or are questioning their gender identity'. In September Children in Need pulled the plug on funding for the controversial gay and transgender rights group for teens. LGBTYS received 1.4million of funding last year from a variety of sources including the SNP Government. It's Children in Need funding was axed following a 'thorough review'. In a statement, a BBC Children in Need spokesman: 'Nothing is more important to us than the safety of all children and young people. When allegations were made in relation to LGBT Youth Scotland their grant was immediately suspended with the full support of the board and a review began. In order to do this thoroughly and fairly the review took three months and culminated in the decision to withdraw funding. 'The Children in Need board of trustees are supportive of the actions taken by the CEO and senior leadership team and stand by the decisions made. Rosie at all times retained the board's support. 'In the wake of her resignation, in order to ensure any lessons learnt are captured, the trustees have instigated a review of ways of working between the board and executive in which Rosie has kindly agreed to participate.' On Sunday, Paddy McGuinness emotionally told listeners of his BBC Radio 2 show that he 'cannot comprehend' the 'staggering' amount raised, before revealing he had drummed up 9,124,609. Paddy McGuinness, 51, helped to raise more than 9million for this year's Children In Need with his 300-mile bike ride (McGuinness is pictured on his chopper-style bike) McGuinness revealed the jaw-dropping new total of cash he's raised so far for Children In Need during his BBC Radio 2 show on Sunday The former Top Gear host, 51, undertook a 300-mile bike ride, beginning in Wrexham, Wales, last Monday and crossing the finish line in Glasgow on Thursday. Paddy gushed: 'Give me a second everyone, let me just take in this figure. You lot, wherever you might be now, if you're listening to this show and you put a couple of quid in the bucket. 'Or whether you got the chequebook out and you put in a vast amount, every single person who has got involved, every child's pocket money, every person with a last bit of spare money in their pocket. 'Everyone, all of you, so far, for Children In Need we have raised 9,124,609. Get in! Come on! Can you believe that?' He efforts helped bring this year's total raised by the charity to more than 39.2m - its biggest sum for three years and 16 per cent higher than 2023's efforts, that raised 33.5million. Mhairi Crawford, Chief Executive with LGBT Youth Scotland, said: 'Rosie Millards astonishing resignation letter demonstrates the ideologically driven nature of her attacks on our organisation, and calls into question her suitability for a role such as Chair of a nationally significant charity. 'It is only appropriate that wider boards challenge a chair who demonstrably ignores robust evidence in their decision making. 'We are pleased to see confirmation that Children in Needs investigations into the work of LGBT Youth Scotland found nothing to report. 'Time and time again, those with anti-inclusivity motives point to historic allegations against us in attempts to destroy our reputation. Allegations that have been investigated and cleared by Police Scotland, and proven to have had no link to our charity and our work. 'What is often lost amid these attacks is that LGBT Youth Scotland supports thousands of people and exists to make a more inclusive and fairer Scotland. 'A further reason we have such strong backing by the Scottish Government, local authorities, major employers and the public sector is because our work is in line with the stated aims of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).' A homeless Florida man has been arrested and charged for plotting to blow up the New York Stock Exchange in an attempt to 'reboot' the US government. Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, of Coral Springs, Florida, was charged with attempt to use an explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce, following an arrest by FBI agents on Wednesday. He allegedly recorded himself saying 'I feel like [Osama] Bin Laden', referencing the al-Qaeda founder responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The FBI began investigating Yener in February after receiving a tip that he was storing 'bombmaking schematics' in a storage unit. Investigators found bomb-making sketches, watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics that could be used for building explosives. The homeless man had also searched online for things related to bomb-making since 2017, according to the FBI. The Florida resident also told undercover FBI agents that he wanted to detonate the bomb the week before Thanksgiving and that the stock exchange in lower Manhattan would be a popular site to target. 'The Stock Exchange, we want to hit that, because it will wake people up,' he told undercover FBI agents, according to court documents. Yener, who according to court documents is homeless, wanted to bomb the stock exchange in order to 'reboot' the US government, explaining that it would be 'like a small nuke went off', adding that killing everyone inside the building would be 'hella easy.' FILE - People pass the New York Stock Exchange on Nov. 5, 2024, in New York The facade of the New York Stock Exchange is illuminated on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. He had rewired two-way radios so that they could work as remote triggers for an explosive device and planned to wear a disguise when planting the explosives, according to court documents. Yener had his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon and will be detained while he awaits a trial. He was known to post videos on a YouTube channel about making explosives and fireworks from household items, and had a history of making threats, according to court documents. He was fired last year from a restaurant in Coconut Creek, Florida, after his former supervisor said he threatened to 'go Parkland shooter in this place.' He was also part of a small group that tried to join the far-right anti-government group the 'Boogaloo Bois' and extremist group the Proud Boys but was denied membership because he said he wanted 'to pursue martyrdom,' according to court documents. The news was first reported by the website CourtWatch. Calls to telephone numbers listed for Harun Abdul-Malik Yener in public records rang unanswered and a lawyer was not listed in court records. Cops have descended on the hostel where Melbourne teen Bianca Jones was staying on the night she ingested a lethal amount of methanol-laced alcohol in Laos. Ms Jones died surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, nine days after she and her best friend Holly Bowles, both aged 19, were placed on life support in separate Thai hospitals on November 12. The pair were staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in the party town of Vang Vieng, 196km from the Thailand border, where the pair had been drinking the night before falling ill. Laos police have ramped up their investigation into an alleged mass-poisoning in the town after 14 tourists were rushing to hospital after ingesting toxic amounts of methanol. The US State Department previously confirmed the death of a 56-year-old US man and the Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs said two young women from Denmark had also died in Vang Vieng in recent days. Ms Bowles remains on life support in Thailand's Bangkok Hospital 'in a critical condition. Following news of Ms Jones' death, local police attended Nana Backpackers to question employees. Police demanded to see which spirits were used by bar staff on the night Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were provided free cocktails, The Herald Sun reported. Melbourne teen Bianca Jones (pictured) died in hospital after drinking poisoned alcohol while on the trip of a lifetime with her best friend Holly Bowles in Laos Laos Police were seen talking to employees and inspecting bottles of spirits inside the bar during their visit to the hostel. Detectives took detailed notes as they lined up bottles of Smirnoff vodka, Havana Club rum, and Bombay Sapphire and Gordon's gin. Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan and bartender Toan Van Vanng had previously denied the alcohol was contaminated or diluted with methanol. Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and that free shots of Tiger Vodka had been served to around 100 guests. The manager said he had yet to received any complaints from other backpackers who been given shots on the night. To prove his point, he even drank from one of the vodka bottles that were in use on the night to prove it was safe. 'Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng,' he told the Associated Press. Holly Bowles (left) and Ms Jones (right). Holly, 19, remains fighting for life in a Thai hospital The girls had booked a four-night stay at Nana Backpackers Hostel in the party town of Vang Vieng where they had drank several free cocktails the night before falling ill 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. The girl's WhatsApp messages revealed they headed to Jaidee's Bar later in the night after leaving the hostel. Jaidee's Bar is known to offer patrons free local whisky shots and has a hard-copy drug menu openly selling opium, ketamine and marijuana. There is no suggestion that Ms Bowles or Ms Jones took illicit drugs. Nana Backpackers has been deserted since news of the poisonings 'spread like wildfire' throughout the town this week. Six British women were also among those who ingested methanol and one of them, Bethany Clarke, said her liver had 'started to shut down'. 'I got to the private hospital in time but underwent many infusions and tablets and days of recovery,' she wrote in a social media post after her condition improved. 'Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.' Ms Clarke's friend Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer, is recovering in hospital. The New Zealand government confirmed a New Zealander is among the unwell and 'may be a victim of methanol poisoning in Laos'. Ms Bowels is still on life support in a critical condition in Bangkok Hospital, her father told reporters on Wednesday Simone White, from the UK, is also reportedly among those affected by the suspected mass poisoning, and is recovering in hospital Ms Jones' devastated family confirmed her death in a statement. 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away,' they said. 'She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us. 'We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers we've received from across Australia. 'The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through our grief and begin to heal. Thank you for respecting our family's space. 'With heartfelt appreciation, Mark, Michelle and Lachlan Jones.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Ms Jones in parliament on Thursday. 'We've received a very sad confirmation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that tragically, Bianca Jones has lost her life,' he said. 'Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. This is every parent's very worse fear, and a nightmare that no one should have to endure. 'All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak. Bianca's trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come. 'Memories that she should have carried with her into the long, bright future that lay ahead of her. It is beyond sad that this is not to be.' WhatsApp messages revealed Ms Jones and Ms Bowles ventured to Jaidee's bar on the beachfront (pictured) after leaving the hostel around 10.30pm Albanese also mentioned Ms Bowles, 'who is fighting for her life there in Laos.' 'Australians hold her and her family in our hearts as we pray for her, and we hope for a good recovery.' Ms Jones and Ms Bowles, also aged 19, 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, before reportedly going to nearby Jaidee's party bar. 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. CCTV from inside the hostel shows one the girls being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike being driven by a hotel staff worker. They were then rushed to separate hospitals in Udon Thani and Bangkok in neighbouring Thailand. Ms Jones' family previously said they hoped police got to the bottom of the alleged alcohol poisoning. 'Our family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support that have come from across Australia,' they said on Wednesday. '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.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available This is the moment a moped driver rushed a 'poisoned' backpacker to hospital in Laos after allegedly drinking free shots laced with deadly methanol. At least four people have died and a further 11 tourists are in hospital suffering with suspected methanol poisoning in the popular backpacking destination Vang Vieng. Two Danish women in their 20s, a 56-year-old US citizen and Bianca Jones, a 19-year-old Australian, have passed away and a 28-year-old British lawyer is fighting for her life following the poisoning on the evening of November 12. Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital while her friend Holly Bowles, also 19, remains gravely ill in hospital with British lawyer Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent. Both girls accepted free vodka shots at their hostel before a night out in Vang Vieng last week, it is claimed. Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan, who served the shots, denied it was 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 were served to around 100 guests and that the hostel had not received any other complaints and 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. 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. Hostel CCTV shows one the girls being transported to hospital on the back of a moped. Heartbreaking CCTV footage shows a Laos 'poisoning' victim being transported to hospital Brit Simone White, 28, is an associate lawyer based in London specialising in intellectual property and technology at American law firm Squire Patton Boggs - but is now fighting for her life in hospital Bianca Jones, 19, has become the fourth person to die after consuming alleged 'methanol-laced' drinks in Vang Vieng, Laos 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 Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured), who served the shots, has claimed it wasn't his Tiger Vodka that made the girls sick. What is methanol poisoning and why is it dangerous? Methanol can sometimes wind up in alcoholic drinks in southeast Asia as a cheaper, counterfeit alternative to ethanol. It is a dangerous form of alcohol that tastes and smells like standard alcohol and is typically used as a substitute in illegal alcoholic beverages. Experts say the alcohol initially causes similar symptoms to drunkenness before more serious symptoms kick in between eight and 18 hours after consumption. The chemical liquid contains a toxic metabolite known as formic acid which initially causes blurred vision and even blindness. It then enters the brain leading to confusion, seizures and coma, before the acid builds up in the body causing respiratory failure, circulatory shock and kidney failure. Fatal doses typically end in multiple organ failure and death. Source: George Braitberg, Head of Emergency Medicine at University of Melbourne Advertisement Methanol can sometimes wind up in alcoholic drinks in southeast Asia as a cheaper, counterfeit alternative to ethanol. The Foreign Office has issued guidance to Britons travelling to the country, warning them against consuming replica alcohol brands that may contain hidden amounts of methanol. 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. Ms White, from Orpington in Kent, was among the group of backpackers taken to hospital when she became ill last week in Vang Vieng. She 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. 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.' Ms Jones and Ms Bowles, both aged 19 from Melbourne, also 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. They were rushed to Udon Thani and Bangkok Hospital respectively after telling hostel staff they needed medical attention. Simone White (left) and Bethany Clarke (right) both fell ill on holiday in Southeast Asia 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 Tourists kayaking in the party town of Vang Vieng in Laos What is Foreign Office advice to Brits travelling to Laos? The Foreign Office has now issued guidance to Brits travelling to the country. Travellers are warned against consuming replica alcohol brands that may contain hidden amounts of methanol. The latest advice states: 'Both male and female tourists have reported having their drink or food spiked with drugs and in some cases been assaulted. 'Never leave food or drink unattended. 'Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers at bars, clubs, restaurants and parties.' Advertisement It is not yet known where the contaminated alcohol came from. The hostel's manager told the Associated Press that more than 100 guests received free shots of Lao vodka from their bar on November 12, with no one else reporting health issues. 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 has spent every minute possible by Holly's side. He told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday: 'Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit, in critical condition, she's on life support. '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 Nana Backpacking 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 said. 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. Asked about media reports, Denmark's Foreign Ministry said 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. Ms Jones' parents have said they hope local authorities are able to find out what happened to their daughter Ms Bowles' father said his family were spending every moment they could by her bedside in Thailand 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.' Britain has a 'weaker' culture of national resilience than its allies on the continent and must learn from its European partners to prepare for war, the head of the UK's armed forces has warned. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, chief of the UK defence staff, told the Berlin security conference this week that Britain simply does not have 'some of the civil aspects or planning aspects' that some other NATO allies 'have as part of their traditions'. 'We are having those conversations to learn from our colleagues and see what might be appropriate for ourselves,' he told an audience of representatives from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. Sweden announced this week that it would be sending out five million pamphlets to residents urging them to prepare for the possibility of a looming conflict amid fears of escalation within Europe. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Stockholm has repeatedly urged Swedes to prepare both mentally and logistically for a possible conflict, citing the worsening security situation in its vicinity. Relations have reached a recent low since US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine permission to use its long-range ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, hoping to help turn the tide on Putin's invasion. The brochure urges 'preparedness' and talks citizens through finding shelter and navigating emergencies from war to cyber attacks and terrorism. While the British government offers advice on dealing with emergencies, many Cold War shelters and civil defence provisions have since been retired. The British Army's new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun, as British Army soldiers take part in training near Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle, Finland, on November 19 Sir Tony Radakin warned that Britain was underprepared in civil defence next to allies Sir Radakin spoke on the day the defence secretary announced cuts to the military, including the Royal Navy's amphibious assault ships, a frigate and dozens of helicopters. John Healey blamed the financial 'black hole' inherited from the last government. 'I think we have to acknowledge that we are in a different position a slightly weaker one than my [Nordic and Baltic] colleagues on the panel,' Sir Radakin said. 'It's an area where we don't have the culture of total defence. We don't have some of the civil aspects or planning aspects that other countries within Nato have as part of their traditions.' Nordic nations are taking pre-emptive steps to safeguard their populations for the possibility of war, stockpiling supplies and readying citizens to find shelter, give first aid and potentially take a role in national defence. The Finnish government published a digital booklet preparing citizens for incidents and crises, and reminded residents of their 'obligation' to defending the nation. '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.' Sweden, meanwhile, has provided clear instruction with booklets entitled 'If Crisis or War Comes'. They 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. The book shares potentially life-saving information on how to find effective shelter in the event of an attack with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. Civil defence minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said within two years Sweden would revive civilian conscription to mobilise 3,000 young men and women a year with lessons in crisis management. British Army soldiers take part in training in the Arctic Circle, Finland, on November 19 The British Army's new Archer Mobile Howitzer gun, as British Army soldiers take part in training near Rovaniemi in the Arctic Circle, Finland, on November 19 Britons are now reportedly snapping up old fallout shelters built during the Cold War (bunker in Wormshill, near Buxton, pictured) An underground bunker in Repps with Bastwick, near Great Yarmouth with no running water or electricity will go up for auction next month and is expected to fetch up to 20,000 Norway also distributed booklets with advice on how to manage in the event of a crisis. Residents have shared how they have started stockpiling iodine after being told that it could help block the absorption of radioactive iodine in the event of a nuclear war. The looming possibility of war returning to Europe comes after months of repeated threats from the Kremlin, promising retaliation against Nato allies for their support of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin once more warned of nuclear consequences if long-range US missiles from Ukraine hit deep within his country - after President Biden conceded to Kyiv permission to use its ATACMS missiles beyond its borders. Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine that formally lowers the threshold for the country's use of nuclear weapons as Ukraine fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles and reportedly fired U.K.-made Storm Shadows into Russia this week. The decision to allow use of long-range Western weapons came after months of anxiety about the possibility of escalation - and fears Ukraine may be losing momentum after making gains in Russia's Kursk region earlier this year. After months of political gridlock, the concession came amid reports that thousands of North Korean troops had moved to reinforce Putin's lines in Russia. 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. Russia has begun to recover ground in recent weeks, hoping to gain momentum as Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region of Russia slows. Ukraine's August movement was helped along by another concession, allowing limited use of supplied weapons to strike into Russia. 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. Soldiers walk through a camp, as members of the Finnish arctic expert Jaeger Brigade train British, Swiss and French troops in cold-weather logistics on November 19 Ukrainian forces fire a 120-mm mortar towards Russian troops at a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine, November 19 Ukrainian forces operate mortars near the frontlines on Tuesday, November 19 Ukraine said today that Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight targeting Dnipro city. If confirmed, it would be the first time Moscow has used such a missile in the war, ongoing since February 2022. In a statement Thursday on the Telegram messaging app, Ukraine's air force did not specify the exact type of missile, but said it was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea. It said an intercontinental ballistic missile was fired at Dnipro city along with eight other missiles, and that the Ukrainian military shot down six of them. Two people were wounded as a result of the attack, and an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities were damaged, according to local officials. While the range of an ICBM would seem excessive for use against Ukraine, such missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads, and the use of one would serve as a chilling reminder of Russia's nuclear capability and a powerful message of potential escalation. A Ukrainian air force source told the AFP news agency this morning that the missile did not have a nuclear charge. Britain is braced for a backlash from Putin today after Storm Shadow missiles were fired on Russia for the first time. Experts have cautioned that the UK should expect 'more sabotage and subversion' after the West defied threats from the Kremlin to support Ukraine. The head of MI5 warned last month that Russian agents are determined to cause 'sustained mayhem on British and European streets'. The government is said to be moving to bolster critical infrastructure, such as power stations and data hubs. The fallout comes as Defence Secretary John Healey is set to face a grilling from MPs about decommissioning a swathe of military kit early - with the 'cuts' described by critics as 'pure folly'. Russia this morning apparently fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a brutal barrage against targets in Ukraine. It came the day after Kyiv's forces battered a Russian command headquarters in the Kursk region with British Storm Shadow missiles. The Storm Shadow missiles struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials are believed to be holed up The fallout comes as Defence Secretary John Healey is set to face a grilling from MPs about decommissioning a swathe of military kit early - with the 'cuts' described by critics as 'pure folly' Britain is braced for a backlash from Putin today after Storm Shadow missiles were fired on Russia for the first time Fragments of the missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Maryino were recovered by bloggers yesterday, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Keir Starmer. Matthew Savill, military sciences director at the RUSI think tank, warned that the US and UK should expect 'more sabotage, subversion and Russian disruption, both at home and potentially abroad (e.g. against Middle Eastern interests)'. 'We should never be blase about the nuclear risk, but that seems incredibly extreme,' he told The Times. 'We could see other forms of escalation and retaliation. The UK security community will be on its guard. They are not afraid to use lethal force or violence overseas or to attempt sabotage.' Ukraine's air force reported that an ICBM had been fired from a base in Russia's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early this morning - the first time Russia has used such a powerful, long-range missile during the war. The air force did not specify which ICBM had been fired, but its launch comes mere hours after a Russian military analyst said Moscow's forces could unleash its fearsome RS-26 'Frontier' missile in retaliation for the Storm Shadow strikes. The Frontier missile is a nuclear-capable weapon weighing roughly 50 tonnes with a range of up to 3,600 miles. It has never before been used in combat, but analysts said it could be deployed with a conventional warhead in a strike that Ukraine's air defences would be powerless to intercept. Kyiv has not suffered an ICBM strike since the war began in February 2022, with Russia's military deploying smaller, slower Iskander missiles and a handful of hypersonic Kinzhal projectiles alongside hundreds upon hundreds of attack drones. Labour announced cuts to the UK's defence capabilities yesterday as tensions with Russia rose. Some 31 frontline helicopters and a pair of Commando assault ships were axed by Mr Healey. 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. Defence sources said the cuts delivered entirely the wrong message to Britain's enemies and allies such as the US. 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'. American chipmaker Nvidia beat sales expectations for its third quarter after it saw its profit more than double thanks to a growing demand in artificial intelligence. The Santa Clara, California-based firm, which has solidified itself as the world's most valuable company following its third quarter performance, saw its profit jump by 109% to $19.3 billion, beating analyst forecasts of $17.4 billion. Meanwhile, revenue jumped 94% year-on-year to $35.1 billion, when analysts had forecasted sales of $33.2 billion. Nevertheless, Nvidia's shares fell by 2.3% to $14.58 in after-hours trading, as investors have been questioning prospects for AI, as well as concerns that tech stock are overvalued. Looking ahead, the firm expects to achieve revenue of $37.5 billion in its next quarter, while analysts are forecasting $37.1 billion in sales. Founder and CEO Jensen Huang said: 'The age of AI is in full steam, propelling a global shift to Nvidia computing', adding that demand for Nvidia's newest chips was 'incredible'. 'AI is transforming every industry, company and country. Enterprises are adopting agentic AI to revolutionize workflows. Industrial robotics investments are surging with breakthroughs in physical AI. And countries have awakened to the importance of developing their national AI and infrastructure,' he added. The AI chipmaker has seen a staggering rally in the two years since ChatGPT launched an AI frenzy. American chipmaking company Nvidia aw its profit jump by 109% to $19.3 billion in its third quarter Founder and CEO Jensen Huang (pictured) credited the booming demand in AI As such, Nvidia's success has become a bellwether of the ongoing artificial intelligence boom. Its market capitalization has grown more than nine times over since the end of 2022. Nvidia is currently worth $3.6 trillion, overtaking Apple. Nvidia chips are used by more than 40,000 companies and its customers include Amazon, Apple, Tesla, Microsoft and Meta. Tech giants buy Nvidia chips to build AI data centres, which power generative AI products like ChatGPT. A year on from the failed Voice referendum, the value of acknowledgement of country ceremonies are again being widely debated in Australia. But no one expected such a ceremony would be performed by an Australian government delegation in the Azerbaijan, 13,230km from Sydney, which has been dubbed 'a complete farce'. Most Australians probably couldn't find Azerbaijan on a map - it's a former Soviet republic, partly in Asia and partly in Europe - but that didn't stop delegate Dr Clare Anderson from performing an acknowledgement of country there to a near empty-room. Speaking at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference in the oil and gas rich country, she first welcomed the delegates 'to the opening panel session of the Australian Pavilion'. 'My name is Clare Anderson and I'm the group director of sustainability performance at (sustainability solutions company) Worley. I'm very delighted to be here today,' she began. But from there, it must have been very confusing for the audience as Dr Anderson launched into an acknowledgement to country. 'To start - whilst we're not on Australian land - I'd still like to start with acknowledging the traditional owners of Australia and the Torres Strait Islands and pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging,' she said. If those hearing the words in Azerbaijan's capital Baku were baffled, many of those watching the conference online in Australia - where they might actually mean something - were outraged. A year on from the failed Voice referendum, the value of acknowledgement of country ceremonies are again being widely debated in Australia. Above is a welcome to country ceremony Dr Clare Anderson (pictured) performed an acknowledgement of country at a conference in Azerbaijan 'Why are Australian government officials doing a welcome to country in Azerbaijan,' Coalition senator Matt Canavan asked on X. His response was mild compared to that of former Liberal and United Australia Party MP Craig Kelly. 'What a complete farce - here's a video from the "Australian Pavilion" at the climate w***fest at Baku - funded by Australian taxpayers,' Mr Kelly captioned the footage Mr Kelly also weighed in on the very sparse attendance at the session. 'Imagine, all that coin to pay for constructing an exhibition stand, flying a delegation half way around world, setting up video facilities to record it all - and they get five people to attend, he wrote. 'Whilst we're not on Australian land - I'd still like to start with acknowledging the traditional owners of Australia and the Torres Strait Islands, Dr Anderson (pictured centre) said Katherine Deves (pictured), who ran unsuccessfully for the Liberal Party in the 2022 federal election, spoke for many with her response to the acknowledgement of country 13,230km away 'I wonder if this would pass muster if we had an Australian D.O.G.E,' Mr Kelly added, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency that Donald Trump is about to create when he returns to office as US President on January 20. Businessman and conservative commentator Matt Barrie also weighed in. 'Welcome to country... in Baku', he tweeted, along with a smiley face emoji. Another commenter agreed with Mr Kelly over the cost and the ceremony performed before the talk. 'I wish they respected the original owners of the money that paid for this,' they wrote. Your browser does not support iframes. Another suggested a way on how the Australian delegates in Baku could help stop global warming. 'Cancel the return flight, the credit cards and disavow. That will save lots of planet and our money,' they suggested. Katherine Deves, a one-time Liberal candidate who unsuccessfully ran for former prime minister Tony Abbott's seat of Warringah on Sydney's northern beaches in the 2022 federal election, also slammed the incident. 'Australia is an outpost. No one cares (about acknowledgement of country in Azerbaijan),' she wrote. Jeremy Corbyn was branded 'Putin's useful idiot' as he criticised the decision to let Ukraine use UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia. The former Labour leader and close friend and ally Diane Abbott both spoke out as Kyiv used the powerful weapons outside its own borders for the first time after being personally authorised by Sir Keir Starmer. Mr Corbyn, who sits as an independent after being kicked out of Labour in a row over anti-Semitism, was ridiculed on X for asking if the strike in Kursk meant 'we are now at war with a nuclear power'. He added: 'As we edge closer and closer to catastrophe, we should be doing everything in our power to bring about de-escalation and peace.' And Ms Abbott, who is still a Labour MP, asked if there was a plan for 'if/when Russia fires missiles back', despite Vladimir Putin's forces having bombarded Ukraine for the past two-and-a-half years. New Labour MP for Banbury Sean Woodcock said Mr Corbyn's comments were 'a helpful reminder of how Labour has changed for the better' since he was kicked out. The former Labour leader and close friend and ally Diane Abbott both spoke out as Kyiv used the powerful weapons outside its own borders for the first time after being personally authorised by Sir Keir Starmer. Fragments of the Storm Shadow missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Marino were recovered by military bloggers on Wednesday afternoon, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. Mr Corbyn, who sits as an independent after being kicked out of Labour in a row over anti-Semitism, was ridiculed on X for asking if the strike meant 'we are now at war with a nuclear power'. And Ms Abbott, who is still a Labour MP, asked if there was a plan for 'if/when Russia fires missiles back', despite Vladimir Putin's forces having bombarded Ukraine for the past two-and-a-half years. New Labour MP for Banbury Sean Woodcock said Mr Corbyn's comments were 'a helpful reminder of how Labour has changed for the better' since he was kicked out. Fragments of the Storm Shadow missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Marino were recovered by military bloggers on Wednesday afternoon, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Sir Keir Starmer. Putin on Tuesday provocatively signed off changes to the country's laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed against Ukraine. And his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov chillingly warned that the strikes by Ukraine were a clear signal that Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' and that Russia would 'react accordingly'. This morning Russia allegedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a brutal barrage of targets in Ukraine just one day after Kyiv's forces battered a Russian command headquarters in the Kursk region with British Storm Shadow missiles. Ukraine's air force reported that an ICBM had been fired from a base in Russia's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early - the first time Russia has used such a powerful, long-range missile during the war. The air force did not specify which ICBM had been fired, but its launch comes mere hours after a Russian military analyst said Moscow's forces could unleash its fearsome RS-26 'Frontier' missile in retaliation for the Storm Shadow strikes. The Frontier missile is a nuclear-capable weapon weighing roughly 50 tonnes with a range of up to 3,600 miles. China pledges efforts on SMEs' AI development Xinhua) 20:35, November 21, 2024 BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China will make more efforts to advance the artificial intelligence (AI) development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Thursday. SMEs are an important force for the development of the AI industry, with innovation capability and huge potential, Jin Zhuanglong, minister of industry and information technology, said at a roundtable meeting on SME development. Jin called for the enterprises to step up investment in research and development, focus on computing power, models and data, consolidate the base of key technologies, and improve the coordinated development ecology of hardware and software. Smart products should be vigorously developed, Jin said, calling for accelerating the development of smart equipment, promoting the replacement of consumer terminals such as home appliances and mobile phones, and creating intelligent software applications. The minister also urged enhancing international cooperation, introducing advanced technologies and top talents, and actively participating in the international governance of AI. Jin said that the ministry will provide high-level services for AI enterprises in terms of innovation platforms, financial support, application scenarios, standard formulation, as well as talent introduction and training. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan) Trump administration places Bhutan, Pakistan in draft list of countries for travel ban 15 Mar 2025 | 11:24 PM Washington, Mar 15 (UNI) The Trump administration has placed Bhutan on a draft Red List of countries, along with 11 others, for a complete travel ban to the USA, while Pakistan has been placed in a group that will be considered for a partial suspension of visa issuance, according to a report. see more.. Bangladesh's envoy to Morocco terms Mohd Yunus a 'tyrant', has diplomatic passport cancelled 15 Mar 2025 | 4:28 PM Dhaka, Mar 15 (UNI) Bangladesh has cancelled the diplomatic passport of the immediate-past envoy to Morocco, Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, for his Facebook post wherein he terms Mohammad Yunus as a tyrant cloaked in deception and describes the countrys descent into radical extremism and savagery under the Yunus-led Interim Government. see more.. Kiev loses up to 465 soldiers in battles with Russia's Tsentr group 15 Mar 2025 | 4:10 PM Moscow, Mar 15 (UNI) Ukraine has lost up to 465 soldiers and a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle in battles with Russia's Tsentr (Center) group of forces over the 24 hours, Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. see more.. NZ PM calls for action against hate on mosque attack anniversary 15 Mar 2025 | 2:35 PM Wellington, Mar 15 (UNI) Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday called on New Zealanders to continue confronting the forces that led to the 2019 Christchurch Mosque attacks, stressing that there was no place for Islamophobia in New Zealand. see more.. John Prescott was never short of a word or two - and while they could sometimes become a bit jumbled, he never minced them either. The former Labour deputy prime minister, who died yesterday aged 86, was a formidable debater and also famous for cracking jokes, even in the darkest moments. After punching a member of the public who egged him outside a Labour rally in 2001, his boss Tony Blair called to berate him. The then prime minister demanded: 'Well, what happened?', to which Lord Prescott responded: 'I was just carrying out your orders. You told us to connect with the electorate, so I did'. Blair later admitted to the press: 'John is John'. In 2006 the press exposed his two-year affair with his diary secretary Tracey Temple, who was 24 years his junior. But he insisted that he was ashamed - although the straight-talking trade unionist's lover did admit they worked very hard for the nation but managed to 'squeeze in' some sex too. Lord Prescott was dyslexic, and would often muddle syntax, struggling with the arrangement of words and phrases. Once he said: 'The Green Belt is a Labour achievement and we intend to build on it'. Joking about it he once told the Commons: 'Syntax! Syntax? I thought that was a new Tory tax!'. And there was nearly a diplomatic incident when on a climate change-related trip to China he said the food was nowhere near as good as his favourite Chinese takeaway in Hull. John Prescott singing at the Amicus union party in Manchester, on the eve of the final day of the Labour Party conference in 2006. He has died aged 86 Here are 20 of the most famous Prescott-isms: 1. 'The food in China is not as good as Jack Chu's in Hull' John Prescott on a Chinese state banquet Mr Prescott loved a Chinese meal at this restaurant in Hull - more than the food in China itself Lord Prescott's comrade Alan Johnson told of how Tony Blair's deputy reacted to a banquet in China. 'He went to China as Deputy Prime Minister. And they laid on a big banquet for him with the top chefs, obviously Chinese food', Mr Johnson said. 'Then they said to John afterwards, 'What did you think of that?' He said it was alright, but it wasn't as good as Jack Chu's on St Andrew's D because that's his local. It caused a diplomatic incident but I was with John on that'. 2. 'The rich countries of this world have thrown down the gauntlet to the poorest. They poisoned [developing countries] now they're trying to strangle them' on demanding the suspension of Kyoto agreement that he helped create. Mr Prescott said helping secure the Kyoto Agreement was one of his proudest achievements - but he later campaigned to scrap it. He accused the Americans of blocking moves to halt greenhouse gas emissions, especially President Bush and Al Goire. 'Sadly many of the ideas that were included in the Kyoto agreement came from the Americans and Al Gore, but the inconvenient truth is that when George Bush was elected, he simply sat on them. 'It has not done him much good since he is becoming more and more isolated and oil prices have shot up in the US anyway,' said Mr Prescott. 3. ''Oh I made that cr*p - can we go again?' Nick Robinson: 'We are - in fact - live, deputy prime minister'. Following news of his death, BBC Radio 4's Today host Nick Robinson shared an anecdote of the former deputy prime minister. He said: 'Prescott once stumbled in an interview with me, getting confused about what he was trying to say. ''Oh I made that crap,' he said, 'can we go again?' My reply, 'We are - in fact - live, deputy prime minister'. 'At the end of the interview, we both laughed so much it hurt.' 4. 'It's a bit like alcohol. You can finish being an alcoholic. But if you go back to drinking more and more alcohol, you will become alcoholic again' on his bulimia Writing in his autobiography, Lord Prescott said his bulimia developed in the 1980s due to the stresses of serving in Labour's then shadow cabinet. He then struggled with the mental health condition for two decades. He detailed how throughout his time in Tony Blair's Government he would binge burgers, chocolate, crisps as well as fish and chips. 5. 'I've been stupid' - after his affair with his diary secretary Tracey Temple was revealed In April 2006 came the moment that marked the end, when it was revealed that Prescott had conducted a two-year affair with his secretary, Tracey Temple His wife Pauline stood by him John Prescott admitted he had 'no excuses' for having an affair with his diary secretary. The former deputy prime minister said he deeply regretted his two-year liaison with Tracey Temple, which he claimed made him feel 'ashamed'. In an interview with John Humphrys on the BBC Radio 4 programme On The Ropes, Mr Prescott's voice cracked with emotion as he recalled the fallout from the relationship. His affair with Miss Temple was revealed in April 2006 after a newspaper published photographs of the couple together during a drunken Whitehall office party. But he said Tony Blair had not asked him to go and he did not offer his resignation on the insistence of his wife Pauline. 'I talked to my wife: She was very strong and supportive,' he added. 'I was fortunate to be a man who has a wife who's obviously more mature than me', he said. 6. 'I have quite fundamental disagreements with Tony Blair' - June 1994. Three years after this quote, he was helping Tony Blair sweep to power - as a bridge between old Labour and the trade unions and the party's reformers. 7. 'I am afraid of being rejected, of being put down' - Interview, The Sunday Telegraph, 1994. Prescott was very thin-skinned. He admitted himself, in part due to his failure to get into a grammar school. He remained critical of the system throughout his life, Once criticising the system in Kent he said it worked 'for the few at the expense of the many'. 8. 'To be fair, you were either with Neil Kinnock or against him. Same with me. So we were against each other' - Interview in Esquire, 1994. Neil Kinnock tried to crack down on unions in a bid to beat the Tories - but instead John Prescott joined the picket lines as the miners had supported seamens' strikes. Neil Kinnock gave his tribute today - but admitted they didn't always get on. He said: 'John Prescott was an intriguing mixture of ferocity and charm who attracted affection, respect and, sometimes, outrage. 'John wouldn't want me to pretend that we always agreed - but it was to his credit that after a dispute he would sustain his commitment to the party and to the project of change'. 9. 'I don't want to be a member of the House of Lords. I will not accept it.' before he entered the House of Lords After stepping down at the 2010 election, he was elevated to the Lords John Prescott went from refusing to set foot in the House of Lords to taking a seat in just two years. In 2010 he revealed the reason behind his extraordinary decision to accept a peerage: He wanted to save the planet. The former Deputy Prime Minister had previously declared he would never accept a seat in the House of Lords and has been a vocal critic of 'flunkery and titles'. But seeking to justify his change of heart, Mr Prescott said he took the peerage because it gave him an 'opportunity' to influence environmental policy. Mr Prescott said: 'I make my own decisions. Of course I'll be influenced by my wife, but I'm not doing it for that.' He added: 'It provides me an opportunity on environment.' House of Lords. I will not accept it.' 10 'Did they find any syntax?' - After a routine brain scan following a minor road accident in 1996. John Prescott was believed to be dyslexic. Some said he was probably dyspraxic. He said things like: 'I always have a problem with my face. I have to live with it' and 'Here we have a Government disintegrating between our eyes' - on the John Major administration. He would joke about it often - but also called criticism of his phrases snobbery. He went on to present a BBC TV documentary about the British class system highlighting the 'prejudice' he claimed to have suffered while a politician. The former Deputy Prime Minister addressed issues such as 'middle-class syntax snobbery', the wealth gap and 'toffs' in Prescott on Class. The BBC confirmed that he received an estimated 15,000 to front the show. 11. 'I'm now Zero Jags' - on getting rids of his luxury cars 'Two Jags' Lord Prescott sold the last of his favourite cars in a bid to cut his carbon footprint in 2021. Lord Prescott, who once bragged about owning one of 'every kind of Jag' bar one, also cut down on the amount of fish and chips he ate. He said he was now 'no Jags' Prescott after selling the last of his motors ahead of a visit to the COP26 climate summit. In a column for the Times Red Box he wrote: 'I've made my own small contribution to cutting carbon emissions. I've sold my Jaguar. I am now Zero Jags.' 12. 'Cheers John, nice to see you' - Nessa to Prescott in Gavin and Stacey cameo Former deputy prime minister John Prescott once appeared in BBC hit series Gavin and Stacey in a hilarious skit as Nessa's old flame Former deputy prime minister John Prescott once appeared in BBC hit series Gavin and Stacey in a hilarious skit as Nessa's old flame. The politician made an appearance in the show in the last episode of the third series as a guest at Ruth Jones's character's wedding as she prepared to marry fiance Dave Coaches. Lord Prestcott wrote glowingly in his blog at the time about his cameo saying that he 'thoroughly enjoyed' it. During the original BBC series, which ran from 2007 until 2010, Nessa Jenkins regularly recalled her sexual liaisons with celebrities such as Nigel Havers, members of Welsh comedy hip hop group Goldie Lookin Chain - and Lord Prescott. The character regularly alluded to the Labour politician being a former flame, including expressing regret that he was not the father of her baby when she fell pregnant. In the episode, he can be seen entering the church and congratulating Dave, to which he replies: 'Cheers John, nice to see you.' 13. 'They are gnats on an elephant's backside' - On Labour's spin doctors during the 1997 general election campaign. 14. 'I have changed. I no longer keep the coal in the bath. I keep it in the bidet' - When he announced that he had joined the middle classes. While Blair was away and Prescott was supposed to be standing in, photographers captured him playing croquet with his officials on the Dorneywood lawn Mr Prescott said he was proud of being working-class, but liked fine living. Mr Prescott was criticised for keeping his grace-and-favour residence Dorneywood when stripped of his department after an affair with his diary secretary Tracey Temple was revealed. He gave up the Buckinghamshire estate where he was once famously pictured playing croquet with his staff in 2006. Critics also attacked his use of two cars , which led to his nickname of Two Jags before it changed to Two Jabs after he punched a man who threw an egg at him during the 2001 election campaign. Astonishing photographs showed how Mr Prescott - shamed after a steamy affair with his Whitehall diary secretary - relaxed with aides on the manicured lawns of Dorneywood while officials claimed he was running the country from his Whitehall office in 2006 The pictures were taken shortly after Mr Blair left Downing Street to fly to the US for a summit with George Bush - leaving the Premiership in the hands of his deputy. But instead of concentrating on matters of state, Mr Prescott drove straight to his grace-and-favour residence in Buckinghamshire to stroll the 200-acre grounds, take refreshments and enjoy a game of croquet with political aides and civil servants. 15. 'If present trends continue we will soon need a motorway, 150 lanes wide, between London and Leeds' - As Transport Secretary. But it was the M4 bus lane he was most criticised for. It ran for 3.5 miles London-bound from close to Heathrow and infuriated millions of motorists as it usually sat unused while they fumed in traffic jams. The bus lane proved hugely controversial from its inception with celebrities such as Jeremy Clarkson regularly attacking it. It became known as the Blair lane when, within days of its opening, the former Prime Ministers official car avoided a traffic jam and swung into the empty bus lane and past the queues for security reasons. Other former ministers also used it to dodge jams. 16. 'My position is that I want to make our position clear, the example in Germany is just one example, for example' - As Environment Secretary (1997-2001). 17. 'During the election, I met this chap who said, 'you've got to help me John. I've never had sex under a Labour Government'. If you are listening, mate, I hope the first 100 days were good for you' - October 1997. 18. 'You are a terrible man for asking the questions and not giving an answer' - To BBC interviewer, Edward Stourton, October 2002. 19. 'He's a little s***' Prescott on Blair after he 'betrayed' Gordon Brown by refusing to step down from power John Prescott once told Tony Blair to sack Gordon Brown - and then urged Brown to resign - but both refused at the height of their rivalry. He said Blair was 'scared' of his chancellor and knew sacking him would tear Labour apart. On the other hand Brown was too scared to fight Blair from the backbenches. Mr Prescott later even accused the former prime minister of betraying Mr Brown by going back on a promise to step down. He also called Blair a 'little s***' to his face. 20. 'You told us to connect with the electorate, so I did' - to Tony Blair after punching a voter Prescott was talented amateur boxer Enraged by Labour's inept handling of agriculture, a local farmer, Craig Evans, threw an egg from short range at Prescott's head. At that, the Deputy Prime Minister turned and punched Evans in the face, before being dragged into a brief brawl in 2021 The ex-merchant seaman earned the nickname 'two jabs' following the incident - a variation on 'two Jags', which referred to his fondness for luxury cars. The punch happened when Lord Prescott had just got off his campaign bus, the Prescott Express, to speak at a Labour rally. As he walked past a line of protesters, he was struck by an egg which covered his suit. Lord Prescott turned and punched the protester and a brawl occurred - all captured by TV cameras. Police officers managed to intervene and 29-year-old Craig Evans, a farm worker from Denbigh, was taken away in handcuffs. Lord Prescott said at the time: 'I was attacked by an individual. In the melee that followed I clearly defended myself.' But privately told his boss: 'You told us to connect with the electorate, so I did'. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday he 'had a lot of really funny times' with his deputy, adding 'he could be a very amusing guy'. Clearly emotional, he said: 'I was just thinking this morning about the the time when in the 2001 election - remember when someone smashed an egg on his head and he turned around and he punched the guy and laid him out?'. 'So we had a long debate about it and finally, at the press conference, when I was asked about it, I just said, 'Well, John is John.' 'And so was that supposed to be an answer? I said, 'Yes, that's an answer.' That's as much as you can say, and that's what he was like, there were no rules that he really abided by'. A trainee optician has won almost 15,000 for discrimination after she was abruptly sacked when she took time off after having a miscarriage. Ellis Taylor told manager Chaz Uppal she had been signed off for seven days by a doctor because she was 'struggling to come to terms' with losing her pregnancy, an employment tribunal heard. Just hours later the 25-year-old received a 'brief call' from Mr Uppal firing her because he now had to find someone else to manage the branch in her absence. She successfully sued for pregnancy discrimination as well as unfair dismissal and has now been awarded her 14,588.67 in compensation. The tribunal, held in Lincoln, heard that Miss Taylor, who was 22 at the time, started working at Bingham and Young Opticians in the cathedral city as a trainee dispensing optician in January 2022. In June 2022 - while still in her probationary period - she discovered she was unexpectedly pregnant but suffered a miscarriage. She carried on working but two days later told company director Mr Uppal that she needed to take time off. 'She said that she would work the rest of the day and that she was sorry to let him down but she was struggling to come to terms with her miscarriage,' the tribunal heard. Ellis Taylor, pictured, has won almost 15,000 for discrimination after she was abruptly sacked when she took time off after having a miscarriage Doctors had recommended she take a week away from work to recover. That evening, as Miss Taylor was closing the opticians, Mr Uppal called her to tell her she was dismissed because he would have find cover for the shop. At the tribunal, Mr Uppal claimed that he had fired Miss Taylor that morning, before she informed him of the sick leave, because of customer complaints. However, Employment Judge Richard Hutchinson said this was 'entirely inconsistent' with messages sent on the day. Mr Uppal pointed to a complaint from early June when a customer had come in with a mark on their glasses and asked for a refund. Miss Taylor had contacted the manufacturer, who said it was still under warranty, so the trainee told the customer they would be replaced for free. However, when the manufacturer received the glasses they decided it was not covered by the warranty, the tribunal found Miss Taylor was not 'at fault in any way' for the error and that the customer's complaint was actually about Mr Uppal's 'attitude'. Mr Uppal also claimed Miss Taylor had made 'multiple mistakes' and had not 'complied' with the company's dress code but none of these issues were raised at Miss Taylor's probation review meeting just three days before she was sacked. In March Miss Taylor had ordered an 120 pair of lenses for a customer when she was supposed to order a 32 pair but this was after having to teach herself how to use the lens ordering system because she was not given any formal training. Mr Uppal said at the time that it was 'fine' and she just needed to 'be more careful' and it wasn't raised again until after her dismissal. The tribunal heard that Miss Taylor started working at Bingham and Young Opticians in Lincoln as a trainee dispensing optician in January 2022 The tribunal heard that Miss Taylor was 'extremely upset' about her sacking and she was worried about the impact it would have on her qualifying as a dispensing optician. EJ Hutchinson said her sacking had caused Miss Taylor 'considerable upset' and had 'nothing to do with' customer complaints and was solely to do with her miscarriage. 'We are satisfied that the Claimant was extremely upset about her dismissal because it was clear to her that the only reason that she was being dismissed was because of the time off that she was taking because of her miscarriage,' he said. 'She was also worried about the loss of her employment and the effect that it might have on her qualifying as a dispensing optician. 'We are satisfied that the incident has affected her self-esteem, her confidence and her feelings of self-worth and her unjustified dismissal has caused her considerable upset.' In the UK there is no legal entitlement to bereavement leave if a miscarriage happens before 24 weeks but any sickness absence is still considered 'pregnancy-related illness' and is protected from discrimination. Speaking after the tribunal Miss Taylor, who now works for an independent opticians in Liverpool, said it had made her doubt her career choice and she was worried about not receiving her compensation. She said: 'I fell pregnant, it was unexpected and traumatic in itself and then I had the miscarriage. 'I was really struggling, I spoke to my GP and she suggested I take two weeks off but I felt guilty about having any time off so I said I would take one week. 'He rang me to say he was terminating my probation, when it was happening I was sure it was illegal but I didn't know too much about employment law. 'It has really made me doubt if I wanted to carry on in the profession all because he didn't want to pay me a week of sick pay.' The 'Nazi grandma' who went on the run to avoid jail in 2018 for Holocaust denial has died aged 96 after claiming Auschwitz was only a 'labour camp'. Ursula Haverbeck passed away on Wednesday, according to tributes posted to X/Twitter by right-wing extremists and then aired on German news channel N-TV. One post, from the chairman of the right-wing extremist party Die Heimat, Frank Franz, 45, read: 'We learned of her death today from her lawyer'. There has been no official confirmation from the family or Haverbeck's lawyer yet. Before her sudden death, Haverbeck had achieved a chilling martyr status in neo-Nazi circles after having publicly denied the murder of millions of Jews during the reign of Adolf Hitler. The elderly woman had been jailed four times in the past five years for Holocaust denial, a criminal offence in Germany. Haverbeck was locked up in 2017 and in late 2020, with a Berlin judge convicting her once more in April 2022 after she again denied the Holocaust in public. She believed Auschwitz was a 'labour camp' with no gas chambers, and in an NDR television interview, she denied that there was any mass extermination of people there. Haverbeck, pictured in court on November 17, 2020, refused to rescind her Holocaust denials. She reportedly died, aged 96, on Wednesday Haverbeck briefly ran from cops in May 2018 after refusing to show up to prison in Verden Before her death, Haverbeck had achieved a chilling martyr status in neo-Nazi circles after having publicly denied the murder of millions of Jews during the reign of Adolf Hitler She had also appeared on television to declare that 'the Holocaust is the biggest and most sustainable lie in history'. In Germany, anyone who publicly denies, endorses or plays down the extermination of Jews during Adolf Hitler's regime can be sentenced to a maximum of five years in jail. It is estimated that more than six million people, including Jews, gays, Romany, the disabled and other persecuted minorities, were killed during the Holocaust. Some 1.1 million people, most of them European Jews, were murdered between 1940 and 1945 in the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp before it was liberated. The judge repeatedly rejected her appeals to convert her prison term to fines on the grounds that she showed no remorse, nor any sign of changing her views. He said at the time: 'You're not a Holocaust researcher, you're a Holocaust denier and it's not knowledge you're spreading, it's poison.' 'There's nothing that will stop you. We won't have any impact on you with words.' The railway tracks where hundred thousands of people arrived to be directed to the gas chambers inside the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz Birkenau The site is now used to remember the Holocaust Countless prisoners were starved to death at concentration camps Haverbeck failed to turn up to prison in Verden, western Germany in May 2018, prompting a week-long police hunt, but cops finally found her after she returned home. Most recently, in June of this year, Haverbeck was handed a prison sentence of one year and four months without parole for incitement. She was to serve this sentence in Bielefeld-Senne prison, Germany. After marrying former SS official Werner Georg Haverbeck in 1970, Haverbeck spent decades in charge of a 'Holocaust research centre' which published antisemitic and Holocaust-denying material. It was finally shut down in 2008. After that, Haverbeck continued to make public appearances to deny the Holocaust - despite convictions in states across Germany. She once prompted a magistrate to declare: 'It is deplorable that this woman, who is still so active given her age, uses her energy to spread such hair-raising nonsense.' Horrifying footage shows terrified staff members hiding inside a restaurant as they desperately hold a door shut whilst a man wielding a knife attempts to get in. A phone recording captures the moment the man, wearing a black raincoat, swings the blade at the glass door to the establishment on Kirkham Street, Plumstead, South East London. He threatens to knife the door again but is unable to enter the building as the door is held shut by the staff members trapped inside. Shouts of 'are you mad?' can regularly be heard from those on the other side of the glass during the stressful ordeal on Tuesday. A police officer, armed with a taser, attended the scene after reports of a fight and arrested a man on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries and remains in custody, the force said. The Metropolitan Police said enquiries into the circumstances are on-going and asked anyone with information to come forward. A phone recording captures the moment the man, wearing a black raincoat, swings the blade at the door to the establishment on Kirkham Street, Plumstead He threatens to knife the door again but is unable to enter the building as the door is held shut by the staff members trapped inside A Met spokesperson said: 'On Tuesday, 19 November police were called to Kirkham Street, SE18 at 19:13hrs following reports of a fight. 'Officers attended the scene and arrested a man on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries, he now remains in custody. 'Enquiries into the circumstances are on-going, if you saw or have any information on the incident then please contact police on 101 stating CAD6316/19NOV.' An explosion of violence in Haiti has left over 150 people dead in the last week after vigilante groups left the corpses of mobsters chopped up and burnt on the streets. Criminal gangs have took over most of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince under the leadership of former police officer Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier. Now he has threatened to attack any hotel that might be hosting politicians. Haiti's security crisis dramatically escalated this month as gangs shot at commercial planes, flights into the country were halted, the prime minister was replaced, and armed gangs attacked parts of the capital previously spared the worst the violence. However, following over a decade of violent political turmoil, locals and police have started to fight back against the gangs. The Times reported that residents in the Petion-Ville suburb of the city reported seeing police and vigilante groups joining forces to lynch at least 28 suspected gang members before they cut up their remains and left them burning in the street. The once affluent area of Petion-Ville has found itself at the centre of the now-chronic barbarity that afflicts the country ever since the then-President of Haiti, Jovenal Moise, was assassinated by a group of 28 gunmen while sleeping in his private home in the suburb. Criminal gangs have attempted to take advantage of the often vacant government of Haiti which has struggled to control the country ever since the devastating 2010 earthquake which destroyed most of the infrastructure and displaced over a million. One of the most powerful gang leaders is Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier (pictured), who is believed to have his own ambitions of one day being president An explosion of violence in Haiti has left over 150 people dead in the last week Residents gather before a person they say was killed in an attack by gang members. Residents in the Petion-Ville suburb reported seeing police and vigilante groups joining forces to lynch at least 28 suspected gang members before they cut up their remains and left them burning in the street Criminal gangs have attempted to take advantage of the often vacant government of Haiti which has struggled to control the country ever since the devastating 2010 earthquake. The gangs use violence to assert control over the nation Since then former politically aligned gangs have been replaced by younger gangs interested in using violence to assert control over the nation. One of the most powerful gang leaders is Barbecue, who is believed to have his own ambitions of one day being president. One Tuesday he threatened to hunt down politicians living in hotels across Port-au-Prince. In a menacing social media post he wrote: 'If we cant take the hotel, if I cant find the owner of the hotel, then the employees of the hotel can pay.' He has also demanded the resignation of the entire ruling Transitional Presidential Council, This is a nine-member body that was installed in April and is nominally responsible for running the country which has been without a president since Moise's assassination. On November 10 this year, the presidential council abruptly fried the prime minister, Garry Conille with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime taking his place. Following the burst of violence, over 20,000 people have been displaced just in the last week and the US embassy, one of the most heavily protected in the world, announced all non-essential appointments have been cancelled. Diplomats at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday voiced broad support for converting a security mission helping Haitian police fight into a formal U.N. peacekeeping mission, though Russia and China remained opposed. A promising young nursing student was on her morning jog nine months ago when a violent Venezuelan gangster 'went hunting for females' on her college campus. Laken Riley was brutally murdered on February 22 this year when Jose Antonio Ibarra, a migrant who illegally entered the US at the Mexico border in 2022, attempted to rape her. Riley, 22, fought for an excruciating 18 minutes before Ibarra, a known member of the brutal Tren de Aragua gang, snuffed her life out. Her body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus. Authorities determined she died of blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxiation. But the aspiring nurse's heartbroken family finally received some semblance of justice after months of torment on Wednesday when Ibarra, 26, was convicted of all 10 counts against him. A judge sentenced the undocumented migrant, who had waived his right to a jury trial, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors declined to seek the death penalty in the case. The family had urged the judge to give 'monster' Ibarra the maximum penalty 'so that he never gets the chance to hurt anyone else ever again'. Riley's horrific killing shocked the nation and fueled the immigration debate during the US presidential election. Donald Trump, whose successful campaign for the White House rested largely on an anti-immigration platform, railed against illegal migrants, blaming them for 'poisoning the blood' of the country and likening them to 'animals' and 'monsters'. Laken Riley's family received some semblance of justice after months of torment on Wednesday when her killer was convicted and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Riley, 22, (left) is pictured with her heartbroken mother Allyson Phillips (center) and stepfather John Phillips (right) Jose Antonio Ibarra murdered Laken Riley on February 22 this year after attempting to rape her. Ibarra, pictured, illegally entered the US at the Mexico border in 2022 Ibarra, 26, attacked the promising young nursing student while she was on her morning jog. Riley, pictured minutes before she was killed, fought for her life for 18 minutes as Ibarra attempted to rape her before having her life snuffed out Riley was seen jogging through the University of Georgia campus on security camera footage at 9.05am on February 22, just minutes before she was attacked. She had been running for approximately 23 minutes before Ibarra, whom prosecutors claim had been 'out prowling and hunting females', turned to the running trails looking for a victim. Riley fought for her life for 18 minutes as Ibarra attempted to rape her before having her life snuffed out. 'When Laken Riley refused to be his rape victim, he bashed her skull in with a rock, repeatedly,' Georgia special prosecutor Sheila Ross told Ibarra's trial. 'The evidence will show that Laken fought. She fought for her life. She fought for her dignity,' Ross adeed. '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.' According to a smartwatch tracking her heartbeat, Riley died at 9.28am after she was allegedly beaten in the head with a rock. Authorities determined Riley Laken, pictured, died of blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxiation. Her body was found less than an hour after she was reported missing, near a lake on the University of Georgia campus CCTV footage identified Ibarra as he dumped a bloody jacket in a dumpster near his home, 15 minutes after Riley's heart stopped The jacket was recovered from the dumpster and taken for forensic testing, revealing a mix of Riley's DNA and Ibarra's DNA. Strands of long, black hair were tied to the buttons of the jacket, which 'matched Riley's hair and were forced off her head' Her body was found near a lake on the University of Georgia campus less than an hour after her roommates reported her missing. Riley had been a student at the school until 2023, when she transferred to Augusta University. In addition to finding Ibarra's DNA under Riley's fingertips, the murderer was also seen on CCTV footage dumping a bloody jacket in a dumpster near his home just 15 minutes after Riley's heart stopped. Investigators examined the jacket and found a mixture of both Riley and Ibarra's DNA. 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's body 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 trial began Friday, and prosecutors called more than a dozen law enforcement officers, Riley's roommates and a woman who lived in the same apartment as Ibarra to the stand. Defense attorneys called a police officer, a jogger and one of Ibarra's neighbors on Tuesday and rested their case Wednesday morning. Laken Riley's killer Jose Ibarra, pictured in court on Wednesday, was found 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 Allyson Phillips, seen on the speaking stand, asked Judge H. Patrick Haggard to bring down the full weight of the law on the killer Family members and friends of Laken Riley react as Superior Court as Judge H.A Patrick Haggard announces the verdict on Wednesday Throughout the trial defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck tried to cast doubt over the evidence presented in the case, including the method of DNA testing that had been used. Beck noted that when a fingerprint found on Riley's phone was entered into a database, Ibarra didn't come back as a match and a specialist visually matched the prints. She also said there was 'doubt based on what was tested and on what was not tested' because investigators did not test some of the evidence they had gathered. Throughout their questioning of witnesses and in Beck's closing, defense attorneys even tried to cast uncertainty on Ibarra's guilt by suggesting that his brother, Diego, could not be excluded as a suspect. But on Wednesday Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick 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. Riley's family sobbed as the decision was read, while Ibarra did not show any reaction. He remained stone-faced as Riley's family and friends asked judge Haggard to bring down the full weight of the law on the killer. Riley's mother Allyson Phillips, pictured with Laken, told the court that Ibarra 'ripped away every beautiful memory we will ever be able to make with her again' Laken Riley's younger sister Lauren Phillips, pictured with Laken in photos she shared on Instagram, 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 Allyson Phillips, pictured with Laken Riley, said Ibarra 'showed no mercy on Laken when she was begging for her life. There is no end to the pain and suffering he inflicted' Allyson Phillips, second from left, mother of Laken Riley, breaks down in tears as the trial of Jose Ibarra kicks off at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Friday. Her husband John Phillips is seen comforting her 'He ripped away every beautiful memory we will ever be able to make with her again,' Riley's mother Allyson 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.' 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 God's help, I hope to have children together & a relationship filled with love,' Riley's entry read. Riley's younger 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.' Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Police-worn bodycamera video shows Ibarra and his housemates waiting against a wall outside their home on February 23, the day he was questioned over Riley's death Ibarra was asked during this interaction about several scratches across his body Ibarra had several suspicious scratches on his body at the time of his arrest, his trial heard 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 (TdA) gang which has been unleashing a wave of crime across America. 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. Laken Riley's alleged killer Jose Ibarra, 26, is a documented member of the gang Tren de Aragua, according to the Department of Homeland Security The court was shown pictures of Ibarra's brother Diego Ibarra on Monday. He is also a member of the Tren de Aragua Diego Ibarra has a tattoo of a five-point crown of his neck, a symbol of association with the TDA 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 Riley's murder. President-elect Donald Trump has lauded the guilty verdict for Ibarra, a Venezuelan who he referred to as 'The Illegal.' Trump, pictured with Laken's family and friends in March, said: 'It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!' Donald Trump met with the family and friends of Laken Riley, including the roommate who reported her missing, before his rally in Rome, Georgia in March (pictured). Riley's horrific killing shocked the nation and fueled the immigration debate during the US presidential election President-elect Trump has lauded the guilty verdict for Ibarra, a Venezuelan who he referred to as 'The Illegal.' 'It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again!' Trump posted to social media on Wednesday. The Republican has promised to crack down on border crossings and to carry out mass deportations once he takes office in January. He has named Tom Homan, a veteran hard-line immigration official, as his 'border czar.' Nine water firms, including stricken Thames Water, have been blocked from using customer cash to fund 'undeserved' bonuses for top bosses worth 6.8million. Regulator Ofwat has stepped in and used new powers to force water firms to get investors, not customers, to stump up cash to fund payouts. It comes as water firms faced public anger and political backlash recently over the staggering amount of sewage dumped or leaked into rivers and seas, with some being fined tens of millions. The regulator has already demanded water companies in England and Wales to return almost 158million to customers after firms failed to meet key targets on reducing the amount of sewage spills. In its latest attack on the industry, Ofwat stepped in and directly blocked three firms from allowing customers to payout 1.55million in bonuses. These included the debt-laden Thames Water, which this year faces a 56.8million financial penalty for its leaks, Yorkshire Water, and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. Ofwat said a further six companies had voluntarily decided not to push the cost of executive bonuses worth a combined 5.2 million onto customers, with shareholders instead paying. It added it would otherwise have moved to block the payouts. However, campaigners fear this will have little impact, with Feargal Sharkey writing on X: 'And how long do you think it's going to be before water companies start massively increasing CEO basic salaries? Opps, it's already happened, @SouthWestWater's CEO got a staggering 300,000 pay rise just weeks ago and that was after poisoning a whole town in Devon.' Water firms have been blocked from using customers' cash to pay out 'undeserved' bonuses for top bosses by a regulator (file image of an overflow pipe releasing water into the Thames) These included the debt-laden Thames Water, which this year faces a 56.8million financial penalty for its leaks (file image) Campaigners have already voiced their concerns, however, over how water firms will respond David Black, chief executive of Ofwat, said: 'In stopping customers from paying for undeserved bonuses that do not properly reflect performance, we are looking to sharpen executive mindsets and push companies to improve their performance and culture of accountability. 'While we are starting to see companies take some positive steps, they need to do more to rebuild public trust.' Ofwat said new rules on water company bonuses and dividend payouts to shareholders were 'beginning to bite' in their first full year since being introduced. In blocking the awards, Ofwat will instead adjust costs for the companies so that they cannot recover it from customers. It revealed that Thames Water - more than 16 billion in debt and at the centre of growing public outrage over pollution and rising bills - was planning to use customer cash to pay 770,000 in bonuses for its chief executive Chris Weston and chief financial officer Alastair Cochran. Action was also taken against 616,000 worth of payouts for top bosses at Yorkshire Water, with the companies chief executive Nicola Shaw pocketing 371,000 while the firm's chief finance officer, Paul Inman, received a 245,000 bonus. And Dwr Cymru Welsh Water was also blocked from giving its top bosses 163,000 of bonuses from customer cash, with the firm's chief executive, Peter Perry, earning 91,000 of bonuses in 2023/24. Other bosses to have bagged top bonuses in the last year include Southern Water's CEO, Lawrence Gosden who netted 183,000, Heidi Mottram head of Northumbrian Water who received 234,000, Liv Garfield, chief executive of Severn Trent who earned a 584,000 bonus, and Peter Simpson CEO of Anglian Water who took a bonus and deferred bonus payments of 455,000. Liv Garfield, chief executive of Severn Trent who earned a 584,000 bonus Thames Water chief executive Chris Weston (left) and chief financial officer Alastair Cochran (right) received between them bonuses totaling 770,000. Yorkshire Water chief executive Nicola Shaw (left) pocketed 371,000 in bonuses while the firm's chief finance officer, Paul Inman (right) received a 245,000 bonus. United Utilities chief executive Louise Beardmore got a 420,000 bonus for the last year Dwr Cymru Welsh Water chief executive, Peter Perry (left) earned 91,000 of bonuses in 2023/24, while Southern Water's CEO Lawrence Gosden (right) netted 183,000, South West Water's chief executive Susan Davy (left) saw her total pay increased from 543,000 to 860,000 last year, which included a 298,000 shares bonus, and Heidi Mottram (right) head of Northumbrian Water received a 234,000 bonus South West Water's chief executive Susan Davy declined to receive a 237,000 performance bonus for 2023/24. However, her total pay increased from 543,000 to 860,000 last year, which included a 298,000 shares bonus. United Utilities chief executive Louise Beardmore got a 420,000 bonus for the last year. Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed said: 'It is disgraceful that half of water companies have given out unjustifiable and unmerited bonuses. 'That is why this Government is introducing urgent legislation to ban the payment of unfair bonuses to polluting water bosses so payouts of this kind can never happen again. 'But there are deeper issues that need long-term solutions, which is why we have launched the largest review of the sector since privatisation.' Water firms paid out a total of 9.3 million in executive bonuses over the last financial year, Ofwat revealed. It comes at a time of growing public and political pressure on the sector to address a dire recent performance on sewage pollution and leaks while customer bills are soaring. Ofwat said it would be able to block bonus payouts entirely under the new water Bill being brought by the Government. The regulator also published its latest report on water firm resilience showing that 1 billion was paid out in shareholder dividends in 2023-24, though this was 400 million less than the previous year thanks to a 'clearer link' to performance. In the report, it named Thames Water, South East Water and Southern Water as being in need of action to address big holes in their finances. The situation comes amid growing anger over the amount of sewage dumped into Britain's rivers and seas (pictured is a sewage leak at River Coln near Bibury) Earlier this year fish were found dead in the River Coln near Bibury after a sewage spill In the report, it named Thames Water, South East Water and Southern Water as being in need of action to address big holes in their finances (file image) This means that the three firms are subject to high priority monitoring and cash lock-up measures, which prevents them from paying dividends without approval from the regulator. A further seven companies have been declared as having an 'elevated concern' over their financial resilience, while six firms are deemed to be 'standard', with no specific concerns over their financial health. Mr Black said: 'Our new rules on exec pay and dividends link both to company performance. 'Through these new rules, our enforcement action and our incentive regime, which has imposed 430 million in performance penalties since 2020, we are challenging companies to deliver improvements for both customers and the environment.' Water watchdog Ofwat is expected to confirm in December how much it will allow water companies to increase their bills by over the next five years. Keir Starmer today insisted Britain only supplies weapons to Ukraine for 'self-defence' after Storm Shadow missiles were fired on Russia for the first time. The PM accused Vladimir Putin of wanting 'destruction not peace' as he defied threats from the Kremlin. The statement in the Commons came as experts have cautioned that the UK should expect 'more sabotage and subversion' after the West scaled up support for Kyiv. Russia this morning apparently fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of reprisals against targets in Ukraine. It came the day after Kyiv's forces battered a Russian command headquarters in the Kursk region with British Storm Shadows. Updating MPs after attending the G20 summit in Rio, Sir Keir stopped short of explicitly confirming the weapons had been used. But he said the UK had 'doubled down' on its support. 'While Brazil made finding solutions to hunger and poverty the focus of its presidency, in recent weeks Russian missiles have continued to rain down on civilian ships carrying grain bound for Africa. It could not be more clear: this is a man who wants destruction not peace,' he said. 'And after 1,000 days of war, 1,000 days of Ukrainian bravery and sacrifice, I am clear that we must double down in our support. We will not be deterred or distracted by reckless threats. 'We have consistently said we'll do what it takes to support Ukraine and put it in the best possible position going into the winter. 'The UK's support for Ukraine is always for self-defence, it is proportionate, co-ordinated, agile and a response to Russia's own actions and it is in accordance with international law.' The Storm Shadow missiles struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials are believed to be holed up Britain is braced for a backlash from Putin today after Storm Shadow missiles were fired on Russia for the first time The fallout comes as Defence Secretary John Healey is set to face a grilling from MPs about decommissioning a swathe of military kit early - with the 'cuts' described by critics as 'pure folly' Fragments of the missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Maryino were recovered by bloggers yesterday, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Keir Starmer. Matthew Savill, military sciences director at the RUSI think tank, warned that the US and UK should expect 'more sabotage, subversion and Russian disruption, both at home and potentially abroad (e.g. against Middle Eastern interests)'. 'We should never be blase about the nuclear risk, but that seems incredibly extreme,' he told The Times. 'We could see other forms of escalation and retaliation. The UK security community will be on its guard. They are not afraid to use lethal force or violence overseas or to attempt sabotage.' Ukraine's air force reported that an ICBM had been fired from a base in Russia's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early this morning - the first time Russia has used such a powerful, long-range missile during the war. The air force did not specify which ICBM had been fired, but its launch comes mere hours after a Russian military analyst said Moscow's forces could unleash its fearsome RS-26 'Frontier' missile in retaliation for the Storm Shadow strikes. The Frontier missile is a nuclear-capable weapon weighing roughly 50 tonnes with a range of up to 3,600 miles. It has never before been used in combat, but analysts said it could be deployed with a conventional warhead in a strike that Ukraine's air defences would be powerless to intercept. Kyiv has not suffered an ICBM strike since the war began in February 2022, with Russia's military deploying smaller, slower Iskander missiles and a handful of hypersonic Kinzhal projectiles alongside hundreds upon hundreds of attack drones. The head of MI5 warned last month that Russian agents are determined to cause 'sustained mayhem on British and European streets'. The government is said to be moving to bolster critical infrastructure, such as power stations and data hubs. Labour announced cuts to the UK's defence capabilities yesterday as tensions with Russia rose. Some 31 frontline helicopters and a pair of Commando assault ships were axed by Mr Healey. 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. Defence sources said the cuts delivered entirely the wrong message to Britain's enemies and allies such as the US. 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'. A father was jailed for four years for hiring a sex worker for his 13-year-old son and offering him cocaine. But despite his actions, he claimed in court that he was 'a good father' and showed no remorse, saying he arranged the prostitutes as a way of cheering up his son following a romantic break-up. The man, who cannot be named, arranged for two sex workers to attend a hotel in Bromley, southeast London. He then told his son 'don't be a p****' when the boy said he didn't want to have sex with a 26-year-old. He also offered his son a line of cocaine - but the boy replied: 'I'm f***ing 13, that's ridiculous'. But at his sentencing hearing at Croydon Crown Court the man said: 'I'm a good father'. He told the court: 'I might not look like it in your eyes. It was only because he was feeling down because he'd broken up with his girlfriend and he said he'd done all that stuff before. 'So the brass sucked his p****. Job done. Whatever.' The trial took place at Croydon Crown Court, where the man was on trial for arranging for a child to engage in sexual activity, as well as for offering to supply cocaine The dad pleaded guilty to arranging for a child to engage in sexual activity as well as offering to supply cocaine. Prosecutor Judith Benson said the boy's mum had reluctantly agreed for him to spend a night with his dad. But when the boy arrived his dad offered him a line of cocaine and said: 'I've bought a brass'. When his son told him he didn't want that, the dad blamed it on the boy's mum being 'overprotective' and told him 'don't be a p*ssy'. The dad added that the sex workers were already in a taxi so it was too late to cancel, Ms Benson said. When the two women arrived the dad told them his son was 18 years old. The boy was then taken to a separate room where he reluctantly allowed a 26-year-old sex worker to perform a sex act on him, the court heard. In a police statement the boy said he didn't want to do it and he was left feeling disgusted. The dad then paid the women 150 each and they left. The boy's mum messaged and phoned throughout the night but the first response she got was from the dad at 4am, saying 'p*** off I'll guard him with my life let the boy stretch his wings'. When she later found out what happened she took her son straight to the police station and the dad was arrested. Representing himself in court, the dad told the judge: 'I've genuinely got a good heart. On paper I must sound like an absolute reprobate but that's not the case at all.' Prosecutor Ms Benson explained that the crown would be applying for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) banning him from unsupervised contact with children. The dad replied: 'I thought I would treat him. Get his d*** sucked. Job done. I'm not a prolific sex offender. 'I find that harsh. I'm not a danger to children. It was just my boy.' Judge Antony Hyams-Parish told the dad he had attempted to humiliate his own son into going along with it. He said: 'He seems to be a very bright, intelligent and very sensible young man. But at 13, he was young and impressionable. 'As his father he no doubt looked up to you. He didn't have a choice. He went along with what you asked. You clearly gave no thought to the impact on your son.' The judge sentenced him to four years in prison for arranging a child sex offence. The dad will be subject to sex offence notification requirements for life and was given a 10-year SHPO. Concluding the sentencing hearing, Judge Hyams-Paris praised the son's bravery. 'He should feel no guilt whatsoever. He was the more sensible person in all of this,' he said. This is the moment a senior Kremlin official was urgently ordered not to comment on reports of an intercontinental ballistic missile strike on Ukraine this morning as she gave a press conference on the prospect of peace negotiations. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, took a call in the middle of a press briefing today and was sternly advised by a senior diplomat not to discuss the unconfirmed reports. 'Hello. I am having a briefing,' she could be heard saying into the phone on footage shared from the conference. 'Masha,' an unknown male voice on the phone said, addressing Ms Zakharova. 'On the 'Yuzhmash' ballistic missile strike that the Westerners have started talking about, we are not commenting at all,' it said, referring to an aerospace manufacturer based in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. It came as Ukraine's armed forces reported today that Russia had launched an ICBM overnight targeting Dnipro city. If confirmed, it would be the first time Moscow has used such a missile in the war, ongoing since February 2022. While the range would seem excessive for use against Ukraine, such missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads, and the use of one would serve as a chilling reminder of Russia's nuclear capability and a powerful message of potential escalation. A Ukrainian air force source told the AFP news agency this morning that the missile did not have a nuclear charge. Maria Zakharova took an urgent phone call and was urged not to comment on the reports Russia this morning allegedly fired an ICBM as part of a brutal barrage of targets in Ukraine Ms Zakharova spoke on propositions for a 'realistic' peace initiative on the conflict in Ukraine after the US granted Ukraine permission to use its supplied long-range ATACMS missiles against targets deep inside Russia. 'We are open to negotiations, we are ready to consider any realistic, non-politicised initiative - of course,' Zakharova said, adding that Russia would only consider a settlement 'which was based on taking into account our interests'. 'I would like to emphasise once again: the key word is taking into account the interests of our country, the current situation on ground and guarantees of compliance with relevant agreements.' Her statements came as Ukraine's air force reported that an ICBM had been fired from a base in Russia's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea. The head of the wider region where the city of Dnipro is located said the Russian aerial bombardment had damaged a rehabilitation centre and several homes, as well as an industrial enterprise. 'Two people were wounded - a 57-year-old man was treated on the scene and a 42-year-old woman was hospitalised,' said the official, Sergiy Lysak. Russian authorities have not yet confirmed the launch, but it would be the first time such a powerful missile has been deployed in the war. Such an attack would mark a 'clear escalation' by President Vladimir Putin, the European Union said today. 'While we're assessing the full facts it's obvious that such (an) attack would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of Putin,' EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano told reporters, saying the move would represent a 'quantitative and qualitative change' in the war. Russia has so far closed ranks on the issue. Asked whether Moscow fired the missile, which can hit targets thousands of kilometres away, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had 'nothing to say on this topic.' The Kremlin, however, did claim it was making 'maximum effort' to avoid a nuclear conflict after it updated its nuclear doctrine this week. The new policy allows Moscow to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states and Russia said it should be seen as a warning to the West. 'We have stressed in the context of our doctrine that Russia is taking a responsible position to make maximum effort not to allow such a conflict,' Peskov added Thursday. The RS-26 or Frontier missiles weigh up to 50 tonnes and have a 3,600 mile-range, although they have never been used in combat During today's conference, Ms Zakharova also relayed threats to strike US air bases in Poland with 'advanced weapons', citing the recent opening of an American ballistic missile defence base in Redzikowo, near the Baltic coast. 'This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies,' Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said of the airbase's unveiling. Putin this week reiterated nuclear consequences if long-range US missiles from Ukraine hit deep within his country - after President Biden conceded to Kyiv permission to use its ATACMS missiles beyond its borders. The Russian president signed a revised nuclear doctrine that formally lowers the threshold for the country's use of nuclear weapons as Ukraine fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles and reportedly fired U.K.-made Storm Shadows into Russia this week. The decision to allow use of long-range Western weapons came after months of anxiety about the possibility of escalation - and fears Ukraine may be losing momentum after making gains in Russia's Kursk region earlier this year. Last week, illegal immigrant Jose Antonio Ibarra finally faced trial for killing 22-year-old UGA nursing student Laken Riley. Now, the court finally has a decision. The Georgia judge sentenced Ibarra to life in prison without parole for the brutal murder of Riley. According to BBC, Ibarra, an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant, was found guilty of 10 counts against him, these include felony murder and attempted rape. The verdict brought tears to Riley's loved ones, but Ibarra showed no visible reaction. Testimonies Against Ibarra The testimony told horrid details of the crime. The prosecutors stated that Ibarra ran after Riley and confronted her with a rock on campus, where a fierce fight ensued. The data from Riley's smartwatch showed that she called the police before sustaining fatal injuries. DNA was shown to have been found under Riley's nails, connecting Ibarra to the crime. Though the defense argued that the evidence was circumstantial, the judge sustained the prosecution ruling. Ibarra illegally entered the US in 2022 and was supposed to be deported for further processing over past minor arrests. Critics argued that if only the government had detained Ibarra earlier, he would not have committed such a heinous crime. This case became a rallying point during the 2024 presidential election, influencing debates on immigration policies. The murder of Riley profoundly affected her community and raised pleas for justice and reform. Her family, friends, and advocates attended court hearings in hopes of closure. Per CBS News, the case also raised wider questions on campus safety, immigration enforcement, and violence prevention. President-elect Donald Trump latched onto the story of Riley to emphasize a need for stricter border control, and opposition continued to urge that focus be placed on systemic issues rather than individual cases. Labour was taken to task by one of its own MPs today over the slow pace of revealing when it will increasing defence spending on Britain's Armed Forces. Defence Secretary John Healey was quizzed by new Defence Committee chairman Tan Dhesi today over the delay in revealing when cash for the military will hit 2.5 per cent of GDP. Labour has said a path to hitting the key benchmark will be unveiled in a strategic defence review (SDR) due to report back in the spring. But Slough MP Mr Dhesi said that ministers had to provide more 'clarity' more quickly against a backdrop of war in Eastern Europe. Russia this morning apparently fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of reprisals against targets in Ukraine. It came the day after Kyiv's forces battered a Russian command headquarters in the Kursk region with British Storm Shadows. Mr Dhesi told the Defence Secretary: 'There are many of us who feel that we need clarity, we need a clear timetable to set things out, because that also provides clarity for our allies, for our defence community, for our defence industrial base. Defence Secretary John Healey was quizzed by new Defence Committee chairman Tan Dhesi today over the delay in revealing when cash for the military will hit 2.5 per cent of GDP. Labour has said a path to hitting the key benchmark will be unveiled in a strategic defence review (SDR) due to report back in the spring. But Slough MP Mr Dhesi said that ministers had to provide more 'clarity' more quickly against a backdrop of war in Eastern Europe. 'It is wonderful that we have got a defence industrial strategy, but I think without having that clarity - the Budget perhaps was a missed opportunity for that - some of us would like to understand certain aspects of defence reform which are being undertaken are so urgent that they cannot wait but [the government] continues to delay on the 2.5 per cent of GDP. Why that anomaly?' Mr Healey replied that he saw 'no anomaly', adding: 'We set out the commitment to establishing a path to 2.5 per cent... you will have noted that unlike other departments there was a substantial increase in next year's budget for defence, 2.9billion just next year. 'It's a demonstration that we recognise as a government that the first duty of a government is to keep the country safe and that is what we are determined to do... 'I've embarked on and launched what is probably the most far-reaching defence reform for 50 years, and I have done that because this is essential in order for us to be able to shape our forces for the future, it is essential for being able to deliver the sort of recommendations we might get and the strategy that the SDR is likely to set out.' Labour last night 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 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 plans. 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'. 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. Horrifying footage has emerged of what officials in Kyiv suspect were warheads from a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or advanced rocket raining down over Ukraine this morning. Security cameras caught the moment several projectiles streaked through the night sky and triggered a series of explosions in the city of Dnipro where the plants of state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer Yuzmash are located. The ferocity, speed and coordinated nature of the salvos suggested the explosions were caused by MIRVs (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles). Moscow's punishing attack comes less than 24 hours after Ukraine reportedly struck targets in Russia's Kursk region with British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles - though British Defence Secretary John Healey refused to acknowledge those claims. Analysts expressed doubt that Russian forces deployed a fully-fledged ICBM, arguing the reported range of the strike fell short of what would typically be expected of an intercontinental missile. They also pointed out that Moscow would have had to warn Washington to avoid triggering early warning systems and a possible response. Russian authorities have thus far refused to comment, but if an ICBM strike is confirmed it would be the first time such a weapon has ever been deployed in combat, representing a major escalation in the conflict. Volodymyr Zelensky said the speed and altitude at which the missile flew suggested it was an ICBM and said experts were investigating the strike to try and identify the exact weapon used. 'Expert examinations are underway. It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground,' Zelensky said in a video posted on social media. Footage of the strike emerged as Russia also threatened to strike US air bases in Poland with 'advanced weapons' in an alarming statement this morning. Security camera footage out of the central-eastern city of Dnipro showed several projectiles streaking in and detonating in a series of violent, fiery explosions Experts said the use of an ICBM or similarly advanced weapon to deliver a non-nuclear strike would be very costly, but would serve to illustrate how Moscow could dramatically escalate the conflict. Dr Ruth Deyermond, Senior Lecturer in Post-Soviet Security at King's College London, told MailOnline: 'This strike has no obvious military value - they could achieve the same objectives without sacrificing (an ICBM or advanced missile). 'It looks very much as if it's signalling to the West what Russia could do if it chose to - launch a nuclear-armed missile. But it's actually a sign of weakness,' she added. 'The Russian government knows what would happen to it if they did attempt to use any kind of nuclear weapon, so they have to resort to bluffing.' Dr Mattias Eken, a defence and security analyst at RAND Europe, added: 'The reported range of 700km falls short of the typical intercontinental range, casting doubt on its classification as a full-fledged ICBM. 'If the missile was indeed an ICBM, Russia would have been required to provide advance notification to the US to prevent triggering missile warning systems and possible retaliatory actions. 'Nevertheless, such a strike could have a symbolic value,' he concluded. 'It seems that the message that Putin and Russia is trying to send to the West is: we too have missiles that can strike anywhere in the world. Particularly after the US allowed ATACMS/Storm Shadow to target Russia, Putin may have felt compelled to demonstrate Russia's ability to use long-range missiles as well.' British Defence Secretary Healey said there were 'unconfirmed reports - of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine, which we know they have been preparing for months.' Ballistic missiles can have a range of anywhere from under 500km (310 miles) to over 5,500km (3,400 miles) in the case of large intercontinental weapons. As reports of the strike emerged this morning, Moscow said the opening of a new US ballistic missile defence base in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast will 'increase the overall level of nuclear danger', adding it could be considered a future target. '(The base) has been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons,' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova concluded. Zakharova's statement came minutes after Ukraine's air force first reported the possible ICBM strike, claiming it was fired from a base in Russia's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early this morning. In a bizarre twist, Zakharova's press conference was interrupted by a phone call in which the speaker appeared to tell the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman about the ICBM strike before instructing her not to comment on it. A man's voice was faintly heard saying: 'Masha, ballistic missile strikes on Yuzhmash. The Westerners are talking about it now. Don't comment at all.' Russia this morning allegedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a brutal barrage of targets in Ukraine Maria Zakharova took an urgent phone call and was urged not to comment on the reports This morning's strike comes after Ukraine used US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles to demolish targets inside Russia following approval by Sir Keir Starmer this week - something Moscow had warned for months would be seen as a major escalation. Defence Secretary Healey refused to be drawn into confirming reports that Kyiv deployed the British missiles, but said Ukraine faces a 'serious moment' in its defence against the Russian invasion. The Prime Minister has meanwhile insisted UK support for Ukraine is 'always for self-defence' and compliant with international law, as he accused Putin of wanting 'destruction not peace'. Russia's military has so far deployed smaller, slower Iskander missiles and a handful of hypersonic Kinzhal projectiles alongside hundreds upon hundreds of attack drones to destroy targets in Ukraine. The advanced missile that struck this morning reportedly launched from the Kapustin Yar range in Astrakhan in Southern Russia - roughly 700km from Dnipro. Putin's forces used the region as a launchpad for strikes during the intervention in Syria in 2015. Ukrainska Pravda cited anonymous sources saying the rocket may have been an RS-26 'Frontier', a solid-fuelled, nuclear-capable rocket that was first successfully tested in 2012. The Frontier missile weighs roughly 36 tonnes with a maximum range of up to 3,600 miles/5,800km. It flies at such a speed that Ukraine's rudimentary air defence systems would be powerless to intercept its warheads. 'If true this will be totally unprecedented and the first actual military use of ICBM. Not that it makes a lot of sense given their price and precision,' Andrey Baklitskiy of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research posted on X. The Storm Shadow missiles struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials are believed to be holed up Russian President Vladimir Putin, listens to a report by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, during a one-on-one meeting at the Kremlin, November 20, 2024 The Russian attack targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in Dnipro as well as other sites across the country, Ukraine's air force said, at a time of escalating moves in the 33-month-old war. The Kremlin deployed Tu-95MS strategic bombers to launch cruise missiles and MiG-31K fighters to fire hypersonic Kinzhal rockets in a calculated bid to plunge Ukraine into darkness as a bitter winter approaches. In Dnipro, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said the missile attack caused damage to an industrial enterprise and set off fires. No casualty figures were available. Some Russian missiles reportedly struck the towns of Kremenchuk and Myrhorod, while areas in Kyiv, Odesa and Sumy regions suffered blackouts as the electrical grid gave out. The mass bombardment of Ukraine this morning prompted NATO to scramble F-16 warplanes over neighbouring Poland as ground-based air defence and radar systems were put on the 'highest state of readiness' amid the attack. Ukraine's air force reported air defences shot down six Kh-101 cruise missiles. Responding to Zakharova's statements on the opening of the Redzikowo air defence base, a Polish foreign ministry spokesman pointed out there were no nuclear missiles at the facility and that it is purely defensive in nature. 'Such threats will certainly serve as an argument to strengthen Poland's and NATO's air defences, and should also be considered by the United States,' added the spokesman, Pawel Wronski. The facility, opened on November 13, forms part of a broader NATO missile shield called 'Aegis Ashore' designed to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic weapons. Aegis Ashore constitutes a network of bases that use radar tracking systems from the US Navy's Aegis warships to identify and shoot down oncoming missiles with American SM-3 rockets. There are currently two sites online, one in Romania and one in Poland, reinforced by an early warning system based in Turkey and US Navy ships in Spain. The RS-26 or Frontier missiles weigh up to 50 tonnes and have a 3,600 mile-range, although they have never been used in combat The wide-ranging attacks by Russia this morning come on Ukraine's annual Day of Dignity and Freedom Poland scrambled NATO F-16 aircraft this morning for air defence patrols amid the attack on Ukraine The Aegis Ashore Poland missile defence system on the occasion of an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Naval Support Facility in Redzikowo, Poland in November 13, 2024 Poland's President Andrzej Duda speaks standing in front of the deck house of the Aegis Ashore missile defence system is seenin Redzikowo, northern Poland in November 13, 2024 The wide-ranging attacks by Russia this morning come on Ukraine's annual Day of Dignity and Freedom, honouring the beginning of its struggle for independence and liberty. President Zelensky said in an address today: 'We remember the real price of freedom for Ukraine. 'And we do not forget all our people of different times who fought for Ukraine and became a model of dignity for the world. 'Thanks to people, thanks to the desire of our people to preserve freedom and independence for Ukraine, our state will always be on the political map of the world. Always free and sovereign.' The bombardment comes a day after Kyiv launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Kursk. Fragments of the missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Marino were recovered by military bloggers on Wednesday afternoon, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Sir Keir Starmer. Russia this morning officially acknowledged the strikes, saying its air defences shot down two of the projectiles along with six HIMARS rockets and 67 drones. Asked to confirm reports Storm Shadow had been used by Ukraine, Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I won't be drawn on the operational details of the conflict. 'It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin.' According to Moskovsky Komsomolets, a Moscow-based newspaper, a Russian military expert had openly talked about retaliation for the Storm Shadow strike with an ICBM. Timur Syrlanov, a Russian military analyst, said Ukraine should be 'trembling' over the use of the RS-26 'Frontier' rocket. One image shows a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow' Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy ATACMS - Army Tactical Missile - being fired from an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System '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 Ukraine's critical infrastructure and, possibly, to targets in Kyiv itself,' he said. 'Let them tremble, be afraid, and wait for landings anywhere. Moreover, the enemy understands perfectly well that our weapons can reach any targets throughout Ukraine.' is estimated to be 12 metres (40 ft) long and can carry an 800kg (1,765-pound) nuclear warhead - though Kyiv confirmed that only conventional munitions were used in this morning's strike. The RS-26 Putin on Tuesday signed off changes to the country's laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed against Ukraine. And his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov chillingly warned that the strikes by Ukraine were a clear signal that Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' and that Russia would 'react accordingly'. The terrifying sabre rattling was confirmed by the Russian President's close ally Dmitry Medvedev. Posting on X, the Deputy Chair of Russia's security council said it meant 'World War III'. It came after Kyiv launched six 'ATACMS' rockets from an undisclosed location over the border into Russian territory on Tuesday. The strikes triggered a fiery explosion at a depot in Karachev, believed to be storing ammunition supplied by North Korea, around 75miles from the Ukrainian border. 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 Residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, found fragments from a Storm Shadow missile As tensions escalate in the Russia-Ukraine war, the UK's Defence Secretary announced the British military would be hit by 500 million worth of cuts. John Healy said the Labour Government would scrap six major programmes across the Armed Forces, including the Army's main fleet of drones and two amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. The plans have been criticised by former defence secretary Ben Wallace who argued they would send a message of weakness to the UK's adversaries. Writing in The Telegraph, he said: 'For our enemies to be deterred they must know we intend to have no holes in our capabilities, or at least we will soon be upgrading them. 'To tell the world we are scaling back our capabilities when our enemies are doing the opposite is pure folly. 'No one is fooled by the tired and misleading excuse by Labour that ''we have to wait for a defence review'' yet another one.' A fiery explosion lit up the night sky around 77 miles from the nearest Ukrainian border at an ammunition store in Karachev, in Russia's Bryansk region, on Tuesday Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19 Vladimir Putin 's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (pictured) chillingly warned that Moscow would 'react accordingly' as he described the strike as a signal Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with Denmark's prime minister at the presidential palace in Kyiv, on November 19 In videos recorded in the village of Marino in Russia's Kursk region yesterday, multiple explosions were heard preceded by high-pitched whistling apparently from incoming missiles. The footage also showed smoke rising from buildings. Unconfirmed reports suggested Ukraine had targeted an underground command and control facility 50 miles inside Russia with Storm Shadow missiles. 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. 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.' The owner of Royal Mail has failed to rule out job cuts, price hikes or service changes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves used her Budget to hike national insurance. Martin Seidenberg, chief executive of parent firm International Distribution Services (IDS), said Labour's tax raid will 'hit us harder compared to our competitors'. The firm warned the 120million increase in costs means reforms to Royal Mail's universal service obligations - requiring it to make letter deliveries six days a week - are 'more urgent'. A 134 million write-down, linked to the national insurance increase, has stopped IDS returning to profit for the past six months, the company said today. Royal Mail has proposed keeping a six-day-a-week service for first class letters, but wants to cut second-class letter deliveries to every other weekday. In September, regulator Ofcom said it is considering allowing Royal Mail to end the delivering of second-class letters on Saturdays. It is also investigating whether to allow second class deliveries to be made on alternate weekdays. IDS is hoping for a decision from Ofcom in its review of Royal Mail's current service obligations, which also require parcel deliveries five days a week, by early next year. The owner of Royal Mail has failed to rule out job cuts, price hikes or service changes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves used her Budget to hike national insurance. Earlier this month, Ms Reeves used her first Budget to reveal a 25.7billion change to employers' national insurance contributions (NICs) Martin Seidenberg, chief executive of parent firm International Distribution Services (IDS), said Labour's tax raid will 'hit us harder compared to our competitors'. Mr Seidenberg said the rise in costs 'increases the need' for reform. Earlier this month, Ms Reeves revealed a 25.7billion change to employers' national insurance contributions (NICs). This will increase the rate of the tax from April and reduce the threshold at which firms must pay. Many firms have warned workers and customers will face an impact from the tax raid, which will come in a 'double whammy' alongside a higher national living wage. Mr Seidenberg said: 'We are seeing quite a significant burden from the national insurance increase. 'We are looking at a bunch of measures but it is too early to say what we will do. They will be about pricing, cost efficiencies and other ways we can move forward.' Asked whether this could lead to job losses, he said it was 'too early to say' but would not rule it out. 'Anything that would impact our people would be last resort but we are working this through,' he added. Mr Seidenberg said IDS - which agreed a takeover deal earlier this year - could look at increasing automation in order to help it address the increase in its cost burden. IDS is awaiting approval over its proposed 3.57billion takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. The company struck the deal in May but the move is now being reviewed by the Government under the National Security and Investment Act. IDS reported an adjusted operating profit of 61million for the 26 weeks to September 29, up from a 169million loss a year earlier. However, it made an 87million loss once write-downs were taken into account. It also revealed that revenues increased by 8.2 per cent to 6.34billion for the half-year. This was supported by 10 per cent growth in Royal Mail despite weaker than expected parcel revenues over the period. An art installation of a banana duct taped to a wall that was previously hailed as a 'defiant work of pure genius' has sold at Sotheby's in New York for $6.2 million. Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan's 'Comedian' piece was snatched up by Chinese crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, who outbid six other offers on Wednesday. 'After over 6 minutes of heated bidding, Deputy Chairman of Sotheby's and Chairman of Sotheby's China, Jen Hua, placed the winning bid for 'Comedian' on behalf of, Chinese collector and founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON, Sotheby's announced on X. Sun, who has an estimated net worth of $1.43 billion, said on X that 'in the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture'. The Chinese businessman amassed significant wealth from his crypto ventures, and served as Permanent Representative of Grenada to the World Trade Organization in Geneva from 2021 to 2023. 'This is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history. I am honored to be the proud owner of the banana and look forward to it sparking further inspiration and impact for art enthusiasts around the world', he added. The installation drew record crowds at its initial unveiling back in 2019, but the bizarre piece caused such controversy and upheaval among crowds that it had to be removed from the premises before the end of the exhibition. But this time around, the piece has come with a a surprising catch as the buyer has not purchased the original famous banana, but merely the instructions on how to replace the fruit when it rots. An art installation of a banana duct taped to a wall has sold at Sotheby's in New York for $6.2 million 'Comedian' is a 2019 artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun bought the piece on Wednesday and has been quoted saying he intends to eat the fruit This would not be the first time the banana would be eaten, however, after a hungry South Korean student last year ate the fruit while it was on display at Seoul's Leeum Museum of Art, claiming he had not eaten breakfast. The student, Noh Huyn-soo, boldly taped the peel to the wall after eating the banana. Local media reported that a new banana was placed in the empty spot. According to the museum, the banana was replaced every two to three days anyway. Stunned onlookers shouted 'excuse me' at Mr Noh during the recording, but he appeared to ignore the shouts and continued eating the banana. He briefly posed with the skin taped to the wall before leaving the room. Speaking later to local media about the incident, Mr Noh said the video was an act of 'rebellion' against Mr. Catellan's own 'rebellious' artwork. When told about the incident, Mr Cattelan,a sculptor and performance artist based in New York responded, 'No problem at all'. Performance artist David Datuna was the first to pull the banana from the wall in 2019, after the artwork had just been sold for $120,000 (91,000) at Art Basel in Miami. Pictured: Maurizio Cattelan last month The banana had been replaced at the time and no action was taken. Datuna told The Guardian at the time that although he considered Cattalan to be 'a genius', he took issue with the huge amount of money made from a banana that cost 20 cents. 'I have travelled in 67 countries around the world in the last three years, and I see how people live,' Datuna said. 'Millions are dying without food. Then he puts three bananas on the wall for half a million dollars?' Prior to its auctioning in New York, the piece has been on a world tour through major cities including London, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Dubai, Taipei, Tokyo and Los Angeles over the last month. Federal Court Justice Michael Lee has spoken publicly about the latest wave of anti-Semitic incidents in Sydney, which he branded as attacks on his family in a powerful address. Justice Lee delivered remarks in a speech to the Jewish House Gala Dinner on Thursday night, hours after after a car was torched and buildings were vandalised with shocking anti-Israel slurs across Woollahra in the city's east. The judge said the 'growth and mainstreaming' of anti-Semitic acts since the October 7, 2023 massacres in Israel must be tackled by Australian society. In a passionate speech, he said any attack on the Jewish community is an 'attack upon my wife and my children'. Justice Lee attracted national headlines in April that on a balance of probabilities, Bruce Lehrmann had raped his former colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. The judge's wife Penny is the daughter of prominent Jewish lawyer David Landa, and their children are Jewish. In remarks first reported by The Australian, Justice Lee told attendees that he was struck by a 'discomforting' reality after Hamas invaded southern Israel, in remarks reported . 'The revelation for (my wife and I) since October 7, is that in our different ways, and from our different perspectives, the stark and discomforting realisation that despite living our whole lives in this country, and thinking we knew it so well, we do not now recognise an aspect of it,' he said. Federal Court judge Michael Lee (pictured) spoke out on Thursday night about the huge toll anti-Semitic attacks have had on him personally He was speaking at the Jewish House Gala Dinner, the night after cars were torched and vandalised with shocking anti-Semitic slurs in Woollahra 'Connected to this was the realisation that some people we thought we knew well did not understand, or did not want to understand, a more complex narrative than that presented by simplistic and historically flawed declamations on social and some other media. 'Nor were they empathetic to the trauma the events of last year and its consequences have occasioned.' Justice Lee said he was not sure if the realisation that struck him and his wife was a case of the 'scales falling from our eyes or a profound shift in the culture', according to The Australian. 'But upon reflection it does matter because the growth and mainstreaming of anti-Semitism we have all seen emerge over the last 13 months must be tackled,' he said. 'But understanding how it is to be tackled requires some understanding of how we got to where we are.' He told the dinner that he had been introduced to the richness of Jewish life via his wife's family and discussed a change in culture in Australia - including at school, where students go to 'proclaim, rather than to learn'. At least one car was torched while others were vandalised with shocking anti-Israel slurs across Woollahra Firefighters responded to reports of the torched car in Sydney's east Justice Lee's address came after celebrity chef Matt Moran's Chiswick restaurant in Woollahra, in Sydney's east, was vandalised with anti-Israel slurs on Wednesday evening. Several cars were also vandalised, one of which was set on fire, with Fire and Rescue NSW rushing to the scene about 12.35am on Thursday. 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. Parents at a private Scottish school which was deemed fit for royalty will pay up to 10,240 a year more for their children's education in response to the government's decision to end the VAT tax exemption for private schools. When King Charles first attended Gordonstoun School on the recommendation of his father Prince Philip in May 1962, he made history in being the first Prince of Wales to be educated at school rather than by private tutors. The Labour Party's decision to impose VAT on private school fees at a rate of 20 per cent means parents who would like their children to experience a similar education to royalty will now have to pay higher fees. The current term fee of 17,705 has been cut by the school, reducing the price by 638. However the 20 per cent VAT imposed by Labour means that the fees will still cost around 16 per cent more to parents. For senior boarders who join the school in years 12 and 13, the annual fee will rise by 15.67 per cent to 61,440, an increase of 10,240 in a year. The school is based in Moray and was founded in 1934. A Gordonstoun spokesman said that the school had been successful in exploring new revenue streams to avoid passing on the full VAT charge to parents, but this had not prevented a necessary rise. The increase will range from zero to 15.67 per cent, depending on the year group, but the school has made available further funds to assist families who have 'existing bursary provision' and can 'no longer afford their child's place at Gordonstoun'. Queen Elizabeth II visiting Gordonstoun during Prince Charles' final year in 1967 Prince Charles (now King Charles III), with his father the Duke of Edinburgh (left) and Captain Iain Tennant, Chairman of the Gordonstoun Board of Governors, arriving at Gordonstoun for the Prince's first day in 1962 The monarch has accepted a prestigious patronage at Gordonstoun School to mark the first anniversary of his coronation The school said: 'We are committed to ensuring the standard of our world-leading education and pastoral care remains affordable and accessible to as wide a range of children as possible. 'Gordonstoun is required to pay 20 per cent VAT on school fees from January 2025, but through exploration of new revenue streams, international expansion and robust cost control, we are able to reduce our fees, before tax, to provide some relief for our families. 'Overall increases including VAT, depending on Year group, will range from 0 to 15.67 per cent. 'Further funds have also been made available to our existing bursary provision to assist our current families who can no longer afford their childs place at Gordonstoun.' As part of efforts to help Gordonstoun with the financial toll, Graham Hadley, who attended the school at the same time as Charles, offered to help raise funds as he holds the registered trademark in the name of Mary, Queen of Scots. This trademark applies to eight separate commercial classes including cashmere, ceramics, confectionery, beer, jam, leather goods and whisky. Hadley was prepared to transfer the trademark in confectionery, which is mainly for shortbread and fudge, to the school. Generations of British royalty were educated at Gordonstoun, including the late Prince Philip and his son King Charles, who famously allegedly referred to it as 'Colditz in kilts', but has later in life praised the education he received there. Rock musician David Bowie sent his son Duncan Jones to Gordonstoun, and Jason Connery, son of actor Sir Sean Connery, also attended. The accession of King Charles III made Gordonstoun the first senior school to educate a British monarch. In 2022, it was 60 years since a 13-year-old Charles began school at Gordonstoun. The then Prince Charles spent five years boarding at Gordonstoun, where his father was among its first pupils. Charles's brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward also went to Gordonstoun. Princess Anne was not eligible as it was at that time an all-boys school, but she sent her children Peter Philips and Zara Tindall to the school. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The ICC has also issued warrants for the arrest of the chief of Hamas's armed wing, Mohammed Deif, over his role in the October 7 attacks that triggered Israel's offensive in the Palestinian territory. Israel claims it killed Deif in an airstrike in August, but his death has never been confirmed by Hamas, with the ICC saying today that it is not in a position to determine whether he has been killed or remains alive. The warrants turn Netanyahu and the other men into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict. The ICC said Israel's acceptance of the court's jurisdiction was not required, with the men all liable for arrest if they travel to any of the more than 120 member countries. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. US President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request. The court said today that there are 'reasonable grounds' to believe Netanyahu and Gallant oversaw attacks on the civilian population in Gaza. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israel 's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza Israel claims it killed Mohammed Deif in an airstrike but his death has never been confirmed Palestinians walk amid the destruction following an Israeli strike in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on November 10, 2024 'The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity,' the three-judge panel wrote in its unanimous decision to issue warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICC's jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants. 'No other democracy with an independent and respected legal system like that which exists in Israel has been treated in this prejudicial manner by the Prosecutor,' Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote on X. He said Israel remained 'steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and justice' and would continue to protect its citizens against militancy. The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for Deif, saying it has 'reasonable grounds to believe' that he is responsible for crimes against humanity including murder, extermination, torture, rape, as well as war crimes including the taking of hostages. Referring to the October 7 attacks, the court said: 'In light of the coordinated killings of members of civilians at several separate locations, the Chamber also found that the conduct took place as part of a mass killing of members of the civilian population, and it therefore concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of extermination was committed.' 'The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival,' the three-judge panel stated The court previously said it was seeking an arrest warrant for Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas who was assassinated in an explosion in Tehran in July. It also withdrew its application for a warrant against Yahya Sinwar, the chief architect of the October 7 massacre and Haniyeh's successor, after he was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last month. The ICC is a court of last resort that only prosecutes cases when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate. Israel is not a member state of the court. The country has struggled to investigate itself in the past, rights groups say. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague any time soon. The court itself has no police to enforce warrants, instead relying on cooperation from its member states. Locals have claimed a notorious Laos bar where two Aussie tourists partied on the night they ingested a toxic level of methanol may have links to the Asian mafia as police ramp up their investigations into the alleged mass alcohol poisoning. Melbourne teens Bianca Jones and best friend Holly Bowles, both aged 19, were rushed to separate Thailand hospitals and placed on life support on November 13. The best friends had been staying at Nana Backpackers Hostel in the party town of Vang Vieng, 196km from the Thailand border, where they drank mixed spirits at the bar the night before. WhatsApp messages have since revealed that the pair then left the hostel and travelled 950m to the beachfront Jaidee's Bar. The infamous party bar, which offers free spirits, also has a hard copy 'drug menu', offering patrons opium, ecstasy and ketamine. One man who tried to help the Aussie teens after they began feeling unwell claimed that they drank methanol-laced spirits there. Ms Jones died surrounded by loved ones on Thursday. Her best friend remains in critical condition on life support. Locals described Jaidee's Bar as a 'dangerous' place with links to organised crime and the Asian mafia, the Herald Sun reported. Melbourne teen Bianca Jones died surrounded by loved ones on Thursday Bianca Jones, 19, from Melbourne, (left) was the fourth person to die following the horrific incident. Her schoolfriend Holly Bowles, also 19, (right) remains on life support Laos locals claimed Jaidee's Bar (pictured) has potential links to the Asian mafia Locals were reluctant to reveal too much about the bar. 'I can't say too much, I need to protect my safety,' a source told the publication. 'The problem is at Jaidee's Bar. They are dangerous.' Staff at the bar reportedly told the publication that drugs are openly sold to patrons. 'Ketamine is 400,000 [Laotion kip] for one gram, opium is 400,000 for one gram. Ecstasy 400,000,' a bartender said. Balloons filled with nitrous oxide are also reportedly sold, where multiple patrons were seen ordering and using them earlier this week. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that either Ms Bowles or Ms Jones were involved in any drug taking activity of any kind. Testing revealed their ill health was caused by methanol poisoning. Simone White was an associate lawyer specialising in technology and intellectual property at the London office of the American law firm Squire Patton Boggs Melbourne teen Holly Bowles remains on life support in a critical condition Another Jaidee's Bar bartender, who referred to himself as Pepsi, confirmed that shots of Tiger Whisky had been offered to patrons on the night Aussies were there but he was shocked to hear patrons had been hospitalised due to methanol poisoning. He told the publication he did not remember serving the Australian teens but denied his bar had contaminated or added anything to its spirits. An Australian woman who visited Jaidee's Bar with her partner while holidaying in Vang Vieng added the venue was notorious and stuck to drinking bottled beer while there. 'We've drank cocktails in almost every other country in south-east Asia without a second thought. But something just told me drinking there was not a wise option for us,' she said. Ms were among 14 tourists were rushed to hospital after consuming methanol-laced drinks on the same day. A 56-year-old US man, UK lawyer Simone White, 28, and two young women from Denmark have since died, along with Ms Jones. Other tourists in Vang Vieng have practiced extra caution since the poisonings. The Australian government updated its travel advice to Laos on its Smartraveller website on Thursday, warning tourists to be wary of any spirit-based drinks. 'Be alert to the potential risks particularly with spirit-based drinks including cocktails. For further advice on the risks around methanol poisoning as well as drink spiking,' the website read. Laos police ramped up its investigation into the mass poisoning after Ms Jones' death on Thursday, with officers seen interrogating Nana Backpackers Hostel staff. Staff were interviewed outside the hostel's bar and detectives took notes as they lined up bottles of Smirnoff vodka, Havana Club rum, and Bombay Sapphire and Gordon's gin. Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan and bartender Toan Van Vanng had previously denied their alcohol was contaminated or diluted with methanol. Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and that free shots of Tiger Vodka had been served to around 100 guests on the night. The manager said he had yet to received any complaints from other backpackers who been given shots. To prove his point, he even drank from one of the vodka bottles that had been used on the night to prove it was safe. 'Right now the police [are telling] every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng,' he told the Associated Press. Advertisement Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination after admitting a slew of sordid sex misconduct claims were a distraction for the president-elect. The former Republican lawmaker faced mounting sexual misconduct allegations before deciding to take his name out of consideration on Thursday. The news sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill, with some Republican senators shocked at the timing and others not surprised at Gaetz's decision. Follow all the developments ahead of Trump's second term at DailyMail.com A labourer is lucky to be alive after a blade from a machine flew off and became wedged his skull in a freak accident. Shiv Murat Singh, from Ayodhya, India, was left with serious facial injuries while using an iron-cutting machine that malfunctioned mid use. The 47-year-old had been at work using the equipment, when suddenly a large blade from the machine flew off before becoming lodged in his face. Horror images of the incident show Singh with the 14in blade piece embedded into his forehead, one eye, down the side of his nose, and his chin. He was rushed to the King George's Medical University Trauma Centre in Uttar Pradesh, where he underwent a complex four-hour-long surgery to remove the metal blade from his face. Following the surgery, the team of doctors are now working on restoring Singh's eyesight after the blade slashed through the entire left side of his face. Dr Sameer Mishra said: 'The injury was complex due to the location of the metal shard which pierced both the nasal cavity and the eye socket. 'The procedure required careful coordination to prevent further damage and stabilise the patient'. Shiv Murat Singh, from Ayodhya, India , was left with serious facial injuries while using an iron-cutting machine that malfunctioned mid use X-rays taken before the labourer went into surgery shows the metal blade embedded in to half of his face Singh underwent a four-hour-long surgery to remove the shard from his face Following the surgery, the team of doctors are now working on restoring Singh's eyesight after the blade slashed through the entire left side of his face Meanwhile, Singh's family have praised the medical team for their prompt, life-saving actions. It comes after a man walked into a hospital in China in 2020 with a cleaver stuck in his head after being assaulted during a fight. Footage of the grisly scenes showed the unnamed patient covered in blood while the steel blade is stuck deep in his skull at an A&E department in Hubei province. He miraculously survived and doctors said at the time the operation went successfully. Another man in China was saved after seven-hours of surgery after a disc flew out of a metal cutter and sliced across his face in 2018. The running blade cut from his lips and end up lodged about five centimetres deep in his forehead between his eyebrows, according to reports. The man, surnamed Ma, was said to be cutting open a metal bucket to fix a sink in a pigsty. The machine broke and a blade came off when he was cutting an iron bucket and the fan-shaped blade hit onto his face. Over 10 surgeons joined forced to perform a seven-hour surgery on Ma but he eventually recovered in the hospital's intensive care unit. And in 2021, an Australian man had a shockingly close call with a power tool after a sharp piece broke off and cut through his protective face gear, stopping a breath away from his eye. Matthew Peters was using a grinder a tool that sharpens blades and tools when half of the metal disc broke off and went flying right at his face. Fortunately, Peters was wearing a face shield, which absorbed the blow but the sharp-edged disc still cut right through the plastic, coming to a stop less than an inch from his eye. A dog groomer has won a court fight after suing a rival pooch pamperer who stole her customers and 'Wash Wiggle and Wag' trading name, causing her 90,000-a-year business to go bust. Laura Thurgood sued former worker Danielle Laight over the right to use the distinctive name for their competing dog grooming firms in the West Midlands. Ms Thurgood claimed the 'Wash Wiggle and Wag' name is hers and that her ex-colleague wrongly used it for her own company after they fell out and parted ways, 'destroying' her business amid accusations of a 'vicious' online smear campaign. Ms Laight insisted she has every right to use the name, denying claims of 'misrepresentation' and claiming she 'began using the name 'Wash Wiggle and Wag' independently,' having worked on her own as a groomer for two years before linking up with Ms Thurgood in 2018. But Judge David Stone today ruled Ms Laight had indulged in 'misrepresentation,' which 'caused damage to Ms Thurgood's business' in the run-up to its collapse in late 2020. London's High Court heard that Ms Thurgood had set up her thriving dog grooming business under the Wash Wiggle and Wag name in 2018. She bought a special mobile grooming van in which to ply her trade, covering a 30-mile orbit around Redditch, Solihull and Birmingham from the back of a van. Laura Thurgood (pictured) sued former worker Danielle Laight over the right to use the distinctive name for their competing dog grooming businesses in the West Midlands Ms Laight insisted she has every right to use the name, denying claims of 'misrepresentation' but she lost her court battle against her former colleague In June 2018, she and other family members teamed up with Ms Laight, another local pet groomer, to help grow the enterprise, using her as a contractor as part of a business agreement. The judge, explaining the narrative of the falling out between the two women, said: 'Ms Thurgood's dog grooming business had approximately 838 customers, of whom 700 were regular/return customers, many of whom booked repeat grooms at six- to eight-week intervals. All customers were within 30 miles of Redditch. Reviews on various websites were positive'. Ms Laight had set up a company under the name Wash Wiggle and Wag Ltd in May 2020, the court heard. The judge said: 'The business relationship broke down in or about May 2020. The Thurgoods had become concerned that Ms Laight was taking 'off-book' appointments - that is, undertaking mobile grooms in the course of her work, but not accounting to Ms Thurgood for the money paid by customers. 'On collecting the van on May 22, 2020, Ms Thurgood found a letter of resignation from Ms Laight. 'Ms Thurgood said that her business deteriorated rapidly during June and July 2020. 'Ms Laight's evidence was that she had taken with her on resignation the contact details of approximately 250 customers of Ms Thurgood's business, whom Ms Laight then contacted. 'There was clear evidence before me that (former) customers of Ms Thurgood's business used Ms Laight's services offered under Wash Wiggle and Wag Limited. Ms Thurgood (pictured) claimed the 'Wash Wiggle and Wag' name is hers and that her former colleague wrongly used it for her own firm after they fell out and parted ways Ms Laight (pictured) says the working arrangement she previously had with Ms Thurgood was a partnership, London's High Court was told 'On 14 September 2020, Ms Thurgood sent a text message to existing customers offering free grooms, to encourage more trade. Shortly thereafter, Ms Thurgood decided to abandon dog grooming under the sign WASH WIGGLE & WAG.' Ms Thurgood also claimed she had been 'viciously' libelled by her former partner on Instagram, Facebook and in a series of texts which claimed Ms Thurgood's grooming had 'resulted in a number of dogs being injured and their owners incurring large bills from vets to treat the injured dogs.' However the defamation allegations were not given permission to proceed to trial after a judge in February this year ruled that the cost of trying those allegations would be greater than any potential benefit to Ms Thurgood should she win. Ms Thurgood claimed Ms Laight, 28, has damaged the 'good will' associated with her company and by 'passing off' Wash Wiggle and Wag as hers had stolen a name which has become uniquely associated with her business profile. She sued both her personally and her company Wash Wiggle and Wag Ltd. Giving his judgment today Judge Stone said: 'Goodwill has been described as 'the attractive force which brings in custom'. 'The goodwill which I have found to have existed by the time of Ms Laight's resignation must have belonged to Ms Thurgood - she was the owner of the business trading under WASH WIGGLE & WAG. Laura Thurgood (pictured) bought a special mobile grooming salon to ply her trade, covering a 30-mile orbit around Redditch, Solihull and Birmingham from the back of a van Danielle Laight has denied claims of 'misrepresentation' over the disputed company name 'The goodwill did not belong to Ms Laight, who was grooming within Ms Thurgood's business: the goodwill her grooms generated was Ms Thurgood's, not Ms Laight's. 'I also reject Ms Laight's submission that the goodwill attached to her as a dog groomer rather than to the business for which she groomed. 'Customers were clearly aware of the WASH WIGGLE & WAG name, and that Ms Laight was not the proprietor of the business. Whilst there was clearly some personal loyalty to Ms Laight, and positive reviews of her grooming services, that does not detract from the legal position that the goodwill generated was the goodwill of the business, not Ms Laight's personally. 'I am therefore completely satisfied that Ms Thurgood owned goodwill in WASH WIGGLE & WAG in relation to dog grooming within the territory. 'I am also satisfied that Ms Laight's adoption of WASH WIGGLE & WAG as the name for her own business grooming dogs in the territory constituted (and constitutes) a misrepresentation. The sign used by Ms Laight is identical to that used by Ms Thurgood. It is used for identical services. Danielle Laight (pictured) told London's High Court: 'My argument is that I began using the name "Wash Wiggle and Wag" independently' The battle between the two dog groomers was heard at London's High Court (pictured) 'I am also satisfied that the defendants' misrepresentation caused damage to Ms Thurgood's business. I do not for a moment accept on the evidence before me that Ms Thurgood's business collapsed because of poor customer service, either from alleged injury to a dog or from the way customers' bookings were taken. 'There was simply no evidence before me that these issues were difficulties for the business. There was clear evidence that Ms Laight had diverted customers from Ms Thurgood's business to Ms Laight's business - this damaged Ms Thurgood's business. Customer numbers fell dramatically. 'The level of the damage is potentially a matter for another day, so I will say no more about it. But I am completely satisfied that there was sufficient damage for the tort of passing off to be made out. 'It follows that I find for Ms Thurgood: her claim for passing off against the defendants has been established,' the judge concluded. The issue of what damages Ms Laight must pay to Ms Thurgood and who must pay the five figure legal costs for the case will be decided at a later date. The father of JonBenet Ramsey has said he believes his daughter's murder case can be solved if police accepted help from outside resources. Speaking on Today earlier this morning, John Bennett Ramsey, 80, said he had appeared on the show to keep pressure on police to catch his daughter's killer. JonBenet was reported missing after her family found a ransom note demanding $118,000 for the child's return inside their Boulder home on December 26, 1996. The child's body was later found by her father in the basement of the family's upscale home, brutally beaten and strangled to death. On Thursday morning, he said: 'There's been some horrible failures in that space for the last 25 years. 'Hopefully there's someone who knows something that would come forward, so we want to keep the case alive and in front of people.' 'I believe it can be solved if the police accept help from outside their system, that's been the flaw for 25 years. 'For 25 years, the police department was contained, very poor leadership. Which is tragic, they had no experience. 'The fellow investigating our case for 25 years was an auto theft investigator before he took the case over. It was a roadblock.' Ramsey, 80, said he had appeared on the show to keep pressure on police to catch his daughter's killer JonBenet Ramsey, six, was a child beauty queen and a homicide victim. Her killer has not yet been identified, but the investigation remains open The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet from her beauty pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the US. Her parents are seen here in 1997 Ramsey continued: 'They wouldn't accept help from the outside. We are hopeful now with the new police chief that he will exercise good leadership and accept help. 'To my knowledge they have not worked with federal agencies, and there has been so much offered. 'I won't give up pressing the authorities to do their job until I see that they do their job. And that's been the frustration for 25 years.' Ramsey had appeared on the show ahead of a three-part Netflix documentary which is scheduled to release next week. Director Joe Berlinger appeared on Today alongside Ramsey, saying: 'This case can be solved. DNA technology was very different back then, the DNA was flawed. 'Old items that were tested need to be retested. The one good DNA sample that we have is a mixture of Jonbenet's DNA and a foreign male's DNA. 'There is now technology where those samples can be separated. I don't understand this institutional intransigence to solving a case, [the police] need help.' Putting his hand on John, he added: 'This is the most brutalized man in American history, imagine losing your child in the way that child was lost. 'Being blamed by the media in large part because the police fed false stories to the press, it was a wildfire of wrongful accusation.' Director Joe Berlinger is seen here alongside Ramsey who also spoke with Today on Thursday morning The Ramsey family is pictured in a December 1993 holiday photo. (L-R) JonBenet, John, Patsy and Burke Ramsey The crime scene at the Ramsey's upscale Colorado home following the killing of their six-year-old Ramsey added: 'This cloud over our family's name needs to be lifted. We've been maligned and our family reputation has been tarnished. 'I'm going to do my best to clear that up for the sake of my children. Finding the killer is not going to change my life. 'I've lost JonBenet, it's not going to bring JonBenet back. I would like to close this chapter so we can be more at rest and at peace. 'You don't get over it. You're different going forward, what we realized early on was we needed to be stronger now than ever for other children who are still living. In a statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said: 'The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts. 'We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. 'This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.' Detectives believe she was sexually assaulted and murdered the night before, on Christmas Day, through either a blow to the head or strangulation with a garotte. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet from her beauty pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the US. She'd been crowned Little Miss Colorado, Little Miss Charlevoix, Colorado State All-Star Kids Cover Girl, and National Tiny Miss Beauty. The district attorney at the time of JonBenet's death said her parents were under 'an umbrella of suspicion' early on. Theorists have also questioned whether their son Burke, who was aged nine at the time of JonBenet's death, killed his sister accidentally in a moment of rage, and his parents covered it up. But tests in 2008 on newly discovered DNA on her clothing pointed to the involvement of an 'unexplained third party' in her slaying, and not her parents or Burke. She'd been crowned Little Miss Colorado, Little Miss Charlevoix, Colorado State All-Star Kids Cover Girl, and National Tiny Miss Beauty - In this Jan. 3, 1997, file photo, a police officer sits in her cruiser outside the home in which 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered in Boulder, Colorado on Dec. 26, 199 Convicted pedophile Gary Oliva, long a suspect in the killing, pictured at Limon Correctional Facility in Colorado. John Mark Karr was extradited from Thailand and arrested for the murder of Ramsey after he confessed, but that admission was largely discredited That led former district attorney Mary Lacy to clear the Ramseys of any involvement, two years after mom Patsy died of ovarian cancer in 2006, calling the couple 'victims of this crime.' Investigators had identified other suspects, and developed a theory about an intruder, or several intruders, entering the home and killed the pageant princess. Among the suspects was convicted pedophile Gary Oliva, who allegedly confessed to the killing. Others included the Ramsey's housekeeper, as well as the man who portrayed Santa Claus at a holiday party the youngster attended. Officials in 2006 announced that another suspect, John Mark Karr, had been arrested in Bangkok, Thailand. He'd allegedly told an American investigator that he drugged JonBenet and sexually assaulted her before accidentally killing her. But prosecutors dropped that probe after DNA tests failed to link him to the crime scene. Police and officials in Boulder in December 2021 said they'd processed 1,500 pieces of evidence and analyzed nearly 1,000 DNA samples in their hunt for the killer. Detectives have digitized all the samples of handwriting, fingerprints, and shoe prints collected over the years, and regularly check for DNA matches in the hopes of solving the case. But dad John has questioned whether they're doing their jobs properly. In May 2022 he called for an outside agency to take responsibility for DNA testing in the case. The new series brings together archive footage of JonBenet walking gleefully around the family home and the frantic recording of mom Patsy's 911 call declaring that her 'daughter's gone.' The three-part docuseries seeks to crack open one of the most tragic cold cases in US criminal history The show focuses on errors by the police, including the failure to secure the house and the potential removal of evidence. It features an interview with Burke, who describes the Ramseys as 'just a regular family' before the fateful Christmas. The trailer shows John recalling how the 'unbelievable' tragedy played out. It also features a soundbite of an individual involved in the case, saying: 'We've been ruling people out for the wrong reasons.' 'Everybody should be back on the table. You have to go deeper,' says the person. The show also probes whether Patsy, herself a former beauty queen, made JonBenet a target for predators by encouraging her to dress up for her beauty contests. She was buried in Marietta, Georgia, beside her mother, and her half-sister Elizabeth Ramsey, who died in a car crash in 1992. Berlinger says the series takes aim at those who 'played armchair detective for three decades, often callously pointing a finger at the very people who suffered such an unthinkable loss.' Israel has blasted the International Criminal Court's 'absurd' arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'dead' Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri is also placed on the wanted list. Along with Netanyahu, the ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for his former defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. In their decision to grant the warrants, the ICC judges said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant were criminally responsible for starvation in Gaza and the persecution of Palestinians. The warrant for Al-Masri lists charges of mass killings during the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel that triggered the Gaza war, including rape and the taking of hostages. The prosecution indicated it would continue to gather information with respect to his reported death. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced on May 20 that he was seeking arrest warrants for alleged crimes connected to the Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the Israeli military response in Gaza. Israel has rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and denies war crimes in Gaza. Israel has said it killed Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike but Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied this. Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were a 'mark of shame' for the court. Israel's main opposition leader Yair Lapid also denounced the court's move, calling it 'a reward for terrorism' while Israel FM says ICC lost legitimacy with the 'absurd' arrest warrants. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israel 's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza Israel claims it killed Mohammed Deif in an airstrike but his death has never been confirmed Israeli and Hamas leaders have dismissed allegations that they committed war crimes. The warrants turn Netanyahu and the other men into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict. The ICC said Israel's acceptance of the court's jurisdiction was not required, with the men all liable for arrest if they travel to any of the more than 120 member countries. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. US President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request. The court said today that there are 'reasonable grounds' to believe Netanyahu and Gallant oversaw attacks on the civilian population in Gaza. A displaced Palestinian youth tries to control a fire amid the debris following an Israeli strike that hit a UN-run school where people had taken refuge, in the Nusseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on November 20, 2024 Palestinians walk amid the destruction following an Israeli strike in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on November 10, 2024 'The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity,' the three-judge panel wrote in its unanimous decision to issue warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICC's jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants. 'No other democracy with an independent and respected legal system like that which exists in Israel has been treated in this prejudicial manner by the Prosecutor,' Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote on X. He said Israel remained 'steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and justice' and would continue to protect its citizens against militancy. The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for Deif, saying it has 'reasonable grounds to believe' that he is responsible for crimes against humanity including murder, extermination, torture, rape, as well as war crimes including the taking of hostages. Referring to the October 7 attacks, the court said: 'In light of the coordinated killings of members of civilians at several separate locations, the Chamber also found that the conduct took place as part of a mass killing of members of the civilian population, and it therefore concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of extermination was committed.' 'The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival,' the three-judge panel stated The court previously said it was seeking an arrest warrant for Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas who was assassinated in an explosion in Tehran in July. It also withdrew its application for a warrant against Yahya Sinwar, the chief architect of the October 7 massacre and Haniyeh's successor, after he was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last month. The ICC is a court of last resort that only prosecutes cases when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate. Israel is not a member state of the court. The country has struggled to investigate itself in the past, rights groups say. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague any time soon. The court itself has no police to enforce warrants, instead relying on cooperation from its member states. A French firefighter among dozens of men accused of raping Gisele Pelicot as she lay unconscious wore his uniform and posed for a camera as he abused her, the court heard. Christian Lescole, a veteran chief fireman, is accused of contacting Ms Pelicot's then-husband, Dominique, via an online forum under the heading 'without her knowledge' to arrange visits and abuse her as she slept in her bed. He agreed to visit their home in Mazan one afternoon in January 2019, claiming he believed he was taking part in a sex game in which Ms Pelicot was a willing participant and was pretending to be asleep. Footage from a shocking sex tape shown in court this month allegedly showed how Lescole wore his outfit and grinned to the camera with a thumbs-up as he assaulted her. Lescole, 57, protested his innocence, telling the court: 'It's not me in the videos, it's my body, but not my brain. It's a physical rape but in my mind and my brain, I had no intention of committing rape.' Fireman Christian Lescole, among the defendants accused of raping Gisele Pelicot Gisele Pelicot (C), leaves the criminal court in Avignon, France, November 20 Gisele Pelicot (C) with her lawyers Antoine Camus (L) and Stephane Babonneau (R) leaves the Avignon courthouse during the trial, on November 20 Dominique Pelicot is accused of allowing multiple men to rape his wife while she was sedated Gisele Pelicot talks during the trial of her husband with 50 co-accused at the courthouse in Avignon, France, November 19 Video of the sordid affair shown in court allegedly showed how Lescole smiled to the camera while wearing his regulation red and blue sweater as he assaulted her. Along with many of the defendants, he claims he did not know Ms Pelicot was not consenting. But after questioning from French police, the Valreas Fire Station Chief conceded first that he had known that Pelicot would drug his wife and later that he could hear her snoring as he raped her. And in a phone call from prison to his new partner, Sylvie Hus, he was recorded urging her to get rid of his laptop or 'be separated from each other for years to come'. Police searched his apartment and unearthed not only his laptop, but two mobile phones and USB sticks. On these devices police found pornographic images of children along with details of Lescole's conversations in which he talked of organising sex with girls as young as nine years old. Yesterday Dominique Pelicot, dubbed the Monster of Avignon, conceded that he would 'die like a dog' in jail after admitting to drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers he met online to rape her. The rapist appeared in court for the final time as a panel of judges prepare to give their verdict on a trial that has rocked France over the past 10 weeks. Mr Pelicot admitted to the court that he was a sex addict but denied drugging his daughter Caroline Darian when aged 20 and taking photographs of her semi-naked on a bed in lingerie. Under questioning from his lawyer Maitre Zavarro, Pelicot maintained that he had not abused his daughter, who, in an angry outburst earlier in the day, shouted: 'I'll never see you again! You'll die alone like a dog!' But Lescole and many of the 49 other co-defendants continue to protest their innocence. On Tuesday, Ms Pelicot took the opportunity to condemn what she called the 'macho, patriarchal society that trivialises rape' after hearing 'a lot of whispered, unacceptable things' about the trial. The empty courtroom during a break in the trial of Dominique Pelicot, November 20, 2024 Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot leaves during a break in the trial of Dominique Pelicot with 50 co-accused, at the courthouse in Avignon, France, November 19, 2024 Ms Pelicot's daughter Caroline gestures as she leaves the Avignon courthouse, November 20 David, one of the two sons of Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot, is seen during a break in the trial of his father Dominique Pelicot with 50 co-accused, at the courthouse in Avignon, November 19 Ms Pelicot's final statements to the court on Tuesday gave the 72-year-old an opportunity to respond to claims made over the last 10 weeks. She told how the case had left her 'tired' after ten weeks of intense scrutiny and publicity around the abuse. 'I knew what I was going to be exposed to by refusing to go to a closed hearing,' she told the court. 'Obviously, I recognise that I am feeling tired today. I have been omnipresent. I find it very difficult when people say that it is practically commonplace to have raped Madame Pelicot.' The trial has been shown graphic images and footage of Madame Pelicot lying unconscious and snoring in her bed while she was abused by different men. She asked the court: 'At what moment, when they entered this room, does Madame Pelicot give you consent? 'At what moment, when you see the inert body, do you not say to yourself that something is not normal happening without this room? 'For me, it is the trial of cowardice.' Defence lawyers will begin their submissions next week with the trial set to conclude by December 20. The family of a missing Hawaii woman who vanished in Los Angeles earlier this month is sounding the alarm after seeing her in new surveillance video prior to her disappearance. Hannah Kobayashi, 30, vanished during a layover on a flight from Maui to New York November 8. She missed her connecting flight in Los Angeles, cops said, before later being spotted 20 miles from the airport. She was seen in multiple locations over the next several days, with her family recently shown a clip of her in Downtown LA on November 11. The footage shows her with an unidentified individual, said her aunt Larie Pidgeon, who spoke with several publications on Wednesday, noting that the video shows the two getting off a subway at a station near the Crypto.com Arena. That was around 10pm, and she has not been heard from since. The new footage 'has made us extremely worried,' Pidgeon told The New York Post. Pidgeon cryptically told KHON Honolulu: 'She's not alone.' The family hopes the clip leads to cops doing more to find Kobayashi, after they already flagged unusual speech patterns in her final text messages to them. Her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, said police are 'not taking [the case]... seriously.' Pidgeon told People on Wednesday that the family is doing its own investigation, despite being 'terrified' by the the new clip. 'We're really afraid,' she said. Scroll down for video: 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 sister Sydni Kobayashi (pictured with mom Brandi Yee) has said cops in LA are 'not taking [the case]... seriously' Who is Hannah Kobayashi and where was she going? Kobayashi is a resident of Haiku in Maui, and a photographer and artist. She had been on her way to New York to photograph a DJ when she vanished. Now serving as the family's spokesperson, Pidgeon told People how her niece had made a meticulous, hour-by-hour schedule for the trip, which she described as a dream job. 'She was so excited,' her aunt told the magazine. Kobayashi made her November 8 flight from Maui to LAX, with a planned a 35-minute layover. Due to the tight timeframe, she missed her connecting flight to New York's JFK airport, police said. Pidgeon said that Kobayashi called from LAX to explain that she missed the flight. Trying to rebook, she told Pidgeon's sister, New York resident Geordan Montalvo, that she'd 'meet [her]' in the Big Apple. She never made it, and afterwards sent family members a series of strange text messages they believe were not written by her. Kobayashi, a photographer, is a resident of Haiku in Maui. She had been on her way to New York to photograph a DJ when she suddenly vanished Her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, says new footage viewed by the family shows her with an unidentified person What are the details surrounding her disappearance? In a statement sent out on Sunday, the family - 13 of whom have traveled to LA to look for Kobayashi - offered new details about the case. They had acquired a clip showing the missing woman in the vicinity of the Pico Metro Station in Downtown LA. 'In the footage, it is evident that Hannah does not appear to be in good condition, and she is not alone,' a statement read. It went on to urge the many members of the public assisting in the search to focus on the Pico station area. The family plans to hold a rally there before the Los Angeles Lakers game Thursday to garner more support as cops continue their search. They also instructed onlookers to remain vigilant when using the metro in LA. Two days before she was spotted at the station, Kobayashi went to a bookstore at a local mall around noon, where she charged her phone and signed up for the store's book club. That same evening, she returned to LAX, relatives said, describing how she again called Montalvo to tell her she was still trying to get to New York. 'She was like, "This is a nightmare. I don't understand what's going on with these airlines, I'm trying to get to you,'" Pidgeon said. Police confirmed that Kobayashi was spotted at LAX and a local Lebron James event the following day, Pidgeon said. In a YouTube video, Hannah was seen in the background at an event in The Grove bookstore for Lakers player Lebron James Her final post was shared on November 11. It is understood she was attending an event in Los Angeles at the time What did Hannah Kobayashi's final text messages say? A missing-persons report was filed on November 10, amid what the family described as uncharacteristic correspondence from Kobayashi. One of the messages reportedly said: 'Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday.' Another claimed: 'I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds.' A follow-up added: 'For someone I thought I loved.' The messages were sent on November 10 and early on November 11. In a missing-persons poster sent out immediately after, police wrote: 'Prior to going missing, [Kobayashi] sent a message on November 10, mentioning feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity. 'She hasn't been hard from since.' Her sister, Sydni, has since revealed Kobayashi sent Venmo payments to two people who neither she nor the rest of the family recognized. Kobayashi's mother, Brandi Yee, also reported sending her a text message asking if she made it to New York. She responded simply: 'Not yet.' Another early-morning text mentioned how she was in the midst of a 'spiritual awakening.' A series of texts have led the family to believe Kobayashi was not alone when she disappeared. They say diction in the texts indicates they were written by someone else A friend also received texts from Kobayashi's phone indicating her identity may have been stolen and was in distress, cops said The family noted that the her phone has been off since November 11 and her last pinned location was at the Los Angeles Airport What does the new surveillance video show? The new footage has sparked a new sense of urgency for Kobayashi's relatives. Aside from it showing Kobayashi with an unidentified person near the Pico Metro station the day after she went quiet, it has caused 'major alarm and kind of solidified the family's suspicion that something has been awry,' Pidgeon told the New York Post. 'It has made us extremely worried,' she added, saying she could not provide more information due to the ongoing investigation. Hannah's sister Sydni gave statements to CNN this week saying that she believes the texts sent from her sister's phone hours before Kobayashi was spotted near the arena on November 11 were not from her. 'She doesn't use the word ''hun,''' she said, citing syntax seen in one of the messages. '''Love'' and ''babe,'' but never ''hun.'' Even her close friends have said the same.' The family hopes the new footage leads to some progress in the case. 'The family is kind of doing their own investigation on the ground,' Pidgeon told the Post, adding that it was done to 'put a little bit more pressure on (LAPD) to do as much as the family's doing.' The family - now in the midst of their own investigation - hopes the new footage leads to some headway in the case Was Hannah Kobayashi abducted? As of Thursday, the LAPD has yet to declare that Kobayashi has been abducted. The investigation is still being treated as a missing-persons case, a spokesperson confirmed. But in an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Pidgeon described that the family's mindset has shifted 'Our mind is now going to, you know, abduction and, I hate to say the word, but, you know, trafficked,' she said. 'We're doing the best that we can, but the family at this point is having to come to the reality that those things could be a possibility.' The LAPD, meanwhile, is still spearheading the probe, but is now being aided by the FBI, field office agents in the city told KHON Honolulu Wednesday. Statements given to the station by Pidgeon appeared to indicate Kobayashi is still with the person in the footage, whom has yet to be physically described. 'She's not alone, she's with an unidentified person,' said Pidgeon. 'And she also got off and at a, at a station that is,' she continued, before trailing off. 'It's not good and it terrified us, it brought her father to tears,' she concluded. Statements given to the station by Pidgeon appeared to indicate Kobayashi is still with the person in the footage, whom has yet to be physically described Pidgeon and others in LA will hold a rally to pass out fliers before the Lakers game Thursday afternoon, just a block from the station where Hannah was last seen Pidgeon and others in LA will hold a rally to pass out fliers before the Lakers game Thursday afternoon, just a block from the station where Hannah was last seen. 'It's all we can do,' Pidgeon said of the planned event. 'We want to get as many people in one location that she was last seen and that Lakers game is huge for us. 'We're even trying to get it on the Jumbotron. You know, we're trying. We're trying. We're trying.' DailyMail.com has reached out to both Pidgeon and Syndi for more information. All eyes are on Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary Pete Hegseth after Matt Gaetz stunningly withdrew his name from consideration to be attorney general after new underage sex claims. Gaetz's withdrawal puts more pressure on Hegseth, who is battling his own sordid sexual assault allegations that are putting a damper on his confirmation process. Hegseth and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance are on Capitol Hill Thursday to meet with senators on the fence about the nominee. He has to win over a majority of senators in order to get confirmed, so he cannot afford to lose more than three GOP votes. Republicans took the majority in the Senate after the election, giving them a 53-47 edge over Democrats. But moderate Republicans Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska could be difficult to convince to put aside the allegations. Hegseth is facing an uphill confirmation battle after it came to light that he was investigated for an alleged sexual assault in 2017, even though no charges were filed. His lawyer admitted that Hegseth paid off the woman involved in exchange for her silence and shocking new details about the incident have emerged in a scathing police report. Hegseth broke his silence on the report, telling reporters in the Senate Thursday that the 'matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared.' Hegseth is facing an uphill confirmation battle after it came to light that he was investigated for an alleged sexual assault in 2017 - but no charges were filed 'That's where I'm gonna leave it,' he said before walking away before meeting with more Republican senators who will vote on his nomination 'That's where I'm gonna leave it,' he said before walking away before meeting with more Republican senators who will vote on his nomination. Hegseth, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan with a handful of military medals, including two Bronze Stars, is a controversial pick to lead the Defense Department. Many have questioned whether the 44-year-old former co-host of Fox & Friends Weekends can handle managing the Pentagon with an over $800 billion budget. But Trump has confidence in Hegseth, who he's called a 'courageous and patriotic,' and current service members have told DailyMail.com they think his leadership will be a welcome change at the sprawling agency. Hegseth himself has admitted to Republicans this week that he is facing a 'battle' that is 'just beginning,' and he's relying on prayer to help get him through the 'attacks and onslaughts.' Top Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming met with Hegseth Thursday morning, calling him a 'strong nominee.' 'We had an excellent discussion about the need for America's military to remain the best in the world,' he said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'That means taking care of our service members, equipping them with the latest technology, and focusing on making our military the most lethal force on the planet. Pete pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power not the current administration's woke political agenda.' 'National security nominations have a history of quick confirmations in the Senate. I look forward to Pete's hearing and a vote on the floor in January.' Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said he had an 'outstanding' meeting with Hegseth and Vance on Thursday. Hagerty said he had an 'outstanding' meeting with Hegseth and Vance on Thursday Top Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming met with Hegseth Thursday morning, calling him a 'strong nominee' Hegseth and his wife Jennifer have been married since 2017 'Pete knows that the Defense Secretary's job is to empower the men and women of our military to carry out their patriotic duty, not consign them to serve as political pawns in a broken Washington.' He told reporters afterward: 'I'm saddened by the attacks coming Pete's way.' Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., was asked by the press about the allegations into Hegseth, which he brushed off. Wicker said he's focused on discussing 'military readiness' instead. Hegseth will need a majority of the GOP-led Senate to succeed in a confirmation vote. The alleged incident at the center of Hegseth's controversy took place in the early morning hours of Oct. 8, 2017, at the address of the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa in Monterey, California, the city said in a statement. The police department investigated 'an alleged sexual assault' involving Hegseth, a former Fox New host and Army National Guard veteran, that was reported four days later, according to the statement. No weapons were involved, according to the statement, but there were injuries 'contusions to right thigh.' No further details were released and the city said it would not release the full police report, noting it was exempt from public disclosure. The statement did not say what happened to the investigation. Barrasso: 'National security nominations have a history of quick confirmations in the Senate. I look forward to Pete's hearing and a vote on the floor in January' Hegseth himself has admitted to Republicans this week that he is facing a 'battle' that is 'just beginning' Hegseth, who was divorced from his second wife at the time of the alleged incident, has not been charged in any criminal case or named as a defendant in any civil lawsuit. Timothy Parlatore, a lawyer representing Hegseth, told news outlets: 'This statement confirms that although an allegation was made, it was fully investigated and no charges were filed.' He also admitted to the Washington Post that his client paid the woman for her silence. He said Hegseth paid her an undisclosed amount because he feared the allegation getting out 'would result in his immediate termination from Fox.' Parlatore said Hegseth was drunk and claimed the woman was 'the aggressor in the encounter,' which police did not agree with. And President-elect Trump is standing by his nominee, his staff said. Hegseth and his wife Jennifer President-elect Trump is standing by his nominee, his staff said Hegseth stepped down from his Fox News duties during the confirmation process 'Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed,' Trump communications director Steven Cheung has said. '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.' A complaint from an unnamed woman with extensive knowledge of the alleged rape sent to Trump's staff explained the story police were told at the time. Hegseth was a speaker at the California Federation of Republican Women conference at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa the day of the alleged rape. Hegseth is a 44-year-old former co-host of Fox & Friends Weekends Hegseth was a speaker at the California Federation of Republican Women conference at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa the day of the alleged rape He joined other guests at the hotel bar afterwards along with the woman, who was staying at the hotel with her husband and young children. Part of her job for the conference was to make sure Hegseth got out of bed the next morning in time to catch his flight home. At some point that night, she got texts from two women at the bar saying Hegseth 'was getting pushy about his interest in taking them upstairs to his room,' it was claimed. She allegedly came over and talked to them, and when they left she 'remembered sensing that Hegseth was irritated'. A man has been arrested in connection with the bombing of a mayor's home in Colombia, authorities said. The unidentified suspect was captured Wednesday, a day after an explosive was thrown at the residence of Mayor Jaime Herrera in El Carmen de Atrato, a city in the Pacific coast department of Choco. Surveillance video showed a hooded suspect approaching the house on Tuesday shortly after 6pm and tossing the explosive over a terrace. The man, who was carrying a small bag, took off running before the bomb exploded just seconds later. The blast left holes on the ground and the exterior wall. No injuries were reported, as the mayor was at his city hall office and his wife and his children were not at home. Herrera told Colombian news outlet Semana that he has been the victim of extortion demands made by the National Liberation Army, a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group. 'They have asked me for money via manila envelopes and human sources,' he said. A man was seen Tuesday evening tossing an explosive into the home of Jaime Herrera, the mayor of El Carmen de Atrato, a city in the Pacific coast department of Choco. Authorities arrested an individual linked to the bombing on Wednesday, but have not released his name yet El Carmen de Atrato Mayor Jaime Herrera told Colombian news outlet Semana that the National Liberation Army, a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group, had attempted to extort him on multiple occasions No injuries were reported as the mayor was at his city hall office and his wife and children were not home 'They do not ask me for a specific amount, just money.' The National Liberation Army is considered a terrorist organization by Colombia, the United States, Canada, the European Union and New Zealand. Herrera called on the administration of President Gustavo Petro to step up security for him and his family and in cities across the country, where the National Liberation Army is known to extort residents and businesses. 'I am asking the national government for total peace for Colombia and Choco,' he said. 'The armed groups have destroyed the municipalities due to extortion. I hope this government gives me more security and protection for me and my family because, at this moment, I am not safe where I am.' The leftist Petro, who was once a member of the 19th of April (M19) Marxist guerrilla group, had not addressed the bombing as of Thursday. Choco Governor Nubia Cordoba-Curi said in a post on X Wednesday that prosecutors were working on presenting criminal charges before a judge and that the army increased security measures along roads and the city's border due to the presence of the National Liberation Army in the region. The attack, which has not been claimed by the National Liberation Army, comes as Petro is attempting to reach a peace deal with the Colombian rebel group Segunda Marquetalia. A suspect was captured on camera running away from the home of Colombian Mayor Jaime Herrera are hurling an explosive into his home on Tuesday night The mayoral house bombing suspect was seen running up steps on a dead end street moments after the attack Segunda Marquetalia, founded by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who remained loyal to Marxist ideals and the pursuit of armed struggle, rejected a landmark 2016 peace deal between FARC and the government that had sought to end decades of conflict in Colombia. Armando Novoa, the government's chief negotiator with the group, said that peace talks continue 'with those who show an interest,' which he said was a majority of the group's members. He said the divisions within Segunda Marquetalia, one of the largest remnants of 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. Former health secretary Matt Hancock today denied painting a 'rosy picture' of the NHS as it faced a meltdown during the Covid crisis. The ex-Tory MP, who was in charge of the health service between 2018 and 2021, insisted he was not 'trying to say everything was perfect' as hospitals buckled. Appearing again before the Covid Inquiry, Mr Hancock also renewed his feuds with Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and ex-No10 chief aide Dominic Cummings. He accused Ms Sturgeon of causing 'all sorts of difficulties' during the pandemic, while he also claimed part of his job was to 'shield' the NHS from 'people being difficult' in Downing Street. Mr Cummings has previously said Mr Hancock should have been fired for 'at least 15 to 20 things including lying to everybody on multiple occasions'. Other former Downing Street staff have accused the former health secretary of displaying 'nuclear levels of confidence' when attempting to handle the pandemic. One woman booed as Mr Hancock arrived at the inquiry building this morning, ahead of him giving evidence in person for the third time. Former health secretary Matt Hancock denied painting a 'rosy picture' of the NHS as it faced a meltdown during the Covid crisis Mr Hancock accused Scottish former first minister Nicola Sturgeon of causing 'all sorts of difficulties' during the pandemic Appearing before the Covid Inquiry, Mr Hancock also renewed his feud with ex-No10 chief aide Dominic Cummings Mr Hancock told the inquiry that in the early stages of the Covid crisis he was 'petrified' that lockdowns would not be enough to stop the NHS 'being completely overwhelmed', as had happened in Italy. He also refuted claims that he wanted to decide 'who should live and who should die', if hospitals became overwhelmed by Covid patients during the pandemic. In his witness statement to the inquiry last year, former NHS England boss Lord Stevens said: 'The secretary of state for health and social care took the position that in this situation he rather than, say, the medical profession or the public should ultimately decide who should live and who should die.' Mr Hancock said the concept of a tool to prioritise intensive care patients was first proposed in February 2020, but he had actually objected. 'Simon Stevens said that I'd called for it and wanted to make the decisions myself, and that was inaccurate,' he said. 'We had a discussion about it and I concluded then that we shouldn't have such a tool. 'I felt strongly that if we tried to write a national tool, its local interpretation might end up being too legalistic or box ticking. 'What I wanted is the doctors to have the discretion to make the decisions as they see fit with the best way to save lives in the circumstances.' Mr Hancock pushed back at the suggestion he was painting a 'rosy picture' of the situation in the NHS during the pandemic. Baroness Heather Hallett, the inquiry chair, asked: 'You made it plain to your Cabinet colleagues and the prime minister at the time, that numbers of doctors and nurses were unable to provide the level of care that their patients needed? 'You made that plain to all your colleagues? You didn't present a rosy picture that some have suggested?' Mr Hancock replied: 'I have in previous modules, been accused of painting a rosy picture. 'For each of those specific accusations, there are inaccuracies in the other accounts that we didn't go through in detail. 'But all you need to know, chair, is that I was not one for buck passing.' The inquiry was shown a document from May 2020, which made a request to 'reset' the relationship between the English and Scottish administrations. Asked if that request related to the scope of the probe's third module which is exploring the impact on the healthcare systems of the four nations Mr Hancock replied: 'No, this was all about how Nicola Sturgeon was causing all sorts of difficulties.' When asked if there was 'generally good collaboration', the former health secretary replied: 'At a health level there was excellent collaboration between the CMOs (chief medical officers), who themselves had their own call, and then between the four health ministers. 'And you can see from the minutes and the WhatsApp group that we had a really, genuinely collaborative approach.' Mr Hancock also told the inquiry he 'ruffled some feathers' while protecting the NHS from political 'interference' during the pandemic. He said part of his role was to 'shield' the NHS from 'people being difficult in No10'. 'Within the running of the NHS, we were protected in a way because of the independence of the NHS,' he said. 'And therefore the people being difficult for No10, part of my job was to provide a shield from that. 'And I know that I ruffled some feathers in doing so, but my job was, ironically, was also to protect the NHS from some of that.' The inquiry also heard from Mr Hancock how interference from No10 caused 'incredible difficulties' in regards to testing during the pandemic. He was asked about his previous witness statements, which suggested 'inappropriate political interference from Number 10', and if that interference applied to the scope of these hearings. Mr Hancock said: 'Well, of course some of it did. 'For instance, the biggest interference that caused difficulties was within testing, where some of the political appointees in Number 10 caused incredible difficulties. 'But that's not to do with this module.' During the pandemic, Mr Cummings took the lead on plans to test millions of people a day for Covid under a scheme known as 'Operation Moonshot'. The government planned a mass testing blitz before it became known if the Covid vacccines would work. Mr Hancock has previously described Mr Cummings as a 'malign actor' and blamed him for driving a 'toxic culture' in government. Mandy Phillips, who booed at Mr Hancock as he walked into the inquiry building, said she believes he 'should never have been health secretary'. Ms Phillips, who is a member of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, said 'we didn't learn enough from the first wave' of Covid infections. 'So I want to come and I want to hold him to account, basically,' she added. 'And I think it is important that we just sit there, and in my case, I will just sit at the back and glare at him basically.' Mr Hancock played a key role in the governments initial response as the pandemic unfolded. But his frontline political career ended in disgrace after video emerged of him kissing his aide Gina Coladangelo in his office at a time of social-distancing restrictions. After his resignation from the Cabinet in June 2021, Mr Hancock controversially appeared in the ITV reality show Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!. He quit as an MP ahead of this year's general election. A horse seller whose pet Labrador was shot dead by a farmer when the dog attacked and killed his sheep has been told to pay 1,200. Victoria Yoxall, 56, was hauled to court and prosecuted after her Golden Labrador mauled three lambs to death on fields in Upton Priory, near Macclesfield, Cheshire. Farmer Richard Sidebottom shot the hound dead with a shotgun when it carried on savagely attacking his Beltex-cross sheep on April 20 this year, despite pleas to stop. A neighbour had alerted the farmer when she heard the collarless Labrador barking 'intensely' at the flock. Yoxall, who runs a horse-trading business from her 370,000 home in Tytherington, near Macclesfield, had initially denied her Labrador was responsible for the sheep killings. But at Crewe magistrates' court she admitted one charge of being a person in charge of a dog worrying livestock and one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, as her solicitor said: 'This has been a big wake-up call for her.' Victoria Yoxall, 56, has been landed with a 1,200 bill after her Golden Labrador mauled three lambs to death The Labrador was shot dead by a farmer, but Ms Yoxall has been landed with the bill because her pooch wasn't on a lead Michael O'Kane, prosecuting, said Mr Sidebottom's neighbour, named only as Miss Towle, had spotted the Labrador on the fields with a springer spaniel. 'The sheep were acting strangely in the field. She says that she went out to investigate what was happening and she approached the dogs. She saw neither of the dogs were wearing collars,' he said. 'She says the springer spaniel did not approach the sheep or lambs that were in the field. However the Labrador did start to bark at the sheep and lambs.' The neighbour tried calling at the dog to stop, but when that failed she phoned Mr Sidebottom to alert him to what was happening. 'Mr Sidebottom was very concerned when he received the call. He had recently lost livestock from a dog attack prior to that,' Mr O'Kane continued. 'When he received the call, he was working on his farm and he went back to the property to retrieve his shotgun. 'He thought he may need to use it.' When Mr Sidebottom arrived the Labrador was chasing the sheep and biting at them. He tried to catch it but 'the dog ran off and down the field where it confronted a sheep and a lamb'. Mr O'Kane added: 'It went to grab the lamb, the mother stood up to the dog and butted the dog. He had to make a decision to protect his flock and he took the decision to shoot the dog. 'After the dog was shot it was described as being full of adrenaline and continued to run. He dispatched the dog so that it was in no more pain.' The farmer then discovered three dead lambs in the field and said as a result of the attack the flock was distressed and dispersed over the field. 'A number of lambs were mis-mothered. They were all mixed up essentially by the flock being chased around the field,' Mr O'Kane said. Ms Yoxall's barrister said it had been a big wake up call for her 'and of course, sadly, she lost her dog in the incident' Ms Yoxall runs a horse-trading business from her 370,000 home in Tytherington, near Macclesfield Ms Yoxall was fined 288, ordered to pay 600 in compensation plus 315 in costs and surcharge 'He says his son and daughter spent four hours working with the flock to get the mis-mothered lambs back with their respective mothers. 'The defendant was interviewed in relation to what took place. She said that she was working in the area close by. 'She had attended not long before the incident took place with her two dogs. Her dogs were accustomed to being in that area. 'She accepted that they were not wearing collars, they were not wearing leads, that it was her dog that was out of control. That it was her Labrador in the field.' It emerged Mr Sidebottom had lost another 20 lambs in similar circumstances just days earlier when the flock was attacked by a German Pointer being walked off its lead by its owner. In mitigation Yoxall's solicitor, Callum Starr, said: 'This has been a big wake-up call for her and of course, sadly, she lost her dog in the incident. She has got no previous convictions. She lives on her own. She sells horses for a living. She is self-employed.' Yoxall was fined 288, ordered to pay 600 in compensation plus 315 in costs and surcharge. JP Richard Bower told her: 'I appreciate that this has been quite a distressing incident for both you and the farmer all round.' A former British Airways logistics operator stalked his female neighbour for 18 months for interfering in his relationship with his on-off girlfriend. Leslie Jones, 65, tormented Fiona Hooper and her 18-year-old daughter Lily in St Ives, Dorset, for a year and a half. His reign of terror saw him watch over Mrs Hooper's home in the village and target the mother and her daughter again and again. On one frightening occasion he jumped out from a bush in front of her while she was walking down the road. Another time he was caught on camera shouting obscenities and making rude hand gestures towards Lily and her mother. His behaviour left the pair so scared that Lily took to texting her mother the words 'Les Alert. Les is near' with police siren emojis whenever he was seen outside. Jones, who was convicted of harrassment, would also shine a torch in Mrs Hooper's car while she was inside it and sat in his parked vehicle in front of her 750,000 house for long periods. They both lived on the affluent street for 20 years without a problem until February 2022 when widow Jaine Bowell moved into the house next door to Mrs Hooper. As well as becoming friends with Mrs Hooper, Ms Bowell also struck up a relationship with Jones who lived at the other end of the street. The pair are now engaged to be married. Leslie Jones (pictured) was handed a two-year restraining order after displaying 'concerning behaviour' towards Fiona Hooper and her 18-year-old daughter Lily Jones was caught on camera shouting obscenities and making rude hand gestures towards Lily and her mother But it was an 'on-off' relationship and Jones became infuriated when he thought Ms Bowell was confiding in Mrs Hooper, 60. Charles Nightigale, prosecuting, told Poole Magistrates' Court: 'The complainant lives in the same road but out of sight of the defendant's property. 'They have both been residents for a number of years and didn't really know each other at all prior to this. 'The property next to (Mrs Hooper's) came up for sale in 2021 and was bought by a lady who was subsequently widowed then befriended by the defendant. 'That's how the initial animosity appears to have arisen.' Mr Nightingale said the relationship was 'inconsistent' and Jones did not like Mrs Hooper befriending his partner. He began displaying 'concerning' behaviour - driving past her house a lot, parking up and watching her property as well as hiding in bushes near her house. Jones swore at her and made rude gestures and the harassment frightened her teenage daughter Lily so much she no longer lives there. The court also heard that Jones sat in his parked vehicle in front of Mrs Hooper's 750,000 house for long periods Jones swore and made rude hand gestures at Mrs Hooper and her daughter Lily Mr Nightingale said: '(Mrs Hooper) became aware of the defendant driving around this road, parking and just sitting, watching. 'There were times when she would sit in her car to use her phone as she has poor mobile signal in her home and she became aware on a number of occasions of the defendant emerging from having been hidden in a bush. 'He would make V-signs and w****r gestures at her, shout at her, shine a torch in the car. 'It has gone on for a number of months and has had a significant effect on Miss Hooper and her family.' The alarming behaviour lasted until he was arrested in August 2023. Mr Nightingale read out a statement from Lily Hooper that showed the impact of the harassment. It said: 'I used to make either my mum or brother come get me out of the car at night, due to fear he was waiting in the bushes. And after all the things Jane used to say about how he treated her only made me wonder what he would do to either me or my mum.' The court heard Jones had taken medical retirement from his logistics job with BA at Heathrow following an accident that damaged his spine, but did some work as a window cleaner. Magistrates handed Jones a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days He denied a charge of harassment and claimed he was driving round the road to visit window cleaning clients. David Hurley, defending, said Jones did not accept any of the allegations and claimed Miss Hooper 'became obsessed' with his girlfriend Jane. He said: 'Issues arose because of the proximity of the complainant and his partner, who sits at the back of court. It is a solid relationship despite what the complainant may say. 'The complainant became obsessed with his lady friend Jane when he came along, that's when the trouble started. 'He maintains he's not guilty as he drove by for legitimate reasons. He now drives the other way so that he can see Jane without going past her house, he's doing his best to stay away from her but there are ongoing tensions.' The court heard Jones and Ms Bowell were now engaged and plan to move away from the Poole area. Magistrates handed Jones a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days. They also ordered him to pay a 300 fine, 500 compensation each to Miss Hooper and her daughter, a victim surcharge and 361 towards prosecution costs, totalling 1,775. Jones has also been give a two-year restraining order to protect Miss Hooper and her family. The heir to a 230million pie company fortune has been found guilty of murdering his best friend on Christmas Eve. Dylan Thomas, 23, stabbed William Bush, also 23, in the rented home the pair shared in Llandaff, Cardiff, on December 24 last year. Mr Bush was found dead in the newly-built house, owned by Thomas's grandfather Sir Stanley Thomas, a Welsh tycoon behind a business empire including Peter's Pies. Thomas, who is being treated for schizophrenia, was found guilty today after a week-long trial at Cardiff Crown Court. He had admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility but denied murder ahead of the trial. Sir Thomas, whose net worth was estimated to be 230million in 2013, sat in court throughout the trial. 'Loner' Thomas struck after his only friend Mr Bush told him he was planning to move out with his girlfriend Ella Jeffries. He had been staying at his grandmother's house in Rhoose, in the Vale of Glamorgan, the night before he attacked Mr Bush. He told her he wanted to go back to the house he shared with his friend to walk his dog, Bruce. Dylan Thomas, 24, (pictured) the heir to a pie company fortune, has been found guilty of murdering his best friend on Christmas Eve William Bush, 23, (pictured) was stabbed to death by his best friend on December 24 last year Sir Stanley Thomas leaves Cardiff Crown Court earlier today after attending the verdict His grandmother sat in the car while he went inside, before returning minutes later, banging on the window covered in blood. She carried out CPR on Mr Bush until the paramedics arrived. Mr Bush sustained 37 stab wounds in the attack, including 16 to the neck, and people on the street described 'horror screams' from inside the house. The jury heard that, before going back to the house, Thomas had searched online for anatomy of the neck. Thomas had cuts to the palms of his hands, which he told police he received while trying to defend himself. The two had been friends since they were about 13, having met at Christ College Brecon, a private boarding and day school in mid-Wales. Thomas was described to the jury as being 'something of a loner' while Mr Bush was more outgoing and active. His brother called him a 'loyal' friend. Thomas appeared before Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday by video link from Ashworth Hospital Liverpool, where he is in custody and being treated for schizophrenia. He was wearing a navy blue T-shirt with short black hair, his hands clasped in front of him, looking impassive, as the verdict was read. Cries were heard from the public gallery as the verdict was read out. Thomas, pictured with his mother, had argued the incident was manslaughter by means of diminished responsibility Mr Bush was about to move out of the shared house where he lived with Thomas into a home with his girlfriend Ella Jeffries Flowers left outside of the newly-built house in Cardiff where Mr Bush was killed During the trial, the jury heard from Dr Panchu Xavier, a consultant forensic psychiatrist at Ashworth, who said the defendant could have been having a psychotic episode during the attack and for 'up to six months before the event'. The jury also heard Thomas had been arrested for breaking into Buckingham Palace a few months before the attack on Mr Bush. Thomas told officers he was looking for 'energy fields' between the palace and Cleopatra's Needle, an obelisk in central London. He was rugby-tackled by an officer after he told them he was 'over now so you may as well show me round'. The jury also previously heard that in the months leading up to the attack Thomas had confessed to his friend that he had thought about killing him. Mr Bush's girlfriend, Ms Jefferies, told the court her partner had barricaded his door, fearing Thomas would enter his room. Mr Bull said that the prosecution suggests the motive of the killing ''is hidden'', adding: 'Only two people can tell you if there might have been a motive. 'One of them is dead and the other, for reasons known to you, has not been able to give evidence, so don't speculate.' The prosecutor told the jury: 'To all intents and purposes, they were good friends and that's one of the mysteries of this case, we don't know what caused Dylan Thomas to act in the way he did. Mr Bush told his friend Thomas he was planning to move out with his girlfriend 'Whether it was a feeling of loneliness or resentment, despite having everything in life, Dylan Thomas had achieved very little. 'Whereas on the other side of the coin, Mr Bush having come from very little, achieved great success in his personal life. 'He had found a new job, albeit delivering newspapers, in a stable relationship with his girlfriend, and were looking to buy or rent a house. 'Everything in his life was on the up where it might have been perceived in Dylan Thomas's case, life was on the downward spiral.' Thomas was branded an 'evil, manipulative liar' by the family of Mr Bush today. Catrin Bush, speaking outside Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, said: 'We are relieved to hear today's verdict of murder. We would like to thank the police, CPS, Mr Bull KC and Mr Wright for all their work and support over the last 11 months, and we are thankful that all of this hard work has led to the correct verdict today. 'My family have been completely devastated by the brutal and senseless murder of our much loved Will, words cannot describe the impact this has had on our family. However, it is not just us who have lost a son and a brother, Will's girlfriend, friends and extended family have also lost someone who they loved very much. 'Will was innocently getting ready to return back to Brecon to spend Christmas with us all when the attack took place, and instead of Will arriving at our door for dinner on Christmas Eve, it was Dyfed Powys Police to deliver the beyond devastating news. 'We cannot even begin to comprehend the fear and suffering that Will endured on Christmas Eve last year, we will have to live with the hurt, grief, anger and upset for the rest of our lives. Dylan Thomas is an evil, manipulative liar. Emergency services at the scene of the stabbing near to Llandaff Cathedral 'Throughout this process, we have seen no evidence of any remorse or taken responsibility for his actions that day. 'We can only hope that he will never be released back into the community.' After returning their unanimous verdict, trial judge Mrs Justice Steyn thanked the jury for their work over the last week. 'There are a number of things I wish to say at the conclusion of this trial,' she said. 'First of all, I would like to thank you for your dedication, commitment and patience in carrying out this extremely important public service in sitting on a jury. 'You have very obviously listened to the evidence with care and taken your responsibilities seriously at all times. 'You have heard deeply upsetting evidence during this trial and you obviously had the support of each other during the course of the trial. 'The juror notice form that you have provides some guidance for jurors who after the trial is over may feel upset about anything to do with the case and wish to speak with someone about this. 'On top of that there is no rush for you to leave this building and you will be given all the time you need to gather your thoughts before you do so.' She added: 'Now this case is over you can discuss what happened here in this courtroom with anyone but you must never reveal what was said or done in the privacy of the jury room. 'This is absolutely forbidden by an Act of Parliament. Your deliberations when you were trying to reach a verdict must remain private.' Speaking outside Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, Detective Inspector Rebecca Merchant, senior investigating officer in the case, said: 'William Bush was a much-loved son, brother and boyfriend with a bright future ahead of him, which included moving in with his girlfriend and starting a new job. 'On December 24, 2023, as he looked forward to spending Christmas with his family and girlfriend, he was killed by someone he regarded as his friend, having done nothing to warrant the brutal violence inflicted upon him. 'Our thoughts today, as they have been throughout the investigation, are with William, his family and girlfriend.' Detective Merchant paid tribute to the professionalism of the police officers and emergency services who tried their best to help Mr Bush. Thomas, who was remanded into custody, will be sentenced on December 16. The farm worker who was punched by John Prescott in 2001 after he egged him has offered sympathy to the politician's family - but admitted he doesn't regret his famous act. The former Labour MP and peer passed away yesterday surrounded with loved-ones at his care home after a long battle with Alzheimer's. The son of a railwayman and a servant from north Wales, Lord Prescott was a fine boxer as a boy - and his most famous moment was when he thumped a farmer who had egged him outside a Labour rally in Rhyl in 2001. Police officers managed to intervene and 29-year-old Craig Evans, a farm worker who was protesting against low agricultural wages, was taken away in handcuffs. Now father-of-two Mr Evans has paid tribute to the politician - saying his 'thoughts are with his family'. But, talking at his farm house with the Mirror, he said: 'I don't regret it I still believe now what I did back then.' The 53-year-old, who lives on a remote farm in the snow-capped Clwyd hills outside Denbigh in North Wales, said that he had turned down opportunities for fame following the infamous jab - including turning down appearances on television to talk about it. He added that he had found out the news through a friend, saying: 'It was a long time ago. 'It is what it is. It's what I'm known locally for. I've got nothing else to say really, I duck it all the time. I've ducked it for years. Lord John Prescott's most famous moment was when he thumped a farmer who had egged him outside a Labour rally in Rhyl in 2001 Now father-of-two Craig Evans (pictured) has paid tribute to the politician - saying his 'thoughts are with his family' Mr Prescott wrestling Craig Evans. Lord Prescott later quipped he was 'connecting with the electorate' The incident helped cement his reputation as the politician who pulled no punches (Pictured in 2015) 'A friend phoned up just to say he had died. He had had Alzheimer's, I believe. I would not wish that on anyone. 'I've got nothing to say really other than, thoughts with his family. 'My grandfather had Alzheimer's, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It's a terrible thing, it robs the person of themselves. It's sad for his family and the people around him.' The ex-merchant seaman earned the nickname 'two jabs' following the incident - a variation on 'two Jags', which referred to his fondness for luxury cars. Lord Prescott levelled the left hook just after he had just got off his campaign bus, the Prescott Express, to speak at a Labour rally. As he walked past a line of protesters, he was struck by an egg which covered his suit. Lord Prescott turned and punched the protester and a brawl occurred - all captured by TV cameras. Lord Prescott said at the time: 'I was attacked by an individual. In the melee that followed I clearly defended myself.' Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday he 'had a lot of really funny times' with his deputy, adding 'he could be a very amusing guy'. Clearly emotional, he said: 'I was just thinking this morning about the the time when in the 2001 election - remember when someone smashed an egg on his head and he turned around and he punched the guy and laid him out? John Prescott and Tony Blair appear at the Labour party conference in 1996 His family said he had 'spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment' as he worked under Sir Tony Blair (right) 'This caused a huge sort of fracas, this was an immense media story, and we had to give a press conference in the election campaign the next day. 'And some people were saying, 'Well, look, he's deputy prime minister, you can't have a deputy prime minister thumping a voter.' 'And other people said ... 'he had this egg slammed in his head, and he turned around and and whacked the guy, and a lot of people think, Well, fair enough.' 'And so there was nothing you could do. So we had a long debate about it and finally, at the press conference, when I was asked about it, I just said, 'Well, John is John.' 'And so was that supposed to be an answer? I said, 'Yes, that's an answer.' That's as much as you can say, and that's what he was like, there were no rules that he really abided by. 'I feel a huge sense of loss, because it wasn't just a political relationship. I had a profound affection for him.' A number of newspaper surveys carried out after the punch suggested the public supported his actions. Lord Prescott was interviewed by police but he was not prosecuted. Mr Evans, from Llandyrnog, near Denbigh, refused to talk about the fracas at the time apart from issuing a statement saying he was protesting against the treatment of the farm industry following a foot-and-mouth outbreak. Lord Prescott and his loyal wife Pauline on his 82nd birthday in 2020. She stood by him for more than 60 years At the Labour Party Conference in 1992, the year he lost a bid for the deputy leadership to Margaret Beckett When the middle-class, privately-educated Tony Blair took over in 1994 - with Gordon Brown as shadow chancellor - Prescott was the obvious candidate to become his deputy 'This has been a very hard winter,' he said. 'All the problems in the farming industry mean there has been little work on the farms recently. 'And I am angry at the lack of support for farmers and farm workers.' His girlfriend told the Daily Post at the time: 'Craig is a placid lad who has never been in trouble but he did throw the egg.' Friends added that he was a 'gentle giant'. When Prescott returned to Rhyll in 2010, he played the Rocky soundtrack over loud speakers. The Crown Prosecution Service concluded there was no realistic chance of convicting him because he had acted in self-defence. Former Labour Cabinet minister Paul Murphy has been telling BBC Radio Wales Breakfast how he helped clean up John Prescott after a man threw an egg at him during the general election campaign in 2001. The infamous incident, where Prescott responded by punching the man, has come to be known as the 'Prescott Punch' or the 'Rumble in Rhyl'. 'I was hosting the meeting he was coming to and I recall vividly that I was inside the hall and somebody came in to tell me that someone had thrown egg at John, and I said 'dear me or other words', and two seconds later he'd hit him,' says Murphy, describing it as a 'very difficult situation'. Former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott (pictured in 2012) has died at the age of 86, his family has said 'He (John) came in dishevelled, and you can imagine his language was quite strong, and I was with him when he was washing the egg off and then the phone calls came in from Alistair Campbell and, of course, Tony Blair'. Mr Evans spent several hours in police custody but no action was taken against him either. In June that year, Labour won a second term in government. Today the former prime minister was tearful as he said: 'There was no-one quite like him in British politics. Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart'. The former Labour deputy prime minister was nicknamed 'Two Jags' due to his long love affair with them while in high office, including one infamous trip where he drove 200 yards in one to attend an engagement. But he famously got rid of them in 2021, declaring: 'I am now Zero Jags. It is my own small contribution to cutting carbon emissions'. Lord Prescott became used to the finer things in life, enjoying croquet on the lawn of his country house at a time when he was in charge of the country. He was nicknamed 'two Jags' after it emerged he had two Jaguar cars. But in 2021, he revealed he no longer had them after becoming increasingly interested in climate change. Alongside him throughout was his wife of more than 60 years, Pauline, who stood by him after an affair with his secretary became public in 2006. He said later that he was struggling with the pressures of political life - and should have told her - and that their relationship improved when she accepted his apology for the betrayal. He had lived an extraordinary life. The young man who went to sea after failing his 11-plus, later became a trade unionist and indispensable figure in Sir Tony Blair's New Labour project. His family said he had 'spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment'. With an ear-splitting whoosh and a bright flash of light, an American M270 rocket battery sends a volley of missiles streaking into the -7C air. This is Rovanmieni, in Finnish Lapland. North of here is nothing but Arctic tundra, but just 80km to the east - well within range of rockets we've just seen fired - is Russia. We're on NATO's newest frontier, an 830-mile stretch of border the alliance now shares with Vladimir Putin after Finland abandoned decades of neutrality to join the military pact, fearing an invasion. If the despot does decide to send his troops across the border, this pristine winter wonderland - best-known for Santa Claus and reindeer - could become NATO's new blood-soaked frontline. And that terrifying prospect edged a little closer this week after Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to fire long-range ATACMS rockets into Russia, followed by Starmer giving a similar nod for British Storm Shadow missiles. Putin responded by lowering the threshold for using his nukes. Inside the Arctic Circle, we get the news between salvos of artillery fire. The threat of World War Three hangs in the air along with our breath. Everyone here, from generals down to conscripts, insists that Russia has nothing to do with what's going on - this drill, dubbed Dynamic Front 24, has been long-planned, takes place each year, and isn't designed to send a message to anyone in particular. Maybe - but it is obvious to everyone here that, if Putin does decide to take on NATO, frozen landscapes such as this could soon become battlefields. Indeed, that's one of the reasons we're here, so NATO and its troops can get used to operating in these frigid conditions. M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System fires rounds during Dynamic Front 25 'It is obvious to everyone here that, if Putin does decide to take on NATO, frozen landscapes such as this could soon become battlefields' Dramatic video shows the launch of rounds on November 17 during the NATO drills A tank taking part in the joint NATO drills at Ravajarvi Training Area, Rovaniemi, Finland That's harder than it sounds. -7C, we are told, is unseasonably warm for this time of year. -20C is more typical, though -30C isn't unheard of. We get just four hours of light per day. Further north the sun rises at midnight and sets at 1am. This time last year, the snow was already half a foot deep. The other reason we're here is so NATO can practice firing its big guns: 155mm cannons of the kind that Ukraine is chewing through ammunition for, and rocket artillery which has been used to great effect against the Russians. Artillery is known as the King of Battle and for good reason. For all the attention paid to novel weapons like drones, it is old-fashioned cannons doing the legwork in Ukraine. An estimated 70 per cent of the 700,000 Russians either killed or wounded in this war to date were cut down by artillery shells and the white-hot shrapnel they throw out when they explode. On display for us were Caesar and Archer, respectively French and Swedish, both of which have been donated to Kyiv. They are purpose-built for the kind of war the Ukrainians are fighting, and which the rest of NATO will have to learn how to fight - one where eyes are everywhere thanks to spy drones, and where any vehicle that lingers too long in the open risks getting blown to bits by an FPV. Both artillery pieces aim to avoid this fate with a tactic known as 'shoot and scoot': Deploying, firing, and getting away again before the gun can be spotted and shot at. Caesar can deploy in 60 seconds, its five-man crew can unload three rounds in 15 seconds, pack up and then 'scoot' away in 40 seconds. Archer is even more impressive, just 20 seconds from start to finish and its three-man crew don't even have to leave the comfort of their air-conditioned cabin to do it. Everyone here, from generals down to conscripts, insists that Russia has nothing to do with what's going on If Putin does decide to take on NATO, frozen landscapes could soon become battlefields NATO 's newest frontier is an 830-mile stretch of border the alliance now shares with Vladimir Putin after Finland abandoned decades of neutrality to join the military pact British troops we spoke to - live-firing the Archer for the first time after the MoD bought it off Sweden last year - were singing its praises. Firing times, they said, were being measured in 'seconds, not minutes'. Also on display was the K-9, a South Korean artillery piece that would likely form the backbone of any NATO army sent to confront the Russians. There are hundreds of them in Europe already, and more on the way. It is nicknamed the 'Thunder' and it isn't hard to see why: The jaw-rattling thump it makes while firing can be heard for miles. K-9s have tracks rather than wheels, meaning they can traverse rougher terrain than the Caesar or Archer but aren't as fast - slowing down their 'shoot and scoot' time. For that reason they also have more armour, just in case. Not to be out-done, the Americans were showing off the M270A2, a slightly different kind of artillery that fires rockets rather than shells. This version, they said, is brand new, featuring an improved armoured cabin and fire-control system - military speak for the computer that aims the weapon - but visually it is almost indistinguishable from the version sent to Ukraine. The Americans were showing off the M270A2, a slightly different kind of artillery that fires rockets rather than shells There are currently dozens of these in use by Kyiv, and very likely Zelensky's generals put them to use earlier this week sending ATACMS missiles into Russia - the first time a long-range Western missile has been used in this way. M270 isn't as famous as its little brother - the HIMARS - but is perhaps even more formidable. HIMARS carries one missile pod on its back loaded with six rockets which can fire up to 190 miles, much further than conventional artillery which can typically hit a target around 25 miles away. Those six missiles can be swapped out for a single ATACMS, a type of ballistic missile with a huge range of 186 miles. The HIMARS is wheeled, so like the Archer or Caesar it can 'shoot and scoot' incredibly fast, perfect for ambushing Russian ammo dumps and command posts for which it is famous. By contrast, the M270 is tracked and therefore slower, but what it lacks in speed it makes up for in firepower: Two pods with 12 missiles or two ATACMS missiles, double that of the HIMARS. Because of this, Ukraine has preferred to use these systems for ATACMS strikes - probably calculating that putting fewer vehicles into the field carrying multiple rockets each gives the Russians a smaller chance of successfully spotting and destroying them, even if they linger around for longer. Putting dozens of these launchers through their paces right on Putin's doorstep is designed to send a message, even if nobody here will quite admit it: Ukraine has given you a hard time with just a handful of these things. We can make your life much harder than that. A soldier is seen in the frozen tundra at the training ground in Finland After a week in which the rolling thunder of artillery is an ever-present companion, the guns fall silent. We're hustled into a conference centre and told the exercise was a resounding success: NATO is more united than ever, and ready to face whatever threat may come its way. It had better be, because lurking just over the horizon is Russian ruler who seems utterly undeterred from confronting the West and everything it stands for, hell-bent on restoring Russia to its imperial glory, and unafraid of spilling an ocean of blood to do it. As we're waiting to board the plane home, a squadron of Finnish F-18 fighters uses the runway to get airborne. If this is part of the exercise, we haven't been told about it. We watch from the departure lounge as they rip into the sky. Following their flight path, all eyes turn to the east. Two illegal immigrants accused of horrific child rapes have been arrested in Massachusetts, as the state's democrat governor vows the state won't work with Donald Trump to facilitate his mass deportation plans. The arrests, announced Wednesday by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday, include two men accused of child rape in Massachusetts and a third individual who was convicted of raping a child in Brazil. The suspects include 21-year-old Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz, from Guatemala, and 42-year-old Billy Erney Buitrago-Bustos, from Colombia, both accused of sexually assaulting minors in separate cases. Alexandre Romao De Oliveira, 41, was also accused of raping a child in Brazil and has escaped to the US after being convicted. De Paz-Munoz was arrested with rape of child by force, rape of a child, and indecent assault and battery against a minor, on Nov. 12 in Great Barrington. 'Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz stands accused of horrifically victimizing a Massachusetts child and represents a significant threat to our neighborhoods,' said acting ERO Boston Field Office Director Patricia Hyde. 'We owe it to the children of our New England communities to prioritize public safety above everything else. ERO Boston stands committed to arresting and removing egregious noncitizen threats from the community.' De Paz-Munoz entered the US in 2020, near Eagle Pass, Texas, illegally and was released by Border Patrol with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review judge, according to ICE. The suspects include 21-year-old Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz (pictured), from Guatemala, and 42-year-old Billy Erney Buitrago-Bustos, from Colombia, both accused of sexually assaulting minors in separate cases Alexandre Romao De Oliveira, 41, was also accused of raping a child in Brazil and has escaped to the US after being convicted Buitrago-Bustos was arrested with rape of a child by force, statutory rape, and aggravated rape against a minor on Nov. 15 in Pittsfield. 'Billy Erney Buitrago-Bustos stands accused of the most heinous and reprehensible of crimes,' said Hyde. 'We thank our law enforcement partners at the Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction for prioritizing public safety and protecting children in the communities they were appointed to serve. Romao De Oliveira was sentenced to serve 14 years behind bars by the First Criminal Court of Jaru, Rondonia, Brazil, on Feb. 10, 2022. Romao De Oliveira allegedly escaped Brazil before serving his sentence. He had reportedly been caught in April of 2022, in New Mexico but released at the US border before going into hiding in America. Governor Maura Healey has sparked fierce backlash from law enforcement and concerned residents after she vowed to defy Trump's anticipated mass deportation order targeting millions of illegal immigrants 'Alexandre Romao De Oliveira is a convicted child rapist who fled his home country to evade justice,' said Hyde. Governor Maura Healey has refused to work with federal immigration enforcement a stance that has drawn fierce backlash from law enforcement and concerned residents. Earlier this month she said, Healey said she will defy Trump's anticipated mass deportation order targeting millions of illegal immigrants. Healey, 53, insisted that Massachusetts state police would 'absolutely not' help the Trump administration's planned deportations during an interview with MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell. 'I do think its important that we all recognize that theres gonna be a lot of pressure on states and state officials,' she added. 'And I can assure you, were gonna work really hard to deliver.' The lawmaker's stance drew backlash as critics pointed out that Healey has previously complained about the migrant crisis crippling her state's finances, which is forecast to cost over $1 billion annually. This comes just hours after the Laken Riley verdict. The DA who prosecuted the case for the migrant who brutally murdered nursing student Riley said she wouldn't seek the death penalty because it would cause 'collateral consequences to undocumented defendants' She told WCVB in May that the border crisis 'is the result of federal inaction'. Healey once backed sanctuary cities which offer migrants enhanced protection from arrest. But she ordered border crossers to stop traveling to the Bay State after Texas Governor Greg Abbott began busing thousands up from border cities. This comes just hours after the Laken Riley verdict a case that has already sparked national outrage. The 'progressive' district attorney who prosecuted the case for the migrant who brutally murdered nursing student Riley said she wouldn't seek the death penalty because it would cause 'collateral consequences to undocumented defendants.' Jose Ibarra, 26, was convicted Wednesday 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. Prosecutors have demanded that tech giant Google sell off the popular Chrome browser in order to break up its monopoly over the online search business. The Department of Justice filed the demand late on Wednesday at a Washington DC federal court, just three months after the judge presiding over the case ruled Google was maintaining an illegal monopoly. DoJ lawyers also asked the judge, District Judge Amit Mehta, to force the Silicon Valley firm, run by CEO Sundar Pichai, to stop entering contracts with phone manufacturers and browser developers that make Google the default search engine. These deals have resulted in Google accounting for around 90% of all online searches made across the world. The DoJ's filing was backed by several states who said that the changes would increase competition and allow for innovation to occur. The firm is expected to counter with its own proposals by December 20, and Mehta is likely to issue a decision next year. Government lawyers wrote: 'Restoring competition to the markets for general search and search text advertising as they exist today will require reactivating the competitive process that Google has long stifled.' But Google said in response to the petition that the government 'chose to push a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and America's global technology leadership.' Kent Walker, president of global affairs at Google, told the BBC: '[The] DOJ's wildly overbroad proposal goes miles beyond the Court's decision. DoJ lawyers have petitioned District Judge Amit Mehta (pictured) to force the Silicon Valley firm to sell off Chrome Google is run by Sundar Pichai, seen here as he leaves the federal courthouse in Washington on Oct. 30, 2023 Google headquarters in Mountain View, California, US, on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 'It would break a range of Google products even beyond Search that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives.' Although regulators stopped short of demanding Google sell Android too, they asserted the judge should make it clear the company could still be required to divest its smartphone operating system if its oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct. The broad scope of the recommended penalties underscores how severely regulators operating under President Joe Biden's administration believe Google should be punished following an August ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta that branded the company as a monopolist. The Justice Department decision-makers who will inherit the case after President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year might not be as strident. The Washington, D.C. court hearings on Google's punishment are scheduled to begin in April and Mehta is aiming to issue his final decision before Labor Day. If Mehta embraces the government's recommendations, Google would be forced to sell its 16-year-old Chrome browser within six months of the final ruling. But the company certainly would appeal any punishment, potentially prolonging a legal tussle that has dragged on for more than four years. The measures, if they are ordered, threaten to upend a business expected to generate more than $300 billion in revenue this year. Earlier this year, Google was found to have been in an illegal monopoly (File image of the Chrome app on an iPhone) DoJ lawyers also requested that Google stopped entering contracts with phone manufacturers that make Google the default search engine (File image of the Safari and Chrome browsers on an iPhone) 'The playing field is not level because of Google's conduct, and Google's quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired,' the Justice Department asserted in its recommendations. 'The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages', it added. It's still possible that the Justice Department could ease off attempts to break up Google, especially if Trump takes the widely expected step of replacing Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, who was appointed by Biden to oversee the agency's antitrust division. Although the case targeting Google was originally filed during the final months of Trump's first term in office, Kanter oversaw the high-profile trial that culminated in Mehta's ruling against Google. Working in tandem with Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, Kanter took a get-tough stance against Big Tech that triggered other attempted crackdowns on industry powerhouses such as Apple and discouraged many business deals from getting done during the past four years. Trump recently expressed concerns that a breakup might destroy Google but didn't elaborate on alternative penalties he might have in mind. 'What you can do without breaking it up is make sure it's more fair,' Trump said last month. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed efforts to block trans women from using women's bathrooms as disgusting and dangerous as Republicans escalate their efforts on Capitol Hill. Speaker Mike Johnson moved to ban the first incoming trans member of Congress Sarah McBride from using the women's restrooms at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday after GOP Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced a resolution this week setting off a firestorm. 'What Nancy Mace and what Speaker Johnson are doing are endangering all women and girls,' AOC told reporters late Wednesday. 'Because if you ask them what is your plan on how to enforce this? They won't come up with an answer,' the New York congresswoman said. 'What it inevitably results in are women and girls who are primed for assault because people are going to want to check their private parts, and suspecting who is trans and who is cis and who's doing what,' she argued. 'Nancy Mace wants little girls and women to drop trou in front of who? Investigator? Who would that be? In order because she wants to suspect and point fingers at who she thinks is trans is disgusting,' Ocasio-Cortez claimed. Her fiery response came as Mace moved not just to ban McBride and other trans women from using women's U.S. Capitol facilities but took it a step further by introducing a new bill Wednesday. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) slammed Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) for efforts to block trans women from women's facilities. She said they are endangering women and girls amid questions of how the ban would be enforced and claimed it would lead to people wanting to 'check their private parts' After Speaker Johnson's Capitol Hill decision, the South Carolina lawmaker is now calling for transgender women to be banned from using women's facilities including bathrooms and locker rooms at all federal property nationwide. Mace argues she is protecting women and fighting to reclaim women's spaces. She admitted that her first resolution earlier this week directly targeted McBride. When asked how her resolution at the U.S. Capitol would be enforced on Monday, 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 said she is now receiving death threats for her crusade, but she vows to continue her fight. The congresswoman shot back at AOC Wednesday night during an appearance on Fox News when asked about the accusation she wants women to 'drop trou.' 'I love living rent free in AOC's tiny little brain,' Mace said. 'I mean, I never said anything like that. In fact the irony here is that she's a radical leftist insane clown.' She pointed out that she is a rape survivor and has PTSD from abuse at the hands of a man. She called the idea of a man being allowed in a women's locker room is 'insanity.' Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a bill on Wednesday to block trans women from women's facilities at all federal properties. It came after she introduced a resolution to block trans women from using the women's restrooms at the U.S. Capitol earlier this week ahead of the first trans member of Congress heading to Washington in January. She claims she is fighting to protect women Rep.-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 after a resolution from Mace. McBride said she would follow the rules But a former aide to Mace on Capitol Hill eviscerated her old boss for claiming she is fighting for women with a series of vicious posts on X. 'If you think this bill is about protecting women and not simply a ploy to get on Fox News, you've been fooled,' Natalie Johnson wrote. 'Tweeting 262 times about a bill that applies to like .00000001% of Congress in 36 hours is definitely about protecting women. Its certainly not just a ploy for media attention,' she wrote sarcastically in another. 'Protecting women in Congress would be introducing a bill to bar Matt Gaetz, a sexual predator with an affinity for underage girls, from ever walking those halls again, rather than dropping a messaging bill thats sole goal is getting on TV,' Johnson claimed in a third. A former aide to Rep. Mace slammed her in a series of posts on X. Johnson accused Mace of seeking attention with her effort to ban trans women from bathrooms Ocasio-Cortez also did not back down on her accusations against Mace. She followed up her remarks with a post in X on Thursday where she called out the hypocrisy of going after trans women in bathrooms in the name of protecting women while backing men found liable of and investigated for sexual misconduct. 'Women know that men dont scheme to dress like girls to assault them. They do it every day in broad daylight. And the ones in power protect each other to keep it quiet,' she wrote. 'Just ask the House Ethics Committee. Or the President-elect of the United States. Leave women alone,' she continued. The second part of the post took aim at nominee for Attorney General Matt Gaetz and President-elect Trump. AOC on Thursday retweeted her remarks about Mace and Johnson endangering women and took aim at President-elect Trump and AG nominee Matt Gaetz who have both been accused of assaulting women Gaetz was investigated by the committee for sexual misconduct involving a minor, but there is a fight over whether to release the report as he is vetted by the Senate to be installed as the top law enforcement officer in the country in the upcoming Trump administration. Trump last year was found liable for sexual abuse by a jury and has faced multiple other accusations from women. Both Gaetz and Trump deny all allegations. As for her, McBride has attempted to stay above the fray as she prepares to head to Washington in the new year. The congresswoman-elect 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. Russia's ambassador to the UK has declared that Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory means Britain 'is now directly involved in this war'. 'This firing cannot happen without NATO staff, British staff as well,' Andrei Kelin told Sky News this afternoon - a day after British-made rockets battered a military base in Russia's Kursk region. His comments came as British and European leaders decried a 'clear and deeply concerning escalation' in the Ukraine conflict by Vladimir Putin after Russia's forces struck the city of Dnipro with a never-before seen hypersonic ballistic missile on Thursday morning. There were initial fears Russia had deployed a fully-fledged intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), but Putin later revealed it was an experimental 'Oreshnik' medium-range missile flying 10 times the speed of sound. Sir Keir Starmer's office said: 'If (the strike) is true, clearly this would be another example of grave, reckless and escalatory behaviour from Russia and only serves to strengthen our resolve.' France's foreign ministry echoed that sentiment, declaring that an ICBM launch 'would be an extremely serious event' as EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano told reporters such an attack would be 'yet another clear escalation from Putin'. The scathing statements were made after horrifying footage emerged of multiple warheads raining down over Ukraine at 5:17am local time Thursay. 'Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is - and how afraid he is,' Volodymyr Zelensky said. Security camera footage out of the central-eastern city of Dnipro showed several projectiles streaking in and detonating in a series of violent, fiery explosions Rescue workers put out a fire of a building which was heavily damaged by a Russian strike on Dnipro, Ukraine Zelensky said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was using Ukraine as a weapons-testing ground Security cameras caught the moment several projectiles streaked through the night sky and triggered a series of violent explosions in Dnipro. The ferocity, speed and coordinated nature of the salvos suggested the explosions were caused by MIRVs (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles). MIRVs are typically a feature of nuclear ICBMs designed for full-scale attacks on targets thousands of miles away. The Pentagon said Thursday evening that the Oreshnik was based on the RS-26 Frontier - another nuclear-capable missile that experts say blurs the lines between IBRM and ICBM. Missiles are generally classified as ICBMs if they can strike targets at distances greater than 5,500km, or 3,417 miles. The RS-26 is said to have a maximum range of roughly 5,800km with a single, lightweight warhead, but has mostly been tested with heavier payloads at much shorter ranges. Based on its reported capabilities, the Oreshnik is likely a lighter, less powerful variant of an RS-26 missile designed for strikes at ranges between a few hundred and 5,000km. US defence officials also confirmed on Thursday that Moscow had notified Washington ahead of the strike on Ukraine through nuclear risk reduction channels to avoid triggering early launch warning alarms and a possible response. Experts said the use of an ICBM or advanced hypersonic weapon to deliver a non-nuclear strike would be very costly, but would serve to illustrate how Moscow could dramatically escalate the conflict. Dr Ruth Deyermond, Senior Lecturer in Post-Soviet Security at King's College London, told MailOnline: 'This strike has no obvious military value - they could achieve the same objectives without sacrificing (an ICBM or advanced missile). 'It looks very much as if it's signalling to the West what Russia could do if it chose to - launch a nuclear-armed missile. But it's actually a sign of weakness,' she added. 'The Russian government knows what would happen to it if they did attempt to use any kind of nuclear weapon, so they have to resort to bluffing.' Dr Mattias Eken, a defence and security analyst at RAND Europe, added: 'The reported range of 700km falls short of the typical intercontinental range, casting doubt on its classification as a full-fledged ICBM. 'Nevertheless, such a strike could have a symbolic value,' he concluded. 'It seems that the message that Putin and Russia is trying to send to the West is: we too have missiles that can strike anywhere in the world. Particularly after the US allowed ATACMS/Storm Shadow to target Russia, Putin may have felt compelled to demonstrate Russia's ability to use long-range missiles as well.' Footage of the strike was released as Russia also threatened to strike US air bases in Poland with 'advanced weapons' in an alarming statement this morning. A grab taken from handout footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on March 1, 2024 purport to show the test firing of an ICBM belonging to the country's nuclear deterrence forces Healey said there were 'unconfirmed reports - of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine, which we know they have been preparing for months.' Ballistic missiles can have a range of anywhere from under 500km (310 miles) to over 5,500km (3,400 miles) in the case of large intercontinental weapons. As reports of the strike emerged this morning, Moscow said the opening of a new US ballistic missile defence base in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast will 'increase the overall level of nuclear danger', adding it could be considered a future target. '(The base) has been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons,' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova concluded. Zakharova's statement came minutes after Ukraine's air force first reported the possible ICBM strike, claiming it was fired from a base in Russia's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early this morning. In a bizarre twist, Zakharova's press conference was interrupted by a phone call in which the speaker appeared to tell the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman about the ICBM strike before instructing her not to comment on it. A man's voice was faintly heard saying: 'Masha, ballistic missile strikes on Yuzhmash. The Westerners are talking about it now. Don't comment at all.' Russia this morning allegedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a brutal barrage of targets in Ukraine Maria Zakharova took an urgent phone call and was urged not to comment on the reports This morning's strike comes after Ukraine used US ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles to demolish targets inside Russia following approval by Sir Keir Starmer this week - something Moscow had warned for months would be seen as a major escalation. Defence Secretary Healey refused to be drawn into confirming reports that Kyiv deployed the British long-range missiles, but said Ukraine faces a 'serious moment' in its defence against the Russian invasion. The Prime Minister has meanwhile insisted UK support for Ukraine is 'always for self-defence' and compliant with international law, as he accused Putin of wanting 'destruction not peace'. Russia's military has so far deployed smaller, slower Iskander missiles and a handful of hypersonic Kinzhal projectiles alongside hundreds upon hundreds of attack drones to destroy targets in Ukraine. The advanced missile that struck this morning reportedly launched from the Kapustin Yar range in Astrakhan in Southern Russia - roughly 700km from Dnipro. Putin's forces used the region as a launchpad for strikes during the intervention in Syria in 2015. Ukrainska Pravda cited anonymous sources saying the rocket may have been an RS-26 'Frontier', a solid-fuelled, nuclear-capable rocket that was first successfully tested in 2012. The Frontier missile weighs roughly 36 tonnes with a maximum range of up to 3,600 miles/5,800km. It flies at such a speed that Ukraine's rudimentary air defence systems would be powerless to intercept its warheads. 'If true this will be totally unprecedented and the first actual military use of ICBM. Not that it makes a lot of sense given their price and precision,' Andrey Baklitskiy of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research posted on X. The Storm Shadow missiles struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials are believed to be holed up Russian President Vladimir Putin, listens to a report by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, during a one-on-one meeting at the Kremlin, November 20, 2024 The Russian attack targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in Dnipro as well as other sites across the country, Ukraine's air force said, at a time of escalating moves in the 33-month-old war. The Kremlin deployed Tu-95MS strategic bombers to launch cruise missiles and MiG-31K fighters to fire hypersonic Kinzhal rockets in a calculated bid to plunge Ukraine into darkness as a bitter winter approaches. In Dnipro, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said the missile attack caused damage to an industrial enterprise and set off fires. No casualty figures were available. Some Russian missiles reportedly struck the towns of Kremenchuk and Myrhorod, while areas in Kyiv, Odesa and Sumy regions suffered blackouts as the electrical grid gave out. The mass bombardment of Ukraine this morning prompted NATO to scramble F-16 warplanes over neighbouring Poland as ground-based air defence and radar systems were put on the 'highest state of readiness' amid the attack. Ukraine's air force reported air defences shot down six Kh-101 cruise missiles. Responding to Zakharova's statements on the opening of the Redzikowo air defence base, a Polish foreign ministry spokesman pointed out there were no nuclear missiles at the facility and that it is purely defensive in nature. 'Such threats will certainly serve as an argument to strengthen Poland's and NATO's air defences, and should also be considered by the United States,' added the spokesman, Pawel Wronski. The facility, opened on November 13, forms part of a broader NATO missile shield called 'Aegis Ashore' designed to intercept short- and intermediate-range ballistic weapons. Aegis Ashore constitutes a network of bases that use radar tracking systems from the US Navy's Aegis warships to identify and shoot down oncoming missiles with American SM-3 rockets. There are currently two sites online, one in Romania and one in Poland, reinforced by an early warning system based in Turkey and US Navy ships in Spain. The RS-26 or Frontier missiles weigh up to 50 tonnes and have a 3,600 mile-range, although they have never been used in combat The wide-ranging attacks by Russia this morning come on Ukraine's annual Day of Dignity and Freedom Poland scrambled NATO F-16 aircraft this morning for air defence patrols amid the attack on Ukraine The Aegis Ashore Poland missile defence system on the occasion of an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Naval Support Facility in Redzikowo, Poland in November 13, 2024 Poland's President Andrzej Duda speaks standing in front of the deck house of the Aegis Ashore missile defence system is seenin Redzikowo, northern Poland in November 13, 2024 The wide-ranging attacks by Russia this morning come on Ukraine's annual Day of Dignity and Freedom, honouring the beginning of its struggle for independence and liberty. President Zelensky said in an address today: 'We remember the real price of freedom for Ukraine. 'And we do not forget all our people of different times who fought for Ukraine and became a model of dignity for the world. 'Thanks to people, thanks to the desire of our people to preserve freedom and independence for Ukraine, our state will always be on the political map of the world. Always free and sovereign.' The bombardment comes a day after Kyiv launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Kursk. Fragments of the missiles that struck a military facility in the Russian town of Marino were recovered by military bloggers on Wednesday afternoon, with unverified pictures shared widely on social media. The Mail understands the attacks, which followed Ukraine firing US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Tuesday, were personally approved by Sir Keir Starmer. Russia this morning officially acknowledged the strikes, saying its air defences shot down two of the projectiles along with six HIMARS rockets and 67 drones. Russian military bloggers said 18 Russian and North Korean servicemen were killed in that attack with dozens more injured, though the defence ministry has not commented. Asked to confirm reports Storm Shadow had been used by Ukraine, Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'I won't be drawn on the operational details of the conflict. 'It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin.' According to Moskovsky Komsomolets, a Moscow-based newspaper, a Russian military expert had openly talked about retaliation for the Storm Shadow strike with an ICBM. Timur Syrlanov, a Russian military analyst, said Ukraine should be 'trembling' over the use of the RS-26 'Frontier' rocket. One image shows a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow' Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy ATACMS - Army Tactical Missile - being fired from an M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System '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 Ukraine's critical infrastructure and, possibly, to targets in Kyiv itself,' he said. 'Let them tremble, be afraid, and wait for landings anywhere. Moreover, the enemy understands perfectly well that our weapons can reach any targets throughout Ukraine.' is estimated to be 12 metres (40 ft) long and can carry an 800kg (1,765-pound) nuclear warhead - though Kyiv confirmed that only conventional munitions were used in this morning's strike. The RS-26 Putin on Tuesday signed off changes to the country's laws on nuclear weapons to make it easier for them to be deployed against Ukraine. And his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov chillingly warned that the strikes by Ukraine were a clear signal that Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' and that Russia would 'react accordingly'. The terrifying sabre rattling was confirmed by the Russian President's close ally Dmitry Medvedev. Posting on X, the Deputy Chair of Russia's security council said it meant 'World War III'. It came after Kyiv launched six 'ATACMS' rockets from an undisclosed location over the border into Russian territory on Tuesday. The strikes triggered a fiery explosion at a depot in Karachev, believed to be storing ammunition supplied by North Korea, around 75miles from the Ukrainian border. 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 Residents in the village of Marino, Kursk, found fragments from a Storm Shadow missile As tensions escalate in the Russia-Ukraine war, the UK's Defence Secretary announced the British military would be hit by 500 million worth of cuts. John Healy said the Labour Government would scrap six major programmes across the Armed Forces, including the Army's main fleet of drones and two amphibious assault ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. The plans have been criticised by former defence secretary Ben Wallace who argued they would send a message of weakness to the UK's adversaries. Writing in The Telegraph, he said: 'For our enemies to be deterred they must know we intend to have no holes in our capabilities, or at least we will soon be upgrading them. 'To tell the world we are scaling back our capabilities when our enemies are doing the opposite is pure folly. 'No one is fooled by the tired and misleading excuse by Labour that ''we have to wait for a defence review'' yet another one.' A fiery explosion lit up the night sky around 77 miles from the nearest Ukrainian border at an ammunition store in Karachev, in Russia's Bryansk region, on Tuesday Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19 Vladimir Putin 's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (pictured) chillingly warned that Moscow would 'react accordingly' as he described the strike as a signal Kyiv 'wanted to escalate' Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with Denmark's prime minister at the presidential palace in Kyiv, on November 19 In videos recorded in the village of Marino in Russia's Kursk region yesterday, multiple explosions were heard preceded by high-pitched whistling apparently from incoming missiles. The footage also showed smoke rising from buildings. Unconfirmed reports suggested Ukraine had targeted an underground command and control facility 50 miles inside Russia with Storm Shadow missiles. 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. 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.' The moment an Illinois grandmother stole the show during a Michael Jackson impersonator performance at her care facility was captured on video. Rico Hampton, Chicago's own tribute artist who has been dubbed the king of all MJ impersonators for more than 25 years, made a surprise visit to Alden Estates of Orland Park nursing home on Sunday. But he never could have expected what would happen as he launched into the cover of 'The Way You Make Me Feel'. A normal day at the nursing home instantly turned into a 'thriller' of a day, as video footage showed an elderly resident springing out of her wheelchair and immediately going toe-to-toe with Hampton as she busted out her best moves. Staff at the facility told the New York Post that their resident successfully proved that 'rhythm knows no age' during the unsuspected dance-off that wowed the crowd in front of her. With a smile on her face and hands on her hips, the dancing granny was captured waltzing around and quickly shaking her hips alongside Hampton like it was an everyday occurrence for her - despite her older age. At one point, she appeared to even twerk on the performer as he soaked up the moment and matched her unbelievable energy. The Michael Jackson tribute artist shared the video with his Facebook followers, accompanied with the caption: 'Granny is going to get it messing around with Rico MJ Hampton!' Video footage captured an Illinois grandmother who stole the show during a Michael Jackson impersonator performance at her nursing home A Washington hiker who was dramatically rescued from Mount Rainier National Park after he was considered 'dead' for 45 minutes has now been accused of murder. Michael Knapinski's astonishing survival story gripped the nation when it unfolded four years ago. The 49-year-old went missing and spent a night on the mountainside in 16 degree conditions, before he was miraculously rescued on the brink of death. His heart then stopped for nearly an hour but medics managed to save him by using a special machine to oxygenate his blood outside his body. Now Knapinski has been charged with the murder of alleged drug dealer Jason Martinell and stealing $1,900 worth of narcotics from him, according to court documents obtained by People. Martinell, 42, was shot dead in the parking lot of a Safeway store in Bothell on October 25. Investigators say that Knapinski had approached Martinell to purchase fentanyl and methamphetamine. A friend who was with Martinell said he heard him make a deal to sell Knapinski his drugs for $1,900. Washington hiker Michael Knapinski (pictured) who was dramatically rescued from Mount Rainier National Park after he was considered 'dead' for 45 minutes has now been accused of murder He said Martinell then jumped into the suspect's Toyota Sequoia SUV and they drove to the Safeway parking lot. The friend said he then followed behind and as he pulled in, he saw the passenger side door of the SUV open and shut before driving away. Moments later, he found Martinell lying face down on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head, according to his affidavit. He fled the scene and told investigators, 'he was too scared to call police or go home', but he called 911 to report the incident. When the police found Martinell, he was not in possession of the drugs, leading officers to suspect Knapinski had stolen them. 'Based on the nature of this crime, there is a substantial likelihood the defendant will commit another violent offense,' prosecutors wrote, KOMO reports. '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.' The victim, Jason Martinell, 42, died from a gunshot wound to the head The murder took place in the parking lot of a Safeway store in Bothell, Washington Investigators claim that Knapinski (pictured) shot Martinell before stealing $1,900 worth of drugs Knapinski is being held at Snohomish County Sheriffs Office Corrections Bureau on a $1 million bond. The suspect previously hit headlines following his dramatic rescue. The experienced hiker was out for a walk on November 7, when he planned to snowshoe down toward Paradise, an area at approximately 5,400 feet on the south slope, to meet a friend. However, he never showed up and a frantic search was launched which lasted overnight and into the next morning. Helicopter searchers finally found Knapinski in the Nisqually River drainage, about a mile upstream from the Glacier Bridge, the park said. Once the ground teams reached him about an hour later, a Navy helicopter from an air station on Whidbey Island responded to bring him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and he arrived on Sunday night, still unconscious. Dr Jenelle Badulak, one of the first people to start treating him, said he had a pulse but soon went into cardiac arrest. 'He died while he was in the ER, which gave us the unique opportunity to try and save his life by basically bypassing his heart and lungs, which is the most advanced form of artificial life support that we have in the world,' she said. It comes four years after Knapinski was miraculously rescued from Mount Rainier after disappearing during a hike The experienced hiker vanished overnight in 16F conditions before he was eventually found on the brink of death. His heart stopped pumping for 45 minutes but medics revived him using a special machine which oxygenates blood outside the body He remained dead for about 45 minutes, while teams repeatedly administered CPR and hooked him up to an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine. In that process, blood is pumped outside of the body to a heart-lung machine that removes carbon dioxide and sends oxygen-filled blood back to tissues in the body. Following the ordeal Knapinski, who volunteered with the Salvation Army and helped build children's foster homes said he was committed to dedicating his life to helping others. 'As soon as I get physically able, that's going to be my calling in life,' he said. 'Just helping people. I'm still just shocked and amazed.' A benefits cheat jailed after being secretly filmed completing 5km runs while claiming she could barely walk has been freed after serving just six months behind bars. Annette Bond was sentenced to two years in prison in May 2024 after a trial heard she systematically duped the benefits agency for almost a decade, although that was cut to 18 months on appeal. But Perth Sheriff Court was told today that Bond had already been released after serving just a quarter of the original sentence. Solicitor Linda Clark, defending, said: 'She is currently on a home detention curfew after being released on 14 November. 'She is to remain indoors from 7.15pm to 7.15am each day and that will continue until 13 February. Now she is at liberty she will be able to do something about the funds that have to be paid back.' Online jeweler Bond was back in court to seek an extra six months to pay back the 67,062.50 she has been ordered to hand over under Proceeds of Crime legislation. Mrs Clark said that the silversmith would be in a better position to raise funds after her release from prison and was looking at taking out a loan or a mortgage on her home. Sheriff William Wood granted the six-month extension, but warned Bond that no further time could be granted beyond that. Jeweler Annette Bond said she had poor balance and was at risk of dizzy spells and falling when outside unaided The 50-year-old was secretly filmed by investigators completing three mile runs in under 30 minutes Bond was sentenced to two years in prison following a hearing at Perth Sheriff Court Bond's original claim for benefits stated that she required someone with her at all times when she was outdoors because she had poor balance and was at risk of dizzy spells and falling. However, investigators filmed damning evidence of her completing regular 5km training runs from her home without any signs of mobility issues. At her sentencing in May 2024, Sheriff William Wood told her: 'The rate of benefits awarded to you was dependent upon honest disclosure of your abilities. 'On the basis of your application, you were awarded the highest rate of the care component and the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA. 'These are normally for those who cannot, or are virtually unable to, walk unaided. Former work colleagues clearly indicated you did not require either the level of care or impaired mobility required for the benefits you claimed. 'You rarely used a stick; you were able to get around the workplace unaided; you could negotiate stairs; and you were able to dance at a Christmas function. 'But by far the most graphic evidence in the trial that your condition had improved was the surveillance footage obtained by DWP investigators from 2017, recording your ability to run five km, over mixed terrain, more than once a week. 'I have noted you continue to maintain your innocence,' Sheriff Wood said. 'You must have known you did not meet the criteria for the benefits of which you were in receipt. The 50-year-old has now been released after serving only six months of her sentence 'Your conduct can only be characterised as a prolonged and egregious course of dishonesty, for which there is no excuse. 'You have obtained, through fraud, a significant sum of money to which you had no entitlement and you have deprived the taxpayer of funds that might have been usefully spent elsewhere. 'You have defrauded the state of a large sum of money over a protracted period. I am satisfied only a custodial sentence is appropriate.' Bond spent a decade claiming 'enhanced' benefit payments due to a serious of conditions she claimed made it difficult for her to stand up or even get out of bed. The jury at Perth Sheriff Court heard how Bond spent nearly ten years conning taxpayers out of 67,062.50 by claiming her mobility was severely impaired by multiple sclerosis. However, they found her guilty after being shown video footage of Bond leaving her home in high visibility running gear to carry out sub-30 minute 5k runs around her neighbourhood. Department of Work and Pensions fraud investigator Scott Hodge, 54, said the team eventually quit the surveillance operation early because they had gathered so much damning evidence against Bond. A sheriff told Bond her conduct could be characterised as a prolonged and egregious course of dishonesty He told the court that the team parked in view of Bond's home and filmed her running the same route three times in a ten-day period in 2017. Mr Hodge told the court that Bond had completed the runs without any support from anyone else, had not been unsteady on her feet, and did not appear to be impaired. Her mother, Elizabeth Bond, 68, told the jury her daughter was diagnosed with MS in 2004, but exercised regularly to fight the condition. Mrs Bond said: 'I occasionally saw her when I was on the way to work. She was out running. I was very pleased to see she was fit enough to run. 'It was most mornings on my way to work. For months. She seemed to walk quite well. She was exercising to try and strengthen her legs. 'I think she had a running machine in her house. I think it was a cross-trainer she had as well.' In her own evidence, Bond admitted running around four times per week, but claimed the investigators happened to catch her out during a period when she was fitter. A woman suffocated her terminally-ill father with a pillow to end his suffering from late stage terminal pancreatic cancer. Dr Lisa Davenport, 55, appeared before a High Court judge today where she admitted to manslaughter as an alternative to the murder charge she was facing following the death of her cancer-stricken father Barrie Davenport, 88. The academic's guilty plea of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility was accepted by the prosecution at Oxford Crown Court. Mr Davenport was bed bound-bound and largely unconcious in the lead up to his death in October 2022, the court heard. He was living at Foxhall Court in Banbury, Oxfordshire and was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in August 2022. He was expected to die a natural death from his illness imminently. His daughter Dr Davenport suffocated him with a pillow in an act of mercy and then told a manager that she had smothered her father with a pillow, the court heard. Prosecutor John Price told High Court Judge Mr Justice Linden: 'At the time he died in October 2022 he was a man in late 80s who was in the advanced stages of terminal pancreatic cancer. Dr Lisa Davenport, 55, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Oxford Crown Court 'The foundation of the prosecution case was the defendant's own confession to others about what she had done. 'The evidence established that from that date until the date he died, he could not have had a more devoted carer or better familial care than was provided to him by this defendant. 'It was in that context that she took his life.' The court heard that the motive for what she did was to end his suffering. Mr Davenport was in very considerable pain caused by his condition on the day he died and the palliative care, whilst up to standard, was diminishing in its effect. He had a high degree of agitation consistent with suffering, the court heard. Mr Justice Linden heard that Dr Davenport was examined by three consultant psychiatrists. Mr Price said: 'Their opinions are unanimous in finding at the time of the killing, Dr Davenport was suffering abnormality of mind attributed in her case to more than one recognised medical condition. 'There was a clear history of clinical signs and symptoms of the conditions diagnosed by doctors when they assessed her in October and November this year.' He added there is a 'long established pre-existing history.' Mr Price concluded: 'She was, at that time, unable to acknowledge what she had done. It was in that context the reports were prepared. 'The psychiatrists were each of the opinion that it had substantially impaired her ability to act rationally and to exercise self-control and it provided an explanation for what she had done. 'Those opinions by the doctors seemed to the professionals, to be of compelling weight. Dr Lisa Davenport was described as a 'loving, devoted daughter' who cared for her father for many years Mary Prior counsel representing Dr Davenport, said her client had no previous criminal convictions, cautions or reprimands. She told the judge: 'You will understand this was a loving, devoted daughter who was the primary carer for her father who had been unwell for many years but terminally ill more recently.' The court heard the defendant was in constant contact with those providing palliative care - for which she had the burden of responsibility because her father did not want to move into a hospice. Ms Prior said: 'Regrettably the conditions she has suffered from for many years were not properly treated or diagnosed at the time this was going on. 'We will characterise this at sentencing hearing as a matter of mercy.' The case was adjourned for sentencing by High Court Judge until February 7, 2025. The defendant, of Banbury, was released on conditional bail. Jussie Smollett has had his conviction for lying to the police with a bizarre anti-Trump hoax overturned in a sensational ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court. The court found that the former 'Empire' actor had his rights violated by a special prosecutor's decision to retry him after initial charges against him were dropped with an agreement that he would not be re-charged. Smollett was convicted in December 2021 for lying to police about an alleged episode in Chicago two years before, where he claimed two men beat him, yelled homophobic slurs and placed a noose around his neck while wearing MAGA hats. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months' probation after it was proven that he made the episode up, and he was also slapped with a hefty fine of $130,160. Smollett appealed the ruling and has not yet served a day of that sentence behind bars, even after his conviction was previously affirmed by a lower court in 2023 before the Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal. The actor's hoax and subsequent arrest sparked a media firestorm years ago, as it was found that he had actually paid two Nigerian brothers - Abel and Ola Osundairo - to stage the incident. Jussie Smollett, seen in court in March 2019, has had his conviction for lying to the police with a bizarre anti-Trump hoax overturned in a sensational ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court The actor's hoax and subsequent arrest sparked a media firestorm years ago, as it was bizarrely found that he had actually paid two Nigerian brothers, Abel and Ola Osundairo (pictured) to stage the incident When Smollett first came forward with his story, the actor was met with widespread support, and the Chicago PD vowed to swiftly find his attackers. Smollett even showed police the noose that he claimed he was almost lynched with. Although Smollett claimed he was attacked by two white Trump supporters, detectives reviewed surveillance footage and zeroed in on the Osundairo brothers as suspects. When presented with a grainy surveillance picture of the brothers near the scene, Smollett said they were 'absolutely' the men who attacked him, not realizing they had already been arrested. One of his attorneys, Tina Glandian, claimed that Smollett may have misidentified the brothers - who he had also just been on the phone with moments before - because they could have been 'in disguise' in white makeup. She went on to point to a 2016 YouTube video of Abel Osundairo, the brother in question, where he is wearing white make-up to perform a Joker monologue for Halloween as proof of her theory. By that time, stories had leaked that detectives believed Smollett had concocted the story, seemingly in an attempt boost his public profile. Smollett went on Good Morning America to tearfully insist he was the victim, but by February 2019, a month after the incident, he was arrested and charged with filing a false police report, and his character from Empire was halted. Before his first arrest, Smollett broke down in tears as he insisted he wasn't lying about the hoax during an appearance with Good Morning America Jussie Smollett's lawyer Tina Glandian suggested that the reason he told police his Nigerian attackers were white was because they 'might have been wearing white face.' Her evidence of the theory was 2016 video of Abel Osundairo (pictured) dressed up as the Joker for Halloween Smollett even showed police the noose that he claimed he was almost lynched with during the investigation (pictured) An evidence picture of the 'noose' Smollett claimed he was attacked with Police released this image of the brothers walking near the scene on the night of the attack which Smollett said, without realizing they had been arrested, was 'absolutely' an image of the men who attacked him However, despite a grand jury indicting him for repeatedly lying to cops, the charges against Smollett were then sensationally dropped a month later in March, sparking outrage from the public. President Trump led the backlash as he decried the charges being dropped as an 'embarrassment to the nation', while Chicago Police Chief Eddie Johnson, who is Black, said at the time: 'Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.' The Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, amounted it to a 'whitewash of justice' that proved Smollett was treated gently by the system because he is a celebrity and a prominent figure in the city. After he was fined $140,000 for wasting police resources, a special prosecutor was named to investigate why the charges against Smollett were dropped. It was this decision that has now led to Smollett's ultimate conviction to be overturned this week, as it was found his rights were violated because Smollett had agreed with prosecutors that he would not be re-charged at the time after the case against him was dropped. In February 2020 Smollett was indicted again on felony lying to police, and following a contentious trial where he maintained his innocence, Smollett was convicted at the conclusion of his trial in 2021. Smollett again sparked backlash during his conviction hearing, as he triumphantly raised his fist to appear defiant, despite being caught in a lie. Smollett again sparked backlash during his conviction hearing, as he triumphantly raised his fist to appear defiant, despite being caught in a blatant lie Although he initially received a groundswell of support after coming forward with his story, Smollett suffered a dramatic fall from grace when detectives said he made it up (seen in his mugshot after his first arrest in 2019) The conviction was overturned by members of the Illinois Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Theis and Justice Cunningham (not circled) recusing themselves from the decision When the Illinois Supreme Court handed down the ruling to overturn that conviction on Thursday, Chief Justice Theis and Justice Cunningham recused themselves from the decision. The court's opinion pointed to the agreement Smollett had with Illinois prosecutors after his charges were dropped. 'We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust,' the opinion read. 'Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied.' Dutch photographer and filmmaker Robin de Puy travelled the United States between 2022 and 2024 in search of unveiling the untold stories of underrepresented Americans. De Puy captured photographs and video of the people she met throughout her travels, highlighting their lives in her new project American. The audio and visual series, as well as her upcoming book of the same title, moves to capture the resilience, humor and heartbreak of the many different faces of America. American features 25 individual stories from the people 'who make up one of the worlds most powerful, extreme and divisive countries'. De Puy captured the project ahead of the 2024 presidential election, during what she describes a 'politically turbulent and poignant time' in the US, and aimed to reveal the 'thoughts, concerns and dreams of the largely unheard people of America'. The portraits featured in American will be displayed in a series of billboards across Nevadas Route 50. The photographs and testimonies featured in the project will also be published by Hannibal in a photobook across Europe next month and worldwide in early 2025. Presented by WePresent, WeTransfer's arts platform. APRIL 21, 2022: Savannah, 19, lives in a room at the dilapidated Yellow Motel in Wichita Falls, Texas with her boyfriend (right), two siblings (left), father, two dogs and pet lizard. Before moving in the Yellow Motel, the family motel hopped and lived in their car APRIL 21, 2022: The pregnant 19-year-old appears to be floating 'carefree' in the bathtub of her family's motel room. Savannah says 'I am terrified, but everything will be okay' APRIL 16, 2022: Nick, 79, and Zorka, 76, run the Maverick Motel in Raton, New Mexico. Nick, originally from Yugoslavia, visited the US as a tourist in 1968 and became a citizen eight years later. He worked as a welder in Colorado for 18 years and then launched the motel. He and Zorka have run the business together since they got married. Although the Maverick Motel was once very successful, the collapsing motel industry has couple now looking to sell JULY 16, 2022: Alton, 89, sits solemnly in Beckham's Bookshop in New Orleans, Louisiana. He and his business partner, 87-year-old Carey, are still together after 65 years. They don't call themselves a couple, despite sharing a bed and the store with 60,000 books. Their slogan is 'Beckham's Bookshop delights and improves the mind' JULY 17, 2022: Nino, 54, is a real life cowboy living in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father taught him how to tame wild horses when he was a very young age, as well as everything that comes with horseback riding. He 'scoops' bull riders up when they fall off and does maintenance on trailers that provide temporary housing for people displaced by natural disasters. When asked who takes care of him, Nino replied: 'I'm good' JULY 20, 2022: Damaj, 17, (left) is the owner of a tire shop in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Damaj, who was born in Yemen but brought to America by his father, was told that he can have anything he wants if he stays in school. But the teen dreams of opening 500 tire shops within 10 years. Jamario, (right) who was turning 21 and about to become a father, dreams of going to the police academy JULY 22, 2022: These carefree boys from Mena, Arkansas are hard workers with big dreams. The teens, who were spotted in a parking lot near a Walmart, Pizza Hut and McDonald's, do not talk about politics because it's 'took complicated', but do reveal their favorite 'move with the girls'. They showed off their cars, doing burnouts in the parking lot, and said they aren't afraid of the police because the officers 'don't bother us' JULY 25, 2022: Carol, 22, has been living on the streets in Lawton, Oklahoma for four years. She has a collarbone tattoo that reads awaking my soul from darkness, a tribute to her father who died when she was just two years old. Carol wants to get a job but most employment opportunities in Lawton are associated with the military or university students. 'It's hard to find help in this country,' she said JULY 28, 2022: Dottie, 83, lives in Uncertain, a swampland near the border of Texas and Louisiana with a population of only 85 people. She used to be a teacher but is now regarded by locals as the 'Superwoman from Uncertain'. Dottie loves riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle and the company of her racoon Willow, who is often found perched on her shoulder or sitting in her lap APRIL 14, 2023: Ten-year-old Leuxian lives in Midvale, Utah with his adoptive parents. The couple adopted him when he was seven and 'know very little about his past'. Robin de Put first photographed him as a toddler, recalling how he walked outside in a diaper and was burning himself on the hot exhaust of her motorcycle. During both photoshoots, Leuxian manages to get dirty. His mother Amanda says, 'There is one big difference. He can be dirty now, because now he has a mommy that cleans him afterwards' APRIL 15, 2023: Jeffrey, 20, lives in a campervan in Ely, Nevada with his mother, stepfather and 14 dogs. He shots at microwaves with his pistol as he recalls the time he and his best friend accidentally burnt down six cars and a trailer while they were lighting campfires. The 'burnt car carcasses' are now used as a breeding ground for wild peacocks that roam the area APRIL 19, 2023: Six-year-old Emily is eating a frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The photographer met Emily and her family at a Walmart in Twin Falls, Idaho. Emily's cognitive disability makes life a bit more challenging, but she is a 'happy, healthy kid in school'. Her mother says that without the help of the school and doctors 'I could not have done it' APRIL 25, 2023: Levi, 35, has a bloody open-skull tattoo around his mouth because 'it's unique' and he 'loves zombies'. He lives in Casper, Wyoming with his pit bull Bella as he battles Huntington's Disease, a hereditary condition causes muscle spasms. His grandmother died a slow death, which Levi suspects will also be his fate. He longs for an Apocalypse because he feels 'this world needs to be reset' and because it will put an end to his slow death JULY 14, 2024: Identical twins Derek and Quentin, 29, finish each other's sentences, as well as talk over and mimic each other. They live in a tent in the woods in Elkhart, Indiana. Extreme downpours have left their clothing and bedsheets completely damp. They are laundering their items at a 1950s trailer home owned by their friend. The brothers were adopted by their grandmother, who they say battled cancer three times, when they were little. Their mother has schizophrenia and their father, who 'cooked meth', is dead JULY 24, 2024: Austyn and Ryder live in Scottsburg, Indiana with their 41-year-old father James, mother Tiffany and their youngest brother Tanner in a temporary home that is 'something in between an apartment and a barn'. The family hopes to soon find a 'nice, and more permanent, place to live', says James JULY 24, 2024: Austyn, the family's eldest, is dozens of train carriages pass by. The train driver honked his horn and waved at the boys as he drove by A Texas mother has been arrested months after she allegedly left her two-year-old child alone in a house for days to meet a man she matched with on Hinge in another city. Reese Louise Myers, 25, has been accused of abandoning or endangering a child after cops found her 16-month-old child alone in an apartment in the 600 block of West Hallmark in Killeen on July 28. Myers had gone away to Alamo City, near San Antonio to visit the unidentified man, cops have said. Officials from the Killeen Police Department arrived at the scene at around 9 am after calls about the welfare of a child were made. 'Officers were told that a child was hanging out near a broken window and an aggressive dog was trying to attack the child. 'Upon the officers arrival, they observed a child protruding from the window that was repaired with a plexiglass sheeting and cardboard. It was not shattered,' the department said in a statement. Responding deputies also noted that the child was only wearing a shirt with visible feces on his skin and showing signs of diaper rash. 'Officers conducted a sweep of the apartment and it showed the child was alone, with the exception of two dogs. Reese Louise Myers, 25, has been accused of abandoning or endangering a child after cops found her 16-month-old child alone in an apartment on July 28 'Officers contacted the mother of the child, who advised that she was currently in San Antonio and had been there since the day before,' the statement continued. According to an affidavit, there were several baby precautions set up around the house - indicating that the accused had intended to leave the child alone without a babysitter. Cops noticed that doors had been closed off, a baby gate blocking off the kitchen area had been set up and deadbolts were locked on the doors and windows. But when officials connected with Myers, she claimed that she had contacted a babysitter through Facebook to look after the child. The claim was soon refuted by the babysitter herself who said she had not been contacted by Myers since December. She also showed her Facebook messages to the police as proof. Officers then demanded that she return back to Killeen, but Myers did not comply. Ultimately, she was taken into custody on November 5 by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office in California. Cops found the toddler in an apartment in the 600 block of West Hallmark in Killeen Responding deputies also noted that the child was only wearing a a shirt with visible feces on his skin and was showing signs of diaper rash She was released from their custody on November 19 and then arrested again by the Killeen Police Department on the same day. The affidavit also says that another woman, who claims that Myers lived with her for a month in October 2023, approached cops and said that Myers showed signs of neglect toward the child. While Myers was living with the woman, she would allegedly leave the house at night and sometimes not return until the next day, documents state. She also claimed that Myers would tell her that the child would sleep through the night and not wake up. This comes a month after a Texas mother pleaded guilty to charges related to her eight-year-old son's death and abandoning her three other children in a horrible home with their dead brother's decomposing body. Gloria Williams, 38, pleaded guilty last week to two charges of injury to a child in relation to her autistic son Kendrick Lee's death in 2020 Gloria Williams, 38, pleaded guilty last week to two charges of injury to a child in relation to her autistic son Kendrick Lee's death in 2020. She was accused of knowing that her boyfriend, Brian Coulter, had been beating her children and failing to intervene. The mother-of-four was also accused of tampering with evidence as she kept his decomposing body under a blanket in an apartment with her three other sons, Click 2 Houston reports. Her guilty plea comes just months after Coulter, 34, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the young boy's death. Britain has slapped santions on the oligarch owner of a disused London Tube station, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced today. Dmitry Firtash, a Ukrainian businessman with ties to Russia's Vladimir Putin, is among those being sanctioned as part of a fresh crackdown on 'dirty money'. They also include the daughter of Angola's former president, once dubbed 'Africa's richest woman', who embezzled at least 350million. Firtash has been accused of extracting hundreds of millions of pounds from Ukraine through corruption and his control of the country's gas distribution market. The Foreign Office claimed he had hidden tens of millions of pounds of ill-gotten gains in the UK property market alone. His wife Lada Firstash, who has also been sanctioned, is said to have profited from his corruption and holds UK assets on his behalf - including Brompton Road station. The former London Underground station, which is just down the road from Harrods, was sold by the Ministry of Defence for 53million in 2014. It was previously used by Winston Churchill during the Second World War as a secret command centre for anti-aircraft operations in the Blitz. Dmitry Firtash, a Ukrainian businessman with ties to Russia 's Vladimir Putin, and his wife Lada Firtash have been sanctioned as part of a fresh crackdown on 'dirty money' Brompton Road station, which is just down the road from Harrods, was sold by the Ministry of Defence for 53million in 2014 Firtash visited Parliament with his wife in 2013 when he was pictured shaking hands with John Bercow, who was then the Speaker of the House of Commons I said I would take on dirty money when I became Foreign Secretary. Today, I am. pic.twitter.com/f3PIexJPnr David Lammy (@DavidLammy) November 21, 2024 The disused station is also said to have been where Adolf Hitler's deputy, Rudolf Hess, was interrogated after he was captured in 1941. Firtash visited Parliament with his wife in 2013 when he was pictured shaking hands with John Bercow, who was then the Speaker of the House of Commons. Others to have been sanctioned under the Government's fresh action include Isabel Dos Santos, the daughter of Angola's former president. She is alleged to have systematically abused her positions at state-run companies to embezzle at least 350million. Aivars Lembergs, one of Latvia's richest people, has also been sanctioned and is accused of abusing his political position to commit bribery and launder money. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 'These unscrupulous individuals selfishly deprive their fellow citizens of much-needed funding for education, healthcare and infrastructure - for their own enrichment. 'I committed to taking on kleptocrats and the dirty money that empowers them when I became Foreign Secretary and these sanctions mark the first step in delivering this ambition. 'The tide is turning. The golden age of money laundering is over.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'Corruption harms societies, undermines security, and lines the pockets of criminals in the UK and across the globe. 'That's why this Government is committed to working with partners at home and abroad to prevent these criminal practices and pursue those who benefit from the flow of dirty money. 'This action signals a new chapter in our efforts to tackle the scourge of corruption wherever it occurs.' It was the hoax heard around the world. Jussie Smollett - a budding actor on the popular show Empire - told America he'd been the victim of a shockingly racist, homophobic attack by two white men wearing MAGA hats. He was walking home at 2am on January 29, 2019, when the pair pounced, dousing him with liquid and throwing a rope around his neck. Smollett scuttled home, telling his friends on the phone about what had happened. They called the police. And then the lies started to unravel. Chicago Police Department determined that Smollett, the son of a prominent family, had almost fooled everyone. He had orchestrated the attack, telling brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo to attack him in the street in exchange for money. Cops said he wanted to boost his profile. He has always denied it - insisting for years that he was telling the truth. Now, as Illinois' High Court overturns his conviction in a shock decision based on a legal technicality, many are left scratching their heads - and reflecting on the wild saga. Jussie Smollett, seen in court in March 2019, has had his conviction for lying to the police with a bizarre anti-Trump hoax overturned in a sensational ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court The actor's hoax and subsequent arrest sparked a media firestorm years ago, as it was bizarrely found that he had actually paid two Nigerian brothers, Abel and Ola Osundairo (pictured) to stage the incident THE 'ATTACK' Smollett said he had flown back to Chicago from filming when he decided to venture out into the subzero night at 2am to buy a tuna sandwich from Subway. On his way home, he later claimed, he was seized on by two white men in MAGA hats. He said they called him racial and homophobic slurs and yelled 'This is MAGA country n****!' before punching him in the face. 'So I punch his a** back. We end up tussling by the stairs, fighting, fighting, fighting...and then it just stopped,' the actor told Good Morning America. 'I looked down and I noticed a rope around my neck and I started screaming, "There's a f****** rope around me neck!" Smollett even showed police the noose that he claimed he was almost lynched with during the investigation. OUTPOUR OF SUPPORT As soon as the story emerged, Smullett began receiving an outpouring of sympathy, with Hollywood and DC rallying around him. Then-senator Kamala Harris wrote on X: 'Jussie Smollett is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I know. Im praying for his quick recovery. 'This was an attempted modern day lynching. No one should have to fear for their life because of their sexuality or color of their skin. We must confront this hate.' Before his first arrest, Smollett broke down in tears as he insisted he wasn't lying about the hoax during an appearance with Good Morning America The interview was the first time Smollett had answered questions about the case publicly Bernie Sanders wrote on Twitter: 'The racist and homophobic attack on Jussie Smollett is a horrific instance of the surging hostility toward minorities around the country. We must come together to eradicate all forms of bigotry and violence.' SMOLLETT'S GMA REMARKS 'You do such a disservice when you lie about stuff like this.' 'He says, "This MAGA country n****!" and punches me right in the face. So I punch his a** back. We end up tussling by the stairs, fighting, fighting, fighting...and then it just stopped.' 'I looked down and I noticed a rope around my neck and I started screaming, "There's a f****** rope around me neck!" 'It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim or a Mexican or someone black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot more. That says a lot about the place that we are at in the country right now.' 'I want a little gay boy who might watch this to see that I fought the f*** back. They ran off,' I didn't.' 'I still want to believe there's something called justice.' 'I've heard that it was a date gone bad which I so resent that narrative. I'm not going to go out to get a tuna sandwich and a salad to meet somebody. That's ridiculous and offensive. 'They called me a f****t. I don't need to add anything like that. I don't need to make MAGA hat the cherry on the top of some racist sundae.' 'I will never be the man that this did not happen to... I am forever changed. Advertisement Reverend Al Sharpton added: 'The reported hate attack on my friend and brother, actor Jussie Smollett is despicable and outrageous. The guilty must face the maximum.' Celebrities including Janet Jackson, John Legend and Lee Daniels also all rushed to offer their support in the wake of the alleged horrifying attack. Just two weeks after the alleged attack, on February 12, Smollett sat down for an interview on Good Morning America. At the time, he was still being described by police as a victim and not a suspect, but questions surrounding his cooperation with their probe were growing as sources within the Chicago Police Department leaked more and more information about the case. Robin Roberts offered Smollett a sympathetic ear and listened as he described details of the attack through tears. She also brought up the growing suspicion around his story which angered him. 'It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim or a Mexican or someone black, I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot more. That says a lot about the place that we are at in the country right now,' Smullett fired back. Within a few hours of the interview being aired on February 14, Chicago PD announced it had found the men in the surveillance video Smollett identified as his attackers on TV. THE STORY UNRAVELS Police said they tracked down the Osundairo brothers, who are Black, using surveillance video and taxi and ride-share records. When taken into custody, the siblings detailed for police how Smollett orchestrated the fake attack. When the alleged attackers were revealed as Nigerian, Smollett's lawyer offered an explanation for why the actor told police he thought they were white: they could have been wearing white make-up. Smollett even showed police the noose that he claimed he was almost lynched with during the investigation (pictured) An evidence picture of the 'noose' Smollett claimed he was attacked with Police released this image of the brothers walking near the scene on the night of the attack which Smollett said, without realizing they had been arrested, was 'absolutely' an image of the men who attacked him She went on to point to a 2016 YouTube video of Abel Osundairo, the brother in question, where he is wearing white make-up to perform a Joker monologue as potential proof of her theory. By that time, stories had leaked that detectives believed Smollett had concocted the story, seemingly in an attempt boost his public profile. It also emerged that Chicago prosecutor Kim Foxx had meddled in the case before she was forced to recuse herself. Fox had exchanged text messages with his a friend of the Smollett family who was angry about the Chicago Police Department leaking details of the case. She then personally lobbied the then-chief of police, Eddie Johnson, to have it moved into the care of the FBI. When her involvement was revealed as Smollett became more and more of a suspect, she recused herself. She then however continued to meddle, instructing deputy Joseph Magats to ignore the recommendation of a grand jury who charged Smollett with lying 16 times. Under the direction of Foxx's fury, Magats entered a deal with Smollett which meant he would serve 15 hours of community service and pay a $10,000 fine to avoid jail and have the whole case wiped. Despite a grand jury indictment finding he lied repeatedly to cops, the charges against him were then sensationally dropped that March, sparking outrage from the public. Prosecutor Kim Foxx dropped the charges against Smollett in March 2019 In 2019, before Smollett was charged, an unnamed friend of the Smollett family was in contact with Foxx. The family was upset about how many details of the investigation were being leaked to the press. They wanted it to be handed over from the Chicago Police Department to the FBI and Foxx (whose text is in blue) told 'the friend' she was trying to get it done for them SMOLLETT FACES TRIAL After he was fined $140,000 for wasting police resources, a special prosecutor was named to investigate why the charges against Smollett were dropped. It was this decision that has now led to Smollett's ultimate conviction to be overturned, as it was found his rights were violated because Smollett had agreed with prosecutors that he would not be re-charged at the time after they were dropped. Smollett was charged with six counts of felony disorderly conduct for making what prosecutors say was a false police report one count for each time he gave a report, to three different officers. Chicago Police Chief Eddie Johnson, who is black, said at the time: 'Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.' Smollett reacting after being sentenced to 150 days in jail. He said yelled out that if anything happens to him in custody it's the jail's fault because he is not suicidal Smollett again sparked backlash during his conviction hearing, as he triumphantly raised his fist to appear defiant, despite being caught in a blatant lie Abimbola Osundairo said on the stand that Smollett had recruited him and his brother to stage a homophobic and racist attack on him, saying the former star even instructed them on how to throw fake punches. Smollett also planned a 'dry run' and gave him a $100 bill to buy supplies, Osundairo testified. Osundairo told jurors Smollett instructed him to punch him but 'not too hard.' Once Smollett was on the ground, Osundairo said Smollett said he should give Smollett 'a bruise' and 'give him a noogie' or rub his knuckles hard on Smolletts head. Osundairo, who worked as a stand-in on Empire, said he and his brother agreed because he felt indebted to Smollett for helping him with his acting career. He testified that Smollett gave him a check for $3,500 and wrote on it that it was for a nutrition and workout program. But Osundairo said the money was both for the program and for helping to stage the attack. A defense attorney told jurors during openings that Smollett was a 'real victim' and that the brothers accounts are unreliable. This booking photo provided by the Cook County Sheriff's Office shows Jussie Smollett. A judge sentenced Jussie Smollett to 150 days in jail Thursday, March 10, 2022 Smollett was convicted in December 2021 for lying to police. He again sparked backlash during his conviction hearing, as he triumphantly raised his fist to appear defiant, despite being caught in a lie. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months' probation after it was proven that he made the episode up, and he was also slapped with a hefty fine of $130,160. Smollett appealed the ruling and has not yet served a day of that sentence behind bars, even after his conviction was previously affirmed by a lower court in 2023 before the Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal. Downing Street today refused to rule out Benjamin Netanyahu being arrested if he visits Britain, after the Israeli Prime Minister was slapped with an international arrest warrant over Gaza 'war crimes'. The International Criminal Court, which Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month said the UK 'supports', today issued warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as the leader of Hamas. The announcement of a case accusing them of crimes against humanity provoked uproar in Israel as Netanyahu condemned what he said was false equivalence between him and the terror organisation boss. No10 today also said there was no 'moral equivalence' between the democratically elected leader of Israel and terrorist leaders, and Israel has a right to defend itself. But asked if Mr Netanyahu was at risk of arrest if he made a state visit to Britain, the PM's spokesman refused to discuss 'hypothetical' situations, adding that the government 'respects the independence' of the court. It's understood that the ICC warrant would have to be ratified by a UK court before it became valid. Last month Mr Lammy told MPs Labour 'continues to support the ICC', adding: 'Both the ICC and the ICJ should be able to go about their work unfettered by political intervention.' And Attorney General Lord Hermer used a newspaper interview to say the government would not do 'anything that undermines the work of the ICC' and would 'comply with our lawful obligations.' Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the warrant was 'deeply concerning and provocative', adding: 'The Labour Government must condemn and challenge the ICC's decision.' The International Criminal Court, which Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month said the UK 'supports', today issued warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant (together above), as well as the leader of Hamas. Last month Mr Lammy told MPs Labour ' continues to support the ICC', adding: ' Both the ICC and the ICJ should be able to go about their work unfettered by political intervention.' Labour and former Labour leftwingers have demanded the Prime Minister back the International Criminal Court, The warrants against Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant focus on allegations Israel has used food as a weapon in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza, a charge Israeli officials deny. Experts have warned that hunger has become widespread across Gaza and may have reached famine levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops. The action by the International Criminal Court came as the death toll from Israel's campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Netanyahu condemned the arrest warrant against him, saying Israel 'rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions' by the court. In a statement released by his office, he said: 'There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza.' The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and could further isolate them, as well as complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court. 'We are not going to get into hypotheticals. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said when asked if the UK would obey the warrant. A domestic legal process needs to be carried out through the UK courts which determines whether or not to endorse the arrest warrant through the UK's International Criminal Court Act 2001. The spokesman added: 'We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court, which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. 'This Government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalent between Israel, a democracy, and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terrorist organisations. 'We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza which is essential to protect civilians ensure the release of hostages and to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.' Sir Keir is also facing pressure to support the warrant from Labour and former Labour leftwingers. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, said the warrant was an 'important development, which comes far too late for the 44,000 already killed in Gaza' 'If international law means anything and if there's any hope of stopping future atrocities against civilian populations, these men must be brought to justice,' she added. 'The UK government must take note, comply with the ICC, and end our country's complicity in war crimes.' Richard Burgon, the Socialist Campaign Group secretary who lost the Labour whip earlier this year for rebelling in a vote over benefits, added: 'I welcome the arrest warrants against Israeli PM Netanyahu & his former Defence Minister. Their barbaric crimes are clear for all to see. Our Government must commit to enforcing these arrest warrants. And Governments must now impose sanctions on Israel to stop more war crimes.' A drunk air passenger who spilled booze on a child and caused a flight to be grounded has been locked up. James Rae wreaked havoc on a TUI plane headed from Glasgow to Antalya on May 24 when he called a staff member a 'gay boy' and shouted abuse at others on board. His behaviour became so bad that the decision was made to divert the flight to Newcastle, which meant passengers faced more than a five hour delay to eventually reach their destination in Turkey. Newcastle Crown Court heard holidaymakers waiting to get the same plane home from Antalya were also delayed by 17 hours and the cost to the flight operator was 'several hundred thousands pounds'. Rae, who had downed gin and Jagermeister, was arrested as soon as it landed and he had to be carried away because he was so drunk. The 29-year-old plant operator, of West Bridge Street, Falkirk, Scotland, pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft. Judge Stephen Earl has today jailed Rae for eight months and told him: 'The one thing that stands out in this case is deterrence, not only deterring you but to ensure other people understand if you get on an aircraft and you are drunk, this is the sort of sentence you can expect.' James Rae (pictured) wreaked havoc on a TUI plane headed from Glasgow to Antalya on May 24 when he called a staff member a 'gay boy' and shouted abuse at others on board Judge Stephen Earl has today jailed Rae for eight months and told him: 'The one thing that stands out in this case is deterrence, not only deterring you but to ensure other people understand if you get on an aircraft and you are drunk, this is the sort of sentence you can expect' Judge Earl said passengers and staff on board the 'metal cylinder in the sky' were put at a risk which is almost incalculable. The judge added that some may find it 'odd' that alcohol is sold in the airport and on flights and added: 'It relies on people to be grown up about it, not sit with 15 pints for four people but that's what some people do. 'Of course, lots of people don't do that, lots of people treat it as a responsible, grown-up situation. 'Just because it is available doesn't mean it's compulsory to drink as much as you can before the flight.' Prosecutor Antonia Adie told the court a crew worker had noticed Rae and his partner acting 'loud and jolly' as they boarded the flight but thought there was nothing wrong at first. However, Miss Adie said: 'After the aircraft was boarded and subsequently taken off, some passengers who were in close proximity to the couple had began to complain about their language. 'At this point the partner moved away from him and was visibly upset by his actions. 'The cabin crew were setting up the bar for service when a passenger came in who had noticed the defendant was drinking his own duty-free spirits.' The cabin manager was informed and Rae was asked to hand over the drink which would be returned to him after landing. He was then asked to move to a different seat but refused to hand over his passport and began speaking more aggressively towards staff. He was also verbally warned that his behaviour was becoming increasingly unacceptable. Miss Adie told the court Rae then called one air steward a 'gay boy' and said the only reason he was being picked on by staff was because he was straight. She said: 'For a little while after that the defendant didn't understand why he was not allowed to drink his own alcohol. 'The cabin manager on the flight noticed the situation was not getting any better and the captain made the decision to divert the Newcastle due to the fact the defendant was drinking and was not able to follow lawful instructions.' Rae then returned to his normal seat but his behaviour declined even further. He started hitting his head off the seat in front of him which forced another passenger to intervene. 'The defendant also had a small plastic bottle which had some alcohol which he ended up spilling over a little girl sitting in front of him,' Miss Adie said. 'This then led to an argument with the children's parents and the defendant. 'The flight landed in Newcastle at around five to seven in the evening.' Officers were called to arrest Rae and had to be carried away due to his intoxication. The flight was delayed in total by five hours and 23 minutes, the court heard. The aircraft being grounded at Newcastle meant replacement cabin crew had to be called into work and the scheduled return flight was put back over 17 hours to allow the new staff to be given the minimum required rest period. Fiona Lamb, defending, told the court Rae has never been in trouble before and added: 'He is absolutely adamant he has not drank since this incident.' Miss Lamb said on the day of the flight Rae was 'quite nervous about flying' and had eaten just chicken nachos before take-off. Miss Lamb said Rae's memory of what happened on the flight is 'extremely limited' and he is not homophobic. The court heard Rae has said in his own words: 'It was horrible and shameful and I'm absolutely embarrassed, I have no idea where it came from. 'I've ruined my life over something I can't even remember, it's horrible.' Rae added he wanted to apologise to the airline staff member if he ever got the chance. Rep.-elect Sarah McBride is the highest ranking elected trans official in history Rep. Nancy Mace, who is crusading to ban transgender Rep.-elect Sarah McBride from using women's restrooms, indicated she is open to meeting with the Delaware Democrat. Mace, a South Carolina Republican, caused a commotion on Capitol Hill this week after demanding that McBride not be allowed into women's facilities around Congress. The Democratic representative-elect is the first openly trans politician elected to Congress, and is the highest-ranking elected trans politico in the nation's history. Mace has said that her PTSD from past sexual assault led her to push to ban McBride from entering women's restrooms and changing rooms. And Speaker Mike Johnson agreed, ruling that lawmakers must only use restrooms of their 'biological sex.' Mace has posted videos calling McBride a male, repeatedly speaking about their private parts and slamming transgenderism. Despite all that, Mace said she would be interested in having a meeting with the incoming Democratic lawmaker. 'I have always been willing to work with anyone who will work with me,' she told DailyMail.com when pressed on her openness to a sit-down with McBride. Though the conciliatory offering was short lived and Mace then began ruthlessly tearing into the Democrat. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told DailyMail.com she is open to sitting down and working with Rep.-elect Sarah McBride after introducing bills that would force the Democrat to use men's bathrooms and locker rooms Delaware Democratic Rep.-elect Sarah McBride is the highest-ranking elected trans politician in U.S. history Rep. Nancy Mace speaks to reporters as she leaves a House Republican Caucus meeting on Capitol Hill on November 19, 2024 in Washington, DC. As Rep.-elect Sarah McBride is set to join the House as the first openly transgender member of Congress, Mace has introduced a resolution to ban transgender women from using female bathrooms in the Capitol 'I voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, not once, but twice, I have sponsored and supported civil liberties protections for LGBTQ, but that's not what this is about.' 'This is about somebody's pecker being in the bathroom or being in the dressing room with women, and we're already vulnerable as it is,' Mace added. Earlier this week Mace introduced a bill that would force House members and staffers to use the bathrooms corresponding with their biological sex. The measure would specifically mean that McBride, who was born male, would have to use the men's facilities. The Capitol's top security agent, the Sergeant at Arms, would be tasked with enforcing the policy. 'Just the idea of a man being in a dressing room with me as survivor of sexual violence, it just sends me over the edge, and I'm just not going to tolerate it,' Mace said Thursday. 'And I'm really proud of the women and girls who feel the courage and the bravery to stand up and to shout from the rooftops that this is this is not okay.' 'There's a big difference between being pro-civil liberties and then being pro-women,' Mace continued. 'Women have rights and we're not going to erase them.' McBride will be the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told a sharply told a reporter Tuesday she is proposing a measure restricting transgender individual's bathroom options to protect women Speaker Mike Johnson later in the week expressed his support for the measure. '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 Wednesday. 'It is important to note that each Member office has its own private restroom, and unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol,' he continued. 'Women deserve women's only spaces.' Also on Wednesday Mace doubled down on her original proposal, which would only extend to the Capitol Hill complex, by introducing further legislation to extend the biological sex bathroom rule to all federal properties. The South Carolinian also said she has drafter further trans-related legislation that she will debut in December after recess. Democrats, meanwhile, have been outraged by the GOP measures and rhetoric. 'What Nancy Mace and what Speaker Johnson are doing are endangering all women and girls,' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., told reporters late Wednesday. 'Because if you ask them what is your plan on how to enforce this? They won't come up with an answer.' 'What it inevitably results in are women and girls who are primed for assault because people are going to want to check their private parts, and suspecting who is trans and who is cis and who's doing what,' AOC argued. A high-ranking member of a Mexican cartel was arrested in Riverside, California, where he had been living the luxe life under a false identity after after faking his own death, federal authorities announced. Cristian Gutierrez, 37, who is married to the daughter of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera, faces drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges. Gutierrez, who is said to have been working for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel since about 2014, 'allegedly directed the importation of tons of methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States and engaged in violence to aid the cartels criminal activities,' the US Department of Justice said in a statement. He coordinated the 'transportation and distribution of approximately 40,000 kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately 2,000 kilograms of cocaine in Mexico, all destined for the United States,' the agency added. Gutierrez faces 10 years to life in prison for the drug trafficking charge and a maximum of 20 years for money laundering. 'The Jalisco Cartel one of the world's most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations is weaker today because of the tenacious efforts of law enforcement to track down and arrest a cartel leader who allegedly faked his own death and assumed a false identity to evade justice and live a life of luxury in California,' Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. Gutierrez is also wanted by Mexican authorities for the alleged kidnapping of two soldiers at a Walmart parking lot in Zapopan, Michoacan on November 15, 2021, just days after El Mencho's wife, Rosalinda Gonzalez, was arrested on charges that included 'illicit financial operation of an organized crime group.' In abducting the soldiers, Gutierrez sought to pressure the government into releasing Gonzalez. Cristian Gutierrez, a high-ranking member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was arrested in Riverside, California, the Department of Justice revealed Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, helped son-in-law, Cristian Gutierrez, flee to the United States, where he eventually settled in Riverside, California, authorities said However, the ploy backfired as Gonzalez was kept in prison and the soldiers were eventually found alive five days after they were kidnapped, abandoned on a road in the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, 180 miles away from Zapopan. Gonzalez was sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering in December 2023. The Department of Justice alleged that El Mencho perhaps played a role in faking Gutierrez's death by telling cartel allies that he had murdered him. The plot appeared to have convinced associates, paving the way for Gutierrez to reunite with his wife, Laisha Oseguera, in the US. Once in the country, Gutierrez used a fake identity to settle down with Laisha in a 'luxury residence' in Riverside, which the Justice Department says was purchased with the cartel's drug-trafficking proceeds. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator Anne Milgram said that in arresting Gutierrez, the agency got 'much closer' to its goal of dismantling the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and its rival, the Sinaloa Cartel. 'The Jalisco Cartel is responsible for unprecedented violence in Mexico and helping to fuel the deadly drug crisis in the United States,' Milgram said in a statement. 'The DEA is relentlessly committed to defeating the Jalisco Cartel, and we will exhaust every tool in the justice system to fight back, to save American lives, and to bring this cartel to justice.' Laisha Oseguera, the wife of Cristian Gutierrez and daughter of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera While the DEA has been able to destabilize the Sinaloa Cartel's senior leadership by capturing co-founders Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada and Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, as well as two of El Chapo's four sons who stepped up after he was extradited to the United States, El Mencho has proven to be elusive for Mexican authorities. The US Department of State is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. His son, Ruben Oseguera, 34, who was seen as the heir to the cartel, was convicted on drug-trafficking and weapons charges by a federal jury on September 20. Ruben, who is known as 'El Menchito' and was born in California, was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the US in February 2020. He is looking at a minimum jail sentence of 40 years and a statutory maximum of life in prison in addition to 30 years in prison. His sentencing is set for January 10, 2025. El Mencho's U.S.-born daughter, Jessica Oseguera, was released from prison in October 2022, just three months into her 30-month sentence, after pleading guilty to laundering money for the cartel through businesses that had been designated under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary Pete Hegseth has broken his silence on sordid sexual assault claims in a police report released on Wednesday night. 'As far as the media is concerned, the matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared,' he told reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday. 'That's where I'm gonna leave it,' he said before walking away before meeting with more Republican senators who will vote on his nomination. Hegseth, a decorated veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan who won two Bronze Stars, is a controversial pick to lead the Defense Department. Many have questioned whether the 44-year-old former co-host of Fox & Friends Weekends can handle managing the Pentagon with an over $800 billion budget. But Trump has confidence in Hegseth, who he's called a 'courageous and patriotic,' and current service members have told DailyMail.com they think his leadership will be a welcome change at the sprawling agency. Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary Pete Hegseth has broken his silence on sordid sexual assault claims in a police report released on Wednesday night Hegseth is also facing an uphill confirmation battle after it came to light that he was investigated for an alleged sexual assault in 2017 - but no charges were filed. His lawyer admitted that Hegseth paid off the woman involved in exchange for her silence and shocking new details about the incident have emerged in a scathing police report. Hegseth himself has admitted to Republicans this week that he is facing a 'battle' that is 'just beginning,' and he's relying on prayer to help get him through the 'attacks and onslaughts.' He told reporters in the Senate it has been an 'amazing and humbling opportunity' to be nominated as the secretary of defense. 'I want to thank the incoming Vice President of the United States J.D. Vance who spent the morning with me.' 'We take very seriously the advice and consent role the U.S. Senate has and we look forward to engaging in that process. We take absolutely nothing for granted. And we welcome the opportunity to speak to any senator that wants to talk to us.' Top Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming met with Hegseth Thursday morning, calling him a 'strong nominee.' Hagerty said he had an 'outstanding' meeting with Hegseth and Vance on Thursday Top Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming met with Hegseth Thursday morning, calling him a 'strong nominee' Hegseth and his wife Jennifer have been married since 2017 'We had an excellent discussion about the need for America's military to remain the best in the world,' he said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'That means taking care of our service members, equipping them with the latest technology, and focusing on making our military the most lethal force on the planet. Pete pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power not the current administration's woke political agenda.' 'National security nominations have a history of quick confirmations in the Senate. I look forward to Pete's hearing and a vote on the floor in January.' Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said he had an 'outstanding' meeting with Hegseth and Vance on Thursday. 'Pete knows that the Defense Secretary's job is to empower the men and women of our military to carry out their patriotic duty, not consign them to serve as political pawns in a broken Washington.' He told reporters afterward: 'I'm saddened by the attacks coming Pete's way.' Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., was asked by the press about the allegations into Hegseth, which he brushed off. Wicker said he's focused on discussing 'military readiness' instead. Hegseth will need a majority of the GOP-led Senate to succeed in a confirmation vote. The alleged incident at the center of Hegseth's controversy took place in the early morning hours of Oct. 8, 2017, at the address of the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa in Monterey, California, the city said in a statement. The police department investigated 'an alleged sexual assault' involving Hegseth, a former Fox New host and Army National Guard veteran, that was reported four days later, according to the statement. No weapons were involved, according to the statement, but there were injuries 'contusions to right thigh.' No further details were released and the city said it would not release the full police report, noting it was exempt from public disclosure. The statement did not say what happened to the investigation. Barrasso: 'National security nominations have a history of quick confirmations in the Senate. I look forward to Pete's hearing and a vote on the floor in January' Hegseth himself has admitted to Republicans this week that he is facing a 'battle' that is 'just beginning' Hegseth, who was divorced from his second wife at the time of the alleged incident, has not been charged in any criminal case or named as a defendant in any civil lawsuit. Timothy Parlatore, a lawyer representing Hegseth, told news outlets: 'This statement confirms that although an allegation was made, it was fully investigated and no charges were filed.' He also admitted to the Washington Post that his client paid the woman for her silence. He said Hegseth paid her an undisclosed amount because he feared the allegation getting out 'would result in his immediate termination from Fox.' Parlatore said Hegseth was drunk and claimed the woman was 'the aggressor in the encounter,' which police did not agree with. And President-elect Trump is standing by his nominee, his staff said. Hegseth and his wife Jennifer President-elect Trump is standing by his nominee, his staff said Hegseth stepped down from his Fox News duties during the confirmation process 'Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed,' Trump communications director Steven Cheung has said. '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.' A complaint from an unnamed woman with extensive knowledge of the alleged rape sent to Trump's staff explained the story police were told at the time. Hegseth was a speaker at the California Federation of Republican Women conference at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa the day of the alleged rape. Hegseth is a 44-year-old former co-host of Fox & Friends Weekends Hegseth was a speaker at the California Federation of Republican Women conference at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa the day of the alleged rape He joined other guests at the hotel bar afterwards along with the woman, who was staying at the hotel with her husband and young children. Part of her job for the conference was to make sure Hegseth got out of bed the next morning in time to catch his flight home. At some point that night, she got texts from two women at the bar saying Hegseth 'was getting pushy about his interest in taking them upstairs to his room,' it was claimed. She allegedly came over and talked to them, and when they left she 'remembered sensing that Hegseth was irritated'. Matt Gaetz withdrew as Donald Trump 's nominee for attorney general in a stunning reversal for the president-elect. It followed a new allegation that the embattled Republican had a threesome that involved a minor. The announcement came a day after the House Ethics Committee deadlocked on releasing a report into allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use by Gaetz. On Wednesday, Gaetz had met with Republican senators whose support he would have needed to be confirmed as attorney general. 'I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,' Gaetz wrote on X. 'There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,' he noted. Many senators had privately expressed concerns about whether Gaetz could be confirmed due to the ethics investigation about allegations of drug use, sex parties and sex with a minor. Gaetz has already resigned from the House of Representatives for this term but was re-elected to the Congress that is sworn into office on January 3rd. He said he did not intend to be sworn in to the seat in January but he can change his mind. Matt Gaetz withdrew as Donald Trump's attorney general nominee CNN said they had informed Gaetz at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday they had testimony a woman gave the House Ethics Committee that she had two sexual encounters with Gaetz at one party in 2017. The woman, who was 17 years old at the time, testified that the second sexual encounter, which has not previously been reported, included another adult woman. CNN said they had told Gaetz the story was going live at 12:30 pm ET. He posted on social media at 12:24 pm he was withdrawing his nomination. Gaetz called Trump 'this am' and told him of his decision to withdraw, a source familiar told DailyMail.com. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the sexual encounters. The adult woman has denied participating in the alleged second encounter in her testimony to the Ethics committee, CNN reported. Gaetz only made it eight days as Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department. Trump said he appreciated Gaetz and expected great things from him. 'I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!,' the president-elect wrote on Truth Social. Trump has 'no back up' for attorney general and is going 'back to the drawing board,' CNN reported. He originally nominated Gaetz because he was struggling to find a candidate he liked, the network said. In his statement on Gaetz, Trump did not indicate who he might select as attorney general instead. Trump had been calling senators to rally support for his nominee. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, a senator, had been taking Gaetz around the Senate the past two days to work on his confirmation. Gaetz's wife Ginger Luckey responded to her husband's announcement with 'Nobody loves America more than you' and an emoji of hands making a heart shape. Gaetz made his case to Trump for being named his Attorney General on Trump Force One when Trump was on his way to Washington D.C. to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House shortly after he won the November election. He is a longtime Trump loyalist and, when he nominated him, the president-elect said Gaetz 'will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.' Gaetz's confirmation was expected to be a tough fight. Some senators expressed relief at his exit. 'I think that was appropriate,' outgoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said. 'I think it's the best decision that Rep. Gaetz could have made,' Republican Senator Susan Collins said. 'He has put country first, and I'm pleased with his decision.' 'There were a lot of red flags,' she added. Another Republican senator, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, said it would give Trump the opportunity to nominate an attorney general with fewer headwinds in the Senate. Republican strategist Scott Jennings said: 'He (Trump) went out on a limb on this one and it got sawed off pretty quickly.' He said the transition is having 'more twists and turns than an M. Night Shyamalan movie.' Democrats were more blunt. 'Holy s*** I didn't see that coming, you know, if you want to respond to absolute trolling, you know, then you really got to pace yourself. It's not even Thanksgiving,' said Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Donald Trump said he respected Matt Gaetz's decision to withdraw his nomination The Justice Department had closed its investigation of Gaetz last year after prosecutors recommended that no criminal charges be brought against him. However, the House Ethics Committee was wrapping up its investigation and preparing to release its report. Members on the bipartisan panel had been investigating allegations that Trump's attorney general pick Gaetz had sex with a minor and did illegal drugs while a federal employee. Gaetz's resignation from the 118th Congress meant he was no longer subject to the ethics panel. The panel voted Wednesday not to release the report on Gaetz. Releasing it would break with precedent set by the panel which no longer has jurisdiction over Gaetz. It lost that jurisdiction after he resigned from Congress one day after being tapped to be the nation's highest law enforcement official. Still, many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have publicly called for the report to be released. Fueling those calls is the recent testimony from a Orlando-based attorney Joel Leppard who represents two women who claim to have information on Gaetz's allegedly lurid past. Gaetz allegedly partied, used drugs and paid women for sex repeatedly between 2017 and 2019 while serving in the House of Representatives, Leppard claims. The bombshell allegations have been central to the House Ethics Committee investigation into the ex-lawmaker as the women have reportedly testified before the panel. The Republican attended up to 10 'sex parties' where illegal drugs and 'group sex situations' were present, according to Leppard. Both women represented by Leppard allege that Gaetz paid them for sex via Venmo, the attorney claims. 'She testified [that] in July of 2017, at this house party, she was walking out to the pool area, and she looked to her right, and she saw Rep. Gaetz having sex with her friend, who was 17,' Leppard said Monday. One of the witnesses alleges that she saw her friends having sex with Gaetz at a party in July 2017 against a game table thought to be an air hockey table. The unnamed witness also says that her friend was 17 years old at the time. Gaetz paid upwards of $10,000 dollars to two women on Venmo between 2017 - 2019, ABC News reports. Matt Gaetz (left) and J.D. Vance (right) in the Senate on Wednesday for meetings Matt Gaetz (C) and wife Ginger Luckey Gaetz talk with another guest at the America First Policy Institute Gala held at Mar-a-Lago on November 14, 2024 in Palm Beach Gaetz was sworn-in as a member of the House of Representatives in January 2017, so all of the allegations against him come during his tenure as a federal employee. He claimed he has done nothing wrong and that the allegations against him amount to a 'false smear.' Gaetz also said he had never engaged in sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18 in a letter posted to his social media in September. 'The answer to this question is unequivocally NO,' he wrote. 'The lawful, consensual sexual activities of adults are not the business of Congress.' Gaetz has also said that the Ethics Committee's actions seem to be unfairly targeting him, and he announced he would no longer comply with their investigation. The cost to taxpayers of King Charles cut-price coronation last year was 72 million. New figures released by the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) show the ministry covered 50.3 million of the final figure, with a further 21.7 million coming from the Home Office to meet policing around the event, which was watched by an estimated two billion people globally. That compares to 162 million spent on the late Queen Elizabeths funeral and 8.77 billion on hosting the London 2012 Olympics. In the run up to the May 2023 event there was huge debate over the cost of holding such an historic state occasion against the background of a cost of living crisis. Both Buckingham Palace and the government made clear they felt that while costs needed to be kept down, the event was also both an historic occasion and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase UK plc on a global stage. Certain elements of the event - codenamed Operation Golden Orb - were very much stripped down, particularly in comparison with 1953 when Queen Elizabeth was crowned. The guest list was slashed from 8,000 invitees to just 2,000, with many peers left off the guest list and those invited told not to wear their traditional gowns. The cost to taxpayers of King Charles cut price coronation last year was 72 million. Pictured: King Charles III is crowned with St Edward's Crown by The Archbishop of Canterbury New figures released by the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) show the ministry covered 50.3 million of the final figure, with a further 21.7 million coming from the Home Office to meet policing around the event, which was watched by an estimated two billion people globally That compares to 162 million spent on the late Queen Elizabeths funeral and 8.77 billion on hosting the London 2012 Olympics. Pictured: Members of the British Royal Family watch as the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Wellington Arch from Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 Velvet chairs especially made for the late Queens coronation were replaced with standard seating. But there was still enough pomp and pageantry on the day, supporters argued, to satisfy traditionalists. A DCMS spokesman said: The Coronation was a historic state occasion that brought together millions of people across the country, the realms and the Commonwealth. 'It was an important diplomatic event, and the biggest gathering of world leaders in a generation, putting Britain on a global stage and showcasing the best of British culture and creativity to the world. In line with rules regulating the spending of taxpayers money, all efforts were made to keep costs to a minimum. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, saying it was a matter for the government. But sources have stressed the coronation was both a state occasion and a historic one, which showcased the dynamism of the UK on a global stage. UK Hospitality alone predicted a 350 million boost to the service industry as a result, both from tourism and home-grown celebrations over the coronation weekend. Pictured: Crowds line the Mall after the coronation ceremonies of King Charles III and Queen Camilla It attracted 450 official representatives from 185 overseas countries and territories, with an estimated two billion people watching the event worldwide. This meant, they said, that the eyes of the world were on the UK for a once-in-a generation event which paid dividends to the country in terms of global interest and investment. UK Hospitality alone predicted a 350 million boost to the service industry as a result, both from tourism and home-grown celebrations over the coronation weekend. Another source added: The coronation proved that the soft power of the Royal Family to this country is unique. It was both a moment of national unity and in investment in the country globally. Plans were scaled back massively from those in place in 1953 to keep costs down and a lot of thought went into seeking the right balance given the challenging financial environment. The government were keen for this to be a big state event given the global interest. Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed that his forces carried out a strike with a new medium-range ballistic missile in Ukraine today as a test. In a gloating nationwide TV address, Putin warned that the Kremlin could use the new missiles to hit other countries who have provided Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russia - such as the UK and US. This comes after the Russian ambassador to the UK declared that Britain is now 'directly involved' in the Russia/Ukraine war after Kyiv's Storm Shadow attack. The UN called the testing of the new Russian missile in Ukraine 'worrying' and Downing Street condemned Putin for further escalating the conflict. It comes after Ukraine struck a military facility in Russia's Kursk region on Wednesday, utilising British-made missiles. In a rare move of making a statement himself, Putin said in an alarming TV address around 8pm Moscow time: 'We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities.' He said he wanted to give a message to those who 'harbour delusions about delivering a strategic defeat to Russia', as the 33-month-old war continues to escalate. Putin claimed that today's strike on Dnipro was in response to 'aggressive' actions by NATO and warned that 'targets for further testing will be determined by us based on the security threats'. Nine projectiles were launched at critical infrastructure in Dnipro between 5am and 7am local time, from the Astrakhan region of Russia, Ukraine's air forces said. The missile's range far outstrips that of newly authorised US and British supplied weapons. The distance from Moscow to London is around 2,500km, suggesting the range of the new missile could threaten the UK. Attacking either the UK or US would be a major escalation and it could be the first time Russia has deliberately launched an attack on NATO soil since the war began. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a nationwide TV address today In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Services, rescue workers put out a fire of a building which was heavily damaged by a Russian strike on Dnipro today Rescue workers put out a fire of a burning house damaged by a strike on Dnipro in Ukraine This is the moment missiles struck Yuzhmash defence plant in Dnipro The UN has called the testing of the new Russian missile in Ukraine 'worrying' and Downing Street condemned Putin for further escalating the conflict The Russian leader said: 'In the event of further escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond equally decisively and in kind. 'I recommend that the ruling elites of those countries which are considering allegiance against Russia seriously consider this. Of course, if necessary, we will choose targets for destruction. There are currently no means to counter such weapons. It is impossible.' He added: 'In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons, on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine. 'From that moment, as we have repeatedly underscored, a regional conflict in Ukraine previously provoked by the West has acquired elements of a global character. 'In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested, among other things. In this case, with a ballistic missile in a nuclear-free hypersonic equipment.' He said of the new weapon: 'Our engineers named it Oreshnik.' This means hazel tree in Russian. The Russian leader declared that Russia would issue advance warnings before strikes on other countries to allow civilians to evacuate to safety. Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres.' No 10 said it was 'an example of escalatory behaviour from Russia'. But the Prime Minister's spokesman added it 'only serves to strengthen our resolve and to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to act in self-defence against Russia's reckless and illegal invasion'. The US was notified by Russia 'briefly' before today's missile strike on Ukraine, an American official said today. Ukraine's foreign ministry urged the international community to react swiftly to the use of what it said was 'the use by Russia of a new type of weaponry.' A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russia likely possesses a handful of the 'experimental' intermediate-range ballistic missiles used in today's strike. A person watches a televised address by the Russian President in Moscow Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a brutal barrage of targets in Ukraine Putin revealed that his forces carried out a strike with a new medium-range ballistic missile Storm Shadow missiles struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials were believed to be holed up Defence Secretary John Healey earlier revealed to a committee of MPs that the UK knew Russia had been 'preparing for months' to fire a new ballistic missile. Mr Healey warned Ukraine faces a 'serious moment' in its defence against Putin's invasion, but refused to confirm that Kyiv had been given permission to use Storm Shadow in Russia. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly declined to comment publicly on the use of Storm Shadow. 'It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin,' the Defence Secretary told MPs. Battle lines in Ukraine are now 'less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion', Mr Healey said, citing British intelligence. Speaking at the same time, Sir Keir told the House of Commons the UK 'will not be deterred or distracted by reckless threats' from Putin, who has lowered the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal. Sir Keir also insisted that all the UK's support for Kyiv was 'in accordance with international law' and 'always for self-defence'. Putin's announcement today came hours after Ukraine claimed that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight at the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. But American officials said an initial US assessment indicated the strike was carried out with an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Two people were wounded in the attack, and an industrial facility and a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities were damaged, according to local officials. Security cameras caught the moment several projectiles streaked through the night sky and triggered a series of violent explosions in the city of Dnipro where the plants of state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer Yuzmash are located. 'Expert examinations are underway. It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground,' Zelensky said in a video posted on social media. Footage of the strike was released as Russia also threatened to strike US air bases in Poland with 'advanced weapons' in an alarming statement. Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro A video grab showed flashes over the Ukrainian city of Dnipro Pictured are British-made missiles striking an 'underground control room' at Maryino Moscow said the opening of a new US ballistic missile defence base in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast will 'increase the overall level of nuclear danger', adding it could be considered a future target. '(The base) has been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons,' Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova concluded. Zakharova's statement came minutes after Ukraine's air force first reported the strike, claiming it was fired from a base in Russia's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early. In a bizarre twist, Zakharova's press conference was interrupted by a phone call in which the speaker appeared to tell the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman about the strike before instructing her not to comment on it. A man's voice was faintly heard saying: 'Masha, ballistic missile strikes on Yuzhmash. The Westerners are talking about it now. Don't comment at all.' The attack comes in a week when tensions have repeatedly soared, as the US eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of American-made longer-range missiles inside Russia and Putin lowered the threshold for launching nuclear weapons. The Ukrainian air force said in a statement that the attack on Dnipro was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea. 'Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is,' Ukrainian President Zelensky said. 'And how afraid he is.' Earlier this week, the Biden administration authorized Ukraine to use US-supplied, longer-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia - a move that drew an angry response from Moscow. Days later, Ukraine fired several of the missiles into Russia, according to the Kremlin. The same day, Putin signed a new doctrine that allows for a potential nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. The doctrine is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons. In response, Western countries, including the US, said Russia has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behaviour throughout the war to intimidate Ukraine and other nations. They have also expressed dismay at the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine. Also on Thursday, Russia also struck Zelensky's home city of Kryvyi Rih, wounding 26 people, said the head of regional administration, Serhii Lysak. The missile strike caused damage to an administrative building, at least five multi-storey residential buildings, and civilian vehicles. The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that its air defence systems shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones. The statement didn't say when or where the Storm Shadows were shot down or what they were targeting. Russia earlier reported downing some of the missiles over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula. Putin has also warned that the move would mean that Russia and NATO are at war. Peter Ricketts, a former U.K. national security adviser who now sits in the House of Lords, said: 'It is an important move and it pulls against, undermines the narrative that Putin had been trying to establish that it was fine for Russia to rain down Iranian drones and North Korean missiles on Ukraine but a reckless escalation for Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons at legitimate targets in Russia.' A forensic pathologist called to the stand in the manslaughter trial of Daniel Penny who is accused of using a fatal chokehold on a homeless man on the New York City subway, has declared there is insufficient evidence that a choke caused the victim's death. Dr. Satish Chundru, who was called to testify by Penny's attorneys, blamed Jordan Neely's death on a combination of a sickle cell crisis and the effects of synthetic marijuana. Neely, 30, who had been confrontational toward straphangers aboard an F train, was pronounced dead at the scene after Penny, 26, restrained him in May of last year. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide - a determination that Chundru aggressively disputed on Thursday. The Texas-based Chundru argued that someone like Neely, who was schizophrenic, high, and involved in a struggle, can die without their airways being restricted. The former Miami-area medical examiner's statement came in stark contrast to one delivered just days earlier, from the doctor who conducted the city's autopsy. Dr. Cynthia Harris had maintained it was neither drugs nor the victim's genetic disorder that took Neely's life, while also ruling out cardiac arrest. Scroll down for video: A forensic pathologist called to the stand in the manslaughter trial of Daniel Penny who is accused of using a fatal chokehold on a homeless man on the New York City subway, has declared there is insufficient evidence that a choke caused the victim's death The expert blamed Jordan Neely's death on a combination of a sickle cell crisis and the effects of synthetic marijuana 'The chokehold did not cause the death,' Dr. Chundru told the court Thursday after being asked for his opinion on the matter by defense lawyer Steven Raiser. He said Neely died from 'the combined effects' of synthetic marijuana, schizophrenia, and the blood condition that can lead to fatal complications during exertion. He went on to describe how, in a chokehold death, there a two phases: unconsciousness and death. Pointing to video filmed by passengers on the train, he claimed that a visibly struggling Neely was not first rendered unconscious, and that he actually died immediately. 'What's... important is unconsciousness always proceeds death in a chokehold,' he said. 'This is a very complicated case,' Chundru continued. 'We have schizophrenia involved, sickle cell trait involved, a chokehold. 'In a sickle cell crisis, death is a lack of oxygen,' he explained. 'So the same thing [in] an asphyxia death.' Chundru added that a victim losing consciousness from having their air passage restricted would not necessarily result in death. Dr. Satish Chundru made the assertion in Manhattan Criminal Court Thursday. He is seen here testifying during a different case in 2012 A former marine, Penny had been on his way to a gym after attending a college class. He is charged with not only criminally negligent homicide, but manslaughter as well The person being choked, upon being released, would typically wake up, he said. Footage from the incident shows Penny, a former marine whose old instructor testified to the court last week, holding the choke well after Neely goes limp. The prosecution already rested its case Monday morning, allowing the defense to make its argument. Prosecutors have painted Penny as unskilled, saying he improperly administered a choke for a duration that resulted in the victim's death. Penny, meanwhile, has admitted to having no formal jiu-jitsu training, aside from what was provided to him while training to be a Marine. This past Thursday, the Marine who trained Penny to apply a chokehold, Combat Instructor Joseph Caballer, conceded that video filmed by witnesses indicated his old cadet looked to have done so improperly. Caballer testified that the video appeared to show Penny trying to use a 'blood choke' to restrain Neely - something he said should have seen him rendered unconscious within seconds. Instead, the hold spanned more than six minutes. Prosecutors have painted Penny as unskilled, saying he improperly administered a chokehold for a duration that resulted in the victim's death. Penny has admitted to having no formal jiu-jitsu training, aside from what was provided to him while training to be a Marine The Marine who trained Penny to apply a chokehold, Combat Instructor Joseph Caballer, conceded that video filmed by witnesses indicated his old cadet looked to have administered the choke improperly Dr. Chundru argued that someone like Neely, who was schizophrenic, high, and involved in a struggle , can die without their airways being restricted During that time, Neely, while writhing in Penny's arms, could have inadvertently turned the clench into an 'air choke,' which takes longer to render a person unconscious and could prove fatal much easier. The hold is not taught by the Marines, he told jurors. The prosecution will have the opportunity to challenge Chundru's opinion during the cross-examination. Penny, 26, is charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. He faces up to 15 years in prison. Attorney Todd Blanche, who defended Donald Trump in his criminal New York hush-money trial, has emerged as the frontrunner for U.S. attorney general, although some state AG's are also in contention. The opening emerged after the sudden withdrawal of the president-elect's first pick, Matt Gaetz. Blanche had already been tapped by Trump, who named him to be Gaetz's No. 2 at the Department of Justice as deputy AG, among his slew of Cabinet and West Wing picks. 'I am pleased to announce that Todd Blanche will serve as Deputy Attorney General in my Administration,' the 78-year-old former president announced last week. '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 tied to the payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Emil Bove, another attorney on the hush money trial team, was given the role of principal associate deputy attorney general while John Sauer, the lawyer in Trump's Supreme Court immunity case, was chosen as solicitor general. Attorney Todd Blanche listens as his client former President Donald Trump speaks as he arrives at Manhattan criminal court during jury deliberations in his criminal hush money trial in New York, May 30, 2024 Blanche was already up for a post that requires Senate confirmation. His close relationship with the president could make for a bumpy road with Democrats in the Senate as the Justice Department is expected to be run independently of a president's desires. But Republicans will have the majority come January. Trump has also appointed another member of his defense team, Bove, to serve as principal associate deputy attorney general. Prior to the Trump case, Bove was the co-chief of the national security unit at the US attorneys office for the Southern District of New York. In a statement to CNN when he was hired, Blanche called Bove 'an expert in white collar and CIPA-related litigation'. Gaetz withdrew his name following a new allegation that the embattled Republican had a threesome that involved a minor. The announcement came a day after the House Ethics Committee deadlocked on releasing a report into allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use by Gaetz. Donald Trump, sitting with attorneys Emil Bove (L) and Todd Blanche (R), attends his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to extramarital affairs, at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, on May 21, 2024 On Wednesday, Gaetz had met with Republican senators whose support he would have needed to be confirmed as attorney general. Many senators had privately expressed concerns about whether he could be confirmed due to the ethics investigation about allegations of drug uses, sex parties and sex with a minor. Gaetz has already resigned from the House of Representatives for this term but was re-elected to the Congress that is sworn into office on January 3rd. He will return as a lawmaker. A slew of potential appointees have emerged for top Cabinet or West Wing roles since just after Election Day. Those include Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as co-heads of the 'Department of Government Efficiency', and John Ratcliffe as Director of the CIA. But the president-elect sent shockwaves through the Republican Party with his announcement of Gaetz as his Attorney General in a bold test of his unchecked power that proved a bridge too far. Former US President Donald Trump, with his lawyer Todd Blanche, walks to speak to the press at the end of the day of his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to extramarital affairs at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on May 16, 2024. Trump announced his decision just minutes after issuing a statement saying he will nominate former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard, who has infuriated critics with claims about 'biolabs' in Ukraine, to be Director of National Intelligence. He has also chosen military veteran and Fox News host Pete Hegseth to run the sprawling Defense Department, despite little experience managing anything of that scale. Gaetz's withdrawal puts more pressure on Hegseth, who is battling his own sordid sexual assault allegations that are putting a damper on his confirmation process. The former Fox News host broke his silence on the allegations from 2017 that surfaced in a scathing police report released on Wednesday night. 'As far as the media is concerned, the matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared,' he told reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday. 'That's where I'm gonna leave it,' he said before walking away before meeting with more Republican senators who will vote on his nomination. Some other names who have been mentioned as potential candidates to head the Justice Department in the second Trump administration include Texas AG Ken Paxton, who has taken up conservative legal battles, including immigration and election integrity. Texas AG Ken Paxton, pictured in 2017, is seen as a potential Trump attorney general candidate Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, testifying before the House Judiciary Committee earlier this year, is also in the running Utah Sen. Mike Lee's name has been mention as a possible Justice Department chief Trump could also bring back his first term AG, Bill Barr, pictured testifying on the fentanyl scourge The staunch Trump supporter last week asked a federal judge for an emergency order to force special counsel Jack Smith to preserve all of his investigative records despite announcing he was shutting down the criminal cases he has brought against Trump. The move is seen as laying the groundwork for an effort to hold Smith accountable for prosecuting Trump. Then there is Missouri's top lawman Andrew Bailey, who was tapped by Gov. Mike Parson in 2022 to be the states AG after Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate. Bailey, an Army veteran, worked in the Missouri attorney generals office and also served as an assistant county prosecutor and a state government lawyer before joining Parson's office. Also mentioned has been Bill Barr, who served as attorney general under Trump, and held the same position under George H.W. Bush, and Utah Sen. Mike Lee, known for his constitutional conservatism, advocacy for limited government and strong support for Trumps policies. Matt Gaetz had resigned from Congress after nomination for AG Matt Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress after he was tapped to be Donald Trump's attorney general, but now that he withdrew his name from Cabinet consideration it raises questions about his future. The embattled MAGA loyalist promptly resigned from Congress after President-elect Donald Trump named him as his pick for top law enforcement officer last week. But his nomination immediately received pushback from Democrats and even some Republicans due to a House Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz for alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor and illicit drug use. His House exit ended the committee's jurisdiction over Gaetz leaving the findings of its probe in limbo. But now that the 42-year-old is no longer up for attorney general, it is not clear whether he could end up back on Capitol Hill. In his resignation letter from the current 118th Congress, Gaetz said he did not intend to take the oath of office for the 119th Congress - which begins in January. In November, Gaetz was reelected to another term starting next year with more than 66 percent of the vote. If he is no longer seeking to join the incoming Trump administration, Gaetz technically could take the oath of office come January and join the new Congress. While that is a possibility, it could also lead to the House Ethics Committee relaunching its investigation and revealing the potentially damning findings. Former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for Attorney General as his confirmation faced an uphill climb in the Senate. It is not clear what's next for the MAGA firebrand after he promptly resigned from Congress last week, but there are several possibilities that could bring him back to Washington The future of that report as of now is uncertain after the committee was deadlocked in a vote on whether to make it public. Should Gaetz not return to the House, that vacant seat would need to be filled through a special election. After Gaetz's nomination was announced last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had called for an immediate special election to fill the vacancy. There are two other possibilities that could bring Gaetz back to Washington in the new year if he does not to return to the House. One less likely scenario is Gaetz could be appointed to fill the Florida Senate seat being vacated by outgoing Senator Marco Rubio who will have to resign upon his likely confirmation as Trump's Secretary of State. Some lawmakers have already signaled they are open to the possibility of Gaetz becoming a senator including GOP Florida Senator Rick Scott. Gaetz with Vice President-elect Vance on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, November 20 as they arrived for meetings with senators. One day later, Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration for Attorney General But that decision resides with DeSantis, who is tasked with appointing Rubio's replacement for two years before a special election is held in 2026. There have been several prominent names already floated as potential Rubio replacements including Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump. The National Review reported on Thursday, the governor would not appoint Gaetz to the Senate. DailyMail.com has reached out to DeSantis' office for comment. The other possibility is that Gaetz could end up joining the Trump administration in a role that does not require Senate confirmation. Then-Rep. Matt Gaetz in the Manhattan criminal court with Trump while he was on trial for covering up the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels Past presidents including Biden have brought allies into the White House for such roles after their names were withdrawn from consideration for other roles after it was determined they would not get the necessary votes in the Senate. Gaetz could end up serving as a senior adviser or in the some legal counsel capacity as he is a lawyer. In announcing his withdrawal, Gaetz did not signal which direction his future would take, only that he remains 'fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history.' Trump also gave no indication in his response to the nomination withdrawal that Gaetz will be joining is administration but said his loyal supporter has a 'wonderful future.' 'I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!' the president-elect posted on Truth Social. Gaetz' wife Ginger gave her own cryptic response on Thursday, writing 'The end of an era' with an image of her and the former lawmaker on the steps of the capitol, perhaps signaling a return to Congress is not in his future. The special prosecutor who investigated Jussie Smollett's bizarre anti-Trump hoax slammed today's surprise ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court that overturned his conviction on a technicality. U.S. Attorney Dan Webb told DailyMail.com in a statement that the ruling 'has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett's innocence', and the 'legal reasoning upends long-standing Illinois precedent.' The court found that the former 'Empire' actor had his rights violated by the special prosecutor's decision to retry him after initial charges against him were dropped with an agreement that he would not be re-charged. Webb pointed out in his statement that 'all of this conduct happened five months prior' to his appointment, and even though his actions led to the decision, the court 'did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial.' Smollett was convicted in December 2021 for lying to police about an alleged episode in Chicago two years before, where he claimed two men beat him, yelled homophobic slurs and placed a noose around his neck while wearing MAGA hats. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months' probation after it was proven that he made the episode up, and he was also slapped with a hefty fine of $130,160. Smollett appealed the ruling and has not yet served a day of that sentence behind bars, even after his conviction was previously affirmed by a lower court in 2023 before the Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal. The actor's hoax and subsequent arrest sparked a media firestorm years ago, as it was found that he had actually paid two Nigerian brothers - Abel and Ola Osundairo - to stage the incident. Jussie Smollett, seen in court in March 2019, has had his conviction for lying to the police with a bizarre anti-Trump hoax overturned in a sensational ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court U.S. Attorney Dan Webb (pictured center), who investigated the hoax, slammed the ruling and said in a statement to DailyMail.com it 'has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett's innocence' The actor's hoax and subsequent arrest sparked a media firestorm years ago, as it was bizarrely found that he had actually paid two Nigerian brothers, Abel and Ola Osundairo (pictured) to stage the incident Webb continued in his response to the overturning: 'My office spent nearly two years developing evidence and working closely with the Chicago Police Department to prepare that case for trial. 'It is very important I point out that todays decision is also not the result of any error or conduct by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the trial court, or the Chicago Police Department.' He noted that Smollett 'did not even challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against him in his appeal.' Webb alleges that the Supreme Court made a mistake in its determination over the agreement that Smollett made with the Cook County States Attorneys Office (CCSAO) in 2019 that he would not be re-charged. 'The Illinois Supreme Court reached this decision notwithstanding the fact that the CCSAO dismissed the initial Smollett case via a nolle prosequi, which does not bar re-prosecution under Illinois law, and Mr. Smolletts own lawyers told the public immediately following the dismissal of his initial case in March 2019 that there was no deal with the CCSAO,' he said. Webb concluded: 'Todays ruling does not change how deeply proud I am of the work my Special Prosecutors office accomplished. 'Nor does it undermine the jurys verdict, and most importantly, it does not clear Jussie Smolletts namehe is not innocent.' When Smollett first came forward with his story, the actor was met with widespread support, and the Chicago PD vowed to swiftly find his attackers. Smollett even showed police the noose that he claimed he was almost lynched with. Although Smollett claimed he was attacked by two white Trump supporters, detectives reviewed surveillance footage and zeroed in on the Osundairo brothers as suspects. When presented with a grainy surveillance picture of the brothers near the scene, Smollett said they were 'absolutely' the men who attacked him, not realizing they had already been arrested. One of his attorneys, Tina Glandian, claimed that Smollett may have misidentified the brothers - who he had also just been on the phone with moments before - because they could have been 'in disguise' in white makeup. She went on to point to a 2016 YouTube video of Abel Osundairo, the brother in question, where he is wearing white make-up to perform a Joker monologue for Halloween as proof of her theory. By that time, stories had leaked that detectives believed Smollett had concocted the story, seemingly in an attempt boost his public profile. Smollett went on Good Morning America to tearfully insist he was the victim, but by February 2019, a month after the incident, he was arrested and charged with filing a false police report, and his character from Empire was halted. Before his first arrest, Smollett broke down in tears as he insisted he wasn't lying about the hoax during an appearance with Good Morning America Smollett even showed police the noose that he claimed he was almost lynched with during the investigation (pictured) An evidence picture of the 'noose' Smollett claimed he was attacked with Police released this image of the brothers walking near the scene on the night of the attack which Smollett said, without realizing they had been arrested, was 'absolutely' an image of the men who attacked him Jussie Smollett's lawyer Tina Glandian suggested that the reason he told police his Nigerian attackers were white was because they 'might have been wearing white face.' Her evidence of the theory was 2016 video of Abel Osundairo (pictured) dressed up as the Joker for Halloween However, despite a grand jury indicting him for repeatedly lying to cops, the charges against Smollett were then sensationally dropped a month later in March, sparking outrage from the public. President Trump led the backlash as he decried the charges being dropped as an 'embarrassment to the nation', while Chicago Police Chief Eddie Johnson, who is Black, said at the time: 'Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.' The Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, amounted it to a 'whitewash of justice' that proved Smollett was treated gently by the system because he is a celebrity and a prominent figure in the city. After he was fined $140,000 for wasting police resources, a special prosecutor was named to investigate why the charges against Smollett were dropped. It was this decision that has now led to Smollett's ultimate conviction to be overturned this week, as it was found his rights were violated because Smollett had agreed with prosecutors that he would not be re-charged at the time after the case against him was dropped. In February 2020 Smollett was indicted again on felony lying to police, and following a contentious trial where he maintained his innocence, Smollett was convicted at the conclusion of his trial in 2021. Smollett again sparked backlash during his conviction hearing, as he triumphantly raised his fist to appear defiant, despite being caught in a lie. Smollett again sparked backlash during his conviction hearing, as he triumphantly raised his fist to appear defiant, despite being caught in a blatant lie Although he initially received a groundswell of support after coming forward with his story, Smollett suffered a dramatic fall from grace when detectives said he made it up (seen in his mugshot after his first arrest in 2019) The conviction was overturned by members of the Illinois Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Theis and Justice Cunningham (not circled) recusing themselves from the decision When the Illinois Supreme Court handed down the ruling to overturn that conviction on Thursday, Chief Justice Theis and Justice Cunningham recused themselves from the decision. The court's opinion pointed to the agreement Smollett had with Illinois prosecutors after his charges were dropped. 'We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust,' the opinion read. 'Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied.' Europe's way of life is in danger from NATO's enemies if defence spending is not increased, the head of the German army has warned. General Alfons Mais said the West was at risk of falling behind poorer nations in the development of new weapons technology, such as drones. It comes as military leaders have repeatedly raised concerns about Europe's ability to defend itself against increased Russian aggression. This morning Russia appeared to strike the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with an intercontinental ballistic missile in a dramatic escalation of the conflict. And in a gloating TV address, Putin warned the Kremlin could use the new advanced rockets against countries that have sanctioned Ukraine's use of western-made missiles on Russian soil. Mais, the German army chief, has since called for considerably higher defence spending to allow Western countries to protect themselves. Speaking at the Berlin Security Conference, he said: 'It's our task to convey the message that the threat is real. Our way of life is in danger.' 'To maintain the cohesion of the alliance, Europe has to deliver. We cannot outsource our security to others,' he added. Mais said the German military was racing to catch up on new types of warfare, such as the use of drones, which have rapidly developed during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. General Alfons Mais (pictured), the German army chief, has since called for considerably higher defence spending This morning Russia appeared to strike the city of Dnipro with an advanced rocket in a dramatic escalation of the conflict. Pictured: A RS-26 missile Russian President Vladimir Putin made a nationwide TV address today Kyiv is though to be getting through 10,000 drones per month with the weapons though to account for 90 per cent of the causalities in some battles. 'We missed this development a little bit,' Mais said. 'I think we failed more or less altogether to draw the right conclusions. And now we need time to close the gap.' It comes as the Russian ambassador to the UK declared on Thursday that Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory means Britain 'is now directly involved in this war'. 'This firing cannot happen without NATO staff, British staff as well,' Andrei Kelin told Sky News this afternoon - a day after British-made rockets battered a military base in Russia's Kursk region. Horrifying footage has also since emerged of officials in Kyiv suspect were warheads from a Russian ICBM or advanced rocket raining down over Ukraine at 5:17am local time today. 'Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is - and how afraid he is,' Volodymyr Zelensky said. The Ukrainian President said the missile's speed and altitude match the profile of an ICBM after Kyiv's air force reported the explosions were caused by such a weapon, though evidence has not yet been provided. The UN has called the testing of the new Russian missile in Ukraine 'worrying' and Downing Street condemned him for further escalating the conflict. Grab shows the moment British Storm Shadow missiles struck targets in the Kursk region of Russia A person watches a televised address by the Russian President in Moscow Putin said that Russia has carried out 'testing in combat conditions of one of the newest Russian mid-range missile systems... Our engineers named it Oreshnik'. In a rare move of making a statement himself, Putin said in a televised address that Moscow has the right to strike military targets of countries whose weapons are used by Ukraine to hit Russian territory. 'We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities,' Putin said. In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond just as decisively. 'In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons, on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine.' 'In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested, among other things. In this case, with a ballistic missile in a nuclear-free hypersonic equipment.' He also warned that US air defence systems wouldn't be capable of intercepting Russian missiles. A spokesperson for No 10 said it was 'an example of escalatory behaviour from Russia'. A grab taken from handout footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on March 1, 2024 purport to show the test firing of an ICBM belonging to the country's nuclear deterrence forces But they added it 'only serves to strengthen our resolve and to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to act in self-defence against Russia's reckless and illegal invasion'. Defence Secretary John Healey earlier revealed to a committee of MPs that the UK knew Russia had been 'preparing for months' to fire a new ballistic missile. He said that Ukraine faces a 'serious moment' in its defence against Putin's full-scale invasion but refused to confirm that Kyiv had been given permission to use Storm Shadow missiles in Russia. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly declined to comment publicly on the use of Storm Shadow missiles. 'It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin,' the Defence Secretary told MPs. Battle lines in Ukraine are now 'less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion', Mr Healey said, citing British intelligence. Speaking at the same time, Sir Keir told the House of Commons the UK 'will not be deterred or distracted by reckless threats' from Putin, who has lowered the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal. Sir Keir also insisted that all the UK's support for Kyiv was 'in accordance with international law' and 'always for self-defence'. It was launched into the Firth of Clyde to much fanfare by Nicola Sturgeon exactly seven years ago yesterday, giving islanders hope that a new lifeline ferry would soon be delivered. But it soon emerged the ship that hit the water was nowhere near ready and had, in fact, been launched with painted on windows. And yesterday, the long overdue and massively over-budget Glen Sannox ferry was finally delivered. The construction of the Glen Sannox ferry has been finished by the nationalised Ferguson Marine shipyard nearly seven years behind schedule following a long line of contractual disputes, delays and cost overruns. It has been handed over to the Scottish Government quango Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), which is responsible for CalMac ferries. CalMac staff will now carry out trials with the vessel before it begins taking passengers onboard from early to mid January when it starts to serve the route between Ayrshire and Arran. Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Sue Webber MSP said: Islanders will hope this is not a horrible case of deja vu given this incredible coincidence. The long overdue Glen Sannox ferry was originally launched with painted-on windows Seven years ago today Nicola Sturgeon promoted this ferry to much fanfare, only for it to be then embarrassingly revealed that it had painted-on windows and was clearly nowhere near ready for service. Now islanders must finally hope that this lifeline ferry will be setting sail soon. However, SNP ministers should not be patting themselves on the back at this long-awaited news. They have betrayed islanders at every turn and squandered an eye-watering amount of taxpayers money in delivering the Glen Sannox, yet nobody in the SNP has taken responsibility for their appalling failures. Islanders have paid a heavy price for the SNPs ferry scandal and will still be feeling the effects for some time to come, given this handover is taking years after Nicola Sturgeons previous fake launch of the vessel. The Glen Sannox was originally supposed to be finished in early 2018, while a second vessel, Glen Rosa, was due to be handed over by the end of that year. The two ships are due to cost 360 million, compared to an original estimate of 90 million, and the Scottish Government also handed the previous private operator of the shipyard a 45 million loan. A major dispute over the contract led to the shipyard plunging into administration and being nationalised by SNP ministers. Further problems have beset the project since nationalisation, including multiple changes of staff in senior leadership roles at the Port Glasgow yard. When Ms Sturgeon held a photocall launching the vessel on the Clyde in November 2017, it had been anticipated that it would be ready to serve passengers by the winter of 2018/19. Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie said: At least well be able to see out the windows this time. Ask the SNP to build a ferry and theyll give you a fake launch, years of delays, a stream of excuses and a ship thats millions of pounds overbudget. Former shipyard boss Jim McColl with former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the launch seven years ago Not a single minister has ever resigned over this scandal; no minister has ever apologised to islanders or compensated them for the disruption. Its a massive display of arrogance that island communities wont forget. The Glen Sannox is the first ferry in the UK to have a dual-fuel system, as it can use both conventional marine gas oil (MGO) - similar to diesel - or liquefied natural gas (LNG). A long line of challenges with the LPG system has been responsible for some of the delays, and former shipyard boss Jim McColl condemned the decision to use LPG. John Petticrew, interim chief executive of Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow), said: Today is a day to look forward. Glen Sannox is a fine vessel, well capable of providing decades of service for islanders and visitors. However, there is no doubt its been a long haul getting to this point, and we sympathise with ferry users who have waited so long to see this day. Looking to the future, our ability to adapt, learn from, and successfully overcome considerable challenges demonstrates the resilience and skills of our workforce, and will provide huge value as we tender for future contracts. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: This is an important milestone for Ferguson Marine as it delivers the first LNG dual-fuel ferry to be built in the UK. The Glen Sannox will provide resilience to the fleet delivering vital lifeline services to islanders and I am encouraged that the Scottish Governments wider programme to procure six new ferries by 2026 has taken another major step forward. Kevin Hobbs, chief executive officer at CMAL, said: Im sure many people will join us in celebrating this milestone today. It has been a long time coming, but we have now taken ownership of the MV Glen Sannox, and are just weeks away from her entering service. A Toronto man has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing and killing a 16-year-old stranger at a subway station. Jordan O'Brien-Tobin, 22, of Newfoundland admitted to killing Gabriel Magalhaes at a Keele Station in an unprovoked attack at around 8:53 pm on March 25, 2023. The killer had originally been charged with first-degree murder but pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on November 20. Magalhaes and his friend were sitting on a bench on the ground floor of the subway station when Tobin went down a set of stairs near them, according to a statement of facts read in court. O'Brien-Tobin was wearing a backpack, which he moved to his front before walking down the stairs. Surveillance footage showed O'Brien-Tobin turned and stared at Gabriel as the teenaged boys remained unaware of his presence. O'Brien-Tobin then briefly exited the station but continued to watch the duo through a set of automatic doors. Shortly after, he reached into his backpack and returned back into the station. Jordan O'Brien-Tobin (pictured) of Newfoundland admitted to killing Gabriel Magalhaes at a Keele Station in an unprovoked attack at around 8:53 pm on March 25, 2023 Gabriel Magalhaes (pictured) and his friend were sitting on a bench on the ground floor of the subway station when Tobin stabbed him 'Unprovoked and with no exchange of words, the accused stabbed Gabriel in the chest with a knife,' Assistant Crown attorney Amanda Nash told the court and Superior Court Justice Jane Kelly. 'He then walked away, exiting the subway station. Gabriel collapsed on the floor.' As O'Brien-Tobin walked away, the young victim collapsed on the floor and his friend began to attempt first aid until emergency crews arrived. But an hour later, at 9:46 pm, Magalhaes was pronounced dead at a hospital. Autopsy results revealed that a single stab wound to the chest injured his left lung, pericardium and heart - leading to his death. Prosecutors also noted at around 9:37 pm, O'Brien-Tobin spoke to a priest and another member of the parish at a church on Roncesvalles Avenue. Nash said: 'He was acting strange and told them he felt like killing someone. They became concerned and escorted him out of the church approximately 20 minutes later.' O'Brien-Tobin then went to the emergency room at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto about 20 minutes later and confessed to his crimes. O'Brien-Tobin then went to the emergency room at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto about 20 minutes later and confessed to his crimes As O'Brien-Tobin walked away from the scene, Magalhaes (pictured here with his mom Andrea) collapsed on the floor and his friend began to attempt first aid until emergency crews arrived After being arrested, officials found blood on one of the inner compartments of O'Brien-Tobin's backpack. Further inspection of his mobile phone also showed the accused was sending messages to his girlfriend, friends and mother before and after the murder. Some of the texts read 'someone's dying TN' , 'I just stabbed someone random' and 'I stabbed someone and got away with it.' After Magalhaes' death, his mother Andrea told CBC: 'We need more social services. We need more investment into physical and mental health. We need more supports for housing. 'I feel like, as things go the way they are going right now, so many people are going to be suffering the horrible pain that I am going through right now.' At the time of the incident. two of Magalhaes' classmates also set up a small memorial for him outside the station. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February. By pleading pleading guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder, O'Brien-Tobin can be sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. After Magalhaes' death, his mother Andrea (pictured with Magalhaes) told CBC: 'We need more social services. We need more investment into physical and mental health. We need more supports for housing' Pictured: The Magalhaes family on a vacation together This comes over a month after a 13-year-old girl was accused of stabbing her seven-year-old sister to death while babysitting her after they got into an argument over 'a simple note about flushing the toilet.' The unidentified teen is alleged to have frantically called her father before dialing 911 after stabbing her little sister more than 10 times just after 1pm on Saturday in Taylor, Michigan. The suspect, who was watching her sibling while their parents were out of the house, allegedly waited in the bathroom for the little girl after their heated argument, and stabbed her multiple times with a hunting and butcher's knife, police said. When authorities arrived at the home they found the unnamed girl with 'over 10 stab wounds ranging from the abdomen, to the head, to the neck,' Taylor Detective Cpl. Zachary Digiacomo said. The younger sibling was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. The parents of Gabby Petito have suffered a fresh legal blow as their wrongful death lawsuit against Utah police was dismissed by a judge. Jim and Nichole Schmidt and Tara and Joe Petito had alleged that the Moab Police Department were a cause in the 2021 death of their daughter Gabby, 22. Petito disappeared while on a cross-country road trip with her fiance Brian Laundrie, her remains were found on the edge of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. Laundrie later confessed to killing her, with the incident coming a few weeks after Moab Police spoke with them regarding a domestic violence incident. According to KSL, Utah's 7th Court Judge Don Torgerson said in his dismissal that the police department has government immunity from the lawsuit. He did rule that their suit met the standard required early in a case that show Moab's officers' conduct could have been a cause of her death. Their attorney Judson Burton had argued that Petito called her parents during her interaction with Moab cops, and assured them that officers would handle it. Burton said the parents relied on officers to help them but their 'grossly negligent' investigation actually increased the likelihood of their daughter being harmed. Petito disappeared while on a cross-country road trip with her fiance Brian Laundrie , her remains were found on the edge of Wyoming 's Grand Teton National Park Nicole Schmidt is seen here speaking alongside stepmother Tara Petito, left, father Joe Petito, attorney Richard Stafford and stepfather Jim Schmidt Burton added that officers put Petito in a squad car and sympathized with her fiance, laughing with him - which the attorney claimed could have emboldened him. Attorney Mitchell Stephens, who represented the department, said: 'Moab is not liable for criminal conduct that occurred a month later in a different state. Brian Laundrie is the cause of Gabby Petito's death.' Torgerson dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning any appeal court that sides with his decision will rule that the parents can't file the suit again. It was determined Petito had been strangled a few weeks before her body was found, with the date of death of her disappearance being August 27, 2021. Laundrie, 23, had returned home to Florida without Petito, a warrant was issued for his arrest and his body was found at a campsite weeks later, having killed himself. In a notebook found near his remains Laundrie took responsibility for Petito's death according to the FBI. Before his death Laundrie's mother Roberta wrote her son a letter which promised to help him bury a body and escape from jail. Petito's parents, claim it is evidence she had helped plot with her son to cover up their daughter's brutal murder. The undated letter, which Roberta instructed her son to 'burn after reading', revealed she offered to bake her son a cake with a file in it if he was sent to prison. Laundrie, 23, returned home to Florida without her - spurring a search that ended with Petito's corpse being found on the edge of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park In a notebook found near his remains Laundrie took responsibility for Petito's death according to the FBI Petito's parents used that as evidence in a civil lawsuit which alleges that Laundrie's parents knew their son had murdered Petito and tried to help him escape justice. In February of this year, the families reached a confidential settlement with the Petito family seeking damages of at least $100,000. According to the Laundries' attorney the settlement concluded a much-anticipated mediation between the two families and said the families 'look forward to putting this matter behind us'. Had a settlement not been reached, the case would have gone to a civil trial in May. In August, Petito's father Joe shared a tribute to his daughter on the third year anniversary of her death. 'Three years ago this evening you were taken from us,' the 45-year-old father wrote in a post that showed him and his late daughter enjoying a spa treatment. 'We can't stop crying when we think of you,' he continued. 'There is no waking up from this nightmare. 'We push forward for you and all those you have inspired and nothing can make us stop. I ask anyone who reads this, please share a #missingperson flyer today.' A grandfather who was hit with a 160 parking fine and had bailiffs sent after him has seen proceedings against him dropped after it emerged he had been scammed. Ronnie Hayman, 73, from Bury, had been visiting a sick family member at St James' Hospital in Leeds in June earlier this year. Parking at the nearby Beckett Street car park, the 73-year-old followed signage instructing him to pay via a website called Tap2Park where he paid 6 for two hours. The grandfather thought nothing more of it until a letter arrived from the car park's owners one month later demanding he pay a 100 fine. However, after checking his bank details, Ronnie saw that the original 6 payment had been diverted to an account called 'Mr Muscle' instead. The grandad-of-seven informed owners I Park Services about the fraudulent activity but they responded by upping the fine to 160. The following month a letter arrived from a bailiff company stating they would be collecting payment. But now, after raising the matter with local media, Ronnie has seen his fine quashed by I Park Services in what the Bury resident describes as a 'good win'. Ronnie Hayman, 73, from Bury, had been visiting a sick family member at St James' Hospital in June earlier this year when he was scammed paying for parking online Beckett Street car park in Leeds where Ronnie had left his car for two hours thinking he'd paid Citing the media coverage of his unfair fine as a contributing factor in having I Park Services call off the bailiffs, Ronnie said: 'It was just annoying having to go through all that stress and aggravation when it wasn't my fault. 'If they had any common sense, they would have realised everything was genuine when I sent them a copy of the bank proof of payment. 'As you get older and you're not working as long hours then things bug you. This bugged me and I had the time to do something about it. 'If it had been 20 years ago, I'd have probably done nothing about it and paid the fine'. When contacted for comment, the car park payment website Tap2Park revealed that this was not the first occasion they had been targeted by fraudsters, with a fake website set up using their name and logo earlier this year. However, they also stated that they are simply the online payment provider and have nothing to do with the running of Beckett Street car park. The Tap2Park spokesperson said: 'Earlier this year, we were alerted to the existence of an unauthorised website, accessible through a Google search, which misappropriated our logo and falsely represented our service. 'This fraudulent site directs individuals to an illegitimate payment platform. Upon discovering this, we promptly reported the matter to Action Fraud and submitted a takedown request to Google to address the issue. 'Unfortunately, to date, despite several follow-ups on our part, we have not received a response from either entity. As part of our ongoing efforts to resolve this, we are now preparing to escalate the matter by issuing a pre-action letter to protect our brand and safeguard users against this deceptive activity.' Car park owners I Park Services were also approached for comment before the initial story was published. A couple needs a combined income of more than $200,000 to be able to afford to have a child and live comfortably as a renter in Greater Sydney or Greater Brisbane, new research shows. New data from National Shelter shows how broken the current rental system is as it tracks various Australians in different life stages and their rental needs. Such is the problem that even a well-to-do couple with a child making $219,000 combined is still finding rents less affordable since the pandemic. Greater Sydney requires this household to spend just 18 per cent of their income on rent, leaving a reasonable amount for other living and parenting expenses, although it becomes cheaper if they move to the outer suburbs. The problem is only exacerbated for low-income or singles. National Shelter spokesperson John Engeler said renters across the country are under severe pressure as rent rises continue to outpace income growth amid historically low vacancy rates. A Sydney household will have to make $219,000 just to live comfortably while renting. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard 'The situation is especially serious for low-income renters who are increasingly forced to rent privately due to the declining availability of social and affordable housing,' Mr Engeler said. 'A single pensioner would have to spend 86 per cent of their income to rent a median one-bedroom apartment in Sydney.' Mr Engeler said it was 'clearly unacceptable' and called on the government to help fix the affordability crisis through social housing. In the past 12 months, rental affordability has declined 13 per cent in Perth, eight per cent in Adelaide, six per cent in Melbourne, five per cent in Sydney, and four per cent in Brisbane. Perth is now the least affordable capital city, with a median weekly rent of $629 taking up 31 per cent of median income, closely followed by Sydney, where a median rent of $720 is 30 per cent of median income. According to the report, 30 per cent of income is the cut-off for when rents become unaffordable. Separate data from PropTrack's Rental Affordability Report found that 'Australia's rental affordability is at its worst level on record', with households earning the median income of $111,000 only being able to afford to rent the smallest share of properties since 2008 when records began Rental crisis becoming a national problem The flow on impacts of unaffordable rents could become a national problem, with the higher costs including rents impacting the number of children families choose to have. rents across Australia have risen with the median income only being able to rent the smallest share of properties.: NCA NewsWire / David Swift Australia's falling birthrate could have significant ramifications for family dynamics and could see middle children become increasingly rare. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in late October show the total fertility rate in 2023 dropped to a record low of 1.5 babies per woman. Demographer Dr Liz Allen, a lecturer at the Australian National University, said gone are the days of middle children as couples having one or two children becomes the new norm. She said this is due to it becoming increasingly difficult for couples to get ahead financially. 'Even renting has become unaffordable in some areas, and Allens says job insecurity has also become an issue, with many young people and women forced into casual or part-time employment,' she said. The decrease in births can be attributed to the increased cost of living and the current economic climate, as this can impact the feasibility of younger Australians to have children, KPMG said. The rental crisis could have long-term impacts on the number of families in Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Data revealed the birth rate across the country fell by 4.6 per cent over the last year, marking the 2023 birth as the lowest it has been since 2006. In 2023, 289,100 babies were born in Australia. KPMG Urban Economist Terry Rawnsley explains that weak economic growth often leads to reduced birthrates, but current cost-of-living pressures are having a particularly strong impact. 'Birthrates provide insight into long-term population growth as well as the current confidence of Australian families,' he said. Sydney experienced the most notable decrease, with births dropping by 8.6 per cent. This was followed by Melbourne, down by 7.3 per cent, Perth, down 6.0 per cent and Brisbane, down by 4.3 per cent. Canberra was the only capital city to see no drop in births since 2019. This rise has now rapidly declined as the current economic climate presents various challenges to Australian families. 'With the current rise in living expenses applying pressure on household finances, many Australians have decided to delay starting or expanding their families,' Rawnsley said. 'This combination of the pandemic and rapid economic changes explains the spike and subsequent sharp decline in birthrates we have observed over the past four years.' The father of two children murdered by his ex-wife said he felt 'much relief' after learning her request for parole had been denied. David Smith was campaigning against Susan Smith's bid for freedom yesterday, which came 30 years into her life sentence for killing their sons Michael, three, and Alex, 14 months. Mr Smith told NewsNation's Ashleigh Banfield that he welcomed the unanimous verdict of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services board. 'It was, like they say, lifting the world off my shoulders,' he said. I could just let out a sigh.' Smith was jailed for life over the 1994 murders. She strapped her two children into car seats before allowing them to roll into a lake to drown. The child killer then claimed she was the victim of a carjacking and blamed an unidentified black man, however investigators quickly saw through her lies. On Wednesday, the seven-member board did not accept her requests for 'mercy', even as she attempted to squeeze out tears. Mr Smith was also unmoved by her assurances that she had changed since the horrific killings. David Smith, whose two sons were murdered by their mother, his ex-wife, said he felt 'much relief' after learning her request for parole had been denied Susan Smith, who murdered her two children, 'pretended' to cry during her parole hearing before her request for freedom was denied 'Susan hasn't been remorseful in my eyes,' Mr Smith said. 'Not one bit since she's done this, not one bit have I seen any remorse from her, so I wasn't expecting anything from her.' Smith's chances of freedom were slim. Data shows the board grants approximately 8 percent of parole requests for violent offenders. However, Mr Smith revealed he was still 'worried' she could be released and had been talking to his sons to help prepare for the hearing. 'I talked to Michael and Alex a lot beforehand,' he said. 'We had a lot, we had a lot of discussions beforehand.' His wife of 30 years Tiffany, who also appeared in the interview, explained how the whole family, including the couple's 23-year-old daughter Savannah, had been forced to reckon with the terrible crime. 'When the life sentence was given, it was like, you know, it's going to 30 years is going to be a long time down the road. That's going to be long time away,' she said. 'So, for, you know, for 30 years, you know, we haven't had to think about Susan all these years. 'And then the last six months, as her parole has come up, it's like, you know, she is, she has been at the front and foremost every day trying to deal with this and, you know, not wanting her to get out because it to us, it would not be justice for Michael and Alex.' Mr Smith explained how the pain of his loss has barely subsided since the 1994 murders Smith, 53, drowned sons Michael, three, and Alex, 14-months, in a South Carolina lake in 1994 Mr Smith spoke at his ex-wife's parole hearing to campaign against her release Mr Smith explained that the loss his sons still looms large in his life, despite the passage of time. 'Maybe it does heal some, some wounds, but for me, personally, time does not heal. The losing of a child, that one it does not heal,' he said. 'It used to be for me, on anniversaries or holidays or just landmark dates, it was really tough. 'But then it, then it got to where it could, it could be the eighth year, the 12th year, just a random year that got really tough to deal with. So, it's, it's up and down all the time.' He admitted that over the years he has thought about 'what they would look like, or what they would be like have chosen as a career'. But in my mind, I always come back to three and 14-month-old,' Mr Smith said. At the time, prosecutors claimed that Smith was having an affair and had murdered her children in order to be with a man who did not want kids. Smith was sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole after 30 years However, investigators soon picked holes in her story and uncovered the grisly truth. At her parole hearing, the killer's lawyer argued that the murderers were a 'mental health story' and argued that she had changed. But Mr Smith pointed out that her sentence served was just '15 years per child'. The boys' half sister Savannah Smith also spoke before the board and urged them to keep Smith behind bars. 'Growing up, I didn't quite understand it my whole life, but when I finally did, I felt like I had witnessed it, like I was there,' Savannah said. 'The pain that not only was caused to me and I in like a domino effect. But what I've seen firsthand with my father, my aunt, and our whole hometown, we can no longer say that we're from Union County without Susan's actions being brought up.' Smith will be eligible to apply for parole again in two years, but the family say they are prepared. 'We are united,' Mr Smith said. 'We're going to be there every two years.' Sen. John Fetterman reacted with characteristic candor on Thursday to the news that Matt Gaetz had decided to withdraw his name from consideration to be former President Donald Trump's attorney general. Fetterman suggested the nomination and the news of Gaetz's withdrawal was all just a troll from the president-elect and his allies. Holy s**t I didn't see that coming!' he said sarcastically to reporters on Capitol Hill. 'Yes, he was the ultimate troll and people have the opportunity they can freak out over a thing and respond and if you want to do that ... you better to pace yourself though because it's not even Thanksgiving,' he added. Fetterman appeared to be annoyed at the media hubbub surrounding the announcement. 'We don't have to react and take unserious things so seriously that the world's going to spin off of its axis,' he said. The Democratic senator from Pennsylvania jokingly teased the press that Trump would be issuing a 'silver dollar' to commemorate the event. 'I think that's going to be the next cycle,' he added. John Fetterman reacted to the news that Rep. Matt Gaetz had withdrawn his name from consideration Fetterman first described Gaetz's nomination as 'God-tier level trolling' by Trump last week after the nomination was announced. 'I would describe it as God-tier level trolling to just trigger a full-on China syndrome to own the libs in perpetuity,' Fetterman said. Trump nominated Gaetz eight days ago, publicly standing by his choice as late as Tuesday until the Florida Congressman announced his withdrawal. 'While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,' Gaetz said in a statement. 'There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General.' Trump thanked Gaetz, claiming he still had a great future ahead of him. US Republican Representative Matt Gaetz announced his decision to withdraw his name for consideration as Trump's attorney general after he was nominated WATCH: See how Senator John Fetterman reacted to the news that Matt Gaetz withdrew his name as Trump's Attorney General nominee. pic.twitter.com/AfiElzlXFj Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 21, 2024 John Fetterman has advised Democrats to be more measured in their response to President-elect Donald Trump's actions 'He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,' Trump wrote. 'Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!' It is unclear what Gaetz plans to do next and whether he can salvage his political career. Since Democrats lost the 2024 election, Fetterman has been more outspoken about his views, even offering an olive branch to his former rival for the Senate Dr. Mehmet Oz, who was nominated by Trump to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 'If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, Im voting for the dude,' Fetterman wrote on social media. Fetterman urged Democrats not to 'freak out' over everything that Trump did during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, advising his party to be more measured in their responses. 'If we're having meltdowns, you know, every tweet or every appointment or all those things, I mean, it's going to be four years,' he said. The Illinois Supreme Court that overturned Jussie Smollett's conviction today made the 'disappointing' ruling off the back of a wave of controversial decisions. In just the past two years, the seven-member court has eliminated cash bail for criminals in Illinois and upheld a ban on assault weapons in the state, soft-on-crime rulings that angered conservatives. In the former, the justices ruled that monetary bail is not 'the only means to ensure criminal defendants appear for trials or the only means to protect the public', in a move seen in several other Democrat-led states that has drawn scrutiny. The weapons ban from August 2023 came as the state Supreme Court decided that despite the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution, a ban on assault weapons would not be unconstitutional. Although the ban received support from top Democrats including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a federal judge stepped in this week and overturned it - as they slammed the court for impacting 'tens of millions of law-abiding United States citizens.' Criticism of the Illinois Supreme Court has now reached fever pitch in the wake of its ruling overturning Smollett's conviction for lying to the police over a bizarre anti-Trump hoax. The special prosecutor in Smollett's case, U.S. Attorney Dan Webb, told DailyMail.com in a statement that the ruling completely ignored the evidence he presented, and he was 'disappointed' as it 'had nothing to do with Mr. Smollett's innocence.' Jussie Smollett, seen in court in March 2019, saw his conviction for lying to the police with a bizarre anti-Trump hoax overturned in a sensational ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court The conviction was overturned by members of the Illinois Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Theis (not circled) recusing herself from the decision Justice Cunningham (not circled) also recused herself from the decision, although the court did not explain why the two justices did not take part in the opinion U.S. Attorney Dan Webb (pictured center), who investigated Smollett's hoax, slammed today's ruling and said in a statement to DailyMail.com it 'has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett's innocence' In Thursday's ruling, the court found that the former 'Empire' actor had his rights violated by the special prosecutor's decision to retry him after initial charges against him were dropped with an agreement that he would not be re-charged. But Webb argued that the state Supreme Court misinterpreted the law, and said their ruling had 'upended long-standing Illinois precedent.' He noted that the court 'did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial', and that Smollett 'did not even challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against him in his appeal.' In particular, he claimed that when Smollett's case was first dismissed, it was 'via a nolle prosequi, which does not bar re-prosecution under Illinois law.' Webb's statement cast doubt on the court's approach to its rulings, which came at the end of Smollett's long and twisting legal saga that began over five years ago. Smollett was convicted in December 2021 for lying to police about an alleged episode in Chicago two years before, where he claimed two men beat him, yelled homophobic slurs and placed a noose around his neck while wearing MAGA hats. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months' probation after it was proven that he made the episode up, and he was also slapped with a hefty fine of $130,160. Thursday's ruling comes as scrutiny falls on the Illinois Supreme Court Justices, including Mary Kay O'Brien (left), Joy Cunningham (center), who recused herself from the Smollett decision, and Elizabeth Rochford (right) Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis also recused herself from Smollett's ruling. She has led the chamber since 2010 Illinois' highest court also comprises of Justices David Overstreet (left) and Lisa Holder White (right) The court's seventh member is longtime judge Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. Although he initially received a groundswell of support after coming forward with his story, Smollett suffered a dramatic fall from grace when detectives said he made it up (seen in his mugshot after his first arrest in 2019) Smollett appealed the ruling and has not yet served a day of that sentence behind bars, even after his conviction was previously affirmed by a lower court in 2023 before the Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal. When the Illinois Supreme Court handed down the ruling to overturn that conviction on Thursday, Chief Justice Theis and Justice Cunningham recused themselves from the decision. The brief did not explain why. The court's opinion pointed to the agreement Smollett had with Illinois prosecutors after his charges were dropped. 'We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust,' the opinion read. 'Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied.' The actor's hoax and subsequent arrest sparked a media firestorm years ago, as it was found that he had actually paid two Nigerian brothers - Abel and Ola Osundairo - to stage the incident. The actor's hoax and subsequent arrest sparked a media firestorm years ago, as it was bizarrely found that he had actually paid two Nigerian brothers, Abel and Ola Osundairo (pictured) to stage the incident When Smollett first came forward with his story, the actor was met with widespread support, and the Chicago PD vowed to swiftly find his attackers. Smollett even showed police the noose that he claimed he was almost lynched with. Although Smollett claimed he was attacked by two white Trump supporters, detectives reviewed surveillance footage and zeroed in on the Osundairo brothers as suspects. When presented with a grainy surveillance picture of the brothers near the scene, Smollett said they were 'absolutely' the men who attacked him, not realizing they had already been arrested. One of his attorneys, Tina Glandian, claimed that Smollett may have misidentified the brothers - who he had also just been on the phone with moments before - because they could have been 'in disguise' in white makeup. She went on to point to a 2016 YouTube video of Abel Osundairo, the brother in question, where he is wearing white make-up to perform a Joker monologue for Halloween as proof of her theory. By that time, stories had leaked that detectives believed Smollett had concocted the story, seemingly in an attempt boost his public profile. Smollett went on Good Morning America to tearfully insist he was the victim, but by February 2019, a month after the incident, he was arrested and charged with filing a false police report, and his character from Empire was halted. Before his first arrest, Smollett broke down in tears as he insisted he wasn't lying about the hoax during an appearance with Good Morning America Jussie Smollett's lawyer Tina Glandian suggested that the reason he told police his Nigerian attackers were white was because they 'might have been wearing white face.' Her evidence of the theory was 2016 video of Abel Osundairo (pictured) dressed up as the Joker for Halloween Smollett even showed police the noose that he claimed he was almost lynched with during the investigation (pictured) An evidence picture of the 'noose' Smollett claimed he was attacked with Police released this image of the brothers walking near the scene on the night of the attack which Smollett said, without realizing they had been arrested, was 'absolutely' an image of the men who attacked him However, despite a grand jury indicting him for repeatedly lying to cops, the charges against Smollett were then sensationally dropped a month later in March, sparking outrage from the public. President Trump led the backlash as he decried the charges being dropped as an 'embarrassment to the nation', while Chicago Police Chief Eddie Johnson, who is Black, said at the time: 'Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career.' The Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, amounted it to a 'whitewash of justice' that proved Smollett was treated gently by the system because he is a celebrity and a prominent figure in the city. After he was fined $140,000 for wasting police resources, a special prosecutor was named to investigate why the charges against Smollett were dropped. Smollett again sparked backlash during his conviction hearing, as he triumphantly raised his fist to appear defiant, despite being caught in a lie It was this decision that has now led to Smollett's ultimate conviction to be overturned this week, as it was found his rights were violated because Smollett had agreed with prosecutors that he would not be re-charged at the time after the case against him was dropped. In February 2020 Smollett was indicted again on felony lying to police, and following a contentious trial where he maintained his innocence, Smollett was convicted at the conclusion of his trial in 2021. Smollett again sparked backlash during his conviction hearing, as he triumphantly raised his fist to appear defiant, despite being caught in a lie. The ex-lawmaker dropped from Congress last week to pursue his AG nomination Senators on both sides of the aisle were shocked upon finding out how quickly Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration to be Donald Trump's attorney general. The former Florida Republican surprisingly wrote on X Thursday afternoon that he was no longer seeking the top law enforcement position in the U.S. 'I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many,' Gaetz said. 'While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.' He then explained he would be withdrawing his name from consideration amid new allegations that he had a threesome involving a minor. It seemingly tanked his chances of being confirmed by a majority of the Senate. Senators were shocked by the news that his nomination was derailed eight days after Trump had tapped him for the job. 'There's a sense of relief of course,' Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said in reaction. 'I think he did a pretty noble thing, frankly an honorable thing by getting out himself. I look forward to a new nominee that we can get fully behind,' he added. Even as Gaetz met with senators on Capitol Hill alongside Vice President-elect J.D. Vance earlier this week, many lawmakers seemed reluctant to back the firebrand. Ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fl., dropped his bid to become attorney general for the upcoming Trump administration Thursday. Republican senators were shocked at his sudden withdrawal Matt Gaetz mets with Vice President-elect JD Vance and senators in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday Gaetz faces the release of a House Ethics Committee report alleging his involvement in sex with minors and drug use while in office CNN reported that a woman testified to the House Ethics Committee that she had two sexual encounters with Gaetz when she was 17. That allegedly included an encounter with another adult woman, CNN reported on Thursday, just prior to Gaetz's announcement that he would withdraw. The adult woman in question denied the incident. Gaetz has denied all of the allegations, and has reminded concerned senators skeptical of his record that Joe Biden's Justice Department investigated him for sex trafficking, but ultimately did not charge him. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who met with Gaetz on Wednesday, said there was no indication in his sit-down with the former Florida lawmaker was going to reverse course. Hawley admitted he found out Gaetz dropped his AG campaign via X, where the former nominee posted a statement explaining his reasoning for no longer pursuing the job. 'I mean, ultimately, at the end of the day, this is the President's call, and I trust his judgement on this, he's got to get a Cabinet that can implement his agenda,' Hawley said, indicating Trump was behind Gaetz's withdrawal. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Wednesday that the pair had a good meeting the day prior. He had also urged his colleagues not to act like a 'lynch mob' ready to convict Gaetz before reviewing his merits. But when DailyMail.com asked for his reaction immediately after Gaetz withdrew, he only offered 'no comment' and quickly walked off. Within the hour his office had released a new statement saying: 'I respect former Representative Matt Gaetzs decision to withdraw his name from consideration and appreciate his willingness to serve at the highest level of our government.' 'He is very smart and talented and will continue to contribute to our nations wellbeing for years to come.' Holy s**t I didn't see that coming!' Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said sarcastically to reporters on Capitol Hill. 'Yes, he was the ultimate troll and people have the opportunity they can freak out over a thing and respond and if you want to do that ... you better to pace yourself though because it's not even Thanksgiving,' he added. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., only offered 'no comment' after the surprising news Gaetz had withdrew himself from the AG nomination. Graham's office later released a statement in support of the withdrawal Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri speaks with the press outside the Senate Chamber after Matt Gaetz announced he would drop out of consideration for Attorney General It also came a day after the House Ethics Committee deadlocked on releasing a report into allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use by Gaetz. Reports indicate that Gaetz was not able to get the support of moderate Republicans who would be needed to seal his confirmation. Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell were thought to be among those Republicans unwilling to support the ex-lawmaker's appointment. 'I'm pleased with his decision,' Collins told reporters Thursday. 'Certainly there were a lot of red flags.' Gaetz and Vance were meeting with senators Wednesday to rally support for Gaetz's nomination Longtime GOP Senate leader McConnell responded to Gaetz's withdrawal: 'I think that was appropriate.' For Democrats universally applauded Gaetz's decision to drop his AG bid Thursday. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., told DailyMail.com the withdrawal was a positive step and that I doubt very much that [Gaetz] wouldve been supported by the Senate.' 'It was bad judgment just to suggest him,' Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said of Gaetz nomination. 'The first lesson of proposing anyone for a position of responsibility is to make sure that there are no skeletons, and he had skeletons that were hidden in plain sight.' Stephen Flynn was forced into a humiliating U-turn yesterday as he scrapped his double jobs plan. The partys Westminster leader admitted he got this one wrong and would no longer seek a dual mandate as MP and MSP. His entire bid to secure a seat at Holyrood is now up in the air, as he will assess any new selection rules before deciding what to do. The dramatic development could also damage his future leadership prospects if he is unable to secure a switch to Holyrood, while the furious reaction to his plan appears to have dented his standing within the party. Mr Flynn had provoked outrage among the partys grassroots and its MSPs with his bid to oust sitting MSP Audrey Nicoll as candidate for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine and then to continue as an MP if he was elected to Holyrood. He finally came to the decision last night as he faced the prospect of his plan being rejected by his party amid a growing backlash. In a statement issued last night, the Aberdeen South MP said: Hands up, Ive got this one wrong and wont be pursuing a dual mandate. My aim to save the public purse from unnecessary strain by potentially overlapping the role of an MP and an MSP for a short period until the next general election was genuine in its intent - but doing it for the right reasons doesnt change the fact that I got it wrong. Stephen Flynn said he would no longer seek a dual mandate as MP and MSP Mr Flynn was rumoured to be interested in taking over from John Swinney as SNP leader My motivation and central belief remains that Holyrood, as the heart of Scottish democracy, is the democratic platform that will drive the route to an independent Scotland. All of us in the independence movement share that common cause and want to be part of that story. Alongside all SNP members, I now look forward to assessing the new candidate selection rules that my party will put in place. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: This is a humiliating U-turn for Stephen Flynn. His plans were typical of arrogant SNP politicians who think there should be one rule for them and another for everyone else. However, even people in his own party saw right through his rank hypocrisy and made their feelings known. The public deserve better than nationalists prioritising their own career options, rather than addressing what Scots are really concerned about. A source close to Mr Flynn confirmed that his preferred choice remains to move to Holyrood but he will look at the new rules before making a final decision. The decision came after a day that saw Mr Flynns plan looking increasingly likely to be rejected by the SNPs ruling national executive committee (NEC). Pressure mounted as Public finance minister Ivan McKee insisted the two jobs bid isnt sustainable, while First Minister John Swinney added a dual mandate is very demanding and that will need to be considered when a decision is being made. An SNP insider said: People are not happy with Stephen Flynn, people within the NEC but generally within the SNP as well. It is really the talk of everyone right now, even going out by-election campaigning thats what everyone is talking about and they dont like the way hes been approaching things: its all just ambition, not what is best for the party. Its all that everyone is talking about and I think hes going to have made himself look a bit of a muppet in all of this. I think he has really p****d off a lot of people and the fact he is doing this to a woman, though that shouldnt make a difference, has got a lot of women up in arms calling him a misogynist as well. Ahead of the last Holyrood election in 2021, the SNP introduced a rule which meant MPs needed to quit before seeking selection as a candidate to the Scottish Parliament. The change was widely seen as an attempt to block popular MP Joanna Cherry from challenging party heavyweight Angus Robertson for the key SNP target seat of Edinburgh Central. If it opted to stick with the rules again for 2026, Mr Flynn would have to decide whether to resign his seat and force a by-election in Aberdeen South to just seek to become a candidate for Holyrood. But there would still be no guarantee that local members would select him. Party officials have said that the rules are reviewed at every election and a policy is expected to be set for the next Holyrood election in the coming weeks. Speaking to journalists at Holyrood yesterday, Mr Swinney said: Having had a dual mandate, it is practically very, very demanding to do so. So thats a very real factor thats got to be considered in any judgment about that issue. Because there is a need to undertake demands in both parliaments. So thats a fact thats got to be considered as part of the exercise. Asked if he agreed with Mr McKee that its unsustainable, Mr Swinney said: I did it for two years, and it was very demanding to do it, so that has to be borne in mind in any judgments made about whether such an approach is appropriate or is not appropriate. Former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro has been indicted for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections. Brazils federal police said Thursday they indicted the conservative former president as well as 36 others. Police said their findings were being delivered Thursday to Brazils Supreme Court, which must decide whether to refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. The former right-wing president has denied all claims he tried to stay in office after his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 to his rival, leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has faced a series of legal threats since then. Police said in a brief statement that the Supreme Court had agreed to reveal the names of all 37 people who were indicted 'to avoid the dissemination of incorrect news.' The 700-page police document likely will take several days for the court to review, Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes said. Former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro has been indicted for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections Dozens of former and current Bolsonaro aides also were indicted, including Gen. Walter Braga Netto, who was his running mate in the 2022 campaign; former Army commander Gen. Paulo Sergio Nogueira de Oliveira; Valdemar Costa Neto, the chairman of Bolsonaros Liberal Party; and his veteran former adviser, Gen. Augusto Heleno. The investigation started last year. On Tuesday, four military men and one federal police agent were arrested as part of the same probe. Other investigations focus on Bolosnaros potential roles in smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them, and in directing a subordinate to falsify his and others COVID-19 vaccination statuses. Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in either. Another probe found that he had abused his authority to cast doubt on the countrys voting system, and judges barred him from running again until 2030. The far-reaching investigations have weakened Bolsonaros status as a leader of Brazils right wing, said Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo. 'Bolsonaro is already barred from running in the 2026 elections,' Melo told the The Associated Press. 'And if he is convicted he could also be jailed by then. To avoid being behind bars, he will have to convince Supreme Court justices that he has nothing to do with a plot that involves dozens of his aids. Thats a very tall order,' Melo said. On Tuesday, the federal police arrested four military and a federal police officer accused of plotting to overthrow the government following the 2022 elections, including alleged plans to kill Lula and other top officials. The moment a 21-year-old Tennessee man fired a shot at an officer during a chase was captured on dramatic body-cam footage. Nashville police were called to an apartment on Lewis Street after a report came in that Knykholas Lane, a man wanted on domestic assault and false imprisonment charges, attempted to break into his ex-girlfriend's home while armed at 1am. When Eric Zeigler, the responding officer, arrived near the scene, he spotted Lane walking along the roadway and approached him in his patrol car. The intense body-cam footage captured Ziegler repeatedly ordering Lane to stop running - which he ignored - before the officer parked his SUV in a grassy area and hopped out to chase him. But seconds after the on-foot chase began, Lane turned around and fired a shot at the officer - leading Zeigler to hide behind a tree and return fire which ultimately struck the suspect in the butt and leg, knocking him to the ground. The footage then captured Ziegler turning on his flashlight and approaching Lane with his gun still drawn - ordering him to lay flat on his stomach as backup officers arrived to retrieve the gun and cuff the suspect. 'He struck her in the face, assaulted her and held her in a bedroom before fleeing last Thursday,' Don Aaron, a spokesman for the department, said during a news conference while informing the public of the recent related incident. 'The victim took out an order of protection but he has since been in the wind.' Lane, who has been on supervised probation for a felony aggravated burglary conviction just last year - was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment. Dramatic body-cam footage captured a 21-year-old Tennessee man, Knykholas Lane, firing shots at a Nashville police officer during a chase Matt Gaetz withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general less than an hour after CNN confronted him with new allegations, the network revealed. The former Florida congressman's stunning exit from consideration came as he was facing new allegations of a threesome involving a minor. At the same time, the House Ethics Committee was deadlocked over whether to release a report on his alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. CNN reported on Thursday that it confronted Gaetz with new reporting that a woman told the committee she had sex as a 17-year-old high school girl with the then-congressman twice at one party in 2017. About 45 minutes after he was asked for comment on the story, Gaetz announced he was backing out of being Trump's nominee, the network said. According to their reporting, the second alleged sexual encounter involving the teen also included Gaetz and an adult woman. Both encounters were revealed in a separate civil deposition as part of a related lawsuit, CNN said. Gaetz has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. Former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew from being Trump's nominee for attorney general on Thursday. It came after CNN asked him for comment on new reporting that he allegedly had two sexual encounters with a 17-year-old including a threesome The adult woman allegedly involved in participating in the encounter with Gaetz and the 17-year-old also denied participating, CNN reported. The Justice Department had its own investigation into Gaetz involving alleged sex trafficking involving a minor, but it closed the investigation last year without bringing charges. Just before withdrawing his name, Gaetz had met with Republican senators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday whose support he would have needed to be confirmed. 'I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many,' Gaetz wrote Thursday in his announcement on X. 'While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,' he continued. Multiple senators had privately expressed concerns about whether Gaetz could be confirmed due to the ethics investigation about allegations of drug use, sex parties and sex with a minor. Some senators had called for the release of the House Ethics Committee report. House members on the committee had met on Wednesday to vote on releasing the report, but it was split along party lines. They instead decided to meet again on December 5. A lawyer for the woman who was a minor at the time of the alleged sexual encounters has called for the report to be released. He said his client was in high school at the time and there were witnesses. Matt Gaetz met with senators on Capitol Hill on November 20, one day before he withdrew as Donald Trump's attorney general nominee Gaetz had already resigned from the House immediately following being named Trump's pick as the country's top law enforcement officer, meaning the committee had no jurisdiction over him putting the investigation findings in limbo. In his resignation, Gaetz said he did not intend to be sworn in to the seat in January after winning reelection in November, but he can change his mind. According to CNN, they informed Gaetz at 11:30 am ET Thursday that they had testimony a woman gave the House Ethics Committee that she had two sexual encounters with Gaetz at one party in 2017. The woman, who was 17 years old at the time, testified that the second sexual encounter, which has not previously been reported, included another adult woman. CNN said they had told Gaetz the story was going live at 12:30 pm ET. He posted on social media at 12:24 pm ET he was withdrawing his nomination. Donald Trump said he respected Matt Gaetz's decision to withdraw his nomination Gaetz called Trump 'this am' and told him of his decision to withdraw, a source familiar told DailyMail.com. Gaetz only made it eight days as Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department. Trump said he appreciated Gaetz and expected great things from him. 'I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!,' the president-elect wrote on Truth Social. Trump has 'no back up' for attorney general and is going 'back to the drawing board,' CNN reported. He originally nominated Gaetz because he was struggling to find a candidate he liked, the network said. Five accused people smugglers have appeared in court over their alleged involvement in the smuggling of over 200 North African migrants into the EU in lorry trailers. The men were arrested on Wednesday morning as part of an ongoing National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation and were charged with conspiracy to facilitate the illegal entry of a person into an EU country - France. Described as British Algerian and British Egyptian nationals, the charged men were named as Madjid Belabes, 52, Said Bouazza, 54, Mourad Bouchlagehem, 43, Mohammed Mabrouk, 44, and Samir Zerguine, 51. Belabes is suspected of being a 'high-ranking' member of the international smuggling network, with the remaining four individuals all accused of transporting the migrants in car and vans to be then loaded into lorries. Prosecutor Murray Packenham told Westminster Magistrates Court that the men were 'effectively taxi drivers' for an 'organised criminal gang'. The group were arrested after more than 200 North African migrants, including women and children, were discovered in lorry trailers trying to cross from the UK into France in 2023. To date, 20 people have been detained as part of the NCA's operation. Described as British Algerian and British Egyptian nationals, the charged men were named as Madjid Belabes, 52, Said Bouazza, 54, Mourad Bouchlagehem, 43, Mohammed Mabrouk, 44, and Samir Zerguine, 51 and were arrested on Wednesday morning Described as British Algerian and British Egyptian nationals, the charged men were named as Madjid Belabes, 52, Said Bouazza, 54, Mourad Bouchlagehem, 43, Mohammed Mabrouk, 44, and Samir Zerguine, 51 and were arrested on Wednesday morning The group were arrested after more than 200 North African migrants, including women and children, were discovered in lorry trailers trying to cross from the UK into France in 2023 Reacting to the arrests, Chris Hill, branch commander, stated: 'This represent a key moment in our ongoing investigation into a large-scale criminal network responsible for smuggling north African migrants from the UK to France. 'People smugglers don't care about the safety or wellbeing of human beings they transport, whether it is in boats or HGVs. They're driven solely by profits. 'The same crime groups smuggling people out of the country are often engaged in bringing people in too, so operations like this allow us to target their UK footprint. 'People leaving the UK in lorries may be doing so because they are wanted by law enforcement, they may be trying to dodge French immigration checks, or they may be being trafficked or exploited. 'The risks to both the people being transported and to border security remains, regardless of the direction they are travelling in.' Another man suspected of being involved in a separate smuggling group appeared in another UK court on Thursday. Arsen Feci appeared before Nottingham Crown Court charged with assisting unlawful immigration to the UK over his alleged involvement in bringing people from France and Belgium, the NCA said. The 46-year-old was extradited to the UK from Spain and was arrested on Wednesday at Heathrow Airport. The NCA said he was arrested in Spain in August having fled the UK in March last year when he was bailed by the courts ahead of a trial. Investigators believe Feci was allegedly involved in buying equipment and sourcing people to 'staff' crossings from France and Belgium to the UK. Families have been left in limbo after a Nashville fertility clinic was abruptly closed - with their embryos inside. The Center for Reproductive Health was shuttered in April of this year after staff received an email from head of the clinic Dr. Jaime Vasquez. Workers were informed there was a 'financial deficit', and that the company was unable to hand out their paychecks. In the weeks that followed, staff left and Vasquez was left to monitor and field questions from concerned patients on his own. Mary Schacher spoke to the outlet about the closure, saying she had her appointment cancelled by a nurse while unaware the facility was closing up shop. Her embryos had been genetically tested and both were deemed viable, with her hoping that she would become pregnant that same month. After hearing of the news that the facility was to close, her husband appeared at the center and was shocked to discover it open and unattended. Schacher told the outlet that her husband found a sticky note with a key taped to the front of it with the message 'thank you for everything & great opportunity'. The Center for Reproductive Health was shuttered in April of this year after staff received an email from head of the clinic Dr. Jaime Vasquez Embryo selection for IVF shown under a light micrograph - the treatment is overwhelmingly popular with Americans Her husband had to inform security that the doors were unlocked, with medical records and genetic materials still inside, completely unprotected. On her last visit, Schacher said other concerned patients had gathered outside the facility to obtain her medical records so she could continue treatment elsewhere. After it was closed, the attorney general of Tennessee Jonathan Skrmetti filed a suit against Vasquez and the facility. The attorney general said that Vasquez had failed to provide patients with proper facilities that they had paid for. According to the AG's office, they endangered frozen eggs, sperm and embryos and wasn't able to provide continuity in care for patients. Through his lawyer's, Vasquez had denied any responsibility for the doors to the facility being left unlocked. In court records seen by the outlet, a public health inspector on the same day Schacher was last there found the clinic in disarray. They noted that there was an inadequate amount of staff and the temperature of the tanks storing genetic materials hadn't been noted for weeks. The lawsuit also said that the backup cryogenic tank wasn't equipped with an alarm to alert workers if the temperature reached an unsafe level. According to the inspector, Vasquez was spotted opening a storage tank containing embryos and sperm without the proper protective equipment on. Other notes made during the visit indicated there was broken glass and an 'unidentified sticky substance' inside the lab. Through his lawyer's, Vasquez, seen here, had denied any responsibility for the doors to the facility being left unlocked Resignation letters seen by the outlet also point to a clinic in chaos, with some claiming staff turnover, lack of support and of key lab personnel being issues. A statement from a junior embryologist said her training had also been inadequate, saying in a court filing that it felt like staff were outside for their scope of practice. Schacher had started IVF treatment with the facility in 2023, she had ten eggs manually removed from her ovaries with only one ruled to be viable after insemination. After an embryo transfer Schacher suffered a miscarriage due to a chemical pregnancy, which is rare for a genetically tested embryo. She questioned Vasquez about this, who told her 'that just happens', saying to The Cut that he tended to go on tangents and talk fast. A subsequent probe by News Channel 5 uncovered that Dyer, seen here, wasn't even a licensed doctor at the facility Schacher said: 'He would just kind of go in circles about why something didnt work. I didnt really know how much more to dig.' Now on her last chance of IVF through her insurance, a provider at the facility named Farere Dyer helped her with her treatment plan, with Vasquez performing another retrieval which found no viable embryos. A subsequent probe by News Channel 5 uncovered that Dyer wasn't a licensed doctor. Patients the outlet spoke to say he had introduced himself as Dr. Dyer, and even the clinic referred to him as such. Her and her husband then purchased eight eggs for $10,000 and the eggs were fertilized in January of this year. She was told that seven eggs had been successfully fertilized, and to expect a call. Which never came due to the shortage of staff and imminent closure. A lab worker eventually reached out to explain that two of the embryos had turned into blastocysts, a good indication. Couple Peter Ricci and Allena Berry were not so lucky however, after found out having gone to the facility in 2022 to pursue surrogacy. Berry told The Cut that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and undergone a hysterectomy and oophorectomy as part of her treatment. They used donor eggs and Ricci's sperm to create one embryo that they had hoped to use on a surrogate. In May of 2023 they moved to Illinois and decided to switch clinics to save traveling across the country. Once registered at a new place, they were told they had been missing a vital document that is required by the FDA to prove a clinic thoroughly carried out all tests when creating an embryo. They were also informed that even if they did have the document, the new facility in Illinois would not accept the embryo as the donor was a carrier for spinal muscular atrophy. In total they spent over $40,000 with Vasquez and his company. They had to restart the whole process from scratch with a new egg donor at a different facility. Berry's father was diagnosed with dementia in 2020, she said: 'I really want my dad to know our kid and have some memory of that. Thats not going to happen anymore.' The couple have since created four new embryos and had one embryo transfer with a surrogate that didn't result in a pregnancy. Just last week, Schacher announced on her social media that after five years of trying she and her husband were expecting a baby boy in May of next year Other patients told the outlet that they felt pushed towards donor materials, which cost around $10,000 for some. Another said they had been pitched a curated approach but once it started she only received a 'disorganized and unclear' approach. After the closure, the genetic materials were moved to a new clinic at the Tennessee Fertility Institute. The facility told The Cut that they have since completed an inventory but patients still remain in limbo on whether or not what was rescued is still viable. The attorney general's office is still investigating the case as part of their consumer affairs. Vasquez counterclaimed in June and denied the allegations, saying they had defamed him. After the facility closed, Schacher was wracked with worry that her access to IVF would be cut short before she could have her embryos implanted. In a grant application for funds to help towards payments, she said: 'I hope someone reads our story and feels the desperation and desire I have to become a mom. 'I have been fighting for five years and I dont plan to stop', a family subsequently reached out to her her and offered their two embryos for adoption. Speaking in August, she said: 'You just have to keep living in the hopes that one day youre going to get that phone call that you can finally move on and that you can move forward.' Just last week, she announced on her social media that after five years of trying she and her husband were expecting a baby boy in May of next year. It had been missing for so long that its owner had given up hope of every seeing it again. But, 56 years after he last saw it, a graduation ring belonging to Texan resident Bruce Walker has turned up - thousands of miles away on a Fife beach. He lost the item in Texas 56 years ago after being handed it for finishing his schooling when he loaned it to a friend. But the 76-year-old got a surprise of his life after a metal detectorist found the gold item on a beach 4,500 miles away in Scotland. The pensioner had not seen the ring which he received on leaving the high school since loaning it to a friend in Dallas in 1968. And it wasnt until amateur treasure hunter Andrew Craft hit the beach in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in search of Viking gold that the piece of jewellery re-emerged. The graduation ring was marked Nacogdoches High School with 1966 inscribed on it along with the initials RBW. Mr Craft emailed the high schools alumni association who then put him in touch with Mr Walker whose full name is Robert Bruce Walker. A graduation ring belonging to Texan resident Bruce Walker has turned up thousands of miles away on a Fife beach Bruce Walker in his High School days in the mid 1960s Mr Walker now with his wife, Kathryn By chance the retired television executive visited Scotland during a cruise in September with his wife Kathryn and he was reunited with the ring when the ship berthed in Greenock, Inverclyde. Mr Walker, of Beaumont, Texas, spoke of his surprise of the discovery and said: I received a call from one of my high school senior year classmates and she asked, Bruce, do you know where your high school class ring is?. She told me that she had received a call from the Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association asking her if she might know who had lost a 1966 graduation ring with the initials RBW inscribed inside the ring. I told her that I hadnt seen it since 1968 and didnt anticipate seeing it again. I loaned the ring to someone while attending my brothers champagne wedding reception in Dallas. She was a bridesmaid and I never got it back. I called the school and they told me that I should contact someone in Scotland. I was surprised to learn that it had been found in the shoreline by a metal detectorist in Fife. One of our favourite series on Netflix is Detectorists with Mackenzie Crook. My wife thinks that its hysterical that a detectorist found the ring. I cant imagine how it got to Scotland, but Im going to try find out more about its chain of custody. Mr Walker corresponded with Mr Craft by email and he sent the ring to the port agent at Greenock in time for the cruise ship docking there. A champagne reception was held on the ship for the moment Mr Walker was reunited with the ring as passengers and crew had been captivated by the extraordinary find. He added: My wife points out that it is interesting that champagne was involved when I lost the ring and when I reunited with the ring during a champagne reception on the Atlas World Voyager cruise ship 56 years later. There were approximately 130 passengers on the ship and by the time we reached Scotland so many people on the ship had heard about the lost ring from others, spreading the word that I was hoping to receive a package with the ring. The cruise director asked me to open the package at a reception so everyone could watch as the package was opened. Mr Walker said he has now given the ring to his wife for safe keeping. The Australian government's world-first plan to ban children from social media has caught the attention of Elon Musk, who claims it could lead to wider restrictions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Thursday the introduction of his bill, which would require Australians to be over 16 to use many popular apps, including Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and X, which Musk owns. 'Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians,' Musk replied after Albanese boasted about the law on social media. Musk, who recently earned the nickname 'First Buddy' due to his friendship with US President-elect Donald Trump, has long been an advocate of free speech, which is one of the reasons he claimed he bought X, then called Twitter, in 2022. Greens senator David Shoebridge, in a Senate Committee hearing earlier this month, questioned whether the ban could only be enforced by requiring age verification of all Australians who used social media. Deputy secretary of communications and media at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, James Chisolm, replied 'yes'. The government has since said part of the proposed legislation would prevent tech companies from keeping information gathered during the verification process. Companies that systematically fail to enforce the ban could be slapped with fines of up to $50million under the legislation being debated in Parliament. Tech billionaire Elon Musk has hit out at Australia's proposed social media ban for kids Musk said the ban could lead to wider restrictions for Australians Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told Parliament the ban would dramatically reshape Australian society's relationship with social media. 'This bill seeks to set a new normative value in society that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia,' she said. 'There is wide acknowledgement that something must be done in the immediate term to help prevent young teens and children from being exposed to streams of unfiltered content,' she added. While there is bipartisan political support to pass the proposed ban for teenagers, there is debate over whether it will actually curb the harm of social media. The details around the ban could change before the legislation passes Parliament. Platforms would then have one year to implement a process to enforce it. Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom and YouTube are expected to be classified as 'out-of-scope services'. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was a matter of urgency that the ban be introduced Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman said the social media companies had 'abrogated their responsibility to care about Australian children' for too long. 'We look forward to working constructively on this legislation with a view to seeing it passed through the parliament next week,' he said. The office of the eSafety Commissioner said age assurance was important but had to be part of a broader approach. 'We must also continue working to ensure online services are safe by design and to build children's digital literacy, resilience and critical reasoning skills so that when they are of age to use these services ... they are equipped for the online world,' it said. The Australian Human Rights Commission said while the ban was designed to protect children from harm, it would likely have negative human rights impacts on young people. The Venezuelan migrant accused of robbing and exposing himself to Alvin Bragg's assistant prosecutor yawned and smirked in court as he was locked up by a judge. Tren de Aragua-linked Brandon Simosa, 25, was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly stole the unnamed victim's phone. Police said they were able to track the device to the Row NYC Hotel migrant shelter in Midtown, where the perpetrator was found outside. Simosa was arraigned at Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday and was charged with first-degree sexually motivated robbery. But he appeared nonchalant during the hearing, at one point closing his eyes and lying back languidly across the courtroom bench. Judge Janet McDonell also pointed out that the defendant did not appear to be taking things seriously - as he was pictured rolling his eyes. 'He arrived here in New York in June and has managed to get arrested seven times since June, and at one point was smiling, and is smiling now, and I observed him laughing during the proceeding,' the New York Post reports the judge said. Venezuelan migrant Brandon Simosa, who is accused of robbing and exposing himself to Alvin Bragg's assistant prosecutor, yawned and smirked in court as he was locked up by a judge Tren de Aragua-linked Brandon Simosa, 25, was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly stole the unnamed victim's phone ICE already put in a request that Simosa be taken into custody Simosa walked into the court smirking wearing a green jacket, jeans and black boots. She remanded him in custody pending his trial. ICE has already put in a request for custody. Simosa is accused of following the 38-year-old victim into her 44th Street building before demanding she hand over her possessions. The terrified attorney handed over her phone, ID and credit cards, Assistant District Attorney Devin Horzempa told the court. Simosa is then alleged to have yelled at the victim until she gave over her PIN codes and 'began masturbating towards the victim for a period of several moments,' Horzempa said. He is then said to have run off and attempted to use the cards at a nearby restaurant and to withdraw money from an ATM. Simosa was identified by the victim from a photo lineup. Assistant District Attorney Joshua Larmon said the suspect bragged to cops during his arrest, saying: 'I'm all over the news, I'm famous, my friends told on me.' Simosa is accused of following the 38-year-old victim into her 44th Street building before demanding she hand over her possessions His cavalier attitude in court was admonished by the judge as she ordered he be remanded in custody pending trial Horzempa said Simosa confessed to the salacious crime in custody. The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges during a Wednesday court appearance in which he was released back into the general public. It was not the first time he had a brush with law however. Just last week, Simosa 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. Insiders also claimed that Simosa has ties to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang terrorizing New Yorkers. The violent Venezuelan super gang has racked up more than 500 arrests this year in NYC alone, as the mob's members commit heinous crimes across the country. Simosa grinned as he was escorted into the court in handcuffs The victim is an assistant district attorney for the office of Manhattan's District Attorney Alvin Bragg Simosa has racked up an extensive criminal record since coming to New York City 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. Lyle Menendez's heartbroken wife has admitted that she and the convicted double murderer are separated after DailyMail.com's blockbuster exclusive telling how he is having a fling with 21-year-old student Milly Bucksey. Rebecca Sneed, 55, took to Facebook to break the news to followers of Lyle and his younger brother Erik. 'Guys! This is NOT a cheating scandal,' she wrote. 'Lyle and I have been separated for a while now but remain best friends and family.' She said she is continuing to run his Facebook page 'with input from him', and she is committed to fight on for the brothers. 'I will never stop fighting for them,' she added. Within hours of DailyMail.com's story posting, Sneed had posted a cryptic message saying 'Love, loyalty, family, and friendship change shape over time but still exist.' Several hours later she published her second message. Lyle Menendez's wife Rebecca Sneed, 55 wrote 'Guys! This is NOT a cheating scandal' on the Facebook page she runs in his name as she revealed the pair had been separated for 'a while' The 56-year-old convicted murderer has been having a months-long relationship with blonde Milly Bucksey, 21, after meeting her on the Facebook page Sneed runs in his name The 55-year-old wrote that she is continuing to run his Facebook page 'with input from him', and she is committed to fight on for the brothers She was not the only Menendez family member to comment following our exclusive that English student Milly Bucksey is the new woman in Lyle's life and that they have maintained contact through an illicit cellphone that Lyle has in prison in San Diego. Erik's stepdaughter Talia Menendez wrote: 'I want to make it clear that Erik and Lyle are two separate individuals. 'The decisions of one brother shouldn't overshadow the truth about the other,' she added. 'I'd appreciate it if people would consider my dad for who he is, and not based on the actions of someone else. Talia, 26, wrote: 'I want to make it clear that Erik and Lyle are two separate individuals. The decisions of one brother shouldn't overshadow the truth about the other. 'My family is going through a lot right now. And I'd appreciate it if people would consider my dad for who he is, and not based on the actions of someone else.' Talia is the daughter of Erik's wife Tammi who refers to him as 'dad'. Sources told DailyMail.com that Lyle, 56, is so besotted with blonde Milly Bucksey, 21, that he has told her he wants to divorce Sneed who he married in 2003 the month before his new love was born. Erik's, 53, step-daughter Josie Rodriguez begged people not to confuse the behavior of her dad and uncle in a public social media plea on Facebook Milly, a student at the University of Manchester, made the 5,300-mile journey from her home to see him at the top security RJ Donovan Correctional Facility Bucksey changed the cover of her Facebook page to a picture of Ocean Beach in San Diego on September 17. The beach is just 20 miles from Imperial Beach where Sneed relocated to be closer to him Lyle has been hoping for an early release from his life sentence but the discovery of illicit cell phones and the replacement of LA district attorney George Gascon could complicate that 'Lyle adores Milly', an insider with knowledge of the romance told DailyMail.com. 'And she refers to him as her boyfriend even though he's married.' According to those familiar with the situation, after spotting her on the Facebook group, he initially approached her under an alias before confessing his true identity to the smitten student. Since then, their romance has spiced up and even led to Lyle getting busted by prison guards at the top-security Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, for possessing a contraband cell phone he was using to contact his new squeeze. A record of that incident was included in ousted Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon's resentencing memo, filed in Los Angeles at the end of October. It showed he was caught with the phone on March 15 in the cell he shares with 'multiple other people'. Despite being busted, DailyMail.com has learned that Lyle has since acquired a second illicit cell phone, which he has been using to stay in touch with the University of Manchester student. Photos, exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, show the pair inside the prison. In one they pose in front of one of the distinctive murals in the prison yard with their arms wrapped lovingly around each other. In another, they pose with a large dog, and a third has Milly sitting on Lyle's knee. A time stamp on one picture shows it was taken on Saturday, September 14 a date corresponding with the Friday to Sunday visiting hours at the lock-up and nine days before Milly's university started its fall semester. In what appears to be a loving gesture to her jailbird lover, Milly changed the cover photo on her Facebook page to a picture of Ocean Beach in San Diego on November 17. The beach in the laid-back surfer neighborhood has a distinctive palm-fringed promenade and cream lifeguard towers, both of which can be seen in Milly's photo. In an ironic twist, Ocean Beach is just 20 miles from Imperial Beach the southern San Diego neighborhood where Sneed has lived since relocating from California's state capital of Sacramento in October 2020 to be closer to him. When DailyMail.com attempted to contact Milly at her home in England, her father Peter, 78, firmly closed the door. A spokesperson for the Menendez family did not respond to a request for comment. DailyMail.com obtained exclusive photos of the pair cozying up to each other in front of a large mural inside the prison Lyle (right) is now in prison in San Diego with his younger brother Erik Lyle is so besotted with blonde Milly that he has even told her he wants to divorce his wife to be with her, a source told DailyMail.com But this time, the stakes are higher for Lyle and his brother Erik, 53, who have become a cause celebre following the smash-hit success of Ryan Murphy's biographical crime drama anthology, Monster: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Los Angeles County DA Gascon announced he was planning to pursue a lighter sentence for the brothers in October, telling reporters that the pair 'have paid their debt to society'. But he was voted out of office in this month's election and will step down on December 1. His replacement, Republican-turned-Independent Nate Hochman, 60, has thrown the brothers' bid for freedom into jeopardy by saying he plans to review Gascon's decision. The revelation that Lyle had a second contraband cell phone could also have implications for the case, particularly as California Governor Gavin Newsom this week declined to offer the brothers immediate clemency instead saying he intends to wait for the outcome of Hochman's review. That won't happen until after Hochman takes office. A resentencing hearing scheduled for December 11 is likely to be postponed as a result. In a statement to CNN following his victory, Hochman said: 'Before I can make any decision about the Menendez brothers' case, I will need to become thoroughly familiar with the relevant facts, the evidence and the law.' The former federal prosecutor added: 'I will have to review the confidential prison files for each brother, the transcripts from both trials and speak to the prosecutors, law enforcement, defense counsel and the victims' family members. Milly lives in Altrincham, England with her parents Peter, 78, and Karen, 57, Bucksey Milly celebrated New Year's 2022 with a group of friends and balloons in the purple, gold and gray colors of the University of Manchester Lyle and Erik Menendez have been in prison for the shotgun murder of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez since March 1990 and were convicted of the double homicide in a 1993 trial Former LA DA George Gascon initially said in October he was pursuing a lighter sentence for the brothers. But Gascon's ousting by the new DA Nate Hochman has put his initial decision in jeopardy, as Hochman declared he had to view the case in its entirety before making a decision 'If for some reason I need additional time, I will ask the court for that time.' The brothers have been locked up since March 1990 when they were arrested for the brutal 1989 shotgun slayings of their parents Kitty and Jose. Both confessed to the gruesome killings at the family home in Beverly Hills but said they snapped after enduring years of sexual abuse at Jose's hands. That argument fell flat at their 1993 trial with prosecutors successfully arguing that the murders were carried out for financial gain after the brothers went on a $700,000 spending spree in the weeks after the shootings. As a result, they were both handed life without parole and sent to separate prisons, although they were eventually reunited at the San Diego lock-up in 2018. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued an emphatic defense of VP Kamala Harris going on a Hawaiian vacation even while some fellow Democrats who backed her campaign are out of luck. 'Good for her,' Harris said, when pressed on the tropical break, which comes days after Harris's stunning loss to Donald Trump. Although she kept him under 50 percent in the popular vote, she failed to carry a single swing state. Harris began her vacay on Tuesday, even as her campaign blew through more than $1 billion and the DNC abruptly laid off staffers without providing severance. That prompted a question about whether President Biden thinks it was appropriate 'from an optics perspective' for her to skip town 'when so many DNC staffers are literally wondering what they're going to do?' Jean-Pierre vigorously defended the trip, which coincides with rising nuclear tensions with Russia the Kremlin even threatened a NATO missile defense base in Poland and a final push to get Bidens final nominations through the Senate. The vice president has taken time off to go spend time with her family. I dont think theres anything wrong with that, she intoned. I think she deserves some time with her family and to have some down time. She has worked very hard for the last four years, and her taking a couple days to be with her family: Good for her. 'Good for her,' White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when pressed about Vice President Kamala Harris going on vacation in Hawaii She also defended Biden's record on union issues. He became the first sitting president to walk a picket line during U.A.W. strike and regularly calls himself the most pro-union president in history. 'That is something that he was given to him, and he is proud to own that,' she said. As for the laid off campaign aides, Jean-Pierre, herself a former campaign official, said she would have to refer the matter to the DNC. Harris isn't the only top official to take vacation, and Biden himself has faithfully returned to his Wilmington home and Rehoboth beach house on weekends. I think she deserves some time with her family and to have some down time,' said Jean-Pierre. She referenced Harris's four years of hard work, but not her electino sprint resulting in a defeat to Donald Trump Whether he has Thanksgiving and other holiday plans travel plans has not yet been confirmed. Harris criss-crossed the country during her truncated presidential campaign when Biden, who just turned 82, ended his run. But Trump faulted her for not keeping up with his rally pace. She scheduled multiple down days after the Democratic convention, preparing for major broadcast interviews and the sole debate. Harris and husband Doug Emhoff, who would have been the first first gentleman had she become the first woman president, are on Kalaoa, which is on the west side of the big island of Hawaii. Environment secretary Steve Reed yesterday claimed to understand the 'anguish' caused by his inheritance tax grab on family farms - but refused to apologise. Mr Reed told a gathering of farmers that the 20 per cent levy was needed to pay for a '22billion black hole' in public finances left by the previous government. Farmers say that they will be forced to sell off their holdings to pay the bills. But the decision to impose the levy on farmers comes as receipts to the government from inheritance tax have hit record levels. HM Revenue and Customs said that in the past seven months, the Treasury had received inheritance tax worth 5billion - 0.5billion more than this time last year. Thousands of farmers attended a rally in London on Tuesday venting their anger at what they say will mean family farms will have to be sold off to pay the inheritance tax on farms worth more than 1million. Asked in a press conference if would apologise for the 'frustration and anxiety being triggered in elderly farmers - Mr Reed said 'It's hard to be sorry for making this country's economy and public services work again.' Mr Reed told the conference: 'I'm not pretending these decisions are easy'. A protester holds a sign saying 'Save Family Farms during the rally in London on Wednesday Tom Bradshaw president of the NFU, with a child on a toy tractor during a farmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules in the recent budget NFU President Tom Bradshaw speaks during a National Farmers' Union (NFU) mass lobby at Church House In a speech, Mr Reed said he was 'struck' by how many people described the Budget issues that brought them out onto the streets of London on Tuesday as 'the final straw'. 'Those straws have been piling up for many decades now, they are the frustrations of rural communities across Britain who feel misunderstood, neglected and frankly disrespected. 'This isn't just about tax or even just about farming, important though those things are, it is about a whole community demanding to be treated with respect.' And he said: 'I heard the anguish of the countryside on the streets of London earlier this week. 'We may not agree over the inheritance tax changes, but this Government is determined to listen to rural Britain and end its long decline.' One Oxfordshire Farmer, Tom Allen Stevens, told the CLA conference that elderly farmers may commit suicide to avoid the inheritance charge which comes into effect in April 2026 and avoid being a burden on their children who will then have to pay the inheritance tax on assets worth more than 1million - when profits in farming are low. He said: 'I'm an arable farmer in Oxfordshire, facing a tax bill after allowances of 400,000 can I afford it? 'No, but there is one sure way where I can avoid it, if between now and the first of April 2026, I kill myself. British farmers rally in London to demonstrate against tax changes made by the Labour government A protester holding a banner which reads 'No farmers, no food', during the rally in London 'Now, if I was elderly, if I was infirm, if I had mental health issues, if I had financial worries, that is an option I would seriously consider.' Mr Reed announced a farmer-led 25-year farming road map, which he said would be the 'most forward-looking plan for farming in our country's history, with a focus on making farming and food production more profitable in the decades to come'. He said it would not tell farmers what to do, but would be farmer-led so they can tell Government what they need to make a success of the transition to environmentally and financially sustainable farming. Treasury receipts from inheritance tax are swelling, according to new figures published yesterday. HMRC said the growth in IHT was due to rises in asset values, the government's decision to maintain the IHT tax free thresholds at 2020 to 2021 levels. Alex Davies, CEO and Founder of investment website Wealth Club said new tax rises were choking growth. 'Inheritance tax was already an absolute cash cow for the government. 'The extreme changes announced in last month's Budget which badly affect farmers, business owners, pension policyholders and investors, mean these figures are only going to increase over the coming years.' The Treasury's overall tax take from April to October this year was 475.7billion - 13.1billion higher than the same period last year. Ed Miliband has revived controversial plans for a 'boiler tax' in a bid to meet Labour's eye-watering climate change targets. The Energy Secretary has signed off on a proposal to impose swingeing taxes on boiler manufacturers if they fail to meet his targets for installing heat pumps targets that industry sources have branded 'unachievable'. A similar plan was scrapped by the Conservative government this year after the sector warned it would add 120 to the cost of a new boiler leading it to be dubbed the 'boiler tax'. But Mr Miliband, who toughened Britain's climate change targets this month, yesterday revived the idea, prompting fears the price of a gas boiler will increase next year. Tory energy spokesman Claire Coutinho, who scrapped the move while in government, condemned the move. She accused ministers of trying to force people to instal heat pumps by driving up the price of gas boilers. 'Labour have quietly introduced a new tax on boiler companies that don't sell enough heat pumps,' she said. 'It gives Ed Miliband open-ended powers to force heat pumps on people by making the price of gas boilers unaffordable. Ed Miliband (pictured) has revived controversial plans for a 'boiler tax' in a bid to meet Labour's eye-watering climate change targets The Energy Secretary has signed off on a proposal to impose swingeing taxes on boiler manufacturers if they fail to meet his targets for installing heat pumps targets that industry sources have branded 'unachievable' (stock image) Mr Miliband's department also slipped out new guidance that will allow people to install a heat pump less than a metre from their neighbour's boundary, despite warnings it will lead to a flood of complaints about noise (stock image) 'The climate change lobby have been itching to get this on the statute book for years because it uses higher costs to force people to buy heat pumps. We need to put living standards first.' Industry chiefs say the new targets for installing heat pumps are 'unachievable' because of high costs and public scepticism. Mr Miliband's department acknowledged that a majority of those responding to a consultation on the issue 'did not support' the target and that 'several suggested the target was unachievable'. But a government source said ministers had decided to press ahead regardless and were 'confident that the target is realistic and achievable'. Mr Miliband's department also slipped out new guidance that will allow people to install a heat pump less than a metre from their neighbour's boundary, despite warnings it will lead to a flood of complaints about noise. Current limits on the size of the ugly boxes will also be removed as ministers try to spark a huge increase in installations. And plans to ban the installation of gas boilers in new homes from next year will go ahead. The last government set a target of installing 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028. But a recent National Audit Office review of the scheme found that, despite heavy subsidies, in its first year in 2022/23 just 18,871 heat pumps were installed, far below the 50,000 target for that year. By contrast, roughly 1.5 million gas boilers were installed, mostly to replace worn-out models. Under the new target, which will come into force from April, at least 6 per cent of all domestic heating installations will have to be heat pumps equal to around 90,000 new systems. Indicative targets published by the Government suggest this will rise to 10 per cent the following year, 17 per cent the year after and 27 per cent around 400,000 installations in 2028. However, the regulations leave Mr Miliband free to raise the targets even higher. Firms that fail to install enough heat pumps will be hit with fines of 500 for every additional gas boiler they sell, rising to 3,000 the following year. Mike Foster, of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, said: 'The challenge the Government faces is not the lack of supply of heat pumps you can buy one today if you want it is the lack of consumer demand. 'As officials have acknowledged, they cost considerably more to buy than a gas boiler; they cost more to run than a gas boiler and they are more disruptive to fit in the home compared to simply replacing a boiler. 'These things need addressing.' Sir Keir Starmer yesterday said the Government was right to unilaterally toughen Britain's climate targets, requiring this country to cut emissions by 81 per cent by 2035. But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch questioned the value of the target and pointed out the PM had yet to publish a plan to hit it or said what it will cost to achieve. She told MPs that the Government was putting 'press releases before practicality'. A DESNZ spokesman said: 'These claims are simply false. This scheme does not require any increase to the price of boilers. 'We are supporting manufacturers, giving them time to scale up supply chains and have lowered the payment by 80 per cent to 500 for any shortfall in heat pumps.' Matt Gaetz's time as Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General lasted just eight days. But during that time there was no shortage of drama. There were 'more twists and turns than an M. Night Shyamalan movie,' said Republican strategist Scott Jennings. Meanwhile, Democrats mocked Gaetz for achieving less than 'one Scaramucci'. That was a reference to the 11 days Anthony Scaramucci managed as Trump's White House Director of Communications in his first term. Here is how Gaetz's eight days as nominee for Attorney General unfolded. November 13 Trump announces Matt Gaetz as his pick to lead the Department of Justice. Hours later. Gaetz resigns from Congress, effectively ending a House ethics investigation into his private life. November 14 Republicans react hesitantly to the prospect of Gaetz as attorney general. Trump also names three lawyers who defended him in criminal cases to senior positions at the Justice Department. They are Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer. Matt Gaetz speaks at a 2024 campaign rally for former US President Donald Trump in Waco, Texas President Donald Trump takes a selfie with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in the House chamber after Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on January 30, 2018 November 15 House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will 'strongly request' the House Ethics Committee not release the results of its investigation into Gaetz. Johnson rebuffs senators who were demanding access to the report. The bipartisan committee had conducted a years-long probe into allegations of sexual misconduct against Gaetz, which he vehemently denied. November 16 Career DOJ lawyers describe a widespread sense of outrage at the nomination. November 17 Donald Trump Jr. issues a clarion call to get Gaetz confirmed against the will of the Washington establishment. Matt Gaetz and his wife Ginger Luckey Gaetz Matt Gaetz at a House Judiciary Committee hearing November 18 Florida lawyer Joel Leppard says he is representing two women who claim Gaetz used Venmo to pay them for sex. He says one of them claims to have seen Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz has denied the allegations against him. November 19 Republican senators are divided over how much to push back on Trump over Gaetz. It emerges an unauthorized person has gained access to a file containing confidential testimony from women who have made allegations about Gaetz. November 20 House Ethics Committee Republicans vote against releasing the panels long-running investigation into Gaetz. But the panel is scheduled to meet again on December 5 to reconsider releasing its findings. Gaetz and J.D. Vance meet with Republican senators in Washington in a bid to rally support for his confirmation, but encounter resistance from some. Ginger Luckey Gaetz comments after Matt Gaetz ends his bid to be Attorney General Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wednesday, July 17, 2024 November 21 CNN reports that the allegations against Gaetz, which he has denied, include that he had a threesome with a 17-year-old girl and an adult woman. Gaetz, while maintaining he has done nothing wrong, ends his bid to be Attorney General because he is becoming an 'unfair distraction' to Trump. He informs Trump in advance of his announcement. In a statement Gaetz says: 'I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. 'There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. 'I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America.' A close friend of Melbourne teenager Isla Bell says her 'heart screams' for the 19-year-old after she was allegedly murdered, as she remembers Ms Bell as a 'beautiful soul sister'. Ms Bell was last seen leaving her Brunswick home about 6pm on October 4 but allegedly remained in contact with a friend until shortly after midnight on October 7. Human remains, suspected to be the missing 19-year-old but yet to be formally identified, were discovered at a Dandenong waste management facility on Tuesday morning. Marat Ganiev, 53, was charged with murdering Ms Bell on October 7 in St Kilda East, while Eyal Yaffe, 57, is accused of assisting an offender after the fact after police raided two properties in Bentleigh East and Mulgrave. Court documents obtained by Daily Mail Australia revealed that, before her death, Ms Bell had told a friend she was had 'found the best sugar daddy' who had 'lavished her with gifts'. Friend Pixie Rivalland remembered Ms Bell as her 'beautiful kindred spirit' in a powerful post. 'My heart screams for you,' Ms Rivalland wrote. 'I love you so much.' Isla Bell was allegedly murdered. Her body was found at a Dandenong tip on Tuesday morning Ms Bell had a 'vibrant soul', 'loving heart' and an 'unforgettable spirit', with Ms Rivalland posting a separate tribute in the Facebook group 'Help us find Isla Bell'. 'This world was so lucky to be graced by your presence,' Ms Rivalland wrote. 'I feel as though a piece of my soul is gone. Isla was kind, gentle, loving, intelligent, & ambitious.' Ms Rivalland continued, writing that Ms Bell had 'hopes & dreams' and 'so many things to do, places to go, & people to see'. 'Isla loved nature & animals, she loved exploring & making memories, she loved being an aunty, she loved her family, & she loved this world - despite its cruelty,' Ms Rivalland said. 'Isla fiercely loved & protected everyone close to her. She would move mountains for her loved ones.' She wrote that Ms Bell's 'strength & kindness were one of a kind', and she deserved to celebrate her 20th birthday with friends and family. 'We want Isla to be remembered for the woman she was, not for what happened to her,' she wrote. 'I love you forever.' Ms Bell has been remembered as a 'kind, gentle, loving, intelligent & ambitious' woman by her 'soul sister' According to a summary of the police case released by the court, Ms Bell was allegedly caught on CCTV entering Mr Ganiev's St Kilda apartment about 9.30pm on October 5 and was not seen leaving. Police allege that about 12.43am on October 7, the footage captured a fight through a gap in a kitchen window, with Ms Bell seen falling to the ground. 'Investigators observed what appears to be Bell's head whipping around as if she has been struck,' the brief states. It's alleged the CCTV footage shows Mr Ganiev cleaning thoroughly over the next few days before Mr Yaffe arrived with a black fridge on October 9. The fridge allegedly remained in Mr Ganiev's apartment for eight days before Mr Yaffe assisted him to remove it wrapped in plastic on October 17. It was allegedly moved to various locations around Melbourne before a man found the fridge and opened it. The brief alleges a bag fell out and the man threw it into a rubbish bin, believing it was animal remains. According to the summary, Mr Ganiev allegedly claimed he did not kill Ms Bell but used the fridge to transport her remains after she died at his place. It is alleged that during his interview that he told police he did not have sex with her nor buy her gifts. The summary alleges Mr Yaffe told police he helped deliver a new fridge to Mr Ganiev and assisted him to dump the old one 300m from his home on a kerbside pick-up without knowing the contents. During his brief court appearance, Mr Ganiev was slumped over and rubbing his face as his lawyer Adrian Lewin noted that his client was prescribed methadone and had not received a dose in two days. Mr Yaffe, the court was told, had intended to apply for bail but would instead seek to be freed at a hearing on Friday. He was brought into court on Wednesday afternoon, smiling and nodding at family members as lawyer Ian Hill KC requested Mr Yaffe be seen by a nurse for a bad back. The rest of the world tends to sit out the lame-duck weeks at the end of a presidential reign, holding its breath to see what the new commander-in-chief will do once in the Oval Office. Not this time. With eight weeks to inauguration day, there's a sense of growing instability which gives the countdown to the end of Joe Biden's term in the White House an almost uniquely dangerous character. In fact, we seem closer to a World War Three-style clash between superpower rivals than at any time since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Back then, we had John F. Kennedy steering America's ship of state a president at the height of his intellectual powers and energy. Today we have Joe Biden, an incumbent many believe is now too frail in mind and body to give full 24/7 attention to the developing crisis over Russia. It's even more alarming, then, that Biden and his team appear to be throwing caution aside and even revving up American engagement with the world's most fraught conflict: on the bloody battlefields of Ukraine. By suddenly allowing Kyiv to fire US-made, long-range missiles hundreds of miles inside Russia after saying he wouldn't for more than two years as well as adding anti-personnel mines to a massive new $275 million delivery of American weapons, Biden is seriously upping Washington's commitment to this conflict even as Donald Trump tries to project himself as a peacemaker in the wings. With eight weeks to inauguration day, there's a sense of growing instability which gives the countdown to the end of Joe Biden 's term in the White House an almost uniquely dangerous character. Biden and his team appear to be throwing caution aside and even revving up American engagement with the world's most fraught conflict - on the bloody battlefields of Ukraine. (Pictured: Biden and President Zelensky at the NATO Summit in Washington in July). Not only is this a recipe for confusion, it could make a vicious war more deadly still. There is no guarantee that calm will return when Trump takes over in January. Indeed, hopes that this long war surpassing its 1000th day this week might be entering its latter stages seem more distant than ever. On Thursday, President Putin hit back at increasing Western involvement, announcing that his forces had carried out an attack in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro using an experimental 'new' hypersonic missile (codenamed 'Oreshnik'). On Tuesday, he performatively changed Russian law to lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weaponry. How different the world seemed when Biden entered the White House in January 2021. Then aged 78, his decades on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, followed by eight years as President Obama's vice president and point-man for many foreign issues including the rumbling volcano of Ukraine made him seem a safe pair of hands. But if Biden's foreign policy credentials were a motivating reason to vote for him in 2020, that soon changed. Real-world experience tarnished his legacy from the start of his administration. The terms of America's Afghanistan departure may well have been previously determined by Trump's deal with the Taliban, but it was Biden who managed or rather completely mismanaged the final days of the 2021 withdrawal from Kabul. Thirteen US service members lost their lives. Now, Biden's White House has proven itself entirely incapable of ending the conflict between Israel and its terrorist enemies of Hamas and Hezbollah. All of which is why belated action in Ukraine is now the President's best chance, perhaps his only chance, of leaving a positive legacy in the field of foreign policy. It is certainly likely that the chaos of Afghanistan, and America's visible weakness there, emboldened Putin to think he could invade Ukraine. That went badly wrong, of course. Ukraine was not subdued within a matter days as Putin had hoped. Yet he has refused to dial down the conflict and with good reason: for Putin, the outcome of his 'special operation' is a matter of survival. While victory, or the appearance of it, would secure his control of Russia, defeat means the end of his tenure in the Kremlin and, probably, his life. As President Obama noted ten years ago, the fate of Ukraine was always going to be more existential for Moscow than Washington. Part of the United States' unparalleled greatness has been its ability to weather defeats such as the falls of Saigon in 1975 and Kabul in 2021 and roar back as the dominant superpower soon afterwards. On Thursday, President Putin hit back at increasing Western involvement, announcing that his forces had carried out an attack in the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro using an experimental 'new' hypersonic missile (codenamed 'Oreshnik'). Russia lacks the same resilience. It cannot afford defeat without facing revolution as happened in 1917 or the sort of humiliation it endured after losing Afghanistan and Eastern Europe in 1991, which precipitated the collapse of the Soviet Union. This is why Putin is now hell-bent on bringing Ukraine to heel. It's not just Kyiv that he wants to cow other neighbors must be kept compliant, too. He also wants to crush any hopes of liberation that restive regions within Russia, such as Chechnya, might hold. Even the brutal cost both human and financial of the war in Ukraine makes sense to the Kremlin because it sends this clear message to its citizens: 'look at the terrible price of snuggling up to the West. This is what happens if you dare to defy Moscow.' It's a nasty, ruthless calculation, but Putin knows that a long-drawn-out war of attrition works for him. Over Washington, the time scales for such crises America's attention span if you like are simply too short and cost-aware to match such long-term aggression. And there's also the issue of indecision among US leadership. In the Kremlin, there is an impressive unity. There is no doubt or division over what to do next or, more importantly, who is in charge. Washington, with its slow transfer of power and mixed messaging, is quite different uncomfortably like Berlin in 1914 on the eve of the First World War. It's a historical parallel worth pursuing, for Ukrainians are like the Austrians were back then. Today, mortally threatened, Ukraine has placed its hope in a great ally, America, just as the collapsing Austrian empire once sought protection from the might of Germany, its industrial neighbour to the north. By the end of June 1914, peace was in sight. Serbia blamed for the fateful assassination of Franz Ferdinand, heir to the imperial throne of Austria had accepted all but one of Vienna's belligerent demands. But that all changed when the Austrian foreign minister received not one but two telegrams from his allies in Berlin. The first came from German Emperor, William II, who said that, as the Serbs were cooperating, honour was satisfied and he, William, could resume his summer cruise. The chief of the German general staff sent a very different message: 'The Serbs have rejected one of your demands, invade now!' 'Who rules in Berlin?' asked the bewildered Austrian foreign minister. In the end, he did what the German generals demanded setting in train one of the most terrible conflicts in the history of humanity. Today, the question haunting the world is: 'Who rules in Washington?' Is Joe Biden really in charge until January 20, or is it his team who really have their hands on the diplomatic and military levers? Are Biden's key security advisers, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for example, attempting to build metaphorical barricades and traps in Ukraine to block any Trump appeasement of Putin? Perhaps they don't believe Trump's proposed Ukrainian 'peace plan' would be good for America or the West, and hope to be part of a big Democrat comeback in 2028. That's the version of their thinking that Donald Trump Jr and the nominated National Security Adviser, Michael Waltz, prefer to believe. But what really matters is what Donald Trump himself thinks and that remains a mystery, even as the crisis deepens. It's understandable if, in the twilight of his tenure, Biden wants to give Putin a bloody parting shot. Who wouldn't? But what the rest of the world needs is a clear, long-term strategy from Washington not an old man kicking out in anger and frustration before the spotlight finally moves Vladimir Putin must feel the cost of his deranged ambitions, President Zelensky has said after Russia fired a new medium-range missile at the city of Dnipro. The Ukrainian leader on Thursday warned that the Kremlin is 'testing' the West and called on the world to respond decisively to the dramatic escalation of the conflict. In a gloating TV address, Putin revealed Russian forces had fired the rocket as a test, triggering a number of explosions across Dnipro. He even warned the Kremlin could use the new ballistic missiles against countries that have permitted Ukraine's use of western-made missiles on Russian soil. In a response on X, Zelensky called on the world to respond decisively and pile pressure on Moscow. 'The world must respond. Right now, there is no strong reaction from the world. Putin is very sensitive to this. He is testing you, dear partners,' he said. Zelensky added: 'Putin must feel the cost of his deranged ambitions. Response is needed. Pressure is needed.' His comments come after the Russian ambassador to the UK declared that Britain is now 'directly involved' in the Russia/Ukraine war after Kyiv's Storm Shadow attack. Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a joint statement with Prime Minister of Denmark following their meeting in Kyiv, on November 19 In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Services, rescue workers put out a fire of a building which was heavily damaged by a Russian strike on Dnipro on Thursday Russian President Vladimir Putin made a nationwide TV address on Thursday The UN called the testing of the new Russian missile in Ukraine 'worrying' and Downing Street condemned Putin for further escalating the conflict. It comes after Ukraine struck a military facility in Russia's Kursk region on Wednesday, utilising British-made missiles. In a rare move of making a statement himself, Putin said in an alarming TV address around 8pm Moscow time: 'We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities.' He said he wanted to give a message to those who 'harbour delusions about delivering a strategic defeat to Russia', as the 33-month-old war continues to escalate. Putin claimed that Thursday's strike on Dnipro was in response to 'aggressive' actions by NATO and warned that 'targets for further testing will be determined by us based on the security threats'. Nine projectiles were launched at critical infrastructure in Dnipro between 5am and 7am local time, from the Astrakhan region of Russia, Ukraine's air forces said. The missile's range far outstrips that of newly authorised US and British supplied weapons. The distance from Moscow to London is around 2,500km, suggesting the range of the new missile could threaten the UK. Attacking either the UK or US would be a major escalation and it could be the first time Russia has deliberately launched an attack on NATO soil since the war began. Rescue workers put out a fire of a burning house damaged by a strike on Dnipro in Ukraine This is the moment missiles struck Yuzhmash defence plant in Dnipro The UN has called the testing of the new Russian missile in Ukraine 'worrying' and Downing Street condemned Putin for further escalating the conflict The Russian leader said: 'In the event of further escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond equally decisively and in kind. 'I recommend that the ruling elites of those countries which are considering allegiance against Russia seriously consider this. Of course, if necessary, we will choose targets for destruction. There are currently no means to counter such weapons. It is impossible.' He added: 'In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons, on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine. 'From that moment, as we have repeatedly underscored, a regional conflict in Ukraine previously provoked by the West has acquired elements of a global character. 'In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested, among other things. In this case, with a ballistic missile in a nuclear-free hypersonic equipment.' He said of the new weapon: 'Our engineers named it Oreshnik.' This means hazel tree in Russian. The Russian leader declared that they would issue advance warnings before strikes on other countries to allow civilians to evacuate to safety. Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres.' No 10 said it was 'an example of escalatory behaviour from Russia'. But the Prime Minister's spokesman added it 'only serves to strengthen our resolve and to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to act in self-defence against Russia's reckless and illegal invasion'. The US was notified by Russia 'briefly' before Thursday's missile strike on Ukraine, an American official said. Ukraine's foreign ministry urged the international community to react swiftly to the use of what it said was 'the use by Russia of a new type of weaponry.' A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russia likely possesses a handful of the 'experimental' intermediate-range ballistic missiles used in today's strike. A person watches a televised address by the Russian President in Moscow Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile as part of a brutal barrage of targets in Ukraine Putin revealed that his forces carried out a strike with a new medium-range ballistic missile Storm Shadow missiles struck a building with an underground 'control room' where Russian and North Korean military officials were believed to be holed up Defence Secretary John Healey earlier revealed to a committee of MPs that the UK knew Russia had been 'preparing for months' to fire a new ballistic missile. Mr Healey warned Ukraine faces a 'serious moment' in its defence against Putin's invasion, but refused to confirm that Kyiv had been given permission to use Storm Shadow in Russia. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly declined to comment publicly on the use of Storm Shadow. 'It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin,' the Defence Secretary told MPs. Battle lines in Ukraine are now 'less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion', Mr Healey said, citing British intelligence. Speaking at the same time, Sir Keir told the House of Commons the UK 'will not be deterred or distracted by reckless threats' from Putin, who has lowered the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal. Sir Keir also insisted that all the UK's support for Kyiv was 'in accordance with international law' and 'always for self-defence'. Putin's announcement today came hours after Ukraine claimed that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight at the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. But American officials said an initial US assessment indicated the strike was carried out with an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Two people were wounded in the attack, and an industrial facility and a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities were damaged, according to local officials. Security cameras caught the moment several projectiles streaked through the night sky and triggered a series of violent explosions in the city of Dnipro where the plants of state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer Yuzmash are located. 'Expert examinations are underway. It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground,' Zelensky said in a video posted on social media. Footage of the strike was released as Russia also threatened to strike US air bases in Poland with 'advanced weapons' in an alarming statement. Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro A video grab showed flashes over the Ukrainian city of Dnipro Pictured are British-made missiles striking an 'underground control room' at Maryino Moscow said the opening of a new US ballistic missile defence base in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast will 'increase the overall level of nuclear danger', adding it could be considered a future target. '(The base) has been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons,' Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova concluded. Zakharova's statement came minutes after Ukraine's air force first reported the strike, claiming it was fired from a base in Russia's southern Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea early. In a bizarre twist, Zakharova's press conference was interrupted by a phone call in which the speaker appeared to tell the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman about the strike before instructing her not to comment on it. A man's voice was faintly heard saying: 'Masha, ballistic missile strikes on Yuzhmash. The Westerners are talking about it now. Don't comment at all.' The attack comes in a week when tensions have repeatedly soared, as the US eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of American-made longer-range missiles inside Russia and Putin lowered the threshold for launching nuclear weapons. The Ukrainian air force said in a statement that the attack on Dnipro was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea. 'Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is,' Ukrainian President Zelensky said. 'And how afraid he is.' Earlier this week, the Biden administration authorized Ukraine to use US-supplied, longer-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia - a move that drew an angry response from Moscow. Days later, Ukraine fired several of the missiles into Russia, according to the Kremlin. The same day, Putin signed a new doctrine that allows for a potential nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. The doctrine is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons. In response, Western countries, including the US, said Russia has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behaviour throughout the war to intimidate Ukraine and other nations. They have also expressed dismay at the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine. Also on Thursday, Russia also struck Zelensky's home city of Kryvyi Rih, wounding 26 people, said the head of regional administration, Serhii Lysak. The missile strike caused damage to an administrative building, at least five multi-storey residential buildings, and civilian vehicles. The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that its air defence systems shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones. The statement didn't say when or where the Storm Shadows were shot down or what they were targeting. Russia earlier reported downing some of the missiles over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula. Putin has also warned that the move would mean that Russia and NATO are at war. Peter Ricketts, a former U.K. national security adviser who now sits in the House of Lords, said: 'It is an important move and it pulls against, undermines the narrative that Putin had been trying to establish that it was fine for Russia to rain down Iranian drones and North Korean missiles on Ukraine but a reckless escalation for Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons at legitimate targets in Russia.' Benjamin Netanyahu could be detained if he visits Britain after Sir Keir Starmer backed the International Criminal Court's decision to issue an arrest warrant. The Hague-based court, which Foreign Secretary David Lammy last month said the UK 'supports', today issued warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as the leader of Hamas. Britain, along with 123 other members of the ICC, will now be obliged to detain Netanyahu 'on sight' under international law. A spokesperson for Downing Street said the Government respected the court and refused to rule out he would be arrested if he landed on British soil - comments which have been widely interpreted as supportive of the decision. He said: 'We respect the independence of the ICC.' No10 added there was no 'moral equivalence' between the democratically elected leader of Israel and terrorist leaders, and that Israel has a right to defend itself. The ICC warrant would, nevertheless, need to be ratified by a UK court before it becomes valid, it is understood. Last month Mr Lammy told MPs Labour 'continues to support the ICC', adding: 'Both the ICC and the ICJ should be able to go about their work unfettered by political intervention.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel British Prime Minister Keir Starmer steps out from 10 Downing Street to welcome President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto ahead of their meeting in London on November 21 The International Criminal Court (ICC) building is pictured on November 21 in The Hague And Attorney General Lord Hermer used a newspaper interview to say the government would not do 'anything that undermines the work of the ICC' and would 'comply with our lawful obligations.' Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the warrant was 'deeply concerning and provocative', adding: 'The Labour Government must condemn and challenge the ICC's decision.' The warrants against Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant focus on allegations Israel has used food as a weapon in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza, a charge Israeli officials deny. Experts have warned that hunger has become widespread across Gaza and may have reached famine levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops. The action by the International Criminal Court came as the death toll from Israel's campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Netanyahu condemned the arrest warrant against him, saying Israel 'rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions' by the court. In a statement released by his office, he said: 'There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza.' The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and could further isolate them, as well as complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire. Last month Mr Lammy told MPs Labour ' continues to support the ICC', adding: ' Both the ICC and the ICJ should be able to go about their work unfettered by political intervention' But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court. 'We are not going to get into hypotheticals. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said when asked if the UK would obey the warrant. A domestic legal process needs to be carried out through the UK courts which determines whether or not to endorse the arrest warrant through the UK's International Criminal Court Act 2001. The spokesman added: 'We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court, which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. 'This Government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalent between Israel, a democracy, and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terrorist organisations. 'We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza which is essential to protect civilians ensure the release of hostages and to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.' Sir Keir is also facing pressure to support the warrant from Labour and former Labour leftwingers. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, said the warrant was an 'important development, which comes far too late for the 44,000 already killed in Gaza' 'If international law means anything and if there's any hope of stopping future atrocities against civilian populations, these men must be brought to justice,' she added. 'The UK government must take note, comply with the ICC, and end our country's complicity in war crimes.' Richard Burgon, the Socialist Campaign Group secretary who lost the Labour whip earlier this year for rebelling in a vote over benefits, added: 'I welcome the arrest warrants against Israeli PM Netanyahu & his former Defence Minister. Their barbaric crimes are clear for all to see. Our Government must commit to enforcing these arrest warrants. And Governments must now impose sanctions on Israel to stop more war crimes.' When the Prince of Wales stepped on to the stage in South Africa to announce the winners of the prestigious Earthshot Prize 2024, it was noticeably without his wife, the Princess of Wales. Despite not being in Singapore for last year's prize-giving either, who can forget her alongside Prince William in Boston in 2022, when she delighted spectators in an exquisite green gown and Queen Mary's gorgeous Delhi Durbar emerald choker - last worn by the former Princess of Wales, Princess Diana. The inimitable emeralds, cut as huge cabochons and set amongst diamonds, were perfectly coordinated with a pair of earrings set with four round-cut emeralds and 72 pave-set diamonds from the luxury 250-year-old emporium Asprey. It was George VI who gave the British brand its first Royal Warrant for jewellery in 1940. Eight years later his mother, Queen Mary, bought a pearl necklace as Princess Margaret's 18th birthday present. Kate Middleton wearing Queen Mary's gorgeous Delhi Durbar emerald choker Diana, Princess of Wales wearing the Delhi Durbar emerald choker when she attended a banquet at Claridges Hotel in 1988 Queen Mary presented her granddaughter Princess Margaret (pictured) with a five-strand pearl necklace (above and below) on her 18th birthday The natural pearl piece with its distinctive Art Deco diamond clasp became a staple of Margaret's wardrobe The spectacular five-strand natural pearl piece, with its distinctive Art Deco diamond clasp from when it was created in 1925, became a staple of the late Queen's sister's wardrobe, including the princess's official birthday portraits by Sir Cecil Beaton. The necklace sold for 276,000 at the Christie's 2006 auction of many of her belongings (including the Poltimore Tiara), along with its green leather bound box, embossed with an 'M' under her coronet. Another well-known Asprey royal jewel is the magnificent Maple Leaf brooch, which George VI gave to his wife Queen Elizabeth on their state visit to Canada only months before the outbreak of the Second World War. The Queen arrived in Quebec wearing the brooch that represented Canada's national emblem - the red maple leaf - the first of many times this diamond-set piece was worn in Canada by members of the Royal Family, including when Kate first visited in 2011. The magnificent maple leaf brooch (above and below) which George VI gave to his wife Queen Elizabeth (pictured above) on their state visit to Canada only months before the outbreak of the Second World War The brooch represented Canada's national emblem - the red maple leaf The then Duchess of Cambridge wore the maple leaf brooch on a visit to the country when she attended the Evening National Canada Day Celebrations in 2011 How could someone with a fine jewellery collection, such as the one Elizabeth II inherited in 1952, ever be overcome with emotion when given another jewel to add to the 1,000-plus pieces held in the Royal Vaults? Well the late Queen became just that when, in 1979, she was presented with a sapphire and diamond demi-parure by Sheikh Rashid of Dubai. On receiving the Asprey diamond and sapphire suite during the royal tour of the Middle East, she touched her chest with a rare show of emotion at such enormous and exquisite sapphires that were set amongst diamonds in the necklace, earrings and ring (the two latter items were later transformed into a bracelet). The necklace was reduced in length, from which another pair of earrings was created that we have most recently seen worn by the Princess of Wales, when still the Duchess of Cambridge. Asprey was the go-to jeweller for another Middle Eastern monarch's gift to a member of the British Royal Family. In 1981 the Crown Prince of Saudia Arabia gave a full parure of sapphires and diamonds to Diana, Princess of Wales as a wedding present, to complement her famous engagement ring. The Asprey suite originally comprised a necklace with a huge Burmese sapphire set as a pendant amidst a diamond sunray setting, with a matching bracelet, dress-watch, ring and earrings. The late princess repurposed the jewels from the watch and ring to create another pair of earrings with detachable drops, and the famous bejewelled velvet band that she wore as both a choker and a bandeau. In 1981 the Crown Prince of Saudia Arabia gave a full parure of sapphires and diamonds to Diana, Princess of Wales as a wedding present, which included a necklace with a huge Burmese sapphire set as a pendant amidst a diamond sunray setting In March 2020, while on a visit to Ireland, Kate wore a pair of marquise diamond-set daisies from the Daisy Heritage Collection At the Wimbledon Men's Finals in 2018, Kate sported Asprey's Oak Leaf earrings, set with pave diamonds, and a gold chain necklace from which were suspended three charm from Asprey's Woodland Collection The Diamond Queen, a variation of Rob Munday and Chris Levines 3D portrait Equanimity, 2004, featuring the Diamond Diadem And as we saw in 2022, Kate also goes to Asprey for her own personal and contemporary collection - she has frequently been seen wearing Asprey earrings. In March 2020 whilst on a visit to Ireland, the then Duchess wore a pair of marquise diamond-set daisies from the Daisy Heritage Collection. While four years earlier at the Wimbledon Men's Finals in 2018 she sported the brand's Oak Leaf earrings set with pave diamonds, plus a gold chain necklace from which were suspended three charms from Asprey's Woodland Collection. And last but definitely not least, who can forget Chris Levine's and Rob Munday's 2004 famous portrait, Equanimity, of Her late Majesty wearing the Diamond Diadem? In 2012 the portrait was reworked, with Asprey creating a replica of the diadem by laser-cutting a large sheet of platinum, decorating it with 1,000 diamonds and 25 freshwater pearls a natural fancy intense yellow round brilliant 3.74-carat diamond was set into an 18-carat yellow gold collet at the centre of the diadem, before being combined with a holographic of the original portrait. It was displayed in the window of Aspreys famous flagship on Bond Street in London during the Jubilee celebrations, and then sold by auction for charity. In June 2012 a special 100 note was produced to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee with the Asprey diadem and portrait included. The portrait was entitled The Diamond Queen and became one of the most modern and identifiable images of Queen Elizabeth II. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex named their daughter Lilibet as a tribute to her paternal great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. But what did the late Queen really think of Meghan Markle? That's what I've been looking into for the next edition of my YouTube television series, Reading The Royals. And that research has raised some troubling questions about Prince Harry and Meghan's behaviour. There's no doubt that the Queen warmly welcomed the American actress into the Royal Family. The first clear evidence of that came some time before Meghan and King Charles's younger son had exchanged vows at St George's Chapel in 2018. While other women who had married into the Windsors, such as Kate Middleton and Sophie Rhys-Jones, had to wait until after their weddings to be invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham, Meghan was allowed to join Harry in 2017, five months before the big day. It was an unprecedented and highly personal gesture by the Queen. There was also a reference to 'new members' of the family in the Queen's Christmas broadcast that year, which was widely thought to be another nod to Meghan, as well as to the expected arrival of Prince William and Catherine's third child, Louis, the following April. The Californian clearly felt at home at the royal retreat in Norfolk, later saying on her Netflix series Harry & Meghan: 'I remember so vividly the first Christmas at Sandringham, calling my mom, and she's like, "How's it going?" and I said, "Oh, my gosh, it's amazing." It's just like a big family, like I always wanted. And there was just this constant movement and energy and fun.' Courtiers say the Queen believed that Meghan a divorced, mixed-race American actress would be a breath of fresh air and a great asset to the Monarchy. There's no doubt that the late Queen welcomed Meghan Markle into the Royal Family. The US actress is pictured on her first engagement, a visit to Chester with Her Majesty in June 2018 Courtiers say the Queen believed that Meghan would be a breath of fresh air and an asset to the Monarchy. She is pictured with Harry and Meghan a month after their wedding in 2018 The Queen fast-tracked her entry into the Royal Family, inviting Meghan to join her at a service to mark Commonwealth Day her first official engagement with the Queen two months before the wedding. It was another clear indication that Her Majesty valued Meghan and wanted her to be seen as a part of the family without delay. However, as the couple prepared for their wedding, the Queen began having concerns about Meghan's behaviour and approach. First, she was said to be surprised that the new arrival rejected her suggestion that Prince Edward's wife, Sophie, offer her guidance on joining 'The Firm'. Her Majesty was also taken aback at the divorcee's choice of a white bridal gown for what was her second wedding - but it was Meghan's attitude towards her headwear that gave the Queen more serious cause for concern. She had offered Meghan access to her collection of tiaras and, during what Harry later described as an 'extraordinary morning', allowed her to try them on in front of her, her devoted dresser Angela Kelly and a royal jewellery expert in her private dressing room. Something later went badly wrong, however, when Meghan tried to arrange a fitting with Kelly, who, it seems, did not like the manner in which she was being treated by the bride and groom. Perhaps accustomed to ordering around underlings on a television shoot, Meghan may not have been used to dealing with someone such as Kelly, who - although a servant - was also a confidante and friend of the Queen. Elizabeth II was taken aback at the divorcee's choice of a white bridal gown for what was her second wedding at St George's Chapel How sad that the Queen's genuine efforts to welcome Meghan during her final years, when she was in failing health, were thrown back in her face Harry denied in his memoirs, Spare, that he angrily told Kelly, 'What Meghan wants, Meghan gets.' He did, however, admit they had been exasperated by the dresser, who 'fixed me with a look that made me shiver'. He added: 'I could read in her face a clear warning. This isn't over.' Despite all the pre-wedding strains, and perhaps a growing apprehensiveness about Harry's choice of bride, the Queen made sure that Meghan felt welcome in the royal fold. She gave her the Duchess of Sussex title, and invited her granddaughter-in-law to accompany her on a solo visit to Chester just weeks after the nuptials, prompting Meghan to tell Oprah Winfrey in 2021: 'The Queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me.' Other thoughtful gestures by Her Majesty included handing Meghan a role as royal patron of the National Theatre and giving her important positions within the Commonwealth. Meghan was named as the Vice-President of the Queens Commonwealth Trust in 2018. How did Meghan repay that generosity and kindness? By announcing, via a statement on the Sussexes' Instagram page in January 2020, that they would be stepping back as senior working royals. Meghan then attacked the Royal Family in the most damaging way in that Oprah interview and later, in one of the most cringeworthy moments in her and Harry's Netlfix 'docu-series', appeared to mock the deep curtsy that she had performed in front of the Queen at their first meeting. I have spoken to staff who worked at the Palace when the Sussexes were working royals, and some of them have told me that they formed the impression from the start that Meghan may not have wanted to make a success of her life in Britain. She appeared to be actively seeking reasons to be unhappy or resentful, and encouraged Harry's long-standing bitterness at being the 'spare' and not the heir, the courtiers claim. How sad that the Queen's genuine efforts to welcome Meghan during her final years, when she was in failing health, were thrown back in her face. Millions of people living in US coastal cities could see their homes sink into the ocean in the coming decades, a study warns. Researchers at the US Geological Survey (USGS) forecast that by 2100, the East Coast will be devastated by rising sea levels, flooding and sinking land. They estimate that if the sea level rises 3.2 feet by 2100, as the United Nations has predicted, more than 14 million Americans would be affected in places like Norfolk, Virginia to Miami, Florida and New York City. They estimated that it would cost over $1 trillion of property damage and cause the region to lose up to 80 percent of it's beaches. Meanwhile, a separate study found that California's immense water demands are causing parts of the state to sink at record-breaking rates. Researchers at Stanford University found that the San Joaquin Valley is sinking at a rate of nearly one inch per year. The phenomenon, called subsidence, is often caused by removing water, natural gas or mineral resources from the ground. When water is continuously extracted from the Earth's surface and isn't replenished, it causes the sediments to compress, damaging aqueducts and permanently altering aquifers. 'There are two astonishing things about the subsidence in the valley,' said the study's co-author Rosemary Knight. 'First, is the magnitude of what occurred prior to 1970. And second, is that it is happening again today.' Rising sea levels, hurricanes and sinking land has caused parts of the east coast to flood. Pictured: Heavy rain hit Alexandria, Virginia in 2021 which caused some of the worst flooding and damages in decades Millions of people along the southeast Atlantic coast will be displaced by 2100 due to rising sea levels, subsidence and flooding USGS reported that 70 percent of the East Coast population will be exposed to shallow or emerging groundwater caused by rising sea levels by the end of the century, while coastal storms and hurricanes will increase flooding. The rising sea levels are primarily caused by global warming that causes the ocean to heat up and melt glaciers while the Gulf Stream current pushes more water toward the shoreline. Since 1920, sea levels have risen by between six and eight inches, but because of global warming and federal government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and USGS predicts they'll rise by another 3.2 feet between 2020 and 2100. The rising sea levels will vary depending on the coast, with the East Coast seeing 10 to 14 inches between 2020 and 2050 while the West Coast will see an increase of four to eight inches in that timeframe. The government report also said that major flooding is expected to occur five times as often as it did in 2020 within the next 30 years. There are roughly 80 million people living on the southeast coast and experts found half will be impacted by flooding alone, according to the study published in Nature Climate Change. The team warned the rising water levels will lead to major infrastructure damage including roads, buildings and septic systems.. The study's co-author, Manoochehr Shirzaei from Virginia Tech's Department of Geosciences said: 'We need to rethink how we plan and build for the future, especially in highly vulnerable coastal regions. 'By including a wider range of climate hazards in resilience strategies, we can better protect our communities from the compounded effects of sea level rise and extreme weather.' However, the researchers did not state what strategies should be implemented to prevent the East Coast from further sinking. The USGS also reported that subsidence is causing much of the southeast Atlantic coast's land to sink, which will only worsen the rising sea levels. Cities most exposed to notable sinking land include Miami, Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach and Norfolk. This map shows how much the shoreline will be impacted by coastal flooding, sinking land and rising sea levels Groundwater in California has been significantly reduced due to redistributing across the US in the wake of severe droughts. Pictured: A newly dug canal (left) was built next to the Friant-Kern Canal (right) after subsidence diminished it by 60 percent According to the study, 1.3 million people currently live in these areas where subsidence is exceeding two millimeters per year. Likewise, researchers found that this has already begun to occur at drastic levels across the San Joaquin Valley in California, damaging local wells and irrigation systems. San Joaquin Valley's arid climate and a series of droughts has made it necessary to pump out groundwater to support major agricultural land across the US, which have caused permanent changes to the valley's topography. Stanford researchers estimated that about 220 billion gallons of water are needed annually to prevent further subsidence. When water is extracted from natural reservoirs called aquifers it causes the land to lose it's shape and sink. This is because aquifers contain sediments which have pores, much like a sponge, and when the water isn't replenished, those spaces will compress and permanently alter it's ability to carry water. This is seven billion gallons less than the amount of surface water that's left over in the San Joaquin Valley after all other environmental needs have been met each year. However, Knight said she is hopeful that steps can be taken to prevent the land from continuing to sink. 'My group and others have been studying this problem for some time, and this study is a key piece in figuring out how to sustainably address it,' she said. The researchers tracked elevation changes in San Joaquin Valley using satellite technology called interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR). The system noted the changes by transmitting radar signals from Earth's orbit and analyzing the reflections to measure how much the ground had shifted from 2006 through 2022. Maps show the period of subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley. The left image shows areas where it sunk from 2006 to 2010 and the right shows subsidence from 2015 through 2022 Over the last two decades, researchers have known that the valley was sinking, but this is the first time they used satellite radar systems to confirm it. Although there was a gap in data from 2011 through 2015, the team was able to estimate how much the land sank before and after that timeframe. From 2006 through 2010, they reported that the San Joaquin Valley sank by 4.2 cubic feet and sank another 2.8 cubic feet between 2015 and 2022. 'How much was last year's flooding worsened by? How much are farmers spending to re-level their land? A lot of the costs of subsidence aren't well known,' highlights Matthew Lees, the study's lead author. Their findings mirror a similar event that occurred between 1925 and 1970, when groundwater pumping caused more than 4,000 square miles to dramatically sink by up to 30 feet. According to the study published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment, the researchers recommend implementing a flood-managed aquifer recharge (flood-MAR). This would strategically divert excess water from rain and snowfall to replenish the groundwater in areas that are sinking. 'We should be targeting the places where subsidence will cause the greatest social and economic costs,' Knight explained. 'So, we look at places where subsidence is going to damage an aqueduct or domestic wells in small communities, for instance. 'By taking this Valley-scale perspective,' added Knight, 'we can start to get our head around viable solutions.' Scientists have identified a mysterious signal that occurred just minutes before the most powerful explosion in modern times the eruption of a volcano in the Pacific. When the underwater Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano exploded in 2022, it let out the energetic equivalent of 61 megatons of TNT, or a magnitude 8.4 earthquake. A team with Japan's Earthquake Research Institute discovered a 'seismic wave' created ahead of that blast, which was released when a weak part of the ocean floor collapsed near the volcano. This sent vibrations traveling through the seafloor, which were picked up by distant monitoring stations 15 minutes before the eruption. The study explained that this crack in the Tonga volcano's walls allowed seawater and magma to mix in an area between the seafloor and its underground magma chamber, ultimately triggering the massive 'steam' eruption. 'Many eruptions are preceded by seismic activity,' said Takuro Horiuchi, a student volcanologist at the University of Tokyo, who served as the study's lead author. But Horiuchi noted that more often than not 'such seismic signals are subtle and only detected within several kilometers of the volcano.' The team hopes lessons learned from their work can one day help deploy 'this kind of analysis in real-time' for emergency responders ahead of future volcanic activity. The January 15, 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai (above) was so powerful it was heard as far away as Alaska and caused a tsunami that flooded coastlines around the Pacific When Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai blew in the South Pacific on January 15, 2022, scientists marveled that the sound waves from its historic submerged detonation could be detected as far off as Alaska, 6,200 miles away. Roughly 58,000 Olympic swimming pools of water vapor were launched into the air, generating lightning storms and a tsunami in the Tonga volcano's aquatic wake. At the time, researchers noted that comparisons to the famed 1883 explosion of Indonesia's Krakatoa volcano put the Tonga blast in the running for the largest explosion ever recorded by modern geophysical equipment. Knowing seismic activity proceeds volcanic eruptions, the team looked at data from two earthquake-monitoring stations on the islands of Fiji and Futuna over 466 miles away. They found indications of Rayleigh waves, a vibration only detected by instruments. Tonga erupted at 4:47pm local time and the waves were created at 4:32pm, exactly 15 minutes before. Despite that vast distance, the Rayleigh waves 'dominated' in 0.030.1 hertz (Hz) frequency range, they wrote, giving off readings (in amplitude) comparable to a 4.9 magnitude earthquake. Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, an underwater volcano in the South Pacific, spewed debris as high as 25 miles into the atmosphere when it erupted on January 15, 2022 But the earthquake-like rattling caused by the volcano's eruption itself was even more powerful. 'The arrival time difference of the Rayleigh wave between the two stations was consistent with that of the M5.8 earthquake during the eruption,' the team wrote in their study, published this month in Geophysical Research Letters, an open-access journal of American Geophysical Union. Another key set of information that helped inform their predictive model for this undersea volcano's explosive event came from satellite gravity data. The data was collected via satellites that continually measured their distance from one another, using microwave ranging instruments, as a gauge of Earth's gravitational pull on their mass. The Tonga event, they argued, maybe what is known as a 'caldera-forming eruption,' in which so much magma is emptied that areas above the magma reservoir collapse. Tonga erupted at 4:47pm local time and the waves were created at 4:32pm, exactly 15 minutes before 'There are very few observed caldera-forming eruptions, and there are even fewer witnessed caldera-forming eruptions in the ocean,' according to Dr Mie Ichihara, a volcanologist at the University of Tokyo and a co-author on the new study. 'This gives one scenario about the processes leading to caldera formation,' Dr Ichihara noted in a press statement, 'but I wouldn't say that this is the only scenario.' 'Penetration of magma, magmatic gas, and seawater' into a fracture in Earth's crust along the Tonga volcano's 'caldera' wall, they reported in their new study, might have led to a steam pressure event, a 'magma-water interaction triggering the eruption.' A previous study on the Tonga volcano's 'plumbing' had used this gravity data to determine 'a circular distribution of low-density material,' surrounding the volcano, which they interpreted as 'ring fracturing' around the caldera walls, the team wrote. Dr Ichihara expressed the hope that all of these disparate sensors might one day be used to make potentially fatal activity of undersea volcanoes easier to anticipate and respond to safely. 'Early warnings are very important for disaster mitigation,' he said. 'Island volcanoes can generate tsunamis, which are a significant hazard.' Scientists have taken the first ever close-up image of a star outside our own galaxy - and some fantasy fans might find it strikingly familiar. The 'Behemoth Star' WOH G64 is located a staggering 160,000 light-years from Earth in a neighbouring galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud. Although scientists have known about this star for decades, it is only now that technological advances have made it possible to see it up close. The incredible image reveals a bright core surrounded by an 'egg-shaped' cocoon of dust and gas that looks just like the Eye of Sauron from the Lord of the Rings. However, scientists say that the star's iris-shaped ring is actually a sign that this red supergiant could be on the brink of collapse. The researchers found that the dying star has grown dimmer in the last 10 years as it jettisons its outer layers into space. Co-author Dr Jacco van Loon, director of the Keele Observatory at Keele University, told MailOnline: 'Other distant supernova explosions often indicate the star had thrown off a lot of material in the years or decades prior to the explosion. 'If this is what WOH G64 is doing at the moment, then we might well see it explode in our lifetime.' Scientists have taken the first ever close-up image of a star outside our own galaxy (pictured), capturing this stunning image of the 'Behemoth Star' WOH G64 Fans of fantasy might notice that the image of the star bears a striking resemblance to the Eye of Saron from Lord of the Rings Although stars are massive, the incredible distances that separate them from the Earth make them extremely difficult to image. Even when it comes to stars inside our galaxy, astronomers have only been able to produce images of around two dozen stars such as Betelgeuse, the nearest red supergiant to the Sun. To truly image a star outside the Milky Way and hundreds of thousands of light-years from Earth requires the use of a specialised technique called 'interferometry'. This is where multiple telescopes combine their information to act as if they were a single huge lens as wide as the distance between them. By combining the data from multiple large telescopes, astronomers can get previously impossible levels of detail from objects incredibly far from Earth. Using this technique, the researchers merged images from the European Southern Observatorys (ESO) Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) four 8-metre wide telescopes. This finally allowed the researchers to record a close-up image of WOH G64. Lead author Dr Keiichi Ohnaka, an astronomer from the Universidad Andres Bello in Chile, says: 'For the first time, we have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in a galaxy outside our own Milky Way.' The star WOH G64 is located in a galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud over 160,000 light years from Earth This is the first time a star in a neighbouring galaxy, such as the Magellanic Cloud (pictured), has ever been captured. This technique could allow scientists to observe the never-before-recorded processes which take place in dying stars Capturing an image of the star required using a technique called interferometry to merge images from the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) four 8-metre wide telescopes (pictured) How does interferometry work? For objects that are too far for normal techniques to see, astronomers need to use a specialised technique called interferometry. This uses an array of telescopes placed some distance apart to act together as a single telescope. The light from several telescopes is collected and combined into a single image. This requires incredibly precise optics but creates a 'virtual telescope' with a diameter equal to the distance between the individual smaller telescopes. This allows astronomers to see details of distant bodies that would usually be impossible to image. Advertisement While the researchers say they were mainly trying to prove these images were possible, they also discovered something unexpected about the Behemoth Star. Dr Ohnaka says: 'We discovered an egg-shaped cocoon closely surrounding the star. 'We are excited because this may be related to the drastic ejection of material from the dying star before a supernova explosion.' When a star expends the last of its hydrogen fuel, the balance of forces that keep it stable begins to fail and the star collapses in on itself. As the outer layers fall inwards, the area around the core becomes so hot that it starts to fuse hydrogen atoms into helium. The immense amounts of energy generated by this process cause the star to balloon into a vast red giant like WOH G64 and blasts the outer layers away into space. Compared to observations made in 2005 and 2007, the researchers noted that WOH G64 has become significantly dimmer in the intervening decade. The researchers believe that this dimming and the egg-shaped cocoon could be due to the star having 'thrown off its mantle' - a critical change that has never before been seen while happening. The researchers say that the egg-shaped cocoon of dust surrounding the star could be a sign that WOH G64 could blow up in a supernova explosion within our lifetimes Co-author Professor Gerd Weigelt, of the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, says: 'We have found that the star has been experiencing a significant change in the last 10 years, providing us with a rare opportunity to witness a stars life in real-time.' While some stars remain red supergiants for tens of thousands of years before exploding, the sudden change suggests there is a chance WOH G64 could blow relatively soon. This groundbreaking image, therefore, is an unprecedented opportunity to watch the final days of a dying star. The researchers are already planning further observations of the star to learn more about what is going on. And, as ESO prepares to further upgrade the VLTI's equipment, even better images may soon be on their way. Dr Loon concludes: 'To have been able to take the image is a first step to see directly what is going on around some of the rarest types of stars, when they are doing wild things before dying that are hard to catch in the act. 'We had not expected to see this star do something really dramatic, and to have imaged that will help us understand the final phases in the lives of massive stars before they explode.' Cybersecurity experts have devised a simple test that will tell you if your phone is eavesdropping on your conversations. The four-step test, by researchers at NordVPN, begins with you selecting a unique topic that you've never searched for. Next, you should have multiple conversations near your phone about your chosen subject. It's important to continue using your phone as you normally would - but do not search for or interact with content related to your test topic. You'll then wait to see how long it takes for these subjects to appear in ads in your social media feeds. In its own tests, NordVPN found adverts appeared on devices just days after researchers discussed a topic they had never even Googled before. Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN, says: 'While we typically brush them off as innocent and necessary, they are a strong indicator that you are allowing your device too much access to your personal data and interests.' If you think your smartphone might be spying on you, here's how you can find out for yourself. If you have ever seen an advert for something you were only just talking about, it could be because your phone is secretly eavesdropping on your conversation. This simple test will prove whether this is really happening How to test if your phone is eavesdropping on you NordVPN has developed a simple four-step test you can do at home. First, select a topic that you can use as bait for any potential targeted adverts. This topic should be something completely different from what you would normally be interested in so that there is little chance of it appearing in adverts otherwise. Ideally, this should be something that you have never searched for or even mentioned near any of your devices. To keep things fair, try not to discuss your topic out loud before beginning the test. Instead, write your topic down on a piece of paper or, if you have to discuss it, turn your phone off and leave it in another room. Once you have a unique topic in mind, the next step is to discuss it within earshot of your devices. Voice assistants like Siri (pictured) are always recording for their activation words. This means they passively gather vast amounts of information from our conversations. Is your phone eavesdropping on you? 1. Select a topic Choose a subject you've never searched for or discussed near your phone. 2. Discuss the topic Have multiple conversations near your phone about your chosen topic. 3. Maintain normal phone usage Continue using your phone as you normally would. 4. Observe and analyse If you start seeing ads related to your chosen topic, it may indicate that your phone has been listening. Advertisement Over the next few days, have multiple conversations about your chosen topic for several minutes at a time. You should try and think of a set of keywords and phrases that might trigger search engines. For example, if your chosen topic was Azerbaijan, some keywords might be 'holidays in Azerbaijan', 'flights to Azerbaijan', or specific places and hotels in the country. Step three is to keep the rest of your phone use as normal as possible while you undertake the test. Apart from saying the keyphrases aloud, you don't want to do anything which might trigger you to get a targeted ad for your topic. That means you shouldn't Google the topic or anything related to it while you complete the test. Finally, step four is to observe and analyse how your targeted ads change over the next few days and weeks. Pay careful attention to what kinds of adverts you get on social media apps or streaming services on your phone and connected devices. To see if your phone is listening in, try discussing something you would never normally be interested in and see if your targetted adds change over the coming days and weeks (stock image) Look out for anything that might be related to the topic you have been discussing, either directly or indirectly. Again, if you were using the topic 'Azerbaijan' you should look out for ads specifically mentioning the country or for other adverts for cheap flights and package holidays which could be related. If you start to see adverts related to the topic, this could be a sign that your phone has been listening in and using that information for targeted ads. How common is it for your phone to spy on you? To see how common this type of spying is, researchers from NordVPN undertook the test themselves. One participant chose the topic of Saudia Arabia and spent a few days discussing how much they would like to visit the kingdom. On a Thursday, they began the trial by writing down 'Saudia Arabia' in their notes app, and by Sunday, three days later, they had started to get adverts. Despite previously having had no interest in the country, Facebook began to show them adverts for Booking.com showing prices for hotels in the city of All Ula, Saudi Arabia. Researchers from NordVPN undertook this test for themselves. One researcher began the trial on a Thursday by noting down the term 'Suadi Arabia' (left). By that Sunday they were getting adverts for hotels in the kingdom (right) Another researcher began to get adverts for Orangutan charities (pictured) after just one day of talking about these animals Another researcher chose to search for a random animal, selecting the key phrase 'Orangutan'. They began to receive adverts for orangutan charities after just one day of speaking about the animals. While this can't conclusively prove that the adverts were caused by eavesdropping devices, it does suggest this is the case. Our devices collect a lot of other information about us which can often predict things about our behaviour we might not even be aware of. But the fact that these changes were so close together hints that the researchers' devices may have really been spying on them. Is it legal for your phone to eavesdrop on you? Unfortunately, there is nothing illegal about using audio information to target advertising. While it is obviously illegal to spy on someone without their consent, most phone users have given their permission for this practice without knowing. Unfortunately, there is nothing illegal about using audio information to target advertising (stock image) Although digital assistants like Siri (pictured) might be convenient, NordVPN warns that they are some of the biggest culprits of eavesdropping Six tips to stay private online Only download verified apps, never from third-party sources Regularly scrutinise what permissions you have given apps. Clear your voice assistant history and data regularly. Keep your software up to date. Use two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorised access. Use a VPN to keep your browsing hidden. Advertisement For example, if you have consented to the terms of a virtual assistant, it is perfectly legal for Google Assistant, Siri, or Alexa to sell the data they collect. Since these assistants are voice-activated, they are always listening to hear their activation phrase. While this is great if you want to access your device hands-free, it also means you are always being recorded. Some apps other than virtual assistants may also have microphone permissions buried in their settings. That means you might be consenting to be spied on whenever you absent-mindedly agree to an app's terms and conditions. How to stop your phone spying on you If you want to ensure no apps are eavesdropping on your conversations, one of the simplest things you can do is to deactivate your virtual assistant. To deactivate Siri on your iPhone simply go to Settings and scroll down to find the section labelled 'Siri'. To deactivate Siri on iPhone, open Settings and select 'Siri'. Next, toggle off 'Allow Siri When Locked' (right) and set 'Talk to Siri' to off How to deactivate Siri Go to 'Settings' Tap on 'Siri' Toggle 'Allow Siri When Locked' to off Open 'Talk to Siri' Set 'Talk to Siri' to Off and toggle off 'Press Side Button for Siri' Open 'Siri & Dictation History' Tap 'Delete Siri & Dictation History' Advertisement First, set the toggle for 'Allow Siri When Locked' to off. Then look for the option 'Talk to Siri', click this and set the talk to Siri option to 'Off' and tap to toggle the option 'Press Side Button for Siri' off. While you can't totally deactivate Siri this way, this will largely stop the smart assistant from listening in. You can also clear your Siri history under the tab 'Siri & Dictation History' to limit how much data the app stores about you. To deactivate Google Assistant on Android, open the Google App and tap your profile image in the top right-hand corner. Select 'Settings' and navigate to the option marked 'Google Assistant'. From there, tap 'General' and toggle 'Google Assistant' to off. Beyond these steps, you should also be careful what kinds of apps you download and what permissions you give them. Experts warn you should check each app to see which permissions are enabled. Even a simple app like Deliveroo (pictured) may have microphone permission without you being aware. Luckily this consent can be withdrawn at any time Even seemingly innocuous apps can have microphone access turned on by default which might mean you are being recorded whenever the app is opened. For example, when using the app Deliveroo users are prompted to give microphone permission after they've placed an order. This permission is only used to facilitate voice calls through the app and you are free to withdraw permission at any time but this illustrates how easy it is for users to consent to microphone permission. To check, simply navigate to the app settings and see what information the app has permission to access. For extra privacy, iPhone users can also toggle off 'Allow Tracking' to bar the app from tracking their phone's unique signature. Mr Briedis added: 'To safeguard your privacy, make sure to review and limit app permissions on your devices. 'Be particularly cautious with microphone and location access. 'Remember, convenience often comes at the cost of privacy.' A terrifying new study has predicted exactly how many people will die from climate change by 2100. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry used advanced numerical simulations to estimate the mortality attributable to air pollution and extreme temperatures. Their analysis indicates that a staggering 30 million people could perish by the end of the century thanks to climate change and air pollution. 'In 2000, around 1.6 million people died each year due to extreme temperatures, both cold and heat,' said Dr Andrea Pozzer, group leader. 'By the end of the century, in the most probable scenario, this figure climbs to 10.8 million, roughly a seven-fold increase. 'For air pollution, annual deaths in 2000 were about 4.1 million. 'By the century's close, this number rises to 19.5 million, a five-fold increase.' The study comes shortly after a UN report warned that Earth is on track for 'catastrophic' 3.1C of warming this century. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry used advanced numerical simulations to estimate the mortality attributable to air pollution and extreme temperatures. Pictured: Lahore in smog on November 21 Their analysis indicates that a staggering 30 million people could perish by the end of the century thanks to climate change and air pollution The researchers based their calculations on projections from 2000 to 2090, analysed in 10-year intervals. Their analysis shows there will likely be significant regional differences in deaths from climate change. South and East Asia are set to be the worst affected - driven by aging of the population, with air pollution still playing a major role, according to the study. In contrast, in high-income regions such as Western Europe, North America, Australasia, and Asia Pacific, deaths related to extreme temperatures are expected to surpass those caused by air pollution. In some countries within these regions, such as the US, England, France, Japan and New Zealand, this shift is already occurring. The experts predict that the disparity is likely to grow, with extreme temperatures becoming a more significant health risk than air pollution also in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (Poland and Romania) and parts of South America (Argentina and Chile). By 2100, temperature-related health risks are expected to outweigh those linked to air pollution for a fifth of the world's population. The researchers hope the findings will highlight the urgent need for actions to mitigate climate change. 'In 2000, around 1.6 million people died each year due to extreme temperatures, both cold and heat,' said Dr Andrea Pozzer, group leader. 'By the end of the century, in the most probable scenario, this figure climbs to 10.8 million, roughly a seven-fold increase'. Pictured: Wildfires in California on September 7 'Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a direct threat to public health,' Dr Pozzer said. 'These findings highlight the critical importance of implementing decisive mitigation measures now to prevent future loss of life,' added Jean Sciare, director of the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center of The Cyprus Institute. The study comes shortly after the UN released its annual report on the emission cuts needed to limit global warming to 1.5C. In the report, it warned this goal would 'soon be dead' without a global mobilisation on a scale and pace never seen before. According to the UN, the world is on track for temperature rises of 2.6C to 3.1C, depending on how much of the currently-promised climate action is delivered. Responding to the report, UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said the world was 'teetering on a planetary tightrope'. 'Either leaders bridge the emissions gap, or we plunge headlong into climate disaster with the poorest and most vulnerable suffering the most,' he said. Washington residents woke up up to devastation wrought by a deadly bomb cyclone after the storm battered the state Tuesday and Wednesday. The record-breaking storm swirled with hurricane-force intensity off the West Coast this week, generating up to 74 mph gusts that downed trees, powerlines and killed at least two people. Two women lost their lives in tree-related accidents Tuesday evening - one in a homeless encampment in Lynnwood and the other in the Bridal Trails neighborhood of Bellevue. Numerous homes and cars have been crushed by falling trees, in some cases leaving people trapped inside until emergency responders could free them. Crews have been working tirelessly to clear roadways of debris. On Wednesday, crews in western Washington were working to restore electricity to the more than 600,000 customers who lost power overnight. As of 9am ET Thursday, more than 300,000 are still experiencing outages, according to PowerOutage.us. 'We haven't had a storm like this since January of 2012,' said Mary Kipp, president of Puget Sound Energy, which serves over 1.2 million electric customers in the state. She said on Thursday that it would be at least a few days for full restoration. Trees fell onto several homes, a propane tank and a pickup truck in Sudden Valley, according to social media reports Residents of Sudden Valley took to social media to share photos of damage in their community. Trees fell onto several homes, a propane tank and a pickup truck. One photo posted on the Whatcom County Weather Facebook page showed the roof of a Sudden Valley home significantly caved in and covered in downed branches. And a crushed red pickup truck was seen under a mound of trees and branches, appearing like a pile of scrap metal, as the entire bed and much of the cabin took significant damage. Tracy Meloy of Issaquah, Washington stepped out of her home Wednesday morning and found her neighborhood in shambles, the Associated Press reported. 'Now that I'm standing here in front of the house, I can tell it's the tree that was across the street,' she said. The tree took powerlines down with it as it fell, and branches and leaves were strewn across the road. 'It looks like a forest floor instead of a street,' she said. In Seattle, one resident became trapped inside their vehicle when a tree fell onto the car. The Seattle Fire Department later reported that the person was in stable condition. Falling trees have damaged homes, crushed cars and killed two people in the Seattle area A pickup truck was totally crushed by a falling tree in Sudden Valley, as this image shared on Facebook shows At least two fatalities, extensive damage, and widespread power outages across western Washington as a result of the bomb cyclone. We have crews out across the region right now covering the clean up: INFO: https://t.co/W3jqpeMZA8 pic.twitter.com/0xbwu8xF1t Jeremy Harris (@JeremyHarrisTV) November 20, 2024 Tiffani Palpong, a Lake Stevens resident, stood in front of her home where her 20 year-old son, Logan, was trapped inside by downed power lines and trees on Wednesday. And in Maple Valley, firefighters responded to a call about two people trapped inside a trailer on Tuesday, using chains and headlamps to try and move the fallen tree in the dead of night. Across Puget Sound, downed trees are affecting road transportation, and commuters have been advised to give themselves extra time to reach their destinations. State Route 18 is closed in Issaquah between Interstate 90 and Issaquah-Hobart road. Officials have not stated when they expect the road to reopen. More than a dozen schools closed in Seattle on Wednesday, with Issaquah, Renton and Bellevue school districts opting to remain shut Thursday as storm cleanup efforts and power outages persist. On Wednesday night, the US Coast Guard announced that river bar crossings to the ocean would be closed Quillayute River in Washington to Humboldt Bay in California. Seattle-area residents reported widespread cellular outages for Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T. Seattle area Weather Radio remains off air until further notice, as well as the Puget Sound Marine transmitter, as technicians are unable to reach the site for repairs due to downed trees and power lines. While the bomb cyclone has shifted north, its center now located off the coast of Vancouver Island, Washington isn't out of the woods yet. Several National Weather Service (NWS) advisories and watches remain in effect for the Evergreen State. Tiffani Palpong stands in front of her home where her 20 year-old son Logan was still trapped by downed power lines and trees on November 20, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington Firefighters and paramedics respond after a tree fell onto a trailer in Maple Valley, Washington on Tuesday, trapping two people inside Those include a Winter Weather Advisory in the Northeast Mountains through 1pm Thursday, a High Wind Watch along the South Washington Coast through 1am Saturday, and a Flood Watch in Mason County through 7am Saturday. These notices have been issued in advance of a Category 5 atmospheric river that the bomb cyclone has fueled and directed toward the West Coast. This band of atmospheric moisture made landfall Tuesday and is expected to deliver peak impacts Thursday, drenching the Pacific Northwest and northern California with up to 20 inches of rain and dumping feet of snow at high elevations. This storm system is already pummeling the region. Meteorologist predict its impact will persist through the end of the week, especially as a second offshore storm reinforces its strength. Though Washington weathered the most intense storm impacts from the bomb cyclone, California and Oregon were also in the line of fire. Due to the path of the atmospheric river, these two states will see the most severe storm conditions going forward - especially northern California and southwestern Oregon. A tree fell onto a Taco Bell in Issaquah, Washington on Wednesday Downed trees are affecting road transportation, and commuters have been advised to give themselves extra time to reach their destinations The heaviest precipitation is currently battering northern California. Up to 16 inches of rain is expected in northern California and southwestern Oregon through Friday. By Wednesday evening, parts of this region were receiving torrential rainfall. Santa Rosa saw about five inches within 24 hours, Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the NWS. This will likely result in flooding in poor drainage areas and areas affected by burn scars, or charred, barren patches of land left behind by wildfire. That is because burned soil can be as water-repellant as pavement, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). There will also be a high risk of mudslides and rockslides in areas affected by wildfire, as the loss of vegetation leaves soils volatile and easily erodible. The bomb cyclone is moving off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, but has ushered in an atmospheric river that will continue to hammer western states with storm conditions Flooding and landslides triggered by the atmospheric river have also struck parts of British Columbia, Canada About a dozen small landslides have already struck in northern California in the last 24 hours, including one on Highway 281 on Wednesday morning that caused a vehicle crash, Chenard said. 'A rare high-risk excessive rainfall outlook has been issued by NOAA's Weather Prediction Center in northwest California through Thursday night, including Eureka, because of how serious the flood threat could be in that area,' The Weather Channel reported. 'Elsewhere, lighter amounts of additional rain can be expected in western Oregon and western Washington going forward, with the heaviest amounts in coastal and foothill locations.' Heavy mountain snowfall will also continue across northern California and Oregon Cascades through early Thursday. Already, more than a foot has accumulated in parts of the Cascade Mountains and in California. Whiteout conditions brought traffic to a standstill on Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed, California Wednesday afternoon. 'I-5 S/B at Edgewood (Yreka) is currently closed due to severe weather conditions. Chain requirements are active at several locations throughout Northern California,' the California Highway Patrol Northern Division posted on X Wednesday. This is the strongest atmospheric river that the Pacific Northwest has seen this season. The bomb cyclone also achieved record-strength Tuesday, with a central pressure equivalent to that of a major hurricane. Climate change is fueling storm systems like this bomb cyclone and atmospheric river, making them larger, stronger and more hazardous, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. January 5 On January 5, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 - a Boeing 737 Max 9 - lost a door plug at 16,000 feet on a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California. That part is designed to replace an unneeded emergency exit door, and it blew out within just 20 minutes of takeoff. An emergency landing was required and the plane landed safely, but a teddy bear, two mobile phones, a child's t-shirt were all said to have have flown out during the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded 171 of the 737 Max 9s in the aftermath and six of the flight's passengers went on to sue the airline. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines also went on to find loose parts on their grounded jets' door plugs. On January 5, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 - a Boeing 737 Max 9 - lost a door plug at 16,000 feet on a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California The missing door panel was found in a high school physics teacher's back yard January 16 An anonymous whistleblower broke rank to say that the door plug blowout 'was Boeing's fault', rather than its supplier Spirit AeroSystems. First reported by The Seattle Times, they claimed the fuselage panel was removed for repair then reinstalled improperly at its Washington factory 'The reason the door blew off is stated in black and white in Boeings own records,' they wrote on aviation site Leeham News. 'It is also very, very stupid and speaks volumes about the quality culture at certain portions of the business.' February 6 A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report said that the January 5 incident was down to four crucial bolds being missing from the panel which blew out. February 21 Boeing's 737 Max program chief, Ed Clark, was reportedly fired in a structural shakeup at the company. Clark was also general manager at the company's Renton, Washington, facility and had been at Boeing for 18 years. He was replaced by Katie Ringgold, while a 'senior vice president of quality' role was created too. March 3 A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 veered off the runway after landing in Houston due to some sort of gear collapse. Shocking footage showed the plane lying flat on its wings on grass by the side of the runway, while passengers were hurried off from an emergency gate ladder. A Boeing 737 Max operated by United Airlines veered off the tarmac into the grass when exiting the runway at George Bush Airport in Houston early Friday March 4 An audit by the FAA of both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems 'found multiple instances where the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements'. March 6 The head of the NTSB accused Boeing of 'not cooperating' with its investigation into the January incident. Jennifer Homendy said investigators sought the names of the 25 people who work on door plugs at the Renton facility, but had not received them from Boeing. She told a Senate Committee hearing 'it is absurd that two months later we don't have it'. However, Boeing spokesperson Connor Greenwood pushed back and insisted that names of employees were provided 'early in the investigation'. The same day, a 737's engine caught fire in mid-air above Texas, causing an emergency landing minutes into its journey to Fort Myers, Florida. March 7 A wheel fell off a Boeing 777-200 shortly after takeoff from San Francisco, crushing cars below. The plane with 235 passengers and 14 crew diverted to Los Angeles Airport after it was alerted to the landing gear failure and landed safely with no further incident and no injuries reported on the ground. March 9 Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, 62 - a former quality control manager and employee of 32 years - was found dead in his truck outside a South Carolina hotel days after testifying against the company in a lawsuit. The coroner put it down to a 'self-inflicted' gunshot wound in the head, though the police confirmed that they would investigate further. Barnett had made a string of complaints to his higher-ups in his time as a quality control manager before leaving the company on health grounds in 2017. In January 2024, he appeared on TMZ to say that the 737 Max 9 aircraft were being launched back into the air too soon in the wake of the accident, suggesting corners had been cut. Boeing whistleblower John Barnett was found dead in his truck outside a South Carolina hotel days after testifying against his former employer March 11 A Boeing 777 was was forced to land due to hydraulic fluid spewing from its landing gear area. The forced landing happened as the San Francisco-bound 777-300 embarked from Sydney, with fluid filmed leaking from its undercarriage. March 15 A United Airlines 737 was grounded after it was found to be missing a panel after it touched down successfully in Medford Airport, Oregon, despite the missing part. March 20 A Boeing 737 900 bound for Atlanta was forced to turn back and make an emergency landing after an engine blow out on take-off from Aruba. The Delta flight circled the Caribbean island four times before coming back into land following the 'mechanical issue'. March 29 United Airlines flight 990 - a Boeing 777-200 - from San Francisco to Paris had to touch down early in Denver after engine problems. April 4 Alaska Airlines announced that they had received $160 million in compensation from Boeing after their 737 Max 9s were grounded following the January 5 door blowout. The amount was equal to the revenue lost according to a filing from the airline, but Alaska added that it anticipated receiving extra compensation too. April 10 Another whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, came forward in a Senate committee hearing to accuse Boeing of taking shortcuts when building its 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets and added that the company had retaliated against him when he raised concerns. He doubled down on the claims a week later, adding on NBC that 787s should be grounded fearing 'fatal flaws' which could case them to fall apart mid-air. In a 1,500 word statement, Boeing said it was 'fully confident' in the 787 and called concerns about structural integrity 'inaccurate.' Pictured: Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour testifies before the US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Investigations on April 17 April 11 An internal Boeing review in response to an initial Wall Street Journal investigation found that CEO Dave Calhoun and other bosses at the aviation firm spent $500,000 on company private jets for personal trips which were improperly recorded as business travel. Boeing's review concluded that some of the flights taken by executives in 2021 and 2022 'were not previously classified as perquisites by the company'. In the company's proxy filing on April 5, Boeing said that these flights 'should have been classified as such in accordance with SEC rules and guidance'. April 16 United Airlines indicated it will reduce reliance on Boeing after announcing a $124m loss in the first quarter of 2024, which it blamed on the scandal-laden manufacturer. April 24 Boeing's CEO assured investors after a first-quarter loss of $355m was announced which coincided with a six per cent dip in share prices. Calhoun added that he had a successor lined up for his departure at the end of 2024 who would come from inside the company. April 26 Delta flight 520 was forced to make an emergency landing at JFK Airport when an emergency slide fell off the Boeing 767 an hour into its journey to Los Angeles. FAA records indicated that the plane was 33 years old. April 30 Joshua Dean (pictured) died suddenly on April 30 aged 45 having raised the alarm about supposed defects in 737 Max jets Dean was employed by Spirit AeroSystems based in Wichita, Kansas A second whistleblower, Joshua Dean, died suddenly aged 45 having raised the alarm about supposed defects in 737 Max jets. The former Spirit employee previously said he was fired from his quality auditing role for questioning standards at the supplier's plant in Wichita, Kansas, in October 2022. His family said on social media that Dean died in hospital after a sudden illness. Earlier in 2024, Dean spoke with NPR about being fired. 'I think they were sending out a message to anybody else. If you are too loud, we will silence you,' he said. May 6 The US Federal Aviation Administration revealed it has opened an investigation into Boeing after the company reported that workers at a South Carolina plant falsified inspection records on certain 787 planes. Boeing said its engineers have determined that misconduct did not create 'an immediate safety of flight issue'. No planes have been taken out of service, but having to perform the test out of order on planes will slow the delivery of jets still being built at the final assembly plant in North Charleston, South Carolina. Boeing must also create a plan to address planes that are already flying, the FAA said. Shocking footage showed the moment the plane attempted an emergency landing, smashing down into the runway and scraping its nose along the concrete May 8 A FedEx Airlines Boeing cargo plane landed at Istanbul Airport without the front landing gear deployed and managed to stay on the runway, Turkey's transport ministry said, adding that there were no casualties. The Boeing 767 aircraft, flying from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, informed the traffic control tower at Istanbul Airport that its landing gear failed to open and it landed with guidance from the tower, the ministry said in its statement. Airport rescue and fire fighting teams made necessary preparations on the runway before landing, and no one was injured, the ministry also said, without giving a reason for the failure. Footage showed sparks flying and smoke billowing as the front end of the plane scraped along the runway before being doused with firefighting foam. May 9 A Corendon Airlines Boeing 737 plane's front tire burst upon landing at an airport in southern Turkey on Thursday, the Turkish transport minister said, adding there were no casualties and all 190 passengers and crew were evacuated. The front landing gear strut was damaged on the Corendon Airlines plane, arriving from Cologne, Germany, as it landed at Alanya-Gazipasa airport in Antalya. The same day, a Boeing passenger plane came off the runway during takeoff from Dakar international airport, injuring 11 people and shutting the hub for hours. A Boeing 738 plane of Corendon Airlines that operated Cologne-Antalya flight gets stuck on runway due to a burst tire in Antalya, Turkiye on May 9, 2024 Pictures from the scene in Turkey showed the stationary aircraft on the tarmac flanked by emergency vehicles - its front wheels and landing gear crumpled underneath. Corendon Airlines denied Turkish reports that the aircraft had landed on its nose In this grab taken from video people jump down emergency slides, running from a plane, in Dakar, Senegal, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. A Boeing 737 plane carrying 85 people caught fire and skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 11 people The Air Senegal flight was bound for the Malian capital Bamako and had 78 passengers on board, plus a crew of six including two pilots, airport management company LAS said in a statement. Images showed the aircraft in an overgrown area with first aiders surrounding an injured person. Smoke and flames are also visible near the plane. Also on May 9, the US Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating statements made by Boeing Co. about its safety practices after a mid-air panel blowout on a 737 MAX flight in January. The SEC will examine whether the planemaker or its executives misled investors in violation of the Wall Street regulator's rules, the report said, citing three people familiar with the development. May 14 Boeing has violated a settlement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosecution after two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft more than five years ago, the Justice Department told a federal judge. It is now up to the Justice Department (DOJ) to decide whether to file charges against Boeing. Prosecutors will tell the court no later than July 7 how they plan to proceed, the department said. May 21 One person died and others were injured on a flight from London to Singapore which plummeted 6,000ft in five minutes before making an emergency landing in Thailand. The Boeing 777 plane operated by Singapore Airlines left the UK's Heathrow airport on Monday evening at 22.17pm local time with 211 passengers and 18 crew on board. However, flight SQ321 experienced severe turbulence while flying close to Myanmar airspace in a region being battered by extreme tropical thunderstorms. Pictured: Passengers are seen in the cabin after the incident on Tuesday, with belongings strewn across the floor and oxygen masks dangling from above Passengers are seen on the Singapore Airlines plane after it made an emergency landing in Bangkok on Tuesday. Oxygen masks fell from the ceiling, as did other components Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, (pictured) who ran the Thornbury Musical Theatre Group in Bristol, was on board the plane when the incident happened After around 11 hours of flying time from take off in London, the aircraft sharply dropped from an altitude of around 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet within just five minutes as it finished traversing the Andaman Sea and neared Thailand. Boeing said: 'We are in contact with Singapore Airlines regarding flight SQ321 and stand ready to support them. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one, and our thoughts are with the passengers and crew.' The hotel has unveiled six new riads and a brand new restaurant At just after 11pm on September 8 last year, the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco were struck by an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale the strongest to hit the North African kingdom in 120 years. Nearly 3,000 people died, 19,000 homes were destroyed and 60,000 suffered significant damage. The worst effects were in mountain villages, but buildings were even felled 45 miles away in Marrakech. Also badly affected was the Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Bransons boutique hotel in the foothills of the High Atlas. Ive seen pretty much everything hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, diseases, you name it, says Sir Richard. My approach is that the next day I get out a big sheet of paper and plan out how we can come back better and stronger than before. As long as you think positive, you can put these things behind you. And so it has proved when I arrive for the official reopening of this former Berber fortress, dating to the early 20th century. Neil Darbyshire attends the official relaunch of Kasbah Tamadot (pictured), Sir Richard Branson's Moroccan hotel The Virgin boss, who is now 74, purchased Tamadot in 1998 on the instructions of his formidable mother, Eve, who fell in love with the place when her son was on one of his ballooning adventures in Morocco. She would have disowned me if Id said no, he says. Perched on a promontory less than an hours drive from Marrakech, the decor takes its inspiration from the Berber people nomads who came in from the Sahara and ruled here before the Arab conquest. At 4,330ft above sea level it sits at a similar height to the summit of Ben Nevis, so hardly nosebleed territory. But the air is thin and clean and the temperature a few degrees lower than in Marrakech a blessing in high summer. Neil stays in one of the hotel's 'Berber' tents (seen here). He says they are 'considerably more sumptuous and certainly more solid than anything the Berbers could have imagined' The tents have sun terraces 'looking down into a steep river valley', writes Neil Keeping up with Sir Richard is no easy task. As he marches through the Kasbah at a military pace, we are left trailing in his wake. By the time you reach him at one location, hes already yomping off to the next. The main fortress is a series of interconnected castellated towers, built around a square, open courtyard. There are rounded Islamic arches, elegant water features and a roof terrace for those who wish to dine al fresco. To the rear are expansive grounds with an infinity pool, two restaurants and plenty of nooks and crannies. There are secluded Berber tents with sun terraces looking down into a steep river valley, and six traditional riads with three bedrooms, private pool and roof terrace. Above, Tamadot's brand new restaurant, Asayss, formerly a cow shed Neil reveals that Sir Richard purchased the property in 1998 on the instructions of his mother, Eve TRAVEL FACTS Rooms at Kasbah Tamadot cost from 563 a night B&B, or a Berber-inspired tent costs from 1,118 a night B&B (virginlimitededition.com). British Airways flies from Gatwick to Marrakech from 125 return (ba.com). Airport transfers take 50 minutes and can be arranged via the hotel. Advertisement Im billeted in one of the tents, which are considerably more sumptuous and certainly more solid than anything the Berbers could have imagined. Its a driver and full nine-iron distance from the main reception, so nicely tucked away. The riads and impressive high-ceilinged Asayss restaurant (formerly a cowshed) have been added since the earthquake. Only the library was irreparable, and that has been converted into an arched internal courtyard with reflection pool. Sir Richard invites a group of us to join him on a bike ride but I peel off and take a more sedate mountain walk with a guide, Abdul. We meet up at Imlil, a town comprising 12 Berber villages about 20 minutes drive up from Tamadot. Looking down into the valley from 6,500ft, the effects of the earthquake are still clearly visible. There are obvious gaps where houses once were. Only about 60 houses were destroyed here but almost all suffered cracks, Abdul says. We are just about getting back to normal. Imlil is the base for hikers, mountain bikers and climbers. From here we can see the upper slopes of Mount Toubkal, at 13,670ft, the highest peak in North Africa. If you have three days to spare and some climbing experience, Abdul will guide you to the top. Sir Richard has, of course, scaled it. After all, he has looked down on Everest from a hot-air balloon, plumbed the deep ocean trenches and travelled by rocket to the edge of space. But Tamadot is his passion project, and Eve Branson, who died from Covid-19 complications during the pandemic, adored this place. Her influence is plain to see still today she set up local schools to teach English and crafts such as weaving and embroidery, providing skills and employment. Neil pictured above with Sir Richard, who is said to treat the hotel as his 'passion project' Tamadot is not cheap, and there isnt a lot to do outside if you arent the hiking or biking type. But two or three nights of pampered luxury within a broader holiday taking in Marrakech and perhaps Essaouira, three hours away on the coast, would be a proper treat. Sir Richard was one of the first to arrive after the earthquake, providing tents, food, water and other aid to the affected villages. I think of this community as family, he says. It shows and his mother would be delighted. It's high drama in the High Atlas The Moroccan village of Ait Ben-Haddou once made its money by trading salt. Today, much of its income derives from blockbuster movies filmed within its walls. Both the original Gladiator and Gladiator 2 which is released in UK cinemas this week were filmed here after an arena was constructed using traditional mud bricks so it blended in with the existing architecture. But Ait Ben-Haddou, a 30-minute drive from the city of Ouarzazate, is also a Unesco World Heritage site. On entering it theres an intricate warren of alleyways, with shops selling the same sort of merchandise as in the souks of Marrakech. These sit side-by-side with traditional homes and stalls housing animals. Its not just Gladiator that was filmed here. Scenes from Lawrence Of Arabia, Game Of Thrones and The Mummy also feature its earthen buildings and streets. My guide Mohammed works as an extra when the movie crews arrive, and on a quick tour of his house he proudly shows off the sword and shield he brandished in Game Of Thrones. Hollywood hills: The Moroccan village of Ait Ben-Haddou (seen here) has been used as a filming location for Gladiator and Gladiator 2 Ouarzazate itself is known locally as Ouarzawood because its home to one of the biggest film studios in the world the Atlas Studios. Opened in 1983, the studio flourished and has since welcomed the great and the good of Hollywood, including Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman and Leonardo DiCaprio. Many tourists make the four-hour drive here from Marrakech, but Ive flown direct to Ouarzazate as part of a week-long trip following the traditional caravan route to the Sahara. Leaving the movie world behind, I head out of the city to Fint Oasis. Even in the height of the summer drought, this tranquil, lush place has pools of water in its tree-lined riverbed, where local women wash their clothes before drying them on bushes. Above, Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2, which is released in UK cinemas this week TRAVEL FACTS Seven nights costs from 1,265pp based on a family of four sharing. Includes half-board accommodation, all activities and entrance fees and a private driver throughout your stay (inclusivemorocco.com). Returns from London Stansted to Ouarzazate from 29 (ryanair.com). Advertisement Continuing on I reach the impressive Todra Gorge, a series of limestone river canyons with sheer cliffs rising up to nearly 1,000ft (300metres), and that evening I reach Merzouga, gateway to the Sahara, where I stay at Riad Serai. This large sea of dunes is formed by wind-blown sand, and in the distance I can just make out a silhouette of camels bearing riders. The next day, a 4x4 takes me deeper into the desert for a night in a luxury camp. On the way we stop and look for fossils and within minutes I find an ammonite. Then, arriving at the camp, I am greeted with Moroccan mint tea and shown to my tent with air conditioning, a bath and comfy bed. As we sit around the fire pit listening to traditional live music, I wander off and lie on my back staring at the night sky. Ive been told the chance of seeing a meteor is high and minutes later a shooting star traces a path directly above. Movie directors back in Ait Ben-Haddou would give anything to capture this spectacle, but for now its all mine. By Sarah Veness People's mid-flight routines are getting more elaborate - but one woman has divided opinion after making herself an iced matcha latte mid-air. Australian content creator Riley Hemson spurred the discussion after posting a video of her travel buddy, Jaz Hand, who was mixing a mysterious green beverage with a mini whisker. 'I can't believe she's doing this on the plane,' she wrote incredulously with her hand over her mouth. Both women appear to be sitting in first class, with Jaz pulling out a Blank Street plastic cup and matcha powder to make her drink. She starts by sieving the powder into a bowl before then placing it into a glass, adding water and giving it a whisk. Separately, she placed a handful of ice cubes in a plastic cup and poured in milk as well as the matcha mix. Riley posted a second video, showing her sipping from her own matcha that Jaz had made her, assuring viewers she enjoyed it - despite her expression. 'I've seen it all truly,' Riley captioned the clip. Australian content creator Riley Hemson spurred the discussion after posted a video of her travel buddy, Jaz Hand (pictured) who was mixing a mysterious green beverage with a mini whisker Matcha powder is a type of finely ground green tea. The clip divided viewers, many oscillating between confusion and praise for making herself comfortable on the flight. 'Socially unacceptable,' one user declared. 'It's true commitment to the matcha addiction,' another joked. 'I once sat next to someone who whipped out a loaf of bread a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jam and proceeded to make sandwiches. good times,' someone else shared. 'Hey so this is insane And I am 110 per cent here for it and in full support. ICONIC behavior,' added another. Whipping up an iced matcha isn't the craziest thing that's been made on an plane. In September, an influencer was slammed by people with gluten allergies after filming herself making a sourdough loaf on a long haul flight from the US to Spain. People's mid-flight routines are getting more elaborate - but a woman has divided opinion after making herself an iced matcha latte mid-air The clip divided viewers, many oscillating between confusion and praise for making herself comfortable on the flight Maria Baradell, who is originally from Venezuela but now living in Dallas, Texas, was flying to the European country via Chicago to visit her sister. She said she wanted to surprise her sibling with a fresh loaf of bread, as her social media is centered around baking dough. In Maria's video, she films herself at the airport before boarding her flight, and revealed that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had to 'check her bag' before going through security as she had some 'suspicious stuff' packed. This included several bags of powder, including flour and sourdough starter, which is made from yeast. Maria then films herself adding water to a bowl, sourdough starter - a living culture of wild yeasts and bacteria - along with flour and salt. She then mixed the bread around before covering it with a towel in the hope that the dough would proof. Some time later, Maria then got her dough again and started folding it before allowing it to sit during the bulk fermentation process. Maria then made it to her sister's house, where the sourdough continued to cold prove for 20 hours. The baker then scored it before baking it in her oven and she was very pleased with the results. Maria wrote: 'It was amazing, made with love!' However, viewers of the clip were far from impressed, with many commenting that her decision to make bread onboard was not considerate to those with allergies. The Apprentice's return has been confirmed as the BBC dropped a first look picture of season 19 featuring Lord Sugar, Karren Brady and Tim Campbell. A new cohort of 18 aspiring entrepreneurs will join Lord Sugar and his trusted advisors, business executive and Member of the House of Lords, Baroness Karren Brady, and businessman and winner of season one, Tim Campbell. The contestants will battle it out for the chance to win Lord Sugar's 250,000 investment and mentorship. Kicking off the first episode in the frosty Austrian Alps, the hopeful new candidates will be split into mixed teams and tasked with selling tour packages. After that an array of challenging tasks lie ahead for those who survive the first brutal boardroom with Lord Sugar. They will be creating a virtual popstar, turning a ton of potatoes and tomatoes into cash, designing and marketing Easter Eggs, jetting off to Turkey for a corporate hospitality challenge and taking on the classic discount buying task in historic Stratford-upon-Avon. The Apprentice's return has been confirmed as the BBC dropped a first look picture of season 19 featuring Lord Sugar, Karren Brady and Tim Campbell Tim Campbell, 47, appeared as a contestant in series one of The Apprentice in 2005 and was hired by Lord Sugar in the final episode Karren Brady, 55, is vice-chairman of West Ham United and a Conservative member of the House of Lords The final five will then face Interviews Week, which will see them face an intense grilling from some of Lord Sugar's trusted business associates. Karren Brady, 55, is a former managing director of Birmingham City F.C. and current vice-chairman of West Ham United. She is also a Conservative member of the House of Lords and has been a Small Business Ambassador for the government. Tim Campbell, 47, appeared as a contestant in series one of The Apprentice in 2005 and was hired by Lord Sugar in the final episode. After his victory, he joined Lord Sugar's company Amstrad on a 100,00 salary and has since ventured into the property industry and co-founded a digital marketing agency. Comedian, writer, and actor Tom Allen will return as host of The Apprentice: You're Fired, which will air each week on BBC Two and iPlayer, straight after the main show. Casting a wry eye over each week's events, Tom will be joined by a host of celebrity fans and business professionals to dissect and debate the candidates' progress through each task. The Apprentice airs on BBC One and iPlayer. BBC's hit drama Moonflower Murders has an epic blink-and-you'll-miss-it celebrity cameo. Author Anthony Horowitz revealed that he made an appearance in the murder mystery screen adaptation of his book series filmed in Dublin and Crete. 'Eagle-eyed viewers might just notice me, I won't say walking, or even tiptoeing, through a scene, because I do neither but I am there,' Anthony told PBS. He also told the Telegraph: 'I make a guest cameo of my own in Crete. It's my Hitchcock moment. It's fleeting, but it will be interesting to see who spots me on screen.' In the first six minutes of the first episode, a pair of strategically placed feet resting on a pool lilo can be seen at the edge of the shot. A few seconds later, legs, a torso and a head appear as Anthony floats past Lesley Manville's character, Susan, on the inflatable. Author Anthony Horowitz revealed that he made an appearance in the murder mystery screen adaptation of his book series filmed in Dublin and Crete In the first six minutes of the first episode, a pair of strategically placed feet resting on a pool lilo can be seen at the edge of the shot A few seconds later, legs, a torso and a head appear as Anthony floats past Lesley Manville 's character, Susan, on the inflatable Moonflower Murders was directed by Rebecca Gatward (Bad Sisters) and is a sequel to the acclaimed Magpie Murders. 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 'a richly plotted, head-spinning novel' by the New York Times. The six-part screen adaptation, which kicked off on November 16 on BBC One and iPlayer, is one of three gripping new dramas released by the BBC this month for viewers to binge-watch. Rebecca Hall's new show The Listeners launched on Tuesday, November 19, on the channel. Moonflower Murders is a sequel to the acclaimed Magpie Murders and was written by Horowitz and directed by Rebecca Gatward (Bad Sisters) BBC viewers are in for a treat as the broadcaster has released not one but THREE gripping new dramas for this month to binge watch - among them Moonflower Murders (pictured) Elsewhere, Rebecca Hall's new show The Listeners launched on Tuesday, November 19, on the same channel The new drama also stars Prasanna Puwanarajah, Mia Tharia, Gayle Rankin and Amr Waked. It follows Hall's character Claire, an English teacher whose life is disrupted when she starts to hear a mysterious humming sound no one else can detect. The unexplained noise begins to disrupt and take over her life before she realises a student can also hear it, which sees them strike up an unlikely intimate friendship. The series, which is described as 'provocative and haunting', is said to explore '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'. Elsewhere, the highly anticipated launch of Return To Paradise will air on Friday, November 22. 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. Meanwhile, on Friday, November 22, 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 According to the synopsis: 'Return to Paradise follows DI Mackenzie Clarke (Anna Samson), an Australian expat who has 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.' Moonflower Murders is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. China launches international cooperation initiative in open science with Brazil, South Africa, African Union Xinhua) 21:01, November 21, 2024 BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China, Brazil, South Africa and the African Union have jointly launched an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science, with the goal of building an open, fair, impartial and non-discriminatory global environment for science and technology development, according to the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. The full text of the initiative was officially released on Thursday. The initiative also aims to promote global scientific and technological innovation to benefit the Global South. It notes that the open and sustainable sci-tech innovation is conducive to enhancing the strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the global economy. The initiative proposes that governments, scientific communities, enterprises, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders should support the free flow of sci-tech innovation personnel and resources on a global scale, and ensure that different stakeholders can equitably participate in and are treated fairly in the open science cause. Scientific knowledge should be publicly available, according to the initiative, which also states that scientific practices should be diverse, inclusive and sustainable. The initiative says that governments of all countries should increase investment in open science and encourage the cooperation, joint construction and sharing of major scientific research infrastructure. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan) Joy Behar couldn't help but blame Donald Trump for the technical difficulties that disrupted The View's teleprompter on Wednesday. Her remark came after a heated Hot Topics segment, in which her costars, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin fiercely hashed out public school choice, which allows programs offering alternatives to assigned local public school options. After moderator Whoopi Goldberg wedged herself between the women and called for a commercial break, she returned on the screen to address the 'messy' first segment. 'Were all here at the table and were having a conversation,' Goldberg sarcastically reminded Hostin and Farah, the White House director of strategic communications and Assistant to the President in 2020 during Trump's first term. She continued: 'And were gonna go back to itbut before we do, I just wanna say, this is the beauty of people who have different opinions. Sometimes its messy. Sometimes were messy.' Goldberg, then, pointed out that when she 'came out this morning' to deliver her opening remarks that she 'trouble trying to figure out' as 'there was nothing' on the teleprompter to read. Joy Behar couldn't help but blame Donald Trump for the technical difficulties that disrupted The View's teleprompter on Wednesday 'Theres something in the air,' she said, before Behar interjected with her own explanation. Behar claimed: 'You know whats in the air, Whoopi? Trumpism!' 'We lost the election,' she continued as Haines covered her face. Behar went on to state that 'half of this country is miserable' following Trump's election win. 'Lets just tell the truth. We hate that he won. We hate it,' she insisted. 'Everybodys uptight and crazy right now.' Her remarks come amid reports ABC News executives are reportedly actively searching for a conservative, pro-Trump voice to join the panel on The View after its stars all backed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Earlier this month, the New York Post reported that ABC News Group President Debra OConnell and ABC News boss Almin Karamehmedovic were holding sit-down meetings with executive producers and other senior editorial leaders to address its coverage. It is primarily focusing on The View, unidentified sources said. Her remark came after a heated Hot Topics segment, in which her costars, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin fiercely hashed out public school choice, which allows programs offering alternatives to assigned local public school options After moderator Whoopi Goldberg wedged herself between the women and called for a commercial break, she returned on the screen to address the 'messy' first segment 'Were all here at the table and were having a conversation,' Goldberg sarcastically reminded Hostin and Farah, the White House director of strategic communications and Assistant to the President in 2020 during Trump's first term 'The View is facing pressure from higher-ups,' the source said. 'Viewers can expect some major changes, including brining in new panelists that can bring in a pro-Trump perspective.' The source went on to note that all six of the current panelists endorsed Harris in the presidential election. 'They lost. They are out of touch with America,' the insider said, noting: 'For a show about different perspectives, The View doesn't seem to have any when it comes to Trump' and ABC News executives 'don't want to alienate the pro-Trump demographic' as they try to maintain the show's ratings and advertising revenue. 'At the end of the day, these changes aren't about politics. They are about economics,' the source explained. 'Trump got more than half of the vote. 'TV networks need to find pro-Trump voices and diversify viewpoints to reflect the various perspectives of Americans.' Another unidentified source also noted that the change comes after ABC News execs were caught by surprise by Trump's victory. 'We are trying to sort out how we cover the next four years, when everyone inside ABC News is on one side,' the source said. Behar went on to state that 'half of this country is miserable' following Trump's election win. It remains unclear whether the show would kick off one of its woke panelists or just add a seventh. But including a conservative onto the notoriously woke show may cause some issues with its top talent, the first source said. 'The question is what will happen to the Whoopis and the Joys if they bring on a Trumpster,' the insider said. Many of the panelists have already spoken out against the president-elect since his victory, with Goldberg - the show's longest-running permanent co-host - announcing that she will continue to refuse to use Trump's name. Goldberg has refused to use Trump's name since he first took office in 2016, saying she 'can't' bring herself to put the word 'president' before his name. Hostin also said she was 'profoundly disturbed' by the election outcome, as she blamed 'uneducated white women' and 'Latino men' for Trump's victory, claiming they voted in favor of policies that will negatively impact them. 'I think [Trump's victory] had nothing to do with policy, I think this was a referendum on cultural resentment in this country,' she told the show. Earlier this month, the New York Post reported that ABC News Group President Debra OConnell and ABC News boss Almin Karamehmedovic were holding sit-down meetings with executive producers and other senior editorial leaders to address its coverage; former panelist Meghan McCain seen above in 2020 recently hit out at the show for not having 'a single conservative woman' on the panel 'It is actual malfeasance on the part of ABC News that there isn't one single conservative woman on The View this morning who voted for Trump or simply isn't repulsed by his supporters to explain to America why he is so popular,' she said following Trump's win 'Black women tried to save this country again, last night what we do not have is white women, who voted about 52 percent for Donald Trump - uneducated white women is my understanding. You have Latino men actually, voting more for him.' Amid the Trump-bashing, former panelist Meghan McCain took to X to lash out at her one-time castmates. 'Respectfully, please stop sending me clips from The View,' she wrote, describing the show as a 'radical progressive insane asylum and that's why I left years ago.' McCain also hit out at the show for not having 'a single conservative woman' on the panel during the election season. 'It is actual malfeasance on the part of ABC News that there isn't one single conservative woman on The View this morning who voted for Trump or simply isn't repulsed by his supporters to explain to America why he is so popular,' she said following Trump's win. Only four contestants have ever won the $1 million prize on Wheel of Fortune, though one contestant on Wednesday came excruciatingly close to being the fifth. Damon Sayles from Plano, Texas successfully landed on the $1 million wedge, which debuted on the show in 2008, and managed to hold on to it the whole match. He not only won a trip to Barbados, but correctly solved all three puzzles in the Triple Toss-Up to win an extra $10K, which comes a week after a hilarious missolve. Damon was by far the big winner of the night, heading into the bonus round with $29,290 and the $1 million wedge. He not only had to correctly solve the Bonus Round puzzle, but also pick the $1 million card from the mini-wheel, and unfortunately, he came up short. Only four contestants have ever won the $1 million prize on Wheel of Fortune, though one contestant on Wednesday came excruciatingly close to being the fifth Damon Sayles from Plano, Texas successfully landed on the $1 million wedge, which debuted on the show in 2008, and managed to hold on to it the whole match He not only won a trip to Barbados, but correctly solved all three puzzles in the Triple Toss-Up to win an extra $10K He not only had to correctly solve the Bonus Round puzzle, but also pick the $1 million card from the mini-wheel, and unfortunately, he came up short For the final puzzle, Damon was given a choice between Thing, Phrase or What Are You Wearing? He ultimately chose What Are You Wearing?, which was a two-word puzzle, with the first word featuring nine letters and the second featuring four letters. Damon was given four letters with the automatic R-S-T-L-N-E letters, with Damon given three more consonants and a vowel, and he made them count. He picked G, M, W and O as the vowel, which gave him all but two letters, allowing him to correctly solve the puzzle: 'Glamorous Gown.' While Damon did everything right, luck wasn't on his side, since his mini-wheel spin did not land on the $1 million card, which Seacrest showed him afterwards. Instead he was given $40K, bringing his total for the evening to $69,290 in both cash and a trip to Barbados. Damon was mobbed by his family after the big win, as both Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White discussed his performance in the episode's final moments. 'He was so close to the $1 million,' White said, as Seacrest said, 'What a big night for Damon.' Damon was given four letters with the automatic R-S-T-L-N-E letters, with Damon given three more consonants and a vowel, and he made them count He picked G, M, W and O as the vowel, which gave him all but two letters, allowing him to correctly solve the puzzle: 'Glamorous Gown.' While Damon did everything right, luck wasn't on his side, since his mini-wheel spin did not land on the $1 million card Instead he was given $40K, bringing his total for the evening to $69,290 in both cash and a trip to Barbados Damon was mobbed by his family after the big win, as both Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White discussed his performance in the episode's final moments He added that when he kept hearing the puzzle board 'ding' with more letters, he said, 'I thought my hands were beginning to sweat.' 'He was so close with that great solve. But I feel it. It's going to happen. And soon,' Seacrest proclaimed as the episode came to an end. There have only been three regular contestants to win the $1 million, but the last to win it was actress Melissa Joan Hart on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. The $1 million went to the charity Hart was playing for, Youth Villages in the in October 2021 episode. The first regular contestant winner was Michelle Loewenstein in October 2008, followed by Autumn Erhard in May 2013 and Sarah Manchester in September 2014. I'm A Celebrity star GK Barry's mother revealed the heartbreaking truth behind her glamourous transformation during Thursday's installment of Loose Women. Loretta, the famous YouTuber's parent, revealed that the internet sensation was bullied when she was a child because she was 'lanky' and had 'buck teeth'. But since GK Barry has become a popular podcaster, her former high school bullies have since tried to connect with her - an offer which does not seem to have been accepted. Speaking to Kaye Adams, Coleen Nolan, Sue Cleaver and Mariella Frostup, Loretta said: 'Her anxiety started when she was at secondary school. 'She was very lanky, nothing has changed there, she had buck teeth, she had not had the braces yet, she had the gap. 'She was somebody to pick on and they did. She used to come home and she used to cry a lot. But what I have found is that as that phased passed and she could deal with it, she did deal with it. I'm A Celebrity's GK Barry's mother revealed the heartbreaking truth behind her glamourous transformation during Thursday's installment of Loose Women Loretta, the famous YouTuber's parent, revealed that the internet sensation was bullied when she was a child because she was 'lanky' and had 'buck teeth' But since GK Barry has become a popular podcaster, her former high school bullies have since tried to connect with her - an offer which does not seem to have been accepted (pictured in her younger years) 'But it did leave her with anxiety. The platform that she is in now, or the place she is in now, I am really hoping that she can help other girls, who may be being bullied and may think there isn't an end and may not know how to deal with it. 'And Grace did know how to deal with it, in a nice way. 'And look at Grace now - funnily enough some people that used to bully her now that actually want to get in touch, funny that isn't it.' Before she went on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! GK Barry was asked by the panel what she was like in school, to which she replied: 'I was really lanky buck teeth, gap, hairy arms, greasy hair.' She revealed she over came it by 'watching the boxsets of Miranda to learn how to be funny.' Adding: 'It's made her stronger and whatever she does now, I know she can face. She's got a steely resilience. 'You forget she's only 25 - she's still messy and everything by the way at home!' Grace, who has 3.6 million followers on TikTok, 61,000 subscribers on YouTube and impressive 895K fans on Instagram revealed that trolling does sometimes bother her. Speaking to Kaye Adams, Coleen Nolan, Sue Cleaver and Mariella Frostup, Loretta said: 'Her anxiety started when she was at secondary school' 'She was very lanky, nothing has changed there, she had buck teeth, she had not had the braces yet, she had the gap' Jane asked her: 'Would you go into a crowded bar and go up to someone you don't know and say, 'Excuse me, what do you think of me?' GK said: 'No, never.' prompting Jane to reply: 'So then why would you do it online?' She added: 'It's really hard to ignore the outside noise though, when you do radio and telly now. When I started telly back in the day, no social media or anything it was heaven.' Offering a quote of wisdom to the group, Jane said: 'I could shrink myself to be digestible for you, but actually I'm just going to be myself and let you choke.' She told GK: 'So channel that next time you decide to look at the comments!' Grace first shot to fame on the app during the first Covid-19 lockdown when she started making TikToks about her daily life while studying film at Nottingham Trent University. Before entering the jungle, GK admitted the thing she would miss most outside the jungle would be her girlfriend. 'When you are missing home and all you want is your comfort people, then that will be hard if they are not there,' she confessed. Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV from 12:30pm. A beloved Netflix romcom has announced its return to screens and the new series is just months away from hitting screens. To All The Boys I've Loved Before spin-off show XO, KITTY captivated fans with its first season last year, shooting to number one on the streaming giants charts. It was renewed for its second season just four weeks after it raked in 72 million hours of viewing worldwide in its first week, according to Netflixs internal figures. Season two of XO, KITTY will be available to stream on Netflix on January 16, 2025. The show follows the youngest Song Covey sister, Kitty, played by Anna Cathcart, as she attends KISS, an elite international school in Seoul, South Korea. It is the same school her mother attended but also where her crush, Dae, currently goes to school which was one of her key motivations for uprooting her life to go there. Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey, Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho Moon in XO, KITTY season two Minyeong Choi as Dae Heon Kim and Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho Moon in XO, KITTY season two Anthony Keyvan as Quincy 'Q' Shabazian and Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey in XO, KITTY Throughout season one, we see Kitty encounter all the trials and tribulations that come with being a teenager - boy troubles, friendship woes and dreaded school work. The first season ended with Kitty finding herself in a love square of sorts when she broke up with her boyfriend Dae after she started to catch feelings for her rival-turned-friend Yuri. But Kitty didn't get to confess her feelings to Yuri because his ex-girlfriend Julianna reappeared on the scene. To make things even more complicated, Kitty's former enemy and reluctant roommate Min Ho revealed that he has feelings for her. Kitty then got expelled for breaking the rules when school officials caught her celebrating her grades in the hallway of the boys dorm and learned that was where she had been living all semester. Fans were concerned when they watched Kitty fly back to America in the final scene but they will be delighted to know that she is returning to Seoul for season two. Teen matchmaker Kitty Song Covey is back in Seoul for a new semester at KISS. She's single for the first time in a long time, and ready for a fresh start: no more meddling, no more drama. Maybe just some casual dating. Emphasis on casual Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey and Gia Kim as Yuri Han in the new season of XO, KITTY Gia Kim as Yuri Han and Regan Aliyah as Juliana Porter in the upcoming season of the To All The Boys I've Loved Before spin-off show Kitty Song Covey is back in Seoul for a new semester at KISS in the second season and she is single for the first time in a long time Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey and Gia Kim as Yuri Han in the second season of XO, KITTY The synopsis for the second season says: 'Teen matchmaker Kitty Song Covey is back in Seoul for a new semester at KISS. 'She's single for the first time in a long time, and ready for a fresh start: no more meddling, no more drama. Maybe just some casual dating. Emphasis on casual. 'But she has more to worry about than her love life, as a letter from her mother's past sets her on a wild journey, and new faces at KISS bring change. 'As secrets unravel and bonds are tested, Kitty will learn that life, family and love are more complicated than she ever imagined.' Season two of XO, KITTY will be available to stream on Netflix on January 16, 2025. Married at First Sight UK couple Tasha Jay and Paul Liba have split, MailOnline can reveal. The pair have gone their separate ways following a year-long romance, leaving only two contestants from the 2023 series still in a relationship. Tasha and Paul got married after meeting for the first time at the altar during filming of the E4 dating show last year. But after committing to each other at their final vows last November, the couple's romance has now ended, with friends close to the reality stars saying they remain amicable. Shona Manderson and Matt Pilmoor are the last remaining pair still in a relationship after connecting off camera when their respective marriages failed. A source told MailOnline: 'Tasha and Paul tried to make their relationship work for several months but have decided to end things between them. Married at First Sight UK couple Tasha Jay and Paul Liba have split, MailOnline can reveal The pair have gone their separate ways following a year together, leaving only two contestants from the 2023 series still in a relationship Tasha and Paul got married after meeting for the first time at the altar during filming of the E4 dating show last year 'They fell in love while filming Married at First Sight UK but struggled to see a future, they continued to live separately and in the end, grew apart.' Confirming their split on Instagram, Tasha said: 'It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing Paul and I have decided to part ways. 'There isn't any major reason, we have just come to terms with the fact that we are not right for each other. 'Paul is the loveliest guy I've ever met and I'm grateful for the time we've shared together and I'm glad that we can remain friends. 'I'm utterly heartbroken that I'm having to write this post, but it is best for both of us.' She added: 'Thank you to everyone who has supported us as a couple. I hope you can now support us on our individual journeys.' The couple were put together by the show's relationship experts and at the most part managed to avoid any drama during their appearance on MAFS. They follow the likes of former co-stars Georges Berthonneau and Peggy Lawrence who split earlier this year, as well as Jordan Gayle and Erica Roberts. Shona Manderson and Matt Pilmoor are the last remaining pair still in a relationship after connecting off camera when their respective marriages failed The couple were put together by the show's relationship experts and at the most part managed to avoid any drama during their appearance on MAFS A source told MailOnline: 'They fell in love while filming Married at First Sight UK but struggled to see a future, they continued to live separately and in the end, grew apart' Shona found her happy ending with Matt after her marriage with Brad Skelly failed and the tattooed model was accused of gaslighting, causing producers to axe him from the series. Matt married Adrienne Naylor but the pair's romance was short-lived, leaving the personal trainer free to connect with Shona. Married at First Sight UK returned with a new series in September but not one couple from the show remains in a relationship. Viewers hoped Sacha Jones and Ross McCarthy would have a happy ending but the pair split shortly after filming for their series ended. Sacha was heartbroken after Ross moved on with a new girlfriend despite declaring his undying love for his wife and promising their future together. MailOnline has contacted Tasha and Paul's representatives for comment. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's acrimonious legal battle has torn their children from the actor's parents who once 'lived for their grandkids' - but have been forced to accept a 'heartbreaking' lack of contact for the last eight years. Pitt, 60, has been estranged from his daughter Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16, as well as his three adopted children Maddox, 23, Pax, 20 and Zahara, 19, since an explosive fight on their private jet in 2016 resulted in Angelina, 49, filing for divorce. Now, insiders have revealed that the children's grandparents, William and Jane Pitt, have also suffered, with the devastated couple fearing that they may 'never be able' to spend time with their son's children again. 'Brad Pitt's parents have not been able to see their beloved grandchildren for around eight years amid the ongoing divorce and legal battle between Brad and Angelina,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. The doting grandparents had been a very present fixture in the children's lives before Brad's marriage broke down, with the duo often pictured enjoying quality time with them. 'Prior to the separation, they were a part of the kids lives and they all spent a lot of time together,' the source continued. 'It is just heartbreaking to see that this is no longer the case. Brad Pitt's parents (right) have not seen the children he shares with Angelina Jolie in eight years, sources have told DailyMail.com (pictured with Brad, Pax, Shiloh and Maddox in 2014) Brad, 60, and Angelina's acrimonious legal battle has torn their six children from the actor's parents William and Jane who once 'lived for their grandkids' (pictured in 2012) 'It is one thing for the kids to not see their father, but for Jane and Bill to not have any contact with their precious grandkids is sad. 'They are in their 80s and to think that they would never be able to spend time with the kids again is just unbelievable. William, or Bill, 83, and Jane, 84, were last pictured in public with their grandchildren at the 2014 premiere for Angelina's movie, Unbroken. Brad took the children and his parents along to the Hollywood premiere in place of the actress - who had come down with a case of chickenpox. Jane had nothing but praise for Angelina at the time and told reporters: 'We're so very proud of Angie. This means so much to our family, especially our grandchildren. We love her dearly.' Angelina had talked fondly of Brad's parents in the past for how they had accepted her adopted children. 'When I first met them I came in with two adopted children from other countries and I didn't know how they were going to be,' she said. 'But they are equally loving with them.' By 2016, the Maleficent actress had filed for divorce after only two years of marriage and familial relations were seemingly severed. Pitt shares daughter Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16, as well as three adopted children Maddox, 23, Pax, 20 and Zahara, 19, with the actress, 49 'It is one thing for the kids to not see their father, but for Jane and Bill to not have any contact with their precious grandkids is sad,' the source said (Brad, Angelina and his parents in 2008) Angelina filed for divorce after an explosive fight on their private jet in 2016 Three years later in 2019, Brad and Angelina were declared legally single. However, the stars are still embroiled in an ongoing battle over their Chateau Miraval estate. Brad's relationship with his children has deteriorated to the point where he has 'virtually no contact' with the eldest three. Zahara dropped 'Pitt' from her last name in November 2023, before Vivienne followed suit in June this year. Shiloh joined them in August when she paid for her own lawyer to officially ditch 'Pitt.' The decision stung Bill and Jane who have been forced to watch things play out from their home in Missouri. A separate source added that the estrangement is 'tragic' for both parties. 'They are grandparents who live for their grandkids, but have not seen them in years,' they said. 'That is tragic for both sides.' Bill and Jane, who was incredibly fond Brad's first wife Jennifer Aniston, are also parents to Doug Pitt and Julie Neal, whose children they are close to. Doug has Sydney, Landon and Regan with his wife Lisa, while Julie is mom to Caleb, twin daughters Josie and Rylie, as well as adopted sons Caden and Cruz, whom she shares with her husband Scott Neal. The Pitt family pictured together with Angelina and the children she shares with the Troy actor at a gathering several years before they split in 2016 The estrangement has left a devastated Bill and Jane fearing that they may 'never be able' to spend time with Brad's children again The source noted: 'Prior to the separation, they were a part of the kids lives and spent a lot of time with them. It is just heartbreaking to see that this is no longer the case' The close knit family regularly share images with their cousins and grandparents on Instagram - but have not posted pictures with Brad's children since 2016. Angelina's own estranged father, Jon Voight, recently spoke out about the fact he 'doesn't talk to his grandchildren as much as [he would] like,' and called for the former couple to make peace so that their children can have stability. Angelina has been accused of deliberately trying to drive a wedge between Brad and their six children. After the actress walked arm-in-arm with Knox at the Governors Awards on Monday, a source told DailyMail.com that Brad feels she has turned their brood against him. 'Of course, it bothers him that Angelina has turned them against him,' they said. 'She did this while they were all young and they didnt even get a chance to make up their minds about him. 'He believes that, in time, his children will come back into his life.' Back in May, former British SAS solider Tony Webb, who worked for the family for more than 20 years from 2000, claimed that his colleague told him he overheard Angelina 'encouraging the children to avoid spending time with Pitt during custody visits.' Court filings lodged at LA Superior Court detailing the explosive claims were made public as part of the ongoing 'War of the Roses', with the A-List couple stuck in an acrimonious battle over her rights to sell their French vineyard and home. Brad's relationship with his children has deteriorated to the point where he has 'virtually no contact' with the eldest three (Angelina pictured with Zahara and Shiloh) The pair's youngest children, twins Knox and Vivienne, have recently stepped out with their mother at industry events, with the latter dropping 'Pitt' from her last name The Tomb Raider star sold her $62million stake to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler in 2021, which Brad argues went against their agreement to offer the other the right of first refusal. Angelina had recently filed motions to dismiss claims that Brad made against her concerning a verbal agreement over their 50-50 ownership of the vineyard. She argued that the agreement had been nullified after her ex requested she sign an NDA regarding their marriage with both sides seemingly determined to throw everything at the case. But a new twist in the lengthy lawsuit saw LA Superior Court Judge Lia Martin throw out the motions - putting Brad firmly back in the driving seat of the dispute. Court filings submitted last week suggest that the judge has found a basis in Brad's claims that their original verbal agreement was binding, and Jolie may have violated them when she sold her shares. With the dismissal of the three filings, the former power couple - who wed at the Provence, Southern France estate in 2014 are set to face off in court at the trial next year. A source close to the actor told DailyMail.com at the time: 'This is a straightforward business dispute, but unfortunately, the other side has consistently introduced personal elements which have exposed the weaknesses in their case and complicated and lengthened the proceedings.' The Maleficent star then has 30 days to appeal the judge's decision. Brad filed the $67million lawsuit against Angelina in 2022, less than a year after the shares were sold, setting off a protracted court battle between the exes. Radio star Jackie 'O' Henderson has revealed her new business move after she was spotted checking out an empty store in Bronte on Wednesday. The 49-year-old was seen inspecting a shopfront alongside her business partner and best friend Gemma O'Neill. The KIIS FM radio star told Daily Mail Australia she is looking to expand her Besties business venture by opening an office. Jackie and Gemma started their company, which hosts exclusive events and private holidays, last year and they are planning to open a commercial space for the brand. Jackie appeared deep in discussion as she inspected the space in trendy dark jeans and a bright blue T-shirt. She completed her look with a pair of black sandals and wore dark sunglasses. Jackie O Henderson has revealed her new business move after she was spotted checking out an empty store with her business partner Gemma O'Neill on Wednesday Gemma also put on a stylish display for the outing in a beige dress and a pair of black sandals. Jackie says her Besties business is to 'celebrates the most important relationship in your life - your best friend'. The company sells experiences for 'best friends' to create memories together. Gemma recently denied that the pair lost money on their Besties event hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow in October last year. The speaking engagement saw the A-list Hollywood actress and Goop founder fly to Sydney for a one-night appearance. Despite having a Hollywood drawcard, the event, which was held at the ICC theatre, was only half-full - but Gemma insisted that was deliberate. 'Look, we're not professional events people and we are very new to this game, but we are really proud of the fact we wanted to do it and are having a crack,' she told The Daily Telegraph at the time. 'The ICC is the only venue that offered more than 2000 capacity. You can book it for full capacity or half-full. We booked for half capacity and sold just under half 4000 seats.' Gwyneth's fee was estimated at between $150,000 and $500,000, and tickets for the event started from $100 and went up to $2,500 for VIP access. The KIIS FM radio star told Daily Mail Australia she is looking to expand her Besties business venture by opening an office She also denied that a four-day Kokomo Island trip in December hosted by Besties had a poor response, or that a second trip to Fiji slated for September this year was cancelled for lack for interest. A three-day Southern Highlands getaway scheduled for March has sold out, she claimed. The pair also launched a line of Besties branded clothing in October. It comes after Jackie recently revealed that she's 'lucky to be alive' after taking dozens of pills a day during her battle with addiction. The radio host confessed she took around 10-12 Stilnox/Ambien sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte painkillers a day before seeking help. 'I mean, that's a lot of sleeping pills just for a start. A lot of people think, how did she even function?' she told the Mental As Anyone podcast last week. 'My body just built up a tolerance to them, so I may as well have been taking one or two with the way they were affecting me,' Jackie continued. 'The 10 just wasn't, I think it was honestly just bringing my body to an even keel in a way. That's just an awful lot for the body to take. Jackie appeared deep in discussion as she inspected the space in trendy dark jeans and a bright blue T-shirt Jackie launched her event-based business with close friend Gemma last year, and said it 'celebrates the most important relationship in your life - your best friend' 'When you look at the actual medication I was taking, I don't know how I survived that'. Jackie spoke about her years-long battle with drug and alcohol addiction for the first time in her memoir, The Whole Truth, last month. She told how she spent 28 days in the famous rehab clinic, The Betty Ford Center, in November 2022 after struggling with addiction during the Covid lockdown. After overcoming her addiction struggles, Jackie has told how she is marking her two years of sobriety on Thursday, November 14, in a milestone achievement. Just days ago he was on the red carpet of the premiere for his new Broadway show showing off his new trimmed-down look. But now Elton John's pockets look even slimmer as his play was cancelled just a week into production after a battle to sell tickets. The Tammy Faye musical announced last night it will close its curtains on December 8 after playing just 24 previews and 29 performances. The show - based on the life of televangelists Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, had been struggling to sell tickets at the Palace Theatre despite a highly anticipated transfer from London. Now, insiders have told The Mail the show was always 'at risk of not working' after reviews 'killed it'. A source close to the production said: 'It was always going to be difficult, even the writers feared the storyline didn't translate for the audience. 'The 1700 capacity venue was only selling 300 tickets a night. This is not exactly great for Elton. Elton John 's play was cancelled just a week into production after a battle to sell tickets. Pictured: : Elton John during the opening night curtain call for the new Elton John musical Tammy Faye The Tammy Faye musical announced last night it will close its curtains on December 8 after playing just 24 previews and 29 performances Katie Brayben - who plays Tammy Faye - and Elton John during the opening night curtain call for the new Elton John musical 'The first night reviews were not exactly positive, they thought they'd be cancelled before the year is out.' The show, which cost close to 20 million to produce, opened on November 14 and last week was the lowest-grossing show on Broadway. The audience was reportedly consistently 37 per cent empty. Elton John, 77, wrote the music for the show while Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears wrote the lyrics. Tammy Faye is also produced by Rocket Stage, John's production company. Fans called the decision 'brutal' and said theatregoers have been walking out mid-performance. 'When I ran to the bathroom at the immediate start of intermission, I passed by a woman sprinting past the usher near the main entrance,' one person said. The show - based on the life of televangelists Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker, had been struggling to sell tickets at the Palace Theatre despite a highly anticipated transfer from London A source close to the production said: 'It was always going to be difficult, even the writers feared the storyline didn't translate for the audience 'The usher yelled after her, 'Ma'am, you're going toward the exit' and she responded loudly, 'I KNOW'. Several empty seats after intermission too, including the couple directly in front of us.' Another wrote: 'This is brutal! New theatre hardly stands a chance these days'. Last week at the opening night Elton John showcased his new slimmed down look after revealing he has quit sugar. He wore a bright pink suit beamed as he posed alongside husband David Furnish, 62, before later taking to the stage following the performance where he was greeted with wild applause. Sir Rod Stewart made a big announcement about retirement on Instagram on Wednesday. The rocker, who will turn 80 in January, told fans he plans to end large scale world tours. Rod said his 2025 European and North American tour dates will be his last major projects - but he doesn't want to hang up the microphone just yet. He wrote: 'This will be the end of large-scale world tours for me, but I have no desire to retire. 'I love what I do and I do what I love. I'm fit, have a full head of hair and can run 100 metres in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79.' The Maggie May hitmaker added he wants to to perform at more intimate venues for his next tour slated for 2026, after the release of album Swing Fever with Jools Holland earlier this year. Sir Rod Stewart made a big announcement about retirement on Instagram on Wednesday The rocker, who will turn 80 in January, told fans he plans to end large scale world tours and confirmed his 2025 European and North American tour dates will be his last major projects He said: 'I'd like to move onto a Great American Songbook, Swing Fever tour the year after next - smaller venues and more intimacy. But then again, I may not. The ambiguous Sir Rod Stewart.' His post drummed up support from his famous friends and fans. Davina McCall typed: 'This sounds perfect', while Piers Morgan commented: 'Brilliant'. Others said: 'Love you always I love your music forever and ever . You are the rock legend, the best. If you love what you do, dont stop doing it'. Sir Rod will also headline a new residency in Las Vegas from March until June at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The musician's European tour will end on May 13 at the MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal, while his final North American tour date is scheduled for August 15 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St Louis, Missouri. Back in July, Sir Rod said he has 'no fear' about death ahead of his 80th birthday and added he aims to stick around for another 15 years. He told The Sun: 'I'm aware my days are numbered but I've got no fear. We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can. I say few probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy. 'I'm not like I was in the '70s and '80s and I can't stay up all night, get drunk and go mad and still have a voice just like that. Nowadays I have to protect my voice before and after every show. His post drummed up support from his famous friends and fans. Davina McCall typed: 'This sounds perfect', while Piers Morgan commented: 'Brilliant' The Maggie May hitmaker added he wants to to perform at more intimate venues for his next tour slated for 2026, after the release of album Swing Fever with Jools Holland earlier this year For his 80th birthday in January, Rod knows that he will be having a huge party but recently revealed that his wife Penny Lancaster, 53, has kept him in the dark about any further details 'But no, you think I just have water on my rider? You're talking to Rod Stewart here, mate. We go mad after every show. There are 13 of us, six women, really great musicians and I make them drink. We absolutely love it.' Rod, who has had both prostate and thyroid cancer, said: 'I am more aware of my health now than before. You should be when you start getting on a bit. It's very important. I am a bit of a hypochondriac. I think men in particular should take advantage of all the wonderful medical science out there. Despite this, he revealed he doesn't take any medication at all apart from the odd anti-inflammatory if his knee is giving him trouble. Rod said he works out three or four times a day and is kept on the straight and narrow by his personal trainer whom he has been working with for over three decades. For his 80th birthday in January, Rod knows that he will be having a blowout party but revealed that his wife Penny Lancaster, 53, has kept him in the dark about any further details. His eight children are also said to be heavily involved in the planning. Rod is father to Sarah Streeter, 61; Kimberly, 45, Sean, 44, and Ruby Stewart, 37, with his first wife; Renee, 32, and Liam Stewart, 30, with his second; and Alastair, 19, and Aiden Stewart, 13, with his third, Penny. I love a good love story. I love romance. I love to see couples find their soulmate - even if it's their second - or third - time around. So I was genuinely happy to see photos of strapping NRL legend Sam Burgess at the beach in Noosa with his new wife Lucy Graham and their 10-month-old daughter Robbie over the weekend. Fresh off the back of celebrity accountant Anthony Bell's star-studded wedding, seeing these two sun-kissed Brits canoodling in the surf had me thinking to myself, 'Oh, to be young again!' I also couldn't help but smile knowing Sam is happy again after his awful, drawn-out divorce from his first wife, Phoebe Burgess, with whom he shares a son and daughter. But was there just a twinge of envy looking at their sun-soaked PDA and Lucy's flawlessly toned body in a G-string bikini? Oh, perhaps... Before I had chance to dwell on that, another eye-opening set of photos suddenly popped up - this time of divorced Nova radio host Tim Blackwell, 43, debuting his much younger girlfriend Lizzie Baxter, 28, at the ARIA Awards. In her latest column for Mail+, Amanda Goff reacts to the much-talked-about photos of Sam Burgess and his new wife Lucy at the beach in Noosa The photos are remarkably similar to pictures of Sam at the beach with his then-wife Phoebe in 2018. Amanda writes, 'We've all seen divorced men miraculously spring back into the dating pool and come out with a whole new family almost identical to the last one' Now, I wasn't the only one to notice the uncanny similarity between Lizzie, a producer for Fitzy & Wippa, and Tim's ex-wife Monique, the mother of his three kids. When they were first pictured together, there was some commentary about their age difference - but I won't criticise him for that. Anyway, this isn't a column about celebrity pairings. Famous people, like all of us, are allowed to move on - and I'm the first person to throw the confetti when two people find love again after unhappy marriages. What I want to talk about is 'the replacement'. It's a concept every woman understands: a man gets divorced, then picks himself up, dusts himself off... and ends up dating a 'younger model'. Yes, we may say we're happy for you (and we are!) but we women are all whispering the same thing to each other when see photos of Sam and Lucy or Tim and Lizzie - or any of the millions of divorced men who replace Model A with Model B. 'Here we go again.' It's the ultimate cliche, a tale as old as the hills, and as a woman who turned 50 this year, I am sure I'm not alone. Amanda also has some thoughts about radio host Tim Blackwell, 43, going public with his 28-year-old radio producer girlfriend Lizzie Baxter 'What I want to talk about is 'the replacement'. It's a concept every woman understands: a man gets divorced, then picks himself up, dusts himself off... and ends up dating a younger model' Whenever this happens - and it happens a lot - we are filled with an ever-deepening sense of dread. Have I passed my sell-by date? Now, I don't need to tell you how hard dating is in Australia; just listen to the conversations women of all ages are having with each other around the country, recapping their dismal dates over wine or coffee, and you'll get the picture. Now if it's hard for them, imagine being the older ex-wife holding the baby literally. While older women are often a fantasy for men under 30, generally speaking men dating after divorce are only after one thing: newer, shiny, younger versions of their ex-wives. They may wallow at the start, but we've all seen divorced men miraculously spring back into the dating pool and come out with a whole new family almost identical to the last one, complete with a younger wife and newborn. The only difference this time around is they're a little older and softer around the edges. I always marvel at how similar the new wives look to the exes too. And so the cycle repeats itself. My theory is that divorced men just can't be alone. They struggle being single. They find it hard coming home to an empty house, asking for a table for one at restaurants, attending functions without a woman hanging off their arm. Divorced women, on the other hand, love their solitude they bask in it. 'I always marvel at how similar the new wives look to the exes too,' writes Amanda. (Pictured left: Tim Blackwell and his new girlfriend Lizzie Baxter at the ARIA Awards yesterday; and right: Blackwell with his ex-wife Monique at an Oscars party in March 2018) Most of my separated girlfriends, myself included, swear off men and promise to never live with one again, let alone get married. Why invite chaos back in? But it still hurts knowing I couldn't compete with a younger woman for the attention of a man my age - even if I don't particularly want to. Believe me, I don't wish being younger again. Right now, I am older, wiser and happier than I've ever been. A big part of that is accepting my body doesn't look the way it used to and that new wrinkles are appearing with every passing year (well, I do have Botox for that). Another reason for my happiness is not having to worry about the fights, stress and door-slamming a marriage can bring. I'm sure Monique, Phoebe and all the other ex-wives out there feel the same. Tim, Sam, I wish you well. I know you don't mean any harm, and I hope your new relationships bring you all the happiness your last ones didn't. But spare a thought for your exes - and the rest of us. The Real Housewives of Potomac star Ashley Darby has filed for divorce from husband Michael Darby. The Maryland-born beauty, 36, and her spouse, 65, separated in April of 2022 after more than seven years of marriage, TMZ reported after reviewing legal records Wednesday. The separated couple, who wed in May of 2014, are parents to sons Dean Michael Darby, five, and Dylan Matthew Darby, three, who they will split custody of in their divorce agreement. Michael told TMZ that he and Ashley, who had a prenuptial agreement in place, have come to 'an amicable and fair settlement.' The breakup has been the driving force in storylines on the Bravo show, with Ashley addressing the imminent legal split on multiple occasions. Ashley, following the separation announcement, moved out of a place she shared with Michael and began seeing Luke Gulbranson of Summer House fame at the end of 2022. The Real Housewives of Potomac star Ashley Darby, 36, has filed for divorce from husband Michael Darby, 65. The former couple pictured in 2021 The breakup has been the driving force in storylines on the Bravo show, with Ashley (pictured last month in London) addressing the imminent legal split on multiple occasions Ashley has 'maintained that she's dating but hasn't publicly debuted a new relationship since' she was seen with Gulbranson, TMZ reported. Ashley said on Watch What Happens Live Sunday that she would delve further into detail on the matter for the Potomac franchise's reunion show. Ashely told Page Six earlier this month that she has dealt with a flurry of emotions in the wake of her marriage to Michael falling apart. 'Its hard out here, OK?' she said. 'I wish that I could put a time stamp on it that everyone wants me to in relation to this divorce. It is so emotional for me. Its a point of grieving. 'I even went through a little bit of a depression of, like, thinking about where my life is now versus where I thought it was going to be and coming to terms with that.' Ashley in April of 2022 released a statement to The Daily Dish confirming that she and her spouse had parted ways after more than seven years of marriage. 'Almost eight years ago, when Michael and I said "I do," we anticipated sharing every single day together from that moment forward,' Ashley said. 'Unfortunately, that is not our current reality. We have decided to separate. 'We are aware that there will be many speculative views as to why we have made this decision. People will be quick to assume that the causes were too much intrusion by reality TV into the most personal parts of our lives, age gap issues, cultural problems, or child-rearing differences.' In a 2022 Instagram post featuring her statement, Ashley wrote that 'its been almost 8 magical years' of marriage Ashley, following the separation announcement, moved out of a place she shared with Michael and began seeing Luke Gulbranson of Summer House fame at the end of 2022 Ashley said that the aforementioned factors might have impacted their 'pure love for each other, but no one reason is the root cause of our mutual decision to go our separate ways. 'We are now both at very different stages in our lives and have different goals for our futures. We both want the other to achieve true happiness and fulfillment and feel that we cannot do this together.' 'While our romantic bond is broken, we will always love and respect each other,' Ashley said. 'We also know that true happiness can only be achieved by continuing to work together and putting our hearts and souls into raising our two beautiful boys, Dean and Dylan. 'They will always feel loved and supported, for they were truly created out of love. As this is a personal matter for us, we appreciate everyone who has been a part of our journey and ask for your continued support by respecting us as we go through this emotional situation.' In an Instagram post featuring her statement, Ashley wrote that 'its been almost 8 magical years' of marriage. The pair initially met 13 years ago when she was working at the L2 Lounge in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C., and she asked him about exploring an internship at his company, she told Bravo in 2016. She eventually asked him out when she got a position with his company and they were engaged less than a year later. Michael, who is in the restaurant and real estate business, in September of 2018 was suspended from the Bravo show after he was accused by a cameraman of groping him. He was charged in connection with felony assault and misdemeanor improper sexual conduct, but the charges were later dropped as result of a lack of evidence. The breakup has been the driving force in storylines on the Bravo show, with Ashley addressing the imminent legal split on multiple occasions Ashley has been a regular on the Bravo series since its debut in 2016 Michael denied the allegations, telling FOX 5 D.C. that he was 'completely exonerated' and 'completely cleared' following an investigation by authorities. 'I didn't do it,' he said, adding that a pair of witnesses his accuser named in the incident later said that they hadn't seen anything. 'Obviously his side of the story wasn't true.' The chain of events made for a storyline on RHOP's fourth season, as he was alleged to have made a sexually-driven remark about cast member Robyn Dixon's husband Juan Dixon, which was witnessed by Robyn, co-star Candiace Dillard-Bassett and husband Chris Bassett. Ashley addressed other marital issues the pair faced - such as cheating allegations brought up on the show - while speaking with E! News in February of 2022. 'We definitely have had our share of issues [and] some of them have been very public,' she said. 'Ultimately, I think that it's reminding myself that Michael is the person I chose to spend my life with. 'So, if I can look at him and still love him, still care about him, forgive him and want to keep going with him. Then that's when I can't let what other people say affect me, because the reality is they're not living my life. They're not married to my husband.' Ashley added, 'When I remember that, it centers me and I'm like, "Yes." But it's certainly not an easy thing.' Michael, who is originally from Melbourne, Australia, was previously in a marriage for 20 years before a 2010 split, and father to two children from that union. It appears popular radio star Mark 'MG' Geyer was blissfully unaware his days at Triple M were numbered - at least according to this party photo. The Sydney breakfast show co-host was sensationally given the boot on Wednesday. But just two days before he was informed of the bad news, Geyer, 56, was partying at a Sydney pub with his co-stars. The Triple M Breakfast Instagram account shared a photo on Tuesday showing Geyer enjoying a drink with co-stars Mick Molloy, Natarsha Belling, and Cat Lynch at the Burdekin Hotel in the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst. The foursome appeared in good spirits, smiling for the camera as they held celebratory cocktails. Geyer in particular looked as though he was ready for a good time, beaming as he posed with his after-work cocktail, wearing sunglasses indoors. Popular Triple M breakfast show star Mark 'MG' Geyer' enjoyed 'Monday knock-off drinks' with his co-stars Mick Molloy, Natarsha Belling, and Cat Lynch just two days before he was let go The Triple M Sydney breakfast show co-host was sensationally given the boot on Wednesday, according to the Daily Telegraph He wore a form-fitting black short sleeve shirt that was unbuttoned to expose his chest as well as a pair of black sunglasses. His celebratory aura suggests that Geyer had no idea of his impending fate despite the recent announcement that Molloy would be moving from Sydney back to his native Melbourne in 2025. 'Monday morning knock-off drinks, 2.0,' the photo was captioned. The former footy star was sensationally let go by Triple M this week. The NSW State of Origin legend and breakfast show co-host was reportedly given the bad news by his 'Melbourne boss' who travelled to Sydney to deliver it in person. Geyer was missing from Wednesday's show and his co-hosts Mick Molloy, Cat Lynch and Natarsha Belling made no mention of his absence. Southern Cross Austereo announced two weeks ago that Molloy would be returning to Melbourne to host that city's breakfast show in 2025. However plans for Geyer had not been announced by the network which has been undergoing quite the shake-up of late. The foursome appeared in good spirits, smiling for the camera as they held celebratory cocktails. Geyer is pictured with Triple M co-stars Natarsha Belling and Mick Molloy He joined Triple M's breakfast show in Sydney in 2022 alongside Lawrence Mooney, Jess Eva and Chris Page. Earlier this month, Triple M saw a massive shakeup at the network with Marty Sheargold stepping into a new role after vacating the breakfast slot in July. Sheargold, 53, will extend his national Marty Sheargold Show into the drive shift in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Currently, the show airs nationally from Monday to Friday, 3pm to 4pm. Listeners in these regions will now enjoy an additional two hours of the popular comedian's show from 4pm to 6pm. 'I'm looking forward to returning to the Drive shift for NSW and Queensland listeners in 2025 and giving them the extended version of the show,' Sheargold said in a statement. 'The commute home is a time to unwind and finish the day with a chat and a laugh, and that's exactly what I will be aiming to deliver.' Sheargold's shift into drive means a raft local shows will be axed in 2025. Earlier this month, Triple M saw a massive shakeup at the network with Marty Sheargold stepping into a new role after vacating the breakfast slot in July The Rush Hour, featuring Leisel Jones, Liam Flanagan, and Ben Dobbin, which airs in Queensland, will not be returning next year. Similarly, NSW's Rush Hour with Gus Worland and Jude Bolton will also be discontinued. The Adelaide and Perth Rush Hour teams will not be returning in 2025 either. The Rush Hour team, consisting of James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless, who are currently heard in Melbourne and Tasmania, will now also be broadcast in South and Western Australia, as well as on some Triple M regional stations in the southern states. Liesel Jones took to Instagram to share the news with her fans, posting a photo of the on-air trio. 'Well it was fun while it lasted,' she wrote. 'Sad news today that @triplem_rushhour with Leisel Jones, Liam and Dobbo won't go ahead in 2025. 'I've learnt a lot working this job and I've enjoyed the laughs,' the post continued. 'Our intention with this show was to always lift your drive home no matter what kind of day you've had. 'I hope we were able to bring a smile or laugh to your arvo. We'll see you round like a rissole. Until next time.' Sheargold added that he was committed to carrying on the local teams' legacies. 'I also wanted to thank the teams from the Sydney, Brisbane/Gold Coast and Queensland,' he said. '[They are] shows who have all had amazing stints and been hugely entertaining. I'm committed to carrying on their legacies.' The Rush Hour team of Brayshaw and Brownless, who are currently heard in Melbourne and Tasmania, will now also air in South and Western Australia and across some Triple M regional stations in the southern states. Charlie Hunnam looked unrecognizable as he transformed into serial killer Ed Gein for Ryan Murphy's new show. In the third season of the Netflix anthology series Monster, the 44-year-old actor will portray the notorious serial killer and body snatcher after the first two seasons faced widespread backlash. While on set of the production in Los Angeles, Hunnam transformed into Gein as he went for a clean shaven appearance. He appeared strikingly different from his usual and distinctive facial hair, as he sported a comb over hairstyle reminiscent of the infamous killer's look. While portraying the murderer, Hunnam was seen chatting with a police officer on set in his '50s inspired garb. Charlie Hunnam looked unrecognizable as he transformed into serial killer Ed Gein for Ryan Murphy's new show In the third season of the Netflix anthology series Monster, the 44-year-old actor will portray the notorious serial killer and body snatcher after the first two seasons faced widespread backlash. While on set of the production in Los Angeles, Hunnam transformed into Gein as he went for a clean shaven appearance The Sons of Anarchy star donned a brown and muted green, striped button-down, which he layered with a red, plaid worker's jacket. He donned brown, straight-leg trousers and a pair of distressed leather, lace-up boots. He was on set alongside his co-star, Vicky Krieps who donned a bright yellow dress with a blonde wig while on set. The Luxembourgish-German actress donned taupe-colored running sneakers and black, fingerless gloves. As she arrived on set, she had red paint on her cheek. After putting on her wig, she was seen walking around on set with her robe, a takeout container and her tote bag. At one point, she was seen strolling around with the hood of her long, maxi dress over her head. In between scenes, she was seen chatting with the cast and crew. She was in bright spirits as they played around on set. He appeared strikingly different from his usual and distinctive facial hair; pictured September in Malibu He sported a comb over hairstyle reminiscent of the infamous killer's look While portraying the murderer, Hunnam was seen chatting with a police officer on set in his '50s inspired garb. The Sons of Anarchy star donned a brown and muted green, striped button-down, which he layered with a red, plaid worker's jacket He donned brown, straight-leg trousers and a pair of distressed leather, lace-up boots He looked unrecognizable after undergoing the transformation for the chilling role of the infamous killer Unlike the role he was playing, Hunnam had a big smile on his face as he interacted with the cast and crew on the set when the cameras weren't rolling. He appeared to be in bright spirits while chatting with an officer While on set, he was friendly as he shook hands with people working on set and conversed with them The Sons of Anarchy star was seen strolling around on set. He kept his hands coolly in his pockets on the streets of Los Angeles where they were filming His thick hair as well as facial scruff were trimmed for the role He looked just like Gein with his hair in a gelled-down comb over Gein was a notorious American murderer and body snatcher who exhumed corpses. He would use the remains of his victims to create disturbing items, including furniture and clothing, leading to his arrest in 1957. Gein was nicknamed the Butcher of Plainfield and committed his crimes in the city of Wisconsin near his hometown where he grew up. The serial killer later died from lung cancer at age 77 on July 26, 1984 in a psychiatric hospital, where he had been held for nearly three decades since he was convicted. Murphy announced Hunnam's casting in the third season of the Monster anthology series back in September while promoting Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. He was on set alongside his co-star, Vicky Krieps who donned a bright yellow dress with a blonde wig while on set The Luxembourgish-German actress donned taupe-colored running sneakers and black, fingerless gloves. As she arrived on set, she had red paint on her cheek After putting on her wig, she was seen walking around on set with her robe, a takeout container and her tote bag At one point, she was seen strolling around with the hood of her long, maxi dress over her head In between scenes, she was seen chatting with the cast and crew. She was in bright spirits as they played around on set The second season was preceded by the first, which starred Evan Peters and was titled DAHMER: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. The upcoming season will also star Tom Hollander, Laurie Metcalf and Olivia Williams. Carl Franklin, who worked on both the first and second seasons of Monster, will be returning to direct this season. Murphy and Ian Brennan will remain executive producers. Filming kicked off last month and will continue for several months before the expected wrap date of March 31, 2025. As production is still ongoing, a release date for the third season of Monster has not yet been confirmed. Kacey Musgraves dazzled onlookers as she arrived at the 58th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday night. The seven-time Grammy Award-winner, 36, hit the red carpet in a busty blue denim frock decked out with sparkly jewels. Musgraves' show-stopping dress also featured long sleeves covered in fluffy ostrich feathers. She stood on tall nude-toned pumps as she struck pose after pose for the cameras. The Golden Hour hitmaker left her silky brunette hair down and opted for sexy brown eyeshadow for the night. Along with being up for three awards, Musgraves is slated to perform her single 'The Architect' off her latest album Deeper Well at Wednesday's ceremony. Kacey Musgraves dazzled onlookers as she arrived at the 58th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday night The seven-time Grammy Award-winner, 36, hit the red carpet in a busty blue denim frock decked out with sparkly jewels Deeper Well was nominated in the coveted Album Of The Year category. Kacey will battle it out against the likes of Lainey Wilson and Kelsea Ballerini in the Female Vocalist Of The Year category. And last but not least, her duet 'I Remember Everything' with Zach Bryan was nominated for Musical Event Of The Year. The duo lost out on the award to Ella Langley and Riley Green's 'You Look Like You Love Me.' Deeper Well is Kacey's sixth studio album and was released on March 15, 2024. It was the highly-anticipated follow-up to 2021's Star-Crossed. CMA Award nominations for the 2024 ceremony were announced in September. Controversial crooner Morgan Wallen is this year's most-nominated artist with seven nominations. Musgraves' show-stopping dress also featured long sleeves covered in fluffy ostrich feathers She stood on tall nude-toned pumps as she struck pose after pose for the cameras The Golden Hour hitmaker left her silky brunette hair down and opted for sexy brown eyeshadow for the night For a third year in a row, Wallen is up for both the top prize - Entertainer Of The Year - and the Male Vocalist categories. Following in second place are Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton, who both nabbed five nominations. Lainey Wilson and Post Malone are also both up for four nominations. Malone's nominations all come from his collaboration with Wallen, I Had Some Help. I Had Some Help has been nominated for single, song, musical event and music video of the year. Musgraves, Louis Bell, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins and Jelly Roll are all up for three awards. Beyonce, who released her full-length country album Country Carter this year, notably did not receive any nominations. Along with being up for three awards, Musgraves is slated to perform her single 'The Architect' off her latest album Deeper Well at Wednesday's ceremony Deeper Well was nominated in the coveted Album Of The Year category Earlier this year, the album hit No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart, making her the first Black woman to top the chart since its 1964 inception. The album was five years in the making, a direct result of what Beyonce has called 'an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed ... and it was very clear that I wasn't.' This was most likely a reference to a 2016 CMAs performance that resulted in racist backlash. The CMA Awards are nominated and voted on by members of the Country Music Association, which includes music executives, artists, publicists, songwriters and other industry professionals. Shaboozey fans have taken to social media to express frustration over Shaboozey losing in the Single of the Year category at the 2024 CMA Awards. The 29-year-old music artist who earlier this year was rumored to be romancing Emily Ratajkowski went up against Cody Johnson, Post Malone, Lainey Wilson and Chris Stapleton, who won for his song White Horse. It comes two days after the star's song A Bar Song (Tipsy) added an 18th week at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It's just one week away from tying with Lil Nas X's Old Town Road (featuring Billy Ray Cyrus) for longest number one hit. After his Single of the Year defeat, one fan wrote on X, 'They just snubbed Shaboozey #CMAs.' Another person added in all capital letters, 'Shaboozey got robbed on the first award!!! F**k the CMAs!!!' Shaboozey fans have taken to social media to express frustration over Shaboozey losing in the Single of the Year category at the 2024 CMA Awards After his Single of the Year defeat, one fan wrote on X, 'They just snubbed Shaboozey #CMAs' Shaboozey, born Collins Obinna Chibueze, arrived to the awards show in a mint green Western-inspired suit and black shirt, plus sparkly black footwear. Shaboozey's statement-making suit was adorned with black trim and embroidery throughout. It was personalized, with a portion of his name elaborately displayed on the back of his jacket. Later in the night he took the stage to perform his viral smash A Bar Song (Tipsy) and a new song called Highway. Upon receiving his first CMA Award nomination, Shaboozey relayed a message of appreciation to Beyonce, whose Cowboy Carter album he appeared on twice earlier this year. Taking to social media app X, he wrote, "Thank you Beyonce for opening a door for us, starting a conversation, and giving us one of the most innovative country albums of all time!' Chibueze, whose stage name is the phonetic spelling of his surname, was born to Nigerian immigrants. He told the Tennessean in April, 'Being from Virginia, you've got acts like Pharrell, Missy, and Timbaland, who do come from hip-hop. It comes two days after the star's song A Bar Song (Tipsy) added an 18th week at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Many disgruntled fans agreed that the star was 'robbed' The hitmaker showed off the details of his personalized getup, which featured his name on the back His beard was neatly trimmed and he added a pair of glossy black sunglasses to his fashion-forward outfit Shaboozey, born Collins Obinna Chibueze, is nominated for Single of the Year at Wednesday evening's ceremony He took the stage to perform his viral smash A Bar Song (Tipsy) and a new song called Highway 'And you also have that country history as well with Patsy Cline, the Carter Family and Emmylou Harris.' Country music's biggest night kicked off with a star-studded red carpet at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The awards show is hosted by Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, and airs live on ABC before streaming Thursday on Hulu. Music legend George Straight is the recipient of the night's Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to Shaboozey, performers included Chris Stapleton, Post Malone, Eric Church, Kelsea Ballerini, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, and Kacey Musgraves. Morgan Wallen is this year's most-nominated artist with an impressive seven nods. For a third year in a row, Wallen is up for two of the most coveted prizes entertainer of the year and male vocalist. Following in second place are Cody Johnson and Stapleton, who both scored five nominations. Lainey Wilson and Post Malone are also both up for four nominations. Malone's nominations all come from his collaboration with Wallen, I Had Some Help. Anne Hathaway has locked down her next film project, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's thriller Verity. The sketch comedy starturnedfilmmaker Michael Showalter (who helmed The Eyes Of Tammy Faye) is attached to direct, Deadline reported on Wednesday. The hotly anticipated Amazon MGM studios film comes on the heels of another Hoover adaptation, It Ends With Us, which was released in August and starred Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. But the news wasn't well received by fans on social media, most of whom seemed to be responding to Hoover's reputation for being a less-than-sterling prose stylist. Hoover's writing will reportedly be filtered through Nick Antosca, who wrote the current version of the screenplay. Anne Hathaway has locked down her next film project, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's thriller Verity, according to Deadline The Colleen Hoover thriller is about a writer who agrees to complete a series of novels after the original writer, Verity Crawford, suffers a mysterious accident He's just the latest to take a stab at the adaptation, after Hillary Seitz, Angela LaManna and Will Honley & April Maguire penned previous drafts of the screenplay. The film will be a reunion for Hathaway and Showalter, who directed her and co-wrote her film The Idea of You, which was released by Amazon earlier this year. According to Deadline, Verity focuses on a character named Lowen Ashleigh, who is a down-on-her-luck writer who gets an unexpected lifeline with a dream offer. Verity Crawford (played by Hathaway) is a massively successful thriller writer, but her husband Jeremy asks Lowen to finish the final books in an ongoing series that Verity began after she has a mysterious and seemingly debilitating accident. But once Lowen begins work at the couple's opulent estate, she discovered a unfinished manuscript that threatens to reveal dark secrets about Verity and her husband's pasts. The young writer is forced to continue her work for Jeremy while trying to determine if Verity's writings are merely fiction, or a disturbing warning from a dangerous woman. Verity, which is described as a 'psychosexual thriller,' was self-published by Hoover in 2018. The author, who holds the distinction of having the first self-published book to ever top the New York Times Best Seller list (2012's Hopeless), also self-published Verity in 2018, before it was bought by Grand Central Publishing in 2021 after it had already become its own sensation. Verity will be directed by Michael Showalter (The Eyes Of Tammy Faye), who previously directed Hathaway in The Idea Of You, released earlier this year; seen in March in Austin, Texas Even though Verity was a best seller, fans didn't seem excited for Hathaway to star in an adaptation of it due to Colleen Hoover's poor critical reputation; seen October 8 in NYC Hoover, who primarily writes romance and young adult fiction, has been lambasted by some critics for her writing style and alleged repeated use of plot cliches. Even though Verity was a best seller, fans didn't seem excited for Hathaway to star in an adaptation of it, and they expressed their displeasure on X (formerly Twitter). One fan included a clip of a woman writing an insult 'ur nasty and a b****' and jokingly attributed it to 'anne hathaway's agent.' Others thought a Colleen Hoover adaptation was beneath the Oscar-winning actress. 'anne hathaway you are queen of genovia you do not need to stoop to these levels,' wrote one fan. Another fan was even more blunt, writing, 'not even anne hathaway will convince me to watch anything with colleen f***ing hoover as a the blueprint [sic].' 'anne hathaway's come back about to be all these awful books shouldn't even see a daylight is real tragedy [sic],' bemoaned one post. After reading that Hathaway would be in an adaptation of Colleen Hoover novel, one person joked, 'anne hathaway in a what...' and included a humorous gif of SpongeBob SquarePants' Squidward with a twitching eye. One fan included a clip of a woman writing an insult 'ur nasty and a b****' and jokingly attributed it to 'anne hathaway's agent' Others thought a Colleen Hoover adaptation was beneath the Oscar-winning actress Another fan was even more blunt, writing, 'not even anne hathaway will convince me to watch anything with colleen f***ing hoover as a the blueprint [sic]' 'anne hathaway's come back about to be all these awful books shouldn't even see a daylight is real tragedy [sic],' bemoaned one post After reading that Hathaway would be in an adaptation of Colleen Hoover novel, one person joked, 'anne hathaway in a what...' and included a humorous gif of SpongeBob SquarePants' Squidward with a twitching eye One fan called for 'an investigation into why anne hathaway continues to attach herself to the worst book to movie adaptations' Some fans seemed to have given up hope for Hathaway's projects and weren't at all surprised by her choice to star in an adaptation of Verity Some fans managed to look on the bright side, with one person saying Verity could be Hathaway's 'Gone Girl' Another user called Verity 'the only good things that colleen hoover has ever put out' and said anne was 'perfect for lowen,' though she will reportedly be playing the title character instead One fan called for 'an investigation into why anne hathaway continues to attach herself to the worst book to movie adaptations.' Some fans seemed to have given up hope for Hathaway's projects and weren't at all surprised by her choice to star in an adaptation of Verity. '"anne hathaway this isn't you" not it is, it's exactly her I fear,' joked an X user. Some fans managed to look on the bright side. 'Hate this but Anne Hathaway finally has her own Gone Girl [heart emoji,]' one person wrote. Another user called Verity 'the only good things that colleen hoover has ever put out' and said anne was 'perfect for lowen,' though she will reportedly be playing the title character instead. Verity will reportedly be released in theaters, but a date has not been announced yet. Will & Grace star Sean Hayes recently had to be hospitalized twice in one night due to a recurring 'heart issue.' The actor, 54, suffers from atrial fibrillation often referred to as 'AFib' which is a common yet serious heart condition that causes an abnormal heartbeat. When AFib occurs, the upper chambers of the heart beat out of sync with the lower heart chambers, as per the Mayo Clinic. This can lead to shortness of breath or dizziness or more serious side effects like blood clots, stroke or heart failure. In an attempt to bring the heart back to a normal rhythm, medical professionals will use a defibrillator electrode to administer an electric shock to the chest. And on the latest episode of his SmartLess podcast with co-host Will Arnett, it was revealed that Hayes required emergency medical care after his heart condition woke him in the middle of the night. Will & Grace star Sean Hayes recently had to be hospitalized twice in one night due to a recurring 'heart issue'; seen in 2023 It was Arnett who made the admission after listening to guest Hugh Grant speak about his experience with 'jet-lag' and how exhausting flying has become for him at age 64. 'I can't do it anymore,' Grant said of the trek from his home in London to Los Angeles. 'I think that's another age thing. I woke up hours ago very, very hungry and felt like my heart is made of Play-Doh.' It was then that Arnett revealed Hayes' recent heart-related health scare. 'Hugh, you should know this that Sean, two, three nights ago, woke up in the middle of the night with a heart issue, drove himself to Cedars-Sinai [Medical Center]didn't wake up his husband,' the 54-year-old comedian said. Once Hayes made it to the hospital, the Cedars-Sinai team immediately 'brought the paddles out, they put him under [anesthesia]. They paddled them.' After that, Arnett said that Hayes 'drove home.' But an hour later, Hayes experienced the same 'heart issue' again and ended up driving himself back to the hospital. 'An hour later, he woke up to use the bathroom again and drove himself back to Cedars and got paddled again,' Arnett revealed. The actor, 54, suffers from atrial fibrillation commonly referred to as 'AFib' which is a common yet serious heart condition that causes an abnormal heartbeat; seen with Will & Grace co-stars Megan Mullally, Eric McCormack and Debra Messing in 2004 On the latest episode of his SmartLess podcast with co-host Will Arnett, it was revealed that Hayes required emergency medical care after his heart condition woke him in the middle of the night; Hayes seen in 2023 Hayes added: 'And then we had dinner that night.' 'So you're jet-lagged by comparison. And I'm not saying this to to make you feel bad ,' Arnett teased Grant, to which the Love Actually star replied: 'But no, you are and I just feel humiliated.' Hayes has spoken candidly about his battle with AFib in the past. While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2021, the star revealed that he regularly has to seek medical attention for the severe condition. 'I have AFib. So your heart beats [rapidly]. You feel like you're gonna die. So when I go to the ER at Cedars-Sinai, I'm like Norm from Cheers, because I'm in there all the time,' he explained. Having dealt with AFib for so many years, Hayes knows exactly what medics need to do to get his heart back on track. 'I know exactly what needs to be happening,' he said before relaying to the audience the spiel he typically gives hospital staff. '"Look, this is how this gonna go. You're gonna give me propofol. I'm gonna go out, you're gonna go, 'Clear,' and I'm gonna go home,"' he recounted. Hayes has spoken candidly about his battle with AFib in the past. While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2021, the star revealed that he regularly has to seek medical attention for the condition; seen in 2023 'And that's all this, because it snaps you back into regular rhythm.' Hayes is no stranger to health scares. He revealed to Ellen DeGeneres in 2017 that he once had to be rushed to the emergency room after experiencing 'excruciating pain in my stomach.' Once in hospital, Hayes learned that his small intestine had somehow burst open a health scare that's considered 'very rare.' 'I went to the ER and thank God I did. I had a very rare thing where my small intestine burst open, and it was poisoning my body,' Hayes told DeGeneres. 'And they went in there, and they clipped off the bad part and put it back together with like a chip clip,' he teased. He said that he had to be put on 'so many drugs' that make you feel 'high out of your mind.' Hayes became a household name in the late 90s and early 2000s while starring on the hit NBC sitcom Will & Grace. Hayes became a household name in the late 90s while starring on the hit NBC sitcom Will & Grace; seen with co-star Debra Messing The show focuses on the relationship between Will Truman (Eric McCormack), a gay lawyer, and his best friend Grace Adler (Debra Messing), a straight Jewish woman who runs an interior design firm. On the show, Hayes portrays Jack McFarland, a gay actor who is Will's best friend. Will & Grace originally aired on NBC for eight seasons from 1998-2006 before the network revived the show for three more seasons, which aired from 2017-2020. Both the original run and revival resulted in the show winning 18 Primetime Emmy Awards and the show's cast earning rave reviews and several accolades for their performances. For his portrayal of Jack McFarland, Hayes won one Primetime Emmy Award and four Screen Actors Guild ('SAG') Awards. Tammy Hembrow turned heads on Wednesday when she stepped out at Tommys Italian on the Gold Coast. The fitness influencer, 30, was all smiles as she attended Petal & Pup's Summer Soiree, which showcased the fashion brand's summer range. Tammy looked radiant on the day in a timeless lemon ensemble from the label. The TammyFit App creator went braless in a gorgeous vintage-inspired top featuring a chic V-neckline complemented by thick shoulder straps and lace trim. Meanwhile, a matching slip skirt skimmed smoothly over the model's famous curves. Tammy paired the outfit with champagne-coloured pumps. Tammy Hembrow turned heads on Wednesday when she stepped out at Tommys Italian on the Gold Coast. Pictured The fitness influencer, 30, was all smiles as she attended Petal & Pup 's Summer Soiree, which showcased the fashion brand's summer range She went for a bronze look for her makeup and wore her blonde locks down for the occasion. Tammy's sister Starlette Thynne also attended the event. The brunette beauty was a vision in white in a sleeveless dress that featured a cinched in waist and button-down-the-front detailing. Starlette wore her raven locks in a centre part and kept her makeup to a minimum, opting to let her natural beauty shine through. Tammy's sister Starlette Thynne also attended the event. The brunette beauty was a vision in white in a sleeveless dress that featured a cinched in waist and button-down-the-front detailing. Pictured Starlette wore her raven locks in a centre part and kept her makeup to a minimum, opting to let her natural beauty shine through Tammy playfully posed up a storm at the event for her adoring online followers Bouquets of flowers greeted guests upon arrival No expense was spared at Petal & Pup's Summer Soiree Tammy attended the event ahead of her upcoming wedding to Matt Zukowski. She recently revealed the one thing she does not trust her fiance with when it comes to their nuptials. Tammy joined her fiance, 29, on his Where's Your Head At podcast with co-host Anna McEvoy, and admitted she initially worried about Matt's vows. The admission came when Anna asked Matt if he had finished writing his vows and the soon-to-be groom revealed he turned to Google for inspiration. 'I don't know how any other dude does it, but I Googled how to structure them,' Matt revealed. 'I got really overwhelmed, so I'm going to go over it with the celebrant.' Tammy then chimed to admit she was 'worried' about what he would come up with. 'We did a questionnaire with our celebrant,' Tammy said. 'I've been a little bit worried about Matt's vows. Are they going to be romantic?' After Matt protested he was romantic, Tammy agreed, adding that her concerns over Matt's vow-writing abilities were unfounded. 'You are very romantic but I had no idea how it was going to go,' Tammy told her fiance. 'We went through some of the questions and his answers were so sweet I literally wanted to cry,' she added. 'I have nothing to worry about this man is the sweetest.' Matt clarified the situation, saying, 'It's not so much what I'm actually going to say, it's how to structure it.' Tammy also admitted that her vows make her tear up every time she reads them. 'Every single time I've looked at them I've bawled my eyes out crying, so I feel like we could be both up there crying,' she said. Tammy has been engaged twice before, the first time to influencer Reece Hawkins, who she shares her son Wolf and daughter Saskia with. In November 2021, the fitness guru became engaged to restaurateur and former Ironman Matt Poole. The pair split in December 2022 and share daughter Posy, two. 'Hot Purple Wiggle' John Pearce and his wife Jessie Adamo are counting down the days until they welcome their first child into the world. And the couple have marked their final days of Jessie's pregnancy by posing up a storm for a very loved-up photoshoot ahead of her due date next month. In the stunning shots, taken by Anemotion Photography, John cosied up to Jessie as he cradled his head against her growing stomach and showered her with kisses. The former Justice Crew member, 33, cut a casual figure in a white vest top and washed-out denim jeans, before changing into an all-white ensemble to match his wife. Jessie, who is expecting their first child, put her baby bump on full display in a black bralet and casual shorts while John was seen kissing her stomach. She then changed into a white tank top and loose flowing cream trousers as she once again cuddled up to her doting husband. 'Hot Purple Wiggle' John Pearce and his wife Jessie Adamo are counting down the days until they welcome their first child and have marked the final days of pregnancy with a photoshoot In the stunning photographs, John, 33, was seen cosying up to Jessie as he cradled his head against her growing stomach and showered her with kisses The parents-to-be also cradled one another as they curled up on the ground with their fingers intertwined over her stomach and their eyes closed, as if sleeping. Another sweet shot showed Jessie flash a wide, beaming grin as she stood with her hands resting on the top of her bump while John embraced her and did the same. 'Not long to go now, we are counting down the days,' John captioned his post to Instagram on Wednesday, where he shared the gorgeous shots with his fans. Their baby boy is due in December, meaning they have only have a matter of weeks left before the birth. John and Jessie, who tied the knot in 2019, announced they were expecting their first child back in June in a heartwarming Instagram post. The announcement featured a touching video of the emotional moment they discovered Jessie was pregnant, and they confirmed they are set to have a baby boy. 'It has been a long journey but our beautiful angel has finally been sent to us,' they captioned the post. 'We are so full of joy and can't wait to meet you - baby Adamo Pearce due Dec 2024.' In one shot, the parents-to-be cradled one another as they curled up on the ground with their fingers intertwined over her stomach and their eyes closed, as if sleeping Jessie, who is pregnant with their first child, put her baby bump on full display in a black bralet and casual shorts while John was seen kissing her stomach John and Jessie's post was inundated with well wishers, with a message from The Wiggles taking centre stage. 'We're all so happy to see The Wiggles' family expanding,' began the beloved group's official statement. 'John and Jessie are a wonderful couple, and we can't wait to welcome their baby into our Wiggles world. 'It will be a full house by Christmas we may need to look at getting an even bigger Red Car!' They have since shared regular updates on their baby journey on social media, from the initial ultrasound, to a baby shower and a luxurious 'babymoon' in Fiji last month. John and Jessie started dating in 2012, just two years after his dance-pop group Justice Crew shot to fame following their Australia's Got Talent win. They tied the knot in a private ceremony in October 2019, with their fifth anniversary together coming up at the end of this year. The children's entertainer then picked up his purple skivvy and joined The Wiggles in 2021. Lizzo bought Jeremy Renner's Hollywood Hills mansion in Los Angeles shortly after he put his home up for sale. The 36-year-old rapper reportedly purchased the six-bedroom and nine-bathroom house located in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood for a whopping $12.4 million late last month, according to TMZ. Back in August, Renner who was the picture of health while filming Knives Out 3 in Essex over the summer put the mansion up for sale with a ticket price of $13 million. Even though the home ended up being purchased for less than his original listing price, he still earned a substantial profit with the sale. The Hawkeye star, 53, previously purchased the property for $4 million back in 2012 before making major renovations worth about $5.5 million. The house which is where Renner recovered after his near-fatal snowplow accident in Reno, Nevada back in 2023 boasts 8,000 square footage with ample outdoor space and a massive driveway. Lizzo has snapped up Jeremy Renner's Hollywood Hills mansion in Los Angeles shortly after he put his home up for sale. The Hawkeye star, 53, previously purchased the property for $4 million back in 2012 before making major renovations worth about $5.5 million The home features a Zen interior designed with a mid-century retreat as the vision in mind. The spacious property features a gourmet kitchen as well as a recording studio perfect for the Juice hitmaker. One area of the massive ground floor area is a luxurious bar. There are luxurious suites including the primary suite with breathtaking canyon views. The penthouse suite features a massive patio space for lounging in the sun. From the other side, each of the other bedrooms also open up to a patio overlooking the stunning views of the canyon. The master bathroom is expansive and features a vanity in addition to a standalone tub with a mesmerizing view into nature just outside of the massive window. The 36-year-old rapper reportedly purchased the six-bedroom and nine-bathroom house located in the Laurel Canyon neighborhood for a whopping $12.4 million late last month, according to TMZ Back in August, Renner put the mansion up for sale with a ticket price of $13 million. Even though the home ended up being purchased for less than his original listing price, he still earned a substantial profit with the sale The house which is where Renner recovered after his near-fatal snowplow accident in Reno, Nevada back in 2023 boasts 8,000 square footage with ample outdoor space and a massive driveway The home features a Zen interior designed with a mid-century retreat as the vision in mind There are multiple, luxurious entertaining and living spaces across the modern property Between the lush outdoors and the cozy interior lies Fleetwood doors for seamless living and ample sunlight The spacious property features a gourmet kitchen The luxurious kitchen features chic marble countertops and windows along the ceiling for bright lighting Between the lush outdoors and the cozy interior lies Fleetwood doors for seamless living and ample sunlight. The backyard also has a resort-style pool with lush waterfalls perfect for hosting gatherings. The stunning property has also been eco-prepped and has solar panels installed on the rooftop. Back in October 25, it was revealed that Renner sold the home but the identity of the buyer was still unknown. At the time, Renner took to Instagram to share a photo of his daughter as he marked a new chapter in their lives. One area of the massive ground floor area is a luxurious bar There is also a recording studio perfect for the Juice hitmaker There are luxurious suites including the primary suite with breathtaking canyon views The penthouse suite features a massive patio space for lounging in the sun From the other side, each of the other bedrooms also open up to a patio overlooking the stunning views of the canyon The bedrooms open up to the outdoor spaces The master bathroom is expansive and features a vanity in addition to a standalone tub with a mesmerizing view into nature just outside of the massive window The backyard also has a resort-style pool with lush waterfalls perfect for hosting gatherings. Their isi also a movie theater-inspired room for cozy nights in The stunning property has also been eco-prepped and has solar panels installed on the rooftop The home holds sentimental value as it is not only where he recuperated following his accident but also where he raised his daughter Ava, now 11. Alongside a throwback photo of his daughter lying on the couch, he wrote a meaningful caption. 'When dad sells your childhood home,' he began. 'Paving new paths and making new memories together is always scary, but when the deeply profound love we share is our foundation, we can forge through any place with grace. 'My blessing and gratitude to share our home together with family and friends,' he wrote. Tammy Hembrow's fiance Matt Zukowski has been brutally mocked online for his latest sponsored post announcing his 'partnership' with a tattoo numbing cream. The Love Island Australia identity, 29, shared a video to Instagram on Thursday which showed him getting a tiny cursive script tattoo above his left knee after applying the cream. Matt had the words 'Always and forever' tattooed in Tammy's loopy handwriting at La Femme (French for woman) tattoo shop at Mermaid Beach in Queensland. It is Tammy's tattoo parlour of choice, where she had the names of her three children in August last year. 'I wanted to get a tattoo to dedicate my love to my fiancee,' he began in the video. 'But the pain, I was not about.' Swelling piano music played over the montage, which Matt narrated, as he read from a PR script by the good folks at 'Australia's number one numbing cream'. Tammy Hembrow 's fiance Matt Zukowski has been brutally mocked online for his latest sponsored post announcing his 'partnership' with a tattoo numbing cream The Love Island Australia identity, 29, shared a video to Instagram on Thursday which showed him getting a tiny cursive script tattoo above his left knee after applying the cream Matt had the words 'Always and forever' tattooed in Tammy's loopy handwriting at La Femme (French for woman) tattoo shop at Mermaid Beach in Queensland 'I wanted to enjoy this sentimental moment and not think about the sting of the tattoo - so I have partnered with Numit numbing cream,' Matt said. In the caption, Matt wrote, 'In the lead up to the wedding Numit cream was my savor', misspelling the word saviour. Fitness influencer Tammy's 17.3million fans were quick to flood the comments section on the post with hilarious reactions. 'Numbing cream, for THAT? LOL' one wrote. 'That is the most unmanly thing I have ever seen,' another woman added. 'The cream costs more than the tattoo,' wrote a third, with some laugh-crying emojis. 'Getting a tattoo for a paid cream ad?' another questioned. The social media manager for Numit boldly delved into the fray to write: 'Love is strong, but Numit numbing cream is stronger!' Congrats to the two of you!' The tiny tattoo took just minutes to ink on Matt's thigh The tiny tattoo took just minutes to ink on Matt's thigh. The Balinese tattoo parlour, known for its delicate fine line tattoos, has a sister shop for men called Homme. Matt demonstrated how he was wrapping his leg in cling wrap to cover the finger-length tattoo and 'provide up to two hours of numbing action'. At the tattoo shop, influencer Tammy scrawled out her words of choice onto a piece of paper for the tattoo artist to ink onto her beau forever. 'This means you can enjoy the experience and focus on what the tattoo means and not how it feels,' he concluded in the video. The couple are due to wed in November in Byron Bay, with their dash down the aisle set to take place within the next week. Tammy, 30, has more than a dozen tattoos herself. In 2020, she showcased her extensive body of work in a YouTube clip that 'toured' her 13 different tattoos. That includes a large and faded rose tattoo on her torso that she got when she was 16 or 17, the birth date of her son Wolf on her ribs, and her daughter Saskia's name on the inside of her arm. Tammy also has a small pair of angel wings on her back, a star behind her ear, and a tattoo of the year she met her best friend on her finger - which she claims has worn off. In November 2023, just months after starting her relationship with Matt, she had the name Matt tattooed on her inner thigh during a holiday with him in Maldives. It is unknown if the inking was new or if she got it as a tribute to her ex-boyfriend, Matt Poole, with whom she shares her youngest daughter Posy. Pip Edwards proved she was her own best advertisement on Thursday when she modelled a beige ensemble by her fashion label Ksubi. The designer, 44, who recently landed the role of Creative Director at the Sydney brand, flashed her toned abs at the 2024 Australian Fashion Laureate. Leading arrivals to the event, held at Sydney Opera House, the P.E Nation co-founder slipped into a halter neck crop top and wide-legged jeans which sat low on her hips. The blonde beauty opted to cover up with a beige coat when the weather grew chilly and accessorised with a pair of pointed pumps. Slicking her tresses back into her usual bun, Pip highlighted her natural beauty with a glowing base and light smoky eye. She finished off her look with a few gold bangles and some dangling pearlescent earrings. Pip Edwards, 44, (pictured) proved she was her own best advertisement on Thursday when she modelled a beige ensemble by her fashion label Ksubi The designer who recently landed the role of Creative Director at the Sydney brand, flashed her toned abs at the 2024 Australian Fashion Laureate Leading arrivals to the event, held at Sydney Opera House, the P.E Nation co-founder slipped into a halter neck crop top and wide-legged jeans which sat low on her hips Jessica Gomes followed closely behind in an all-white look. The Australian model, 39, opted for a quilted skirt and matching oversized vest as she attended the fashion awards. She paired the ensemble with a set of metallic pink square-toed heels and let her genetically blessed features shine through a natural makeup look. Jessica then mussed up her long dark locks and let them tumble over her shoulders, contrasting against the stark white of her outfit. Montana Cox put on a leggy display in a grey mini dress. The low-cut frock pulled in at the waist before flaring out into a structured skirt, with a halter neck adding the the A-line silhouette. Montana, 31, proved why she was once a winner of Australia's Next Top Model as she effortlessly modelled her black sling-back heels and matching handbag. The runway star then slicked her brunette tresses back into a very sleek bun with barely a lick of makeup in sight. Jessica Gomes, 39, (pictured) followed closely behind in an all-white look The Australian model opted for a quilted skirt and matching oversized vest as she attended the fashion awards Montana Cox, 31, (pictured) put on a leggy display in a grey mini dress The low-cut frock pulled in at the waist before flaring out into a structured skirt, with a halter neck adding the the A-line silhouette Elsewhere, French-Australian model Inka Williams arrived in a black dress which featured long sleeves. Fashion designer Carla Zampatti's daughter Bianca Spender made an appearance alongside Alex Schuman, the CEO of her mother's company. Lesleigh Jermanus, the co-founder and creative director of ALEMAIS, stepped out in a brown frock embroidered with various sea creatures. Beare Park director Gabriella Pereira slipped into a sheer off-the-shoulder look with a pair of high-waisted black slacks. Nagnata co-owner and art director Hannah Stenmark was also in attendance with pregnant founder Laura May. Elsewhere, French-Australian model Inka Williams (pictured) arrived in a black dress which featured long sleeves Fashion designer Carla Zampatti's daughter Bianca Spender (left) made an appearance alongside Alex Schuman (right), the CEO of her mother's company Lesleigh Jermanus (pictured), the co-founder and creative director of ALEMAIS, stepped out in a brown frock embroidered with various sea creatures Beare Park director Gabriella Pereira (pictured) slipped into a sheer off-the-shoulder look with a pair of high-waisted black slacks Alec Baldwin was seen walking through New York City on Wednesday, mere hours after skipping the premiere of his controversial film Rust in Poland. The 66-year-old actor wore a tense expression as he strolled near Chelsea Piers far removed from the Rust premiere, where the audience gasped at a scene eerily mirroring the on-set tragedy in which Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Vultures Nick Newman described the chilling moment in his review: 'The first time a trigger is pulled in Rust, it clicks on an empty barrel; the second leads to a characters accidental death, engendering a full-bore gasp from premiere attendees.' He went on to note that it was nearly impossible to view Rust without recalling Baldwins involvement in the shooting tragedy. Baldwin's NYC sighting comes on the heels of criticism he received from Hutchins' mother, who publicly slammed him ahead of the Rust world premiere in Poland, marking three years since the fatal on-set incident. Hutchins' mother Olga Solovey told THR she will not be attending and lambasted Baldwin for 'increasing my pain.' Alec Baldwin was seen walking through New York City on Wednesday, mere hours after skipping the premiere of his controversial film Rust in Poland The 66-year-old actor wore a tense expression as he strolled near Chelsea Piers far removed from the Rust premiere, where the audience gasped at a scene eerily mirroring the on-set tragedy in which Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins 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. '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 Halyna is said to have campaigned to the director early in production to screen the film at Camerimage, which honors international cinematographers. Festival director Marek 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. Alec Baldwin has been slammed by Halyna Hutchins' mother ahead of the Rust world premiere in Poland on Wednesday - three years after the shooting on set Production on the Western was paused in October 2021 when a prop gun being held by Baldwin, 66, discharged, killing Halyna, who was just 42, and injuring director Joel Souza, but the movie ultimately wrapped filming in May 2023 - Hutchins pictured 2019 '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 in August 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. Alongside staging the world premiere, festival organizers will hold a panel discussion featuring Souza, cinematographer Bianca Cline who took over the project, and Halyna's mentor Stephen Lighthill after the screening. Baldwin is understood to have not been invited to the event due to fears his presence would overshadow the premiere. It will see the trio discuss events surrounding the movie and how production continued with Bianca following Halyna's death, as well as talk about the role of women in cinematography and safety on film sets. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film's armorer, was jailed for 18 months in April after being found guilty of charges connected to the incident. Rust resumed filming and finished its shoot in May 2023, saying in an Instagram post marking its completion: 'It's been a long and difficult road. But we reach the end of the trail today.' Rust is set to premiere at the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Film Festival in Torun, Poland on Wednesday, November 20 - but Hutchins' mother Olga Solovey (pictured 2023) told THR she will not be attending and lambasted Baldwin for 'increasing my pain' Earlier this month, a judge upheld an involuntary manslaughter conviction against the movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, in the fatal shooting of Hutchins. 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, 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 Marlowe 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. Earlier this month, a judge upheld an involuntary manslaughter conviction against the movie's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed (seen in April 2024), in the fatal shooting of Hutchins Gutierrez-Reed is currently serving her sentence at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility 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. Baldwin, meanwhile, saw his involuntary manslaughter case dismissed in July. 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 's parents Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych and sister Svetlana Zemko, spoke out after involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor were sensationally dropped in July. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer threw out the case 'with prejudice' meaning Baldwin can never be tried again on the same charges after it was revealed that prosecutors withheld vital evidence. Allred said: 'He should just have the human decency to say 'I'm sorry' in a phone call or FaceTime to the parents. Baldwin, Hutchins and armorer Gutierrez-Reed are circled on the set of Rust alongside fellow cast members and staffers '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.' Yesterday, the actor made his first public comment since the case was thrown out, writing on Instagram: 'There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now. To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family.' Hollywood insiders say he now stands to make millions in book, movie and interview deals. Selena Gomez enjoyed a brief reprieve from her hectic Emilia Perez press run on Wednesday as she stepped out in LA for a dinner date with Benny Blanco. The billionaire, 32, and the music producer, 36, were seen leaving the San Vicente Bungalows, a members-only club in West Hollywood, with their entourage. Gomez led the way as she and Blanco made their way out the exit doors and headed towards the valet. The cozy sighting comes after Gomez revealed whether or not she sees a 'future' with Blanco. For their night out, Gomez looked effortlessly chic in a black velvet blazer that she wore over a skintight black top. She styled it with wide-legged jeans and shiny patent leather stiletto heels. Selena Gomez enjoyed a brief reprieve from her hectic Emilia Perez press run on Wednesday as she stepped out in LA for a dinner date with Benny Blanco The Disney Channel alum rocked her go-to winged eyeliner and nude lip combo. As for Blanco, the musician who has worked with Katy Perry, Rihanna and Gomez's ex Justin Bieber wore a button-up top with a bold, colorful print. He completed her head turning outfit with burgundy velvet pants and black leather dress shoes. The couple were joined by two security guards who helped them navigate past the fans and photographers waiting outside. Gomez has been dating Blanco since June 2023 but she didn't go public with their romance until that December. At the time, she used Instagram to confirm to fans that she'd been secretly dating Blanco for six months. Since then, Blanco and Gomez have not been shy about flaunting their relationship in public and online. She often shares love-up pictures with the Teenage Dream producer and he's accompanied her to several major red carpet events including the 2024 Emmy Awards. The billionaire, 32, and the music producer, 36, were seen leaving the San Vicente Bungalows, a members-only club in West Hollywood, with their entourage The cozy sighting comes after Gomez revealed whether or not she sees a 'future' with Blanco; the couple seen in October Blanco recently dished on their 'crazy' first date while appearing on Kai Cenat's Twitch stream on Tuesday. He revealed that it was Gomez who made the first move. 'She asked me out. It was crazy, it was crazy. She literally asked me... like we were just talking, and then she said, "You wanna get dinner?" And I went to the dinner, and I had no idea,' he explained. Blanco said he wasn't 'nervous' for the date because he already knew Gomez on a personal and professional level. 'No [I wasn't nervous], 'cause I've been friends with her for years. We've been friends for like 10 years plus, maybe 15,' he told Cenat. 'I met her when she was like a friend. I met her when she was so much younger. We're close in age, but like we were just talking, and then she was like, "Oh, let's go get dinner tomorrow." 'And I was like, "I'm going to this thing with my friends, why don't you come hang out with me first, then we'll go link for dinner."' Blanco said he and Gomez got drinks but that he didn't immediately realize that he was on a date by the Rare Beauty founder. Gomez has been dating Blanco since June 2023 but she didn't go public with their romance until that December; the couple seen in September 'This is the safest I've ever felt in [a relationship], and I see a future with this person,' Gomez told The Hollywood Reporter this week 'I didn't even realize we were on a date. And she was like, "I would've worn something different to this date." And I was like, "Wait, what? We're on a date?" I had no idea. No idea we were on a date,' he said. 'She left early because she had to go somewhere to film a video the next day, and then we hung out like two days later, and then I was like, "Yo, I think she likes me." And then I literally just kissed her, and the rest is history.' He proceeded to gush over Gomez, who said is his 'best friend' who he loves to spend 'every day' with. Gomez also recently spoke about the potential for a future with Blanco during a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter that was published Wednesday. The actress has had a slew of high-profile romances from fellow Disney Channel star Nick Jonas to her nearly decade-long on/off relationship with Justin Bieber. But she said that Blanco is the one man who has made her feel the 'safest.' 'This is the safest I've ever felt in [a relationship], and I see a future with this person,' she told the outlet. The security Blanco provides has made her more comfortable with posting photos and videos of them online for her fans to see. Gomez has been working the spotlight lately as she promotes her buzzy new film Emilia Perez; Gomez seen in the Spanish-language film Gomez told THR this week that making the transition from singing to acting has given her 'sanity'; seen on November 19 'And when you put a little bit out there, people are not as hungry to hunt you down,' Gomez noted. Despite being an A-list star, Gomez said that she still manages to have 'a private life' and prefers to hang out with 'people who aren't really in the business that much.' She also quipped that she has become skilled at laying low, or attempting to go incognito, on date nights by obscuring her face behind a scarf to avoid being photographed. However, Gomez has been working the spotlight lately as she promotes her buzzy new film Emilia Perez. The Spanish-language musical comedy follows a cartel leader (Karla Sofia Gascon) who pretends to die in order to undergo a gender transition into a woman. It premiered at theCannes Film Festival to a burst of acclaim, including a joint best actress prize for Gomez, Gascon, Zoe Saldana and their castmate Adriana Paz. After a limited theater release in the US and Canada in November 1, the movie bowed on Netflix this Wednesday to a warm response from the critics. Gomez told THR this week that making the transition from singing to acting has given her 'sanity.' She also said that she'd enjoyed the Emilia Perez press tour as reporters have avoided pestering her about her personal life. 'Every interview I've done for this movie, there's not been one personal question asked, and I've wanted to kiss every single reporter in the mouth and just say, "Thank you, because it's been so refreshing," and I think that that's a space that is safer for me,' Gomez said. Paul Mescal looked fantastic in a deep green suit at the New York City premiere of Gladiator II on Wednesday night. The 28-year-old Irish actor who just met his doppelganger wore his double-breasted suit jacket unbuttoned and layered a nude-toned shirt underneath. His sharp look was punctuated with a pair of shiny, black, leather dress shoes and he looked typically handsome with his hair cut into a neat, trendy mullet. The Normal People star wore a single long, gold chain around his neck, which was accented with a small, round pendant. He was joined at the premiere by co-stars Connie Nielsen, 59, and Fred Hechinger, 24. Fred was similarly dressed in a three-piece olive green suit while Connie brought femininity to a dark gray suit of her own. Paul Mescal looked fantastic in a deep green suit at the New York City premiere of Gladiator II on Wednesday night He was joined at the premiere by co-stars Connie Nielsen (middle), 59, and Fred Hechinger (left), 24 The trio coordinated in similar styles at the star-studded red carpet event Paul recently revealed the unexpected advice director Ridley Scott gave him before filming his first Gladiator II scenes. He plays Lucius in the epic and said that he didn't fear taking the torch from Russell Crowe, who won an Oscar for his role in the 2000 original. But the actor did say he was left asking himself 'what the f*** does that mean' following the 86-year-old filmmaker's cryptic tip. Speaking with the Hollywood Authentic, Mescal recalled, 'He comes up, smoking a cigar, and he slaps me on the back, and goes: Just remember, your nerves are no good to me. 'I was like What the f**k does that mean? What I took from it was: This isnt about you. So whatever legacy the film is taking, youre actually doing it a disservice if you cant wear that. Its bigger than us all making the film. Just go make the film.' Paul also shared what nickname castmate Pedro Pascal gave him after he underwent intense training to get in shape for the role 'Paul the wall.' Amid promotion for the film, which hits theaters November 22, Ridley dished on his plans for a third installment. 'I've written 12 pages,' he divulged to The Times before confirming he has also started drawing storyboards. The sequel stars Paul and Denzel Washington and has been lauded by critics as 'watchable and spectacular.' Mescal pictured with Will Welch, GQ Editor-in-Chief The actors engaged in a panel discussion after the screening The screening was held at AMC Lincoln Square Theater. Paul listened intently during the conversation with his castmates And Scott also explained why Irish actor Barry Keoghan had to bow out of appearing in the anticipated feature. 'Barry got locked into Saltburn,' he shared with the New York Times. Complimenting Keoghan on his blockbuster, Ridley shared, 'I think thats maybe the best film Ive seen this year.' He continued, 'Anyway, Barry is one of the good ones, the same level as Joaquin Phoenix and and Paul.' The renowned director gushed that 'Barry is so complex and actually has it under control.' 'I know hes a bit of a challenge, but hes worth it. Like deciding on Joaquin, its worth it,' he admitted. Paul Mescal cut a typically stylish figure as he arrived for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New York City on Wednesday night amid his relentless Gladiator II press tour. The actor, 28, wore a trendy logo T-shirt and grey coat as he headed to the studios for his interview about the new film. He stars alongside Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal in the Ridley-Scott directed blockbuster which has received rave reviews. Paul completed his look with a pair of light blue denim jeans and black leather boots as he waved to fans outside the talk show. He has been travelling all over the world amid the hectic press tour for the film which came out last week in the UK. Paul Mescal cut a typically stylish figure as he arrived for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in New York City on Wednesday night amid his relentless Gladiator II press tour The actor, 28, wore a trendy logo T-shirt and grey coat as he headed to the studios for his interview about the new film Paul looked fantastic in a deep green suit at the New York City premiere of the film earlier on Wednesday night. The star recently revealed the unexpected advice director Ridley gave him before filming his first Gladiator II scenes. He plays Lucius in the epic and said that he didn't fear taking the torch from Russell Crowe, who won an Oscar for his role in the 2000 original. But the actor did say he was left asking himself 'what the f*** does that mean' following the 86-year-old filmmaker's cryptic tip. Speaking with the Hollywood Authentic, Mescal recalled, 'He comes up, smoking a cigar, and he slaps me on the back, and goes: 'Just remember, your nerves are no good to me.' 'I was like 'What the f**k does that mean?' What I took from it was: 'This isn't about you. So whatever legacy the film is taking, you're actually doing it a disservice if you can't wear that. It's bigger than us all making the film. Just go make the film.'' Paul also shared what nickname castmate Pedro Pascal gave him after he underwent intense training to get in shape for the role 'Paul the wall.' Amid promotion for the film, Ridley dished on his plans for a third installment. Paul completed his look with a pair of light blue denim jeans and black leather boots as he waved to fans outside the talk show He has been travelling all over the world amid the hectic press tour for the film which came out last week in the UK He stars alongside Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal in the Ridley-Scott directed blockbuster which has received rave reviews The star recently revealed the unexpected advice director Ridley gave him before filming his first Gladiator II scenes 'I've written 12 pages,' he divulged to The Times before confirming he has also started drawing storyboards. The sequel stars Paul and Denzel and has been lauded by critics as 'watchable and spectacular.' And Scott also explained why Irish actor Barry Keoghan had to bow out of appearing in the anticipated feature. 'Barry got locked into Saltburn,' he shared with the New York Times. Complimenting Keoghan on his blockbuster, Ridley shared, 'I think that's maybe the best film I've seen this year.' He continued, 'Anyway, Barry is one of the good ones, the same level as Joaquin Phoenix and and Paul.' The renowned director gushed that 'Barry is so complex and actually has it under control.' 'I know he's a bit of a challenge, but he's worth it. Like deciding on Joaquin, it's worth it,' he admitted. Ralph Macchio has said receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame 'means the world to me'. The actor, 63, is best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid (1984) and it's two sequels. He now reprises the role on the Sony TV series Cobra Kai. Ralph appeared at the Los Angeles ceremony alongside his co-stars William Zabka and Tamlyn Tomita. His star was unveiled next to his late Karate Kid co-star Pat Morita who played the beloved Mr Miyagi. During his speech, Ralph said: 'To have this star placed right next to my acting partner from that film, the great Pat Morita, is so meaningful to me, so powerful to me. 'Our partnership is something I always described as a soulful magic of The Karate Kid films, and he is still here today blessing all these stories that are moving forward. I can feel him here. Ralph Macchio has said receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame 'means the world to me' The actor, 63, is best known for his role as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid (1984) and it's two sequels. He now reprises the role on the Sony TV series Cobra Kai Ralph appeared at the Los Angeles ceremony alongside his co-star William Zabka 'It is only fitting I shall remain Miyagi-adjacent until the end of time,' he joked. 'The fact that that was part of the decision in putting us together, it means the world to me.' William Zabka, who plays Johnny Lawrence in the franchise, dressed in a Karate Kid costume to sign autographs for fans ahead of the ceremony. He recalled meeting Ralph at auditions for the original film, saying: 'From day one he was a big star and a big talent, but he was Ralph. 'He was so grounded and so easy to be withAfter all these years he hasn't changed one bit' 'He kicked his way into our hearts in the 1984 movie and literally right through my face. 'How do you measure a friendship and a relationship of four decades, it is a gift that we get to keep doing this togetherI love him like a brother.' Raph was also joined by his wife Phyllis and their children Daniel and Julia His star was unveiled next to his late Karate Kid co-star Pat Morita who played the beloved Mr Miyagi Ralph said: 'To have this star placed right next to my acting partner from that film, the great Pat Morita, is so meaningful to me (L-R Sarah Zurell, guest, Tamlyn Tomita, Ralph, William Zabka, and Steve Nissen) Ralph's big break came when he was cast in Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film The Outsiders, followed by The Karate Kid the next year. He has also appeared in films including My Cousin Vinny and Naked In New York while he has also had recurring roles on shows like Ugly Betty and The Deuce. Ralph has been married to Phyllis Fierro since 1987 and the couple have two children, Daniel and Julia. Zara McDermott stuns wearing the latest collection from her clothing brand Rise, which is available to buy now on New Look's website. The Love Island star turned documentary maker, 27, models the new Rise Black Label range, flashing a hint of her toned, tanned legs in a matching two-piece pyjama set. She cosies up in the luxury loungewear, later sporting a sweatshirt and relaxed jogging bottoms as well as black leggings, perfect for running errands and fitness classes. Following the success of her debut collection with Tesco's F&F, Zara has further expanded her brand, introducing elevated ready-to-wear clothing and fashionable staples in an easy-to-match neutral colour palette. Zara, whose boyfriend Sam Thompson is currently in Australia co-hosting the new I'm A Celebrity spin-off show Unpacked, was supported by her mother, brother and close friends, as well as some familiar faces, at a London event on Wednesday, where she showcased the new pieces. Zara McDermott stuns wearing the latest collection from her clothing brand Rise, which is available to buy now on New Look's website The Love Island star turned documentary maker models the new Rise Black Label range, flashing a hint of her toned stomach in a matching two-piece Following the success of her debut collection with Tesco's F&F, Zara has further expanded her brand, introducing elevated ready-to-wear clothing and fashionable staples Zara, whose boyfriend Sam Thompson is in Australia co-hosting the new I'm A Celebrity spin-off show Unpacked, was supported by family and friends at a London event on Wednesday Love Is Blind UK contestant Catherine Richards and Married at First Sight UK's Peggy Lawrence made an appearance, as did Zara's best friend Charli Paton. Following the showcase, Zara thanked everyone who attended on her Instagram, admitting she always feels nervous before hosting an event. She said: 'We had a showroom event for Rise and I couldn't be more grateful to everyone who came. 'I cannot thank everyone enough for coming real talk but I do always get nervous for my own events (even though I've only done three) perhaps it's from when I had a birthday party as a teenager, and everyone pulled out last minute. 'Thankfully, that didn't happen, and I'm so overjoyed beyond words. I've been on cloud nine all day and this space is our new Rise HQ.' The Strictly star previously explained to her 2million fanbase that she won't be joining Sam in Australia this season due to her busy schedule and upcoming work commitments. Earlier this week, she attended the Wicked London premiere, and as an ambassador for L'Oreal, will be walking the red carpet at her first British Fashion Awards next month. Former Made In Chelsea star Sam is also dedicated to his hosting duties Down Under, giving I'm A Celeb viewers extra content and behind the scenes action from the show. Following the showcase, Zara thanked everyone who attended on her Instagram, admitting she always feels nervous before hosting an event Sharing the news that her brand Rise will now have a permanent London office, Zara said: 'I'm so overjoyed beyond words. I've been on cloud nine all day and this space is our new Rise HQ' The Strictly star previously explained to her 2million fanbase that she won't be joining Sam in Australia this season due to her busy schedule and upcoming work commitments Earlier this week, she attended the Wicked London premiere, and as an ambassador for L'Oreal, will be walking the red carpet at her first British Fashion Awards next month On Wednesday night's show, camp latecomers Maura Higgins and Richard Coles were finally introduced before the unlikely pair were dumped into the Jungle Junkyard. MailOnline revealed Maura's long-awaited entrance sees her separated from the rest of the I'm A Celeb cast and made to live in squalor, surviving in a camp with zero luxuries. Maura made a name for herself on the 2019 series of Love Island, a year after Zara rose to fame on the same programme. The star's arrival in the jungle comes as Pete Wicks continues to perform on Strictly Come Dancing, where he has so far managed to avoid the dance-off. Despite reports of the couple dating, Maura insists she and Pete, who is best friends with Sam, are not in a relationship. Saoirse Ronan has revealed Paul Mescal, Eddie Redmayne and Denzel Washington were 'humbled' after her comments regarding women's safety on The Graham Norton Show. The actress, 30, set social media alight during her recent appearance on the show when she made a remark about gender-based violence. In response to Paul questioning whether someone would have time to take out their phone to use as a weapon when being attacked something Eddie learned in self-defence training for a role the Little Women star said: 'That's what girls have to think about all the time.' The brutally honest comment prompted a moment of silence from the panel. 'Am I right, ladies?' she then asked the crowd, eliciting a huge round of applause from the studio audience. Speaking on the Table Manners with Jessie Ware podcast, Saoirse said she didn't expect the interview to go viral in the way it did. Saoirse Ronan has revealed Paul Mescal, Eddie Redmayne and Denzel Washington were 'humbled' after her comments regarding women's safety on The Graham Norton Show The actress, 30, set social media alight during her recent appearance on the show when she made a remark about gender-based violence She said: 'I didn't expect this sort of reaction, I am incredibly refreshed and proud. I think we can do it in a calm manner. We have to keep it in context, the lads didn't hear my comments and then say, what are you talking about? They were [humbled].' Saoirse admitted she was worried she had come across terribly after the interview was filmed and went for a drink with Paul right afterwards. She said: 'Most of the show is there but it is edited. I came away from filming it, Paul and I went for a drink afterwards, and I was so in my head about it. 'I was like, I thought I was s***e on that tonight. I forgot everything that had been said. Maybe two days later once it had aired, I was anxious about it airing, then my best mate said, everyone's contacting me about the phone comment. 'I'm very grateful for one comment that I've made to have started a conversation that absolutely needs to be had.' She added: 'I think I had a moment being honest where I felt bad. Then I thought, no, no, mustn't do that. 'Because that's the kind of conversation that I would have with my female friends and my male friends, one of which being Paul Mescal. 'The women in my life are very vocal about their experiences. I've never really shied away from that.' Saoirse said: 'I didn't expect this sort of reaction, I am incredible refreshed and proud. I think we can do it in a calm manner' She added: 'We have to keep it in context, the lads didn't hear my comments and then say, what are you talking about? They were [humbled]' It comes after Paul spoke out about Saoirse's comments, saying she was 'spot on' It comes after Paul spoke out about Saoirse's comments, saying she was 'spot on'. Paul was asked on Irish broadcaster RTE's The Late Late Show if they were surprised by the reception. He responded: 'No, I don't believe we were surprised, because you're like, as you said, you're on a talk show like this, and you're kind of just talking. 'But I'm not surprised that the message received as much attention that it got, because it's massively important and I'm sure you've had Saoirse on the show, like, she's quite often, more often than not, the most intelligent person in the room. 'But I think she was spot on, hit the nail on the head, and it's also good that messages like that are kind of gaining traction, like that's a conversation that we should absolutely be having on a daily basis.' Normal People star Paul, who has been nominated for a best actor Oscar for the drama Aftersun, is currently starring in hotly anticipated blockbuster Gladiator II. Saoirse appeared in The Outrun, about a women struggling with alcoholism, early this year. Footage has emerged that showed the emotional moment Girls Aloud stars Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh embraced as they attended Liam Payne's funeral. The One Direction star was laid to rest on Wednesday in a moving ceremony after his death last month, following a fall from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Both Nicola and Kimberley were seen arriving at the service to support their bandmate Cheryl, and sweetly embraced as they headed into the church. As they arrived for the moving service, Nicola was also 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. Footage has emerged that showed the emotional moment Girls Aloud stars Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh embraced as they attended Liam Payne 's funeral The two stars in attendance to support their bandmate Cheryl, who bid an emotional farewell to her ex Liam at the service Liam, pictured in Dubai last year, was laid to rest on Wednesday after his death last month, following a fall from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires The arrivals were being carefully managed by the private security firm. 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. Both Nicola and Kimberley were seen arriving at the service to support their bandmate Cheryl, and sweetly embraced as they headed into the church Nicola and Kimberley were among the first mourners to arrive at Liam Payne's funeral 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. '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, Zayn, 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. This Hollywood star looked completely unrecognisable on the set of their latest project. The actor was spotted filming in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday and was seen puffing away on a cigar as he got into character. The star, who has appeared in Pride and Prejudice, The Night Manager and White Lotus was dressed as the iconic director Alfred Hitchcock as he ran scenes alongside Olivia Williams. He looked worlds away from his usual sleek self as he sported a fat suit a fake nose and chin and a bald cap to take on the famous silver screen director for Ryan Murphy's latest series of Monster. The About Time actor was dressed in a grey suit with high-waisted trousers and a short tie and he clutched a cigar. But despite starring in the series, which will be set in the 1950s, the actor still stopped to take some snaps on his phone in between takes. A Hollywood actor looked unrecognisable as he was spotted filming in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, puffing away on a cigar as he got into character The actor looked worlds away from his usual sleek self as he sported a fat suit a fake nose and chin and a bald cap to take on the character of Alfred Hitchcock Hitchcock, (pictured left), is known for his classic films including Psycho and Rear Window That's right! It's Tom Hollander Later on the actor was spotted chatting to his co-star Olivia, who plays Hitchcock's wife Alma Reville, in the back of a car. Tom and Olivia will star alongside Charlie Hunnam and Laurie Metcalfe in the third season of Ryan Murphy's Monsters. The series, called The Original Monster, will follow American murderer and grave robber Ed Gein, played by Charlie. Lady Bird's Laurie will play Gein's mother who was a volatile religious fanatic and the series will show their strained and obsessive relationship. Tom and Olivia will star as Hitchcock and his wife Alma and the show will explore how Gein served as the inspiration for Hitchcock's character Norman Bates in the classic film Psycho. The serial killer, also known as The Butcher of Plainfield, became famous in the 1950s after police discovered that not only was he murdering people in his home city of Wisconsin but he had also dug up graves from a nearby cemetery. The public were shocked after it was revealed he had been inspired by pulp magazines featuring stories of cannibalism and Nazi atrocities to make various household items, clothes and keepsakes out of his victims remains. When police eventually arrested him after a ten-year killing spree, they found a bin made of human skin, human skin covering several chair seats, bowls made from human skulls, a corset made from a female torso and leggings made from human leg skin. That's right, it's Tom Hollander! The About Time actor s taking on the famous director for the latest series of Ryan Murphy's Monsters series (pictured in January 2024) The About Time actor was dressed in a grey suit with high-waisted trousers and a short tie and he puffed on a cigar In between takes Tom was spotted chatting tot he cast and crew Ryan's Murphy's series will be called The Original Monster and will follow American murderer and grave robber Ed Gein who inspired Hitchcock's serial killer in Psycho Gein's life has inspired a number of horror characters including Norman Bates from Hitchcock's classic film Psycho, Leatherface in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Buffalo Bill in the Silence of the Lambs. The stomach-churning third series follows the controversy of Ryan's previous instalments which included Dahmer Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story which chronicled the shocking murders of 17 young men and boys at the hands of the Milwaukee killer between 1978 and 1991. Season one, which starred Evan Peters and Niecy Nash-Betts, scored record ratings and was critically-acclaimed but faced backlash by families of the victims. The sister of Dahmer victim Errol Lindsey, Rita Isbell, speaking with Insider Sunday, said that Netflix never reached out to her about the series, calling it harsh and careless. 'I feel like Netflix shouldve asked if we mind or how we felt about making it,' she said. 'They didnt ask me anything. They just did it. But Im not money hungry, and thats what this show is about, Netflix trying to get paid.' The second season, told the chilling tale of the Beverly Hills brothers - and the sinister motives behind the murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, who were shot dead in their $5 million mansion in 1989. Tom was also spotted walking around set dressed in his suit while other actors donned 1950s outfits in downtown LA Later on the star was spotted chatting to his co-star Olivia Willaims, who plays Hitchcock's wife Alma Reville, in the back of a car The series will be called The Original Monster and will follow American murderer and grave robber Ed Gein who collected twisted mementos from his victims and will be played by The Gentleman star Charlie Hunnam The serial killer, also known as The Butcher of Plainfield, became famous in the 1950s after police discovered that not only was he killing people in his home city of Wisconsin but he had also dug up graves from a nearby cemetery But the family of the two brothers slammed the show calling it a 'phobic, gross, anachronistic, serial episodic nightmare' that neglects recent revelations the family claims would exonerate the brothers. Erik's wife, Tammi Menendez took to X to write: 'The character assassination of Erik and Lyle, under the guise of a "storytelling narrative," is repulsive. We know what went on in their home and the unimaginably turbulent lives they have endured.' Ryan chose Gein as the subject of the most recent instalment of his show because he wanted to look at what inspired later serial killers. He told Collider: 'After we did Menendez, Ian and I were talking about it, and we were interested in this idea of, "Where and how did this all start?". 'Based on our research, the very first one who became a celebrity at that level was Ed, who was an instant crazy celebrity from the moment he was arrested. Gein's life has inspired a number of horror characters including Norman Bates from Hitchcock's classic film Psycho (pictured), Leatherface in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Buffalo Bill in the Silence of the Lambs The stomach-churning third series follows the controversy of Ryan's previous instalments which followed the Menendez brothers and was widely criticised by the killers family Ryan previously revealed that they had started filming on Halloween and Charlie Hunnam was spotted in costume filming on Thursday looking strikingly different from his usual and distinctive facial hair (pictured in Sons of Anarchy) 'Nobody had ever heard of anything like that. Then we found out - he was motivated, obviously - but he was schizophrenic. How he became what he became was a very interesting story.; The creator then revealed that they had started filming on Halloween and Charlie Hunnam was spotted filming on Thursday. The star appeared strikingly different from his usual and distinctive facial hair, as he sported a comb over hairstyle reminiscent of the infamous killer's look. While portraying the murderer, Hunnam was seen chatting with a police officer on set in his 1950s inspired garb. The BBC has announced the return of masterpiece thriller, A Good Girl's Guide To Murder, which has received rave reviews. Writer Holly Jackson said she is 'beyond thrilled! to be able to continue the story and thanks the dedicated viewers. The series has been renewed for a six-part second season, set to be filmed in the UK in 2025. Based on Holly's bestselling books, of the same name, series one was adapted for the screen by Poppy Cogan. It follows single minded, 17-year-old Pip Fitz-Amobi, from the fictional English town of Little Kilton, who is determined to prove a murderer's innocence for a school project. The BBC has announced the return of masterpiece thriller, A Good Girl's Guide To Murder, which has received rave reviews (Emma Myers pictured as Pip Fitz-Amob) Writer Holly Jackson said she is 'beyond thrilled! to be able to continue the story and thanks the dedicated viewers Emma Myers will return as Pip alongside Zain Iqbal as Ravi Singh, with full casting to be announced in due course. After solving the Andie Bell case Pips world has been transformed by her actions, and not always for the better. Pip is determined to fix the fallout - and stay away from any more investigations. But as Max Hastings trial approaches, key witness Jamie Reynolds suddenly disappears and Pip finds herself in a race against time to find him. This new mystery will take Pip to unexpected places as she struggles with the idea of justice, straying even further from the 'good girl' she once was. Holly said: 'I am beyond thrilled that we can continue Pips story and, this time, Im writing on the show! We owe everything to the dedicated fans, and I cant wait to reunite with my AGGGTM family!' Poppy added: 'I'm delighted to be back in Little Kilton with Pip and friends for season two, and to have the opportunity to bring another of Holly's gripping stories to the screen.' Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: 'Its been a joy to see the fantastic response to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, particularly from younger viewers. 'We're thrilled to once again join forces with Holly, Poppy, Emma, Zain and the team to bring this next exciting chapter to BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.' The series has been renewed for a six-part second season, set to be filmed in the UK in 2025 (Aisha Banks as Cara Ward, left and Emma as Pip) When the first series was released in August viewers admitted they were 'so obsessed' with the thriller that they cancelled all their plans to watch it. The nailing-biting mystery first aired on the BBC but has also been released on Netflix with viewers planning to watch the series 'six times' and 'sacrifice sleep' because it's 'perfect'. One fan wrote: 'This lived up to, if not, surpassed my expectations. It hasn't even been out for a week and I've already watched the series through six times. I highly recommend this series, it is the perfect Mystery/Thriller to watch if you've got a spare weekend.'; 'I just finished watching A Good Girls Guide to Murder and I LOVED IT. I loved every second, they left out no details, I was worried theyd change the storyline a bit but they didnt and Im just so happy. It was worth sacrificing my sleep for it.'; 'The series is excellent and everything was nailed to perfection. THE has perfect suspense and thrill I would 100% recommend to binge this series.'; 'I FRICKING loved this. It wasn't the exact same as the books but personally I didn't really mind that, it was still very interesting. THIS IS A MUST WATCH SHOW!!! Seriously. Also lots of squealing (watch till the end TRUSTTTT!).' Several commenters were full of praise for the casting, writing that Emma, 21 - who also starred in Netflix's Wednesday - was going to 'slay' the role. The author Holly, 31, has also been brought on as an executive producer on the BBC adaptation. And earlier this year, she told the Bookseller that she has been stringent with making sure it's the same story readers have grown to love and that 'some of the most fan-favourite quotes and moments from the books made it in there'. A Good Girls' Guide to Murder came out in May 2019 - just months before the Covid pandemic. The literary sensation, which has become a viral classic for TikTok book lovers everywhere, entails the story of single minded, 17-year-old Pip Fitz-Amobi, from the fictional English town of Little Kilton, who is determined to prove a murderer's innocence for a school project The nailing-biting mystery first aired on the BBC but has also been released on Netflix with viewers planning to watch the series 'six times' and 'sacrifice sleep' because it's 'perfect' It was an instant hit, named one of the best books of 2020 by Barnes and Noble and racking up a series of accolades, including the Children's Fiction Book Winner of the Year title at the British Book Awards that same year. Holly told the Bookseller she thought it was the 'peak of success' then but has felt that it's 'still peaking now'. Unusually, the book also has an alternative American edition that is set in the US - in Connecticut instead of Little Kilton. However, her works outside the series since have been set in the States. Holly told the Bookseller that while the move was initially commercial, she found it easier to pen true crime stories in a setting that is 'very fertile setting for messed-up things to happen that you might not necessarily buy if they happened in the UK'. Her latest novel, The Reappearance of Rachel Price, follows 18-year-old Bel, whose missing mother eerily shows up as a true crime documentary about her begins filming. This new mystery will take Pip to unexpected places as she struggles with the idea of justice, straying even further from the 'good girl' she once was The book of the same name came out in May 2019 - just months before the Covid pandemic The story is set in Gorham, New Hampshire, and Holly revealed that she used Google Maps to paint a picture of the place for herself, starting with the local McDonald's. 'This was slightly more personal since I have family who are from Randolph, which is an even smaller town next door,' she told the New York Times . 'But it was so small it didn't have some of the stuff I needed.' Being a true crime fan herself, the way stories are reported in the media and perceived by the public is also a common theme in Holly's work. 'I think all my books owe something to true crime media. I thoroughly research every single topic that I write about,' she told Publishers Weekly in an interview. 'Even if it's only something that crops up briefly - I will have become an internet expert in that thing. It's probably a form of procrastination, if I'm being honest.' A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK and will air on Netflix in other countries including Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Montana Brown showed off her blossoming baby bump in a series of vacation snaps on Thursday. The former Love Island star, 29, who is expecting her second child with fiance Mark O'Connor, displayed her growing bump in a stylish green bikini which consisted of a triangle bikini top and a pair of tie-side bikini bottoms. Cradling her bump, the TV star further accessorised her pool-side look with a pair of cool shades. The mother-of-one captioned the gorgeous snaps with: 'Not long Babygirl (heart emoji)' Fans and close friends of the star then flocked to the comment section to pay their compliments. One fan wrote: 'A real life angel!!!'; 'Gorgeous glowing mama'; 'Feels like yesterday baby Jude was in there!!' Pregnant Montana Brown showed off her blossoming baby bump while wearing a bikini in a series of vacation snaps on Thursday The former Love Island star, 29, is expecting her second child with fiance Mark O'Connor Montana announced she was pregnant with her second child in July and took to her Instagram to share the happy news with her 1.1 million followers. She displayed her tummy in a chic knit dress and cradled her stomach as she smiled for the camera in the clip. Confirming that she is expecting again with her rugby player fiance Mark, Montana wrote: 'Two under two let's go!' Montana and Mark welcomed their first child, a son named Jude, in June last year and announced they were expecting again just 13 months later. The couple travelled to Santorini after they enjoyed a week-long holiday with their son Jude in Montenegro and shared updates from their sun-soaked trip. The reality personality was flooded with congratulatory messages from her famous friends and Instagram followers. Gabby Allen, who appeared on her series of Love Island, wrote: 'Omgggg.' While fellow Love Island alum, Tasha Ghouri said: 'Ahh!! Congratulations!' The mother-of-one captioned the gorgeous snaps with: 'Not long Babygirl (heart emoji)' Samira Mighty penned: 'Ahhhh.' Food influencer Emily English posted a series of clapping hands while Tiffany Watson and Natalya Wright both said 'congratulations'. Other stars who shared their support included Vicky Pattison, Danielle Lloyd, Grace Beverley, Kendall Rae Knight and Elle Brown. Earlier this year, Montana celebrated the joys and sorrows of motherhood as she paid tribute to her baby son Jude in a heartfelt Instagram post. Montana reflected on her pregnancy journey seven months after her little one was born - as she shared her emotional thoughts with her followers. She detailed the highs and lows of the 'humbling' experience, admitting she was always 'one comment away from having a meltdown' but it also made her 'respect her body so much more'. Sharing a throwback picture of when she was seven months pregnant, she showed off her baby bump in a red bikini. Montana was seen posing on a lavish terrace while soaking up the sun, adding a stylish straw hat and chic shades. Montana announced she was pregnant with her second child in July and took to her Instagram to share the happy news with her 1.1 million followers Montana and Mark welcomed their first child, a son named Jude, in June last year and announced they were expecting again just 13 months later In the second shot, she displayed her growing baby bump in the same beach set while smiling happily in a mirror selfie. The TV star added a few heart-melting pictures of little Jude to her carousel, accompanied by a lengthy caption: '7 months in vs 7 months out.' 'I actually LOVED being pregnant, it was such a special experience and it really made me respect my body so much more I'm still in awe.' 'This chapter has been hard, the lack of sleep etc is so tough, I legit cried when someone beeped me in the car recently and I always feel one beep or one comment away from having a meltdown but it's such a humbling experience.' She went on saying: 'I am in awe of the mums that do it on their own, don't have family around to support and who just don't get a break because I am so fortunate to have support around me and I am STILL in the thick of it..' The Love Islander finished gushing over her tiny one: 'But despite how tired I have been, Jude gets me through, his smile first thing in the morning is just priceless.' Jodie Marsh has paid tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, calling him the 'perfect gentleman' following his death aged 86. The former Labour MP and peer passed away on Wednesday to the sound of his favourite jazz music and surrounded with loved-ones at his care home after a long battle with illness. Lord Prescott was Tony Blair's pugnacious political bruiser and famed for being unafraid to speak his mind. One person who saw a different side to the rambunctious politician, however, was glamour model Jodie Marsh who went for dinner with him while he was filming his 2008 BBC documentary, Prescott: The Class System And Me. Speaking to MailOnline about her night out with Lord Prescott, Jodie - who was one of Page 3 It girls at the time - revealed she was pleasantly surprised by how down to earth he was and the way he treated her. Jodie explained: 'I didn't know much about him and I try not to have any preconceived ideas, but I probably did think he would maybe be a bit boring. 'But he was so down to earth and normal and nice and funny. I felt like he was really listening to me, unlike when some other older men can be a bit pompous and look down their nose at you, especially a glamour model... He made me feel seen and heard.' Jodie Marsh has paid tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, calling him the 'perfect gentleman' following his death aged 86 (pictured at the Wellington Club in 2008) One person who saw a different side to the rambunctious politician was glamour model Jodie Marsh who went for dinner with him while he was filming a BBC documentary (pictured 2016) Jodie had been asked to dinner to discuss the modern notions of class with the MP for his BBC2 show. Having been given control over where they'd meet, Jodie picked The Wellington in Knightsbridge, West London which had a restaurant upstairs and nightclub downstairs. 'He was amazing and such a lovely man,' Jodie recalled. 'He was very attentive and a good listener. He was also very interesting and had lots to say - it was clear he was very, very in love with his wife [Pauline].' While the pair had filmed all their content for the show by the time they'd finished their starters, Lord Prescott and Jodie were getting along so well that they decided to stay and finish their meals. During the dinner Lord Prescott even called his wife and got her to speak to Jodie because she had told him to get her makeup tips. 'I was on the phone to her for ages talking makeup and high heels and shoes and all sorts,' Jodie shared. 'She was saying how much she loved how I did my makeup and we were talking about how to do the perfect smokey eye! 'She was very glam and wonderful, just such a nice lady. I thought it was so lovely because I was at the height of my glamour modelling and had my boobs out and the rest of it. 'Other wives could have been really s***y about their husbands going to dinner with me, but she was so kind. They seemed like such a cute couple and he raved about her over dinner, how beautiful she was and how glam she was. She was clearly very proud of her.' Jodie recalled: 'The paparazzi went nuts when we walked out together! But he wouldn't let it faze him. He was the perfect gentleman and walked me to my car and gave me a kiss goodbye' During the dinner Lord Prescott even called his beloved wife Pauline (pictured together) and got her to speak to Jodie because she had told him to get her makeup tips After dinner Jodie and Lord Prescott decided to keep the party going and made it onto the dancefloor. 'He had a great time!' Jodie recalled. 'It was such a fun night but we left fairly early because obviously he didn't want to stay out until three in the morning. 'The paparazzi went absolutely nuts when we walked out there together! It was utter carnage. You could tell he was thinking "oh God" because he was obviously used to being photographed but that was another level. 'But he wouldn't let it faze him, he just carried on. He was the perfect gentleman and walked me to my car and gave me a kiss goodbye. 'I remember going home and telling my mum and dad how lovely he was.' Jodie previously said that she and Lord Prescott 'clicked' when they met and enjoyed a lively debate on whether class is determined by your money or upbringing. Writing for The Daily Mail in 2008, she revealed: 'I found myself spilling my heart out to him. I told him all about how vicious bullying over my looks had made my schooldays a misery and driven me to the brink of suicide. 'I told him how I'd decided not to try for university as my family were the only good thing in my life and I didn't want to leave them, and how modelling was a sort of self-validation: to prove to myself I wasn't really ugly. 'John listened sympathetically and said how horrific it must have been. I know any politician can hit the schmooze button but I've been with enough chancers now to know when someone is being genuine. And he was.' On Thursday, Jodie paid tribute to the late politician as she shared pictures from their night out and penned that she was 'devastated to hear of the passing' In recent years Jodie has turned her back on fame to run Fripps Farm Animal Sanctuary but reflected on her wild night with the MP. You can donate at www.frippsfarm.co.uk She explained that they had covered a wide range of topics, including Lord Prescott's bulimia that he confessed he didn't thing would be 'that big of a deal' when he discussed it in his autobiography. The pair also brought up the famous punch Lord Prescott thrown at a protester who chucked an egg at him, to which he responded: 'God, what a furore that caused.' Yet Jodie put him at ease but reassuring him: 'John, any real bloke would have reacted in the same way.' On Thursday, Jodie paid tribute to the late politician as she shared pictures from their night out and penned: 'Devastated to hear of the passing of John Prescott. I went for dinner with him once and then took him clubbing. 'He was the perfect gentleman and I spoke at length on the phone to his wife Pauline, who was utterly wonderful too. Such a lovely couple. 'Thoughts are with Pauline at this horribly sad time. Rest in peace John. You were a true good one.' Jodie found fame as a glamour model in the Noughties and whether it was her high profile slanging matches with other glamour models, her various reality TV stints, and who could forget those belts, there wasn't a day that would go by when Jodie's face wasn't splashed about in the papers. In recent years Jodie has turned her back on fame to run an animal sanctuary in Great Dunmow, Essex - opening Fripps Farm Animal Sanctuary in 2020. You can donate at www.frippsfarm.co.uk Lord Prescott was Blair's political bruiser and battering ram - the bridge between New and old Labour who could down a pint in five seconds and was always up for a fight (pictured 2012) Jodie was among many grieving the loss of Lord Prescott on Thursday. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was tearful as he said: 'I am devastated. There was no-one quite like him in British politics. 'Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart'. Lord Prescott was Blair's political bruiser and battering ram - the bridge between New and old Labour who could down a pint in five seconds and was always up for a fight, including his most recent battles with a stroke and Alzheimer's. The son of a railwayman and a servant from north Wales, he was a fine boxer as a boy after moving to Yorkshire - and his most famous moment was when he thumped a farmer who had egged him outside a Labour rally in Rhyl in 2001. Alongside him throughout was his wife of more than 60 years, Pauline, who said in a statement co-written with sons Johnathan and David, that representing the people of Hull had been 'his greatest honour'. The statement read: 'We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 86.' 'He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery. 'John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment, doing so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to becoming Britain's longest serving deputy prime minister.' Jodie was among many grieving the loss of Lord Prescott on Thursday, including Prime Minister Tony Blair who was tearful as paid tribute (pictured in 2000) The statement continued: 'John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour. 'We would like to thank the amazing NHS doctors and nurses who cared for him after his stroke in 2019 and the dedicated staff at the care home where he passed away after latterly living with Alzheimer's. 'In lieu of flowers and if you wish to do so, you can donate to Alzheimer's Research UK. 'As you can imagine, our family needs to process our grief so we respectfully request time and space to mourn in private. Thank you.' Lindy Klim has debuted a surprise new look following her heartbreaking split from her second husband, British property developer Adam Ellis. The Balinese princess, 45, often garbs herself in practical monochrome looks when she attends star-studded events. But she underwent a transformation with Jimmy Choo on Thursday night as she prepares to step into her brand new life in Melbourne. The socialite put on a leggy display as she slipped into a black mini dress, but it was the accessories which really caught the eye. Lindy stepped outside her comfort zone and opted for a pop of pattern as she rocked matching leopard print heels and handbag. The new season accessories set Lindy back $2,950 for the heels and an eye-popping $3,795 for the bag. Lindy Klim, 45, (pictured) has debuted a surprise new look following her split from her second husband, British property developer Adam Ellis, stepping away from her usual practical outfits 'Last night I was thrilled to be invited to the opening of the new @jimmychoo boutique at Chadstone, such a beautiful space!' she captioned the reel of photos. 'Thank you for throwing an epic dinner party after at Di Stasio Citta where we danced and laughed the night away.' It comes after Lindy left Bali for good after her heartbreaking split from her second husband, British property developer Adam Ellis. The Balinese princess 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.' The Balinese princess underwent a transformation with Jimmy Choo on Thursday night as she prepares to step into her brand new life in Melbourne The socialite put on a leggy display as she slipped into a black mini dress, but it was the accessories which really caught the eye '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 childrenwith no sign of partner Adam. 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. Lindy stepped outside her comfort zone and opted for a pop of pattern as she rocked matching leopard print heels and handbag Lindy appeared to be having the time of her live at the launch event Followers were quick to note Adam's 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 KlimStella, 18, Rocco, 16, and Frankie, 13. She also shares one with her second husbandGoldie, seven. Cate Blanchett was dressed to impress as she attended the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland on Wednesday. The actress, 55, donned smart brown trousers and a textured brown blazer over a plaid button-up shirt as she took to the stage at the event. Showcasing her unique style, Cate teamed the look with a pair of Stella McCartney Elyse platforms, which set her back a whooping 670. The star pulled her blonde locks into an up do and accessorised with silver frame glasses and minimal jewellery. Kate, who serves as the President of the festival's main competition jury, was joined on stage by film producer Anna Higgs. Anna looked stylish in a casual grey suit which she teamed with white trainers. Cate Blanchett, 55, was dressed to impress as she attended the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland on Wednesday The actress donned smart brown trousers and a textured brown blazer over a plaid button-up shirt as she took to the stage at the event Kate, who serves as the president of the festival's main competition jury, was joined on stage by film producer Anna Higgs It comes a week after the Camerimage Film Festival faced backlash over controversial comments made by its director, Marek Zydowicz, sparking allegations of misogyny. The film festival was supposed to be one of the industry's most hotly anticipated events of the year. Hollywood heavyweights such as Cate is leading the prize jury and director Steve McQueen was to be a guest of honour. However, the festival was thrown into chaos after the Polish filmmaker and founder penned an article many have called 'profoundly misogynistic.' This has led stars to pull out and protests to take to the streets. Writing in a column for Cinematography World magazine, he said: 'Should we reject what is esteemed and valuable just to 'make space' for the necessity of social change? 'Whilst festivals like Cannes, Berlin or Venice are criticised for their selections due to succumbing to or promoting [political or ideological trends], Camerimage remains committed to artistic values as the foremost criterion for qualifying and promoting film art.' In response to his comments, Steve McQueen cancelled his trip and withdrew his film Blitz - which was supposed to start the festival. It comes a week after the Camerimage Film Festival faced backlash over controversial comments made by its director, Marek Zydowicz (pictured), sparking allegations of misogyny Following his comments, stars have pulled out and protesters have took to the streets outside the event in the Polish city of Torun He was joined by the French female director Coralie Fargeat of the hit body horror blockbuster The Substance starring Hollywood legend Demi Moore. In words reported by The Times, Fargeat said: 'The Substance is about the impact of precisely these kinds of behaviours on our world. We shouldn't tolerate them any more.' The British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), whose members have won a combined 22 Oscars, published an open letter condemning Zydowicz's column. At first Zydowicz tried to stand his ground arguing that his comments had been 'misinterpreted.' As opposition grew so did the pressure on the 65-year-old director who later issued an apology claiming it was never his intention to 'undermine the achievements of any film-makers.' He also added that 'Whether this misunderstanding stemmed from an unfortunate choice of words or inaccurate translation from Polish is irrelevant.' The main jury members including Cate decided to attend the festival. In a statement they said they welcomed debate regarding gender representation and that they 'wholeheartedly support the necessary shift towards genuine inclusivity.' The festival is set to see the world premiere of Alec Baldwin's western Rust which faced delays after Baldwin accidentally shot dead cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while on set in October 2021. Other films being shown include Dune: Part Two and the upcoming musical Wicked. Clint Eastwood's daughter Francesca is 'happy' with her boyfriend Alexander Wraith a month after she was arrested for domestic violence while in a car in Beverly Hills. 'They are a couple, they never broke up, and are working through whatever issues they have - they are very much a normal couple with ups and downs,' a source told DailyMail.com. 'They have been talking a lot and are fine. They have a close community around them that they can lean on. And they are very much in love.' They were seen snuggling up together on November 8 at the Queen of the Ring premiere at the 39th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The 31-year-old actress put her arm around her longtime partner whom she has a son with. Clint Eastwood 's daughter Francesca is 'happy' with her boyfriend Alexander Wraith. 'They are a couple, they never broke up, and are working through whatever issues they have - they are very much a normal couple with ups and downs,' a source told DailyMail.com Francesca was arrested for felony domestic violence after getting into an argument with her boyfriend in mid October in Los Angeles Francesca was arrested for felony domestic violence after getting into an argument with her boyfriend in mid October in Los Angeles. However, at the event, they looked in love. The blonde beauty - who is her dad's movie Juror 2 - had her arm around her better half as she wore a brown blazer, black top and blue jeans with heels. She made headline news last month for the alleged attack. Eastwood, whose mom is actress Frances Fisher, was driving around Beverly Hills with her partner when they got into a verbal argument - before the actress allegedly got physical, per TMZ. Eastwood's boyfriend then called the police who advised him to drive to the Safety Zone at the Beverly Hills Police Department to meet with officers. Eastwood's boyfriend had 'visible injuries' when the pair arrived to speak with police - with the star arrested and booked for felony domestic violence. It was unclear if Wraith was the victim. Clint Eastwood with Francesca in 2017 Eastwood's boyfriend refused medical aid with the star released from custody on $50,000 bail. DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for comment. Francesca and Alexander had reportedly already been a couple for a while when they went red carpet official in May 2018. At that time they had recently announced she was pregnant with their firstborn child, a son who was eventually born that September and named Titan. Alexander filed for divorce from his wife of eight years Lili Gaildraud in June 2018 while dating Francesca - although he told The Blast that he and Lili had by that point been separated for three years and that 'everyone is moving on and happy.' Alex is also father to a son from a previous relationship. Eastwood was previously married to Jordan Feldstein, the brother of Jonah Hill, and the manager of Maroon 5. They wed on November 17 2013 and Eastwood filed for an annulment eight days later on November 25. Feldstein died in December 2017 aged 40 from blood clots that originated in his legs, pneumonia and obesity. Francesca has followed in her famous parents' footsteps with a career by pursuing an acting career in movies and TV. She is best known for her roles in films such as Jersey Boys, Final Girl, Outlaws and Angels, M.F.A., The Vault, and Old. In August Francesca revealed she found it 'bittersweet' to see her dad, 94, become a grandfather. The pair are pictured with their son Titan, now six The star is seen with mom Frances Fisher, now 72, in 2018 when she was pregnant with Titan After becoming a mother herself she explained that her father was so 'strict' with her growing up so there is a contrast. She told FoxNewsDigital: 'I mean, [he's] just the sweetest. You know, my dad was very strict and my mom both my parents were very strict with me when I was a kid. 'And it's so lovely and sometimes bittersweet to just see how just doting and just classic grandpa and grandma to their grandson who can do no wrong,' she added. The Outlaws And Angels actress also explained that it is 'fantastic' that her parents are so involved in the life of their grandchild. She wants to 'nurture' the relationship as much as she can. The beauty said: 'But it's lovely. And they have their own relationship that I'm obviously involved in. They're fantastic, and they're so present. 'It's a connection unlike anything else. And it's definitely like the most important part of my life right now is nurturing those relationships.' Francesca has followed in her famous parents' footsteps with a career by pursuing an acting career in movies and TV. She is best known for her roles in films such as Jersey Boys, Final Girl, Outlaws and Angels, M.F.A., The Vault, and Old Meanwhile, the Jersey Boys star - who appeared alongside her family on the E! reality series Mrs. Eastwood and Company in 2012 - also noted that she might not have 'appreciated' just how much her parents included her in their professions as a child by taking her to movie sets. But she can now look back and feel 'such a respect' for the work that goes into making a film. She said: 'At the time, I don't know if I appreciated it that much, but looking back they kind of dragged me around with them, and they really included me and had me visit. 'That was always of the only things that they always spoke to me like an adult about. 'Anything filmmaking, anything acting, whether it was watching movies or sitting behind the camera, watching them direct, sitting in hair and makeup, all this stuff. 'I have such a respect and an appreciation for all that goes into making a film. Cillian Murphy returned to the Dudley canals on Wednesday as filming commenced on the forthcoming feature length edition of Peaky Blinders. The hugely popular BBC crime drama, set in Birmingham during the city's early 20th century industrial revolution, ended its six series run in 2022. But plans for a film version of writer Steven Knight's show have been in the works ever since, with principal photography getting underway in September. Returning to the Midlands set on Wednesday, cast and crew appeared to be unaffected by freezing temperatures as they filmed a canal scene with Murphy - who reprises his role as criminal kingpin Tommy Shelby. The Irish actor was dressed in Shelby's trademark overcoat and Baker Boy cap as cameras rolled during a location shoot at Dudley Canal at Bumble Hole and Warrens Hall Nature Reserve in Netherton. Cillian Murphy returned to the Dudley canals on Wednesday as filming commenced on the forthcoming feature length edition of Peaky Blinders Cast and crew appeared to be unaffected by freezing temperatures as they filmed a canal scene with Murphy - who reprises his role as criminal kingpin Tommy Shelby The forthcoming film, titled The Immortal Man, will also feature newcomers Tim Roth, Rebecca Ferguson and Barry Keoghan. It was confirmed in June that the Peaky Blinders' original writing and directing team would be returning alongside Murphy for a Netflix film adaptation of the hit series. The streaming service confirmed the news on X with a photograph of the script, while the Oscar winning actor told Deadline: 'It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn't finished with me 'It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.' Director Tom shared: 'When I first directed Peaky Blinders over 10 years ago, we didn't know what the series would become, but we did know that there was something in the alchemy of the cast and the writing that felt explosive. 'Peaky has always been a story about family - and so it's incredibly exciting to be reuniting with Steve and Cillian to bring the movie to audiences across the world on Netflix.' Peaky Blinders launched in 2013 and garnered huge audiences both in Britain and overseas, attracting roles for silver-screen stars such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy. The programme is loosely based on a real Birmingham gang of the same name operating from the 1880s to the 1920s who took part in similar illegal activities. The Irish actor was dressed in Shelby's trademark overcoat and Baker Boy cap as cameras rolled during a location shoot at Dudley Canal at Bumble Hole and Warrens Hall Nature Reserve He was surrounded by crew members as he walked the canal between takes on Wednesday It was confirmed in June that the Peaky Blinders' original writing and directing team would be returning alongside Murphy for a Netflix film adaptation of the hit series Snow battered Dudley Canal as the Peaky Blinders production team got to work on Wednesday The hugely popular BBC crime drama, set in Birmingham during the city's early 20th century industrial revolution, ended its six series run in 2022 Steam and smoke billowed up from the water, creating the grimy industrial atmosphere made famous in the hit show Peaky Blinders aired six series over nine years and ended with Tommy, who had been tricked into believing he had a terminal illness, surviving an assassination attempt orchestrated by his own nephew before killing him and moving away for a new life. Over recent months there has been off-screen concern for the welfare of Paul Anderson, who plays Tommy's older brother Arthur Shelby, after he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine earlier this year. The 46-year-old was also found to have amphetamines, plus diazepam and pregabalin on him. The Immortal Man is yet to be given an official release date. Martin Freeman looked rather dapper as he attended the Claridge's Christmas Tree Party in London on Wednesday. The Sherlock star, 53, wrapped up in a dark grey suit and black polo neck jumper as he beamed beside fashion designer Sir Paul Smith for the snap. Completing his look with stylish light orange lens glasses, Martin appeared to attend the event without his girlfriend Rachel Benaissa, 30. Last week the pair put on a loved up display at the Marylebone's Christmas light switch on as they made their way through the crowds hand in hand. The couple went public with their romance in 2021 however they are rarely seen together in public. Meanwhile last month Amanda Abbington opened up on her close relationship with her ex-husband Martin who she said will be attending her wedding next year. Martin Freeman, 53, showed off his quirky style as he attended the Claridge's Christmas party in London on Wednesday The Sherlock star, 53, wrapped up in a dark grey suit and black polo neck jumper as he beamed beside fashion designer Sir Paul Smith for the snap Amanda and Martin split in 2016 following 16 years together. The pair share two teenage children Joe, 17, and Grace, 15. Martin was said to have supported Amanda through the Strictly Come Dancing probe and recently asked whether he will attend her wedding to Jonathon Goodwin, she said: 'I would imagine so. 'We're still mates, we're good friends. It's important to maintain a good, healthy relationship with your ex if you have children, I think.' The actress made a series of accusations about her pro Giovanni Pernice's teaching methods and has described his behaviour as 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. The BBC cleared Giovanni of physically abusive behaviour towards Amanda, while upholding some of her complaints the Corporation. A source told The Sun at the time of the investigation: 'Martin has made a point of making sure Amanda is OK with everything that has happened recently. They share two children together so have always remained close for their sake. 'He was left worried and concerned at learning about the things which Amanda has been going through. And it's been really heartening for Amanda to know that she has Martin's support. 'She's been through hell recently, and had to endure death threats and hateful messages. She's relied heavily on her fiance Jonathan who has been an absolute rock throughout all of this.' Completing his look with stylish light orange lens glasses, Martin appeared to attend the event without his girlfriend Rachel Benaissa, 30 Last month Amanda Abbington opened up on her close relationship with her ex-husband Martin who she said will be attending her wedding next year The couple went public with their romance in 2021 however they are rarely seen together in public (pictured together in May) Meanwhile Martin's girlfriend Rachel is best known for playing a role in BBC hit Normal People, alongside stars Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones. The actress has also starred in Lindsay Lohans Netflix film Irish Wish, Aisling Beas sitcom This Way Up. In addition to acting, Rachel also writes screenplays and once came runner-up in Outstanding Screenplays TV pilot competition. Martin and Rachel went public with their romance in 2021, when they graced the red carpet at the Raindance Film Festival Opening Night gala screening of Best Sellers at The Dorchester just months after Amanda discussed their split. Aaron Taylor-Johnson looked dapper in all black as he attended the Kraven The Hunter photocall on Thursday. The actor, 34, looked smart as he posed against the London skyline in a pair of black trousers and a T-shirt. He wrapped up against the cold weather with a suede bomber jacket with a fluffy collar and finished off his ensemble with black Chelsea boots. Joining Aaron for the photo shoot in London was director J. C. Chandor who opted for a casual look in a pair of jeans and a blue shirt over a black T-shirt. The filmmaker finished his monochrome look with a navy jacket as he smiled and posed alongside his star. The film is the latest instalment of Spiderman's Spider-verse and will follow the superhero's arch nemesis Kraven. Aaron Taylor-Johnson looked dapper in all black at the Kraven The Hunter photo call on Thursday in London The actor, 34, wrapped up against the cold in a suede bomber jacket with a fluffy collar, black trousers and a T-shirt and a pair of matching Chelsea boots Aaron was promoting his latest film which will see him play the fur-wearing, big-game hunter and Russian conservationist Sergei Kravinoff who fights his enemies with primitive claws and spears Aaron will play the fur-wearing, big-game hunter and Russian conservationist Sergei Kravinoff who fights his enemies with primitive claws and spears. In a recent trailer, Kraven's hunting origin story is revealed as a young Sergei is left to die by his father after being attacked by a lion. As he lays dying, a drop of lion blood mixes with his own, transforming his DNA and allowing him to communicate with animals. Furious at his father, Sergei starts to hunt down villains using his animal instincts and primitive weapons, slowly making his way towards his father. But as he works his way through his list of enemies, he finds himself faced with a new one, the Rhino who is head telling him in the trailer: We all have a bit of animal inside us'. The Anna Karenina star told Comic Book that he hopes that this will be just the start of an exciting story line that could lead to a Spiderman crossover film. The plot will show how Kraven, or Sergei Kravinoff, from his tragic origin story building to a darker, emotional storyline. The Anna Karenina star told Comic Book that he hopes that this will be just the start of an exciting story line that could lead to a Spiderman crossover film (pictured with director J. C. Chandor) The plot will show how Kraven, or Sergei Kravinoff, from his tragic origin story and building to a darker, emotional storyline He told the publication: 'Kraven's Last Hunt' is a brilliant comic book and a great story and amazing source material for us to go to the end of this character's life and then work our way backwards and give you the root, the seed that we plant in this story.' He added: 'So if you come and watch this movie There's twists and turns and the character at the end - if you're into that and it's successful - it's a character I'd love to see go toe-to-toe with some other characters out there, for sure.' Also starring in the film are Alessandro Nivola as Kraven's antagonist The Rhino while Russell Crowe will star as the Russian aristocratic father of Kraven/Sergei Kravinoff. Oscar winner Ariana DeBose plays Kraven's love interest, Voodoo Priestess Calypso, who creates an herbal potion which lengthens Kraven's life and gives him the strength, speed, and senses to match a jungle cat. Golden Globe nominee Christopher Abbott will take on the villainous role of The Foreigner and The Pale Blue Eye star Fred Hechinger as Kraven's half-brother Dmitri Smerdyakov/Chameleon. In a recent trailer, Kraven's hunting origin story is revealed as a young Sergei is left to die by his father (played by Russel Crowe, pictured) after being attacked by a lion Years later and furious at his father for leaving him, Sergei starts to hunt down villains using his animal instincts and primitive weapons, slowly making his way towards his father He is helped by Ariana DeBose who plays Kraven's love interest who creates an herbal potion which lengthens Kraven's life and gives him the strength, speed, and senses to match a jungle cat His work on the new film comes amid speculation that the Bullet train actor will be taking on the role of James Bond - last played by Daniel Craig His work on the new film comes amid speculation that the Bullet train actor will be taking on the role of James Bond - last played by Daniel Craig. Aaron recently tackled the rumours and said he wanted to work on the projects in front of him. He told Esquire: 'I have to go by the beat of my own drum. Its my own path, what feels intuitive to me. 'Ive never made a decision based on other peoples perspectives, or their judgments, or their expectations. You lose your f**king mind if you do that. Your sense of worth and soul is gone. 'You need to understand what is integral to you and what feels right, and youve got to stay on track with whats present in front of you. Kraven is whats in front of me.' 'On the thought of considering James Bond as a future role, he added: 'I just focus on the things I can have in my hands right now. Whats in front of me right now.' Call the Midwife star Cliff Parisi has opened up about about his stint in prison. The actor, who is beloved by fans of the hit show for his role of Fred Buckle, was jailed at the age of 19 for a bank robbery. In a new interview, the 64-year-old performer reflected on the period of his life which was marked by his time behind bars. Speaking to Saga Magazine, Cliff revealed that he grew up in a 'fairly rough' area and that he was unable to read or write after he left school. When asked about his biggest regret in life, the actor revealed: 'Trying my luck as a rubbish bank robber and ending up in prison aged 19. 'Where I grew up was fairly rough. I left school at 14 unable to read or write and if you didn't have any prospects, which I didn't, you could easily get in trouble. And I did.' Call the Midwife star Cliff Parisi has opened up about about his prison stint in a new interview with Saga Magazine, reflecting on being jailed at the age of 19 for a bank robbery The actor is beloved by fans of the hit show for his role of Fred Buckle (pictured on Call the Midwife) but revealed his life got off to a tough start Cliff continued: 'When the robbery went wrong, I escaped from the bank on a bus. I got away with it for a year. 'Finally, one of the other guys got arrested and the next thing I knew, the police were knocking on the front door.' He added: 'I was just about to go on stage for a big production of South Pacific, but got carted off to Brixton Prison. 'I got bail and was able to do the show before I was sentenced.' During his 18-month sentence, Cliff admitted that he used the time to try and improve his reading skills in prison. After his release he also changed his surname from Manley to Parisi to make a fresh start. Cliff previously shed light on the criminal incident before entering the I'm A Celebrity jungle in 2019. He told the Sunday Mirror: 'This has hung over me like a black cloud. It was a massive mistake that I made and I deeply regret it. Cliff has now found success as an actor, and rose to prominence in the 2000s playing Minty Peterson in EastEnders 'I am relieved that it is now out and I hope that people will find it in their hearts to forgive me. 'No one regrets it more than I do. I also hope it inspires young men in jail not to give up hope. 'It is possible to get your life back on track again.' A source who knew Cliff during his prison days also told the publication that he wouldn't have considered acting if it wasn't for the prison programme, which saw him perform with young people in the community. Cliff had a difficult childhood after he was put into care when his family were kicked out of their home in London's East End, when their landlady created a scheme to 'buy' cliff and his sister, who was one at the time. When his mum Irene and dad George refused, the family ended up sleeping in Victoria Park in Hackney. Social services stepped in and put Cliff and his sister in care, but they were eventually returned to their parents. But since then Cliff has launched a successful acting career, and alongside his jungle stint - which saw him be the third star to be voted out - he has played handyman Fred Buckle on Call The Midwife since 2012. He is also married to BBC production assistant Tara Wyer and together they have a son. Cliff also has three grown-up children from previous relationships. Ruth Langsford has furiously hit back at trolls who criticised her for advertising expensive foods for Christmas. The Loose Women star, 64, took to Instagram on Tuesday for a post in collaboration with Tesco as she built her own deli board for the festive period. Including cheeses, quiche, olives and meats, the TV presenter explained all the items were from the Tesco Finest range of the mainstream supermarket. However, one fan in particular took offence at the promotion post as they penned: 'Do you ever think of the homeless while advertising expensive food and clothes.' Hitting back at the accusatory comment, Ruth proved she isn't afraid to speak her mind as she insisted she 'would not be shamed'. She replied: 'You have no idea what I do for, or contribute to, charities so if you're trying to shame me it won't work!' Ruth Langsford exploded in an uncharacteristic angry tirade as she refused to be shamed after trolls bashed her for advertising expensive foods for Christmas in her recent Instagram post The Loose Women star, 64, took to Instagram on Tuesday for a post in collaboration with Tesco as she built her own deli board for the festive period Fans were quick to support the star as they commented: 'Well said!'; 'Good for you they would be best to unfollow you if it upsets them so much'; 'Same for us all, why should we justify what we do. Keep going Ruth. Love following'; 'What a ridiculously ill-informed comment'; 'You tell them ruthie'; 'they need to be called out now! Enough is enough'. Meanwhile Tesco added: 'We love this, Ruth! Hope you and your friends enjoyed!' Showing the finished result of the platter board, she said: 'Who else is OBSESSED with platter boards?! Ive tried making them for the first time and, if I say so myself, Im pretty pleased with the results! I used lots of lovely bits and pieces from the Tesco Finest Deli range. 'The best part? Its all easy to find in store at the Tesco Deli, and theres a 3 for 2 offer with your Clubcard!' Other negative comments included: 'Omg Have you got nothing more to do Ruth.' Another took issue with her not shopping locally as they asked: 'Why are you not buying local produce? Ah! I see! You were paid 4 figures to promote a stomach churning profit making supermarket in a COL crisis! Who is advising you Ruth? And where is your empathy brain cell right now! You're gone girl!' Meanwhile, it was revealed last week that Ruth is set to travel to Australia later this month to appear on I'm A Celeb spin-off show Unpacked, as she navigates the fallout from her split with husband Eamonn Holmes. She will join the program to support her Loose Women colleague Jane Moore, 62, who is a contestant in this year's ITV series. However, one fan in particular took offense at the promotion post as they penned: 'Do you ever think of the homeless while advertising expensive food and clothes' Hitting back at the accusatory comment, Ruth proved she isn't afraid to speak her mind as she insisted she 'would not be shamed' Fans were quick to support the star as they commented: 'Well said!'; 'Good for you they would be best to unfollow you if it upsets them so much' Including cheeses, quiche, olives and meats,all the items were from the Tesco Finest range Tesco were a fan of the post as they commented on the clip The trip comes as Eamonn, also 64, has been seen publicly with his new partner, Katie Alexander, 43, while Ruth showcased a fresh look with blonde hair extensions. A source revealed to The Sun that the opportunity to join the spin-off show had been a welcome distraction for Ruth during a challenging year. They said: 'It's been a tough year for Ruth and she's been putting her best foot forward. She's thrilled to have been asked to appear on this the spin-off show and fly to Australia ahead of Christmas. The insider added that Ruth is eager to support Jane, saying: 'She's rooting for Jane and can't wait to give her opinion on how she is getting on. 'The production team are particularly excited they have landed Ruth to join them as they think she'll be amazing and give the new format a boost.' Nicholas Hoult has insisted that it is 'fairly clear' he is married to Bryana Holly. The actor, 34, sparked speculation that he'd tied the knot with the model, 31, when he referred to her as his 'wife' earlier this week. In a new interview on Thursday, the Great actor claimed the meaning of his words should have made things obvious. Asked if his comments mean he is married, he told People magazine: 'I think it's fairly clear.' 'I feel like it's fairly from my comments.' The actor called his Bryanna his wife while sharing her reaction to a scary scene in his horror film 'Nosferatu' on the red carpet at the 2024 Governors Awards on Sunday. Nicholas Hoult has insisted that it is 'fairly clear' he is married to Bryana Holly in a new interview with People Magazine The actor, 34, sparked speculation that he'd tied the knot with the model, 31, when he referred to her as his 'wife' while speaking about his new horror film Nosferatu at the Governors Awards on Sunday He told E! News on the red carpe: 'Afterwards, I remember I had my wife's nails imprinted on my hand. I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this was tense.'' The couple, who rarely make public appearances together, officially began dating in 2016 after meeting in Los Angeles. They share son Joaquin, six, and another child born in 2022. Nicholas went on to give an insight into family life as he revealed he's looking forward to celebrating the festive season - with a funny family tradition. He added to the publication: 'I play this really silly game where you have to roll dice and when someone gets a six, they have to put on oven gloves, a hat, a scarf, and then grab a knife and fork and try and eat the chocolate bar, and eat as much as they can of the chocolate bar before the next person in the circle rolls a six. It's fun game.' Nicholas and Bryana first sparked marriage speculation as they attended the star-studded wedding of Anna and Malcom in Venice in October last year. Nicholas - who shot to fame as an adorable child star opposite Hugh Grant in About A Boy - and the blonde beauty both sported gold wedding bands on their fingers. Back in 2018 Nicholas became a father for the first time after welcoming his first child - son Joaquin - with Bryana, after just one year of dating. Asked if his comments mean he is married, he told People magazine : 'I think it's fairly clear.' 'I feel like it's fairly from my comments' Nicholas went on to give an insight into family life as he revealed he's looking forward to celebrating the festive season - with a funny family tradition Nicolas told the Evening Standard in 2019 his 'levels of tiredness are extreme' after he became a father for the first time. He said: 'No one warns you about it! But the level of love that comes with it outweighs everything. It's phenomenal. 'I'm loving it. And it evolves all the time. They change so much, every day is different. It fills you up as a human completely.' While in 2020 he revealed he's relishing the challenges of fatherhood, and is actually enjoying being at home with his family due to the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking on The Late Late Show with James Corden, he said: 'I'm loving it. It's mad. It's a learning curve, isn't it? There's a lot to take in. 'But overall, it's like that time again, it brings back a lot of memories of your childhood. Nicholas previously dated actress Jennifer Lawrence, 29, on and off for four years (pictured together in January 2014) In 2020 he revealed he's relishing the challenges of fatherhood, and is actually enjoying being at home with his family due to the coronavirus pandemic. 'It makes you play again - which I'm really enjoying, particularly with this time now with everything shut down and not having to work I'm kind of just playing trains all day. Yeah, it's great.' The About A Boy actor famously dated Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence on and off for four years before they broke up in 2014. Jennifer later reflected on their split during an interview with Diane Sawyer, revealing it happened as they completed filming X Men: Days Of Future Past. Meanwhile, Bryana previously dated Five Seconds of Summer star Aston Irwin and Brody Jenner, the step-brother of American socialite Kim Kardashian, with whom she regularly featured on Kim's popular fly-on-the-wall reality show. The couple dated for several months in 2013 before a dramatic falling out at the annual Playboy Mansion Halloween party. Tori Spelling uploaded a sexy bikini throwback cover to Instagram on Thursday as she posed for Stuff Magazine 24 years earlier. The TV personality, 51 - who recently moved into a $12k-a-month Calabasas home after living in an RV for a year - reflected on the past cover story and gushed how it had been a time when she stepped into her 'confidence.' In the image, the star had flaunted her toned figure wearing a glittering, dark pink bikini top as well as matching bottoms. Her usual blonde locks were a natural, brunette color and effortlessly flowed down straight past her shoulders. Spelling opted for minimal accessories to allow the eye-catching swimsuit to be the main focal point, and added a 'Stuff' necklace for a flashy flare. Tori penned in the caption to her 1.8 million followers, 'October 2000 for Stuff Magazine!.' Tori Spelling, 51, uploaded a sexy bikini throwback cover to Instagram on Thursday as she posed for Stuff Magazine 24 years earlier; seen in October in Beverly Hills In the image, the star had flaunted her toned figure wearing a glittering, dark pink bikini top as well as matching bottoms 'This was all about me showing that a good girl, aka Donna Martin, could still be a character based on faith, family, kindness, morals, strength, and mindfulness, while owning her allure and sexuality.' The mother-of-five was referencing to the character she portrayed on the hit series Beverly Hills, 90210 which she starred in for a total of 10 seasons. Spelling continued to her fans, 'I embraced my own style and showed a different side of Tori too.' 'It was so freeing to step out of how others saw me and into my own confidence,' she concluded. Tori has previously opened up about finding her self-confidence in the past and discussed the topic during an interview with E! News in 2022. 'I definitely didn't find my stride with my self-confidence until probably my 30s, but I've got admit, I would say this past year I am feeling the most confident I ever have in my entire life.' She explained that it was a 'game-changer' because she felt like she looked 'better than when I was in my 30s or 20s even.' The reality star then added, 'So it's definitely important to me. For my kids, especially my daughters.' 'It was so freeing to step out of how others saw me and into my own confidence,' she concluded; seen in 2023 in Universal City The media personality is mom to five children: Liam, 17, Stella, 16, Hattie, 13, Finn, 12, and Beau, seven - whom she shares with ex-husband Dean McDermott. 'I'm raising two strong females who have both dealt with bullying in the past,' the star also stated. 'Kind of being right on it with their self-confidence game. I tell my girls since they were born how beautiful they are, not just physically but inside. I tell them all the time.' The actress has also been open about undergoing past surgery procedures and during an episode of her misSpelling podcast in June, she revealed that she wanted a third breast augmentation. As part of a segment, the star read fan comments - with one asking if she got her 'boobs done in a van down by the river,' referencing to a Saturday Night Live skit. 'My boobs? Which version of them? I just got them done again, you guys,' she told her listeners. 'I know! I think these [breasts] aren't the ones either, godd**n it. Third time will be the charm.' She then recalled getting her first breast augmentation done at a strip mall when she was 19-years-old. Earlier this year in April, Tori admitted to taking diabetes medication Ozempic and Mounjaro to help her lose weight after welcoming her fifth child. The media personality is mom to five children: Liam, 17, Stella, 16, Hattie, 13, Finn, 12, and Beau, seven - whom she shares with ex-husband Dean McDermott On her misSpelling podcast, Spelling revealed, 'I did Mounjaro and everyone admits it now. I tried Ozempic and it didn't work for me.' 'It's a different time, so I don't feel ashamed saying that. I couldn't lose the baby weight.' She further explained, 'I was lucky enough that with four of my babies, I lost the baby weight afterward.' Back in July, Tori also gave a her fans a close look as she underwent a veneer procedure - which also helped her regain her confidence. Her latest Instagram post comes after she moved into a $12,000-a-month Calabasas home - one year after she lived in an RV park with her five kids after her marriage split from Dean McDermott. The 90210 star - who grew up in the $85million Spelling manor in Holmby Hills - has moved into a five bedroom, four bathroom mansion complete with swimming pool. The stunning home is in stark contrast to the RV park in Ventura County the star and her brood stayed in last year - amid her financial problems. Tori and her children were photographed leaving a $100-a-night motel in Los Angeles the month prior, which she chalked up to a 'mold issue' at her family marital home. Earlier this year in April, Tori admitted to taking diabetes medication Ozempic and Mounjaro to help her lose weight after welcoming her fifth child Her latest Instagram post comes after she moved into a $12,000-a-month Calabasas home - one year after she lived in an RV park with her five kids after her marriage split from Dean McDermott; seen in 2023 in L.A. The Hollywood star had been vocal about the mold prior to her move into the motel and revealed to her Instagram followers that the family had been continually sick because of it. An insider said at the time: 'Tori and Dean are doing really good and her staying at a hotel with their kids has nothing to do with a separation.' On June 16 2023, Tori's ex husband Dean revealed in a since deleted Instagram post that he was parting ways with Tori after 18 years. She later filed for divorce from the Chopped Canada host on March 29, 2024, citing irreconcilable differences. The date of separation was listed as June 17, 2023. Victoria Beckham looked adorable in throwback childhood snaps as she wished her lookalike sister Louise Adams a happy birthday on Thursday. The fashion designer, 50, shared a slew of adorable photos to celebrate the occasion, with she and her younger sister wearing a series of matching outfits. In one photo, the siblings donned matching gingham pastel dresses and were clutching onto teddies as they stood side by side for the childhood photo. Alongside the sweet picture shared with her 32.9 million Instagram followers, Victoria penned: 'Happy birthday @louisesadams. I love you!' A second throwback snap saw the sisters again in matching ensembles as they smiled in front of a huge vanity mirror and dressing table. This time, the youngsters were wearing frilly blue pyjamas as they grinned for the photo. Victoria Beckham looked adorable in throwback childhood snaps as she wished her lookalike sister Louise Adams a happy birthday on Thursday The fashion designer, 50, shared a slew of adorable photos to celebrate the occasion, with she and her younger sister wearing a series of matching outfits Victoria joked: 'We were so cute... what happened?!?,' alongside laughing emojis, before she wished her a happy birthday again. Finally, the WAG shared a snap of herself and Louise sitting on the bonnett of her dad's old Rolls-Royce wearing cute pink dresses. She wrote: 'Here it is!! Love u @louisesadams @jackie.adams_,' tagging her sister and mother in the story. Victoria is the eldest of the three siblings, born to to parents Jacqueline and Anthony Adams. Louise shares four children, Liberty, Tallulah, Finlay and Quincy with her ex-husband Darren Flood. Last year, Victoria debuted her own brand 110 'My Dad Had A Rolls Royce' T-shirt on Instagram, which was inspired by a viral moment in the Beckham documentary. The star posted a photo of herself in the white shirt to her Story and wrote 'available now' with a link to her website. She followed the snap with the famous Beckham documentary clip of Victoria claiming her family were 'very working, working class'. Finally, the WAG shared a snap of herself and Louise sitting on the bonnett of her dad's old Rolls-Royce wearing cute pink dresses Pictured: Victoria and Louise at the fashion designer's 50th birthday bash in April Victoria debuted her 110 'My Dad Had A Rolls Royce' T-shirt on Instagram last year, which was inspired by THAT viral moment in the Beckham documentary David interrupted, incredulous, and asked Victoria to be honest. She replied: 'I am!' He then repeatedly asked Victoria to reveal what car her dad used to drive her to school in. The Spice Girl eventually gave in and said: 'OK. In the '80s, my dad had a Rolls-Royce.' 'Thank you.' David replied, and immediately left and closed the door behind him, his job done. Victoria has since revealed in a new interview with Harper's Bazaar magazine that the scene was completely candid, explaining: 'David was in the other room watching the monitor, and then he put his head in the door.' 'It was not rehearsed. Like the dancing in the tent. None of it was rehearsed.' As well as Victoria capitalizing on the moment with her 110 T-shirt, the couple also spoofed the scene in a Super Bowl advert debut for Uber Eats. According to Netflix's own data, Beckham was the most-watched show for two weeks when it was released, with 11,600,000 fans watching globally. The famous Beckham documentary clip saw Victoria claim her family were 'very working, working class' Elsewhere in her Harper's Bazaar interview Victoria admitted she no longer cares about being a celebrity after turning 50 as she passes the baton to her daughter Harper. The fashion designer discussed how she has nativated being in the public eye since she soared to stardom as part of the Spice Girls in the nineties. The mother of four admitted it 'used to be fun' getting dressed up and being snapped by the paparazzi in a stylish outfit, however she admitted she no longer cares for it. Speaking about protecting her privacy, she said: 'You have to go through those times to make you, ultimately, who you are. We've kind of figured out how to be quite discreet, which is just how we want to conduct our lives right now. 'I suppose it used to be fun to go out and be chased by paparazzi walking down Bond Street and you would dress knowing you were going to get that. I don't want that any more.' 'I've been doing this too long. I suppose I did when I was growing up but, nowadays, there's just too much going on; too busy; too many kids to worry about. I woke up at 50, and I gave a s*** less.' Jay Leno has sparked a wild conspiracy theory after suffering a 60-foot fall down a hill that left him with significant bruising to the left side of his face, an eyepatch and a broken wrist. Despite revealing that his injuries were sustained during his nasty tumble while staying at a Hampton Inn, social media users began speculating that the 74-year-old comedian, whose net worth is estimated to be around $450 million, might be lying. Some conspiracy theorists on X (previously known as Twitter) shared a number of unsubstantiated theories that he was the victim of loan sharks, the mafia or someone he has 'dirt on.' Others joked that Conan OBrien finally got his revenge on Leno following their bitter and lengthy feud involving NBC's The Tonight Show. 'So Jay Leno got set on fire a few years ago, is staying at a Hampton Inn while being worth millions of dollars, with an eye patch, bruised up face, a broken wrist and a missing fingernail. And he wants us to believe he. . . Fell down a hill???' one X user asked. Another tweeted: 'I have never believed a conspiracy more than Jay Leno owing massive gambling debt.' Jay Leno has sparked a wild conspiracy theory after suffering a 60-foot fall down a hill that left him with significant bruising to the left side of his face, an eyepatch and a broken wrist (seen on Wednesday) A handful of X users also pointed out it was odd for him to be staying at a Hampton Inn, which is a more popular among budget-conscious travelers than A-list stars. Additionally, some conspiracy theorists pointed out that Leno has suffered from other bizarre and life-threatening injuries over the years. 'Looks like he took a punch to the skull with that shiner. Shady [as f**k],' another claimed as others said they questioned why only the left side of his face was bruised. One conspiracy theorist argued that there were 'holes in this story' and insisted that Leno would have 'abrasions' if he slid down a hill. 'He's in gambling debt and the collector sent a message,' the conspiracy theorist claimed. Others pleaded with Leno to 'CUT THE S**T AND GO TO THE POLICE.' Still, one Leno fan called out the unfounded theories. 'All of you speculating that Jay Leno took a beating from mob connected entities have no idea how this thing works. They dont give beatings to major celebrities over gambling debts, especially those with 1,000 priceless classic cars in storage. But keep having fun with the injuries of a 74 year old man,' the upset X user wrote. There is no evidence to suggest Leno is in any debt or involved in anything 'strange and sinister' as suggested by some on X. Despite revealing that his injuries were sustained during his nasty tumble while staying at a Hampton Inn, social media users began speculating that the 74-year-old comedian, whose net worth is estimated to be around $450 million, might be lying A handful of X users also pointed out it was odd for him to be staying at a Hampton Inn, which is a more typical choice for a budget-conscious traveler versus an A-list star One conspiracy theorist argued that there were 'holes in this story' and insisted that Leno was have had 'abrasions' if he slid down a hill 'Sounds to me like Jay Leno has some gambling debts he hasn't paid off,' a second tweeted Another asked if they should start a GoFundMe for 'Jay Leno's gambling debts' 'Looks like he took a punch to the skull with that shiner. Shady [as f**k],' another claimed as others said they found it odd that only the left side of his face was bruised Dozens of fans stated they believed the star was in 'massive gambling debt' Earlier this week, Leno opened up about the incident to Inside Edition as he explained he hit a 'bunch of rocks' during his horrific 60-foot fall on Saturday. His accident came just three hours before he performed at a stand-up show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 'I broke my wrist. Lost my nail on the finger, I'm all black and blue from 60 feet of hitting rocks,' he said of his painful-looking injuries. One day later, he returned home to perform another show in Los Angeles on Sunday. In November 2022, Leno was hospitalized following the fiery explosion at his garage, where he keeps a number of vintage cars as part of a collection. George Swift, a mechanic in the comedian's personal garage, told ET that it was a steam car that sent Leno to the hospital. Earlier this week, Leno opened up about the incident to Inside Edition as he explained he hit a 'bunch of rocks' during his fall horrific 60-foot fall on Saturday His accident came just three hours before he performed at a stand-up show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (seen above over the weekend) 'I broke my wrist. Lost my nail on the finger, I'm all black and blue from 60 feet of hitting rocks,' he said of his painful-looking injuries; pictured on September 30, 2024 'It was a steam car. This steam was made by gas. It got sprayed, as a gas,' Swift, a mechanic who works at the garage, said. 'He called me, and he told me there was a fire and the fire department is coming,' the employee continued. The Burbank Fire Department then confirmed they were dispatched to the late-night host's home at around 12.30 p.m. that day, and when they arrived they assessed and treated 'one adult male.' Leno was then transported to a local emergency room before being transferred to the Grossman Burn Center for further care. A spokesperson for the medical center told People at the time that Leno 'is in good humor and is touched by all the inquiries into his condition and well wishes. In November 2022, Leno was badly burned when a vintage 1907 steam engine he was working in his garage on exploded in his face The TV icon is pictured hosting The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2011 'He wants to let everyone know he is doing well and is in "the best burn center in the United States."' Leno later issued a statement himself, saying he 'got some serious burns from a gasoline fire.' 'I am ok,' the former late-night host said. 'Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.' He also told TMZ that it was his friend, Dave, who saved his life, by jumping on him and smothering the flames. The host said that he was repairing a clogged fuel line when he got sprayed on his hands and face with gasoline. Kim Kardashian needs reading glasses. The 44-year-old reality TV icon made the reveal with a new Instagram photo shared with her 359M followers on Thursday. The mother-of-four was makeup free with the chic glasses on as she was bra-free while wearing a low-cut black tank top from her company Skims. With books in front of her, it was clear she was studying the law. 'Law school,' was all Kim wrote in her caption as sister Khloe added, 'I love a MILFY lawyer' and Jonathan 'Foodgod' Cheban added, 'MACHINE!!!!' In 2018, she enrolled in a four-year apprenticeship with a law firm in San Francisco. In June, the ex-wife of Kanye West said she is still working towards becoming an attorney like her late father Robert Kardashian. Kim Kardashian needs reading glasses. The 44-year-old made the reveal with a new Instagram photo. She was bra-free while wearing a low-cut black tank top. With books in front of her, it was clear she was studying the law. 'Law school,' was all Kim wrote in her caption In 2018, she enrolled in a four-year apprenticeship with a law firm in San Francisco. In June, the ex-wife of Kanye West said she is still working towards becoming an attorney She gave fans an update on her law school journey. Taking to her Instagram Story, the billionaire shared a photo of herself looking over her study papers and taking notes. In the caption, Kim revealed that's been learning all about hearsay exceptions which she admitted is her 'least favorite subject' to study. 'I can't deal w all these f****** hearsay exceptions!' she wrote. 'My least favorite subject in law school!' Hearsay exceptions are when an out-of-court statement is being offered in court for the truth of what was asserted, which, in most instances is inadmissible, unless an exception to the hearsay rule applies. Kim has been training as a lawyer since 2018 in memory of her dad - who worked as a high-profile attorney but died in 2003 at the age of 59. The mother-of-four passed California's baby bar examination in 2021 after four attempts. She plans to take the California bar exam in 2025. Despite not yet being a lawyer, Kim already has some legal success under her belt. The Hulu star helped to successfully campaign for the clemency of Alice Marie Johnson, who was sentenced to life in prison for a nonviolent offense. Taking to her Instagram Story in June, the Skims founder shared a photo of herself looking over her study papers and taking notes Kim has been training as a lawyer since 2018 in memory of her dad - who worked as a high-profile attorney but died in 2003 at the age of 59; seen in 2019 when she registered with the California State Bar to study law She's also been consistently advocating for inmates. Most recently, Kim visited VP Kamala Harris at the White House in April to champion criminal justice. As she pursues dreams of becoming a real-life lawyer, it was recently revealed that Kim was pitched her own legal divorce drama by American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy last year. Kim made her acting debut as publicist Siobhan Corbyn in American Horror Story: Delicate which aired in two parts in 2023 and 2024 and Murphy was delighted with her performance. The mother-of-four passed California's baby bar examination in 2021 after four attempts and the moment was documented on her Hulu show The Kardashians in 2022 (pictured) On a recent episode of Hulu's The Kardashians, Ryan told Kim: 'You were really, really good to the point where they called me and were like, "Do you think Kim would want to do her own show?"' In a confessional after the chat, Kim joked she wasn't sure what she 'got herself into,' and wondered if she could 'really pull this off'. Murphy - who also created the likes of Glee, Nip/Tuck and Ratched - then revealed his pitch for Kim's potential series. 'Kim is the world's best, most expensive divorce lawyer, and she has her own firm, and the thing about her firm is it's an all-female firm,' he suggested. The businesswoman who has been divorced three times joked she 'has some experience' in the field. She was previously married to Kanye West, Kris Humphries and Damon Thomas. Ryan continued: 'Kim is the world's best, most expensive divorce lawyer, and she has her own firm, and the thing about her firm is it's an all-female firm.' Kim admitted she has had some 'funny' moments with celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, who helped with two of her three splits. Despite not yet being a lawyer, Kim already has some legal success under her belt. The Hulu star helped to successfully campaign for the clemency of Alice Marie Johnson, who was sentenced to life in prison for a nonviolent offense; seen in April She's also been consistently advocating for inmates. Most recently, Kim visited VP Kamala Harris at the White House in April to champion criminal justice She said: 'I'm just like, 'Don't ever let me do this again!' And the next one she'd be like, 'Hi, you reminded me last time, don't ever let you do this again.' ' Ryan joked that they might need to 'build a sound stage outside' Kim's home, with the mother-of-four also balancing law school, her hit reality show and various businesses. However, she suggested she'll have more time after taking the bar exam in 2025. Pondering a catchphrase for the show, Ryan quipped: '"Not only am I a lawyer, but I play one on TV."' Whoopi Goldberg believes Elon Musk is Donald Trump's true vice president, and not his running mate JD Vance. On the latest episode of The View, Goldberg, 69, theorized Vance, 40, was merely second-in-command on an 'interim' basis as she noted Musk's growing influence over the future administration. She questioned why Musk had not yet given up the social media platform he controversially purchased in 2022, X, in light of his affiliation with the president-elect, 78. 'I believe Elon Musk is the actual vice president. Yes, I believe that,' she said, adding Vance is 'kind of an interim.' 'But I believe that Musk, he's the real actual vice president. He's making decisions, he's doing things. So I think, "Why doesn't he have to give up X?"... I'm musing.' 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. Whoopi Goldberg believes Elon Musk is Donald Trump 's true vice president, and not his running mate JD Vance Goldberg, 69, theorized Vance was merely second-in-command on an 'interim' basis as she noted Musk's growing influence over the future administration Musk has joined Trump on calls with world leaders and, as a member of the administration's transition team, has weighed in on staffing decisions. 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.' He often spoke of how impressed he was with the companies engineering of rockets that could be caught after hurdling back to Earth. 'I believe Elon Musk is the actual vice president. Yes, I believe that. Because I think JD Vance , he's kind of an interim,' Goldberg said Trump, Musk, and Senator Kevin Cramer pictured chatting before attending of a viewing of the SpaceX Starship rocket launch on Tuesday While Trump selected Vance to be his running mate, Goldberg believes Musk is really second-in-command; Trump and Vance pictured at an election night watch party in West Palm Beach on November 6 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.' Trump defeated vice president Kamala Harris earlier this month to become the president once again. He's since made a slew of controversial cabinet picks, including celebrity doctor Dr. Oz as the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Kristen Stewart was spotted during a rare outing in Los Angeles on Thursday. The Twilight actress, 34 who recently glammed up for InStyle's Imagemaker Awards kept it casual in a white crop top and light washed jeans during her day off. She strolled the streets of the Los Feliz neighborhood with a mug of coffee in her hand, accompanied by a male pal. The star went make-up free and swept up her brunette locks in to a ponytail. She accessorized with clear framed glasses and a gold chain necklace. And she flashed her cartoon fish, hammer, crown and eye-shape tattoos on her arms. Stewart has upward of 12 known designed inked on her. Missing from her side during the laid-back outing was her fiancee, actress Dylan Meyer. Kristen Stewart was spotted during a rare outing in Los Angeles on Thursday Stewart and the 36-year-old star initially met on an undisclosed movie set in 2013, but did not become involved at the time. Six years later in the summer of 2019, the pair reconnected at a mutual friend's birthday party and were later photographed kissing in New York City. 'The day that I met her, it was like all bets were off,' the Spencer actress previously said during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show. The couple got engaged on November 2, 2021, but have yet to tie the knot. Though details on the proposal have not been made public, Stewart previously revealed that the screenwriter popped the question. Back in February, the Underwater star got candid about their relationship and explained how she knew Meyer was the one. 'I found the right person because I can be so obsessive about what I do. And luckily my girlfriend, my partner, we are into the same sh*t,' she shared. 'We have taken the things that were spending our time on and interlocked them, and were so much f**king smarter and stronger together. And youre just like, "F**k", that is the best.' Later in the interview, she explained that they bonded over growing up in Los Angeles and their similar personalities. 'We both felt like trolls as kids. We're like so similar but different. She's a writer. She's brilliant,' the Love Me actress added. She kept it casual in a white crop top and light washed jeans during her day off Missing from her side during the laid-back outing was her fiancee, actress Dylan Meyer; seen in January The couple got engaged on November 2, 2021 but have yet to tie the knot; seen in a throwback snap 'We both felt like trolls as kids. We're like so similar but different. She's a writer. She's brilliant,' the Love Me actress said of Meyers; seen in a throwback snap In 2017, Steward publicly came out as bisexual during an interview with The Guardian. She has previously been linked to her Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson, director Rupert Sanders, fashion blogger Sara Dinkin and model Stella Maxwell, among others. And back in January, she controversially told Variety that her hit 2008 film Twilight has queer undertones and is 'such a gay movie.' The actress said: 'I mean, Jesus Christ, Taylor (Lautner) and Rob and me, and its so hidden and not ok. [Twilight is] all about oppression, about wanting whats going to destroy you.' She explained, 'Thats a very Gothic, gay inclination that I love.' Strictly's Pete Wicks and his dance partner Jowita Przystal have sparked romance rumours once again. Sources say 'something has changed' between Pete and Jowita, 30, in recent weeks and they have been secretly seeing each other away from the show. At the beginning of the series, the pair were said to have 'sent tongues wagging' between the cast and crew due to their sizzling chemistry, with viewers even spotting their close connection. But then the former TOWIE star, 36, was linked to Maura Higgins, 33, and they were pictured kissing on a date. In the latest twist, Maura insisted she is single as she headed into I'm A Celebrity jungle on Thursday night. 'The chemistry between them has been pretty clear since the moment they met but the last few weeks something has changed and theyve started seeing each other away from the show,' a ' source told The Sun. Strictly's Pete Wicks and his dance partner Jowita Przystal have sparked romance rumours once again In the latest twist, Maura insisted she is single as she headed into I'm A Celebrity jungle on Thursday night Pete was linked to Maura, 33, after they were pictured kissing on a date (pictured on November 11) 'Theyve tried to keep it low-key but they often travel together rather than getting separate cars to different locations. 'And theyre so tactile backstage it has become pretty obvious something is going on. Everyone is talking about the fact they seem closer than ever.' MailOnline has contacted Pete and Jowita's representatives for comment. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline ahead of her jungle stint, Maura insisted she is 'single' despite dating TOWIE star Pete Wicks for the past few months. The Love Island star was seen planting a kiss on Pete's nose before the pair were spotted canoodling at the Grosvenor House Hotel. The couple were previously seen together enjoying a night out at The Ship in Wandsworth alongside his Strictly friends. She claimed Pete will not be flying to Australia to meet her across the famous I'm A Celeb bridge when her time on the show comes to an end. Pete is committed to Strictly after managing to avoid the dance-off despite receiving the lowest marks in the cast and being bottom of the leaderboard. Pete and Jowita were thought to have become close during the show, with reports saying they had hit it off 'immediately' When asked if she is in a relationship with Pete, Maura said: 'I'm not. I've been on dates with many people. I mean, I date, but I'm very much single. Everyone goes on dates.' Indeed, the pair enjoyed a final evening together watching pianist Ludovico Einaudi at the London Palladium. They were also spotted kissing at numerous red-carpet events such as the Pride of Britain Awards, with Maura previously speaking about how the pair have been friends for many years. On the prospect of Pete flying across the world to greet her at the jungle bridge and reunite with close pal Sam, Maura replied: 'I know nothing, he's not said that to me anyway.' The pair 'set tongues wagging' on the show among the cast and crew with even fans commenting on their chemistry Back in October, Pete shut down rumours of a romance between him and Jowita during a joint appearance on This Morning. Host Alison Hammond began their interview, by asking: 'Do you actually listen to the judges or are you just in your own little world?' Pete admitted: 'I'm just in my own little world, we're in a bit of a bubble when we dance!' causing Alison to jump to the opportunity to probe them about their rumoured relationship, cheekily asking: 'Is it a love bubble?' However, Pete insisted: 'It's not a love bubble unfortunately...' before poking fun at Alison, saying: 'I mean you came in early, that was about 30 seconds before you went in with it!' Back in October, Pete shut down rumours of a romance between him and Jowita during a joint appearance on This Morning Alison laughed and confessed: 'I was straight in there!' as Pete continued: 'You were straight in there! No, it's not a love bubble, we have great chemistry because we've become such good friends.' Gesturing to Jowita, he gushed: 'She's one of the most amazing people I've ever met, genuinely, not just in the dancing side of things but outside of that and I think that helps us with the whole dancing thing.' Alison asked if the pair found the constant speculation about the nature of their relationship tiresome, to which Pete admitted: 'Yeah, it's always the same, I'm used to it. 'Ten years that's all anyone ever interested in that side of stuff... but we don't really listen to that stuff.' Dermot O'Leary was quick to defend his co-host, explaining that Pete's best friend Sam Thompson had been spreading rumours. He insisted: 'The thing is we're not like that, it's not our fault it's Sam's fault! Sam comes on and is like, "Oh no he's totally in love!" and is bouncing off the walls.' In September, Pete opened up about his 'failed' love life, sharing fears he 'may die alone' because he 'isn't ready for a relationship'. Pete admitted he needs to 'full understand himself' before committing to a serious relationship and settling down. Speaking to The Times magazine, he said: 'I'm nearly 36. I want to get married and have kids. I've been blessed with so many opportunities, but what's the point if I can't share them with anyone? 'Right now, I'm not ready to wholeheartedly commit to a romantic relationship because I don't fully understand myself yet.' Pete's previous girlfriends include fellow TOWIE alum Megan McKenna, Shelby Tribble and Chloe Sims. Phoebe Burgess is throwing herself into work as a fashion influencer after her ex-husband Sam tied the knot for the second time earlier this month. On Thursday, the former NRL WAG, 36, spruiked a $460 blue shirt from one of her 'favourite' labels Bassike. The mother-of-two pouted and preened for a mirror selfie she shared to her Instagram page. Pairing her look with a black maxi skirt and a chic belt that featured a large silver buckle, Phoebe wore the baby blue-coloured shirt with only the middle button fastened. Known for her stylish choice of outfits, she popped the collar for added flare, rolled up the sleeves and accessorised with a pair of black sunglasses. It comes just days after Phoebe's ex-husband Sam Burgess, 35, enjoyed a fun day out at the beach with his new wife Lucy and their one-year-old daughter Robbie. Phoebe Burgess is throwing herself into work after her ex-husband Sam tied the knot for the second time earlier this month. On Thursday, the former NRL WAG, 36, spruiked a $460 blue shirt from one of her 'favourite' labels Bassike Pairing her look with a black maxi skirt and a chic belt that featured a large silver buckle, Phoebe wore the baby blue-coloured shirt with only the middle button fastened The loved-up duo spent a fun day in the sun with Robbie over the weekend on Noosa's Main beach after attending celebrity accountant Anthony Bell's wedding. The couple looked to be having a ball as they cavorted among the waves on what was a beautiful day on the Queensland Sunshine Coast. Lucy, 33, flaunted her sensational figure in a taupe G-string bikini that showed off her perfect bottom. The tiny two-piece also showcased her toned torso and slender legs. It was a case of sun's out, guns out for Sam, who proved that despite retiring from rugby league in 2019, he is still very much match fit. He showed off his chiselled chest and toned arms in a pair of red and white striped boardshorts. The loved-up couple were not afraid to pack on the PDA in the surf, happily canoodling as the waves lapped against their bodies. Sam and Lucy tied the knot last month at the Villa Aurelia - a stunning 17th-century Baroque property is set on the highest point within the walls of Rome. It comes just days after Phoebe's ex-husband Sam Burgess, 35, enjoyed a fun day out at the beach with his new wife Lucy and their one-year-old daughter Robbie. Lucy, 33, flaunted her sensational figure in a taupe G-string bikini that showed off her perfect bottom Sam and Lucy tied the knot last month at the Villa Aurelia in Rome The couple made sure Robbie was an integral part of the day's celebrations. Sam proposed to Lucy in June 2023, just nine months after they went public with their relationship. Three months later, the pair welcomed their first child together. Sam and his ex wife Phoebe married in 2015, separated in late 2018 and resumed their relationship in early 2019. They split permanently on October 2 that year and later divorced - with Phoebe holding onto her husband's name despite the acrimonious parting. Columnist Jana Hocking recently advised Phoebe to drop ex-husband Sam Burgess' surname. 'Let me put it bluntly: it's time to give up the ghost of husbands past,' Hocking wrote in her Daily Mail Australia Mail+ column.' Yes, I'm talking about your Instagram handle @mrsphoebeburgess,' she added, before suggesting keeping the name makes Phoebe seem 'a little hung up on the past when it's clear your ex-husband has long since moved on.' Luxury apartment buildings in New York City are offering their upscale renters a chance to mingle through 'adult field trips.' While these pre-planned excursions are billed as a perk, the chance to spend the weekend with neighbors has been billed as 'miserable' by some. The exclusive events invite renters to meet their neighbors while partaking in the likes of wine tasting, apple picking and sailing, the New York Post reported. Among the building operators offering such trips is The Brodsky Organization, a developer with more than 50 residential buildings in New York. Brodsky began offering the service to its residents last fall in partnership with outdoor activity company Sourced Adventures. Among the successful excursions was a trip to Pennings Orchard in upstate Warwick, where residents mingled whilst picking apples and pumpkins. Residents still have to pay for the trips, but with a significant discount from the list price. The trip to Pennings Orchard, where the building arranged round-trip transportation, was $70 a person compared to Sourced Adventures usual price of $115. Luxury apartment building are scheduling trips such as apple picking for their renters Joe Porritt, Brodsky's director of leasing and marketing said the event sold out almost immediately - showing how much demand there is for such a service. However, some have said the trips 'sound miserable.' '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,' Clio Chang from Curbed wrote. '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,' she said of developers admitting it is a way to remain competitive without lowering rents. 'The point of these trips is to create a community for our residents that you don't get as much of a sense of with in-building amenities,' Porritt told the New York Post. 'The residents on these trips are there because they want to be social,' he added. Other excursions put on by Brodsky have included a tour of three wineries on the North Fork of Long Island. Other luxury buildings that offer a similar field trip service include Gotham Organization's Gotham Point and RXR's Maven in Mott Haven in the South Bronx. Other excursions have included a tour of three wineries on the North Fork of Long Island The Suffolk in Lower East Side is one such luxury building that puts on trips for its residents Residents of The Suffolk, meanwhile, took a sailboat ride around Manhattan, chatting to their neighbors over drinks with the backdrop of the city's Financial District. One Park Point, a luxury residential building in Brooklyn, partners with Prospect Park Stable to organize trail rides for residents to enjoy together. 'Excursions are a feel-good perk to living in a building,' Deepti Mittal of Douglas Elliman said of the rise of such building-wide activities. 'Given how expensive rentals are, people are shopping around more than they usually would before deciding. 'Rather than dropping the price, developers are trying to stay competitive by giving you more of a benefit.' According to Realtor.com, the median asking rent for apartments in four New York City boroughs - Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn - was $3,425 in August. Across the US as a whole, the average monthly rental payment is just over $2,000. McDonald's is reportedly continuing its strategy of offering cheap meal bundles into 2025. The chain's latest 'McValue' gambit builds on the $5 meal deal it introduced this summer by allowing customers to choose a $1 add-on, CNBC reported. The McDonald's $5 deal includes either a McChicken or McDouble, four-piece chicken nuggets, fries and a drink. Next year, customers who buy this meal will be able to add any of the following for just a dollar: a double cheeseburger; McChicken sandwich; six piece chicken nuggets and small fry; or breakfast options of a Sausage McMuffin, sausage biscuit or sausage burrito and a hash brown. The $5 deal has been extended through the end of 2024 by most franchisees, and if this buy one, get one for $1 tweak is approved, it will continue throughout next year. Operators are still voting on the 2025 value offerings, but this initiative is likely to pass, two people familiar told CNBC. McDonald's already has several other limited-time deals on its mobile app, including 10 piece nuggets for $1. McDonald's told CNBC: 'We and our franchisees have heard customers loud and clear when it comes to keeping prices as affordable as possible. 'From the popular $5 Meal Deal, to numerous local and in-App offers on the food they love we went big on value this summer and fall, bringing fans even more ways to save when they visit McDonald's. 'And as we look to 2025, we're cooking up something even bigger. We can't wait to share what's in store.' The McDonald's $5 Meal Deal consists of a McDouble or McChicken, small fries, four-piece chicken nuggets, and a small drink for $5 The company's stock bottomed out in July, coinciding with a dismal earnings result in the April through June quarter that executives blamed on low-income customers skipping trips to the golden arches due to cost. Shares rebounded throughout the latter part of the summer and into the fall, topping out at $316.56 on October 18. Investors soured on McDonald's days later when news broke on October 22 that there had been a widespread E. coli outbreak at its restaurants spanning from September 12 to October 21. The outbreak was discovered in locations across 14 states and was linked to the slivered onions on the Quarter Pounders. So far, it's 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.' Shares are down more than 9 percent since the foodborne illness incident. McDonald's executives are heading into 2025 with value conscious customers on their minds. They plan to extend the $5 meal deal and allow a $1 add-on It could be three weeks before many McDonald's restaurants get back to serving espresso-based drinks while the machine manufacturer Melitta investigates the faulty part in its espresso machines McDonald's faced another setback this week when it came to their espresso makers. 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. 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. A Massachusetts cafe has a unique promotion to get people in the door - do a dance and get a free coffee. Coffee Milano Cafe is in Middleborough, which has a population of about 24,000 people. But the shop's most recent TikTok has reached well beyond town limits, getting nearly 7 million views as of Thursday afternoon. The video showed over a dozen excited customers boogying their way through the door to snag their free cup of joe. One woman did a very convincing moon walk, while a mother danced with her toddler. Owner Josh Rashid spoke to CNN and said foot traffic increased after the video was posted. 'We're a small little town here in Middleborough, and it's fun. A couple of people were in the store when it happened, and they came in the next day and said, "Oh my gosh, I saw your video on my For You page,"' he said. Rashid was inspired to do this by a pizza shop that ran a similar promotion. He posted a sign on the door telling customers they'd receive a free coffee if they danced for five seconds. The sign also told them that they'd be recorded and posted on the cafe's social media. Over a dozen excited customers boogying their way through the door of Coffee Milano Cafe to snag their free cup of joe Rashid said the cafes TikTok account has gained more than 10,000 followers since the video was posted, up from about 4,000 followers. 'Small businesses really need to be on these platforms where potential customers are searching,' Kristyn Shay told CNN. Shay, a social media director at SCORE, a nonprofit offering resources for small business owners, added that 'it's really an exciting time for small businesses to go viral on platforms like TikTok and be where younger potential customers are hanging out.' Rashid said his staff only began creating short, fun videos on TikTok about four weeks ago after he decided it was time to switch up their marketing strategy. 'We're in a digital world and word of mouth is great, but at the same time, we're glued to our phones,' he said. 'It just shows us how powerful social media is, and as a business owner, we have to adapt and do what we can.' The cafe plans to bring back the dancing promotion, but there's a catch The videos are often short skits that use trending TikTok sounds and so far, they've received glowing reviews in the comments. That includes the dancing video, which had such a positive reception that Rashid plans to bring back the deal every month. The catch is that he won't post an announcement or an official day for when customers can dance for free coffee. To make it more fun, he's going to leave 'Easter eggs' across the cafe's social media profiles. Rashid added that he's not worried about losing money with the promotion. 'You've got to have some joy in this world, and if a little five second dance brings you joy, then it's worth the free coffee,' he said. 55th Foundation Day Celebrations at Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University is all set to celebrate its 55th Foundation Day on November 24, 2024 (Sunday), with a series of events lined up across various venues within the University Campus. Prof. Karanjeet Singh Kahlon, Registrar, said the highlight of the Foundation Day will be the Academic Lectures delivered by esteemed scholars, taking place at 11:00 AM in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan Auditorium. Guru Nanak Dev University Re-postpones Exam Schedule Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University has announced the Re-postponement of all annual and semester (theory) examinations. These examinations were postponed on December 01 from November 20. But now due to administrative reasons, again, these examinations will be held on December 28, 2024 (Saturday). Guru Nanak Dev University organised Prof IS Grover Memorial Lectureship Award Amravati: The Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences of Guru Nanak Dev University organised Prof IS Grover Memorial Lectureship Award on November 13 which has been instituted under MoU between Guru Nanak Dev University and Dr. Avinash Kaur (Professor Retd.). She apprised that this award was instituted in the name of Late Prof. I.S. Grover, Founder Head, Department of Botany and Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences of the University, to pay tribute to all her teachers. The glaring contradiction between Congress partys diatribes against Adani and its actions underscores a deeper issue of political expediency eroding its trust The relationship between the Congress Party and the Adani Group is a masterclass in political hypocrisy. For all its vocal criticisms of the Adani-BJP nexus, Congresss historical and current actions tell a different storyone of close collaboration and mutual benefit. While Rahul Gandhi and his party present themselves as crusaders against crony capitalism, the truth is that Congress has been instrumental in the growth of the Adani empire. If anything, Congresss attacks on Adani only serve to highlight its duplicity. Adanis early growth can be traced back to the 1990s when the Congress Party was in power. In 1993, under the Chimanbhai Patel-led Congress government in Gujarat, Adani was granted land at just 10 paise per square meter for his Mundra Port project. Further land allocations were made by Shanker Singh Vaghela, who was supported by the Congress Party. Interestingly, only about a third of Adanis total land acquisitions in Gujarat occurred during Modis tenure as Chief Minister. Despite Rahul Gandhis relentless attacks on Adani, Congress-ruled states continue to roll out the red carpet for the conglomerate. In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlots government has signed agreements with Adani for a massive 10,000 MW solar power project and handed over operational control of Jaipur International Airport. In Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghels administration has approved Adanis role as a Mine Developer and Operator for coal blocks, while Himachal Pradeshs Congress Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu brokered a deal to reopen Adani-owned cement plants. These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader trend where Congress governments actively court the same group their leaders lambast at the national level. This two-faced approach isnt just political theatreits deeply cynical. The groups ability to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects, attract investments, and create jobs makes it indispensable to state governments, including those led by Congress. Yet, instead of owning this reality, Congress chooses to vilify Adani on the national stage, using him as a convenient punching bag to score political points against the BJP. Its a strategy designed to mask its complicity while hoping voters dont notice the glaring contradictions. Rahul Gandhi, in particular, has made Adani the centerpiece of his attacks on Modi, framing the group as a beneficiary of crony capitalism. But his rhetoric collapses under scrutiny. Congresss historical and ongoing engagement with Adani exposes its attacks as hollow. If Congress truly believes Adani is emblematic of everything wrong with Indias economic system, why does it continue to facilitate his projects in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh? Why does it refuse to acknowledge its role in Adanis rise, from land allocations in the 1990s to the financial windfalls his group enjoyed during UPA rule? The answer lies in political expediency. Adani Groups growth and expansion have not been limited to any single political party or government. The conglomerate has secured projects, investments, and approvals from governments led by Congress, regional parties, and other opposition parties across various states. But at the state level, where governance realities take precedence over rhetoric, the result is a schizophrenic approach that undermines whatever credibility Congress hopes to claim in its critique of crony capitalism. This duplicity isnt just bad politics; its bad for India. Congresss selective outrage over Adani distracts from the real issues of economic concentration and regulatory capture. While concerns about corporate influence on politics are valid and must be addressed, it is crucial to have a balanced and fact-based perspective on the issue. Worse, it perpetuates the very system it claims to oppose, enabling Adanis expansion while pretending to stand against it. For Congress, the cost of this hypocrisy is more than just bad opticsits a loss of trust. Voters are not blind to the contradictions between what Congress says and what it does. Rahul Gandhis crusade against Adani might make for compelling headlines, but it rings hollow when Congress-ruled states continue to partner with the group. This gap between rhetoric and reality exposes Congress as a party more interested in political opportunism than principled opposition. The people of India are wise enough to see through the oppositions double standards and political opportunism. They understand that the BJP government has always prioritised the nations interests and has worked tirelessly to promote inclusive growth and development. We will continue to focus on our agenda of good governance, economic reforms, and social welfare, regardless of the oppositions baseless attacks and allegations. (The writer is BJP national spokesperson; views are personal) This new initiative seeks to bridge that gap and stimulate job creation and economic activity by providing MSMEs with the financial support they desperately need The government plans to establish a dedicated bank to lend directly to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance credit availability in this crucial sector. The industry has called for increased financial support, as current institutions like the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) primarily focus on refinancing loans rather than providing direct funding. In contrast, state financial and industrial development corporations do lend directly to MSMEs. However, many, such as the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation (PSIDC) and Punjab Finance Corporation (PFC), are experiencing funds crunch and have stopped credit flow. PSIDC gathered liabilities worth Rs 4700 crore, therefore, has not given any fresh loans to any company for the last 16 years. According to an Ernst&Young(EY) report, MSME credit penetration in India is only 14 per cent, significantly lower than in larger economies like the US and China, where the figures are 50 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively. Indian MSMEs face a critical credit shortage of? 25 trillion, indicating a substantial untapped credit market. Increasing lending to MSMEs can stimulate economic activity and create jobs. The proposed establishment of a separate bank dedicated to the MSME sector would help address these direct credit shortages. However, the government needs to finalise various details, such as the banks ownership structure, which may adopt a hybrid public-private partnership model. Although large banks operate in the sector, they often struggle to meet the unique needs of MSMEs. Countries in Europe provide valuable lessons by grouping MSMEs with home loan customers, both considered small borrowers. If the government does not establish a new bank, SIDBI could be transformed into a full-fledged bank focused on direct lending to MSMEs instead of merely refinancing. SIDBI plays a vital role in financing Indias MSMEs and is owned by a consortium that includes the government and major financial institutions. In 2023-24, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) supported the agricultural sector with a loan portfolio of Rs 6.68 lakh crore, with the agriculture sector contributing 18 per cent to the countrys GDP. On the other hand, SIDBI had a refinancing loan portfolio of? 84,000 crore in FY 2023-24, with the MSME sector contributing 30 per cent to the GDP.For micro and small enterprises to grow, obtaining capital remains one of their most significant challenges. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has designated MSMEs as a priority sector and directed banks to allocate 40 per cent of the Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) to priority sectors, including MSMEs. However, a study by the RBI has found that most banks do not exceed 25 per cent for MSME credit. SIDBIs future growth depends on how effectively commercial banks fulfil their priority sector lending targets. A report by ICRA warns that if banks successfully meet their quotas, there could be a reduced need for SIDBIs refinancing services.Challenges: Despite the vital role MSMEs play in the countrys economy, access to adequate, timely, and low-cost finance poses a significant hurdle to the sectors growth prospects. Limited credit history, insufficient collateral, lack of knowledge about government support, and high borrowing costs complicate access to funding for MSMEs. Unlike large corporations, MSMEs often lack an established track record, making it challenging to secure loans from banks and other financial institutions. There are 64 million MSMEs in India, with 99 per cent classified as micro-enterprises. Despite global adversities, the sector has helped cushion the economy from shocks. In a nation marked by significant disparities between urban and rural areas, MSMEs contribute to the upliftment of less developed regions, thereby reducing regional imbalances and inequality. The sector provides over 110 million jobs, accounting for 23 per cent of the countrys labour force, making it the second-largest employer in India after agriculture. The importance of MSMEs to the Indian economy cannot be overstated. They drive innovation, generate employment, and contribute significantly to exports and GDP. By fostering entrepreneurship and supporting large-scale industrialisation, MSMEs play a pivotal role in reducing regional imbalances, uplifting economically weaker sections, and stimulating socio-economic development. Their adaptability and resilience make them indispensable in the face of economic adversities, ensuring the continuous dynamism of the Indian economy. With a contribution of 27 per cent to Indias GDP, 38.4 per cent of total manufacturing output, and 45 per cent of the countrys total exports, the MSME sector serves as the backbone of the economy. Global Models to Emulate: However, the government has launched several initiatives to promote financing for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), and Stand-Up India. While these efforts are commendable, the government must ensure awareness of and effective disbursement for these schemes so that more enterprises can benefit. Additionally, the private sector needs to step up and promote MSME financing. Without public-private partnerships, alliances, and collaborations, MSME financing will continue to face challenges. One pressing issue is the introduction of interest subvention to address high borrowing costs, which range from 10 to 12 per cent. This creates an uneven playing field when compared to countries like China, where the borrowing rate is 3.1 per cent, the US at 4.37 per cent, and the European Union, which averages 5.1 per cent for MSMEs. In the US, MSMEs can access funding through various federal and state programmes. The Small Business Administration (SBA) plays a vital role by offering loan guarantees and encouraging banks and other financial institutions to lend to small businesses. The Microloan Programmes provide capital for various business needs, including working capital, equipment purchases, and real estate acquisitions. Furthermore, the US government supports MSMEs through grants, venture capital initiatives, and state-specific funding programs tailored to local business environments. This diverse range of financial products ensures that MSMEs can find suitable funding options for their specific requirements. In European Union countries, MSMEs benefit from robust financial support frameworks facilitated by institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF). These entities provide funding through intermediaries like banks and microfinance institutions, offering loans, guarantees, and equity financing. The EU also promotes MSME funding through programs focused on the competitiveness of enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises, which emphasise innovation and competitiveness.In China, the government has implemented several measures to enhance MSMEs access to finance through dedicated banks, such as the China Development Bank, which offers targeted lending. Local governments have established credit guarantee funds as well. Moreover, Chinas financial technology sector has significantly grown, with online lending platforms and digital financial services providing alternative funding sources for MSMEs. Way Forward: The inherent challenges faced by MSMEs cannot be overlooked. It is essential to address the issues within the MSME sector that hinder financial accessibility. As recommended by the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, the comprehensive approaches in the US, EU, and China serve as valuable models for India to enhance its financing landscape for MSMEs, improve credit access, and make these enterprises globally competitive. The government also proposed establishing a Merchant Credit Card (MCC) Scheme for traders and a Vyapar Credit Card (VCC) for micro-units, similar to the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). Under the Credit Guarantee Fund, a scheme to provide short-term loans with interest subvention is still awaited. There is still much work to be done to ensure that all MSMEs can access affordable and timely financing. (The Author is vice-chairman of Sonalika ITL Group, vice-chairman of the Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board, Chairman of ASSOCHAM Northern Region Development Council and president of Tractor and Mechanisation Association; Views expressed are personal) Faced with a slowing economy and increasing geopolitical challenges, Beijing seems eager to seek a thaw with India In a notable shift, the Chinese government has signalled its intent to recalibrate its ties with India following a series of disengagement measures along their disputed border. The thaw reflects both strategic considerations and economic imperatives as Beijing grapples with slowing economic growth and rising geopolitical challenges. After years of strained relations exacerbated by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in casualties on both sides, the disengagement at friction points offers a moment to look into the future. Chinese officials and business leaders have expressed optimism about a potential reset in ties, framing peace and stability as prerequisites for deeper bilateral engagement. Chinas economy has been under pressure from multiple fronts: sluggish growth, weakening consumer demand and the looming threat of escalating tariffs from the United States under Donald Trumps proposed policies. Beijing has already announced two rounds of monetary and fiscal stimulus packages, with a third expected soon, aiming to rejuvenate its domestic economy and strengthen trade ties with key partners like India. India, with its vast middle-class market and growing manufacturing sector, represents an attractive prospect for Chinese businesses. Despite a persistent trade imbalanceIndias imports from China stood at $99.59 billion in 2023, dwarfing its exports of $16.23 billionthere is scope for collaboration. Chinese businesses see opportunities in Indias pharmaceuticals, services and burgeoning electric vehicle market. Chinas business leaders and scholars have called for a pragmatic approach that separates border issues from economic and cultural ties. Influential figures in Chinas economic hubsBeijing, Shanghai and Shenzhenhave emphasised the benefits of collaboration. Companies like Shanghai Pharmaceuticals and carmaker BYD have expressed interest in leveraging the Indian market, highlighting areas like healthcare and electric vehicles as promising fields for cooperation. While Beijing appears eager to reset relations, New Delhis emphasis on resolving border disputes as a precondition for normalisation remains a sticking point. India is likely to continue leveraging its trade policies to address the trade deficit and ensure balanced economic ties. Additionally, mutual trust needs rebuilding after years of diplomatic and military standoffs. Indeed, the disengagement along the border is a significant step toward restoring confidence between the two nations. If both sides prioritise dialogue and economic cooperation, the thaw could lead to a more stable and mutually beneficial relationship. Chinas acknowledgment of Indias potential as a key trade and investment partner, coupled with Indias focus on reducing its trade deficit and securing fair access to Chinese markets, could lay the foundation for a new era in Sino-Indian relations. Whatever the reasons behind Chinas willingness to engage in dialogue, this is an opportunity that must be fully seized. A massive political storm erupted in India soon after Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani was charged by United States prosecutors over his role in an alleged scheme to pay USD 250 million bribe to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts. It may be a coincidence that some of the major controversies, including the latest one, and the ones that came before it such as Hindenburg, Pegasus, Soros have surfaced just before the beginning of a Parliament session. This time, the Winter Session begins on Monday, with the Opposition announcing to raise the issue during the session while ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calling it preparation for another drama to stall proceedings of yet another important Session. While the BJP said all the states mentioned in the indictment were at that time ruled by Opposition parties, Congress led INDIA Bloc partners have demanded immediate arrest of Adani. The Adani group has denied charges of paying bribes to secure favourable terms for solar power contracts, saying the allegations by US prosecutors are baseless and the conglomerate is compliant with all laws. It said all possible legal recourse will be sought. According to agency reports from New York, United States prosecutors charged Adani and his nephew Sagar and other defendants for paying over USD 250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to Indian government officials to win solar energy contracts on terms that could potentially bring in more than USD 2 billion in profit. This, they alleged, was concealed from the US banks and investors from whom the Adani group raised billions of dollars for the project. US law allows pursuing foreign corruption allegations if they involve certain links to American investors or markets. The indictment has thrown Adani Group in yet another financial trouble after it suffered a jolt by US short seller Hindenburg Researchs damning fraud allegations. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded immediate arrest of Gautam Adani. Addressing a Press conference Rahul said it is now pretty clear and established in the US that the businessman has broken Indian as well as American laws. Rahul also demanded Adanis protector and SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch be removed from her post and a probe should be initiated. Opposition members Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), National Conference (NC), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Shiv Sena (Uddhav), said the Narendra Modi government cannot hide behind smokescreen anymore and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter. Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modis Ek hain to safe hain slogan, Rahul said as long as the PM and Adani are together, they are safe in India. He said he will raise the issue during the Winter session of Parliament beginning Monday and the entire opposition is together on the matter. Rahul, who has been constantly attacking Adani accusing him of using his proximity to the PM, said criminality and corruption are two different issues. But if Adani is working under due process, we dont have a problem. It is up to the government to investigate, Rahul said. Asked about some states ruled by non-BJP parties being named by the US prosecutors, Rahul said wherever this has happened irrespective of the party in power there should be an investigation. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said a comprehensive Joint Parliament Committee probe into all aspects of the Adani groups functioning, including its investments in foreign countries should be initiated. The BJP dubbed Rahul Gandhis attack on the Prime Minister as a part of his long-running efforts to target its leader, and noted that none of the four states (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha) named in American courts had a BJP government. BJP spokesperson and Lok Sabha MP Sambit Patra made it clear that as far as allegations against the Adani group are concerned it is for the company to issue a clarification and defend itself. Law will take its own course and if Adani is corrupt, then why are the Congress governments seeking investment from his company, BJP sought to know at a Press conference. The US authorities also charged three former employees of a large Canadian pension fund, CDPQ, in connection with the alleged scheme, saying they obstructed an investigation into the bribes by deleting emails and agreeing to provide false information to the US government. The CDPQ, which invests in infrastructure projects, is a shareholder in Adani companies. Commenting on the development, Adani spokesperson pointed to a US Department of Justice statement that said the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws, the spokesperson added. Two days ahead of the counting of votes in the Maharashtra, post-poll posturing began in both the ruling MahaYuti and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) camps on Thursday, even as the both the parties started reaching out to the rebels and independents to rope in and boost their final winning tallies. While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders began to clamour for its senior Devendra Fadnavis being chosen as the Chief Minister if the MahaYuti gets a majority in the polls, which many BJP leaders claimed was a certainty. The Shinde Sena began pushing for the nomination of its president Eknath Shinde as the Chief Minister, a post he is currently holding. Queried about the Chief Ministerial candidate within the MY, State BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule said: Our workers want Fadnavis to be the chief minister. Similarly the Shiv Sena feels it should be Shinde or for that matter NCP workers want Ajit Pawar as chief ministeronce the results are out the BJP high command and the leaderships of the other parties would take a call. Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat said that his party was all for Shinde returning as the chief minister. We feel Shinde should be the chief minister once again , he said. Responding to a question on the nomination of the CM candidate, Fadnavis - who is the number one aspirant for the CMs post, said: After the results are out, the leaders of MahaYuti constituents will sit across and decide on the chief ministerial candidate. However, Congress Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar said that the MVA partner that bags the highest number of seats will be a natural claimant to the post of CM. On state Congress president Nana Patoles suggestion that there will be a Congress-led government in the state, Raut said: The Congress high command has said that if he is becoming the CM, then Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should announce itAfter we will sit together, we will sit across and confirm if Nana Patole has made a suggestion that there should be a Congress-led government in the state and whether Nana Patole has the Congress high commands backing. Notwithstanding the confidence of a comfortable majority being expressed by the ruling MahaYuti leaders, the MVA leaders said that out of 288 seats, they would cross 160 seats. The MVA will win anywhere from 160 to 165 seats in the polls, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said. Together with the help of our allies and smaller parties like the PWP, Samajwadi Party and the Left parties. The MVA expects to cross the majority mark. There will be a stable government in the state. I can say this very confidently, Raut said. In a related development, Congress general secretary Ramesh Chennithala has called a meeting of party leaders on Friday. He will also confabulate with the MVA leaders. Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat and state NCP president Jayant Patil are reaching out to the rebels from the respective parties. We will need the help of rebels in case we fall short of numbers. Thats why our leaders are contacting the rebels so that their support can be enlisted formally on Saturday, a senior Congress leader said. You might have heard about wedding crashers, but those pale in comparison to this variation of unwanted guests: the infamous Band, Baaja, Baarat gang is back. Gangmembers gate crash into usually high-profile wedding ceremonies in the city, not to eat free food but rather to steal valuables from unsuspecting guests. Recently this gang looted two lavish weddings in Delhis Alipur and Chhatarpurs Maidan Garhi on November 12, and 17, respectively. Located about 800 km from Delhi, a specialized gang of wedding looters recruit from two villages: Kadiya and Gulkhedi in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh where families send their young members to the gang on rent. They are then trained to loot valuables from wedding parties without being noticed. According to police, 50-year-old Raj Kumar alias Raju, who is the gang coordinator, manages his operations remotely, sitting in a taxi outside the wedding venue, directing his band of thieves. Known for the practice of renting out families to criminal gangs, the residents of Kadiya and Gulkhedi villages often enter into agreements known as Anubandh, where families receive financial compensation for sending their families to participate in theft operations, a senior police official said. The gang gives a crash course to the young people so they can lift bags and steal valuables from the big fat weddings. They use young recruits, trained to blend in at wedding functions, and are used to carry out crimes without drawing any attention towards them. The practice is seen as a form of a social contract, where families from impoverished backgrounds are exploited by criminal elements for thefts at weddings, typically targeting the wealthy, he added. The officer also said that in previous instances, once an accused gets bail, they never turn up before the court for trial. Thus, they have been declared proclaimed offenders throughout India, he stated. However, the Delhi Polices Crime Branch finally busted the syndicate by arresting four members of the gang including Kumar, 30-year-old Mohit, 19-year-old Sumit, and 30-year-old Karan, near Ghitorni Metro Station, who were the primary perpetrators, executing the bag-lifting operations and stealing valuables from wedding guests. After the thefts, Raj Kumar would distribute the stolen items among the gang members, another officer added. On the night of November 12, Sumit and Karan stole cash and valuables from two wedding ceremonies in Alipur, and on the night of November 17, they also stole a bag filled with cash and valuables from a wedding ceremony at a farmhouse in Maidan Garhi in Chhatarpur. While they entered the ceremonies to commit the thefts, Raj Kumar and Mohit waited outside in a private taxi, keeping watch and giving them directions over mobile phones, the officer said, adding that they recovered five mobile phones along with 13 SIM cards being used for fake identity. The second and final phase of voting for the 2024 assembly elections in Jharkhand was completed on Wednesday. With this, the fate of 528 candidates also got sealed in the EVMs. The estimated voting till 5 pm in the last phase was around 67.59 per cent. In the last phase, 528 candidates have entered the electoral fray to try their luck. Of these, 472 candidates are men and 55 women. Voting took place at 14219 polling stations in the last phase. All these polling stations were monitored through webcasting from the State Election Bhawan and District Election Office. A third gender candidate Ashwini Ambedkar is also contesting from Giridih in the last phase of elections. At the same time, Bokaro had the highest number of 5,84,275 voters during this period. The reserved seat Littipara had the lowest number of 2,17,847 voters. Dr. Neha Arora, the Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand, reported that the highest voter turnout was observed in the Maheshpur constituency at 79.40%, followed by Nala with 78.75% and Sarath with 77.94%. In contrast, Bokaro recorded the lowest voter turnout at 50.52%, while Dhanbad and Jharia followed with 52.31% and 55.23%, respectively. Dr. Arora noted that all constituencies, except Bokaro, Dhanbad, and Jharia, achieved voter turnout rates exceeding 60%. She also stated that by 3 PM, 134 ballot units, 161 control units, and 377 VVPATs had been replaced during polling. Additionally, an FIR was lodged against presiding officer Ramanand Kumar Paswan, stationed at polling booth number 111 in the Madhupur assembly constituency, as per orders from the Election Commission. Paswan was taken into custody after a webcasting complaint confirmed he cast votes in favor of the JMM candidate. Dr. Arora confirmed that a replacement officer was appointed to the polling station. Holding a press conference after end of polling Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar said that the second phase of polling was completed peacefully. The report of voter turnout is expected by 11 pm, while the complete report of end of poll will come by Thursday afternoon. EVM machines will be sealed in the strong room after scrutiny by Thursday afternoon. He said that five cases have been registered on Wednesday for violation of Model Code of Conduct and action is being taken to register a case on one. State Police Nodal Officer AV Homkar said that after the end of polling, the polling personnel are returning to their respective destinations with EVM machines under tight security and surveillance. He said that in the second phase of elections, 891 booths were sensitive regarding Naxalites, whereas 6828 booths were in the critical category. For this, 585 companies of paramilitary forces were deployed. There were 60 companies of state armed forces. Apart from this, 26000 additional jawans of home guard and state police were deployed. Cobra and Jharkhand Jaguar jawans were continuously active in the Naxalite areas. He said that the border of Bengal and Bihar was sealed for the voting. 114 check posts were made there. Bihar and Bengal also cooperated and made 124 check posts in their border areas. During this, 115 illegal firearms and 1800 cartridges were seized. Along with that, legal action was taken against 34 thousand people. During the entire election, only the state police has seized illegal material and cash worth Rs 163 crore. At the same time, the Chief Electoral Officer told that since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, a total of Rs 207.36 crore illegal material and cash has been seized. With the completion of the last phase of voting, the election process in Jharkhand is complete. Now the election results will be out on November 23. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, on Wednesday, accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of misusing the administrative machinery to win the Uttar Pradesh assembly bypolls through manipulation. Akhilesh Yadav said his party had complained to the Election Commission about irregularities in various constituencies. Voting was held for nine assembly seats in the state on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said, We have lodged complaints about irregularities in various constituencies, including Karhal, Sisamau, Meerapur, Kundarki, Phulpur and Majhawan. Despite these complaints, it seems that the Election Commission is turning a blind eye to them. It appears that the Election Commissions senses are no longer functioning. The BJP wants to win these bypolls not through votes but through manipulation, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh alleged. Fearing defeat, the ruling party is pressuring the administration to act unfairly, he charged, while urging voters to go to polling booths and stay there until they cast their vote. This is a right granted to us and everyone must exercise it, he added. Referring to the Election Commissions directives issued in response to the SPs earlier complaints, Yadav said, The EC had clearly instructed that police cannot stop anyone, conduct searches, or check ID cards. Despite this, the BJP is resorting to dishonesty because they know they are losing public support. Yadav further accused the BJP of preventing many people who want to vote for opposition parties from casting their ballots to make up for its supporters disinterest. Many of their own people are opposing them. Their voters are slipping away and even voting against them. The BJP is using police to block our supporters from voting because their voters are not turning up, the SP chief claimed. He said the BJPs desperation indicates a crumbling hold on power. Their throne is shaking and they are panicking because both the public and their internal factions are against them, he said. : With the counting of votes for the Jharkhand Assembly elections scheduled for November 23, preparations are in full swing in East Singhbhum district. The Cooperative College campus in Jamshedpur, designated as the counting center, underwent a thorough inspection by District Election Officer (DEO) Ananya Mittal and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishore Kaushal. The inspection team included Project Director ITDA Dipankar Chaudhary, ADM (Law and Order) Aniket Sachan, SDM Dhalbhum Shatabdi Majumdar, and City SP Kumar Shivashish. The officials reviewed the strong room, which houses the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and the assembly-wise counting centers to ensure all necessary preparations were in place. The DEO and SSP focused on security measures and operational readiness. They inspected the strong room's security arrangements and evaluated the site for any potential gaps. Proper barricading, lighting arrangements in the counting halls, and the provision of necessary materials on the counting tables were discussed in detail. The DEO instructed the team to ensure that security protocols were adhered to in line with the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) guidelines. Separate barricading for various personnel categories, including counting agents, candidates, laborers, officers, and media representatives, was emphasized. He also directed the issuance of ID cards for all individuals involved in the counting process to prevent unauthorized access. Mittal highlighted the importance of making adequate arrangements for the personnel involved on counting day. This includes the timely distribution of food packets, access to clean drinking water, and proper facilities for sealing the EVMs after the counting process. Additionally, the DEO instructed the team to complete preparations for parking arrangements, issue vehicle entry passes, and create a media gallery to ensure smooth coverage of the event. All logistical arrangements were reviewed to avoid any last-minute disruptions. SSP Kishore Kaushal provided an update on the law and order arrangements around the counting center. He assured that adequate police personnel would be deployed to maintain security and ensure a peaceful counting process. The focus is on creating a secure environment for all stakeholders, including candidates, officials, and media representatives. The DEO reiterated the importance of completing all preparations well in advance. He instructed officials to coordinate with various departments and ensure seamless communication to address any issues promptly. This comprehensive inspection underscores the district administrations commitment to ensuring a transparent, secure, and efficient counting process. With all necessary preparations in place, the East Singhbhum district is geared up for a smooth and orderly counting day on November 23. The Delhi BJP held a massive protest infront of the residence of former Chief Minister and AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal against the misuse of public funds in the construction of his earlier residence and using lavish equipment including gold plated toilet accessories in it. The party demanded a high level investigation. Meanwhile, police said they have detained some BJP leaders including Delhi unit president Virendra Sachdeva who took part in the protest and taken them to the Parliament Street police station, where they were later released after being warned. "No one is allowed to breach law and order situations," a senior police officer said. Scores of party workers and supporters raised slogans and questioned, Kejriwal, give answershow did you get so much money, and how did you decorate the Sheesh Mahal bungalow? Sachdeva stated, From day one, we have been saying that this Sheesh Mahal bungalow is the result of embezzlement of crores of rupees from the publics hard-earned money and is a symbol of corruption. We have never heard of something as extravagant as a golden toilet seat before. He added, When Arvind Kejriwal was allotted the house by the PWD, the inventory was recorded on a single page. However, today, eight pages are insufficient to document the items in this house. The golden toilet seat, golden washbasin, silver dinner set, carpets worth Rs 50 lakh, curtains worth Rs 8 lakh, expensive stones, and even Bose speakers in all rooms and bathrooms were all installed by Kejriwal himself. He questioned the source of this luxurious equipment. The people of Delhi are asking if the money for this bungalow came from the liquor scam, the water board scam, or from terrorist organizations accused of funding the AAP, the Delhi BJP Chief questioned, adding that in the coming days, the citizens of Delhi will hold him accountable. Sachdeva declared, Arvind Kejriwal, with a mindset akin to royalty, can no longer claim to represent the common man with his tales of Rs 100 slippers and Rs 2 pens. His story will now be defined by the documents that expose his corruption. South Delhi BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri alleged that Kejriwal built his lavish mansion without even getting the required approvals for its blueprint and illegally cut down dozens of trees. If someone in Delhi builds even a small house, they immediately receive notices and face demolition, but no rules were followed for Kejriwals mansion, he said. Former Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot, who recently joined BJP, remarked that he had been with the AAP for the past ten years. He worked selflessly without any personal interest or greed, but the party is no longer the same AAP for which they all left their jobs to join a peoples movement. The current issue of protest was something he had mentioned in his resignation letter when he left the AAP. A person embroiled in such controversies over luxurious items in his residence should demonstrate moral responsibility and step down from his position, he said, adding that the issue of the protest was something he mentioned in his letter when he decided to leave the AAP. If there is such a controversy over luxury items in someones bungalow, they should show some morality and resign from their position, he said. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that today the bookish knowledge may be complete but after the convocation, self-study, meditation and contemplation must continue. He gave a mantra to the students This is the time this is the right time. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing the sixth convocation ceremony of Symbiosis Skill University in Indore on Thursday. Yadav said that in the changing times, many remarkable works are being done in India. The country is progressing rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our new generation should become technically proficient and ensure their contribution to the development of the country and the welfare of the entire human society. Giving the example of Israel, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Israel has overcome many challenges only on the strength of technical knowledge. We also have to enhance our capacity and technical proficiency. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that morality is always paramount. Along with education, value education ??is also important. The Chief Minister congratulated all the students who received degrees in the convocation ceremony and wished them all the best for a bright future. Yadav said that universities are an important pinnacle in the field of education but the contribution of Symbiosis Group which has established the university in technical efficiency and the technical field becomes even more important. Praising Prof. Chancellor Dr. Swati Majumdar, he said that she left America to dedicate her life to education in India. At the outset, Prof. of Symbiosis Technical University. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday inaugurated a new portal related to the allocation of government houses in the capital before the meeting of the Cabinet. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav congratulated the Home Department for this initiative. Notably, such a portal had not been created till now. According to the provisions of Bhopal-based Government House Allotment Rules 2000, the entire house allotment process will now be conducted online through the portal. Information about online house allotment to the allottee i.e. government servant through the portal www.sampada.mp.gov.in will be sent on real real-time basis by the Home Department on the registered mobile number through SMS gateway MPHOME. The work of allotment of houses in order of priority in the interest of government servants will be generated through the portal. This will reduce cases of human interference and bias to zero. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav on Wednesday allocated multi-storeyed residential houses constructed in South T.T. Nagar near New Market. These newly constructed houses include a total of 1210 G and H type. Information about seeking possession of government accommodation can be given through the portal. Anganwadi workers and Sahayikas will be recruited online Chief Minister Dr. Yadav sought information about the system developed for online recruitment of Anganwadi workers and Sahayikas in the state. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that this transparent process will help quicken and simplify the process of appointment. With this, the number of complaints received related to the appointment process will reduce. In the new system, applicants will be able to apply through MP online kiosk or by downloading the application on their own mobile and uploading all the documents along with the application. Chief Minister Yadav described the functioning of the online module https://chayan.mponline.gov.in/ as useful and congratulated the Women and Child Development Department for this launch. The Government of India has sanctioned 549 new Anganwadi centers in 20 districts inhabited by Special Backward Tribes under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM Janman). Anganwadi workers and Sahayikas are to be appointed in Anganwadi centers for 5201 posts as of now. Apart from this, a total of 17 thousand 871 posts will be filled by including other newly created 12 thousand 670 posts. In this way, a large number of women will get employment through the online appointment process. Anganwadi workers will get Rs 13 thousand per month and Anganwadi Sahayikas will get Rs 6500 as a monthly honorarium. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has thanked people of the state for the peaceful conclusion of the Jharkhand Assembly election. Hemant Soren thanking the people of state especially the polling staff and police personnel engaged in the polling in his social media platform he has said that this great festival of democracy on the holy land of Jharkhand was amazing. In both the phases, the people of the state have expressed their aspirations and hopes through voting. This is not just an election, but a resolution to build a new, prosperous and strong Jharkhand. Soren further said that the elderly, the youth, the workers, women, farmers - all gave their unprecedented blessings with enthusiasm and excitement in this great festival of democracy. Everyone, especially, half of the state's population - our Maiyaan, enthusiastically gave their immense blessings to JMM and INDIA alliance in a historic manner for their rights, dignity and respect. We firmly pledge that we will realize the sacrifice of the immortal brave martyrs, fulfill the dreams of the great revolutionaries, give tangible form to the aspirations of the agitators and together create a new, golden Jharkhand!, Soren added. On this auspicious occasion, I bow down to each voter, to the dutiful polling personnel, to the dedicated workers of JMM and INDIA alliance, and to all those political parties that have strengthened democracy. In Jharkhand today, voting concluded for the second phase with a turnout of 67.59% till 5 p.m.. Polling continues in certain stations where voters are waiting in queue before the culmination of poll hours. In the second phase, the BJP is contesting on 32 seats and its ally AJSU on six seats. For the INDIA bloc, JMM is contesting from 20 seats, Congress from 13, Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) from four, and RJD from two. The JMM and CPI(ML) will have a friendly contest in Dhanwar while the Congress and RJD will engage in a friendly fight in Chattarpur and Bishrampur. Several key meetings of newly appointed state party office bearers were jointly chaired by state unit chief Jitu Patwari and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh at the Indira Bhawan headquarters of the Congress on Thursday. The key meeting held on the day was a conclave of the Political Affairs Committee. The State Executive, Permanent Invitees, and Special Invitees of the Congress state unit also met in two sessions. The party said that discussions were held to strengthen the Congress organisation in the state by revitalising the grassroots at booth, mandal, sector, block, and district levels. The meetings discussed the formation of Ward Congress Committees in all urban local bodies, following which Mohalla Congress Committees will be established, with each committee covering 30 to 40 households per booth.Members of the Mohalla Congress Committees will also be part of the booth committees. Additionally, the formation of Gram Panchayat Congress Committees at the village level was discussed, with members of these committees also being members of the booth committees.The meeting also covered the tenure of Block Congress Committee and District Congress Committee presidents and filling vacancies for PCC and AICC delegates. A key decision was made to hold the State Congress representatives conference between February 20 and March 20 during the forthcoming year. Discussions were also held on training programs for Congress officials at various levels, with party leaders outlining their responsibilities and roles.A host of top Congress leaders, including former ministers, former MPs, and legislators, attended the maiden conclave since the announcement of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). Speaking to the media, Patwari said that discussions over the two-day schedule of meetings will reinvigorate party workers and give direct focus and energy to party programs in the future.The party meetings have triggered speculations over the names of new District Congress Presidents who are likely to be appointed soon. STAFF REPORTER n BHOPAL Several key meetings of newly appointed state party office bearers were jointly chaired by state unit chief Jitu Patwari and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh at the Indira Bhawan headquarters of the Congress on Thursday. The key meeting held on the day was a conclave of the Political Affairs Committee. The State Executive, Permanent Invitees, and Special Invitees of the Congress state unit also met in two sessions. The party said that discussions were held to strengthen the Congress organisation in the state by revitalising the grassroots at booth, mandal, sector, block, and district levels. The meetings discussed the formation of Ward Congress Committees in all urban local bodies, following which Mohalla Congress Committees will be established, with each committee covering 30 to 40 households per booth.Members of the Mohalla Congress Committees will also be part of the booth committees. Additionally, the formation of Gram Panchayat Congress Committees at the village level was discussed, with members of these committees also being members of the booth committees.The meeting also covered the tenure of Block Congress Committee and District Congress Committee presidents and filling vacancies for PCC and AICC delegates. A key decision was made to hold the State Congress representatives conference between February 20 and March 20 during the forthcoming year. Discussions were also held on training programs for Congress officials at various levels, with party leaders outlining their responsibilities and roles.A host of top Congress leaders, including former ministers, former MPs, and legislators, attended the maiden conclave since the announcement of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). Speaking to the media, Patwari said that discussions over the two-day schedule of meetings will reinvigorate party workers and give direct focus and energy to party programs in the future.The party meetings have triggered speculations over the names of new District Congress Presidents who are likely to be appointed soon. A video of habitual criminal opening fire in the air at Manuabhan ki Tekri surfaced over social media who had threatened the family of a 15-year-old girl at Tilajamalpura area four days ago. The video of Sameer Bachcha, a criminal under surveillance of Tilajamalpura police station of Bhopal, has surfaced. In this video, the accused is seen opening fire at Manuabhan Tekri. Sameer along with his brother and friends, had entered the house of a student of class 9 four days ago and threatened her with weapons. The complaint of this was registered by Tilajamalpura police station. The police have arrested Sameer and sent him to jail. A 15-year-old student studying in class 9 lives in a colony of Tilajamalpura. The accused Sameer Anwar alias Bachcha, his brother Zubair and Faizan alias Lala entered the victim's house armed with weapons. There is an old dispute between the accused and the victim's brother. The victim alleges that Zubair used to molest her while coming and going to school. She told this to her mother, the mother asked the son to talk to the accused. There was an argument between the accused and the victim's brother regarding this matter. With the intention of taking revenge for this, the accused entered the house looking for the brother. They also abused the victim's mother when the teenager protested, she was threatened. After the incident on November 17, the victim's family is forced to lock the house and live at another place. Her mother alleges that they have already complained to the police. Even after this, the accused are constantly harassing them. Criminal cases are registered against the accused in police stations including Tila Jamalpura and Gautam Nagar. Tila Jamalpura police arrested the accused Sameer on Thursday and sent him to jail. A video of him firing has surfaced. The police said that the victim's brother Sahit is also a criminal. Many cases are registered against him. There is an old dispute between the two sides regarding supremacy. After Sameer's arrest, Tilajamalpura police station in-charge Sarita Burman said that the accused has been presented in the court and sent to jail. The video uploaded by him on social media was edited. 49.3 per cent voter turnout recorded The Election Commission, on Wednesday, ordered the suspension of several police personnel for violating guidelines on voter ID checks during the Uttar Pradesh bypolls in nine assembly constituencies which recorded around 49.3 per cent voter turnout. Uttar Pradeshs Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinva said the voter turnout was 67.1 per cent in Meerapur, 57.7 per cent in Kundarki. 33.3 per cent in Ghaziabad, 46.3 per cent in Khair, 54.1 per cent in Karhal, 49.1 per cent in Sisamau. 43.4 per cent in Phulpur, 56.9 per cent in Katheri and 50.4 per cent in Majhwan. The EC action came after serious allegations from both the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party regarding voter suppression and irregularities at polling stations. The action came from Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar to district election officers and superintendents of police to ensure impartial and smooth voting. Officials were instructed to address all complaints and notify complainants via social media, tagging them in updates to maintain transparency. The SP accused police personnel of preventing voters from casting their ballots, particularly in Meerapur assembly constituency of Muzaffarnagar district. The SP alleged that certain communities were targeted and prevented from casting their votes. The BJP dismissed these allegations and instead requested that identity verification for burqa-clad voters be intensified. The BJP alleged fake voting in some assembly constituencies, including Sisamau. SP president Akhilesh Yadav urged the EC and the Supreme Court to intervene, calling for immediate action against those responsible for voter suppression based on video evidence. All police officers who are checking voter cards and Aadhaar IDs should be immediately suspended on the basis of video evidence, he said. He also emphasised that police have no right to check Aadhaar or identity cards, stating that only polling officers are permitted to do so. SP candidate from Meerapur, Sumbul Rana, accused police personnel of harassing voters and blocking their participation in the election. 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, Rana claimed. She added that in areas like Nayagaon, Nagla Buzuk and Sambalheda, voters were repeatedly asked for multiple IDs, even when they presented the required documents. Rana further alleged that complaints were being raised but were not being addressed by the authorities. National Democratic Alliance candidate of Rashtriya Lok Dal, Mithlesh Pal, claimed that people from outside Meerapur constituency were being brought in for bogus voting and were being accommodated in madrasas and schools. Pal also alleged that women in burqas were being used for such activities. The RLD candidate defended the police actions in checking voter IDs, saying it was necessary to prevent bogus voting. All this is happening because of the flexible attitude of the police. We have made a complaint but police are unable to do anything at the moment, she added. In contrast, the BJP raised concerns about burqa-clad women voters, claiming that their faces did not match the photos on their identity cards. BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla alleged that the SP, fearing defeat in the bypolls, had enlisted external disruptive elements in the voting areas. According to several media reports, the faces of women wearing burqas are not matching with their identity cards, Shukla said. The BJP appealed to the EC and local administration to ensure strict enforcement of voter ID checks to prevent any fraudulent voting. The SPs media cell also highlighted alleged poll code violations, particularly at the Kundarki constituency in Moradabad. The party claimed that its agents were not allowed near the polling stations. The district administration dismissed the allegation, saying it was unfounded. Moradabad District Magistrate Anuj Singh confirmed that no irregularities had been found after verifying the complaints, stating that voting was proceeding smoothly with adequate security. In Kanpur Nagar, SP candidate Naseem Solanki also raised concerns about biased behaviour of the administration, citing complaints from party voters about being treated unfairly. Meanwhile, tension escalated in Kakroli village during voting for the Meerapur assembly bypoll on Wednesday when two groups clashed, hurling stones at each other. The cause of the confrontation was not immediately clear. Senior Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh confirmed that police intervened promptly and dispersed the crowd using mild force. The situation was brought under control and voting continues peacefully, Singh said. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate Mohammad Arshad alleged that voter turnout in Kakroli was low because police were preventing people from leaving their homes. He accused the police of harassing voters and likened their actions to enemies of the people. Arshad further claimed that AIMIM workers were being detained by the police. Polling was held for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, including Katehari, Karhal, Ghaziabad, Sisamau, Meerapur, Phulpur, Kundarki, Khair and Majhawan. Polling began at 7 am and concluded at 5 pm. The votes will be counted on November 23. XLRI Xavier School of Management is all set to host the 32nd Annual JRD Tata Oration on Business Ethics on November 22. The event will take place at 6:30 PM at Tata Auditorium, continuing its legacy of fostering thought leadership in ethical business practices. This years oration will be delivered by Harish Bhat, an advisor and director at the Tata Group. Known for his insightful perspectives on business integrity and leadership, Bhats address is highly anticipated by the academic and corporate communities. The topic of his address is the Legacy of Ratan Tata. The Annual JRD Tata Oration on Business Ethics, named after the visionary industrialist and former chairman of Tata Group, JRD Tata, has been a flagship event of XLRI for over three decades. It seeks to uphold and propagate the principles of ethical business conduct, aligning with XLRIs mission to shape leaders who embody values-driven decision-making. Harish Bhat has worked with the Tata group for 37 years. Over this long period he has held many senior roles in the Group, including as Brand Custodian at Tata Sons, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Global Beverages and Chief Operating Officer of the watches and jewellery businesses at Titan Company. After his superannuation last year, Harish is now serving as an Advisor at Tata Sons. He is also a Director on the Boards of some Tata companies, including Trent, Infiniti Retail (Croma) and Tata Starbucks. An avid marketer, Harish has helped nurture and grow many iconic brands of the Tata group, such as Tanishq, Titan, Fastrack, Tata Tea and Chakra Gold Tea. In his most recent role, he led the development and growth of TATA, which is India's most valuable brand. in 2022 and 2023, Forbes listed him as one of the top 10 most influential Chief Marketing Officers in the world. Harish has also played a key role in strategic initiatives such as the acquisition of Tetley Tea by the Tata group, and the turnaround of the jewellery business at Titan. Harish is a graduate of BIT'S Pilani and IIM Ahmedabad. in 1987, he won the IIM Ahmedabad Gold Medal for scholastic excellence. In 2017, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from BITS Pilani. Ultras of the JPC (Jharkhand Prastuti Committee) set afire 5 empty hyvas at Laat jungle between Herhunj and Latehar police stations around 1.30 am on Wednesday night. SP Latehar Kumar Gaurav said, "The 5 empty heavy vehicles were returning to the Tubed colliery from Kusmi coal loading site when around a dozen people set those afire." The hyvas were in row and hence the arsonists had not to do much force to burn them. The arsonists opened indiscriminate firing in the air too which was solely for an act of terror or to puncture the peace of the winter night. The jungle is around 8kms away from the nearest police station Herhunj. Gaurav confirmed the firing by the JPC saying no one was hurt in it. Police have recovered a hand written leaflet from the site. The leaflet is written with red ink deliberately. It appears to be written by someone, who is a school dropout as the leaflet appears to be cloggish. The leaflet is stated to be of JPC. It begins with Jharkhand is ours and so it is our right to prevail here. It then warns. The warning is not to do any coal transportation and earth cutting prior to seeking permission from the JPC failing which the leaflet reads 'fouji karwai' (military action) will be done and the defiants will be at their own peril. "There are lumpen elements who huddle together and form an outfit labelling any name of the extremism with the sole aim to create name and terror" said the SP. This is the second incident of hyva burning in a span of just two weeks in this region. On November 5 two hywas were torched barely 100 meters away from the Amrawadeeh police picket. Police did crack this case by arresting half a dozen people who had worn the facade of the splinter group of the JJMP. Sources said the stretch between Herhunj and Latehar is not only vulnerable but a soft target where such an arsoning by naxals is carried out with deadly precision. The Department of Mathematics at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Jamshedpur successfully hosted the Third International Conference on Security and Privacy. Organized in a hybrid format, the event showcased pioneering research and advancements in data security, cybersecurity, and privacy, attracting experts, academicians, and industry professionals from across the globe. The conference was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Goutam Sutradhar, Director of NIT Jamshedpur, who underscored the significance of security and privacy in the evolving digital landscape. He called upon participants to foster innovation and contribute to developing advanced technologies in the field. The Chief Guest, Dr. Debasish Roy, IPS, DG & IGP, Railways, West Bengal Police, emphasized the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing security challenges. Under the stewardship of Convener and Organizing Secretary Dr. Sumit Kumar Debnath and Chairman Dr. Sourav Das, the conference featured a diverse lineup of distinguished speakers. Keynote addresses included: Prof. Jintai Ding, Tsinghua University, China, on Post-Quantum Cryptography. Dr. Anupam Chattopadhyay, NTU Singapore, on Security and Privacy of Machine Learning. Prof. Subhamoy Maitra, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, on A Cryptographic View of the Quantum Paradigm. Dr. Saibal Kumar Pal, DRDO, on Long-Term Cryptographic Security. Dr. Debasish Roy, IPS, on Quantum Computing on Boolean Functions. Prof. Sourav Mukhopadhyay, IIT Kharagpur, on The Power of Public Key Encryption and Fully Homomorphic Encryption. Dr. Ratna Dutta, IIT Kharagpur, on Post-Quantum Secure MFHE and IPFE for Untrusted Cloud Environments. Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions and presented research papers on topics such as encryption, blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum cryptography. These deliberations reflected the interdisciplinary nature of modern security challenges and solutions. The event was supported by sponsors including IIT Bombay, SERB, Springer, and DRDO. It was attended by several eminent professors, including Dr. Raj Nandkeolyar, Head of the Mathematics Department, and other faculty members, whose contributions ensured the conference's success. This conference reinforced NIT Jamshedpurs commitment to advancing research and fostering collaboration in addressing global challenges in cybersecurity and privacy. During the conference, participants presented innovative research papers and engaged in discussions on various topics, including data security, encryption, blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other related areas. This conference was sponsored by IITB, SERB, Springer, DRDO. Issuing transfer orders, the Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday posted Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Wildlife, VM Ambade, on deputation as the MD of the MP State Forest Development Corporation. Ambade has been replaced by Shubhranjan Sen, who until now had served as PCCFFinance and Budget. The orders come less than a month after 10 wild elephants died at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) between October 29 and 31. An elephant calf also died under treatment at the Tala Centre of the reserve on November 10.Speaking in the aftermath of the tragedy, forest officials said that the elephants had died after grazing on contaminated Kodo millet.Researchers say that Kodo harvested in damp conditions can develop Kita (fungus) infestation, making it inappropriate for human and animal consumption due to the presence of mycotoxins. Though the elephant deaths are still being investigated, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought responses from state forest and wildlife officials, as well as the Centre, for what it claims is a violation of Forest Conservation and Environmental Protection laws. The NGT has set the deadline for the second week of December. A tiger that recently hunted a cow has crossed the Koel River into the Palamu Tiger Reserve from the forests of the Bhandaria area, sparking concern among local villagers. Reports indicate that the tiger was spotted in the Kurun forest of the Bhandaria police station late last night. The presence of the tiger has heightened fear in the already troubled regions of Ramakanda, Bhandaria, and Bargarh, which have been grappling with incidents of elephant and bear attacks. On the night of November 13, the tiger reportedly killed a cow owned by Shivkumar Singh of Baherakhand. Villagers found some remains of the carcass in the forest the following morning, leading them to alert the forest department. Officials from the Bhandaria forest area confirmed that the cow had indeed fallen prey to the tiger. Following instructions from Garhwa DFO Ibin Beni Abraham, a compensation of five thousand rupees was promptly issued to Singh. In the last three months, residents have already been on edge due to incessant elephant disturbances, and now the addition of a tiger sighting has intensified the atmosphere of fear. To mitigate the risk of human-tiger conflict, the forest department has been actively informing villagers in Bhandaria via loudspeakers, urging them to exercise caution and avoid venturing into the forests. This is the second consecutive year a tiger has reportedly entered the Bhandaria area, recalling incidents from March of last year when a similar event led to the deaths of three people in just two days. A disturbing video of a tiger hunting and consuming its prey in the Kutuku forest also surfaced at that time. Despite the current fears, officials note that the recent tiger has not shown tendencies towards becoming a man-eater thus far. It is worth noting that this marks the second instance in four years a tiger has roamed into this region, which is connected to the northern forest terrain of Balrampur in Chhattisgarh via the Kanhar River. In addition to the danger posed by the tiger, a herd of elephants migrating from Chhattisgarh has also wreaked havoc in the southern forest area of Ramakanda, resulting in six fatalities over a span of three months. A bear attack in Bijka of Bhandaria recently left one villager injured. The fatalities from the elephant incursions include Nageshwar Singh of Baligarh, Subhash Singh of Parro, Mahru Dealer, Ramshakal Singh from Chutia in Jonhikhand, Swati Minj of Bairia, and Sitaram Mochi from Upartola in Ramkanda. Following reports of a tiger entering the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) from the Garhwa Southern Forest Area, paw marks of a male tiger have been discovered within the PTR range. Prajesh Kant Jena, the North Deputy Director of PTR, confirmed the sighting of these paw prints. He mentioned that a photograph of the male tiger, which arrived from the Kanhar River in Chhattisgarh, has not yet been released. As a result, it remains unclear whether this tiger is the same as the one spotted last year or if it is a different individual. Jena stated that monitoring efforts are underway, including the installation of camera traps. Highlighting the construction of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and the importance of unity in Sanatan Dharma, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, said that a task that had been stalled for 500 years, for which countless generations made sacrifices, was completed in just two years under PM Narendra Modis leadership. He added that had the country been united 500 years ago, it would not have faced slavery. The CM made these remarks after unveiling the grand Shri Rajagopuram Gate of Sugriva Fort in Ayodhya. Addressing the saints and sages from across the country, Yogi said, Memories of our past inspire us to guide society in the right direction. Unity is our greatest strength, and when we stand together, no force in the world can weaken us. Reflecting on the construction of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, the chief minister called it the result of a prolonged struggle for generations. He added that the 500-year-long wait has finally ended, and the dream of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple has been realised under the leadership of the Prime Minister. The chief minister credited the unity of Sanatan Dharma followers as the foundation of this historic achievement. CM Yogi called for a firm stand against forces that weaken religion and society. He urged people to distance themselves from anything harmful to the nation and to expose and isolate such elements. Exposing such elements and isolating them from society should be the work of religion, he said. Highlighting the significance of Sugriva Fort, the chief minister shared its historical connection to Devaraha Baba and Shri Rams exile period. He explained that Bharat had prepared this site for Shri Rams stay. The once narrow path to the fort has now been widened, making it more accessible. The chief minister called this development an integral part of Ayodhyas growth. Ayodhya is now not only a religious and spiritual centre, but is also developing as the most beautiful city in the world, he added. The chief minister highlighted the development plans for Ayodhya, mentioning that the international airport has been completed, which will help connect Ayodhya to the global stage. He reaffirmed his commitment to making Ayodhya the most beautiful city in the world and emphasised that it is the responsibility of the people of Ayodhya to protect and preserve this heritage. The chief minister also spoke about revitalising other religious sites along with Ayodhyas development. He added that under the guidance of saints, Ayodhya will be developed as a city reflecting the ideals of Shri Ram. He also mentioned the contribution of Saint Purushottamcharaya Ji Maharaj and expressed his respect towards him. On this occasion, Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Pujyaswami Shri Vishwasprapannacharya Ji Maharaj, saints from Srirangam, Srimahant Dharmadas Ji Maharaj of Hanuman Garhi, Srimahant Ramlakhan Das, Mayor Girishpati Tripathi along with revered saints and other dignitaries were present. Ukraine says Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight targeting Dnipro city in the central-east of the country, which, if confirmed, would be the first time Moscow has used such a missile in the war. In a statement Thursday on the Telegram messaging app, Ukraine's air force did not specify the exact type of missile, but said it was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea. It said an intercontinental ballistic missile was fired at Dnipro city along with eight other missiles, and that the Ukrainian military shot down six of them. Two people were wounded as a result of the attack, and an industrial facility and a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities were damaged, according to local officials. While the range of an ICBM would seem excessive for use against Ukraine, such missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads, and the use of one would serve as a chilling reminder of Russia's nuclear capability and a powerful message of potential escalation. The attack comes two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine that formally lowers the threshold for the country's use of nuclear weapons. Ukraine on Tuesday fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles and reportedly fired UK-made Storm Shadows on Wednesday into Russia. The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement Thursday that its air defence systems shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones. The announcement came in the ministry's daily roundup regarding the military actions in Ukraine. The statement didn't say when or where exactly it happened or what the missiles were targeting. This is not Moscow's first public announcement of the shooting down of Storm Shadow missiles, as Russia earlier reported downing some over the annexed Crimean Peninsula. The developments come as 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 US officials said prompted U.S. President Joe Biden's policy shift on allowing Ukraine to fire longer-range US missiles into Russia. The Kremlin responded with threats to escalate further. Putin has previously warned the US and other NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons to hit Russian territory would mean that Russia and NATO are at war. And the new doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. While the doctrine envisions a possible nuclear response by Russia to a conventional strike, it is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons and keep Putin's options open. The world should embrace Buddhist doctrines to find solutions to the ongoing conflicts and challenges to the international order, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said at a regional security conclave in Laos on Thursday. India has always advocated and practised dialogue for resolving complex international issues and its approach to a wide range of international challenges from border disputes to trade agreements, he said with his counterparts from a number of countries, including China's Dong Jun, listening. The defence minister made the remarks at the conclave of 10-nation ASEAN grouping and some of its dialogue partners, held in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. "With the world increasingly getting polarised into blocks and camps, leading to increasing strain on the established world order, it is time that the Buddhist doctrines of peaceful co-existence is embraced more closely by all," he said. "Following these principles, India has always advocated and practised dialogue for resolving complex international issues," he said. Singh said India's commitment to open communication and peaceful negotiation is evident in its approach to a wide range of international challenges, including border disputes. "An open dialogue promotes trust, understanding, and cooperation, laying the foundation for sustainable partnerships." "The power of dialogue has always proven effective, yielding tangible results that contribute to stability and harmony on the global stage," he said at the conclave of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) grouping. Outlining India's approach towards Indo-Pacific, the defence minister said New Delhi recognises the pivotal role of 10-nation ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) as a cornerstone for peace and prosperity in the region. "On the ongoing discussions on the Code of Conduct, India would like to see a Code that should not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations, which are not party to these discussions," he said. His comments on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea came amid various countries in the region pushing for it against the backdrop of China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the region. Beijing has strongly been opposing the Code of Conduct. "The code should be fully consistent with international law, in particular the UN Convention Law of Sea 1982," Singh said, adding India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law. There have been growing global concerns over China's sweeping claims of sovereignty over all of the South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. Several countries in the region, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei, have counterclaims. Elaborating on India's approach to complex challenges, Singh said it believes genuine and long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations engage constructively, respecting each other's perspectives and work toward shared goals in the spirit of cooperation. "Considering the ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world and challenges to the international order, it is providential that we are meeting in Laos, which has internalised the Buddhist principles of non-violence and peace since long," he said. Singh argued that Buddhism provides an ideal for peaceful co-existence not only among peoples but also co-habitation of people with nature. "Throughout his life, Buddha lived in close harmony with the natural world, often mediating and teaching in forests and open spaces, emphasising a life intertwined with the earth," he said. "In the contemporary world, both these prominent aspects of Buddhism call for our rigorous attention," he said. The defence minister also touched upon India's close ties with the ASEAN region and that the 21st century is the 'Asian Century'. "The ASEAN region, in particular, has always been economically dynamic and bustling with trade, commerce and cultural activities spanning millennia. All through this transformational journey, India has remained a trusted friend of the region," he said. In this context, Singh also referred to a quote by Rabindranath Tagore, when he was visiting South East Asia in 1927, which was "everywhere I could see India, yet I could not recognize it." The defence minister said this statement symbolises how deep and widespread the cultural and historical ties between India and Southeast Asia have been. "This friendship and partnership is as relevant today as it was then, and needs to be strengthened in the times to come," he said. "As India celebrates a decade of Our Act East policy, we see the dividends paying out in the strengthening of India's ties with ASEAN and Indo-pacific nations. This vision re-emphasised the pivotal role of ASEAN as a cornerstone of our nation's policy. Singh began his three-day visit to Vientiane on Wednesday, primarily to attend the ADMM-Plus meeting. ADMM-Plus is a platform comprising 10-nation ASEAN countries 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. About the Book Book: WAR Author: Bob Woodward Publisher: Simon & Schuster Price: Rs 999 In 2024, Donald Trump made a surprising return to the White House, defying expectations after his 2020 loss. His victory, alongside Modi's re-election, marked a pivotal moment in global politics, says KUMAR CHELLAPPAN The year 2024 will be remembered by political historians for two major developments: the re-election of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India for a third term and that of Donald Trump as President of the United States. Modis victory was as expected, but Trumps victory, having lost his re-election bid in 2020, was not so certain. The left-leaning media had written off Trump after his 2020 defeat, and it is rare for a defeated president to stage a comeback. However, Trump, a master at making the impossible possible, won a landslide in the 2024 election, defeating the entire left-liberal establishment. He proved that hard work is often the key to success. You may either love or loathe Trump, depending on your political views, but the truth is, he can never be ignored. He first became President in 2016 when the US economy was struggling, and the countrys global image was tarnished. The infrastructure was in decline, and the US had become an industrial wasteland. My mission is to make America great again. We have to retrieve the lost ground and make the people happy and content, Trump declared during his campaign speeches. Despite relentless attacks from Hillary Clinton, Trump held firm and focused on his mission. His dedication earned him significant support from voters. When he was declared the winner by a substantial margin, Washington and other major cities saw rioting by anti-Trump forces. The media quickly pointed the finger at Trumps followers for the unrest. The period between 2016 and 2020 saw the US recover from economic stagnation and terrorism-related challenges. For Trump, America remained his top priority, and he aimed to keep the US out of foreign conflicts. His main goal was to ensure no more coffins with US soldiers remains were returned from Asia and Africa. Under Trump, illegal immigration from Mexico and Latin America came to a halt, as he warned against job theft by outsiders. Drug trafficking from Colombia and Mexico, which had been a major issue, was also reduced, strengthening the US social security system. Like a soldier guarding his nations borders, Trump, at the helm of a major business empire, defended the social fabric of America. However, many in the US and abroad resented Trumps patriotism and worked to oust him from the White House. It seemed a foregone conclusion that Trump would easily win re-election in 2020. However, overconfidence led to his defeat by a narrow margin. Bob Woodward, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, had predicted in his book Rage (2020) that Trump was likely to lose. Despite strong economic performance, record-low unemployment, and the US staying out of international conflicts, Trump lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Woodward claimed that Trump was warned about the virus as early as January 2020, but he ignored the threat and paid the price for his inaction. Other factors also played a role. The 2020 election was marred by allegations of fraud, with many believing it was manipulated by Trumps rivals and hostile forces. Shiv Ayyadurai, an Indian-origin computer scientist credited with inventing email, raised concerns about the elections integrity. According to Ayyadurai, the mail-in ballots used in Arizona had mismatched signatures, which were overlooked by election officials. Despite Ayyadurais efforts to prove these discrepancies, little attention was given to the alleged fraud. In his book War, Woodward examines Joe Bidens presidency and highlights three major failures during his four-year tenure. Bidens inability to deal with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is central to the critique. Woodward argues that Bidens handling of the Ukraine crisis, in particular, was ineffective, and his approach to the Jewish state was also disappointing. The brutal 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in widespread death and destruction, will remain a painful memory for humanity. Protests in India, where groups like Hamas and Hezbollah have influence, added to the turmoil. Woodward also reveals that US intelligence agencies had warned Biden in October 2021 about Putins plans to attack Ukraine. Yet, Biden seemed reluctant to take decisive action. The cause for his hesitation may lie in his son Hunter Bidens involvement with Burisma, a major Ukrainian energy company, potentially jeopardising his ability to challenge Russia. As I write this review, TV channels are reporting that President-elect Trump has issued a stern warning for all illegal immigrants to leave the US within two months. This is one of the promises he made during his campaign, and he seems determined to see it through. The Democrats and liberals have already expressed their opposition to this move. The next four years will be filled with action, and it will be fascinating to see how Trumps administration navigates issues like Iran, Hamas, West Asia, Russia, and Ukraine. Woodward will no doubt continue to provide in-depth coverage of these developments. The Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens has congratulated local man Norman Irwin who celebrated his 106th birthday on the 17th November 2024. Councillor Stirling welcomed the guest of honour to a very special reception in Councils Civic Headquarters this week, were friends and family also gathered to congratulate the much-loved centenarian. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tanya Stirling said: It is hard to put into words the contribution that Norman Irwin has made to society during his 106 years - he is an inspiration to all of us. I was honoured to meet him today and to host a reception for his milestone birthday. Norman is a role model within our community, with impeccably high standards and a fantastic attitude to live, we are all very proud of Norman and send him the very best of wishes on this his birthday week. Norman, a Second World War Veteran and holder of Freedom of the Borough bestowed in 1989 from what was then Coleraine Borough Council, has had an illustrious military career spanning many years. In 2020 he was presented with a commemorative silver Poppy of Remembrance in as one of the few remaining Second World War veterans living in the Borough. His support was invaluable to Council when hosting of the exhibition to mark the 70th anniversary of the Second World War in 2015, which included the Coleraine Battery Collection. In January 2021, aged 102, he took part in a local PR campaign on the roll out of the COVID vaccine. The Deputy Mayor added: While it is impossible to measure the impact of his public appeal, he is an inspiration to all and a fantastic example of the important role that older people can play within the community, and we are very proud of him. A Derry judge has said that until he is informed that the threat against suspected drug dealers is lifted he will continue to grant anonymity. District Judge Barney McElhom was speaking at Derry Magistrates Court as a 40-year-old woman appeared on a series of drug charges as was granted anonymity. The woman is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply on November 18 this year. She also faced five charges of possessing a variety of drugs on the same date. A police officer connected the woman to the charges and opposed bail. He told the court that police were searching an address in connection with a drugs case when the defendant arrived at the door. Police suspected that she was involved in the supply of drugs in the city and searched her. A quantity of drugs was allegedly found in her handbag and other drug paraphernalia such as needles. She was detained and taken to the Waterside PSNI station where she had to receive what the officer described as life saving drugs on four occasions before being taken to hospital. Another two wraps of cocaine were also said to have been found which police believe may have been concealed in her. The woman was eventually hospitalised and was detained there for 18 hours before being returned to custody. Bail was opposed as the officer said there was a risk of re-offending as he believed the woman takes all sorts of drugs on a daily basis. He said if the woman had not been arrested when she was there could have been a different outcome. The officer said if the woman was released she could very easily be found dead. Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott accepted his client was in a terrible condition when she was arrested and was so bad she called at a house while the police were actually searching it. He said that his client needed help more than anything else. Judge McElholm said that it may well be that the intent to supply charge may not be proceeded with but the problem was that if someones name was out there as a drug dealer there could be consequences. He said that if released the woman could go on a drugs binge and said the application was premature. He remanded the woman in custody to appear again on November 22 for sentencing on another matter. U.S. responsible for absence of defense ministers' meeting: Chinese defense spokesperson Xinhua) 21:09, November 21, 2024 BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday said that the responsibility for the absence of a meeting between Chinese and U.S. defense ministers during the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus lies entirely with the U.S. side. Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry. Wu said the United States cannot undermine China's core interests by selling arms to Taiwan on one hand while pretending that nothing happened and seeking to engage in military exchanges with China on the other. He urged the U.S. side to immediately correct its mistakes, earnestly respect China's core interests, and create favorable conditions for high-level military exchanges between the two sides. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan) First-look pictures are available HERE or VIA www.bbcpictures.co.uk BAFTA award-winning BBC drama Casualty shares first look pictures and guest cast are revealed for its upcoming festive special All I Want for Christmas. Draperstown, County Derry native Elinor Lawless stars in this format-breaking standalone episode - coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One this December. Made in Cardiff by BBC Studios Drama Productions, this innovative new special is a tribute to the miracle of blood, brought to life with all the tension and emotional depth that Casualty delivers so well. Its Christmas Day in the ED and the team are faced with an emergency blood shortage. Whilst Stevie (Elinor Lawless) fights to save lives, Iain (Michael Stevenson) risks his own to ensure the hospital doesn't go without. The special will guest star Lucy-Jo Hudson (Wild At Heart, Doctors), Tristan Sturrock (Poldark, The Crown), Joseph Charles (Breathtaking, Solo: A Star Wars Story), Zoe Brough (Outrageous, Father Brown), Katy Carmichael (Malpractice, Spaced) and Valerie Antwi (DI Ray S2, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) who join the beloved Casualty regulars. Rebecca Ferguson, Commissioning Editor for BBC Drama, says: Were so excited for viewers to see this incredible Christmas special, which genuinely made me gasp. It's tense, thrilling and super-charged with emotion. Roxanne Harvey, Executive Producer for BBC Studios Drama Production, says: Were so proud of this life-affirming episode. Beautifully told, with ambitious production values and outstanding performances, this is entertaining, thought-provoking drama at its very best. All I Want for Christmas will also feature real-life testimonies from contributors whove been directly impacted by UK blood donation, as well as interviews with key workers who form the countrys blood service. The Casualty Christmas special airs on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this December and will be followed by the next series of Casualty from later in the month. The special is written by Erin Kubicki and will be directed by Steve Hughes. Casualty, the worlds longest running primetime medical drama, is a BBC Studios Drama production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. It is executive produced by Roxanne Harvey for BBC Studios, with Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC. The series producer is Liza Mellody. Previous episodes of Casualty are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now. Savings within the health service in Northern Ireland mean it is currently operating at the limit of what can be achieved without causing catastrophic harm, a budget assessment has said. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has further warned that next years budget will be severely challenging for public services in the region. The budget assessment produced by his department said that the health service will not have all the resources to do everything we want to do, or indeed everything that needs to be done. Since taking up the health portfolio in May, Mr Nesbitt has consistently warned about acute financial pressures facing health. Last week he refused to support an Executive funding reallocation exercise, insisting the 350 million given to his department was not enough to cover recommended pay rises for healthcare staff. Despite receiving 57% of around 700 million shared among departments in the monitoring round, the minister insisted he is still 100 million short of the money he needs to make pay awards of at least 5.5% to all health staff. Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald has warned that, despite the funding boost from the Chancellors budget, the devolved administration is still overcommitted by around 180 million across all departments this year. She has made clear that ministers need to find more savings and balance the books. Mr Nesbitt delivered a written ministerial statement and an updated budget assessment to the Assembly on Thursday. He said that financial pressures on health services remain significant. Mr Nesbitt added: As the Assembly will be aware, my department is still short of being able to make full 2024/25 pay settlements in line with those in England and Wales. I am continuing to actively seek a viable solution and I have emphasised that a concerted Executive-wide approach is needed to resolve all NI public sector pay issues for 2024/25. A joined up Executive approach to public finances will clearly be essential next year too, given the indications that the 2025/26 budget position will also be severely challenging. The budget assessment said the health and social care system has undertaken an intensive programme to identify savings in operational budgets. It continued: We have also received important Executive monitoring round allocations that have reduced but not eliminated our unmet pressures. Living within our budget without making reductions that would have catastrophic consequences has proved highly challenging. The department accepts the exceptional scale of the savings it has sought and recognises that the HSC (health and social care) system is now at the limit of what can be achieved this year without causing catastrophic harm. Turning to next year, the document stated: It is expected that the budget position for 2025/26 will also be highly challenging for health and all other parts of the NI public sector. We will not have all the resources to do everything we want to do, or indeed everything that needs to be done. The minister and department will continue to make the case for further investment, while also maintaining a focus on productivity and efficiency gains. The budget assessment sets out measures taken by all of the health and social care trusts across Northern Ireland to make savings. Medics and other health workers in Northern Ireland are demanding parity with colleagues elsewhere in the UK. There are two health sector pay bodies. The NHS Pay Review Body, which makes recommendations on the pay of staff on the Agenda for Change terms and conditions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has recommended a 5.5% increase for 2024/25. The review body for pay for doctors and dentists in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland has recommended a 6% increase. It is understood the minister has proposed to make the pay award in two stages, with the first award backdated to August, rather than April. Senior staff from all of Northern Irelands health trusts have urged that a resolution be found on pay parity for workers to avert any potential industrial action this winter. Outlining the situation ahead of winter, they warned that demand continues to outstrip capacity in almost every area, and also voiced concern about haemorrhaging staff across the border to the Irish Republic due to pay levels. Health worker unions remain in negotiation over achieving pay parity, and are considering a proposal by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt of a two-stage process to deliver a recommended pay rise amid pressures on his budget allocation. However the unions have warned that potential industrial action is not off the table. The leaders of the five health trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service appeared before the Stormont Health Committee on Thursday, and stressed it is imperative that industrial action is avoided. Presenting opening remarks on behalf of all the trusts, South Eastern Health Trust chief executive Roisin Coulter said their two biggest issues remain finance and resource availability. She paid tribute to staff for keeping services running in the most challenging of circumstances. Our staff find themselves in an environment where nearly in all areas demand is outstripping capacity, that is what is driving the increase in waiting lists in secondary care, the increasing number of unmet packages in social care and the pressures experienced by our GP colleagues in primary care, she said. We must support our staff to deliver services and we must resolve the pay issues and ensure that health and social care in Northern Ireland is an attractive place where people come and work. She highlighted a number of initiatives to address waiting lists but said after years of being asked to make savings, all the trusts have accumulated significant underlying recurrent deficits and are facing increasing demand. Addressing current waiting lists will require many hundreds of millions of pounds for additional staffing and infrastructure over several years, and even then we will rely on considerable support from the independent sector, she told MLAs. But even if we address the backlog, if we do not build the extra recurrent capacity alongside service reform and efficiency, those waiting times will continue to be an issue into the future. Western Trust chief executive Neil Guckian said they cannot overstate the importance of the pay award. We are working in an incredibly competitive work place, we have an opportunity to be the first year since 2018 where we could have a winter without either industrial action or a pandemic, so I would really ask everyone to use all their efforts, he told MLAs. The Republic of Ireland are paying significantly more than Northern Ireland for health and social care workers we are haemorrhaging staff across the border. So we really cannot overstate the importance of a pay award, and industrial action will pull our services down during the winter, we cannot allow ourselves to get into that position. Ms Coulter added that it is absolutely imperative that we avoid staff having to take industrial action. In our sector the impact, particularly in winter, is in terms of availability to respond in terms of emergency pressures, pressures across Emergency Departments, increased overcrowding in Emergency Departments, the inability to put up more beds in acute hospitals, our community response services in terms of supporting families at home. It is right across, end to end. There is the other piece about morale people who have given their career to training to become a professional, working as part of a team supporting one and other. Staff do not want to go on strike in the health service, they absolutely do not. They want to come to work every single day and provide the highest quality of care as we all do. It is really imperative that we all work together and ask for the wider Executive to really look at how we can avoid industrial action and ensure that staff do receive that pay parity. Michael Bloomfield, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, said they support the right of their staff to take industrial action, describing it as unthinkable that pay parity would not continue. We are hopeful that those current discussions will lead to a successful outcome, he said. We know that our staff do not want to be in industrial action, they do not want to be on strike, they know the community need their service, and they want to provide it, but they are in that difficult position. If we go to full strike action, there is undoubtedly a huge impact on service users and it must be prevented. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. HIGHLIGHTS Ford has addressed allegations of a data breach after a hacker claimed to have leaked 44,000 customer records on a popular hacking forum. The breach was announced on Sunday by a threat actor named 'EnergyWeaponUser.' The leaked records reportedly contained sensitive customer information. Ford has addressed allegations of a data breach after a hacker claimed to have leaked 44,000 customer records on a popular hacking forum. The breach was announced on Sunday by a threat actor named EnergyWeaponUser, who implicated another hacker, IntelBroker, in the November 2024 incident. The leaked records reportedly contained sensitive customer information, such as full names, physical addresses, purchase details, dealer information, and timestamps. While this data isnt extremely sensitive, it still includes personally identifiable information that could be used in phishing or social engineering attacks targeting those affected. Also read: Toyota confirms data breach after 240GB of customer info leaked: Heres what the company said Instead of selling the data, the hackers offered it for free to registered members of the hacking forum, requesting only eight credits, which is about $2. The leak was posted on BreachForums. The involvement of IntelBroker lent some credibility to the hackers claims. This individual has previously been linked to confirmed breaches at major companies, including Ciscos DevHub portal, Nokia, Europols EPE web portal, and T-Mobile through a vendor. Also read: Amazon confirms major data breach, important details of millions of employees compromised The leaked data samples showed customer information from various locations worldwide, including the United States. However, Ford later clarified that no breach occurred in its systems. The automaker confirmed that the issue involved a third-party supplier and a small batch of publicly available dealer business addresses. Fords investigation has determined that there was no breach of Fords systems or customer data. The matter involved a third-party supplier and a small batch of publicly available dealers business addresses. It is our understanding that the matter has now been resolved, A Ford spokesperson said. While the situation has been resolved, customers should remain cautious of unsolicited communications and avoid sharing personal information in suspicious circumstances. HIGHLIGHTS Daksh Gupta is the CEO of San Francisco-based AI startup Greptile. He posted on X, Workdays start at 9 a.m. and end at 11 p.m., often later, including Saturdays and sometimes Sundays." After all the backlash, Gupta tweeted to clarify his thoughts. After Narayan Murthy, another Indian-origin CEO publicly promoted intense work culture. Daksh Gupta, who is the CEO of San Francisco-based AI startup Greptile took to social media to share that his employees face 84-hour work weeks with very little work-life balance. This created a controversy online, with many criticising his thoughts. Gupta took to his social media to share Greptiles schedule, he said, Workdays start at 9 a.m. and end at 11 p.m., often later, including Saturdays and sometimes Sundays. He acknowledged the fact that this does not work for everyone and hence they share it clearly with potential hires. The tweet was viewed over 1.6 million times and sparked intense debate online. recently i started telling candidates right in the first interview that greptile offers no work-life-balance, typical workdays start at 9am and end at 11pm, often later, and we work saturdays, sometimes also sundays. i emphasize the environment is high stress, and there is no Daksh Gupta (@dakshgup) November 9, 2024 Twitter users were quick to criticise Gupta and accused him of exploiting workers. One user said, What makes you think this will lead to success instead of giving weekends off to increase productivity? While another one said, Does it make you feel like Elon a bit? Some even threw in racial comments about his Indian heritage. After all the backlash, Gupta tweeted to clarify his thoughts. He said that the intense work hours for the employees were only a temporary phase for the startups high-growth stage. He said that employees were free to leave if the culture didnt suit them. The people here had six-figure, 20-hour/week jobs before this, and can go back to them any time, Gupta said. now that this is on the front page of reddit and my inbox is 20% death threats and 80% job applications, heres a follow up to everyone who is overworked and underpaid at their software jobs esp outside the US, i feel for you, and im sorry this struck a nerve. the people pic.twitter.com/RzAM75DiG2 Daksh Gupta (@dakshgup) November 10, 2024 He further added that once the company grows more the model will be changed and he even promised to accommodate workers with families and more balanced schedules in the future. He said that the intense culture at his startup aligns with the norms of San Franciscos startup ecosystem. While some were happy with Guptas honesty, many criticised and said that lack of sleep and breaks leads to lousy work and fatigue. What are your thoughts on this? Also Watch: HIGHLIGHTS Googles Chrome browser could be sold for as much as $20 billion if a federal judge approves a Justice Department proposal to separate the browser from Alphabet. This potential move is part of an aggressive antitrust case against Google, accusing it of illegally dominating the search market. According to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mandeep Singh, the browser could fetch at least $15-$20 billion if sold. Googles Chrome browser could be sold for as much as $20 billion if a federal judge approves a Justice Department proposal to separate the browser from Alphabet Inc, Googles parent company. This potential move is part of an aggressive antitrust case against Google, accusing it of illegally dominating the search market. The Justice Department, supported by several states, plans to suggest measures targeting Chrome, artificial intelligence, and the Android smartphone operating system, reports Bloomberg. These recommendations will be presented to federal judge Amit Mehta, who ruled in August that Google violated antitrust laws in the online search market. Also read: Former Google CEO sees unprecedented AI growth, flags potential dangers Chrome, with over 3 billion monthly active users, is a cornerstone of Googles ecosystem. It plays a vital role in the companys advertising business by gathering user data to deliver highly targeted ads. According to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mandeep Singh, the browser could fetch at least $15-$20 billion if sold. However, Chromes value isnt just in revenue. Bob ODonnell of TECHnalysis Research notes that the browser serves as a gateway to Googles other services, making it hard to evaluate its worth from a pure income perspective. Antitrust officials want Google to sell Chrome because it is the main entry point for many users accessing its search engine. Chrome currently holds about 61 percent of the US browser market, making it a significant player. The Justice Department also plans to recommend that Google uncouple its Android operating system from other services like Google Play and search. Also read: Googles experiment of removing news articles from search in EU sparks legal action Google, however, strongly opposes these measures. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Googles vice president of regulatory affairs, called the proposals a radical agenda that would harm users and developers while affecting US technological leadership. The final decision on whether Google must sell Chrome or adopt other remedies will come after a two-week hearing in April 2025. If Chrome is sold, finding a suitable buyer will be key. While large tech companies like Amazon might seem like potential buyers, their own antitrust challenges could complicate such a deal. Analysts suggest that AI-focused companies like OpenAI might be a better fit. A merger with a US-based AI firm could align with government goals to strengthen the countrys AI innovation and global position. Despite passenger EV slowdown, commercial EVs surge ahead, says India's leading player India's electric vehicle (EV) market is seeing contrasting trends, with passenger EV sales declining while the commercial segment grows rapidly. Recent data shows a 9 percent year-on-year drop in passenger EV sales in September 2024, marking the lowest point in 19 months. In contrast, electric three-wheeler cargo vehicles are gaining traction, with 45% of sales in the segment being electric last month and forecasts to exceed 50% soon, according to Maxson Lewis, founder and MD of Magenta Mobility. "The real adoption of EVs is happening on the cargo side," Lewis said, emphasizing the segment's potential to drive India's electrification. This shift underscores how logistics-focused EVs are leading the country's sustainable mobility efforts despite challenges in the passenger market. He attributed this trend to a combination of favorable government policies, improved battery technology, and the declining total cost of ownership (TCO) for electric cargo vehicles. Addressing charging infrastructure challenges A robust charging infrastructure has been a critical factor in the adoption of EVs, but challenges remain. According to Lewis, India's highway network is already well-equipped with charging stations, averaging one every 100 kilometers. However, the focus has shifted from availability to reliability. "The issue is not the presence of chargers but whether they are functional - downtime is a concern," Lewis explained. He emphasized the need for better charger maintenance and management, predicting the emergence of third-party service providers specializing in charger upkeep. For Magenta Mobility, charging infrastructure is less of a challenge due to its strategy of setting up charging hubs near client locations. "We build our charging hubs months in advance, ensuring seamless operations for our fleet," Lewis said, adding that this approach minimizes reliance on public networks. Magenta's market share Magenta Mobility has cemented its position as India's largest electric cargo fleet operator, with over 2,500 electric vehicles across 18 cities. The company serves a diverse range of clients, including e-commerce firms and traditional industries such as automotive components, lubricants, and consumer goods. "We transport everything from lubricant oil and mattresses to food items and television sets," Lewis said, highlighting the versatility of the fleet. The company's customer satisfaction score of 96.6% reflects its strong commitment to quality and service, Lewis added. Magenta has also been expanding its fleet to include four-wheelers, broadening its capabilities to handle mid-mile logistics in addition to last-mile deliveries. "This shift opens new opportunities for clients and diversifies our revenue streams," Lewis explained. Challenges and opportunities Despite its success, the commercial EV sector faces hurdles. One of the primary challenges is the availability of high-quality vehicles. While three-wheeler options have improved significantly, the market still lacks adequate four-wheeler models for commercial use. Another challenge is financing. "Access to financing has improved, but the cost of capital for EVs remains higher than for conventional vehicles," Lewis noted. Driver availability is another issue. Magenta addresses this by offering timely salaries, welfare schemes, and insurance to attract and retain skilled drivers. "Quality, safety, and integrity are non-negotiables for us," Lewis emphasized. The role of government policies Government subsidies have played a significant role in supporting EV adoption in India. Lewis expressed confidence in the government's continued commitment to the EV ecosystem, citing its focus on the commercial segment through the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme. "The government has learned from global leaders like China and understands the need to invest in EVs for long-term sustainability," Lewis said. He also advocated for directing subsidies toward vehicles rather than charging infrastructure, arguing that this approach would maximize efficiency. Looking ahead Magenta Mobility has ambitious plans for growth, including expanding its operations to additional Indian cities and exploring international markets. While the logistics business will remain India-focused, the company's tech platform, which includes state-of-charge monitoring and battery health analytics, is designed for global scalability. "Southeast Asia is lagging in EV adoption but has shown strong interest in our technology," Lewis said. He identified the Middle East and Southeast Asia as key regions for future expansion. As the largest commercial EV operator in India, Magenta Mobility's primary competition now comes from traditional logistics providers rather than other EV players. "Our ambition is to become the largest logistics provider, not just the largest EV operator," Lewis remarked. While the likes of hydrogen-based transportation may eventually challenge EVs, Lewis believes it is still a decade away from significant adoption. In the meantime, Magenta Mobility remains focused on its core mission: driving the adoption of sustainable and efficient logistics solutions. China accelerates chip independence push in face of Trump 2.0 China's semiconductor industry is intensifying its drive toward self-sufficiency through expanded state funding and domestic innovation, particularly as Donald Trump's return to the White House approaches. At the 2024 China International Semiconductor Expo (IC China), industry leaders and government officials highlighted the nation's progress in strengthening its semiconductor capabilities. Progress in self-sufficiency According to Nikkei Asia, China has made substantial progress in semiconductor independence over the past decade. Data from TechInsights and SEMI shows that China's domestic chip self-sufficiency rate increased from 14% in 2014 to 23% in 2023, with projections indicating it could reach 27% by 2027. Strategic investment expansion The "National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund" (Big Fund) has been crucial in advancing China's semiconductor ambitions. The fund's initial phase launched in 2014 with CNY138.7 billion (US$19.2 billion), followed by a second phase in 2019 of CNY204 billion. The third phase, initiated in May 2024, further expanded to CNY344 billion. The Big Fund has extended its investment focus across the entire supply chain, particularly targeting manufacturing equipment and materials. This comprehensive approach has fostered the growth of domestic companies like Naura Technology Group, while supporting established players such as YMTC, a 3D NAND flash manufacturer, and SMIC, which produces 7nm chips for Huawei smartphones. Import strategy and technological advancement Despite accelerating domestic production of advanced process chips, China continues to increase its chip imports. According to AscenPower Semiconductors, China's semiconductor imports grew 15% year over year from January through October 2024, marking the first annual increase in two years. South Korea remains the primary source of advanced AI memory chips. Industry response to geopolitical challenges With Trump's anticipated return to office in January 2025, China's semiconductor sector is preparing for potentially stricter US sanctions. At IC China, YMTC chairman Nanxiang Chen emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in addressing these challenges. A senior official from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) detailed improvements in China's semiconductor supply chain and competitiveness. Industry leaders, including Guowei Xiao of AscenPower Semiconductors and Daniel Yuan of Sino IC Leasing, expressed confidence in the progress of process technology and supply chain development. Alternative technology development Following US restrictions on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines for advanced chipmaking, China has increased investment in alternative technologies such as multi-layer processing to achieve technological breakthroughs. Power semiconductor focus China is strategically emphasizing development in the electric vehicle power semiconductor sector, which currently remains unrestricted by US sanctions. In the silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor market, Chinese companies are leading substantial investments. Recent improvements in wafer and ingot quality have attracted international attention, exemplified by Infineon's partnerships with two Chinese suppliers in 2023. To establish a sanctions-resistant semiconductor supply chain, MIIT is developing technical standards for automotive semiconductors, with plans to implement over 30 key standards by 2025 and more than 70 by 2030. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Simmunome: Revolutionizing drug development with tech bio innovation Founded in 2019 by Armstrong Murira and Nardin Nakhla, Simmunome stands out as a pioneering Canadian techbio startup. While traditional biotech companies focus on developing therapeutics, Simmunome takes a different approach: applying advanced technology to understand biological processes. This distinction places Simmunome at the forefront of transforming drug development through computational methods. Simmunome's tech bio approach bridges the gap between data and actionable insights, offering a unique solution to accelerate drug development. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships, the company is poised to make a significant impact on global healthcare, redefining how the industry approaches research, development, and patient outcomes. The Origins and Vision of Simmunome The idea behind Simmunome began with Armstrong Murira's extensive background in molecular biology and experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Noticing the inefficiencies in clinical research and business analytics, Murira envisioned a future where computational biology could overcome these limitations. "How can we represent complex biological systems computationally to run virtual experiments?" Murira questioned. This approach aimed to save time, reduce costs, and increase the precision of pharmaceutical research. However, the idea was ahead of its time in the early 2010s, when computational power, data access, and AI algorithms were still nascent. By 2019, advancements in these key areas aligned, enabling Murira to co-found Simmunome with Nakhla, a PhD graduate in neuroscience from McGill University. Nakhla brought expertise in machine learning and its application to brain function and visual perceptionknowledge that seamlessly connected to the development of biologically accurate computational models. A Tech Bio Approach: From Data to Discovery Simmunome identifies itself as a techbio rather than a biotech company, reflecting its commitment to using technology to analyze biological data without directly developing therapeutics. The company's platform harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, relying on large volumes of de-identified data from public sources and client-provided datasets. This innovative use of computational tools allows Simmunome to simulate biological processes and predict disease mechanisms, helping pharmaceutical and biotech clients make informed decisions before entering costly clinical trials. One significant advantage of Simmunome's approach is its hybrid data integration. Unlike some tech giants entering the life sciences that focus solely on big data, Simmunome emphasizes data quality and mechanistic representation. "Biology has its own set of rules," a representative explained, "and we combine big data with a mechanistic approach that models these biological rules, resulting in more generalizable and accurate predictions." The Platform's Key Applications Simmunome's platform benefits clients by streamlining multiple phases of drug research: Understanding Disease Mechanisms: By modeling diseases and their underlying pathways, Simmunome helps researchers identify why certain conditions occur, providing insights into dysregulation and potential targets. Target Identification and Validation: Clients can use Simmunome's simulations to pinpoint and confirm potential therapeutic targets, reducing reliance on traditional animal models, which often fail to translate effectively to human biology. Biomarker Discovery and Diagnostics: The platform enables the identification of biomarkers and signals that indicate how specific patient subpopulations will respond to treatments, supporting the development of companion diagnostics. Addressing Industry Challenges The journey of building such a platform is not without challenges. Simmunome highlights three main hurdles: data quantity, data quality, and methodological approaches. While a minimum quantity of data is essential, the company underscores that quality often outweighs sheer volume. The hybrid approach taken by Simmunometraining models on general biological mechanisms before layering patient-specific dataavoids biases that can limit predictive accuracy and ensures that results are applicable across broader scenarios. Looking to Taiwan for Growth and Collaboration Simmunome's aspirations extend beyond North America. The company recognizes Taiwan's strengths in data infrastructure, precision medicine, and government-supported innovation as critical assets for its expansion. Taiwan's mature electronic health records systems, extensive biobank resources, and skilled talent pool make it an ideal partner for collaboration. "We're looking for opportunities to conduct clinical validations in Asia, and Taiwan could serve as a strategic stepping stone for entering other regional markets like Korea and Japan," Tanya Tolomeo, Simmunome Head of Business Development stated. Future Goals: Scaling and Democratizing AI Simmunome recently completed a CAD 2 million pre-seed round and is preparing for an $8 million seed round in 2025 to fuel its next phase of growth. The funding will support team expansion, the development of new disease models beyond the current nine focused on oncology and neurodegenerative conditions, and new platform features such as drug safety prediction and repurposing tools. "Why not develop our own drugs?" is a question many people posed to the company. Their answer underscores their mission to democratize technology. "Developing drugs would require an entirely different core competency and significant capital. More importantly, we want to help as many companies as possible create effective treatments faster, without bias. That's how we drive forward patient care and research." Simmunome CTO and co-founder Nardin Nakhla. Credit: Company Cheaper pints, a new border agency and a junior minister for waste feature in Aontus election pledges. Peadar Toibin, the partys leader and only representative in the now-dissolved Dail, launched Aontus manifesto on Thursday morning. Aontu, which describes its document as a common-sense manifesto focused on accountability, would establish a new junior minister to tackle waste in public spending. Mr Toibin emphasised a series of controversies around public spending, including spiralling costs of the national childrens hospital, the 336,000 euro bike shed at Leinster House, and the 1.4 million euro security hut at Government Buildings. He said a Taoiseach who wasted so much money would have been fired if they were in the private sector. It said the new junior minister would have direct responsibility for eradicating waste in the public sector. The party would also introduce new disciplinary measures in the job specifications for senior civil servants over public spending. The party said it will adhere to a 5% spending growth limit, cap childcare costs at 100 euro per week, and provide a second means-tested child benefit to lift 40,000 children out of poverty, the latter move costing 700 million euro. It would cut VAT in restaurants and pubs from 13.5% to 9%, at an expected cost of 545m euro. Mr Toibin added that the party wanted to help Irish pubs by reducing the 10c charge per unit of alcohol sold in a pub. He said: I do believe a unit of alcohol consumed in a pub is a healthier pint, theres a social dimension to it and a certain level of supervision in terms of quantities. Meanwhile, Aontu said it wanted to support the creation of a new international city on the west coast of Ireland. However, Mr Toibin said he did not want to say where exactly the city should be. Aontu would scrap the USC for all incomes below 50,000 in the next five years, at a cost of 1.9 billion euro. It pledged to zero rate VAT on electricity while prices remain high. On abortion, the party said it is committed to respectfully campaigning on its right-to-life stance. Aontu said it would provide child benefit to mothers from four months into pregnancy, at a cost of 60 million euro. However, Mr Toibin said the issue of abortion was not coming up in the doors at all. On housing, Aontu said if elected to Government it would deliver 15,000 social and affordable homes per year, zero rate construction materials and an end to eternal regulation change. It said it would spend 350 million euro to build accommodation specifically to key workers, nurses, doctors, teachers, gardai and construction workers, back to Ireland in a scheme the party has codenamed Operation Shamrock, while also providing returnees with a 5,000 euro relocation package and 10,000 euro tax credit. Asked why the document does not have a section on the environment, Mr Toibin said the environment is threaded through that document and added that the party recognised there were negative consequences to man-made climate change. Elsehwere, the party would cut excise duty on petrol and diesel, halt increases in carbon taxes, and cut road tolls. Mr Toibin added: Climate change is a priority to us. On immigration, Aontu has pledged to create a new agency for border control, processing of applications and enforcement while also promising the creation of a border in the Irish Sea for the movement of people. It would reinstate planning restrictions around centres for asylum seekers, implement a community dividend for areas where migrants are hosted, and enforce deportations. Mr Toibin accused Integration Minister Roderic OGorman of being a hypocrite over planning laws, given that a members of his Green Party had objected to housing developments. Aontu also said the minimum wage should reflect the living wage of 14.80 euro per hour, with additional considerations for those in the greater Dublin area. The party said it would spend 348 million euro by recruiting 4,000 more gardai, adding that it opposes deregulation around drug use. Copies of the manifesto were only made available to reporters 40 minutes into the partys launch, having not been printed and stapled in time for the start of the event. Mr Toibin said: Aontu is the only party that is not State funded in relation to this and i.e. does not have the staff other political parties have and the content of the document is very detailed, an enormous amount of work was done. Asked about Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin ruling out a future coalition agreement with Aontu over what he described as arrogant and ignorant comments from Mr Toibin, he added: Given the housing crisis that were in, given the health crisis that were in, the spatial issues, the cost-of-living crisis, that a bruised ego of a politician should not get in the way of Government talks. Mary Lou McDonald has defended saying she would possibly attend an IRA funeral if she becomes Irelands next premier. Taoiseach Simon Harris said that this was disappointing and that a taoiseach attending an IRA funeral would cause a lot of hurt to people. Ms McDonald first made the comments on Virgin Medias The Big Interview on Wednesday. Asked about the comments again on Thursday, while at Dublin City University, she said that she reserves the right of human decency to go to the funeral of someone she knows, even as taoiseach. Well look, I was at Martin McGuinness funeral. Not alone was I there, Bill Clinton was there, Bertie Ahern was there, I think there were Fine Gaelers there, she said. So the point that I made last night is, if I were taoiseach of course I would be aware that you represent and you carry yourself beyond just your republican base. I absolutely accept and realise that, as a matter of fact I attempt to reach out and stretch beyond our base as the leader of Sinn Fein. The office of taoiseach is different. Im also an Irish republican, Im also a human being and I also reserve the human decency right that if I know somebody, irrespective of their politics or who they are, that I go and mark their (passing). She added: Funerals are human goodbyes, thats what funerals are. Ive attended funerals of former taoisigh that were not of my political (persuasion). I believe in respect for the dead. Asked about the Sinn Fein leaders stance, Mr Harris said: I thought that was disappointing. Look, I dont want to get too much into a tit-for-tat on this issue, I think she said it kind of depends on her personal relationship with the person, I think is the fairest way (of taking) her comments. Of course when youre the taoiseach you represent people right across this country, you represent people who are Irish, in many ways, across the world and across the island, I think it is very important to be always sensitive to victims and I think the idea of an Irish taoiseach turning up at an IRA funeral would cause a lot of hurt to people. So Im very surprised by the comments is the truth, but I think its a very interesting question for her. Darragh OBrien has been criticised after saying he will not publish the latest emergency accommodation figures before the day of the General Election. The official figures from the Department of Housing look at the number of people accessing emergency accommodation services over the last week of each month, and are published at 2pm on the last Friday of the following month. Octobers figures are due at 2pm on polling day, Friday November 29. The latest figures for the end of September show there were 14,760 people accessing such services, including 4,561 children record highs for both metrics. The figures do not include people sleeping rough, those that may be couch surfing or homeless in hospitals or prisons, and those in a shelter for asylum seekers or domestic violence centres. Mr OBrien, who is the Minister for Housing, said on Thursday that he could not bring forward the publication of Octobers figures. The Fianna Fail candidate for Fingal East representative said he did not have control over their publication. Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin described Mr OBrien as the minister for homelessness and said it would be better if the figures were published on Thursday. Theres not a snowballs chance in hell that Darragh OBrien will publish those figures before polls open on Friday. Why? Because he knows the figures are going up and theyre going up because hes the Minister for Housing. Mr O Broin said homelessness has increased to levels people never thought imaginable under Mr OBrien. So while I think it would be better we published them on Thursday, I think most people are expecting the numbers will rise, he said. We will have more adults, more children, more pensioners, more singles, and more families in emergency accommodation than ever before. Why? Because Darragh OBrien has consistently missed his social housing targets, targets that were too low in the first place, isnt delivering a sufficient volume of affordable homes and if you read the Fianna Fail and indeed the Fine Gael manifesto its more of the same. There is nothing that these two parties are offering that will give any comfort to people in emergency accommodation, people at risk of falling into homelessness, but also, crucially, for renters. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin said it was important that the public could make a decision on who they vote for based on what is happening in real time. If a particular minister has the individual figures, logic would dictate that the minister would sure make those are provided. If hes not, he is withholding information from the general public and one can only suspect that hes withholding information because it will have a negative effect on Fianna Fails electoral chances. He also called for the figures of homelessness deaths outside of Dublin, something he said was not officially published for any other county. Asked on Thursday if voters deserved more transparency from his Department, Mr OBrien said he had been extremely transparent throughout his term. He said to publish them on the Thursday before the election would be to change a process thats been in place for over four years. Weve been consistent, totally transparent, more transparent than previous governments as well, with our quarterly reports with regard to homelessness, our exits, our preventions, those who enter into emergency accommodation. Mr OBrien said the figures would be published as normal on Friday next week at 2pm, adding that the process was independent of himself. Pressed on whether he could give indicative figures before their official release, he said: I couldnt because the figures have to be independently verified. Theyre not just figures that I settle on. Theyre figures that are independently verified, independently published and it will be done like every single other month at exactly the same time on the last Friday of the month. No change on that whatsoever, and completely transparent. An Garda Siochana is advising online shoppers around Ireland to "be cautious" and protect themselves against fruadulent sales this Black Friday. "Pay attention to your own instincts If you have any doubts about giving out your card details, end the transaction and purchase your goods elsewhere," said Sergeant Catriona Holohan, Crime Prevention Officer at Ennis garda station in county Clare. Use secure websites Make sure the website you are on is real not cloned or fake and your internet access is secure. There should be an "https" at the beginning of the web address and a padlock symbol displayed beside the URL before the purchase is made - this indicates a secure connection. Dont enter into off site communication for a lower cash price, and never purchase through social media or where the offer came to you via social media. Independently visit the website of the online sales company as opposed to clicking on social media or pop-up adverts, and check for poor English and spelling / grammar mistakes. Read Also: Man arrested over Creeslough explosion after he 'presents' himself at garda station Know the websites policy on refunds and know your consumer rights Where selling platforms offer an official, safe way of paying, use this rather than sending money directly to a third party otherwise Use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you. Check their payment methods, which should be credit cards. Never transfer money direct or pay cash. Read the Terms and Conditions Ensure you are fully aware of any payment commitments you are entering into, including whether you are instructing a single payment or a series of recurring payments. Be particularly careful to read the terms and conditions when signing up for a free trial that requests your credit or debit card details. Paid subscriptions can automatically kick-in at the end of the free trial so check for any cancellation policy. Keep your computer and security up to date Install a reliable antivirus and browser security software. Ensure it has the latest updates and that it scans your computer regularly to check for malware. Make sure your browser is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring. These safety options are not always activated by default when you purchase and install your computer. Do not under any circumstances use public Wi-Fi when making payments - switch to 3G/4G on your phone if necessary. "Always keep a record of your purchase, print or save a copy of your order," Sergeant Holohan advised. "Be cautious about emails claiming outrageous offers or online ads offering miracle products." There's fireside blues, heavy metal mayhem, and sold-out punk energy in Toales on Crow Street in Dundalk this week. Thursday 21st November - Fireside Sessions Presents CHRISTY O'HANLON (Crow Black Chicken) - Show starts 9pm - FREE Admission. Toales' Fireside Sessions is an acoustic club that showcases the best in acoustic acts, always inside by the fire in the bar, always free admission, and is very proud to welcome Cork's finest bluesman Christy O'Hanlon, the front man of the critically acclaimed power trio Crow Black Chicken, who combine elements of hard rock with the blues of bands like Govt mule, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin. Expect a more gentle, acoustic show this time, with plenty of stories and yarns from the man himself. This is going to be something special and, unbelievably, it's completely FREE, in keeping with all Fireside Sessions events. It all kicks off around 9pm. Friday 22nd November - Metal Mania LIVE HEAVY METAL SHOW - Doors 8pm - Admission 10 This is METAL MANIA, Ireland's premium tribute band to all things rock and metal, giving it 100% every show and always guaranteeing to put on a show that will not be forgotten!! Expect a range of absolute bangers from the likes of AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax Ozzy and many more. If it's Metal, it's getting played, from all genres: thrash, classic rock, New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, hard rock and so much more. Doors open 8pm, Tickets 10 Saturday 23rd November - Gurriers + special guests Muckno - SOLD OUT - Doors 8pm Formed on the cusp of a global pandemic, Dublins newest alternative addition, Gurriers, embody the emerging Irish genres of post-punk, noise rock and shoegaze. For the last few years Gurriers have been developing their addictive and dangerous sound, playing festivals throughout Europe and beyond, including SWN, Mad Cool, Reeperbahn, Left of the Dial, London Calling, Latitude, Haldern Pop, Off, The Great Escape, Pukkelpop, Pitchfork Music Festival London, Electric Picnic and All Together Now. Scheduled to play South by Southwest in Austin, Texas last March, Gurriers pulled out alongside virtually all other Irish participants, boycotting the event due to its sponsorship by the US Army. This October, Gurriers embarked on their biggest tour to date in support of their blistering debut album, "Come and See", a truly thrilling collection of razor-sharp progressive punk songs, creating an exhilarating statement of intent by five people fed up with tiptoeing politely around the chaos. Come and see for yourself. Support on the night comes from Castleblayney artist Muckno. Doors open 8pm. This show is sold out, Admission by Ticket only. Louth students Priscilla Ngandu and Lauren Geraghty were presented with scholarship awards by Dublin City University at a ceremony to celebrate memorial and endowed scholarships. 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. Priscilla Ngandu from Dundalk, a past pupil of Colaiste Chu Chulainn who is studying a Master in Political Communication at Dublin City University was awarded The TJ ODriscoll Memorial Scholarship. Dr TJ (Tim) ODriscoll, was a former Director General of Bord Failte, the Irish Tourist Board (1956 1971), and was the first Chairman of Coras Trachtala. Dr ODriscoll, who died in 1998 at the age of 90, made an extraordinary contribution to the development of the modern Irish State. This scholarship is supported by the daa. Lauren Geraghty from Drogheda, a former student of Ballymakenny College who is currently completing a degree in Science and Health at Dublin City University, was presented with the ICON Access Scholarship. The ICON Access Scholarships at DCU were created by leading clinical research organisation ICON plc in 2022 to provide increased opportunities for underrepresented groups to study STEM-related courses through the DCU Access Programme. 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. The Louth Urban Food Sanctuary (LUFS), recently held an event in collaboration with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and staff and students from its Culinary School in the Department of Hospitality. Culinary students from DkITs Department of Hospitality provided a selection of delicious tasters from recipes which they have specially developed for LUFS. This live collaboration with LUFS formed part of the Gastronomy module for the second-year students in Culinary Arts, where students focus on the importance of food sustainability and the vital role of artisan food suppliers in menu design. As part of their assessment, the students paired a product from the LUFS with a product from a Louth artisan food supplier to create a unique recipe. These recipes, especially chosen and prepared by DkIT students included, Sri Lankan inspired pork, chocolate and chilli panna cotta and a heritage pea and ham soup. Each recipe celebrated the synergy between produce grown by the LUFS community and local artisan ingredients, offering a taste of how sustainability and flavour can thrive together. The event also brought together local food producers and the growers community to showcase the rich diversity of locally sourced ingredients and sustainable food practices from across Louth. Elizabeth Murray, Lecturer in Hospitality at DkIT said: This collaboration with Louth Urban Food Sanctuary was an ideal way for students to work with local food growers and put their culinary skills to the test. "The opportunity to combine both local ingredients with their own culinary influences was a wonderful chance for students to learn about food sustainability and the importance of working with local food growers in developing innovative recipes. I want to thank Louth County Council, LUFS and Creative Spark for including our students in this wonderful initiative. "It also showcases a dynamic and engaging approach to teaching and learning within the Hospitality Department, incorporating elements of Universal Design (UDL) and embedding the Sustainable Development Goals in a live event. "Hospitality today requires more than knowing the subject matter, it is critical to know how to work with people and learn from them. Bringing industry experience to the classroom not only enhances the student's understanding of theory but offers them the best possible student experience. Learn more about Louth Urban Food Sanctuary here. Find out more about Culinary Arts at DkIT here. Children in Louth receiving treatment in healthcare settings and children living in emergency accommodation and Direct Provision are among those who will receive a share of over 2,000 books this Christmas season, thanks to Childrens Books Ireland. Launching their Gift a Book appeal, the national charity is calling on the public for help to support children in need across the island of Ireland. Following the success of last years appeal which raised over 14,000 through generous public donations, Childrens Books Ireland is working with community groups and charities in Louth to deliver books to children in their services ahead of Christmas Day. Children of all ages will receive titles such as The Golden Hare by Paddy Donnelly and Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity by Leona Forde and Karen Harte, which Childrens Books Ireland hope will ignite a life-long love of reading. Childrens Books Ireland CEO, Elaina Ryan, said: Every child deserves the chance to become a reader and to find joy and comfort in a brilliant book. Together with our partners in charities and community groups in Louth, we can ensure that the children who need it most have a book to keep and call their own at Christmas. A book offers a world of possibilities! The gift of a book brings a much-needed moment of happiness, and we want to share that joy with every child in need. We are inundated with requests from charities across the country who want to bring the magic of Christmas to the children and families in their services. In launching this appeal, we want to help the thousands of children who still need our support. We are so grateful to everyone whose donations will help us to fulfil this Christmas wish. Help us to change childrens lives, one book at a time, by donating at www.childrensbooksireland.ie/giftabook. Along with providing children with a gift to unwrap on Christmas day, the gift will help children to develop a life-changing love of reading which will benefit them in a multitude of ways. Recent research carried out by the National Literary Trust in 2023 found that children who have books of their own read more often and, practice reading for joy. They also have improved reading ability and experience positive changes in behaviour, learning, and mental wellbeing. Similarly, an Irish study found that book giveaway programmes improved childrens at home reading environment and helped them develop better reading skills. These positive outcomes, combined with a 15% increase in the number of children in Ireland entering emergency accommodation over the past year where access to books and toys is often limited highlight the critical importance of initiatives like the Gift a Book appeal. Niamh Randall, Director of Strategy and Public Affairs at Respond, one of the charities benefiting from the Gift a Book appeal, said: Respond is delighted to work with Childrens Books Ireland this Christmas and receive a generous donation of books for the children and young people throughout our services. Gifting a book to each child gives them the start they need to develop a life-long and impactful love of reading. Every festive season Respond staff work incredibly hard to make Christmas special for the children in our Family Homeless Services. We are grateful to Childrens Books Ireland for their support in ensuring that every child has a book to read and enjoy this Christmas. To donate or learn more about the Gift a Book appeal, visit www.childrensbooksireland.ie/giftabook. This will be the first time I come out in the open and discuss freely my personal experience about autism. It was only my close friends and relatives who knew about Tashas situation, I refuse, and probably wont admit but until now I am still in denial that my daughter is autistic. Well, I was right because the last one who diagnosed her said she got very mild autism. This is good in a way, to speak of than being diagnosed as completely autistic. My emotions was a mix of rage, confusion, sadness, and fear the first time I heard a doctor said my daughter could be autistic. I was totally devastated. How could this be when she is a physically healthy perfect looking baby? Like anyone who is completely clueless and have shallow understanding of this difficulty, I pictured an autistic as someone with obvious physical defect that of which is manifested with someone having Down syndrome. I was ignorant and so my immediate reaction was to get furious and decided never to go visit that doctor again ever, especially with the care for my daughter. (People with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have difficulties with communication, behavior and/or social interaction.) It was my mom who told me what the doctor have said. My mom was the one who took care of my daughter when I am away from work. Being a single mother, I have no choice but to live with my parents so that my daughter will have someone I trusted to look out for her. I had 4 nannies already and none of them lasted, some just went to their homes for a short vacation but never came back. Finding a good and loyal child care is very difficult these days, so my best option was to move back with my parents. My mother brought Tasha to our family doctor because she was feverish that time and being old (my mom is 71 now) and had completely forgotten how to manage a feverish child so she just went to the doctor who is just a block away from our home. While giving prescription to treat my daughters fever, my mom said I think your grandchild is autistic, maybe you should take her to a specialist. What an insensitive fool, my ears rang as my mom told me this. Since then I didnt allow my mom to bring my daughter to that doctor again ever. *** Tasha was and is a real smart child. Before she turned a year old she could already do so many things. Her first step (with no support at all) was at age 1 but at 6 months she already have her first baby tooth. She was very good at getting the perfect tune of a song, although not being able to sing the words, she can babble in-tune to the song of Mandy Moores Only Hope, the Alphabet Song, and Queens We Will Rock You, her all time favorite. She loves to read books and magazines. She can count one to ten but not saying the words perfectly but she can count with her fingers. She has this mantra, the words she can perfectly say Always Happy. She is perfect in all aspects, she was a cheerful baby. After that doctor branding my daughter autistic, family members, especially my mom and sister became a real bugger. I dont believe in hurrying things up, everything has their own time and phase. What works for the other doesnt necessarily mean it will work for another. But they are all troubled because Tasha still cant talk or at least use 3 sentenced words at the age of two and they are bothered that Tasha doesnt seems to respond when being called. It appears instead of progressing she regressed in some areas. I really hate the notion of doing things for the sake of satisfying the peoples expectations but just to quiet them down I brought my daughter to a specialist at the Childrens Hospital in Quezon City. The doctor didnt see anything wrong but suggested to my mom to be less tolerant of her behavior. My mother spoils my daughter so much, just hearing Tashas little cry (that to me is obviously she do to get attention or get what she wants) my mother comes to the rescue. The doctor said she might just have behavioral problems because of the way she is being cared for so that can be easily addressed by discipline. However, to ease the worry about probably a hearing impairment she recommended us for a BAER test at the UST Hospital in Manila. Thankfully after an hour or so testing the result came and she got perfect hearing, but like the first doctor we went to she suggested behavior modification classes to tame her spoiled ways. Getting the result I went back to the Childrens Hospital and she referred us again to a child specialist in FEU Hospital in Quezon City. Tasha was recommended by this doctor for therapy that included occupational therapy, speech therapy and behavior modification and after a couple weeks to go back to her again to see what else we can do and make another diagnosis for her. We were sent to the Autistic Society of the Philippines in Quezon City. I was a bit confused being sent to this place but for my daughters sake we went. I saw different types of kids, some are already teen-agers too, the place looks promising and the people are friendly. No judging looks all helpful and understands each others situation. I was glad to be there. My mom was with us the first two sessions, but she hated the place she said. So the next couple of weeks I went alone juggling work to home I was getting exhausted and financially drained. Therapy sessions are not that cheap. Not mentioning the travel hours me and my daughter have to take to go the place. (The problem here in the Philippines is there are few resources and places to go to available for special children and treatment.) Whats worst was, despite Tasha making improvements during her therapy sessions. At home would be different because mom would be treating her just the same. My moms reasoning was being old and a grandmother, she will care for her the way she want. Yes she is stubborn, but I dont blame her. After the couple of therapy recommended, we went back to the original doctor that requested for this and she said all my daughter needs is guidance and she is just delayed. I was relieved, very much. I already know this about my daughter, I went to ask for financial support from my daughters biological dad but all I got was I am sorry I cant help, I am a charity case right now. But dont be so worried about Tashas condition my other daughter was like her before but when she turned 7 she spoke perfectly. Duh! My family thought I was not doing anything, well I dont tell them every move I make for sure (but this is irrelevant, he is irrelevant, so nothing more to say, hah!) Anyway, Tasha turned 6 last January, I see lots of improvement on her, me being more at home with her now than ever for 9 months now since I decided to be a work-at-home mom now after the tiring, but fun and rewarding work during the 2007 election. My mom and I would have ugly fights with the way she interrupt with the way I discipline Tasha. I dont treat her as someone different, I treat Tasha like a normal child. I care less if my mom despise me with this but thats the way it has to be or my daughter will have a hard time dealing with h er life in the future. Its a frightening thought really. Having a less normal child, I would still be defensive with other people. If looks could only kill, I would have killed a handful or more. I hate the way they look at my daughter with their judging looks. You dont effing understand so shut up. Sometimes we would be in an FX (public cab transport) and some would stare at my daughter like thinking or asking. Sometimes, I would break the ice and tell them, she is a little different than normal. They would be nice by saying Oh, she doesnt look like she is different at all. Oh yeah? Then why the weird look on your face? Being a mother, I want to be protect my child from all types of harm and bad criticism. I want to explain to the world what they dont know especially to people who give those kinds of looks to my child or any child having similar situation like Tasha, but it will be useless since they are ignorant. Its so great to find a blogging community about these. Thanks to Pam Baker of The Village Stream and to Genevieve Hinson of Momolouge for opening the doors for me to learn more and come out in the open. I realize I am not alone. Honestly, I blame myself for what my daughter has become because I was not always home for her during her first 5 years because I need to work. I was ashamed to come out in the open, but now I am not and Im learning more about this disorder and there is nothing to be ashamed of. (The kind of shame I have is not because my child is different but because I lack in many areas as her mother to cater to her needs. I will never ever be ashamed of my daughter, she is my precious) A mock election conducted by the COMELEC showed that there are voters who still dont know how to cast their ballots despite the numerous efforts of different sectors to educate the voters regarding the automated voting system that will be used for the May 2010 elections. In line with this Krispy Kreme launched their own voters education campaign called Vote 2010: DOugh Your Part. Part of their campaign is a mock ballot/ sample ballot they created wherein voters/customers can choose their winning doughnut and coffee, similar to how the real ballot will look like. We wanted to make it a fun learning experience for the voters, Mark Gamboa, Marketing Manager of Krispy Kreme said. This will help them prepare for the real, automated voting system. He adds. Part of the advocacy is the launch of the limited edition Krispy Kreme Vote 2010 doughnuts which will be available on May 8 to 10, 2010. And on the election day itself, after voting on May 10, 2010, troop to the nearest Krispy Kreme store flip your finger marked with the indelible ink and get a free Krispy Kreme Orange You Glad Chiller! VOTE 2010: DOugh Your Part Launch Event Photos My mom always tell us every grain of rice spoiled is equal to a hungry person in the world, because of this we were taught to dont put in our plate what we cant finish. Sadly in restaurants worldwide, they discard tons and tons of food which I believe signifies the number of hungry people in the world. This thought was confirmed by the World Food Programme report that this year (2010) the number of hungry people in the world could exceed a billion. We can sit doing nothing about this because we are not included in that statistics or do a small thing to help or we can blog about or donate. WFP said a dollar can feed 4 hungry children worldwide. So, from now on until I can I will dedicate $5 or one paid post a month to the World Food Program so I can at least make 20 less hungry children in the world. I know its not enough but at least its a small thing I can do to prevent the number of hungry people in the world reach over 1 billion this year. You my friend can help too by joining the Fill the Cup campaign of the World Food Programme. You can help by sending money via Paypal or through your credit card (monthly or one time donation) or you can just blog about this. The World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian agency that aims to fight hunger worldwide, delivering food wherever and whenever it is needed most. In 2010, WFP aims to feed more than 90 million people in 73 countries. As an organization that is completely reliant on voluntary donations, WFP needs the help of generous people like you. Most people think of malnutrition as not having enough to eat. But for many of the worlds one billion hungry people, the problem is that they get too few of the minerals and vitamins that they need to thrive, physically and mentally. Malnutrition often starts in the womb, when malnourished mothers give birth to malnourished children. This creates a cycle that continues for generations, and we need to break this cycle and ensure that the right food is provided at the right time. The first two years of a childs life is essential. Without the right nutrition, the childs physical and mental development is compromised irreversibly. When a child is malnourished its body struggles to do normal things such as grow and resist disease. Hunger is killing thousands of children every day even though we have the knowledge, ability and means to prevent child malnutrition in developing countries. Help feed the world, Fill a Cup for a $1 or by your blog post about this campaign and be a Blogger Against Hunger. Worldwide Hunger Fact Sheet Human Cost Hunger (underweight) is No.1 on the list of the worlds top 10 health risks.12 Hunger kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.13 According to the latest UNICEF report on child and maternal nutrition:14 A third of all deaths in children under the age of five in developing countries are linked to undernutrition. Among children under 5 years old in the developing world, an estimated one third 195 million children are stunted, whereas 129 million are underweight. More than 90 percent of the developing worlds stunted children live in Africa and Asia. The first 1,000 days of life is the critical window in which to tackle undernutrition. Latest numbers: More than one billion people are undernourished worldwide 1.02 billion people going hungry every day.8 Almost all of the worlds undernourished live in developing countries. In Asia and the Pacific, an estimated 642 million people are suffering from chronic hunger; in Sub-Saharan Africa 265 million; in Latin America and the Caribbean 53 million; in the Near East and North Africa 42 million; and in developed countries 15 million in total.9 One in seven people (adults and children) goes to bed hungry each night.10 In developing countries, the proportion of undernourished in total population has been cut from 37 percent in 1969-1971 to 17 percent in 2000-2002.11 P.S. Thanks to Roy of The Stuggling Blogger for showing me this campaign At this day and age we shouldnt just accept whatever the authorities or our religious leaders tells us. There is always and why and there is always a how. Live Curious is a campaign initiated by the National Geographic Channel that encourages the spirit of curiosity and inspires people to question what they know, how they view the world, and what drives them forward. Some local celebrities act as the Live Curious campaign which includes filmmaker and writer Joey Reyes, marketing executive Francis Flores, TV host/producer and advocate for children Daphne Osena-Paez, advertising executive Norman Agatep, Rock Ed Philippines Founder Gang Badoy, The Mind Museum curator Maribel Garcia, WWF-Philippines CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, educational media producer Mitzi Borromeo, and social ecopreneur Bryan Benitez McClelland. A Live Curious photo exhibit was also launched in line with the campaign showcasing a collection of the curiosities of the chosen Live Curious ambassadors in the Philippines which also represents the myriad of curiosities that millions of ordinary Filipinos have. The Live Curious photo exhibit will be on display at Greenbelt 5 from today until October 6, 2010 and will be at the following venues Glorietta 4 (October 7-10), Trinoma Mall (October 21-24), and Ayala Center Cebu (November 4-7), Bonifacio High Street (November 13-14). The photographs were taken by fashion and conceptual photographer Niccolo Cosme, in partnership with the Makeup Forum, the Ayala Malls and The Mind Museum and of course Nat Geo. In line with the campaign, they also partnered with Regatta who exclusively sells the limited edition Nat Geo Live Curious shirts. These shirts are a bold statement of campaigning for curiosity. The shirts are sold at Php495.00 @ Regata inclusive of free membership to the Club Nat Geo which give members a privilege to receive updates and info on Nat Geo activities and events. The shirts and designs comes in four colors each sizes from extra small to extra large. Im curious, how curious are you? Stay gorgeous everyone! What attracted you most in a person the first time you see them? Is it their clothes? They nice makeup? Or is it their super super sweet and sincere smile which greeted you as soon as your eyes met? Yes, its the smile. That is why CloseUp designed the first in beauty oral care, co-created with cosmetic dentist, from the US and now in the Philippines, the Closeup Diamond Attraction that gives you visibly whiter teeth in just one brush! #DiamondAttraction utilizes Blue Light Technology through a blue covarine foam that lessens the yellow tones on teeth making teeth look whiter and brighter. The Closeup Diamond Attraction was first seen abroad is now here in the Philippines and to launch the product in the Philippines a fab dinner was held at the Blackbird in Makati with Closeup Senior Brand Manager Gem Laforteza spearheading the event. Heart Evangelista was also introduced as the CloseUp Diamond Attraction brand ambassador! The stunning soon-to-be-bride Heart Evangelista shared what makes her beaming with happiness and that of-course includes her soon-to-be-groom former Senator Chiz Escudero who was there to support her with her launch. Aside from sharing her beauty secret and her happiness with her upcoming beauty wedding, Heart Evangelista, together with beauty columnist Agoo Bengso and celebrity makeup artist Xeng Zulueta came up with a must-have and their favorite beauty arsenal to go along with the CloseUp Diamond Attraction. The Best in Beauty Picks from Closeup kit includes Heart Evangelistas favorite lipstick shade (Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl , the best eyebrow pen ever the K-Palette Real Lasting Eyebrow 01 and of course the toothpaste that gives visible white teeth in 1 brush, the Closeup Diamond Attraction! (I think you can win one too just follow @closeupph on Instagram and Twitter and retweet and regram their photo of the beauty picks kit!) The Closeup Diamond Attraction is now available in all leading supermarkets all over the Philippines! Stay gorgeous everyone! While Baguio City is known to be one of the city in the Philippines to have the most honest and trustworthy taxi drivers, the need to update and improve the taxi hailing system to match the passengers and drivers is badly needed. This was found after an online survey Grab Taxi did at their Facebook page when they asked where is the next city in the country Grab Taxi should be made available. In the same survey, they also found out that it is very hard for passengers get a cab and drivers get passengers when it is raining outside. Because of that, Grab Taxi went on a soft launch last July 2015 to test the waters and was formally launched this August 2015 at the Baguio Craft Brewery where local media, Baguio and Manila bloggers and some of the pioneer Grab Taxi drivers gathered. Baguio is the 6th city in the Philippines that GrabTaxi operates in. The app first launched in Manila in 2012 followed by Cebu, Davao City, Iloilo, Bacolod and now Baguio. As a starting promo, GrabTaxi in Baguio passengers can use the promocode Baguio to get free booking fee and Php50.00 off their fare for the entire month of August! Meanwhile, aside from the launch, we were able to meet the new Country Marketing Manager Head / new face of Grab Taxi Khriztina Lim. We also paid a courtesy call to Baguio City Mayor Domogan who was ecstatic for the arrival of Grab Taxi in Baguio City. To jumpstart the operations in the city of pines, GrabTaxi just opened an office in Baguio and is looking to hire over 50 employees. For more information, please visit www.grabtaxi.com . See what happens on this video from the GrabTaxi in Baguio launch : I will tell you more about this Baguio City trip soon! Stay gorgeous everyone! Shopping for grocery items is an indispensable chore. I dont think anyone would cost-cut on weekly household essentials just to save for luxury like airline tickets. Luckily for those who frequently shop at Robinsons Supermarket for Procter and Gamble home essentials , you will get a chance to fly for free by collecting points with a GetGoRewards by Cebu Pacific . The three have partnered together to give loyal shoppers of Robinsons Supermarket and patrons of P&G products a chance to fly for free with the #BuyMoreFlyMore #FlyForFre promo via Cebu Pacific using your GetGoRewards Points. To collect points for free flights, shoppers just need to purchase at least Php500.00 worth of participating P&G products such as Pantene, Olay, Head and Shoulder, Safeguard, Pampers, Ariel, Tide, Downy and Joy . One purchase of Php500 worth of products is equal to one sticker. You need to complete 12 stickers (tell the Robinsons cashier tha you are joining the #BuyMoreFlyMore promo so she can give you the collect stickers card) to be able to get a free flight. As soon as you complete all 12 stickers you are now entitled to for a GetGoRewards card (worth 150 pesos with membership fee waived). Upon the activation of the card it will be loaded with 2,000 GetGo points that is equivalent to one way-trip to Cebu. How cool is that? To claim the GetGo card you must surrender the sticker card with 12 to the Robinsons Supermarket customer service. GetGo is a Lifestly Rewards Program that gives its members free lights via Cebu Pacific for their everyday purchases. Aside from shopping at Robinsons Supermarket they have other partner establishments where you can collect points visit www.getgorewards.ph to know more. The #BuyMoreFlyMore promo will run from November 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016! Happy shopping! Stay gorgeous everyone I was busy entertaining myself on my Instagram feed when I accidentally clicked the home page and saw a notification on the inbox folder icon. Clicking on it to see who messaged me, I saw tons of spam messages from IG bots and OMG, a message from Laneige Philippines that I almost ignored because it was lumped togeter with all other spam messsages. You can imagine my excitement when I read the message. Im going to Singapore with and for Laneige. Yay! It happens a lot, I guess it happens to you too when some of the important messages from old contacts or brands you work with magically finds its way on the spam or junk folder or even on the promotions folder. Im glad Ms. Winnie and Mela (from Laneige Philippines) contacted me via my IG. IG messsages are not that creepy all the time you know. SNS! (Social media is real). Fast forward to this week, I flew in to Singapore with three other companions to represent Team Laneige Philippines for the #laneigesparklingparty #youngertomorrow #perfectrenew event. I was with Belle from Preview Magazine and Mela and Jing from Laneige Philippines. There was 10 Country delegates coming together for the LANEIGE Global Media Event for a Younger Tomorrow in Singapore. The global event was for the launching of the star product Perfect Renew Regenerator line which promises for a younger tomorrow as it helps tighetn and renew your skin baby tirangles ( you may read about the #PerfectRenew info here). I couldnt be more excited, it was my first time to fly in to Singapore, I went to Singapore via bus from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and left via bus to Kuala Lumpur too some 2-3 years ago. One of the things that was making me giddy about flying to Changi Airport was the StarWars exhibit happening there (they were there just a few days before my flight and will be there until January 2016) Hooray! Anyway, we were picked up by our gracious host from the PR of Laneige Singapore , . It only took us 20 minutes to get to our hotel from the airport. Because of the APEC week we were aboardthe 9 seater plane (usually used for international flights) because a lot of flights were canceleled and moved the next minute. This plane was fully booked! OMG! Our hotel is fabulous! We stayed atlocated at the Beach Road in Singapore, it is just a block away from the Marina Square. It was a new hotel at the area and we were lucky to be one of the first to maximize the use of the hotel! I will write a separate post about The South Beach its just a very beautiful hotel! I was very much impressed with the hotel lobby, check-in area was very casual yet very chic as each counter area has amazing furniture and chandelier displays. The giant Mural Art LED wall was so pretty and trippy! Each check-in counter has different cabinet and chandelier displays and theres a row of pretty couches and chairs displayed. I reconized some of them as Kenneth Cobunpue signature designs! They handed me my room keys and my lanyard with the info of our itenerary on our entire stay and off I head to my room. My room was on the 7th floor, and it was fabulous. Inside my was LANEIGE treats waiting for me! One was a pack of LANEIGE Collagen Drink by the mini-bar area, the other was the LANEIGE Perfect Renew Regenerator Line Trial Kit with a box of cake and a note about our schedule for the night! After freshening up, we had dinner where we met all other delegates at the(at the 18th floor rooftop) of the hotel. The view was magical, it was overlooking Singapore with the Marina Bay Sands Hotel most ladmark giant ship structure roofdeck in sight. Food was delish. This was the first time I met Claro from AMOREPACIFIC (mother company of Laneige) there never was a dull moment with him especially with him and Mela bullying each other in a good way, its hillarious! The night is young and we are all free for the night, our schedule is full the next day for now it was all about getting acquainted with each other, Singapore and or hotel. Which we all did. Counter clockwise: Jing, Mela, Claro and Belle We took a cab to Marina Bay Sands Mall (fare is SGD 9.80 including flagdown rate of SGD 4.00) We had some quick shopping and a sight seing stroll around the area, and yes some photo ops here and there! Fun! We walked on our way back to the hotel and we pass the beautiful Helix bridge. Weather was nice and fortunately fog was gone. Yay! We got back to our hotel around 11pm. I was kinda tired because of the long walk haha, but it was fun, made myself a nice bubbly warm bath and soaked for awhile in the beautiful bathroom and tried the LANEIGE Renew Regenerist Trial pack they gave us thereafter. I had a very relaxing sleep and woke up at 8am! Just in time for breakfast for a packed day where the media launch, pampering session, makeover, DIY craft making, workshop , the sparkling grand ball party happened. I will tell you more about it on my next post. Meanwhile you can browse some of Earthlingorgeous in Singapore live post during the event on my Instagram @earthlingorgeous just use the hashtag #laneigesparklingparty #youngertomorrow and #perfectrenew , you can also see the other delegates post in there too. Stay gorgeous everyone! I am absolutely not in a writing mood lately, but I am loving video blogging and live streaming especially on Periscope. So, without any further talk about it, I just want to show you how this week went (March 14-17) where I have attended a number of events. Most of them are just a few blocks away from me so I was alright to attend. #AboutthisWeek Earthlingorgeous Vlog depicts the life in a week of a lifestyle blogger who attends a lot of events . In my case these are events I attended because either or of the following: 1) they are held near my place; 2) they all happen in one strategic location that leads me close to home; 3) I love the brands; 3) I love the PR; 4) I am interested about the event; 5) It is a paid gig (blogger appearance or blogger writing gig) and 6) I am hitching rides with blogger friends and its a good time to bond with them in between events. With all these events I absolutely am swamped with backlogs (what we bloggers call articles for posting). But because I am super lazy to write lately I thought of doing this vlog which will or might be a regular thing from now on. The #AboutThisWeek events included in this post are : Solique Neon and UV Nail Polish all part of the Summer 2016 Collection. The event happened at Relik Bar in BGC where everyone was glowing in the dark! Mad Rabbit Kicking Tiger or MRKT launch held at the Whitespace in Makati. MRKT is architectural inspired bags made from felt and will be available at Brat Pack stores in the country. Style Up for Summer event at SM Makati, where SM Store showcased their summer collection from womens mens, kids wear ; shoes from Parisian and Milanos and SM Accessories and make-up products that is also available at the SM Store Makati. Zalora and Manila Fashion Festival preview party held at the Es Bar in EDSA Shangrila Hotel. A visit at Biobalance where I learned about my In-Body condition plus free consulation and tips from Dr. Stan and an intimate talk with Hindy Weber. Uniqlo Philippine Summer Collection launch with the introduction of their latest brand ambassadors Leah Salongga and BJ Pascual held at SM Megamall Rustans Colors and Petals Summer 2016 Sunset Party held at The Loft in Manansala. WATCH #AboutThisWeek Happenings here: Yup, this is a lot, but imagine the other bloggers who say yes to everything? And this is just my blogger hat on, I also have a life outside being a blogger ! I am definitely glad that Holy Week is next week and that I have time to slow down again and re-assess my life. By the way, I will be doing a talk on Lifestyle Blogging in Glorietta 2 end of the month with PMA Philippine Marketing Association. Ill keep you posted about it . So, how did your week went? Let me know at the comment section! Stay gorgeous everyone! Where do you think your Php5,000.00 take you? Baguio? Ilocos? Cebu? Bohol? Palawan? Aim further coz it can actually take you to Europe. I know it sounds like shooting for the stars but that is what saving up your hard earned money at RCBC Savings Bank can take you. They have an ongoing promo, Save up and Fly , which will end in April 2018. The promo allows you one raffle coupon for every Php5,000.00 fresh deposit and/or average daily balance (until the end of the promo period). Additions 5k deposit entitles you to additional raffle entry. Save Up and Fly is open to all new and existing personal and corporate account holders of RCBC Savings Bank covering Basic Savings and Checking, WISE savings, Dragon Savings, Dragon All In One Checking and My Wallet Cash Card. By simply saving up, maintaining that 5k average daily balance (ADB) , you can get a chance to go on an all expense paid trip for two to Europe for 7D6N in a 4 star hotel . Trip included visits to Spain, France and Italy where the lucky winner will also be awarded with Php50,000 pocket money to enjoy the European experience. Aside from an al-ezoense paid trip to Europe, other participants can also win a 4D3N to Singapore, Malaysia or Hong Kong. Plus chances of getting instant prizes based on their additional fresh funds for existing personal and corporate account holders opening a Dragon Savings Account or a Dragon All In One checking account. This promo also coincides with the launch of the RCBC Savings Bank MasterCard Debit Card. Cardholders can now transact in more than 2.5 million AtM and jn over 40 million merchant locations worldwide. To know more about the promotion and RCBC Savings Bank visit rcbcsvings.com. Stay gorgeous everyone! To highlight and recognize the outstanding efforts and resilience of higher education institutions (HEIs) throughout the challenges of the current times, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Rex Education collaborate to launch the very first Gawad Edukampyon Awards. This inaugural award is an effort to celebrate the outstanding achievements and innovations by HEIs in the fields of Teaching and Learning, Research, and Public Service and Community Engagement. With the challenges presented by the new normal upon us, Gawad Edukampyon aims to create an arena where different universities, colleges, teacher-training schools, and professional schools can share their experiences and best practices as we create, refine, and implement innovative programs that could lead to a better normal for education. Gawad Edukampyon awards was launched last January 30, 2020 through a Facebook live event that streamed on Rex Education and CHEDs social media pages. The launch was led by CHED Chairperson, J. Prospero De Vera III, DPA and Rex Education Chairman, Atty. Dominador Buhain. Also present were Rex CEO, Don Timothy Buhain; CHED Executive Director IV, Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro; CHED International Affairs Director and Deputy Executive Director IV, Atty. Lily Freida Macabangun-Milla, CESO IV; Rex Chief External Affairs Officer, Danda Crimelda Buhain and CHED TWG on Flexible Learning member, Edizon Fermin, PhD. It was followed by a ceremonial signing of the statement of cooperation, indicating the formalization and official launch of the call for entries for the awards. The launch can be rewatched at the Rex Education Facebook page here: https://fb.watch/3kHI3qrf55/ . Championing the Filipino learner Gawad Edukampyon is deeply rooted in both Rex Education and CHEDs ongoing advocacies directed at uplifting the Filipino learner. Rex Educations advocacy and core philosophy, Edukampyon, is about empowering the whole community where all of us are duty bearers who have an obligation to recognize, respect, protect, and fulfill the right of every learner to good, quality education. This advocacy has been the guiding principle of Rex throughout the years, dedicated to grooming a Filipino whole learner who is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and values-oriented. With Gawad Edukampyon, we hope to celebrate the adaptiveness, innovativeness, and resilience of every higher learning institution, who have been our heroes of education, especially during the most difficult times. We also want to honor the dedication and cooperation of every person, every community, every school, and every organization, moving together for a single cause. We saw different heroes of education rise as we try to put together the winning formula that can create a better normal for our learners. We want to spread these stories of hope, through this program, to inspire all, said Don Timothy Buhain, Rex Education CEO, during the launch. Gawad Edukampyon is also tied to CHEDs own Bayanihan efforts, which aims to help and guide students, teachers, learning institutions, and the whole education sector to discover solutions that would help us win in the new normal. The commission recognizes that the conduct of this activity will strengthen the flexible learning approaches of our HEIs. Through this collaboration, we hope to ensure and inspire all education stakeholders, policymakers, administrators, educators, learners, and the general public by examining and celebrating the response, relief, and recovery efforts in high education, through which a more adaptive, innovative, and resilience Philippine higher education system shall emerge, said CHED Chairperson, J. Prospero De Vera III, DPA The Gawad Edukampyon Awards The award categories are: The Gawad Edukampyon for Excellence in Flexible and Responsive Management an institutional award in recognition of outstanding management response policies, programs, and practices for the continuity of education during times of disruption while at the same time ensuring the health, safety and well-being of the students, faculty, staff and school-community. The Gawad Edukampyon for Excellence in Flexible Teaching and Learning Innovation an institutional award in recognition of innovations in instruction, teaching-learning, and assessment to ensure students are constantly engaged and challenged even during the times of disruption. The Gawad Edukampyon for Responsive Research and Development an institutional award recognizing the outstanding product of HEI Research and Development that significantly contributed in mitigating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic or led to greater understanding of its causes and effects. The Gawad Edukampyon for Public Service and Community Engagement an institutional award recognizing outstanding projects and projects by the HEI its management, faculty and student, for its immediate and/or general community for alleviating their situation caused by the pandemic. The finalists and winners will be selected through a very rigorous screening process and will be featured Philippine Flexible Learning summit on October 5-7, 2021 in observance of World Teachers Day. The narratives of the winners will also be featured in the book Padayon, which will be published by Rex Education, and will be uploaded in the Philippines CHED Connect Open Education Resource Hub. Stay tuned for further announcements at the Rex Education and CHED Facebook pages to know more about how HEIs can submit their entries. More than a year into distance learning, Filipino students and teachers continue to struggle as they are faced with an unfamiliar learning environment. But a new set of struggles also present new opportunities to maximize existing technologies for education. With that in mind, Edukasyon.ph and ASUS have partnered through the education partnership program launch to provide educators with the right tools they need to keep teaching and guiding students through the online setup. While distance learning has been tough as it is, theres no telling how much tougher it could get in the coming months. To help address this, we need to help the ecosystem not only students/teachers said Edukasyon.ph CEO Grace David. As the largest education tech platform in the country, Edukasyon.PH aims to tap into the IT departments of each school to assist in their skills-building and digital transformation efforts. Rounding off the partnership is ASUS, a go-to brand for reliable and affordable gadgets for online learning over the past year. Before and after the pandemic, it has partnered with local movements to provide laptops and other devices to various public schools. ASUS believes that no aid is too small to make a difference. Thats why we recognize the value even just one quality device has in shaping a childs future, shared George Su, Country Manager for ASUS Philippines. The ASUS Edukasyon School Partner Program is set to bridge gaps in remote learning through a holistic, tech-forward approach. Among the benefits, ASUS partner schools will receive is a Yearly School Development Fund to help boost their respective IT facilities and education programs. They also have several offers for students and instructors, including tech learning seminars, internship opportunities, and exclusive discounts on ASUS products. Through the program, ASUS will be highlighting their best and latest laptop for K-12 learning, the ASUS BR1100. It comes in two modelsthe ASUS BR1100C, a clamshell non-touch version; and the ASUS BR1100F, a premium flip version with touch-enabled display. Built for durable, all-around use, the ASUS BR1100 is an educational laptop with a military-standard design and features suited for online learning. Edukasyon.PH has worked with hundreds of schools, corporations, and foundations to continuously engage our student community, said David. This partnership with ASUS makes sure the entire ecosystem is supported. To kick off the initiative, Edukasyon.ph and ASUS will host a free live webinar this July 8 at 1:30 PM. It will feature insightful tutorials and conversations about LMS systems from key resource speakers. Participants will receive certificates of attendance plus get a chance to win a brand new ASUS laptop and more when they join the event. To register for the live webinar, visit asus.edukasyon.ph. Additionally, ASUS and Edukasyon.ph have launched an all-in-one-hub of helpful online learning resources for education partners. To access the hub, visit the microsite here. Everyday I feel guilty of the plastic waste I produce because of all the online shopping I do. Unfortunately, no matter how I try to segregate and minimize my waste, when it comes to proper disposal and handling of all garbage collected, they are mishandled very badly. There is no denying that one of the greatest environmental challenges the world faces today is the plastic waste crisis. Globally, the Philippines is the third-largest source of ocean plastic waste. Fortunately, more and more Filipinos are becoming more conscious of their lifestyles and are starting to adopt sustainable choices and decisions to reduce their carbon footprint and plastic consumption. Companies like Nestle Philippines are intensifying their initiatives to address the plastic waste crisis in the country. As a food and beverage manufacturing company, Nestle Philippines is committed to tackle plastic waste as an urgent priority in all stages of its value chain. We are also working to drive new understanding and behavior on waste and waste management and are supporting both our consumers and our employees in their efforts to live a more sustainable lifestyle, said Arlene Tan-Bantoto, Nestle PH SVP and head of public affairs, communications and sustainability. In time for World Oceans Day, Nestle PH launched the Isabuhay sa Bahay Challenge to empower its employees to take a more active role in helping care for the planet by accomplishing different tasks. Through this initiative, the company and its employees will strengthen their promise to the planet that they made during their Net Zero Fair last April. In order to prepare them for the challenge, employees attended a training workshop facilitated by the Executive Director and Chief Mermaid of Save Philippine Seas, Ms. Anna Oposa, that focused on zero-waste lifestyle tips, an introduction to segregation, and composting three important areas that can help them practice responsible solid waste management at home. Every lifestyle change you make depends on your context, resources, and capacity. Whatever you are able to commit to is already a step in the right direction, Ms. Oposa said. Participants takeaways from the session included practical ways to cut down waste at home; the importance of segregation, and the types of waste that fall under the recyclable, residual, and biodegradable categories; and lastly, the methods and benefits of composting. More than just practicing these activities at home, Ms. Oposa encouraged the attendees to extend their efforts to the community by supporting sustainability efforts of corporations and organizations like Nestle, reaching out to people in authority when needed, and influencing others by example. For Nestle PH, addressing the complex challenge of plastic waste requires support from key sectors and partners, including consumers. Towards making a waste-free future a reality, the company is engaged in various efforts that encourage a change in behavior. Among these are the development of solid waste management education modules endorsed by the National Solid Waste Management Commission. These modules have been rolled out to thousands of public schools for grades 1-10 students through Nestles partnership with the Department of Education under the Nestle Wellness Campus program. Condensed versions of the modules are also available to parents and teens for use at home. Nestle has also established collection points in collaboration with its partners where people can take their plastic waste for further processing, so they do not end up in landfills. In partnership with Plastic Credit Exchange, collection points have been set up in SM Malls in MOA, SM North Edsa, and SM Fairview. Know more about Nestle Philippines initiatives as well as how to be a Kasambuhay for the Environment by visiting nestle.com.ph where you can download a copy of the solid waste management modules and view a list of other locations where you can drop off your used soft plastics. It looks like the present Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte wants to leave something before he leaves his seat. Just last March 4, 2022, he signed into law a measure raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years. This is a major step in shielding minors from rape and other acts of sexual abuse. Republic Act 11648 law provides additional protection to minors aged 16 and under against the following sexually related offenses: qualified seduction, child prostitution and other sexual abuse, child trafficking, and forceful hiring of minors for obscene publications and indecent shows.. This new law amends Republic Act 8353 of 1997, also called the Anti-Rape Law of 1997. RA 11648 also mandates the stricter protection of minors from other acts of neglect, abuse, cruelty or exploitation prejudicial to the childs development. Any person who shall keep or have in his company a minor 16 years of age or under or who is 10 years or more his junior in any public or private place, hotel, motel, beer joint, discotheque, cabaret, pension house, sauna or massage parlor, beach, and/or other tourist or similar places shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its maximum period and a fine of not less than P50,000, part of the law read. The above, however, does not apply to any person who is related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity or any bond recognized by law, local custom and tradition or acts in the performance of a social, moral, or legal duty. RA 11648 takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Save the Children Philippines lauds the enactment of Republic Act 11648 or the Act Raising the Age of Sexual Consent, which increases the age of statutory rape from 12 to 16. This recognizes childrens right to and need for protection from sexual abuse and exploitation. According to the countrys National Baseline Study on Violence against Children (Council for the Welfare of Children, 2016), 1 out of 4 Filipino children experiences some form of sexual violence with children aged 13-17 experiencing the most sexual violence. The majority of the victims of rape are children aged 13-15 according to the Philippine Commission on Women. By raising the age of sexual consent, we are casting a wider net to protect more children from being sexually abused and exploited, especially by adults. With the passage of this law, the Philippines as State Party complies with the recommendations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to increase the age of sexual consent, and thereby, addressing the limitation of the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 in addressing statutory rape. Save the Children, however, recognizes that the passage of this law is just the beginning of stronger advocacy for the protection of children from all forms of violence. We call on the Philippine government for stronger implementation of all child protection-related laws and policies, particularly at the community level. This will help to ensure that violence against children is prevented and properly addressed should this happen. This can start by ensuring that all local government officials and other stakeholders understand these laws and policies, and what their roles and responsibilities are in implementing these so they can fulfill their obligations to protect all children in their communities. These laws and policies should also be translated into actual child protection-related programs, projects, and activities that are included in local development plans and budgets. These should particularly include investments in prevention activities, readily-available and accessible services, and adequate and capacitated human resources to deliver the services. Save the Children Philippines Chief Executive Officer, Atty. Alberto Muyot said: While we celebrate the enactment of RA 11648, we enjoin families and all sectors of society to remain vigilant and continue to work together to protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation. Employers in Cork are invited to attend the Ability@Work business breakfast at Cork International Hotel on December 3. Ability@Work, a programme run by Cope Foundation that enables people with intellectual disabilities to work, has created 141 paid employment opportunities since it was first established six years ago. The plan is to support an additional 250 people to upskill and move in to paid jobs over the next five years. Seamus, supported by Ability@Work, said: All my life, I have volunteered and worked hard daily without pay, because I love keeping busy, and meeting new people. I have been upskilling by doing courses, job shadows, and meeting my job coach to get ready for work. Having a paid job would mean everything to me. I would feel included in society, just like my family and friends. Job shadow days, internships, work placements, as well as free disability awareness training with in-work supports and advice are available to all employers. Partnership Strategic director of human resources, Trigon Hotels, Kathleen Linehan,said: We have an ongoing partnership with Cope Foundation and have been working with the Ability@Work programme for five years. Along with facilitating up to 20 job shadow days throughout the years, we have taken on six people through the programme, many of whom have gone on to gain paid employment. They have been a welcome addition to our teams and I would encourage any employer to consider getting involved. The business breakfast takes place from 7.30am to 9.30am. It is free, but places are limited, so early registration is encouraged. Email hennessym@cope-foundation.ie to register. Ability@Work manager, Marian Hennessy, said: We believe that every workplace can benefit from diverse perspectives and talents. This event will provide employers with valuable insights in to how they can attract and retain reliable and skilled workers. Were calling on employers, both those already part of the programme and those who are considering joining, to create suitable employment opportunities for people we support. The Bishop of Cloyne, William Crean, has called on Catholics to ask politicians, in the lead-up to next weeks general election, where they stand on the issue of assisted dying. Bishop Crean said the current campaign was distinguished by the fact that the issue of assisted dying had not caught fire, something he said was disturbing, and indicated something of a tacit consensus round what the important national issues are. On Wednesday, October 23, the Dail voted by 76 to 53 to note the final report of the joint Oireachtas committee on assisted dying, which called on the Government to legalise assisted dying in certain restricted circumstances. The report came after months of hearing from experts and interested parties, some of whom outlined how assisted dying operates in other jurisdictions. The reports recommendations were supported by nine of the committees 14 members, with three members, including committee cathaoirleach, Rural Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, publishing a dissenting minority report. With the Dail dissolved ahead of next weeks general election, the issue will now be left to the next government to consider and, should it choose, to legislate. Any resulting legislation would then go before the Oireachtas and, should it be passed, then go to the President, who has the right to refer bills to the Supreme Court to test their constitutionality, should he or she deem that necessary. Bishop Crean said that with an ageing population, the cost of nursing care was increasingly difficult for families. Enormous pressure will be brought to bear on frail elderly and others diagnosed with terminal illness to succumb to a potentially new culture of death, he said. My appeal is simply that when being canvassed over these days ask prospective TDs to indicate clearly where they stand on this critical issue. How we care for the weakest and most vulnerable goes to the core of our moral fibre and integrity as a society. Compassion must always be the first response in the face of pain, he said. Our palliative care culture and organisation across the country are an extraordinary witness to compassionate care for all approaching lifes end, he added. Separately, the Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, has also called on Catholics to please share your views with canvassers on the issues of abortion and assisted dying. There is a reluctance to install new bins in Cork city, according to some local representatives, with one representative suggesting that it is an unwritten policy not to install more bins. It comes after a Blackrock local complained to The Echo that no bins will be installed as part of a new park in the area. Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy said that it was an unwritten policy of the council not to provide new bins. There are four reasons for this, he said: Worries around illegal dumping, the staffing required to empty all the bins, a desire to encourage people to bring their rubbish home, and some worries about fires being set in bins. While this council policy is not an official one, Mr McCarthy said that in his time as a public representative, it is difficult to get a new bin put in when a community requests it. He added that the provision of new bins would be among one of the main things he is asked for as a councillor. A Cork City Council spokesperson told The Echo: In relation to cleansing operations, we would put a bin in a location if merited. A location would be monitored and assessed on a case-by-case basis. In recent years, the Cleansing Department of Cork City Council has installed over 90 solar compacting bins throughout the city centre, the council spokesperson added. This has helped in terms of the visual appearance of the bin and also from an operational sense, with less requirement to the servicing of the bins. However, Sinn Fein councillor Michelle Gould said: Wed have huge issues with a lack of bins on the northside. Theyre always talking about encouraging people to keep the place clean and picking up dog fouling, but theres no bins to put it in. Ms Gould added she had a motion calling for additional bins at council, and that a bin in their area had recently been taken away when refurbishments were happening and they promised it would return, but it hasnt yet. Green Party councillor Oliver Moran said: Theres somewhat of a reluctance among officials to install additional bins without considering staffing levels and the need to regularly empty them. New bins are being installed though, and also bins that were previously removed are replaced. He added: One area in particular that bins are a focus of attention is in relation to dog fouling. The city has a dog fouling committee and one of the things being considered by the committee is identifying dog walking routes and to make sure theres bins along the route. The city is also about to open its first-ever dog park in Ballincollig, where dogs can be let off their leashes, under supervision. That will also be served by bins for dog fouling and other waste. There are cases of ghost bins as well, where a bin was removed. Sometimes this is where a litter bin was being used for domestic refuse in the past, which isnt their purpose. When thats the case, there is a commitment from officials to return these bins where one used to be. If the Government followed its own policies on drugs and alcohol use, prisons would not be overcrowded, a former inmate has said. Cork Prison saw 355 people in custody on Friday last week, a record high, and figures have risen even higher since, with 361 in custody at the beginning of this week. This represents 122% capacity, with 65 people sleeping on the floor. The Irish Prison Service (IPS) told The Echo at the end of August that 67% of people in custody in Cork were waiting for, or engaging in, addiction services. James Leonard, known for The Two Norries podcast, told The Echo: The prison service is a terrible option for people in addiction. In Ireland, there are 800 people on waiting lists for addiction and 2,000 for psychological services. If youre in prison under 12 months, you get out before you get off the waiting list for any services. In my case, all my sentences were less than 12 months, but I was in and out you can go your whole life constantly slipping through the cracks. Overcrowding just makes everything more complicated. When you have more prisoners, the staff are more stretched, and facilitating outside organisations to come in is difficult. Its all condensed because security trumps everything. Mr Leonard continued: Were talking about a health-led approach to drug use. In this election, Fianna Fail are talking about decriminalisation, but Simon Harris got stuck into them, saying its not going to happen. We commissioned a citizens assembly, an Oireachtas committee, there were recommendations published but no action taken why did we go through the democratic process at all? He added: I was teaching in Cork Prison on Friday and its gone very overcrowded. I was showing the lads there the drug strategy about a health-led response and they asked: What does that mean? I explained that instead of the criminal justice system, the health system would deal with drug issues and they said: But thats not what happens. And theyre right. Mr Leonard explained that decriminalisation has been a success in Portugal but a disaster in Oregon. The difference is, in Portugal, they had record HIV rates and record incarceration, but they had a left government who tried a radical response the money that was invested in criminal justice was all put into social justice groups. In Oregon, they decriminalised drugs but put nothing in lieu of it, and now theres just open drug use on the streets that nobody is dealing with. Similarly, he said: In Cork, the old psychiatric hospitals were all closed and all the people who were in them are in Cork Prison now they went from Shanakiel straight to the Glen. Mr Leonard suggested: We need to see an increase in community sanctions, referring people to probation services, which can put them in touch with groups like Cork Alliance, and we need to be investing more in these projects. If you let people serve their sentence in the community for non-violent offences, get them to do an educational course or go to residential treatment, you could change the trajectory of peoples lives. In prison, youre exposed to more drugs, more violence, more criminality it can just make things worse. He added: There was a great study done in Cork by Dr Graham Cambridge, of UCC, which found that when people got recovery for addiction, desistance from crime followed naturally. A spokesperson for the IPS said it provides a healthcare service for prisoners with addictions in a structured, safe, and professional way in line with international best practice. It is also committed to the National Drugs Strategy. The spokesperson added: It is the policy of the Irish Prison Service that, where a person committed to prison gives a history of opiate use and tests positive for opioids, they are offered a medically assisted, symptomatic detoxification. A verdict of unlawful death has been recorded in the case of a man whose doorstep execution in Cork more than a decade ago bore all the hallmarks of a hit. The verdict that was returned followed an inquest into the death of Darren (Dearon) Falsey, aged 37, who was gunned down in the hallway of his home in Carrigaline in 2011. Despite a major garda investigation and several arrests, and the recovery in woodland several months later of the handgun used in the attack, no-one has been charged with the killing. Coroner for south and west Cork, Frank OConnell, was told that Mr Falsey was at home alone in the Ashbourne Court estate on the afternoon of August 3, 2011. In a statement read into the record, his partner, Lorraine Conroy, who could not attend the inquest, said she returned to the house with her son, her cousin and her child, at around 2.40pm to collect circus vouchers and noticed the sliding door of the house was open. She said she opened the front door to find Mr Falsey lying face down in the hallway in a pool of blood. She ran next door in a panic and used a neighbours phone to call emergency services and arranged a taxi to take her cousin and the children away. She went back to her house, with a 999 operator still on the phone, but said she was too scared to touch her partner and perform CPR. She said she saw two bullet casings on the floor and one on the stairs. I dont remember much after that, she said. Inspector Martin Canny of Togher Garda Station said gardai arrived at the scene quickly and when they established there were no signs of life in Mr Falsey, the scene was sealed off. Death was formally pronounced at 3.35pm. A full murder investigation was launched and five discharged bullet casings were recovered from the hallway. Assistant state pathologist, Dr Margot Bolster, said her autopsy revealed traces of cocaine and cannabis in Mr Falsey's system, and confirmed he had suffered several gunshot wounds four to the face, one to the left shoulder, one to the left side of the chest, and one to the back of the head. The injuries were consistent with him being shot in the face first, that the wound to his left arm was most likely a defensive injury as he was collapsing, before being shot in the back of the head. The gunshot wound to his chest went through his aorta and would have been immediately fatal, she said. The cause of death was hemorrhage, bleeding and shock due to laceration of the aorta following a gunshot wound to the thorax, associated with cerebral trauma due to gunshot wounds. Five people were arrested for questioning in connection with the murder, but Insp Canny confirmed that, to date, there has been no prosecution. The jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing before Mr OConnell offered his sympathies to members of the Falsey family. In this case, this was a hit, he said. There can be no justification for it, no matter what justification might be put forward. He also expressed the hope that those responsible will be brought to justice. Mr Falsey was suspected of involvement in the drugs trade. A convicted killer and sex offender who was found dead inside a burning house in Cork last year died from alcohol poisoning before the fire broke out. The detail emerged during an inquest into the death of Conor Downey, 54, whose badly burned remains were found by firefighters inside the house where he lived alone in Douglas, on the southside of Cork city. Coroner for south and west Cork, Frank OConnell heard how the alarm was raised by neighbours at Douglas West at around 3.30pm on April 4, 2023, after they spotted smoke coming from the rear of the property. Two units of Cork City Fire Brigade responded, forced entry into the two-storey house, extinguished the blaze, and informed gardai that they had located the body of a male inside. Garda Aidan Leahy told the inquest that the deceased was found in a seated position on a couch in a ground floor room to the rear of the property. Death was pronounced at the scene and the house was sealed off for a forensic and technical examination. The remains were later removed to Cork University Hospital where an autopsy was carried out. Garda Leahy said he had previous dealings with the occupant of the house on foot of calls from the mans elderly aunt, who used to live with him, and who expressed concerns about his heavy drinking, and his smoking in the house while heavily intoxicated. But he said a visual identification of the remains was impossible given the extent of the burn injuries to the body. He told the coroner that the house was dirty, unkempt, and in a poor state of repair, and that gardai found drug paraphernalia, cigarette butts, and empty alcohol bottles strewn on the floor near the body. They also recovered a receipt in the house for the purchase of alcohol at Aldi in nearby Grange, dated to around 11am on the day of the fire. Gardai called to the store immediately where they viewed CCTV footage of the purchase and acquired an image of a man wearing distinctive Nike runners. The deceased man was wearing the same distinctive shoes. Garda Leahy said when he saw the CCTV image, he believed the deceased to be Mr Downey, and he informed Mr Downeys brother and sister, who had arrived at the scene, that the as yet unidentified remains were likely to be those of their brother. Official confirmation of identity came later when DNA analysis of a tooth and blood samples from the deceased matched the DNA taken from swabs from family members, and the remains were officially confirmed to be those of Conor Downey. Garda Leahy said the exact cause of the fire could not be established but all the evidence suggested that he had dropped a cigarette while he sat drinking on the couch. No evidence of soot in trachea Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster said there was extensive heat damage to Mr Downeys body but there was no evidence of soot in his trachea, and this, combined with the low level of carbon monoxide in his blood 15% when 50% is a lethal level indicated that he was dead before the fire took hold. She said the autopsy also found a high blood alcohol level of 445mg/c which is above the lethal level of 400mg/c. She said the cause of death was acute alcohol intoxication and Mr OConnell recorded a verdict of accidental death. Mr Downey was jailed in London in 1993 for manslaughter after he confessed to killing his flatmate, Donegal woman Suzanne Redden, 26, in 1988. He said he strangled her after she withdrew consent when they were having sex. Her limbs were recovered but her torso was never found. After his release from prison, he returned to live in Cork. A DNA sample he provided to gardai investigating the murder and rape of Rachel Kiely in Ballincollig in 2000, a crime in which he had no involvement, linked him to an attempted rape of a woman in 1988 and, in 2004, he was jailed for 12 years after a trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, but was released early with remission. 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. Det 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 that 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 loss for the Greek company. Judge Dermot Sheehan said the offence was at the lower end for such crimes. A 57-year-old man sent intimate photographs and videos of his wife to two other men along with offensive sexual texts and she has described the devastation caused by the betrayal by her husband after 25 years of marriage. Today at Cork Circuit Criminal Court he was jailed for 18 months. There is a legal prohibition on identification of the parties. Detective Garda Brian Morris outlined the background to the case of harassment through the distribution of intimate images. On Wednesday, August 10 2022, the injured party examined her husbands phone because she was suspicious about his behaviour at that time. She discovered he had taken and transmitted intimate images of her and videos of her to a person unknown to her. In the company of two of her own siblings at the family home she asked her husband to leave immediately and he did. One week later a close friend of hers called to her home to say that this womans husband had received intimate images of the victim in this case. The man who received the images from the defendant told his wife he had received them. On a later date the injured party did make a complaint against her husband to An Garda Siochana. The images that he sent were accompanied by texts of what Judge Helen Boyle described as being vile and degrading comments about his wife sent to their friend in one instance and to a complete stranger he had met through an adult chatroom online. In the images sent to the stranger the victims face was pixelated. He later told gardai that he did send the pictures, videos and comments but that he had deleted all of this material from his phone on the day that his wife confronted him about it in August 2022 and he said he was no longer in contact with the man he met on the website. The images included moments when his wife was photographed without her knowledge as she got out of the shower in the family home. Defence barrister Emmet Boyle said the accused expressed remorse and shame for his actions and the damage he caused. They occurred between February 2021 and August 2022, each one a count of distributing or threatening to distribute an intimate image without consent with intent to cause harm or being reckless as to whether harm was caused, contrary to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT In her victim impact statement the man's wife said: Never in my wildest nightmares could I have imagined I would have to prepare a victim impact statement in relation to sexual offences committed by my husband. It was been extremely difficult. I had to re-live a heinous discovery and re-associate myself with perverse and predatory behaviour by the man I was married to, and the father of my children. I did not ask to be a victim of such abuse but it is a label that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. The devastation the offences caused, and will continue to cause, is probably irreparable. Overnight, suddenly and catastrophically, I became a single mum. What choice did I have? How could I place myself in further danger of being covertly photographed and videoed by a self-confessed pervert. I barely left the house for two years. I couldnt face anyone locally. I didnt know who had seen the images of me what they thought of me it was humiliating. The trauma has affected me to my core and my confidence has been shattered. The invasion of privacy and the violation of my bodily integrity are both extremely distressing and horrific. How will I ever be able to trust someone again? I have been warned that post-traumatic stress disorder may appear at any time It is something that I will have to live with and anticipate. The horrors of the crimes committed against me are something I will always have to live with and I feel very sad about. Judge Boyle said to the accused: You sent images to a person you met in an internet chatroom and made totally vile and degrading sexual suggestions about your wife to a complete stranger. Once you sent them to an unidentified person you relinquished control of the images and cannot say where they went after that. You were married to this lady at the time. As well as the damage to his wife the defendant had caused a lot of damage to his children, one of whom described losing all contact with her paternal relatives since this happened, making living in the community much more difficult. In the course of sentencing him to two years with the last six months suspended, Judge Boyle commented: There is no particular explanation in the report (from a clinician who dealt with the accused) on why he committed these terrible acts. I suppose the slogan Come to Lourdes for The Sunshine is not one used very often by the French Tourist Board, but on Tuesday afternoon this week, I thought Id be sunburnt here! In truth, only for I having my woolen Bride Rovers beanie cap stuffed in my pocket, my shining crown could well be blistered! By the Grotto in the shade it was cool, but across the river it was a glorious 18C. This is, I think, my 15th or 16th winter trip to Lourdes, and in truth, Ive been very lucky over the years, weather-wise, but Tuesday bate Banagher altogether. Just after 4am on Monday, Mary drove me to Cork Airport for the first leg of the journey - a 6am flight to Stansted. Four hours of a wait and then up, up and away for Lourdes. On the plane, I overheard two Englishmen giving out yards about Brexit. One had ordered a pair of special mountain-climbing boots online from Poland, costing 175, and then he got a quare fright getting a Revenue letter demanding an extra 99 in fees! I was so lucky this year and last that the early morning flight from Cork to London was grand to connect to the flight to France. For nearly a decade I used to bunk down overnight in Stansted to catch a very early plane to Tarbes airport. It was a grand flight this week - we arrived ten minutes early. In past winter pilgrimages, I stayed in the Spanish Convent near the train station but that Convent closed early last year. Last November, I was alone, all alone, in a Lebanese Convent. I booked my flights about a month ago and last week, when looking for somewhere to stay, the forecast was woeful for Lourdes, so I booked into the San Saveur Hotel close by the Grotto. I reckoned if I got several drenchings, I wouldnt have far to go home. My taxi driver plays rugby with David Brua! I know Davids parents as they own the Agena Hotel where I stay in June each year. I might know his friends parents but I still gave him a taxi fare of more than what poor Michael OLeary got for my two flights! Ive developed a phobia in the last year - I cant go in a lift on my own, with others, no problem, but not on my own. Due to renovations Im on the fourth floor, up 146 steps - yerra, Ill offer it up! It was just getting to dusk as I greeted the Crowned Virgin Statue, Im not embarrassed a bit to cry here, its great to be back. Jimmy McCarthys lovely song Neidin has a line about a silver tear and on my way to the Grotto I follow a silver trail like a tear - little silver markers that weave and curve. They mark the direction that the little muddy, mucky stream flowed in 1858 when young Bernadette came to this swamp - then used as a dump and frequented by foraging pigs. Round the corner and there is Massabiele, the Grotto - the essence of Lourdes. There are a good few people here for November. A simple tile on the ground marks the spot where Bernadette knelt when the wind blew and I saw the lady. I knelt there too. Before I left, I lit one big candle for all who asked me to do so. I then slept for ten hours. On Tuesday - as Joe Cuddy used to sing Pulled back the curtain to see for certain what I thought I knew - yes, no rain, and at 8am the sun breaking through. I took a bus through parts of Lourdes I never saw before, up beyond the beautiful and tranquil Cite de St Pierre - the City of the Poor - down hills and eventually up to the commercial centre. Id bought postcards but the shops no longer sell stamps so I went to the Post Office. I called to a chemist to get a cough bottle and paracetamol - Ive a chesty, wheezy cough. I am going to an English Mass at 11am, so there is plenty time to walk back along the familiar Rue de Grotte - not a single Christmas decoration in any street or shop - not til December 1. Normally, at home Id be addled with cows and meetings and concerts and writing and book launches - here in Lourdes, my mind is uncluttered and songs come drifting by. As I pass where Sister Sinead OConnor lived for a-while, I think of her singing on The Late Late O master grant that I may never seek, to be understood as to understand... Down past the Poor Clares, there is a Mass each evening at 5pm. There are nearly a hundred at the Mass in St John Vianney chapel - and I met the Dublin lady who lives here and is in charge of the singing. As I walk in the noon sunshine back again to the Grotto, Jimmy McCarthys chorus seems so apt Wont you remember, wont you remember, wont you remember me? - thats exactly what so many people ask for when one comes to Lourdes, to remember them at the Grotto, to remember people who loved this place and are gone before us, and to remember them in prayer. I went on beyond the Grotto to the Baths, but the opening hours are just 10am till 11.30am - I can come back later. I cross the river and go from shade into brilliant sunshine. I sit across from the Grotto and think of so many we have remembered and prayed for here on many June evenings. Thousands of leaves are crisp on the ground, curling up in the warm sunshine. Occasionally, a breeze stirs up, a bit like si gaoithe at home long ago, and the leaves move in formation heading for the river and then back as the wind changes. Never did I imagine Id need a cap to keep off the sun in November - then miracles do happen here! Back at the Baths, a queue of several hundred await the water gesture. Since covid, the total immersion baths are not allowed. Grotto spring water is used to wash the hands and face, then drink some and pray silently for ones intentions - an emotional experience. I missed the 3pm Rosary at the Grotto, but I am here until Saturday so plenty time. I had lunch at the Little Flower, where the long-serving Michel is due to retire in December. I met Sister Fatima, the doorkeeper at the Poor Clares, as I went in for the 5pm evening Mass in French - always quiet and special. I go into the chapel in the dusk and come out in the dark. I often had a good laugh here over the years when chatting with Mallow-born Sr Marie Therese OConnell - I hope to visit her grave in the little Community cemetery later this week. Ive travelled far by land and by sea, beautiful places Ive happened to see But theres one little town Ill never forget, Lourdes the village of St Bernadette. Housewife Of The Year is a new Irish documentary that examines Irish womens experiences through the perspective of an annual competition that commenced in the late 1960s and was broadcast on RTE from 1982 to 1995. The documentary revisits past participants, including several Cork women, and interviews them to explore how their public presentations frequently concealed the complexities of womens lives in Ireland during a period characterised by oppression and a pervasive fear of stigma. BUSY LIVES: Baby show prize-winners at Cork City Hall in 1947. The films director, Ciaran Cassidy, says that his mothers experience informed part of his decision to make the documentary. I grew up with my mum telling me she had a job, but she had to give it up when she married. I remember her returning to the workforce and explaining to us as children that she was tired of being at home, said Ciaran. Theres a subconscious thing where you are aware that for a large generation of women, the then-existing rules had a profound effect until we joined the European Union. Cassidy cast a wide net to find his interviewees, and says he was fortunate that the women trusted him and his production team with their stories. This would only work if the women wanted to discuss the reality between what was going on at home and what was going on the screen, he explained. If they just said, oh, I had a lovely day up in Dublin, and it was nice to meet Gay Byrne, then there is no film. Cassidy and his team contacted as many participants as possible and said the initial response was mixed. I think we sent a letter or rang nearly everyone who appeared on the show. Some of the women we contacted wondered why we wanted to make the film, and others were worried about how their grandkids might react, but there were enough people who were interested in it. We developed relationships, and they trusted us with their stories. The filmmaker says that as his search continued, he realised that many of the competition participants had stories they had always wanted to share, but hadnt had the opportunity to do so until now. BUSY LIVES: File image of a housewife doing the laundry We were doing the development shoot, and with just a small sample of women, we realised that this generation of women had many stories they wanted to share and talk about, Ciaran said. As a documentary-maker, the key to gaining trust is often about timing and the stage in their life they are at now. Cassidy says that it is easier for many women to speak now because family members are not around anymore. Irish people are very conscious of saying something personal and offending somebody, so for many, it is easier to talk now than it would have been a few years ago. The documentary combines archival footage of the competition with interviews from contestants today. Cassidy contrasts the joy and recognition the women felt during the event with their feelings of being trapped at home, limited by their roles and unable to access contraception. He says that it was essential to show the two narratives. A lot of our participants talked about inequality and being forced out of the workforce, but they also spoke about how they enjoyed being on the show. There is a contradiction with that that I wanted to explore, which is why the film has two narratives. One narrative is a straightforward look at the show, how it began, what it was about, and why it ended. The other narrative is a social history of the time and what happened in Ireland during that period. You could say that the womens lives and personal stories form a third narrative. The film features several Cork women, including Ellen Gowan. When she was 16, her father gave her a camera. She took pictures of her friends and some boys she knew, and when she left the camera roll in the local pharmacy to be developed, the pharmacist didnt give her back the photos. Instead, they were handed to the local priest, who went to Ellens parents to discuss her inappropriate behaviour - hanging around with boys. Ellens punishment for being an amateur photographer was to be sent to a Magdalene Laundry. When Ellen appeared on the Housewife of the Year competition stage with Gay Byrne, she couldnt tell her story. Now aged 80, she shares the horrifying truth of her life in the documentary. When she did the show, Ellen talked about her life in Castletownbere, but we were stunned when we heard what she went through and other hardships that she later faced, said Ciaran. We thought we knew Ireland and heard all the hard stories, but hearing Ellen share her story stopped us in our tracks. Ena Howell, from Grenagh, also stood on the Housewife of the Year stage and spoke about her life, children, and husband, but she couldnt talk about being born in Bessborough Mother and Baby Home. Cassidy says that Enas story, like Ellens, is crucial to Irelands social history. The state is only 100 years old; we fought so hard to get our freedom, but the treatment of women is a stain on the new nation, said Ciaran. We wanted to explore how this generation of women were treated within society through the prism of this show, but if the women didnt want to tell those stories, we wouldnt have had a documentary. There are moments of light and fun in the documentary alongside the darker moments, and Cassidy hopes audiences will embrace all sides as it represents the lives of Irish women for so long. Housewife Of The Year is in cinemas from November 22, Cert: PG. Theyre getting busy down at St Catherines Cultural Centre in Kinsale with a few excellent shows coming up. Rob Strong and his band are here tomorrow night, Friday, November 22, while on Saturday, November 30, they will be welcoming the Meliora and Olympia Quartets from the Cork School of Music for an evening of Beethoven and Mendelssohn. If that were not enough, Altan will be here on Saturday, December 7 with the very best in Irish traditional music. Tickets for all on Eventbrite. They are starting movie nights too - email movies@sccc.ie to join the mailing list for future screenings. The Quiet Lights festival is back from today until Sunday, bringing a great array of performers and performances to venues across the city. Contemporary folk, traditional, and experimental music, with a special focus on Irish and international talent - youll find it all here this weekend. Kurdish/Syrian phenomenon Mohammad Syfkhan opens the festival in Coughlans tonight, and the legendary concertina player Cormac Begley headlines St Lukes on Sunday. Cormac Begley performs at St Lukes in the festival on Sunday There is a feast of other favourites, from Fionn Regan, Lisa Hannigan, to Muireann Bradley, Lemoncello, and a large-scale double-header from Elaine Howley and Rachael Lavelle. Joshua Burnside & Memorial too, plus many more, in venues everywhere from Coughlans and Live at St Lukes to Everyman, Triskel, Plugd, Maureens, The Kino, UCC and Crane Lane. Get all the info on https://www.quietlights.net/. Both the big pantomimes are opening next week Cinderella at the Opera House on November 27, and Little Red Riding Hood at Everyman on November 30. Tickets are already much in demand for those. In between (as the hardworking cast takes a night off), there are other good shows. Abba Forever is at the Opera House on December 2 and 9, but that second show is fully sold out. Villagers are here on December 3, and the big Christmas Concert on December 16 and 17. Booking for all Opera House shows on 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie. Ronan Collins recollects a lifetime of showband stories and hits tomorrow at Everyman but thats already sold out too, showing the permanent love we have for those legendary showband years. And Lisa Hannigan the night after is fully booked too. But there should still be a few tickets for the unmissable Sunday Songbook Ultimate Christmas Show on December 8 you wouldnt want to miss that, would you? Sing along to all the classic carols and festive numbers. Booking on 021 450 1673 or www.everymancork.com. Dont forget to grab tickets for the Lord Mayors Gala Christmas Concert on December 7 at the City Hall either. That is going to be one big event, with a host of stars like the wonderful Majella Cullagh, Stephanie Rainey, Lady Fi and Kevin Walsh joined by the Cork Concert Orchestra and an ensemble of local talent including Pakie OCallaghan, Montfort Youth Choir, Choral Con Fusion, Kylana Choir, Citadel and the Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance. Booking for that through Everyman also, as above. Sugar is now running at Cork Arts Theatre, commemorating that heart-wrenching time when the last Irish sugar factory, in Mallow, closed its doors back in 2006. Michael Patric plays Danyl Sweetnam, who describes his last days as an employee there, blending the human trauma of the time with laughter and a determined look at what can be good in life. He chronicles how they fought to win a fair redundancy settlement, and mirror that with his own personal fight with tragedy and loss. An important piece, reminding us how much we have lost but also how much we can gain through determination and strength. Until Saturday, call 021 450 5624 or see www.corkartstheatre.com. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Mary Lou McDonald has defended saying she would possibly attend an IRA funeral if she becomes Irelands next Taoiseach. Taoiseach Simon Harris said that this was disappointing and that a taoiseach attending an IRA funeral would cause a lot of hurt to people. Ms McDonald first made the comments on Virgin Medias The Big Interview on Wednesday. Asked about the comments again on Thursday, while at Dublin City University, she said that she reserves the right of human decency to go to the funeral of someone she knows, even as Taoiseach. Well look, I was at Martin McGuinness funeral. Not alone was I there, Bill Clinton was there, Bertie Ahern was there, I think there were Fine Gaelers there, she said. So the point that I made last night is, if I were taoiseach, of course I would be aware that you represent, and you carry yourself beyond just your republican base. I absolutely accept and realise that, as a matter of fact, I attempt to reach out and stretch beyond our base as the leader of Sinn Fein. The office of taoiseach is different. Im also an Irish republican, Im also a human being and I also reserve the human decency right that if I know somebody, irrespective of their politics or who they are, that I go and mark their (passing). She added: Funerals are human goodbyes, thats what funerals are. Ive attended funerals of former taoisigh that were not of my political (persuasion). I believe in respect for the dead. Asked about the Sinn Fein leaders stance, Mr Harris said: I thought that was disappointing. Look, I dont want to get too much into a tit-for-tat on this issue, I think she said it kind of depends on her personal relationship with the person, I think is the fairest way (of taking) her comments. Of course when youre the taoiseach you represent people right across this country, you represent people who are Irish, in many ways, across the world and across the island, I think it is very important to be always sensitive to victims and I think the idea of an Irish taoiseach turning up at an IRA funeral would cause a lot of hurt to people. So Im very surprised by the comments is the truth, but I think its a very interesting question for her. By Cillian Sherlock, PA Cheaper pints, a new border agency and a junior minister for waste feature in Aontus election pledges. Peadar Toibin, the partys leader and only representative in the now-dissolved Dail, launched Aontus manifesto on Thursday morning. Aontu, which describes its document as a common-sense manifesto focused on accountability, would establish a new junior minister to tackle waste in public spending. Mr Toibin emphasised a series of controversies around public spending, including spiralling costs of the national childrens hospital, the 336,000 bike shed at Leinster House, and the 1.4 million security hut at Government Buildings. He said a Taoiseach who wasted so much money would have been fired if they were in the private sector. It said the new junior minister would have direct responsibility for eradicating waste in the public sector. The party would also introduce new disciplinary measures in the job specifications for senior civil servants over public spending. The party said it will adhere to a 5 per cent spending growth limit, cap childcare costs at 100 per week, and provide a second means-tested child benefit to lift 40,000 children out of poverty, the latter move costing 700 million. It would cut VAT in restaurants and pubs from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent, at an expected cost of 545 million. Mr Toibin added that the party wanted to help Irish pubs by reducing the 10c charge per unit of alcohol sold in a pub. He said: I do believe a unit of alcohol consumed in a pub is a healthier pint, theres a social dimension to it and a certain level of supervision in terms of quantities. Meanwhile, Aontu said it wanted to support the creation of a new international city on the west coast of Ireland. However, Mr Toibin said he did not want to say where exactly the city should be. Aontu would scrap the USC for all incomes below 50,000 in the next five years, at a cost of 1.9 billion. It pledged to zero rate VAT on electricity while prices remain high. On abortion, the party said it is committed to respectfully campaigning on its right-to-life stance. Aontu said it would provide child benefit to mothers from four months into pregnancy, at a cost of 60 million. However, Mr Toibin said the issue of abortion was not coming up in the doors at all. On housing, Aontu said if elected to Government it would deliver 15,000 social and affordable homes per year, zero rate construction materials and an end to eternal regulation change. Aontu has vowed to recruit more Gardai (Brian Lawless/PA) It said it would spend 350 million to build accommodation specifically to key workers, nurses, doctors, teachers, gardai and construction workers, back to Ireland in a scheme the party has codenamed Operation Shamrock, while also providing returnees with a 5,000 relocation package and 10,000 tax credit. Asked why the document does not have a section on the environment, Mr Toibin said the environment is threaded through that document and added that the party recognised there were negative consequences to man-made climate change. Elsehwere, the party would cut excise duty on petrol and diesel, halt increases in carbon taxes, and cut road tolls. Mr Toibin added: Climate change is a priority to us. On immigration, Aontu has pledged to create a new agency for border control, processing of applications and enforcement while also promising the creation of a border in the Irish Sea for the movement of people. It would reinstate planning restrictions around centres for asylum seekers, implement a community dividend for areas where migrants are hosted, and enforce deportations. Mr Toibin accused Integration Minister Roderic OGorman of being a hypocrite over planning laws, given that a members of his Green Party had objected to housing developments. Aontu also said the minimum wage should reflect the living wage of 14.80 per hour, with additional considerations for those in the greater Dublin area. The party said it would spend 348 million by recruiting 4,000 more gardai, adding that it opposes deregulation around drug use. Copies of the manifesto were only made available to reporters 40 minutes into the partys launch, having not been printed and stapled in time for the start of the event. Mr Toibin said: Aontu is the only party that is not State funded in relation to this and i.e. does not have the staff other political parties have and the content of the document is very detailed, an enormous amount of work was done. Asked about Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin ruling out a future coalition agreement with Aontu over what he described as arrogant and ignorant comments from Mr Toibin, he added: Given the housing crisis that were in, given the health crisis that were in, the spatial issues, the cost-of-living crisis, that a bruised ego of a politician should not get in the way of Government talks. 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. Switzerland plans to add more solar panels on highway noise barriers, like these on the motorway in the municipality of Zumikon. Urs Jaudas In Switzerland, highway noise barriers surrounding the Oberland Autobahn near Wangen-Bruttisellen will soon provide solar power. Last year, Switzerlands Federal Roads Office made the surfaces of highway noise barriers free and set out to cover 350 of them in solar panels. Swiss officials estimated that the arrays could generate 100 gigawatt hours of clean energy per year, CleanTechnica reported. The project is now kicking off with the first two privately owned solar arrays for the A15 Oberland motorway, which will be completed over the first half of 2025. As TA Zurich reported, these photovoltaic installations are expected to provide about 500,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The first solar arrays will be operated by Lima Solar AG, which has had to overcome several hurdles before starting the installation, including finding low-cost, low-glare panels that wont distract drivers. However, despite the hurdles, the company has now paved the way for other noise barrier solar projects to move forward at a faster pace. One ongoing challenge involves connecting the private solar arrays to the electric grid, particularly in more rural areas, and establishing a marketplace for the generated power. As TA Zurich reported, covering the noise barriers alone would only provide a limited amount of clean energy for residents. However, Switzerland passed a law in 2023 requiring new buildings with 3,300 square feet (300 meters) or more of roof space to install solar panels. In 2024, Zurich passed a law requiring solar panels on buildings, new or old, with roofs at least 3,300 square feet by 2040. By installing more panels in already developed spaces that are otherwise unused, Switzerland is incorporating more efficient and affordable ways to install solar. There has been promising research on the benefits of adding photovoltaic installations along highways to power local communities and support EV charging infrastructure. A study published in November 2023 found that deploying solar panels on highway noise barriers along highways in the Netherlands could provide around 200 gigawatt hours per year of energy. Further, the study determined that solar energy along highways, both on noise barriers and on public lands around highways, could supply enough power for highway EV charging stations to charge more than 300 electric vehicles per day, which would meet about 80% of expected demand by 2030. According to a study published in August 2024, installing solar panels overtop of highways could be an effective way to reduce both emissions and traffic accidents. The report found that installing highway solar panels globally could reduce carbon emissions by about 28%. By putting solar arrays over highways, the researchers of that study estimated a reduction in global traffic deaths by about 10.8%, because the solar panels would protect the highways from precipitation. As the project along the Oberland Autobahn revealed, there are still challenges to low-glare solar panel costs and delayed governmental approval processes, but as more companies work to establish these types of systems, the cost and time to complete the projects is expected to decline. ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), in partnership with Greyhound and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), announced the launch of a new Greyhound bus stop at the K.E. White Center. Effective yesterday, this addition expands affordable and reliable intercity transportation options for ECSU students, faculty, staff, and residents of Elizabeth City and surrounding communities. This new service connects travelers to key destinations such as Richmond, Myrtle Beach, and other cities along NCDOTs Coastal Plains Connector, offering two trips daily, seven days a week. With this stop, ECSU becomes a vital hub for affordable and convenient travel while supporting local economic growth and regional connectivity. The new ECSU stop offers students, faculty, and local residents an affordable and convenient way to travel and stay connected, said Karina Frayter, head of communications at Flix North Americathe company that oversees the operations of Greyhound and FlixBus across North America. Partnering with ECSU and NCDOT on this project underscores our commitment to making essential intercity transportation more accessible for university communities across North America. The stop is designed to cater to modern travelers with amenities like onboard Wi-Fi, charging outlets at every seat and comfortable seating. Greyhounds mobile app and website further simplify the travel experience with features for booking tickets, viewing schedules and accessing real-time travel updates. Nichole Lewis, associate vice chancellor of student affairs and dean of students, expressed the universitys enthusiasm for the new stop. Elizabeth City State University is proud to strengthen our partnerships within our community and beyond. This new Greyhound stop provides our students, faculty, and the wider community with affordable and reliable transportation to and from campus. Its a meaningful addition that also opens greater access to our campus venues and facilities, furthering our commitment to making ECSU a choice destination for education and engagement, Lewis said. NCDOT also celebrated the projects impact on the region. Brennon Fuqua, NCDOTs Integrated Mobility Division director, said, Were thrilled about this new on-campus Greyhound stop that will benefit the university and city alike. This is the latest example of how working in partnership on transportation projects and goals increases access to a robust, reliable, and safe transportation network statewide and, ultimately, beyond. Service Details: Location: K.E. White Center | Elizabeth City State University | 1862 Edgewood Dr. | Elizabeth City, NC 27909 Frequency: Two trips per day, seven days a week Destinations: Richmond and Norfolk, V irginia ; Greenville, Washington, Jacksonville and Wilmington, N.C.; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and more across Greyhounds expansive network This initiative enhances mobility for ECSU and the surrounding community and provides new opportunities for students and residents to explore educational, cultural, and business opportunities throughout the region. For more information or to book tickets, visit Greyhound.com or download the Greyhound mobile app. About Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education. A constituent member of the University of North Carolina System, ECSU develops courageous, resilient, and empowered leaders through excellent student-centered, experiential learning. ECSU offers baccalaureate, professional, and masters degrees across a wide variety of disciplines. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. Visit www.ecsu.edu (Photo Credit: C-Span.org)U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) speaks with a member of the audience after a hearing on September 19, 2012. "Hate Crimes and the Threat of Domestic Terrorism" took place nearly six weeks after a mass shooting that left six people dead at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. European countries recorded more than 2,400 anti-Chrisitan hate crimes in 2023, the Vienna-based monitoring group the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe has found. Of intolerance and discrimination against Christians of particular concern was France, with nearly 1,000 anti-Christian hate crimes in 2023; the United Kingdom, where incidents rose to more than 700; and Germany, which saw a 105% increase in anti-Christian hate crimes, rising from 135 in 2022 to 277 in 2023, the group said in its 2024 Hate Crime Data report. In its latest report, the Vienna-based OIDAC identified 2,444 anti-Christian hate crimes that were documented by police and civil society in 35 European countries in 2023, including 232 personal attacks on Christians, such as harassment, threats, and physical violence. These figures include data from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights /Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which found 1,230 anti-Christian hate crimes recorded by 10 European governments in 2023, up from 1,029 recorded by governments in 2022. "As France and some other countries with high numbers did not submit their statistics to the OSCE, the actual numbers are even higher than the OSCE data suggests. As far as anti-Christian hate crimes are concerned, we have registered 2,444 cases for 2023, but assume a high number of unreported cases", explained Anja HoRmann, executive director of OIDAC Europe. While only 10 European governments submitted disaggregated data on anti-Christian hate crimes in 2023, civil society reported incidents from 26 European countries. The ODIHR/OSCE Hate Crime Data Report was released on Nov. 15 to coincide with the International Day of Tolerance. "Tragically and unsurprisingly, acts of violence against Jewish and Muslim believers were particularly high. Around 9,000 anti-Semitic and 6,000 anti-Muslim hate crimes were reported by European governments to the ODIHR/OSCE in 2023," said the report. FRANCE PARTICULAR CONCERN According to OIDAC Europe, countries of particular concern were France, with nearly 1,000 anti-Christian hate crimes in 2023; the United Kingdom, where incidents rose to more than 700; and Germany, which saw a 105% increase in anti-Christian hate crimes, rising from 135 in 2022 to 277 in 2023. Regarding church vandalism, German police recorded more than 2,000 cases of property damage to Christian places of worship in 2023. Professor Regina Polak, OSCE representative on Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Discrimination, also focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and members of other religions, said, "Christians are the target of hate crimes across the OSCE region. "The nature of these crimes ranges from graffiti to vandalism and physical assaults against Christians distributing religious materials." Of the incidents recorded by OIDAC Europe in 2023, the most common forms of violence were vandalism against churches (62 percent) including many cases of desecration (24 percent) and beheading of religious statues arson attacks (10 percent) and threats (8 percent). While physical violence remains relatively rare (7 percent), there have been some tragic cases in 2023, including the murder of a Catholic altar server by a jihadist terrorist in Algeciras, a car-ramming attack on a procession in Poland, and the attempted murder of a convert to Christianity from a Muslim background in the UK, who was considered by the perpetrator to be an "apostate who deserved to die." 'MESSAGE OF EXCLUSION' Polak also expressed concern about the implications: "Anti-Christian hate crimes send a message of exclusion to the victims and their communities and to society as a whole. We can observe an increase in discrimination and hate crimes against Christians also in Europe. "These phenomena must also be seen in the broader context of intolerance and discrimination against other groups and in particular against members of religious communities, both minority and majority groups." In January 2023, a jihadist terrorist attacked two Catholic churches in Algeciras, Spain. The man killed an altar server with a machete and injured four people, shouting "Allah is great" and "Death to Christians. In November 2023, a Tunisian Christian convert from Italy was beaten and robbed for 'attending a Christian church.' The attackers were fellow countrymen who opposed his conversion to the Christian faith, a judge found. OIDAC Europe says it has documented anti-Christian hate crimes for almost 15 years and has seen a steady increase in the number of incidents. While most documented anti-Christian hate crimes are vandalism cases, threats, physical attacks, and even murder occur. New findings have revealed widespread discrimination against Christians in the workplace and in different spheres of society. The expression of traditional religious beliefs increasingly face hostility and can lead to discrimination and work bullying or loss of employment. Christian politicians are especially vulnerable to discrimination based on their personal religious beliefs and may be forced to choose between a political career and religious beliefs. These forms of discrimination have a "chilling effect," leading many Christians, particularly among the younger generation, to self-censor or even hide their beliefs at university and in the workplace, as recent findings demonstrate The sale stoppage went into effect when the company failed to meet local requirements. Apple has offered $100 million to Indonesia as part of an effort to lift a recent ban of the iPhone 16 in the country, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The company has presented an investment plan that would use that $100 million to set up a manufacturing plant in the nation. Earlier this month, Apple offered the country $10 million to reverse the ban. This latest proposal is worth ten times that, so the company certainly sees Indonesia as an important market. After all, the country is home to 280 million potential smartphone customers. The Ministry of Industry of Indonesia is scheduled to review Apple's proposal this week. This all started because Apple missed a local investment threshold by around $15 million. Indonesia mandates that certain devices sold in the country must have at least 40 percent domestic content. This percentage can be met by using domestically-sourced materials, building manufacturing plants or by employing local workers. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Apple previously invested around $94 million in the country through a variety of means, but it wasnt enough to stave off the ban. The sale stoppage also applies to other recently-released Apple products, like the Apple Watch Series 10. The ban doesnt impact older Apple devices, which are still available for purchase throughout the country. Apple has opened up several developer academies throughout the country, but an actual manufacturing plant would be a major boon for Indonesia. Both Samsung and Xiaomi have already set up factories in the nation. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has released a 23-page document calling for the breakup of Google, including a sale of the Chrome web browser and restrictions on Android, confirming previous reports. Selling Chrome "will permanently stop Googles control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet," DoJ lawyers argued in the filing. The regulator said that Google must also stop favoring its own search engine in Android. If the company fails to do that, DoJ lawyers argued that it should also be required to divest its mobile device operating system. They also proposed that Google syndicate search results separately and sell its click and query data to aid rival search engines and AI startups. In a response on its Keyword blog, Google said the DoJ's "staggering proposal" would harm consumers and affect US tech leadership. "[The] DoJ chose to push a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and America's global leadership," wrote Global Affairs president and chief legal officer, Kent Walker. "DoJs wildly overbroad proposal goes miles beyond the Courts decision. It would break a range of Google products even beyond Search that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives." ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement All of this started back in 2020, when the DoJ and multiple states filed a lawsuit arguing that Google paid billions to device manufacturers to secure default status for its search engine. Then in August this year, federal judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google "is a monopolist" in the industry and used its power to charge "supracompetitive prices for general search text ads." (As of last year, Google controlled around 90 percent of the search engine market, processing nearly 9 billion searches per day.) The DoJ's proposals to breakup Google are based on that ruling, but the makeup and philosophy of the department is likely to change drastically in a Trump administration. Indeed, Google's Keyword blog seems to be aimed directly at the incoming president, invoking dangers to security, required disclosure to foreign companies and the mandating of "government micromanagement." Recently, Trump himself weighed in on the matter, suggesting a breakup might be too drastic. "What you can do without breaking it up is make sure its more fair," he said last month. All of this is still at an early stage, with many court cases and appeals likely to come. Still, it would represent a seismic shift in how Google, a company with 182,500 employees, does business. More importantly, it could drastically affect how the internet works, as over 60 percent of web interactions start with a search query and most of those are done using Google search. The EU wants to know if the online retail giant gave its own products an unfair advantage. 2025 could be a tense year for Amazon. Reuters reports that, according to its sources, Amazon will likely be investigated by the European Union (EU) for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by allegedly promoting and offering its own products ahead of others in its online store. The decision to launch the investigation will be made by incoming EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera. Her term will start next month following outgoing chief Margrethe Vestager , who is stepping down after serving two terms. Amazon denies that it violated the DMA. The EUs antitrust regulators launched an investigation into Apple, Meta and Google in March over issues such as fees and preferential presentation of its own apps on its online stores. The European Commission also hinted that it might be looking into Amazons business practices under the new laws. As our homes (and lives) get smarter, the need for some sort of digital hub big enough to run things becomes more urgent. Its why Amazon surprise-released a new 21-inch version of its Echo Show that does everything the Show 15 did, but biggererer. It gets a built-in smart home hub with Thread, Zigbee and Matter control, Wi-Fi 6E and a better camera for video calls. I bought an Echo Show 8 on a whim to use as a screen for my Ring doorbell and found it quite underwhelming. But the idea of having a 21-inch screen that could theoretically lay out to-do lists and calendar tasks on the daily is quite appealing. Having two small kids makes being able to marshal all our schedules on one device quite desirable. Dan Cooper Get this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The best Black Friday deals But only if you have a digital copy of the title. Microsoft Microsoft now allows you to stream select games you own to devices that support Xbox Cloud Gaming. From the outset, Stream Your Own Game will support 50 titles, including Cyberpunk 2077 , The Witcher 3 and Balatro . If theres a catch, its that you still need to be a Game Pass Ultimate member to only stream games you own digitally. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Continue Reading. Its cutting its own cord. Kabletown Comcast, parent company of NBC Universal, will spin out the bulk of its cable TV empire into a new entity. The as-yet unnamed business will incorporate USA, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, Syfy and the Golf Channel alongside Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes . However the decision is justified, it just looks like Comcast is getting out of the cable business. After all, you probably watched more Suits on Netflix than you did when it first aired on the USA Network. Continue Reading. Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget Apple has released a raft of security updates for Macs, iPhones, iPads, the Vision Pro and Safari. The company says the updates close a zero-day security hole that could enable malicious code. When you get the little pop-up asking you to update your machine, dont ignore it. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Continue Reading. X is believed to have been a vector for disinformation. The UK is launching an inquiry into the role social media played during the 2024 summer riots. Its chair, Chi Onwurah MP, intends to call Elon Musk to speak, given X was a key vector for the distribution of AI-generated images designed to whip up hate . Musk will likely relish the chance to speak after all, his tweet during the UK riots was Civil war is inevitable. Australias majority party has introduced a bill in Parliament that would ban children under 16 from social media. The legislation, which would put the onus on social platforms rather than children or parents, could fine infringing companies up to AUD$49.5 million ($32.2 million). The Labor Partys bill would apply to (among others) Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and X. It would require platforms to cordon off and destroy any underage user data collected. However, the legislation would include exceptions for health and education services, like Headspace, Google Classroom and YouTube. For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful. Almost two-thirds of 14- to 17-year-old Australians have viewed extremely harmful content online, including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm, as well as violent material, Australia Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told Parliament on Thursday. A quarter have been exposed to content promoting unsafe eating habits. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Reuters notes that the law would be one of the most aggressive globally in tackling the problems related to childrens social media use. It wouldnt include exemptions for parental consent or pre-existing accounts. Essentially, social platforms would have to police their platforms to ensure no child under 16 can use their services. The bill is supported by the majority (center-left) Labor Party and opposition (right) Liberal Party. This is a landmark reform, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. We know some kids will find workarounds, but were sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act. The (left) Australian Greens have criticized the legislation, saying it ignores expert evidence in ramming the law through Parliament without proper scrutiny. The recent Parliamentary Inquiry into Social Media heard time and time again that an age-ban will not make social media safer for anyone, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said in a statement. [The bill] is complicated to implement and will have unintended consequences for young people. Last year, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy sounded the alarm about the risks of underage social media use. Children and adolescents who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media face double the risk of mental health problems including experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, the 2023 advisory from the Surgeon Generals office read. The US requires tech companies to seek parental consent to access the data of children under 13, but it doesnt have any age restrictions. Reuters notes that France enacted a social media ban for children under 15 last year, but it allows children to still access the services with parental consent. Jay Leno has had a very fortunate life. But when it comes to freak accidents, the comedian has had some bad luck. On Nov. 18, the former Tonight Show host showed up to a Comedy for Koby event in Beverly Hills with bruises covering his face and an eye patch over his left eye, which was swollen shut. He also broke his right wrist. He explained to reporters outside the Fine Arts Theatre that he was staying at a Hampton Inn 30 miles outside of Pittsburgh and wanted to grab a bite to eat in the evening before his comedy show. Instead of walking down the road, the 74-year-old thought that he would be better off taking a shortcut down a nearby hill. He quickly realized it was a bad idea as he rolled down the 60-foot hill. Somehow, despite sustaining injuries, Leno decided to still perform his set at Greenburg's Palace Theatre that night. Read More: Jay Leno Quips He Is 'Two-Faced' After Having Second Facial Surgery Following Fire, Motorcycle Accidents This isn't the only accident Leno has endured. In 2022, he suffered third-degree burns on his hands and face from a gasoline fire while working on his vintage cars. Following the incident, he told E! News that his recovery process lasted "nine days." The comedian added, "I missed two days of work, so it was not bad. Better than the face I had, so I'll take it." He also told ET that he drove himself to the clinic but realized he had to "go home first" and tell his wife, Mavis. Leno recalled that after going to sleep, he woke up with the pillow stuck to his facial burns, so he had to use scissors to cut it off before heading to the hospital. Nearly a year later in January 2023, Leno confirmed to the Las Vegas Review Journal that he got "knocked off" his 1940 Indian motorcycle. He broke his collarbone, two of his ribs, and also cracked his kneecaps. Leno explained that while testing out the vintage bike, he noticed the scent of leaking gas. "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," he recalled. "So, you know, I didn't see it until it was too late. It just clothesline me and, boom, knocked me off the bike. The bike kept going, and you know how that works out." Read More: Britney Spears Reveals She Burned Off Her Eyelashes, Eyebrows, And Some of Her Hair in Harrowing Fire Accident Pamela Hayden, the voice behind beloved 'Simpsons' characters like Milhouse Van Houten and Jimbo Jones, is stepping away from the show after an incredible 35-year run. Hayden's final performance will air on Sunday, November 24, in the special episode 'Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes.' Over the years, Hayden has brought life to many of Springfield's residents, including Rod Flanders, Sarah Wiggum, and Janey Powell, alongside her iconic portrayal of Milhouse and Jimbo. Confirming her retirement with an Instagram comment on Wednesday, November 20, Hayden reflected on her journey with the show. "The time has come for me to hang up my microphone, but how do I say goodbye to The Simpsons?......not easily. It's been an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show, and to give voice to Milhouse and Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Janey, Malibu Stacy, and many others." Milhouse, who first appeared in a 1989 Butterfinger commercial, was named after former U.S. President Richard Milhous Nixon. Matt Groening, the show's creator, shared, "Bart needed someone to talk to in the school cafeteria." "We named him Milhouse because that was the most unfortunate name a kid could have. Pamela gave us tons of laughs with Milhouse, the hapless kid with the biggest nose in Springfield," he added. "She made Milhouse hilarious and real, and we will miss her." Executive producer Al Jean lightheartedly added, "Most of the writers are more like Milhouse than Bart," explaining the character's enduring popularity in the writers' room. Fellow executive producer James L. Brooks praised Hayden, calling her "a model for having a great spirit for every cast she has been a part of. We will miss her." As she bids farewell, Hayden shared her fondness for her most famous role, saying, "I'll always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired 10-year-old boy with glasses." With Hayden's departure, 'The Simpsons,' created by Groening and produced by Gracie Films in association with 20th Television Animation, will begin casting replacements for her characters as it continues its legendary run. Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi are hitting the road and saying goodbye to the United States. TMZ reports that both DeGeneres and De Rossi have taken up resident in a new home in the Cotswold region in England, about two hours out from London. The reason for their escape? President-elect Donald Trump's recent election win. The pair reportedly purchased the residence before the election took place, but Trump's victory seemingly cemented their move, as sources noted they were "disillusioned" with Trump's victory. As such, they decided to "get the hell out". DeGeneres was vocal about her support for presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, previously sharing her endorsement on Instagram following Harris' intention to issue her candidacy. DeGeneres was vocal about her support for presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, previously sharing her endorsement on Instagram following Harris' confirmation that she would be running for president . "There's nothing more powerful than a woman whose time has come!! I can't wait for @KamalaHarris to be our next president," DeGeneres wrote at the time. According to TMZ, the pair are looking to list their home in Montecito, California and make the move final. However, there's no current information on how much they'll list their home for. It does seem that they're planning to make this move permanent, at least for the foreseeable future, however. This news comes after actress Eva Longoria announced she had fled the US as well with her family to live in Spain and Mexico following Trump's win. "I'm privileged," she admitted. "I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans aren't so lucky. They're going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them." Sebastian Stan's role as Donald Trump in biopic The Apprentice is costing him some opportunities. During a Q&A at a screening of the film on Nov. 19, Stan said that though "some of the biggest" actors, directors, producers and writers who have seen The Apprentice have "raved about it," he "couldn't find" an actor to do Variety's Actors on Actors chat with him. He alleged that it's because "they were too afraid to go and talk about this movie." With nobody stepping up, Stan lost his opportunity to participate in the magazine's interview series. However, Stan assured that "it doesn't matter" to him and he wasn't trying to "point a finger at anybody." "That's when I think we lose the situation," he said, "because if it really becomes that fear or discomfort to talk about this, then we're really going to have a problem." Stan then brought up Carlos Lozada's New York Times op-ed "Stop Pretending Trump Is Not Who We Are." "I thought [the op-ed] was really interesting, which said that 'we have to stop pretending that Trump is not one of us.' And that's a really difficult thing to deal with at the moment, and I understand the emotions are very high, but I think that's the only way you're going to grasp this film," he explained. Read More: Rachel Zegler Issues Apology Over Anti-Trump Comments After Fans Call For Her 'Snow White' Firing Sebastian Stan and Director Ali Abassi attended the #THEAPPRENTICE Screening and #SebastianStan said he was invited to Variety Actor on Actor interview but couldnt find an actor want to do it with him , because their publicists were hesitated to let them talk about this movie so pic.twitter.com/cWRvzx0bHF MaggieMinLA (@MaggieMinLA) November 19, 2024 Variety's co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh also confirmed Stan's claims to PEOPLE and IndieWire. "What Sebastian said is accurate," he said. "We invited him to participate in 'Actors on Actors,' the biggest franchise of awards season, but other actors didn't want to pair with him because they didn't want to talk about Donald Trump." After the clip from the Q&A went viral, actor Paul Walter Houserwho starred alongside Stan in I, Tonyaoffered to do the Actors on Actors talk with Stan. "I'll do it?," he wrote in a tweet, receiving plenty of support from fans. Variety has not shared whether there will be new plans for Stan to participate in the outlet's Actors on Actors series. While some Hollywood celebrities are hesitant to be associated with the film because of Trump, the president-elect called out the movie on Truth Social last month, claiming it was an inaccurate telling of his life. "A FAKE and CLASSLESS Movie written about me, called, The Apprentice (Do they even have the right to use that name without approval?), will hopefully 'bomb.' It's a cheap, defamatory and politically disgusting hatchet job, put out right before the 2024 Presidential Election, to try and hurt the Greatest Political Movement in the History of our Country," he wrote. Read More: Netizens React To Sebastian Stan's First Look As Donald Trump For 'The Apprentice' [Photos] The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned Jussie Smollett's conviction, effectively clearing the actor of charges that he staged a racist and homophobic attack against himself in Chicago, Illinois, in 2019. Smollett had maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings, claiming he was the victim of a hate crime. The 'Empire' alum's appeal centered on the involvement of a special prosecutor. His legal team argued that the Cook County state's attorney's decision to drop the charges should have been final, making the special prosecutor's intervention inappropriate. The state's highest court heard arguments on the matter in September before ultimately siding with Smollett. "Today we resolve a question about the State's responsibility to honor the agreements it makes with defendants," the court wrote in documents obtained by 'Fox News Digital.' "Specifically, we address whether a dismissal of a case by nolle prosequi allows the State to bring a second prosecution when the dismissal was entered as part of an agreement with the defendant and the defendant has performed his part of the bargain. We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendant's conviction." Mark Geragos, Smollett's lawyer, told the outlet: "We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendant's conviction." Smollett's case became a financial and legal spectacle, with the 42-year-old reportedly spending $3 million on appeals to clear his name. The initial charges were dropped after Smollett completed community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond, but the situation reignited when a grand jury, led by a special prosecutor, reinstated charges. At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Smollett had allegedly paid $3,500 to Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, two Nigerian-American brothers who worked with him on Fox's series 'Empire,' to carry out the staged attack. Testimony from the brothers claimed Smollett gave detailed instructions, including orders to use racial and homophobic slurs and to reference Donald Trump's "MAGA country." Smollett, however, firmly maintained his innocence, testifying, "There was no hoax." In 2021, a jury convicted Smollett on five counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, though he served only six before being released pending appeal, alongside 30 months of probation and $130,000 in restitution to the city of Chicago for its extensive investigation. Chicago authorities claimed the investigation into Smollett's report cost taxpayers significant resources and time. An appellate court later upheld the California native's conviction, rejecting arguments that his earlier agreement with Cook County prosecutors guaranteed he would not face further charges. Smollett's legal team argued how the justice system treated him unfairly due to racial and political bias a sentiment Smollett echoed publicly as he continued to defend his innocence. Will Ferrell once pranked Diddy when the rapper appeared on Saturday Night Live, and it did not go over well. Ana Gasteyer, who was a cast member of the show between 1996 and 2002, appeared on the Nov. 20 episode of Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers' Las Culturistas podcast. During her time there, she recalled how the prank went down on a 1998 episode of the sketch show. At the time the show aired, Diddy was the musical guest and already had strong demands like having a closed set, Gasteyer says. For a run-through on the Thursday before the show on Saturday, which involved Diddy rehearsing his track "Come With Me" featuring Jimmy Page, Ferrell imitated a crew member named Ron. The actor was encouraged to interrupt Diddy's rehearsal by the show's writers. Gasteyer recalls that Ferrell "went on down the stairs and he marched right in." "I have the video from the control room where Sean Combs is like, rapping ... [and] behind him, Ron's like walking around looking really disoriented," she said. "It is the greatest thing that's ever happened because what a deserved person to have their 'Kashmir' moment interrupted by Ron. And he [Diddy] really did not roll with it. He was very uncomfortable. But it was also just like, the artifice of all that faux importance. Like, what's going to happen?" Gasteyer added. Ferrell previously discussed the moment that he interrupted Diddy during a 2020 special called SNL series Stories From The Show, which includes footage of him crashing Combs' rehearsal. "I didn't really know what to do once I got up there," Ferrell said. Meanwhile, Diddy is currently facing over two dozen lawsuits, while he's also battling a criminal prosecution and has been held in a federal jail in Brooklyn since his arrest on September 16. He has been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transporting for prostitution, and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He trail date is set for May 5, 2025. --Originally appeared on 'Music Times.' Richard Gere is one of the many American celebrities to announce plans to leave the country but he has a good reason why. During his appearance on 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon' on Nov. 20, the Pretty Woman star explained his decision to relocate to Spain. "My wife is Spanish and she gave me about seven years here," he said, "and so we're going to spend some years in Madrid." Gere then noted that his two sons, Alexander, 5, and James, 4, whom he shares with his wife Alejandra Silva "are bilingual, so they're going to flourish there." He also has a 24-year-old son named Homer, who he had with his second wife, Carey Lowell. Silva also has an 11-year-old son with ex-husband Govind Friedland. Read More: Richard Gere Endorses Kamala Harris, Is One Step Closer to Moving to Spain After Selling His House While Gere didn't share the exact date of his big move, he confirmed that he'll be celebrating Thanksgiving in Spain. The decision to settle down in Spain is very important to Gere's spouse. He explained that after the passing of her grandmother, who was "the glue that held everything together," Silva has been ready to follow her late relative's footsteps by taking care of her big family and "is already planning for 35 people for Sunday lunches." Gere, 75, first revealed his plans to move to Europe back in March in an interview with Vanity Fair Espana. He told the outlet (translated by Enstarz) that living in Madrid "will be a great adventure" as he "has never lived full-time outside of the United States." He shared that it would also be "marvelous for Alejandra to be closer to her family, to her lifelong friends and her culture." "She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so I think that it's fair that I'll at least spend six years living in hers," the actor continued. "In any case, I love Spain and I think the lifestyle there is fabulous." 'PEOPLE' magazine reported on Nov. 4 that Gere recently sold his Connecticut home for $10.75 million. Gere isn't the only one trading Hollywood for Europe. Eva Longoria recently announced that she has been splitting her time between Mexico and Spain, escaping "this dystopian country" amid Donald Trump's presidential election win. Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi also reportedly decided to purchase a property in England to escape Trump's second run as president, and America Ferrera is also said to have plans to relocate to the UK. Gere's announcement came directly after flipping off Savannah Guthrie during a live segment on the 'TODAY' show. Read More: Richard Gere Flipped Off Savannah Guthrie on Live 'Today' Show Broadcast One Day After Cher Dropped F-Bomb The gesture comes just a day after Cher caused a stir by dropping an F-bomb on the same program. After a clip from Gere's new show, 'The Agency,' aired on the morning show, the camera returned to the studio, revealing Gere with his middle finger raised toward Guthrie. The Philadelphia native caught the 52-year-old anchor off guard, prompting her to quickly cover his hand with papers and ask, "What did you just do?" Gere, who publicly endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, casually responded, "Sorry, but that's what I did in the piece." Guthrie playfully reprimanded him, saying, "You just did an obscene gesture on this family morning show," and added, "I'm bleeping you. You know, Cher was on here doing an F-bomb yesterday, so I don't know what's happened." He explained that he was demonstrating part of a scene from 'The Agency' that wasn't shown in the clip aired by 'TODAY.' "We cut that part out," Guthrie clarified. Gere replied, "I could see that, but it didn't make any sense without that." Krombacher Brauerei - Krombacher Brauerei GmbH & Co. (Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante) - Strategic investment in the future: Krombacher Brauerei modernises bottling plant with large-scale conversion NEWS AKTUELL // Krombach, Germany 21 November, 2024.- Over the next six years, the Krombacher Brauerei is investing a total of over 100 million euros in the conversion of its bottling plant, in order to position itself for the future. With the largest and most extensive investment project in the company's long history, the brewery is not only emphasising its strong commitment to its home location, but also underlining its importance as one of the largest employers in the region. The first stage of the modernisation project in the Littfetal building complex, the brewery's bottling and logistics division, involves the installation of a new sorting area with a state-of-the-art sorting system and systems that optimise the material flow. "Breweries process a large volume of empties every day, which makes continuous and fast sorting necessary, in order to feed them back into the production cycle. The sorting effort is extremely high due to the different bottle types and shapes. The new systems make the process much more efficient," explains Ludger Hense, Head of Bottling at Krombacher Brauerei. Michael Krohl, Head of Logistics at Krombach, continues: "The conversion will also enable us to significantly increase efficiency in logistics. We are thus also committing ourselves to the reusable system in the future and are future-proofing our processes." From 2026, four bottling lines will also be replaced. These comprehensive measures represent a logistical tour de force: The conversion measures will take place during ongoing operations - a challenge that requires meticulous planning and all the flexibility and expertise of everyone involved in the project. The first measures have already been implemented. The complex project will be completed in 2030. "The modernisation of our bottling plants is a clear commitment to the future of our brewery and to the diversity of varieties that characterises our company," explains Manfred Schmidt, Technical Managing Director of Krombacher Brauerei. "Despite the enormous challenges that the modernisation entails during ongoing operations, we are focusing on smooth implementation, in order to guarantee our high quality standards and our claim to be able to deliver 100% at all times." The investment in modern filling technologies and efficient sorting systems not only significantly improves process control, but also creates more flexibility in production. As a result, the brewery is already able to respond reliably to consumer demand for variety and offer a wide range of products, and will continue to do so in the future. The focus remains on the flagship Pils, but the growing complexity of the different varieties - from innovative beer specialities to alcohol-free beverages - is also fully taken into account. As a major employer and committed supporter of the regional economy, the brewery remains deeply committed to its home region and secures jobs in the long term. "We pursue a sustainable growth strategy and focus on long-term investments, which gives our employees stability and prospects for the future," says Manfred Schmidt. "We are investing in our future - and with that in the people who share our passion for good beer. We look forward to aligning our production sustainably for the coming decades." About Krombacher Family-run and with a deep respect for nature, Krombacher has been producing its superior beers exclusively in the Krombach valley, Central Germany, since 1803. Combining the original methods of traditional brewing craft with state-of-the art technology, the brewery only uses the finest natural ingredients to deliver high-class beers. For the precious water, Krombacher beers benefit from the local Felsquellwasser* found in 48 wells within 3 km of the brewery. The special water is naturally soft and low in mineral content, providing the beer with its unique, recognisably refreshing and crisp taste. Being Germany's No. 1 beer brand and one of the most modern beverage suppliers in Europe, the Krombacher beers are now available in more than 50 export markets around the world. In addition to the flagship Krombacher Pils, the ever-expanding portfolio of authentic Krombacher products provides consumers with a broad variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from. Press contact: Krombacher Brauerei Bernhard Schadeberg GmbH & Co. KG Peter Lemm, Company Spokesman Hagener Stra*e 261 57223 Kreuztal-Krombach Mail: presse@krombacher.de Phone: + 49 (0) 2732 880 872 - Picture is available at AP - Key Takeaways Subdural hematomas are brain bleeds occurring after a fall or head injury, often in the elderly New research finds that combining traditional surgery to drain the bleed and an embolization of a nearby artery can cut the need for repeat surgeries The combo procedure could become a new standard of care, researchers believe THURSDAY, Nov. 21, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- After a hit to the head or a fall, people, especially seniors, can develop a dangerous pooling of blood and fluid between the brain's surface and it's protective covering, the dura. These "subdural hematomas" typically require surgery to fix, but a new study suggests a better approach, one that makes sure repeat surgeries aren't required. That's important, because even after you remove the blood, it can come back and require more surgery," explained study co-lead author Dr. Jared Knopman. "This is particularly challenging for older patients, who are the most prevalent group suffering from chronic subdural hematomas, he added. Knopman directs cerebrovascular surgery and interventional neuroradiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. The new technique, outlined in a study published Nov. 21 in the New England Journal of Medicine, combines standard hematoma surgery with an embolization (blocking) of the brain's middle meningeal artery. In this procedure, a compound that essentially "glues together" and blocks this artery renders repeat surgeries unnecessary. The "liquid embolic agent" used as the glue in this embolization technique is called Onyx and is made by Medtronic, which funded the new trial. The embolization is minimally invasive: Doctors thread a small catheter containing Onyx into the middle meningeal artery via vessels in the wrist or groin. Researchers found the combo of surgery plus embolization reduced the need for repeat surgeries by nearly threefold. The study involved 400 patients with subdural hematomas treated at 39 medical centers. The patients, who averaged 72 years of age, got either standard hematoma surgery (203 patients) or surgery plus Onyx embolization. While 11.3% of people who got surgery alone required a second surgery within three months of their first procedure, that was true for only 4% of those who got the combo approach. Sealing off the middle meningeal artery using Onyx was key to improving outcomes, Knopman said in a Weill Cornell news release. "In addition to demonstrating the role that the middle meningeal artery plays in the formation and recurrence of subdural hematomas, we have discovered an entirely new facet about the brain that has gone unknown and untreated for decades, he explained. Dr. Jason Davies, of the University at Buffalo (UB), co-led the study with Knopman. Speaking in a university news release, he stressed that preventing hematoma re-bleeds is especially tough when an older patient is already on a blood thinner, as is often the case. A patient with a chronic subdural hematoma who is on a blood thinner presents an even more complicated picture, said Davies, associate professor of neurosurgery at UB. If you are on a blood thinner, once you start bleeding, youre not going to stop. Up to 1 in 5 hematomas will become chronic and require multiple surgeries, which of course come with their own costs and risks, the researchers said. Left untreated, these hematomas often get bigger over time and can be very irritating to the brain, exerting more pressure and preventing the brain from functioning properly, Davies noted. The new combo approach could be game-changing, he believes. We are changing the way that we are treating this very common disease, Davies said. We are changing subdural hematoma from being a disease that commonly requires multiple surgeries to a disease that can be better treated with a simple, minimally invasive procedure that produces better outcomes. More information Find out more about subdural hematomas at the National Library of Medicine. SOURCES: University at Buffalo and Weill Cornell Medicine, news releases, Nov. 21, 2024 What This Means For You Brain bleeds called subdural hematomas can strike many older people after a head injury, and a new combo approach might prevent the need for repeat surgeries. (The Center Square) Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order to protect Texans from the coordinated harassment and coercion by the People's Republic of China (PRC) or the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The order directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to target and arrest anyone implementing CCP influence operations like Operation Fox Hunt, an initiative of the PRC to forcibly return people to China its identified as so-called dissidents living in the U.S. The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China, Abbott said. Texas will not tolerate the harassment or coercion of the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally call Texas home by the Chinese Communist Party or its heinous proxies. Abbott issued the order after the FBI-Houston issued a warning stating that the PRC may be cyberstalking, physically intimidating, and harassing Chinese citizens, naturalized U.S. citizens, and families of dissidents who speak out against the Chinese Communist Party in Texas. China's government may target, threaten, intimidate, and harass US based individuals who question the legitimacy or authority of the Chinese Communist party. If you are a victim of PRC transnational repression in the Houston area, call FBI Houston at 713-693-5000. He also issued the order ahead of the legislature convening in January to consider bills related to national security and China. This is after in the last legislative session he said he would sign a bill banning foreign nationals from countries, including the PRC, that pose national security threats to the U.S. from purchasing land in Texas. The bill was blocked by a Republican state House committee chair after the CCP spearheaded a campaign against it, The Center Square reported. He also issued the order after the FBI criminally charged CCP-linked individuals who were allegedly involved in Operation Fox Hunt to harass, stalk, and coerce U.S. residents to return to the PRC. Those targeted are often guilty of nothing more than opposing the PRC government or CCP actions, including by exposing corruption, the order states. In 2023, the FBI charged 44 Chinese nationals for allegedly operating illegal PRC police stations in New York City. The action stemmed from a nonprofit identifying 102 PRC illegal police stations operating in 53 countries. Among those in the U.S. one is in Houston, according to the report, The Center Square reported. More recently, in 2023, the FBI brought charges against 44 Chinese nationals allegedly operating illegal PRC police stations in New York City. The FBI action stemmed from a nonprofit report identifying 102 overseas police service stations operating in 53 countries, including in Houston, The Center Square reported. Operation Fox Hunt was launched in 2014 to target Chinese nationals living outside of China, according to the FBI. In 2016, Xinhua News reported a total of 1,032 fugitives returned to China from over 70 countries and regions through Fox Hunt. In 2017, Xinhua reported CCP operatives had caught 3,317 fugitives from over 120 countries and regions in the five previous years. The CCPs Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in 2017 also identified 22 people on its most wanted list, 10 of whom were living in the U.S. In 2019, the CCP launched roughly 555,000 domestic corruption cases in 11 months, according to CCDI and CCP National Supervisory Commission data. Among them, disciplinary measures were taken against 485,000 people; 19,000 were criminally investigated, according to the data. In a July 2020 speech to the Hudson Institute, FBI Director Christopher Wray described numerous ways that the CCP created a national security threat, including targeting hundreds of U.S. citizens or green card holders through Fox Hunt. The CCP wants to force them to return to China using shocking tactics, he said. China describes Fox Hunt as an international anti-corruption campaign its not, Wray sai. Instead, Fox Hunt is a sweeping bid by General Secretary Xi to target Chinese nationals whom he sees as threats and who live outside China political rivals, dissidents, and critics seeking to expose Chinas extensive human rights violations. One way they do this, he explained, is to send an emissary to the targets family in the U.S. to convey a message. The target had two options: return to China promptly or commit suicide, he said. And what happens when Fox Hunt targets refuse to return to China? In the past, their family members both here in the United States and in China have been threatened and coerced; and those back in China have even been arrested for leverage. Abbotts order instructs DPS to partner with local and federal law enforcement officials to identify and charge individuals suspected of crimes related to exploiting dissidents on behalf of any foreign government. It also charges DPS with investigating and documenting individuals suspected of planning, attempting, or carrying out acts of repression, develop training programs that can be used to identify and report such threats, and provide policy recommendations by January 15, 2025, on how to counter such threats. DPS was also tasked with introducing a hotline and updating the states iWatch Texas Community Reporting System to allow Texans to directly report any suspicious acts of oppression or coercion by PRC or CCP actors, or other foreign adversaries against Texans. Texans are encouraged to report suspicious activity at iwatchtx.org, through the iWatchTexas mobile app, or by calling 844-643-2251. Reports can be anonymous. By Vince Phillips Editors Note: This is a periodic look at the Pennsylvania General Assemblys work on issues affecting agriculture and rural communities. We are at the end of the 2023-24 session of Pennsylvanias General Assembly. Transition to the 2025-26 legislative session has begun. The first major step is selection of leadership for the House and Senate Republican and Democratic Caucuses. House leadership. Top Democratic leaders of the PA House are from eastern Pennsylvania. Re-elected were Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, of Philadelphia, and Majority Leader Matt Bradford, of Montgomery County. Two westerners are in Democratic leadership. Rep. Rob Matzie from Beaver County is the new Democratic Caucus Chair and Rep. Ryan Bizzarro from Erie continues as Chair of the Democratic Policy Committee. A westerner, Rep. Dan Miller from Allegheny County did not continue as Democratic Whip. Democrats continue to control the House by a one-vote margin. On the Republican side, there was more transition in leadership. Rep. Bryan Cutler, of Lancaster, chose not to seek re-election as Minority Leader. The new GOP leader is Rep. Jessie Topper whose district includes Bedford and Fulton counties. The Republican Whip is Rep. Tim ONeal from Washington County. The influential House Appropriations Committees new Minority Chair is Rep. Jim Struzzi from Indiana County. Senate leadership. Senate Republicans still have a majority of 28-22. The GOP lost a seat in central Pennsylvania where the incumbent senator retired but picked up a Philadelphia senator. Republicans were able to retain two western Pennsylvania senators, Dan Laughlin from Erie County and Devin Robinson from Allegheny County. Democrats retained the Allegheny County seat held by retiring Sen. Jim Brewster. The Republican Caucus re-elected its leadership with western senators continuing in their leadership roles. President Pro Tempore is Sen. Kim Ward from Westmoreland County. She is joined by Majority Leader Joe Pittman from Indiana County and Sen. Carmen Bartolotta who represents Greene, Beaver and Washington counties. She serves as Majority Caucus Secretary. Senate Democratic Caucus leaders all hail from eastern Pennsylvania except for the Minority Leader, the most powerful figure in the caucus. He is Sen. Jay Costa from Allegheny County. Leaders and ag legislation Members of the new House and Senate leadership coming from western rural counties have introduced legislation or resolutions affecting agriculture and rural Pennsylvania. House. Matzie has sponsored House Bills 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865, which are a package of bills designed to make acquisitions of smaller water systems more transparent and spreading out increased charges to customers over time instead of all at once. Matzie also sponsored House Resolution 400 declaring June 19-25 as Pollinator Week and House Resolution 513 recognizing October as Wine, Wineries and Grapes Month. Bizzarro sponsored HBs 1318 and 1319 dealing with kennels which are regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Topper traditionally has introduced education bills since he was Minority Chair of that committee. However, he was a co-sponsor of HB 953 to modernize the Frozen Dessert Act which is regulated by the state department of agriculture. ONeal cosponsored HB 2093 to allow a donation to fire departments made by drivers when they apply for or renew their vehicle registration. Struzzi is one of the most prolific lawmakers introducing or cosponsoring 2023-24 agricultural/rural legislation. Some prime sponsorships include: HBs 2526 and 2573 to establish an independent Office of Energy Development as well as HB 200 allowing for routine maintenance of streams without having to get repeated DEP permits. He is a cosponsor of bills like HB 32 (storm water management) and sale of whole milk in schools (HB 997) as well as protecting landowners from liability if their property is, with their permission, being used for recreational purposes (HB 33). Senate. Pittman and Ward have not sponsored agricultural/rural legislation but they have impacted literally every piece of legislation considered by the Pennsylvania senate. In addition, they led the charge against former Gov. Tom Wolfs regulatory decision to bypass the legislature by enrolling Pennsylvania in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a program designed to eliminate fossil fuel use for power generation. Bartolotta has several bills such as her attempts to strengthen appeals before the Environmental Hearing Board (Senate Bills 198 and 199) and to streamline the DEP Erosion and Sediment Control Permits process (SB 364). In addition, she sponsored SB1346 to limit Marcellus Shale Impact Fees going to municipalities that seek to restrict or eliminate natural gas development. Another bill, SB 365, allows workers compensation insurance coverage for volunteer and paid firefighters, EMS and first responders who suffer post-traumatic stress injuries from their work. Costa has not sponsored any agriculture/rural legislation this session. Except for some environmental legislation, most Senate Democratic work on agriculture is led by Sen. Judy Schwank from Berks County, Minority Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. She has a particular interest in dairy issues. (Ag lobbyist Vince Phillips retired in 2021 after serving as an advocate in Harrisburg for 31 years. He has worked in professional communications in the food industry in Washington, DC, and was a political appointee at U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Reagan administration. He also was appointed to President-elect Reagans Transition Team.) HANOVERTON, Ohio The Hicks and Hayseeds 4-H club, of Hanoverton, met earlier this month on Nov. 5, with the first order of business being the election of officers. Ava Wood became president. Zach Knoedler was named vice president. The secretary position was filled by Carrie Knoedler. The treasurer role will be shared by Piper Cowden and Lucas Zehtenbauer. The news reporter role was filled by Abby Knoedler. Cole Wilson was named the health and safety officer. Averie Miller and Colt Knoedler were named the recreation officers. Wood then led the pledges and read about upcoming meetings and important dates. The members also voted for new club shirts. After enjoying a snack, the meeting was adjourned. For more information about 4-H, contact Audrey Dimmerling at 330-870-1165. COLUMBUS Five high school students recently represented Ohio at the 30th Global Youth Institute, hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation, in Des Moines, Iowa. The event brought together more than 100 students from across the U.S. and other countries to tackle pressing global challenges, including food security, poverty and environmental sustainability. The Ohio group included three students from Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio: Zara Iqbal, a junior, and Amelie Anderson and Audrey Price, both seniors. They were joined by two students from Bio-Med Science Academy in Portage County, Ohio: Liam Basta and Sadie Hovis, both sophomores. The students were accompanied by Heidi Hisrich, a science teacher at Bio-Med Science Academy, and guided by Margo Overholt-Seckel, program manager for Ohio 4-H Workforce Development and Pathways and coordinator of the Ohio Youth Institute. For more information on how Ohio youth can get involved in future events, visit go.osu.edu/oyi. The next Ohio Youth Institute is on April 14 at Ohio State University, with registration due by March 12. COLUMBUS Thousands of birds were registered for the largest and most competitive junior poultry show in the country, the Ohio National Poultry Show, from Nov. 8-10 in Columbus, Ohio. This is the Super Bowl of chickens, said Jacob Bates, an American Poultry Association and American Bantam Association licensed judge from Charleston, Arkansas, as he motioned to the enormous display of large fowl, bantams and waterfowl in rows of specialized exhibition cages spanning the width and length of the Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center at the Ohio Expo Center. The Ohio National Poultry Show has been hosted in Columbus, Ohio, since 1962 by the Ohio Poultry Breeders Association to recognize and award poultry farmers and their flocks. The show also helps to foster awareness and education to grow the poultry industry in Ohio. Members pay an annual fee of $5 to join the association. Bates said its the best competition of all the birds here in the U.S. well, almost. According to Ohio National Poultry Show rules, all recognized and non-standard varieties of large fowl, bantams, waterfowl, guineas and turkeys are eligible to register for the show except pigeons, which the rules stipulate are not permitted. Judging both the junior and open show competitions on Nov. 9, Bates said he noticed the hobby is growing among youth. I would say the hobby is growing because they had over 2,000 junior birds here today thats one of the largest on record, and its the largest poultry show in the country right now for juniors, Bates said. Growth since COVID It was the fourth year that Laney Hawk and her younger sister Lilly competed at the Ohio National Poultry Show. They live in Magnolia, Ohio, a village in Stark and Carroll counties, where they raise over 300 birds and sell hatching eggs and chickens to 4-H exhibitors. Laney began showing in 2020. Ever since COVID, I feel like poultrys been a thing that people have been doing. Last year was an anniversary year for poultry nationals, there were over 9,000 birds. The numbers are a little bit down, just because its not an anniversary year, but its been growing every single year, Laney said. Laneys penciled runner duck, Lord Quack, won an award for best variety in the junior show. It was her first year showing a penciled runner. These ducks are special because they stand straight up, Laney said. It was the last junior competition for Laney, now 18, who plans to return to compete in the open show next year. Shes been raising birds her whole life and sees it in her future as well. Im just naturally drawn to birds, Laney said. I find it really cool. I learn a lot. Lillys black and white Japanese chicken, Pickle, won a second-place award for best variety. Lilly, 13, said her interest in poultry has been growing, and also among her friends, and she thinks the annual poultry show is a magnificent experience. There are some birds I havent seen before, she said, pointing to pheasants, peacocks, quail and geese. Discovering whats new The Wolfe family, of Cambridge, Ohio, in Guernsey County, earned several awards at the show. Ben Wolfe, 16, was among those showing Welsh Harlequin ducks on Nov. 9 at the Ohio National Poultry Show. He won a first-place old male award with his Welsh Harlequin duck, Scotty, that he raised at home. Its a daily hobby, Wolfe said about his day-to-day work of caring for over 120 chickens, ducks and geese. Seeing new breeds and non-standard varieties still in the process of earning the APAs recognition, Wolfe noted, makes participating in the Ohio National Poultry Show all the more interesting. There are gold-faced Welsh Harlequins which arent as common and theyre not in standard yet, Wolfe said. Its a good show to come out and see all the birds and meet new people and see breeds you dont see every day. Support for less-common poultry breeds and non-standard varieties like the Welsh Harlequin, which has recently earned APA recognition, is helping to increase the population numbers and varieties of breeds. Wolfe has been raising Welsh Harlequins for seven years. The breeds silver variety earned APA recognition in 2001. Their numbers are growing, he said. Family fun Bates judged some of the junior birds, which got underway at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 9, and noticed a lot of excitement as he evaluated the birds the youth brought to compete in the show. Several junior competitors this year noted they have introduced poultry to their siblings who are beginning their 4-H pathways. The Cusick family, of Naples, Florida, brought 49 birds to the Ohio National Poultry Show this year. Michael Cusick, 13, said one of his chickens was awarded best variety. It all started with my sister because when she was younger, she started showing birds, and I got looped in, Michael Cusick said. He said chickens are one of his favorite animals. Its a lot of fun. He thinks excitement for birds is growing where he lives in Florida, and his family raises meat chickens at home. Bates, who regularly receives invitations to judge poultry shows in the United States, said hes noticed more involvement, and overall, all the shows have been up this year. One reason some said they raise poultry is because its an easier hobby than raising other animals because the animals are smaller, transport well and have fewer costs associated with their upkeep. Poultry is easier than a larger animal like a cow that could be a little bit more scary for your newer kids that are getting into 4-H, Wolfe said. Theyre less expensive than, say, a cow. Bates said the Ohio National Poultry Show is one of the best shows to attend in the country, even for people who arent showing birds, but just want to buy or see them. The kids are really involved with their birds and they showed some fabulous birds, Bates said. Scottish farmers are gearing up for a rally outside Holyrood next week as part of calls for Scotland's forthcoming budget to secure funding for farming. The demonstration, which starts 11.30am on Thursday 28 November, is being held ahead of the Scottish governments budget on 4 December. Organised by NFU Scotland, the union has urged "those who want a thriving rural economy" to join the protest. The aim of the rally it to seek guarantees that the Scottish government will include budgetary measures that "support farming, crofting and all that they deliver". The recent autumn budget saw the UK government "wash its hands" of a commitment to multi-annual, ring-fenced funding for farming that had been in place for half a century. Because of this, whatever funding now goes towards Scottish agriculture is 100% within the power of Scottish government. Leading politicians and industry figures have already indicated their willingness to make speeches at the rally outside Holyrood. NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy said there was a 'huge level of uncertainty' felt by farmers and crofters following the UK's budget. "Our rally will highlight all that farmers and crofters deliver, including high-quality food production, climate and nature restoration, and thriving rural communities. We want all those who attend to send a clear message to the Scottish parliament and Scottish government about the importance of delivering future, multi-annual, ring-fenced funding for Scottish agriculture. The Scottish government and parliament now have a real opportunity to demonstrate that they do understand and will fully support a thriving Scottish agriculture sector. Let us be under no illusions this is a monumental time for Scottish agriculture." Scotlands block grant is to increase by 1.5 billion in the current financial year, followed by another 3.4 billion in the next. This is a record settlement from the UK government, with the NFU Scotland saying it must be reflected in a significant uplift in the Scottish agriculture budget. The union said that the Scottish government, in 2022 and 2023, 'raided' the agricultural budget, with 46 million still outstanding. Mr Kennedy added: "The budget on 4 December must see the Scottish government show, despite the UK governments decisions, that it is willing to support the agricultural sector in Scotland. It must use the uplift in the block grant to put in place a five-year multi-annual budget that drives our agricultural industry, acting as a catalyst for our 16bn food and drink industry. "That is the strong signal that this industry deserves," he concluded. It follows thousands of farmers across the UK protesting in London earlier this week, as anger brews over the Labour government's 20% inheritance tax and the direction of future policy. Inherited agricultural assets worth over 1 million, which were previously exempt, will have to pay inheritance tax at 20% from April 2026 - half the usual rate. The protest also took place against continued high costs, tightening margins and uncertainty over future government policy. Elsewhere, in Northern Ireland, over 6,000 farmers gathered at an event organised by the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) due to concerns at the 'flawed' changes to agricultural property relief (APR). Chinese Defense Minister addresses ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus Xinhua) 21:11, November 21, 2024 VIENTIANE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Thursday attended the 11th ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus and delivered a speech. Noting the Asia-Pacific region remains generally stable, Dong warned against the risk of being drawn into geopolitical conflicts, and called for joint efforts to "protect our beautiful homeland". China is willing to work with all parties to firmly consolidate ASEAN centrality, and support the improvement and upgrading of the existing cooperation framework, Dong said. Urging unity of regional countries and resolving issues through dialogues, Dong expressed opposition against provoking disputes, resorting to force, forming cliques or bringing in external forces. Dong said the parties need to deepen defense and security cooperation, promote the implementation of the Global Security Initiative in the region, and build a closer security community. China and ASEAN should expand common maritime interests with a long-term vision, carry out maritime security cooperation in a flexible and diverse manner, and enhance their ability to jointly safeguard maritime security, so as to contribute to regional and world peace and stability, Dong said. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan) A ground-breaking new navigation system similar to fingerprint technology could enable agricultural drones to navigate across unlimited distances without GPS. Research into the system will commence as part of joint research and technology development between the UK and Australia. Advanced Navigation, which manufacturers navigation tech, along with MBDAs subsidiary company, NILEQ, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-develop it. Similar to fingerprint scanners, NILEQs technology - based on neuromorphic sensors - scans the changing terrain as a drone flies across it, and matches it to an existing database of the Earths surface. Once a match is locked, it will feed updates of absolute positioning to the inertial navigation system (INS) - removing drift errors and the need for GPS. Both companies say this could enable faster and easily repeatable farming operations with the use of low-cost drones. This could be suited for large-scale projects such as crop monitoring, soil analysis, aerial mapping and targeted spraying. It is also set to enhance the safety of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), enabling drones to function in environments where GPS signals are weak or obstructed, such as dense tree cover or interference from other ag-equipment. Chris Shaw, CEO of Australia-based Advanced Navigation, welcomed the new MoU with UK-based NILEQ. In an increasingly uncertain world where interference is becoming ubiquitous, commercial sectors can no longer rely purely on GPS for flight operations," he said. "There is an urgent need for additional navigation aiding to supplement platform inertial navigation and GPS receiver systems. The world's tallest and shortest women have met in London for an afternoon tea. Rumeysa Gelgi and Jyoti Amge enjoying afternoon tea at The Savoy Turkey's Rumeysa Gelgi - who stands at 7ft 7in - and India's Jyoti Amge - who is just 2ft tall - nibbled on some food and sipped on hot tea as they shared stories of their life experiences at the swanky Savoy hotel to celebrate Guinness World Records Day. Rumeysa said: It was so amazing meeting Jyoti for the first time. "It was difficult for us to make eye contact at times due to our height difference, but it was great. "We do have things in common - we both love make-up, self-care, and doing our nails. Jyoti said: Im used to looking up and seeing people taller than me, but I was so happy to look up today and see the worlds tallest woman. "Im delighted that Ive met Rumeysa, she is so good-natured, and I felt very comfortable talking to her." It comes as the giant 27-year-old advocate, researcher and web developer, and the little 30-year-old 'American Horror Story' actress have been named a Guinness World Records icons in the special 70th anniversary edition of the book. Reacting to the achievement, Rumeysa said: "Being named as a Guinness World Records icon in this anniversary edition is surreal, it is the greatest honour I have ever had. "I've seen myself among all these artists and athletes that Ive always been a fan of its an indescribable feeling." Meanwhile, Jyoti said: "I am thankful to Guinness World Records for finding me in 2009 and giving me the opportunities I have had. "I never thought I would be called an icon, and its extra special that it is in the 70th anniversary edition. "I cant explain how happy I am!" Will Smith changed Keke Palmer's life with a voicemail. Keke Palmer revealed her life was changed by a voicemail from Will Smith The 'Nope' actress found fame as a child, with her breakthrough role coming in 'Akeelah and the Bee' in 2006 when she was 13 years old, and in the following years, she contemplated seeking emancipation from her parents, Sharon and Larry, as she felt isolated but her lawyer urged her to consider therapy instead, and eventually, the 'Men in Black' actor called to offer her some advice. She recalled on 'The Toast' podcast: "Couple of weeks go by and I'm on the set of 'True Jackson, VP', and I get a call from this like really, really obscure number. And I'm like what? Like this is weird, I'm not answering this." When she eventually checked her voicemail, Keke discovered the mystery caller had been the 56-year-old actor. Impersonating Will, she said: "Hey, Keke. It's Will. We're over here doing 'Karate Kid' with Jayden. "I just want to let you know that I talked to [her lawyer]. He let me know everything you're going through, and I want you to know sometimes it's hard being the first, but you'll get through. "Just keep staying focused, love all your family, and y'all going to be good." She added that it was "so insane" to receive the message, but it was one of the reasons why she decided not to seek emancipation. The 'Hustlers' actress is thankful for all the guidance she's received from the people around her, particularly when she's had to venture into the unknown. She said: "It's something that happens when you're stepping out, and you could be a child entertainer, or you could be the first person in your family to go to college, or the first person in your family to get married. "There's so many firsts that can happen as the generations of your family continue to grow and evolve. "And this was a difficult thing for me that I felt meant that I had to throw my family away. "I've always had, I think a lot of people whether they're notable names or they're my attorney that I had a good community, that also my parents made sure I was around, that would encourage community and not like dissension and us breaking apart." And Keke - who has son Leodis, 21 months, with former partner Darius Jackson - admitted things can be particularly difficult for child stars. She added: "I think [that] happens when you're a kid entertainer because people want to make money off of you, and don't want you close to your family." Exports of ready-made garments (RMG) (Chapters 61 and 62) from Bangladesh decreased by 5.22 per cent to $36.151 billion in the fiscal 202324 (July 2023 to June 2024). The Bangladeshi interim government made a downward revision to delayed trade data. According to provisional data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), RMG exports fell short by 30.84 per cent against the export target of $52.272 billion set for the fiscal. Additionally, the EPB revised RMG export figures for fiscal 2022-23 downward to $38.142 billion. After the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in early August 2024, the new regime assumed office amid political unrest, widespread violence, and disruptions. The EPB delayed the regular release of monthly trade data until this month. Bangladesh's RMG exports declined by 5.22 per cent to $36.151 billion in fiscal 2023-24, missing the $52.272 billion target by 30.84 per cent, according to revised EPB data. Knitwear and woven apparel exports dropped, while home textile exports saw a sharper 22.05 per cent fall. The new regime revised prior fiscal data, revealing discrepancies in reported RMG exports under the former government. EPBs latest provisional trade data revealed that while knitwear exports surpassed those of woven garments, overall RMG exports fell significantly short of the $52.272 billion target for fiscal 202324, underperforming by 30.84 per cent. In the last fiscal, exports of knitwear (Chapter 61) declined by 5.13 per cent to $19.282 billion, compared to $20.324 billion in fiscal 202223. Similarly, woven apparel exports (Chapter 62) decreased by 5.32 per cent, totalling $16.869 billion, down from $17.817 billion in the previous fiscal, according to EPB data. Exports of home textiles (Chapter 63, excluding 630510) experienced a sharp decline, dropping 22.05 per cent to $851.01 million, compared to $1,091.78 million in fiscal 2022-23. Combined, exports of woven and knitted apparel, clothing accessories, and home textiles accounted for 83.20 per cent of Bangladeshs total exports, which stood at $44.469 billion during the period. The new Bangladeshi regime also revised the countrys overall goods exports downward. In contrast, exports of cotton and cotton products, including yarn, waste, and fabrics (Chapter 52), rose significantly by 35.08 per cent to $554.50 million during the period under review, compared to $410.49 million in the same period of the previous fiscal. Under the new regime, Bangladesh reported a decline in RMG exports, painting a starkly different picture from the figures previously reported by the former government. According to the EPB under the new administration, RMG exports in fiscal 202223 amounted to $38.142 billion, compared to the earlier reported figure of $46.991 billion. For reference, RMG exports were recorded at $42.613 billion in fiscal 202122 and $31.456 billion in fiscal 202021. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) The textile and garment industry in Vietnam aims at achieving $47-48 billion in export turnover next year, according to Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS). Despite facing challenges like geopolitical tensions, fluctuating oil prices, volatile freight rates, slow economic recovery, declining global investment, natural disasters, climate change and energy security concerns, the industry has demonstrated robust growth, Giang told a recent press conference. The countrys textile and garment exports are expected to reach $44 billion this year, marking an 11.26-per cent increase year on year (YoY). The sector's imports are projected to be worth $25 billion this yearup by 14.79 per cent YoY. This may lead to a trade surplus of $19 billion, a YoY growth rate of 6.93 per cent. Vietnam's textile and garment industry aims at achieving $47-48 billion in export turnover next year, according to Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS). Textile and garment exports are expected to reach $44 billion this year, marking an 11.26-per cent increase YoY. Sixty new members joined VITAS this year, bringing its membership to nearly 1,000. The United States remains Vietnams largest export market with an expected 2024 turnover of $16.71 billionup by 12.33 per cent YoY and accounting for 37.98 per cent of the total export turnover. It is followed by Japan ($4.57 billion expected export turnover this year), the European Union ($4.3 billion), South Korea ($3.93 billion) and China ($3.65 billion). Sixty new members joined VITAS this year, bringing its membership to nearly 1,000, a domestic news agency reported. The 25th founding anniversary of VITAS will take place in the Quang Nam province from December 13 to 14, Giang added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) The upcoming OTT release, Agni stars Pratik Gandhi, Divyenndu, Saiyami Kher, Sai Tamhankar, Jitendra Joshi, Udit Arora, and Kabir Shah in pivotal roles. It shows the tough lives fire fighters lead. It also showcases how they put their lives at stake every day to save humans from fire-driven hazards. In the trailer, Pratik Gandhi and Saiyami Khers characters are introduced as fire fighters, while Divyenndus character is a policeman. Sai Tamhankar plays Pratiks wife, who tries to help him through his difficult job. During the trailer launch for the movie, the actors opened up about their characters, while lauding real-life fire fighters. The actors noted that it is never-before-told story about firefighters. Directed and written by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, the movie is scheduled to release on December 6, 2024 . 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. Roland Perkins, President, Chief Executive Officer 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 a disposition 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 "Disposition"). Prior to the Disposition, Mr. Perkins was the beneficial owner of 8,600,000 Shares, representing approximately 9.4069% of the issued and outstanding Shares on an undiluted basis (based on an aggregate of 91,422,569 Shares issued and outstanding). Upon completion of the Disposition, Mr. Perkins now holds 600,000 Shares, representing approximately 0.6563% of the issued and outstanding Shares on an undiluted basis (based on an aggregate of 91,422,569 Shares issued and outstanding). The disposition of the Shares by Mr. Perkins was 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. Perkins disposed of the Shares, for investment purposes. In pursuing such purpose, Mr. Perkins 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. Perkins 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/230813 SOURCE: Roland Perkins Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX:BGD) ( Barton or the Company ) advises that the attached presentation is due to be presented today at the Swiss Mining Institute Conference. Authorised by the Managing Director of Barton Gold Holdings Limited. For further information, please contact: Alexander Scanlon Managing Director a.scanlon@bartongold.com.au +61 425 226 649 Shannon Coates Company Secretary cosec@bartongold.com.au +61 8 9322 1587 About Barton Gold Barton Gold is an ASX, OTCQB and Frankfurt Stock Exchange listed Australian gold developer targeting future gold production of 150,000oz annually, with ~1.6Moz Au JORC Mineral Resources (52.3Mt @ 0.94 g/t Au), multiple advanced exploration projects and brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the only regional gold mill in the renowned central Gawler Craton of South Australia.* Tarcoola Gold Project Existing brownfield open pit mine within trucking distance of Barton's processing plant Under-explored asset with untapped scale potential Tunkillia Gold Project * 1.5Moz Au Mineral Resources (51.3Mt @ 0.91 g/t Au) Scoping Study for competitive ~130kozpa Au mine Infrastructure 650ktpa CIP process plant, mine village, and airstrip Tarcoola ~40 person lodging to support mine operations Tunkillia camp to support dedicated project team Competent Persons Statement & Previously Reported Information The information in this announcement that relates to the historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources as listed in the table below is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by the Competent Person whose name appears in the same row, who is an employee of or independent consultant to the Company and is a Member or Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) or a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO). Each person named in the table below has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to quality as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 ( JORC ). Activity Competent Person Membership Status Tarcoola Mineral Resource (Stockpiles) Dr Andrew Fowler (Consultant) AusIMM Member Tarcoola Mineral Resource (Perseverance Mine) Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Tarcoola Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tarcoola Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021) Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant) AIG Member Tunkillia Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021) Mr Marc Twining (Employee) AusIMM Member Tunkillia Mineral Resource Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant) AusIMM Fellow Challenger Mineral Resource Mr Dale Sims (Consultant) AusIMM / AIG Fellow / Member The information relating to historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources in this announcement is extracted from the Company's Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 or as otherwise noted in this announcement, available from the Company's website at www.bartongold.com.au or on the ASX website www.asx.com.au . The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Exploration Results and Mineral Resource information included in previous announcements and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates, and any production targets and forecast financial information derived from the production targets, continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the applicable Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the previous announcements. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This document may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "target" and "intend" and statements than an event or result "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is subject to business, legal and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, risks relating to property interests, the global economic climate, commodity prices, sovereign and legal risks, and environmental risks. Forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and opinions at the date the statements are made. Barton undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements for events or circumstances that occur subsequent to such dates or to update or keep current any of the information contained herein. Any estimates or projections as to events that may occur in the future (including projections of revenue, expense, net income and performance) are based upon the best judgment of Barton from information available as of the date of this document. There is no guarantee that any of these estimates or projections will be achieved. Actual results will vary from the projections and such variations may be material. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the past or future. Any reliance placed by the reader on this document, or on any forward-looking statement contained in or referred to in this document will be solely at the readers own risk, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. *Refer to Barton Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 and ASX announcements dated 4 March and 16 July 2024. Total Barton JORC (2012) Mineral Resources include 833koz Au (26.9Mt @ 0.96 g/t Au) in Indicated and 754koz Au (25.4Mt @ 0.92 g/t Au) in Inferred categories. SOURCE: Barton Gold Holdings Limited View the original press release on accesswire.com Biomind Labs Inc. (" Biomind " or the " Company ") (CBOE:BMND)(OTC PINK:BMNDF)(FRA:3XI) , a leading biotech company at the forefront of next-generation pharmaceuticals addressing the root causes of neurological disorders, is encouraged by the U.S. government's progressive stance on the psychedelic industry. The administration's decision to nominate a new Health Secretary with a history of supporting innovative mental health solutions marks a pivotal moment for the advancement of psychedelic-based therapies. The Company is optimistic that this policy shift will open new avenues for greater recognition and regulatory support of groundbreaking therapies, including its proprietary drug candidate BMND08 . In a Phase II clinical trial, BMND08 demonstrated remarkable efficacy, with 100% of participants responding to treatment and achieving remission from depression, anxiety, and stress by the end of the treatment period (week 5). The Company intends to enter in discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") to pursue Breakthrough Therapy Designation for BMND08, a move that could accelerate the availability of transformative treatments for conditions like early-stage Alzheimer's, depression, and anxiety. Alejandro Antalich, CEO of Biomind Labs, commented: "The nomination of a Health Secretary in the U.S. who recognizes the transformative potential of psychedelic-based therapies and demonstrates a clear commitment to supporting their development marks a historic milestone for our industry. At Biomind, we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement with our groundbreaking 5-MeO-DMT-based candidate, BMND08 , which has the potential to revolutionize treatment options for neuropsychiatric disorders. We remain focused in our discussions with the FDA to advance BMND08, aiming for regulatory breakthroughs that will deliver life-changing therapies to those who need them most." Biomind Labs remains committed to driving innovation in psychedelic-based treatments while working closely with regulators and policymakers to create a sustainable and impactful future for mental health therapies: On November 14, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") granted Investigational New Drug ("IND") clearance for the Company's New Chemical Entity ("NCE"), Triptax . BMND01 (DMT): Optimized extraction and purification from natural sources under Good Laboratory Practices ("GLP"), with advanced inhaled and intramuscular formulations for efficient, precise, and patient-friendly delivery. BMND07 (5-MeO-DMT): Successfully developed a pharmaceutical-grade organic synthesis process, ensuring high-purity Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). BMND02 (5-MeO-DMT Nasal): Introduced a thermosensitive nasal gel for enhanced mucosal permeation, supported by a pending patent application. BMND08 (5-MeO-DMT Sublingual): Developed a cost-effective, scalable, and non-invasive sublingual formulation. About Biomind Labs Inc. Biomind Labs is a biotech research and development company focused on transforming biomedical sciences knowledge into novel pharmaceutical drugs and innovative nanotech delivery systems for a variety of psychiatric and neurological conditions. Through its acceleration platform, Biomind Labs is developing novel pharmaceutical formulations of key endogenous substances which are occurring in the human body and an organic compound that includes many neurotransmitters for treating a wide range of therapeutic indications. Biomind Labs is dedicated to providing patients with access to affordable and contemporary treatments. For more information, please contact: Biomind Labs Inc. Alejandro Antalich Chief Executive Officer Email: info@biomindlabs.com Tel: + 598 97 702500 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this document include, among others, statements relating to the Company's ability to scientifically harness the medicinal power of certain molecules to treat patients suffering from neurological and psychiatric disorders, future research and development in various therapeutic areas, the anticipated results and potential of the Company's future trials, the ability to obtain regulatory approvals, the marketability of the Company's products, ability to source raw materials in the formulation of products, ability to raise capital, and the Company's plan to engineer proprietary drug development platforms, innovative drug delivery systems, novel formulation approaches and treatment regimens for mental health conditions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: (a) the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; (b) compliance with extensive government regulation; (c) domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; (d) fluctuations in securities markets; (e) adverse changes in the public perception of tryptamine-based treatments and phenethylamine-based therapies; (f) fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; (g) expectations regarding the size of the targeted market; (h) the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; (i) plans for growth; (j) political, social and environmental uncertainties; (k) employee relations; (l) the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions in the markets where the Company operates; and (m) the risk factors set out in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is available under the Company's Issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this press release. The Company makes no medical, treatment or health benefit claims about the Company's proposed products. The United States Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada or other similar regulatory authorities have not evaluated claims regarding tryptamine-based treatments or phenethylamine-based therapies. The efficacy of such products has not been confirmed by approved research. There is no assurance that the use of tryptamines, tryptamine derivatives or phenethylamines, phenethylamine derivatives can diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Vigorous scientific research and clinical trials are needed. The Company has not yet completed commercial clinical trials for the use of its proposed products. Any references to quality, consistency, efficacy and safety of potential products do not imply that the Company verified such in commercial clinical trials or that the Company will complete such trials. If the Company cannot obtain the approvals or research necessary to commercialize its business, it may have a material adverse effect on the Company's performance and operations. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. The CBOE Exchange Inc. has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and is not responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the contents herein. SOURCE: Biomind Labs Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com DENVER / ACCESSWIRE / November 20, 2024 / Wells Fargo Three startups awarded $250,000 each in non-dilutive funding to accelerate energy-efficient, resilient building technologies The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN), a clean technology program funded by Wells Fargo and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), today announced the selection of three startups for its next cohort in the Emerging Tech Track. This cohort targets scalable, drop-in solutions for the built environment to drive energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and support decarbonization across commercial and residential sectors. "With increasing urbanization, addressing energy demands and building resilience is paramount," said Sarah Derdowski, IN program manager at NREL. "These startups have market-ready technologies poised to make a meaningful impact on how we manage buildings' energy demands. Their solutions are designed for quick deployment across diverse settings, helping to accelerate adoption and maximize energy efficiency and sustainability." Each company will receive $250,000 in non-dilutive funding and work closely with NREL's leading scientists and engineers to refine and validate their technologies. The startups were nominated by IN's Channel Partner network, which includes more than 60 business incubators, accelerators, and university programs across the United States. The selected companies in IN's 14th cohort are: Blip Energy (Chicago, Illinois): Focused on transforming the grid into a resource, Blip's smart battery platform manages the energy consumption of high load appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and more. This affordable drop-in technology makes an immediate impact without the typical barriers around permitting and installation. Blip Energy will collaborate with NREL's Dr. Ravi Kishore. Evercloak (Waterloo, Ontario): Evercloak is revolutionizing how buildings are cooled with its refrigerant-free dehumidification systems, powered by graphene-oxide membrane technology. The solution can improve building cooling energy use by up to 50%. Evercloak will collaborate with NREL's Dr. Jason Woods. Transaera (Somerville, Massachusetts): Transaera's advanced dehumidification system addresses the energy-intensive nature of air conditioning in humid climates. Their solution integrates with standard HVAC systems to reduce the energy consumption of commercial air conditioning by 40%. Transaera will collaborate with NREL's Dr. Nelson James. These companies' innovations represent critical advancements toward IN's mission of enabling clean technology solutions that address real-world challenges. In addition to financial support, selected startups gain access to NREL's unparalleled research facilities and expertise, de-risking their technology in the lab and positioning them for continued market success. "We're thrilled to continue our work with IN2 and support innovative companies working to address energy and resilience challenges in buildings," said Jeff Schub, senior vice president and leader of Sustainable Finance Integration and interim co-head of Sustainability at Wells Fargo. "We are particularly excited that this cohort will get real-time feedback from companies in IN2's new Scalable Tech Track. The demand for innovative solutions in the building and sustainability space is only growing, so we continue to support companies preparing to meet that rising need." With the addition of this 14th cohort, IN's portfolio now totals 75 companies spanning sectors from agriculture and housing to the built environment. To date, the program's portfolio companies have collectively secured more than $2.6 billion in follow-on funding, reflecting IN's pivotal role in fostering technology that advances sustainability and resilience. About the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN) The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN) is a $50 million technology program funded by Wells Fargo and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. IN advances clean technologies from ideation to commercialization-validating emerging startups in the built environment and infrastructure sectors while facilitating connections with end users who receive practical implementation guidance that supports their sustainability goals. IN's mission is to foster innovation and accelerate the pace of market adoption of clean technologies to address urgent climate challenges. For more information, visit in2ecosystem.com. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Wells Fargo on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Wells Fargo Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/wells-fargo Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Wells Fargo View the original press release on accesswire.com Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Transition Metals Corp. (TSXV: XTM) ("Transition" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to raise $300,000 by way of a non brokered private placement (the "Offering"). The Offering will consist of 4,000,000 Critical Flow Through Shares (the "CFT") at a price of $0.075 per share for proceeds of $300,000. A finder's fee will be paid in connection with the Offering to finders, as determined by mutual agreement between the Corporation and the finders and subject to regulatory approval. The finders' fee will consist of 6% cash on the total financing and additional 6% Compensation Warrants associated with $200,000 of the financing ("Compensation Warrants"). The Compensation Warrants will permit the purchase of one common share in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.10 per common share for a period of 18 months from closing of the Offering. Proceeds from the securities issued in connection with the Offering will be used to explore and advance critical minerals properties in Ontario (Saturday Night PGM) and the Yukon (Pike Warden Au-Ag-Cu). Completion of the Offering will be subject to all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. There can be no assurance that the Offering will be completed as proposed or at all. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month restricted resale period and applicable securities legislation hold periods outside of Canada from the closing of the Offering. About Transition Metals Corp Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM) is a Canadian-based, multi-commodity explorer. The award-winning team of geoscientists has extensive exploration experience which actively develops and tests new ideas for discovering mineralization in places that others have not looked, often allowing the company to acquire properties inexpensively. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. THIS PRESS RELEASE, PROVIDED PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION OR APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230834 SOURCE: Transition Metals Corp. Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2024) - Fireside has recently launched a platform offering families a unique way to preserve generational stories. Focusing on ease and accessibility, the platform enables users to set up personal interviews using a mix of psychology-based and customizable questions that prompt meaningful reflections on family history, values, and memories. Fireside To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10926/229927_741dcb1cf4dc6bd8_002.jpg Revolutionizing How Families Capture Memories "With Fireside, we're transforming family connections by making it effortless to capture and cherish your loved ones' stories," shares Ravi Bhankharia, the founder of Fireside. "Our platform provides engaging questions that spark meaningful conversations, makes recording these stories seamless, and then turns these shared moments into physical keepsakes for everyone to treasure." Fireside is easy to set up and use. It accommodates both in-person and virtual interviews, making it easy for families to engage in meaningful conversations and document personal stories, regardless of distance. Once an interview is completed, Fireside transforms these Family recordings into a physical keepsake: a beautifully designed vinyl record plaque embedded with a QR code linking directly to the recording. This makes Fireside a unique gift idea - an video and audio keepsake that captures family stories online and celebrates family bonds. Key Features That Make Fireside Unique Custom Keepsakes: High-quality vinyl record plaques with QR codes link directly to recordings for easy playback. plaques with QR codes link directly to recordings for easy playback. Psychology-Based Interview Prompts: Thoughtfully crafted questions spark deep and meaningful conversations. In-Person & Virtual Options: Suitable for families near and far, making it easy to connect regardless of location. Trial Period to Help Families Get Started To encourage families to explore its features, Fireside offers a 60-day trial period, allowing users to experience the platform and its benefits with complete confidence. This trial ensures families can fully engage with the service, test its functionality, and create meaningful recordings. Early users have already shared glowing reviews about Fireside, citing the platform's simplicity, emotional impact, and the joy of reconnecting through shared stories and family memories. A Bridge Across Generations More than a platform, Fireside is a bridge between generations - a way to honor family legacies and a tool for preserving the memories that define and connect individuals and their loved ones. To learn more about how Fireside is helping families capture, celebrate, and preserve generational stories, click https://recordfireside.com. About Fireside Fireside is a generational storytelling platform born from a deeply personal mission to preserve family stories and bridge generational connections. Inspired by the founders' experiences as children of immigrants, the platform was created to capture the richness of heritage and personal narratives before they are lost to time. Fireside provides families with an accessible and intuitive way to record meaningful conversations, document life experiences, and celebrate legacies. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229927 SOURCE: Brand Featured Rheinmetall's stock has soared to unprecedented heights, reaching a new all-time high of 610 euros and marking an impressive 112% increase this year. This stellar performance positions the company as the second-strongest performer in the DAX. Analysts remain bullish, with some setting ambitious price targets of up to 750 euros, suggesting a potential additional growth of nearly 23%. The optimistic outlook is rooted in Rheinmetall's strategic position in the European defense sector and promising profit prospects through 2027. The company recently secured a significant contract from the Canadian government for 85 state-of-the-art recovery vehicles, valued at approximately 215 million euros, further bolstering its market standing. Growth Drivers and Future Prospects Rheinmetall aims to boost its revenue to 20 billion euros over the next three years, supported by increasing demand for defense equipment and additional large-scale orders. Analysts project an average annual growth rate of 32% for Rheinmetall until 2027. Despite a slight dip below the 600-euro mark in recent trading, experts maintain their positive outlook. The company's quarterly figures already demonstrate robust growth, with a 39.53% increase in revenue compared to the previous year. For the current year, a dividend of 7.76 euros per share is anticipated, representing a significant rise from the previous year and further underscoring the company's strong financial performance. Ad Fresh Rheinmetall information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Rheinmetall analysis... SHIGA, Japan, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Otsu Matsuri (Festival), one of the three major festivals in Japan's Shiga Prefecture which has taken place in the region for over 400 years, will appear in London in late November for its first overseas celebration ever. A full program of activities will take place at Japan House London on Kensington High Street from November 29. The festival in Otsu, just 40 minutes from Osaka, is known for its colorful displays of 13 "hikiyama" floats featuring mechanical moving puppets, which are paraded around the city and accompanied by lively "hayashi" music. Photo: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108420/202410218472/_prw_PI1fl_DtS33x0I.png On November 29, the festivities will start with an evening lantern display and impromptu festival music performances. The following day (November 30), visitors can take part in drop-in workshops to create their own paper "chimaki" straw ornament (talisman against evil) or enjoy live music played by performers from the region. There will also be a talk event where visitors can find out more about the festival, and view a beautiful tapestry taken from one of the festival's floats -- the first time this has been seen outside Japan. Biwako Visitor Bureau staff will be available at the Travel Information Area in London throughout the day to provide tourist information about visiting Shiga Prefecture. Schedule November 30, 12:00-15:00, 16:00-17:00 GMT, The Library Drop-in papercraft workshops: Create your own paper "chimaki" November 30, 13:30-14:00, 17:00-17:30 GMT, The Hall Drop-in music performances: Enjoy the festival music, meet musicians and learn more about the instruments November 30, 15:00-16:00, GMT, The Hall Talk event: Celebrating Otsu Matsuri About the speaker Funahashi Hiroaki was born 1961 and has performed in the Otsu Matsuri festival on the "Gekkyudenzan" float since the age of four, playing "taiko" drums, "kane" bells and flutes. Until his retirement in 2021, he worked in the Public Relations Department of the Biwako Visitors Bureau promoting tourism in Shiga Prefecture and its cultural heritage with special focus on the Otsu Matsuri. From June 2021, he served as vice chairman of the Otsu Matsuri Hikiyama Federation, a non-profit organization organizing the festival, and since June 2023 he has served as its chair. About the performers The history of the Gekkyudenzan group can be traced as far back as 1791, and its traditions have been passed on from generation to generation to the present day. The ensemble performs during the Otsu Matsuri on the float under the same name. While paying great attention to regular practice and improvement of their skills, the musicians work towards fostering the appreciation of festival music among children through workshops and regular classes. This event is held as part of the Spotlight on Local Japan Program which accepts applications from potential collaborators based in Japan to co-create cultural events presenting Japan's regional diversity at Japan House London. Please note that filming and photography may take place at this event. Photos and footage of the event may then be used to promote Japan House London, helping more people to discover what the festival has to offer. If visitors have any concerns, please?contact the organizer online ( https://www.japanhouselondon.uk/contact-us/ ) or contact a member of the team on site. Japan House London Japan House London is a cultural destination offering guests the opportunity to experience the best and latest from Japan. Located on London's Kensington High Street, the experience is an authentic encounter with Japan, engaging and surprising even the most knowledgeable guests. Presenting the very best of Japanese art, design, gastronomy, innovation, and technology, it deepens the visitor's appreciation of all that Japan has to offer. This year, Japan House London marks six years of bringing the best of Japan to the UK and beyond. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/centuries-old-otsu-matsuri-festival-from-shiga-prefecture-to-be-shown-at-japan-house-london-in-november-2024-its-first-overseas-celebration-ever-302312301.html LLM technology powers intelligent business strategies across platforms, reflecting a long-term commitment to R&D and sustained growth TAIPEI, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Appier, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to drive business decision-making, has announced the integration of generative AI (GenAI) technology across its entire product suite. This adoption of advanced Large Language Model (LLM) technology spans Appier's three major platforms-Advertising Cloud, Personalization Cloud, and Data Cloud. These upgrades are set to improve customer acquisition, retention, conversion, and data insights, driving operational efficiency and supporting smarter business decisions. This latest update underscores Appier's deep commitment to advancing R&D and reinforces its dedication to sustainable growth over the long term. According to a McKinsey report, GenAI's impact on productivity is expected to contribute US$2.6 trillion to US$4.4 trillion annually to the global economy. Additionally, Gartner projects that by 2026, over 100 million humans will engage robocolleagues to contribute to daily tasks, emphasizing GenAI's swift transition into mainstream adoption, particularly in automation and content creation . In the future, advertising will evolve into a dynamic medium for meaningful dialogue between brands and potential customers. By leveraging real-time data insights and analysis, brands can generate timely ad creatives and compelling copy to foster stronger, two-way communication with their audiences. This innovative approach mitigates ad fatigue and drives greater marketing effectiveness. To fully unlock GenAI's commercial potential, Appier has embedded AI-driven automation across every stage of the advertising and marketing journey. From core processes like audience segmentation to highly-personalized content creation and strategic optimization, Appier's AI-powered solutions adapt dynamically to the complex needs of today's marketers. By leveraging its powerful data moat, proprietary algorithms, and deep domain expertise, Appier empowers clients to transform into AI-first organizations, achieving higher ROI and sustaining a competitive edge in their markets. Key GenAI-powered innovations in Appier's product suite include ad creative optimization and text variation, background image creation and image expansion, enhanced A/B message testing, knowledge bot, salesbot, customer journey copilot, onsite AI editor, and data analysis copilot for auto-generating reports within the customer data platform. 1. Advertising Cloud Conversational advertising: Traditionally, creating ad content was time-consuming, often struggling to accurately predict users' conditions and deliver the right content. Today, GenAI enables dynamic ad creative optimization, allowing ads to interact seamlessly with users in real-time. By leveraging user-ad interaction data, it provides precise insights into users' psychological states and behavioral patterns, empowering brands to deliver the right message to the right audience at the right moment. For example, concise and impactful ads can target working professionals during their morning commute, while rich, detailed carousel ads are more suited for evening relaxation hours. Powered by GenAI, conversational ads enhance advertising performance and reduce deployment costs, paving the way for more efficient and impactful marketing strategies. Image generation Background image creation: Previously, marketers had to rent photography studios to produce high-quality product images, customizing backgrounds for special occasions to drive e-commerce sales. GenAI can rapidly generate diverse, creative backgrounds based on product features, tailoring them to various advertising scenarios and target audiences. It can seamlessly integrate external data like location, weather, and holidays to enhance conversion rates. For example, it might create a mountain backdrop for UV-resistant hats or water-splashed imagery for waterproof shoes, subtly reinforcing the motivation to purchase. Adaptive smart image editing: Online advertising offers numerous ad placements. Traditionally, design teams had to create multiple ads in various sizes to meet platform requirements. GenAI empowers marketers to efficiently adapt images for numerous online ad spaces. By uploading an image and selecting dimensions or zooming into custom areas, the AI identifies the foreground and background, generating images that seamlessly fit various ad formats or close up an object to meet dynamic placement needs. 2. Personalization Cloud Customer journey copilot: Marketers used to manually configure campaigns across various channels, including eDMs, instant messaging, and web or app push notifications, requiring substantial time and effort. With natural language prompts and a co-pilot feature, marketers can easily design omnichannel customer journeys. The system auto-generates high-impact marketing plans to optimize customer engagement with minimal resource investment. Fifteen pre-built templates support diverse scenarios, including new user registration, welcome messages, product promotions, and post-sale services, ensuring comprehensive customer interaction and enhanced retention. Marketers used to manually configure campaigns across various channels, including eDMs, instant messaging, and web or app push notifications, requiring substantial time and effort. With natural language prompts and a co-pilot feature, marketers can easily design omnichannel customer journeys. The system auto-generates high-impact marketing plans to optimize customer engagement with minimal resource investment. Fifteen pre-built templates support diverse scenarios, including new user registration, welcome messages, product promotions, and post-sale services, ensuring comprehensive customer interaction and enhanced retention. Enhanced message to show A/B testing : In the past, determining which push message resonated the best often required two weeks of testing. Now, an AI assistant intelligently distributes traffic across multiple push versions while maintaining a control group. Through attribution analysis, it identifies the version with the highest engagement - measured by views, clicks, and conversions - and automatically adjusts traffic distribution to prioritize top-performing pushes. GenAI integration simplifies multi-version testing, enriching the user experience. Future advancements will enable AI to predict optimal message outcomes based on user behavior and historical data, identifying the most effective message to show. : In the past, determining which push message resonated the best often required two weeks of testing. Now, an AI assistant intelligently distributes traffic across multiple push versions while maintaining a control group. Through attribution analysis, it identifies the version with the highest engagement - measured by views, clicks, and conversions - and automatically adjusts traffic distribution to prioritize top-performing pushes. GenAI integration simplifies multi-version testing, enriching the user experience. Future advancements will enable AI to predict optimal message outcomes based on user behavior and historical data, identifying the most effective message to show. Knowledge bot: Skilled customer service representatives depend on accumulated experience and continuous learning. Traditional chatbots, on the other hand, frequently fall short, providing irrelevant answers when not adequately trained. This intelligent knowledge bot, integrating LLMs with Appier's proprietary technologies, can be trained on company information, product descriptions, FAQs, and campaign URLs to build a comprehensive understanding of the brand. It works seamlessly with human agents to provide accurate responses, while a customizable key system continuously improves its performance based on user feedback, enhancing response accuracy over time. Skilled customer service representatives depend on accumulated experience and continuous learning. Traditional chatbots, on the other hand, frequently fall short, providing irrelevant answers when not adequately trained. This intelligent knowledge bot, integrating LLMs with Appier's proprietary technologies, can be trained on company information, product descriptions, FAQs, and campaign URLs to build a comprehensive understanding of the brand. It works seamlessly with human agents to provide accurate responses, while a customizable key system continuously improves its performance based on user feedback, enhancing response accuracy over time. Sales bot: Consumers exhibit diverse profiles and shopping behaviors that vary depending on the context. They can be classified as casual shoppers, impulse buyers, budget-conscious, research or gift-driven customers. Factors such as product awareness, purchase intent, price rage, urgency, brand loyalty, and emotional triggers all play a role in influencing the likelihood of conversion or transaction. Appier's salesbot is designed to accurately identify and address consumers' personalized needs. From recommending new products and offering special discounts to delivering time-sensitive deals and presenting gift suggestions, the salesbot acts as a virtual sales assistant for marketers. It not only guides purchasing decisions but also significantly boosts conversion rates and enhances the overall user experience. Consumers exhibit diverse profiles and shopping behaviors that vary depending on the context. They can be classified as casual shoppers, impulse buyers, budget-conscious, research or gift-driven customers. Factors such as product awareness, purchase intent, price rage, urgency, brand loyalty, and emotional triggers all play a role in influencing the likelihood of conversion or transaction. Appier's salesbot is designed to accurately identify and address consumers' personalized needs. From recommending new products and offering special discounts to delivering time-sensitive deals and presenting gift suggestions, the salesbot acts as a virtual sales assistant for marketers. It not only guides purchasing decisions but also significantly boosts conversion rates and enhances the overall user experience. Onsite AI editor: Traditionally, updating website content required extensive design and IT support, often taking over a week to complete. With GenAI, marketers can now create website templates by simply inputting text or layouts, reducing cross-department collaboration time from weeks to seconds. The system includes ten pre-built templates, enabling the quick implementation of commonly used features such as new product launches, product recommendations, and countdown timers. 3.Data Cloud Data analytics copilot: Marketers often spend hours analyzing reports to uncover business insights, and developing data analysts with specialized expertise in analytics has proven challenging. With GenAI, they can generate detailed reports in seconds using text prompts, providing precise analysis of campaign outcomes and allowing clients to focus on strategic decision-making. The data analysis copilot evaluates customer behavior from initial brand contact to purchase, assesses the impact of various channels on conversions, and supports real-time adjustments to optimize marketing strategies. With the seamless integration of GenAI, Appier delivers a powerful, streamlined solution that reinforces its leadership in intelligent business decision-making. These innovations simplify workflows, enhance productivity, inspire creativity, improve user experiences, and, most importantly, strengthen brand competitiveness. Appier remains committed to advancing AI-driven solutions that foster sustainable growth and drive business breakthroughs in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. About Appier Appier (TSE: 4180) is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that uses artificial intelligence to power business decision-making. Founded in 2012 with a vision of democratizing AI, Appier's mission is turning AI into ROI by making software intelligent. Appier has 17 offices across APAC, Europe and US and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Visit www.appier.com for more company information, and visit ir.appier.com/en/ for more IR information. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2100306/appier_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/appier-unveils-generative-ai-integration-across-entire-product-suite-to-boost-advertising-personalization-and-data-solutions-302312353.html Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Mid-term sales guidance upgraded to +6% CAGR 2023-2028 and +5% 2024-2029 Strong momentum in the business with 8 in-market brands with USD 3bn+ to USD 8bn+ peak sales potential and 15+ near-term submission-enabling readouts 30+ high-value medicines in the pipeline expected to support continued mid-single digit sales growth beyond 2029 Basel, November 21, 2024 - Today Novartis announced an upgrade to its mid-term guidance, in advance of its Meet Novartis Management event for investors and analysts in London. Previous guidance for +5% sales CAGR 2023-2028 was upgraded to +6%, driven by strong momentum of in-market growth drivers and upcoming launches, most of which have expected US exclusivity in the 2030's or beyond. Rolling forward its mid-term guidance with strong 2024 performance as the base year, Novartis now expects to grow sales at +5% CAGR 2024-2029. The company remains on track to deliver core operating income margin1 of 40%+ by 2027, benefiting from continued strong sales growth and productivity improvements. "Novartis has completed its transformation into a pure-play innovative medicines company, with deep expertise and capabilities across our core therapeutic areas and technology platforms. Our focus has allowed us to sharpen our commercial execution and increase our peak sales estimates for Cosentyx, Kisqali, Kesimpta, Pluvicto and Leqvio, and we have more than 15 submission-enabling readouts in the coming years to further bolster our growth profile," said Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis. "Longer term, we've identified more than 30 assets in the pipeline with significant potential to rejuvenate our portfolio and support mid-single-digit growth post 2029. Taken together, we remain confident in our focused strategy and ability to deliver sustainable value creation for shareholders." While the majority of the company's portfolio comes from its internal innovation engine, value-creating bolt-ons remain an important element of the Novartis capital allocation policy. Novartis has executed more than 30 strategic deals in the last two years, primarily in the exploratory to preclinical stage. Recent examples include the acquisition of Kate Therapeutics, which complements the company's ongoing efforts to innovate new gene therapies for neuromuscular disorders, and the worldwide licensing and collaboration agreement with Ratio Therapeutics for a next-generation SSTR2-targeting radiotherapeutic candidate, which adds to the company's deep radioligand therapy pipeline. During the event today, investors and analysts will hear from CEO Vas Narasimhan and have the opportunity to engage with senior leaders from across the company in an open Q&A format. A live webcast of the event will be available on our website at https://www.novartis.com/investors/event-calendar (https://www.novartis.com/investors/event-calendar), along with a copy of the CEO presentation. A replay will be available once the event has concluded. 1 Core results are non-IFRS measures. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found on page 46 of the 3Q24 Interim Financial Report. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "expected," "pipeline," "launches," "guidance," "drive," "growth," "expected," "continued," "remains," "on track," "deliver," or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential new products, potential new indications for existing products, potential product launches, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products; or regarding results of ongoing clinical trials; or regarding potential future, pending or announced transactions; regarding potential future sales or earnings; or by discussions of strategy, plans, expectations or intentions, including discussions regarding our continued investment into new R&D capabilities and manufacturing; or regarding our capital structure; or regarding the consequences of the spin-off of Sandoz and our transformation into a "pure-play" innovative medicines company. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of management regarding future events and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. Neither can there be any guarantee expected benefits or synergies from the transactions described in this press release will be achieved in the expected timeframe, or at all. In particular, our expectations could be affected by, among other things: uncertainties regarding the success of key products, commercial priorities and strategy; uncertainties in the research and development of new products, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; uncertainties regarding the use of new and disruptive technologies, including artificial intelligence; global trends toward healthcare cost containment, including ongoing government, payer and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; uncertainties regarding our ability to realize the strategic benefits, operational efficiencies or opportunities expected from our external business opportunities; our ability to realize the intended benefits of our separation of Sandoz into a new publicly traded standalone company; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection, including the ultimate extent of the impact on Novartis of the loss of patent protection and exclusivity on key products; uncertainties in the development or adoption of potentially transformational digital technologies and business models; uncertainties surrounding the implementation of our new IT projects and systems; uncertainties regarding potential significant breaches of information security or disruptions of our information technology systems; uncertainties regarding actual or potential legal proceedings, including regulatory actions or delays or government regulation related to the products and pipeline products described in this press release; safety, quality, data integrity, or manufacturing issues; our performance on and ability to comply with environmental, social and governance measures and requirements; major political, macroeconomic and business developments, including impact of the war in certain parts of the world; uncertainties regarding future global exchange rates; uncertainties regarding future demand for our products; and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's most recently filed Form 20-F and in subsequent reports filed with, or furnished to, the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All product names appearing are trademarks owned by or licensed to Novartis. This press release includes non-IFRS financial measures, including core results. An explanation of non-IFRS measures can be found on page 46 of the 3Q24 Interim Financial Report. About Novartis Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com (https://www.novartis.com/) and connect with us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/novartis/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/novartis/), X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/Novartis) and Instagram (https://instagram.com/novartis?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==__;!!N3hqHg43uw!pjp8z253J5NjaOYrW65UbAAlHeHRdQ-w0m4ezZxEQEl0ptafXN2M99VRIk39pf49PAc8NbK93Pxp3uaSBQkAf8oEnzWXG8Sk$). 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 seven-part series explores disparities in care, funding and innovation impacting half the world's population LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BioWorld published by Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, has launched its new special series, 'Healing the Health Divide.' This seven-part series sheds light on the persistent disparities in women's health research, funding, and treatment. Women make up half of the global population, yet their health remains consistently underserved. Research and treatments have traditionally focused on reproduction and breast health, but these areas represent just a fraction of the broader health challenges women face. From autoimmune disorders to cardiovascular disease, many conditions disproportionately affect women or manifest differently than in men. However, decades of research have excluded women from clinical trials, often due to misconceptions about their "complex physiology." Meanwhile, male-dominated boardrooms have perpetuated this oversight in funding decisions, exacerbating the issue. The consequences of this systemic neglect are stark. In 2023, just 15% of venture capital funding was directed to biopharma companies focused on women's health, and only 8% of funded companies included women's health assets in their pipelines. These disparities leave critical gaps in care for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, which affects women at twice the rate of men, and endometriosis, which impacts approximately 190 million women worldwide, yet often goes undiagnosed for years. Lynn Yoffee, Publisher of BioWorld, stated: "The new BioWorld special series, 'Healing the Health Divide,' is a call to action to address the inequities in women's health research and investment. The data we've uncovered highlights the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how we approach this critical issue. This series not only exposes the disparities but also celebrates the progress being made, with the goal of inspiring industry leaders and scientists to close these gaps and create solutions that benefit all of humanity." The series explores underrecognized areas such as the role of gender bias in research, the untapped potential of women's health markets, and groundbreaking efforts to improve early diagnosis and treatment of conditions like endometriosis and cardiovascular disease. Featured articles in 'Healing the Health Divide,' include: Despite women's health inroads, lackluster funding impedes progress Despite increased interest, progress in women's health remains hindered by lackluster funding and decades of exclusion from clinical trials. The number of deals focused on women's health since 2019 comprise just 18.5% of all deals analyzed from the 473 companies and they make up just 20% of the total value of all deals that disclosed terms. This article, by Senior Managing Editor Karen Carey explores the inspiring efforts of women leading the charge to improve health outcomes and secure investments for female-focused solutions. Despite increased interest, progress in women's health remains hindered by lackluster funding and decades of exclusion from clinical trials. The number of deals focused on women's health since 2019 comprise just 18.5% of all deals analyzed from the 473 companies and they make up just 20% of the total value of all deals that disclosed terms. This article, by Senior Managing Editor Karen Carey explores the inspiring efforts of women leading the charge to improve health outcomes and secure investments for female-focused solutions. Dynamic infographic on Women's Health A compelling visual analysis by Production Editor Ann Marie Griffith of women's health funding, showcases how venture capital and biopharma companies are beginning to address the vast unmet need - but still have far to go. A compelling visual analysis by Production Editor Ann Marie Griffith of women's health funding, showcases how venture capital and biopharma companies are beginning to address the vast unmet need - but still have far to go. VCs emerge for women's health and its 'groundbreaking' research While U.S. government initiatives are supportive, private market investments are essential to advance women's health innovations. This article highlights emerging venture capital efforts and the challenges of securing funding. While U.S. government initiatives are supportive, private market investments are essential to advance women's health innovations. This article highlights emerging venture capital efforts and the challenges of securing funding. The science of gender-based medicine: many reasons, many manifestations From Alzheimer's to autoimmune diseases, Managing Editor Anette Breindl, examines how biological and hormonal differences impact disease prevalence and progression in women, emphasizing the importance of gender-specific medical research. From Alzheimer's to autoimmune diseases, Managing Editor Anette Breindl, examines how biological and hormonal differences impact disease prevalence and progression in women, emphasizing the importance of gender-specific medical research. Gender bias leaves women at risk in cardiology treatment guidelines Gender bias in cardiac care has left nearly 70% of women underdiagnosed for cardiovascular disease. Staff Writer Tamra Sami investigates how male-focused clinical trials have skewed treatment guidelines, endangering women's lives. Gender bias in cardiac care has left nearly 70% of women underdiagnosed for cardiovascular disease. Staff Writer Tamra Sami investigates how male-focused clinical trials have skewed treatment guidelines, endangering women's lives. Holistic strategies needed to diagnose and treat endometriosis Endometriosis affects 10% of women globally, yet delayed diagnosis and limited understanding have left millions suffering unnecessarily. This article, also produced by Sami, delves into the biological complexity of the disease and the need for comprehensive treatment strategies. Endometriosis affects 10% of women globally, yet delayed diagnosis and limited understanding have left millions suffering unnecessarily. This article, also produced by Sami, delves into the biological complexity of the disease and the need for comprehensive treatment strategies. New diagnostics, trials address deadly disparities in women's cardiac care While women with "big hearts" play well in popular culture, cardiologists see a very different picture - with significant implications for women's health and medical care, according to an article by Editor Annette Boyle. Women have smaller hearts and smaller blood vessels than men and their cardiovascular systems respond to disease and treatment in very different ways. In 2024, for the first time, major trials of cardiovascular medical devices sought to understand how common interventions work in women and how previous failures to include women in studies translated into higher cardiovascular mortality rates. BioWorld's "Healing the Health Divide" underscores the urgent need for equitable investment in women's health and celebrates the pioneers driving meaningful change. To access the full special series, visit https://www.bioworld.com/womens_health. Join the conversation and mention BioWorld on X and LinkedIn as well as Clarivate for Life Sciences & Healthcare on X and LinkedIn. About BioWorld With writers and editors stationed around the globe, BioWorld published by Clarivate, reports the breaking news - and provides key perspective on hundreds of therapeutics and devices in development, the companies behind those candidates, the business development transactions that evolve the markets, and the regulatory hurdles that both challenge and guard the processes. BioWorld has a long tradition of excellence in journalism. Collectively, the news services have been honored with 61 awards dating back to 1998. About Clarivate Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com Media Contact Catherine Daniel Director, External Communications, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Clarivate newsroom@clarivate.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1159266/Clarivate_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bioworld-by-clarivate-highlights-gaps-in-womens-health-research-and-investment-in-new-special-series-302312214.html Setting a Quality & Compliance Foundation for Life Sciences Firms to Leverage Technological Advancements LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexaware Technologies, a provider of IT services and solutions, has partnered with Archimedis Digital to introduce Quality & Compliance as a Solution (QCaaS). Inspired by Computerized Systems Assurance (CSA) and powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), this solution is designed to assist the life science industry by ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness without risking regulatory compliance. Key Features of QCaas: US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) CSA Inspired: Built on the FDA CSA (Computerized Software Assurance) principles of risk-based validation, critical thinking, and lean documentation. Built on the FDA CSA (Computerized Software Assurance) principles of risk-based validation, critical thinking, and lean documentation. GenAI Powered: Features a digital platform centered on AI, with multiple GenAI-based tools to accelerate document generation, risk analysis, and quality reviews. Features a digital platform centered on AI, with multiple GenAI-based tools to accelerate document generation, risk analysis, and quality reviews. Domain Experts in the Loop : Integrates quality and compliance experts with years of industry experience and contextual intelligence. : Integrates quality and compliance experts with years of industry experience and contextual intelligence. Value for Money: Reduces costs and time for verification and validation activities, leading to faster product releases and upgrades. Hexaware's extensive reach, combined with Archimedis Digital's domain expertise, aims to provide a solution for BioPharma, MedTech companies, and allied industry segments requiring regulatory compliance. This collaboration endeavors to address the need for cost reduction and expedited quality processes in the life sciences industry. Srinivas Marimganti, Head of Life Sciences & Healthcare, Hexaware Technologies stated: "We are pleased to partner with Archimedis Digital in delivering QCaaS to our broad range of life sciences clients. This collaboration combines Hexaware's expertise in client solutions with Archimedis Digital's domain capabilities. We're excited to bring this capability to the industry, targeted towards driving faster, more reliable outcomes." Duraisamy Rajan Palani, Founder & CEO, Archimedis Digital, added: "We have created a Quality & Compliance framework leveraging our years of life sciences industry experience and are in the process of digitizing the same. We are thrilled to take this solution to Hexaware's clients." About Archimedis Digital Present in the US and India and expanding in LATAM and Europe, Archimedis Digital builds digital products and offers services exclusively to life sciences firms worldwide. Originating from a business group that develops and manufactures pharmaceutical products, Archimedis combines its deep-rooted domain expertise with technology to build innovative solutions for the life sciences industry. The company provides comprehensive solutions for quality and compliance. For more information, visit www.archimedis.io. About Hexaware Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Every day, Hexawarians wake up with a singular purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With offices across the world, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes. "Hexaware Technologies Limited (the "Company") is proposing, subject to receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, to make an initial public offer of its equity shares and has filed a draft red herring prospectus dated September 6, 2024 ("DRHP") with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The DRHP is available on the websites of our Company, at www.hexaware.com, SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in as well as on the websites of the book running lead managers, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited, Citigroup Global Markets India Private Limited, J.P. Morgan India Private Limited, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Private Limited, and IIFL Securities Limited, at https://investmentbank.kotak.com, www.online.citibank.co.in/rhtm/citigroupglobalscreen1.htm , www.jpmipl.com, https://www.business.hsbc.co.in/en-gb/regulations/hsbc-securities-and-capital-market, and www.iiflcap.com respectively, and the websites of the stock exchange(s) at www.nseindia.com and www.bseindia.com, respectively. Any potential investor should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and for details relating to such risk, see "Risk Factors" of the RHP, when available. Potential investors should not rely on the DRHP for any investment decision." Learn more about Hexaware at https://hexaware.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2237417/Hexaware_NEW_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hexaware-launches-qcaas-in-partnership-with-archimedis-digital-302312641.html LONDON and NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2024, London-based firms, ranging from leading giant enterprises to startups, are increasingly collaborating with bespoke software development companies to deliver their clients personalized solutions that enhance their operational efficiency and drive growth. Some of the popular software services include bespoke enterprise software, tailored mobile app development, AI-powered analytics, cybersecurity solutions, and cloud-based apps. Products such as automation solutions, tools for effective resource management, and other programs that increase user understanding are in great demand. According to recent reports, the UK software development industry is projected to grow to more than 10 billion by the end of 2024, propelled by rising demand for customized solutions, cloud-based computing, and digital services. Recognizing this demand early, London has cemented its status as a global tech powerhouse by enticing top talent and cultivating a booming startup environment. London's strong emphasis on innovation, coupled with its strategic geographic locale, has made it a magnet for organizations looking for software development expertise. To remain competitive in an ever-changing technical topography, companies are screening out reliable IT partners who can proffer cutting-edge solutions and stay current on all trends. London, being the center of this disruptive sector, is home to several top-tier software businesses that serve both local and international clientele. The capital city has currently emerged as an essential base for enterprises seeking to capitalize on sophisticated software development, cementing the United Kingdom's status as a global leader in technological solutions. Hyperlink InfoSystem, one of the top trusted software development companies in London for 2024, has unlocked the key to rendering top-tier software solutions to a global clientele with trailblazing recognition from popular platforms like TopSoftwareCompanies.co. Whether it's streamlining operations, hire dedicated developers for custom projects, enhancing customer experiences, or launching new products and services, the company's software development offerings help in achieving these goals. As a leading software development company in the industry, Hyperlink InfoSystem supplies a broad spectrum of ingenious and customized solutions tailored to its clients' distinct requirements, along with the flexibility to hire dedicated software developers. From mobile app and web development to AI, machine learning (ML), IoT, and blockchain, the company helps all kinds of SMEs and enterprises create powerful digital solutions. Hyperlink InfoSystem employs sophisticated technologies and languages, including JavaScript, Swift, Python, Kotlin, and .NET, in addition to cloud platforms like AWS and Azure, to cater to a broad range of sectors. This top software development company provides a diverse spectrum of solutions like custom web application development, mobile app development for iOS and Android devices, enterprise software development, custom software development, software maintenance, and support. Harnil Oza, CEO of Hyperlink InfoSystem, commented on the achievement, saying, "We're overjoyed to be named a top trusted software development company in the United Kingdom, especially London. This distinction is a testament to the team's reverence, diligence, and exceptional skill sets." Speaking further about their goals, he stated, "Software development is the very essence and spirit of business achievements in a digital-first-in-nature economy. At Hyperlink InfoSystem, we take pride and joy in offering unique software products that have a genuine impact. Our team of professionals will always be committed to assisting organizations in achieving the entire potential of technology and achieving long-term success." Hyperlink InfoSystem's successful competitive software solutions are just what businesses in 2024 require to succeed in today's competitive marketplace. Gazing ahead, Hyperlink InfoSystem intends to further solidify its position as London's leading software development company in 2024 by emphasizing continual innovation, client-focused solutions, and modern software technology. The business's resolve to utilize sophisticated programming tools, flexible approaches, and modern technology keeps them at the leading edge of their industry. With a clear perspective for the foreseeable future, Hyperlink InfoSystem is perfectly placed to deliver meaningful software solutions that help businesses in London accomplish their goals in an increasingly digital environment. To inquire more about custom mobile app development services, call +1(309) 791-4105 or email info@hyperlinkinfosystem.com. About Hyperlink InfoSystem Hyperlink InfoSystem is a prominent international enterprise excelling in IT solutions in many domains. Since its humble beginnings in 2011, its specialization in technologies has expanded across web development, mobile app development, enterprise software solutions, and now Artificial Intelligence (AI). With over 1200+ employees and a global presence in the USA, UK, UAE, France, India, and Canada, Hyperlink InfoSystem is dedicated to assisting corporations to leverage the complete power of technology to accomplish their goals. Contact Details: Hyperlink InfoSystem Harnil Oza +1-309-791-4105 info@hyperlinkinfosystem.com New York Address: One World Trade Center 285 Fulton Street suite 8500, New York, NY 10007, United States Ahmedabad Address: C-308, Ganesh Meridian, Opp Kargil Petrol Pump, S.G. Highway, Sola, Ahmedabad, 380061 India London Address: Level 30, The Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, London EC3V 4AB Canada Address: 151 Yonge Street, 11th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2W7, Canada Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2429933/4743119/Hyperlink_InfoSystem_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hyperlink-infosystem-a-leader-in-londons-dynamic-software-development-landscape-for-2024-302312691.html LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 10x Banking , the cloud-native core banking platform, has partnered with Alloy , a leading identity and fraud prevention platform, to deliver a next-generation customer onboarding, perpetual KYC and KYB monitoring, and credit decisioning platform for financial institutions globally. The partnership combines 10x's pioneering meta core platform with Alloy's leading solutions for managing identity risk throughout the customer lifecycle. 10x's solution powers major financial institutions globally, including Chase UK and Westpac, and provides banks with the fastest, most cost-effective path to cloud-native transformation. Alloy's platform is trusted by over 600 of the world's most prominent financial institutions and fintechs, including Sonovate, Liberis, Ent Credit Union, Shopify, and Clear Street. Alloy has pre-built integrations to one of the broadest networks of data products in the industry, with over 200 fraud, compliance, and identity data sources including Onfido, ComplyAdvantage, GBG and others covering 195 markets worldwide. On top of this, Alloy leverages its data orchestration capabilities to synthesise all of the data points and automate decision-making for clients, allowing clients to better solve for fraud, credit, and compliance risk, and grow with confidence. This partnership sees Alloy's data network seamlessly integrated with 10x's core banking platform, enabling financial institutions to make lending and account opening decisions with increased agility and precision from the core, delivering faster, better business decisions in a market that demands real-time capabilities. The modular decisioning solution allows financial institutions, for the first time, to originate, personalize, and manage loans directly within the 10x Banking platform. Keith Kettell, Chief Revenue Officer at Alloy said: "Our partnership with 10x Banking is a testament to our commitment to helping financial institutions in the UK and beyond fight fraud. Our partnership will provide financial institutions all over the world with flexible tools to efficiently manage identity risk, specifically aiding them in enhancing their account opening and in-life risk management processes." Matt Mills, Chief Revenue Officer at 10x Banking, said, "Our collaboration with Alloy represents a significant step forward in the modernization of risk decisioning. Alloy's cloud-native approach to identity risk management complements 10x Banking's cloud-native core banking platform, creating a modern, versatile credit decisioning tool for banks and fintechs seeking to transform their loan origination processes. This partnership, with 10x's unique meta core approach, enables us to continue our mission to revolutionize banking for the benefit of financial institutions, their customers, and society." About 10x Banking: https://www.10xbanking.com 10x Banking is a cloud-native core banking platform designed for financial institutions. Founded by former banking executives and built by technologists, the 10x platform offers unparalleled security, scalability, and speed. The company's unique 'meta core' approach provides financial institutions with the fastest, most cost-effective path to cloud-native transformation. 10x Banking is B-Corp certified and has a global presence in London, Sydney, and Singapore, supported by world-class investors including BlackRock and J.P. Morgan. For interviews and images, please contact Cat Lenheim, ThoughtLDR , cat@thoughtldr.com About Alloy Alloy helps solve the identity risk problem for companies that offer financial products. Over 600 banks, credit unions, and fintechs turn to Alloy's end-to-end identity risk management platform to take control of fraud, credit, and compliance risks, and grow with confidence. Founded in 2015, Alloy is powering the delivery of great financial products to more customers around the world. Learn more at alloy.com . Media Contact: Kylee Sibilia, kylee@alloy.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1871155/Alloy_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/10x-banking-and-alloy-partner-to-bring-cloud-native-risk-decisioning-to-financial-services-302310974.html MUNICH, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinasolar, in collaboration with industry partners, hosted a site visit to a landmark agrivoltaics and aquavoltaic project. This 150MW installation combines aquaculture with solar power, utilizing Trinasolar's 210 high-efficiency Vertex series modules. The project, completed in two phases, is supported by Trina Storage's energy storage solutions, including a 27MW/54MWh liquid-cooled battery energy storage system (BESS), Trina Storage Elementa, in Phase II. Leveraging Trinasolar's vertically integrated solutions, the project exemplifies advanced solar-storage integration and intelligent power distribution, setting a new benchmark for the industry. Driving Green Transformation in Mining Subsidence Areas Located in a former coal mining subsidence area, the project employs innovative land-use strategies. Its dual approach includes agriculture beneath photovoltaic panels and aquaculture integrated with floating solar installations. The use of Trinasolar's Vertex Series modules effectively reduce the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), ensuring strong returns for project stakeholders. Central to the Phase II installation is Trina Storage's Elementa energy storage system, which offers modular design and intelligent safety features tailored to renewable energy applications. Elementa integrates Trina's proprietary battery cells, battery racks, battery management systems (BMS), liquid cooling, and fire safety systems, optimized for flexibility, easy installation, and efficient maintenance. Enhancing Grid Stability and Renewable Energy Utilization The integrated fishery-photovoltaic-energy storage model represents Trinasolar's commitment to advancing the fusion of green agriculture and renewable energy. By utilizing the energy storage system's peak shaving and valley filling capabilities, the system mitigates photovoltaic power curtailment, improving overall station utilization. Additionally, it can respond to grid dispatch needs, providing services such as frequency regulation to enhance grid stability. Through intelligent power distribution, the system optimizes PV generation and energy storage, maximizing renewable energy usage while ensuring a stable power supply for critical loads. Comprehensive Lifecycle Services The successful delivery and operational maintenance of energy storage projects are critical to ensuring long-term success. Through its Global Engineering and Technology Service Center, Trina Storage facilitates seamless integration and collaborative commissioning, providing a range of intelligent solutions to ensure the safety and reliability of energy storage systems. As a global leader in smart solar and storage solutions, Trinasolar has successfully delivered numerous solar-storage integration projects worldwide. Moving forward, Trinasolar is committed to driving innovation, optimizing systems, and leading the development of solar-storage integration to build a more efficient, stable, and sustainable energy ecosystem. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563473/Trinasolar_s_Flagship_Solar_Storage_Integration_Project.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/trina-storage-showcases-expertise-in-solar-storage-integration-for-a-sustainable-future-302312619.html LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), today announced the appointment of David Pressman as Senior Underwriter - Marine Cargo, with immediate effect. Pressman will support the profitable expansion of Markel's Marine Cargo portfolio in London, by servicing new and renewal business as well as fostering strong relationships with broker partners, ensuring high service levels are maintained. He will also be responsible for identifying new areas to scale further profitable growth and supporting members in the Marine Cargo underwriting team with their professional development. Pressman is a seasoned underwriter possessing 11 years of experience within the insurance industry. Before joining Markel, he was employed at AEGIS London, where he served in a marine cargo underwriting capacity. Before this position, Pressman spent more than eight years at MS Amlin, starting out as a Binding Authority Technician before progressing to the role of Marine Cargo Underwriter. Based at Markel's London office, Pressman will report directly to Brook Styles, Head of Marine Cargo. Styles commented: "The marine cargo market is continuing to navigate a plethora of challenges - from the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea to the increase in natural disasters - which are causing supply chains disruptions and security concerns for the transportation of goods worldwide. "I'm therefore delighted to welcome David to our Cargo team here in London. His strong track record, deep sector knowledge and 11 years of market experience in developing and managing cargo portfolios will add further bench strength to our well-established underwriting team. This appointment will further strengthen our leadership profile with our existing London market brokers and global partners while positioning us for long-term, profitable growth over the coming years." About Markel We are Markel, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we operate the Markel Specialty, Markel International, and Markel Global Reinsurance divisions, as well as State National, our portfolio protection and program services operations, and Nephila, our insurance-linked securities operations. Our broad array of capabilities and expertise allow us to create intelligent solutions for the most complex risk management needs. However, it is our people-and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients-that differentiates us worldwide. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563506/Markel_David_Pressman.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2090808/Markel_primary_logo_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/markel-hires-david-pressman-as-senior-underwriter-marine-cargo-302311891.html ABI Research delves deep into the sustainable and cost benefits of network sharing models Boldyn Networks is leading the global shift towards more efficient and environmentally friendly network infrastructures LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New research revealed that Neutral Host Networks (NHNs) are 38% greener and up to 47% more cost-effective than traditional standalone 5G deployments. Neutral Host Networks: A Solution to Greener and Cost-Effective Deployments, authored by ABI Research and commissioned by Boldyn Networks (Boldyn), modelled NHNs against traditional standalone 5G deployments across New York City and Rome. A first-of-its-kind research. At a time when carriers and communications service providers are held accountable for how they are delivering on their ESG commitments, these findings demonstrate that the network sharing concept of NHNs significantly lessens the environmental-and cost-challenges associated with 5G densification. "Advances in 5G will enable new possibilities in the way we live, work, and play. But as an industry we have the responsibility to roll out new networks in a way that is both cost-effective and sustainable," said Brendan O'Reilly, Group Chief Operating Officer at Boldyn Networks. "The neutral host model is an elegant, practical solution to reducing capital and operating expenditure for MNOs. It is also critical to accelerating the adoption of 5G and ensuring the delivery of transformative connectivity services for businesses, people and communities worldwide. "If the telecoms industry is to truly deliver on the promise of a sustainable, inclusive, interconnected future then mobile operators must consider neutral host a real alternative to delivering future networks." You can access the full press release here. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563786/Report_cover.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2141806/Boldyn_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/neutral-host-networks-38-greener-and-more-cost-effective-than-standalone-5g-networks-research-reveals-302312085.html ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CSL OWL Subsea Rock Installation ("CSL OWL SRI"), a newly formed partnership between The CSL Group ("CSL") and Offshore Wind Logistics ("OWL"), is pleased to announce the construction of two subsea rock installation vessels tailored for the offshore renewable energy sector. Each vessel will have a cargo capacity of 17,500 metric tonnes and will be equipped with dynamic positioning (DP2). They will be able to operate on marine gas oil (MGO) and/or methanol, providing a pathway to zero emission operations. Purpose-built for optimal flexibility, these vessels will deliver efficient and cost-effective subsea rock installation services in water depths up to 100 metres. Vessel Highlights Capable of installing rock material up to the 60/300 kg grading, with the option of handling rocks weighing up to 450 kg. A Tremie Pipe with active motion compensation ensures precise placement at water depths between 30 and 100 metres. The transport belts are designed to handle rocks weighing up to 1,500 kg, with a side chute available for larger armour gradings. Excavators can be used to handle larger amour rock. CSL OWL SRI is an independent marine contractor specializing in subsea rock installation services, dedicated to delivering safe, sustainable and cost-effective solutions for the installation and maintenance of subsea rock. Based in Rotterdam, the company combines OWL's extensive experience in the offshore marine construction sector with CSL's expertise as a leading provider of complex marine solutions. "We are committed to providing tailormade capacity to the fast-growing offshore renewable sector. This will support the sectors' ambitions of ramping up installed capacity, reducing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and minimizing emissions," said Maarten van der Giessen, CEO of CSL OWL SRI. "Our subsea rock installation solutions are specifically designed to enhance flexibility and cost efficiency for operations in and around bottom-fixed wind farms and associated cables. We believe in making green energy affordable and are committed to doing our part by optimizing offshore renewable energy logistics." The first subsea rock installation vessel is scheduled for delivery from the shipyard in August 2026, followed by the second vessel in November 2026. The CSL Group is a world class provider of complex marine solutions and the largest owner and operator of self-unloading ships in the world. Headquartered in Montreal with operations throughout the Americas, Australia, Europe and Africa, CSL provides a broad range of shipping and handling services, and delivers millions of tonnes of cargo annually for customers in the construction, steel, energy and agri-food sectors. OWL is renowned for its top-tier logistics solutions in the offshore wind sector, further enhanced by its industry-leading capabilities. The company was founded to enhance the efficiency of the offshore wind logistics supply chain, both operationally and financially. Media Contact: Brigitte Hebert, Director, Communications +1 514-653-8854 | brigitte.hebert@cslships.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563883/The_CSL_Group_Inc__CSL_OWL_SRI_Orders_Two_Newbuild_Subsea_Rock_I.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563881/The_CSL_Group_Inc__CSL_OWL_SRI_Orders_Two_Newbuild_Subsea_Rock_I.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/csl-owl-sri-orders-two-newbuild-subsea-rock-installation-vessels-to-service-offshore-wind-sector-302312298.html QINGDAO, China, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, is doubling down on automating your life from better to smarter this Black Friday with its "Unlock for Black Friday" campaign. As technology seamlessly integrates into daily lives, Hisense's AI-powered appliances offer personalized comfort and convenience. Get ready to embrace the future of home living! Stay ahead of the curve and equip your home, Hisense has it all, and at an unbeatable price! Optimize your comfort with Hisense Air-conditioner Energy Pro X, driven by AI Smart Eye and TMS Control System technology. Effortlessly detecting your position, it optimizes temperature, humidity, air flow direction, and speed, ensuring customized comfort in every corner of your home. The HI-NANO feature sterilizes germs and bacteria by releasing double ion groups, removing airborne contaminants. Enjoy a friendly environment with high energy efficiency, awarded a top EU energy efficiency rating of A+++. Experience the smart connected life with the Hisense Refrigerator BCD-522W, serving as the control center to your smart home and featuring a 21-inch TFT bult-in screen for unified control. The Food Inventory feature intelligently manages food storage and expiration reminders, with AI-tech to suggest ideal recipes. Within the large liter-capacity, Triple Temp Zone technology regulates temperature and humidity across all three sections, preventing food odor mixing. The My Fresh Choice feature in the lower right compartment enables conversion from a fridge to freezer with an -18C~+5C temperature setting. Synch a smartphone to the fridge touchscreen to copy shopping lists or mirror to play favorite games. As your kitchen companion, an intelligent voice assistant offers hands-free control of home appliances. Save to sit-back and relax with Hisense Series 7S Washer & Dryer for laundry day with its 6.86-inch TFT touchscreen and seamless integration with ConnectLife app. Features like AI Super Wash automatically matches the perfect washing cycle for your laundry by weighing and sensing what you put in. AI Super Dry cleverly picks the correct drying cycle for each load. With Smart Link, simply pair the dryer with your washing machine, and once your clothes are finished washing, the perfect drying cycle will be already programmed. Don't miss the chance to elevate your kitchen with other great campaign deals, including the spacious Hisense Slide-In Electric Range HFE3501CPS with large 5.8 cu. ft. capacity and sleek built-in design; the Hisense 16-place Free Standing Dish Washer HS693C90BXAU featuring versatile wash programs and quiet operation; the Hisense ChefMate Microwave HMAS4211DSV with a generous 42-liter capacity and Smart Inverter Technology; or the Hisense Wine Cabinet JC230W with Dual Temp Zone for the wine connoisseur! About Hisense Hisense is a leading global home appliance and consumer electronics brand. According to Omdia, Hisense ranked No. 2 globally for TV shipments and No. 1 in 100" TVs in both 2023 and H1 2024. The company has expanded quickly to operate in more than 160 countries and specializes in multi-media goods, home appliances, and intelligent IT information. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564213/Embrace_future_home_living_Hisense_s_AI_powered_appliance.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hisense-announced-the-best-smart-home-offers-with-the-unlock-for-black-friday-campaign-302312608.html Nov. 21, 2024 Industry's first wide bore, high-performance helium-free [1] 1.5T MR features AI assistance at every step in the MRI workflow, with seamless integration of cloud-based AI image reading and reporting tools on the MR scanner Philips BlueSeal helium-free magnet combined with compact and lightweight design allows flexibility of installations in difficult and remote locations to improve wider access to advanced MRI Philips' award-winning [2] AI-based SmartSpeed image reconstruction technology delivers exceptional image quality to save time and improve outcomes with up to 65% higher resolution or up to 3x faster scanning [3] Amsterdam, the Netherlands -Royal Philips(NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced its next-generation 1.5T BlueSeal MR wide-bore scanner will be unveiled at RSNA 2024. The latest generation scanner features a 70 cm wide-bore design and integrates AI-enabled MR Smart Workflow solutions, designed to enhance access and diagnostic confidence to improve outcomes for more patients. The MR Smart Workflow solutions increase daily patient throughput without compromising diagnostic quality to address the needs of high-demand healthcare environments. Key to this latest innovation is Philips' unique Smart Reading technology, a cloud-based AI toolset that integrates imaging and reading on the MR scanner. In partnership with computer-aided diagnostics company icometrix, Smart Reading drives precision diagnosis to a new level by providing fully automated AI-based quantitative reports. Also differentiating Philips in the industry is the eco-friendly design of the BlueSeal MRI with helium-free operations, making it the lightest 1.5T 70cm MRI system available today [4]. Up to 1700kg lighter [4] and no need for a vent pipe, it enables flexible installations in new locations, including elevated floors or indoor sites with construction limitations, bringing quality MRI to more patients, where helium logistics are challenging or costly. "Philips invented helium-free operationsin MRI, and since its launch in 2018, we have installed more than 1,500 BlueSeal systems globally in wide-ranging settings including the world's first helium-free mobile MRI units. With AI applications seamlessly integrated into our latest 1.5T BlueSeal scanner, we have now applied AI to every aspect of the MRI workflow - from patient set-up and high-resolution image capture to quantitative data extraction, advanced diagnostics, and reporting. With this latest innovation, we continue our commitment to deliver wider access to quality MRI to more patients across multiple settings," said Ioannis Panagiotelis, PhD, Global Business Leader MRI at Philips. The value of Philips BlueSeal technology is also recognized by customers worldwide including MRT Praxis Potsdam in Germany, who have realized a massive increase in patient throughput from 32-35 to 40 patients per day with a BlueSeal MRI equipped with SmartSpeed [5]. AI-enabled workflow, planning and image acquisition In fast-growing areas such as neurology, oncology and cardiology where MRI is an important tool, improving patient outcomes requires the acquisition of more diagnostic information without compromising scan time and efficiency or adding complexity. Seamlessly integrated into Philips' new wide-bore BlueSeal MR system, the company's Smart Workflow planning and image acquisition solutions leverage the power of AI to support technologists through every step of the MRI process, from scheduling to patient set-up. This suite of AI-enabled workflow solutions delivers fast, consistent, and precise imaging, to help maximize efficiency and enhance diagnostic confidence. Key components include: SmartExam automates MRI exam planning, scanning, and processing for up to 80% of procedures [6], ensuring consistency and reproducibility in imaging outcomes; SmartFit coils give technologists freedom to position the ultra-light weight coils with flexible bending greater than 90 degrees, while taking patient comfort to the next level [7]; SmartSpeed offers up to 65% higher image resolution [3] without added scan time, or up to three times faster scans [3] and is compatible with 97% of clinical protocols [8]; SmartQuant AI-enhanced quantitative MR solution generates fast, high-quality, quantitative MR images for multiple anatomies including brain, spine, MSK, liver and heart to generate more objective diagnostic information in very short scan times; SmartReading's unique integration of imaging and reading capabilities on the MR scanner enables fully automated 0-click [9] generation of AI-based quantitative reports. Philips industry-leading BlueSeal MR Preloaded with only 7 liters of helium - which never needs refilling, even in the event of an emergency shutdown - Philips has saved nearly 2.75 million liters to date [10]. While needing only a fraction of a typical scanner's helium volume, the 7 liters in a BlueSeal scanner also has a high thermal capacity to keep the magnet cold and super conductive for more than 4 hours in the event of a power outage [11] - a critical consideration in many locations worldwide. Philips BlueSeal MRI systems are also designed to minimize vital energy consumption and reduce a center's carbon footprint, helping to meet both financial and environmental goals by saving nearly 40mWh in energy per year. The next generation Philips BlueSeal 1.5T will be demonstrated in the Philips boothfor more information. [1] Helium-free operations. 7 liters of helium is permanently enclosed in the cryogenic circuit. [2] Adaptive-C-SENSE-Net technology is the winner of the FastMRI Challenge hosted by Facebook AI Research and NYU Langone Health (2019). [3] Compared to Philips SENSE imaging. [4] Compared to conventional 1.5T zero boil off systems in the industry BlueSeal MR system weight (with cryogen) 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs). [5] Results from case studies are not predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary. [6] SmartExam is not available to patients with MR Conditional Implants. [7] 1.5T SmartFit TorsoCardiac [8] On average, measured across a sample of sites from Philips MR Installed Base. [9] 0-click workflow refers to steps after completion of data-acquisition to AI processing. No additional user-interaction is required to send data to the External application cloud and to receive reports in PACS. [10] The amount of liquid helium saved is a calculation compared to a classic magnet with 1500 liters of helium. [11] On average, determined based on actual installed-base data. Results may vary per system. For further information, please contact: Kathy O'Reilly Philips Global Press Office Tel.: +1 978-221-8919 E-mail: kathy.oreilly@philips.com About Royal Philips Royal Philips Attachments At this year's Web Summit, SupportLogic founder and CEO Krishna Raj Raja has launched his highly anticipated book, "Support Experience - How Innovative Companies Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Win the Hearts, Minds, and Wallets of Customer." Raja's book explores how AI is transforming customer experience, turning customer support from a reactive cost center into a proactive profit driver, with insights into customer-centric strategies used by leading global companies. Raja, an early product support engineering pioneer at VMware has channeled his extensive experience into founding SupportLogic, a Silicon Valley startup dedicated to improving customer support through AI-powered insights. His book introduces the Support Experience (SX) framework, a concept Raja developed to elevate customer experience through AI, harnessing actionable insights from customer interactions to proactively improve products and customer satisfaction. About the Book: The Blueprint for the AI-Powered Customer Experience The book provides a strategic roadmap for CEOs, CROs, CIOs, customer support leaders, and anyone interested in leveraging AI to enhance post-sales customer experience. Raja delves into the "Voice of the Customer" (VoC), emphasizing the role AI plays in interpreting sentiment from real-time customer conversations and how these insights can inform business decisions, prevent customer churn, and maintain loyal relationships. With the current surge of interest in artificial intelligence, "Support Experience" book arrives at a pivotal time. As investors grow more cautious about ROI from AI initiatives, this book offers a grounded, practical perspective on how AI can be leveraged for meaningful impact beyond the hype. Krishnaraj Raja's insights provide a clear roadmap for executives looking to enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction while delivering measurable returns on AI investments. By focusing on real-world applications in customer experience, Raja's approach demonstrates how AI can be a sustainable asset rather than a fleeting trend. Readers will gain insight into: The Role of AI in Customer Relations: Raja demonstrates how advanced AI and GenAI models can move beyond traditional chatbots, understanding nuanced customer emotions to provide better support and increase employee empathy. Key Trends in AI and Customer Experience: The book explores how AI can amplify the emotional intelligence of support staff, anticipate customer needs, and provide early warning signals for customer escalations. The Power of Support Experience (SX): Raja details how an AI-driven support strategy can transform customer service from a back-end operation to a front-line driver of business growth and innovation. About Krishnaraj Raja Krishnaraj Raja's career began in Chennai, India, where he was VMware's first engineer in the region. He later joined Silicon Valley's CloudPhysics, contributing as a founding team member and guiding the company to its acquisition by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). In 2016, Raja founded SupportLogic to apply Natural Language Processing (NLP) to customer support, helping major brands improve customer relations by understanding the "true voice of the customer." Raja's book underscores his vision of a customer-centric, AI-powered future, offering strategies for companies to use AI as a competitive edge in delivering superior customer experiences. About SupportLogic SupportLogic is a leader in Support Experience (SX) management and post-sales customer experience (CX) observability. The SupportLogic SX platform empowers companies to proactively understand and act on the voice of the customer, protect critical customer relationships, and retain revenue. Leveraging predictive and generative AI, SupportLogic extracts and analyzes customer sentiment signals from both structured and unstructured data, providing actionable recommendations, collaborative workflows, and tailored content. Since its founding in 2016 in Silicon Valley, SupportLogic has raised over $62 million and collaborates with many global enterprises. The company's clients reduce churn, and elevate customer support through actionable insights that transform traditional customer support into a proactive, high-impact experience. To learn more, visit supportlogic.com. Media Contact Organization: SupportLogic Contact Person Name: Svitlana Rahimova Website: https://supportexperience.ai Email: pr@supportlogic.com Contact Number: +14086031710 City: San Jose State: California Country: United States SOURCE: SupportLogic View the original press release on accesswire.com Clinical Trial Results Could Help Save the Lives of Over 70,000 Pregnant Women Globally Each Year According to the World Health Organization (WHO), puerperal or postpartum hemorrhage - PPH - is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the world The Spanish laboratory Insud Pharma will receive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to conduct a Phase II clinical trial to determine the optimal dose of sublingual oxytocin to prevent PPH The group, which specializes in women's health, thus reinforces its commitment in this area in which it has been working for decades The Mundo Sano Foundation will contribute to raising awareness of this clinical condition, and will facilitate the dissemination of the results of the clinical trial, as well as access to sublingual oxytocin in the geographical areas with the highest maternal mortality rates MADRID, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Insud Pharma has just announced they will receive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which includes a grant totaling $2.7 million, for the launch of a Phase II Clinical Trial to determine the optimal dose of an innovative sublingual oxytocin treatment designed to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. This problem, characterized by excessive bleeding after childbirth, is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently, it is estimated to affect approximately 14 million women each year and causes around 70,000 deaths, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. With the implementation of this sublingual treatment, many lives could be saved and provide a practical and accessible solution for the management of postpartum emergencies. This sublingual oxytocin formulation in tablet form has the characteristic of being thermostable, which means that it does not require refrigeration and could be administered without the need for skilled health personnel. This makes it particularly suitable for use in countries where access to rapid and safe medical care is very limited, as well as among the most disadvantaged communities, regardless of their geographic location*. Funding provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Insud Pharma underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to advance maternal and child health globally. According to WHO, a woman dies every two minutes from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth, underscoring the urgency of reducing these deaths and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. Ensuring access Insud Pharma, a leader in women's healthcare, has been focused for decades on the research and development of accessible medicines to improve the quality of life for women at all stages of their lives. Its commitment to innovation aims not only to save lives, but also to promote equality in global health in collaboration with Mundo Sano, the family foundation led by its shareholders, which has been working for 30 years to improve access to health for people affected by socially or economically determined diseases, promoting equity in health. Therefore, Insud Pharma, with their help, will launch innovative campaigns to address postpartum hemorrhage with the aim of also raising awareness and facilitating access to medication in the most underserved regions. Dr. Clara Menendez, director of the Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health Program at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, and advisor on this subject to the Mundo Sano Foundation, highlighted the importance and potential impact of this study, as well as the fundamental role of the industry in promoting it. Menendez pointed out that "access to effective drugs with the potential to save the lives of pregnant women is a question of equity, that all women, regardless of where they live, have the same right not to die in childbirth". Menendez added that, despite its importance, clinical trials on conditions related to maternal health are still scarce. Therefore, this clinical trial is a milestone, especially as it is conducted in low-income countries, although its potential impact will be much broader. Ensuring that women have a safe delivery through PPH prevention, with access to quality healthcare and effective drugs - such as oxytocin - is critical to reducing maternal and infant mortality and improving the development of any community and country. The clinical trial is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025 and will include a total of 180 participants. About Insud Pharma Insud Pharma is a pharmaceutical group with more than 45 years of history, presence in around 50 countries, 9,000 employees worldwide and 20 manufacturing facilities. Insud Pharma operates along the entire value chain of the pharmaceutical industry, offering expertise in scientific research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of a wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), finished dosage forms (FDFs) and branded pharmaceuticals for human and animal care, as well as biopharmaceuticals. Insud Pharma seeks to improve health worldwide by providing accessible, effective, safe and quality drug treatments through its different business units, with continuous investment in R&D and the latest technology. Through its brand Exeltis, Insud Pharma specializes in Women's Health where it occupies a leading position accompanying women in all phases of life from preconception, pregnancy, postpartum or menopause. About Mundo Sano Mundo Sano Foundation is a family foundation created in 1993 with the purpose of improving access to health for people affected by socially or economically determined diseases, promoting equity in health. Through translational research, it generates a comprehensive approach that seeks to improve access to health for the most vulnerable populations; promotes research and the development of innovative tools for global programs for neglected diseases; contributes to the prevention of the transmission of these diseases; raises awareness in local communities about the importance of taking care of their health; and promotes the training of health professionals to contribute to the promotion of knowledge. It has cooperation agreements with entities such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Harvard University -through the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies-, Uniting to combat NTDs (Neglected Tropical Diseases) and the Global Chagas Coalition, among others. Background information According to WHO, puerperal hemorrhage, defined as the loss of more than 500 ml of blood within 24 hours of delivery, is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. It is estimated that a woman dies every two minutes from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. WHO publishes global plan to combat leading cause of death in childbirth According to WHO, there are marked differences in survival rates following postpartum hemorrhage, reflecting great inequalities in access to essential health services. In this regard, more than 85% of deaths from postpartum hemorrhage occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. *Even in high-income countries such as the United States, maternal mortality rates are rising. Stalled global progress on preventable maternal deaths needs renewed focus and action Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation report on maternal mortality. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2520570/Insud_Pharma_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2520571/Mundo_Sano_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-alliance-for-the-development-of-a-sublingual-oxytocin-formulation-to-prevent-postpartum-hemorrhage-302311627.html RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Linxon has been honored with three prestigious International Green Apple Environmental Awards for its implementation of the EconiQ SF6-free technology in National Grid's London Power Tunnel 2 project, achieving recognition in the following categories: Carbon Reduction, Climate Change Benefits, and Fuel Efficiency. In partnership with Hitachi Energy, Linxon is enhancing the London Power Tunnels (LPT), a vital power infrastructure initiative aimed at ensuring a dependable and clean electricity supply for the UK's capital. To assist National Grid in expediting its net-zero carbon objectives and its goal of reducing SF6 emissions by 50% by 2030 and eliminating it from its assets by 2050, Linxon will provide and install the innovative EconiQ 420-kilovolt (kV) gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) at the Bengeworth Road substation. This breaker is free of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) thereby significantly reducing its global warming potential and operational emissions compared to traditional solutions. "This power project will ensure a secure energy supply for the capital, and by utilizing this advanced technology from our parent company Hitachi Energy, we are greatly minimizing the environmental impact of the facilities we build, thereby contributing to the fight against climate change and supporting the transition to Net Zero," stated Stefan Reisacher, CEO of Linxon. "This new switchgear technology being installed by Linxon at Bengeworth Road is not only a key part of our London Power Tunnels project; it also marks an important step on our journey towards reducing dependency on SF6 across our transmission network," remarked Joseph Senior, National Grid LPT2 Project Director. "Our partnership with Linxon is facilitating the acceleration of the energy transition and promoting a sustainable energy future for all. Our EconiQ portfolio enables us to provide genuinely sustainable solutions to our customers," commented Christian Ohler, Head of the Global Product Group for Switchgear of the High Voltage Products Business Unit at Hitachi Energy. Linxon stood out among more than 1200 nominations in the International Green Apple Environment Awards, earning a Green Champion Award for 'Carbon Reduction', a Gold Award for 'Climate Change Benefits', and a Bronze Award for 'Fuel Efficiency'. Each award was accompanied by a trophy and certificate, presented at a prestigious ceremony held at The Orangery, Kensington Palace, London, on November 18. As a result of this achievement, Linxon has also attained Green World Ambassador status and has been featured in The Green Book, the leading international reference on environmental best practices. In addition to this, a donation was also made on Linxon's behalf to GiftTrees whose tree planting in emerging nations helps the environment and wildlife and creates employment opportunities for the local communities. About the Green Apple Awards The International Green Apple Award is one of the world's most esteemed environmental recognition programs, presented by The Green Organisation, a UK-based non-profit committed to promoting global best practices in environmental sustainability. These awards celebrate organizations, companies, and individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment and innovative initiatives across a variety of sectors. https://thegreenorganisation.info/greenawards/ For more information, please contact: Kristina Holmstrom Matses Head of Communications media.enquiries@linxon.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/linxon/r/linxon-receives-esteemed-green-apple-environment-award-for-london-power-tunnel-2-substation-project,c4069580 The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/linxon/i/stefan-reisacher-1,c3353968 Stefan Reisacher 1 https://news.cision.com/linxon/i/green-apple-award,c3353969 Green-Apple-Award View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/linxon-receives-esteemed-green-apple-environment-award-for-london-power-tunnel-2-substation-project-302312747.html DONGGUAN, China, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2024 Global Apparel Conference is set to be held from November 20 to 22, coinciding with the 27th China (Humen) International Fashion Fair and the 2024 Greater Bay Area (Humen) Fashion Week between November 21 and 24. The trifecta of events, held in tandem in Humen, Dongguan city of south China's Guangdong province, underscores the bustling town's industrial strengths and developmental vibrancy. Together, they position Humen as a key player in the fashion industry in China and beyond. The agenda for these events is filled with highlights: an opening ceremony, a global outlook forum on fashion collaboration, a creative tour celebrating Humen's contributions to fashion, and a salon connecting international designers with local brands. In addition, there will be three thematic launches focusing on technological innovation, creative fashion, and green development, alongside three multi-channel marketing campaigns exploring cutting-edge trends in fabrics, colors, and apparel standards. Also, a lineup of 12 unique fashion shows will further emphasize Humen's dynamic industry. The gatherings will draw nearly 1,000 leaders from renowned enterprises, academia, and associations worldwide. Of them, international figures hail from nearly 20 countries, such as France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and India. They represent key players in the fashion industry, from design to manufacturing to consumption, across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Esteemed international designers will join leading Chinese brands to share groundbreaking ideas and explore new opportunities for cross-border partnerships. As is envisioned, the wind of fashion rises from Dongguan. In Dalang, another town, the 21st China (Dalang) International Woolen Knitwear Fair is underway. Renowned as a global hub for woolen knitwear, the town produces a staggering 900 million sweaters annually. Organized for 20 sessions, the fair has evolved into a prominent event in China's woolen knitwear industry. And it has over recent years been committed to going digital and smart and laying more emphasis on fashion. A stand-out feature of this year's fair is the innovative "AI + On-Demand Customization" experience. Using digital design tools and 3D digital human modeling in the "Customization Zone", visitors can design their own sweaters that are produced within as little as two hours. Such experience offers them a unique, tailor-made piece of warmth. Teaming up with Humen's thriving apparel sector, Dalang's vibrant woolen knitwear industry further promotes the city brand of Dongguan: "Made in Dongguan, Made by Art". Together, they are driving the high-quality development of the city's traditional textile and apparel sectors. As an international manufacturing powerhouse, Dongguan boasts a strong legacy in textiles, apparel, footwear, and hats, industries serving as both traditional cornerstones and strategic drivers of its economy. Moreover, they have a critical role to play in national and global supply chains. To modernize these sectors, Dongguan has stayed committed to propelling new quality productive forces through technological innovation and advanced manufacturing. It has recently prioritized the transition of its conventional textile and apparel industries toward a more brand-focused and fashion-driven model. By leveraging the strength of building a "Trendy Dongguan", the city has been exploring innovative ways to integrate cultural elements into manufacturing, leading to notable progress in fostering high-quality industrial growth. In 2023, Dongguan already housed over 1,100 industrial firms of designated size across the manufacturing industries of textiles, apparel, footwear, and hats, generating a total output exceeding 90 billion yuan. Source: Organizing Committee of the 2024 Global Apparel Conference DUESSELDORF (dpa-AFX) - Rheinmetall AG (RNMBF.PK), a German arms maker, announced on Thursday that it has bagged an order for clearing explosive ordnances in the Baltic Sea to safely connect an offshore windmill farm to the power grid.The value of this commissioning is within a low double-digit million euros range.Rheinmetall will clear the area to enable grid operator 50Hertz to lay offshore extra-high voltage cables and install two offshore platforms off the coast of the Fischland-Dar region.This project involves Rheinmetall AG as the project lead, alongside specialized firms from Germany and Norway.This order was placed by grid operator 50Hertz within the OST-6-1 project and contains the detection of contaminations, their identification, documentation, and hence, the recovery of explosive ordnances.Recovered transportable contaminated waste and remains of weapons will be handed over to the authorities.The offshore work to be carried out by Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH began in July and is expected to be completed in May 2025.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. DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Estonia's agri-tech sector stands as a beacon of innovation, integrating sustainable farming practices with advanced technology to meet the global challenges of food security and environmental responsibility. This small yet agile country has leveraged its tech-forward mindset and deep-rooted respect for nature to become a leader in agri-tech, creating solutions that resonate globally, particularly in regions where food security is a priority. For the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where food production and sustainability are essential in meeting the demands of growing populations and changing climates, Estonia's agri-tech offers transformative potential. The organic food market in the UAE, for example, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% from 2021 to 2027. At the heart of Estonia's agri-tech value proposition is a commitment to efficiency, precision, and sustainability. Estonian companies like eAgronom, which recently raised 5 million in funding and received dedicated grants from Enterprise Estonia to support product development and innovation, have pioneered data-driven solutions that optimise farm productivity and introduce financial incentives for sustainable practices. With the support of 5 million in recent funding and grants from institutions like Enterprise Estonia, eAgronom has developed carbon credit programs that enable farmers to adopt environmentally friendly methods while generating new income streams. This dual focus on profitability and sustainability aligns well with the Gulf region's goals to build resilient food systems that are both economically viable and eco-conscious. eAgronom's approach combines greenhouse gas monitoring with tailored sustainability plans, making it a valuable partner for regions seeking to balance agricultural needs with environmental stewardship. Complementing eAgronom's innovative solutions is TFTAK (Centre of Food and Fermentation Technologies), which extends Estonia's agri-tech impact across the entire value chain. TFTAK exemplifies Estonia's sustainable agriculture and food production approach through projects prioritising circular economy principles and cutting-edge biotechnology. One standout initiative involved transforming apple pomace waste - a byproduct of apple juice production-into a health-promoting, high-fibre smoothie. This project reduced waste and introduced a scientifically proven product to improve gut health. TFTAK's success in valorising waste into valuable products aligns with the GCC's growing emphasis on reducing environmental impact and maximising resource efficiency. For regions with limited arable land and high food import dependencies, TFTAK's innovative model of turning agricultural byproducts into market-ready solutions offers a roadmap for sustainable growth. Estonia's agri-tech innovations extend beyond farm management to address the full value chain, from field to market. The country has a rich history of collaboration between research institutions, government agencies, and private enterprises, which has driven cutting-edge advancements in precision farming, indoor agriculture, and bio-based products. Estonian agri-tech companies have developed water-saving solutions suitable for dry climates, reducing water usage in farming by up to 40%. These innovations are essential for regions like the Gulf region, where water scarcity and land limitations demand efficient use of resources. Estonian startups are leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT technology to optimise water usage, enhance crop resilience, and minimise waste. This adaptability is particularly beneficial in the GCC, where limited arable land and fluctuating weather conditions require resilient agricultural systems that can thrive despite environmental constraints. One of Estonia's core strengths is its commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable resource management. Estonia is among the few countries worldwide that meet the World Health Organization's air quality standards, and its focus on clean, organic produce is reflected in its agricultural practices. Nearly 23% of Estonia's farmland is certified organic, one of the highest percentages in Europe. This emphasis on organic farming translates into products that are not only healthier but also more sustainable, reducing the reliance on chemical inputs and preserving soil health. For GCC consumers who are increasingly concerned with product origin and environmental impact, Estonia's dedication to clean agriculture offers a compelling reason to consider partnerships and imports; this is especially noteworthy given that Estonia is one of only seven countries worldwide that meets the World Health Organization's air quality standards. The integration of digital platforms in Estonia's agri-tech sector has further revolutionised farming practices, allowing for real-time monitoring and decision-making. In fact, the use of digital solutions, such as e-signatures, saved Estonia around 2% of its GDP annually. The country's digital governance experience has laid a strong foundation for these systems, enabling seamless data exchange and transparency throughout the supply chain. This level of traceability aligns with the GCC's interest in transparent and safe food sources, as governments and consumers are placing a premium on accountability in food production. Using blockchain technology and secure digital platforms, Estonian agri-tech companies provide partners in the Gulf region with robust data on product origin, production methods, and environmental impact, ensuring that imported Estonian products meet high safety and quality standards. As the GCC continues to prioritise food security and sustainability, Estonia's agri-tech solutions are well-positioned to support these objectives. Through partnerships and knowledge-sharing, Estonia can contribute significantly to the Gulf region's agricultural resilience, helping to enhance food production capacity and reduce dependency on imports. With its focus on sustainable practices, advanced technology, and collaborative innovation, Estonia's agri-tech sector embodies a forward-thinking approach that speaks to the shared goals of environmental sustainability and economic growth. As Estonia's reach in the GCC market expands, the opportunities for joint initiatives and transformative progress in agriculture and food security are bound to flourish, creating a future where technology and nature work hand in hand to feed the world responsibly. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564469/Trade_Estonia.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/from-2-gdp-savings-to-40-water-reduction-estonias-agri-tech-impact-on-the-gcc-302312811.html VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Alset AI Ventures Inc. (TSXV:GPUS)(OTC:ALSCF)(FSE:1R60, WKN:A3ESVQ) ("Alset AI" or the "Company") an artificial intelligence (AI) venture company advancing innovation through strategic investment and cloud computing solutions, announces the full repayment of its approximately $3.7 million secured loan with interest from portfolio investee company Cedarcross International Technologies Inc. ("Cedarcross"). This repayment, made in accordance with the Company and Cedarcross' Amended Secured Loan Agreement and Repayment and Release Agreement as disclosed in the Company's August 29, 2024 news release. The loan repayment includes the principal loan amount of $3,688,484.49 million and accrued interest totaling $224,815.75. The successful return of this capital and receipt of interest strengthens Alset AI's balance sheet, adding significant liquidity that strategically enhances the Company's ability to pursue new investments. With the bolstered balance sheet from the loan repayment proceeds and interest, Alset AI gains the financial flexibility needed to actively expand its AI and cloud computing venture portfolio. This repayment not only accelerates the Company's plans to deepen its investments in AI technology and associated sectors but also reinforces the strategic alignment between Alset AI and its portfolio companies. "This loan repayment strengthens our ability to strategically build an AI venture ecosystem that complements our core cloud computing business," said Adam Ingrao, CEO of Alset AI. "Our goal is to deploy capital into high-potential opportunities that drive strong returns and cash flow generation, reinforcing long-term value for our investors. This transaction underscores the success of our disciplined investment approach, enabling us to reinvest in ventures where we see growth potential." The completion of this loan repayment further enhances Alset AI's capacity to accelerate its mission of supporting AI technologies and innovative cloud solutions. The Company remains focused on identifying and fostering high-growth investments that align with its vision and investment policy for sustained shareholder value. In connection with the Repayment and Release Agreement dated August 15, 2024, the Company intends to file discharges, financing change statements, and any other necessary documents to remove registrations under the Personal Property Security Act (British Columbia) and to release any other liens or security interests associated with the previously executed Secured Loan Agreement and General Security Agreement with Cedarcross. On behalf of Alset AI Ventures Inc. "Adam Ingrao" Adam Ingrao Chief Executive Officer About Alset AI Ventures Inc. Alset AI is a pioneering AI and cloud computing investment firm, committed to nurturing high-potential technology companies. Through a combination of capital, strategic advisory, and cloud computing alliances, Alset AI is shaping the future of artificial intelligence and building an AI-focused venture capital platform poised for substantial growth. For further information about Alset AI Ventures Inc., please contact: Adam Ingrao, Chief Executive Officer T: 778.223.8853 E: adam@alsetai.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. 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. Certain statements in this press release contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are often identifiable by the use of words such as "anticipates," "expects," "believes," "intends," "plans," "forecasts," "may," "will," "could," "should," or similar expressions. These statements are based on Alset AI Ventures Inc.'s ("Alset AI" or the" Company") current expectations, estimates, and assumptions regarding future events and conditions, including, but not limited to, the anticipated impact of the loan repayment on Alset AI's financial flexibility, the Company's ability to pursue new investments, the Company's strategic plan, the Company's investment objectives, and the expected outcomes of the Company's AI and cloud computing investment strategy. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: changes in the Company's financial or strategic priorities; the availability of suitable investment opportunities; the performance of the Company's portfolio companies, including Cedarcross; fluctuations in market demand for AI and cloud computing technologies; economic, regulatory, and market conditions; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. SOURCE: Alset AI Ventures Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Mr Eirik Ellingsen's appointment, which will begin 1 January 2025, comes amid the growing commercialisation of floating offshore renewable energy projects SINGAPORE, Nov 21, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Mooreast Holdings Ltd. ("Mooreast" or the "Group"), announced today it will appoint Mr Eirik Ellingsen, a Norwegian with deep experience in the offshore and marine sector, as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") amid growing adoption of floating wind energy projects worldwide.Mr Ellingsen will assume the role of CEO at Mooreast on 1 January 2025. He will be taking over from Mr Sim Koon Lam, the founder, who will continue to serve as Executive Director and Deputy Chairman of the Group.Mooreast is a total mooring solutions specialist and Asia's only ultra-high power anchor manufacturer primarily serving the offshore renewable energy, offshore oil & gas and marine industries. With operations in Singapore and the Netherlands, the Group is establishing a manufacturing facility in Aberdeen, Scotland, and is making forays into the North East Asia market.In June 2024, the Group announced that it was acquiring 60 Shipyard Crescent from a subsidiary of Seatrium Limited. The acquisition increases Mooreast's total land area to 129,609 sqm (approx. 1.4 million sqft) and quadruples its production capacity to produce enough subsea foundation to support between 1.5 gigawatts ("GW") to 2GW of floating offshore wind energy per annum compared to its current capacity of 0.5GW.Mr Ellingsen, who is also a resident of Singapore, brings over 35 years of experience to the role. He is currently serving as Director of Offshore Wind in the Asia Pacific at independent non-profit foundation Norwegian Energy Partners ("Norwep"). In that role, he built strong relationships with the global offshore wind industry across South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Australia. His last day at Norwep will be 31 December 2024.Before joining Norwep, Mr Ellingsen held several key roles in the global offshore industry. Notably, he served as Group Executive Director for Ferguson Group Ltd, where he oversaw its global container and modular business, and established its Singapore operations in 2008. He also founded Norway-based Ferdocean AS in 2018 which was sold in 2022. Following the sale, he was appointed Non-Executive Director of Ferdocean AS, where he provided strategic operational oversight of the business.Mr Ellingsen holds certifications in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge, Leadership and Competence Development for Board and Committee Members from the University of Stavanger and in Foundation Program in Business Administration from the BI Norwegian School of Management. Additionally, he is a certified ISO 9001, 14001, 27001 Lead Auditor through the Knowledge Academy.Mr Ellingsen's appointment comes amid the growing commercialisation of floating renewable energy projects, which are moving further offshore to deeper waters, driving demand for advanced mooring solutions such as anchoring techniques and synthetic mooring lines.Floating wind farm developers require an innovative partner with a reliable network of suppliers and manufacturing capabilities to reduce costs and address supply chain challenges. This presents Mooreast with a strong opportunity to offer its cutting-edge mooring solutions.Mooreast said it would leverage on Mr Ellingsen's extensive expertise and network within the offshore wind industry to capture business opportunities, as the Group positions itself as a key player in the global floating offshore wind market.Commenting on the appointment, Mr Sim Koon Lam said, "We are delighted to welcome Mr Ellingsen to the team; his experience, strong track record and deep industry knowledge and network will further accelerate our push towards the floating offshore renewable sector. We are confident he will strengthen our strategic direction, propel the Group to the next level and deliver long-term value to our shareholders."Mr Eirik Ellingsen said "I am deeply honoured and excited to take on the role of CEO at Mooreast. I look forward to working with the Mooreast team to implement key transformation strategies to build momentum and achieve the Group's long-term vision of becoming the leading mooring solutions provider within the floating renewable energy sector."Leveraging more than 30 years of mooring and offshore marine expertise, Mooreast total mooring solutions include the design, engineering and fabrication of specialist anchors and equipment, as well as geotechnical and geophysical studies such as soil data analysis to determine project feasibility and engineering design for mooring configuration for floating wind turbines. The Group also incorporated Mooreast Taiwan in May 2024 and Mooreast Malaysia in July 2024.This press release has been prepared by the Company and its contents have been reviewed by the Company's sponsor, W Capital Markets Pte. Ltd. (the "Sponsor"). This press release has not been examined or approved by the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the "SGX-ST") and the SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the contents of this press release, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this press release.The contact person for the Sponsor is Ms Alicia Chang, Registered Professional, W Capital Markets Pte. Ltd., at 65 Chulia Street, #43-01 OCBC Centre, Singapore 049513, Telephone (65) 6513 3525.Issued for and on behalf of Mooreast Holdings Ltd. by WeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd.About Mooreast Holdings Ltd.Mooreast is a total mooring solutions specialist, serving mainly the offshore renewable energy, offshore oil & gas ("O&G") and marine industries, with operations primarily in Singapore, the Netherlands through its wholly-owned subsidiary in Rotterdam Mooreast Europe, and offices based in Scotland, Taiwan and Malaysia.Mooreast's solutions include the design, engineering, fabrication, supply and logistics, installation and commissioning of mooring systems. Mooreast is applying its experience and expertise in mooring solutions to floating renewable energy projects, in particular floating offshore wind farms. It has successfully participated in developmental and prototype projects for floating offshore wind turbines in Japan and Europe.For more information, please visit https://mooreast.com/Media & Investor Contact InformationWeR1 Consultants Pte Ltd1 Raffles Place #02-01One Raffles Place Mall Suite 332Singapore 048616Isaac Tang, mooreast@wer1.net (M: +65 9748 0688)Source: Mooreast Holdings LtdCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Siemens AG has delivered a nuanced financial performance in its latest quarterly report, revealing both challenges and opportunities for investors. While the technology giant experienced a slight decline in revenue, dropping 2.72 percent to 20.81 billion, it demonstrated remarkable strength in its per-share earnings, which climbed significantly from 2.17 to 2.42. The company's stock currently trades around 176, notably below its recent 52-week peak of 195.50, reflecting market uncertainty about the mixed results. Investment Outlook Despite current stock price weakness, market analysts maintain an optimistic stance on Siemens's future prospects. The consensus target price of 200.10 suggests substantial upward potential for the stock. Adding to the positive outlook, shareholders can anticipate an increased dividend payout, with projections indicating a rise from 4.70 per share to 5.18 in the coming year, reinforcing the company's commitment to delivering shareholder value despite market fluctuations. Ad Fresh Siemens information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Siemens analysis... TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Aclara Resources Inc. ("Aclara" or the "Company") (TSX:ARA) is pleased to announce that its Chilean subsidiary, REE Uno, has been awarded a research, development and innovation grant of US$ 730,000 from the Innovation Management Division of the Chilean Economic Development Agency ("CORFO") to implement and further develop a new exploration technology using artificial intelligence ("AI") models. Combined with Aclara's own investment, the initiative will have total funding of approximately US$ 1.0 million. This initiative harnesses advanced multi-variable machine learning models to analyze and interpret complex data, revolutionizing rare earth element ("REE") exploration, particularly associated with ionic clay deposits. The algorithms are designed to process large volumes of geological and geospatial data generated both internally as well as acquired from third parties, all of which is stored and organized within a centralized database developed by Aclara. This AI system enables real-time analysis of the databases, while simultaneously integrating field data developed by Aclara's Exploration Team. The combination of powerful data processing, adjusted by geological interpretation capabilities, allows the Company to thoroughly evaluate large areas of land for potential REE mineralization hosted in ionic clays. By rapidly processing very large datasets, this technology aims to identify high potential exploration targets while optimizing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact. Ramon Barua, Aclara's CEO, stated: "Aclara has long championed innovation and has been using AI tools for some time. We are convinced that the early adoption of AI is critical to developing a sustainable competitive advantage. The CORFO funding will allow us to increase the speed of development of a specific AI model to generate high potential exploration targets. Although Aclara already owns and is currently developing two world-class ionic clay deposits, the Company remains committed to greenfield exploration to add new assets to its portfolio. Currently, our Data Science Team collaborates closely with our Exploration Team, to advance the in-house developed AI models. These models have already successfully identified and defined exploration targets within timeframes and costs that were unthinkable without these high-tech tools. We are very excited about the possibilities that open-up to Aclara through the use of AI technologies." About Aclara Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX: ARA) is a development-stage company that focuses on heavy rare earth mineral resources hosted in Ion-Adsorption Clay deposits. The Company's rare earth mineral resource development projects include the Penco Module in the Bio-Bio Region of Chile and the Carina Module in the State of Goias, Brazil. Aclara's rare earth extraction process offers several environmentally attractive features. Circular mineral harvesting does not involve blasting, crushing, or milling, and therefore does not generate tailings and eliminates the need for a tailings storage facility. The extraction process developed by Aclara minimizes water consumption through high levels of water recirculation made possible by the inclusion of a water treatment facility within its patented process design. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a common fertilizer main reagent, ammonium sulfate. In addition to the development of the Penco Module and the Carina Module, the Company will continue to identify and evaluate opportunities to increase future production of heavy rare earths through greenfield exploration programs and the development of additional projects within the Company's current concessions in Brazil, Chile, and Peru. Aclara has decided to vertically integrate its rare earths concentrate production towards the manufacturing of rare earths alloys. The Company has established a U.S.-based subsidiary, Aclara Technologies Inc., which will focus on developing technologies for rare earth separation, metals, and alloys. Additionally, the Company is advancing its metals and alloys business through a joint venture with CAP S.A., leveraging CAP's extensive expertise in metal refining and special ferro-alloyed steels. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to the Company's corporate strategy; expectations as to activities conducted in connection with its exploration activities and the success, effect or outcomes resulting therefrom; the development of new artificial intelligence tools and models and the related studies in relation thereto; and plans as to expenditures, investments, and use of capital and financial resources in the near and long term. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated as of March 22, 2024 filed on the Company's SEDAR profile. Actual results and timing could differ materially from those projected herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. For further information, please contact: Ramon Barua Costa Chief Executive Officer investorrelations@aclara-re.com SOURCE: Aclara Resources Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Nextech3D.AI (OTCQB:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:EP2), a leading Generative AI-powered 3D model content provider for major e-commerce brands, is pleased to announce its spin-out Toggle.ai (OTCQB:TGGLF)(CSE:TGGL) of which Nextech3d.ai owns 13 million shares or about 45%, has officially rebranded as FOTOgpt.ai. The new name reflects the company's strategic focus on transforming photography through new AI technology. FOTOgpt.ai is set to launch its AI-powered photography studio as an API plugin in December 2024, followed by a standalone mobile application for iOS and Android in Q1 2025. Maximize operational efficiency by automating image generation using AI FOTOgpt.ai leverages advanced AI capabilities to transform the way individuals and businesses capture, edit, and optimize their photos. Whether it's professional photographers looking for next-level automation or casual users seeking seamless enhancements, FOTOgpt.ai offers a revolutionary solution tailored for all. "Toggle's rebrand marks an exciting milestone in our journey," said Evan Gappelberg, CEO of nextech3d.ai and Director of FOTOgpt.ai. "We're redefining photography by harnessing the power of AI to create dynamic, intelligent, and beautiful visual experiences. AI is not just the future of Toggle.ai-it's the core of what FOTOgpt.ai stands for." Gappelberg continues "Our AI photography suite available within Nextech3d.ai and the Toggle platform enables merchants of Amazon, Etsy and eBay to render up to eight high-resolution images, from 1K to 4K, in just minutes with a simple click of a button. The platform also features a pay as you go credit system that makes purchasing 3D models, meshes, or 3D product photography easy and affordable. We are seeing an enthusiastic response from our existing customers and new customers as well."Key advantages of platform include: Low Cost - Eliminate the need for expensive photo shoots. High Quality - Produce images from 1K to 4K resolution. Instant Results - Create stunning images in minutes. Versatile Angles of the product - Generate images in any orientation, no need for green screens. E-commerce Ready - Perfect for showcasing products online. Effortless Customization - Easily create diverse images with multiple backgrounds. This new AI powered lifestyle solution is an affordable and efficient alternative to costly photo shoots, allowing businesses to produce professional-grade photos that highlight unique features and present products in real-world contexts. This capability is essential for creating a memorable and persuasive online shopping experience, leading to higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction. The December launch of FOTOgpt.ai's API plugin will empower developers and businesses to integrate sophisticated AI photography features into their own platforms. The standalone app, expected in early 2025, promises an intuitive user experience with a wide array of creative and practical tools for photo editing and management. To learn more about FOTOgpt.ai and its upcoming launches, visit Toggle3D Investor Relations or follow us. Sign up for Investor News and Info - Click Here About Nextech3D.ai Nextech3D.ai or the "Company," (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:EP2), is a versatile augmented reality and AI technology company that utilizes its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to craft immersive 3D experiences at scale for E-COMMERCE. The Company's primary focus lies in creating high-quality 3D WebAR photorealistic models for Amazon and various other online retailers. Nextech3D.ai has adopted a unique approach to creating shareholder value beyond its operating business of creating 3D models. The Company also develops or acquires disruptive AI-technologies, which are subsequently spun out to shareholders as standalone public companies. This spin-out strategy allows Nextech3D.ai to issue stock dividends to its shareholders while maintaining significant ownership in the public spin-out, without dilution to the parent company Nextech3D.ai. To learn more, please follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook , or visit our website: https://www.Nextechar.com . For further information, please contact: Nextech3D.ai Evan Gappelberg CEO and Director 866-ARITIZE (274-8493) Forward-looking Statements The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Nextech3D.ai View the original press release on accesswire.com Clean Air Metals Inc. ("Clean Air Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:AIR)(FRA:CKU)(OTCQB:CLRMF) is pleased to announce the results of its Ambient Noise Tomography ("ANT") Survey conducted over the Escape conduit during the summer of 2024. The survey corroborated a potential one-kilometer down-plunge extension of the deposit. It highlighted possible high-grade target areas that will be evaluated with additional geophysics in 2025 in anticipation of a future drilling program. The Escape intrusion is a key contributor to the Thunder Bay North ("TBN") Project, representing approximately 40% of the total metal content of the estimated 14 million tonnes indicated resource (NI 43-101 technical report on the Thunder Bay North Project, Ontario, Canada, SLR Consulting Canada Ltd, June 19, 2023) containing 2.4 million equivalent ounces of platinum. The ANT survey was designed to define the untested southern extension of the Escape intrusion, which seems to extend for more than 2 km along strike, as outlined by the magnetic data (Figure 1). Figure 1. Airborne total magnetic intensity map with wireframes of Escape and Current conduits as determined from drilling. The Escape grid with seismic sensors is shown in white. Clean Air Metals' VP of Exploration, Lionnel Djon, commented, "The ANT survey has proven invaluable tool for exploring conduits at the Thunder Bay North Complex. By measuring velocity changes between rock formations, we can more accurately image the potential location of conduits hosting PGE sulphide mineralization. These results will enable us to target our drilling with significantly greater precision, which is incredibly promising for the project's future." Ambient Noise Tomography Survey (ANT) The ANT survey is a passive seismic technique that utilizes naturally occurring ambient noise, such as ocean wave activity, wind, human activities, and atmospheric disturbances, to generate seismic waves. By analyzing these waves, ANT creates detailed images of the subsurface, providing valuable geological insights. The velocity model for the Escape Lake grid is presented in Figure 2. Survey Interpretation The velocity model reveals a significant negative velocity anomaly around the Escape and Current conduits at a depth of 160 metres. This anomaly extends persistently along the strike of the Escape conduit, reaching depths of up to 700 metres in the southern part of the Escape Fault. This suggests the potential for extending the Escape conduit along the southeast axis at varying depths. The observed velocity decrease in the southern section of the Escape Lake Fault partially aligns with the magnetic inversion model. Notably, where negative velocity anomalies coincide with positive magnetic anomalies, the possible location of the conduit is highlighted. Next Steps Clean Air Metals will conduct a follow-up program next summer involving a detailed deep electromagnetic survey across the southern extension of the Escape deposit. This will aim to map the larger sulphide traps within the mineralized conduit. The results from this survey will guide the next phase of drilling, which will focus on identifying new high-grade zones and potentially expanding the resource estimate within the Escape Lake Intrusion. Figure 2. Horizontal sections at 160 m and 510 m depths show the velocity model (top) and the corresponding anomalies (bottom). At 160 m depth, areas of lower velocity are observed around the Escape and Current conduits, demonstrating the model's ability to detect these conduits. At 510 m depth, both lower velocity zones and negative velocity anomalies are observed along the direction of the Escape conduit, detectable down to approximately 700 m depth. This indicates the potential down-plunge extension of the Escape conduit. Qualified Person Dr. Lionnel Djon, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and Vice President of Exploration for the Company, has reviewed and approved all technical information in this press release. About Clean Air Metals Clean Air Metals is a development and exploration company advancing its flagship, 100% owned Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals ("TBN") project, 40 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The TBN project, accessible by road and next to established infrastructure, hosts two (2) deposits - the Current and Escape deposits, only 2.5 km apart. Together, the deposits host a 13.8 Mt indicated mineral resource containing 2.4M Pt eq. oz (Technical Report on the Thunder Bay North Project, Ontario Canada, NI43-101, SLR Consulting Canada Ltd, June 19, 2023) with significant potential for expansion down-plunge. One of the rare primary platinum resources outside of South Africa, the TBN project is in a stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction and benefits from longstanding relationships with local First Nations. With its proven technical team, Clean Air Metals is committed to growing the resources at the TBN project and creating long-term value for shareholders. Social Engagement Clean Air Metals Inc. acknowledges that the Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project is located within the area encompassed by the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850 and includes the territories of the Fort William First Nation,?Red Rock Indian Band, Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek. Clean Air Metals also acknowledges the contributions of the Metis Nation of Ontario, Region 2 and the Red Sky Metis Independent Nation to the rich history of our area.? The Company appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, travelled, and gathered on the lands since time immemorial. Clean Air Metals is committed to stewarding Indigenous heritage and remains committed to building, fostering and encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples based upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Mike Garbutt" Mike Garbutt, CEO of Clean Air Metals Inc. Connect with us on X/ Facebook/ Instagram. Visit www.cleanairmetals.ca for more information or contact: Mia Boiridy Director of Communications and Investor Relations 250-575-3305 mboiridy@cleanairmetals.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or, future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. SOURCE: Clean Air Metals, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Drilling intersected 6.5% cobalt, 1.3% nickel, and 29 g/t silver (1835 g/t AgEq*) over 0.40 m in Hammerstrom fault vein within a wider zone of 863 g/t AgEq over 0.86 m, representing the widest, highest-grade cobalt and nickel vein that Kuya Silver has drilled to date This Frontier NW target area is located approximately 20 km from the Campbell-Crawford (Angus Vein) discovery area Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") is pleased to report on drilling results on the Silver Kings Project ("Project") from the Frontier NW area, Silver Centre, where drilling intersected at least two mineralized veins. The Hammerstrom Fault, which was the target of at least eight previous drill holes, yielded historic anomalous to mid-grade (0.01 to 0.46%) cobalt. Recent surface work by Kuya Silver in 2023 and 2024 (including trenching and ground geophysics) uncovered high-grade cobalt-nickel veins, associated with silver mineralization, and demonstrated the potential for additional mineralization along trend and at depth. This new discovery is located in the Silver Centre area of the Project, approximately 20 km SSE of Kuya Silver's Kerr Lake mill site and represents a new area for potential silver-cobalt mineralization that greatly expands the scope for developing a silver-cobalt district beyond the original Kerr Lake project area. Figure 1: 0.19 m wide vein consisting of massive (ie. high concentration) cobalt and nickel arsenide minerals. The metallic grey vein material is a combination of cobaltite, skutterudite, and nickeline. This vein ranks among the widest, and is the highest-grade cobalt and nickel, that Kuya Silver has drilled to date at the Silver Kings Project. Vein was drilled in hole 24-SK-07 on the Hammerstrom fault, grading 29 g/t silver, 6.53% cobalt, 1.27% nickel (1833 AgEq*) over 0.40 m. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/230839_97536c949400e831_001full.jpg Highlights: Hammerstrom fault vein: Cobalt-nickel-silver vein in the Hammerstrom fault (Figure 1) assayed 6.5% cobalt, 1.3% nickel, and 29 g/t silver (1833 g/t AgEq*) over 0.40 m in hole 24-SK-07, within a wider mineralized zone of 863 g/t AgEq*over 0.86 m. This is the widest and highest-grade cobalt- and nickel-bearing vein drilled by Kuya Silver to date. The Company considers this to be a high-priority target that will be followed up in subsequent work. This vein, which confirms the high-grade potential of the structure, was intersected at 190 m vertical depth with mineralization likely traceable for at least 250 m along the moderately-dipping structure. At least four potentially high-grade, evenly spaced, narrow mineralized shoots are currently interpreted on the Hammerstrom fault, based on drilling to date. McIlwaine vein identified: A second mineralized vein was intersected in drilling, located 180 m northeast of the Hammerstrom fault, and these two structures appear to converge at depth. This vein is weakly mineralized in the current drill assays but was not tested in the favorable zone at depth. David Lewis, Vice President Exploration, commented: "Our drilling has successfully demonstrated that the Hammerstrom fault zone hosts high-grade mineralization at depth, confirming our earlier trenching results. By Cobalt, Ontario standards, this Hammerstrom vein (Figure 1) is relatively wide and is extremely rich in cobalt and nickel, and it's precisely these types of veins that have been known to grade into silver-bearing structures. We're very encouraged to see the 190 m vertical depth of this drill intercept, as our current data suggests that mineralization here is continuous from surface with at least four mineralized shoots. We also intersected a second mineralized vein, which we've named the McIlwaine vein, near to surface and traceable through most of our drilling. The mineralization is weak near surface, but grades would be expected to increase at depth in the favorable zone near the buried Nipissing Diabase contact. Like all major mines in the greater Cobalt mining camp, clusters of veins are our best target for economic silver-cobalt deposits." Frontier NW Target Update The Frontier NW Zone (Figure 2), which is located approximately 400 m northwest of the past-producing Frontier mine site, hosts a 400 m long fault zone which Kuya Silver named the Hammerstrom fault. Drilling by previous operators, including eleven 100 m-spaced drill holes by First Cobalt Corp. in 2018 targeted this structure, and some of these holes intersected anomalous to mid-grade mineralization (0.01 to 0.46% cobalt) on the fault plane. In 2023, Kuya Silver trenched part of the zone, uncovering high-grade veins on surface with assays up to 23 g/t silver, 4.1% cobalt, 1.1% nickel over 1.74 m. In 2024, following the discovery of surface veining, all eleven First Cobalt drill holes were relogged to gain insight into the structure and both the Hammerstrom fault and a second north-trending mineralized fault were recognized and modeled. A tightly spaced, ground Induced Polarization survey was commissioned to trace the Hammerstrom fault and identify additional mineralization. See the following Kuya Silver news releases for further details (June 24, 2024; August 27, 2024). Drilling by Kuya Silver was attempting to target high-grade mineralized shoots, as mineralization, specifically in the Silver Centre mining camp, is historically known to be tightly focused. Two drill hole fans (24-SK-04 and -05; 24-SK-06 and -07) were set to test trenching and geophysical targets (see August 27, 2024 Kuya Silver news release). Mineralized veins in the Hammerstrom fault were intersected in drill holes 24-SK-04, -06 and -07. The 0.19 m wide vein in 24-SK-07 (0.13 m true thickness) was intersected at 240.60 m depth grading 29 g/t silver, 6.53% cobalt, and 1.27% nickel (1833 g/t AgEq*). These results are consistent with results encountered on surface in trenched outcrops, where veins graded up to 26 g/t silver, 7.71% cobalt, and 3.21% nickel over 0.50 m (see June 24, 2024 Kuya Silver news release). Five additional holes were drilled to follow up on these intersections. Figure 2: Location map of the Silver Kings Project, including the Frontier NW target where new mineralized veins were drilled in the current drilling campaign. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/230839_97536c949400e831_002full.jpg The high-grade mineralized vein in hole 24-SK-07 was intersected at a vertical depth of 190 m (250 m along the plane of the moderately northeast-dipping Hammerstrom fault plane) near the intersection of the NW-trending Hammerstrom fault and a small N-trending fault. On surface, this intersection point is located near a zone of suspected mineralization (Figure 3; high-chargeability anomaly, Induced Polarization survey), suggesting that this intersection may be continuously mineralized to depth. Other veins were also intersected in drilling, including one vein that was traceable between drill holes and the newly named the McIlwaine vein. This new McIlwaine vein likely corresponds with a small trench on surface (Figure 3). So far, the vein is weakly mineralized near surface, but it has significant potential at depth, near the buried Nipissing Diabase contact. Both the Hammerstrom and McIlwaine structures remain open along strike and at depth. Geochemical modeling of the Hammerstrom and McIlwaine structures (like other veins in the project area) continues to demonstrate the zoned mineralogy of the veins (Figure 3). Several elements (and element ratios), including Co, As, Sb, and S, are being used to determine and model the vein zonation. The change in geochemistry between drill holes is being used to delineate mineralized shoots and target high grade silver mineralization. Figure 3: Plan map, cross section (along the moderately northeast-dipping Hammerstrom fault plane) and isometric view showing drill traces and channel assays, vein intersections, and the interpreted plunge of mineralization on the fault plane. 2024 drilling targeted mineralized shoots defined from surface (trenching and high-chargeability geophysical surveys) and previous drilling, particularly near the favorable zone at the Nipissing Diabase contact. Four high grade, narrow but continuously mineralized shoots are interpreted from surface based on geochemical modeling (hot colours represent high-grade mineralization). The Hammerstrom and McIlwaine veins are open along trend and at depth. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/230839_97536c949400e831_003full.jpg Drilling Progress Three drill holes (24-SK-01 to -03) were initially drilled at the Mary Ann target with anomalous mineralized results only. The drill was then moved to the Frontier NW target, where nine holes were drilled (24-SK-04 to -12). To date, assays have been returned for holes 24-SK-04 to -09, with assays outstanding for holes 24-SK-10 to -12. The Airgiod target was drilled next, with six combined drill holes (24-SK-13 to -18; assays outstanding for all holes) and the drill is currently at the Campbell-Crawford area. Quality Assurance and Quality Control The drill core samples were logged and sampled with limestone blank material and standard reference material added in sample sequence and/or following visual identification of silver or cobalt mineralization. The samples were cut perpendicular to veining by core saw and were secured in labelled vinyl sample bags. Samples were shipped to AGAT Laboratories in Val d'Or, Quebec, where they were weighed, crushed and pulverized. At AGAT Labs (Calgary, Alberta), samples were digested by 4-acid and analyzed by ICP-OES (maximum undiluted detection limit of 500 g/t silver). National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. David Lewis, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Kuya Silver and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Kuya Silver Corporation Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based, growth-oriented mining company with a focus on silver. Kuya Silver operates the Bethania silver mine in Peru, while developing district-scale silver projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions including Peru and Canada. Reader Advisory This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "propose," "new," "potential," "prospective," "target," "future," "verge," "favourable," "implications," and "ongoing," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing statements, any discussion of the potential of exploration targets and assay results, is forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Significant mineralization Hole number From To Length Ag Co Ni AgEq* (Ag, Co, Ni) Comments m m m g/t % % g/t 24-SK-06 209.80 211.00 1.20 35 0.08 0.03 60 Hammerstrom Vein Including 209.80 210.20 0.40 68 0.23 0.07 136 24-SK-07 240.60 241.46 0.86 15 3.05 0.63 863 Hammerstrom Vein Including 240.60 241.00 0.40 29 6.53 1.27 1833 Anomalous mineralization Hole number From To Length Ag Co Ni AgEq* (Ag, Co, Ni) Comments m m m g/t % % g/t 24-SK-04 186.20 186.60 0.40 0 0.06 0.01 15 Other vein 24-SK-04 206.80 207.20 0.40 2 0.06 0.02 18 Other vein 24-SK-05 51.40 51.80 0.40 9 0.03 0.02 20 Other vein 24-SK-06 50.75 51.90 1.15 10 0.02 0.01 19 McIlwaine Vein 24-SK-06 260.00 260.40 0.40 9 0.05 0.01 22 Other vein 24-SK-08 231.56 232.10 0.54 24 0.01 0.04 31 Other vein Appendix A: Significant and anomalous silver, cobalt and nickel mineralization intersected in the 2024 drill program at the Mary Ann and Frontier NW target areas. Results from the first nine drill holes (24-SK-01 to -09) are presented. AgEq* (silver equivalent) grades were calculated using $30.83 USD / oz silver, $24,300 USD / tonne cobalt, and $15,866 USD / tonne nickel, with metal prices captured on November 20, 2024, and do not consider metal recovery. Mineralized drilling intervals do not reflect true interval length. Hole ID Easting Northing mASL Azimuth Dip Depth Location 24-SK-01 602701 5242724 325 0 -45 405 Mary Ann 24-SK-02A 602608 5242760 326 35 -45 21 Mary Ann 24-SK-02B 602608 5242760 326 35 -45 423 Mary Ann 24-SK-03 602608 5242760 326 55 -45 354 Mary Ann 24-SK-04 613090 5228830 323 240 -50 279 Frontier NW 24-SK-05 613090 5228830 323 222 -50 261 Frontier NW 24-SK-06 612928 5228937 314 235 -60 345 Frontier NW 24-SK-07 612928 5228937 314 260 -60 318 Frontier NW 24-SK-08 612928 5228937 314 255 -60 249 Frontier NW 24-SK-09 612928 5228937 314 265 -60 306 Frontier NW 24-SK-10 612928 5228937 314 270 -60 312 Frontier NW 24-SK-11 612928 5228937 314 192 -45 210 Frontier NW 24-SK-12 612870 5228991 296 220 -70 294 Frontier NW Appendix B: Collar coordinates and drill orientations from the Mary Ann and Frontier NW area drilling. All units are in meters and coordinates are presented in UTM NAD83 Zone 17N. Hole 24-SK-02A was abandoned due to hole deviation and re-drilled as hole 24-SK-02B. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230839 SOURCE: Kuya Silver Corporation Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Silver47 Exploration Corp. (TSXV: AGA) ("Silver47" or the "Company), is pleased to announce results from two diamond drill core holes at the West Tundra Flats resource area for a combined 331m at its wholly owned flagship Red Mountain Project in Alaska, USA. Both drill holes cut high-grade silver-zinc-lead-gold-copper zones within a wider sulfide mineralization horizon. Highlights from 2024 West Tundra Flats Drill Holes: WT24-33 returned a 22.03m interval of sulfide mineralization grading 177.10 g/t AgEq (57.5 g/t silver, 0.14 g/t gold 1.6% zinc, 0.67% lead, 0.09% copper) Including 2.90m of 1,078.8 g/t AgEq from 121.70m depth (417.4 g/t silver, 0.74 g/t gold, 9.1% zinc, 4.7% lead, 0.105% copper) WT24-34 returned 4.37m 656.2 g/t AgEq from 92.25m depth Including 1.47m of 1,488.4 g/t AgEq (356 g/t silver, 2.9 g/t gold, 13.7% zinc, 6.2% lead, 0.16% copper) Mr Alex Wallis, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration, stated: "The successful confirmation and infill holes drilled at West Tundra Flats suggest a path to increasing the size and grade of the resource by utilizing modern drilling to fill the widely spaced historical drilling. Historical drilling had poor core recovery at West Tundra Flats, including through mineralized intervals. The high-percentage core recovery achieved in 2024 gives us an opportunity to improve upon the already robust grade reported from the 1980's drilling." West Tundra Flats Resource Area The West Tundra Flats prospect was first identified in 1981 as a surface gossan on the south bank of Dry Creek. Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) mineralization was initially confirmed by widespread geochemical sampling and later drill tested in 1982, with zone expansion drilling in 1983. The mineralized horizon consists of semi-massive to massive sulfides including pyrite, sphalerite and galena, and is commonly enriched with silver and gold. This horizon historically occurs at the base of a black chlorite schist and overlying a metarhyolite in the upper formations of the Totatlanika Schist. The surface expression has a 1,000m strike and dips shallowly to the southwest for at least 1,600m. The West Tundra Flats horizon remains open laterally and at depth, and exhibits pinching and swelling of sulfide lenses typical of VMS mineralization. Figure 1. Plan map of drill holes at Dry Creek and West Tundra Flats resource areas. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10967/230842_4a898ae484dc9b30_002full.jpg Table 1. Significant intervals for holes WT24-33 and WT24-34 at West Tundra Flats. Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) ZnEq (%) AgEq (g/t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Zn (%) Pb (%) Cu (%) WT24-33 102.62 124.65 22.03 3.7 177.1 57.5 0.14 1.6 0.67 0.09 incl. 121.70 124.60 2.90 22.6 1078.8 417.4 0.74 9.1 4.77 0.105 WT24-34 92.25 96.62 4.37 13.7 656.2 157.4 1.05 6.3 3.03 0.076 incl. 94.59 96.06 1.47 31.1 1488.4 356.0 2.90 13.7 6.21 0.166 Assay intervals are weighted average and are drilled lengths, true widths cannot be determined at this time. Notes: g/t=grams per tonne; AgEq=silver equivalent; ZnEq=zinc equivalent; m=metres; Ag=silver; Au=gold; Cu=copper; Zn=zinc; Pb=lead; 1ppm=1 g/t Equivalencies are calculated using ratios with metal prices of US$2,750/tonne Zn, US$2,100/tonne Pb, US$8,880/tonne Cu, US$1,850/oz Au, and US$23/oz Ag and Metal recoveries are based on metallurgical work returned of 90% Zn, 75% Pb, 70% Cu, 70% Ag, and 80% Au. Zinc Equivalent (ZnEq %) = [Zn (%) x 1] + [Pb (%) x 0.6364] + [Cu (%) x 2.4889] + [Ag (ppm) x 0.0209] + [Au (ppm) x 1.923] Silver Equivalent (AgEq g/t) = [Zn (%) x 47.81] + [Pb (%) x 30.43] + [Cu (%) x 119] + [Ag (g/t) x 1] + [Au (g/t) x 91.93] Technical Discussion on Hole WT24-33 Hole WT24-33 was planned as a confirmation twin of hole WTF82-08 in the West Tundra Flats deposit. WTF82-08 intersected 7.3m of 334.8 g/t silver, 0.54 g/t gold, 3.48% zinc and 1.94% lead, including 1.8m of 1,313.1 g/t silver, 1.85 g/t gold, 11.1% zinc and 6.6% lead. Hole 33 cut regionally metamorphosed metasediments and metavolcanics consistent with the Totatlanika Schist. Comprised primarily of grey aphanitic phyllite with lesser graphitic intercalations and beds. Significant sulfides were first intersected at 102m, with laminations and sporadic 1-4cm beds of pyrite and chalcopyrite, including a 2m interval grading up to 0.4% copper and 94.8 AgEq. At 121.7m depth, a 2.9m sphalerite-pyrite-galena massive sulfide unit was intercepted grading 1,078.8 g/t AgEq (417.4 g/t silver, 0.74 g/t gold, 9.1% zinc, 4.7% lead, 0.105% copper). The massive sulfide was truncated abruptly by a fault containing clasts of mineralization. The rock units and grade in WT24-33 matched what was expected from the historic log for WTF82-08, though a wider mineralized halo is observed in hole 33. Core recovery through the mineralized zone in hole 33 was significantly improved from the historic hole. The modern drilling methodology applied in the 2024 campaign achieved excellent core recovery across the property and will provide higher quality data as infill and expansion drilling progresses at West Tundra Flats Zone. Figure 2. Drill Core WT24-33 Photograph 102.57m - 107.13m - Upper low-Cu sulfide zone. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10967/230842_4a898ae484dc9b30_003full.jpg Figure 3. Drill Core WT24-33 Photograph 119.65m - 124.05m, massive sulfide zone. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10967/230842_4a898ae484dc9b30_004full.jpg Technical Discussion on Hole WT24-34 Hole WT24-34 was designed to test the resource model at West Tundra Flats by stepping back 80m southwest from hole WT18-28 that yielded 3.5m of 517.5 g/t Ag, 2.05 g/t Au, 21.60 Zn+Pb. The upper portion of the hole passes through the regionally metamorphosed metasediments and metavolcanics of the Totatlanika Schist. A known metarhyolite marker unit observed throughout the target area was encountered immediately above the massive sulfide intercept, with increasing sericitization and silicification downhole and containing bands of disseminated pyrite and trace sphalerite. Galena-sphalerite-pyrite semi-massive to massive sulfide was intercepted from 92.25m to 96.06m, with a 1.47m high-grade interval from 94.59m to 96.06m grading 356 g/t silver, 2.9 g/t gold, 13.7% zinc, and 6.2% lead. Historical drilling at West Tundra Flats was completed with vertical holes at very wide spacing (150m to 250m between holes), and the continuity of both thickness and grade from this first infill hole provides confidence in the resource model for future infill drill planning. Figure 4. Drill Hole WT24-34 Cross Section. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10967/230842_4a898ae484dc9b30_005full.jpg Figure 5. Drill Core WT24-34 Photograph 94.0m - 97.86m, massive sulfide zone. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10967/230842_4a898ae484dc9b30_006full.jpg Figure 6. Drill Core WT24-34 photograph of high-grade sphalerite-galena-pyrite massive sulfide. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10967/230842_4a898ae484dc9b30_007full.jpg Table 2. 2024 Drill Collar Information, Red Mountain Project. Red Mountain 2024 Diamond Drill Hole Collars Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Depth (m) Zone Status WT24-33 483950 7090863 982 0 -90 185 West Tundra Flats Reported Here WT24-34 484196 7090851 968 38 -78 146 West Tundra Flats Reported Here DC24-106 481059 7088384 1233 170 -72 192 Dry Creek Previously Reported DC24-104 480364 7088200 1218 180 -45 112 Dry Creek Results Pending DC24-105 480364 7088200 1218 180 -75 120 Dry Creek Results Pending KW24-03 470228 7085491 1561 180 -50 283 Kiwi Results Pending Easting and northing in metres, NAD27 zone 6. About the Red Mountain VMS-SEDEX Project - Alaska, USA Silver47's flagship Red Mountain property covers 633 square kilometres of Alaska State-managed land 100km south of Fairbanks, Alaska. The project is well situated for infrastructure, 30km east of the community of Healy which has power, rail and state highway access to Alaska Route 3, providing a valuable connection to Anchorage and tide water. The Company has an approved permit to conduct advanced exploration, including drilling, across the property. Red Mountain hosts a NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource estimate of 15.6Mt at 7% ZnEq for 1Mt of ZnEq or 335.7 g/t AgEq for 168.6 Moz AgEq at the Dry Creek (DC) and West Tundra Flats (WTF) resource areas as combined open pit and underground. DC and WTF are the two most advanced mineralized zones at Red Mountain, with at least 20 additional mineralized prospects discovered on the property to date over the 60 kilometres of highly prospective geology. For more information, see the Red Mountain NI 43-101 technical report titled "Technical Report on the Red Mountain VMS Property, Bonnifield Mining District, Alaska, USA" dated January 12, 2024, prepared by Apex Geoscience Ltd., which can be found on the Company's website https://silver47.ca/ and SEDAR+. Quality Assurance and Quality Control Quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) protocols for drill core sampling at Red Mountain project followed industry standard practices. Core samples were typically taken at 1.0m intervals in mineralized zones, and 3.0m intervals outside of mineralized zones. Sample lengths were adjusted as necessary so as not to cross lithologic and mineralogic boundaries. QAQC check samples were inserted into the sample stream with one blank, one duplicate (coarse), and one certified reference material (CRM) occurring within every 20 samples. Drill core was cut in half, bagged, sealed and delivered directly to ALS Minerals Fairbanks, Alaska for transport to the ALS Minerals Laboratories labs in North Vancouver, British Columbia. ALS Minerals Laboratories are registered to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 17025 accreditations for laboratory procedures. Core samples were analyzed at ALS Laboratory facilities in North Vancouver using four-acid digestion with an ICP-MS finish. Gold analysis was by fire assay with atomic absorption finish, or gravimetric finish for over-limit samples. Over-limits for silver, zinc, copper, and lead were analyzed using Ore Grade four-acid digestion. The standards, certified reference materials, were acquired from CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd. of Langley, British Columbia and selected to represent expected mineralization. Qualified Person Mr. Alex S. Wallis, P.Geo., is Vice President of Exploration for the Company who is a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Wallis has verified the data disclosed in this press release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information and has approved the technical information in this press release. About Silver47 Exploration Corp. Silver47 wholly-owns three silver and critical metals (polymetallic) exploration projects in Canada and the US: the Flagship Red Mountain silver-gold-zinc-copper-lead VMS-SEDEX project in southcentral Alaska; the Adams Plateau silver-zinc-copper-gold-lead SEDEX-VMS project in southern British Columbia, and the Michelle silver-lead-zinc-gallium-antimony MVT-SEDEX Project in Yukon Territory. Silver47 Exploration Corporation shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol AGA. For more information about Silver47, please visit our website at www.silver47.ca. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, including statements relating to the trading of the Company's common shares on the TSXV, the prospective geology and composition of its properties, anticipated results of further exploration on its properties, statements relating to the YESAB litigation, or other similar expressions and all statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein. By their nature, forward- looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; the satisfaction of the conditions imposed by the TSXV on the Listing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; regulatory risks; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; litigation risks; and the additional risks identified in the Company's long form prospectus dated October 25, 2024 filed under its issuer profile on SEDAR+ and other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-Looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230842 SOURCE: Silver47 Exploration Corp. Opening ceremony was also attended by DRC First Lady and a distinguished delegation of national, provincial and local dignitaries Ivanhoe Mines recognized by the Mining Journal's ESG Company Index rankings as among the lowest carbon emitters Kipushi, Democratic Republic of the Congo--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete are very pleased to announce that on November 17, 2024, His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, officially reopened the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine. A presidential delegation attended the opening ceremony, led by DRC President, His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, and First Lady, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi. Also in attendance were the President of the Senate, three Vice Prime Ministers, eight National Ministers, the Governor of Haut-Katanga, as well as other national, provincial, and local dignitaries. The presidential delegation was greeted by senior management from Ivanhoe Mines, Gecamines, and Kipushi Corporation (KICO). His Excellency, Felix Tshisekedi, conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the official re-opening of the Kipushi Mine, subsequently followed by a surface tour of the operations. The ceremony was attended by KICO's workforce, of which 97% are Congolese. Watch a video on the presidential visit: https://vimeo.com/1031842074/89d873efd8?share=copy To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/230856_54aa2e9504008b97_002full.jpg Ivanhoe Mines' President Marna Cloete commented: "Ivanhoe Mines, together with our governmental partners, the Minister of the Portfolio and Gecamines, have done it again! Not only have we built the largest copper mine in Africa, here in the DRC, we have now built the largest zinc mine in Africa, also here in the DRC. "The reopening of the Kipushi Mine represents not only a milestone for sustainable resource development but also a promise of economic empowerment for our local communities. Today, we are breathing a new life into one of the world's richest deposits, together proving that responsible mining can drive shared prosperity. "It is therefore an immense honour to welcome the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, and the Mother of the Nation, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, in sharing in this moment in the official reopening of the Kipushi Mine." Gecamines' Chairman, Guy-Robert Lukama Nkunzi commented: "It is a great honour to take part in the official inauguration of the Kipushi Mine and to share this moment in the presence of the highest authority in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, His Excellency, the President, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. "The Kipushi Mine was the beating heart of the Kipushi town since operations first began 100 years ago. However, the town's heart stopped during the 1990s when operations were shuttered. Today, its heart has been revived, and the resumption of operations is an opportunity for a new economic paradigm, where the mine will contribute to the prosperity of everyone, and in particular the residents of Kipushi town. "Thank you to everyone who took part in the reopening of Kipushi, whether they are public figures or ordinary citizens. I want to especially thank Ivanhoe's President, Marna Cloete and my predecessors at Gecamines, Mr Albert Yuma Mulimbi, Mr Alphonse Kaputo and the Honourable Sama Lukonde, who, gave me the responsibility to restart this mine, for which I am very grateful. "Kipushi is one of the country's brightest jewels and there are many years' worth of resources to come that are buried within its perimeter. We are confident that Ivanhoe, with Gecamines' support, will reach its targets within set cost and time limits and ensure that recently constructed facilities are used effectively." DRC President, His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi and First Lady, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi being greeted by Ivanhoe Mines' President, Marna Cloete To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/230856_54aa2e9504008b97_003full.jpg DRC President, His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, alongside Ivanhoe Mines' President Marna Cloete and Gecamines' Chairman Guy Robert Lukama, cuts the ribbon to mark the formal reopening of the Kipushi Mine. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/230856_54aa2e9504008b97_004full.jpg The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in front of Kipushi's [500]-strong workforce, which is 97% Congolese. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/230856_54aa2e9504008b97_005full.jpg Ivanhoe Mines ranked among lowest carbon emitters by Mining Journal in ESG Company Index rankings Ivanhoe Mines is also proud to announce it has been ranked #2 globally in the Emissions category of the ESG Mining Company Index, as published by the Mining Journal. The ranking recognizes Ivanhoe's leadership in sustainable mining practices and the company's high standards of environmental stewardship, notably in the areas of emissions reduction, diversity, land and water management, health and safety, and community investment. For more information see the link: https://www.mining-journal.com/edition/1001492/esg-mining-company-index-benchmarking-the-future-of-sustainable-mining Independent consultants Skarn Associates of London, England, estimate that the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex and the Kipushi zinc mine have among the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensities per tonne of metal produced globally, and the lowest of any major copper or zinc mine, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1. 2022 Scope 1 & 2 copper GHG emissions intensity curve, highlighting Kamoa-Kakula and the top 10 largest copper mining operations. Kamoa-Kakula is the world's fastest-growing and greenest major copper mine. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/230856_54aa2e9504008b97_006full.jpg Notes: Kamoa-Kakula and industry peer Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions data are estimates by Skarn Associates. Estimates include all direct and indirect emissions to produce contained copper from ore to the mine gate. The horizontal width of each bar represents each operation's 2022 copper production. In 2022, Kamoa-Kakula produced 333,497 tonnes of copper in concentrate, emitting an estimated 52,314 equivalent tonnes of CO2, thereby producing 0.16 equivalent tonnes of CO2 per tonne of copper produced. Chart sources: Skarn Associates, WSP Group, Ivanhoe Mines On a Scope 1 and 2 basis (reported from ore to mine gate), Kamoa-Kakula's GHG emissions intensity in 2022 was 0.16 equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide per tonne of contained copper produced (CO2-e / t Cu). This comfortably ranks Kamoa-Kakula almost at the bottom of the Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions curve. Once fully ramped up, the Kipushi Mine is expected to rank as the lowest greenhouse gas emitter per tonne of zinc produced. On a Scope 1 and 2 basis, Kipushi's GHG emissions intensity for 2025 is expected to be 0.019 equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide per tonne of contained zinc produced (t CO2-e / t Zn). This comfortably ranks Kipushi at the bottom of the Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions curve, according to independent industry experts Skarn Associates. Figure 2. 2023 Scope 1 & 2 zinc GHG emissions intensity curve, highlighting Kipushi and the top 10 largest zinc mining operations in 2023. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3396/230856_54aa2e9504008b97_007full.jpg Notes: Kipushi and industry peer Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions data are estimates by Skarn Associates. Estimates include all direct and indirect emissions to produce contained zinc from ore to mine gate. The horizontal width of each bar represents the quantity of each operation's 2023 zinc production in '000 tonnes. 2025 Kipushi production is estimated to be 278,000 tonnes of payable zinc in concentrate, based on the 2022 feasibility study. 2025 zinc production is not forward guidance. It is estimated that operations will emit a total of 5,047 equivalent tonnes of CO2, thereby producing 0.019 equivalent tonnes of CO2 per tonne of zinc produced. Chart sources: Skarn Associates, Ivanhoe Mines. About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa; the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the construction of the tier-one Platreef palladium-nickel-platinum-rhodium-copper-gold project in South Africa; and the restart of production at the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC. Ivanhoe Mines also is exploring across circa 1,808 km2 of highly prospective, 60-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, located adjacent to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC. Ivanhoe is exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries, as well as expanding and further defining its high-grade Makoko, Kiala, and Kitoko copper discoveries as the company's next major development projects. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230856 SOURCE: Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.Despite having secured 14 votes in favor, the draft resolution put forward by the 10 elected members of the Security Council on Wednesday failed to pass owing to the negative vote by a permanent member, the U.S.The text also reiterated the Council's demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, but the U.S. vetoed it saying it doesn't guarantee the release of hostages.For a resolution to be adopted, it must secure at least nine votes in favor, and no negative votes - or vetoes - by any of the five permanent members of the Security Council.The US representative Ambassador Robert Wood said in his statement that the U.S. could not support an unconditional ceasefire unless it was tied to releasing the hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas and other militants.Had the draft resolution been adopted, it would have demanded immediate access for civilians in the Gaza Strip to basic services.The resolution rejected 'any effort to starve Palestinians' while also demanding the facilitation of full, rapid, safe and unhindered entry of aid at scale to and throughout the Strip and its delivery to all those in need.The threat of famine grows in Northern Gaza as the Israeli siege there continues.The text also demanded that the parties 'fully, unconditionally, and without delay' implement all the provisions of Security Council resolution 2735 (2024).This includes the release of hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, the return of the remains of hostages who have been killed, the return of Palestinian civilians to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza - including in the north - and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.The draft further underscored the role of the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, or UNRWA, as the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX New site will accelerate the production and sales of deposition technology products to support the expanding North American and global markets. Dalrada Financial Corporation (OTCQB:DFCO) ("Dalrada," "the Company"), a global innovator in clean energy solutions, advanced technology, and sustainable manufacturing, is proud to announce the establishment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D facility in Portland, Oregon for Deposition Technology USA, Inc. (Deptec). This new U.S. headquarters will bring advanced thin-film deposition solutions to North America and support growing market demand. The Portland facility directly responds to growing global demand for sustainable, high- performance technologies, like the Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) systems, and offer innovative solutions like Spectroptix for precise thin-film deposition. Our systems are built to enhance performance, reliability, and cost efficiency in semiconductor manufacturing. Additionally, the Portland site will serve as a U.S.- based testing and production facility for Dalrada's flagship DCT One Series CO2 heat pumps and advance R&D for future innovations such as the DCT Two Series. Deptec, a leader in precision thin-film deposition technology, will play a key role in this expansion. Specializing in advanced PVD and CVD systems, Deptec provides state-of-the-art solutions for industries such as semiconductors, medical devices, MEMS, and optoelectronics. Deptec's flagship product, the NovellusC1UpgradeKit, enhances the performance of existing deposition systems by extending their lifespan, increasing throughput, and reducing operational costs. "The opening of our Portland facility is a major milestone in advancing Dalrada's mission to deliver sustainable innovation and next-gen technologies globally," said Brian Bonar, Dalrada's Chairman and CEO. "This new location not only allows us to expand the reach of our groundbreaking climate technology and deposition solutions but also provides a strategic foundation for collaboration, innovation, and growth in the U.S. market." The Portland site ensures seamless integration between Dalrada's operations in Scotland and U.S. teams, enabling faster delivery, localized R&D, and enhanced customer support. It also demonstrates Dalrada's commitment to reducing carbon footprints through sustainable practices while advancing technologies that make a meaningful impact. For more information, visit DalradaClimateTechnology and DepositionTechnology websites. About Dalrada Financial Corporation Dalrada Financial Corporation (OTCQB:DFCO) is a multi-national holding company that develops, manufactures, and sells a robust suite of products and in the Clean Energy, Physical Vapor Deposition and Semiconductor, and Health Care sectors. Dalrada's core segments include Dalrada Climate Technology, which offers cutting-edge heat pump technology for industrial and residential applications; Deptec, an international leader in deposition technology and manufacturing that repurposes and sells proprietary semiconductor technology for clean energy applications; and Genefic Specialty Pharmacy , which provides end-to-end prescription services as well as patient advocacy and support. Dalrada consistently drives innovation that delivers maximum impact, bringing increased value to its shareholders. For more information, please visit www.dalrada.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, particularly statements relating to cost reductions and the anticipated pre-tax savings from the cost reduction program, restructuring costs, footprint rationalization, simplifying and streamlining our operations, reducing complexity, enhancing the speed of decision- making, leveraging our sourcing capabilities and the timing of implementation and completion of the cost reduction program, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words "will," "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Forward-looking statements are subject to the occurrence of many events outside the Company's control and actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors that involve substantial known and unknown risk and uncertainties. Factors that may impact the Company's success are more fully disclosed in the Company's most recent public filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including its annual report on Form 10-K. Media contact: Michael Eslinger (meslinger@dalrada.com) SOURCE: Dalrada Financial Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Brisbane, Queensland, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) (OTCQX: GMGMF) ("GMG" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the launch of SUPER G, a graphene slurry which can be used to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. This breakthrough product has the potential to reshape the future of energy storage, offering battery manufacturers an innovative solution that optimizes efficiency, power, and longevity. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8082/230859_gmg_figure_1.jpg Unleashing the Power of Graphene SUPER G is a graphene slurry which has been developed by GMG over the last 3 years for GMG's own Graphene Aluminium-Ion Battery which has unique properties of high electrical conductivity, low charge transfer resistance and high density compared to other carbon battery additives and materials used in lithium-ion batteries. The Graphene comes from GMG's self-developed graphene production system and is then processed through a number of steps in the co-located pilot plant and finally into a liquid graphene product which we believe will be able to be added into or coated onto either a customer's lithium-ion battery cathode or anode production with a 0.5-2% dosage by weight. GMG is currently engaged in confidential discussions with multiple battery manufacturers and industry players to explore the potential testing and supply of SUPER G. These discussions underscore the growing demand for high-performance materials that can push the boundaries of energy storage technology. Exceptional Performance Confirmed by Oxford University A recent study conducted by Oxford University has confirmed the exceptional performance of GMG's SUPER G. Key findings include: SUPER G demonstrates 2.5 times lower mean ionic resistivity compared to standard graphite, as shown in Figure 2. Lower pore ionic resistivity will improve battery efficiency, charge and discharge rates. Figure 2: Ionic Resistivity of Graphite vs. GMG SUPER G (100 m thick, 30% porous vs. 125 m thick) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8082/230859_gmg_figure2.jpg SUPER G features multimodal particle distribution (~20 m large particles + sub-1 m particles), which increases energy density for more powerful, longer lasting batteries. Figure 3: Cross-Section of SUPER G with Wide-Beam Ar+ Ion Polishing To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8082/230859_gmg_figure3.jpg Unlike conventional materials, SUPER G maintains its integrity during calendaring (compression onto battery foil), ensuring no significant damage to the binder layer. This is crucial for maintaining battery longevity and performance. Figure 4: Nyquist Plot of EIS Response - Calendared vs. Uncalendared SUPER G To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8082/230859_gmg_figure4.jpg Table 1 shows SUPER G in comparison with the commonly used conductivity carbon additives used in lithium-ion battery industry- it shows many attractive attributes for SUPER G including 2-3 times higher bulk density and 3 times greater surface area than the industry standard carbon additive. Property Standard Industry Lithium-Ion Battery Carbon Additive GMG SUPER G Bulk Density 0.12-0.25 g/cm 0.3-0.4 g/cm Surface Area ~60 m/g 250 m/g Typical Loading in Electrode 2-5 wt% 0.5-2 wt % High-Rate Performance Standard application Excellent for very high-rate applications Table 1: Performance Comparison of GMG SUPER G and Commonly used Conductivity Additive GMG's Graphene has been found to increase rate tolerance of lithium-ion batteries - which is a desirable quality that allows the battery to be charged and discharged at various rates (faster and slower) with less negative impact on the capacity of the battery. About GMG: GMG is a clean-technology company which seeks to offer energy saving and energy storage solutions, enabled by graphene, including that manufactured in-house via a proprietary production process. GMG has developed a proprietary production process to decompose natural gas (i.e. methane) into its elements, carbon (as graphene), hydrogen and some residual hydrocarbon gases. This process produces high quality, low cost, scalable, 'tuneable' and low/no contaminant graphene suitable for use in clean-technology and other applications. The Company's present focus is to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, and secure market applications. In the energy savings segment, GMG has focused on graphene enhanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC-R") coating (or energy-saving coating), lubricants and fluids. In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are working collaboratively with financial support from the Australian Government to progress R&D and commercialization of graphene aluminium-ion batteries ("G+AI Batteries"). GMG's 4 critical business objectives are: Produce Graphene and improve/scale cell production processes Build Revenue from Energy Savings Products Develop Next-Generation Battery Develop Supply Chain, Partners & Project Execution Capability For further information please contact: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, the potential of SUPER G to be an additive to improve Lithium-Ion Batteries. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation the potential of SUPER G to be an additive to improve Lithium-Ion Batteries. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of GMG to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: the potential of SUPER G to be an additive to improve Lithium-Ion Batteries, or at all, risks relating to the extent and duration of the conflict in Eastern Europe and its impact on global markets, the volatility of global capital markets, political instability, the failure of the Company to obtain regulatory approvals, attract and retain skilled personnel, unexpected development and production challenges, unanticipated costs and the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated October 3, 2024 available for review on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230859 SOURCE: Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. 2-10 Now Offers Exceptional Systems and Appliances Protection Throughout Oklahoma DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, recipient of the Most Trusted Home Warranty Company of 2024 badge from Best Company, recently expanded its Home Warranty Service Plan product offerings into Oklahoma. Oklahomans can now access a 2-10 Home Warranty Service Plan, including complimentary Seller Coverage, which can help real estate listings stand out, along with industry-leading HVAC coverage for home buyers and sellers alike. 2-10 now gives Oklahomans an exceptional new choice for protecting their home's systems and appliances. "Expanding our home warranty business in Oklahoma is a natural progression," said 2-10's CEO Ryan O'Hara. "We have a long history of working with some of Oklahoma's top builders with our New Home Warranty Program, where we cover one in five new homes in the U.S." Additionally, homeowners can now purchase a 2-10 Home Warranty Service Plan directly to protect their homes and budgets. 2-10 will offer customizable plans that provide valuable coverage for the home's major systems and appliances, such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, along with kitchen appliances. "Homeowners consistently rank 2-10's services and support very highly, and we are thrilled to offer Oklahomans the outstanding experiences and protection 2-10 is known for," said 2-10's Chief Business Officer Ray Picard. "There's a reason homeowners trust 2-10 more than any other home warranty company, and we will execute with excellence in Oklahoma just like we have done in each of our territories for over 40 years." Since 1980, 2-10 has covered over six million homes across all of its lines of business with world-class risk management and budget protection products and services. 2-10's entry in the Oklahoma market continues a pattern of strong growth that directly benefits real estate agents and homeowners who leverage 2-10's trusted home service solutions. For more information about 2-10, visit www.2-10.com. About 2-10? Founded and based in Denver, Colorado, the 2-10 family of companies has covered over six million homes with our complete line of warranties, system and appliance home service plans?and risk management products. Since 1980, 2-10 has been a market leader in helping builders, real estate agents and homeowners protect their businesses and budgets against the unexpected. 2-10 continues to work with thousands of the nation's finest real estate professionals, home builders and service contractors. For more information about 2-10, please visit 2-10.com.? Contact Information Mark Plumb Marketing Manager mplumb@2-10.com 720.747.6142 SOURCE: 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty View the original press release on newswire.com. Service developed in partnership with NGO-ISAC helps protect non-profits and mission-driven organizations from cybercriminals MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Flare, the global leader in Threat Exposure Management, is announcing the introduction of Flare 24, an initiative designed to help bolster the cybersecurity defenses of nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. Flare Logo The cybercrime landscape has evolved in a concerning direction, with non-profits and mission-driven organizations increasingly targeted. These organizations have an urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures, but oftentimes these solutions are out of reach. Designed in concert with NGO-ISAC, Flare 24 is an outreach initiative that helps bolster the cybersecurity defenses of nonprofit and mission-driven organizations. Through this program, 24 selected organizations will receive free access to Flare's Threat Exposure Management solution, as well as support from a dedicated team that will assist in utilizing Flare to identify threats - enabling them to continue their vital work in making the world a better place without having to worry about cybersecurity threats. "When it comes to stealing sensitive information, cybercriminals do not distinguish between what organizations they are targeting, and mission-driven organizations are as vulnerable, if not more so, as any other company," said Norman Menz, CEO of Flare. "There is a great need within the mission-driven and non-profit community for help with protecting valuable information, so we are happy to launch this initiative and to help these organizations protect themselves from cyberthreats, and continue to carry out their extraordinary work." Flare 24 is being officially launched today at NGO-ISAC 2024 Conference, taking place at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice in New York City. "We are so pleased to be partnering with Flare on this incredibly important initiative," said Timothy Ball, CISO with NGO-ISAC. "We see mission-driven organizations dealing with the repercussions of cyber attacks every day, so having a company like Flare come forward to offer their services to help these organizations bolster their cybersecurity capabilities is fantastic." For more information on this initiative, visit https://www.ngoisac.org/grants-flare. About Flare Flare is the leader in Threat Exposure Management, helping organizations of all sizes detect high-risk exposure found on the clear and dark web. Combining the industry's best cybercrime database with an incredibly intuitive user experience, Flare enables customers to reclaim the information advantage and get ahead of threat actors. For more information, visit https://flare.io. Contact Information Chloe Martineau Marketing Manager press@flare.io 1-833-486-3527 SOURCE: Flare View the original press release on newswire.com. NEWTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Small group tour operator Odysseys Unlimited, seven-time honoree of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Tour Operators Award, announces the latest addition to its global tour line-up with West Africa Discovery, a 16-day journey of discovery through Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Zangbeto masked dancer, Benin Zangbeto mask dance ceremony performed in village in Benin. "We're thrilled to introduce this important new tour to our guests and prospective travelers," said Bruce Epstein, president of Odysseys Unlimited. "With its rich traditions, artistic heritage, and impactful history, West Africa offers a fascinating experience for inquisitive travelers." Immersion in the region's rituals and customs highlights the tour, as guests attend a voodoo (Vodun) ceremony, visit with a traditional healer, and participate in a naming ceremony with local Akan people. They also encounter artistic traditions at a Zangbeto mask dance ceremony, a visit to a Krobo tribe artisan community, and tours of two collections of Ashanti art and artifacts in Kumasi: the National Cultural Centre and the Royal Palace Museum. While rich culture, historic artwork, and artifacts promise to be tour highlights, so does the work of some of West Africa's contemporary artisans, which we will also see. The tour faces the somber history of the slave trade in Benin, traveling Ouidah's Slave Road to the Door of No Return Memorial Arch; and along Ghana's former Gold Coast, where enslaved Africans were held in forts and castles before being sent to the Americas. Here, Odysseys' guests tour the Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, both UNESCO sites that document the slave era. Limited to just 12 to 24 guests, guaranteed, the tour also includes a visit to a "fantasy coffin" workshop in Accra, an excursion to the floating village of Ganvie (Benin), and a boat ride through Ghana's scenic Volta Region, with stops along the way to meet people in local fishing villages. West Africa Discovery is truly that: a journey of discovery of both the past, present, and future of this intriguing region. Starting at $8,779, air and land inclusive, West Africa Discovery has six departures between July and November 2025. Odysseys Unlimited offers a risk-free reservation policy: deposits of $475 per person are fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. The company also offers savings of $100 to $300 per trip for repeat guests. Tours are limited to 12 to 24 guests, guaranteed, and are led by an experienced professional Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director. For a complete itinerary, visit www.Odysseys-Unlimited.com or call (888) 370-6765 for more details about the 2025 small group tour collection, including day-by-day itineraries and to request a free catalog. Contact Information Sue Bonchi Vice President, Marketing sbonchi@odysseys-unlimited.com SOURCE: Odysseys Unlimited View the original press release on newswire.com. PANAMA CITY, PANAMA / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Earlier this year, Punta Pacifica Realty (PPR) launched A Spotlight on Panama, a YouTube series that highlights the country's beauty and unrivaled investment potential. Hosted by Ana Patricia Hassan, co-owner of PPR, the series has captivated viewers with its insightful content. Mova - A New Era of Urban Living Join Alfredo Gateno and Ana Patricia in A Spotlight to Panama as they unveil how MOVA is transforming downtown Panama City with luxury, innovation, and B&B Italia's iconic design. In a recent episode, Ana Patricia interviewed Alfredo Gateno, Vice President of Pacific Developers, to discuss a groundbreaking new project that is set to redefine luxury and sophistication in Panama City: MOVA by B&B Italia. This exclusive residential development, strategically located in Obarrio - Panama City's emerging downtown hub - represents a bold new vision for urban living. Designed to attract discerning high-net-worth individuals, savvy investors, and global citizens, MOVA combines cutting-edge architecture, international appeal, and a cosmopolitan vibe akin to New York or Beverly Hills. Unmatched Design and World-Class Amenities Every element of MOVA has been meticulously designed to offer a world-class living experience. Residents will have access to over 40 premium amenities, alongside fully furnished apartments by B&B Italia, a globally recognized leader in elegant design and craftsmanship. This blend of functionality and luxury provides a lifestyle that is truly second to none. Prime Location in Obarrio's Vibrant Hub Situated in the heart of Obarrio, MOVA delivers unparalleled convenience and accessibility. The location is surrounded by top-tier restaurants, luxury boutiques, financial institutions, and cultural landmarks, making it a model of walkable urban living. Setting a New Standard for Luxury Living in Panama MOVA is more than just a residential development; it's a transformative investment opportunity. Ideal as a primary residence or a strategic asset, it meets the evolving needs of modern urban dwellers while aligning with Panama's elite and international business community. Poised to become the benchmark for high-end developments in Panama City, MOVA is setting a new standard in luxury, sophistication, and urban connectivity. About 'A Spotlight to Panama' "A Spotlight to Panama" is a series created on the YouTube channel of Punta Pacifica Realty, the largest real estate and property management company in Panama. This series was born out of the desire to inform our foreign clients about the most relevant topics in Panama. The show is produced and hosted by Ana PatriciaHassan, co-owner of Punta Pacifica Realty. "A Spotlight to Panama" is dedicated to showcasing the unique aspects of Panama from its cultural heritage and natural beauty to its emerging industries. The series features in-depth interviews with experts and influencers, offering viewers an insider's look at what makes Panama an exceptional place to live, work, and invest. For those interested in learning more about Panama and its vibrant opportunities, we invite you to explore the series of episodes of "A Spotlight to Panama." Each episode dives deep into different facets of Panama, providing valuable insights and captivating stories. Don't miss out on the chance to discover why Panama is a rising star on the global stage. For more information or to watch the episode with Alfredo Gateno, visit MOVA: Cosmopolitan Living in Panama's New City Center MOVA Website Other featured episodes: Explore Panama - Top Luxury Residential Areas Discover Stress-Free Property Management in Panama Contact Information Sandy Chan Project Manager - Punta Pacifica Realty sandy@puntapacificarealty.com + (507) 6793-8160 Related Images Mova - A New Era of Urban Living Join Alfredo Gateno and Ana Patricia in A Spotlight to Panama as they unveil how MOVA is transforming downtown Panama City with luxury, innovation, and B&B Italia's iconic design. MOVA by B&B Italia innovative design MOVA by B&B Italia sets a new standard with innovative design and the superblock concept, transforming urban living in the heart of Panama City. Luxury Redefined: B&B Italia Interiors at MOVA Elevate your lifestyle with B&B Italia's signature interior design at MOVA - where every detail embodies luxury and sophistication. SOURCE: Punta Pacifica Realty View the original press release on newswire.com. Waste Energy Corp. ("Waste Energy" or the "Company"), (OTCQB:WAST), a pioneering waste-to-energy company, today released an update regarding its groundbreaking plastic waste-to-fuel conversion business using advanced pyrolysis technology and AI. The company has identified four strategic locations in 2 states for its initial operations, signaling a bold step toward combating plastic pollution while addressing the world's growing demand for sustainable energy. The locations Waste Energy has identified to launch its initial operations are in North Carolina and Florida, these sites were selected based on their proximity to abundant plastic waste sources, strong community support, and existing infrastructure for waste management and logistics. These facilities will be equipped with state-of-the-art pyrolysis reactors capable of processing various types of non-recyclable plastics and converting them into valuable fuels such as diesel, gasoline, and industrial-grade feedstock. "Plastic waste is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, and our technology stack based on Pyrolysis and AI offers a practical, scalable solution," said Waste Energy President Scott Gallagher. "By transforming discarded waste plastics into clean-burning fuels, we aim to reduce landfill waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to the circular economy while building a profitable,sustainable business." At the core of Waste Energy's innovative approach is pyrolysis technology, which thermally decomposes plastic waste in an oxygen-free environment to produce reusable hydrocarbons without releasing harmful toxins. This proven, scalable method effectively diverts plastic waste from landfills and waterways while generating high-value, energy-rich byproducts. These byproducts, including clean-burning fuels, can replace traditional fossil fuels across transportation, industrial, and power generation sectors, creating a compelling investment opportunity in the burgeoning circular economy. The company's initial facility is projected to process up to 20 tons of plastic waste daily upon launch in early 2025, with a targeted ramp-up to 200 tons per day by the end of the same year. This scale represents a significant leap in waste-to-energy capability, with each facility generating substantial fuel outputs and contributing to measurable reductions in plastic pollution. In addition to environmental benefits, the operations will create high-value employment opportunities and catalyze economic growth in surrounding communities. To ensure swift and efficient project deployment, Waste Energy's management team has already held productive meetings with local officials in two of its four shortlisted locations with additional meetings scheduled for next week. The final site selection is expected by the end of 2024, with the inaugural facility slated to commence operations in Q1 2025. About Waste Energy Corp. Waste Energy Corp is committed to redefining waste as an asset and to reducing the volume of non-recyclable waste in landfills. Specializing in the conversion of waste plastics and used tires into clean diesel fuel. The company will combine AI & Pyrolysis technologies to reduce the volume of plastic and tire waste in landfills while developing a new, clean, US based energy source. Waste Energy Corp. trades on the OTCQB market, over the counter under the ticker symbol: WAST. Waste Energy Corp is an SEC exchange act, fully reporting company. For more information on Waste Energy Corp, please visit www.WasteEnergyCorp.com. For additional investor or financial information visit: www.SEC.gov. Company Contact: Scott Gallagher, President (727) 417-7807 scott@metaworksplatforms.io SOURCE: Waste Energy Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Golden Lake Exploration Inc. (CSE:GLM) ("GLM" or "Golden Lake" or the "Company") (OTCQB:GOLXF) today reports that recent outstanding drill results obtained by North Peak Resources Ltd., on their neighboring Prospect Mountain property, occur within 150 meters from the Jewel Ridge border, auguring well for Golden Lake in enhancing prospectivity of numerous drill targets. Jewel Ridge is located in the prolific Battle Mountain-Eureka gold trend of Nevada. Golden Lake's Jewel Ridge property is well-situated proximal to infrastructure and is immediately adjacent to successful, high-profile exploration programs currently being undertaken by North Peak Resources Ltd. (NPR:TSX-V) on their adjoining Prospect Mountain property. North Peak Drill Results: During the summer and fall of 2024, North Peak completed a two-phase drilling program, centred on the historic Wabash mine area, situated very close to the common boundary of North Peak's Prospect Mountain property and Golden Lake's, Jewel Ridge property. Several drill holes completed in this locale, intersected economically significant gold grades over appreciable widths highlighted by: 12.00 g/t Au over 22.90 metres, including 85.70 g/t Au over 3.00 metres (PM24-039) 1.06 g/t Au over 126.50 metres, including 4.20 g/t Au over 12.19 metres (PM24-004) 7.00 g/t Au over 27.40 metres, including 23.1 g/t Au over 6.10 metres (PM24-022) All of the above drill holes yielding impressive results, are situated within 150 metres from Golden Lake's western property boundary (see Figure 1). More importantly, North Peak interprets such high-grade drill intercepts and several others in the Wabash mine area to collectively comprise a series of northeast-southwest mineralized trends, namely Colorado, New Western, Wabash & Williams (dashed purple lines on Figure 1). Such interpreted trends hosting Carlin-type gold as well as CRD (carbonate replacement deposits) mineralization, parallel the trend of the regional-scale Silver Connor Fault. Implications for Golden Lake at Jewel Ridge: Should North Peaks interpretation of mineralized trends be correct in the historic Wabash mine area, the implications for Golden Lake are obvious. All of the mineralized trends when extended over short distances to the northeast, would transect the Jewel Ridge property. The historic El Dorado mine at Jewel Ridge is likely hosted within a similar NE-SW trend. Mapping and sampling of outcrop and mine dump material by Golden Lake personnel yielded high-grade gold values within reported northeast-trending structures. The El Dorado mine has never been assessed by diamond drilling that is now clearly warranted. Similarly, by extending the interpreted mineralized trends 200 metres to the southwest from the Wabash mine area, it would appear that the Colorado and New Western trends would transect Golden Lake's Adelphi patent close to the Gordon Tunnel (see Figure 1). Dump and grab sampling of gossanous material at Adelphi by Golden Lake yielded assays of up to 38.60 g/t Au, 203.00 g/t Ag, 2.23% Pb & 3.72% Zn. Again, as is the case with the El Dorado mine, the Adelphi patent has never been drill-tested. The Company further announces it is awaiting the final complete results from the recently completed drill program at Jewel Ridge and will announce full results when received and processed. Qualified person: Golden Lake Exploration's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Don Hoy, P.Geo., who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101. About Golden Lake Exploration Inc: Golden Lake Exploration is a junior public mining exploration company engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets. Its objective is to acquire, explore and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit and to aggressively advance its exploration program on the Jewel Ridge property. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Mike England" Mike England, CEO & DIRECTOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Telephone: 1-604-683-3995 TollFree:1-888-945-4770 SOURCE: Golden Lake Exploration Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- London Lab Live 2025 is set to debut on 14-15 May 2025 at ExCeL London, bringing together professionals from across the lab sector to inspire collaboration and innovation. Representing industries such as chemical and material science, FMCG, food and beverage, agriculture, pharma, biotech, medical, real estate, academia, and beyond, the event promises to be the UK's most dynamic gathering for the lab community. With over 3,000 attendees, 100+ speakers, and 150+ exhibitors, London Lab Live 2025 will showcase cutting-edge advancements and foster interdisciplinary partnerships. As the UK government prepares to invest 20 billion in the lab sector, this event is positioned as an essential platform to explore emerging opportunities and tackle shared challenges. Event Highlights London Lab Live 2025 will feature an exciting array of keynote speeches and panel discussions, addressing some of the most critical topics shaping the future of the lab community. Sessions will explore the UK's position as a global leader in science and technology, with discussions on innovative advancements such as AI, machine learning, and quantum computing. Sustainability will take center stage with talks on how to achieve growth and efficiency while maintaining environmental responsibility. The program is designed to inspire thought leadership and encourage cross-sector innovation, making it an unmissable opportunity for lab professionals. Confirmed speakers include: Darren Logan, VP of Science Research, Corporate Science & Technology, Mars Andy Stanford-Clark, (former) CTO & Distinguished Engineer, IBM Lori Liu, Digital & Automation Director, Homecare R&D, Unilever Andrew King, SHE & Sustainability Director, AstraZeneca Ian Brotherston, Interim Deputy Director, Innovation Funding, Innovate UK Peter Clarke, Director, Global Analytical Sciences, Mondelez International Valentina Milanova, Founder & CEO, Daye Martin Redhead, Associate VP, Exscientia Juan Ignacio Pascual, Digital Transformation Lead, R&D Finance, Pfizer Ana Cavalcanti, Professor of Software Engineering for Robotics, University of York The event will also feature cutting-edge technologies and products from exhibitors across lab-related sectors. These innovations are designed to address unique industry challenges and encourage cross-disciplinary solutions. Fostering Collaboration Across Industries Susan Weatherby, Senior Programme Manager at the Royal Society of Chemistry, a London Lab Live partner and advisory board member, shared her excitement: "I'm excited to be a part of London Lab Live - the 2025 conference themes are amazing, and I'm looking forward to learning more and connecting with industry experts." This sentiment reflects the event's mission to unite professionals from diverse backgrounds, fostering a collaborative environment to drive innovation across sectors. Who Should Attend and Why? London Lab Live invites participants from established labs, startups, and academic research teams across all industries. Attendees will gain unparalleled networking opportunities, discover industry-specific innovations, and exchange ideas that transcend traditional boundaries. Whether you're seeking to enhance efficiency, unlock sustainable growth, or explore cutting-edge solutions, London Lab Live offers an invaluable opportunity to be part of the UK's transformation into a global science and technology leader. How to Join To book a stand or register, visit www.terrapinn.com/londonlablive/pr To book a stand, please contact Emma Hayre - emma.hayre@terrapinn.com Press Inquiries: Hidy Lee - hidy.lee@terrapinn.com Lukas Nichta - lukas.nichta@terrapinn.com About London Lab Live London Lab Live is part of the Future Labs Live series, which has united over 3,000 lab professionals across Europe annually. As its newest addition, London Lab Live aims to serve as a premier forum for UK lab leaders, fostering progress and community during a pivotal era for scientific advancements. About Terrapinn For over 30 years, Terrapinn has been at the forefront of innovation-focused events that connect and transform industries. Through highly specialized gatherings, Terrapinn fosters connections, sparks ideas, and fuels innovations that have the power to change lives. Join us at London Lab Live to ignite your next industry transformation. Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564622/London_Lab_Live_2025.mp4 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564543/5041860/London_Lab_Live_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/london-lab-live-2025--the-uks-premier-event-for-the-lab-community-302313094.html On November 15, 2024, Hangsen proudly took center stage as the headline sponsor of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) Forum, a premier event in the vaping industry. Held at the London Marriott Hotel Regents Park, the forum brought together regulators, healthcare advocates, and industry leaders under the theme "Succeeding in a New Policy Landscape." This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241118407786/en/ Hangsen's team at the UKVIA Forum 2024, from left to right, Alvaro Pegenaute (Legal Counsel), Paul Kempster, (Senior Sales Manager EU), Cathy Chou (Account Manager OEM ), John Dunne (Director General, UKVIA), Qiyu Chen (Global Marketing Director), Enrique Pegenaute (Global Sales Director), Federico Garcia (Senior Marketing Manager EU and Middle East) (Photo: Business Wire) Setting the Tone: Opening Speech The day began with opening remarks from conference co-chairs Jeannie Cameron, CEO and Managing Director of JCIC International, and John Dunne, UKVIA Director General. Their remarks highlighted the forum's role in shaping the future of the vaping industry. John Dunne discussed the need for proportionate regulation and the importance of addressing underage and illicit vape sales. Hangsen's Global Sales Director, Enrique Pegenaute, followed with an opening speech emphasizing Hangsen's focus on innovation, safety, and sustainability. He addressed the shared responsibility of the industry to build trust, uphold ethical practices, and embrace technological advancements. Enrique Pegenaute also spoke about the future of the industry, urging stakeholders to act with a long-term perspective. He emphasized that the choices made today will shape the experiences of future consumers, including those who have yet to interact with vaping products. At Hangsen, this outlook drives actions like anticipating regulatory changes, adopting high ethical standards, and ensuring innovation aligns with public trust and responsibility. He also highlighted Hangsen's robust production capabilities as a cornerstone of our commitment to quality and sustainability. Our world-class manufacturing facility in Dongguan, China, spans 30,000 square meters and features a 6,000-square-meter pharmaceutical-grade cleanroom. This facility produces over 6,000 tons of bulk e-liquid annually and 8 million bottles of e-liquid each month. Such infrastructure ensures that Hangsen is well-equipped to meet global demand while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance. Enrique stressed that the future of the vaping industry relies on leaders prioritizing transparency, accountability, and sustainable practices over short-term goals. He expressed Hangsen's commitment to advancing product development and compliance while contributing to public education. This approach aims to support the creation of a regulatory framework that promotes safety, sustainability, and consumer trust for the years ahead. Hangsen's Marketing Director, Qiyu CHEN, emphasized that Hangsen implements the material safety and the sustainability of innovation by a self-developed integrated IT system which ensures the compliance product can be 100% landed. From e-liquid manufacturers marketing analyze approaches, flavor preferences in the divers targeted markets can be more specifically forecasted by the data-driven AI assistant in IT system's Big Data Analytics, and the traceability of the system that links the inspection from R&D to product delivery makes every drop of eliquid traceable. Hangsen Global was the first Chinese e-liquid manufacturer who launched the integrated intelligent system with 3 years of system's upgrading, the front-loaded compliance service and the mature modularizations of formula design have empowered more than 600 clients over the world. Hangsen's Active Participation As the headline sponsor, Hangsen's presence at the forum was showcased through our exhibition booth, providing an opportunity for attendees to connect with our team, explore our products, and learn about the solutions we offer. At the booth, we presented our strategic partnership brands, "Atom" and "Bar Fuel," as well as our White Label Solutions. These offerings demonstrated how Hangsen collaborates with businesses to create vaping products tailored to specific market needs, reflecting our focus on quality and adaptability in diverse global markets. During the coffee breaks, visitors were introduced to Hangsen's internally developed IT systems, designed to integrate innovation, compliance, and delivery. These systems use data-driven AI technology to help flavorists create formulas optimized for device compatibility and consumer preferences. Additionally, the systems function as compliance safeguards, ensuring adherence to global standards from the start of the R&D process through to production. Our EU team also played a significant role in representing Hangsen at the forum. Led by Senior Sales Manager EU, Paul Kempster, the team actively participated in discussions and engaged with industry stakeholders, sharing Hangsen's vision and introducing solutions specifically designed for the European market. The exhibition provided a hands-on experience, allowing attendees to engage with our products and understand our commitment to safety and sustainability. The positive feedback from participants reinforced Hangsen's role as a reliable and innovative partner in the vaping industry. Key Themes of the Forum The forum covered several key topics shaping the future of vaping: Enforcement and Combating the Black Market : Discussions highlighted the challenges enforcement teams face, calling for clearer laws, more resources, and stricter penalties. A panel focused on how vape licensing could reduce illicit sales while ensuring adult smokers maintain access to harm-reduction tools. : Discussions highlighted the challenges enforcement teams face, calling for clearer laws, more resources, and stricter penalties. A panel focused on how vape licensing could reduce illicit sales while ensuring adult smokers maintain access to harm-reduction tools. Balancing Harm Reduction and Youth Protection : Sessions explored how to protect young people without restricting adult access to safer alternatives. Topics included fair regulations, responsible marketing, and classifying products by their risk levels. : Sessions explored how to protect young people without restricting adult access to safer alternatives. Topics included fair regulations, responsible marketing, and classifying products by their risk levels. Consumer Voices: The day concluded with a live focus group where vapers shared their perspectives on policies and products. Their input provided valuable insights and reinforced the importance of involving consumers in shaping the industry. A key highlight of the forum was a presentation from Mr. Ao Weinuo, the Secretary-General for the Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee of China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (ECCC). Mr. Ao provided insights into how Chinese companies are investing in new technologies to improve product quality and ensure greater value for consumers. His presentation also included an overview of the ECCC's work and its role in advancing standards within the vaping industry. ECCC was established in Shenzhen in January 2017, is one of the professional committees of the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce and operates independently as the only vaping industry association in China. Hangsen Global as the director general of ECCC, the model of compliant scaled manufacture, has the responsibility to unite the Chinese supply chain, appeal to the participants in the whole industry to put the regulatory and consumers first. Looking Ahead Hangsen's prominent role in the UKVIA Forum 2024 reaffirmed our position as a global leader in the vaping industry. From delivering the opening address to contributing to pivotal discussions, our active participation underscored our commitment to innovation, transparency, and sustainability. As we continue to collaborate with policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers, Hangsen remains dedicated to driving responsible growth and shaping a future where the vaping industry thrives as a trusted, ethical, and innovative sector. Explore Hangsen's innovations and learn how we're shaping the future of vaping at www.hangsen.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241118407786/en/ Contacts: Federico Garcia fedega@hangsen.com 0034 677290967 Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - SuiHub is excited to announce the launch of its Global Accelerator Program, a new initiative designed to help build sustainable businesses on Sui in the Web3 space. At the SuiHub Launch Event, (from left to right): Feras Al Sadek, Managing Partner at Ghaf Capital; Helen Liu, COO at Bybit; Manal AlBayat, Chief Engagement Officer, Expo City Dubai; Sheikh Al Mualla bin Ahmed Al Mualla, Partner at Ghaf Capital; Christian Thompson, CISO at Mysten Labs; and Kostas Chalkias, Co-Founder and Chief Cryptographer at Mysten Labs. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/230730_15adb9e184652aa4_001full.jpg This 12-week accelerator program is run in partnership between Brinc, CoinList, Ghaf Group, and Sui Foundation; and is set to provide strategic funding, technical guidance, and networking opportunities to startups and developers building on the Sui blockchain. The SuiHub Accelerator is committed to supporting pre-token projects with a strong potential for scaling and sustainable business models. Selected participants will benefit from comprehensive support, including: Funding: Up to $200,000 per team in milestone-based funding. Engineering support: Enjoy direct access to the Sui Solutions Engineering team for technical support and even co-building of the product to maximize the potential of the Sui Network. Market Reach: Participating teams will be featured to a global audience of over 10M+ early adopters via our partners' marketing channels. Teams will also receive support on growth marketing, leveraging KOLs, and go-to-market strategies. Token Design & Liquidity Advisory: Leverage our team of experts to help your team think through incentive design, distribution mechanisms, listing strategy, and other crucial aspects of a sustainable token economy. SuiHub is looking for innovative teams that are pre-token launch and have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that aligns with the Sui blockchain's capabilities and has real-world applicability. Applications for the SuiHub Accelerator Program are open until January 10, 2025. The SuiHub Accelerator aims to support promising founders and builders in rapidly bringing their products to market. Each selected team will have access to SuiHub's resources, including the Sui Solutions Engineering team. In return, SuiHub will take a stake in the projects, aligning incentives while empowering founders to retain significant control. The application process will consider project fundamentals, team capabilities, alignment with the Sui ecosystem, and demonstrated traction. Interested teams are encouraged to submit their applications through the SuiHub Accelerator portal at: suihub.org/accelerator. About Brinc (www.brinc.io) Brinc is a leader in global venture acceleration and operates 15+ multi-disciplinary accelerator programs across seven countries. Accelerating startups focused on climate tech, CDR, food technology, blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, web3, connected hardware, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), Brinc's mission is to create a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future. Brinc also announced plans to raise a series of venture funds to invest in high-potential early-stage companies through accelerators and provide LPs with a dedicated innovation platform and access to Series A+ co-investment opportunities. Brinc further supports corporations with distributed innovation strategies, sourcing of new startups and technologies, and venture capital as a service. Global corporations, government organizations, tertiary institutions, fast-growing companies and leading venture funds have all run programs with Brinc. Learn more: brinc.io About CoinList CoinList connects the best crypto builders with high-quality early adopters. Since 2017, CoinList has become the global leader in community growth, helping blue chip projects like Filecoin, Solana, Ondo, Near, Flow, and others launch their protocols and connect with hundreds of thousands of new token holders through more than $1.2 billion in token sales. With a global community of over 11M users, CoinList supports the full crypto lifecycle, from token sales through token distribution, trading, and staking. Website: www.coinlist.co X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/CoinList Blog: https://blog.coinlist.co About Ghaf Group Ghaf Group is the leading blockchain partner in the MENA region, comprising three synergistic entities: Ghaf Capital Partners, Ghaf Labs, and Ghaf Studios. Together, these entities drive innovation and capitalize on emerging market opportunities within the blockchain ecosystem. Ghaf Capital Partners is a premier private investment firm based in Dubai, specializing in blockchain ventures and offering capital, strategic insights, and a broad network of industry connections to next-generation digital platforms. Ghaf Labs is the boutique advisory arm of Ghaf Group, focused on helping blockchain ventures navigate the complexities of the ecosystem and build a solid global presence from the MENA region. Ghaf Studios serves as the Group's hybrid venture studio and accelerator, blending the capabilities of a venture builder with a growth accelerator and nurturing innovative blockchain projects from concept to market launch. Ghaf Capital | Ghaf Labs About Sui: Sui is a first-of-its-kind Layer 1 blockchain and smart contract platform designed from the ground up to make digital asset ownership fast, private, secure, and accessible to everyone. Its object-centric model, based on the Move programming language, enables parallel execution, sub-second finality, and rich on-chain assets. With horizontally scalable processing and storage, Sui supports a wide range of applications with unrivaled speed at low cost. Sui is a step-function advancement in blockchain and a platform on which creators and developers can build amazing user-friendly experiences. For more information about Sui, please visit https://sui.io. About SuiHub (suihub.org) SuiHub is a joint venture between Sui and Ghaf Group. Its mission is to create a home for Sui builders in MENA, develop local talent, and support the ecosystem's growth. Through various support mechanisms and community engagement, SuiHub aims to drive the growth of sustainable applications on the Sui blockchain. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230730 SOURCE: Growyourtraction WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The World Health Organization has granted permission for emergency use in the treatment of mpox.WHO granted Emergency Use Listing for the LC16m8 mpox vaccine, making it the second mpox vaccine to be supported by the UN health agency after the disease was declared a public health emergency of international concern in August.This decision is expected to facilitate increased and timely access to vaccines in communities where mpox outbreaks are surging. In 2024, mpox cases have been reported across 80 countries, including 19 in Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the hardest-hit country, where a large majority of suspected cases - more than 39 000 - as well as more than 1000 deaths were recorded.WHO decision comes in the wake of the Government of Japan announcing 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 recommended the vaccine for use in individuals over one year of age as a single dose vaccine.'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,' said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Augmentir's exceptional performance and contributions in the global ACW solutions space highlight its dedication to sustained innovations and higher customer value. SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently assessed the augmented connected worker (ACW) industry and, based on its findings, recognizes Augmentir with the 2024 Global Company of the Year Award. Offering a world-class artificial intelligence (AI)-powered ACW solution, Augmentir enables industrial companies to enhance their frontline workforce's safety, quality, and efficiency. Augmentir illustrates remarkable agility and addresses unmet customer needs by developing purpose-driven products that deliver tangible outcomes and constantly evolve alongside the market. This adaptability enables it to set higher performance and innovation benchmarks, raising the bar for existing and new market players. Augmentir has a broad global customer base, with successful product deployments in over 75 countries, demonstrating a far-reaching impact. This notable base exhibits the company's product excellence and entails many prominent names, including Colgate-Palmolive, Mondelez International, Armstrong World Industries, Hitachi Energy, and Muller Group. Augmentir's upward momentum in a highly competitive global market demonstrates its unsurpassed capacity to continuously and quickly create solutions that exceed industry expectations. Augmentir is created by the same visionary experts behind multiple software technology revolutions (Wonderware Software, Lighthammer, and ThingWorx), indicating the company's unmatched technological and market knowledge. Augie, Augmentir's GenAI Suite of AI services and assistants for industrial frontline work is a solid example of the company's incomparable emphasis on continuous innovations, differentiating itself from competing products with broad applicability, efficiency-driven features, and unmatched customer benefits. Agustin Fabris, research analyst for Industrial Automation & Software at Frost & Sullivan, observed, "Augmentir offers one of the most comprehensive ACW platforms on the market. Its diverse customer base, outstanding growth rates, advanced AI and skills management capabilities, and innovative product roadmap will ensure that the company maintains its leadership position for years to come." Augmentir's holistic technology platform surpasses competitors by helping customers digitize skills and training, work instructions, checklists, and standard operating procedures while curating transformative digital workflows and integrations that unite frontline workers with their business' digital threads. The company's ability to quickly tackle changing trends with problem-driven solutions is remarkable, showcasing unsurpassed adaptability and market readiness. As a growth-centric company, Augmentir proactively explores new opportunities, product development and upgrades, partnerships, and customer acquisitions, exponentially magnifying its business infrastructure. Since Augmentir platform's inception, the company has been at the forefront of AI innovation in the ACW sector. Augmentir's value-driven, outcome-oriented, and user-centric best practices translate into longstanding and nurturing stakeholder relations, further cementing its industry position as a technology and people leader. "Augmentir persistently surpasses competitors with its relentless focus on research and development, customer feedback, and ability to evolve alongside the market. Harnessing the power of GenAI and growth-driven initiatives, Augmentir well-equips itself to deliver robust customer value and benefits while achieving exponential business expansion globally," added Iqra Azam, best practices research analyst at Frost & Sullivan. Augmentir earns Frost & Sullivan's 2024 Global Company of the Year Award for its strong overall performance in the ACW industry. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies and the resulting leadership in customer value and market penetration. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, megatrends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Camila Tinajero P: +54911 6713 2748 E: Camila.Tinajero@frost.com About Augmentir Augmentir is the world's only AI-Powered Connected Worker solution. Augmentir's software includes a complete suite of connected worker capabilities, connectors to business systems, and broad extensibility that enable manufacturers to digitize their frontline operations, reduce onboarding time, and increase workforce productivity. Companies in manufacturing, service, energy, and construction leverage Augmentir's suite of tools to deliver effective skills management, training, digital workflow, and collaboration for today's more dynamic industrial workforce. For more information, please visit www.augmentir.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563448/Augmentir_Award.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/augmentir-named-2024-connected-worker-company-of-the-year-by-frost--sullivan-302311899.html The hacker-focused conference returns to Funkhaus Berlin following last year's successful revitalisation, featuring speakers and panellists from both Web2 and Web3 communities. BERLIN, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking a highly anticipated return to annual scheduling, the Web3 Foundation's Web3 Summit has announced its next iteration to be held in Funkhaus Berlin, Germany, from the 16th - 18th of July 2025. The event will feature keynotes from industry pioneers from both the Web2 and Web3 communities, giving attendees unparalleled access to cutting-edge knowledge, insights, and developments around the continued adoption of Web3 technologies. The Summit provides a crucial forum for the advancement of a fully functional and user-friendly decentralised web. Kori Higgins, Director of Investor Relations and Growth at the Web3 Foundation said: "The Web3 Summit provides hackers, developers and enthusiasts with a valuable platform to hear and be heard from the world's leading experts in native Web2 and Web3 technologies. By bridging the divide between legacy and emerging technologies, the Web3 Summit will be a foundational opportunity for conversation, collaboration, and cross-pollination on our way to building a fully decentralised web." The Web3 Summit will focus on industry infrastructure, technologies, and applications that align with user needs and market demands. Over the course of three days, attendees will have the opportunity to attend presentations, take part in workshops, participate in a 72-hour hackathon, host discussions and unconference sessions in the Nodespace, and connect with the broader Web3 community. Fabian Gompf, CEO of the Web3 Foundation, said: "In the ever-evolving world of crypto, it's easy to get swept up in the hype cycles and promise of short-term gains. At the Web3 Foundation, we are committed to a different approach-one that looks beyond the fleeting moments of today and focuses on the long-term work of building resilient, decentralised systems for tomorrow. The success of Web3 Summit's return in August of 2024, our first since 2019, reminded us of the value of continuity and connection within our ecosystem. Looking ahead to the 2025 Summit, we're excited to re-establish the Summit as an annual calendar event for the inimitable benefit to our Web3 ecosystem's builders and users." The Web3 Summit is organised by the Web3 Foundation, which supports the open and collaborative development of Web3 technologies, including Polkadot and Kusama, across the Web3 ecosystem. The summit invites individuals, teams, and projects to submit proposals for talks and workshops in the upcoming CFP, as well as apply to host their own node in the Nodespace. With the full speaker lineup due for announcement, the conference remains a highly anticipated calendar event for builders inside and outside the Web3 ecosystem. Web3 Summit embraces a strict no-sponsorship policy, ensuring an environment free from commercial influence. This means there will be no sponsorships, advertising, logo placements, or preferential speaker slots provided to any organization. By eliminating these traditional forms of promotion, the Summit aims to foster a uniquely focused atmosphere in which participants, speakers, and attendees are free to engage in meaningful discussions without the distractions or biases of commercial interests. This approach reflects the core principles of decentralisation and prioritises the quality of connections and ideas over marketing agendas. About Web3 Foundation: The Web3 Foundation nurtures and stewards technologies and applications in the fields of decentralized web software. It was established in Zug, Switzerland by Ethereum co-founder and former chief technology officer Dr. Gavin Wood. Polkadot is the Foundation's flagship project. For more information, visit web3.foundation View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/web3-foundations-web3-summit-announces-return-16th---18th-of-july-2025-302312939.html Automaker launches 17th annual philanthropic campaign dedicated to helping national and hometown charity partners CAMDEN, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the launch of the 2024 Subaru Share the Love Event with its newest national advertising campaign and increased donation goal of $32 million for this year's campaign. By the end of this year's event, Subaru and its retailers are aiming to reach nearly $320 million in overall donations to national and hometown charities over the past 17 consecutive years as part of the automaker's largest annual charitable initiative. This year, Subaru and its retailers are continuing to support four national charity partners that exemplify the Subaru Love Promise; The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels, and the National Park Foundation, as well as over 820 local hometown charities. The advertising campaign spotlights each partner organization's cause, as well as the important connection to hometown charities that are selected by Subaru retailers and benefit their local communities. Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc.: "It is our honor to support causes and organizations that strive to make a difference through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event. A dedication to giving back is core to what makes Subaru More Than a Car Company and our retailers More Than a Car Dealer. Helping to match Subaru owners with a charity they believe in is one of the greatest gifts we can give this season, and we hope that it forges a connection that lasts for years to come." For every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at any participating Subaru retailer from November 21, 2024, to January 2, 2025, Subaru will donate $250 to the purchaser's choice of charities.* Retailers can select up to two hometown charities in their local communities to receive at least an additional $50 total for each vehicle sold or leased to accompany the original donation. Furthermore, many participating Subaru retailers will donate $5 to their registered hometown charities for every Subaru vehicle routine service visit during the campaign period. Throughout the campaign, two new advertising spots featuring national and hometown charity partners will run on national television, streaming, digital video, and social media platforms in :30 and :15 second format. The title campaign spot, The Hard Work of Love, celebrates heroic animal shelter workers who love and care for millions of pets in need, while Hometown Love highlights the work of Subaru retailers supporting hometown charities in their respective communities. Paid media partners include ABC, NBC, the CW, YouTube, and more. A Spanish-language translated version of The Hard Work of Love will run on Telemundo, UniMas, and Univision. The creative will also run across streaming partners in English and Spanish, including Peacock, MAX, Hulu, Amazon, Netflix and more, and the spots are available to view on the Subaru of America YouTube channel. Since 2008, Subaru and its retailers have donated over $288 million and supported nearly 2,300 hometown charities over the years as a part of the Subaru Share the Love Event. To learn more, visit: www.subaru.com/share Join the conversation: ShareTheLove *Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 21, 2024, through January 2, 2025, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Subaru will donate a total of $5 to their registered Hometown Charities for every Subaru vehicle routine service visit during the campaign period. A routine visit includes customer payment of $5 or greater, or any service that includes a genuine Subaru oil filter. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 10, 2025. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc. About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. CONTACT: Diane Anton Corporate Communications Manager (856) 488-5093 danton@subaru.com Adam Leiter Corporate Communications Specialist (856) 488-8668 aleiter@subaru.com For the past 16 years, through the Subaru Share the Love Event, Subaru and its retailers have donated to charities like the ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels America, and the National Park Foundation, as well as nearly 2,300 hometown charities. By the end of this year, our seventeenth year, Subaru will have donated nearly $320 million. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Subaru of America, Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Subaru of America, Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/subaru-america-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Subaru of America, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. (TSXV: LPC) ("Lorne Park") is pleased to announce it has, through its initiatives in its wholly-owned subsidiary Bellwether Investment Management Inc. ("Bellwether" or the "Company"), been recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures. This recognition highlights Bellwether's unwavering dedication to cultivating a positive, inclusive, and high-performance corporate culture, where employees trust and support one another to deliver as one team. It also emphasizes the Company's commitment to fostering innovation to deal with uncertainty in an ever-changing environment. "We are incredibly honored to be recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures," said Robert Sewell, President and CEO of Lorne Park. "This award is a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of our Bellwether team. We believe that a positive corporate culture is key to our success, and we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every employee can realize their aspirations and achieve their goals. Through collaboration with one another on interesting and challenging projects and activities, every employee can make a difference and build their legacy." The Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures program, which is presented annually by Waterstone Human Capital, acknowledges organizations across Canada that have developed a culture of excellence and a work environment that attracts, retains, and inspires top talent. The award is based on an extensive evaluation process based on key criteria encompassing vision and leadership, recruitment strategies, employee growth, cultural alignment, diversity, equity, inclusion, and corporate social responsibility. "These awards recognize the very best in corporate culture - those leaders and organizations that have built and nurtured performance-driven cultures and that are at the forefront of culture best practices," says Marty Parker, President and CEO of Waterstone Human Capital and Chair of the Canada's Most Admired program. "This year's winners actively craft high-performance cultures and serve as an inspiration for others who want to do the same." About Waterstone Human Capital Better leaders, better cultures, better results. It's no surprise Waterstone's promise has culture right in the middle - the same place where culture sits in every high-performance organization, including ours. Since 2003, we've been providing retained executive search services and leadership and culture advisory services like culture measurement, leadership assessment and leadership, team and culture development to organizations across Canada and the U.S. Over that time, we've been champions and enablers of high-performance leadership and cultures. We built a thriving learning community and ecosystem around it. We share its best practices at summits, in books, and through programs like the Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures, CEOs, and Chief People and Culture Officer (CPCO) Awards. And most important of all, we see its impact in our clients' cultures and results every day. About Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. Lorne Park was created to bring together boutique investment management and wealth advisory firms in order to deliver robust, cost-effective investment solutions to affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts. Lorne Park's unique strategy creates better alignment between investment managers and wealth advisors while providing them with additional resources to accelerate their growth. About Bellwether Investment Management Inc. Bellwether is a boutique investment manager that offers tailored investment solutions for affluent investors, foundations, estates and trusts utilizing its proprietary "Disciplined Dividend Growth" Investment Process. Bellwether provides discretionary investment management focused on global dividend growth investing and is dedicated to serving the distinct needs of affluent families. Bellwether's suite of investment solutions includes global equity and fixed income strategies as well as alternative strategies focused on private credit and global real estate and infrastructure. Bellwether Investment Management Inc. is registered as a portfolio manager in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan, an exempt market dealer in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and an investment fund manager in Ontario and Quebec. Cautionary Notes Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", "plan", and other similar expressions. Forward looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, Lorne Park's objectives, goals and future plans. Forward-looking information addresses possible future events, conditions and financial performance based upon management's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. In particular, the forward-looking information contained in this news release reflects assumptions about the timing and results of the amalgamation and regulatory approvals. Management of Lorne Park considers the assumptions on which the forward-looking information contained herein are based to be reasonable. However, by its very nature, forward-looking information inherently involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information. Such risks include, without limitation, changes in economic conditions, applicable laws or regulations. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lorne Park disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230719 SOURCE: Lorne Park Capital Partners Inc. TRUE BLUE, GRENADA AND SELDEN, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / St. George's University and Suffolk County Community College have established an admissions partnership that grants qualified Suffolk students fast-track status and expedited entry into the St. George's University School of Medicine or School of Veterinary Medicine. "St. George's University is delighted to offer this new opportunity for aspiring doctors and veterinarians from Suffolk County Community College to pursue degrees in medicine and veterinary medicine with us," said Dr. Marios Loukas, Dean of St. George's University School of Medicine. "SGU is tremendously proud to partner with SCCC and to offer multiple pathways to healthcare careers with flexible options to meet students' different academic objectives." Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College, expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership. "This partnership represents a significant step forward in providing community college students with a clear pathway forward to advanced degrees in medicine and veterinary medicine. This partnership will help to build a pipeline of highly trained professionals who are well-prepared to meet the growing demand for highly educated healthcare professionals. We are proud to work alongside St. George's University to make these dream careers a reality for our graduates." The partnership creates a "2+2+4" admissions pathway that provides SCCC students who have successfully completed an associate's degree in arts and sciences, and who proceed to complete a baccalaureate premedical or pre-veterinary medical program at an SGU partner university in the New York area, with admission into SGU's 4-year Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Suffolk students interested in pursuing this pathway must complete all necessary prerequisite undergraduate coursework, maintain a strong overall GPA and sciences GPA, and score competitively on relevant entrance exams, including the MCAT for the School of Medicine. The partnership also creates a "2+5" admissions pathway that provides Suffolk students completing an associate's degree in arts and sciences with admission into SGU's 5-year Doctor of Medicine program. This program consists of a pre-clinical year and two years of basic sciences, which can be completed on SGU's campus in Grenada or at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom, followed by two years of clinical rotations in SGU's network of affiliated hospitals and health systems. SGU School of Medicine works with a network of more than 75 hospitals and health systems in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, offering clinical and ambulatory training. The School of Veterinary Medicine offers clinical training at over 30 affiliated institutions in six countries. Participating students will be eligible to be considered for all of SGU's School of Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine scholarships and grants. SGU granted more than $71 million in scholarships in the 2023-2024 academic year. ### About St. George's University St. George's University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. SGU is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The University's over 31,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. St. George's University School of Medicine is accredited by the Grenada Medical and Dental Council which has been recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). For more information, visit www.sgu.edu . About Suffolk County Community College Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 21,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With over 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school, to college, and into careers. For more information, visit www.sunysuffolk.edu . Media Contact (SGU): Evan Cobb (203) 606-3127 ecobb@sgu.edu SOURCE: St. George's University View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Andrew Lutfy, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, Groupe Dynamite Inc., Jean-Phillipe D. Lachance, Chief Financial Officer, Groupe Dynamite Inc., and Stacie Beaver, President and Chief Operating Officer, Groupe Dynamite Inc. (TSX: GRGD) ("GDI" or the "Company"), joined Berk Sumen, Managing Director, TSX and TSX Venture Exchange Company Services, to open the market to celebrate the Company's new listing on TSX. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMJDpg20P78 GDI is a fashion house operating retail stores and digital experiences under two complementary and spirited banners: GARAGE and DYNAMITE. They offer their customers an extensive and diverse range of women's fashion apparel that caters to a wide range of style preferences and lifestyle needs, primarily for Generation Z and Millennial women. GDI has grown from a single store in 1975 located in Place Versailles, to approximately 300 stores across Canada and the U.S., with a majority of their new store locations since 2022 in the higher-growth U.S. market, which they proudly operate from their Quebec-based headquarters. GDI plans to continue to grow in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, such as the U.K. They are a value-led, inclusive organization, guided by their mission: "Empowering YOU to be YOU, one outfit at a time." Each and every one of their 6,000 employees - from their home in Montreal to across North America - will have ownership exposure subsequent to the offering, aligning their interests with those of their shareholders. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230875 SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange VietNam Holding (VNH) delivered a 27.3% net asset value (NAV) per share total return over the last 12 months (ending 31 October) in sterling terms. The company outperformed a strongly appreciating market (Vietnam All Share Index (VNAS) at 20.6%), driven by the demand from retail investors. The economy showed robust growth, supported by a surge in exports, and investor confidence was reinforced by good H124 corporate earnings. Meanwhile, VNH executed its first share redemption tender, and investors representing only c 12.6% of total share capital decided to sell their shares at NAV. The strong performance and investors' vote of confidence contributed to the narrowing of the discount to the current premium of 1.2%. 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. SCHAUMBURG, IL / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Rapyuta Robotics Inc. has opened a demonstration space in Schaumburg, Illinois, for its Rapyuta ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System). This new space allows visitors to experience demonstrations of the system in the U.S., which previously could only be experienced in Japan. Rapyuta ASRS is scalable due to its unique modular design, and its greatest advantage is its rapid implementation and advanced inventory management. This enables companies to maximize efficiency, reduce operating costs, and achieve flexibility throughout their operations. Since its launch in 2023, Rapyuta ASRS has already received orders from more than four companies in Japan, and it entered the U.S. market in June 2024. The details of Rapyuta ASRS can be found here in our web page. Location and Access The demo space is in the conveniently located Rapyuta Robotics Chicago office, which is about a 20-minute drive from Chicago O'Hare International Airport and about 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, making it easily accessible from major transportation hubs. 915 National Pkwy., Suite 915-15, Schaumburg, IL 60173 What to Experience at the Demo Space Live Demo Tour Participants will be guided through a comprehensive tour of the system's features, showcasing the dynamic performance of Rapyuta ASRS. Beyond simple picking operations, they can see how the system integrates with inventory management platforms and operational processes such as induction and picking. This helps participants understand how Rapyuta ASRS can enhance the productivity of workflow. Hands-On Experience Participants will have the opportunity to interact with the system, experiencing its intuitive interface and operational simplicity firsthand. They will also gain insights into how Rapyuta ASRS optimizes picking operations, demonstrating its impact on productivity and efficiency. These demonstrations are expected to last approximately one hour. After the demo, each company will be guided on how they should operate their products and warehouse environments and receive individual consultation to see how much productivity they can achieve. Scheduling a Demo Demo space is available by appointment only, and each company is offered an individual demo session. If you would like to schedule a demo, please submit your email address here. One of our representatives will contact you to schedule a demo. About Rapyuta Robotics, Inc. Rapyuta Robotics, an ETH Zurich spinoff, stands at the forefront of cloud robotics and is recognized as the market leader in Pick Assist Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in Japan. For more information, visit www.rapyuta-robotics.com. Rapyuta Robotics, Inc. 915 National Parkway, Suite 915-15 Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 Contact Information Daisuke TABUCHI VP of Business, Rapyuta Robotics Inc. daisuke.tabuchi@rapyuta-robotics.com SOURCE: Rapyuta Robotics Inc. View the original press release on newswire.com. Martin Schachinger, founder of pvXchange. com, says the 8% price drop in November for solar modules could mark the end of sustained declines, as market signals are pointing to a possible recovery. From pv magazine Germany The sharp price drop for solar modules in November might mark the end of the ongoing decline, as the market shows signs of recovery. Prices fell by an average of 8% across all technologies, squeezing margins even on recently purchased modules. This drop resulted from moderate demand, year-end stock clearance campaigns, and insolvency-related emergency sales. Some modules are ... 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. Stillwater, Oklahoma--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - OSU has been an economic engine for the state since its inception, and, through OSU Institute of Technology, OSU-Tulsa and OSU-OKC, it has by far the strongest track record of delivering hands-on and technical education opportunities across the state. "OSU Polytech builds on decades of experience across the OSU System in delivering technical and applied education, which is the hands-on, skills-based, technology-focused instruction required for so many careers," said OSU President Kayse Shrum. "Today, the OSU Polytech mission is both critical and clear: make sure Oklahoma is open for business when it comes to science and technology." Building off the momentum from its 2023 launch, OSU Polytech in 2024 alone added new degree programs to its 60 plus program catalog, revamped current programs and laid the groundwork for continued growth through partnerships and programs. By meeting in person with industry leaders across the state to understand their challenges and needs, university leaders gained a clearer picture of how to empower and elevate Oklahoma's workforce and economy. The summer campaign included 17 industry roundtables - six events in rural areas and 11 in urban settings - attracting 350 external guests from over 200 organizations. These conversations laid the foundation for OSU Polytech and its growing coalition of industry partners to address the skills gaps in the Oklahoma economy by aligning educational programs with real-world needs. "As the state's undisputed leader in advanced technology education for over 60 years, OSU Polytech embodies our land-grant mission to serve the state," said Kyle Wray, senior vice president of system affairs. "The industry roundtables have proven critical to our development of experiential workforce education opportunities." The roundtables spanned key sectors of the Oklahoma economy, including: advanced manufacturing aerospace and aviation agriculture and agribusiness construction energy and power health care and life sciences information technology and telecommunications supply chain and logistics. The roundtables revealed common industry strategies to address skilled labor shortages, such as developing in-house training programs, contracting with third-party vendors for training, adopting automation and robotics, hiring temporary workers, moving jobs overseas or simply being forced to decline business deals. For OSU Polytech, those challenges represent an opportunity to make a positive impact. "To grow our state economy, Oklahoma businesses throughout our state need access to talent," said Oklahoma Rep. John Pfeiffer. "Our state currently faces a shortage of highly skilled labor. OSU Polytech is leading the effort to address this labor shortage by developing a pipeline of industry-ready and life-ready graduates to help businesses grow and expand in Oklahoma." These conversations highlighted how OSU Polytech's micro-credentials, certificates and degree programs could be a resource to combat labor shortages by aiding in reskilling and upskilling employees. OSU Polytech programs allow skilled workers to keep pace with technological advancements while encouraging entry-level employees to learn new skills to advance their careers and high school students to pursue post-secondary learning opportunities. "Every day, we have businesses - large and small - that step up and say they want to partner with us. We are actively working with each of them to determine how we can best meet their needs," said Dr. Ronna Vanderslice, OSU System vice provost for academic affairs and OSU Polytech provost. "Many of the partners we heard from this summer are very interested in non-credit training. We know students who enter non-credit programs want to get additional education to better their career opportunities. Research shows that 43% of students who enter a non-credit program are likely to enter a degree program. Whether it's increasing the training for skilled workers or increasing the pipeline to traditional higher education, it's all extremely beneficial for meeting the workforce needs of our state." During these roundtable meetings, industry leaders identified vital skills these programs can and should provide to ensure career success, such as critical thinking, conflict resolution, communication, and technical and leadership skills. Leaders also expressed a desire for OSU Polytech to deliver on-site continuing education and training as labor shortages make it infeasible for companies to send employees to attend off-site training. "OSU Polytech is set to be a game-changer for our state, especially in cities like my hometown of Durant, which is experiencing rapid economic growth," said Greg Massey, First United Bank CEO. "To sustain this momentum, we need a skilled workforce to drive continued progress. We are thankful that President Shrum has made workforce development a top priority for OSU. By actively collaborating with industry leaders and aligning its programs with real-world needs, OSU Polytech will create industry-aligned programs to best prepare students for career success." The roundtables sparked conversations about how OSU could partner with industry and K-12 partners to offer training, concurrent courses and opportunities to introduce students to various trades through career fairs and other events. Building on these collaborative efforts, partnerships like the OKC FAME program launched its first cohort this summer. This program allows students to pursue associate degree programs while getting direct hands-on experience working full-time in the manufacturing industry. Other partnerships, like one between Union Public Schools in Tulsa and OSUIT, offer classes in electrical construction and air conditioning and refrigeration. These partnerships allow high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit, sit for certification exams and explore different career paths, putting them on track to a promising career before they even graduate from high school. Based on feedback from industry collaborators, OSU-OKC's Power Transmission and Distribution Technology program implemented a revamp this fall that included the addition of more daytime sections. The program, which enrolled a record number of students after the updates, prepares individuals to work in both public and private sectors of the electrical power transmission and distribution industry, where electrical power line installers and repairers are among Oklahoma's Top 100 Critical Occupations, with an average of 280 annual openings and median annual earnings of $62,358. "OSU Polytech is not about increasing our freshman class here in Stillwater," Wray said. "This is about partnering to get more people workforce ready through training opportunities." In the last year, OSU Polytech has added programs based on industry feedback at OSU-OKC like Applied Data Analytics, Engineering Technologies - Automation, Engineering Technologies - Industrial Engineering, Information Technologies - Cybersecurity, and Information Technologies - Software Development. OSU has also launched statewide TV spot to raise awareness about OSU Polytech and the transformative opportunities it offers. This forward momentum reflects OSU Polytech's dedication to meeting Oklahoma's workforce needs and elevating the Oklahoma economy. "OSU Polytech is a great example of how higher education is innovating and evolving to meet the changing educational needs of our state," said Rick Walker, OSU/A&M Regent and Liberty National Bank CEO. "As a land-grant university, OSU is committed to providing students with affordable access to career-oriented, practical education. Through OSU Polytech, students across the state will have expanded post-secondary learning opportunities to gain the skills and training needed to be successful in today's increasingly technological world." Vanderslice said the roundtables were a vital step in the process and will shape OSU Polytech's approach as it continues to develop curriculum to meet Oklahoma's workforce demands. "Together, we're forging a path that ensures our programs are not only relevant but also forward-thinking, preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving job market," she said. PHOTOS: https://digitalassets.okstate.edu/share/24C59F55-09B5-40D4-A71AEA43761E8BD5/ Oklahoma State University is a premier land-grant university that prepares students for success. Through teaching, research and Extension, OSU engages communities and empowers servant-leaders to meet society's most pressing challenges. OSU is the largest university system in Oklahoma and has more than 35,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 26,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 125 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 280,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230887 SOURCE: Oklahoma State University Integration with the SimpliSign electronic signature solution makes secure, remote notarization seamless for government SACRAMENTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / SimpliGov, a leader in digital forms, workflow process automation, and electronic signature solutions for state and local government, today announced a partnership with Proof, the leading online notarization service. Proof now enables remote notarization services through SimpliSign, SimpliGov's electronic signature solution. SimpliGov and Proof Logos The integration of Proof with SimpliSign allows government agencies to initiate Remote Online Notarization (RON) services within the SimpliSign platform. SimpliSign users have seamless access to fully compliant, remote online notarization services with first and third-party notaries for document acceptance in all fifty states. As government continues to modernize business operations, Proof provides a digital solution that works seamlessly with SimpliSign, eliminating the need to obtain and notarize paper documents. An electronic request within SimpliSign for RON alerts an online notary, who then facilitates document sharing, identity screening, and document signing and notarization via web conference. The remotely notarized document is returned to the signer. Notarized signatures are often required in government processes to ensure the authenticity and integrity of documents. Common scenarios where notarization is necessary include legal documents and declarations, real estate transactions, financial documents, official government forms, immigration documents, and motor vehicle electronic titling. "By integrating Proof's Remote Online Notarization with the SimpliSign platform, we're transforming how essential documents are signed and validated," said Pat Kinsel, CEO of Proof. "We're simplifying compliance, enhancing security, and accelerating government operations. This collaboration is a step toward a more trusted, efficient, and accessible digital future for the public sector." "Bringing the power of SimpliSign and Proof together enables our customers to extend the latitude of their digital modernization initiatives." said David O'Connell, CEO, SimpliGov. "Adding electronic notarization to our solution stack facilitates even greater process control, security, and efficiency." The solution will be available to agencies and entities using SimpliSign as a standalone electronic signature platform, or using SimpliSign integrated with the SimpliGov workflow automation platform. SimpliGov leads the industry with the ability to conduct transactions in a secure ecosystem of digital forms, workflow automation, legacy and enterprise system integration, document automation, electronic signatures, integrated payment processing, and more - in one centralized platform. Specific benefits include: Faster Execution Time Electronic notarizations save the time and cost of onsite services, reducing time from days to minutes. Transparency : All electronic notarizations become a traceable part of the document record, improving accountability and compliance. Reduced Risk: Proof's RON technology is the safest and most secure method to notarize a document, with enterprise-grade security, credential validation, and a full audit trail. The solution will be available in the SimpliSign platform in December 2024. About Proof Proof is the trusted platform for the most important agreements that businesses and consumers sign. More than 7,000 businesses trust Proof to collect all types of documents - everything from online notarization to identity-assured eSignatures. The platform combines strong identity verification with built-in fraud prevention to ensure signatures are harder to forge. Proof operates the Notarize Network, the largest on-demand network of trusted notaries that are available 24/7 to perform a notarization or check a person's identity. For more information, visit: www.proof.com About SimpliGov SimpliGov is the leading government workflow automation, secure digital forms, and electronic signature platform. SimpliGov empowers state and local governments to automate manual, repetitive workflows, accelerate and optimize business processes, and improve experiences for both employees and constituents. SimpliGov easily integrates with existing system infrastructure, and the intuitive no-code platform includes SimpliSign, the e-signature solution that is purpose-built for government. For more information, visit: https://simpligov.com. Contact Information Tracy Orlick Head of Marketing torlick@simpligov.com 9082307420 SOURCE: SimpliGov View the original press release on newswire.com. Press release Chassieu (France), November 21, 2024 - 17h45 - Amoeba (FR0011051598 - ALMIB), an industrial greentech specialized in the development of natural microbiological solutions, announces the publication in the special issue "Skin Anti-Aging Strategies" of the journal Cosmetics (MDPI group) of a peer-reviewed scientific article on its cosmetic application. This article (https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/11/6/200) presents, for the first time to the international scientific community, the efficacy of Willaertia lysate on wound healing, pigmentation and markers of intrinsic age-related ageing and extrinsic ageing caused by UV exposure. A patent has been filed to protect this innovation. Scientific data demonstrate: Stimulation of specific genes associated with ageing. An increase in the synthesis of skin markers, such as collagen and hyaluronic acid, in the dermis, epidermis and dermo-epidermal junction. Accelerates wound healing by stimulating cell renewal. Regulation of skin pigmentation by reducing tyrosine kinase activity and melanin content. A reduction in oxidative stress markers, one of the main causes of skin ageing. Most of these data were obtained in trials carried out by independent specialized laboratories. The results indicate that Willaertia lysate, a naturally-occurring postbiotic initially isolated from the hydrobiome of the thermal waters of Aix-les-Bains, helps to improve wound healing, reduces pigmentation and attenuates the harmful effects of oxidative stress and the signs of skin ageing. All these properties are in line with the current trend in the cosmetics market towards well-aging and longevity using natural, non-invasive methods. " This first scientific article in the field of cosmetics, on the efficacy of our Willaertia lysate against several signs of ageing, is an international recognition. These results were presented at the 15th Skin Ageing & Challenges conference on November 6, 2024 (https://doi.org/10.60738/D4GR-8192). The data collected confirm the high potential of Willaertia lysate as a cosmetic ingredient. We have also carried out a clinical test to confirm these results, which will be the subject of a future scientific publication," says Dr Sandrine Troussieux, Chief Scientific Officer at Amoeba. About Amoeba : Founded in 2010, Amoeba is a greentech based in Chassieu (Lyon, France) with the ambition to become a major player for the treatment of microbiological risk in the crop protection and cosmetic sectors. Based on the natural properties of a unique, exclusively patented, microorganism, the only one of its kind in the world, our biological solutions offer a viable alternative to the chemical products that are widely used in the industry today. Amoeba is currently focused on the global biocontrol market for plant protection and the cosmetics market. As the market release of phytosanitary products is subject to local regulatory approvals, the Company has completed the regulatory processes required and in 2022 obtained approval for its active substance in the United States and its recommendation for approval in Europe, issued by the Austrian authority. As the cosmetic application does not require prior approval from a relevant authority in Europe and the United States, the party responsible for bringing the formulated cosmetic product to market must carry out a self-assessment of its safety. Amoeba is listed on Euronext Growth. The Company is a member of the BPI Excellence network and is eligible for the PEA-PME scheme. For more information, please visit www.amoeba-nature.com. Contacts: Amoeba Actus finance & communication Jean-Francois DOUCET Chief Executive Officer +33 (0)4 26 69 16 00 jf.doucet@amoeba-nature.com Investor relations Pierre JACQUEMIN-GUILLAUME +33 (0)1 53 67 36 79 amoeba@actus.fr Press relations Serena BONI +33 (0)4 72 18 04 92 sboni@actus.fr Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Amoeba which are based on its own assumptions and estimates and on information that is currently available to us. However, Amoeba gives no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, with these estimates subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in Amoeba's universal registration document filed with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers) on April 29, 2024 under number D24-0352 and available on the Amoeba website (www.amoeba-nature.com). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Amoeba or not currently considered material by Amoeba . The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause Amoeba's actual results, financial conditions, performance, or achievements to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: l3CelJRolG+anmufY5WbbGhjm5mVmGiZl5KamJdulsfHaW1kxpdib5vLZnFpnWtm - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-88860-cp_articlecosmetic_vf-eng.pdf Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Charitable Impact is excited and proud to announce that it has been named 2024 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Award winner in the emerging category. Presented by Waterstone Human Capital, this highly respected award honours companies that demonstrate exceptional workplace cultures - that not only engage employees but also fuel the success of the organization. A cross-section of Charitable Impact team members To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11035/230774_7aea8970148e384c_003full.jpg "At Charitable Impact, culture isn't just something we have - it's the foundation of everything we do," said Dan Brodie, Chief Operating Officer at Charitable Impact. "This recognition belongs to every member of our team, from Vancouver to Bengaluru, who brings their passion and creativity to building something truly meaningful. Together, we've created a workplace where people feel connected, valued, and inspired by the impact they make every day." In the words of CEO John Bromley, "At Charitable Impact, our purpose is simple: to help people create the change they want to see in the world through giving. It's our team's collective values and grit that enable us to achieve our goals. It's an honour to be recognized for this award." "These awards recognize the very best in corporate culture - those leaders and organizations that have built and nurtured performance-driven cultures and that are at the forefront of culture best practices," says Marty Parker, President and CEO of Waterstone Human Capital. "This year's winners serve as an inspiration for others who want to do the same." Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures 2024 Winner To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11035/230774_7aea8970148e384c_002full.jpg "Our culture isn't defined by geography," added Brodie. "Whether you're in Canada or India, the same energy of generosity and innovation drives us. This award is proof that when we lead with purpose and empower our people, we can deliver impact that resonates across borders and transforms how we give." As Charitable Impact celebrates this milestone, the team remains committed to nurturing its vibrant culture, ensuring it continues to grow alongside the organization's mission of empowering Canadians to give meaningfully. Discover how Charitable Impact is helping Canadians create change at www.charitableimpact.com. ABOUT CHARITABLE IMPACT: Charitable Impact is an online giving platform that operates as a donor-advised fund. It equips generous Canadians with the tools and support to create the change they seek in the world, regardless of what causes they care about, which charities they choose to support, or how much money they give away. Since 2011, our community of 203,000+ users has donated more than 1.4 billion dollars, with over 14,300 registered charities benefiting from the generosity of people across Canada. Learn more at https://www.charitableimpact.com/ ABOUT WATERSTONE HUMAN CAPITAL Better leaders, better cultures, better results. It's no surprise Waterstone's promise has culture right in the middle - the same place where culture sits in every high-performance organization, including ours. Since 2003, we've been providing retained executive search services and leadership and culture advisory services like culture measurement, leadership assessment and leadership, team and culture development to organizations across Canada and the U.S. For more information, please visit https://waterstonehc.com/ or https://waterstonehc.com/canadas-most-admired/. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230774 SOURCE: Charitable Impact VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero Candida Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "Zero Candida") (TSXV: ZCT), a technology company focused on development and commercial exploitation of a number of patents and patent applications with respect to an AI smart tampon-like device, designed to treat Candidiasis and transfer the medical information via Wi-Fi to the doctor, is pleased to announce that its common shares (the "Common Shares") are expected to commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") at the market opening on November 25, 2024. Zero Candida has recently completed its business acquisition of Zero Candida Ltd., an Israeli private company ("ZC" and "Acquisition" respectively). Following the completion of the Acquisition, the Company has a total of 19,533,037 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Further details regarding the Company and the Acquisition are contained in the Company's TSXV Form 2B Listing Application, which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About Zero Candida Zero Candida is focused on commercial exploitation of a number of patents and patent applications with respect to an AI smart tampon-like device, designed to treat Candidiasis and transfer the medical information via Wi-Fi to the doctor. ZC technology is a combination of a therapy light source with a selected wavelength and intensity and a transparent gel-based drug delivery system to maintain the optimum Ph level in the vagina. The device when used overnight, demonstrated a 99.9999% Candidiasis elimination in the vagina within 3 nights. ZC developed a first prototype of its device in May of 2022 and immediately commenced its first laboratory tests as a "proof of concept". In September 2023 ZC completed its pre-clinical animal studies and subsequently developed a protype (1st series) and commenced its validation. ZC is currently in the process of developing the design of its device and continues pre-clinical animal studies. ZC expects to pursue "Fast Track" approval with the FDA as a Class II De Novo device. In May 2024, ZC received a report with respect to its pre-clinical safety study, that indicated no abnormal findings in gross-pathology and histopathology and identified no safety concerns with respect to ZC blue light illumination device. On behalf of the Board of Directors Eli Ben-Haroosh, CEO For further information please contact Mr. Eli Ban-Haroosh at eli@zero-candida.com ; (647) 874-3767 NO SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS EITHER APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS RELEASE. NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSXV) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. THIS PRESS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IN THE UNITED STATES, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN, AND WILL NOT BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1993, AS AMENDED, OR ANY SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, including statements relating to the issuance of securities and their characteristics described herein, approval of the Company's Listing application, or other similar expressions, all statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the securities herein. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with protection of intellectual property rights, product liability; regulatory risks; enforcement of judgments against foreign person; foreign currency exchange fluctuation; economic, political and military instability in Israel; and the additional risks identified in the Listing Application filed under its issuer profile on SEDAR+ or other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-Looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2420533/4723164/ZERO_CANDIDA_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zero-candida-announces-tsx-venture-exchange-listing-date-302313382.html NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable Meet Daniel Hernandez Sanchez Name: Daniel Hernandez Sanchez , Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability Manager Company: Brown-Forman Welcome to our series aimed at spotlighting BIER projects. As part of our Member and Stakeholder spotlight series featuring the individual leaders within BIER member companies and stakeholder organizations, our project spotlight series highlights BIER member companies and stakeholder organizations involved in the innovative Charco Bendito project. Discover how practitioners and their companies have collaborated to create and implement an innovative watershed initiative. This first-of-its-kind project focuses on three main goals: improving water accessibility, enhancing water quality, and ensuring water availability. Learn from their key insights and find out what drives them to promote environmental sustainability in the beverage sector and beyond. Briefly describe your role and responsibilities, how long you have worked with your company and your role/ involvement with the Charco Bendito project. I have been working for Casa Herradura for 15 years, always in positions related to the environment. I manage and oversee processes for handling vinasses and bagasse, which are characteristic waste products of the tequila industry. The vinasses are treated in a wastewater treatment plant, and the bagasse is composted and used as fuel in the biomass boiler. My team and I are responsible for regulatory compliance in environmental, health, safety, and sustainability areas. What were the initial drivers or incentives that committed you to the Charco Bendito project? I am the representative for Casa Herradura and Brown-Forman on the Charco Bendito project at the Latin America level. I was fortunate to be part of the founding team at one of the companies that helped launch this incredible project. Brown-Forman has been a long-time participant with BIER for many years. Following several meetings in Latin America, we invited the Red Bioterra and Bardo Communication teams to join us. They presented three collaborative projects focused on basin-level water management. At this point, in 2020, we decided to join Charco Bendito. Charco Bendito is a first-of-its-kind watershed collaboration addressing shared water challenges in the Municipality of Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Jalisco Mexico, a part of the Lerma Santiago watershed in and around Guadalajara, Mexico. Learn more about Daniel Hernandez Sanchez in this BIER Member Spotlight. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/beverage-industry-environmental-roundtable Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable View the original press release on accesswire.com New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Phoenix Roze, a renowned jewelry boutique in New York City's West Village, proudly celebrates its 18th anniversary this year. Since its founding by designer Guy Rozenstrich, the boutique has been dedicated to creating meaningful, finely crafted custom jewelry that captures life's most cherished moments. From its beginnings, Phoenix Roze has maintained a clear vision: to design one-of-a-kind pieces that resonate deeply with its clients. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted in the heart of Manhattan, where Rozenstrich and his team prioritize precision, artistry, and personal connection in every creation. Phoenix Roze Celebrates 18 Years of Meaningful, Custom Jewelry To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/230825_54b585230467b9f7_001full.jpg "Jewelry should be a reflection of life's most precious moments," says Rozenstrich. "I want each piece to tell a story that endures, a reminder of a special chapter in someone's life." This hands-on approach and dedication to authenticity have made Phoenix Roze a beloved destination, attracting a loyal following from local residents to Hollywood stars. "Everything is possible-we are only limited by our own imagination," says Rozenstrich. Phoenix Roze's 18 years in business reflect not only its expertise but also its enduring connection with the community and clients who value unique, high-quality craftsmanship. By staying true to its roots, the boutique remains a trusted destination for those seeking jewelry that is both timeless and deeply personal. In the spirit of its anniversary, Phoenix Roze continues to look forward, introducing new designs that honor its commitment to quality and individuality To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/230825_54b585230467b9f7_002full.jpg For those who can't visit in person, Phoenix Roze's website brings the experience of custom jewelry to clients everywhere. Through a new portal, clients can easily request custom designs or explore signature collections, from gold initial necklaces to delicate engagement rings. With worldwide shipping and personal assistance by email, phone, and chat, Phoenix Roze ensures that its spirit of craftsmanship reaches beyond NYC, making it a trusted place for those seeking jewelry with soul and significance. In the spirit of its anniversary, Phoenix Roze continues to look forward, introducing new designs that honor its commitment to quality and individuality. Whether it's a bespoke engagement ring, a custom necklace bearing a meaningful symbol, or a reimagined family heirloom, Phoenix Roze offers a place where jewelry can tell well crafted, and meaningful stories. About Phoenix Roze Located in the West Village, Phoenix Roze is a custom jeweler quietly celebrated as a hidden gem in NYC, known for its handmade pieces that blend artistry with personal meaning. With 18 years of experience, Phoenix Roze continues to craft each piece with care, originality, and a deep connection to the stories of its clients. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230825 SOURCE: GetFeatured HighLevel today announced it ranked 103 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 , a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. Overall, 2024 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 201% to 153,625% over the three-year time frame, with an average growth rate of 1,981% and median growth rate of 460%. HighLevel grew 1,176% during this period. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies - both public and private - in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US $50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US $5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About HighLevel HighLevel is on a mission to propel agencies and professionals in numerous industries beyond their benchmarks for success by enhancing automation, improving communication, and fostering scalable growth in a user-friendly manner. At the core is our AI-powered all-in-one platform-crafted for sales, marketing, CRM, and more. We offer a white-labeled version for branding, strengthening market positions, and maximizing profitability. HighLevel leaves an indelible mark on the tech community, the SaaS industry, and a diverse clientele. Initiatives like online communities underscore our commitment to knowledge sharing, collaboration, and industry empowerment. Beyond software, our comprehensive support includes accessible virtual meetings via video call and a wealth of resources, ensuring our customers not only succeed but excel. At HighLevel, we're not just shaping the future of marketing, SaaS, and more; we're collaboratively empowering success-one innovative solution at a time. Media Contact: Savannah Lipinski, savannah@gohighlevel.com 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 . View the original press release on newswire.com. NB Advisors Provides Strategic Accounting Solutions for Atlantic City's Dynamic Business Environment ATLANTIC CITY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / NB Advisors, a premier small business accountant firm, is excited to announce the launch of its new office in Atlantic City. As the city's economy experiences sustained growth, NB Advisors is stepping in to provide expert financial solutions that empower local businesses, particularly amid recent economic developments. Atlantic City Small Business Accountant Atlantic City Small Business Accountant According to Oliver Cooke, associate professor of Economics at Stockton University and editor of the South Jersey Economic Review, "early job gains have been broad-based" across various sectors, from retail and hospitality to professional services. This economic momentum has driven increased demand for tailored financial guidance, and NB Advisors is committed to helping local entrepreneurs optimize their finances and navigate Atlantic City's dynamic business landscape. As a leading Atlantic City small business accountant, NB Advisors offers services that go beyond traditional bookkeeping, including tax planning, controller services and CPA advisory-all of which are critical for the area's small businesses looking to thrive in a competitive environment. "Atlantic City's economy continues to show resilience, with notable job growth across essential industries," said Ryan Niedoba, Managing Partner at NB Advisors. "Our team is dedicated to supporting small businesses with financial strategies designed to maximize growth opportunities while addressing potential risks. We are thrilled to expand our reach in Atlantic City and be part of this city's positive economic journey." The city's economic climate has further stabilized, as evidenced by Standard and Poor's recent upgrade of Atlantic City's credit rating. This shift highlights the city's strengthened financial position and structural improvements, making it an ideal location for small businesses and service providers. With its expanded presence, NB Advisors is well-equipped to support Atlantic City's small business community with a proactive approach that includes tax planning, quarterly financial reviews, and compliance guidance to keep up with evolving regulations. Local business owners can schedule a free consultation with NB Advisors to explore how customized accounting services can enhance profitability and resilience. For more information on this Atlantic City small business accountant, visit https://nbcpa.us/small-business-accountant-atlantic-city/ or call (856) 263-2626. About NB Advisors: NB Advisors is a fourth-generation family-owned accounting firm headquartered in Atlantic City, NJ dedicated to helping small businesses minimize their tax burden and maximize profitability. With decades of experience, they offer personalized and innovative strategies to save clients $100K to $1M in taxes while ensuring sustainable business growth. Led by Ryan and Kevin Niedoba, NB Advisors takes pride in treating each client's business as their own, offering proactive, world-class service with a commitment to transparency and excellence. Contact Information JP Richards Director of Communications releases@drakedigital.com (877) 393-7030 SOURCE: NB Advisors View the original press release on newswire.com. The CDC Reports Approximately 385,000 Needlestick and Sharps-Related Injuries Among U.S. Healthcare Workers Annually ARLINGTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / With the rise in needlestick injuries, BioMedical Waste Solutions, a prominent national medical waste disposal company with locations in Arlington, Texas, is diligently educating the public on the hazards linked to improper disposal of medical waste, including needles. Biomedical Waste Arlington Biomedical Waste Arlington According to the CDC, an estimated 385,000 needlestick and sharps-related injuries occur annually among U.S. healthcare workers. This figure is likely underestimated due to underreporting, especially in private homes where elderly individuals and the 38.4 million Americans (11.6% of the population) with diabetes rely on needles daily. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the risk of sharps injuries in spreading serious diseases, with annual global infection rates among healthcare workers reported as: Around 2,005,000 infections with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) 66,000 infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) 16,000 infections with hepatitis C virus (HCV) These infections can cause long-term health issues, including disabilities, and may even result in death. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that one-third of sharps injuries happen during disposal. This highlights the critical need for strict medical waste disposal practices to safeguard healthcare personnel and the general public. To address this critical issue, Arlington medical waste disposal company BioMedical Waste Solutions released The Definitive Guide to Medical Waste Disposal in 2024. This guide provides clear instructions on safely disposing of needles, syringes, and other sharp objects, demonstrating the company's dedication to improving safety and preventing infections through proper waste management. The guide outlines five critical tips for preventing needlestick injuries: Using FDA-approved sharps disposal containers Avoiding overfilling disposal containers Not reaching into disposal containers Refrain from recapping needles Keeping sharp objects and disposal containers out of children's reach JP Richards, Director of Communications at BioMedical Waste Solutions, stated, "The high rate of needlestick injuries and their severe impacts on healthcare workers and the broader community is a significant concern. Our disposal guide is an essential tool for preventing these injuries and ensuring the safety of healthcare providers and individuals managing needles at home. We're here to support facilities in need of reliable Arlington medical waste disposal solutions. By working together, we can reduce the risks associated with needlestick injuries." At the forefront of Arlington medical waste disposal, BioMedical Waste Solutions encourages healthcare facilities, professionals, and individuals using needles to study their comprehensive guide for disposing of sharps and medical waste. The company's specialized knowledge and state-of-the-art equipment ensure the secure handling, transportation, and disposal of medical waste in full compliance with the highest national, state, and local regulations. For further details on safe medical waste disposal or to view the guide from BioMedical Waste Solutions, please visit our website at https://www.biomedicalwastesolutions.com/medical-waste-disposal/ or reach out directly at 346-660-4994 or JPRichards@BioMedicalWasteSolutions.com. About BioMedical Waste Solutions: BioMedical Waste Solutions is a leading medical waste disposal company dedicated to providing safe and reliable solutions for the management and disposal of medical waste. With a commitment to environmental responsibility and public health, the company serves healthcare facilities, private practices, dental offices, veterinarians and laboratories across America. BioMedical Waste Solutions offers comprehensive services to ensure the proper collection, transportation, and disposal of medical waste, including sharps, in compliance with all regulatory requirements Contact Information JP Richards Director of Communications releases@drakedigital.com (346) 660-4994 SOURCE: Biomedical Waste Solutions View the original press release on newswire.com. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (TSXV: CHS) (the "Company" or "CHS"), an industry leader in healthcare benefits administration software and services, announces that TSX Venture Exchange has accepted the reinstatement of trading Company's stock. The Company expects that its shares will resume trading on the TSXV during the week of November 25th, 2024. The Company also wishes to provide an update in several important areas. The Company has made significant progress in aligning its cost structure to the revenue base. It will now focus on sales and marketing initiatives which will require working capital to continue to fuel its growth. Therefore, the Company plans to raise additional capital to allow it to focus on meeting significant working capital deficiency, its obligations and invest in future growth. The Company is in the process of talking to investors and anticipates that it will be raising capital in the near future. As previously disclosed, the Company received debt funding of $400,000 USD (approximately $540,000 CAD) with a convertible option at an agreed permissible discount to the closing price per share of the Company recorded on the day before the conversion is approved by relevant and regulatory bodies. The conversion remains subject to acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. This debt is unsecured and US $ 200,000 of this debt was provided by a related party. In addition, the senior management of the Company also infused a sum of USD 262,000 to assist with some working capital requirement. This transaction remains subject to acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company was required to hold an annual general meeting (AGM) on or before November 30th, 2024, as per the Alberta Business Corporate Act. The Company was not able to meet this requirement on time. It has set up its special and annual general meeting on January 15th, 2025, to meet this requirement. The Company wishes to provide disclosure on a litigation mentioned in the audited financial statements dated December 31st, 2023. A Consulting company had filed a claim against the company for non-payment of management fees. The Company determined that the claim amount was approximately USD 300,000. The Company contested that claim and is pleased to inform that plaintiff's counsel has dropped their claim. The Company does not anticipate any future liability towards the above-mentioned claim. In 2022, the Company further discloses that it had hired Ontogeny Capital Ltd, to assist the firm in raising capital Internationally. The Company paid an upfront fee of USD 50,000. The agreement has since been terminated. The Company also announces that the expedited transaction for acquisition, which was first announced on September 22, 2022, which was terminated on December 31, 2022, and there is no further discussion with the target. About Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta and is the parent company of Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (Delaware). The Company is a vertically integrated software as a services (SaaS) company focused on digitizing healthcare with Healthcare Benefits Administration solutions, providing reliable and high-volume transaction capable systems. The Company's state-of-the-art Novus 360 Healthcare Welfare and Benefits Administration (HWBA) SaaS platform is used by clients for all aspects of healthcare benefits administration (including self-funded employers, providers, and labor unions), providing healthcare administrative software and technology-enabled services. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: The press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "budget," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "scheduled," "forecast," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "to be," "could," "would," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and conditional. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the date they are provided. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, include among others: general economic, market and business conditions in Canada and globally; market volatility; unforeseen delays in timelines for any of the transactions or events described in this press release; and the risk of regulatory changes that may impact the business of the Company. All forward-looking information is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230917 SOURCE: Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. Ibero Mining Corp., (TSX.V:IMC)(OTCQB:AUCCF) (the "Company" or "Ibero") formerly known as EuroPacific Metals Inc., is pleased to report that the a deep undercut drill hole number 11 drilled at Miguel Vacas has confirmed the depth extensions of the known mineralization having intercepted 19.9 m grading 0.89 % Cu, including 5.0 m grading 1.35% Cu and 6.2 m grading 1.11% Cu. This will open new frontiers to the existing resource basis. Highlights of the drill campaign to date are listed below (see table 1 for complete listing): Hole # 1 - 22.8m grading 2.76 % Cu , from 49.4m with 9.0m grading 7.49% Cu from 57.8m Hole # 3 - 12.3m grading 1.55% Cu , from 66.6m. Hole #4 - 10.5m grading 2.56 % Cu , from 62.0m, with 5.0m grading 4.52% Cu , from 62.0m Hole #8 - 14.1 m grading 1.06% Cu from 47.0m, with 6.9m grading 1.81% Cu , from 52.2m Hole #9 : 7.9m grading 1.15% Cu from 74.9m Hole #11 - 19.9m grading 0.89% Cu from 270.7m, with 5.0m grading 1.35% Cu from 270.7m and 7.7m grading 1.11% Cu from 281.7m Karim Rayani Chief Executive Officer commented: "Now that we have all the data in we are aggressively working towards the immediate start of our second phase of drilling planned for early year at the Miguel Vacas Copper Mine. This last deep undercut hole signifies potential of the Zone all while adding 2km of strike to focus in on. We now have a general idea of the depth extension and have added thickness on zone from 5 meters to 30 meters. This is partly due to modern core recovery methods, namely by using the triple tube Triplex system. We look forward to reporting back once we have confirmed the start date for phase 2 drilling." Highlights from hole 11 included 19.9m grading 0.89% copper starting at a hole depth of 270.7m. Of considerable interest are the high-grade sulphide zones within this interval which are summarized and highlighted in the table below. These high-grade zones of 2.76% and 3.05% Cu may remain open along strike and at depth and further delineation to further define the extents remain a priority exploration objective. Jose Mario VP of Exploration comments, "We are very pleased with the deep undercut hole which confirmed the depth extensions of known mineralization. Field observations confirm extensions of the system to more than 2kms, and only a fraction of this total strike length has been drilled. We are diligently planning our next drilling program to complete a more formal calculation of the known resources. Given the consistency of the mineralized grades, we are targeting a deposit potential of more than 20Mt from near surface to approximately 200m in depth." Results have been received for all eleven holes drilled to date. All holes have successfully intersected a wide breccia zone over a total strike length of 1.1km and this new drilling has expanded the known mineralized horizon considerably and confirmed it is open at depth and along strike both to the north and south. The Company is planning further ground IP to assist with mapping and further delineation of these zones at depth and to help to further define the lens below the oxidative blanket at 150-300 meters. To date the mineralized system has been mapped for over 2km, and only a fraction of this total strike length has been drilled. Given the consistency of the mineralized grades, the company looks forward to announcing our second phase of exploration drilling for the new year. We are diligently working towards an upgraded target potential of 20Mt. Miguel Vacas, Prospect - Borba Property, Portugal This tenement includes a folded sequence dated from the Precambrian to the Devonian. A large anticlinorium occupies the central area with the Precambrian core flanked by Ordovician metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks including high-quality marble that is being mined extensively in the area. This sequence is covered by Silurian metasediments with shales, graphitic pellites and siltstones. A Devonian turbidite unit made up of grey shales with interbedded fine to coarse grained greywackes occurs in the W part of the exploration block. The Miguel Vacas mineralization occurs within the Silurian rocks and consist of a wide quartz-carbonate vein/breccia system oriented N-S, with satellite steeply dipping tabular bodies hosted in altered black -grey shales and black cherts (silicious lutites). The main mineralized zones consist of a shallow (< 80m deep) oxidized blanket with secondary copper minerals, including Malachite [(CuCO3Cu(OH)], Libethenite (Cu2OHPO4), Crisocola (CuSiO3,2H2O), Atacamite (Cu2OHCl), Covelite (CuS) and rare Azurite[Cu (CO3)2(OH)2]. Below the oxidized blanket at approximately 80m the paragenesis changes to a primary assemblage which includes essentially chalcopyrite, pyrite and chalcocite and minor sulphosalts that is open at depth. Recent exploration results have indicated a potential > 2km strike extension of the Cu-bearing shear corridor in a zone of strongly brecciated and deformed quartz-veined black shales and cherts. A preliminary evaluation of the Miguel Vacas copper mine was made based on data that was found from the old files from the Mines Department. This mine was closed in 1986 due to bankruptcy after having produced 464,100 t of ore with an average grade of 2.1% Cu. Rio Narcea made an in-house resource exercise based on a 100 x 100m drilling campaign (20 holes in total), using the basic Tysson Polygon method. Results point out to a resource of 5.54 Mt with a total of 68,186 tonnes Cu metal. This exercise was done on a section of ca. 1km of the total recognized strike extension to the mineralization which exceeds 2km. Ibero Mining has completed a 1,060 meters drilling campaign at Miguel Vacas copper mine with a total of 11 holes in 2024 with assays reported. Most of the holes intercepted a wide quartz-breccia zone varying from approximately 5 meters up to more than 30 meters thick. Assay results improved significantly from previous drilling in part due to better recoveries obtained using the TRIPLEX system. Highlights of these results are included below. The strike extensions of this mineralized zone have only been partially drill-tested within a mineralized area encompassing over 1100m x 250m. Preliminary deposit modeling which has been undertaken by Spanish contractor Astur Mining and is not considered 43-101 compliant suggests an inferred resource of 4.9MT @0.9% Cu within an extensive mineralized target zone of over 12.8Mt. Detailed in-fill drilling within this target zone is planned for 2025 and it is anticipated the entire area will move into the inferred category. Ibero Mining is targeting a > 20 million ton resource with a potential mining operation made up of a combination of open pit and underground selective mining. An aggressive drilling campaign is budgeted for 2025 aiming at the expansion of the actual resource basis initially concentrated in the central part of the deposit and on its depth extensions and on a second phase extending the drilling to investigate the strike extensions both to the north and to the south of the drilled section to date. This will be partly supported by ground geophysics (IP/Resistivity) to help on target prioritization. About Ibero Mining Corp. Ibero Mining Corp. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in European jurisdictions. Ibero Mining Corp. (IMC) owns a total of 100% equity interest in EVX Portugal, a private Portugal based company, that holds the legal exploration rights from the Portugal Government on the Borba exploration property, covering approximately 328 square kilometers in the Alentejo region in Southern Portugal. Miguel Vacas is the most advanced prospect within the Borba license. Qualified Person Technical information in this PR has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and approved for inclusion by Mr. Jose Mario Castelo Branco, EuroGeol, who is a "Qualified Person" with over 35 years' experience in the Exploration and Mining Geology industry. Mr. Castelo Branco holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Porto in Portugal. He is also a member of the Portuguese Association of Geologists, the European Federation of Geologists, Member of the Prospectors and Developers of Canada, the Society of Economic Geologists and the Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits. On behalf of the Board of Directors Ibero Mining Corp. Mr. Karim Rayani, Chair & Chief Executive Officer 11th Floor - 1111 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 3V6 E: k@r7.capital www.iberomining.ca About Ibero Mining Corp. Ibero Mining Corp. is a Canadian public company listed on TSXV and in US on OTCQB. The Company holds brownfield gold, and copper-gold projects located in Portugal. The Company is focused on exploration in highly prospective geological settings in European jurisdictions. Ibero Mining Corp. (IMC) owns a total of 100% equity interest in EVX Portugal, a private Portugal based company, that holds the legal exploration rights from the Portugal Government on the Borba 2 ("Borba 2") exploration properties, covering approximately 328 square kilometers in the Alentejo region in Southern Portugal. Miguel Vacas is the most advanced prospect within the Borba 2 license. 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 Language and Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. SOURCE: Ibero Mining Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Canadian dollar advanced against its most major counterparts in the New York session on Thursday amid higher oil prices, as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified and fuelled concerns about disruption in oil supplies.Ukraine's air force claimed that Russia has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile at the country, although Russia has refused to comment on the allegation.The attack was in response to Ukraine's use of U.S. and U.K. missiles into Russia.Geopolitical concerns in eastern Europe eclipsed worries about weak demand ignited by a higher-than-expected inventory build in the U.S.Data from U.S. Energy Information Administration showed that crude oil inventories crept up by 0.5 million barrels last week, after rising by 2.1 million barrels in the previous week. Markets had anticipated a build of 0.4 million barrels.The loonie rose to a 6-day high of 0.9073 against the aussie, 8-day high of 1.3931 against the greenback and near a 5-month high of 1.4611 against the euro, off its early lows of 0.9114, 1.3978 and 1.4742, respectively. The currency is likely to locate resistance around 0.89 against the aussie, 1.36 against the greenback and 1.44 against the euro.In contrast, the loonie fell to a 2-day low of 110.24 against the yen. The currency is likely to locate support around the 106.00 level.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. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Cisco Systems Inc.: Scott McGregor shares his experiences in forging a new partnership with I?isagvik College in Utqiagvik, Alaska - an extraordinary community that's breaking down barriers to create new access to education, technology, and opportunity. By Scott McGregor Standing near the top of the world, I've never felt closer to Cisco's purpose. The ground feels different here in Utqiagvik, Alaska - formerly known as Barrow. Located north of the Arctic Circle, Utqiagvik is the northernmost town in the United States. From where I stand on the shore of a sea that is frozen for much of the year, I'm getting a sense of the remarkable history of a land that has been home to the Inupiaq people for thousands of years and the challenges they've overcome to sustain their community for millennia. Today, the residents of Utqiagvik face a growing challenge- integrating the culture and values of the past with the technological advances and knowledge needed to preserve their culture and thrive in a changing, global economy. This is what powering an inclusive future for all looks like. Strong community - significant challenges I've come to Utqiagvik with a small group representing Cisco's Social Justice Action Office and our Native American Network Employee Resource Group. We're here to explore ways we can partner to break down barriers and create access to education, technology, and opportunity. The challenges are significant here. Imagine living in a place so remote it can only be accessed by airplane, where the summer sun doesn't dip below the horizon for 82 straight days, and after it dips below the horizon for the last time each November, it doesn't appear again until January. Imagine living in a place where reliable access to modern conveniences like fresh produce and heating fuel are a challenge. And limited access to broadband makes it difficult to access critical services like education and healthcare as well as maintain a reliable connection to the rest of the world. The remote location and the harsh conditions aren't the only barriers. Utqiagvik is on the front lines of climate change. The rising sea is claiming land at an alarming pace. Barriers now block parts of a road that once encircled the town. If not now - when? Walking among the people, it's clear to me that despite the harsh conditions the Inupiaq are already thriving. Communities around the world have something to learn from the vibrance of this culture. We're not here for a relief effort. We're not here to write a check. We're here to do what Cisco does best - connect the unconnected - and reimagine what's possible through those connections. To gain true proximity and understand the unique combination of challenges facing this community - discovering new ways to bridge distance and difference to create an inclusive future. This proximity - and this partnership - is central to how Cisco fulfills its Purpose to power an inclusive future for all. And why we created the Social Justice Actions to explore ways of creating true impact in underserved communities. The path forward - breaking down barriers to education At the heart of this remote community is I?isagvik College, one of only 35 accredited tribal colleges in the United States and the only tribal college located in Alaska. The president of the college, Justina Wilhelm, grew up in the community and talks about how the school is "unapologetically Inupiaq" meaning the Inupiaq way of life, based on a rich foundation of a subsistence culture with the land and sea, guided by Inupiaq values is woven into their curriculum and daily interactions. I?isagvik College has a modern IT infrastructure. But like many underserved educational institutions in the United Sates, there were some gaps, primarily around the college's cybersecurity readiness. Resolving those gaps is critical. In 2023, the Federal government created standards requiring all schools receiving federal funding be National Institute of Standards Technology (NIST) cybersecurity compliant. For schools like I?isagvik College, funding these upgrades presents a major challenge and could ultimately determine if they could continue to operate. Through Cisco's commitment to social justice, which ensures minority serving institutions across the country remain cybersecurity compliant, Cisco and its ecosystem of partners have engaged I?isagvik College and conducted a NIST assessment to identify technology gaps and then donated the technology and services required to bring them into cybersecurity compliance. I?isagvik College is the second tribal college to benefit from this initiative which positions them to serve their local community as well as students who take their courses globally, well into the future. The best-in-class cybersecurity solutions implemented at I?isagvik featured the Cisco Meraki MX - a multifunctional all-in-one device that delivers ease of deployment, remote administration, and state-of-the art features. This unique combination of benefits is essential to empowering the new future the college envisions for students, faculty, and the broader community. Bringing the opportunities here The partnership between I?isagvik College and Cisco is even deeper than cybersecurity compliance and technology modernization. In addition to supporting the IT infrastructure and connectivity, we will be offering our Cisco Networking Academy coursework, which will allow learners to obtain certifications in cybersecurity and networking that will make them more competitive for jobs, including remote jobs. This means residents will be able to stay in their community and earn a competitive wage in the cybersecurity and networking fields. This is a critical aspect of the path forward the community is creating. Opportunities to stay in Utqiagvik and to continue to be "unapologetically Inupiaq" while tapping into a vibrant virtual job market made possible through connectivity. Lessons learned from the top of the world When I embarked on this trip, I wasn't expecting it to be one of the most profound experiences of my career. While I was in one of the most remote places on earth, I found a welcoming community that reminded me how important it is to get proximate to a community to fully understand its needs before providing solutions. I discovered a new sense of what's possible by walking alongside people with a history of living at the top of world for thousands of years. I came away inspired and energized, knowing that Cisco's purpose-driven work has never been more important - or more relevant to what matters most in communities around the world. As Cisco begins the last year of our five-year exploration in driving Social Justice, our work - and the impact we're creating with communities - will continue to expand because of what we've learned here. Preserving the past - partnering for the future. Cisco's journey continues. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com The world's largest restaurant company has prioritized career readiness, working with local charities to unlock job opportunities for youth, both inside and outside of Yum!'s restaurants, to ensure a brighter future for all. Yum! Brands Yum! Brands is the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill, so it knows how to craft craveable food and memorable customer experiences. Today, the world's largest restaurant company is also training young people for their career journeys in the communities Yum! serves, whether that's with Yum! or another company. From resume writing to interview prep, Yum! wants them to hear two magic words: "You're hired." With its franchisees, Yum! and its brands employs over 1 million people, many of them young and for whom a job at KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill is their first. Studies show that a first job can open a variety of career pathways and even create a ripple effect across an entire community, improving lives of family members and others who receive the benefits of a consistent salary. Throughout its 27-year history, Yum! has recognized the importance of the first job and supported career readiness programs. In 2020, Yum! announced a $100 million investment called the Unlocking Opportunity Initiative (UOI), which was organized globally but implemented locally by partnering with organizations in many of the 155-plus countries and territories in which the company operates. Career readiness was one of the ways Yum! committed to giving back through UOI. "Yum! is known for taking care of its people, both in front of and behind the restaurant counter," said Yum! Impact & Communications Manager Kat Abner. "We believe everyone, especially youth, deserve to work at a job they love and that helps them achieve their future career goals. UOI has served as a catalyst to build a community impact movement across our company, and I am encouraged and inspired by it and other Yum!- and brand-sponsored programs that are making a difference for youth around the world." Here's how Yum! is preparing tomorrow's workforce worldwide. The United States of Next A first job can open many doors, and for those working in the U.S. restaurant industry, that could be restaurant ownership. According to the National Restaurant Association, eight out of 10 restaurant owners started their careers in a restaurant entry-level position, and for a handful of California students, they're taking steps toward that career path with a little help from Habit Burger & Grill. This year, they spent two months developing a restaurant concept, complete with a business plan that included a budget, restaurant design and marketing plans, and then pitched their concept to industry professionals at the California Restaurant Association's ProStart Student Invitational. For the past three years, the Habit Burger & Grill has sponsored teams, and in 2024, the team from the Orange County School of the Arts took home the top prize with their concept called Teddy's. "The creativity, talent, and dedication these young chefs bring to the table is seriously inspiring," said Jason Triail, director of Culinary Innovation at Habit Burger & Grill. "I can't wait to swing by Teddy's for a bite someday!" Yum! Brands is also preparing young people for careers in Kentucky through a program called Cardinal Bridge Academy (CBA), which prepares high school students in the company's hometown of Louisville for their next step. According to the U.S. Department of Education, individuals with a bachelor's degree earn 84% more in salaries than those with only a high school diploma, so CBA equips participants with skills like resume writing, interview preparation and more to ensure that doors are opened for them. CBA participant Corey Garner, who was mentored by Yum! Brands and KFC employees, said in a University of Louisville article, "I learned that employers are looking for hardworking and dedicated people to help their businesses. Having this type of information is going to help me find success with my future employers." In South Africa, It's Pronounced Lead-HER-ship In 2021, Pizza Hut South Africa partnered with YES4Youth, a not-for-profit organization, to launch LeadHERship, to provide women, ages 18 to 24, with an employment pathway. "Why women, and young women in particular? This particular segment of our society has been facing a cycle of inequality that we desperately want to break," said Social Purpose Lead for LeadHERship Marlene Von Berg. "They make up 70% of our country's unemployed youth." That 70% statistic stems from several factors. Some South African women face barriers to pursue a secondary education, experience high transportation costs that prohibit them from attending job interviews, live in communities that lack enough jobs to support their growing populations and must choose between being the family caregivers and pursuing jobs outside of their homes. Enter LeadHERship, a 12-month program that trains female participants through online courses and hands-on work experience. LeadHERship pays them to attend classes, so students can support themselves and their families during this time. At the end, graduates leave with a resume, reference letter and certificate of completion, making them twice as likely to land a job. "When I received my first paycheck, I promised my mom that I will build her a house one day and take my little brother to school. It's just a matter of time," said LeadHERship participant Masibulele N. A Real Euro Vision Young people are at the heart of KFC - on both sides of the counter - so when the brand discovered that the United Kingdom youth unemployment rate was 12.7%, compared to 4.3% for the nation, it knew it had to act. In 2022, KFC United Kingdom & Ireland (UKI) created the Hatch employability programme in partnership with the nonprofit UK Youth. Their goal: By 2030, have one-third of all new KFC hires be young people who've faced barriers to employment. Hatch has since trained over 730 16- to 24-year-olds, who have gone on to pursue successful careers in KFC restaurants and in other industries like media and childcare. Then, in 2023, KFC UKI launched a new program called the Kentucky Club with Bauer Academy. The inclusive members club welcomes youth from all backgrounds to take part in in-person and online workshops that cover professional development, resume writing, interview skills and more. As Bauer Academy is the training arm of a media company, participants have the opportunity to explore media careers and to sharpen their digital skills. In France, KFC has collaborated with the Ecole de la 2e Chance (E2C) in a similar endeavor and has helped more than 500 youth gain valuable, on-the-job training in KFC restaurants since the partnership formed in 2022. KFC France is the first quick-service restaurant brand to partner with E2C, and in 2024, KFC France and E2C launched a first-of-its-kind specialized training pathway for youth interested in the restaurant industry. The secret recipe of this partnership's success? Many of E2C's youth learning centers are located near KFC restaurants, making hands-on learning and mentorship even easier and more accessible for students. Will these youth get hired? YEP! Pizza Hut is helping Sri Lankans find jobs. The nation's youth, ages 15 to 24, often lack the required experience to land a job, resulting in an unemployment rate of 25%. The brand hopes to change that and has created the Youth Enablement Program (YEP) in partnership with its franchisee, Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka, the Sevalanka Foundation, UOI and United States Agency for International Development. Participants come from mainly low-income households, so YEP provides transportation and housing stipends. Almost all graduates land jobs thanks to their newly obtained National Vocational Qualification 4 certificate, which prepares them to work in quick-service restaurants in Sri Lanka and other countries. "At Pizza Hut, we have a strong commitment to inclusivity and have enabled many young individuals with disabilities to find gainful employment and the financial independence they dream of," said Amar Raj Singh, chairman and CEO of Gamma Pizzakraft in an Ada Derana article. Now in its third year, the program is estimated to graduate 2,300 students annually. Career Prep for the Future From the United Kingdom to South Africa, Yum! works hard so that young people can, in turn, work hard. These career readiness programs can be life-changing, breaking the inexperience cycle in which a young person is rejected from a job because of a lack of experience. But that person can't get experience without a job, which is why the company continues to lean into this area, and by the end of 2024, thousands will have participated in a Yum!-sponsored job training program. The company hopes to increase that number next year. "Our youth participants learn time management, accountability and adaptability, in addition to on-the-job practical skills," said Abner. "These are necessary skills for their first job and will carry them throughout their careers." Image provided by KFC. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Yum! Brands on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Yum! Brands Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/yum-brands Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Yum! Brands View the original press release on accesswire.com REDDING, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled, ' Refrigerants Market by Type (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, HCs, CO2, HFO), Application (Air-conditioning, Refrigeration, Chilling and Heating), End User (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), and Geography-Global Forecast to 2031,' The refrigerants market is projected to reach $10.5 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2031. The refrigerants market is experiencing growth driven by the increased adoption of air conditioning and refrigeration for commercial applications, as well as the rising implementation of regulatory and environmental policies promoting sustainable refrigerants. On the other hand, market growth is restrained by flammability and toxicity issues. In addition, the growing demand for refrigeration and storage solutions in the pharmaceutical industry and the increasing need for refrigerants in automotive HVAC systems present significant growth opportunities for market players. However, high operational costs pose a significant challenge to market growth. Moreover, the increasing demand for natural refrigerants, increasing green building certifications, and sustainable construction practices are prominent market trends in the refrigerants market. Download FREE PDF Brochure Of Refrigerants Market - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=6011 Key Players: Some of the major players studied in this report are Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), Daikin Industries, Ltd. (Japan), Linde plc (Ireland), L'AIR LIQUIDE S.A. (France), A-Gas International Limited (U.K.), The Chemours Company (U.S.), Tazzetti S.p.A. (Italy), AGC Inc. (Japan), DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (U.S.), Arkema Group (France), Dongyue Group Limited (China), Sinochem Group Co., Ltd. (China), SRF LIMITED (India), Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited (India), and Engas Pty Ltd (Australia). The refrigerants market is segmented by type (chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrocarbons (HCs), ammonia, water refrigerant, carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrofluoroolefin (HFO), Iso-butane, propane, and other types); application (air-conditioning {split Acs, window Acs, centralized/ducted Acs, VRF (variable refrigerant flow) systems, and portable AC}, refrigeration, chilling and heating, and other applications); end user (residential, commercial {supermarkets, warehouses, hospitality, transportation, healthcare, and food service}, industrial { food & beverage, automotive, chemical & petrochemical, medical & pharmaceutical, agriculture, power generation, and other industries}, and data centers). The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the refrigerants market in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Get Insightful Data On Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, And Top Companies (Charts, Tables, Figures And More) - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-sample-report/cp_id=6011 Key Findings in the refrigerants Market Study: By type, the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing use of CFC refrigerants, driven by their chemical stability that facilitates safe storage and transportation, and the rising demand for CFCs in HVAC systems are key factors expected to support the rapid growth of this segment. By application, the air-conditioning segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growing adoption of refrigerants in various air conditioning systems, including split systems, window units, and central air systems, along with the increasing use of refrigerants for their low toxicity and non-flammability, which enhance safety in both residential and commercial AC applications, are factors expected to support the rapid growth of this segment. Have Specific Research Needs? Request a Customized Research Report - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=6011 By end user, the commercial segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growing use of refrigerants for air conditioning in commercial settings such as supermarkets, restaurants, and office buildings, the rising consumption of frozen and packaged foods, and the increasing demand for natural refrigerants in commercial refrigeration applications are factors expected to support the rapid growth of this segment. By geography, the Asia-Pacific market is slated to register the highest CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period. Rising industrial development and economic growth in the region, as well as the growing demand for efficient refrigeration solutions in sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and logistics, are expected to support the rapid growth of this regional market. IMMEDIATE DELIVERY AVAILABLE | BUY THIS RESEARCH REPORT (Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures and More)- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/17087302 Scope of the Report: Refrigerants Market Assessment-by Type Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Hydrocarbons (HCs) Ammonia Water Refrigerant Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Iso-Butane Propane Other Types Refrigerants Market Assessment-by Application Air-conditioning Split ACs Window ACs Centralized/Ducted ACs VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) Systems Portable AC Refrigeration Chilling and Heating Other Applications Refrigerants Market Assessment-by End User Residential Commercial Supermarkets Warehouses Hospitality Transportation Healthcare Food Service Industrial Food & Beverage Automotive Chemical & Petrochemical Medical & Pharmaceutical Agriculture Power Generation Other Industries Data Centers Refrigerants Market Assessment-by Geography North America S. Canada Europe Germany K. France Italy Netherlands Spain Sweden Poland Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific Japan China India South Korea Singapore Australia & New Zealand Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Rest of Asia-Pacific Latin America Mexico Brazil Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa UAE Saudi Arabia South Africa Israel Rest of Middle East & Africa Related Reports: Natural Refrigerants Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Refrigerant Type (Ammonia, Carbon Dioxide, Hydrocarbon), Application (Refrigeration, Air-conditioning), End User (Residential, Industrial, Commercial), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/natural-refrigerants-market-5912 Automotive HVAC Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Offering (Hardware, Services), Operation Mode (Manual HVAC, Automatic HVAC), Application (ICE Vehicles, EV Vehicles), End User (OEM, Aftermarket), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/automotive-hvac-market-5913 Medical Cooling Systems Market By Product [Equipment (Standard, Customize), Accessories], Type (Air Cooled), Model (Split, Modular System), Compressor (Scroll, Screw), Application (MRI, CT, PET, Laser), End User (OEM, Hospital)- Global Forecast To 2024 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/medical-cooling-systems-market-4911 Solid State Cooling Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Type (Single, Multi, Thermocycler), Product (Refrigeration, Cooling), Technology (Thermoelectric, Electrocaloric), Application, and End-use Industry - Global Forecast to 2031 - https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/solid-state-cooling-market-5982 Refrigerants Market Research Summary Particulars Details Number of Pages 250 Format PDF Forecast Period 2024-2031 Base Year 2023 CAGR (Value) 5.8 % Market Size (Value) USD 10.5 billion by 2031 Segments Covered By Offering Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Hydrocarbons (HCs) Ammonia Water Refrigerant Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Iso-Butane Propane Other Types By Application Air-conditioning Split ACs Window ACs Centralized/Ducted ACs VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) Systems Portable AC Refrigeration Chilling and Heating Other Applications By End User Residential Commercial Supermarkets Warehouses Hospitality Transportation Healthcare Food Service Industrial Food & Beverage Automotive Chemical & Petrochemical Medical & Pharmaceutical Agriculture Power Generation Other Industries Data Centers Countries Covered North America (U.S., Canada), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, South Korea, Singapore, Australia & New Zealand, Indonesia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America), and the Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Rest of Middle East & Africa). Key Companies Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), Daikin Industries, Ltd. (Japan), Linde plc (Ireland), L'AIR LIQUIDE S.A. (France), A-Gas International Limited (U.K.), The Chemours Company (U.S.), Tazzetti S.p.A. (Italy), AGC Inc. (Japan), DuPont de Nemours, Inc.(U.S.), Arkema Group (France), Dongyue Group Limited (China), Sinochem Group Co., Ltd. (China), SRF LIMITED (India), Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited (India), and Engas Pty Ltd (Australia) Contact: Meticulous Market Research Pvt.Ltd. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe: +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Meticulousblog.org | Top Market Research Reports Blog - https://meticulousblog.org/ Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/1244/refrigerants-market Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564555/Refrigerants_Growth_Report_2031.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/5042683/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/refrigerants-market-to-be-worth-10-5-billion-by-2031---exclusive-report-by-meticulous-research-302313589.html BANGALORE, India, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ceramic Ball Valve Market is Segmented by Type (Manual Operated Ceramic Ball Valve, Electric Operated Ceramic Ball Valve, Pneumatic Operated Ceramic Ball Valve), by Application (Oil and Gas, Chemical, Steel, Power): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2030. The Global Ceramic Ball Valve Market is projected to reach USD 124.6 Million by 2030 from an estimated USD 99 Million in 2024, at a CAGR of 3.9% during 2024 and 2030. Claim Your Free Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-5S9269/Global_Ceramic_Ball_Valve_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of Ceramic Ball Valve Market: The ceramic ball valve market is growing as industries recognize their durability, chemical resistance, and efficiency in demanding applications. Key factors driving growth include their adoption in water treatment, oil and gas, and chemical sectors, where harsh conditions require high-quality, resilient valves. As more industries prioritize efficiency and durability, the ceramic ball valve market is set for steady expansion, supported by regional industrial growth and regulatory compliance. Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-5S9269/global-ceramic-ball-valve TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE CERAMIC BALL VALVE MARKET: Manual operated ceramic ball valves are highly valued for their simple operation and durability in demanding industrial applications. These valves offer cost-effective solutions for flow control in various settings, including chemical processing, water treatment, and energy industries. Their corrosion resistance and robustness make them suitable for applications involving abrasive materials or corrosive substances. Manual valves are favored for their ease of maintenance and reliability in remote or less automated environments. As industries prioritize reliability and cost savings in valve selection, the demand for manual operated ceramic ball valves continues to grow, reinforcing their contribution to the overall expansion of the ceramic ball valve market. Electric operated ceramic ball valves are increasingly popular for automated, precise flow control in sectors like pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and water treatment. These valves are essential for applications requiring remote control and real-time adjustments, as they support automated systems in complex industrial operations. With features like high accuracy and energy efficiency, electric ceramic ball valves are used in applications where safety and accuracy are paramount. This capability aligns with industry trends favoring automation, making electric-operated ceramic ball valves integral to market growth as more companies adopt automated systems to improve productivity. The oil and gas industry's reliance on robust, corrosion-resistant valves for managing high-pressure flows supports demand for ceramic ball valves. In challenging environments with abrasive materials or corrosive chemicals, ceramic ball valves provide durability, reducing maintenance needs and equipment replacement costs. Their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures makes them ideal for upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas operations. As global oil and gas exploration continues, the demand for ceramic ball valves in this sector rises, contributing significantly to the market's expansion by meeting the sector's rigorous standards. The water treatment industry increasingly relies on ceramic ball valves for their resistance to corrosion and chemical degradation, making them ideal for handling harsh substances. These valves ensure reliable performance in wastewater management, desalination, and municipal water systems, where durability is crucial. The global emphasis on clean water access supports market demand, as ceramic ball valves help optimize water treatment processes. Furthermore, in the chemical industry ceramic ball valves are essential, where processes often involve highly corrosive substances. These valves provide superior corrosion resistance, which minimizes the risk of leakage and ensures operational safety. The growth of the chemical industry and the need for materials that withstand harsh environments drive ceramic ball valve adoption, making them indispensable for reliable flow control. Power plants require durable, high-performance valves that withstand extreme conditions, and ceramic ball valves provide the needed resilience. Their application in handling high-temperature, high-pressure fluids makes them ideal for power generation facilities, where equipment longevity and efficiency are priorities. As power generation grows, particularly in renewables, demand for ceramic ball valves rises, supporting market growth. Claim Yours Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-5S9269&lic=single-user CERAMIC BALL VALVE MARKET SHARE Global Ceramic Ball Valve main players are Fujikin, Yantai Kingway, CERA SYSTEM, Shengkai Industry, etc. The top four companies hold a share above 30%. China is the largest market, with a share of about 30%. Asia-Pacific shows strong growth, driven by expanding manufacturing, water treatment, and oil and gas activities. Regional needs influence market trends, with each area contributing to overall growth through sector-specific demand. Key Companies: Fujikin Yantai Kingway CERA SYSTEM Metso Nil-Cor Shengkai Industry Huagong Valve Dingchuang Shanggao Valve Neeinn Xiamen Fuvalve Samuel Industries SAMSON Group Xinfeng PRE-VENT GmbH Yongjia Yajin FOYO Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-5S9269/global-ceramic-ball-valve/1 SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. 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DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - High Temperature And High Pressure Ceramic Ball Valve Market - Pneumatic Ceramic Ball Valve market was valued at USD 49 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 63 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Ceramic Lined Floating Ball Valve market was valued at USD 95 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 124.5 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Manual Ceramic Ball Valve market was valued at USD 8 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 11 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Electric Ceramic Ball Valve market was valued at USD 28 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 43 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Ceramic Lined Valves Market - Ceramic Valve Market - Filled Ceramic Ball Market - Lined Ball Valves market was valued at USD 1100 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1470.3 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Ceramic Ball Bearings Market was estimated to be worth USD 737.3 Million in 2023 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 1028.8 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Floating Ball Valve Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources. GET A FREE QUOTE Valuates Reports sales@valuates.com For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valuatesreports6753 https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese https://valuatesreportspanish.blogspot.com/ https://valuateskorean.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesgerman.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesreportjapanese.blogspot.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-ceramic-ball-valve-market-analysis-2024-2030-resilient-solutions-for-industrial-flow-control--valuates-reports-302313608.html From its Sacramento headquarters, Daily Balance empowers local nonprofits with streamlined financial management, helping them save up to 40% in administrative costs and enabling a sharper focus on their missions. SACRAMENTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Daily Balance, a longstanding accounting firm specializing in nonprofit bookkeeping, financial audit representation, and virtual CFO advisory, is proud to serve as a key resource for nonprofit organizations from its established headquarters in Sacramento, CA. With years of trusted service, Daily Balance remains dedicated to providing exceptional accounting solutions that support nonprofits throughout the West Coast. Sacramento Nonprofit Bookkeeping Sacramento Nonprofit Bookkeeping From its Sacramento headquarters, Daily Balance continues to offer tailored support that helps local nonprofits reduce overhead by up to 40%, enabling them to focus more resources on their core mission and programs. As a cornerstone of financial expertise in the nonprofit sector, the Sacramento office exemplifies the firm's commitment to delivering reliable and efficient financial management services. "As Sacramento's dedicated nonprofit accounting partner, we understand that financial health goes beyond balancing books. It's about equipping organizations to make informed decisions, enhance board confidence, and increase funding opportunities," said Syd Highley, Founder and Managing Principal of Daily Balance. "We have anchored our operations in Sacramento, where we can serve and strengthen the local nonprofit community." From the Sacramento headquarters, Daily Balance offers a full spectrum of services specifically designed for nonprofits, including: Nonprofit Bookkeeping - Providing precise, auditable records and responsive support to ease daily financial operations. Nonprofit Financial Audit Representation - Ensuring audit-ready financials that lead to seamless, worry-free audits. Nonprofit CFO Advisory - Offering expert financial insights, proactive planning, and funding support. Daily Balance invites Sacramento nonprofit leaders to schedule a consultation to discuss their unique accounting needs and receive actionable recommendations for effective financial management. For more information on nonprofit bookkeeping and to learn how Daily Balance can support your mission, visit their website at https://nonprofitaccountant.com/locations/sacramento/ or contact them directly at (916) 999-5955. About Downing & Co: Daily Balance is a leading nonprofit accounting firm dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations save up to 40% in admin costs while freeing themselves up to focus on their mission/programs. Established in 1999, Daily Balance offers comprehensive services, including nonprofit bookkeeping, nonprofit financial audit representation, and virtual CFO advisory services. Contact Information JP Richards Director of Communications releases@drakedigital.com (346) 660-4994 SOURCE: Daily Balance View the original press release on newswire.com. Russia fires first ICBM at Ukraine: Kiev Xinhua) 21:31, November 21, 2024 KIEV, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine for the first time during a missile attack on Dnipro in central Ukraine Thursday morning, the Ukrainian Air Force said. The ICBM was fired from Russia's southern Astrakhan region, the Air Force said on Telegram, without specifying the missile type. The attack included eight other missiles. The air defense shot down six cruise missiles, while the remaining missiles caused no "significant consequences," the Air Force added. Regional governor Sergii Lysak said the massive attack on Dnipro damaged an industrial enterprise and caused two fires in the city. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment, directing questions to the Defense Ministry. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan) New proactive tax strategies from trusted Portland small business accountant offer high-net-worth clients unprecedented opportunities for major tax reductions and legacy preservation. PORTLAND, OR / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Downing & Co., a leading Portland small business accountant known for proactive and holistic financial planning, has announced the launch of a groundbreaking tax-savings strategy aimed at helping Portland businesses and high-net-worth individuals save up to $1 million in taxes this year. With tax-saving tactics rooted in advanced planning and personalized service, Downing & Co. continues to raise the bar in Portland's accounting industry, making it possible for clients to achieve substantial tax reductions and build their legacy for the future. Tax Savings - Portland This strategy is designed to identify significant tax-saving opportunities, minimize liabilities, and boost financial security for clients across Greater Portland and Southwest Washington, home to over 101,000 businesses. As a Portland small business accountant, Downing & Co. has already saved clients between $50,000 to $150,000 annually by utilizing forward-thinking tax-planning methods. Now, this new initiative promises even greater savings, potentially reaching the $1 million mark for certain clients. "At Downing & Co., our goal is to help clients maximize their wealth and safeguard it for generations," said Tim Downing, Managing Principal of Downing & Co. "Our clients deserve a tax strategy that's not only effective but also proactive - one that doesn't just react to tax deadlines but anticipates and adapts to changing financial landscapes. This approach empowers clients to keep more of what they've worked hard to earn, allowing them to focus on growth and legacy." The firm's innovative tax-savings strategies involve an in-depth analysis of clients' financial profiles and uses a unique combination of tax planning, wealth preservation, and legacy structuring. By addressing every aspect of a client's financial situation - from income and investments to estate planning and business advisory - Downing & Co. ensures comprehensive coverage and optimized results. With the firm's expert CPA-led guidance, clients benefit from: Advanced Tax Planning - Downing & Co. leverages its team's expertise to secure substantial savings each year, going beyond the basics to identify uncommon deductions and credits. Holistic Wealth Management - This proactive approach incorporates estate planning, investment analysis, and risk mitigation, ensuring that clients' wealth is protected both now and in the future. All-Season Support - Unlike traditional accountants who only engage during tax season, Downing & Co. provides year-round guidance, adapting strategies based on evolving tax laws and personal financial shifts. Downing & Co.'s service area includes the Greater Portland region and Southwest Washington, encompassing cities from Vancouver to West Linn, Gresham to Forest Grove, and beyond. Its team of CPAs, financial advisors, and legal experts collaborate to offer a seamless financial strategy that aligns with each client's individual goals from tax efficiency to wealth growth and legacy preservation. For more information on Downing & Co.'s revolutionary tax-savings strategies, visit https://downingpdx.com/services/portland-small-business-accountant/ or contact us directly at (503) 445-3578. About Downing & Co: Downing & Co. is a leading estate planning CPA firm dedicated to helping high-net-worth individuals and small businesses save up to 40% in taxes now and for the legacy they leave behind. Established in 1964, Downing & Co. offers comprehensive services, including tax planning, accounting and bookkeeping services, estate planning, and wealth management. Contact Information JP Richards Director of Communications releases@drakedigital.com (346) 660-4994 SOURCE: Downing & Co. View the original press release on newswire.com. Wichita, Kansas--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - The Grounds Guys of Wichita is basking in the glory of multiple prestigious awards and honors received at the recent Reunion 2024 event hosted by their national franchisor. Owner Jeff Baker was personally selected by brand president Lori Johnson to receive the coveted President's Award in recognition of his exceptional dedication to the business and brand. The Grounds Guys of Wichita President's Award "Receiving this award is an incredible honor," said an elated Jeff Baker. "It's a testament to the hard work and passion our team brings every day to create beautiful outdoor spaces for our homeowners in Wichita and the surrounding communities." In addition to the President's Award, The Grounds Guys of Wichita racked up an impressive array of accolades at the event held in Grapevine, Texas. They took home the 2023 Summit Award for earning the highest rebates from preferred vendors and achieved the elite Top Gun status by ranking among the top 2.5% of all franchises-earning the celebrated Admiral title. These latest awards build on the company's growing reputation for excellence, having previously been named: 2022 Franchisee of the Year, 2021 Office Professional of the Year, and the 2018 Sales Professional of the Year With a team of three backflow-certified, licensed irrigation technicians holding a master irrigator's license for Kansas, The Grounds Guys offers comprehensive Wichita landscaping services. Their services range from irrigation and seasonal maintenance to specialty projects like hardscaping and landscape lighting-all delivered with a commitment to customized, top-quality results. "Our success is deeply rooted in our team's dedication to going above and beyond for our clients," Baker explained. "We take the time to understand each customer's unique needs and tastes, crafting customized solutions that bring their vision to life while enhancing their property's curb appeal and value." The Grounds Guys' commitment to excellence extends far beyond just top-notch landscaping services in Wichita. The company prides itself on building lasting relationships with its customers and being an active member of the local community. From supporting local charities and events to implementing sustainable practices, they strive to make a positive impact. For more details on The Grounds Guys of Wichita's award-winning services, visit https://www.groundsguys.com/east-wichita/ or call (316) 854-1443. The Grounds Guys of Wichita Award-Winning Landscaping Service About The Grounds Guys of Wichita A locally owned and operated business located at 1816 N Wabash Ave, Wichita, KS 67214, The Grounds Guys of Wichita offers a full suite of landscaping services tailored to residential and commercial clients in Wichita and nearby areas like Andover, Augusta, Derby, and El Dorado. With a steadfast focus on quality and customer satisfaction, the company strives to beautify properties through personalized, eco-friendly solutions. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230896 SOURCE: The Grounds Guys of Wichita Orlando, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - In a remarkable achievement, Evan Dimov, the dynamic owner of Mr. Electric of Orlando, has been awarded the coveted 2023 New Franchisee of the Year Award, setting a new standard in the electrical services industry. Mr. Electric of Orlando Wins New Franchisee of the Year Award The New Franchisee of the Year Award is presented to franchise owners within the Mr. Electric network who have demonstrated exceptional growth, customer service, and business acumen. Evan Dimov's dedication to excellence and his team's relentless pursuit of customer satisfaction have been instrumental in achieving this prestigious recognition. The award was presented in October 2024 at the Neighborly Reunion in Grapevine, TX, acknowledging Evan's exceptional performance and involvement in the Mr. Electric system. After leaving a successful career as a restaurateur, Evan Dimov embarked on a new venture by establishing Mr. Electric of Orlando. His journey to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the electrical services sector is a testament to his visionary leadership and commitment to excellence. Since its inception, Mr. Electric of Orlando has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive residential and commercial electrical repair, installation, and maintenance services. With a focus on electrical panel upgrades, panel replacements, EV charger installations, and more, Evan and his team of Orlando electricians have become a trusted name in the community. Evan is also deeply involved in the community, particularly in educating homeowners about generator safety. His efforts in this area have garnered significant attention, even being featured on local news stations. Through workshops, informational sessions, and media appearances, he has made a significant impact, ensuring that residents are informed and safe, especially during hurricane season. Upon receiving the award, Evan Dimov expressed his gratitude, stating, "This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my incredible team and the trust that Orlando homeowners have placed in us. We are deeply honored to serve this vibrant community, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to our loyal customers for making this possible." Mr. Electric of Orlando is committed to maintaining high standards of quality and safety in all its services. Licensed (EC13012245) and equipped with a team of skilled professionals, the company continues to set benchmarks for electrical services in Orlando, Titusville, and surrounding communities. For more information about Mr. Electric of Orlando and the award-winning electrical services offered, please visit https://mrelectric.com/orlando or contact Evan Dimov at 407-329-5796 or via email at orlando@mrelectric.com. Orlando Electricians About Mr. Electric of Orlando Mr. Electric of Orlando is an independently owned and operated franchise that provides a wide range of residential and commercial electrical services. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, Mr. Electric of Orlando proudly serves Orlando, Titusville, and surrounding communities. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230895 SOURCE: Mr. Electric of Orlando Approval marks final step in the commercialization of the cellular version of the TRUSense Gateway Burnaby, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Tantalus Systems (TSX: GRID) ("Tantalus" or the "Company"), a technology company dedicated to helping utilities modernize their distribution grids by harnessing the power of data, is pleased to announce that the PCS Type Certification Review Board ("PTCRB") has certified the TRUSense Cellular Gateway ("TCG"). Completing this step means that the TCG is approved to communicate on cellular networks and has achieved all certifications necessary for commercial deployment. The TRUSense Gateway accelerates and simplifies a utility's journey to becoming more reliable, resilient and innovative with three configurations of delivery-across fiber, ethernet and now cellular. It is an integral part of the Tantalus Grid Modernization Platform (TGMP) and provides utilities with improved visibility, command and control across the entire grid - from the substation all the way to devices located behind the meter. The PTCRB is an international certification program established by leading system operators to define test specifications and processes to ensure that cellular devices comply with industry standards and will perform on global wireless networks. With PTCRB certification, the TCG is approved for deployment on cellular networks across North America to support grid modernization. This accomplishment validates the technical prowess of the TRUSense Cellular Gateway and-along with the updated certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the previously announced Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorization-enables Tantalus to begin its full production and delivery of the TCG. This product release represents the third variant of the TRUSense Gateway product line and gives utilities the flexibility to leverage cellular network connectivity in addition to fiber and ethernet. "Finalizing PTCRB is the last stage of ensuring the entire suite of TRUSense Gateways is fully commercial and available for purchase," said Peter Londa, President and CEO of Tantalus. "We look forward to leveraging this technology as we continue our work with the innovative utilities who are committed to modernizing their grids by harnessing the power of data." Designed to expand the capabilities of the TRUSense Gateway family, the TCG offers a comprehensive set of benefits geared towards enhancing grid modernization efforts. Without the need for utilities to replace existing meters, the TCG facilitates the integration of next-generation advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), advanced power quality sensing, and reliable and sophisticated behind-the-meter control. These capabilities allow utilities to harness the full potential of data analytics, improve outage management, enhance energy delivery efficiency and promote sustainable energy management practices. Utilities, investors, and industry consultants interested in learning more about the suite of TRUSense Gateway offerings and how these products can support your grid modernization journey are encouraged to contact Tantalus for further information and demonstrations at TantalusInfo@Tantalus.com, or visit our website at https://tantalus.com/trusense-gateway/. About Tantalus Systems Holding Inc. (TSX: GRID) Tantalus is a technology company dedicated to helping utilities modernize their distribution grids by harnessing the power of data across all their devices and systems deployed throughout the entire distribution grid. We offer a grid modernization platform across multiple levels: intelligent connected devices, communications networks, data management, enterprise applications and analytics. Our solutions provide utilities with the flexibility they need to get the most value from existing infrastructure investments while leveraging advanced capabilities to plan for future requirements. Learn more at http://www.tantalus.com/. Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes information, statements, beliefs and opinions which are forward-looking, and which reflect current estimates, expectations and projections about future events, including, but not limited to, the adoption, commercialization, performance, impact and development of the TRUSense Gateway and TGMP, the ability of Tantalus' solutions to assist utilities with grid modernization efforts (including harnessing the full potential of data analytics, improving outage management, enhancing energy delivery efficiency and promoting sustainable energy management practices), the potential transformative impact of grid modernization on energy conservation, operational efficiency and customer engagement, and other statements that contain words such as "believe," "expect," "project," "should," "seek," "anticipate," "will," "intend," "positioned," "risk," "plan," "may," "estimate" or, in each case, their negative and words of similar meaning. By its nature, forward-looking information involves a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome of the plans and events described herein. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which is based on the information available as of the date of this news release and Tantalus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this new release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. The forward-looking information included in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230940 SOURCE: Tantalus Systems Holding Inc. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Gratomic Inc. ("Gratomic", "GRAT", or the "Company") (TSXV:GRAT) provides a Corporate and Operational Update on bringing the Aukam Graphite mine to production and announces the appointment of Hermanus Manuel Silver, "Manie", to the Board of Directors and the position of Chief Operating Officer. Aukam Graphite Mine Gratomic is undertaking a strategic repositioning to further increase its focus on mining operations at Aukam and accelerate bringing the mine into production. With graphite pricing rebounding to USD 1,600 per tonne, capital markets have realigned. They now support critical minerals primarily in graphite, as it still is the most deficient in stable supply outside of China. Board Appointment Hermanus Manuel Silver, "Manie", has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and a Director of the Company. Currently Mine Manager and Head of Namibian Operations, he will continue those roles. During his 42-year open-pit and open-cast mining career, Manie has also held positions as COO and CEO and is still instrumental in starting and managing several mining projects across Africa. He also consulted as Senior Engineer in mining metals and minerals within the African continent, and outside as far as Malaysia and Kazakhstan. As well, Manie has acted as Senior Engineer for the Highland Group in Eritrea, Angola, and Zambia on gold, copper, and diamonds. He was responsible for improving mine capex and opex and training senior management at Zambian Copper, DRC Copper, and Angola Diamond Mines. He also served as CEO for Miranda Coal. Positions Held Operations Director, Namibia Contracts mining Senior Consultant at Basil Read, in Rosh Pinah, Namibia, responsible for planning total project improvements, productivity, and costing Managing Director, EBM Copper Mining, Namibia, starting up a new surface mining project General Manager, Tharisa Mineral, restructuring the mining operations to extend the life-of-mine with improved profits and sustainability Manie's current role at the Gratomic Graphite (Pty) Ltd. Aukam Project is primarily, but not limited to, planning future mine production, and organizing and supervising all mining activities. They include overseeing mine development, mine planning and benching, quality control on highwall and rock stability, and inspecting the mine to ensure a safe working environment. "I am very confident," said new COO Manie, "that with my appointment I am going to be able to bring the necessary experience and direction to the board that is required to advance Aukam into production. We have already started working on a business plan which we plan to implement in December 2024 to set the stage for greater strategic advancement of the asset and the processing plant. I have spent a long time working with Arno Brand across the world and look forward to working closer with Cliff Bream and Daniel Baard". The appointment of Hermanus Manuel Silver as an officer and Director of the Company is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Board Departure Gratomic announces the departure of Executive Chair Bruno Baillavoine for personal reasons. Bruno's position will remain vacant for the time being, and his duties will be absorbed by the remainder of the board, as the Company assesses the best candidate to fill the position at a later stage. Bruno remains committed to the long-term success of Gratomic. He will stay on as a key consultant and continue to advise the Company on strategic matters indefinitely. "It has been a great pleasure," said Bruno, "to work with Gratomic as Chair of the BOD. It is great to see the team building up its strength with new appointments at this most important time in the Company's development. I look forward continuing to support the BOD as a consultant to help the team meet future challenges and deliver on its strategy." New Head of Processing The board announces the engagement of Kobus La Grange to consult on and act as head of processing. Kobus has 34 years of experience in the Southern African steel and mining industries, is a Metallurgist by profession, and is a founding shareholder of ABT established in 2012 as a subsidiary of IPtR. Starting his metallurgical/mining career with IMCOR Zinc, Namibia, he later moved to JCI in the mid-eighties, working his way through the managerial levels to Metallurgical Manager of Anglo Platinum's Rustenburg Section. In 2004, Kobus left Anglo Platinum to join a new venture called Independence Platinum Resources (IPR), where he developed and commercialised the "ConRoast" technology together with Mintek. IPR was majority held by Atomaer, which sold control to Braemore Resources, which subsequently was acquired by Jubilee Platinum. Kobus left Jubilee to join Tharisa Platinum as it moved from a trial mining venture to a major PGM and chrome production entity. As General Manager, Kobus was instrumental in developing the Tharisa operation to its full capacity. In 2012, the IPR team reassembled as IPtR, a company to develop innovative sustainable solutions in the resource, processing, and beneficiation fields that add value to Africa's mineral assets for the benefit of its people. Other Business Sale of Non-essential Assets: Gratomic has sold a residential property in Windhoek which is scheduled to close on November 30. The sale will provide Gratomic with approximately CAD $712,000 net of commissions and taxes. The proceeds of the sale will be put towards advancing and sustaining operations in Namibia. Tri-Stream: Once the Engineering report is released by the Independent Engineering firm out of Australia, Gratomic and Tri-stream will finalize the agreement between the two companies. Strategic Marketing Agent Agreement: Gratomic has further decided to outsource all marketing of its product to an independent trading firm. Discussions have advanced well, and the two companies are nearing completion of a partially prepaid long-term marketing agreement. We will update the market on completion of the transaction. Aukam Overview Arno Brand, President and CEO of Gratomic stated, "It has been a challenging environment for graphite companies in the Market. It is a relief to see graphite pricing rebalancing and market sentiment strengthening. These factors should yield positively towards our completing the necessary steps to deliver our endeavours successfully. Critical mineral exports out of the east are becoming heavily encumbered and are poised to strike a major price imbalance between the two dominating economies in the world." Gratomic wishes to emphasize that no Preliminary Economic Analysis, Preliminary Feasibility Study, or Feasibility Study has been completed to support any level of production. In fact, no mineral resources let alone mineral reserves demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on the Aukam property. The Company is working towards completing a study on scaling up the existing Aukam Processing Plant to a commercial-size facility capable of producing the desired concentrate grades and production rates. Its recommendations, and their subsequent implementation, will provide conclusions and recommendation at a Feasibility Study level of comfort. Gratomic wishes to emphasize that the supply of graphite is conditional on Gratomic being able to bring the Aukam project into a production phase, and for any graphite being produced to meet certain technical and mineralization requirements. Gratomic continues to move its business towards production. As part of its business plan, it expects to file a National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects resource estimate in Q4 2025. Risk Factors No mineral resources, let alone mineral reserves demonstrating economic viability and technical feasibility, have been delineated on the Aukam property. The Company is not able to demonstrate or disclose any capital and/or operating costs that may be associated with the processing plant until the Feasibility Study is completed. The Company advises that it has not based its production decision on even the existence of mineral resources, let alone on a Preliminary Feasibility Study or a full Feasibility Study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. As a result, there may be an increased uncertainty for achieving any level of mineral recovery and 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. There is no guarantee that production will begin as anticipated or at all, or that anticipated production costs will be achieved. Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and future profitability. About Gratomic Gratomic is a multinational company with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada. The Company aims to become a graphite supplier and to secure a strong position in the electric vehicle battery supply chain through the development of its flagship Aukam Graphite Mine. Large quantities of high-quality vein graphite have been shipped for testing and have confirmed its suitability as an anode material. The Company will continue to update the public on the status of these tests and will share results as they become available. For more information Please visit the website: www.gratomic.ca Contact: Arno Brand at abrand@gratomic.ca or (416) 561- 4095 To be added to our email list: subscribe at gratomic.ca/contact/ For Marketing and Media information: please email info@gratomic.ca "Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.com). SOURCE: Gratomic Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2024) - Pure Energy Minerals Limited (TSXV: PE) (OTCQB: PEMIF) ("Pure Energy" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. Yuwei Hong has been appointed to the board of directors of Pure Energy Minerals. Mr. Hong represents Lithium X Corp. which holds an 11.6% equity position in Pure Energy. Mr. Hong is an experienced professional with over 15 years of expertise in management, investment, and consulting. He currently serves as the vice president of Xizang Zhufeng Resources Co. Ltd. (Previously known as the Tibet Summit). Before joining Xizang Zhufeng in 2022, he worked as an investment director at the NextView Capital. Mr. Hong holds a master's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder. As well, the Company sincerely thanks Mr. Yuankai Mao for his contributions as a prior board member and wishes his well in his future endeavours. "Pure Energy is very pleased to welcome Mr. Hong as a board member and we look forward to working with him in the future," stated Joseph Mullin, CEO & Director of Pure Energy. About Pure Energy Pure Energy Minerals is a lithium resource company that has consolidated a pre-eminent land position at its Clayton Valley Project in the Clayton Valley of central Nevada for the exploration and development of lithium resources, comprising 950 claims over 23,360 acres (9,450 hectares), representing the largest land holdings in the valley. Pure Energy's strategic partner, SLB, is operator of the Clayton Valley Project. In May of 2019, Pure Energy and SLB signed an Earn-In agreement over the CV Project which requires significant investment by SLB in the Project, to include the design and construction of a pilot plant capable of processing lithium-bearing brines for high-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate ("lithium hydroxide" or "LiOHH2O") and/or lithium carbonate ("Li2CO3") products at a specified rate. For further details regarding SLB's participation, please refer to Pure Energy's Annual General and Special Meeting Management Information Circular dated April 4, 2019, available on SEDARplus.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Joseph Mullin" CEO, Pure Energy Minerals Ltd. Cautionary Statements and Forward-Looking Information The information in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include: changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant to the mining industry, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry. Forward-looking statements in this release may include future exploration and development on the Clayton Valley Project. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws. 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 or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/230981 SOURCE: Pure Energy Minerals Ltd. Dote, a Manchester, UK-based lifestyle parenting brand, raised 1.15M in Seed funding. The company intends to use the funds to help support the development of its product range and technology as well as bringing on board and strengthening its leadership and product development teams ready for launch and a phase of high-speed growth for the business. Founded in 2018 by Ste Senior, Dote is a technology and lifestyle brand thats bringing AI-driven technology and innovation to parents for the first time as an integrated in-and-out of home ecosystem. Its products are specifically engineered for the nature of parenting. The funding round followed an initial 600K secured in pre-seed funding, with additional investment this time led by an investment group based in Dubai and further business and technology investors including Luke Pilfold-Thomas and Dominic Miller. Dote offers pushchairs and strollers, an AI powered smart baby monitor, and a car seat. The company announced the appointment of Joe Swanston as Sales Director in October 2024 whose focus will be to help Dote strengthen its retailer and distributor relationships and footprint, following various growth-focused roles including Former Head of Ecommerce at Tommee Tippee. He joined Dotes senior team which already includes COO Ralph Wood (former Dyson engineer and product development lead), CTO George Goudie (software, website and app engineering veteran) and CMO Denise Namakando (former Dyson, Unilever and Owlet Baby Care marketing lead). FinSMEs 21/11/2024 Iontra, a Centennial, CO-based battery charging technology company, raised $45M in Series C funding. The round was led by Volta Energy Technologies, with additional support from other investors. The company intends to use the funds to consolidate position as a supplier of low-cost, small-footprint battery charger microcontrollers (MCUs) and to support its customers upcoming product releases. Led by CEO Jeff Granato, Iontra provides an advanced battery sensing and charging method that is predictive and responsive, proactively protecting the battery while charging. It minimizes the concerning failure modes of batteries, plating and dendrite formation, which cause safety issues and limit battery performance. Its charge technology is chemistry agnostic and proven to concurrently increase battery cycle life and charge speed up to and greater than 200 percent, support cold weather charging to -20C, and create a safer charge overall, without changing the design and chemistry of existing battery cells. The company has raised $120.3M to date. FinSMEs 21/11/2024 Palo Alto, California, November 21st, 2024, Chainwire Integration to enhance DeFi use cases on Aptos, expand interoperability, and streamline global payment solutions for merchants. Aptos Foundation today announced the upcoming integration of Circles native USDC and Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) on the Aptos Network, as well as Stripe adding support for Aptos in its crypto products. These integrations make Aptos the home for interoperable DeFi and the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable enterprise-grade blockchain, further expanding its global financial ecosystem. The integration of Aptos into Stripes crypto onramp and payouts products, paired with native USDC, will provide reliable fiat on and off-ramps for the Aptos network, streamline merchant pay-ins and payouts, and offer a seamless connection between traditional finance and blockchain technology. Today, USDC is the largest regulated dollar-backed stablecoin with over $37B in circulation. With more than $160M in circulation on Aptos, bridged USDC is the most prevalent stablecoin available on the network. With this integration, native USDC will be issued through the regulated entities of Circle directly on the Aptos network and CCTP will enable developers to design cross-chain experiences by connecting their Aptos apps to the network of supported blockchains. Bridge providers such as Stargate, built on LayerZero, will provide a smooth transition from the existing bridged USDC on Aptos to native USDC over time. There are no immediate changes to the AptosBridge built on LayerZero, and it will continue to operate as normal. Additionally, ahead of the native launch of USDC, bridged USDC from the AptosBridge will be renamed to lzUSDC on block explorers. There will be outreach to ecosystem apps to encourage them to make the same change in their app UI and documentation. The launch of CCTP will bring new levels of interoperability to DeFi on Aptos, enabling secure and efficient native USDC transfers. With the addition of Aptos, CCTP will support nine blockchains including Arbitrum, Base, Ethereum, and Solana and 72 routes with 1:1 capital efficiency. This move will allow for seamless cross-chain onboarding, swaps, purchases, treasury rebalancing, and more all while maintaining an accessible and intuitive user experience. With the addition of Aptos to Stripes crypto products, users will be able to seamlessly convert fiat currencies into USDC, directly through Aptos-enabled wallets. This integration will enable the use of USDC for Stripes global network of businesses. The combination of Stripes payment tools and Aptos scalable network unlocks new opportunities for global merchants and payment providers to process transactions faster, more securely, and at lower costs. Adding support for the Aptos blockchain inside our crypto products broadens consumer and merchant access to more efficient global fund flows with stablecoins; whether it be a retailer accepting payments from around the world, or a platform paying creators no matter where they are, said John Egan, Head of Crypto at Stripe. This collaboration brings Stripes global network together with the power of the Aptos blockchain, opening new avenues for both merchants and consumers to access efficient, stablecoin-based payments. The DeFi ecosystem on Aptos has grown to five times its original size in the past year alone, and its clear why, said Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product Officer at Circle. Aptos has emerged as a highly efficient way to move money across the globe. The arrival of native USDC and CCTP will only enhance this, and further the vision we share with the Aptos Foundation team of a future where secure digital dollars create a more accessible economy for everyone. USDC and CCTP are the gold standards in DeFi, and Stripe is among the most trusted names in financial infrastructure, said Bashar Lazaar, Head of Grants and Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation. Circle and Stripes integration of Aptos moves the needle in creating a more accessible, secure, and decentralized future of finance. Were all looking forward to this integration, and are eager to see what the incredible builders in the Aptos ecosystem make possible with this powerful new technology in their toolkit. Aptos makes the globally connected economy accessible to everyone by simplifying the movement of economic value, said Mo Shaikh, CEO of Aptos Labs, which provided technical expertise for the integrations. Im looking forward to seeing Aptos becoming a unifying force in the global economy, providing infrastructure that enhances payment efficiency while bringing the peer-to-peer money movement to life for its ecosystem and builders. For more information about Aptos Foundation and DeFi on Aptos, visit: https://aptosfoundation.org/ecosystem/projects/defi. About Aptos Foundation Aptos Foundation is dedicated to supporting the development of the Aptos protocol, decentralized network and ecosystem and driving engagement with the Aptos ecosystem. By unlocking a blockchain with seamless usability, Aptos Foundation aims to bring the benefits of decentralization to the masses. About Aptos Network Aptos is a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain. Aptos breakthrough technology and programming language, Move, are designed to evolve, improve performance and strengthen user safeguards. Please visit https://www.aptosfoundation.org for more information on the Aptos blockchain. About Circle Circle is a global financial technology firm that enables businesses of all sizes to harness the power of digital currencies and public blockchains for payments, commerce and financial applications worldwide. Through its regulated entities, Circle is the issuer of USDC and EURC highly liquid, interoperable, and trusted money protocols on the internet. Circles open and programmable platform and APIs make it easy for organizations to run their internet-scale business, whether it is making international payments, building globally-accessible Web3 apps or managing their internal treasury. Users can learn more at https://circle.com. About Stripe Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform for businesses. Millions of companiesfrom the worlds largest enterprises to the most ambitious startupsuse Stripe to accept payments, grow their revenue, and accelerate new business opportunities. Headquartered in San Francisco and Dublin, the company aims to increase the GDP of the internet. Contact Communications Lead Hannah Noyes Aptos Labs [email protected] Amongst these amazing lifeforms that we know so little about, sits the latest target for corporate exploitation: polymetallic nodules read more Thousands of meters below the waters surface, where light fades and temperatures hover near freezing, lies the deep seabed: the largest living space on Earth and our largest carbon sink which works to stabilize our planets climate. Far from the barren wasteland that many would assume, the deep seabed is teeming with life home to between 2 and 10 million species, most of which are still undiscovered. Amongst these amazing lifeforms that we know so little about, sits the latest target for corporate exploitation: polymetallic nodules. These ancient nodules, which take millions of years to grow, are rich in nickel and cobalt and pro-mining nations and mining corporations would have us falsely believe that their extraction is the future of green energy. These nodules produce dark oxygen, a mysterious yet essential form of oxygen that supports marine life. However, all current ocean science indicates that mining these nodules could have catastrophic consequences, not just for our ocean, but for our planet. Advertisement Scientists recently discovered that the polymetallic nodules are not lifeless rocks, as mining corporations claim, but living ecosystems. These nodules produce dark oxygen, a mysterious yet essential form of oxygen that supports marine life. Extracting them could obliterate ecosystems that take millions of years to form, with potentially catastrophic environmental consequences. As vital components of deep-sea ecosystems, which are possibly crucial for carbon sequestration, their loss could significantly worsen climate instability. Today, within the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) a vast deep seabed spanning over 4.5 million square kilometers in the Pacific Ocean a staggering 3 million square kilometers, equivalent to the size of India, has been designated for potential mining. This area is on the brink of becoming the largest mine on Earth, exploited for the benefit of a select few. These decisions are being made behind closed doors at the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a secretive organization based in Kingston, Jamaica, tasked with the dual and conflicting mandate of both protecting the marine environment and facilitating its exploitation for profit. However, the deep seabed in the High Seas (where the CCZ lies), is defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as the common heritage of (hu)mankind and must be held in trust for future generations. This means the deep seabed doesnt belong to any organization, nation or corporation. It belongs to all of us. It is our birthright as human beings, and there has never been a greater need to protect it to safeguard ocean health and planetary stability. To combat the huge environmental threat posed by deep seabed mining, comes the launch of The Worlds Largest Ocean Dispute: a campaign that gives global citizens the ability to freely reclaim the seabed in the CCZ on behalf of humanity and future generations, and become guardians of the deep ocean. This process gives people the ability to directly challenge the exploitation of the common heritage of humankind for corporate gain. Advertisement Matthieu Rytz, Director and Producer of the award-winning environmental documentary about deep seabed mining, Deep Rising, that is Narrated and Executive Produced by Jason Momoa, questions what could happen to life as we know it if deep sea mining licenses are granted: Deep seabed mining (DSM) hasnt started yet and we have a-once-in-a-generation chance to change the course of history and stop another hugely destructive extractive industry before it does irreparable harm to our planet. By launching The Worlds Largest Ocean Dispute, we are empowering humanity to formally challenge this modern-day colonial ocean grab thats threatening to destroy an irreplaceable and vital part of our planets ecosystem the deep seabed. Advertisement The seabed cant be owned. Corporations dont have the right to decide what happens to it - especially if its destruction impacts our lives and the lives of our children. If history has shown us anything, its that a willingness to destroy our planets critical biodiversity for short-term financial gain causes planetary collapse. We know so little about our deep seabed and the function it performs for our planet, but we do know that all ocean science to date indicates that mining the seabed could be environmentally catastrophic. We have been down that road before and its led us to the climate crisis. Are we really willing to repeat history by destroying one of Earths last pristine ecosystems without fully understanding its importance? Have we learned nothing from the destructive extractive industries of the past? We need to unite now and protect our birthright the deep seabed before its too late. Advertisement The world-first global campaign, The Worlds Largest Ocean Dispute, will divide the deep seabed into 8.1 billion GPS coordinates to represent everyone on the planet. These coordinates will be tokenized and mapped over the areas in the CCZ that have been designated for potential mining. People will be able to freely claim back their unique coordinates in around 60 seconds via a state-of-the-art, decentralized digital platform backed by web3 technology. By reclaiming the CCZ on behalf of humankind and future generations, each person becomes a guardian of the ocean floor. To add further transparency, each claim will also be recorded on CoinWeb, an eco-friendly blockchain which will help send a powerful message to nations, corporations and policymakers: the deep seabed is the common heritage of humankind and its not for sale. Advertisement In return for their claim, users will receive a beautifully-designed, individualized birthright certificate featuring a deep ocean lifeform and stamped with their unique GPS coordinates. This certificate, known as a DEEPSEA NFT featuring our deepsea unsung heroes - inspired by deep ocean life, known and unknown, will be available in 90 languages including many indigenous languages, and can easily be shared to social channels. The DEEPSEA NFT will non- tradable for financial gain. Each one will be stored on a decentralized server, free from central authority and censorship. This innovative approach ensures that these claims cannot be blocked or altered by any organization or agency. The Deep Rising Impact Campaign is housed on deeprising.com, and uses groundbreaking web3 technology and blockchain to empower individuals to reclaim the deep seabed in a transparent, measurable way. Together with our web3 partner CoinWeb, an open-source, interoperability and decentralized platform, well mint the NFTs onto the MultiversX blockchain: a protocol recognized for its minimal ecological footprint, is CO2 positive, and offsets more CO2 than it actually produces, unlike proof-of-work blockchains such as BITCOIN, which can have a significant carbon footprint of around 300kg of CO2 per transaction. MultiversX energy consumption is dramatically lower, at about 0.04 grams of CO2 per transaction. To put this in perspective, just one Google search generates approximately 0.2 grams of CO2, meaning one NFT has a carbon footprint five times lower than just one search, and boiling a kettle emits about 15 grams of CO2. Rytz said. Deep Rising is also employing a process known as Merkelization for the tokenization of the 8.17 billion GPS coordinates (which represent all of humanity on our planet). This innovative method minimizes transactions, ensuring that the carbon footprint remains exceptionally low potentially just a few grams of CO2. Those 8.17 billion GPS represents about 2.5 GB of data, which is very little. As a comparison, watching a 2-hour film on Netflix in 4K would use 14 GB. Deep Rising is collaborating with a diverse range of partners, from high-level stakeholders to grassroots organizations, to elevate and amplify the campaigns message. A key partner is the Republic of Palau, a Pacific Island nation already on the frontline of climate change and strongly opposed to deep seabed mining. Deep Rising is working closely with Palaus government and traditional leaders to bring the campaigns message to the world stage through high-profile global events. H.E. President Surangel Whipps Jr. of Palau serves as the spokesperson for Deep Rising. Ahead of his speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he will spotlight the grave threat DSM poses to his nation and the world, H.E. President Surangel Whipps Jr. spoke on the launch of the campaign, stating: The deep seabed is not just a resource; it is our shared inheritance, playing a critical role in stabilizing the planet at a time when humanity is facing an unprecedented climate crisis. We cannot allow a few corporations to exploit what belongs to all of us - especially when doing so threatens to unravel the fragile ecosystems that are vital in the fight against climate change. Once these ecosystems are destroyed, they are lost forever. The ISA must uphold its duty to protect, not plunder, the common heritage of humankind. This movement is about much more than saving the oceanit is about safeguarding our collective future. The decisions we make today will shape the world our children and grandchildren will inherit. In addition to Palau, The Worlds Largest Ocean Dispute is partnering with grassroots organizations across various regions to educate and inform local communities about the dangers of deep seabed mining. This includes collaborating with groups in countries that are actively pressuring the ISA to allow mining to commence in the CCZ. Cast: Ajay Devgn, Bhumika Chawla, Sameera Reddy, Rahul Dev, Yashpal Sharma, Sharat Saxena, Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz and others Director: Anees Bazmee Back in the 90s & early 2000s, Bollywood delivered several blockbusters where the sole purpose of films were to entertain without getting into logic or social messages. Yes, sometimes they were cringe, cheesy as well as problematic but we cant deny it had all the fun elements. Now, talking about Ajay Devgns much-delayed movie Naam, which was supposed to release in 2002 but got postponed due to the demise of one of the producers of the movie. As the film is set to hit the screens tomorrow, lets see whether it is one of those typical 90 & 00s Bollywood movies, which keeps you entertained without stressing about logical things. Advertisement Naam starts with a chase sequence where a group of mafias chase the character of Ajay Devgn and as they shoot him he falls in the sea. Shyamlal (Vijay Raaz) finds him on the shore and admits him to the hospital. After the operation when all the bullets from his body are removed, Dr Pooja (Bhumika Chawla) asks about his name and he is not able to recall. He falls in love with Pooja and cut-to we see their lives after three years, where they are happily married and settled in Manali with his name as Shekhar and living together along with Muskaan, who is Poojas daughter with his first husband, who died. While everything is smooth and easy, Shekhars past continues to haunt him as some of the glimpses keep coming in front of him. In a sudden turn of events, he and his family are attacked a mafia group and with his past instincts, he not only tackles them but hunts them down. Now, as he realizes that he has some kind of association with mafias in the past, which can be dangerous for his life, he flies to Mumbai to know about his real identity and how he is linked with the underworld. So, what is Shekhars real identity? Is he a professional killer or something else? Well, you have to watch Naam for that. As I said before, considering the film is 22 years old, I enjoyed the typical Bollywood nostalgia which has typical twists and turns, which are not solid but dramatic and enjoyable. The best part of the movie is that throughout 135 minutes there was not a boring moment. It had all the elements of a commercial potboiler with a dash of action sequences, comical scenes along with emotional elements. Advertisement Talking about the performances, Ajay Devgn is in his signature intense avatar and his avatar is a treat to his fans. Bhumika Chawla and Sameera Reddy have performed their characters well. Rahul Dev looks underutilized while the camaraderie between Rajpal Yadav and Vijay Raaz is a treat thanks to their bang-on comic timing. On the whole, Naam is a treat to cinegoers, who still enjoy typical 90s & 00s Bollywood entertainers. Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars) Naam is set to release on 22nd November While Jon Chus film is visually stunning, with impeccable VFX, cinematography, choreography, and songs, the editing could have been better. Wicked looks stretched with a duration of close to three hours read more Cast: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang Director: Jon M. Chu Director Jon M. Chu known for In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asians has brought the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, Wicked, based on novelist Gregory Maguires book, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Like his previous movies, director Chu makes sure to make Wicked (Part 1). This visually stunning cinematic experience seamlessly blends with its fantasy roots and transports you to the magical land of Oz. Advertisement The plot of the movie starts with news of the death of the Wicked Witch (Cynthia Erivo), which creates a wave of happiness among the Ozians. Glinda (Ariana Grande), who is popularly a good witch, confirms the news of his demise to the people. However, Ozians get surprised when one of them asks Glinda whether the Wicked Witch was her friend and she agrees. However, taking back to her school days, Glinda reveals how she crossed paths at the Shiz University, where they turned enemies into friends. Wicked Witch aka Elphaba faced rejection right from birth because of her green skin from Ozians and her family. Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, the headmistress of the Crage Hall at Shiz University, is mighty impressed by Elphabas skills and teaches her privately as she feels the green-skinned girl has all power and potential to read Grimmerie, a sacred book of Oz. However, little did Elphaba know that the University people and the Wizard Of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) have kept some dark secrets and have different plans. What happens next? Well, for that you have to watch Wicked on the big screen. While Jon Chus film is visually stunning, with impeccable VFX, cinematography, choreography, and songs, the editing could have been better. Wicked looks stretched with a duration of close to three hours. Talking about the performances, Ariana has done well as Glinda with her voice being the soul of the character. However, it is Cynthia, who has stolen the show with her nuanced performance. Advertisement Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero is charming and charismatic while Michelle Yeoh & Jeff Goldblum have done justice to their characters. While the built-up in the first part is executed well, it would be interesting to see how the 2nd part takes us on a magical ride. Wicked is playing in cinemas Rating: 3 (out of 5 stars) The recent deaths of four tourists in Laos have drawn attention to the dangers of methanol poisoning. This toxic chemical, often found in counterfeit or poorly brewed alcohol, can cause severe metabolic acidosis, blindness, and even death read more An exterior of the Bangkok Hospital Udon, where an Australian teenager was taken after drinking alcohol contaminated with methanol in Laos and passed away, in Udon Thani province, October 21, 2024. File Image/Reuters A series of events in a Southeast Asian nation has brought the dangers of methanol poisoning into sharp focus after four foreign nationals, including a 19-year-old Australian teenager, died in Laos. Several others have fallen ill, leading to heightened warnings from governments and experts about the risks associated with consuming alcohol in certain regions. What happened in Laos? Bianca Jones, a 19-year-old Australian backpacker, died on November 16 after consuming alcohol suspected to be laced with methanol in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist hub in Laos. Jones and her friend, Holly Bowles, also 19, fell ill after a night out on November 11. Both were transferred to hospitals in Thailand, where Jones succumbed to the poisoning despite intensive care. Bowles remains in critical condition. Advertisement Thai police confirmed the cause of Jones death as methanol poisoning. The physician who examined her said the cause of death was methanol poisoning, from fake liquor, Phattanawong Chanphon, a Thai police official told Reuters. The amount of methanol in her body was high, leading to swelling of the brain. Jones is one of four foreign tourists who have died in Laos under similar circumstances this month, including two Danish nationals and an American. Several others, including a New Zealander, have reported symptoms of methanol poisoning after consuming alcohol in the region. This is every parents worst fear and a nightmare no one should have to endure, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament. All Australians offer [Jones family] our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak. What is methanol and how does it poison? Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is a colourless and flammable liquid commonly used in industrial products such as antifreeze, windshield cleaners, and solvents. Unlike ethanol, the alcohol found in beverages, methanol is highly toxic and not meant for human consumption. Methanol poisoning occurs when the substance is metabolised in the body into formaldehyde and formic acid. Also Read | Who is Am Cyanide, Thailands woman serial killer sentenced to death for poisoning 14 friends? These compounds disrupt the mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, leading to severe metabolic acidosis. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, vision impairment, and, in severe cases, unconsciousness, coma, or death. Formic acid poisons the mitochondria, causing irreversible damage, experts explain. Even small amounts of methanol can cause permanent vision loss if treatment is delayed. Advertisement How does methanol end up in alcohol? Methanol contamination in alcohol can happen in several ways. In some cases, it is added deliberately as a cheaper alternative to ethanol to increase the alcohol content of beverages. In others, traditional brewing methods may inadvertently produce methanol alongside ethanol, depending on the ingredients and fermentation process. Vang Vieng, once notorious for its party culture, has reinvented itself as an eco-tourism hub in recent years. However, its reputation for excessive drinking lingers. Also Read | What is MATGA movement, where US women are suggesting poisoning men? Jones and Bowles reportedly drank free shots offered at a hostel before heading to a bar on the night they fell ill, reported AP. Authorities are still investigating the exact source of the methanol-tainted drinks. For travellers, the safest options are commercially mass-produced alcoholic beverages and licensed venues. However, even these precautions may not completely eliminate the risks. Advertisement Jones family hopes her death will spur action. We want to ensure no other family is forced to endure the anguish we are going through, they said in a statement. How have governments responded to the incident? Several governments have updated their travel advisories in light of the incident. Australias Smartraveller website advises tourists to consume alcohol only at reputable licensed establishments and avoid homemade or unregulated beverages. The Canadian government echoed similar concerns, warning of methanol-adulterated alcohol in Laos. The UK Foreign Office confirmed that there have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is assisting a national who may have fallen victim to methanol poisoning in Laos. The Laos government has yet to issue a public statement or release details about the ongoing investigation. However, the deaths coincide with an international meeting of Southeast Asian defence ministers in the capital, Vientiane, further intensifying scrutiny on the countrys handling of the crisis. Advertisement Why is this a recurring problem? Methanol poisoning is not a new issue in Southeast Asia. Over the past decade, numerous cases have been reported across the region, highlighting a persistent challenge. Ethanol-based beverages, often more expensive to produce, are sometimes substituted with methanol to cut costs. Counterfeit alcohol brands and locally brewed spirits, like fruit wines and rice whiskeys, are particularly susceptible to contamination. The dangers of methanol poisoning are preventable with stricter regulations and better awareness, experts say. Yet, in countries like Laos, where tourism plays a vital role in the economy and enforcement resources are limited, addressing the problem remains difficult. With inputs from agencies The Australian government on Thursday tabled legislation in Parliament to ban children under 16 from social media. The proposed law states that social media companies could be fined over $30 million for violating the rules. But will users be held responsible? read more Australia is mulling a ban on children under 16 from social media. The Anthony Albanese-led government introduced legislation into Parliament on Thursday (November 21), saying social media companies could be fined $33 million if they fail to prevent children from accessing their platforms. Australias communications minister Michelle Rowland said the ban would cover social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram. This bill seeks to set a new normative value in society that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia, she told Parliament. Advertisement Australian Prime Minister Albanese has touted the bill as world-leading. He said the proposed law is meant to protect kids from the harms of social media. Lets take a closer look. Australias social media ban on teenagers Australias proposed law provides a framework for the ban. The 17-page document was tabled before the Australian Parliament on Thursday. The ban will apply to all kids below 16, with no exceptions for existing users or those with parental consent, BBC reported citing the bill. Some companies, such as YouTube, and messaging services like WhatsApp will be exempted from the ban. Access to gaming sites will also not be restricted, reported BBC. Social media platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the ban on younger children. It is not yet known how the companies will determine the age of the users. Australias communications minister Rowland said that social media companies had to be responsible for the safety and mental health of Australians. The legislation places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place, she said. Rowland previously told the Parliament that the bill has robust provisions to protect the privacy of social media users. Advertisement This is not about government mandating any form of technology or demanding any personal information be handed over to social media companies, Rowland said, as per Associated Press (AP). A young girl uses her phone while sitting on a bench in Sydney, November 8, 2024. File Photo/AP If passed, the ban will come into effect at least 12 months later. Australian PM Albanese said, This is a global problem and we want young Australians essentially to have a childhood. We want parents to have peace of mind. He earlier said there would be no penalties for the users. Australia is also planning to prevent kids under 18 from accessing pornography online, the government said in a statement. How will Australias ban work? The new legislation does not reveal much about how social media companies are expected to enforce the ban. Last week, the Australian government said that an association led by the British company Age Check Certification Scheme has been tasked with analysing different technologies to estimate and verify ages, as per AP. Advertisement The company will report back to the Australian government by the end of next June. The government has promised to address privacy concerns arising out of the proposed law. Australias internet regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, will chalk out how to implement and enforce the rules. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant admitted the mammoth task on their hands to enforce the ban, given technology change is always going to outpace policy. It will always be fluid, and this is why regulators like eSafety have to be nimble, she added. Debate over the ban From tech companies to parents, Australias proposed ban has evoked mixed reactions. More than 100 Australian academics have condemned the ban as too blunt an instrument, saying it violates the United Nations suggestion for governments to ensure safe access to digital environments for young people, reported BBC. Advertisement Katie Maskiell from UNICEF Australia said the bill would not be a solve-all for protecting children, adding much more is needed to be done, reported AFP. She also raised concerns about the ban pushing young people onto covert and unregulated online spaces. The proposed legislation has not won the support of a bipartisan parliamentary committee that has been examining the impact of social media on adolescents. The panel has, instead, called for tightening regulations on tech giants. Digital Industry Group Inc, a group representing the interests of tech companies in Australia, has described the age limit as a 20th Century response to 21st Century challenges. Advertisement It said such a ban could push adolescents into dangerous, unregulated parts of the internet. While some parents have supported the ban, others have expressed concerns. Amy Friedlander, a mother of three from the Wait Mate movement which encourages parents to delay giving smartphones to their kids, told BBC, We cant ignore all the positives that technology has brought into our lives. There are huge upsides, but what we havent really considered is the impact it is having on brains which arent ready for it. There are concerns that the ban would adversely affect vulnerable groups, such as LGBTQ+ or First Nations teenagers, who are more comfortable online. Joanne Orlando, a researcher in digital behaviour, told BBC that the age restriction could be part of a strategy, it absolutely cant be the whole strategy. She said the biggest piece of the puzzle should be to educate children to develop critical thinking about the content they see online and how they use social media. With input from agencies The University of Delhi (DU) will announce the results of the Delhi University Students Union elections today, with vote counting set to begin at 8:30 am. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) will hold a march to the CBI office in Kolkata, demanding a swift completion of the investigation into the rape and murder case read more Students stand in a queue at a polling booth to cast their votes during the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls, at Campus Law Centre, New Delhi, Sept 27, 2024. PTI Thursday, November 21, will be an eventful day with several key developments scheduled. The results of the Delhi University Students Union elections will be announced today. In Kolkata, the Communist Party Of India (Marxist) will lead a march to the CBI office, calling for a swift judgment in the probe into the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A public funeral will be held at the Mariinsky Theatre for Vladimir Shklyarov, the renowned Russian ballet star who passed away on Saturday. Advertisement Meanwhile, Carey Grayson, a death row inmate convicted for the brutal 1994 murder of a hitchhiker, is set to become the third person in the United States to be executed using nitrogen gas. To Lam, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will begin an official visit to Malaysia. Lets take a look at these events: DUSU election results The University of Delhi (DU) is set to announce the results of the Delhi University Students Union elections today. A student casts vote during the DUSU polls, at Miranda House in New Delhi, Sept 27, 2024. PTI Initially scheduled for release immediately after the elections, the announcement was delayed following a High Court order. The judgment came after the elections, held on September 27, 2024, saw widespread defacing of public spaces with campaign materials. Vote counting for the central panel and college representatives will begin at 8:30 am at the DU Conference Centre. The process will be overseen by an Election Commission team, as per an official statement. CPI(M)s march to CBI office The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] will hold a march to the CBI office at the CGO complex in Kolkata today, demanding a quick completion of the investigation into the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The march will mark the 100th day since the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the central agency. Women march towards the CBI office in protest against the alleged rape and murder at the RG Kar Medical Collage and Hospital, in Kolkata, Oct. 17, 2024. PTI The case revolves around the death of an on-duty doctor, whose body was discovered in the hospitals seminar room, leading to widespread outrage and protests by junior doctors across the state. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court assigned the case to the CBI. Funeral of Russian ballet star Vladimir Shklyarov Russian ballet star Vladimir Shklyarov, who died on Saturday in Saint Petersburg, will be honoured with a public funeral at the Mariinsky Theatre today. Vladimir Shklyarov and Alina Somova as Romeo and Juliet during a rehearsal for the Mariinsky Ballet performance at the Royal Opera House in London, August 3, 2009. Reuters/File Photo Shklyarov died at the age of 39 after falling from a fifth-story building. According to The Independent, the incident took place while he was on painkillers ahead of spinal surgery scheduled for November 18. Advertisement ALSO READ | Is Earths magnetic North Pole moving closer to Russia? Third execution using nitrogen gas in the US Alabama death row inmate Carey Grayson is set to become the third person in the United States to be executed using nitrogen gas. Grayson, now 49, was convicted of the 1994 murder of 37-year-old hitchhiker Vickie Lynn Deblieux. Deblieux, who was hitchhiking from Tennessee to Louisiana to visit her mother, was tortured, bludgeoned, and mutilated by Grayson and three other teenagers after being picked up along a highway near Trussville. ALSO READ | US witnesses 5 executions in 1 week, the most in 20 years: Who are the convicts? If carried out as planned, Graysons execution will mark the 22nd death penalty case in the country this year. Vietnams To Lam will travel to Malaysia To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will begin a three-day official visit to Malaysia today, aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. Notably, this would mark his first visit to Malaysia since assuming his role as party leader in August 2024. An official statement read that their discussion will focus on the progress of ongoing bilateral relations, particularly cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture and commodities, the halal industry, energy, digital technology, and information and communication. Advertisement With inputs from agencies A new analysis reveals that studies consistently find no causal link between immigration and increased crime across a variety of countries. According to the research, legal work permits and stable employment are directly linked to reductions in crime rates read more Migrants stand in line to have their papers checked before crossing into the US in Tijuana, Mexico. Reuters Immigration and crime were once again central themes throughout the US presidential election campaign. The belief that immigration drives up crime is one of the oldest and strongest convictions held by the public, spanning over a century in the US and elsewhere. This view remains deeply rooted despite mounting evidence to the contrary, in large part thanks to politicians such as Donald Trump, who are all too keen to amplify this narrative. Since his first presidential campaign announcement in June 2015, Trump has persistently linked immigration to crime. Advertisement At that time, he stated: When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems Theyre bringing drugs, theyre bringing crime. He has since stepped up this rhetoric. In the final stretch of his recent presidential campaign, he made claims such as: The corrupt media is outraged that I keep talking about migrant crime and the migrant crime epidemic. Its the worst thing thats happened to our country in 50 years. Theyre taking over our small towns and cities. According to survey evidence from the Pew Research Center, an American thinktank based in Washington DC, immigration and crime were two of the top three issues for Trump voters in the 2024 election, after the economy. But what does the evidence really show? Our analysis reveals that studies consistently find no causal link between immigration and increased crime across a variety of countries. Research from the US, including both older and more recent studies, as well as research on Italy and the UK, demonstrates that immigration does not have a significant impact on crime rates. Advertisement Our paper also provides new evidence from Europe that reinforces this conclusion. After analysing 15 years of data on immigration inflows and crime rates across 216 regions in 23 European countries, we found no significant link between immigration levels and crime rates. Indeed, through the application of robust causal methods, our findings demonstrate that even in areas experiencing substantial immigration, crime rates do not rise and may even decline slightly as immigration increases. Why perceptions and reality diverge One of the main reasons why the belief that immigration drives crime has persisted for so long is the influence of media and political rhetoric. During an election campaign, for example, selective coverage and targeted political messages can fuel public fears. In Chile, where the foreign-born population tripled over a decade in the early 2000s amid a booming economy, public concern about crime intensified and demand for private security increased. However, research indicates that this surge in immigration had no impact on crime rates, and that intense media coverage played a significant role in shaping and amplifying public misperception. Advertisement Such negative messaging, though effective (as exemplified by Trumps successful campaign), often diverges sharply from reality. Developing policies that focus on the social and economic integration of immigrants, rather than assumptions based on fear, can promote safer and more cohesive communities. An electronic billboard displays a message against Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, referencing his false claims that immigrants are eating pets, in Youngsville, North Carolina, US. Reuters This isnt to say migrants are not involved in crime. In fact, immigrants are often over-represented in the prison populations of many host countries. But the fact this doesnt lead to a rise in crime rates, according to our analysis, could be because immigrant populations are often too small to alter crime rates significantly. And it is also possible that some form of offender substitution occurs, where immigrants replace natives in local crime markets. Advertisement What science says One strand of research has explored whether the over-representation of immigrants in crime statistics may stem from external factors, such as restricted legal status or limited economic opportunities, rather than any inherent criminal propensity. Our review highlights how legal work permits and stable employment are directly linked to reductions in crime rates. For example, in cases where certain Eastern European immigrants to other countries in Europe were granted legal work permits, their crime rates dropped by over 50 per cent. Farm workers pick tomatoes in the countryside near the town of Foggia, southern Italy. Research shows that granting immigrants legal status can lead to significant reductions in criminal activity. Representational image/Reuters This is consistent with separate research that finds that granting immigrants legal status can lead to significant reductions in criminal activity, and that policies expanding legal access to work can help reduce crime rates among immigrant populations. In fact, one study from March 2024 that examined long-term trends in the US revealed that immigrants today are much less likely to be imprisoned, compared with the 1960s. The same study attributes this reduction in crime to better work opportunities and more stable family structures among male immigrants. These insights provide a pathway toward policies that value integration over exclusion. Advertisement Expanding access to legal work, particularly for asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups, could foster safer communities. But restrictive policies focused on criminalising undocumented immigrants or barring them from employment may, paradoxically, increase crime. As the US considers its approach to immigration, prioritising causal evidence over fear-driven narratives could pave the way for policies that benefit both immigrants and the communities they join. By fostering economic participation and addressing public misperceptions, we can build fairer, safer societies for all. Paolo Pinotti, Professor of Economics, Bocconi University and Olivier Marie, Professor of Labour Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Ialian artist Maurizio Cattelans artwork Comediana banana taped to a wallmade waves at a contemporary art auction in New York, when it was sold at a jaw-dropping $6.2 million. The third edition of the art piece was bought by Chinese cryptocurrency mogul Justin Sun for more than 40 times the original estimate read more Step into any supermarket, and you can easily grab a banana for under a dollar. But a banana duct-taped to a wall? That just fetched a jaw-dropping $6.2 million. Believe it or not. On Wednesday, Italian artist Maurizio Cattelans artwork Comediana banana taped to a wallmade waves at a contemporary art auction in New York, when it was declared sold with a shocking price tag. The third edition of the artwork, became the centrepiece of the auction, with cryptocurrency mogul Justin Sun placing the winning bid. The final price soared to 40 times the original estimate, making the simple duct-taped banana one of the most talked-about pieces in recent art history. Advertisement Heres what you need to know about this eye-catching artwork and why it attracted such a high bid. About the banana artwork This is not the first time the Comedian has grabbed headlines. When it debuted in 2019 as an edition of three fruits at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair, it became a much-discussed sensation. Was it a prank? A commentary on the state-of-the-art world? The festival-goers tried to make out whether the single yellow piece of fruit bound to a white wall with silver duct tape, priced at US$120,000, was a joke or cheeky commentary on questionable standards among art collectors. However, at one point, an artist took the banana off the wall and ate it. A performance artist who ate a banana taped to a wall that was an artwork valued at $120,000 said his actions were not vandalism and he does not regret his snack at Art Basel in Miami Beach, Florida. Reuters This spawned a copycat stunt in May 2023, in which a South Korean art student removed and ate the banana from an edition of Comedian on display in Seoul. The student told the museum he ate it because he was hungry, a gallery spokesperson told CNN after the incident. But it is much more than a banana stuck to the wall for Cattelan, who told Art Newspaper in 2021 that it was not a joke, but rather a sincere commentary and a reflection on what we value. At art fairs, speed and business reign, so I saw it like this: if I had to be at a fair, I could sell a banana like others sell their paintings. I could play within the system, but with my rules, he said. The Italian artist is popular for satirical pieces that challenge prevalent cultures, his previous works include a solid gold, fully functioning toilet titled America. Advertisement The Italian artist is known for satirical pieces that challenge popular culture, his previous works include a solid gold, fully functioning toilet titled America. Reuters In a press release announcing the sale for the third time, Sothebys New York head of contemporary art David Galperin, described Comedian as a defiant work of pure genius. Who is the buyer? In a competitive and fast-moving auction in which cryptocurrency bids were accepted, bidding started at $800,000 and quickly leapt beyond the initial estimates. In a fast-paced auction that accepted cryptocurrency bids, the starting price was $800,000. However, it soon skyrocketed beyond expectations on Wednesday. According to AP, the bidding surged to $2 million within minutes, then quickly escalated to $3 million, $4 million, and beyond. The auctioneer, Oliver Barker, quipped, Dont let it slip away. Dont miss this opportunity. These are words Ive never thought Id say: Five million dollars for a banana. The final hammer price was $5.2 million (plus $1 million auction house charges) by Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun. Advertisement Founder of the cryptocurrency platform TRON, Sun won the bid and paid more than 40 times that higher price point at the Sothebys auction. Justin Sun, founder of the cryptocurrency platform TRON, won the bid and paid more than 40 times that higher price point at the Sothebys auction. Reuters This is not just an artwork, it represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community, Sun said in a statement to Sothebys. I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history. In return, Sun will receive a banana and a roll of duct tape, as well as a certificate of authenticity and instructions on how to install the work including how to replace the banana, should he want to. Advertisement The entrepreneur also revealed his own plans for the artwork, stating he intends to follow tradition. Additionally, in the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honouring its place in both art history and popular culture. With input from agencies Europe may soon see an influx of wealthy Americans seeking residency, as interest in golden visas has surged following Donald Trumps victory in the presidential elections. These visas allow individuals to acquire foreign residency or citizenship by investing in real estate and government bonds. The demand for golden visas has risen, particularly among citizens from Democratic-leaning states read more Interest in golden visas has skyrocketed among citizens in the US since the election results were announced. Image courtesy: Freepik/Representational The US election may have been a decisive win for President-elect Donald Trump, but dissatisfaction among Democratic voters could not be more evident. Nearly 72 million Americans cast their vote for Kamala Harris, and while many threaten to leave the country after such outcomes, most remain to stay. This time, however, Europe might see an influx of affluent Americans seeking residency. Interest in golden visas has surged among US citizens post-election, according to migration consultants, CNN reported. Advertisement ALSO READ | How Italy is luring Americans who want to leave US after Trump with $1 homes Henley & Partners, which claims to have started the concept of citizenship-by-investment in the 1990s, reported a nearly 400% increase in inquiries from US nationals during election week compared to the previous week. Applications for residency or citizenship by investment - which require direct or indirect economic contributions - have risen 26% this year compared to last. What are golden visas? Golden visas allow people to acquire foreign residency or citizenship through investments in areas such as real estate, government bonds, or startups. While residency typically allows families to move and own property, it does not offer a passport or voting rights. Citizenship-by-investment, on the other hand, grants both, and in the EU, it includes the right to live in other member states, Barrons reported. Interest in these programs has surged, especially in Democratic-leaning states, Dominic Volek, group head of private clients at Henley & Partners, told CNN. However, most individuals do not plan to permanently relocate. The main focus for most Americans is just having the optionality like an insurance policy, Volek said. ALSO READ | An Amerexit: Why Americans are googling how to leave country after Trumps win Arton Capital, another investment migration consultancy, reported over 100 inquiries the day after Donald Trumps election win, five times the usual daily average. A woman walks as Vice President Kamala Harris concedes the election to Donald Trump. AP A very small percentage of these people are actually relocating, but they all want to have the option as a Plan B, CEO Armand Arton, who expects increased demand from the US over the next six months, told CNN. Immigration attorney Reaz Jafri of Withersworldwide also noticed a similar pattern. Minutes after Trumps victory was announced, he received an email from a California couple seeking EU citizenship through Malta for themselves and their transgender child. We need to do this quickly, they said. Over the past week, Jafri has signed agreements with seven families seeking exit options. Theyre not down on America, theyre just concerned about the direction we are headed in now, he told Barrons. Advertisement The rise in demand From a historical perspective, residence- and citizenship-by-investment schemes have primarily drawn elites from emerging markets like India, Nigeria, South Africa, China, and the Philippines. Notably, these people often seek a second passport to get away from political and economic instability at home or obtain visa-free travel. Americans, however, were not primary participants in these programs until the pandemic. During Covid-19 lockdowns, many wealthy US citizens realised they could not visit Europe - even if they owned homes there or had access to private jets - without a European passport, Dominic Volek of Henley & Partners said. A lot of the very wealthy families were a little bit more exposed than they realised, he told CNN. Since then, demand from US nationals has grown due to rising political divisions and social tensions. Henley & Partners reported that Americans have been the largest group of applicants for investment migration programs since 2020. Advertisement Portugals Golden Residence Permit Program has become popular due to its affordability, requiring a minimum 250,000 investment in arts or cultural heritage and offering a path to EU citizenship after five years. Meanwhile, countries like Greece, Spain, and Italy require seven to 10 years for citizenship. Portugals Golden Residence Permit Program has become popular due to its affordability. AP The ultra-wealthy, with net worths exceeding $50 million, are more likely to pick Malta or Austria for their faster citizenship options but at comparatively higher costs. Maltas program requires a 600,000 non-refundable payment to the government, a real estate investment, and a 10,000 donation to local charities. Meanwhile, Austrias pathway involves direct contributions to its economy, starting at around 3.5 million. Advertisement ALSO READ | What is social media platform Bluesky which people are leaving X for? What about the not-so-wealthy Americans? With golden visas beyond the reach of most Americans, many are turning to alternative routes for relocating abroad, which has caused debates on social media. A YouTube video titled Countries for Americans Who Want to Leave the US, posted by a couple, has gained over half a million views and 4,000 comments in under two weeks. Similarly, a Reddit thread called Emigrating After the US Election Results has received 1,300 comments in the same period. Flannery Foster, an American based in Spain who helps others settle abroad, told CNN that the trend includes those who feel particularly vulnerable. Ive been talking to people whose lives and livelihoods are at risk, Foster told the media outler, quoting women, Black individuals, LGBTQ+ families, and parents with transgender children. These people are not your golden visa people, she added. Advertisement For many US citizens, looking at citizenship by descent - proving ancestral ties to an EU country - has also become a viable option. Henley & Partners said that residency or citizenship through investment, though faster, remains more expensive. The demand from US nationals has grown due to rising political divisions and social tensions. Image courtesy: Freepik/Representational Another route involves private requests for citizenship, often used by extraordinary entrepreneurs, athletes, or artists, Barrons reported. If someone has a skill set and they are investing $1 million supporting women entrepreneurship or something, theyll get citizenship, Reaz Jafri said. ALSO READ | Why Elon Musks estranged transgender daughter wants to leave Trumps US For those seeking more affordable options, Caribbean nations offer citizenship programs starting around $250,000, making them a popular choice for US applicants. Notably, an Italian village is capitalising on the post-election surge in interest from Americans looking to move abroad. The village of Ollolai, located on the island of Sardinia, has launched a website offering ultra-cheap homes - some priced as low as $1. According to the villages website, it is for US citizens who are worned (sic) out by global politics and looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle. Ukraines air force has accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Astrakhan region overnight on its city of Dnipro. Experts say the choice of Moscows strike and the alleged use of the powerful long-range weapon could be a message for the West read more Ukraine says Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its central-eastern city of Dnipro overnight, the first such known use in the nearly three years of war. Ukraines air force did not specify what was targeted or if it caused any damage. As per the Ukrainian air force, Russia also launched a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, six of which were intercepted. In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, it said. Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Thursday (November 21) that his country was attacked with a new Russian rocket, whose characteristics indicate it was an ICBM. Examinations are now underway. It is obvious that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is using Ukraine as a training ground, he said. Zelenskyy said his Russian counterpart was so afraid, he is already using new missiles. Today, our crazy neighbour has once again shown who he really is and how he despises dignity, freedom, and human life in general, the Ukrainian President said in a video. Today, our insane neighbor has once again revealed its true natureits disdain for dignity, freedom, and human life itself. And, most of all, its fear. Fear so overwhelming that it unleashes missile after missile, scouring the globe for more weaponswhether from Iran or North pic.twitter.com/tEsZ0Uu1bt Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2024 The latest escalation comes after Ukraine fired US-made ATACMS missiles and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia this week. Lets take a closer look. What are ICBMs? Ballistic missiles can travel thousands of kilometres to strike their intended target. They can carry nuclear or conventional warheads. There are four types of ballistic missiles short-range, medium-range, intermediate-range and long-range. Intercontinental ballistic missiles, which fall under the long-range category, are guided missiles capable of travelling over 5,500 km. Advertisement According to the Federation of American Scientists, the maximum range of ICBMs varies from 7,000 to 16,000 kilometres. This means some of these weapons can hit targets virtually anywhere in the world. The missiles are powered by a rocket initially and then follow an unpowered trajectory toward their targets, as per the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. ICBMs can be launched in different ways from underground missile silos, heavy trucks, mobile launchers on rails or submarines, reported DW. What we know about Russias attack The Ukraine military has claimed Russia launched an ICBM in the Dnipropetrovsk region. If this is true, it would be the first time such a missile was used during conflict in history. There is no indication that the missile was carrying a nuclear warhead. Ukrainska Pravda, a Kyiv-based media outlet, reported citing anonymous sources that the weapon was an RS-26 Rubezh missile. Advertisement The RS-26 is a solid-fuelled ICBM with a range of 5,800 km, as per the Arms Control Association. This 12-metre (40-foot) long missile, weighing 36 tonnes, was first successfully tested in 2012, according to the US think tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The RS-26 mobile ground-based missile system can deliver an 800-kg nuclear warhead, say reports. The CSIS says that the R-26 is listed as an ICBM under the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia, but it can also be classified as an intermediate-range ballistic missile when used to carry heavier payloads at ranges below 5,500 km, reported the Reuters news agency. Advertisement While the Ukrainian air force has not confirmed the type of missile yet, it said it was fired from Russias Astrakhan, over 700 km from Dnipro in Ukraine. Kyiv said the Russian missile struck enterprises and critical infrastructure in Dnipro. Advertisement According to the regional head of Dnipropetrovsk, Serhiy Lysak, at least 15 people, including two teenagers, were injured in strikes on Kryvyi Rih this morning, reported BBC. He flagged damage to an industrial enterprise in the regional capital Dnipro, saying there were two fires in the city, as per CNN. Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, November 21, 2024. Reuters Moscow has refused to comment on the attack. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had nothing to say when asked about Ukraines accusations. Thats a question for our military, he told reporters. A Western official has denied Ukraines claims that an ICBM was launched by Russia. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a summit of Asian nations defence ministers in Laos, the official said Moscow fired a ballistic missile, but not an intercontinental ballistic missile, as per the CNN report. The official did not give more details about the missile, saying its impact was being gauged. Ukraine has air defences to repel Russian attacks. The batteries of the Patriot missile defence system provided to Kyiv by the US and Germany can intercept incoming ballistic missile warheads, as per the Missile Threat Project at the CSIS. The Congressional Research Service says that the Patriot system has a vertical range of 20 kilometres and can defend an area of about 15 to 20 kilometres around the battery. However, intercepting a warhead from an ICBM is not an easy task. What it means for the Russia-Ukraine war If Russia fired an ICBM on Ukrainian territory, it would be a major escalation. As BBC noted, Moscow has warned of retaliation to sophisticated Western missiles used against Russian targets. The strikes could be its message to the West that it possesses missiles that can strike anywhere in the world. After US President Joe Biden gave his nod to Ukraine to use longer-range American missiles, Russias Putin lowered the countrys threshold for a nuclear strike. Kyiv fired US ATACMS missiles to target Russian military bases on Tuesday. The Russian Defence Ministry has claimed that its air defences shot down two Storm Shadow cruise missiles, made by the UK, reported BBC. The use of the powerful long-range missile could be Putins warning to the West. They are trying to send a message. Theyre trying to massively say to the West, Look, the use of these Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles maybe is challenging Russias critical interests. And so theyre trying to intimidate us into backing down here, Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, told CNN. He said that it is important that Ukraine and its Western allies dont back down. If indeed this is a signal to the West to back down and an implicit nuclear threat, then if we do back down, the Russians are only going to do this again and again, and again, and again, Davis added. The choice of target Dnipro can be Russias warning that it is capable of targeting the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv, retired US Major General Mark MacCarley told CNN. You could say that Russia shot first at Dnipro as a statement suggesting that if Ukraine does not back away from the use of, lets say, the newly provided ATACMS (longer-range American missiles) from the US and the Storm Shadows from Britain, that Russia will use the same longer-range intercontinental ballistic missile and hit Kyiv, he added. The latest attack is, however, not likely to bring a major change in the outcome of Russias war with Ukraine. With inputs from agencies It is that time of the year when we feel that everyone around us is getting married. Open your Instagram and you will stumble upon the sight of gorgeous brides and beaming grooms. For Indians, weddings are a big affair and it is only set to get bigger this season read more India is likely to see 48 lakh weddings in the current season. Representational Image/Pixabay The big fat Indian wedding season is here. It is that time of the year when it feels like everyone you know is getting married. There is no escaping those beaming faces of the bride and groom on your social media. The Indian wedding market is booming and is only set to get a boost this season. From apparel to jewellery, several sectors have started reporting a positive impact. Lets take a closer look. Advertisement Indias thriving wedding industry Weddings are a celebration of love and no one does it better than Indians. India sees around one crore weddings every year, making its wedding industry the second-largest in the world, as per Financial Express. The current wedding season, which began on November 12, has 47 auspicious dates. The first phase will have 18 auspicious days until December 16. The second round of weddings will begin from January 16 and continue until March. The traders body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) predicts that 48 lakh ceremonies will occur in just the first phase of the wedding season, contributing nearly Rs 6 lakh crore to the nations economy. Delhi alone is likely to host 4.5 lakh weddings, generating an estimated business of Rs 1.5 lakh crore this season. According to Times of India (TOI), Kolkata and surrounding areas are looking to hold 60,000 ceremonies this wedding season. Industry experts and trade organisations say the city could witness a business of Rs 65,000 crore, a 35 per cent rise from the last season. The Indian wedding industry is the second largest globally. Representational Photo/Reuters Boost to economy The big fat Indian wedding season is expected to provide a much-needed fillip to several sectors, including clothing, jewellery, catering and travel. The celebration-wear category recorded a jump in demand post-COVID as lockdown restrictions eased and travelling resumed. Sales surged across athleisure, apparel, and lifestyle products, as per an Economic Times (ET) report. However, after the initial sales boost with an uptick in spending across sectors, the expansion of Indias retail market stopped. The first phase of the ongoing wedding season aligns with the festive season in India, which is expected to propel business growth. Advertisement Speaking to Businessline, Vikaas Gutgutia, Founder and MD, Ferns N Petals, which offers wedding services, said, This wedding season is shaping up to be one of the strongest yet, with a 20-25 per cent increase in bookings compared to last year. We are also seeing a shift towards luxury weddings besides increased demand for premium decor, floral arrangements, food styling and unique food presentations. Big retailers are banking on the current wedding season in the second half of this fiscal to boost demand. As per ET, Vedant Fashions, which owns mens ethnic wear brand Manyavar, has reported a low or decline in sales growth for five consecutive quarters due to weak demand. Advertisement But it expects this to change this time. Vedant Modi, its chief revenue officer, told ET that business was back on track during the quarter ending September as festivities coincided with the November-December wedding season. He said people are shopping closer to the wedding dates than purchasing in advance. Given how India is moving, people want everything very quickly. So, we only see a trend that people will start buying closer to their wedding days rather than actually preponing any purchases. So, I think qualitatively, thats what we are seeing on the floor. Travelling has also increased this wedding season. Flight bookings to major metro hubs and top leisure destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, Jaipur, and Goa are seeing a strong 70-80 per cent YoY increase, Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO, ixigo, told Businessline. Weddings in Tier-II cities like Varanasi and Amritsar have also enhanced flight bookings, he added. Advertisement The wedding season is crucial for discretionary categories like jewellery, travel and catering. Jewellery brand Tanishq told ET that the demand for wedding jewellery ramped up after the Centre reduced customs duty. In the Union Budget in July, the Centre slashed customs duty on gold bars to 6 per cent from 15 per cent, gold dore to 5.35 per cent from 14.35 per cent, silver bars to 6 per cent from 15 per cent, and silver dore to 5.35 per cent from 14.35 per cent. With this, jewellery became cheaper, leading to more demand. As per ET, Ajoy Chawla, CEO of Titans jewellery division, told analysts that once gold prices corrected, many people came in. Advertisement He added that the demand for wedding jewellery also picked up during festivals. And we think its a good run ahead for the next two quarters, Chawla said. The juggernaut of the Indian wedding industry is only likely to expand in future, with estimates indicating it could reach a staggering Rs 10 trillion by 2025. With input from agencies On Tuesday, Israels PM Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that his country would find and punish anyone who hurts a hostage. But he also promised $5 million as a reward for each hostages return. Ninety-seven people abducted during the 7 October attacks are still in Gaza, according to the Israeli authorities. Of this, 33 are believed to be dead read more Families and supporters of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, protest amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Jerusalem, November 18, 2024. Reuters Ceasefire talks have stalled, and theres increasing pressure from the families of hostages captured by Hamas for their release. On Tuesday, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that his country would find and punish anyone who hurts a hostage. He also promised $5 million as a reward for each hostages return. But how many hostages does Hamas have? Lets take a closer look. What did Netanyahu say? Speaking at the Netzarim Corridor in the Gaza Strip alongside Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday, Israeli PM Netanyahu said his country had not given up trying to locate the 101 remaining hostages believed to be still in the Palestinian enclave. He offered a $5 million reward for the return of a captive. Advertisement To those who want to leave this entanglement I say: Whoever brings us a hostage will find a safe way for himself and his family. We will also give $5 million for every hostage, he told Israeli troops. Choose, the choice is yours, but the result will be the same. We will bring them all back. Netanyahu added that whoever harmed a hostage would pay the price. The announcement comes at a time when Netanyahus office is under fire for reportedly leaking confidential papers to swap public opinion, suppress a common call for a ceasefire and promote the PMs negotiating stances. Also read: In Graphics | One year on, key moments of Israel-Hamas war Whats the current status of Hamas hostages? In total, 251 people in Israel were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, and 1,200 were killed when Hamas militants burst across the border and carried out a bloody attack on southern Israeli communities. The majority of them abducted were civilians, although there were also security and military personnel. They were women, men, and children, citizens of Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Germany, Mexico, Thailand, and other nations. Israel launched a military offensive in the Gaza Strip after the attacks, which have killed nearly 44,000, Palestinians and displaced about two million people, according to local health authorities, who do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Of those abducted during the Hamas attack, a majority, 105, were freed during a temporary ceasefire in November last year, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Eight were rescued by IDF operations, three were mistakenly shot dead by Israeli soldiers and six were killed by Hamas. Advertisement Ninety-seven people, including the bodies of at least 34 Israeli military-confirmed dead, are still in Gaza, according to the Israeli authorities. Hamas also holds two hostages, one taken in 2014 and the other in 2015, and the bodies of two slain Israeli soldiers. With the four included the tally rises to 101 people, 35 of whom are believed to be dead, reports NBC News. Also read: Iran, Hezbollah & more: Israels four conflicts in West Asia, explained What is Hamas saying? 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. 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. Advertisement Hamas officials, Khalil Al-Hayya and Osama Hamdan, attend a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, November 21, 2023. Reuters Without an end to the war, there can be no prisoner swap, Hayya said in a televised interview with the groups Al-Aqsa television channel, reiterating the groups 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 US on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an unconditional permanent ceasefire. Washingtons UN ambassador said the US would only support a resolution that explicitly calls for the immediate release of the Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire. Advertisement Hayya, who led the groups negotiating team in talks with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, blamed the lack of progress on Netanyahu, who in turn holds the Islamist group responsible for the stalled talks. There are contacts underway 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. Advertisement Is Netanyahu trying to stall negotiations? The prime minister has been accused by many Israelis, including the families of the captives, of putting their release effort last and extending the conflict to maintain his shaky ruling coalition. According to The New York Times, his government, which includes members who are against a ceasefire, faces the threat of losing its position if Netanyahu agrees to a truce. However, Netanyahu has refuted these claims. Even his latest announcement was met with outrage from the mother of Matan Zangauker, one of the hostages still held in Gaza. The prime minister is trading the hostages lives, Einav Zangauker told Reuters. She criticised Netanyahu for offering money to Hamas and said his attempt to divide and rule in Gaza through bribes to the captors would put the hostages at risk. Its unbelievable that the man who funded Hamas is once again offering money to Hamas, she said, referring to a controversial deal in which Qatar sent millions of dollars to Gaza for years with Israels backing. Netanyahu defended the initiative when it was launched in 2018, saying it was meant to return calm to Israeli villages in the south and prevent a humanitarian disaster in Gaza. With inputs from agencies Nila Ibrahimi, a 17-year-old from Afghanistan, has won the prestigious International Childrens Peace Prize, an annual award for a major contribution to advocating childrens rights. She gained fame before the Taliban takeover. Ibrahimi pressed Kabuls education authorities to lift a prohibition on schoolgirls singing in public read more She was 15 when the Taliban took control of Kabul and brought the country back to theocratic control. Image Courtesy: @ibrahimi_nila/Instagram Afghan women under Taliban rule are not allowed to speak in public. Even so, a 17-year-old woman has won a prestigious global award for advocating for the rights of Afghan girls. On Tuesday at a function in Amsterdam, Nila Ibrahimi won the International Childrens Peace Prize, an annual award for a child who has made a major contribution in advocating childrens rights. Ibrahimi was honoured for her courageous work to fight for the rights of girls in Afghanistan, where the Taliban, who took power in 2021, have imposed harsh regulations that suppress women. Advertisement Heres all we know about her. About Nila Ibrahimi Nila Ibrahimi, 17, is an activist advocating for the rights of Afghan girls. She received the International Childrens Peace Prize on Tuesday; notable recipients of the prize include Malala Yousafzai, an advocate for girls education, and Greta Thunberg, a climate activist. We were all impressed and amazed by the courage of Nila. She had the courage to put her song online, the courage to initiate and start the singing movement, said Marc Dullaert, the founder and chair of the KidsRights Foundation, according to The Independent. But also the resilience after fleeing with her family to Canada, that she still kept on advocating for Afghan girls, not only in Canada but also worldwide. She could have thought, Well Im safe now, and Im focussing on my own life, but (she had) the selflessness to really keep on advocating for Afghan girls. Advertisement Ibrahimi gained fame before the Taliban takeover. She had used her voice to press Kabuls education authorities to lift a prohibition on schoolgirls singing in public. Her brother posted the video to social media after she recorded herself singing. After the IAmMySong campaign gained momentum, the restriction was lifted in a matter of weeks. That was the first time that I thought, wow. Like if I do want it, if I do think this is the way I want to live, I can speak up and that can be accepted, she said in a video statement. Advertisement She was 15 when the Taliban took control of Kabul and brought the country back to theocratic control. Ibrahimi and her family escaped Afghanistan with the help of the 30 Birds Foundation, first to Pakistan and subsequently to Canada. Her Story Since the release of her protest song in 2021, music has played a central role in Ibrahimis activism. After fleeing Afghanistan, while she was at a safe house in Pakistan, she once again used her voice to help fund $4 million for the 30 Birds Foundation to transport another 200 girls from Afghanistan, according to The Independent. Advertisement She is still an advocate for Afghan girls from Canada. After moving to Canada, Ibrahimi and her brother, Murtaza, founded Her Story, a digital space that gives Afghan women a voice and a platform to tell their stories to the world. Every single day I think of those girls who are left behind in Afghanistan, left with no hope. In Canada, I make decisions about my life and embrace the person I aspire to be, but what about them? Ibrahimi said in a speech to the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy last year., according to CNN. Advertisement After speaking at the Geneva Summit and the House of Lords, Ibrahimi saw that there was not a lot of awareness about the situation in Afghanistan, which motivated her to create the platform. Speaking about her initial journey as an activist, she told The Independent, It was risky. It felt risky at the time, but maybe I didnt grasp the whole idea of it, because I was just 13 or 14." If womens rights are suffering in one part of the world, the whole world will suffer in one way or another, she said in the interview. This is something that is left unrecognised when we walk about girls education in Afghanistan, because we think of it as a problem just in Afghanistan. Oh, its just a country over there, its far from our country, she added. The most important message is not to forget about the girls of Afghanistan. Ibrahimi is currently applying to universities with the goal of studying law. Afghan women under Taliban rule The Taliban have settled in as rulers of Afghanistan, three years after they seized power in 2021. Even if they have strengthened domestic security and kept a faltering economy afloat, their numerous prohibitions on Afghan women and girls continue to make headlines. They prohibited girls older than 12 from attending school. Young women and girls are only permitted to leave the house with a male relative and are not permitted to work or study. To avoid being accused of improper activity, they must cover themselves from head to toe and keep their eyes downcast. Additionally, they are not allowed to talk in public. They cannot enter parks, gyms, or other public areas. They also are unable to travel without permission. Afghan women are also forbidden from praying loudly or reciting the Quran in front of other women, according to a Taliban government minister. The Taliban assert that they are dedicated to enforcing Sharia, or their version of Islamic law, throughout Afghanistan, as per The Associated Press. Anything that they perceive as alien or secular, like women working or going to school, is thus completely excluded. It is the driving force behind their initial takeover of power in Afghanistan in the late 1990s, and it has continued to do so since they regained authority on August 15, 2021. Senior UN officials denounced the Talibans public execution last week and called for an immediate end to similar acts. Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations to Afghanistan, declared the execution to be a clear violation of human rights. The Taliban have banned Bennett from Afghanistan on charges that he disseminated propaganda. The extremist Islamist group has been accused of breaking the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women by Germany, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands. In the past, the Taliban have called the accusations of gender discrimination against Afghanistans leaders absurd. Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat Fitrat declared, No one is discriminated and human rights are protected in Afghanistan. With inputs from agencies The Russia-Ukraine war is escalating, with President Vladimir Putin amending the countrys nuclear doctrine. This has shone a light on Russias vast nuclear arsenal. Some estimate that Moscow has 5,580 nuclear warheads, second only to the US read more Russia's missile forces holding a tactical nuclear weapons drills in the southern military district of the country. Many have raised the question if Russia will now use its extensive nuclear arsenal amid the Ukraine war. File image/AFP Will the Russia-Ukraine war go nuclear? Thats the question many are asking after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (November 19) approved changes to the countrys nuclear doctrine, lowering the bar further for deploying tactical and more powerful strategic atomic weapons. Notably, the decree came on the same day that Ukraine fired US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System ( ATACMS) missiles into Russia for the first time in the war. The situation has once again put the focus on Russias nuclear arsenal how many nuclear warheads does Moscow possess and who controls them? Heres what we know. Advertisement What has Putin changed with Russias nuclear policy? On Tuesday, as Ukraine fired US-supplied long-range missiles at Russia, President Vladimir Putin announced a change in the countrys nuclear policy. As per the revised guidelines, the Kremlin could use nuclear weapons in response to an attack on Russian soil by Kyiv using conventional Western weapons. As Reuters reported, the policy states that any aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear state that is carried out with the participation or support of a nuclear state will be considered a joint attack. It also additional scenarios under which Moscow would consider a nuclear response, including if it had reliable information about the launch of a massive cross-border air attack on Russia using planes, missiles and drones. It has also placed its neighbouring country, Belarus, under its nuclear umbrella meaning Moscow can use nuclear weapons in case of a conventional attack against Putins friendly country. How many nuclear weapons does Russia have? Russias change in its nuclear doctrine has also shone a light on the countrys nuclear arsenal. Russia, which inherited the Soviet Unions nuclear weapons, has the worlds biggest store of nuclear warheads. As of this year, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) estimates that Moscow possesses 5,580 nuclear warheads. Of those about 1,200 are retired but largely intact and around 4,380 are stockpiled for operational forces. The FAS added that of the stockpiled warheads, 1,710 strategic warheads are deployed: about 870 on land-based ballistic missiles, about 640 on submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and possibly 200 at heavy bomber bases. A woman walks her pet in front of a Soviet R-9A (NATO - SS-8 Sasin) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) next to the central Museum of Russias Armed Forces in Moscow. Russia comes second to the US when it comes to nuclear weapons. File image/AFP The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, meanwhile, estimates that Russia has a stockpile of approximately 4,380 nuclear warheads assigned for use by long-range strategic launchers and shorter-range tactical nuclear forces. The only other country to have more nuclear warheads than Russia is the United States. Washington has a total of 5,748 warheads of which 1,419 are active. Advertisement Other countries such as China have 500 warheads, while France has 290 and the UK has 225 warheads. India has 172 nuclear warheads, whereas Pakistan has 170. Many reports also state that North Korea possesses 50 warheads, but is focused on developing more. How dangerous are Russias nuclear weapons? The use of nuclear weapons can be catastrophic. Picture this: todays nuclear warheads can be more than 1,000 kilotonnes thats more than six times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb that was dropped during World War II, killing 146,000 people, maiming hundreds of thousands of people, and their effects are still being felt today. The launching of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile at Plesetsk testing field, Russia. The Sarmat is capable of carrying nuclear charges, with Russian officials saying it will make Kremlins enemies think twice. File image/Reuters Moreover, Russia has developed the technology for its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to carry nuclear warheads. If deployed, these can reach major global cities as far as London or Washington. A Sky News report stated that ICBMs can reach a top speed around 10 minutes after launch which could see one fired from Russia reach the UK in just 20 minutes. Advertisement Russia also has the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, which has been dubbed by Western analysts as Satan 2. Who controls Russias nuclear weapons? Owning these nuclear weapons is a huge responsibility and the decision of their use lies in the hands of its president Vladimir Putin. The nuclear codes of the country are held in the nuclear briefcase called the Cheget and is in the presidents possession at all times. News agency Reuters reports that Russias Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and the chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, are also thought to have such briefcases. The briefcase is a communication tool that links the president to his military top brass and hence, to rocket forces. Footage shown by Russias Zvezda television channel in 2019 showed what it said was one of the briefcases with an array of buttons. If Russia thought it faced a strategic nuclear attack, the president, via the briefcase, would send a direct launch order to general staff command and reserve command units that hold nuclear codes. Such orders cascade swiftly down different communications systems to strategic rocket force units which then fire at the desired target. Advertisement A board with the profile of Russian President Vladimir Putin on display next to the so-called Russias nuclear briefcase, also known as the Cheget which was in use during Russian first president Boris Yeltsins years in office and could authenticate an order to launch nuclear missiles, at the exposition of the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Centre in Yekaterinburg, Russia. File image/Reuters Will Russia get more nuclear weapons now? Since the war began, Russia has reportedly been expanding and modernising its nuclear forces. According to FAS, while Russia has increased its nuclear rhetoric, its nuclear arsenal has seen little change. However, it warned that this situation change soon. In the future, however, the number of warheads assigned to Russian strategic forces may increase as single-warhead missiles are replaced with missiles equipped with multiple warheads, said FAS. Russian President Vladimir Putin has revised the countrys nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold of using these weapons in the war. The question now is will he actually use a nuclear weapon? File image/Reuters Will Putin use nuclear weapons in the war? The short answer to this question is we dont know. However, Putin has threatened and mentioned the use of nuclear weapons several times since he launched the invasion against Ukraine. At the start of the war in 2022, Putin threatened any nation that interfered in the conflict with consequences that you have never experienced in your history. Many viewed this as a threat of a nuclear strike. Then in June 2023, Putin announced that Russia had deployed some of its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, an ally thats been a staging ground for Russian attacks on Ukraine. Advertisement Earlier in February, he once again raised the spectre of using nuclear weapons French President Emmanuel Macron refused to rule out sending troops to Ukraine. Putin then said that US and Europe must understand that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory and that all this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, and therefore the destruction of civilisation. A month later, it seemed he had softened his stance when he told an interviewer that he hadnt thought of using nuclear weapons in the war. What happens next is uncertain and all we can do is wait and watch. With inputs from agencies In a first, Ukraine fired UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russias Kursk region on Wednesday. These missiles, which can travel up to 250 kilometres, are powerful enough to penetrate bunkers and ammunition stores and damage airfields. But will they change the course of the war? read more A member of the military walks past a MBDA Storm Shadow/Scalp missile at the Farnborough Airshow, south west of London. On Wednesday, Ukraine fired British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles at targets inside Russia for the first time. File image/AFP The Russia-Ukraine war is heating up. A day after firing American long-range missiles into the country, Kyiv fired a number of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russias Kursk region on Wednesday. Neither the UK nor Ukraine have confirmed the use of the missiles, but accounts on Telegram posted photos of a Storm Shadow missile fragment, claiming that up to 12 of the missiles were fired on Russias Kursk region. What do we know of these projectiles? How lethal are they and what does their deployment in the Russia-Ukraine war mean? Advertisement We analyse and get you the answers. Ukraine fires Storm Shadow missiles On Wednesday (November 20), a Russian military blogger posted images of what he claimed were fragments of the British-made Storm Shadow missiles that Ukraine fired in the Russian village of Marino, which is about 35 miles from the Ukrainian border. He claimed that up to 12 such missiles were fired on Russias Kursk region. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal citing Ukrainian officials reported that Ukraine fired at least 10 Storm Shadow missiles into Russia. Ukraine and the UK have remained mum on the matter of the use of the Storm Shadow missiles in Russia. When asked about it, Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said, We are using all the means to defend our country, so well not go into detail. But we are just sending that we are capable and able to respond. The Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missile has the ability to strike deep into Russian territory. It is also powerful enough to penetrate bunkers and ammunition stores and damage airfields. File image/Reuters Meanwhile, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his office would not be commenting on reports or operational matters. Incidentally, Britain had previously said Ukraine could use Storm Shadow cruise missiles within Ukrainian territory. However, this is the first time that these missiles have been in Russian territory. Lethality of Storm Shadow missiles Storm Shadow is a cruise missile developed by the UK and France. Also called The Scalp by France, it has a maximum range of around 250 km (155 miles). This means they could strike deep into Russian territory. Powered by a turbo-jet engine, the 1,300 kg Storm Shadow travels at speeds of more than 965 kmph and is just over five metres long and has a wingspan of three metres. They are powerful enough to penetrate bunkers and ammunition stores and damage airfields and can be precisely targeted. Weapon experts say that the missile is equipped with its own navigation system, allowing it to avoid detection, maximising its chances of hitting the target. A Storm Shadow missile is prepared for loading to a Royal Air Force Storm Shadow missiles have also been used by British and French air forces in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya. Advertisement Each Storm Shadow missile costs nearly $1 million to manufacture and hence, is used carefully, often with drones to confuse the enemy. UKs supply of Storm Shadow to Ukraine While Wednesday was the first time that Kyiv has fired the cruise missile inside Russian territory, the UK has been supplying the missile since last year. The UK first confirmed it would supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles in May last year. Then Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had said that the weapons would give Ukraine the best chance of defending itself. Impact of Storm Shadow missiles on the war Storm Shadow missiles can make a difference on the battlefield because of their accuracy and penetration capabilities. However, experts note that because of its cost and limited supply, they will have a marginal impact on the war. Sky News security and defence editor Deborah Haynes echoed these observations, saying, There is the uncomfortable reality that Ukraines stockpile of Storm Shadow missiles is severely limited, so their use will only have a marginal effect. Experts note that Russia is, however, prepared for these strikes using long-range missiles, dulling the impact of them. Matthew Savill, director of military science at the Rusi think tank told the BBC that Storm Shadow is unlikely to turn the tide Ukraine doesnt have many of them, and the UK has very few left to give. Advertisement But, the psychological impact of using these missiles could give Kyiv the boost it needs at a time when Russia is slow but significant progress in eastern Ukraine. Russian units supported by 10,000 North Korean soldiers have also been hitting back at Ukraines occupying forces in Kursk in western Russia. Some of the Ukrainian troops who launched an incursion in August have been driven back. A serviceman of 24th Mechanised brigade named after King Danylo of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fires a 2s5 Hyacinth-s self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops at a front line. File Image/Reuters From the Russian perspective, Ukraines use of the Storm Shadow missiles is an escalation in the war. Following the US nod to the use of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), Russian President Vladimir Putin revised the countrys nuclear policy, lowering the threshold required for the use of nuclear weapons. Advertisement Experts fear this will further escalate the war, which has now crossed the 1,000-day mark, extracting a heavy human and financial toll. Russia-Ukraine war heats up In the last few days, the Russia-Ukraine war has picked up pace with the US giving the nod to Ukraine to use the ATACMS missiles. On Wednesday, the US made another policy shift when Joe Biden authorised the use of anti-personnel landmines in Ukraine. Analysts believe that the actions are Bidens efforts to help Kyiv fend off Moscow. As _Al Jazeera_s Assed Baig said, The Biden administration is on its way out, and we have President-elect Donald Trump coming into office, who has criticised US military aid to Ukraine and has also said he would end this war in a matter of days. So what the US administration wants is to put Ukraine in a very strong position to at least slow down some Russian advances so that when there are negotiations, Ukraine is put in a more advantageous position than what it is now, he said. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Korean shows are all the rage right now, but did you know they can improve mental health? From showing deep grief to intense happiness, they can tap into multiple emotions. Like art therapy, watching K-dramas can help deal with anxiety and depression, say experts read more Are you a K-drama lover? Have you binged on Korean shows like Crash Landing on You and Descendants of the Sun multiple times? Then, here is some good news for you. According to a Korean-American expert, watching Korean dramas is likely to improve your mental health. According to therapist Jeanie Chan, there are deeper reasons why Korean dramas, with high production values, top-notch acting and attractive stars, are popular. She believes that these shows have the power to heal cultural traumas and reconnect people with their own emotions with plotlines that show varying sentiments including grief and happiness. Advertisement The therapist maintains that watching K-dramas can enhance peoples ability to tackle real-life challenges since they show complex issues being effectively handled. We all have family pressures and expectations, conflict, trauma, hope, she said. Born in Korea and raised in the United States, Chang felt that K-dramas helped her reconnect with her roots, something that she had rejected as a child. Mental health is how youre feeling, how you relate to others, psychologically, how your brain has been impacted by things. Thats mental health. We see that in a Korean drama. Why are K-dramas so popular? There has been a surge in viewership of Korean dramas across the globe in the last few years, according to industry data. Interestingly, these dramas have found a market in major countries like the United States, where an upward trend of viewership was seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Between 2019 and 2022, viewership of Korean television and movies increased six-fold on Netflix, its data showed, and Korean series are now the most watched non-English content on the platform. Many people feel that K-dramas help them to reconnect with their roots. Pixabay American school teacher Jeanie Barry discovered K-drama via a family funeral when a friend recommended a series 2020s Its Okay to Not Be Okay she thought could help her after a difficult time. There was something about it, the way that this culture deals with trauma, mental depression, just really struck a chord for me, Barry, who had travelled to South Korea as part of a K-drama tour organised by therapist Chang, told AFP. Advertisement I started to grieve when I had not been. There were a lot of tears during that drama, but it also made me see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, she said. Immediately hooked, Barry said she had watched 114 K-dramas since discovering the genre and effectively given up watching English-language television. They let me soften my heart, she said. Fellow tour member and American Erin McCoy said she had struggled with depression since she was a teenager, but K-drama helped her manage her symptoms. With depression, when you live with it that long, youre just numb and so you dont really feel bad necessarily but you dont ever feel good either, she said. Advertisement You just dont feel anything, she said, adding that K-drama allowed her to experience emotions again. Therere so many highs and lows in every one of them, and as I felt the characters emotions, it just helped me relate to my own more, she said. I feel like I was able to express and experience emotion again. How is binge-watching K-drama similar to other forms of therapy? The idea that binge-watching K-dramas can improve mental health might seem unlikely, but according to an expert, it aligns with long-established therapy concepts. Many consider that K-dramas are actually like art therapy. Watching Korean dramas can be beneficial for anxiety and depression from the viewpoint of art therapy, Im Su-geun, head of a psychiatry clinic in Seoul, told AFP. First used in the 1940s, art therapy initially involved patients drawing, but evolved to incorporate other artistic activities. Visual media like Korean dramas have significant strengths that align well with psychotherapy, he said. K-drama, or television and cinema generally, can help viewers gain insights into situations from a new perspective, fostering healthy values and providing solutions to their issues, he said. Advertisement He further said, It is unlikely to be prescribed by a doctor, but if a therapist were to recommend a specific drama that related to the patients case, it could be helpful. For example, it can provide a roadmap for patients facing specific situations, such as breakups or loss, he said. With inputs from AFP From frequent naval engagements and bilateral exercises, to humanitarian efforts and bolstering economic presence, heres how India is ramping up its presence in the West Asia region, which it relies on for energy security read more India has been ramping up its military, economic, and soft power presence in West Asia. Image used for representational purpose/PTI India is steadily expanding its naval footprint in the West Asia (Middle East), leveraging port visits, joint exercises, and high-level military engagements to cement its strategic interests in the region. As conflicts intensify in this key region, New Delhis maritime activities show its intent to play a more prominent role in safeguarding regional stability and its own economic security. Strategic interests in West Asia West Asia holds unparalleled importance for India, serving as a critical energy supplier and a key trade partner. Approximately 60 per cent of Indias oil and gas imports originate from Gulf nations, making the region vital for its energy security. One of the key ways India has ramped up presence in West Asia is by accelerating its naval engagements. Advertisement The Indian Navys First Training Squadron (1TS), comprising INS Tir, INS Shardul, and ICGS Veera, led a series of high-profile port visits and exercises across the Gulf in 2024. In October alone, there has been a burst of activity. UAE: The India-UAE Bilateral Naval Exercise saw INS Shardul dock at Port Rashid for joint maritime drills. Overseen by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, the exercises focused on tactical coordination and trust-building between the two nations. Oman: The Naseem-Al-Bahr exercise demonstrated Indias growing partnership with Omans Royal Navy, featuring anti-aircraft drills, cross-deck operations, and joint training. Bahrain: Naval engagements in Manama included professional exchanges and cultural outreach programs, strengthening ties with Bahrains naval forces. Iran: At Bandar Abbas, Indian and Iranian forces participated in joint drills and community events, signaling Indias balanced diplomatic approach in a geopolitically sensitive region. Of course, Indias involvement in Chabahar Port is also a key engagement point with Iran. Indian naval engagement with West Asia is a key element of New Delhis presence in the region. Image courtesy: Google Maps/Firstpost Naval presence linked with economic imperatives Indias increased naval presence is closely tied to its economic imperatives in West Asia. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, signed in 2022, has propelled bilateral trade to $88 billion. Protecting these economic interests, especially vital shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf, is a priority for Indias maritime strategy. By maintaining a strong naval presence, India ensures the security of its energy imports and stabilises trade routes crucial for its economy. The deployments also serve to bolster Indias reputation as a reliable partner in maintaining regional stability. Advertisement Enhancing security cooperation Indias joint exercises with Gulf nations aim to strengthen interoperability and collective maritime security with other nations here. Drills like Naseem-Al-Bahr in Oman and maritime collaborations with Bahrain and the UAE show Indias proactive approach to tackling these challenges. Intelligence sharing and tactical training further deepen these partnerships. These exercises are a great opportunity to build goodwill and trust, too. Soft power and humanitarian efforts Indias outreach extends beyond military engagements: the focus is also on cultural diplomacy and humanitarian efforts. Following the devastating 2023 earthquake in Turkey and Syria, India provided critical aid. Naval visits here often include community events and cultural exchanges, reflecting Indias intent to build goodwill. Bollywoods widespread influence and Indias historical ties to the Gulf further enhance these soft power initiatives, creating a comprehensive engagement strategy. Mahayuti or Maha Vikas Aghadi, who will win Maharashtra election 2024 will be clear on Saturday, November 23, when the result is declared. Amid this, lets know about the bellwether seats that hold a record of reflecting the popular political mood of the state read more Maharashtra, which has been extremely politically active over the past couple of years, voted on November 20 for the new government. With Maharashtra election 2024 result to be declared on Saturday (November 23), exit polls project BJP-led Mahayuti alliance win in the state bagging 151 out of 288 Assembly seats. As the people of Maharashtra and the rest of India are waiting with bated breath to know who will lead the government in the state for the next five years, there are certain constituencies that have a history of accurately reflecting the political mood of the voters in the state and therefore they are also called bellwether seats. Advertisement The parties which were voted and won on these four bellwether seats went on to form the government in Maharashtra that year Bellwether seats of Maharashtra In Maharashtra, there are four Assembly seats that have been categorised as bellwether as they have correctly voted with the popular mandate in every state election since 1990. The bellwether seats of Maharashtra are - Andheri, Kandivali, Murbad and Pune Cantonment. Murbad Among them, Murbad has been exceptional as it holds the record of gauging the mood of Maharashtra after the state election since 1952. It has also voted for a party that formed the government in the state after an assembly election. In 2019, 77 per cent of the total votes cast in Murbad was in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while in 2014, 38 per cent of votes cast were in favour of the BJP. In 2009 and 2004, the maximum votes cast in Murbad were in favour of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the case was similar in 1999. During these years 1999 and 2014 the Congress-NCP coalition was in power. From 1978 to 1990, Murbad had voted for the Congress candidate who contested the election. However, in 1995, Congresss monopoly in Maharashtra after the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition came to power. During the 1995 state Assembly election, Murbad felt the pulse and voted in the majority for BJP candidate - Vishe Digambar Narayan. It was the first time a non-Congress MLA won the seat. Andheri Till 2004, Andheri was just a single constituency before being divided into Andheri East and Andheri West. Ahead of the change, the Andheri constituency voted for the party or coalition that went on to form a government in the state. In both 2014 and 2019, Andheri East voted for the Shiv Sena candidate, while Andheri West voted for BJP. Both these parties contested the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly election separately but formed a government in alliance. Advertisement In 2009, both Andheri East and West voted for the Congress candidate who contested for the seat. From 1980-1990, Andheri voted for Congress candidates. It then gave the most votes to the Shiv Sena candidate in the 1995 election. From 1999 to 2004, it again voted for the Congress. Kandivali Kandivali in 2019 and 2014, too, voted for the BJP. Before that, in the 1999, 2004 and 2009 Maharashtra Assembly polls, the Congress candidate, who contested the seat, grabbed most votes. Pune Cantonment Both in 2014 and 2019 maximum voters in Pune Cantonment gave their vote to the BJP candidate. Between 1999 to 2009 they voted for the Congress candidate who contested from the seat. In 1995, Pune Cantonment voted the most for Shiv Sena candidate and in the election before that (in 1990), most votes went to the Congress candidate. Advertisement 2024 Maharashtra Exit Poll result Poll polls gave Mahayuti the edge in Maharashtra with the alliance projected to win 151 out of 288 seats, easily surpassing the 145 majority mark. The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi, meanwhile, has been projected to win 129 seats. Pollster Peoples Pulse has predicted an upper limit of 195 seats for the BJP-led alliance while suggesting that MVA may not be able to cross the 100-mark. Matrize has predicted Mahayutis win with the alliance getting between 150 and 170 seats. It projected MVA to get 110-130 seats. 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. Advertisement In the latest Climate Change Performance Index, India slipped from 7th rank a year ago to 10th. Despite the drop, the country remains on the list of top 10 high-performing countries for the sixth year in a row read more Of the 63 countries and the EU assessed, which together account for over 90 per cent of global emissions, India stood out for its relatively low per capita emissions and low energy use. Source: Pixabay. India has slipped from seventh to 10th place in the latest Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), a report released at the UN climate conference on Wednesday. Despite this drop, India remains among the top 10 high-performing countries for the sixth consecutive year. This is mainly due to its low per capita emissions and rapid deployment of renewable energy. Top 3 spots remain empty in CCPI ranking The report, which assesses the climate action of the worlds largest emitters, leaves the top three spots empty, as no country achieved a very high rating. Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK ranked fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. Published by think tanks Germanwatch, New Climate Institute, and Climate Action Network International, the CCPI evaluates countries on their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, renewable energy use, energy efficiency, and climate policy. Advertisement Indias low per capita emissions & renewable energy growth Of the 63 countries and the EU assessed, which together account for over 90 per cent of global emissions, India stood out for its relatively low per capita emissions and low energy use, various reports stated. While India is the worlds most populous country, it has relatively low per capita emissions and low energy use, the report noted. Renewables have expanded rapidly over the last decade, and India aspires to play a leading role in green energy on the global stage. Indias per capita emissions stand at 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), well below the global average of 6.6 tCO2e. The country, which is the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter and the fastest-growing major economy, has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and aims to reach 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Challenges with coal dependence despite progress The report emphasised that while India has made strides in energy efficiency and electric vehicle deployment, its dependence on coal remains a significant challenge. Energy efficiency standards have been introduced, but their coverage remains inadequate, it said. India is also advancing in electric vehicle deployment, especially with two-wheelers. The report highlighted Indias continued reliance on coal. India is among the 10 countries with the largest developed coal reserves and is currently planning to increase its production, the experts stated. India among high-performing G20 nations Among the G20 nations, India and the UK are the only countries ranked as high performers. However, many other G20 nations, including the US, China, Canada, and Australia, received low or very low rankings. The report noted that 14 G20 countries, including the US, China, and Canada, are among the worst performers. China, the worlds largest emitter, ranked 55th, while the US, the second-largest emitter, remained in 57th place. Both countries are heavily reliant on coal, and their climate targets remain insufficient, according to the report. Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Russia occupied the four lowest spots in the CCPI, with rankings of 67th, 66th, 65th, and 64th, respectively. These countries, all major oil and gas producers, continue to have a minimal share of renewables in their energy mix, with their fossil fuel dependence showing no signs of shifting. Advertisement Call for stronger climate action & shift away from fossil fuels Despite the challenges, the report acknowledged the rapid progress in renewable energy, particularly in the electricity sector, and called for stronger action to avoid falling further into the fossil trap. There is still massive resistance from the fossil fuel lobby. Countries should not fall deeper into the fossil trap, said Jan Burck, lead author of the CCPI, from Germanwatch. With inputs from agencies. India strongly rejected a Canadian media report linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar read more India strongly dismissed a report in Canadian media that claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval were aware of an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Rubbishing the report by Canadian media outlet The Globe and Mail, which quoted an unnamed Canadian official making the claims, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve." Advertisement Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal further said. What Canadas The Globe & Mail report said The Globe and Mail, on Wednesday released a news article, where it cited a senior Canadian security official as claiming, Canadian security agencies believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India knew about the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia and other violent plots. The report mentioned that the national security official worked on the intelligence assessment of New Delhis foreign-interference operations in Canada. Canadian and American intelligence tied the assassination operations to Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah. Also in the loop, the official said, was Modis trusted national-security adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the official was quoted as saying by the Canadian news outlet. Canada has no direct evidence While Canada does not have direct evidence that Modi knew, the official said the assessment is that it would be unthinkable that three senior political figures in India would not have discussed the targeted killings with Modi before proceeding, The Globe and Mail claimed. Hardeep Singh Nijjar assassination Nijjar was shot and killed on June 18, 2023, outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. The Canadian authorities have arrested and charged four Indian nationals for the murder. Last year, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, without providing any hard evidentiary proof, publicly accused India of being allegedly involved in Nijjars killing. New Delhi has strongly dismissed the claims made by Trudeau, calling them absurd and motivated. India has also been constantly expressing serious concerns about extremism and anti-India activities in Canada and has been constantly urging the authorities in Ottawa to take action against. India-Canada diplomatic row The diplomatic ties between India and Canada deteriorated to a new low in October this year after Ottawa accused Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and other diplomats of involvement in the murder. In its response, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its envoy after Ottawa designated the Indian ambassador and other diplomats as persons of interest in the investigation into the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Nijjar. Also, New Delhi expelled Canadian Charge dAffaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats following Canadas allegations. India had even condemned Canadas actions as preposterous and accused the Trudeau-led government of pursuing a political agenda. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Men play cricket on a ground as the sky is enveloped with smog after Delhi's air quality worsened due to air pollution in New Delhi on November 20, 2024. Reuters Air pollution is a serious concern for developing countries like India. The nations growing economy has been accompanied by severe air pollution, posing significant environmental risks and affecting vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and asthma patients. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 99 per cent of the global population lives in areas with air quality below acceptable standards, contributing to 89 per cent of premature deaths in developing countries. Despite these challenges, developing nations often rely on traditional energy sources to minimise economic costs, further exacerbating air pollution. Air Quality Index The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes around 7 to 8 million deaths annually, contributing to conditions such as asthma, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Air pollution arises from exposure to particulate matter and pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, all of which pose significant health risks. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), air quality is categorised as follows: 050: Good 51100: Moderate 101200: Poor, unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and asthma patients 201300: Unhealthy 301500: Severe Out of 34 Indian metropolitan areas and states, only 11 have good air quality, 14 are moderate, 4 are poor, 4 unhealthy, and 1 severe. Delhi is ranked in the severe category. The Air Quality Action Forum (AQAF) held its Annual Conference in February 2023 in New Delhi, focusing on strategies to improve air quality and reduce pollution. However, Delhis air quality continues to deteriorate yearly. Globally, air pollution was responsible for 8.1 million deaths in 2021, with India accounting for over 1.2 million of these fatalities annually. Alarmingly, 12 of the 15 most polluted cities in the world are in India. A WHO report revealed that 60 per cent of Indian cities have PM2.5 levels seven times higher than WHO guidelines. In 2019, the health-related economic losses attributed to air pollution in India amounted to $36.8 billion, equivalent to 1.36 per cent of the nations GDP. Indias Commitment India has committed to reducing its emissions faster than initially pledged. In 2022, India announced that its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to reduce particulate matter concentrations by 40 per cent by 2026. The country has also reaffirmed its commitment to tackling climate change under the Paris Agreement, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These include a pledge to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45 per cent and ensure that 50 per cent of electric power generation comes from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Additionally, the Indian government introduced the LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement, promoting sustainable living. Its long-term strategy includes achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, a commitment submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in November 2022. However, three-quarters of Indias electric grid is still powered by coal, contributing significantly to emissions of PM2.5, sulphur dioxide (SO), and nitrogen oxides (NO). PM2.5 refers to very fine particulate matter, around 30 times smaller than the width of human hair, which poses serious health risks. These particles originate from sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial processes, wildfires, and biomass burning, including wood, charcoal, and coal-fired power plants. In India, PM2.5 emissions predominantly come from the burning of biofuel and coal, accounting for 48 per cent of the total annual PM2.5 levels. Challenges and Target As energy demands in India continue to rise, the government has been reopening coal mines to reduce expenses. This year alone, 30 coal mines have been operationalised, with plans to reopen 100 more. India is the worlds third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs), with approximately 40 per cent of emissions coming from coal-based power plants. These plants currently generate over 70 per cent of the countrys electricity. Despite this, India has made significant progress in renewable energy, securing its position as the worlds fourth-largest electricity producer from solar and wind energy, generating 107 GWh. Recently, the Central Electricity Authority announced an increase in electricity generation capacity from non-fossil sources to 203.18 GW, with a target of 500 GW by 2030. Solar energy contributes 90.76 GW, wind power 47.36 GW, large hydropower projects 46.92 GW, small hydropower projects 5.07 GW, and biomass and bioenergy 11.32 GW. Nuclear energy, however, accounts for just 1.6 per cent (6,780 MU) of Indias total energy production. According to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Indias installed nuclear power capacity is expected to triple by 2031-32, with an ambitious goal of achieving 1 lakh MW of nuclear capacity by 2047. Transitioning away from coal mining and thermal power plants entirely is expected to take another 30 years and require an investment of Rs 84 lakh crore. However, during this period, countless lives will continue to be adversely affected due to pollution and environmental degradation. To reduce the burning of solid fuels such as biofuels in India, the PM Modi government initiated the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in 2016 to help poor women shift from coal and wood to cooking gas. However, around 41 per cent of Indias population still rely on biomass for cooking, emitting 340 million tonnes of CO2 annually. In Bihar, 90 per cent of the population still use wood-fired stoves for cooking their food. Air Pollution and Health Delhi alone had 12,000 deaths every year between 2008 and 2019. A Lancet study revealed that around 2.3 million Indians died in 2019 due to pollution. In India, 7 per cent of deaths in 10 states are caused solely by air pollution. Approximately 34.3 million people in India suffer from asthma, with 80-90 per cent of asthma cases remaining undiagnosed, and air pollution exacerbating their condition. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2021 report, India alone contributes to 46 per cent of global asthma deaths. The Supreme Court of India has periodically issued guidelines to reduce air pollution-related deaths, such as banning firecrackers, addressing deforestation caused by the state, taking strict actions on older vehicles, and making pollution certificates mandatory for all vehicles. However, every day around 464 children under the age of five die in India due to air pollution, according to a 2024 report by the State of Global Air (SoGa). Air pollution is also responsible for 40 per cent of heart disease deaths, 33 per cent of lung cancer deaths, 20 per cent of type 2 diabetes deaths, 41 per cent of stroke deaths, and 70 per cent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) deaths, as stated by Pallavi Pant of the Health Effects Institute in 2021. The existing barriers to controlling air pollution in India stem from several factors, such as technological limitations, restricted access to technology to control pollution, the gap between rural and urban areas in adopting green energy sources, a centralised mechanism for driving pollution control, poverty, illiteracy, and limited funds to invest in green energy sources. Another major challenge includes regulatory frameworks and bureaucratic hurdles that restrict the enforcement of strict measures to tackle air pollution. Addressing the multifaceted challenge of air pollution in India requires a concerted effort from all sectorsgovernment, industry, and citizensto embrace cleaner technologies, enforce stricter regulations, and ensure long-term sustainability for the health of future generations. Dr Sumant Kumar works as an Associate Professor at the Alliance School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Ukraines use of US-supplied long-range missiles against Russia, coupled with Putins aggressive new nuclear posture, ignites fears of a drastically escalated conflict. The world holds its breath as the risk of direct US-Russia confrontation looms read more The war in Ukraine, after 1,000 days, is edging ever closer to a potentially catastrophic escalation, as recent decisions by both the United States and Russia underscore the growing risks of a broader conflict. US President Joe Biden has reportedly approved the use of US-supplied long-range missiles by Ukraine, despite significant concerns that this could provoke a harsh reaction from Russia. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree updating Russias nuclear doctrine, signalling a more aggressive posture in the event of a conventional attack by a non-nuclear nation supported by a nuclear-armed country. Ukraine was quick to act on Bidens approval by targeting the Bryansk region (Russia) with six ATACMS missiles. Russia has yet to respond, marking a critical moment in the war that could reshape international geopolitical tensions in the coming months. Advertisement Bidens decision: A risky gamble President Bidens authorisation to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles, such as the ATACMS, to target Russian infrastructure has sparked heated debates among military analysts. While the White House and Pentagon have yet to officially confirm this, US media reports suggest that Biden has given the green light for these weapons to be used in the ongoing conflict. The rationale provided is that North Koreas involvement in supporting Russia represents an escalation, prompting the US to accede to Ukraines demands for such weaponry to bolster its firepower and sagging morale. It is believed that operating these missiles requires US expertise and guidance systems, which Russia interprets as direct NATO involvement in a kinetic, contact war, warranting an appropriate response. Some analysts have warned of the potential for this decision to escalate the conflict further, stating that Biden has lost the election and has nothing more to lose from the decision, which only furthers the cause of fighting Russia till the last Ukrainian to help out its deep state or arms lobby. This move is also seen as an attempt to avert embarrassment for Democrats if Ukrainian defences crumble under Trumps presidency. With Ukraine now using these missiles to strike Russian territory, a significant Russian military response is anticipated, which can create conditions of involving the US directly in hostilities with Russia. Politically, Bidens decision could also be interpreted as an effort to entangle the future US administration under President-elect Donald Trump in the war, potentially derailing Trumps election promise of ending it. Interestingly, neither the White House, the Pentagon, nor President Zelenskyy has openly confirmed the decision, perhaps to maintain plausible deniability and mitigate the risk of provoking a harsh Russian retaliation. Since Ukraine is likely to bear the brunt of any Russian response to such decisions, some NATO nations that support Ukraine believe they have little to lose militarily as long as their own soldiers are not involved in combat or returning in body bags. They believe that in order to keep Zelenskyys defences from collapsing until early 2025, or to put him in a position where he can engage in meaningful discussions, it is crucial to provide him with continuous military and financial support as well as to raise his morale. Advertisement Miscalculations and battlefield realities The Biden administrations decision to send long-range weapons to Ukraine seems to have been driven by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys persistent demands for more advanced weaponry to push back Russian forces. However, it might be a calculated risk/miscalculation on two counts depending on Russian response. First, by supplying long-range missiles with potential NATO guidance, the US is effectively defying President Putins warnings. Earlier in ongoing war, there were occasions when Putin did not follow up his threats of escalation when battle tanks and F-16 aircrafts were supplied to Ukraine; hence, Bidens advisers feel that Putin may not follow up with nuclear options or striking some NATO target. Advertisement Second, the use of long-range missiles may not be a game-changer on the battlefield. While these missiles could damage Russian infrastructure, they are unlikely to alter the fundamental dynamics of the war, where Russian forces have been making steady territorial gains in the east and south of Ukraine. The use of advanced weapons, while symbolically important for Ukraine, may not be enough to reverse Russias momentum or lead to a decisive shift in the conflicts trajectory; hence, may not provoke a violent response of the magnitude that NATO cant handle. Ukraine is short of trained manpower to hold on to its frontline and standoff strike weapons cant compensate for this weakness. Advertisement Putins nuclear doctrine: A dangerous new path As tensions rise, President Putin has also taken steps to reinforce Russias military posture. In a move that signals an increasing willingness to use nuclear weapons in response to conventional aggression, Putin signed a decree updating Russias nuclear doctrine. The decree includes several key provisions that could fundamentally alter the strategic calculus in the region. Under the new doctrine, nuclear deterrence is explicitly aimed not only at individual adversary states but also at military coalitionsespecially those that possess nuclear weapons. Crucially, the doctrine now considers the participation of nuclear states in supporting a non-nuclear states aggression against Russia as grounds for considering the conflict a joint attack. This update marks a significant shift in Russias stance, emphasising that any attack on Russia by a non-nuclear stateif supported by a nuclear powercould trigger a nuclear response. Advertisement Furthermore, the updated doctrine asserts that nuclear deterrence will be in effect at all times: in peacetime, during periods of immediate threat, and in wartime, right up until the potential use of nuclear weapons. These revisions suggest that Putins government is willing to escalate the conflict further, with nuclear retaliation now seen as a legitimate response to conventional attacks supported by nuclear powers, such as NATO. Maintaining a strong, battle-ready nuclear arsenal has been a part of Russian strategy and it has invested heavily in it. The impending escalation The risk of escalation is now clearer than ever. In the coming months, both Russia and Ukraine are likely to continue jockeying for advantage before the new year. Ukrainian forces are focused on resisting further Russian territorial advances, particularly in areas like Kursk and Donbas, where Russia has made notable gains. On the other hand, Russia is aiming to solidify its control over critical areas and create conditions that make Ukraines NATO membership virtually impossible. Russia continues to escalate its offensive, launching missile and drone barrages targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure and wearing down Ukrainian defences through intense attrition warfare. In response, Ukraine is bolstering its firepower with US-supplied long-range missiles. In the most recent incident, Ukraine fired six ATACMS missiles at Russias Bryansk region. While five missiles were intercepted by Russias advanced S-400 and Pantsir air defence systems, one was damaged, with its fragments causing a fire at a military facility. Although not decisive, this attack highlights the escalating risks of a broader conflict as both sides continue to trade blows on the battlefield. NATOs strategic blind spot? The broader question remains: Has NATO truly considered the long-term implications of its support for Ukraine? It appears that the alliance may not have fully accounted for the ultimate goals of the conflict, particularly with regard to conflict termination and avoiding direct confrontation with Russia. The prospect of a prolonged, protracted war could jeopardise Europes stability and security in ways that have not been thoroughly addressed. For Russia, the objectives are relatively straightforward: solidifying territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, securing the Donbass region, and preventing Ukraines NATO accession. For the West, however, the stakes are higher, as NATOs involvement increases the risk of a direct clash with Russia. As both sides continue to escalate, the international community must be prepared for the possibility of an even more intensified warand the potential for a nuclear confrontation that could have catastrophic consequences, which no one would want to imagine. As the war reaches its thousandth day and moves into the final months of 2024, the risk of escalation remains ever-present. Ukraines use of US long-range missiles could trigger a strong Russian response, while Putins update to Russias nuclear doctrine has created a dangerous new pathway toward the potential use of nuclear weapons, reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis. How deeply these decisions will plunge the opposing sides further into war, risking humanity, remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking, with peace remaining a distant dream. The author is a strategic and security analyst. He can be reached @asthana_shashi on X. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Communist China is an artificial construct. Its a state with predominant colonial features. In fact, China has gone a step ahead than the archetypal colonial state of the yore: unlike the one the 19th century, China doesnt necessarily need a faraway territory to be ravaged and looted upon. It exploits its own peripheral territories to satiate the ever-increasing appetite for resources. This is because China still looks at itself as a Han state. It may have conquered the surrounding areas such as Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet, but its national outlook remains Han-oriented. Anything that is not Han is looked at with suspicion. This exposes the fault lines in Chinese society and nation state. For, Han China is just about a third of the total landmass that constitutes Peoples Republic of China. The remaining two-thirds, comprising Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia, are discriminated upon like a modern-day colony. Advertisement While Tibet and Xinjiang get some sort of global attention, the fate of Inner Mongolia, no less tragic, hardly escapes the national boundary. Occupying about 12 per cent of the countrys landmass, Inner Mongolia, in the north, is rich in natural resources such as coal, gas, and rare earth metals. Given the abundance of minerals, the region has become a victim of excessive mining to fuel Chinas economic growth. Accounting for as much as a quarter of domestic coal production in the country, Inner Mongolia, once known for its pristine beauty, has now been reduced to scarred landscapes, with people forced to live amidst dangerous air pollution levels. If inner Mongolia has been devastated for mining coal reserves, Xinjiang, located in the western part, produces more than 10 per cent of Chinas crude oil and natural gas. But more than that, the region is Chinas gateway to Central Asia. Constituting one-sixth of Chinas landmass, Xinjiangs territorial vastness can be gauged from the fact that it is three times the size of France. Before Islam gained its footholds in the region at the 10th century AD, Xinjiang was the hub of the Indic civilisation, with the region buzzing with Sanskrit shlokas and mantras. The Islamic characteristic of Xinjiang makes it a suspect in Beijings eyes. As per a 2018 estimate based on official sources, more than one million people, which comes to around 10 per cent of the adult Uyghur population, are arbitrarily imprisoned. The numbers would have risen significantly since then. And those who are not jailed find themselves subjected to intense surveillance, scrutiny, forced labour and involuntary sterilisation. As for the atrocities committed on them, the lesser said the better it is. While Uyghur men, seen in any way to be dangerous, either get killed or sent to jail, their women become prey to the lust of the Chinese soldiers supposed to be guarding the region. Such is the state of affairs that a Uyghur is deemed an extremist if the Quran is found in his possession! If Inner Mongolia is scarred for coal, and Xinjiang for oil and natural gas, Tibet is targeted for water. Geostrategic expert and author Brahma Chellaney in his book, Water: Asias New Battleground, puts the importance of Tibet in perspective when he writes, Water indeed has emerged as a key issue that could determine whether Asia is headed toward greater cooperation or deleterious competition. No country would influence this direction more than China, which controls the Tibetan plateau, the source of most major rivers of Asia. Advertisement So, how does Han-dominated China deal with non-Han regions? By unleashing a demographic war against Mongols, Uyghurs and Tibetans. Communist China has been aggressively pursuing the policy of encouraging the Hans to settle in non-Han regions. This explains why Mongols are now just 20 per cent of the total population in Inner Mongolia and their number is shrinking by the day. The Uyghurs constituted 75 per cent in 1982 but today the Han and Uyghur population might be evenly divided at around 40 per cent each in the Xinjiang region. As for Tibetans in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), the Han population share increased from 6 per cent in 2000 to 10 per cent in 2010, to 12 per cent a decade later in 2020. Advertisement Author David Tobin explains the Chinese mindset vis-a-vis non-Hans in his book, Securing Chinas Northwest Frontier: Identity and Insecurity in Xinjiang. He writes, Official texts and popular usage still refer to Xinjiang today as the frontier, alongside the northern and south-western regions of Inner Mongolia and Tibet. In the Chinese imagination these are regions historically occupied by barbarians and they became repackaged as Chinese ethnic minorities in transition from empire to nation-state. Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Mongolians who inhabited the territories acquired and settled during the mid-eighteenth century Manchu imperial expansion were only officially re-categorised from external barbarians to internal ethnic minorities in the 1950s. The conceptual opposition between Han-populated inner China and ethnic frontier constitute China in official and unofficial narratives of national history and nation-building today. Advertisement This Han versus non-Han divide is so obvious because China, as we see it today, is a recent construct, artificially put into a shape through violence, conquest and subjugation. In fact, less than a hundred years ago, in the mid-1930s, when Sir Eric Teichman, a British diplomat, undertook a journey of some 38 days, covering 2,550 miles by motor truck from Inner Mongolia through the Gobi desert, to finally reach the Xinjiang border, he wrote how the traveller finds himself in a new country, China and Mongolia are left behind. About 90 years ago, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Tibet and China were all different nationalities, cultures, and even civilisations. In this backdrop, one wonders what gives the mandarins the confidence and courage to question Indias claim over Kashmir a region that has always been an integral part of the Indic civilisation. Maybe its because the Chinese are made to believe their own lie about China, thanks to their unique imperialistic nature, about which historian RC Majumdar wrote almost six decades ago. Advertisement Thanks to the systematic recording of historical facts by the Chinese themselves, an almost unique achievement in oriental countries we are in a position to follow the imperial and aggressive policy of China from the third century BC to the present day, a period of more than 2,200 years It is characteristic of China that if a region once acknowledged her nominal suzerainty even for a short period, she would regard it as a part of her empire forever and would automatically revive her claim over it even after a thousand years whenever there was a chance of enforcing it, Majumdar wrote in an article in 1965. To add to it is the Chinese tendency to exploit the weakness of the opponent. Arun Shourie gives a fascinating perspective about this Chinese mindset in his book, Self-Deception: Indias China Policies: Make no mistake: China watches the feeble, confused, contradictory ways in which our governments, and even more our society reacts each time it advances a claim. And it pursues its policy: Claim; repeat the claim; go on repeating the claim; grab; hold; let time pass. And they will reconcile themselves to the new situation. Has the policy not succeeded in regard to Tibet? Arent the Chinese currently trying to do the same in eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh? Today, China is desperate to woo India and convince it to normalise relations, especially in the economic arena. It has tested Indias mettle on the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh in the last few years and now with Donald Trump all set to take over the US presidency, it is uneasy about the impending trade war with America more so as it comes at a time when Beijing is facing a serious economic crisis. India must realise that this is the time for tough negotiations with China. In this relationship, there is no space for any conciliatory, bhai-bhai approach. The Chinese are innately programmed to see goodwill gestures as a sign of weakness. In communist China, after all, the path to peace often comes out of the barrel of a gun. So, next time Beijing rakes up the Kashmir issue or claims Arunachal Pradesh to be a part of China, Delhi would do well to show a mirror to China err many Chinas. (This is the fourth and the last part of the China: Myth Vs Reality series. Read the previous part here. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Over the past five quarters, e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms have grown 30 per cent year-on-year, reflecting a significant change in shopping habits as per retail market tracker NielsenIQ read more Industry giants such as Nestle, ITC, Hindustan Unilever, Dabur, and Emami have acknowledged the rapid rise of quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Big Baskets BBNow, particularly for staples like rice, atta, and edible oils. Image Credit: Reuters Online shopping is reshaping consumer behaviour in urban India, with metro residents increasingly shifting from small, frequent purchases to bulk buying. E-commerce and quick-commerce platforms have become dominant, offering convenience and variety to urban consumers, as per a report by the Economic Times. Over the past five quarters, these platforms have grown 30 per cent year-on-year, reflecting a significant change in shopping habits as per retail market tracker NielsenIQ. The trend is particularly evident in food categories, with ready-to-eat items seeing a 52 per cent growth in sales through e-commerce platforms as of September 2024. Advertisement Other popular products include salty snacks, edible oils, biscuits, and packaged flour, all recording over 39 per cent growth. Industry giants such as Nestle, ITC, Hindustan Unilever, Dabur, and Emami have acknowledged the rapid rise of quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and Big Baskets BBNow, particularly for staples like rice, atta, and edible oils. Quick commerce takes centre stage Quick-commerce platforms have emerged as a game-changer, now contributing 85 per cent of incremental sales in metro markets for the September 2024 quarter. Just a year earlier, offline channels dominated with the same share, underlining the remarkable shift to digital platforms. Consumers in metro cities are increasingly turning to these platforms not just for top-ups but for monthly bulk purchases, a trend driven by ease of access and time-saving delivery options. The shift has led companies like Dabur and Nestle to adjust inventory in traditional trade channels, reflecting the growing preference for online purchases. Nestle, for instance, reported its highest-ever e-commerce contribution of 8.3 per cent to domestic sales during the July-September quarter, with half of that coming from quick commerce. Traditional trade still relevant but under pressure Despite the surge in e-commerce, neighbourhood grocery stores continue to account for 85 per cent of FMCG sales nationally. However, their dominance is shrinking in metro markets as consumers lean towards the speed and convenience offered by quick commerce. Companies acknowledge the enduring relevance of traditional trade but note that online channels are increasingly capturing the urban market. Quick-commerce platforms are also diversifying their offerings, delivering items such as apparel, electronics, and jewellery within minutes. However, these categories, being large-ticket or planned purchases, may not grow at the same pace as FMCG products. It remains to be seen how sustainable this model will be for non-FMCG categories. Rapid growth projected for quick-commerce According to Redseer Strategy Consultants, Indias quick-commerce market is expected to hit $6 billion by March 2025, growing at a rate of 75-85 per cent. This growth is being fuelled by an additional 5 million monthly users and a 20 per cent rise in spending per transaction. As digital platforms continue to revolutionise the shopping experience, the tug-of-war between convenience-driven online channels and traditional retail is shaping the future of urban Indias consumer landscape. Neuralinks approval in Canada adds to its existing recruitment efforts in the US and UK, marking another step in its global expansion read more Earlier this year, Neuralink achieved a milestone by implanting its device in its first human patient, Noland Arbaugh, at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. The success of that procedure has paved the way for further trials and international expansion. Image Credit: Pexels Neuralink, Elon Musks brain implant company, has received regulatory approval from Health Canada to conduct its first clinical trials in the country. The trials will be hosted at Toronto Western Hospital, part of Canadas University Health Network (UHN), making it the first non-US site to participate in Neuralinks groundbreaking research. The device is designed to help patients with severe neurological conditions regain control over external devices using their thoughts. UHN Chief Executive Officer Kevin Smith expressed pride in the hospitals role as the first and exclusive Canadian site for this research, highlighting its significance in advancing neurosurgical innovation. While no specific timeline for the trials has been shared, Neuralink has announced that recruitment is now open for participants in Canada. Advertisement Targeting severe neurological conditions Neuralinks initial focus is on patients with quadriplegia caused by ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or spinal cord injuries. The brain-computer interface (BCI) aims to enable these individuals to control devices like computers through thought alone, potentially transforming their quality of life. The company has also outlined ambitious plans to treat other conditions, such as blindness, and even hinted at future applications for enhancing cognitive abilities in healthy individuals. Earlier this year, Neuralink achieved a milestone by implanting its device in its first human patient, Noland Arbaugh, at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. The success of that procedure has paved the way for further trials and international expansion. Growing competition in the BCI field Neuralinks approval in Canada adds to its existing recruitment efforts in the US and UK, marking another step in its global expansion. The company faces competition from other players in the brain-computer interface space, such as Synchron Inc., which is also recruiting for future trials. Neuralinks progress, however, has garnered significant attention, partly due to Musks high-profile backing and the companys ambitious roadmap. A vision for the Future While the current focus is on helping patients with severe conditions, Neuralink has broader aspirations for its technology. In the long term, the company envisions applications ranging from memory augmentation to improving overall brain function in healthy individuals. However, these advancements remain speculative and far from clinical implementation. With trials in Canada now joining those in the US, Neuralinks journey continues to push the boundaries of neuroscience and technology. As the trials progress, the outcomes could set the stage for a new era in brain-computer interfaces, offering hope to millions with neurological challenges. Supply chain challenges including TSMCs limited manufacturing capability has been a challenge for chipmakers around the world and has slowed NVIDIAs ability to meet surging demand for its AI GPUs read more NVIDIAs future hinges heavily on its new Blackwell family of AI chips, which are expected to drive significant sales growth. Concerns over overheating issues in Blackwell-powered servers have been reported. Image credit: Reuters NVIDIA has been riding a wave of extraordinary success this year, with its stock value nearly quadrupling in 2023 and growing more than ninefold over the last two years. However, its latest earnings report revealed signs of slowing growth in AI chip sales, raising concerns among investors. While the company remains a leader in AI hardware, its forecast for the slowest revenue growth in seven quarters has tempered the markets enthusiasm. Advertisement The Santa Clara-based firm reported third-quarter revenue growth of 94 per cent year-on-year, but its fourth-quarter forecast indicates a slowdown to 69.5 per cent. Although still impressive, this marks a clear step back from its previous record-breaking momentum. Shares fell as much as 5 per cent in after-hours trading following the announcement but quickly regained some ground. NVIDIAs Blackwell chips and supply chain challenges NVIDIAs future hinges heavily on its new Blackwell family of AI chips, which are expected to drive significant sales growth. Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress noted that the company will exceed its initial fourth-quarter sales projections for the processors. However, the chips rollout has weighed on margins, initially in the low 70 per cent range, although they are expected to climb to the mid-70 per cent range as production ramps up. Concerns over overheating issues in Blackwell-powered servers have been reported, although they were were dismissed by CEO Jensen Huang, who assured investors that the systems were performing well in customer environments, including at Microsoft and Oracle. Still, supply chain constraints, particularly limited advanced manufacturing capacity at TSMC, have slowed NVIDIAs ability to meet surging demand. Huang indicated that production challenges are being addressed, with improved designs and expanded manufacturing lines in the works. NVIDIAs soaring year dampened by slowing AI chip sales growth While NVIDIAs fourth-quarter revenue forecast of $37.5 billion surpassed analysts estimates, the slowing pace of growth has caught investors attention. The companys ability to consistently outpace Wall Street expectations has been a major factor in its meteoric rise. However, with supply bottlenecks and soaring expectations, maintaining that momentum has become increasingly challenging. Experts like Ryan Detrick of Carson Group pointed out that even strong performance may appear underwhelming when expectations are sky-high. Despite the slowdown, demand for NVIDIAs AI chips remains robust, driven by cloud companies expanding data centres to support generative AI. Data centre growth and long-term prospects NVIDIAs data centre segment, which makes up the bulk of its revenue, grew by 112 per cent in the last quarter to $30.77 billion, although this was down from the 154 per cent growth recorded in the prior quarter. Adjusted earnings for the third quarter reached 81 cents per share, surpassing estimates of 75 cents per share. Looking ahead, NVIDIAs ability to address supply chain constraints and achieve higher margins will be critical. Analysts like Brandon Hoff from IDC suggest that growth could accelerate again if the companys margins surpass 75 per cent. For now, while NVIDIA remains a Wall Street favourite, its slowing growth signals a potential shift in how investors view its future trajectory. Advertisement Musk has remained critical, accusing the government of prioritising censorship over free speech. His remarks during the riots, including a controversial prediction of civil war, have further strained ties read more Elon Musk is set to be summoned by British MPs to address Xs involvement in spreading misinformation during the summer riots. The inquiry, led by the Commons science and technology select committee, will examine the role of social media platforms, including X, in fuelling unrest and harmful narratives. Executives from Meta and TikTok are also expected to testify as part of the investigation, which will delve into the rise of generative AI and its misuse. Advertisement The hearings, beginning next year, come amid growing concerns that UK online safety laws are lagging behind rapid advancements in technology. The inquiry will explore how platforms like X have contributed to spreading falsehoods and inciting violence, particularly through AI-generated content. UK investigating GenAIs role in social unrest One key focus of the inquiry is the role generative AI played in spreading Islamophobic messages following the tragic Southport killings in late July. Misinformation and fabricated images circulated widely on social media, leading to violent protests. X was notably implicated in amplifying such content, with critics pointing to its algorithms and business models that prioritise engagement, even at the cost of harm. The inquiry will also look at Silicon Valleys approach to AI and its potential to propagate misleading or harmful material. Recent examples include Googles AI providing false claims about racial groups, which violated the platforms policies and were subsequently removed. MPs aim to understand the link between AI-driven tools and the proliferation of dangerous narratives. Musks contentious relationship with the UK government Elon Musks relationship with the UK government has been turbulent, highlighted by his absence from an international investment summit earlier this year. While some, like former Labour minister Peter Mandelson, have urged reconciliation, Musk has remained critical, accusing the government of prioritising censorship over free speech. His remarks during the riots, including a controversial prediction of civil war, have further strained ties. Musks potential testimony is seen as critical, given Xs significant role in the spread of misinformation during the riots. However, whether he will comply with the summons remains uncertain. X has faced backlash for its relaxed content moderation policies, with many users migrating to platforms like Bluesky in protest. Strengthening online safety regulations The inquiry coincides with the implementation of new rules under the UKs Online Safety Act. Expected to roll out next month, the regulations will require platforms to remove illegal content and mitigate risks tied to harmful communications. This includes addressing posts that incite violence, spread hatred, or propagate falsehoods. Ofcom, the UKs communications regulator, has already flagged the role of social media in provoking racial and religious violence during the riots. As platforms face increasing scrutiny, the inquiry aims to ensure they are held accountable for preventing the misuse of AI and algorithms that endanger public safety. With the tech landscape evolving rapidly, the inquiry signals a growing urgency to align regulations with the challenges posed by digital platforms. For Musk and other social media leaders, it sets the stage for an intense debate on the intersection of free speech, innovation, and accountability. Advertisement North Korea and Russia have signed new economic cooperation agreement, strengthening ties amid tensions with the US and support for Russias war in Ukraine read more North Korea and Russia reached a new agreement for expanding economic cooperation following high-level talks in Pyongyang this week, the Norths state media said Thursday, as they continue to align in the face of their confrontations with Washington. North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency didnt elaborate on the details of the agreement signed Wednesday between its senior trade officials and a Russian delegation led by Alexandr Kozlov, the countrys minister of natural resources and ecology. The Russian news agency Tass on Tuesday said officials following an earlier round of talks agreed to increase the number of charter flights between the countries to promote tourism. Advertisement Kozlov, who arrived in North Korea on Sunday, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his top economic official, Premier Kim Tok Hun, before returning home on Wednesday, KCNA said. During Kozlovs visit, Russian President Vladimir Putins gifted Pyongyangs Central Zoo with more than 70 animals, including lions, bears and several species of birds, according to Tass, in another display of the countries growing ties. Kim Jong Un in recent months has prioritized relations with Moscow as he attempts to break out of international isolation and strengthen his footing, actively supporting Putins war on Ukraine while portraying the North as a player in a united front against Washington. Kim has yet to directly acknowledge that he has been providing military equipment and troops to Russia to support its fighting against Ukraine. South Koreas National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Wednesday 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 Russias northeast. The spy agency believes 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, said Lee Seong Kweun, a lawmaker who attended the meeting. US, South Korean and Ukrainian officials have claimed that the North has also been supplying Russia with artillery systems, missiles and other equipment. North Korea would be possibly getting anywhere between $320 million to $1.3 billion annually from Russia for sending its troops to Ukraine, considering the scale of the dispatch and the level of payments Russia has been providing to foreign mercenaries, according to a recent study by Lim Soo-ho, a South Korean analyst at an NIS-run think tank. Advertisement While that would be meaningful income for North Koreas crippled and heavily sanctioned economy, it could be lower than the money the North earns from illicit coal exports or supplying military equipment to Russia, Lim said. This suggests that North Koreas troop dispatch is less about money than acquiring key Russian technologies to further advance its nuclear weapons and missile program, which is a major concern in Seoul, Lim said. Amid the stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations with Washington, Kim has been dialing up pressure on South Korea, abandoning his countrys long-standing goal of inter-Korean reconciliation and verbally threatening to attack the South with nukes if provoked. He has used Russias war on Ukraine as a distraction to accelerate the development of his nuclear-armed military, which now has various nuclear-capable systems targeting South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles that can potentially reach the US mainland. Advertisement (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Is the use of American and British long-range missiles going to help him [Trump] in that [peacemaking] process or make it more difficult? Farage asked read more Nigel Farage, the leader of the hard-right Reform UK party, is certain Ukraine won't win the war. Reuters Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has cast doubt on Ukraines ability to defeat Russia and criticised the United States decision to allow Kyiv to use long-range missiles against Russian targets. Farages comments mark a break from the stance of most mainstream UK political parties, which have expressed support for Ukraines efforts to repel the Russian invasion. His remarks come amid multiple recent reports that Storm Shadow missiles which Britain has donated to Ukraine have been used in strikes deep within Russian territory for the first time. Advertisement Farage convinced Ukraine cant win the war In Westminster everybody still seems to think that if we give Ukraine enough weaponry, somehow theyre going to win this war, Politico quoed Farage as saying. Yet when I get outside of Westminster and talk to ordinary folk, Ive not met anybody in my last month who thinks Ukraine is ever going to win. Farage, a close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, suggested that the idea of Ukraine achieving victory is unrealistic. I worry because I think the idea Ukraines going to win, frankly, is for the birds, he said. He [Trump] is committed to negotiating a peace settlement. No one quite knows whUKst might look like, but that is what hes committed to do, Farage said. Is the use of American and British long-range missiles going to help him in that process or make it more difficult? PM Keir Starmer defends UKs stand Meanwhile, UKs Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended Britains support for Ukraine as proportionate and legal, Politico reported. The UKs support for Ukraine is always for self-defence, he told members of parliament. It is proportionate, coordinated, and agile, and a response to Russias own actions, and it is in accordance with international law. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine has a clear right of self-defence against Russias illegal attacks. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the Indian Arrival Monument in Guyana on Thursday, acknowledging the journey of the Indian diaspora in the country. The monument symbolises the arrival of Indian indentured labourers during the long colonial rule, contributing to the nations growth and cultural diversity read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Guyana, becomes the first Indian PM to visit the country in 56 years. X.com/@@presidentaligy Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Indian Arrival Monument in Guyana on Thursday to commemorate the arrival of Indian indentured labourers, who were brought to the country between 1838 and 1917 by British agents. The Indian Arrival Monument was built in 1997 to commemorate the Indian diasporas journey to the Caribbean nation. Located in Guyanas capital Georgetown at Merrimans Mall with its main entrance opening on the Camp Street, Bourda, the monument has been a tourist attraction for the past more than 25 years. Advertisement Here are five things about the Indian Arrival Monument: Rooted in history The monument commemorates the arrival of the first group of Indian indentured labourers, who arrived in what was then called British Guiana on May 5, 1838. They had been brought to work on plantations. The first group arrived on vessels named Whitby and Hesperus. Indians took over from the Portuguese Earlier, the Portuguese immigrants were working as labourers in the plantations. The plant owners thought that the Portuguese were unsuitable for the rigours of plantation life and this would affect their earnings. So, they decided to call Indian labourers to Guyana. Indians arrived in Guyana in large numbers between 1838 and 1917 and were dispersed into several countries like: Berbice, Essequibo, and Demerara. Now, a symbol of unity The bronze sculpture resting on a black granite pedestal monument is a symbol of the first batch of Indian labourers who were transported to British Guiana. It stands as a beacon of shared history and continued collaboration. The architect The monument was designed in India with the help of Guyanese architect Albert Rodrigues. The architecture reflects elements of Indian culture, blending Guyanese design, showcasing the enduring connection between India and Guyana. The monumental journey The monument was transported to Guyana in 1996 from India. Famed businessman and philanthropist Yesu Persaud unveiled the monument on May 5, 1997. It honours the positive contributions made by the Indian diaspora in sectors such as agriculture, politics, and culture, making them an integral part of Guyanese society. Advertisement The world-first legislation would force social media firms to take steps to prevent those under 16 years of age from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram read more Australian PM Anthony Albanese has endorsed banning children from registering social media accounts until they are 16. X/AlboMP Social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail to keep children off social media under new laws to be debated in Australias parliament Thursday. The world-first legislation would force social media firms to take steps to prevent those under 16 years of age from accessing platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Failing to do so would attract fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million). Australia is among the vanguard of nations trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be among the worlds strictest measures aimed at children. Advertisement Details about how social media companies are expected to enforce the ban remain unclear. The proposed laws, which will be presented to parliament Thursday, would also include robust privacy provisions that require tech platforms to delete any age-verification information collected. Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said Thursday that social media companies had a responsibility for the safety and mental health of Australians. The legislation places the onus on social media platforms, not parents or children, to ensure protections are in place, she said. Some companies will be granted exemptions from the ban, such as YouTube, which teenagers may need to use for school work or other reasons. Once celebrated as a means of staying connected and informed, social media platforms have been tarnished by cyberbullying, the spread of illegal content, and election-meddling claims. If the proposed law passes, tech platforms would be given a one-year grace period to figure out how to implement and enforce the ban. Social media companies have said they will adhere to new legislation but have cautioned the government against acting too quickly and without adequate consultation. Analysts have also expressed doubt it would be technically feasible to enforce a strict age ban. Advertisement The cancellation covers half of a $9 billion loan provided to Ukraine through a $60 billion supplemental package approved in April read more Outgoing President Joe Biden's administration is trying to get aid to Ukraine before Donald Trump takes office. AFP The Biden administration informed Congress of its plan to cancel $4.65 billion in debt owed by Ukraine, according to Bloomberg News. The move is the latest effort to bolster Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The cancellation covers half of a $9 billion loan provided to Ukraine through a $60 billion supplemental package approved in April. The loan, initially proposed by Trump during his campaign, was later included in the legislation by House Republican leaders. The administration had previously indicated that a portion of the loan would likely be forgiven. Advertisement In the letter to Congress dated November 18, the State Department stated the debt cancellation serves US national interests and aligns with the goals of the European Union, Nato, and G7+ partners to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, Bloomberg reported. Rushing aid to Ukraine President Joe Bidens administration has expedited aid to Ukraine, a part of its strategy to reinforce Kyivs position before Trumps return to the White House in January. Kyivs allies fear Trump may reduce aid to Ukraine in pursuit of such talks. Earlier this week, Biden authorised Ukraine to use US-provided long-range missiles against targets inside Russia. On Wednesday, the administration unveiled a new $275 million security package, which includes anti-personnel land mines. During a visit to Brussels to reassure allies after the election, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration is committed to ensuring Ukraine receives every dollar we have at our disposal. The cancelled debt is separate from nearly $9 billion remaining in weapons assistance, which the administration aims to allocate by the end of Bidens term. The remaining funds are intended for defence production contracts, which would deliver equipment directly to Ukraine once completed. The incoming Trump administration could choose to cancel some contracts, potentially incurring costs. Can Republicans block the debt cancellation? Republican opposition to the debt cancellation plan emerged swiftly. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said in a social media post that he would seek a Senate vote to block the measure, arguing it unfairly shifts Ukraines debt burden onto American taxpayers. However, his resolution is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate, and Biden could veto it if necessary. Administration officials maintain that the president has the authority to forgive 50% of the loan. The State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to attend the Armed Forces Day reception on Thursday, marking her first participation in a state event since her imprisonment in February 2018. This will also be her first appearance at the reception in nearly 11 years read more Bangladeshs former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will make her first public appearance and maiden participation in a state event in six years today as she will be attending the Armed Forces Day reception in Dhaka Cantonment. Also, this will be the first in nearly 11 years, she will be present at the reception which she last attended in 2012. The invitation for the Armed Forces Day reception was sent to Khaleda on Tuesday. Chief Adviser of Bangladeshs interim government Muhammad Yunus will be the chief guest of the ceremony. Advertisement The BNP chairperson will go to Senakunja on Thursday (November 21) to participate in a function on the occasion of Armed Forces Day, Khaleda Zias personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar said. Sattar further informed that Khaleda Zia is scheduled to leave for Senakunja around 3 pm on Thursday from her Gulshan residence. On February 8, 2018, Khaleda Zia, the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh, was sentenced to jail for 17 years by a special court which convicted her in corruption charges, making her ineligible to contests elections later that year. The 79-year-old former Bangladesh PM has been suffering for years from various health ailments, including liver cirrhosis, heart, lung, kidney and eye diseases. Even while serving her jail term, she had been largely confined to hospital. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the previous Awami League government on March 25, 2020, temporarily freed Khaleda through an executive order. Her sentence was suspended on the conditions that she would stay in her Gulshan home and not flee from the country. Zia was freed on August 6 this year, day after former Bangladesh PM Sheik Hasina resigned and fled from the country after the student protests intensified. Advertisement The BNP chairperson was freed after Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin exempted her from her punishment under the presidential power stated in Article 49 of the constitution. Khaleda Zias political journey Khaleda Zias first term was in 1991 when she became Bangladeshs PM. She took the charge to led the country which was undergoing serious civil unrest. She formed the government with the help of the Jamaa-e-Islami as her party was falling short of a majority. In 1996, she won for the second consecutive time, but the elections were boycotted and denounced as unfair by the major opposition parties, including Sheikh Hasinas Awami League. The Khaleda Zia-led government, which was voted to power in 1996, lasted just for 12 days, following which a caretaker government was installed and fresh elections were conducted in which Awami League won and Hasina became the prime minister for the first time. Khaleda Zia did not stop there, she returned to power five years later in 2001 as an alliance of four parties led by her won the elections. However, she stepped down in 2006. Advertisement Bangladesh Armed Forces Day Armed Forces Day is celebrated to mark the establishment of the forces during the Liberation War in 1971. According to a release by Inter Services Public Relations Director, the Armed Forces Day programmes begin with offering special prayers after Fazr prayers at all mosques in all cantonments and naval as well as air force bases, seeking divine blessings for the wellbeing and prosperity of the nation and progress of the armed forces. With inputs from agencies. Ex-president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba was expelled from the military at the end of October along with around 15 officers, for alleged acts of disclosing intelligence with a foreign power and terrorist groups aimed at destabilising Burkina Faso read more Soldiers from Burkina Faso patrol on the road of Gorgadji in sahel area, Burkina Faso. Source: REUTERS/FILE Military-led Burkina Faso has frozen the assets and resources of more than 100 people, including ex-president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, and two jihadist groups over the financing of terrorism, according to a decree sent to AFP Thursday.The decision affects 113 individuals and two terrorist organisations the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) according to the document, dated Tuesday and signed by Finance Minister Aboubacar Nacanabo. Former president Lieutenant-Colonel Damiba, who is currently in exile in Togo, was among the individuals cited. Damiba was ousted after seizing power in a January 2022 coup against elected president Roch Marc Christian Kabore. Little more than eight months later, Damiba himself was overthrown by 34-year-old Captain Ibrahim Traore, who now heads the Sahel nations regime. Damiba was expelled from the military at the end of October along with around 15 officers, for alleged acts of disclosing intelligence with a foreign power and terrorist groups aimed at destabilising Burkina Faso. Advertisement The regime also froze the assets of the late former Burkinabe special forces commander Ahmed Kinda, whom the authorities previously described as the head of destabilisation operations allegedly involving expelled officers. Former intelligence services second-in-command Commander Sekou Ouedraogo, as well as exiled former ministers General Djibril Bassole, and Alpha Barry, who founded the press group Omega Media, were also named in the ministerial order. Dozens of others all Burkinabe nationals including some currently serving prison sentences also had their finances seized over accusations of terrorist criminal conspiracy, terrorist murders and illegal possession of firearms. Burkina Faso also banned the 113 individuals from travelling while their assets and economic resources remain frozen, the minister wrote. Since 2015, violence attributed to armed groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group has claimed more than 26,000 lives in Burkina Faso, including more than 13,500 since the September 2022 coup. More than two million people have also been forced to flee their homes inside the country. Canadas Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault resigned from Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet after he made shifting claims about his Indigenous ancestry and was accused of controversial business dealings read more Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Canada, the countrys Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault has resigned from Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus cabinet after his shifting claims of Indigenous ancestry. Trudeaus office confirmed that Boissonnault would step away from cabinet effective immediately and would focus on clearing the allegations made against him," moments before the parliament question period on Wednesday. Boissonnaults claims to Indigenous identity were subject to scrutiny after Canadian news outlet the National Post reported that a company he co-owned positioned itself as Indigenous-owned or Aboriginal while bidding on federal contracts. Boissonnault later blamed his ex-business partner and denied any knowledge of the claims. Advertisement It is pertinent to note that the lawmaker from Alberta has never explicitly claimed that he was indigenous. However, he often described himself as a non-status adopted Cree. He even went on to refer to his great-grandmother as a full-blooded Cree woman. Boissonnaults shifting claims of Indigenous ancestry Back in 2018, the Canadian lawmaker told a parliamentary committee that as a child, his great-grandmother told him: We come from the land, Randy, and someday well go back to the land, and the land will be all shared in the future. The National Post also found instances where Boissonnault would speak a few words in Cree. 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. Amid the brewing scandal, last week, Boissonnault apologized for not being as clear as he could have been about his heritage. Shortly after that, his office acknowledged his adoptive great-grandmother had Metis lineage, and was not Cree. A spokesperson from the ministry went on to state that Boissonnaults own understanding of his familys heritage was inaccurate. The whole saga not only stirred headlines but prompted several lawmakers in the Conservative and New Democratic parties to call for his resignation. Earlier this week, NDP MP Blake Desjarlais said that Trudeau should sack Boissonnault from the cabinet if he refused to resign. The real victims here arent the Liberals. The real victim isnt Randy. The real victims are Indigenous businesses and Indigenous people who 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. Advertisement Meanwhile, Jody Wilson-Raybould, who served as Trudeaus attorney general and justice minister took to social media, making similar calls. A Prime Minister committed to true reconciliation would have removed Randy (and the other Randy) from Cabinet long ago. Instead, we get to watch white people play ancestry wheel of fortune, she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. So shameful and extremely destructive! she added. A Prime Minister committed to true reconciliation would have removed Randy (and the other Randy) from Cabinet long ago. Instead we get to watch white people play ancestry wheel of fortune. So shameful and extremely destructive! #CdnPoli https://t.co/7FCCdjas3k Jody Wilson-Raybould (JWR), PC, OBC, KC (@Puglaas) November 19, 2024 Advertisement Not the only scandal on Boissonnaults plate Other than this, the Canadian lawmaker 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 a cabinet member. The issue came to light after records of text messages showed that someone named Randy was part of the discussion about the transfer of roughly C$500,000 to secure a large shipment of nitrile gloves. However, Boissonnault denied his involvement and said he was not the person identified in the messages between his former business partner and the representative of a California-based company. Following Boissonnaults denial, the Conservatives filed a motion calling for the other Randy to appear before the ethics committee. Trump is set to take office in January, renewing fears of an intensified trade war that could further strain the already fraught relationship between China and the US read more China on Thursday (November 21) unveiled new policies to support its export sector as it braces for potential tariff increases by US President-elect Donald Trump, who has threatened to raise duties on Chinese goods by 60 per cent. The measures, outlined in a notice from Chinas Commerce Ministry, aim to help exporters navigate unreasonable foreign trade restrictions and foster a good external environment for exports. The announcement comes amid concerns in Beijing over the impact of Trumps trade policies, which could significantly affect the profitability of Chinese exports. Advertisement Nine-point plan to Trump-proof Chinese exports The nine-point plan includes expanded export credit insurance, additional financing for international trade businesses, and strengthened cross-border e-commerce, according to the South China Morning Post. The Commerce Ministry said it would also expand visa-free entry policies to facilitate personnel exchanges and continue efforts to stabilise foreign trade amid growing global trade tensions. Additionally, the plan outlines efforts to boost exports of specialty agricultural products and key commodities while supporting imports of critical equipment and energy resources. Chinas export-driven economy has faced multiple challenges, including sluggish domestic consumption and a struggling housing market. Exports to the US totalled $427.2 billion last year, compared to $147.8 billion in imports, despite existing tariffs imposed during Trumps previous term. China responded with retaliatory tariffs on US goods. Zhang Zhiwei, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, described the measures as a proactive response to anticipated challenges. These steps are not only aimed at addressing renewed US tariffs but also at equipping Chinese exporters to handle rising trade barriers worldwide, he told the Post. An unnamed Beijing-based professor in public administration told the daily that while most of the measures were not new, they indicated the ministry was examining ways to mitigate the looming threat of a renewed or intensified trade war after Trump takes office in January. Trump is set to take office in January, renewing fears of an intensified trade war that could further strain the already fraught relationship between the worlds two largest economies. Advertisement With inputs from agencies The recent Conflict Intensity Index says 6.15 million square kilometers of the worlds landmass is now impacted by conflicts within or between states read more A firefighter puts out the fire after fragments of the downed Russian military plane damaged private houses, on the outskirts of Kostyantynivka, a near-front line city in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.- AP The Israel-Gaza war and the Ukraine-Russia war are two of the biggest conflicts wrecking the world either directly or indirectly. However, several smaller clashes and insurgencies also contribute to the devastation. A report has found that conflict zones worldwide have increased by 65 per cent in the past three years. The latest edition of the Conflict Intensity Index, published by Verisk Maplecroft, shows wars and unrest have spread in size in Ukraine, the West Asian region, Myanmar and a conflict corridor around Africas Sahel. Advertisement While people residing in the areas of conflict have to bear the brunt directly, wars also have a far-reaching impact on the global economy, food supply chains and businesses. For instance, Russias war on Ukraine has disrupted the trade of food grains which was exasperated by Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping. Hugo Brennan, research director at Verisk Maplecroft, said, Conflict risks are increasing, they have for the last few years and global businesses need to think about that. You can look at international media and think: I dont have a factory in Sudan, it does not affect me, but because of the supply chain impacts, a conflict in a faraway place can impact you. How much of the world is covered by conflict? The report reveals that 6.15 million square kilometers (2.4 million square miles) of the worlds landmassequivalent to 4.6 per centis now impacted by conflicts within or between states. This marks a sharp rise from 2.8 per cent in 2021. The number of deaths attributed to conflict has also surged by 29 per cent, underscoring the worsening global security situation. Since 2021, 27 countries have seen a notable increase in conflict risk, according to the Conflict Impact Index (CII). Among these are Ecuador, Colombia, India, Indonesia, and Thailand, reflecting a broader trend of escalating tensions and instability across diverse regions. Children at most risk Conflicts affect children the most as they stay at risk of getting separated from their families. Angela Rosales, CEO of SOS Childrens Villages International said that over 470 million children in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza and Lebanon are impacted by wars. Children in conflict-affected areas are at risk of losing family care if their homes are destroyed, parents are killed or if they become separated when fleeing violence, she said. Advertisement Children made up nearly 40 percent of the more than 3.4 million people in Myanmar displaced by civil war and climate change-driven extreme weather, the UN agency for children said Thursday. With inputs from agencies Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasised that reclaiming Crimea for Ukraine should be pursued through diplomatic efforts rather than military action read more Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Wednesday. AP Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the Crimea peninsula, seized by Russia in 2014, would have to be restored to Ukrainian sovereignty through diplomacy. Zelenskiy, interviewed by Fox News on a train in Ukraine and broadcast on Wednesday, said his country could not afford to lose the number of lives that would be required to retake Crimea through military means. He again rejected any notion of ceding any territory already occupied by Moscows forces, saying Ukraine cannot legally acknowledge any occupied territory of Ukraine as Russian. Advertisement I was already mentioning that we are ready to bring Crimea back diplomatically, Zelenskiy told Fox News through an interpreter. We cannot spend dozens of thousands of our people so that they perish for the sake of Crimea coming back and still its not a fact that we can bring it back with the arms in our hands. We understand that Crimea can be brought back diplomatically. Russia seized and annexed Crimea in 2014 after a popular uprising prompted a Russia-friendly president to flee the country and Russian proxies seized swathes of territory in Ukraines east. Since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, its troops have captured about one-fifth of Ukraines territory and proclaimed the annexation of four provinces, though Moscow does not fully control any of them. Zelenskiy has proposed a peace formula and a victory plan underpinned by the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. But his recent calls have stressed security guarantees for his country and an invitation to join NATO, a notion rejected out of hand by Moscow. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Several UNSC member states including China, France and Russia slammed the USs decision to veto the UNSC resolution that called for a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza war. The UNSC voted 14-1 in favour of the resolution which was sponsored by the 10 elected members of the 15-member council read more Several members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) denounced the USs fourth veto on a proposed ceasefire resolution in the ongoing Gaza war. On Wednesday, the US vetoed the UNSCs push for a ceasefire in Gaza, arguing that the resolution emboldens Hamas. The UN Security Council voted 14-1 in favour of the resolution which was sponsored by the 10 elected members of the 15-member council. However, the body did not adopt the proposal after the American veto. The resolution in question, 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. Advertisement Shortly after the voting, Chinas envoy to the UN Fu Cong expressed disappointment over the outcome of the Wednesday meeting and accused the US of hindering the hopes of Palestinians for survival, pushing them further into darkness and desperation via the use of the veto. Algeria, Russia condemn US While speaking to the reporters after the meeting, Chinas Fu said that the member states actions would not escape the harsh judgment of history, Fu asked: Does Palestinian lives mean nothing? How many more people have to die before they (US) wake up from their pretend slumber? he asked rhetorically, Anadolu reported. The Chinese envoy went on to argue that repeated vetos by the US has reduced the authority of the Security Council and international law to an all-time low. We call on the US to take its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Council seriously. The US should stop being passive and evasive, he added. Meanwhile, Algerias ambassador Amar Bendjama also slammed Washingtons decision to veto the resolution. Todays message is clear to the Israeli occupying power; You may continue your genocide, you may continue your collective punishment of the Palestinian people with complete impunity. Bendjama said that the US veto has sent another clear message to the Palestinian people, before adding that while the overwhelming majority of the world stands in solidarity with your plight, others remain indifferent to your suffering. The French envoy, Nicolas de Riviere also expressed deep regret over the matter, highlighting that the situation in Gaza is worsening every day. Advertisement International humanitarian law is being trampled underfoot, he said, indicating the only response would have been a ceasefire. Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said that the country was not surprised by the US veto of the resolution. For months, the US has obstructed and obfuscated, standing in the way of the Council action to address the catastrophic situation in Gaza and playing on one side of the conflict to advance its own political objectives at the expense of Palestinian lives, Nebenzia argued. We do not need to be lectured by the United States on hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is what they exhibit every day in different conflicts, he added. Advertisement The US defends itself While addressing the backlash, US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood Nebenzia said that Washingtons position remained that there had to be a linkage between a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Meanwhile, Hamas referred to Washington as a partner in the aggression against our people " It is a criminal, kills children and women and destroys civilian life in Gaza," the group averred. The US also struggled to get support from its allies. UK envoy Barbara Woodward, who is also the Security Council chair for November, expressed regret about the veto. International humanitarian law must be respected by all sides, she said. With inputs from agencies. Gunmen have killed 38 and injured 29 in a deadly attack on passenger vehicles in Kurram tribal district of Pakistans northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province read more Gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in a tribal area in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 38 people and wounding 29, the chief secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, said. Among the fatalities in the attack, which occurred in the Kurram tribal district, were a woman and a child, Chaudhry said, adding: Its a major tragedy and death toll is likely to rise". Tensions have existed for decades between armed Shia and Sunni Muslims over a land dispute in the tribal area that borders Afghanistan. Advertisement No group claimed responsibility for the incident. There were two convoys of passenger vehicles, one carrying passengers from Peshawar to Parachinar and another from Parachinar to Peshawar, when armed men opened fire on them, a local resident of Parachinar, Ziarat Hussain told Reuters by telephone, adding that his relatives were travelling from Peshawar in the convoy. President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement, strongly condemned the attack on passenger vehicles. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Russia struck the critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro with an intercontinental ballistic missile, according to the Ukrainian air force read more The photo shows a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launched during a test from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Northern Arkhangelsk region, Russia, on October 29, 2024. (Photo: Reuters) For the first time in more than two years of war, Ukraine said that Russia has attacked it with an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The claim of Russian usage of powerful, long-rage ICBM comes after escalation in the ongoing war. After Russia roped in as many as 10,000 soldiers from North Korea in its war on Ukraine, the United States and United Kingdom allowed Ukraine to launch their long-range weapons for strikes inside Russia. Advertisement The Ukrainian air force on Thursday said Russia attacked enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro with the ICBM. It said the missile was launched from Russias Astrakhan region. While Ukraine did not confirm the type of ICBM used, it said that the missile had a conventional warhead and not a nuclear warhead. Meanwhile, a Western official told ABC News that while the missile was a ballistic missile, it does not appear to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The ICBMs are very powerful long-range missiles that are very hard to intercept. They have a range of more than 3,500 miles (5,600 km). Only the United States, China, and Russia formally acknowledge having ICBMs. They can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. There are other types of ballistic missiles as well of lower range and threshold than ICBMs, such as short-range (SRBMs) with 300 miles (480 km) range, medium-range (MRBMs) with 300-600 miles (480-965 km), intermediate-range (IRBMs) with 600-3,300 miles (965-5,310 km), according to Britannica Encyclopaedia. The Ukrainian air force further said that the Russian barrage also included Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile fired from a MiG-31K fighter jet in the Tambov region and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers, of which six Kh-101 missiles were successfully intercepted, according to Newsweek. It did not say the damage that the ICBM caused or the specific location it struck. It also did not specify the type of ICBM used. Advertisement The conflict in Ukraine has escalated in recent days. Following US and British permissions, Ukraine has resorted to firing US-made ATACMS and British-French Storm Shadow missiles inside Russia. Russia on Tuesday approved a new nuclear weapons doctrine that allows for a nuclear attack even in case of a conventional attack. It also treats an attack aided by a nuclear power as a joint attack and makes it eligible for a response by a nuclear weapon. Previously, Russia had said that the usage of Western long-range weapons for strikes inside Russia would put the Nato at war with Ukraine. The 1962 India-China war was a turning point, highlighting Chinas betrayal and shaping Indias cautious approach to international relations. read more India and China fought a brief war in 1962 in Ladakh and northeastern India. (Representative Photo, Credit: News 18 India) It was on this day (November 21) in 1962 that the India-China war came to an end, with Beijing declaring ceasefire unilaterally in the same fashion as it launched the military aggression unilaterally. The Chinese aggression has had a deep impact on India-China relationship since then. The war began against the backdrop of mutual trust between two socialist-oriented governments. India and China had signed a five-point Panchsheel agreement for peaceful co-existence. Advertisement Those were the years of an intense Cold War, with the US and the erstwhile USSR leading one bloc each following the Second World War. India became an advocate of non-aligned policies. There was hope that China, as a fellow Asian power, would share these ideals. However, China had a different approach towards Indian territories it gradually captured, consolidating through the 1962 war, and claimed the entire Arunachal Pradesh, describing it as South Tibet. Chinas aggression on October 20, 1962, was described in India as the betrayal of New Delhis trust. Even today, the memory of the 1962 war lingers, influencing Indias political and military strategies. It serves as a cautionary tale about the costs of misplaced trust and the importance of vigilance in international relations. Here are 10 key things about Beijings betrayal of New Delhis trust: China unexpectedly attacked Indias northeastern border and Ladakh on 20 October,1962, which popularly came to be known as Sino-India war of 1962. Chinas betrayal caught India unprepared. The attack was a part of Chinas plan to conquer more land. The war lasted for about a month and ended on November 21. The Panchsheel Agreement was based on mutual respect and peace, but China broke these promises by invading and ignoring peaceful conflict resolution. It chose aggression to claim areas like Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh, showing disregard for past commitments. Before the war, China presented itself as a peaceful partner, signing the Panchsheel Agreement with India in 1954. However, at the same time, it secretly built infrastructure in disputed areas like Aksai Chin, including a key road linking Tibet to Xinjiang. This betrayal shattered Indias trust in Beijing. At that time, India was known for promoting peace and staying neutral, earning respect globally. In contrast, Chinas aggressive actions made it look like an expansionist power, isolating itself. Meanwhile, India gained support from countries like the United States and the Soviet Union, who saw Chinas actions as a betrayal. India had given refuge to the Dalai Lama after the 1959 uprising in Tibet. This act was seen by China as a threat, but India expected diplomatic negotiations, not military retaliation. After the conflict, China spread propaganda, claiming it was the victim of Indian aggression. It said India triggered the war by rejecting Chinas control over Aksai Chin and parts of Arunachal Pradesh, shaping a false view of the conflict worldwide. India repeatedly called for peace talks during the conflict, but China refused to engage. Instead, it focused on achieving military gains, ignoring its earlier promises of peaceful coexistence. Indias foreign policy was based on non-alignment, staying out of the Cold War rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union. Jawaharlal Nehru hoped China would support this vision of peace. However, Chinas aggression forced India to rethink its strategy and seek stronger defence partnerships. The 1962 war deeply affected Indias security mindset. The loss, humiliation, and betrayal led India to rethink its defence policies. This conflict also created lasting tensions between India and China, with border issues continuing. As a result, India has focused more on strengthening its military and forming strategic alliances. The clash in Galwan Valley, 2020, where soldiers on both sides lost their lives, broke trust between the two nations. Despite talks, Chinas actions along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) have increased tensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed a special session of the Guyanese Parliament, emphasising the deep-rooted relationship between India and Guyana read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed a special session of the Guyanese Parliament, emphasising the deep-rooted relationship between India and Guyana. He described the ties between the two countries made of soil, sweat, and diligence, referencing the shared history that began nearly 180 years ago when the first Indian arrived in Guyana. #WATCH | Georgetown, Guyana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament. He says, " The relation of India and Guyana is very deep, it is the relation of soil, sweat, diligence. Around 180 years ago, an Indian came to Guyana land and after pic.twitter.com/rZA02em4wT ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024 Advertisement The relation of India and Guyana is very deep, it is the relation of soil, sweat, diligence. Around 180 years ago, an Indian came to Guyana land and after that, both in happiness and sadness, India and Guyanas relation has been filled with intimacy, said PM Modi. PM Modi said that both India and Guyana have a lot in common and today both the countries are strengthening democracy in the world. #WATCH | Georgetown, Guyana: While addressing a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, " ...In the last 200-250 years, India and Guyana have witnessed similar kind of slavery, similar kind of struggle...during the freedom fight, so many pic.twitter.com/M9xrHOboue ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024 " In the last 200-250 years, India and Guyana have witnessed similar kind of slavery, similar kind of struggleduring the freedom fight, so many people sacrificed their lives here and theretoday both countries are strengthening democracy in the world. Thats why, in the Guyanese Parliament, I am greeting you all on behalf of 140 crore people of India," said the Prime Minister. Advertisement Talking about the current scenario prevailing in the world, he said the best way to move forward is Democracy first and humanity first. #WATCH | Georgetown, Guyana: While addressing a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, " The kind of situation that is there before the world, the best way to move forward is 'Democracy first and humanity first'. The idea of 'Democracy pic.twitter.com/z5c4VQl3XC ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024 The idea of Democracy first teaches us to take everyone along and move forward with the development of everyone. The idea of Humanity first decides the direction of our decisionswhen decisions are taken based on the idea of Humanity first, results will be in the interest of humanityfor the formation of an inclusive society, there is no other bigger medium than democracyboth the countries have together shown that democracy is not just a system, we have shown that democracy is in our DNA, vision, conduct and behaviour, said PM Modi. PM Modi also emphasised Indias stance against expansionism and resource capture. #WATCH | Georgetown, Guyana: While addressing a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, " We have never moved forward with the idea of expansionism. We have always stayed away from the idea of resource capturing. I believe whether it is pic.twitter.com/CqTKXUCm9g ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024 Advertisement We have never moved forward with the idea of expansionism. We have always stayed away from the idea of resource capturing. I believe whether it is space or sea, this should be the subject of universal cooperation, not universal conflict. For the world also, this is not time for conflict, this is the time to identify the conditions that create conflicts and remove it, said the PM. Advertisement He also thanked the lawmakers for inviting him to the historic Guyana Parliament and conferring him with the Guyanas highest national award on Wednesday. I would like to thank you all for giving me a chance to come here at the historic Parliament of Guyana. Yesterday, I was conferred with Guyanas highest national award. I would like to thank you all for this as well. I dedicate this award to the people of India, he added. PM Modi is visiting Guyana as a part of his three-nation tour wherein he previously was in Nigeria and then Brazil. His visit to Guyana becomes significant as he is the first Indian PM to visit the country in over 50 years. With inputs from agencies Iran has warned that a censure motion by Western Nations at the International Atomic Energy Agency will disrupt its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog read more A censure motion put forward by Western governments at the International Atomic Energy Agency will weaken and disrupt Irans dealings with the UN watchdog, it warned ahead of the vote on Thursday. Britain, France, Germany and the United States have submitted a text to the IAEA board of governors condemning Iran for alleged lack of cooperation with the agency and its monitors. The vote, scheduled for later on Thursday, comes after IAEA chief Rafael Grossi visited Iran last week and toured two uranium enrichment plants that have been at the centre of Western concerns. Advertisement This inappropriate action of the three European countries to issue a resolution against Iran will only weaken and disrupt interactive processes between the agency and Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement. In comments to Lebanons Al-Mayadeen television, Araghchi underlined that Iran remained keen to cooperate with the agency, despite the move by the three European governments. We have a real determination to work with the agency and resolve the remaining issues, but Europes move is at odds with this process, Araghchi said. On Wednesday, deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs Kazem Gharibabadi accused the European governments of using the IAEA as a political tool. The draft motion drawn up by Western governments calls for a comprehensive report from Grossi by spring 2025 at the latest. It also demands credible technical answers for the presence of unexplained uranium traces at two sites Iran did not declare as part of its nuclear programme. Araghchi warned earlier that Iran will respond in a proportionate and appropriate manner, if the resolution passed. The foreign minister was Irans chief nuclear negotiator when it secured a landmark 2015 agreement to limit Irans nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Western intelligence services have accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapons capability, an ambition it has repeatedly denied. Advertisement Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear programme monitored by the IAEA as part of a landmark 2015 deal with major powers that saw most international sanctions lifted. But three years later, US president Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned the agreement and reimposed sweeping economic sanctions. The following year, Iran started to roll back some of its own commitments under the deal, significantly increasing its stocks of uranium enriched to 60 percent. That level still falls well short of the 90 per cent plus level required for a nuclear warhead but is substantially higher than the 3.67 per cent limit it agreed to in 2015. Advertisement (Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Representative Mike Waltz has said that the US government has refuted allegations levelled by ICC against Netanyahu adding that its antisemitic bias will be met with a strong response in January read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday rejected the International Criminal Courts decision to issue an arrest warrant against him with disgust. There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza," Netanyahu said. The ICC has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu, former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas officials. Israel has been accused of war crimes in Gaza while Hamas officials have been blamed for the October 7 attack. Advertisement The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024, the day the Prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest, the Hague-based ICC said in a statement. An ICC arrest warrant will restrict Netanyahus movement as any of the courts 124 national members would be obliged to arrest him on their territory. Israeli leaders condemn warrant Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khans request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. Government and Opposition leaders have come together to slam ICCs warrant, calling it antisemitic. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said, The answer to the arrest warrants is applying sovereignty over all the territories of Judea and Samaria and settlement in all parts of the country and severing ties with the terrorist [Palestinian] authority, along with sanctions. Israels President Isaac Herzog said, This is a black day for justice. This is a black day for humanity. . . , , . - . Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) November 21, 2024 Israel is defending itself against terrorist organizations that attacked, murdered and raped our citizens. These arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said. Important step towards justice Meanwhile, Hamas, whose own members, including the presumably dead Mohammad Deif, have been named in the warrant has called the move an important step towards justice. Israel said in early August it had killed Deif in an air strike in southern Gaza in July, although Hamas denies he is dead. Advertisement The arrest warrants had been classified as secret, to protect witnesses and to safeguard the conduct of the investigations, the court said. US refutes ICCs allegations The United States has rejected the accusations made by ICC in its arrest warrant against the Israeli leaders. Rep. Mike Waltz said, The ICC has no credibility and these allegations have been refuted by the US government. He added, Israel has lawfully defended its people & borders from genocidal terrorists. You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January. With inputs from agencies Amid concerns that Israel has been implementing a controversial starve or surrender plan in northern Gaza, Israel told the Biden administration no such plan to starve or displace Palestinians was being implemented, according to a report read more Israel has told the United States that it has no intention to displace people in northern Gaza or implement a starve or surrender plan, according to a report. The report comes amid mounting concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip where Israeli has been said to be implementing a controversial starve or surrender plan at least in part. The plan would not just displace several thousands of people but would also weaponise starvation. Advertisement In a letter to the Biden administration, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer and Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel has no plans to forcibly displace the Palestinians in northern Gaza or starve them there, according to Hebrew-language Israeli outlet Walla. Dermer and Katz said in the letter that the Israeli military has not issued evacuation orders to Palestinians but has merely warned them in specific areas ahead of military operations, according to the English translation of the report carried by The Jerusalem Post. They were further quoted as saying that Israeli war plans made arrangements for humanitarian assistance to those who would continue to stay in those areas. Entirely false: Israel on implementing starve or surrender plan In the letter to the Biden administration, Dermer and Katz said that the claim Israel was implementing starve or surrender plan was entirely false. In recent weeks, Israel has been said to have been implementing, at least unofficially and in part, a strategy called Generals Plan in northern Gaza, which bas been floated by a group of retired military officers led by Major General (Retired) Giora Eiland. Under the plan, Palestinians in a city or multiple cities in Gaza would be told to leave and then all food and water supplies would be cut off. Everyone remaining in the area would be deemed a combatant and would be deemed a legitimate target, as per the plan. The plan rests on the approach of surrender or starve where besieged Hamas terrorists would either starve or come out to surrender or make the final stand. However, the critics have said that it is bound to fail as the vast majority of civilians would stay as they have nowhere to go. Under the plan, they are bound to be subjected to starvation along with Hamas personnel in the areas. Advertisement READ MORE: Starve or Surrender: Is Israeli siege of north Gaza a winning strategy to end war or wilful blunder? Dermer and Katz said no such plan has been adopted by the government. The claim that the Generals Plan was approved by political and military leadership or is being implemented by Israel is entirely false, said the letter, as per Walla. Dermer and Katz said Israel does not restrict the entry of humanitarian aid anywhere in Gaza, certainly not in an attempt to force civilian evacuations, according to the outlet. They were further quoted as saying that around 200 trucks of entered Gaza daily in the first two weeks of November and the target is to increase the number to 250. Advertisement Despite the Israeli governments reported assurance, senior Biden administration officials are deeply concerned that Israel would not allow tens of thousands of Palestinians to return who fled northern Gaza, according to the outlet. The Biden administration is further concerned that even these commitments would become meaningless once President-elect Donald Trump takes over in January, as per the outlet. The outlet further noted that even as Dermer and Katz rejected any systemic placement, the Israeli actions in northern Gazas Jabalya has displaced around 55,000 Palestinians and killed hundreds, including many women and children. Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel that sparked the Gaza war read more An Israeli attack on Syrias historic city of Palmyra killed 36 people and wounded more than 50 on Wednesday after it hit residential buildings and an industrial zone, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported. The Israeli military declined to comment when asked about the attack. At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, 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 in the Syrian desert, which led to the martyrdom of 36 people (and) the injury of more than 50 others, SANA said, quoting a military official. Advertisement It added that the attack also caused significant damage to the targeted buildings and surrounding area. Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel that sparked the Gaza war. The Israeli military said last week it had attacked transit routes on the Syrian-Lebanese border that were used to transfer weapons to Hezbollah. Syrian state media reported several Israeli attacks last week in the vicinity of Homs province, which borders Lebanon. Palmyra is located in Homs. Palmyras ancient city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was seized by Islamic State militants in 2015 and partially destroyed before it was recaptured by the Syrian army. Amid discussions within the Israeli government of a security role in the Gaza Strip, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that such a role would essentially mean military occupation read more Former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that a security role in the Gaza Strip would be a euphemism for occupation. Gallants comment comes at a time when the Israeli government is considering deploying Israeli soldiers to provide security for the distribution of humanitarian aid by private organisations in Gaza. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gallant said that such proposals are empty words for the beginning of a military government in Gaza. Advertisement The blood price will be paid by the IDF soldiers and the State of Israel will pay in light of a poor order of priorities that will lead to the neglect of more important security tasks, said Gallant in a post in Hebrew. . . - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) November 20, 2024 Last week, more than 100 trucks of aid with the United Nations (UN) were violently looted in Gaza in the biggest such instance since the beginning of the war. Israel has been criticised since the beginning of war for the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. While it has been criticised the fewer-than-required number of trucks carrying aid entering Gaza, there has also been the issue of Hamas and other terrorist or criminal elements looting aid. Gallant was sacked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the Minister of Defence earlier this month. Military govt in Gaza not part of war goals Gallant stressed in the post on X that setting up a military government in Gaza was not part of the objectives of the ongoing war. Gallant further criticised the Israeli government for not having any plan for the post-Hamas future of Gaza. So far, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he would not allow Hamas to continue to run Gaza, he has not made a decision on any alternative arrangement. Advertisement Everything depends on the preparation ahead of time of an alternative entity that will replace the IDF in seizing the territory otherwise we are on the way to a military government. The aid will be shared by the private companies, the companies will be guarded by the IDF and we will all pay the price. A military government in Gaza is not part of the goals of the war, but a dangerous and irresponsible political act, said Gallant. Since the early days of the war, Gallant had been against the Israeli occupation of Gaza. In October 2023, Gallant said that once Israel would dismantle Hamas from a position of power in Gaza and eliminate remaining resistance, it would withdraw from Gaza. Advertisement The final phase of the war would require the removal of Israels responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of a new security reality for the citizens of Israel, said Gallant last year. Previously, Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu prefers a solution that includes private organisations distributing aid under security arrangements by Israel, which would start in northern Gaza as a pilot programme in Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, or Jabalia. Israeli strikes killed at least 47 people in eastern Lebanon on Thursday, a Lebanese official said, pressing the campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group as a US mediator sought to advance ceasefire talks in Israel read more A banner bearing the image of slain Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr is seen at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Haret Hreik neighbourhood in Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. AFP Israeli strikes killed at least 47 people in eastern Lebanon on Thursday, a Lebanese official said, pressing the campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group as a US mediator sought to advance ceasefire talks in Israel. US mediator Amos Hochstein, who said a ceasefire was within our grasp during a visit to Lebanon on Tuesday, met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz. There were no immediate statements. Indicating there were still gaps to close, a senior Lebanese official told Reuters that Beirut had sought changes to the U.S. ceasefire proposal, to include ensuring a speedier withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon. Advertisement The diplomacy marks the most serious attempt yet to end the conflict between Israel and the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah, part of the regional spillover of the Gaza war that erupted more than a year ago. Bachir Khodr, governor of Lebanons Baalbek-Hermel province, said at least 47 were killed and 22 wounded in Israeli strikes in the Baalbek region. Posting on X, he said rescue operations were underway. The region bordering Syria is an area of Lebanon where Shiite Islamist Hezbollah holds sway. Beirut shook as Israeli airstrikes hit the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs about a dozen times, sending up clouds of debris, in some of the most intense airstrikes yet. Residents have largely fled the area since Israel went on the offensive against Hezbollah in September. The Israeli army said its strikes were against Hezbollah infrastructure and that it had mitigated civilian harm through advance warnings and other steps. In Israel, a 30-year-old man was killed when shrapnel from a rocket struck a playground in the northern town of Nahariya, Israels MDA medical service said. The Israeli government is not safeguarding my security, my residents or the residents of the north (of Israel). It is not possible to live in such a situation like this, Nahariya Mayor Ronen Marelly told public broadcaster Kan. Advertisement The Israeli military said about 10 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards Nahariya. Most of the projectiles were intercepted and fallen projectiles were identified, the military said in a statement. Channel 12 said three rockets hit the coastal town. Hezbollahs al-Manar television station, citing its correspondent, confirmed rocket fire towards Nahariya and the surrounding area. White House envoy Hochstein left for Israel after declaring progress in two days of talks in Lebanon with officials including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, endorsed to negotiate by Hezbollah. Speaking before he left Beirut, Hochstein said he was going to Israel to try to close an agreement if possible. Advertisement Battle of Khiyam The diplomacy aims to end a conflict that has inflicted massive devastation in Lebanon since Israel began its offensive, mounting airstrikes across wide parts of the country and sending troops into the south. Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera showed thick smoke rising from the town of Khiyam in southern Lebanon, some 6 km (4 miles) from the border, a focal point of ground battles between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli 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, which has suffered major blows since Israel began its offensive in September, has kept up rocket fire into Israel, attacking Tel Aviv this week. Its fighters are battling Israeli troops on the ground in the south. Advertisement The casualty toll since Oct. 2023 stands at 3,583 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 25 fatalities were reported on Wednesday. Hezbollah strikes have killed more than 100 people in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. They include more than 70 soldiers killed in strikes in northern Israel and the Golan Heights and in combat in southern Lebanon, according to Israel. Lebanon is seeking changes to a US ceasefire proposal to ensure a speedier withdrawal of Israeli troops from south Lebanon and to give both parties the right to self-defence, a senior Lebanese official said on Thursday read more Lebanon is seeking changes to a US ceasefire proposal to ensure a speedier withdrawal of Israeli troops from south Lebanon and to give both parties the right to self-defence, a senior Lebanese official said on Thursday. Lebanese officials requested the changes during meetings in Beirut this week with US mediator Amos Hochstein, who is working to strike a deal in the waning months of the Biden administration to end the war between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel. Advertisement The amendments sought by Lebanon, details of which have not previously been reported, indicate Hochstein still has work to do to seal a ceasefire agreement which he said was within our grasp during a visit to Beirut on Tuesday. The Lebanese official told Reuters that Lebanon wanted to see Israeli troops withdraw immediately after the ceasefire is declared so the Lebanese army can deploy in all areas and so displaced people could return to their homes. The official added that the Israeli position was a withdrawal within 60 days of the truce being announced. A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not immediately available to respond to Reuters questions about their stance on the language of the truce deal. Israel sent ground forces into south Lebanon on Oct. 1 as part of its stepped-up offensive against Hezbollah. The official said the current draft deal referred to a pull-out from Lebanese borders while Lebanon wanted a specific referral to the Lebanese border to ensure that Israeli troops would withdraw from the frontier in full, not in part. Advertisement Lebanon has also sought language in the proposal that would preserve the right of both sides to self-defence, the Lebanese official said, without elaborating. Israel has insisted that, even if a truce is agreed, it will have the right to keep striking Hezbollah. Israels foreign minister said on Wednesday his country wanted to enforce that Hezbollah would stay out of southern Lebanon and not bring in weapons into Lebanon by land or through sea and airports. The Lebanese official said there was no language in the US draft deal on Israel continuing its strikes against Hezbollah and that Lebanon rejected any breach of its sovereignty. Advertisement Prime Minister Choguel Maiga who was appointed by the military two years ago, accused the junta of postponing the elections without informing him and said confusion around an end to the transition could pose serious challenges and the risk of going backwards read more Malis junta leader fired Prime Minister Choguel Maiga and the government on Wednesday, days after Maiga criticized the military regime. The move was announced in a presidential decree issued by Gen. Assimi Goita, Malis leader, and read on state television channel ORTM. Mali has been ruled by military leaders since a junta seized power in 2020 and staged another coup the following year. In June 2022, the junta promised a return to civilian rule by March 2024 but later postponed elections. No date has been set yet for the presidential election. A new prime minister has not been announced yet. Advertisement Maiga, who was appointed by the military two years ago, accused the junta of postponing the elections without informing him and said confusion around an end to the transition could pose serious challenges and the risk of going backwards, at a rally of his supporters on Saturday. In response to Maigas statement, the junta organized demonstrations against him. The sacking comes a week after Malis junta arrested one of the countrys top politicians for criticizing the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso. In June, Malian authorities also arrested eleven opposition politicians and several activists. Over the last decade, Mali, along with its neighbors Niger and Burkina Faso, has been shaken by extremist uprisings and military coups. The three Sahelian nations are now ruled by military leaders who have taken power by force on pledges of providing more security to citizens. They have cut ties with the traditional Western allies, ousting French and American military forces, and instead sought new security ties with Russia. But the security situation in Sahel has worsened since the juntas took power, analysts say, with a record number of attacks and a record number of civilians killed both by Islamic fighters and government forces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament today. It will be the 14th such instance when he will speak on behalf of the people of India in Parliaments of foreign nations read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Guyana and during his two-day visit, he will be addressing a Special Session of the Guyanese parliament on November 21. This marks another significant moment in his global diplomatic outreach. Why Modi addressing Guyanese parliament significant? Modis address in the Guyanese parliament will be the 14th such instance when he will speak on behalf of the people of India in the Parliaments of foreign nations. PM Modi holds the distinction of being the Indian Prime Minister with the highest number of addresses to foreign Parliaments. Number of foreign parliament addresses by former Indian PMs Modis addresses to the Foreign Parliaments are double the number of addresses by his formers including Manmohan Singh, who had delivered seven such addresses. Advertisement Indira Gandhi had addressed foreign legislatures four times, while Jawaharlal Nehru did it three times. Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee delivered two such addresses. Others like Morarji Desai and PV Narsimha Rao addressed only once. Modis addresses in foreign parliament From the Americas to Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia, PM Modi has, over the years, delivered speeches in legislative chambers across the world. PM Modis addresses, which transcend continents, are a testament to Indias growing influence on the global stage. - Prime Minister Modi has addressed the joint session of US Congress twice - one in 2016 and again in 2023. - In 2014, PM Modi addressed the Parliaments of Australia and Fiji. - In 2015, he addressed the British Parliament. - PM Modi addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius in 2015. - In 2018 addressed the Parliament of Uganda. - PM Modi addressed the joint session of the Bhutanese Parliament and Nepal Constituent Assembly in 2014 - In 2015, PM Modi addressed the parliaments of Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Afghanistan - PM Modi addressed the parliament of Maldives in 2019. Modi honoured with 4 top awards in 5 days Earlier this week, Guyana and Barbados conferred their top awards on PM Modi. Guyana conferred its highest national award The Order of Excellence", while Barbados will bestow the prestigious Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados. Dominica also felicitated PM Modi with its top award. On Sunday, Nigeria conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) during PM Modis official visit. The only other foreign dignitary to have received this award was Queen Elizabeth II in 1969. Advertisement With this, the number of international honours for PM Modi has now reached 19. With inputs from agencies. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu, former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas officials. Israel has been accused of war crimes in Gaza while Hamas officials have been blamed for the October 7 attack read more European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Thursday defended ICCs arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that it is not politically motivated. The tragedy in Gaza has to stop, he said adding that the warrant was issued by a court and therefore should be respected and implemented accordingly. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu, former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas officials. Israel has been accused of war crimes in Gaza while Hamas officials have been blamed for the October 7 attack. Advertisement Netanyahu has rejected the warrant, saying it is antisemitic in nature. There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza," he said. No war is more just than the war Israel has been waging in Gaza since October 7th 2023, when the Hamas terrorist organization launched a murderous assault and perpetrated the largest massacre against the Jewish People since the Holocaust, the prime ministers office said in a statement. The decision to issue a warrant against the Israeli leaders came six months after ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested them. The decision to issue an arrest warrant against the Prime Minister was made by a corrupt chief prosecutor who is trying to save himself from sexual harassment accusations and biased judges who are motivated by antisemitic hatred of Israel, Netanyahus office added. Meanwhile, the arrest warrant has drawn condemnation from Israeli leaders who have also said the ICC functions with an antisemitic bias. The United States has rejected the accusations made by ICC in its arrest warrant against the Israeli leaders. Rep. Mike Waltz said, The ICC has no credibility and these allegations have been refuted by the US government. Advertisement He added, Israel has lawfully defended its people & borders from genocidal terrorists. You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January. With inputs from agencies Russia has conducted combat tests of its Oreshnik hypersonic missile system in Ukraine, Putin said. Hypersonic missiles are projectiles that are able to travel at five times the speed of sound read more Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday (November 21) that Moscow launched a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile attack on a Ukrainian military facility, warning Western nations that Russia could target military installations of any country whose weapons are used against it. Putin accused the West of escalating the conflict in Ukraine by supplying Kyiv with long-range missiles, asserting that the war is becoming a global conflict. In response, Russia has conducted combat tests of its Oreshnik hypersonic missile system in Ukraine, Putin said. Advertisement In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons, on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, the Russian president said in a suprise address broadcast on state television. Outgoing US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine permission to use the missiles to hit Russian territory earlier this week, after months of demands from Kyiv. In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested, among other things. In this case, with a ballistic missile in a nuclear-free hypersonic equipment. Hypersonic missiles are projectiles that are able to travel at five times the speed of sound. Ukrainian missile strikes failed, Putin claims Putin also claimed that recent Ukrainian missile strikes on Russian territory, carried out using Western-supplied weapons, were repelled by Russian air-defence systems. Our air-defense systems repelled these attacks, Putin said. The goals that the enemy obviously set were not achieved. The Kremlin leader also warned the conflict had taken on elements of a global character and stressed Moscow was ready for any scenario in its confrontation with Kyiv and the West. In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond just as decisively [] If anyone doubts that, they are wrong. There will always be a response, Putin said. Advertisement With inputs from agencies A day after British media confirmed that Ukraine has fired British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russias Kursk region, Russian Defence Ministry on Thursday said that its air defences shot down two of these missiles over the past 24 hours, according to a report read more In this photo provided by Ukraine's 24th Mechanised Brigade press service, serviceman of the 24th Mechanised Brigade prepares to fire 120mm mortar towards Russian positions near Chasiv Yar town, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Tuesday. AP A day after British media confirmed that Ukraine has fired British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russias Kursk Region, Russian Defence Ministry on Thursday said that its air defences shot down two of these missiles over the past 24 hours. According to a Russia Today report, the ministry did not specify where exactly the British-supplied munitions were intercepted when it relayed the news during its Thursday briefing. Air defences shot down two Storm Shadow cruise missiles manufactured by Britain, six HIMARS rockets manufactured by the USA and 67 unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type, the ministry said in a statement. Advertisement On Wednesday, the BBC reported, citing defence sources, that Ukraine has fired Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russias Kursk Region. The claim came a day after outgoing US President Joe Biden reportedly allowed Kyiv to use American ATACMS missiles to strike territory which is internationally recognised as part of Russia. London hasnt officially confirmed allowing Ukraine to use British missiles against targets in Russia, but BBC reported that Defence Secretary John Healey spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart on Tuesday. Healey had previously told Parliament that the UK is doubling down on support for Ukraine, noting its battlefield success. The BBC also highlighted images on Telegram showing what appear to be Storm Shadow missile fragments in Russias Kursk region, which experts confirmed matched British missiles, though the timing and location couldnt be verified. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday told the parliament that the country will back Ukraine with what is needed for as long as its needed. We have consistently said we will do what it takes to support Ukraine and put it in the best possible position going into the winter. UK support for Ukraine is always for self defence, The Guardian quoted Starmer as saying. It is proportionate, co-ordinated and agile and a response to Russias own actions, and it is in accordance with international law under Article 51 of the UN Charter, he added. Advertisement He said Ukraine has a clear right of self defence against Russias illegal attacks. So, I say again, Russia could roll back their forces and end this war tomorrow, but until then, we will stand up for what we know is right, for Ukraines security and for our own security, and we will back Ukraine with what is needed for as long as its needed, he reiterated. Starmer said that he was proud of parliament that it had shown unified cross-party support for Ukraine for over 1,000 days of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been pushing NATO partners for permission to carry out long-range strikes on Russia, leading President Vladimir Putin to warn the alliance in September. Advertisement Putin argued that Ukraine cant launch NATO-provided long-range missiles without US assistance, meaning such attacks would mark direct war between the West and Russia. Russias updated nuclear doctrine, approved this week, asserts that an attack on Russia by a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power should be treated as a joint assault. The doctrine aims to ensure a potential aggressor realizes that retaliation will be inevitable if Russias security is threatened. According to Russia Today, on Tuesday, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, warned that in response to long-range attacks, Russia reserves the right to retaliate with weapons of mass destruction against Kyiv and key NATO facilities, wherever they may be located. Advertisement Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the first launch of ATACMS missiles at Russias Bryansk region on Tuesday as a clear sign that they (the US and their allies) want escalation of the conflict. With inputs from agencies The Shin Bet and police in a joint statement said that the prime suspect, identified as one Ismail Ibrahim Avadi from Hebron, has been charged and accused of surveilling Ben Gvir and his 18-year-old son Shoval Ben Gvir to kill them read more FILE PHOTO: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends his party faction meeting at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem June 3, 2024 REUTERS The Israeli police on Thursday said it has arrested three Palestinians for allegedly plotting the assassination of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and his son. The Shin Bet and police in a joint statement said that the prime suspect, identified as one Ismail Ibrahim Avadi from Hebron, has been charged and accused of surveilling Ben Gvir and his 18-year-old son Shoval Ben Gvir to kill them. 3 suspects indicted Earlier this week, authorities filed an indictment against Avadi and three others at a West Bank military court. The indictment alleges that Avadi made contact with various entities with the goal of establishing a military cell, to obtain weapons and make explosive devices with the aim of harming security forces personnel in June. Advertisement In an effort to gather the required funds and arrange training for the group he established, Avadi reportedly sought assistance from both Hamas and Hezbollah. Avadi learnt all the routes taken by Gvir and also memorised the cars used by him, as well as the number of guards he has. Why is Ben Gvir targetted? This is not the first time an assassination bid against Gvir has been foiled. Following in the footsteps of his hardline nationalist father, the younger Ben Gvir has gained attention in recent years by boldly targeting politicians and opponents from the other end of the political spectrum through online trolling. Bangladesh interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is in fix over Sheikh Hasinas Awami League partys inclusion in politics and elections as it continues to face growing pressure from political parties in the country to hold early polls read more Its been over three months and Bangladesh is governed by an interim-government led by Muhammad Yunus. With no dates for the general elections in the country, the political parties have been demanding and protesting for early polls. Amid this, Yunus helmed regime is reportedly facing a dilemma on whether to ban Awami League, led by former PM Sheikh Hasina, from participating in politics and elections. A report by The Times of India quoted political insiders as saying that the Yunus-led Bangladesh interim government is weighing options on whether to ban Awami League or not as the student leaders, who spearheaded the July-August protest, have been demanding the exclusion of Hasinas party from the political arena, while Khaleda Zia headed Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) and its allies are opposing the ban, stressing upon the importance of political inclusion. Advertisement Legitimacy of Awami Leagues involvement in politics be addressed In Bangladesh, BNP is now the largest party after Awami Leagues fallout following Hasinas resignation and fleeing. Now, BNP and its allies have been demanding for early elections and also stressing upon the need for completion of all urgent political reforms before the polls, including addressing the legitimacy of Awami Leagues in politics. This has created pressure on the interim govt, which must prioritise its course of action amidst competing demands, the political insiders were quoted as saying by ToI. On November 9, Bangladeshs interim government termed Awami League as fascist and on October 23, it banned the partys student front Bangladesh Chhatra League over allegations of its fascist role during and before the July-August Anti-Discrimination Students Movement. Initially launched as a campaign for job quota reforms, the student-led movement intensified into a mass protest that ultimately led to the fall of the Hasina government. What if Yunus decides to ban Awami League? If Yunus-led government decides to ban Awami League from future political activities, it would be the end of Bangladeshs oldest political party in the country. Founded in 1949, Awami League has been at the forefront of almost all democratic movements before and after the birth of Bangladesh. It also led the nation to independence. The last time the Awami League faced such an existential crisis was in August 1975 when Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were killed. With inputs from agencies. Macrons remarks appear to come from a highground that his countrys colonial past with Haiti ill-affords. read more French President Emmanuel Macron referred to Haitis transitional council as total morons for dismissing Prime Minister Garry Conille after just five months in office. He can be seen making the statement in a video shot at the G20 summit in Brazil this week. Macrons comments have been shared widely on social media. Macron described the councils decision as terrible, blaming Haitian leaders for the countrys instability. Theyre total morons, said Macron referring to the transitional body, adding, they never should have dismissed him. Advertisement In recent months, the Caribbean country has seen a surge in violence with gangs now controlling 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince. He went on to accuse Haitians of letting drug trafficking take over. While he blames innocent civilians, Macron appears to be conveniently forgetting that France is the reason Haiti has experienced decades of political instability in the first place. Frances exploitation of post-colonial Haiti Haiti became the first independent Black republic in 1804, following a successful slave revolt against France. However, freedom came at an immense cost. In 1825, France forced Haiti to pay reparations to its former colonisers in exchange for diplomatic recognition. This ransom plunged Haiti into decades of economic hardship. According to a 2020 New York Times report, Haitians paid about $560 million in todays dollars. The economic damage, however, extends far beyond the initial sum. If the wealth extracted from Haiti had remained within the country and been allowed to grow at a natural pace, financial experts estimate the loss over two centuries to be between $21 billion and $115 billion. Macrons taunts Haitians, but stays quiet on French responsibility The entire world knows what the outcome of that massive debt that filled Frances coffers was. Haiti was set on a path of systemic poverty, undermining its ability to develop on par with neighbouring nations. Earlier this year, a coalition of civil society organisations called on France to repay billions in reparations, demanding that the funds be directed toward rebuilding Haitis infrastructure and supporting public services. Although former French President Francois Hollande pledged to address Frances moral debt to Haiti, tangible reparations have yet to materialise. President Macron, in contrast, has largely avoided the subject. Advertisement What he has done, though, is oversimplifying the crisis and blaming the victims. His comments point to a deeply flawed understanding, or perhaps deliberate ignorance, of the systemic forces that have shaped Haitis challenges. His remarks do appear to come from a place of a highground that his countrys colonial past ill-affords. France owes Haiti more than just rhetoricit owes a tangible commitment to righting historical wrongs. With inputs from agencies The UN rights chief has urged Uganda to release Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, citing his apparent kidnapping in Kenya and unlawful military trial, and called for an investigation into the accident read more The UN rights chief on Thursday urged the Ugandan government to release opposition politician Kizza Besigye after his apparent kidnapping in Kenya, demanding an investigation into the circumstances of his abduction. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement that he was shocked by the abduction of Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye on 16 November 2024 in Kenya and his forcible return to Uganda. I urge the government to release him, and to ensure any further steps taken on allegations are conducted fully in line with international human rights law, Turk said. Advertisement There also must be full investigations into the circumstances of his abduction. Besigye, 68, a medical doctor and longtime critic of President Yoweri Museveni, had first been held in incommunicado detention before appearing in a military court in Kampala on Wednesday, he said. Turk warned that the charges against him of illegal firearms possession and security offences could attract the death penalty. Besigye appeared in the dock with another opposition figure, Hajji Lutale Kamulegeya, who was also snatched in Nairobi, his lawyer Erias Lukwago told AFP. The prosecution alleged they were in possession of two pistols and had solicited logistical support in Uganda, Greece and other countries with the aim of compromising the countrys national security, Lukwago said. Besigye, a retired army colonel, denied the charges and insisted he was now a civilian and should not be tried in a military tribunal. He was remanded to Luzira prison until December 2. Once Musevenis trusted personal physician, Besigye has been repeatedly targeted by the authorities since falling out with the president in the late 1990s and running unsuccessfully against him in four elections. His wife Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, first sounded the alarm on X saying her husband was kidnapped while in Nairobi for a book launch by Kenyan opposition politician Martha Karua. Advertisement In fresh posts on Thursday, she insisted that he had not owned a gun in the last 20 years, and should not be tried in a military court. Turk highlighted that Besigyes forced return to Uganda follows the abduction from Kenya in July of 36 other members of the party who were subsequently returned to Uganda and charged with terrorism. Such abductions of Ugandan opposition leaders and supporters must stop, as must the deeply concerning practice in Uganda of prosecuting civilians in military courts, he said. He pointed to findings by the UN Human Rights Committee that civilians tried in Ugandas military courts do not receive the same due process guarantees as those in civilian courts, and its recommendation that Uganda remove, without further delay, the jurisdiction of military courts over civilians. Advertisement (Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Musk and Ramaswamy outlined their vision for DOGE in a lengthy op-ed. In the past, both the business mogul claimed that their initiatives would cut $2 trillion from the federal budget read more US President-elect Donald Trump names Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Source: Reuters. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy shared an outline of whats in store as they gear up to take the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In a lengthy op-ed, which was published in The Wall Street Journal, the two entrepreneurs shared the key aspects they will be focusing on after assuming the office. The department was introduced by President-elect Donald Trump, who came to power after winning the 2024 US Presidential Election against US Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement On Wednesday, Musk and Ramaswamy outlined their vision for DOGE. In the past, both business moguls claimed that their initiatives would cut $2 trillion from the federal budget. Here are some of the key aspects of Musk and Ramaswamys DOGE plan: 1. Musk and Ramaswamy will be outside volunteers and not federal employees In the op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy made it clear that they would serve as outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees. This way, they dont have to divest from their businesses. DOGE employees will be working closely with the Office of Management and Budget, which prepares the presidents budget requests for Congress. 2. DOGE turns to Supreme Court rulings for its existence In the WSJ op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy said that their goal for deep reform is based on two rulings of the US Supreme Court. The first was West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency (2022), in which the court restricted the agencys ability to regulate carbon emissions. The second one was the Loper Bright v. Raimondo, delivered this year, in which the court overturned Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council (1984). The Chevron decision dictated that federal courts should defer to federal agencies in their interpretation of statutes. Both rulings stripped the federal powers of the federal agencies significantly. The pair insisted that the department would be a major step in remedying what they deem to be executive overreach. Advertisement 3. Musk and Ramaswamy plan to attack public media and Planned Parenthood The duo said that DOGE plans to take aim at the $500 billion-plus in annual federal expenditures that are unauthorized by Congress or being used in ways that Congress never intended. While they did not detail the programs to target, they took the names of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Planned Parenthood, along with other progressive groups. 4. Musk and Ramaswamy emphasize reducing the size of the federal workforce The pair made it clear that there will be mass head-count reductions across the federal bureaucracy. They maintained that the department will work with federal agencies to identify the minimum number of staffers needed in a particular body. Advertisement Employees whose positions are eliminated deserve to be treated with respect, and DOGEs goal is to help support their transition into the private sector, they wrote. The president can use existing laws to give them incentives for early retirement and to make voluntary severance payments to facilitate a graceful exit, the duo added. Musk and Ramaswamy noted that they will be relying heavily on executive actions and wont aim to pass new laws in their roles. 5. DOGE will dissolve by July 4, 2026 While reiterating their fight to enact sweeping government reforms, Musk and Ramaswamy said that their objective for DOGE was to be phased out by July 4, 2026. There is no better birthday gift to our nation on its 250th anniversary than to deliver a federal government that would make our Founders proud, the DOGE co-heads wrote. Advertisement With the outline of DOGE out in the world, it will be interesting to see how Democrats will react to the vision of the new department. Former US diplomat Nikki Haley has slammed President-elect Donald Trumps selection of pro-Russia politician Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) read more Former South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley has slammed the selection of pro-Russia former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the intelligence chief in the incoming Trump administration. Earlier this month, President-elect Donald Trump shockingly named Gabbard, a Democrat-turned-Republican cheerleader of Trump, as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in his incoming administration. Her support of US adversaries Russia and China has led to anxieties among US leaders and allies alike. Flagging Gabbards yearslong parroting of Russian propaganda and softness for China, Haley in her Nikki Haley Live show said that the position of DNI was not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathiser. Advertisement Haley said, DNI has to analyze real threats. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national intelligence agencies? Haley was a Republican presidential candidate who was the last to drop out in primaries. After criticising him for years, she endorsed him in the 2024 presidential election. She had previously served in the first Trump administration as the US envoy to the United Nations (UN). Every bit of thats Russian propaganda: Haley on Gabbards views For her yearslong defence of Russia, China, and Iran and parroting of their talking points, Haley said that every bit her views amount to adversaries propaganda. In recent years, Gabbard has blamed the Joe Biden administration of the United States and the Nato for the Russian war on Ukraine. She has further peddled Russian disinformation about US-funded biolabs in Ukraine and blamed President Joe Biden for wanting Russia to invade. She has also called for softening of the US policy on China. Previously, Gabbard has defended the actions of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in Syria and has been skeptical of the widely-reported and -acknowledged chemical attacks of the Assad regime on Syrians during the civil war. In her show, Haley listed the yearslong support of Gabbard for US adversaries: She opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran. She opposed designating the Iran military as terrorists who say Death to America every single dayIn Congress, Tulsi criticised Trumps authoritarian strike against Qasem Soleimani. Now, I will remind you, he was considered the master of death in Iran. She said he had no justification whatsoever for killing him. She tried to limit Trumps war powers against Iran. She tried to cut our annual defense budget so that we couldnt punish Iran and hinder their influence. Advertisement While tearing into her record, Haley also recalled Gabbards fawning relationship with Assad. She went to Syria in 2017 for a photo op with Bashar al-Assad while he was massacring his own people. She said she was skeptical that he was behind the chemical weapons attacks, said Haley, recalling that while Gabbard was being chummy with Assad, she was highlighting the war crimes at the UN. Advertisement You can go back and look at a speech I gave holding up pictures of dead children who had been killed by chemical attacks, choked to death for her to say that Assad was not behind that. Literally, everything she said about that were Russian talking points. Every bit of that was Russian propaganda, said Haley. Coming to Ukraine where Gabbard was repeated Russian propaganda and Vladimir Putins talking points since before the invasion, she said Gabbard has had a symbiotic relationship with Russia and China. Haley said that after Gabbard blamed Nato for the Russian invasion for Ukraine, the Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her, her interviews on Russian and Chinese television. Advertisement Concluding her case against Gabbard, Haley said: She has defended Russia. She has defended Syria. She has defended Iran, and she has defended China. No, she has not denounced any of these views none of them. She hasnt taken one of them backThis is not a place for a Russian Iranian Syrian Chinese sympathizer. DNI has to analyze real threats. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national intelligence agencies? Trumps selection of Gabbard has alarmed US allies, who have been reported to be concerned whether they can share intelligence with the Untied States with a pro-Russia intelligence chief. As Russian war on Ukraine has plunged Europe into the worst security crisis since World War II, Europe is particularly alarmed at the selection of Gabbard, who is friendly with Russia instead of longstanding allies. Advertisement Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick for secretary of defence, faces mounting scrutiny over past allegations of sexual misconduct and questions about his qualifications. While Trump publicly backs him, reports suggest the transition team is quietly exploring alternatives. Hegseth denies the allegations, which include a 2017 police investigation and a financial settlement read more US President-elect Donald Trump is interviewed by Fox and Friends co-host Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington on April 6, 2017. File Image/Reuters Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps controversial pick for secretary of defence, is at the center of a political firestorm as allegations from his past and questions about his qualifications threaten to derail his nomination. While the United States president-elect has publicly stood by Hegseth, reports suggest his transition team is quietly compiling a list of alternative candidates. Pete Hegseth, a decorated Army veteran, has built his public profile as a conservative commentator and Fox News personality. His military service includes deployments in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning him two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantrymans Badge. Steven Cheung, Trumps campaign communications director, praised Hegseth as an incredibly tough and smart candidate that will fight to put America First. Advertisement Hegseths political views, however, have drawn criticism. He has publicly opposed women serving in combat roles and labelled left-leaning Americans as domestic enemies. These stances have sparked debate over whether he is fit to lead the Department of Defence. A Republican insider told Vanity Fair that several Defence Department veterans are unwilling to work under Hegseth, citing his lack of qualifications and divisive rhetoric. There are Republicans with a background in the Defence Department who are privately saying, Im not working for this guy, the source said. What are the allegations of sexual misconduct against Hegseth? Hegseths nomination took a serious blow when allegations of sexual misconduct resurfaced from an incident in 2017. Police in Monterey, California, investigated claims that Hegseth assaulted a 30-year-old conservative staffer at a Republican womens event held at the Hyatt Regency hotel. While no charges were filed, the details remain contentious. According to The Washington Post, Hegseth entered into a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the accuser, paying a financial settlement to avoid litigation. His attorney, Timothy Parlatore, maintained that the encounter was consensual and that the NDA was signed during the height of the #MeToo movement to prevent potential damage to Hegseths career at Fox News. The Complainant had been the aggressor in the encounter, Parlatore stated, adding that Hegseth felt he was the victim of blackmail. The NDA, according to the Post, followed renewed threats of litigation in 2020. Also Read | A look at the former Fox News anchors controversial past Despite this, a memo sent to Trumps transition team by a friend of the accuser described the incident as rape, alleging that Hegseth assaulted the woman in a hotel room. Further complicating the matter, Vanity Fair reported that Trumps chief of staff, Susie Wiles, confronted Hegseth about the allegations during a phone call. Sources within the transition team expressed frustration, with one insider saying, People are upset about the distraction. The general feeling is Pete hasnt been honest. Advertisement Will Trumps team drop Hegseth? The revelations have reportedly prompted Trumps transition team to prepare a list of alternative candidates for the secretary of defence role. Its becoming a real possibility, a Republican close to the situation told Vanity Fair. Donald Trump Jr, who is assisting with the transition, acknowledged the need for contingency plans. Speaking on Fox News, he stated, We have lists of 10 to 12 people for every position. Some of them are going to be controversial because theyll actually get things done. Despite these measures, Trump has not wavered in his public support for Hegseth. Steven Cheung reiterated, 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 Defence so he can get started on Day One to Make America Safe and Great Again. Advertisement Also Read | Whats the row over Pete Hegseths tattoo? Hegseths controversial views and past comments have further complicated his prospects. Reports from Mother Jones and Popular Information allege ties to the TheoBros, a Christian nationalist group led by Idaho pastor Doug Wilson, who has espoused controversial views, including opposition to womens suffrage. Additionally, Hegseth faced backlash for a college column in which he reportedly argued that having sex with an unconscious woman does not constitute rape. A recurring trend in the Trump Cabinet 2.0? The Hegseth controversy comes as the Trump administration faces similar challenges with other cabinet picks. Matt Gaetz, Trumps rumoured nominee for Attorney General, is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct, including claims of relations with a minor and paying for sex. Gaetz denies these allegations, but his potential nomination has already sparked significant opposition. Advertisement As Senate confirmation hearings approach, the question remains whether Trump will stick with Hegseth or pivot to an alternative candidate. The allegations and criticisms against him are likely to dominate the hearings, putting Republican senators in a difficult position. Also Watch: This story is still developing, and all eyes will remain on Trumps decision in the coming weeks. With inputs from agencies Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender congresswoman elected to the US House of Representatives, gave a sharp rebuttal to the House banning transgender people from using single-sex bathrooms on Capitol Hill that match their gender identity. House Speaker Mike Johnson made it clear that the ban will remain unchanged read more Sarah McBride, the incoming congresswoman and first openly transgender person elected to the US House of Representatives gave a sharp rebuttal to Capitol Hill bathroom ban supported by US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. AP Sarah McBride, the incoming Congresswoman, who became the first trans politician to be elected in the US House of Representatives, condemned the Capitol Hill bathroom ban. On Wednesday, she shared a statement in response to the House banning trans people from using single-sex bathrooms on Capitol Hill that match their gender identity. The remarks came hours after the US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson issued a statement regarding facilities throughout the US Capitol complex," which included the ban on the use of single-sex bathrooms by the opposite gender. 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 the statement. Advertisement 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," he added. McBride is due to be sworn in in January after she won the Congress seat in the state of Delaware. Interestingly, she was the first openly trans person elected to the state senate seat there in 2020. McBride had initially pushed back over proposed restrictions by calling the argument a far-right-driven distraction from other important issues such as housing, healthcare and childcare. Not here to fight over bathroom: McBride While reacting to the ban, McBride made it clear that she is not in Congress to fight over bathrooms. 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," the Democratic lawmaker wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. 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 Serving in the 119th Congress will be the honour 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 was sent here because voters saw in us something that they value. I have loved seeing 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," she added. The controversial bill was introduced by Nancy Mace, who is a representative from South Carolina. The bill to ban transgender people from using bathrooms of the sex, which they dont align with biologically, applies to congressional members, officers and employees. In the past, Mace has claimed that McBride does not belong to womens spaces. She does not belong in womens spaces, womens bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, period, full stop, she said, calling her a biological man and insisting that McBride doesnt get a say in the matter. Advertisement Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the Adani Group, has been charged by US prosecutors over his role in an alleged yearslong scheme to pay $250 million bribe to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts read more A US court has indicted billionaire Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the Adani Group, over his alleged role in a years-long scheme to pay a $250 million bribe to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts. The case pertained to a deal between Adani Green Energy and a US firm to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power to several states. Gautam Adani US indictment: 12 things to know 1 - The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Gautam Adani with allegedly defrauding American investors and bribing officials. 2 - The SEC alleged that the bribery scheme was orchestrated to enable renewable energy companies Adani Green and Azure Power to capitalise on a multi-billion-dollar solar energy project awarded by the Indian government. Advertisement 3 - Along with Adani, 62, US prosecutors charged seven others, including his nephew Sagar for paying over $250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to Indian government officials to win solar energy contracts on terms that could potentially bring in more than $2 billion in profit. 4 The prosecutors alleged that this was concealed from the US banks and investors from whom the Adani group raised billions of dollars for the project. 5 - Adani, chairman of the ports-to-energy Adani Group, his nephew Sagar R Adani, who is an executive director at the conglomerates renewable energy arm Adani Green Energy Ltd, and its former CEO Vneet Jaain were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy 6 The five-count indictment also accuses Sagar and Jaain of breaking federal laws. 7 Three former employees of a large Canadian pension fund, CDPQ (which invests in infrastructure projects and is a shareholder in Adani companies) have also been charged in connection with the alleged scheme 8 The US prosecutors said that the three former employees of CDPQ obstructed an investigation into the bribes by deleting emails and agreeing to provide false information to the US government. 9 - Others who were criminally charged include Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, respectively a former CEO and former chief strategy and commercial officer of Azure Power Global, which authorities said agreed to pay some of the bribes. Advertisement 10 - The complaint charges them with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and seeks permanent injunctions, civil penalties, and officer and director bars. 11 - During the alleged scheme, Adani Green raised more than $175 million from US investors and Azure Powers stock was traded on the New York Stock Exchange. 12 - Why US prosecutors have indicted Adani? The US law allows pursuing foreign corruption allegations if they involve certain links to American investors or markets. Baseless allegations: Adani Group reacts The Adani Group denied the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green and called them baseless. As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All possible legal recourse will be sought, Adani Group spokesperson said. Advertisement We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws, the spokesperson further said. With inputs from PTI. US special envoy Amos Hochstein said that positive progress has been made in the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hezbollah as he concluded his trip to Lebanon. Hochstein is scheduled to meet Israels PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday read more Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, the US special envoy Amos Hochstein said that positive progress has been made towards ceasefire talks between Israel and Lebanon. Over the past two days, Hochstein met with Lebanese officials after Hezbollah indicated that they would agree to the US ceasefire proposal, although with some comments. On Tuesday, the US official noted that the gaps between Hezbollah and Israel have narrowed, raising optimism about a deal between the two parties. The American envoy is now scheduled to meet Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. The tussle between Israel and Lebanon has been ongoing since October 8, 2023, a day after the Israel-Hamas war broke out. Advertisement The two sides engaged in low-grade, tit-for-tat fighting until late September when Israel launched an intense aerial campaign across Lebanon and a ground incursion in the south. As the tensions between the two nations escalated, the Jewish nation managed to eliminate the top brass of the Iran-backed group, including the assassination of its former head Hasan Nasrallah. What the two sides are looking for in the ceasefire deal Over the past week, officials from Lebanon, Israel and the US hinted at an increasing possibility of reaching a ceasefire between the two nations. Central to the ceasefire negotiations is the presence of Hezbollah in Lebanons south along with its overall sway in the countrys politics which it has been dominating for the past decade. The Israeli side has called for Hezbollah to be pushed back beyond the Litani River, which will be 20 miles away from the Israel-Lebanon border. Tel Aviv argued that the measure is necessary as a form of security guarantee for people in northern Israel, tens of thousands of whom have been displaced by Hezbollah rocket fire over the past year. In the past, Israel also asked for the power to unilaterally enforce a ceasefire agreement, which would give it de facto permission to carry out airstrikes in Lebanon at will. However, the Lebanese Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, said last Tuesday that no sane person would agree to such a condition. Meanwhile, western officials called for the increased presence of the Lebanese army in the south as a way of ensuring Hezbollah did not build up its arsenal along the border, as it did after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. Hezbollah has not publically objected to the proposal. Lebanese officials remained determined to achieve a ceasefire In a speech after Hochstein concluded his visit to the country, Naim Qassem, Hezbollahs secretary general, said the group was working on two tracks, the field and the negotiations, and would not stop fighting until a ceasefire was signed. However, in the days leading up to Hochsteins visit, Israel escalated its attacks on Lebanon. The Jewish nation has struck central Beirut three times in 24 hours. The attack came after a break from the tussle between both sides of more than a month. The fighting has killed 3,544 people and displaced 1.2 million in Lebanon. Advertisement Not only this, but the World Bank has also estimated that the damages incurred in the conflict cost Lebanon $8.5 billion. Amid the chaos, on Wednesday, Qassem said: Our second battle after the battle to support Gaza began two months ago which is to repel the comprehensive aggression against Lebanon. Hence, it will be interesting to see when and how both nations will reach a ceasefire agreement. With inputs from agencies. US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said that the American embassy has resumed its services in the Ukrainian capital, hours after it was briefly shut down amid threats of a Russian airstrike read more The United States announced that it has reopened its embassy in Ukraines Kyiv, hours after the consulate was shut down over fears of Russian airstrikes. US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said that the American embassy has resumed its services in the Ukrainian capital. On Wednesday morning, the embassy in Kyiv issued an urgent warning that Russia might launch a significant air attack, closing the embassy and telling employees to shelter in place. Other Western embassies followed the same suit. The warnings came after Ukraine conducted a major strike within the Russian territory using US and UK long-range missiles. Advertisement US Embassy in Kyiv has resumed services following a temporary shelter-in-place suspension earlier today, Ambassador Brink wrote on X, formally known as Twitter. 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, she added. .@USEmbassyKyiv has 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. Ambassador Bridget A. Brink (@USAmbKyiv) November 20, 2024 Zelenskyy urges people to not panic Amid the chaos, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the t 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, he added. Meanwhile, Ukraines 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. The US was not the only country which shut down its consulate in the Ukrainian capital. Advertisement Italy and Greece also shut down their embassies to the public for the day. The war, which marked 1000-day, took a new turn after Ukraine was allowed to use Western long-range missiles within the Russian territory. Not only this, the US has also now allowed Ukraine to use US-supplied anti-personnel landmines to help in the fight against Russian forces. All eyes are now on Russia as the West anticipates a retaliatory attack. With inputs from Reuters. As Israel and Hamas have now laid two completely different approaches for the finalisation of the ongoing war, it remains to be seen who blinks first read more Even as negotiators work to bridge the gap between the two sides, Israel and Hamas appear to have drifted further apart. Israel and Hamas have laid down two completely different approaches to the peace deal. While Israel has said that the war in the Gaza Strip would not end until hostages are released, Hamas has said that hostages would not be released until the war ends. After being stalled for months over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus maximalist demands and Hamas hardening stance, the talks were renewed last month after the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar. Israel is hoping that a string of military successes in recent months and consistent military pressure on Hamas would allow for a favourable deal. Advertisement No hostage deal before end of war, says Hamas Hamas acting Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya said on Wednesday that there would be no release of hostages before Israel ends the war from its side. Under all the proposals on the side, hostages held by Hamas are bound to be released in lieu of the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Hayya said that such a swap is off the table until the war ends. Without an end to the war, there can be no prisoner swapIf the aggression is not ended, why would the resistance and in particular Hamas, return the prisoners (hostages)? How would a sane or an insane person lose a strong card he owns while the war is continuing? said Hayya in a televised interview, according to Reuters. Israel wants hostages to be released first While Hamas wants to end the war first, Israel has said its offensive would not stop until hostages are released. Throughout the conflict, Israel has maintained that the release of hostages and the destruction of Hamas, at least in the capacity of rulers of Gaza, are the basis for any ceasefire in the ongoing war. In June, shortly after US President Joe Biden announced an Israel-endorsed ceasefire proposal, Netanyahu said that irrespective of the proposal, there would be no ceasefire until the wars objectives are fulfilled. Israels conditions for ending the war have not changed: The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel, said Netanyahu. Advertisement US endorses ceasefire only with release of hostages The United States has also stated that the release of hostage has to be the basis of any ceasefire deal. The United States vetoed a call for ceasefire at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday as the proposal did not include the release of hostages under the terms of the ceasefire. In a statement after the veto, US Representative for Special Political Affairs Robert Wood said that the United States made clear throughout negotiations we could not support an unconditional ceasefire that failed to release the hostages. Wood noted that the UN has previously acknowledged the need for the release of hostages He said that if a resolution for an unconditional ceasefire were to pass, Hamas would have received a very empowering message. Advertisement Wood said, Simply put, this resolution would have sent a dangerous message to Hamas: Theres no need to come back to the negotiating table. 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. We must not let that happen. Ever. Wood further said that the proposal did not condemn Hamas. He further said that Israel has expressed readiness for a temporary ceasefire in lieu of the release of some hostages, but Hamas has not agreed to it. Advertisement On its part, Hamas continues to maintain that Netanyahu is the reason why a ceasefire has not been reached. 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. The reality proves that Netanyahu is the one who undermines it (negotiations), said Hayya. Samsung Electronics today hosted the Samsung Developer Conference Korea 2024 (SDC24 Korea), a virtual event showcasing its latest software innovations and future vision. This year marks the 11th edition of the annual event, which began in 2014, aimed at engaging software developers. The conference focused on advancements in software areas such as generative AI, software platforms, IoT, healthcare, communications, and data, while also exploring open-source development. During the keynote, Samsung introduced Samsung Gauss2, its second-generation AI model, offering enhanced performance, efficiency, and new application possibilities. Samsung Gauss2: A Versatile AI Model Samsung Gauss2 is an upgrade to the companys previous generative AI model, offering improved efficiency in handling multiple data types, including language, code, and images. It is available in three variants: Compact, Balanced, and Supreme. Compact Model: Designed for environments with limited computing resources, it optimizes performance on devices with minimal processing power. Balanced Model: Strikes a balance between performance, speed, and efficiency, ensuring consistent results across diverse tasks. Supreme Model: Delivers top-tier performance, using Mixture of Experts technology to reduce computational costs while maintaining efficiency. Gauss2 supports 9 to 14 languages and various programming languages, depending on the model. Samsung has developed proprietary techniques to stabilize large language model training and a custom tokenizer for maximum efficiency. The Balanced and Supreme models outperform many open-source AI models in key areas, such as language generation (including English and Korean) and coding, with processing speeds 1.5 to 3 times faster. This improvement enhances AI response times, reduces user wait times, and optimizes task handling. Customizable for Productivity and Development Samsung Gauss2s flexibility allows for easy customization to meet specific needs. Internal developers use it to power tools like code.i, an AI coding assistant that has seen a fourfold increase in monthly usage since its launch. Additionally, Samsung Gauss Portal, a conversational AI service, helps with office tasks such as document summarization, translation, and email composition. As of August, Samsung has begun using Gauss2 for call center staff to automatically categorize and summarize customer calls. Moving forward, the company plans to enhance the performance of code.i, improve Samsung Gauss Portals question-and-answer features, and support multimodal tasks, such as interpreting tables and charts and generating images. Samsung continues to integrate AI across all product lines, with its AI for All vision aimed at enhancing personalization and user experiences through AI and knowledge graph technologies. Additional Presentations at SDC24 Korea Following the Gauss2 announcement, Samsung presented on several topics, including the future of healthcare, SmartThings experiences, and improvements to various software platforms. There were 29 technical sessions, including: Samsungs health ecosystem strategy and the future of healthcare Enhancements to SmartThings customer experiences using generative AI Insights into the AI coding assistant code.i AI solutions for Samsung home appliances using AI vision and data A new TV-based content hub for an enhanced lifestyle experience For more details on the event, visit the official SDC24 Korea website. Speaking at the event, Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun, President and CTO of the Device eXperience (DX) Division and Head of Samsung Research, said, Samsung R&D Institute, Noida (SRI-Noida), has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) to advance research in artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, and other emerging technologies. Collaboration Focused on Innovation and Industry Insights This partnership will enable joint research initiatives, offering IIT Bombay students and faculty the opportunity to work closely with Samsung engineers. The collaboration aims to enhance students industry readiness and provide valuable hands-on experience in cutting-edge fields. In turn, Samsung engineers will receive specialized training and certifications in AI and digital health technologies from IIT Bombays expert faculty. Key Details of the MoU The five-year partnership is designed to drive advancements in digital health and AI technologies. IIT Bombay students will gain practical exposure to industry challenges, improving their readiness for future technological advancements. Samsung engineers will benefit from specialized training programs, deepening their expertise in emerging technologies. The MoU promotes joint publications and knowledge sharing, fostering innovation and technological progress. A Strong Foundation for Future Innovations The MoU was signed by Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director of SRI-Noida, and Prof. Upendra V. Bhandarkar, Associate Dean of Research and Development at IIT Bombay. The signing event was attended by key faculty members from IIT Bombays Koita Centre for Digital Health (KCDH), including Prof. Ranjith Padinhateeri, Head of KCDH, Prof. Nirmal Punjabi, and Dr. Raghavendran Lakshminarayanan. Speaking about the collaboration, Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director of SRI-Noida, said, This partnership combines industry expertise with academic excellence, creating opportunities for groundbreaking research, innovation, and talent development. We are excited to work alongside IIT-Bs exceptional faculty and students to drive advancements and develop solutions that address real-world challenges in digital health, AI, and other emerging technologies. Together, we aim to foster an ecosystem of knowledge-sharing and innovation that will benefit both our organization and society as a whole. Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Upendra V. Bhandarkar, Associate Dean (R&D) at IIT Bombay, said, Tanzanian president visits site of building collapse as death toll rises to 20 Xinhua) 21:32, November 21, 2024 DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has inspected the site of a four-story building that collapsed in the Kariakoo suburb in Dar es Salaam, the country's economic hub, where she announced that the death toll had climbed to 20. On arrival from Brazil, where she attended the G20 summit, Hassan also visited survivors of the tragedy in Muhimbili National Hospital and wished them a quick recovery. "The government will support you towards your full recovery and will protect your property at the fateful building," she told them Wednesday. More than 86 people were rescued as search operations entered the fifth day Wednesday. On Tuesday, Hassan ordered an additional 24 hours for operations to look for victims who might still be trapped under the rubble. The building accommodating shops and other businesses collapsed Sunday morning. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan) NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the cryptocurrency $JENNER on the Solana and/or Ethereum blockchains between May 26, 2024 and the present, inclusive (the Class Period). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 17, 2025. SO WHAT: If you purchased $JENNER during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the $JENNER class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31137 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 17, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. 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. 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 firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, Defendant Caitlyn Jenner offered and sold $JENNER by means of written and oral communications which contained materially false and misleading statements, and omitted material facts necessary to make the statements not misleading, including but not limited to the following: (1) misrepresentations regarding the potential profitability, functionality, and value of $JENNER; (2) failing to disclose the risks associated with investing in $JENNER, including regulatory risks and potential lack of liquidity; (3) misleading statements about the projects financial health, business prospects, and future growth opportunities; (4) Jenners and other insiders own holdings and financial interests in the enterprise; and (5) false and misleading statements about getting $JENNER listed on centralized cryptocurrency exchanges (CEXs). When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the $JENNER class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31137 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. 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 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Condor Energies Inc. (Condor or the Company) (TSX: CDR) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Research Capital Corporation, as the lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Auctus Advisors LLP and Canaccord Genuity Corp. (collectively, the Agents) in connection with a brokered private placement of common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) at a price of $1.90 per Common Share for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $10,000,000 (the Offering). The lead investor and largest shareholder of the Company, EurAsia Resource Value S.E., along with certain insiders and other significant strategic investors of the Company, are expected to subscribe into the Offering. Condor continues to make significant progress in Uzbekistan, achieving an average current production of 11,066 boe/d over the past seven days, which represents an approximate 11% increase relative to 10,010 boe/d in the third quarter of 2024. The Company is currently operating two workover rigs in Uzbekistan with plans to add a third workover rig in early 2025. The Company also intends to commence its infill drilling campaign during the first half of 2025. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for the ongoing workover program as part of Condors production enhancement service activities in Uzbekistan, accelerating a multi-well horizontal drilling program, purchasing additional in-field flowline water separation systems and field equipment, upgrading field facilities, working capital and general corporate purposes. Condor is continuing and expanding the workover program initiated in June 2024 comprised of plunger lift installations, production tubing replacements, perforating previously non-depleted and bypassed pay zones and other workover activities. The Company anticipates offering the Common Shares to qualified investors in (i) all the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (the LIFE) under Part 5A.2 of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106); and (ii) other qualifying jurisdictions, including but not limited to the United States, under applicable private placement exemptions. Common Shares sold pursuant to the LIFE in Canada will not be subject to resale restrictions under applicable Canadian securities laws, but any Common Shares sold in jurisdictions outside of Canada may be subject to hold periods and other resale restrictions. There is an offering document related to this Offering (the Offering Document) that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.condorenergies.ca. Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision. The Offering is anticipated to close on or about December 5, 2024, or such later date as the Agents and the Company may determine. The closing is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX). The Company has agreed to pay to the Agents a cash commission equal to 6% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. In addition, the Company has agreed to issue to the Agents broker warrants of the Company to acquire in aggregate the number of Common Shares equal to 3% of the number of Common Shares sold under the Offering. The Agents may exercise the broker warrants for a period of 24 months following the Offering at an exercise price of $2.20. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has agreed to pay to the Agents a reduced cash commission equal to 2% of the gross proceeds of certain presidents list orders. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. About Condor Condor is a Canadian-based, TSX-listed energy transition company focused on European and Asian markets. The Company produces natural gas and condensate in Uzbekistan stemming from a production enhancement services contract for increasing the production, ultimate recovery and overall system efficiency from an integrated cluster of eight conventional natural gas-condensate fields. The Company also has ongoing initiatives to construct and operate LNG facilities in Kazakhstan and to develop and produce lithium brine in Kazakhstan. The TSX does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. For further information, please contact: Don Streu, President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy Quilty, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer Telephone: (403) 201-9694 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, forward-looking information). Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, forecasts, estimates, plans, projections, targets, expectations and objectives for future operations and financial results, and the use of words such as may, will, should, expect, anticipate, continue, plan, ongoing, strive, expand and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding managements current expectations and plans relating to the future. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: Condors expectations as to the insiders and significant shareholders that will subscribe to the Offering; the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering including the aggregate gross proceeds from insider and significant shareholder subscriptions; Condors continued energy production progress in Uzbekistan; Condors plans to add a third workover rig in Uzbekistan in early 2025; the timing and ability of Condor to commence its infill drilling campaign in Uzbekistan in the first half of 2025; the allocation and use of proceeds of the Offering ; Condors expectations as to the jurisdictions in which the Offering will take place; the anticipated closing date of the Offering and Condors expectation that its project to construct and operate LNG facilities in Kazakhstan will be ongoing. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general economic, market and business conditions; volatility in market conditions including market prices for natural gas; risks related to the exploration, development and production of natural gas and condensate reserves; risks inherent in the Companys international operations; risks related to the timing of completion of the Companys projects and financings; competition for capital; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; reliance on third parties to execute the Companys strategy; and increasing regulations affecting the Companys future operations. Additional risk factors relevant to the Company and the Common Shares are discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023 and under the heading Forward-Looking Statements in the Companys managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, both of which are available under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking information is provided in this news release to assist prospective investors with understanding the risks associated with an investment in the Common Shares and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Companys actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements, and no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur. Readers are therefore cautioned that they should not unduly rely on the forward-looking statements included in this news release. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. ABBREVIATIONS The following is a summary of abbreviations used in this news release: boe/d Barrels of oil equivalent per day $ Canadian Dollars LNG Liquefied Natural Gas NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES Toronto, Ontario and Nucla, Colorado, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (CSE: WUC) (OTCQX: WSTRF) (Western or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has received aggregated gross proceeds of approximately CAD $5.5 million through the issuance of a total of 4,142,906 common shares and 4,142,906 warrants in two tranches of a financing which was initially announced in the news release issued by the Company on November 8, 2024 (the Offering). For details on the first tranche closing of the Offering, please refer to the news release issued by Western on November 18, 2024. In the second tranche of the Offering which has closed today, Western placed a total of 323,211 units at a price of CAD $1.32 per unit (each, a Unit) for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately CAD $426,638 (the Second Tranche) with each Unit being comprised of one common share (each, a Share) and one common share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). A total of 323,211 Shares and 323,211 Warrants were issued in the Second Tranche, each Warrant being exercisable for one Share of the Company at a price of CAD $1.78 per Share for a period of four (4) years from the date of its issuance. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for the expansion of the production capability and mining at the Sunday Mine Complex, licensing and development of minerals processing facilities, baseline data collection and permitting of the San Rafael Project, acquisition of uranium/vanadium properties in close proximity to Westerns production centers, purchase of additional mining equipment and for general working capital purposes. Closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions and receipt of all necessary approvals, including compliance with the requirements of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Pursuant to an agency agreement between the Company and A.G.P. Canada Investment ULC (the Agent), who acted as sole agent and bookrunner for Western in connection with the Offering, the Agent has an over-allotment option, exercisable no later than December 23, 2024, to place up to an additional 625,000 Units for additional gross proceeds to the Company of up to CAD $825,000. In this Second Tranche, securities were issued to purchasers who are residents in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"); in addition, all securities were issued outside of Canada pursuant to the Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503 Distributions Outside Canada and therefore are not subject to any statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. About Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. is ramping-up high-grade uranium and vanadium production at its Sunday Mine Complex. In addition to the flagship property located in the prolific Uravan Mineral Belt, the production pipeline also includes conventional projects in Colorado and Utah. The Maverick Minerals Processing Plant and Pinon Ridge Corporation processing plant will be licensed to include the kinetic separation process. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Statements of that nature include statements relating to, or that are dependent upon: the Companys expectations, estimates and projections regarding the Offering and exploration and production plans and results; the timing of planned activities; whether the Company can raise any additional funds required to implement its plans; whether regulatory or analogous requirements can be satisfied to permit planned activities; and more generally to the Companys business, and the economic and political environment applicable to its operations, assets and plans. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. Please refer to the Companys most recent Managements Discussion and Analysis, as well as its other filings at www.sec.gov and/or www.sedarplus.com, for a more detailed review of those risk factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Companys forward-looking statements, and that these statements are made as of the date hereof. While the Company may do so, it does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements at any particular time, except as and to the extent required under applicable laws and regulations. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: George Glasier President and CEO 970-864-2125 gglasier@western-uranium.com Robert Klein Chief Financial Officer 908-872-7686 rklein@western-uranium.com The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acceleware Ltd. (Acceleware or the Company) (TSX-V: AXE), a leading innovator of transformative technologies targeting the decarbonization of industrial process heat, today announced its financial and operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 (all figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted). Accelewares results reflect contributions from the Companys two business units, radio frequency (RF) heating for industrial applications using the Companys proprietary Clean Tech Inverter (CTI) including enhanced oil recovery (RF XL), and high-performance computing ("HPC) scientific software. This news release should be read in conjunction with the Companys unaudited interim condensed financial statements and the accompanying notes for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and managements discussion and analysis (MDA) thereto, together with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, notes and MDA thereto, all of which are available on Accelewares website at www.acceleware.com or on www.sedarplus.ca. HIGHLIGHTS Financial highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Sept 30, 2024 Sept 30, 2023 Sept 30, 2024 Sept 30, 2023 Revenue $ 1,259,315 62,467 3,314,956 235,421 Comprehensive income/ (loss) 856,500 (1,272,006) 1,150,443 (2,663,121) Gross R&D expenditures 408,356 798,544 1,672,439 2,188,545 Government assistance $ (650,165) (119,785) (1,227,928) (553,808) In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company worked closely with industry partners to progress next steps in the RF XL Pilot. An output of this work is the determination that the most practical path forward is to redeploy all subsurface components incorporating the multiple improvements and upgrades that Acceleware has made to the RF XL downhole system. During Q3, 2024, the Company continued to refine redeployment and test plans, confirming the $5 million cost estimate, which Acceleware is now actively sourcing. Since the end of Q2 2024, the Company has increased the total non-dilutive funding amount secured for the next phase of the RF XL Pilot, contingent on receiving the remainder of the $5 million. The Company has also secured RF XL consulting revenue from a confidential oil and gas operator, the net proceeds of which will be applied to the costs in the next phase of the RF XL Pilot. Additional RF XL consulting revenue from this operator may be available in 2025, the net proceeds of which will also be applied to the RF XL Pilot. The Company has identified several additional industry and government potential funders and is actively discussing the project with them. The primary outreach message is that the next phase of the RF XL Pilot is expected to enable higher power to be distributed in the reservoir for a sustained period, resulting in higher temperatures in the reservoir, and potentially greater oil production with the ultimate goal of further validating the commercial viability of RF XL. Please refer to the MDA for a complete RF XL Pilot update. In the three months ended September 30, 2024 (Q3 2024), a Test Data Purchase Agreement with a second oil-sands producer was concluded and as such the Company recognized $900,000 revenue, the payment of which was received in past quarters. The remaining revenue of $1,900,000 from the third oil-sands producer will be recognized when all milestones have been met (expected in 2024), or the contract is terminated, whichever is earlier. Other recent highlights include: On August 20, 2024, Acceleware announced that it was one of 50 companies selected to pitch at the 21st Annual Rice Alliance Energy Tech Venture Forum, an anchor event for the Inaugural Energy and Climate Startup Week in Houston, Texas, September 9-13, 2024. In September 2024, Acceleware joined the Renewable Thermal Collaborative (RTC), and attended the RTC Summit in Washington, D.C., on September 30-October 1, 2024. The RTC is the global coalition for companies, institutions, and governments committed to scaling up renewable heating and cooling at their facilities, dramatically cutting carbon emissions. On October 22, 2024, Acceleware announced that it was one of ten companies selected by The Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) and by Chilean mining operators to attend the Chile-Canada Mining Innovation Summit (CCMIS) on October 24, 2024 in Santiago, Chile. In addition, Acceleware participated in the Global Mining Groups (GMG) Santiago Forum, Igniting Action: Building the Mines of The Future Today on October 22- 23, 2024. Acceleware continues to work toward Phase 3 of a potash ore drying project by the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII). Phase 2 findings were presented to IMII in July 2024. Phase 3 of the project includes the design, construction and testing of a larger shop-scale demonstration dryer. IMII, a non-profit organization jointly funded by industry and government, is committed to developing and implementing innovative education, training, research and development partnerships to support a world-class minerals industry. IMII's minerals industry members include BHP, Cameco Corporation, Fission Uranium Corp., The Mosaic Company and Nutrien Ltd. Acceleware continued to invest in developing and protecting new intellectual property with the number of patents issued, allowed, applied for, or in development totalling 60 as at September 30, 2024. QUARTER IN REVIEW Revenue of $1.3 million was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $0.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 (Q3 2023) and $2.0 million in the previous quarter ended June 30, 2024 (Q2 2024). Revenue in Q3 2024 included $0.9 million in revenue related to the RF XL Pilot as a contract for one oil-sands producer was terminated triggering revenue recognition of previously received milestone payments and $0.3 million services revenue upon completion of the first potash ore drying prototype. Total comprehensive income for Q3 2024 was $0.9 million compared to a comprehensive loss of $1.3 million for Q3 2023 and a comprehensive loss of $1.3 million for Q2 2024. Comprehensive income in Q3 2024 was high due to revenue related to the RF XL Pilot and receipt of government assistance from CRIN relating to costs incurred from January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024. Finance expenses in Q3 2024 and Q3 2023 include interest expense on notes payable which are funding the Companys working capital. Comprehensive income or loss in all periods was impacted by changes in value of the derivative financial instruments embedded within the convertible debenture. The changes in derivative value are driven primarily by the fluctuation in the Companys share price. Gross R&D expenses incurred in Q3 2024 were $0.8 million compared to $0.8 million in Q3 2023 and $0.7 million in Q2 2024. R&D spending in 2024 was related to development of the IMII dryer for potash ore and included lab engineering, designing and testing, data analysis, and partner consultations. R&D spending in Q3 2023 was related to the RF XL Pilot. There was $0.7 million government assistance received in Q3 2024 and $0.1 in Q3 2023 and $0.6 in Q2 2024. The Company received the final CRIN payment of $0.3 million in Q3 2024 and the final ERA holdback payment of $0.2 million. The Government of Albertas Innovation Employment Grant (IEG) to support research and development was effective January 1, 2021 and provides a grant of up to 20% of eligible R&D expenses incurred in Alberta. This new grant effectively replaced Albertas 10% scientific research and experimental development refundable tax credit that was eliminated as at December 31, 2019. The Company met the eligibility criteria, claimed eligible R&D expenditures and received $0.3 million in Q3 2024 related to 2023 eligible expenditures, received $0.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 related to 2022 eligible expenditures, and $0.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023 related to 2021 eligible expenditures. Government assistance is recorded as a reduction of R&D expenses. G&A expenses incurred in Q3 2024 were $0.4 million compared to $0.6 million in Q3 2023 and $0.4 million in Q2 2024. There were lower non-cash payroll related costs incurred in Q3 2024 due to the timing of option grants and lower salaries as the Company continues to prioritize cost control given uncertain economic conditions. As at September 30, 2024, Acceleware had negative working capital of $2.6 million (December 31, 2023 negative working capital of $2.0 million) including cash and cash equivalents of $0.5 million (December 31, 2023 $1.0 million). The increase in negative working capital is attributable to the timing of receipt and recognition of government and partner funding and related R&D spending. Increasing the deficit is deferred revenue of $1.9 million as at September 30, 2024 (December 31, 2023 $4,350,000). Despite receiving non-refundable cash payments for these amounts, the milestone payments have not met all requirements for revenue recognition under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. These amounts will be recognized as revenue and increase shareholders equity when RF XL Pilot heating is complete or the data contracts are terminated, whichever is earlier. YEAR TO DATE IN REVIEW Revenue of $3.3 million was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 included $2.85 million services revenue related to the RF XL Pilot and $0.3 million in services revenue related to the potash drying project. Revenue was recognized for the RF XL Pilot as all milestones were completed under contract for one oil-sands producer and the other oil-sands producer terminated its contract triggering revenue recognition of previously received milestone payments. Total comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $1.2 million compared to comprehensive loss of $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to higher revenue as noted above and higher government assistance. There are fluctuations in both periods related to changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments embedded in the convertible debentures. Gross R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were $1.7 million compared to $2.2 million incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to higher R&D activity in the first half of 2023 related to the final steps of the RF XL Pilot workover. Federal and provincial government assistance of $1.2 million was recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as the RF XL Pilot nears completion. G&A expenses incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were $1.3 million compared to $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The Company continues to prioritize cost management. ABOUT ACCELEWARE: Acceleware is an innovator of clean-tech decarbonization technologies comprised of two business units: Radio Frequency Heating Technology and Seismic Imaging Software. Acceleware is piloting RF XL, its patented low-cost, low-carbon production technology for heavy oil and oil sands that is materially different from any heavy oil recovery technique used today. Acceleware's vision is that electrification of heavy oil and oil sands production can be made possible through RF XL, supporting a transition to much cleaner energy production that can quickly bend the emissions curve downward. With clean electricity, Accelewares RF XL technology could eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with heavy oil and oil sands production. RF XL uses no water, requires no solvent, has a small physical footprint, can be redeployed from site to site, and can be applied to a multitude of reservoir types. Acceleware is also working on the decarbonization of other industrial process heat applications through its EM Powered Heat technology, which uses the Companys proprietary CTI. These include a multi-phase EM Powered Heat potash dryer project currently underway with the International Minerals Innovations Institute in Saskatchewan, Canada. Acceleware and Saa Dene Group (co-founded by Jim Boucher) have created Acceleware | Kisastwew to raise the profile, adoption, and value of Acceleware technologies. The shared vision of the partnership is to improve the environmental and economic performance of the energy sector by supporting ideals that are important to Indigenous peoples, including respect for land, water, and clean air. The Companys seismic imaging software solutions are state-of-the-art for high fidelity imaging, providing the most accurate and advanced imaging available for oil exploration in complex geologies. Acceleware is a public company listed on Canadas TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol AXE. NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND OTHER ADVISORIES This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally means information about an issuers business, capital, or operations that are prospective in nature, and includes disclosure about the issuers prospective financial performance or financial position. The forward-looking information in this press release can be identified by terms such as believes, estimates, plans, potential, and will, and includes information about, the expected commercialization of RF XL, the expected cost of the RF XL Pilot, the timing of the execution of the RF XL Pilot and the redeployment, expected financing required for the RF XL Pilot redeployment, and the anticipated economic and societal benefits of the RF XL technology. Acceleware assumes that current cost estimates are accurate, current timelines will not be delayed by either internal or external causes, that research and development effort including the commercial-scale test plans will result in commercial-ready products, and that future capital raising efforts will be successful. Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this press release due to certain material risk factors. These risk factors are described in detail in Accelewares continuous disclosure documents, which are filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Acceleware assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information in this press release, unless it is required to do so under Canadian securities legislation. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this release in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. DISCLAIMER Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information: Geoff Clark Tel: +1 (403) 249-9099 geoff.clark@acceleware.com Acceleware Ltd. 435 10 Avenue SE Calgary, AB, T2G 0W3 Canada Tel: +1 (403) 249-9099 www.acceleware.com PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Philadelphia jury has just awarded $11 million in damages to U.S. Army veteran George Abrahams, who was shot by his own Sig Sauer P320 pistol while it was in its holster and without his hands touching the gun. The jury found that Sig Sauer defectively designed the P320, was negligent in selling the gun, and showed reckless indifference to the rights of others in the distribution of the pistol. The verdict and jury award - $10 million in punitive damages, and $1 million in compensatory damages - followed a three-week trial in the first Pennsylvania, P320 case against Sig Sauer to go to trial. Mr. Abrahams is the latest victim of the Sig Sauer P320 to prevail at trial against the international gun manufacturer, according to his attorneys at Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky PC . The verdict follows the $2.35 million Federal jury award in June to the firms Georgia client (Lang v. Sig Sauer, 1:21-cv-04196, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia) who was also shot by his holstered P320 without ever touching the trigger. Mr. Abrahams filed a negligence and products liability complaint against Sig Sauer, alleging that his and hundreds of other P320s have discharged and injured active-duty law enforcement personnel and civilian owners; the victims are well trained, safety-focused gun users concerned the manufacturer has to date adamantly resisted issuing a safety recall or redesign. Mr. Abrahams unintended and uncommanded shooting occurred suddenly on June 19, 2020 while Mr. Abrahams was simply walking down the stairs of his house; the bullet tore through his right leg, rendering him permanently injured. The jury saw the P320 for exactly what it is, defective and dangerous, said firm Partner Robert W. Zimmerman, lead plaintiffs counsel. We successfully argued that Sig Sauer knew of the risks of the P320s design, predicted these risks would injure its customers, and saw these risks play out in the real world. Sig Sauer knowingly and negligently compromised safety in the name of profit. Every P320 sold to the military featured an external safety to guard against unintended, uncommanded firing. However, the vast majority of P320 models sold to the public and police do not even have an external safety as an option. Sig Sauer also designed a trigger safety that was used widely within the industry, but inexplicably scrapped the design before P320s with trigger safeties were put into production. Plaintiffs counsel alleged that Sig Sauer is the only gun maker in the world to make this type of gun without a safety, and that Sig Sauer blatantly ignored its own policy that pre-cocked pistols come with a safety. Mr. Abrahams demonstrated great courage in bringing this lawsuit, the same kind of courage he displayed serving our country with distinction as an enlisted field artillery specialist in the U.S. Army. He is hopeful this verdict, which came after several hours of jury deliberations over three days, sends a loud and clear message to Sig Sauer that there are consequences to its actions, and inactions. The only way for Sig Sauer to avoid injuring- or killing- innocent victims is to redesign this gun to include a safety like other gun manufacturers, Zimmerman said. We have said it before, and juries are now speaking loud and clear with their verdicts; this gun is a danger to gun owners and anyone within the vicinity of this gun, co-counsel Ryan Hurd affirmed. Plaintiffs legal team also included SMBs Larry Bendesky and Samuel A. Haaz. SMB represents more than 100 other P320 victims injured by Sig Sauers first striker-fired pistol. The firm continues to uncover more instances of unintended discharges. The firms clients seek to hold Sig Sauer accountable for the defectively designed gun, and to call upon the company from taking steps that its competitors take to avoid injuring or killing other victims. The P320 has been the subject of controversy, litigation, and media scrutiny for years. Last year it was featured in a joint investigation by The Washington Post, joining other national investigative reports. Additional related information on the Sig Sauer litigation and the guns troubled history - can be found at www.SMB_SigSauerCases . Contacts: Robert W. Zimmerman / rzimmerman@smbb.com / 215-575-3898 Steph Rosenfeld / steph@idadvisors.com / 215-514-4101 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3f20d6e-2800-4a24-9220-0067c4608d29 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultra Lithium Inc. (TSXV:ULT, OTCQB: ULTXF and Frankfurt: QFB) (Ultra Lithium or the Company) today announces it has received a section 244(1) notice under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (s.244 Notice) from Power Minerals Limited (Power Minerals). Power Minerals intends to make a court application to appoint a receiver over Ultra Lithiums assets to enforce Power Minerals security under a convertible loan agreement (CLA) between the two companies. Ultra Lithium may file a Notice of Intention to make a proposal to restructure the Companys debt within the 10 day notice period provided under the S.244 Notice. The Company and Power Minerals entered into the CLA on May 12, 2023. Under the CLA, Power Minerals advanced an interest-bearing loan of AUD $1.13 million to the Company. On October 25, 2023 the Company pre-paid the sum of AUD $150,000 to Power Minerals. The Company entered into a general security agreement and a share pledge agreement with Power Minerals as security for amounts outstanding under the CLA. The s.244 Notice provides that Power Minerals must give 10 days notice of its intention to enforce a security interest prior to taking any enforcement steps. Power may then make an application to the relevant court for orders to appoint a receiver. Ultra Lithium may file a Notice of Intention to make a proposal to restructure the Companys debt with the 10 day notice period. About Ultra Lithium Inc. Ultra Lithium Inc. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the acquisition and development of lithium, gold, and copper assets. The Company holds a brine lithium property in Argentina, hard rock spodumene type lithium properties at the Georgia Lake / Forgan Lake area in northwestern Ontario, Canada, and a brine lithium property in the Big Smoky Valley, Nevada, USA. The Company also holds other gold and base metals properties in Argentina. On behalf of the Board of Directors Kiki Smith, CFO For further information, please contact: Kiki Smith, CFO T: +1-778-968-1176 E: kiki@ultralithium.com W: www.ultralithium.com Or view the Companys filings at www.SEDARPLUS.com Follow us on X-Twitter @Ultra_Lithium and LinkedIn . Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Some of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, intends, is expected, potential, suggests or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, should, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Companys control. Actual results and developments are likely to differ and may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. LA MAXIME launches SkinGlow5, a travel-friendly anti-aging skincare set featuring Australian native botanicals. This comprehensive five-step system combines premium ingredients like Kakadu Plum and Lilli Pilli in convenient airless packaging. It delivers visible results in just five days while meeting airline regulations for carry-on liquids. Photo credit: La Maxime MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LA MAXIME, a leading Australian luxury skincare brand, introduces travel-sized editions of their acclaimed SkinGlow5 anti-aging skincare set. These smaller versions maintain the same potent formulations of Australian native botanicals and advanced scientific ingredients as their full-sized counterparts but in TSA-approved portions. This ensures that travellers can continue their premium skincare routine wherever their journeys take them. Recent studies show that 62% of travellers struggle to maintain their skincare routines while away from home. Each product in the set comes in TSA-approved sizes and features secure, spill-proof airless packaging designed specifically for travel. "We understand the challenges of maintaining healthy, youthful skin while travelling," says Jacqueline Koo, founder of LA MAXIME. "SkinGlow5 was developed to provide a complete, premium skincare solution that easily fits into any carry-on bag, so users can maintain their anti-aging routine wherever they go." The set includes five essential products: an Antioxidant Cleansing and Nourishing Oil (20ml), a dual-action Dewy Glowy exfoliating scrub and hydrating mask (17g), Youthful Glow antioxidant toning milk (20ml), Radiant Glow Organic Face Serum (8ml), and Collagen and Elastin Booster creams for day (20ml) and night (20ml) use. Each formula features LA MAXIME's proprietary Australian Native Botanical Complex, including powerful ingredients like Kakadu Plum, which contains the highest natural concentration of stable vitamin C globally. Clinical studies demonstrate the set's effectiveness, with 87% of users reporting a visible reduction in fine lines within four weeks. The travel-friendly packaging maintains the potency of these active ingredients while meeting international travel regulations. The SkinGlow5 set is now available on LA MAXIME's website and select luxury retailers nationwide. The complete set retails for $250 and includes an environmentally friendly premium travel pouch. About LA MAXIME LA MAXIME is an Australian luxury skincare brand dedicated to combining the power of Australian native botanicals with science. The company creates multifunctional anti-aging skincare solutions that deliver visible results while maintaining a commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical production. Contact: Jacqueline Koo, Founder LA MAXIME media@lamaxime.com MONTREAL, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) ("Osisko Development" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the approval of the BC Mines Act permits for its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project ("Cariboo" or the "Project") located in central British Columbia ("BC"), Canada. The approval of these permits marks an important milestone in enabling the Company to move forward with the construction and operation of the underground Cariboo Gold Project. "Receipt of the construction and operating permits for the Cariboo Gold Project is a major milestone and monumental achievement for Osisko Development and its stakeholders. It is the culmination of almost five years of extensive discussion and consultation with provincial regulators, Indigenous nations and host communities in ensuring the Project becomes a model for responsible mine development and environmental stewardship that redefines mining for a better future," commented Sean Roosen, Founder, Chairman and CEO. "As permitting complexity and timelines increase globally, BC's new environmental assessment and permitting framework demonstrates the province's commitment to sustainable mine development relying on a robust consultation process, on predictable, legislated timelines, alongside a clear set of information requirements. We commend all those involved in ensuring the Cariboo Gold Project is successful in navigating this new rigorous review process and in securing key permits for construction and operation." Lhtako Dene Nation Chief Clifford Lebrun remarked, "The Cariboo Gold Project represents a significant opportunity for Lhtako Dene Nation and we are pleased that it has received its BC Mines Act Permits. The Mine and its surrounding infrastructure is firmly located in our core traditional territory, and we have been active participants at every stage of the project from mineral exploration to the Environmental Assessment and the BC Mines Act Permit. We look forward to a sustainable and growing relationship with Osisko Development as the project proceeds through to operation." Honourable Jagrup Brar, British Columbias Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, noted, "My congratulations to Osisko Development Corporation for your hard work and collaboration with partners and local communities in reaching this important milestone and obtaining a permit for the Cariboo Gold mine. The first project wholly assessed under the new 2018 Environmental Assessment Act, Cariboo Gold is crucial for BC, creating good jobs and opening up long-term opportunities for local businesses, communities, and First Nations, all while adhering to top-tier environmental protection." With the key Project construction and operating permits secured, and the remaining Environmental Management Act permits referred to the Statutory Decision Maker of the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions with a decision expected shortly the Company is advancing discussions, which are active and ongoing, on various funding options, including a comprehensive financing package. Progress continues on the ongoing bulk sample and underground development in the Lowhee Zone alongside the optimized feasibility study work, which are slated to be completed in Q1 2025 and Q2 2025, respectively. Additionally, work advances on other pre-construction activities, including on certain detailed engineering and project execution work. Execution on these milestones will play a crucial role in ongoing financing discussions. A formal positive final investment decision and the engagement on a project financing package in the coming months would allow for full-scale construction to commence in the second half of 2025 with a targeted completion date at the end of 2027. DEVELOPING A GENERATIONAL DISTRICT IN THE CARIBOO REGION The Cariboo Gold Project is estimated to operate over an initial 12-year mine life, based on the 2023 Cariboo FS (as defined herein), not including any potential future mine life extensions from resource conversion or further exploration success. Key highlights of the Project include: Gold production of up to 223 thousand ounces (" koz ") per annum during peak operations and averaging 194 koz of gold per annum during Phase 2 at 4,900 tonnes per day; Work is advancing on an optimized feasibility study which is expected to be completed in Q2 2025 (see Optimized Feasibility Study); ") per annum during peak operations and averaging 194 koz of gold per annum during Phase 2 at 4,900 tonnes per day; Direct employment of approximately 634 workers during the project construction period and up to 488 employees during peak steady-state operations, creating safe and empowering employment for the community; Beyond direct job creation, the Project's activities are anticipated to contribute to significant economic development including the creation of ancillary job opportunities among suppliers, various sub-contractors and other groups within the local communities and broader Cariboo region; Over the initial 12-year mine life, the Company anticipates investing C$588.4 million in initial and expansion capital costs and C$466.6 million in sustaining capital costs, with the overwhelming majority to be spent locally and in the province of BC; Access to the predominantly green hydroelectric BC power grid provides unparalleled opportunities to minimize the Project's carbon footprint by deploying a largely electric equipment fleet, while benefitting from favourable energy pricing at 6.6 per kWh (CAD$); Low impact mining from deploying ore sorter and roadheader technologies that significantly reduce the carbon footprint by generating fewer waste rock at lower energy intensity relative to other traditional mining operations; Significant exploration upside at depth with the current Mineral Reserves and Resources only defined over an average depth of 350 meters from surface, while considerable potential also exists on the broader Cariboo property across a combined 83 km mineralized trend. CARIBOO GOLD PROJECT PERMITS Following a robust and rigorous review process by a dedicated Mine Review Committee, set up by the Major Mines Office, the Company received or referred the following permits for the Cariboo Gold Project: M-247 Mines Act permit for the Mine Site Complex and Bonanza Ledge ( received ); ); M-198 Mines Act permit for the QR Mill ( received ); ); PE-111511 - Environmental Management Act Permit for the Mine Site Complex ( referred ); ); PE-12601 - Environmental Management Act Permit for QR Mill ( referred ); and ); and PE-17876 - Environmental Management Act Permit for Bonanza Ledge (referred). The Mines Act permits grant the Company the ability to proceed with the construction, operation and reclamation activities on each of the site boundaries, as outlined within the scope of the Project. The Environmental Management Act permits pertain to any Project-related discharge activities to the environment, including water and air, and the framework and limitations thereof, within the areas outside of the immediate mine site boundaries. Work is ongoing with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and the Ministry of Forests, which is tracking well, on obtaining all necessary approvals for the construction of the transmission line. INDIGENOUS NATIONS The Company is committed to advancing collaborative partnerships with Indigenous nations related to the Project as evidenced by years of extensive consultation and the signing and ongoing implementation of the participation agreements with each of the Lhtako Dene Nation in 2020 and the Williams Lake First Nation in 2022. The Company is working towards an agreement with the Xatsull First Nation, with whom it continues to engage and consult. This includes good faith and reasonable offers for financial and other benefits along substantially similar frameworks as those agreed to by Lhtako Dene Nation and Williams Lake First Nation. The Company is dedicated to developing a modern, safe and sustainable operation at the Cariboo Gold Project, and remains committed to engaging in constructive dialogue to ensure all Indigenous nations and stakeholders benefit from the development of the Project, whilst ensuring it remains viable. OPTIMIZED FEASIBILITY STUDY The Company is advancing work on an optimized feasibility study ("OFS") for the Cariboo Gold Project, which is anticipated to be completed in Q2 2025. The scope of the OFS will take into account and include, among other things, certain mining and processing flowsheet optimizations including improvements to the flotation circuit, an accelerated development timeline directly to 4,900 tonnes per day throughput, updated metal price and foreign exchange assumptions, and updated operating and capital cost estimates to reflect the current environment. The OFS work follows the framework set out in the existing ongoing permitting process. BULK SAMPLE AND UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE In Q1 2024, under an existing provincial permit, the Company commenced an underground development drift from the existing Cow Portal into the Cariboo Gold Project's mineral deposit at the Lowhee Zone. The objective of the bulk sample work program is to develop into the ore body and extract a 10,000 tonne bulk sample of mineralized material for mining, ore sorting and processing testing. For the development of the underground drift the Company has been utilizing a combination of continuous mining using a fully-electric Sandvik roadheader, which has been performing favorably, and traditional drilling and blasting. To date, approximately 1,083 meters of development has been completed or approximately 92%, with another 89 meters remaining to reach the target area. The Company anticipates completing the bulk sample program and release the results thereof in Q1 2025. Figure 1: Bulk sample location and ramp progress (November 17, 2024). Figure 2: Main decline ramp overall view (left) and development of Lowhee top sill access for stope extraction (right). Figure 3: Visible sulfide mineralization within the bulk sample stope area development. Qualified Persons The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Daniel Downton, P.Geo., Chief Resource Geologist of Osisko Development, a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Technical Reports Information relating to the Cariboo Gold Project and the current feasibility on the Cariboo Gold Project and the assumptions, qualifications and limitations thereof is supported by the technical report titled "Feasibility Study for the Cariboo Gold Project, District of Well, British Columbia, Canada", dated January 10, 2023 (amended January 12, 2023) with an effective date of December 30, 2022 prepared for the Company by independent representatives BBA Engineering Ltd. and supported by independent consulting firms, including InnovExplo Inc., SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc., Golder Associates Ltd. (amalgamated with WSP Canada Inc. on January 1, 2023, to form WSP Canada Inc.), WSP USA Inc., Falkirk Environmental Consultants Ltd., Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd., KCC Geoconsulting Inc., and JDS Energy & Mining Inc. (the " 2023 Cariboo FS"). Reference should be made to the full text of the Cariboo Technical Report, which was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and is available electronically on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under Osisko Development's issuer profile and on the Company's website at www.osiskodev.com. ABOUT OSISKO DEVELOPMENT CORP. Osisko Development Corp. is a North American gold development company focused on past-producing mining camps located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company's objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central B.C., Canada, the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico. In addition to considerable brownfield exploration potential of these properties, that benefit from significant historical mining data, existing infrastructure and access to skilled labour, the Company's project pipeline is complemented by other prospective exploration properties. The Company's strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally sustainable mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources. For further information, visit our website at www.osiskodev.com or contact: Sean Roosen Philip Rabenok Chairman and CEO Director, Investor Relations Email: sroosen@osiskodev.com Email: prabenok@osiskodev.com Tel: +1 (514) 940-0685 Tel: +1 (437) 423-3644 CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements contained in this news release may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (together, "forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require Osisko Development to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "continue", or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including the assumptions, qualifications and limitations relating to the significance of regional exploration potential; the ability of the Company to complete the OFS and the scope, results and timing of thereof; progress in respect of pre-construction activities at Cariboo; the potential for unknown mineralized structures to extend existing zones of mineralization; category conversion; the timing and status of permitting; future consultation efforts between Osisko Development and Xatsull First Nation; the future development and operations at the Cariboo Gold Project; the results of ongoing stakeholder engagement; the capital resources available to the Company; the ability of the Company to execute its planned activities, including as a result of its ability to seek additional funding; the ability of the Company to obtain future financing and the terms of such financing including a fully-funded solution for the Cariboo Gold Project; management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; the ability and timing for Cariboo to reach commercial production (if at all); sustainability and environmental impacts of operations at the Company's properties; the results (if any) of further exploration work to define and expand mineral resources; the ability of exploration work (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization; the ability of the Company to expand mineral resources beyond current mineral resource estimates; the ability of the Company to complete its exploration and development objectives for its projects in the timing contemplated and within expected costs (if at all); the ability and timing for Cariboo to reach commercial production (if at all); the ability to adapt to changes in gold prices, estimates of costs, estimates of planned exploration and development expenditures; the ability of the Company to obtain further capital on reasonable terms; the profitability (if at all) of the Company's operations; as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances, and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward looking information". Material assumptions also include, management's perceptions of historical trends, management's understanding of the permitting process and status thereof, the ability of exploration (including drilling and chip sampling assays, and face sampling) to accurately predict mineralization, budget constraints and access to capital on terms acceptable to the Company, current conditions and expected future developments, regulatory framework remaining defined and understood, results of further exploration work to define or expand any mineral resources, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Osisko Development considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of Osisko Development, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect Osisko Development and its business. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks relating to third-party approvals, including the issuance of permits by the government, capital market conditions and the Company's ability to access capital on terms acceptable to the Company for the contemplated exploration and development at the Company's properties; the ability to continue current operations and exploration; regulatory framework and presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; the ability of exploration activities (including drill results and chip sampling, and face sampling results) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management's geological modelling; the timing and ability of the Company to obtain required approvals and permits; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to exploration, development and mining activities; the global economic climate; metal and commodity prices; fluctuations in the currency markets; dilution; environmental risks; and community, non-governmental and governmental actions and the impact of stakeholder actions. Osisko Development is confident a robust consultation process was followed in relation to its received BC Mines Act permits for the Cariboo Gold Project and continues to actively consult and engage with Indigenous nations and stakeholders. While any party may seek to have the decision related to the BC Mines Act permits reviewed by the courts, the Company does not expect that such a review will impact its ability to proceed with the construction and operation of the Cariboo Gold Project in accordance with the approved BC Mines Act permits. Readers are urged to consult the disclosure provided under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023 as well as the financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023, which have been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Development's issuer profile and on the SEC's EDGAR website (www.sec.gov), for further information regarding the risks and other factors facing the Company, its business and operations. Although the Company's believes the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available as of the date hereof, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and there can be no assurance that these 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 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c5dbcc5e-81ad-4986-b941-485361750061 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/29d4e7e5-b7ad-4199-bfc8-0bb8330144a0 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9938c4f9-97de-4212-b732-89c2c52943f6 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bfc1b76c-a9d1-4751-8c0d-32665a6592c5 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d87ec27c-333f-4285-89e1-bcf5eeca7736 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c1fbd4b6-3e9b-410d-a737-810a702b2f81 JAKARTA, Indonesia, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On November 20, the grand event Electricity CONNECT 2024 was kicked off in the Jakarta Convention Center to commemorate the 79th Indonesia National Electricity Day. The exhibition, themed "Go Beyond Power, Energizing the Future," witnessed the participation of over 500 exhibitors, including Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) from China, as well as various domestic and multinational companies from Asia, Europe, and Australia. The event also attracted over 500 conference participants and an audience of 15,000 from the global electricity industry. DEC set up 3 exhibition booths to demonstrate to global clients and industrial insiders its advanced and flexible technology products and solutions in various fields like large-capacity offshore wind power, solar photovoltaic and photothermal power generation, pumped storage, nuclear power, heavy-duty gas turbines, and hydrogen energy. The visitors admitted that they were greatly impressed by the large number of top-notch green energy technologies and engineering projects of DEC, and its formidable strength in the field of energy. During the event, DEC also held the "EFFICIENCY, RELIABILITY, FLEXIBILITY - DEC's Practice on Services and Upgrading" promotion conference to offer local counterparts more advanced, environmentally friendly and intelligent clean energy products and comprehensive upgrade solutions. Participating in exhibitions overseas is an essential path for DEC to go global and serve the local area. Since 1994, DEC has been continuously selected as one of ENR's Top 250 International Contractors. It has provided equipment supply and engineering contracting services to clients in more than 110 countries and regions worldwide, and accumulatively exported power equipment of an installed capacity exceeding 100 million kW and more than 600 oil rigs. Source: Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC) NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until December 23, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD or the Company) (NYSE: TD), if they purchased the Companys securities between February 29, 2024 to October 9, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Get Help TD investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-td-1/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit TD and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On October 10, 2024, the Company disclosed resolutions reached from investigations by various U.S. Government entities into the Companys anti-money laundering (AML) program compliance with the United States Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), which included a punitive payment of $3.09 billion, an asset cap preventing TDs two U.S. subsidiaries from exceeding a collective $434 billion, and a more stringent approval processes for new bank products, services, markets, and stores to ensure the AML risk of new initiatives is appropriately considered and mitigated. On this news, the price of TDs shares fell from a closing price of $63.51 per share on October 9, 2024 to $59.44 per share on October 10, 2024, and further to $57.01 on October 11, 2024. The case is Tiessen v. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, et al., No. 24-cv-08032. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. Recall Release CLASS I RECALL HEALTH RISK: HIGH Congressional and Public Affairs Soledad Calvino FSISpress@usda.gov FSIS-RC-031-2024 WOLVERINE PACKING CO. RECALLS GROUND BEEF PRODUCTS DUE TO POSSIBLE E. COLI O157:H7 CONTAMINATION Washington, D.C., Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2024 Wolverine Packing Co., a Detroit, Mich. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The fresh products have a use by date of 11/14/2024 and the frozen products are labeled with production date 10 22 24. View full product list. View labels. The products subject to recall bear establishment number EST. 2574B inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to restaurant locations nationwide. The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a group of ill persons who had reported that they consumed ground beef prior to their illness. FSIS was notified of illnesses on November 13, 2024, and working in conjunction with Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, FSIS determined that there was a link between the ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co. and this illness cluster. On November 20, 2024, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of an outbreak investigation tested positive for E. coli O157. To date, 15 case-patients have been identified in one state with illness onset dates ranging from November 2, 2024, to November 10, 2024. FSIS continues to work with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health on this investigation. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 28 days (34 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Restaurants are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart. Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Don Tanner, company representative at 248-762-1533. Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/. ### NOTE: Access news releases and other information at FSIS website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls. Follow FSIS on X at twitter.com/usdafoodsafety or in Spanish at: twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es. USDA RECALL CLASSIFICATIONS Class I This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death. Class II This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product. Class III This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 (voice), or 202-720-6382 (TDD). RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Madinah has been honoured with the Innovative Patient Care Solutions Award at the PX Congress 2024, held in Riyadh. Madinahs Nursing Affairs won the award for its Nurse-Led Post-Discharge Care Virtual Clinics, which exceeded targets with over 5,800 post-discharge virtual visits in 2024 (an increase of 155% from 2023). The clinics continually expand to include different patient groups, including emergency and palliative care patients. Moreover, measurement of the programs success had transitioned from volume metrics and good catches to organizational KPIs, including its positive impact on LOS, 7-day and 30-day readmissions rates, and unplanned ED visits. This achievement showcases KFSHRCs commitment to innovation in patient care. It is noteworthy that KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally in the list of the worlds top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year and has been recognised as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, in the same year, it was ranked among the worlds best 250 hospitals and included in the Worlds Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025 by Newsweek magazine. For more information, visit www.kfshrc.edu.sa or contact our media team at mediacoverage@kfshrc.edu.sa Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd63fd0c-b893-4bee-83fe-4b147fa2a24a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5c2eddc-023d-421c-acaa-2288e53217bf CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hisense, a leading global manufacturer of consumer electronics and home appliances, was honored to host the newly appointed Minister Parks Franklyn Mpho Tau from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. The visit underscored the strong relationship between Hisense and the South African government, highlighting their shared commitment to economic growth, job creation, and community development. During his visit, Minister Tau engaged with Hisense executives and employees to discuss strategic initiatives, aligned with governments objectives of stimulating the economy and supporting local communities. Minister Tau underscored the importance of public-private partnerships to achieve economic objectives and foster an environment where businesses can thrive. The visit also included a walk through the Hisense South Africa manufacturing facility in Atlantis, Western Cape. Hisense, a white goods and consumer electronics company, established manufacturing presence in South Africa in 2013, and has since increased capacity from the Atlantis manufacturing facility to 1 million televisions and 500 000 fridges per annum. With the manufacturing of consumer electronics, Hisense has created over 1000 direct jobs, in addition to supporting a network of over 25 000 additional workers across the value chain. Products made in Atlantis for Hisense South Africa have now been exported to more than 10 countries across the African continent. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Hisense achieved a significant milestone by exporting South African-manufactured refrigerators to the United Kingdom in early 2024. Minister Tau expressed his admiration for the products and suggested, "We should aim to expand the Hisense industrial park to accommodate more suppliers. This expansion would foster industrial growth in South Africa, create more jobs, and enhance manufacturing capabilities, thereby contributing significantly to the local economy." Vivi Liu, General Manager at Hisense, expressed excitement about the visit, stating, "We are proud to welcome Minister Parks Franklyn Mpho Tau to our factory, where he witnessed firsthand the meaningful impact of our operations on job creation and economic growth. The Industrial Park serves as a testament to Hisenses commitment to innovation and excellence in manufacturing, providing high-quality products while creating job opportunities for the local workforce. As a key player in the electronics sector, Hisense continues to explore ways to collaborate with the South African government to identify and maximize new growth opportunities." Contact: colee.weldon1@hisense.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c9c7d55-bc30-46e2-ab84-c58b3c209c03 BEIJING, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CGTN publishes an article on China and Brazil's plans to seek a more just world and a sustainable planet. In 2014, the cooperation agreement between China and Brazil on the Belo Monte UHV transmission project was signed. The mega-project traverses a vast area, stretching more than 2,000 kilometers over tropical rainforests and rivers. Creating an "electricity expressway" linking north and south of Brazil, the project has not only provided adequate power to industrial hubs, but also solved the power shortage problem for over 22 million Brazilians, about 10 percent of the country's population. The project has so far transmitted 180 terawatt hours of hydropower, saving 64 million tonnes of standard coal or cutting 170 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. The project is a major achievement of China-Brazil cooperation in new infrastructure construction. "China is actively involved in Brazil's ongoing energy transition," Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told China Media Group. In talks with Lula on Wednesday in Brasilia, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is ready to work with Brazil as "golden partners" who help each other succeed, and to keep working toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind. The two countries have elevated their ties to a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, and agreed to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Brazil's development strategies. 'Golden partners' This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Brazil. Over the past half-century, the two nations have made significant achievements in economic and trade cooperation, strengthening bilateral economic and trade ties. China has been Brazil's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years and is a major source of foreign investment, while Brazil has long been China's top trading partner in Latin America. According to statistics, China's annual imports from Brazil in the past three years have stayed above $100 billion. Beyond traditional manufacturing and goods trade, Chinese companies have actively participated in renewable energy projects in Brazil, including hydropower, solar and wind energy projects. This involvement in green economic development has further diversified and advanced China-Brazil investment cooperation. Cultural exchanges between China and Brazil have also thrived, strengthening the friendship between their peoples. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Brazilian city of Recife has designated 2024 as the "Year of China" to foster a conducive environment for cultural relations. Xi called on the two countries to continue to deepen synergies of their development strategies and enhance cooperation in areas including aerospace, agricultural science and technology and clean energy, adding that China is ready to continue enhancing cooperation on poverty reduction with Brazil. Lula said enhanced synergy of development strategies between Brazil and China will greatly contribute to Brazil's reindustrialization and set an example of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit among developing countries. More just world, sustainable planet In a rapidly changing world, China and Brazil are coordinating closely and consistently within multilateral frameworks, such as the UN, G20 and BRICS, on crucial issues, including global governance and climate change, amplifying the voices of developing countries and safeguarding the interests of emerging markets. In May, China and Brazil jointly issued a six-point common understanding on political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, receiving a positive response from the international community. Meanwhile, the two countries, together with some other Global South countries, launched the group of "Friends for Peace" on the crisis, with the goal of bringing together more voices for peace. In terms of poverty reduction, both countries are determined to tackle challenges and are willing to share their solutions with others. Hailing the two countries for increasingly becoming positive forces for peace, Xi called on China and Brazil to demonstrate their strength to safeguard world peace and justice, and work together to address global challenges related to the future and destiny of mankind. He also called for strengthening cooperation in fields such as green transformation, sustainable development, climate change response and artificial intelligence governance. For more information and the full text of the article, please click https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-11-21/China-Brazil-seek-more-just-world-sustainable-planet-1yH6lDmBgPe/p.html Contact: cgtn@cgtn.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (West Red Lake Gold or WRLG or the Company) (TSXV: WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to report additional drill results from the Upper 8 Target (Upper 8) at its 100% owned Madsen Property located in the Red Lake Gold District of Northwestern Ontario, Canada. These results follow-up on the significant Upper 8 intercepts previously announced on October 2, 2024, where drilling returned 44.17 g/t Au over 1.3 meters (m) and 20.63 g/t Au over 0.5m. UPPER 8 HIGHLIGHTS: Hole WRL24-017 Intersected 1.5m @ 21.44 g/t Au , from 297.7m to 299.2m, Including 0.5m @ 52.17 g/t Au , from 298.2m to 298.7m - this high-grade 0.5m interval is complimented by approximately 30 specks of visible gold (Figure 1). Intersected , from 297.7m to 299.2m, Including , from 298.2m to 298.7m - this high-grade 0.5m interval is complimented by approximately (Figure 1). Hole WRL24-021 Intersected 2m @ 7.41 g/t Au , from 340.25m to 342.25m, Including 0.5m @ 23.74 g/t Au , from 340.25m to 340.75m. Intersected , from 340.25m to 342.25m, Including , from 340.25m to 340.75m. WRLG has now successfully defined a new ore shoot at Upper 8 that is approximately 30m wide and 130m along plunge this new zone of mineralization remains open at depth (Figure 4). that is approximately this (Figure 4). The plunge line on the Upper 8 ore shoot has been constrained to an orientation at approximately 110/-40 (azimuth/plunge), which is very similar to the orientation of the deeper 8 Zone deposit this increases WRLGs confidence in the potential to grow Upper 8 down plunge with additional drilling. Shane Williams, President and CEO, stated, The initial results we received from Upper 8 were very encouraging and motivated our team to add a second drill to focus solely on this new high-grade area. Upper 8 was already a shallow geologic analog to the deeper 8 Zone, but with the exceptional grades and visible gold showings were now encountering this target is becoming truly reminiscent of the high-grade gold mineralization Red Lake is known for. Its still early days, but we believe the Upper 8 target has the potential to become the next new significant discovery in the Red Lake gold camp and supports the likelihood for the presence of more high-grade deposits like 8-Zone yet to be discovered across the Madsen property. Figure 1. Visible gold showings within 0.5m (core length) zone of blue-grey quartz veining (VBGQ) grading 52.17 g/t Au. Overall VBGQ zone is 1.8m core length. Note the spatial association between the high-grade interval and the Russet Lake Mafic Intrusive (RSMI). PRBA denotes Biotite-Altered Peridotite and is the signature 8-Zone-style gold bearing alteration package within the Russet Lake Ultramafic. Diamond drill core in this photo is NQ diameter (47.6 millimeters). The drill results featured in this news release are focused on the Upper 8 target, which is a shallower geologic analog to the well known high-grade 8-Zone. The Upper 8 target is hosted within the same lithologic unit (Russet Lake Ultramafic) approximately 750m up-plunge from the main 8-Zone deposit (Figure 3). Its location in ultramafic rocks, its style of mineralization, and its exceptionally high grades make the 8 Zone geologically unique from the main Madsen deposit. The 8 Zone currently contains an Indicated mineral resource of 87,700 ounces (oz) grading 18 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au), with an additional Inferred resource of 18,200 oz grading 14.6 g/t Au. Plan maps and sections for the Upper 8 drilling outlined in this release are provided in Figures 2 through 7. TABLE 1. Significant intercepts (>1 g/t Au) from drilling at Upper 8 Target. Hole ID Target From (m) To (m) Length (m)* Au (g/t) WRL24-010 Upper 8 217.90 222.00 4.10 1.25 WRL24-011 Upper 8 281.20 282.00 0.80 8.03 AND Upper 8 286.50 287.85 1.35 1.20 WRL24-012 Upper 8 269.20 270.20 1.00 1.40 WRL24-013 Upper 8 No Assays > 1 g/t Au WRL24-014 Upper 8 254.50 255.00 0.50 1.87 AND Upper 8 269.85 272.45 2.60 3.01 Incl. 270.45 270.95 0.50 8.62 AND Upper 8 283.50 284.00 0.50 1.53 WRL24-016 Upper 8 292.50 293.00 0.50 1.22 WRL24-017 Upper 8 274.90 277.90 3.00 1.17 AND Upper 8 287.00 287.50 0.50 4.90 AND Upper 8 291.20 294.70 3.50 1.82 AND Upper 8 297.70 299.20 1.50 21.44 Incl. 298.20 298.70 0.50 52.17 AND Upper 8 302.20 302.70 0.50 1.46 WRL24-021 Upper 8 335.70 336.25 0.55 1.40 Incl. 335.75 336.25 0.50 4.27 AND Upper 8 340.25 342.25 2.00 7.41 Incl. 340.25 340.75 0.50 23.74 AND Upper 8 342.75 343.25 0.50 1.50 AND Upper 8 344.25 346.25 2.00 3.24 Incl. 345.75 346.25 0.50 8.27 *The From-To intervals in Table 1 are denoting overall downhole length of the intercept. True thickness has not been calculated for these intercepts but is expected to be 70% of downhole thickness based on intercept angles observed in the drill core. Internal dilution for composite intervals does not exceed 1m for samples grading <0.1 g/t Au. TABLE 2: Drill collar summary for holes reported in this News Release. Hole ID Target Easting Northing Elev (m) Length (m) Azimuth Dip WRL24-010 Upper 8 434836 5646692 397 335.8 254 -49 WRL24-011 Upper 8 434836 5646692 396 350.5 265 -67 WRL24-012 Upper 8 434836 5646692 396 347.6 235 -53 WRL24-013 Upper 8 434835 5646692 396 329.5 260 -54 WRL24-014 Upper 8 434835 5646692 396 320.5 264 -50 WRL24-016 Upper 8 434835 5646692 396 314.5 268 -45 WRL24-017 Upper 8 434835 5646692 396 345.0 254 -67 WRL24-021 Upper 9 434935 5646683 406 406.4 261 -57 DISCUSSION: Drilling on the Upper 8 target is designed to test the projected, near-surface extension of the mineralized shear corridor that hosts the highly prospective 8-Zone. The Upper 8 target horizon was intercepted in only a few historic drill holes, which encountered a zone of strong shearing, alteration and quartz veining equivalent to 8-Zone style mineralization. The Upper 8 shear domain is hosted within the Russet Lake Ultramafic, which also hosts the 8-Zone deposit, and the angle of shear emplacement of Upper 8 is sympathetic to the structural orientation observed at 8-Zone. Recognition that the gold mineralization at the Upper 8 target is comprised of transposed quartz veinlets within a definable and recognizable shear corridor provides excellent opportunity for additional drilling and expansion potential. Recent drilling on the Upper 8 target by WRLG has shown that gold mineralization is similar in geological setting and style as the deeper 8-Zone deposit. Elevated gold at Upper 8 is shown to occur within deformed and recrystalized blue-grey quartz and quartz-sulphide veinlets. These veinlets are hosted within shear domains, which are easily recognizable by their locally intense deformation fabrics, and the presence of silica, biotite, potassium feldspar, and amphibole alteration. A spatial association with mafic intrusives (Russet Lake Mafic Intrusives, or RSMI) has also been recognized, which is interpreted as being a more mafic equivalent to the spatial association seen at Madsen between mineralized domains and quartz-porphyry (QZPY) dikes. At Upper 8, the high-grade vein zones tend to be positioned footwall to the RSMI units. This spatial relationship between gold mineralization and syn-contemporaneous intrusives has been well documented at other significant deposits in the Red Lake district (Eg. Madsen, Rowan, F2/Bateman, etc). High resolution versions of all the figures contained in this press release can be found at the following web address: https://westredlakegold.com/upper-8-news-release-maps/ FIGURE 2. Regional Targeting Map for 2024 Surface Drilling Program at Madsen. FIGURE 3. Sectional View of Upper 8 Target relative to 8-Zone and Madsen deposits.[1] Note the similarity in orientation of the Upper 8 shear boundary relative to orientation on the 8-Zone - suggests potential for sub-parallel structures between 8-Zone and Upper 8. [1] Mineral resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 3.38 g/t Au and a gold price of US1,800/oz. Please refer to the technical report entitled Independent NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the PureGold Mine, Canada, prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and dated June 16, 2023, and amended April 24, 2024. A full copy of the SRK report is available on the Companys website and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. FIGURE 4. Upper 8 Target plan view showing size, extent and orientation of currently defined high grade shoot. Note the similar orientation of the Upper 8 ore shoot relative to 8 Zone. FIGURE 5. Upper 8 Target section view showing assay highlights for Holes WRL24-011, -013, -014, -016, interpreted Upper 8 shear boundary and RSMI dikes. Figure 6. Upper 8 Target section view showing assay highlights for Holes WRL24-010, -012, -017, interpreted Upper 8 shear boundary and RSMI dikes. Figure 7. Upper 8 Target section view showing assay highlights for Hole WRL24-021, interpreted Upper 8 shear boundary and RSMI dikes. Madsen Mine Pre-Feasibility Study Update The Pre Feasibility Study (PFS) for the Madsen Mine is nearing completion. The final phase of this study involves optimizing underground development and infrastructure sequencing and refining the associated operating and capital costs. West Red Lake Gold is working with SRK Consulting on these optimization opportunities, a process that is expected to take an additional few weeks to complete. As such the PFS is now targeted for release early in 2025. Change of Year-End The Company also announces that it has changed its fiscal year-end from November 30 to December 31. QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL Exploration drilling completed on surface at the Madsen Mine consists of oriented NQ-sized diamond drill core. All drill holes are systematically logged, photographed, and sampled by a trained geologist at the Madsen Mine core processing facility. Minimum allowable sample length is 0.5m. Maximum allowable sample length is 1.5m. Control samples (certified standards and uncertified blanks), along duplicates, are inserted at a target 5% insertion rate. Results are assessed for accuracy, precision, and contamination on an ongoing basis. The BQ-sized drill core is whole core sampled. The NQ-sized drill core is then cut lengthwise utilizing a diamond blade core saw along a line pre-selected by the geologist. To reduce sampling bias, the same side of drill core is sampled consistently utilizing the orientation line as reference. For those samples containing visible gold (VG), a trained geologist supervises the cutting/bagging of those samples, and ensures the core saw blade is cleaned with a dressing stone following the VG sample interval. Bagged samples are then sealed with zip ties and transported by Madsen Mine personnel directly to SGS Natural Resources Facility in Red Lake, Ontario for assay. Samples are then prepped by SGS, which consists of drying at 105C and crushing to 75% passing 2mm. A riffle splitter is then utilized to produce a 500g course reject for archive. The remainder of the sample is then pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns from which 50g is analyzed by fire assay and an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish (SGS Code GO-FAA50V10). Samples returning gold values > 10 g/t Au are reanalyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish on a 50g sample (SGS Code GO_FAG50V). Samples with visible gold or returning gold values > 30 g/t Au are also analyzed via metallic screen analysis (SGS code: GO_FAS50M). For multi-element analysis, samples are sent to SGSs facility in Burnaby, British Columbia and analyzed via four-acid digest with an atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish for 33-element analysis on 0.25g sample pulps (SGS code: GE_ICP40Q12). SGS Natural Resources analytical laboratories operates under a Quality Management System that complies with ISO/IEC 17025. The Madsen Mine deposit presently hosts a National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) Indicated resource of 1.65 million ounces (Moz) of gold grading 7.4 g/t Au and an Inferred resource of 0.37 Moz of gold grading 6.3 g/t Au. Mineral resources are estimated at a cut-off grade of 3.38 g/t Au and a gold price of US1,800/oz. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Please refer to the technical report entitled Independent NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the PureGold Mine, Canada, prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and dated June 16, 2023, and amended April 24, 2024 (the Madsen Report). The Madsen Resource Estimate has an effective date of December 31, 2021 and excludes depletion of mining activity during the period from January 1, 2022 to the mine closure on October 24, 2022 as it has been deemed immaterial and not relevant for the purpose of the Madsen Report. A full copy of the Madsen Report is available on the Companys website and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Will Robinson, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for West Red Lake Gold and the Qualified Person for exploration at the West Red Lake Project, as defined by NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that is publicly traded and focused on advancing and developing its flagship Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world's richest gold deposits. WRLG also holds the wholly owned Rowan Property in Red Lake, with an expansive property position covering 31 km2 including three past producing gold mines - Rowan, Mount Jamie, and Red Summit. ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD. Shane Williams Shane Williams President & Chief Executive Officer FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Gwen Preston Tel: (604) 609-6132 Email: investors@wrgold.com or visit the Companys website at https://www.westredlakegold.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 INFORMATION Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations of management; however, it is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release and include without limitation, statements relating to plans for the potential restart of mining operations at the Madsen Mine, the potential of the Madsen Mine; any untapped growth potential in the Madsen deposit or Rowan deposit; timing of pre-feasibility study and the Companys future objectives and plans. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Companys securities; fluctuations in commodity prices; timing and results of the cleanup and recovery at the Madsen Mine; and changes in the Companys business plans. Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and its ability to raise additional capital to proceed. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the Companys managements discussion and analysis for the year ended November 30, 2023, and the Companys annual information form for the year ended November 30, 2023, copies of which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Companys continuous disclosure filings that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1cb8341-1b58-4600-9c82-93d1e3644c73 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fe1d7dd4-ab55-45a6-8766-5c24c617b706 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6e50fcd2-d83a-423b-9dc3-e811e96d0fbf https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67540a55-98fc-4f20-a29e-ca149f54fc0a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e64c3dc-7143-43c4-92e6-318f7286ed9a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3aed88ea-7f90-4c79-aacb-f9726275ef4f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c1cb27d9-7142-4a1b-a315-dd2172933d0b https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15a1de0a-8067-40c4-a108-b8f1a5d046d1 Dublin, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Sustainable Pet Beds Market Report 2024" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This Sustainable Pet Beds market report covers industry characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography. The sustainable pet beds market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.18 billion in 2023 to $2.34 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to the increasing availability of a wide variety of multifunctional and trendy pet beds, rising environmental consciousness, growing pet ownership, increased spending on pet care, and a heightened demand for eco-friendly products. The sustainable pet beds market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.15 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The projected growth can be attributed to the rising adoption of pets as companions, increasing disposable income, growth in the global dog population, growing awareness of pet health and comfort, and evolving government regulations. Major trends in the forecast period include a growing demand for pet beds free from harmful chemicals and toxins, a shift towards minimalist and aesthetically pleasing designs, increased concern with the ethical aspects of production, emphasis on high-quality and durable materials, and the increasing use of organic, biodegradable, and recyclable materials. The increasing pet ownership is expected to drive the growth of the sustainable pet beds market in the future. Pet ownership involves the legal and ethical responsibility of caring for domesticated animals as companions. This rise in pet ownership is driven by factors such as the desire for companionship and emotional support, improved living standards, urbanization, changing family structures, and greater awareness of the health and well-being benefits of having pets. As pet ownership grows, so does the demand for pet products, including beds, creating opportunities for companies specializing in sustainable pet beds made from recycled, organic, and biodegradable materials. For instance, in October 2023, the American Pet Products Association reported that 86.9 million US households owned pets, representing 66% of households in 2022. Additionally, Animal Medicines Australia reported in November 2022 that 69% of households in Australia had pets in 2022. Thus, the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products is driving the sustainable pet bed market. Leading companies in the sustainable pet beds market are focusing on developing natural and breathable dog beds to enhance comfort while minimizing environmental impact and promoting healthier living conditions for pets and their owners. These beds are made from eco-friendly materials that are free of synthetic additives or chemicals. For example, in December 2022, Bearaby, a US-based sustainable wellness brand, introduced the Pupper Pod. This bed is constructed from patented melofoam made from 100% natural organic rubber, which is biodegradable and cruelty-free. It features an OEKO-TEX-certified outer cotton cover that is free from harmful chemicals. The Pupper Pod is designed to conform to a dog's body, providing the benefits of deep touch pressure, which can help reduce stress and anxiety in pets. The bed includes a carrying case for easy transport and features a removable, machine-washable cover with waterproof inner foam for convenient cleaning. In September 2021, Alvarez & Marsal Capital Partners, a US-based private equity firm, acquired Worldwise (PetWise) for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows Worldwise to expand its brand portfolio, which includes several award-winning brands known for their sustainability efforts. The deal provides Worldwise with additional resources and strategic advice to scale its operations and enhance its product lines, enabling the development of new sustainable solutions that meet the evolving needs of pet owners. Worldwise (PetWise) is a US-based company specializing in the manufacture of sustainable pet beds. Major companies operating in the sustainable pet beds market are Petmate, Saatva, Brentwood Home, The Labrador Company, Avocado Mattress, K&H Pet Products, The Kind Pet, Soggy Doggy Productions, PetPals Group, K9 Ballistics, Big Barker, Sherpa Pet, Jax & Bones, Green Pet Shop, NaturoPet, Wanderruff, Rover Pet Products, Earthdog, Molly Mutt and West Paw. This report focuses on sustainable pet beds market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond. The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography. Markets Covered: By Type: Small; Medium; Large By Product: Bolster; Cave; Mat; Other Product Types By Pet Type: Dog; Cat; Other Pet Types By Sales Channel: Hypermarket Or Supermarket; Specialty Stores; Online; Other Sales Channels Key Companies Mentioned: Petmate, Saatva, Brentwood Home, The Labrador Company and Avocado Mattress Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 175 Forecast Period 2024 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $2.34 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $3.15 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.7% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Sustainable Pet Beds Market Characteristics 3. Sustainable Pet Beds Market Trends and Strategies 4. Sustainable Pet Beds Market - Macro Economic Scenario 5. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market Size and Growth 5.1. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market Drivers and Restraints 5.2. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Historic Market Size and Growth, 2018-2023, Value ($ Billion) 5.3. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Forecast Market Size and Growth, 2023-2028, 2033F, Value ($ Billion) 6. Sustainable Pet Beds Market Segmentation 6.1. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market, Segmentation by Type, Historic and Forecast, 2018-2023, 2023-2028F, 2033F, $ Billion Small Medium Large 6.2. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market, Segmentation by Product, Historic and Forecast, 2018-2023, 2023-2028F, 2033F, $ Billion Bolster Cave Mat Other Products 6.3. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market, Segmentation by Pet Type, Historic and Forecast, 2018-2023, 2023-2028F, 2033F, $ Billion Dog Cat Other Pet Types 6.4. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market, Segmentation by Sales Channel, Historic and Forecast, 2018-2023, 2023-2028F, 2033F, $ Billion Hypermarket Or Supermarket Specialty Stores Online Other Sales Channels 7. Sustainable Pet Beds Market Regional and Country Analysis 7.1. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market, Split by Region, Historic and Forecast, 2018-2023, 2023-2028F, 2033F, $ Billion 7.2. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market, Split by Country, Historic and Forecast, 2018-2023, 2023-2028F, 2033F, $ Billion 8-29. Country Specific Sustainable Pet Beds Markets 30. Sustainable Pet Beds Market Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles 30.1. Sustainable Pet Beds Market Competitive Landscape 30.2. Sustainable Pet Beds Market Company Profiles Petmate Saatva Brentwood Home The Labrador Company Avocado Mattress 31. Sustainable Pet Beds Market Other Major and Innovative Companies K&H Pet Products The Kind Pet Soggy Doggy Productions PetPals Group K9 Ballistics Big Barker Sherpa Pet Jax & Bones Green Pet Shop NaturoPet Wanderruff Rover Pet Products Earthdog Molly Mutt West Paw 32. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market Competitive Benchmarking 33. Global Sustainable Pet Beds Market Competitive Dashboard 34. Key Mergers and Acquisitions in the Sustainable Pet Beds Market 35. Sustainable Pet Beds Market Future Outlook and Potential Analysis 35.1 Sustainable Pet Beds Market in 2028 - Countries Offering Most New Opportunities 35.2 Sustainable Pet Beds Market in 2028 - Segments Offering Most New Opportunities 35.3 Sustainable Pet Beds Market in 2028 - Growth Strategies For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u0v4xs About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kraken Robotics Inc. (TSX-V: PNG, OTCQB: KRKNF) ("Kraken" or the "Company"), announced it has filed financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (Q3 2024). Please refer to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed on www.sedarplus.ca for more information. Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are denominated in Canadian dollars. Year-to-date September 30, 2024 Consolidated revenue year-to-date increased 52% to $63.2 million, compared to $41.6 million in the comparable nine-month period ending September 30, 2023. Product revenue year-to-date increased 45% to $47.8 million, compared to $33.0 million in the comparable nine-month period to September 30, 2023. Service revenue year-to-date increased 79% to $15.4 million, compared to $8.6 million in the comparable nine-month period ending September 30, 2023. Gross profit year-to-date increased 40% to $31.2 million, implying a 49.0% gross profit margin percentage year-to-date compared to $22.2 million gross profit (53.0% gross margin) in the comparable nine-month period ending September 30, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA 1 year-to-date increased 64% to $13.7 million compared to an Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $8.4 million in the comparable nine-month period. Adjusted EBITDA 1 margin year-to-date was 22% compared to 20% in the comparable year. year-to-date increased 64% to $13.7 million compared to an Adjusted EBITDA of $8.4 million in the comparable nine-month period. Adjusted EBITDA margin year-to-date was 22% compared to 20% in the comparable year. Net income in the quarter year-to-date increased 117% to $6.4 million, compared to net income of $3.0 million in the comparable nine-month period. Total assets were $101.2 million on September 30, 2024, compared to $76.4 million on September 30, 2023. Cash at the end of the quarter totaled $14.9 million. Subsequent to the quarter end, Kraken completed an equity financing for gross proceeds of $51.7 million. Q3 2024 Financial Summary ($ 000s) Unaudited YTD 2024 YTD 2023 % change Q3 2024 Q3 2023 % change Consolidated revenue 63,183 41,575 52 % 19,550 20,342 -4 % Gross profit 1 31,210 22,242 40 % 10,257 9,995 3 % Gross profit margin percentage 1 49 % 53 % 52 % 49 % Adjusted EBITDA 1 13,693 8,366 64 % 4,148 4,423 -6 % Adjusted EBITDA percentage 1 22 % 20 % 21 % 22 % Net Income 6,415 2,962 117 % 1,631 2,301 -29 % Q3 2024 Financial Highlights Consolidated revenue for Q3 2024 declined 4% to $19.5 million compared to $20.3 million for the quarter ending September 30, 2023. The year-over-year decline occurred as a significant increase in SeaPower subsea batteries and Services revenue (Sub-Bottom Imager and Acoustic Corer) did not offset lower KATFISH and Remote Mine Disposal System (RMDS) revenue. Product revenue in the quarter declined 27% to $12.5 million compared to $17.1 million in the prior year, while Services revenue in the quarter increased 121% to $7.1 million compared to $3.2 million in the prior year. Gross profit in Q3 2024 increased 3% to $10.3 million implying a 52.5% gross profit margin percentage compared to 49.1% in Q3 2023. The year-over-year improvement relates to a change in revenue mix over the prior year. Sequentially, gross margin improved from 51.0% in Q2 2024. Adjusted EBITDA 1 declined 6% in the quarter to $4.1 million compared to $4.4 million in the prior year due to slightly lower revenue in the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA 1 margin in the quarter stood at 21.2% compared to 21.7% in the comparable quarter. declined 6% in the quarter to $4.1 million compared to $4.4 million in the prior year due to slightly lower revenue in the quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter stood at 21.2% compared to 21.7% in the comparable quarter. Net income in the quarter declined 29% to $1.6 million, compared to net income of $2.3 million in Q3 2023 due to higher financing costs relating to the credit facility entered during April 2024. Management Comments Fiscal 2024 is on track to be another record year for Kraken, driven by strength across defense and offshore energy end markets where there is increased focus on surveillance and security of critical underwater infrastructure. While the demand environment for our technology solutions across defense and offshore energy has never been better, we have also made operational improvements positioning us to better execute on these opportunities as they land. Having completed a $52 million equity financing in October, we have significantly strengthened our balance sheet this year with more than $115 million of new equity and committed credit facilities. This increases our ability to ramp production, continue to push our innovation agenda forward on new product design and new service offerings, and act on select niche accretive acquisition opportunities, said Kraken President and CEO Greg Reid. Recent Company Highlights and Industry Observations Since the end of Q2, Kraken Robotics announced several meaningful new orders, including over $13 million in subsea battery orders and $3 million of synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) orders. An area of strength for us has been subsea batteries. We are planning for additional capacity as our current customers see strong growth, and we expect to onboard new customers who wish to avail of our high energy density designs that give customers significantly greater endurance for their UUVs. In addition, we are evaluating opportunities to apply our technology to seafloor power applications and have multiple potential customer and partner discussions ongoing. Our services business, focused on commercial offshore wind and oil and gas, expects a record year, driven by growth in the offshore energy market and requirements for seabed and sub-seabed intelligence during the development, construction, and operations/maintenance part of the subsea asset lifecycle. In the mine warfare (MW) and critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) arena, navies around the world are in various stages of planning and executing upgrades with multiple large tenders in the market or coming to market in the next one to four years. This year, we have invested significant time and resources on in-field technology demonstrations and naval defense exercises in Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America including exercises such as Minex, Baltops, and RimPac. In September at REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation & Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) in Portugal, we supported Krakens synthetic aperture sonar on UUVs from five allied countries. In October, we held demos for more than 10 navies at the Naval MCM conference in Halifax. Historically, these demos have driven future sales and with our growing track record of success and relationships in this area, we believe we are well positioned to win our fair share of these future large programs. 2024 Financial Guidance Our annual revenue and adjusted EBITDA financial guidance remains unchanged. Kraken expects revenue between $90.0 million to $100.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA1 in the $18.0 million to $24.0 million range. Capital and intangible asset expenditures in 2024 are now expected to be in the $4.0 million to $5.0 million (versus $6.0 million to $7.0 million previously). ($ 000s) Actual 2024 Guidance Range Implied Change 2023 Low High Low High Consolidated revenue 69,581 90,000 100,000 29 % 44% Adjusted EBITDA 1 14,094 18,000 24,000 28 % 70% Adjusted EBITDA percentage 1 20 % 20 % 24 % - 400 bps Capital expenditures/Intangible assets 7,557 4,000 5,000 -47 % -34% NON-IFRS MEASURES Non-IFRS measures, including certain non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios in this press release, are provided where management believes they supplement measures determined in accordance with IFRS and provide readers with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. Non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. This data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, Adjusted EBITDA is useful to securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in evaluating operating performance by presenting the results of the Company on a basis which excludes the impact of certain non-operational items which enables the primary readers of this press release to evaluate the results of the Company such that it was operating without certain non-cash and non-recurring items. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense and non-recurring impact transactions, if any. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined at Adjusted EBITDA divided by Total Revenue. ($ 000s) Unaudited Q3 2024 Q3 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023 Net Income 1,631 2,301 6,415 2,962 Income Tax (303 ) (30 ) 488 294 Financing costs 636 291 1,583 1,262 Foreign exchange loss (gain) 343 (292 ) 412 (22) Share-based compensation 414 61 501 320 Impairment of goodwill - - - 2,757 Gain on extinguishment of contingent consideration - - - (4,044) Depreciation and amortization 1,430 1,209 4,228 3,704 EBITDA - excluding restructuring and acquisition costs 4,148 3,542 13,624 7,235 Restructuring and acquisition costs - 881 69 1,131 Adjusted EBITDA 4,148 4,423 13,693 8,366 Adjusted EBITDA Margin 21 % 22 % 22 % 20% Gross profit is defined as revenue less cost of total sales. Gross margin is defined as gross margin dividend by total sales. ($ 000s) Unaudited Q3 2024 Q3 2023 YTD 2024 YTD 2023 Revenue 19,550 20,342 63,183 41,575 Cost of sales 9,293 10,347 31,973 19,333 Gross profit 10,257 9,995 31,210 22,242 Gross profit margin 52 % 49 % 49 % 53 % Figure 1: Kraken SeaPower pressure-tolerant subsea battery ABOUT KRAKEN ROBOTICS INC. Kraken Robotics Inc. (TSX.V: PNG) (OTCQB: KRKNF) is a marine technology company providing complex subsea sensors, batteries, and robotic systems. Our high-resolution 3D acoustic imaging solutions and services enable clients to overcome the challenges in our oceans - safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Kraken Robotics is headquartered in Canada and has offices in North and South America and Europe. Kraken is ranked as a Top 100 marine technology company by Marine Technology Reporter. LINKS: www.krakenrobotics.com SOCIAL MEDIA: LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/krakenrobotics Twitter www.twitter.com/krakenrobotics Facebook www.facebook.com/krakenroboticsinc YouTube www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMyaMQnneTeIr71HYgrT2A Instagram www.instagram.com/krakenrobotics For further information: Erica Kierstead, Global Marketing Director erica.kierstead@krakenrobotics.com Joe MacKay, Chief Financial Officer (416) 303-0605 jmackay@krakenrobotics.com Greg Reid, President & CEO (416) 818-9822 greid@krakenrobotics.com Sean Peasgood, Investor Relations (647) 955-1274 sean@sophiccapital.com Forward Looking Statements The Company and its management believe that the statements regarding 2024 revenue and adjusted EBITDA contained in this press release are reasonable as of the date hereof, are based on management's current views, strategies, expectations, assumptions and forecasts, and have been calculated using accounting policies that are generally consistent with the Company's current accounting policies. These statements are considered future-oriented financial outlooks and financial information (collectively, "FOFI") under applicable securities laws. These statements and any other FOFI included herein have been approved by management of the Company as of the date hereof. Such FOFI are provided for the purposes of presenting information about management's current expectations and goals relating to the Company's expected growth in its Products and Services groups. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed in the disclaimer for forward looking statements below, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the FOFI prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "seek", "propose", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements with respect to, among other things, business objectives, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business projects and opportunities and financial results. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events based on certain material factors and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, changes in market, competition, governmental or regulatory developments, general economic conditions and other factors set out in the Company's public disclosure documents. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this news release, including without limitation those listed above. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this news release and such forward-looking statements included in, or incorporated by reference in this news release, should not be unduly relied upon. Such statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provide (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release, and the OTCQB has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. ________________________________ 1Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and gross margin, and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP ratios, in each case with no standard meaning under IFRS, and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures" section of this press release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4d75f4d-2e48-4956-af08-4ec7974b3d27 Dublin, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Non-Genetically Modified Organism Market by Application, Distribution - Global Forecast 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Non-Genetically Modified Organism Market grew from USD 2.07 billion in 2023 to USD 2.42 billion in 2024. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 17.20%, reaching USD 6.29 billion by 2030. The report provides a detailed overview of the market, exploring several key areas: Market Penetration: A thorough examination of the current market landscape, featuring comprehensive data from leading industry players and analyzing their reach and influence across the market. Market Development: The report identifies significant growth opportunities in emerging markets and assesses expansion potential within established segments, providing a roadmap for future development. Market Diversification: In-depth coverage of recent product launches, untapped geographic regions, significant industry developments, and strategic investments reshaping the market landscape. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: A detailed analysis of the competitive landscape, covering market share, business strategies, product portfolios, certifications, regulatory approvals, patent trends, technological advancements, and innovations in manufacturing by key market players. Product Development & Innovation: Insight into groundbreaking technologies, R&D efforts, and product innovations that will drive the market in future. Market growth is significantly influenced by rising consumer demand for transparency, stringent non-GMO labeling regulations, and an increasing prevalence of food allergies linked to genetically modified products. Potential opportunities lie in the expanding organic products sector, as well as increased investments in non-GMO certifications and verification systems. Collaborations with retailers to promote non-GMO products and leveraging social media campaigns to educate consumers can also create openings. However, challenges include higher production costs for non-GMO products, a complex supply chain, and limited availability of non-GMO seeds which can limit scalability. Market participants face price competition from cheaper GMO alternatives that may appeal to less discerning consumers. Innovation areas include developing advanced testing technologies for GMO detection, enhancing crop yields for non-GMO varieties, and creating novel food products that are natural and nutritious. Research into scalable production methods and resource-efficient farming can boost profitability while maintaining quality. Insight into the market reveals a steady shift towards sustainable practices and transparency, with a buyer base progressively preferring ethically sourced products. As consumer awareness grows, businesses have the opportunity to leverage this trend towards a healthier lifestyle-oriented market space, by focusing on organic and eco-friendly credentials. For ongoing success, companies should prioritize consumer education on the benefits of non-GMO products and invest in innovative solutions that align with evolving consumer values and concerns. Non-Genetically Modified Organism Market Dynamics Market Drivers Increasing number of health-conscious consumers Rising consumer awareness about benefits offered by non-genetically modified food Rapid expansion of production facilities to cater to growing demand Market Restraints Lack of universal quality standards Market Opportunities Increasing number of the organization promoting food safety & clean labeling Rising research & development of GMO products Market Challenges Increasing demand for plant-based products Key Company Profiles The report delves into recent significant developments in the Non-Genetically Modified Organism Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include: Berlin Natural Bakery Blue Diamond Growers GFO, Inc. Intertek Group PLC Kellogg Company Lundberg Family Farms Mondelez International, Inc. Nature's Path Foods Nestle SA NOW Health Group, Inc. Organic Valley Pacmoore Products Inc. PepsiCo, Inc. The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. United Natural Foods, Inc. Market Segmentation & Coverage This research report categorizes the Non-Genetically Modified Organism Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets: Application Alternative for Dairy Products Beverages Fruits & Vegetables Meat Products Plant Seed & Animal Feed Distribution Convenience Stores Food Service Retailers Super Markets Region Americas Argentina Brazil Canada Mexico United States California Florida Illinois New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas Asia-Pacific Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Singapore South Korea Taiwan Thailand Vietnam Europe, Middle East & Africa Denmark Egypt Finland France Germany Israel Italy Netherlands Nigeria Norway Poland Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Additionally, the report addresses key questions to assist stakeholders in making informed decisions: What is the current size of the market, and how is it expected to grow? Which products, segments, and regions present the most attractive investment opportunities? What are the prevailing technology trends and regulatory factors influencing the market? How do top vendors rank regarding market share and competitive positioning? What revenue sources and strategic opportunities guide vendors' market entry or exit decisions? Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 188 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $2.42 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $6.29 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 17.2% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vm7itz About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Selbyville, Delaware, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The deep learning market valuation is predicted to cross USD 209.1 billion by 2032, reported in a research analysis by Global Market Insights Inc. The increasing demand for automation across industries is a major factor driving this growth. Companies are looking to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize human errors, and deep learning technologies provide effective solutions for automating complex tasks. The rise of cloud computing is further fueling the deep learning market. Cloud platforms offer scalable and flexible resources, allowing businesses to access high-performance computing without large initial hardware investments. This makes it easier for companies to implement deep learning solutions, manage large datasets, train sophisticated models, and deploy applications quickly. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/11760 Leading cloud providers, including AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, offer specialized deep learning services. These platforms provide pre-built frameworks and tools that simplify the development process, driving innovation and increasing adoption of deep learning technologies. As more companies embrace cloud computing for data processing, the demand for deep learning solutions will continue to grow. The deep learning market from the software segment captured over 30% of the market and is expected to surpass USD 80 billion by 2032. The growth in the software segment is driven by advancements in frameworks specifically designed for deep learning, such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras. These tools make it easier for developers to build, train, and deploy neural networks. In terms of applications, the deep learning market is categorized into image recognition, speech recognition, signal recognition, data processing, and others. The image recognition segment accounted for around 31% of the market in 2023. Sectors like healthcare, automotive, retail, and security increasingly utilize image recognition technology to enhance operations and improve decision-making processes. In healthcare, for example, it is used to analyze medical images, enabling earlier disease detection and better patient care. Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/11760 U.S deep learning market held 75% share, driven by strong investments in AI research & development. Both government and private sector funding have fostered an environment conducive to deep learning innovation. Additionally, government initiatives and favorable regulatory frameworks in Europe promote AI development, further boosting the deep learning industry in that region. Many European countries are focusing on advancing AI technologies while ensuring ethical standards are maintained. Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC): Chapter 1 Methodology & Scope 1.1 Research design 1.1.1 Research approach 1.1.2 Data collection methods 1.2 Base estimates and calculations 1.2.1 Base year calculation 1.2.2 Key trends for market estimates 1.3 Forecast model 1.4 Primary research & validation 1.4.1 Primary sources 1.4.2 Data mining sources 1.5 Market definitions Chapter 2 Executive Summary 2.1 Industry 360 synopsis, 2021 - 2032 Chapter 3 Deep Learning Market Insights 3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.1.1 Hardware providers 3.1.2 Software providers 3.1.3 Service providers 3.1.4 Technology providers 3.1.5 End-user 3.2 Supplier landscape 3.3 Profit margin analysis 3.4 Deep learning architecture 3.5 Case studies 3.6 Technology & innovation landscape 3.7 Key news & initiatives 3.8 Regulatory landscape 3.9 Impact forces 3.9.1 Growth drivers 3.9.1.1 Rapid advancements in deep learning technology 3.9.1.2 Rising demand for AI-powered solutions 3.9.1.3 Increasing government support and initiatives 3.9.1.4 Growing investment in deep learning 3.9.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.9.2.1 Data privacy concerns 3.9.2.2 High computational costs 3.10 Growth potential analysis 3.11 Porters analysis 3.12 PESTEL analysis Browse Related Reports: Deepfake AI Market Size - By Solution, By Deployment, By Technology, By Application, By End Use, Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2024 2032 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/deepfake-ai-market Multimodal UI Market Size - By Component, Interaction, Platform, End-use Industry Vertical Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2024 2032 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/multimodal-ui-market About Global Market Insights Inc. Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology. Dublin, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America General Hospital Supplies Market Outlook to 2033 - Hospital Beds, IV Poles, Exam Tables and Others" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The comprehensive databook covers key market data on the North America General Hospital Supplies market. The databook report provides value (USD), volume (units) and average prices (USD) within market segments for Hospital Beds, IV Poles, Exam Tables and Others. The North America General Hospital Supplies Market report provides key information and data on: Annualized market revenues (USD), volume (units) and average prices (USD) data for each of the market segments. Data is provided from 2018 to 2033. 2023 company share and distribution share data for General Hospital Supplies Market. Global corporate-level profiles of key companies operating within the North America General Hospital Supplies Market. Based on the availability of data for the particular category and country, information related to pipeline products, news and deals is also available in the report. The North American General Hospital Supplies is segmented as follows: Blanket Warming Cabinets Exam Room Stools Exam Tables Hamper Stands Hospital Beds IV Poles Overbed Tables Surgical Clippers The North America General Hospital Supplies Market report helps you to develop: Business strategies by identifying the key market segments poised for strong growth in the future. Market-entry and market expansion strategies. Design competition strategies by identifying who-stands-where in the market. Develop investment strategies by identifying the key market segments expected to register strong growth in the near future. Understand the key distribution channels and what's the most preferred mode of product distribution - Identify, understand and capitalize. Key Topics Covered: Introduction General Hospital Supplies Market Segmentation Definitions of Markets Covered in the Report General Hospital Supplies Market, North America General Hospital Supplies Market, North America, Revenue ($m), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, North America, Revenue ($m), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, North America, Volume (Units), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, North America, Volume (Units), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, North America, Company Share by Revenue ($m), 2023 General Hospital Supplies Market, Canada General Hospital Supplies Market, Canada, Revenue ($m), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, Canada, Volume (Units), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, Canada, Average Price ($), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, Canada, Distribution Share by Revenue ($m), 2023 General Hospital Supplies Market, Canada, Company Share by Revenue ($m), 2023 General Hospital Supplies Market, Mexico General Hospital Supplies Market, Mexico, Revenue ($m), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, Mexico, Volume (Units), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, Mexico, Average Price ($), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, Mexico, Distribution Share by Revenue ($m), 2023 General Hospital Supplies Market, Mexico, Company Share by Revenue ($m), 2023 General Hospital Supplies Market, United States General Hospital Supplies Market, United States, Revenue ($m), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, United States, Volume (Units), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, United States, Average Price ($), 2018-2033 General Hospital Supplies Market, United States, Distribution Share by Revenue ($m), 2023 General Hospital Supplies Market, United States, Company Share by Revenue ($m), 2023 Overview of Key Companies in North America General Hospital Supplies Market Hill-Rom Holdings Stryker Corp Future Health Concepts Enthermics Getinge Midmark Linet Group General Hospital Supplies Market Pipeline Products Recent Developments Financial Announcements Jul 31, 2024: Avanos Medical Announces Second Quarter 2024 Results Strategy And Business Planning Jul 31, 2024: Medline Canada announces expansion of Manitoba medical supplies distribution centre For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/szp6c2 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. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montage Gold Corp. (Montage or the Company) (TSXV: MAU, OTCQX: MAUTF) is pleased to announce that it has repurchased a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty (Royalty) on its Kone project, in Cote dIvoire, for a total cash consideration of US$10 million. Martino De Ciccio, CEO of Montage, commented: Given the strong liquidity sources recently secured, we are pleased to have the strategic and financial flexibility to exercise our right to repurchase a 1.0% royalty on our Kone project, as part of our prudent capital allocation strategy. We believe that this investment offers the ability to significantly enhance the value unlocked by our exploration efforts as many identified exploration targets are covered by the royalty repurchased. Moreover, we are delighted with the results of the ongoing 60,000-meter drilling programme as it provides confidence in our ability to deliver on our recently announced Measured and Indicated Resource discovery target of at least 1 million ounces at a grade of more than 1 g/t Au, which would be 50% higher compared to the current Kone deposit grade, to be achieved before the commencement of production. This would represent significant returns on our exploration investment and aligns with our strategic objective of boosting production from the commencement of production while maintaining an annual production of at least 300koz for more than 10 years. We are excited with the momentum generated across our business and look forward to continuing to rapidly progress our strategy of creating a premier African gold producer while delivering value for all our stakeholders. The Royalty covers the properties previously held under Mankono Exploration Limited (Mankono or the Property) which Montage purchased from Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick) and Endeavour Gold Corporation (Endeavour) in November 2022. As part of the acquisition, Barrick and Endeavour were granted a 1.4% and 0.6% net smelter return royalty, respectively, based on their relative ownership interest in the Property. The combined 2.0% royalty was subject to a 50% buyback option for a fixed cash consideration of US$10.0 million, to be exercised by the second anniversary of the acquisition of Mankono. Consequently, the transaction reduces the royalty on the Property from 2.0% to 1.0%, with Barrick and Endeavour retaining a 0.7% and 0.3% NSR royalty, respectively. As shown in Figure 1, below, the Property initially comprised of 893km2, covers the original Gbongogo, Sissedougou and Sisseple exploration licenses. The majority of the Gbongogo permit is now captured under the Kone projects mining permit, as announced on July 10, 2024, with the remaining retained under exploration licenses. The area hosts significant exploration potential as it encompasses the Gbongogo deposit along with a number of advanced exploration targets including Gbongogo South, Diouma North, Lokolo Main, Sean, Koban North, ANV and Yere North. Many of these targets support the Companys short-term strategic objective, as announced on October 7, 2024, of discovering more than 1 million ounces of higher-grade Measured and Indicated resources at a grade 50% higher than the Kone deposit, to be achieved before the commencement of production. Figure 1: The Mankono Property outline and exploration targets Source for Indicated Resources stated in map above: Updated Feasibility Study press release dated January 16, 2024 available on Montages website and on SEDAR+. See Technical Disclosure. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. ABOUT MONTAGE GOLD CORP. Montage Gold Corp. (TSXV: MAU) is a Canadian-listed company focused on becoming a premier multi-asset African gold producer, with its flagship Kone project, located in Cote dIvoire, at the forefront. Based on the Feasibility Study published in 2024, the Kone project has an estimated 16-year mine life and sizeable annual production of +300koz of gold over the first 8 years. Over the course of 2024, the Montage management team will be leveraging their extensive track record in financing and developing projects in Africa to progress the Kone project towards a construction launch. TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE Mineral Resource and Reserve Estimates The Kone and Gbongogo Main Mineral Resource Estimates were carried out by Mr. Jonathon Abbott of Matrix Resource Consultants of Perth, Western Australia, who is considered to be independent of Montage Gold. Mr. Abbott is a member in good standing of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the commodity, style of mineralisation under consideration and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under NI 43101. The Mineral Reserve Estimate was carried out by Ms. Joeline McGrath of Carci Mining Consultants Ltd., who is considered to be independent of Montage Gold. Ms. McGrath is a member in good standing of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the work which she is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under NI 43101. 2024 Exploration All exploration work on Kone project is designed and carried out under the supervision of Montage Gold Corp, Executive Vice President, Exploration, Silvia Bottero, a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators. Samples used for the results described above come from Diamond Drilling Holes and are based on 1 metre composite sample. Core samples have been cut in two by core blade at the camp facilities then shipped by road to Bureau Veritas facility in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire. For RC drilling, samples were collected over 1 metre downhole intervals from the base of the cyclone and split with a three-tier riffle split. Three kilograms samples were collected then shipped by road to Bureau Veritas facility in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire. All samples have been crushed to 2mm (80% passing) with 1 kilogram split out for pulverization to 75m (85% passing) then analysed by fire assay using a 50-gram charge. Field duplicate samples are taken, and blanks and standards are inserted by Montage geologists into the sample sequence at a rate of one of each sample type per 25 samples. This ensures that there is a minimum 4% QA/QC sample insertion rate applied to each fire assay batch. The sampling and assaying are monitored and audited through analysis of these QA/QC samples by a consultant independent of Montage. QA/QC has been designed to be in line with industry best standards and to follow NI 43-101 standards and the interpretation reviewed by the Qualified Person. Individual batches are monitored for Standard and Blank failure during import to the database, whilst longer term QAQC trends are monitored on a periodic basis by Jonathan Hunt, consultant independent of Montage and Chartered Geologist of the Geological Society of London. For further details of the data verification undertaken, exploration methods undertaken and associated QA/QC programs, and the interpretation thereof, and the assumptions, parameters and methods used to develop the Mineral Resource Estimates and the Mineral Reserve Estimate for the Kone Gold Project, please see the UFS, entitled "Kone Gold Project, Cote d'Ivoire Updated Feasibility Study National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report" and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are encouraged to read the UFS in its entirety, including all qualifications, assumptions and exclusions that relate to the details summarized in this news release. The UFS is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context. Results for exploration drillholes used the following parameters: 0.3 g/t Au cut off for samples, 0.5 g/t Au minimum value composite and 2.0 metre maximum interval dilution length. Composite intervals represent (apparent) downhole thickness. Including represents >10 g/t Au. QUALIFIED PERSONS STATEMENT The scientific and technical contents of this press release have been verified and approved by Silvia Bottero, BSc, MSc, a Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101. Mrs. Bottero, EVP Exploration of Montage, is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), a member of the Geological Society of South Africa and a Member of AusIMM. CONTACT INFORMATION For Investor Relations Inquiries: Jake Cain Strategy & Investor Relations Manager jcain@montagegold.com +44 7788 687 567 For Media Inquiries: John Vincic Oakstrom Advisors john@oakstrom.com +1-647-402-6375 For Regulatory Inquiries: Kathy Love Corporate Secretary klove@montagegold.com +1-604-512-2959 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, Forward-looking Statements). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute Forward-looking Statements. Words such as will, intends, proposed and expects or similar expressions are intended to identify Forward-looking Statements. Forward-looking Statements in this press release include statements related to the Companys objectives of discovering more than 1 million ounces of higher-grade measured and indicated resources at a grade 50% higher than the Kone deposit and the timing thereof; the Companys mineral reserve and resource estimates; the Company being on track to deliver stellar results; the timing and amount of future production from the Kone Gold Project; anticipated mining and processing methods of the Kone Gold Project; anticipated mine life of the Kone Gold Project; targeted improvements in the production profile; expected timing of commencement and completion of our stated drill programs in 2024; results of the drill programs including targeted additions to the estimated mineral resources at the Kone Gold Project, and the timing thereof; the establishment of satellite deposits and the development of these deposits; expected recoveries and grades of the Kone Gold Project; timing in respect of the commencement of construction, and the length of construction, of the mining operations at the Kone Gold Project; timing and amount of necessary financing related to the mining operations at the Kone Gold Project; and timing for permits and concessions, including that the Company will receive all approvals necessary to build the project and exploration plans for 2024. Forward-looking Statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There is no assurance that any economic satellite deposits will be discovered, and if discovered ever developed or mined. There can be no assurance that any Forward-looking 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 uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral reserve and resource estimates and definitive feasibility studies such as the Mineral Reserve Estimate and the UFS, and in delineating new mineral reserve and resource estimates, including but not limited to, assumptions underlying the production estimates not being realized, incorrect cost assumptions, unexpected variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates being lower than expected, unexpected adverse changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, or expectations in that regard not being met, unexpected failures of plant, equipment or processes, unexpected changes to availability of power or the power rates, failure to maintain permits and licenses, higher than expected interest or tax rates, adverse changes in project parameters, unanticipated delays and costs of consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks inherent in the Cote dIvoire, title risks, including failure to renew concessions, unanticipated commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, and other risk factors set forth in the Companys 2023 Annual Information form available at www.sedarplus.ca, under the heading Risk Factors. The Company 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 Montage 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 press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. NON-GAAP MEASURES This press release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), including AISC or all-in sustaining costs per payable ounce of gold sold and per tonne processed and mining, processing and operating costs reported on a unit basis. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and, therefore, they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The Company discloses all-in sustaining costs and other unit costs because it understands that certain investors use this information to determine the Companys ability to generate earnings and cash flows for use in investing and other activities. The Company believes that conventional measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS, do not fully illustrate the ability of mines to generate cash flows. The measures, as determined under IFRS, are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flows from operating activities. The measures cash costs and all-in sustaining costs and unit costs are considered to be key indicators of a projects ability to generate operating earnings and cash flows. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and are not necessarily indicative of operating costs, operating profit or cash flows presented under IFRS. Readers should also refer to our managements discussion and analysis, available under our corporate profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a more detailed discussion of how we calculate such measures. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b5741dad-e65c-4009-b0c4-8179a3d21d7e Philadelphia, PA, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GLOBO Language Solutions has been named a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winner, placing them among the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. GLOBO grew 253% during a three-year period, and ranked No. 455 on the Deloitte list, and ranked No. 455 on the Deloitte list, which is now in its 30th year. GLOBO CEO Dipak Patel credits the companys high growth rate with an accelerated need for language, translation, and interpreting services to support Americas rising Deaf and non-English speaking populations, especially in the healthcare sector. GLOBO serves the Deaf and hard of hearing community, which includes an estimated 11 million individuals or 3.6% of the U.S. population, and people with limited English proficiency (LEP) who represent more than 25 million, accounting for approximately 8% of the U.S. population. GLOBOs extraordinary financial performance clearly reflects Americas skyrocketing demand for quality, accurate, and empathetic language services, said Patel. Were fast evolving into a patient communications company with the goal to provide linguistic services at key touchpoints throughout the patients health journey. For 30 years weve been celebrating companies that are actively driving innovation. The software industry continues to be a beacon of growth, and the fintech industry made a strong showing on this years list, surpassing life sciences for the first time, said Steve Fineberg, vice chair, U.S. technology sector leader, Deloitte. Significantly, we also saw a breakthrough in performance of private companies, with the highest number of private companies named to the list in our programs history. This years winners have shown they have the vision and expertise to continue to perform at a high level, and that deserves to be celebrated. Innovation, transformation, and disruption of the status quo are at the forefront for this years Technology Fast 500 list, and theres no better way to celebrate 30 years of program history, said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloittes Audit & Assurance practice. This years winning companies have demonstrated a continuous commitment to growth and remarkable consistency in driving forward progress. We extend our congratulations to all of this years winners its an incredible time for innovation. How GLOBO Reduces Language Barriers According to Patel, although GLOBO supports multiple market sectors, nowhere is the need for language solutions higher than healthcare, where poor communication can result in harm to the patient and lead to escalating costs. Along with impacting quality of care, numerous studies cite unresolved language barriers and poor health literacy often leading to regulatory penalties and fines, opportunity loss, medical malpractice, and unnecessary expenditures, all impacting the total cost of care, he said. To improve healthcare access, GLOBO manages a network of highly qualified, industry-specialized interpreters who support 430-plus languages and are available 24/7/365. Services are delivered on-site or through audio or video technology or both. Providers can schedule interpreters via the GLOBO HQ platform or the GLOBO Connect mobile app. The platform enables users to schedule interpreting sessions at 15-second connection speeds and integrates via a simple application programming interface (API) into an electronic health record (EHR) system such as Epic. It also provides real-time access to linguistic data to monitor overall usage costs and analyze trends. Leveraging artificial intelligence support for translation and interpreting is clearly the next step, Patel added. AI is in use today as prompts for routine intake tasks, such as translated text messages for appointment scheduling. We expect AI-powered linguistics to become ubiquitous, eventually filling more gaps in care delivery. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies both public and private in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the companys operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About Deloitte Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the worlds 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 Deloittes approximately 460,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com. About GLOBO GLOBO Language Solutions ("GLOBO") is ranked No. 6 in Nimdzis 2024 top 10 U.S. healthcare interpreting companies facilitating effective patient communication between healthcare providers and LEP patients. The company manages an independent global network of more than 8,000 linguists who speak 430+ languages and dialects. GLOBO supports leading healthcare organizations across the country through on-demand audio, video, on-site, and sign language interpreting; actionable insights; and translation of documents, emails, texts, and chats in a single AI-powered platform. GLOBO has been listed on the Inc. 500|5000 eight times and is a 2024 Vendors Division Semi-Finalist in Healthcare Innovation Magazine's annual Innovator Awards Program. Become a fan of GLOBO on Facebook, follow us on X, LinkedIn , and Instagram. # # # Attachments SINGAPORE, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are honored to announce that ALASKA ($ALASKA) will be listed on XT Exchange. The ALASKA/USDT trading pair will be available in the Innovation Zone (MEMEs). Please take note of the following go-live schedule: Deposit: Opened Opened Trading: 13:00 on November 21, 2024 (UTC) 13:00 on November 21, 2024 (UTC) Withdrawal: 13:00 on November 22, 2024 (UTC) About ALASKA ($ALASKA) Woof! Its Alaskathe meme coin with a royal lineage and a mission to make history! Inspired by the regal Samoyed from the palace of Prince Marcus von Anhalt, $ALASKA brings a touch of luxury and charm to the world of meme coins. More than just a token, $ALASKA is a visionary project that embodies the future of wealth and community. With its unique blend of humor, elegance, and innovation, $ALASKA is not just a coin but a lifestyle, offering holders a chance to be part of a royal journey towards prosperity. Built on a strong foundation of community engagement and a growing ecosystem, $ALASKA sets the stage for monumental opportunities in the crypto space. It invites everyone to join the Meme Supercycle and create a legacy while chasing riches and innovation together. The listing of $ALASKA on XT Exchange marks an important milestone, allowing the project to reach a wider audience and expand its community of loyal supporters. By joining XT, $ALASKA opens the door to a broader range of users eager to be part of its innovative journey, bridging fun, luxury, and crypto in an exciting way. Albin Warin, CEO of XT Exchange, shared his thoughts: "The addition of $ALASKA to XT Exchange is a testament to our commitment to supporting creative and forward-thinking projects. We believe $ALASKAs unique blend of vision and community engagement will resonate with our users and add significant value to the Innovation Zone." Website: https://alaskacoin.meme/ Blockchain Browser: https://solscan.io/token/s3ghbbWBTtMizNJKGmeMBd1URpisoQJxuDLrheEX61g About XT Founded in 2018, XT serves more than 7.8M registered users, over 1M monthly active users, 40+ million users in the ecosystem, and more than 800 tokens with 1000+ trading pairs. XT crypto exchange offers a rich variety of trading categories to provide a secure, trusted, and intuitive trading experience for its large user base. This includes crypto futures trading (USDT-M Futures and coin-M futures perpetual contracts) and copy trading that allows users to replicate top traders in real time with just one click. Additionally, the futures grid allows users to automate the buying and selling of futures contracts for profits. Website: xt.com X: twitter.com/XTexchange Telegram: t.me/XTsupport_EN XT Exchange Bella Wei Listing@xt.com ALASKA ($ALASKA) Info@alaskacoin.meme Disclaimer: This content is provided by XT exchange. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider.The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c133660e-e360-434c-a6fe-858fc7556c37 Washington, DC, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) won two Anthem Awards this year for projects that made a significant social impact. AAFAs 2024 2024 Allergy Capitals report earned Silver recognition in the Sustainability, Environment, & Climate category for outstanding Impact Report. And AAFAs campaign to help raise awareness about the need for asthma inhaler affordability earned Silver recognition in the Health category for Best PR or Earned Media Campaign. These two awards recognize our relentless focus on improving the quality of life for the more than 100 million people in the United States with asthma and/or allergies, said AAFA President and CEO Kenneth Mendez. "We appreciate the Anthem Awards for highlighting AAFAs important work. We celebrate these wins and will continue to focus on making positive change for our community. The Anthem Awards recognize the purpose and mission-driven work of people, companies, and organizations worldwide making a social impact. Award winners demonstrate a commitment to a more just and equitable world through their work. This years Anthem Awards Winners are a crucial reminder of the many inspiring and courageous leaders around us committed to creating change, said Patricia McLoughlin, Anthem Awards General Manager. More on AAFAs two award-winning campaigns: 2024 Allergy Capitals Report Our Allergy Capitals report not only highlights the public health challenges created by climate change but also points out opportunities for policy change such as moving to electric vehicles and taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said AAFA Chief Business Development Officer and Vice President of Research Sanaz Eftekhari. AAFAs annual Allergy Capitals report details the most challenging cities in the U.S. for living with allergies and provides insight into the factors impacting seasonal allergies. Through the report, AAFA offers advice for seasonal allergy management and suggests ways policymakers can work to improve public health. The 2024 report calls attention to the urgency of the climate crisis, which is making allergy seasons longer and more intense. Affordable Access to Asthma Medicine In previous research conducted by AAFA, people cited the cost of asthma medicines and the lack of health insurance coverage as reasons for not taking prescribed treatments. After working with AAFA to understand the impact of asthma on marginalized communities, the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee launched an investigation into the pricing practices of the top four manufacturers of asthma inhalers. AAFA raised public awareness around the need to address inhaler affordability to improve access. AAFA media releases and a social campaign resulted in extensive national media coverage. President Biden and Senator Sanders invited AAFA to a White House press conference on the issue: Price caps of $35 a month have been announced for many asthma inhalers. The lower prices for these essential asthma medicines will remove a key barrier to access, said Mendez. But we still have more work to do so all stakeholders in our complex drug pricing ecosystem are motivated to improve access and affordability of life-saving medicines. About Anthem Awards Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, were defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity; Equity & Inclusion; Education; Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. This seasons partners include Ms. Magazine, The Female Quotient, Sustainable Brands, NationSwell, and TheFutureParty. Founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ. About AAFA Founded in 1953, AAFA is the oldest and largest non-profit patient organization dedicated to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease for people with asthma, allergies, and related conditions through research, education, advocacy, and support. AAFA offers extensive support for individuals and families affected by asthma and allergic diseases, such as food allergies and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Through its online patient support communities, network of regional chapters, and collaborations with community-based groups, AAFA empowers patients and their families by providing practical, evidence-based information and community programs and services. AAFA is the only asthma and allergy patient advocacy group that is certified to meet the standards of excellence set by the National Health Council. For more information, visit: aafa.org. Attachments VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CMC Metals Ltd. (TSX-V: CMB) (Frankfurt:ZM5P)(CMC or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has identified additional high grade CRD-style silver-lead-zinc samples from trenches and a historic adit dump on its Amy Property in north-central British Columbia. Samples were collected from the 4200 level adit dump and surrounding area with grades up to 643 g/t silver, 18.76% lead, 8.3% zinc, and 9.7% manganese (see Figure 1). Overall in three separate sampling and reconnaissance mapping efforts, 23 samples from a combination of outcrops, trench and dump samples have graded an impressive 977.5 g/t silver, 8.99% lead and 4.7% zinc which suggests that the area is characteristic of a very high grade and large CRD system with potential multiple stacked mantos. Mapping efforts have also shown that the vein/manto systems have projected good extents of up to 1.7 km in strike length and an overall projected vein strike lengths on surface to date of over 2.6 kilometers in total (see Figure 2). The company now plans to initiate permitting for a drill program in 2025 (see Figure 3). The initial drill program designed estimates a requirement for over 10,000 meters of drilling to conduct a first-pass of the projected vein systems. The Company intends to initially focus on the Amy Prospect where drilling and portal construction identified impressive widths of mineralization. Company geologists have not been able to verify the historical results due to the drill core not having been properly recorded and stored and the adits deemed impassable for safety reasons and therefore should not be relied upon in any manner. In addition, the Company has 100% acquired from Mr. Steven Scott, prospector, BC Tenure 1109654 for 350,000 common shares subject to a 120 day plus one day hold period. The deal is subject to TSX approval. Tenure 1109654 is 64.86 ha in size and immediately adjoins the existing 100% company owned Amy tenures in the north central portion of the Property. The property now comprises a total of 954.4 hectares. Mr. Kevin Brewer, President and CEO, noted, By taking the Amy project to a drill ready stage over the past three years we have delivered our promise to our shareholders. We are consistently delivering on our projects and we are about to deliver our new corporate strategy for our remaining projects now that we have optioned the Silverknife Property to Coeur in a significant deal. I am very thankful to our hard working team and contractors who continue to enable us to implement our plans and provide highly promising prospects within the Rancheria Silver District. The Amy Property is located within the emerging Rancheria Silver District which is known to host numerous silver-lead-zinc occurrences and also includes the Silvertip mine (one of the world highest grade underground silver-lead-zinc mines) owned by Coeur Mining. Amy is located only 8 kilometers west of the Silvertip mine. It was actively explored in the early 1960s and 1970s but since that time has never been explored using modern exploration techniques. In 2021 CMC Metals also contracted SRK Consulting to compile all of the historic data from these early exploration efforts which will be utilized extensively in the planning and implementation of the 2025 and beyond drill programs at Amy. Qualified Person Qualified Person Kevin Brewer, a registered professional geoscientist, is the Companys President and CEO, and Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101). He has given his approval of the technical information pertaining reported herein. The Company is committed to meeting the highest standards of integrity, transparency and consistency in reporting technical content, including geological reporting, geophysical investigations, environmental and baseline studies, engineering studies, metallurgical testing, assaying and all other technical data. About CMC Metals Ltd. CMC Metals Ltd. is a growth stage exploration company focused on opportunities for high grade polymetallic deposits in Yukon, British Columbia and Newfoundland. Our polymetallic silver-lead-zinc CRD prospects in the Rancheria Silver District include the Silver Hart Deposit and Blue Heaven claims (Yukon), Amy and Silverknife claims (British Columbia). Our polymetallic projects with potential for copper-silver-gold and other metals include Bridal Veil (central Newfoundland) and Logjam (Yukon). On behalf of the Board: Kevin Brewer Kevin Brewer, CEO, President and Director CMC METALS LTD. For Further Information and Investor Inquiries: Kevin Brewer, P. Geo., MBA, B.Sc.(Hons), Dip. Mine Eng. President, CEO and Director Tel: (709) 327-8013 kbrewer80@hotmail.com Suite 1000-409 Granville St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1T2 Figure 1: Amy sampling results 2022-2024 Figure 2: Proposed Drill Program Amy Property Figure 3: New tenure on Amy claims To be added to CMC's news distribution list, please send an email to info@cmcmetals.ca or contact Mr. Kevin Brewer directly. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, statements that address the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles and exploitation activities and developments. In this release disclosure regarding the potential to undertake future exploration work comprise forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks, including the ability of the Company to raise the funds necessary to fund its projects, to carry out the work and, accordingly, may not occur as described herein or at all. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, the impact of the constantly evolving COVID-19 pandemic crisis and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are referred to the Companys filings with the Canadian securities regulators for information on these and other risk factors, available at www.sedar.com. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c93a610d-fc1d-42a5-aad1-b639041ee607 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3323ca0c-fd67-4902-837a-a067b4a3d4a3 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce40d049-3dd6-4e21-8803-b6c2301b34bd SINGAPORE, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, Jin Pilates announced the opening of the first Garuda studio in Singapore. Discover a new way to move, for individuals at every stage of life - expand your range of motion, experience pain-free movement, and let Garuda Pilates transform your body holistically. Singapore is embracing holistic wellness, with individuals seeking mindful movement practices to enhance well-being. Initiatives like the Health Promotion Board's "Healthy Living" programmes and the "National Steps Challenge" promote active lifestyles. Amidst this growing emphasis on wellness, Jin Pilates introduces Singapore's first Garuda Pilates studio, offering a transformative approach that integrates multiple movement disciplines for a comprehensive fitness experience. Dorothy, the founder of Jin Pilates, comes from a background in dance, a passion that evolved into teaching Pilates. Though she had not initially planned to open a studio, she was captivated by the Garuda Method's multi-dimensional approach, a natural extension of her dance, yoga, and Pilates experience. Its engagement of strength, flexibility, breath and mindfulness deeply resonated with her. Determined to bring this innovative method to Singapore, Dorothy travelled to Australia and later to London to become certified in Garuda Pilates, making her the first comprehensive Garuda certified instructor in Singapore. Her dedication and expertise led James D'Silva, the creator of the Garuda Method, to acknowledge her as the Master Trainer in Singapore. She initially offered Garuda classes online during the pandemic, and as studios reopened, she began teaching Garuda on traditional Pilates reformers. Eventually, her dream to introduce a dedicated Garuda studio materialised into Jin Pilates, providing Singaporeans and Singapore residents a truly unique Pilates experience unlike any other. Dorothy's vision is not only to share Garuda Pilates with Singapore but also to build a community that values mindful, functional movement. She believes in the power of movement to improve lives and is dedicated to helping her clients "move better" and with greater freedom. The Garuda Method, the cornerstone of Jin Pilates, was created by James D'Silva, a former dancer and choreographer who designed the practice to address chronic pain from multiple spine injuries he sustained throughout his dance career. Today, even in his 60s, D'Silva remains limber and strong, a testament to Garuda's effectiveness. The method stands out in the fitness world for its ability to merge respected movement disciplines into a single, fluid practice. Unlike traditional Pilates, which often focuses on isolated and linear movements, Garuda brings an entirely different level of engagement to the body. It introduces a greater range of motion and dynamic dimensions, allowing multi-faceted movements that engage the entire body at once. Garuda Pilates is known for its innovative use of breathwork, which is integrated into each movement, guiding practitioners to a deeper connection with their bodies. This practice not only tones and strengthens but also provides cardiovascular benefits similar to those achieved through runningwithout the impact on joints. The result is a well-rounded workout that feels refreshing, invigorating, and restorative. The apparatus, a fusion of Pilates Reformer, Cadillac and Chair, is longer and wider, enabling varied movements and greater joint mobility. Benefits for those with injuries or chronic pain One of the standout aspects of Garuda Pilates is its suitability for individuals recovering from injuries or dealing with chronic conditions, such as scoliosis. Jin Pilates has become a sanctuary for clients seeking both fitness and rehabilitation, as Garuda's emphasis on mindful movement allows for a therapeutic experience that complements traditional rehabilitation. Dorothy has witnessed clients with scoliosis who have come to her class with limited mobility only to find, over time, that they can move in ways they had not thought possible. Though it cannot alter structural issues, Garuda empowers clients to move confidently despite existing conditions. Its functional movements restore mobility and flexibility, relieve pain and enhance strength. Through her work, Dorothy has helped clients overcome 'niggling' discomforts of both old and chronic injuries, empowering them to reconnect with their bodies in new ways. For those who have been hesitant about exercise due to pain, Garuda Pilates offers a gentler yet powerful alternative. Jin Pilates is designed to welcome everyone, from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. Dorothy works with a range of clients, from the fit and active to beginners, as well as those in rehabilitation or pre/postnatal stages. Her introductory classes offer a supportive space for newcomers, ensuring a smooth start by introducing clients to the Garuda Apparatus and the fundamentals of the method. Jin Pilates prioritises a personalised, hands-on experience that guides students safely into this new form of movement. To make Garuda Pilates even more accessible, Jin Pilates offers beginner packages and special introductory group classes, which are also available through ClassPass. Clients can also start with private sessions before transitioning to group classes, ensuring they are comfortable with the equipment and movements. This approach makes Garuda Pilates approachable for those unfamiliar with the method, helping them feel empowered and supported every step of the way. For those seeking an intensive experience, Jin Pilates also offers mini-boot camps several times a year. These include a series of sessions that allow participants to delve deeper into Garuda's benefits, combining apparatus work, mat exercises, and barre techniques. Additionally, Dorothy plans to launch teacher training next year, inviting others to join the movement as Garuda instructors and spread its transformative benefits. Follow Jin Pilates on social media for the latest updates on schedules, special offers and upcoming launches. As the first Garuda studio in Singapore, Jin Pilates extends an invitation to anyone curious to experience a truly unique and holistic approach to movement - an experience that is best felt rather than explained. Whether you're looking to improve flexibility, alleviate pain, or explore a new form of mindful exercise, Jin Pilates provides a welcoming environment for all. In Dorothy's words, "I believe that more people should learn to move better. Garuda Pilates is a way to truly understand and experience your body's potential in a way that's restorative, empowering, and inclusive for everyone." Ready to experience the transformative power of Garuda Pilates? Book an introductory session at Jin Pilates today and start your journey toward mindful, pain-free movement with Singapore's first comprehensive Garuda-certified instructor, Dorothy. Explore what's possible for your body with guidance from an expert - because every movement counts toward a healthier, more balanced you. Media Contact Company: Jin Pilates Contact: Media Team Email: hello@jinpilates.co Website: https://jinpilates.co/ SOURCE: Jin Pilates DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bybit, the worlds second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is excited to announce the Gold & FX Treasure Hunt a unique competition tailored for crypto enthusiasts and traders of traditional assets. This event presents a rare opportunity to compete for high-value prizes, including real gold bars and coins, as part of an exciting trading journey. Against the backdrop of Bitcoins ascent and golds resurgence, the Treasure Hunt offers traders a golden chance to capitalize on global market dynamics. Discovering Real Gold Rewards in the Gold & FX Treasure Hunt The Gold & FX Treasure Hunt rewards traders with an array of coveted prizes, from gold bars and coins to significant USDT payouts. Participants can register and qualify by trading a minimum of 100 lots across supported contracts like Gold and Forex on Bybits MT5 platform. Bybit MT5: A Gateway to Diversified Global Trading for Forex Professionals Bybit MT5 empowers forex and commodity traders with direct access to markets such as Forex, Metals, Commodities, Oil, and Indices, all seamlessly traded with USDT. The platform offers a familiar and sophisticated trading environment for those transitioning to Bybits powerful interface, crafted to support both experienced and new forex traders. Key Details of Bybits Gold & FX Treasure Hunt Two Ways to Join the Hunt: 1. Gold & FX PnL Battlefield: How to Compete: Trading at least 100 lots on Gold, Forex, and other eligible contracts on Bybit MT5. Trading at least 100 lots on Gold, Forex, and other eligible contracts on Bybit MT5. Prizes: Top-performing traders will be rewarded with real gold bars, gold coins, and exclusive USDT rewards. Top-performing traders will be rewarded with real gold bars, gold coins, and exclusive USDT rewards. Highlight: Seizing a chance to win real gold and becoming part of an elite circle of top traders. 2. Bybit Gold & FX Newcomers Perk: How to Participate: New traders can join by trading as few as 2 lots to earn a 5 USDT token. New traders can join by trading as few as 2 lots to earn a 5 USDT token. Availability: Limited to the first 6,000 newcomers on a first-come, first-served basis. Bybits Gold & FX Treasure Hunt offers crypto and forex traders the rare opportunity to expand their portfolios with real gold rewards while leveraging Bybit MT5s robust platform for a seamless trading experience. #Bybit / #TheCryptoArk About Bybit Bybit is the worlds second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving over 50 million users. Established in 2018, Bybit provides a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula Ones reigning Constructors and Drivers champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team. For more details about Bybit, please visit: Bybit Press For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com For updates, please follow: Bybits Communities and Social Media Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube Contact Head of PR Tony Au Bybit tony.au@bybit.com BEIJING, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COP29 is held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, aiming to raise ambition and international cooperation through collective global targets to reduce cooling related emissions by 68% from today by 2050. China, as one key player, also makes its contributions. In China, people continue to create green landscapes and guard stretches of greenness. From photovoltaic power stations in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, freshwater dolphin protection in Dongting Lake, to reforestation efforts on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the drive for ecological sustainability gains fresh momentum in 2024. Crossing 8,000 kilometers for greenery. In recent years, Xinjiang, established what it describes as a Sunshine bank - the Shenzhen Energy Futa Photovoltaic Power Station, which stands at an altitude of 3,300 meters on the plateau. Since its inception, the local population, who traditionally made their livelihoods from the farming of wheat and barley along with irregular work, now witness the local economic benefits and prosperity from the green energy plant which has also created local jobs. This is attested by Xiarewana Mairiwanjiang, who grew up in the area. She is now an operation and maintenance engineer at the photovoltaic power station after seeing recruitment information for the plant. She proudly notes that Life is getting better and better since the establishment of the green energy power station. 4,000 Km to the east: Protecting finless porpoise. Recent efforts to protect the finless porpoise in Dongting Lake are an example of the commitment of the countrys biodiversity initiatives. Retired fisherman and local, He Daming, now Chairman of the East Dongting Ecological Protection Association in the city of YueYang, central Chinas Hunan Province, remarked that he felt depressed back in 2003 when informed that in four to five years the finless porpoise would most likely be extinct. Consequently, he discussed this with his fellow fishermen and decided to leave the profession in order to protect the species. Fishing in the Yangtze River was subsequently banned in 2021, leading to an increase in population of the finless porpoise and a rise in the general fish population. He admits that whilst he doesnt make as much money now as he did from fishing, witnessing the transformation and the benefits it brings, is in fact more rewarding. Reforesting Shannan City The Shannan City (Lhoka) once was characterised by its sandy landscape in the 1970s. Fast forward to 2024, it has been transformed due to restoration efforts by individuals like Bianjiu fondly nicknamed Tree Daddy. Defying elders and skepticism that it would be impossible to plant trees in sandy areas, now trees flourish and provide shade, food for livestock and habitats for wildlife such as musk deer, fox, deer and birds. Over 30 years Bianjius actions have transformed barren lands into thriving ecosystems, contributing to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateaus carbon sink, which absorbs 162 million tons of carbon annually, ensuring progress toward regional carbon neutrality. These success stories - from Xiarewanas energy advancements to conservation milestones in Dongting Lake and Shannan City - highlight just some of the green initiatives and continued commitment to green development throughout China. Media Contact: Wen Tianxia Email: guojixinwenbu@chinanews.com.cn A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4806f7c-829a-47f9-9f0c-f80491d32835 A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea38ed90-643d-462c-8a61-f58ad3fcab06 Stellantis to Participate in Goldman Sachs 16th Annual Industrials & Autos Week AMSTERDAM, November 21, 2024 Doug Ostermann, Stellantis Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a fireside chat on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 1:20 p.m. GMT to 1:55 p.m. GMT at Goldman Sachs 16th Annual Industrials & Autos Week. To watch the live session, visit the following webcast link: https://kvgo.com/gs-industrials-autos-week-2024/stellantis-december Details for watching the fireside chat are also available under the Investors section of the Stellantis corporate website. For those unable to attend the live session, a recorded replay will be accessible following the event. # # # About Stellantis Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is one of the worlds leading automakers aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility to all. Its best known for its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Stellantis is executing its Dare Forward 2030, a bold strategic plan that paves the way to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038, with single-digit percentage compensation of the remaining emissions, while creating added value for all stakeholders. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com. @Stellantis Stellantis Stellantis Stellantis For more information, contact: Fernao SILVEIRA +31 6 43 25 43 41 fernao.silveira@stellantis.com Nathalie ROUSSEL +33 6 87 77 41 82 nathalie.roussel@stellantis.com communications@stellantis.com www.stellantis.com Attachment COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capsa Healthcare, a leader in advanced healthcare workflow and pharmacy automation solutions, today announced the appointment of Gaurav Agarwal as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. In this role, Agarwal will spearhead Capsa Healthcares next strategic phase, driving profound transformational growth in Pharmacy Automation, Point-of-Care, Medication Management, and Clinical Support solutions. He will focus on developing new solutions and technologies that strengthen Capsas brand position to deliver end-to-end innovation across the spectrum of care settings and clinical workflows. "Taking on the role of CEO at Capsa Healthcare is a tremendous privilege and Im excited to lead this dynamic and innovative organization, says Agarwal. My career has been dedicated to driving customer-centric innovation, enabling rapid growth through commercialization while delivering novel solutions for customers. Changing the practice of medicine by unlocking efficiencies and delivering better patient outcomes is core to the Capsa vision and to me. With this incredibly talented team, we are poised to propel Capsa forward into a new age of solutions development and leverage our position as a differentiated provider across the healthcare continuum. Agarwal has more than 25-years of leadership experience delivering world-class innovation and commercial execution in medical devices, diagnostics, and healthcare IT. Most recently, Agarwal was President and CEO at Vyaire Medical, the worlds largest respiratory medical device provider. Prior to Vyaire, Agarwal was President and Chief Commercial Officer for Acelity, Inc., the worlds largest wound care company. Agarwal also has held senior roles at Smith & Nephew and GE. Capsas outgoing CEO Avi Zisman will step into the role of Chairman of the Board. Having served as CEO since November 2018, Zisman will continue to offer his wealth of expertise, experience, and organizational knowledge to support Capsas continued growth, providing insights on the changing healthcare landscape and playing a significant role in evaluating and developing potential future partnerships. "I am thrilled to welcome Gaurav Agarwal as our new CEO. With a strong history of visionary leadership and extensive experience in a wide range of healthcare solutions, I am confident Capsa Healthcare will reach new heights as we pursue our aggressive growth path and comprehensive impact on healthcare at the nexus of providers, patients, and technology, says Zisman. Gaurav will have an experienced team of healthcare leaders to support his vision as we at Capsa Healthcare embark on this exciting new chapter of growth and innovation together. About Capsa Healthcare: Across the healthcare continuum, Capsa stands out as the leader in purposefully designed, integrated solutions for pharmacy automation, medication management, clinical workflows, and point-of-care technologies. Capsa has partnered with healthcare providers for more than 60 years to engineer innovative answers for complex challenges. Capsas solutions optimize workflows, streamline repetitive tasks, and improve clinical efficiency. From automating pharmacy operations to enhancing patient engagement, Capsa is engineering a path to better care. Media Contact: Mike Stotz, Senior Marketing Manager mstotz@capsahealthcare.com Los Angeles, CA, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an era where most people have never met a farmer or know where their food comes from, Kiss the Ground, a pioneering nonprofit championing regeneration and soil health, is taking bold steps to connect consumers with the heroes who grow their food regeneratively. Today, the organization announces $500,000 in direct-to-farmer grants alongside a new set of farmer offerings. This initiative, the largest in the organization's 11-year history, marks a significant milestone for Kiss the Ground and the Regenerative Movement. "We all eat, yet theres a profound disconnect between consumers and the source of their food, says Kiss the Ground CEO, Evan Harrison. "Since 2013, we've built strong, direct relationships with farmers passionate about regenerative agriculture. Now, we're bridging this gap by amplifying farmers' voices through storytelling and providing crucial financial support. This approach is vital to our impact, driving the transition of millions of acres to regenerative practices and creating lasting change in our food system." The expansion of Kiss the Ground's farmer offerings aims to ease the barriers associated with transitioning to regenerative practices. Beyond the $500K in direct financial support covering training and equipment, Kiss the Ground has vastly expanded storytelling initiatives focused on the farmers. The shorts-series "5 with a Farmer" features quick, heartfelt chats with the people behind our food, while the mini-documentary series "Stories of Regeneration" documents the inspirational journeys of farmers making real change through regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture, unlike conventional farming methods that degrade soil and lead to erosion and drought, employs principles and practices that restore soil health, benefiting our wellness, water, and climate. As a vanguard of the Regenerative Movement, Kiss the Ground works with hundreds of farmers nationwide, amplifying their stories, educating, inspiring, and connecting its growing audience with practitioners of this approach to agriculture. Kiss the Grounds updated farmer hub features a map of over 100 regenerative farms nationwide, encouraging consumers to support local regenerative agriculture. The organization invites more farmers to join this growing network, fostering direct connections between producers and consumers. "The transition to regenerative agriculture is not just about changing farming practices; it's about transforming our relationship with the land and our food system. Kiss the Ground's farmer offerings address a critical need by providing financial support to farmers, removing a significant barrier to adoption. By coupling this with their powerful storytelling, they are not only supporting farmers financially but also amplifying their voices and experiences. This dual approach is crucial in accelerating the regenerative movement and creating lasting change in our agricultural landscape. Patrick Brown, Kiss the Ground board member and regenerative farmer For every $100 donated, Kiss the Ground catalyzes the transition of 10 acres into regenerative agriculture. The organization's work with farmers is integral to its core programs of storytelling, education, and partnerships, reflecting its commitment to improving personal and planetary wellness through soil health. This groundbreaking initiative was made possible in part thanks to the generosity of the Humble community, a digital store and membership service known for supporting charitable causes. Humble's support aligns with its core pillars of health & well-being, climate change & sustainability, and equity & opportunity. Kiss the Ground is an audience-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting regeneration and healthy soil as a viable solution to the wellness, water, and climate crisis. Led by CEO Evan Harrison, the Los Angeles-based organization was founded in 2013 and has inspired millions to participate in the Regenerative Movement through storytelling, education, and partnerships. Humble was founded in 2010 with the mission to mobilize the goodwill of online communities in support of people and causes in need. As a digital store and membership service, Humble partners with content providers and charities to develop and offer digital content and product bundles to the public, directing a portion of nearly every sale to charity. Humble has raised more than $262 million for thousands of charitable organizations around the world. Attachments Dublin, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Artificial Intelligence Chipsets - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global market for Artificial Intelligence Chipsets was estimated at US$70.3 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$291.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 22.6% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. Several key drivers are propelling growth in the AI chipset market. One primary driver is the rapid adoption of AI across various industries, as companies in fields such as healthcare, finance, automotive, and retail recognize the value of AI for applications like predictive analytics, automation, and decision-making support. AI chipsets provide the high-performance processing power needed to execute these complex tasks effectively, making them essential for real-time analytics, image and speech recognition, and intelligent automation. The growth of edge computing and IoT further accelerates demand for AI chipsets, as businesses need localized processing power to run AI algorithms on devices at the network's edge. This demand is especially high in sectors like autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and smart cities, where AI chipsets enable real-time decision-making without relying on cloud connectivity, thereby reducing latency and increasing operational efficiency. Additionally, the need for energy-efficient solutions in data centers has become a significant market driver. As companies look to reduce operational costs and minimize their environmental footprint, AI chipsets offer a solution that optimizes power consumption, making them essential for data-intensive environments. Furthermore, the evolution of AI itself - marked by advancements in deep learning architectures, natural language processing, and computer vision - continues to push the development of more specialized AI chip architectures, capable of handling increasingly complex algorithms. Government investments and strategic initiatives, particularly in smart infrastructure and AI research, are also bolstering market growth, as public and private sectors alike invest in AI-enabled technologies to remain competitive. These diverse growth drivers illustrate the critical role AI chipsets play in enabling the next generation of intelligent systems, supporting both high-performance computing needs and the transition to energy-efficient, decentralized data processing solutions. As industries continue to innovate and expand their AI applications, the AI chipset market is positioned for sustained growth, reshaping the future of computing with specialized, powerful, and scalable processing capabilities. How Are AI Chipsets Revolutionizing Computing Power and Efficiency? AI chipsets are spearheading a technological transformation by delivering unprecedented levels of computing power and efficiency, specifically tailored to meet the demands of artificial intelligence workloads. Unlike traditional CPUs, which are optimized for general-purpose computing tasks, AI chipsets - such as Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) - are designed to handle the massive data requirements and parallel processing demands of AI models. These specialized chips are capable of processing complex computations at accelerated speeds, thereby significantly reducing the time required to train deep learning models or perform real-time inference. What Role Do AI Chipsets Play in Edge Computing and IoT? AI chipsets are also central to the advancement of edge computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), where real-time, localized data processing is crucial for responsive and efficient operations. In edge computing, data processing occurs on the device itself or near the data source, rather than relying on a distant cloud server, thereby reducing latency and improving response times - critical factors for applications that demand instantaneous decision-making, such as autonomous vehicles, industrial robotics, and smart city infrastructure. By embedding AI chipsets in edge devices, these systems can run sophisticated algorithms and perform local data analysis without the need for continuous internet connectivity. How Do AI Chipsets Enhance Energy Efficiency in Data Centers and Consumer Electronics? AI chipsets are setting new standards in energy efficiency, crucial for data centers and consumer electronics, where power consumption directly impacts operational costs and environmental sustainability. Data centers, which are essential to cloud computing and support massive AI workloads, are among the largest consumers of energy in the tech industry, creating demand for energy-efficient solutions to manage escalating operational costs. AI chipsets, particularly ASICs and TPUs, are designed to execute specific AI tasks efficiently, using a fraction of the power required by general-purpose CPUs and GPUs. 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 Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market such as Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Amazon Web Services (AWS), Fujitsu, General Vision, Google LLC and more. Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments. Key Insights: Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Processor Hardware segment, which is expected to reach US$124.3 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 21.6%. The Memory Hardware segment is also set to grow at 23.8% CAGR over the analysis period. Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, estimated at $20.0 Billion in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 21.1% CAGR to reach $42.5 Billion by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 93 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $70.3 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $291.8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 22.6% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: MARKET OVERVIEW Influencer Market Insights World Market Trajectories Global Economic Update Artificial Intelligence Chipsets - 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 Demand for High-Performance Computing Propels Growth in AI Chipsets Market Increasing Use of AI in Edge Devices Drives Demand for Power-Efficient AI Chipsets Here`s How Advances in Deep Learning Boost the Development of Specialized AI Chip Architectures Growing Adoption of Autonomous Vehicles Expands Market for AI Chipsets in Real-Time Processing Increasing Deployment of 5G Expands Scope for AI Chipsets in IoT and Connected Devices Here`s How AI-Powered Data Centers Fuel Demand for High-Performance AI Processors Growing Popularity of Smart Devices Boosts Demand for AI Chipsets in Consumer Electronics Focus on Reducing Latency Drives Development of AI Chipsets for Edge Computing Applications Advances in Quantum Computing Open New Opportunities for Next-Generation AI Chipsets Here`s How Industry-Specific AI Applications Drive Demand for Custom AI Chip Designs Growing Emphasis on AI for Security and Surveillance Expands Market for Image Processing Chips Increasing Investments in AI-Driven Healthcare Propel Demand for Medical-Grade AI Chipsets Focus on Augmented and Virtual Reality Enhances Demand for AI Chipsets in Graphics Processing Growing Adoption of Multimodal AI Expands Market for Versatile and High-Capacity AI Chipsets FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS:Some of the 37 companies featured in this Global Artificial Intelligence Chipsets Market report include Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Fujitsu General Vision Google LLC Graphcore Greenwaves Technologies Huawei Technologies IBM Corporation Intel Corporation Kalray Koniku Mediatek Microsoft Corporation Mythic Nvidia Corporation Qualcomm Technologies Sambanova Samsung Group Tenstorrent Wave Computing Xmos Zero Asic For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/e9t1ya About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Transparency Market Research Inc. , Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global compressed natural gas market ( ) is estimated to flourish at a CAGR of 12.3% from 2021 to 2031. Transparency Market Research projects that the overall sales revenue for compressed natural gas is estimated to reach US$ 465.52 billion by the end of 2031. Geostrategic developments influence the global energy landscape, influencing compressed natural gas market dynamics. Geopolitical stability, regional collaborations, and geopolitical shifts contribute to shaping the market by affecting production, distribution, and pricing strategies. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1072 Some prominent manufacturers are as follows: National Iranian Gas Company Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) OAO Gazprom Changing consumer preferences and a growing societal inclination towards eco-friendly alternatives contribute significantly. Public awareness and acceptance of CNG as a viable fuel option play a pivotal role in shaping market trends. Efforts to harmonize regulations and standards related to CNG across regions foster market growth. Streamlined regulatory frameworks reduce barriers, encourage investments, and create a conducive environment for the expansion of CNG applications. Key Findings of the Market Report Unconventional methods lead the compressed natural gas market , with innovative extraction techniques meeting the rising demand for sustainable energy. , with innovative extraction techniques meeting the rising demand for sustainable energy. MD/HD buses stand out as the leading end-user segment in the compressed natural gas market , reflecting a growing preference for sustainable public transportation. , reflecting a growing preference for sustainable public transportation. Europe leads the compressed natural gas market, driven by stringent environmental regulations and sustained commitment to decarbonization initiatives. Compressed Natural Gas Market Growth Drivers & Trends Increasing global focus on reducing carbon emissions propels the demand for compressed natural gas as a cleaner alternative to conventional fuels, fostering sustainable transportation solutions. Stringent environmental regulations and government incentives worldwide promote CNG adoption, encouraging investments in infrastructure development and technology advancements to meet clean energy targets. Rapid urbanization and growing infrastructure projects drive the need for sustainable energy sources, positioning CNG as a key player in meeting the rising demand for efficient and environmentally friendly fuel options. Ongoing innovations in CNG storage, distribution, and refueling technologies enhance efficiency, safety, and convenience, contributing to market growth by addressing challenges and expanding the application of CNG. Increasing collaboration between CNG providers and automotive manufacturers, as well as the development of CNG-compatible vehicles, accelerates market expansion, offering consumers eco-friendly alternatives in the transportation sector. Global Compressed Natural Gas Market: Regional Profile In North America, a robust shift towards cleaner energy sources propels the compressed natural gas market . Key players like Clean Energy Fuels and Apache Corporation are at the forefront, capitalizing on a burgeoning infrastructure and governmental incentives promoting sustainable practices. With a focus on reducing carbon emissions, North America is witnessing an increasing adoption of CNG in transportation, particularly in the United States and Canada. . Key players like Clean Energy Fuels and Apache Corporation are at the forefront, capitalizing on a burgeoning infrastructure and governmental incentives promoting sustainable practices. With a focus on reducing carbon emissions, North America is witnessing an increasing adoption of CNG in transportation, particularly in the United States and Canada. In Europe, stringent environmental regulations and a commitment to decarbonization are steering the compressed natural gas market forward. Major players like Gazprom and Royal Dutch Shell lead the charge, investing in advanced CNG technologies and bolstering distribution networks. The European Union's emphasis on sustainable mobility fuels the growth of CNG as a viable alternative, especially in countries like Germany and Italy. forward. Major players like Gazprom and Royal Dutch Shell lead the charge, investing in advanced CNG technologies and bolstering distribution networks. The European Union's emphasis on sustainable mobility fuels the growth of CNG as a viable alternative, especially in countries like Germany and Italy. The Asia Pacific region showcs a diverse landscape in the compressed natural gas market. India, with its rapidly expanding urban centers, witnesses a surge in demand for cleaner fuels, positioning Indraprastha Gas Limited and Mahanagar Gas Limited as key players. China, driven by environmental concerns and government initiatives, sees a growing CNG market led by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). Download Your Executive Sample Informed Decisions Start Here: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1072 Compressed Natural Gas Market: Competitive Landscape The compressed natural gas market is witnessing intense competition as the global demand for cleaner fuel alternatives rises. Key players like Gazprom, Clean Energy Fuels, and Royal Dutch Shell dominate, leveraging extensive distribution networks and technological innovations. Regional players such as Indraprastha Gas Limited and China National Offshore Oil Corporation contribute significantly, focusing on localized market penetration. Emerging entrants are bringing innovation, emphasizing sustainable practices, and fostering collaborations with automotive manufacturers. Regulatory support for environmental initiatives further intensifies the competition, prompting companies to invest in research and development to enhance CNG infrastructure and ensure a competitive edge in this dynamic market. Product Portfolio National Iranian Gas Company, a leading energy provider, ensures a seamless gas supply across Iran. Committed to excellence, NIGC plays a vital role in advancing the nation's energy infrastructure, delivering reliable and sustainable gas solutions. Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL), a pioneer in clean energy, spearheads India's natural gas distribution. With a focus on environmental sustainability, IGL provides efficient and eco-friendly gas solutions, contributing to the nation's energy transition and fostering a greener future. Compressed Natural Gas Market: Key Segments By Source Associated Gas Non-associated Gas Unconventional Methods By End User LD Vehicles MD/HD Buses MD/HD Trucks Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa South & Central America Buy this Premium Research Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=10721,000 ppm TREO. These results are highly encouraging and suggest the possibility of a very large mineralized REE system capable of containing significant REE reserves exists on the property. *TREO (Total Rare Earth Oxide) is defined as the summation of the Rare Earth Oxides of Cerium through Lutetium on the periodic table, plus Scandium, Yttrium and Lanthanum. Property Exploration Further field work was completed on the Heather and the Kashmir showing as a pipeline of targets continues to progress. At the Heather target where high-grade gold samples and a 300 m Au-Cu-Ag soil anomaly have previously been discovered, the team has identified the source of the chargeability anomaly outlined during the 2022 IP survey. Multiple plagioclase porphyritic intrusion measuring 5 m - 50 m in diameter were shown to contain 0.5 to 2% disseminated pyrite. This unit does not provide an immediate target but advances the teams understanding of the system. A mineralized piece of float containing abundant galena was sampled and returned 40.1 g/t Au. Further work was completed at the Kashmir showing, a Mo-Cu porphyritic intrusion, to identify extension or high high-grade pockets of mineralization. Follow up on a highly mineralized sample from 2022 identified a second, similar mineralized boulder that returned 23.8 g/t Au, although identification of the source was unsuccessful. Mapping took place to outline a 100 m wide monzonitic intrusion with 1-10 cm wide quartz molybdenum veins. This porphyry target remains a high priority although the steep nature of the showing provides difficult access for completion of a geophysical survey, the team is exploring options on how to advance this target. Financing The Company also reports the closing of its previously announced financing (See News Release September 11, 2024), subject to final regulatory approval. The Company raised a further $10,000 through issuing 100,000 non-flow-through units at $0.10 per unit. A finder's fee of $800 was paid and 8,000 share-purchase warrants were issued, exercisable at $0.15 per share for 2 years. In total, the financing raised $402,000 through the issuance of 2,440,000 flow-through units at $0.125 per unit and 970,000 units at $0.10 per unit and paid total finders' fees of $1,600 and issued 16,000 finder's warrants exercisable at $0.15 per share for 2 years. Each non-flow-through unit consists of one common share and one-half (1/2) of a non-transferable share purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable into one additional common share at a price of $0.15 per share for a 2-year period. Each flow-through unit consists of one flow-through common share and one-half (1/2) of one non-flow-through, non-transferable share purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable into one additional common share at a price of $0.18 per share for a 2-year period. All shares issued under the private placement are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. The flow-through shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Act"). The proceeds of the flow-through private placement will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expense" (within the meaning of the Act). The Company will renounce these expenses to the purchasers with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2024, and as required under the Act, and, if applicable, as required under Provisional legislation. QP Statement Technical aspects of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Stephen Wetherup, BSc., P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. QAQC Statement The Company has adopted a rigorous quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") program to ensure best practices in sampling of all rock, soil and silt material. The Company's samples are being assayed by ALS Geochemistry Labs which has facilities in Terrace and North Vancouver BC. and is independent of the Company. All rock samples were crushed to 70% pass 2mm fraction, and then a 250g split was pulverized to better than 85% passed a 75-micron screen. Multi element analysis for gold copper exploration was performed by by ALS Laboratory using aqua-regia digestion ICP-MS package (ME-MS41). Elevated gold grades (>1 g/t) were analyzed by fire assay and ICP-AES (Au-ICP21). Samples that returned above detection limits in silver, copper, lead and zinc were reanalyzed with appropriate ore grade analysis to determine absolute values. For rare earth elements samples, a lithium borate fusion analysis was performed using ALS package ME-MS81 for full digestion of REE minerals. ALS Labs is an independent provider of geochemical laboratory services for the exploration and mining industries and is an ISO 17025 (Testing and Calibration) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) accredited laboratory. About Etruscus Etruscus Resources Corp. is a Vancouver-based exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of precious metal mineral properties. The Company's flagship asset is the 100%-owned Rock & Roll Property comprising 29,344 ha near the past producing Snip mine in Northwest B.C.'s prolific Golden Triangle. Etruscus is traded under the symbol "ETR" on the Canadian Securities Exchange, "ETRUF" on the OTC and "ERR" on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Etruscus has 53,370,361 common shares issued and outstanding. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Press Release may contain statements which constitute 'forward-looking' statements, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including quarterly and annual Management's Discussion and Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. Neither the CSE Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Etruscus Resources Corp. Company Contact: Fiore Aliperti, President & CEO, E: info@etruscusresources.com, T: 604-336-9088, W: www.etruscusresources.com A few decades ago, renowned U.S. universities such as Harvard and John Hopkins used to brim with activities from Christian fellowships. Many churches purchased properties near the campuses as meeting points, providing students with free food and Bible studies. The campus ministries not only touched the lives of students, but also helped shape campus culture. However, all this has quietly gone away. The Decline of Campus Fellowships: From Boom to Bust U.S.-based Chinese scholar, Dr. Tao Ray, who was formerly a director at Harvards research lab, shared recently that the fellowships that once dotted the campus neighborhoods have gradually disappeared. Churches have been unable to afford to keep the fellowships as donations dwindled, eventually selling the properties to estate developers who repurposed them into cafes, restaurants, or dormitories. Take Boston for example, high land prices have made it nearly impossible for churches to redeem their properties for gospel purposes. American campus fellowships were very active a couple of decades ago. When I was in school I passed many Bible Study sites, said Tao, but now, they are disappearing one by one, and mission ministries are basically wasting away. Tao believes that the left shift in American campus cultures is directly related to the decline of Christian campus mission ministries. The Left is eager to promote its ideas and continues to influence students through education and culture. Tao said: The left not only controlled the curriculum content, they also pushed their agenda on campuses through a plethora of non-profit organizations. Many leftists are also generous donors to these organizations, supporting their spread of values By contrast, many Christian churches have become less committed to giving, focusing more on their own internal preaching and Bible studies while neglecting support for campus fellowships. The Spirit of Giving: Left vs Right The passion and spirit of giving the Left displays is what we Christians need to learn from, Tao said. He mentioned that many leftist professors not only write lectures but also devote themselves completely to their non-profit organizations to push far-left ideology. Compare that with the minimal investments Christians pay to mission-oriented ministries and a lack of basic attention to campus fellowships. Rev. Boli Zhang resonated deeply with this observation and shared additional statistics in support. This election season, the Left was way ahead in donations and giving. Harris had over a billion dollars for her campaign, while Trump had about 300 million, he said. The fund difference is not from the big money donors, but an accumulation of small donations from countless ordinary leftist supporters. Rev. Zhang points out that Christians should learn from the Lefts spirit of giving. Whether financially or in action, Christians should be more involved and show greater enthusiasm. The Importance of Campus Fellowships & Challenges Rev. Zhang emphasized that campus fellowships are an important bridgehead for evangelism. Years ago, it was common for churches to be actively involved on college campuses through fellowships, providing opportunities for students to engage in Bible study and fellowship gatherings. One campus fellowship near Washington D.C., for example, could gather up to three hundred people at a time. However, in recent years, the challenges campus fellowships face increased by the day. Its not just an issue of donations and funding, there is also the pressure coming from society and the political environment. Rev. Zhang notes that many international students from mainland China are afraid to join church activities because it might affect their scholarships or job opportunities back home. These external stresses add to the load that makes campus evangelism so hard these days. Even so, Tao urges Christians to not retreat, but to rise up to the occasion. He believes: The harder the times are, the more we Christians need to stand up. The declination of student ministries has directly influenced the healthy development of campus culture, and has diminished the depth of the gospels reach. Rebuilding Campus Fellowships Brick by Brick Facing the current situation on campus, Tao decided to start change personally. He opened the subscription function of his X account, and promised to donate all subscription income to Christian campus fellowship ministries. He invites fellow Christians to support this cause: If you know any organizations or churches that have a campus fellowship, recommend them to me. I hope to do all that I can to support this important work. Rev. Zhang adds: Every church has the responsibility to support Christian campus fellowships, whether that means offering money or people. Campus fellowships are not about chasing short-term profits, it is about sowing seeds for the long-term spread of the gospel. Although some churches may feel that investing in campus fellowships is not worth it because students leave after graduation, it is still the mission of spreading the gospel, and that itself is worth doing. The Gospel Rebuilds Campus Culture Education forms not just personal values, but is key to forming the values of the entire nation. Tao points to Proverbs 22:6, Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it (NIV). He believes that Christians need to re-influence campus culture from the family, church, and society. American campus fellowships were once an important field in spreading the gospel, yet current trends show that it is wasting away. As Tao said, Brick by brick, we can gradually reestablish the campus fellowships. We must not give away the education battleground to the far-Left and their non-profits. This is the responsibility every Christian must carry. Next NPP govt to establish Hall of Fame in all regions, Tourism Minister reveals Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Nov - 21 - 2024 , 11:56 3 minutes read If given another mandate at this years general election, the next New Patriotic Party (NPP) government will establish Creative Halls of Fame in all 16 regions of Ghana. This is to celebrate and immortalise the names of some notable and distinguished musicians and other creatives from the respective regions who have significantly contributed to the development of the industry in Ghana. This was disclosed by the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture and MP for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, in a speech read on his behalf by Divine Owusu Ansah, Director of Arts and Culture at the Ministry during the launch of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) at the Accra Tourist Information Centre in Accra recently. In October this year, Mr Mercer unveiled the first Creative Arts Hall of Fame at Asemensudo, a suburb of Sekondi, in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Advertisement The Hall is a special tribute paid to distinguished individuals from the Western Region who have played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana's arts industry. They include musicians Paapa Yankson, Nana Bosompra, Charles K. Mann, Jewel Ackah, Alfred Benjamin Crentsil, Ebo Taylor and Gyedu-Blay Ambolley. Others are Felicia Ewuraesi Abban, a photographer, and renowned filmmaker Kwaw Ansah. He said establishing the respective Halls of Fame across the regions was in line with the Ministrys mandate to honour and preserve the legacy of those whose hard work has brought Ghanas creative industry to where it is now. (Read also: MUSIGA@50 celebration launched in Accra) We have constructed the Western Hall of Fame, in the Western Region, Sekondi, to be precise. This will serve as a historical monument, honouring some musicians. On the walls of this Hall of Fame, which was commissioned by Mr Mercer, we have names such as Jewel Ackah, Papa Yankson, Charles K Mann (C.K. Mann), Alfred Benjamin Crentsil (AB Crentsil) and Ebo Taylor, among others. And every year, more names will be added. We will be emulating this across the country, in every region. So, very soon, don't be surprised that you will visit Ashanti Regions Hall of Fame and see names such as Charles Kojo Fosu (Daddy Lumba), Nana Acheampong, etc. You will go to the Eastern Region and then you will see names such as Kojo Antwi, Nana Kwame Ampadu and so forth. We plan to have it in every region, to honour you, our dear musicians, he noted. He also explained in the speech that the music industry is an important economic driver, generating revenue through album sales, concert tickets, merchandise and streaming royalties. It creates employment. Besides, music tourism can attract visitors to our country, boosting the tourism sector and generating foreign exchange. As you launch the Golden Jubilee Celebration, it is imperative to explore innovative ways to leverage the power of music to further our national development, he added. Election 2024: IGP urges political parties to prepare for both victory and defeat Graphic.com.gh Nov - 21 - 2024 , 13:14 1 minute read The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has called on political parties to collaborate with the police to ensure smooth and peaceful elections this year. Dr. Dampare reassured the parties that the Police are fully prepared to maintain law and order before, during, and after the elections. However, he emphasized the need for support from all stakeholders, including the political parties, to ensure the success of the process. Speaking during a meeting with party representatives in Accra on Thursday, November 21, Dr Dampare urged the parties to prepare not only for a possible victory but also for the eventuality of defeat. "As you plan for your potential victory, you must also plan for how to accept and handle your defeat, knowing that only one party can emerge victorious," he stated. Advertisement He concluded by stressing, "If everyone plays their part, Ghana will succeed. We are ready for the elections, but we need your cooperation to ensure our plan works for the good of the country." Next article: Walewale: Police confiscate 37 bags of cocoa beans suspected of being smuggled outside of Ghana Bank Square: Gabby commends Ghanaian contractors behind Ghana's tallest building GraphicOnline Nov - 21 - 2024 , 17:01 3 minutes read Prominent New Patriotic Party (NPP) member Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has heaped praise on the Ghanaian contractors behind the newly commissioned headquarters of the Bank of Ghana, known as The Bank Square. In a statement on Facebook following the November 20, 2024, commissioning, Otchere-Darko highlighted the significance of awarding such high-profile contracts to 100 percent Ghanaian-owned firms. All you need to know about the new Bank of Ghana Headquarters The 22-storey edifice, designed by celebrated Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye and constructed by Kwaku Bediakos Goldkey Properties, stands as a testament to local ingenuity and expertise. Advertisement "We must celebrate it for many reasons. First, for the leadership that had the courage and foresight to take that bold decision to make it happen. Governor Addison, Ayekoo! Beyond that, for me, key among the things to celebrate is that it was designed and engineered by a Ghanaian, Sir David Adjaye (Adjaye & Associates), and built by a Ghanaian, Kwaku Bediako (Goldkey)," Mr. Otchere-Darko said. Mr. Otchere-Darko also commended the Bank of Ghana for its bold decision to entrust such a landmark project to local talent. He noted that this reflects a broader government strategy of empowering Ghanaian companies to take on major infrastructure projects, such as the Tema Motorway expansion, which has also been awarded to a Ghanaian firm. "Let us continue to believe in ourselves. The quality of the construction is also top notch. Goldkey has delivered on a project which ordinarily would have been won and awarded to a foreign company. When I see the courage with which this government has awarded major civil works contracts, such as the Tema Motorway, to 100% Ghanaian-owned companies, like Maripoma, it gives me joy and hope," he added. Inauguration President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor Dr Ernest Addison highlighted the strategic importance of the Central Banks new $250 million headquarters during its inauguration ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. In his address, President Akufo-Addo lauded the Bank of Ghana for its vision in creating a facility to enhance its operations. He described the headquarters as a pivotal step in modernising the nations financial infrastructure. This new headquarters will serve as the command centre for the Bank of Ghanas operations. It is designed to foster innovation, collaboration and excellence in the banks service to the nation, he remarked. The President emphasized that the facility would enhance the banks ability to implement critical financial reforms, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and improve the investment climate for both local and international stakeholders. It is a testament to Ghanas commitment to economic stability and our aspirations to position ourselves as a financial hub in the region, he added. The BoG governor provided insight into the strategic purpose of the new headquarters, emphasizing its role in consolidating the banks operations. The Bank of Ghana has multiple offices in Accra. This new facility allows us to bring all these operational units under one roof, streamlining our processes, improving communication and creating cost efficiencies, Dr Addison said. He highlighted the headquarters design as a forward-thinking project aimed at meeting the demands of a dynamic global financial environment. This building is more than just a structure; it stands as a modern civic landmark and represents Ghanas identity as a leader in Africas financial ecosystem. It enables us to harmonise operations and align with our modernisation strategy, he noted. Dr Addison also emphasized the significance of the facility in fostering synergies that enhance the banks capacity to regulate, innovate, and serve the financial community effectively. Cape Coast to Kumasi highway traffic congestion cleared after 24 block following truck accident Shirley Asiedu-Addo Nov - 21 - 2024 , 19:11 2 minutes read Hundreds of commuters were stranded on the Cape Coast to Kumasi highway for several hours following a truck accident last Sunday. It was a heavy-duty truck carrying an ECG power engine, which was traveling towards Kumasi from Cape Coast that fell on a truck and a private car, severely injuring the driver of the truck which was carrying charcoal. The road was blocked immediately after the accident and commuters spent between five to six hours before crossing. Our Central Regional correspondent, Shirley Asiedu-Addo reported that the accident happened at the Assin Darmang Ngresi section of the Cape Coast-Kumasi road. Advertisement The truck fell on its side and landed on another truck from the opposite direction. The driver in the other truck got injured and was taken to hospital. The accident created a traffic congestion at that section of the highway but an intervention by the police helped to free the congestion for traffic to flow. [WATCH THE ATTACHED VIDEO BELOW] Evacuation However, an evacuation exercise on Wednesday, three days after the accident caused almost a 24 hour block of the main highway. Our correspondent, Shirley Asiedu-Addo reports that the Central North Regional Police Command led by DCOP Emmanuel Teye Cudjoe and the Assin South District Commander, ASP Robert Kyeremeh were able to finally clear the road and restored traffic flow on Thursday after the grueling 24-hour block on the mail road that links Cape Coast and its surrounding areas in the Central Region to the Ashanti Region. Initially, the police had anticipated a 3-hour clearance, but the task proved daunting and took about 24 hours to evacuate the heavy equipment. The situation caused a heavy vehicular traffic holding travellers for hours. Hundreds of commuters were left stranded for hours. Drivers traveling from Accra to Assin Fosu and from Obuasi and Cape Coast to Kumasi were advised to take the Assin Manso to Ajumako Road, Anyinabrim to Asikuma Road, and the Assin Fosu to Twifo Praso through to Cape Coast roads. Next article: Seychelles' President in Ghana for 100 years anniversary of return of Asantehene Agyemang Prempeh from exile Fisheries Ministry to expand Aquaculture for Food and Jobs programme in northern Ghana Mohammed Ali Nov - 21 - 2024 , 12:05 4 minutes read Stakeholders in Ghanas aquaculture sector have called for urgent measures to address technical and logistical challenges as the country seeks to expand fish farming through the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs (AFJ) programme. The calls were made during the wrap-up workshop of the Resilient Aquatic Food Systems Initiative on November 19, 2024, at the Mensvic Hotel, Accra. The workshop, organised by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), concluded a three-year pilot project aimed at reducing Ghanas $200 million annual fish deficit. The initiative combined aquaculture with the use of small reservoirs in the North-East Region, providing youth groups with training and essential equipment to increase local fish production while creating jobs and improving nutrition. Advertisement Successes and Challenges of the Pilot Programme The pilot, implemented in Langbinsi, Nalerigu, Nansoni, and Tombu, supplied communities with fish cages stocked with 4,000 tilapia fingerlings, water quality monitoring tools, and feed. Monthly training sessions were conducted to improve participants technical skills, and a WhatsApp platform allowed for real-time support and problem-solving. Nansoni and Tombu emerged as success stories, generating profits from their first production cycles and reinvesting in subsequent ones. The Nansoni Youth Group earned recognition as the Best Aquaculture Farmer in the North-East Region. However, the initiative faced challenges in other communities. High fish mortality rates caused by poor water quality and net damage were major setbacks. Feeding inefficiencies and the lack of nearby hatcheries and feed outlets also limited productivity, particularly for farmers in remote areas. Scaling Up Through the AFJ Programme The government plans to expand the initiative to 24 additional reservoirs across five northern regions under the AFJ programme. This expansion aims to create more jobs for youth and women while improving food security and addressing malnutrition in northern Ghana. Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson in a speech read on her behalf described the programmes broader goals. This is not just about filling a fish deficit; its about creating sustainable livelihoods and empowering communities, she said. Call for Reforms and Technical Improvements Experts at the workshop highlighted the need for systemic reforms to sustain aquaculture efforts. Ms Sarah Appiah, a project facilitator, stressed the importance of regular and practical training to build farmers technical capacity. Training must be consistent and practical to ensure that participants can manage operations effectively, she said. Mr Mensah Daraku urged the government to invest in local hatcheries and feed production to lower costs for remote farmers. Transporting inputs from southern Ghana drives up operational costs, making fish farming less viable for many, he noted. Other recommendations included establishing insurance schemes and disaster preparedness plans to protect farmers from risks such as flooding, which disrupted some production cycles during the pilot. Market Access and Value Addition Limited market access was identified as a major challenge for farmers, especially those in remote areas. Wholesalers often offered prices below market value, which reduced farmers profitability. To address this, the project introduced post-harvest training, teaching farmers to salt, smoke, and process fish to extend shelf life and improve marketability. Mr Daraku also called for partnerships with private sector actors to create value chains and open up new markets. These partnerships can help farmers access better prices and expand their reach, he said. Community Involvement and Future Prospects The programme placed a strong emphasis on community ownership, with traditional leaders playing a pivotal role in supporting youth aquaculture groups. This approach is expected to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the expanded programme. The next phase of the AFJ programme is set to begin in early 2025, with plans to launch the National Aquaculture Development Plan (20242028) in December. The government also intends to streamline licensing processes and enact a revised Fisheries and Aquaculture Law to encourage investment in the sector. Hon. Koomson expressed confidence in the programmes future impact. With the right policies and investments, aquaculture can become a pillar of Ghanas economy and a solution to our food security challenges, she said. The initiative aligns with Ghanas Blue Economy agenda, which aims to sustainably use aquatic resources for economic growth. It also supports global goals like the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the African Unions Agenda 2063. 500 Diasporans granted Ghanaian citizenship Daily Graphic Nov - 21 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read A historic moment unfolded at the Jubilee House last Tuesday when 500 members of the African diaspora were officially granted Ghanaian citizenship. The event, the third of its kind under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos administration, celebrated the enduring bond between Ghana and its global diaspora. Historical significance President Akufo-Addo described the event as a significant milestone in reconnecting the African diaspora with their ancestral roots. Addressing the new citizens, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the emotional and historical significance of the occasion, saying, Your ancestors left these shores in circumstances that were tragic and inhumane. Today, we embrace you as our own as fellow citizens of this nation and as part of the Ghanaian family. Advertisement The President emphasised that being Ghanaian went beyond holding a passport. It is about embodying values such as respect, equity and peace. These are the principles that define us as a people, and we invite you to make them your own as you integrate into our society, he added. The President recounted the success of the Year of Return, which saw hundreds of thousands of people visiting Ghana and rekindling ties with Africa. The initiative sparked a global conversation about the African diasporas role in the continents future and laid the groundwork for deeper connections. Contributions President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism about the contributions the new citizens would make to Ghanas development. Your skills, knowledge and experiences from all over the world will enrich our nation. Whether in education, health care, technology, or the arts, you have the potential to drive Ghanas growth, he said. The President also acknowledged the role of the diaspora in reshaping global perceptions of Africa. You are human bridges connecting us across the Atlantic. Your presence dispels misconceptions and tells a new story of unity, pride and potential, he stressed. Citing the words of Marcus Garvey and Peter Tosh, President Akufo-Addo reminded the new citizens of the shared heritage that unites all people of African descent. Africa is your home, and Ghana welcomes you with open arms. This is more than a ceremony; it is a reaffirmation of our collective identity and destiny, he said. The government, he said would remain committed to making Ghana a welcoming and vibrant home for the diaspora. Policies to support investments, collaborations and community-building initiatives are already in place, reflecting the administrations dedication to strengthening ties with Africans abroad. The ceremony was part of an ongoing initiative that began with the Year of Return in 2019, commemorating 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas. Next article: ABANTU calls for more action to support women in politics Previous article: Unpacking the gendered impact of IMF policies in Ghana: A call for inclusive economic justice Customs seizes firearms at Tema Port Samuel Duodu Nov - 21 - 2024 , 06:30 3 minutes read The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized a number of firearms and live ammunition at the Golden Jubilee Terminal of the Tema Port. The seized items were made up of 53 pistols, 74 magazines and 65 live ammunition, which were concealed in three suitcases in a container. The seizure also led to the arrest of some suspects who are alleged to be the agents and consignees representative of the container. The suspects have since been granted bail, while investigations are ongoing. Advertisement Briefing Briefing journalists at the GRA head office in Accra yesterday, the Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA, Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, said on November 4, this year, a 40-foot container with the number MEDU4496951 declared to contain vehicles and personal effects arrived at the Tema Port from the United States. He said on Friday, November 15, 2024, during a routine examination of the container by Customs officers in the presence of the declarant/agent and the importers representative at the Golden Jubilee Terminal, they discovered a cache of 53 sidearms (pistols), 74 magazines and 65 live ammunition concealed in three different suitcases. "The Customs examination team immediately notified the Ghana Revenue Authority's Intelligence and Investigations Unit, and the Preventive Unit of the Customs Division of the incident," Brig. Gen. Ayorrogo said. Upon notification, he said personnel of the GRA Intelligence and Investigations Unit and the Customs Preventive Unit arrived at the scene to confirm and seize the pistols, magazines and the live ammunition. Arrest Brig. Gen. Ayorrogo said subsequently, the rest of the items in the container were thoroughly examined and detained for further investigation, while the agents and consignees representative were arrested and interrogated on the seized items. He said the suspects were subsequently transferred to the Marine and Railway Police Station in Tema for further investigations. "As earlier indicated, the consignment in the container were declared as vehicles and personal effects without declaring the firearms, magazines and live ammunition. "The non-declaration and concealment of firearms, magazines and live ammunition amount to smuggling and concealment of weapons, contravening Section 138 of Customs Act 2015 Act 891," Brig. Gen. Ayorrogo stated. The Commissioner of the Customs Division took the opportunity to educate the public that the smuggling of weapons and ammunition posed a significant threat to national security and public safety, adding that such illicit activities fuelled criminal enterprises, escalated violence and endangered innocent lives. "Engaging in the illegal importation of arms and ammunition is also a criminal offence punishable by the laws of Ghana," he said. "The Customs Division remains resolute and vigilant to counter all such illegal activities to ensure public safety," he said. Brig. Gen. Ayorrogo commended the Customs officers and all associated security agencies for their diligence and professionalism, which vigilance led to the successful detection and seizure of the weapons and ammunition. "The unwavering commitment to duty and expertise of these personnel have highly contributed to the maintenance of the security and public safety within the country. Once again, accept my highest commendation and thank you for a good work done," he told the officers. Licence He emphasised that importing firearms and ammunition required a licence and permit from the Ministry for the Interior, saying failure to comply was considered an offence. Ghanas premium to Continental Insurance paid for by facility Daily Graphic Nov - 21 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read A crop insurance premium worth $1 million has been paid to a Continental Insurance entity, African Risk Capacity (ARC), to safeguard farmers whose crops were affected by a dry spell this year. The insurance premium was funded by Global Shield Solution Platform (GSSP), an international non-profit organisation that aims to increase protection for vulnerable people. The ARC was set up in 2012 at the request of the African Union Heads of State due to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters. It works with African countries to plan, prepare and respond to natural disasters. The Director for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Charlotte Norman, disclosed this at a side event organised by the GSSP at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Advertisement She said the GSSP would be supporting in paying the crop insurance premium for the next three years after which the government would be expected to continue. Ms Norman explained that working with other relevant stakeholders, a database had been established to facilitate the registration and payout process as indicated in the contingency plan. The payment by GSSP would provide a financial buffer, where funds would be made available after a drought to help stabilise the economy and reduce the need for emergency budget allocations. Emergency It would allow for more predictable and planned responses to droughts rather than relying on uncertain financial aid or emergency funding. Ghana recorded a shortage in cereals this season due to dry spells in northern parts of Ghana which led to the loss of livelihood of farmers. The dry spell has resulted in significant losses for farmers, with an estimated investment loss of GH3.5 billion and a revenue loss of GH10.4 billion, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has estimated. Claims The Chief Executive Officer of ARC Limited, Lesley Ndlovu, said since its inception in 2012, more than $230 million in claims had been paid to countries. He stated that beneficiary countries, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi had been paid claims close to $70 million as a result of disaster. The Head of Global Shared Solutions Platform, Annette Detken, said 17 more countries were in line to receive funding to address their climate risk. She called on donors to contribute to the kitty to support countries in distress, adding that the platform had 200 million from six donors, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, France, European Union and Luxemburg. GNA Govt hands over reconstructed Nigerian High Commission building Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Nov - 21 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read The government has reconstructed the Nigerian High Commission (NHC) building that was demolished in June 2020 by some individuals under the cover of darkness and handed it over to the commission. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration handed over the one-storey building apartments off the Independence Avenue in Accra, to the NHC Wednesday. The building consists of four apartments with three bedrooms each, among other facilities, for the accommodation of staff. Present at the ceremony were the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani; the Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ramses Joseph Cleland; the acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Moses Ifedayo Adeoye, and traditional rulers of Nigerian communities in Ghana, among others. Advertisement Relations The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said the reconstructed building was a testament to the enduring relationship between Ghana and Nigeria, built on shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to addressing challenges in unity and resilience. Front view of the building The minister said the Ghana-Nigeria relationship transcended diplomacy, describing it as a partnership steeped in history, culture and shared aspirations. This event is an important milestone, highlighting the solidarity that has been tested yet remains unshaken between our two nations, she said. The minister also said that the swift reconstruction of the property following the incident demonstrated the governments resolve to honour its international responsibilities of providing a safe and welcoming environment for all diplomatic missions. Ms Botchwey, who is the Secretary-General-elect of the Commonwealth, further called for unity between the two countries, and the entire diplomatic community. Our engagement today symbolises what we can accomplish when we view challenges as opportunities to deepen our bonds and achieve lasting impact. Appreciation Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, whose speech was read on his behalf by the Director of Foreign Service Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Chimeze Ogu, expressed gratitude to the government of Ghana for the timely intervention, including establishing a committee to identify the intruders. That, he added, calmed the nerves of Nigerians and Ghanaians, prevented the deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries which predated their independence, and built on a foundation of shared history, cultural affinity and economic cooperation. Mr Tuggar said the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect defined the relationship between the two nations, and explained why the NHC had remained silent on compensation for the huge financial loss it incurred due to the demolishing of the building, including renting accommodation for its staff. Appeal However, Mr Tuggar has appealed to the government to consider a downward review of the cost of residence permits for ECOWAS nationals as this will facilitate movement and residence for ECOWAS citizens, foster economic cooperation and developments, and strengthen regional ties and integration. He explained that the high cost of residence permits, currently set at $500, was a burden that weighed heavily on the Nigerian community in Ghana. The minister further called for review of other costs such as medical examination, which is mandatory, and a non-citizen identification card, obtained at $120 annually, with renewals at $60. As we strive for regional integration and cooperation, it is essential that we revisit this policy and align it with ECOWAS protocols. The ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol aims to promote economic cooperation and development among member states. However, the exorbitant cost of residence permits hinders this progress, Mr Tuggar said. GPC inducts 606 new licensed psychologists, lay practitioners Diana Mensah Nov - 21 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Ghana Psychology Council (GPC) has inducted into its fold 606 newly licensed psychologists, para professionals and lay practitioners into full practice. The inductees were drawn from various accredited training institutions in the country, namely University of Cape Coast; University of Ghana; the University of Education, Winneba Counselling Centre, Wellness and Counselling Unit of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA); the Ashesi University Counselling Centre; the College of Counselling and Psychology, TUCEE Institute of Training and Technology, and the Trinity Theological Seminary. Those inducted also included those from foreign training institutions who passed the pre-registration examination. The Board Chairperson of the council, Prof. Angela Ofori-Atta, administered the oath of membership to the inductees, who received certificates to practise as different professionals, including Clinical Psychology, Social Psychology, Industrial or Organisational Psychology, Rehabilitation, Disability and Development Professionals, Guidance and Counselling Professionals, Pastoral Counsellors, Psychologist Assistants, Para Professional Counsellors and Lay Practitioners. Advertisement The practitioners were inducted at the 8th Induction Ceremony of GPC at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra yesterday The ceremony was held on the theme: Professionalism in the Training and Practice of Psychology: The Role of a Regulator. Support The Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, in speech read on his behalf, said the ministry was committed to providing support for mental health services delivered by well-trained and licensed practitioners. That, he said, aligned with the ministry's objective of achieving universal health coverage. The health minister also called for a review and accreditation of psychology programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to ensure high standards of training. Dr Okoe Boye urged the council to vigilantly monitor and guide practitioners to ensure adherence to ethical standards and professional conduct. Accreditation Prof. Ofori-Atta encouraged practitioners to verify the accreditation status of any course before enrolment to ensure eligibility for licensure and professional advancement. She described the council as a regulatory body dedicated to safeguarding and promoting professionalism through rigorous oversight, ethical practices and continuous learning. Since the inauguration of the Board in October 2022, Prof. Ofori-Atta said it had undertaken several strategic initiatives such as the introduction of measures to support practitioners, including granting amnesty to 60 individuals who were previously practising without licence, approved a 50 per cent waiver on registration and licence renewal fees for church counsellors. Prof. Ofori-Atta called for collaboration among training institutions, professional associations, and policymakers to build an ecosystem that upheld high standards of practice in psychology. She also encouraged practitioners to renew their licences annually by December 31 to remain in good standing, adding that with the timing of their induction, the board had granted and allowed their first renewal to be due by December 31, 2025. Professional The acting Registrar of the council, Anna Plange, said this years batch was the largest group of professionals inducted into the country since its establishment in 2013. This reflects the growing recognition of psychologys critical role in addressing mental health and societal challenges in Ghana, she added. Ms Plange added that the GPC was committed to providing clear ethical guidelines and robust frameworks to help practitioners to navigate complex dilemmas, while prioritising the welfare of their clients. She expressed concern over majority of practitioners concentrated on providing psychological services in urban areas such as Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast, leaving many communities underserved. Next article: Fisheries Ministry to expand Aquaculture for Food and Jobs programme in northern Ghana National Service Authority, military to increase livestock production Daniel Kenu Nov - 21 - 2024 , 12:10 4 minutes read The National Service Authority (NSA) is collaborating with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to establish ranches nationwide to revolutionise livestock farming. "These ranches, we hope, will improve cattle production, create new job opportunities and stabilise Ghana's meat and dairy industries," the NSA Director-General, Osei Assibey Antwi, revealed last Tuesday. Mr Antwi disclosed this at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) at Gomoa Fetteh, near Kasoa, in the Central Region during a two-day orientation for the second cohort of its Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) programme. About 500 young graduates from the country's tertiary institutions converged to go through the rudiments of agribusiness. Advertisement They are expected to be dispatched to the various enclaves, including Sekyere Kumawu, to be guided by experts from Agri-Impact Limited, a leading agriculture business firm, for action. The HAPPY programme is being executed by partners including, Newage, Agric Solutions, National Service Authority (NSA), Ghana CARES (Obaatan pa) programme, Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Technoserve, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Jobberman. Agriculture is one of the cardinal pillars of the HAPPY initiative, which also intends to nurture entrepreneurship among young graduates, empowering them to shape their futures. Mr Antwi said it would contribute to an increase in food and nutrition security, help in rural and urban economic growth, as well as optimise the productivity of public and private sector investment and resources. The initiative adds to young graduates in entrepreneurship, teaching, ICT and other similar forward-thinking programmes. "These pillars, which serve as the foundation of our strategies, are far more than traditional career pathways; they are the engines of job creation, innovation and national prosperity," he told the expectant graduates. "Ghanas agricultural sector is brimming with untapped potential, and the HAPPY Programme aims to unlock it. As newly posted National Service personnel, some of you will find yourselves working on arable lands in rural and peri-urban areas. This is not just farming it is nation-building. Cultivating these lands will boost food security, create jobs and drive economic growth," he said. The Director-General appealed to the Ministry of Local Government to support the programme by releasing the recently deployed District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) equipment for use during the farming seasons. The tools, he said, were essential for cultivating large-scale arable lands, and their timely release would enable the authority to achieve exponential growth in its agricultural initiatives. He said the project was to build the capacities of 46,490 graduate youth to cultivate 20,000 hectares of land and make jobs available for 81,980 youth in agribusiness. Partnerships He said by forging strong partnerships with the housing and construction sectors and advancing agricultural mechanisation, "we open doors to skills development and business creation. "We understand the road to entrepreneurship can be daunting, so we build robust support systems. These include mentorship programmes, access to funding, and collaboration with private-sector players," he said. French Mr Antwi further announced that as an addendum, the NSA had established a relationship with Alliance Francaise to assist national service persons who wished to study the French language for free to enhance their chances of getting other jobs, especially when Ghana is surrounded by francophone countries. Contributions The Project Lead, NSA, Gabriel Osei Jnr, estimated that the project could save Ghana at least $2 billion a year from the importation of the targeted food crops. He said the project had the potential of cutting down graduate employment by half. The poultry and enterprise coordinator of the HAPPY project and Agric-Impact Limited, Prince Manu Yeboah, said at the end of the service, personnel who wished to become self-reliant would be assisted with the acquisition of land, planting materials and little supervision to begin their own agribusiness. If successful, portions of the farm produce would be used to offset the "capital" and allow the person to manage the farm. Mr Yeboah said beyond farming, those who wanted to venture into other aspects of the agriculture value chain business would also be supported to be on their own. Background The HAPPY programme is expected to create more than 320,000 dignified and fulfilling jobs for the youth, 70 per cent of which are reserved for women and persons with disability. The project is estimated to increase food production by 190,000 tonnes, generate annual revenue of over $200 million and increase agricultural productivity in rice, soyabean, tomato and the poultry value chains to reduce import of strategic food by 10 per cent. The partnership with Agri-Impact is under the ambit of MasterCard Foundation. Next article: Election 2024: IGP urges political parties to prepare for both victory and defeat Walewale: Police confiscate 37 bags of cocoa beans suspected of being smuggled outside of Ghana Mohammed Fugu Nov - 21 - 2024 , 14:28 1 minute read Thirty-seven bags of cocoa beans found in a private residence at Walewale in the North East Region, and suspected to be meant for onward transportation to neighbouring countries have been confiscated by the police. It was based on an intelligence-led operation by the West Mamprusi Police Command that uncovered the 37 bags of cocoa beans in the private residence in Walewale. The bags of cocoa beans are believed to have been transported from southern Ghana to the north on a transit outside of Ghana as part of a syndicate that smuggles cocoa beans outside of Ghana to neighbouring countries. Acting on a tip-off, the police raided the private residence on Sunday, November 17, 2024, and confiscated the cocoa beans. Graphic Online understands that a suspect, who was at the private residence initially obstructed the police by denying them access to the room where the cocoa beans were being stored. Advertisement The officers, however, forced their way into the premises and successfully confiscated the goods, Graphic Online gathered. Police sources have told Graphic Online that the suspect has remained uncooperative, refusing to disclose critical details, including how the goods were transported to Walewale and the intended smuggling route. The seized goods are now in police custody as investigations continues. The incident comes on the back of recent reports of smuggling of cocoa beans from Ghana to neigbouring countries. Bawumia outlines vision for modern, inclusive governance anchored by tech at meeting with CSOs GraphicOnline Politics Nov - 21 - 2024 , 11:47 2 minutes read Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has reaffirmed his commitment to building a modern, inclusive Ghana underpinned by transparency, good governance, and digital systems. Addressing Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Bawumia outlined his vision to use technology as a tool to transform governance and tackle corruption. He emphasised the critical role of CSOs and research institutions in shaping policy and ensuring accountability. Building systems for transparency and inclusion Dr. Bawumia highlighted the governments achievements in digital transformation during his tenure as Vice President, citing the Ghana Card, digital address system, and mobile money interoperability as foundational systems. Advertisement When we came into office, I focused on building systems that ensure transparency. These include digital identity, property addressing, and financial inclusion, which are key to economic transformation, he said. Dr. Bawumia also pledged to expand these systems, including implementing a blockchain-based e-government system. Blockchain ensures transparency and traceability of government transactions. I want Ghana to be the first African country to introduce blockchain technology in governance, he stated. Fighting corruption with digital tools On tackling corruption, Dr. Bawumia advocated for prevention through robust digital systems rather than reactive measures. Digitalisation ensures greater transparency, and I want every government transaction to be traceable and irreversible. Fighting corruption is a fight against entrenched interests, and I will need the support of CSOs to challenge the status quo, he said. He added, People benefit from the current system and resist change, but the interest of the nation must be paramount. Together, we can overcome these challenges. Partnering with CSOs Dr. Bawumia underscored the value of collaboration with CSOs and research institutions, praising their expertise and role in driving accountability. My father used to say, If you want to have sense, talk to sensible people. I believe CSOs and universities have a lot to offer, and I look forward to working with you closely, he said. CSOs response Members of the CSOs who attended the meeting welcomed Dr. Bawumias open invitation to partner with them in fighting corruption and shaping policies. The Vice President concluded by reiterating his vision of a Ghana anchored by systems and data, ensuring inclusiveness, transparency, and economic transformation. I am a problem solver by nature. What advanced countries have done, we can do even better, he affirmed. Next article: Samira Bawumia: Ghana needs a leader like my husband EC destroys Ahafo and Volta defective ballot papers with serial number issues Samuel Duodu Politics Nov - 21 - 2024 , 18:24 2 minutes read The Electoral Commission (EC) on Thursday afternoon (Nov 21, 2024) destroyed defective ballot papers printed for the Ahafo and Volta regions for the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections. There were serial number issues with the ballot papers at the press house and so the EC took a decision to destroy all ballot papers meant for the Ahafo and Brong Ahafo regions and print new ones. The ballot papers were burnt at the Adipa Waste Management Centre, near Nsawam in the Eastern Region. It was due to serialisation errors encountered during the printing process. The affected ballots were burnt in the presence of representatives from political parties, the National Intelligence Bureau, Ghana Police Service, the media, and officials from the EC. Advertisement The destroyed materials included 184 presidential ballot paper bags and 66 parliamentary ballot paper bags for the Volta Region, as well as 67 presidential and 21 parliamentary bags for the Ahafo Region. Briefing journalists after the exercise, the Deputy Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Asante Kissi said the destruction of the defective materials, was in line with the commission's commitment to protect the integrity of the electoral process. "We want to assure the public that we have destroyed all the defective ballot papers to prevent any potential issues during the elections," Mr Kissi stated. "The commission has been transparent throughout this process, and we invite the public to witness the destruction of these materials," he added. Mr Kissi stressed that the exercise was not intended to give advantage or disadvantage to any political party. "We have ensured transparency throughout this process, and all stakeholders, including political party agents, have endorsed the disposal certificates," he said. Mr Kissi added that the exercise was part of the commission's efforts to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. "By destroying the defective ballot papers, the commission demonstrates its commitment to transparency and fairness," he said. The Deputy Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the EC, Fred Tetteh provided the detailed statistics on the destroyed materials which include presidential ballot papers of 9,536 booklets of 100, 1,119 booklets of 50, 1,082 booklets of 25, and 8,970 booklets of 10. The parliamentary ballot papers were of the same figures as presidential. The EC has since announced plans to reprint the ballot papers for the Ahafo and Volta regions, which would be handled by Bucks Press and Acts Commercials. At an emergency Inter Party Advisory Committee meeting last week, the Deputy Chairperson of the EC in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey announced that the commission has recalled both ballot papers for Ahafo and Volta regions due to serialisation errors during the printing of the materials. Previous article: Bawumia outlines vision for modern, inclusive governance anchored by tech at meeting with CSOs Election 2024: Stakeholders must commit to peace Ga Mantse Daniel Kenu Politics Nov - 21 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has urged political parties and all stakeholders in this years general election to commit to peace, unity and vigilance. With barely 17 days to the December 7, 2024 polls, he appealed to Ghanaians to choose dialogue and mutual respect instead of violence and anything that generates conflicts. "I urge all political parties to be committed to peace. Ghana stands at the threshold ahead of the December election which calls for all hands to be on deck," he said. Global peace Nii Tsuru was speaking at the launch of the blueprint for sustainable global peace by the president of COA Global Peace Mission, Professor Samuel Ato Duncan. Advertisement The blueprint connects the metaphysics, the creation story, family and human values to the genesis of global conflicts in what he termed the "Duncan theory of life." The document, which is expected to be a reference point for global leaders and peace lovers, places importance on family values and the construct of human dignity. Cultivate peace The Ga Mantse said peace should be cultivated and not just desired because every desired dream should be accompanied with peace. "We must demonstrate to the world that we are capable because it's possible," he said. Nii Tsuru further urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure that every vote counted during the December 7 polls in order not to disenfranchise any Ghanaian. He said the December election presented a good opportunity for the EC to purge itself of any negative tag. Blueprint Prof. Duncan, who is also the manufacturer and producer of the famous COA mixture, said if properly adhered to, it could save the world millions of dollars. He said according to the World Bank Report, 2022, conflicts alone cost the world more than $1.3 trillion. Zeroing in on Ghana, Prof. Duncan said money spent on internal conflicts over the years could have been used in improving infrastructure and providing basic amenities to communities. GJA ontributing at the launch, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, pledged the association's continual support in safeguarding the country's peace. "I want to reiterate here that an attack on journalists is a threat to peace. We want to go into this year's election without any attack on journalists," he said. The Director of Training and Education at the EC, Dr Serebour Quaicooe, said peace hinged on the actions of all actors, including voters, saying anything short of that could be chaotic. He, therefore, admonished Ghanaians to be mindful of their utterances, actions and inaction to promote peace. A representative of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Prof. Mensah Bonsu, called for diplomacy and the involvement of traditional authorities in promoting peace. Samira Bawumia: Ghana needs a leader like my husband GraphicOnline Politics Nov - 21 - 2024 , 17:48 2 minutes read Mrs. Samira Bawumia, wife of Vice President and NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has passionately endorsed her husband as the leader Ghana needs, citing his integrity, problem-solving abilities, and dedication to the nation. Speaking on GTVs Breakfast Show on November 20, 2024, Mrs. Bawumia shared her belief that Ghana deserves a leader with her husbands qualities. I dont think about it as becoming First Lady; I think about it as giving Ghana a chance to experience an incredible leader. And I know Dr Bawumia. Hes obviously my husband. Hes an incredible man, very gifted, a problem solver. He works very hard; hes an honest man, she stated. Confidence in leadership Mrs. Bawumia expressed her full confidence in Dr Bawumias ability to lead Ghana towards transformation. Reflecting on her evolving role from campaigning as the wife of a running mate to that of a presidential candidates spouse, she acknowledged the added pressures but remained steadfast in her belief in his vision for the country. Advertisement When I was campaigning as the wife of the running mate, it was slightly different. But now, being at the head is slightly different but still the same, once you believe in the candidate that you are putting out there. And I have no doubt that Dr Bawumia will be the President that Ghana needs, she added. Focus on supporting Bawumias campaign When asked about her potential priorities as First Lady, Mrs. Bawumia emphasised that her current focus is on helping her husband secure the presidency. Honestly, I havent given it a thought. I am campaigning for His Excellency Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to become the next President of Ghana, and I will continue to do my best in whatever capacity I find myself. As First Lady, whatever Ive done as Second Lady, Ill build on those successes. But my preoccupation, honestly, is getting Bawumia elected as President because Ghana deserves a President like him, she affirmed. Addressing challenges and feedback Mrs. Bawumia also addressed criticisms of the current government, acknowledging that no administration can solve every problem but asserting that the government has prioritised the needs of the people. We should be open to different points of view and different experiences that people share. So for me, if its honest feedback... And yes, I dont think that any government can solve every problem that exists. But I know that our government has been an honest government, has thought about the people, has put in place policies that have benefited the people of this country, she remarked. Oppo unveiled the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro last month in China, and today, the phones officially arrived on the international stage at a fancy event in Indonesia. They will be available for purchase on November 23. The phones have a Dimensity 9400 chipset and super bright screens, rated at 1,600 nits peak global brightness. The Find X8 series also has a versatile camera system across the portfolio. The vanilla X8 features a 50 MP triple-prism telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, while the X8 Pro includes a second periscope lens with 6x zoom. Oppo Find X8 costs IDR 13,999,000 for the 12/256 GB option and IDR 15,999,000 for 16/512 GB, which translates to $880 and $1,000, respectively. Oppo Find X8 Pro is priced at IDR 19,999,000 for 16/512 GB, which is about $1,250. Prices are likely to be different across other international regions. For example, the Oppo Find X8 is INR 69,999 ($830) or INR79,999 ($945) in India, while the X8 Pro costs INR 99,999 ($1,185). Oppo United Kingdom is selling only the Pro, and it has set the price at 1,049 ($1,325), while in the Netherlands, the phone costs 1,149. Source 1 Source 2 (in Dutch) The Matao, Guams senior mens national soccer team, goes against Singapore in the second leg of the FIFA World Cup 26 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Joint Preliminary Qualification Round 1. This week, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the dismantling of an allegedly violent Florida street gang called the Trap Boys, which Judd said now ceases to exist after a yearlong investigation conducted in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Holding up photographs of Tyler Jacob, 24, Jaquavious Green, 25, and Daquan Carey, 24, Grady said: We flushed the Trap Boys. They cease to exist. Theyre in the toilet and down in the sewer and were going after their accomplices. Polk County authorities went after Jacob, a convicted felon, in 2022, when he was discovered with a handgun and ammunition in his possession. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Investigators also uncovered a trove of items, including debit cards, a printer, blank checks and blank check paperwork, which Grady claimed were used to defraud 40 businesses and eight individuals. On Tuesday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd told reporters they "flushed" the Trap Boys.Polk County Sheriff's Office The second arrest involved Green, who already was being sought on gun charges. When authorities caught up with him, they found more illicit items, including blank checks, check-related paperwork and debit cards. Finally, Carey wanted on attempted first-degree murder charges in a shooting was apprehended by Polk County deputies and during the arrest, officers discovered that he, too, was in possession of bank checks and debit cards. In addition to Jacob, Carey and Green, on Tuesday, federal prosecutors announced the indictment of 19 alleged coconspirators, all residents of Polk County, who are charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud. If convicted on all counts, each faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. According to court documents, the investigation and subsequent arrests were predicated upon several retaliatory shootings between the Trap Boys and other violent street gangs. Authorities reported that during the arrests, several gang members were caught with a trove of fraudulent materials, including checks, debit cards, financial statements, and identification cards belonging to unsuspecting third parties. A deeper investigation purportedly uncovered a sophisticated conspiracy to defraud banks, credit unions, individuals and businesses across Florida. Operating from at least July 2021 to November 2023, the scheme targeted multiple cities, including Winter Haven, Auburndale, Riverview, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Tampa and Miami. In all, the U.S. Attorneys Office believes that approximately 26 banks and more than 200 victims were defrauded, including insurance companies, law firms, construction companies, tile companies, auto shop businesses, public school districts, colleges and state agencies. Haiti - Politic : China and Russia oppose a mission of blue helmets in Haiti Wednesday, November 20, 2024, The UN Security Council met in the afternoon, at the request of China and the Russian Federation, to discuss a proposal by Ecuador and the United States to transform the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in Haiti into a UN peacekeeping operation (blue helmets). Several Haitian leaders have recently called for this transformation and their proposal has received support from the Organization of American States (OAS). It is in this context that Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas in the Departments of Political Affairs, Peacebuilding and Peace Operations, noted "[...] with only 400 of the 2,500 troops initially planned deployed, the Mission remains in its deployment phase and is not able to demonstrate its full potential. The UN Trust Fund for the Mission has pledged only $96.8 million (plus $85.3 million in cash in the Missions Trust Fund https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43627-haiti-news-zapping.html ). Much more is needed [] To fully fulfill the MMSSs mandate and reach its planned strength, international donors and personnel contributors must step up their efforts immediately. Without a substantial and sustained increase in voluntary contributions from Member States, there is a real risk that the MMSS will never be fully equipped, fully deployed, or able to sustain its support to the Haitian National Police [...] There are no ideal options for addressing the serious and multifaceted crisis in Haiti. But as time passes and the situation deteriorates, we find ourselves with fewer options and the Haitian people with less hope. It is high time that we transform our commitments into actions to prevent any further erosion of security and state authority in Haiti," he concluded. An insufficient deployment that Ms. Monica Juma, National Security Advisor to the President of Kenya, the country that led the MMSS, also regretted. "It is urgent to send more troops to the field," she urged, also calling on donors to finance this deployment. For the United States, a peacekeeping operation (blue helmets) would provide predictable and sustainable funding. This is why they asked other members of the Council not to block a request for a report on the issue to the Secretary-General, even though they are aware that there are deep differences on this issue. China and the Russian Federation expressed their opposition. The Chinese representative recalled that last month, China supported the extension of the MMSS decided by the Security Council. However, a little less than two months after the extension of this Mission, some delegations are asking to transform it into a UN peacekeeping operation, the representative was surprised, who wondered if the resolution adopted "was worthless" and could "be changed with a snap of a finger". For China, the work of the Council currently focuses on promoting the rapid deployment of the MMSS and any discussion on its transformation into a peacekeeping operation "would only interfere with its ability to fulfill its mandate and make its deployment even more difficult." Learn more about the blue helmets: A mission of blue helmets cannot have a mandate to fight and eradicate gangs in Haiti. As a general rule, peacekeepers do not intervene in open conflict, because their mission is to ensure peace. However, they can use force at the tactical level, with the authorization of the Security Council, only if they are acting in self-defense. Peacekeeping operations must use force only as a last resort. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - UN : Volker Turk deeply worried On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, before the UN Security Council, Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed his deep concern over the latest escalation of violence in Port-au-Prince, as a coalition of gangs seeks to take complete control of the Haitian capital. "Port-au-Princes estimated four million people, are practically being held hostage as gangs now control all the main roads in and out of the capital, said Turk. " At least 150 people have been killed, 92 injured and about 20,000 forced to flee their homes over the past week. [...] The latest upsurge in violence in Haitis capital is a harbinger of worse to come. The gang violence must be promptly halted. Haiti must not be allowed to descend further into chaos. At least 55% of the deaths from simultaneous and apparently coordinated attacks in the capital arose from exchanges of fire between gang members and police. There have also been reports of a rise in mob lynchings. The deaths and injuries from the latest violence, which began on 11 November, bring the verified casualty toll of the gang violence so far this year to a shocking 4,544 dead and 2,060 injured. The real toll is likely higher still." In addition, an estimated 700,000 people are internally displaced across the country fully half of them children. "he endless gang violence and widespread insecurity are deepening the dire humanitarian crisis in the country, including the impacts of severe food and water shortages and the spread of infectious diseases, at a time when the health system is already on the brink of collapse," said the High Commissioner. "Threats and attacks on humanitarian workers are also deeply worrying." "Gang violence must not prevail over the institutions of the State. Concrete steps must be taken to bolster the Haitian police force and support the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti to protect the population and to restore effective rule of law." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... New report : 45 bandits killed According to the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), 45 bandits were killed by the Haitian National Police (PNH) and/or lynched by members of the population, in the areas of Bourdon, Canape-Vert and Petion-Ville. International Jazz Festival postponed It is with a heavy heart that we announce the postponement of the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival (PAPJAZZ) which was to be held from January 15-19, 2025. The current security situation in Port-au-Prince as well as the suspension of flights, do not give us any other option; the safety of our teams, artists, public and partners being our priority. Stay safe, the PAPJAZZ team thanks you for your understanding. "The time has come to move from words to action" On Wednesday, 20 November 2024, during the Security Council meeting on the situation in Haiti, Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, said : "The time has come to move from words to action to prevent an erosion of security and state authority in Haiti. The more time passes, the more the situation deteriorates, the fewer options we have to help Haitians." Tank trucks are filling up On Wednesday, 20 November 2024, tanker loading operations at the Varreux terminal and the delivery of petroleum products resumed after an eight-day shutdown. Timid resumption of activities in Petion-ville Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Some activities timidly resumed in the commune of Petion-ville the day after a day marked by fear and tensions or at least 28 bandits were killed according to the Police https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43672-haiti-flash-attempted-takeover-of-petion-ville-at-least-28-bandits-killed.html . However, the majority of commercial enterprises and educational institutions were dysfunctional. "Kwasans in Haiti" project for women The resurgence of unrest and violence in Haiti has prompted The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) to increase its support for Haiti. To this end, Dr. Huang Yu-Lin, Secretary General of TaiwanICDF, and Gerardo Almaguer, President and CEO of Developpement international Desjardins (DID) of Canada, signed a cooperation agreement under the "Kwasans in Haiti" Project, which aims to help Haitian financial institutions recognize the financial needs of women. This project will facilitate the provision of essential financial services to women entrepreneurs, thereby improving the economic autonomy of Haitian women and household income. HL/ HaitiLibre (CNBC) 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. To read this article: We're a family of eight living in Georgia where Andrew's a professor at GSU and Nancy is a PhD student at UGA. You can read more about us here The Industrial Union announced in a press release that its strike will take place on Tuesday, 3 December, covering around 1,900 union members employed by 13 companies at 25 workplaces across the country. Trade Union Pro followed up the announcement by issuing a strike warning to the same employers for the same day. THE FINNISH Industrial Union and Trade Union Pro on Monday each submitted a strike warning to the Technology Industry Employers of Finland. Riku Aalto, the chairperson of the Industrial Union, indicates that the strike warning is an attempt to break through a gridlock in months-long collective bargaining negotiations between the union and Technology Industry Employers. It has become clear that we cannot move forward by negotiating. This is still a relatively small-scale measure, but there is a readiness to resort to larger strikes, he warned. The union and employer organisation have sought to come to terms over a new collective bargaining agreement since September. The current agreement is set to expire at the end of the month. The negotiations have garnered nationwide attention because they will effectively determine the limits for pay increases across the economy. The Industrial Union, alongside other members of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), announced last week they are pursuing pay increases of 10 per cent over the next two years made up of a bump of six per cent and at least 150 euros in monthly pay in year one and of a bump of four per cent and at least 100 euros in monthly pay in year two of the agreement term. Employers have dismissed the demand, describing it as one from an alternate reality. Aalto, in turn, has rejected the interpretation, arguing that the target matches workplace-specific bargaining deals ironed out by the Industrial Union. We cannot disclose the names of the specific companies with which we have made them, but there the cost effects have been in the 79-per-cent range for two years. Technology Industry Employers on Monday responded to the strike warnings by arguing that the situation in the industry is already difficult, as evidenced by an increase in lay-offs and furloughs, an ongoing drop in demand and a 17-per-cent drop in the value of order books in mechanical engineering and metal products industry. Chairperson Jarkko Ruohoniemi also insisted that the collective bargaining negotiations have moved forward in positive spirits despite some bones of contention. Both sides have brought difficult issues to the table, and it has certainly been difficult even impossible in some cases to make progress on these. But weve also taken steps forward together, he commented to Helsingin Sanomat. Ruohoniemi added that the negotiations seem destined to continue under the guidance of the national conciliator. I dont think there are any other options, he conceded. The Industrial Union, he viewed, has deliberately drawn attention to pay increases that make its demands seem reasonable while failing to take into account the industry-wide realities. Of course theyll deliberately publicise figures that support their views, he analysed. A national collective bargaining agreement has to take into consideration the situation and outlook for the entire industry. Aleksi Teivainen HT (JNS) - Phil McGraw, better known as Dr. Phil, isn't Jewish. But the trained clinical psychologist and host of the popular eponymous talk show told JNS exclusively that his staunch support of Israel is "really not anything other than just duty to me." "Everybody should be doing what I'm doing," he said. Dr. Phil has denounced Jew-hatred on his show, in interviews and in filmed segments. He told JNS that he was "appalled at the silence from so many people," including colleagues and fellow broadcasters, "that should be speaking out about" Jew-hatred. JNS spoke with the television personality on... (JNS) Argentine President Javier Milei on Tuesday officially appointed Geraldo Werthein, a Jewish businessman and former ambassador to the United States, as the countrys foreign minister. Werthein is a former Argentine ambassador to the United States whose ancestors escaped Jewish persecution in Russia in the early years of the 20th century. He took office at an inauguration ceremony at the Buenos Aires headquarters of the Argentine Foreign Ministry, known as the Cancilleria. Unusually for the predominantly Catholic country, the inauguration featured a Torah, on which Werthein swore to upho... (JNS) At a press conference on Wednesday outside the United Nations National Security Council in New York, a former hostage of Hamas in Gaza delivered a scathing indictment of the international bodys failure to intervene on her behalf. Not a single humanitarian agency saw me or treated me, said Mia Shem. Where was the Red Cross? Where was the U.N. demanding that they have access to us? Israels U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, also spoke at the press conference, describing the U.N.s complete moral failure as unforgivable. While Shem was locked in a cage alongside other women, none of... (Israel Hayom via JNS) Anti-Israel activist organization CodePink has collected 15,000 signatures on a petition urging Trader Joes to remove Israeli products from its stores, while Jewish community groups have launched a counter-campaign encouraging supporters to purchase these same items. As the Israeli genocide continues to devastate Gaza and the broader Middle East, companies like Trader Joes must take a stand, CodePink states in their petition. By stocking Israeli products, Trader Joes supports a system that perpetuates suffering. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement pe... (JNS) Leaders of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement hosted a special reception honoring the president of the Berlin state parliament on Monday night at the Jewish Learning Institute headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y. About 50 guests gathered to honor Cornelia Seibeld, president of the Berlin State Assembly, and other German representatives to express gratitude for the governments support of Israel and commitment to combating rising Jew-hatred throughout Europe. Yehuda Teichtal, chief Chabad rabbi in Berlin, presented Seibeld with an award in recognition of her decision to raise an Israeli flag over... (JNS) The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis told JNS exclusively that it has released a new teacher-friendly curriculum, which addresses the history of the Jewish people in the land of Israel from ancient to modern times. This state social-studies-aligned curriculum situates Jewish history in the larger context of Middle Eastern and world history, the media watchdog told JNS. Students learn how geography and the development of religious, cultural and political movements from ancient to modern times have created a complex society. Jewish history in the land... (JNS) Shed rather sleep anywhere else than inside a bomb shelter, because thats where she was kidnapped from. Thats where Hamas burst in and took her and Hila, Tom Hand, the father of former captive Emily Hand, told JNS on Thursday. On Oct. 7, 2023, Emily Hand was sleeping over at her friend Hila Rotem Shoshanis house in Kibbutz Beeri, five miles from the Gaza Strip, when Hamas launched its assault, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 hostages including 40 children, among them Emily, 8, and Hila, 13. Authorities at the kibbutz told Tom that his daughter had likely been murder... (JNS) - Majed El Shafie, founder and president of the Canadian nonprofit One Free World International, didn't mince words when he spoke about Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, at a "Rally for Humanity" at the Toronto-area synagogue Sephardic Kehila Centre on Sunday evening. "Let me not sugar coat it. We have an idiot of a prime minister. The only prime minister who didn't go to Israel of the G7," said Shafie, whose nonprofit supports persecuted religious minorities. "The only one who refused to take a stand and failed us," he added, "and could not protect his country." He told the 1... (JNS) Israeli authorities on Tuesday warned Israeli nationals in Thailand to remain alert and avoid public Jewish gatherings and events, citing new information regarding possible attacks. The warning follows reports of plans to attack Israelis at a full-moon party on Nov. 15 in Ko Pha Ngan, an island south of Bangkok, Channel 12 reported. The island is a popular travel destination for Israelis. Thai and Israeli security officials have thwarted several attempted attacks already, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Prime Ministers Office, the Mossad intelligence agency and Israe... On Nov. 7, Watercrest Winter Park was abuzz with warmth and community spirit as over 75+ people gathered for the Jewish Pavilions Harvest and Post-Sukkot Networking Festival. This festive event brought together individuals from across Central Florida in the true spirit of Sukkota season that encourages gathering in joy and gratitude. Attendees enjoyed an evening filled with lively music, delicious food, and exciting raffle prizes that kept the atmosphere electric. The carefully crafted decor evoked the spirit of Sukkot, blending seasonal harvest elements with a sense of tradition. Attendees... (JNS) Individuals wearing masks attacked two Jewish students on Nov. 6 as they supported Israel outside the student center at DePaul University in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. The assailants punched Max Long in the face and body while pushing Michael Kaminsky to the ground, resulting in a concussion and a fractured wrist. Long, who has served in the Israel Defense Forces, was there with his friend encouraging dialogue about the Jewish state. In a statement provided to JNS, the Chicago Jewish Alliance described that before the incident two students, one of whom is a proud IDF so... Jewish Pavilion Senior Services will be hosting its Annual JP Connections event on Monday, Dec. 2, in the ballroom at Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs at 11a.m. This is a one-of-a-kind gourmet luncheon event and holiday shopping bazaar with an array of vendors and raffle prizes. Jewish Pavilion Senior Services volunteers will be recognized for advancing the organization's mission to enrich the lives of seniors of all faiths. More than 150 Jewish Pavilion Senior Services donors will be in attendance. At this event, The Friends of Jewish Pavilion Senior Services will spotlight Joan Walker as Vol... (JTA) President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general. As attorney general, Gaetz would head the government department responsible for investigating and prosecuting hate crimes, including antisemitism. Gaetz, 42, was elected to Congress in 2016, where he has represented a district in the Florida Panhandle. Senators from both parties appeared surprised by the nomination, potentially imperiling Gaetzs chances of securing the job. If he is confirmed to the role by the Senate, he would succeed Merrick Garland, a former federal judge who is Jewish. In 2018,... (JNS) More than 60 members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine were arrested during a recent counter-terror operation in Judea and Samaria, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Defense Forces announced in a joint statement on Tuesday. Local district heads and ground-level operatives were detained, along with university students active in PFLP cells, according to the statement. Among those detained were leaders of the PFLP-affiliated Union of Womens Committees, including Abla Saadat, wife of the organizations secretary general, Ahmed Saadat, who has been impri... (JNS) In a video message on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Iranian people to imagine how much better life would be without the ayatollahs, warning also that the tyrants of Iran were putting their families in danger. I want you to imaginejust imaginehow your life could be different if Iran was free, said the Israeli premier. You could speak your mind without fear. You could make a joke without wondering if youd be carted off to Evin prison. He underscored how the fanatical Iranian regime spends vast amounts on attacking Israel instead of improving the lo... (JNS) A group of about a dozen masked individuals protested outside a theater performance of The Diary of Anne Frank at American Legion Devereaux Post 141 in the Detroit metropolitan area, yelling vulgar insults and waving a swastika flag. For approximately 30 minutes on the night of Nov. 9, men described as in their 20s chanted, among other things, that Anne Frank was a whore, according to The Detroit News. Frank was a German-born Jewish girl living in Amsterdam who kept a diary of her life in hiding there with her family until they were rounded up by the Nazis. She died in the Bergen-B... (JNS) Jewish groups mourned the execution of Arvin Netanel Ghahremani, 20, in Iran on Monday and condemned the Islamic Republic for its decision to kill the young Jew, who allegedly killed a man in self-defense. His life ended under a system that allowed discrimination and cruelty to guide his fate. Shame on the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated the World Jewish Congress. Our condolences are with his family through this tragedy and utter lack of justice. Ghahremani was attacked with a knife by a non-Jewish man to whom he had loaned money. The other man was killed, stated the Centre for... The Holocaust Center of Florida strongly condemns the horrific scenes from Amsterdam late Thursday, which Deborah Lipstadt, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, described as terribly reminiscent of a classic pogrom. These premeditated attacks have no place in a civilized society, and we welcome the strong response of the Dutch government in opposing and denouncing these attacks. These attacks, coming two days before the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, served as a terrible reminder of the dangers of antisemitism and proof that we need to do much more to build a world with... (JNS) - President-elect Donald Trump announced that the "great public servant, governor, and leader in faith for many years" and "highly respected" Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, will be the U.S. ambassador to Israel during the next administration. Huckabee "loves Israel and the people of Israel and likewise, the people of Israel love him," Trump stated. "Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East." A Southern Baptist pastor and governor for more than a decade, Huckabee sought the Republican nomination for president in 2008 and 2016. A staunch supporter of... (JTA) WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump is filling out his national security team with pro-Israel hawks who favor maximum pressure on Iran to stand down from its belligerence in the region. Reports Monday said Trump planned to name two Floridian allies to top jobs: Sen. Marco Rubio will be tapped to be secretary of state, and Rep. Michael Waltz will be his national security adviser. Both men have said Israel should not be prevented from staging a direct attack on Irans nuclear weapons program. That stance echoes Trump who, before the election, urged Israel to Do what you have to... (JNS) - Family members of those who have been held captive in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, told a gathering of largely American Jews on Monday that "the most Jewish thing you can do" is speak out on the need for a hostage deal. With the U.S. presidential election in the rearview mirror and a new government readying to take over, "we need to hear from all sides that this is really important for the Jewish community now," said Orna Neutra, whose 23-year-old son, Omer Neutra, a native New Yorker, is a hostage in Gaza. "There's an opportunity... (JNS) For a magazine that prides itself on journalistic standards, Editor & Publisher seems to throw those standards right out the window when Israel is the subject of their reporting. A feature story in the October issue of E&P, the leading trade magazine of the U.S. news media industry, described the difficulties faced by some reporters covering the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But the biggest difficulty with the article was its parroting of blatant anti-Israel falsehoods. The author of the article, Gretchen A. Peck, who is a contributing editor, set the tone in her intr... (JNS) While hordes of politicians, celebrities, influencers and wannabes somberly intone Never Again, 86 years after Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass that ushered in the Holocaust, cowardice reigns in the West. Never again is a pledge of Jewish defiance and Israel its embodiment. From the physical borders of the state and from Entebbe to Amsterdam, wherever Jews are threatened, Israel has taken on the role of defender of the Jewish people. If one is an optimist, Never again was also a way for the European community to verbalize that it understood the magnitude of its crim... (JNS) If you search for Zionism, youll quickly find this bizarre definition on Wikipedia: Zionism is an ethnocultural nationalist movement that emerged in Europe in the late 19th century and aimed for the establishment of a Jewish state through the colonization of a land outside Europe. In other words, Israel is an ethnonationalist colonial movementprecisely what they scream in pro-Palestine demonstrations on university campuses all over America. Zionism is apparently not the self-determination struggle of the Jewish people to repatriate their ancient homeland in the Land of Israel. Wi... Trix van der Vleuten joins as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), heading up the a newly structured Marketing & Performance team at the business that offers hotel facilities, student and extended stay rooms, co-working spaces, gyms and event spaces spaces all under the same roof at 18 locations across Europe. Her previous roles include CMO for Northern Europe at KFC and most recently, Head of Global Brands & Marketing Strategy at Versuni, a former Philips company. The move follows the creation of a new Marketing & Performance Leadership Team with the appointments of seasoned vertical experts including: former Edelman corporate affairs expert Daniel Hernandez Lyon as The Social Hub's Director of Global Communications who entered the business in late 2023; former Netflix global Brand & Social Media executive, Anne Koning who joined in September as Global Director of Brand & Content; and CWT travel industry professional Nathalie Wilson who also came onboard in September as Director of Marketing. An active search for a new Commercial Director is currently open. Together, this team is now actively working as a strong unit to help The Social Hub ramp up its integrated marketing and commercial operations, setting and overseeing implementation of global and regional strategies. Van der Vleuten's career in marketing and brand management spans nearly two decades. The businesswoman is credited with being instrumental in the brand growth and commercial performance of global companies such as KFC, KraftHeinz, FrieslandCampina, SABMiller, and PepsiCo, where she spearheaded innovative programs that reshaped brand perceptions and customer engagement. Lawrenceville, GA M3 is proud to announce it has been awarded the Silver Globee Winner at the 17th Annual 2024 Globee Awards for Achievement (Women in Business). This prestigious award highlights the companys dedication to excellence and its commitment to advancing women in the business world. For more information on the Globee Awards and the full list of winners, visit: https://globeeawards.com/women-in-business/winners/. The Globee Awards for Achievement (Women in Business) is a prestigious awards program that recognizes and celebrates the achievements of women in all industries worldwide. Companies and organizations can nominate the accomplishments of their women employees, women business owners can submit their own achievements or nominate their staff, and women who have made significant strides in their careers can self-nominate. Open to women professionals and leaders from every field and region, this program highlights the dedication, innovation, and leadership that drive positive change in the global business landscape. M3 proudly celebrates Casi Johnson, President of M3, as a recipient of the prestigious Globee Award for Women in Business. This recognition highlights her 23 years of transformative leadership and innovation within the company, solidifying M3s position as North Americas leading provider of hotel-specific accounting software. Since joining M3 in 2000, Casi has driven the development of industry-leading solutions such as M3 Accounting Core, M3 Labor Management, M3 Insight, and the newly launched M3 CoreSelect, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of hospitality technology. Beyond her groundbreaking work at M3, Casi is a dedicated mentor and thought leader in the hospitality industry. She serves on the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Advisory Board at the University of South Florida, where she earned her MBA, and actively mentors graduate students. This award underscores Casis unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, as well as her influential role in shaping the future of hospitality software and inspiring the next generation of leaders. We are honored to receive the Silver Globee at this years Globee Awards for Achievement (Women in Business). This award is a testament to our commitment to empowering women, fostering innovation, and driving excellence in the hospitality industry. I am nothing without the incredible M3 team, whose dedication, creativity, and passion make everything we achieve possible. Together, we are committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients and making a positive impact on the communities we serve. Casi Johnson, President of M3 We are delighted to honor the achievements of women in business and professionals from all over the world who are setting new standards of excellence. These winners exemplify the values of leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing women in the business world. Congratulations to all on this well-deserved recognition. San Madan, President of the Globee Awards Over 1,100 judges from around the world, representing a diverse array of industry experts, applied for the judging process. The judges are listed here: https://globeeawards.com/women-in-business/judges/. About the Globee Awards The Globee Awards present recognition in ten programs and competitions, including the Globee Awards for Achievement (Women in Business), Globee Awards for Artificial Intelligence, Globee Awards for Business (International), Globee Awards for Customer Excellence, Globee Awards for Cybersecurity, Globee Awards for Disruptors, Globee Awards for Innovation (also known as Golden Bridge Awards), Globee Awards for Leadership, Globee Awards for Technology, and the Globee Awards for USA (American Business). To learn more about the Globee Awards, please visit the website: https://globeeawards.com. About M3 Built by hoteliers, exclusively for hoteliersTM, M3 is a robust cloud-based financial platform and services company serving over 9,000 entities across North America's hospitality industry helping drive cost savings, revenue enhancement, and business insight. With over 25 years in business, M3 touts a 95 percent customer retention rate. Used by over 1,000 management groups and owner-operators and hotels of all sizes, the platform works seamlessly with other key systems and tools in the hospitality industry. It offers robust accounting and financial analysis across entire portfolios with optional operations and time management features. M3's Professional Services team provides on-demand accounting and bookkeeping support for hotels and portfolios of any size by offering a full range of customized accounting solutions that can scale with a hotelier's needs. Privately held and employee-owned, M3 continues to constantly enhance products and services with regular releases and updates. "M3", "CoreSelect", "M3 Concierge", "Built by hoteliers, for hoteliers," and "Accounting Core" are all trademarks owned by M3; all other marks are owned by their respective owners. For more information, visit www.m3as.com. Danielle Abram Content Marketing Specialist Paris On the occasion of the 28th European Week for the Employment of People with Disabilities (SEEPH), Accor, a global leader in hospitality, announces a partnership with Handiwork, an ESUS (French government-approved social enterprise) that provides training and support to disabled people in the workplace. This innovative partnership will lead to the roll-out of the HANDIWORK DECOUVERTE (Discovering Handiwork) program in a number of Accor hotels across France, ranging from economy to luxury, providing people from the sheltered sector with introductory training in the hospitality industry. An initial seven hotels kicked off the program in late 2024, including properties in Hauts-de-Seine (92), Toulouse and Le Havre, welcoming 28 trainees. In early 2025, the project will be extended to other cities, including Lyon and Bordeaux. Over a period of 10 months, the participants will be supported by a Handiwork training officer and will learn about the various roles in hospitality. The apprenticeship, which includes hands-on training and total immersion in Accor hotels, will ensure they acquire practical and empowering hospitality skills. At the end of the training, participants will receive a formal qualification detailing the skills acquired and they will also have the opportunity to pursue their professional journey within the Group. This partnership with Handiwork is a chance for us to further open the doors of our hotels and to play an active part in the training of participants. We are proud to offer these talented people a meaningful first professional experience, and to strengthen our commitment to an inclusive hotel industry Anne-Sophie Beraud, SVP Social Care & Impact, Accor. Following our work in the Retail sector, we are extremely proud to be able to expand our HANDIWORK DECOUVERTE training and integration pathways to the Hospitality industry. The diversity of career paths offered within Accor Groups many brands provide genuinely exciting opportunities for talent from the sheltered sector, seeking to enhance their professional development and make their way into the mainstream workplace Lionel SATOUF, co-founder and CEO, Handiwork. Accor has long sought to foster an inclusive hospitality industry. In 2023, Accor launched a partnership with Simplon, an inclusive training organization focused on digital careers, to provide training to 14 people with disabilities in the role of App Designer & Developer. This work-based learning program offers 18 months of training as well as personalized support. The initial roll-out began in April 2024 following a six-month pre-selection process, marking the first successful stage of this partnership which will continue until October 2025. For the past seven years, Accor has been involved in DuoDay, a national day that its hotels and headquarters take part in to raise awareness of and promote the professional integration of disabled people. This year, 100 Duos were created, made up of disabled people and Accor employees, thus offering participants the opportunity to interact with our teams and learn about the Group and its career opportunities. This program, initially launched in France, has gradually been extended internationally to countries where the Group operates, becoming Accor World DuoDays. In partnership with local charities, not-for-profit organizations and schools, Accor Greater China has since 2016 been actively involved in organizing events to showcase careers in hospitality. Approximately 500 events have been organized over the past seven years, involving almost 8,400 disabled people and 25,000 employees. In 2022, Accor also organized a special day for young visually impaired people as part of the program, Blind Empowerment 100-Day, in partnership with the charity beYoureyeS. In 2023, the partnership was renewed with an event at the Pullman Shanghai Jing An, offering tailored training to introduce participants to careers in hospitality. In North America, the Fairmont Tremblant and Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth began a partnership with Giant Steps, a Canadian NGO specialized in educating people with autism spectrum disorders and promoting the professional integration of autistic and neurodivergent adults. Launched in 2022, this pilot project led to the integration of 12 new staff members into hotel teams, supported by professional trainers from Giant Steps. These two hotels are the first in Canada to roll out this program, with the aim of extending it to other Fairmont hotels in the country, while in parallel providing a positive experience to autistic guests and their families. About Accor Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,700 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industrys most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. About Handiwork Handiwork is an enabler of inclusive solutions. It leverages its expertise to open the doors of businesses to people with disabilities, either by introducing them to career opportunities, or by helping them return to or gain direct access to employment. Its innovative concept bridges the gap between the professional world and the world of disability, thanks to its training officers who accompany and train disabled workers on the job and within the workplace - www.handiwork.fr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18296779/ Mews, a leader in hospitality technology, has announced the acquisition of Atomize, the Swedish-headquartered Revenue Management Software (RMS) provider. Atomize provides a next-generation revenue management platform that enables real-time price optimization, unlocking huge revenue opportunities for hotels around the world. Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews, said, In an industry where bookings can happen at any time, making informed decisions in real-time is crucial. Traditional revenue management systems often result in hoteliers resorting to blanket price changes. This is why we are so excited to bring Atomize onboard to equip our customers with predictive insights and market data, empowering them to maximize revenue. Founded in 2016 by Leif Jagerbrand, Atomize is designed for forward-thinking hoteliers, transforming complex market data into actionable insights, offering optimal pricing in real time, up to two years into the future, while minimizing manual interventions. Atomize has customers in over 50 countries, across five continents. Its main capabilities include: Real-time dynamic pricing: Powered by smart algorithms, Atomize RMS continuously monitors market demand, booking patterns, competitor rates and more to automatically adjust room rates in real time Powered by smart algorithms, Atomize RMS continuously monitors market demand, booking patterns, competitor rates and more to automatically adjust room rates in real time Granular room level pricing: Hotels can optimize rates down to an individual room type (based on market demand), guest preferences and the perceived value of each room type, leading to more effective revenue optimization Hotels can optimize rates down to an individual room type (based on market demand), guest preferences and the perceived value of each room type, leading to more effective revenue optimization Multi-property and group pricing capabilities: One centralized platform to enable consistent revenue management for multi-property chains and groups, while accounting for each propertys unique market conditions One centralized platform to enable consistent revenue management for multi-property chains and groups, while accounting for each propertys unique market conditions Automation and human-control: Atomize combines sophisticated pricing algorithms with the flexibility for hoteliers to guide their pricing strategies Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, commented, Atomize has been one of our key strategic partners since 2018 and together we have helped hundreds of customers to seamlessly manage both revenue and operations. Bringing the expertise of the Atomize team and the world-class product into the fold is a huge milestone for Mews as we continue to transform hospitality. Leif Jagerbrand, Founder and Chairman of the Board at Atomize, commented, Becoming part of the Mews family marks an exciting new chapter for Atomize and the hospitality industry at large. With Mews global reach and commitment to innovation, we see tremendous potential to bring hoteliers a more comprehensive approach to managing revenue and operations. By aligning our strengths, were better positioned to support hoteliers in delivering exceptional guest experiences while boosting profitability. We believe the future of hotel technology lies in smart, unified solutions, and this partnership brings us one step closer to realizing that vision. We couldnt be more excited about being part of the Mews family, said Alexander Edstrom, CEO of Atomize. With Atomize now part of Mews, it marks an exciting new chapter for the entire hospitality industry as we unite our advanced revenue management technology with. Mews comprehensive platform. This creates long-term possibilities to innovate further, deeper and faster, setting new standards for operational intelligence and revenue optimization. Together, we are creating a foundation for the next generation of hoteliers to thrive, not just today, but in a rapidly evolving industry that demands forward-thinking, scalable solutions. CEO at Kronen Hotel Group in Norway, Chris Pedersen added: Atomize has been exactly what we needed to maximize revenue and efficiency. Its real-time rate suggestions allow us to respond instantly to shifting booking patterns, helping us boost RevPAR by 35% for our entire group and saves us about ten hours a week per hotel, totaling fifty hours of time saved each week. With Mews and Atomize, we're not only staying agile in a dynamic market but are also creating a seamless, high-value experience for our guests and a more resilient operation for our team. About Mews Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality, designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report, and won the Tech Hero 2024 Award at CIODAY. Mews has previously raised $335 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Notion to transform hospitality. www.mews.com Katie Halfhead Senior Communications Manager When it comes to the policies that shape the future of business travel, youwhether a travel manager, supplier, or industry professionalneed a voice in the room. Last week, GBTAs Advocacy team amplified that voice, meeting with European policy decision-makers to influence the frameworks and regulations that directly impact business travel. Over three days, GBTAs team, including Fulvio Origo, Delphine Millot, Shane Downey, and representatives from Grayling Public Affairs, conducted 15 meetings across Brussels. This included six meetings with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and their advisors, four sessions with European Commission divisions such as DG Move and DG Home, a discussion with the U.S. Mission to the EU, and meetings with key industry stakeholders from airlines, hotels, and travel technology providers. These meetings were opportunities to represent the interests of GBTA members and the industry overall to and address the challenges that shape how business travel operates across borders. Key topics included streamlining travel processes, maintaining competitiveness, and paving the way for sustainable business travel. Spotlight on Business Travel : GBTA highlighted the critical role of business travels $1.4 trillion contribution to the global economy. Meetings with MEPs Jens Gieseke (EPP) and Sergio Goncalves (S&D)both members of the Transportation and Tourism Committeefocused on the distinct needs of business versus leisure travel. : GBTA highlighted the critical role of business travels $1.4 trillion contribution to the global economy. Meetings with MEPs Jens Gieseke (EPP) and Sergio Goncalves (S&D)both members of the Transportation and Tourism Committeefocused on the distinct needs of business versus leisure travel. Digital Travel Innovations : MEP Gieseke expressed strong support for digital travel documents to cut through bureaucratic hurdles, a move that could streamline your travel processes. : MEP Gieseke expressed strong support for digital travel documents to cut through bureaucratic hurdles, a move that could streamline your travel processes. Proactive Support for Key Policies: We engaged on upcoming legislation like the Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation, which aims to simplify rail bookings across Europe with a single ticketing system, and shared your perspective on policies that impact traveler experience. GBTA also gained critical updates on regulatory changes that could affect your travel planning: Postponed Rollout of Entry/Exit System (EES): Due to technical challenges, EES implementation will now begin in early 2025, delaying the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) until at least 2026. This extended timeline gives stakeholders more time to prepare for compliance. Sustainable Transport Investment Plan: Expected in 2025, this initiative will drive both decarbonization and competitiveness, ensuring that EU companies remain at the forefront of sustainable travel solutions. GBTA will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize your needs and the broader business travel community. To keep updated on GBTAs advocacy efforts in Europe, subscribe to a newsletter, bookmark the GBTA Advocacy page and follow GBTA on LinkedIn. About GBTA The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org. About the GBTA Foundation The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org. Nov. 19, 2024 Atlanta WorldVia Travel Network, a leading travel host agency in the United States, has announced the publication of Travel Marketeering: A Complete Guide for Starting (or Refreshing) Your Travel Agency, written by Joshua Harrell, chief revenue officer for WorldVia Travel Group. The comprehensive book is a manual to equip both aspiring travel professionals and established agency owners with the essential tools they need to build successful and sustainable travel businesses. Travel Marketeering was conceptualized and written as a strategic marketing roadmap for navigating the intricate and ever-evolving complexities of selling and marketing travel in todays competitive marketplace. The book offers a step-by-step blueprint to becoming a polished and successful travel marketeer, whether for those just starting out in the industry or seasoned professionals seeking to revitalize existing travel agency businesses. Anyone can be a Travel Marketeer. It just takes the right mindset, says Harrell. This book is not only a guide but also a source of inspiration for those who are ready to take on the challenges and rewards of the travel industry. My goal is to help readers build their businesses with confidence, from branding and marketing to customer retention and growth strategies. Harrell drew on his extensive experience in marketing strategy and deep understanding of the travel industry to deliver innovative, business-savvy insights and actionable guidance throughout his book. Sixteen insightful chapters are packed with practical advice on topics such as developing results-focused marketing plans, addressing risk management, hiring support teams, retaining customers, and other strategies essential for establishing and growing successful travel agencies. A tell-all approach to cutting-edge creative and discerning business strategy, Travel Marketeering provides everything a travel business entrepreneur needs to know for developing an efficient and impactful marketing plan that leads to brand awareness and the evolution of lead generation and consistent sales growth. WorldVias content manager, Evan Greenberg, served as editor for the new book. With eight years of experience in journalism and content marketing, Evan played a pivotal role in shaping Travel Marketeering, said Harrell. Evans unique perspective and keen editorial insight ensured that the book not only delivers valuable information but also resonates with and engages its audience. Harrell, already established as a thought leader in the travel industry through his frequent speaking engagements and contributions to various industry publications, further cements his influence with the launching of Travel Marketeering. The latest book by Harrell builds off the success of his 2019 release of Digital Marketing Strategies for Your Business, which provides real-world knowledge and useful tips for small businesses navigating the complexities of online marketing. The release of Travel Marketeering continues what has been a milestone year for WorldVia as the company expands its portfolio of business-forward technology, events, education and resource content for its travel agent and advisor members. "This has been a record year in so many ways for us here at WorldVia," says Harrell, reflecting on the company's recent accomplishments, including its 2024 Magellan Awards success, announced by Travel Weekly in early October. The award-winning host agency network was honored with four prestigious 2024 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, earning gold awards in "Overall-Travel Agent Innovation" and "Overall-Technology Solutions" for its WorldVia PRO platform, the companys comprehensive all-in-one suite designed for its travel advisor members. WorldVia also received silver awards in the "Marketing-Live Events" category for its CORE Summit event and "Overall-Training Program" for its Accelerator program. WorldVias recent Magellan-award accolades underscore the companys and Harrells ongoing commitment to providing best-in-class resources to its members. Travel Marketeering, further exemplifies this mission, equipping travel professionals with the insights and tools they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving industry. Travel Marketeering: A Complete Guide for Starting (or Refreshing) Your Travel Agency, is now available for purchase on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats. Travel professionals eager to explore Harrells latest insights for pragmatic and powerful travel marketing strategies can purchase the book directly through its dedicated Amazon webpage or by searching the full title on the booksellers site. Travel Marketeering is also available on BookBaby Bookshop, an online platform supporting independent bookstores nationwide. About WorldVia Travel Group WorldVia Travel Group is a collection of leading travel companies in the United States with a spirited and longstanding commitment to delivering unmatched services, assets and support to its members, clients and partners including independent travel agent and advisor entrepreneurs, corporate partners and humanitarian organizations through the company's two primary divisions: WorldVia, which operates the company's host agency, and the consumer travel website, worldvia.com. WorldVia's mission involves simplifying and streamlining travel agency owners' and travel advisors' business management practices as well as empowering them to build and cultivate the travel businesses of their dreams. In 2024, the company was honored by Travel Weekly with four prestigious Magellan Awards, earning gold and silver accolades for business-forward technology, events and education for its members. WorldVia is also featured on Travel Weekly's 2024 "Power List" of the world's biggest travel sellers and has been named Host Agency of the Year three times by Travel Leaders Network. Peter Costello Public Relations Manager, Eberly & Collard Public Relations +1 404 574 2900 Google Told to Sell Chrome: A Bold Move to Shatter Search Monopoly - Image Credit Unsplash The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has demanded that Google sell its Chrome browser as part of a series of remedies to dismantle its online search monopoly. The DOJ's proposed remedies also include barring Google from entering contracts that make its search engine the default on smartphones and browsers. As reported by the BBC, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has suggested several remedies to end Google's monopoly in online search, including selling its Chrome browser, the world's most popular web browser. The proposals were included in a court filing late Wednesday. The DOJ also recommended that District Judge Amit Mehta prohibit Google from entering into contractual agreements with companies like Apple and Samsung that make Google's search engine the default on numerous smartphones and browsers. These proposed remedies result from a landmark anti-competition ruling in August, in which Judge Mehta found Google guilty of illicitly suppressing its competition in online search. A group of US states joined the DOJ in the filing, arguing that the proposed changes would bring competition to a monopolized market. In the words of the government lawyers, "Restoring competition to the markets for general search and search text advertising as they exist today will require reactivating the competitive process that Google has long stifled." Google responded to these proposals by accusing the DOJ of promoting a "radical interventionist agenda" that would undermine the United States' global technology leadership and harm its citizens. Kent Walker, Google's president of global affairs, criticized the DOJ's proposal as excessively broad, going "miles beyond the Court's decision." Google is expected to present its counter-proposals by 20 December, and Judge Mehta is likely to deliver a decision by the summer of 2025. According to Statcounter, a web traffic analysis platform, Google's search engine currently accounts for roughly 90% of all online searches worldwide. The government attorneys also asserted that Google's ownership and control of the Chrome browser and Android operating system have enabled it to direct users to its search engine. The proposal includes a five-year ban on Google re-entering the browser market and court supervision of Android to prevent Google from using its ecosystem to favor its general search and search text ad monopolies. The DOJ lawsuit against Google was initiated towards the end of Donald Trump's first administration, raising questions about how the incoming administration might approach the case. Rebecca Allensworth, associate dean for research and anti-trust professor at Vanderbilt Law School, posited that it's unlikely that the second Trump administration would withdraw from a case they had filed. Professor Laura Phillips-Sawyer of the University of Georgia School of Law argues that the proposed changes could be instrumental in reintroducing competition into the online search market. She argues that Google's dominance in search and its resulting access to user data have not only improved its search algorithm and text ad sales but have also effectively barred new entrants from securing a distribution channel. If Judge Mehta accepts the proposed remedies, Google's competitors, including new entrants, may get a chance to flourish. Fairmont Breakers Long Beach - Image Credit Accor Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Pacific6, a Long Beach-based investment and development group, to open the Fairmont Breakers Long Beach in downtown Long Beach, California. The grand opening follows an extensive multi-million-dollar renovation combining historical elegance and modern luxury. Situated 25 miles south of Los Angeles, the Fairmont Breakers offers high-end accommodations and top-tier amenities. Built in 1926, the property has been meticulously renovated to offer a mix of old-world charm and modern luxury. It features the citys only luxury spa and rooftop bar, a sunlit pool terrace, and two signature restaurants, including the beloved Sky Room. Mark Steenge, General Manager of Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, expressed his pride in reviving the iconic landmark, remarking on the hotel's commitment to luxury, elegance, and high-quality service. Omer Acar, CEO of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the hotel's importance to the local community and its role in enhancing Long Beach's reputation as a thriving destination. The Breakers property has long been a distinctive icon along the Long Beach skyline, attracting famous personalities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant. The hotel exhibits a vintage charm and modernity blend, with 185 guest rooms and 22 suites designed with an elegant coastal palette. Modern design elements have preserved and enhanced the propertys historic features. The hotel features five distinct food and beverage concepts, offering a variety of culinary experiences. The Sky Room, a fine dining restaurant, offers an extensive menu with Whole Roasted John Dory and California Wagyu Beef Wellington dishes. Nettuno, inspired by the Italian coast, serves authentic Italian home-cooked meals. The hotel also features Halo, the only rooftop bar in Long Beach, and Alter Ego, an upscale jazz bar. The Fairmont Spa, a 10,000-square-foot facility, offers massages, facials, and body treatments. The hotel also includes a two-story fitness center and outdoor pool. Fairmont Breakers Long Beach is set to become a premier destination for meetings and events, offering nearly 10,000 square feet of flexible event space. Room rates at Fairmont Breakers Long Beach start at $349 per night. The hotel joins Fairmont's extensive collection of properties across California and marks the brand's 89th property worldwide. IHCL Announces New Ginger Hotel in Raipur The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has revealed plans for a new Ginger hotel in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The hotel is expected to offer a high-quality experience to its guests, adhering to the brand's lean luxe philosophy. According to Suma Venkatesh, IHCL's Executive Vice President of Real Estate & Development, this new venture aligns with the company's strategy to establish a presence in capital cities and major business hubs across India. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Mr. Devendra Singh Sibbal and Mr. Kabir Sibbal of the Utsav Group. The Ginger Raipur Hotel, a 120-room property, will be part of a mixed-use development on the Mumbai-Kolkata National Highway (GE Road). The hotel will feature Ginger's all-day diner and bar, Qmin, a modern fitness center, and flexible meeting areas. The Utsav Group directors have expressed their enthusiasm about the partnership with IHCL. They look forward to introducing Ginger Hotels' lean luxe concept in Raipur. Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh, has become a significant business hub in Central India thanks to its strong industrial sector. The city boasts various spiritual and historical landmarks like the renowned Mata Kaushalya Temple and the Swami Vivekanand Sarovar. The Utsav Group, managed by Mr. Devendra Singh Sibbal and Mr. Kabir Sibbal, deals with the dealership for Hero MotoCorp Ltd., and offers sales and service of Hero two-wheelers across Raipur and Durg. The Group also has a considerable presence in the organic and cold chain sectors. SESAC Nashville Music Awards 2024 honors Songwriters and Publishers SESAC Nashville Music Awards 2024 celebrated top songwriters and publishers. Here are the highlights and who took home the honors. SESAC Nashville Music Awards 2024 by Stacy Simons Santos of Celebrity Access As Country Music Association (CMA) Awards week commences in Nashville, SESAC Performing Rights kicked off the celebrations, honoring songwriters and music publishers behind the years most-performed country and Americana songs at the companys annual Nashville Music Awards held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Jaron Boyer was named SESACs Songwriter of the Year with his hits including Let Your Boys Be Country, recorded by Jason Aldean, and Mind On You, recorded by George Birge. To honor this achievement, Gibson created a custom guitar, and Jostens provided a one-of-a-kind ring. SESACs Song of the Year was awarded to the number one hit Pretty Little Poison, penned by Jared Keim, and recorded by Warren Zeiders. Warner Chappell Music took home the title of Publisher of the Year, after winning multiple awards throughout the night. Zeiders took the stage with co-writers Ryan Beaver and Keim to perform Song of the Year Pretty Little Poison, moments before they accepted the award. Megan Moroney performed Am I Okay?, the title track from her sophomore album. Additionally, Moroney was awarded the SESAC Spotlight Award in recognition of her recent achievements, including critical acclaim for her latest album, a new headlining tour to begin in 2025, three CMA Award nominations, and more. The celebration was hosted by SVP, Head of Nashville Creative Shannan Hatch, alongside Senior Directors, Creative Services, ET Brown and Lydia Schultz Cahill. More than 400 songwriters, publishers, and industry professionals attended the awards celebration, sponsored in part by Hatef Aesthetics, Bombas, Brumate, CRVFT, Cymbiotika, Dr. Bronners, Eboost, Herban Essentials, Little Secrets, Monopoly, Olaplex, Osea, Pause, and Solawave. Share on: E-Invoicing Exchange Summit Kuala Lumpur 25.11.2024 bis 27.11.2024 Art der Veranstaltung: Kongress Ort: Kuala Lumpur Datum: 25.11.2024 - 27.11.2024 Uhrzeit: 09:00 - 17:00 Veranstalter: Vereon AG Teilnahmeoptionen: Prasenzveranstaltung Zielgruppe: C-Level, Fachexperten, Arbeitnehmer URL: https://www.exchange-summit.com/events/apac/agenda E-Mail: info@vereon.ch Voranmeldung erwunscht: ja This year's edition of the E-Invoicing Exchange Summit Asia Pacific will take place in Kuala Lumpur from November 25 to 27, 2024. At this global platform, you will get in-depth information about recent developments and future trends in the field of E-Invoicing, E-Reporting and beyond, with a focus on APAC countries. You will also get in personal contact with leading experts from governments and industries, to expand your network. On the pre-conference day, Monday, November 25, you will have the opportunity to start the E-Invoicing Exchange Summit by attending the workshops All About E-Invoicing and Peppol. Furthermore, a great networking opportunity awaits you with the Icebreaker Reception in the early evening. The conference itself will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 26 and 27, 2024, including the Networking Dinner. Key topics to be covered + Malaysia's E-Invoicing for Business Digitalisation and Tax Compliance + Mastering E-Invoicing Now: Actionable Steps for Compliance and Efficiency + Driving Digitalisation across APAC with Internationally Interoperable E-Invoicing + Energy Supply Chain Network: Rising Above E-Invoicing and Financial Compliance + The 4-Corner Model for E-Invoice Exchange + USA: The Exchange Framework of The Digital Business Networks Alliance (DBNA) is Up and Running + Country updates: Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, India and Germany Attending Registration fees range from EUR 1200 to EUR 2400. Special rates valid for public sector and typical senders of a high volume of invoices are available. These tickets are limited and will be granted upon request and examination. For more information, agenda and registration visit: https://www.exchange-summit.com/events/apac/agenda Page Content ANTALYA, TURKIYE Over 200 global aviation leaders convened at the inaugural "AI in the Sky" conference in Antalya to address the transformative role of artificial intelligence in aviation's future. The three-day event, hosted by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) with ICAO's support, showcased how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing aviation safety, efficiency, and sustainability. "There is nothing artificial about artificial intelligence it is delivering concrete results," stated Mr. Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkiye, highlighting the tangible benefits already being realized through artificial intelligence implementation. ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar emphasized artificial intelligence's critical role in achieving ICAO's 2026-2050 Strategic Plan objectives, "Artificial intelligence and big data analytics are not mere supplementary tools, but fundamental enablers of our strategic vision for safe, efficient, and sustainable global aviation." Salazar said. The conference featured extensive discussions on: Artificial intelligence governance frameworks and regulatory harmonization Operational efficiency improvements through artificial intelligence integration Enhanced safety through predictive maintenance and risk assessment Environmental sustainability solutions Next-generation aviation workforce development Turkiye showcased its achievements in developing domestic aviation technology solutions, including the "IRADE" system currently operational at Istanbul Ataturk and Cukurova airports, and "CARE," a multi-purpose radar screen system serving more than 40 Turkish airports and recently expanded to Azerbaijan. The UK Civil Aviation Authority and Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand shared insights on developing flexible regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with safety. EUROCONTROL presented its machine learning-based delay prediction system, while IATA demonstrated comprehensive data governance frameworks for artificial intelligence implementation. "This event marks a crucial milestone in coordinating global efforts to harness artificial intelligence's potential while ensuring safe, secure, and sustainable aviation development," said Prof. Dr. Kemal Yuksek, Director General of the Turkish DGCA. In his closing remarks, Mr. Jorge Vargas, Director of ICAO's Capacity Development and Implementation Bureau, emphasized the shared responsibility ahead: "As we move forward with these innovations, we must remain mindful of our shared responsibility to ensure no country is left behind in this technological transformation. I urge all of us to consider how we can make these artificial intelligence advances accessible and implementable across all regions and levels of development." The Filipino people, economy, and environment have been heavily hit by the escalating plastic pollution crisis. The nation, which is made up of thousands of islands with a limited and fragmented waste management infrastructure, is one of the worlds largest contributors of marine plastic litter. This is made worse by the sachet economy, where brands deliver goods in small units that are affordable for the majority of the population. The majority of large plastic producers met or exceeded targets in first year Two years ago, the Philippines rolled out one of the worlds most ambitious laws on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which holds manufacturers accountable for waste resulting from their products and packaging to enable a circular economy. That act, which lapsed into law in 2023, requires companies with at least one hundred million pesos in assets to take responsibility for an increasing percentage of their plastic footprint, rising from 20% in 2023 to 80% in 2028. A case study published by PCX Solutions, Extended Producer Responsibility in the Philippines: Early Learnings and Insights for Emerging Markets Battling Plastic Pollution, shows that while its still early days, the countrys approach to EPR is showing promising results. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau estimates that 2,130 businesses fall into the current Obliged Enterprise scope. The DENR-EMB reports that as of August 2024, a total of 947 companies had registered an EPR program. Together, those companies enabled the recovery and diversion of 163,000 metric tons of post-consumer plastic packaging waste in 2023. While not all Obliged Enterprises complied in the first year, continued education efforts aimed at raising awareness and compliance levels are ongoing. Companies that dont comply also face escalating fines, and ultimately the loss of their business license for repeated offenses. The majority of the largest plastic packaging producers have complied, and many went beyond the minimum 20% recovery target for 2023, indicating strong support among the countrys largest Obliged Enterprises. There are still significant milestones to unlock, like dealing with decades of legacy plastic pollution; enabling policies to create the supply and demand for recycled materials and to reduce and eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging; further mechanisms and guidance to achieve social inclusion and just transition; and national standards to establish transparency, credibility and accountability, according to PCX Solutions analysis. But enacting and implementing EPR has allowed the country to see immediate results, start constructive discussions, realize and understand the gaps, and gather support from stakeholders through an inclusive and systematic approach, PCX Solutions says in its report. This case study offers insights and analysis for other developing countries in a similar situation to boldly and urgently address the problem, and for negotiators of the UN plastics treaty to consider innovative approaches and voices from the Global South, said Stefanie Beitien, Managing Director of PCX Solutions. There are already well-established EPR regimes in a number of developed markets, including Europe, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, which typically involve government funded collection, sorting and processing of plastic waste. The Philippines has taken a pragmatic approach and crafted an accessible law that makes these goals achievable. There are six upstream measures that can reduce their footprint, such as the use of recycled content, reusable packaging or refilling, and six downstream measures to recover their footprint, and plastic crediting is one of them. The Philippines approach shows that a market-based mechanism like credits, which facilitates the cleanup of plastic waste and encourages the private sector to invest in waste infrastructure, can play a pivotal role in supporting EPR laws - particularly in emerging markets that lack collection and recycling systems, said Nanette Medved-Po, Founder of PCX Solutions. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy When Ridley Scotts Gladiator 2 arrives in cinemas this week, some viewers may assume that the spectacular scenes of the Colosseum in Rome being flooded in order to host naval battles are merely figments of the directors overactive imagination. Indeed, classics professor Dr Shadi Bartsch recently described some elements of the film as total Hollywood bulls***. However, Scott has vocally pushed back against the idea that he invented the idea of water battles in the Colosseum. Youre dead wrong, the 86-year-old told an interviewer from Collider. The Colosseum did flood with water and there were sea battles. When the interviewer asked whether its true the battles involved sharks, a point Dr Bartsch particularly criticised, Scott responded: Dude, if you can build a Colosseum you can flood it with f***ing water. Are you joking? And to get a couple of sharks in a net from the sea? Are you kidding? Of course they can! Scotts assertions are largely backed up by the historical record. When the Colosseum was opened by Emperor Titus in 80 AD, it was inaugurated with ceremonies lasting 100 days, which included two staged naval battles known as naumachiae. A naval battle taking place in the Colosseum, as seen in Ridley Scotts Gladiator II' ( Paramount Pictures ) One of these was held in the nearby Augustinian basin, while the other was held inside the Colosseum itself. The Roman historian Cassius Dio wrote that animals were involved in the performace, albeit horses and bulls rather than sharks, which imply the water was relatively shallow. For Titus suddenly filled this same theatre with water and brought in horses and bulls and some other domesticated animals that had been taught to behave in the liquid element just as on land, wrote Cassius Dio. He also brought in people on ships, who engaged in a sea-fight there, impersonating the Corcyreans and Corinthians. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free That battle between the Corcyreans and Corinthians precipitated the Peloponnesian War, in 434 BCE, so would have taken place a little over 500 years before it was recreated in the Colosseum. Meanwhile, Dr Bartschs claim that the Ancient Romans wouldnt have even known what a shark was is clearly untrue. They were written about by Roman naturalists, such as Pliny the Elder, and depicted in art including a well-preserved second-century BCE mosaic from Pompeii. The scenes in Gladiator 2 that depict combatants riding rhinos in the Colosseum may be artistic licence, but its true that exotic animals including rhinos, elephants, bulls, bears, lions, panthers and crocodiles were all brought to Rome and often pitted against each other in the arena. Gladiator 2 is out now in the UK and the US. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Netflix users are being reassured by the lead star of a new chart-topping Christmas movie. New release The Merry Gentlemen has shot straight to the top of the streaming services most-watched list since its premiere on Wednesday (20 November) and is leaving thousands of viewers hot under the collar. Described as a festive version of Steven Soderberghs Magic Mike franchise, the film follows Ashley (Britt Robertson), a Broadway dancer who stages a Christmas-themed revue in small-town America led by a male stripper named Luke (Chad Michael Murray). Netflix has found a niche in the release of Christmas films over the past few years and, when The Merry Gentlemens trailer was first released, there was some concern about whether this one would be suitable for families to watch together due to the relentless amount of scenes involving a nude Murray. However, the One Tree Hill and Gilmore Girls star is reassuring those wanting to watch the film about its content. Its not gratuitous by any means, he told Variety, adding: We threaded the needle on that film. You go too far and youre making one movie; you go too under, and it doesnt work at all. Its in the perfect space where people wont feel wrong having it on the TV in the background. Its the sweet spot and Im really proud of that. For Murrays many shirtless scenes, he underwent an extensive regime, which he said was a combination of everything from cardio to cyro to vitamins, supplements and clean eating. He said his muscular co-star Cole Prattes, who plays Troy, taught him how to do a third of the work and get better results. The Merry Gentlemen is directed by Peter Sullivan, who co-wrote the film alongside Jeffrey Schenck and Marla Sokoloff. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Chad Michael Murray in Netflix movie The Merry Gentlemen ( Netflix ) Its releases comes hot on the heels of another Christmas film, Hot Frosty, which stars Mean Girls star Lacey Chabert and Schitts Creeks Dustin Milligan. While the streaming services christmas films are usually branded guilty pleasures, Hot Frosty is the rare one that viewers are saying is actually worthy of your time. Hot Frosty follows a widow whose life is altered when she magically brings a snowman to life. Both films are available to stream on Netflix now. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Prior to MAGA loyalist Matt Gaetz suddenly dropping out of considering at attorney general on Thursday afternoon, several Fox News personalities began bucking President-elect Donald Trump and suggesting that it probably wasnt a good idea in the first place that he nominated the far-right firebrand. The morning after The New York Times published a bombshell leaked document from the Department of Justices investigation into sex-trafficking allegations involving Gaetz, hosts of Trumps favorite morning show Fox & Friends wondered if it was time to move on from the former Florida congressman. Co-host Brian Kilmeade, an avid Trump acolyte, kicked off the program by noting the specter of the House Ethics Committee probe into accusations that Gaetz paid a 17-year-old girl for sex will continue to hang over his head. The committee was due to release a highly damaging report of its findings last week, only for its publication to be derailed by Gaetzs abrupt resignation from Congress. If they can feel as though they can live with whatever the ethics revelations come out, and he gets in front of people, he is such a strong communicator, Kilmeade said, adding that Gaetz would need to tone it down if the ex-lawmaker wants to garner support for his nomination. The hosts of Fox & Friends discuss Donald Trumps nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general. ( Fox News ) Colleague Steve Doocy, meanwhile, added that these arent the kind of headlines the Trump transition team wants to be dealing with, especially with the constant drip, drip, drip every day of some new revelation about Gaetzs alleged actions. The Trump teams got to be thinking, you know, maybe this wasnt such a good idea, Doocy added. We dont want to be spinning our wheels. We dont want the distraction. We would like to hit the ground running. While co-host Lawrence Jones said he actually thinks the opposite because Trump was aware of the investigation before and believes the DOJ is unfair, both Doocy and Kilmeade held to their belief that sticking with Gaetz would become untenable. Well, the front page in The New York Times says this: Federal inquiry traced payments from Gaetz to woman, Kilmeade noted, reading from the Times article. A document prepared by the federal investigators bolsters claims by women who say they were hired for sex. And then they go into it. First per The New York Times. So if this happens for the next two months, it might be too much. Its a lot, Doocy added. The couch-sitters at Fox & Friends, meanwhile, arent the only ones at the conservative cable giant who have been sounding the alarm over the damage Gaetzs nomination could do to Trumps recently acquired political capital. Earlier this week, Fox News host Trey Gowdya former GOP congressman and prosecutor warned Trump to not use the justice system as a weapon, adding that picking Gaetz tells Republicans he is doing just that. The message for Republicans is dont do it on the other side, either, with this absurd A.G. pick that you just made, he declared. Justice is different. It is a combination of policy, law, and also morality. You do not use our justice system as a political weapon. Voters rejected it in November and will reject it if Republicans try to do it. Some things rise above the din. The justice system is one of those things. Additionally, Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen cited Gaetzs own history of clashing with his fellow Republicans, notably when he masterminded Kevin McCarthys removal as speaker of the House, to urge Trump to name another nominee. Matt Gaetz is not the best choice. Its not Republicans who have dirtied him up. This is a guy who stood on the floor of the House and drove the House into chaos by trying to overthrow Speaker McCarthy. So hes burned bridges with the Republican Party. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Paul Simon has warned fans they wont be hearing him play his 1986 hit You Can Call Me Al anytime soon. The 83-year-old folk rock icon, who rose to fame with Art Garfunkel as the renowned 1960s duo Simon & Garfunkel, joined CBS Mornings on Wednesday (November 20), where he spoke about his hearing loss battle. Im going through my repertoire and reducing a lot of the choices that I make to acoustic versions, he said on the show. Its all much quieter. Its not You Can Call Me Al. Thats gone. I cant do that one. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee started to lose his hearing four years ago during the recording of his 2023 studio album, Seven Psalms. At the time, Simon assumed his performing days were over. Reflecting back on his first few months coping with the reality of losing his hearing, he said: It was incredibly frustrating. I was very angry at first, yknow, that this had happened. I guess what Im most apprehensive about would be if I cant hear well enough to really enjoy the act of making music, he noted. open image in gallery Paul Simon says he cant play You Can Call Me Al anymore amid hearing loss battle ( Getty Images ) According to Simon, hes lost 94 percent of his hearing in his left ear. When he initially spoke to his doctors about the hearing loss, theyd claimed nothing could be done to help him. Now, hes putting his faith in the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss, a team of 100 scientists dedicated to finding methods for hearing loss prevention and repair. Simon is hopeful in the mission. Hes also been looking to other artists whove gone through similar health issues for inspiration amid the battle. You know Matisse, when he was suffering at the end of his life, when he was in bed, he envisioned all these cut-outs and had a great creative period, Simone said of the 20th century French visual artist. So I dont think creativity stops with disability. So far, I havent experienced that. And I hope not to. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up Though he wont play You Can Call Me Al again, which Setlist.fm estimates hes performed over 400 times throughout his career, Simon is optimistic hell get back to hosting full-length concerts. Last month, he told The Guardian: Im hoping to eventually be able to do a full-length concert. Im optimistic. Six months ago I was pessimistic. open image in gallery Simon and Art Garfunkel performing at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert in 2009 ( Getty Images ) Simons 2018 Homeward Bound - The Farewell Tour began in Vancouver, Canada before finishing up in Queens, New York, just miles away from where hed gone to school with his long-time music partner, Garfunkel. Last month, the two reunited for the first time in years, Garfunkel told The Sunday Times in an interview with his son, Art Garfunkel Jr. I looked at Paul and said, What happened? Why havent we seen each other? Garfunkel recalled. Paul mentioned an old interview where I said some stuff. I cried when he told me how much I had hurt him. Looking back, I guess I wanted to shake up the nice guy image of Simon & Garfunkel. Yknow what? I was a fool! The last time Simon & Garfunkel performed together was in 2010, when they took part in the American Film Institutes (AFI) tribute to The Graduate director Mike Nichols, whose film helped propel them to international fame by featuring a number of their songs. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Carol Vorderman has issued a cheeky message to Im a Celebrity contestant Melvin Odoom after he admitted to having a crush on her. Radio host Odoom, who is currently competing in the current series of reality jungle survival series, revealed during Tuesdays episode that hed like to take TV presenter Vorderman on a date. I follow her on Instagram, he told his fellow campmates, confessing he was too shy to say hello to Vorderman when he spotted her at the Pride of Britain Awards in October. N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos advised him that Vorderman would appreciate him being upfront about his feelings before giving him a masterclass in the art of asking someone out. Odoom and Contostavlos role-played as if Contostavlos was Vorderman, and the radio presenter began: Carol, how are you doing? You look sensational, youre actually glowing. Look, I booked a restaurant for next week, its gonna be Thai food, all expenses paid, Im gonna send a cab to your house for about eight o clock, Ill see you there. In the Bush Telegraph, ODoom called Vorderman a 10 out of 10, and said: Check your DMs girl, Ill be waiting. Later, the name on Odooms official Instagram profile was changed to Melvin Odoom (Vorderman to be). Vorderman quickly responded to Odooms romantic admission, and sent a message into Im a Celebrity Unpacked on Wednesday evening. The Countdown star seemed chuffed about the news of the crush, when she said: Melvin or should I say jungle man, Melvin Vorderman. Right, question, have you been spying on me? Because only last night I had little Thai food. Melvin ODoom on Im a Celebrity ( ITV ) She continued: Jungle man, keep doing what you are doing, youre doing a brilliant job. See you on other side. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free On Thursday, Vorderman posted about the exchange online, writing: Well hello @melvinodoom, or shall I say Melvin Vorderman or Jungle Man which sounds very much like Vorder Man? Im having so much fun watching the camp mates having a joke with Melvin in the @imacelebrity jungle and @tulisacontostavlos you did a great impression. What do you think? she asked her fans. Last years Im a Celeb star Fred Sirieix was quick to get behind the coupling, and advised her to fly to Australia for when he leaves to jungle. Buy a ticket and fly to Oz to wait for Melvin on the other side of the bridge. Its a win win if you ask me, he wrote. One fan said, The whole nation wants to see this date, as another added: We need you to fly over there Carol. Another joked that they were already planning their hat choice for the wedding. Im already planning my hat for the wedding. Actually Im a bridesmaid so I dont need a hat. Im so into this relationship. He is so lovely sis, they said. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have reportedly listed their Montecito estate and relocated to rural England following Donald Trumps presidential win. The former TV host, 66, and her wife, 51, have fled the country and plan to never return to the U.S., sources told The Wrap. The couple of 16 years has moved to the Cotswolds in South West England, the outlet reports, and their Montecito mansion, about 90 miles north of Los Angeles, has either already been privately listed or will be on the market soon. DeGeneres and De Rossi had already purchased their England home before the election, according to TMZ; however, they were very disillusioned by his win and decided to get the hell out of America permanently. The Independent has contacted DeGeneress representative for comment. Their reported move quickly caught the attention of British broadcaster Piers Morgan, who mockingly responded to the news, tweeting: OMG... no! The Finding Nemo stars news comes after she was kicked out of show business. In 2022, the comedian was forced to end her long-running Ellen DeGeneres Show after a Buzzfeed News investigation accused her of fostering a toxic workplace environment. Piers Morgan tweets OMG... no! in response to reports of Ellen DeGeneres moving to the U.K. ( Getty Images ) DeGeneres subsequently announced she would retire this August after playing the final dates on Ellens Last Stand Up tour, which were filmed for her new Netflix special, For Your Approval. A slew of other celebrities, including America Ferrera, Sharon Stone and Cher, have also expressed interest in leaving America following Trumps re-election. The Ugly Betty and Superstore star Ferrera, 40, was recently seen touring a private South West London school that her two children, son Sebastian, six, and daughter Lucia, four, could attend. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Ferrera and her husband, fellow Barbie actor Ryan Piers Williams, are determined to relocate to give their children the best opportunities possible, a source told the Daily Mail earlier this month. Stone, meanwhile, previously pledged to leave the U.S. if Trump won. I am certainly considering a house in Italy, the 66-year-old Basic Instinct star told the Mail in July. I think thats an intelligent construct at this time. This is one of the first times in my life that Ive actually seen anyone running for office on a platform of hate and oppression. Trump, who beat Vice President Kamala Harris, has since been dolling out nominations for his cabinet picks to a series of unqualified and controversial figures. Hes so far proposed Matt Gaetz whos been accused of having sex with a minor for attorney general, former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, and conspiracy theorist Robert F Kennedy Jr. for health secretary. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy HBO has issued a statement on JK Rowling amid concerns about her involvement with a new Harry Potter series. The premium cable network is producing a show based on Rowlings novels, and it will be a more in-depth adaptation of the film franchise that starred Daniel Radcliffe as the boy wizard. Unknowns are being scouted to play the roles of the Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, with recognisable faces being circled for the adult characters, including Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. The move to adapt Rowlings novels have been criticised by some fans of the books, with many deeming another adaptation unnecessary, and others have said they will boycott the project over views on trans people shared by the author. In recent years, Rowling has faced a backlash from several key cast members of the original franchise after her controversial remarks about the trans community in 2020. Her relationship with these stars, as well as Harry Potter fans, have deteriorated amid the increasingly toxic debate. HBO, which is now owned by Warner Bros Discovery, has responded to criticism of Rowlings involvement, staunchly defending the author in the process. It said in a statement to Variety on Wednesday (20 November): We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter the heartwarming books that speak to the power of friendship, resolve and acceptance. JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement. HBO boss Casey Bloys told reporters earlier this month that Rowling was very, very involved in the process of selecting the writer and the director, which is now revealed to be Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free JK Rowling has been defended by HBO over involvement in new Harry Potter series ( Getty Images ) One person who isnt sure if a new series is needed is Jared Harris, whose father Richard Harris played Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. While Radcliffe has spoken out against Rowling for her views on the trans community, he said he would be happy to watch the new adaptation but didnt sound too keen on an appearance. Like the rest of the world, Im very excited to watch as an audience member, Radcliffe told E! News. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith fell victim to FCC regulation on Thursday (November 21) when her comical description of King Charles IIIs tea preference was censored on live television. The South African restaurateur, 84, joined Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on their Live ABC talk show for a Thanksgiving cooking segment. While sharing her recipe for a croissant, pear and chocolate hazelnut pudding, Leith recalled the time she was invited to cook for the Royal Family and accidentally botched the late Queen Elizabeths tea order. Following Leiths story, Ripa asked: How does King Charles take his tea? Um, I should think he probably likes it, um, what my husband would call... perhaps I cant say this on morning television, the longtime cooking show host responded, with Ripa urging her to say whatever you want on air. Hippie s***, Leith said, leaving the studio in a fit of laughter. Love that, Ripa replied as Consuelos agreed: Yeah, I love it. I love it! Ripa went on to praise Leith, calling her an American treasure, while Leith further clarified that she didnt actually know how the King liked his tea. Hes very green, and very concerned about the environment, so perhaps hed like chamomile tea or one of those hippie teas! she explained. Prue Leith said King Charles likely prefers his tea very green as hes very concerned about the environment ( Getty Images ) Leith is currently presiding over season 15 of The Great British Bake Off alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood. Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding have also returned to co-host the series. Earlier this week, Hammond was praised by viewers after she stepped in to console a contestant who was on the verge of quitting. Tuesday nights episode saw the contest enter the semi-final stage. Hollywood challenged the four remaining bakers to create an opera cake, which is a cake with multiple layers. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free However, the challenge was a bit too much to handle for Georgie, who became overwhelmed and shouted: I quit. Responding to the situation, Hammond quickly rushed over to comfort Georgie and give her some words of encouragement. Oh my god I have done it wrong, said the baker before adding: I dont understand, as she despairingly put her face in her hands. An emotional Georgie added: Im going, Ive had enough, Im going. I just dont want to do it. Im done. Im going to stand here until the end. Hammond then put her arm around Georgie and told her: Listen to me, I have been where you are, you can do it. What youve just done, listen, this is what youre doing. You put yourself into a I cant do this. Listen to me youve got this, a million percent. Please, Im begging ya, get that negative and throw it away right now. Georgie agreed with Hammond and returned to the kitchen to finish the cake. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Whoopi Goldberg had to cut to a commercial break in the middle of a recent episode of The View. On Wednesday (November 20), the cast of the ABC daytime talk show got into a heated discussion about school voucher tax credits public money that goes to either a parent or student to choose any school that meets their educational needs. The goal of the voucher tax credits is to eliminate tuition barriers to private schools by donating to non-profits, known as scholarship-granting organizations. The money is then pooled and given out to eligible student applicants in the form of scholarships. During the episode, The View star Sunny Hostin claimed that vouchers tend to only benefit wealthier families who have children already enrolled in private schools. What happens with vouchers, the studies show very clearly, that they fund students that are already attending private schools. So, people with money get those vouchers, use those vouchers to pay less for their private schools, and their kids go on to do well, she said. Where do you get the money for those vouchers? You pull the money from those poor schools. Alyssa Farah Griffin who served as President-elect Donald Trumps director of strategic communications during his first term attempted to interject and provide her own comment, but Hostin didnt let her. Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin argued about school voucher tax credits during recent episode of The View ( ABC/The View ) So, thats just not my experience. If I may get in, just to make it a conversation, Farah Griffin said, as Hostin continued to talk over her. While Hoston said she wanted to discuss her experience being a mother and providing education for her children, Farah Griffin chimed in: Well, I went to public school. I believe you got to go to private school. The co-hosts continued to talk over each other before Goldberg decided to step in. Nobody can figure out whats being said here, the Oscar winner said, as Hostin tried to ask if she could make one more comment. No, there is no last thing right now. Were going to go to break, Goldberg said. Farah Griffin once again tried to ask for a convo, but the Sister Act star reiterated that she didnt think a conversation was possible. Whats happening is no one can hear anything anyone is saying, Goldberg said. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Goldberg addressed the argument after the commercial break, pointing out that The Views co-hosts have different opinions, which can occasionally get out of hand. Welcome back, were all here at the table and were having a conversation and were going to go back to it. Before we do, I just want to say this is the beauty of people who have different opinions, Goldberg told the audience. Sometimes its messy, sometimes were messy. Theres something in the air. Just know that something is chewing on us. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Wayne Knight has claimed his 110-pound weight loss has negatively impacted his career. The 69-year-old actor, best known for his role as Newman on the hit 1990s sitcom series Seinfeld, briefly opened up about the connection between his physical change and his current lack of work during a run-in with TMZ at Los Angeles International Airport. When asked by the outlet if his weight loss has affected his career, Knight said: Yes. In a bad way, he continued. But it takes time. It takes time for people to accept you as you are, and then they find out whether or not you can still do things without being fat. Knight added: Its just what it is. You just have to accept the fact that you cant sell something that youre not. open image in gallery Wayne Knight claims losing 110 pounds has affected his career in a bad way ( Getty Images ) According to the actor, hes lost 110 pounds since he starred in 1993s Jurassic Park. He didnt specify what method he used to shed the pounds, but said hed tried everything that anyone could ever try over a period of time including therapy, drugs, surgery, exercise, and radiation. Knight also joked that hed been taken by aliens as a method for weight loss. When TMZ questioned whether Knight had been doing it the old fashioned way, he responded: What do you mean, like, not eating? Yes, that does work. open image in gallery Wayne Knight at Disneys California Adventure Park in 2001 ( Getty Images ) Knights career has spanned decades, with a portfolio of supporting roles in movies such as Basic Instinct, Space Jam, and The Exes. He also assumed the role of postal worker Newman alongside Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Seinfeld. In 2020, Knight reprised his series character in an anti-Donald Trump advertisement. The commercial, written and created by Seinfelds David Mandel, was in support of mail-in voting for the Democratic political action committee Pacronym. In the ad, titled A Message from Your Friendly Local Mail Carrier, Knight condemned the systematic, premeditated assault on the U.S. mail by President Trump and his so-called Postmaster General. That guys never even licked a stamp, he said, referring to President-elect Trump. Theyve had the unmitigated gall to try to slow down the mail, when everybody knows that the only person who can slow down the mail is a mailman. When the mail stops, the world stops, Knight continued, urging viewers to take necessary steps to ensure their vote is cast on time. Alright Donnie, you know those tax returns? The ones you dont want anyone seeing? You should never have mailed those. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scores of Hong Kongs leading pro-democracy activists, collectively known as the Hong Kong 47, have been handed prison terms in the citys largest trial under the national security law. Prosecutors accused them of trying to overthrow the government, charging them under the new law brought by China three years ago. The High Court on Tuesday jailed 45 of them, while two had been acquitted earlier this year. Critics have condemned the prosecution as politically motivated, targeting those who represented political resistance to Beijings increasing control over the former British colony which was returned to China in 1997. The case centred on the groups involvement in holding unofficial primaries in 2020 to secure a pro-democracy majority in the city legislature. The organisers defended their actions saying that they were allowed under the Basic Law, the mini constitution that governs Hong Kong and guarantees its people a measure of freedom. Prosecutors, however, charged that their plan to block government bills and force the resignation of the chief executive amounted to a conspiracy to commit subversion, a charge introduced under the sweeping security law. Most of the defendants pleaded guilty. The key figures in Hong Kong 47 represent a cross-section of the citys pro-democracy movement, from seasoned politicians to first-time activists inspired by the 2019 street protests. They include Benny Tai, a legal scholar accused of orchestrating the primaries, activist Joshua Wong, and experienced opposition lawmakers Claudia Mo, Helena Wong, Kwok Ka-ki, and Leung Kwok-hung, popularly known as "Long Hair. open image in gallery Benny Tai reacts before entering the West Kowloon Magistrates Court in Hong Kong on 10 April 2019 ( AFP via Getty ) Mo, a former journalist, is a well-known voice for democracy while Leung has been a fixture in the citys political opposition. A younger generation of activists such as Owen Chow, Ventus Lau, and Tiffany Yuen gained recognition for their vocal advocacy. Chow and Lau were involved in a defining moment of the 2019 protests when hundreds of people stormed the Legislative Council chamber, defacing the emblem of Hong Kong in what they claimed was an act of defiance against Beijings tightening grip, the BBC reported. The group also includes individuals who were not active in politics before 2019 but motivated by the protests that year to act. Social worker Hendrick Lui, entrepreneur Mike Lam and former nurse Winnie Yu are among those who transitioned from their professional roles into activism. open image in gallery A woman is stopped by police outside the West Kowloon Magistrates Court in Hong Kong on 19 November 2024 ( EPA ) Two members of Hong Kong 47 were acquitted earlier this year. Laurence Lau, a barrister and former district councillor, and Lee Yue-shun, another former district councillor, were cleared of the charges in May. Tai received the harshest sentence of 10 years as judges described him as the "mastermind" of a scheme to undermine the city governments authority. The law professor rose to prominence in 2014 when he founded Occupy Central movement, which called for free and fair elections in Hong Kong. He was imprisoned in 2019 for his role in the Occupy Central protest. Wong, 28, a prominent face of the 2019 protests was sentenced to over four years after pleading guilty. The court ruled that his previous convictions demonstrated he was not of good character. He was the face of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, which had sprang up alongside the Occupy Central sit-in. In 2019, Wong helped drum up overseas support for the protests. His activism resulted in Beijing calling him as an advocate of Hong Kongs independence who had begged for interference from foreign forces. Leung, 68, known for his political theatrics and hurling bananas as a sign of protest, was jailed for six years and nine months. open image in gallery People wait outside the West Kowloon Magistrates Courts in Hong Kong on 19 November2024 ( AP ) Gordon Ng, a dual citizen of Australia and Hong Kong, was sentenced to over seven years, one of the longest terms for those who pleaded not guilty and contested the charges. He was convicted in May this year. Former Stand News journalist Gwyneth Ho, who planned to run as a candidate in the unofficial primaries, got seven years after pleading not guilty. Mo, 67, a former legislator who did plead guilty, received one of the shortest sentences of four years and two months. The judges held that she was an active participant in the scheme but gave her a relatively lenient sentence after taking her public service into account. The trial, which concluded this week, drew significant public attention. Long queues formed outside the West Kowloon Magistrates Court as supporters braved rain and police searches to witness the proceedings. The trial has reignited concerns about Hong Kongs diminishing freedoms. Critics argue the security law has been weaponised to suppress political opposition. Western governments and human rights organisations have repeatedly criticised the law, calling it a tool for eroding civil liberties. Hong Kongs last British governor, Chris Patten, said in a statement that the sentencing was "not only an affront to the people of Hong Kong, but those who value rights and freedoms around the world". He condemned the "sham" sentences, calling on the British government not to allow the matter to go unnoticed. open image in gallery Court staff raise a national flag next to people queueing to enter the West Kowloon Magistrates Court before the sentencing of the 45 convicted pro-democracy activists ( Reuters ) The US Consulate in Hong Kong said America strongly condemned the sentences. "The defendants were aggressively prosecuted and jailed for peacefully participating in normal political activity protected under Hong Kongs Basic Law," it said in a statement. Australian foreign minister Penny Wong expressed grave concern over Ngs sentence, calling out the broad application of the security law. Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong, however, maintain the law has been essential in restoring stability after the 2019 protests and warned against foreign interference. 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. Additional reporting by agencies. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Indian billionaire Gautam Adani is facing criminal fraud charges in the US for allegedly orchestrating a $250m (or 198m) bribery scheme to secure renewable energy contracts in India. Prosecutors claim he and other seven executives bribed officials, concealed the scheme, and misled investors to raise $3bn (or 2.4bn). The investigation, which began in 2022, accuses Mr Adani of obstructing inquiries and furthering the fraud. Mr Adani, a close ally of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, denied the allegations. Asias second-richest person, who narrowly escaped death in 2008 as one of many people stuck inside Mumbais Taj Mahal Palace Hotel when gunmen went on a killing spree, now faces a US arrest warrant and criminal penalties over the fraud and bribery charges. Mr Adanis businesses, spanning industries like power, ports, sugar, and soybeans, lost over $150bn in market value last year after Hindenburg Research accused his group of improper use of offshore tax havens. Before the stock drop, Mr Adani briefly became the worlds wealthiest person but then was ranked 25th with a net worth of $57.6bn. Born in Ahmedabad on June 24, 1962, he dropped out of school at 16 and founded Adani Group in 1988. He is married to dentist Priti Adani, and their sons, Karan and Jeet, are involved in the business. On Wednesday, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, unsealed the indictment of five counts, accusing Mr Adani and his associates of orchestrating the scheme to secure lucrative solar energy contracts in India. The contracts, obtained between 2020 and 2024, are expected to generate over $2bn (1.58bn) in profit. In a statement released on Thursday, Adani Group said the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied all wrongdoing. The groups spokesperson said all possible legal recourse will be sought. The conglomerates spokesperson assured our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws. Billionaire at centre of controversy Last year, Mr Adani, once the worlds second-richest man, faced an unprecedented challenge that rocked the Indian business world and wiped out billions of dollars from his wealth. The billionaires companies lost close to $75bn in the span of just one week and dropped out of the top 10 list in the Forbes Billionaires Index. In the process, Mr Adani was overtaken by longtime rival Mukesh Ambani as Asias richest man. The sudden fall in the wealth of Asias richest man, known for his meteoric rise and close ties with prime minister Narendra Modi, came after an activist investment firm released a report accusing his company Adani Group of pulling the largest con in corporate history. The report alleged brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud worth $218bn by the multinational conglomerate, active in resources, logistics and energy, wiping billions from the personal net worth of Mr Adani. The sharp fall in stocks and allegations raised concerns over the vast amount of investments made by Indian public sector companies in Mr Adanis businesses, amid fears that it could end up affecting the fortunes of millions of Indians. Heres a look at who Mr Adani is, what are the latest allegations against him, and how his fall could impact the wealth of Indian citizens. Who is Adani? The 62-year-old business tycoon built his empire starting as a humble plastics trader in Gujarat, also the home state of Mr Modi where he was elected as the chief minister three times. Mr Adanis fortunes began to take shape soon after Indias liberalisation in 1990s, when he was tasked with developing a deep-water port at Mundra, which now hosts the largest commercial port in the country. Since then, Adani Group has seen a meteoric rise, expanding into infrastructure, logistics and energy, often inviting questions from crticis over his closeness with Mr Modi. Mr Adani made headlines around the world last year when he briefly surpassed Jeff Bezos as the worlds second-richest man, becoming the face of Indias fast-growing economy. Over the years, there have been several allegations against Mr Adani, including of cronyism, as his firms have won many Indian energy and infrastructure government contracts. What are the US charges against him As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and Gautam S Adani, Sagar R Adani and Vneet S Jaain lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from US and international investors, US attorney Breon Peace said on Wednesday. The other defendants named by US prosecutors are Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable energy firm listed in the US, and Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, employees of a Canadian institutional investor. They are accused of conspiring to obstruct investigations by a grand jury, the FBI and the US Securities and Exchange Commission by destroying evidence, withholding information during an internal inquiry, and falsely denying involvement in the bribery scheme during meetings with US authorities. On several occasions, Gautam S Adani personally met with an Indian government official to advance the bribery scheme and the defendants held in-person meetings with each other to discuss aspects of its execution. The defendants frequently discussed their efforts in furtherance of the bribery scheme, including through an electronic messaging application, the US Attorneys Office, Eastern District of New York said in a statement. What happened to Adani Groups stocks? Hindenburg Research, an activist investment firm, published a report earlier this year that accused the Adani Group of, among other things, artificially boosting the share prices of its firms over several decades by using a network of overseas shell companies linked to Mr Adanis family members. Hindenburg argued that Mr Adanis companies were collectively overvalued on Indias stock market by more than 80 per cent. The news set the stock market price of his company into a freefall, with many observers, who have long raised questions over the companys valuations, raising concerns over the public investments made in the Adani Group. Mr Adanis net worth fell by $8.21bn to $84.4bn then amid the fallout from the allegations. It was reported at the time that since 1 January, he has lost $36.1bn from his net worth. Why Adani matters to the Indian taxpayer The sharp fall in stocks of Adani Group raised concerns over the high exposure of the state-owned insurance company, the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), and Indias largest lender State Bank of India (SBI), to Adani Group companies. LIC, a company on which a large number of Indian citizens rely for their insurance, has invested heavily in the Adani Group in the last few years. The insurer accounts for over 98 per cent of the entire insurance industrys investment in the Adani Group, raising fears that the massive losses that the conglomerate is suffering will impact the state-owned company. Indian banks have an exposure of around Rs 80,000 crore (7.92bn) to the Adani Group, which is 38 per cent of the groups total debt. One of the largest lenders, SBI, has defended itself by saying that its exposure to the Adani Group was well below the RBIs Large Exposure Framework and was secured by cash-generating assets. However, it did not specify the amount of exposure to the company. At the time, it was reported that in five trading sessions, LICs stock saw an almost 15 per cent drop while SBI witnessed a 10 per cent decline. What happens now In Mr Adanis case, the next step following the indictment is likely the arraignment stage. During this phase, a judge will formally present the charges and determine whether bail will be granted to the accused. The defendants will then decide whether to plead guilty or not guilty. If they plead not guilty, the case will move forward to a jury trial. Reuters reported that prosecutors are expected to forward the arrest warrants to foreign law enforcement agencies. Reaction in India The opposition Congress Party has reiterated its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the various scams linked to the Adani Group. In a post on X, Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh stated that the indictment vindicates the call for a JPC investigation. He also urged the appointment of a new and credible SEBI chief to ensure the completion of securities law investigations into the Adani Mega Scam. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Indian billionaire Gautam Adani is facing criminal fraud charges in the US for allegedly orchestrating a $250m (198m) bribery scheme to secure lucrative renewable energy contracts in his home country. Prosecutors claim that Mr Adani and seven other executives bribed Indian government officials, concealed the scheme and made false anti-corruption statements to raise $3bn (2.4bn) from US and international investors. The investigation, which started in 2022, accuses Mr Adani of obstructing inquiries and directly advancing the scheme. Mr Adani, an ally of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, has faced fraud allegations previously as well but denied any wrongdoing. As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and Gautam S Adani, Sagar R Adani and Vneet S Jaain lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from US and international investors, US attorney Breon Peace said. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, unsealed the indictment of five counts on Wednesday, accusing Mr Adani and his associates of orchestrating the scheme to secure lucrative solar energy contracts in India. FILE - India's Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani addresses the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Gandhinagar, India, 10 Jan 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The contracts, obtained between 2020 and 2024, are expected to generate over $2bn (1.58bn) in profit. The other defendants named by US prosecutors are Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable energy firm listed in the US, and Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, employees of a Canadian institutional investor. They are accused of conspiring to obstruct investigations by a grand jury, the FBI and the US Securities and Exchange Commission by destroying evidence, withholding information during an internal inquiry, and falsely denying involvement in the bribery scheme during meetings with US authorities. The charges come amid heightened scrutiny of Mr Adanis business practices in India. On several occasions, Gautam S Adani personally met with an Indian government official to advance the bribery scheme and the defendants held in-person meetings with each other to discuss aspects of its execution. The defendants frequently discussed their efforts in furtherance of the bribery scheme, including through an electronic messaging application, the US Attorneys Office, Eastern District of New York said in a statement. It said the defendants meticulously documented the bribery scheme. For example, Sagar Adani, 30, used his phone to log details of bribes offered to officials. Mr Jaain, 53, photographed documents summarising bribe amounts owed. Rupesh Agarwal created and shared analyses via PowerPoint and Excel, outlining strategies to pay and conceal the bribes, the prosecutors alleged. In a statement released on Thursday, Adani Group said the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied all wrongdoing. The groups spokesperson said all possible legal recourse will be sought. The conglomerates spokesperson assured our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws. Asias second-richest person, who narrowly escaped death in 2008 as one of many people stuck inside Mumbais Taj Mahal Palace Hotel when gunmen went on a killing spree, faces a US arrest warrant and criminal penalties over the fraud and bribery charges. Mr Adanis businesses, ranging from power and ports to sugar and soybeans, lost more than $150bn in combined market value last year after US-based short seller Hindenburg Research accused his eponymous group of using offshore tax havens improperly. The group, which recouped some of the losses and now has a combined valuation of $141bn, denied all of the allegations. Before shares in Adani Group companies tanked last year, the 62-year-old high school dropout had briefly become the worlds wealthiest person after Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Mr Adani is now the 25th richest person with a net worth of about $57.6bn, according to Forbes. Born on 24 June 1962 in Ahmedabad city in the western state of Gujarat also Mr Modis home state Adani dropped out of school at age 16 after completing the 10th grade. He set up Adani Group in 1988, beginning with commodities trading. He came from a middle-class textile family to build his riches, unlike many other billionaires who inherit their wealth. Married to dentist Priti Adani, he has two sons, Karan and Jeet, both of whom are involved in the company businesses, like many others in the family. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India has rubbished a Canadian media report accusing Indian prime minister Narendra Modi of being aware of an alleged plot to murder a Sikh separatist leader on Canadas soil, terming it ludicrous. A report by Canadas The Globe and Mail on Wednesday said the Hindu leader was aware of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent separatist leader, in British Columbia and other violent plots, citing Canadian security agencies. The remarks were shared with the leading newspaper by a senior national security official who was investigating intelligence on New Delhis alleged foreign-interference operations in Canada. Indias home affairs minister Amit Shah, intelligence chief Ajit Doval, and foreign affairs minister S Jaishanker were also tied to the assassination operation plotted abroad, the official claimed, according to the report. Reacting sharply to the report in New Delhi, Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such ludicrous statements should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. 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, he said. Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties, Mr Jaiswal said on Wednesday. This is not the first time senior Indian officials have been explicitly named by Canada in assassination plot to take out separatist leaders of Khalistan movement who are seeking a separate nation for Sikhs in India. Justin Trudeau, Joe Biden, Narendra Modi and other world leaders gather for a group photo on the second day of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ( Getty Images ) Last month, Canada said Mr Shah, who is the right-hand man of Mr Modi, was behind plots to target Sikh separatists in Canada, taking the bilateral tensions, on the already strained ties between Ottawa and New Delhi, further. The allegation followed Canadas expulsion of six Indian diplomats it has linked to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil, with India immediately reciprocating in equal measure. India has previously denied Canadian allegations and has responded by expelling Canadian six diplomats. Shortly after, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said India made "a horrific mistake" by thinking it could interfere as aggressively as it allegedly did in Canadas sovereignty. The diplomatic row, which has steadily boiled over in the past one year, can impact Indias ambitions as it tries to project itself as a rising world power and also backpedal Indo-Canada relations severely. India-Canada bilateral relations, which have been on a downslide since last year, will take a further hit, which will take a long time to repair, said Praveen Donthi, senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. Mr Modi and Mr Trudeau were seen in Rio, Brazil, this week when the two leaders came together in the same frame for a G20 Summit family photo. But the two were not seen exchanging words. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The CEO of an Indian food delivery company has put out an ad seeking a chief of staff with a rather unusual caveatthe candidate must be fine with not receiving a salary for the first year and, what is more, be willing to pay nearly 19,000. Deepinder Goyal, CEO of Zomato, posted the ad on social media on Wednesday. According to Mr Goyals post, the ideal candidate is hungry, has a lot of common sense, empathy and not a lot of experience. They also have zero entitlement and want to do the right thing, even if it comes at the cost of displeasing others. The job description isnt too specific about what the position entails. It simply says the candidate must do anything and everything to build the future of Zomato and goes on to list the names of several startups that it has acquired over the years. As far as salary is concerned, it says the candidate, if hired, must pay a sum of Rs 20 lakh (18,736), which the company will donate to a non-profit organisation. Once the candidate has completed a year at the company, they will receive a salary that Mr Goyal says will be above Rs 50 lakh (46,841), but something we will only talk about at the start of Year 2. Mr Goyal goes on to explain that he chose to make this role unattractive for most people and that the right candidate should agree to pay the fee since his company believes that people who apply for this role should do it 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. He wants potential candidates to think of the position as a fast track learning program, for you both personally and professionally. Those interested must send a 200-word cover letter to Mr Goyal. On Thursday, Mr Goyal posted an update on social media saying he had received over 10,000 applications, with candidates divided into four categories: Those who have all the money, those who have some of the money, those who say they dont have the money and those who really dont have the money. The ad drew considerable backlash on social media. One commentator pointed out that Mr Goyal posted the same listing last year and had still not managed to fill the role, while others questioned the exorbitant fee the candidate has to pay. Only in India (where 60% of the population lives on less than $3 a day) can a CEO publicly post a job offer that demands the candidate pay a 20 lac fee up front, said one commentator. One of the things which frustrates me a lot is that people assume you are not passionate about your job (or good at it!) without willing to do insane things like this. Or that asking for something as basic as a salary somehow makes you less inclined to do well or care enough, said another. Indias Minimum Wages Act 1948 requires all companies pay employees and independent contractors the mandated minimum wage, the amount of which varies by state. Some have called out Mr Goyals post as a way to distract from the fact that his company has been under scrutiny after users discovered one-dish restaurants listed on its platform, which were likely selling prohibited items. The restaurants had likely gamed the application by listing their dishes under generic names like Naughty Strawberry and Merry Berry. Zomato responded to this with a statement saying: We have identified all such restaurants that were potentially fraudulent and have delisted them from our platform. To solve this more comprehensively, we have also investigated all other restaurants which have a very limited menu on Zomato and might have listed prohibited items or worked around a way to list prohibited items. As per our policy, all restaurants listed on Zomato need to have a FSSAI licence and we also actively block items such as alcohol, cigarettes/cigars/vapes from being listed on our platform. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Six people, including a British backpacker, have died allegedly after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos. British backpacker and lawyer Simone White, 28, from Orpington in Kent was among those to have died from suspected methanol poisoning after allegedly being served free drinks in Laoss Vang Vieng area. Two Danes, two Australians and an American have also died after being taken to the hospital with similar symptoms. A New Zealander is among those unwell and being treated, and the countrys foreign ministry said there had been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks. Laos police are investigating the case. Who are the victims? Two Australian teens, identified as Holly Bowles, 19, and Bianca Jones, 19, have died from suspected methnol poisoning. Bowles, who had been in critical condition on life support after drinking the tainted alcohol in Laos, died in a hospital in Bangkok, her family said on Friday. open image in gallery Australian teens Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones died of methanol poisoning in Laos ( Facebook ) We are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace, her family said in a statement sent to Australian Network 10. We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people. Earlier on Thursday, Australias prime minister Anthony Albanese announced that 19-year-old citizen, Bianca Jones, had died in a Thai hospital where she had been evacuated for emergency treatment, and that her friend Bowles remained in a hospital fighting for her life. The two 19-year-old Australian women fell ill on 13 November following a night out drinking with a group. They failed to check out from the Nana Backpacker Hostel as planned and were found sick in their room and then taken to Thailand for emergency treatment. Thai authorities confirmed that Jones had died by brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system. Duong Duc Toan, the manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, told the Associated Press that staff were told by other guests that two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on 13 November. The hostel arranged transport to a hospital for them, he said. It is not known where the contaminated drinks were served. A 28-year-old British woman, Simone White, also died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos while staying in the backpacking hotspot with her friend Bethany Clarke. open image in gallery British lawyer Simone White died after methanol poisoning in Laos ( Facebook ) In a post on a Laos backpacking Facebook group on 16 November, which has since been deleted, Ms Clarke wrote: 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. Ms Clarke reportedly added that she was treated at a private hospital where she underwent many infusions and spent days recovering. Its not known if she is still in hospital. An American and two Danish tourists also died, though specifics about the causes of death have not been released. New Zealands foreign ministry said one of its citizens was sickened in Laos and was a possible victim of methanol poisoning. What have the authorities done? An officer at Vang Viengs Tourism Police office, who refused to give his name, told The Associated Press on Friday that a number of people had been detained in the case but that no charges have yet been filed. Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which was still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed that the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning. Tourist police offices are common in Southeast Asia and are set up specifically to help with incidents involving tourists and other foreigners. Laos is a one-party communist state with no organized opposition and the government keeps a tight lid on information. In this case, officials have released almost no details. The foreign ministry has refused to comment, and in Vang Vieng the small hospital where some of the victims are believed to have been treated initially referred all questions to the towns health office on the hospital grounds. The town health officials refused to comment, saying they lacked proper permission. What is methanol? Methanol, a colourless liquid with a faintly sweet pungent smell, completely mixes with water. Its very similar to ethanol the pure form of alcohol in alcoholic drinks. Unlike ethanol, however, methanol is toxic to humans and is commonly used as a solvent in industrial processes, a precursor for producing formaldehyde and an ingredient in products like antifreeze and fuel. A precursor for producing formaldehyde and other chemicals. An ingredient in antifreeze, paint thinners, and fuel. How dangerous is it? Methanol is readily absorbed and distributed throughout the body. It is metabolised to formic acid, which is toxic in large concentrations. The US National Institutes of Health says it is well established that methanol has serious acute toxic effects that occur at high levels of exposure. The NHS warns that as little as 4ml of methanol can cause hallucinations and blindness. Half an hour to two hours after consuming methanol symptoms include drowsiness, confusion and irritability. Later symptoms include dizziness, vomiting, severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Severe cases may lead to fast, shallow breathing, then coma and convulsions. Patients may be given dialysis. How can tourists avoid it? Homemade alcohol, popular in southeast Asia, may accidentally contain too much methanol because of the distillation process. Or it may be used as a cheap substitute for ethanol effectively a counterfeit alcoholic drink. Local spirits including local rice or palm liquor, spirit-based mixed drinks such as cocktails, and fake branded alcohol sold in shops or bars may all be affected. The Foreign Office issued a warning to UK tourists, advising holidaymakers in Laos to take precautions. The US State Department on Friday issued a health alert for citizens traveling in Laos, warning of suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, possibly through the consumption of methanol-laced alcoholic drinks. Measures include buying alcohol only from licensed stores and licensed bars and hotels, and avoiding homemade drinks. Tourists should also check that bottle seals are intact when buying and check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling, which may indicate they are knock-offs. Anyone suspecting they have drunk methanol is advised to get medical help. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A woman in Thailand has been sentenced to death for the murder of her friend by poisoning her with cyanide. Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, faces accusations of murdering 14 friends with cyanide, with this case marking the first conviction in the series. Authorities discovered traces of the poison in 32-year-old Siriporn Khanwongs body in April last year, and further investigation revealed similar deaths dating back to 2015. A court in Bangkok convicted Sararat on Wednesday. The courts decision is just, Siriporns mother, Tongpin Kiatchanasiri said after the verdict. I want to tell my daughter that I miss her deeply and justice has been done for her today. Sararat, a gambling addict, reportedly targeted friends she owed money to. In one instance, she extorted up to 300,000 baht (nearly 6,800) before murdering her victims and stealing their jewellery and mobile phones. Deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn said: She asked people she knows for money because she has a lot of credit card debt and if they asked her for their money back, she started killing them. Police allege she tricked 15 people, one of whom survived, into consuming poisoned herb capsules. Sararat is set to face 13 additional murder trials and has been charged with nearly 80 offences overall. Sararats ex-husband Vitoon Rangsiwuthaporn, a former police lieutenant-colonel, was given 16 months in prison and her lawyer two years for complicity in Siriporns killing and for assisting her in evading prosecution. Despite being divorced, the couple continued living together, according to the BBC. Police suspect Vitoon was complicit in Sararats alleged murder of her ex-boyfriend, Suthisak Poonkwan. Authorities claim that after the killing, Vitoon assisted Sararat by picking her up in her car and helping her extort money from Suthisaks friends. The court ordered Sararat to pay Siriporns family compensation of 2 million baht (45,446). For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A British tourist who vanished from his family holiday on a party hotspot in Thailand has been found dead in a storm drain. Fraser Wright, 37, from Swindon was pulled from the open sewer on Wednesday morning, hours after reportedly going out to drink alone on the island of Phuket. His family sparked a missing persons search when he didnt return to the Seaview Hotel after leaving at 10pm on Tuesday. His body wasnt discovered until 9.30am the next morning when emergency services were called to the scene outside Tawan Bike Shop in Patong. open image in gallery The open sewer outside the motorbike rental store where Mr Wrights body was found ( Google ) Local media reports suggest that Mr Wright was caught on CCTV peering into the drain, which carries rainwater from storms into the sea, before climbing over the one-metre-high barrier and falling in. He is believed to have been dead for five or six hours before he was found. According to local news outlet Khasod, an autopsy carried out at Vachira Phuket Hospital didnt identify any further wounds and there is no suggestion of any foul play. The UK Foreign Office said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities. open image in gallery Patong Beach close to where the body of Mr Wright was found ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) Mr Wright is the latest in a string of tragic cases involving Britons dying in Thailand. In April, Ryan Ralph, 24, fell from an overnight train as he backpacked through the country with his girlfriend, Shona Morgan, 22. The tragedy happened when Mr Ralph went to have a cigarette, leaving Ms Morgan asleep. Its believed that as he stood between carriages, he lost his footing and fell onto the tracks. A major hunt for him was carried out before his body was found. More than 28 million foreign tourists visited Thailand last year, spending 1.2 trillion baht ($33.71 billion) in the country, where other key sectors of the economy have been slow in recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hopes for an agreement on the climate finance goal were dealt a blow on Thursday after the latest draft text at the Cop29 summit in Baku failed to include a clear funding target. With less than 48 hours to go before the end of the summit, the draft version of the deal contains no indication of the amount of funding that developed countries are willing to commit under the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). This goal is critical to addressing the global climate crisis, as it aims to provide resources to developing countries for adapting to climate impacts, transitioning to clean energy, and recovering from climate-related loss and damage. Developing nations have consistently called for at least $1 trillion annually, predominantly in grants, to meet their climate needs. Developed nations have not put forward a figure. At a press conference on Wednesday, ministers from Africa said their only expectation from the draft was to see a figure. However, the text failed to indicate even a placeholder figure for the finance target, or any acknowledgement of the trillion-dollar figure demanded by developing nations. Cop29 was supposed to be the finance COP. Rich countries had one job to do: lay out how much finance they are going to provide, but theres no actual numbers in the latest text, Christian Aids Global Advocacy Lead, Mariana Paoli, said. Its like developed countries are saying the dog ate their homework. open image in gallery Activists demonstrate for climate finance at the Cop29 UN Climate Summit (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) ( AP ) The absence of a clear commitment has alarmed negotiators and civil society groups alike, highlighting the deadlock that has persisted throughout the COP. Some fear that failure to establish a credible goal could undermine trust in the multilateral process and jeopardise future climate action. I have rarely seen a plenary room so sharply divided with just 36 hours remaining until the close of a climate summit, Andreas Sieber, associate director of policy and campaigns at 350.org, told The Independent. The linchpin for progress at Cop29 lies in a credible financial commitment from wealthy nations. The text also failed to address some of the finer details of the new funding mechanism. While it calls for prioritising grants instead of loans, a key demand from developing countries to make the fund accessible, it missed many sub-goals, says Harjeet Singh, global engagement director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. open image in gallery Activists participate in a demonstration for climate justice at the Cop29 Climate Summit ( AP ) We must focus not only on the vast sums requiredtrillions, as acknowledgedbut on ensuring these funds are provided as grants, not loans, to shield nations most impacted by climate change from further financial burdens, he said. Alarmingly, the text lacks clear financial sub-goals for mitigation, adaptation, and addressing loss and damageareas where needs have skyrocketed while resources remain scarce. True support for a just transition away from fossil fuels must include robust public finance, not hollow words. The stakes are particularly high for small island nations like the Marshall Islands, where rising sea levels threaten the very existence of communities. Every year we make the long journey to COP because it is where we are able to advocate for the 1.5 world that keeps my people above water, said Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands. open image in gallery Members of various Indigenous communities pose for a photo while attending the Cop29 Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan ( AP ) That world is hanging by a thread, and what Im confronted with here is a text that neither secures 1.5 nor gives me the finance I need to live in the 2.7 world we are all hurtling toward. We have heard clearly in this room that this text is completely disconnected from real lives. As has been said: We cannot play geopolitics with the lives of our citizens. The summit is scheduled to end on Friday, leaving a narrow window for compromise. Negotiators are under pressure to bridge the deep divide between developed and developing countries, a gulf that has characterised years of financial negotiations under the UN climate framework. Campaigners have warned that leaders risk leaving Baku without a meaningful agreement. The last thing negotiators want is something that slides in at the last minute with a brand-new number that hasnt had the chance to be properly socialised, Christopher Wright, climate strategy advisor at Ember, told The Independent. At this stage, the text should have taken risks and started narrowing down options. This hesitancy to make decisions will only increase the tension in the final hours. With ministers set to meet again on Friday morning, the pressure is mounting to resolve the deadlock, especially on the richer countries. Campaigners from UK say this is a chance to show true climate leadership. If the UK government wants to be a leader on climate action, they now have little more than 24 hours to prove it. They must urgently push for a global finance goal of over 1 trillion in public finance to be largely provided in grants, Chiara Liguori, Oxfam GBs senior climate justice policy advisor said. The next few days are a credibility test for these climate negotiations and for COP itself. The time for stalling is over. If rich countries, including the UK, dont deliver, they will go down in history as having chosen profit over people and complacency over courage. If you have a question about Cop29, you can submit it here, or join live on 23 November at 8am for our Ask Me Anything event. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Scottish dairy farm is offering a jaw-dropping price for a small cup of coffee, but theres a catch. Mossgiel Organic Farm, located outside Mauchline in Ayrshire, is selling whats been described as the United Kingdoms most expensive cup of coffee: $344 (272) for a flat white. The exorbitant price for the flat white a double shot of espresso topped with steamed milk also includes a share in Mossgiel Organic Dairy, as part of a crowdfunding campaign to expand the farms sustainable operations. Bryce Cunningham, the owner of Mossgiel Organic Dairy, launched the campaign in an effort to secure $378,000 (300,000) from small investors. Each investor who purchases 34 shares in the farm will receive a certificate redeemable for the flat white at one of 13 coffee shops in Scotland that use the dairy farms milk. This coffee costs nearly 80 times the price of an average flat white in the U.K. but its much more than just a lovely drink, Cunningham told the Associated Press. We know it sounds crazy, but when you break it down, its a pretty good deal. How much is the future of farming worth? open image in gallery Bryce Cunningham, the owner of Mossgiel Organic Dairy, launched the campaign in an effort to secure $378,000 from small investors ( Instagram / Mossgiel Organic Farm ) In addition to owning a piece of the farm, shareholders will also receive farm tours, milk delivery discounts, and invites to special events. However, investors will be given the standard warning that they could lose some, or all, of the money they invest except for the coffee. For customers who simply wish to purchase the cup of coffee without becoming an investor, they can buy the flat white at the much lower price of just under $4. The dairy farm also has its historical roots, once being owned by 18th-century poet Robert Burns, who penned Auld Lang Syne. Burns, who is considered the national poet of Scotland, wrote while working in the fields there for two years. His face graces each glass bottle of Mossgiel milk. open image in gallery Cunningham brews its milk instead of pasteurizing it, a process that provides the creamer taste and texture of raw milk without the health risks ( Instagram / Mossgiel Farm ) Cunningham, a former service manager for Mercedes-Benz, took over the operation in 2014 after his father and grandfather died in 2014 from terminal illnesses. The collapse of milk prices that year forced him to sell off most of the herd and reinvent the business as an organic farm. He uses a process to brew the milk, instead of pasteurizing it, that he said gives it the creamer taste and texture of raw milk without the health risks. Todd Whiteford co-owner of The Good Coffee Cartel in Glasgow, which is serving the costly cups said theyve been using Mossgiels milk for several years. Despite outrageous offers" from competitors to switch, he said other milk producers cant match the quality and consistency that makes for rounder, smoother and sweeter cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites and better coffee art. Theirs is the best. Ill argue with anyone about that, Whiteford said. Cunningham hopes the campaign will help secure a $1.13 million (900,000) loan to double the farms operations and expand out of Scotland. This isnt the first cup of coffee to raise eyebrows for its costly price. Shot London, a coffee bar located in Londons Mayfair and Marylebone neighborhoods, charged just under $334 (265) for a flat white made with rare beans from Okinawa, Japan. Back in April, The Telegraph reported it was the most expensive coffee in Britain. Additional reporting from AP Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Iconic British car brand Jaguar is facing intense mockery over its new rebrand. The companys promotional video, posted on X and Instagram, shows models dressed in futuristic brightly colored outfits walking in an alien-like landscape. Phrases including Break Moulds, Create exuberant, and Copy nothing appear on-screen as the figures pose next to pink rocks. The brands new, modernist logo then appears on screen. On X (formerly Twitter), numerous viewers mocked the advert, pointing out that no cars featured in the video. What a joke, one person wrote. Whoever agreed to this needs to know theyve just killed a British icon. Do you sell cars? Tesla founder Elon Musk added. You just advertised to less than 2% of the population of the planet, Americas Next Top Model season one winner, Adrienne Curry, wrote. I am sure that is really going to work out well for you. Your brand used to be so sexy and sleek. This is a joke. In the comments of Jaguars promo on Instagram, many viewers urged the brand to change revert back to its traditional branding and iconography using the leaping jaguar cat. You guys should go back to what made Jaguar great. Build classy British cars that are so unique and beautiful that no one cares they are unreliable. Thats the formula! one person commented. Imagine being THIS out of touch with what your brand is that you decide something like this tragic piece of marketing will land well. Whole marketing & executive team needs to go play in traffic! another wrote. Jaguar criticized for not including any cars in its new modernized advertisement ( Jaguar / X ) According to a press release from Jaguar, its transformation is defined by Exuberant Modernism, a creative philosophy that underpins all aspects of the new Jaguar brand world. Jaguar has its roots in originality. Sir William Lyons, our founder, believed that A Jaguar should be a copy of nothing, the chief creative officer of Jaguar Land Rover, Gerry McGovern, said. Our vision for Jaguar today is informed by this philosophy. New Jaguar is a brand built around Exuberant Modernism. It is imaginative, bold and artistic at every touchpoint. It is unique and fearless. Some of the changes with the rebrand include an upgrade to Jaguars logo, demonstrating the unexpected by seamlessly blending upper and lowercase characters in visual harmony, according to the press release. The brand will also be making use of exuberant colors and launching a newly reimagined Jaguar leaper logo, which is Jaguars precious mark of provenance. The full rebrand is slated to launch December 2 during the Miami Art Week, when the company will unveil a new electric GT model. Jaguar has not sold new cars to the general public for more than a year, which managing director Rawdon Glover said was intentional, in order to create a barrier between the old models and the new-look Jaguars. We need to change peoples perceptions of what Jaguar stands for. And thats not a straightforward, easy thing to do. So having a fire break in between old and new is, actually, very helpful, he explained. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Chase star Mark Labbett has revealed the reason he split from his ex-girlfriend Hayley Palmer. Labbett stars as one of the Chasers on the popular ITV quiz show, which sees quiz experts pitted against weekly contestants looking to take home a cash prize. The 59-year-old quizzer and 42-year-old TV presenter announced their split in May after celebrating their one year anniversary together. Labbett, who is known on the quiz show as The Beast, said in a recent interview that he simply got old, which led to the split. He told The Sun: [Hayleys] a lovely lady and I was very lucky to date her for a year, and as I said...its me, I got old. Theres been no one since Hayley, Im not saying there wont be another one. But Im certainly not looking. He continued: I joke I am a shed man a guy of a certain age thats quite content being in or out of a relationship but loves to be spending time on their own. Palmer claimed in an interview with the same publication that Labbett broke up with her over the phone, which left her heartbroken and blindsided. open image in gallery Mark Labbett on The Chase ( ITV ) Announcing the news on Instagram, Palmer wrote: It is with regret I announce that myself and Mark have gone our separate ways. We had the best year together and I truly wish him all the best for the future. The pair had been dating since early 2023 after they were introduced by their mutual agent at the National Television Awards. Labbett split from his ex-wife, Katie, in 2020 after six years of marriage. A source told The Sun: Mark had a lovely time with Hayley and has a lot of respect for her but they wanted different things. open image in gallery Mark Labbett and Hayley Palmer attend the National Television Awards 2023 ( Getty Images ) Mark felt there was too much of an age gap between them for long-term success. They are still friendly. She loves getting dressed up and going out to parties and showbiz events, whereas he prefers to stay at home. Away from his job on telly and filming, Mark enjoys a quiet life and spending time with his son. He is still hopeful he can meet someone to settle down with one day. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy On the southeastern coast of the city of Jayapura, Petronela Merauje walked from house to house in her floating village inviting women to join her the next morning in the surrounding mangrove forests. Merauje and the women of her village, Enggros, practice the tradition of Tonotwiyat, which literally means "working in the forest." For six generations, women from the 700-strong Papuan population there have worked among the mangroves collecting clams, fishing and gathering firewood. The customs and culture of Papuans, especially those of us in Enggros village, is that women are not given space and place to speak in traditional meetings, so the tribal elders provide the mangrove forest as our land," Merauje said. It's a place to find food, a place for women to tell stories, and women are active every day and earn a living every day. The forest is a short 13 kilometers (8 miles) away from downtown Jayapura, the capital city of Papua, Indonesias easternmost province. It's been known as the women's forest since 2016, when Enggros' leader officially changed its name. Long before that, it had already been a space just for women. But as pollution, development and biodiversity loss shrink the forest and stunt plant and animal life, those in the village fear an important part of their traditions and livelihoods will be lost. Efforts to shield it from devastation have begun, but are still relatively small. Women have their own space but it's shrinking One early morning, Merauje and her 15-year-old daughter took a small motor boat toward the forest. Stepping off on Youtefa Bay, mangrove trees all around, they stood chest-deep in the water with buckets in hand, wiggling their feet in the mud to find bia noor, or soft-shell clams. The women collect these for food, along with other fish. The womens forest is our kitchen, said Berta Sanyi, another woman from Enggros village. That morning, another woman joined the group looking for firewood, hauling dry logs onto her boat. And three other women joined on a rowboat. Women from the next village, Tobati, also have a women's forest nearby. The two Indigenous villages are only 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) apart, and they're culturally similar, with Enggros growing out of Tobati's population decades ago. In the safety of the forest, women of both villages talk about issues at home with one another and share grievances away from the ears of the rest of the village. ______ EDITORS NOTE: This is part of a series of on how tribes and Indigenous communities are coping with and combating climate change. ______ Alfred Drunyi, the leader of Drunyi tribe in Enggros, said that having dedicated spaces for women and men is a big part of the village's culture. There are tribal fines if a man trespasses and enters the forest, and the amount is based on how guilty the community judges the person to be. They should pay it with our main treasure, the traditional beads, maybe with some money. But the fines should be given to the women, Drunyi said. But Sanyi, 65, who's been working in the forest since she was just 17, notes that threats to the space come from elsewhere. Development on the bay has turned acres of forest into large roads, including a 700-meter (2,300-foot) bridge into Jayapura that passes through Enggros' pier. Jayapura's population has exploded in recent decades, and around 400,000 people live in the city the largest on the island. In turn, the forest has shrunk. Nearly six decades ago, the mangrove forest in Youtefa Bay was about 514 hectares (1,270 acres). Estimates say its now less than half that. I am so sad when I see the current situation of the forest," Sanyi said, "because this is where we live. She said many residents, including her own children, are turning to work in Jayapura instead of maintaining traditions. Pollution puts traditions and health at risk Youtefa Bay, where the sea's brackish water and five rivers in Papua meet, serves as the gathering bowl for the waste that runs through the rivers as they cross through Jayapura. Plastic bottles, tarpaulin sheets and pieces of wood are seen stuck between the mangrove roots. The water around the mangrove forest is polluted and dark. After dozens of years being able to feel the clams on the bay with her feet, Sanyi said she now often has to feel through trash first. And once she removes the trash and gets to the muddy ground where the clams live, there are many fewer than there used to be. Paula Hamadi, 53, said that she never saw the mangrove forest as bad as it is now. For years, she's been going to the forest almost every day during the low tide in the morning to search for clams. It used to be different," Hamadi said. From 8.00 a.m. to 8:30 in the morning, I could get one can. But now, I only get trash. The women used to be able to gather enough clams to sell some at the nearest village, but now their small hauls are reserved for eating with their families. A study in 2020 found that high concentrations of lead from waste from homes and businesses were found at several points in the bay. Lead can be toxic to humans and aquatic organisms, and the study suggests its contaminated several species that are often consumed by the people of Youtefa Bay. Other studies also showed that populations of shellfish and crab in the bay were declining, said John Dominggus Kalor, a lecturer on fisheries and marine sciences at Cenderawasih University. The threats related to heavy metal contamination, microplastics, and public health are high," Kalor said. In the future, it will have an impact on health. Some are trying to save the land Some of the mangrove areas have been destroyed for development, leading to degradation throughout the forest. Mangroves can absorb the shocks of extreme weather events, like tsunamis, and provide ecosystems with the needed environment to thrive. They also serve social and cultural functions for the women, whose work is mostly done between the mangroves. In the future people will say that there used to be a womens forest here" that disappeared because of development and pollution, said Kalor. Various efforts to preserve it have been made, including the residents of Enggros village themselves. Merauje and other women from Enggros are trying to start mangrove tree nurseries and, where possible, plant new mangrove trees in the forest area. We plant new trees, replace the dead ones, and we also clean up the trash around Youtefa Bay," Merauje said. I do that with my friends to conserve, to maintain this forest. Beyond efforts to reforest it, Kalor said there also needs to be guarantees that more of the forest won't be flattened for development in the future. There is no regional regulation to protect Youtefa Bay and specifically the women's forests, but Kalor thinks it would help prevent deforestation in the future. That should no longer be done in our bay, he said. __ 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. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A teenager has died after drinking tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, Laos. Australia's prime minister confirmed the news about one of its residents on Thursday The US State Department confirmed an American also died in the same party town, bringing the death toll to four in the poisoning incident. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese told parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains in hospital in Thailand. They were on a backpacking gap year in Laos when they became ill in the tourist town of Vang Vieng. They were staying at The Nana Backpacker Hostel. A map of Vang Vieng: Talking before the death, Ms Jones family described her as their angel. Our beautiful Bianca was on a dream getaway with her best friend Holly, they told the Herald Sun. They were filled with joy and had such incredible adventures ahead of them, travelling through Asia. We are here by Biancas bedside praying for her. open image in gallery Foreign tourists walk in a street near bars in Vang Vieng, Laos ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Meantime, the State Department confirmed that an American tourist had also died, but said it had no further comment out of respect to the families. This is every parents very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure, Mr Albanese told lawmakers, adding "we also take this moment to say that were thinking of Biancas friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life. What is methanol? The two Australian women fell ill on 13 November after a night out drinking with a group. They are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which sometimes used as the alcohol in mixed drinks at disreputable bars and can cause severe poisoning or death. New Zealand's foreign ministry said on Thursday one of its citizens was also unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning. Denmark's foreign ministry, when asked about the poisoning incident, said on Wednesday that two of its citizens had died in Laos but would not provide further details. We have updated our travel advisory for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks, New Zealand's foreign ministry said. Travelers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy It's holiday season, but that doesn't have to mean waiting in long lines for big sales to buy the hottest toy or newest game system. Whether you're a parent, relative, teacher, librarian or just a friend to a young person, consider a book that you can enjoy together. ___ Preschool I Like Your Chutzpah And Other Yiddish Words Youll Like Sweet, funny and infinitely readable, this board book contains 12 Yiddish words and their meanings, each accompanied by a simple, colorful illustration that will inspire fun reading voices. Written and illustrated by Suzy Ultman. Recommended ages: 1-3. RISE x Penguin Workshop. $9.99. The 13 Days of Swiftness: A Christmas Celebration For the littlest Swifties, a play on the classic Christmas song except instead of 12 days there are 13 ( if you know, you know). Each page has bright illustrations and lots of Easter eggs for the fandom. It includes a to-from page with room to add a personal note or your favorite Taylor Swift lyrics. Written by Tiffany Garland, illustrated by Brooke ONeill. Recommended ages: 3 and up. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. $10.99. ___ Early Elementary Into the Uncut Grass Trevor Noah tells a story of a boy and his teddy bear who venture into the uncut grass, picking up bits of wisdom along the way. Long and quotable, with humor and gentle watercolor illustrations. Per the intro, its a picture book, but its not a childrens book. Rather, it is a book for kids to share with parents and for parents to share with kids. Written by Trevor Noah, illustrated by Sabina Hahn. All ages. One World. $26. Proper Badger Would Never Badger was determined to be a perfectly proper guest at his first party, but his instincts may have gotten the better of him. Shred the gift wrapping paper? Never. Dig into the cake before its served? Of course not. A colorful, texture-rich picture book that leans into joyful chaos. Written by Lauren Glattly, illustrated by Rob Sayegh. Recommended ages: 4-8. Flamingo Books. $18.99. The Man Who Didnt Like Animals It's Old MacDonald's origin story, with the animal noises and everything. This man loves his tidy home and doesnt like animals until they endear themselves to him one by one, turning his apartment into a cramped barn. Written by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Recommended ages: 4-8. HarperCollins. $19.99. Attack of the Scones In the sixth installment of the series, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast take on an alien invasion with the help of their fridge friends. Told in rhyming couplets with whimsical, expressive full-page illustrations. written by Josh Funk, illustrated by Brendan Kearney. Recommended ages: 5-8. Union Square Kids. Hardcover: $18.99. Paperback: $8.99. Bog Myrtle One sister loves the forest and its splendors; the other is more interested in money. Sharp uses literary devices from irony to alliteration to puns, taking on topics like worker rights and environmental sustainability. This graphic novel is perfect for the quirky, goofy child in your life who loves deadpan humor and The Skull by Jon Klassen, says Sarah Bradley, lead bookseller at Powell's Books. Written and illustrated by Sid Sharp. Recommended ages: 611. Annick Press. $22.99. My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast Award-winning adult author Zoje Stage pens a book, coming Dec. 3, that reimagines the monster under the bed as something far cuter and weirder. One day while cleaning her room, Pru finds a shy little creature called an UnderSlumberBumbleBeast. Includes crosshatch drawings and a glossary of the trickier vocabulary. Written by Zoje Stage and illustrated by J.E. Larson. Recommended ages: 7-10. Bad Hand Books. $15.99. ___ Late Elementary and Middle Otto Normals Monsterton: The Disappearance of White Pine Beach Otto moves with his mom from his normal California town to Monsterton, where they're the only humans among zombies, ghosts and sirens. Otto soon finds himself on a quick-paced adventure. With chunks of text broken up by beautiful digital color illustrations, blurring the line between chapter book and graphic novel, this glossy volume feels special to hold. Written by Danielle McKechnie, illustrated by Simon Estrada. Recommended ages: 8-12. Simon & Schuster. $22.99. The Wild Robot Roz the robot is the sole survivor of a shipment gone overboard and has to adapt to the wild. She becomes the de facto mother of Brightbill the gosling, and the forest animals that shunned her otherness begin to form a community around her. Short chapters are punctuated by black-and-white illustrations. The trilogy saw a theatrical adaptation this year, and a special edition of the first volume features full-color inserts from the movie. Written and illustrated by Peter Brown. Recommended ages: 8-12. Hachette Book Group. Single paperback: $8.99. Boxed set: $54. The Young Green Witchs Guide to Plant Magic This herbalist's chapter book with watercolor illustrations imparts how to use different plants, along with lessons of appreciation and self-acceptance and breathing meditations. There are also recipes for handy concoctions kids can make with minimal adult supervision, such as oatmeal scrub, lavender honey and dandelion pesto. Written by Robin Rose Bennett, illustrated by Rachel Grant. Recommended ages: 8-12. Running Press Kids. $16.99. The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science Kate McKinnon of Saturday Night Live and Barbie fame tells the story of three adopted sisters who, having zero interest in perfecting the 85 ways to properly sit on a velvet fainting couch, find themselves expelled from etiquette school. Their new, extremely uncouth school puts them at the heart of a mystery in which the town is at stake. With fun fonts and the occasional illustration, the novel is a wildly imaginative celebration of strangeness with humor a la Lemony Snicket. Written by Kate McKinnon, illustrated by Alfredo Caceres. Recommended ages: 8-12. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. $17.99. Plain Jane and the Mermaid The recently orphaned Jane has a week to get married and get her dowry before she'll be kicked to the streets. Handsome Peter might have accepted Jane's proposal if he hadn't been kidnapped by a mermaid. This full-color graphic novel challenges gender roles and beauty standards through an underwater adventure full of snark and hilarious characters, rivaling Jeff Smith's Bone. Written and illustrated by Vera Brosgol. Recommended ages: 10-14. First Second. $14.99. ___ Young Adult Queer Mythology: Epic Legends from Around the World The mythology trend is still going strong and young readers will devour this bright and beautifully illustrated new collection, says Bradley, the Powell's bookseller. Sanchez shares 20 stories of myth and lore from around the world with characters who reflect the LGBTQ+ community. Written by Guido A. Sanchez, illustrated by James Fenner. Recommended ages: 11 and up. Running Press. $19.99. A Good Girls Guide to Murder Pip investigates a murder that she thinks another student was wrongly accused of. It's an ambitious project for a high school capstone, but Pip's an ambitious student. A TV adaptation of this true-crime-style story was produced by the BBC and released on Netflix over the summer. A trilogy by Holly Jackson. Recommended ages: 14 and up. Ember. Single paperback: $14.99. Boxed set: $47.97. The Calculation of You and Me Marlowe has great grades and a loving family, two best friends who understand her and all her autistic quirks, and a romantic boyfriend until he breaks up with her, sending her perfectly categorized world into a tailspin. This sweet, funny, page-turning novel celebrates romance as an act and a genre. By Serena Kaylor. Recommended ages: 13 and up. Wednesday Books. Paperback: $14. Hardcover: $24. Lunar New Year Love Story Valentina has one year to prove she doesnt share her familys fate of all romances ending in misery. If she doesnt find lasting love by then, she will give her heart to Saint Valentine and be forever protected from heartbreak. The graphic novel celebrates Asian culture alongside the ups and downs of love. Written by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Recommended ages: 14 and up. First Second. Paperback: $17.99. Hardcover: $25.99. ___ For more AP gift guides and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The oldest known alphabetic writing has been found etched onto finger-length clay cylinders unearthed from a tomb in Syria. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University in the US dated the writing to around 2400BC, preceding other known alphabetic scripts by about 500 years. The finding, to be presented on Thursday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Overseas Research, upends what we know about the origin and evolution of alphabets, and what they meant for early civilisations. Alphabetic writing changed the way people lived, how they thought, how they communicated, archaeologist Glenn Schwartz, who was behind the clay cylinders discovery, said. Symbols on finger-sized clay objects discovered during dig at ancient city of Umm el-Marra could be earliest known alphabet ( Glenn Schwartz, Johns Hopkins University ) This form of writing may have revolutionised language by making it accessible to people beyond royalty and the social elite, scientists said. Dr Schwartz and his team study how early urban areas in the Near East developed throughout Syria, and how smaller cities emerged in the area. The team has been involved in a 16-year archaeological excavation at Tell Umm-el Marra, one of the first medium-sized ancient urban centres known to have popped up in western Syria. At this site, archaeologists have previously uncovered tombs dating to the Early Bronze Age between 3500 and 2000BC. One such well-preserved tomb was found to contain six skeletons, gold and silver jewellery, intact pottery, cookware, and a spearhead. Experts finally crack mystery of skeleton made of bones from multiple people Amid these artefacts, researchers found four lightly baked clay cylinders with what appeared to be alphabetic writing etched onto them. 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, Dr Schwartz said. Based on small perforations on the clay cylinders, scientists suspected it was likely tethered onto another object and acted as a kind of label. Maybe they detail the contents of a vessel, or maybe where the vessel came from, or who it belonged to, Dr Schwartz explained. Without a means to translate the writing, we can only speculate. Researchers confirmed, using carbon dating techniques, that the tombs, the artefacts, and the writing were all from around 2400BC. This places the origin of the artefacts about 500 years before the previously known oldest alphabetic writing. Previously, scholars thought the alphabet was invented in or around Egypt some time after 1900BCE, Dr Schwartz said. But our artefacts are older and from a different area on the map, suggesting the alphabet may have an entirely different origin story than we thought. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Essex Police have closed an investigation into columnist Allison Pearson for alleged incitement of racial hatred over a social media post. The force said it would be conducting an independent review will be launched into the forces handling of the case which centred around a now-deleted X/Twitter post published last year. The Daily Telegraph journalist said she was wearing her dressing gown when two constables from Essex Police knocked on her door on Remembrance Sunday. News of the visit sparked a backlash, including from former Conservative prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, who both called the incident appalling, and X owner Elon Musk. Essex Police had been carrying out an investigation under the Public Order Act but said on Thursday that it decided to take no further action after the Crown Prosecution Service advised that no charges should be brought. An Essex Police spokesman said: We investigate crimes reported to us without fear or favour. Were sometimes faced with allegations of crime where people have strong opposing views. Thats why we work so hard to remain impartial and to investigate allegations, regardless of where they might lead. In response to the investigation being dropped, Pearson said on Thursday night that she was relieved. I am imminently relieved but also it has been a dreadful experience, waking up, and going to sleep with dread, she told The Telegraph. Waking up in the small hours thinking I am under police investigation, thats not nice for anyone let alone a law-abiding citizen. I feel angry with Essex Police, I do not believe there was ever any case to answer, I was expressing my opinion in what I thought was a free society. Speaking on her Planet Normal podcast, Ms Pearson said the visit by Essex Police upset her. Whatever I did or didnt tweet, if somebody found it offensive, that to me is still not a reason for two policemen to come to my house on a Sunday morning, she said. Senior Conservatives also responded to the investigation coming to a halt. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: It should never have come to this. Police time should only be spent on criminality or behaviour likely to lead imminently to criminality. I urge the government to urgently change the guidelines on NCHIs to stop it happening again. The post concerned has been reported to be a repost made by Ms Pearson while tensions over the policing of Gaza protests were high. It included a picture of a group of people of colour holding a flag which said Pakistan standing with members of Greater Manchester Police, The Guardian reported. The flag held in the photo is used by proponents of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a Pakistani political party. Ms Pearson allegedly wrote a post targeting the Metropolitan Police, which read according to The Guardian: How dare they. Invited to pose for a photo with lovely peaceful British Friends of Israel on Saturday police refused. Look at this lot smiling with the Jew haters. The columnist deleted the post after the mistake was pointed out, The Telegraph - which Ms Pearson works for - reported. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Captain Sir Tom Moores daughter and her husband are accused of repeated misconduct in a report by the Charity Commission about the running of the Captain Tom Foundation. The 30-page document acknowledges that the foundation, set up in the war veterans name, was created during the Covid-19 pandemic a period of global turmoil. However, the Commission has concluded that Mr (Colin) and Mrs (Hannah) Ingram-Moores misconduct and/or mismanagement was not an isolated incident but a repeated pattern of behaviour which continued past the worst of the pandemic, the report said. The commission has called on the Ingram-Moores to make a suitable donation declining to say how much from the book advance deal, to honour the commitment that Captain Tom, in his own words in his first book, stated in the foreword about the money benefiting the foundation set up in his name. The pair were asked by the commission on two occasions in 2022 to rectify matters by making a donation to the charity but declined both times. The Ingram-Moores have already been banned from being charity trustees, but a 30-page report published on Thursday, after a two-year inquiry, set out their failings in detail. open image in gallery Captain Tom Moore ( WireImage/Getty ) Here are some of the findings of the report, which follows an inquiry opened in June 2022: Captain Tom books The Ingram-Moores company, Club Nook, was to be paid an advance totalling 1.5 million in a book publishing deal, according to a redacted document provided to the Charity Commission by Penguin Books. This was reduced to 1,466,667 after the cancellation of a planned fourth book. However, the Commission said that to date the charity has not received any money from the first publishing agreement. The report said that the private limited company Club Nook Limited was incorporated in April 2020, with Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore as company directors who, in addition to their two children, hold shares in the company. Literary agent Bev James, who represented Captain Tom, told the inquiry that her understanding was that the Ingram-Moores were very clear that they did not want the money from the books to go to charity, but they would make a donation when the Captain Tom Foundation was set up. The report said it appears that Captain Tom himself believed or intended that (his book) Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day would in some way financially support the charity. It references the books prologue, which is attributed to Captain Tom, and reads: Astonishingly at my age, with the offer to write this memoir I have also been given the chance to raise even more money for the charitable foundation now established in my name. The reports authors say: The inquiry cannot see how the first sentence in the above quote from Captain Tom can be interpreted as anything other than funds provided to Captain Tom for writing his memoir would flow to the charity to continue his charitable work. They continued: The inquiry formally wrote to Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore on 4 October 2022 and 23 November 2022 setting out the information it had gathered, to provide them with an opportunity to rectify matters by making a donation to the charity in line with their original intentions as understood by those involved. On both occasions they declined to do so. The Charity Commission concluded that the public had a reasonable expectation that the Captain Tom books they purchased, in particular Captain Toms autobiography Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day, would have financially benefited the charity and the public would understandably feel misled given no donation has been made to the charity. The Ingram-Moores failure to honour the donation to the charity following the first publishing agreement, and the misconduct and/or mismanagement as evidenced in this report, has seriously damaged the reputation of the charity, it continued. Demolished spa block building The Ingram-Moores used the name of the charity in an initial planning application for a Captain Tom Foundation building in the grounds of their home. The Charity Commission said local council documents show decision-makers gave significant weight to the fact that the charity was to use the proposed building for its charitable purposes. open image in gallery A view of the grounds and home of Hannah Ingram-Moore, the daughter of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore ( PA ) A revised planning application, which added a spa pool facility, did not feature the word charity or foundation, was refused permission and a demolition notice was issued. The building was levelled in February this year. Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore said the inclusion of the charitys name in the original planning application was an error, though they did have the intention to use the building for charitable purposes, according to the report. The inquiry was told that this oversight was as a result of the fact that they were both busy undertaking global media work which meant that their attention was on the substance of the application rather than minor errors in the design and access statement prepared by a planning consultant acting on their behalf, it continued. It is the view of the inquiry that Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moores actions in using the charitys name in a planning application on their own property would have increased the prospects of that application being successful. A failure to consult the full board of trustees and seek their authorisation also suggests that Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore were using the charity and its name inappropriately for their private benefit. It said that press coverage of the demolition negatively affected the charity and this could have been mitigated if the decision to link the charity to this planning application had been properly considered and authorised by the unconflicted trustees. Payment for Virgin Media awards Captain Tom acted as a judge for the Virgin Media Local Legends Awards between 2020 and 2021, for which he was personally paid 10,000. Mrs Ingram-Moore acted as his substitute during this campaign, and this arrangement was agreed in advance of Mrs Ingram-Moore being a trustee or taking up her employment at the charity. open image in gallery Captain Tom Moore celebrating his 100th birthday ( Capture The Light Photography/PA ) At about the time the Local Legends Awards concluded, Mrs Ingram-Moore was approached to become a judge for the following years awards, according to the report. It said that in September 2021, while employed by the charity as its interim chief executive, she entered into an ambassador services agreement with Virgin Media for the judging and presenting of the Virgin Media Captain Tom Foundation Connector Awards. As a result of the ambassador agreement, Mrs Ingram-Moore was personally paid 18,000, and in addition Virgin Media donated 2,000 to the charity, the report said. The report added that the inquiry does not agree with Mrs Ingram-Moores assertion that this was something that she undertook in her personal capacity there is no evidence to suggest that this work was done outside her contracted work hours, or that annual leave was booked to undertake the role. It noted that in Mrs Ingram-Moores signed employment contract, dated August 31 2021, there is no clause relating to conflicts of interest. In the covering email of the same date to (charity trustee) Mr (Stephen) Jones with the signed contract attached, Mrs Ingram-Moore states: I have signed the contract but removed the conflicts of interest clause as this is not a legal requirement and given my responsibilities is too restrictive. It is a given that I will not be doing anything to conflict with all my roles but I cannot be in a position that I have to request authority at every turn, my life would grind to a halt, I am sure you understand. The report continues: One month after signing her employment contract and having purposely taken out the conflicts of interest clause, Mrs Ingram-Moore signed the ambassador agreement from which she benefited significantly. Captain Tom gin Trustees instructed that a Captain Tom limited edition barrel-aged gin be removed from the Captain Tom Foundations online store as it was not an authorised charity product, the report said. The 100-a-bottle spirit, made by Otterbeck Distillery, was advertised on the distillerys website as all profits of the sale going to charity. open image in gallery Toast of the town: Sir Tom Moore launched his own brand of gin ( Otterbeck Distillery ) But the report found there was no written agreement in place detailing the arrangement between the charity and the Distillery for the limited edition gin. The unconflicted trustees told the inquiry that once they learnt about the limited edition gin, they instructed Mr Ingram-Moore to remove it from the charitys online store as it was not an authorised charity product, the report said. The inquiry found that of the 100 limited edition gin bottles that were produced, 21 were sold resulting in a donation of 530 to the charity. In addition to the limited edition gin, a regular Captain Tom Gin for 35.95 a bottle was also available. The inquiry found that a written agreement was in place for the regular gin and that as per the agreement, the charity received a 1 donation per bottle sold which raised 8,960 for the charity. The Ingram-Moores and the Captain Tom Foundation have been approached for comment. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The 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: Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ian Hislop has hit out at the Archbishop of Canterbury after he attended a gala one day after his resignation over an abuse scandal within the Church of England. Justin Welby, who will officially step down early next year, announced his resignation last week after days of mounting pressure over failures in his handling of the case of prolific abuser John Smyth. Private Eye editor Mr Hislop said it was jaw-dropping to see Mr Welby at the British Museums annual dinner for trustees just a day after he quit for an appalling scandal and cover-up of monstrous abuse. In a column for the magazine, Mr Hislop wrote he was unimpressed by Mr Welbys appearance at the dinner. Isnt this lovely? said Mr Welby to Mr Hislop, who replied: It is lovely that you have resigned. Mr Hislop said this was not the most brilliant bit of repartee, but an exchange of views followed and they parted on unfriendly terms. The Have I Got News For You host also criticised those at the gala that approached Mr Welby to comfort him and tell him he is brave for resigning. These particular Christians were far too keen to forgive each other for their sins, Mr Hislop wrote, and far too slow to seek justice for the poor victims in their flock. He added: Welby seemed to me to be unrepentant and unashamed. I am not convinced he has been punished enough unlike the poor boys his friend so mercilessly flogged in the name of Christianity. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned following the damning Makin Review (Doug Peters/PA) ( PA Wire ) Mr Hislops magazine, Private Eye, has long covered the scandal that led to the Archbishop of Canterburys resignation. Mr Welby will officially step down on 6 January, Lambeth Palace announced on Wednesday. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, the second-most senior bishop in the Church of England, will take on Mr Welbys official duties. At the time of announcing his resignation, Mr Welby said he was quitting in sorrow with all victims and survivors of abuse following days of pressure after the independent review concluded John Smyth the most prolific serial abuser to be associated with the Church might have been brought to justice had Mr Welby formally reported him to police in 2013. He had initially declined to resign 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. Across five decades in three different countries and involving as many as 130 boys and young men in the UK and Africa, John Smyth is said to have subjected his victims to traumatic physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual attacks, permanently marking their lives. He 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. The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) is responsible for appointing the next archbishop, examining candidates, holding interviews and eventually putting forward a name to the Prime Minister, who then passes it to the King. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Mohamed Al Fayeds sexual abuse may have been on a similar scale to Jimmy Saviles, a survivors advocate appointed by Harrods has said. Dame Jasvinder Sanghera was appointed by the department store, previously owned by Al Fayed, as an independent advocate to address the needs of the late billionaires victims. Speaking to the BBC, Dame Jasvinder said she has seen evidence Al Fayeds tentacles went far and wide as she discussed the scale of the abuse. We could be talking about something on the scale of Jimmy Savile, she said. After his death in 2011, hundreds of survivors came forward with stories of abuse by Savile, who used his work at the BBC and at hospitals, prisons and charities to conceal his wrongdoings. Over 290 individuals are engaged in Harrods compensation process, but Dame Jasvinder believes the abuse went further than the department store. She said: If you look at the breadth of the abuse, this didnt just happen in Harrods. Im already hearing from survivors who are saying this happened in other areas. She said she had been told by a former pupil from a school for deaf children that Al Fayed had access to vulnerable young women from that school. open image in gallery Dame Jasvinder Sanghera was appointed by the department store, previously owned by Al Fayed, as an independent advocate to address the needs of the late billionaires victims ( BBC ) She said: What we do know is that there are many people and survivors have said this to me already that were complicit [in Al Fayeds abuse]. They looked the other way. This could not have happened without people knowing about it, and he used his position of power and influence. The school told the BBC that as far as it was aware Al Fayed did not have access to the institution, and that it takes safeguarding very seriously. open image in gallery Mohammed Al Fayed is alleged to have been behind a number of sexual assaults (PA) ( PA ) The Harrods claims process is only open to those who were employed by the company, but the Justice for Harrods Survivors group said last month that other victims had contacted them from Fulham FC, the Ritz hotel in Paris and elsewhere. Dame Jasvinder said she would like to hear from victims regardless of whether they were abused by Al Fayed at Harrods or elsewhere. She said: I would absolutely encourage anyone affected by this, or who may know somebody thats affected, who just wants to have a conversation about the process, to absolutely contact me. Harrods said it supports the bravery of these women in coming forward and urged them to make claims to the companys compensation scheme. Al Fayed acquired Harrods for 615m in 1985 and after 26 years in charge sold it to the Qatari royal family for a reported 1.5bn in 2010 He died in 2023, aged 94. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Watch as defence secretary John Healey faced MPs on Thursday (21 November) after Ukraine fired British missiles at Russia for the first time. The British-made missile which Kyiv has been lobbying to use beyond Russias borders for months was fired at Russia on Wednesday, with images published by Russian military bloggers purporting to show Storm Shadow fragments in Russias Kursk region, beyond Ukraines northeastern border. Meanwhile, Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from Astrakhan region during a Thursday morning attack, Ukraines air force said. Ukraines military also said it shot down six Kh-101 cruise missiles launched by Russia during the attack. The Russian attack targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro, the air force said, at a time of escalating moves in the 33-month-old war launched by Russia in Ukraine. It was unclear from the statement what the intercontinental ballistic missile targeted and whether it caused any damage. The missiles have a range of thousands of kilometres and can be used for delivering nuclear warheads, though they can also have conventional warheads. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain should follow the example of Nordic and Baltic countries and boost its defences to prepare for war, the UKs top military leader has said. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the UK defence staff, said Britains culture of national resilience was weaker than that of some of its European allies and the country still had to catch up in civil readiness for war. He spoke on the day the defence secretary announced cuts to the military, including the Royal Navys two amphibious assault ships, a frigate and 31 helicopters. John Healey blamed the disputed 22bn black hole left in the finances by the Tories. Russian president Vladimir Putin has this week warned of nuclear consequences if long-range US missiles from Ukraine hit his country raising the stakes in continuing tensions with Europe. open image in gallery Admiral Sir Tony Radakin warned the UK is in a weaker position than some other nations ( PA Wire ) I think we have to acknowledge that we are in a different position a slightly weaker one than my [Nordic and Baltic] colleagues on the panel, Sir Tony told a Berlin security conference. Its an area where we dont have the culture of total defence. We dont have some of the civil aspects or planning aspects that other countries within Nato have as part of their traditions. We are having those conversations to learn from our colleagues and see what might be appropriate for ourselves. Earlier this year, General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the British Army, claimed the UK needed a citizen army of tens of thousands of troops to fight a future war against Russia. Gen Sir Patrick said his forces, including all reserves, would not be large enough to defend the country if there was a war, and it was essential for Britain to lay the foundations for national mobilisation. Following Moscows increasing successes on the battlefield and Mr Putins increasingly entrenched anti-Western rhetoric, Nato leaders have called for individuals and businesses to play their part in preparations for war, an approach known as total or whole-of-society defence. open image in gallery Army numbers should be boosted, its been suggested ( Getty Images ) Sweden is planning to introduce civilian conscription for young men in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, its government says. Deterrence doesnt start at the barrel of a gun. It starts with a society that can muster a credible answer to the threat of an armed attack You cannot just outsource security to the military, said civil defence minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin. Sweden has issued every household with a pamphlet called In Case of Crisis or War, telling people how to seek shelter if there is an attack, how to cope with power or water outages from missile strikes, and what food, medicines and other supplies to stock up on. In recent months Norway, Finland and Denmark have all republished similar guidance. In Germany the military has begun implementing a strategy paper on how to keep the country functioning if it comes under attack. The Conservatives in government unveiled a strategy to ensure the UK was better prepared for crises such as pandemics, terrorism and extreme weather, with a new UK Resilience Academy to offer training and education on resilience planning Following US president Joe Bidens decision to allow Ukraine the use of long-range US missiles in Russia, Mr Putin signed a new doctrine lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A new poll has revealed that almost seven in 10 (69 per cent) members of the public back having a commission into end of life care in the UK before MPs make a final decision on whether to support assisted dying. It comes as The Independent understands that former prime minister Gordon Brown is supportive of the push for a commission to come up with solutions for palliative care in ther UK. The move comes with just a week to go before Labour MP Kim Leadbeaters bill to allow assisted dying is to be debated in parliament. She has insisted that the bill has the strongest safeguards in the world against abuse and will be strictly limited to terminally ill people with six months or less to live, with requests needing to be signed off by two doctors and a judge. open image in gallery Former prime minister Gordon Brown (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Archive ) But health secretary Wes Streeting has already indicated he will oppose the bill next week when it is debated in the Commons because he does not believe that end of life care is currently good enough in the NHS. Others, including 11-time Paralympic gold medalist now member of the Lords Tanni Grey-Thompson, have raised serious questions about loopholes in the bill which allows for family members to sign on behalf of people and for doctor shopping to find medics who will sign off the request. But it is understood that Mr Brown is supportive of a commission into how palliative care can be properly provided in the UK. A survey of 5,033 people on assisted dying by the polling company Focaldata over 6 to 11 November, found that 69 per cent backed a commission ahead of a final vote on assisted dying - with 34 per cent strongly agreeing and 35 per cent somewhat agreeing. In comparison only 15 per cent opposed the idea, although critics believe that the move would be a delaying tactic to stop the bill passing. Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing opposed to assisted dying, said: These poll results could not be clearer. The great British public want members of parliament and the government to focus their attention on fixing the UK's broken positive and social care systems. They also recognise that this is an incredibly complex problem which needs to be taken away from the heat of political debate and given to a royal commission. Voters also recognise the inherent danger of legalising assisted suicide, could lead to the vulnerable, terminally ill and disabled people ending their lives prematurely because they feel like a burden on their families, carers or finances Exactly as we see in the US state of Oregon, the model for the legislation MPs will be debating next week, where over the years a majority of those taking the death row drugs, cite burden as a reason. When I think of John Prescott, a smile comes to my face. I remember a man who, in the cabinet, would frequently puncture pomposity who, during inevitably difficult discussions, could cut through any dark atmosphere with a comment that would leave everyone else laughing. He was kind and unwaveringly loyal. But I also remember John as somebody who had an unerring political instinct; a towering figure who changed the course of Labour, and reached parts of the party which others simply couldnt. John was often underestimated, but he recognised the strength that he had within the movement, and he worked for a stable Labour government his entire life. For the duration, he suffered snobbery and condescension. His early life tells a story about the educational apartheid that arose as a result of the 11-plus, which he didnt pass; like so many others he was segregated at an early age from good education, in a system that failed to take into account potential. Happily, he managed by force of his character to break through those barriers. In fact, he was quite a remarkable political figure from an early age. He first came to prominence in 1966, during the National Union of Seaman strike. At the time, Sterling and the entire economy depended on the balance of payments on our exports; they were demanding a fairer 40-hour week and a pay rise. Then-prime minister Harold Wilson dismissed unionists as a tightly-knit group of politically motivated men who were determined to disrupt the government. Wilson was alarmed by the damage that this with John in the middle could do. It was these grassroots that anchored his role in the New Labour Party. The party didnt want another southern lawyer, and John had a complementary background and complementary skills to Tony Blair. Thats what made their leadership so strong. John never really expressed it, but he had a slight wariness towards people like Tony, and others like Peter Mandelson and indeed me who he thought came from a completely different background. But one of his crucial roles was to take Tony on, to challenge him. And he was able. He was elected in his own right as deputy leader in 1994, and he had an autonomy that wasnt even available to those of us who felt very secure in our roles. Notably, he was instrumental in rewriting Clause 4, which, in 1995, changed the statement of the Labour Partys principles and terms. This played a critical part in Tonys future leadership. And, while John would be the first to admit he often mangled the English language his dyslexia was apparent in his syntax make no mistake he commanded a room nonetheless. He was also the one to coin the phrase that would become a key mantra for the party: Traditional values in a modern setting. open image in gallery Blair and Prescott with their wives Cherie and Pauline in 1996 ( PA ) I didnt have a particularly close relationship with him, but we got on well, as he did with most. During the early days, when we were in opposition, we had some fun I remember John and his staff who would organise nights on what we called the Ship of Shame. It was one of those boats which went up the Thames and back again, and had a bar and music on it. Those nights were only once or twice a year or so, but they were memorable nonetheless. Of course, hell always be remembered for that punch. Perhaps it made him memorable for the wrong reasons, on the surface. But to me, it only revealed more of the strong connection he had with the public. Ill never forget the day it happened: I had been up to Blackpool to make a speech to the Police Federation. I thought I was being very nice, telling them all about the extra money they were going to get, but, it turned out to be a disaster and I was treated to a slow hand clap. On the train home I thought, God knows what this will do for my political future, but about halfway through the journey, my special advisor, Ed, said, Its OK Jack, youre in the clear. Prescott just hit a voter. open image in gallery I also remember John as somebody who had an unerring political instinct; a towering figure who changed the course of Labour ( Getty ) What happened next was quite extraordinary. Despite the fact that you can clearly see this chap he punched was behaving very badly, if anyone else had done that, it would have been the end of their ministerial career. Tony set the tone when asked what he thought of it. He said, Well, John Prescott is John Prescott. And the public took that view, too. Between us, it became a bit of a joke, a gentle teasing. But it showed the connection and respect that John invoked. Would John be elected as a politician now? Interestingly, I think he would, though the only real equivalent at a senior position in politics today is Angela Rayner. Her background is very different from Johns, but they both overcame adversity and started in the Union movement. open image in gallery The pair with Gordon Brown at the 2006 Labour Party conference ( PA ) Like Rayner, he suffered prejudice over his northern accent; his wife, Pauline, who was quite a character herself, was also criticised for her big, dark beehive hair which had gone out of fashion in the south. It was snobbery, plain and simple, but John didnt seem to care too much. In later years, John was known as the marriage counsellor of the party. He stood for fairness, he smoothed over fractious relationships particularly between Tony and Gordon Brown, both of whom he had a good connection with, towards the end of the government. At the time when international politics became overwhelmingly prominent following 9/11, Afghanistan and Iraq was unbelievably loyal. He may well have had reservations about the decisions being made back then, and he could have made life almost impossible for Tony. But if he did he never expressed them in public. More than anything he believed in a stable, strong Labour Party for the many, and for the greater good. And that pretty much sums him up. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A highlight of the lacklustre 2001 general election campaign was the Prescott punch. John Prescott, Labours deputy prime minister, was incensed by a protester who hit him with an egg. He lashed out at the egg-thrower and the police had to separate the two men. The incident was caught on camera and dominated the news. A mortified Prescott thought that he would have to resign but Tony Blair played the matter down, stating: John is John. Prescott was the keeper of the cloth cap in Tony Blairs Labour government, perhaps the last overtly working-class Labour politician to hold high ministerial office. With his prolier-than-thou attitude and forceful statement of traditional Labour values, he could touch the hearts of trade union and Labour activists more than any other party figure. At the 1993 party conference the leader, John Smith, was advocating one-member, one-vote in elections for parliamentary candidates and the party leader. The result was in doubt and Smiths authority, if not his leadership, was on the line. Prescott, in a passionate, meandering, even incoherent speech, roused the enthusiasm of the audience and helped to win the vote. Transcribing what Prescott was trying to say in the Commons was a test often set for applicants for a job writing Hansard. The torrent of words, often shouted and spoken rapidly, and the syntax were a delight for the sketch writers. Matthew Parris in The Times wrote of an oration in Brighton: John Prescott went 12 rounds with the English language and left it slumped and bleeding over the ropes. He found the coverage hurtful and may have suffered from a form of verbal dyslexia. open image in gallery John Prescott frequently played peacemaker between Gordon Brown and Tony Blair ( John Stillwell/PA ) John Prescott was born in Prestatyn, a North Wales seaside town, in 1938. The family moved to Rotherham when he was five, and five years later to Chester. His parents were Labour activists; his father was a railwayman and a Labour councillor. Of the three Prescott children, only John failed the 11-plus for a grammar school. The disappointment left a scar. He left his local secondary modern school in Ellesmere Port at the age of 15, worked in the hotel trade and at the age of 17 became a merchant seaman with Cunard Lines. Employers and his union regarded him as a troublemaker and he was thrown off ship a number of times. His time as a ships steward saw him strike up an unlikely friendship with former Tory PM Anthony Eden who was a passenger when he was working as a steward. But many years later Winston Churchills grandson Nicholas Soames would mock him shouting Gin and tonic, waiter across the Commons. Prescotts suspicion of authority, reinforced by his sense of social inferiority because of academic failure, made him a lifelong member of the awkward squad. Politically he was on Labours left and regarded as a militant in the right-wing National Union of Seamen. In 1963, however, he channelled his energies into study at Ruskin College, at Oxford. He was already married and a father. In later life, he frequently expressed his gratitude to Ruskin for the opportunities it gave him. In 1956, he went to Hull University to read Economics. His continuing involvement in union activities (he crossed Harold Wilson in 1966 with his support for the seamens strike) and Labour politics (he fought the safe Conservative seat of Southport in 1966) came at the cost of his studies. In 1968 he scraped a third-class degree written examinations were not his forte. Tutors recall that when he attended party and union activities permitting he was articulate, opinionated, scornful of different views and a strong personality: he was already recognisably the man who was deputy prime minister 40 years later. open image in gallery Prescotts suspicion of authority, reinforced by his sense of social inferiority because of academic failure, made him a lifelong member of the awkward squad ( Getty ) The NUS had a strong foothold in the safe Labour seat of Hull East and in November 1968, Prescott, aged 30, was selected as the Labour candidate. He easily won the seat in the 1970 general election and held it for the next 40 years. He finally stepped down in 2010. In parliament, he was a member of the Tribune group, supported many left-wing causes, opposed British membership of the European Community, and voted for Tony Benn in the leadership contest in 1976. Able, well-informed, and hard-working, Prescott was an irritant not only to the Conservatives but his own leadership. For some 20 years, he shared a union-subsidised flat in London with the Labour firebrand Dennis Skinner. Yet in 1979 James Callaghan, the Labour prime minister, offered to nominate him to a lucrative post as a British member of the European Commission. Prescott, unwilling to give up his seat in the Commons, declined. Prescott came into his own during his partys long period in opposition during the 1980s and 1990s. The temperament, the physique and utterances were all of a piece. Quick to take offence, his short and burly physique and his bushy eyebrows and bulging eyes made him a formidable sight when he was animated. His belligerence created headlines when Callaghan, shortly before the 1987 general election campaign, expressed support for keeping the Trident submarine, contradicting party policy and Prescott assailed him in the Commons. The press eagerly reported this as the tea room row. In 1983 Prescott was elected to the shadow cabinet and the new party leader, Neil Kinnock, made him shadow spokesman on transport then moved him to employment a year later. His relations with the leader were often difficult. Kinnock thought him less than supportive over the NUM strike in 1985 and suspected that Prescott was playing to the gallery of party activists and preparing a bid for the leadership. Relations worsened in 1988 when Prescott decided to challenge the incumbent Roy Hattersley (another Hull University graduate) for the post of deputy leader. He lost. open image in gallery Prescott came into his own during his partys long period in opposition in the 1980s and 1990s ( Getty ) He stood again for the post, vacated by Hattersley in 1992, but lost to Margaret Beckett. Prescott had a good relationship with Kinnocks successor, John Smith, who supported his plans for job creation. He praised Smith and his office for being straight and shared their distrust of spin doctors. He felt John Smiths sudden death in May 1994 keenly. In the contests for the posts of leader and deputy leader, he stood against Blair and Beckett, respectively, and was the winner in the second. He had the support of Blair and duly assumed the post at the third time of asking. Prescott was enough of a realist to know that Labour had to change and calculated that Blair was the man to lead the party to victory. Although the two men were not natural soul mates, a mutual respect developed, but not before Prescott exploded when he learnt that Blair and a group of modernisers had met, without informing him, at Chewton Glen in September 1994. Blair promised it would not happen again. He came to realise that Prescott, symbolically and substantively, represented much of the old Labour Party he had to carry with him. Prescotts support was crucial in carrying through Blairs reform of Clause IV of the Labour Party constitution. But he was not fully signed up to the New Labour project and was furious at Harriet Harmans decision to send her son to a grammar school in defiance of party policy; he wanted her sacked from the shadow cabinet. He was excluded from Blairs talks with Paddy Ashdown, the Liberal Democratic leader, about plans for greater cooperation between the two parties. He disapproved of proportional representation for Westminster elections, coalition with the Liberal Democrats or an elected House of Lords. But, to Prescotts delight, Blair agreed that if Labour formed a government he would have the title of deputy prime minister. John Prescott knew that Blairs aides regarded him as an electoral liability with middle England. In the 1997, 2001, and 2005 general election campaigns, he was kept off centre stage and sent on a battle bus tour of the country. open image in gallery Prescott was enough of a realist to know that Labour had to change and calculated that Blair was the man to lead the party to victory ( Getty ) Alongside the post of deputy PM then seen as more of a courtesy title Prescott took over a newly formed Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions. Apparently, Blair had raised the possibility of the Home Office but Prescott rejected it: He replied to Blairs comment I need a strong man at the Home Office with Well, go and find one. His heart was set on transport combined with environment. But there was a large potential for problems because of the wide reach of Gordon Brown who, as chancellor, effectively decided a substantial amount of the domestic agenda. It is difficult to make the case that Prescott was a successful minister. In the first term, neither Blair nor Brown regarded transport as important. However, congestion on rail and road quickly made it a major issue. Prescotts draft white paper was heavily rewritten by No 10, which found its proposals for curbing car use too anti-motorist and too pro-green. In turn, Prescott fulminated against the teeny-boppers in No 10s Policy Unit. In many respects, the quality of travel on roads and rail declined during his tenure and the crashes in Paddington (1999) and Hatfield (2000) added to a sense of crisis on the railways. In 1999 the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) was set up with a new minister to regulate the railways, and Lord (Gus) MacDonald became transport minister and introduced more road-user-friendly policies. Prescott exposed himself to ridicule at the 1999 party conference when he used a chauffeur-driven Jaguar to be transported from his hotel to the conference floor. His speech contained a passage urging people to make less use of the car and use public transport. He quickly earned the nickname Two Jags, although he had only owned one. The cabinet was lukewarm about his proposals for devolution to English regions, and by 2004 a referendum for setting up an elected regional assembly was scheduled only for the North East. Voters rejected the idea by a large majority and regionalism was off the agenda for the foreseeable future. He could point to progress elsewhere, including the creation of Regional Development Agencies and gaining Treasury agreement that money raised from congestion charging would be used to improve public transport. open image in gallery He came to terms with the seemingly inevitable succession to the leadership of Gordon Brown and indeed acted as a broker between Brown and Blair in late 2003 ( AFP/Getty ) He also gained high marks for his efforts on climate change helping to broker the Kyoto Protocol at the conference in 1997, something that gave him the greatest satisfaction of his ministerial career. He renegotiated the contract for the Channel Tunnel railway link. Although it was a sensible idea to try and join up transport, environmental and planning policies, the new department was too unwieldy. By 2004 the SRA was being scrapped and the 10-year plan for integrated transport had been rewritten. Prescotts role was increasingly to maintain links between the government and Labour MPs. With Blair his role was to get the PM to wait a minute, asking him to think again about a radical proposal. Prescott could voice the concerns of the partys grassroots and had to be handled with care. His relations with Gordon Brown were poor until 2003 and it was under pressure from Brown that the part privatisation of the London Underground was introduced. In 2001 Prescott moved to the Cabinet Office, as DPM and first secretary. He chaired six cabinet committees, including the key one on domestic policy. But it was all rather nebulous and a year later he took charge of local government and the regions. His interest in regionalism meant that he had little sympathy for local government. Giving him a major job was a problem because Blair never considered him for the posts of foreign secretary or chancellor of the Exchequer. open image in gallery Prescotts role was increasingly to maintain links between the government and Labour MPs ( Getty ) He came to terms with the seemingly inevitable succession to the leadership of Gordon Brown and indeed acted as a broker between Brown and Blair in late 2003 and early 2004, when relations between the two men were poor. In public, he was always loyal to Blair while recognising Browns claims to be the next prime minister and was a vigorous opponent of the strike by the Fire Brigades Union in 2003. Although he had successfully resisted Blairs attempt to scale back his department in 2005 his standing in government fell sharply in his last two years. In April 2006, the press took great delight in covering his affair with his diary secretary, Tracey Temple, thanks largely to Ms Temples detailed diaries. In a cabinet reshuffle the next month Blair transferred his duties as minister for communities and local government to Ruth Kelly. He remained in cabinet as deputy leader of the party and as DPM. He soon gave up his grace and favour manor house Dorneywood following press photographs of him playing croquet on the lawn with his staff on a weekday afternoon. Although he continued to chair a number of cabinet committees, his duties were few. Critics asked what was the point of John Prescott. open image in gallery Lord Prescott with his wife Pauline ( The Prescott Family ) Although his relations with Blair cooled, the prime minister lacked the authority to sack him. Blair feared that such a move might further encourage demands that he step down himself. Prescotts hopes of being a key figure in the transition from Blair to Brown lay in ruins. He was something of an embarrassment in the last months of the Blair government. With Blair, he stepped down as deputy leader of the party on 27 June 2007 and soon announced that he would not stand again for re-election for his Hull seat in 2010. It was announced that he would take over the lead role in the UK representation in the Parliamentary Association of the Council of Europe. In 2008, the nation saw a different side of Prescott when he and his wife Pauline appeared in a BBC Two series entitled Prescott: The Class System and Me. The documentary was a hit, with Pauline playing the starring role. He went on to make a cameo appearance as Nessas ex in Gavin and Stacey and a documentary series titled Made in Yorkshire. In 2010, Prescott moved to the Lords and was awarded a life peerage, becoming Baron Prescott, of Kingston upon Hull. He made a brief political comeback as adviser to Ed Miliband in 2015 but this was short-lived after Labour lost the election. His final appearance in the Lords was in 2022. Prescott was never smooth and retained a chip on his shoulder to the end. He was quick to sense put-downs, rightly so when some Conservative MPs shouted out drinks orders, teasing him about his earlier days as a waiter on ships. Never entirely at ease with the New Labour personnel, he dismissed some of them after the general election defeat in 1992 as beautiful people. He was a tribal Labour politician, disdainful of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, and once embarrassed one of his senior officials by saying, Youre are one of us. In Hull, he and his wife Pauline lived in a grand eight-bedroomed mansion. He enjoyed jazz and would sometimes be seen at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in Soho. His health suffered after a stroke in 2019 and latterly he battled Alzheimers. His rules for being a good minister were pure common sense, good political judgement and making sure you know your facts. Among his many grey colleagues in the Labour cabinet, he added a dash of colour. Above all, he lived and breathed politics. John Prescott, politician and deputy prime minister, born 31 May 1938, died 20 November 2024 aged 86 The passing of John Prescott has attracted an impressive amount of attention, and affection, about his time in politics and, in particular, the contribution he made to New Labour and the Blair administration in which he played such an important part. With very different backgrounds and outlooks, Prescott as deputy leader and Tony Blair as the boss made their partnership work, and was rarely equalled before or since... Was Prescott unique? Obviously, in his personal style, he was like nothing before or since. As a type, however, he fitted the notion of a socially and/or politically balanced ticket between a leader and their deputy that Labour has resorted to quite often. The stereotype would be posher, north London-based, intellectual in the top job, with a more authentically working class deputy, usually to their left, sometimes questioning but fundamentally loyal. Like now? Yes. Until his time later in life at Ruskin College, Oxford, Prescott, like Rayner, didnt go university; they both worked their way up in the Labour movement through the trade unions; both are Northern, with appropriate accents; both attracted the scorn of less intelligent people who consider themselves their social betters. Both are essential to their leaders, in terms of being a bridge with the past, to the unions and the left. Though Keir Starmer served under Jeremy Corbyn, it was Rayners rapid promotion in that era that made her career so successful in such a short time. But it was also her willingness to compromise with the right and move past the Corbyn/Momentum era that allowed her to overtake her friend, flatmate and fellow Corbyn protegee Rebecca Long-Bailey, a now sadly forgotten figure. Like Prescott, Rayner knew how to give way. That said, neither Rayner nor Prescott were made shadow chancellor and were generally kept away from the main thrust of economic policy. Both made do with voluminous but more marginal briefs in areas such as the regions, what we now call levelling up, housing or transport. Its fair to say Prescotts powerbase in office shrank over time, for various reasons. (One footnote in history is that Prescotts grand plan for regional assemblies was killed off when he lost the 2004 referendum for one in the northeast of England. The No campaign was masterminded by Dominic Cummings, in what turned out to be a dry run for the EU vote in 2016). Rayners prospects look better, especially if she ever achieves those ambitious housebuilding targets. What should Starmer avoid? He shouldnt neglect his deputy because, despite his parliamentary landslide, his popular mandate share of the vote is fragile, and far more so than Blairs. In other words, as the tough choices are made and his ratings slide, he will need Ange far more than Blair ever needed John to bolster his personal position. Thus far she has been extremely loyal over, for example, cuts to the pensioners winter fuel allowance and, broadly, the Budget but she has let it be known that she also signed up to the joint letter objecting to spending cuts sent to Starmer, by Louise Haigh (transport), Shabana Mahmood (justice), Steve Reed (environment) and Bridget Phillipson (education). Starmer does seem closer to Rachel Reeves than Rayner, but at the moment its Reeves whos causing the government all the pain of unpopularity and coming under sustained bombardment. Ange just gets to crack the gags at hapless Tories at deputy PMQs. Does Labour have to have a leader with a working-class deputy? Not necessarily, but it helps. The Blair-Prescott ticket was electorally highly successful because, as Blair admits, Heineken Prescott could reach parts of the party and the electorate that he probably couldnt. Back in the early 1960s, Hugh Gaitskell, Hampstead intellectual and public schoolboy, had George Brown, ex-fur salesman and trade union official from Southwark, to be his populist talisman, though also on Labours right. Though a far less harmonious relationship, with some serious treachery, there was at least a similar complementarity in class terms between Clement Attlee (Haileybury and Oxford) and Herbert Morrison (left school at 14), albeit Attlee was probably the more socialist. Is the deputy leadership a job for life? One thing a leader knows is that, unlike the Conservatives, they constitutionally have to have a deputy and, being elected by the MPs and later the membership separately, the deputy leader has a mandate in their own right. So they cannot be sacked. They usually stand down when their leader goes, as was the case when Prescott retired with Blair, as Roy Hattersley did when Neil Kinnock stood down in 1992, and the Michael Foot-Denis Healey partnership ended in 1983. Margaret Beckett in 1994 and Morrison in 1955 both tied and failed to move up to the leaders office. However, Rayner may be encouraged by the two deputy leaders who directly succeeded their bosses when their moment came Foot taking over from Jim Callaghan in 1980, and Attlee from George Lansbury back in 1935. Its not necessarily a dead end. Labour has still not had a female leader, let alone a female prime minister... Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The governments controversial decision to extend inheritance tax to farm properties could put a fifth of Labours seats at risk, analysis from the Independent reveals. At least 81 of Labours seats in England, Scotland and Wales are in areas with a significant rural population, where more constituents are likely to be affected by farm taxes, which have prompted fury. In 54 of these constituencies, Labour won by less than 15 per cent, with the Conservatives, Reform or the SNP hot on their heels. The so-called tractor tax has been seized upon by the rural community as an example of Labour betrayal. The Tories are in prime position to take advantage of Labours declining popularity among rural voters, with the party likely eyeing up the chance to claw back 48 seats where they were less than 15 per cent behind Labour in the recent election. The rural/urban classification was drawn up by Defra in 2011. For Wales, areas with over 200 farms are included. There is no rural/urban classification data available for Northern Ireland. Where is Labour at risk? On Tuesday more than 10,000 farmers protested against the tax changes, which mean that from April next year inherited agricultural assets worth more than 1 million, which were previously exempt, will be liable to the tax at 20 per cent half the usual rate. Leaders from major parties have challenged the governments decision, with Kemi Badenoch calling the tax cruel and and Ed Davey saying it does not make sense. The rural vote is a point of insecurity for Labour; in fact, the vast majority of these seats were formerly held by the Conservatives until this year. It is safe to say that Labour cannot take these votes for granted. Meanwhile, the Conservatives are waiting in the wings. In Wednesdays PMQs, Tory MPs took the opportunity to attack Angela Rayner on the policy decision, with Saqib Bhatti asking: Why has this Labour Government declared war on British farmers? open image in gallery Tractors drove through central London as part of the protest (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Wire ) The Conservatives lost the Forest of Dean constituency by just 278 votes at the election. There are 751 farms (agricultural holdings) registered in this constituency alone, according to 2021 figures from Defra. MP Matt Bishop told the Independent that he wants to reassure my constituents that my focus on farming and rural issues remains unwavering. The Derbyshire Dales has one of the highest numbers of farms in the UK, with 1,275 registered in the constituency. Labour won the seat by just 350 votes, with the Tories close behind. Some Labour MPs in these at-risk seats have already started to question their partys policy decision, following pressure mounting from the farmers protests. The Labour MP for South Norfolk, Terry Jermy, called for reassurance on the scale of the impact and confirmation that the figures are accurate. Mr Jermy is facing pressure from constituents in South Norfolk, a predominantly rural constituency with 408 farm holdings, where the Tories came in just 5.7 per cent behind Labour. open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage arrives to attend a farmers' protest against changes to inheritance tax rules for land ownership, outside of Downing Street, on Whitehall, in central London, on November 19, 2024. ( JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images ) Meanwhile in Wales, hundreds of farmers joined the protests outside Parliament and at home. Local MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr Steve Witherden questioned the Treasurys modelling of the policy and suggested that future changes may be necessary. There are around 4,766 farms in the Powys area, which includes Mr Witherdens seat, according to 2017 figures from the Welsh government. Reform came 3,815 votes (8.8 per cent) behind Labour in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, which was only won from the Conservatives this year. In Llanelli on the South West coast, Reform were just 1,504 votes behind Labour. Its position within Carmarthenshire, home to around 4,000 farms, could pose a threat in light of the farmers protests. Reform MPs Nigel Farage, Richard Tice, and Lee Anderson joined the picket line on Tuesday and have been vocal against the IHT changes. Their constituencies have approximately 760 agricultural holdings between them. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nadine Dorries has used her latest book to continue her feud with Kemi Badenoch, with the former culture secretary claiming the newly appointed leader is both a bully and unfit to be prime minister. Written as this summers Conservative leadership race was unfolding, Ms Dorries quoted a number of unnamed party insiders who attacked Ms Badenochs credentials. However, a source close to the now Tory leader dismissed Downfall, which will be published on Thursday, as fiction. Ms Dorries resigned as an MP in August 2023 after launching a blistering attack on then prime minister Rishi Sunak. open image in gallery Former prime minister Boris Johnson and former culture secretary Nadine Dorries (Oli Scarff/PA) ( PA Archive ) She has repeatedly locked horns with Ms Badenoch, accusing her of plotting against Boris Johnson and saying she should be automatically disqualified from the leadership race as a result. Ms Dorries, who is a close ally of the former PM, recounts an instance where the now Tory leader urged colleagues to quit the former prime ministers cabinet just hours before he was forced to resign. In WhatsApp messages that were later leaked, Ms Badenoch threatened to remove colleagues from the group if they didnt quit their posts. Writing about the incident, Ms Dorries who has repeatedly defended Mr Johnsons record in government said: The stupidity of her actions that night I think has left a lingering doubt regarding her suitability to ever be a leader among MPs. No one likes a bully, she added. Ms Dorries also blamed Ms Badenoch for the decline of the Tory party. Writing as the Conservative leadership race got underway, Ms Dorries said: As predicted Kemi Badenoch is in the race. She and Rishi were meant to have been the saviours of the Conservative Party. They were supposed to have led us up to the sunlit uplands; instead we had steadily declined and were at rock bottom, the party on the verge of being wiped out of existence. I wonder how long the cabal who run the party can keep getting it wrong. It feels like a question of whether the party will be rid of them or they will rid us all of the party. Ms Dorries has used both of the books she has written since leaving office, the first of which is about the political assassination of Boris Johnson, to peddle elaborate theories about the Conservative Party, including the claim that a shadowy cabal has been pulling strings for years. Key members of the alleged group include former cabinet minister Michael Gove, former adviser to Mr Johnson Dominic Cummings and Dougie Smith, who she claims has operated at the heart of government for years. She claims Mrs Badenoch was the candidate selected by Mr Gove and his allies to take over from Mr Sunak as leader of the party. It is a claim that Ms Badenoch dismissed as very strange in an interview with The Independent last month ahead of the leadership vote. But the former culture secretary quotes a number of party insiders dismissing Ms Badenochs bid to lead the party, with one former cabinet minister saying: I could live with any one of them, other than Kemi who simply doesnt have the temperament to be a party leader, let alone a potential prime minister. Another source, who Ms Dorries nicknames Moneypenney, adds: I am certainly not alone in thinking Kemi is narcissistically self-important, and thats why she struggles to keep her temper in check with those who dont agree with her. Kemis temper, her aloofness and rudeness, but mostly her well-known aversion to hard work, will eventually blow her up. open image in gallery Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch ( PA Wire ) A third source, also unnamed, claims Mrs Badenoch is the Conservative Partys equivalent of Jeremy Corbyn, saying they would cancel their party membership if she were to win the leadership race. Those of us who have worked with her know how unstable she is, how bad-tempered. Shes been bloody rude to newspaper editors, they continued. Ive been told she spends her days reading every word that has been written about her. Ms Dorries herself adds: If Kemi becomes leader, then the next five years will be a long, slow death. From newspaper editors to party donors, the stories of the breathtakingly rude and arrogant way she spoke to people were becoming Westminster folklore. Humility was not at the top of Kemis list of interpersonal skills, she wrote. A source close to the Tory leader told The Independent: Nadine is a fantastic writer of fiction... and never misses a bandwagon on which to flog her book. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sadiq Khan has invited president-elect Donald Trump to celebrate at Pride festival in London with him, as well as encouraging the Republican to join him at Friday prayers at a mosque. The London mayor, who had a long-running row with Mr Trump during his first term in the White House, was asked at Mayors Questions on Thursday whether he would work with the Trump administration to encourage investment into the capital. Responding, the mayor said: I would like to use this opportunity to invite president-elect Trump to next years Pride in London. I also invite him to attend Friday prayers with me any Friday he wants to come to London or a Hindu temple, or a Sikh gurdwara, or a Jewish synagogue. open image in gallery The mayor invited Trump to London to celebrate Pride ( Getty Images for Concordia Summi ) He added: I think its really important to share the joys of the greatest city in the world with the president-elect and I look forward to doing just that when he comes to the UK. London Pride is attended annually by tens of thousands of people, showcasing LGBTQ+ solidarity. Last time Mr Trump visited London, Mr Khan authorised a blow-up blimp of the then-president portrayed as a baby to be flown over the capital. Campaigners raised almost 18,000 to pay for the 6m-high inflatable, which was flown over Parliament Square in 2018. While most senior figures in the Labour Party have sought to build bridges with the Trump administration, Mr Khan has taken a more cold-shouldered approach, declining to congratulate the Republican on his election win. While Sir Keir Starmer complimented Mr Trump on his historic election victory, the London mayor issued a more disparaging statement, saying the result shows progress is not inevitable. Mr Khan said Londoners would be anxious about the outcome, adding that the capital is and will always be for everyone. We will always be pro-women, pro-diversity, pro-climate and pro-human rights, he said. The ongoing row between the two politicians began after the London mayor criticised the presidents pledge to ban Muslims from the US, describing the policy as ignorant. open image in gallery A giant baby Trump balloon was flown over Parliament Square ( PA ) During his first term in office, Mr Trump described the mayor as a stone-cold loser and very dumb. In an interview with the High Performance podcast, broadcast last week, Mr Khan claimed the president-elect singled him out as a result of his skin colour and religion. Asked about the ongoing row, he said: Its personal, lets be frank. If I wasnt this colour skin, if I wasnt a practising Muslim, he wouldnt have come for me. He wasnt coming for me because Im five foot six. Hes coming for me because of lets be frank my ethnicity and my religion, so its incredibly personal to me. It affects me, my family. What worries me though, its not about me and my family its about the fact that hes the leader of the free world. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The defence secretary has admitted that the UK and her allies have known for months that Russia has been planning to use a new intercontinental ballistic missile as he warned about the fragile state of Ukraines frontline. John Healey gave his warning to the Commons defence select committee where he was making his first apearance since Labour took power in July. He was speaking at the same time as Sir Keir Starmer pushed back on claims the much-delayed decision to allow Ukraine to strike at Russian forces with storm shadow missiles was a reaction to Donald Trumps election as US president. While refusing to confirm whether the UK had given permission for long range missiles to be fired by Ukraine into Russian territory, Mr Healey expressed little surprise at the reports Russia had fired a new ballistic missile at the country. open image in gallery John Healey speaks to MPs on the defence select commitee ( PA ) He told MPs: Tthere are unconfirmed media reports today of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine which we know they have been preparing for months. He warned: This is a serious time. Intelligence reveals that the frontline is less stable than at any time since the Russian invasion in 2022. We have seen in recent weeks a very clear escalation from Putin and hos forces. They have stepped up attacks on energy systems in Ukraine, ahead of winter. They have stepped up attacks on civilian centres, killing children. At least 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to the front line. Later, Downing Street later described the unconfirmed reports Russia had launched an ICBM into Ukraine as "deeply concerning". But the prime minister's official spokesman said he did not "want to get ahead of our intelligence services who are looking at these reports urgently", adding: "But if true, clearly this would be another example of grave, reckless and escalatory behaviour from Russia and only serves to strengthen our resolve." Mr Healey was giving evidence as Sir Keir was giving a statement in the Commons to MPs on the G20 and COP29 summits and an update on the war in Ukraine after they used the British-made missiles for the first time. While the prime minister avoided commenting specifically on the use of the missiles in Ukraine, he laid out the legal case for doing so: Under article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine has a clear right to self-defence against Russia's illegal attacks. "So I say again, Russia could roll back their forces and end this war tomorrow. But until then, we will stand up for what we know is right, for Ukraine's security and for our own security and we will back Ukraine with what is needed for as long as is needed." open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping of China in Brazil (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire ) The prime minister had made an earlier attempt to persuade the US to allow the use of the missiles when he flew out to Washington DC for a hastily arranged summit with president Joe Biden in September. But the trip was fraught with diplomatic problems as Putin made threats about nuclear war and expelled UK ambassadors while Sir Keir was en route. However, there is speculation the election of Trump, who has stated he will halt aid to Ukraine and bring a rapid end to the war, has panicked Western leaders into allowing Ukraine to go much further in fighting back. With Mr Trump not set to be sworn into office until late January, both the US and UK have given permission for their long-range missiles to be directed into Russian territory after months of begging by president Volodymyr Zelensky. Picking up on Trump panic, Sir Ed Davey pressed the prime minister on whether the US election result had affected his decision. The Lib Dem leader said: On Ukraine, we welcome the new approvals on long-range missiles. We must give our Ukraine allies whatever they need to win this war, but the reality is that this support should have been given sooner. Why has it taken the threat of a second Trump presidency for action? open image in gallery Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Daveyquestioned the timing of the storm shadow agreement (Ben Birchall/PA) ( PA Wire ) "This is a war for our security and for the values we hold dear. Does the prime minister agree with me that now is the moment for the UK to lead in Europe? So will the prime minister convene a summit of European leaders to seize the Russian assets which are at our fingertips? We must not and cannot look back at this moment and wonder whether we could have done more." Sir Keir insisted foreign policy had not been rushed post-Trump: "On Ukraine careful decisions are made, co-ordinated and collaborated with our key allies. On Russian assets, action is being taken, and that is already being done in a number of forums." Earlier, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch described Sir Keir's foreign policies as rushed and ill-thought through. She told the Commons: At the moment the prime minister's foreign policy is a pick and mix of empty platitudes, unilateral commitments, that he could have announced at home and dangerous precedence. Rushing to give away the Chagos Islands and paying for the privilege. An ill-judged suspension of export licences to Israel, damaging our defence and security industry. And failing to set out a roadmap for spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence in a world that is becoming yet more dangerous. Sir Keir expressed surprise that Ms Badenoch appeared to suggest he should not have gone to Rio to attend the G20 with other world leaders. open image in gallery Trump could withdraw support for Ukraine ( REUTERS ) But he also had to defend himself from other Tory MPs including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith incensed over his decision to meet President Xi Jinping of China. Sir Keir told MPs: "The world is safer when leaders talk." The prime minister said the two had a "frank, constructive, pragmatic discussion" in the margins of the G20 summit. The talks came a day before China jailed 45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, which the UK later criticised, and as MPs renewed calls for Hong Kong businessman and British national Jimmy Lai to be released from prison. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Defence secretary John Healey has refused to rule out mothballing one of Britains two aircraft carriers as a result of the strategic defence review being carried out by Sir Keir Starmers government. During his first session in front of the newly constituted Commons defence select committee, Mr Healey was asked directly about the fate of the carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales by Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck. Mr Healey, who had been discussing the strategic defence review he launched when he took office in July, warned MPs that the government needed to show realism and honesty the commitments we can make to allies and we make in committing our own forces. open image in gallery John Healey appears before the defence select committee ( PA ) On Wednesday, he had given a surprise statement in the Commons about 500m of cuts, including scrapping the Royal Navys two remaining amphibious assault craft, 31 helicopters (14 Chinooks and 17 Pumas), the watchkeeper drones and a frigate HMS Northumberland. But he had been clear that the cuts will not be the last difficult decisions I will have to make. As he appeared before the committee with rumours about the fate of one of the two aircraft carriers, Ms Lewell-Buck asked: Would you be able to put an end to the rumours about our carriers? Are they safe or is one going to be mothballed? Mr Healey made it clear that the fate of the two carriers is under consideration in the strategic defence review. He said: There are some really important capabilities we have across the board. The strategic defence review is looking across the board at everything. open image in gallery HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, Britains two aircraft carriers, meet at sea for the first time ( Royal Navy ) He added: I absolutely dont want you to take that any part of the program we have got at the moment are in jepopardy. This is a question of scrutiny, not jeopardy. Earlier he told the defence committee: This is a serious moment that I come before the committee. Defence intelligence will reveal today that the front line is now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. We have seen in recent weeks a very clear escalation from Putin and his forces. They have stepped up attacks on the energy system in Ukraine ahead of winter, they have stepped up attacks on civilian centres killing children, they have deployed at least 10,000 North Korean troops to the battle front line. And there are unconfirmed media reports today of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine, which we know they have been preparing for months. While the Ukrainian actions on the battlefield speak for themselves, be in no doubt that the UK government is stepping up our support for Ukraine, determined to continue doubling down our support for Ukraine. This is what I told [Ukrainian defence minister Rustem] Umerov in a long call on Tuesday. It is what I discussed with the US defence secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday." The committees Labour chair Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi pressed him on a timetable to reach 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence spending but he refused to commit to a date. Mr Dhesi warned him that authoritarian countries like Russia and North Korea are already on a war footing with their spending. Mr Healey pointed to the commitments to reach 2.5 per cent in the Budget but said MPs would need to wait for the strategic defence review to be published next year. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South African authorities are embroiled in a standoff with an unconfirmed number of illegal miners who remain underground at an abandoned mine. The miners, originally reported to be in the thousands, apparently fear 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. 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. open image in gallery An ambulance parks near by the opening of a reformed gold mineshaft where illegal miners are trapped in Stilfontein ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) 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. A map of Stilfontein: 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. 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. 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. open image in gallery An aerial view of a mine shaft where an estimated 4000 illegal miners are trapped i ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) 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. 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. 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An Arizona woman allegedly tortured at least three dogs to death and documented the acts in horrific detail in a personal journal, according to police. Brook Scalero, 42, was arrested on November 14, and later admitted to her involvement in the deaths of three animals; Pepe, Griffin, and Gus. According to the Mesa Police Department (MPD), on November 4 a journal was turned in that allegedly belonged to Scalero. The journal described in torturous detail the continued abuse and ultimate deaths of multiple dogs under Scaleros care. Investigators discovered that in May, Scalero had agreed to pay $500 to take a three-year-old Maltese mix dog named Pepe from local animal rescue center Paws Fur The Cause. The center had allowed her to leave with the dog under the pretense that she would pay for him that night, but she never followed through. open image in gallery Brook Scalero, 42, was arrested and charged on three counts of animal cruelty as well as theft, following the deaths of three dogs; Pepe, Griffin and Gus ( Mesa Police ) On October 5, officers responded to the VCA Animal Hospital for reports of a dead dog who matched the description of Pepe. However, a microchip confirmed the dog was not Pepe and was Griffin, a similar breed also registered to Scalero. Griffin had injuries consistent with animal abuse, according to MPD. Between November 2023 and October 2024, Scalero had also lived with a roommate, who owned a dog named Gus who died during that time. When Scalero left the residence, her roommate found her journal amongst other personal items, which documented the death of Gus. Scalero was arrested for unrelated crimes and interviewed on November 14. She acknowledged ownership of the journal but claimed the stories were just creative writings. Scalero also admitted to taking Pepe without paying for him. A day later on November 15, a person reported finding a dead dog behind a bush in the 700 block of West 8th Ave. The microchip confirmed the dog was Pepe. open image in gallery Pepe, a three-year-old Maltese mix, was one of three dogs allegedly tortured to death by Scalero ( adopt.a.dog.rescue/ Instagram ) A page of the journal about Pepe, allegedly read: "He was a three-year-old Maltese. I kept him one night and killed him the next day. He tries to pull away, but I dont let him. Instead, I choke him out by strangling him over and over again." Scalero is also accused of writing in her journal that she left Pepe in her hot car for several hours, before placing him behind a bush by her house. The disturbing description ultimately led to the discovery of the dogs body. Animal rescue shelter Adopt A Dog Rescue posted a picture of Pepe to Instagram, noting that Scalero had been arrested and a case was being built against her. The post also included pictures of her diary. Im terrified that people like this walk the earth. This is horrific, one user replied. Scalero was interviewed again on November 18 and admitted to her involvement in the torture and deaths of Pepe, Griffin, and Gus. She was booked into jail on three counts of cruelty to animals and one count of theft. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Bryan Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted of the murders of four University of Idaho students, a judge has ruled. Ada County Judge Steven Hippler handed down his ruling on Wednesday, denying 12 motions filed by the 30-year-olds defense team and finding that there is no basis to depart from settled law upholding Idahos death penalty statute as constitutional. The death penalty is consistent with contemporary standards of decency, the judge added. Kohbergers attorneys had fought to strike the death penalty from the high-profile murder case arguing that the state has no real means of using capital punishment in the event of a guilty verdict. In court filings last week, Kohbergers lawyers said that forcing inmates to wait for years on death row is dehumanizing and the execution methods available for prisoners in Idaho including an inhumane firing squad are both arbitrary and unconstitutional forms of punishment. The defense team also argued Idahos death penalty laws violate an international treaty banning the torture of prisoners. open image in gallery Judge rules that Bryan Kohberger can face death penalty if convicted ( AP ) Last Thursday, Kohberger appeared in court in Ada County as his attorneys made their case to the judge arguing that their client could face death by firing squad if convicted under Idaho law, due to the shortage of lethal injection drugs across the country. I dont believe our constitution allows for us to move forward and make him sit on death row for years and years and years if the way Idaho is doing it right now isnt really working, attorney Ann Taylor said, as Kohberger, dressed in a dark suit, blue shirt and tie, looked on. Its not a realistic option, I think, to have him sit on death row and say Idahos going to figure out how to kill you at some point in the future in a way that isnt cruel and unusual and a violation of rights, she added. Hippler, who was recently assigned to the case, asked Taylor: So youre saying the anxiety of not knowing is a constitutional violation? It is anxiety. It is fear, the attorney responded. Its the not knowing. Idaho, which is one of 27 states that allow capital punishment, currently permits death by lethal injection and, as of last year, firing squad. After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense, Hippler said he would take the matter under advisement. In Wednesdays ruling, the judge sided with the prosecution. open image in gallery Kohberger in court earlier this month as his attorneys fought to take the death penalty off the table ( Idaho Fourth District Court ) The decision comes after Kohbergers legal team also filed some 160 pages of court documents, calling for evidence in the case to be thrown out, including his DNA samples, which lawyers claim was gathered illegally by law enforcement. Kohberger, a former Washington State University criminology student, is accused of killing four University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, at their off-campus home in Moscow in November 2022. He was arrested and charged with the murders around six weeks later. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case was recently moved to Boise after the defense successfully argued that Kohberger would not have an impartial jury in the tight-knit community of Moscow because of the extensive media coverage potentially tainting the jury pool. Kohbergers trial is scheduled to begin in August 2025 and is expected to last until November 2025. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man convicted for the brutal slaying of hitchhiker Vickie Lynn Deblieux in 1994 is scheduled to be executed with nitrogen gas by the state of Alabama on Thursday. Carey Daley Grayson, 49, was 19 when he and three others tortured, beat, and mutilated Deblieux, 37, on February 21, 1994. If Grayson is executed Thursday, he will be the 22nd inmate to be put to death this year, and Alabama's sixth this year and third in two months, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. What led Grayson and the other teens to target and murder Deblieux, and why are some anti-death penalty advocates protesting the method the state will use to kill him? open image in gallery Carey Dale Grayson, 49, is set to be executed via nitrogen hypoxia in Alabama on November 21 for the February 21, 1994 murder of 37-year-old hitchhiker Vickie Deblieux ( Alabama Department of Corrections ) The Crime On February 21, 1994, Deblieux was dropped off by her friend in Chattanooga near Interstate 59, where she began hitchhiking to continue her trip southwest, according to USA TODAY. At the same time, Grayson and three other teens were driving near Birmingham, Alabama, and spotted Deblieux on the side of the road looking for a ride. The group stopped for Deblieux and invited her to ride with them. They then drove to nearby wooded area of Bald Mountain and reportedly justified the stop by telling Deblieux they were swapping out vehicles where they began attacking her. The teens beat and kicked her outside of the car before Grayson and another teen ultimately killed her by standing on her throat. The group threw her body from a cliff, and later returned to the area to mutilate her corpse. They cut the woman's body at least 180 times, cut off her fingers, and removed a portion of her lungs, court records show. Prosecution Investigators became aware of Deblieux's death rock climbers stumbled across her remains near Bald Mountain four days after the attack had taken place. Police began investigating the teens after they received a report that one of them had shown Deblieux's finger to a friend. They later learned that Grayson's girlfriend at the time had found and him and his friends sleeping in a truck in Birmingham the night after they mutilated Deblieux's corpse. She recalled them being covered in mud and blood, but Grayson lied and said the blood had come from a dog. All four of the teens involved Grayson, Kenny Loggins, Trace Duncan, and Louis Mangione were charged with capital murder, convicted, and sentenced to death. Duncan, Loggins, and Mangione had their death sentences commuted in 2005 after the Supreme Court banned the execution of anyone younger than 18 when a crime was committed. The trio were instead sentenced life in prison without the possibility of parole. Loggins has since attempted to have his sentence reduced further, arguing that it is unconstitutional to sentence someone to prison for life for a crime they committed before they turned 18, but his argument was rejected by the courts. Grayson was 19 at the time of the murder, so his sentence was not commuted. Execution Alabama is scheduled to execute Grayson at 6 p.m. local time. Grayson is currently being held at Holman Correctional Facility a little over 60 miles northeast of Mobile where the sentence will be carried out. In Alabama, inmates can choose to die by either nitrogen hypoxia, lethal injection or electrocution, with Grayson selecting the former. The controversial method was only used for the first time this year, when Alabama executed Kenneth Eugene Smith in January. open image in gallery Kenneth Eugene Smith was the first-known person in the world to be put to death by nitrogen hypoxia. ( Alabama Department of Corrections ) The unusual method of Smiths execution sparked international backlash, including a protest from the Vatican. Grayson is one of about 30 inmates on Alabamas death row who have selected to die by nitrogen hypoxia. During the execution, the condemned person breathes in pure nitrogen through a mask, displacing the oxygen in their system. Proponents claim it is an instant and painless death, opponents claim it is untried and amounts to torture. During Smiths execution, he reportedly writhed and convulsed on a gurney for at least four minutes, rather than losing consciousness "within seconds," as the state had previously predicted. Despite those issues, the state's Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm defended the execution as "textbook." Graysons last chance to avoid death is to obtain a reprieve from the US Supreme Court and Republican Governor Kay Ivey. However, when the Montgomery Advertiser pointed out to Ivey that Grayson was going to be executed the week before Thanksgiving, she showed little sympathy for the inmate. "Did Carey Grayson give any consideration to the fact that he robbed Vicki DeBlieux and her family of now 30 Thanksgivings?" she replied. Grayson suffers from bipolar disorder and a forensic psychologist testified during his trial that he was in a "manic state" during the murder. The psychologist also noted, however, that Grayson had the capacity to differentiate between right and wrong in that moment, and that his actions cannot be dismissed based on his mental health struggles. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Daisy Link has been behind bars on a second-degree murder charge since 2022 but she mysteriously became pregnant by another inmate. Both Link, 29, and Joan Depaz, 24, were being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County, Florida on separate murder charges. They say they have never met in person but managed to have a baby together. Link called their child a miracle baby and Depaz called her conception like the Virgin Mary, they told WSVN, before explaining how it happened. The two inmates started talking and forming a relationship, they told the outlet. Being in isolation for so long you begin to spend hours and hours talking to this person, you know, to the point where its almost as if youre in the same room with them, Link said. open image in gallery Daisy Link, 29, had a baby with a fellow inmate without ever meeting in person while she is being held on a second-degree murder charge ( Miami-Dade Corrections ) Depaz recalled telling her: I always really wanted to have a baby. And Im not gonna get to do that for a really long time. So if I had to choose somebody, you know, it would be you. From there, they hatched a plan to try for a baby. This is gonna go down in history, Depaz thought at the time. When asked how she became pregnant while awaiting trial in prison, Link said it happened through the vent. You would knock on it and you can hear the people from the different floors. You would stand on the toilet actually to be able to talk to them, the 29-year-old told the outlet via phone call. open image in gallery Joan Depaz, 24, is being held on a first-degree murder charge ( Miami-Dade Corrections ) The pair soon figured out that Link could drop something from her vent and it would land in his vent, Depaz said. He put his semen in Saran wrap every day like five times a day for one month straight. He would kind of roll it up almost like a cigarette and he would attach it to the line that we had in the vent and I would pull it through, Link said. She then placed it inside yeast infection applicators and administered it. She became pregnant after a few tries, she said. Dr. Fernando Akerman, medical director of the Fertility Center of Miami, told WSVN that while the chances of conceiving this way are slim, it is possible. The baby was born on June 19. The now-five-month-old is living with Depazs mother, the outlet reported. I cant believe it worked. I think everything happened for a reason, Link said. She could be anything. I think that shes gonna be something great. She added: Its a real twist it, it is. Everybody says it to me: This is like some Lifetime Movie Network. The couple are now being held at separate facilities. Depaz, who faces a first-degree murder charge, is being held at Metrowest Detention Center while Link, who faces a second-degree murder charge, is still at Turner Guilford Knight, records show. They still talk on the phone, WSVN reported, and have video calls with their child. Miami-Dade Corrections is reportedly conducting an internal investigation into the incident. The Independent has reached out for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Florida couple were arrested after launching into an expletive-laden rant against a school officer who had disciplined their child, before appearing to attack her in the hallway. Jorge Rivera and his wife Dagmarie Aponte Iturrino attended a meeting with a school resource officer on Tuesday to protest their sons battery charge for shoving a girl at Deltona Middle School the day prior. Bodycam footage worn by the officer showed the parents becoming more irate, with Rivera telling her: I pay your salary you dumb b****... you are a worthless piece of s***, before being asked to leave. In the hallway, Iturrino pushed the deputy against a wall before her husband punched the deputy in the head, knocked her to the ground, and ripped her Taser from her hand. Footage showed the deputy get up, draw her firearm, command Rivera to drop the Taser, and place him in handcuffs before taking him into custody. Rivera and Iturrino are each charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting with violence, disruption of school function, and trespassing on school campus, according to Volusia Sheriffs Department. open image in gallery Jorge Rivera became irate during the meeting, launching into an expletive-laden rant at the school officer before being asked to leave ( Volusia Sheriffs Department ) Rivera is also charged with armed robbery and grand theft for taking the deputys Taser. A hate crime enhancement was added to some of Riveras charges due to a derogatory slur he allegedly called the deputy just prior to attacking her, which was also caught on camera. The couples son was present for the entire incident. open image in gallery During an ensuing struggle with Rivera and Iturrino, the deputy was thrown to the ground. Rivera allegedly then took her Taser ( Volusia Sheriffs Department ) According to the sheriffs office the deputy was treated on scene and at an area hospital for concussion symptoms. Sheriff Mike Chitwood commended her calm, effective response to a violent attack, saying: If youre wondering why some kids show no fear of consequences in todays society, look no further than these parents as Exhibit A. Im glad theyre locked up, and I look forward to them being held fully accountable for this blatant attack on our deputy who was just doing her job. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A 28-year-old woman has been charged with murder after she allegedly doused another woman in gasoline while she sat on a couch and set her on fire. Savannah Renee Adams is accused of killing Tiffany Nicole Dunford in an outbuilding outside the victims home in Max Meadows, Virginia, on November 17. According to Wythe County Sheriffs Office, Dunford was sitting on the outdoor couch when the suspect drove up in a silver Dodge Neon, poured gasoline on her and set her alight. The suspect then drove away from the scene. Officers responded to the scene to find the victim writhing in pain with severe burns all over her body. She was rushed to hospital where she died the next day, police said. Adams was arrested by the Pulaski Police Department and Pulaski County Sheriffs Office on November 18. open image in gallery Savannah Renee Adams, 28, (inset) allegedly doused the victim in gasoline and set her alight while she sat on this sofa (pictured) ( WSLS 10/New River Valley Regional Jail ) She was initially facing charges of attempted second-degree murder and felonious assault, but was charged with first-degree murder following Dunfords death, the sheriffs office said. The motive remains unclear but Dunford and Adams are believed to have been acquaintances, WSLS reported. open image in gallery Savannah Renee Adams, 28, is also accused of hitting another woman in the head with a metal pipe ( Wythe County Sheriffs Office ) At the time of the alleged murder, Adams was out on bond after being charged with assault for allegedly hitting another woman in the head with a metal pipe, the Bristol Herald Courier reported. Now, Adams is being held without bond at the New River Valley Regional Jail. open image in gallery The silver 2004 Dodge Neon spotted fleeing the scene of the attack ( Wythe County Sheriffs Office ) Dunfords cousin Nicole Reyna told WFXR News: This is devastating to me and my family. She meant like a sister to me. Everybody always said to me, me and my cousin looked alike and I know that the Lords looking over her now and shes not suffering in pain. Anyone with information is urged to contact Wythe County Sheriffs Office at (276) 223-6000 The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Empire star Jussie Smolletts controversial conviction on charges that he staged a racist and homophobic attack against himself and lied to police has been overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court. The court ruled that the 42-year-old should not have been charged because of a non-prosecution agreement he had entered into with the Cook County attorneys office. The actor, who is Black and gay, claimed two men assaulted him, spouted racial and homophobic slurs, and tossed a noose around his neck in downtown Chicago, while he was filming the television drama in 2019. Cook County states attorney initially dropped the 16 charges of disorderly conduct against Smollett after he performed community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond closing the case. However, a special prosecutor appointed to look into why the case was dropped later concluded there were substantial abuses of discretion in the states attorney office during the earlier round, and a grand jury subsequently restored charges against Smollett in 2020. Testimony at his trial alleged Smollett paid $3,500 to two men he knew from Empire to carry out the attack. Prosecutors said he told them what slurs to shout and to yell that Smollett was in MAGA country, a reference to Donald Trumps presidential campaign slogan. open image in gallery Actor Jussie Smollett, who was convicted of disorderly conduct in 2021 after claiming to have been the victim of a racist and homophobic attack, has had his conviction overturned in Illinois ( Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP ) Prosecutors alleged the actor staged the attack because he was unhappy with the studios response to hate mail he received while filming Empire. In his own testimony Smollett said that there was no hoax and that he was the victim of a hate crime in his downtown Chicago neighborhood. He has always maintained his innocence. Despite this, a jury convicted him of five counts of disorderly conduct in 2021. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail six of which he served before he was freed pending appeal 30 months of probation and ordered to pay about $130,000 in restitution. In December 2023 an appeals court upheld the conviction, declaring that no one promised Smollett he wouldnt face a fresh prosecution after accepting the original deal. The Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in March 2024, with the ruling that there had been a non-prosecution agreement returned on Thursday. We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust, the opinion said. open image in gallery Charges of disorderly conduct against Smollett were initially dropped in 2019, before later being restored by a grand jury in 2020 after a special prosecutor found there were substantial abuses of discretion in the states attorney office Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied. Smolletts attorneys previously argued that the actor had been victimized by a racist and politicized justice system. In a statement released on Thursday, Dan Webb the special prosecutor appointed to the case said that his office was disappointed in the decision to overturn Smolletts conviction over the fake hate crime. We respectfully disagree with the Courts factual and legal reasoning which upends long-standing Illinois precedent, he said. Todays ruling does not change how deeply proud I am of the work my Special Prosecutors office accomplished; nor does it undermine the jurys verdict, and most importantly, it does not clear Jussie Smolletts namehe is not innocent. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An Oklahoma mother and her boyfriend who allegedly glued shut their 7-year-old daughters mouth, have been charged with murder. Violet Mitchell, 7, weighed only 29 pounds when she died in August. Now, the girls mother Lisa Mitchell, 31, and her boyfriend Anthony Yonko, 37, each face a second-degree murder charge, court records show. The child endured extensive abuse in her short life, according to an arrest report obtained by KOCO. She died on August 2, according to her obituary. Her mother would beat the child mostly with a broomstick and would tie her legs with zip ties to the crib, the mothers cousin told police in the report. When she could, the cousin would untie the little girl and take glue out of her mouth when it was sealed shut, she said. open image in gallery Lisa Mitchell, 31, faces a murder charge in connection with the death of her 7-year-old daughter ( Oklahoma County Detention Center ) Mitchell and Yonko took violet to the SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital in early August. About an hour after arriving, Violet was pronounced dead. A doctor told police at the time that the child had bruises on her body, red fluid coming out of her mouth, and weighed just 25 pounds, KFOR reported. The medical examiners office ruled the childs cause of death to be failure to thrive after finding the top of a baby bottle lodged in her small intestine, KOCO reported. She had sunken eyes and was wearing a diaper that was otherwise sized for a 3-year-old, the office noted. She was essentially skin on bone, the autopsy report said, according to Law & Crime. open image in gallery Anthony Yonko, 37, was arrested in connection with the death of Violet Mitchell. He also faces a murder charge ( Oklahoma County Detention Center ) It is unclear to this examiner if the intestinal obstruction by the foreign body is accidental or intentional, the report stated. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services told the outlet: This childs death is a profound tragedy, and we are grateful to our law enforcement and medical partners whose efforts will help us and the community better understand the circumstances surrounding her death. Tiffany Mitchell, Lisas sister, and David Yonko, Anthonys brother, also face second-degree murder charges, records show. Their role in the matter is not immediately clear. All four have pleaded not guilty, court records show. They are being held at Oklahoma County Detention Center. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rhode Island police have found the remains of a woman who went missing over two years ago and arrested a man they believe is responsible for her disappearance. Charlotte Lester, 44, went missing in May 2022. She was last seen on the morning of 16 May 2022 in the citys marina area. Warwick Police Department Commander Michael Lima confirmed the development during a news conference on Wednesday. We always believed something happened to Charlotte, but not having the remains was definitely a key here, Lima said. Officials said they discovered Lesters remains in Exeter earlier this week but didnt clarify when that discovery took place or where specifically her remains were recovered. Police were led to the area after getting a tip from a hunter, officials said. Mark Perkins, 64, was arrested for first-degree murder. He was arraigned on Wednesday and is being held without bail. His home was searched last year in connection with the disappearance. There, police found blood splattered on the walls, ceiling door and bed frame. Police said the two individuals had been companions in the past. After Lester went missing, police found her red pickup truck outside of Kent Hospital. A series of letters addressed to her were discovered in a nearby wooded area. But it took over two years to find her body. According to The Providence Journal, her family isnt surprised by the development. Kathy Wilson, a spokesperson for the family, told media outlets on Wednesday: We were right. It happened exactly the way we thought it did, where we thought it did, by who. According to the outlet, Perkins told an acquaintance about what had happened to Lester. A police report obtained by the outlet quoted him saying he and Lester had the blowout of the century adding his home was a blood bath after the alleged incident. I think I killed her, he reportedly told the person. He had snapped and repeatedly punched her, the affidavit stated. It wasnt immediately clear if Perkins had an attorney. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Texas mom has been accused of leaving her toddler home alone and covered in feces after she traveled 400 miles to go on a Hinge date. Reese Louise Myers, 25, was charged with abandoning or endangering a child by the Killeen Police Department. The incident alegedly happened in July, and the mother has now been extradited to Texas after being arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Office in California on a fugitive warrant on November 5, police told The Independent. Four months prior, at roughly 9:50am on July 28, officers were sent to 600 W Hallmark Ave in Killeen, Texas regarding concerns over the welfare of a child. A 16-month-old was spotted hanging out near a broken window after an aggressive dog tried to attack them, as per a witness who spoke to police. When officials arrived at the scene, they saw the child dangling out from the window which they observed had been repaired with plexiglass sheeting and cardboard they said it was not shattered as per the report. Upon entering the apartment, the child was found scantily dressed in a t-shirt with feces on the childs skin and signs of possible diaper rash, said Killeen PD. A sweep of the apartment revealed that the child had been abandoned with two dogs inside the property. When officers contacted Myers, the 16-month-olds mother, she reportedly revealed she was in San Antonio after traveling there the day before on July 27 to meet up with a man shed been chatting to on a dating site. The hookup had been arranged on Hinge, according to an affidavit seen by KWTX. Killeen PD confirmed that the mother had arranged to meet the man on a dating site but did not specify which app. The mother told officials the child had been in the care of a babysitter organized through Facebook, officials added. Myers was told by police to return to Killeen, Texas. Meanwhile, officers sought contact with the supposed babysitter who advised that she last spoke with the accused mother in December 2023 but hadnt heard from her since. Facebook messages seen by Killeen PD verified the lack of contact and the last exchange between the pair as December 2023, said officials. The 16-month-year-old was medically assessed at Advent Health in Killeen for assessment before Child Protective Services took custody of him. Special Victims Unit detectives presented the case to the Bell County District Attorneys Office and a complaint was returned which led to Myers being charged for child neglect. Myers was subsequently arrested and booked into Bells County Jail. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The money available to help communities hit by disasters has shrunk after back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the funding problems might jeopardize the government's ability to respond to new emergencies in the future, the Federal Emergency Management Agency chief said Wednesday. Deanne Criswell warned during a Senate hearing with other agency heads that FEMA's disaster relief fund the countrys emergency checkbook is down to less than $5 billion. The Biden administration has asked Congress for nearly $100 billion for disaster aid. The largest chunk of that money, about $40 billion, would go to FEMA's disaster relief fund. The agency draws on that fund to pay for things like debris removal, helping communities rebuild public infrastructure and giving money to disaster survivors for costs including renting hotel rooms if their homes are uninhabitable. The rest of the money would be split across other federal agencies: $24 billion for farmers who have experienced crop or livestock losses. $12 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Developments block grant programs to help communities recover. $8 billion for rebuilding and repairing highways and bridges. $4 billion for long-term water system upgrades to mitigate future damage from natural disasters. FEMA got $20.2 billion as part of a temporary government funding bill passed by Congress in September. But a little less than half of that money went toward recovery from disasters that have already happened. Criswell says the agency has over 100 disasters on its books that it is still paying out money for to help with recovery efforts. She says FEMA has paid nearly $8 billion in federal assistance in response to hurricanes Helene and Milton and that as of Wednesday, its disaster relief fund has less than $5 billion left. These needs have rapidly exhausted our available funds, and without a supplemental, our ability to respond to new disasters could be jeopardized, Criswell said. FEMA is assessing whether to go into immediate needs funding, she said. Thats when the agency pulls back money from long-term projects that address past disasters to ensure there is enough money to pay for life-saving, immediate needs for upcoming disasters. It is very clear that the stakes are high as our communities face more frequent and devastating disasters, they increasingly rely on FEMA and our federal partners," Criswell said. The committee also heard from two senators from Georgia and North Carolina, states that were particularly hard hit by Helene and Milton. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Georgia Democrat, detailed the damage that the storms had wrought on the state's farmers and ranchers. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, spoke passionately about the struggles that the western part of his state is still facing to recover from Helene. ___ The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A historic bomb cyclone has caused multiple deaths and mass power outages after slamming into Seattle, Washington, as it charts a destructive path through California and Oregon. The extreme weather event brought damaging winds, rainfall and flash flooding that killed at least two people, downed trees and power lines, and left hundreds of thousands without power, after it hit the Evergreen State on Tuesday night. In Lynnwood, a woman in her fifties was killed when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment, South County Fire said on Tuesday. Another woman was killed by a fallen tree while showering in her King County home, the Bellevue Fire Department said Wednesday. As of Thursday around noon, more than 300,000 homeowners and businesses in Washington were without power, with King and Snohomish counties the worst impacted areas, according to PowerOutages.us. An additional 11,000 energy customers have been left in blackout conditions in northern California. open image in gallery Weather Prediction Centers forecast of the storms path as it heads towards northern California ( Weather Prediction Center ) Heavy rains and strengthening winds battered the Bay Area on Tuesday night, with the winter storm reaching maximum intensity on Wednesday, the Weather Prediction Center announced. Bruising winds with speeds surpassing 77mph wreaked havoc in the western Washington on Wednesday with high surf along the Pacific Northwest coastline throughout the day. A waterspout spawned in Tokeland in the afternoon as it approached North Cove, after the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the area. Heavy rains and a significant atmospheric river a large, narrow band of moisture continued to move slowly over northern California on Thursday morning. The regions are expected to be doused with up to 16 inches of rain by Friday evening. open image in gallery Flash flooding probability through to Thursday is forecast by the Weather Prediction Center ( Weather Prediction Center ) The WPC has also warned of life-threatening flash flooding and rock slides through the Golden State, with rainfall expected to peak on Thursday and more than a months worth of precipitation forecast to fall heading into the weekend. The Cascades and the northmost parts of California will continue to see heavy snowfall, which, combined with 60mph-plus winds, could result in blizzard conditions, forecasters warn. Heavy rain and snow is due to persist for parts of Northern California and northern Rockies through Friday. Friday is also expected to bring the heaviest rainfall for areas south of San Francisco. open image in gallery Weather Prediction Centers probabilistic precipitation portal estimates snowfall in the region ( Weather Prediction Center ) The storm system is then predicted to weaken as it continues to chart a path through to northern California and southwest Oregon by Friday. The anomalously strong storm system was considered a bomb cyclone, which occurs when a cyclone intensifies rapidly. Another, albeit weaker, bomb cyclone may develop and rapidly strengthen just off the West Coast later this week. Issaquah mayor Mary Lou Pauly described the weather event on Wednesday as one of the worst windstorms weve had in recent memory, CNN reports. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Mexicos president acknowledged Thursday that Canada is concerned about reports of a Chinese companys plan to build an auto plant in Mexico, but she said it does not currently exist. President Claudia Sheinbaum said she talked recently to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and that he assured her he did not support excluding Mexico from the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. On Wednesday, provincial leaders in Canada called on Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that would exclude Mexico. The prime minister does not agree with taking Mexico out of the treaty, he told me so clearly, Sheinbaum said following the bilateral meeting the two leaders held during this week's G20 summit. He asked me about a Chinese company's auto plant, and if there was a plant in Mexico, she said, and responded that the company's only North American plant was in California. That was an apparent reference to Chinese carmaker BYD, which had reportedly been planning to build a plant in Mexico but hasn't done so yet. Politicians in the United States and Canada have expressed concerns that under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, Chinese companies could assemble autos in Mexico and ship them north, avoiding tariffs. On Wednesday, Doug Ford, the premier of Canada's most populous province, 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., Canadas top trading partner. 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 Mexico 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. Sheinbaum attributed that call to domestic political jockeying in Canada, saying they use these issues as part of an electoral campaign. There is a Chinese vehicle assembly plant in Mexico, operated by Giant Motors, which assembles JAC brand vehicles, largely from imported parts. But there is no evidence it exports any significant part of its production to the United States or Canada. On Tuesday, Canada's 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 ahead of a review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2026. 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. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trumps selection for the nations next top law enforcement official is expected to execute the retribution and vengeance he has promised against his political enemies. Now-former congressman Matt Gaetz a Trump loyalist who spearheaded legal threats among House Republicans against the prosecutors and judges overseeing the criminal investigations against the former president has withdrawn his name from consideration one week after Trump picked him for attorney general. A list of names in consideration for the role that circulated in the weeks leading up to Election Day did not include Gaetz, whose selection surprised members of Congress, where he remains under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct. The job now appears up for grabs. open image in gallery Former assistant attorney general Jeffrey Clark is reportedly on a list of potential nominees for Trumps attorney general ( AP ) Trumps next attorney general among the most critical roles in his administration is widely expected to defy the Justice Departments independence and work closely with the White House to protect the president-elects agenda. A planning document titled Transition Planning: Legal Principles that was crafted by Trumps top campaign advisers offered several potential picks for the job. The list includes Jeffrey Clark, who is among the president-elects criminally charged co-defendants in a sprawling election inference case in Georgia and an unindicted co-conspirator in the federal prosecution of the former president for his efforts to overturn election results. Clark, who previously served as assistant attorney general in Trumps first administration, also worked at a right-wing think tank founded by Russell Vought, among the authors of Project 2025 and Trumps pick for the next director of the Office of Management and Budget. open image in gallery Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, floated among Trumps circle for next US attorney general, waves as Trump introduces him during a campaign rally ( EPA ) The transition document also names District Judge Aileen Cannon, who dismissed Trumps federal criminal case involving his possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Cannon was nominated to the judiciary in 2020. Former White House lawyer Mark Paoletta also appears on the list. Paoletta, who represented Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wife Ginni during the House select committee investigation into January 6, has previously said it is the constitutional duty of the Department of Justice to implement Trumps agenda. The former general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget in Trumps first term has previously demanded Justice Department lawyers be fully committed to implementing President Trumps policies or they should leave or be fired. The list also includes Trumps criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche, who ultimately was nominated for deputy attorney general, the second-highest role at the Justice Department. Emil Bove, who along with Blanche defended Trump during the still-active hush money trial, was also nominated as principal deputy attorney general. open image in gallery Trumps criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche was nominated for deputy attorney general but could fill an acting role for the top job ( AP ) Trump does not necessarily need to immediately fill the power vacuum for the top job. His two well-regarded attorneys who have thus far kept him out of having to face any consequences for his criminal convictions could fill acting roles at the top of the Justice Department while waiting for the nomination and confirmation of the next attorney general. Donald Trump Jr and Steve Bannon, meanwhile, have pushed for Trumps legal ally Mike Davis as attorney general. Davis has recently threatened New York Attorney General Letitia James (we will put your fat a** in prison) and has vowed a reign of terror during the incoming administration. Matthew Whitaker was also considered a top contender for the role; Trump ultimately picked him for NATO ambassador. The former acting attorney general in Trumps first administration has said that judges need to have a biblical view of justice and questioned the judgment of a secular judiciary. He also is on the board of America First Legal and chairs America First Policy Institute, groups that drafted policy documents for Trumps administration while joining legal challenges against President Joe Biden. open image in gallery Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed dozens of lawsuits against the Biden administration and injected himself into Trumps defense in his criminal cases ( REUTERS ) Media outlets and right-wing personalities have also offered up the names of several state attorneys general who have vigorously defended the former president. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has launched dozens of lawsuits against the Biden administration, including litigation against the presidents student loan debt relief plans and Title IX changes. He has also tried to inject himself in Trumps criminal cases by demanding that judges lift gag orders against the former president. He testified in front of members of Congress about Trumps criminal cases and called on the Justice Department to turn over files related to the special counsels investigations. Earlier this year, Trump himself said that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton would make a good candidate for attorney general. Paxton joined state attorneys general who launched a failed attempt to challenge Trumps loss in four battleground states in 2020, and he spoke at the rally in Washington DC before a mob of Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6. open image in gallery Republican Senator Mike Lee is among Trumps fiercest defenders in the upper chamber of Congress ( Getty Images ) Paxton also has cast himself as a victim of political persecution in a way that Trump has characterized the mountain of cases against him. Last year, Paxton was impeached, then acquitted, on allegations that he abused his power in office, and in March, prosecutors agreed to drop three felony securities fraud charges against him. Senator Mike Lee, a former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and a former federal prosecutor, has been floated among his GOP colleagues for next attorney general. The adversarial Republican from Utah is among Trumps biggest cheerleaders in the upper chamber of Congress, and already has the support of some of his colleagues who could hear him out during confirmation hearings. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who is also the states former solicitor general, has also been floated as a possible contender. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Republican senator who is a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump has falsely accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of being behind the British governments decision to turn over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands including the location of a key military base to Mauritius despite the deals origins under the previous Conservative-led government. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana used time for debate over a trio of Democratic-authored resolutions to cut off certain kinds of arms to Israel to rail against the agreement that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers government reached with Mauritius over the status of the archipelago in October. In remarks delivered from the Senate floor, Kennedy who is not related to the famous family that has produced multiple Democratic officeholders since the 1960s described the pending agreement as a crisis that he was only recently alerted to. Kennedy accused Biden and Harris of giving away the important British-American military base on Diego Garcia, one of the islands that will be turned over to Mauritian authorities once the agreement is completed, albeit with a 99-year lease that guarantees continued American control of the island. Heres what President Biden is doing and Vice President Harris, they say, we need to ... grant independence to the Chagos islands, but not let the people of the Chagos islands run their country. We need to give the Chagos islands back to Mauritius, he said. open image in gallery A US Air Force B-1B bomber takes off from the Diego Garcia military base on a strike mission against Afghanistan in Diego Garcia in 2001 ( DoD/AFP via Getty Images ) He also claimed the agreement reached by the British government to hand over the Chagos Islands is cell-deep stupid because the Chagos Islands and Mauritius dont have a relationship anymore and accused both the Labour-led UK government and Biden and Harris of supporting the agreement to satisfy bureaucrats at the United Nations. The United Nations is saying: United Kingdom, you bad people, give back give the Chagos Islands back, but not let the Chagos Islands be free. They want to give the Chagos islands back to Mauritius, and President Biden could stop it, and so could Vice President Harris, but theyre for it, all in an effort to curry favor with the people at the United Nations who walk around with their NPR tote bags and their organic broccoli and have great relationships with media, members of media ... who they think write history, he said. But the Louisiana Senator failed to mention that the Chagos deal, to which the United States is not a party, is the end result of negotiations which started two years ago under then-foreign secretary James Cleverly. The talks stalled under Cleverlys replacement, Lord Cameron, but were revived after Labour took power in the July 2024 general election. Despite the public record showing the lack of American involvement in the talks, Kennedy claimed that the foreign policy crisis caused by the deal was all because President Biden and Vice President Harris want to appease the United Nations and urged the incoming Trump administration to call a halt to the process. President Trump: Please, pretty please with sugar on top, pick up the phone and call the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and say dont sign that treaty, he said. Dont give away the Chagos islands. Dont give away Americas military base. open image in gallery UK prime minister Keir Starmer at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ( PA Wire ) The deal with Mauritius is not due to come into place until next year but has been backed by the outgoing Biden administration. It could be an early flashpoint between Sir Keirs government and the incoming Trump administration, as US government sources say Mr Trump is looking to veto the deal, which is set to come into force after his inauguration in January, over global security fears. The Independent has reported that Mr Trumps transition team has requested legal advice from the Pentagon over the agreement after allies of Nigel Farage had pushed Mr Trumps team to investigate the consequences of the Chagos Islands deal ahead of the US election. Ahead of an urgent question in the Commons last week, Mr Farage told The Independent that Mr Trump would be attempting to veto the deal. He said: Its happening! The controversy adds to tensions between the Labour-led government and Mr Trumps team over issues including continued support for Ukraine, tackling climate change and a row over alleged election interference in America by the Labour Party. Past tweets by foreign secretary David Lammy calling the president-elect a neo-Nazi have also caused issues. A US government official source told The Independent: Trump has received a UK-sourced briefing on Chagos and has asked the presidential transition team to work with the Pentagon to get legal advice. He has expressed a stance in principle to object to the deal if elected on the advice of the Department of Defense based on their global security posture. Mr Trumps incoming national security adviser, Florida Representative Mike Waltz, has been highly critical of the deal as well. Recently, Mr Waltz said: Should the UK cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius, I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum. Meanwhile, Mr Trumps nominee for secretary of state, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, has described the deal as concerning as it would provide an opportunity for communist China to gain valuable intelligence on our naval support facility in Mauritius. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy President-elect Donald Trump and fellow billionaire Elon Musk are having a blast together as they prepare to take the levers of the federal government come January. Musk has taken part in calls with world leaders, hes had meals with the Trump family and he has been a constant presence during the last two weeks as Trump begins to put together his next administration. Others close to the incoming president have been surprised at the close relationship that appears to have developed between Trump and the worlds richest person. On Tuesday, Trump accompanied Musk to a SpaceX launch in Brownsville, Texas. Also in attendance was Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty, a possible pick to be Trumps Treasury secretary, according to Politico. But Musks influence appears to have its limits. He pushed for transition co-chair Howard Lutnick to head Treasury, but Lutnick was nominated to lead the Commerce Department. Musk also advocated for Florida Senator Rick Scott to be the new Senate Republican Leader, but the Senate GOP chose South Dakotas John Thune instead. But the nomination of Brendan Carr to chair the Federal Communications Commission appears to be in line with Musks wishes. Carr and Musk have boosted each other on social media and Carrs beliefs seem to match Musks. 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. The two have grown increasingly close over the last couple of weeks ( Getty Images ) Carr could now affect Trump administration policy in a way that may benefit Musk, with his satellite broadband service Starlink possibly being handed further contracts and subsidies. Attending a UFC fight last weekend, Musk spoke to Donald Trump Jr. and others during the flight there. I got off the plane, and I was like, I wish we were going 20 times further, Trump Jr. told Charlie Kirk on Real Americas Voice. 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. Trump has ignored complaints from aides about Musks presence and he has accepted behavior by the billionaire that he may not have with others, Politico noted. In just the last week, Trump and Musk were together in Texas, Washington, D.C., and they sang together at Mar-a-Lago. Musk and his son joined a Trump family photo on election night, and Trumps granddaughter has said that Musk has achieved uncle status. The president-elect has joked about not knowing when Musk is going to depart. Jimmy Kimmel savages Trumps new partner 'Elonia Musk Elon, like President Trump, doesnt give a s*** about what people think about him, and President Trump finds that refreshing, a person who has seen them together told Politico. Elon is probably the only other man in the world who can truly relate to President Trump. One person close to the president-elect said of Musk: There arent any larger problems than being the President of the United States. And so I think hes fascinated with solving problems, and this gives him a front-row seat in helping solve problems that you otherwise would never be faced with. Last week, it was announced that Musk would be leading the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, alongside 2024 GOP primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The department name is a reference to a cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, previously pushed by Musk. A Mar-a-Lago member told Politico: Its a bromance and they are having a blast. Musk has grown in stature in Trumps inner circle to becoming Trumps closest confidant, according to the New York Post. Trump has been speaking to Musk about close to every cabinet pick, the paper reported. 'There can only be one': CNN contributor predicts future fallout between Trump and Musk 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, one source told the Post. 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, they said. Theres not even a close second, the source added. 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, Musk wrote on X. 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Fox News host Jesse Watters has claimed there is an unspoken rule among men: that they cant wish one another happy birthday. On Jesse Watters Primetime on Wednesday, the host claimed that he would have wished President Joe Biden a happy 82nd birthday that day, but it would break his apparent bro code. Primetime would wish him a happy birthday, but we have rules here: Men dont wish men happy birthdays, Watters said. The conservative commentator noted that Barack Obama did send well wishes to his friend Biden on X, swiping that the former president had just couped. Watters took to social media to expand on his remarks, claiming that President-elect Donald Trumps election win over Vice President Kamala Harris has taken some of the heat off Biden, who was pressured to step off the Democratic ticket in July. Democrats are still gouging each others eyes out over the first @JoeBiden coup and now one Democrat is staging another... and on the Big Guys birthday too, he wrote on X. @realDonaldTrump broke the Democrats so badly that theyre not yelling at him anymore, theyre yelling at each other. Watters made a similar remark about his happy birthday rules on September 12, when he said he wouldnt be sending birthday wishes to hisThe Five co-host Greg Gutfeld. Im not wishing him a happy birthday. That would not be manly, he said at the time on Primetime. Fox News host Jesse Waters said that men cant wish men happy birthday ( Fox News/X ) Despite his unwillingness to celebrate other mens special days, Watters did manage to break his own rule last Thursday when he wished colleague Bill Hemmer a happy birthday on air on The Five. In November 2017, Watters also wished his so-called doppelganger, actor David Schwimmer, happy birthday on X, adding you look good bro. Its not the only masculinity mandate Watters has pushed for this year. Biden was seen enjoying an ice cream in public back in February, and the outspoken Fox News host claimed it was unmanly. This ice cream you know my rule about men eating soup in public, Watters said on his primetime show at the time. A grown man especially the president should not be licking ice cream in public. Watters also said its not a good look when men blow on hot soup, again noting he doesnt think its manly. Watters has again broken his own rules, however. Following his ice cream comments, photos quickly surfaced of a smiling Watters enjoying an ice cream cone at a Jersey Shore establishment in 2019. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A survey conducted shortly after the 2024 presidential election indicates most Democratic voters would support Vice President Kamala Harris in 2028 as the partys nominee if she were to run for president again. Its only been two weeks since Democrats lost the presidency to Republicans but some are looking to the future, hopeful that a potential new, or familiar, pool of candidates will reinvigorate voters. Though names like California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg have emerged, Harriss campaign seems to have made a lasting impact. Approximately 41 percent of likely Democratic voters said they would vote for Harris to represent the Democratic Party in the 2028 presidential election, a survey from Echelon Insights and Puck News found. The results are purely preliminary and given Harriss recency, her policies and stance on issues are fresh in voters minds. The vice president ran a short, but aggressive, campaign. Having only entered the race in July, Harris was forced to rely on celebrities, surrogates and massive ad blitzes to reach voters. open image in gallery Harris entered the presidential race in July after President Joe Biden dropped out - but, despite the initial momentum, still lost to Donald Trump ( REUTERS ) So, for now, Democratic voters would still support the vice president in the primaries. But a bevy of other potential candidates could take over their enthusiasm. A similar situation emerged before the Republican presidential primaries when conservative voters rallied behind Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the Republican nominee before Trump overtook him. open image in gallery California Governor Gavin Newsom is a longtime political figure. About eight percent of survey respondents said they would vote for him in Democratic primaries ( AP ) About 16 percent of survey respondents said they were unsure who they would support as the next Democratic nominee and likely it will remain that way for at least two years. Other Democratic primary candidates could be California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocascio-Cortez, and more. Eight percent of survey respondents said theyd support Newsom in primaries. Seven percent indicated theyd vote for Shapiro and six percent said would support Buttigieg. One to four percent of respondents said theyd support other options like Ocasio-Cortez, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. It is far too early to tell who could emerge as the frontrunner, though Harris has the momentum and backing to run another potentially successful campaign. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Republican senators not attending the last few days of the legislative session are facing criticism from colleagues as Democrats work to fill as many judicial vacancies as possible before they lose the majority in January. That includes Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, the Ohio Senator. Senate Republicans shared their ire after Vance and some other Republican Senators skipped some votes Monday when Democrats worked late into the night to confirm their nominees to the federal bench. Republicans worked to slow down the voting headed by outgoing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York to push through more than a dozen judicial nominees. However, the GOP Senators were unsuccessful as some members of their conference didnt attend the session, which ended near midnight. Vance and President-elect Trumps nominee to lead the State Department, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, were two of the GOP Senators who were absent. If we dont show up, we lose, North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis said on Tuesday, according to The Hill. 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 added. Tillis cited a nominee to the fourth circuit who could be appointed unless Republicans attend the sessions. Weve got to talk to these folks like adults and show up, the North Carolinian said. JD Vance returns to meetings with former Congressman Matt Gaetz following a vote at the U.S. Capitol on November 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. Vance faced criticism after missing some votes on Biden judicial nominees ( Getty Images ) One of the nominees is Embry Kidd, who was confirmed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals by a vote of 49 to 45. If all members of the Senate GOP conference had been present, and Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman had remained absent, the Republicans could have held up Kidds nomination. With all Senators present, a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Kamala Harris would likely have been required. But with Harris heading to Hawaii on Tuesday, Democrats now have temporarily lost their tie-breaker. Vance also didnt appear for the morning vote on Tuesday. Fellow Republican Senators such as Ted Cruz of Texas and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee instead joined Trump for a SpaceX launch in Brownsville, Texas. Asked about his level of frustration, Republican Louisiana Senator John Kennedy said: On a scale of 1 to 10, a 12. 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, he added, according to The Hill. Their performance in committee demonstrated that none of them were Oliver Wendell Scalia, he added, naming some names of former Supreme Court justices. 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. Vance responded to the criticism, saying that he was meeting with Trump about who to nominate as the director of the FBI. 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 4946 rather than 4945, he said, before backtracking and removing his post on X and attending the afternoon votes on Tuesday. 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, Republican West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene will lead a new congressional panel to work with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on their plans to slash the federal budget and fire workers across the government. Greene has been tapped to chair a House subcommittee that will work in tandem with Donald Trumps newly created Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory board that the president-elect appointed the billionaire and wealthy entrepreneur to lead. The Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency is designed to work hand in hand with President Trump, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and the entire DOGE team, the congresswoman from Georgia said in a statement to CNBC. The panel, first reported by Fox News Digital, will recommend firing government bureaucrats and will provide transparency and truth to the American people through hearings, according to Greene. No topic will be off the table, she said. open image in gallery Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene will chair a new congressional panel designed to work with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on sweeping government cuts ( Getty Images ) The panel will operate under the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Republican congressman James Comer of Kentucky. The congressman told Fox News Digital that the new panel will align with the Trump administrations priorities to eliminate government waste, streamline the federal governments operations and cut red tape thats stifling jobs and increasing costs for the American people. In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Musk and Ramaswamy broadly outlined their ambitions for DOGE, which expects to rely on a pair of recent Supreme Court rulings they argue give Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress unilateral authority to gut federal agencies and make drastic cuts in spending. open image in gallery Trump appointed Musk and Ramaswamy to lead an outside advisory group to recommend drastic cuts to the federal budget ( Getty Images ) They want to reduce annual federal spending by at least $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 another $300 million for progressive groups like Planned Parenthood. Musk has said he would recommend cutting the nations budget by at least $2 trillion or roughly one-third. The men also argued that civil service protections wont stop them from recommending mass firings of federal workers, and that Trump can make large-scale firings and move federal agencies out of Washington DC, which could result in the loss of hundreds of jobs. A key step to driving greater efficiency in government is exposing the problem to the public we are grateful that the House Oversight Committee has created a subcommittee to focus on this work, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital. Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, fired back at the news, stressing that Democrats on the committee will stay focused on waste, fraud, abuse and corruption. Its hard to keep track of all the new departments and bureaucracies the Republicans are setting up to study the size and efficiency of government. But isnt that what Chairman Comer and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability actually said they were doing over the last two years? he said in a statement shared with The Independent. Wheres their report and recommendations? Perhaps the impeachment flop derailed them a bit, he added. So now a noted student of American government, [Greene], will chair a subcommittee to work with two unvetted billionaires who stand to receive billions more in government contracts and subsidies from the government under Trump. ... The government belongs to the people, not the billionaire oligarchs. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Matt Gaetz spent the best part of Wednesday meeting with Republican senators to try and earn their support to become attorney general in a second Trump administration. Then, in the late evening, he and his entourage entered the House of Representatives. Its unclear why he was there. There was no reason for the former congressman who had so recently resigned his post to be in the House. Neither he nor anyone he was with would explain it. But, considering Gaetz is the man who broke the House, it felt a bit like watching a thief coming back to the scene of the crime. When Trump announced his nomination of Gaetz to be the top law enforcement officer, he sent the Senate Republican conference into a miasma. Gaetz is not a popular man in Congress, among his own party or among Democrats. Nevertheless, it looked for a while like Trump and Gaetz might get away with it. Gaetz, for his part, has proven himself to be a master of obstruction. He successfully led a charge in the first week of 2023 to block Kevin McCarthy from being speaker of the House a charge that almost turned into a fistfight on the floor of the House. He then called his shot when McCarthy had angered just enough Republicans and every Democrat to the point that Democrats would side with someone they find as repulsive as Gaetz to take out a speaker. He mapped out a long-game strategy to install a Trump loyalist like Mike Johnson, and he succeeded. Now, it looked like he and Trump would try to bend the Senate to their will, too. Trump loves to make former heretics take loyalty tests. Look no further than him making JD Vance, who once compared the president-elect to Hitler, his fawning vice president. Or nominating Marco Rubio to be secretary of state. Time and time again, Trump demands that people grovel and convert. And when they do so, he hands them a reward. What better loyalty test for the stodgiest and most institutional bodies than making a member of the lower chamber, let alone one under investigation for having sex with a teenager, attorney general? But it turned out that it wasnt to be. Even though Vance paraded Gaetz around the Senate and desperately tried to sell him to the Republicans there, uneasiness remained. Senators like Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who sits on the Judiciary Committee and is up for re-election, tried to shift the conversation when reporters asked about Gaetz. Nobody spoke positively about him on the record. Then Susan Collins, the moderate Republican from Maine, told The Independent that the president-elects team hadnt even bothered setting her up for a meeting with Gaetz. That either signaled a major oversight on behalf of Team Trump or a recognition nothing could make Collins vote for someone she finds as vile as Gaetz. If they werent bothering to chase Collins tie-breaking vote, its likely they had already given up after a bruising ordeal. It turns out the Senate takes its advise and consent role seriously. And while Trump might want to put in as many loyalists who will advance his agenda, the Senate is not a body that can be brought to heel. More than any body in Washington, it does not like being told what to do. Trump never truly understood the Senate. After the failure to repeal Obamacare, he tried to get Mitch McConnell to get rid of the filibuster, which McConnell refused. And in the depths of Covid-19, Trump threatened to adjourn the chamber to make recess appointments. But McConnell, again, refused to relent. Even Trumps major accomplishments in his first term in the White House were not his. McConnell and the Senate majority rammed through his judicial nominations and it doesnt take too much to convince Republicans to sign a major tax cut. McConnells decision to acquit Trump after the January 6 riot was not made out of fear of Trump, but rather out of fear other Republican senators would boot him. And the House GOPs attempts to conceal the Ethics Committees findings on Gaetz from Johnsons advising the committee not to release the report, to the committee chairman and the top Democrat on the committee feuding with one another came off like the House preventing the Senate from doing its job to advise and consent. It all finally proved too much, which is probably why Gaetz decided to pull out of the running. Even though many of Trumps most famous critics from the Senate Republicans like Jeff Flake, John McCain and Mitt Romney wont be in the upper chamber when the president-elect returns to the White House, and many of his acolytes like Josh Hawley, Tommy Tuberville and Ted Budd will rubber-stamp whatever he wants, Trump learned this week that the Senate will still maintain its rules. As for Gaetz, there is little reason to feel sorry for him. He has a litany of options. He could return to the House, boring as that may be (though he resigned from this current Congress, another one begins in January and although he did say in his resignation letter that he doesnt intend to rejoin in January, things change.) He might go for his initial goal of running for governor of Florida, which has become the MAGA Mecca in the Trump era. Or he could simply be a right-wing gadfly who makes money off his podcast, arguing that the Swamp topped him because he would fight for Trump. But in the end, Gaetz learned that the Senate decrepit as it may be, with its norms barely hanging on their bones can still muster enough opposition from the rabble. It might the final bomb that Gaetz threw that simply wouldnt detonate. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A bombshell leaked document from the Justice Department investigation into Matt Gaetz alleged there was a web of payments between the former congressman and friends and associates said to have been with him at drug-fueled sex parties. The meticulously detailed diagram, obtained by the New York Times, was assembled by federal investigators during the sex-trafficking investigation into Donald Trumps pick for attorney general. It charts how Gaetz and associates, including convicted sex trafficker Joel Greenberg, allegedly sent thousands of dollars via Venmo to dozens of people who were reportedly involved in the sex parties between 2017 and 2020, according to testimony to federal and congressional investigators, the Times reported. A copy of the chart was also provided to the House Ethics Committee, according to the paper. Gaetz has vehemently denied all accusations, and the Justice Department ultimately never charged him with a crime or alleged any wrongdoing. The House Ethics Committee also launched an investigation and was due to release a highly damaging report of its findings last week, before Gaetzs attorney general nomination and subsequent resignation from the House derailed its publication. The complex diagram alleges Greenberg was at the center of a string of payments. The Times redacted all the individuals named in the graphic other than Gaetz and his former ally Greenberg, who 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. The paper reported that among those who received payment from Gaetzs associates per the diagram was a woman who was 17 when she attended one of the parties. However, the chart does not specify what the payments were for nor does it show that Gaetz made a payment to the teenager. open image in gallery Gaetz faces an uphill battle to get confirmed as Trumps attorney general following the serious sexual allegations ( AP ) The diagram does show payments investigators reportedly believe Gaetz and his allies made to two women who testified to the House Ethics Committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, according to their lawyer Joel Leppard. One of Leppards clients received $4,025.27, the diagram allegedly shows, and the other received $3,500. There is a line from Gaetz to two redacted people for these amounts on the diagram. Gaetz would allegedly typically pay the women between $200 and $500 for each encounter. The Times reported that the larger amounts combine several payments the women received from Gaetz. The Independent has contacted the Trump transition team and the Justice Department for comment. In a statement to the Times, Trumps communications director Steven Cheung claimed the Justice Department leaked the document and said it was classified. But the paper noted the diagram has no classified markings, nor does it relate to national security. open image in gallery JD Vance supported Gaetz on Wednesday at the Capitol, meeting with Republican senators to try to get them on side ( Getty Images ) This purposeful leaking of classified investigative materials is the sort of politicized D.O.J. weaponization that Matt Gaetz will end, Cheung said. The Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years, failed to find a crime and are now leaking material with false information to smear the next attorney general. Other records obtained by ABC News found that Gaetz allegedly made 27 Venmo and PayPal payments with descriptive memos like being awesome and being my friend, some of which were allegedly payments for sex. In total, he allegedly paid more than $10,000 to the two women who became witnesses in the sexual misconduct investigations, according to the report. The receipts, which were said to have been displayed during closed-door testimony in the House Ethics Committee probe, reflect transactions between July 2017 and January 2019, when Gaetz was a newly elected representative. On Wednesday, the House Ethics Committee was deadlocked over whether to release the report into Gaetz. There was no consensus on this issue, Democratic Representative Susan Wild said, adding that the committee will meet again on December 5. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski have revealed their main takeaway from their controversial meeting with Donald Trump. The MSBNC husband and wife duo have been facing a backlash since they announced they had visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago last Friday in a bid to restart communications with the president-elect. Colleagues, media pundits, politicians and the public all criticized the hosts for the meeting and the shows ratings took a nosedive. On Wednesdays show, Scarborough spoke out about the visit once again, revealing that Trumps take on the sexual misconduct allegations about some of his cabinet picks was the biggest takeaway for them. 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 [Hegseths] name came up, there was not a flinch, but a noticeable, We got problems here. He added: Those werent the words, but I will just tell you that that was the takeaway. After Trump tapped Fox contributor Pete Hegseth to be his defense secretary, it emerged that he had been investigated by police for an alleged sexual assault in 2017. No charges were filed and Hegseth insists the incident was consensual. Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski reveal their main takeaway from the meeting ( MSNBC/Morning Joe ) Scarborough also claimed that Trumps attorney general pick Matt Gaetz appeared to be a concern to the transition team. Gaetz was the subject of a DOJ investigation and House Ethics Committee report into allegations he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz has not been chargesd and denies all allegations against him. I will just tell you that was the takeaway, Scarborough said of Gaetz, before adding: Because obviously Gaetz is a problem. But I think there must be more. He added of Gaetz, Hegseth, director of national security pick Tulsi Gabbard and Health and Human Services secretary nominee Robert F Kennedy Jr: I think they were just shocked, maybe, blind sided, because there has been no vetting process for these four. The Morning Joe hosts have been widely criticized for meeting with Trump, with Jon Stewart of The Daily Show pointing out that they had recently compared the president-elect to Adolf Hitler. Trumps former presidential rival Nikki Haley also described the sitdown 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. On Tuesday, Scarborough defended the trip and claimed that there is a massive disconnect between what has been written on social media about it and the real world. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Federal employees could be required to return to the office five days per week as a way to reduce its workforce under President-elect Donald Trumps administration - but economists say that it could also cost the government productivity and money. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the billionaire entrepreneurs recently bestowed government advisory jobs, said they have several ideas to drastically cut the federal workforce and budget through their newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). One way they could inspire change is by suggesting Trump mandate the approximately 2.28 million employees return to the office five days per week something they claim will result in a wave of voluntary terminations. open image in gallery Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO, has advocated for massive cuts to the government something federal workers unions have cautioned against ( AP ) If federal employees dont want to show up, American taxpayers shouldnt pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home, Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal. Currently, more than half of government employees work fully on-site, with approximately 80 percent of regular working hours spent in-person, according to a report from the Office of Management (OMB) and Budget. Only 10 percent of federal workers are fully remote. Much like companies within the private sector, each government agency creates its own work-from-home policy. But OMB expects each agency to spend 50 percent of work hours in person for those who can. Elise Gould, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute told The Independent that hybrid working boosts the economy because it encourages labor participation with an attractive working environment policy. Whats very clear from [Musk and Ramaswamys] arguments is that its not about productivity or the loss of productivity, its essentially about getting rid of federal workers and doing it in a kind of a half-hazard method, Gould said. Theyre not looking at the work product of people, theyre not looking at the important work or services people are providing, she added. open image in gallery Vivek Ramaswamy will co-lead the DOGE with Musk in an effort to cut federal spending by $2 trillion ( AFP via Getty Images ) Everett Kelley, the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union representing 80,0000 federal employees, said Musk and Ramaswamys suggestion is misguided. The implication that federal employees writ large are not working in-person is simply not backed up by data and reality, Kelley said in a statement. Despite this, Ramaswamy claimed mandating in-person working would thin 25 percent of the federal bureaucracy. Thats a ton of people who could become unemployed because of this policy and that is absolutely not good for the economy, Gould said. She added that massive turnover can be very costly, Both Ramaswamy and Musk have expressed opposition to work-from-home policies. Musk said it hurts communication in the workplace while Ramaswamy claimed it promotes outsourcing jobs to other countries. But in the OMB report, the agency said hybrid work environments promote organizational health and work-life balance. Gould said evidence shows workers are quite productive when working from home and at times, theyre more productive per hour than in the office. She said hybrid work policies also allow those who may not be able to go into an office full-time the opportunity to participate in the labor force. Nick Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University, told CNBC that working from home has proven to be hugely profitable for private sector companies and will likely remain an option for many companies. Should the new policy be implemented, and a massive number of federal workers leave, they could flee for more accommodating jobs in the private sector, Gould believes. open image in gallery Musk and Ramaswamy have met with lawmakers to suggest ways the government can reduce spending and many Republicans have praised their ambition ( AP ) The fact is that people who have better outside options are the ones who are going to be able to leave and those with the better outside options may be the most productive workers that they have, she said. Kelley said any changes in working conditions that could impact union contracts would need to be negotiated with the union through the typical collective bargaining process. Similarly, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), which represents 110,000 federal workers, told the Wall Street Journal it has consulted with its legal team and plans to push back on any mandate. Were rallying them and getting prepared for a really, really big fight, Randy Erwin, the unions national president told the newspaper. The NFFE and AFGE have both cautioned against massive cuts to the workforce. For one, it would lead to large reductions in government benefits and services that millions of Americans rely on. Additionally, the federal government is the largest employer of veterans and cutting 75 percent of the workforce would leave more than 480,000 vetearn unemployed. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville questioned the validity of the 2020 election during an appearance on Steve Bannons War Room podcast with an offensive rant in which he called President Joe Biden a bedridden dementia patient. Bannon, President-elect Donald Trumps former White House chief strategist, asked Tuberville about the Democrats, saying Theyre there to fully stop Donald Trump and hopefully take their plans to take the House in two years and impeach him, right? Tuberville said the Democrats plan was accelerated because they stole the election from President Trump and they were able to get four years with a bedridden dementia patient. A popular and baseless conspiracy theory on the right is that shadowy forces, and not Biden, are in charge of the U.S. government. Theres no evidence to suggest that the 2020 election was stolen. Bannon went on to ask if there was No doubt in your mind that the 2020 was stolen? Listen, Ive been up [here] for four years and I saw him maybe four or five times in the Capitol, Tuberville said of Biden, according to Mediaite. And somebody has got to hold his arm and he shuffles his feet around. Im thinking this guys making decisions about our country. You know, hes over there birdwatching the last week ... in the Amazon, and were shooting long-range missiles into Moscow. Tuberville was referencing a misleading viral clip that appears to show Biden ending a speech and walking into the rainforest in Brazil. Tommy Tuberville arrives for the Senate Republican leadership elections at the U.S. Capitol on November 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Alabama Senator has dismissed President Joe Biden as a bedridden dementia patient ( Getty Images ) Are you kidding me? I mean, these people should be arrested for what theyre doing, Tuberville argued. The senator went on to tell Bannon that Senate Republicans have a plan to confirm Trumps cabinet picks. The new Congress begins on January 3, when Republicans will take the majority in the Senate. Bannon suggested that Senate Republicans try to confirm Trumps cabinet picks before he is inaugurated on January 20. Bannon said that when the new Congress is sworn in, you've got to roll up as a group with these confirmation hearings before the 20th of January. And then on the 20th, you hit him with a third wave of flood the zone with executive orders and everything [the] president's going to do, Bannon added. Would you be supportive of that to get the confirmations of at least these frontline, big things starting right after you guys are sworn in? the podcast host asked. We've already planned that, Tuberville claimed, mentioning the Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, and Secretary of the Treasury. Both of Trumps nominees for Secretary of Defence, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General, former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, may face uphill battles to be confirmed even in a Republican-controlled Senate. Trump has yet to nominate anyone to lead the Treasury Department. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump said he has no idea whos behind it. His presidential transition chair and the man he picked to be the secretary of commerce said he wouldnt touch it. They made themselves nuclear, he said. But the authors of Project 2025 a 900-page playbook from a right-wing think tank for the next Republican presidents agenda are all over Trumps incoming administration. Trump has nominated Russell Vought as the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, a key role that oversees spending across the administration. Vought also is among the architects of the Heritage Foundations plan and wrote the chapter on transforming the executive branch. He was among the authors of the blueprints playbook for the first 180 days of the administration, and his Center for Renewing American is on Project 2025s advisory board. Trump repeatedly tried to distance himself from the Heritage Foundations sweeping proposals on the campaign trail, claiming that he both knows nothing about it and has no idea who is behind it while also saying he disagrees with some of its absolutely ridiculous and abysmal proposals. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them, he added. Howard Lutnick, Trumps nominee for secretary of commerce, told CNBC in September that there is absolutely zero connection between Trumps campaign and Project 2025. open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks with Brendan Carr, his pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission. Carr also wrote the chapter on the agency in Project 2025, which Trump has tried to distance himself from ( AP ) I wont take a list from them, said Lutnick, referencing the Heritage Foundations policy proposals and vetted hires for Trumps administration. I wont take a topic from them. I wont touch them. They made themselves nuclear. Trump has since nominated several of the authors to key roles in his administration. Brendan Carr, Trumps nominee to chair the Federal Communications Commission, authored Project 2025s chapter on the agency, which regulates television, radio, internet, and communications. Trumps border czar Tom Homan a former acting director of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement who will lead Trumps plan for mass deportations also is listed among the contributors to Project 2025, and was a visiting fellow with the Heritage Foundations Border Security and Immigration Center, where he drafted a series of articles about immigration policy for the group. John Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence, was nominated as the next CIA director. He is included in Project 2025s chapter on US intelligence. Stephen Miller, the architect of Trumps anti-immigration agenda in his first term in office, will return to the Trump White House as a deputy chief of staff for policy, overseeing Trumps agenda. His organization America First Legal was initially listed among the contributors to Project 2025, but the groups name was removed from its website after Trump and his allies began to criticize the proposal. Kamala Harris links Trump to Project 2025 in first campaign rally Project 2025 the name for the contents of the mammoth Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise was a key focus of Democratic campaigns leading up to Election Day, with Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz routinely amplifying its agenda in an effort to underscore the stakes of Trumps return to office. A series of segments throughout the Democratic National Convention even highlighted excerpts from the plan using oversized, printed-out hardcover versions. The plan calls for mass firings across the federal workforce, abolishing the Department of Education, slashing funds for federal law enforcement agencies, and using agencies that regulate the airwaves and campaign financing to silence dissent. It also proposes mass deportations and banning widely used abortion drugs in an effort to outlaw abortion nationally, among many other proposals. open image in gallery Democrats targeted Project 2025 throughout the 2024 campaign and on the stage of the Democratic National Committee ( AP ) Some on the right, severe right, came up with this Project 25, Trump said during a rally in September. I dont even know, some of them I know who they are, but theyre very, very conservative. Theyre sort of the opposite of the radical left. Trump campaign director Chris LaCivita said during the summer that Project 2025 had become a pain in the ass. But shortly after Trumps victory in the 2024 presidential election, the Heritage Foundation signaled it was done hiding in the shadows and prepared to re-enter Trumps orbit, while right-wing media personalities openly touted Project 2025s contents. Now that the election is over I think we can finally say that yeah actually Project 2025 is the agenda. Lol, far-right influencer Matt Walsh wrote after the election. Podcaster Benny Johnson said, It is my honor to inform you all that Project 2025 was real the whole time. Were so back, one Heritage official said. In a statement on Wednesday, Trump campaign press secretary and incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt continued to deny that Trump has anything to do with Project 2025. After months of lies to the American people, Donald Trump is taking off the mask: Hes plotting a Project 2025 Cabinet to enact his dangerous vision starting on day one, Democratic National Committee spokesperson Alex Floyd said in a statement on Wednesday. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More than two weeks after the 2024 election, the White House says President-elect Donald Trump and his team still havent executed the legal documents required to officially start the transition process. Trump is due to take the presidential oath of office on the Capitol steps in just under 60 days. Yet, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the Trump-Vance team not yet entered into the agreements with the White House and the General Service Administration despite ongoing efforts to negotiate involving White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and his incoming Trump administration counterpart, Susie Wiles. Last week, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said the Trump transition team was breaking the law by not signing the memoranda, which include required ethics agreements. Jean-Pierre said Zients has reached out to Trump transition co-chairs Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon and has consistently reiterated ... wanting to work together and making sure that they have what they need. So we're going to continue to engage with the Trump transition team to ensure that we do have that efficient, effective transition of power, and in those conversations, we certainly are stressing that the White House and the administration stand ready to provide assistance, and that access to services and information, she said. So those conversations continue, and we want this to go smoothly, and that's what we're trying to get to. Without the signed documents, Trumps team cannot access any government resources made available to incoming administrations. They cannot enter any government buildings or speak to any currently serving government personnel including the Biden administration officials they are replacing. Donald Trump and his transition team are already breaking the law. I would know because I wrote the law. Incoming presidents are required to prevent conflicts of interest and sign an ethics agreement, Warren wrote in a post on X/Twitter last week. She added: This is what illegal corruption looks like. Before September 1, candidates are supposed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the General Services Administration to get a hold of support services. Before October 1, candidates are supposed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the federal government regarding conditions of access to agencies and that includes an ethics plan. As of now, neither document has been executed. The laws governing presidential transitions are set up to ensure both a peaceful transfer of power and to safeguard national security by allowing incoming officials to receive temporary security clearances required before they can be brought up to speed on threats facing the country. After the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington, the presidential commission charged with investigating the attacks found that the truncated transition between the Clinton administration and the George W Bush administration caused by the disputed 2000 election which ended up in a recount that took months to resolve by the Supreme Court resulted in delays before Bushs team was able to get up to speed. The commission said national security was harmed by the delays, particularly by how they hampered the confirmation of Bushs national security team. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A ban on New Zealanders wearing or displaying symbols of gang affiliation in public has taken effect. Police officers made their first arrest for a breach of the law three minutes later. The man was driving with gang insignia displayed on the dashboard of his car, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said. The prohibition on displaying gang insignia anywhere outside private homes, including on clothing or in vehicles, is among a suite of new measures intended to bolster police powers to disrupt the groups. Wearing or displaying the insignia of 35 listed gangs will now prompt a fine of up to 5,000 New Zealand dollars ($2,940) or up to six months in jail. New Zealands center-right government, which pledged ahead of last Octobers election to tackle gang crime, says the measures will reduce the membership of groups responsible for violence and drug offenses. But detractors say the law breaches civil liberties and could drive gang activities underground. There are nearly 9,400 people on a New Zealand police list of known gang members. New Zealands population is 5 million. "Gangs arent community groups. Theyre not a Rotary club," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote on social media Thursday. They thrive on destroying the lives of other New Zealanders, whether thats by peddling drugs or through brutal acts of violence that leave communities in fear. open image in gallery Members of the Mongrel Mob, New Zealands best-known gang, vowed to provide security outside mosques after the Christchurch mass killing in 2019 ( Emanuel Stoakes ) Under the new law, officers can also disperse public gatherings of three or more members, bar some gang affiliates from associating with each other, and enter homes of those who keep breaking the law to search for banned items. Gang membership will now be considered by the courts when sentencing offenders. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told reporters on Thursday that two people were arrested hours after the law took effect for wearing gang patches, which are large insignia often worn by gang members on the backs of leather jackets or vests. The government says the patches are intimidating because members are required to earn them through violent acts. The measures shift New Zealand's response to gangs closer to that of neighboring Australia, which also uses a law to suppress the public visibility of gangs, and away from jurisdictions like the U.S. and Britain, which use criminal law to respond to specific activities carried out by organized crime groups, according to a report published by Treasury officials in February. Facial tattoos that display gang insignia are exempt from the ban, as is the wearing of gang colors. The government was criticized by some for not including white supremacist groups in its list of 35 organizations targeted by the new law. That means displaying swastikas and making Nazi salutes remains legal in New Zealand - unlike in Australia, which banned both in a law that took effect January. Successive governments have vowed to tackle criminal gangs, which often are linked to poverty and other deprivation. The previous center-left government was decried by Luxons administration for working with gangs on social initiatives, including COVID-19 vaccination efforts, while the current government has been denounced for advancing policies that are likely to ensnare some of New Zealands most marginalized groups, including Indigenous Maori. Official reports say three-quarters of those on the national gang list are Maori, who make up less than 20% of New Zealanders, and that 80% to 90% of those in two of the most notorious gangs are former wards of the state. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Human rights groups have slammed Joe Bidens decision to send antipersonnel landmines to Ukraine, calling it a reckless move endangering innocent civilian lives. The US president greenlighted providing antipersonnel landmines to Ukraine on Wednesday, two months before he is set to exit the White House. Senior US officials backed the delivery to stall Russian progress on the Ukrainian battlefield where Russias troops are moving in smaller ground units along the frontline. They have asked for these, and so I think its a good idea, defence secretary Lloyd Austin said. Amnesty International described it as a reckless decision and a deeply disappointing setback for a president who once agreed that landmines put more civilians at increased risk of harm. 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, Ben Linden, advocacy director for Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty USA, said. The antipersonnel mines that the US is sending reportedly have a limited capacity and can be offset over time. The nonpersistent mines, as they are called, are electrically fused and powered by batteries. They wont detonate once the battery runs out, and can become inert in anywhere from four hours to two weeks. But Amnesty said that even nonpersistent mines are a threat to civilians. Antipersonnel landmines are inherently indiscriminate weapons that maim and kill civilians long after conflicts end and should not have a place in the arsenal of any country, Mr Linden said. Mr Bidens decision has even drawn condemnation from Ukraines allies in Europe. Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide called it very problematic because Kyiv is a signatory to an international convention opposing the use of landmines. The use of antipersonnel landmines, as ground ammunition, has been rejected by at least 164 countries, including all Nato members and Ukraine, under the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. The agreement prohibits these countries from using, stockpiling, producing, and transferring antipersonnel mines. The mines, placed underground, are known to explode indiscriminately upon coming in contact with any motion, making it difficult for rescue workers and emergency service personnel to carry out relief work. The Mine Ban Treaty states that it is determined to put an end to the suffering and casualties caused by antipersonnel mines that kill or maim hundreds of people every week, mostly innocent and defenceless civilians and especially children. The US has not used antipersonnel landmines since 1991, except for the use of a single munition in 2002. It has not exported them since 1992 and not produced them since 1997. President Bidens decision to transfer antipersonnel landmines risks civilian lives and sets back international efforts to eradicate these indiscriminate weapons, said Mary Wareham, deputy crisis, conflict and arms director at Human Rights Watch. The US should reverse this reprehensible decision, which only increases the risk of civilian suffering in the short and long term. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A 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. The worker was fired in July 2023 after he had ate the fried snack, which was destined for the trash after the store had closed for the day. In a verdict, 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. The companys policy is that workers are prohibited from consuming any product found in the store without having paid for it previously. open image in gallery Facade of a Mercadona supermarket in San Sebastian de los Reyes, on the outskirts of Madrid ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Caroline Darian, the daughter of main defendant Dominique Pelicot, shouted at him from the courtroom that he would die alone like a dog during the ongoing French mass rape trial. Ms Darian, 45, has accused her father of drugging and abusing her, citing disturbing semi-naked photos found on his laptop. While Mr Pelicot denies abusing his daughter, he has confessed to drugging his wife, Gisele Pelicot, for years and orchestrating a scheme to have men rape her while she was unconscious. On Wednesday, Mr Pelicot spoke about his daughter from the stand. Some may laugh but it is my daughter I wish I could look at in the face. It hurts to see her like this. I would love to see her, I would love to talk to her, he said. Ms Darian responded: I will never come see you. Never. You will die alone like a dog. We all die alone. You especially. In her book, Et jai cesse de tappeler papa, Ms Darian, writing under a pen name, recounts her growing torment over the suspicion that she too had fallen victim to her fathers perversity. The book is set to be published in English, with the title And I Stopped Calling You Father, next month. In his closing statement on Wednesday, Mr Pelicot again admitted to the charges of drugging his wife and orchestrating a scheme where men would rape her while she was unconscious, stating that his actions were driven by a desire to fulfil a fantasy. I came to do what I did through people who willingly accepted what I proposed, he told the court. Caroline Darian says she is the forgotten one in the Mazan rape trial. She says he is convinced that she too was drugged and sexually assaulted by her father ( AFP via Getty ) Ms Pelicot is the main victim in the case that her daughter has described as one of unbearable atrocities. She has been left to suffer with four sexually transmitted infections from the assaults. Ms Pelicot pushed for a public trial, choosing to forgo her anonymity in the hope that her testimony might shield other women from similar suffering. Investigators have documented 92 alleged rapes of Ms Pelicot involving some 72 male suspects, 51 of whom have been identified. She has described being sacrificed on the altar of vice. Mr Pelicot was first arrested in September 2020 on suspicion of secretly filming up womens skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras, France. A subsequent search of his devices reportedly found hundreds of photos and pornographic videos of women, including some of his own family members. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Italian police have recovered a trove of exceptionally valuable Etruscan funereal artefacts stolen in an illegal excavation of a 2,300-year-old aristocratic tomb in Perugia. The vast array of treasures, believed to have belonged to Etruscan princesses, is reported to have been described by experts as one of the most important recoveries of artefacts ever made in relation to the ancient Italian civilisation. The artefacts including eight urns, two sarcophagi and beauty accessories such as bronze mirrors and a perfume bottle still carrying traces of its original scent are worth at least 8m, Carabinieri art police said. open image in gallery The artefacts were described as exceptionally valuable ( AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia ) One sarcophagus contained the full skeleton of a woman in her 40s, while the urns were finely decorated with scenes from Greek mythology and female figures with still visible red paint on their lips and gold colouring on their jewels. Part of the ancient burial site, belonging to the ancient Pulfna family, was first discovered in 2015 by a farmer while ploughing land close to the town of Citta della Pieve, who was given around 100,000 as a reward for his discovery. But Italys cultural heritage police opened an investigation last April after photographs of similar relics this time depicting females instead of males, as in the case of those unearthed in 2015 were discovered on the illicit online art market, circulated by amateur tomb raiders in their search for buyers. Following investigations using phone taps, stakeouts and air surveillance drones, police identified a second excavation site on land adjacent to the site initially discovered in 2015, of a tomb also belonging to the Pulfna family, who held an important socio-political role at the time. Police ultimately seized the illegally excavated artefacts from two individuals who had unearthed the burial chambers while excavating land they owned, after one of them posted a picture of himself on Facebook alongside a looted artefact, said Perugas chief prosecutor Raffaele Cantone. open image in gallery Italy Stolen Artefacts ( AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia ) They had nothing to do with the world of [practised] tomb raiders and were clumsy and amateurish in the way they tried to access the black market for looted art, the prosecutor told reporters on Tuesday. The pair face charges related to theft and trading in stolen goods, and risk jail sentences of up to 10 years, said prosecutor Annamaria Greco, who led the investigation. Local outlet Corriere dellUmbria reported that the details on the urns offer new and valuable information on the culture and beliefs of the Etruscans, with the operation reportedly described by experts as one of the most important recoveries of Etruscan finds ever made. Italys culture ministry said many of the artefacts were perfectly preserved and were considered to be of exceptional historical and artistic value. open image in gallery Italy Stolen Artefacts ( AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia ) The Etruscans flourished in central Italy during the Hellenistic period, between around 900BC to 27BC, when their lands were assimilated into the Roman empire, upon which the Etruscan culture had a lasting influence in terms of architecture, religion and tradition. But while the Etruscans left behind lavish tombs, statues and pottery, few written documents have been uncovered, with patchy evidence of their daily lives. They left behind lavish tombs, pottery and statues but tantalisingly few written documents and patchy evidence of their daily lives. Additional reporting by AP For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy North Korea and Russia have reached a new agreement for expanding economic cooperation, including more holidays between the two countries. The news follows high-level talks in Pyongyang this week. North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency didnt elaborate on the details of the agreement signed on Wednesday between its senior trade officials and a Russian delegation led by Alexandr Kozlov, the countrys minister of natural resources and ecology. The Russian news agency Tass on Tuesday said officials following an earlier round of talks agreed to increase the number of charter flights between the countries to promote tourism. Kozlov, who arrived in North Korea on Sunday, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his top economic official, Premier Kim Tok Hun, before returning home on Wednesday, KCNA said. During Kozlovs visit, Russian President Vladimir Putins gifted Pyongyangs Central Zoo with more than 70 animals, including lions, bears and several species of birds, according to Tass, in another display of the countries growing ties. Kim Jong Un in recent months has prioritized relations with Moscow as he attempts to break out of international isolation and strengthen his footing, actively supporting Putins war on Ukraine while portraying the North as a player in a united front against Washington. Kim has yet to directly acknowledge that he has been providing military equipment and troops to Russia to support its fighting against Ukraine. South Koreas National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Wednesday 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 Russias northeast. open image in gallery Russias natural resources minister Alexander Kozlov, right, is greeted by Yun Jong Ho ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The spy agency believes 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, said Lee Seong Kweun, a lawmaker who attended the meeting. U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian officials have claimed that the North has also been supplying Russia with artillery systems, missiles and other equipment. North Korea would be possibly getting anywhere between $320 million to $1.3 billion annually from Russia for sending its troops to Ukraine, considering the scale of the dispatch and the level of payments Russia has been providing to foreign mercenaries, according to a recent study by Lim Soo-ho, a South Korean analyst at an NIS-run think tank. open image in gallery In this photo taken from video released by the Moscow Zoo official telegram channel on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, a box containing a white cockatoo is unloaded from a Russian cargo plane at the International Airport in Pyongyang, North Korea after being delivered as a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Moscow Zoo official telegram channel via AP) ( Moscow Zoo/AP ) While that would be meaningful income for North Koreas crippled and heavily sanctioned economy, it could be lower than the money the North earns from illicit coal exports or supplying military equipment to Russia, Lim said. This suggests that North Koreas troop dispatch is less about money than acquiring key Russian technologies to further advance its nuclear weapons and missile program, which is a major concern in Seoul, Lim said. Amid the stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations with Washington, Kim has been dialing up pressure on South Korea, abandoning his countrys long-standing goal of inter-Korean reconciliation and verbally threatening to attack the South with nukes if provoked. He has used Russias war on Ukraine as a distraction to accelerate the development of his nuclear-armed military, which now has various nuclear-capable systems targeting South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles that can potentially reach the U.S. mainland. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Vladimir Putin has claimed Moscow launched a new hypersonic ballistic missile against Ukraine in response to strikes by Kyiv inside Russia using UK and US long-range missiles. The Russian leader said the Oreshnik, or Hazel, medium-range missile had been used in some of its latest strikes. Earlier, Ukraines air force said Russia had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro the first recorded use of the weapon during the war. Ukrainian air defence forces said the missile which has a range of more than 3,400 miles and can be used to carry nuclear warheads was fired from Russias Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea. However, American officials said an initial US assessment indicated the strike was carried out with an intermediate-range ballistic missile which cannot travel so far, something backed by Putins remarks. In combat conditions, a test was carried out of one of the latest Russian intermediate-range missile systems, Putin said. The incident comes amid fast-rising tensions between the West and Russia, after Ukraine fired both British Storm Shadow missiles and American ATACMS missiles into Russia after being granted permission to do so this week. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed the missile fired on Thursday matches the speed and altitude of an ICBM, adding that Kyivs crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is, and how afraid he is. Kyivs air force said the attack targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure but has not specified which type of missile was used. Downing Street condemned Putin for further escalating the conflict by using a ballistic missile against the city of Dnipro. Putin suggested the missile could also be used to strike Kyivs allies who have given Ukraine permission to use Western-supplied weapons inside Russia. Putins remarks came hours after Russias foreign ministry claimed that a new US ballistic missile defence base in northern Poland is a priority target for potential neutralisation. Russian spokesperson Maria Zakharova said: Given the nature and level of threats posed by such Western military facilities, the missile defence base in Poland has long been added to the list of priority targets for potential destruction, which, if necessary, can be executed with a wide range of advanced weapons. The US base at Redzikowo is part of a broader Nato missile shield, dubbed Aegis Ashore, which the alliance says can intercept short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Polands foreign ministry spokesperson Pawel Wronski said there were no nuclear missiles at the base, which was purely equipped for defence. It is a base that serves the purpose of defence, not attack, Mr Wronski said. Such threats will certainly serve as an argument to strengthen Polands and Natos air defences, and should also be considered by the United States. The Nato missile shield includes sites in Poland and Romania, as well as US Navy destroyers at a naval base in Spain and an early warning radar system in Turkey, according to Nato. On Wednesday, images circulated online appearing to show fragments of Storm Shadow missiles in Russias Kursk region the border area into which Ukrainian forces staged a surprise assault in August. Around 50,000 Russian troops, including about 10,000 soldiers from North Korea have amassed in Kursk to try and retake territory currently held by Ukraine. The use of North Korean troops in Kursk is believed to have played into the decision from the US and UK to allow Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia. On Thursday, at a Commons Defence Committee meeting, UK defence secretary John Healey said he wont be drawn on the operational details of the conflict. He said MPs should be in no doubt that the UK government is stepping up our support for Ukraine, determined to continue doubling down our support for Ukraine. Also on Thursday, Russia struck Mr Zelenskys home city of Kryvyi Rih, wounding 26 people, said the head of regional administration, Serhii Lysak. The missile strike caused damage to an administrative building, at least five multi-story residential buildings, and civilian vehicles. The Russian defence ministry, meanwhile, claimed in a statement that its air defence systems shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMAR rockets, and 67 drones. The statement didnt say when or where the Storm Shadows were shot down or what they were targeting. Russia earlier reported downing some of the missiles over the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula. Analysts and observers say that the loosening of restrictions on Ukraines use of Western missiles is unlikely to change the course of the war, but it puts the Russian army in a more vulnerable position and complicates the logistics that are crucial in warfare. Peter Ricketts, a former UK national security adviser who now sits in the House of Lords, said: It is an important move and it pulls against, undermines the narrative that Putin had been trying to establish that it was fine for Russia to rain down Iranian drones and North Korean missiles on Ukraine but a reckless escalation for Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons at legitimate targets in Russia. Reuters contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A volcano has erupted in Iceland for the seventh time since December 2023. Homes and businesses have been evacuated on Thursday morning due to the eruption. The eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland started with little warning at 11:14 p.m on Wednesday night and created a fissure around 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long. In the big picture, this is a bit smaller than the last eruption, and the eruption that occurred in May, Magnis Tumi Guimundsson, a professor of geophysics who flew over the scene with the Civil Protection agency to monitor the event, told the national RUV broadcaster. While the eruption poses no threat to air travel, authorities warned of gas emissions across parts of the peninsula, including the nearby town of Grindavik. Around 50 houses were evacuated after the Civil Protection agency issued the alert, along with guests at the famous Blue Lagoon resort, according to RUV. open image in gallery People watch the erupting craters and the lava fountains from the old lava fields around the eruption site on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in Iceland, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco di Marco) The repeated volcanic eruptions close to Grindavik, which is about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, and has a population of 3,800 people, have damaged infrastructure and property and forced many residents to relocate to guarantee their safety. Grindavik is not in danger as it looks and it is unlikely that this crack will get any longer, although nothing can be ruled out, Magnis Tumi said. Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, averages one eruption every four to five years. The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and disrupted trans-Atlantic air travel for months. More than 1,500km (900 miles) from London, frenetic activity is underway in the countryside of Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States: bulldozers and diggers are constructing field defences. Anti-tank ditches, tank traps, and pillboxes are being built and installed. In all these countries, laying minefields even controversial anti-personnel minefields is under active consideration. Poland is spending at least 2.5bn (2.1bn) on its border defence system, including building a sky shield system akin to Israels Iron Dome to protect its eastern border from a growing threat from Russia. Last May, during a meeting with European leaders in Warsaw, Polands prime minister Donald Tusk stated: Creating an iron dome against missiles and drones is necessary ... There is no reason for Europe not to have its missile defence shield, confirming that work on the project had begun. He added that it requires little imagination to understand that Europe, like Israel, is also in the danger zone. Polands defence project includes physical anti-tank obstacles, bunkers, and AI-powered anti-drone technologies to create early threat detection and surveillance systems. This could be the most significant national security investment in the countrys post-war history, positioning Poland as a European defence leader. Poland is now spending 37bn (30bn) on overall defence 4.7 per cent of its GDP with further increases under discussion. Meanwhile, in response to the hybrid war tactics on several Baltic fronts, hundreds of millions of euros are being invested by the Baltic states to strengthen their defence lines with another major project, planned by Nato members Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, set to begin in 2025. Across much of northern Europe, more than 1bn is being spent at speed on building new ammunition plants, particularly for 155mm artillery shells, which Ukraine is firing at rates not seen since the Second World War. And what is the UKs response to an increasing global threat? The country is scrapping 500m worth of military equipment ships, drones, and helicopters and will conduct a strategic defence review to decide what to do next. While defence secretary John Healey acknowledged last year that the cuts are happening amid war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, and conflict in the Middle East, the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) will not report until late February 2025 if were lucky. Some suggest that Whitehall bureaucracy could delay it until the summer. All the while, the clock is ticking. States across northern Europe the liberal-democratic ones much admired for their quality of life and services are in agreement: if Ukraine loses its struggle against Russia, the latter may be emboldened to take military action against the Baltic states, Finland, or even Poland. open image in gallery Swedish soldiers taking part in a training exercise on the Finland/Norway border in March ( Getty ) The timeline for this, many experts agree, is within three to five years. In defence planning terms, thats practically tomorrow. Even at top speed, it takes 28-30 months to order and deliver a fighter jet, 18-24 months for a tank, and 30 months for a frigate. Further from the immediate action in Western Europe, defence budgets are also rising. French defence spending has been climbing for eight years and is projected to surpass the UKs on a like-for-like basis by 2027. The Netherlands reversed decades of defence cuts two years ago and plans to double its budget within five years. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are also increasing their defence spending, often with double-digit year-on-year increases. The European defence giant has also woken up. Germany, which was among the first to drastically reduce defence spending after the Cold War, has grown its military budget by two-thirds since Russias 2014 invasion of Crimea. Crucially, the 2022 invasion of Ukraine prompted a Zeitenwende (turning point), with chancellor Olaf Scholz pledging an immediate 100bn investment to address gaps in munitions and equipment. Since then, Berlin has spent 30-40bn on US-supplied F-35A fighters and other systems, and over 60bn on ammunition and missiles since February 2022. Turning back to Eastern Europe: for these nations, defence is not seen as a nice-to-have but as an absolute necessity. Defence spending has doubled or even tripled in these countries over the past five years. So why does the UK now appear less like a European leader and more like a laggard? open image in gallery Polands Donald Tusk has said that creating an iron dome, like that used in Israel, is necessary for Europe ( AFP/Getty ) A key reason is what I call the 1,700km duvet. To reach the UK, Russia would first need to pass through the Baltic states and Finland, cross the Baltic Sea, contend with Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, and then navigate the North Sea. When asked about the threat of a missile attack on the UK, former defence secretary Grant Shapps casually remarked that Nato allies would handle such threats as they are located between the UK and Russia suggesting he too believed in the 1,700km duvet, under which the UK continues to snuggle. Yet the threat is creeping closer. Incidents involving damaged undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea raised fears of Russian sabotage. Last year, there were believed to be Russian plots for incendiary devices to be put on cargo planes in Europe, testing security systems, and Western intelligence officials suspect Russia was behind this summers fires at shipping hubs in Britain and Germany. Many believe it is only a matter of time before power shortages hit the UK due to wind farm cables mysteriously breaking, or that our internet is compromised as the telecoms backbone goes down. open image in gallery A soldier of the UKs 2nd Battalion Royal Anglian infantry takes part in a simulated attack in Poland ( Getty ) The UK is, in effect, defenceless against many forms of modern attack. The chief of the defence staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, admitted as much during a conference in Berlin last year, where he stressed the need to follow the Nordic and Baltic countries example in bolstering both defence and civil readiness for war. Despite bold rhetoric, the Royal Navy cannot deploy an aircraft carrier group without relying on US and allied ships and aircraft. The Army cannot field a full division of 15,000 soldiers from its 70,000-strong force and lacks the ammunition to fight for more than a month. The RAF has only about two dozen combat-ready Typhoons from a fleet of over 100. The defence secretary is right to emphasise that its not just about spending more but spending better. However, funding does matter. If a Nato state invokes Article 5, which calls on collective defence a situation that many experts on the Nordic and Baltic regions believe could happen within five years the UK cannot afford to delay its response, claiming economic constraints. Natos principle that an attack on one is an attack on all would require the UK to march to the sound of the guns a situation for which we are woefully unprepared compared to our European neighbours. Francis Tusa is editor of Defence Analysis For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crime during the conflict in Gaza. The conflict in Gaza was trigged by an attack inside Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023, during which around 1,200 Israelis were killed, while another 251 people were taken hostage. The ICC said it had found reasonable grounds to believe that Deif was responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes including murder, torture, rape and hostage. On Thursday, the ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. It also issued a warrant for Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, who Israel said it had killed in an airstrike over the summer, accusing him of war crimes over the attack on Israel. Though the decision turns Mr Netanyahu into an internationally wanted suspect, the extent of the warrants practical implications are unclear given Israel and its major ally, the US, are not members of the court. As the ICC issues the arrest warrants, here we explain what they are and what they mean for Mr Netanyahu: What is an ICC arrest warrant? The International Criminal Court in The Hague prosecutes those accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crimes of aggression (when a state using armed force against the sovereignty of another state). This jurisdiction is laid out in the courts founding treaty, the Rome Statute. The process of issuing an ICC arrest warrant begins with the chief prosecutor gathering evidence and identifying a suspect. They will then request the ICC judges to issue a warrant. open image in gallery The ICC has issued warrants for Yoav Gallant (top left), Benjamin Netanyahu (top right), and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif (bottom right). The chief prosecutor withdrew his request for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar (bottom middle) and Ismail Haniyeh (bottom left), after they were both killed in the conflict. Israel has said it also killed Deif in an airstrike ( Getty ) In Mr Netanyahus case, this was done by the courts chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, earlier this year in May. On Thursday, the three-judge panel issued a unanimous decision to issue the warrants, meaning Netanyahu, Gallant and Deif are wanted as a suspects to stand trial in the Hague. The ICC chief prosecutor withdrew his request for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, after they were both killed in the conflict. Why has it been issued? The ICC said there were reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and that they had intentionally and knowingly deprived Gazas civilians of food, water, medicine, medical supplies and fuel and electricity. The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, the three-judge panel wrote in its unanimous decision. Aid agencies and the UN have been warning for months of an acute crisis across the Gaza Strip, with food, water, power and medical supplies all in increasingly short supply. Shortly after the warrant was issued, Mr Netanyahu condemned it saying Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions. In a statement released by his office, he said: There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza. Could Netanyahu be arrested? The warrant means Netanyahu is now an internationally wanted suspect and that the ICCs 124 member states including the UK would be obliged to arrest him or Gallant if they were to enter their territory. open image in gallery View of the ICC, the International Criminal Court, in The Hague, Netherlands, ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) However, the ICC itself has no police to enforce warrants of which Israel and its major ally, the US, are not members which means neither are likely to face judges in the Hague any time soon. But the Netherlands' foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp said his country was prepared to act upon the warrants, Dutch news agency ANP reported, showing that international travel will be much more difficult for both Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently showed he could still visit an ally when he travelled to Mongolia, one of the courts member states, and was not arrested. Politically, the move is a dramatic escalation of legal proceedings and is likely to further isolate Israel and complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire to end the conflict. Can an ICC investigation or arrest warrant be paused? The court's rules allow for the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution that would pause or defer an investigation or a prosecution for a year, with the possibility of renewing that annually. After a warrant is issued the country involved or a person named in an arrest warrant can also issue a challenge to the jurisdiction of the court or the admissibility of the case. A case can be deemed inadmissible at the ICC when it is already being investigated or prosecuted by a state with jurisdiction over the crimes alleged. But the court has made it clear in the past that this exemption could only apply when a state is investigating or prosecuting the same people for substantially the same alleged crimes. An investigation into corruption charges, for instance, would not meet that "same person, same conduct" rule. If there is a request to delay the investigation, the prosecutor will pause the case and review if the state which requested the deferral is indeed carrying out a genuine investigation. If the prosecutor deems the national investigations are insufficient, he can apply for judges to reopen the investigation. Could this warrant influence other cases? Not directly, but perhaps indirectly. The ICC application is a separate matter from, for example, court cases demanding an arms embargo against Israel or South Africa's case at the UN's top court, the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in Gaza. Israel denies those allegations. However a decision by ICC judges that there are reasonable grounds to believe Mr Netanyahu and former defence minister Mr Gallant are committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, it could strengthen South Africa's ICJ case, as that court also looks at other courts' determinations. The decision to issue a warrant can also bolster legal challenges demanding an arms embargo elsewhere, as numerous states have provisions against selling arms to states which might use them in ways that violate international humanitarian law. Reuters contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. The court has also issued arrest warrants for Israels former defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif. Israel said in August it had killed Deif in a Gaza airstrike earlier this year. The ICC said there were reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and that they had intentionally and knowingly deprived Gazas civilians of food, water, medicine, medical supplies and fuel and electricity. It also claimed that each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population. The conflict in Gaza was triggered by an attack inside Israel by Hamas on 7 October last year, during which around 1,200 Israelis were killed, and another 251 people were taken hostage. Israels retaliatory war from land and air, alongside a blockade, has killed 44,000 Palestinians, the majority women and children, according to health authorities inside the besieged territory. Around 90 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes. The ICC said it had found reasonable grounds to believe that Hamas Deif was responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other form of sexual violence. The move is a dramatic escalation of legal proceedings over the war in Gaza as it turns Mr Netanyahu and the co-accused into suspects wanted internationally and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire to end the 13-month conflict. It means that ICCs 124 member states including the UK would be obliged to arrest Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant if they were to enter their territory. Israel has vehemently denied the allegations against Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant, with the prime ministers office calling the ruling antisemitic. Israel categorically rejects the absurd and false lies levelled against it by the ICC, a statement said, adding that Mr Netanyahu will not yield to pressure, will not be deterred and will not retreat until all of Israels war objectives are achieved. In a statement, Israels staunchest ally, the US, also rejected the ICC decision. However, a spokesperson for UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer was more equivocal: "We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court, which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. "This government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy, and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terrorist organisations. But Downing Street would not say if Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he visited the UK. "We are not going to get into hypotheticals. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence," the spokesperson said. The EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said that the arrest warrants were not political and that the decision by the ICC should be respected and implemented. Alonso Gurmendi, a fellow in human rights at the London School of Economics and an expert in international law, called the ICC decision momentous on many levels. For the first time a Western-backed leader is indicted by the ICC it is an important moment for the global South to see how the global North will respond, he said. The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem called the issuing of the warrants one of the lowest points in the nations history. open image in gallery Palestinians queue for food in Deir al-Balah, in the Gaza Strip ( AP ) Aid agencies and the UN have been warning for months of an acute crisis across the Gaza Strip, with food, water, power and medical supplies all in increasingly short supply. Earlier this week, the UN warned that Palestinians are "facing diminishing conditions for survival" in parts of northern Gaza under siege by Israeli forces for weeks because virtually no aid has been delivered in 40 days. Earlier this month, a UN-backed assessment said there was a strong likelihood that famine was imminent in northern Gaza. UN agencies had planned 31 missions to the besieged areas of North Gaza governorate between 1 and 18 November, according to the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Twenty-seven were rejected by Israeli authorities and the other four were severely impeded. Israel has repeatedly insisted there are no limits to the amount of aid that can be delivered into and across Gaza, and accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the military group has denied. open image in gallery Israeli former defence minister Yoav Gallant ( Reuters ) Over the weekend, a convoy of 109 UN aid lorries carrying food was violently looted in Gaza, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said. UNRWA commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini did not identify the perpetrators, but he said the total breakdown of civil order in Gaza, with people desperate for food and supplies, meant it had become an impossible environment to operate in. On Thursday, Mr Lazzarini said that 80 per cent of the Gaza Strip is now high-risk areas, with many people increasingly desperate. In May, the ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan sought warrants for Mr Netanyahu, Mr Gallant, Deif and two other Hamas leaders who have since been killed, Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. At the time, US president Joe Biden blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israels right to defend itself against Hamas. Benny Gantz, a retired general and a political rival of Mr Netanyahu, condemned the latest ICC move as showing moral blindness, adding that it was a shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. Yair Lapid, another opposition leader, called it a prize for terror. Israels president, Isaac Herzog, called the issuing of the warrants against Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant an absurd decision. open image in gallery People check the rubble after a devastating overnight Israeli strike in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip ( AFP/Getty ) The ICC has no police to enforce warrants which means neither Mr Netanyahu or Mr Gallant are likely to face judges in the Hague. Israel and the US are not members of the court. Russian president Vladimir Putin, who is wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently showed he could still visit an ally when he travelled to Mongolia, one of the court's member states, and was not arrested. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICCs jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants. The ICC said Israels acceptance of the courts jurisdiction was not required. No other democracy with an independent and respected legal system like that which exists in Israel has been treated in this prejudicial manner by the prosecutor, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote on X/Twitter. He said Israel remained steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and justice and would continue to protect its citizens against militancy. On the ground in Gaza, medics said dozens had been killed in overnight airstrikes in the north. There was no immediate comment by the Israeli military, which has been operating in Beit Lahia and the nearby Jabalia and Beit Hanoun since early last month in a campaign it said was aimed at preventing Hamas fighters from regrouping and waging attacks. The ICC case is separate from the legal battle Israel is waging at the International Court of Justice after South Africa alleged it was committing genocidal acts against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Lawyers for Israel argued in court that the war in Gaza was a legitimate defence of its people and that it was Hamas who were guilty of genocide. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Free internet access should be a human right as a world without it is now unthinkable because so much of daily life depends on it, a study has suggested. Dr Merten Reglitz, associate professor of philosophy at the University of Birmingham, has published a book of his research on the issue. It sets out a draft article declaring internet access a human right, saying everyone should be able to freely access the internet without arbitrary interferences by any other party, with governments providing access of sufficient quality and users protected from censorship, surveillance and private companies harvesting data. For most of us a world without internet access is just unthinkable, Dr Reglitz said. Despite the internet being a vital part of modern life, access is still unequal. This limits the ability of those who remain offline to fully enjoy other human rights that being online helps to facilitate, so states must provide citizens with the tools they need to get online Dr Merten Reglitz, Birmingham University We need it for our jobs, to maintain relationships, learn, access services, and to express ourselves it is one of the most important parts of modern living. However, the internet as it currently stands is not without its problems. Some states greatly limit their populations digital access to limit criticism and monitor activity. We also have mostly unregulated social media platforms dominating the digital world and harvesting data for profit, not to mention internet users harming others online. All this infringes on our human rights including freedom of expression, privacy, and free and fair elections. A new human right would need to address this so that people would have a right to be protected from hostile actors online. In the book, entitled Free Internet Access As A Human Right, Dr Reglitz has called on governments around the world to invest in digital services, broadband infrastructure and basic digital skills to help everyone meet the basic requirements for getting online. Despite the internet being a vital part of modern life, access is still unequal, he said. This limits the ability of those who remain offline to fully enjoy other human rights that being online helps to facilitate, so states must provide citizens with the tools they need to get online. These requirements might not be affordable for poorer countries, but a series of minimum core obligations would help them work towards free internet access as a human right. He said these obligations should include a national broadband plan, networks to connect public venues to the internet and working with international organisations to gain access to the funding needed to deliver free and fair internet. The values and demands included in this idea are not optional. They are necessary to the premise that everyone possesses equal moral dignity and is entitled to live a decent life which is exactly what our human rights protect, he said. Today, we live in societies that are ever-more characterised by the information flows and connections made possible by the digital world. Recognising and defending this right would have the potential to make the world a better place for everyone, with the help of the internet. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Japans reliable railways are coming to London as Tokyo Metro takes over operations on the Elizabeth line to make journeys more punctual. Transport for London announced on Tuesday (19 November) that GTS Rail Operations Limited had been awarded a contract to build on the success of the line from May 2025. The consortium of The Go-Ahead Group, Tokyo Metro, and Sumitomo Corporation will operate Londons newest rail line for at least seven years. This is the first time Tokyo Metro has operated a service outside of Japan. The Elizabeth line from Berkshire to Essex has been operated by Hong Kongs MTR Corporation since its opening in 2022. Punctuality can be a problem on the line, which carries more than 700,000 people a day, with around 12.6 per cent of trains arriving over five minutes after their scheduled arrival time between April 2023 and March 2024. According to its latest sustainability report, almost 99 per cent of Tokyo Metros services came within five minutes of their scheduled time in 2022. Under the new contract, GTS will be tasked with preparing for service operations to the new station at Old Oak Common, which will eventually link up with HS2. It will also bring 10 new Class 345 trains into the service to support increased passenger numbers and growth across London and the southeast. Miguel Parras, CEO of The Go-Ahead Group, said: Were proud to have been chosen to be TfLs partner, together with Sumitomo Corporation and Tokyo Metro, for the operation of the iconic Elizabeth line. 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. TfL will continue to be responsible for setting fares and marketing the services under the new contract. Claire Mann, TfLs chief operating officer, said: I am delighted that we have appointed GTS Rail Operations to continue to build on the success of the Elizabeth line, and I look forward to working with them. Some industry experts doubt that a new operator can solve all of the Elizabeth lines problems. Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, said: It is difficult to see that the transfer of management from one consortium with a big Asian partner to another will significantly improve the lot of the Elizabeth line commuter. Many of the problems stem from decaying infrastructure on the overground parts of the line, in particular the tracks and signals west of London. Add to this the extra disruption from the work on HS2 at Old Oak Common, and the near future does not look exactly serene for users of the line. But, on most days, the Elizabeth line remains a much better bet than the Piccadilly and Central lines of the London Underground for accessing Heathrow airport as well as west and east London. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Lieutenant General Rob Magowan said, If the British Army was asked to fight tonight, it would fight tonight. The Royal Marines general was speaking in a parliamentary select committee hearing on Thursday, 21 November. He went on to say that nobody in the room should be under any illusions. If the Russians invaded Eastern Europe tonight then we would meet them in that fight, Magowan said. Magowan was sitting alongside defence secretary John Healey who was also facing MPs in light of claims that Ukraine fired British missiles at Russia for the first time. Moscow claims Russian air defences shot down two British Storm Shadow cruise missiles. A former CIA analyst has lifted the lid on what goes on during the intelligence agencys job interviews including the bizarre first question they asked him. David McCloskey worked in field stations across the Middle East during the Arab Spring and in the Counterterrorism Center, where he focused on jihadist activities in Syria and Iraq. He has joined Gordon Corera, a journalist who has covered national security issues for more than 25 years including two decades as a Security Correspondent for BBC News, to host Goalhangers new The Rest is Classified podcast exploring the secretive world of espionage. Ive never had an interview experience like that and I am hopeful I never will again, McCloskey told The Independent. The Rest is Classifieds first episode is out on 27 November. Former prime minister Gordon Brown has paid tribute to Lord John Prescott as he opened up about his final few months, saying he never lost his warmth and friendliness. The former UK deputy prime minister died peacefully surrounded by relatives at his care home after a battle with Alzheimers, his family said in a statement on Thursday (21 November). Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today, Mr Brown said: Ive talked to John over these last few months when he had declining health. What was amazing was how he dealt with his Alzheimers, he always knew who you were but just wasnt sure what to say. Mr Brown added: It was his warmth, he was was always praising people. I think he even made up with Peter Mandelson in the last few months. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair choked up as he paid an emotional tribute to Lord John Prescott. The former UK deputy prime minister died peacefully surrounded by relatives at his care home after a battle with Alzheimers, his family said in a statement on Thursday (21 November). Paying tribute to the former trade union activist, Sir Tony said: Im feeling devastated, we knew it was coming because he had been very ill, but my deepest condolences to Pauline, Jonathan, and David. Speaking to BBC Radio 4 Today, Sir Tony said: There was no one quite like him in British politics. The former prime minister appeared to struggle to find his words, before adding: We had our disagreements from time to time, but he was loyal and a massive help to me. Newly-released footage appeared to show Russia's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) hitting Ukraine. Video posted on Telegram, and verified by the Associated Press, showed multiple explosions hitting a wide area of Dnipro. The date and location of the footage has not been independently verified, however it has a time and date stamp of "05:17:01 on 21/11/2024" and a caption described the attack as being carried out by an "intercontinental ballistic missile". In a statement on Telegram, Ukraine's air force said an ICBM was fired at Dnipro, along with eight other missiles, and that the military shot down six of them. Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken for the first time after Russia is understood to have fired intercontinental ballistic missiles within Ukraine. In a video, shared on X on (21 November), Zelensky marked Ukraines Day of Dignity and Freedom, by labelling Russia an insane neighbour who despises dignity and freedom. Zelensky claimed Russia and leader Vladimir Putin are that terrified of Ukraine they are searching the world for more weapons. Zelensky also claimed Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground, before thanking those who are helping his country fight the war against Russia. I got to know John Prescott well when he came to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s. He knew the Labour Party and unions inside out. He was also uproariously good company and could be unpredictable and unguarded though you crossed him at your peril. In the early days of New Labour, I had lunch with him in Westminsters Footstool restaurant. He was quieter than usual, barely touching his food. When I asked if he was OK, he said: No, I have had terrible stomach trouble, really terrible. He muttered something about eating lots of digestive biscuits. I asked if he had seen a doctor. He had and had been diagnosed with a medical condition, but couldnt recall the term. Its that thing Lady Dis got, he said. It begins with b. Bulimia? I asked. Yeah, he said, thats it. Id be lying if, along with expressing my concern, I didnt own up to the fact that my journalistic side was quietly telling me this would make a good story. He anticipated that. Its off the record. Youre not putting that in the bloody paper! Right? he glowered. So I didnt. It was not until a decade later, after he had stepped down as deputy prime minister, that Prescott chose to publicly disclose his struggle with bulimia. It stayed secret until he described in his 2008 autobiography how he used to binge on burgers, chocolate and crisps as a result of the stress of public life and he rightly won praise for discussing it openly. John Prescott with Simon Walters in New Labours heyday ( Simon Walters ) On another occasion, I experienced his well-known capacity to fly off the handle while interviewing him in a small hotel room in India, where he was on a ministerial visit. We were talking about what Tony Blair referred to in a generous tribute to Prescott today as the way some people made fun of his (Prescotts) use of the English language. I suggested to Prescott innocently but clumsily that perhaps he had a form of dyslexia. At this he exploded into fury, leaping off his seat towards me, launching into a four-letter rant about how he was sick and tired of being mocked for his lack of education, his northern accent, his past job as a cruise-line steward. He was so angry the interview was halted and I left the room while he calmed down. A few minutes later, he came out and apologised for overreacting and the interview resumed. In his tribute to Prescott today, Blair gave a revealing glimpse into their relationship during the Labour government they led. Reflecting on their contrasting characters and political styles, Blair told how his deputy would often march into his Downing Street office and tell him: I know youre up to something. I dont quite know what it is, but I know youre up to something. Blair recalled with a chuckle: I would protest, saying: Nah, nah, John. Youve got it all wrong. And, of course, hed always be right: I would be up to something. Blair said they would then thrash out any difficult issue and once a decision was made, Prescott would get behind it. In fact, there was one occasion when Blair was up to something; when Prescott fell into line, as ever but did not learn what was really going on until years later: the Iraq war. He never got over it. In 2016, Prescott said he was haunted by having supported the war and publicly accused Blair of keeping him and the rest of the cabinet in the dark about the fatally flawed legal case for it. I will live with the decision and the catastrophic consequences of the war for the rest of my life, Prescott said. He regretted having supported it, now accepted with great sadness and anger that it was illegal as critics had always said and courageously apologised on behalf of himself and the Labour Party. The brutal truth is that for all Blairs warm words today, despite Prescotts official status as his No 2, in reality he was way down the pecking order, below Gordon Brown and powerful advisers like Alastair Campbell and Peter Mandelson. And he knew it. Blair spoke today of his appreciation of Prescotts underrated high intelligence and extraordinary instinctive sense. How he must now wish he had shown more faith in those qualities when he made the ill-fated decision to go to war in Iraq without thrashing it out fully and frankly with his trusting, plain-talking deputy. There have been slicker and more sophisticated politicians than John Prescott. But few as down to earth, decent, likeable, brave and honest. The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In August, towns in the US state of Connecticut experienced 1,000-year rain events, resulting in flash flooding that caused power outages, road closures and the death of two women. In September, torrential downpours caused a sinkhole to open up in southwest London, sparking rescue operations as firefighters scrambled to free people trapped in their cars by rising floodwaters. In October, a years worth of rainfall in one day deluged eastern Spain, unleashing catastrophic flooding that claimed the lives of more than 200 people; while in South Sudan, almost three-quarters of a million people continue to suffer hunger and hardship following devastating floods. It is against this grim backdrop of climate-induced carnage that world leaders have been gathering in Azerbaijan for Cop29. Yet, despite the mounting human toll, the overriding message of the conference seems to be one of ambivalence, not urgency. The likelihood of the new US administration withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement for the second time has only served to further cast a long shadow over proceedings. Thankfully, there are rays of hope. The UK government is reassuming its role as a climate leader, announcing a new ambitious target to reduce our countrys emissions by 81 per cent by 2035. Many businesses are fully locked into the green transition and have no plans of reneging on their commitments. And climate experts doubt that other nations will join the US in exiting the Paris deal even if concerns persist about whether theyre taking the steps necessary to meet their obligations. For too long, barring a handful of exceptions, national governments have been climate delayers willing to kick the can down the road as wildfires rage, sea levels rise and extreme weather intensifies. But the good news is that in comparison, cities have proven to be the climate doers stepping up and addressing the challenge head on, rather than sidestepping or ducking it. Indeed, while nations dither and are divided, cities can and do deliver, with an impressive unity of purpose that offers not only a sharp contrast but genuine grounds for optimism. I agree with the UN secretary general when he described mayors as the worlds first responders to the climate emergency. Through C40 Cities a global coalition of almost 100 cities, of which I serve as co-chair were demonstrating the gap in both ambition and achievement between cities and nations. C40 cities have pledged to cut fossil fuel consumption by half by 2030, demonstrating the difference our cities can make. Cities across the globe are leading the charge when it comes to climate action. Over 80 per cent of C40 cities now outperform their respective nation states in emissions reduction. Freetown the Treetown a flagship initiative to restore and improve ecological infrastructure in Sierra Leones capital has already planted more than half a million trees in climate-vulnerable areas, creating more than 1,200 jobs, 80 per cent of which have gone to young people. Seoul is providing free energy upgrades to low-income households. Bogota is training women as e-bus drivers; Salvador as solar energy experts. In every way possible, cities are showing what climate leadership looks like. In London, weve implemented some of the most innovative climate and environmental policies of any city across the globe. Weve introduced and twice expanded our ultra-low emission Zzne (Ulez), creating the worlds largest clean air zone. Weve won national park city status, planted more than half a million trees, started a rewilding revolution, invested millions in green jobs and led the way in turning our capital into a global centre for green finance. And by always standing up for climate science and bringing forward our net zero target to 2030, weve made London a beacon for climate action the world over, with more zero-emission buses now on our roads than any other city in Western Europe. Across the globe, cities have demonstrated that they can do much of the heavy lifting involved in moving to a low-carbon world. But we need more support from national governments who too often have dragged their feet. Unlike many presidents and prime ministers, we recognise the gravity of this moment and the political will to act exists among mayors and city leaders. We could go even further, even faster if central governments devolved more powers and funding to us. At the U20 and G20 Summit, representatives from the UK pressed the case for empowering world cities as a means to realising multi-national climate agreements. The UK recently joined the coalition for high-ambition multilevel partnerships (Champ). It means our national government is now committed to working much more closely with London and other cities on climate action. This comes at a critical moment. After the Paris climate accords were adopted, each signatory set its own nationally determined contribution its national plan for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. These plans were updated five years later, and the next round is due in 2025. For the first time, the UKs plan, along with those of many other countries, will include the input and output of its cities. This is a significant development and one we should draw real encouragement from not only because it underscores the UK governments renewed commitment to tackling the climate crisis, but because it charts a new path forward for achieving our net zero goals. The future of our civilisation depends on the collective efforts of countries and cities. Ensuring we can play our full part in this generational battle might just tip the balance in favour of our people and planet. Sadiq Khan is mayor of London and co-chair of C40 Cities An investment property let to AIB Bank on Celbridges Main Street in Co Kildare has come to the market and agent Coonan Property is guiding 1,050,000 for it. AIB is paying 87,000 in annual rent equating to a yield of about 9pc. The bank sold the property about 10 years ago to a private investor and agreed a 20-year lease which runs until 2030. That lease includes upward-only rent reviews every five years and one of these is due next year. Located on a prominent corner site at the junction of Main Street and a road called Kings Archway, the property comes with a rear car park which is accessible from the side. Extending to 3,192 sqft, the property comprises a two-storey building laid out for banking services with rooms including banking hall, secure cash room, boardroom, interview rooms, offices, kitchen, locker room and staff toilet. AIB in Main St, Celbridge, Co Kildare Celbridge is the third largest town in Co Kildare with a population of over 20,000 people. The wider area is home to many multinational businesses including Intel in Leixlip, Celbridge Business Park, Kildare Innovation Campus and more. It is also convenient to Maynooth University. Because of its road infrastructure and proximity to the M4 motorway, Celbridge has become a burgeoning commuter town, enhanced by its location in the Liffey Valley Conservation Area where Castletown House and Demesne is a key visitor attraction for Irelands Ancient East. Emerald Airlines began operations in 2022 Dublin-headquartered Emerald Airlines last year almost halved its pre-tax losses to 11.52m as its revenues more than doubled to 166.74m. The airline, which commenced operations in 2022, operates Aer Linguss regional routes. In their report, the directors for Emerald Airlines Ireland Ltd said: The significantly reduced losses incurred in our second year in operation represent the progress we are making in moving from a start-up to a maturing operation with an excellent baseline established in our core markets. The directors said this, combined with lower capacity growth in 2024, places us in an excellent position to deliver on financial targets in the year ahead. The companys pre-tax losses reduced by 46pc, from 21.35m to 11.52m, last year as revenues increased by 105pc, from 81.34m to 166.74m. The airline reduced its losses on the back of the firm completing its biggest-ever Aer Lingus regional summer schedule in 2023, operating 31 routes with nine routes launched. The directors said the company now employs 500 people between its bases in Dublin and Belfast and within 24 months of first operation, we have become the number-one operator at Belfast City airport and have the largest network of any carrier between Ireland and the UK. They said 2023 saw the close out of our operational start-up phase. The directors added that the 2023 performance was affected by delays in the delivery of three new aircraft to bring the fleet to 17. They said the aircraft were due to be delivered in quarter one 2023 but they were delivered in April, May and September, and the delays resulted in less summer-season capacity than originally planned. The pre-tax losses for 2023 take account of non-cash depreciation and amortisation charges of 9.3m and finance costs of 6.4m The airline firm this summer commenced an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) contract with British Airways. The directors said: This has provided us with a very solid platform for further opportunities in the coming years. A note attached to the accounts on the companys going concern status states that the group has continued to incur losses subsequent to year-end based on unaudited management accounts and the losses have significantly reduced. The directors added that based on budgets prepared, the group has adequate resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due. The note states that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) has provided waivers on covenant breaches incurred on December 31, 2023, and June 30, 2024. The note states that the group maintains a good relationship with its financiers and is confident based on past history that this relationship will be maintained. Numbers employed increased from 272 to 450 as staff costs increased from 15.9m to 27.59m. The group had a shareholders deficit of 30m at the end of December last year. The groups cash funds declined from 11.2m to 10.4m. The pay rise for hourly paid staff means the average Tesco worker will be paid 17.61 an hour. Photo: PA Tesco Ireland has announced a 3pc pay increase from January 1 for most staff and has extended paid maternity leave from 14 to 26 weeks. The pay rise for hourly paid staff means the average Tesco worker will be paid 17.61 an hour from the start of 2025, the company said. It is more than the proposed new national living wage due to be introduced in 2026. The grocery giant employs over 13,500 people in Ireland in almost 180 stores. It said the improved pay deal is part of a 14m investment. Fully paid paternity leave will increase to two weeks for those working with the company over six months. Fully paid maternity leave will increase to 26 weeks, and fully paid adoptive leave will increase from 14 weeks to 24 weeks for employees with over 12 months service. The family leave improvements apply for the companys store, distribution centre, customer engagement centre and office staff, Tesco said. The pay rise for hourly paid staff means the average Tesco worker will be paid 17.61 an hour. Photo: PA Today's News in 90 Seconds - November 21st Marking the announcement, Tesco Irelands People Director, Maurice Kelly said: We recognise the incredibly important role our colleagues play in the success of our business. "The investment were announcing today in pay and benefits, coupled with the investment for 2024, brings over 30m worth of enhancements to our colleagues in just two years. He said the company is striving to be an industry-leader in terms of parental and family leave. Earlier this week, Bank of Ireland also announced changes to its existing maternity leave policy. In that case, Bank of Ireland staff who are undergoing treatment for cancer or serious illness will be able to postpone maternity leave for between five and 52 weeks. The bank offers 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, which women with serious illness will be able to defer rather than use concurrent with leave for illness. The move to improve conditions for parents and mothers in particular comes as data this week showed female participation in the Irish labour force is at an all-time high of 61.6pc, which is partly a reflection of the increased flexibility allowed by hybrid working, new statistics show. The overall employment rate rose to 75.3pc in the third quarter, according to the latest Labour Force Survey by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the highest rate it has recorded since the series began in 1998. Ralph Macchio attends a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) US actor Ralph Macchio said it means the world to me to be cemented adjacent to his late Karate Kid co-star Pat Morita on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Macchio, who starred as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid film trilogy and six seasons of Netflixs Cobra Kai, appeared at the Los Angeles ceremony alongside his co-stars William Zabka and Tamlyn Tomita. The 63-year-old unveiled his star which lay next to that of the late Morita, who played beloved Mr Miyagi in the film franchise. To have this star placed right next to my acting partner from that film, the great Pat Morita, is so meaningful to me, so powerful to me, Macchio said. Our partnership is something I always described as a soulful magic of The Karate Kid films, and he is still here today blessing all these stories that are moving forward. I can feel him here. It is only fitting I shall remain Miyagi-adjacent until the end of time, he joked. Tamlyn Tomita, from left, Ralph Macchio and William Zabka attend a ceremony honouring Macchio with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Macchio thanked those for the thoughtful placement of his star, adding: The fact that that was part of the decision in putting us together, it means the world to me. Macchios breakout role was starring in Francis Ford Coppolas 1983 film The Outsiders, before joining the cast of The Karate Kid a year later and starring in two sequels. Zabka, who signed autographs for fans dressed in Karate Kid costumes ahead of the ceremony, said he first met Macchio at auditions for the original film in 1984. Ralph Macchio attends a ceremony honouring Macchio with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) From day one he was a big star and a big talent, but he was Ralph. He was so grounded and so easy to be withAfter all these years he hasnt changed one bit, the 59-year-old said. Zabka, who played Macchios on-screen rival Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid franchise and Cobra Kai, described his co-star as loveable, sincere, and talented. He kicked his way into our hearts in the 1984 movie and literally right through my face, he joked. How do you measure a friendship and a relationship of four decades, it is a gift that we get to keep doing this togetherI love him like a brother. Ralph Macchio is the first to stand on his star during a ceremony honouring him (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Tomita, who played Macchios on-screen love interest Kumiko in The Karate Kid Part II before reprising the character in Cobra Kai, said she had travelled from Okinawa in Japan to attend the Walk of Fame induction. She said that Macchio taught her everything about what it means to act and to be an actor, saying his sweet kindness always seeped through. Tomita said the pair first met during a chemistry test four decades ago where she could not breathe but Macchio made it fun, light and so easy to fall in love with. She also noted his good old-fashioned class, adding: I will always be the woman who will fight for your honour. The Walk of Fame ceremony comes a day after British rock band Coldplay released a new music video for their song The Karate Kid, starring Macchio. Bad Sisters creator and star Sharon Horgan has said that a main character's death in episode two was a brutal thing but a necessary decision for the second season as it felt right for the character in the situation they were in. Based on the Belgian series Clan and adapted by Horgan for Apple TV, the Motherland writer stars as eldest sister Eva, alongside Anne Marie Duff as Grace, Eve Hewson as Becka, Sarah Greene as Bibi, and Eva Birthistle as Ursula. The black comedy follows the death of Graces abusive husband John Paul, played by Danish actor Claes Bang, in season one, with flashbacks showing the various plots and schemes that led to his murder, along with the final reveal of how he really died. Season two begins two years after the events of the first season, with the second episode ending with the death of Grace. Horgan explained in a new interview that the idea for Graces death was rejected at first for being too dark, but it felt right for the character. We had the idea about what would happen but then we dropped it, because we thought, I dont know if we can continue the tone of Bad Sisters with Grace dying. It felt too dark, Horgan told The Hollywood Reporter. Then we ended up going back to it because we couldnt really see a world where all five sisters would just be on this kind of paper the whole first season was about protecting her. Then to lose her and to want to get to the bottom of what happened, and for there to be so much to be unveiled and revealed along the way felt like there was so much to play with. It felt real. It felt true to the situation that she was in. And, how do you get back from that if youre a character like Grace, so raw and exposed? It felt like a brutal thing to do, but it felt right for the story. Director and executive producer Dearbhla Walsh added: We met five orphans in season one. We never really go into the loss of their [parents], but death is all around them. So it really feels that you get to explore that again through Grace. Speaking to The Independent, Sarah Greene described working with the cast on season two, saying instead of feeling pressure about meeting audience expectations they felt more in control this time around. In a way, we were more comfortable, she said. We knew what the tone was, and the impact it had had on audiences. We werent trying to find our characters for the first time, so it was like meeting old friends again. We annoy the crew because we talk so much. Theyd be like, We said action! And wed still be chatting. The Independents Amanda Whiting gave the first season five stars, describing it as a series about the profound lifelong bonds that can grow in place of so-called healthy boundaries. Bad Sisters can be watched on Apple TV. 10k for man seen on holiday and in sauna after claiming he suffered claustrophobia and could not fly after being trapped in lift Personal trainer Robert Smith had complained of nightmares and panic attacks after being trapped in a lift in his apartment block Robert Smith Ray Managh Thu 21 Nov 2024 at 16:40 A judge who was told how a gym owner feared he would never be able to fly again or tolerate confined spaces after being trapped in a lift was shown pictures proving the man had flown to Rome and had made muscular poses in a single-person sauna. We want your opinions on voting, Irish politics and election issues 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: Should Irish citizens living abroad have the right to vote in general elections? Let us know your opinion. Mark Atkins (left), Chair of the East Wicklow Business Network, with the rest of the team. The East Wicklow Business Network (EWBN), which advocates for local businesses across the region, has implored general election candidates not to use VAT rate reform as a political bargaining chip. Chair of the EWBN Mark Atkins has highlighted what the network sees as the critical issues for businesses in the run-up to the general election, which it believes must be prioritised for the future prosperity of businesses in County Wicklow, including the Greystones media campus, the Cliff Walk and a reduction in VAT for the hospitality sector. The VAT-cut lifeline that many businesses in the hospitality sector pinned their hopes on in this years budget never materialised, and is something the business network believes is bringing the sector to its knees. The decision to increase the VAT rate for hospitality businesses has had devastating effects, Mr Atkins said. A number of restaurants and hotels across Wicklow have been forced to close their doors, unable to bear the burden of higher taxes amidst an already challenging economic climate. "Election promises to reform or lower the VAT rate, while welcome, should not be used as political bargaining chips. Such decisions must be made proactively within the budgetary process to provide stability and confidence for businesses, he continued. At an estimated cost of 300m, the much publicised media campus in Greystones was touted as a transformative project for Irelands creative economy, but has seen minimal progress since its announcement, Mr Atkins said. "Despite promises of 1,500 jobs post-opening and significant investment, the site remains stagnant. The government must seek immediate clarification from investors and ensure accountability for this project. If the media campus cannot proceed, alternative plans must be explored for this strategically significant site in the heart of Greystones. Meanwhile, the network singles out the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk, as a cherished attraction for locals and tourists, but one which remains under threat from neglect. "Recent efforts by local activists to clear the path underscore the absence of government action, Mr Atkins said. In October, Taoiseach Simon Harris announced the establishment of a taskforce to push for the reopening of the Cliff Walk, however the make-up of this taskforce has yet to be announced. This Cliff Walk highlights a broader issue the lack of a cohesive, government-led strategy to preserve vital local amenities. We call on elected representatives to prioritise sustainable investments in our regions natural assets, ensuring they remain accessible for future generations, he added. In May, we met with Minister Paschal Donohoe to address these and other concerns, including the need for equitable distribution of commercial rates and sustainable solutions for the coastal erosion threatening the Cliff Walk and train services. "Unfortunately, we have yet to receive substantive updates. This lack of engagement leaves local businesses feeling overlooked and undervalued. As the general election campaign gathers momentum, we urge all candidates to prioritise actionable solutions for these pressing issues. Addressing them is not just a matter of economic necessity but also of community well-being and future prosperity, he concluded. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are embroiled in a general election row in Tipperary over their promise to recruit extra gardai. Concerns have been raised that allocating some training to universities could eventually undermine the Garda College in Templemore. Both the main coalition parties have cited law and order as a major issue in their election campaigning. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has promised to recruit 5,000 extra gardai if the party is in government in the 34th Dail. Taoiseach Simon Harris committed to recruiting 6,000 additional gardai when launching his partys manifesto in Tipperary last weekend. However, both parties are open to newly recruited gardai receiving some of their training or academic qualifications away from Templemore. It has been argued that, to boost the attraction of a career in An Garda Siochana, recruits should be offered the chance to do some criminology training in universities. Personnel issues across the Garda Roads Policing Unit last summer prompted Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to direct that all members of the force undertake some traffic duties. However, neither Fianna Fail nor Fine Gael has advocated for a second garda training college to be established, merely for existing universities to increase their links with Templemore. Experts warned that establishing a second garda college could take years and would contribute little to resolving the existing personnel challenge. If numbers fall below a certain level in Templemore, it would become economically not viable to keep it open Thurles-based councillor Jim Ryan expressed alarm over the plans and the potential long-term implications for Templemore. I am extremely concerned over the future of the Garda Training College in Templemore, he told TippFM. If Fianna Fail are re-elected and form the next government, they will roll out garda training facilities and centres throughout Ireland. This obviously will have a major impact on the garda training college in Templemore. My concern would be that if numbers fall below a certain level in Templemore, it would become economically not viable to keep it open. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael officials rejected suggestions there was any implied threat to Templemore by the garda expansion. The Taoiseach said it was critical to increase garda numbers to reflect the policing demands of a rapidly growing population. The force currently has a staffing level of 17,818 officers, including sworn personnel, civilian staff and reserves. Tanaiste Mr Martin said law-and-order concerns, as well as economic and cost-of-living issues, have dominated the early days of the election campaign. One of the issues that is arising is a concern about crime and anti-social behaviour on our streets more generally, he said. One woman said [during a canvass in Cork] that she is not comfortable going into town or the city centre as she once was. Therefore, there is a need for substantially more gardai on the streets. The garda personnel crisis has been exacerbated by the departure of more than 500 experienced officers over the past four years. Longford-Westmeath hopeful Dympna Cunniffe wants residents to get a veto over asylum centres She said migrants would be wandering around looking for free wifiTanaiste Micheal Martin has distanced himself from her remarks Fianna Fail candidate Dympna Cunniffe says her TikTok posts are being taken out of context. Fianna Fail candidate Dympna Cunniffe said she wants to change the party from the inside. A Fianna Fail candidate who has been criticised for social media posts about immigration has claimed comments made on Tik Tok should not be considered political statements. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he disapproves of comments posted by an account owned by Longford-Westmeath hopeful Dympna Cunniffe. Her TikTok account posted a number of messages supportive of a local campaign to block an asylum seeker accommodation centre in Athlone. But she has now accused the media of mispresenting her. Among her comments was one asking: 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? In another conversation which included a post from an different user which suggested the site earmarked for accommodation should be bulldozed, Ms Cunniffes account replied: I dont support violence, but if people dont listen things will only escalate. A social media post from Fianna Fail candidate Dympna Cunniffe. Responding to reports in the Irish Independent about the comments, Ms Cunniffe said she fully supports and is excited by the Fianna Fail manifesto, adding it is moving in the right direction. Comments on Tik Tok are not stored chronologically. Context is not present. Furthermore there is a strict character limit, therefore these comments are not suitable for sourcing statements, she said. In particular she sought to explain a comment which talked about asylum seekers wandering about with their cracked screen Huaweis looking for free wifi. She said this was in response to a user who had suggested asylum seekers would spend their time in the town taking pictures of girls with their brand new iPhones. Fianna Fail candidate Dympna Cunniffe says her TikTok posts are being taken out of context. Ms Cunniffe said this was a false and hateful post which she was trying to counteract with her comment. More broadly, the Fianna Fail nominee believes communities should have the power to veto who is located in their area. One post said: Its not about race. It affects a school, creche and migrant families, while also saying the project would represent a 20m spend on what is akin to a low security prison next to a school and a creche. Her party leader, Micheal Martin publicly disavowed the posts on Wednesday, saying: I dont approve of those comments. The party confirmed it was speaking to the candidate on the matter. Mr Martin also referenced the High Court injunction that a group of local councillors are taking to stop the building of the centre. Fianna Fail candidate Dympna Cunniffe compared an asylum centre to a low security prison. I think what's happening in Athlone, I think a group of councillors now cross party are taking a court case to the High Court in respect of that. Its a manifestation of the broader pressures on communities in respect of the migration issue, Mr Martin said. 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. Fianna Fail candidate Dympna Cunniffe said she wants to change the party from the inside. Separately, a second party candidate, Sligo-Leitrims Edel McSharry, described the previous governments management of the migration crisis as reckless and irresponsible. In response, Mr Martin said his party was proposing a new government department that would deal with the migration issue. 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, he said. I think the Government has behaved responsibly, and this Government has done everything you possibly can, and the Government is moving towards a state accommodation approach. But even when you move to a state accommodation approach, you're still going to end up in difficulties, because some people complain about the utilisation of private facilities. Gabija Gataveckaite: Tracking down Mary Lou McDonald on the campaign trail, as Sinn Fein leader insists shes not running scared McDonald is an asset for the party, so why is she being kept under wraps? Mary Lou McDonald asked about the review of RTEs coverage of Gaza and which media could follow her on the campaign trail Gabija Gataveckaite Thu 21 Nov 2024 at 03:30 The question seemed to throw Mary Lou McDonald. It was the launch of Sinn Feins general election manifesto and the party leader was asked about her commitment to order a review of RTEs coverage of the Israeli war in Gaza. Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch' who is running for the Dublin Central constituency, campaigning in Dublin. Last spring, Mr Hutch was found not guilty by the non-jury Special Criminal Court of the murder of David Byrne, in one of the first deadly attacks of the Hutch-Kinahan gangland feud. Picture date: Thursday November 21, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story IRISH Election. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch is running for the Dublin Central constituency. Photo: PA Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch campaigning in a van in Dublin. Photo: PA Gerry The Monk Hutch showed little concern for his safety as he went out canvassing today. He stopped to talk to people and shook hands as he encouraged locals to vote him number 1. The gangland figure (61), who is running for the Dublin Central constituency, was seen driving through the streets of Dublin in his white election van, adorned with a massive campaign poster, as he blared Thin Lizzys The Boys are Back in Town. A speaker in the van announced in Hutchs voice: Get out and vote, peoples choice, vote number 1, Hutch number 1. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content He gave passersby a wide grin and a thumbs up as he cruised around the capital. The veteran criminal has stepped up the campaign in his constituency since he announced his general election bid last week. In an interview with the Sunday Independent at the weekend, the unlikely election candidate said that local TDs had done nothing for the area. On Monday, Hutch shared a photo of himself clinging to an electricity pole as he hung his election poster above one of constituency rival, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. Up we go. We are on top and staying on top. Great support and great feedback from the locals, he posted on social media. The Indo Daily: Downfall The phone tapping scandal and the undoing of Charles Haughey Hutch also shared a video from his canvassing trip, where he posed with Dubliners. Great to meet people in my constituency today and around Dublin, he wrote on social media. Great feedback as always from the lovely people of Dublin. Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch is running for the Dublin Central constituency. Photo: PA It comes as Ms McDonald was asked about Hutchs election bid by students while out canvassing at Dublin City University. She told students anyone can run for election, but she represented families that suffered because of gangland violence. It wasnt glamorous, its not cool, its not funny, she said. There were people, families and children left very, very traumatised still by that and that kind of activity in communities brings nothing but bad news and hardship, especially for young people. Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch campaigning in a van in Dublin. Photo: PA Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch on his election bid, cleaning up Dublin, that Spanish money laundering probe and comparisons to Donald Trump The Monk was acquitted last year of the gangland murder of Regency Hotel victim David Byrne in 2016. The Hutch gang have been involved in a feud with the Kinahan cartel for a number of years. The feud has claimed 18 lives. As well as Ms McDonald, Hutch faces a range of other challengers in Dublin Central, including Fine Gaels Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe and former Dublin MEP Clare Daly. Visit our Election 2024 hub for live updates, analysis, constituency profiles and interactive map I walk into Leinster House every day and I catch a breath Green TD Steven Matthews on future of climate action and his Wicklow seat In a candid interview, the former railway electrician tells Tom Galvin about his engineering past, Cliff Walk-funding present and re-election hopes for the future Wicklow Green Party TD Steven Matthews on Bray Head. Photo: Leigh Anderson. Tom Galvin Bray People Thu 21 Nov 2024 at 07:00 With less than two weeks to go before polling day, Wicklow Green TD Steven Matthews explains why the county has a key role to play in climate solutions in Ireland, and addresses some of the issues of concern for Wicklow residents, including transport, housing, the cost of living and the protection of our natural amenities all of which, he believes, can and should relate back to climate action. There has been much debate over election posters in recent years. They are viewed by some as part of our democratic process, one where any citizen over 18 can vote and run for elected office in a local authority, the European Parliament and Dail Eireann. Others clearly view these posters as unnecessary in this era of social media and nothing short of litter. Indeed, many communities no longer welcome them. A court in Hong Kong has this week handed down sentences ranging from four years to 10 years to activists, former legislators, councillors and academics who made up a group known as the Hong Kong 47. Their crime? Participation in an unofficial primary election that was held in July 2020, weeks after the National Security Law had been imposed by Beijing in response to months of pro-democracy protests. More than 600,000 people had participated in this unofficial vote. We should not be grateful for or consider ourselves lucky to live in a society where we have the sanctity of the ballot box, the secret ballot and an open and transparent vote-counting system. But look at the jurisdictions that do not have democracy. I think citizens in those jurisdictions would consider election posters a normal part of the cut and thrust of election campaigning. Larry Dunne, Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford Other world leaders must follow Pope Franciss call for genocide investigation In a just-published book of papal interviews by Hernan Reyes Alcaide, Hope Never Disappoints: Pilgrims Toward a Better World, Pope Francis has finally nailed his colours to the mast by suggesting Israels daily murderous attacks against civilians in Gaza might be termed genocide and has called for an international investigation. While cynics may write off such a call as inconsequential, the fact remains that as the leader of the largest religious group in the world, Pope Franciss genocide call will help to break the silence of the leaders of the international community as they either arm Israel or sit on the fence to avoid ruffling Israels bloody feathers. As ruler of the Vatican state, the Pope should take a further step and join South Africas petition to the International Court of Justice for Israels attack on the people of Gaza to be officially declared a genocide. Brendan Butler, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 We will all carry the heavy burden of guilt if we do not act to sanction Israel now Having just listened to Dr Nabeel Rana of MedGlobal talking to Cormac O hEadhra on RTEs Drivetime, I am astonished that any Irish politician can still oppose unilateral sanctions against Israel. The terms genocide and crimes against humanity do not begin to describe the horror happening in Gaza. By our failure to intervene, we are all complicit. The EU, the US and the UK have a heavy burden of guilt and shame to carry into the future. Art O Laoghaire, Bray, Co Wicklow When we see the threat of US election promises, our own dont seem bad at all Im perfectly OK with as many promises as those vying for election can come up with. And now as I stare, transfixed, across the Atlantic, observing the chilling preparations being made by the incoming Trump presidency to uphold its election promises, I will not be at all despondent if such promises are broken. Michael Gannon, Saint Thomass Square, Kilkenny EU needs to get ready to stand on its own feet as Trump presidency looms Europe must come to terms with the fact it has to defend itself. It cant shelter under the American umbrella any more. In terms of planning, one has to assume Donald Trump is serious about his distaste of Nato and his desire to get countries to pay for their own defence. This has implications for Ireland, and as a member of the EU it could even raise questions about Irish neutrality. The political ramifications of a lot of what Trump is going to do during his presidency will affect Europe, both militarily and economically. We are now going to have to fend for ourselves going forward. I am acutely aware that Europe has had a long history of muddling through crises, whereby the union eventually comes out the other end, often by the skin of its teeth. It could be argued that the wait-and-see and hope for the best approach must stop. We now have to start planning. We must have serious plans to pay for our own defence. We are also going to have to prepare for a trade war. European growth is going to be seriously challenged by Trumps economic policies. In the final analysis, I am not sure Europe is up to it. John OBrien, Clonmel, Tipperary Unifil has failed its time to recall Irish soldiers and recruit for our own navy In withdrawing its three senior officers from Unifil in Lebanon, Argentina is simply recognising reality (Ceasefire now within grasp, US envoy says, but some details still need work, Irish independent, November 20). Unifil has failed to safeguard peace in southern Lebanon, mainly because its would-be partner, the Lebanese Army, is so weak and divided. Sweden, Finland and Germany are just three of the European states boosting their defence capabilities because of the threat of a war with Russia. Its time Ireland took sensible precautions to protect our strategic resources, including our undersea gas pipelines and data cables. Given how depleted our defence forces are, its surely wise to immediately withdraw our 341 soldiers from Lebanon and boost recruitment for the Naval Service. Karl Martin, Bayside, Dublin 13 Mescal proves its not just poor hearing that triggers nod-and-smile deflection As a man of mature vintage, Im comforted to know its not just me who struggles to hear in a crowded room. Paul Mescal, in the prime of his youth, seems to have mastered the same art of nodding and smiling through the royal mumble (Im Irish, so its not on the list of priorities Mescal on meeting king at film premiere, Irish Independent, November 20). It seems some skills truly transcend age. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that she now felt never more prepared for possibly becoming Irelands first woman Taoiseach when the post-election horse-trading is completed, and the party was running to win. The leader of the Opposition in the 33rd Dail also maintained that all those earning up to 100,000 will be better off under a Sinn Fein-led Government. Heres how she did on style and substance with just over a week now to polling day: THE FG ADVERT The Fine Gael video claiming Sinn Fein would smash the piggybank and steal the contents is a barefaced lie, Ms McDonald said. It was also a cheek, given the bike shed, spending on phone pouches and the National Childrens Hospital, she added. Instead she promised to double national savings provision, and to maintain a surplus on the countrys account. She missed the opportunity to highlight Fine Gaels own five-year prolonged rake-off from private pension pots, from 2011 through 2015. CAPABILITY Ive had quite a time of it over the last year and a half, Mary Lou said, saying she had risen to personal challenges, such as her own and her husbands health, and as a result now felt never more prepared for the challenge posed by the election. While we (in Sinn Fein) havent been in Government in this part of Ireland, we have in the North, she said. She claimed SF credit for the peace process, and making Government work in Northern Ireland and achieving changes that were extraordinary. SCANDALS Asked about recent scandals which had rocked the party, Ms McDonald said she wouldnt know in the ordinary course if people wrote references for wrongdoers. Those who did acted way beyond their authority, she said, referring to convicted sex offender Michael McMonagle, a former Sinn Fein press officer who received references after being expelled from the party. When people asked how Michelle ONeill missed seeing him at an event when he was within touching distance, the fact is, she didnt. On the Senator Niall O Donnghaile affair, she said she regretted not being clear on the reason why he resigned from the Seanad. Told she had made a glowing statement wishing him the best of luck, Ms McDonald admitted the perpetrator had done grave wrong, but was in a mental crisis at the time. She said she had written to the victim, through his mother, offering a fulsome apology. INTERNAL CONTROLS I would say to you that on my watch, things are done by the book, she said. The rulebook was applied without fear or favour, and the consequences demonstrably happen, she said, without naming ousted TD Brian Stanley. She insisted: Nobody tells me what to do. I take my decisions, I take my counsel. She was collegial, but ultimately she was the leader of the party. Where there is a decision to be taken, I take it. She took her responsibility very seriously. I am at that stage of my life where I am quite opinionated, sometimes quite impatient, but she had wide experience, she said. THE ECONOMY For a country that is cash rich, we are services poor, she said. The Government was talking of available billions, but there were record homeless numbers 14,000 and people were struggling to get by. On the transatlantic threat from Donald Trump, she said whoever led the next Government needed to navigate very closely. During his last administration, multinational profits had gone up by 60pc, and Sinn Fein was not envisaging FDI companies leaving, she said. It may not be wise to talk up the threat, she said. Those earning up to 100,000 will be better off under SF proposals for the economy, she said. We have a fair and balanced taxation package. HOUSING Those parties that had created and deepened the housing crisis now had no credibility when they say they will fix it, she said. SFs plan would impose a rent freeze, restore the no-fault eviction ban, and invest for unprecedented homebuilding. The State has to do the heavy lifting on this. Ms McDonald said she found it hard to believe, but she had met with a number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the construction industry who had let people go. She didnt explain why. On Sinn Feins plan to make homes affordable by the State owning the land on which they are built, Ms McDonald insisted there was little doubt about related mortgages. Banks wanted to know their money was secured, and would want to have first lien on the land, she said. But a Sinn Fein Government could more than meet any bank concerns that would otherwise impede lending. First time buyer schemes would be phased out over five years, because they ultimately pushed up prices, but SF would abolish stamp duty for them. IMMIGRATION SF is the only party that has produced a plan, she said, adding that there was no such thing as open borders, nor should there be. But when it was pointed out there was an open border on this island, she said there was freedom of movement across the European Union. It seemed a contradiction on the face of it. Two-thirds of International Protection applications ultimately failed, and the process had to be speeded up. She repeated that asylum centres would be located in areas that were stretched. without choosing to arbitrarily pick places out of the sky that would receive them instead. Community consultation was not a veto, she said. We watch for social cohesion. Visit our Election 2024 hub for live updates, analysis, constituency profiles and interactive map DUBLIN RIOTS The rioting occurred in the heart of her constituency and she did not believe it was well managed on the day, or that the outgoing Minister for Justice Helen McEntee had acquitted herself well. I had been down in the vicinity...much earlier that afternoon, and we could feel that there was a real problem about to unfold. She was not blaming the Gardai, but the right interventions were not made. She said she hoped the rioters, with 99 persons of interest appearing on the Garda website this week, all face the consequences of their actions. THE PAST It is very important to remember the past, and to learn the lessons, she said. But we are in the here and now. Since 1998, a new generation had grown up and it was time to move on, she said, although she would respect everyones view, including those who would never vote for Sinn Fein. She pointed, however, to Michelle ONeills determination to be a leader for all. She hoped Dublins new relationship with London would be fruitful, she said. Colette Fitzpatrick asked about the looming Netflix drama about the IRA killing of Jean McConville, a mother of ten, in the early years of the Troubles. Ms McDonald said what her children had gone through was absolutely horrific and what had befallen them profoundly wrong. The family did not want the series made, she said, as I understand it. PITCH Ditching the green jacket she wore in the ten-way leaders debate on Monday night, she smiled at the viewer and promised to end the housing crisis and to ease the cost of living, taking the first 45,000 of income out of the Universal Social Charge (USC). She listed other promises, ending on maintaining the pension age. The only way to end 100 years of Fianna Fail/Fine Gael government was to vote Sinn Fein, she insisted. Visit our Election 2024 hub for live updates, analysis, constituency profiles and interactive map INTO forced to issue guidance on homelessness in primary schools as figures soarHousing Minister Darragh OBrien criticised over not publishing the latest figures before the electionOctobers figures are due at 2pm on polling dayA total of 4,419 children are now homeless in Ireland Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien (right), with Fianna Fail colleagues Mary Fitzpatrick and Jack Chambers on the election campaign trail on Sandymount Strand in Dublin. Photo: Cillian Sherlock/PA Primary teachers have been advised to support homeless children by waiving fees for school trips and discreetly providing upcycled uniforms, clean clothes, and toothbrushes. The practical suggestions for schools are listed in an updated guide by the Focus charity and a teachers union to help children and their families in emergency accommodation meet their basic needs. It was released as Housing Minister Darragh OBrien was criticised after saying he would not publish the latest emergency accommodation figures before the general election. Octobers figures are due at 2pm on polling day, Friday November 29. In an effort to alleviate the anxiety and stress for the pupils, I had a 'worry box in the classroom where children could confidentially write down their worries and I could then discreetly address these fears at a later stage, said a teacher quoted in the report. A total of 4,419 children are homeless, according to the guide, Homelessness in the Classroom, a resource for primary schools by Focus Ireland and the Irish National Teachers Organisation. The union said there had been a shocking 17pc rise in child homelessness in just one year and the increasing prevalence of homelessness was stretching school resources to their limits. It said it had been forced to issue guidance on homelessness in primary schools because figures were soaring. Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien (right), with Fianna Fail colleagues Mary Fitzpatrick and Jack Chambers on the election campaign trail on Sandymount Strand in Dublin. Photo: Cillian Sherlock/PA Today's News in 90 Seconds - November 21st In the guide, teachers are urged to make basic hygiene supplies available, provide a nap room or quiet corner with beanbags, and nutritious snacks, particularly if there are no breakfast clubs or school meals. It says teachers should provide extra opportunities for physical activity in the yard to help alleviate the impact of not having access to recreational facilities after school. Teachers are advised to follow the schools child protection policy if they have serious concerns about a students welfare. The guide says using storybooks to address homelessness in the classroom can be a powerful way to foster empathy, understanding, and open conversations among pupils. It also suggests that parents who are living in emergency accommodation, hubs or other temporary housing arrangements are given access to a phone or computer to help find accommodation. The report says the union has called for additional resources, ringfenced funding and guidance for teachers working with pupils experiencing homelessness. As this has not yet materialised, the INTO has worked with Focus Ireland to developed this practical guidance in an effort to better support teachers, it said. It said a particular concern is the lack of access to educational psychological assessment for children experiencing homelessness. Teachers see the devastating impact of homelessness on pupils every day, said INTO general secretary, John Boyle. He said no one should have to create a publication like this, because no child should ever be homeless. Mr Boyle said education should be a central issue in this general election. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein housing spokesman Eoin O Broin described Mr OBrien as the minister for homelessness and said it would be better if the figures were published on Thursday. Theres not a snowballs chance in hell that Darragh OBrien will publish those figures before polls open on Friday. Why? Because he knows the figures are going up and theyre going up because hes the Minister for Housing. Mr OBrien said publishing the figures on the Thursday before the election would be to change a process thats been in place for over four years. The system and the legal situation at the time was really to blame for Savita Halappanavar death, says inquiry chairman RTE documentary revisits tragedy and looks at how it changed Ireland Savita Halappanavar. Photo: Reuters Eavan Murray Thu 21 Nov 2024 at 03:30 A professor who chaired the HSE inquiry into the death of Savita Halappanavar has insisted the system and the legal situation at that time were to blame for her death. Two in five Irish men hold "traditionalist views" of manhood, new research shows. Photo: Getty Two in five Irish men hold "traditionalist views" of manhood, new research shows. Conducted by Women's Aid in partnership with Core, the new report into attitudes, influence and wellbeing among 1,000 Irish men has been launched today. It comes as the national and feminist organisation, founded in 1974, marks 50 years of frontline support and advancements for victims of domestic abuse. Of these "traditionalist" men, 70pc believe that women's issues are exaggerated. More than half of the group who expressed traditionalist views - 52pc - agreed or were unsure of statements such as "men who don't dominate in relationships aren't real men", 54pc agreed or were unsure of the statement that "a man's worth is measured by power and control over others" while 46pc said that "real men shouldn't have to care about women's opinions or feelings". Meanwhile, 67pc of this group are more likely to be younger, particularly those in their 20s, who show the highest adherence to traditional masculine roles compared to older age. Two in five Irish men hold "traditionalist views" of manhood, new research shows. Photo: Getty Today's News in 90 Seconds - November 21st This trend might suggest that younger men may be more influenced by contemporary online figures who promote traditional masculinity. However, the report also found 61pc of men in Ireland have low levels of agreement with more traditional views of manhood. Women's Aid said this research shows young men moving to the right in attitudes towards women and manhood, with violence and abuse being a "fact of life for too many women. The charity estimates it has responded to at least 600,000 contacts from women across generations and reports that demands for specialist domestic violence support services are increasing. Chair of Women's Aid, Sarah Benson, said the anniversary is "an opportune moment in time to reflect on where Ireland is at in the continuing work to combat male violence against women and to achieve gender equality". "We have made much progress but there is so much more to do. Gender-based violence remains a scourge on Irish society and limits the potential of all women and girls affected," she said. One in three women suffered psychological abuse in Ireland while one in four women have experienced sexual violence from a partner, Ms Benson added. "We live in a world where womens and girls rights and opportunities are under attack. We have online environments that are telling women and girls that their worth is vested in how thin they are, how beautiful and how ready for the sex depicted in pornography. "At the same time, there is a different gendered experience influencing so many young men and boys online and we are struggling to get in front of messages of masculine alienation and algorithms that draw them down rabbit holes into deeply misogynistic spaces. With the general election next Friday, the charity is concerned that domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is not being prioritised in political party manifestos. It is concerning that, despite remaining so pervasive, damaging and costly to women, families and communities across Ireland, domestic abuse is not being given due prioritisation in many party manifestos. While most of the manifestos mention domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to some extent, none set it out as a main priority, Ms Benson added. "It is a public health, crime, housing, education and economic issue. We are calling for all parties to publicly commit to the continuation and full resourcing of the national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. "It must be a priority in the next programme for government. The choice runs from deceptively light and sessionable black lagers to dark cherry sours and syrupy imperial stouts made for sipping, writes our wine expert What springs to mind if I say dark Irish beer? If youre from Cork, itll be one of two local loves (team Murphys for a sweeter stout, team Beamish for bitter notes). If youre from almost anywhere else, it could be a global brand that needs no naming, but whose dark malt aromas waft out over Dublin city from its Jamess Gate hub like an invisible cloak of smells-like-home comfort. For fans of dark beers, however, the choice is far more varied than you might credit, and worth exploration. It runs from deceptively light and sessionable black lagers to dark cherry sours to syrupy barrel-aged imperial stouts made for sipping. Imperial stout was brewed historically to withstand travelling to Russias 19th-century Imperial Court. Its high alcohol (up to 12pc ABV) acted as a preservative, as did a generous hand with the hops. The style has made a comeback this century, with American brewers getting creative, often pushing the alcohol or hop levels even further, or layering the flavour intensity by barrel-ageing (BA) or with added ingredients like chocolate. Black lagers dial down on fruity complexity and hone in on the crisp, hoppy bitterness that make lagers so refreshing Black lagers dial down on fruity complexity and hone in on the crisp, hoppy bitterness that make lagers so refreshing. Lagers are brewed slowly with a special yeast evolved from a Patagonian strain that can withstand colder fermentation temperatures. These conditions rein in those fruity esters that characterise ale-style beers (including stouts). The OG black lager is German schwarzbier (black beer) but it is popular Stateside too, as is black IPA. Todays beer of the week is Galway Bay Brewerys much-anticipated Two Hundred Fathoms Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. Released for its 10th anniversary, its actually the beers eighth edition as the last two were given extended ageing of 18 months in Teeling Whiskey barrels. As Irelands highest rated beer on UnTappd (the global go-to app for rating craft beers) it has a big fanbase throughout 13 export markets and so stocks are limited. If you miss it at your local craft beer retailer, it will be poured on draught on November 28 at Salthouse (Galway), Mother Macs (Limerick), Bierhaus (Cork), Tapped and Black Sheep (both Dublin), Northern Lights and Boundary Brewing Taproom (both Belfast). Other black beers worth a spin include Kinnegars intriguing cola-sour Dark Cherry Sour (5.4pc); and Wicklow Wolfs Bread Forty Wolf, a singular Cinnamon Swirl Pastry Stout (6pc) in collaboration with Bread 41 bakery to celebrate their shared B Corp-certified status, the latest achievement in the brewerys impressive sustainability record. Beers of the week Galway Bay Brewery Two Hundred Fathoms 2024 Galway Bay Brewery Two Hundred Fathoms 2024, 11.2pc, 12.99 (500ml) An imperial stout barrel-aged in Teeling Whiskey barrels for 18-plus months, this manages both delicacy and intensity with very fine carbonation and lacey texture counterbalancing big black liquorice notes, dark fruity richness (dried cherry, prunes, figs) and spicy whiskey aromas; it drinks syrupy with dark caramel flavours yet with a piquancy like black liquorice in sherbet. Think grown-up espresso martini, serve lightly chilled and pair with dried biltong meat, dark chocolate or salty cheeses. Selected independents (limited stock) Wicklow Wolf Call of Juicy: Black Hops Black IPA Wicklow Wolf Call of Juicy: Black Hops Black IPA, 6.5pc, 4 (440ml) Endangered Species series No50, this moreish coffee-brown beer drinks like a very smooth, creamy IPA with oats and wheat building body on the barley base, plenty of juicy hops (peach, passionfruit, mandarin plus fresh cut grass) and just a hint of roasted speciality malts. Selected independents, thecru.ie, craftcentral.ie Kinnegar Black Rabbit Black Lager Kinnegar Black Rabbit Black Lager, 4.5pc, 3.30 (440ml) Fermented as a lager with yeasty aromas to prove it, yet with stouts bitter malts and cocoa sweetness; full-bodied and soft textured with fine, almost creamy carbonation, yet with lagers crisp, clean hoppy finish. Unmissable for open-minded stout fans. Selected independents, thecru.ie, craftcentral.ie, kinnegarbrewing.ie Ogham 2024 Lough Gill Ogham, 14.8pc, 6.65 (330ml) This Double Chocolate Imperial Barrel Aged Stout with Cholaca & Cocoa Nibs (chocolate as liquid and solids) balances spicy heat and syrupy texture with warm whiskey notes from Boann Distillery barrels. Think Irish coffee meets chocolate-stout milk shake. PX sherry fans might like to try Lough Gill Tara instead. Selected independents, craftcentral.ie, loughgillbrewery.com Wicklow Wolf Apex Oatmeal Stout Wicklow Wolf Apex Oatmeal Stout, 6.5pc, 3-3.60 (440ml) This full-bodied, robust oatmeal stout has half the IBU (hoppy bitterness) of Guinness, and goes heavy on the specialty malts to layered and lovely effect, running from mocha malt to dark chocolate to freshly roast coffee to Brazil-nut shell finish. Or try the Four Bean Apex for a ramped up, BA version. Supervalu, OBriens, selected independents, wicklowwolf.com The young pilots who can fly before they can legally drive: When youre in control of the aircraft, you just zone in and everything feels right Irelands skies are open to young fliers, who can begin learning to pilot at age 10 and fly solo from 16. Though expensive and demanding, for most its a passion that will later become a career Dublin teenager Muireann Bagley (16) did her first solo flight last June Chrissie Russell Thu 21 Nov 2024 at 03:30 With only herself for company, Muireann Bagley enjoyed blasting out a few Katy Perry songs as she made the return journey from Sligo to Co Meath last September. But it was just her voice, no radio for music as the airwaves needed to be kept clear for listening to air traffic control. Cocktails at check-in and Corks first aparthotel inside the Rebel City's Moxy and Residence Inn Irelands first Residence Inn has opened in a dual-branded development with the Moxy Inside Cork's Residence Inn, the Rebel City's first aparthotel Pol O Conghaile Thu 21 Nov 2024 at 03:30 A new aparthotel is the first of its kind in Cork, offering 53 studios for extended stays in the former Camden Palace building overlooking the River Lee. Russian president Vladimir Putin has again issued the threat that Russia might use nuclear weapons. Photo: AP Even well-intentioned attempts to hurry history tend to end messily. Anticipating the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House is likely to result in a sweeping of the pieces of the global diplomatic chessboard. Indeed, a chain reaction has already been set off, which has caused events in Ukraine to move at a dangerously frenetic pace. Moscow is aggressively and recklessly seeking to gain the upper hand, knowing the stronger it is when it gets to the negotiating stages, the greater chance there may be to hold what it has. Similarly, Kyiv cannot look vulnerable and must bolster its defence it took immediate advantage of US president Joe Bidens green light to use long-range missiles for the first time on Russia. It was no coincidence that it chose the 1,000th day of the conflict since Russias invasion to do so. The hundreds of thousands of dead since the war started are a harrowing reminder of how, although any idiot can start a war, ending it is always the hard part. Russian president Vladimir Putin has reacted with his customary volatility. He has passed a law that allows a nuclear response if Russia is attacked by Western long-range missiles. Under the new hair-trigger code, he can now fire nuclear weapons at enemy states even if they only strike with conventional missiles. His foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow would now proceed from the understanding that the missiles were operated by American military experts. We will be taking this as a renewed face of the Western war against Russia and we will react accordingly, he warned. Sources in Washington suggest Mr Biden granted the limited use of the missiles chiefly to help Ukraine in its operation in the Kursk region. Russia has amassed a force of 50,000 soldiers there including 10,000 North Koreans ahead of an expected operation to try to expel the Ukrainians. It could be the turning point in the war. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky recently said his country must do everything so that this war ends next year, ends through diplomatic means. And yesterday, marking 1,000 days of war, he added: 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. Responding to Putins chilling rhetoric, Josep Borrell, the EUs top diplomat, said: It is not the first time that they threatened with nuclear escalation, which is completely irresponsible. Russia has subscribed to the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won, and so it must never be fought. We should be under no illusion that these are sinister threats. Yet Putin must not be rewarded for unleashing the hell of war on his neighbour. Signs of weakness will merely direct his imperialist autocratic ambitions elsewhere. A little over a week to go before the country heads to the polls and it appears to be still too close to call. So far this week weve witnessed a spectacularly beige leader's debate. Fianna Fail found themselves facing a backlash from some of its own candidates over their approach to immigration. And Fine Gael is battling bad press on a number of fronts. In todays episode of Election Extra, well be looking at some of the big stories from the past few days. We will be on the campaign trail with former MEP Clare Daly, who is on the hunt for a seat in the hotly contested Dublin Central constituency. And if youre still unclear as to who to vote for next week, then you need the Irish Independents VoteSmart survey to find out which parties and politicians align with your own personal views. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern took the test and his results will definitely surprise you! Try the VoteSmart survey here. Kevin Doyle is joined on Election Extra by political editor Philip Ryan, special correspondent Ellen Coyne, Independent candidate Clare Daly, Professor David Farrell, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Finian McGrath. The Banteer Ploughing Match reached a significant occasion last Sunday on reaching its 60th Anniversary, the milestone represented six decades of hard work, dedication, and positive impact by the members and volunteers. Participants showcased their ability to plough a plot with precision and efficiency, for the best part, the weather was favourable early on before rain descended on the proceedings. Not for the first time, the organisers came up with an excellent site, the fertility of the land owned by Conor Healy near Kanturk by kind permission met with an overwhelming nod of approval. We were thrilled by the numbers, participating, drawn from all over Munster assembled in another outstanding staging. All remarked on a perfect sod, thanks are extended to the Healy family for their support for the kind permission of the venue, said Banteer Secretary Joe Twomey. The current club dates back to 1964, the club named the North Cork Ploughing Association as it had been called in the early 1900s. At that time, Banteer hosted the only match in North Cork, all the remaining clubs were in West Cork, subsequently new clubs such as Macroom, Kilbrin and Twopothouse were established thus Banteer became an identity, said Joe. Great names are associated with Banteer Ploughing none more so than the great Thady Kelleher. The late Thady held up to 40 county titles to his credit in addition to four All Ireland accolades and a wonderful career climaxed on two world titles in the senior horse class. At a prize giving, plaudits were extended to the participants and sponsors for ensuring the hosting remains highly popular. The prizewinners were: Senior: (1) Maurice Walsh, (2) Michael John Dillane, (3) Joe Twomey/Michael Lenihan; Farmerette: (1) Orla Hayes; Three Furrow Conventional: (1) Matthew Coakley, (2) Jim Barrett, (3) Pat O Riordan; 3/4 Furrow Standard Rev: (1) Patrick Buckley, (2) Willie Lyons; Vintage Two Furrow: (1) Tom Beasusang, (2) Phelim Cotter, (3) Denis Cummins; Vintage Trailer: (1) Aeneas Horan; Classic: (1) Damien Ahern; Horse: (1) Jeremiah Delaney. A MIDDLE-aged man had a suspended sentence for hijacking a jeep and attempting to drive it at an aircraft full of passengers at Cork Airport reactivated after a judge was told he kicked one Garda and then bit another. Edmond Stapleton (51) was jailed for an additional three years after Cork Circuit Criminal Court found that he had failed to keep the peace and be of good behaviour in compliance with the terms of the suspended portion of his prison sentence. On May 22 2011, Stapleton attacked a Traffic Corps Garda in Cork city centre and held a knife to his throat before threatening to kill him and then hijacking his Toyota Landcruiser after ordering the officer out of the vehicle. Stapleton, who at the time lived at Kilbarry Cottages, Dublin Hill, Cork, then drove erratically and at high speeds down a number of pedestrianised streets before eventually crashing through the perimeter fence at Cork Airport. He was finally subdued and arrested by armed Regional Support Unit officers. However, he was only subdued after he had driven around the apron of Cork Airport for a number of minutes. At one point, he attempted to ram both Garda and Cork Airport security vehicles - and he missed a plane carrying holidaymakers by just a matter of inches. In 2012 he was jailed for twelve years with the final five years suspended after he was found guilty of 12 offences including threatening to kill a garda and driving at speed around Cork airport in a stolen airport vehicle. Stapleton, who is now resident at Garranlease, Kilfinane, Co Limerick, had his case re-entered before Cork Circuit Criminal Court after it was stated that he had kicked one garda and attempted to bite another in an incident last year. One condition of the suspension of five years of the 12 year prison term was that he be of good behaviour, remain free of drugs and alcohol and continue under the supervision of the Probation and Welfare Service (PWS). His case was reentered following an application from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after Stapleton attacked the two Gardai in Limerick. It was argued this represented a clear breach in the terms of his bail. Det Sgt Chris Cahill told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that members of the Armed Support Unit from Cork went to Stapletons address in Limerick on June 16, 2023 to carry out a search of the property. The search was to be undertaken as part of a probe into an attack in Wilton in Cork the previous month. Gardai identified themselves to Stapleton when they called to his home. However, he then tried to jump out a window. Det Sgt Cahill said Gardai tried to restrain him but he attacked one garda by kicking him and knocking him backwards before he bit a second officer on the arm. The Garda who was kicked backwards suffered an injury to his arm. He was subsequently charged with two counts of assault causing harm. Earlier this month he was jailed for three years at a sitting of Limerick Circuit Criminal Court in relation to the incident. Cork City State Solicitor Frank Nyhan told Judge Dermot Sheehan that the State was seeking to have the initial matter re-entered on foot of Stapletons recent convictions. Defence counsel Elaine Audley BL said her client was extremely remorseful for his behaviour. The court was told it was agreed by all parties that the defendant had suffered from mental health difficulties. Judge Sheehan opted to jail Mr Stapleton for three years with the term to run consecutive to the three year sentence he received in Limerick Circuit Criminal court earlier this month. The two sentences will effectively be served one after the other, meaning Stapleton faces a further six years in prison. Ms Ryan revealed that during the course of her political campaign she has met many carers who are struggling financially. I have met many carers on the campaign trail. Many are struggling financially and are receiving payments way below the established minimum essential standard of living, whilst doing incredibly challenging work. The Sinn Fein candidate for Cork North West continued: Lack of respite hours, therapy services and failure to deliver basic educational needs are just some of the issues facing carers and people with disabilities. Carers and their families deserve respect and to be listened to.' 'With almost 4,500 carers across Cork North West, all who play a fundamental role in our society. It is deplorable that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail representatives across Cork North West have failed to value the work of carers for the decades they have shared and swapped power, she added. 'Budget 25 was the optimum opportunity for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to prove they value the work of carers, said Ms Ryan. Instead, despite carers being at a much higher risk of poverty, carers were forced to wait until July 2025 before they see any benefit of proposed budget changes. To add salt to wounds, both parties have now claimed that they wish to abolish means testing for carers allowance, if both returned to power. Just weeks after they chose to put carers to the bottom of their list of priorities. Ms Ryan urged voters to remember that Fianna Fail have propped up Fine Gael in government. After 14 years in Government which has been littered with broken promises there can be no trust in what Fine Gael claim they will do, if re-elected. Voters should remember that Fianna Fail have propped up Fine Gael for nine of those years in various guises. Carers must be respected and valued, said Ms Ryan. The current means test excludes thousands of carers and results in many receiving reduced and inadequate payments. Under a Sinn Fein led government we will commit to ensuring carers are finally recognised for the vital role they do in supporting their loved ones. Sinn Fein will bring an end to the means test for carers. This will be a priority for Sinn Fein in government. Carers and their families deserve a government that respects them and a representative in Cork North West that will fight for them and not just during election time, she added. Four people have been injured and hospitalised following an apartment fire in south Dublin this morning. Dublin Fire Brigade confirmed five fire engines and a turntable ladder attended the scene of the blaze at the Tullyvale apartment complex in Loughlinstown, Dublin 18. Firefighters in breathing apparatus are working to assist an evacuation and extinguish the fire, a spokesperson for DFB said. Four ambulances were also sent to the scene. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content It was reported that the fire was confined to one apartment and that the four people hospitalised were in that apartment at the time the fire started. A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said that local gardai assisted the Dublin Fire Brigade with traffic management at the scene of the incident. Meanwhile, there was a separate apartment fire at around 1pm today which was fought by firefighters from Tallaght, Dolphins Barn and Rathfarnham. There have been no injuries reported in relation to the second fire which took place in Belgard Square North, Tallaght. The reassessment was expected to begin in September 2024 Plans for the construction of a new ring road in Galway city have been subject to debate, controversy and objections for years. Photo: Getty Images Councillors in Galway City expressed their frustration after learning that An Bord Pleanala will not commence the reassessment of the N6 Galway Ring Road project until next year. The work was expected to begin in September 2024, but during a Galway City Council meeting earlier this week, it was revealed that a delay in providing the updated documentation to An Bord Pleanala pushed the timeline forward. Fianna Fail general election candidate Cllr John Connolly, who raised the issue at the meeting, told the Irish Independent: We had understood An Bord Pleanala would recommence their assessment in September 2024 but unfortunately that hasnt started yet. Thats deeply frustrating. The council had time to prepare that information for An Bord Pleanala. We understand at the moment that that information is being translated into Irish, which is necessary, and then that the reassessment will start once thats completed. An Bord Pleanala is now expected to begin reassessing the project in early 2025, but it is not known how long it will take for it to be completed. Cllr Connolly added: Its impossible to tell at this point how long the assessment will take. While were talking here, debating the technically behind this, people are frustrated, sitting in traffic. We need these solutions urgently. We need the bus network urgently and we need the bypass urgently. Cllr Declan McDonnell echoed his word, and called for unity in supporting the project. He said: The outer bypass is 20pc of the solution, its not the total solution, but its part of it. If we dont get it into the future, businesses will be lost, industrials will be lost. Follow Independent Galway on Facebook The city is going to expand by 40,000 people up to 120,000 in 2040. Thats the statistic of the growth of the city. Our infrastructure is not suitable, its not up to that standard, its a medieval city. The outer bypass is a crucial part of the solution. Plans for the construction of a new ring road have been subject to debate, controversy and objections for years. The project needs to be reviewed by An Bord Pleanala after its first approval was axed in 2021. Three years ago a High Court challenge saw that decision ultimately quashed because the Government's newer Climate Action Plan wasnt taken into account by the planning body. Gardai are focusing on Kerry as their main area of investigation Patsy O'Sullivan pictured here has been missing for 32 years and his last known whereabouts is Kerry. Patsy O'Sullivan pictured here has been missing for 32 years and his last known whereabouts is Kerry. Gardai are seeking assistance from the public in tracing the whereabouts of Cork man, Patrick Patsy OSullivan who has been missing for 32 years and who was last seen in Kerry. Patsy is originally from Lombardstown in Mallow but at the time of his disappearance had been living in Kerry and working in the hospitality industry in Killarney and Waterville. This is where the last sightings of Patsy were and Gardai say there focus is now on this area again as a new plea for help from the public has been issued. This week Patsy's brothers Jerry and Eugene appeared on RTEs Crimecall to seek the public's help in tracing their missing brother. It has been more than 32 years but they have never given up hope. Not hearing from him for that amount of time, its just heart-breaking, said his brother Jerry. Weve got no closure and thats the toughest part, said Eugene. Speaking about their brother they said he had a heart of gold decent and was distinctive in every way Eugene said he loved dancing and lived life to the full. Patsy was 35 at the time he went missing and was working in kitchens cooking which he loved. He had been due to come home for a nephew's Christening but didnt turn up. However, he apologised and said he would be home another weekend but he never came home again. This was in April 1992 and the family never saw him again. "If something had happened and he left we might understand but that was not the case. He just stopped, said Jerry. Jerry then began searching for him all over the country including Cork and Kerry. "Months passed and then the years passed.. Efforts to find him led no-where. They said it has occurred to them that something may have happened to him. "I hope I am wrong but I am going to keep doing this until I physically can't, said Jerry. "We just want to know he is okay and if he is okay, we are okay with that. Since 2015, Garda PJ Roche has been working on Patsys missing person case and he said the family want to know what happened him. He said for the family time stopped' when Patsy went missing. Patsy O'Sullivan pictured here has been missing for 32 years and his last known whereabouts is Kerry. DNA was taken from his siblings but did not appear on any database. A Europol file has also been created so if he comes to any garda attention outside of Ireland gardai in Ireland will be notified. Patsys case was revisited on RTEs CrimeCall and it is hoped that some-one may have information particularly people in Kerry. Pasty is described as approximately 510 in height, of slim build with fair brown hair and green eyes. "It has been 32 years since Patsy went missing. We are hoping that anyone that might have known or worked with Pasty at the time that might have an information might help with this investigation, said Garda Roche. He said they are focusing on Kerry and Mallow. The last know sighting is his Mallow when he came to visit in April 1992 but someone in Killarney or Waterville or in Kerry might have information that could help too. Anyone with information that might be of assistance is asked to contact on Patsys whereabouts is asked to contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or Killarney Garda Station on 064-6631222. From her sun-soaked garden in Tenerife, former Dundalk resident Edwina McNamee creates distinctively Irish Christmas cards and colouring books, proving that distance only makes the heart grow fonder of festive memories from home Working from the garden of her Tenerife home, it's safe to say that the only snow that Dundalk artist Edwina McNamee will see is the snowballs adorning her range of Christmas cards. But that doesn't stop the Dundalk native from dreaming of a white Christmas or at least drawing on the Christmas traditions that she enjoyed as a child for inspiration for fun cards. There are snowmen and sheep, Mr Tayto and Guinness-drinking gingerbread men, all ready to spread some festive cheer. "I've always loved art, but it wasn't until I did a PLC course in O'Fiaich College of Further Education that I started taking it more seriously," says Edwina, who grew up in Muirhevnamor and went back to study as a mature student. "The course really helped me develop my skills and gave me the confidence to explore art as a career," she says. "My husband and I left Ireland in 2012 for work in FranceI worked in bars and restaurants, while he was a chef." The couple have been living abroad for twelve years now, enjoying the lifestyle and Mediterranean climate. Christmas card by Edwina McNamee When Peader, whom she met while working in a pub in Ardee, started working on superyachts in the Mediterranean, they stayed in France. "After spending a winter in Gran Canaria and loving the sunshine, we decided to move to Tenerife. Since my husband is often away on the yachts, I had time to get back into drawing. It was perfect timing, as colouring books became really popular during COVID." Dundalk artist Edwina McNamee She now works as a full-time illustrator, creating humorous colouring books for both children and adults and cards. "The colouring books went really well for a while, especially during COVID," she says. "I did quite well with the quirky colouring books and one of them was a bestseller on Amazon for several months." However, the advent of AI meant that the colouring book market became too saturated, so Edwina decided to use her humour to make cards instead. Christmas card by Edwina McNamee All her designs are hand-drawn, which makes them stand out. "I usually sketch my drawings then go over them with my iPad and Apple Pencil," she explains. Edwina's range of fun Christmas cards are available on Redbubble and Etsy, and her books can be ordered on Etsy and Amazon. Courts You gave me a lifetime of horrendous memories Woman suffered systematic abuse by her brother as man is jailed for historical crimes A man in his 50s who has settled away from Wexford returned home to receive a five-year jail sentence for sexual abuse of his younger sister. Cian Martin from Selskar College will represent the Wexford Lions Club at the All-Ireland District final in January after being selected by a panel of judges at the county young ambassador finals. The interviews for the competition took place last week and saw eight students from Wexford CBS and Selskar College compete for the honour of going to the All-Ireland finals. Judges for the event included Pat Caulfield, Eilish Ryan, and Dara Lynott, and they said they were greatly impressed by the enthusiasm of each student. The Wexford Lions wished to extend its heartfelt congratulations to Cian and the teachers involved, particularly Mairead Foley and Selskar principal Michael Weafer. Project lead and mentor Lion Thomas McLoughlin said, "The standard was exceptionally high, featuring a total of eight students from CBS and Selskar College. All candidates emerged as winners on the day." Chris is a retired teacher and was the winner of the Chiefs Prize for History for an essay on the OByrnes of Wicklow in 2013, and he has written a book about Michael Dwyer (2003) and The Little Book of Wicklow (2014), which was reprinted in 2022. Chris has now written the first study of the enigmatic signatory Robert Barton, which focuses on his role during the Irish Revolution, charting his political journey from a staunchly Unionist background, through Home Rule to Republicanism and his later anti-treaty stance. Using multiple sources, including extensive archival material, this book traces the life, times and legacy of a truly remarkable revolutionary. While Barton was a signatory of the Anglo-Irish treaty, he subsequently took the anti-treaty side in the Civil War. The new book is entitled Robert Barton: a Remarkable Revolutionary and will go on sale online and in local bookshops from the first week of December. The Barton family of Glendalough House, Annamoe, County Wicklow were pillars of the local Church of Ireland community. They were related to the Bartons of Straffan House, now part of the K Club. Their Unionist credentials were underlined when Roberts father, Charles, fell out with his famous neighbour, Charles Stewart Parnell, over the question of Home Rule for Ireland. Bartons educational journey was paralleled by a political one, in which he was converted to the idea of Home Rule. While he was at Oxford, he espoused the cause of the Home Rule (Irish Parliamentary) Party. One of Roberts classmates later remembered that Barton first set me thinking of the English treatment of the Irish and aroused in me a sense of disgust at our barbaric tyranny and of sympathy with the movement to free Ireland from English rule. Barton fully supported the Nationalist cause during the Home Rule Crisis of 1912-14, but World War I intervened and Home Rule was put on hold. Although he was a confidante of de Valera, Barton accepted the terms on offer in 1921. He voted for the document in both the Cabinet and the Dail, recommending the treaty to the House in his Treaty Debate speech. Subsequently, however, he took the anti-treaty side in the Civil War. Although he was central to the birth of the nation, Barton has remained understudied and neglected. Robert Barton: a Remarkable Revolutionary is published by The History Press. It costs 20. Top global inbound tour operators at Beyond the Trees Avondale, with Ann Kilcoyne, Beyond the Trees Avondale (middle row, fourth left); and Marlene Burke, Failte Ireland (middle row, left). The global inbound tour operators at Ballyknocken Cookery School, House and Farm, with chef Catherine Fulvio (front row, left); Marlene Burke, Failte Ireland (back row, left); and Emily Wheeler, Tourism Ireland (back row, right). FIFTEEN top international inbound tour operators were exploring Ireland and Wicklow last week, as guests of Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland. They were visiting Ireland to take part in a B2B workshop in Kilkenny connecting with around 36 tourism companies from across Ireland, to negotiate for their programmes for 2025 and beyond. The tour operators, who are mainly based in London and deliver business from all over the world, including from the United States, Mainland Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa, are also taking part in a fact-finding visit, to experience for themselves the standard and variety of our tourism offering. Their action-packed itinerary included scone making and sheep herding at Ballyknocken Cookery School, House and Farm, as well as a visit to Beyond the Trees Avondale. Global inbound tour operators based in Britain typically bring around 500,000 visitors to Ireland from around the world each year. Aisling McDermott, Tourism Irelands head of global partnerships, said: Tourism Ireland is delighted to welcome these leading global inbound tour operators to Irelands Ancient East, to see and experience some of our many visitor attractions. Our aim is to inspire them to extend the Ireland content of their existing programmes and itineraries, or to include Ireland for the first time in their programmes. East Glendalough School in Wicklow town will host a major climate change conference titled Our Climate, Our Future which is being organised by a group of transition year students. Invitations have been extended to neighbouring schools, community groups, political representatives and policy makers at regional and national level. The conference is supported by both Codling Wind Park and Wicklow County Council and takes place on Tuesday, November 26, from 10am to 1pm. A total of over 400 people are expected to attend. School Principal Craig Petrie said East Glendalough is delighted to host the 2024 Youth Climate Conference. Living sustainably is something which we all need to educate ourselves about, and which the current generation of students have an enormous stake in. It's incredibly important for us as a school community that we look both at the changes we all must make - quickly - and at the opportunities we have in front of us to push on with this. "These opportunities are both inside school and in all of our lives beyond the classroom. We know that we mustn't give in to denial of climate change, despair at the scale of the challenge or apathy towards the world we live in, and in that spirit, we are thrilled to welcome delegates to our School. Scott Sutherland, project director of Codling Wind Park, said it is a real pleasure to work with the students and staff of East Glendalough School to deliver the second year of Our Climate, Our Future. He said: We are very aware that it is the young people who face the most uncertain future in the fight against climate change. Codling Wind Park is really proud to be in a position to provide a platform to inform, empower and amplify the voices of young people in our community. "This partnership with East Glendalough School and Wicklow County Council has provided our team with more determination to deliver the Codling Wind Park project for the future of Ireland and its next generations. The main objective of the conference is to provide a platform for the voices of young people in Wicklow on the climate crisis and to enable and encourage all attendees to become lifelong advocates for a better and sustainable future. The conference will include panel discussions with young people as well as presentations from key speakers including, Irish Freediving World Champion and climate activist Nina McGowen, Victory Luke, a Youth Sustainability Ambassador, David Lawlor from Green Ocean Coffee and Mr Sutherland. Radio and TV presenter Ruth Scott who will co-present the conference alongside three students while Cllr Paul OBrien, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council will give the opening address. Ahead of the conference youth committee member Sarah Harmon said it was vital to spread the message about climate change because every action counts when the future depends on it. Daniel Delahunt said he joined the committee because I care about my future and the future of other generations to follow. Mia Ryan said conferences like this one were important because we need to raise awareness and motivate young people to fix climate change before it's too late. And committee member Tom Cox said, I want my children to experience the same opportunities on this planet as I did. From hair to makeup, lip masks and perfume, our beauty expert has some gift ideas so covetable youd be tempted to buy them for yourself For a while there, beauty sets as Christmas gifts were getting a bad rap. Written off as thoughtless and impersonal, many seemed to think there was nothing worse than opening a box of smellies on Christmas morning. Certainly, any gift that appears to have been picked up at the last minute or without thought is less than ideal, but the reality is that beauty sets have come a long way. These days, almost every beauty brand has a large spectrum of gift sets available at this time of year, many of them so covetable youd be tempted to buy them for yourself. With that in mind, here are some of this years best beauty gift sets, whether youre buying for yourself or someone else. Living Proof Reveal Clean Hair Dry Shampoo Gift Set 1. Living Proof Reveal Clean Hair Dry Shampoo Gift Set (44.80 via millies.ie) This time of year can be a great opportunity to stock up on products you already know and love, for a discounted price. Living Proofs Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo is one of the best on the market, in my opinion, and this gift set includes two full-size products. Individually, these cost around 30, so youre making major savings with this gift set. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa Perfume Mist Set 2. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa Perfume Mist Set (33 via spacenk.com) There is no brand more loved by young women than Sol de Janeiro, and this gift set is the perfect way to win brownie points with your niece/goddaughter/young person of your choice. Worth 44, this set includes four different scents from the brands range of cheerful fragrances. Laneige Midnight Minis 3. Laneige Midnight Minis (21 via boots.ie) Korean brand Laneiges Lip Sleeping Mask is a cult favourite thanks to its richly hydrating formula. This set includes five miniature versions of the product in a range of flavours from the classic Berry to two new flavours, Peach Iced Tea and Watermelon Pop. While these are sold as sleep masks to be worn overnight, I like to use this as a lip balm at all times of the day, so minis you can pop in your bag are very handy. Vieve Glowbe Trotter 4. Vieve Glowbe Trotter (32.70 via cultbeauty.com) Holiday gift sets are a good way to try out products without investing in full-sized versions of them, and this Vieve kit offers a great opportunity to get into this relatively new brand. This kit features travel-sized versions of three of its most popular products: Skin Nova, a radiance primer; Skin Dew, a golden liquid highlighter; and Lip Dew, a gold, multi-dimensional lip oil. Saie Mini Dew Blush Trio 5. Saie Mini Dew Blush Trio (28.25 via cultbeauty.com) Liquid blushes are all the rage and this formula is absolutely gorgeous, leaving the skin dewy and bright. With these products, a little goes a long way, so minis are ideal. This trio includes three beautiful shades which will suit most complexions, and Ive already ordered it. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Mini Setting Spray Kit 6. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Mini Setting Spray Kit (30 via charlottetilbury.com) This is one of the best setting sprays in the market, one which I personally use every time I do a full face of makeup, and there are great savings to be made here. One travel-sized bottle will usually set you back 20, so 30 for two is a great price. Lost in Translation If youve ever breastfed, you may be familiar with panthenol, a soothing ingredient included in most nipple creams. However, this ingredient has many useful properties beyond the nipple. A humectant, it helps to attract and hold moisture, as well as soothing irritation and strengthening the skin barrier. Expect, therefore to see this popping up in lip masks, anti-irritation cream and many other skin treatments. Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm Something old... Glossy balms are all the rage now as shiny lips are back in fashion and we search for comfortable, non-sticky options. It was Hourglass, though, who brought out the first product which truly delivered on shine without compromising on formula. The brand, which focuses on luxury, cruelty-free products, launched Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm (41 via brownthomas.com) last year to much applause. This product hydrates like a lip balm but delivers a high-shine finish and the appearance of plumpness as well as a beautiful tint. Available in 16 shades, from rosy pinks to deep berries sand browns, and packaged in a sleek gold tube this product is absolutely beautiful. The only drawback is the price tag, which feels a little exorbitant for this type of product. Hildun Melting Moisture Lip Balms ... Something new Hildun Beauty is an Irish brand which has developed a loyal following thanks to the success of their Silk to Set Kajal Liners both in Ireland and the UK. These beautiful eyeliners glide on easily, blend beautifully, and stay where you put them, making them a dream to use. Now, the brand has launched a lip collection, including Longwear Lip Pencils (20) and Melting Moisture Lip Balms (23, both via hildunbeauty.com). The lip balms are a lipstick/balm/lip gloss hybrid, which essentially means they deliver shine, colour and comfort. The formula is rich and smooth, delivering lasting comfort and shine. Currently, the lip pencils and lip balms are each available in three shades of pinks and peaches, which work beautifully together. Id love to see the shade range expand, though, as I havent stopped wearing these since they landed in the door! The first Wallace & Gromit sculptures to feature in a new arts project hitting the streets of Bristol next year have been unveiled. Gromit Unleashed 3 sculpture trail will include other much loved Aardman characters such as Feathers McGraw. The new trail launch on June 30 and raise money for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Childrens Hospital Charity. The Grand Appeals creative lead Emily Golden with King of Diamonds a playful Feathers McGraw sculpture (Simon Boddy/The Grand Appeal/PA) Gromit Unleashed 3 will come hot on the heels of Aardmans new Wallace & Gromit feature film, Vengeance Most Fowl, set for release this Christmas. In celebration of the films release, Gromit Unleashed 3 will be taking visitors on a journey through the movies, with character sculptures inspired by cinema, famous films and the stories that inspired them. The first three uniquely designed sculptures to be revealed feature Britains much-loved duo Wallace &a Gromit, and their returning arch-enemy Feathers McGraw. Designed and painted by The Grand Appeals creative lead Emily Golden, King of Diamonds is a playful Feathers McGraw that looks like it could have jumped straight out of the pages of Lewis Carrols Alices Adventures in Wonderland. Wallace takes on a new character as a homage to historical epic stories featuring Roman soldiers and heroic gladiators, created by local set and scenic artists Mawford Arts. And Gromit is ready to light up the dancefloors of disco films such as Saturday Night Fever, Boogie Nights and Pulp Fiction as created by mosaic artist Lizzie Tucker. Anna Hitchcock, from charity The Grand Appeal, with smart gnome Norbot (Simon Boddy/The Grand Appeal/PA) In a cracking plot twist, a brand-new prototype sculpture has also been unveiled. Norbot the smart gnome is Wallaces enigmatic new invention from Vengeance Most Fowl who joins the character line-up for the first time in 2025. Nicola Masters, co-founder and director of The Grand Appeal, said: Aardman and Bristol go together like cheese and crackers, and we are ready to embrace Bristols pioneering, innovative, and creative spirit and Gromits inventiveness to develop Gromit Unleashed and deliver our next sculpture trail. Today we are unveiling our first designs, but we have lots of surprises in store for 2025 this trail will bring the glamour of the silver screen as well as the magic of tales, fables and stories to the streets of Bristol. Since announcing the return of Gromit Unleashed last year, we have already received incredible support from businesses, artists, partners, and locations. For anyone wanting to be involved, now is the time to get in touch if you havent already. Since 2013, Gromit Unleashed has generated more than 20 million for The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Childrens Hospital Charity. What started as a one-off sculpture trail more than a decade ago has now evolved into an iconic and much-loved brand. Sean Clarke, managing director of Aardman, added: We cannot wait to bring the excitement and energy of the trail to the streets of Bristol next year and create more memorable moments. The fact that it comes hot off the heels of the release of our next Wallace and Gromit film Vengeance Most Fowl, and as we celebrate 30 years of partnership with the charity, makes it even more meaningful. 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 Despite the order to close schools, some in Noida and Greater Noida remained open. Photo: Getty As the toxic smog enveloping Delhi worsened this week, authorities in the Indian capital imposed the most stringent set of restrictions on movement of vehicles and people in the Indian capital. The funnel-web spider can be found hiding in shoes and among piles of laundry A reptile park in New South Wales is urging the public to capture a species of deadly spider if they come across them. LATEST | Extremely significant step by ICC to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas officials, says Taoiseach Netanyahu hits out at warrants as disgusting and antisemiticHamas welcomes warrants against Israelis but does not mention warrants against its own leaders over October 7 rampage Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: AP Associated Press Reporter Thu 21 Nov 2024 at 13:30 Taoiseach Simon Harris has said the issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister, Israels former defence minister and Hamas officials is a significant step. US special envoy Amos Hochstein Amos Hochstein (left) meets with Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon, his week. Photo: Getty Israeli officials demanded yesterday the freedom to strike Lebanons Hezbollah as part of any ceasefire deal, 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. US president Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House last week. Photo: AP The Military Industrial Complex, as represented by incumbent US president Joe Biden, seems to want to make sure they get World War III going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives. So tweeted Donald Trump Jr, son of the president-elect. Donald Trump attends a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Texas. Photo: Reuters 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. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. The sharp selloff in the group stock wiped out approximately Rs 2 lakh crore from the Adani Group's overall market capitalisation or m-cap. Representational image from archive. Mumbai/IBNS: Shares of Adani Group companies plummeted by up to 20 percent on Thursday (Nov. 21) following allegations against Gautam Adani and seven others in the United States for orchestrating a multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. US authorities disclosed on Wednesday (Nov. 20) that the group allegedly bribed Indian officials to secure lucrative solar energy contracts. The flagship company, Adani Enterprises, saw a steep 20 percent drop in its share price. Adani Energy Solutions faced a similar plunge, while Adani Green Energy fell by 19.17 percent, Adani Total Gas by 18.14 percent, Adani Power by 17.79 percent, and Adani Ports by 15 percent. Other companies within the conglomerate also experienced severe losses: Ambuja Cements declined by 14.99 percent, ACC by 14.54 percent, NDTV by 14.37 percent, and Adani Wilmar by 10 percent. Several stocks hit their daily lower circuit limits during trading. The combined market capitalization of Adani Group's 11 publicly listed companies dropped by Rs 2 lakh crore, reducing the group's valuation to Rs 12.3 lakh crore. This marked its worst trading day since the Hindenburg Research allegations earlier in 2023. Gautam Adanis personal fortune also took a significant hit, with a $10.5 billion loss, bringing his net worth to $59.3 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List. Moodys Ratings labeled the developments as "credit negative" for the Adani Group, highlighting concerns over the conglomerate's governance practices and its ability to access capital. In a statement, Moody's emphasised: "The indictment of the chairman and other senior officials raises questions about the groups liquidity and overall governance." GQG Partners, a key investor in Adani Group post-Hindenburg, saw its shares fall by 26 percent on the Australian stock exchange. Meanwhile, Adanis dollar-denominated bonds recorded their sharpest declines since February 2023, with Adani Ports bonds dropping by 3-5 cents. Adani Green Energy also withdrew a planned $600 million bond issuance, citing recent developments despite initially setting pricing terms. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and other executives of defrauding American investors and bribing officials. According to the indictment, the group paid $265 million in bribes, expecting to earn $2 billion in profits over two decades. Court filings revealed the use of code names like "Numero Uno" and "The Big Man" for Gautam Adani. Arrest warrants have been issued for Gautam and Sagar Adani, with prosecutors seeking assistance from international law enforcement agencies. The charges include securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and wire fraud. A civil lawsuit has also been filed by the SEC against Gautam Adani and his associates. This crisis poses a significant challenge to the Adani Groups financial stability and credibility. The fallout could further affect its ability to raise capital and pursue ongoing infrastructure and energy projects. One of Adanis associates is charged with conspiracy to violate US law FCPA. (Image courtesy: Gautam Adani X handle) Mumbai: Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani, along with seven others, has been indicted by U.S. prosecutors for allegedly paying bribes amounting to Rs 2,029 crore ($265 million) to officials in India to secure solar power contracts across four states and one union territory. Among those implicated is Sagar Adani, Gautam Adani's nephew. However, the question arises: why is the U.S. involved in a case involving bribes allegedly paid in India? The allegations The bribes were reportedly paid between 2020 and 2024 to secure solar power contracts with state electricity distribution companies in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Jammu and Kashmir. The majority of these payments were allegedly directed at officials in Andhra Pradesh. According to the U.S. indictment, Gautam Adani is identified as the founder and chairperson of an "Indian Energy Company," while Sagar Adani is listed as its executive director. The company, Adani Green Energy, allegedly collaborated with a "U.S. Issuer" to secure contracts for supplying 12 gigawatts of solar power to the state-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The indictment claims SECI struggled to find buyers for this solar power, jeopardizing the deal. Allegedly, Adani Group and Azure Power, where two U.S.-linked individuals, Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, were employed, offered bribes to government officials to convince state distribution companies to purchase the power from SECI. Legal action U.S. prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani, which may be handed over to foreign law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, the Adani Group has denied the allegations, calling them baseless, and has announced plans to pursue legal action. Why the US is involved? According to an India Today report, the case has drawn the attention of U.S. federal authorities due to several factors: Connection to U.S. Entities: Azure Power, linked to the accused individuals Gupta and Agarwal, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Alleged Misrepresentation to U.S. Investors: The indictment alleges that Adani Green Energy, in collaboration with the "U.S. Issuer," concealed critical information from U.S. banks and investors while raising billions for the solar energy project. Violation of the FCPA: The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits bribing foreign officials to gain business advantages. One of Adanis associates is charged with conspiracy to violate this law. According to the indictment, Adani Green Energy raised $175 million from U.S. investors through a 2021 bond offering, allegedly making false claims about its anti-corruption practices. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also filed a parallel civil case on similar grounds. The FCPA and its relevance The FCPA, established in 1977 to curb corporate corruption, makes it illegal for companies operating in the U.S. to offer bribes to foreign officials. Though the alleged bribery occurred in India, U.S. authorities are investigating because the case involves American entities, investors, and the potential violation of U.S. law. Kenyan President said multimillion-dollar deals with Adani has been cancelled after 'new information'. (Photo courtesy: Gautam Adani X handle) Nairobi: Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Thursday the cancellation of multimillion-dollar airport and energy deals with Indian tycoon Gautam Adani, following US bribery and fraud indictments against the billionaire, according to the Associated Press. In a state of the nation address, Ruto stated that the decision was based on "new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations." While he did not specifically mention the United States, the announcement comes after Adani was charged by US prosecutors earlier this week. The Adani Group had been negotiating a controversial deal to modernize Kenya's primary airport in Nairobi. The proposed agreement included constructing an additional runway and terminal in exchange for operating the airport for 30 years. The proposed agreement had faced significant backlash, including protests by workers and critics who argued it would lead to job losses and poor working conditions. The group had also secured a contract to build power transmission lines in Kenya, a major business hub in East Africa. Appearing before a parliamentary committee on Thursday, Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi asserted that there had been no corruption on Kenyas part during the signing of the energy deal. US prosecutors have accused Adani of misleading investors in a large solar energy project in India, claiming it was facilitated through a bribery scheme. The charges include securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. 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. Guyana confers Order of Excellence on PM Narendra Modi Photo Courtesy: PIB Guyana, on Thursday, conferred upon Indian PM Narendra Modi the country's highest civilian honour, the 'Order of Excellence'. After receiving it, Modi said the honour belonged not only to him but also to the 1.4 billion Indians. He posted on X: "Sincerely thank President Dr. Irfaan Ali, for conferring upon me Guyana's highest honour, 'The Order of Excellence.' This is a recognition of the 140 crore people of India." Sincerely thank President Dr. Irfaan Ali, for conferring upon me Guyana's highest honour, 'The Order of Excellence.' This is a recognition of the 140 crore people of India. https://t.co/SVzw5zqk1r Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2024 In a ceremony at the State House on Thursday, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi the highest national award of Guyana. Modi emphasized that his State visit is testament to India's continued commitment towards deepening India-Guyana friendship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is only the fourth foreign leader to be conferred with the highest National award of Guyana. In the first leg of his three-nation tour, Modi visite Nigeria where President Bola Tinubu had conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) upon him. The Order of the Niger (OON) is the second-highest national award in Nigeria. Narendra Modi meets Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font Photo Courtesy: PIB Indian PM Narendra Modi recently met Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font when they decided to further explore the expansion of the Preferential Trade Agreement [PTA]. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. "The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and identified several initiatives for strengthening cooperation. Prime Minister highlighted Indias prowess in digital public infrastructure, healthcare, IT, science & technology, space, renewable energy and defence and expressed Indias readiness to share its experience with Chile in these areas," read a statement issued by the Indian government. The leaders also discussed possibilities of cooperation in the fields of education, culture and traditional knowledge. They agreed to stay in close touch and further strengthen the existing bilateral cooperation. Rahul Gandhi address a press conference on Thursday | Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video New Delhi/IBNS: Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has relaunched his claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a beneficiary of Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani's business after the tycoon has been charged with bribery and fraud in the United States. Addressing a presser, Rahul claimed no action will be taken against billionaire Gautam Adani who "controls" the Prime Minister. "I can guarantee no investigation or arrest will take place as this person is associated with the Prime Minister," the Congress leader said. "Even if he tries, the Prime Minister will not be able to take any action because he is controlled by Adani." "If Gautam Adani is arrested, the Prime Minister will be exposed," the Rae Bareli MP added. Responding to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell head Amit Malviya's claim that the states mentioned in the indictment were all opposition ruled states, Rahul said, "The investigation must take place in any state even if it is ruled by the opposition. But the investigation must take place and the kingpin must be arrested." Malviya had posted on X, ".. Since the power was costly, the SDCs were not willing to buy. Therefore, the Adanis (in collusion with Azure Power; a US firm) paid the equivalent of US $265 million to SDCs based in Odisha (BJD ruled), Tamilnadu (DMK), Chattisgarh (Congress) and Andhra Pradesh (YSRCP) between Jul 21 and Feb 22 (by far the largest to AP). "All the States mentioned here were Opposition ruled during that time. So, before you pontificate, answer on the bribes the Congress and its allies accepted." It is always good to read before one reacts. The document you quote says, The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. But be as it may, the essence of the charge is that US and Indian companies agreed https://t.co/Y3UivigtTx pic.twitter.com/MkMri2fPQs Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 21, 2024 Adani, who is one of the richest people in the world, has been charged with a multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. The billionaire and other executives of the conglomerate including his nephew Sagar Adani have been charged with agreeing to pay $265 million to Indian officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars for his renewable energy company. "As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and... lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from U.S. and international investors," US Attorney Breon Peace said as quoted by BBC News. "My office is committed to rooting out corruption in the international marketplace and protecting investors from those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the integrity of our financial markets," he added. It has also been alleged that on several occasions, Adani, who is accused of being close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Opposition, met Indian officials personally to hold discussions on the alleged bribery scheme. On November 13, Adani marked his announcement of his investment of $10 billion in US energy security and infrastructure projects along with his congratulatory message to US President-elect Donald Trump. Adani wrote on X, "Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump. As the partnership between India and the United States deepens, the Adani Group is committed to leveraging its global expertise and invest $10 billion in US energy security and resilient infrastructure projects, aiming to create up to 15,000 jobs. " Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump. As the partnership between India and the United States deepens, the Adani Group is committed to leveraging its global expertise and invest $10 billion in US energy security and resilient infrastructure projects, aiming to create up to 15,000 pic.twitter.com/X9wZm4BV2u Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) November 13, 2024 The US Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Adani for "defrauding American investors and bribing officials", The Times of India reported. Sagar Adani, Adani Green Energy executives and Cyril Cabanes have been charged with conspiring to "commit securities and wire fraud, as well as substantive securities fraud, for their roles in a multi-billion dollar scheme to obtain funds from US investors and global financial institutions through false and misleading statements". Prosecutors claimed Adani was referred to by some conspiracy by code names 'Numero uno' and 'the big man'. PM Modi bestowed Dominica's highest award at India-CARICOM Summit. Photo courtesy: Narendra Modi X Georgetown/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honoured with Dominica's highest national award, the Dominica National Award of Honour, at the historic India-CARICOM Summit 2024. Dominica President Sylvanie Burton conferred PM Modi with the award for his statesmanship, support to Dominica during the Covid-19 pandemic, and his commitment to strengthening India and Dominica ties. Gratitude to President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica for conferring the 'Dominica Award of Honour' upon me. This honour is dedicated to my sisters and brothers of India. It is also indicative of the unbreakable bond between our nations. pic.twitter.com/Ro27fpSyr3 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2024 Dedicating the honour to the people of India, PM Modi said the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between India and Dominica. He expressed confidence that the bilateral bond between the two nations will continue to grow and deepen in the years ahead. The award ceremony was held on the sidelines of the Second India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana. During his visit, PM Modi also met with Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana. Your kind words have touched me, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. With deep humility and gratitude, I accept the Dominica Award of Honour. I dedicate it to my fellow Indians, who have always cherished Indias friendship with the Commonwealth of Dominica. You spoke about the https://t.co/GX0S9Q80kt pic.twitter.com/xrEhzlMXC5 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2024 The leaders discussed exploring opportunities for cooperation in fields like climate resilience, digital transformation, education, healthcare, capacity building and yoga. They also exchanged views on issues of the Global South and UN reform. Anthony Jeselnik Bones and All OTT release date is out. The comedy special which brings back Anthony will be released on Netflix soon. This is the first Netflix special he has released in four years, after Fire in the Maternity Ward in 2019. In addition, Jeselnik is well-known for his shows Good Talk and The Jeselnik Offensive, as well as his Comedy Central roast appearances. For those who are anticipating to watch his latest release, Anthony Jeselnik Bones and All will be released on Netflix on 26th November 2024. Plot/What will it feature During his current Bones and All world tour, which made a visit in Los Angeles on May 10 as part of the Netflix Is a Joke festival, Jeselnik filmed his third Netflix special. Anthony Jeselnik's new, razor-sharp stand-up special marks 20 years of providing clever, boundary-pushing comedy as per the streamer. Crew Bill Benz is the director of Bones and All, while Jeselnik, Christie Smith, Ally Engelberg, and Marc Lieberman serve as executive producers. Anthony Jeselniks other works Prior to 2015's Thoughts and Prayers, he had performed in Comedy Central's Caligula in 2013, which came after the performer's 2010 debut album, Shakespeare. In addition, Jeselnik is well-known for his shows Good Talk and The Jeselnik Offensive, as well as his Comedy Central roast appearances. Sharing the news about his comedy specials release date, the comedian took to Instagram and shared an article about the release. He captioned it, Be thankful. My new stand-up special, Bones and All premieres November 26th on Netflix. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The Finnish action-splatter horror film Prisons will be making its OTT debut in 2025. The film will be available on the OTT platform Vrott starting November 14 next year. The film that got released in February this year at the theares is having a delayed OTT debut. Here's everything about Prisons' plot, cast, and crew: Plot Prison is all about the story of a former convict who starts working as a bouncer at a club in order to move on from his dark past and change his life for the better. The story of the film progresses when the man's life takes a huge turn when a gang of assassins attacks the club. Each person inside the club, including the bouncer, had to join forces against the attackers. Will the incident change the man's life again? That is what the film is all about. Cast and crew Prisons has actors like Jere Saarela and Ari Savonen in important roles. The film also has actors like Pukkila, Sami Huhtala, Gareth Lawrence, Katriina Rajaniemi, Veera W. Vilo, Ilkka Koivula, and Markus, among others. The film has been written by Esa Jussila, Davy Ostermaa, and Ari Savone. The film has been produced by Esa Jussila, Matti Rego, Ari Savonen, and Minja Tuomisalo under the banner of TR Production. Vrott, one of the less talked-about OTT platforms in India. To watch Prisons on the portal, one has to subscribe to the digital streamer, and then only they can have a chance to enjoy the film from the comfort of their homes in different languages like Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Mohanlal will soon be seen in Barroz, one of the biggest films of his career. The fantasy drama, which marks the mass heros directorial debut, has created a great deal of buzz among fans with its powerful trailer. This suggests that it has the potential to be a game changer for the industry, Prithviraj Sukumaran was supposed to be part of Barroz but opted out. In a new interview, the My Story actor admitted that he regrets turning down the biggie.. Prithviraj Sukumaran reveals why he opted out of Barroz Prithviraj, one of Mollywoods brightest stars, was to play a key role in Mohanlals Barroz. This created a great deal of buzz in the industry as the two previously came together for Lucifier and Bro Daddy. However, Prithvi decided to opt out of the project due to his packed schedule. In an interview with Club FM, a private radio station, the Salaar actor said that he still feels bad pulling out of Barroz but added that the decision was justified. I really feel bad about stepping back from Barroz, but at that time, there were valid reasons for my decision," he said. Prithiviraj decided to exit Barroz when its schedule clashed with the shoot of some of his other projects. He further stated that he would not have let go of Mohanlals film had such a thing not happened. About Barroz Barroz is a childrens fantasy drama that features Lalettan in the titular role and is also directed by him. The story centres on the events that transpire when the protagonist tries to guard Vasco Da Gamas treasure. The cast includes Maya, Cesar Lorente Raton, and Tuhin Menon. It is produced by Antony Perumbavoor, Barroz is set to hit the screens on December 25. Prithvi, on the other hand, will soon be beginning work on Salaar 2. The Telugu actioner marks his second collaboration with Prabhas. Prithvi is also working on L2, a follow up to Lucifier. The film features Mohanlal in the lead and is slated to hit the screens in March, 2025. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. As the air pollution levels in Delhi continue to remain toxic, taking a toll on the health of residents, the Atishi government has directed all state-run hospitals to constitute teams of specialists to tackle patients with respiratory ailments. The Delhi government on Tuesday asked the hospitals to monitor and report daily cases of respiratory ailments, including both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) cases, and to promptly flag any unusual increase in the number of cases. CREDIT: PTI Increase in respiratory issues The advisory mandates that hospitals designate specialists to address respiratory diseases and ensure comprehensive care for affected patients. The development comes as hospitals across the national capital are seeing an increase in patients seeking treatment with complaints of difficulty in breathing and other respiratory issues. Those seeking treatment for eye and skin-related issues have also increased in the past few days. Delhi's air pollution crisis Delhi's air quality breached the "severe plus" category for the first time this winter season on Sunday, leading to the implementation of Stage IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Monday morning. CREDIT: IANS The capital's air quality had remained in the "severe" category for days, with PM2.5 concentrations surging past 400 g/m -- far beyond the World Health Organization's (WHO) safe limit of 15 g/m for 24-hour exposure. 'Delhi's AQI has improved' On Wednesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the national capital's AQI has shown slight improvement over the past two days. CREDIT: BCCL Rai said that the Delhi government is also exploring the option of carrying out artificial rains to bring down air pollution. "Time has come to carry out artificial rainfall to break the layer of smog. The Government of Delhi, with the help of IIT Kanpur, 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, the meeting was not held earlier," Rai said. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Gautam Adani, India's second richest man and the Chairman of the Adani Group, has been indicted in the US over his role in an alleged multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. A total of eight people, including Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani, have been booked. Prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, accused them of participating in a scheme that involved promising to pay more than $250 million in bribes to government officials in India to secure solar energy contracts for Adani Green Energy. CREDIT: IANS Bribery case against Gautam Adani According to US prosecutors, Adani had discussed the scheme with officials in person. The indictment stated that Adani Green Energy then tried to raise money from U.S. and international investors with a 2021 bond offering, based on false and misleading statements about the firm's anti-corruption and anti-bribery efforts. 'the big man' According to the indictment, some conspirators privately referred to Gautam Adani with the code names "Numero uno" and "the big man," while Sagar Adani allegedly used his cellphone to track specifics about the bribes. CREDIT: REUTERS As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars. Adani and his associates lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from U.S. and international investors, Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the district, said in a statement. Also read: Gautam Adani's Net Worth Crosses $100 Billion For The First Time Since Hindenburg Report Charges against Adani Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vneet Jaain, the former CEO of Adani Green Energy, were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy. The Adanis have also been charged in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission civil case, which stated that Adani Green Energy raised more than $175 million from U.S. investors. CREDIT: REUTERS The other five defendants were charged with conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a U.S. anti-bribery law, and four were charged with conspiring to obstruct justice. CREDIT: AP Gautam Adani's net worth The 62-year-old Adani has a net worth of $69.8 billion, making him the 22nd-richest person in the world. Adani's business empire spans several industries, including infrastructure, ports, airports, logistics, power, cement, media, defence, and more. Adani vs Hindenburg This is not the first time Adani's business empire, that grew rapidly in recent years have come under international scrutiny. In January 2023, US-based short seller Hindenburg Research had accused Adani of 'Pulling the largest con in corporate history'. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Naqeeb Mehdi and Mariya Shah, two school teachers from India, have won the first and third spots in a global climate change challenge held at the ongoing COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Naqeeb Mehdi, from Greater Noida, and Mariya Shah, from Lucknow, were rewarded for their innovative lesson plans to create climate education. CREDIT: INDIATIMES Creating awareness about wetlands Naqeeb, Head of Biology at Delhi Public School in Greater Noida, presented a lesson plan focused on wetlands, highlighting their ability to sequester carbon, recharge groundwater, and control floods and droughts. "Wetlands are one of the most ignored ecosystems, and despite their immense ecological importance, they are quite fragile. Through my lesson plan, students engage in scientific research, collect data, and analyse the impact of neglecting wetlands. I wanted to draw global attention to the importance of wetlands in shaping a sustainable planet," Naqeeb said. CREDIT: Unsplash/Representational image "There is a wetland near our school, the Surajpur Wetland, and we involved our students in a project exploring how climate change impacts wetlands and how to protect biodiversity in such ecosystems. We conducted various activities with the students, and the findings formed the basis of my presentation, which won the prize. With its global relevance, this local study received high praise from the judges," he added. Environmental impact of menstrual plastic waste Mariya's proposal, which breaks taboos and addresses the environmental impact of menstrual plastic waste, also earned praise from global experts. The initiative addresses the environmental impact of disposable sanitary products while empowering young girls to lead sustainable change in their communities. "Disposable sanitary pads contain 90% plastic and take 500 to 800 years to decompose," she said. CREDIT: INDIATIMES Her curriculum begins by identifying these problems and progresses towards solutions, including community initiatives like *nukkad nataks* (street plays), posters, and counselling programs. "Through these activities, our students become community leaders, advocating for change. We also promote reusable menstrual cups that last up to 10 years. These cups save money and significantly benefit the environment," she explained. Global climate change challenge The Challenge, ideated by Indian-born entrepreneur Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil in partnership with Oxford Said Business School, saw over 1,000 entries from 58 countries, including the UK, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, and India, each bringing locally inspired yet globally relevant approaches to climate education. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Days after reports emerged that Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been arrested in the US, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed the development. According to ICE, Anmol Bishnoi, who was arrested by US law enforcement, is currently under detention at the Pottawattamie County Jail in the city of Iowa. CREDIT: ICE Anmol Bishnoi arrested Anmol Bishnoi, who is wanted by the NIA and Mumbai Police in connection with the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, the firing outside actor Salman Khan's house, and other cases, was detained in California by the US Immigration Department last week. The whereabouts of Anmol Bishnoi, who is believed to have fled India in April 2022, were unknown until recently when the US informed Indian agencies about his presence there. In October, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for his arrest. CREDIT: ANI Following the US inputs, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch had initiated the extradition process to bring Anmol Bishnoi back to India. Also read: Can Anmol Bishnoi, brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, detained in US be extradited to India? Anmol Bishnoi files for asylum in US Though he has been arrested, it is yet unclear if Anmol Bishnoi will be extradited to face the law in India. According to a Times of India report, Anmol Bishnoi, through his lawyer, has already filed for asylum in the US, making the extradition process complicated. According to the report, Anmol Bishnoi could have deliberately surrendered before the ICE to seek asylum. The move would delay his possible deportation to India until the US Citizenship and Immigration Services decides on his asylum claim. There are also reports that Anmol Bishnoi could be extradited to Canada, where is wanted for gang-related crimes. CREDIT: BCCL Earlier, on Monday, the US State Department had declined to comment on the potential deportation of Anmol Bishnoi, stating that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Donald Trump is all set to return to the White House on January 5, 2025, and unlike in 2016, this time the Republican won the US Presidential election with a resounding margin, securing both the Electoral College and the popular vote. This does not, however, take away the fact that there is still a large number of Americans who do not have a favourable opinion of the incoming US president, to put it mildly. CREDIT: REUTERS Dejected Americans want to leave US Following the November 5 US Presidential election results, many have claimed that they would rather leave the US than live under Trump for four more years. While many who want to leave the US are eyeing a move to neighbouring Canada, a village in Italy is making an offer that is nearly impossible to resist. Italian village welcomes Americans Ollolai, a village on the island of Sardinia, is calling on Americans to relocate there following the 2024 presidential election. The best part is that Americans willing to move to the Mediterranean island can get a house for just $1. CREDIT: UNSPLASH Ollolai recently launched a "Live in Ollolai" initiative, offering homes for Americans who are "worn out by global politics" and "looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle." And the offer seems to have worked, as the village's website received over 156,000 visitors and more than 30,000 requests from would-be residents within a day. CREDIT: UNSPLASH 'Many Americans want to get away' The Mayor of Ollolai, Francesco Columbu, admitted that the website was created in the wake of the presidential elections but did not mention Trump by name. "Of course, we cant specifically mention the name of one U.S. president who just got elected, but we all know that hes the one from whom many Americans want to get away now and leave the country, Columbu told CNN. Also read: 'Take Your Catch For Free', An Italian Island's Solution For Their Goat Problem CREDIT: UNSPLASH Why Ollolai needs foreigners Ollolai, like many Italian villages, has been facing an acute depopulation crisis. In the past, Ollolai had also tried attracting foreigners to settle there, making the $1 home offer for the first time in 2018. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Sean "P Diddy" Combs might be behind bars, but that doesnt mean his life isnt serving peak drama. From plotting allegations to illegal calls, its been a rollercoaster, and were all strapped in for the ride. And now, amidst the chaos, the man has managed to snag himself a legal winbut hold the confetti; its complicated. Good news for P Diddy Lets start with the tea. After months of sitting in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (or as Diddy might call it, a forced vacation), hes finally caught a break. A federal judge ruled that evidence confiscated during a controversial jail cell raidhandwritten notes, no lesswont be used in court. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, clapped back at the government, calling the raid outrageous and a due process violation. So basically, it means, someone messed up big time, and Diddy just got a lifeline. In case you missed it, prosecutors had earlier accused Diddy of breaking jail rules, claiming he was making secret calls and essentially plotting from the inside. The raid only fueled the drama, with officials seizing notes related to his upcoming trial. But thanks to the judges decision, those notes are now officially shredded material. Add to that, Combs scored another small victoryhell no longer appear in court shackled like a movie villain. Talk about a glow-up moment. P Diddy's third bail plea So, whats next for the rap mogul? A third bail hearing is set for November 22, where hell try once again to win temporary freedom. Hes already been denied twice, but with this latest legal win, hope is back on the menu. The stakes? High. Diddy is facing major charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, and the road ahead is looking anything but smooth. P Diddy drama But dont think Diddys taking this lying down. He showed up at court on Tuesday in a tan jumpsuit (serving jail chic?), hugged his defence team, and appeared in visibly better spirits. Unshackled and optimistic, it seems like the man is ready to fight another day. Will this newfound momentum carry him to bail freedom? Or will November 22 add another layer to this already messy saga? Well, lets just say that the Diddy drama is not going to end anytime soon. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Colleen Hoover's book Verity is getting the Hollywood treatment. Despite the controversy surrounding It Ends With Us, Amazon MGM Studios is going big with this psychological thriller. With a dream team including Anne Hathaway and Michael Showalter, the dynamic actor-director duo behind Amazon's The Idea of You, the feature will reportedly head to theatres, ditching the convenient direct-to-OTT release. Nick Antosca has penned the final script, following earlier drafts by Hillary Seitz, Angela LaManna, Will Honley, and April Maguire. Anne Hathaway to play the lead role in Verity In this upcoming adaptation, Anne Hathaway will star as Verity Crawford, a famed author struggling to finish her novel after her car crash that left her badly injured and incapacitated. This prompts her husband, Jeremy, to look for a ghost author. His search ends when he finds Lowen, a struggling writer, to complete the series in the book in exchange for a huge sum of money. Lowen accepts the offers but gets caught in Verity's twisted world, hinting at her mysterious past. The unfinished manuscript makes Lowen question: Is Verity a brilliant author or a deranged psychopath? Can't wait for this cast: Colleen Hoover Colleen Hoover also announced the development on her Instagram account and she couldn't be more thrilled! Verity is coming to theaters and I am so excited for this cast and the script and the director and the whole team bringing this to life. Cannot wait. More coming soon! she said. How fans reacted to the announcement Anne Hathaway's fans are divided over her new role as and in Verity. Concerns surround Hoover's depiction of domestic violence, toxic relationships, and infertility, with some arguing it romanticises gruesome topics. "Oh god ANNE U CAN STILL GET AWAY," one user insisted. Oh god ANNE U CAN STILL GET AWAY Huss (@itsjusthusss) November 20, 2024 Another fan mentioned, "ANNE LOOK AT ME YOU ARE BETTER THAN THIS." ANNE LOOK AT ME YOU ARE BETTER THAN THIS shera (@rhannonsera) November 20, 2024 "Colleen Hoover doesn't deserve this attention anymore after the last fiasco with her other film," a third user wrote. One fan noted, "Anne you are so much better than these faux feminist and fanfiction cash grabs please drop this and get to work on princess diaries 3." anne you are so much better than these faux feminist and fanfiction cash grabs please drop this and get to work on princess diaries 3 molly snoopysdoghouse.bsky.social (@SNOOPYSD0GHOUSE) November 20, 2024 However, some fans also argued that Anne as Verity would do justice to the gripping thriller. This one's going to be a must-watch Arslan Khan (@Arslababu) November 20, 2024 Anne Hathaway in a Colleen Hoover adaptation sounds like a hit. Can't wait to see it Sheen () (@Itoo_Aubaid) November 20, 2024 we will be watching only for her ARI SWIFTLY || wicked era (@ARISWIFTLY) November 20, 2024 Anne Hathaway brings her magic to Colleen Hoover's 'VERITY'...this adaptation is bound to be thrilling! The Engine Mechanic (@rajesh_patial78) November 21, 2024 It Ends With Us controversy It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Brendan Sklenar, hit theatres in August and is now streaming on Netflix. The film's release was marked by many controversies. Critics argued that the movie downplayed domestic abuse and romanticised toxic relationships. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The shockwaves from Donald Trump's unexpected win in the 2024 U.S. Presidential elections are still being felt, even two weeks later. Hollywood, a strong supporter of democratic candidate Kamala Harris, is reeling from the results, and some outspoken celebs had promised to leave the country if Trump won. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is the first one to actually do that - the comedian and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, have reportedly packed up and moved to England. TMZ has reported that Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi were deeply disillusioned by Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, leading them to make the decision to leave the country. In TMZ's words, "they immediately decided to get the hell out." According to sources close to the couple, Ellen and Portia had already purchased a property in the Cotswolds, a scenic area in southwest England, before the election but chose to move there after Trump's win. The couple has since settled into their new home, about two hours outside of London. The couple's decision to relocate may be permanent, as they are now listing their California home in Montecito for sale. Previously, they sold another mansion in the U.S. for a reported $96 million. Ellen and Portia had been outspoken supporters of Kamala Harris throughout the election, with Ellen even taking to Instagram to express her excitement about Harris' potential presidency: "There's nothing more powerful than a woman whose time has come!! I can't wait for @KamalaHarris to be our next president." She also made a financial contribution of $3,300 to Harris' campaign. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. In today's world, it seems like digital fraud is just a blink away, and you're left counting your lucky stars when it doesn't happen to you. The latest shocking incident involves a top executive from a prominent IT firm in Mumbai, who was swindled out of an astounding Rs 6.3 crores. The scam highlights the growing menace of online frauds that can target anyone, regardless of their position or expertise. In one of the most shocking cybercrimes to date, a top executive from a Mumbai-based IT company was duped out of Rs 6.29 crores by fraudsters posing as CBI officials. The scam unfolded between November 9 and November 14 when the victim, a 59-year-old executive about to retire, was contacted by the fraudsters through a mobile messaging application. They falsely claimed that the victim's mobile number was involved in money laundering activities, placing him under what they referred to as a "digital arrest" at his residence in Pashan, Mumbai. The crooks managed to extract sensitive details, including his Aadhaar card information and bank account balances. When the victim disclosed that he had Rs 6.29 crore, the crooks demanded that the money be transferred to their accounts for safekeeping during the investigation. Believing he was complying with legal procedures, the victim transferred the funds in five separate transactions via RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement) and online banking, all while being pressured with threats of arrest if he did not cooperate. The scammers even promised him that once the investigation was over and if he was found innocent, he would get the money back. The fraudsters pushed him further, demanding that he take a loan of Rs 60 lakh to settle the matter, threatening that failure to do so would lead to his arrest. Finally realising he had been scammed, the victim ceased communication, but continued to receive threats until November 19. He approached the cyber police with a complaint who then urged him to register an FIR. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber) Vivek Masal confirmed to TOI that a police team was formed to analyse the audio-video calls between the scammers and the victim. Additionally, emails were sent to telecom companies and banks to obtain call data records and transaction histories to help track down the criminals. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. The prospects of strengthening bilateral relations between Greece and Saudi Arabia in the health sector, with an emphasis on the transfer of technical know-how, developing joint actions, and collaborating on research and innovation were discussed among others at the meeting of the Greek Health Ministry leadership on Thursday with visiting Saudi Health Minister Fahad Aljalajel. As Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis stated, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a strategic partner of Greece on very many levels - economy, energy, tourism, and now health. I truly believe that Saudi Arabia is now a country that has a lot to teach us. Today we initiated a close cooperation, and I am truly very happy for this meeting today, and wish once more to welcome him to my country." On his side, Health Minister Fahad Aljalajel noted that the meeting was productive, and that he looked forward to strengthening this close relationship between the two countries. He said he was happy to see the interest and enthusiasm for the opportunities available in the transformation of Saudi Arabia's health sector, adding in particular that there are a lot of opportunities for cooperation in the sectors of digital health and of pharmaceuticals. Alternate Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki said she was impressed by the strategic investments in prevention of illness and the promotion of health that transformed the Saudi Ministry of Health change from "a ministry of illness" to a "ministry of health". Three quarters of their policies focus on prevention and health instead of on hospitalization, she noted, proving that preventative care is more effective and more humane. Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistocleous spoke of "new paths opening in facing contemporary health challenges" through technical know-how exchanges, joint actions, and promoting research and innovation, benefitting the two countries' peoples and health systems. Deputy Health Minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos said that he spoke extensively at the meeting about interventions in mental health in Greece, and in organizational changes through a new law completing mental health reforms. He spoke of the National Mental Health Services Network and the monitoring of epidemiological management through a digital system, as well as of the new Organization of Prevention and Management of Addictions. After the meeting, the Saudi delegation paid a visit to the coordination center of the emergency ambulance service EKAV, where its members were given a tour of facilities by ministers, and were briefed on its operation. Their last stop was the Greek pharmaceutical industry ELPEN. iefimerida.gr Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, within the framework of the event organized by the Ministry of National Economy and the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) for the modernization of tax administration and citizen service, held a discussion with journalist Elena Laskari. When asked about the political cost of the changes, he reminded that the reduction of tax evasion was a central pre-election commitment of the government . "I believe that the balance, both economic and political, is positive for society," he said and added that the additional revenues, which Greece managed to collect from combating tax evasion, are being returned to society, creating additional fiscal space for further tax reductions. :The additional revenues came from combating tax evasion and from the increase in economic activity. This is the success of our tax policy. As long as these structural measures have a permanent character, we will have the opportunity , even after 2025, to plan for other permanent tax reductions and will focus our attention on further relieving the middle class . This policy returns the surplus from additional revenues back to society," he emphasized. In response to a question about whether there will be larger tax cuts, Mitsotakis reminded that the budget already includes 12 tax cuts. He emphasized that all the interventions by the AADE are measures that, on the one hand, facilitate and, on the other hand, allow us to identify the actual taxable base. "Today, Greece is achieving fiscal targets, reducing debt, has three times the growth rate of the European average and is lowering taxes," he emphasized, adding that even the middle class, wage earners, have seen tax reductions. "But we can be even more committed to their relief until 2027." We need to see the implementation of the measures in 2025. They are structural measures. We have also taken extraordinary measures. This government did not hesitate to tax the windfall profits of electricity producers and return the money to the citizens. The government did not hesitate to tax the refineries. These are emergency measures that we generally do not like. "We prefer structural measures." In a subsequent question about VAT and whether there is a possibility of reducing the rates, Mitsotakis mentioned that "a one-unit reduction in VAT costs approximately 1.5 billion in revenue and that we are a country in several categories with lower VAT rates. iefimerida.gr Sharp clashes among candidates vying for Syrizas leadership unfolded during a televised debate ahead of Sundays internal elections. The debate revealed competing visions for the partys future and exposed tensions stemming from Syrizas struggles to regain momentum following recent electoral defeats and the controversial leadership of former president Stefanos Kasselakis. Prominent candidates Pavlos Polakis and Sokratis Famellos took aim at Nikolas Farantouris, accusing him of lacking the experience needed to lead the party Mr. Polakis argued that Mr. Farantouris, currently serving in the European Parliament, should have stayed there to contribute to the legislative body rather than prematurely seeking party leadership. Mr. Famellos echoed this sentiment, while also critiquing Mr. Polakis for actions he claimed had previously harmed Syriza's credibility. The confrontation underscored the partys internal divisions. Policy proposals varied widely during the two-hour debate. Mr. Polakis called for the re-nationalization of key industries, including the Public Power Corporation (DEH), the Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE), and the National Bank of Greece, signaling a return to leftist economic policies. Apostolos Gletsos focused on the humanitarian management of migration, while Mr. Farantouris emphasized the need for strategic realignment in Greeces foreign policy, criticizing the government for what he called its neglect of regional relationships and commitments. The debate also highlighted unresolved issues from Mr. Kasselakis' tenure. Candidates offered conflicting interpretations of the party's future direction and its handling of national issues, from Greeces relations with Turkey to its position on the war in Ukraine. Mr. Polakis condemned the governments full alignment with Israel in the Middle East conflict and criticized Greeces military aid to Ukraine, suggesting the country should have adopted a more neutral role. Social media buzzed with reactions to the debate, reflecting the publics interest in Syrizas attempts to reposition itself in Greeces political landscape. The upcoming elections will determine who will lead the party as it seeks to recover from recent setbacks and address internal strife. The stakes are high, as the next leader will have the responsibility of uniting a fractured party and redefining its approach to governance and opposition. iefimerida.gr The Accord Party (AP) has taken drastic measures against its former presidential candidate, Christopher Imumolen, expelling him from the Party due to alleged gross misconduct. The National Executive Committee (NEC) made this decision during its meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday. Advertisement Imumolen, the Partys standard-bearer in the 2023 presidential election, was expelled alongside seven state chairpersons, including Lanre Ogundare of Lagos, Surajo Ibrahim of Zamfara, Muktar Abdalla of Borno, and Dzingina Ephraim of Nasarawa. Additionally, Salimu Boyi of Katsina, Fatima Zarumi of Yobe, and Abdullahi Kasowa of Bauchi were also removed from their positions. Former Party officials Abiola Odeoba, ex-Ekiti chairman; Falaye Ajibola, former Ondo chairman, and Adebisi Ganiy were also dismissed. READ ALSO: Tinubu Will Be My Special Adviser, Peter Obi My Trade Minister If I Become President Accord Party Presidential Candidate According to the communique issued after the meeting, the NEC adopted the recommendation of a seven-member disciplinary committee, stating that the disciplined members violated Article 20A (vii), (ix), (xiii), and 20A (1) of the Party constitution. The communique reads: NEC unanimously approved, upheld, and endorsed the disciplinary measures against some members of the party for gross misconduct, anti-party activities, factionalising the party, bringing it to ridicule, disrepute, disaffection, and breaches of its constitution. The NEC emphasized the need to maintain decorum within the party, preserve its constitution, and adhere to its supremacy. The committee passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Maxwell Mgbudem, urging him to focus on rebuilding, rebranding, and strengthening the Party. In a welcoming move, the NEC invited back members who were suspended or expelled under Imumolens leadership. Igbo Socio-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has commended the arrest of self-acclaimed Biafra Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa by Finland government. The group noted that Ekpas arrest by the District Court of Paijat-Hame in Finland, is a good move in the ongoing struggle to ensure peace and security in South-East. This was contained in a statement by Ohanaezes Secretary General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro on Thursday. Advertisement Isiguzoro said that the activities of Ekpa do not align with the behaviour and wishes of Igbos and have only brought hardship and sorrow to the region for the past three years through the declaration of a weekly sit-at-home. The statement reads: The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, wishes to express its profound relief and collective gratitude to the authorities following the recent arrest of Simon Njoku Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Biafra movement. His apprehension, executed by the District Court of Paijat-Hame in Finland, is seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to ensure peace and security within Southeastern Nigeria. Simon Ekpas arrest on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent has been a significant turning point. READ MORE: Simon Ekpa Arrested In Finland Over Terrorism-Related Activities His reckless intentions to declare a Sovereign Biafra Nation on December 2, 2024, have posed a substantial threat to the tranquility and stability that the people of Southeastern Nigeria have long yearned for. His actions, which have consistently sought to incite unrest and civil disorder, are antithetical to the progressive aspirations of an Igbo Nation that has decisively moved away from the harrowing conflict of the past. For over three years, the Southeast has endured considerable hardship due to Mr. Ekpas relentless campaign of fear, terror, and violence. His unlawful enforcement of the Monday Sit-At-Home order has resulted in catastrophic economic ramifications, amounting to a staggering loss of over 22 trillion naira in investment opportunities. As we reflect on the implications of his arrest, it is paramount to note that the silence enveloping the 95 Local Government Areas in the Southeast following the news speaks volumes about the collective relief felt by our people. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had earlier on Thursday, reported the arrest of Ekpa in Finland over allegations of promoting terrorist activities. Dr. Jude Nnam, a well-known Christian music composer, has been freed after being abducted. Information Nigeria had earlier reported his abduction. Nnam was kidnapped about 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, in Umunnachi, Anambra State, while attending a church activity. Advertisement According to DAILY POST, Nnam was released on Wednesday after spending nearly a week in the kidnappers den. READ MORE: Dammy Krane Urges Tinubu To Investigate Davidos Involvement In Tagbos Death In a message on the musicians Facebook page, his family announced his release. The victory sound is here. Our dear Ancestor Dr.(sir) Jude Nnam is back to continue the work of the Lord!!!, The post read. SEE BELOW: The Independent National Electoral Commission has presented certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy, Adelami Olayide. The certificates were presented to Aiyedatiwa and Olayide in Abuja, after they were declared the winner of the November 16th poll by the Supervisory National Commissioner of Ondo State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi. Advertisement The event, which was held at the INEC headquarters on Wednesday, had the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and some members of the National Working Committee of the party in attendance. Speaking after receiving the certificate, Governor Aiyedatiwa, thanked the residents of the State for exercising their franchise and renewing his mandate. READ MORE: Ondo Guber: LP, ADC Candidates Congratulate APCs Aiyedatiwa Over Poll Victory He said: The mandate you have just renewed via your huge votes across the 18 LGAs where we won convincingly has placed a burden on me to serve you better than I did before now. He also thanked President Bola Tinubu, whom he said provided a level playing field for all parties. Recall that Aiyedatiwa defeated the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Agboola Ajayi, and 15 other candidates to emerge the winner of the poll. He won in all the 18 local government areas of the state. The state Returning Officer, Olayemi Akinwumi, said Aiyedatiwa polled a total of 366,781 votes to defeat Ajayi of PDP, who got 117,845 votes. The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to permit only electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) with a minimum capital base of 500 billion to continue operations. They argued that financially robust operators are necessary to ensure optimal consumer satisfaction. Advertisement This resolution was passed on Wednesday during a plenary session following a motion sponsored by Ibrahim Isiaka, a lawmaker representing Ogun State. Presenting his motion, Isiaka criticized the conduct of DisCos, describing their actions as posing a threat to economic stability and welfare of the Nigerian populace. He accused the companies of exploiting consumers by demanding additional payments for the replacement of electricity meters, despite these customers already financing the initial installations. Consumers are being coerced into paying for meters which they have earlier financed, causing financial strain on households and businesses already facing economic challenges, Isiaka said. He further alleged that such practices are sabotaging economic development and eroding consumer trust. READ ALSO: Reps Order DisCos To Stop Charging Public Varsities Band A Tariff Isiaka noted that, despite regulatory oversight and demands for accountability from the House Committee on Power, the DisCos have remained recalcitrant in operating with impunity and disregard for consumer rights. He called for decisive action to protect constituents and curb the injustices perpetuated by the electricity distributors. The motion received unanimous support when Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put it to a voice vote. Following the resolution, the House directed the Ministry of Power to declare DisCos as non-state actors and implement immediate measures to address what lawmakers described as their reckless actions threatening the nations economy. Additionally, the House stipulated that DisCos must undergo a recapitalization process requiring a minimum investment of 500 billion. Only those with the required financial muzzles that can provide maximum satisfaction to consumers are allowed the space to continue to operate, the resolution stated. The lawmakers also mandated the Committee on Power to investigate the activities of the DisCos to hold them accountable and ensure the protection of consumer rights. Olajumoke Orisaguna, widely recognized as Olajumoke Onibread, has debuted her talk show, Kilon Shele. Following a lengthy absence from the public eye, the former bread seller turned model joined City FM as a radio host. Advertisement Speaking at a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday, Orisaguna thanked TY Bello, a renowned photographer who was instrumental in her rise to prominence in 2016. The model expressed her desire to return to school, noting that she faced challenges stemming from her lack of formal education. She revealed that her radio show will center on her personal journey, highlighting her experiences with exploitative managers who capitalized on her lack of education. The former model stated that she would talk about the emotional difficulties she experienced during her time away from the public eye and her journey to rediscover herself and regain her strength. I want to use my platform to share my story, the good and the bad. I want to show that even in the darkest moments, there is hope for a better tomorrow, she said. READ MORE: VeryDarkMan Labels EFCC Chairman Olukoyede Incompetent Over Failure To Arrest Yahaya Bello My show will be a beacon of inspiration for those who have faced similar struggles. Olajumoke admitted to making mistakes that strained her relationships with benefactors. I have suffered a lot, she said. But I thank Azuka and TY Bello for not giving up on me. My advice to those coming behind me is to work hard and never bite the finger that feeds them. I made many mistakes, but Ive learned my lessons and want others to learn from my story. Orisaguna rose to fame in 2016 when she accidentally walked into a photo shoot with British rapper Tinie Tempah, a moment captured by photographer TY Bello. National Youth Leader of the Labour Party, Kennedy Ahanotu, has urged members of the National Assembly to consider passing a bill barring ageing politicians from contesting for any political position. Mr. Kennedy, noted that political candidates, above the age of 70, should be stopped from running for presidential, governorship and other elective positions ahead of the 2027 elections. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the demand was made at the 2024 Annual Meeting and National Youth Conference in Abuja, on Wednesday. Advertisement He said: Any politician from 70 years and above should be stopped from contesting elections in a similar way the Federal Government placed an age restriction on civil servants who are the most productive arm of the nation. This will free a lot of positions for the younger generations to take up important national responsibilities. READ MORE: Ondo Guber: LP, ADC Candidates Congratulate APCs Aiyedatiwa Over Poll Victory It is sad to note that even the President who sits on our national treasury and commonwealth doesnt have a retirement age. We urge our lawmakers to pass a bill on retirement age for politicians. A young man has been at the helm of affairs in France right at the age of 40. In Senegal currently, we have a President who has just turned 40. Are these not sovereign countries like Nigeria? Why is it that our leaders gave birth to us and start lying that we are the future leaders of the nation? At 30, we are not worthy to become commissioners. At 40, we cannot be voted in as House of Reps members. At 50, we are seen as too young to become a governor. Who did us this thing? It was gathered that the reinstated LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, National Secretary, Umar Farouk; state youth leaders, national delegates and some lawmakers among others, were all in attendance. Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader and self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, has been arrested in Finland. He was remanded alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related offenses. Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Paijat-Hame District Court for allegedly inciting crime with terrorist intent. Advertisement According to the Finnish Central Criminal Police, Ekpa is the main suspect, detained on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The four others were arrested for financing a terrorist crime. The police statement revealed that claims will be heard in court today, November 21. READ ALSO: Stop Linking Me With False Claims Okonjo-Iweala Warns Simon Ekpa Over Purported Loan To Biafra The investigation centers on Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, suspected of promoting violence against civilians and authorities in South-Eastern Nigeria through his social media channels, said Crime Commissioner, Otto Hiltunen. The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels, Hiltunen stated. The four other suspects are accused of financing Ekpas activities. All five suspects were arrested earlier this week, with international cooperation playing a significant role in the preliminary investigation. Information Nigeria reports that development marks a significant turn in the ongoing tensions surrounding the Biafra separatist movement. Ekpas arrest is likely to have far-reaching implications for the region. A soldier on a bike and police officers on a stop and search duty clashed in Ebonyi State, killing one labourer and injuring three others. According to PUNCH, the incident occurred on Wednesday morning in Ugwuachara community, located in the states Ebonyi Local Government Area. The laborer lost his life after being hit by a stray bullet as policemen reportedly tried to disarm the soldier on mufti. Advertisement The soldier is alleged to be deployed in Kadunas Operation Kachayanma but currently on leave in Ebonyi state. The incident was confirmed on Wednesday by the Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya. READ MORE: Two Detained In Bauchi For Alleged Murder Over Witchcraft Allegations She stated that the police officers were on a stop-and-search patrol when they stopped the soldier on his motorbike to search him, resulting in a scuffle between him and the officers. She said, The soldier was trying to disarm one of the policemen and the bullet went off and hit a bystander who was there. It was not as if the policemen opened fire on bystanders. What happened was that during the scuffle, the bullet went off and hit the bystander. One person died and three injured but they are responding to treatment in the hospital. We have confirmed the identity of the soldier, he is a soldier serving in Kaduna. Both the soldier and the policemen are in our custody. The Nigerian Senate expressed grave concerns over the presence of terrorists from Mali and Burkina Faso, operating as Lakurawa, in Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Niger States. Information Nigeria reports that the development has taken on an international dimension, sparking national security worries. Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, the motions sponsor, on Wednesday, warned that Lakurawas entry into Nigeria occurred through the Nigeria-Niger border, specifically in Sokotos Illela, Tangaza, and Silame Local Government Areas. Advertisement The groups violent history includes a November 8, 2024, attack in Mera village, Augie Local Government, claiming over 20 lives and stealing livestock worth hundreds of millions of naira. Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, emphasized, These foreigners have invaded the country. READ ALSO: No One Dares Tinubu And Wins NSA Vows To Flush Out Lakurawa Terrorists Former Sokoto Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, shared his experience with Lakurawas 2018 invasion, urging decisive action against their international connections and sophisticated weaponry. Senator Adamu Aliero cautioned, The time to act is now; we have to take action on how to tame terrorism. In response, the Senate directed the military to establish early warning mechanisms to prevent further incursions and maintain presence and vigilance in affected communities. The military was also tasked to collaborate with communities and security agencies to ensure a unified response against Lakurawa. Furthermore, the Senate instructed the military to conduct a damage assessment to estimate the extent of damages and determine immediate relief needs for affected families. The Senate however commended the militarys prompt response but stressed the need for sustained action. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the governing council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State. Tinubu also removed Bernard Odoh, the new Vice Chancellor, and Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike, the Registrar. The council, led by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, included five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Amioleran Osahon, and Funsho Oyeneyin. According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process. Advertisement The Federal Government however intervened to address tensions between the Universitys Senate and the governing council due to the controversial appointment. The government expressed concern over the councils disregard for the universitys governing laws in its selection process. READ ALSO: Stray Bullet Kills Female 100-Level UNIZIKs Student As Cultists Clash After the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address tensions between the Universitys Senate and the governing council of the 23-year-old institution, the statement reads. In another development, Tinubu also approved the removal of Ohieku Muhammed Salami as Pro-chancellor and chair of the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo, Benue state. Salamis illegal actions, including suspending the Vice-Chancellor without following proper procedures, led to his removal. Despite the Federal Ministry of Educations call to revoke the suspension, Salami refused to comply and allegedly resorted to abusive and threatening behavior toward the Ministrys Directors, including the Permanent Secretary. Tinubu emphasized that university councils must ensure the smooth running of university activities in line with the laws that establish them. He warned university councils not to create distractions as his government works to improve the countrys education system. Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, has blamed President Bola Tinubu for the internal crisis for the opposition party. The former Ogun State PDP governorship candidate, led this out on Channels Televisions Politics Today, on Wednesday. Mr. Sowunmi stated that President Tinubu had no business appointing Nyesom Wike, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory without talking to the party. Advertisement He also recalled that when former President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to form a government of national unity, he consulted the elders of the party. Sonwunmi said: People will like to say Wike is the problem in PDP but I will rather say President Bola Tinubu. READ MORE: Hardship: Tinubu Has Good Intention For Nigerians Daniel Bwala He has no business appointing our member into his cabinet without talking to us. He had no business taking Nyesom Wike from our party and appointing him. We have not gotten to a stage whereby we will say we have gotten a new (set of ) executives. There are complications as to where Wike stands since he is a minister in the APC government and he is still in the PDP. These are consequences that will have to be managed. But I take very strong objections to the fact that you are explaining that the party is dead. Two occupants of a Mitsubishi Canter tragically died in a crash near the Straight Gate area on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday. Seni Ogunyemi, the Commandant of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, provided this information in a traffic update to journalists. According to Ogunyemi, the collision occurred in the early hours of the day as a result of the drivers excessive speed. Advertisement Three male adults were involved in the collision, and two of the victims died, according to the TRACE commander. READ MORE: Truck Loaded With Vandalized Items Seized After High-Speed Chase In Abuja, Five Arrested A reported fatal accident at the Straight Gate, Isara-Remo inbound Lagos Ibadan Expressway. Vehicle Involved: Green Mitsubishi Canter, Reg KLG 213 XA. According to an eyewitness, the accident was caused due to excessive speed by the driver. Three male occupants were involved while two of the occupants died. The presumed dead bodies were taken to the FOS morgue in Ipara-Remo, the update noted. The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the death of Sunday Abidoye, 51, whose body was discovered in a room at Creestar Hotel in GRA, Sagamu on Wednesday. According to the commands spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, the hotels Chief Security Officer, identified as Oluwole, reported the incident to the police. Advertisement Upon receiving the report, detectives visited the scene and found Abidoyes body in a car outside the hotel, being prepared for transport to the morgue by his family. The deceaseds brother, Jimoh Godday, told police that Abidoye had arrived in Nigeria from the United States on November 16 and was staying in Room 109. Godday stated that he visited the hotel on Monday, knocked on his brothers door, but received no response. READ ALSO: Ex-Convict, Accomplice Arrested With Stolen Generator Parts In Ogun After obtaining a spare key from the manager, they discovered Abidoyes lifeless body. Police recovered various drugs and traditional medicines from the room, and the center of the bed was found soaked with a liquid-like substance. Ogunmonti Ogunwole, a friend of the deceased, confirmed that Abidoye had complained of illness and purchased nine different medications the previous day. The centre of the bed was soaked with a liquid like substance. A friend of the deceased, Ogunmonti Ogunwole, confirmed that he accompanied his friend , Sunday to purchase nine different types of medication the previous day due to his complaints of illness, Odutola said. The body has been evacuated to OOUTH Morgue in Sagamu for an autopsy, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation, as the cause of death remains unknown. Red Hat will be making Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) and Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (EAP) 8 available on Microsofts Azure cloud platform. Both arrangements were announced on November 19. Through a collaboration with Microsoft, RHEL AI will become available on the Azure Marketplace as an optimized and validated foundation model platform to run in Microsoft Azure environments, Red Hat said. Red Hat describes RHEL AI as a way to streamline the development and deployment of generative AI models. It includes the Granite family of open-source large language models (LLMs) from IBM, InstructLab model alignment tools based on the LAB (Large-Scale Alignment for Chatbots) methodology, and a community-driven approach to model development through the InstructLab project. It also offers a pathway to Red Hat OpenShift AI for tuning and serving these models using the same tools and concepts, the company said. RHEL AI on Microsoft Azure will be available on the Azure Marketplace in December 2024. Red Hat JBoss EAP 8, an update of the Java application server released in February 2024, provides a pathway for Java application modernization, Red Hat said. It features support for Jakarta EE (Enterprise Edition) 10 and helps to address reliability, security, and compliance requirements. With availability on Azure, users can modernize application development across the hybrid cloud while leveraging Azure services, including Azure Red Hat OpenShift, Azure Virtual Machines, and Azure App Service, according to Red Hat. JBoss EAP 8 is available on Microsoft Azure now. A drawing by Keith Haring, the Pennsylvania-born pop artist whose distinctive style became known worldwide before his AIDS-related death in 1990, will become a U.S. postage stamp next year. The stamp will feature an untitled 1985 drawing by Haring of two cartoon figures holding a beating red heart aloft. The non-specificity of the figures allows a variety of people to see themselves in this stamp, Antonio Alcala, an art director for USPS, said in a statement. Advertisement Haring was born in Reading and raised in Kutztown, Pa., where he learned cartoon drawing from his father Allen, an amateur cartoonist and engineer. After high school, Haring enrolled in the commercial Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh, before deciding that he had no interest in becoming a commercial artist. He moved to New York City in 1978. It was there that he became a star, first by chalking illustrations on the unused black paper covering advertising panels in the subway system. His exuberant drawings, of dancing figures, monsters, mazes, and lovers, were so beloved by commuters and art appreciators alike that he had to stop drawing underground not because his artwork was technically criminal mischief, but because it was suddenly too prized. As soon as I would finish something, somebody would rip it down. Nobody was getting to see the stuff, he told The Inquirers art critic, Michael Kimmelman, in 1986. Through the 1980s, Haring became extraordinarily successful, selling his canvasses for as much as $350,000. He simultaneously sold his art through his retail store, the Pop Shop, where people could buy posters, buttons, and magnets at a much lower price tag. He also created dozens of public murals throughout the 1980s, including a 300-foot mural on the Berlin Wall, and designed antiapartheid, safe sex, and AIDS awareness posters. An openly gay man, Haring was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988. Even as he became a wealthy artist, Haring faced criticism about the commercialism of his work, with one critic describing it as equivalent to fast food, according to his obituary in the Associated Press. For Haring, his retail shop was similar to his subway illustrations, a way of breaking down the barriers between high and low art. Kutztown has claimed Haring and mounted a Pennsylvania Historical Marker in his honor earlier this fall. But Haring felt liberated when he left Pennsylvania. I was a square in a round peg, he told The Inquirer in 1986. I didnt really fit into what youre supposed to be in Kutztown. Its a little conservative for the way I wanted to lead my life. Haring died in 1990, at age 31, from complications related to AIDS. Near the end of his life, he explained why he was still making art. All of the things that you make are a kind of quest for immortality, he said. Because youre making these things that you know have a different kind of life. He deliberately left his 1989 Unfinished Painting incomplete to denote the void left behind by the lives lost to the AIDS epidemic. Hunter Stringfellow, 26, of Spring City, lines up the lights that will run along the edges of Greg Bowden's house in Schwenksville. Stringfellow works for Four Seasons Property Services, a Montgomery County company on track to decorate 300 local homes and businesses this season. Read more As the sun set behind his Schwenksville home on Tuesday, Greg Bowden looked up in awe while three workers scurried across the roof, installing hundreds of lights. The orange-vested climbers shimmied across the ridges, pulling themselves with their arms in front and their legs braced on either side. Hauling strands of lights, which had been custom-cut upon arrival, they slid slowly and cautiously down the roofs sloped sides to the gutters. One dragged along a worn couch cushion, which theyd use for traction on the walk back up, to keep from slipping on the shingles. Advertisement Looking on from the front lawn, Bowden who paid $5,000 for Four Seasons Property Services to install 600 lights on the house, front walkway, and shed said his family of four simply loved Christmas. As he spoke, his wife, Jennifer, was putting up the familys third artificial tree in a front room, and their 12- and 11-year-old children were peeking out the front door to see how the lights were coming. Bowden said his family thought it was time they let professionals do the most arduous part of their annual decorating. We used to do it on our own, said Bowden, 46, who owns a financial advising firm. But from start to finish, the process of putting up the lights was a pain: Im pulling them out of the garage. Half of them work. Half of them dont work. And as for getting up on the roof and installing them in as many places as the Four Seasons crew was doing, theres no way, Bowden said. Forget about it. A growing number of Philadelphia-area residents are outsourcing their outdoor holiday decorating to professional companies for between $1,000 and $30,000. Early birds who are OK with their lights going up in September can get discounts, as do repeat customers. Weve doubled our business in holiday lights every year, said Brice Abrams, who started Four Seasons Property Services in 2021. His company is on track to install lights at about 300 homes and businesses this season. Its crazy how many people want it done. Abrams customers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Berks Counties pay about $2,000 to $3,000 on average. But less pricey options are available. If someone has a 2,000- to 3,000-square-foot Colonial and wants a simple design one in which the front gutter lines, front roof peaks, and maybe a couple posts are lit they could pay as little as $950, he said. The allure for customers is more than just the installation. Companies lease lights to the homeowners and vow to maintain the displays, with many guaranteeing a 24-hour response time if a bulb burns out or another Christmas calamity strikes. They also take on the dreaded task of removing the lights come January, and store the strands until next season. How the holiday-lighting business took off in the Philly suburbs A decade ago, professional holiday lighting was a luxury reserved for only the wealthiest people in the most well-to-do neighborhoods, several local installers said. Over the past few years, however, it has turned into an annual investment for many middle- and upper-middle-class homeowners with sprawling properties, busy schedules, and neighbors who go all-out. Even if they have the time, they dont have the ability to do what we can do, said Vince Del Vacchio, owner of Del Vacchio Landscapes in Chester County. Homes have gotten bigger. Roofs have gotten steeper. Del Vacchios company is among the areas longest-running holiday decorators, having offered the service since 2001 as part of the national franchise Christmas Decor. It served a dozen properties that first year, the owner said. This season, it is on track to do more than 300 residential and commercial jobs, including homes in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, and the state of Delaware. When the company started installing holiday lights, most people were like Wow, we didnt know somebody could do this. I cant afford it, but its pretty cool, Del Vacchio said. Now, 23 years later, he rarely encounters someone who doesnt know they can pay someone to do their decorating. Installers advertise online and canvass neighborhoods with door-hangers. In many suburban developments, lawn signs sit in front of the already-merrified homes, featuring in large print the names and phone numbers of the companies responsible for the propertys holiday cheer. As Del Vacchio sees it, the growing demand can be attributed in part to a natural instinct: Neighborly competitiveness. You see all these houses in your neighborhood lit, he said. You dont want to be the one house without lights. Suzanne Taylor felt that way. After moving to Plymouth Meeting from Roxborough this summer, the 55-year-old preschool director noticed how many of her new neighbors were getting holiday lights professionally installed. She used to love decorating her rowhouse in the city, putting flickering candles in the windows and lights on her bushes every year. She couldnt justify spending thousands on a decorating company, she said, so she got an out-of-work friend to hang her lights for $500 a bargain. In Haddonfield, a rock climber hustles to light as many homes as possible On a crisp fall morning, Jonathan Keane was perched in a tree on the lawn of a 6,600-square-foot home in Haddonfield. By 11 a.m. Monday, he and his two employees had already walked the expansive roof, installing white lights along its gutter line, and decked out the front bushes. Next they wrapped the trees branches with even more lights and hung shimmery silver ornaments, called starbursts, from its limbs. In all, the crew from Holiday Light Pros NJ had hung about 400 linear feet of lights at the home, whose owners didnt want to be identified for this article, and were on track to finish the $3,500 job by noon. Then they were going to split up to do two more installations. From October through December, Keane spends most of his days like this. During the busiest season, right before and after Thanksgiving, he puts in 80- to 90-hour weeks. An avid rock climber and former river and mountain guide in Alaska and Argentina, Keane traded his nomad life for hanging lights. Its a similar grind, just in a vastly different setting. Keane got the business off the ground four years ago by running on foot from door to door for 12 to 15 miles at a time in South Jersey, with a CamelBak of water and 700 door-tag advertisements. Since then, Keane has watched demand take off. His income and customer base have doubled each season. This year, Keane added two employees Scott Ehlers, a 38-year-old construction worker and carpenter, and Steve Heinbaugh, a 24-year-old who previously installed solar panels. Keane, whos 37, said the three-man team is on track to deck out more than 100 homes and a couple dozen businesses. Many of their new customers, including the owners of the Haddonfield home they decorated Monday, are referred by existing clients. In the Haddonfield area, Keane said he gets excited when a homeowner wants to use multicolor lights, or even a simple red-and-white scheme. But most homeowners are fairly reserved, opting for all-white lights. The goal is to keep up with the Joneses, as Keane puts it, but not necessarily outshine them. While some of his customers are older couples with physical limitations, he said, many are 40-something parents with young children. A house that someone is going to spend their three weekends decorating, Im going to come in and decorate it in a couple hours, Keane said. Do you want to be like Clark Griswold and be like dangling from your gutter, or do you want to just call somebody who knows what theyre doing? The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected another attempt by Philadelphia officials to overturn a long-standing state provision that prevents the city from enacting its own gun laws. In a 6-0 decision, the high court ruled that the citys arguments had fallen woefully short of the standard needed for a legal victory and said that despite the pleas of city attorneys and those impacted by gun violence, they had not proven that the current prohibition against local gun ordinances was the cause of Philadelphias gun violence. Advertisement City officials for years have attempted to overcome the legal hurdle known as preemption, which bans municipalities from passing gun-control measures that are stricter than state laws. Mayors and City Council members have nonetheless sought to ban assault-style weapons, limit handgun purchases, and prohibit guns in parks and at recreation centers only for the courts to rule that the provisions were prohibited. In this case, filed in 2020 by Mayor Jim Kenneys administration, attorneys representing the city and a group of people affected by gun violence had argued in part that preemption violated Philadelphians constitutional rights to life and liberty and that the General Assembly had caused the danger by failing to enact new statewide laws on its own. City officials said that if allowed, they would enact new statutes intended to make it harder for people to obtain weapons for criminal use such as requiring a permit to purchase guns in the city, or limiting the number of guns a person could buy in the city limits within a certain time frame. But Justice P. Kevin Brobson, writing for the court, said it was wholly insufficient to argue that an individuals rights were tied to a municipalitys ability to pass local laws. And he said the city had failed to prove its assertion that the General Assembly was guilty of state created danger because a variety of factors beyond policy decisions contribute to gun violence. Ava Schwemler, spokesperson for the citys Law Department, said in a statement that the ruling means that Philadelphia will continue to be bound by the terms of the [states] preemption laws, which block the city from enacting many common-sense regulations of firearms that are proven to reduce gun violence and save lives. While we are disappointed with this result, the Parker administration will continue to seek remedies to Philadelphias deadly gun violence crisis through every legal tool in the toolbox at our disposal. Adam Garber, executive director of the gun violence prevention advocacy group CeaseFire PA which joined the city in its suit said in a statement that the decision leaves local governments handcuffed and prevents them from addressing the leading cause of death among Black men and youth in the state. But Garber said his organization is hopeful about the prospect of success for other ongoing firearm lawsuits, including Philadelphias effort to enforce reporting of lost or stolen guns. Based on the courts decision, he also urged the General Assembly made up of the GOP-controlled Senate and a narrow Democratic majority in the House to take action before more lives are lost. One thing has changed significantly since the city filed its suit in 2020: Philadelphias rate of gun violence has been cut nearly in half. More than 430 people had been killed in homicides through Nov. 20, 2020, police statistics show, the vast majority by gun. This year, through the same date, the statistics show, 228 people have been slain. Shaun Harden was found dead inside the State Correctional Institute at Phoenix on Nov. 1, according to police. His murder inside the prison was the second one reported this year. Read more An inmate at the State Correctional Institute at Phoenix was charged with murder Thursday after investigators say he killed his cellmate there earlier this month, according to court records. Nathan Blose, 40, is accused of killing Shaun Harden, who was found dead in his cell on Nov. 1, according to the affidavit of probable cause for Bloses arrest. Advertisement Blose, of Coaldale, Schuylkill County, remained in custody, denied bail due to the nature of the charges he faces. There was no indication he had hired an attorney. Harden, 45, was found bloody and unresponsive on the floor of his cell early Nov. 1, according to the affidavit. Staff at the prison attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at 6:29 a.m. He had hemorrhages on his neck, chest, and back, the affidavit said, and his cause of death was ruled to be multiple injuries. The exact nature of the injuries remained unclear. In an interview with detectives, Blose confirmed that he and Harden were the only two people inside their cell between late Oct. 31, when Harden was returned there by guards, and the morning he was found dead, according to the affidavit. Harden, of Nemacolin, Greene County, was serving a four- to eight-year sentence in state prison after being convicted in 2015 of indecent aggravated assault of a child, corruption of minors, and related crimes. According to an article in the Washington County Observer-Reporter, Harden molested an 11-year-old girl and two boys, 11 and 12, in separate incidents between June and October 2014. Blose, meanwhile, was convicted of firearms violations in September 2020 and sentenced to 3 to seven years in state prison. The charges stemmed from an incident in October 2019, when Blose was admitted to the emergency room at St. Lukes Miners Memorial Hospital in Coaldale, according to court records. A doctor at the hospital found that Blose was carrying a loaded handgun while examining him. The doctor took the gun, which Blose described as a family heirloom, from Bloses waistband and gave it to a security officer, as required by hospital policy, records say. Afterward, a security officer asked Bose if he had a permit to carry a concealed weapon. When records showed he did not, Coaldale police came to arrest him. During the scuffle, authorities said, Blose headbutted and injured one of the officers, and was taken into custody. Blose was unable to legally possess a weapon because of a prior felony conviction for drug offenses, court records show. Hardens death marked the second time this year an inmate was killed inside SCI Phoenix. In August, Dwight Williams stomped Ashokkumar Guru to death inside his cell, according to prosecutors. Williams, 42, was charged with first- and third-degree murder and is awaiting a criminal trial in Montgomery County. Sean Rivera, seen here after his preliminary hearing in 2023, pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder for killing his mother, Carol Clark. Read more Adam Clark-Valle stood before a Bucks County Court judge Thursday and asked him to keep two things in mind before sentencing his brother to life in prison for killing their mother in April 2023. He emphasized the legacy that Carol Clark left behind as a public servant and advocate for children, one who became a surrogate mother to countless kids. And he said it had been devastating to lose his mother on her birthday, one she shared with his 16-year-old son. Advertisement If I had one last wish, it would be for people to hear about that legacy, and not the last 24 hours of her life, Clark-Valle said. It should be impossible for anyone capable of doing something that sinister to be able to walk the streets again. Sean Rivera, 30, pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and related crimes for drugging Clark with fentanyl inside the home they shared in Morrisville before driving her to a secluded storage shed in Philadelphia and shooting her five times. He then left her body there, prosecutors said, securing the shed with a padlock he had recently purchased. Judge Stephen Corr, in handing down Riveras life sentence, said the crimes he committed against his mother were unthinkable and vicious and asked him why he did what he did. I dont know, sir, Rivera said in reply. Riveras attorney, Lisa Williams, said he is remorseful and chose to plead guilty to spare his family from a trial. Still, Corr noted that Rivera seemed to plan his mothers murder in advance, buying a gun and preparing the drugs he used to kill her. This one act was designed to inflict as much pain on as many people as it possibly could, he said. On April 8, 2023, Rivera diluted fentanyl into iced tea his mother had ordered as part of a Chinese takeout dinner the two shared, prosecutors said Thursday. He bought the narcotic specifically for that purpose, they said. After dosing Clark with the drug, Rivera drove her to a shed behind a city-owned building on Waln Street in Frankford and shot her five times with a Glock 9mm handgun that he had recently purchased. Rivera used bolt cutters to remove a lock that had been on the storage shed, placed his mothers body inside, and replaced the lock with one he had purchased from Home Depot, the affidavit said. Investigators learned of Clarks death from Clark-Valle, who had received a text message from Rivera the next day that said only 911. When Clark-Valle asked his younger brother for more details, he told him their mother had died from an illness and urged him to drive to Morrisville from his home in New York. Rivera gave his brother conflicting stories when he arrived, first telling him their mother had suddenly died and, later, saying she had suffered a heart attack and was at a hospital in Frankford. Confused and concerned, Clark-Valle contacted police. After serving a warrant at Clarks home in Morrisville, detectives found two Glock 9mm handguns with receipts indicating they had been purchased by Rivera, the affidavit said. They also found a receipt from Home Depot for bolt cutters and two padlocks, only one of which was in the house. Eventually, police tracked Riveras movements to the shed in Frankford and found his mothers body. An elderly man and woman who apparently were returning home from grocery shopping were shot and killed, allegedly by a next-door neighbor who then fatally shot himself late Wednesday afternoon in the citys West Oak Lane section, police said. Just before 4 p.m., police and medics responded to 911 calls about a shooting on the 7300 block of East Walnut Lane and found a 77-year-old man and 76-year-old woman with gunshot wounds lying on the steps in front of their rowhouse, said Chief Inspector Scott Small. Advertisement The man was pronounced dead at the scene, but the woman was still alive and was transported by police to Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, Small said. It was not immediately clear if the man and woman were married or in a relationship or were just living together. An unidentified man in his 50s or 60s also was found dead on the steps with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Small said. Police found five spent shell casings and a semiautomatic handgun next to the bodies of the men, Small said. Residents in the neighborhood told police there had been some past disputes between the man and woman and their neighbor, but what prompted the shooting on Wednesday was not immediately known, Small said. At the scene, there also were several spilled bags of groceries, and police were told that the pair had just parked, apparently returning from a shopping trip, Small said. Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce in a recording session for "A Philly Special Christmas Party," the third album of Christmas songs by Kelce with Eagles' offensive linemen Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. Read more Get ready for Operation Snowball. The Philly Specials are planning to raise enough money with the new Eagles Christmas album to give every student in the School District of Philadelphia a gift this holiday season. Advertisement All 116,000 of them. A Philly Special Christmas Party, the third album of holiday songs to feature singing offensive linemen Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, and recent retiree Jason Kelce, comes out Friday. Like its predecessors, 2022s A Philly Special Christmas and last years A Philly Special Christmas Special, the album produced by the War On Drugs drummer Charlie Hall, and featuring an all-star cast of local musicians, will raise funds for the Childrens Crisis Treatment Center, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, and other local charities. But this year, the Philly Specials team, which includes ex-Eagle Connor Barwin, who co-executive produces the project with Kelce, is also working with the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia to raise enough money through sales of the new album on vinyl and CD to present every student in the school district with a gift. What kind and how big of a gift? That hasnt been specified as of yet. But the hope is that this album, which features a Kelce duet with Stevie Nicks on Ron Sexsmiths Maybe This Christmas and the Hall of Fame-bound center singing with his brother, Travis, and Boyz II Men on Its Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights), can exceed the fundraising reach of the previous two holiday releases. The first Eagles Christmas album raised $1 million, and the second raised $3 million. A Philly Special Christmas Party will again be available on vinyl through phillyspecialchristmas.com, but will also be for sale on CD at select retail outlets in the region. Fans are also encouraged to give directly to the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia through an Operation Snowball donation page. When I first came to Philadelphia, it was apparent how much pride and joy, the sense of community and family that this city exudes, Jason Kelce said in a statement. Weve done two Christmas albums and raised over four million dollars and given to over fifty charitable organizations. And this year we are trying to go even bigger, were trying to give a gift to every kid in the Philly public schools this holiday season. If thats not the holiday spirit, I dont know what is. Thats the Philadelphia spirit that Ive come to know, love, and appreciate. Philadelphia is on track to see 600 new medical malpractice cases this year. That would be a 10% increase from last year and a 46 increase from the three years before the pandemic. Read more Philadelphia courts are on track to see 600 new medical malpractice cases this year, after a rule change at the beginning of last year allowed more cases to be filed in the city rather than the county where the incident occurred. That would represent a 46% increase from the annual average in the three years before the pandemic, Daniel J. Anders, administrative judge in Philadelphia Common Pleas Courts trial division, said Wednesday during a webinar updating lawyers on the courts system for managing medical malpractice cases. Advertisement The figures presented in the session, sponsored by the Philadelphia Bar Association, did not identify how many of these cases were previously ineligible to be filed in Philadelphia. The rule change allows cases to be filed in Philadelphia as long as a defendant does business or can be served in the city. Philadelphia has a reputation for large jury verdicts, though so far this year the city has seen only two medical malpractice verdicts worth $10 million or more. Last year, there were four such so-called nuclear verdicts, including a record $183 million birth-injury verdict against the University of Pennsylvania Health System. An Inquirer analysis of court data on complaints filed between Jan. 1, 2023, and April found that 43% of 657 medical malpractice complaints initiated in Philadelphia were based on care provided outside the city. A Scranton case was filed in Philadelphia, for example, because a temporary nurse had a permanent address in the city. Anders predicted that next year the monthly average would be 50 new cases, which is higher than the 45 cases per month he had expected earlier this year. The number of cases in Philadelphia could increase if consolidation by Philadelphia-based health systems continues. That would increase the number of doctors and hospitals who could be sued in the city under the new rule, Anders said. Early next year, the University of Pennsylvania Health System is expected to complete its acquisition of Doylestown Health. Thomas Jefferson Universitys acquisition of Lehigh Valley Health Network on Aug. 1 added 15 hospital campuses to Jeffersons network, bringing the total to 32. That means Jefferson can now be sued in the city over care delivered at Lehigh Valley facilities stretching from Allentown to Scranton and Hazleton. Too soon to know financial impact A Jefferson executive participated in Wednesdays webinar and explained Jeffersons approach to coming up with proposed settlement amounts. Damage calculations should be intended to compensate the injured person and their family, said Clare Bello, who became Jeffersons enterprise director for claims and insurance in February. What it shouldnt be is a number thats exponentially increased simply because its been brought here in Philadelphia. Anders noted that so far this year 26 cases have gotten jury verdicts, the most in the decade he has been tracking the numbers. There were sevenverdicts for plaintiffs and 19 for defendants. The biggest verdict was a $45 million award against Temple University Health System in August. READ MORE: Philly saw a surge in medical malpractice filings after Pa. change on court location rules Its too soon to see the financial impact of the rule change in terms of verdicts because those new cases are still working their way through the legal process. But already, Pennsylvanias medical malpractice compensation fund, called MCARE, has seen a steady increase in claims paid statewide, Beth Persun, the funds executive director, said during the webinar. Total claims for the year ended Aug. 31 were $275 million, up from $242 million the year before, she said. Normally theres a slowdown at MCARE after August, but not this year, Persun said. Our staff continues to be very busy. Residents at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia are part of the union push. Read more Newly graduated doctors completing their medical training at several of the Philadelphia areas major health systems said Thursday that they plan to unionize. A combined 3,000 resident physicians and fellows will vote on whether to unionize at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, Temple University Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, and Jeffersons Einstein Healthcare Network, the Committee of Interns and Residents, a union affiliated with SEIU, said in a statement. Advertisement Another 300 residents at ChristianaCare in Delaware are also seeking to form their states first union of residents. The health systems attending physicians formed a union earlier this year, becoming the first group of post-training doctors to do so at a Philadelphia-area hospital. A. Taylor Walker, CIRs president and the chief resident in family medicine at Massachusetts Cambridge Health Alliance, said residents from separate health systems announcing their plans to unionize on the same day was unprecedented. Its hugely impressive. Ive never seen anything like it at one shop, much less five, she said. The Philadelphia area is a national hub for medical education, with dozens of health systems employing thousands of resident physicians and fellows, who spend three to seven years after obtaining their medical degrees completing their training in their chosen clinical speciality. Last year, about 1,400 new doctors were placed in residency programs in the region. Residency has long been a grueling phase of hands-on medical training, when training doctors work up to 80-hour weeks for relatively low pay. Residents earn on average about $61,000 a year, which is less than other professionals who require special training like flight attendants and electricians, the New England Journal of Medicines Resident 360 website reported. A growing number of residents have launched union drives at their hospitals in recent years, and about 20% of the 162,644 active residents in the country are in a union. Better working conditions for residents would improve patient care at hospitals that serve some of Philadelphias most underserved communities, the union said. Due to chronic understaffing, extreme hours, and an endemic lack of support, the physicians say it is currently impossible to maintain their own well-being in their roles caring for the majority of patients at safety-net hospitals across the city, the union said. The concern is shared by other unionizing doctors. When Penn Medicines 1,400 residents last year formed the citys largest new union in half a century, they spoke about how they had struggled to provide effective care during long shifts, while stressed about their own ability to pay for child care, housing, and parking. Penn residents negotiation of their first contract in September giving them raises between 25% and 28%, eight weeks of parental leave, and other provisions to combat burnout and fatigue galvanized residents at other hospital systems. Unionized Rutgers University residents also reached their first contract with the university last year. Seeing how successful Penns unionizing attempt and their contract were, that helped us pick up some steam, said Trishya Srinivasan, a second-year resident in internal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital who has been working with other residents to unionize. Philly is such a huge city when it comes to medical training. We all feel we want to set a new standard. In a statement, Jefferson Health said that its residents receive competitive wages and benefits and exceptional medical training. While we respect our residents right to explore unionization, we believe that a direct working relationship between our health systems team members and our leaders results in the most empowered and productive teams, a spokesperson for the health system said. The other Philadelphia health systems where residents propose to unionize did not immediately return a request for comment. Walker, from the CIR, said that typically, it takes years to organize residents to vote for a union. The residents in Philadelphia made their decision in eight days in an effort to vote and certify the union before Republicans take control of the White House. The National Labor Relations Board, which interprets federal law around union organizing, is appointed by the president. Youll see Republican presidents install a board that is more pro-management, and youll see Democratic presidents install a board that is more pro-worker. And I think our pro-worker policies over the last four years is why we have been able to double in size at CIR, Walker said. READ MORE: Philadelphia doctors are riding the medicine unionization wave As health care changes, more doctors look to unions Philadelphia is part of a national trend toward unionization among doctors, who have historically not been part of organized labor but are now mostly employed by health systems, not running their own practices. Amid union drives at other hospitals, doctors have cited burnout, an increasing administrative load, and long hours on fixed salaries without overtime pay. The trend reflects a broader restructuring in the practice of medicine, from residency training to how doctors are employed. In the early 1980s, three-quarters of doctors nationwide owned their own medical practices. But by 2022, those figures had flipped, with 74% of physicians employed instead by hospitals, health systems, and other corporate entities. The unionizing residents held a news conference outside of the former Hahnemann University Hospital in Center City on Thursday night. CIR said in its statement that the location is symbolic: Hahnemann closed in 2019, shocking the city, forcing patients to seek care elsewhere, and sending residents scrambling to finish their training at other hospitals. Srinivasan, who spoke at the news conference, said that the closure of Hahnemann still resonates with doctors finishing their medical training. We live in a world of increasingly corporatized health care, and part of unionizing is protecting us and our patients from the harms of corporate greed, she said. Tammarah Sklarz, a hematology and oncology resident at Temple, told a crowd of residents at the news conference that she often works 12-hour shifts, six days a week, caring for up to 30 patients with cancer. When youre talking about resident working conditions, youre talking about patient care, she said. Residents across Philadelphia are united, not just for ourselves, but for patients and the health of our community. Editors note: This story has been updated to add ChristianaCares union drive, and comment from Jefferson Health and one of its residents. A sweetened beverage tax sign is posted by bottles of drinks at a supermarket in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Philadelphia in this 2018 photo. A new study from University of Pennsylvania researchers found the tax did impact residents' health. Read more When University of Pennsylvania researcher Christina Roberto set out to study Philadelphias soda tax, she wasnt convinced she would find much health impact. We know that it is really hard to shift a persons weight and keep that weight off, and its a really tall order to ask a policy like this to produce a health effect, she said. Advertisement Indeed, Robertos study, published this month in The Lancet, found that average BMI, a measure of a persons body fat based on their height and weight, is still increasing in Philadelphia. But compared to control groups outside the city, BMIs in Philadelphia are rising at a slower rate. The study found limited evidence that BMIs and the prevalence of obesity decreased in the city three years after the implementation of the 2017 tax, its authors wrote. Frequently drinking sugary drinks is associated with weight gain, obesity, and other conditions like diabetes. Philadelphias soda tax, the first in a major American city, aims to curb sales by adding 1.5 cents per ounce to distributors costs for sodas, energy drinks, mixers, and other sugary beverages. The increased costs are mostly passed on to consumers who are charged higher prices. The tax, which is sent to the citys general fund, partially funds prekindergarten education and improvements to parks and community centers. BMI alone is often not a good predictor of an individuals health, and peoples body shapes and compositions can vary depending on their race, gender, and age, according to the American Medical Association. The AMA recommends that clinicians working with individual patients use BMI alongside other measures to look at weight and body fat and determine a course of care. READ MORE: Size-inclusive medicine opens doors for patients But to research health across large populations, the BMI measurement is generally regarded as a more accurate data point, according to the AMA and other scientists. BMI is probably the best we can do, Iliya Gutin, then a program officer at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, told the New York Times last year, when the AMA recommended doctors avoid using BMI alone to assess a patients health. While the soda taxs impact on average BMI in Philadelphia is small, its significant for researchers. Were not seeing giant reductions. Its the fact that were seeing reductions at all thats surprising, Roberto said. Increasing research on the soda taxs impact Philadelphias soda tax was controversial when instituted in 2017, and the American Beverage Association spent millions lobbying against it. Detractors said that the tax would hurt local businesses and customers and would not achieve its public health goals. But the uproar has died down over the years, with the beverage industry focusing instead on preventing the implementation of similar taxes elsewhere, and scientific research is now beginning to examine the taxs impact. Another study published earlier this year in JAMA Health Forum found that Philadelphia had seen some of the biggest decreases in sugary beverage sales among cities that enacted similar taxes. Sales here dropped by nearly half in the years after the tax was implemented. Robertos study looked at electronic health records from Penn Medicine, comparing Penn patients from Philadelphia and the citys collar counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where beverage taxes were not implemented. More research is needed on how beverage taxes affect health, Roberto said, but shes been encouraged by research showing similar benefits in other cities and countries that have implemented taxes. When you conduct one study, its hard to be confident about having the definitive answer, she said. But Im starting to get more confident that the taxes may actually be improving health. A clear no-brainer Even small improvements in BMI or just a decrease in soda sales and consumption points to the efficacy of the tax, Roberto said. To me, this policy is a clear no-brainer. We know from lots of data that sugary drinks arent good for our health, and we tax other things, like tobacco, that we know are not good for our health, she said. Even if we didnt see a BMI effect, getting people to drink fewer sugary drinks is a good thing. And, because the tax funds pre-K programs and good education is another good predictor of overall health it might also be impacting public health in other ways, Roberto noted. Roberto said shes hopeful that the findings in Philadelphia will influence other cities considering implementing a beverage tax. Philly can serve as an example with the more data we accumulate. You might get more cities and states to do this, and that might improve the health of Americans across the whole country, she said. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division makes an announcement at a news conference last year. Read more The U.S. Department of Justice sued Pennsylvania for allegedly violating the Fair Housing Act by requiring automatic sprinkles in community homes for people with intellectual disabilities or autism, while not having a similar requirement for other types of housing. Community home residents live independently and pay for room and board, but have extra assistance and avoid institutionalization. The program is managed through Medicaid. Advertisement There were about 5,600 such homes across Pennsylvania, housing more than 12,000 residents in 2023, according to the complaint. The Justice Departments lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, takes issue with an additional fire safety requirement that Pennsylvania imposes on community homes, but not on similar housing in which people without disabilities live. By imposing the additional requirement, the state is discriminating against people with disabilities by limiting the housing that can be used as community homes, the lawsuit contends. 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 in a statement. Community homes already have to meet many fire safety requirements, including smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, the complaint says. The homes must conduct unannounced fire drills monthly, and all residents must be able to evacuate the house within two and a half minutes in case of a fire emergency. But because a community home is designated as a facility, and not a residential dwelling, in the building code, they are subject to the extra requirement. READ MORE: These are your rights as a tenant in Pennsylvania if you have disability (Published 2021) Automatic sprinklers can be expensive, nearly $10,000 for a small single-family home, and the cost can be over $30,000 if upgrades are needed to the houses water infrastructure, according to the lawsuit. And usually it is not feasible to install sprinklers only in one apartment in a multifamily building, making units in such buildings unavailable for people with intellectual disabilities or autism. Pennsylvania has exempted other facilities including small day cares from the requirement that they install automatic sprinklers. In addition to the Commonwealth, the lawsuit names the states Departments of Human Services and Labor and Industry as defendants. A spokesperson for DHS, responding on behalf of the state, called the lawsuit misguided. Building codes are adopted through a specific process that is outlined in the law, and depend on input of experts, the spokesperson said in a statement. And in specific instances that Pennsylvanians cannot comply with code requirements, they can seek a variance through their local board of appeals. Our Administration will continue to seek a fair balance between safety and access to services, to ensure Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism can access the safe housing and assistance they rightly deserve, the spokesperson said. That sense of dread many Democratic voters felt the day after the election, when Donald Trumps second term was confirmed, is not at all unfamiliar to Lucy Duncan. That feeling you are experiencing right now, that feeling of the world being turned upside down? The feeling that you and loved ones are facing imminent threats, that the walls are closing in? Feel that, said Lucy Duncan, 60, who lives in West Philadelphia. Advertisement That feeling is part of a message Duncan hoped to send to Washington. She swapped votes with a friend in Massachusetts, who cast a ballot for her for the Party for Socialism and Liberation a choice she made out of frustration with the Biden-Harris administrations continued arming of Israel in its war in Gaza. In the waning days of the chaotic 2024 election season, I spoke with Duncan and a half dozen other Philadelphians who voted for third-party candidates for president or chose not to vote for the top of the ticket at all. While Trumps wide margin of victory over Vice President Kamala Harris meant that those ballots could not have affected the outcome of the presidential race in Pennsylvania, third-party votes could have made a difference in the race for U.S. Senate between Republican Dave McCormick and Democratic Sen. Bob Casey. Though the race was called for McCormick, a recount was slated to begin Wednesday, with Casey trailing McCormick by fewer than 18,000 votes. Leila Hazou, the Green Party candidate for Senate, received more than 66,000 votes. As the nation prepares for a second Trump presidency, I spoke with third-party voters about the elections outcome as another way to figure out what went wrong for Democrats in this election cycle. You cant girlboss your way out of genocide being wrong. Ora Lin, 20 Ora Lin was convinced that Trump would win and said thats not the worst outcome, as it will lead to more organizing at the grassroots level. Lin is 20 years old, nonbinary, uses they/them pronouns, and works as an indie sewing pattern designer. Before they moved to Philly, Lin volunteered for Thu Nguyens campaign for Worcester City Council, helping elect Nguyen as the first openly nonbinary person to office in Massachusetts. This was their first time voting in a presidential election. Lin volunteered for Jill Steins campaign because of the Green Partys stance against genocide, the billions that the U.S. has sent in military aid to Israel since the war in Gaza started last year, and Harris complicated record on trans rights. It is entirely the fault of Harris and her administration and the party for not earning peoples votes, they said. I dont want to play the lesser of two evils game for the next 20, 30 years, Lin said. Im really tired of the shaming. You cant girlboss your way out of genocide being wrong. Lin is part of a growing number of Philadelphians who, disaffected by the war in Gaza, have turned to the Green Party. Party officials told me that there were about 2,000 registered Green Party members in Philadelphia until this election cycle. Since the war in Gaza, that number has increased by half. Voters like Lin are mourning the more than 43,000 Palestinians who have already died, most of them civilians. They see the $17.9 billion in military aid that the U.S. has sent to Israel in the last year as unconscionable. Belinda Davis, 65, is chair of the Green Party of Philadelphia and has voted Green since 2001. Every year we become significantly more diverse, one critical part of our strength, Davis said. The party had hoped to achieve minor party status in the state on Election Day which it would have gained if 2% of Pennsylvania voters chose a Green candidate, and would have guaranteed ballot access for special elections in the state without having to gather signatures. The last special election on Sept. 17 was uncontested and only 8% of voters participated. When Philly Greens last ran in one in 2017, they got more votes than the only candidate on the ballot with a write-in candidate, but lost to another write-in candidate. The Greens were unsuccessful this year, but hold out hope for the future. (The Libertarian Party was able to meet the minor party benchmark.) Imrul Mazid, 44, is a West Philly resident who voted for Ralph Nader in 2000 and has chosen third-party candidates ever since. Mazid pointed to data that an overwhelming majority of Americans want a cease-fire. Thats not a radical position at all, he said, If Kamala were to only speak to her electorate who overwhelmingly want a cease-fire, that would result in more votes for her. Mazid immigrated to the U.S. from Canada and believes that at the core of democracy is choice in candidates. Two choices a choice between Pepsi and Coke isnt really much of a choice, he said. The two are rabid hawks, he added. Its hard for me to comprehend how one could vote for genocide when those resources would be better spent here domestically. I dont vote my fears. I vote for my hopes and my ideals and my aspirations and my dreams and my visions. Imrul Mazid, 44 And then there are the Philadelphians who have wrestled with the impacts of U.S. foreign policy the children who are dying in Palestine every day and cant bring themselves to vote at all. Charmaine Seitz, 50, lives in Delaware County and has a deep personal connection to Gaza. Her husband is Palestinian, and she lived in the West Bank working as a journalist from the mid-1990s to 2013. She has voted for Democrats in every presidential election, including those when she lived overseas, but this year she didnt fill out the top of her ballot. Could you vote for someone who is actively killing your family and your friends? Charmaine Seitz, 50 Duncan is codirector of reparationWorks, a group committed to reparations for the harms of slavery and colonialism in Philadelphia. After a lot of heart-searching and reflection, she decided to swap her vote; a friend in Massachusetts voted on her behalf for socialist party candidates Claudia De la Cruz and Karina Garcia, and Duncan voted for Harris in Pennsylvania. This way, her dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party registered, but she still did her part to help avoid a Trump presidency. Some websites, like SwapYourVote.org, matched over 15,000 voters in swing states with voters in safe states for this purpose. Duncan visited Gaza twice for her previous work with the American Friends Service Committee, where she met Refaat Alareer, a Palestinian poet who was killed in an Israeli air strike last year. One of her former coworkers has lost 30 family members. I feel like a part of my heart is in Gaza, Duncan said. She said she was at peace with her decisions, even though because of Trumps xenophobic and bigoted policies the elections outcome placed marginalized people at risk. Many people were vulnerable before the election, Duncan said. Certainly, Palestinians were among the most vulnerable. More are feeling under threat with Trumps election. And, yes, its scary. But the reality is that nobody is really safe under capitalism, empire, and white supremacy. My hope is that our organizing for justice really accelerates and that we work to protect and transform our communities. Its easy to say third-party voters spoiled the election for the Democrats, but the reality is much more complex. The level of frustration they felt with the Biden-Harris administrations policies in Gaza was so intense that if they didnt vote for third-party candidates, these Philadelphians would likely not have voted at all. The boost that 78-year-old Donald Trumps presidential campaign got by using TikTok to reach a younger audience may help the video app dodge one of the few pieces of legislation to receive bipartisan support during the Biden administration: a U.S. ban so long as TikTok is owned by a company based in China. Heres yet another example of Trumps chameleonlike ability to switch sides when it suits him. As president, Trump signed an executive order in 2020 that said TikTok being owned by ByteDance amounted to a national emergency that might allow China to access information it could use for blackmail or espionage. Advertisement But that was then, and this is now. The 2024 Trump campaign didnt decide until earlier this year to use the app, but by Election Day, he had 14 million TikTok followers. For all those who want to save TikTok in America, vote for Trump, he said in a monologue posted in September on his own social media site, Truth Social. READ MORE: Mark Zuckerbergs apologies wont keep kids safe online | Editorial The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act signed in April by President Joe Biden will fine app stores and tech giants such as Apple and Google if they continue to allow their users to download TikTok after Jan. 19. Trump cant lift the ban, but he may use his executive powers to delay it. That may not be enough to prevent tech companies from removing the app from their download lists. Former U.S. Justice Department adviser Alan Rozenshtein says that with Trump, its a matter of trust. If he changes his mind, are they retroactively liable? Do they really want to be in that position? Yeah, trust and Trump have never been synonymous. Besides, theres still good reason to fear Chinas government may use TikTok data to its advantage as a strategic and commercial adversary of the United States. Its been proven that TikToks internal web browser can track every keystroke made by the apps users, which means TikTok not only can monitor every other website its users visit, but also collect their passwords and credit card numbers. Reassurances by ByteDance that it would never share TikTok users data with Chinas government ring hollow. If China ever decides it wants what ByteDance has, it will get it. Beijing was a better host of the 2022 Olympics, but no one should forget the 2008 Games when China blocked visitors internet access to websites such as Amnesty International and Radio Free Asia that were critical of its regime. There are other concerns about TikTok, as well. Thirteen states suing ByteDance claim it has misled the public about the apps potential for harming children. Their lawsuits claim the amount of time teenagers, in particular, watch videos, and so-called beauty filters that allow users to dramatically alter their appearance, can reduce a childs self-esteem and may lead to harmful behavior. The litigation says children can become addicted to apps like TikTok after as little as 35 minutes of watching fast-paced videos, and that TikToks own research suggests compulsive use of the app by children could lead to a loss of analytical skills, contextual thinking, empathy, and increased anxiety. Studies cited in the lawsuits also say social media may incentivize mass shootings as a form of performance crime. READ MORE: Social media companies must curtail the spread of misinformation | Editorial Add it all up and there are valid reasons to ban TikTok, but that doesnt mean a more responsible app shouldnt replace it. TikTok is not only used by many brick-and-mortar stores to advertise, but it is also a crucial cog in Americas nascent creator economy, where entrepreneurs without storefronts demonstrate and sell their products in videos that reach millions of consumers. The Goldman Sachs banking and securities firm estimates the creator economy is a $250 billion industry that could double by 2027. Individual people with their own brands and online audiences have emerged as one of the biggest developments of the digital age, said a Goldman Sachs analysis. If there are likely contenders to replace TikTok, they have yet to reveal their intentions. Thats understandable with court challenges to the ban still being argued. Some legal scholars say the ban may be unlawful because it appears designed to penalize TikTok rather than focus on broader issues, such as data privacy and algorithmic transparency. If TikTok avoids being banned, it must better protect its young users. But as long as it remains a Chinese-owned company, it can hardly guarantee it can keep its users data safe from government eyes. Defense attorney Charles Gibbs is seriously considering running for district attorney of Philadelphia, according to two sources with knowledge of his thinking. Gibbs, who works for the high-profile law offices of McMonagle Perri, has not officially decided to challenge DA Larry Krasner, but he has engaged in multiple conversations with political operatives and fundraisers about the matter, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. Advertisement Reached by phone Wednesday, Gibbs declined to comment. Gibbs and his firm, which has represented such prominent figures as Meek Mill and Bill Cosby, also frequently defends Philadelphia police officers accused of misconduct. He and his colleagues have gone up against Krasner and his prosecutors in court on multiple occasions including persuading a judge to dismiss the charges against Officer Ryan Pownall, who shot a man in the back as he fled a traffic stop while carrying a gun. The firm also represents former Officer Mark Dial, who shot and killed Eddie Irizarry as he sat in his car with a knife in Kensington. Gibbs, a West Philadelphia native, has deep ties to Philadelphia politics, having previously worked for former Council President Darrell L. Clarke and for various political campaigns. He is married to Common Pleas Court Judge Monica Gibbs, who was elected to the bench in 2022, and he currently serves as the solicitor of Darby Borough in Delaware County. If Gibbs decides to enter the race, he would face incumbent Krasner, who is expected to announce soon that he will run for a third term. If reelected, Krasner would be only the second top prosecutor, after former DA Lynne M. Abraham, to serve a third term. Municipal Court Judge Patrick F. Dugan is also seriously considering running, sources said. Dugan would have to resign from the bench if he declares his candidacy. Campaigns for the position will likely heat up after the holidays, ahead of the May 20 primary election. In Philadelphia, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 7 to 1, whoever wins the primary is heavily favored to win the position in November. Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, seen in this 2020 file photo, is facing severe backlash after the county defied the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's election guidance last week. Read more GOP activists flooded the Bucks County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday, loudly calling for Democratic members of the board to resign and launching a longshot impeachment effort over board members decisions last week to defy court orders related to mail and provisional ballots. The Democratic-led county was one of several across the state that voted last week to count undated mail ballots despite Pennsylvania Supreme Court rulings that those ballots could not be counted as litigation over the requirement continued. Advertisement On Monday, the states high court reiterated its order, blocking the county from counting the ballots, but Bucks has remained the center of a firestorm fueled by a backlash to viral comments from Democratic Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia. Ellis-Marseglia, in justifying her vote to count provisional ballots that lacked one of two required voter signatures, declared that court precedent no longer mattered in the U.S. and said she was taking her vote to get a courts attention. People violate laws any time they want, she said. Ellis-Marseglia said this week that her words were misinterpreted and apologized for the confusion they caused. She opened the Wednesday meeting by addressing the controversy, apologizing repeatedly while many in the crowd heckled and booed. Her reference to court precedent not mattering, she said, was a comment on the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Since her comments went viral, Ellis-Marseglia said, she has faced threats and vitriol. We all say things that are out of turn. We all make mistakes. I made a mistake, she said. Ellis-Marseglias comments became a flashpoint for GOP anger over the countys decisions amid the sharp scrutiny of the states vote counting as the Senate race is in the midst of a recount. Democratic Sen. Bob Casey trails Republican Dave McCormick by more than 17,000 votes. Casey has used standard legal procedures to fight for as many remaining provisional and mail ballots as possible to be counted as the race plays out, but the county-level wrangling over ballots has led to accusations from Republicans that Democrats are attempting to steal the race. This is a travesty that we have to be here today to make sure the law is followed, Pat Poprick, the chair of the Bucks County GOP, said in a news conference ahead of the public meeting. Pressure to resign Bucks County is one of just three counties in the state that went for Casey in the Senate race, but also went for President-elect Donald Trump in the presidential contest. The divisions in the community were on display Wednesday. Hundreds of residents flooded the meeting, filling the 200-person capacity meeting room in Doylestown and overflowing into a separate room in the county courthouse. Many carried signs calling Ellis-Marseglia and fellow Democratic commissioner Bob Harvie tyrants, with some calling for their arrest. Throughout the meeting, the crowd often broke out in cries of support for speakers or outrage at the commissioners. As the commissioners adjourned the meeting and walked out of the room, many erupted in chants of lock her up, reminiscent of Trumps 2016 refrain about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. As Scott Presler, a GOP influencer who worked to register GOP voters in Pennsylvania ahead of the election and a longtime peddler of false claims of election fraud, entered the room the crowd applauded. Attendees lined up to take photos with the influencer as they waited for the public meeting to start. We are coming for your seat in 2027 if you dont resign today, Presler declared during public comment, noting the year Ellis-Marseglia is up for reelection. Ellis-Marseglia can be heard in video of the meeting responding have at it. Over two hours, dozens of people offered public comment bringing a smorgasbord of complaints over Ellis-Marseglias comments, the boards votes, and the administration of elections in Bucks County. Several claimed, without proof, that last weeks episode proved that Democrats had and would cheat in elections reviving false claims of election fraud in the 2020 election. Speakers frequently called for Ellis-Marseglia and Harvie to resign and often called for them to be criminally prosecuted, though their votes are unlikely to be considered a violation of criminal law. Both officials sat in the front of the room, occasionally making faces but rarely looking at speakers as Ellis-Marseglia called person after person to the podium. At one point, amid an outcry from the crowd because a speaker was cut off, the commissioners called for a five-minute break and exited the room. You two should be removed from office. You should be prosecuted. Do the county a favor and resign, said Joe Linus, a longtime Bucks County poll worker. One speaker, Terry Warrington, rebuffed Ellis-Marseglias apology for her statements. We now hear you will work hard not to make those mistakes again publicly, he said. Beth Zigler, of Milford Township, used the meeting to call for hand counting of ballots a push that has emerged following false claims of fraud in 2020 even though the method is less accurate. At times the complaints went beyond elections to broad complaints about Democratic leadership, including frustration over LGBTQ rights, immigration and crime rates. A push for impeachment Skip Salvaseen, a speaker at the GOP news conference, urged attendees to sign an online petition urging the impeachment of Ellis-Marseglia and Harvie. Impeachment is the last step on a very long road, but the journey has started, Salvaseen said. Any decision to impeach the officials would go through the Pennsylvania General Assembly and is an uphill battle in the Democratic-controlled House. Poprick acknowledged in an interview that impeachment was unlikely, but said she hoped the outrage Wednesday would send a clear message to the commissioners. She called the commissioners hypocrites for criticizing Trump repeatedly for not respecting the rule of law. I think you have to realize that your actions have severe consequences on voters and I dont think they thought about it and if they did they ignored it, she said. State Rep. Joe Hogan (R., Bucks), said some state lawmakers discussed filing articles of impeachment against Ellis-Marseglia, but thats not the direction were gonna proceed in at this time. Instead, local lawmakers will allow voters and law enforcement to decide how to move forward. Ultimately, the voters are going to decide what theyre going to do, Hogan added. Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) has offered his offices bathroom to Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride, elected this month as the first openly transgender member of Congress, as House Republicans prepare to block her from using the womens restrooms at the Capitol. McBride said Wednesday that she will follow the rules though she disagrees with them. Advertisement Im not here to fight about bathrooms, McBride said. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families. Fettermans offer comes as the incoming Delaware lawmaker faces attacks from Republican lawmakers, including a bill from U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R., S.C.) that would restrict lawmakers from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex, which was clearly aimed at McBride. Theres no job Im afraid to lose if it requires me to degrade anyone, Fetterman said in a post on X Wednesday. If thats a defining issue for a voter, there will be a different candidate. We have a bathroom in my office that anybody is welcome to use, including Representative-elect Sarah McBride. Fetterman has routinely touted himself as a staunch defender of transgender rights. His post came the same day that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) announced on Transgender Day of Remembrance that transgender individuals are not permitted to use Capitol bathrooms that align with their gender identity. In a statement on X Wednesday, McBride said she hopes her future House colleagues can appreciate the reasons she was elected to this new position. 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, McBride said. I hope all of my colleagues will seek to do the same with me. The GOP lawmakers targeting of McBride follows President-elect Donald Trumps campaign that heavily focused on transgender people. Advertisements that routinely aired in Pennsylvania targeting Vice President Kamala Harris stance on transgender rights have been credited including by Fetterman for potentially contributing to Trumps victory. Pedestrian with an umbrella on a rainy day along Market Street in Philadelphia, Nov. 21, 2024. Rains Wednesday night and early Thursday were the most since August. Read more Though you might well have slept through it, not only did it rain Wednesday night, but officially more rain fell in Philly between 11 p.m. and midnight than in the previous 64 days combined. And while it didnt close schools or set off supermarket stampedes, these days rain qualifies as a bona fide weather event. Light rain and chilly winds persisted into Thursday afternoon, a remembrance of Novembers past. Advertisement Officially, 0.88 inches of rain was reported at Philadelphia International Airport through 1 p.m. Thursday 0.52 of that during a thunderstorm in the final hour of Wednesday. It was the most measured on any calendar day in over three months, and after the first rainless October in records dating to 1872, the November total nudged to 1.25 inches. Still, the drought is not over. In its weekly update Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor had the immediate Philly area and all of South Jersey in extreme drought conditions, with the rest of the region in severe drought. More showers are possible Friday, with wet snowflakes possibly added to the mix. December-like temperatures and northwest winds gusting to 25 mph will generate wind chills (you remember those?) making it feel like its in the mid- to upper 20s Friday morning. Meanwhile, a winter-storm warning was in effect for the Poconos starting at 4 p.m. Thursday, with up to 18 inches of snow possible in the highest elevations. No precipitation is expected around here on the weekend, when as many as 30,000 participate in the annual Philadelphia Marathon events, but brisk breezes are expected to drive wind chills into the mid-30s during race times both mornings. READ MORE: Running wont be a breeze for Philly marathon racers, with strong winds expected both days Meteorologists say that a major transition is underway. Its going to be quite a pattern change, said Alex Staarmann, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly. Were moving into a much colder and much stormier pattern for the East for the next couple of weeks. Well probably get at least some additional rain. He said that another significant storm could affect the region on Thanksgiving weekend. For the first time in a long time, the two-week outlook posted Wednesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Climate Prediction Center favors below-normal temperatures for Philadelphia and most of the nation. It also has the odds tilted toward above-normal precipitation in the Philly region. Still, it will take some serious raining to wipe out the precipitation deficits. Through Tuesday, rainfall in the last 90 days in Philadelphia was about 7% of normal, according to NOAAs Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. During previous serious droughts, notably the ones spanning 1964-65 and 1980-81, nature took its good old time refilling the reservoirs and recharging the groundwater. Suncorp has provided rehabilitation payments to Daniel during the negotiations and is optimistic that a mutually agreeable settlement can be reached soon, which will include compensation for past losses, such as lost income, up to the resolution of the claim, the spokesperson said. Barnes joined Aon in 2023 and has since overseen claims operations in the UK and global broking centre. Prior to Aon, she led Swiss Re Groups large-loss and key-case management team and served as vice president for overseas claims management at Chubb. She also serves on the advisory board of the RAND Institute for Civil Justice. His deep knowledge of the African market landscape and his established international network, as well as strong relationships within the London market, will be invaluable to the business as we grow in this territory. Providing a dedicated resource to a region so rich in opportunity is an important step for BMS, and we are confident Ryan is the right person to lead this initiative, Galvin said. "The supervisory board arranged the succession to the board of management of Deutsche Re at an early stage, board chairman Prof. Dr. Frank Walthes said in a news release. We look forward to continuing our very good cooperation with Achim Bosch, whom we have come to know as a successful and excellently networked manager with outstanding professional and leadership skills. We are excited to announce another mutually beneficial transaction with Manulife and are grateful for their continued trust in RGA, he said. The acquired LTC block aligns well with our existing LTC portfolio, and both blocks will benefit from our diverse asset capabilities. Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Director Elizabeth (Beth) Kelleher Dwyer will take on the role of Vice President. Dwyer, appointed Superintendent of Insurance on January 11, 2016, was later named Director of Rhode Island's Department of Business Regulation in May 2023. With Velocity Clearings robust platform and expertise, this acquisition will serve as a springboard for enhancing the global capabilities of South Koreas leading insurance company. Together with the Velocity Clearing management team, we are well positioned to make a strong impact in the US and lay the foundation for sustainable, long-term growth, he said. President Joe Bidens pending request for nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid includes money to rebuild Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed under the impact of a massive container ship that lost power and veered off course in March. Within hours of the disaster, Biden said the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort. He visited Baltimore in the weeks that followed and reiterated his pledge of support. Since then, members of Marylands congressional delegation have been working to secure 100% federal funding to cover the nearly $2 billion in estimated reconstruction costs. The federal government would otherwise cover 90%. In a letter Monday to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Biden said Congress must bolster funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other programs in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The request comes as lawmakers meet during a lame-duck session to finish key priorities before making way for a new Congress and the incoming Trump administration. It includes some $8 billion that would help rebuild and repair highways and bridges in more than 40 states and territories, including Maryland. Maryland Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin said the request also includes passing legislation that would provide 100% federal funding for the bridge reconstruction. He said legislators had been looking for a vehicle to get that approved and were hopeful it would pass. The Maryland delegation has always supported other states in their hours of need, whether it was hurricanes, forest fires, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, also a Democrat, told reporters Monday evening. And we expect and hope the rest of the country to support us now when it comes to replacing the Key Bridge. Maryland transportation leaders approved a contract for the reconstruction project in August that set a 2028 completion date and a $1.7 billion price tag. The collapse killed six members of a road work crew who were filling potholes on the bridge when it came crashing down into the water below. The cargo ship Dali had experienced a series of electrical issues while it remained docked in Baltimore. Litigation will determine assignments of liability for what could become one of the most expensive maritime disasters in history, recouping money that could eventually help reimburse the cost of rebuilding. Constructed in the 1970s, the bridge was named after Francis Scott Key, who wrote the national anthem after witnessing American troops successfully defend south Baltimores Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) steel span connected industrial communities on either side of Baltimores harbor and allowed drivers to easily bypass downtown. It was often used by truckers traveling up and down the East Coast. Since the collapse, drive times and accidents have increased on the main alternate routes. U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, whose district includes communities at the northeast end of the bridge, said getting it rebuilt will mean a lot to Baltimores dockworkers, small businesses and everyone in our state whos come to see that bridge as a cathedral there in the water. Photo: The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge lay on top of the container ship Dali, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Baltimore. The FBI confirmed that agents were aboard the Dali conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The trend of decreasing rates in Connecticut workers compensation insurance will continue as the states insurance regulator has approved an industry proposed 6% rate decrease beginning January 1, 2025. The now-approved rate filing submitted by the industrys National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) in September calls for a decrease of 6.1% to the voluntary market loss costs and a decrease of 6.2% in assigned risk plan rates. This becomes the eleventh consecutive year that the Connecticut Insurance Department has approved rate decreases beginning January 1 for employers, reflecting a continued decline in workplace injuries and filed claims. Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais said that with a decade of decreasing rates, employers in the state have saved more than $400 million in reduced premiums. The NCCI recommendations for 2025 are based on premium and loss experience as of year-end 2023 from policy years 2021 and 2022 and show improved experience relative to the organizations 2024 rate filing, which also recommended decreases. According to NCCIs filing, Connecticuts lost-time claims saw a moderate decrease in the latest year, continuing what NCCI says has been a long-term trend. Despite a small increase for the medical loss ratio in the most recent policy year, NCCI said it expects the long-term pattern of decline in the medical loss ratios, as well as the indemnity loss ratios, to continue in 2025. The approved changes in voluntary market loss costs for 2025 by industry group are: Manufacturing -8.0%; Contracting -6.9%; Office & Clerical -5.6%; Goods & Services -5.2%; and Miscellaneous -5.7%. The proposed change to the assigned risk rates for 2025 reflects a decrease to assigned risk expenses and an increase to the assigned risk differential, NCCI said. The approved changes in assigned risk market rates by industry group are: Manufacturing -8.1%; Contracting -7.0%; Office & Clerical -5.7%; Goods & Services -5.3%; and Miscellaneous -5.8%. Each workers compensation insurer must add other costs including commissions and taxes to the approved loss costs to compute the final workers compensation rates it intends to charge. Employers unable to obtain coverage in the voluntary market can apply for coverage in the assigned risk market. The 2025 decreases continue the downward trend of recent years. For 2024, NCCI recommended and the insurance department approved an overall 9.8% reduction in loss costs in the voluntary market and a 10.5% overall reduction in the assigned risk market. For 2023, the state allowed NCCIs proposed overall average change of -3.0% to the voluntary loss costs and no change to the 2023 assigned risk rate level. In 2022, voluntary loss costs went down 14.1%, while assigned risk rates fell 8.2%, upon NCCIs recommendation. Countrywide, NCCI reported that the calendar year 2023 combined ratio for workers compensation was 86%, a sign of underwriting profitability, where the net written premium increased by 1%. Frequency has continued its long-term decline, while claim severity changes were moderate for 2023. Topics Trends Workers' Compensation Talent Pricing Trends Connecticut Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced the acquisition of Santiago, Chile-based THB Chile. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. THB Chile is a retail insurance broker providing property/casualty, life and health benefits, and reinsurance services to clients throughout Chile. The THB Chile team will operate under the direction of Lionel Soffia, head of Gallaghers retail insurance and reinsurance brokerage operations in Chile and Latin America. THB Chile brings deep market expertise and a complementary book of business, representing a significant expansion of our retail and reinsurance brokerage operations in Chile, said J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., chairman and CEO. I am very pleased to welcome the THB Chile team to our growing Gallagher family of professionals. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. , the Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, provides these services in approximately 130 countries through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. Source: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies A.J. Gallagher Risk Strategies announced it has acquired the assets of Ohio-based employee benefits specialty organization Cornerstone Broker Insurance Services Agency, Inc., an Ohio-based national provider of employee benefits solutions. The sale also included the assets of ARC Benefit Solutions, which provides ongoing support to employee benefit clients. Terms of the deal were not announced. Founded in 1985 as Cornerstone Broker Insurance Services Agency, Inc., the firm is a brokerage general agency (BGA) providing wholesale health insurance purchasing and general agency services to independent brokers across group, individual, and ancillary benefits. Cornerstone also provides its independent broker clients with a variety of back-office support and administrative services, including quoting, enrollment, renewals, onboarding, carrier/broker advocacy, and succession planning. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Ohio The 22 acquirers that make up the Sica Fletcher Index were involved in 142 agent-broker deals in the third quarter to match the amount of deal from the same quarter last year. Members completed 385 acquisitions for the year as of September 30. This was 4% less than a year ago. Total revenue acquired thus far in 2024 was $1.1 billion, a 38% decreased compared to 2023 at this point. The average agency size in revenue was about $2.7 million. The average size was about $4.2 million through September last year. Sica Fletcher, an insurance industry-focused advisory firm, said the numbers demonstrate a notable trend in terms of buyer appetite. The firm said its Agency & Broker Buyer Index typically captures 70% of all agent-broker deal activity but has accounted for 66% through September. New market entrants have become more involved, driven by [private equity] interest in the insurance sector. Private equity-backed BroadStreet Partners led the SF index with 68 deals through September. Thats 23 more deals than last year at this time. Hub International and Inszone Insurance were next with 45 and 35 deals, respectively. Private equity made more than 90% of SF Index transactions YTD. Gallagher led public companies with 24 deal for 2024 as of September 30. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Profit Loss Agencies General Mills Inc. is planning to engage federal officials over potential restrictions on food dyes that it uses in some of its cereals, as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services, calls for them to be removed. Because this is always an evolving space, we work in close partnership with policymakers on this issue, the company said in a statement. We will engage with federal regulators as they consider any additional changes they may propose. Kennedy boosted attention on the use of dyes in the final weeks of the US presidential campaign as a high-profile supporter of Donald Trump, who then made him his choice to run HHS. The first thing Id do isnt going to cost you anything because Im just gonna tell the cereal companies: Take all the dyes out of their food, Kennedy said late last month. The additives have been held up by consumer advocates as a safety hazard since artificial dyes might be carcinogenic and possibly lead to hyperactivity in some kids. Versions of the cereals sold abroad are made without the dyes. Restrictions on food dyes could be costly for General Mills, which makes brightly-colored cereals such as Trix and Lucky Charms. Duller colors might turn off consumers. But failing to reformulate could also be risky because some shoppers demand cereals without the dyes. Nearly 10 years ago, major food companies pledged to get the dyes out of American products. But many of them later backtracked. General Mills put artificial colors back into Trix cereal in 2017 after consumers complained about its naturally-colored version. Food dyes took a hit in September when California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law that will ban six kinds of them, including those commonly used in colorful childrens cereals, from food served in the states public schools by the end of 2027. General Mills already offers Trix without dyes to schools, but Lucky Charms still contain Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6, and Blue 1. WK Kellogg, which has been the target of a months long campaign to remove the dyes, has not removed them from Froot Loops or Apple Jacks. Working Through Both companies have said they plan to comply with the California law, and General Mills says its still working through questions of how it plans to do that, which could include reformulating products or removing them from the available options for California schools. Kellogg is also assessing its options for how to comply with the California school law, a spokesperson said. The company will also continue to work with policymakers across the political spectrum, the person said. After months of protesting Kelloggs use of the dyes, food activist Vani Hari, known as the Food Babe, has also sent a letter to General Mills urging it to remove the dyes from its American cereals. General Mills has the opportunity to avoid a PR nightmare, Hari said. I hope they step up as the leader in the industry and remove artificial food dyes from all of their cereals like they do in other countries. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. A Miami insurance agent has pleaded guilty to defrauding a Georgia credit union by obtaining loans for condominium associations premium financing then using the $6 million for personal gain. Heleonel Gonzalez, known as Leo, is set for sentencing in February, the U.S. Attorneys office for North Georgia and the FBI said Wednesday. Peach State Federal Credit Union would not have made the loans if it had not been for Defendant Gonzalezs false and fraudulent representations, reads the felony information document filed by prosecutors in federal court. Gonzalez, 48, owned Sharp Insurance Agency in Miami Lakes. On at least 20 occasions in 2023 and early this year, he represented to the credit union that clients had authorized him to apply for loans that would be used to help condo associations pay their property insurance premiums, court documents show. One condominium group was 360 Community Association, representing waterfront, high-rise condo units in Miami, according to court records. Prosecutors said that Gonzalez insurance agency was an agent for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. State Department of Financial Services agent records show that Gonzalez appointment with Citizens began in 2016 and expires in April 2025. He also held active appointments with 15 other insurers, including Universal Property and Casualty Insurance. Gonzalez could not be reached by phone early Thursday. He now faces as much as 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine. Prosecutors also have asked that Gonzalez forfeit multiple assets, including a home in Park City, Utah, that is listed at $749,000 on Zillow, a real estate site, along with another property in Park City. Others were involved in the scheme, the U.S. Attorneys office said, but it was not reported if or when they will be prosecuted. The FBI is continuing to investigate. Floridas property insurance and condominium crises may have provided the perfect cover for Gonzalezs subterfuge. Insurance premiums for condos have soared in recent years, as have repair costs and association fees after Florida lawmakers in 2022 required more frequent inspections and cash reserves for condominium associations. Many condo unit owners have said they cannot afford the new costs and plan to move out. Gonzalez fraudulently represented that the loan proceeds would be used to pay the premiums on the policy, and for no other purpose. But Gonzalez knew these representations were false, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a statement. Instead of financing insurance premiums, Gonzalez used the millions to pay off his own debt and other personal expenses, prosecutors said. Topics Agencies KBRA downgraded the insurance financial strength ratings (IFSR) of Oregon Mutual Insurance Co. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Western Protectors Insurance Co. to BBB+ from A-. The outlooks for both ratings remain negative. The downgrades reflect the continued deterioration in OMs underwriting results, which have negatively impacted profitability ratios, policyholder surplus levels, underwriting leverage metrics and liquidity measures, according to a KBRA report. KBRA said the negative outlook reflects concerns about reserve adequacy and the potential for future deterioration in profitability and capital levels. The potential benefits and expected improvement in operating performance from the decision to exit personal lines has not translated to improved financial metrics as expected in management projections provided to KBRA, it said in an announcement on the downgrade. The ratings for OM and WesPro reflect a strong reinsurance program, conservative investment portfolio and strong local market knowledge with many longstanding agency relationships. OM also has adequate but deteriorating risk-adjusted capitalization. The company has a strong reinsurance program that provides catastrophe coverage between one-in-250 and one-in-500 year return periods, according to KBRA. OM also has modest earthquake risk because the company reinsures 100% of its shake damage exposure. OMs investment policy is conservative and it supports the companys objectives of capital preservation. The investment portfolio as of September 30 consists primarily of investment-grade fixed-income securities and cash and cash equivalents. Although the RBC ratio improved to 461% in 2023 from 369% the prior year, the levels are below the historical range of 500% to 600% maintained by OM in the years prior to 2022, according to KBRA. Topics Oregon The IDA warned the government that competition for foreign direct investment was becoming more intense and aggressive than ever as Ireland grappled with its own infrastructure frailties. In pre-budget discussions, the investment agency said that the availability of energy and water as well as the shortage and cost of housing were creating challenges in attracting business. They said it was also crucial that the Irish tax system was seen as clear, transparent, and [providing] certainty for investors, amid global reforms around taxation. The letter said: While we acknowledge that Ireland must comply with our international commitments, it is equally important that we remain both internationally compliant and competitive. The details were contained in a letter sent by IDA management to the Department of Enterprise in July ahead of discussions over Budget 2025. The IDA said there were issues around interest limitation rules and conditions on schemes to attract high-paid executives that were unnecessarily complex and making Ireland less attractive. Remember we are sending a signal as to who we are, and what we want, the letter said. It said access to an appropriately qualified and cost-effective labour force was becoming increasingly important in the face of international competition. The IDA said that restrictions around the so-called SARP scheme, which gives tax relief to highly paid executives in multinationals, were not helping. The letter said: SARPs inability to accommodate the direct hire of new senior executives, without them first being located elsewhere within the [business] group, has cost Ireland the ability to create new key strategic activities in Ireland. Locations that can hire new senior staff directly, is likely the location where new teams, e.g. AI [artificial intelligence] teams, will be created. The IDA again raised the high rates of tax that apply in Ireland saying a 50% marginal rate was a challenge in the context of both international competitiveness and cost-of-living issues. In the letter, the investment agency also sought changes around research and development credits, new short-term tax incentives for digital and green transition, and clarity around cross-border hybrid working. More broadly, the IDA said the government needed to put a renewed focus on energy, water, and housing in Budget 2025. On power and water supply, they said national investment was needed to increase capacity, while not letting cost recovery make Ireland uncompetitive for FDI [foreign direct investment] projects. In terms of their own budget, the IDA said they were looking for an increase in funding of pay to 38 million to help fill 20 vacant posts. The agency said they needed an increase in funds as well for grants to industry to improve value proposition when compared to competing countries. A submission on budget requirements said: In such an uncertain environment, it is critical that the IDA continue to partner with clients on their growth agendas and support company transformation through supports for R&D [research and development], training and investment in sustainable business practices. Extra finance for buildings was also required, the IDA said, to address regional market failure and to encourage investment around the country. This would include completion of buildings in Galway, Cavan, and Sligo as well as commencement of projects in Letterkenny, Mullingar, Drogheda, and Castlebar. Asked about the records, the IDA said they had nothing further to add. Two lionesses which were rescued from a conflict zone in Ukraine have arrived at their new home in Scotland. Luna and Plusza, both aged four, arrived at the Five Sisters Zoo, West Calder, West Lothian, on Wednesday night. More investment is needed to better support people struggling with addiction, poverty, and trauma to reduce Irelands prison population, a general election hustings by the Irish Prison Reform Trust (IPRT) has heard. Politicians from five political parties agreed that the root causes of crime like poverty and addiction need to be better addressed to reduce Irelands prison population. On Wednesday, Irelands prisons were at 113% occupancy with 5,100 prisoners, when the bed capacity is 4,519. IPRT executive director, Saoirse Brady said a new Red C public opinion poll for the IPRT found that 81% of adults surveyed believe it is important for the next government to prioritise alternatives to imprisonment in cases of non-violent offences. Only 26% of respondents viewed prison as an effective tool for addressing non-violent crime. When asked about how they would spend an annual budget of 10m to best tackle crime, over one in three surveyed would prioritise person-centred interventions such as additional drug treatment places, extra youth workers, and more consultant psychologists. Fewer than 10% see additional prison spaces as a priority. In general, people were sceptical about the merits of expanding prison capacity, the survey found. Some 68% of respondents felt that expanding prison capacity will not reduce crime. Instead, they believe tackling the underlying causes of crime is more effective. Sinead Gibney, who is running in the general election for the Social Democrats, said poverty and inequality are the key causes of crime. But the majority of funding goes to dealing with crime after it has been committed rather than addressing its causes. Providing better youth services, mental health services, and addiction treatment would deal with the causes of crime at source and do right by communities. Fianna Fail TD Jim OCallaghan said his party would fund 1,100 extra prison spaces if re-elected to government, which he said is reasonable considering Irelands expanding population. Mr OCallaghan said he appreciates that the causes for people ending up in prison are complex and that the focus must be on providing services earlier to keep people out of prison. But he said ultimately, if someone commits a violent offence, there has to be custodial sentencing for that". Labour MEP Aodhan O Riordain said that short sentences for non-violent crimes must be stopped. Women are often jailed for short terms for non-violent offences and these jail terms inflict disproportionate damage on women and families, building intergenerational distrust of the State in those womens children. Many people could and should be treated in kept in their communities instead. A courageous toddler who bounced back after a case of sepsis left him in a coma will join other brave children from across Cork for a very special Christmas day out. James Farmer, who turned two in recent weeks, is one of dozens of deserving children nominated to participate in a festive day out at the Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club Christmas Extravaganza. Now in its 19th year, the initiative will see families transported in style from Nemo Rangers to Pairc Ui Chaoimh through a convoy of vintage cars and emergency service vehicles on December 3 and 4. Here they will rub shoulders with Disney characters and enjoy other fun activities before a meet and greet with the man of the moment, Santa. Jamess mother Eimear and three-year-old brother JJ will also have the chance to join in the festivities after a difficult two years. The family has come a long way since two-week old James fought for his life in Childrens Health Ireland in Crumlin. James was initially taken to Cork University Maternity Hospital in late October of 2022, as he was refusing to feed. A lumber puncture detected neonatal sepsis which results from a life-threatening response to infection. James was then transferred to Childrens Health Ireland in Crumlin where he was diagnosed through further tests with MMSA Bacteremia. James went to CUH [Cork University Hospital] at 14 days old, Eimear told the Irish Examiner. By 19 days old he was in the ICU. "When the twentieth day came he was in a medically-induced coma and intubated. "When we asked what his chances were, we were told this was as life threatening as things could get. "He had to be placed into a medically-induced coma for a few days. Ill never forget the day he kicked his legs. It was the stuff of dreams. Its a miracle he came through it all. He really is one in a million. Eimear says James really had to battle to survive. "The mortality rate for babies with sepsis is between 40% and 60% so when you hear of sepsis in a newborn its frightening. "His case was severe. Then he started to move his arms and legs. "It wasnt a straight road home but these things comes with their peaks and valleys and you just have to roll with it. "Slowly, but surely, he made it back from ICU to the ward. "My husband Jack and I kept each other strong. We also had great family support. All we could do was take things day by day. We celebrated anything positive that the day brought. If the day brought a hurdle we got through it and moved on. Eimear and her family struck up a lifelong friendship with the nurses in the Ladybird Ward of CUH where James was a patient. They made it less scary for us. After a while it wasnt like we were even taking him to hospital. We were just going to meet the girls. They genuinely have become like family. "They were almost fighting over who would take care of James even though he was such a complex case. "Two weeks ago the nurses from the ward rang us and told us we had been nominated for the Christmas event. "We couldnt believe it and kept asking if they were sure they wanted to nominate us. Eimear said she is looking forward to celebrating Jamess first Christmas with a clean bill of health and his nomination means so much to her and the whole family. Eimear said she is looking forward to celebrating Jamess first Christmas with a clean bill of health and his nomination means so much to her and the whole family. Picture: Eddie O'Hare To have this level of normality is indescribable for someone who hasnt had it their whole life. Getting to see him live a life we never thought hed have is the best feeling in the world. James has defied the odds in terms of his recovery. Every single consultant cant believe this is James. They had never seen such a widely spread case of MMSA in a baby. This was paired with a kidney issue so it all culminated in a very intense scenario. "Two of his ribs never grew post infection and he has just 20% function in his left kidney. "Since the infection impacted his limbs, his growth has to be closely monitored. "You would not realise any of this to look at him. Its amazing to think that babies can come through this much of a fight and not even be aware of it. Meanwhile, Carolann Quilligan, who lives in Cork City, says she was extremely touched to see her 14-month-old daughter Lucy nominated for the festive event alongside eight-year-old sister Hazel. It comes at a worrying time for the family as Lucy with metopic craniosynostosis a condition in which one or more of the fibrous sutures in the skull prematurely fuses, altering the growth of the skull. The little girl will undergo intensive reconstructive surgery early next year to facilitate the growth of the skull. If she doesnt have the surgery the brain wont grow, Carolann said. Mark and Carolann Quilligan with their daughter Lucy from Tramore Rd, Cork. Picture: Howard Crowdy Its something you can have done when youre older but the longer you wait the more difficult it is. "If Lucy doesnt get this done she will look a lot different to the other kids. "Ive heard of teenagers who havent had it done who ended up suffering mentally because of the bullying they endured. "Thats not something you can fix. She is a girl and there is so much pressure now with photographs and social media. "Weve had to acknowledge that theres no avoiding this. She said the Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club event came as a welcome distraction during a worrying period. When we found out how serious this was and the benefits, we realised how important it was to give our daughter a normal start in life. "It took time to process and it was very upsetting at the start. Then we just said to ourselves, yes, lets just get this done. "There has been so much uncertainty since she was born but we know she will be resilient to it. Carolann and her husband Mark had known about the Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club charity before their kids were born. Mark, Carolann, Hazel, Rhys, and Lucy Quilligan. Picture: Howard Crowdy My husband has a tattoo shop and he did a lot of fundraising for the Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club before Lucy was even born so our connection with them has always been there. "We were really honoured to have been chosen to be part of their Christmas event. Cork Siblings Elayna, 7, and four-year-old Alex OSullivan, who were born with Glanzmann thrombasthenia, are also looking forward to the big day. The hereditary blood clotting disorder they suffer from is one of the rarest conditions in the world and results in abnormal and excessive bleeding. While the medical challenges are endless a seemingly innocuous nosebleed can result in up to 60% of blood loss in the body Cian and his wife Nikki are determined to create as many positives experiences for their children as possible. Elayna and Alex O'Sullivan, Ballincollig. Their father Cian explains: Alexs condition is a lot more severe than his sisters. Alex can get bleeds which escalate out of nowhere. Each time this happens we either need to get emergency care at home or bring him into hospital. "We have no idea how severe his case is versus anyone around the globe as the condition is so rare. All we have to go on is our own circumstances. "It has been a particularly terrible year for Alex so we are really delighted to have this event to look forward to. "Things are great in many ways. They both go to a mainstream school. Alex loves playing outside with his friends. You are that bit reserved with him because one fall can end up being a really big deal. "However, we have to let them be normal kids because that is what they are. This will be the familys second time attending the event. Christine is one of the nurses in the Puffin ward at CUH and she nominated us. Even for the adults this is a special day. We have been to the event before and it was such a magical day from the minute we arrived there and were met by the fire brigade. Anything extra we can give the children that brings them joy is always really appreciated. John Looney founded the Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club after being inspired by his own children, Pamela, Noelle, Clodagh, and Karen, who are now grown up. His daughter, Pamela, was born with two tumours on her spine and as a little girl embarked on a trip with another organisation. John was determined to set up a charity of his own to make memories for even more Cork kids. His children are now volunteers with the charity and accompany him on trips and at events. The charity offers an annual holiday as well as a Christmas Day out to kids touched by illness or emotional trauma who are in need of a break. Cork City Coroner has appealed for barriers to be erected to stop people driving over Cork City's quay walls, as he said 13 people have entered the water in cars at one quay since 2018. Philip Comyn said there were six attempted suicides at Kennedy Quay in Cork City since 2018, six suicides and one murder. In this year alone, I have heard three inquests regarding the quays in Cork," he said, adding that they included cases where adults entered the water with children in the car. "Given the number of incidents here over a short period of time, I think it is incumbent on the local authority representatives for these quays, whether it be the Port of Cork or Cork City Council, not only to come up with plans to make these quays safer and to prevent incidents of this nature taking place, but also to ensure the plan is implemented without further delay. Mr Comyn gave the warning at a tragic inquest into the death of a 35-year-old Ukrainian father-of-one who drove his Audi into Kennedy Quay on March 2, before 4am. His car was seen half-submerged at 4.09am by a security worker at the Port of Cork, who raised the alarm. Dive crews located the vehicle at 8.20am but abandoned its removal as a local rowing club was running time trials in close proximity to the divers rescue effort, Sergeant Aisling Murphy said, reading evidence from Garda Richard Caverly. Rowing club organisers had shown reluctance to follow any instructions from gardai when divers were trying to remove the vehicle and the body from the water, the court heard. The rowing club had to be physically stopped by Cork fire brigade, which put a boat in the water to protect the divers. When the area was cleared of rowers, the vehicle was extracted after 11am on Kennedy Quay. The mans body was removed to Cork University Hospital for autopsy. Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster said no alcohol was found in the deceaseds blood but cocaine and a metabolite of cocaine was found. The body showed no evidence of trauma but there was a frothy fluid in the windpipe and his lungs were heavy and hyper-expanded, both of which are classically found in drowning deaths, Dr Bolster said. Cocaine can also hasten death because it can affect the heart, she said. His cause of death was give as acute cardio respiratory failure due to drowning. Another significant factor was given as cocaine use. Mr Comyn gave his verdict as suicide and extended his sympathies to the family. Mr Comyn also reminded people of the dangers of taking recreational drugs. This is a very clear example of what can happen. And the devastating effects that can occur. The deceaseds wife, speaking in court through an interpreter, said her husband had suffered from depression and had taken some recreational drugs but had continued to work as normal. But he had previously become paranoid after taking hedonistic drugs, believing people were following him and chasing him when they were not, she said through an interpreter. The family had moved to Ireland to escape the war in their homeland in March 2023. Before his tragic death, he had been emotionally agitated that day, his wife told the court. There were times before his death he did not recognise his wife nor their son. I knew it was not good, she said. He said earlier everything will finish soon'. UPDATE DEC 3, 2024: Gardai have confirmed to the Irish Examiner that Blackrock Rowing Club were wrongly named in the Garda statement read out during this inquest on Thursday, November 21. The club (and all local rowing clubs) had nothing to do with the referenced river rowing event, which members of Blackrock Rowing Club (a coastal rowing club) are not eligible to row in. The Irish Examiner is happy to update the record in this respect. 1. A row broke out about a piggy bank A major clash has broken out between Sinn Fein and Fine Gael on the economy, as the latter has accused the main opposition party of attempting to raid Irelands public finances. Fine Gael has unveiled a new ad that says Sinn Fein is planning to break into the State piggy bank to lift 16bn from its coffers. The party produced a roving screen with the attack ad, with Fine Gael staffers confirming that it travelled across Dublin City on Wednesday afternoon. Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty described the ad as pathetic and accused Fine Gael of lying to the electorate. 2. Social Democrats suggest bringing Palestinian children to Ireland The Social Democrats has pledged to create a 10m fund to bring Palestinian children to Ireland if it is part of the next government. As part of the party's 'positive neutrality' policy, it will establish a fund to enable children from Palestine for education, medical treatment, and cultural exchanges. The scheme would also see an exchange programme launched for Palestinian public servants to be mentored in Ireland as part of a Palestinian state-building initiative. In September, Stephen Donnelly got approval to bring children from Gaza to Ireland to undergo medical treatment. The first phase of this initiative planned for 30 children, who suffer from various conditions, to be flown to Ireland by the EU before the end of the year. In its policy document, Social Democrats said it would work closely with international institutions including the EU, UN, and others to enhance the humanitarian assistance provided to the people of Palestine. The party said it would enact the Occupied Territories Bill and the Illegal Israeli Settlements Bill as well as impose diplomatic and travel sanctions on Israeli government officials while advocating at EU level for further and more widespread sanctions. A "pro-active inspection system" is required to avoid an abuse of landing rights at Irish airports and all military aircraft requesting overflight of Irish airspace should be compatible with our policy of military neutrality, the party stated. Ireland must not be used as a hub by State or non-State actors for the passage of weapons, explosive material or ammunition into war zones or regions of conflict, the policy states. Gary Gannon speaking as Social Democrats general election candidates gather in Dublin at the launch of their 2024 campaign. Photo: Damien Storan "Since the foundation of the State, this country has always engaged in a positive and committed manner in global affairs while remaining proudly militarily neutral," said Gary Gannon, the Social Democrats' foreign affairs spokesperson. Any major change to Ireland's current form of neutrality should be tested first via a Citizens' Assembly and potentially by a referendum, the policy states. 3. Simon Harris may canvas with embattled Senator Taoiseach Simon Harris has indicated that he is willing to go on a canvas with embattled Fine Gael candidate John McGahon, while asking for Louth voters to support him. Mr Harris said he believes there does not need to be an internal Fine Gael process to discipline Mr McGahon after he was found 65% civilly liable. Mr Harris said that the 39,000 fine imposed on Mr McGahon was a disciplinary action. Unlike other parties, I believe that actually the courts of this country trump internal processes, Mr Harris said. 4. The Greens will end homework The Green Party has proposed phasing out homework for children in primary school as leisure time is as important to their development as school work. Party leader Roderic O'Gorman cited research in France which he said showed the ability of a child to be able to play and relax is as important as the kind of "strict learning" they do during the school day. Children learn through play just as much as they learn through copying out their tables or similar work, he said. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman in Dublin "It is really, really important that children enjoy leisure time and the pressure that is put on children, particularly children who aren't as academic, the pressure that is put on them and their parents when they go home to complete homework is not fair," Mr O'Gorman said. In secondary school, it is fair to expect homework to be given but younger children need down time after a long day in school, he said. 5.Labour says gardai are turning down overtime Launching his party's plan to attract and retain gardai, Labour TD Alan Kelly said young gardai are turning down overtime in order to keep their access to rent supplement. Mr Kelly said the issue is "very real" and that morale among gardai is "the lowest in history" and the situation facing rank-and-file gardai has "never been as bad." Mr Kelly said his party would spend 75m renovating and expanding the Templemore training college and would increase the allowance given to trainee gardai to match the salary of a qualified guard. 6. Bishops have urged people to vote In a statement Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland Dermot Farrell said that voting is a "Christian duty". He said: "First of all, voting does make a difference. Every vote counts. Your vote counts. "Imagine living in a society with no elections, no democratic accountability, no contest of ideas, programmes, or vision. History shows that such societies are run by the powerful for their own benefit, while freedom of belief and expression are restricted, or even suppressed. Voting matters because it is how we hold our leaders to account and mandate what we believe to be important." Michael Healy Rae has released a song as part of his general election campaign, as has become tradition for the Kerry TD. The Independent TD posted the song on social media on Wednesday, just nine days before the country heads to the polls. "I was asked if I had a new election song, so I said, lets make it about something close to my heart. Keeping the home fires burning in Kerry," Mr Healy Rae wrote on X. The song, which is sung to the tune of Billy Joel classic 'We Didn't Start the Fire', includes a chorus which goes: "He has turf in the fire, it was always Healy Rae, here to save the day." It name drops Charlie Chaplin, Tom Crean, Peig Sayers, John B Keane, and Michael Fassbender while also rhyming Moll's Gap with "politician in a cap". This is not the first time Healy Rae has released a song to add a little X Factor to his campaign. In 2016, Killarney-based band Truly Diverse were recruited to create an election hit for Healy Rae. The result, Michael Healy-Rae Make the Diff, was described as a mixture of rap and country and western. For the last general election in 2020, Healy Rae posted a song set to the tune of 'Come Out Ye Black And Tans' to promote his bid to hold onto his seat in the Kingdom. Xi calls for stronger China-EU ties to address challenges, more dialogues on disputes Xinhua) 22:47, November 20, 2024 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) *During his meeting with Scholz, Xi said that China and Germany need to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership from a long-term and strategic perspective and continue to write cooperative stories of mutual achievement. *During his meeting with Macron, 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. *When meeting 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 said China always insists on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. 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. 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) 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. People visit the pavilion of Chinese carmaker Leapmotor at the 2024 Paris Motor Show during the media day in Paris, France, Oct. 14, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) 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. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan) Last January, yours truly, ever-anxious to be helpful, made a characteristically constructive series of suggestions here. If you dont recall, I outlined a few issues which needed attention, pointing out that progress on same would improve life for all of us. I even added a reasonable proviso, stressing that if these issues were tackled one by one, and month by month, then progress would be all the more achievable. How have we done so far? For Januarys project I picked out the crumbling quay by the South Gate Bridge ... an obvious place to start, not least because its been going on for so long (this problem goes back to the middle of 2022). Credit where its due. This was fully repaired as of May, with Cork City Council saying it had engaged proactively with the owners of the stretch of wall involved, and the result is a vast improvement. Sadly, if you stand on the South Quay and look downriver youll see another issue which has popped up since. In May a car crashed into the wall on the southern side of Parliament Bridge and it has not yet been repaired properly. Thats six months with a gaping hole in a quay wall: surely we can move a little faster than that? There are ongoing works nearby which will be depressingly familiar to anyone who drives along that route or, to be more accurate, to anyone plunged into the horror of the traffic jams in the area. Maybe we should have just put the crew which worked on the wall at the South Gate Bridge into a few canoes and floated them down to the next bridge. For Februarys project I nominated the Marina Market, with an appeal to put this market on a more secure footing, given the regular thunder rumbling about its legal status. Again, credit where its due. Cork City Council got in touch to point out that it had granted the Marina Market retention permission for five years. Progress March I reserved for Corks bus station and the news is not so good. Back then I mentioned a worrying tendency in America to relocate bus stations far from the centre of cities, with all of the inconvenience that that entails for passengers. The bus station in Cork has far more pressing problems, however. The chaotic service emanating from the main station has been cut back in an effort to improve it George Orwell would have approved while the building itself is no better than it was twelve months ago. In September there was a demonstration at the bus station: members of the public protested about the quality of the bus service, but the station itself is also in urgent need of attention and improvement. Only last week the Cork Commuter Coalition pointed out that it is a drab site that has become a haven of unsafety, with a dank interior and basic public amenities, such as toilets and seats, that are cordoned off from public use. All accurate. And quite the first impression for any tourists landing there when they visit Cork April was for Bishop Lucey Park, or the only real green space in the heart of the city (which) is shut down for redevelopment ... to be finished in 2025, over a year after it was closed for works. The work seems to be continuing here all the while, and the branded boarding makes progress a matter of guesswork (unless you pass by upstairs on a bus). One concern is the worryingly flexible finishing date, however. Last December, early 2025 was the date mentioned for completion of the project, but city councillors were told recently that the project is on schedule for reopening to the public in late 2025. Hmm. Event Centre The month of May I earmarked for the Event Centre. Apologies if I jinxed everything, but that may be a grandiose claim to make, even for me. The latest development deep breath as reported here by Eoin English last month? Cork City Council says it is already engaging with 'key stakeholders' on how to advance the new procurement process for the proposed 6,000 capacity venue, for which the first sod was turned in 2016, but which must now be retendered following a Cabinet decision on Tuesday. What can we say that hasnt been said already? (Works have started everyone) On the basis that youre probably looking forward to Christmas well leave this here altogether. Apart from pointing out again that moving the whole thing from South Main Street to the Kennedy Quay-Centre Park Road-Marina area, as was envisaged years ago, seems the only viable option. A mixed bag so far, then, but the last entry in my to-do list, at least, should give readers a smile. Last January, I pointed out that there had not been a ceremony to switch on the Christmas lights in Cork since 2019. In November 2023 Cork City Council officials said that was due to reasons of public safety and challenges related to crowd management". They also pointed out that it is notable that Galway City, Limerick City, and Dublin City have not announced plans to have a public switch-on event. At the time I suggested this was bad news for any public event in Cork, as challenges related to crowd management sounded as though they would rule out any gathering of more than two people, for instance. How could we stage games and concerts at all at all? Yet this year we had a large-scale event in Cork city: a Christmas miracle! Rebecca Daly reported in these pages on a city council-organised parade a couple of weeks ago which featured the Cork Barrack Street Band leading the Corkmas Parade through the city centre streets ... joined by performers, musicians and dancers from arts organisations including Montfort College of Performing Arts, Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance, and the Cork Butter Exchange Band . . . I did not make it to the parade myself but I am assured by first-hand witnesses that challenges related to crowd management were overcome despite everything, and that public safety was not compromised. Images from the event certainly depict ordinary folk enjoying a parade rather than a re-enactment of the Fall of Saigon, say. How could this happen? The only possible conclusion is that we, the great unwashed of Cork, have somehow learned to conduct ourselves properly in public spaces instead of taking our lead from the Golden Horde of Batu Khan In the last twelve months or so we have transformed ourselves from a violent mob likely to cause havoc at checks notes, then double-checks notes a Christmas lights ceremony, to a crowd of regular citizens just taking an interest in a public parade. Thats the only answer to the sudden outbreak of civilisation among Cork peoples public behaviour, but kudos while were here to the people who organised a proper Christmas event rather than hiding behind the inertia in other cities. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Chinas President Xi Jinping on Wednesday 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 US 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, Mr Xi inaugurated a 1.3 billion-dollar (1.03 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. Since 2004, when President Lula visited China for the first time, bilateral trade has grown more than 17 times The state visit by the Chinese leader comes more than a year after Mr Lula visited China seeking to strengthen ties and mend relations with its biggest trade partner after a rocky period under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. Mr Bolsonaros politician 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. Mr 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 Mr Bolsonaro who showed little interest in global affairs. In remarks to journalists on Wednesday, Mr 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. Mr 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 dollars (107.7 billion), according to a November 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 programme for Chinese companies to build transportation, energy and other infrastructure around the world. President Xi Jinping and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pose for photos with their bi-lateral agreements at the Alvorada palace in Brasilia, Brazil (Eraldo Peres/AP) 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 Mr 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 Mr Brites. Brazil will maintain its rapprochement and bargain to a certain extent, but I think there will be a limit, he added. Russia has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight targeting the city of Dnipro in the east of Ukraine the first time Moscow has used such a missile in the war. In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, Ukraines air force did not specify the exact type of missile but said it was launched from Russias Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea. It said the intercontinental ballistic missile was fired at Dnipro city along with eight other missiles, and that the Ukrainian military shot down six of them. Two people were wounded as a result of the attack, and an industrial facility and a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities were damaged. While the range of an ICBM would seem excessive for use against Ukraine, such missiles are designed to carry nuclear warheads, and the use of one would serve as a chilling reminder of Russias nuclear capability and a powerful message of potential escalation. The development comes as 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 US officials said prompted President Joe Bidens policy shift on allowing Ukraine to fire longer-range US missiles into Russia. The Kremlin responded with threats to escalate further. The attack comes two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine that formally lowers the threshold for the countrys use of nuclear weapons. Ukraine on Tuesday fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles and reportedly fired UK-made Storm Shadows on Wednesday into Russia. Mr Putin has previously warned the US and other Nato allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons to hit Russian territory would mean that Russia and Nato are at war. The new doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. While the doctrine envisions a possible nuclear response by Russia to a conventional strike, it is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons and keep Mr Putins options open. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and Hamas officials. They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israels offensive in the Palestinian territory. The decision turns Mr Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been killed in the conflict. Mr Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khans request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. He also criticised the arrest warrant against him, saying Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions. In a statement released by his office, he said: There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza. US President Joe Biden has previously criticised the prosecutor and expressed support for Israels right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also condemned Mr Khans request. However, the three-judge panel reached a unanimous decision to issue warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. They wrote: The chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICCs jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants. No other democracy with an independent and respected legal system like that which exists in Israel has been treated in this prejudicial manner by the prosecutor, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote on X. He said Israel remained steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and justice and would continue to protect its citizens against militancy. Taoiseach Simon Harris said the ICC decision is "an extremely significant step". The court points to reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility for crimes perpetrated in the war in Gaza, including the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. In the case of the leadership of Hamas, the court points to reasonable grounds that Mr Deif, along with Mr Ismail Haniyeh and Mr Yahya Sinwar, agreed to carry out the attacks of 7 October and that Mr Deif is responsible for crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other forms of sexual violence. "The court points to reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility for crimes perpetrated in the war in Gaza, including the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts," he said. "In the case of the leadership of Hamas, the court points to reasonable grounds that Mr Deif, along with Mr Ismail Haniyeh and Mr Yahya Sinwar, agreed to carry out the attacks of 7 October and that Mr Deif is responsible for crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other forms of sexual violence. "These charges could not be more serious." The ICC is a court of last resort that only prosecutes cases when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate. Israel is not a member state of the court and the country has struggled to investigate itself in the past, rights groups say. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague any time soon. The court has no police to enforce warrants, instead relying on cooperation from its member states. Even so, the threat of arrest could make it difficult for Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant to travel abroad although Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently showed he could still visit an ally when he travelled to Mongolia, one of the courts member states, and was not arrested. Mr Khan sought warrants in May, accusing Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant of crimes including murder, intentionally attacking civilians and persecution. In a statement, Mr Khan alleged that Israel has intentionally and systematically deprived the civilian population in all parts of Gaza of objects indispensable to human survival by closing border crossings into the territory and restricting essential supplies. At the same time, he accused three Hamas leaders Mohammed Deif, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh of crimes linked to the October 7 2023 attacks, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and abducting another 250. The three leaders were accused of crimes including murder, extermination, taking hostages, rape and torture. The chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Deif, born in 1965, the highest commander of the military wing of Hamas (known as the al-Qassam Brigades) at the time of the alleged conduct, is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture,; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other forms of sexual violence, a statement says. Prosecutors withdrew their request for a warrant for Haniyeh, who was assassinated in what was believed to be an Israeli strike in Iran in July. Israel also claims to have killed Deif but Hamas has not confirmed his death. Sinwar, who was promoted to succeed Haniyeh as Hamas leader, was killed in a chance front-line encounter with Israeli troops in October. Human rights groups have applauded the decision, which came more than six months after Khan made his initial request. The ICC arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law, the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said. Gunmen have opened fire on passenger vehicles carrying Shiite Muslim civilians in north-west Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 42 and wounding 20 others in one of the deadliest such attacks in recent years. The attack happened in Kurram, a district in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where sectarian clashes between majority Sunni Muslims and minority Shiites have killed dozens of people in recent months. The latest violence came a week after authorities reopened a key highway in the region after keeping it closed for weeks following deadly clashes. Local police official Nusrat Hussain said several vehicles carrying passengers were traveling in a convoy from the city of Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when gunmen opened fire. A victim is treated at a hospital in Parachinar (Dilawar Hussain/AP) He said the dead included six women, and at least 10 passengers were in a critical condition in hospital. Pakistans President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and offered his condolences to the families of the victims. He also ordered authorities to take action against those who orchestrated the attack. Shiite Muslims make up about 15% of the 240 million population of Sunni-majority Pakistan, which has a history of sectarian animosity between the two communities. Tensions have existed for decades in some areas, especially in parts of Kurram, where Shiites dominate. Nearly 50 people were killed in July when clashes between Suni and Shiites erupted in Kurram. Pakistan is also carrying out intelligence-based operations in a separate conflict in Balochistan province, where militants and separatists often target police, troops and civilians, and violence has been blamed on the Pakistani Taliban and an outlawed Baloch Liberation Army or BLA group. ICC Calls on Member States to Enforce Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas Leader Karim Khan, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), called on both member and non-member states to respond to the arrest warrants issued by the court against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif. The warrants were issued in connection with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict in Gaza. I urge all States Parties to uphold their responsibilities under the Rome Statute by adhering to these judicial orders, Mr. Khan stated. The ICC judges determined there were reasonable grounds to suspect that Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant bore criminal responsibility for acts including murder, persecution, and starvation as a method of warfare, as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant face accusations of alleged war crimes. The ruling sparked outrage in Israel, which described it as shameful and absurd. Residents of Gaza expressed hope that this development might contribute to ending the violence and achieving justice for those accountable for war crimes. Hamas welcomed the warrants targeting the Israelis, with a senior official telling Reuters that this was a preliminary step toward justice. The warrant for Mr. Deif includes charges related to mass killings during the attacks on October 7, 2023, which initiated the Gaza war, along with accusations of rape and hostage-taking. Although Israel claims to have killed Mr. Deif in a July airstrike, Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied this. The prosecution noted that it would continue to gather information regarding his reported death. Israel has dismissed the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and refutes allegations of war crimes in Gaza. The United States, a significant diplomatic ally of Israel, is also not a signatory to the ICC. It stated that it fundamentally rejects this action. We are deeply concerned by the prosecutors hasty pursuit of arrest warrants and the problematic procedural errors that led to this decision, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council remarked, adding that the US is in discussions with its partners regarding next steps. Israels ongoing campaign in Gaza has resulted in approximately 44,000 Palestinian deaths and the displacement of nearly the entire population of the enclave. Global powers such as Russia, China, and India have also not joined the ICC, the permanent war crimes court supported by the European Union, Australia, Canada, Britain, Brazil, Japan, and numerous African and Latin American nations. On May 20, Mr. Khan announced his intention to seek arrest warrants for alleged crimes linked to the Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the Israeli militarys subsequent response in Gaza. Leaders from both Israel and Hamas have rejected allegations of committing war crimes. The ICC lacks its own police force to execute arrests and depends on its 124 member states, possessing limited diplomatic tools to compel cooperation if states are unwilling. This is of utmost seriousness Taoiseach Simon Harris characterized the ICCs decision to issue warrants as an extremely significant step, emphasizing the courts assertion of reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant are each criminally responsible for crimes committed during the war in Gaza. These allegations encompass the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. These charges could not be more severe, Mr. Harris stated. Ireland acknowledges the important role of the International Criminal Court. Any party capable of assisting in its essential work must now do so with urgency. Tanaiste Micheal Martin also highlighted the ICCs decision, which he noted Ireland firmly supports. He called for all states to respect its independence and impartiality, ensuring no attempts are made to undermine the court. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald welcomed this action. She emphasized that the armament of Israel must cease and reiterated her call for imposing sanctions against Israel. Mr. Netanyahus office labeled the ICC decision as antisemitic and asserted that he will not yield to pressure, nor will he be deterred until Israel achieves its military goals. Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the ICC has lost all legitimacy following the issuance of arrest warrants for Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant. This is a dark moment for the International Criminal Court, Mr. Saar remarked on X, claiming that it had issued absurd orders without authority. No immediate comment was available from Mr. Gallant. In a statement, Hamas praised the warrants against Mr. Gallant and Mr. Netanyahu and urged the court to extend accountability to all Israeli leaders. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim told Reuters that the warrants against the Israelis represent a significant step toward achieving justice for the victims and that all nations should support them. The EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed that the decision was not politically motivated but rather a judicial matter that deserves respect and implementation. The tragedy in Gaza must come to an end, he asserted. Jordans foreign minister Ayman Safadi insisted that the ICCs decision should be executed, asserting that Palestinians deserve justice after what he referred to as Israels war crimes in Gaza. The Netherlands foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp stated that his country will act on arrest warrants for individuals on its soil and will refrain from non-essential engagements. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, remarked, The court is a dangerous joke. It is time for the US Senate to intervene and sanction this irresponsible body. According to Gaza officials, Israels 13-month military campaign has resulted in the deaths of roughly 44,000 Palestinians, displacing nearly the entire population of the enclave and creating a humanitarian crisis. This military action was launched in retaliation for the Hamas-led attack on October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals in southern Israel, with more than 250 others reportedly taken hostage, as claimed by Israel. Spanish authorities have taken down a gang operating in the eastern city of Alicante, which allegedly recruited Swedish and Danish teenagers to act as hitmen for murders.According to police reports, a married couple from Sweden and their 15-year-old son were arrested for enlisting other teenagers through the messaging app Telegram to commit murder. They also face accusations related to weapons and drug trafficking as well as money laundering. The dismantling of the gang occurred before any murders took place, as stated by a police spokesperson. In early November, Swedish prosecutors took action against one of the three suspects in absentiawhose identities are concealedon charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and weapon-related offenses in Sweden, Denmark, and Spain. Sweden has been witnessing a rise in organized crime that is now spreading throughout Europe. In August, Denmark called on Sweden to enhance its efforts in curtailing cross-border gang violence and to prevent armed Swedish teenagers from acting as child soldiers. The 15-year-old son was instrumental in recruiting and compensating the other teenagers, according to police sources. The investigation began in May when law enforcement detained a Swedish teenager in Benalmadena, a town near Malaga, who had been enlisted by the gang to assassinate a member of a rival biker gang. This teenager received an assault rifle and an escape plan that involved an electric scooter, but he was apprehended prior to executing the murder. In a coordinated effort, Danish police arrested two Swedish teenagers in May who had traveled to Denmark with intentions to commit murder, confirmed the Spanish police. Authorities revealed that their investigation also uncovered a significant criminal network linking Sweden and Eastern European nations. In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine has deployed UK long-range missiles against its eastern neighbor. This move comes as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, with both sides engaging in military maneuvers and skirmishes along the border. The deployment of these missiles marks a significant escalation in the conflict, as the UK long-range missiles have the capability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. This move is likely to further strain relations between the two countries and raise concerns about the potential for a full-scale conflict. The decision to deploy the missiles comes after months of escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The conflict between the two countries dates back to 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. Since then, fighting has continued in the region, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefires and escalating the conflict. The deployment of the UK long-range missiles is seen as a response to Russias continued aggression in the region. Ukraine has accused Russia of supporting separatist rebels and of violating its sovereignty, prompting Ukraine to take steps to defend itself against any potential aggression. The move has sparked concerns among the international community, with many fearing that the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war. The United States and European Union have called for restraint on both sides and have urged a diplomatic solution to the conflict. As the situation continues to unfold, the deployment of UK long-range missiles against Russia marks a dangerous escalation in the conflict between the two countries. With tensions running high and both sides showing no signs of backing down, the international community is bracing for the possibility of further violence and instability in the region. Only time will tell how this situation will ultimately play out. ( Human Rights Watch ) Removing civilians from harms way in advance of an attack is the right thing for warring parties to do if its the only way to protect them. But the laws of war stipulate that this can only be done in narrow circumstances as a temporary measure, and civilians should be given a safer location where their humanitarian needs are met. Israel claims its evacuation orders in Gaza have done just that. Not so. Israeli military actions have utterly failed to keep fleeing and displaced Palestinians in Gaza safe and, in fact, have put them in danger. We analysed 184 Israeli military evacuation orders and dozens of satellite images and found that inaccurate and inconsistent evacuation orders often served only to sow confusion and spread fear, if they even came in time to allow people to flee at all. The Israeli military repeatedly designated evacuation routes and safe zones and then attacked them. A 42-year-old woman with an 11-year-old son said, Yes, the leaflets and recorded calls were what I understood to be evacuation orders, and yes, we wanted to follow them, but could not because the Israelis started bombing the area heavily even before the announcement. People were killed in huge numbers and in brutal ways. Things were no safer on her evacuation route. There were airstrikes while we were walking but we followed people and survived. On 10 November 2023, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, We have established a safe zone. The reality was the opposite. We are living an animal life A 34-year-old man who was displaced with his children from Gaza City told me that he first fled south to a supposedly safe area in Khan Younis. The Israelis said Khan Younis was a safe place, he said. But they started bombing this area I took a decision to leave and go to Rafah. The man and his family sought refuge in the so-called humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi, staying in a small tent near the beach. He said an Israeli airstrike hit a building near a humanitarian agency approximately 300 meters from his tent. The emotional state of the kids, what they witnessed in the last area they are in shock, they are terrified, he said. They jump at small sounds now. It was so hard for me to get my family from the last place to here. Most of the areas were closed by the Israelis as they were considered battle areas. Under international law, safe areas are required to be of course safe, but displaced people must also have access to food and water, health care, sanitation, and shelter. But this man told me that he and his family had been sleeping on the ground in a tent with 10 others, using a shared outdoor toilet serving about 70-80 people and that humanitarian aid, so far, had consisted of two bags of flour. We are living an animal life, he said. Expelled, Digital, Midjourney / Clip2Comic, 2024 The laws of war also require evacuation to be temporary. Israel is duty-bound to facilitate the displaced persons return to their home as soon as possible after the end of the hostilities in the area. But the Israelis have reduced many of the displaced civilians home areas to rubble, intentionally or recklessly destroying or severely damaging swaths of housing and civilian infrastructure including controlled demolitions after hostilities have largely ceased. Step in and stand up for the law The intentional forced displacement of a civilian population in an occupied territory is a war crime. Nowhere is this organised, deliberate displacement clearer than in areas of Gaza that have been razed, extended, and cleared for buffer zones along the border with Israel and in a security corridor that bifurcates Gaza. The intention of the Israeli authorities appears to be to permanently empty and cleanse these areas of Palestinians and keep them under the occupation and control of Israel. Multiple statements by senior Israeli officials show that the forced displacement in Gaza is intentional and is Israeli state policy. Because it is also widespread and systematic, this forced displacement qualifies not only as a war crime but as a crime against humanity, which the International Criminal Courts prosecutor should investigate. We can expect these crimes against Palestinians to continue unless and until Israels allies demand for it to end. US President-elect Donald Trump is likely to empower Israel to double down, given that he said on the campaign trail that it should finish the job. That leaves the rest of the world to step in and stand up for the law and the human beings these laws are meant to protect. This shouldnt be allowed to get worse. It needs to stop now. Via Human Rights Watch Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Pope Francis has a new book, Hope never disappoints. Pilgrims towards a better world. The English version is not out yet, but I was able to find the Italian. It calls for an investigation into whether the Israeli war on Gaza is a genocide. The Pope mentions Gaza on several occasions in the book. At one point he expresses concern about migration crises around the world, colored as they are by violence and hardship, in the Sahara, the Mexican-US border, and the Mediterranean, which has become a large cemetery in the past decade. He adds, also in the Middle East, because of the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza. Pope Francis says that Christians must feel the pain of migrants forced to leave their homes, noting that for many it is easier to empathize with the hopes of an entrepreneur who emigrates to found a business or a retiree who goes abroad to make their pension stretch further than with the hopes of refugees forced abroad by violence or famine, seeking a more peaceful existence. He makes an interesting point here. I wonder if the difference is agency. We see ourselves in persons who take decisive steps to achieve a goal, but are alienated from those who are forced to do something against their will. Those with agency are admirable to us, are self, while those deprived of it are lesser and Other. I tell my students that they think of becoming a refugee as something that happens to others, but it can happen to anyone. I was trying to study in Beirut in my youth when war broke out and I had to flee to Jordan. My money was frozen in the bank because the banks all closed when war broke out. A kind man, at the American University of Beirut, Dean Robert Najemy, arranged for my parents to wire me airfare. He was later killed by a gunman. Of course, I wasnt a refugee the way the Palestinians are I still had my homeland and could ultimately return there. But I gained sympathy regarding those who suddenly have to abandon their domiciles. I dont think of them as lacking agency or being Other, which I hope comes through in my new book on Gaza. The Catholic leader laments that so many Ukrainians have been forced to flee, and praises countries that took them in, such as Poland. He then turns to the Middle East, where, he says, we have seen something similar. He praises the way Jordan and Lebanon welcomed refugees. He was obviously writing before mid-September, when Lebanon got caught up in the Israel-Hezbollah feud. Some 1.5 million Syrians had taken refuge in Lebanon from the Syrian civil war. Ironically, hundreds of thousands of Syrians and Lebanese have fled this fall to Syria. Jordan took in so many Palestinian families that a majority of Jordanians today have Palestinian ancestry. Jordan also took in hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Syrians. Francis said he was thinking especially of those who leave Gaza in the midst of the famine that has hit the Strip. We think about 100,000 Palestinians from Gaza managed to flee to Egypt before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu occupied the Rafah crossing with Israeli troops. Then Pope Francis dropped his bombshell. According to some experts, he wrote, what has been happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. He insisted that a painstaking investigation be carried out to determine whether the situation fits the technical definition formulated by jurists and international organizations. He is likely referring to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the Genocide Convention of 1948, on the basis of which the International Court of Justice is deliberating on whether what the Israelis are doing in Gaza is a genocide. Although he appeals to international law in this passage, he is pessimistic that war is ever compatible with it. Elsewhere in the book he points out that no war avoids indiscriminately killing civilians. He recalls the images we have all seen coming out of Ukraine and Gaza. We cannot, he says, allow the killing of defenseless civilians. These are war crimes. Inflicting wounds on these innocents to the point where they have to have limbs amputated or their natural environment is destroyed cannot be dismissed, he says, as mere collateral damage. They are, he asserts, victims whose innocent blood cries out to heaven and begs for an end to all war. Pieta, Digital, Midjourney / Clip2Comic, 2024 His last mention of Gaza comes in a passage where he recalls a photograph of a Palestinian grandmother in Gaza, her face not visible, holding in her arms the lifeless body of her five-year-old granddaughter, who had just been killed in an Israeli bombing, along with other family members. He notes that the image has been called The Pieta of Gaza. The Encyclopedia Britannica explains, Pieta, as a theme in Christian art, depiction of the Virgin Mary supporting the body of the dead Christ. . . . the great majority show only Mary and her Son. The Pieta was widely represented in both painting and sculpture, being one of the most poignant visual expressions of popular concern with the emotional aspects of the lives of Christ and the Virgin. Michaelangelo, Pieta, Public Domain. He says that the photo, taken in a hospital morgue, conveys strength, sorrow and the unimaginable pain inflicted by war. He ends by again insisting that innocents must be protected even in the midst of warfare, a principle, he says, that is engraved on the hearts of all people. The consequence of the Popes comments throughout is a humanization of the Palestinians a humanization of which US and British media outlets have largely proved themselves incapable. The only way they can be all right with over 17,000 dead children in Israels campaign against Gaza is that they do not see them as truly human. Otherwise, even the death of one little granddaughter would have us all weeping uncontrollably. Not only does the Pope humanize Palestinian suffering, refusing to lose his empathy in the face of the magnitude of the slaughter and the sheer number of children in burial shrouds, but in a sense he even divinizes Palestinian suffering. The dead little girl in her grandmas arms is a Christ-like figure Christ-like in her innocence, which did not prevent her from being brutally killed. And the heart-wrenching mourning of her grandmother is like the grief of the Mother Mary over her crucified son, himself the incarnation on earth of the divine. By Clive Jones, Durham University | (The Conversation) The amount of aid reaching Gaza has fallen to an 11-month low according to Israeli figures. And the hijacking, by an armed Palestinian gang, of a convoy of 109 trucks on November 16 has exacerbated the situation. Food prices are soaring and parts of the enclave, where Israeli troops are battling Hamas fighters, are believed to be already experiencing famine. The administration of outgoing US president, Joe Biden, has been consistent in its political and military support for Israel and its war against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and of course Israels retaliatory strikes against Iran. But all the while Biden has urged moderation. Speaking at the G20 this week, Biden repeated his message that Israel has the right to defend itself after the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust but he stressed that how it defends itself even as Hamas cruelly hides among civilians matters a great deal. Judging by the first appointments made by the US president-elect Donald Trump to his foreign policy team, the tone of US support for Israel is likely to change. Trumps pick for ambassador to Israel, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, has long been associated with the Christian evangelical right, which wholeheartedly supports Jewish sovereignty over the West Bank. Huckabee made his position clear in a 2017 interview with CNN, saying: There is no such thing as a West Bank. Its Judea and Samaria [the territorys biblical name]. Theres no such thing as a settlement. Theyre communities, theyre neighbourhoods, theyre cities. Theres no such thing as an occupation. The proposed secretary of state, Republican senator Marco Rubio, is on the record as being against a ceasefire in Gaza. He told journalists recently that I want them [Israel] to destroy every element of Hamas they can get their hands on. These people are vicious animals who did horrifying crimes. A month out from the election, on October 5, Biden appeared at a White House press briefing and commented on speculation that Netanyahus apparent unwillingness to agree a ceasefire was motivated by US politics: Whether hes trying to influence the election, I dont know but Im not counting on that, he said, adding that: No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None, none, none, he said. And I think [Netanyahu] should remember that. Netanyahu must view the election result and Trumps selection of strong supporters of his government as vindication of an approach that now sees Israel, militarily at least, in the ascendant. Israels offensive in northern Gaza shows no sign of slowing. And, as more and more people are forced southwards, a new motive for the continuing military operation appears to be coming into sight. Pressure from the right Many on the political right including members of Netanyahus government are now advocating for reoccupation of the north of the Gaza strip by Jewish settlers. These settlers regard the 2005 decision to evacuate the Gaza strip not just as a strategic mistake, but as hillul hashem, a blasphemy against God. And, just as IDF outposts in the West Bank have often been the used as the sites for the construction of settlements, many now suspect a similar pattern will be repeated in at least the northern half of the Gaza strip as its 2 million Palestinian inhabitants are compressed ever more in an ever decreasing space. For the two most notable Religious Zionists in Netanyahus government, interior minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, the election of Trump is the gift that will keep on giving. For them and their power base, full annexation of what they refer to as Judea and Samaria remains a mitzvah a commandment that must be fulfilled if the long-awaited messianic era is to be hastened and their vision of Zionism realised. small> Finishing the Job, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3, 2024 In Trump, Smotrich and Ben Gvir believe they have the international backing to achieve this regardless of the wider consequences for Israels claim to be both Jewish and democratic. For most observers, full annexation would effectively mark Israel as an apartheid state unless full citizenship with equal political rights were to be conferred on all Palestinians. This is unlikely. Netanyahus calculations Netanyahu knows this. But the changing dynamics of Israels domestic politics means he is no longer so reliant on Smotrich and Ben-Gvir. The addition to his coalition of a small bloc under Gideon Saar has given him a greater margin of support. Recent polls also show his approval rating has rallied considerably since Israels incursion into Lebanon to take on Hezbollah. Along with a recent fillip in his poll ratings and an opposition that remains divided, Netanyahu appears to be in an unassailable position. Still, he also knows that Trump is a transactional president elected on a platform to end US involvement in foreign conflicts. Netanyahu also knows that the Gaza conflict has for now at least put paid to any prospect of the normalisation of relations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, something that Trump counts as one of the foreign policy achievements of his first administration. Calling Israels military actions in Gaza genocidal, Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman has made any moves towards a formal peace deal with Israel conditional on meaningful steps being taken by the Jewish state and its ally the US towards Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu will know that any move in that direction would fracture his coalition. But he will also suspect that the Saudis and other Gulf monarchies will try to leverage the influence they also have in Washington to put diplomatic pressure on Trump. Reading Trumps intentions is not for the fainthearted. But even so, Netanyahu will think the incoming US president is likely to afford him a period of political grace to conclude his wars. Much, of course, remains uncertain. But as ever it will be the Palestinian people who bear the heaviest burden. As well as lacking effective leadership in Gaza or on the West Bank, they can look forward to scant support from the Arab world. Now they face an Israeli premier in victory mode and the prospect of a US president prepared to go all the way to support him. Clive Jones, Professor of Regional Security, Durham University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX:WM, OTCQB:WLBMF) (Wallbridge or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement of 22,937,500 national flow-through common shares (the National FT Shares) and 48,844,333 Quebec flow-through common shares (the Quebec FT Shares) for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,230,990 (the FT Share Private Placement). The National FT Shares were issued at a price of $0.08 and the Quebec FT Shares were issued at a price of $0.09. In addition, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (Agnico) subscribed for 8,598,843 common shares for aggregate gross proceeds of $601,919 (the AEM Private Placement, and together with the FT Share Private Placement, the Private Placements). The AEM Private Placement closed concurrently with the FT Share Private Placement and was undertaken pursuant to certain participation rights set out in a pre-existing participation agreement between the Company and a predecessor of Agnico. The AEM Shares will be issued at a price of $0.07. With the net proceeds from these Private Placements the Company expects to have an estimated year end cash balance of approximately $20 million which, based on preliminary budgeting, is sufficient to fund the 2025 exploration program on the Companys Detour-Fenelon Gold Property (the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend Property) as currently contemplated. The Company will announce details of its exploration plans once board approval has been obtained. In connection with the FT Share Private Placement, the Company paid a cash finders fee other than in respect of subscriptions by presidents list investors. Topleft Securities Ltd. acted as an advisor to Wallbridge in connection with the transaction. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placements will have a four month and one day statutory hold period. Each National FT Share and Quebec FT Share (the FT Shares) will qualify as a flow-through share within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and, in respect of eligible Quebec resident subscribers, section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec). The FT Shares will be renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2024, to the initial purchasers of the FT Shares in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised. None of the securities offered in the Private Placements have 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 jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The FT Share Private Placement constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101) as certain insiders of the Company subscribed for 1,687,500 in aggregate of National FT Shares and 400,000 in aggregate of Quebec FT Shares. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the participation in the FT Share Private Placement by the insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the FT Share Private Placement, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances in order to price and close the FT Share Private Placement in an expeditious manner. A material change report has been filed under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca, which may be sent to any shareholder upon request. Qualified Person The Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this news release is Francois Chabot, Eng., Technical Studies Manager for Wallbridge. About Wallbridge Mining Wallbridge is focused on creating value through the exploration and sustainable development of gold projects along the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend in Quebecs Northern Abitibi region while respecting the environment and communities where it operates. Wallbridges most advanced projects, Fenelon Gold (Fenelon) and Martiniere Gold (Martiniere) incorporate a combined 3.05 million ounces of indicated gold resources and 2.35 million ounces of inferred gold resources. Fenelon and Martiniere are located within an 830 square km exploration land package in the Northern Abitibi region of Quebec. Wallbridge has reported a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at Fenelon that estimates average annual gold production of 212,000 ounces over 12 years. For further information please visit the Companys website at https://wallbridgemining.com/ or contact: Wallbridge Mining Company Limited Brian Penny, CPA, CMA CEO Tel: (416) 716-8346 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. M: +1 416 716 8346 Tania Barreto, CPIR Director, Investor Relations Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. M: +1 289 819 3012 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information The information in this document may contain forward-looking statements or information (collectively, FLI) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. FLI is based on expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations as at the date of this document. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI that involve various risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. Generally, FLI can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words such as seeks, believes, anticipates, plans, continues, budget, scheduled, estimates, expects, forecasts, intends, projects, predicts, proposes, "potential", targets and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, should or might, be taken, occur or be achieved. FLI in this document may include, but is not limited to: statements regarding the use of proceeds of the Private Placements; the Companys exploration plans, the tax treatment of the securities issued under the FT Share Private Placement under the Income Tax Act (Canada); the timing to renounce all qualifying expenditures in favour of the subscribers (if at all); the future prospects of Wallbridge; statements regarding the results of the PEA; future drill results; the Companys ability to convert inferred resources into measured and indicated resources; environmental matters; stakeholder engagement and relationships; parameters and methods used to estimate the MREs at the Fenelon and Martiniere properties (collectively the Deposits); the prospects, if any, of the Deposits; future drilling at the Deposits; and the significance of historic exploration activities and results. FLI is designed to help you understand managements current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such FLI. Although the FLI contained in this document is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained in this document to reflect new events or circumstances. Unless otherwise noted, this document has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this document. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI, or information contained herein. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in FLI. Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include: the results of exploration activities, the Companys financial position and general economic conditions; the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the Deposits; the accuracy of key assumptions, parameters or methods used to estimate the MREs and in the PEA; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; and failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; foreign exchange rates; environmental expectations; community and non-governmental actions; and, the Companys ability to secure required funding. Risks and uncertainties about Wallbridge's business are discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Cautionary Notes to United States Investors Wallbridge prepares its disclosure in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Terms relating to mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources and economic studies used herein are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the disclosure requirements of the SEC generally applicable to US companies. As such, the information presented herein concerning mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Buzz Zone returns 1.55 g/t Au over 15.4 m including 3.08 g/t Au over 5.3 m North Zone returns 4.00 g/t Au over 5.7 m including 6.65 g/t Au over 2.0 m VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 21, 2024 /CNW/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to announce new drilling results from the 2024 Phase 3 diamond drilling program at its Duparquet Gold Project ("Duparquet Project" or the "Project") located in Quebec, Canada. An additional 4,194 m has been drilled in six holes at the Buzz Zone and North Zone targets this year in an effort to demonstrate growth opportunities for two priority open-ended resource expansion targets at the Duparquet Project. Drilling in the Buzz Zone has returned positive drill intercepts over a strike length of 170 m between the newly drilled holes. A total of 1,875 m in three drillholes was recently completed, and highlights of this drilling include drill hole DUP24-028 returning 1.55 g/t Au over 15.4 m (including 3.08 g/t Au over 5.3 m), drill hole DUP24-029 returning 1.19 g/t Au over 35.3 m, and 2.63 g/t Au over 14.0 m (including 30.50 g/t Au over 0.85 m), demonstrating both encouraging grades and widths within an area of potential resource growth and further exploration expansion opportunities. The Buzz Zone is situated immediately south of the existing Duparquet Project mineral resource and is known to occur along high strain corridors within sheared and brecciated zones that straddle or cut through the margins of the Beattie syenite. The overall Buzz target remains under-explored and is open both up and down-dip from the initial zone of interception and will be a focus in follow-up drill campaigns. Further drilling at the North Zone continues to return positive drill intercepts as First Mining tests the mineralization strike extension eastwards and down plunge beyond the limits of previous exploration efforts. A total of 2,319 m was completed in three holes, supporting a 130 m strike extension towards the east of the current resource. Highlights of the recent drilling included drill hole DUP24-032 returning 4.00 g/t Au over 5.70 m (including 6.65 g/t Au over 2.0 m) and DUP24-031 returning 1.61 g/t Au over 8.35 m, (including 5.02 g/t Au over 1.65 m) demonstrating important grade continuity of the North Zone along strike and down plunge. The North Zone is situated along the northern Beattie syenite-mafic volcanic contact that is known to host higher-grade mineralization along high strain and brecciated zones that are along interpreted splay structures from the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone ("DPFZ"). "We are pleased to announce these new positive drilling results from our Phase 3 diamond drilling program at Duparquet," stated Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining. "Exploration at Duparquet is a high priority focus for First Mining and these results continue to demonstrate the potential at the project outside of our current mineral resource estimate. Our exploration programs are supported by a strong geoscience foundation and position us well for our upcoming drill phases." The Phase 3 drill program commenced in May 2024 and a total of 9,564 m of drilling has been completed to date. There are 4,557 m of outstanding results and First Mining expects to report the final results in Q4 2024. The Phase 3 program focused on priority targets with the aim of drill testing and advancing multiple potential resource expansion zones across the Duparquet Gold project. First Mining believes the Buzz Zone and North Zone targets provide significant resource growth potential that will continue to advance with additional exploration phases at the Project. A plan map of the Buzz Zone and North Zone drill holes is presented in Figure 1, and corresponding assay highlights are presented in Table 1, with full assay results listed in Table 2 and drill hole locations in Table 3. Table 1: Selected Significant Drill Intercepts, 2024 Phase 3 Drill Program Buzz and North Zone Targets Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Grade (Au g/t) Target DUP24-028 366.0 378.0 12.0 1.62 Buzz Zone DUP24-028 inc. 367.0 370.0 3.0 3.78 DUP24-028 474.8 490.2 15.4 1.55 DUP24-028 inc. 477.0 482.3 5.3 3.08 DUP24-029 490.0 525.3 35.3 1.19 DUP24-029 546.0 560.8 14.8 1.62 DUP24-029 inc. 552.0 553.0 1.0 5.38 DUP24-029 644.0 658.0 14.0 2.63 DUP24-029 inc. 654.0 654.85 0.85 30.50 DUP24-031 369.0 372.0 3.0 7.06 North Zone DUP24-031 inc. 369.0 370.0 1.0 15.50 DUP24-031 475.65 484.0 8.35 1.61 DUP24-031 inc. 478.0 479.65 1.65 5.02 DUP24-032 570.8 576.5 5.7 4.00 DUP24-032 inc. 573.5 575.5 2.0 6.65 *Reported intervals are drilled core lengths (true widths are estimated at 30-85% of the core length interval, assay values are uncut) Duparquet 2024 Exploration Programs Exploration activities have continued to advance at the Duparquet project throughout 2024, with the Phase 3 drilling and regional field work programs now winding down for the year. Inbound assay results are being reviewed with the key focus shifting to the interpretation and integration of the 2024 data - including geochemical, geophysical, oriented core, and magnetic susceptibility data - into the 3D geoscience models, to support the delineation of further expansion targets. Exploration efforts are advancing with the development and review of follow-up programs for 2025, maintaining focus on the Company's integrated geoscience exploration strategy. Additional Details on Buzz Target Drilling The Buzz Zone drilling strategy is focused on targeting resource growth immediately south of the current Duparquet mineral resource. The Buzz Zone currently spans 300 m strike and 200 m depth between drill holes. The target remains open up- and down-dip along the core plunge of the gold mineralization. The Buzz Zone was originally discovered during First Mining's 2023 drilling program, with drill hole DUP23-002 intersecting 6.52 g/t Au over 4.6 m (refer to news release dated September 5, 2023). The 2024 Buzz follow-up drilling campaign, comprising of three holes - DUP24-028, DUP24-029, and DUP24-030 (Figures 2 and 3), has further defined the gold zone along strike and at depth. Mineralization in all three holes consists of fine-grained to very fine-grained disseminated pyrite mineralization, pervasive silica and sericite alteration, and is hosted within syenite units or along syenite-argillite and volcanic contacts. Higher-grade zones are consistent along the interpreted D2 higher strain zones, which is characterized by strong shearing and/or brecciation observed in the core. The 2024 drilling campaign has further defined, expanded, and delineated higher-grade trends within the Buzz Zone and the recent drill results continue to support the area as a highly prospective target zone for the Project, with the potential to unlock meaningful mineralization along strike as the target remains open in all directions (Figure 4). The Buzz Zone remains a priority area for exploration and potential expansion of the Duparquet mineral resource. Additional Details on North Zone Drilling The North Zone drilling strategy is focused on targeting depth and strike extensions, with an emphasis on potential high-grade trends that support the down-plunge continuity of the mineralization. In June 2024, First Mining announced drill results from DUP24-024 which intersected multiple gold zones including 10.67 g/t Au over 5.3 m, 6.63 g/t Au over 9.0 m, 3.04 g/t Au over 33.5 m, and 5.97 g/t Au over 33.0 m (see news release from June 18, 2024), and identified a newly interpreted syenitemafic volcanic contact zone which is strongly favourable for higher-grade gold mineralization owing to geochemical and rheological attributes. Initial drill holes targeting the North Zone have led to an updated 3D geological interpretation, identifying a contact zone between the mafic volcanic and syenite stratigraphy at depth. These findings highlight significant opportunities for resource expansion along strike and depth. The second phase of drill holes, including the holes reported in this news release, targets the strike extension of the North Zone along the newly interpreted contact zone. Drill holes DUP24-031 (Figure 5), DUP24-032 (Figure 6), and DUP24-033 (Figure 7) were all step-out holes along the strike of the main projected syenite-mafic volcanic stratigraphic contact zone. All three holes intersected this modelled stratigraphic zone which is defined by strongly foliated and/or sheared basalt at the northern contact of the Beattie syenite unit. Hole DUP24-031 intersected strong silica- and sericite-altered syenite with increased quartz carbonate veining and up to 5% fine grained pyrite mineralization, that hosted gold mineralization near the 'contact zone'. Hole DUP24-032 intersected sheared sericite-altered basalt with up to 10% localized, very fine-grained disseminated pyrite mineralization, in close proximity to the contact zone. Hole DUP24-033 intersected the syenite-mafic volcanic contact zone at depth with strongly sheared silica- and sericite-altered basalt, with mineralization hosted within the 'contact zone' of a 5.5 m sliver of silica-altered syenite with up to 1% fine grained pyrite mineralization. The 2024 drill campaign at the North Zone further defined and delineated higher-grade trends and expanded the mineralization zone 130 m to the east along strike and plunge, with the target remaining open towards the east and at depth. Ongoing interpretations from the drilling will enhance geological understanding, advance insights into higher-grade controls, and support the expansion of mineralization within the North Zone. The target remains a highly prospective zone for the Duparquet Project as 2024 drilling results have shown this zone to have significant gold mineralization with the potential to delineate meaningful mineralization and grade along strike and at depth (Figure 8). Table 2: 2024 Phase 3 Drilling - Significant Assays Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Grade (Au g/t) DUP24-028 92.00 97.00 5.00 0.79 Zone 3 DUP24-028 116.00 120.00 4.00 0.40 South Zone DUP24-028 260.30 261.10 0.80 0.54 DUP24-028 264.00 265.00 1.00 0.60 DUP24-028 268.00 269.00 1.00 1.17 DUP24-028 302.50 308.00 5.50 1.35 DUP24-028 inc. 305.00 306.00 1.00 4.61 DUP24-028 317.00 323.00 6.00 0.71 DUP24-028 333.00 334.00 1.00 0.95 DUP24-028 352.90 356.10 3.20 1.68 Buzz DUP24-028 366.00 378.00 12.00 1.62 DUP24-028 inc. 367.00 370.00 3.00 3.78 DUP24-028 391.00 392.00 1.00 1.06 DUP24-028 399.00 402.00 3.00 0.97 DUP24-028 429.00 430.00 1.00 0.85 DUP24-028 474.80 490.20 15.40 1.55 DUP24-028 inc. 477.00 482.30 5.30 3.08 DUP24-029 3.10 6.00 2.90 3.67 RWRS DUP24-029 9.60 11.00 1.40 6.61 DUP24-029 inc. 9.60 10.30 0.70 11.00 DUP24-029 55.00 59.00 4.00 0.41 DUP24-029 74.00 75.00 1.00 1.14 DUP24-029 79.00 80.00 1.00 1.69 DUP24-029 84.00 89.00 5.00 1.81 DUP24-029 94.00 95.00 1.00 0.59 DUP24-029 105.10 105.90 0.80 2.18 DUP24-029 109.40 110.40 1.00 0.68 DUP24-029 126.00 128.00 2.00 1.33 DUP24-029 133.85 135.50 1.65 2.05 DUP24-029 252.00 253.00 1.00 2.34 Zone 3 DUP24-029 257.00 258.00 1.00 0.79 DUP24-029 264.00 265.00 1.00 1.65 DUP24-029 308.90 309.40 0.50 2.37 South Zone DUP24-029 399.75 400.50 0.75 1.44 DUP24-029 422.30 422.80 0.50 6.50 DUP24-029 427.75 428.50 0.75 6.58 DUP24-029 472.15 482.00 9.85 1.28 DUP24-029 490.00 525.30 35.30 1.19 Buzz DUP24-029 527.50 528.25 0.75 0.46 DUP24-029 532.00 534.95 2.95 0.65 DUP24-029 538.15 541.00 2.85 0.94 DUP24-029 546.00 560.80 14.80 1.62 DUP24-029 inc. 552.00 553.00 1.00 5.38 DUP24-029 564.10 566.00 1.90 2.86 DUP24-029 601.00 602.00 1.00 0.40 DUP24-029 613.85 615.30 1.45 1.09 DUP24-029 644.00 658.00 14.00 2.63 DUP24-029 inc. 654.00 654.85 0.85 30.50 DUP24-029 661.30 666.05 4.75 1.06 DUP24-030 14.00 23.25 9.25 0.75 RWRS DUP24-030 33.00 35.15 2.15 2.86 DUP24-030 49.00 51.00 2.00 1.40 DUP24-030 96.00 96.80 0.80 0.42 Zone 3B DUP24-030 113.00 115.00 2.00 2.51 DUP24-030 135.00 135.95 0.95 0.92 DUP24-030 165.00 167.00 2.00 0.46 DUP24-030 181.00 189.00 8.00 0.83 DUP24-030 202.00 203.00 1.00 1.64 DUP24-030 208.00 210.00 2.00 0.45 DUP24-030 236.00 237.00 1.00 1.87 DUP24-030 274.00 275.00 1.00 1.82 South Zone DUP24-030 402.00 404.00 2.00 1.79 DUP24-030 465.00 477.45 12.45 1.09 DUP24-030 637.00 638.10 1.10 0.85 Buzz DUP24-031 41.80 42.50 0.70 1.21 ESE Zone DUP24-031 92.90 94.30 1.40 2.37 DUP24-031 99.30 100.10 0.80 0.55 Zone 3 DUP24-031 189.70 190.45 0.75 0.99 North Zone DUP24-031 239.45 240.20 0.75 0.65 DUP24-031 284.00 285.00 1.00 2.40 DUP24-031 303.00 304.00 1.00 1.09 DUP24-031 339.00 340.00 1.00 0.90 DUP24-031 350.90 353.00 2.10 0.78 DUP24-031 369.00 372.00 3.00 7.06 DUP24-031 inc. 369.00 370.00 1.00 15.50 DUP24-031 401.00 402.00 1.00 1.34 DUP24-031 407.00 408.00 1.00 0.52 DUP24-031 427.00 428.00 1.00 2.96 DUP24-031 430.00 431.00 1.00 0.41 DUP24-031 457.65 458.20 0.55 2.71 DUP24-031 475.65 484.00 8.35 1.61 DUP24-031 inc. 478.00 479.65 1.65 5.02 DUP24-031 586.85 592.55 5.70 0.84 DUP24-031 602.00 609.25 7.25 1.31 DUP24-031 619.65 620.40 0.75 0.76 DUP24-031 627.30 629.00 1.70 0.48 DUP24-031 679.00 680.00 1.00 0.85 DUP24-032 85.80 86.50 0.70 3.99 ESE Zone DUP24-032 134.00 135.00 1.00 2.28 DUP24-032 216.60 217.10 0.50 4.64 North Zone DUP24-032 229.00 233.00 4.00 2.33 DUP24-032 inc. 231.00 232.00 1.00 7.32 DUP24-032 251.00 252.00 1.00 4.16 DUP24-032 258.00 259.00 1.00 2.00 DUP24-032 283.00 284.00 1.00 0.72 DUP24-032 312.00 313.00 1.00 3.37 DUP24-032 349.00 350.00 1.00 0.51 DUP24-032 361.00 362.00 1.00 0.91 DUP24-032 394.00 395.00 1.00 0.81 DUP24-032 418.00 419.00 1.00 0.55 DUP24-032 457.30 458.00 0.70 1.16 DUP24-032 570.80 576.50 5.70 4.00 DUP24-032 inc. 573.50 575.50 2.00 6.65 DUP24-033 400.95 401.95 1.00 0.66 North Zone DUP24-033 428.00 428.60 0.60 0.60 DUP24-033 439.00 440.00 1.00 1.70 DUP24-033 446.70 447.40 0.70 0.53 DUP24-033 452.00 452.50 0.50 0.77 DUP24-033 503.85 504.85 1.00 0.51 DUP24-033 506.65 507.20 0.55 0.67 DUP24-033 560.95 561.80 0.85 0.45 DUP24-033 567.85 568.50 0.65 1.36 DUP24-033 594.00 595.00 1.00 2.67 DUP24-033 610.25 611.00 0.75 0.49 DUP24-033 741.10 743.00 1.90 0.76 DUP24-033 745.95 746.60 0.65 1.11 *Reported intervals are drilled core lengths (true widths are estimated at 30-85% of the core length interval; assay values are uncut) Table 3: Phase 3 Drill Hole Locations, Buzz and North Zone Targets Hole ID Azimuth () Dip () Length (m) Easting Northing DUP24-028 180 -55 516 630997 5374335 DUP24-029 175 -62 684 631137 5374401 DUP24-030 172 -59 675 630997 5374416 DUP24-031 349 -67 801 632480 5374179 DUP24-032 360 -62 669 632481 5374179 DUP24-033 360 -65 849 632544 5374102 Note: Collar coordinates in UTM NAD 83 z17 About the Duparquet Gold Project The Duparquet Project is geologically situated in the southern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt and is geographically located approximately 50 km north of the city of Rouyn-Noranda. The Project benefits from easy access and proximity to an existing workforce and infrastructure, including road, rail and hydroelectric grid power. The Duparquet Project currently hosts an NI 43-101 compliant gold resource of 3.44 million ounces in the Measured & Indicated category, grading 1.55 g/t Au, and an additional 2.64 million ounces in the Inferred category, grading 1.62 g/t Au. First Mining completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment1 ("PEA") on the Project in 2023 (see news releases dated September 7, 2023 and October 23, 2023). The Duparquet Project totals approximately 5,800 hectares focused on an area of 19 km of strike length along the prolific Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone, along with numerous mineralized splays and influential secondary lineaments. The Duparquet Project includes the past-producing Beattie, Donchester and Duquesne mines, as well as the Central Duparquet, Dumico and Pitt Gold deposits. 1 Further details on the Duparquet PEA can be found in the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report: Preliminary Economic Assessment, Duparquet Gold Project, Quebec, Canada" dated October 20, 2023, which was prepared for First Mining by G Mining Services Inc. in accordance with NI 43-101 and is available under First Mining's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures All sampling completed by First Mining within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials and a level of duplicate analysis. Core samples from the 2024 drilling program at Duparquet were sent to AGAT Laboratories, with sample preparation in Val d'Or and analysis in Thunder Bay, where they were processed for gold analysis by 50 gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish. Samples from selected holes were sent to AGAT Laboratories in Calgary, Alberta, for multi-element analysis (including silver) by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method with a four acid digest. AGAT Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meets assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101. Qualified Person Louis Martin, P.Geo., Senior Geologic Consultant of First Mining, is a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release. About First Mining Gold Corp. First Mining is a gold developer advancing two of the largest gold projects in Canada, the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario, where we have commenced a feasibility study and permitting activities are on-going with a final Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Assessment for the project submitted in November 2024, and the Duparquet Gold Project in Quebec, a PEA-stage development project located on the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone in the prolific Abitibi region. First Mining also owns the Cameron Gold Project in Ontario and a portfolio of gold project interests including the Pickle Crow Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Firefly Metals Ltd.) and the Hope Brook Gold Project (being advanced in partnership with Big Ridge Gold Corp.). First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp. ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP. Daniel W. Wilton Chief Executive Officer and Director Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors include, without limitation, the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law. Cautionary Note to United States Investors The Company is a "foreign private issuer" as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is eligible to rely upon the Canada-U.S. Multi-Jurisdictional Disclosure System, and is therefore permitted to prepare the technical information contained herein in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the securities laws currently in effect in the United States. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards. Technical disclosure contained in this news release has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements of United States securities laws and uses terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada with certain estimates prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning the issuer's material mineral projects. VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) (Frankfurt: Z68) is pleased to announce the hiring of a highly experienced geological team to execute the Company's ambitious exploration strategy at both Tahuehueto and Campo Morado. The primary objective of the exploration strategy is to create significant value by focusing on three key goals: Identify additional high-grade, near-mine mineralization that can be quickly added to the mine plans at both Tahuehueto and Campo Morado , directly enhancing cash flow. Leverage extensive historical data and generate new information through drilling and other exploration tools to extend mine life and expand resources. Demonstrate the district-scale potential at both Tahuehueto and Campo Morado by targeting high-impact exploration zones further from the mine sites. Luca is very pleased to welcome to the team three senior professionals to oversee and direct the Company's exploration plans. Paul Gray will join as VP Exploration and will lead and direct all exploration activities reporting to the CEO, Dan Barnholden. Mr. Gray will also serve as Luca's Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument ("NI") 43-101. Gillian Kearvell will join as senior geological consultant and will work with Paul Gray focusing on building the Company's resource base as well as assist in developing a long-term organic growth strategy. Fernando Teliz will manage the drill campaigns and their execution. Paul Gray, P.Geo Mr. Gray brings a proven track record of global precious metals and base metals exploration success spanning multiple continents over 30 years. His expertise includes the design, management and execution of multi-million-dollar advanced exploration and resource delineation programs as well as the authorships of numerous NI 43-101 Technical Reports. He is a member in good standing with the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Gray brings a 'boots on the ground' approach to Luca's exploration team where he will lead and direct all exploration activities. Most recently Paul was VP Exploration at Victoria Gold Corp. where he was responsible for the discovery and definition of near-mine and greenfield mineral resources. Paul Gray commented, "I am excited to work with Luca's team to unlock the impressive mineral potential at both the Campo Morado and Tahuehueto Projects. Luca represents a rare opportunity, in possession of two production assets in a mining friendly jurisdiction, both of which have a vast and quality historic geoscience database to work with, inclusive of multiple untested targets - the perfect recipe for mineral resource expansion and new discoveries." Gillian Kearvell, B.Sc. Ms. Kearvell is a geologist with over 40 years of successful exploration experience working with both junior and senior companies throughout North America, including 30 years in Mexico. She is one of the foremost experts in the Guerrero Gold Belt where Luca's Campo Morado mine is located. In several increasing management roles for Teck Exploration, she co-discovered the San Nicolas VMS deposit in Zacatecas and led Teck's exploration team to develop the Guerrero Gold Belt exploration model and the subsequent discovery of the ELG and CML Gold Mines (Torex Gold, TSX: TXG), concurrent with managing prefeasibility studies for the Los Filos gold discovery for Teck (now Equinox Gold: TSX:EQX). Subsequently, as manager for Capstone Gold's Cozamin mine, she participated in the discovery of their significant copper resources. As Vice President Corp Dev then VP Exploration for Newstrike she was instrumental in bringing the Guerrero Gold belt story to capital markets for the first time and in the discovery of the development stage Ana Paula gold resource (now Heliostar Metals, TSX.V:HSTR). Gillian will work with Paul Gray with a particular focus on growing the resource base of Luca's Campo Morado and Tahuehueto mines and will assist in developing a long-term organic growth strategy. Gillian is based in Mexico and consults in a similar capacity for Angelwing Metals (TSX.V:AWM). Gillian Kearvell commented, "I am delighted to be working with this amazing team and am excited by what we will accomplish together. Dan has a sound growth strategy to focus first on increasing the resource and the capacity at both mines that Paul and I feel confident can soon be accomplished over the short term. I am also very excited by the untapped organic growth potential I see at both Campo Morado and Tahuehueto, two highly underexplored projects with excellent upside. I very much look forward to working with Dan, Paul and Fernando and the rest of the team in Mexico as we focus on the near-term upside to increase profitability at both mines, while also developing and executing on a long-term exploration strategy that I fully expect will lead to new discoveries." Fernando Teliz, M.Sc. Mr. Teliz brings to the Company a wealth of expertise in the design, development and evaluation of exploration programs from generative to advanced stage throughout the Americas and the identification of strategic opportunities to improve results based on 30 years of experience in Au/Ag/Cu/Zn/Mo mineral systems. Mr. Teliz spent almost 20 years working for Cominco Ltd. and then Teck Resources. He has consulted for some of the largest mining companies in the world in the last eight years, including Newcrest, Lundin Gold and Coeur. He is based in Mexico and will oversee Luca's exploration at Campo Morado and Tahuehueto. Mr. Teliz is member of the College of Mining, Metallurgist and Geological Professional Engineers of Mexico (CIMMGM). Fernando Teliz commented, "I think we have one of the best exploration teams in Mexico and I look forward to working with them as we execute our strategic, high impact exploration programs at Campo Morado and Tahuehueto. Luca Mining's two mining projects are located in fertile mineral ground and have comprehensive historical exploration data sets that will be integrated into the current model providing an excellent foundation for our exciting exploration plans." Dan Barnholden, CEO, commented, "I am thrilled to welcome such experienced exploration professionals to the Luca team. I have known Paul and Gillian for many years and am looking forward to getting to know Fernando. With the addition of this group of top-tier explorationists, I have a high degree of conviction that we will be successful in achieving our exploration goals. Our investment in exploration at Campo Morado and Tahuehueto at this critical juncture in the Company's development will be a catalyst in demonstrating these assets' extraordinary potential". About Luca Mining Corp. Luca Mining (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a diversified Canadian mining company with two 100%-owned producing mines within the prolific Sierra Madre mineralized belt in Mexico which hosts numerous producing and historic mines along its trend. The Company produces gold, copper, zinc, silver and lead from these mines that each have considerable development and resource upside. The Campo Morado mine, is an underground operation located in Guerrero State. It produces copper-zinc-lead concentrates with precious metals credits. It is currently undergoing an optimization program which is already generating significant improvements in recoveries and grades, efficiencies, and cashflows. The Tahuehueto Gold, Silver Mine is a new underground operation in Durango State. which hosts numerous producing and historic mines along its trend. The Company is commissioning its mill and is expected to achieve commercial production by the end of the year. On Behalf of the Board of Directors (signed) "Dan Barnholden" Dan Barnholden, Chief Executive Officer For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements It should be noted that Luca declared commercial production at Campo Morado prior to completing a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, readers should be cautioned that Luca's production decision has been made without a comprehensive feasibility study of established reserves such that there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Campo Morado mine and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision. Luca has completed a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") mining study on the Campo Morado mine that provides a conceptual life of mine plan and a preliminary economic analysis based on the previously identified mineral resources (see news releases dated November 8, 2017, and April 4, 2018). Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, anticipated discovery of higher-grade mineralization and ability to add to existing mine plans; other possible events, conditions or financial performance that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Tahuehueto Project and Campo Morado properties that can be achieved; the geological mapping from mining activity at Tahuehueto Project and Campo Morado will continue to provide information to guide exploration program plans; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals, economic and political conditions, and operations. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Vancouver, British Columbia TheNewswire - November 21, 2024 - Red Lake Gold Inc. (CSE: RGLD)(Red Lake Gold or the "Corporation") reports upon the material results (and the Corporations related analysis) pertaining to the recent phase two soil sampling program and the prospecting program which were both undertaken this fall at Red Lake Golds Whirlwind Jack Gold Project (Whirlwind Jack or Whirlwind Jack Project) located near Red Lake, Ontario (see also news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Deploys Prospecting and Soil Sampling Teams to Priority Areas at Whirlwind Jack, dated October 1, 2024). Said results are detailed and discussed herein. Regional Overview Red Lake Gold is focused on Whirlwind Jack and is of the opinion that the project shares a multitude of geological features with the adjoining Great Bear Project (Great Bear) being independently advanced by Kinross Gold Corporation, including: LP Fault Coverage (exceeding 9km on Red Lake Golds Whirlwind Jack); Geophysical Magnetic Low Corridor (interpreted to be felsic lithologies due to a similar magnetic low that is coincident with felsic lithologies at the adjacent Great Bear Project); High Strain Felsic Lithologies (discussed within Field Prospecting Highlights below, felsic lithologies confirmed as present on both the Great Bear Project and Whirlwind Jack Project). In addition, Whirlwind Jack is now further highlighted by the strong gold-in-soil results presented in this news release (see Soil Sampling Highlights and summary Figure 3 below), which expand upon the phase one gold-in-soil results previously disclosed (see news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Identifies Gold-In-Soil Anomalies, Highlights Multi-Kilometre Target Area Adjoining LP Fault, dated August 13, 2024). The gold-in-soil results reported herein (see Soil Sampling Highlights and summary Figure 3 below) are within a multi-kilometre area corresponding to the central portion of Whirlwind Jacks magnetic low, which coincidently is similar in terms of project positioning to the adjoining Great Bear Project (where the central portion of that projects respective LP Fault strike length coverage has been the adjacent project holders focus). The centre of the Whirlwind Jack gold-in-soil anomaly is approximately 15km from the centre of the Great Bear Project gold discovery. Generally-speaking, this observation is relevant in the view of the Corporation as gold belts are commonly associated with a major regional fault but deposits themselves are often situated along strike with distances between one another (i.e. leveraging independent strike areas along common sutures for fluid aggregation/mobilization). Figure 1: Whirlwind Jack Gold Project (Geophysical Map with LP Fault) For among the reasons outlined in this news release and elsewhere in the Corporations publicly-filed documents, Red Lake Gold believes Whirlwind Jack may represent an opportunity to discover the next on-trend gold discovery associated with the LP Fault, a regional fault structure for which coverage is materially dominated by mining claim and/or lease ownership held by neighbouring Kinross Gold Corporation (Great Bear Project) and Red Lake Gold Inc. (Whirlwind Jack Project), respectively. The Corporation cautions that the exploration potential of and any exploration results from the Whirlwind Jack Project may differ, materially, from exploration results of adjoining and/or regional projects, including but not limited to the adjacent Great Bear Project being advanced by Kinross Gold Corporation. Soil Sampling Highlights Laboratory assays for 579 out of 690 follow-up phase two soil samples collected this fall were first received by the Corporation on November 15, 2024, with an additional 12 sample assays subsequently received on November 20, 2024. Given that the significant majority of lab assays are now returned, the Corporation's assessments contained in this release are considered representative of the soil program at Whirlwind Jack. The Corporation has prioritized the disclosure of received results given its view of their materiality versus delayed reporting to wait on the outstanding balance. Red Lake Gold does not expect to separately report on the small number of outstanding samples unless their aggregate assay results are materially different in scope or range than the ~86% of all collected phase two soil samples for which assays are now in-hand and which are being reported on by way of this comprehensive news release. To those received results, the Corporation is pleased to advise of a significant expansion of the gold-in-soil anomalies at both the Bug Lake Target and the Box Target as compared to the initial phase one results (see also news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Identifies Gold-In-Soil Anomalies, Highlights Multi-Kilometre Target Area Adjoining LP Fault, dated August 13, 2024). The cumulative soil sampling that was undertaken and completed at Whirlwind Jack this year has now successfully delineated a widescale gold-in-soil-anomaly at the Box Target that is aligned with the projects significant magnetic low corridor (believed to be underlain by felsic lithology) and appears to also be associated with Whirlwind Jacks coverage of the regionally important LP Fault. The Bug Lake Target also exhibits strong and expanded gold-in-soil results and likewise appears to have a magnetic low and LP Fault relationship. As noted, the phase two soil sampling follow-up/infill results showed material growth in scale and technical continuity of the Box Target gold-in-soil anomaly which the phase one soil program provided what is now believed to have only been an initial glimpse of, as well as having materially expanded the above-discussed Bug Lake Target gold-in-soil anomaly (see Figures 2 and 3 below for highlighted result summary and phase comparisons). Based upon the received results from Red Lake Golds phase one and phase two soil sampling programs, combined with the field observations/findings of the fall prospecting program, the high-priority Box Target gold-in-soil anomaly is viewed by the Corporation to be locally dispersed from within Whirlwind Jacks main magnetic low corridor (see also the Field Prospecting Highlights section below). Figure 2: Phase One Soil Sampling Highlights (previously released in August 2024) Figure 3: Phase One and Two Soil Sampling Highlights (as received to November 20, 2024) In the Corporations opinion, the emerging gold-in-soil-anomaly associated with the Box Target which as of now has a prospective length of approximately 3.5km (see Figure 4 below) and which runs parallel to the LP Fault-associated magnetic low corridor at Whirlwind Jack exhibits a similar strike length to the adjacent Great Bear Project, where an approximate 4km area of strike has received focus. Figure 4: Gold-In-Soil Anomaly Scale and Future Soil Infill Prospects As shown above in Figure 4, the approximately 3.5km gold-in-soil anomaly identified at Whirlwind Jack presents an opportunity for expansion along strike with the LP Fault in both directions as the extent of phase two soil sampling completed this fall did not cover or explore the indicated areas either to the east or to the west of the now defined gold-in-soil anomaly, but which given the results disclosed today now present obvious future soil infill prospects to incrementally assess over time. Priority for the Corporation will be to determine next steps for refining targets to test the initial 3.5km strike length of the gold-in-soil anomaly associated with the Box Target. As also relates to the initial east-west trending 3.5km strike length of the Box Target gold-in-soil anomaly, its presently defined location favourably correlates with the widest north-south segment of the magnetic low at Whirlwind Jack, which was the basis for the Corporations original sampling priority there (now validated). Red Lake Gold views the magnetic low corridor as the prospective origin source of the gold-in-soil anomaly adjacent to the Box Target (see Field Prospecting Highlights section below). The Corporation will also be examining potential ways to refine the Bug Lake Target which, to Figure 3 above, has a magnetic low geophysical anomaly spatially associated with a gold-in-soil anomaly that expanded in size during the phase two soil sampling program. The Corporation extends its appreciation to the team at Fladgate Exploration Consulting Corp. (Fladgate) for their work on both soil sampling programs conducted during 2024. Field Prospecting Highlights In addition to a successful soil sampling program, the Corporation also conducted a limited-scale field prospecting program this fall which had two purposes, being the mapping of lithologies at Whirlwind Jack and field examination through prospecting of locations associated with the phase one gold-in-soil anomalies to help determine the prospective source of origin. Red Lake Gold advises that its field prospecting program (see news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Deploys Prospecting and Soil Sampling Teams to Priority Areas at Whirlwind Jack, dated October 1, 2024) has successfully confirmed that the same lithologies associated with gold mineralization on the Great Bear side of the LP Fault are also present on the Whirlwind Jack side. Of particular note, field mapping has confirmed the presence of highly strained felsic assemblages at Whirlwind Jack that are spatially located with the LP Fault system (and its perceived offset faults) and it has confirmed that felsic lithologies are present at both book-ends of the exploration corridor identified by the Corporation. Field identification this fall of sheared mafic assemblages also speaks to the prospective presence of volcanic activity proximate to the LP Fault at Whirlwind Jack, which the Corporation interprets favorably. Based on the foregoing and in Red Lake Golds view, the structural/sheared setting tandem to the LP Fault at Whirlwind Jack may potentially be conducive to a productive depositional environment for fault-originated fluids that could in turn contain gold enrichment, as is the case along the LP Fault at the adjoining Great Bear Project held by Kinross Gold Corporation. Figure 5: Field Confirmation of Felsic Lithologies at the Book-Ends of the Whirlwind Jack Project Figure 6: Photo of High-Strain Felsic Shearing (labelled as (1) in Figure 5) The fall field mapping work furthered the Corporations knowledge of the felsic and mafic assemblages present at Whirlwind Jack; such work also validating certain preliminary field observations made earlier in 2024 through mapping work by Fladgate (see news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Field Program Confirms Mafic and Felsic Metavolcanic Lithologies at Whirlwind Jack, Lab Assays Pending on 1,001 Collected Samples, dated July 4, 2024). The second purpose of the scope-defined field prospecting program this fall was to sample the then-known phase one anomalies (see news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Identifies Gold-In-Soil Anomalies, Highlights Multi-Kilometre Target Area Adjoining LP Fault, dated August 13, 2024) to determine whether the initial phase one gold-in-soil anomalies were prospectively sourced from within the LP Fault-associated magnetic low corridors identified by the Corporation (its original thesis) or whether instead that was not the case and that the gold-in-soil anomalies could be locally explained (i.e. they were not associated with the generally up-ice LP Fault-associated magnetic low corridors but rather localized rocks). Accordingly, field geologists for the Corporation examined limited outcrops located south of the Box Target magnetic low (where gold-in-soil anomaly trains were generally located), as well as within specific localities at the Bug Lake Target, with an objective being to determine whether the soil anomalies could be directly linked with the immediate locality of the gold-in-soil anomalies without regard to the magnetic low corridor (i.e. were the anomalies localized rather than representing dispersion from the noted magnetic low corridors/areas?), or whether, in the alternative, if the soil anomalies could not be explained near soil sample locations then in turn it could provide evidence to validate the Corporation's view that the gold-in-soil anomalies reflected origin from the magnetic low corridors/areas. The Corporation also notes that no material gold-in-soil anomalies were identified during the phase one soil sampling survey to the north of the Box Target magnetic low corridor suggesting in turn that the magnetic low corridor may be the prospective origin area for the identified gold-in-soil anomaly if it could not be locally explained down-ice of said magnetic low corridor. Figure 7: Rock Sampling at Gold-In-Soil Phase Anomalies The Corporation reports that the in-situ rock samples (taken approximately 10m to 165m from key phase one gold-in-soil result locations) did not return gold assay values and thus did not explain the presence of these significant gold-in-soil anomalies, which the Corporation now has resulting evidence to believe originated up-ice and that the gold-in-soil anomalies may indeed represent dispersion from the LP Fault-associated magnetic low corridors rather than any form of localized expression. The subsequently received phase two gold-in-soil assays (as first above discussed) have further validated the Corporations view of this interpretation given the material expansion of the gold-in-soil anomalies, and their further physical expansion/lead-in to the magnetic low priority exploration corridor/areas represented by the Box Target and Bug Lake Target. Accordingly, with initial phase one gold-in-soil anomaly prospecting results and in conjunction with lithology findings, plus now significant growth in the gold in-soil anomaly footprints provided by todays announcement of the received phase two results (see Figure 3 above), it suggests to the Corporation that a potential bedrock gold source from which these important gold-in-soil anomalies originate may indeed be within the core magnetic low corridor/areas (potentially under lake coverage) as opposed to any unassociated localized sources around the periphery of the magnetic low corridor/areas. The above discussed findings mark a pertinent although preliminary field finding as they may serve to vector potential future exploration away from magnetic high structures (which are commonly associated with more traditional greenstone belt settings) and instead focus forward-looking exploration into the magnetic low areas that may indeed be the origin source for the gold-in-soil anomalies (and which based on the Corporations interpretation of the LP Fault prospectivity on the Great Bear side of the LP Fault may indeed be more scale-prospective altogether). In the Corporations opinion, this magnetic low setting, combined with both the LP Fault and noted lithologies, is relevant as it shares similarity to the key environment on the Great Bear Project side of the LP Fault to a greater degree than any localized magnetic high origin would have. As such, the fall field program (with its mapping and sampling) helps to provide context to the prospectivity and origin of the gold-in-soil dispersion at Whirlwind Jack as being within the magnetic low corridor and not to more magnetic signatures around the periphery/rim (which based on limited rock sampling did not indicate a result to explain/source the gold-in-soil anomalies now defined through two soil sampling field programs). Having eliminated one possibility (i.e. immediate local origin), the other possible source (i.e. magnetic low areas prospectively underlain by felsic assemblages) strengthens in potential as the origin for the reported gold-in-soil anomalies. Supported by the fall field programs confirmation of felsic and mafic lithologies at Whirlwind Jack, the Corporation increasingly views the magnetic low corridor associated with its Box Target (and magnetic low area proximally associated with its Bug Lake target) as prospectively representative of felsic settings that may have gold-bearing potential. Further exploration work will be necessary to expand upon and further validate these preliminary findings and to augment the Corporations understanding as relates to the exploration potential of Whirlwind Jack. Qualified Person Jason Arnold, P.Geo., President of DCX Geological Consulting and an independent Qualified Person as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release. The mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties, particularly with respect to neighbouring mineral resources, is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Corporations property. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Ryan Kalt Chief Executive Officer T: 604.687.2038 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the Corporations future exploration plans at its Whirlwind Jack, the funding, timing, completion and extent of such exploration plans, if any, and the results of any such exploration work to the extent such work is successfully completed, as well as to any exploration potential and/or geological interpretations now or in future held by the Corporation or parties engaged by it with respect to the Whirlwind Jack. Actual results may differ materially from those currently expected or forecast in such statements. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Etruscus Resources Corp. (CSE: ETR) (OTC: ETRUF) (FSE: ERR) (the "Company" or "Etruscus") is pleased to announce initial results from its 2024 exploration program (the "Program") at the Company's Rock & Roll Property located in the prolific Golden Triangle in Northwestern British Columbia, Canada. The Program included rock sampling, geological mapping, Terraspec data collection, and a 6 line-kilometer induced polarization (IP) survey. Analysis of the IP survey and mapping data at the Zappa porphyry target has encouraged the team to plan a comprehensive drilling program for the summer of 2025. Additionally, results from the Pheno claims have identified a new kilometer-scale rare earth element (REE) prospect in the early stages of discovery. Stephen Wetherup, Etruscus' VP of Exploration, commented, "We are encouraged by the results from the 2024 exploration program. Reconnaissance rock sampling on the Pheno claims has revealed exotic geology and provided promising assays, highlighting the potential of this large-scale REE discovery. We look forward to further enhancing the value of this new claim package as exploration advances in 2025. At the Zappa target, we were unable to drill due to last minute logistical challenges, so we were able to complete a number of other surveys, and this has given us better confidence to locate drill targets in 2025. We now have everything we need to test this target, with the goal of identifying the next major copper-gold porphyry deposit in the Golden Triangle." Program Highlights Geological mapping confirms significant QSP alteration above Zappa chargeability anomaly, adjacent to receding glacier; TerraSpec short wave infrared analysis (SWIR) confirmed high temperature clay minerals at surface over the Zappa anomaly, further validating the target's porphyry potential; short wave infrared analysis (SWIR) confirmed high temperature clay minerals at surface over the Zappa anomaly, further validating the target's porphyry potential; Initial IP pseudo sections over the Zappa provide encouraging results (inversions and interpretation pending); Pheno claims demonstrate large scale REE geochemical anomaly hosted in peralkaline rhyolites; and High grade gold float returned; Kashmir target (23.8 g/t Au), Heather target (40.1 g/t Au). Discovery/Zappa The 2024 field program was focused on the Discovery area and the adjacent Zappa chargeability anomaly. This zone represents a sizeable copper-gold porphyry target with 1.1 km of QSP alteration mapped at surface and a discrete, open-ended chargeability anomaly residing below. This target is located at the geologically important "Red-Line" unconformity and has never been drilled. During the 2024 field program, geological mapping, rock samples, and Terraspec SWIR analysis were completed primarily to the east of the historic Discovery showing where the new Zappa chargeability anomaly was identified in a 2022 IP survey. Detailed geological mapping revealed a highly altered quartz-sericite-pyrite (QSP) zone in Stuhini volcanic and sedimentary rocks measuring 200 m by 500 m with intense texture destruction of host protolith. Stockwork quartz-sulphide veinlets were abundant and massive pyrite veins measuring several cm across were common. The alteration zone extends to the east with strong alteration mapped directly adjacent to the receding glacier. The team was surprised to see tens of meters of newly exposed altered rock compared to historic mapping completed 2 years ago. An expanded geophysical Induced polarization (IP) survey was completed to the east of the 2022 survey that included 4 individual lines totaling 6 line-km with a depth of investigation down to 500 m (see map below). A walking magnetic survey was also completed along the IP lines, and initial pseudo sections have been highly encouraging. This information will be critical in outlining the true size of the Zappa chargeability anomaly and is being used to pinpoint the center of this alteration system that is planned to be drill-tested in 2025. The team is excited to review and process the data and it will be released once interpretation is complete. A total of 50 Terraspec samples were taken and results demonstrated high wavelengths for AlOH bonds with moderate zonation towards the centre of the Zappa surface alteration. This confirms high temperature clays are associated with alteration above the chargeability anomaly and adds to the confidence the team has in this target. Detailed interpretation is ongoing. Pheno REE's The inaugural exploration program on the adjoining Pheno claims was successful in identifying a unique critical metal deposit with highly enriched REE values spread across a very large area. A total of 167 rock samples including several different rock types were collected for borate lithium fusion analysis across the large, underexplored land package. Results demonstrated a strong enrichment of rare earth elements at the upper elevations of the property predominantly hosted in the rhyolites that are spread across an area of more than 5 km. These rocks appear to be highly evolved peralkaline rhyolites that form as the last gasp of felsic lavas in a volcanic chamber. A baseline of 1,000 ppm TREO* was selected as indication of strong REE enrichment as this number has been used at other bulk tonnage REE deposits as a cut-off grade capable of delivering economic returns. Of all the rocks taken across the claims, 76 rocks or 45% of the samples returned >1,000 ppm TREO. These results are highly encouraging and suggest the possibility of a very large mineralized REE system capable of containing significant REE reserves exists on the property. *TREO (Total Rare Earth Oxide) is defined as the summation of the Rare Earth Oxides of Cerium through Lutetium on the periodic table, plus Scandium, Yttrium and Lanthanum. Property Exploration Further field work was completed on the Heather and the Kashmir showing as a pipeline of targets continues to progress. At the Heather target where high-grade gold samples and a 300 m Au-Cu-Ag soil anomaly have previously been discovered, the team has identified the source of the chargeability anomaly outlined during the 2022 IP survey. Multiple plagioclase porphyritic intrusion measuring 5 m - 50 m in diameter were shown to contain 0.5 to 2% disseminated pyrite. This unit does not provide an immediate target but advances the teams understanding of the system. A mineralized piece of float containing abundant galena was sampled and returned 40.1 g/t Au. Further work was completed at the Kashmir showing, a Mo-Cu porphyritic intrusion, to identify extension or high high-grade pockets of mineralization. Follow up on a highly mineralized sample from 2022 identified a second, similar mineralized boulder that returned 23.8 g/t Au, although identification of the source was unsuccessful. Mapping took place to outline a 100 m wide monzonitic intrusion with 1-10 cm wide quartz molybdenum veins. This porphyry target remains a high priority although the steep nature of the showing provides difficult access for completion of a geophysical survey, the team is exploring options on how to advance this target. Financing The Company also reports the closing of its previously announced financing (See News Release September 11, 2024), subject to final regulatory approval. The Company raised a further $10,000 through issuing 100,000 non-flow-through units at $0.10 per unit. A finder's fee of $800 was paid and 8,000 share-purchase warrants were issued, exercisable at $0.15 per share for 2 years. In total, the financing raised $402,000 through the issuance of 2,440,000 flow-through units at $0.125 per unit and 970,000 units at $0.10 per unit and paid total finders' fees of $1,600 and issued 16,000 finder's warrants exercisable at $0.15 per share for 2 years. Each non-flow-through unit consists of one common share and one-half (1/2) of a non-transferable share purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable into one additional common share at a price of $0.15 per share for a 2-year period. Each flow-through unit consists of one flow-through common share and one-half (1/2) of one non-flow-through, non-transferable share purchase warrant with each whole warrant exercisable into one additional common share at a price of $0.18 per share for a 2-year period. All shares issued under the private placement are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. The flow-through shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Act"). The proceeds of the flow-through private placement will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expense" (within the meaning of the Act). The Company will renounce these expenses to the purchasers with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2024, and as required under the Act, and, if applicable, as required under Provisional legislation. QP Statement Technical aspects of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Stephen Wetherup, BSc., P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. QAQC Statement The Company has adopted a rigorous quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") program to ensure best practices in sampling of all rock, soil and silt material. The Company's samples are being assayed by ALS Geochemistry Labs which has facilities in Terrace and North Vancouver BC. and is independent of the Company. All rock samples were crushed to 70% pass 2mm fraction, and then a 250g split was pulverized to better than 85% passed a 75-micron screen. Multi element analysis for gold copper exploration was performed by by ALS Laboratory using aqua-regia digestion ICP-MS package (ME-MS41). Elevated gold grades (>1 g/t) were analyzed by fire assay and ICP-AES (Au-ICP21). Samples that returned above detection limits in silver, copper, lead and zinc were reanalyzed with appropriate ore grade analysis to determine absolute values. For rare earth elements samples, a lithium borate fusion analysis was performed using ALS package ME-MS81 for full digestion of REE minerals. ALS Labs is an independent provider of geochemical laboratory services for the exploration and mining industries and is an ISO 17025 (Testing and Calibration) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) accredited laboratory. About Etruscus Etruscus Resources Corp. is a Vancouver-based exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of precious metal mineral properties. The Company's flagship asset is the 100%-owned Rock & Roll Property comprising 29,344 ha near the past producing Snip mine in Northwest B.C.'s prolific Golden Triangle. Etruscus is traded under the symbol "ETR" on the Canadian Securities Exchange, "ETRUF" on the OTC and "ERR" on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Etruscus has 53,370,361 common shares issued and outstanding. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Press Release may contain statements which constitute 'forward-looking' statements, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including quarterly and annual Management's Discussion and Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements. Neither the CSE Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMERICAN SALARS LITHIUM INC. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: USLIF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY) announces it has signed a Mineral Claims Purchase Agreement (the Agreement) with an arms length vendor to acquire 100% of the Lac Simard Nord Project consisting of 286 acres covering 2 claim blocks, directly contiguous to Sayona Mining Limiteds (Sayona) Tansim Project, comprised of the Viau-Dallaire and Viau Showings estimated by Sayona as having the potential to contain between 5 to 25 million tons of Li20 @ 1.2-1.3%. This brings the Companys holding in Canadas only producing lithium camp to 3,958.75 acres at Lac Simard, Quebec. Sayona and Piedmont Limited (Piedmont) announced a merger this week to create a USD $623 million (CAD $870 Million) lithium giant1 after announcing continued record production at North American Lithium (NAL) operation in Quebec.2 Tansim Lithium Project Page: (https://sayonamining.com.au/projects/tansim-project/) Figure 1. Lac Simard Nord Claims Map ___________________________________________ [1] Sayona, Piedmont to create lithium giant in $623-million merger - Canadian Mining Journal [2] Piedmont Lithium shares up on continued record production at NAL - Canadian Mining Journal American Salars CEO & Director R. Nick Horsley states, This was a great opportunity to acquire strategic ground in close proximately to a known lithium showing inside Sayona's Tansim project. We will continue the hunt for low cost / high value lithium projects. Furthermore, the merger of Sayona and Piedmont shows that there is a strong appetite for M&A in the lithium space. These new claim blocks are located approximately 430 meters west of the Viau Showing (GM 67780): 2.77% LiO2 over 3.20 m and 3680 ppm Be over 1.65 m; 1.37% LiO2 over 3.20 m (groove V2). The best contents reported by the selected samples are (GM 67780): 1.745% Li (I chose DM013); 3.39% Li (I chose FF001A); 0.753% Li (I chose FF002); 2.14% Li, 174.5 ppm Ta (I chose FF003A) and 1 km north of Refined Metals Ile du Refuge Lithium showing (5.8% Ta2O5 and 83% U3O8 (GM 36797, p. 4); 2.1% Li (I.112759, GM 36797). In addition to these new Lac Simard Nord claims the Companys previously announced and 100% owned Lac Simard South project is in located 95 km southwest of Sayona and Piedmonts North American Lithium Mine project and spans the townships of Beauneville, Clerion, Delbreuil, and ChabertIt, accessible by gravel road off Route 117 near the municipality of Cadillac. The claims in the eastern sector are accessible by a network of logging roads; the southern and western sectors are accessible by boat or all-terrain vehicle and has very little overburden. The Company intends to begin planning for a comprehensive work program to identify targets and test areas of immediate interest in this active lithium exploration, production and processing region of mining friendly Quebec. Sayona Mining Limiteds Abitibi Hub, comprised of its flagship North American lithium Mine, Authier Lithium and Tansim lithium projects that are located nearby and boast a aggregate measured and indicated resource of 111 million tonnes grading 1.14 % lithium, the largest lithium resource in Quebec. This lithium hub is more readily accessible, providing relatively lower cost exploration, than James Bay, and the area is home to a fully operating lithium concentrator and planned lithium carbonate/hydroxide conversion plant thereby reducing the need for redundant processing downstream solutions and capital expenditure in the event of an economic discovery. Figure 2. Lac Simard South Regional Map Figure 3. Area of immediate interest on Lac Simard South Property Geology The Lac Simard Nord property is underlain by the large monzodiorite batholith of Lac Simard Sud. This batholith is pinkish grey in color and is composed of plagioclase, K-feldspar hornblende with minor amount of epidote and quartz. Quartz-monzodioritic dykes and sills are observed at the margin of this intrusion. The Ni-Cu Laforce showing explored by Kerr Addison Gold Mines Ltd. and more lately by Fieldex Exploration (2007) lies about 1 km south of the Property and is underlain by a large granite batholith intrusive. The showing explored by Kerr Addison Gold Mines Ltd. is in a mass of amphibolite surrounded by pink granite but not far from the western edge of the granite batholith. The rock is composed of grey feldspar hornblende, the hornblende constituting from 40 to 90% of the rock. The Transaction American Salars has entered into an agreement with Quartier Mineral Ltd. of Quebec, whereby American Salars is acquiring a 100-per-cent interest in the Lac Simard Nord project by issuing to the vendor 50,000 common shares. Additional projects are still being reviewed and will be subject to further disclosure once due diligence is completed and a deal is completed. American Salarss management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to American Salars may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties. Qualified Person Mitchell Lavery, P.Geo. (QC), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for The Lac Simard portion of this news release, and has approved the disclosure herein. American Salars global lithium portfolio consists of two advanced lithium resources in Argentina and our advancing USA lithium asset in Nevada. The Companys existing portfolio of lithium deposits including two NI 43-101 Compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE) consisting of 457,000 tonnes Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) at the Candela 2 Lithium Brine Project (Candela) and a shared MRE at the Pocitos 1 Lithium Brine Project (Pocitos) consisting of 760,000 tonnes LCE. The Pocitos MRE is shared with neighbouring Pocitos 2 which is not under contract or owned by USLI, however it is important to note that none of the drilling that makes up a partial basis for the MRE took place on the Pocitos 2 block. Both brine projects are located in Salta Province, Argentina. Recently, mining giant Rio Tinto made an additional investment into Argentina, with an all-cash transaction to acquire Argentina lithium producer Arcadium Lithium for US$6.7 billion, making Rio Tinto the world's third-largest lithium miner. About Pocitos 1 Lithium Deposit WSP Australia completed an update of the NI 43-101 report initially written by Phillip Thomas QP in June 2023 and estimated on an inferred basis using a block model with 6% and 14% porosity for the clay and sand lithologies respectively and a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 760,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) on the combined Pocitos 1 (800 Ha) and neighbouring Pocitos 2 block (532 Ha). American Salars does not own the neighboring Pocitos 2 ground which comprises 40% of the gross land package that makes up the resource however it is notable that all drilling to date has been completed on American Salars Pocitos 1 block. The Pocitos 1 project is located approximately 10 kilometers from the township of Pocitos where there is gas, electricity, and accommodation. Pocitos 1 is approximately 800 hectares (1,977 acres) and is accessible by road. Collective exploration since 2017 totals over US$2.0 million in project development, including surface sampling, trenching, TEM and MT geophysics and the drilling of three wells that returned outstanding brine flow results. Locations for immediate follow up drilling have already been identified for upcoming exploration based on the most recent MT survey. Lithium values of 169 ppm from drill hole PCT22-03 packer test assayed from laboratory analysis conducted by Alex Stewart were recorded during the projects December 2022 drill campaigns. A packer sampling system was used in HQ Diamond drill holes that were drilled to a depth of up to 409 metres. The flow of brine was observed to continue for more than five hours with all holes exhibiting exceptional brine flow rates. An NI 43-101 updated report completed by WSP Australia has been released on the Pocitos 1 project. Ekosolve Ltd. a DLE technology company was able to produce 99.8% purity lithium carbonate and extraction was above 94% of the contained lithium in the brine i.e. 158.86ppm of lithium would have been recovered from 169ppm. Figure 4. Drilling at Pocitos 1 Lithium Brine Project (Salta, Argentina) About Candela II Lithium Deposit The Candela II Lithium deposit is on the southern and lowest end of the Incahuasi Salar, located in the Province of Salta, Argentina. Candela II is situated approximately 45 kilometers from town of Tolar Grande, 267 kilometers from Salta, and close in proximity to advanced and renowned lithium salars such as Arizaro (Lithium Chile) and Pocitos (Hanaq). Volcanoes Cerro Aracar, Medina and Pular contribute lithium to the Incahuasi salar through aquifers. The Candela II Lithium Brine Project contains a National Instrument 43-101 mineral resource estimate (MRE) completed by WSP Australia Pty. Ltd. (see Spey Resources Corp. news dated September 26th, 2023). This NI 43-101 resource report estimates the project to contain lithium metal of 86,000 tonnes which equates to 457,500 tonnes of in-situ lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) and a lithium yield of 48,000 tonnes of LCE from 9,000 tonnes of lithium metal. The calculations assume no losses from lithium metal and a porosity average that will be updated in the next drilling phase. Figure 5. Road on Candela II Lithium Brine Project 2022 (Salta, Argentina) Qualified Person Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBusM, FAusIMM, MAIG, MAIMVA, (CMV), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release regarding Argentina properties, and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr Thomas is a shareholder of American Salars lithium shares. Additionally, American Salars has engaged Stockhouse Publishing Ltd ("Stockhouse") to provide marketing services in support of the Companys marketing strategy in building investor awareness and increasing exposure of the Company. Stockhouse, a renowned Vancouver-based marketing and media platform catering to retail investors, will be paid $100,000 by the Company pursuant to its six-month marketing services agreement. The Company has the option of adding a digital boost advertising spend for an additional $50,000 per month. Stockhouse does not provide Investor Relations services. Contact: (604) 678-4349 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. As well , American Salars has entered into an advertising and investor awareness campaign with Dig Media Inc. dba Investing News Network (INN). INN is a private company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, dedicated to providing independent news and education to investors since 2007 at www.investingnews.com. For the 12 month term of the agreement, INN will provide advertising to increase awareness of the issuer. INN does not provide Investor Relations or Market Making services. The cost of the campaign is $53,125+GST. INN currently holds no securities in American Salars Lithium Inc. Contact: 604-688-8231 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The Company announces that it has entered into an agreement with Triomphe Holdings Ltd. (dba Capital Analytica) (Capital Analytica) for investor relations and communication services (the Consulting Agreement). The Consulting Agreement has an initial term of six months, commencing November 22, 2024, under which the Company will pay Capital Analytica a fee of $120,000 with the option to renew the Consulting Agreement for an additional 6 months in perpetuity for a fee of $60,000 unless terminated earlier in accordance with the Consulting Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Consulting Agreement, Capital Analytica will provide ongoing capital markets consultation, ongoing social media consultation regarding engagement and enhancement, corporate video dissemination, and other related investor relations services. Capital Analytica is a Nanaimo based company owned and operated by Jeff French who is at arms length to the Company and holds no securities, directly or indirectly of the Company. Contact: 604-778-882-4551 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. About American Salars Lithium Inc. American Salars Lithium is an exploration company focused on exploring and developing high-value battery metals projects to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle market. The company's Pocitos 1 and the Candela II lithium salar projects in Argentina both feature a NI 43-101 inferred resource. All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, R. Nick Horsley R. Nick Horsley, CEO For further information, please contact: American Salars Lithium Inc. Phone: 604.740.7492 E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salars intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. 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 American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements 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 actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Human Rights Watch accused Iraq Tuesday of widening the "scale and pace of unlawful executions in 2024", calling on authorities to "urgently halt all pending executions and declare a moratorium". In recent years Iraqi courts have ordered hundreds of executions in "terror" cases, proceedings that rights groups say often lack due process or in which confessions suspected to have been extracted through torture are admissible. "The Iraqi government dramatically increased the scale and pace of unlawful executions in 2024," HRW said. The New York-based watchdog pointed to "credible allegations of torture and violations of the right to a fair trial". It said it had reviewed pictures of three executed men whose bodies bore "visible signs of mistreatment or torture, including heavy bruising, broken bones, wounds, and emaciation". HRW added that documented cases showed that "Iraqi authorities have increasingly threatened death row inmates and nongovernmental groups for speaking out about conditions in the Nasiriyah Central Prison" in southern Iraq. Several rights groups have condemned extreme conditions in the facility, which is also known as Al-Hut Prison. "Iraqi authorities are carrying out state-sanctioned murder on a disturbing scale," said Lama Fakih, HRW's Middle East and North Africa director. "Signing off on these unlawful executions will leave President Abdul Latif Rashid's legacy stained with blood," she added. "Iraq should urgently halt all pending executions and declare a moratorium with a view to abolishing the death penalty," the group said. It added that none of the families or lawyers of the executed men interviewed by HRW said they had received prior notice of the executions. Some 50 people were executed in September on various charges including "terrorism", according to AFAD, an independent group monitoring rights violations in Iraq. In June, AFAD condemned what it described as a surge in "secret executions", pointing to 63 such cases that were not publicly announced in previous weeks. In July, Iraq hanged 10 "terror" convicts, officials said, in the fourth group execution in three months. UN experts said in June they were "alarmed by the high number of executions publicly reported since 2016, nearly 400, including 30 this year". "When arbitrary executions are on a widespread and systematic basis, they may amount to crimes against humanity," said the special rapporteurs including the expert on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary execution. At the end of July, Iraq's Justice Minister Khaled Shuani dismissed the UN experts' analysis as "not based on documented evidence", the official Iraqi News Agency reported. Landmines and unexploded munitions claimed more victims in Myanmar than in any other country last year, a monitor said on Wednesday, warning the true toll could be double or triple its estimate of 1,000 people killed or wounded. Decades of sporadic conflict between the military and ethnic rebel groups have left the Southeast Asian country littered with deadly landmines and munitions. But the military's ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi's government in 2021 has turbocharged conflict in the country and birthed dozens of newer "People's Defence Forces" (PDFs) now battling to topple the military. Anti-personnel mines and explosive remnants of war killed or wounded 1,003 people in Myanmar in 2023, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) said on Wednesday. There were 933 landmine casualties in Syria, 651 in Afghanistan and 580 in Ukraine, the ICBL said in its latest Landmine Monitor report. With conflict and other restrictions in Myanmar making ground surveys impossible, the true casualty figure was likely far higher than reported, said Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan of the ICBL. "How many more? Double? Triple? Quite possibly... There's no medical surveillance system in the country that can provide official data in any manner or form," he told a press conference in Bangkok. "No armed group in Myanmar, not the military, not any of the ethnic armed groups, not the PDFs have provided us with any data on the number of casualties they have." "And we know from anecdotal evidence that it's massive." Myanmar is not a signatory to the United Nations convention that prohibits the use, stockpiling or development of anti-personnel mines. The ICBL said there had been a "significant increase" of anti-personnel mines use by the military in recent years, including around infrastructure like mobile phone towers and energy pipelines. Such infrastructure is often targeted by opponents of the military. - Landmines used 'indiscriminately' - Myanmar's military has been repeatedly accused of atrocities and war crimes during decades of internal conflict. The ICBL said it had seen evidence of junta troops forcing civilians to walk in front of its units to "clear" mine-affected areas. It said it had reviewed photos that indicated supplies of anti-personnel mines manufactured by Myanmar were captured by the military's opponents every month between January 2022 and September 2024, "in virtually every part of the country." More than three million people have been displaced in Myanmar by the post-coup conflict, according to the United Nations. All sides in the fighting were using landmines "indiscriminately," the UN children's agency said in April. Rebel groups have told AFP they also lay mines in some areas under their control. The ICBL said at least 5,757 people had been casualties of landmines and explosive remnants of war across the world last year, 1,983 of whom were killed. Civilians made up 84 percent of all recorded casualties, it said. Last year's figures are considerably higher than 2022, when the ICBL recorded at least 4,710 casualties including 1,661 fatalities. The International Criminal Court will Wednesday sentence a jihadist police chief for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during a reign of terror in the fabled Malian city of Timbuktu. Judges could impose up to life imprisonment on Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, 47, after his conviction for crimes including torture. Handing down the verdict in June, presiding judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua said Al Hassan played a "key role" overseeing amputations and floggings as police chief. He was a member of the feared Ansar Dine Islamic militant group that seized control of Timbuktu for almost a year from early 2012. During that time, women were arrested then raped in detention, Mindua told the court during the verdict. The judge said there were also brutal floggings in the central square in front of crowds including children, as well as a public amputation by machete. Al Hassan was, however, acquitted of the war crimes of rape and sexual slavery, as well as the crime against humanity of forced marriage. Although the court ruled that certain crimes of sexual violence had taken place during the period, he was not found to bear responsibility for them. He was also acquitted of the war crime of attacking protected objects. Founded between the fifth and 12th centuries by Tuareg tribes, Timbuktu is known as the "Pearl of the Desert" and "The City of 333 Saints" for the number of Muslim sages buried there during a golden age of Islam. But jihadists who swept into the city considered the shrines idolatrous and destroyed them with pickaxes and bulldozers. The militants from the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Ansar Dine groups exploited an ethnic Tuareg uprising in 2012 to take over cities in Mali's volatile north. Al Hassan is the second Malian jihadist suspect to be sentenced by the court in connection with Timbuktu. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in the destruction of Timbuktu's shrines. The sentence was later reduced by two years. Also in the ICC's sights over alleged atrocities in Timbuktu is Iyad Ag Ghaly, one of the top jihadist leaders in the Sahel. Ag Ghaly is considered to be the leader of the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which operates in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Also known as "Abou Fadl", Ag Ghaly is wanted on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Timbuktu, the ICC said. These include murder, rape and sexual slavery, and attacks on religious and historic monuments. The ICC made public a formal warrant for his arrest in June. An attack by paramilitary forces that began Tuesday evening has left 40 people dead, a medic told AFP from a central Sudan village, following a month of escalating violence in Al-Jazira state. "All 40 people suffered direct gunshot wounds," the medic said from Wad Rawah Hospital, just north of Wad Oshaib village, requesting anonymity for their own protection after repeated attacks on medical personnel. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at war with the army since mid-April 2023, first attacked the village, located 100 kilometres north of Al-Jazira's capital Wad Madani, on Tuesday evening, eyewitnesses said. "The attack resumed this morning," one eyewitness told AFP by phone on Wednesday, adding that fighters were "looting property". It is the latest in a month-long series of attacks on Al-Jazira villages by the RSF following the defection of a key paramilitary commander to the army's side last month. According to the United Nations, over 340,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the state, a key agricultural region that was formerly considered Sudan's breadbasket. The UN Secretary-General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Friday that the violence in Al-Jazira "is putting the lives of tens of thousands of people at risk". The war between the army, led by Sudan's de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has already killed tens of thousands of people across the country. It has also uprooted over 11 million people, more than 3 million of whom have fled across Sudan's borders. - Villages under siege - The brutal war has seen both sides accused of war crimes, with RSF fighters accused of laying siege to entire villages, carrying out summary executions and systematically looting civilian property. Eyewitnesses, rights groups and the UN have reported villages in eastern Al-Jazira coming under total siege in recent weeks, causing compounding humanitarian crises. In the village of Al-Hilaliya, residents have been cut off from essential supplies, with dozens falling sick "allegedly due to poisoned food." The UN's Dujarric said on Friday that many of the displaced arriving in neighbouring states "had walked for days and arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs." Even in areas safe from the fighting, hundreds of thousands of displaced people are facing epidemics including cholera, decimated infrastructure and a looming famine. "They are now sheltering in the open, including children, women, older persons and people who are sick," Dujarric added. According to health officials and the UN, the conflict has forced 80 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas to shut down. Sudan is currently facing what the UN has called one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory, with 26 million people suffering from acute hunger. The International Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced a jihadist police chief to 10 years in jail for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during a reign of terror in the fabled Malian city of Timbuktu. ICC judges had convicted Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, 47, in June for crimes including torture when he was a member of the feared Ansar Dine Islamic militant group that seized control of Timbuktu for almost a year from early 2012. The sentence "is proportionate to the gravity of the crimes and the individual circumstances and culpability of Mr Al Hassan," said presiding judge Kimberly Prost. "It adequately reflects the strong condemnation by the international community for the crimes committed by him and acknowledges the significant harm and suffering caused to the victims," she added. Wearing all-white traditional west African robes, his head wrapped in a turban, Al Hassan listened intently, his hands folded in his lap. He showed no emotion after the judge read the sentence, before being led away by ICC security guards. Among the crimes committed by Al Hassan were "cruel treatment as a war crime" for flogging one person, "mutilation" for amputating a hand, and "torture as a crime against humanity and a war crime". Prost ruled that Al Hassan contributed to the Ansar Dine regime, whose actions had a "traumatic effect on the population of Timbuktu". The people "lived in an atmosphere of fear, violence, oppression, humiliation, and remains present in the minds of victims in a deep-seated trauma", she said. During the Ansar Dine rule, women were arrested then raped in detention, the court heard. There were also brutal floggings in the central square in front of crowds including children, as well as a public amputation by machete. Al Hassan was, however, acquitted in June of the war crimes of rape and sexual slavery, as well as the crime against humanity of forced marriage. Although the court ruled that certain crimes of sexual violence had taken place during the period, he was not found to bear responsibility for them. He was also acquitted of the war crime of attacking protected objects. 'Pearl of the desert' Founded between the fifth and 12th centuries by Tuareg tribes, Timbuktu is known as the "Pearl of the Desert" and "The City of 333 Saints" for the number of Muslim sages buried there during a golden age of Islam. But jihadists who swept into the city considered the shrines idolatrous and destroyed them with pickaxes and bulldozers. The militants from the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Ansar Dine groups exploited an ethnic Tuareg uprising in 2012 to take over cities in Mali's volatile north. Al Hassan is the second Malian jihadist suspect to be sentenced by the court in connection with Timbuktu. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in the destruction of Timbuktu's shrines. The sentence was later reduced by two years. Also in the ICC's sights over alleged atrocities in Timbuktu is Iyad Ag Ghaly, one of the top jihadist leaders in the Sahel. Ag Ghaly is considered to be the leader of the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which operates in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Also known as "Abou Fadl", Ag Ghaly is wanted on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Timbuktu, the ICC said. These include murder, rape and sexual slavery, and attacks on religious and historic monuments. The ICC made public a formal warrant for his arrest in June. A Norwegian court extended the detention of a Cameroonian separatist leader who was arrested last September in the Scandinavian country for alleged crimes against humanity, a victims' group lawyer said. "Cho Lucas Yabah, born August 11, 1972, will remain in custody until January 14, 2025, unless otherwise decided by the prosecution or court," the court decided Tuesday after a hearing, according to a document shared with AFP by lawyer Emmanuel Nsahlai. He represents a group of victims of the conflict that has pitted the Cameroonian army against armed groups in western Cameroon since 2016. According to the document, Cho Lucas Yabah -- also known as Lucas Cho Ayaba -- is accused of having "served as President of the Ambazonia Governing Council and commander of the Ambazonia Defense Force," an armed separatist group accused of kidnapping civilians and civil servants. "He denies that his activities targeted civilians as their primary objective," the report said. The court also approved a ban on visits and communication to prevent him tampering with evidence or threatening witnesses. Yabah was arrested in September by Kripos, a Norwegian police unit charged with investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity. Cameroon has been gripped since 2016 by a bloody conflict in its two anglophone regions, in the northwest and southwest, between separatists and state forces. The conflict was sparked by the brutal suppression of peaceful protests in the anglophone regions by long-time President Paul Biya. The conflict has resulted in more than 6,000 deaths and displaced more than a million people, according to the International Crisis Group. On November 13, Colombias Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) unveiled its seventh indictment against members of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the second against that rebel groups leadership. In its first indictment in the macro-case on child recruitment, the Acknowledgement Chamber of the special tribunal stemming from the 2016 peace agreement determined that the use of children under age 15 occurred in all structures and in a sustained manner over time. For this reason, it charged six of the seven members of the FARCs last Secretariat all except Rodrigo Granda with the war crime of conscripting children under the age of 15. The conscription and use of children by the former FARC was neither a sporadic, isolated or exceptional phenomenon, said Justice Lily Rueda, who led the investigation, contradicting the version defended by former rebel leaders like Rodrigo Londono, better known as 'Timochenko' and one of the indictees, that it occurred for exceptional reasons. Despite the fact that the enlisting of children under 15 years of age was formally prohibited within the group, it did happen and it did so with such magnitude and scope that it configures a macro-criminal pattern, Rueda added. In its look at the phenomenon of child soldiers, which was historically a less visible crime to Colombians than kidnapping, the JEP went beyond the presence of minors within the guerrilla. After documenting hundreds of other crimes that these boys and especially girls suffered within its ranks, the Colombian transitional justices judicial arm also charged them with the war crimes of rape, sexual slavery, outrages upon personal dignity, torture, homicide, as well as sentences and executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court. It also charged them with the war crime of conscripting, enlisting or using persons aged 15 to 17, which the Chamber considered feasible under customary law. The JEP exposes FARC's contradictions For years, the most visible former guerrilla leaders argued that the use of child combatants was not a permanent practice and that one entered FARC consciously. Throughout 759 pages, Justice Rueda meticulously contrasts these arguments of former FARC leaders with victims accounts, testimonies of hundreds of former rebels and even written reports from their own unit, in an eloquently narrated indictment despite its haunting anecdotes and the need to swap victims names for numbers over security concerns. One of FARC's defence arguments was that its internal regulations prohibited enlisting children under the age of 15. A recruitment guide found by the Attorney General's Office identifies a dozen rules that recruiters had to follow, including that new members had to be "older than 15 and younger than 30," be local inhabitants, and have both physical and mental aptitude. That undated guide, headed by a painting by Fernando Botero of historic FARC leader 'Manuel Marulanda Velez' or 'Tirofijo', also instructed them to verify "what identity documents they have". A FARC recruitment guide, headed by a painting by Fernando Botero, expresses the prohibition of recruiting children under 15 years of age and stipulates the need to ask for identity documents, two requirements that Colombias Special Jurisdiction proved were not fulfilled. Image: JEP In real life, however, these requirements werent met. The JEP documented 518 cases of children recruited before 15, some as young as eight. In the context of the FARC's expansion plans and the subsequent intensification of hostilities with Colombian security forces, the guerrilla ended up favouring swelling its ranks over following its own rules. It was more important for a person to be known locally (due to their fear of being infiltrated by the Army) or to be physically fit for rebel life. As one victim narrates, a rebel commander recruited her aged 12 because she already had a body. These facts underscore, according to the JEP, that there was a FARC policy of enlisting personnel that, de facto, gave more weight to the appearance of suitability to serve the rebel cause and armed action over the age of those admitted. And it adds, not only was there no effective mechanism to verify age, but they werent interested in establishing one. Not only not sanctioned, but downplayed This wasnt the only contradiction the JEP found between FARC and its victims accounts. For example, commanders argued that children received non-military training and tasks appropriate to their age, such as, in the words of indictee 'Joaquin Gomez,' "peeling potatoes and children's things," something all the victims denied. Yet they received military training even from age nine and also participated in war activities such as combats, installing landmines or gathering intelligence, in conditions in the JEPs words incompatible with their physical and mental maturity. Despite the fact that violating recruitment rules was deemed a first instance serious offense in FARCs internal regulations and entailed an educational sanction, the JEP found that "not only was it not sanctioned, but acted upon in such a way that it went unnoticed or was downplayed". This was corroborated by victims, but also by written sources such as the Eastern Blocs infractions dossier, which showed sanctions against 2,967 rebels, but only nine for this type of misconduct. Members of the Secretariat were aware of this, as evidenced by a story confirmed by indictee Jaime Parra. When historic FARC leader 'Mono Jojoy' visited a camp in San Vicente del Caguan and saw the number of enlisted children, he remarked that there were many calves and it looked like a nursery. His decision to hand out baby bottles to those in charge of the unit was interpreted more as a joke than a reprimand. Forced entry, impossible exit Despite the theoretical rule that all FARC enlistings should be voluntary, the JEP found that more than half of accredited victims were recruited through threats or other forms of violence, including being taken from homes or schools, demands that families contribute "quotas" to the revolution, and after their recruiters got them drunk. A third were recruited through deception, including offers of non-existent salaried work, promises of reunification with family members or access to education and health care. A 14-year-old boy who contracted Leishmaniasis in his ear was forcibly recruited after arriving at a FARC camp to receive promised medical treatment. Only one-sixth of victims arrived through persuasion, although even in many of these cases the JEP documented that prior intelligence work allowed recruiters to manipulate them by using information about adverse family or economic situations and offering them what the indictment called mirages of paternity. No victims recognized the term refugees that FARCs top brass used to refer to minors who voluntarily came under their guardianship. Likewise, the JEP demonstrates that leaving rebel ranks was not only not an option, as many former FARC leaders argued, but almost impossible. "You join today and until we triumph or until you die," according to one former member. Testimonies collected by the JEP confirm that 94% of the victims remained in their ranks for more than a year, amid punishments for defection as severe as torture, being tied up for two months or even being executed. Something similar applied to life within the group, which indictee Julian Gallo described as a conscious discipline, but which the JEP called an environment of permanent coercion. Being used as human shields, having family contact forbidden and being forced to drink the blood of wounded colleagues generated, the JEP argues, emotional withdrawal, permanent fear and on at least one occasion the suicide of a girl. De facto prohibition of parenthood at all costs One of the most interesting aspects of the indictment is its focus on types of violence against girls within the FARC, beginning with those seeking to prohibit de facto the exercise of maternity and paternity at all costs in order to keep the troops intact and avoid security risks. The most widespread reproductive violences were forced contraception (experienced by one out of four accredited girls) and forced abortions (experienced by one out of five). As part of this formal policy of contraception or birth control, explicit since FARCs 1993 national conference, girls were subjected to injections, subdermal implants or intrauterine devices from an early age and even before starting their sex life. These decisions were made without medical assessments, information and in many cases basic hygienic conditions. Although the JEP acknowledges views like former leader Victoria Sandinos that contraception represented freedom to decide about her body, the special tribunal points out that for the vast majority of conscripted girls it was neither a free or informed choice. Recurrent use of these drugs had health effects, including severe pain, bleeding, infections and alterations of the menstrual cycle. One victim was left with cysts and an ovarian tumour that had to be removed. When cysts were later found in her breasts, she took advantage of an outing when they were to be amputated to defect. Another woman who was given contraceptives since age 12 hasnt been able to become pregnant after a decade of trying, and another has had several pregnancies because no planning method works for her anymore. This reality experienced by girls and women contrasted with that of men, who were never persuaded to use condoms or have vasectomies even though these methods had no adverse effects, since FARC considered this could affect their virility. These burdens, the JEP argues, fell mainly and disproportionately on the bodies and lives of girls, which made it clear that the well-being of men in the ranks took precedence over that of women. Knowledge of effects wasnt reflected in decisions to avoid them According to the JEP, an orientation to terminate pregnancies whenever they occurred was [also] tacitly derived from that contraception policy and in at least one case a FARC unit explicitly instructed that in case of pregnancy, curettage is mandatory. The JEP documented cases of abortions performed against girls' will, including under threat of court martial (which could result in firing squads), held by others, and with abortifacients hidden in food or as pain pills. One victim recounts having experienced four forced abortions, all between the fourth and fifth month of pregnancy. These abortions went hand in hand with other abuses. Although indictee 'Joaquin Gomez' insisted that women who had abortions were given leave, the JEP gave credibility to victims who said they were forced to work the following day, without rest or special care. In one particularly cruel case, the indictment recounts how an 18-year-old woman was forced, right after a forced late abortion, to breastfeed the new-born baby of kidnapping victim, Clara Rojas, who was held captive for nearly six years and separated from her child for three. Finally, the JEP identified cases of new-borns killed or forcibly handed over to others to be raised. In all of these cases, the JEP found that FARCs Secretariat was negligent. In its words, commanders knowledge of the effects caused by contraception was not reflected in organizational decisions aimed at avoiding them. Tacitly accepted sexual violence According to the JEP, one in three women conscripted as children suffered sexual violence, from rape and sexual slavery to forced unions and nudity. In its view, although it didnt find a formal or de facto policy to promote it, the magnitude and extent of these practices was such that they came to be understood as tacitly accepted. Even though two indictees, Jaime Parra and Julian Gallo, said that some reports of sexual aggressions were armed information seeking to stigmatize them, Justice Rueda found that at least 88 girls and one boy were forced to have sex without their consent and that even an eight-year-old girl was groped. One victim narrated a raffle among ten rebels in which whoever drew the winning number could sleep with one of them. These events left lasting consequences: one victim recounted that she had a miscarriage because a sexually transmitted infection contracted as a child within FARCs ranks was transmitted inside her womb. This reality was enabled by what the JEP called a practice of non-punishment. Despite the fact that rape was deemed a crime within FARC and contemplated the most severe sanctions, these were very rarely administered. The absence of prevention, control and sanction measures (...) led to these actions becoming a normalized practice, the indictment says. The mere denunciation could be dangerous for victims. One told how she was forced by her commanders, including indictee Pastor Alape, to dance with her aggressor so as not to damage the atmosphere within the ranks. Something similar happened to a dozen victims of diverse sexual or gender orientation, who lived in the tortuous limbo of serving in an armed organization with a de facto policy of prohibiting membership of LGBTI people but being unable to defect. Since rebels associated homosexuality with infiltration from the army, they faced an even greater risk of being executed. FARCs early but half-hearted acknowledgement Three years ago, when the JEP charged them with kidnapping, members of FARCs Secretariat took three months to announce that they accepted the accusation. This time they opted for an early start: although its not yet their formal legal response, a couple of hours after the JEP's announcement, the six former guerrilla leaders published a communique in which they admit the conscription of children. These events should not have happened, they wrote. If they maintain this view, the six would remain within the restorative lane of Colombia's two-track transitional justice system, which contemplates if they provide truth and redress victims 5-to-8-year sentences in a non-prison setting, as opposed to the adversarial track where, if found guilty, theyd face up to 20 years in prison. One of them, Pablo Catatumbo, has also acknowledged his role in a third indictment, in the Narino regional case. However, their letter also came with a warning. In it they lamented that, in their view, the JEPs justices have spent an excessive amount of time and resources investigating events whose occurrence we have admitted since the peace negotiation something at odds with their past reluctance to admit child conscription, its forced nature, and sexual violence. Meanwhile, the first JEP indictment on child recruitment seems to be filling historical gaps. Without anticipating what is to come, the indictment feels like a balm to us because it acknowledges what this phenomenon has meant for Colombia: the violence and rights violations within their ranks, the suffering of families still searching for children whose whereabouts are unknown, and the conscription of children under 15, which was such a contested issue by defendants since the negotiation, says Hilda Molano of Coalico, a network of seven organizations that work with children in conflict and that has insisted on documenting these facets of recruitment that until now were not very visible. In her words, "all this is no longer in question". The International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, as well as Hamas's military chief Mohammed Deif. The unprecedented move drew a furious reaction from Netanyahu, who denounced it as anti-semitic. "Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and accusations made against it," he said. Israel's closest allies, including the United States, also denounced the warrants against the Israeli politicians, but rights groups including Amnesty International welcomed them. "Prime Minister Netanyahu is now officially a wanted man," said Amnesty Secretary General Agnes Callamard. The ICC's move theoretically limits the movement of Netanyahu, as any of the court's 124 national members would be obliged to arrest him on their territory. "The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024, the day the Prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest," the ICC said in a statement. A warrant had also been issued for Deif, it added. Israel said in early August it had killed Deif in an air strike in southern Gaza in July, but Hamas has not confirmed his death. The court said it had issued the arrest warrant as the prosecutor had not been able to determine whether or not Deif was dead. 'Reasonable grounds' The court said it had found "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bore "criminal responsibility" for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, as well as the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The ICC said the pair were also criminally responsible "for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population". The court alleged both men "intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival", including food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity. Regarding the war crime of starvation, it said the "lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and specific medical supplies, created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza". This resulted in civilian deaths including of children, due to malnutrition and dehydration, the court charged. It said it had not yet determined if "all elements of the crime against humanity of extermination were met," the court said. However, judges did say there were reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of murder had been committed in relation to these victims. 'Deeply concerned' Washington denounced the warrants against Israel. "We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor's rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision," said a National Security Council spokesperson. "The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter." Argentina's president, Javier Milei, also expressed his country's "deep disagreement". Noting the repeated attacks on Israel's population, he argued: "Criminalizing the legitimate defence of a nation while ignoring these atrocities is an act that distorts the spirit of international justice." Speaking from Jordan, the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell noted: "It is not a political decision. It is a decision of a court, of a court of justice, of an international court of justice. "And the decision of the court has to be respected and implemented." Hamas said the warrants for the Israeli officials were an "important step towards justice". 'Secret' warrants The warrants had initially been classified as "secret" to protect witnesses and safeguard the conduct of the investigations, the court said. They decided to make the public "since conduct similar to that addressed in the warrant of arrest appears to be ongoing", it added. "Moreover, the Chamber considers it to be in the interest of victims and their families that they are made aware of the warrants' existence." ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan in May requested the court issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Netanyahu sacked Gallant as defence minister on November 5. Khan initially also sought warrants against other top Hamas leaders on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He had already dropped the application for Ismail Haniyeh, the group's political leader, following his death in an explosion in Tehran. Khan had also requested warrants against former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was also killed by the Israeli military in Gaza. Since Hamas conducted its October 7, 2023 attack, the deadliest in Israeli history, Israel has been fighting a war in Gaza, which the militant group rules. It was triggered by the assault on Israel by Hamas militants, 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 Hamas government's health ministry in the Gaza Strip said Thursday that at least 44,056 people had been killed in more than 13 months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants. The toll includes 71 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the ministry, which said 104,268 people had been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the International Criminal Court of anti-Semitism Thursday after it issued arrest warrants against him and his former defence minister. "The anti-Semitic decision of the International Criminal Court is comparable to a modern-day Dreyfus trial -- and it will end in the same way," Netanyahu said in a statement, referring to an infamous 19th century case in which French Jewish army captain Alfred Dreyfus was wrongly convicted of treason. Netanyahu said Israel's current war in Gaza, which was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks, was "just" and that Israel "rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and accusations made against it". He went on to accuse ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan of being corrupt and alleged that the warrants were an attempt "to save himself from serious accusations of sexual harassment". Khan has denied the allegations. Netanyahu said the judges were "driven by anti-Semitic hatred of Israel" and vowed that the arrest warrants would "not prevent the State of Israel from defending its citizens". Former defence minister Yoav Gallant said the warrant issued for his arrest as well as those of Netanyahu and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif set a "dangerous precedent". "The decision of the court in The Hague will be remembered forever -- it places the State of Israel and the murderous leaders of Hamas in the same row and thus legitimises the murder of babies, the rape of women and the abduction of the elderly from their beds," he wrote on X. "The decision sets a dangerous precedent against the right to self-defence and ethical warfare and encourages murderous terrorism." President Isaac Herzog described the court's move as a "dark day for justice". "It ignores the basic fact that Israel was barbarically attacked and has the duty and right to defend its people," Herzog said on X. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the ICC had "lost all legitimacy" with its "attack on Israel's right to defend itself". Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged the government to respond by annexing the whole of the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinians claim as part of their future state. Israel's centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid too criticised the court's decision. "Israel is defending its citizens' lives against terrorist organisations that attacked, murdered and raped our people. These arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism," Lapid said in a statement. Israeli human rights group B'Tselem called on foreign governments to "enforce the warrants" against Netanyahu and Gallant which it said marked "one of the lowest points in Israeli history". "Personal accountability for decision-makers is a key element in the struggle for justice and freedom for all human beings living between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea," it said. The International Criminal Court's arrest warrant against Hamas's military chief Mohammed Deif is a sign victims are being heard, a representative for families of the victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks said Thursday. The ICC earlier Thursday issued a warrant for Deif, believing there were grounds to suspect him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attacks against Israel. "This arrest warrant against Mr Deif is massively significant. It means these victims' voices are being heard," said Yael Vias Gvirsman, who represents the families of 300 Israeli victims of the attacks. "This court bears a great responsibility. For us this is just the first steps. It's a long process," added Gvirsman, who is also a lawyer representing victims at the ICC. Israel says it has killed him but Hamas has not yet confirmed his death. The court said the prosecutor could not determine whether he was still alive, so it issued the warrants. The ICC also issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant. Gvirsman said her clients' feelings on that were "very mixed". "There is some shock. In terms of Israel facing these arrest warrants, the best thing is to face reality," she said. "An international court of law has issued a binding decision. I think the best thing to do now is to closely cooperate with the prosecutor." Netanyahu himself described the warrants as "anti-Semitic". Israel "rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and accusations made against it," said the prime minister. Navigating the personal injury claim process can be daunting, especially when dealing with the aftermath of an accident. For residents of Boca Raton, understanding the step-by-step journey from consultation to settlement is essential for a smooth and successful resolution. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the process, ensuring you know what to expect and how to prepare. Understanding Personal Injury Claims A personal injury claim arises when someone suffers harm due to another partys negligence or intentional actions. Common scenarios include car accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries. What Is the Goal of a Personal Injury Claim? The purpose of a personal injury claim is to seek compensation for damages, which may include: Medical expenses: Past, current, and future costs related to the injury. Lost wages: Compensation for time missed from work due to the injury. Pain and suffering: Emotional and physical distress resulting from the incident. Property damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged property. The Personal Injury Claim Process in Boca Raton Every personal injury case is unique, but the general framework for resolving a claim includes the following steps: 1. Initial Consultation Choosing the Right Attorney The journey begins with selecting a personal injury attorney experienced in Boca Raton laws and regulations. Many firms offer free consultations, providing an opportunity to discuss your case without financial commitment. What to Expect During the Consultation During the initial meeting, your attorney will: Review the details of your accident. Assess the strength of your claim. Explain your legal rights and potential outcomes. Outline the next steps in the claim process. 2. Investigation and Evidence Gathering Collecting Evidence To build a strong case, your attorney will gather crucial evidence, such as: Police reports Medical records Witness statements Photographs or video footage of the accident scene Establishing Liability One of the most critical aspects of this phase is determining who is legally responsible for your injury. This often involves proving negligence, which requires showing that the at-fault party breached their duty of care. 3. Filing the Claim Demand Letter Your attorney will draft a demand letter to the at-fault partys insurance company, detailing: The facts of the case. The extent of your injuries and losses. A request for a specific amount of compensation. Negotiations Begin Insurance companies often counter the initial demand with a lower offer. Negotiations may go back and forth until both parties agree on a fair settlement. When Negotiations Stall: Filing a Lawsuit If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your attorney may file a lawsuit on your behalf. This step involves several additional stages: 1. Discovery Phase During discovery, both parties exchange information and evidence. This phase may include depositions, written interrogatories, and document requests. 2. Mediation or Arbitration Before proceeding to trial, many cases undergo mediation or arbitration. These alternative dispute resolution methods aim to settle the case without the need for a courtroom battle. The Trial Process If mediation fails, your case may go to trial. While most personal injury claims are resolved before reaching this stage, its essential to be prepared. What Happens During a Trial? Opening statements: Both sides present an overview of their case. Presentation of evidence: Witnesses testify, and documents are submitted. Closing arguments: Attorneys summarize their arguments and evidence. Verdict: The judge or jury decides the outcome. Settlement vs. Trial: Whats Better for You? While trials can result in higher compensation, they are also riskier and more time-consuming. Settlements, on the other hand, provide a guaranteed resolution and can be completed more quickly. Factors to Consider Strength of your evidence. Potential trial costs. Time involved in a court case. Likelihood of winning at trial. Finalizing the Settlement If you reach a settlement agreement, the process concludes with finalizing the terms. Your attorney will review the settlement documents to ensure they reflect the agreed-upon amount and conditions. Receiving Compensation After signing the settlement agreement, youll receive your compensation, typically within a few weeks. Your attorney will deduct their contingency fee and any case-related expenses before disbursing the remaining funds to you. Unique Aspects of Personal Injury Claims in Boca Raton Florida law includes specific provisions that may affect your case: 1. Comparative Negligence Rule Under Floridas comparative negligence law, your compensation may be reduced if you share fault for the accident. For instance, if you are 20% at fault, your damages will be reduced by 20%. 2. Statute of Limitations In Boca Raton, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim. Missing this deadline can result in losing your right to seek compensation. 3. No-Fault Insurance for Car Accidents Florida is a no-fault state, meaning you must first turn to your own insurance for compensation after a car accident. However, if your injuries are severe or exceed your policy limits, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver. How to Strengthen Your Personal Injury Claim Taking proactive steps can significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome: Seek immediate medical attention: Prompt treatment establishes a clear link between the accident and your injuries. Document everything: Keep records of medical bills, lost wages, and correspondence with insurers. Follow your attorneys advice: Your lawyers guidance is crucial in navigating complex legal procedures. Conclusion The personal injury claim process in Boca Raton, from consultation to settlement, requires careful planning, diligence, and expert legal representation. By understanding each step and working closely with a qualified attorney, you can maximize your chances of achieving fair compensation. Whether through settlement or trial, having the right knowledge and support will make all the difference in your recovery journey. If youve been injured due to someone elses negligence, a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve. Personal injury settlements play a critical role in ensuring justice for those who have suffered due to accidents or negligence. Understanding the nuances of such settlements in Tucson, Arizona, is essential for anyone navigating this complex process. Below, we outline the usual results of personal injury settlements, what you can expect during negotiations, and factors specific to Tucson that may influence the outcome. Understanding Personal Injury Settlements Personal injury settlements are agreements between the injured party (plaintiff) and the at-fault party (defendant) or their insurance company. Instead of proceeding to a trial, both parties agree on a monetary amount to resolve the claim. What Is a Settlement? A settlement is a resolution to a legal dispute without requiring a court decision. Settlements usually include compensation for: Medical expenses Lost wages Property damage Pain and suffering Emotional distress Why Choose Settlement Over Trial? Most personal injury cases settle out of court. Trials can be expensive, time-consuming, and unpredictable. Settling a case ensures a quicker resolution, reduces legal fees, and provides a level of certainty for both parties. The Settlement Process in Tucson Tucson follows Arizona state laws regarding personal injury claims, which impact the settlement process. Understanding these laws can help you set realistic expectations. Filing a Claim The first step is filing a claim with the insurance company or at-fault party. In Tucson, this often involves: 1. Gathering Evidence: Police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photographs. 2. Establishing Fault: Arizona follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning your settlement may be reduced if you are partially at fault. 3. Calculating Damages: A clear breakdown of economic and non-economic damages is essential. Negotiation Phase Negotiations between the plaintiffs attorney and the insurance company are central to the settlement process. Tucson insurance adjusters typically evaluate: Medical Records: Extent of injuries and treatments. Lost Wages: Proof of work missed due to the injury. Liability: Strength of evidence proving fault. Statute of Limitations in Tucson Arizonas statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the injury. Failing to file within this period generally forfeits your right to compensation. Typical Outcomes of a Personal Injury Settlement Compensation Amounts The amount awarded in Tucson personal injury settlements varies widely based on factors such as: Severity of Injuries: Permanent disabilities or life-altering injuries typically result in higher settlements. Insurance Policy Limits: The at-fault partys insurance policy may cap the amount you can receive. Economic Losses: Out-of-pocket costs for medical bills and lost wages are a major component of settlements. In Tucson, settlements often range from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries to millions for catastrophic injuries. Payment Structures Settlements can be paid as either a lump sum or structured payments. While lump sums offer immediate access to funds, structured payments provide financial security over time. Non-Monetary Results In some cases, settlements may include non-monetary resolutions, such as: Agreement to improve safety practices by the defendant. Non-disclosure agreements to protect both parties reputations. Factors Influencing Personal Injury Settlements in Tucson Several unique factors can influence personal injury settlements in Tucson. Local Cost of Living Tucsons cost of living is lower than the national average, which can affect settlement calculations, particularly for lost wages or future medical expenses. Common Causes of Personal Injuries in Tucson Tucson sees a variety of personal injury cases, with common causes including: Car Accidents: I-10 and other busy roadways are frequent sites of accidents. Slip and Falls: Businesses and property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises. Bicycle Accidents: Tucsons bike-friendly culture can lead to unique personal injury cases involving cyclists and motorists. Tucsons Legal Culture Local attorneys and insurance adjusters familiar with Tucson courts may influence the settlement process. They may consider local precedents and typical jury awards when negotiating settlements. How to Maximize Your Settlement in Tucson Hire an Experienced Attorney Working with an attorney experienced in Tucson personal injury law ensures you understand your rights and maximize your settlement. Attorneys can: Negotiate on your behalf Estimate the true value of your claim Handle legal complexities Document Everything Comprehensive documentation is key to building a strong case. Maintain records of: Medical visits Communication with insurance companies Expenses related to the injury Be Patient While its tempting to accept the first offer, patience can lead to a higher settlement. Insurance companies often start with low offers to minimize payouts. Potential Challenges in Personal Injury Settlements Disputed Liability If theres disagreement over who caused the accident, settlements can become complicated. Tucsons comparative negligence rule means your compensation could be reduced based on your level of fault. Insurance Tactics Insurance companies may use tactics to minimize payouts, such as: Questioning the extent of your injuries Offering low settlements quickly Delaying the process to pressure you into accepting less Unforeseen Complications Medical complications or new evidence can arise, affecting the value and timeline of your settlement. What to Expect Post-Settlement Once a settlement is reached, youll need to: Sign a Release Form: This finalizes the agreement, preventing future claims related to the incident. Pay Outstanding Medical Bills or Liens: These must be settled before receiving the remaining funds. Receive Compensation: Depending on the agreement, youll receive a lump sum or structured payments. Conclusion Personal injury settlements in Tucson follow a structured process influenced by Arizona law, local factors, and the specifics of each case. Understanding what to expect helps you navigate the process with confidence. By working with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Tucson, documenting everything meticulously, and being prepared for potential challenges, you can maximize your settlement and move forward from your injury. When youve been injured in an accident, whether its a car crash, slip and fall, or any other type of personal injury, its essential to have a legal professional by your side. While it may be tempting to handle the case on your own, the complexities of personal injury law can be overwhelming. Hiring a skilled Boston personal injury lawyer can significantly improve the chances of securing the compensation you deserve. In this article, well explore the importance of hiring an experienced personal injury attorney and how they can help you navigate the legal process. Understanding the Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer A personal injury lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in representing clients who have been injured due to the negligence or wrongdoing of others. These lawyers focus on helping victims seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to their injuries. Personal injury law covers a wide range of accidents, including: Motor vehicle accidents Slip and fall incidents Workplace injuries Medical malpractice Defective products Assault and battery Dog bites In each of these cases, having a Boston personal injury lawyer ensures that your legal rights are protected and that you are guided through the often complex process of seeking justice. Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Boston Expertise in Personal Injury Law Personal injury law is intricate and requires a deep understanding of the legal system. An experienced Boston personal injury lawyer will have the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the legal complexities of your case. They can provide expert advice on whether you have a valid claim, what steps you need to take, and how to handle the insurance companies involved. Without a lawyer, you may miss important legal details that could affect the outcome of your case. Investigating Your Case Thoroughly One of the key roles of a personal injury lawyer is to investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident. Gathering evidence is crucial in establishing liability and proving that the other party was responsible for your injuries. A skilled lawyer has the resources and expertise to conduct a thorough investigation, including: Interviewing witnesses Gathering medical records Examining police reports Consulting with experts (medical, accident reconstructionists, etc.) This comprehensive investigation will help build a strong case to present in court or during negotiations with the insurance companies. Negotiating with Insurance Companies Insurance companies are notorious for offering settlements that are far lower than what victims truly deserve. After an accident, the at-fault partys insurance company will likely contact you to offer a settlement. However, these initial offers often do not cover the full extent of your medical bills, lost wages, or other damages. A personal injury lawyer in Boston can handle negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf. They know the tactics used by insurers to minimize payouts and can advocate for a fair settlement that reflects the true cost of your injury. If the insurer is unwilling to offer a reasonable settlement, your lawyer will be prepared to take the case to court. Maximizing Your Compensation Hiring a personal injury lawyer increases your chances of obtaining the maximum compensation available for your case. A lawyer can evaluate the full extent of your injuries and calculate the long-term financial impact. They will take into account: Medical expenses (both current and future) Lost wages and loss of earning capacity Pain and suffering Emotional distress Property damage Without a lawyer, you may not fully understand the value of your case, and you could settle for less than what you truly deserve. Common Challenges in Personal Injury Cases Proving Fault In any personal injury case, proving fault is crucial. Its often necessary to demonstrate that the other partys negligence caused the accident that led to your injuries. This can be a complex and difficult task, especially if there are conflicting reports or multiple parties involved. A Boston personal injury lawyer has the experience to gather the necessary evidence and build a compelling case that clearly shows the other partys responsibility. This could involve accident reconstructions, expert witness testimony, and other critical pieces of evidence that a non-lawyer may overlook. Dealing with Statute of Limitations In Massachusetts, like most states, there is a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after an accidenttypically three years for personal injury cases in Massachusetts. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation altogether. A personal injury lawyer will ensure that all necessary paperwork is filed in a timely manner, avoiding costly mistakes that could hurt your case. Theyll also help you navigate any exceptions to the statute of limitations that may apply to your specific situation. Managing Medical Records and Bills One of the most stressful aspects of a personal injury case is managing the medical bills that accumulate while youre recovering. A lawyer can help organize your medical records, ensuring that all of your treatment and related expenses are documented accurately. This documentation is essential when it comes to proving the full extent of your injuries and the financial impact of your accident. Handling Complex Legal Procedures Personal injury cases often involve a series of complex legal procedures, including filing motions, attending hearings, and preparing legal documents. A skilled Boston personal injury lawyer understands the local rules of the court and can handle all of these legal procedures on your behalf. They will also be able to provide you with updates on the status of your case and advise you on how to proceed at each stage. The Benefits of Hiring a Boston Personal Injury Lawyer No Upfront Costs Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. This makes it easier for accident victims to access legal representation without worrying about upfront costs. The lawyers fee will typically be a percentage of your final settlement or jury award, so theres no financial risk in hiring an attorney. Peace of Mind The legal process can be overwhelming, especially when youre dealing with an injury and recovery. By hiring a personal injury lawyer, you gain peace of mind knowing that a professional is handling the legal aspects of your case. This allows you to focus on your recovery while your lawyer works diligently to ensure you receive fair compensation. Increased Success Rate Studies have shown that individuals who hire a personal injury lawyer are more likely to win their case and receive higher compensation than those who handle their cases on their own. The lawyers expertise, negotiation skills, and resources can significantly increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. Conclusion Hiring a Boston personal injury lawyer is a crucial step to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. From investigating your accident to negotiating with insurance companies and managing complex legal procedures, a skilled attorney will be an invaluable asset in your pursuit of justice and fair compensation. If youve been injured in an accident, dont hesitate to reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer from DiBella Law Offices to protect your rights and maximize your chances of success. Plans for a 40-storey tower with 384 suites come before Kelowna city council on Monday. The building would be immediately north of UBC Okanagan's 43-storey building, the construction of which is believed to have damaged nearby properties. Thursday, November 21, 2024 Auditor General Nancy Gathungu is a woman under siege after MPs exposed alleged misconduct and irregularities within her office. In a meeting held on Tuesday, the National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities called for investigations into alleged corruption in the office of Auditor General Nancy Gathungu. The committee demanded a probe to verify whether claims of abuse of office, corruption, tribalism, favouritism, and mismanagement in Gathungus office were true. The allegations were raised by a section of staff members at the Auditor General's office who drafted a petition to the parliamentary committee protesting alleged illegalities in the said office. Workers at Gathungu's office who sought anonymity said that cases of corruption, abuse of office, tribalism, favouritism in training, and hostile environment were rampant. They further alleged that some of them were subjected to suffering and mental torture which they claimed hampered their efforts to deliver services effectively. Over 200 staff members allegedly possess fake qualifications, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificates and no action has been taken against them, claimed one of the employees in the Auditor Generals office. During the session chaired by Kasipul Member of Parliament Charles Were, the lawmakers noted that the allegations by the staff were grievous and needed prompt investigations. Were explained that the petitions would be presented to the National Assembly's Public Petitions Committee for thorough scrutiny and further probe by relevant agencies. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, November 21, 2024 The controversial Adani deal to take over Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and other agreements has taken a new turn after the Adani Group was indicted in the U.S. for bribery and corruption. This comes a week after President William Rutos government, through Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, defended the Adani Group before Parliament and stated it was not involved in any corruption activities. Adani has not been barred by any country, has no history of corruption based on our due diligence, is solvent, and is tax compliant in all jurisdictions where it operates," Chirchir told Parliament on Thursday last week. "Its directors have not faced criminal convictions related to professional conduct within the last five years and have not been disqualified due to any administrative suspension or debarment proceedings, he added. Gautam Adani was charged yesterday in the U.S. in a $250 million (about Ksh32 billion in the current exchange rates) bribery scheme. He, along with seven other executives from the multibillion-dollar Indian company, was indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in New York for bribing Indian government officials. According to the indictment, the Adani Group has for years bribed officials to lie to U.S. investors and acquire green energy supply contracts for the groups Adani Green subsidiary. The bribes were to facilitate the officials' lying to investors and banks to raise billions of dollars and to obstruct justice. Adani and the other defendants are said to have met with the government officials several times during this period to advance the scheme. It now remains to be seen if Ruto will still go through with the Adani deals in light of the recent development. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, November 22, 2024 - Empire star, Jussie Smolletts conviction for orchestrating a hate crime hoax has been overturned. On Thursday, November 21, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the decision due to Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx initially dropping all charges against him before the special prosecutor decided to retry him. This choice violated his rights, the high court ruled. The actor, who is Black and gay, claimed two Nigerian-American brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo assaulted him, spouted racial and homophobic slurs, and tossed a noose around his neck in downtown Chicago, while he was filming the television drama in 2019. The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned a conviction against Empire star Jussie Smollett, who prosecutors accused of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019 in Chicago. In 2021, Smollett, who is black and gay, was convicted of five counts of disorderly conduct in 2021. The actor, who is Black and gay, claimed two men assaulted him, spouted racial and homophobic slurs, and tossed a noose around his neck in downtown Chicago, while he was filming the television drama in 2019. However, a special prosecutor appointed to look into why the case was dropped later concluded there were substantial abuses of discretion in the states attorney office during the earlier round, and a grand jury subsequently restored charges against Smollett in 2020. Testimony at his trial alleged Smollett paid $3,500 to two men he knew from Empire to carry out the attack. Prosecutors said he told them what slurs to shout and to yell that Smollett was in MAGA country, a reference to Donald Trumps presidential campaign slogan. Prosecutors alleged the actor staged the attack because he was unhappy with the studios response to hate mail he received while filming Empire. In his own testimony Smollett said that there was no hoax and that he was the victim of a hate crime in his downtown Chicago neighborhood. He has always maintained his innocence. Despite this, a jury convicted him of five counts of disorderly conduct in 2021. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, six of which he served before he was freed pending appeal, 30 months of probation, and ordered to pay about $130,000 in restitution. In December 2023 an appeals court upheld the conviction, declaring that no one promised Smollett he wouldnt face a fresh prosecution after accepting the original deal. The Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear the case in March 2024, with the shock ruling returned on Thursday. We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust, the opinion said. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied. Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on President William Ruto to leave him alone after overseeing his impeachment last month. In a series of tweets on X on Thursday, Gachagua alleged that security agents have been stationed at the entrance of his Nairobi residence, monitoring and recording all his visitors. He also alleges that the same security agents go further to trail him wherever he goes, all the way to his rural home in Mathira, Nyeri. According to Gachagua, who was impeached from office in October 2024, a saloon car that had been parked at his residence trailed him to PCEA Kerarapon Church in Kajiado. Upon checking the NTSA portal, Gachagua discovered that the car's number plates were registered to a lorry. This surveillance and intimidation of Kenyans was last witnessed during the era of the dreaded Special Branch during the 24 years of Mois misrule! In this era of extrajudicial killings, forced abductions, and disappearances by state agents, I have thought it important to share with Kenyans the harassment and intimidation I am going through, and inform them to hold the state responsible if I am harmed by state agents, Gachagua wrote on his X account. He added: I request the state to leave me alone! You hounded me out of office, and you should now allow me to enjoy my peace as a private citizen. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, November 22, 2024 - The death toll from gang violence in Haiti this year rose to over 4,500 after 150 people were killed in the capital of Port-au-Prince over the past week, United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement. "The latest upsurge in violence in Haiti's capital is a harbinger of worse to come," Turk warned in the statement. "The gang violence must be promptly halted. Haiti must not be allowed to descend further into chaos." Violence has intensified dramatically in Port-au-Prince since November 11, as a coalition of gangs pushes for full control of the Haitian capital. Well-armed gangs control some 80 percent of the city, routinely targeting civilians despite a Kenyan-led international force that has been deployed to help the outgunned police restore some government order. "At least 150 people have been k!lled, 92 injured and about 20,000 forced to flee their homes over the past week," Turk's statement said. In addition, "Port-au-Prince's estimated four million people are practically being held hostage as gangs now control all the main roads in and out of the capital". Monica Juma, Kenya's presidential national security advisor, said on Wednesday that her nation backs calls from Haiti for the United Nations to consider turning the current international security mission into a formal UN peacekeeping mission. Juma told a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday that Kenya believed a formal peacekeeping mission could bring more resources to confront an escalating gang conflict. The current mission has deployed just a fraction of troops pledged by a handful of countries and less than $100 million in its dedicated fund. The Haitian capital has seen renewed fighting in the last week from Viv Ansanm, an alliance of gangs that in February helped oust former prime minister Ariel Henry. Turk said that at least 55 percent of the deaths from simultaneous and apparently coordinated attacks in the capital resulted from exchanges of fire between gang members and police. He also highlighted reports of a rise in mob lynchings. Authorities said Tuesday that police and civilian self-defence groups had killed 28 gang members in Port-au-Prince after an overnight operation as the government seeks to regain some control. The UN rights office said the latest violence brought "the verified casualty toll of the gang violence so far this year to a shocking 4,544 dead and 2,060 injured". The real toll, it stressed, "is likely higher still". In addition, an estimated 700,000 people are now internally displaced across the country, half of them children, it said. Turk warned that "the endless gang violence and widespread insecurity are deepening the dire humanitarian crisis in the country, including the impacts of severe food and water shortages and the spread of infectious diseases". This was happening "at a time when the health system is already on the brink of collapse", he said, adding that "threats and attacks on humanitarian workers are also deeply worrying". "Gang violence must not prevail over the institutions of the State," he said, demanding "concrete steps ... to protect the population and to restore effective rule of law". Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Belgut MP Nelson Koech has criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for allegedly seeking public sympathy by tarnishing the reputation of President William Ruto and his administration. This is after Gachagua claimed that Ruto has unleashed his security agents to trail him and possibly harm him. According to Gachagua, security agents in unmarked vehicles have been trailing him everywhere he goes. The former Deputy President further claimed that the agents have been recording details of visitors to his residence. He noted that it was important to let Kenyans know that in case something bad happened to him, then Rutos government should take responsibility. However, Koech, who is Ruto's ally, asked Gachagua to refrain from posting on social media if he suspects he is being trailed. In a statement, Koech stated that if the matter was serious, Gachagua should have reported it to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) rather than addressing it online. The lawmaker claimed that the former DP has a problem with the security agencies, adding that when DCI summoned him before over related claims, he did not honour the summons. The former deputy president has a problem with our security agencies from day one. He has accused everyone in the security sector who he believes has a problem with him. He was invited before to make a statement with the DCI but he declined. So if he believes there are people who are trailing him, then the best thing to do is not to go on Facebook unless it is nothing serious. "The best thing he should have done is to go to the DCI and write a statement, Koech remarked. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Nominated United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Senator, Karen Nyamu, has dismissed claims that she is broke. Earlier this week, auctioneers were seen at Karen Nyamu's residence attempting to evict her over rent arrears. Taking to social media, Nyamu was quick to point out that her monthly salary is Sh1.2 million and she is not broke. My salary itself is Sh1.2 million and if I stay somewhere I am paying rent, I will not have a problem doing it. If I have not paid rent or if there is any dispute, it is not because I do not have money, she said. She added that wrangles and disputes arise in every situation, and it can be boss-employee or friends. It is true there is a dispute, but I am not broke; I do not gamble, she said. The nominated senator went on to state that the government has given lawmakers a good mortgage. I am okay. I have not been auctioned, but there is a small wrangle. I will handle it, she stated. I have seen the video purporting to show me being auctioned. There was no house there, do I live by the roadside. Allegations have surfaced that some properties belonging to the nominated senator are being auctioned over rent arrears exceeding Sh1 million. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, November 22, 2024 - The International Criminal Court, ICC, has issued warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Apart from Netanyahu, the ICC also issued a warrant for the arrest of his former defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri. The move came after the ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced on May 20 that he was seeking arrest warrants for alleged crimes connected to the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas and the Israeli military response in Gaza. In issuing the warrant. ICC said Israels acceptance of the courts jurisdiction was not required. Israel has rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and denies war crimes in Gaza. This comes as Israel said it has killed Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike, but Hamas has neither confirmed. In the last months, tension has heightened in the Middle East over the war between Israel, Hamas, and Iran with Israel making more incursions into Lebanon while the humanitarian disaster in Gaza continues to escalate. Thursday, November 21, 2024 President William Ruto is not done with his former Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, even after hounding him out of office. This is after emerging that he has resorted to intimidating Gachagua through state agents and putting his life in danger. This was revealed by Gachagua himself who took to social media yesterday detailing alleged surveillance and intimidation by security agents in unmarked cars. This comes weeks after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) denied reports of state agents surveilling the former DP under the 2010 Constitution. "Security agents in unmarked cars have been following me wherever I go. "They are parking at the entrance of my Nairobi residence, taking note of all my visitors, and they trail me whenever I leave the house, even all the way to my rural home in Nyeri," part of his post on X read. He further alleged that on Sunday, November 17, he noticed a saloon car parked outside his house, which, according to him, had trailed him to several locations, including the PCEA Kerarapon Church, to a late lunch, and then back to his house. Gachagua decided to run the car's number plate only to find that the car was registered as a lorry further confirming his suspicions of unauthorized surveillance. The former DP went further to relate this alleged intimidation as similar to the one perpetrated during the Moi regime. "This surveillance and intimidation of Kenyans was last witnessed during the era of the dreaded Special Branch during the 24 years of Moi's misrule!" he stated. In light of the ongoing abductions and extrajudicial abductions, Gachagua opined that he saw it fit to let Kenyans in on his plight, because of any eventuality that would lead to his demise, they would know who to blame. "In this era of extrajudicial killings, forced abductions, and disappearances by state agents, I have thought it important to share with Kenyans the harassment and intimidation I am going through and inform them to hold the state responsible if I am harmed by the state. "I request the state to leave me alone! You hounded me out of office, and you should now allow me to enjoy my peace as a private citizen," Gachagua added. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, November 21, 2024 - An influential X user has raised the alarm after it emerged that a powerful individual has bought a section of land at Karura forest. He shared videos of trees being cut down at the protected forest, destroying the ecosystem. Some lorries with hidden number plates were filmed transporting the trees from the forest after logging. The damage in the forest is extensive, even as the relevant government authorities remain mum on the issue. Trees are being cut down in Karura Forest and allegedly someone has bought the land. Can the Kenya Forest Service explain why logging is being done within the forest? The cutting down of trees has been done on a very large portion, wrote the X user. Last year, President Ruto issued a directive lifting the ban on logging implemented throughout Kenya in 2018. However, the Environment and Land Court issued orders stopping the implementation of the policy directive Watch the videos. Trees are being cut down in Karura Forest and allegedly someone has bought the land. Can the Kenya Forest Service explain why logging is being done within the forest? The cutting down of trees has been done on a very large portion. pic.twitter.com/1UKVOUNQl9 BRAVIN YURI (@BravinYuri) November 21, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Singoei has denied reports linking Kenyan security agents to the abduction of prominent Ugandan politician Dr. Kizza Besigye in Nairobi. In a Wednesday evening interview with Citizen TV, Dr. Korir Singoei denied Kenyas involvement in Dr. Kizza Besigyes abduction and subsequent deportation to Uganda. Besigye was reportedly abducted on Saturday, November 16, while in Nairobi for a book launch hosted by Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua. He was allegedly handed over to Ugandan authorities, who on Wednesday charged him with plotting to undermine national security and being in unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The Foreign Affairs PS explained that there are established protocols for receiving national leaders in Kenya, both from the government and the opposition. Dr. Besigye is a frequent visitor; he comes here privately to engage in private business and engagements. What Im aware of is there are protocols sometimes that relate to the travel of senior government and opposition leaders, he said. Often, they actually inform us of their presence in our countries, they can seek some facilitation at the airports, and on that basis, we can even give them security, he added. In Besigyes case, Singoei added that the government had allegedly not been informed about his visit to Nairobi, making it difficult for local authorities to facilitate his trip. The circumstances surrounding his travel are not known to us because no information was shared with us before he traveled. We do not know which hotel he was booked to or which apartment he stayed and therefore we were not in a position to necessarily provide him with certain additional security, said the PS. But clearly, it seems from the reports Ive followed on the news that Besigye was abducted." The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, November 21, 2024 The move by the Catholic Church to reject President William Rutos recent generous donations did not sit well with a section of Kisii clergy. This is after they called out the Catholic Church for being hypocritical and playing politics with the issue. They dared the Catholic Church to refund all donations received from Ruto and his allies. The Kisii clergy, seemingly supportive of the president while acknowledging the faults of the Kenya Kwanza government, claimed that the Catholic Church had received over KSh3 billion in donations from Ruto and his associates since 2017. One member urged the church not to play the role of saints during challenging economic times and encouraged other religious leaders who were dissatisfied with politicians' donations to also follow suit and issue refunds. "The said church and the organisation have received over KSh 3 billion from the said individual and his friends since 2017. We dare them and any other church that feels offended by the money given by politicians to refund the money. They still have room," they demanded. The preacher pointed out that the church had only raised concerns about Ruto's donations and not those from other leaders, such as the white envelope given to newly installed Bishop Peter Kimani by former president Uhuru Kenyatta. "It has also come to our attention that the threats to refund money only come into play when the money in question comes from President Ruto and not from any other politician, including the white envelope from former president Uhuru Kenyatta. "Therefore, we take this to be more of a personal issue between the priests and the president," the Kisii-based preachers added. He criticised the Catholic Church for its alleged lack of consistency in doctrinal standards, accusing it of double standards in handling donations. Further, the clergy member warned that if the church believes it is justified in issuing a curse against politicians, it should be prepared for the consequences. "If they believe they are qualified and justified to issue the curse, I dare them to try, and this same curse will eat them and their families because you must be innocent," the clergy member stated. "As far as I am concerned, the clergy in Kenya are not innocent. They and the politicians have together participated in issues of money exchange," he added. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has built a multi-million luxury home in Kochia, Rwange Constituency, where she mostly hosts political meetings. A photo of the palatial home has surfaced on social media and sparked reactions. The palatial home rivals posh homes in upscale Nairobi neighbourhoods such as Karen and Runda. The state-of-the-art mansion sits on an expansive land that is near the lake. See the photo. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Friday, November 22, 2024 - Malis military junta chief, Colonel Assimi Goita, has dismissed civilian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga and the entire government, just days after Maiga publicly criticized the military leadership. A decree issued by Goita announced the termination of Maiga's duties as well as those of the government ministers, with the announcement made on state television by the secretary general of the presidency. Mali has been under military rule since 2020 and 2021, following two successive coups, and the junta initially promised to hold elections and return the country to civilian governance by March 2024. However, the elections have been postponed indefinitely, fueling growing frustration. Maiga, who was appointed by the military in 2021, had expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding the transition to civilian rule. He warned that the uncertainty could lead to significant setbacks for the country. His remarks were seen as a rare public rebuke of the junta, highlighting his increasingly isolated position as prime minister. Mali has been mired in political and security instability since 2012, with ongoing violence from jihadist groups, separatist movements, and other armed factions, further complicating the already fragile situation. Maiga's dismissal raises new questions about the future of the transition process and the countrys path toward stability. Friday, November 22, 2024 - At least 41 people, including women and children, were killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a convoy of 200 passenger vehicles traveling through a remote area of Pakistan. The vehicles were travelling through the tribal district of Kurram in Pakistan, close to the Afghan border, when they were attacked on Thursday, Nov. 21, according to the area's deputy police commissioner. The gunmen initially targeted the convoy's police escort, the provincial spokesman said in a statement. Police were protecting the convoy following months of sectarian violence in the area, which has claimed dozens of lives this year. Police have told the BBC that 41 people were killed in Thursday's attack and an additional 16 more were critically injured. Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, the chief secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, told Reuters news agency the attack was "a major tragedy", with the death toll "likely to rise". Saeeda Bano - who was in the middle of the convoy - described to BBC Urdu how she feared she would be killed as she hid under the car seats with her children during the attack. When the gunfire finally stopped after several minutes, she saw injured people and bodies lying in the road. Most the passengers travelling in the convoy through the mountainous area were Shia, he said in an earlier statement. Sunni and Shiite Muslim tribes have clashed repeatedly this year. An earlier series of attacks ended after a tribal council called for a ceasefire, according to Reuters news agency. Then last month, there was another attack on passenger vehicles along a road in the region which killed 15 people. The road Thursday's convoy was travelling along had only reopened in recent days, with travel limited to convoys with police protection. Sectarian violence is often linked to land disputes in the region. Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has lauded Kenyan Gen Zs for igniting a lasting change in the country through protests. Taking to his X account, Omtatah stated that the June 25, 2024, demonstrations marked a turning point in Kenyas activism. The Gen Z protests of 25th June marked a turning point in Kenyas activism. Despite autocratic leadership, the protests ignited lasting change, Omtatah said. The vocal activist went further to state that the Gen Z movement awakened the country by reminding Kenyans of the power to demand accountability and fight for justice. In addition, Omtatah honoured those who lost their lives during the protest adding that Kenyans will keep hope alive for a Kenya governed by the rule of law and the Constitution in memory of their legacy. This movement awakened Kenya, reminding us of our power to demand accountability and fight for justice. For those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle, we honour their legacy by keeping hope alive for a Kenya governed by the rule of law and the Constitution. Lets stay vigilant, united, and resilient in building a just and prosperous future. Change is happening, and together, well see it through, he added. He further commended the church bishops for calling out the national government over corruption and poor governance and rejecting donations from President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. From church bishops rejecting dubious donations to citizens boldly confronting corruption, public theft, and poor governance at all levels, the impact is undeniable, Omtatah stated. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, November 21,2024 - A close confidante of President William Ruto has revealed that Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi will be summoned by Parliament regarding the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye in Nairobi on Saturday. Besigye was abducted by Uganda's foreign agents when he was attending Narc Kenya party leader, Martha Karua's book launch in Nairobi. Belgut MP Nelson Koech, chair of the National Assembly Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, stated that Mudavadi will be summoned by Parliament to explain the abduction, as he is also the acting Interior CS. "I made an undertaking that we are going to invite the relevant leaders to shed light on what exactly happened. I will invite Musalia Mudavadi to come and explain what exactly happened," he said. "I do not want us to be emotional on an issue we can easily get the details and we address it." Despite a heaping distrust of the Kenyan security authorities, the legislator said that Kenya is a peaceful state and no foreigner should feel insecure about visiting the nation. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has indirectly admitted to endemic corruption in President William Rutos administration. Appearing before the Senate plenary, Wahome vowed to crack down on corrupt land board members starting with the Ngong Land Board. The CS responded to a question by Nyamira Senator Okong'o Omogeni touching on corruption in the ministry, especially the Land control boards. The senator revealed that most Kenyans doing transactions for land sales are forced to pay between Ksh20,000 and Ksh30,000 before the land control board can issue them with the concept to either charge or transfer. According to the senator, the members of the boards do not issue receipts for this extra cash they charge. "Madam Waziri, do you think these land control boards are serving us well and what measures can you put in place to curb the corruption within the land control board committees?" Senator Omogeni questioned. However, the CS revealed that the Ministry handling the matter to ensure that it curbs the prevalent corruption within boards. "Normally, they receive a small allowance but they must know when they accept that it is not for payment. They cannot be soliciting for money." "Let them hear me on the floor of this plenary. If anybody is caught soliciting money as a member of the land board, the entire board will have to go," the CS revealed. According to the CS, the members normally get the 'allowance' but they should not confuse it as payments. The Kenyan DAILY POST Thursday, November 21, 2024 - The controversy surrounding President William Ruto's donation to the Soweto Catholic Church has taken a new twist as a section of Kayole residents faulted the church for rejecting the money. Ruto donated KSh 600,000 to the church's choir and Parish Missionary council, while a further KSh 2 million was donated towards the construction of the priest's house. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja donated KSh 200,000. However, the Nairobi Archbishop rejected the money due to the pressure from the public. "These funds will be refunded to the respective donors. Furthermore, the promised additional Sh3 million for the construction of the Fathers' house, as well as the donation of a parish bus by the President, are hereby declined," said Archbishop Anyolo in a statement on behalf of the Catholic Church. However, some locals were not impressed by the church for rejecting the money while they languish in poverty. They therefore asked the church to accept the donation or hand it to them. One Soweto resident was particularly welcoming of the President's cash donation, saying, "Ruto is the President, so when he contributes it will make headlines. "As a community, we would like to see the money returned to the church so it can further projects." Other members of the local Soweto community called on the President to channel the donations to ordinary residents instead. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, November 22, 2024 - In a significant escalation of its antitrust battle against Google, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, November 20, urged a federal judge to break up the tech giant by ordering the sale of its widely used Chrome browser. The DOJ also called for an end to Googles agreements to be the default search engine on smartphones and proposed measures to prevent it from leveraging its Android operating system to dominate the market. The DOJ suggested that if these remedies fail, Google should be compelled to divest Android entirely. The proposals mark one of the most aggressive antitrust moves against a major tech company in decades, with regulators seeking to curtail Googles alleged abuse of its market power. Googles president of global affairs, Kent Walker, criticized the filing, accusing the DOJ of pursuing a radical interventionist agenda. Walker warned that the proposed breakup would disrupt Googles product ecosystem, harm innovation in artificial intelligence, and threaten Americas global technological leadership. This case represents a historic shift in the US governments approach to regulating tech companies, following decades of relative inaction since the failed attempt to break up Microsoft in the early 2000s. Google is set to respond in a filing next month, with a hearing scheduled for April before Judge Amit Mehta. The judges August ruling declared Google a monopoly, setting the stage for this next phase of the legal battle. Any decision is likely to be appealed, potentially taking years to resolve and possibly reaching the US Supreme Court. The case's future could also hinge on political changes, as President-elect Donald Trumps incoming administration may take a different approach to antitrust enforcement. Trump has previously criticized Google for alleged bias against conservatives but has also expressed skepticism about breaking up major tech companies. The DOJ's proposals come amid broader efforts to address the dominance of big tech, with five antitrust cases currently pending against Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Google. These cases, brought under the Biden administration, are expected to shape the regulatory landscape for years to come. Thursday, November 21, 2024 - Residents of one of the neighbourhoods in Nairobis Eastlands area were treated to a dramatic incident after a man torched their rented house, accusing his wife of engaging in extra-marital affairs. In the video, tenants are heard wailing as the fire spreads to other houses. The couple was heard arguing before the jilted husband torched the house. The incident comes amid rising cases of femicide in the country. Watch the video. Bwana ameamua kuchomea bibi kwa nyumba ju ya kucheat pic.twitter.com/ZuYmWUC7wW Random World (@randomworldke) November 21, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. *During his meeting with Scholz, Xi said that China and Germany need to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership from a long-term and strategic perspective and continue to write cooperative stories of mutual achievement. *During his meeting with Macron, 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. *When meeting 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 said China always insists on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. 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. IVOR Queally of Naas-based QK Group South Africa will represent Kildare as one of 24 finalists shortlisted for the 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards. Ivor, who is a finalist in the International category, will join 23 other finalists from across the island of Ireland at the awards which are a standout showcase of entrepreneurship. This years EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme received more than 200 nominations the highest ever in the programmes 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. Additionally, a sustainability award will be presented to the finalist making the most significant contribution towards environmental sustainability. The awards will take place on Thursday 28 November in Powerscourt Hotel, Co Wicklow. 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. Ten of Kildare Souths 15 general election candidates gathered in the Milltown GAA Clubhouse for the constituencys first town hall event of the campaign, organised by Milltown Foroige. This is the second such event the club has run, having organised a similar one for the last general election in 2020. Miltown Foroige Club Town Hall QA with Local Politions The candidates in attendance included incumbent TDs Cathal Berry, Martin Heydon and Patricia Ryan, Senators Fiona OLoughlin and Mark Wall, Councillors Tom McDonnell, Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh and Chris Pender as well as Anthony Casey and Monaa K Sood. Aidan Forde and Aine Sheerin Following brief candidate introductions, questions were fielded from the moderators, Aine Sheerin and Aidan Forde, as well as from club members and the audience. A number of topics were touched on over the course of nearly two hours, including the cost of living, first-time buyer'sgrant and planning permission for one-off developments in rural areas. Cliodhna Malone, Pearl Voigt, Aofe and Roisin Malone A large focus was also placed on issues that relate to younger people, including the lack of sufficient mental health services in Kildare, as well as the scarcity of secondary school places and the difficulties faced by many families having adequate school transport options. The moderators also pointed out that Milltown Foroige had recently seen a cut to its funding. None of the candidates had been aware of this specific case beforehand, each expressed dismay and reiterated their support for further investment in youth organisations. Rose Hickey, Sarah Walsh and Abigal Mulligan A question taken from a Foroige member also quizzed candidates on their stance on the means test for carers. Each expressed support for the abolition of what Cathal Berry referred to as the mean test, including the three candidates representing incumbent coalition parties, however Minister Heydon claimed that such a measure would be hard to introduce but would still be possible over the lifetime of the next government. Kevin Forde, Sinead Sheerin, Yvonoone Byrne, Aine Sheerin and Aidan Forde Photos Jimmy Fullam The final audience question related to the lack of employment available for people living with disabilities. Ireland currently ranks last in Europe in that respect with no provision currently exists in the constitution to guarantee state support for adults living with disabilities. In their responses, each candidate agreed that not enough had been done to date, with Senator OLoughlin acknowledging that a more rights-based approach was needed. Meanwhile, cllr Pender spoke about his family's personal experience with disability too and emphasised his partys support for a designated Minister for Disabilities. The event concluded a short while later with refreshments provided by the club, giving people the opportunity to mix with the candidates directly. A man accused of hospitalising another after he allegedly threw a bar stool at his head during an engagement party had the case dismissed against him after the judge was unconvinced by the states case. This had relied on the evidence of two of the plaintiffs brothers but no independent witnesses from a roomful of 150 people. I think hes telling the truth, but its not enough, said Judge Desmond Zaidan after listening to all the evidence in the case of 41-year-old Keith Cash of Daingean Row, Castletown, Mountrath, Co Laois. Mr Cash was pleading not guilty to the alleged assault causing harm (S3) to Thomas Connors at the Crosskeys Pub in Kildangan, Co Kildare on 7 May 2022 at the engagement party for his daughter Mandy, who was getting engaged to Mr Connorss son Billy. Mr Connors Snr told the court in evidence this week that on the night in question he said that Mr Cash had offered his two younger brothers drugs in the toilets, and when they refused, he said: Youre too good to take it. He started arguing and then Mr Cash threw a bar stool at my head from about four or five metres, said Mr Connors. It knocked me out and I had to go to Portlaoise hospital for [seven] stitches, he said. There is scarring as a result of the assault and I will be scarred for life, said Thomas Connors. Inspector Brian Norton then handed in a medical report to the judge, who noted: Thats a very deep cut. Youve no doubt it was thrown at you by Keith Cash? he asked. No doubt, replied Mr Connors. In cross-examination from barrister Mark Gibbons, Mr Connors admitted it was a year-and-a-half after the incident that he first made his complaint to gardai and had left for the USA only a few days after the alleged assault. Thomas Connors said he only decided to press charges then, because even when I got back from the States, I was getting threats on the phone. His brother William was next to give evidence, corroborating his sibling, and that after the alleged assault: Mr Cash ran out the back door. You saw this with your own eyes? asked the judge. Yes, replied William. Larry Connors was next up. He said the argument started in the bathroom, and that: I was standing right beside him when he was hit. He also told the judge that the family were not taking any legal action against the pub. The pub landlord John Worrell next gave evidence, initially saying: I didnt see any of it they werent known to me. I expected 15 or 20 that night, but maybe 150, 180 turned up. There were more invited than I was told, he said. I never saw a thing until it all exploded out of nowhere, everybody got involved in the fighting, he said. You abandoned your own premises? asked Mr Gibbons. I had to. I walked back in with the guards, he said. It was pure mental, everything was out of control, he said. He said he had to flee for his own safety, noted the judge with a shake of his head. The defendant then took to the stand and said he had walked out to the car park with his elderly mother, and when he returned: they were all throwin shapes. I saw them fighting over one side there were a lot of people in the bar, over 100 so I left with the wife and kids, he said. It is alleged you were selling drugs that night, said Inspector Norton in cross-examination. Thats only hearsay, said Mr Cash. Are you a member of a minority? asked the judge. No, said Mr Cash. And the Connors? continued the judge. Yes, theyre Travellers, said Mr Cash, who said he was a roofing contractor with over 20 years in the trade. You may have a job bringing this home, inspector, said the judge. In the medical report he told the doctor he fell off a chair, there is no mention of a thrown chair, he said. I didnt want no hassle, I was in genuine fear for my life, said Thomas Connors, after being recalled. They tried to run down two of my brothers in Portlaoise, and there were threats to burn us out, he added. That is a separate investigation, said Inspector Norton. You have to convince me, said the judge. How do you marry the inconsistencies? Someone threw a bar stool, then he fell off a stool? Maybe thats why he decided to press charges, he said. The inspector conceded that there were no independent witnesses, save for the two brothers. The guards have to convince me beyond all reasonable doubt [and] I cant really convict, he said, dismissing the charge against Mr Cash. A pledge made by Simon Harris when he was the minister for health in 2017 has come back into the spotlight after a recent interview on Virgin Media Television. The promise, made not long after Mr Harris became health minister, was that by the end of 2017 there would be no children waiting more than four months for spinal surgery needed to treat scoliosis. In a Virgin Media interview on November 13, the Taoiseach accepted that he had failed to deliver on that promise but said the number of children waiting more than four months had come down significantly by the time he left the Department of Health in June 2020. When I made that commitment or indeed when the commitment was given to me by the HSE, but the buck stops with me there were well over 200 children waiting over four months, he said. When I left the Department of Health, and there had been a global pandemic, that number was down to 35. The Taoiseach appears to have got this figure wrong and since his 2017 promise, neither he as minister nor the government he leads has met the target set nearly eight years ago. What is scoliosis? Scoliosis is a condition in which a persons spine is irregularly curved to the side. It most commonly occurs during growth spurts experienced in adolescence, although it can develop in adults too. As well as causing pain, the curvature of the spine can lead to a range of other health problems; for example, it can affect a persons breathing. In severe cases, the required treatment is spinal surgery. Because scoliosis can get worse if it goes untreated and can eventually result in a person becoming disabled, time is of the essence when it comes to getting an operation. If a person suffering from scoliosis does not get surgery promptly, it can end up being too risky to operate, and therefore too late. In one case highlighted last September, the mother of eight-year-old Harvey Sherratt said: Scoliosis is degenerative, and in Harveys case it is having a massive impact on his health and his general quality of life. A curvature of the spine beyond 100 degrees is considered life-threatening and Harveys spinal curve was recorded at 110 degrees when he visited Temple Street Hospital last January. Despite Mr Harriss 2017 pledge, there are still children waiting more than four months for spinal surgery to treat scoliosis. In October this year, current Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said there were 20 children waiting more than four months for scoliosis surgery. Mr Donnelly said that any children waiting more than four months after Christmas would be offered treatment abroad. How many children were waiting more than four months when Simon Harris left the Department of Health in 2020? Mr Harris became minister for health in May 2016 and stayed in the role until June 2020. The number of patients aged 18 or under waiting for scoliosis surgery was 236 at the end of December 2016, according to an Ombudsman for Children report from March 2017. There was deep dissatisfaction among the public with not just the high number of children on waiting lists, but also the amount of time they were having to wait for surgery. In some cases, children had been waiting years. In February 2017, Harris told RTE Radio: Were going to fix it. Were going to make sure that by the end of this year no child waits longer in this country for a scoliosis procedure than four months. In April 2017, the overall number of children waiting for spinal surgery had risen to 312, according to an Ombudsman for Children report from 2018. The ombudsman also reported that at the end of 2017 there were 29 children who had been waiting more than four months for surgery, meaning Mr Harriss promise had not been fulfilled. By June 2018, that number had risen to 34. The overall number of children waiting for surgery did reduce, with 138 on waiting lists by August 2018. In 2020, in a Parliamentary Question put to Mr Donnelly, who succeeded Mr Harris at the Department of Health, Sinn Fein TD Louise OReilly asked how many children were on on surgery waiting lists broken down by the length of time they had waited. Childrens Health Ireland (CHI), which governs and delivers acute paediatric services at Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght Hospitals, replied with figures covering spinal fusion surgery and spinal other. Spinal fusion is not the only surgical treatment a person with scoliosis might need. For example, in the case of Harvey Sherratt mentioned above, he needed growth rods implanted in his spine. According to official figures provided by CHI, when Mr Harris finished his tenure as health minister in June 2020, there were 177 children waiting for spinal surgeries. Of those, 138 had been waiting for three months or more, according to the HSE. The figures are broken down into three-month periods, which makes it difficult to know the exact number who were waiting more than four months. However, the number waiting more than six months in June 2020 was 83. This is much higher than the figure of 35 offered by Mr Harris in his Virgin Media interview last week. Asked about the discrepancy, Fine Gael said Mr Harris was not referring to 2020 which is when he left office but rather about the figures at the end of 2019. The Taoiseach was referring to the end-of-year scoliosis waiting lists prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Waiting times worsened as a result of the pandemic, a Fine Gael spokesperson told The Journal. At the end of 2019, following significant progress which was made after the four-month waiting time target was met, there were 34 children waiting for spinal fusion surgery longer than thre months. However, Mr Harris did not refer to 2019 in his answer. He said when I left the Department of Health, which was in 2020. The Taoiseach also did not specify spinal fusion surgery only. Fine Gael offered an HSE reply to another Parliamentary Question from TD Roisin Shortall in 2019 as evidence of that 34 figure. Ms Shortall had asked for the status of child waiting lists for scoliosis treatment by hospital and length of time. The HSE responded with official figures for spinal fusion and spinal other and the total number on the waiting lists was 87. Of those 87, a total of 52 children were waiting more than three months. When counting the number of children on the list for spinal fusion surgery only (in 2019), the figure waiting more than three months was 34, as Fine Gael said. Since Mr Harris made his promise in 2017, the target has never been met. According to CHIs latest report, published in October 2024, there were 247 children on waiting lists, 118 of whom are classified as active, meaning they are ready for surgery and are awaiting a date. Of those 118 children, 72 had been waiting more than three months. The Journals FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Networks Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out FactChecks readers guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here. Three-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny, Walter Walsh has told the Kilkenny People Sport Podcast the time was right to call time on his decorated inter-county career. Over a glittering career in the black and amber, the forward won eight Leinster titles, four National League titles and three All-Ireland titles as well as an All-Star in 2016. However, speaking at the launch of the GOAL Mile, sponsored by AIB, the Tullogher Rosbercon clubman said he felt now was the right time to hang up his Kilkenny boots. "I just think the time is right," he commented, adding, "there's not many lads playing inter-county at 33 years of age." "If I could just drift away into the wilderness and say nothing (about retiring) I probably would have. I didn't want much fuss," Walsh continued. The former All-Star joined the Kilkenny senior panel in 2012 at 21 years of age, making a man of the match debut in the All-Ireland final replay win against Galway, the first hurling final to be forced to a replay since 1959. "I've been humbled by the amount of messages and well wishes I've got, I couldn't have imagined the impact I've had on people over my career with Kilkenny. "I was humbled and I suppose a bit shocked by the messages and I still have to get back to a lot of people and I want to give that a good bit of time and get back to people who've taken time out of their busy days to send me a message," he remarked. FOR MORE KILKENNY GAA NEWS, CLICK HERE Walsh is supporting AIB's GOAL Mile campaign. For over 40 years, the GOAL Mile has seen tens of thousands of people run or walk a mile (just 2,000 steps) to raise funds for GOAL at Christmas, bringing people together in their communities to support GOALs humanitarian work in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. These funds support the charitys work with vulnerable communities in 15 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe, delivering a wide range of humanitarian and development programmes. The Kilkenny star is encouraging communities across County Kilkenny and the country to Step Up Together and take part in the campaign. Members of the public who register for the GOAL Mile will once again have the chance to win one of the ten 1,000 prizes for their GAA, Camogie, or LGFA club. For more information, CLICK HERE Full Interview on the Kilkenny People Sport Podcast SOON: There could be a fascinating constitutional stand-off, with Trumps more controversial Cabinet picks. There are three ways they can be appointed. They get confirmed by the Senate, with at least 50 votes in favour. This appears very unlikely at this stage for Gaetz (who has just withdrawn) and may be difficult for Gabbard and RFK Jr. The Senate agrees to go into recess, so Trump can do recess appointment for up to two years. But Senators wont be keen to give up their role to consent. Trump and the House force the Senate to adjourn against the will of the Senate, and then makes a recess appointment. The third option is one being talked about. It relies on the clause in the constitution that says: He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he 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; So how this would work is Trump convenes both Houses for an issue, and then asks them to adjourn. The House agrees to adjourn and the Senate doesnt. This then allows the President to adjourn them both. Such a move would be unprecedented the President and the House working together to force the Senate out of session, so they cant perform their advice and consent role. It would require the entire GOP House to vote for it, and courts would have to rule on if it is constitutional. But it cant be ruled out. It would also be short-sighted, because it would mean a future Democratic President who has a Democratic House but not a Democratic Senate (which is often the case) could use this procedure to bypass a Republican Senate for all their appointments. Current Polymarket odds for Senate confirmations are: Mike Huckabee as Israel Ambassador 96% Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador 96% Lee Zledin as EPA 94% Kristi Noem as Homeland Secretary 94% John Ratcliffe as CIA Director 93% Tulsi Gabbard as DNI 80% RFK Jr as HHS 75% Pete Hesgeth as Defence 74% Matt Gaetz at Attorney-General 31% (just withdrawn) Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr The Herald reports: The transgender refugee who poured tomato juice over the head of controversial British activist Posie Parker during a raucous rally at Auckland Centrals Albert Park, had previously been the victim of serious assaults spurred by discrimination. But despite his at-times sympathetic tone, Justice David Johnstone said he couldnt overturn a district court decision denying the 36-year-old pharmacist a discharge without conviction because of the message it would send to others. It is important that those who wish to oppose, by protesting against, views they consider abhorrent, do so without engaging in physical attacks, he wrote near the conclusion of his 11-page decision. Its not a difficult line to draw. Protest yes. Assault no. The courts should be seen to denounce, and in that way generally to deter, that form of protest, because of the risk it will be copied, perhaps more harmfully, and because of its inherent tendency to undermine rather than facilitate the rule of law. If this activist had got off, then of ourselves it would have been copied. She has filed an affidavit in which she says she felt compelled to act, Johnstone wrote. Of course, it was entirely improper for Ms Golberstein to offend as she did. Her actions blatantly crossed a line that must be maintained, between the legitimate verbal or written expression of contrary opinion on one side, and physical conduct that risks provoking violence or harm to individuals, communities and institutions on the other. Good to see the Judge gets such an important distinction. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr By KTimes Actor Song Joong-ki, 39, has announced the birth of his daughter, marking the arrival of his second child. He shared the joyful news on his fan cafe, Wednesday, saying, "We are blessed with another beautiful baby. Our lovely princess was born healthy." Song and his wife, British actress Katy Louise Saunders, are currently in Rome. "Both my wife and our baby are resting well in good health," Song said. "I firmly believe that the continued support and love from many have brought us such wonderful blessings. I am deeply and sincerely thankful." The couple registered their marriage in January last year and welcomed their first child, a son, in June of the same year. Rome holds special meaning for the pair; it is Saunders' hometown and the place where they first met. In 2021, while filming the hit drama "Vincenzo" in Italy, Song was introduced to Saunders through a mutual acquaintance, leading to their blossoming relationship. Following the Cannes Film Festival in May, where Song attended with his pregnant wife for the premiere of his film "Hopeless," the couple returned to Italy to prepare for the birth of their daughter. Balancing his personal and professional life, Song is filming the JTBC drama "My Youth," set to air next year, in which he portrays a novelist and florist. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. By Park Han-sol To fully appreciate 82-year-old Iranian-born American painter Nicky Nodjoumis latest solo show, Someone is coming with a flower, at Barakat Contemporary in Seoul, a brief dive into Irans modern political history is essential. In 1969, a young Nodjoumi found himself in New York City a pivotal moment in time when the Iranian diaspora across the U.S. and Western Europe was rallying against the authoritarian Pahlavi regime back home. Drawn to the fervor of activism, he soon became involved with the Iranian Student Association, channeling his creativity into producing striking, politically charged protest posters that championed the cause of freedom fighters. By the 1970s, as unrest in Tehran intensified, Nodjoumi felt an unshakable pull to return to his homeland to confront the regime from within. His homecoming, however, came at a price. Under the watchful eye of SAVAK, the secret state police, he was subject to constant surveillance and hours of interrogation. Barred from teaching at Tehran University and partaking in public activities, he was allowed only one outlet: the opportunity to quietly exhibit his paintings and drawings once a year. That all changed on Feb. 11, 1979, when the Iranian Revolution overthrew the monarchy, paving the way for the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ruhollah Khomeini, a prominent religious cleric, assumed power as the nations new supreme leader. In the wake of this seismic political shift, the artist was invited to display over 120 of his paintings, drawings and monotypes at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. The grand exhibition was intended to celebrate the revolutionary spirit, with many of his pieces criticizing the ousted Pahlavi regime. What the organizers failed to anticipate, however, was that Nodjoumis art wasnt just a critique of the overthrown monarchy it cast an equally piercing eye on the new postrevolutionary government. The Islamic Republic, far from liberating its citizens, quickly revealed itself to be just as oppressive, if not more so, silencing dissent with unjust imprisonments and executions. So, what happened when his retrospective finally opened in August 1980? The backlash was swift and unforgiving. The Jomhouri Eslami newspaper lambasted his works as bold vulgarity, condemning them as conceptual attacks and mental filth aimed at Khomeinis rule. The museum hastily pulled some of his pieces from display, but it couldnt prevent an angry crowd from storming the show. A concerned friend called to deliver a stark warning: Get out of the country as soon as possible. On the morning of Sept. 22, 1980, with no other option, he fled his homeland. By a cruel twist of fate, that same afternoon, the airport he used to escape was bombed by Iraq, igniting the eight-year Iran-Iraq War. Forced into exile, he returned to the U.S., where he rebuilt his life and continued his artistic journey. To this day, he has never been able to see the works he left behind at the Tehran museum. His quest for those lost pieces was the subject of the recent HBO documentary, A Revolution on Canvas, co-directed by his daughter, Sara Nodjoumi, and Till Schauder. Against such a backdrop, Nodjoumis Seoul exhibition holds unique significance. It not only features three rare pre-Iranian Revolution paintings, but also unveils, for the first time ever, over 60 monotypes on paper created shortly after his brief exile to Miami in 1981. In his protest paintings, men in suits and Muslim leaders in flowing robes float freely alongside horses, plants and mythical figures inspired by ancient Persian art. These allegorical canvases hum with layers of political symbolism and intrigue. And in his monotypes, a different kind of energy radiates raw, spontaneous and feverish. Created by applying oil paint directly onto a metal plate and pressing paper to produce a one-of-a-kind print, these pieces showcase a more immediate, visceral transfer of his emotions. Bursting with bold primary colors and brisk brushstrokes, the 1981 monotypes carry the haunting specters of revolution alongside the new antagonists of Irans postrevolutionary regime. His family members also frequently emerge within the imagery, as do Miamis sunlit landscapes. Here, the personal and the political meld seamlessly, dissolving boundaries into a vivid, chaotic harmony. I think the aesthetics of art are good on one side, but for us as Middle Eastern artists, with the situations that we face, we have to raise our voices not only aesthetically but politically and say no to injustice, he reflected at the gallery. Someone is coming with a flower runs through Jan. 12, 2025 at Barakat Contemporary. By Yi Whan-woo Travel companies see their target price going upward on the stock market, driven by Chinas unprecedented visa-free policy to attract Korean tourists. Hana Securities raised its target price for Modetour, a major travel agency on the secondary bourse Kosdaq, to 13,500 won ($9.66) this week, while suggesting a buy opinion. Modetour will directly benefit from Chinas new visa rule, the brokerage house said, referring to Beijings announcement on Nov. 8 to allow Korean nationals to enter China for tourism, business, family visits or transit for up to 15 days without a visa. The visa exemption took effect for the first time after more than 30 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and China. The new policy will run through Dec. 31, 2025. Hana Securities said that Korean tourist arrivals to China will pick up pace fast from the first quarter of 2025, noting It will take time for travel companies to come up with packages. Daishin Securities also suggested a buy opinion for Hana Tour, the countrys largest travel company on the benchmark KOSPI, and adjusted the firms target price upward to 75,000 won. The company is anticipated to grow noticeably in terms of 2025 operating profit, as it is geared toward introducing a wide range of tour packages to China, Daishin Securities noted in a report. The securities firm accordingly hiked its outlook on Hana Tours operating profit for next year by 41 percent to 71.6 billion won. Meanwhile, some industry sources deemed that the market should not be overly optimistic about the impact of Chinas visa-free policy on Korean tourism. The sources pointed out that a Korean traveler was denied entry into China on Nov. 15, as they argued that the Chinese authorities can be picky at any time and such policy can affect travel demand. DPK pushes higher tax deduction limits; PPP demands abolition By Lee Yeon-woo The move by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to implement crypto taxation policies in 2025 despite opposition from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is triggering backlash from investors, with some experts warning that it could lead to a capital exodus. According to industry sources on Thursday, the DPK is determined to pass a revised Income Tax Act at Tuesday's upcoming National Assembly meeting. The key proposal involves raising the tax exemption threshold from the current 2.5 million won ($1,787) to 50 million won in profits earned from crypto investments. The DPK believes the revision will ease retail investors' opposition to the crypto taxation policy by shifting the tax burden to some high-net-worth individuals. Starting next year, the government plans to impose a 22 percent tax, including local taxes, on annual income exceeding 2.5 million won from virtual asset investments. The policy has already been postponed twice following the bipartisan agreement. The DPK's latest move has surprised many market watchers. They had anticipated another delay in crypto taxation, especially after the financial investment tax was scrapped on Nov. 4. The financial investment tax and virtual asset taxation were initially proposed together, with plans to classify virtual asset income as financial investment income and tax it accordingly. "Why tax one while abolishing the other? This raises serious questions of fairness," a man in his 20s wrote on the National Assembly's online petition platform. The petition, posted on Tuesday, has since garnered over 56,000 signatures. "Past administrations have viewed cryptocurrencies negatively," he wrote. "They did not recognize cryptocurrencies as assets and even rejected Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. Imposing taxes without legal recognition or clear regulatory framework? This is inconsistent and unreasonable." The DPK, however, argues that the stock market and the virtual asset market are fundamentally different and should not be treated the same. The PPP opposes the taxation on virtual assets, backing retail investors. During a party meeting on Thursday, PPP Leader Han Dong-hoon said that implementing "fair and equitable taxation is challenging" given Korea's current level of preparation and added that the party will ensure the implementation of a two-year deferral. "Over 8 million investors in Korea are primarily young people," Han said. "Many are hoping to recover their losses during this period (Trump's rally), but the DPK has introduced policies that dash those hopes." Despite the PPP's objections, the DPK's parliamentary majority makes it likely that the proposal will pass unless the party alters its stance. Critics warn that these measures could lead to a capital exodus to foreign virtual asset exchanges. "Substantial funds have already shifted to overseas exchanges to exploit arbitrage opportunities from the 'kimchi premium,' and this trend is expected to accelerate as tax burdens increase," said Jay Jo, a senior research analyst at Tiger Research. They also worry that enforcing strict regulations without careful consideration could harm Korea's global competitiveness. Strong retail investment in Korea has attracted significant interest from overseas crypto projects, and harsh tax policies could deter further investment. "While virtual assets are a sector that requires taxation in the long term, the current tax proposal fails to fully account for (Korean) market's characteristics and crypto's rapidly evolving environment," Jo said. "A well-structured taxation system must be preceded by comprehensive research and thoughtful discussion." As of 3 p.m. Thursday, Bitcoin is traded at 137.3 million won in Korea's largest virtual asset exchange, Upbit, and $97,180 in Binance. The price saw another record high, reaching $96,995 at 1:22 p.m. (local time), following a media report that the U.S. presidential transition team was considering creating a specialized position for crypto policy in the White House. Bitcoin prices have surged about 40 percent since Donald Trump's election. If the ruling and opposition parties fail to reach an agreement on a delay, all investors earning profits exceeding 2.5 million won will be subject to taxation. By Baek Byung-yeul The Korean web fiction Under the Oak Tree has made its way onto The New York Times (NYT) Best Sellers list, setting a milestone for Koreas rapidly growing digital literature industry. The romance-fantasy written by author Kim Su-ji debuted at No. 7 on the Hardcover Fiction section of the U.S. newspapers list released on Nov. 13, RIDI, a local e-book platform behind the novel, announced Thursday. This marks the first time a hardcover edition of a Korean web fiction story has been featured on the list, often regarded as the most influential ranking of bestselling books in the United States. Published on RIDI from 2017 to 2022, Under the Oak Tree captivated readers with its detailed storytelling, complex characters and richly developed medieval fantasy setting. Set in a fictional medieval world, Under the Oak Tree tells the story of Maximilian, a dukes shy and insecure daughter who struggles with a speech impediment, and Riftan Calypse, a knight of humble origins. Forced into an arranged marriage, the two face separation when Riftan leaves for a military campaign shortly after their wedding night. When he returns three years later as a celebrated hero, their love story unfolds. Unlike many romance-fantasy web novels with perfect protagonists, "Under the Oak Tree" shines by portraying flawed and relatable characters, such as the vulnerable and growing Maximilian and the persevering and accepting Riftan. The author spent years refining the story before its debut. Originally conceived while she was in university, Kim dedicated six years to revising and completing the plot before launching the serialized web novel in January 2017. Over five years, the author published the two-volume novel, totaling 450 chapters. The series garnered immense popularity on RIDIs platform, eventually being adapted into a webtoon, or online comic, and translated into multiple languages. The English e-book version has been a particular success, achieving bestseller status on Amazon in several countries, including the U.S., France and Mexico, and leading to a publishing deal with Penguin Random House, one of the worlds largest publishers, in July 2023. The hardcover English edition, published on Nov. 5, climbed up the chart in just its first week of release, indicating its widespread appeal. The books early momentum suggests the potential for it to rise in the rankings in the following weeks. Its journey from a popular online series to a global literary phenomenon also demonstrates the growing international appeal of Korean web novels, which have traditionally been overshadowed by the global prominence of other genres such as K-dramas, K-pop and cinema. With its NYT Best Seller debut, "Under the Oak Tree" has set a new benchmark for the global reach of Korean web novels. RIDI emphasized the significance of this feat, noting the success of this novel demonstrates the global competitiveness of Korean web fiction. The global popularity of 'Under the Oak Tree' has reaffirmed our belief in the universal appeal of great storytelling," a RIDI official said. We will continue our partnership with Penguin Random House to produce more compelling content." Beyond the novel itself, the webtoon adaptation also garnered widespread acclaim. It became a bestseller in Japan, achieving over 10 billion won ($7.14 million) in sales within just six months of its release in July. The Japanese edition of the webtoons print version saw massive demand, requiring a second print run just one day after its release. In the U.S., the webtoon version dominated Amazons Best Sellers in Romance Graphic Novels section and USA Todays Best-selling Booklist. By Park Han-sol A long-lost Buddhist painting is finally making its way back home from the U.S., 35 years after it was stolen from a temple in Korea. On Nov. 19 (local time), a delegation from the Jogye Order, Koreas largest Buddhist sect, finalized an agreement with the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago to repatriate Sinjungdo, a sacred painting depicting Buddhisms divine guardians. The artwork is part of a trio of masterpieces created in 1767 by Ven. Hyejam, alongside Amitabha Buddha Sermon Painting and Three Bodhisattvas Painting. Originally enshrined at Bomun Temple in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, all three pieces were stolen on June 5, 1989. While the other two were successfully restituted in 2014, the whereabouts of Sinjungdo remained a mystery until June 2023, when the Korea Heritage Service and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation uncovered its presence in Chicago during a survey of Korean cultural assets in the U.S. Two months later, the Jogye Order formally requested the paintings return, providing evidence of its stolen origin. After review, the Smart Museum of Art decided to deaccession the piece in accordance with the International Council of Museums Code of Ethics for Museums, opting to return it voluntarily and unconditionally. We deeply respect and thank the University of Chicago and the Smart Museum of Art for recognizing the paintings history of theft and its religious significance and for making the pivotal decision to return it, the Jogye Order said in a statement. The journey of Sinjungdo home marks the final chapter in this cultural restitution saga, reuniting all three stolen paintings at their birthplace after 35 years. This repatriation carries immense spiritual and cultural significance, as it restores Bomun Temple to its original state, it added. Kim Soo-hyun's agency says he dated Kim Sae-ron for 1 year after she became adult A U.N. General Assembly committee on Wednesday passed a resolution on North Korean human rights for the 20th consecutive year, calling for the U.N. system as a whole to continue to address the North's "grave" situation "in a coordinated and unified manner." The Third Committee handling human rights and social affairs adopted by consensus the resolution, which expressed concerns over the North's declaration not to pursue reunification with South Korea and called for repealing its practices and laws that suppress people's freedom of thought, expression and religion. The adoption came as Seoul and Washington have stressed the importance of improvement in the North's human rights environment on the grounds that a repressive political climate has led the regime to continue to push for its weapons programs without public comment. "Noting with concern the possible negative impact on the human rights situation, including that of separated families, following the announcement of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in January 2024 that it would no longer pursue reunification with the Republic of Korea (ROK)," the resolution read. ROK and DPRK refer to the official names of South Korea and North Korea, respectively. It is the first time that the annually adopted resolution has mentioned the North's public renouncement of reunification as a policy goal. The resolution also pointed out "all-pervasive and severe restrictions," including an "absolute monopoly" on information and total control over organized social life, saying that they have been further tightened by newly enacted laws, including the Law on Rejecting Reactionary Thought and Culture and the Youth Education Guarantee Law. "(It urges the North) to ensure the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief and the rights to freedom of opinion, expression and association, both online and offline, including by permitting the establishment of independent newspapers and other media and repealing or reforming all practices and laws suppressing the aforementioned rights," the resolution reads. It stressed that the North Korean government funds its "unlawful" nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs through human rights violations and abuse, such as forced labor. Moreover, it noted with concern that a "disproportionate" amount of the North's state budget is allocated to military spending, resulting in failure to fully respect, protect and fulfill human rights, such as the right to adequate food. The resolution included a request for the president of the General Assembly to organize a high-level plenary meeting, featuring testimony by civil society representatives and other experts, to address the human rights abuses being committed in the North. It called for the "immediate" return of all abductees of South Korea and Japan. South Korea's Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. Kim Sang-jin urged Pyongyang to heed the General Assembly's concerns over the human rights situation in the reclusive state and its calls for improvement. "It is with a heavy heart, however, that there has been no improvement, but rather deterioration in North Korea's systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations, which amount to crimes against humanity, according to the 2014 COI report," Kim said, referring to the Commission of Inquiry report on Pyongyang's abuses. In a statement, Seoul's foreign ministry welcomed the adoption of the resolution. "As this year marks the 10th year since the U.N. COI report was published, we take note of the fact that through this resolution, the international community expressed concerns over the serious human rights situation in North Korea and sent a consistent and unified message calling for the North's action to improve the situation," the ministry said. It also vowed to make multi-faceted efforts to improve the North's human rights based on its stance that a resolution on the North's human rights issue is a "crucial foundation" for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. As anticipated, North Korean Ambassador to the U.N. Kim Song said that Pyongyang "categorically" rejected the resolution, denouncing it as the "document of a political plot fabricated for the ulterior purpose of defaming the dignity of the DPRK." "The anti-DPRK draft resolution of human rights, tabled by the European Union every year at the instigation of the United States, is a false paper worthy of no deliberation at all as it is full of the fabrication and falsehood," he said. "The so-called human rights issue cannot exist in our country." The resolution will be sent to a full General Assembly session for approval in December. The committee has adopted the resolution annually since 2005 to shine a light on human rights violations in North Korea and redouble international calls for Pyongyang to tackle the issue. (Yonhap) North Korea and Russia have signed a protocol on expanding cooperation following their committee meeting on economy, science and technology in Pyongyang, the North's state media reported Thursday. The two sides signed the agreement Wednesday after holding the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation in Trade, Economy, Science and Technology the previous day, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Yun Jong-ho, the external economic relations minister of North Korea, and Russia's Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov signed the protocol, as Pyongyang and Moscow have been boosting their bilateral partnership, including military cooperation. The KCNA did not disclose details about the agreement, but Russia's TASS news agency reported Wednesday that North Korea and Russia agreed to increase the number of charter flights. The agreement calls for organizing direct flights not only from Russia's eastern regions but also from its largest cities, Russia's natural resources ministry was quoted as saying by TASS. Currently, only a flight route connecting Russia's Vladivostok and Pyongyang is in operation. Kozlov, the head of a Russian delegation, was warmly welcomed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Monday. It was the first time that a North Korean leader has met with a Russian head of the intergovernmental committee. Kozlov left for Russia the previous day after meeting with North Korean Premier Kim Tok-hun, the KCNA said. South Korea and the United States have said North Korean troops deployed to Russia are engaging in combat against Ukraine forces in Russia's western border region of Kursk. After summit talks in June in Pyongyang, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new partnership treaty that includes a mutual defense clause. (Yonhap) The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill Wednesday to reauthorize and update the 2004 North Korean Human Rights Act aimed at promoting rights and freedom in the reclusive state. The House endorsed the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act in a 335-37 vote, raising hopes for filling the legal void left by the expiry of the reauthorization act in 2022. First adopted in 2004, the North Korean Human Rights Act is updated and reauthorized periodically. The House bill has been spearheaded by Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Ami Bera (D-CA). In the Senate, a North Korean human rights bill, introduced by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), has yet to gain a committee-level endorsement. The House bill calls for the process of reuniting Korean American family members with their immediate relatives in North Korea, appointing the special envoy for North Korean human rights if the post remains vacant and promoting freedom of information in the reclusive country, among other measures. It is to be valid through Aug. 30, 2028. "The authorization for the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 lapsed in 2022. We must get this legislation signed into law this Congress," Kim said during a House session. "We cannot ignore the threat posed by North Korea and holding the North Korean regime accountable without supporting human rights is a nonstarter," she added. Kim went on to say, "Failing to reauthorize a landmark human rights initiative sends a signal to Kim Jong-un that the United States will allow human rights in North Korea and around the world to fall on deaf ears." The passage of the bill at the House came as the Third Committee of the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution on North Korean human rights for the 20th consecutive year Wednesday. Seoul and Washington have stressed the importance of improvement in the North's human rights environment on the grounds that a repressive political climate has led the regime to continue to push for its weapons programs without allowing for public comment. (Yonhap) South Korea confirmed Thursday that North Korean hackers were behind the theft of 58 billion won ($41.5 million) worth of cryptocurrency in 2019. The National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency announced the finding, saying North Korea's state-sponsored hacking groups Lazarus and Andariel were involved in the theft of 342,000 Ethereum tokens from the cryptocurrency exchange Upbit in November 2019. The tokens, valued at 58 billion won at the time, are now equivalent to 1.47 trillion won. This marks the first time a South Korean investigative agency has confirmed North Korea's involvement in cryptocurrency hacking crimes, though similar charges have been raised by the United Nations and other countries. Police said they were able to confirm North Korea's involvement by tracking IP addresses and cryptocurrency flows, as well as by detecting the use of the North Korean language and analyzing material secured with the help of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Police did not release details of the methods used in the hacking attacks, citing concerns of their recurrence or copycat crimes. North Korea sold 57 percent of the stolen Ethereum tokens at 2.5 percent below market price in exchange for bitcoin tokens on three cryptocurrency exchange websites presumably established by the North, according to police. The remainder of the Ethereum was distributed to 51 overseas exchanges and laundered, they said. In 2020, a portion of the stolen cryptocurrency was discovered on a Swiss cryptocurrency exchange, and after proving their source to the Swiss prosecution over four years, police said they returned 4.8 bitcoin worth around 600 million won to Upbit last month. (Yonhap) Expert warns Kim Jong-un of outside influence after troop deployment to Russia By Kwak Yeon-soo South Korea faces a difficult choice between providing weapons directly to Ukraine and remaining ambivalent about it until U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, while North Korean troops are being deployed to the Ukrainian front. Seouls reluctance likely reflects a growing belief that Trump may seek a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine upon his return to the White House, according to Bruce Klingner, a former CIA analyst and senior research fellow for Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundations Asian Studies Center. The impact of the U.S. election will affirm President Yoon Suk Yeol's reluctance to risk Russia's ire by providing arms directly to Ukraine. Mr. Trump, Mr. Vance (vice president-elect) and others are less supportive of the U.S. support to Ukraine and more of an advocacy for resolving that crisis, he said during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Thursday. South Korea, which possesses some of the world's largest stockpiles of artillery shells, has contributed humanitarian aid and indirect military support, such as exporting weapons to Poland and lending 500,000 rounds of 155mm artillery shells to the U.S. This move allows Washington more flexibility in supplying Ukraine with ammunition. However, South Korea has refrained from directly providing arms to Kyiv, citing its longstanding policy of not supplying weapons to countries actively involved in conflict. The Republican Party has shown greater reluctance toward the Biden administration's policy of providing large amounts of military support. Many see it as a distraction or a drain on forces and materials that would be needed in a China conflict, which is seen as the big potential existential conflict, Klingner said. Asked how China may view Pyongyangs growing relationship with Moscow, he said, I would think they're not pleased with it. It reduces Chinese influence over North Korea and it also runs the risk of dragging China more directly into the Ukraine conflict than it wants to be. Assessing the North Korea-Russia relationship as "transactional," Klingner pointed out that China would likely avoid being seen as part of a trilateral alliance with Russia and North Korea. China is much more linked to the existing world order as the second-largest economy. It relies on its engagement with Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia more than Russia. China is nervous about the potential impact on its banks and businesses if they are sanctioned, he said. Given the geopolitical tensions, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East over the past four years, North Korea has increasingly taken a backseat on the U.S. foreign policy agenda, according to the former CIA analyst. The North Korea threat, although it continually grows and gets direr, has sort of slipped on the priority list because others are in actual combat and China is seen by many as the existential threat to the U.S., Klingner said. President Trump is going to want to focus on the economy and domestic issues, but as it always does foreign policy will intrude. But the hot spots would always get the attention whether there is fighting, he added. The North Korea expert shared that a big concern of the Kim Jong-un regime would be how to control the information that soldiers bring back home from the war zone. So far, North Korea has kept its troop deployment to Russia a secret from its citizens. "They may never tell their citizens about it. North Korea probably sees it as military action and think people don't need to know about it. If the number of forces goes above 10,000 or 12,000, they have to be concerned about the contagion of outside influence," Klingner warned. Even though a Ukrainian war zone is not exactly paradise, North Korean soldiers would see the difference of life outside of North Korea and realize, as its diplomats do, that they've been told a lie that as bad as things are in North Korea, its worse in the outside world and thats why Kim Jong-un has tried to curtail even more than his predecessors the information going in and out, he added. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho condemned on Thursday North Korea's deployment of troops in support of Russia in its war with Ukraine, expressing concerns that the North will likely use the technology and funds it receives in return to advance its nuclear and missile weapons. Kim made the remark as he delivered a speech during the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus under way in Laos, attended by defense chiefs of 10 ASEAN countries and eight others, including the United States, China and Japan, according to Seoul's defense ministry. "The deployment of North Korean troops is collusion with Russia's illegal invasion and an action that goes against humanity and peace by using young people as cannon fodder mercenaries," Kim said. South Korea and the U.S. have said North Korean troops deployed to Russia are engaging in combat against Ukrainian forces in Russia's western border region of Kursk. Raising concerns over the North using what it receives from Russia in return, Kim called for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops and international solidarity against deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. In the meeting, Kim noted how South Korea and ASEAN have elevated their relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" this year and vowed to expand their cooperation in areas of maritime security, arms industry and peacekeeping operations. ADMM-Plus opened its inaugural session in 2010 to enhance defense cooperation between ASEAN members and other regional states and has been held annually since 2018. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. (Yonhap) By Kim Hyun-bin On the occasion of the 54th National Day of Oman, Omani Ambassador to Korea Zakariya bin Hamad Alsaadi reflected on the Sultanates progress and its foreign policy. The event, which commemorated the countrys achievements, focused particularly on the lasting legacy of Middle Eastern country's development since the beginning of the Omani Renaissance in 1970. "It is a matter of pride to recall on this glorious National Day the achievements of the Sultanate of Oman throughout its long journey, especially since the launch of the blessed Omani Renaissance in 1970," Alsaadi said during the 54 Oman National Day event held in Seoul, Tuesday. He highlighted the significant contributions of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who set the foundation for modern Oman, and the current leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, "with great will and determination." The ambassador emphasized Oman's commitment to peace and stability, underscoring its foreign policy based on dialogue, tolerance, and respect for international law. "The Sultanate of Oman adopts a firm foreign policy based on the principles of dialogue and tolerance. It always seeks to promote the values of peace and harmony among nations," he said. "My country calls upon the international community to intensify efforts to stop the military escalation in the Middle East." He urged all parties involved to adhere to international law and the United Nations Charter, stressing the importance of "respecting the principles of peace and justice for all." Specifically, regarding the Palestinian issue, Oman reiterated its strong position: "The Sultanate of Oman reaffirms its unwavering position in support of the Palestinian people in their struggle to obtain their rights as guaranteed by international law." The ambassador also called for urgent actions to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon. "We call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza Strip, the lifting of the siege imposed on the innocent population, and the creation of safe passages for the delivery of humanitarian aid." A key highlight of the speech was the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Oman and Korea, marking a half-century of friendship and collaboration. "This year, the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Korea are celebrating 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, which was signed on March 28, 1974," Alsaadi said pointing out the historical ties between the two countries, linking them through the maritime Silk Road, which facilitated centuries of cultural and commercial exchanges. The ambassador underscored the growing bilateral trade, with Korea becoming Oman's third-largest trading partner. "In 2023, the trade exchange volume reached $5.8 billion. Major Korean companies are contributing to the implementation of strategic projects in Oman, particularly in the fields of renewable energy and infrastructure," he said, highlighting that several Korean companies had secured major contracts in Oman, including the construction of 1,200 housing units in the Smart Sultan Haitham City. Looking ahead, Alsaadi highlighted Oman's Vision 2040, a strategic plan aimed at achieving sustainable development and promoting technological and human resource advancement. "Oman's Vision 2040 is an ambitious roadmap to achieve sustainable development. It also promotes economic and social progress, focusing on the development of human and technological resources and capabilities," he said. "The Sultanate of Oman is keen to strengthen its position as a leading state in clean energy and hydrogen through strategic projects aimed at achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050," he said. Oman plans to produce 1 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030, with the goal of increasing it to 8 million tons by 2050. In conclusion, the ambassador reaffirmed Oman's commitment to global peace and stability. "At the same time, we affirm that the Sultanate of Oman will continue to play an active role in building a world of peace and stability through promoting the values of dialogue, understanding, international cooperation and joint action with all countries to achieve a bright future for all," he said. South Korea is working to ensure that no further distress or pain is caused to the families of Korean forced labor victims from the Sado mines during their attendance at the upcoming memorial ceremony in Japan, a foreign ministry official said Thursday. The official made the comment amid growing concern in Seoul over what seem to have been rocky negotiations with Tokyo regarding preparations for the memorial event scheduled for Sunday, as the government has been reluctant to disclose details about how the ceremony will unfold. Japan announced Wednesday that the ceremony will take place on western Sado Island, off its west coast, fulfilling its promise to host the event to honor the victims who were forced into hard labor at the mine complex under Japan's colonial rule of Korea. Holding such an event was part of the condition for South Korea's consent to the site's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, the lack of details about the ceremony's arrangements has raised doubts in South Korea about Japan's sincerity in fully honoring its pledge to commemorate the victims. Eleven family members of the Korean victims plan to attend the ceremony. "We are aware that we cannot have the worst-case scenario, where the bereaved families are emotionally hurt," a foreign ministry official told reporters. "And based on that, we are still consulting with Japan," the official said, without elaborating. With only three days remaining until the event, neither South Korea nor Japan has announced who will be attending the ceremony as the government representative. Seoul has requested a high-level government official, possibly at a vice minister level, from the Japanese government attend the ceremony. The South Korean government has not provided any details on the memorial address. Hideyo Hanazumi, the governor of the Niigata Prefecture organizing the ceremony, said earlier that the event will be about "reporting" the site's UNESCO World Heritage listing to the public, according to local news reports, further raising doubt about Japan's sincerity. "We are faithfully consulting with the Japanese government based on our position that it is crucial that the memorial ceremony takes place in a sincere manner," foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a press briefing Thursday. (Yonhap) Defense chiefs of South Korea, United States, Japan, the Philippines and Australia discussed multilateral cooperation on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense ministerial meeting in Laos. In their first joint meeting held in Vientiane, the defense chiefs "emphasized their shared commitment to advancing a vision for a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region where international law and sovereignty are respected," according to Seoul's defense ministry. The participants were South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro and Australian Minister for Defense Industry Pat Conroy. The meeting was arranged on the occasion of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. The five sides underscored the importance of close multilateral cooperation to support security and stability in the region, the centrality and unity of ASEAN and the significance of ASEAN-led regional mechanisms. Furthermore, the ministers and secretaries highlighted the progress made in strengthening defense cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to future collaboration. Kim and Nakatani also held a separate one-on-one meeting. They strongly condemned the comprehensive military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. The two sides agreed that South Korea and Japan would closely cooperate with the international community to block the Russia-North Korea military collaboration. Earlier in the day, South Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho also condemned North Korea's deployment of troops in support of Russia in its war with Ukraine, expressing concerns that the North will likely use the technology and funds it receives in return to advance its nuclear and missile weapons. Kim made the remark as he delivered a speech during a session at the ASEAN meeting. "The deployment of North Korean troops is collusion with Russia's illegal invasion and an action that goes against humanity and peace by using young people as cannon fodder mercenaries," Kim said. South Korea and the U.S. have said North Korean troops deployed to Russia are engaging in combat against Ukrainian forces in Russia's western border region of Kursk. Raising concerns over the North using what it receives from Russia in return, Kim called for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops and international solidarity against deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. ADMM-Plus opened its inaugural session in 2010 to enhance defense cooperation between ASEAN members and other regional states and has been held annually since 2018. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. (Yonhap) Korean Confederation of Trade Unions not opposed to idea, spokesperson says By Jung Min-ho Koreas largest labor organizations have aired mixed views on the idea of allowing foreigners to work as bus drivers, as one aligns more closely with non-Korean workers. Speaking to The Korea Times on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), an umbrella labor union with more than 1.2 million members, said the union is not opposed to the proposal to allow foreign workers to drive village (town) buses in Seoul. This comes as the proposal is being reviewed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor as it moves to raise the proportion of foreign workers in the countrys workforce in response to growing labor shortages across many industry sectors. We are basically not opposed to hiring foreign drivers. But we believe, (if the government wants to hire them), it should give them the same labor rights enjoyed by Korean workers, the spokesperson said. But if you look at the current situation, the village bus industry has a labor shortage issue because wages are low and labor intensity is very high. We think these problems need to be addressed first (before the introduction of the policy). The organizations careful, balanced approach to the issue of protecting the rights of Korean members and foreign workers appears incompatible with that of the Korea Automobile and Transport Workers Federation, a group under another influential umbrella labor union with more than 1.3 million members, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions. In a statement on Tuesday, the group expressed its strong objection to hiring non-Korean bus drivers, demanding the ministry and the Seoul Metropolitan Government drop the cost-centered approach immediately. It is surprising and regrettable that the city government in Seoul came up with the policy to hire foreign workers who would be willing to accept low wages and poor working conditions instead of improving the conditions to attract quality (Korean) drivers, it said. We, 100,000 members of Korea Automobile and Transport Workers Federation, clearly reject it. Major labor organizations here have long opposed the policy direction of importing more foreign workers, who they viewed as potential competitors in job markets. But in recent years, this unity has shown signs of fractures, with some moving to embrace foreign members and other liberal principles more aggressively. In recent months, the KCTU even attempted to champion undocumented foreigners here, holding rallies in support of them and calling for the government to stop deporting them. Also known as maeul buses, village buses operate on short routes, connecting passengers to major bus stops and subway stations. But for many drivers, working at a maeul bus firm is deemed as a stepping stone to employment at larger, better-paying bus companies, which contributes to the particularly acute driver shortage faced by town bus operators. The bus driver proposal follows the city government program of hiring 100 Filipino workers as caregivers. The central and local governments plan to expand that program as a national project next year, aiming to expand the number to 1,200 in collaboration with more partner countries. A ministry director who handles the management of foreign workers said nothing has been determined in regard to the bus driver proposal. She said the ministry will consider many factors such as the potential impact on the village industry and Korean drivers before making a decision. By Lee Hyo-sik Hanwha Aerospace Romania has pledged to give vital support for Romanias military modernization and the reinforcement of NATOs eastern flank in response to the ongoing security challenges and threats coming from the war in Ukraine. Established as a subsidiary of South Koreas Hanwha Aerospace, the company will advance strong partnership with Romania providing local manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services promising substantial economic benefits for Romanian industry and workforce. In July, Hanwha Aerospace secured a major contract with Romanias Ministry of National Defence to supply 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers and 36 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles. "By this important step, the creation of Hanwha Aerospace Romania, we dedicate ourselves to delivering cutting-edge defence capabilities to the Romanian Armed Forces, Peter Bae, head of Hanwha Aerospace Romania, said at the Land Warfare Europe conference in Bucharest. About 200 military and industry leaders from over 20 countries joined the two-day conference, supported by the Romanian Armed Forces, to discuss ways of responding to the changing security environment and facilitating industrial cooperation. Furthermore, we will develop strong partnerships with local industries and defense companies by activating valued localization programs including local manufacturing, technology transfer and MRO operations, Bae said. To further solidify these goals, the company plans to construct a state-of-the-art facility in Romania dedicated to production, research, testing, training and MRO services. Hanwha Aerospace Romania also aims to integrate Romanian enterprises into Hanwhas global supply chain, facilitating the provision of essential defense systems, such as K9 self-propelled howitzers adopted by 10 countries, including six NATO states. The company is proposing the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) for Romanias IFV modernization program. The Redback was selected for Australias LAND 400 Phase 3 next-generation IFV program. The tracked vehicle features best-in-class armored protection, mobility and lethality based on a range of innovative technologies such as composite rubber tracks, an active protection system and a see-through armor helmet-mounted display. As the K9 and Redback share a high level of commonality in terms of chassis and powertrain, operating both systems could lead to significant cost savings and manufacturing efficiency for the industry, as well as bring operational benefits for the army. By KTimes A teenage Vietnamese woman was arrested for allegedly abandoning her newborn baby in a bag at a restroom in an underground shopping mall in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, police said Thursday. According to the police, a report was filed around 5 p.m. the previous day about a crying baby inside a black bag left in the restroom. Officers arrived at the scene and found a newborn girl with her umbilical cord still attached. The baby was immediately taken to a hospital and was reported to be in good health. Using security camera footage from the mall and surrounding areas, police identified and apprehended a 19-year-old Vietnamese woman at her residence in Uijeongbu. She is a university student in Korea on a language training visa, not a work visa. The police are investigating the motive for the crime with the assistance of a translator and will determine whether to apply for an arrest warrant after further questioning. 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. Military prosecutors on Thursday demanded a three-year prison term for a former Marine Corps chief investigator over his alleged insubordination linked to an internal probe into a young conscript's death last year. Col. Park Jung-hun is suspected of insubordination and defamation of his superior following an internal probe he led into the death of a corporal surnamed Chae, who was swept away by a torrent during a search for missing flood victims in July 2023. "He has denied all charges and made a claim that is different from the facts. This substantially and negatively affects the command system and discipline of the military and there is a need for stern punishment," a military prosecutor said in the trial held at a court martial in central Seoul. Military prosecutors indicted Park last October for allegedly handing over the internal probe results of Chae's death to the civilian police despite orders from then Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and the Marine chief to wait for more legal deliberations. Lee had initially approved the probe's findings before reversing his decision a day later, raising questions over the move. Park had drawn up a report accusing eight military officials of being responsible for Chae's death. But the defense ministry immediately retrieved it from the police, while he was subsequently dismissed and indicted. During Thursday's session, Park reaffirmed his innocence, claiming that his commander did not accurately order him to deter transferring the probe results to civilian police. Park also denied defamation charges, saying he did not have any intention to do so. The court martial is expected to deliver a verdict as early as next month. The then 20-year-old Marine's death and developments over the military's internal probe had fueled national outrage, especially over initial findings that Chae and his colleagues were mobilized without proper safety gear. (Yonhap) Unionized railway workers on Thursday said they will launch an indefinite general strike on Dec. 5 to demand higher pay and a bigger workforce. The walkout plan by the Korean Railway Workers' Union (KRWU), if implemented, is expected to affect the operations of high-speed KTX and regular train services across the country and subway services in the capital area. The union has been staging a slowdown strike since Monday. KRWU members will go on an indefinite full-scale walkout Dec. 5 if there is no change in the attitudes of the government and their employer, the Korea Railroad (KORAIL), the union announced in a news conference in front of Seoul Station in the morning. "The general strike will be an inevitable choice. The struggle of railway workers to ensure the safety of citizens and trains and the recognition of their fair labor is justified," it said. Their planned walkout is expected to cause massive rail service disruptions nationwide, as unionized Seoul subway workers have already announced a plan to go on a full-scale strike on Dec. 6 in demand of increases in wages and new staff hiring. The KRWU's "work-to-rule" protest entered its fourth day Thursday, causing delays in subway and commuter train services in the capital area. Of 470 subway and above-ground trains that ran in the greater Seoul area from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., 14 were delayed by more than 20 minutes, down from 23 trains during the same hours the previous year, according to KORAIL. All KTX and regular trains were operating normally during the day, the company said, adding any violations of company rules or the law by the striking workers will be handled strictly. (Yonhap) Reshuffle of presidential staff, ministers expected in near future By Anna J. Park President Yoon Suk Yeol now faces a backlog of pressing domestic and foreign affairs issues, as he returned to Korea early Thursday after completing his first official tour of South America, according to political analysts. As the midway point of his five-year term passed earlier this month, Yoon is widely expected to prioritize a reshuffle of key ministerial and presidential staff to revitalize his administration. Addressing national polarization is also anticipated to be a central policy goal during the second half of his term. According to the presidential office, Yoon has been actively seeking suitable candidates for a midterm reshuffle. The timing of these changes is expected to follow the National Assembly's legal deadline for finalizing next years budget on Dec. 2. During a press conference on Nov. 7, Yoon emphasized that his office had already begun "searching for and vetting appropriate candidates," signaling a renewed approach through personnel changes at the right time. The reshuffle is likely to target long-serving ministers, including those leading the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Welfare, as well as key positions such as the prime minister. Although replacing the prime minister an appointment requiring parliamentary approval poses a significant challenge, given the current political landscape in Korea where the opposition holds a majority at the parliament, it is said that the reshuffle of the premier is also being considered as a means to underscore the Yoon administrations strong commitment to government reform. With regard to foreign affairs, the government is expected to focus on preparing for a first meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, while devising sector-specific strategies in light of Trump's upcoming second term. Meanwhile, the standoff with the opposition bloc is expected to intensify. Yoon must decide by the end of this month whether to reject the special counsel bill targeting first lady Kim Keon Hee, which had been passed solely by the opposition parties. Given that Yoon firmly expressed his view that the bill was unconstitutional during the press conference earlier this month, he is expected to exercise his veto again. If the president exercises his veto this time, it will mark the third time he has vetoed the special counsel law on the first lady, following vetoes in January and October. Eom Gyeong-yeong, director of the political think tank the Zeitgeist Institute, stated that the unexpected heavy sentence for main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Lee Jae-myung and Trumps decisive victory have given Yoon an additional two to three months of leeway, until Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20. "If the government does not show a new direction during this time period, things will become more difficult moving forward," Eom told The Korea Times, Thursday. "International politics and the economy will be highly chaotic for about a month after Trumps inauguration, and the absence of strong national leadership could be dangerous. Therefore, despite the ongoing debate over the special counsel, calls for impeachment or shortening President Yoon's term will likely weaken," he explained. He added that the Yoon administration and the ruling People Power Party must be well-prepared during this period if they intend to successfully navigate the second half of the term. "Ultimately, there must be a fundamental solution to the oppositions demands regarding the special prosecutor issue. If a resolution to the long-held issue is not found within the two to three months of leeway gained, the crisis will persist," Eom noted. Park Sang-byoung, another political commentator, told The Korea Times that he thinks Yoon will never accept the first lady special counsel bill. "The president will obviously not accept it. If the special prosecutor is recommended by the opposition bloc, the first lady issue will become a black hole, consuming at least five to six months of entire media and public attention. Thus, the government will be unable to operate at all," Park said. The political expert also predicts that despite Yoon's efforts to fulfill his promised 4+1 reforms, he will struggle to gain momentum, while the opposition will continue to push hard. "The momentum for new national reforms has already been exhausted. Given Yoon's style, he is unlikely to change his position or shift the national agenda. The opposition will relentlessly push for Yoons resignation, impeachment, or any method they can until the end of his term," he said. "If DPK leader Lee can secure the presidential candidate position in the end, things will stay as they are now. Even if Lee is eventually sidelined, other presidential candidates will pressure the Yoon administration just as strongly, cornering it," he added. He advised the Yoon administration to put more priority on people's livelihoods and foreign affairs during the remainder of his term, considering the mounting household debt in the country, tax shortfalls and the potentially negative impact on exports from Trumps protectionist policies. By Choe Chong-dae On Nov. 6, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Seoul hosted a special event to commemorate Victory Day, observed annually on Nov. 8. The event was attended by many dignitaries, foreign ambassadors, and representatives from Korea's political, economic, scientific, and cultural sectors, as well as members of the Azerbaijani diaspora. It provided an opportunity to reflect on Azerbaijan's military triumphs, cultural heritage, and its growing diplomatic role on the world stage. The celebration marked two significant milestones: the 2020 military victory during the 44-day Patriotic War and Azerbaijan's enduring cultural legacy. The war, under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, resulted in the liberation of Azerbaijans occupied territories, including Garabakh, and brought an end to decades of displacement for hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani citizens. Azerbaijani Ambassador to Korea Ramin Hasanov emphasized that the victory was not just a military achievement for the restoration of territorial integrity and a step toward healing for those affected by the conflict, but a triumph of justice and international law However, as Ambassador Hasanov noted, Azerbaijan remains committed to peace. While the victory was a turning point, the country continues to pursue diplomatic dialogue with Armenia, focusing on soonest conclusion of the peace treaty negotiations as well as advancing border delimitation and demarcation. Efforts to rebuild the war-torn regions of Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur are also central to Azerbaijans post-war agenda, with a focus on demining, infrastructure reconstruction, and providing a better future for citizens. The event in Seoul celebrated Azerbaijans modern achievements while offering a moment to reflect on the country's rich cultural history, spanning millennia, showcased through a display of historical books. A standout feature of this heritage is the ancient petroglyphs of Gobustan, near Baku. These rock carvings provide glimpses into prehistoric life, capturing scenes of daily activities and spiritual beliefs of early societies. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Gobustan underscores Azerbaijans significant role in the development of Eurasian civilizations. This heritage resonates in Azerbaijans modern diplomatic ties. Between 2009 and 2011, archaeological excavations in Gabala uncovered precious artifacts strikingly similar to those from Gyeongju, Korea, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty, suggesting early cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. These discoveries led to a sister city partnership between Gabala and Gyeongju in 2015, further solidifying the historical ties between Azerbaijan and Korea. Another important cultural bridge is the work of Nizami Ganjavi (11411209), Azerbaijan's legendary poet and philosopher. His epic love poem Leyli and Majnun, recently translated into Korean, offers a window into Azerbaijani classical literature and fosters cultural exchange and understanding. As Azerbaijan continues its post-war recovery, it is also strengthening its diplomatic presence on the global stage. One key example of this is the country's role as the host of COP29 in Baku, from November 11 to 22. This event highlights Azerbaijan's dedication to addressing climate change, promoting peace, and advancing sustainable development. The evenings festivities, including a gala dinner and a performance by Korean jazz musicians, underscored the importance of cultural exchange. The concert, blending world music with Azerbaijani melodies, fostered a harmonious environment for celebrating Azerbaijans history and role as a bridge between East and West. Ultimately, Azerbaijans Victory Day celebration in Seoul was not only a tribute to military success but also a reflection of the nations resilience, commitment to peace, and vision for a prosperous future. Azerbaijans strength lies in its ability to rebuild, engage diplomatically, and honor its deep historical roots as it moves confidently toward a new chapter on the global stage Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and founding director of the Korean-Swedish Association. By Daniel Shin One notable example of paying it forward under a U.S. presidents legacy is the Eisenhower Fellowships Program. This fellowship is named after Dwight D. Eisenhower to commemorate his lasting legacy as a war general in World War II and the 34th president of the United States, serving from 1953 to 1961. I was privileged to participate in the closing events of the Eisenhower Fellowship Program, in which my spouse was recently nominated along with powerful mid-career women leaders from all walks of life. Their closing events are usually held at their foundations headquarters in Philadelphia, but this year, they organized several events in New York during the U.S. presidential election week. To me, it was quite interesting to witness diverging reactions of people on the ground in the city of New York. It made me think hard about what could be lasting impacts of past presidents in the United States, encouraging future generations to uphold their values and continue the legacy of positive leadership for the nation and also for the world. Certainly, it is a difficult time. Challenges are ahead of all of us. The stakes are high and the political and economic impacts of the decisions made by the U.S. president in the next four years will be huge. Donald Trumps reelection as U.S. president has significant implications for the U.S.-South Korea relationship as well. Trumps return to office could lead to renewed pressure on South Korea to increase its defense spending. The two nations will very likely renegotiate the terms of the U.S. military presence in South Korea. Hence, President Yoon Suk Yeol faces the challenge of reaffirming and maintaining a stable relationship with the U.S. while navigating uncertainties and growing tensions in the region. The Eisenhower Fellowships Program has contributed positively to building bridges between the U.S. and the world. The Fellowships Program was established in 1953 to honor President Eisenhowers dedication to fostering leadership and international exchange. The program continues to expand President Eisenhowers legacy by promoting peace and prosperity through global collaboration among global mid-career leaders. The Eisenhower Fellowships have grown into a prestigious and impactful program with a network of over 2,400 fellows from more than 115 countries. These fellows work across various sectors and regions, including government, business, academia and international organizations to drive positive change in their communities and beyond. Spending six weeks to travel all over the U.S. with other influential women leaders, my spouse, who works at an international pharmaceutical company, has a positive impression of the United States. The true fellowship begins when the fellowship ends, as one of the fellows remarked during the closing event. Their lasting friendship will bond them together and they are committed to help each other. The Eisenhower Foundation will be a magnet for inspirational and impactful relationships and will have the relevant connections to catalyze positive change. The United States will certainly benefit from this lasting friendship and deep international connections that the foundation has cultivated over decades. The U.S. and South Korea have a multifaceted relationship with cooperation spanning several key areas. Most importantly, they must maintain a strong military alliance, with U.S. troops to be stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korean aggression. North Korea has ratified a landmark mutual defense treaty with Russia. It is quite disruptive to see Russia's decision to turn to North Korea to request soldiers, including elite special forces, to continue Putins brutal war against Ukraine. North Korea is prepared to send more troops to the Russian war effort. This should stop. Eisenhower was a Republican and a former general who helped win World War II for the Allies. He understood America's true priorities. He always saw himself as a moderate rather than a conservative to have broader cooperation, believing in moderation and working to bring people to a nonideological middle ground and work on long-term solutions to difficult and complex problems. He was determined with his own conviction. He appointed both liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans to crucial positions including the Supreme Court. He worked with both sides of the congressional aisle and led the nation effectively during the Cold War. Before his presidency, Eisenhower played a pivotal role in planning and executing major military operations as a five-star general in the U.S. Army. As president, he focused on containing the spread of communism, reducing federal deficits and developing the major government-backed infrastructure such as the Interstate Highway System in the United States. Richard Nixon, who eventually became Einsenhowers in-law, once praised Eisenhower by saying that Eisenhower remained through his final days the world's most admired and respected man, truly the first citizen of the world. The United States needs strong leadership more than ever. It should not be disruptive and selfish to hold back another nations fate for their own interests. Since winning the U.S. presidential election, Trump has been the center of attention. Republicans have taken the Senate majority and are likely to gain control of the House. Trumps top priority should be economic and political renewal at home. There are lots of things that he can learn from former presidents. Eisenhower was also one of very few non-politicians to be elected as president (although he was supported by the Republicans). He entered the White House after 20 years of Democratic administrations led by Roosevelt and Truman. With a strong grip, Eisenhower led the nation through a difficult phase of the Cold War. President-elect Donald Trump will have to steer a fractured America and fix it by overcoming domestic political divisions and projecting strength abroad to make this fractured world get in order. Daniel Shin is a venture capitalist who co-founded KingsBay Capital and senior luxury fashion executive, overseeing corporate development at MCM, a German luxury brand. He also teaches at Korea University. By Steven L. Shields My homeland just went through a hard-fought presidential election that pitted half the country against the other half. The prevailing side has been touting the slogan Make America Great Again for about 10 years. The slogan presupposes that the United States was once a great nation but is no longer. However, promoters are hard-pressed to pinpoint when the country specifically lost its greatness. Or, at which point in history was America at its greatest? In America before World War II, schoolchildren, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and others would not place their hand over their hearts when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Instead, they proffered a palm-down, stiff-armed salute. This salute prevailed well into the 1930s, even though the German Nazi Party was also using it. It took some time to change the salute. The wording of the Pledge of Allegiance has changed several times since its introduction in the 1890s. The last time was in 1954 when an Act of Congress, undoubtedly influenced by the Red Scare of the Cold War, inserted the words under God into the recitation. So in the last stanza, one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, became one nation under God, indivisible Ive yet to hear the pledge recited correctly, though, as Americans pause after one nation as if there is a comma. Or, how about the motto of the United States, E pluribus unum? Such a lofty ideal crafted by the founding brothers and sisters of American democracy. Out of many, one was something that I grew up with as what a great nation was all about, although we had segregation and rampant racism during my childhood. However, another Act of Congress replaced the motto in 1956 with In God We Trust. The Constitution clearly states the separation of church and state, but Congress got away with this one, too. Now, it's on all the U.S. currency. America has entered an era when many believe that God protected their preferred candidate from two assassination attempts. They promote policies that are racially, culturally and sexually exclusive. They yearn for mass deportations (though I find it interesting that both Trump and Vance are married to immigrants). Im not just a little bit worried that many people are substituting their political bias for God. Perhaps they have forgotten that Jesus was not a white man and he did not speak English. There were no Democrats or Republicans in his lifetime. He carried a cross, not a gun. And nowhere in the Bible does it say, God loves only America, but God loved the world (except perhaps in Trumps newly published patriotic Bible, to which he added many non-biblical documents). Many in America are confused about religious freedom. They want to tell others what they can or cannot do based on their beliefs. Well, folks, youre free to believe what you want, but you arent free to impose your beliefs on others by law, coercion or otherwise. That is persecution through religion, plain and simple. Many Christians love to chant, It says so in the Bible, or, My authority is the Bible. But they only know what their pastor told them in church. Some Americans believe it is the churchs responsibility to Make America Great Again but fail to realize their spokesman-in-chief is hardly a church-goer and lacks the standard moral compass of humankind. In its first few hundred years, the Christian church was a counter-cultural, anti-government social organization. The church needs to reclaim those roots. The church must implement what Jesus taught his first-century disciples to do if they wanted to be saved. He told them to take up your cross, sell all you have and give it to the poor, comfort those who suffer, feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Christians are to renounce violence, welcome strangers, forgive sinners and embrace the radical love lacking today. The Christianity of Jesus was a lifestyle, not an institutional religion. He never told his followers to reject their Jewish roots. Since the adoption of Christianity as a state religion by Emperor Constantine, the church has not only been in bed with the imperium but, for many centuries, controlled governments and society. Even today, in the United Kingdom, the king must be anointed and crowned by the church authorities. I am not criticizing here; I am just pointing out that the established religion is so much the norm that we dont think of it any other way. During most of the churchs history, a person could be violent, greedy, uncaring, racist, etc., and still believe that their personal Lord and Savior is Jesus Christ. Believers need to make radical changes in their thinking, lifestyle and faith. Our world is suffering greatly at this very minute. People are starving, being killed in war, dying of disease. We Christians must put into action the Christ-life and become the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors near and far. Rev. Steven L. Shields, FRAS (slshields@gmail.com) has lived in Korea for many years, beginning in the 1970s. A lifelong member of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea, he has served as a director and president. He was a copy editor of The Korea Times in 1977. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not reflect The Korea Times editorial stance. Foreign chambers highlight city's strategic location, skilled workforce, education infrastructure as key appeals By Jung Da-hyun INCHEON Incheon should leverage its strategic location and advanced infrastructure to attract investment and elevate its status as a global business hub, competing with cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, foreign chambers of commerce in Korea said Tuesday. During the 2024 Roundtable Meeting with Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Korea, representatives from international chambers of commerce and executives of global companies emphasized the need for Incheon to develop competitive strategies to attract more foreign investment. David-Pierre Jalicon, chairman of the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized Incheon's potential as a global business hub, citing its location by the sea for international connectivity and advanced infrastructure, including research centers and universities, as key advantages. "Incheon's position by the sea gives it excellent infrastructure and advantageous links to cities worldwide," he said. He pointed to the city's growth in sectors like energy, sustainability and semiconductors, noting that these strengths have placed the French Korean Chamber ahead of its counterparts in Singapore and Hong Kong. "This reflects Incheon's progress and demonstrates how things are changing for the better," he said. Jalicon also highlighted that the availability of highly skilled human resources in Incheon is a significant advantage for attracting foreign industries seeking to enter Korea and expand globally. "Many companies face challenges hiring skilled engineers overseas, but Incheon stands out with its strong talent pool supported by universities and research institutions within the city," he said. While highlighting the city's assets, Jalicon advised Incheon to narrow its focus and concentrate on specific sectors rather than attempting to cater to a broad range of industries at once. "A more targeted and comprehensive approach would be more effective," he said. Speakers highlighted Incheon's leadership and robust educational infrastructure as key factors in its global appeal. Gregory Hill, chief administrative officer at the University of Utah Asia Campus, mentioned the unique program offered by the University of Utah Asia Campus, which was launched a decade ago. This program allows students to earn degrees in English while studying for three years in Korea and one year at the university's home campus in the United States. Hill noted that Incheon is the only location worldwide offering such a program. He also underscored the state of Utah's will to invest in Incheon, citing recent efforts to strengthen business and travel partnerships. "The state of Utah recently hired and placed members of the World Trade Center Utah in Korea full-time to explore business partnerships and development opportunities," he said. Hill added that a partnership with Delta Airlines has led to the recent launch of a nonstop flight from Incheon to Salt Lake City. "This development enhances business and travel connections, making these partnerships stronger than ever," he said. Jeffrey Jones, chairman of Ronald McDonald House Charities Korea, expressed optimism about Inspire Resort's potential to establish Incheon as a premier tourism hub in Korea. "Inspire Resort is an integrated development featuring hotels, shopping centers and a massive water park," he said. Jones added that the resort will host various events highlighting Korean culture, including K-pop performances, positioning Incheon as a major destination for international and domestic tourists. Hector Villarreal, president and CEO of GM Korea Company, noted Incheon's business-friendly environment as a key factor in the company's operations. He shared the scale of GM Korea's engineering organization, noting that it is the company's second-largest outside the U.S. Villarreal also underscored the significance of Korea's supply chain, pointing out that most of GM Korea's suppliers are Korean companies, reflecting the importance of the local market and its robust ecosystem. James Kim, chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, called on Incheon to provide more financial incentives and create a more favorable environment for foreign companies to operate. "In the Trump era, there was a strong focus on business and trade," he said. "It's critical to figure out solutions that open the market further and ensure Korea remains a welcoming destination for international businesses." Regarding this, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok emphasized the need for a strategic approach to boost exports. "Incheon will focus on delivering strong administrative support, fostering a favorable business environment, and providing investment opportunities within the legal framework available to local governments," he said. City government promotes investments at IFEZ in roundtable co-hosted by The Korea Times By Ko Dong-hwan INCHEON Incheon is establishing itself as a rising global business hub in Korea as leaders from foreign chambers of commerce in the country highlighted the western coastal citys potential to drive future international trade at a roundtable discussion, jointly hosted by the city government and The Korea Times, Tuesday. Presidents of chambers of commerce representing countries, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Australia and Italy met with Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin and directors overseeing the citys business policies. Discussions at the Roundtable Meeting with Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Korea centered on the citys extensive global trade and transport infrastructure, key industries nurtured under strategic initiatives, and the mayors vision to elevate Incheon into the ranks of the worlds top 10 global cities. Yoo, in his welcoming remarks, touted Incheon as the best city for foreigners to invest in Korea. Highlighting its strategic assets including Incheon International Airport, Incheon Port, the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) and a large-scale local industrial complex the mayor said the city is well-equipped with the infrastructure necessary to support robust global trade and economic activity. With a population of about 27 million over half of the nation's entire population the city boasts a vast consumer market. The Incheon airport connects to over 100 global cities, all within just a three-hour flight radius. Companies based in Incheon last year showed an average growth rate of 6.5 percent, way above the nationwide average of 2.7 percent. Incheon is also the only metropolitan city in Korea, which saw an increase in population. While an average population change nationwide in the last year was (negative) 0.3 percent, Incheon grew by over 6 percent, Yoo said. The mayor mentioned that although U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has spread concerns throughout Korea with his America First policies, the city government views this as a make-or-break opportunity. We will maximize the opportunity and minimize the risks, shaping win-win policies for both countries, Yoo said. To draw corporate investments, well provide the highest level of administrative supports, business platforms and investment conditions within the country's legal framework. American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) Chairman James Kim also downplayed the emerging concerns about possible economic risks to Korea following Trumps election earlier this month. Emphasizing that the Seoul-Washington relationship is stronger than ever as seen during his current tenure that has continued for the past two decades, he said there are hopeful signs with the incoming U.S. administration. I believe that Trumps America First approach shouldnt be seen negatively, Kim said. Just as Mayor Yoo has put Incheon First policies to develop this city as a thriving hub, America First simply focuses on creating the best possible outcomes domestically. This approach, when combined with a commitment to global partnerships, can strengthen both our nations and open up new avenues for collaboration. He noted that AMCHAMs role is to serve as the bridge between the two countries, by working together with the governments of both to foster a stable policy environment, especially as it is navigating the shifts following the recent election. AMCHAMs vision is to help make Korea a regional headquarters for foreign companies, Kim said. Look at the numbers. Singapore has 5,000, Hong Kong has 1,400 and Shanghai has 900. With Korea having less than 100, this is a great opportunity. With the right policies and commitment, Korea can become a leading hub for regional headquarters in the Asia Pacific region. Kim Jong-hwan, director general of Investment Inducement Bureau at the IFEZ, highlighting Incheons dramatic growth from a war-torn village following the Korean War to one of Koreas key growth engines, said the citys geographical location serves as an ideal condition for global trade. Located on the citys former mudflats, now landfilled, at a coastal region, IFEZ is currently inhabited by over 443,000 people including nearly 9,000 foreigners which is 17 times that of its 2003 population. Foreign-invested companies in the zone have increased in number to over 220 and the foreign direct investment amount has increased by $15 billion during the same period. We have concluded free trade agreements with 59 nations, with trade volumes approximately $860 billion, forming the worlds third-largest economic territory, the IFEZ director general said. Fifteen international organizations including the U.N. and Green Climate Fund have moved into the IFEZ, where we currently operate the Songdo bio cluster, high-tech industrial cluster, aviation industrial cluster and a global cluster for robot, automobiles and hydrogen. He also shared the IFEZs ongoing projects to develop southern Ganghwa Island and Yeongjong Island, expanding the citys strategic economic grounds with future industries including smart farms, advanced bio and living-friendly industries like theme parks and residential towns. Incheon will lock horns with Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai as a new global business hub, Yoo said, to which AMCHAM chairman James Kim responded, You can count on AMCHAM. Shift from manufacturing to service, deep-tech haul growth By Ko Dong-hwan INCHEON Robust global trade flowing through Incheon has positioned the western port city as a well-established international business hub and one of Korea's most appealing destinations for foreign investments and talent, according to a senior official from the Incheon Institute, a research agency under the Incheon Metropolitan City Government. Yoon Seok-jin, head of the institute's economics and environment research division, highlighted that past decades of commerce in the western port city have seen a shift from manufacturing to service-oriented and future industries, boosting exports by companies based in the city. Joining the 2024 Roundtable Meeting with Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Korea, which was jointly hosted in Incheon by the Incheon Metropolitan City and The Korea Times, he said that export targets have also diversified to a broader region of the world, bolstering the city's potential as a global business hub. Yoon explained consistent growth across multiple categories, demonstrating the city's rising scale of trades throughout the past years, including volumes of inbound and outbound trades, the number of companies in the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) and the number of foreign companies that committed direct investments in IFEZ. The number of foreign direct investment (FDI) firms in the IFEZ increased to 224 in 2022 from 135 in 2017, while employees in those companies jumped to 35,150 from under 23,840 during the same period. Japanese companies accounted for the largest portion with 15.6 percent of the overall FDI companies in the IFEZ, followed by American companies with 14.7 percent and Singapore, China and the Netherlands in order, Yoon shared. Semiconductor exports by companies in Incheon also shot up to $17 billion in 2021 from $103 million in 2000, according to Yoon. Semiconductor equipment exports also increased to $340 million in 2022 from $68 million in 2002. Semiconductors are the city's top export item, with around 600 companies clustered in the city, he added. Yoon also introduced automobile, aerospace, bio, robotics and digital sectors as the city's key industries. The aerospace industry has particularly developed around Incheon International Airport, with around 100 aviation companies, 25 urban air mobility companies, 262 drone companies, 28 aerospace companies and 61 defense industry companies now based in the city. Global bio giants like Celltrion, Samsung Biologics and SK Biopharm have also chosen the city as their bases. "Compared to Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, which have way more population and land areas, Incheon is really maximizing its exports and imports using its strong infrastructures in traffic, manufacturing and advanced future industries," Yoon said. "Since 2000, technological advancement by companies in Incheon has been evident. On separate tracks, service industries like resorts and hotels have been showing steep growth. These are signs pointing to Incheon as a strong global business hub." Yoon said that Incheon's outbound trades, initially concentrated in China and the United States, have begun diversifying to Southeast Asia, India and Europe. A particularly significant investment increase by the Incheon government and companies has been in Vietnam where "economic corridor" has been established between Incheon and Vietnamese city of Haiphong. Incheon's major trade items in the past five years, according to Yoon, have been natural gas, crude oil and coal for import and semiconductors, automobiles, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics for export. The city's trade volume increased sevenfold from 2000 to 2022, while the trade dependency ratio increased to 107 percent in 2019 from 67 percent in 2000. "Many (Korean) companies in Incheon now desire to achieve global trades with foreign companies, not just receiving investments but also exchanges of talents or strategic partnerships," Yoon said. "What they want is engaging in more business exchanges. As a global hub, Incheon can cater to such demands." 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 Tech giant seeks to soothe employees' demand for ChatGPT with Gauss2 By Nam Hyun-woo Samsung Electronics unveiled Samsung Gauss2 on Thursday, an upgraded version of its own generative artificial intelligence (AI). Gauss2 will improve the flow efficiency of developers, engineers and other employees in the company's intranet environment instead of ChatGPT or other AI agents, the company said during the online Samsung Developer Conference Korea 2024. "Samsung Electronics is focusing on securing cutting-edge software technologies, such as AI and data analytics, to shape new lifestyles and enhance the quality of life for its customers," its Device Experience (DX) Division Chief Technology Officer Cheun Kyung-whoon said. "We will introduce Samsung Gauss2, our own generative AI, and showcase its improved performance, efficiency and ways of use. Through this, we will be able to provide distinguished customer experience by enhancing productivity and applying it to products in phases." Gauss2 is an upgraded version of Gauss1, introduced last year. Compared to the previous version, Gauss2 is a multimodal model capable of processing various types of data simultaneously, including language, code and images. Samsung said Gauss2 is available in three models tailored to service applications and performance needs Compact, Balanced and Supreme the top two models of which outperform leading open-source generative AI models in key metrics, including multilingual response generation and coding tasks. The company said Gauss2 will empower the DX Division's coding assistant program, code. i, which is now used by more than 60 percent of the division's software developers. Samsung has been striving to come up with its own AI solution to meet employees' growing demands for using AI agents in their work processes. Aside from Gauss series, the company's chip-making Device Solutions Division is using own AI agent, named DS Assistant, while prohibiting employees' use of ChatGPT or other popular AI agents due to data security concerns. In March last year, the DS Division allowed its employees to use ChatGPT for their work, but identified multiple data leaks, as employees uploaded malfunctioning program codes for debugging and shared a confidential meeting's minutes with the AI. Anything entered into ChatGPT is transmitted to external servers and cannot be retrieved. Since there are chances of such content being used for the AI's training, this creates risks for an indefinite number of users accessing confidential information. Though ChatGPT offers several privacy features, such as Incognito Mode and Temporary Chat, many Korean businesses are limiting employees use due to concerns about potential data leaks. Following the incidents, a number of Samsung's business divisions began to ban employees' use of ChatGPT for work purposes while releasing Gauss1 last November. However, it remains uncertain whether Samsung employees are satisfied with the companys own AI solutions. On Oct. 18, Samsung Group United Union (SGUU), an umbrella union of four Samsung Group labor unions, wrote to Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and urged that Samsung's companies should utilize the world's best tools if it aims to be a leading global company. You can cope with security risks with ChatGPT Enterprise, the SGUU said. Amid the growing importance of shorter work hours and work-life balance, we should not waste our eight hours every day. The European Union has concluded the passenger service-related remedial commitments offered by Korean flagship carriers Korean Air and Asiana Airlines for their proposed merger have been fulfilled, according to the EU's executive body Thursday. Korean Air has divested four European passenger flight routes to low-cost carrier T'way Air as part of a conditional approval for the merger offered from the European Commission (EC) in February. Korean Air has also agreed to sell Asiana's cargo business to Air Incheon as part of remedies. In a statement sent to Yonhap News Agency, Lea Zuber, EC spokesperson for competition, said the commission concluded Friday (Brussels time) that T'way Air "has fulfilled the completion condition for the passenger commitments set out in the conditional approval decision." The conclusion was reached based on a report by a monitoring trustee, she said. A final EC approval for the Korean Air-Asiana merger deal, however, remains pending, according to the spokesperson, as the EC "is currently assessing" Air Incheon's proposed purchase of Asiana's cargo business division. "The closing of the transaction between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines remains conditional upon the commission's approval of a suitable buyer for the cargo divestiture business," the spokesperson said. "We cannot prejudge its timing or outcome." On the passenger route transfer to T'way Air, the EC concluded that the budget carrier has met the requirements of operating "a certain number of services on each of the four remedy routes," connecting Incheon, Korea's main gateway, with Frankfurt, Paris, Rome and Barcelona, for a certain period of time. T'way has also fulfilled its requirement to sell tickets for future services on the routes for two upcoming International Air Transport Association seasons, or until October 2025, according to Zuber. Many aviation industry watchers in Korea had said they expected the EC to make a final decision on the 1.8 trillion-won ($1.3 billion) merger deal within November. The latest EC statement suggests that a final EU approval may come at a later time. Korean Air has so far won approval from 12 countries and regions, and is waiting for final approval from the EU and the United States. A spokesperson at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) responsible for reviewing antitrust matters in America, meanwhile, said Tuesday the department "will decline to comment" when asked by Yonhap of the department's review into the merger deal. The DOJ had reportedly considered opening a lawsuit to block the deal over competition issues in the U.S. market. To address monopoly concerns regarding U.S. routes, Korean Air has taken proactive measures, such as expanding its code-sharing partnership with Air Premia for North American routes. "Korean Air will continue to communicate closely with the relevant authorities to secure approval from the remaining regulatory bodies, including the DOJ," a Korean Air spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency last week. In November 2020, Korean Air signed the deal to acquire a controlling stake in Asiana to create the world's 10th-biggest airline by fleet. The nation's two full-service carriers account for a combined 40 percent of passenger and cargo slots at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. (Yonhap) By Lee Min-hyung Nexen Tire is advised to seek a breakthrough under the incoming Donald Trump administration, as his pledge to impose higher tariffs on imports is feared to deal a severe blow to the tire company, industry officials said Thursday. Nexen is one of Koreas top three tire manufacturers along with Hankook Tire and Kumho Tire, but unlike its rivals, Nexen does not operate any production lines in the United States. This makes Nexen Tire exposed to higher risks of losing price competitiveness in the worlds largest economy if tariffs are imposed. Hankook Tire runs a factory in Tennessee, while Kumho Tire also operates a manufacturing facility in Georgia. But this is not the case for Nexen Tire, which manufactures its tires in Korea and Europe for export to the U.S. Given that the U.S. is a major export market for Nexen Tire, the company is feared to face disadvantages if Trump enacts his idea of a universal baseline tariff of at least 10 percent. According to data from the tire firm, it chalked up almost a quarter of its sales in North America. Sales from the region totaled 542.7 billion won ($388 million) in the first three quarters of the year, accounting for 25.2 percent of its total sales during the same period. If tire companies face higher tariffs, they may have to increase their sales price to maintain their profitability, but this would diminish their price competitiveness there, an official from the automotive industry said. Last year, the company unveiled its plan to build a manufacturing facility in the U.S., but the plan has since been stalled. In an updated regulatory filing released in June, the company revised the plan, saying that candidates for the upcoming factory site had been expanded beyond the U.S. to include other global locations. Executives of Samsung, LG, SK, Hyundai Motor call for drastic deregulation By Lee Min-hyung Top executives of Korea's major conglomerates issued an urgent joint statement, Thursday, protesting a controversial revision plan to the Commercial Act, arguing that the amendment, intended to be more favorable to shareholders, will undermine corporate growth momentum. Such a statement, involving major companies and a business lobby group, is extremely rare. The most recent one was issued in July 2015, when the nation faced multiple challenges, including the MERS epidemic. The revision to the Commercial Act, led by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), is aimed at holding board of directors more responsible for protecting the rights of shareholders. Under the current act, they are obliged to perform their duties only for their companies, but the envisaged version expands this obligation to include shareholders. Companies are concerned that the revision will lead to frequent lawsuits by speculative funds and shareholders based overseas, according to the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and the business executives. The revision will make it more difficult for any corporate board of directors to carry out their duties effectively, while also preventing companies from identifying their next growth engines, FKI Vice Chairman Kim Chang-beom said during a press conference after issuing the joint statement with 16 top executives of major companies. The major business executives included Samsung Electronics President Park Seung-hee and SK Supex Council President Lee Hyung-hee. Top executives of Hyundai Motor, LG, Lotte and Hanwha also took part in the event. The revision is also feared to weaken the overall competitiveness of most Korean companies and undermine the value of the nations stock market, Kim said. The FKI and business leaders, for their part, vowed to improve communication with shareholders in order to make the Korean stock market more attractive. The senior executives of major companies also pledged to provide technological support to small- and medium-sized enterprises, aiming to boost the nation's export competitiveness and stimulate domestic demand. The remarks came amid growing economic uncertainties in the country. Korea's GDP growth for 2023 was only 1.4 percent and the forecast for this year is expected to remain in the low 2-percent range, according to data from the Bank of Korea. This has also slowed down corporate growth momentum in Korea, prompting more investors to favor the U.S. stock market over Korea's, according to the business leaders. To make matters worse, corporate debt is rising rapidly and the won-dollar exchange rate remains high, hovering at around 1,400 won per dollar. The business leaders also called on the government to implement "drastic deregulation" to revitalize the economy. The government should carry out bold regulatory reforms to rev up the economy, and spare no efforts to support key cutting-edge tech areas, such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, secondary batteries and mobility, they said in the joint statement. They also pledged to play a pivotal part in boosting economic growth and enhancing the nations export competitiveness. We will focus on creating more jobs and finding new revenue areas without being swayed by any internal or external risk factors, and reignite the growth engine of the Korean economy by pioneering new markets and achieving more technological innovation, they said. Executives of other major conglomerates, such as HD Hyundai, GS, CJ and Doosan, also took part in the statement. LG Group announces regular executive reshuffle By Nam Hyun-woo LG Group companies reshuffled their executives, Thursday, promoting 121 individuals to place greater emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI), bio, and clean tech. As part of the changes, telecom unit LG Uplus replaced its CEO to accelerate its transition into an AI service provider. According to LG Uplus, its board appointed Hong Bum-shik, head of corporate strategy at the companys holding firm LG Corp., as the new CEO of the telecom company. He will replace Hwang Hyeon-sik, who has been serving the role since March 2021. Hong is a Columbia University graduate and established his career as an IT strategist, serving as the head of the Korea branch of U.S. consulting firm Bain & Company and vice president of SK Telecom before he joined LG Group in 2019. Hong is one of the LG Group chairmans handpicked recruits in his first year as the leader of Koreas fourth-largest conglomerate. LG Uplus said the new CEO will capitalize on his insight and extensive experience within the IT industry to assist the companys ongoing efforts to transform into a leading AI service provider. At LG CNS, CEO and Vice President Hyun Shin-gyoon was promoted to president in recognition of his contributions to the companys digital transformation (DX) efforts, particularly in the areas of AI and cloud technologies. After being appointed as CEO in 2022, Hyun earned his credits in enhancing the companys global competitiveness as a specialized DX company. He joined LG CNS in 2017 and has been serving in the role of chief technology officer. From 2010 to 2017, he was the head of the business innovation group at LG Display. At LG Electronics, senior vice president Kim Young-rak, the companys Korea marketing head was promoted as president. Unlike initial expectations, LG Electronics CEO and President Cho Joo-wan was not promoted as vice chairman in Thursdays reshuffle. Among those promoted as executives in the latest reshuffle, 23 percent, or 28 people, are specialized in either AI, bio or clean tech, as part of the groups strategy to secure future capabilities and lay the foundations for sustainable growth. Particularly, the group named three AI specialists born in the 1980s as new vice presidents, citing their expertise and professional skills. The group said the number of promoted executives in this years regular reshuffle declined to 121 from last years 139, and the number of those who newly became executives also fell to 86 from 99 during the same period. To cope with the fast-changing global market environment and growing uncertainties in the business landscape, the group has retained most of its experienced executives in their positions, LG Group said. By streamlining the organization and reducing the scale of promotions, the group aims to enhance decision-making speed and respond swiftly to external changes. Ukraine has fired U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for the first time, British media reported 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 unidentified Western official. The Times said government sources had confirmed the use of the long-range missiles for the first time. The Guardian said Britain had given Ukraine permission to use the missiles in Russia in response to Moscow's deployment of North Korean troops on the border. Russian pro-Kremlin military bloggers wrote that around a dozen Storm Shadow missiles were fired on a target in the Kursk border region, which is partially held by Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian media posted aerial video footage from a drone showing a series of explosions at what appears to be a country estate, naming the location as Maryino, where the presidential administration has a sanatorium. Ukrainian media reported the strikes could have targeted an underground military command centre. Neither Moscow nor Kyiv have officially confirmed the missile attack or the use of Storm Shadows. The reported attack came after Washington this week said it had cleared Ukraine to use its ATACMS against military targets inside Russia a long-standing Ukrainian request. Russia said Tuesday that the missiles had been used to target a military facility in the Bryansk border region. The reported strikes came as Moscow looks to retaliate against Ukraine for firing U.S.-supplied long-range missiles on Russian territory for the first time and with the Kremlin accusing outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden of dragging out the war. Russia has ramped up deadly missile strikes in recent days, targeting residential areas and Ukraine's energy grid. Air alerts blare out across the country daily. The United States said Wednesday morning that it was shutting its Kyiv office to the public after having received "specific information of a potential significant air attack". Canada, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Spain all NATO members followed suit. The U.S. Embassy said Wednesday evening that it would reopen Thursday, after having "temporarily modified operations" due to a warning of a "potential imminent air attack". Strikes a 'daily reality' Ukrainian officials criticised the rare move and called on its allies not to spread yet more fear among Ukrainian society. "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," Ukraine's foreign ministry posted on social media. Air alert sirens sounded in Kyiv on Wednesday and authorities said falling debris from an intercepted drone attack in the morning caused minor damage. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address that the "panic messages that were reposted" on social media "only helps Russia." Nerves are already frayed in Kyiv after almost three years of war, and Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election has injected fresh uncertainty. The Republican has repeatedly criticised U.S. support for Ukraine and claimed he could broker a ceasefire within hours comments that have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about Ukraine's ability to withstand the Russian attacks without American support. Both Ukraine and Russia are jockeying for upper hand on the battlefield before Trump 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 U.S. administration, they are fully committed to continuing the war in Ukraine and are doing everything they can to do so," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Peskov was responding to the U.S. saying it would soon provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines. This decision has prompted criticism from charities over the long-term risk to civilians, but Zelenskyy said in his evening address that landmines were "very important... to stop Russian assaults". U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday that Russian forces "lead with dismounted forces" rather than tanks, and landmines "can help slow down that effort". 'Big mistake' World leaders have taken note of the stepped-up American support for Kyiv. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a NATO ally of the U.S., said Wednesday that 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," Erdogan, 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 village 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 Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite increased speculation of possible talks to end the conflict, there is no sign of Zelenskyy or Russian President Vladimir Putin being anywhere close to converging on a possible deal. (AFP) U.S. chip making behemoth Nvidia said Wednesday it made a $19 billion profit on record high revenue last quarter as demand continued for its hardware to power artificial intelligence. Nvidia reported quarterly sales of $35.1 billion, some $2 billion more than market expectations. "The age of AI is in full steam, propelling a global shift to Nvidia computing," said founder and chief executive Jensen Huang. "AI is transforming every industry, company and country." Huang said that Nvidia's keenly anticipated Blackwell processing platform is in full production and the company is seeing "incredible demand" for the new offering along with current-generation Hopper processors. "Enterprises are adopting agentic AI to revolutionize workflows," Huang said. "Industrial robotics investments are surging with breakthroughs in physical AI, and countries have awakened to the importance of developing their national AI and infrastructure." Nvidia surpassed Apple early this month to become the highest valued company in the world as the artificial intelligence boom continues to excite Wall Street. Following its quarterly report, Nvidia's share price ebbed nearly two percent in after-hours trading to $143.24. Investors may have been concerned about the company stating that its margin, the amount of money it makes off processors, is expected to narrow. "Despite Nvidia's technological leadership through CUDA and its first-mover advantage in AI infrastructure, there's little room for execution missteps in 2025," said Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne. "Particularly given uncertainties around Blackwell's rollout and increasing competition from both AMD and key customers' in-house chip development efforts." The market is also likely weighing geopolitical factors, such as the potential for trade turbulence with China after Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. Nvidia relies on TSMC in Taiwan for its coveted graphics processing units. The world's biggest tech companies have invested tens of billions of dollars into Nvidia's powerful AI chips and software to get their ChatGPT-style AI models up and running. Microsoft, Google, Meta, Tesla and Amazon all depend on Nvidia technology to train generative AI models and execute the heavy computing workloads needed to deploy the new technology. Ahead of the latest earnings, Nvidia's share price had nearly tripled year-to-date and has accounted for a third of the broad-based S&P 500 index's gains this year. (AFP) 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. 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. 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. 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 millimeter and 105 millimeter artillery rounds, Javelin anti-armor munitions, and other equipment and spare parts. 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. 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. 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. 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. (AP) Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile during an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, Kyiv's air force said, in what would be the first use in war of a weapon designed to deliver long-distance nuclear strikes. The launch, if confirmed, highlights rapidly rising tensions in the 33-month-old war after Ukraine fired U.S. and British missiles at targets inside Russia this week despite warnings by Moscow that it would see such action as a major escalation. Security experts said it would be the first military use of an intercontinental ballistic missile. ICBMs are strategic weapons designed to deliver nuclear warheads and are an important part of Russia's nuclear deterrent. "Today there was a new Russian missile. All the characteristics speed, altitude are (of an) intercontinental ballistic (missile). An expert (investigation) is currently underway," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video statement. The Ukrainian air force said the missile was fried from the Russian region of Astrakhan, more than 700 km (435 miles) from Dnipro in central-eastern Ukraine. It did not specify what kind of warhead the missile had or what type of missile it was. There was no suggestion it was nuclear-armed. Asked about the Ukrainian air force statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters to contact the Russian military for comment. Ukrainska Pravda, a Kyiv-based media outlet, cited anonymous sources saying the missile was an RS-26 Rubezh, a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of 5,800 km, according to the Arms Control Association. The RS-26 was first successfully tested in 2012, and is estimated to be 12 metres (40 ft) long and weigh 36 tons, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). It said the RS-26 can carry an 800-kg (1,765-pound)nuclear warhead. The RS-26 is classified as an ICBM under a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia, but it can be seen as an intermediate-range ballistic missile when used with heavier payloads at ranges below 5,500 km, CSIS said. The Russian missile attack targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in the central-eastern city of Dnipro, the air force said. Ukraine's air force did not say what the ICBM targeted or whether it had caused any damage, but regional governor Serhiy Lysak said the missile attack damaged an industrial enterprise and set off fires in Dnipro. Two people were hurt. Russia also fired a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, six of which were shot down, the Ukrainian air force said. 'Totally unprecedented' The NATO military alliance did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. European Command said it had nothing on the reported use of an ICBM and referred questions to the U.S. Department of Defense. "If true this will be totally unprecedented and the first actual military use of ICBM. Not that it makes a lot of sense given their price and precision," Andrey Baklitskiy of the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research posted on X. German security expert Ulrich Kuehn posted: "It looks as if Russia has today used an intercontinental ballistic missile in a war for the first time in history, against the civilian target Dnipro." Some military experts said the ICBM launch, if confirmed, could be seen as an act of deterrence by Moscow following Kyiv's strikes into Russia with Western weapons this week. "An ICBM launch can certainly be seen as a threatening gesture, potentially in response to the lifting of restrictions on ATACMS and Storm Shadow. Its a means of deterrence," said a European military source. Russian war correspondents on Telegram and an official speaking on condition of anonymity said Kyiv fired British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia's Kursk region bordering Ukraine on Wednesday. Russia's defence ministry, in its daily report of events over the previous 24 hours on Thursday, said air defences had shot down two British Storm Shadow cruise missiles but did not say where. Ukraine also fired U.S. ATACMS missiles into Russia on Tuesday after U.S. President Joe Biden gave the all-clear to use such missiles, two months before he leaves office and Donald Trump returns to the White House. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks. Trump has said he will end the war, without saying how, and criticised billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine under Biden. The warring sides believe Trump is likely to push for peace talks - not known to have been held since the war's earliest months - and are trying to attain strong positions before negotiations. Moscow has said the use of Western weapons to strike Russian territory far from the border would be a major escalation in the conflict. Kyiv says it needs the capability to defend itself by hitting Russian rear bases used to support Moscow's February 2022 invasion. (Reuters) Countries of the world took turns rejecting a new but vague draft text released early Thursday which attempts to form the spine of any deal reached at United Nations climate talks on money for developing countries to transition to clean energy and adapt to climate change. The draft left out a crucial sticking point: how much wealthy nations will pay poor countries. A key option for the lowest amount donors are willing to pay was just a placeholder X. Part of that is because rich nations have yet to make an offer in negotiations. So the host Azerbaijan presidency with its dawn-released package of proposals did manage to unite a fractured world on climate change, but it was only in their unease and outright distaste for the plan. Negotiators at the talks known as COP29 in Baku, are trying to close the gap between the $1.3 trillion the developing world says is needed in climate finance and the few hundred billion that negotiators say richer nations have been prepared to give. Independent experts say that at least $1 trillion is needed in finance to help transition away from planet-warming fossil fuels and toward clean energy like solar and wind, better adapt to the effects of climate change and pay for losses and damages caused by extreme weather. Colombia's environment minister Susana Mohamed said without a figure offered by developed nations, we are negotiating on nothing. Panama's Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez called the lack of commitment transparency feels like a slap in the face to the most vulnerable." "It is just utter disrespect to those countries that are bearing the brunt of this crisis, he said. Developed countries must stop playing games with our life and put a serious quantified financial proposal on the table. Gomez listed places where negotiators worked on the issue: South Africa, Germany, the Philippines, Egypt, Austria, Switzerland, Dubai, Colombia and a few times here in Baku, asking For Gods sakes, whats the next stop? Mars? Do we need to go to outer space to get a quantitative number from our developed countries to be able to start negotiating here? Esa Ainuu, from the small Pacific island of Niue also blasted the lack of a number in the draft deal. For us in the Pacific, this is critical for us, Ainuu said. We cant escape to the desert. We cant escape somewhere else. This is reality for us. If finance is not bringing any positive, (then) whyre we coming to COP? Mohamed Adow, director of the think tank Power Shift Africa, also expressed disappointment at the lack of a figure. We need a cheque but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper, he said. Iskander Erzini Vernoit, director of Moroccan climate think-tank Imal Initiative for Climate and Development, said he was at a loss for words at how disappointed we are at this stage to have come this far without serious numbers on the table and serious engagement from the developed countries. Even United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, I dont think you can go on and on and on without clarifying the key aspects of the negotiation. Lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev emphasized how balanced the plan was, but all sides kept saying it was anything but balanced and pointed time was running out. We would like to correct the balance. It is completely tilted, Pakistan delegate Romina Khurshid Alam said. The European Unions climate envoy Wopke Hoekstra called the draft imbalanced, unworkable, and not acceptable. In a statement, the COP29 Presidency stressed that the drafts are not final. The COP29 Presidencys door is always open, and we welcome any bridging proposals that the parties wish to present, the Presidency said in a statement. It added that possible numbers for a finance goal will be released in the next iteration of the draft. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev convened the Qurultay a traditional Azerbaijani meeting where negotiators spoke to hear all sides and hammer out a compromise. He said that after hearing all views, we will outline a way forward regarding future iterations. Other areas that are being negotiated include commitments to slash planet-warming fossil fuels and how to adapt to climate change. But theyve seen little movement. European nations and the United States criticized the package of proposals for not being strong enough in reiterating last years call for a transition away from fossil fuels. The current text offers no progress on efforts to cut the worlds emissions of heat-trapping gases, said Germany delegation chief Jennifer Morgan. This cannot and must not be our response to the suffering of millions of people around the world. We must do better. U.S. climate envoy John Podesta said he was surprised that there is nothing that carries forward the ... outcomes that we agreed on last year in Dubai. The United States, the worlds biggest historic emitter of greenhouse gases, has played little role in the talks as it braces for another presidency under Donald Trump. Days earlier, the 20 richest nations met in Brazil and didn't mention the call for transitioning away from fossil fuels. Guterres, who was at that meeting, said official language is one thing, but reality is another. There will be no way the world can limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius "if there is not a phase of fossil fuels, Guterres said at a Thursday news conference. Also on Thursday, the EU, Mexico, Norway and several other countries announced they would release plans to rapidly cut emissions over the next decade to meet the landmark Paris agreements goal of restraining global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times, although they did not detail how those cuts would happen. Under the agreement, countries need to detail their voluntary plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by early next year. There is a real risk of falling short, said Tore Sandvik, Norways minister of climate and environment. We must reinforce the message that the Paris agreement is functioning as intended. (AP) The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israels offensive in the Palestinian territory. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khans request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. U.S. President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israels right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request. The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, the three-judge panel wrote in its unanimous decision to issue warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant. The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Mohammed Deif, one of the leaders of Hamas. The ICC chief prosecutor had also sought warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, but they were both killed in the conflict. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICC's jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants. No other democracy with an independent and respected legal system like that which exists in Israel has been treated in this prejudicial manner by the Prosecutor, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote on X. He said Israel remained steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and justice and would continue to protect its citizens against militancy. The ICC is a court of last resort that only prosecutes cases when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate. Israel is not a member state of the court. The country has struggled to investigate itself in the past, rights groups say. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague any time soon. The court itself has no police to enforce warrants, instead relying on cooperation from its member states. Even so, the threat of arrest could make it difficult for Netanyahu and Gallant to travel abroad, although Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently showed he could still visit an ally when he traveled to Mongolia, one of the courts member states, and was not arrested. Khan sought warrants in May, accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of crimes including murder, intentionally attacking civilians, and persecution. In a statement at the time, Khan alleged that Israel has intentionally and systematically deprived the civilian population in all parts of Gaza of objects indispensable to human survival by closing border crossings into the territory and restricting essential supplies including food and medicine. At the same time, he accused three Hamas leaders Sinwar, Deif and Haniyeh of crimes linked to the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and abducting another 250. The three leaders are accused of crimes including murder, extermination, taking hostages, rape and torture. The Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Deif, born in 1965, the highest commander of the military wing of Hamas (known as the al-Qassam Brigades) at the time of the alleged conduct, is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture,; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other forms of sexual violence, a statement says. Prosecutors withdrew their request for a warrant for Haniyeh, who was assassinated in what was believed to be an Israeli strike in Iran in July. Israel also claims to have killed Deif, but Hamas hasnt confirmed his death. Sinwar, who was promoted to succeed Haniyeh as Hamas leader, was killed in a chance front-line encounter with Israeli troops in October. Human rights groups have applauded the decision, which came more than six months after Khan made his initial request. The ICC arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law," the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. Israels opposition leaders fiercely criticized the ICCs move. Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, condemned the decision, saying it showed moral blindness and was a shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. Yair Lapid, another opposition leader, called it a prize for terror. (AP) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Mary Lou McDonald has accused Fine Gael of telling bare-faced lies about Sinn Feins proposals for government. The Sinn Fein leader asked whether it was a mark of desperation that Fine Gael was trying to accuse the party of being irresponsible with public funds. The Dublin Central candidate made the comments at Dublin City University, while speaking to young people, while Taoiseach Simon Harris canvassed in Malahide and Skerries. Mr Harris said that Sinn Fein will commit to whatever anyone wants them to commit to, to try and get a few votes, before polling day on November 29th. Speaking in Skerries, he said that the main opposition party opposed carbon tax hikes but would not abolish them either, and that his party would help people with the cost of living in other ways. Taoiseach Simon Harris canvassing near Malahide Castle, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Aontu launched its manifesto in Dublin and Labour launched its disability policy in Maynooth, while Tanaiste Micheal Martin canvassed in Carlow-Kilkenny. Asked about an advert by Fine Gael on Wednesday, in which a mobile video screen broadcasts a party campaign video depicting Sinn Fein smashing a piggy bank, Ms McDonald called it a bare-faced lie. Either that or they didnt actually bother to read our proposals, she said. What is absolutely clear is that we have provided for very substantial and very necessary investment in the here and now in infrastructure and in services, but then we will also run surpluses over the five years of government term and in fact we will be putting money into the piggy bank. We will be setting money aside, so they were entirely wrong and they were being deliberately disingenuous. I dont know whats going on in their campaign, maybe its a mark of desperation that they are resorting to openly and brazenly telling lies. While canvassing in Dublin, voters raised issues with Mr Harris including school places for people with special educational needs, housing, student financing and infrastructure. Mr Harris denied that he was keeping the Green Party at arms length while campaigning. Taoiseach Simon Harris canvassed in Malahide and Skerries. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast earlier on Thursday, Mr Harris said there has been an undertone of sexism in relation to criticism of Helen McEntee. The Fine Gael leader defended his partys deputy leader after criticism of her tenure in the Justice Department, where she pushed forward legislation on crimes aggravated by hate and established an agency to tackle domestic violence. I think some of the comments have been, you know, a bit inappropriate, quite frankly, he told Newstalk Breakfast. When asked whether this included comments from Fianna Fail, Mr Harris said: Im not getting into this reopening tit-for-tat stuff, but I do think people need to check some of the language they had used in recent days in relation to some of the criticisms. Asked whether he thought they were sexist, he said: I think theres an undertone there at times and I think its not just confined to Minister McEntee, but also to many women in politics, and I think we need to be aware of that and I think we need to call that out. If you look at things like the issues that shes highlighted, domestic, sexual, gender-based violence, name me a justice minister ever in the history of the state that has placed a greater focus on that issue. When you look at things like migration and the changes in policies that weve brought about in relation to faster processing times, deportations, making sure we have a fair, firm system, her record speaks for itself, and Im very proud of the work she does. He said comment pieces in the Irish Times and the Irish Independent about Fianna Fails criticism of Ms McEntee made very fair points. The pieces referenced criticism of Ms McEntee for focusing on airy-fairy and woke issues in the Justice Department. Fianna Fail figures have also said publicly in recent days that after 14 years of four Fine Gael justice ministers, it is time for a new energy in the department. The Taoiseach also defended a reported dinner that Fine Gaels Paschal Donohoe had with Ryanair boss Michael OLeary in 2022. Ms McDonald said of the incident: I am struck in recent days that Fine Gael have taken to brazenly telling lies or mistruths, not least about our policy platform. I think a bit of transparency and a bit of straightforwardness from them now wouldnt go astray. Helen McEntee has faced criticism for her record as Justice Minister. Photo: PA. He also said he was overly pedantic about comments he made in the 10-way leaders debate on RTE that he did not sign the National Childrens Hospital contract. I think I was unnecessarily pedantic and semantic, Mr Harris said. I mean, the buck stops with me in relation to the National Childrens Hospital. The point I was trying to make is this, theres sometimes comments that are a little flippant, like one person signed off on the contract. The point Im making is these things go through a very deliberate process. Candidates across 43 constituencies continue to canvass as they approach the third and final week of the election campaign. Housing and the cost of living appear to be dominant issues for voters, as parties criticise each others policies and spending plans. Olivia Kelleher Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman has said a 10 billion capital investment in public transport is central to his party's manifesto. In an interview on RTE's Morning Ireland, Mr OGorman said the Green Party was the key driver of the success of the government over the past five years. We have been able to implement key policies so we have been able to cut the cost of public transport for everybody and add new bus routes. But we have to go further and that is why central to our manifesto is that commitment for 10 billion investments in public transport so we can roll out those big projects like Dart+, like Metrolink, like metropolitan rail, and continue the rollout of Local Link services in rural Ireland as well. Meanwhile, Mr OGorman refuted suggestions that the default position of the Green Party was always to threaten to walk if they dont get their way. He said that the opposite was the case with the Green Party being part of a four-and-a-half year stable government. I think for a small party to be able to come of four-and-a-half years with that strong track record of delivering the things that we got written in to the programme for government is really important. And that shows what sort of coalition partner we are. It comes after the Green Party said the coalition almost fell during negotiations with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael over the establishment of a multibillion euro climate and nature investment fund in 2023. The 3.15 billion State investment fund will be put into infrastructure, climate and nature projects until 2030, sourced from windfall corporation tax profits. Green Minister of State Ossian Smyth said the Government nearly collapsed over Fianna Fails position on establishing the fund, which was eventually agreed as the Infrastructure Climate and Nature Fund. The alleged row occurred when the Greens were led by Eamon Ryan but his predecessor Mr OGorman claimed last week that it had been made clear that the fund was a red line for the party. He said the negotiations were a tense and very difficult time. Mr Smyth also said he was prepared to walk out of Government at a later stage over the threat of repeated delays to the land hoarding tax which the Greens see as an essential measure to combat the housing crisis. 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. Amity University Rajasthan, a NAAC A+ Accredited University, ranked #278 in the QS Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia 2025 and featured in the band of 851-900 in the Asian University Rankings. PRNewswire Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], November 21: Amity University Rajasthan celebrates its accomplishment of being ranked #278 in the prestigious QS Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia 2025 and being featured in the band of 851-900 in the Asian University Rankings. This outstanding achievement demonstrates Amity University Rajasthan's ongoing dedication to providing exceptional academics and fostering important research collaborations. Also Read | Sahiba Beauty Radhikka Madans Instagram is a Treasure Trove for Fashion Enthusiasts (View Pics). The QS Asia University Rankings, a worldwide recognized benchmark for evaluating higher education institutions, assesses universities across several criteria. Established in 2004, the QS World University Rankings portfolio has become the leading source of comparative data on university excellence and performance. Speaking about the recognition, Prof. (Dr.) Amit Jain, Vice-Chancellor, Amity University Rajasthan, said, "We are pleased to have been recognized in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025: Southern Asia. This success illustrates our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality education and facilitating significant research collaborations. Amity University Rajasthan stays devoted to academic excellence and making significant contributions in the space of research, education and innovation." Also Read | Tamil Nadu Weather Update: Heavy Rain Likely in TN, Orange Alert Issued for November 26. The university recently secured a spot in the 1001-1200 rank band Overall (World) in the Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings 2025. Despite stiff competition, the university attained the 46th rank Overall (India) and the 287th rank in the Quality Research (World) categories, demonstrating its commitment to providing top-notch education. Amity University Rajasthan provides students with a plethora of opportunities, enabling them to learn from industry experts and combine theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. With its numerous foreign partners and research collaborations, the university steams ahead, making waves in national and international domains. About QS World University Rankings The QS World University Rankings portfolio, established in 2004, stands as the world's foremost source of comparative data on university performance. Widely trusted in the educational landscape, it evaluates institutions across a multitude of parameters including Research & Discovery, Learning Experience, Global Engagement and Employability. About Amity University Rajasthan Amity University Rajasthan is a NAAC A+ accredited clean green 150-acre picturesque campus, situated amidst the oldest mountain ranges of the Aravali, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. courses across various disciplines. The university is a hi-tech institution with air-conditioned amphitheatre-style classrooms. The University offers students hi-tech labs for languages, media studies, education, pharmacy, biotechnology, engineering, hotel management, business management, and scientific research with modern facilities for various research ventures. The university nurtures student talent in a way that complements their academic pursuits. The university has a well-connected and established alumni network, with Amitians being placed in premier national and international companies such as Thomson Reuters, Wipro technologies and the Trident Group. The university has been awarded by ASSOCHAM for 'Best University Campus' and has been featured among the top universities in the world in THE IMPACT Rankings 2023 under sustainable development goals (clean water and sanitation (201-300), affordable and clean energy (401-600) and climate action (401-600)). Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563685/Amity_University_Rajasthan_Campus.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2529600/5041202/Amity_Uni_Rajasthan_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) (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 21 (ANI): Political parties responded with mixed reactions to exit poll predictions for the upcoming state elections, with some embracing the forecasts as a sign of victory, and others dismissing them and calling them speculative and inaccurate. Exit poll predictions for the state assembly elections sparked varied reactions across political parties. While some parties celebrated favourable forecasts, others questioned their accuracy, labelling them premature and unreflective of ground realities. Also Read | Bageshwar Dhams Dhirendra Shastri Calls for Vande Mataram in Temples and Mosques to Identify Patriots and Anti-Nationals, Proposes New Identity for Adivasis. After the release of exit polls for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections, NDA leaders expressed confidence in their alliance securing victories in both states. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh dismissed doubts, claiming the NDA will form governments. BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo also predicted a historic majority in Jharkhand, while opposition leaders like Dr Ajoy Kumar and Dr Nitin Raut contested the predictions, alleging discrepancies in surveys and electoral malpractice. Also Read | Delhi Pollution: Air Quality Improves From 'Severe' to 'Very Poor', Citizens Complain of Deteriorating Health (Watch Videos). After the exit polls were released for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh exuded confidence in the alliance victory and said that the NDA will form the government in both the states. Speaking to ANI, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said, "We know this since earlier, we know that in both states NDA is going to form the government. The Congress was not ready to accept the Haryana (result) as well in the Lok Sabha polls, they thought they were going to form the government there, but what happened?" Likewise, BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo also expressed confidence in the NDA alliance and said that the BJP is going to be the strongest government in the history of Jharkhand. "We differ from the exit polls. We are going to cross 50-55 seats. It is going to be the strongest government in the history of Jharkhand. People were fed up with this government. There were allegations of corruption. The CM went to jail for five months. The mandate is in favour this will prove to be true on the 23rd of November when the counting begins," Deo told ANI. Meanwhile, Congress candidate from Jamshedpur East, Dr Ajoy Kumar also responded to the exit polls and said, "We have to wait till November 23. Different reports (Exit Polls) have come from different places. Exit Polls do show a trend but for the past few elections, it has been facing difficulties. We are awaiting the result day. But we are fully confident that JMM-Congress government will be formed in Jharkhand because parties and candidates also conduct their surveys." Another Congress candidate from Nagpur North, Dr Nitin Raut also reacted to the exit poll predictions and said, "Many a time in Exit Polls if someone has actually voted for Congress, they feel that why should they reveal that they voted for Congress. So, in the Exit Polls, they say that they have voted for the BJP." "As per the feedback coming to me, Maha Vikas Aghadi will take the lead. But Mahayuti also facilitated bogus voting and used all tactics. They also used the Home Department, Police force, money, and Electricity Board, and lights were turned off at several booths. So, with all this rigging, they want to win elections. This Mahayuti Government is a Government of rigging. They were formed by breaking other parties, this is not original. They have no originality. So, Exit Polls can show anything, the public's first choice will be Maha Vikas Aghadi," he alleged. JMM leader Manoj Pandey also joined in to give his reaction on the exit polls and said, "They (NDA) gave a slogan of '400 paar' in the Lok Sabha elections. The survey agencies competed among themselves, who would give more seats during the Lok Sabha elections, in such a situation, they are no longer credible. As per our internal survey, we are going to be 50+ in Jharkhand." The ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra and the NDA also has an edge to form government in Jharkhand, exit polls predicted on Wednesday as polling concluded in the two states. Most exit polls also predicted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would put up a strong show in polls but is unlikely to cross the majority mark in the 288-member assembly. According to the P-MARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance would win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi would get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats. Mahayuti includes BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Maharashtra polled 58.22 per cent votes till 5 pm on Wednesday. The elections saw a keen contest between Mahayuti and MVA. It was the first assembly poll in the state after splits in Shiv Sena and NCP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held several rallies in Maharashtra to boost prospects of BJP and Mahayuti candidates. He strongly attacked Congress in his rallies and emphasised the 'hum ek hain to safe hain' slogan. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also campaigned the state. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also campaigned extensively in the state. In Jharkhand, exit polls predicted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could come to power replacing the JMM-led alliance. While most exit polls said that the BJP-led alliance will have a shot at the government formation, some predicted that the ruling JMM-led alliance will be ahead. Elections were held in two phases for 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand. The BJP-led alliance includes 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 the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist). The election is largely a fight between the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Leaders of all parties held extensive campaigns in the state. PM Modi, Amit Shah, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and JMM chief and Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressed rallies in the state. 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) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, Nov 21 (PTI) Justice Pankaj Bhatia of the Lucknow bench of High Court on Thursday recused himself from the second bail plea filed by Moeed Ahmed, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and accused in Ayodhya gang rape case. Justice Bhatia ordered the case to be listed before a regular bench next week after receiving orders from the Chief Justice. Also Read | Manipur Unrest: Additional Central Force Arrive in Trouble-Torn State After Home Minister Amit Shah's Decision To Deploy 50 CAPF Units Following Emergency Meet in Delhi. Rejecting the previous bail petition, the court had said the accused is politically very powerful and there is a huge social and economic gap between him and the victim and her family. Along with this, during the investigation, the victim and her family were also pressured for reconciliation. Hence, there is a danger of the trial being affected if the accused comes out of jail. Also Read | Gurugram Water Cut: Water Supply To Remain Shut From 10 AM to 10 PM in Parts of City on November 22 Due To Repair Work, Check Details and List of Affected Areas. Along with this, the court had given the accused the liberty to file a fresh bail petition after the testimony of the victim and the complainant in the case. The trial court was also ordered to complete the testimony of the victim and the complainant by hearing the case on a day-to-day basis. It has been said in the new bail petition that the testimony of both of them has been completed. On this basis, the accused should now be released on bail, it has been said. On July 29, Ayodhya district's Purakalandar police had booked Khan and one Raju Khan for the alleged gang rape of a 12-year-old girl who lived around 500 metres from Khan's now-demolished bakery. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Prayagraj (UP), Nov 21 (PTI) About 500 decorative streetlights mounted on customised poles with depictions of deities would be installed at the Mahakumbh venue here, illuminating the fairground and offering a breathtaking nighttime spectacle to visitors, officials said on Thursday. The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) will install the 485 designer streetlights at a cost of Rs 8 crores, they said. Also Read | Gwalior Shocker: Woman Learns About Husbands Sexuality 4 Years After Marriage, Catches Him Red-Handed In Saree and Makeup As He Begs With Eunuchs in Market. These elegant poles and lights will greet devotees along every major route leading to the Sangam, offering a perfect blend of Indian culture and modernity while providing a divine experience, they added. "The department is undertaking large-scale initiatives to enhance the grandeur of Mahakumbh. Decorative lights and designer poles are integral to this effort, illuminating key routes such as Lal Sadak, Kali Sadak, Triveni Sadak, and the Parade area. Themed around Lord Shiva, Ganesha, and Vishnu, these lights aim to bring spiritual serenity and aesthetic charm to the devotees' experience," said Manoj Gupta, Superintending Engineer for Mahakumbh. Also Read | Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: AAP Declares 11 Candidates in First List, Know All About the Nominees. Executive Engineer Anoop Singh said that permanent poles are being installed this time, replacing temporary structures, to retain the area's beauty and allow future tourists to enjoy this grandeur even after the Mahakumbh. "Each pole is adorned with sacred urns and intricate depictions of deities, adding cultural vibrancy to the fairgrounds. The project is scheduled for completion by December 15, after which the illuminated fairgrounds will offer a breathtaking nighttime spectacle," he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Imphal, Nov 21 (PTI) The Manipur unit of the National People's Party (NPP) on Thursday instructed its members not to attend any meetings called by the Biren Singh government. An advisory signed by NPP state president N Kayisii emphasised that the party's national president had officially withdrawn support from the Singh government on November 17. Also Read | PM Modi on 2-Day Visit to Guyana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Joins Ram Bhajan Chant at Promenade Garden in Georgetown During Historic Visit (Watch Videos). "Consequently, all NPP members are required to comply with this decision," Kayisii said. The advisory also states that members must seek permission from either the state or national president before making any official statements or engaging with the media on the matter. Also Read | Manipur Violence: Mob Vandalises MLA's Residence; Steals Cash, Jewellery, Relief Items. The directive comes in the wake of three NPP MLAs attending an NDA meeting convened by Singh at the CM secretariat on November 18, which likely triggered the party's decision to issue the warning. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ladakh [India], November 21 (ANI): Union Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday reviewed the working of the power and housing departments of the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh at Leh. The Union minister is on a three-day visit to the UT, the ministry said in a release. As per the ministry release, during the meeting, Union Minister Khattar was given a detailed overview of the working of the concerned departments and was appraised of their achievements by concerned officials. The Minister expressed satisfaction at the working of the departments and assured of all possible help in overcoming shortcomings and difficulties being faced by the departments here owing to the tough terrain of the region. Also Read | Pakistan Shooting: Death Toll in Gun Attack on Shias in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rises to 42. Talking to the media after the meeting, the Union Minister said that Ladakh aims to achieve 100 per cent processing of waste material and a detailed report of the project was presented to him today. He added that the Ministry is keen to improve the working conditions of 'Safai Mitras' so that they do not face any occupational hazards while performing their duties. The Minister has instructed that under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0, the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for water supply and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) projects in the regions of Leh and Kargil should be finalized at the earliest. The timely preparation and approval of the DPRs will ensure the smooth implementation of these vital projects, which will contribute to the overall development and quality of life in both Leh and Kargil. Also Read | Agra Shocker: Man Gets Wife Raped, Films Act and Uses Video to Blackmail Her For INR 2 Lakh; Arrested. He said that the Ministry will ensure that no person remains homeless in Ladakh and said that a survey of all homeless people would be conducted in the UT so that they can avail benefits of PM Awas Yojana. He added that financial assistance has been provided to all street vendors under the PM Swanidhi scheme and all efforts will be made to ensure that no one is left out. He also said that Ladakh has a huge potential for the development of solar power owing to its huge area. He informed reporters that work is in progress for setting up a 13 GW solar power plant in the UT which will not only meet local requirements but also help solve energy needs of other parts of the country. Referring to challenges faced by the Power department during the winter season, the Minister said that additional demands of power from the UT are being met from the Government of India's excess quota to ensure that there is an uninterrupted supply of power during the harsh winter months. He added that all efforts will be made to address manpower issues of the Power department at the earliest. Talking about the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme of the UT, the Minister said that works to the tune of Rs 1,080 crore has already been awarded and the activities have started. Manohar Lal said that power supply and distribution lines up to Nubra Valley and Zanskar Valley will be set up expeditiously, which will prove to be of great help in meeting the energy requirements of the two regions. He added that all efforts are being made on war footing to remove the bottlenecks associated with the projects. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India] November 21 (ANI): US Consul General in Chennai, Chris Hodges, launched the Indo-Pacific curriculum (IPC) at Christ University (Deemed to be University) on Thursday, which will be available online free of charge and will provide a resource to explore and analyze the geopolitical, social, and environmental dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific Circle (IPC), Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), Christ University, and the Council for Strategic and Defense Research (CSDR) jointly developed the curriculum, which was funded by a grant from US Consulate General Chennai. Also Read | PM Modi on 2-Day Visit to Guyana: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Joins Ram Bhajan Chant at Promenade Garden in Georgetown During Historic Visit (Watch Videos). The curriculum is available free of charge on the IPC website. It offers college and university students, researchers, and the public a resource to explore and analyze the geopolitical, social, and environmental dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. Addressing the launch gathering, Consul General Hodges said, "The Indo-Pacific curriculum inspires participants to ask critical questions, promote inclusive engagement, and work toward a united future." Also Read | Manipur Violence: Mob Vandalises MLA's Residence; Steals Cash, Jewellery, Relief Items. The Indo-Pacific curriculum includes a series of online recorded lectures presented by 18 scholars from India and the Indo-Pacific region, covering topics such as Diversity of the Indo-Pacific, Trade, Geo-Economics, Demographics and Challenges, Climate Change and Maritime Security, and Migration, among others. Meanwhile, addressing the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus), Laos defence minister Rajnath Singh said that in the context of the promotion of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Shimla, Nov 21 (PTI) Sixteen drug peddlers linked to the infamous Shahi Mahatma gang in Himachal Pradesh have been arrested from multiple locations, police said on Thursday. The arrested accused included Yashwant Singh, Pradeep Chauhan, Lalit Thakur, Aman Negi, Brij Mohan, Ravesh, Vijender Rawat, Prashant Rathor, Sahil Thakur, Hitesh Thakur, Harsh Dhanta, Sarthak Sood, Kunal Shadru, Jatin Thakur and Shreyas Mehta, all residents of Rohru sub-division in Shimla district, officials said. Also Read | Sikkim State Lottery Result Today 6 PM Live, Dear Dancer Thursday Lottery Sambad Result of 21.11.2024, Watch Live Lucky Draw Winners List. The accused drug peddlers were working for Shahi Negi alias Shahi Mahatma, the kingpin of a drug racket operating mainly in the upper Shimla regions, including Rohru, Jubbal, Kotkhai and Chirgaon. Confirming the arrests, Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said the police nabbed the drug peddlers based on a probe of the money trail and technical inputs, which helped identify the members of the organised drug racket. Also Read | Latest Government Jobs Notifications: National Institute of Ayurveda Invites Applications for 31 Vaidya, Pharmacists and Other Posts, Apply Online at nia.nic.in. Shahi Mahatma, a former apple trader-turned-drug kingpin, was arrested in September after one of his associates was held with 468 gm of 'chitta' (adulterated heroin) from the Khadapathar area in Shimla district. Active in this field for the past three-four years, Mahatma had connections with drug dealers from Delhi, including Nigerian nationals, and Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Running his network in an organised manner, Mahatma used to add buyers to a WhatsApp group after verifying their PAN and Aadhaar cards. Apart from the Mahatma gang, the police have also busted the Radhe gang and Ranjan syndicate which were actively involved in drug trade in the district. According to the police, 62 drug peddlers associated with these three gangs have been arrested till now. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Palghar, November 21: A massive fire broke out at a factory near Tarapur, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in Palghar district on Thursday morning. Upon receiving information about the blaze, fire tenders rushed to the spot. Palghar Fire: Massive Blaze Breaks Out at Factory Near Tarapur MIDC in Maharashtra, Firefighters on Site (Watch Video). Massive Fire Breaks out at Factory Near Tarapur MIDC in Palghar #WATCH | Palghar, Maharashtra: A massive fire broke out at a factory near Tarapur MIDC today. Fire tenders are present at the spot. Efforts to douse the fire are underway. Further details awaited. pic.twitter.com/yr20MV92tE ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024 Currently, the fire officials are present at the spot and efforts to douse the fire are underway. Visuals from the site show huge plumes of smoke rising from the factory. No casualties or injuries have been reported from the incident as yet. The reason for the fire is yet to be ascertained. Further details awaited. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London, Nov 21 (PTI) Prominent British-Indian peer Lord Karan Bilimoria has been appointed chair of the influential International Chamber of Commerce United Kingdom (ICCUK) and welcomed the British government's relaunch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks as part of his new role. Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer, will take the reins at ICCUK in the new year when the India-UK FTA negotiations are expected to resume in the wake of a meeting between Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Brazil earlier this week. Also Read | PM Modi on India-Guyana Similarities: 'Democracy First, Humanity First Our Mantra', Says PM Narendra Modi in Guyana's Parliament (Watch Video). As a champion of closer India-UK trade ties, the businessman welcomed the renewed committed and concerted effort to the FTA and called on both governments to set a deadline for completion. There are huge benefits for both countries in goods, investments, and services. India is the fastest growing major economy in the world and Indian companies are already significant investors in the UK, said Bilimoria in a statement following the announcement of his new ICCUK role this week. Also Read | International Prostitution Ring Busted in Hong Kong: Japanese Porn Stars, Several Others Arrested; Were Charging USD 20,000 For Sex. An FTA will turbo-charge the special relationship between both countries and unleash significant untapped potential going forward. Both Prime Ministers should set a deadline, for example, June 30, 2025, by which to complete the deal, and the completion should be celebrated by the biggest prime ministerial-led delegations to both countries, he said. India's Commerce and Industry Ministry Piyush Goyal said both sides would resume the progress achieved previously and seek to bridge the gaps for expeditiously closing the trade deal. Business and industry chambers within the India-UK corridor have welcomed movement towards restarting the talks, which were stalled due to general elections in both countries earlier this year. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the world's largest business organisation representing 45 million companies with 1 billion employees in over 170 countries. The ICCUK is the chamber's representative voice in the UK. It provides a mechanism for the UK industry to engage effectively in shaping international policy, standards and rules. Bilimoria added: The ICC is uniquely positioned as a champion of pragmatic trade solutions, and I see significant opportunities to further strengthen our relationships with key global economies, as well as across government, including No 10 (Downing Street), ministers, and regulators. "As we look to 2025, I am keen to deepen our engagement on international trade priorities, including the G7 and G20, and contribute to the UK's international trade and industrial strategies. The new government's energy and focus on growth provide a unique opportunity for ICC to position itself as the leading voice for international business and trade. I look forward to working with our members, partners, and international networks to advance this mission and drive meaningful outcomes for UK businesses and the global economy." The House of Lords peer will succeed fellow businessman Paul Drechsler CBE. Over the past four years, we have worked to position ICC as a trusted voice on the international stage, driving trade policies that foster inclusivity, investment, and economic recovery. I am confident that under Karan's leadership, ICC will continue to strengthen its influence, and I look forward to remaining part of this important community, said Drechsler. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Fergus Falls (US), Nov 21 (AP) An Indian national who survived a treacherous trek across the US-Canada border in blizzard conditions has testified that he got separated from a family of four shortly before they froze to death. Yash Patel took the stand on Wednesday on the third day of the trial of Indian national Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, and Steve Shand, 50, of Florida. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Conferred With Guyana's Highest Civilian Honour, 'The Order of Excellence', Dedicates It to People of India (Watch Video). 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 in December 2021 and January 2022. 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. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Receive Guyana, Dominica's Top Awards for His Contributions During COVID-19 Pandemic, Says'This Is Recognition of 140 Crore People of India' (See Pics and Videos). Federal prosecutors say a 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 or Yash Patel. Yash Patel, 23, testified through an interpreter that he got separated from the Patel family and walked alone for five or six hours until he found a van waiting for him, The Canadian Press reported. Prosecutors say that van was driven by Steve Shand. Witnesses called by the prosecution 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. Windchills dropped into the minus 30s Fahrenheit that January morning and the rural area near the border offers little shelter from the brutal weather. It was snowing and it was very windy, Patel said on the witness stand. I was very scared. I wanted to have help from someone, but there was no one. Shand's attorneys have said their client and the migrants were duped by Harshkumar Patel and the smuggling network. Shand believed he was hired by Patel to do legal work as a taxi driver, they said, pointing out that human smuggling rings often outsource some of their work to unwitting participants. Patel's attorneys have argued that Shand's defence is antagonistic and prejudicial against his client. They have also said Patel came to America to escape poverty and build a better life for himself before being unjustly accused of crimes he didn't commit. Yash Patel said his journey to enter the US illegally began when he arrived in Toronto, Canada, in December 2021 and was sent to Vancouver, then back to Toronto, then to a house in Winnipeg, The Canadian Press reported. He and a group of other Indian nationals, including a couple and two children, were loaded into a van at the house and taken to the border. But the van got stuck, and the migrants were told to get out and walk in a straight line until they came across another vehicle, he added. At some point, he got separated from the group and braved the conditions alone. After hours of walking, he made it to a van that prosecutors said was driven by Shand. A US Border Patrol agent later spotted the van, pulled it over, identified Shand as the driver and arrested him along with Yash Patel and another passenger. Federal prosecutors say Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand tried to smuggle migrants across the border as part of a sprawling international smuggling ring. Rajinder Singh, a man who has already been convicted of human smuggling, was part of same smuggling ring as Patel and Shand, they have argued. Singh testified on Tuesday that he shuttled more than 500 Indian migrants across the US-Canada border over four years and made over USD 400,000 in the scheme. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, Nov 21 (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 Senate's usual standards for nominations. Also Read | 'Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam' Campaign in Guyana: PM Narendra Modi and Guyana's President Irfaan Ali Plant Saplings To Spread Afforestation Awareness (See Pics). 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. There are very real liabilities on the security side if you don't get this right, said Dan Meyer, a Washington lawyer at the Tully Rinckey law firm who specialises in background checks, security clearances and federal employment law. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: US, Italy, Spain, and Greece 'Temporarily' Close Embassies in Kyiv Amid Fear Over 'Air Attack'. 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. 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 January 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. Senate GOP leaders have said they would launch confirmation hearings as soon as the new Congress convenes on January 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. 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 that's why it's 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 defence secretary, was accused of sexual assault in 2017 after a speaking appearance at a Republican women's 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. Democrats are signalling their interest in rigorous exploration of potential problem areas. "If there's a cursory background check, like we call 20 people that's 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 US 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 party's ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee. 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. (AP (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Nov 21 (PTI) An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Thursday granted a five-day physical remand of former prime minister Imran Khan, who was arrested formally by police hours after his bail in a corruption case was accepted. Khan, 72, was arrested by Rawalpindi police in the New Town police station case on Wednesday night after securing bail in the second Toshakhana case and was produced before the Anti-Terrorism Court in Adiala Jail. Also Read | Adani Group Firms' Combined Mcap Plunges by Massive INR 2.19 Lakh Crore After Gautam Adani Charged in US for Alleged Bribery and Fraud. The police prosecution team sought a 15-day physical remand but the court granted the five-day physical remand and ordered to continue the investigation inside the jail. The court also rejected the PTI lawyer Salman Safdar's plea to discharge his client from the case. Also Read | Maryland Shocker: Female Teacher Has Sex With Minor Student in Car, School and Other Places; Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted Khan bail in the second Toshakhana case related to the purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewellery set at a throwaway price, igniting hopes of his release. However, hours later, Rawalpindi police arrested him late at night in connection with a case registered at New Town Police Station on terrorism and other charges. The police alleged that Khan, while imprisoned in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, had called for a protest in Rawalpindi on September 28. Dawn newspaper quoted a police spokesperson as saying that Khan had been detained in the case filed on September 28 and a team has been tasked to probe the charges. The charges include violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act, defying the government ban on public gatherings, obstructing police duty, damaging police vehicles and endangering public safety. Even before the formal arrest in the case, federal information minister Atta Tarar doused the idea of his release, saying Khan was wanted in eight cases related to May 9, 2023 violence and should secure bail before being set free from jail. Dawn reported that Khan needs to secure bail in nearly two dozen other cases registered across Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad before being released. According to Islamabad police, at least 62 cases were registered against Khan in various police stations of the capital, while his PTI party said that another 54 cases were registered in Punjab province. Meanwhile, an accountability court on Wednesday held a hearing on the GBP 190 million case at the Adiala Jail and was informed that Khan and Bushra Bibi have yet to submit responses to the questionnaires issued to them. The court granted Bibi's request for an exemption from court appearance on medical grounds and adjourned the hearing till November 22. Separately, the Lahore High Court dismissed a plea by Khan's sister, Noreen Niazi, seeking bail for her brother in all cases against him in Punjab and Islamabad. An assistant attorney general presented a report to the court, stating that 62 cases had been registered against Khan by the Islamabad police. After going through the report, Justice Farooq Haider turned down the request, observing that bail petitions must be filed personally by the suspect. Dozens of cases have been registered against Khan since losing power in April 2022. His party maintained that all cases were politically motivated. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kathmandu, Nov 21 (PTI) Nepal's President Rramchandra Paudel conferred the Honorary Rank of the General of Nepal Army to Indian Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi at a special ceremony at Rastrapati Bhawan, Sheetal Niwas, here on Thursday afternoon. Gen Dwivedi, who is leading a five-member delegation, arrived here on Wednesday for a five-day official visit at the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart Gen Ashok Sigdel. Also Read | PM Modi on India-Guyana Similarities: 'Democracy First, Humanity First Our Mantra', Says PM Narendra Modi in Guyana's Parliament (Watch Video). During the occasion, the president presented Gen. Dwivedi with a sword, insignia, and a certificate of conferment order. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli among other dignitaries was present at the special ceremony. Also Read | International Prostitution Ring Busted in Hong Kong: Japanese Porn Stars, Several Others Arrested; Were Charging USD 20,000 For Sex. There has been a tradition of conferring the title of Honorary General to each other's army chiefs as per the continued relations between the armies of India and Nepal since 1950, Nepal Army sources said. "This long-held tradition is emblematic of the close ties between the National Armies of Nepal and India," a Nepal Army statement said. Following the investiture ceremony, Gen. Dwivedi gave a courtesy call to Paudel. "Gen. Dwivedi on the same day had a meeting with his Nepalese counterpart Gen. Ashok Sigdel at Nepal Army Headquarters. They exchanged views on issues of mutual interests and discussed measures to further strengthen the existing bond of friendship and cooperation between the two armies. The historical significance and continuation of a long-standing tradition of conferring the rank of Honorary General to each other's army chiefs were also discussed during the occasion, the statement said. The Indian Embassy sources said the two discussed furthering military bilateral relations between Nepal and India. In a gesture of everlasting friendship between the two armies, Gen. Dwivedi also planted a Rudraksha sapling on the premises of Nepal Army headquarters in Kathmandu, the Indian Embassy said. Similarly, the President of the Indian Army Wives Welfare Association Sunita Dwivedi met the President of Nepali Army Wives Association (NAWA) Mrs. Nita Chhetri Sigdel at her office. The NAWA highlighted different welfare activities conducted by the association during the meeting. Earlier in the morning, Gen. Dwivedi paid homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the Martyr's Memorial in the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel. He also received the Guard of Honour at the Army Headquarters. During his visit, Gen Dwivedi is scheduled to visit Army Staff College in Shivapuri, located on the outskirts of Kathmandu. He also plans to have a mountain flight, officials said. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Imphal, November 21: Additional Central forces are starting to arrive in trouble-torn Manipur even as there have been no fresh incidents of violence in the northeastern state during the past four days, officials said on Thursday. A senior official of the Home Department said that the additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have started arriving in Manipur since Tuesday and they are being deployed in vulnerable, mixed-population, sensitive, and fringe areas of both hill and valley districts. Amid the escalating violence in Manipur, especially in the Jiribam district, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on November 18 decided to provide an additional 50 companies (around 5,000 personnel) of CAPF to Manipur to deal with the prevailing law and order situation, the official said. "Of the CAPF already arrived in Manipur, one company is of women personnel. The CAPF comprises the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), the BSF (Border Security Force) and other paramilitary forces," he said. Manipur Violence: All Educational Institutions in Imphal Valley To Remain Closed Till November 23 for Safety of Students, Teachers and Staff. The MHA decided to provide additional 50 companies of CAPF, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an urgent meeting reviewed the situation in Delhi in the violence-ridden state on November 17 and 18. Top MHA and security force officials were present in these meetings. The MHA last week provided another 20 companies of CAPF -- 15 of the CRPF and five of the BSF. "There have been no fresh incidents of violence in any of the districts in Manipur since Monday," the Home Department official said. Widespread violence took place in different districts of Manipur, especially in Imphal East, Imphal West and Jiribam after three women and three children belonging to the Meitei community had been abducted by militants from a relief camp in Borobekra Sub division in Jiribam district on November 11 and their bodies recovered on November 15 and 16. Manipur Violence: Defying Curfew Orders, Protesters Lock Front Doors of Several Government Offices in Imphal. According to police officials, the six people were kidnapped after an encounter between the CRPF and the suspected militants leading to the killing of 10 suspected Kuki-Zo militants in the Jiribam district on November 11. All Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal organisations, however, claimed that these 10 slain people were Village Volunteers. After the post-mortem in the Silchar Medical College, their bodies are now kept at a morgue in a Churachandpur hospital. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 21, 2024 10:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Donald Trump Signs Bill Funding Government for 6 Months, Ending Threat of Partial Government Shutdown Starbucks Ordered To Pay USD 50 Million to Michael Garcia As California Delivery Driver Suffers Severe Burns and Disfigurement After Hot Beverage Spills on Him in Los Angeles Monster Storm Across US Sparks Threat of Tornadoes, Fire, Killing at Least 16 Cicadas Return to US in 2025: Buzzing Cicadas From 'Brood XIV' Will Emerge Across America This Spring, Know Which States Will See the Noisy Insects A boy's family holiday took a shocking turn after he had sex with a 17-year-old girl he met while visiting in Dubai. 18-year-old Marcus Fakana from London and the girl met the woman during a family holiday in the UAE, and the two developed a close connection despite her keeping their relationship secret from her strict family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Guyanas highest civilian honour, 'The Order of Excellence', by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for his visionary statesmanship, championing the rights of developing countries on the global stage, exceptional service to the global community and for his commitment to strengthening India-Guyana relations. Maryland, November 21: Melissa Marie Curtis, a 32-year-old former teacher at Montgomery Village Middle School in Maryland, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, with all but 12 months suspended, for having sex with a 14-year-old student in 2015. Curtis, who was 22 at the time, repeatedly engaged in sex with the eighth-grader, with over 20 encounters taking place in her car, the school, and various residences, including her mothers home. Court documents revealed that Curtis also provided the minor with alcohol and marijuana, reported Fox 5 DC. The incidents occurred while the victim volunteered for an after-school program Curtis supervised. Police launched an investigation in October 2023 after the now-adult victim came forward. US: Math Teacher Pleads Guilty to Having Sex With 16-Year-Old Student in Missouri, Placed Under House Arrest Until Sentencing. An investigation found that the sexual assaultshappened over the course of several months, until eventually ending in April 2015. Curtis turned herself in on November 7, 2023, and was charged with multiple counts of third- and fourth-degree sexual offenses. Sex With Students in Missouri: Teacher Arrested For Offering Money, Drugs and Alcohol to Kids in Exchange for Sex. In June 2024, Curtis pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree offenses. Along with her one-year prison sentence, she was ordered to register as a sex offender for 25 years and will face strict restrictions, including no unsupervised contact with minors other than her own children. She was also sentenced to serve five years of probation. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 21, 2024 04:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Students in the Freedom High School Theatre Company are testing their spelling skills as they tackle this falls production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Its their second musical production this year. Thats not the norm, according to director Justin Amann. The theater company has a number of returning and new aspiring students looking to improve their vocal and choreography skills. When you have such talented students, its important for us to challenge them in the way they deserve, so this has been the perfect way to feature our students and grow our program. Amann said. Lehighvalleylive.com got a peek of the production during a dress rehearsal Wednesday night. Check out the gallery above from that rehearsal. Interested in seeing the show? Showtimes are: November 22, 23 at 7 p.m., November 24 at 1 p.m. All the shows are at Freedom High School, 3149 Chester Ave., Bethlehem Township. To purchase tickets online, go to bit.ly/FHSTCtickets. Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SaedHindash. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook. 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. Mary Lou McDonald has accused Fine Gael of telling bare-faced lies about Sinn Feins proposals for government. The Sinn Fein leader asked whether it was a mark of desperation that Fine Gael was trying to accuse the party of being irresponsible with public funds. The Dublin Central candidate made the comments at Dublin City University, while speaking to young people, while Taoiseach Simon Harris canvassed in Malahide and Skerries. Mr Harris said that Sinn Fein will commit to whatever anyone wants them to commit to, to try and get a few votes, before polling day on November 29. Speaking in Skerries, he said that the main opposition party opposed carbon tax hikes but would not abolish them either, and that his party would help people with the cost of living in other ways. Aontu launched its manifesto in Dublin and Labour launched its disability policy in Maynooth, while Tanaiste Micheal Martin canvassed in Carlow-Kilkenny. Asked about an advert by Fine Gael on Wednesday, in which a mobile video screen broadcasts a party campaign video depicting Sinn Fein smashing a piggy bank, Ms McDonald called it a bare-faced lie. Either that or they didnt actually bother to read our proposals, she said. What is absolutely clear is that we have provided for very substantial and very necessary investment in the here and now in infrastructure and in services, but then we will also run surpluses over the five years of government term and in fact we will be putting money into the piggy bank. We will be setting money aside, so they were entirely wrong and they were being deliberately disingenuous. I dont know whats going on in their campaign, maybe its a mark of desperation that they are resorting to openly and brazenly telling lies. While canvassing in Dublin, voters raised issues with Mr Harris including school places for people with special educational needs, housing, student financing and infrastructure. Mr Harris denied that he was keeping the Green Party at arms length while campaigning. Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast earlier on Thursday, Mr Harris said there has been an undertone of sexism in relation to criticism of Helen McEntee. The Fine Gael leader defended his partys deputy leader after criticism of her tenure in the Justice Department, where she pushed forward legislation on crimes aggravated by hate and established an agency to tackle domestic violence. I think some of the comments have been, you know, a bit inappropriate, quite frankly, he told Newstalk Breakfast. When asked whether this included comments from Fianna Fail, Mr Harris said: Im not getting into this reopening tit-for-tat stuff, but I do think people need to check some of the language they had used in recent days in relation to some of the criticisms. Asked whether he thought they were sexist, he said: I think theres an undertone there at times and I think its not just confined to Minister McEntee, but also to many women in politics, and I think we need to be aware of that and I think we need to call that out. If you look at things like the issues that shes highlighted, domestic, sexual, gender-based violence, name me a justice minister ever in the history of the state that has placed a greater focus on that issue. When you look at things like migration and the changes in policies that weve brought about in relation to faster processing times, deportations, making sure we have a fair, firm system, her record speaks for itself and Im very proud of the work she does. He said comment pieces in the Irish Times and the Irish Independent about Fianna Fails criticism of Ms McEntee made very fair points. The pieces referenced criticism of Ms McEntee for focusing on airy-fairy and woke issues in the Justice Department. Fianna Fail figures have also said publicly in recent days that after 14 years of four Fine Gael justice ministers, it is time for a new energy in the department. The Taoiseach also defended a reported dinner that Fine Gaels Paschal Donohoe had with Ryanair boss Michael OLeary in 2022. Ms McDonald said of the incident: I am struck in recent days that Fine Gael have taken to brazenly telling lies or mistruths, not least about our policy platform. I think a bit of transparency and a bit of straightforwardness from them now wouldnt go astray. He also said he was overly pedantic about comments he made in the 10-way leaders debate on RTE that he did not sign the National Childrens Hospital contract. I think I was unnecessarily pedantic and semantic, Mr Harris said. I mean, the buck stops with me in relation to the National Childrens Hospital. The point I was trying to make is this, theres sometimes comments that are a little flippant, like one person signed off on the contract. The point Im making is these things go through a very deliberate process. Candidates across 43 constituencies continue to canvass as they approach the third and final week of the election campaign. Housing and the cost of living appear to be dominant issues for voters, as parties criticise each others policies and spending plans. A historic Laois parish hall that holds thousands of local memories has gone on the property market. The Owenass Hall in Mountmellick, used for over 100 years for dancing, discos, cinema screenings, sales of work and shows, is available to buy for 120,000. More below gallery. USE ARROWS OR NEXT BUTTON TO SEE MORE Pat Conroy Auctioneers are selling the landmark property as an investment opportunity to the commercial sales market. This property sited at Parnell Street, Mountmellick, a town centre location, a community facility known as The Owenass Hall. READ NEXT: Ukrainian family thanks Irish government for 'protecting' loved ones as they mourn a loss in Laois The front of the property covers two floors dating back to the 1800's and the main hall dates to the 1970's. The property is not listed as a protected structure. Ground floor internal layout comprises of a large entrance foyer, a meeting room, kitchen, toilets and store. It opens up into a large community hall with solid timber floor, stage and dressing area. The hall was once Mountmellick's cinema, with queues down the street in 1918. It is concrete constructed with an apex cladded roof. The first floor has a landing, a smaller hall and toilets. With no rear access or wheelchair access or parking, and refurbishment required, the property will require imagination and money, but could be ideal as an investment to rent out again for community or business uses. Share your memories of the Owenass hall with us. SEE MORE HERE. Dublin would be safer with a Fianna Fail minister for justice, senior party figures have suggested. The partys justice spokesman Jim OCallaghan said work needed to be done to tackle the feeling that the capital is not safe at certain times. Mr OCallaghan said the party would introduce 1,000 more gardai in the city, adding: We want to make Dublin safer. Several Fianna Fail representatives, including deputy leader and Finance Minister Jack Chambers as well as Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, gathered at Sandymount Strand to launch the partys Dublin-centred policy document for the General Election. Asked if Fianna Fail would be willing to sacrifice the housing portfolio for justice, Mr OBrien told reporters: We want both. He added: On justice, like Jim has outlined it here: People in many parts of Dublin, particularly at night, dont feel safe in the centre of our city. That needs to change and with Fianna Fail, that will change. Mr Chambers said Fianna Fail was focused on building a more liveable city and ensuring economic growth in the capital. The document comes almost one year after Irelands capital was beset by rioting, which renewed a focus on policing in the city. The party claims it will deliver a safe Dublin through increased policing and a crackdown on anti-social behaviour. Fianna Fail wants more gardai participating in frontline policing and expanded use of body-worn cameras. The party also wants a dedicated transport police unit. Fianna Fail would allow gardai to use facial recognition technology and remove face coverings at protests, increase penalties for public-order offences. Previously flagged measures include the introduction of dispersal orders and public space protection orders. The party also wants to decriminalise the possession of cannabis for personal use but introduce laws to require those found in possession of illegal drugs to attend treatment or education programmes. It would also mandate social media platforms to share drug-related information with gardai and criminalise tools used in drug trafficking like pill presses. Sinn Fein spokeswoman Louise OReilly said long-standing serious issues with crime in the city have not been tackled in any serious way by Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. She called for a renewed garda recruitment campaign and added: Dublins unsafe streets are a legacy of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in government. Fianna Fails Dublin manifesto includes a 175 million euro urban communities initiative to revitalised disadvantaged areas with youth programmes and community development measures. It further pledges the delivery of affordable housing and childcare as well as accessible healthcare. Fianna Fail also said it wants to foster a culture of entrepreneurship with its supports for businesses, as well as making Dublin a hub for AI and digitisation. Elsewhere, the party pledged to deliver the Metrolink, expand the Dart network and remove the Dublin airport passenger cap as soon as possible. The document includes a 250 million euro fund for a parks and pitches fund to acquire new parks and playing fields as well as other measures for arts and culture including funding for a night-time economy strategy. A total of 320 patients were treated on trolleys, having been admitted through the accident and emergency department at Naas Hospital in October. That is 48 less when compared with October 2023 but it is 25 more than the overcrowding figure of 295 for October 2022, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation which monitors overcrowding numbers at the hospital and others around Ireland. Last year's figure of 368 was the highest since 2006 when the INMO began to monitor the number of patients admitted on trolleys. At Portlaoise Hospital there were 73 people on trolleys last month which compares with 93 in 2023 and 61 in 2022. There were no patients on trolleys for the month in Tullamore Hospital and just one for the month of October 2023. Across the country some 10,515 patients were treated on trolleys, chairs or in another inappropriate bed space in October according to the INMO. The top five most overcrowded hospitals were: University Hospital Limerick (1,876 patients) Cork University Hospital (1,126); University Hospital Galway (989); St. Vincents University Hospital (681) andSligo University Hospital (663). Read more Kildare news INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the figures are a grim indicator for the overcrowding likely to occur over the winter months. She added: Staffing is an issue across all hospitals. Not having a safe number of nursing staff in our emergency departments, inpatient wards, long term care and community services continues to exacerbate the persistent problem of overcrowding in our hospitals. She said nurses are not assured that their safety and that of their patients is a priority. The HSE and Government must protect frontline services by lifting the recruitment embargo immediately and accelerating the hiring process, which has been hindered by the current pay and numbers strategy. These delays now result in nearly 12 months to approve replacements for essential nursing and midwifery posts. Without the safe level of staffing patients cannot be assured of a safe service, this is avoidable and must be corrected immediately. Schools in Kildare are encouraged to sign up to Law Society Legal Ambitions, an innovative Transition Year (TY) module, to give students the opportunity to learn about the law and explore a future career as a solicitor. 129 students from schools across Kildare participated in the course in 2024 as part of the Law Societys continued work to widen access to legal training. Over the course of a dynamic four-week online programme, participants are immersed in interactive online lessons where they learn about interesting areas of law such as Criminal Law, Employment Law, Human Rights, Climate Justice, Juvenile Justice, and the Children Court. The success of Law Society Legal Ambitions is largely attributed to its accessibility and flexibility, and a curriculum that meets the highest standards of content delivery. Teachers can access video lessons and information booklets released over four weeks, fitting into the school timetable. Students also benefit from the ability to study alone or in groups, offering flexibility to accommodate different learning styles. Student feedback has shown that the programme content is engaging and easy to understand, with many now considering a career as a solicitor as a result. Widening access to the legal profession President of the Law Society Eamon Harrington said, Each year, thousands of students across the country take part in the Law Societys school outreach programmes to learn about the legal and justice system, their rights, and how the law helps shape our society. The Law Society is proud to build on its longstanding commitment to widening access to legal training through tailor-made, complimentary initiatives including Law Society Legal Ambitions. In response to exceptional demand and feedback each year, the Law Society delivers a range of programmes to engage young people with the law, the importance of access to justice, and the role every person can play to protect the rights of all in our communities. Increasing early access to legal education is a priority for the Law Society because we believe that a diverse legal profession is fundamental to a progressive, modern Ireland. Popular with students and teachers alike, Legal Ambitions is just one of the Law Societys school outreach programmes initiatives aimed at expanding access to the law for young people. Schools can also engage with other Law Society student initiatives including Solicitors of the Future, Street Law, and the Grainne ONeill National Legal Essay Competition. We encourage all schools to sign up to Law Society Legal Ambitions to experience first-hand how the law impacts every aspect of life and to inspire students to pursue a rewarding career in the legal profession. Applications close on January 17, 2025. Registration details are available on the Law Society website: https://www.lawsociety.ie/public/Public-Legal-Education/TY Children in Kildare receiving treatment in healthcare settings and children living in emergency accommodation and Direct Provision are among those who will receive a share of over 2,000 books this Christmas season, thanks to Childrens Books Ireland. Launching their Gift a Book appeal, the national charity is calling on the public for help to support children in need across the island of Ireland. Following the success of last years appeal which raised over 14,000 through generous public donations, Childrens Books Ireland is working with community groups and charities in Kildare including Respond, BUMBLEance, Waterford Immigration Network, Novas, Tipperary Rural Travellers Project and Mosney Village to deliver books to children in their services ahead of Christmas Day. Children of all ages will receive titles such as The Golden Hare by Paddy Donnelly and Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity by Leona Forde and Karen Harte, which Childrens Books Ireland hope will ignite a life-long love of reading. Childrens Books Ireland CEO, Elaina Ryan, said: Every child deserves the chance to become a reader and to find joy and comfort in a brilliant book. Together with our partners in charities and community groups in Kildare, we can ensure that the children who need it most have a book to keep and call their own at Christmas. A book offers a world of possibilities! The gift of a book brings a much-needed moment of happiness, and we want to share that joy with every child in need. We are inundated with requests from charities across the country who want to bring the magic of Christmas to the children and families in their services. In launching this appeal, we want to help the thousands of children who still need our support. We are so grateful to everyone whose donations will help us to fulfil this Christmas wish. Help us to change childrens lives, one book at a time, by donating at www.childrensbooksireland.ie/giftabook. Along with providing children with a gift to unwrap on Christmas day, the gift will help children to develop a life-changing love of reading which will benefit them in a multitude of ways. Recent research carried out by the National Literary Trust in 2023 found that children who have books of their own read more often and, practice reading for joy. They also have improved reading ability and experience positive changes in behaviour, learning, and mental wellbeing. Similarly, an Irish study found that book giveaway programmes improved childrens at home reading environment and helped them develop better reading skills. These positive outcomes, combined with a 15% increase in the number of children in Ireland entering emergency accommodation over the past year where access to books and toys is often limited highlight the critical importance of initiatives like the Gift a Book appeal. Pauline Hart, and employee at The Dining Room, one of the charities benefiting from last years Gift a Book appeal, said: Thank you so much for your beautiful books to our clients. We had marvellous feedback from our young people and varied ages. A book and the gift of reading is a miracle. We always struggle with teenagers especially and this group gave very positive feedback. A book is a present for life. To donate or learn more about the Gift a Book appeal, visit www.childrensbooksireland.ie/giftabook. Standing before a small crowd, Carrick-on-Shannon resident Lisa Hitchen gestures to a map of the West Bank. For someone who grew up amidst the turmoil of West Belfast, she explains, her experiences there pale in comparison to the daily reality in Palestine. There is absolutely no comparison to the occupation of the North of Ireland to whats going on in Palestine. Its on a completely different level, she says. Hitchen has returned from a transformative three-month mission in Tulkarm, where she served as a human rights monitor covering Jenin and Nablus. As part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), an initiative of the World Council of Churches coordinated in the UK and Ireland by Quakers Peace and Social Witness, Lisa witnessed daily human rights violations and the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinian communities living under occupation. Because of the security situation, lots of our volunteers are no longer getting entry into Israel. If they get even a hint that youre coming to monitor human rights, youre denied entry, she says, emphasizing the increasing difficulty of international presence in the region. As a human rights monitor, Hitchens role was to document and witness the violations experienced by Palestinian communities under occupation. We live within a Palestinian community, and we monitor, record, and document human rights violations that we see. The information we collect is used by the UN and other organizations to gather facts and support global human rights efforts. She draws a parallel to Belfast, I dont know if anyone remembers the Holy Cross school in Belfast, where children had to be escorted because of intimidation from paramilitaries. Palestinian children endure similar violence coming to and from school. Visibility, she stresses, is their best deterrent to prevent violence from either Israeli military forces or settlers. Her role also required accompanying Palestinian farmers to their lands, providing protection from the violence of Israeli settlers and military. We shepherd farmers in their lands, she says, referring to the concept of protective presence the idea that the simple act of being there as internationals can help prevent harm. The audience leans in as she describes her work, first in the northern West Bank, in towns like Jenin and Nablus, and most recently in East Jerusalem. She paints a picture of a fractured region, where military occupation permeates every aspect of life. It controls every single aspect of every persons lifeaccess to livelihood, worship, education, health. Its very, very hard to even describe, she says. Her role as a human rights monitor has brought her face-to-face with what she calls an apartheid system. She explains, Israeli Jewish citizens, if they commit an offense, are tried under Israeli law, whereas Palestinians are tried under military law and in military courts. The inequity is stark and unrelenting. She discusses the subject of settlements, illegal under international law, but thriving within the West Bank. The UN puts the figure at 700,000 Israeli Jewish citizens who have been moved to live within this area. That is completely illegal under international law. An occupying force is not allowed to move its own citizens into occupying territory, she explains, pointing to sprawling cities that belie the term settlement. When I first went over there and heard the word settlement, I didnt know what I thought it was. But theyre actually towns, cities, villages. Some of them have universities in them. Her work often involved monitoring checkpoints, crucial checkpoints in the lives of Palestinians. There are over 100 permits in occupied Palestine that Palestinians need to access work, worship, build a house, go to mass, or get married. Its very, very complicated, she says. But since October 7th, a chilling shift has occurred. Most peoples permits have been cancelledwork permits, livelihood permits. People cant pass through the checkpoints because theyre literally closed. The narrative takes a darker turn as she discusses demolitions and forced displacement. The military comes along, serves you a demolition order, and says your properties and houses were built without a proper permit. Then they demolish it. Sometimes they dont even serve the orderthey just pin a notice on a wall or fence, she recounts. These demolitions uproot farming communities, leaving families with nothing. Israel is the only country in the world that takes children out of their own country and imprisons them in Israeli prisons. Children as young as 12. Its a reality shes seen too often, and its one of the hardest aspects of her work to accept. For all its challenges, she emphasizes the importance of bearing witness. Its not safe, not only for myself, but it wouldnt even be safe for Palestinians to leave their own areas either. Their lives are just really, theyre just totally unbearable, she says. Her mission, she concludes, is to amplify those voices that are often silenced in global discourse. Understanding whats happening there is the first step toward making a difference, she says. An Israeli post on a hill over a Palestine community, set up to intimate Palestinians. An Award-Winning Partnership; Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar announces an immersive pop-up collaboration with Published on Main VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the festive season quickly approaches, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar and Published on Main are delighted to share the details of their exclusive pop-up event, Published IN the Gerard Lounge, taking place next Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th of November from 6.00 pm ? 11.00 pm. Guests will have the unique opportunity to taste a sample selection from Published's latest seasonal menu, the ?Butterfly Effect', in the warm and comforting surroundings of the Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver's historic Gerard Lounge. Accompanying the artistic cocktails list will be a curated light bites' menu, specially designed by Executive Chefs Roger Ma and Executive Chef Gus Stieffenhofer?Brandson, to further highlight and uplift the delicate flavours. Under the experienced guidance of Joe Casson, Beverage Director at Published on Main, the ?Butterfly Effect' is an innovative concept that focuses on each of the team members' own personal journeys and reflections throughout life, all told through the medium of cocktail. "It was so much fun working on this menu with our team,' shares Joe. "The Butterfly Effect's creative direction really led our team to think outside the box. It evoked a sense of ?what if?', should their lives have taken an alternate path. The originality of each individual and the fun stories behind them translated so well into the cocktails." The limited-time menu will include the new addition Kaleidoscope, an all-team-inspired champagne cocktail, crafted with full-bodied Flor De Ca?a 18, cinnamon lemon oleo, chocolate bitters, Ruinart Brut, and bergamot. Another new creation by team member Lacey Roberts, American Dream pays tribute to her family roots in the Midwest US with the use of Michter's American Whisky, sweet corn, smoke & oak. A renowned and current menu classic, the Published Martini XI will also be available to enjoy, made with Peddlers Shanghai Gin, white tea, 5 spice, black vinegar, and toasted yeast. "We're extremely excited about the rollout of this cocktail book," reveals Cody Allmin, Co-Founder of Published on Main. "The inspiration of the ?Butterfly Effect' behind this refreshed version of our menu has led our bar team to create some pretty incredible drinks that tell such a great story!" Acknowledging the long-standing relationship between the two highly decorated Vancouver restaurants, Executive General Manager Lisa Haley is delighted that the Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster team can be a part of this re-imagined seasonal menu launch. "We are thrilled to welcome our friends from Published to present their latest menu additions in our storied Gerard Lounge. Our team have had the chance to preview a few of the cocktails last week and we do not doubt that our guests will be blown away by them". Event capacity will be on a first-come, first-served basis; however, a small number of reservations are being offered for those who want to guarantee their spot. For more information and to confirm your booking on OpenTable, please click here or follow on socials @blvdyvr and @published.on.main. ABOUT BOULEVARD KITCHEN & OYSTER BAR Located in Vancouver's downtown shopping district, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar is the premier award-winning dining destination led by Executive Chef Roger Ma, Signature Executive Chef Alex Chen, and Pastry Chef Kenta Takahashi along with Executive General Manager, Lisa Haley. Committed to culinary excellence, the renowned restaurant offers a delightful experience to diners with innovative dishes, impeccable service, and elegant ambiance. One of the most awarded restaurants in the city's recent history, Boulevard's seafood-focused menu is grounded in classical technique and training, artfully infused with West Coast flair and international influences. Boulevard boasts a gorgeous room, signature booths, a buzzy bar, and elegant private dining spaces, each enhanced with exceptional service, and a wide-ranging selection of wines and cocktails. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/60832ea7-80d2-4760-809a-204e1c449c19 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d37d3587-81ab-4dd9-b1db-3536e5291d4e https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/057177e3-49c6-4089-a3e9-089a946fc096 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/84b29e18-70b3-41a0-aed7-53001a14de50 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/118a8934-0993-4e1d-8f4f-f6dc82868396 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cfba7f33-2c59-4af5-a0bf-93a9e442ecda https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c032f26a-28a8-48f5-8c76-f4542fb12775 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/839de138-c1e2-41bd-b6b4-0676bb0187d0 20 november 2024 at 16:50 News published onand distributed by: Backpacker Gabby claims she had her stuff stolen while staying at a caravan park in Darwin. Source: TikTok/Gabbymorganx A camper's recent experience at a holiday park in Darwin has prompted a warning to travellers about ensuring all the "necessary precautions" are taken, especially when staying in parks throughout Australia's Top end. British woman Gabby, who's been backpacking around Australia with her boyfriend, revealed she was "absolutely fuming" when waking up at her Darwin campsite on Tuesday morning to discover several items had "been taken". "Someone's stolen our whole fridge. It had all our food in it, all our alcohol. Literally, that's $400 gone. Not only that, you can't even leave your washing on the line because they've stolen all my knickers," she revealed in a video on TikTok. "I don't understand it." Laura McArther, property manager at the FreeSpirit resort, where the couple were staying, told Yahoo News they've been made aware of the incident. And while it is "frustrating" to see, it's sadly all too common across the region. ADVERTISEMENT While there hasn't been an incident at her park for a while, "it happens often across Darwin as a whole". "It's a common occurrence and it's not getting any better, it hasn't improved," she said. Earlier this year, Northern Territory's Acting Police Commissioner Travis Wurst said the force's resources were stretched as a result of the steep increase in youth crime. The number of violent offences committed by children in the territory has skyrocketed over the past four years, with nearly 2,000 violent offences by youths reported in the year to November, 2023. These figures represent a 50 per cent rise on 2019-20. Caravan parks are often targeted with theft and anti-social behaviour often reported by guests and staff. It's understood this couple was camping in a "rooftop tent" which doesn't allow them to store or lock their belongings away. McArther advises everyone visiting to take extra care while staying and taking all the "necessary precautions" to stay safe. ADVERTISEMENT "They shouldn't have to, it's really unfair, but, unfortunately, the crime in Darwin means you need to," McArther said. "When you're sharing a campground, sharing your backyard with a thousand other people, you'd rather be safe than sorry. Keep things out of sight, and if you have one, lock your doors". Caravan parks have 'really suffered' because of crime McArther said the British woman's incident is "minor" compared to what they've seen previously mostly "anti-social behaviour" from walk-ins, and sometimes from guests staying in the park too. "We now need to put the systems in place where we can protect our guests the best we can," she added, explaining they've recently forked out thousands on extra security measures. After-hours security roam the park from 10pm-6am "which is a huge amount of money," she said. "But it's what we have to do to make sure we reduce crime and theft the best we can but as we've seen here, it's not bulletproof". FreeSpirit Caravan Park, along with others in Darwin, regularly experience the effects of youth crime across the state. Source: Google Images With 24 acres of land, McArther said "it's very hard to manage", and that's the case with other parks within the area. They're currently working on installing "large gates" at the entrance which would hopefully prevent walk-ins. Beyond that though, she said there's not much else we can do". ADVERTISEMENT McArther considers herself lucky compared to other caravan parks, particularly in Darwin city, of which many "have really suffered" because of increased crime. "It's loss of business and we gain a bad reputation based on something out of our control, but other properties have suffered a lot more than me, it's been terrible," she said. Other travellers issue warnings about visiting regional areas While Gabby has now sworn off Darwin saying she "officially hates" it, some commenting on her video said it's expected in some parts. "Girl, never leave anything you dont want stuff stolen outside in the NT its bad," one warned. "Anywhere across the top end isnt safe to leave stuff out," agreed another. "When I lived in Darwin, all the caravan parks had signs up saying not to leave your things out or your washing on the line," another shared. ADVERTISEMENT Previously, another British woman warned travellers to "be careful" while travelling through northern Western Australia, suggesting ongoing youth crime in regional Australia can leave caravanners and backpackers feeling unsafe. Retired couple Steve and Leoni echoed her concerns, admitting there are a few things to look out for to ensure your safety when travelling through the Top End. "If there are skid marks or broken glass, don't stop, keep going," Steve previously told Yahoo. "Always stay 30, 40 kilometres away from town because usually, you don't get people coming that far out to muck up". Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Chronic Refractory Cough Market Still Unexplored, with Pharma Companies Eyeing First-Mover Advantage in the US | DelveInsight According to DelveInsight's analysis, the chronic refractory cough market size is expected to increase due to an increase in disease prevalence, the growth in the market of currently approved products, and the expected launch of emerging therapies such as MK-7264 (gefapixant), ORV-PF-01, camlipixant/BLU-5937, AX-8, and others during the forecast period. LAS VEGAS, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chronic refractory cough (CRC) is characterized by a cough that persists for more than 8 weeks, even with treatment following established protocols. Patients with this condition may need assistance from multiple medical specialties. Those affected frequently experience a reduced quality of life, impacting their daily activities. As per DelveInsight analysis, in 2023 the 12-month prevalent cases of chronic cough in the 7MM were estimated to be approximately 30 million cases, out of which the US accounted for nearly 13 million cases. These cases are expected to increase during the forecast period (2024?2034) driven by the aging population that has an increased likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic cough. The total diagnosed prevalent cases of CRC in the 7MM were approximately 12 million in 2023. Of these, the US accounted for nearly 42% of the total diagnosed prevalent cases of CRC. These cases may change due to an increase in various respiratory infections, which can either induce or worsen chronic cough. Presently, there are no approved treatments for chronic cough in the US. The condition is estimated to affect about 10% of the adult population globally. Treatment options for chronic refractory cough include various pharmacological therapies aimed at neural sensitization. These consist of neuromodulators like opiates (such as morphine, codeine, and tramadol), gabapentin, pregabalin, amitriptyline, and baclofen, as well as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), and other medications. These drugs target heightened neural sensitization, which plays a significant role in the development of CRC. PPIs, often used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can worsen chronic cough. By decreasing gastric acid production, they help relieve cough symptoms associated with reflux. Inhaled corticosteroids are mainly utilized for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but they can also be helpful for CRC linked to airway inflammation. These medications reduce airway inflammation and enhance cough symptoms. Learn more about the FDA-approved chronic refractory cough drugs @ Drugs for Chronic Refractory Cough Treatment Gefapixant, known as LYFNUA, received approval in Japan in 2022 and in the European Union in 2023 for the treatment of adults suffering from refractory or unexplained chronic cough. It functions as a P2RX3 receptor antagonist and has demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing cough frequency in clinical trials. Although it has encountered difficulties with the US FDA in the United States, Gefapixant has been acknowledged for its advantages in managing chronic cough in other areas. However, the US CRC market faces a significant unmet need, as there are no approved curative therapies available. Current pharmacologic treatments cannot be administered long-term due to several adverse effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new therapies for CRC to address patient demands. To know more about chronic refractory cough treatment options, visit @ New Treatment for Chronic Refractory Cough Various novel promising drugs like P2X3 inhibitors, TRPM8 agonists, etc. are being developed for the treatment of refractory chronic cough and unexplained chronic cough and are in different stages of trials. Once approved they will address the unmet need for developing effective therapies which particularly target cough that is persistent/refractory. Expected launch of emerging therapies, such as MK-7264 (gefapixant) (Merck/Kyorin Pharmaceuticals), orvepitant maleate (ORV-PF-01) (Nerre Therapeutics), camlipixant/BLU-5937 (GSK), AX-8 (Axalbion), and others shall further create a positive impact on the chronic refractory cough market during the forecast period (2024-2034). Discover which therapies are expected to grab major chronic refractory cough market share @ Chronic Refractory Cough Market Report Gefapixant is an investigational, non-narcotic medication taken orally that acts as a selective P2X3 receptor antagonist, potentially aimed at treating refractory or unexplained chronic cough. P2X3 receptors are located on sensory nerve fibers, mainly C fibers, within the airway lining. Airway inflammation, irritation, and mechanical stress can lead to the release of chemical stimuli like ATP from airway lining cells. When ATP binds to P2X3 receptors on the C fibers, it signals potential damage, generating an action potential that may trigger coughing. By inhibiting the binding of ATP to these receptors, gefapixant is believed to reduce sensory nerve activation and consequently decrease cough reflex. In 2020, Merck concluded Phase III trials for MK-7264 and submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) based on the results. However, in January 2022, the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) regarding Merck's NDA, requesting additional information on efficacy measurement. In December 2023, the FDA issued another CRL, expressing concerns that Merck's data for the chronic cough medication might not sufficiently demonstrate the drug's benefits. Merck is currently reviewing the FDA's feedback to decide on the next steps. Camlipixant, previously called NEO5937, is a highly selective and potent small molecule antagonist of the P2X3 receptor, which is a clinically validated target for chronic cough (CC). This drug has the potential to become a leading treatment option for patients with chronic respiratory conditions (CRC). Currently, it is being tested in Phase III clinical trials, which include two key studies (CALM-1 and CALM-2). The primary efficacy endpoint is the measurement of cough frequency over 24 hours at 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. These trials are expected to conclude by 2025, with regulatory approval and market launch anticipated in 2026. ORV-PF-01 is a groundbreaking first-in-class, selective, and potent neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor antagonist. This drug specifically targets the human NK-1 receptor to inhibit the action of its associated agonist, substance P (SP), which plays a role in peripheral neurogenic inflammation and functions as a neuromodulator in the central nervous system. By reducing central neural hypersensitivity associated with chronic cough (CC), it shows promise in treatment. The company reported encouraging results from its Phase II pilot study (VOLCANO-2) on orvepitant for chronic refractory cough and is currently exploring its effectiveness and safety in a study focusing on chronic cough in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF-COMFORT). AX-8 is a powerful and selective agonist of the transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) aimed at treating chronic cough. TRPM8 is found in numerous sensory fibers that innervate the upper airways and can help alleviate persistent chronic cough by counteracting cough hypersensitivity syndrome (CHS), reducing or eliminating pathological coughing, and limiting or suppressing abnormal sensations related to coughing. Currently, AX-8 is in Phase II clinical trials, which are in the recruitment phase, to evaluate its effectiveness and safety for treating chronic cough. Additionally, this drug candidate is also being studied for its potential application in dry eye syndrome. Discover more about drugs for chronic refractory cough in development @ Chronic Refractory Cough Clinical Trials The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies for chronic refractory cough are poised to transform the market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the chronic refractory cough market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. DelveInsight estimates that the market size for chronic refractory cough is expected to grow from USD 8.8 billion in 2023 with a significant CAGR by 2034. The increasing awareness about chronic refractory cough may increase market size in the coming years, assisted by emerging therapies. DelveInsight's latest published market report titled as Chronic Refractory Cough Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast ? 2034 will help you to discover which market leader is going to capture the largest market share. The report provides comprehensive insights into the chronic refractory cough country-specific treatment guidelines, patient pool analysis, and epidemiology forecast to help understand the key opportunities and assess the market's underlying potential. The chronic refractory cough market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020?2034 in the 7MM segmented into: 12-month Prevalent Cases of Chronic Cough Gender-specific Cases of Chronic Cough Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Chronic Refractory Cough Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Chronic Cough in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis The report provides an edge while developing business strategies by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7MM chronic refractory cough market. Highlights include: 11-year Forecast 7MM Analysis Epidemiology-based Market Forecasting Historical and Forecasted Market Analysis upto 2034 Emerging Drug Market Uptake Peak Sales Analysis Key Cross Competition Analysis Industry Expert's Opinion Access and Reimbursement Download this chronic refractory cough market report to assess the epidemiology forecasts, understand the patient journeys, know KOLs' opinions about the upcoming treatment paradigms, and determine the factors contributing to the shift in the chronic refractory cough market. Also, stay abreast of the mitigating factors to improve your market position in the chronic refractory cough therapeutic space. Related Reports Chronic Refractory Cough Pipeline Chronic Refractory Cough Pipeline Insight ? 2024 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key Chronic Refractory Cough companies including Merck & Co, Kyorin Pharmaceuticals, NeRRe Therapeutics, Bellus Health, Shionogi, Axalbion, Aldeyra Therapeutics, among others. Severe Asthma Market Severe Asthma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast ? 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, market share of the individual therapies, and key severe asthma companies, including AstraZeneca plc, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Sanofi S.A., Novartis AG, Roche Holding AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Merck & Co., Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Company, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Amgen Inc., AbbVie Inc., Genentech, Inc., Gilead Sciences, Inc., Biogen Inc., CSL Limited, among others. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Market Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast ? 2034 report deliver an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, market share of the individual therapies, and key chronic obstructive pulmonary disease companies, including AstraZeneca, Circassia Pharmaceuticals Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Theravance, Inc, Innoviva, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, United Therapeutics, Verona Pharma PLC, Inmunotek, Tetherex Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis, Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Pulmotect Inc., Genentech, Mereo BioPharma, Biomarck Pharmaceuticals, among others. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Market Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast ? 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key ARDS companies, including MediciNova, Edesa Biotech, Light Chain Biosciences, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Windtree Therapeutics, Biomarck Pharmaceuticals, Athersys, Healios, Direct Biologics, Biohaven Pharmaceutical, Arch Biopartners, APEPTICO Forschung und Entwicklung GmbH, Staidson (Beijing) Biopharmaceuticals, Veru, Mesoblast Limited, Avalo Therapeutics, Pluristem Therapeutics, ILTOO Pharma, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP 20 november 2024 at 17:31 News published onand distributed by: BIG ROCK BREWERY INC. ANNOUNCES EXPANSION AND EXTENSION OF SECOND LIEN FINANCING CALGARY, AB, Nov. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - Big Rock Brewery Inc. (TSX: BR) ("Big Rock" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce the expansion of its second lien financing (the "Second Lien Financing") with its principal shareholder, VN Capital Fund I, LP ("VN Capital"), by $500,000. In addition, the entire Second Lien Financing has been extended to mature on March 31, 2025. The expanded financing will enhance Big Rock's financial flexibility as it continues to optimize its operations and pursue its growth objectives in the ready to drink ("RTD") market. Capital investments will be prioritized to grow both the capacity and capability within the RTD Category. The Corporation values the continued support of VN Capital, which underscores their confidence in Big Rock's long-term strategy. Further details regarding the Second Lien Financing can be found in the Corporation's publicly available disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or Big Rock's future performance. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information are not facts, but only predictions and generally can be identified by the use of statements that include words or phrases such as, "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "likely", "may", "project", "predict", "propose", "potential", "might", "plan", "seek", "should", "targeting", "will", and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Big Rock believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon by readers, as actual results may vary materially from such forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified, in their entirety, by this cautionary statement. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to: the anticipated benefits to be derived from the expanded Second Lien Financing; and the expectation that Big Rock will optimize its operations and pursue its growth objectives. With respect to the forward-looking statements listed above and contained in this press release, management has made assumptions regarding, among other things: that additional financing will lead to increased financial flexibility; and that opportunities for growth will be available to Big Rock. Some of the risks which could affect future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information and statements contained herein include the risk factors set out in the Corporation's annual information form for the year ended December 30, 2023 which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and also include, but are not limited to: the risk that the expanded Second Lien Financing may not lead to the benefits anticipated; and the risk that Big Rock may not optimize its operations or meet its growth objectives. Any financial outlook or future oriented financial information (in each case "FOFI") contained in this press release regarding prospective financial position, including, but not limited to: the anticipated benefits to be derived from the expanded Second Lien Financing; and the expectation that Big Rock will optimize its operations and pursue its growth objectives, are based on reasonable assumptions about future events, including those described above, based on an assessment by management of the relevant information that is currently available. The actual results will likely vary from the amounts set forth herein and such variations may be material. Readers are cautioned that any such FOFI contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein. Such information was made as of the date of this press release and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking information and statements and FOFI contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information and statements and FOFI included in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Big Rock does not undertake any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information and statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless so required by applicable securities laws. About Big Rock Brewery Inc. In 1985, Ed McNally founded Big Rock to contest the time's beer trends. Three bold, European-inspired offerings ? Bitter, Porter and Traditional Ale ? forged an industry at a time heavy on easy drinking lagers and light on flavour. Today, our extensive portfolio of signature beers, ongoing seasonal offerings, six ciders (Rock Creek Cider series), custom-crafted private label products and other notable, licensed alcoholic beverages keeps us at the forefront of the craft beer revolution and still proudly contesting the beer and alcoholic beverage trends of today. Big Rock has brewing operations in Calgary, Alberta and Toronto, Ontario. Big Rock trades on the TSX under the symbol "BR". For more information on Big Rock visit www.bigrockbeer.com SOURCE Big Rock Brewery Inc. 20 november 2024 at 18:00 News published onand distributed by: Western Uranium & Vanadium Closes Second Tranche in CAD $5.5 Million Financing NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES Toronto, Ontario and Nucla, Colorado, Nov. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (CSE: WUC) (OTCQX: WSTRF) ("Western" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received aggregated gross proceeds of approximately CAD $5.5 million through the issuance of a total of 4,142,906 common shares and 4,142,906 warrants in two tranches of a financing which was initially announced in the news release issued by the Company on November 8, 2024 (the "Offering"). For details on the first tranche closing of the Offering, please refer to the news release issued by Western on November 18, 2024. In the second tranche of the Offering which has closed today, Western placed a total of 323,211 units at a price of CAD $1.32 per unit (each, a "Unit") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately CAD $426,638 (the "Second Tranche") with each Unit being comprised of one common share (each, a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). A total of 323,211 Shares and 323,211 Warrants were issued in the Second Tranche, each Warrant being exercisable for one Share of the Company at a price of CAD $1.78 per Share for a period of four (4) years from the date of its issuance. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for the expansion of the production capability and mining at the Sunday Mine Complex, licensing and development of minerals processing facilities, baseline data collection and permitting of the San Rafael Project, acquisition of uranium/vanadium properties in close proximity to Western's production centers, purchase of additional mining equipment and for general working capital purposes. Closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions and receipt of all necessary approvals, including compliance with the requirements of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Pursuant to an agency agreement between the Company and A.G.P. Canada Investment ULC (the "Agent"), who acted as sole agent and bookrunner for Western in connection with the Offering, the Agent has an over-allotment option, exercisable no later than December 23, 2024, to place up to an additional 625,000 Units for additional gross proceeds to the Company of up to CAD $825,000. In this Second Tranche, securities were issued to purchasers who are residents in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"); in addition, all securities were issued outside of Canada pursuant to the Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503 ? Distributions Outside Canada and therefore are not subject to any statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. About Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. is ramping-up high-grade uranium and vanadium production at its Sunday Mine Complex. In addition to the flagship property located in the prolific Uravan Mineral Belt, the production pipeline also includes conventional projects in Colorado and Utah. The Maverick Minerals Processing Plant and Pinon Ridge Corporation processing plant will be licensed to include the kinetic separation process. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Statements of that nature include statements relating to, or that are dependent upon: the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding the Offering and exploration and production plans and results; the timing of planned activities; whether the Company can raise any additional funds required to implement its plans; whether regulatory or analogous requirements can be satisfied to permit planned activities; and more generally to the Company's business, and the economic and political environment applicable to its operations, assets and plans. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Please refer to the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis, as well as its other filings at www.sec.gov and/or www.sedarplus.com, for a more detailed review of those risk factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements, and that these statements are made as of the date hereof. While the Company may do so, it does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements at any particular time, except as and to the extent required under applicable laws and regulations. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: George Glasier President and CEO 970-864-2125 [email protected] Robert Klein Chief Financial Officer 908-872-7686 [email protected] The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. 20 november 2024 at 18:45 News published onand distributed by: Workato Named One of the Fastest-Growing Companies in North America on the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500tm Workato, the leading Enterprise Orchestration platform, announced it was named to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500tm for the 5th consecutive year, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. Workato's revenue grew 484% from fiscal 2020 to 2023. Workato's Chief Executive Officer, co-founder, and bestselling author, Vijay Tella, credits the rise in the application and deployment of AI, Workato's platform addressing real-world challenges and being at the center of business transformation, helping organizations shift from automation to AI-powered orchestration with the company's 484% revenue growth. "On behalf of everyone at Workato, it is an honor to be recognized by Deloitte and included on this year's Technology Fast 500tm list. Workato provides the leading AI-powered orchestration capabilities companies are looking for to transform their work by improving real-time collaboration, decision-making, and efficiency across teams and systems," said Tella. "2024 has been the year of understanding and realizing AI's potential, where it can take enterprises and impact the future of work. AI is more than just improving our day-to-day lives, it's about empowering businesses to be more agile, innovative, and resilient." "For 30 years we've been celebrating companies that are actively driving innovation. The software industry continues to be a beacon of growth, and the fintech industry made a strong showing on this year's list, surpassing life sciences for the first time," said Steve Fineberg, vice chair, U.S. technology sector leader, Deloitte. "Significantly, we also saw a breakthrough in performance of private companies, with the highest number of private companies named to the list in our program's history. This year's winners have shown they have the vision and expertise to continue to perform at a high level, and that deserves to be celebrated." "Innovation, transformation, and disruption of the status quo are at the forefront for this year's Technology Fast 500 list, and there's no better way to celebrate 30 years of program history," said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte's Audit & Assurance practice. "This year's winning companies have demonstrated a continuous commitment to growth and remarkable consistency in driving forward progress. We extend our congratulations to all of this year's winners ? it's an incredible time for innovation." Overall, 2024 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 201% to 186,373% over the three-year time frame, with an average growth rate of 2,100% and a median growth rate of 460%. Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies ? both public and private ? in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. To be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology sold to customers in products that contribute to most of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. To learn more about Workato and the future of enterprise orchestration, please visit www.workato.com About Workato The leader in AI-driven enterprise orchestration, Workato helps organizations drive business efficiency at scale without compromising security and governance. Built for Business and IT users, Workato is trusted by over 2,000 top brands, including Broadcom, Nextdoor, and Atlassian. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., Workato is backed by Altimeter Capital, Battery Ventures, Insight Venture Partners, Storm Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, and Redpoint Ventures. For more information, visit workato.com or connect with us on social media: 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. 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. 21 november 2024 at 05:05 News published onand distributed by: Mazama Energy Awarded Grant by U.S. Department of Energy for Superhot Rock Geothermal Demonstration Project Mazama Energy, Inc. (Mazama Energy) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to demonstrate a first-of-its-kind superhot rock (SHR) enhanced geothermal system on the western flank of Newberry Volcano in Oregon. Background of Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy is a clean and renewable energy source produced from harvesting heat from the earth. Conventional geothermal systems can be created in naturally occurring hot water reservoirs. However, geothermal locations which lack naturally occurring reservoirs can be developed through enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), which is a geothermal system created through a man-made reservoir. EGS is the first step in harnessing this renewable energy source that is vastly available but unattainable in many areas. SHR EGS, the next evolution, taps into superhot rocks, which are subsurface geological formations with temperatures exceeding 374 C (705F). Compared to current conventional and EGS operating at around 200C, SHR EGS operates at much higher temperatures to generate five to ten times more electrical power resulting in a scalable, renewable energy source with negligible emissions of CO 2 . Superhot Rock Enhanced Geothermal System Demonstration Mazama Energy began operations for the initial feasibility testing of several technologies in October 2024 in one of the existing geothermal wells at the Newberry Volcano. These operations will continue through the end of February 2025. The SHR EGS Demonstration project, funded by the DOE award, will formally begin in January 2025 in collaboration with three DOE national laboratories: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and two universities: University of Oklahoma and Oregon State University. These operations mark a crucial step in creating the first SHR EGS. For additional information and updates on the preliminary operations schedule and the SHR EGS Demonstration Project, please visit www.mazamaenergy.com. About Mazama Energy Mazama Energy is a geothermal operator and development company dedicated to advancing technologies and methods for extracting heat from superhot rocks to generate utility-scale, carbon-free, baseload energy. The company's capabilities are derived from its founders AltaRock Energy and Blade Energy Partners. 21 november 2024 at 17:25 News published onand distributed by: 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 southwest 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 Railway 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 Railway 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, Turkiye, 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 Railway 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. An influx of vehicles on the popular holiday island poses a threat to the area's wildlife. A group of teens enjoying a camping trip to celebrate schoolies made an unexpected discovery on the sand this week, right "in the middle of a vehicle access track" on the iconic 4WD beach. While visiting Ocean Beach in the Bribie Island National Park, the school group found a clutch of turtle eggs nestled among tyre tracks in the sand marking the start of hatching season. And while admiring the views the "concerned" youngsters remained "on watch" until rescuers arrived who "delicately" relocated the 122 eggs to a "safer site". Turtle nests are vulnerable to the disturbance of 4WD vehicles that regularly travel along Bribie Island beaches which is particularly troubling at this time of year as the animals emerge. Nests can be laid anywhere from the upper beach platform, across the dunes and all the way up to the tree line, environmental protection group BIEPA states. "One of the threats posed by 4WD vehicles during turtle season is that hatchlings will get stuck in tyre tracks, dramatically increasing the time they are on the beach, where they are at risk of being eaten by a predator or dying by exhaustion," Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association Inc (BIEPA) President Richard Ogden told Yahoo News Australia. Turtles often trek across the beach and through tyre tracks to lay their eggs up on the sand. Source: BIEPA Visitors often ignore native wildlife on Bribie Island Darren Jew from BIEPA's wildlife team told Yahoo it's "really exciting" to finally see young drivers on the beach express interest in the native wildlife, as often visitors rarely pay attention. ADVERTISEMENT Reckless behaviour, including hooning and leaving behind rubbish and other items has previously been witnessed and strongly discouraged. "Disrespecting" the "special" landscape can cause significant damage to the area's flora and fauna, authorities warn. "It's such a recreational destination," he said, comparing it to other national parks across Australia. "The vast majority of visitors are going just to drive their vehicles on the beach [and have no interest in wildlife]. Visitors to Bribie Island are urged to follow these steps to help protect turtles and their eggs. Source: BIEPA "A big issue we have on Bribie is that on some days it's empty, but on busy days there are just way too many vehicles on the beach driving up near dunes," he said. ADVERTISEMENT "From our experience, nothing beats a firsthand wildlife experience to awaken somebody's appreciation," Jew continued, thrilled by the group wanting to protect their find. BIEPA and local authorities are pleading with visitors to the island to pay attention to local wildlife, especially when driving along the sand. Jew said it's a "very special beach" and "broader education and appreciation for nature" is required, which is what BIEPA and others like it have been trying to do. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. A NUMBER of schools in Limerick have decided to close or delay opening today due to the overnight snow. Colaiste Ide agus Iosef in Abbeyfeale took to social media to announce its closure: "After consulting with our ETB and other post primary schools, Colaiste Ide agus Iosef will be closed today due to weather conditions." Two trucks got stuck in Abbeyfeale on the Kerry border road towards Limerick this morning, according to RTE Radio 1. READ MORE: Lyons of Limerick celebrate 40 years of business Colaiste Chiarain will also remain closed today. Mungret Community School has a delayed opening until 10am this morning. However, students are welcome before to study up until 10am. John the Baptist CS in Hospital has issued a notice detailing that Meanus, Bruff and Ballylanders buses will not run this morning. "All other buses are running at present but may be delayed due to conditions. We will update as soon as we know more. We urge everyone to be cautious and take care." There was a light dusting of snow in Kilmallock while Bruff escaped the worst of the snow. Roads around the country are also still quite slippy. Limerick City & County Council have snowploughs out dealing with accumulations of snow affecting mainly parts of West Limerick. The R513 at Ballylanders is closed - a snow plough is on site. Ploughs are working on N21 Barna and clearing the Carrickerry to Athea road. There is up to 10 cm of snow in the Athea area. Drivers are also on the way to clear the N21 North and R520 and R522. FOR MORE PHOTOS PRESS THE ARROW OR NEXT ON THE SLIDESHOW MEMBERS of Down Syndrome Limerick took a trip out to Rathkeale horse trainer Eric McNamara to visit the Munster National winner Real Steel. Down Syndrome Limerick were the recipients of 20,000 as Charity Partners of the JT McNamara Munster National Race which was staged at Limerick Racecourse in October. The charity was one of 18 from the Mid-West drawn from a pool of 100 for a chance to win the top prize. Real Steal came home first past the post for local trainer Eric McNamara, landing the local charity their big win. Twelve members (adults with Down syndrome) from the Limerick education programme attended Eric Mc Namaras stables with little Daithi joining in with all the fun. The winnings from Reel Steels race will allow Down Syndrome Limerick to continue to provide early intervention services which include one on one speech and language therapies as well as early intervention communication groups and music therapy. Physiotherapy is very important as children with Down Syndrome often have low muscle tone, which can make it difficult for them to perform everyday tasks like sitting, crawling, standing, and walking. Physiotherapy also helps strengthen the muscles and improve tone, allowing children to develop better control over their bodies and achieve motor milestones. Finally, with Occupational Therapy for children with Down Syndrome, skills like motor coordination, self-care, and play can be developed through personalised Occupational Therapy programmes. LIMERICK City and County Council is inviting members of the public to participate in a non-statutory public consultation for the Blue Green Ring Masterplan. The Blue Green Ring will be an integrated network of blue (water) and green (land) spaces and corridors in Limerick City. LUC, a multidisciplinary design team have been appointed by the Council to progress the development of a Blue Green Ring (BGR) Masterplan, with the ambition to create Irelands fist city-scale amenity and ecological corridor. This corridor encompasses many of Limericks key natural heritage assets cross cutting and surrounding the ring. These include the River Shannon and some of our most important wetlands such as Bunlicky, Coonagh and Westfields. It also incorporates important habitats for fauna and flora such as King's Island, Shannon Fields, the Baggot Estate, Ballinacurra Creek, Canal Bank, Toppins Field, Groody Valley and areas north of Thomond Weir. A non-statutory public consultation period runs until Friday, December 13. Mayor of Limerick, John Moran is encouraging participation in the consultation, saying: Who doesnt want more parks and better parks? Limerick City already boasts a wealth of natural assets but this is about the development of a Blue Green Ring Masterplan, which offers a unique opportunity to connect our neighbourhoods and communities through nature and create attractive public spaces for a more liveable and more healthy city. "I encourage all citizens to participate in shaping the future development of this one-of-a-kind project. We need your ideas and feedback. We want you to play a vital role to take advantage of our transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society, to design Limerick as an attractive and distinctive place to live, work and visit." Director of Service with the Planning and Place Making Team at Limerick City and County Council, Vincent Murray, commented: The BGR Masterplan will define an overarching vision for the development of the Blue Green Ring and will be used to inform and guide future development associated with the project area. The feedback received from the public consultation will play a crucial role in shaping the final design and we look forward to hearing from local residents, businesses and stakeholders alike. Members of the public to learn more about and engage in the preparation of the Masterplan by visiting the online consultation portal or provide feedback through a consultation survey. For general queries about the project email Placemakingteam@limerick.ie LIMERICK is set to re-elect six out of the seven sitting TDs if you listen to the bookmakers. PaddyPower and BoyleSports both think either Frankie Daly (Independent) or Dee Ryan (Fianna Fail) will claim the final seat in Limerick City. Mr Daly is slightly favoured at 4/7 with Ms Ryan at 4/6. Heading the betting in the four-seater is Deputy Willie ODea (Fianna Fail) at 1/14, followed by Minister of State Kieran ODonnell (Fine Gael) at 1/6 and Deputy Maurice Quinlivan (Sinn Fein) at 1/4. In the last General Election, Deputy Brian Leddin (Green Party) confounded the bookies who had priced him up at the start at a whopping 33/1. It was quickly cut to 3/1. A number of savvy political punters gobbled up the 33/1 and duly collected when he was elected for the Green Party. This time Mr Leddin is 10/1. A BoyleSports spokesperson said: There is little support for Brian Leddin holding on, so he has been pushed out to 10/1 from 5/1. In Limerick City it looks like a scramble for the fourth seat, said a BoyleSports spokesperson. They say theres now only a whisker between Frankie Daly and Dee Ryan. Cllr Conor Sheehan (Labour) has been the springer in the market. "There has been plenty of support for Conor Sheehan (Labour), who has plummeted into 9/4 from 16/1 over the past week to win a seat. Thats quite a significant move so there is no foregone conclusion in this constituency, said the spokesperson for BoyleSports. PaddyPower has also seen money for the Labour man with half of all the bets taken in the constituency being for Cllr Sheehan to be elected. However, the most amount of cold hard cash gambled is on the man with election form - Mr ODea. The betting in Limerick City is completed by Melanie Sheehan Cleary (Mid-West Hospital Campaign) 8/1; Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) and Elisa ODonovan (Soical Democrats) both 12/1; Esther Ahern (Independent Ireland) 20/1; Sarah Beasley (Aontu) 50/1 and Ruairi Fahy (People Before Profit-Solidarity) 100/1. There are no prices listed for Senator Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein); Michelle Hayes (Independent); Dean Lillis (Independent); Dean Quinn (The Irish People). READ MORE: CONFIRMED: 32 candidates put their names forward for election across two Limerick constituencies The bookies think Limerick County is something of a fait accompli with the three sitting TDs hot favourites to head back to Leinster House - Minister Patrick ODonovan (Fine Gael) 1/50; Minister of State Niall Collins (Fianna Fail) 1/10; Deputy Richard ODonoghue (Independent Ireland) 1/8. Next in the betting is Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein) 2/1; Cllr Noreen Stokes (Fine Gael) 7/1; Cllr Bridie Collins (Fianna Fail) 8/1; Michael Ryan (Aontu) 33/1; Donna OLoughlin (Irish Freedom Party) 50/1; Rob ODonnell (Green Party) 50/1; Laura Fahy, People Before Profit-Solidarity (100/1). There are no prices for Jim Barrett (Independent); Richie Crehan (Independent); Lorraine OSullivan (The Irish People); April Sheehan Corkery (Independent); Gerben Uunk (Party for Animal Welfare). A BoyleSports spokesperson said: Betting in Limerick County isnt as competitive with all three sitting TDs hot odds-on shots to return. Punters clearly arent anticipating any shocks here, although Michael Ryan has been cut into 33/1 from 100/1 following a handful of outside wagers." PaddyPower isnt offering odds on Limerick County. Readers are advised to gamble responsibly. GamCare provide advice, support and free counselling for problem gambling. GamCare offer a moderated online forum and daily online group chatrooms to enable those affected by gambling harms to connect with others in similar situations, share their experience and support one another. PLANS by Supermacs boss Pat McDonagh to build an Obama Plaza style development on the edge of Limerick now look unlikely to go ahead. It comes as a fresh planning application is lodged for the same piece of land where the 10m development was earmarked for, adjacent to the Limerick Tunnel. Softdrive, a company located in Galways Ballybrit Business Park, which has Pat McDonagh and Una McDonagh listed as its directors, is seeking permission to demolish unoccupied industrial buildings on the land, and clear the site. In their place would be new light industrial warehousing including offices, a staff area and a circulation space. Its not clear what has prompted the change in approach, with a spokesperson for Mr McDonagh saying they do not comment on live planning applications. It was the Limerick Leader which first revealed back in 2020 that the businessman was planning a new motorway service station in the area. At the time, he said there would be up to 100 jobs in the construction phase, and between 90 and 100 permanent jobs once the development is complete. READ MORE: Limerick traders make plea over 'detrimental' closure of street Shortly after our story was published, Atlantic Troy, another company whose directors are listed as Pat McDonagh and Una McDonagh and are based in Galway, sought permission to construct the development. It would have included a convenience shop, food court, staff facilities, parking and circulation space. The planning application was withdrawn early in 2021 without any explanation. It came after eight people contacted the council expressing concerns. In that number were a number of other petrol stations located in close proximity to the development. And one employee of one of these expressed fear their job would be put at risk from this project. Concerns were also raised around increased traffic and flooding. A decision on the new application is due in January. In the early hours of Thursday, India time, the US Attorney's Office in New York announced it has indicted Adani Group chair Gautam Adani and seven other executives over an alleged years-long scheme to bribe Indian officials. US prosecutors claim $250 million in bribes were paid to unnamed Indian officials in exchange for favorable terms on solar power contracts awarded to Adani Green Energy Ltd and Azure Power Global Ltd, another New Delhi-headquartered firm. Later in the day, the Adani Group denied the allegations, calling them "baseless" and reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance and compliance. Mint breaks down the allegations, the people involved, and what this could mean for the Adani Group. What is this bribery case? The US Attorney's Office in New York indicted eight executives, including billionaire Gautam Adani, over an alleged multi-billion-dollar scheme involving $250 million in bribes. Prosecutors allege that between 2020 and 2024, Adani and seven other executives paid bribes to unnamed Indian government officials to secure solar energy supply contracts. What are the charges? US prosecutors have charged the executives, including Gautam Adani, with securities fraud and wire fraud. Separately, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has accused the Adani Group of misconduct stemming from what it described as a massive bribery scheme." Who has been indicted? Eight executives have been named, including three from the Adani Group, two former CEOs of Azure Power, and three former executives of Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), a Canadian pension fund managing $450 billion in assets. Adani Group executives: Gautam Adani: Chair of the Adani Group. Sagar Adani: Nephew of Gautam Adani and head of Adani Green Energy. Vneet S. Jaain: CEO of Adani Green Energy. Read this | Gautam Adani has a new $5 billion business idea in mind Azure Power executives: Ranjit Gupta: CEO from July 2019 to April 2022. Rupesh Agarwal: CEO from August 2022 to July 2023. CDPQ executives: Cyril Cabanes: Former managing director of infrastructure for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Saurabh Agarwal: Former managing director, CDPQ India. Deepak Malhotra: Former director of infrastructure for South Asia. Which companies are involved? The companies implicated are Adani Green Energy Ltd and Azure Power. Adani Green Energy is one of the 10 listed companies of the Adani Group. It went public in 2017 and has a market capitalization of nearly 2.24 trillion. Azure Power was founded in 2008 by Inderpreet Wadhwa, an Indian-American renewable energy entrepreneur. More here | Retail investor base shrinks in most Adani firms In October 2016, Azure Power became the first homegrown energy company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In November 2023, Azure Power delisted its shares, although they continue to trade on the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Were Indian officials named? The court documents do not name any Indian officials but reference the Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) A government agency under the ministry of new and renewable energy, SECI facilitates developing and implementing solar energy projects in the country by issuing tenders. It also procures power from developers and sells it to state power distribution companies. SECI acts as the intermediary between project developers (Adani Green and Azure Power ) and state distribution companies (half a dozen state power distribution companies, including Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corp. Ltd, Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Co. Ltd, Jammu Kashmir Power Corp. Ltd and Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Corp. Ltd) Why are US prosecutors involved? Over the last four years, Adani Green Energy raised over $2 billion from global investors, including those in the US. Prosecutors allege that the Adani Group concealed the bribery scheme from investors, despite ongoing investigations by multiple US agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). How did the US prosecutors arrive at their conclusion? One of the revelations made by the prosecutors is about a development in the summer of 2023. The prosecutors said that on or around 17 March 2023 FBI agents served Sagar Adani with a grand jury subpoena during a visit to the US and searched his office. The next day, Gautam Adani allegedly emailed himself "photographs of each page of the search warrant executed and grand jury subpoena served". "Despite knowing certain of the subject offenses and individuals under investigation by the United States government, the defendants Gautam S Adani and Sagar R Adani not only concealed the bribery scheme from financial institutions and investors in the United States and elsewhere but also caused others to make false and misleading statements regarding their awareness and knowledge of the United States government's investigation and its subjects," said the US prosecutors. What happens next? The Adani Group has denied the allegations, calling them "baseless" and emphasizing its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency, and regulatory compliance. The company reiterated that the charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty." The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," the statement read. It also emphasized that it would pursue all possible legal recourse to defend itself. Despite the denial, the fallout is already evident in the markets. Adani Group stocks lost as much as 20% when trading began in Indian equity markets on Thursday, reflecting heightened investor concerns. According to media reports, the group also scrapped a $600 million bond offering on Thursday following the charges against Gautam Adani. Existing US-currency notes issued by the conglomerate plunged in Asian trading, signaling investor jitters. Also read | Adani Group adopts strategy to manage, diversify borrowings in wake of Hindenburg crisis GQG Partners, a major investor in Adani Group companies, issued a statement saying it is monitoring the charges brought by the US Attorneys Office and the SEC. Our team is reviewing the emerging details and determining what, if any, actions for our portfolios are appropriate," the statement read. GQG also noted that more than 90% of its clients assets are invested in issuers unrelated to the Adani Group, emphasizing the diversified nature of its portfolio construction strategy. Historically, such cases have often resulted in companies and individuals paying fines without admitting wrongdoing. However, this latest episode could reignite the reputational crisis for the Adani Group, which had previously managed to move past allegations of stock market manipulation and accounting fraud levelled by US short-seller Hindenburg Research in January last year. The charges may also create fresh challenges for the group's foreign fundraising efforts, compounding the reputational damage caused by the Hindenburg allegations. The Justice Department on Wednesday said Google should have to sell off its popular Chrome browser as part of a court-ordered fix to its monopolization of the online search market. The request follows the governments victory this year in an antitrust case against Google and is likely to kick off a heightened legal fight with wide-reaching implications for the tech giants core business. Government lawyers said competition can only be restored if Google separates its search engine from products it has built to access the internet, such as Chrome and its Android mobile operating system. Chrome controls about two-thirds of the global browser market, according to the website Statcounter. Searches in the Chrome address bar go through Google unless a user changes the settings. The Justice Department also requested that Google be prevented from giving preferential access to its search engine on devices that use its Android mobile operating system. If Google violated that rule in the future, it would have to divest Android as well under the governments proposal. Android runs on billions of smartphones from manufacturers such as Samsung, along with Googles own Pixel devices. Google would also be forbidden from paying to be the default search engine on any browser, including Chrome under its new owner. Google currently pays Apple tens of billions of dollars a year to be the default on its Safari browser. The remedy must enable and encourage the development of an unfettered search ecosystem that induces entry, competition and innovation as rivals vie to win the business of consumers and advertisers," the department and over two dozen state plaintiffs wrote. The governments proposal also goes after Googles role in the young artificial-intelligence market, which is starting to displace traditional search. The Justice Department wants the court to compel Google to allow website publishers to opt out of having their data used to train its AI models. Alternatively, the search giant could pay publishers to use their data. In a statement this week, Google said a forced spinoff of Android or Chrome would harm consumers, developers and American technological leadership." It accused the Justice Department of using the case to push a policymaking agenda. About half of U.S. internet searches go through products where Google has paid to be the default, including Android phones, Apple devices and browsers such as Firefox, according to U.S. District Judge Amit Mehtas opinion. Another 20% go through Chrome browsers that users have downloaded themselves and default to Google search. Advertisements next to search results accounted for 57% of Google parent Alphabets $307 billion of revenue last year. Mehta will oversee a trial starting in April to decide how to address Googles antitrust violations. The judge has said he plans to decide by August. Google is expected to appeal his decision. That could delay the impact of a ruling for months or years. A drastic proposal Wednesdays filing is the capstone of a legal effort by Biden administration antitrust enforcers to dilute the dominance of Google, Apple and Amazon. Google was the first of the defendants to get to a courtroom and the proposal to spin off Chrome shows how far the government will go to cut the tech giants down to size. In an opinion 25 years ago, judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated a lower courts order to break up Microsoft. They suggest that remedy was only appropriate when a monopoly had been formed through mergers, as opposed to organically grown. While the Justice Department will gain a new antitrust chief after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Republicans have generally supported antitrust action against the company. The department filed the lawsuit in 2020 when Trump was president. Googles policy of pre-installing its search engine on Android devices and defaulting Chrome searches to itself have made it nearly impossible for rivals to gain the users and data required to improve their search engines and compete, Mehta ruled earlier this year. Search engines typically improve based on the data they gather from searches conducted by users, in a cycle where success leads to higher quality which leads to even more success. Spinning off Chrome and Android would be the most effective way to ensure other search engines get an opportunity to compete, said Fiona Scott Morton, a Yale University economist who served in the Justice Department during the Obama administration. As long as Google controls them, it will have a strong incentive to steer users toward its own search engine, she argued. The Justice Department and the dozens of states that joined the lawsuit went back and forth on potential remedies in recent days. They initially planned to ask for a spinoff of Chrome only if Google failed to comply with limits on how it ties search to its other products. But on Wednesday, the plaintiffs decided to seek a sale of Chrome independent of any other conditions, people familiar with the matter said. Chromes importance to Google Android and Chrome have been central to Googles fortunes over the past two decades. Google CEO Sundar Pichai helped lead the development of Chrome in 2008 and later oversaw Android after its creator Andy Rubin stepped aside from his leadership role. If Google sold Chrome, the new owner could select a company to be the default search engine, or users might have to choose an option. As the worlds most popular search engine, Google would likely still get many queries through Chrome, Safari and other browsers if the Justice Department gets its way. But even a small loss could upend an industry in which competitors including Microsofts Bing and the independent DuckDuckGo have single-digit market shares. DuckDuckGo said queries through its search engine on Chrome rose about 75% in Europe after Google introduced a choice screen" in the browser in response to the European Unions Digital Markets Act. A divestiture of Chrome would also deprive Google of user data that help it deliver targeted advertisements. Google encourages users to sign in when using Chrome, which makes it easier for the company to track their online activity. The Justice Departments proposal asks for Google to have to share its search data with competitors. Write to Dave Michaels at dave.michaels@wsj.com and Miles Kruppa at miles.kruppa@wsj.com Two whistleblower complaints flagging financial impropriety at a small New York Stock Exchange-listed company marked the start of a two-year probe by the US government into the Adani group. On Thursday, the probe culminated in the indictment of billionaire Gautam Adani and seven others in a $250 million bribery scam, sinking the stocks of the Indian conglomerate. Adani group denied the allegations by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, terming the allegations against its directors, including Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani, baseless". The NYSE-listed company, Azure Power Global Ltd, had disclosed in its annual report for 2022-23 that its audit committee had received two whistleblower complaintsin May 2022 and September 2022detailing improper payments to Indian government officials. An internal probe did not find any wrongdoing, the New Delhi-headquartered company said, sharing the complaints and its investigation with the US justice department and market regulator. We have disclosed the details of the Special Committees investigation to the SEC and the US Department of Justice, and we continue to cooperate with those agencies," Azure Power stated in its annual report for the financial year ended March 2023. As part of its probe, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) served a grand jury subpoena notice to Sagar Adani in March last year. The Adani group did not disclose this information when Adani Green Energy Ltd raised $2 billion from foreign investors, including American investors, according to the US justice department. Also read | Mint Explainer: The US indictment of Gautam Adani [D]espite knowing certain of the subject offenses and individuals under investigation by the United States government, the defendants Gautam S Adani and Sagar R Adani not only concealed the Bribery Scheme from financial institutions and investors in the United States and elsewhere but also caused others to make false and misleading statements regarding their awareness and knowledge of the United States government's investigation and its subjects," the US Department of Justice said in a statement dated 20 November. Gautam Adani is the chairman of Adani Green Energy, and Sagar Adani is executive director. The charges come just as the Adani group managed to move past the impact of allegations of stock market manipulation and accounting fraud levelled by US short-seller Hindenburg Research in January last year. On Thursday, Adani Green Energy halted plans for a $600 million fundraise through US dollar bonds after the latest allegations surfaced. Also, Adani group stocks lost about 2.24 trillion on NSE after the US probe charges surfaced. The motive Azure Power, which decided to delist from NYSE in November last year, was founded by Inderpreet Wadhwa, an Indian-American renewable energy entrepreneur in 2008. In 2016, Azure became the first homegrown company listed on NYSE. Subsequently, in 2019 and 2020, it issued preferential shares to Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), a Canadian pension fund managing $450 billion in assets. By the end of 2020, CDPQ owned 51% of Azure Power. In December 2019, Solar Energy Corporation of India, or SECI, shortlisted Azure Power and Adani Green Energy to construct solar cells and produce 10 GW of power. Azure Powers share was to produce 2GW of solar energy, and Adani Greens 8 GW (equivalent to about 8 billion watts of electricity). SECI, a company under Indias ministry of new and renewable energy, oversees New Delhis renewable energy plans, including funding large solar projects such as those by Azure Power and Adani Green. Both Azure and Adani Green were projected to earn billions in revenue from the Projects," the US Securities and Exchange Commission said in a case filed against Cyril Cabanes, former chief executive of Azure Power Global, in a New York court on 20 November. But there was one major obstacle to the projected earnings. An agreement hadnt been reached to buy the power produced by Azure and Adani Green. Also read | Adani Greens on a roll to build capacity. But first, it needs to find buyers. Indian state governments and DISCOMS (state-owned energy distribution companies) continued to balk at entering into PSAs (power supply agreements) with SECI to purchase energy at the prices in the contracts awarded to Azure and Adani Green," the US SEC said in its complaint. Because of volatile energy prices post the 2019 tender, SEC said, the state governments and DISCOMs rightfully believed they would be able to purchase power less expensively elsewhere". The bottom line for both Azure and Adani Green was that they each stood to lose billions of dollars of potential revenue unless Indian state governments and their related DISCOMs entered into PSAs with SECI," the US markets regulator added. Hence, two additional contractual steps were needed. One, SECI needed state-owned energy distribution companies to sign new agreements to commit to the power. Two, SECI had to draft new contracts with Azure and Adani Green detailing the price at which power would be bought. Here is where, the US authorities believe, that Azure and Adani Green executives paid kickbacks. The US securities regulator alleged that senior executives of Azure and Adani Green schemed to pressure and to propose to pay incentives directly to state government officials in India (i.e., bribes) to cause Indian state government entities and the related DISCOMs to enter into PSAs with SECI at prices favorable to Azure and Adani Green". Bribe per megawatt In a WhatsApp conversation dated 25 February 2021, Sagar Adani wrote to Ranjit Gupta, the then-CEO of Azure Power, that, Just so you know, we have doubled the incentives to push for these acceptances." The conversation related to the state electricity distribution companies of Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh being asked to sign agreements with SECI. The motivation and incentives referred to in the WhatsApp messages were bribes payments to state government officials in India," the US SEC said in its complaint. Adani Green executives kept track of the bribes, creating and maintaining records of bribes that had been paid or promised to numerous Indian states and Indian state officials to induce them to cause the Indian states to buy renewable energy from SECI", the US regulator added. Gautam Adani had met Andhra Pradesh government officials in August 2021, and Sagar Adani met them on 12 September 2021, the SEC said in its charges. Also read | Adani Group adopts strategy to manage, diversify borrowings in wake of Hindenburg crisis At or in connection with these meetings, the Adanis (Gautam and Sagar) paid or promised a bribe to Andhra Pradesh government officials to cause the relevant Andhra Pradesh government entities to enter into PSAs with SECI for the purchase of 7,000 MW of power capacity," said SEC. Adani Green records and later statements by Adani Green executives to the Azure Chairman indicated that the Andhra Pradesh bribe payment was about $200 million. Shortly after these meetings, Andhra Pradesh agreed in principle to execute a PSA with SECI that would directly benefit Adani Green and Azure," it added. In its complaint, the US market regulator added that during in-person meetings between Adani group and Azure Power executives in Ahmedabad, the bribes to be paid to Andhra Pradesh government officials were set at 25 lakh for 1 megawatt of power to be bought from SECI. 7,000 megawatts multiplied by 25 lakh, which equals 17.5 billion rupees, or 1,750 crore (a multiple of ten billion rupees)i.e., more than $200 million," said SEC. The bribe notes The US Department of Justice in its finding on the alleged bribes paid by the Adani Group is more revelatory. During and in furtherance of the Bribery Scheme, the defendant Sagar R Adani used his cellular phone to track specific details of the bribes offered and promised to government officials (the Bribe Notes")," the US justice department said in its charges. The Bribe Notes identified: (i) the state or region for which government officials had been offered a bribe; (ii) the total amount of the offered bribe; and (iii) the approximate amount of solar power the state or region would agree to purchase in exchange for the bribe. In most instances, the Bribe Notes also identified the per megawatt rate for the total bribe amount offered, the abbreviated titles of the government officials who would receive the bribes, and/or the allocation of the total bribe amount among government officials within each state and region," the US justice department said. Mint independently cannot ascertain the details, including how the alleged kickbacks were paid or received, as disclosed by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The indictment is the first step after concluding the investigation, and the authorities will need to present evidence of wrongdoing to press their case. Innocent until proven guilty Azure Powers revenue more than doubled from 992.6 crore in the year ended March 2019 to 2,074.8 crore in the year ended March 2023. Adani Green Energys revenue jumped from 2,058 crore in March 2019 to 10,460 crore in the year ended March 2024. Adani group on Thursday denied the allegations, referring to the indictment, which states that the charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty". All possible legal recourse will be sought," said a spokesperson for the Adani group. The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws." Adani Group strongly refuted allegations made by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against directors of its renewable energy arm, Adani Green. In a statement issued on November 21, the company dismissed the charges as baseless and vowed to pursue all available legal remedies. Referencing the U.S. Department of Justice's own stance, the group emphasised that the charges are merely allegations. As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, "the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty," the company said in a filing. All possible legal recourse will be sought, it added. The Adani Group reiterated its commitment to adhering to the highest standards of governance, transparency, and regulatory compliance across all regions where it operates. "We assure our stakeholders, partners, and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," the spokesperson said. Also Read | Gautam Adani Indicted In New York In Alleged Bribery & Fraud Case Shares of several Adani Group companies, including its flagship Adani Enterprises, suffered steep losses on Thursday, November 21, hitting their lower circuits in early trading. The sell-off was triggered by the revelation of a criminal indictment in New York against Gautam Adani, accusing him of involvement in a multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. Also Read | Adani Group stocks crash after US indicts Chairman, 7 others on bribery charges US authorities alleges Adani Group scams U.S. authorities alleged that over $250 million in bribes were promised to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts. "A five-count criminal indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain, executives of an Indian renewable-energy company (the Indian Energy Company), with conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud and substantive securities fraud for their roles in a multi-billion-dollar scheme to obtain funds from US investors and global financial institutions on the basis of false and misleading statements," stated the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. The statement further detailed, "The indictment also charges Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable-energy company with securities that had traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the U.S. Issuer), and Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, former employees of a Canadian institutional investor, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with a bribery scheme also perpetrated by Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain, involving one of the worlds largest solar energy projects." Adani Energy Solutions saw its stock drop to its 20 per cent lower circuit at 697.70 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Adani Enterprises and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone also faced sharp declines of up to 10 per cent to 2,538.20 and 1,160.15 on the BSE. More than 100 students released 100 critically endangered fish into an 'iconic' Adelaide river on Thursday. A group of students released 100 southern purple-spotted gudgeon fish into the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri near Adelaide on Thursday morning. Source: Green Adelaide A group of young Aussies from three different schools flocked to an iconic river on Thursday morning to release 100 critically endangered fish they have been looking after for 12 months. Last November, more than 400 native southern purple-spotted gudgeon fish were reintroduced to the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri, just outside of Adelaide, after going missing for more than a century, a spokesperson for Green Adelaide SAs first government urban environmental organisation told Yahoo News Australia. The move was part of an initiative to help save the species from extinction. This week, the students gathered to release a second group of gudgeon, also known as zombie fish, into a restored section of the river during a hands-on learning experience. ADVERTISEMENT Photos show the eager kids wading into the water before releasing the fish. The Green Adelaide spokesperson said the significant moment for the species is also a great sign for the rivers overall health as well. The students had been caring for the fish before releasing them. Source: Green Adelaide State's plight to save fish species from extinction The southern purple-spotted gudgeon is endemic to SA, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, which classified the fish as extinct for 20 years before two were found in the states north in 2019. Fish monitoring surveys at the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri over the past year have shown they are strong since their reintroduction, but did warn its still early days, Green Adelaide ecologist Jason van Weenen said. ADVERTISEMENT Over the last 20 years, conservation activities such as pest management, habitat restoration and water quality improvement have all played a role in the recovery of the river, he said. Gudgeons being able to call the river home once again is a testament to the work of many who continue to restore the river. Dr Sylvia Zukowski, senior aquatic ecologist for Nature Glenelg Trust which has teamed up with the City of Marion and Green Adelaide to help with the project said the second reintroduction of gudgeon was a good sign that more initiatives to save other threatened river species will be supported be in the future. Reintroducing southern purple-spotted gudgeon to the River Torrens provides a roadmap for planning for the conservation of other threatened fish species, Dr Zukowski said. The gudgeons were in-bred at wetlands in Victor Harbor, and then moved to a surrogate site of Oaklands Wetlands before being reintroduced to the River Torrens. These surrogate sites are critical for the recovery of small-bodied freshwater threatened fish as safe havens for breeding populations. Apple iPhone supplier Foxconn has revised its hiring criteria in India, directing its headhunters to remove conditions related to marital status from job advertisements. The updates follow media scrutiny and government investigations into discriminatory practices at the Taiwanese company's Sriperumbudur iPhone plant near Chennai. The revised job postings remove previous discriminatory criteria that excluded married women from assembly-line positions. Recruitment agents have been told to standardise ads using Foxconn-approved templates and avoid mentioning the companys name, Reuters reported. An investigation by Reuters revealed that some recruitment ads excluded married women from applying for assembly-line jobs, violating Foxconn and Apples anti-discrimination policies. During peak production periods, however, these restrictions were reportedly relaxed, per the Reuters report. One recruitment agent, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Foxconn HR executives warned them against using the companys name in future ads. They told us not to mention marital status, age, or gender. Our contracts would be terminated if we didnt comply, the agent said, as quoted by Reuters. New job advertisements, reviewed by Reuters in October, align with these directives. The updated ads, which describe benefits such as air-conditioned workplaces and free accommodation, omit Foxconns name and any criteria related to gender or marital status, the report added. In response to the allegations, the Indian government launched federal and state-level investigations into Foxconns hiring practices. Labour officials visited the plant in July and interviewed company executives. However, neither the federal government nor Tamil Nadus state officials disclosed the findings of their investigations. Also Read | iPhone maker Foxconn asks recruiters to remove marital status from job ads Foxconn and Apple declined to comment Foxconn and Apple declined to comment on the changes in the job ads. While Foxconn has previously stated that it employs married women in India, it remains unclear whether the revised advertising practices indicate a broader shift in its hiring policies. Dilip Cherian, co-founder of Indian PR firm Perfect Relations, remarked that the media scrutiny had forced Foxconn to act. Whether this represents a genuine policy change or a legal adjustment to avoid criticism remains to be seen, Cherian said, as quoted by Reuters. Also Read | iPhone maker Foxconn asks recruiters to remove marital status from job ads Foxconn Chairman Young Liu, during his visit to India in August, emphasised the contributions of married women to the companys efforts. He also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss investment plans, highlighting Foxconns continued focus on India as a key market, the report added. Chennai-based real estate company Casagrand is sending 1,000 of its top performers on a week-long, all-expenses-paid trip to Barcelona, Spain. This exclusive trip is part of the company's Profit-share Bonanza programme, designed to celebrate the efforts of those who played a key role in helping the company meet its financial targets for the last year. Casagrand's Reward for Dedication and Teamwork Casagrands Profit-share Bonanza programme is an annual initiative that honours the commitment and teamwork of employees across all departments, says the release. Casagrand in their official statement explained, "This programme recognises the dedication, commitment, and teamwork of those who contributed to achieving the company's sales target for the last financial year. Employees from various roles, ranging from executives to senior leadership, have been selected to participate in this grand reward. Since 2013, this initiative has become a key tradition for the company, which has consistently shown appreciation for its workforce through such remarkable rewards. Also Read | Wall Street welcomes back fatter bonuses Casagrand's Tradition of Employee Appreciation What began as a modest trip to Singapore with 50 employees in 2013 has since evolved into a global tradition for Chennai-based Casagrand. Over the years, Casagrand has taken their employees to popular destinations such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Malaysia, and London. Even the pandemic couldnt halt this tradition, with trips to Dubai and Abu Dhabi taking place in 2021, despite travel restrictions. The most recent trips included visits to Switzerland in 2022 and Australia in 2023. Also Read | Festive sales upset puts annual bonuses on the line Barcelona Awaits: A Dream Trip to Spain for Casagrand Employees In 2024, Casagrand is taking its appreciation to new heights with a trip to Barcelona, one of the most captivating cities in Europe. The itinerary includes visits to some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the stunning Sagrada Familia and the colourful mosaics of Park Guell. The journey also features scenic visits to Montjuic Castle, and time to relax on Barcelonas world-famous beaches. Also Read | Five companies showering shareholders with buybacks and bonus issues The Gautam Adani bribery case gains a new lead as Adani Group refuted the involvement of Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vineet Jain in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) charges, calling them incorrect under the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the SEC indictments, according to an official statement on November 27. Also Read | Adani group shares surge up to 16% after Adani Green issues clarification Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Vineet Jain have not been charged with any violation of the FCPA in the counts set forth in the indictment of the US DOJ or civil complaint of the US SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), according to Adani Green Energy's exchange filing on Wednesday. The company also said that these directors have been charged with three counts in the criminal indictment: alleged securities fraud conspiracy, alleged wire fraud conspiracy, and alleged securities fraud. Take a look at what happened with the Adani Group: October 2021: Adani Ports ditched its plans to build a container terminal in Myanmar after rights groups reported the company would be leasing the land for the project from a military-controlled firm under US sanctions in October 2021. The company ended up selling the project in May 2024 for $30 million, which was lower than the original $127 million investment from the conglomerate. December 2022: Adani Group's Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerela also faced halts in 2022. The construction was stopped for four months as fishing workers protested against the project having coastal erosion and livelihood impacts. The construction resumed in December 2022, as the company backed their project, citing that it complies with all laws and cited studies showing no links to shoreline erosion. December 2021: Australia-based Adani Minings flagship project, the Carmichael Mine and Rail Project, fought a seven-year-long campaign against climate activists before shipping its cargo in December 2021. Climate groups concerned about the emissions and damage to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia protested the project, which led to scaring off the lenders, insurers and engineering companies. The mine was reduced to 10 million metric tonnes per year from the previously planned 60 million tonnes per year, as per media reports. January 2023: The US-based short seller Hindenburg Research released its original report on January 24, 2023, against the Adani Group, titled Adani Group: How The Worlds 3rd Richest Man Is Pulling The Largest Con In Corporate History. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, nearly $150 billion was wiped off the market value of the Adani companies within a month of the report's release. The report alleged that the conglomerate was engaged in a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades. Hindenburg also accused the Adani family members of creating offshore shell companies in tax haven countries such as Mauritius, the UAE, and the Caribbean Islands, using forged import-export documentation to show fake revenue, and laundering money from their listed public companies, as per the report. However, the conglomerate denied all the allegations. August 2023: The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) investigated the Adani Group and found that two Mauritius-based funds, the Emerging India Focus Fund (EIFF) and the EM Resurgent Fund (EMRF), invested and traded in the stocks of four listed Adani Group companies between 2013 and 2018, The Guardian and Financial Times reported. Two foreign investors, Nasser Ali Shaban Ahli from the UAE and Chang Chung-Ling from Taiwan, invested nearly $430 million in March 2017. The investigation also showed that Excel Investment and Advisory Services Limited, two entities owned by Vinod Adani, a promoter in the Adani Group and Gautam Adani's brother, received more than $1.4 million in advisory fees from management companies of EIFF, EMRF and GOF between June 2012 and August 2014. The company denied all the charges made by the OCCRP report. Evidence was found that Vinod Adani was handling all these front companies, through which he invested massive funds into Adani Group stocks. December 2023: Adani Properties received the 259-hectare Dharavi redevelopment project in November 2023. The deal has triggered protests, and Maharashtra Opposition leaders and workers led thousands of protestors to Gautam Adanis Mumbai offices on December 16, 2023. The conglomerate also struggled to secure land to rehouse nearly 700,000 residents who would be displaced during the project. Protestors used flags and banners bearing slogans like Remove Adani, Save Dharavi. They were concerned that the company would benefit from the redevelopment project rather than the people living in Asia's biggest slum. August 2024: The second round of Hindenburg allegations came on August 10 against the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch. The report claimed that Buch has a conflict of interest. It alleged that Buch and her husband, Dhaval Buch, owned a stake in certain offshore entities related to the Adani Group. Gautam Adani's brother Vinod Adani allegedly used those entities in an alleged money laundering scandal. Madhabi Puri Buch and Dhaval Buch denied all the allegations made by the US-based short seller. Adani Group of companies shares took a hit again on the stock market, wiping off $2.4 billion in one trading day. The losses were less than when compared to $13 billion after the first Hindenburg report on Adani. Also Read | Kenya cancels power transmission deal with Adani following US bribery scandal September 2024: Hindenburg's third take on the Adani Group came through a social media post on platform X, citing Swiss authorities freezing $310 million of the Adani Group's funds across several Swiss bank accounts. According to the report, this was part of a money laundering investigation into the Adani Group, cited by the US-based short seller quoting local Swiss media outlet Gotham City. Swiss authorities have frozen more than $310 million in funds across multiple Swiss bank accounts as part of a money laundering and securities forgery investigation into Adani, dating back as early as 2021, said Hindenburg in its post on platform X. Once again, Adani Group denied all the allegations. September 2024: Adani Group's Kenya troubles emerged as the high court of Kenya temporarily blocked a proposed deal to lease the country's primary airport for 30 years in exchange for an expansion plan over allegations of unaffordability, a threat to jobs, and fiscal risks, according to media reports. After a month, the court suspended another $736 million deal between government-owned Kenya Electrical Transmission Company (KETRACO) and Adani Energy Solutions over an advocacy group's argument of a constitutional sham and tainted with secrecy, cited the report. October 2024: Adani Power cut its supply to Bangladesh as the country failed to clear its outstanding dues by October 30. Adani Power Jharkhand Limited (APJL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Power, stopped half of its power supply to the neighbouring nation over $846 million in dues. As per the latest development, the Bangladesh High Court has ordered the formation of a high-level enquiry committee comprising international energy and law experts to reevaluate all electricity-related agreements with the Adani group, according to local media reports on November 19. November 2024: On November 20, the US securities market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), announced that it is charging Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani, among others, over an alleged massive bribery scheme. The US authorities claimed that more than $250 million in bribes were promised to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts. The SEC also alleged that the scheme was carried out to benefit the two companies (Adani Green Energy and Azure Power) to capitalise on a multi-billion-dollar solar energy project. The group's flagship company, Adani Enterprises, saw its shares nosedive nearly 23 per cent, suffering massive losses and hitting their lower circuit during Thursday's market session. Chairperson Gautam Adani's net worth dropped more than $10.5 billion, or nearly 88,726 crore, on Thursday, November 21. Google's battle against anti-trust suits: In 2008, Google faced increasing antitrust scrutiny over an advertising deal with its rival Yahoo, alongside lawsuits involving patent, trademark, and copyright issues. In response, tech giant Google issued a confidential memo to its employees, setting the tone for a long-term shift in its internal communication strategy. The memos advice was clear: Think twice before writing about hot topics, reports New York Times. Also Read | Google should be forced to sell Chrome browser, Justice Department says Googles Move to Minimise Incriminating Comments from Employees The confidential memo sent out by Google executives revealed the companys concerns about potential legal challenges. Google's memo stressed that while "information is good," words exchanged between employees could become ammunition for government regulators or competitors in lawsuits. Google employees were instructed to avoid speculation and sarcasm and to ensure they had all the facts before commenting on sensitive issues. Dont comment before you have all the facts, employees were instructed. To reinforce this message, Googles internal instant messaging tool was tweaked to off the record, ensuring that any thoughtless or damaging comments would be automatically erased after a day. Also Read | Google accused of suppressing internal records amid antitrust trials: Report Further, Google encouraged employees to put 'attorney-client privileged' on documents and to always add a Google lawyer to the list of recipients, even if no legal questions were involved and the lawyer never responded This adjustment marked the beginning of a 15-year initiative by Google to make message deletion the default practice in its internal communications. "How Google developed this distrustful culture was pieced together from hundreds of documents and exhibits, as well as witness testimony, in three antitrust trials against the Silicon Valley company over the last year," the NYT report noted. Google's 15-Year Culture of Deletion of Internal Communication Google's 2008 memo laid the groundwork for a broader strategy to limit internal documentation that could later be used in legal disputes. Despite Googles mission to store the worlds information, it created an office culture that worked to minimise its own informational footprint. Over the years, Google developed a reputation for using legal privilege as a catch-all shield and imposed restraints on its own technology to prevent incriminating communications. Also Read | Google offers to settle anti-trust case in smart TV probe This culture of deletion became a key aspect of Googles legal strategy, particularly in the face of antitrust lawsuits. In 2023 alone, Alphabet's Google has faced three high-profile antitrust trials, with Epic Games and the US Department of Justice attempting to prove that Googles practices amounted to monopolistic behaviour. The evidence used against Google in these trials included emails, memos, and internal messages from Google engineers and executivesmaterials that the company had long worked to limit. Also Read | US reportedly planning to force Google to sell Chrome, decouple Android Google Faces Renewed Calls for Antitrust Investigations While the 2008 conmfidential memo marked a pivotal point in Googles efforts to safeguard itself against legal challenges, the company continues to face scrutiny. On November 20, Google found itself at the centre of renewed calls for further investigations into its business practices under the European Unions Digital Markets Act (DMA). Think twice before writing about hot topics. Dont comment before you have all the facts. The privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo, with a modest 0.54 per cent global market share as of January 2024, has pushed the European Commission to launch three new investigations into Google's compliance with the DMA. Nov 21 (Reuters) - Intuit projected second-quarter revenue and profit below market estimates on Thursday, hampered by sluggish demand for its financial management services and a planned change in the timing of its promotions. The company's consumer group, which caters to individuals, is expected to see a single-digit revenue decline in the second quarter due to the delay in promotions for the desktop offering of TurboTax, its software widely used by Americans to file their taxes. Intuit said the delay only impacts revenue timing and reiterated its annual forecast for double-digit revenue growth. The company offers financial products, including personal finance portal Credit Karma, marketing platform Mailchimp and accounting software suite QuickBooks that help small businesses manage their finances. Its shares had declined 5.1% on Tuesday after a Washington Post report that President-elect Donald Trumps government efficiency team was considering creating a free tax-filing app. "I am personally engaging with the incoming leaders and new administration," CEO Sasan Goodarzi told Reuters. "They're looking for an opportunity to make the tax code in general just simpler. And as we've always said, another free tax software is not going to make any impact because free (software) is already available to all Americans," he added. Intuit competes with firms such as H & R Block, Oracle's NetSuite and Microsoft's Dynamics 365 Platform, which all offer similar financial services. It expects revenue to be between $3.81 billion and $3.84 billion for the second quarter ending Jan. 31, below analysts' average estimate of $3.87 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. The company forecast quarterly adjusted profit per share of $2.55 to $2.61, below average estimate of $3.20. Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Thursday, November 21, that he had ordered the cancellation of a procurement process expected to award control of the country's main airport to the Adani Group after chairman Gautam Adani was indicted in the US over alleged bribery and fraud charges. Under the proposed deal worth nearly $2 billion, the Adani Group was to add a second runway at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and upgrade the passenger terminal in exchange for a 30-year lease. Ruto said he also cancelled a 30-year, $736-million public-private partnership Adani signed with the energy ministry last month to construct power transmission lines. "I have directed agencies within the Ministry of Transport and within the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to cancel the ongoing procurement immediately," Ruto said in his State of the Nation address, attributing the decision to "new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations". According to reports, in October, Adani Energy Solutions signed a 30-year, $736 million public-private partnership deal with the Kenya Electrical Transmission Company. A court suspended the contract in the same month. Kenya's energy minister said there was no bribery or corruption in awarding a contract to the Adani Group to build power lines in the country. Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi said the deal was above board. "There has been no case of corruption or bribery as far as PIP (Privately-initiated proposal) with Adani Energy Solutions is concerned," he told Kenya's Senate committee on finance. Wandayi said Kenya's Public-Private Partnership Act required a review and verification of documents provided by Adani Energy Solutions showing its compliance with laws and taxes in its country of origin, India. We had no knowledge of any other adverse matters ... and therefore, we are proceeding based on the outcome of the very rigorous due diligence exercise undertaken by the contracting authority in line with the law. US bribery indictment scandal against Gautam Adani Gautam Adani was allegedly indicted in New York, US, over his role in a multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. According to US authorities, 62-year-old Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the ports-to-power conglomerate, and seven other defendants agreed to pay Indian government officials over $250 million in bribes to obtain solar contracts. The contracts were expected to yield $2 billion in profit over 20 years and to develop India's largest solar power plant project. Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar are accused of orchestrating the scheme to ensure the solar energy project and misleading investors during a $750 million bond offering, which raised about $175 million from US investors. "Gautam and Sagar Adani were engaged in the bribery scheme during a September 2021 offering by Adani Green that raised $750 million, including approximately $175 million from US investors. The Adani Green offering materials included statements about its anti-corruption and anti-bribery efforts that were materially false or misleading," said the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In the indictment unsealed by federal prosecutors in New York, Adani was charged with securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and wire fraud. One result of the US legal action is that the Adani group decided not to proceed with a proposed US dollar-denominated bond offering. The US Department of Justice said, The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. US authorities said the Adanis and Adani Green Energy's former CEO, Vneet Jaain, had raised more than $3 billion in loans and bonds by hiding their corruption from lenders and investors. US law bars foreign companies from raising money from US investors by paying bribes overseas to win business. According to prosecutors, Adani Green Energy raised money from US investors and submitted financial documents falsely stating that it had not paid any government officials to secure an improper advantage. US court records show that arrest warrants have been issued in the United States for Gautam and Sagar Adani, and US prosecutors plan to hand those warrants to foreign law enforcement. The defendants were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud, and wire fraud and were also charged in the SEC civil case. Adani Group denied the allegations and said it would seek "all possible legal recourse. "The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," the conglomerate said in an official statement. "The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," it added. US Bribery Charge Impact on Adani Group Gautam Adani's net worth plunged by over $10.5 billion, or nearly 88,726 crore, on Thursday after the indictment charges were made public. According to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaire Index, Adani, India's second-richest man, now commands a net worth of $59.3 billion. During today's session, the bribery scandal triggered a rout in the Adani Group stocks. Several Adani Group shares, including those of the flagship firm Adani Enterprises, suffered massive losses and hit their lower circuits in early trade. The top loser among the group stocks was Adani Enterprises, which closed at 2,182.55, down 22.61 per cent. The sharp selloff wiped out over 2 lakh crore from the Adani Group's overall market capitalisation (m-cap). The group's total m-cap declined to 12.1 lakh crore from 14.31 lakh crore in the previous session. New Delhi: NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) has signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd (NREDCAP) for development of green energy projects. Under the agreement, a joint venture would develop 25 GW of renewable energy projects in the state, along with green hydrogen and pumped storage projects (PSP). "NREDCAP and NGEL signed JV agreement for development of 25 GW renewable energy projects, 0.5 MMTPA green hydrogen & derivatives, and 10 GW PSPs. This will bring 2 lakh crore investment to the state and provide huge employment opportunities," said Chakradhar Babu, managing director of NREDCAP in a post on social media platform X. Also read | NTPC arm in talks with HPCL, Hindalco for green hydrogen supply joint ventures Pumped storage project is a mechanism for energy storage in which water stored in two reservoirs at different elevations is used to produce electricity. The agreement comes days ahead of the foundation laying ceremony for NGEL's green hydrogen hub at Pudimadaka in Andhra Pradesh. The project is expected to be developed at an investment of 1.85 trillion. The plan is to produce 1,500 tonnes of green hydrogen every day. In talks with buyers On Wednesday, Mint reported that NTPC is is in talks with possible buyers of the green molecule. It is in talks with Japan's engineering major Toyo Engineering Corp. and Norwegian power supply systems company Getek AS for offtake of the green hydrogen to be produced at the hub. Further, Australian mining major Fortescue is in talks with NTPC to produce green hydrogen at its Pudimadaka hub. Also read | NTPC Green Energy to invest 80,000 cr for Maharashtra projects 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. NGEL, the green energy arm of state-run NTPC, has been 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 and copper and aluminium maker Hindalco Industries to supply these companies with green hydrogen. (Bloomberg) -- Nissan Motor Co.s latest outlook downgrade has shined a light on the Japanese carmakers tendency to overpromise and underdeliver, testing the trust of its investors and suppliers. The manufacturer has failed to meet its initial annual unit sales target during eight of the past nine fiscal years, four of which had a gap of more than 10%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. For this fiscal year through March, it lowered an initial goal by 8.1% to 3.4 million vehicles. Nissans propensity to promise too much is a habit it picked up when Carlos Ghosn was in charge, according to Tatsuo Yoshida, senior auto analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. By contrast, Toyota Motor Corp.s sales have never fallen short of forecasts by more than 10% during the same period, while Honda Motor Co. has seen drops of similar scale only twice. Six years have passed since Ghosns surprise exit, but Nissan hasnt been able to escape his operational style, Yoshida said, much less build a new one. Chief Executive Officer Makoto Uchida, appears to realize as much, saying that Nissan needs to be better at measuring the accuracy of its goals. Uchida, who forfeited half of his compensation beginning this month, also told reporters during a post-earnings briefing that the carmaker has been affected not only by external challenges, but also by our own specific issues. Nissans troubles deepened after its rapid decline opened the door to one of Japans most influential activist investors. A fund controlled by Effissimo Capital Management Pte took a 2.5% stake in the carmaker while share prices were down after it announced quarterly results earlier this month. Speculation abounds as to why Effissimo resurfaced now, but it was a striking reminder of its dramatic 2021 standoff with Toshiba Corp., which ended in the dismissal of its CEO. Nissans market capitalization, which stands at about 1.5 trillion ($9.7 billion), has been shrinking since peaking at almost 6 trillion in 2015. Its now Japans fifth-largest carmaker as measured by market value after Toyota, Honda, Suzuki Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. Ghosn, who joined Nissans executive ranks in 1999 from Renault SA after the French carmaker rescued the company, made three commitments in his revival plan including getting the struggling company out of the red and pledged to resign should he fail to meet any of them. In the end, all of his goals were accomplished ahead of schedule and Nissan posted record profits. After that, the long-term goal shifted to building more capacity and reaching greater scale in order to challenge Toyota and major carmakers in the US. That put Nissan on a path to higher incentives and fleet sales as it aspired to sell more vehicles. An aging product lineup is arguably Nissans biggest challenge. While Toyota and Honda have largely refreshed their models in North America, Nissans last significant updates were the Pathfinder and Frontier in 2021. The carmaker plans to roll out a plug-in hybrid version of the Rogue in fiscal 2025, followed by one using the companys e-Power gas-electric technology the next year. Nissan ranked behind Toyota and Honda in a survey published in November by Japanese weekly magazine Diamond, which asked major automakers partners to rank them based on the trustworthiness of their production plans. The accuracy of Nissans sales forecasts has been unusually low in recent years, according to SBI Securities Co. analyst Koji Endo. For some time now, Endo added, the company has been repeating the cycle of failing to meet its targets and resorting to stopgap measures to cut costs. That still continues; Nissan revealed plans earlier this month to terminate 9,000 jobs and reduce capacity by a fifth, putting much of the blame on a downturn in sales across North America and China. As the impacts of those cost cuts make their way downstream, the pain of Nissans rapid decline will weigh on the bottom lines of its countless suppliers and business partners. Nissan already encountered trouble earlier this year for squeezing parts makers. Suppliers risk incurring losses if they believe Nissans forecasts, Yoshida said. Thats why they take those numbers from Nissan and aim lower. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- Nvidia Corp. assured investors that its new product lineup can maintain the companys AI-fueled growth run, though the rush to get the chips out the door is proving more costly than expected. Speaking after the release of quarterly results, Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said that Nvidias highly anticipated Blackwell products will ship this quarter amid very strong demand. But the production and engineering costs of the chips will weigh on profit margins, and Nvidias sales forecast for the current period didnt match some of Wall Streets more optimistic projections. That brought a tepid reaction from investors, who had bid up Nvidia shares almost 200% this year heading into the earnings report. After that dizzying rally, which turned the chipmaker into the worlds most valuable company, anything but a blowout quarter was bound to be a disappointment. The shares fell about 2% in late trading. Nvidia predicted fiscal fourth-quarter sales of about $37.5 billion. Though the average analyst estimate was $37.1 billion, projections ranged as high as $41 billion. The guidance seems to show lower growth, but this may be Nvidia being conservative, said Alvin Nguyen, an analyst at Forrester Research Inc. Short term, there is no worry about AI demand. Nvidia is doing everything they should be doing. The companys biggest moneymaker is its accelerator chip, which helps develop artificial intelligence models by bombarding them with data. Since OpenAIs ChatGPT chatbot debuted in 2022, a frenzy of AI services has created insatiable demand for the product. Wall Street has been closely watching the launch of Blackwell, the latest entry in that category, which is faster and has an improved ability to link up with other semiconductors. Manufacturing challenges have slowed the rollout, and Nvidia warned again of supply constraints on Wednesday. Demand for the products is expected to exceed supply for several quarters. Critical questions around Blackwells production ramp and customer concentration remain key concerns, Emarketer analyst Jacob Bourne said in a note. Theres little room for execution missteps in 2025. Huang said that Blackwell is now in full production, and theres still an appetite for Hopper, the previous design. Blackwell is now in the hands of all of our major partners, he said during the conference call. But the switch to Blackwell has taken a toll on profitability. The companys gross margin, which measures the percentage of sales remaining after deducting the cost of production, will dip to as low as 73% this quarter from 75% in the previous period. The figure is expected to rebound when the new products reach larger-scale production, and the economics are more favorable. When asked whether Nvidias gross margin could be back in the mid-70s by the middle of next year, Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said thats a reasonable assumption. Nvidia remains far above its peers in this category: Its nearest rival, Advanced Micro Devices Inc., has a gross margin thats 20 percentage points narrower. Intel Corp.s isnt even half of Nvidias total. Nvidias growth over the past two years has been staggering. Its sales are poised to double for a second year in a row, and it now notches more money in profit than it used to generate in total revenue. Nvidias revenue rose 94% to $35.1 billion in the fiscal third quarter, which ended Oct. 27. Excluding certain items, profit was 81 cents a share. Analysts had predicted sales of about $33.25 billion and earnings of 74 cents a share. Nvidias biggest division, the data center unit, saw revenue double from a year earlier to $30.8 billion. That beat Wall Street estimates. But networking revenue within that unit declined sequentially, and the business is more dependent than ever on a small group of customers: cloud service providers. That cohort, which includes companies such as Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com Inc.s AWS, accounted for 50% of data center revenue, up from 45% in the prior period. Investors want that number to go down, to show that the use of AI is spreading across the economy. Other recent earnings reports have given strong signals for AI. Nvidia customers, including Microsoft, Amazon and Meta Platforms Inc., have reaffirmed their commitment to spend heavily on AI infrastructure. Nvidia has only missed analysts estimates on quarterly revenue once in the past five years. And it has exceeded expectations by as much as 20% in recent periods, creating a high bar for its performance. WATCH: Nvidia's Surprising AI Origin Story Its data center division alone now has more revenue than rivals Intel and AMD have in total, combined. Net income this year is on course to exceed revenue at Intel, a business that was the chip industrys biggest company for decades. Nvidia made its name by selling graphics processors, but discovered that the technology also has applications for AI. Its chips help software models during the training process, when they learn to recognize and respond to real-world inputs. Nvidias components are also used in systems that then run the software, a stage known as inference, and help power services such as ChatGPT. The Santa Clara, California-based company has rapidly expanded its product lineup to include networking, software and services, as well as fully built-out computer systems. Huang is traveling the world lobbying for a broader adoption of his technology and trying to spread its use by corporations and government agencies. The age of AI is upon us and its large and diverse, Huang said. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com By Stephen Nellis and Aditya Soni SAN FRANCISCO/BENGALURU (Reuters) - Nvidia's revenue forecast on Wednesday disappointed Wall Street, raising questions over whether the artificial intelligence boom is waning. But the answer, according to Nvidia executives, analysts and investors, is a resounding no. There is no shortage of companies eager to create new AI systems using Nvidia's superior chips, and the world's largest publicly listed company is selling them as fast as its chipmaking contractor Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co can make them. Nvidia forecast its slowest revenue growth in seven quarters on Wednesday, pushing its stock down 2.5% after hours, and said supply chain constraints would lead to demand for its chips exceeding supply for several quarters in fiscal 2026. Making these chips is hard, and a flaw that was found in one of its chips over the summer is not helping. Nvidia's new flagship chip, named Blackwell, is actually made up of multiple chips that have to be glued together in a complex process the chip industry calls advanced packaging. While TSMC is racing to expand capacity, packaging remains a bottleneck for Nvidia and other chip companies. "Blackwell adds more advanced packaging from TSMC than prior chips, which adds a wrinkle," said Ben Bajarin, CEO and principal analyst at research firm Creative Strategies. He expects Nvidia will have more demand than it can supply for all of 2025. Missteps by Nvidia have exacerbated the issues. The design flaw in Blackwell forced Nvidia to undertake what it calls a "mask change." CEO Jensen Huang said the flaw, which has since been fixed, lowered Blackwell chip yields, which are the proportion of chips that come off the manufacturing line fully functional. While Nvidia never elaborated on the flaw, complex chips like Blackwell can take months to produce because they require hundreds of manufacturing steps. Many of these steps involve shining ultraviolet light through a series of complex masks to project the image of a chip's circuits on a disc of silicon - a process akin to printing the chip. The mask change appears to have set back Nvidia's production timelines and cost it money, analysts said. "There's the risk that the bottlenecks worsen rather than improve, and that could damage revenue projections," said Michael Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital. During a conference call with investors, Nvidia executives said the company has shipped about 13,000 samples of its new chip and expects to beat its initial estimates that it would sell several billion dollars' worth this quarter. "We're at the beginning of our production ramp, which always comes with opportunities for yield improvement," Huang told Reuters on Wednesday. "We are ramping Blackwell from zero to something extremely large. By definition, the laws of physics would say that there's a limit to how fast you can ramp." In the short term, the production ramp-up is expected to pressure gross margins. Nvidia executives warned investors the company's margins would sink several percentage points to the low-70% range until production kinks are ironed out. Hendi Susanto, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, which holds Nvidia shares, said there was no doubt that demand for the company's chips remained "absolutely and exceptionally strong" for the foreseeable future. "The key focus is supply - how much supply Nvidia can produce," he said. (This story has been refiled to add Bengaluru to the dateline) 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. smart #5 kicks off nationwide delivery in China On November 20, smart held a delivery ceremony for the all-new smart #5 large luxury five-seater SUV at its global inspiration customization center in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. Delivery ceremony; photo credit: smart Delta Aluminum, Honda's CHAM starts mass production of direct molten aluminum Delta Aluminum, a subsidiary of Delta Group, has officially commenced production for its direct molten aluminum supply project with Honda Auto Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ("CHAM"). CHAM is Honda's first wholly-owned subsidiary in China, supplying components to GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda. ORITEK closes B1 funding round On November 20, ORITEK, a provider of AI SoC chips and solutions for automotive intelligence, announced the completion of its Series B1 funding round, which raised for the company hundreds of millions of yuan. LEADRIVE starts operation of Wuhu factory On November 20, LEADRIVE Technology (Wuhu) Co., Ltd. (LEADRIVE) officially began production at its new NEV (new energy vehicle) electric motor controller facility in the Fanchang Economic Development Zone in Wuhu city, Anhui Province, according to a post on the company's WeChat account. Geely puts Cowboy SUV model onto market On November 20th, Geely officially put its fire new SUV model, the Geely Cowboy (named "Niu Zai" in Chinese), onto the market, offering two variants with a price range from 93,900 yuan to 99,900 yuan, but with a limited-time offer starting at 89,900 yuan. Dongfeng Motor delivers first-batch vehicles to Peru On November 16, 305 Dongfeng Motor vehicles arrived at Peru's Port of Chancay, the first shipment of an 800-unit order from a local partner. These vehicles will soon be distributed across Peru to meet the country's growing demands for quality mobility and logistics solutions. DEEPAL S05 nabs 21,730 units of orders in first month on market On the evening of November 20, Changan Automobile's new energy vehicle brand DEEPAL announced that its S05 model secured 21,730 units of orders in its first month on the market. Dongfeng Motor's MHERO I makes debut in Dubai On the evening of November 18, UAE time, Dongfeng Motor's luxury electric off-road brand, MHERO, hosted a launch event in Dubai to unveil its flagship model, the MHERO I (also known as the MHERO 917). WeRide's RoboSweepers enter commercial operations in Singapore On November 20, autonomous driving solution provider WeRide announced the official commercial deployment of its autonomous sanitation vehicles (RoboSweeper), the S6 and S1, in Singapore. GAC International announces foray into Guatemalan market From November 7 to 17, 2024, the Autoferia Cofino 2024 was held at Forum Majadas in Guatemala. GAC International, the global business arm of GAC Group, made a debut at the event, showcasing multiple car models and officially announcing its entry into the Guatemalan market. NIO officially names third brand 'firefly' On November 20, Chinese leading smart electric vehicle maker NIO officially announced the name of its third brand, "firefly", with its first vehicle sharing the same name. SGMW, CATL to co-launch battery-swappable vehicle model in 2025 On November 18, SAIC-GM-Wuling ("SGMW")'s Red Label division officially launched its new energy vehicle (NEV) strategy, introducing several commercial NEV models, including the Wuling Hongguang REEV (range-extended electric vehicle), Wuling Hongguang BEV (battery electric vehicle), and Wuling Sunshine EV. NIO's revenue in Q3 2024 drops YoY, but rises QoQ NIO Inc. (NIO), a Chinese leading smart electric vehicle (EV) maker, has announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, reflecting steady progress in vehicle deliveries and revenue growth despite an overall net loss. Piramal Pharma Ltd is confident that the companys American facilities can help it navigate the volatility in its largest market US following Donald Trumps comeback, according to chairperson Nandini Piramal. Trumps second inning is likely to spell uncertainty for pharma companies, she told Mint, referring to his plan to impose import tariffs to make American industry stronger. I do think there will be an increase in volatility, but one of the benefits is that we do have manufacturing based in the states. For the customers that can pay the prices, we can manufacture for them. Overall, the Indian industry has lower prices for worldwide patients, which is a good thing." Nearly two-thirds of Piramal Pharmas revenue comes from the developed markets, out of which the US comprises 35%. The company has three US-based facilities: Riverview, Michighan for making high potency active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs); Sellersville, Pennsylvania, which manufactures oral solids, creams, liquids and ointments; and Lexington, Kentucky for making sterile Injectables. Also read | Piramal Pharma Solutions draws $80 mn expansion plan for US injectables facility The company also expects to be better placed in the US in the coming years as the Biosecure Act comes into play. The US House of Representatives passed the act in September, prohibiting American pharma players from doing business with certain Chinese drug companies starting 2032. Since then, all eyes have been on Indian contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) like Piramal Pharma, Syngene, and Neuland Labs as businesses will look to shift their supply chains to an alternative base. Imminent tailwind While the tailwind seems imminent, theres still a seven-year window for the US companies to shift gears and China is still a cheaper alternative, Piramal said. Plus, the act is yet to be passed by the US Senate. Piramal said that they have seen an increase in the number of requests for proposals (RFPs) as US companies try to understand what capabilities lie out there. But so far, nobody has yet decided." According to Sujay Shetty, global health industries advisory leader, PwC India, it might be too early to predict the volatility the Trump regime might bring to Indian pharma companies. There will probably be less regulation and more focus on affordability," he told Mint. Certainly, there will be a lot of focus on the Biosecure Act, and localizationthis much we know till now, but I think it is very premature to go beyond this." Also read | Piramal to focus on brownfield expansion, cut debt before acquisitions According to an October report by McKinsey & Company, India could account for 8-10% share of the work outsourced to CDMOs globally by 2033, largely driven by geopolitical changes. Most Indian CRDMOs could expect 20-40% of their new business stemming from these changes, the report said. The global CDMO industry is expected to rise to 39.2 trillion by 2032 from an estimated 18.8 trillion currently. Piramal Pharma will focus on expanding capacity in the existing facilities in the US and has no plans to set up more plants right now. In the last three years, we expanded our Aurora facility, Riverview facility in Michigan, and now we are doing the Kentucky facility (Lexington)," Piramal said. When we built each of these, we left room so that you don't have to do an expansion in the next 2-3 years." Opportunity in UK While the company is confident about managing the potential turbulence in the US, the UK is also a very important part of our offering" Piramal said. The Grangemouth facility is the only one that does antibody drug conjugates, which is a really interesting area to be in," she said. That's again one of our magnets in terms of what gets people coming to us. That's an area that I'm very excited about." But growth in the injectables pain management segment in the last quarter remained slow due to supply constraints. We have two [Europe-based] contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) who are finding it difficult to supply to us the quantities that we need," Piramal said. We're working with them to see what we can prioritize, how we can get more supply out in the short term, and the long term." Focus on power brands The company seeks to strengthen its existing capabilities in its CDMO business. The focus is more on expanding the existing setWe may consider doing acquisitions for skills and capabilities that we don't have," Piramal said. But I think the primary focus will be on expanding the capacities that we have because that's the fastest way to profitable growth." Piramal plans to invest more than 700 crore ($85 million) in brownfield expansion in FY25. This capital expenditure will mostly be assigned towards the CDMO segment of the company, Mint reported earlier. Additional capacity may provide an edge as Piramal Pharma grows its global footprint, especially with US companies considering a switch due to the Biosecure Act. If you want to be in biosimilars, if you want to be in clinical trials, if you want to be in drug development, if you want to be anywhere in that supply chain--as compared to what the Chinese companies are doing --then you have to build technical capabilities in those areas," said Shetty of PwC India. The company is also looking increase sales and manage supply constraints in the hospital generics business, as well as launch new products. It launched Neoatricon (neonatal hypotension or low blood pressure drug) earlier this year. The drugmaker has seen a major uptick in online sales of its Indian consumer healthcare business. Online sales rose 30% in the first half of this fiscal year, and will soon make up 20% of total sales, Piramal had said in a post-earnings call with investors last month. Weve used the online space a lot to try out our new products," Piramal told Mint. You have to be where consumers are. Especially during Covid, a lot of people switched to online," she said, adding that the company is focusing on an omnichannel approach. Piramal Pharmas India consumer healthcare business registered double-digit growth in the first half of this fiscal year. The company aims to reach 1,000 crore in turnover this fiscal compared to 940 crore in FY24, Piramal said. We want to continue increasing sales of our power brands (CIR adult diapers, Little's baby care products and Tetmosol ointment). Last quarter, power brands actually grew 18%. And so that's the kind of trajectory we'd like to continue overall," she said. Growth conundrum Amid a rising debt, the company is pressing ahead with an organic growth strategy without actively looking for acquisition opportunities in the short term, Mint reported earlier. Piramal Pharma is keen to pare its over 4,200 crore debt (as of September 2024) but at the same time intends to catch up with the growth momentum it lost during Covid-19. CDMO is a business where the first mover should have had a dramatic advantage, and Piramal Pharma was among the first movers," said Aditya Khemka, InCred Asset Management & Alternative Investments. On what slowed things, Piramal said, I think one is possibly, pre-covid, we were actually full, and we didn't continue our expansions during Covid. We actually took a pause because we were unsure. Maybe, if we had continued expansions, we could have gotten some benefit of the post-Covid bump," she said. It took longer for us to complete our expansions." Also read | Piramal Enterprises to launch extensions for Saridon after SC lifts ban Its competitor Suven Pharma's revenue grew from 833.79 crore in FY21 to 1,009.72 crore in FY22, according to data from Capitalmarket. Divi's Laboratories Ltd saw its revenue grow from 5,394.42 crore to 6,969.40 crore in FY22. Sun Pharmas topline grew from 6,880.23 crore in FY21 to 8,753.25 crore in FY22. Piramal Pharma was carved out of parent Piramal Enterprises Ltd in 2022. It was listed as a separate entity on the exchanges that year, making it difficult to ascertain the companys growth trajectory in comparison to that of its peers in the period prior to listing. The company, however, reported muted growth in FY22 and FY23, but has since then seen a steady uptick in its CDMO business. In the second quarter ended September 2024, the companys revenue rose 24%. With enhanced inquiries on the CDMO front at the industry level in India, Piramal Pharma well poised to benefit from its differentiated capabilities and capacities, Tushar Manudhane, research analyst at Motilal Oswal, wrote along with other research analysts in an October report. It is increasing its offerings in the CHG segment (complex hospital generics) through an established global network," it said, reiteraing its buy rating on the stock. NEW DELHI : Japanese telecom and technology major Rakuten Group, Inc. expects growth from open radio access network (Open RAN) solutions it offers to telecom service providers in global markets, though some of its deals are yet to pan out in the Indian market. India, as well as other global markets, continue to offer opportunities and revenue potential with the solution offering cost savings compared to investments required for traditional networks, said India chief executive Sunil Gopinath in an exclusive interaction with Mint. We are talking to many customers in other parts of the world like Africa. Even if you're a traditional network, we still have many things to offer in the higher-layer software stack. Many customers have already bought our software, and we are in discussions with many others. So, I think from that perspective, India and other regions are very much on the table," he said in response to a question about whether the opportunity cycle for Open RAN had passed. Rakuten Symphony, part of the Rakuten Group, had deployed about 5,000 femtocellsa small, low-power cellular base station that improves network coverage and signal quality in areas with weak cellular signalsin Bharti Airtels 4G network prior to 2021. However, it hasn't made major headway into the Indian market since then. There are a lot of green field customers. For example, 1&1 in Germany launched the 5G network with Rakuten powering their telco. There are many customers looking to save costs from an operating expense perspective, and we can be about 30% to 40% cheaper than any traditional solution because of the amount of hardware you have to invest," he added. Gopinath did not comment on Rakutens ongoing discussions with Indian telcos but noted that Rakuten SixthSense divisions solutions, referred to as observability, could be used by telecom service providers across geographies. Mint reported in March 2024 that Rakuten Symphony had begun discussions with the three carriersReliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Ideato deploy small cells based on Open RAN technology. Also Read: India has a chance to shape global telecom standards The Open RAN technology helps telecom operators source hardware and software from different suppliers, thus ending dependence on single vendors. Unlike Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, which opted for traditional 5G technologies from Nokia and Ericsson, Vodafone Idea is the only carrier to look at deploying Open RAN technology for commercial purposes, but it is yet to launch 5G services commercially. Mint reported in October that the telco intended to begin offering the service by December. Observability solution is also tuned for telecom, and there are customers who are interested in our observability for telecom solutions," he added. The groups SixthSense division, which has been offering cybersecurity solutions since 2021, is eyeing a 15-20% growth with a new set of artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions, focusing on sectors such as finance, healthcare, retail, and government. The Generative AI-based solution looks at multiple signals coming from multiple systems in a company's digital infrastructure, connects the dots, correlates them, and either predicts or prevents those challenges from happening. If they do happen, it gives an end-to-end causation and correlation to quickly fix the problem. We've got customers in India and the US. We are now expanding to broader Asia-Pacific region, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia as well as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in 2025," he said, adding that the observability or operations AI was a $10-15 billion market. (Bloomberg) -- Romanias ultra-nationalist party leader, whose popularity has propelled him to No. 2 in the polls ahead of the countrys presidential election, said he would halt military aid to Ukraine if he gets the top job. George Simion, who heads the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, has seen a surge in support for his anti-establishment rhetoric, support for populist programs and designs for reunification with neighboring Moldova. Polls show him trailing Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, but outpacing a clutch of candidates who were once considered contenders, ahead of the Nov. 24 contest. Should no candidate win 50%, the top two will head to a runoff on Dec. 8. While Simion, 38, insists he has no allegiance to Russia hes called Vladimir Putin a war criminal he said hes banking on an end to the conflict brought about by US President-elect Donald Trump, whom he openly supports. We wont be sending military aid to Ukraine and this doesnt make us pro-Russian, Simion told a group of foreign journalists in Bucharest on Wednesday. He added that humanitarian and logistical support for Kyiv would continue as well as backing for Ukraines European Union aspirations, but not NATO membership. Simion has been banned from entering Ukraine for what authorities in Kyiv call his systematic anti-Ukrainian activities as well as Moldova, which hes called an artificial state. Romania shares the longest border of any EU member state with Ukraine, which its backed in the war, including with the delivery of a Patriot air-defense battery. The Black Sea nation also hosts a NATO multinational battle force of as many as several thousand troops at a time. The nations president holds a largely ceremonial office, but is the commander in chief of the military and chairs the nations Defense Council. The Romanian head of state also represents the country at NATO and EU summits. Ciolacu leads in polls, with a survey by pollster Inscop last week giving him almost 25% support. But Simion was close behind with 21%, beating out contenders including former NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana, who was considered a front-runner before entering the race in September. Simions party, AUR a play on the Romanian word for gold has expanded its popularity since entering parliament four years ago. Its overtaken Romanias Liberal Party with a vocal anti-vaccination stance and rhetoric thats targeted the countrys Hungarian minority. Ahead of the European Parliament election in June, AUR brandished the image of Vlad the Impaler a 15th century warlord and inspiration for Dracula who remains a folk hero to many Romanians. More recently, Simion has sought to focus on his embrace of NATO and the EU, though rejects euro adoption in order to preserve monetary sovereignty. Still, mainstream parties maintain their refusal to form an alliance with AUR, accusing the party of promoting violence and animosity against minorities. Simion has attacked the LGBTQ community and used violent rhetoric against opponents. In one incident, he physically approached Romanias then energy minister as he spoke in parliament. Romanian will also hold a parliamentary election in Dec. 1, in which Ciolacus Social Democrats have maintained a lead. But AUR has gained more support. For his part, Simion has said hes open to talks with other governing parties. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Global private equity firm Advent International is eyeing a controlling stake in listed luggage and travel accessories maker VIP Industries, three people with knowledge of the development said. This marks a revival of sale talks after almost a year when the Dilip Piramal-led promoter group first decided to pare stake. The deal has been revived, and Advent is the front runner," the first person cited above said. The second person said that the talks were not yet conclusive and could fall apart. The entire promoter stake is up for sale," the second person added. The proposed stake sale, if it goes through, will also trigger an open offer as per the regulatory guidelines. All three people cited above spoke on condition of anonymity. Mint was the first to report last October of the promoter groups plans to sell controlling stake in the luggage maker, which owns brands such as VIP, Carlton and Skybags. The thought of a sale was triggered by the lack of a succession plan with the next generation of the promoter family unlikely to continue with the business. Also read | How VIP is trying to shed its baggage The promoters own 51.74% of the company as of the quarter ended September 2024, data from BSE showed. The rest is owned by retail and institutional investors. As of Tuesdays close, the market value of VIP Industries was around 6,531.91 crore, valuing the promoters stake at about 3,379 crore. The deal is likely to be at a 10-15% premium to the market price," the second person cited above said. In the past 12 months, the stock has slid by almost 25.7%, data on exchanges shows. As on Tuesday, 19 November, the share price of the company stood at 459.95 a share on NSE. An Advent International spokesperson and Neetu Kashiramka, chief executive of VIP, declined to comment. Company chairman Dilip Piramal could not be immediately contacted for a comment. VIPs standing Over the years, VIP has grown both organically and inorganically. In 2004, it acquired the London-based Carlton brand, and merged with Aristocrat Luggage Ltd in 2007. VIP has been selling luggage under these brands since then. For the financial year ending 31 March 2024, the companys revenues grew 7.5% to 2,257 crore, against 2,099 crore in the previous fiscal year, according to data from exchanges. The luggage maker has a distribution network of approximately 11,430 points of sales in India across around 1,300 towns. Currently, it has 500 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) and targets to expand the count to 800 EBOs by the end of FY25, according to a May 2024 ratings release by Crisil. Challenging times VIP has steadily lost market share over the past decade to entrenched rivals such as Samsonite and Safari Industries, as well as new-age D2C brands. Many of these brands are now led by former VIP executives. In a span of five years, VIP's market dominance has shrunk from 48% of the organized market to a 37% share, according to a Mint report this April. This means about four out of 10 buyers of branded luggage owns a VIP product. Besides, with new startups emerging to challenge the incumbents, the Indian travel and luggage space is heating up. Earlier this year, Mint reported on how new-age direct-to-consumer brands such as Mokobara, Assembly, Nasher Miles, Icon and Uppercase have secured funding from risk investors and are looking to disrupt the space. Also read | Luggage upstarts make a dent as young travellers shed their parents old baggage In an earlier interview with Mint, Kashiramka had said that VIP is targeting 15-20% compounded annual growth rate in revenue over the next three to five years. She said the company was exploring new product domains including backpacks and duffels, targeting a significant shift in VIPs product mix towards a more even distribution between luggage and non-luggage items. Currently, 75% of VIPs business comes from luggage. While luggage replacement cycle has come down to two to three years, backpacks are replaced annually by most, she said. Over the next three years, she said she expects the revenue split to change to 60-40 in favour of luggage. India's luggage market Rising incomes, an expanding travel infrastructure, and online bookings have fuelled sharp growth in travel among Indians, which is driving a surge in demand for premium luggage and bags. As per Statista, the revenue generated in the luggage and bags market in India amounts to $15.04 billion in 2024. It is expected that the market will experience compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.02% between 2024 and 2029, per Statistas projections. It is projected that 87% of the sales in the luggage and bags market will be attributed to non-luxury. And read | VIP Industries promoters explore stake sale Indias organised luggage market is led by companies such as VIP Industries, Samsonite and Safari. The organised sector accounts for about 40% of Indias 15,000-crore luggage industry, according to a report by global analytics firm Crisil last year, and it is mainly this segment that has boomed in the wave of the pandemic. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, reportedly joined a private call between US President-elect Donald Trump and Googles Sundar Pichai. According to The Information, the call was to congratulate Trump on his presidential election win. Sundar Pichai reached out to Trump shortly after the election to offer his congratulations. However, an unexpected participant, Elon Musk, was also allegedly on the line, listening in on the conversation. Musks involvement comes amid growing speculation about his deepening ties with Trumps administration. Before Election Day on November 5, Trump disclosed that he had been in touch with other tech leaders, including Apple CEO Tim Cook. During a conversation with podcaster Patrick Bet-David, Trump said, Two hours ago, three hours ago, he (Cook) called me. The call centred around financial penalties imposed on Apple by the European Union. Reports also suggest Musk has been a near-constant presence on Trumps side in recent months. Often seen at the president-elects Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, Musk has become a trusted advisor, both publicly through his social media platform X and privately in political circles. Musks political involvement extends beyond phone calls. Federal records reveal he contributed at least $119 million to a pro-Trump political group. Observers view this as a strategic move to secure favourable policies for his companies. Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralinkall reliant on government regulation and subsidiesstand to benefit from a close relationship with the administration. Also Read | Adani Group stocks crash up to 20% amid reports of US indictment In addition to his financial support, Musk endorsed Trump on July 13, just hours after an assassination attempt on the candidate in Pennsylvania. The endorsement marked the start of Musks vocal support, culminating in him spending election night at Mar-a-Lago with Trump. Musk's influence spreads beyond domestic politics Musks influence doesnt stop at domestic politics. His interactions with world leaders and participation in key decision-making processes highlight his growing role as a political power broker. Some in Trumps circle have even dubbed him the First Buddy for his loyalty and strategic counsel. Also Read | Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 due to respiratory illness Billionaire Gautam Adani agreed to buy a stake in PSP Projects Ltd. as his ports-to-power conglomerate seeks to reinforce engineering and construction capabilities for infrastructure projects. Adani Infra (India) Ltd. will buy as much as 30.07% of the Ahmedabad-based construction firm from founder Prahaladbhai S. Patel for 6.85 billion rupees ($81.1 million), according to an exchange filing Tuesday. The Adani Group unit will pay 575 rupees a share for PSP Projects, a more than 14% discount to its closing price of 672 rupees on Tuesday. This is the second acquisition by Adani Group in less than a month as the conglomerate bolsters its capabilities to build complex infrastructure projects. Last month, Adani had agreed to buy construction company ITD Cementation India Ltd. The group has been buying cement makers to support Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis goal of modernizing the countrys creaky infrastructure. Also Read | Billionaire Gautam Adani charged in US with bribery, fraud Adani Infra also made an open offer to buy 26% more shares of PSP Projects from minority holders at 642.06 rupees apiece, according to a separate filing. That will amount to an additional investment of 6.6 billion rupees if the offer is fully subscribed. However, Adani Infra will cap its holding in PSP Projects at 43.07%, which will be equal to the aggregate stake of all existing founders of the company. The final number and shares to be bought by Adani from founder Patel will be adjusted accordingly. Also Read | Adani mulls surrendering 5G spectrum after more than 2 years of purchase Adani Groups companies in India have plans to invest $100 billion over the next decade, it said in a statement. PSP Projects has a diversified construction portfolio, including factories and residential buildings, with an order book of 65.46 billion rupees. The companys projects include a plant for Nestle in Gujarat and the Surat Diamond Bourse, according to its website. After the completion of the deal and the open offer, Adani Infra will take joint control over PSP Projects with the existing founders, according to the filing. PSPs board will be re-constituted to include directors nominated by the Adani unit. The existing founder group and Adani Infra cannot sell any shares in PSP for five years from the date of completion of the deal. CNBC-TV18 first reported the transaction on Tuesday. Startup founders should focus on getting the right partners and investors rather than maximizing valuations, as the latter is fairly short-term in nature, said Peyush Bansal, co-founder and chief executive of eyewear unicorn Lenskart, at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2024 on Thursday. The right partner will see what you are seeing, trust you not just during good times but also in bad times, and think along with you for the long term. When we got investors like ADIA [Abu Dhabi Investment Authority] or Temasek, we knew these funds could stay with the company for 10 years, Bansal said during a fireside chat with Prashanth Prakash, founding partner of early-stage venture capital firm Accel India. Also Read: T.N. Hari: Venture capital is yet to bet big on high-risk deep-tech startups He said one huge problem with the Indian startup ecosystem today was that founders were rushing after valuations. Valuations are good for the short term, but in the long term, what matters is the transformation and the value you are creating. And that cannot be achieved by optimizing for the short term. Founded in 2010, Lenskart is an omnichannel eyewear retailer with presence in Singapore, UAE, and other geographies. It sells prescription eyewear, sunglasses, and contact lenses. The company is gradually shifting a large proportion of its manufacturing to India with a new plant having commenced operations recently. Speaking of white spaces in the consumer industry, Bansal said India has a huge inherent advantage in manufacturing thanks to the quality of engineering talent. Our engineering and optimization ecosystem allows us to be 10 times better at manufacturing than anyone else. Moreover, Bansal noted India has the ability to solve global environmental problems, as its diverse tropical climate can help solve them at a low cost. Bansal, who first appeared in Shark Tank India in 2022, will appear in a few episodes of this years season as well, he said. Also Read: Koo folds up. Why startups fail to join the ranks of Big Tech I grew up watching Shark Tank, and I became an entrepreneur because of that show. When they approached me [to join the show as a shark], I was hesitant because I like to be under the radar. But my wife and co-founder pushed me. I learn more from Shark Tank than I do sitting in my office, Bansal added. Lenskart, which is on its way to a public-market listing in the next two years, cut its losses in 2023-24 by 84% on-year to 10 crore, helped by operational efficiency achieved from expanded product lines. Its losses in 2022-23 stood at 64 crore. The Gurugram-based companys operating revenue rose 43% to 5,427 crore while expenses surged to 5,549 crore from 4,025 crore in 2022-23, showed financial statements sourced from business intelligence platform Tofler. Lenskart has raised upwards of $1.7 billion in funding from marquee investors, including ChrysCapital, Temasek, and Fidelity. Also Read: Startups have a lot to learn from long established organizations The eyewear marketplace has raised nearly $1 billion in capital in the last 18 months alone. Electric two-wheeler maker Ola Electric is set to let go of nearly 500 employees across teams as part of a restructuring exercise to improve margins and profitability prospects, a person in the know of the matter told Mint. The Bhavish Aggarwal-led company did not immediately respond to Mints request for a comment. The development comes months after Ola Electrics sister company Ola Consumer, formerly Ola Cabs, announced a restructuring exercise in April that would impact about 10% of its staff. Its CEO Hemant Bakshi also stepped down less than a year after joining the IPO-bound company. Its CFO Karthik Gupta also quit as a part of the exercise that impacted about 200 employees. In April, Ola also shut down its ride-hailing operations in New Zealand, Australia and the UK to sharpen its focus on expanding its electric fleet in India. Earlier this month, Ola Electric reported a second-quarter net loss of 495 crore, narrowing from 524 crore a year earlier but widening from 347 crore in the April-June quarter. Customer woes The company has also been struggling with its after-sales service in recent months, leaving several customers disgruntled. The Bengaluru-based company has been receiving nearly 80,000 complaints every month, two people with direct knowledge of the situation told Mint in September. Its service centres have struggled to keep pace and the company has received 6,000-7,000 complaints a day, causing long delays, leaving service staff overwhelmed and customers frustrated, the September report said. Also read | Trouble for Ola Electric: Consumer watchdog orders probe into complaints Ola has reportedly been under government scrutiny after over 10,000 customer complaints against the company. However, the company has clarified that the backlog of complaints has been resolved and that the firm is focused on expanding its sales and co-located service infrastructure. The company plans to expand from 782 stores as of September 2024, to 2,000 stores by March 2025. Still, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has ordered a detailed probe into alleged deficiencies in the companys services and products, specifically regarding its scooters, Mint reported last week. BENGALURU : Enterprise e-commerce unicorn Moglix has acquired Uttarakhand-based Khatema Fibres Ltd, a manufacturer of eco-friendly paper products, for approximately 80 crore, as part of its strategy to bolster its sustainable packaging portfolio and cement its leadership in the industrial procurement space. The deal, announced by Moglix founder and CEO Rahul Garg, adds a suite of specialty packaging productsincluding high-strength kraft paper, food-grade packaging solutions, and machine-glazed papersto its offerings. Read this | Young consumers spark rise of eco-friendly home, personal care products made by startups Backed by Tiger Global and Accel, Moglix, valued at $2.6 billion, aims to tap its expansive network of over 10,000 manufacturers and 3,000 factories to scale this category. The packaging industry Moglix launched its packaging business nearly five years ago and is among the largest in the business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce packaging space. When we started our journey in packaging, we realized that the segment is fairly disorganized and many suppliers are still using old methods. As our company grows, we cannot only focus on e-commerce and supply chain, but also work with manufacturers to understand how innovation in packaging materials can be improved," Garg told Mint. Khatema Fibres, founded in 1990, operates a paper manufacturing plant in Uttarakhand's Khatima region. While the plant's current capacity is 50,000 tonnes, it has the potential to expand to 75,000 tonnesa goal Moglix is actively pursuing, according to Garg. The acquisition comes amid a global shift from plastic to recyclable, plant-based materials in packaging, spurred by heightened environmental awareness. The Indian food and beverage packaging industry alone is expected to reach $86 billion by 2029, growing at 14.8% annually, according to Invest India. A 2023 McKinsey survey revealed that most respondents were willing to pay a premium for sustainable packaging, with heightened concerns about air and water pollution in India, China, and Brazil. More here | Fashion is going green, but the journey is slow Khatema Fibres advantage lies in its ability to produce packaging papers from long fibre (softwood fibre), typically unavailable in tropical climates like Asia. The company uses pre-consumed waste from converting units in the US and Europe, treating it through specialized processes to recover pure fibers while segregating contaminants. Packaging is already among Moglix's top 10 categories and has immense potential for growth, Garg noted. I believe it could become a 1,000 crore category in the next few yearsits already nearing 500 crore." Financial performance and expansion plans Founded in 2015 by Garg, a former Google executive, Moglix has raised over $370 million to date. In FY24, its revenue rose marginally to 4,964 crore from 4,704 crore the previous year, while losses eased to 189 crore. FY24 was an interesting year because much like other companies, we too were working towards striking the balance between growth and profitability. Every three to four years it is crucial to slow down a bit on growth and figure out how to optimize," Garg said. Moglix competes with IPO-bound OfBusiness, Infra.Market, and Zetwerk in the industrial supplies space. OfBusiness, currently valued at around $5 billion, has appointed Axis, JP Morgan, and Citi Bank as bankers for its upcoming $1 billion public issue, according to a Reuters report. Zetwerk is reportedly eyeing an IPO in the first half of 2025, aiming to raise as much as $1 billion. The company ramped up its use of technology during the year, automating customer service and internal operations to improve efficiencya move Garg believes will yield long-term benefits. Looking ahead, Moglix is focused on sustainable growth. B2B is still a decade behind the B2C curve. There is so much headroom in terms of executing, changing the market, and changing the behaviour that needs to happen and we will continue to double down. Outside of that, we are present in India and the Middle East. So we continue to focus on taking dominant positions in these markets as well as continuing to expand Credlix, our supply chain finance offering," Garg said. Also read | Celebrity appeal, small towns boost appetite for athleisure brands in India In September, Moglix committed $50 million to expand Credlix into the US and Mexico. The subsidiary offers collateral-free financing solutions designed to enhance cash flow, reduce financial burdens, and support small and medium enterprises in scaling their operations. Axis My India, once known for the most accurate exit poll results, has not yet released the Maharashtra exit poll results, even though the majority of the exit poll results were released on Wednesday evening. As many as 10 exit poll results were released soon after voting ended for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections 2024. Axis My India's predictions are still awaited. When will Axis My India declare Maharashtra exit poll results? Pradeep Gupta, the chairman and managing director of Axis My India, said the agency's predictions for Maharashtra would be released from "6 pm onwards on Thursday, November 21. "We will release our Maharashtra State Election predictions tomorrow 21st November 2024, 6.30 pm Onwards," Pradeep Gupta posted on X. Axis My India is expected to release a detailed exit poll analysis for Maharashtra, including region-wise predictions. The battle in Maharashtra is between the Mahyuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Mahayuti is an alliance of the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The MVA is a coalition of the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar's NCP-SP. Axis My India's Maharashtra exit poll result: Why the delay? Axis My India chairman Pradeep Gupta said his agency wanted to hold the Maharashtra exit poll results to study it further. Speaking with News18, Pradeep Gupta said on Wednesday, I think for Maharashtra, particularly, Axis My India has decided to hold on to it [Maharashtra exit poll results] for today. We need more time to study [the data] In fact, we are known for post-poll study. Maharashtra being a single-phase poll in 288 assembly constituencies, we thought, let's study further and come up with the poll results tomorrow. Also Read | Exit polls predict BJP-led Mahayuti is set to retain power in state Axis My India faltered in getting its predictions right in the last few elections. The agency's predictions went horribly wrong during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Haryana assembly election and the Jammu and Kashmir elections. Pradeep Gupta broke into tears on Live TV as his companys exit poll results turned out to be far from the actual outcome of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- From November 7 to 17, 2024, the Autoferia Cofino 2024 was held at Forum Majadas in Guatemala. GAC International, the global business arm of GAC Group, made a debut at the event, showcasing multiple car models and officially announcing its entry into the Guatemalan market. Located in Central America, Guatemala serves as a critical bridge between North and South America, making it a strategic market for GAC International's expansion in Latin America. Speaking at the event, Andre Duenas, GAC International's Brand Manager for Guatemala, outlined the company's plans for the market. He said, "GAC International has conducted extensive market research in Guatemala. We are committed to providing local consumers with more high-tech, high-quality mobility solutions, injecting new energy into the local automotive market. GAC International at Autoferia Cofino; photo credit: GAC International At the event, GAC International launched five key models: the EMZOOM, EMKOO, All New GS8, GS4 MAX, and M6 Pro. The company emphasized that these vehicles were tailored to meet the specific needs of the Guatemalan market. Featuring outstanding performance, top-tier safety, and superior comfort, these models aim to provide local consumers with an enhanced driving experience while helping GAC International make breakthroughs in niche market segments. The company further stated its commitment to introducing more innovative vehicle options to the Guatemalan market, addressing diverse and personalized consumer demands. To support its growth, GAC International plans to accelerate the establishment of sales channels, ensuring more convenient and professional car-buying services for customers in the region. Maharashtra Election 2024: An estimated 65.11 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the Maharashtra assembly elections on November 20, the Election Commission said in updated numbers on Thursday. This is the the highest turnout in the state since 1995 when 71.69 per cent voters cast their franchise. The turnout on Wednesday better than 61.39 per cent recorded in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, and the 61.4 per cent in the 2019 Assembly elections. The voter turnout was 63.5 per cent in 2014 assembly polls, 59 per cent in 2009 and 63 per cent in 2004 assembly polls in Maharashtra. The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is making a determined bid to retain power and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition is hoping to continue its good showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra. The turnout may be updated. The Exit Poll results predicted that the ruling Mahayuti may return to power in the state though the actual results will be declared on November 23. In Jharkhand too, the provisional turnout of 68.45 per cent is better than previous elections, the poll panel said. In 2019 assembly polls, 61.74 per cent of polling was recorded in Jharkhand where the JMM-led INDIA bloc contested against the BJP-led NDA bloc. The Exit Polls have predicted a close fight in Jharkhand. Voting for 288 seats of Maharashtra was held in single phase on November 20. In Jharkhand, voting was held in two phases November 13 and November 20. Star Power In Mumbai The Maoist-affected Gadchiroli district recorded a turnout of 69.63 per cent on Wednesday, while Mumbai, the financial capital, saw an estimated 54 per cent turnout. Mumbai has historically struggled with low voter turnout. In the 2019 assembly elections, for example, Mumbai recorded a voter turnout of 50.67 per cent. The turnout was 51.21 per cent in 2014 assembly polls. Before 2014, Mumbai would struggle to even touch 50 per cent turnout in assembly polls. The voter turnout in 2009 state polls for Mumbai was 46.1 per cent. In 2004 assembly polls, it was 48.4 per cent and in 1999 assembly polls Mumbai recorded 44.9 per cent voter turnout. In the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Mumbai recorded 52.4 per cent voter turnout down form 55.4 per cent turnout in 2019 elections. 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. The voting for the 288 assembly seats was held between 7 am and 6 pm 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 Maharashtra. 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. The MVA combine had performed well in this years Lok Sabha polls by securing 30 out of 48 seats in the state. The high-stakes campaign in Maharashtra culminated on Monday, featuring prominent leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra 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. Maharashtra has recorded its highest voter turnout since 1995, signaling a significant engagement in the democratic process. These developments led to the fall of the MVA government and the rise of the Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Each year China makes as much steel as the rest of the world combined. The vast scale of its outputaround 1bn tonnes a yearis obscured by the fact that most of it stays in the country. Lately, however, Chinas exports of the metal have surged, reaching 90m tonnes in 2023, up by 35% on the previous year (see chart 1). That may be a fraction of Chinas total production, but it is more than what America or Japan make in a year. And it is enough to build a thousand Golden Gate bridges. With Chinas economy struggling, its steelmakers are selling abroad at bargain prices, to the distress of foreign competitors and politicians alike. Last month Nippon Steel, Japans biggest steelmaker, called on the government to impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese imports. In the quarter to June its net profit shrank by 11% year on year. ArcelorMittal, Europes steelmaking champion, has been hit even harder: its net profit for the same period was down by 73%. We want fair competition, and we know that the competition against China is not fair," says Genuino Christino, the companys chief financial officer. Such complaints tend to carry weight with politicians. Steelmaking is often seen as a symbol of a countrys industrial heft. And although a glut means lower prices for a diffuse group of consumers, politicians worry about the concentrated pain it inflicts on manufacturing workers and regions. View Full Image (The Economist) The rich world has experienced surges in Chinese steel exports before, including in 2008 and 2015. Each of these episodes led to trade barriers being raised; between 2008 and 2018 America, Britain, Canada and the European Union implemented more than 500 trade measures affecting imports of the metal from China. The consequences this time, however, are likely to be much wider-ranging. That is partly because Chinas economy is in a worse way. As its commodity-intensive property sector has suffered, its steelmakers have taken a beating. In August barely 1% of the 250 steel mills in China that report their finances to the government turned a profit, according to Isha Chaudhary of Wood Mackenzie, a consultancy. The domestic price for hot-rolled coil steel, a benchmark product, has fallen by 16% over the past year. Despite the slump in prices, many of the countrys producers have been reluctant to curtail production; idling a blast furnace can take months and is often costlier than keeping it running. Facing lacklustre demand from their usual customers at home, steelmakers are looking elsewhere. The result is surging exportsand a fresh round of tariffs. Last month Canada joined the fray, imposing levies on Chinese steel. Even in America, where hefty tariffs already keep out most Chinese steel imports, producers still face cut-price competition as global prices fall. In July America announced a 25% duty on any steel coming from Mexico that had not been melted and poured in North America, in a bid to keep out any trace of Chinese steel that may travel via other countries. The backlash is not confined to rich countries. These days most of Chinas steel exports go to the developing world, which accounted for nine of the top ten foreign destinations for its steel in 2023 (see chart 2). Unlike in the rich world, demand for the metal is roaring in much of the global south. Indias steel consumption, for instance, is expected to grow by 8% this year and at a similar rate next year thanks to a boom in infrastructure investment, according to the World Steel Association, an industry group. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinas global infrastructure bonanza, has helped its steelmakers expand their global reach. Chinese construction companies building ports and laying railways in poorer countries have done so largely with Chinese steel. View Full Image (The Economist) Yet steelmakers in developing countries are also starting to grumble about Chinese exports. In August Thachat Viswanath Narendran, the boss of Tata Steel, Indias biggest steelmaker, complained of predatory pricing" by Chinese competitors. As in the West, governments in the global south are taking notice. This month India announced that it would impose tariffs of up to 30% on some steel products from China. Brazil, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey have also slapped tariffs on Chinese steel this year. Vietnam, the biggest export destination for Chinese steel, is also undertaking anti-dumping investigations. In response to both the worsening economic situation at home and the deteriorating trading environment abroad, Chinas government has taken some steps to boost demand and reduce supply. It has offered incentives for Chinese businesses and households to swap old machinery and appliances for new ones. Last month it suspended approvals of new steel mills. But without more forceful reforms it is hard to see much changing. According to s&p Global, a data provider, more Chinese steel capacity will come online by the end of next year than will be shut down. That leaves Chinese steelmakers with little option but to keep searching for new customers. Wood Mackenzie forecasts that Chinese steel exports will reach 103m tonnes this year. Some producers are also building new production bases in the hope of retaining access to foreign markets. In July China Baowu Steel, the worlds largest steelmaker, doubled its investment in a plant in Saudi Arabia. Tsingshan Group, a Chinese metals and mining company, has started production at a steel mill in Zimbabwe. That could worsen the global glut, but at least it creates jobs abroad. Other Chinese steelmakers are shifting sales at home from the moribund property sector to manufacturers of things like electric vehicleswhich also, as it happens, are looking abroad to compensate for lacklustre domestic demand. Steel will always find a home," says James Campbell of CRU Group, a consultancy. Whether the worlds politicians like it or not. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Gagandeep Singh feels he is on the edge, with no solutions in sight. A farmer from Sirsa, Haryana, Singh had planted cotton on 20 acres this summer. Because a portion of the planted seeds failed to germinate due to high temperatures, the yields turned out to be dismalabout a third of the normal. I spent close to 3 lakh just on pesticides to save the remaining cotton. But due to lower yields my losses are at least 7 lakh," Singh said. Over the past few years, Singh has nearly halved the cotton planting area due to repeated pest attacks, adverse weather, and a steady decline in yields. Singhs woes epitomize something that is happening on a larger scale. Indias overall cotton production is estimated to fall to 29.9 million bales in 2024-25, the lowest in six years, due to lower plantings and stagnant yields. The latest production numbers are significantly lower than the record 39 million bales harvested by farmers a decade back, in 2013-14. One bale equals 170 kg. With soaring losses from cotton, farmers in Singhs neighbourhood have been replacing the fibre crop with rice, which needs at least five to six times more water to grow. This shift has led to higher groundwater extraction and worsening soil quality. After a few years, no crop may grow here. But farmers have no choice. They need an alternative due to repeated cotton crop failures," Singh explained. The steady decline in cotton production has hurt farm incomes, but it has been able to meet the domestic requirement of 30-31 million bales until now. However, the fall in output now threatens Indias textile exports. In 2023-24, cotton textile exports stood at $10.4 billion, including exports of garments, fabric, and yarn. In addition, India exported raw cotton worth $1.1 billion. India has set a target of achieving $100 billion of textile exports by 2030. Currently about a third of the countrys exports come from cotton products, with the rest comprising man-made and other natural fibres, such as wool, silk and jute. Improving cotton yields is essential for India to maintain its competitive edge in exports. Better yields will also help cotton to counter the emergence of man-made fibres (MMF), a cheaper alternative with improved functional properties like breathability," said Prabhu Damodaran, convenor of the Indian Texpreneurs Federation. Damodaran added that focusing on cotton can be a gamechanger as it will continue to be the preferred material for consumers across all markets. Besides, every $1 billion of additional apparel exports can create at least 1,50,000 jobs, he said. View Full Image India wants to export textile goods worth $100 billion by 2030. (Pixabay) In 2022, Indias textile market size was estimated to be $165 billion, including exports. The market is expected to swell to $350 billion by 2030, implying there is demand for raw cotton and that it will rise from the current estimated demand of 31 million bales (in 2024-25). The textile industry employs 45 million workers directly; in addition, 6 million farmers grow cotton. On shaky ground Two years back, a spike in international prices of raw cotton pushed the apparel industry to switch to MMF. In just 2-3 years, adoption of synthetic fibres increased from 10% to 30% of the raw material used, said Raja Shanmugan, an exporter from the textile hub of Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu. Lower production of cotton in India is bound to impact the industry. We need a steady supply of good-quality cotton, and if farmers switch to other crops, manufacturers will have to depend on imports," Shanmugan pointed out. This year, Indias cotton production appears to be on shaky ground. India is projected to be a net cotton importer in 2024-25, for only the second time in two decades, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast in October. It added that falling global prices of cotton limits the competitiveness of exports from India. Last year (2023-24), India exported 2.8 million bales of raw cotton, a significant drop from the 11.7 million bales exported in 2013-14. Every year, India usually imports 1.5 to 2 million bales of long staple raw cotton, which is not grown in the country, for use in the apparel industry. Data from the USDA shows that despite India being the second largest producer globally after China, its cotton yields are among the lowest. Indian farmers produced an average of 443 kg per hectare, nearly half of the global average yield of 815 kg per hectare. Cotton yields in China and Brazil are 4-5 times that of India. The growth phase India witnessed remarkable growth in cotton production following the introduction of genetically modified (GM) Bt cotton technology in 2002, together with improved hybrids. Between 2000-01 and 2013-14, cotton production increased nearly three times, from 14 million bales to 39.8 million bales. This period also witnessed average yields improve from 404 kg/hectare to 565 kg/hectare. However, compared to 2013-14, cotton yields have plunged by a staggering 24% in 2023-24 (429 kg/hectare). How did this happen? The cotton sector is in a deep crisis due to multiple factors, which played out over the past decade, said Bhagirath Choudhary, founder director at the South Asia Biotechnology Centre, Jodhpur. Bt cotton was developed by inserting genes from a common soil bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis. These genes secrete proteins with insecticidal properties that kill both American and pink bollworm, which are common pests in cotton. However, over the years, pink bollworms have developed resistance to the Bt gene. This was accentuated by farmers not planting non-Bt cotton as a refuge crop for pests to feed on, which would have delayed the resistance to the Bt gene. The onset of new diseases like boll rot and tobacco streak virus and changes in rainfall patterns also took a toll on the crop. This resulted in farmers moving away from cotton to other crops like paddy and groundnut," Choudhary said. In 2024, Indias cotton area fell by 8.7% year-on-year to 11.3 million hectares. This is a decline of nearly 13% when compared to the previous five-year average planting area. However, lower production of domestic cotton does not imply higher prices. Technology fatigue Another important factor is that the available seed technology is about 18 years old. The first transgenic Bt cotton Bollgard-I was released in 2002 and a double-gene technology Bollgard-II was released in 2006. In 2015, the centre introduced the Cotton Seeds Price Control Order, under which seed prices and royalty payments to the technology developer, Mahyco Monsanto Biotech, were fixed by the government. In 2020, royalties were altogether abolished. View Full Image A file photo of a farmer plucking cotton in Warangal District, 170 kms north-east of Hyderabad. (AFP) Cotton in India has been a victim of technology fatigue, said Ram Kaundinya, advisor to the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII). In addition to pests developing resistance to the Bt gene, weed management is a major problem that can reduce yields by over 20%. The technology of herbicide-tolerant cotton was available but not approved," Kaundinya said. Weeds compete for nutrition with planted crops and if not cleared, lead to lower yields. Planting herbicide tolerant plants can help farmers remove weeds by chemical sprays and save on the cost of the hired labour required to clear weeds. In 2013, Mahyco had applied for approval of commercial cultivation of an herbicide-tolerant GM cotton. It withdrew the application in 2016 after a draft notification proposed compulsory licensing on patented seeds. Mahyco resubmitted the application in December 2021 and it is currently pending before the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee of the environment ministry. While all the sectors of the economy have benefited from the adoption of new technologies, agriculture has suffered due to undue regulations, said Rajendra Barwale, chairman of Mahyco, which introduced the Bt cotton technology in India. Restrictions on royalty and price control on seeds hurt research and development (R&D) investments in the seed sector. The government should encourage new technology development and leave the choice of adoption to farmers," he added. Restrictions on royalty and price control on seeds hurt R&D investments in the seed sector. Rajendra Barwale According to FSIIs Kaundinya, the seed industry was unable to invest in R&D of superior hybrids because the price control order squeezed their margins. Cotton is currently the only crop where seed prices are announced by the government every year. India needs to take several measures to improve cotton yields. Other than allowing herbicide-tolerant technology, it should promote adoption of high-density plantations with mechanized harvesting. Due to growing demand from the textile industry, India would require 45 million bales of cotton within the next five years. We have requested the government to announce a cotton mission that can help improve yields and produce better-quality cotton," said Kaundinya. India is the only major country growing hybrid cotton, while the rest of the world, including the largest grower China, uses open pollinated varieties together with high-density plantations. Since open pollinated varieties can be reused by farmers, private seed companies are reluctant to sell such seeds in India due to weak patent protection laws. Unapproved seeds India is yet to approve herbicide-tolerant (HT) cotton but this has not prevented some farmers from growing it. Farmers in Maharashtra and some southern states regularly plant unapproved and illegal HT Bt cotton seeds sold by some companies from Gujarat. About 15% of Indias cotton area is planted with such seeds, as per a government enquiry in 2017. In 2021, industry body FSII said an estimated 7 million illegal HT cotton seed packets were sold to farmers. The legal seed market hovers around 40-45 million Bt cotton seed packets every year. View Full Image A file photo of a cotton farmer in Maharashtra. (Mint) By using herbicide-tolerant seeds I manage to save around 12,500 per acre in labour costs on removing weeds. Effective de-weeding is crucial to maintain yields," said Vijay Niwal, a farmer from Maharashtras Yavatmal district. Niwal added that the seeds are smuggled from Mehsana and Sabarkantha in Gujarat. Since farming is mostly rain-fed here, we cannot move to other crops like paddy. So, adopting HT cotton was the only option available to us. Its time the government approves the HT technology in cotton," he said. Last year, a roundtable on Indias cotton sector by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences, a Delhi-based thinktank, flagged multiple areas of concern. About 65% of Indias cotton area, mainly in the central and southern zones, is rainfed and most of it has soils with low water storage capacity and poor fertility, leading to low productivity. It also noted that weed infestation is a grave problem in cotton fields and manual weeding is challenging due to high costs, prolonged wet spells, and non-availability of labour. India is yet to approve herbicide-tolerant (HT) cotton but this has not prevented some farmers from growing it. Farmers in Maharashtra and some southern states regularly plant unapproved and illegal HT Bt cotton seeds. The roundtable made several recommendations to the government, including setting up a Cotton Development Board, launching a new technology mission and withdrawing the price control policy on cotton seed to encourage private investments. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (the nodal ministry for approval of transgenic technology) is urged to announce the long pending decisions on the next-generation cotton insect and weed management GM events. In this regard, immediate adoption of HT Bt cotton is required to overcome the current losses by the farmers," it said. Farmers are justified in their demand for access to new technology but technology fatigue is not the sole reason for low yields, said Y.G. Prasad, director of the apex Central Institute of Cotton Research, Nagpur. Countries like China have achieved high yields because they grow cotton under irrigation with better crop management practices, which include mechanised planting, canopy management and precision farming," said Prasad. We are carrying out pilot projects matching plant genotypes (genetic makeup, which determines plant characteristics) with soil types and high-density planting to improve yields. We are hopeful these measures will help Indian farmers match global yields." The car industrys effort to decarbonise revolves around replacing petrol with batteries. A growing number of customers want both. Buyers who cannot afford a fully electric car, or worry about the availability of charging points, are turning to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), sales of which are rocketing. But the hype for hybrids may prove to be short-lived. Worldwide sales of cars running purely on batteries (BEVs) were more than double those of PHEVs last year. But the gap has been rapidly closing. Sales of PHEVs were up by almost 50%, year on year, in the first seven months of 2024, compared with just 8% for BEVs, according to estimates from Bernstein, a broker. Carmakers have been cooling on BEVs and warming to hybrids. This month Volvo backtracked on its commitment to go all-electric by 2030. It now says BEVs and PHEVs will together account for 90% of its sales by the end of the decade. Last month, Ford announced that it was abandoning plans to make a large fully electric SUV, opting instead for hybrid power. Hyundai is doubling its range of hybrids from seven to 14 models. Volkswagen, too, has pledged to increase investments in hybrids as it rethinks its plans for bevs. Consumers are turning to hybrids partly because they are cheap. The big batteries required to run fully electric vehicles make them far more expensive than petrol cars. That is a problem when it comes to selling to the mass market; most buyers will not pay a premium, says Jim Farley, the boss of Ford. Plug-in hybrids, by contrast, run on much smaller batteries: they typically have a 20-kilowatt-hour unit, around a third of the size of those in BEVs. As a consequence, PHEVs are only a little more expensive than petrol-powered cars, and cost less to run. Although hybrids can typically travel only around 40 miles on their batteries, the option of using petrol avoids the anxiety many drivers of bevs have about running out of charge. For their part, carmakers are fond of hybrids because they are usually as profitable as petrol-powered cars, in contrast to BEVs, many of which are loss-making. Smaller batteries mean lower production costs. Hybrids also allow legacy carmakers to draw more on their existing expertise and supply chains. The fashion for hybrids, however, may prove to be fleeting. Rules in California, adopted by 16 other American states, stipulatethat by 2035 only 20% of the new vehicles sold by carmakers can be plug-in hybrids; the remainder must be fully electric. The EU plans to slam the brakes on even harder: the bloc will ban the sale of all cars that run on petrol engines, including hybrids, by 2035. Why-the-hype-for-hybrid-cars-will-not-last Hybrids may already be less competitive by then. Battery prices have been falling, and will fall further as production expands and new chemistries are developed. Carmakers such as Renault have plans to roll out BEV models that cost significantly less than their current offerings, spurred on by Chinese competition. Charging networks are continuing to expand. Bernstein predicts that phevs will capture a growing share of the car market until around 2030, but that sales will then stabilise and eventually decline as those of BEVs speed up (see chart). Hybrids are winning now, but bevs will win eventually, reckons Patrick Hummel of ubs, a bank. Xavier Smith of AlphaSense, a consultancy, thinks the obsession carmakers currently have with hybrids will prove short-sighted. Those that lose focus on electrification could soon fall behind. International crude oil prices climbed two per cent on Thursday, November 21, after Russia and Ukraine launched missiles at each other, overshadowing the impact of a bigger-than-expected increase in US crude inventories. Ukraine fired British cruise missiles into Russia, the latest Western weapon it has been permitted to use in such a way, a day after it fired US missiles. Brent crude futures last rose $1.04, or 1.4 per cent, to $73.85. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rallied $1.46, or 2.1 per cent, to $70.22. US WTI has gained 4.8 per cent this week while Brent crude is up 1.8 per cent. Back home, crude oil futures due for December 18 expiry, traded 1.49 per cent higher at 5,915 per barrel on the multi-commodity exchange (MCX). What's driving crude oil prices? -Analysts say the crude oil rally has Russia/Ukraine written all over it, adding that surging natural gas prices in Europe and the US also supported the market. Kyiv's air force said Russia responded on Thursday by launching an intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine for the first time. -Russia has said the use of Western weapons to strike its territory far from the border would be a major escalation in the conflict. Kyiv says that to defend itself, it must be able to strike Russian bases used to support Moscow's invasion, which entered its 1,000th day this week. -For oil, the risk is if Ukraine targets Russian energy infrastructure, while the other risk is uncertainty over how Russia responds to the attacks. China announced policy measures to boost trade, including support for energy imports, amid worries over US President-elect Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs. -Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) may push back output increases again when it meets on December 1 due to weak global oil demand. The group pumps around half the world's oil. It had initially planned to reverse production cuts from late 2024 through 2025 gradually. -Weighing on the market was a 545,000 barrel increase in US crude inventories to 430.3 million barrels. According to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, gasoline inventories rose more than forecast last week, while distillate stockpiles posted a larger-than-expected draw. Where are oil prices headed? Analysts noted US crude stocks unexpectedly increased by 0.5 million barrels in the week ending November 15, marking a third consecutive weekly build. Equinor also announced the restoration of full output capacity at its Johan Sverdrup oilfield, which can produce 755,000 bpd, about a third of Norways oil production. However, according to Kaynat Chainwala, AVP-Commodity Research, Kotak Securities, the decline in prices was limited by ongoing geopolitical tensions after the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and tensions between Russia and Ukraine remained high. Bitcoin edges closer to the $100,000 mark on Thursday, November 21, fueled by the optimism of the United States shifting to crypto-friendly norms under the President-elect Trump's administration. Also Read | Bitcoin hits $97,000 for first time on optimism over Trump crypto plans The crypto asset price crossed the $98,000 mark for the first time during European trading hours. The Bitcoin prices have more than doubled this year and have risen nearly 40 per cent in the last two weeks since Donald Trump was voted as the President-elect in the US Presidential elections, all set to make a White House comeback with a Republican government, reported the news agency Reuters. While it's now firmly into overbought territory, it is being drawn toward the $100k level, IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore told the news agency. The Republican leader backed the digital asset class during his election campaign and promised to make the US the crypto capital of the planet and to create a national stockpile of Bitcoin. Also Read | CBI begins probe into Maharashtra bitcoin scam; six accused named in FIR Over $4 billion has streamed into the U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs (Exchange-traded funds) since the election. This week, the strong debut for the options of BlackRock's ETF showed call options betting on the price going up more than the put options, as per the agency report. Stock related to cryptocurrencies surged along with the price of Bitcoin. The Bitcoin miner MARA Holdings shares went up 14 per cent while MicroStrategy, a loss-making software company that has been buying bitcoin, shares rose 10 per cent to push its market capitalisation beyond $100 billion. Many are wondering if this administration will bring the regulatory clarity the crypto community has been waiting for. It's likely too soon to say, Will Peck, head of digital assets at WisdomTree, a global ETF issuer told the agency. We see all of this excitement as bullish not only for bitcoin or crypto broadly, but the entire blockchain-enabled ecosystem that is growing today, he said. (Bloomberg) -- Egypt started selling a stake of as much as $104 million in United Bank, the countrys first initial public offering in three years as it presses ahead with a privatization program being encouraged by the International Monetary Fund. United Bank, almost entirely owned by Egypts central bank, is selling 330 million shares a 30% stake at a maximum of 15.6 pounds per share, according to a statement on the stock exchange website on Wednesday. Thats slightly lower than the top end of 16.5 pounds announced the day before. The first tranche of 313.5 million shares will be offered as a private placement running through Nov. 25. The final 5% of the shares will be sold to the wider public from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3. Selling part of United Bank a goal of Egyptian authorities for almost a decade signals fresh movement in the countrys much-watched pledge to curb the role of the state in the economy. It comes as the IMF discusses Egypts progress in enacting an expanded $8 billion reform program, in a periodic review that may unlock a $1.3 billion loan tranche. Mired in economic crisis in early 2023, Egypts government announced an initial list of more than two dozen assets it planned to offer to investors, in sectors ranging from banking to energy and real estate. Progress, however, has been slow. Even after authorities let the pound weaken almost 40% in March helping Egypt secure a wave of funding pledges as part of a global $57 billion bailout there hadnt been a significant asset sale until now. Egyptian authorities previously held discussions with Saudi Arabia over its potential purchase of United Bank. Negotiations stalled in early 2023 amid a disagreement over how to value the transaction. The government is also seeking to sell its remaining 20% stake in another lender, Alex Bank, to Intesa Sanpaolo SpA. (Updates with new pricing, details on asset-sale plans.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Buy or sell stocks: The domestic stock market indices broke their seven-day losing streak on Tuesday amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which weighed heavily on the markets. Profit booking at higher levels also contributed to the reversal in stock prices. The Nifty 50 index closed 0.28 per cent higher at 23,518.50 points, compared to its 23,453.80 points level at the previous market close. The BSE Sensex closed 0.31 per cent higher at 77,578.38 points, compared to 77,339.01 points the previous day. Also Read | How falling stock market can help you save your income tax outgo? Vaishali Parekh's stocks to buy today Vaishali Parekh, vice president of technical research at Prabhudas Lilladher, said the Nifty made a significant pullback from the low near 23,350 levels, a long-term trendline zone. It showed signs of improving bias, but the heavy profit booking eroded the gains; the approach remains very cautious. Parekh estimates the Nifty 50 Spot index to find support at 23,350 points and face resistance at 23,700 points. The Bank Nifty index will likely move in the 50,000 to 51,000 range today. For today, Parekh recommended three buy-or-sell stocks: Avalon Technologies Ltd, Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL), and Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. Stock market today On the outlook for the Nifty 50 and the Bank Nifty index, Parekh said, Nifty indicated a significant pullback from the low made near 23,350 levels, which was the important long-term trendline zone. It showed signs of improving bias to cross above the 23,750 zones, which did not last long as heavy profit booking eroded the gains on the back of fresh news of geo-political tensions, necessitating a very cautious approach. The index would have the crucial support zone of 23,350 levels failing which it would create panic selling and can worsen the trend further with next major support lying near 21,700 zone, the stock market expert said. Bank Nifty almost reached the 51,000 zone but could not sustain much longer, to witnessing profit booking to end the session near 50,600 levels with bias turning into cautious mode. The index would have the crucial support zone near the important 200 period MA of 49,800 levels below which the overall trend would turn bearish, said Parekh. Buy or sell stocks by Vaishali Parekh 1. Avalon Technologies Ltd. (AVALON): Buy at 850; Target at 880; Stop Loss at 830. 2. Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL): Buy at 1,506; Target at 1,500; Stop Loss at 1,450. 3. Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. (JINDALSTEL): Sell at 863; Target at 840; Stop Loss at 880. Gautam Adani's net worth plunged by over $10.5 billion, or nearly 88,726 crore, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, after he was allegedly indicted in New York, US, over his role in a multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. According to US authorities, Gautam Adani, chairman of the ports-to-power conglomerate and seven other defendants, agreed to pay Indian officials over $250 million in bribes to obtain solar contracts. According to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaire Index, Adani, India's second-richest man, now commands a net worth of $59.3 billion. During today's session, the bribery scandal triggered a rout in the Adani Group stocks. Several Adani Group shares, including those of the flagship firm Adani Enterprises, suffered massive losses and hit their lower circuits in early trade. The top loser among the group stocks was Adani Enterprises, which closed at 2,182.55, down 22.61 per cent. The sharp selloff in the group stock wiped out over 2 lakh crore from the Adani Group's overall market capitalisation (m-cap). The group's total m-cap declined to nearly 12.1 lakh crore, down from 14.31 lakh crore in the previous session. What is the US bribery indictment scandal against Gautam Adani? According to US authorities, more than $250 million or 2,100 crore in bribes were promised to Indian Government officials to secure solar energy contracts. related to a renewable energy project in India. Adani and his nephew Sagar are accused of orchestrating the scheme to ensure a solar energy project and misleading investors during a $750 million bond offering, which raised about $175 million from US investors. "A five-count criminal indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain, executives of an Indian renewable-energy company, with conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud and substantive securities fraud for their roles in a multi-billion-dollar scheme to obtain funds from US investors and global financial institutions based on false and misleading statements," said a statement from US Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York. "The indictment also charges Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable-energy company with securities that had traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, former employees of a Canadian institutional investor, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with a bribery scheme also perpetrated by Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain, involving one of the worlds largest solar energy projects," it added. Adani Group denied the allegations and said it will seek all possible legal recourse. "The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," it said. "The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," it added. "Gautam and Sagar Adani were engaged in the bribery scheme during a September 2021 offering by Adani Green that raised $750 million, including approximately $175 million from US investors. The Adani Green offering materials included statements about its anti-corruption and anti-bribery efforts that were materially false or misleading," said the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In the indictment unsealed by federal prosecutors in New York, Adani, 62, was charged with securities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and wire fraud. One result of the US legal action is that the Adani group decided not to proceed with a proposed US dollar-denominated bond offering. The US Department of Justice said, The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The unsealed indictment shows that in 2020, executives of Adani Green and Azure "knowingly and wilfully conspired" and agreed to "corruptly" offer, authorise, and pay bribes to government officials in India to "obtain or retain business advantages." The prosecutors alleged that Adani made misleading statements to the public, the Indian stock exchange, and investors despite being made aware of the US investigation in 2023. Adani and his executives have also been accused of making false and misleading statements to investors and lenders in the US regarding the company's anti-bribery commitments and practices while raising money from them. Between 2021 and 2024, Adani raised more than $3 billion in loans and bonds, including from investors in the US. Also Read: Adani Green halts bond offering after Gautam Adani charged in alleged bribery case in US According to lawyers, the matter could be settled between the Indian tycoon and US authorities, and the billionaire could also seek a dismissal of the indictment. In its order, the grand jury said if any of the executives were found guilty of the charges, they would have to forfeit any property or proceeds derived directly or indirectly from the offences. Adani-Hindenburg Row The latest scandal comes after US-based short seller Hindenburg Research accused Adani companies of stock price manipulation and fraud in 2023, just as the group began a share offering meant to raise $2.5 billion. Last year, the Adani companies lost $68 billion in market value after Hindenburg Research accused Adani of pulling the largest con in corporate history, triggering a massive sell-off of the group's stocks. When a master strategist makes a move, the market takes notice. According to data from Screener.in, a platform that tracks substantial holdings by top investors, one of Indias Warren Buffetts," known for his Midas touch in small and midcap stocks, has quietly added a new stock to his portfolio. Were talking about Mukul Agarwal, a well-regarded investor who, per Trendlyne.com, currently holds 56 stocks in his portfolio valued at 6,739 crore. As the founder of Param Capital Group in 1993, Agarwal has become one of the most respected names in the market. This latest addition to his portfolio has already stirred speculation among market watchers about the potential this company may hold. Read this | Foreign investors are buying these three mid cap stocks during a record selloff While this new buy has drawn attention, its worth noting that the backbone of Agarwals portfolio consists of small and midcap stocks with promising returns. Today, well look not only at this new addition but also at his top three holdings by portfolio weight. These are the stocks in which Agarwal holds the largest stakes. While examining his entire portfolio would be insightful, well focus on these four stocks: the new addition and his top three holdings by percentage. Lets begin with the new buy, followed by the three stocks in descending order of holding size. #1 ASM Technologies Ltd The first on the list is ASM Technologies Ltd, the latest addition to Agarwals portfolio. The company offers consulting and product development services in engineering and product R&D, with offshore development and support centres in India and overseas. According to screener.in, Agarwal purchased a 6.48% stake in the company by the end of September, with ASM now holding a market cap of 1,645 crore. This investment might surprise some investors. The companys current Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is -0.91%, well below the industry average of 17%. However, its 10-year average ROCE stands at 11.44%, while the industry median is 16.88%. In peer comparison, Tata Elxsi leads with a ROCE of 42.74%. On valuation, ASMs current Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio is an unusually high 800x, compared to an industry average of 41x. Its 10-year median P/E is 36.2x, while the industry median for the same period is 25x. The companys Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) showed growth up until FY23 but fell sharply in FY24, with a CAGR of 3.7% over the past five years. View Full Image (Profit Pulse) Despite mixed profitability, ASMs sales grew substantially from 88 crore in FY19 to 202 crore in FY24, reflecting an 18% CAGR. However, the company reported a net loss of 7 crore in FY24, compared to a net profit of 7 crore in FY19. The stock price saw rapid growth from 1,155, when Agarwal bought his stake, to 1,790 within 75 days, before settling back at 1,380. Five years ago, the stock price was just 30, marking an absolute growth of 4,533%, or a 113% CAGR. View Full Image ASM Technologies Ltd Share Price. (Source: TradingVew) Promoter holding in the company declined from 61.54% to 57.09% between June and September 2024, and no domestic institutional investor (DII) currently holds a position. ASMs sales growth likely played a role in attracting Agarwal, though any conclusions are speculative. With ASMs recent expansion into areas like virtual reality, IoT, and open edX platform management, it is a stock worth watching closely for future developments. #2 TAAL Enterprises Ltd Following the recent addition, the next highlight in Agarwals portfolio is TAAL Enterprises Ltd. Originally focused on providing aircraft charter services, TAAL shifted its direction after an aircraft accident, discontinuing the charter business. The company is now merging its wholly owned subsidiary, TAAL Tech India Pvt. Ltd, which will expand its offerings to include engineering services, embedded systems, and IoT solutions alongside air charter services. Agarwal holds an 8.92% stake in TAAL, the highest in his portfolio, and has steadily increased his position over the years, rising from 3.66% in March 2017 to 8.92% by March 2022. The companys current market cap is 850 crore. TAALs ROCE stands at 31.31%, well above the industry median of 24.53%, with a 10-year average ROCE of 52.20% compared to an industry median of 32.06%. In terms of valuation, TAALs P/E ratio is 19.8x, slightly below the industry average of 23.2x, and its 10-year median P/E is 13.3x against an industry median of 12.8x. Read this | These three mid cap stocks pay large dividends. Top mutual funds love them. The companys financials have shown consistent growth: Ebitda rose from 31 crore in FY19 to 47 crore in FY24, reflecting a CAGR of 8.5%. Sales grew from 149 crore to 187 crore over the same period, at a CAGR of 5%, while profits increased at a compounded rate of 13%, from 22 crore to 37 crore. TAALs stock price has grown at a remarkable CAGR of 71% over the last five years, climbing from 180 to the current 2,726. View Full Image TAAL Enterprises share price. (Source: TradingView) Although no domestic institutional investors (DII) are currently invested, Aegis Investment Fund PCC, a foreign institutional investor (FII), holds a 1.87% stake, contributing to an overall FII holding that has risen from 0% in FY19 to 2.21%. One likely reason for Agarwals continued interest in TAAL is its strong financial health, with the company being almost debt-free, maintaining a robust Return on Equity (RoE) of 28%, and offering a dividend yield of 0.92%. #3 Capacite Infraprojects Ltd Capacit'e Infraprojects Ltd is the second-largest holding in Agarwals portfolio, with a 6.21% stake as of September, according to screener.in. A leader in the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) sector in India, the company provides turnkey solutions for housing, high-rise buildings, and urban infrastructure, serving both private and public sector clients, including CIDCO, MHADA, Oberoi Realty, and K Raheja Corp. Capacit'es market cap currently stands at 3,078 crore. The company boasts a strong ROCE of 16.20%, significantly higher than the industry average of 8.56%, and a 10-year median ROCE of 22.30%, compared to the industry median of 6.79%. Despite a recent dip in Agarwal's holding from 8% in September 2023 to 6.21%, his position has remained steady over the past four quarters. Capacit'es financials have seen modest but consistent growth. Ebitda increased from 251 crore in FY19 to 334 crore in FY24, with a 5-year CAGR of 5.7%. The companys sales have recorded a compounded growth rate of 1% over the last five years, though a recent acceleration has driven a 30% CAGR over the last three years. Profit after tax stood at 120 crore for the year ended March 2024, representing a 4% compounded growth over the past five years. The stock has performed well, with the current price at 365, up 87% from 196 five years ago, achieving an 11% CAGR over that period. View Full Image Capacite Infraprojects share price. (Source: TradingView) Capacit'e trades at a P/E multiple of 17x, lower than the industry average of 30.5x, with a 10-year median P/E of 17.9x versus the industry average of 23.29x. Despite sustained profitability, the company does not currently pay dividends. Also read | Beyond spotlight: Five lesser-known Indian investors and their top stock bets Capacit'es debt levels have risen from 274 crore five years ago to 346 crore, marking a 26% increase. Alongside Agarwal, Vikas Khemani holds a 1.74% stake, and Quant Small Cap Fund holds 2.4%. While domestic institutional investment (DII) in Capacit'e surged to 24.5% in FY20, it has since dropped to 7.24% as of September. However, foreign institutional investor (FII) interest has steadily increased, from 7.6% in FY19 to 14.29% currently. #4 Oriental Rail Infrastructure Ltd Oriental Rail Infrastructure Ltd (ORIL) rounds out the list, specializing in the manufacture and supply of various products for the Indian Railways and other industries. ORILs offerings include seats and berths, densified thermal bonded blocks (DTBB), compreg boards, ORVIN, Recorn, coated upholstery fabric, plywood, rubber flooring, and other allied products. The company holds a leading position with over 30% market share in seats and berths for Indian Railways and has a current market cap of 1,431 crore. Agarwal holds a 5.53% stake in ORIL, making it his third-largest holding. His position, reported as of March 2024, has remained steady since then. ORILs current ROCE is 12.26%, slightly below the industry median of 12.66%. Over the past decade, its average ROCE has been 11.82%, close to the industry median of 13.5%. The company trades at a Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio of 43.1x, higher than the industry average of 30.7x. Its 10-year median P/E stands at 36.5x, compared to the industry median of 25.9x. ORILs Ebitda rose from 20 crore in FY19 to 67 crore in FY24, achieving a compounded growth rate of 26%. Sales increased from 139 crore to 526 crore over the same period, reflecting a CAGR of 30%, while net profits grew at a compounded rate of 21%, from 12 crore to 30 crore. The stock price has appreciated significantly, rising from 55 five years ago to the current 233, marking a 322% absolute growth and a 34% CAGR. View Full Image Oriental Rail share price. (Source: TradingView) As of the latest data, no DIIs hold a stake in the company, and overall foreign FIIs holding remains below 1%. Promoter holding has declined from 57.85% in FY19 to 54.81% in FY24. In March 2024, ORIL secured orders worth 1,249 crore, followed by an additional 432 crore order in July 2024, both from Indian Railways. The companys order book currently exceeds 1,700 crore, positioning it for continued growth in the rail infrastructure sector. A trail to follow? While Agarwal's stock picks may not seem like obvious choices to many investors, his track record in identifying strong small and midcap performers speaks volumes. The market cap of the stocks we reviewed today ranges from 850 crore to 3,078 croresquarely within the small to midcap space where Agarwal has consistently excelled. For more such analysis, read Profit Pulse. The financials of these companies may not rank among the best when compared to more established firms, but this is precisely what distinguishes Indias Warren Buffetts. They often spot potential in places the average investor overlooks. The exact reasoning or strategy behind these picks may remain a well-kept secret, but keeping an eye on their moves can offer valuable insights. Note: This article relies primarily on data from Screener.in and Trendlyne.com. Where data was unavailable, we have used alternative sources that are widely recognized and accepted. This article aims to present intriguing charts, data points, and thought-provoking insights. It is NOT an investment recommendation. Please consult a financial advisor if you are considering any investment. This article is intended solely for educational purposes. About the author: Suhel Khan, a seasoned market enthusiast, has over a decade of experience. Previously, he led sales & marketing at a prominent equity research firm in Mumbai. Currently, he dedicates his time to analysing the investments and strategies of Indias super investors. Disclosure: The writer and his dependents do not hold any of the stocks discussed in this article. Beijing (Gasgoo)- On the evening of November 20, Changan Automobile's new energy vehicle brand DEEPAL announced that its S05 model secured 21,730 units of orders in its first month on the market. Photo credit: DEEPAL The DEEPAL S05, which officially went on sale on October 20, began nationwide deliveries the following day. It offers both pure electric and range-extended versions, with a starting price of 119,900 yuan. The S05's design is inspired by "stellar wings," combining simplicity with a futuristic touch. It features a closed front grille, segmented air intakes, split lighting units, and a sporty aesthetic. Additional highlights include five exterior color options, black window and door accents, and a full-width taillight for a dynamic, layered rear look. Photo credit: DEEPAL Inside, the S05 offers three interior color schemes and a 15.6-inch rotatable touchscreen running the DEEPAL OS 3.0, powered by an 8155 chipset from Qualcomm. Other amenities include a panoramic sunroof, HUD, wireless charging, a smartphone Bluetooth key, and various smart driving features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and parking aids. The S05 comes in two powertrain options. The range-extended version includes a 1.5L generator (72kW) and an electric motor (160kW), offering a 200km battery-powered range (CLTC), a fuel consumption of 4.95L/100km, and a combined range of 1,234km. The pure electric version has a 175kW motor and a 56.12kWh battery, achieving a CLTC range of 510km. Saudi Arabian Oil Co. plans to take on more debt and will focus on value and growth for its dividend, the companys finance chief said. Youll see us do a couple of things. One is, just take on more debt compared to use of equity, Chief Financial Officer Ziad Al-Murshed said in an interview in Boston. Its nothing to do with the dividend, it is optimizing our capital structure so that we end up with a lower weighted average cost of capital. Saudi Aramco tapped debt investors earlier this year when it sold $6 billion of dollar-denominated bonds in June, followed by about $3 billion of Islamic dollar notes in September. The company had been absent from the debt markets since 2021. We had the luxury of sitting out those three years until the market became conducive, Al-Murshed said. The state-owned oil producer is a vital component of the Saudi Arabian economy, with its crude sales and generous payouts helping fund Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salmans multitrillion-dollar spending plans. However, its been hit by a slump in crude prices this year, while its oil production is near the lowest level in three years. Saudi Aramco increased its dividend by four per cent in each of the past two years, and is now paying more than $81 billion of base dividends, Al-Murshed said. Were looking for it to be progressive over the years, he said, adding that the companys free cash flow covers that. The companys debt sales will be regular but not too frequent, its CFO said, adding that it has no plans to sell more debt for the remainder of 2024. We want to be active, but we dont want to be too active, he said. One reason for the company to sell debt will be to widen its investor base, he said. Al-Murshed didnt specify whether Saudi Aramco would borrow to support its dividend spending, which is set to hit $124 billion this year, exceeding earnings. That resulted in Saudi Aramco recording a net debt position in the third quarter, the first time since the third quarter of 2022. Just a year ago, the firm had over $27 billion in net cash. Its dividend is made up of two parts a base payment of $20.3 billion a quarter that takes up about 95 per cent of free cash flow, and a performance-linked portion that is set at $10.8 billion each quarter this year. From next year onward, the special component is set to be paid as a percentage of residual free cash flow after spending on dividends and investments, CFO Al-Murshed said. When we close the books for 2024, well plug in that formula and whatever the number is, we will aim to distribute that, he said. Stock market today: A day after snapping their multi-day losing streak, Indian stock market benchmarks- the Sensex and the Nifty 50- resumed their downward march on Thursday, November 21, amid weak global cues. The domestic market witnessed a broad selloff as mid and small-cap segments also suffered losses. The overall market capitalisation (m-cap) of BSE-listed firms dropped to nearly 425 lakh crore from about 431 lakh crore in the previous session, making investors poorer by about 6 lakh crore in a single session. The Sensex opened at 77,711.11 against its previous close of 77,578.38 and dropped 1 per cent to the level of 76,802.73. The index finally closed 0.54 per cent down at 77,155.79. On the other hand, the Nifty 50 opened at 23,488.45 against its previous close of 23,518.50 and fell over a per cent to 23,263.15. It closed with a loss of 0.72 per cent at 23,349.90. The BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices ended 0.37 per cent and 0.67 per cent lower, respectively. Sectoral indices today Most sectoral indices ended with losses on the NSE, with Nifty PSU Bank cracking nearly 3 per cent, followed by Nifty Metal and Media indices which fell over 2 per cent each. However, Nifty Realty climbed about 1 per cent and Nifty IT ended with a gain of half a per cent. 5 key factors driving the market down Both key indices had clocked modest gains in the previous session on Tuesday. However, they resumed their downward march on Thursday on lingering concerns over weak earnings, geopolitical tensions, and stretched valuation. The US indictment of Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and other senior executives on bribery charges dealt a fresh blow to sentiment. Let's take a look at the key factors behind the market selloff. 1. The Adani saga Several Adani Group shares hit their lower circuits in early trade on Thursday after Gautam Adani was indicted in New York over his role in an alleged multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. According to US authorities, more than $250 million in bribes were promised to Indian Government officials to secure solar energy contracts. Shares of Adani Enterprises and Adani Ports plunged 23 per cent each on BSE. Both stocks ended as top losers in the Nifty 50 index. 2. Concerns over weak Q2 earnings Q2 earnings came out significantly weak. The July-September quarter numbers of the majority of companies disappointed markets. As a Mint report highlighted, the combined revenue of the 2,996 BSE-listed companies that were part of the analysis rose 8.1 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y), slower than 9.5 per cent in Q1. As a result, net profit growth slowed to 8.9 per cent from 9 per cent. The banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector was again a saving grace: without it, revenue growth decelerated to 4.6 per cent from 6.3 per cent, and net profit growth edged up from 3.3 per cent to a still-dismal 4.4 per cent. "Global cyclicals, such as oil and gas, along with metals, cement, chemicals, and consumers, weighed on earnings growth. Consumption has emerged as a weak spot, while select segments of BFSI are experiencing asset-quality stress. Weakness in government spending has also been one of the factors driving moderation in earnings," Sneha Poddar, VP of research and wealth management at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, observed. Also Read | Pankaj Pandey of ICICI Securities recommends these 5 shares to buy for long term 3. Escalating geopolitical tensions Fresh escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war has soured the market mood further. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine on Tuesday, days after the US allowed Ukrainian use of longer-range missiles against Moscow. The escalation of tensions in the Ukraine-Russia war can weigh on markets. The element of uncertainty caused by the escalations is high, and therefore, most market participants are likely to be in a wait-and-watch mode. However, any sharp slide in the market appears unlikely since the mother market, the US, has largely downplayed the escalation, said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services. 4. Heavy foreign capital outflow Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have been relentlessly selling Indian equities, which has been among the key reasons behind the recent market downtrend. According to NSDL data, FPIs sold Indian stocks worth 94,017 crore in October, and they sold stock for an additional 25,942 crore in November till the 19th. 5. Technical factors The Nifty 50 is trading below its 200-DMA of 23,575. Experts say the market texture is weak, and the levels of 23,100-22,800 are crucial. "23,100 and 22,800 are the levels toward which Nifty is slowly sliding. At the same time, we have seen buying emerging from the 23,300 level. As long as this level is sustained, we may see some pullback," said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Financial Services. Ajit Mishra, SVP of research at Religare Broking, pointed out that the broader indices are also under pressure but are currently finding support near their long-term moving average, the 200-day exponential moving average (DEMA). "Traders are advised to adopt a cautious stance and prioritise a hedged approach to navigate the current market conditions. 22,700-23,100 is the key support zone, while 23,800-24,200 is the key resistance zone for the index," said Mishra. Shrikant Chouhan, the head of equity research at Kotak Securities, said the current market texture is weak but oversold. "For the traders now, 23,350 and 23,400 would be the key levels. Above 23,400, we could see one quick relief rally till 23,500-23,550. On the flip side, below 23,250, selling pressure is likely to accelerate. Below the same market could slip till 23,175-23,150," said Chouhan. "The index remained below the 200-DMA, indicating persistent weak sentiment in the market. The RSI indicator has reentered a bearish crossover, further supporting the negative sentiment. In the short term, sentiment remains weak, with support at 23,200. A fall below this level could trigger a correction in the market. On the upside, resistance is placed at 23,550; a decisive move above this level might induce a rally in the market," said Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities. Read all market-related news here Stocks to buy for long term: Nifty 50, the benchmark index of the Indian stock market, has seen significant selling pressure of late. The index is now 10.5 per cent down from its all-time high of 26,277.35, reached on September 27 this year. The Nifty 50 ended the previous session with a modest gain of 0.28 per cent, breaking its seven-session losing streak. Could this signal that the worst is over? Pankaj Pandey, the head of research at ICICI Securities, observed that the intensity of selling has come down, so the incremental pain is less intense now. However, we need to see a follow-up of this to confirm that the worst is behind us. Pandey pointed out that for the Nifty 50 to reclaim the 26,000 mark, healthy December-quarter (Q3) earnings and increased news flow regarding ordering and tendering would be crucial. "The second quarter (Q2) was exceptionally weak due to the convergence of multiple factors. However, the third quarter (Q3) is anticipated to show significant improvement. If Q3 delivers strong results and, after the state elections, news begins to emerge regarding ordering and tendering, it could further boost confidence. That is when it could be possible for the Nifty 50 to touch those kinds of levels," said Pandey. Also Read | How Maharashtra polls could impact Indian stock market. Experts weigh in Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have been offloading Indian equities since October. Historically, FPIs tend to sell emerging market stocks as the year-end holiday season approaches. However, Pandey is optimistic that this trend could ease in the near future. "This was a special year because of the US election, and we are seeing some anticipated changes. If you look at the US debt market prior to the election outcome, the debt market had started factoring in higher spending, which is why the 10-year bond yields rose. So, the FPI trend has more to do with the election outcome than the usual year-end activity. I doubt FPIs will continue selling heavily in December because India's macros have not gone so bad," said Pandey. Pandey advises buying quality stocks at this juncture for the long term. He recommends the following five stocks to buy for the next one year. Take a look: Natco Pharma | Previous close: 1,364.65 | Target price: 1,680 | Upside potential: 23% Natco specialises in manufacturing complex generic products with few competitors, especially for the US market. India formulations mainly comprise oncology products (39 brands). "Our estimates suggest that the company generated almost 3,500 crore in sales from generic Revlimid during FY22-FY24, and over the next two fiscal, i.e. FY25 and FY26, the company is expected to generate another about 5,000 crore," said Pandey. Natco is banking on some new FTF opportunities for its growth, notably gOzempic (Anti-diabetic), gWegovy (Weight management) and gLynparza (Anti-cancer), among others. "Our target price is 1,680 based on 18 times FY26E base business EPS (earnings per share) of 87.2 plus 110 NPV for gRevlimid," Pandey said. Bank of Baroda | Previous close: 237.20 | Target price: 300 | Upside potential: 26.5% Bank of Baroda is the third largest public sector bank with a meaningful presence in both domestic and international operations. Consistent improvement in margins, profitability and asset quality has led to an increase in RoA (return on assets) in the last four fiscal. Industry in-line credit growth (at 12-14 per cent) with a focus on diversified asset mix, healthy liabilities franchise (CASA at about 39.8 per cent), steady margins (about 3 - 3.2 per cent) and stable asset quality is expected to enable the bank to deliver consistent RoA at 1-1.1 per cent. "Given valuation at historical average, we have a buy rating with a target of 300, valuing the bank at nearly one time FY27E ABV (adjusted book value)," said Pandey. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) | Previous close: 3,505.90 | Target price: 4,260 | Upside potential: 22% The company has a current order backlog of 5,10,402 crore, up 13 per cent year-on-year (YoY). The execution trends of Q2FY25, especially in infra, hydrocarbon and precision engineering space, clearly indicated execution momentum, which will help the company easily meet its revenue guidance. Given the prospects of 8.1 lakh crore, L&T expects to meet order inflow growth guidance for FY25E. "Overall, we expect revenues and PAT to grow at CAGR of 14.7 per cent and 15.1 per cent over FY24-FY26E. L&T has reached an ROE (return on equity) of about 16 per cent and anticipates the same to reach 18 per cent as per their strategic plan," Pandey said. "The company is banking on an improvement of 1 per cent each from three catalysts like (a) Breakeven of Hyderabad Metro, (b) Improvement in P&M segment margins, and (c) increasing payouts in forms of higher dividends or buyback. We value the stock on a SOTP basis," said Pandey. PCBL | Previous close: 390 | Target price: 600 | Upside potential: 54% PCBL is a leading manufacturer of carbon black, which is used as a reinforcing material in tyres. PCBL also derives about 11 per cent of its volume from speciality carbon black, which fetches high margins and is used in paints and plastics. It has a healthy margin profile (nearly 16 per cent) and a capital-efficient business model. "We hold a positive view on PCBL, driven by healthy underlying double-digit volume growth in carbon black space led by export demand, efficiencies and turnaround in sight at Aquapharm and big opportunity in sight in Nano Silica. We have a buy rating on PCBL with a target price of 600, valuing it at 24 times PE on FY27E," said Pandey. NCC | Previous close: 279.35 | Target price: 400 | Upside potential: 43% NCC is a key beneficiary of the tailwinds in the buildings, roads, water, mining and electrical segments. Given the strong order book visibility and improving balance sheet strength, it is poised for healthy growth ahead. NCC has a standalone order book of 48,028 crore, 2.5 times TTM (trailing 12 months) book-to-bill. The company has maintained its guidance of order booking of nearly 20,000 - 22,000 crore. The topline growth guidance is nearly 15 per cent for FY25, implying accelerated execution in H2FY25 (second half of FY25). "Given the robust orderbook, we expect healthy revenue CAGR of nearly 15 per cent over FY24- 27E to 28,022 crore. Healthy topline and operating profit growth coupled with stable finance costs are likely to drive about 25.5 per cent earnings CAGR over FY24-27E," said Pandey. Read all market-related news here Whimsical Notes Lace-up Chucks in street-ready style paired with Comme des Garcons signature heart-and-eyes graphics. Available on Converse.in; 12,499. 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A chargeback is a debit or credit card transaction that's reversed by the cardholder's bank after they dispute a charge on their account. This can be for anything from undelivered goods and billing errors to outright fraud. When you initiate a chargeback, your bank steps in to ensure your hard-earned money isnt lost. But how exactly does the process work? Also read | Tax breaks, reforms, and returns: Why NRIs are banking big on India The first step is identifying the issue. Maybe you were double-charged for a meal or paid for a service that was never delivered. Once you notice the problem, you can raise a chargeback request via online banking or by calling your banks help line. While the process applies to both credit and debit cards, the deadline to raise a chargeback request can vary from 60 to 180 days, depending on your bank's policies. When can you request a chargeback? Most banks require you to contact the merchant and attempt to resolve the issue directly before requesting a chargeback. After you submit your request, the bank checks if it is valid. If it is, the bank provides you with provisional credit essentially a temporary refund. Simultaneously, it informs the merchant's bank, which then debits the amount from the merchant and charges them a fee. The merchant can either accept the chargeback or contest it by submitting evidence, such as confirmation of delivery. The bank then reviews the evidence before deciding whether to uphold or reverse the chargeback. Also read: Should you invest in low-volatility funds amid high market volatility? However, there are crucial terms and conditions to keep in mind before raising a chargeback. Buyers remorse or dissatisfaction with a product that matches the advertised description arent valid reasons, for instance. Every bank also has limits on the amount eligible for a chargeback, and high-value transactions may require additional scrutiny. How is a chargeback different from a refund? The chargeback process is more complex than a simple refund and offers significant protection. Unlike refundswhich involve only you and the merchanta chargeback engages multiple parties, including the issuing bank, payment gateway and card network, making it a more robust safeguard against fraudulent or disputed transactions. For merchants, chargebacks come at a cost: not only do they lose the transaction amount and product, they also pay a fee and risk damaging their reputation. High chargeback ratios can lead to penalties or even losing the ability to process card payments. Also read: Planning to retire with an equity-heavy portfolio? History warns against it. To avoid unnecessary disputes, its important to document your claims clearly and submit supporting evidence promptly. While the chargeback process may seem daunting, its an invaluable safety net that can ensure your financial security. Misusing chargebacks can harm merchants and cause your request to be denied, so always use this responsibly. Planning for higher education for children forms a major aspect of financial planning for most households, especially if you plan to send your children overseas for higher education due to the sheer costs involved when looking at a degree from top global institutes. The fourth episode of Lets Mint Money, presented in collaboration with Groww Mutual Fund, saw the Editor (Personal Finance) at Mint, Neil Borate and Jash Kriplani, Senior Assistant Editor at Mint Money, in conversation with Dalveer Singh, a Mumbai-based media, advertising and marketing veteran who has just retired after a 33-year-long career and is educating both his sons abroad. He was joined by his financial advisor, Suresh Sadagopan, the Founder of Ladder7 Wealth Planners Private Limited. Watch the full episode here, Singhs family includes his wife Arti, an artist and naturalist, elder son Aryan, a Stanford graduate, and younger son Jugnu, who is studying liberal arts and design at UBC. The 56-year-old started his financial planning journey about two decades ago when he moved to Jakarta for a two-year stint. I had to give up my Ogilvy ESOPs, and that amount had to be invested. And that was my first exposure to financial planning. The next one happened when I came back here. When I was in Jakarta, I got introduced to what sort of planning one needs to do to send kids to foreign universities, and there was the need to have somebody to partner with you to help build that corpus, Singh said. Moving to Jakarta The posting to Jakarta was an eye-opener for the family they realised they needed to start investing if they wanted their children to study overseas. Their boys were three years and eight months old at the time. For me and Aarti, educating our sons was our first priority. It was not buying a dream house but giving kids access to the best education in the best institutes. And that is when the financial planning came, he said. Both boys went to IB schools after Grade 10, and the focus was clear: they would study abroad. He returned to join Reliance Capital, which gave him exposure to financial markets and the world of Mutual Funds. He invested in Portfolio Management Services (PMS). With the passing years, the returns became less attractive, and Singh decided to exit. This is when Sadagopan and his team came into the picture and introduced him to the myriad services and products that are available for investors. Overseas Education Education abroad is always a costly exercise. When we got introduced, Dalbirs son was already studying overseas, and the younger one was to go soon. So, one of the primary things we had to plan for was enough liquidity at all times and tax efficiency, too. That is the primary focus even today. His portfolio has a fair amount of money in pass-through debt, like arbitrage, really short-term funds and the like, which we can withdraw at short notice, Sadagopan said. Singh's first priority was to provide for his sons education, but he also wanted to retire early. When we met, close to about 50 per cent was equity, close to about 25 per cent was real estate, and close to about 18-20 per cent was my ESOPs, and then there was Employment Provident Fund, said Singh. So, while he had the funds, his financial planner needed to manage them properly to ensure that both goals could be met simultaneously. He also had a significant allocation to real estate, which had to be brought down to bring greater liquidity. We also looked at the overall portfolio. We have no affinity for any particular product. We are focused on what is good from the clients point of view. From that point of view, the data, in general, suggests that mutual funds are doing reasonably well compared to a PMS. There is no concentration risk in a mutual fund. And you can diversify, which is a bit difficult in the case of a PMS. So, we did some bit of spring cleaning. We also brought enough money into debt, Sadagopan further said. Taking Loans In terms of loans, Singh said he has never taken a loan, except for a car loan. He financed the real estate, including an apartment in Mumbai, an apartment in Gurgaon and a farmhouse in Delhi. I was lucky that none of the assets have been bad assets. I had a fairly good, regular income, which helped me sail through these 3-4 big events. I still need to buy my dream house, Singh said. He plans to stay in different cities over the next few years to decide where they would build that all they know is that they want to be closer to nature. To take care of his ongoing expenses post-retirement, he accounted for a 12-16 month buffer into the planning process. There was also an upside in the ESOPs deployed into different assets. The 12-16 month corpus plus the ESOPs will see us through till the end of December 2025 and we will also continue with our SIPs. And, only after December 25 will you start withdrawing from debt instruments, Singh said. The major life events they now foresee coming are expenses towards post-graduation for the boys, their weddings and Singh and his wife settling down into their dream home after retirement. They also want to give back to society and start something which will keep them engaged for the next 25 years. Their retirement plan also factors in the funds they would need.All that is built into the plan Suresh and team have created, Singh said. Dalveer Singhs story highlights the importance of thoughtful financial planning. By reshaping his portfolio across equities, debt, and real estate, he achieved milestones like funding his sons' overseas education and progressing toward retirement goals, said Varun Gupta, CEO Groww Asset Management Ltd. Gupta added, As he nears retirement, gradually increasing equity exposure with careful risk management could open doors to growth opportunities and secure his financial journey ahead. When tragedy strikes, the complexities of inheritance laws add another layer of hardship. This unexpected reality, often rooted in religious laws, underscores the importance of estate planning. For instance, a young Muslim widow may be left with just a fraction of her husbands estate under Muslim inheritance law (Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937). Even if she had been named as the nominee of the deceased, she would receive just a quarter of her husbands wealth if she had no childrenand much less if she had, with the rest going to his parents or siblings or even distant relatives. This misconception that a nominee inherits everything catches many individuals and families off-guard, leaving them financially vulnerable. This article explores the legal provisions and practical steps individuals can take to ensure their wealth is distributed according to their wishes. View Full Image (Mint Graphics) Misconceptions and financial shocks Under Muslim personal law, a widow would receive 25% of her husbands estate if they had no children, and the remainder would be distributed among his parents. If his parents have passed away, the remainder of her husbands estate would be allocated to his siblings or other relatives. If the couple had children, the widows share would be halved to 12.5% of her husbands estate, and the rest would be allocated to the children and her husbands parents. This reality comes as a shock as many families assume that a nominee would inherit the entire estate. In truth, inheritance laws override any nomination. If the wife had died, her husband, under Muslim personal law, would inherit 50% of her estate if the couple didnt have children. If they had children, his share would shrink to 25%. Also read | A basic will may not always protect your family. Here's how a conditional will can help Impact on parents Lets take the example of a Muslim male who is unmarried or widowed and without children. If he dies, his estate would be allotted to his parents, but his mother would receive only a one-third share. If his father had passed away, his mother would still receive only a one-third share, with the remaining two-thirds going to relatives. Dr. Tahir Mahmood, former chairman of the National Minorities Commission and a member of the Law Commission of India, said children are central to Muslim inheritance laws. If children exist, wealth stays within the family. However, their absence triggers inheritance to distant relatives." Unequal distribution among siblings Muslim personal law also dictates unequal distribution between male and female heirs. For instance, brothers inherit twice the share that sisters would receive, regardless of their marital status. If a man dies leaving behind only one daughter, she would inherit 50% of his estate, while his widow would receive only 12.5%, said Kunal Kabra, chief executive of Kustodian.Life, an inheritance planning advisory. The remaining wealth goes to the mans parents, or in their absence, to distant relatives. If there are more than one daughter, they share two-thirds of the estate among themselves." This unequal division of wealth can leave immediate family members, especially widows and daughters, struggling financially, particularly if the deceased was the primary breadwinner. Also read | How grandparents can invest for their grandchildren without any hiccups Estate planning: Wills and alternatives Writing a will is not a comprehensive solution. Under Muslim personal law, only one-third of an individuals estate can be transferred through a will. The remaining two-thirds are distributed according to religious inheritance laws, leaving limited flexibility for those who wish to provide for their immediate family members. Understanding the differences between Shia and Sunni inheritance laws can offer additional options. Sunni Muslims cannot bequeath their estate through a will to heirs who are already entitled to a share. They can allocate it to others. However, Shia Muslims can allocate up to one-third of their estate to anyone, including legal heirs, offering them more flexibility in estate planning. Shias can seek consent from other legal heirs to transfer 100% of wealth to their preferred legal heirs," said Mahmood of the National Minorities Commission. Hiba: Gifting wealth while alive Another option available under Muslim law is gifting wealth, a practice known as Hiba. This gift can be made to anyone and does not require any exchange or consideration. For a valid gift under Muslim law, three essential elements must be present: an offer (ijab), an acceptance (qubul), and a transfer (qabza). The gift must involve an immediate transfer of possession, with the donor losing ownership as soon as the gift is executed. However, this condition does not apply to inter-spousal gifts (from husband to wife, or vice versa) and gifts between parents and children (father or mothers gift to a son or daughter, or vice versa). In such cases, the gifted property gets vested in the donee immediately but the donor may decide when the donee will take possession. If no time is fixed for it, the donee will take possession after the donors death," said Mahmood. Also read | Step-by-step: Setting up trusts for specially-abled children New Delhi-based Nida Khan Salims father has already gifted his immovable properties to his two daughters to ensure this estate is passed on to them. Hiba is a simple and tax-efficient way of transferring ones wealth to children," said Salim, an advocate at the Supreme Court. As for her fathers financial assets, Salim and her sister are added as nominees in each investment. While our cousins can claim this amount beyond our share, we trust them that it wont happen," said Salim. Nomination will ensure the money comes to our bank accounts." Special Marriage Act: A legal alternative If a marriage is registered under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, a Muslim couple will no longer be governed by Muslim personal law in matters of inheritance but under the Indian Succession Act, 1925. This gives couples full control over how their wealth is distributed through a will. Even couples already married under Muslim law are registering their marriages under the Special Marriage Act to avoid the rigid inheritance rules," said Kabra of Kustodian.Life. This allows them to ensure their wealth goes to their immediate family members." However, once a couple registers under this act, their descendants can no longer revert to Muslim inheritance law. This choice, while offering more control, also comes with a long-term commitment. Interfaith marriage, conversion Registering a marriage under the Special Marriage Act does not disqualify Muslims from inheriting wealth from their parents. Only conversion to a different religion does, said Mahmood. Also, in the case of interfaith marriages registered under the Special Marriage Act, partners do not need to change their religion. The very reason for bringing in the Special Marriage Act was to ensure that people from two different religions can marry each other without changing their religion. Indian Succession Act, and not their respective personal laws, will apply to both parties and their future generations," said Mahmood. Wakfs and family trusts Establishing a wakf (Islamic trust) or a private family trust offers another estate planning option for Muslims with significant assets. Wakfs can be created for public charitable purposes or for the benefit of family members and descendants. However, wakfs come with limitationsonce a property is given to wakf, it will remain under it forever. A wakf is inalienable in India. Once declared, it cannot be revoked or amended. It is only advisable for those with large amounts of property," Mahmood said. Private family trusts established under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, offer more flexibility, allowing Muslims to ensure that their wealth is distributed according to their wishes if the trust deed specifies so", said Farough Ahmad, an advocate at Allahabad High Court. Trusts can also be customised to benefit specific family members, providing greater security for immediate relatives. Rutul Shah, partner and co-founder, Aurtus Consulting Llp, said the firms go-to approach for Muslim clients who didnt register under the Special Marriage Act is to create trusts. Running a trust (also called living will) is not expensive," said Shah. But it is like having an additional family member with separate income whose tax returns filing are to be done every year". Adani Green Energy has decided not to proceed with its plan to raise $600 million through US dollar bonds after US prosecutors accused Gautam Adani and other board members of being involved in a $250 million bribery scheme. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) have both filed lawsuits in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The SEC has filed a civil action against Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani, members of the Adani Group's Board, while the DOJ has issued a criminal indictment. Furthermore, the criminal charge also names another board member, Vneet Jaain. In response to these legal proceedings, Adani Green's subsidiaries decided to temporarily halt the intended US dollar-denominated bond sales. The US Attorney's office said the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Also Read | GQG shares plunge 20% after Gautam Adani charged over bribery scheme by US "The United States Department of Justice and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission have issued a criminal indictment and brought a civil complaint, respectively, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, against our Board members, Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani. The United States Department of Justice have also included our Board member, Vneet Jaain, in such criminal indictment. In light of these developments, our subsidiaries have presently decided not to proceed with the proposed USD-denominated bond offerings," Adani Green said in an exchange filing dated 21 November. The indictment also accuses the executive of obstructing investigations by the FBI, DOJ, and SEC. The FBI New York's Corporate, Securities and Commodities Fraud and International Corruption Units conducted the investigation. The US government's case is being handled by the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Criminal Division's Fraud Section. Also Read | Adani Group stocks crash after US indicts Chairman, 7 others on bribery charges Adani Group stocks in free fall In early trading on Thursday, 21 November, several Adani Group shares, including those of the flagship company Adani Enterprises, saw significant losses and fell to their lower circuits. Overall, 2 trillion was wiped off Adani Group's market capitalisation. Gautam Adani, the billionaire chair of Indian conglomerate Adani Group and one of the world's richest people, has been indicted in New York over his role in an alleged multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme, U.S. prosecutors said on Wednesday. Authorities said Adani and seven other defendants, including his nephew Sagar Adani, agreed to pay about $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to obtain solar energy supply contracts expected to yield $2 billion of profit over 20 years. According to an indictment, some conspirators referred privately to Gautam Adami with the code names "Numero uno" and "the big man," while Sagar Adani allegedly used his cellphone to track specifics about the bribes. Prosecutors also said the Adanis and another executive at Adani Green Energy, Vneet Jaain, raised more than $3 billion in loans and bonds for that company by concealing the corruption from lenders and investors. The case involves alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a U.S. anti-bribery law. Adani Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours in India, where the charges were announced early Thursday morning. India's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lawyers for the defendants could not immediately be identified. Gautam Adani, 62, is worth $69.8 billion according to Forbes magazine, making him the world's 22nd richest person and India's second-richest person behind Reliance Industries Chair Mukesh Ambani. Among the other defendants are Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, respectively a former chief executive and former chief strategy and commercial officer of Azure Power Global, and Cyril Cabanes, a director there. The other defendants, as well as Cabanes, also worked for a Canadian institutional investor, prosecutors said. Seven of the defendants are Indian citizens who lived in India during the relevant period, while Cabanes is a dual French-Australian citizen who lived in Singapore, prosecutors said. According to court records, a judge has issued arrest warrants for Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani, and prosecutors plan to hand those warrants to foreign law enforcement. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed related civil charges against Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Cabanes. Last week, Gautam Adani said in a post on social media platform X that his conglomerate planned to invest $10 billion in U.S. energy security and infrastructure projects, creating a potential 15,000 jobs, without providing a timetable. Adani announced the investment while also congratulating U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on his election win. Trump has pledged to make it easier for energy companies to drill on federal land and build new pipelines. In January 2023, the U.S.-based short-seller Hindenburg Research accused Adani Group of using offshore tax havens improperly, a charge the company denied. The report sparked an approximately $150 billion meltdown in Adani Group stocks. On his first day in office, leader Xi Jinping inherited an ambitious road map to build 10,000 miles of high-speed rail to link Chinas biggest cities. He took those plans and supersized them. What has emerged 12 years later is one of the biggest public works in history, soon to exceed 30,000 miles of high-speed rail. For many of its citizens, the vast network is one of the clearest signs of Chinas progress, especially compared with the U.S., which has struggled to get any high-speed rail going. Lest they forget whom to thank, its top-of-the-line trains are named Rejuvenation," after Xis promise to restore Chinas national power. The build-out encapsulates Xis vision for Chinas future, with a focus on advanced technology driven by government spending. Chinese leaders once prioritized lifting individual wealth to keep people happy. Xis colossal investment in trains is part of a return to the Communist Partys roots by emphasizing collective benefits from the state. The plan sticks to a well-worn economic model built on maintaining growth through infrastructure spendingeven though China already has much of what it needs. Its becoming a giant money pit. China has spent more than $500 billion on new tracks, trains and stations in the past five years, while the countrys national railway operator, China State Railway Group, is nearing $1 trillion of debt and other liabilities. Just keeping up with its debt requires $25 billion annually. While passenger numbers have rebounded following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, raising ridership will be especially challenging in the years to come as Chinas population is projected to shrink by around 200 million people in the next three decades. Some of the newest lines are in effect duplicating older ones. The expansion now stretches into quieter corners of inland China, such as central Sichuan provinces Fushun County, where the population of 700,000 mostly rural residents has been shrinking for years. It got its first high-speed trains in 2021, and there are now at least 12 high-speed rail stations within a 40-mile radius in the county and its surrounding areas. On a recent afternoon, Fushun Station itself was practically deserted, with around 20 travelers milling about in a cavernous waiting room with seats for 1,000. Another even newer station a few miles up the road was similarly empty. In the plaza outside, 50-year-old Liu Chuanfu was selling chilled rice cakes for 40 cents a bowl. Liu roamed China for decades as a construction worker, including on a high-speed rail station in a wealthy coastal city. As the economy sagged, Lius pay fell 40%. He recently moved back home to Sichuan, where his expenses are cheaper. Like many other Chinese, Liu praised the high-speed rail system overall for its convenience. Then he questioned how much more the country should build. Were already saturated," he said. Growth story Chinas nearly 30,000 miles of high-speed rail is already more than enough to circle the globe. China State Railway envisions adding nearly 15,000 miles more by 2035, costing hundreds of billions of dollars. Such massive spending is a feature of Chinas growth story, with investment making up about 42% of its gross domestic product, compared with 26% globally. If you want to get rich, first build the roads," Xi has said to justify spending on transportation, including high-speed railno matter the cost. The U.S., by contrast, has only very limited service on the East Coast that could plausibly be considered high-speed rail. A 500-mile line from Los Angeles to San Francisco under construction has grappled with costs spiraling to more than $100 billion and a still-uncertain completion date. While definitions vary, high-speed trains typically run anywhere from 125 to more than 220 miles an hour. The challenge for China is that high-speed trains are far more costly than alternatives, such as traditional trains or buses, which many economists believe are sufficient for much of the country. High-speed rail makes the most financial sense in densely populated areas where travelers will pay a premium to reach their destination more quickly. The line connecting Shanghai and the tech hub of Hangzhou, home to Alibaba, drew an average of around 100,000 passenger trips every day during its first decade between 2010 and 2020, according to state media. A similarly sized section running through Fushun County has reported only about 9,000 daily trips on average since opening in 2021, though that included a period until late 2022 when China was under strict Covid-19 controls. All told, China State Railways liabilities grew to a record of about $860 billion as of September. The total debt tied to Chinas rail expansion is even higher, since cash-strapped local governments are being required to bear many of the costs for new projects. Over time, maintenance costs will add up. Theres little risk the railway operator will default, given its strong backing by Chinas government. And proponents of Chinas build-out say the fast trains create positive knock-on effects, such as cutting pollution from gas-powered cars, shortening travel times for business trips and promoting urbanization. Yet as the government pursues trophy projects that symbolize its status as a leading power, at the individual level, many citizens are feeling poorer and their futures less secure. The rail investments also divert resources away from initiatives such as building a stronger social safety net that economists say China needs to help its aging population and increase domestic consumption over time. Zhao Jian, a scholar at Beijing Jiaotong University whos critical of the high-speed rail build-out, has argued in commentaries that China is turning a blind eye to the systems financial perils. He has said the country would have been better off only building a few thousand miles of high-speed rail in its most densely populated areas. Hundreds of billions of dollars could have instead been invested in traditional railways that can also handle freight, as well as on more research in areas like advanced chips. Spending on trains could also come at the expense of efforts to lift economic opportunities for Chinese people over the long run, with hundreds of millions of people across the country lacking in education. Just do the cost-benefit analysis," said Scott Rozelle, a Stanford University economist who studies Chinese development. Such efforts take years to bear fruit, while building trains offers an immediate boost to an economy that has struggled to keep people employed, economists said. State media focuses on new trains as feats of Chinese engineering that create well-paying jobs. At work sites as high as 14,000 feet above sea level, one of Chinas priciest rail projects is taking shape, linking Tibets capital of Lhasa with the central city of Chengdu in Sichuan, at a cost of more than $50 billion. Our village has over 30 people working for their rice at the railways," a janitor at one station in Tibet along the new line told state media. While not technically high-speed rail, the trains would run at around 100 miles an hour over the 13-hour journey. Thats still far longer than the 2 hours it takes to fly from Chengdu to Lhasa, with plentiful daily options. Flights can go for as little as $50 one way, making it tough for the trains to compete. Cheap seats China says it can make its railways more economically viable. Over the past decade, Beijing pursued a series of reforms to make its railroads operate more like businesses, abolishing the government departments that had long run the nations trains and then launching China State Railway in 2019. A drive to slash overhead helped China State Railway turn a roughly $460 million profit last year after losing close to $25 billion from 2020 to 2022 during the pandemic. Its results last year were boosted by more than $1 billion in other income," a line item in China that typically includes state subsidies. Some of its two dozen major operating units are facing serious difficulties. Its biggest subsidiary, based in Sichuan, lost $1 billion in 2023 as it expanded in rural areas and smaller cities inland. China State Railway and the Ministry of Finance didnt respond to requests for comment. The companys chief accountant has previously said that it takes its debt issues seriously and that the financial risks are manageable, highlighting the quality of its assets. Efforts to boost profitability are constrained by a desire to keep ticket prices low, which builds goodwill for Xi and the government. A study by Chinese academics last year found that prices for high-speed rail tickets in China were less than a quarter of the average cost of such tickets globally. The trains have become a point of national pride for many people, including Zhang Jianbo, who emerged from Fushun Station on a recent morning after a business trip with his wife to Chengdu. Had he driven, his $13 ticket for the trip of over 130 miles wouldnt have covered the highway tolls, let alone pay for gas. Many Chinese resist higher ticket prices, viewing the network as a public service. When China State Railway announced price hikes of as much as 20% for a few lines earlier this year, a torrent of online criticism followed. Altogether last year, travelers took 3.7 billion trips on the nations railways, including both high-speed and traditional slower trains. Zhao, the Beijing-based scholar, has said many lines in China were running fewer than 16 pairs of trains daily in both directions, a fraction of their capacities. While China State Railway reported ridership growth of 18% in the first half of 2024 compared with a year earlier amid a domestic tourism boom, its operating revenues were practically flat over the same period. Double routes The early build-out of high-speed rail, under Xis predecessor Hu Jintao, sought to link Chinas biggest and richest cities, using technologies imported from Japan and Europe. The Beijing-to-Shanghai route, opened in 2011, has thrived. A listed unit of China State Railway running service between the cities had profits of more than $1.5 billion last year. China is now practically duplicating some routes. High-speed trains have operated for years between the inland cities of Chongqing and Kunming, a journey that takes about five hours. China State Railway says a new $20 billion line being built between the cities, following a different path, will cut travel time to about two hours, while supporting the regional economy and promoting national unity. That route will soon bring high-speed trains to Sichuans Gao County, south of Fushun, for the first time. In the county seat, property developers are erecting new apartment blocks in a district that will be home to its high-speed rail station. Gao Countys population of about 375,000, including many pig farmers and grain growers, has shrunk nearly 10% since 2019 as locals sought work elsewhere. Per capita economic output is two-thirds of the national level. The area doesnt lack connectivity. High-speed trains run through the city of Yibin, 40 minutes north. The 20 million-person metropolis of Chengdu is reachable in about two hours. The bigger issue for Gao County, and the residents of its 200 villages, is a lack of jobs. If youre hardworking and want to make more money, youve got to find work on the outside," said one villager whose home and plot of farmland sits in the shadow of the new lines elevated tracks. She said officials promised her the trains that will soon zip by wont be too noisy. In nearby Luojia Village, the lines construction has hastened the communitys decline, residents said, as the government requisitioned land for tracks and for another infrastructure project upgrading the local waterworks. More and more people have gone elsewhere," said 62-year-old Hu Mingqun, who runs a village health center with her husband. Those who stay at home to farm dont make much money because their land has shrunk." Still, Hu said she enjoyed taking the high-speed rail to visit her daughter in another province, and trusted that the system would ultimately make life in China better. Zhao Yueling contributed to this article. Write to Brian Spegele at Brian.Spegele@wsj.com AMSTERDAM, NetherlandsKiiroo has launched "Empower Hour," a new video series hosted on the FeelHubX YouTube channel, created in partnership with Pineapple Support. This series is dedicated to empowering adult creators by addressing crucial mental health and professional development topics. "Empower Hour" episodes featuring Leya Tanit, founder of Pineapple Support, will be released bi-weekly and explore vital issues such as work-life balance, overcoming self-doubt, and managing online criticism. The series aims to provide adult creators with the tools and insights necessary for personal and professional growth. "FeelHubX's 'Empower Hour' series reflects the core of Pineapple Supports mission to provide tailored mental health support to adult creators. We are excited to be a part of this initiative, which bridges the gap between awareness and action. The series offers tangible strategies that can profoundly impact our community's well-being. Partnering with FeelHubX allows us to bring these crucial conversations to the forefront, nurturing a safer, healthier environment for all creators, said Leya Tanit, founder and CEO of Pineapple Support. This collaboration between FeelHubX and Pineapple Support, powered by Kiiroo, highlights commitment to those within the adult industry. By merging resources and expertise, "Empower Hour" seeks to foster a supportive and resilient community for adult creators. Kiiroo, a product manufacturer in the interactive pleasure industry, is set to launch FeelHubX, a creator platform, before the end of 2024. FeelHubX is a next-generation platform that allows creators to connect remotely with their audience. Built with Kiiroos haptic technology, FeelHubX enables creators to offer a fully interactive experience, making digital intimacy more engaging and personalized than ever before, a company representative said. "Empower Hour is about turning insight into action. At FeelHubX, we're dedicated to supporting adult creators not just by providing a platform, but by empowering them with knowledge and tools that address real-life challenges. Each episode is crafted to inspire, educate, and support our communitys growth and well-being, said Kylie Marco, community manager at FeelHubX. For more details and to watch the episodes, visit the FeelHubX YouTube channel. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel denied allegations levelled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Adani Group bribery case on Thursday. He alleged that the Centre had handed over major power plants in the state to the Adani Group. He said, The agreement with Chhattisgarh Electricity Board was done during the tenure of Raman Singh. US prosecutors charged Gautam Adani with being involved in a scheme to pay a bribe of over $250 million (about 2,100 crore) to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts. What did BJP says on Adani Group 'bribery case'? BJP leader Sambit Patra said on Thuesday that four Indian states were named in the US court when US prosecutors charged billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani. The party said the matter lasted from July 2021 to February 2022, when Opposition parties governed these four states. BJP spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra said four Indian states' names appeared before the US Court. They were Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. At that time, Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government was in power in Chhattisgarh. In Andhra Pradesh, it was the YSRCP government at that time. In Tamil Nadu, it was the DMK government. In Odisha, it was the BJD government, Patra said. He added, So, all four states that have been named in the document neither had our chief ministers nor a government supported by us. They all had governments of the Congress and its allies. Patra also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Adani case. He said, Rahul Gandhi, this is not your first attempt to diminish the credibility of PM Modi. Your mother, party and you have been attempting this since 2002. Also Read | Adani Group stocks crash after US indicts Chairman, 7 others on bribery charges Bhupesh Baghel denies link: Centre handed over On Chhattisgarh's link in the Adani matter, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, "There is no matter relating to my tenure as CM between 2020-2023. If there was any deal between the new govt in the state and Adani, then I don't know about it..." He put the blame on the Centre and the BJP government in the state. "Korba Waste Power Plant, Raigarh, GMR Power Plant, Raipur and Lenco Power Plant, Korba were handed over to the Adani Group by the Centre and due to this, banks had to suffer losses. The agreement with Chhattisgarh Electricity Board was done during the tenure of Raman Singh. Sambit Patra (BJP MP) is making allegations against his own government," Baghel said. US charges Gautam Adani US prosecutors charged Adani, 62, his nephew Sagar and other defendants for paying over $250 million (about 2,100 crore) in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to Indian government officials to win solar energy contracts on terms that could potentially bring in more than $2 billion in profit. This was concealed from the US banks and investors from whom the Adani group raised billions of dollars for the project, the prosecutors have alleged. Reuters reported that US law allows pursuing foreign corruption allegations if they involve certain links to American investors or markets. Adani and two other board members of his Adani Group lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from US and international investors, Reuters quoted US attorney Breon Peace. Adani group denies allegation. The Adani group, however, has denied the charges. In a statement on Thursday, the Adani Group called US charges baseless. The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied, the conglomerate said, adding that all possible legal recourse will be sought. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday flagged off 'Laddu Rath' carrying 1,11,111 laddus for Ayodhya Dham as part of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) celebration for Lord Ram and Sita's wedding. Now, as Lord Ram has returned to Ayodhya Dham, then there will be a grand celebration on his wedding (Vivah Panchami), said CM Yadav. The laddus were sent to Ayodhya Dham from Ujjain. "This prasad will be distributed to the devotees coming to the Shri Ram-Sita marriage festival organized in Janakpur, Nepal," CM Yadav said in a post on X. This year, the Vivah Panchami will be celebrated on December 6, 2024. It is celebrated with a grand procession every five years. "The wedding procession will leave for Janakpur on November 26 and reach there on December 3. The festivities in Janakpur will take place on December 6 after which the 'baraat' will return to Ayodhya on December 10," PTI quoted Omkar Singh, spokesperson of the Ram Mandir Trust, as saying. The wedding procession from India consists of around 500 sadhus from Ayodhya apart from hundreds of thousands of people who make offerings at the Janaki temple. For the first time, the celebrations also included a special Tilakotsav ceremony before the Bibah Utsav, marking a significant spiritual event at Janakpur Dham, following the installation of Ram Lalla's idol in January this year. Earlier this week, over 500 delegates from Janakpur in the Himalayan nation took part in Lord Ram's 'Tilak Utsav' in Ayodhya. With ceremonial gifts, including gold, silver and traditional offerings, the event marked a significant prelude to Lord Ram and Sita's symbolic wedding from the Ramayana, temple officials said. Revered as the birthplace of Sita, Janakpur holds an essential place in the ceremonial tradition. Sacred items such as bronze utensils, turmeric, sacred threads, and silver coins were presented during the ceremony along with garments like yellow dhotis and waistbands. Women artistes from Ayodhya enriched the rituals with traditional folk songs, creating a festive atmosphere. Many pundits and policymakers in the worlds most populous nation view Mr. Trumps return to the White House as an opportunity to boost U.S.-India ties. Theyre optimistic about the president-elects rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They appreciate Mr. Trumps clear-eyed view of China and Pakistan, as well as the cabinet members he has nominated to implement his foreign policy. And they believe Mr. Trump will end the war in Ukraine and repair U.S. relations with Russia. Trump 2.0 puts India in a geopolitical sweet spot," tweeted Yusuf Unjhawala, a foreign-policy expert with Bangalores Takshashila Institution. Mr. Trumps devotees in India also believe that the incoming administration is less likely than the outgoing one to listen to left-leaning Western nongovernmental organizations and publications that are hostile to Mr. Modi and his Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Some of Mr. Modis most prominent foreign criticssuch as the financier George Sorosare also foes of Mr. Trump. The proverb the enemy of my enemy is my friend" puts Mr. Modi in the same bucket as Hungarys Viktor Orban and Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, who are also loathed by progressives. Unlike China, Russia or Iran, India wont be among the most pressing concerns facing the new administration. Nonetheless, since Mr. Trump was first elected, India has become a bigger player on the world stage. In 2016, Indias $2.3 trillion economy was the worlds seventh largest at market exchange rates. Today, Indias $3.9 trillion economy is the fifth largest. Bilateral trade in goods and services grew from $114 billion in 2016 to $195 billion in 2023, which made India Americas ninth-largest trading partner. During his first term, Mr. Trump appeared to build rapport with Mr. Modi. The leaders spoke together at joint rallies in Houston in 2019 and Ahmedabad in 2020. On the campaign trail this year, Mr. Trump referred to Mr. Modi as a friend" and the nicest human being." According to media reports, the Indian prime minister was among the first global leaders to congratulate Mr. Trump on his election victory this month. On the policy front, the U.S. deepened its defense cooperation with India during the first Trump administration. New Delhi signed agreements to allow greater intelligence sharing and interoperability with the U.S. military. India also significantly increased its purchases of U.S. oil and gas from $4.1 billion in 2018 to $9.5 billion in 2021. Early on during the first Trump administration, Washington cited its relationship with India as a key part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy. The U.S. eased export controls on the country, put pressure on Pakistan to stop supporting Islamist terrorism, and backed New Delhi in 2020 after clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Himalayas killed dozens of soldiers. Mr. Trump also revived the Quad, an informal grouping of the U.S., India, Japan and Australia. U.S.-India ties have continued to deepen on President Bidens watch. His administration feted Mr. Modi at a state visit to Washington last summer, ensured that India successfully hosted the Group of 20 summit later that year, stepped up technological cooperation and further raised the profile of the Quad. But it hasnt all been smooth sailing. The sharp downturn in U.S.-Russia relations following Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has disconcerted Indian policymakers, who worry that Russia, an old friend and major arms supplier to India, will be pushed irrevocably into Beijings embrace. Another complication: The ouster by protesters this year of Bangladeshs India-friendly prime minister Sheikh Hasina raised fears in New Delhi that the Muslim-majority nation will endanger Indias security by lurching toward religious extremism. Ms. Hasinas exit left scars with the security establishment in India" and strengthened skeptics of closer cooperation with the U.S., said Dhruva Jaishankar, executive director of the think tank Observer Research Foundation America, in a phone interview. Many Indians view 84-year-old Bangladeshi interim leader Muhammad Yunus as an ineffectual figurehead manipulated by Islamists and the military. Mr. Trump appeared to echo those concerns when he called out the deterioration of law and order in Bangladesh under Mr. Yunus. I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," Mr. Trump tweeted on Oct. 31. Mr. Trumps cabinet picks are another reason for Indian optimism. The nominees for secretary of state (Marco Rubio) and national security adviser (Mike Waltz) are both proponents of closer U.S.-India ties. Mr. Rubio has called for a military pact with India and for New Delhi to be treated on par with close U.S. allies such as Israel, Japan and South Korea. Mr. Waltz served as co-chairman of the India Caucus on Capitol Hill. This doesnt mean U.S.-India relations wont face hiccups during the second Trump administration. The war in Ukraine and the U.S. promotion of liberal democracy are complex issues not easily addressed. Last time round, Indias protectionist trade policies led to a mini trade war between the two countries. And Mr. Trumps crackdown on immigration will almost certainly ruffle feathers in New Delhi. On the whole, though, India has good reason to welcome Mr. Trumps return to the White House. The Delhi Police on Thursday busted an international drug cartel and arrested two people involved in the racket. The cartel was busted by the the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Delhi Police. During the raid, the officials also recovered a huge cache of fine quality MDMA and Ecstasy tablets. Two key members, including one Nigerian national, have also been arrested, reported PTI. Over the last few months, the police in Delhi and Gujarat have recovered massive amount of drugs in anti-narcotics operation. On November 21, arresting a history sheeter named Zishan Datta Pawale, the Crime Branch of Ahmedabad Police recovered 1.23 kilograms of MD (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA or Ecstasy) drug. The MD drugs seized were worth 1.3 crores. On November 15, about 700 kg of drugs were seized in a joint operation by anti-narcotics agencies and eight foreign nations were arrested from Indian territorial waters off the Gujarat coast around Porbandar. The operation was carried out jointly by the NCB, Navy and Gujarat Police Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). The street value of the seized Methamphetamine or meth, a synthetic recreational variety of narcotics, could be anywhere between 2,500-3,500 crore in the international market, according to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the operation stands out as a stellar example of the government's commitment to the vision and the seamless coordination among our agencies in achieving the same. "Pursuing PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision for a drug-free Bharat, our agencies today busted an international drug trafficking cartel and seized over approx. 700 kg of contraband meth in Gujarat," Shah wrote on X. On October 21, police seized MD contraband valued at 14 lakh and other suspected drugs of 427 kg from a factory in Ankleshwar industrial area in Gujarat's Bharuch district. Odisha News: A disturbing incident has come to light in Odisha's Bolangir district, where a 20-year-old woman from an indigenous community was reportedly assaulted and subjected to a vile act involving human faeces. The shocking event took place on November 16 in the village of Jurabandha, under the jurisdiction of Bangamunda police station. Also Read | Hegseth paid woman to hush sexual assault but denies act as consensual Incident Details: Assault on Odisha Woman The victim, a young woman, was working on her agricultural land when a non-indigenous community man, operating a tractor, allegedly caused damage to her crops. Upon protesting the destruction of her crops, the accused is said to have physically assaulted her. The situation escalated when he forcibly shoved human faeces into her mouth, according to the FIR lodged in the case. The victim's aunt, who attempted to intervene and rescue her, was also assaulted by the same man, the police report claimed. Lack of Odisha Police Action Sparks Outrage The lack of swift action by the police has ignited anger among the local indigenous community. Niranjan Bisi, a Member of Parliament from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), voiced his concerns during a press conference in Bhubaneswar. Bisi condemned the inaction of the police, claiming it has caused widespread dissatisfaction among the local community. Bisi stated, The police have not taken any action against the accused, which has angered the tribals. If the law and order situation in Bangamunda deteriorates, the state government will be responsible. Also Read | Delhi lawyers to strike on Nov 4 in protest against Ghaziabad courtroom clash Odisha Police's Efforts to Apprehend the Accused Bolangir's Superintendent of Police, Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, confirmed that the accused has been on the run since the incident. In a statement, he assured the public that authorities are actively pursuing the case. We have formed two special teams to nab him. Police teams have also been dispatched to neighbouring states in search of the accused, Dnyandeo said. He remained optimistic that the arrest would be made soon. Also Read | Malayalam film director Ranjith Balakrishnan booked for sexually assaulting man Legal Action Taken Authorities have registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in connection with the assault. This legal provision is intended to safeguard the rights of individuals from historically disadvantaged communities and to hold offenders accountable for such heinous acts. Top Events Today: Key events on November 21 include the JPC meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Harsha Vardhan Agarwal taking over as FICCI President, and the launch of Karnataka's Nandini milk in Delhi. Oppo will debut its Find X8 series, and Hyundai will unveil the all-electric IONIQ 9. The 18th Exposition of St. Francis Xavier's relics begins in Goa. Australia debates a social media law, while Sydney faces a train shutdown over union demands. Baba Siddique's murder case progresses in court. JPC on Waqf (Amendment) Bill to meet on Nov 21 The Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Jagdambika Pal, announced that the committee will meet in Delhi on November 21 to finalize its report, which will be presented in the winter session. Despite consultations with stakeholders, Pal noted resistance from figures like Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, who have opposed the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Also Read | Biased: Opposition MPs boycott JPC meeting on Waqf Bill Harsha Vardhan Agarwal to Take Over as FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emami Limited and currently Senior Vice President of Ficci, has been elected as the Ficci President for 2024-25. He will succeed Mahindra & Mahindra's Group CEO and Managing Director, Anish Shah, following Ficci's 97th Annual General Meeting on November 21. Nandini milk to be available in Delhi from today Karnataka state dairy brand, Nandini, will hit the shelves in Delhi on November 21. The brand is making its debut in Delhi with dairy products like milk and curd. "Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will launch Nandini milk and curd products in the national capital on November 21, KMF managing director said. Baba Siddique Murder Case: Mumbai Court Sends Two More Accused To Police Custody Till Nov 21 Salman Vohra and Akashdeep Singh have been named as key accused in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, with Vohra allegedly financing the crime and Singh reportedly coordinating with another individual regarding the murder. On Sunday, Mumbai's Killa Court (Esplanade Court) remanded two additional accused in the case to police custody until November 21. Also Read | Lawrence Bishnois brother Anmol Bishnoi arrested in US Opening of 18th Exposition of St Francis Xaviers relics The 18th Exposition of the Holy Relics of St. Francis Xavier in Goa, India will open on November 21, 2024 with a Holy Eucharist at 9:30 AM at the Basilica of Bom Jesus OPPO Find X8 series with ColorOS 15 launch Oppo will globally launch its Find X8 series on November 21, marking the premium series' return to India after a long gap since the Find X2. While previous models like the Find X6 Pro and Find X7 Ultra were only showcased in India, the Find X8 series will officially debut. Ahead of the launch, the European pricing for the Oppo Find X8 Pro has been leaked at approximately 1,07,150 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB variant, though the Indian price is expected to be significantly lower. Australia debates on social media ban for children under 16 Australia's parliament will debate new legislation on Thursday that could fine social media companies over $30 million if they fail to prevent children under 16 from accessing platforms like X, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. The proposed laws are a world-first initiative to enhance online safety for minors. Also Read | Australia to ban social media for children under 16 from November: PM Albanese Hyundai to unveil All-Electric IONIQ 9 Hyundai will unveil its latest flagship, the 2025 IONIQ 9, a three-row all-electric SUV, on Thursday, November 21, at 10:40 p.m. IST during AutoMobility LA at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The event will be streamed live from the Los Angeles Convention Center. The nations largest workforce could soon be ordered back to the office full-time. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to slash government bureaucracy and appointed uber-wealthy entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the efficiency effort. The two men have already targeted remote workers, saying that requiring federal employees back to the office five days a week would result in a welcome wave of voluntary terminations. If federal employees dont want to show up, American taxpayers shouldnt pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home," Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece published Wednesday. Ending remote work is being considered a potential early action item for the new administration shortly after the Jan. 20 inauguration, said a person working closely with the effort. Still, that outcome is far from certain. Of the 2.3 million civilian federal workersnearly 30% of whom are veteransmore than half already work in-person because of the nature of their jobs, such as food-safety inspectors and healthcare workers, according to a 2024 Office of Management and Budget report. The rest, who are eligible to work remotely some of the time, perform an average 61% of their hours in the workplace. In U.S. Census Bureau surveys, federal and private-sector employees work roughly the same amount of time in person versus remotely. The newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency, the advisory group Musk and Ramaswamy have been appointed to lead, doesnt necessarily have direct power to issue such a mandate. Federal worker union leaders said changes to working conditions should be negotiated in collective bargaining. Unions are gearing up to counter such efforts. The National Federation of Federal Employees, which represents 110,000 federal workers, has been consulting with its legal team, said the unions national president, Randy Erwin. It also plans to lobby members of Congress and is holding town halls with members concerned about full-time office mandates and job cuts. Were rallying them and getting prepared for a really, really big fight," he said. Predicting a tsunami of resignations Ramaswamy, a biotech company founder who unsuccessfully challenged Trump for the GOP nomination, and Musk, who spent more than $100 million to help send Trump back to the White House, are both close to the president-elect. Their words would carry weight with cabinet picks. Trumps transition team didnt respond to an email seeking comment. In an interview with the Journal last week, Ramaswamy suggested federal workers should be worried about their jobs.Well want to be reasonable, as compassionate as we can, at the level of individuals," he said. But at the level of permanently downsizing the scope of the bureaucracy, that is obviously going to have some consequences." Ramaswamy predicted in a post on X that up to 25% of civil servants would leave in the event of a full-time office mandate. Though some companies, including Amazon and Dell, have recently ordered staff back to offices full time, most U.S. companies offer some flexibility on where employees work, according to data from Flex Index, which tracks the policies of more than 6,300 companies. One exception is Musks business empire. He scrapped remote work at Tesla, SpaceX and X postpandemic, calling it morally wrong." Roivant Sciences, the biotech firm Ramaswamy founded, mostly has in-person or hybrid workers. Ramaswamy hasnt been involved with the company since he left its board in early 2023 for his presidential campaign, although he remains a shareholder. Tremendous level of ignorance A five-day office mandate would roil some federal departments more than others. At the State Department, staffers eligible to work remotely already spend about 80% of their working hours on-site, according to the OMB report. At the Defense Department, the average is 64%. Workers at the Departments of Education, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development perform between 36% and 39% of their hours at a work site. A return-to-office push has the support of Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has urged President Biden to issue a clear directive telling federal workers to work in offices most of the time. Speaking to reporters last week, she said she had requested a meeting with Trump and the issue would be high on the agenda. How we can make sure that our federal workforce is back to work is one big thing," Bowser said. Most federal employees work across the country, providing vital services including support for veterans and national security, their union representatives say. Just one in 10 federal workers is fully remote. These kinds of broadsides from Ramaswamy and Elon Musk show a really tremendous level of ignorance about the operations of the federal government," said Jacqueline Simon, policy director for the American Federation of Government Employees. The union represents 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers. Many employers in corporate America offer higher salaries and the ability to work on a hybrid or remote basis. Eliminating that option for federal workers would make it even harder to attract strong talent to public service, Simon said. The ability to work remotely is also a boon for disaster preparedness, said the National Federation of Federal Employees Erwin. He noted that one of the most substantial pushes to support more telework for federal employees happened during the Bush administration after Sept. 11. All they want to do is cut the federal workforce and they see eliminating telework as a way to coerce people out of the federal government," he said of the new government-efficiency effort. They have no idea how harmful that can be to the country." Write to John McCormick at mccormick.john@wsj.com and Te-Ping Chen at Te-ping.Chen@wsj.com A company's decision to put a "blackout on vacation days", with no exceptions for "taking sick days", has taken social media by storm. A Reddit user posted a notice put by a company informing about no vacation days. "God forbid I get sick. Company doesnt give a ," she wrote. The picture of the notice shared in Reddit read, From November 25th, until December 31st, there is a blackout on vacation days, time off, and there will be no exceptions for calling off, taking sick days, given that these are our busiest days of the year, we will need all hands-on deck. Thank you. Social media reactions and suggestions A user reacted to the post saying, "If you die, you have to inform management 3 days prior..." Another lamented, "[This is] Because most people can't quit." "Christmas is for everyone, but employees," another reacted read, as another user quipped, "Boss needs to be visited by 3 ghosts." A user even shared an incident. "I know a guy who owns a company and they don't let anyone off during the summer. The staff are overworked, underpaid and the guy treats them like sh*t. Then he would complain that people keep quitting and that 'nobody wants to work'," the post stated. Also Read | Haryana students use YouTube to make remote-controlled bomb for prank Many user gave suggestions on how to take leave. One said, "Would be great if all of you suddenly sick on those days." Another wrote, "Call in with something highly contagious and say you're still willing to come in but want to meet with your managers first to make sure it's okay." At this, a user responded, "I work at a big retailer. Weve had 4 ppl with Covid at work in the last two weeks. They make them come to work." The recent post came after a manager's bizarre sick leave policy left the Internet scratching its head. Another company imposed a ban on leave to care for ill children. This fimed social media. Malayalam actor Meghanathan passed away early Thursday at the age of 60. The veteran actor, son of late actor Balan K Nair, was suffering from a lung-related ailment and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode, when he succumbed to his respiratory illness, according to Manorama online. Also Read | Malayalam film director Ranjith Balakrishnan booked for sexually assaulting man Meghanathan's funeral will be held at Shoranur on Thursday. The veteran actor had last worked for a film in 2022. He made his debut in the Malayalam film industry in the 1980s with a small role and gained fame with his acting skills and impressive performance. Soon after the confirmation of Meghanathan's death, several celebrities in the film industry expressed condolences over the demise of the Malayalam cinema actor. Also Read | Kishkindha Kaandam OTT: How to watch Malayalam mystery thriller online Meghanathan's fans took to social media and shared their heartfelt tributes. About Meghanathan Meghanathan also acted in several serials. According to media reports he died at 2 am on Thursday. His journey in the Malayalam film industry began as a studio boy in the film 'Astram' directed by PN Menon. He was last seen in Malayalam film, Kooman, was released in 2022. Meghanathan was born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, as the third child of iconic actor Balan K Nair and Sarada Nair. The actor is survived by his wife Susmitha, and daughter, Parvathi. Also Read | Veteran Malayalam actor TP Madhavan dies of age-related ailments at 88 Meghanathan film career His other notable films include Panchagni, Chamayam, Rajdhani, Bhumi Geetam, Scepter, Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji, Praikkara Papan, Udyanapalakan, Ee Puzha Kaandam, Ullasapungattu, Rashtram, Kudamatam, Vasanthi and Lakshmi and I, Vastavam and Action Hero Biju. He was suffering from a respiratory illness over the past two years, and his health started degrading gradually. Actress Swara Bhasker, who remains unapologetically vocal about her political views and ideologies, often faces immense trolling for her movie choices, statements, and even clothes. But the Ranjhanaa actress never shies away from giving a befitting reply to the social media troll army. In a recent incident, Swara Bhasker called out the social media troll army for criticising her wardrobe choices after marrying NCP leader Fahad Ahmad. The actress also expressed amusement at how her clothing choices became a national cyber debate. The actress even shared her photos with her husband, Fahad Ahmad, in the post. I didnt realise my wardrobe choices post marriage are a national cyber debate (bizarre!).. Here are more pics of me post marriage to give Sanghi vermin more fodder for their dung Im sorry @FahadZirarAhmad doesnt fit your stereotype of a conservative Muslim husband. Lol! (SIC), read a post by Swara Bhaskar on X. Also Read | Swara Baby Products receives the first BIS certification Swara Bhasker shared a couple of photos with the post, including one from her maternity photo shoot and another with her newborn. In one of the photos, Bhaskar is posing with her husband in an off-shoulder gown. Swara Bhaskar criticised social media users for dragging his husband, Fahad Ahmad, and his religion into the debate. Swara Bhaskar marriage The actress married Fahad Ahmad, a National Congress Party (NCP) leader who had previously worked as a student activist and politician. She married the leader in 2023, and the two welcomed a baby girl, Rabiya, in September 2023. Before joining the NCP, Fahad had worked as a member of the Samajwadi Party. He fought the Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024 from the Anushakto Nagar constituency in south-central. Also Read | Actor Swara Bhasker receives death threat; Mumbai cops launch probe In the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, a wedding turned into a tragedy after a man suffered a fatal cardiac arrest on stage while greeting the bride and the groom. The incident happened in Penumada village of Krishnagiri mandal. The deceased, named Vamsi, an etailer of Amazon in Bengaluru, was attending his friend's marriage ceremony, reported The Siasat Daily. A video of the incident, showing the shocking incident and disruption of celebrations, has gone viral. The clip opens with the groom and bride surrounded by cheering people, who can be seen opening a gift packet. Meanwhile, laughter and cheers fill the air. The festivities turn gloomy as the man dressed in a grey T-shirt paired with similar colour jeans signals with his hand for help. As Vamsi begins to lose balance, other guests come to his rescue. But he started leaning slowly towards the left. Guests standing near him caught him from falling and promptly rushed him to Dhone City Government Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead. What causes a heart attack? According to Consultant Cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai, Dr Ravi Gupta, the main factors that contribute to increasing risk of heart attacks are diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, air pollution, stress, heavy workouts and steroids, reported NDTV. He further noted that Indians are genetically prone to developing heart attacks. The risk of cardiac arrest is further compounded by the adoption of the Western lifestyle. Also Read | Andhra Pradesh: 4 people die due to electrocution while setting up banner A cardiac arrest occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is severely obstructed or blocked, according to Mayo Clinic. The blockage happens as a result of fat buildup, cholesterol and other substances in the heart's coronary arteries. Below mentioned are the common heart attack symptoms one must watch out for: In an unexpected turn of events, a 10-year-old boy in Wisconsin seeking help with his math homework dialed 911 last week, prompting an unusual yet heartwarming response from Deputy Chase Mason of the Shawano County Sheriffs Office. As reported by the New York Post, the boy admitted he knew calling the emergency line for non-life-threatening issues wasnt ideal but said, "I really could use some help with my homework." When his family members were unable to assist with his decimal-related problems, he made the call. Dispatcher Kim Krause told ABC 2, the news report said, that she was unable to help due to a lack of training in decimals. Instead, Deputy Chase Mason was sent to the boys home to lend a hand. Mason wrote in his report, Personally, I am also not overly proficient when it comes to math, but nonetheless, I responded to assist. Together, the deputy and the young student tackled the tricky problems, successfully solving them. Before leaving, Deputy Mason provided the Wisconsin boy a gentle reminder to use the non-emergency line for non-life-threatening situations in the future. "This was a great teaching moment for all," the Shawano County Sheriffs Office praised Masons actions in a Facebook post, commending Deputy Mason for his kindness and patience. Speaking to ABC 2, Mason joked, When he goes to school and all of the students see it, theyre going to think its so cool. Just hopefully they dont all call me for math help next time. A new lawsuit accused music mogul Sean Diddy Combs of violently raping a drugged-up man at a Miami house party while brandishing a disturbing smile and talking dirty to the alleged victim. According to the New York Post, the victim claimed that the rapper allegedly attacked him in front of a group of people in a bedroom. He said his drink was spiked at the 2022 party, after which he lost his consciousness, court papers state. Also Read | Sean Diddy Combs accused of calling witnesses from prison ahead of trial He alleged that he felt a sharp pain in his rectum when he eventually came to consciousness. He also realised that some of his clothes were missing. The victim claimed he turned around only to find a naked Combs standing behind him allegedly assaulting him, the lawsuit stated. It further added, Plaintiff heard Combs talk dirty to him and the others in the bedroom and Plaintiff recalls Combs telling him [t]his is what you want, all while wearing a disturbing smile, the lawsuit alleges. The drugs prevented Plaintiff from fighting back or otherwise resisting Combs assault. Plaintiff eventually slipped back into unconsciousness," the New York Post reported while citing the filing. The victim said he woke up alone the next morning in the room before a member of Combs security came in, handed him his clothes and told him to get ready to leave. Earlier, male accuser had said in a seperate lawsuit that he was a 17-year-old auditioning for the reality TV show "Making the Band" when Combs and a bodyguard sexually assaulted him in 2008. Federal prosecutors have accused the Bad Boy record label founder of coercing men, women and children into sex acts without their consent, bribing and intimidating them into keeping quiet, and employing his staff to cover up his crimes. Combs, 54, has also pleaded not guilty to criminal sex trafficking charges in federal court in Manhattan, where he faces felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The United States has decided to supply Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines, signaling a shift in its policy on a controversial weapon that has long been condemned for its impact on civilians. This move comes as part of ongoing efforts to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces, which have adjusted their tactics on the battlefield. Countering Russian tactics Russian forces have been using smaller, foot-based units rather than heavily armored vehicles, making them more difficult to target with traditional weaponry. US officials say that anti-personnel mines are needed to counter these tactics, as they can help slow down Russian advances on the battlefield. The mines are viewed as a tactical tool to disrupt the movements of enemy forces in certain regions, especially where ground units are operating without the protection of armored vehicles. Shift in US policy under Biden This decision marks a significant policy shift for the Biden administration, which had previously placed restrictions on the use of landmines. However, with the evolving situation in Ukraine and Russia's changing military strategies, the US has reconsidered its stance. The shift is also seen as part of broader changes in US support for Ukraine as the conflict persists. Potential impact of Trumps inauguration The decision also appears to be a response to the possibility of changes in US foreign policy with the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has been critical of US support for Ukraine and has vowed to end the war quickly, though he has not elaborated on how he would accomplish this. His stance has raised concerns in Kyiv and Europe about Ukraines ability to continue resisting Russian advances without US backing. US position on the Ottawa Convention The US is one of the major countries that has not signed the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which bans the use, production, and transfer of antipersonnel mines. What are anti-personnel landmines? Anti-personnel landmines: Small explosive devices that detonate when triggered by the weight or movement of a person. They are buried just beneath the surface and are designed to maim or kill individuals who step on them. Difference from anti-tank mines: Unlike anti-tank mines, which target vehicles, anti-personnel mines are specifically intended to affect humans. Also Read | US and Europe fear Russian hybrid warfare after Ukraine missile strikes Nonpersistent mines: The Joe Biden administration is sending Ukraine electrically fused, battery-powered anti-personnel mines with a limited lifespan. These mines become inert after the battery runs out, with a lifespan of 4 hours to 2 weeks. Civilian protection commitments: The US has secured assurances from Ukraine to use the mines only within military areas, avoiding civilian-populated zones to minimize harm to non-combatants. Also Read | Bitcoin hits $97,000 for first time on optimism over Trump crypto plans Why are they controversial? Indiscriminate Nature: Anti-personnel landmines are indiscriminate weapons that cause harm to civilians, often long after a conflict ends. Long-lasting impact: These mines leave a lasting legacy of death, injury, and suffering, affecting communities for years. Risk of injury or death: Stepping on a mine typically results in severe injury or death, often affecting multiple individuals. Land contamination: Mine contamination renders vast areas of land unusable, impacting food production and destroying livelihoods. Decades of harm: The effects of anti-personnel mines can last for decades, with active mines posing long-term risks to civilians and hindering land use for farming or habitation. An artwork featuring a yellow banana duct-taped to a wall, created by renowned Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, has been sold for a staggering $6.2 million ( 52.35 crore) at a Sothebys auction. The controversial piece, titled Comedian, has sparked global conversations about art, value and perception. Originally debuting at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019, Comedian became a cultural phenomenon, gaining both admiration and criticism. Cattelan, known for his provocative works such as The Golden Toilet titled America, aimed to challenge conventional definitions of art. Also Read | Sig Sauer ordered to pay $11 million to Philadelphia man wounded by pistol that went off by itself The artist explained that the essence of Comedian lies in its concept rather than its materials. Buyers of the piece purchase not just the banana and duct tape but also the intellectual rights to recreate it as certified artwork. The auction highlighted the subjective nature of value in the art world. According to experts like Carl Menger, William Stanley Jevons and Leon Walras, the price of the artwork wasnt dictated by labour or materials but by the idea it represents, Forbes reported. This aligns with the subjective theory of value, which suggests that an objects worth is determined by perception and context rather than intrinsic qualities. Also Read | Metas misuse of its market clout served a privacy alert to millions Maurizio Cattelan commented in the past that Comedian was not merely a joke but a sincere commentary on societys ideas of value and art. He compared the act of creating the piece to a playful critique of the art markets eccentricities. The banana serves as a symbol, provoking both laughter and reflection on the absurdity of art pricing. I could sell a banana like others sell their paintings. I could play within the system, but with my rules, he told The Art Newspaper in 2021. Provocative artworks This sale has drawn comparisons to other provocative works, such as Marcel Duchamps Fountain (a porcelain urinal) in 1917 and Damien Hirsts shark preserved in formaldehyde. Also Read | Google fined 3.8 million roubles in Russia over content regulation disputes Like these iconic pieces, Comedian challenges traditional art norms and invites audiences to question what qualifies as art, the publication added. A Chinese ship that sailed over two severed data cables in the Baltic Sea around the time they were cut has been stopped by the Danish navy as part of an international investigation into what police say is a possible act of sabotage. The two fiber-optic data cablesone that connected Denmark and Lithuania, the other Finland and Germanywere severed in quick succession on Sunday and Monday, causing minor disturbances in internet traffic and triggering a multinational manhunt involving investigators in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Germany, according to several officials. Detaining a foreign vessel without a warrant is unusual. However, a rarely used article in a centuries-old convention could give the Danes the legal authority to detain the Yi Peng 3, said Kenneth hlenschlger Buhl, a military analyst and expert on maritime law with the Royal Danish Defense College. Some say the aggressive move by the Danish navy signals a change in policy: In similar situations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization allieswho otherwise stand for upholding freedom of navigation across the globehave stopped short of detaining merchant ships. Western allies have been sending warships to the South China Sea to secure commercial shipping lanes and counter what they claim is Chinas aggressive posture on the region. Several officials familiar with the investigation said that Russia is suspected to be behind the sabotage, and that its operatives could have used the Chinese-registered ship to provide plausible deniability. Two officials said it was unlikely that the Chinese government was aware of the plot Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday denied Russias involvement, saying it was quite absurd" to point the finger at Russia in the absence of evidence. Late Tuesday, the Chinese vessel stopped moving after its path was blocked by two Danish Naval vessels, the HDMS Slven frigate and a smaller patrol vessel, after it entered the Kattegat Strait that separates Danish and Swedish waters, according to the Marine Traffic website that tracks vessels. It doesnt appear to have moved since. The Danish defense ministry confirmed that its vessels were in the area but declined to comment further. The Swedish state prosecutor, Henrik Soderman, said he had launched a preliminary investigation into the incident, which was currently classified as sabotage. Swedish police said they were investigating the cable incident in cooperation with the Swedish Security Service (SAPO), the Swedish Prosecution Authority, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Coast Guard. We are ready to take investigative measures to get a clearer picture of what may have happened, such as interrogating the crew," Per Engstrom, a police officer with the National Operations Department, said in a statement. German police dispatched patrol ships to investigate the incident involving the cable that landed on its coast, according to German officials. The development resembles a similar incident from October last year, when a Chinese-flagged ship called Newnew Polar Bear cut a gas pipeline and a data cable with its anchor, and then proceeded on its route to Russias Arctic coast. At the time, the Chinese vessel, which carried a Russian crew, was followed but not stopped by NATO ships. Chinese authorities collaborated with western counterparts in the Newnew Polar Bear investigation, according to three western officials. The Yi Peng 3 left the Russian Baltic port of UST Luga on Nov. 15 after loading at the Ultramar terminal, which specializes in sending mineral fertilizers and iron products to international products, according to data-commodities provider Kpler. It then entered the straits on Tuesday, according to Marine Traffic. As it approached the Danish straits that separate Denmarks Jutland peninsula and the island of Zealand early Tuesday, it was chased by two Danish Navy vessels. One of them, the HDMS Niels Juel, briefly stood in its way, forcing it to change course westward, Marine Traffic data shows. The vessel then sent a radio message saying it was constrained by draught," meaning it was unable to change course due to the depth and width of the navigable water in relation to its draft. Yoruk Isk, who runs the Bosporus Observer, a consulting firm analyzing maritime activity, said he then witnessed the Yi Peng 3 crossing the Danish straits tailed by yet another military vessel, the HDMS Hvidbjrnen, at 1200 local time Tuesday. The Yi Peng 3 is owned by Chinese company Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, according to the European Union database. The vessel was last inspected in Turkey in June when it delivered coal from the Russian port of Murmansk to Iskenderun in Turkey under a chartering contract from U.S. commodities giant Bunge SA, according to Equasis and commodities data company Kpler. Since the launch of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has been accused by Western officials of waging a shadow war on European soil. They allege Russia was behind a plot to place incendiary devices on airplanes, instigated arson attacks in the U.K. and the Czech Republic, and ordered sabotage operations on military and industrial installations in Germany. It is also accused of orchestrating attacks on pipelines and data cables in the Baltic and the Arctic, and tampering with water supplies in Sweden and Finland. The Kremlins spy services are on a sustained mission to generate mayhem" on Europes streets, warned Ken McCallum, the head of U.K. domestic spy agency MI5, in October. Some western intelligence officials say that the growing campaign of sabotage and vandalism in Europe could be unfolding without direct orders from the Kremlin, which has only given broad orders to create panic and insecurity in the West following its support for Ukraine. According to Article 10 of the 1884 International Convention for the Protection of Submarine Telegraph Cables, a military vessel may require the captain of a nonmilitary vessel suspected of breaching the convention to provide evidence of the nationality of the vessel. The only previous publicly reported use of the article was in 1959 when personnel of the U.S.S. Roy O. Hale boarded a Soviet trawler suspected of breaking several submarine cables, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Previous sabotage incidents that went unpunished have likely prompted the Danes to prepare, legally and logistically, to intervene in similar scenarios, Buhl, the military analyst, said. The incidents the 2021 disappearance of an underwater monitoring cable off the North Norwegian coast that coincided with mysterious movements of a fishing trawler, the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, or last years pipeline and cable incident involving the Chinese ship Newnew Polar Bear. There is undoubtedly a need, this time, to try to find a smoking gun," he said. Write to Bojan Pancevski at bojan.pancevski@wsj.com, Sune Engel Rasmussen at sune.rasmussen@wsj.com and Benoit Faucon at benoit.faucon@wsj.com * Trump has promised crypto-friendly administration * Council likely to be housed within White House, source says * Will likely coordinate policy, set up bitcoin reserve * Industry wants end to Biden enforcement actions By Hannah Lang Nov 21 - A slew of crypto companies including Ripple, Kraken and Circle are jostling for a seat on President-elect Donald Trump's promised crypto advisory council, seeking a say in his planned overhaul of U.S. policy, according to several digital asset industry executives. Campaigning at a July bitcoin conference in Nashville, Trump promised a new council as part of a crypto-friendly administration. His transition team is discussing how to structure and staff it, and which companies should be included, the people said. Several top U.S. crypto companies are clamoring for seats at the table. Among them are venture firm Paradigm, said one source, while venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz's crypto arm a16z is also expected to grab a spot. "It's being fleshed out, but I anticipate the leading executives from America's bitcoin and crypto firms to be represented," said David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Magazine who arranged for Trump to speak at the July conference and has spoken with the President-elect about bitcoin policy. "People are eager to advise and give input," Bailey said. A Kraken spokesperson declined to comment, while a spokesperson for a16z did not respond to requests for comment. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently met with Trump, said a source familiar with the matter, confirming a Monday Wall Street Journal report. It was unclear what they discussed. The source added that Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange, was also interested in being on the council. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire told the New York Times this month he wants to be on the council, a company spokesperson noted. The crypto council would likely be housed under the White House's National Economic Council, which coordinates and implements the President's economic policies, or a separate White House apparatus, two of the people said. It is expected to advise on digital asset policy, work with Congress on crypto legislation, establish Trump's promised bitcoin reserve and coordinate between agencies including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Treasury, they and other executives said. The council may also include enforcement representatives and former policymakers, one of the sources said. Trump's transition team, which did not respond to a request for comment, is also discussing creating a crypto "tsar" role, two sources said. One added the tsar would likely lead the council. Trump's team is vetting candidates for that role, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday. Former CFTC Chair Heath Tarbert, chief legal officer at Circle, and former Republican CFTC commissioner Brian Quintenz, head of policy for a16z crypto, have been advising the Trump transition team on crypto policy, Reuters previously reported. Excitement over a crypto-friendly Trump administration has helped push bitcoin to record highs and closer to the long-awaited $100,000 milestone. Trump courted support and campaign donations from the sector with promises to be a "crypto president" and end President Joe Biden's crackdown on crypto companies that regulators accused of flouting securities and anti-money laundering laws. The industry is pushing for executive orders guaranteeing crypto companies' access to banking services, an end to enforcement actions and other changes. Some consumer groups have warned the crypto industry should not be able to write its own rules, and some of the sources said ethics considerations could slow personnel appointments. But others said it makes sense for industry experts to have a say in critical policy issues. "It's absolutely the wise choice to put together a council of people who... understand how both the industry ought to be regulated and how to situate the industry to be a strategic asset," said Nathan McCauley, CEO of crypto platform Anchorage Digital, who has urged the Trump team to reverse Biden's stance on crypto. While presidential advisory councils are not a new concept, there has never been one dedicated to cryptocurrencies, which did not exist until bitcoin's launch in 2009. Biden has multiple councils, including on Science and Technology which was established via executive order in first month he took office. Kristin Smith, chief executive of crypto trade group the Blockchain Association said setting up the crypto council is something Trump "could do very quickly." The deployment of US-supplied ATACMS missiles by Ukraine into Russian territory has intensified fears of broader conflict, with Moscow warning that Western nations involvement risks triggering a direct confrontation. As the war in Ukraine continues to strain international relations, Germany is taking precautionary measures to prepare for potential escalation. "Operations Plan Germany" strategy for national defense According to a report by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the German armed forces are proactively preparing for emergencies under a strategic document called the Operations Plan Germany. This plan, developed by politicians and military experts, outlines responses to potential defense situations. Comprehensive and confidential strategy The first version of the strategy paper spans 1,000 pages and remains classified. The strategy paper reportedly identifies critical buildings and infrastructure facilities that require protection for military purposes, reflecting Germanys focus on ensuring readiness against potential threats. Germanys role as a strategic hub The document, according to the German news report, outlines detailed procedures for handling a defense situation and potential deterrence measures. In the event of a defense situation or heightened tensions, Germany is poised to act as a logistical hub for NATO forces. The document also emphasizes measures to strengthen deterrence capabilities, demonstrating Germany's commitment to NATO's collective defense strategy. It outlines responses to various scenarios that could arise from an expanded conflict involving Russia. Under the plan, Germany would serve as a logistical hub for NATO forces, potentially accommodating tens or hundreds of thousands of soldiers. This would involve the transport of military equipment, food, and medicine to the eastern flank of NATO. Heightened tensions call for strategic readiness Germanys preparations reflect growing unease among Western nations about the possibility of a more direct confrontation with Russia. Tensions escalate as Putin updates nuclear strike policy Russian President Vladimir Putin has formally altered the Kremlins nuclear doctrine, expanding its scope to include the use of nuclear weapons in response to conventional, non-nuclear strikes. The updated policy states that aggression against Russia or its allies by a non-nuclear state, especially with the support of a nuclear-armed nation, could justify a nuclear response. The revised policy encompasses scenarios involving "aerial non-nuclear attacks," such as drone strikes. Putins move follows Ukrainian attacks within Russian territory and growing Western military aid to Kyiv. Germany: We will not be intimidated German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock addressed Putins policy update, accusing him of attempting to intimidate the West by exploiting nuclear fears. Speaking on Tuesday, she stated, The Kremlin has continually threatened nuclear strikes if the West does this, that or the other. We will not let ourselves be intimidated. Ukraine targets Russian military facility with US ATACMS missile On the same day, Ukraine conducted a strike using a US-supplied ATACMS long-range ballistic missile. The missile targeted a military logistics center near Karachev in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, approximately 80 miles from the Ukrainian border. Ukrainian forces also launched 12 drone strikes in the region. While Russia confirmed the destruction of an ammunition warehouse, authorities claimed there were no casualties or significant damage. This marked Ukraines first deployment of the US-made missile system, signaling a new phase of military escalation. Escalations from Ukraine and Russia The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its air defense systems intercepted two UK-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones but did not specify where. The Kremlin declined to confirm if the Storm Shadows were launched by Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine accused Russia of firing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time, targeting Dnipro and wounding two civilians. Ukraine stated the missile, launched from Astrakhan, was non-nuclear but marks a significant escalation. Also Read | Russia fires nuclear-capable ICBM at Ukraine for first time NATO countries issue emergency preparedness pamphlets Amid the growing threat of war, NATO member states Finland, Norway, and Sweden have begun distributing emergency preparedness pamphlets to their citizens. The materials provide guidance on how to respond in the event of war or other emergencies. These countries, which share proximity to Russia, have heightened security concerns since Moscows invasion of Ukraine. Tensions in the region remain at their highest as the conflict intensifies and fears of broader escalation grow. Amid ongoing IsraelHezbollah conflict, the International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The arrest warrant has been issued accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The warrant has also been issued against Netanyahu's former defence minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas' military chief Mohammed Deif. Also Read | Hezbollah media chief Mohammed Afif killed in Israeli strike on Beirut "The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024, the day the Prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest," the Hague-based ICC said in a statement, adding a warrant was also issued for Deif. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects, reported AP. However, the practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court. The report said that several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict. Meanwhile, former prime minister Naftali Bennett said that the International Criminal Court's decision are a "mark of shame" for the ICC. What the ICC said The arrest warrants are classified as secret, in order to protect witnesses and to safeguard the conduct of the investigations. However, the Chamber decided to release the information below since conduct similar to that addressed in the warrant of arrest appears to be ongoing. The Chamber considers it to be in the interest of victims and their families that they are made aware of the warrants existence. At the outset, the Chamber considered that the alleged conduct of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant falls within the jurisdiction of the Court. The Chamber recalled that, in a previous composition, it already decided that the Courts jurisdiction in the situation extended to Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The Chamber declined to use its discretionary proprio motu powers to determine the admissibility of the two cases at this stage. This is without prejudice to any determination as to the jurisdiction and admissibility of the cases at a later stage. Also Read | Iran Supreme leader Ali Khamenei in a coma? Know more about succession plans With regard to the crimes, the Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu, born on 21 October 1949, Prime Minister of Israel at the time of the relevant conduct, and Mr Gallant, born on 8 November 1958, Minister of Defence of Israel at the time of the alleged conduct, each bear criminal responsibility for the following crimes as co-perpetrators for committing the acts jointly with others: the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The Chamber also found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population. Court on crimes Chamber assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza. The Chamber found that the material provided by the Prosecution only allowed it to make findings on two incidents that qualified as attacks that were intentionally directed against civilians. For years, Israelis were told that in the next war with Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia would fire thousands of rockets and missiles a day, overwhelming their air defenses, causing blackouts, death and destruction. Yet three months after Israel turned its military to the north, Hezbollah is firing barely 100 on the most intense days and appears vastly degraded as a military threat, driving it to accept US-brokered negotiations for a cease-fire unrelated to the war in Gaza. Along with the dismantling of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and two air strikes on Iran, Israels campaigns have shifted domestic perceptions of its position from one of acute vulnerability after the devastating attack from Gaza a year ago to one of decisive strength. Israel is now on the verge of a strategic turning point, in a position where it has restored its military superiority over Iran and its proxies, Professor Eitan Shamir of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University wrote in a research paper last month. For much of the world, Israels war on Hamas is about the unfathomable destruction of Gaza and the widespread killing of civilians there and in Lebanon. For Israel, its about reversing the feeling of weakness caused by the Hamas-perpetrated massacre in October 2023 and overcoming the Tehran-sponsored militias that surround it. Those militias, especially Hezbollah, are a main reason Israel long exercised caution in confronting Iran. The belief was that Iran had armed Hezbollah precisely so that, if Israel went after Iran, the Lebanese group would unleash its estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles on Israel in a weeks-long storm of destruction. The fact that Israel hadnt attacked Irans nuclear facilities was always connected to concerns about Hezbollah, said Danny Citrinowicz, who used to oversee research on Iran inside the countrys military intelligence branch. Israel also worried about Irans capacity to fight back, but its October assault there with more than 100 warplanes appears to have stripped the Islamic Republic of a significant number of air defenses. That means Israel is far less afraid of Hezbollahs missiles or of Irans capacity to defend itself, fundamentally altering its perception of the regional strategic picture and raising the possibility of a pre-emptive assault on Irans nuclear program. At a military ceremony last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that his ultimate goal is to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon, adding that now, we can reach any place in Iran we need to. In a speech to Parliament this month, he said Israel had damaged a specific component of Irans nuclear program. In part, hes warning Iran not to attack Israel again, as it has done twice this year. But his comments are also part of a public and bipartisan debate over whether Israel should seize the moment as Donald Trump enters the White House to impair Irans nuclear program, setting back any weapons ambitions. Thats what historian Benny Morris urged in a recent op-ed in the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper: This is the moment to attack, a moment that may not recur. Iran denies that its nuclear program is aimed at weaponization but much of the world says it is. Iran has agreed to stop producing uranium enriched close to the level required for nuclear weapons, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Nov. 19. Israels ability to carry out an effective attack without the massive bombs and fighter planes deployed by the US is a matter of debate. So is the question of how the US would react if Israel acted alone. The discussion is influenced by the success of its assault on Hezbollah in recent months, one in which almost the entire senior leadership was killed, pagers and walkie talkies exploded in the pockets of thousands of operatives, and repeated bombings took out missile storage facilities and launchers. The attacks have devastated swathes of southern Lebanon and the south Beirut suburbs, pummeling parts of villages into rubble and displacing 1.2 million residents. Hezbollah has been seriously degraded and now they badly need the cessation of hostilities to save what is left, said Sami Nader, head of Beiruts Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs. The balance of power has seriously tilted in favor of Israel. To appreciate how surprising and sudden the reduction of the Hezbollah threat has been, it helps to know what the expectations were. Ever since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli security experts have been warning about the growing missile arsenal funded by Iran. A report from Reichman Universitys International Institute for Counter-Terrorism last year, parts of which remain classified, is typical. The product of three years of work by 100 specialists, it asserts that if war broke out, Hezbollah could fire 2,500 to 3,000 rockets a day for three weeks. It goes on to say that Iron Dome and Davids Sling, Israels main air defense systems, would run out of ammunition, leaving much of the country exposed. Precision missiles would target Israeli military bases and critical infrastructure such as power plants and water facilities. The health system would likely be overwhelmed. Those who conducted the study say it wasnt wrong and that if Hezbollah had joined in fully when Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel last year, that scenario would likely have played out. Instead, Hezbollah shot limited volleys. The fact that Hezbollah opted for a war of attrition rather than a full-scale war on Oct. 7 was a game changer, said Orna Mizrahi, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. Uri Ben Yaakov, one of the Reichman University studys authors, says Israel has taken out most of the long-range and precision-guided missiles in Hezbollahs arsenal. Some remain and have been launched only occasionally, causing limited damage. Khalil El Helou, a retired Lebanese brigadier general, said Hezbollah cant fire more than 100 rockets a day because of Israels sustained targeting of its storage facilities and interruption of transport routes from the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah can still hurt Israel using what it has left, he said. And there too, he and Israeli security specialists agree: the short-range rockets and drones as well as a small number of long-range ones remain a problem that isnt going away soon. In fact, some analysts say, Israels current position of tactical strength is tenuous. Its troops continue to battle with remnants of Hamas and Hezbollah along with the Houthis in Yemen and other Iranian-sponsored militias in Iraq and Syria. Most of those groups are designated as terrorist organizations by the US. Hezbollah is going to be there, no matter what, said Miri Eisin, a former intelligence officer whos also at Reichmans International Institute for Counter-Terrorism. If Iran wants to retaliate, it could marshal what Hezbollah has left together with proxies in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. If they fire all at the same time, we arent going to be able to stop them. Sarit Zehavi, another former intelligence officer who lives in northern Israel and runs the Alma Research and Education Center, shares those concerns. Israel was lucky that Hezbollah chose a gradual war over a surprise one, she says. But the tens of thousands of residents evacuated 13 months ago are still living in hotels or with relatives, their homes empty, many destroyed by Hezbollah shelling. My daughter is still not in her school, she said. My staff doesnt want to come into the office. US-sponsored efforts at a cease-fire that would get Hezbollah away from the border, along with a strengthened multinational force and beefed up Lebanese military are under way. US envoy Amos Hochstein, who is in the region, says a deal is within grasp, although obstacles remain. There are also attempts to revive peace talks with Hamas, aimed at securing the return of the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Fighting continues on both fronts while the question of how Iran and the new US administration intend to act hovers over both of them. With assistance from Dana Khraiche, Youssef Diab and Thomas Hall. Aircraft of China's Red Falcon Aerobatic Team conduct adaptive training in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 8, 2024. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, was held in Zhuhai from Nov. 12 to 17. (Photo by Xu Yang/Xinhua) A few days ago, I had the opportunity to attend the biennial Airshow China in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, a significant event in the global aerospace industry. As I walked through the exhibition, I was enveloped by an awe-inspiring array of cutting-edge technological marvels, each more impressive than the last. This wasn't just another aircraft-spotting trip. I was there to delve deeper into the heart of China's manufacturing transformation, rather than to chase the J-35, China's stealth fighter. Enough information about that latest fighter jet has been widely spread online. An important backdrop for this year's airshow is that, in recent years, the US has strictly restricted high-tech exports to China and continuously increased unreasonable sanctions on Chinese enterprises in an attempt to curb the upgrading and breakthroughs of Chinese manufacturing. Companies involved in aerospace and defense are the primary focus of American containment attempt. However, the exhibition halls and outdoor displays told a compelling story of innovation, which can only be described as a technological breakthrough of epic proportions. The standout performer was undoubtedly the C919 commercial aircraft, which took center stage with the confidence of a game-changer. More than just an airplane, the C919 represents an entire industrial ecosystem - a testament to China's manufacturing prowess in everything from engine technology to avionics, and from composite materials to precision components. It's a source of national pride. The drone pavilion was nothing short of a technological wonderland. From miniature devices to massive platforms, these unmanned systems showcased incredible versatility, serving purposes ranging from military reconnaissance to commercial logistics. What's truly remarkable is how these flying machines have seamlessly transitioned into civilian applications, breaking traditional boundaries. A few years ago, domestic engine production seemed like an impossible dream. Now, Chinese-made engines are a reality and a source of national pride. The system involved in producing these engines has come together and is now functioning as a cohesive whole. This includes everything from the initial design of the engines to the manufacturing of individual parts, as well as the control systems and communication networks. What truly caught my attention was the buzz surrounding seemingly mundane supporting industries. These foundational capabilities, ranging from precision bearings to specialized materials, industrial software and intelligent manufacturing, represent the natural competitive edge and depth of China's manufacturing capabilities. The exhibition tells a story of transformation. China's manufacturing is no longer just following - it's competing and, in some areas, leading. In aviation engines and avionics, the rise of domestic technology is evident everywhere. Technological breakthroughs and upgrades are the most prominent highlights of the airshow, and they also reflect the development of China's manufacturing industry in recent years. The Airshow China showcases four significant characteristics of Chinese manufacturing. First, it has solid technological innovation capabilities. Second, it has formed a complete industrial support system. Third, it has established an independent and controllable development path. Fourth, it possesses the resilience to cope with external pressures. This comprehensive progress makes it difficult for simple external restrictions to influence the overall development process of Chinese manufacturing. The US-led technological blockade has ironically become the catalyst for China's unprecedented innovation. When the Americans closed one door, China opened a hundred windows. The airshow's numbers tell their own story: 1,022 companies from over 40 countries and regions participated, with aircraft sales reaching 1,195 units and contracts totaling 285.6 billion yuan (about $39.7 billion). Perhaps most impressively, international exhibitors increased by 104 percent compared to the previous show. Yes, challenges remain. There are still gaps in aerospace technology, and China must reach the pinnacle of global innovation. However, what we're witnessing is more than just an achievement - it's a new starting point, a launchpad for future advancements and a testament to China's potential in the global manufacturing landscape. The underlying message resonates with a popular internet saying: "You can never underestimate how hard Chinese people can work!" The author is a senior editor with People's Daily, and currently a senior fellow with the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. At least 38 people were killed and 29 were injured after gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in a tribal area in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, the chief secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, said. The attack took place in the Kurram tribal district. Victims included a woman and a child, Chaudhry said, adding: Its a major tragedy and death toll is likely to rise." "There were two convoys of passenger vehicles, one carrying passengers from Peshawar to Parachinar and another from Parachinar to Peshawar, when armed men opened fire on them, a local resident of Parachinar, Ziarat Hussain told Reuters. A police officer confirmed the latest toll. Both convoys consisted of around 40 vehicles travelling under police escort, he told AFP. Also Read | Pakistan attacks Taliban in Swat; US ups pressure Initial reports confirm that the victims include six women, several children, and police officers, Javed ullah Mehsud, a senior administration official, said. Approximately 10 attackers were involved in both incidents, firing indiscriminately from both sides of the road, Mehsud was quoted as saying. He added that women and children sought refuge in local houses, and we are currently searching for (the attackers) in the area. No group claimed responsibility for the incident. President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement, strongly condemned the attack on passenger vehicles. Sunni and Shiite Muslim Javed ullah Mehsud told AFP, Two separate convoys of Shiite people... were targeted by the terrorists in the Kurram district. Initial reports suggest it was the same sectarian issue that has plagued the region for months, he said in an earlier statement, adding that most of the victims were Shia. Tensions have existed for decades between armed Shia and Sunni Muslims over a land dispute in the tribal area that borders Afghanistan. Also Read | Gunmen kill 19 bus passengers in Pakistan attack In October, at least 16 people, including three women and two children, were killed in a sectarian clash in the district. Pope Francis, known for his humility and rejection of extravagance, has announced that he will forego many of the traditional and elaborate funeral customs observed for previous popes. The Vatican revealed the changes in a new formal rite published on Wednesday. Wooden casket instead of traditional three-layer coffin The pope will be buried in a single, zinc-lined wooden coffin, abandoning the centuries-old tradition of interlocking caskets made of cypress, lead, and oak. This decision reflects Francis' commitment to simplicity and his broader efforts to modernize church traditions, according to Reuters. No public viewing on a Catafalque Unlike his predecessors, Pope Francis body will not be displayed atop a raised platform, or catafalque, for public viewing in St. Peter's Basilica. Instead, visitors will be invited to pay their respects while his body remains inside the casket, with the lid removed. Burial at Basilica of St. Mary Major Breaking another tradition, Pope Francis has chosen to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, a site dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. This makes him the first pope in over a century to be buried outside the Vatican. This basilica, dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, holds special significance for Francis, as it is where he prays before and after his international trips. The last pope to be buried outside the Vatican was Leo XIII in 1903, who rests at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. Updated funeral rites for the pope The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff has produced and realeased the second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis, approved on 29 April 2024 by Pope Francis, who received the first copy of the printed volume on 4 November, Vatican news reported. "A second edition became necessary. First of all because Pope Francis has requested it, as he himself has stated on several occasions of the need to simplify and adapt certain rites so that the celebration of the funeral of the Bishop of Rome may better expresses the faith of the Church in the Risen Christ," told Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, to Vatican News. Archbishop Ravelli also noted that "the renewed rite also needed to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world." Health and recent activities Despite occasional health issues, including knee and back pain that have confined him to a wheelchair, Pope Francis has remained active. The pope, who turns 88 on December 17, embarked on two demanding foreign trips in September and presided over a month-long summit of Catholic leaders in October. In yet another sign of the escalating war between the two countries, which has been going on for over 1,000 days, Russia on Thursday fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine for the first time. This is the first time Moscow has used such a missile in the war. The missile was launched at Ukraine's Dnipro city in the central-east. The development comes just two days after Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine that formally lowers the threshold for Moscow's use of nuclear weapons and warned the US and other NATO allies against allowing Ukraine to use longer-range weapons to hit Russian territory, which has been supplied by the Western countries. Also Read | Putin sick? Russian president absent from public events Kremlin refuses to comment Refusing to comment on the launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine for the first time, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had nothing to say on this topic, reported AFP. Also Read | US and Europe fear Russian hybrid warfare after Ukraine missile strikes From where was missile launched? The intercontinental ballistic missile, along with eight other missiles, was launched from Russias Astrakhan region, which borders the Caspian Sea, said Ukraine's air force. However, AP reported that the Ukrainian Air Force did not specify the exact type of missile but confirmed shooting down six. Also Read | US shuts embassy in Kyiv amid escalating threats of Russian air attacks Damages Reports said that two people were wounded, and an industrial facility and a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities were damaged. Two people were woundeda 57-year-old man was treated on the scene, and a 42-year-old woman was hospitalised, AFP quoted an official as saying. However, it was not clear if the inter-continental ballistic missile caused any other damage. What is ICBM? Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) are strategic weapons designed to deliver nuclear warheads. They can also have conventional warheads. They are an important part of Russia's nuclear deterrent. The missiles have a range of thousands of kilometres. ICBMs reportedly have a range between 6,000 to 9,300 miles, making a target vulnerable. The use would serve as a reminder of Russias nuclear capability and send a powerful message to the US and other NATO allies. How does ICBM work? According to a fact sheet of the Centre for Arms Control, there are three states: the boost phase, the midcourse phase, and the terminal phase. The boost phase begins at launch, midcourse phase begins after the rocket(s) stops firing. In the mid-course phase, the missile continues to ascend toward the highest point in its trajectory and then begins to descend toward Earth. During the midcourse phase, ICBMs can travel around 24,000 kilometres per hour (15,000 miles per hour). The terminal phase is when the detached warhead(s) reenter the Earths atmosphere and ends upon impact or detonation. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its air defense systems successfully intercepted two UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The missiles, which were part of the ongoing military operations in Ukraine, were downed along with six HIMARS rockets and 67 drones. However, the defense ministry did not specify the exact locations or targets of these intercepts, nor whether the missiles were downed within Russian territory or in Ukraines occupied regions. Despite the Russian ministry's claims, Kremlin refrained from commenting on specific claim that the Storm Shadow missiles were fired from Ukrainian forces, and instead deferred the matter to military officials. Ukrainian accusations: First Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) attack Ukraine has accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time since the invasion began in February 2022. The missile was said to have targeted the city of Dnipro, located in central Ukraine, and damaged critical infrastructure, wounding two civilians. The Ukrainian military identified the missile as being launched from the Astrakhan region of Russia. This missile attack marks a significant shift in the nature of the conflict. Ukrainian sources suggested that the missile, designed for both conventional and nuclear warheads, was not equipped with a nuclear payload. Kremlin's response: Avoiding nuclear escalation In response to the missile claims, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained from providing a direct confirmation regarding the ICBM launch, stating he had "nothing to say on this topic." Peskov emphasized Russia's commitment to avoiding nuclear escalation, noting the countrys recent updates to its nuclear doctrine, which now allows for the potential use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states. This move was reportedly framed as a deterrent, aimed at warning the West of the consequences of further intervention. The recent updates to Russias nuclear doctrine have sparked global concerns, given the potential for further military escalation. Also Read | The terrifying perils of appeasing a warlike Russia Increasing use of long-range missiles The conflict has witnessed a surge in the use of advanced long-range missile systems by both Russia and Ukraine. Recent developments saw the United States approving the use of its ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) for Ukraine, which had long requested such capabilities to target military infrastructure inside Russia. This move has added fuel to the fire, with both sides intensifying their missile strikes as they compete for dominance in the skies and on the ground. Also Read | Putin sick? Russian president absent from public events Russian President Vladimir Putin has been absent from public events for 13 days, sparking widespread speculation about his health, the Daily Star reported. Independent Russian media have suggested that the 72-year-old leader is undergoing a medical examination and general health treatment. This comes amid rising tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraines use of long-range missiles supplied by the UK and the US. Putin has not appeared at a public event since November 7 although he continues to feature on television in what analysts claim are pre-recorded meetings. According to independent media outlet Agentsvo, this marks his longest absence from public life in the last three years. Similarly, the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, known for its ties to Russian security services, states that Putin has been receiving all reports via secure communication channels during this period. Also Read | Putin signs new nuclear weapons doctrine after Bidens arms decision on Ukraine The channel reported that officials close to Putin had been given a standard explanation that he is undergoing routine medical care. However, no official confirmation has been provided. Speculation about Putins health has circulated in the past, with rumours of cancer and early-stage Parkinsons disease surfacing over the years. He is also known to travel with a doctor specialising in cancer treatments, the publication added. However, recent reports suggest that Putin has been active, travelling extensively within Russia and to allied nations. Also Read | Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit India? Dates to be announced soon During the Covid-19 pandemic, Putin took extraordinary precautions, including strict quarantines for anyone meeting him. His recent 13-day absence, however, has reignited debates about his health and the possible implications for Russias leadership. Question on stability Amid the ongoing Russia-West conflict over Ukraine, Putins disappearance raises questions about the stability of his regime. The absence coincides with growing concerns over nuclear rhetoric and military strategies. Nelson Amenya, the whistleblower who exposed alleged secretive dealings between the Kenyan government and Adani Group, has become a celebrated figure on social media. Amenyas revelations about the controversial plan to lease Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Adani Airport Holdings Limited sparked national outrage earlier this year. His actions not only halted a multi-billion-dollar deal but also reignited critical discussions on transparency, governance, and accountability. Now, with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani facing corruption and fraud charges in the United States over solar energy contracts, Amenyas warnings appear vindicated. He is being hailed as a hero for his courage and patriotism. Praise pours in from Kenya and beyond Kenyans on X (formerly Twitter) have flooded Amenyas account with messages of gratitude and admiration. Users have dubbed him an unsung hero for his courage in exposing the deal and ensuring that Kenyas strategic assets remain protected. Users on the social media platform celebrated his efforts to protect Kenyas sovereignty and economic interests. Users also celebrated his courage, calling him a national hero. The cancellation of the $2 billion airport deal and other Adani-related contracts is being celebrated as a victory for citizen activism. Many users credited Amenya and social media platforms for exposing the alleged corruption and pressuring authorities to act. One user tweeted, Nelson Amenya deserves flowers! He singlehandedly saved JKIA from Adani and Rutos secretive deal. Another remarked, This man did the work of multiple Kenyan agencies combined. Hes a legend! A user noted: This is a win for Kenya and a reminder of the power of ordinary citizens to demand accountability. Some users have suggested that Amenyas efforts deserve national honors, with one proposing renaming JKIA as Nelson Amenya International Airport in his honor. Another user humorously noted, This man did the work of the EACC, DCI, NIS, Parliament, Cabinet, and Presidency single-handedly. Amenya responds to public support Acknowledging the overwhelming support, Amenya tweeted: "I have woken up to an avalanche of DMs and tweets of love and support from Kenyans, Indians, and around the world! Thank you, fellow comrades! We must stand up and fight for our country and economic freedom! Viva!" Despite his newfound fame, Amenya remains resolute in his mission for transparency, stating:"Im sponsored by my patriotism. I dont need to get paid to fight for my country!" Amenya also expressed gratitude, tweeting, Thank you for the support from Kenyans, Indians, and global citizens! We must stand for our country and economic freedom! Amenyas global impact The whistleblowers revelations resonate far beyond Kenya. Many Indian social media users also praised Amenya. Amenya responded to messages from India with gratitude, tweeting: Thank you, brothers and sisters from India. The fight for justice knows no borders! The JKIA controversy In July 2024, Amenya revealed secret negotiations between the Kenyan government and Adani Airport Holdings Limited. The deal sought to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Adani for 30 years. Key details included: - A proposed $2 billion investment by Adani to add a second runway and upgrade the terminal. - Allegations of non-transparent discussions, bypassing competitive bidding processes. JKIAs beed for refurbishment, Adanis $1.85 billion proposal According to a report in AFP on October 1, 2024, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), one of Africa's busiest hubs, faced critical infrastructure challenges, including frequent power outages and leaking roofs, underscoring the urgent need for refurbishment. Adani Group proposed a $1.85 billion investment to upgrade the facility, but critics argued this amount undervalues the airport's strategic importance, as its revenues contribute 5% to Kenya's GDP. Concerns also arose over the lack of transparency in the deal, which was conducted in secrecy without inviting competitive bids. Also Read | Adani Group stocks crash after US indicts Chairman, 7 others on bribery charges Nelson Amenya's expose of the arrangement sparked public outrage, leading to an airport staff strike and a parliamentary investigation. Finance Minister John Mbadi, newly appointed to the role a week before, revealed his surprise upon learning that the Kenyan Aviation Authority (KAA) had approved Adani's proposal in less than a day back in March. While the KAA has yet to address the secrecy allegations, it assured that the deal would undergo thorough technical, financial, and legal reviews to ensure due process. Kenya cancels $2 billion Adani Airport deal amid US fraud allegations Kenyan President William Ruto canceled on November 21 a nearly $2 billion airport deal with Adani Group and a $736 million energy partnership after US' alleged fraud charges against chairman Gautam Adani over securing solar energy contracts. The deals involved upgrading JKIA and constructing power transmission lines, with the latter already suspended by a court in October. Nuclear energy was the artificial intelligence (AI) of the 1960s. It generated unprecedented excitement and hype around the world. Despite its known dangersHiroshima and Nagasaki were quite recent back thenthere was great optimism over how nuclear technology could change the world with abundant cheap energy, and free humanity from the tyranny of fossil fuels. Capturing this zeitgeist, US president Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered his famous Atoms for Peace speech at the United Nations in 1953, promising nuclear power for clean and abundant energy rather than for death and destruction. The US was particularly excited, as it rolled out nuclear power plants and submarines and even considered nuclear aircraft. But US euphoria gave way to panic when in March 1979 the reactor core of Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station at Pennsylvania suffered a partial meltdown. The ensuing alarm meant that this technology hit a big speed-bump. Nuclear tech never recovered. Multiple reactors closed and the share of nuclear power shrank. Today, most plants in the US are 30-50 years old and the cost of setting up new ones is prohibitive, with a recent one costing $35 billion. Cut to 60 years later, however, and AI is the new nuclear. There is extraordinary excitement as trillion-dollar companies and hot startups race to build bigger and better AI models. But even as investment flows and enthusiasm reach a fever pitch, there are dark clouds ahead, especially around the unquenchable thirst for energy that AI models and data centres have. For instance, the Electric Power Institute (EPI) expects data centres to consume up to 9% of US electricity generation by 2030, more than double what they currently use. This translates to 50 gigawatts (GW) of additional power needed by 2030 in the US alone, a colossal amount of energy which could power 10 New Yorks. Most of the power generated across the world is with coal and other fossil fuels, making the sector one of the top contributors to CO2 emissions and global warming. Due to AIs unprecedented need for energy, the global goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 will likely be missed, reports the EPI. This harsh reality has set off a mad scramble for clean energy. While companies are scrounging around for wind and solar power, the most noticeable action is around nuclear. Amazon has struck three deals in this area, including the purchase of a $650 million nuclear-powered data centre outright. Google signed a power purchase agreement with a California nuclear energy startup, Kairos Power. But the biggest eyeball-grabbing move was the one that took us back to the Three Mile Island reactor, with its owner Constellation Energy announcing last week that it will restart the nuclear reactor and Microsoft would buy the energy it generates for 20 years. Microsoft has set stiff net-zero targets for itself, and has made other movesit tied up with Brookfield Asset Management to generate 10.4GW of renewable energy capacity across the US and Europe. It has even invested in the distant hope of nuclear fusion energy, with an agreement with Helion Energy, a fusion startup. Even in India, Microsoft has struck a clean energy deal with ReNew Power. Microsoft president Brad Smith has highlighted the potential of repurposing existing coal-fired power plants with advanced nuclear technologies, saying: You can cut the cost of constructing a new nuclear plant by a third by converting these plants, and we can use the power of cloud computing, AI and data to accelerate all of that." Founder Bill Gates is a big proponent too, having co-founded TerraPower, a company focused on developing advanced nuclear reactors, including designs that address traditional safety concerns around this source. It is an interesting conundrum. While many experts believe that AIs insatiable energy demands will accelerate climate change, optimists like Gates and others believe the reverse could be true. Big Tech now has an incentive to invest hugely in clean energy, led by nuclear power, and has an equally large need to get energy for its AI dream. Gates argues that Big Tech firms would pay a green premium for clean energy, thus incentivizing its development and deployment over fossil fuel, and so the net result would be positive for the planet. AI techno-optimists believe that when artificial general intelligence (AGI) is achieved, it will solve big hairy problems like global warming for humanity. In a roundabout way, it may already have started solving our energy problem. Is human resources (HR) as a corporate function in a coma? I often ask people across organizational hierarchies that I deal with: When was the last time you turned to HR and felt genuinely supported or inspired?" In a world where businesses are more fast-paced and people-centric than ever before, HR seems to have strayed from its original purpose. Once seen as a vital control function in the industrial era, overseeing workforce operations, HR has struggled to redefine itself as organizations entered the knowledge economy. In an age driven by data, connectivity and automation, HR appears to be limping along as a compliance and administrative branch rather than an impactful strategic partner. Also read: Businesses must deal squarely with the harsh realities of mental health at the workplace Think about the young engineer freshly minted from a university and buzzing with ideas, or the middle manager rising up the ranks and managing a small team in the hope of leaving a mark. Both likely interact with HR mainly during onboarding, payroll issues or performance appraisals. At its best, HR is friendly and functional, but does it empower them, guide them or help them fulfil their potential? More often than not, HRs interactions are viewed as formalities, with little substance that adds value. HR often feels like a tick-box function, focused on procedural formalities rather than meaningful support or change. Take exit interviews, for example. Despite collecting insights from departing employees, HR rarely acts on this feedback, making the exercise seem superficial and disconnected from real work. This is not to say that HR professionals do not care; indeed, many enter the field with a genuine passion for people. Yet, over time, the agenda shifts. In its quest to standardize roles and rewards, HR has arguably missed a crucial turning point: aligning with the larger business purpose and playing a central role in fostering human ambition. In many organizations, it can feel as if HR has been pushed to the periphery, busy with tasks that resonate little with broader corporate goals. For too many employees, going to HR means filling out forms rather than finding meaningful guidance or support. This perception is ironic, given that people are increasingly recognized as a companys most valuable asset, a refrain heard in countless corporate mission statements. When did HR lose its way? Perhaps the seeds were sown decades ago when companies treated personnel as just another resource rather than as the very essence of their business. During the industrial era, employees were managed as a part of the production line; HRs job was to enforce attendance, maintain discipline and contain disputes. This was a time of timecards and factory floors, where the individual was secondary to the process. As we moved into the knowledge economy, it was expected that HR would evolve to see each employee as a unique talent, capable of creativity and innovation. Instead, HR has often clung to its administrative roots, becoming a department associated more with procedures and hierarchy than with human potential. Consider an anecdote from a manufacturing CEO I recently met, who described HRs role at his firm as a passive firewall" a function that primarily manages risks, rather than create opportunities. This CEO, who had transformed his business by embracing technology and agility, often felt HR lagged behind, unable to keep pace with the operational demands of the modern workplace. In our growth strategy meetings, HR is silent. Theyre there, but I wouldnt call them present," he said. Is the problem structural, a result of embedded but outdated practices? At a time when innovation is central to success and employees expect more autonomy and purpose, should HR not be leading the charge on culture, workforce adaptability and employee well-being? Also, has HR become too risk-averse? The pressure to ensure compliance in a heavily regulated world is real, but should that be at the expense of creativity and empowerment? Rather than building a proactive people strategy, HR seems too often to settle into a reactive mode, addressing issues as they arise instead of preventing them. If HR cannot influence a companys direction by championing its most valuable resource, its people, then who will? There is, however, an opportunity here. If HR can redefine its role from a gatekeeper of policies to a driver of purpose, it could shine through.Todays digital transformation, led by artificial intelligence, big data and personalization, demands that HR transforms into a strategic hub to nurture human creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptabilityqualities that no machine can replicate. Also read: Leadership in flow brings balance to work and life Imagine an HR department that not only marks its presence in the boardroom, but acts as a catalyst for change, actively shaping the organizations future by fostering a culture of learning, growth and resilience. Ultimately, HR must ask itself: Is it here to fulfil administrative duties or get people focused on a higher purpose? Its time to shake off the image of HR as a cog in the compliance machine and re-imagine it as the steward of human potential. The latest round of state elections seems to have gone the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) way. Most exit polls project that alliances led by Indias ruling party will emerge victorious in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. For India Inc, of greater significance is Maharashtra, where 288 assembly seats are at stake. Exit polls suggest that the BJP-led alliance will comfortably retain power. The story may be similar in Jharkhand, where 81 seats are in contest. Even in Uttar Pradesh, where nine seats are being contested on account of bypolls, the BJP is expected to win most. Broadly, it looks like itll be advantage BJP on counting day. Exit polls, however, have gone quite wrong in forecasting election results in recent times. So these numbers ought to be taken with a pinch of salt. That said, they may still reassure those whod rather not see any change in Maharashtra, where policy stability is a matter of concern for several big-ticket projects. The path for Indias Bullet Train project, for example, would probably be clearer if the same party continues to rule in both the states itll span, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Ideally, the party in power shouldnt make much of a difference to investments. But it often does. Also read: Urban millennials in India have had much to reveal in five years Doctors have issued a strong warning about the risks of spending too much time on the toilet, a habit linked to health problems like haemorrhoids and weakened pelvic muscles. This common practice, often made worse by using phones or reading in the bathroom, could lead to serious complications, experts have cautioned. Colorectal surgeon Dr. Lai Xue from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center has explained that sitting on the toilet for more than 10 minutes increases gravitational pressure on the lower body. This pressure affects blood circulation, leading to swollen veins around the anus, which raises the risk of haemorrhoids. It becomes a one-way value where blood enters, but blood really cant go back, CNN quoted Xue as saying. Prolonged sitting weakens pelvic floor muscles, essential for smooth bowel movements. It could even cause rectal prolapse, a condition where part of the intestine slips out of place. Dr. Farah Monzur from Stony Brook Medicine advised limiting bathroom time to 510 minutes. According to her, using phones or books often distracts people, making them unaware of how long theyve been sitting. Forced straining during bowel movements can further aggravate the situation, damaging muscles and increasing the chances of long-term issues. To prevent these problems, doctors recommend keeping distractions like smartphones and reading material out of the bathroom. Also Read | Doctors warn of petticoat cancer risk from tight clothing practices in new study You dont want to go with the mindset that you will be there for a long time. Because then youll want to bring something to keep the mind occupied. Make sitting on the toilet bowl as uninteresting as possible, Farah said. It may lead to cancer Dr Lance Uradomo, a gastroenterologist, emphasised that the bathroom should not feel like a place to spend extended time. Experts suggest staying hydrated and consuming high-fibre foods such as beans and oats for better digestion and regular bowel movements. However, persistent constipation or the need for prolonged toilet time might signal underlying health concerns, including irritable bowel syndrome or, in some cases, colorectal cancer. Editor's note: This story contains descriptions of child abuse, coercive sex and domestic violence. For her first 22 years, Sarah Kisers thick hair stretched down past her knees. People would accidentally sit on it. The strands would gnarl up into painful tangles. The ends always felt dry and unhealthy because she couldnt cut it, not even a small trim, she said. Her head throbbed from frequent migraines due to its weight. It would get caught in car doors, hairdryers and once even a vacuum. She hated it. But Kiser said the length of her hair was never her choice, much like the rest of her life when she was part of a religious sect called The Message. She now calls the group a cult. Everything I did was controlled based on rules that Branham set in place for women to follow, Kiser said. The late Rev. William Branham was a preacher who gained fame in the 1950s for his faith healings. He died in 1965, but the religious sect he started, called "The Message of the Hour," has millions of devotees worldwide who consider Branham their prophet, according to a rough estimate from a Message nonprofit organization called Voice of God Recordings. Branhams sermons, which were recorded before his death, have been criticized for containing misogynistic rhetoric and doctrine. Kiser, 26, of Virginia, was raised in a Message church called Faith of the Apostles in Arkansas. She said the church was very misogynistic and more cult-like than other churches in the fringe Christian sect. I was raised to believe that the only thing that I was supposed to do that I was meant to do was to be a wife and a mom, Kiser said. The entire system was rigged against women. The church discouraged her from pursuing a career or college education. She was not allowed to move out of her parents house until she got married because she needed to be under the headship, or authority, of a man at all times, she said. The dress code for women was strict, and if they didnt follow it, they were shamed and reprimanded for tempting men to lust, Kiser said. Skirts below the knee or longer, and shirts with high necklines and at least short sleeves were required. No pants, bra straps, panty lines, makeup, painted nails, high heels, tight-fitting clothes or short hair. Branham ridiculed women for wearing makeup and said a man had a right to divorce his wife if she ever cut her hair. From a young age, Kiser had been strong-willed, sassy and independent, but The Message took that away from her. When she was herself, church members chastised her for not acting like a young lady, she said. She said her personality BRANHAM* was squashed. (Branham) said that women were supposed to be meek, quiet women ... and they werent worth a good, clean bullet, Kiser said. Women were just not respected. In 1959 sermon, Branham acknowledged having hated women Reflecting on his youth, William Branham recalled in his 1959 sermon "My Life Story," that when he saw drunk teenage women, he concluded "they're not worth a good clean bullet to kill them with." Branhams influence Branham said in 1959 that he was not a woman hater, nor was he against Message women. He was just against the way modern women act. In that same sermon, he said young women who get drunk with older men and then come home to their husbands are not worth a good clean bullet to kill them with. Kara Younce, 28, who grew up with Kiser at Faith of the Apostles, confirmed that the church was a very controlling environment for women. Younce said she left because she didnt want her daughter to be forced to follow a dress code that Younce herself didnt believe in. She didnt want her daughter to be made to think that she was less than a man, something she said Branham instills in Message believers. I read a quote from (Branham) where he said something along the lines of if she wears inappropriate clothing or smokes cigarettes, the husband should beat her with a board. The other one was him saying that women were designed by Satan, Younce said, paraphrasing sermons that Branham gave in 1958 and 1965. I was shocked because no one had ever told me that he said those things. I had been raised to think that he was Gods prophet, and I didnt think that someone who was speaking the words of God to me would say such terrible things about women. So then I was mad I guess at the ministers for not telling me this. Branham's teaching that men are the leaders of the home and church left Kiser with no agency, which made her an easy target for abuse, she said. Kiser said her father was physically abusive. As head of her household, Kiser's father whipped her with belts when she was a child, she said. Once, he split her lip open after backhanding her across the mouth while wearing a ring, Kiser said. Her father said in a brief phone interview that he was not interested in commenting on those allegations, but said, Sarah said a lot of things just to hurt people. When extended family members reported the alleged abuse to the church, the pastors response was I cant tell a man what to do in his own house, Kiser recalled. The pastor did not provide a response after a reporter repeatedly requested comment via voicemail and text. As a woman, it was our job to follow, never to lead, Kiser said. It was our duty to submit to the leadership of our father and our pastor, then after we married young, of course we were to be subservient to our husband. A normal man Kiser got married at 18 to a man more than six years older than her in 2017. They dated for about nine months but werent allowed to be alone together, so she barely knew him, she said. Her first kiss was at the altar. Kiser said she wanted to marry him, but a large part of that was her desire to move out of her parents home and start her adult life. Marriage was the only way forward. Its hard to say that you actually wanted to do anything when youre brainwashed into something, Kiser said of her decision to marry. It wasnt long before her husband started to criticize her for not cleaning or cooking enough, Kiser said. He yelled and screamed, she said. He told her she was unattractive and not skinny enough. Kiser said she didnt feel safe being emotionally vulnerable with him, so she lost her sex drive. But Kiser said her husband would badger and badger and badger her until she would finally give in and have sex with him. For me, it was coerced consent or marital coercion, Kiser said. Because we were taught that a woman's body doesn't belong to her and the man's body doesn't belong to him, and you're supposed to have sex with your spouse even if you don't want to. Kiser said her pastors always left out the part about the mans body belonging to his wife, even though thats in the Bible. They focused instead on how women belong to men, Kiser said. She noted she had to ask for her pastors permission to go on birth control. A lot of the abuse and the trauma for me really stemmed from never feeling like anything belonged to me, Kiser said. Nothing of mine ever belonged to me. Like, my body didnt belong to me. My sexuality didnt belong to me. Who I was as a person my personality didnt belong to me. A few times, Kiser said, the abuse in her marriage escalated to physical violence. Her husband would push her or throw things, she said. In one instance, she said he grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the couch. Kiser said her husband would also kick their dog and jerk him around by the neck. Lee Enterprises investigative team left voicemails and text messages for Kisers now ex-husband seeking comment on the alleged domestic violence, but he did not respond. Someone, possibly her ex, answered a phone call from a reporter in August but would not identify themselves and hung up after Kisers name was mentioned. Kiser eventually found the courage to tell someone about how her husband was treating her. He gets mad and yells at me, like screams at me, and throws things, and is just generally terrifying, she remembers confiding in her assistant pastor in Arkansas. Hes even put his hands on me at a couple of points. Thats a normal man, she said the pastor told her. That assistant pastor also did not respond to voicemails and text messages requesting comment. Kiser slowly started detaching herself from The Message. Then the pandemic started in 2020, and she and her husband moved to Wisconsin. They found a Message church in the Wausau area but decided not to attend. She drank alcohol and wore press-on nails. When she told her Message parents she had started wearing pants, they said they didnt want to see or talk with her anymore. She said they essentially disowned her. Healing process Kiser left her marriage and The Message in late 2020 when she was 22. After she left, she would have nightmares about sitting in church imagery thats not scary on its face but left her with a feeling of intense fear. She said she was diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder from her time in the sect. The healing process, its still going on, Kiser said. Kiser now lives in Bristol, Virginia. She said her life is different, but so much better. Kiser is in a polyamorous relationship with a partner who supports her and has built other friendships outside the church. I have surrounded myself with people who encourage me to express myself, Kiser said. People who see my fierceness and curiosity as a blessing instead of a curse. People who love me for who I am already and dont try to force me to fit inside a box of their own design. She is taking aerial arts classes and has done some modeling. Kiser recently accepted a volunteer position as an assistant artistic director for a magazine starting up in New York. She works primarily as a pet sitter and house sitter, a flexible job that lets her focus on launching an accessory business to sell her hand-beaded purses. Kiser said she finds joy in changing up her clothing and hairstyles. In November, her hair sat at her shoulders in a short auburn bob. In August, her now sandy, strawberry-blonde hair had grown just past her shoulders. Kiser said she has gone to therapy and become secure with who she is as a person a confidence she never had in The Message. It turns out theres science behind the old saw the older you get, the wiser you are." Laura Carstensen, founding director of Stanford Universitys Center on Longevity, says research has made surprising discoveries about the way older people view their lives. With fewer what-ifs," they appear to gain more clarity on their place in the world. The number of Americans living to at least 100 is expected to quadruple over the next 30 years, to about 422,000 by the mid-2050s, according to the Pew Research Center. Carstensen, who is 71 and a professor of public policy and psychology, says changes will be needed to make the most of those added years. She talked with The Wall Street Journals Future of Everything podcast about how we could rethink lifes traditional milestones. What do you think most people get wrong about aging and mental health? Most people believe that growing older is associated with loneliness and depression and anxiety, that mental health suffers. The very good news is, it looks like people do better emotionally as they get older. This has been so surprising to researchers and to the general public that its probably been the most scrutinized finding about aging. A lot goes wrong as we get older. There are physical problems, losses of loved ones, age discrimination. Theres a lot that isnt good about growing older, but people seem to do better emotionally. Older people have shorter time horizons. For many years, people thought that must make people miserable and scared. The interesting thing is theres a paradox. It actually makes people feel calmer not to have to prepare for this long and nebulous future, to be able to live more in the present. So the Stanford Center on Longevity has developed an initiative you call the new map of life." What is that? The premise of the center is that longer lives are a great gift of time. But what weve done with these longer lives is to basically make them fit into our existing life-course ideas, so the only stage of life that actually got longer is old age. It doesnt appear to be good for individuals or governments or societies to have a large group of people kind of sit it out for 30 years. What we need to do is to rethink how we live our lives from the beginning all the way through, in order to optimize these longer lives. So how should we rethink our lives, and how we spend our time during our best years? We should make childhood longer, make high school longer. What if we had two years off during high school? One year youd volunteer in the community, so itd be some sort of public service. And the other year you might serve as an intern in a workplace that you think you might like to end up working in. Lets say we dont retire at 65 as a matter of course. Instead, we would have a new norm where people retired, but it was when they got sick or impaired physically or just couldnt stand the job anymore. Instead of working the way we do now, wed work, say, four-day workweeks and six-hour days. At certain times in life, for example when you might have young children, people might go down to 30-hour or 20-hour workweeks. Together, two parents might be able to split child care and we could raise our own children instead of outsourcing them and having one person working mostly just to pay for child care. We need to rethink education. If were going to work for another 30 years, it doesnt make sense to end our educations in our late teens or early 20s. At the same time, there are some stressors that older people are more likely to deal with than younger peopleyour body aging, loneliness, often financial stress. Humans are pretty good at dealing with the cards weve been dealt, but humans are not very good with the what-ifs." And young adulthood and middle age are just filled with what-ifs. The older we get, the more certain and the more predictable life feels. Even when its not particularly appealing, at least its more predictable. One of the things thats important to keep in mind is, life is hard at all ages. So when we say that older people are doing better than younger people, I dont mean older people are not ever experiencing negative emotions. Its just theyre doing relatively better. Losing a loved one, having a physical disabilityall of those things have been looked at and compared, younger and older adults facing the same kinds of problems and challenges. And older people tend to do better than younger people with those specific kinds of problems. Why is that? Weve done some work in this area where we sample people throughout the day. We have them carry a pager, and we page them: Right now, what are you feeling? Are you thinking about the future, the past, the present? Younger people are almost always thinking about the future. They almost always have one foot out the door, whatever theyre doing. And older people seem to do better just being able to be in the present and enjoy the moment. I think that is because they dont have to keep planning. As people get older, its clearer where they stand in the world and what theyre good at. It becomes easier to say: Yeah, you know, Im good at this. Im not so good at that. And its OK." And older people tend to look at the positive in life. Theres a lot of evidence that when you show younger and older people different kinds of stimuli, and then later you ask them which ones they remembered, older people remember many more of the positive images than negative images. And younger people do the opposite. Whats different about dealing with mental illness as an older person compared with when youre younger? Some people have psychiatric disorders and theyre less likely to receive treatment than younger people are, in part because of these stereotypes that old people are just miserable. There was a longstanding belief in psychiatry and psychology that it was more difficult to treat older people, that it was harder for them to learn new things, so it would be harder for them to respond to, say, cognitive behavioral therapies. There has now been a lot of research into that very question and its not the caseolder people do respond to both cognitive and behavioral kinds of interventions and pharmaceutical ones. Theyre less likely to be referred for treatment and less likely to actually be able to access that treatment and benefit from it. To take a step back, what does a future world with more older people look like? Where we are headed now is a population that is fairly evenly represented across age. We could imagine a world, lets say, in the 22nd century, where people are expected to live their full lives and to be functionally healthy for most of it. Its a remarkable gift. Science and technology can help us get there. It wont be a gift unless we also change society and the cultures that guide us through life. We need to change the norms. It will be good for older people and much better for younger people and the societies they live in if we can tap the skills and the assets that people have at different stages in life. This interview has been condensed and edited. Write to Danny Lewis at daniel.lewis@wsj.com Popular social news platform Reddit faced a widespread outage, leaving users in India and across the globe unable to access its services on both mobile and web platforms. The disruption began on Wednesday and extended into Thursday, impacting the site's functionality and user experience. Reports of the issue surged, with over 50,000 users flagging problems on DownDetector. Reddit has reportedly attributed the downtime to a bug introduced in a recent update. The company assured users that by Thursday morning a fix was implemented, and services were slowly being restored. In a statement toToms Guide, a Reddit spokesperson confirmed: There was a bug in a recent update we made, but a fix is in place, and we're ramping back up. Notably, the platform did not disclose detailed information about the bug or how it affected the servers. Also Read | Startup scam: Reddit user reveals reason for quitting job on first day During the outage, users experienced varying levels of disruption, from sluggish loading speeds and inability to access comments to the site being completely unavailable. At times, Reddits error page greeted users attempting to log in. The outage comes shortly after Reddit reported its first profit as a public company, alongside a 47 per cent increase in daily active users. The timing underscores the challenges of managing a rapidly growing platform, though the company has expressed confidence in resolving the issue fully. If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. Shoppers and cafe diners were treated to a very unusual event in Pig Market Lane, Longford at the end of last month when art and dance collided. Over 40 first year students from St Mels College, Templemichael College and Mean Scoil Mhuire, members of the Making Moving Art school project, put on an amazing performance of drama, drumming and circus skills. In the hour-long show, the students performed original drama sketches they had devised, drumming ensembles and circus routines with newly acquired juggling and acrobatic skills, much to the delight of the audience. Also Read: Such a kind, sweet girl: Deep sense of sadness at death of woman following road crash The students have been working alongside professional artists since last April as part of the Making Moving Art Project. The project was devised by the Longford School Completion Programme and funded through the Arts Councils YPCE Award, Creative Ireland and County Longford Arts Service. The purpose of the programme was to engage students who traditionally do not have access to cultural activities such as dance, music, drama and circus. The programme started last April with students from St. Michaels BNS and St. Josephs Convent NS and will continue right through to Easter 2026. Damien Ryan, Longford School Completion Coordinator, was full of praise for the young people and the artists: Who could have imagined there was so much talent and ability in these young people, the skills they learned and performed in just one week was incredible. Also Read: Longford woman appointed as Business Advisory Director with RBK The programme was operated by Longford School Completion, in conjunction with artists Aoife Raleigh, Marie Corcoran, Anica Dawson and Peter Crann led by artist and dramaturg Catherine Sheridan. Ms Sheridan, the MMA coordinating artist, spoke of the importance of the programme: One of the biggest things for me this week was seeing how the young people had grown and developed their confidence, enthusiasm, and passion. We saw their skill sets grow every day. The Making Moving Art is part of a greater increase of community art and spectacle art in Longford County and Longford Town specifically. There is a growing number of artists living and working in Longford that are contributing to events such as the Halloween Dead of Night Parade, Sun Town in Granard and Longford Lights, the Acting Arts Officer Shane Crossan said of the burgeoning arts scene, now we are starting to see it develop at a younger level in our schools and youth groups. Also Read: Staff at Longford's St Christopher's commence industrial action A man who stabbed his friend and neighbour in boiling blood after being kicked out of his apartment has been convicted of murder. The jury, who also heard that Patrick Murphy told gardai I am responsible. I was in fear so I picked up the knife, rejected the defendants case that he was provoked. The 12 jurors at the Central Criminal Court deliberated for just two hours and two minutes before returning the unanimous verdict this Thursday. The jury was told that Mr Murphy, aged 52, of no fixed abode, had accepted that he killed his friend, Joseph Brosnan at Abbey Court, Tralee, County Kerry on May 22, 2022. However, he had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Brosnan. READ ALSO: ALERT: Storm Bert set to batter Ireland this weekend as Met Eireann issues new warning The trial heard the deceased man had lived in an apartment at Abbey Court. He had previously worked in a direct provision centre on the outskirts of town and there he met and befriended Polish national Kamil Lisowski. Mr Brosnan helped Mr Lisowski settle in and move from apartment to apartment and they became good friends, prosecution counsel Patrick Gageby SC told the jury. On the date in question, Mr Lisowski finished work at about a quarter to eight in the morning and called on his friend Mr Brosnan. Mr Gageby said drink was taken and the pair sat and watched television together. At around 3pm that afternoon, Mr Murphy called over to Mr Brosnans home. Further drinking took place in the house which resulted in some insult passing between Mr Lisowski and Mr Murphy, counsel told the jury. It fizzled out but not before Mr Lisowski had slapped Mr Murphy in the face, said Mr Gageby. Things calmed down and people shook hands but the matter welled up again and Patrick Murphy was asked to leave. The barrister said at around a quarter to seven that evening, Patrick Murphy returned and apologised. He said the jury will hear that Mr Murphy was pushed out vigorously of the apartment and fell to the ground outside. A short time later Mr Brosnan opened the door to Mr Murphy again and told the accused to go. Counsel said Mr Murphy was armed with quite a large kitchen knife and used it to stab Mr Brosnan. The deceased was stabbed three times, with a a second stab wound to Mr Brosnans back proving fatal because it penetrated the pericardial sac around the deceaseds heart which caused massive bleeding and resulted in death occurring fairly rapidly. Counsel said Mr Brosnan was well aware that he was seriously injured and announced to Mr Lisowski: Im dying. Ambulance and gardai were called but unfortunately he [Mr Brosnan] died in his apartment lying on his sofa, said Mr Gageby. The prosecution case was that Murphy had a clear intention to kill or cause serious injury. The jury also heard from a number of gardai, including Garda James Fairbrother who spoke to Mr Murphy at the scene. The defendant told the garda that he was a peacemaker and he didnt know who had stabbed the deceased. When he was arrested and interviewed, Mr Murphy suggested that the victim had possibly suffered a seizure before eventually admitting that he had brought a knife to the scene and that he had stabbed Mr Brosnan. Summarising the evidence heard during the trial, Mr Justice Paul Burns reminded the jury that they had heard evidence from residents who said they heard arguing from the vicinity of Mr Brosnans apartment, with one woman saying she saw Murphy holding a knife in his hand. The woman said Murphy wasnt in this world, as his eyes were real big and he looked confused. Another witness said she heard glass breaking and saw a man with a rock and a knife, while further evidence was given by a waitress from a nearby restaurant, who said she could see and hear a man shouting and screaming at the door of the apartment, describing him as going psychotic. Kamil Lisowski also gave evidence to the trial, telling the jury that Murphy had come to the door "to revenge" and had stabbed Mr Brosnan like rapid fire. My best friend was dying in my hands," the eyewitness told the jury. The jury heard that Murphy told gardai that he started drinking and taking tablets before numerous scuffles broke out on the day. 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, Murphy said in garda interview. Murphy said that the group had been drinking brandy, vodka and wine, while he had also been taking tablets and sharing them around. I know it was me. I had the knife. I know I was the one with the knife, Murphy told gardai, going on to say that Mr Brosnan was a friend of his all his life. Look, I had the knife, I am responsible. I was in fear so I picked up the knife. I dont remember stabbing Joe, but I must have. I remember jabbing back with the knife, he said, going on to say that he would not have harmed Mr Brosnan on purpose. It had been the defences case that Murphy was provoked into stabbing his daughters neighbour in boiling blood. Mr Brendan Grehan SC for the defence said that witnesses saw Murphy pacing around with a knife and a rock in each hand in an agitated state. He said Murphy had acted in boiling blood, in a rage or out of control. Mr Grehan said that something must have happened to cause that to occur and claimed the causing factor was that he had the living daylights kicked out of him on the ground. Mr Grehan suggested that it was Mr Lisowski and possibly Mr Brosnan who hit him on the ground in this instance, driving him into a rage, despite denials of this by Mr Lisowski. He said: that beating by Mr Lisowski and perhaps Joseph Brosnan was an act of provocation. Before beginning their deliberations, Mr Justice Burns told the jury that there were two verdicts open to them, guilty of murder, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. He also said that their verdict must be unanimous. After the jury of eight men and four women returned their verdict, Mr Justice Burns thanked them for their time and attention during the trial, excusing them from jury service for the next seven years. The matter was adjourned to December 16 for victim impact statements and sentencing, with Murphy remanded in custody. Councillor Garry Murtagh has called on the Longford County Council to write to the Minister for Housing Darragh OBrien and the Office of Planning Regulator CEO Niall Cussen regarding the high housing density in rural towns like Longford. Speaking to the Council Cllr Murtagh said, Small towns such as Longford do not have the infrastructure, resources and opportunities to support high-density housing. Cllr Murtagh believes that high-density housing is leading to the ghettoization of Longford. Also Read: Exciting times as Longford Business to be showcased at Aviva Instead of supporting the housing crisis, were creating ghettoization across small towns isolating the marginalized and further compounding the socioeconomic problems that exist in our county, remarked the Councillor. Through poor planning, poor design, and through poor decision-making. Murtagh used his own village of Abbeylara as an example. Ive been out in flats in the village with no shop, no factories and no employment, Edgeworthstown has the same issues, Granard, Ballymahon, and Longford County Town. Myself, the County Manager, the Director of Services with responsibility for housing and planning, and the head planner have had a strong discussion about what Longford really needs. And for me, Longford needs hotels and factories and business parks, and more industry and more jobs. Also Read: Judge says 'Feuding equals Jail' in Longford Court And then we can talk about bringing in more condensed living to house people to work on these jobs, he stated. Its different in Dublin City, it's different in Cork City, where they have transport and factories, said the Councillor. Cllr Paul Ross chimed in saying, I thoroughly agree with with Garry. Peggy Nolan also agreed. Theres such a rush to find new housing and it is a crucial part of the problems our county is facing, she said. Also Read: ALERT: Storm Bert set to batter Ireland this weekend as Met Eireann issues new warning As Ive said before one size does not fit all, I said it when we discussed it in this chamber before, Longford Town is the commercial hub of our county. The Leas Cathaoirleach went on to voice her disagreement with the legislation in place. Its a knee-jerk approach, she said. Our county town should be the hub for business and as it is now were eating away at long-established businesses because people are moving in with money buying up pubs, buying up restaurants and turning them into accommodation, its wrong. Stop the rush to build houses. Not everyone agreed with Cllr Murtagh regarding his motion, however, with the chamber split on the motion. Councillor Uruemu Adejinmi disagreed. I think we have a housing crisis, we have people who are homeless looking for accommodation, families calling for accommodation for their children and people struggling to find places to live, she remarked. Also Read: Longford students show the power of Making Moving Art She made clear that she fully believes in the continued provision of houses in County Longford. Cllr Adejinmi then referred to Cllr Murtagh's statement on attracting business to the town saying, When industry is attracted where are the workers going to live so providing accommodation should be in tandem with attracting industry. Councillor Mick Cahill also disagreed with Cllr Murtagh's proposal saying he believed there was a need for smaller apartments to be built around the county. Its great to see earlier this week the announcement of 25 new houses for Longford town, said Cllr Cahill. To be clear I am not against housing, responded Cllr Murtagh, I have an issue with high-density housing. Soul Boutique in Longford will host a pop-up event for Breast Cancer Ireland on Thursday, November 28 in collaboration with Lorraine Keane. Lorraine has been a TV presenter, appearing in multiple TV shows such as Xpose and the TV3 news. She has also hosted and appeared on numerous Radio shows throughout her career. However her impactful humanitarian efforts are the highlight of her career. Ive travelled to the developing world as a volunteer for the last 15 years and every time Id come back from one of my trips I would see that so many of us, myself included have way too much stuff. And that some people on other parts of the planet have way too little, and I would see the damage we were doing to the planet as well. Also Read: Longford Councillor calls to address "ghettoization" of county So, I decided to sell a big chunk, 50% of my wardrobe at the time to raise money for Irish charities. This is how Lorraine's charity organisation, Fashion Relief, came to be. Since its inception, it has raised money for multiple charitable organisations. In the first five years, we raised a million euro for Irish charities. Fashion Relief prioritises circular fashion by ensuring that the clothes they sell are of the highest quality. What happens to the pieces that aren't in the best shape? They don't get thrown away but recycled as Lorraine explains. If we get pieces that are fast fashion, or pieces that are too worn to sell we send them to a recycling company, they weigh them and the money we get in return goes to the Laura Lynn Childrens Hospital. Also Read: Longford duo looking forward to EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Every cent made by Fashion Relief goes to charity and anyone involved in there on an entirely voluntary basis. Fashion Relief now works with Breast Cancer Ireland, which is what the Soul Boutique event is for. About 13 months ago we decided to bring it home to Ireland to a charity that was predominantly female because of the shoppers, explains Lorraine. That charity was of course Breast Cancer Ireland. Fashion Relief now has its own boutique in the Frascati Centre in Dublin. The women that donate and shop in the boutique, Breast cancer is something that has unfortunately touched us all. In the last year, our first year with Breast Cancer Local News By Chris Boyle Published: November 21 2024 Rabbi Neil has contributed greatly toward strengthening the fabric of this vibrant faith community, Drucker said. Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D Plainview) joined the congregants and leaders of the Manetto Hill Jewish Center on Sunday, Nov. 17 for a special brunch celebrating Rabbi Neil Schuman. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: November 21 2024 The public will witness a solemn ceremony remembering all who served and those who perished at Pearl Harbor. December 7, 2024, is the 83rd Anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval Fleet at Pearl Harbor. Our event, Dropping of the Roses, will feature a vintage World War II AT-6D Texan military aircraft which takes off at 12:30 p.m. on December 7th from Hangar 3 at the American Airpower Museum, and flies to the Statue of Liberty to drop roses at 12:55 p.m., the exact time in New York that Pearl Harbor was attacked. The public will witness a solemn ceremony remembering all who served and those who perished at Pearl Harbor, including the honoring of WWII veterans, plus a Color Guard from the Navy Reserves and veterans organizations. Guests will watch as our Chaplain conducts the blessing of 83 American Beauty Roses (including one extra white rose for 9-11) to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Taps will be played and Roses presented to our pilot, who then departs AAMs ramp in a vintage military aircraft to drop the Roses over New Yorks Statue of Liberty. The public is encouraged to attend FREE OF CHARGE, but they must arrive between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on December 7th. After 12:00 p.m., admission to AAM is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, and $10 for children ages 5 to 12. Tickets and/or pre-registration are not required. American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735, (631) 293-6398, www.americanairpowermuseum.org. Ceremonies such as this are important to help keep the history of WWII alive. Thats why the Long Island Air & Space Force Association, along with the American Airpower Museum, cordially invite the News Media to attend and cover this historic event. Americans should never forget the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans. Media coverage strengthens the missions of both our nonprofits to honor veterans and educate the public about U.S. military history. For more information about this historic event, please contact Fred DiFabio, President of the Long Island Air & Space Force Association, (631) 754-6383, fdifabioafa202@hotmail.com. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: November 21 2024 Bipartisan legislation, which was passed by the House in May 2024, will support veterans and first responders with disabilities through specially trained service dogs. 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. Lowering Drug Costs: Governor Hochul Issues New Regulations to Protect Consumers from 'middlemen' Who Hike the Cost of Prescription Medication Local News By Chris Boyle Published: November 21 2024 New York Will Adopt New Regulations For Pharmacy Benefit Managers, Guarding Against Business Practices That Lead to Higher Prices for Consumers. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new State regulations to protect New Yorkers from sky-high drug costs by taking on business practices that lead to higher costs for consumers. New York will adopt new market conduct regulations to govern the Pharmacy Benefit Managers operating in New York State, helping to protect New Yorkers access to prescription drugs, prohibiting business practices that increase the cost of certain drugs, and ensuring that small, independent pharmacies compete on a fair playing field with large pharmacies affiliated with Pharmacy Benefit Managers. "New Yorkers deserve access to affordable and fair-priced prescription drugs, and today's regulations ensure that consumers and small pharmacies are protected from unfair business practices, Governor Hochul said. We are leveling the playing field for independent pharmacies, while promoting competition and empowering consumers. These new measures will improve access to essential medications, eliminate anti-competitive practices, and make certain that the health care system works for everyone, not just the big players." In 2021, Governor Hochul signed landmark legislation to bring transparency and a comprehensive regulatory structure to otherwise unregulated Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). The legislation requires licensure for PBMs and specifies their duties and obligations as service providers. This piece of legislation also allows the Department of Financial Services to receive complaints when a PBM violates the law and will ensure PBMs abide by standards established by law and regulation. Additionally, Governor Hochul directed the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to develop regulations that would address conflicts of interest and unfair claims practices by these companies. The market conduct regulations require the following: Allow Home Delivery Prohibit PBMs from barring any in-network pharmacies from providing mail order or delivery services, which will increase patients access to home delivery from their community pharmacy; List Pharmacy Directories Increase transparency to consumers and employers by requiring PBMs to list formularies and pharmacy directories online, and prohibiting PBMs from punishing a consumer who relies on said information; Address Consumer Inquiries Require PBMs to post a telephone number and email address for consumers to direct their questions to, and PBMs must respond in a reasonable amount of time; Prohibit Steering Prohibit anti-competitive practices that steer consumers away from their community pharmacy to larger pharmacies affiliated with the PBM; Treat Pharmacies Fairly Prohibit PBMs from unfairly passing losses onto pharmacies when the PBM mistakenly approved dispensing a drug and then seeks to retroactively deny reimbursement to the pharmacy; Allow Electronic Submissions Reduce administrative burdens and costs on small pharmacies by allowing them to submit information to and receive information from PBMs electronically; and Apply Same Standards Prevent the abuse of audits against small pharmacies who are not affiliated with a PBM by requiring PBMs to apply the same audit standards across all in-network pharmacies. A copy of the adopted regulations can be found on the Departments website. They will be published in the State Register on November 27, 2024. Pharmacist Society of the State of New York President Danny Dang said, The Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY) has been in support of the registration and regulation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) for decades. Our members have seen the results of PBM abuses and the unfair treatment of patients and pharmacists. PSSNY wholeheartedly supports the adoption of the new DFS regulations and thanks Governor Hochul for taking what we hope is a first step in protecting the public and pharmacists. State Senator Gustavo Rivera said, I commend these new regulations, which will provide much-needed transparency, protect small businesses, and ensure that independent pharmacies can compete on a fair playing field. Every step we take to ease the extreme financial distress caused by the ever-rising cost of healthcare is important. I want to thank Governor Hochul and Superintendent Harris for continuing their work to protect New Yorkers from unnecessarily high drug prices. Assemblymember Nily Rozic said, Lowering drug costs and protecting consumers is a priority we should all stand behind. I am grateful for Governor Hochuls leadership in regulating PBMs, ensuring consumers affordable access to prescription medications while supporting local, independent pharmacies. Assemblymember David Weprin said, "These new regulations bring essential transparency to pharmacy benefit managers, controlling costs and empowering patients in their healthcare choices. Governor Hochul has shown strong leadership in protecting New Yorkers' access to affordable, life-saving medications. The public is reminded that the DFS Pharmacy Benefits Bureau is always available to accept and investigate complaints of PBM misconduct via email at PBM@dfs.ny.gov. Additionally, DFS is empowered to investigate significant spikes in the price of prescription drugs. Anyone experiencing a spike in the cost of drugs is encouraged to reach out at drugpricespikes@dfs.ny.gov. IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi (center-right) during a trip to southern Lebanon to meet with the 98th Division on November 20. (IDF photo) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) executed several waves of airstrikes on Hezbollah sites in Beirut on November 20. The strikes occurred as Israeli forces progressed with several new limited ground operations near the border. In addition, Hezbollahs new leader, Naim Qassem, vowed to respond to Israel for the killing of Hezbollah spokesperson Mohammad Afif on November 18. Qassem was appointed Hezbollahs secretary-general after the IDF eliminated his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in September and eliminated Nasrallahs likely successor, Hashem Safieddine, in October. Qassem gave a televised speech on November 20 in which he said Israel should expect Hezbollah to respond to what he called the assassination of Afif. He also stated that Hezbollah is prepared for a long battle with Israel. We will remain on the battlefield and fight no matter how much the cost increases, Qassem said, alluding to Hezbollahs significant losses over the last two months of the war. Israel began Operation Northern Arrows on September 23, and the IDF estimates Hezbollah has lost more than 2,250 operatives. The IDF has increasingly targeted Hezbollah in Beirut over the last two weeks. On November 21, the Israeli military said it conducted three rounds of strikes. The strikes today were directed toward Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure, and are part of the IDFs efforts to dismantle Hezbollahs weapons production and storage capabilities. The IDF will continue to operate to degrade Hezbollahs ability to carry out attacks against Israel, the IDF stated. In addition, the Israeli Air Force targeted Hezbollah command centers overnight between November 20 and 21. Israel Katz, Israels new defense minister, also announced new sanctions on Hezbollah-linked entities. Our hands will reach anyone who supports terrorismon every front and in every way, he said on November 21. The sanctions target individuals and entities tied to the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, a Hezbollah-linked financial institution. The IDF conducted a wave of airstrikes on this organizations offices in October, and the sanctions appear to be a follow-up strategy. These are customers who deposited significant amounts with the association, which directly finances the activities of the declared terrorist organization Hezbollah, including the purchase of weapons, granting loans and paying salaries to the organizations operatives, Katzs office noted in a statement. On the ground in southern Lebanon, IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi visited the 98th Division on November 20. The division has cleared terrorists from areas near the border that threaten the Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona and the other parts of northern Israel. Halevi traveled with the head of IDF Northern Command, Major General Ori Gordin, and the head of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Tomer Bar. Both Halevi and Gordin emphasized the importance Israel places on returning evacuated Israeli civilians to border communities. In another sector of southern Lebanon closer to the coast, the IDF said it had identified two cases where Hezbollah rockets struck United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) posts on November 19. In one incident, rockets fired from Maaliyeh hit an area near Chamaa. In a second incident, the IDF said a rocket was fired from the area of Deir Aames, one of many fired by Hezbollah in a barrage launched at Israel at 09:50 this morning. The maps the IDF produced to show where Hezbollah launched the rockets indicate the group fired them from only around six miles north of the Israeli border. The IDF announced that an Israeli officer in the reserves was killed in combat in southern Lebanon. Major Zeev Erlich was a 71-year-old researcher who entered Lebanon with the IDF to examine an archaeological site. A second soldier was also killed in the same clash with Hezbollah fighters who were hiding in the area. The incident raised questions about why an elderly reservist was permitted in the sector. Halevi appointed a team to examine and strengthen operational discipline and military culture following the incident in which Maj (res.) Zeev Hanoch Jabo Erlich fell during combat in southern Lebanon, the IDF said. 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). Election Day issues and ballot shortages at the polls in Boston have led some on the City Council to call for state intervention, though not everyone is on board yet. At Wednesdays City Council meeting, councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy introduced a resolution to request the city Elections Commission be placed under state receivership. While the resolution failed to pass, with other councilors calling it premature before there is further discussion on what went wrong Nov. 5, most agreed that something had to be done. The election department was unprepared during an important presidential election and failed to perform their basic functions, Flynn said. We simply cannot afford these mistakes during an important presidential election, or any election for that matter. A stray kitten with a multitude of injuries, including burns, apparently suffered after hiding out in a vehicles engine compartment, is recovering after it was discovered in a Boston parking lot. The 3-month-old kitten now named Cynthia was first found by an unnamed Good Samaritan adjacent to a grocery store in the citys Dorchester neighborhood, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) said in a news release. The person who found Cynthia, seeing the kitten in distress, tried caring for her in the days immediately after her discovery in late October. Cynthia was later brought to ARLs Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center when the person realized she needed medical intervention, the group said. A comprehensive veterinary exam found Cynthia had abrasions, cuts, and second-to-third-degree burns on her head, neck and abdomen, the ARL said. Given the pattern and appearance, its likely the kitten suffered thermal burns while hiding in the engine compartment of a vehicle, ARL added. Cynthias recovery will take some time the ARL noted. The group said she is an amazingly resilient and friendly kitten, adding that she is expected to make a full recovery and lead a normal life. Read more: 2 cats with injured ears need loving homes in Massachusetts While shes not currently available for adoption, the ARL said once her healing process is complete Cynthia will be. But there is no timeline for when this will occur. The ARL said that Cynthias medical care bill has already risen in the thousands. The group noted it does not receive government grants or funding and is reliant on the generosity of its donors to fund its work in animal rescue, care, and treatment. Boston police are looking for an unidentified woman who they say stole about a quarter of a million dollars worth of jewelry from a day spa in the Back Bay Tuesday. The larceny happened at G2O Spa + Salon around 2:33 p.m. in the Boston neighborhood, police said. Authorities said the suspect stole about $250,000 worth of jewelry from the spas locker room. The suspect is described as a white woman, possibly in her 20s, about 5 feet, 4 inches tall, about 130 pounds with blonde hair and dark roots, police said. Police said they are investigating the theft. 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), police said. The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help this investigation in an anonymous manner. The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families is investigating after a 4-month-old in the states foster care system was killed in a drive-by shooting in Hartford. DCF is investigating this tragic situation and working in collaboration with law enforcement, a spokesperson for DCF said in a statement to MassLive. 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 police say Lance Macho Morales, 23, pulled up in a vehicle and opened fire, police said in a statement. Police are looking for Morales, whose last-known address is in Waterbury, after they said he was involved in a dispute over a vehicle, which led to the shooting. Morales left the crime scene in a white Infiniti Q-70 with a Massachusetts license plate 3NEB35. But, police added, he may have access to other vehicles. Lance, you have no other option but to hand yourself in to the Hartford Police Department for the horrific crimes that you have done, Interim Chief Kenny Howell said at a press conference Wednesday. You have taken the life, the lives, of an infant and his mother. We do not tolerate that in this city. A 26-year-old man who was the subject of what prosecutors dubbed an intensive manhunt was arrested in New Bedford on Wednesday in connection with a 2023 murder. Tajon Saxon was indicted on charges of murder, carrying a loaded illegal firearm and carrying an illegal firearm in connection with the May 13, 2023 killing of 23-year-old Diamonte Odom in Fall River. Saxon had been at large for nearly a year before his arrest, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn IIIs office said. Massachusetts State Police located and arrested Saxon on Wednesday in New Bedford, Quinns office said in a statement. Saxon was also wanted on charges tied to a May 2021 double murder in Fall River. He faces two counts of accessory to murder after the fact in connection with the killing of Jovaughn Mills and Miguel Sanjurjo, according to the statement. Saxon will be arraigned in Fall River Superior Court Thursday morning. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology will offer free tuition next fall to undergraduate students with household incomes below $200,000, according to an announcement on Wednesday. The institution will also cover tuition and housing, dining, fees, and an allowance for books and personal expenses for households incomes below $100,000, according to MIT. The additional costs, not including tuition, amounted to close to $24,000 this year at the university. The cost of college is a real concern for families across the board, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said. And were determined to make this transformative educational experience available to the most talented students, whatever their financial circumstances. So, to every student out there who dreams of coming to MIT: Dont let concerns about cost stand in your way. Other institutions including Brandeis University, the University of Massachusetts, Worcester State University, the College of the Holy Cross, Anna Maria College in Paxton and Regis College in Weston have also made free tuition announcements. Competition is part of the reaction, responding to other institutions such as the states new free community college program. The expansion of the state financial assistance program MassGrant Plus and the delay of the form for federal aid, also known as the Department of Educations Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are other reasons, according to college officials. The free tuition decision at MIT was born out of a review of the Institutes admissions and financial aid policies. Following the Supreme Courts June 2023 ruling against the use of affirmative action in higher education, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology released data showing the percentage of Black, Hispanic, Native American or Pacific Islander students at the school decreased from an average of 25% to 16% for the incoming class. Kornbluth pointed to MITs endowment as another reason for the institute being able to offer significant financial aid, according to the announcement. These free tuition offerings will be increases from what is already been offered at the Cambridge institution. Currently, households earning less than $140,000 get free tuition for their student and households earning less than $75,000 are granted free tuition, fees, housing and dining with an allowance for books and personal expenses. The median annual cost accounting for financial aid paid by an MIT undergraduate last year was close to $13,000. Eighty-seven percent of the students in the Class of 2024 graduated debt-free, the institution said. The median debt was close to $15,000. Meanwhile, the cost of attending MIT without aid is close to $86,000, according to the institutes website. With the need-based financial aid we provide today, our education is much more affordable now than at any point in the past, said Stu Schmill, MITs dean of admissions and student financial services, who graduated from MIT in 1986. Even though the sticker price of MIT is higher now than it was when I was an undergraduate. MIT has also increased its need-based financial aid by 70% from a decade ago, amounting to $167,3 million this year. As part of the admissions process at MIT, the university doesnt consider applicants ability to pay as part of the admissions process, meets the full demonstrated financial need for undergraduates and doesnt provide an advantage to children of alumni or donors, according to the school. SPRINGFIELD Food science, quantum computing and cybersecurity: These are some of the efforts in the Pioneer Valley named in the economic development bond bill signed by Gov. Maura Healey Wednesday. The $4 billion piece of legislation touted by the governor as a way to create jobs and bolster businesses includes $30 million for a food science research center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and $40 million to boost quantum computing in Springfield and Western Massachusetts. Increased funding for cybersecurity statewide will also flow to Springfield because of the cybersecurity center that recently opened in Springfields Union Station, said Richard K. Sullivan, president and CEO of the Western Mass Economic Development Council. It probably is the single biggest investment in very specific sectors, Sullivan said, certainly in a long period of time. A lot of credit is due to the governor for it. Sullivan also thanked the regions legislative delegation for the bill, which also includes a tax incentive for data centers that could restart a dormant project in Westfield as well as line items for Westmass Area Development Corporations Ludlow Mills project and for Springfields redevelopment project on South Main Street at the landmark Clock Tower Building at the corner of State and Main. Students hang out in between classes at the Congressman Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center for Excellence in Springfield Union Station. (Jim Kinney / The Republican)The Republican These are important earmarks and important statements from the state, Sullivan said. He warned, though, that the bond bill is just the first step. The next step is to refine projects and get the money appropriated. University of Massachusetts Amhersts preeminence in food research and clean water technology is an underutilized economic asset for the region, according to an EDC-produced study released in March. And just last month, the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center and its Boston-based partner, QuEra Computing, announced plans to build a $16 million quantum computing complex in Holyoke over the next two years. The $5 million cybersecurity center opened for the fall semester in Union Station offering classroom and training opportunities as well as a real-world security operations center that can help local companies, nonprofits and governments deal with and protect from threats. In Westfield, developers proposed a $2.7 billion data center back in 2021, teasing that a major player in the computer world like Google or Meta might be among the potential clients. State Rep. Michael J. Finn, D-West Springfield, said facilities like this one can spend $50 million or more a year updating equipment. That can be cost-prohibitive in a lot of places, Finn said. Massachusetts included. Thats why developers held out for the tax break, promising 400 jobs. Otherwise, the project location is attractively close to power lines and Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. Jeff Daley, president and CEO of Westmass Area Development Corporation said hes already started talking with the potential developers about restarting the project. Daley also praised earmarks in the bill. There is $3.5 million for the Ludlow Mills brownfields redevelopment project. The money will be used to prepare buildings for construction and to make the project more carbon neutral by planting more trees, for instance. The restored clock tower at Ludlow Mills sparkles as people gathered below for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Mill 8 portion of the project on Nov. 18, 2024. (Don Treeger / The Republican)The Republican Another $1 million went to DevelopSpringfield, also overseen by Daley, for the Clock Tower project. A Chicago-based developer plans to create 90-plus market-rate apartments in three city-owned buildings, including the Clock Tower Building sitting at the corner of State and Main streets in Springfield. The bill also authorizes public agencies and municipalities to enter into project labor agreements for public works contracts when such an agreement is in the best interest of the public agency or municipality. That provision answers a Hampden County court decision that threw out a project labor agreement for the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant at the Springfield Water and Sewer Authority. The ruling came much to the frustration of labor unions but was hailed by nonunion contractors. SPRINGFIELD A former assistant director at the heralded at-risk youth diversion program, Roca, was arrested last year on gun trafficking and drug distribution charges. Nasir Jihad Islam, formerly known as Jose Rodriguez, of Princeton Street, was arrested at his home on Feb. 22, 2023, according to records in Hampden Superior Court. Editors note: This story has been updated with details on the crimes with which the man has been charged. A Guatemalan man accused of child rape in Western Massachusetts is now in federal custody, after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official claims Great Barrington police ignored a request that he be detained. SPRINGFIELD The Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence is being sued by a cleaning company, according to a lawsuit filed in Hampden Superior Court. A civil complaint filed days ago by White Glove Cleaning says the school owes a Springfield contractor more than $80,000 for cleaning services dating back to 2018. The cleaning company, run by Chandler Daniels, estimates damages at $81,825.35. He is suing for breach of contract, unjust enrichment and other claims. SPRINGFIELD By the end of December, the State Street crossing in front of the library that has claimed the lives of a 7-year-old, a librarian and a 68-year-old neighbor will finally be safer. An announcement that the $673,000 project will be finished soon brought a collective sigh of relief from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, six legislators who represent Springfield, the head of the neighborhood council and library staff. Im glad we were able to do it, sorry it took a little longer than expected but it is getting done, Sarno said. Since 2014 when Destiny Gonzalez, 7, was killed and her mother and 8-year-old cousin injured when they were struck by a drunken driver while crossing from the library to the parking lot, residents and city officials themselves have been trying to find a way to make the street safer. Officials struggled to find a solution and funding to fix the perplexing problem but the efforts stagnated until 2021 when librarian Gayle Ball was killed while crossing to her car at the end of the day. Two years later Michael Cooley, who lived on State Street, was also killed. The problem has always been the parking lot and the library are directly across from each other on State Street but the closest crosswalk was at least 200 feet away so people would usually try to run across the busy four-lane street. While three have been killed over 10 years, there have been many other close calls. The solution brings a state of the art crossing system that narrows the busy road to one lane on either side in front of the library and adds an island in the middle so people dont have to race across both lanes. Soon to be installed is a red light pedestrians can activate to stop traffic before they enter the raised crosswalk. Even with the bells and whistles you have to pay attention, Sarno said, pleading with the public to take the time and wait for the light to change to red before crossing. About half the cost of the project came when the city was able to negotiate with the Springfield Diocese to purchase a piece of land next to the library that is large enough for a 31-space lot, said Christopher Cignoli, director of the Department of Public Works. We wanted to get the parking lot done first because we knew both visitors and employees would park here which would reduce the number of people who do need to cross the street, Cignoli said. This is one of about 20 spots where the city is narrowing streets and adding crossing lights to make it safer for pedestrians, Cignoli said. Nearly every crash in the city is caused by excessive speed. In doing projects like this, we are trying to take away as many options for drivers and get them to go slower, Cignoli said. Part of the funding came from a state Shared Streets and Spaces grant of $240,000 and the rest of the funding comes from the citys annual entitlements for roads that comes out of the states Chapter 90 fund, he said. State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, called the project an example of how local, state government and residents can work together to get a problem fixed, while acknowledging that the length of time it took for an adequate solution to be found. He thanked all six members of the Springfield delegation that attended, saying they all worked together to get the problem fixed. This is a partnership. The public leads the way with its outcry, Gonzalez said. The neighborhood council, they have been at this for longer than I have been a state representative, so I have to salute you all. Betsy Johnson, president of the Metro Civic Association which represents the downtown area, is also a member of WalkBike Springfield that advocates for a safer city. She said the project is even more important since 100 additional units of housing are expected to be added on State Street near the library so the safe crosswalk. WalkBike Springfield, which pushes for a combination of engineering, enforcement and education, is especially pleased with the work, she said. Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers said he loves projects like this. We as police officers really need the help with projects like this, he said. It helps slow people down. It helps people cross safely. Two months ago. he and police Capt. David Martin announced plans to crack down on speeding, impaired operation and reckless driving. Since then, police have written more than 1,200 citations and have seen no traffic fatalities. Akers said there have been 11 fatal crashes in 2024, with six pedestrians killed. In 2023, there were 18 fatal crashes with seven pedestrians dying. SPRINGFIELD As American Medical Response employees gear up for a strike on Sunday evening, local agencies are putting contingencies in place. AMR, which provides EMT and paramedic services in Springfield and Greenfield, said its employees are planning to strike this weekend over the picket line clause. The clause, which the union is hoping will be approved, would allow AMR employees to refuse to cross other unions picket lines unless there is a dire need for help. AMR has advised agencies, including the Springfield police and fire departments and Baystate Medical Center, that there will be no interruption in the companys services. Bernard J. Calvi, the fire commissioner for the Springfield Fire Department, has concerns. It is crucial that citizens receive the service they expect to see during calls, said Calvi. The fire department is making sure extra steps are taken to prepare in case we have to do more, he said. Calvi explained that all firefighters in the department are trained first responders and can spring into action during emergency calls. Baystate Health also said it was aware of the planned strike and has plans in place to ensure the continuity of care, according to an emailed statement. Our priority remains providing high-quality, safe care for our community, the hospital said. Springfields mayor, Domenic J. Sarno, said he hopes that a settlement will be reached given the fact that people need these services in life-threatening situations. After speaking with AMR representatives we do not anticipate any service disruption in our city, Springfield Police spokesman Ryan Walsh said. And we have other companies that provide services in our city in the event that AMR is unavailable and they assist regularly. The company says it has contingencies in place in case of a strike, including recruiting non-union AMR Massachusetts employees, non-union AMR EMTs and paramedics from nearby states and license leadership across the country for help. The company said it will deploy outside personnel to Springfield on Saturday so they can be available for response. AMRs schedule and staffing will be built off of a 12-hour model to meet the demand of the system, an emailed statement said. The company said it is taking measures to guarantee that each deployed employee is an active clinician for AMR, has completed all AMR clinical and safety requirements, and meets all state Office of EMS requirements to meet the needs of the City of Springfield, Greenfield, and the Baystate Health System. NLRB charges Contract negotiations between the Teamsters and AMR began July 1. According to AMR, the two parties have agreed on all but one piece of the contract: The picket line clause. Other contract items include pay, health care benefits and ratification bonuses. The union filed charges against AMR with the National Labor Relations Board this fall over issues with negotiations, according to Bryan Donovan, the Teamsters Local 404 union representative for the AMR employees. The Republican has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the National Labor Relations Board to see both the allegations and what the board determined. Patrick Leonardo, regional director of AMR, said in an emailed statement that the company has been ready to give its employees industry-leading wages and benefits, but the union has been more worried about NLRB charges and strike notices. Donovan said two other Boston-area emergency services have successfully negotiated for the clause to be included in their contracts Boston MedFlight and Armstrong Ambulance. Donovan said the union encouraged AMR to look at the language that was used in those agreements for the AMR contract. AMR would not respond to whether it received contract language samples during negotiations about not crossing picket lines. No other union has attempted to force this kind of language into any of those agreements, including other Teamsters contracts, the company said in a statement. We cannot speak to the Teamsters other contracts, but we can say that AMR will not agree to language that puts the patients we serve at risk. That should be a non-starter anywhere in health care. A fast-food chain known for its chicken tenders, crinkle-cut fries and signature sauce hopes to open in Worcester next year. Raising Canes wants to open a restaurant at 494 Lincoln St. in the fall of 2025, a representative for the restaurant confirmed with MassLive Wednesday. The chain will ask the Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals for special permits at the boards Nov. 25 meeting, according to the boards agenda. A summary on the agenda said the chain wants to build a restaurant thats about 3,500 square feet featuring a two-lane drive-through and 40 parking spaces. Additional paperwork, including the restaurants site plans, has been posted on the boards website. Founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1996, Raising Canes serves chicken fingers, the main feature of its menu. The restaurant also offers crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and a sauce known as Canes Sauce. Raising Canes currently has eight locations in Massachusetts: three in Boston and one in Saugus, Medford, Marlborough, Methuen and Seekonk, according to their website. The chain announced last year its intentions to open a restaurant in Framingham. Holiday shoppers can save a few bucks if they head to the stores in Worcester on Saturdays in December. Starting Nov. 30, Worcester will offer free parking at all on-street meters and some city parking lots on Saturdays through Dec. 28, according to a press release the city managers office. Nov. 30 is Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving that American Express turned into a holiday of sorts in 2010 as a response to Black Friday to encourage shoppers to spend money at local businesses. Free parking will also be offered at city parking lots on Green Street, Water Street and Millbury Street every Saturday from Nov. 30 to Dec. 28. Union Station Garage will be free on Saturday, Dec. 7, according to the city. We ask that residents remember to shop small this holiday season and support all of the wonderful businesses that call Worcester home, Worcester City Manager Eric Batista said in the release. It is important we spend our dollars with businesses that are committed to the city and support the residents and families living here. Free parking will also benefit several events in Worcester for the holiday season, including the citys annual Festival of Lights on Dec. 6; the Mercantile Center Holiday Market, the Canal District Holiday Stroll and Kelley Square Tree Lighting on Dec. 7, and stART at the Station, an annual holiday arts and crafts fair at Union Station, on Dec. 8. 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votre chanson de lannee sur R1Homelie de Mgr Durhone a loccasion de la messe de Noel a la prison de Melrose147.8 mm a Riche en eau en 24 heuresTrois zones perturbees dans le nord de la region[Document] Export and Import Price Indices for 3rd Quarter 2024Deces de Jimmy CarterFin de la Veille de fortes pluies pour MauriceDeux zones perturbees et une perturbation tropicaleOrages dans lOuestSoft Robotics to debut at CES 2025Bulletin meteo special pour AgalegaPremiere cohorte de femmes certifiee en gestion de pepiniere au sein de lAgri-Hub de la Vallee de FerneyLegend Hill ouvre son paradis panoramique aux Mauriciens en mars 2025Communique du National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre ( 29/12/2024)30.2 mm de pluie en trois heures a Riche en Eau[Document] 50 mm de pluie pour les premiers 15 jours de decembre 2024[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 28 decembre 2024[Video News] Dawood Rawat a rencontre les investisseurs dans la BAIBulletin de Veille de fortes pluies pour MauriceUne voiture detruite par les flammesThe 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024Recrutement de personnel de cabine dEmirates Airlines a Mauriceblink by Emtel annonce les 10 premiers gagnants de la 2 edition de sa campagne blink & WinMerck Foundation Chairman and First Ladies share their partnership journey in Transforming Patient Care Landscape[Video news] Message de fin dannee de Paul Berenger[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 27 decembre 2024Avis de fortes pluies en vigueur a AgalegaSarat Lallah retrouve la MT Towerle Premier ministre a rendu hommage au Dr Manmohan Singh,Revocation de lInformation and Communication Technologies (Registration of SIM) Regulations 2023Amaresh Singh Ramlugan, nomme president du Conseil dAdministration de la MBCDecisions du Conseil des Ministres du 27 decembre 2024Apercu du temps pour Rodrigues du 28 au 31 decembre 2024Apercu du temps pour Maurice du 28 au 31 decembre 2024Global Movement to drive clean energy solutions and sustainable livingDepression tropicale a lEst-Nord-est[Document] Debats parlementaires du 20 decembre 2024[Document] The Special Allowance Act 2024[Document] The Employment Relations (Amendment) Act 2024Maurice et lAfrique du Sud veulent renforcer leurs liens culturels en 2025[Video News] Message de Noel de Mgr Jean-Michael Durhone[Video News] Message de Noel de Mgr Stelio Andre[Video News] Message de Noel de Dharambeer Gokhool[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto et Loto Plus du 25 decembre 2024 LOCAL representatives from the Claremorris-Swinford area have given their backing to an ambitious project to deliver a multi-million euro community centre for their area. Funding is currently being sought to develop a multi-purpose community recreational centre at a site near Alan Feeney Park in Claremorris. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Claremorris Community Recreational Centre committee, who intend to fund the development through the governments Community Centres Investment Fund. The committee are also organising a Lip Sync fundraiser for February 22, 2025, to help raise the required 10 percent match funding Committee representatives have met with local municipal district staff in recent months. While the council are not directly involved in any funding application, a number of items were discussed including funding options, the next steps involved, the planning process and future consultations. Conrad Harley, Senior Executive Engineer wrote that the the municipal district would maintain contact with the committee and will provide any assistance or advice it can to the group in response to a motion tabled by Cllr Paul Lawless calling on the council to support the project. Local councillor Richard Finn publicly backed the project at the November meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, but said he took exception to be asked by any councillor to support something in my own town. Im long enough around to know that money and finance for such a facility will have to come from Mayo County Council. Im long enough around to know without being told by management or any other councillor in relation to our duties and what we can do for such facilities. Cllr Michael Burke (Fine Gael) lent his support but appeared to accuse Cllr Lawless, who is running in the general election, of taking opportunistic opportunities. I see a fair bit of this around this table in this term and I just say, cop on. We see whats going on and were not going to lie down to anyone under that type of stuff. The project was also backed by Independent general election candidate Patsy OBrien, who said the committee were going in the right way about it. Cllr Alma Gallagher (Fine Gael) complimented Catriona Doherty, co-chair of Claremorris Community Recreational Centre Committee. She really is a woman on a mission, said Cllr Gallagher. ROADS in Westport have been left in a treacherous state after heavier-than-expected snowfall left motorists unable to move their cars this evening. Reports have emerged of numerous cars being abandoned in the town with vehicles unable to move uphill due to the snowy conditions. Three local schools, Scoil Phadraig, Sacred Heart School and Rice College, will be closed tomorrow morning as a result. Mayo is currently under a status yellow snow and ice warning at the moment along with several other counties. In a post on social media, Westport-based representative Cllr Brendan Mulroy described road conditions as lethal. Very dangerous out. Please avoid any unnecessary travel tonight or in the morning, Cllr Mulroy urged the public. Met Eireann have issued an orange warning for counties Galway, Clare, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford will come into effect from 12am on Thursday and remain in place until 12pm. Roads in every urban area in Mayo and all the county's national primary routes were gritted this evening prior to the heavy snowfall. Heavy snow has also created treacherous road conditions in Castlebar. Westport Estate is pleased to announce the appointment of Ciaran Reidy as General Manager of The Grace at Westport Estate, the estates new flagship hotel set to open in early 2026. With over two decades of experience managing prestigious properties, Reidy is well-positioned to bring the vision for The Grace at Westport Estate to life, creating a destination that combines a deep sense of connection with exceptional guest experiences. Reidy has a distinguished background in luxury and heritage hospitality, having led award-winning properties such as The Johnstown Estate and Lough Rynn Castle. His reputation for elevating guest experiences and fostering strong team cultures aligns with Westport Estates mission to honour the estates history while offering an inviting and inspiring environment. In his role, Reidy will oversee daily operations and lead a dedicated team committed to creating experiences that celebrate the estates cultural and natural heritage, where guests can pause, reflect, and reconnect. Im excited to bring this vision to life at The Grace at Westport Estate, Reidy commented. Were dedicated to creating an environment that offers a deeply authentic experience for every guest, inspired by the unique history of Westport Estate and the spirit of the Wild Atlantic Way. Together, well craft a place where connection and renewal are at the heart of every moment. Westport Estate also announces Pat McCann, founder and former CEO of Dalata Hotel Group, joins its board as a Non-Executive Director. With over 50 years in the hospitality industry, McCanns expertise will be instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of Westport Estate. Known for his transformative leadership and dedication to community-focused growth, McCanns role underscores Westport Estates ambition to create a world-class destination. Pictured are the new Westport Estate board, back row, from left: Ciaran Reidy, General Manager, The Grace; Gemma Jordan, General Manager, Westport Estate and Cathal J Hughes, Director. Middle row, from left: Harry Hughes and Barry OConnor, Directors, Westport Estate and The Grace and Pat McCann, Non-Executive Director, Westport Estate and The Grace. Front row, from left: Rachel Doyle, Non-Executive Director, Westport Estate; Cathal Hughes and Owen Hughes, Directors, Westport Estate and The Grace and Fiona OSullivan, Non-Executive Director, Westport Estate. Not present: Maire Hughes, Director. McCann joins an esteemed group of Non-Executive Directors on the Westport Estate board, including Rachel Doyle, owner of Arboretum and chair of the horticultural division on the Bord Bia board, and Fiona OSullivan, an Irish tourism specialist with over 30 years of experience and leadership roles in the Inbound Tourism Operators Association of Ireland and SITE Ireland. Speaking on joining the board, McCann said: Im delighted to join the Westport Estates journey to create a place of true connection along the Wild Atlantic Way. Together with the team, our mission is to shape a unique destination that blends warmth and connection, deeply rooted in the rich heritage of Westport. Barry OConnor, CEO of Westport Estate, added: Bringing Ciaran and Pat on board at this crucial stage supports our ambition for Westport Estate. Their leadership will be pivotal in shaping a premier tourist destination that pays homage to our history while delivering an unforgettable guest experience along the Wild Atlantic Way. Cathal Hughes, Chairman of the Westport Estate board, said: At this transformative moment for Westport Estate, Ciaran and Pats insights will play a vital role in realising our vision. Their leadership and experience will be crucial as we shape a destination that combines our historic legacy with fresh, inspiring visitor experiences. The Grace at Westport Estate celebrates the cultural and historical significance of the estate, drawing inspiration from Grace OMalley, the legendary Pirate Queen, and Grace Kelly, a Hollywood icon linked to the Hughes family, owners of Westport Estate. Designed by Taylor McCarney and constructed by Stewart Construction, The Grace at Westport Estate will open in early 2026. The hotel is part of the Westport Estates wider mission to transform the area into a premier tourist destination on the West of Ireland. Filled with cultural, educational and immersive experiences as part of Westport Estates 'Awaken Your Wild' project, the development of the estate is underway following full planning permission granted last month. by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, November 21, 2024 A new Netflix series might just represent the first retirement community-based spy/detective show in the history of television. And what better choice than Ted Danson to play the lead role? Danson, 76, plays a man who goes undercover in an assisted-living high-rise in San Francisco to spy on the other residents to find a thief who stole a family heirloom from one of them. The Danson character, Charles, is a widowed, retired professor of engineering with little to do each day. So, he answers a vague classified ad in the paper seeking a man of a certain age for an unspecified task. Yes, you read that right -- a classified ad in the paper. Sure, many seniors still prefer actual newspapers over iPads and e-readers (or so Ive heard), but I thought classified ads were a long-gone staple of the newspaper era. advertisement advertisement Nevertheless, it turns out the ad was placed by a private investigator (Lila Richcreek Estrada) looking for an undercover senior to try and solve this heirloom crime. Charles passes the audition based mainly on his grasp of modern technology. Translation: He knows his way around his iPhone well enough to take and text a photo to the detective. With this skill set, he beat out about a dozen other 75-plus applicants for whom the workings of a cell phone remained mysterious, if they owned one at all. This portion of Episode One of A Man on the Inside featuring the comedy of the old guy who cant use a cell phone, dagnabbit! leaves me a little cold. By now, plenty of men and women in their 70s, 80s and even some in their 90s know enough about texts and emails to be judged competent to own and operate a cellphone or a MacBook. Whenever I come across this bit, I usually think it is more suitable for 15-20 years ago than it is today. And yet, scriptwriters who are no doubt younger than the age group they are writing about still insist upon it. But no matter. Before long in Episode One, Charles has moved (temporarily) into this retirement community after undergoing training in tasks such as the taking of photos surreptitiously with his phone. Among the residents we meet at the outset is Virginia, played by none other than Sally Struthers, 77, who immediately takes a shine to Charles. The aforementioned questionable dexterity with a cell phone notwithstanding, Charles is decidedly more old school than new. As mentioned before, he enjoys reading the paper. And a novel he reads before going to bed is an older, vintage hardback with a dust jacket -- Smileys People by John Le Carre. The book choice combines nicely with the title of Episode One -- Tinker, Tailor, Older Spy. One person who has evidently decided against ever retiring is Ted Danson, whose retirement would come as unwelcome news. Not surprisingly, he makes all the right moves in A Man on the Inside, as he has done a thousand times before. A Man on the Inside starts streaming on Thursday, November 21, on Netflix. A $440 million power line that's part of a large regional electric grid buildout received a 2-1 approval on Wednesday at the North Dakota Public Service Commission, but the regulators expressed doubts about future transmission projects that are part of the plan. Montana-Dakota Utilities and Otter Tail Power Co. would jointly build and own the 85-mile, 345-kilovolt "JETx" transmission line, which would travel from Jamestown to Ellendale in southeastern North Dakota. The project would include expansions to four electric substations, as well. The line is part of a broader push by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) -- one of two regional grid operators in North Dakota -- to meet its long-term transmission planning goal of improving the ability to move electricity in the region. MISO's service territory runs north to south from Manitoba, Canada, to Louisiana, and east to west from Michigan to Montana. The plan involves five tranches -- or rounds -- of transmission funding. JETx is part of the first tranche, which includes $10.3 billion for 18 projects across numerous states and is the only "Tranche 1" project in North Dakota. Every state that is part of MISO pays for the broader plan but costs are to be allocated "proportionally." North Dakota regulators on Wednesday said they are concerned about how proportional the requests from the state will be in the next coming rounds of projects. They said they are worried that North Dakota could end up subsidizing the plans of states involved with MISO, such as Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota, to decarbonize their energy systems over the coming decades. Decarbonizing the electric system -- an effort to decrease the planet-warming CO2 emissions from power sources -- will likely require a lot more renewable power going on the grid. Due to how spread out wind and solar generators are, utilities will require an aggressive buildout of transmission lines to distribute this power. Without a grid connection -- or even if there is not enough to handle all the power provided -- operators of all power sources can lose money. There is broad agreement that there needs to be more transmission lines built in the U.S. to deal with an aging system, rising power demands and more extreme weather, but there is disagreement between regulators across the country over how large the buildout needs to be -- and who should pay. "We're questioning some of that as far as how we (in North Dakota) pay for things that are part of other states' goals. That's fine if other states have their goals, but regarding cost allocation, who should pay for that?" Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart said. MISO defends its plans, saying the projects will maintain electric reliability, while meeting the goals of utilities in its region which are contributing power across a part of the grid that every member state is affected by. MDU customers can eventually expect a $3.15 per month bump in their bills, while Otter Tail customers will see a rise of $5.75 per month to cover its allocation of the first tranche. The fees will last on utility bills for four decades, according to commissioners. Denying this specific project would have likely decreased that by a bit, but payments to grid operators are worked into broader electric bills. The JETx project is intended to get more power on the grid in southeastern North Dakota, where there is excessive supply but not enough transmission to deliver it, according to the companies. Haugen-Hoffart and Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, who is set to take a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the coming months, agreed with the companies that there is a need for this specific project and voted for it. "This one does have some immediate benefits for our state. It creates some beneficial redundancy for Otter Tail and MDU. It helps improve reliability. It improves some pretty substantial congestion in our grid. It helps provide pathways for our power to get out to those who need it in the MISO region, which helps our power producers," Fedorchak said. Commission Chair Randy Christmann said he did not see the need for the line, and voted against it. "My understanding here is these problems don't really exist. They are forward-looking. They don't really exist yet. They are problems we still need to create," Christmann said. He said the line would help accommodate a planned 800 megawatts of solar power and 200 megawatts of natural gas power that are expected to go on the grid in the region, though these generators have not been built or even all formally planned out yet with the PSC. Christmann added that the need for the line has been reduced since a major power consumer in the southeast -- Applied Digital data center -- is relieving some of the grid congestion issues. He criticized the companies for relying on older studies that did not take the data center into account. The PSC has been reviewing the project for about a year. Members of the public can request a formal hearing when a project is announced -- which did not happen -- but commissioners hosted multiple work sessions this summer and fall to get questions answered from the utilities and MISO. by Fern Siegel , November 21, 2024 Droga5 London has launched a new campaign for Royal Enfield's new scrambler-styled Bear 650. This is the agency's second work for the motorcycle brand. The "In Gut We Trust" campaign runs across out-of-home, social media and digital in North America, Europe and India. Adarsh Saxena, global brand lead-adventure, Royal Enfield, said: While bikes may have come a long way since the 1960s, the mentality of riders and the importance of trusting their gut, remains the same. With its retro '60s design, the Bear 650 builds on Eddie Mulders victory in the Big Bear Run, a wild race still held in Southern California. Mulder was only 16 when he achieved victory on a Royal Enfield. Building on that legacy, the campaign, with a voiceover by Mulder, comprises a spot and key visuals, alongside 33 editorial images. In the ad, a young rider follows in Mulders footsteps, riding across the desert on a Bear 650. Visuals change to match the quick decisions made in a point-to-point race. advertisement advertisement Elliot James Kennedy directed the spot. Orange acrylic paint was used for the key visuals, echoing iconic bike posters from the sixties and emphasized with handmade Letraset headlines. The Bear 650, with a smooth six-speed transmission and smartphone-compatible instrumentation, is a solid tourer. One of the five color schemes available is named Two Four Nine, referring to Mulders racing number at the Big Bear Run. Its the only model that actually puts a number on the side covers oval inserts. Its not everyday you get to launch a product with such a rich history. Our design language used the same approach. We looked back at techniques and trends of the time and reinterpreted them under a contemporary light, said Matteo Alabiso, Droga5 design director-creative lead. Droga5's client work includes Coors Light, Paramount+, Levi's and JP Morgan Chase Sapphire. The agency is owned by Accenture. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 20, 2024 Siding against Amazon, a federal judge on Tuesday refused to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit by consumers who claim the company's practices regarding marketplace vendors resulted in higher prices. The ruling, issued Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge John Chun in Seattle, is temporarily sealed. Amazon had urged Chun to dismiss the consumers' complaint, arguing in a motion filed in May that the allegations, even if proven true, wouldn't show that its alleged practices had any actual anticompetitive effect with regards to the sale of any product in any market. The new decision comes six weeks after Chun ruled that the Federal Trade Commission could proceed with claims that Amazon wrongly prevents marketplace sellers from discounting their products on other sites, and requires sellers to use Amazon's fulfillment system in order to participate in Amazon Prime, which offers expedited shipping. Amazon had argued to Chun that the FTC's allegations, even if proven true, wouldn't support a conclusion that the company's policies resulted in higher prices for consumers. advertisement advertisement The complaint does not identify a single product or product category for which prices have risen as a result of the challenged conduct, Amazon wrote in a December filing. Instead, it implausibly, and illogically, assumes that Amazons efforts to keep featured prices low on Amazon somehow raised consumer prices across the whole economy. Chun rejected that argument in late September, ruling that the FTC's allegations, if proven true, could potentially show that Amazon's discounting practices are anticompetitive. Amazon is facing similar antitrust suits by attorneys general in California and Washington, D.C. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 20, 2024 Media Matters on Wednesday asked a federal appellate panel in Washington, D.C. to preserve an injunction that prohibits Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from enforcing a subpoena for a trove of information from the watchdog. Paxton's subpoena -- issued soon after Media Matters published a negative report about brand safety on X -- marks an extraordinary overreach against a journalistic organization that issued a report he didn't like, Media Matters' attorney Aria Branch told the appellate judges at a hearing that lasted almost one hour. She added that there was no dispute that Paxton served the watchdog with the subpoena because of journalism that was published by Media Matters. Branch's argument to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals comes in a legal battle dating to last November, when Media Matters argued that Paxton was violating the group's First Amendment rights and sought a court order blocking the subpoena. Paxton announced his investigation of Media Matters the same day X sued the group for reporting that ads for brands including Apple, Bravo, IBM and Oracle were being placed next to pro-Nazi posts on the platform. advertisement advertisement Paxton demanded that Media Matters provide a host of documents -- including all internal and external communications regarding Elon Musk's purchase of X, all communications regarding the November report on brand safety, and communications with Apple, IBM, Bravo and other companies named in that report. X alleged in a separate lawsuit brought in Texas that Media Matters manipulated X's algorithms in order to bypass safeguards and create images of Xs largest advertisers paid posts adjacent to racist, incendiary content. X also said the ad placements highlighted in Media Matters' report were inorganic and rare. In April, U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta sided with Media Matters, and enjoined enforcement of the subpoena. He said in a written decision that Media Matters was likely to prevail with its argument that Paxton had retaliated against the group for its report. He added that Media Matters was already suffering First Amendment harm in the form of chilled protected activities, and that Paxton's investigation had caused the group to self-censor when making research and publication decisions, and also adversely affected the relationships between editors and reporters, and restricted communications with sources and journalists. Texas then asked the D.C. Circuit to lift the injunction. Among other arguments, the state says the injunction was premature because the state hadn't yet attempted to enforce the subpoena. Texas deputy solicitor general Lanora Pettit reiterated that argument on Wednesday. What we don't have here is compulsion. They are not going to be penalized for not complying with the [subpoena] unless and until there's a court order requiring them to do so, Pettit told the judges. She noted that a different appellate court -- the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals -- had previously refused to block Paxton's attempt to investigate content moderation on Twitter. (Paxton began that investigation before the company was acquired by Elon Musk.) Circuit Judge Harry Edwards questioned Pettit's interpretation of the 9th Circuit ruling, noting that those judges said Twitter failed to establish that Paxton's investigation affected editorial decisions; by contrast, Mehta found that Paxton's investigation was having an impact on Media Matters' work. Circuit Judge Florence Pan separately questioned what potential violation of Texas law Paxton was investigating. Pettit said Paxton was probing whether Media Matters' report about brand safety on X ran afoul of a state law that prohibits commercial disparagement of goods or services. Pan then asked whether Paxton believed he could issue a subpoena to any news outlet in the country if it published something he thought was misleading. Pettit answered that if a news outlet published an article with misleading information relating to goods or services, and if there was a sufficient connection to Texas, then Paxton could issue a subpoena to that news organization. The judges didn't indicate when they will issue a decision. by Ray Schultz , November 20, 2024 Time is in a celebratory mood as it wraps up the election year 2024 despite reportedly being in sales talks. The company's Q4 cash flow is its best to date, and Time is on track to have a positive flow in 2025, Time CEO Jessica Sibley writes in a memo to the staff. In one achievement, Time realized an 18% gain in revenue from integrated sponsorships and strategic partnerships on the B2B front. As part of this effort, it has launched programs with Toyota, Merck, Glenfiddich, Cognizant, Eli Lilly and other brands, Sibley notes. Time also grew its events business, attracting 30,000 attendees to date. Revenue increased by over 15% and the profit margin rose by 50% YoY, with the company on track to produce a record 31 events. The Time100 Climate Leadership Forum was the company's most profitable event ever. Sibley reports: We also secured 30 new event partners, including Nike, Schneider Electric, Northern Data, Mattel, Delta, Nissan and Iberdrola. advertisement advertisement Salesforce co-founder Marc Benioff acquired Time for $190 million in 2018. He is now in preliminary talks to sell to the Antenna Group, a media company based in Greece, but there is no agreement, according to multiple reports. Sibley did not share 2024 dollar amounts in her memo, but she reports that Time now reaches more than 55 million people through its social platforms, and has increased its newsletter clickthroughs by over 49% YoY. In addition, it has seen a +30% increase in Instagram story referrals. On another front, Time has formed strategic AI partnerships with OpenAI, Perplexity, FOX Verify, ProRata AI, Tollbit, and other providers this year. Sibley thanked the journalistic staff for its performance during the election. During election week, our newsroom worked around the clock, reaching Time's largest digital audience in 2024 and demonstrating that readers turn to TIME for information they can trust during the worlds biggest moments, she wrote. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 21, 2024 The Department of Justice (DoJ) antitrust court in a filing released Wednesday said Google must divest its web browser Chrome, citing the judges earlier ruling that the browser strengthened the Alphabet company's monopoly powers. The decision was not unexpected, and is intended to stop Googles control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet, according to the filing. Kent Walker, Googles chief legal officer, lashed out at the Justice Department in a blog post, calling it a "staggering proposal" for pursuing a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and Americas global technology. advertisement advertisement He warned that the proposal would threaten personal privacy while undermining Googles early leadership in artificial intelligence. It would require disclosure to unknown foreign and domestic companies of not just Googles innovations and results, but Americans personal search queries. He added that it would hurt innovative services such as Mozillas Firefox, which have businesses that depend on charging Google for Search placement. The percentage of the flow of information that Google owns is the most damaging part to this decision, but it's not clear whether the DoJ fully understands the scope of how search, advertising and browsers work together as part of a coordinated effort either owned by the same company or by individual companies. It's important to note that the DoJ cannot "force" Google to do anything. The DOJ can make a request to a judge, but only a court can force Google to make any changes. Jeremy Woodlee, CEO of Santa Ynez Partners, a boutique advisory firm focused on digital media and ad technology, did not expect a positive outcome. He told Dan Salmon, U.S. internet research team lead at New Street Research, that Google's business had moved too far away from putting clients interests first and made too many decisions for the benefit of its own. The comments were published in a research note on Thursday. The DoJ and states involved in the antitrust also noted a preference toward divesting the Android smartphone operating system, but would settle for proposing a series of limits on that specific Google business unit. Android runs on billions of smartphones -- not only made by and branded as Google phones, but also from manufacturers such as Samsung, Motorola and others. The DoJ would also place restrictions on Google, forbidding the company to pay for being the default search engine on any browser, including Chrome under any new owner. The company pays Apple to remain the default on its Safari browser. "The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages" and "enable and encourage the development of an unfettered search ecosystem that induces entry, competition, and innovation as rivals vie to win the business of consumers and advertisers," according to the filing. Connected Commerce Council (3C) Executive Director Rob Retzlaff in a statement called the decision a "radical" proposal and "painful blow to millions of American small business owners who leverage Googles cost-effective, integrated tools including its advertising and search tools to reach customers, grow their business, compete, and succeed." by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 21, 2024 Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel, who has helmed the agency since 2021, said Thursday that she plans to depart the agency on January 20, when president-elect Donald Trump takes office. Under Rosenworcel's leadership, the FCC moved forward with several high-profile initiatives championed by consumer advocacy groups. Among other moves, the agency voted 3-2 to restore the Obama-era open internet rules, which prohibit carriers from blocking or throttling traffic and from charging higher fees for prioritized delivery. The agency also voted along partisan lines to broadband as 100 Mbps, tighten data breach notification rules, and fine three major wireless carriers around $200 million for sharing consumers' location data. The broadband industry opposed those decisions and is currently challenging the net neutrality rules in court. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are also separately challenging the privacy fines imposed by the agency. advertisement advertisement Rosenworcel, nominated to the FCC in 2011 by former president Barack Obama, previously opposed a proposal by Trump that the agency police content moderation by social media companies. Trump made that proposal via an executive order in 2020, during his first presidency. An Executive Order that would turn the FCC into the President's speech police is not the answer. It's time for those in Washington to speak up for the First Amendment, Rosenworcel said in a May 2020 post on X, formerly Twitter. Commissioner Brendan Carr, Trump's choice to head the agency, supports efforts to curb social media companies' ability to exert editorial control over posts on their platforms. Carr also opposed the FCC's recent orders restoring the net neutrality rules, redefining broadband as 100 Mbps, tightening data breach rules and fining carriers over alleged privacy violations. Artificial intelligence (AI) analyzing patient urine samples can now predict COPD flare-ups up to seven days before symptoms appear. Trusted Source Artificial neural network risk prediction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations using urine biomarkers Go to source Trusted Source Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) takes the bronze in global mortality. #COPD #chronicobstructivepulmonarydisease #medindia Advertisement Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): The Silent Threat to Your Lungs Advertisement Treating COPD Exacerbation and Flare-Ups Advertisement Simple Urine Test can Spot COPD Early Is COPD Curable? Artificial neural network risk prediction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations using urine biomarkers - (https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erjor/early/2024/10/31/2312054100797-2024) Artificial intelligence (AI) can now analyze patient urine samples to predict when symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are likely to flare-up, according to a study published in).The patients taking part in the study carried out a simple daily dipstick test on their urine and sent their results to researchers using their mobile phones.Using AI to analyze the results, researchers were able to forecast a deterioration in symptoms one week in advance. This could make it possible to take steps, such as altering treatment, to minimize or even prevent a flare up.COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is a serious and long-term lung condition. According to the World Health Organization,. A flare up in symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and coughing, is known as an exacerbation.The study was led by Professor Chris Brightling from the University of Leicester, UK, which is part of the National Institute for Health and Social Care Leicester Biomedical Research Centre. He said: COPD exacerbations are when someone with COPD becomes very ill and needs additional treatment either at home or in hospital. The current treatments are reactive to a severe illness. It would be better if we could predict an attack before it happens and then personalise treatment to either prevent the attack or reduce its impact. We wanted to develop a predictive test that would act like a personal weather forecast of an impending flare-up.The researchers began by analyzing urine samples from a group of 55 people with COPD and looking for any changes in the make-up of their urine that preceded a deterioration in symptoms. This helped them to identify a set of biomarkers molecules that tend to change when COPD is worsening.Next, a urine test was developed, led by Global Access Diagnostics, Bedford, UK, which measures levels of five of these biomarkers. The test is very similar to the COVID lateral flow tests. Researchers then asked a group of 105 COPD patients from Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, and the Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, UK, to test their urine daily for six months, sending their results back to the researchers via their mobile phones.The researchers used a type of AI called an artificial neural network to look for changes in the levels of these biomarkers and predict when a patient was going to experience a flare up in COPD symptoms.They found this AI analysis could accurately predict a flare up around seven days before any symptoms appeared.Professor Brightling said: Our study first explored many substances in urine samples from people with COPD during a flare up and when they were stable. We found that a small number of these substances could identify a flare up. We then followed up a group of people with COPD and tested five substances daily. This allowed us to develop the risk prediction or forecasting AI-tool. We found the AI tool could reliably predict a flare up in symptoms seven days prior to a diagnosis.The advantage of sampling urine is that its relatively quick and easy for patients to do at home on a daily basis.We need to do more work to refine the AI algorithm with data from a bigger group of patients. We hope this will allow us to create AI testing for COPD patients that will learn what is normal for each person and forecast a flare up in symptoms. Patients care could then be adapted, for example they might need further testing or treatment, or they might be able to limit their exposure to triggers like pollution or pollen.Professor Apostolos Bossios from the Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, is Head of the European Respiratory Societys airway disease assembly and was not involved in the research. He said: COPD is a common and serious condition.When COPD symptoms flare up, it can lead to permanent deterioration, so we want to do all we can to prevent or minimize flare ups. This research is promising because it suggests we can use AI analysis of urine samples to predict a flare up before it starts. If it proves successful in the longer term, this testing could make sure patients get the treatment and care they need to reduce symptom flare-ups as quickly as possible.Source-Eurekalert 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... Im to sue Dr. Laskin for medical malpractice My wife, Xiaowen Ou, passed away on December 12, 2022 in the Royal Columbia Hospital mainly because of the misdiagnosis made by Dr. Laskin, the oncologist in Vancouver BCCA, on sept.15, 2022. Clinical History At the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, my wife was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and non-small cell lung cancer with LM disease (leptomeningeal intracranial metastases) . On January 20, 2020, she began to take a chemo medicine, Osimertinib, and two days later, was placed a VP shunt. After three months, the cancer cells on her LM (leptomeninges) completely disappeared. The lung cancer mass had also shrunk by more than half. From the end of April 2020, she could live like a normal person. Both the original oncologist (Dr. Mariano) and the surgeon (Dr. Lee) are in RCH (the Royal Columbian Hospital). In February 2021, my wifes oncologist changed. The new one was Dr. Laskin in Vancouver BCCA(BC Cancer Agent). Dr. Laskins Diagnosis In July, 2022 From June 2022, my wife suffered from nausea, vomiting, walking instability and other symptoms. We reported this situation to Dr. Laskin. She wants my wife to have an MRI examination soon. Based on the examination results (no signs of cancer development were found), she concluded that my wife's symptoms are not related to cancer and should be addressed by other doctors. On August 5th, my wife fell and broke her wrist, a.nd was admitted to RCH. A RCH neurosurgeon examined my wife's head and said that the VP Shunt he placed two years ago was still working properly. He believes it may be a problem with the development of cancer. The surgeon exchanged opinions with Dr. Laskin, who insisted on her own opinion. Dr Laskin's Diagnosis On September 15th, 2022 On August 24, the neurosurgeon of RCH did a lumbar puncture procedure on my wife and they said they found lung cancer cells in cerebrospinal fluid. Based on the information from the neurosurgeon of RCH, Dr. Laskin changed her opinion She put forward her diagnosis opinion on September 15. The main contents are as follows: 1. The finding of cancer cells in cerebrospinal fluid indicates the relapse of LM disease; 2, the relapse of LM indicates the chemo medicine,Osimertinib, is no longer effective and should stop using it; 3, there is no other feasible treatment plan; and 4. The best place for my wife is the hospice. (Laskin: page 2 of 3, paragraph 5) Dr. Laskin`s 9.15 Diagnosis Was Wrong. After knowing Dr. Laskin's 9.15 diagnosis, I immediately proposed to seek a second opinion. RCH doctors promised to help me. On November 23, I got the second diagnostic opinion made by Dr. Yu, oncologist of BH (Burnaby Hospital). Dr. Yu believed that there was no evidence of the relapse of LM disease, and thus overturned Dr. Laskin's conclusion that the chemo medicine, Osimertinib, was invalid.( Dr. Yu also pointed out why there was a wrong diagnosis. Ordered by Dr. Yu, my wife got a brain MRI and the result confirmed Dr. Yu's opinion: there's no any evidence of relapse of LM. Because there was no relapse of LM disease, indicating that Osimertinib was still effective. Dr. Yu resumed using the drug. Serious Consequence Of The The Misdiagnosis Is The Main Cause Of My Wife`s Death. Dr. Laskin's 9.15 diagnosis caused irreversible and fatal results in more than two months. 1.Stopping to take Osimertinib is fatal The chemo medicine, Osimertinib, is my wife's lifesaver. It is precisely because of taking this medicine that all cancer cells on LM had been eliminated and lung tumors had shrunk by more than half and the lung cancer had been effectively controlled for more than two years and my wife could be living a normal life. However, following Dr.Laskin' s diagnosis and particular instruction , the hospital doctors in RCH stopped giving the chemo medicine, Osimertinib, to my wife since September 17. Then the lung cancer became out of control. The consequences can be imagined. On October 7, my wife was examined for pneumothorax and after three or four days, the doctor said that my wife had got bronchopleural fistula. The doctors said these new problems were caused by the development of lung cancer. The report of the brain MRI on November 25 shows that several small dots were found in the brain, which is the imaging evidence of the development of lung cancer after stopping taking the chemo medicine, Osimertinib. 2) Negative effects on the RCH doctors Dr. Laskins 9.15 diagnosis was bound to have some negative effects on the treatment of the RCH doctors for the diseases of my wife after Osimertinib withdrawal, such as pneumothorax, bronchial rupture and COVID-19 infection. Obviously, the misdiagnosis let the neurosurgery doctors in RCH to stop any efforts to improve my wife's hydrocephalus. * 3. Causing my wifes death My wife's general condition was obviously getting worse and worse day by day. From the end of November , almost every time the doctor met me ,he would tell me that my wife was dying and asked me whether to continue treatment. Although the RCH doctors let my wife resume taking Osimertinib from November 25 according to the prescription of Dr. Yu, they stopped using the drug less than a week, when my wife caught COVID-19, which was in urgent need of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment. With the development of lung cancer and the popularity of COVID-19, my wife finally died on December 12. Why Dr. Laskin Made The Incorrect Diagnosis A comparative analysis of Dr. Laskin's 9.15 diagnosis and Dr. Yu's 11.23 diagnosis reveals four main reasons: 1. Dr. Laskin lacked a full understanding of the patient's medical history Dr. Laskin's 9.15 diagnosis was based on the LP (lumbar puncture) performed by the RCH neurosurgeon on August 27. Dr. Laskin stated: She (Li: my wife) remains on osimertinib but the presence of adenocarcinoma in her recent LP suggests that this drug is no longer controlling her cancer. My wife had a relapse of leptomeningeal metastasis (LM). In his 11.23 diagnosis, Dr.Yu pointed out why Dr. Laskin made the wrong diagnosis. Dr. Yu wrote: She (Li: my wife) did have a lumbar puncture in August 2022, and cytology once again showed adenocarcinoma of the lung, but this was never necessarily checked to see if it 'cleared' between her initial diagnosis and this particular presentation. I learned online that targeted drugs like osimertinib can effectively kill cancer cells on the meninges but not those in the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid). The unique environment of the CSF allows cancer cells there to survive without causing harm. Dr. Yu was not criticizing the laboratory report for being non-compliant. If he had been, he would have pointed it out clearly. --Dr. Yu was the second diagnostician designated by Dr. Laskin. I think Dr. Yu hinted that Dr. Laskin didn't know my wife had an LP in January 2020 at all. This doesn't surprise me. Dr. Yu's diagnosis states clearly: "Lumbar puncture also confirmed adenocarcinoma" in January 2020. Since Dr. Laskin became my wife's primary oncologist in February 2021, she never mentioned the previous LP. Had Dr. Laskin known about it, she would have compared the cytology reports from both LPs and would not have concluded, "this drug is no longer controlling her cancer". Dr. Laskin is a lung cancer treatment expert, and this basic knowledge is readily available online. Dr. Yu told me on November 23,2022 that the cytology report from the second LP was exactly the same as the first one. 2. Dr. Laskin did not understand the patients clinical presentation In the 9.15 diagnosis, Dr. Laskin stated: "Although we cannot measure any change on her MRI, it is common that LM disease can progress with clinical worsening that is difficult to measure on imaging." Dr. Laskin made this statement simply to make me believe that my wifes LM had relapsed. She did not specify any new, unique clinical symptoms that suggested the LM had relapsed. In fact, she could not know what new clinical signs were present. Since my wifes onset of illness in July 2022, Dr. Laskin and her team had never seen her. On August 5, my wife was admitted to RCH for a wrist fracture. On August 15, an assistant doctor from Dr. Laskin called for a consultation, and I requested that my wife be transferred to vancouver BCCA for an in-person consultation with Dr. Laskin. The assistant doctor said it wasnt necessary and that Dr. Laskin would call for a phone consultation on September 15. My wifes symptoms in June and July 2022, like nausea, vomiting, and difficulty moving, were considered unrelated to cancer by Dr. Laskin, and these symptoms didnt develop significantly. However, compared to January 2020, there was an important difference: no symptom of headache in 2022, and the LP in August 2022 showed normal intracranial pressure. Headache due to high intracranial pressure is a significant symptom of LM disease. Dr. Yu emphasized this point in his diagnosis. He wrote: "She did have a lumbar puncture showing normal pressure." (Yu: Page 2, Paragraph 2, Line 7). My wifes overall clinical presentation also differed significantly. On August 27, Dr. Lee, the RCH neurosurgeon who performed the LP, noted in the medical record that She has not had the same degree of cognitive issues and confusion as on her previous in 2020. She is alert speaking and responsive . (RCH medical report ID : 2408-2976, page 2 of 3, Paragraph 2). Unfortunately, it seems Dr. Laskin was unaware of these details. Had she known, she should not have made such a rash diagnosis. 3. Dr. Laskin Ignored the fact that Even If the LM relapsed Due to Osimertinib failure, It was not irreversible Even if LM relapsed because osimertinib was no longer effective, it wasnt a dead-end with no possible solutions. There are many other options to control cancer progression,for example: a)Alternative targeted therapies (In February 2021, during the first consultation, I asked Dr. Laskin what would happen if osimertinib failed. She said other medications could be used). b)Radiation therapy (On January 17, 2020, under the guidance of the RCH sent my wife to visit Vancouver BCCA radiology department. The radiologists said the intracranial pressure was too high to proceed with radiation therapy. Once the pressure was under control and osimertinib was ineffective, radiation could be an option). c)Immunotherapy (Dr. Yu specializes in immunotherapy for lung cancer. He mentioned novel treatment in his diagnosis (Yu: page 2, line 33)). I called Dr. Yu in early December to inquire about immunotherapy. My wifes condition in September 2022 was suitable for immunotherapy. 4. Dr. Laskin lacked basic respect for the patient's life. Based on the above three points, I can only say that Dr. Laskin did not treat my wife as a patient, the object of her services. Dr. Laskin shows no respect for my wife's life and dignity. Analyzing Dr. Laskin's 9.15 diagnosis, it can be seen that the cause of diagnostic errors is not only the doctor's negligence, but also the doctor's lack of basic respect for the patient's life. This conclusion was reinforced by the failure of Dr. Laskin to fo.llow through with the scheduled consultation on September 15. ** Dr Laskins Lawyers Possible Defense And My Rebuttal In the first two-and-half months after my wife passed away, I was unable to sleep at night and find taste in food. My health deteriorated dramatically. At the end of February, I suddenly developed a high fever and was sent to RCH and spent almost a month there. Sometimes I might be in a semi-comatose state, delirious and constantly dreaming, often seeing my wife smiling at me, as she had done when I first met her 53 years ago. There were constant voices in my ears, I think, from lawyers who tried their best to defend Dr. Laskin and shift the blame for her. I argued fiercely with them in a daze. I have summarized and organized the debate as follows: 1.Was Dr. Laskins misdiagnosis due to the patients peculiarities? The targeted drug osimertinib is a lifesaver for my wife. Some said that this drug could generally only extend a patient's life by 15 months. In medical terms, osimertinibs progression-free survival (PFS) is said to be 15 months. while the patient had been using the drug for more than 30 months, therefore Dr. Laskins 9.15 diagnosis concluding that the drug was no longer effective, was based on valid reasons. My rebuttal: The PFS from some studies is a statistical median. The real PFS varies from person to person.To my knowledge, this drug has no effect on some people (mainly Europeans), and for these patients, the real PFS may be zero or close to zero. On the other hand, for some people (mainly Asians), the real PFS can be much longer than the median one. Moreover, the median PFS obtained from these studies prolongs over time. In early 2020, when my wife started using the drug, the doctor said it would only extend her life by 8 months. By 2022, the median had increased to 15 months. Recently, AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical company, states: "Clinical studies show that osimertinib`s median PFS has now been extended to over 3 years." (See their website). Therefore, an oncologist cannot conclude whether the drug is still effective simply based on how long a patient has been taking it. Dr. Laskin understands this principle. She never mentioned Teresas PFS in the 9.15 diagnosis. Someone said that Dr. Yu's diagnosis explicitly mentioned PFS and indicated it was expected in treatment. I don't think Dr. Yu was defending Dr. Ruskin; he was simply stating the facts, especially, he clearly emphasized that the PFS, which doctors often refer to, is a median. The expected life of a Canadian is 81.3 years old, but so many folders are receiving attentive care from doctors and nurses in hospitals across Canada. Some said the patient's illness has its own unusual characteristic, implying that Dr. Laskin's misdiagnosis was neither due to her negligence nor other unforgivable reasons. Indeed, my wifes illness did have its peculiarities. She had a much better than expected response to osimertinib. Dr. Yu dedicated an entire paragraph in his diagnosis to describe her peculiarities. (Yu: Page 2, Paragraph 8). However, none of them can serve as an excuse or justification for Dr. Laskins misdiagnosis. On the contrary, these peculiarities highlight the absurdity of her error. These peculiarities make it reasonable for my family to believe that she could have lived much longer than the average non-small cell lung cancer patient. And also because of these characteristics, the harm caused to us by her death due to Dr. Laskin's misdiagnosis is particularly severe. 2.Why am I not sue at the doctors at RCH? Someone asked: The patient was initially treated at RCH, and the doctors there always believed that the patient's symptoms were caused by cancer, unrelated to hydrocephalus. However, it now seems that the issue was hydrocephalus. Why am I suing Dr. Laskin but not the doctors at RCH? My rebuttal: The reasons are as follows: a)The doctors at RCH are not specialists. They may only know that finding lung cancer adenocarcinoma cells in cerebrospinal fluid is the gold standard for diagnosing leptomeningeal metastasis (LM). However, they didnt know that it was necessary to determine when these lung cancer adenocarcinoma cells appearedwhether it was before taking osimertinib in early 2020 or two years later, in 2022, after taking osimertinib. I have no reason to equate the diagnosis level of a highly respected lung cancer expert with that of a non-specialist doctor. b) They did not make a definitive diagnosis. The RCH doctors did not 100% conclude that it was a cancer issue. The doctor who diagnosed the patient with LM recurrence and stopped osimertinib was Dr. Laskin from the Vancouver BCCA, not the doctors at RCH. c)They did not think the patient was beyond saving. In early September, the RCH doctors told me "If it were cancer, Dr. Laskin might change the medication or try a different treatment method." After September 15, they supported and helped me seek a second opinion from a cancer specialist. d) RCHl doctors did not completely deny the possibility of hydrocephalus. Had Dr. Laskin maintained her opinion that the patient's lung cancer was still under control with osimertinib, I believe the doctors at Royal Columbian Hospital would have conducted a more thorough investigation into the hydrocephalus. They might have even agreed to transfer the patient to another hospital, such as Vancouver General Hospital. * 3.Is the misdiagnosis without consequence? Some people even asked: if Dr. Laskin didn't misdiagnose, without stopping osimertinib, wouldn't the patient die? My rebuttal: Is death avoidable? Everyone will eventually die. But saying that taking osimertinib as usual would also lead my wife to death at the same time is definitely nonsense. Osimertinib is my wifes life-saving medicine, without which her life would have come to an end in January 2020. She passed away on December 12, 2022, more than two months after stopping taking the life-saving medication. Her death was not predetermined on that day. If you truly understand that PFS of osimertinib is a median, and that there are many treatment options other than osimertinib, and that the development of medical science and treatment technology around the world is very rapid, then you will not raise this question. Some people who raised this question believes that cancer patients, especially those in advanced stages, have no essential difference between life and death. This is a form of discrimination against cancer patients. Cancer patients have the right to fight for their lives and to have their lives and dignity respected. 4)Is this the doctor's fault, or the healthcare system's fault? Some said this was a problem with the Canadian healthcare system, and I shouldnt sue Dr. Laskin. My rebuttal: I can't agree with this. The supply-demand imbalance between doctors and patients is very prominent in Canada. If this problem didnt exist, the RCH probably wouldnt have canceled its oncology department, and my wife wouldnt have been transferred to the Vancouver BCCA, and she wouldn't have met Dr. Laskin, which means the terrible 9.15 diagnosis wouldn't have happened. However, the medical system problem doesnt necessarily result in Dr. Laskins 9.15 misdiagnosis. Some who claimed the responsibility lies with the Canadian healthcare system argued that high-level specialists are extremely scarce in Canadas universal healthcare system. Dr. Laskin, a lung cancer expert at the Vancouver BCCA is very busy. (I was told that that she has over 100 patients and supervises 6 or 7 young assistants/interns). Dr. Laskins workload may have contributed to her not knowing the patients important medical history after one and a half years, but this does not necessarily imply a direct causal relationship. If this were the case, such kind of diagnostic errors would be widespread. Many specialists in Canada are as busy as Dr. Laskin. Would they all diagnose carelessly and haphazardly? Weve lived in Canada for 26 years and have seen many other specialists, all of whom were responsible and conscientious. Since we arrived in Canada, we have heard that the most respected professions here are nurses and doctors. We strongly agree. My wife's experience can be divided into two very different phases: the first phase, from January 2020 to mid-2022, thanks for doctors at RCH and ERH(Eagle Ridge Hospital), she overcome death and lived a normal life; the second phase, from August 2022 to December 12, 2022, due to Dr. Laskins 9.15 misdiagnosis, she was stopped to take her life-saving medication, and her body was deteriorate until death. Both phases occurred within the same healthcare system, but due to different doctors and different approaches, the outcomes were drastically different. If we cannot sue Dr. Laskin, it would mean that the service she provided is considered acceptable. Dr. Laskins 9.15 misdiagnosis was not simply a mistake. Not only did Dr. Laskin wrongly believe the patients LM had recurred and that osimertinib was ineffective, but she also irrationally refused further treatment, declaring that the patient was beyond help and should go to hospice care. She made this death sentence-like diagnosis without proactively informing us, handling such a life-and-death matter in a trivial manner. I firmly believe that doctors like Dr. Laskin are extremely rare in Canada. Her actions tarnish the reputation of Canadian doctors and contradict the Canadian spirit of emphasizing human rights, fairness, and justice. Her behavior is appalling, and Canadas healthcare system definitely should not bear the blame for Dr. Laskins actions. 5.Why do I insist on suing Dr. Laskin? Somene said that in Canada, for a patient or their family to sue a doctor, they must first pass through the CMPA (Canadian Medical Protective Association). This organization has billions of dollars and employs many of Canadas best lawyers to defend doctors being sued. Very few patients win lawsuits against doctors in Canada. They implied I would waste time and and energy in vain. My rebuttal: I believe I can win. I trust that CMPA only defends cases that can be argued. I dont think Dr. Laskin is able to obtain a reasonable defense. I don't think CMPA would say: "because Canada has universal healthcare, medical resources are scarce. Dr. Laskins 9.15 diagnosis was not incorrect. It was to save the country money, and she should not be held responsible, but rather rewarded and become a model for doctors." Such a defense would not protect Dr. Laskins reputation but would destroy the reputation of Canadas healthcare system and the country itself. It would send the message to the world that Dr. Laskin's careless, life-threatening approach to patient care is a direct result of Canadas healthcare system. With CMPA as their backing, Canadian doctors can do whatever they want without taking any responsibility. It would endanger the lives of Canadian patients, going against the original intent of CMPA. What Is My Purpose To Sue Dr. Laskin? I know I will get little even I win. I dont care how much compensation I receive. If I get only one dollar, Ill consider it a win. My purpose in this lawsuit is as follows: 1.Fulfilling a promise I made a promise to my late wife to share her cancer-fighting insights with everyone, aiming to boost peoples confidence in fighting cancer. I want people to know that osimertinib can eliminate 100% of brain cancer cells, allowing patients to fully recover with normal physical functions and without pain. The progression-free survival (PFS) of osimertinib is a median value that varies by individual. For Asian patients, it is often much higher than the median. Additionally, this median has been increasing as medical science continues to advance. I want people to know that, thanks to the tireless efforts of medical scientists and clinicians worldwide, cancer is gradually being conquered. While some cancers have not been completely cured yet, it is now possible for patients to live with them for extended periods. 2.Seeking justice for my wife I want everyone to understand that my wife did not die from cancer but from a misdiagnosis by Dr. Laskin at Vancouver's BCCA. I hope the medical community will learn from this mistake and take steps to avoid similar errors in the future. I hope my wife will be the last person to die due to such a misdiagnosis. 3.Improving the Canadian Healthcare System I aim to address some issues within the Canadian healthcare system to make it stronger and more effective. Specifically: a). Accountability in Diagnoses A specialist like Dr. Laskin should not be allowed to make critical diagnosesakin to a death sentence, such as stopping life-saving targeted therapywithout knowing the patients medical history, clinical presentation, or having solid laboratory and imaging evidence. Such diagnoses should require the signatures of at least two doctors. b). Second Opinions There should be more robust support for hospitalized patients seeking a second opinion, along with a clear process to facilitate this. For example, on August 16th, I requested a second opinion from an oncologist, but it took an unacceptable 66 days for me to receive. _____________________________________________________ Note: *In fact, after learning of Dr. Yu's diagnosis, they reviewed all the patient's CT and MRI scans from 2022 to compare and try to find any issues related to hydrocephalus and the VP shunt placed two and a half years ago. Later, when they saw the MRI report from November 25, which showed a few gray spots on the brainstem, they interpreted them as evidence of cancer progression. Since the patient was already in critical condition, they abandoned further efforts. Even though the hydrocephalus could not be fully resolved, the danger from hydrocephalus is not comparable to the danger from lung cancer; the symptoms were not life-threatening. The patient was admitted to the hospital on August 5, 2022, mainly due to a wrist fracture. **Dr. Laskins diagnosis, similar to a death sentence, should have been made after the results of the lumbar puncture were received in early September. In early September, the doctors at Royal Columbian Hospital informed us that they had already passed the test results to Dr. Laskin, and she should be calling us soon. We waited eagerly every day, but after more than ten days, there was still no call. I foolishly told my wife that it seemed like Dr. Laskin wouldnt call until September 15th (the time we had previously scheduled for a phone consultation). I thought this might be a good sign if the cancer had indeed recurred, she would have called us immediately. If there was no urgent news, she might wait until the scheduled consultation time on September 15th. My hearing is not good, so I asked Royal Columbian Hospital to arrange for an interpreter to help me hear the doctor clearly. The scheduled phone consultation was at 11 a.m. on the 15th, and the interpreter arrived 10 minutes early. We waited in a quiet place for Dr. Laskins call. But after a full hour of waiting, no call came. The interpreter had another task and had to leave. I waited for another two or three hours, still no call. By 3 p.m., I couldnt wait any longer, so I called her office to ask why Dr. Laskin hadnt called despite the appointment. It was another half hour before she finally called. Dr. Laskin and her assistant did not offer any explanation for the delay or the apparent mix-up with the appointment. Clearly, Dr. Laskin didnt proactively share her diagnosis with me. This shows that, to Dr. Laskin, my wife's life or death was completely insignificant, as inconsequential as a falling leaf. Its accurate to say that her attitude was "disregard for human life." The Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II aircraft debuted its combat airstrike capabilities for the first time earlier this month when it targeted weapon storage facilities in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, the Navy confirmed in a press release on Wednesday. The Pentagon previously said that the F-35C launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility over a week ago. CENTCOM also posted a video of the fifth-generation aircraft taking off from the aircraft carrier. Now, the military has confirmed that between Nov. 9 and 10, the Marine Corps variant of the jet conducted the airstrikes for the first time in its operational history. Specifically, the press release said that it conducted multiple strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis, targeting anti-ship missiles that have been used against commercial and military ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Read Next: 'We Need You': Defense Secretary Stands Up for Women in Combat Jobs amid Hegseth Nomination The aircraft belonged to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, or VMFA-314, based out of Miramar, California. It is the only forward-deployed F-35 squadron in the Marine Corps, the press release said, and the jet's debut combat employment comes just over a year after the region was sunk into turmoil following Hamas' surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. "The F-35C demonstrated its warfighting advantage by transiting contested airspace and striking targets in the heart of Houthi territory over multiple days," Lt. Col. Jeffrey "Wiki" Davis, commanding officer of VMFA-314, said in the press release. "My Marines are honored to be first to fight with the F-35C." The War Zone first speculated a week ago that the F-35C's launch -- captured on CENTCOM video -- was likely the first time it was employed in combat. Traveling at speeds of 1,200 mph, the F-35C can carry Joint Direct Attack Munitions, or JDAMs, air-to-air missiles and other ordnance. It was not clear which type of munition was used for the strikes earlier this month. "The offensive and defensive capabilities of the F-35C absolutely enhance our air wing's striking arm," Capt. Gerry "Dutch" Tritz, commander, Carrier Air Wing 9 -- which the Marine jets were attached to -- said. "The now battle-tested air wing of the future has proven itself a game-changer across all carrier air wing missions." The F-35 is used by the Navy and the Air Force as well and includes two other variations -- the F-35A and the F-35B. According to the press release, the F-35B was deployed in combat for the first time in 2018 against the Taliban and ISIS. A year later, the Air Force deployed the F-35A against ISIS in Iraq. VMFA-314, also known as the "Black Knights," was the first Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C in 2020, the press release said. Military.com previously reported that seven U.S. warships deployed to the Middle East to fight the Houthis were awarded for combat, encountering 20 instances of combat between October and April. Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen were also awarded for seizing millions of pounds of "precursor explosive material," this publication first reported in June. The Marine Corps has rotated Marine Expeditionary Units, or MEUs, to the Mediterranean as a deterrent measure in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack and Israel's subsequent war against Hamas in Gaza. After having its deployment extended, the 26th MEU out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was replaced by the 24th MEU as part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group. Related: Coasties, Marines and Sailors Awarded for Seizing Millions of Pounds of Explosive Materials in Middle East VIENTIANE, Laos Southeast Asian defense chiefs met Thursday with their counterparts from China, the United States and other nations in Laos for security talks, which come as Beijings increasingly assertive stance in its claim to most of the South China Sea is leading to more confrontations. The closed-door talks put U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in the same room, a day after Dong refused a request to meet with Austin one-on-one on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit of defense ministers. The U.S. and China have been working to improve frayed military-to-military communications and Austin said he regretted Dong's decision, calling it a setback for the whole region. A Chinese statement indicated that Beijing was unhappy with U.S. actions related to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims. The U.S. recently approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system. The U.S. side cannot undermine Chinas core interests on the Taiwan issue while conducting exchanges with the Chinese military as if nothing had happened, Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said in a statement posted online Thursday. The ASEAN meetings come as member nations are looking warily toward the change in American administrations at a time of increasing maritime disputes with China. The U.S. has firmly pushed a free and open Indo-Pacific policy under outgoing President Joe Biden and it is not yet clear how the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump will address the South China Sea situation. Dong called for resolving issues through dialogue and not provoking disputes or introducing external forces, Chinas official Xinhua News Agency reported. Beijing believes that U.S. backing has emboldened the Philippines to act more assertively in its South China Sea disputes with China. Other nations attending the ASEAN meeting from outside Southeast Asia include Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The meetings with the ASEAN dialogue partners were also expected address tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine war, and wars in the Middle East. Before heading to Laos, Austin concluded meetings in Australia with officials there and with Japans 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 Peoples Republic of China against Philippines and other coastal state vessels. 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. As China has grown more assertive in pushing its territorial claims in recent years, it and ASEAN 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. 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. Another thorny regional issue is the civil war and humanitarian crisis in ASEAN member Myanmar. The groups 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. At the defense meetings, the country is represented by Zaw Naing Win, director of the Defense Ministrys International Affairs Department. Meetings on Wednesday also discussed military cooperation, transnational haze, disinformation, border security and transnational crimes such as drugs, cyberscams and human trafficking, Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Thanathip Sawangsang said. ___ Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report. KYIV, Ukraine Ukraine claimed Thursday that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight at one of its cities. If confirmed, it would be the first time Moscow has used such a weapon in the war. Ukraine did not provide any evidence that an ICBM was used in the attack on the central city of Dnipro, apparently armed with conventional warheads. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a missile used matches the speed and altitude of an ICBM. The Kremlin refused to comment on the strike. The attack comes in a week when tensions have repeatedly soared, as the U.S. eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of American-made longer-range missiles inside Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for launching nuclear weapons. The range of an ICBM which can exceed 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) is beyond what is needed to attack Ukraine. But such missiles are designed to carry atomic warheads, and the use of one, even with a conventional payload, would serve as a chilling reminder of Russias nuclear capability. It also appears to send a message to Ukraines Western allies that Moscow has the ability to target them. In a statement Thursday on the Telegram messaging app, Ukraine's air force said an intercontinental ballistic missile was fired at Dnipro, along with eight other missiles, and that the Ukrainian military shot down six of them. Two people were wounded in the attack, and an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities were damaged, according to local officials. The air force statement did not specify the exact type of ICBM but said it was launched from Russias Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea. Today, our crazy neighbor once again showed what he really is, Zelenskyy said. And how afraid he is. U.K. officials did not immediately confirm what kind of missile Russia fired. Prime Minister Keir Starmers spokesman, Dave Pares, called the reports deeply concerning but added that intelligence services were still looking into them. If true, clearly this would be another example of grave, reckless and escalatory behavior from Russia and only serves to strengthen our resolve, he said. Defense Secretary John Healey said there were unconfirmed reports of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine, which we know they have been preparing for months. Ballistic missiles can have a range of anywhere from under 500 kilometers (310 miles) to over 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) in the case of intercontinental ones. Ballistic refers to the shape of their trajectory. Since the Cold War era, Moscow and Washington have given each other advance notice about ICBM launches to prevent the other side from perceiving a test launch as a nuclear attack. They have stuck to exchanging such warnings despite increasing tensions which ratcheted up again in recent days. Earlier this week, the Biden administration authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied, longer-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia a move that drew an angry response from Moscow. Days later, Ukraine fired several of the missiles into Russia, according to the Kremlin. The same day, Putin signed a new doctrine that allows for a potential nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. The doctrine is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons. In response, Western countries, including the U.S., said Russia has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behavior throughout the war to intimidate Ukraine and other nations. They have also expressed dismay at the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine. Also Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that its air defense systems shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones. The statement didnt say when or where the Storm Shadows were shot down or what they were targeting. Russia earlier reported downing some of the missiles over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russia also struck Zelenskyys home city of Kryvyi Rih, wounding 26 people, said the head of regional administration, Serhii Lysak. The missile strike caused damage to an administrative building, at least five multistory residential buildings, and civilian vehicles. -- Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report. The Twins have signed right-hander Scott Blewett and first baseman Yunior Severino to minor league deals, according to the clubs transactions tracker at MLB.com. Both players were just outrighted by the Twins a couple of weeks ago before electing free agency. Theyll rejoin the organization as depth options now. This is the second straight offseason Blewett, 28, has signed a minor league deal with Minnesota. He pitched well both in Triple-A and in the majors for the Twins last season. He logged a 3.79 ERA in 54 2/3 frames with the Twins Triple-A club St. Paul, fanning 22.7% of his opponents against a tidy 7.1% walk rate. When the Twins summoned the former Royals hurler to the big leagues, he responded with 20 1/3 innings of 1.77 ERA ball. Blewetts strikeout and walk rates were more pedestrian than that sparkling ERA, and metrics like FIP (4.00) and SIERA (4.05) felt he had a fair bit of good fortune, largely coming in the form of a 90.5% strand rate hes not likely to sustain. The 25-year-old Severino once ranked among the Twins top 10 prospects but has seen his stock drop as pronounced contact issues have persisted. He socked 35 homers between Double-A and Triple-A as recently as 2023 but fanned in nearly a third of his plate appearances that year. He dropped that strikeout rate to a still-alarming 27.8% in Triple-A this year but also saw his power output decline along with his strikeout rate; he hit just 21 homers while his ISO (slugging minus batting average) plummeted from .274 to .180. In addition to the contact concerns, Severino is also a player without a clear defensive home. The former middle infielder has slid down the defensive spectrum as hes filled out. Hes now primarily a first baseman and not considered to be a strong defender there. Hes also a below-average runner. Still, theres clearly impressive raw power in Severinos bat, and hell get another look in Triple-A at a time when the Twins first base situation is in flux. Carlos Santana became a free agent at seasons end, and former top prospect Alex Kirilloff surprisingly retired at just 26 years of age following a pair of wrist surgeries, a major shoulder surgery and a back injury that have resulted in him spending more time on the injured list than on active rosters in the past four seasons. TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Every year or so, it seems like the Gypsy Spirits footprint expands to another cool location. Their latest adventure: A Traverse City tasting room and cocktail bar. And this place has a vibe all its own: Colorful lights and the beloved Gypsy Spirits logos that double as artwork. In addition to craft cocktails, it offers live music. The newly-opened tasting room is at 309 W. Front St. For hours and other details, check the Facebook page here. Mike Kolkmeyer, director of operations for Gypsy Spirits, said the teams goal was to offer a space that matched the vibrancy of Traverse Citys downtown. That meant creating an intersection of adventure, music and connection. Our goal is to provide an inviting space where you can step away from the busyness of life and immerse yourself in the Gypsy Spirit, said Kolkmeyer, who runs the business with twin brothers and founders Adam and Michael Kazanowski. Weve always believed its about the journey, not the destination, and Traverse City perfectly reflects this sentiment. With its stunning natural beauty and welcoming energy, this area has so much to offer, and were honored to be part of it. Gypsy Spirits is our way of adding to the fabric of this incredible community, creating a place where every visit feels like an adventure. Gypsy Spirits has opened a third tasting room, this one in Traverse City.Gypsy Spirits This is the third Northern Michigan tasting room the team behind Gypsy Spirits has opened. The original tasting spot in downtown Petoskey was joined in 2023 by its expansive Gypsy Distillery development overlooking Bay Harbor. That property, a former equestrian center, has a huge tasting area, restaurants tucked inside, and can host events like weddings, corporate retreats and more. That spot south of Petoskey also houses the Gypsy production facility used to create its craft-distilled line of liquors, its canned cocktails and special projects like the recent release of its Apple Pie Vodka, a collaboration with Blakes Hard Cider. MANISTEE, MI Roasted chestnuts. Horse-drawn carriages. Carolers. A large evergreen lumbering down the street. These are a few of the staples of an old-fashioned Christmas in this Northern Michigan beach town with a Victorian heritage. Manistees 35th annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5, to Sunday, Dec. 8, throughout the downtown district. Its a chance to step back to a simpler time: the 1800s. It was the time of Englands Queen Victoria, horse-drawn travel, and roasted chestnuts as a symbol of Christmas. If you havent tried roasted chestnuts, this is your chance. The festival offers free chestnuts from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, along River Street. They are roasted on grills out on the street. RELATED: Find a special gift for that special person at this Christmas craft show Kendra C. Thompson Architects has sponsored free chestnuts for several years and has no plans to end the tradition, said Sammie Lukaskiewicz, Manistee Tourism executive director. She has said she will sponsor them until the day she dies and order her family to do so after that, Lukaskiewicz said. What do they taste like? According to allrecipes.com, roasted chestnuts are sweet, buttery and soft with flavors similar to a cooked sweet potato. As the afternoon festivities wain and darkness begins to set in Saturday evening, the main event will begin. The 34th annual Victorian Sleigh Bell Parade marched down Manistee's River Street on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. The event drew a record number of spectators who saw bands, huge inflatables, dogs, horse-drawn carriages and massive Christmas trees pulled upright on sleighs by teams of horses.Provided by Manistee Tourism RELATED: Up North dive bar to reopen with major upgrades, new owner Thousands of people will line River Street for the Victorian Sleighbell Parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m. It features horse-drawn entries, bagpipers, reindeer and carolers elegantly dressed in Victorian attire. Vehicles are not allowed and there are even strict rules about decorations, including no twinkle lights. The finale is always a team of draught horses pulling a 30-foot Christmas tree perched upright on a sleigh. Special guests in this years parade include Santa, Miss Michigan and actress Toni Trucks who will service as grand marshal. A tree lighting ceremony with caroling and fireworks will follow the parade (after all the horses are safely away from the area). The 34th annual Victorian Sleigh Bell Parade marched down Manistee's River Street on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. The event drew a record number of spectators who saw bands, huge inflatables, dogs, horse-drawn carriages and massive Christmas trees pulled upright on sleighs by teams of horses.Provided by Manistee Tourism A highlight of the festival is free carriage and wagon rides on Saturday afternoon. Visitors wait in line for hours to ride up and down River Street. Children can meet-and-greet with Santa and The Grinch throughout the weekend. Families are invited to play in the Old Christmas Kazoo Band in the Little Sleighbell family parade at 3 p.m. Saturday, starting at Riverside Toys, 390 River St. Get moving Saturday morning with the Jingle Bell Jog 5K. Register here. Manistees historic Guardian Angels Church, built in 1888, will be open for free, self-guided tours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, 371 Fifth Steet. The historic 1909 pipe organ and steeple chime will be playing. Happening all weekend is the annual Festival of Trees at the Ramsdell Ballroom, 101 Maple St. Creatively decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and other decor will be on display and available for purchase and silent bidding. Proceeds will benefit local causes. Find the full festival schedule here. A 36-year-old Chatham, Mich. man was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison Wednesday after he was convicted on a charge of possession of child pornography. Brandon Lavoy pleaded guilty to the charge in July and a federal judge accepted the plea in August, leading to Wednesdays sentencing. An investigation into Lavoy began after the FBI discovered end-to-end encrypted messages between Lavoy and someone else. As part of the messages, Lavoy provided details about two minors including identifying information. Lavoy also told the other person that he was looking to get one of the minors raped, investigators say. A search warrant was issued after the FBI traced the message to Lavoys phone, allowing investigators to search Lavoys phone and computer. A collection of child pornography belonging to Lavoy was then discovered by investigators. The sexual exploitation of children is reprehensible, said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten. Mr. Lavoy is a sexual predator whose egregious plan to get a minor raped was thankfully thwarted by FBI agents. My office will not waver in our commitment to working with law enforcement partners to ensure that sexual predators who target our children are brought to justice. Lavoy was sentenced to 135 months in prison. ANN ARBOR, MI - Further investigation has revealed a group of University of Michigan students were threatened with a BB or airsoft gun on Sunday, not a firearm, police said. A group of University of Michigan students originally reported to police around 1:20 a.m., Nov. 17 that four college-aged men had approached them while they were on porch in the 600 block of Oxford Road, according to the Ann Arbor Police Department. The men approaching the students attempted to provoke a fight, police said. One of the men displayed what was originally believed to be a handgun before fleeing the area, police said. Read more: Suspect brandishes gun at University of Michigan students, police say Further investigation has revealed the brandished weapon was a BB gun or an airsoft gun, Chris Page, spokesperson for the Ann Arbor police, told MLive/The Ann Arbor News Thursday, Nov. 21. Its unclear if any of the men are students at the university. Police believe the incident was isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the community. No arrests have been made as of Thursday, Page said. Ann Arbor police informed the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security of the incident and ongoing investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Ann Arbor Police Department tip line at 734-794-6939 or the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security at 734-763-1131. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI The latest hire at Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital proved Wednesday why she was the perfect choice, but instead of scrubs the hospitals new furry friend wears a leash and vest. Indi, a two-year-old golden retriever, started work this month to be the facilitys first dog to support patients and families. MUSKEGON, MI - More public defenders will be added to Muskegon Countys roster to defend those in the criminal justice system. The Muskegon County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of 10 new positions in the county public defenders office, funded by a grant from the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission. The grant for 2025 is for $8.6 million and goes to the of public defenders office, specifically the department that handles criminal cases. Muskegon County Finance Director Angela Gasiewski said the annual grant funds are a large majority of the departments annual budget, which is just over $9 million. The other side of the public defenders office, which handles child abuse and neglect cases in the family court, is not part of this grant funding. Muskegon County Public Defenders Office Director Amy Campanelli said the additional positions are needed to manage the offices current caseload. Weve got a lot of really good attorneys in our office, but if theyre handling 200 cases a year it begs the question of, how can you process that many cases? Campanelli said during a Nov. 14 committee meeting. Amy Campanelli is the director of the Muskegon County Public Defender's Office.Kayla Tucker The new positions are: Four assistant public defenders Assistant public defender research attorney Legal secretary Legal investigator Paralegal Retention and recruitment specialist Administrative assistant The department currently has 36 full-time and 12 part-time employees. When I came in five months ago, we were understaffed, Campanelli said, who previously held the same job in Cook County before taking over Muskegons office this summer. Campanelli said the MIDC guidelines are that public defenders who handle felony cases are only supposed to take 150 cases a year, while those who handle misdemeanors are limited to 400 per year. One of my lawyers had over 400 felony (cases), Campanelli said. I dont like to say this, but thats not effective representation. You need time with your clients, you need time to investigate your case, you need time to go over the voluminous amounts of digital discovery that we receive. She also said certain kinds of cases can only be handled by attorneys with the right experience. Campanelli said her office recently interviewed with 19 law school students and she intends to bring new hires from out of state to staff the office. Im excited to get these folks hired and really build this office to be the best public defenders office in the state, she said. Two commissioners voted down the positions, even though the motion still passed in a 5-2 vote. District 1 Commissioner Kim Cyr said he didnt agree with the decision because he didnt want to grow government and that the number of positions were an overkill. Board Chair and District Commissioner Charles Nash said he felt the addition of the jobs would be doing the opposite of growing government, specifically by alleviating the jail population and making a case for the prosecutors office to receive grant funding for similar needs. I think these are some battles weve been fighting over the years and we werent really getting funding for it, so I want to give big ups to (Amy Campanelli) and I appreciate her experience and her knowledge and understanding of how this office needs to run and make this work, Nash said. We can get them to understand just as much it takes defense, it also takes prosecution. A portion of the grant, $44,521, was also approved to be used to pay for the attorneys annual liability insurance. Campanelli said the pay for each of the 10 new positions could differ depending on the experience each attorney brings to the table. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. Courtesy photo Courtesy photo Courtesy photo Bangladesh, a country surrounded on three sides by India and by the Bay of Bengal on the fourth side, has been in tumult since July. And the effects are far-reaching, significantly impacting Metro Detroits large Bangladeshi-American community. The relatively young country achieved independence from Pakistan in 1971. For the past 15 years, the country has experienced harsh authoritarian rule, which ended in July with a student-led uprising. In addition to authoritarianism, the students were protesting a government policy which reserved a quota of certain jobs for descendants of fighters in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. With a shortage of jobs throughout the country, many students are upset with the lack of employment opportunities. The Bangladesh government, led by now-ousted leader Sheikh Hasina, instituted a violent crackdown on the protests which left many students dead. Hasina is now in exile in India while Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leads an interim government. The Bangladeshi diaspora, particularly students in more than one hundred universities across the United States, played a crucial role in this movement, said Bangladeshi expat Sajjad Ahamed, who is also a doctoral degree student in political science at Wayne State University. They demonstrated widespread support for the anti-government protests. In Hamtramck, Warren and Sterling Heights, large Bangladeshi communities could feel the reverberations from the protests back home. Like many other Bangladeshi expats, Nujhat Riya spent the first few weeks of the student protests in a panic. In 2018, while still living in Bangladesh, she had participated in student-led protests of the government, so she knew what was likely happening back home. When the protests began, the government restricted all phone and internet communications and Riya was desperate for news from her parents. I was continuously on the phone for days hoping to get new updates, said Riya, who has been an engineering student since she arrived in the United States in 2021. I kept wondering if my family was alive and if they were ok. I knew if I had stayed there, I wouldve joined the protest, and theres a chance that I would be dead by now. Once they were sure of their family's and friends safety, many Metro Detroit Bangladeshis began to speak up against Hasinas violent response to the protests. Community organizer Munni Rahman came to the United States with her family when she was in the third grade. As an administrator of a Bangladeshi-focused Facebook group, she used that platform to raise awareness about the situation. Instead of trying to communicate with the students, the government responded with violence and force. Rahman said. It led to the students being massacred. Delwar Ansar, a member of the Warren Planning Commission, also took to social media with a campaign to expose what was happening at the hands of the government. In addition, he, Rahman and Riya helped to organize a series of rallies in support of the students. Held in July and August, each rally attracted about 1,000 attendees, while a rally on Aug. 5 celebrating the fall of the government drew 6,000. These activities were met with both support and opposition in Metro Detroit and Bangladesh. Its very apparent who supports which party, said Rahman, referring to the three main political parties in Bangladesh. And since Ive been outspoken in my support for the students, some people have changed the way they act towards me. People who dont support the students have targeted those who do. A lot of us were getting threats. Both Rahman and Ansar knew that their activities would also make them a target if they ever tried to travel to Bangladesh under Hasinas government. I raised my voice against injustice, Ansar said. I knew that while the old government was in power, that I could never return to Bangladesh. I would have been jailed. Once Riya reconnected with her family in Bangladesh, she also began to see a split in the community. Some of us have been attacked based on our political view, Riya said. We are a very small community and we should be united, not divided. We need to respect each others opinions and freedom of speech. Rahman echoed Riyas concerns about conflict in the community. Many of the people she works with have become divided based on their support, or lack of support, for the student movement in Bangladesh. My interactions with people have shifted, Rahman said. Now I try to interact with others on a human level to connect on an issue that we both care about. In addition, both Riya and Rahman noted that these political disagreements were also heightened by the contentious U.S. presidential election. These divisions, along with the threat of reprisal has not deterred many activists, who are committed to continuing their work. You cannot kill someone for raising their voice, Ansar said. Its my civic duty to step in and help when unlawful things happen. With Yunus interim government now in power, the Metro Detroit Bangladeshi community is looking to the future with hope. Tensions still exist in Bangladesh, but there is a strong hope for positive reformations in politics soon, Ahamed said. Its hope in the younger generation that sustains many activists cautious positivity. The students in Bangladesh are very politically aware, Rahman said. That makes me hopeful for the future. Riya also noted the students persistence in achieving their goals. The whole country is relying on the students, she said. The government tried to stop them, but they couldnt. I have faith in the young generation they are very smart. In the United States, the Bangladeshi community also will need to work on bridging the political divide that has separated the community. Now its time to put our personal likes and dislikes aside and put our country first, Riya said. We need to respect each other. The head of Buffalos water and sewer operations is leaving for a similar post in Houston. Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said Oluwole A. OJ McFoy will step down as general manager of the Buffalo Sewer Authority and chairman of the Buffalo Water Board. McFoy has accepted a job as city engineer in Houston. Scanlon said in a news released he planned to meet with his administration to discuss the future of both public authorities and find open, honest and transparent leadership that will deliver a seamless transition into a new era of service excellence to our ratepayers. Asked if he will appoint one person to run both the Water Board and Buffalo Sewer, Scanlon told The Buffalo News Thusday, I havent even spoken to OJ yet. So again, were looking at this. Were looking at the Sewer Board, the Water Board, all of it, the general manager. And again, were going to try and get creative and do things as efficiently and effectively as possible. Under McFoy, the Water Board faced intense criticism over its failure to adequately inform the public in 2015 that it had stopped adding fluoride to the drinking water of more than 250,000 city residents. The cavity-fighting mineral was not returned to drinking water until September 2024 with the addition of a new fluoridation system. A licensed professional engineer, McFoy has been with Buffalo Sewer since 2006 and was chief engineer and chief financial officer prior to being appointed general manager and chief executive officer in 2015. He earned $130,714 from the Sewer Authority in 2023, according to See Through NY data. He was appointed in 2007 as chairman of the Buffalo Water Board, an unpaid position. The Water Board relies on an outside vendor, Veolia, to manage the citys water system. McFoys hiring was announced Wednesday in Houston as part of a reorganization of Houston Public Works, the largest public works agency in the country. Houston Mayor John Whitmire appointed Randy Macchi, a non-engineer, as public works director to work alongside McFoy, who will oversee engineering responsibilities on water distribution, wastewater purification, waste and storm water management, roads and bridges, and capital improvements for the nations third most populous city. McFoy is scheduled to begin in Houston on Jan. 2, said Erin Jones, communications director for Houston Public Works. A news release from Buffalo Sewer Authority said McFoy will earn $280,000 in Houston, where public works has a $3 billion annual operating budget and 3,900 employees. McFoy did not respond Thursday to requests by The Buffalo News to be interviewed. In a news release, he said it has been a privilege to serve the Buffalo community and lead the dedicated team at Buffalo Sewer. I am immensely proud of the progress we have achieved together and confident that Buffalo Sewer will continue to excel in delivering exceptional service to its customers, he said. The News revealed in 2023 that the city had discontinued adding fluoride seven years before. The Water Board had only mentioned that to customers in a sentence in small type in the boards annual water quality reports. Neither the Water Board, nor the city, had otherwise alerted residents about the lack of fluoride, which was paused while water officials reviewed whether a new type of fluoride delivery system would corrode lead pipes and cause high lead levels in drinking water, as happened in Flint, Mich., and other places. Even many dentists werent aware of the change, and The News reports led to a public outcry and a class-action lawsuit alleging the city and Water Board were negligent and created a public health issue. When asked in September whether residents were owed an apology, McFoy defended the actions of the city and the Water Board, saying they had done their due diligence to protect public health and ensure that water consumers were not exposed to high lead levels after changing how the water was treated. At a Water Board meeting Wednesday, McFoy reiterated that the city has been very proactive in properly maintaining its distribution lines and corrosion control and not allowing lead to leach into drinking water. Tens of thousands of lead service lines that are many decades old continue to distribute water into city homes, and the city employs an orthophosphate treatment that coats the interior surfaces of pipes and plumbing fixtures to prevent lead from leaching and potentially poisoning water consumers. Weve been very safe in how we pursue any changes here at the facility, and we just center public health and will continue to do that, he said. Fluoride routinely is added to public water systems to help prevent cavities and the Centers for Disease Control deemed community water fluoridation as one of the 10 best public health achievements of the 20th century. But Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, has publicly opposed adding fluoride to water systems, sparking new debate about whether it is necessary in an age when fluoride is readily available in toothpastes and other forms. In Houston, the city does not add fluoride to its drinking water. During McFoys tenure, Buffalo Sewer has been working toward meeting an Environmental Protection Agency compliance order to dramatically limit the number of combined sewer overflow events that dump millions of gallons of stormwater and raw sewage into the Niagara River and other area waterways. McFoy said last month in a news conference that more than 50 constructions projects at a cost of more than $1 billion would be needed to meet the EPAs requirements over the next 15 years. Already underway are upgrades at the Bird Island Wastewater Treatment Facility, to be done in three phases with an anticipated total cost of $250 million. Staff reporter Deidre Williams contributed to this story. News / Agriculture by Gideon Madzikatidze Zimbabwean women have been urged to join the feed and fodder sector to improve productivity, widen untapped market and arrest impacts of climate change whilst special focus will be on aggregation, contracting and raising investments. Speaking this Thursday in Harare, Feed and Fodder Business Development Expert, David Maina has announced that women should be fully given an opportunity to showcase their capacity and capability to contribute towards economic development of their respective societies."It is important to consider and fully empower women by giving them opportunity to contribute towards growth of their economies through joining feed and fodder production as both investment and part of the value chain," Maina said."In the wake of El-Nino induced drought, women especially smallholder farmers, should devise means to improve and ensure resilience in terms of livestock production," Maina added."Women should also be actively and meaningfully involved in the enterprise which focuses on lucerne. On feed and fodder production, we are focusing on aggregation, contracting and raising investments," Maina added.Meanwhile, Dr Sthokozile Sibanda who is the Director for Livestock Production and Development in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has welcomed the partnership with other stakeholders under the African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for animal resources (AU-IBAR) describing the ongoing workshop as a relief to livestock farmers throughout the country."As you know that the country has lost a sizeable number of livestock as a result of El-Nino induced drought, it has come as a relief for formers who might have lost their herds through scarcity of feed and other essentials for livestock production," Sibanda said."This has been a platform for engagement on the value chain. As you know that livestock farmers depend heavily on feed and fodder, this would help in ensuring economic development," Sibanda added.The reason why farmers should invest in feed and fodder is because; due to increasing reliance on cultivated fodder and manufactured feed there is need for climate variability (climate change), the untapped market potential where smallholder farmers dominate livestock production but lack access to affordable quality feed.Concerning technological advancements, there is need to embrace emerging technologies for feed production and processing which offer growth opportunities. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept News / National by Staff reporter Vitens Evides International (VEI), a Dutch water utility company, has reassured Bulawayo residents that its proposed framework for managing the city's water and sanitation services will not involve privatisation.The assurance came during a Water Financing Indaba hosted by the Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR) and the Bulawayo Water Assembly (BUWA) on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube, councillors, residents, and water management experts.Public Ownership GuaranteedVEI Project Manager Robson Manatsa emphasised that the proposed utility would remain a public entity wholly owned by the City of Bulawayo."The utility we are advising the City of Bulawayo to form is not privatisation. It will be a public entity, wholly owned by the council, with no provision for shareholder dilution. Residents should not fear that a private entity will take over Bulawayo's water supply," Manatsa stated.He addressed concerns that had arisen from misconceptions about the council's resolution."I've heard in the press that the City Council plans to privatise water services. That is incorrect. The council resolution we have states that the utility will be owned by the council," Manatsa clarified.Aimed at Sustainability and Service DeliveryIn early 2024, the City Council resolved to restructure its water management departments to create a streamlined system focused on sustainability and improved service delivery. Manatsa explained that the new utility would function as a corporatised unit under council ownership, integrating seamlessly with existing council operations and finances."The goal of the public entity is to ensure sustainability and enhance service delivery. From the outside, the City of Bulawayo will still appear as the provider of water, but within its setup, there will be a corporatised unit managing water supply," he said.He added that the utility's financial performance would be transparent and reflected in the council's consolidated financial statements."If the utility generates $1 million, for example, that will be reflected in the city's finances. Since it's 100% owned by the council, residents will still hold their councillors and mayor accountable for water-related issues," Manatsa said.Tariffs and EfficiencyManatsa assured residents that the restructuring would not lead to increased tariffs and might even lower costs over time due to improved efficiency."Our expectation is to become more efficient, potentially even lowering costs over time. Based on our analysis, it's feasible to set up a financially viable utility without increasing current tariffs," he said.Call for Community InputResidents were encouraged to contribute their views during the planning process, which includes collaboration with experts to ensure the model's financial viability."We are engaging experts and seeking your input because we recognize the concerns about such projects. Before the city approves this plan, we aim to ensure it is financially sustainable for everyone involved," Manatsa said.VEI has also developed a live financial model to guide the city and the utility toward maintaining affordability and efficiency."This is a journey, but we've seen that it's possible to achieve financial viability without burdening residents. The utility will be designed to serve the people of Bulawayo efficiently and affordably," Manatsa concluded.Community ReactionsResidents expressed cautious optimism about the proposal, emphasizing the need for transparency and community involvement throughout the process. The Indaba ended with commitments from all stakeholders to prioritize Bulawayo's long-term water security while safeguarding public interests. News / National by Staff reporter The Cuban ambassador to Mozambique, Jorge Lopez, yesterday (19.11) presented a congratulatory message from Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel to Daniel Chapo on his election as President of the Republic in the elections held last October, the Frelimo website reports.According to the message presented by Jorge Lopez, Daniel Chapo's election is unequivocal proof of the people's support for Frelimo and its candidate. The message also points out that this victory also has a strong meaning for the Cuban Communist Party, which has friendly and cooperative relations with Frelimo and Mozambique.The Cuban ambassador assured that his country is interested in continuing to cooperate with Mozambique in education, sports, technology and the health sector. Jorge Lopez was joined by Henry Lopez, President of the Cuban Medical Cooperation, who reiterated his party's commitment to medical solidarity in Mozambique.In turn, Daniel Chapo expressed his gratitude for the long and historic friendship with Cuba, recalling that it was in that country that the young people of the March 8 Generation were trained, who served on several fronts of the country's development shortly after national independence.Daniel Chapo also praised the presence of Cuban doctors in the country, who have supported the National Health System in the treatment of various illnesses. He reiterated his desire to consolidate relations of cooperation and friendship with Cuba, a sister country that has always worked side by side with Mozambique.Daniel Chapo also received congratulations from Libya, through its Ambassador to Mozambique, Saleh Elbuaishi, who reiterated his country's commitment to the development of Mozambique.The Libyan ambassador said that his country is interested in resuming strategic projects for economic and social development in Mozambique, with emphasis on rice production.Daniel Chapo thanked the Libyan government for its gesture and said that his priority was to boost friendly and cooperative relations with that country, which has concrete projects for Mozambique in the agricultural sector and beyond. News / National by Staff reporter A convoy of seven Honda Fit vehicles disrupted normalcy outside City Hall this afternoon as unidentified youths staged a flash demonstration to denounce alleged corruption by city councillors and the contentious operations of the traffic management company, Tendy Three Investment (TTI).Displaying placards with bold messages, the demonstrators made their grievances known. Some of the placards read: "Let's fight corruption in Bulawayo," "One thing for sure, to hell with CCC," "Bulawayo is zero tolerant to corruption," "Asifuni bumbulu, no to CCC," and "Citizens Coalition for Corruption."The group arrived at City Hall, honking their car horns and circling the front office roundabout. Their actions drew the attention of shoppers and council employees, sparking widespread curiosity and conversation about their demands.Speaking anonymously, one protester expressed frustration over what he called a "culture of corruption" among city councillors. "Enough is enough. We are tired of this corruption by these councillors who are supposed to shun such vices," he said.Another demonstrator alleged that councillors were soliciting bribes as high as USD $20,000 and pointed fingers at a deputy mayor, though he did not provide further details or his identity.The flash protesters also condemned TTI, accusing the company of exploiting motorists through unfair practices and bribery. "TTI staff are terrorising innocent motorists, including senior citizens. We are trying to make an honest living, but the little we make is taken through bribes," lamented another demonstrator.Mr. Winos Dube, chairperson of the Bulawayo Residents' Association (BURA), commented on the demonstration, suggesting the youths were responding to growing dissatisfaction with council operations. "I'm sure they are expressing frustration over what is not going well within the city," he said.The protest adds to the mounting scrutiny over corruption allegations in Bulawayo's local government. The city council and TTI have yet to comment on the incident. Opinion / Columnist The recent cholera outbreak in Gache Gache Fishing Camp, located in Kariba District, has thrust the community into a state of crisis, claiming one life and leaving five others battling the disease. This tragic incident sheds light on the perils of cholera, especially in communities lacking basic sanitation and access to clean water. It underscores the importance of proactive measures and swift action from the government, health organizations, and communities to prevent further tragedies.Cholera, caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, is a deadly disease that spreads mainly through contaminated water or food. Its symptoms include severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and rapid dehydration, often resulting in shock, organ failure, and death if left untreated. The disease flourishes in environments plagued by poor sanitation, contaminated water, and inadequate waste management, conditions that are unfortunately common in many rural and underdeveloped regions.The outbreak in Gache Gache Fishing Camp is a grim reminder of how quickly cholera can take hold in vulnerable areas. The fishing camp, home to seasonal fishermen and their families, often lacks stable infrastructure and essential services, leaving residents exposed to health risks. Limited access to clean water and inadequate waste disposal creates a breeding ground for cholera and other infectious diseases. This outbreak highlights the urgent need for robust monitoring systems and rapid response mechanisms to prevent the spread of such diseases.The speed with which cholera can devastate a community is alarming. Within hours of infection, individuals can experience severe symptoms that lead to life-threatening dehydration. Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible due to their limited capacity to recover from rapid fluid loss. Even for those who receive medical attention, the journey to recovery is arduous, requiring intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and other supportive care. In the absence of adequate healthcare facilities and resources, the consequences can be fatal.Karibas cholera outbreak raises pressing concerns about the availability of clean water in rural Zimbabwe. Many communities rely on unregulated and contaminated sources such as rivers and lakes for drinking water. Without proper sanitation systems, human waste contaminates these water bodies, creating an ideal environment for the cholera bacterium to thrive. In Gache Gache, seasonal migration and overcrowding exacerbate these challenges, facilitating the rapid spread of the disease.Beyond the immediate health impact, cholera outbreaks place immense strain on local healthcare systems. Rural health centres, often underfunded and understaffed, struggle to cope with sudden influxes of patients during outbreaks. This leads to delays in treatment, insufficient medical supplies, and stretched healthcare personnel, further endangering lives. The economic toll is also significant, as affected individuals are unable to work, and families bear the burden of medical costs.Despite its devastating effects, cholera is entirely preventable with the right measures. Access to clean water and proper sanitation is key. Communities need reliable systems for safe waste disposal, water treatment, and hygiene education. Simple practices such as boiling water, washing hands with soap, and using latrines can significantly reduce the risk of cholera transmission. Public health campaigns must focus on educating residents about these preventive measures, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families.Providing clean water is among the most effective ways to combat cholera. Water treatment initiatives, such as chlorination, can eliminate harmful bacteria and prevent outbreaks. Investments in infrastructure, including improved sewage systems and sanitation facilities, are crucial to reducing water contamination. Local governments, in collaboration with international health organizations, must prioritize these initiatives in high-risk areas to prevent future outbreaks.Education plays a pivotal role in cholera prevention. Many rural communities remain unaware of the dangers of contaminated water and the importance of proper hygiene. Public health campaigns should inform people about the symptoms of cholera, how it spreads, and basic preventive steps. Empowering communities with this knowledge can lead to behaviour changes that significantly reduce the risk of outbreaks.Vaccination is another tool in the fight against cholera. While not a cure-all, the cholera vaccine provides a layer of protection in areas where outbreaks are frequent. It offers short-term immunity, protecting individuals and communities from the disease and buying time for longer-term solutions to be implemented.The cholera outbreak in Gache Gache Fishing Camp is a sobering reminder that no community is immune to this deadly disease. It serves as a wake-up call for authorities and health organizations to prioritize sanitation, clean water access, and public health education. With the right policies, investments, and community engagement, cholera outbreaks can be prevented, sparing lives and reducing suffering.Tackling cholera requires a holistic approach. Improving water management, upgrading sanitation infrastructure, raising public health awareness, and ensuring timely medical responses are essential components of a comprehensive strategy. The time for complacency is over; cholera is a preventable disease, and with concerted efforts, it can be eradicated from our communities.The tragedy in Kariba offers a valuable lesson: proactive and sustained measures are essential to protect vulnerable populations. Governments must invest in long-term solutions to improve water and sanitation infrastructure, while international organizations should support these efforts through funding, expertise, and emergency response capabilities. Public health education campaigns must continue to raise awareness and encourage behavioural changes that reduce the risk of infection.By learning from the Gache Gache outbreak, we can ensure that no more lives are lost to preventable diseases like cholera. With leadership, resources, and community involvement, we can create a future where cholera outbreaks are a thing of the past and where every community has access to the clean water and sanitation they deserve. This is not just a public health issue; it is a matter of human dignity and a call to action for a better future for all. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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During this license year, the first opportunity is this Saturday, November 23, and the second chance will be on Saturday, April 12. The November date will allow participants to chase opportunities in waterfowl, upland and small game hunting, while the April date occurs in time for turkey and wild pigs. According to the Department of Fish and Wildlfe, requirements for participation include proof of completion of a hunter education course, possession of a valid Free Hunt Days registration and any required tags, federal entitlements and entry permits. All hunting participants in Free Hunting Days must be accompanied someone at least 21 years of age who holds a valid California hunting license. More information can be found by clicking here. SUV crashes into Valley Springs restaurant -- CCF photo View Photos Valley Springs, CAImagine suddenly seeing a vehicle heading straight for the building while eating at a restaurantthat is what happened to patrons of a Valley Springs eatery. On Wednesday (11/20) afternoon, Calaveras Consolidated Fire (CCF) responded to an SUV that had crashed into the front of Good Friends Chinese Restaurant at 9 California Street, along the Highway 12 and 26 intersection. After firefighters evacuated the restaurant, a county building inspector was called to evaluate whether there was any structural damage. They determined there were no structural integrity issues. Then, according to fire officials, a building contractor boarded up the front of the restaurant, allowing the eatery to reopen. The CHP reports it was a non-injury collision and the cause is under investigation. Harare In a significant development, Emmanuel Jay Banda, a Zambian Member of Parliament with a substantial bounty on his head, has been arrested in Zimbabwe. The arrest, announced by Zambias Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu on Wednesday, concludes a months-long manhunt for the fugitive lawmaker. Banda, the MP for Petauke Central in eastern Zambia, had been on the run since escaping from Chipata General Hospital in Lusaka in August. His escape occurred shortly after 10 PM on August 4th, allegedly via a third-floor window, despite being guarded by five officers two police officers and three prison officers. He was awaiting trial on charges of aggravated robbery and attempted murder, stemming from an incident in December 2015. The charges relate to a robbery at Mzigawa Primary School in the Vubwi district, where items valued at approximately Kwacha 12,000 (around US$435) were stolen. Court documents detail the stolen property as a Canon camera (K10,000), spectacles (K1,800), two bank cards, and K200 in cash. The victim of this alleged robbery is identified as Peter Sukwa Muchelenga. Bandas initial arrest took place in June of this year, prior to his hospital escape. Following his escape, Zambian police launched a widespread search, offering a substantial reward of Kwacha 2 million (approximately US$72,000) for information leading to his apprehension. Minister Mwiimbu, speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, confirmed that Zimbabwean police apprehended Banda in Harare on Tuesday. He was apprehended while residing in a rented flat in the Zimbabwean capital. Banda will remain in Harare while the necessary extradition procedures are completed, the minister stated. The escape from lawful custody has resulted in an additional charge being added to those already facing Banda. This new charge further complicates his legal situation and adds another layer to the already serious allegations against him. The Zambian government will now work closely with Zimbabwean authorities to ensure his swift return to Zambia to face justice. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Bird Song of the Day Northern Mockingbird, Richard W. DeKorte Park, Bergen, New Jersey, United States. I love how its song includes sirens. The reason why became obvious as I listened to sirens coming from the Turnpike. * * * In Case You Might Miss * * * 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 Gaetz withdraws as Trumps pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the Senate [Associated Press]. The Florida Republicans announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, Gaetz said in a statement announcing his decision. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trumps DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. Trump, in a social media post, said: I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!' Gracefully done probably those Venmo transactions* did it but I hate this play in the Democrat Playbook so much because its one more way for the Democrat Party which has a (white) (male) workplace abuser as an honored and much-loved party elder to avoid talking about policy (i.e. universal concrete material benefits (i.e. the working class)). And of course the moral preening is offensive. On the bright side, it looks like we wont have a populist anti-truster at Justice (unless Trump does the unexpected). NOTE * One of the many advantages of our cash-free future! Republicans Must Defend Matt Gaetz To End The Use Of Salacious Lies As A Political Weapon [The Federalist]. The claims against Gaetz are but another information operation, however, mirroring the ones that previously targeted Donald Trump and Brett Kavanaugh. And this pattern will continue unabated unless Americans unflinchingly condemn the tactic no matter the target. We should have learned this lesson from Donald Trumps first presidential run and time in office. From Crossfire Hurricane, to the pee-tape dossier, to Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation, unsupported and unbelievable accusations leaked to the public hampered Trumps ability to advance his agenda. Time and again the charges proved unfounded, and yet in advance of the 2024 election, the lawfare continued. The country, however, had wised up by then and recognized the various criminal and civil charges leveled against Trump for what they were: an effort to interfere in the election. Why then is anyone giving credence to the accusations against Gaetz, especially given the FBI after thoroughly investigating the matter for two years decided not to charge Gaetz? Strange bedfellows, Lambert and The Federalist, though here we are. (My position, however, is that even salacious truths should be deweaponized (adult to adult, consensual being the standard. Im sure Roger Stone would agree with me.). 4 Trump administration picks have sexual misconduct allegations in their past [CBS]. Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Elon Musk are all in line to serve as top government leaders. All have faced varying degrees of sexual misconduct allegations. The presidents picks to carry out his agenda reflect an incoming administration hostile to the norms of the Me Too movement. Ah yes. #MeToo. Remember Times Up? Good times. Anyhow: Behavior that might have gotten a person fired or canceled (or not nominated to a cabinet position) over the last several years, appears to be less problematic in the Trump 2.0 era. Machismo was often a centerpiece of Trumps appeal to voters during the 2024 campaign. He regularly spoke about toughness whether that trait applied to his immigration policy, combating illicit drug trade or surviving two assassination attempts. Wrestler Hulk Hogan delivered a primetime speech at the Republican National Convention, ripping off his shirt while lavishing praise on the nominee. And Trump also spent time on right-leaning podcasts with largely male audiences. His entreaties to male culture paid off in November. Male culture. Huh? Is that a thing now? Donald Trump gets a brutal reality check [Politico]. Donald Trump is not a monarch. Thats the unmistakable lesson of the ill-fated nomination of Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Rather than showcasing Trumps absolute power over his GOP allies, it revealed his limits. The doomed nomination lasted just eight days and its failure is an unwelcome lesson for the president-elect, who has been projecting invincibility and claiming a historic mandate despite his reed-thin popular vote victory. Though Republicans will control both chambers of Congress, the resistance from Senate Republicans to Gaetzs nomination proved that there are still some checks on Trump no matter how limited that can hold, despite fear on the left that he will squeeze Congress into submission, get carte blanche from the conservative-dominated Supreme Court and enact his agenda at will. I think it shows that Donald Trump cannot get anything [that is, everything] he wants, said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California-Berkeley School of Law. But Chemerinsky and others cautioned against extrapolating too much from the Gaetz debacle he was so uniquely despised and compromised by legal and political scandal. But the facts here are so egregious, and Gaetz so unqualified, that I would be cautious in generalizing too much from it.' By unqualified we mean populist, of course * * * Trump taps Russ Vought, one of the authors of Project 2025, to lead budget office again [CBS]. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Russ Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget, according to two sources close to the transition. If confirmed, this will be Voughts second time in the role. He served as OMB director during Trumps first term, too. Earlier in the Trump administration, Vought was deputy OMB director and acting director. Before he joined the first Trump White House Vought was vice president of Heritage Action for America, which leads a grassroots effort to implement conservative policies across the U.S. It produces a conservative scorecard that grades members of Congress on their votes on conservative bills. Vought wrote a chapter of The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 blueprint his chapter covers the Executive Office of the President. The OMB directors office develops the presidents proposed budget, and its responsible for executing the presidents agenda across the federal government. Dr. Oz [Daring Fireball]. I met Dr. Oz ten years ago. It was after the Apple event on Tuesday, 9 September 2014, at the Flint Center in Cupertino. I had a one-on-one off-the-record briefing with Jony Ive. While I was waiting for my briefing with Ive, the only other person from the media waiting with me was Oz. Its a weird thing to be alone, effectively, with someone of Ozs celebrity. Its like being in a room with a million dollars in $100 bills stacked in a perfectly-arranged pyramid. No matter how you to try to direct your attention, your mind keeps popping back to Holy shit, theres a million dollars in cash right there. His hair was perfect. We spent an unceasingly awkward 10 minutes. He never shut up. He chattered, nonstop, with inane observations, like Hey, look at that one, its orange! Whats that one, leather? He was not talking to me, nor was he, really, talking to himself. It was like he was talking to a TV camera, as though we were being filmed for B-roll footage for his show but there was no camera. It was just me and him, standing around that table exhibiting dozens of Apple Watch prototypes that we were unable to touch. I came away with the impression that Mehmet Oz was, despite his well-deserved medical renown, preternaturally vapid and preening, and, thus, to me, an incongruous figure. Simultaneously a brilliant mind in the field of thoracic surgery, and yet dumb as a rock in everyday human interaction. I spent the first few minutes with him wondering if I should introduce myself. I spent the last few glad I hadnt, because he was so obviously a staggeringly uninteresting and uninterested man. Not the only one. * * * Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy: The DOGE Plan to Reform Government [Wall Street Journal]. Most legal edicts arent laws enacted by Congress but rules and regulations promulgated by unelected bureaucratstens of thousands of them each year. Most government enforcement decisions and discretionary expenditures arent made by the democratically elected president or even his political appointees but by millions of unelected, unappointed civil servants within government agencies who view themselves as immune from firing thanks to civil-service protections. This is antidemocratic and antithetical to the Founders vision. It imposes massive direct and indirect costs on taxpayers. Thankfully, we have a historic opportunity to solve the problem. Highlights from MSN: According to Musk and Ramaswamy, the group will leverage recent Supreme Court rulings, such as West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency and Loper Bright v. Raimondo, to target regulations that lack clear congressional approval . We will focus particularly on driving change through executive action based on existing legislation rather than by passing new laws, they wrote, describing the US Constitution as their North Star.' Hilariously, they steal a liberal Democrat trope (which Ive always hated because it doesnt mean anything). More: One of their first initiatives involves identifying regulations that Trump could nullify immediately through executive action. These, they argued, would free businesses and individuals from the constraints of illicit regulations and stimulate the economy. 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, they noted. Acknowledging the likelihood of political and legal pushback, Musk and Ramaswamy expressed confidence in their mandate. With a decisive electoral mandate and a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, DOGE has a historic opportunity for structural reductions in the federal government, they declared. The authors set an ambitious deadline of July 4, 2026, to finalise their reforms, framing their mission as a transformative effort to restore governance to its constitutional roots. We expect to prevail, they concluded, signalling their readiness to confront entrenched interests in Washington. Id like it if DOGE would unleash Lina Khan and the NLRB, and stop protecting the crypto bros, but none of that seems likely to happen. Could Trump actually get rid of the Department of Education? [Vox]. Even without literally shutting the doors to the federal agency, there could be ways a Trump administration could hollow the DOE and do significant damage, Valant and Kettl said. The administration could require the agency to cut the roles of agency employees, particularly those who ideologically disagree with the administration. It could also appoint officials with limited (or no) education expertise, hampering the departments day-to-day work. Trump officials could also attempt changes to the departments higher education practices. The department is one of several state and nongovernmental institutions involved in college accreditation, for example and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) has threatened to weaponize the accreditation process against universities he believes to be too woke. Finally, Trump could use the departments leadership role to affect policy indirectly: Theres power that comes from just communicating to states what you would like to see being taught in schools, Valant said. And there are a lot of state leaders around the country who seem ready to follow that lead. Trumps plans for the department will likely become clearer during [Linda] McMahons confirmation hearings. She has been an advocate for the school choice movement, and posted praise for the hands-on education gained through apprenticeships shortly before her nomination was made public. 2024 Post Mortem Deploy the Blame Cannons! The Time-Honored Tradition of Blaming the Left for Democratic Defeats [Kate Aronoff, The New Republic]. 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. The PMC, as it does now. Next question: 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. Commentary: At a post-election DSCC briefing with winning Dem candidates. Elissa Slotkin: I personally think that identity politics needs to go the way of the dodo. Dems should take language not from the faculty lounge, but the assembly line. David Weigel (@daveweigel) November 19, 2024 Slotkin is a CIA Democrat, and this is in fact how a spook would think. You want to win the moustache vote? Put on a fake moustache (and take it off when your tour of duty is done). On the Democratic Partys Cult of Powerlessness [Matt Stoller, BIG]. Anti-monopoly policy is immensely popular, and there hasnt been an administration as aggressive on antitrust in our lifetimes as there was under Joe Biden. Yet, voters soundly rejected his successor, Kamala Harris, and thrashed the party in power. And while anti-monopoly politics sits uneasily in the Democratic Party, that is where it sits. Lina Khan, Rohit Chopra and Jonathan Kanter will be out of power soon. So what happened? And why did Democrats lose so badly? I dont think the answer is simple, nor is it right to characterize the problem as solely one involving the Democratic Party. In 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, voters have voted against the incumbent party. If you look at the recriminations among Democrats, they reveal, unwittingly, a broad theme that Ive noticed with roots that go back to the middle of the 20th century. And while these observations are focused on Democrats, people on the right will recognize in their institutions a similar set of challenges. [A]s I watch the angry back and forth, and more broadly the institutional actors who were rejected by voters, I find a curious dynamic that explains far more than any tactical mistake. From local field organizers to the most prestigious people in the Democratic Party, like Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama, all seem to feel powerless . I would argue thats because the PMC, as a class, functions and has the strength to govern, but not to rule. And with respect to the ruling class, the governing class is helpless, especially with the Gini co-efficient where it is. More: the Democratic Party in 2024, with its associated law firms, think tanks, elected officials, donors, and media outlets, was rejected by voters precisely because the core value on the left, center, and right is about embracing powerlessness. This pervasive belief has an intellectual and political origin, and it conflicts directly with the anti-monopoly framework. To govern is to choose (apparently Pierre Mendes France said this). Im not sure I agree that the choice to do nothing is the same as powerlessness, as Stoller would have it. That said, it is true that I among others need to give an account of why the Biden Administration allowed Khan to, in Stollers framing, reject powerlessness as she did. (My theory was that all the big cases had a long way to run, and when settlement time came, Biden would step in, cut a deal, and cash in. Looks like thats not happening with the Google case, though.) Harris is Democrats preferred choice for 2028: Poll [The Hill]. Thats only because the leadership hasnt told them yet who their preferred choice should be. The #Resistance Trumps Cabinet Blitz Is Straight From Orbans Playbook (interview) [Kim Lane Scheppele, Bloomberg (VerifyFirst)]. Scheppele bio. On resistance: If youre civil society in the US, or the Democratic Party, how do you put the brakes on this rush to authoritarianism? [SCHEPPELE:] The first thing you have to do is call it out. You cant accept any of it as normal. You have to object every single time. Its tedious and its time-consuming and its nerve-wracking. But you have to call it out. The second thing is to realize that just because something is legal doesnt make it right. And you have to start thinking that way. Im a long-time legalist who always thought that you follow the law because its the law and because it is the right thing to do. But if the law is written by people who are trying to conquer you, who are trying to take away your freedom, then are you really as obligated to follow that law? Im certainly not advocating violence, but you need a different attitude toward this kind of instrumental legality that they use to lock themselves in power. At the very least you resist. And then you try to use whatever democratic means you have left to change it. Are there extra-legal ways to address it? [SCHEPPELE:] We still have federalism. Ive been reading about blue-state attorneys general getting together, the way the red-state attorneys general have already done, to think about how to resist these attacks, to beef up state governments to provide a face of resistance, to shore up the civil sector with private donations or whatever. Its going to require a lot of mobilization. You cant just mobilize for an election cycle and then demobilize. In Poland, once the autocratic takeover occurred, masses of people went to the streets every time there was a new law. And they were much more successful than the Hungarians. Here in the US, all the groups that worked together in the last election cant stand down. They need to stand up for the mass pushback thats required to prevent autocracy from being imposed in the United States. Let me pause here to quote Scheppele on Maidan: So fast forward to 2014, theres a kind of revolution. Many people may remember the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians that showed up in Maidan Square in Kiev, and basically toppled the corrupt Russian-backed government. Naive at best (though to be fair to Scheppele, a reasonable search turned up a lot of academic connections, but nothing explicitly spook-related, like an Atlantic Council fellowship or something). In any case, all this sounds very color-revolution-ish (a state capacity I speculated on here). And from the same interview, here is Scheppele on NGOs, since NGOs have played, and are playing, such a large role in Color Revolutions worldwide: The phrase Defund the Left has been around for quite some time in right-wing US circles. As the GOP grows overtly authoritarian, there are lots of institutions whose funding they can attack. [SCHEPPELE:] Thats right. And thats probably how it would happen if theyre copying Orban. The way Orban did it, there were lots of things that were state-funded, and he defunded everything that wasnt supportive of him. There are a lot of places where thats going to be true in the US. Im sitting here in a university, and universities, even private universities, get huge amounts of funding from the federal government through research grants, Pell Grants for students. Imagine if the Trump administration says, If we catch you caving in to woke gender anything, you will lose all your federal funding. I was thinking of foundations also because theyre a conduit of funds to various types of NGOs, including those doing pro-democracy work in the US. [SCHEPPELE:] There are so many ways in which the tax code, complex as it is, creates incentives and disincentives for different kinds of activities. Think about the whole NGO sector in the US where every NGO thats active in the political sector has a 501c-3 side and a 501c-4 side . Suppose that they just pass a law that says if you are a 501c-3, you may not have a 501c-4. They can make technical changes to the tax code and suddenly make certain kinds of activities non-viable. FWIW, I think defunding woke academics would be good clean fun and a vote-getter, but if you want to go for political power, you uncover the publicly funded NGOs that the Biden Administration has been using to place migrants in places like Springfield, OH, given that this entirely sub rosa effort has the potential to affect the composition of the electorate for years to come (presumbly still implementing Tiexieras coalition of the ascendant, even though Tiexiera himself was repudiated his own theory). All this said, I insist that the same class of people who are paid to think about and incite color revolutions abroad are thinking about the same topics here at home; you cant put Trump and Orban in the same box and not think that way. Spook Country The Technology the Trump Administration Could Use to Hack Your Phone [The New Yorker]. In September, the Department of Homeland Security (D.H.S.) signed a two-million-dollar contract with Paragon, an Israeli firm whose spyware product Graphite focusses on breaching encrypted-messaging applications such as Telegram and Signal. Wired first reported that the technology was acquired by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)an agency within D.H.S. that will soon be involved in executing the Trump Administrations promises of mass deportations and crackdowns on border crossings. A source at Paragon told me that the deal followed a vetting process, during which the company was able to demonstrate that it had robust tools to prevent other countries that purchase its spyware from hacking Americansbut that wouldnt limit the U.S. governments ability to target its own citizens. And the Israelis would never lie to us! More: The technology is part of a booming multibillion-dollar market for intrusive phone-hacking software that is making government surveillance increasingly cheap and accessible. In recent years, a number of Western democracies have been roiled by controversies in which spyware has been used, apparently by defense and intelligence agencies, to target opposition politicians, journalists, and apolitical civilians caught up in Orwellian surveillance dragnets. Now Donald Trump and incoming members of his Administration will decide whether to curtail or expand the U.S. governments use of this kind of technology. Realignment and Legitimacy The Democrats Long Goodbye to the Working Class [Michael Baharaeen, The Liberal Patriot]. Worth reading in full, but here are some highlights: [B]y the 1990s, the country was growing more diverse and better educated. Bill Clinton was a beneficiary of this new reality, as he made sweeping gains with women, young people, voters of color (especially Hispanics), and college-educated voters. Importantly, he also retained significant support from white Americans and lower-educated voters, who made up the vast majority of the electorate. As Clinton rode this coalition to victory twicemarking the first time since FDR that a Democrat had won two full terms as presidentsome political observers, including my colleague, Ruy Teixeira, saw the emergence of a new majority, one that could consistently win elections using the formula Clinton had used. Obamas two wins confirmed for many Democrats and Republicans the validity of the emerging Democratic majority thesis. Gone were the days when Democrats needed to win a majority of white voters, a feat they had found nearly impossible to achieve since the 1960s. Now, the party that represented Americas demographic future stood to lead it as well. But: The Obama coalition is not a coalition, but rather a moment, Is The Obama Coalition Even a Thing? Was It Ever? (2016). And indeed: But no sooner had that consensus come into focus than Donald Trump arrived on the scene. Trump disrupted the Democrats plans for building a dominant coalition and, in the process, helped precipitate a dramatic realignment between the two partiesone rooted in economic and social class. This change has tipped the demographic advantage in favor of Republicans and left Democrats at very real risk of losing many of the voters who not long ago were expected to deliver them an enduring majority. And here we are: [T]he transformation of the parties along class lines appears to be moving full steam ahead . Harris retained higher levels of support among college-educated voters, winning them by 14 points. But perhaps just as telling: she carried high-income earners (those earning at least $100,000) by seven pointsby far the largest margin for a Democratic nominee in the modern era. On the other side, Trump became the first Republican nominee on record to win low-income voters, narrowly carrying them by three points. He also continued growing his advantage with non-college voters, winning them by 13 pointsthe largest margin for the GOP since at least 1988. And his 44 percent support from union households marked the greatest share for a Republican since Ronald Reagan. Looking at this picture, its hard not to see that the Democrats are becoming the very thing they have long fought against: the party of the elites. This stands in sharp contrast to their longtime image as the champions of the working class. Not are becoming, have become, especially if you substitute PMC for elites, which, after all, could include billionaires. And the Democrats certainly didnt fight very hard! In fact, you could argue that the transformation was fully in place by 2008, given Obamas disparate response in the financial crisis to the banksters and the working class, even if the PMC only achieved class consciousness in 2016-2020. Trumps dictatorship is a fait accompli [John Q, Crooked Timber]. Handy flowchart: With Gaetz flaming out, Id say were on the way to Governs Constitutionally (granted, for some definition of Constitutionally). Syndemics I am in earnest I will not equivocate I will not excuse I will not retreat a single inch AND I WILL BE HEARD. William Lloyd Garrison * * * Covid Resources, United States (National): Transmission (CDC); Wastewater (CDC, Biobot ; includes many counties; Wastewater Scan, includes drilldown by zip); Variants (CDC; Walgreens); Iowa COVID-19 Tracker (in IA, but national data). Infection Control, Emergency Management, Safety, and General Thoughts (especially on hospitalization by city). Lambert here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. 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Resources, Canada (National): Wastewater (Government of Canada). Resources, Canada (Provincial): ON (wastewater); QC (les eaux usees); BC (wastewater); BC, Vancouver (wastewater). Hat tips to helpful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, KF, KidDoc, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, square coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3). Stay safe out there! Elite Maleficence Grief can be really overwhelming for teenagers and young people [BBC]. As of April 2024, there were 230,000 deaths from Covid in the UK. I was 100% certain Covid wouldnt be mentioned in this article, and sure enough, it wasnt. * * * TABLE 1: Daily Covid Charts Yves here. This piece is so science-illiterate and otherwise incoherent that I thought our physics and chemistry-knowledgeable readers would have particular fun picking it apart. Even a mere high school nerd, its not hard to see through what a complete hash the author makes of the concept of entropy. Entropy is the propensity of a system to move to a more disordered state over time. A good example of low entropy is the old fashioned static noise from a TV when the signal went out. Its flat, unvarying, and with no informational content (unless those evil Rooskies are sending a mind-control signal at super high frequencies). Its pretty telling that the author, a prof of mathematics, is mis-applying or mis-translating the concept of entropy (or what he thinks laypeople think it means) to confer authority on him to talk about politics. By contrast, this article tries to depict volatility as an increase in entropy. Volatility results from MORE energy being pumped into a system. It can lead to a state change and that higher energy system may look more disordered (steam versus water). But it takes energy to preserve or increase order in a system.1 Perhaps he does not want to consider that the populists want a differently ordered system (traditional values, smaller state, moar freedom or for very much hollowed out progressives, more taxing of the rich, more social services, a reduction in US and EU meddling with other countries)? And thats before getting to the fact that the much-bemoaned polarization is to no small the degree of amplification by social media algos of emotionally engaging, as in extreme, content, Elites demonizing populists is a tell that they are opposed to the messiness of democracy and would rather use force (information control) rather than do a better job of being in charge. By Dorje C. Brody, Professor of Mathematics, University of Surrey. Originally published at The Conversation The spectacular comeback of US president-elect Donald Trump has taken the world by surprise. No doubt people can point to various explanations for his election victory, but in my view, the science of information will pave the way towards deeper insights. Unless the Democrats and their counterparts around the world can develop a better understanding of how people receive and reject information, they will never fully understand what happened or successfully fight elections in the future. There is a fundamental law of nature, known in physical science as the second law. This says that, over time, noise will overwhelm information and uncertainties will dominate. Order will be swamped by confusion and chaos. From a single particle to the whole universe, every system known to science obeys this law. That includes political systems, or societies. Whenever there is progress in communication technology, people circulate more and more inessential or inaccurate information. In a political system, this is what leads to the noise domination described by the second law. In science, the quantity that measures the degree of uncertainty is known as entropy. The second law therefore says that entropy can only increase, at least on average. While entropy does not reduce spontaneously, it is possible to reduce it by spending energy that is, at a cost. This is exactly what life is about we create internal order, thus reducing entropy, by consuming energy in the form of food. For a biological system to survive, it has to reduce uncertainties about the state of its environment. So there are two opposing trends: we dont like uncertainties and try to reduce them. But we live in a world dominated by growing uncertainties. Understanding the balance of these two forces holds the key to appreciating some of the most perplexing social phenomena such as why people would vote for a man who has been convicted of multiple crimes and strongly signalled his autocratic tendencies. The world is filled with uncertainties and information technology is enhancing the level of that uncertainty at an incredible pace. The development of AI is only propelling the increase of uncertainty and will continue to do so at an unimaginable scale. In the unregulated wild west of the internet, tech giants have created a monster that feeds us with noise and uncertainty. The result is rapidly-growing entropy there is a sense of disorder at every turn. Each of us, as a biological system, has the desire to reduce this entropy. That is why, for example, we instinctively avoid information sources that are not aligned with our views. They will create uncertainties. If you are a liberal or leftwing voter and have found yourself avoiding the news after Trumps re-election, its probably linked to your desire to minimise entropy. The Need for Certainty People are often puzzled about why societies are becoming more polarised and information is becoming more segmented. The answer is simple the internet, social media, AI and smartphones are pumping out entropy at a rate unseen in the history of Earth. No biological system has ever encountered such a challenge even if it is a self-imposed one. Drastic actions are required to regain certainties, even if they are false certainties. Trump has grasped the fact that people need certainty. He repeatedly offered words of reassurances I will fix it. Whether he will is a more complex question but thinking about that will only generate uncertainties so its better avoided. The Democrats, in contrast, merely offered the assurance of a status quo of prolonged uncertainties. Whereas Trump declared he would end the war in Gaza, Kamala Harris remarked that she would do everything in her power to bring an end to the war. But the Biden-Harris administration has been doing exactly that for some time with little progress being made. Whereas Trump declared he would end the war in Ukraine, Harris remarked that she would stand up against Putin. But the Biden-Harris administration has been merely sending weapons to Ukraine to prolong the war. If that is what standing up against Putin means, then most Americans would prefer to see a fall in their grocery prices from an end to the war. Harris argued that Trump is a fascist. This may prove to be true, but what that means exactly is unclear to most Americans. While Harriss campaign message of hope was a good initiative, the Democrats failed in delivering certainty and assurance. By the same token they failed to control the information space. Above all, they failed the Americans because, while Trump may well bring an end to the war in Ukraine and Gaza in some form, his climate policy will be detrimental to all Americans, with lasting impacts. Without understanding the science of information, the blame game currently underway will not bring Democrats anywhere. And there are lessons to be learned for other centre-left governments, like the UK Labour government. It is not entirely inconceivable that the former prime minister Boris Johnson, encouraged by the events in the US, hopes for a dramatic return to the throne at the next general election. If so, prime minister Keir Starmer must find a way to avoid following the footsteps of Biden and Harris. He must provide people with certainty and assurance. ____ 1 These entires from a Reddit thread seemed helpful: You can call it disorder to a layman, but its not very precise. Entropy is a measure of how many possibilities (microstates, i.e. atomic configurations) correspond to something you can see (macrostate, i.e. temperature, pressure, etc). Ill use a world made of Legos as an example. A single 24 yellow Lego piece has no entropy. It is exactly what you see. A one layer sheet of Legos has no entropy either, because you can see them all. The exception is if you cannot see the seams between the pieces. There is entropy in that case because you dont know if it was a 24 or two 2x2s. A large block of Legos has entropy because all you can see is the outside. Mathematically, entropy is S = k*ln(W), where ln is the natural log, W is the number of possible microstates that fit with the given macrostate, and k is a constant conversion factor, depending on what type of entropy you are talking about. And: The International Criminal Court decision to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is an important indicator of the solidification of international opinion against the openly genocidal state of Israel. At the end of the post, we have extracted the key section of the ICCs press release. It describes how the basis for the administering the warrants is the systematic starvation, cutting off of electricity, and withholding of medical supplies to the population. Note that his site described Israels conduct as genocide on October 21, 2023, long before it was fashionable to call out Israels crime against humanity for what they are, based on Israels decision to cut off electricity to Gaza permanently. Two Palestinian leaders has also been targeted by the ICC prosecutor for arrest warrants, Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, but both are dead. The ICC did issue a warrant for Hamas military leader Mohammed Dief even though Israel maintains they have killed him. The ICCs raison deetre is to step in when government legal systems are too corrupt or too decrepit to prosecute major crimes by officials. So these arrest warrants are a stern rebuke to the entire state going whole hog for the murder of Palestinian civilians. In fact, the notion that the ICC existed only to go after what the Collective West deemed to be dirtbag leaders was the argument the US used to try to bully the ICC prosecutor: The ICC just issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. Watch this ICC prosecutor exposing how US officials lectured him that the institution was built for thugs like Putin back in May 2024. Before, no US ally has ever been targeted by the ICC in its entire history. pic.twitter.com/CpcwjPzIwo red. (@redstreamnet) November 21, 2024 The US harassment was likely the big factor in the ICC taking so long after the prosecutors request to issue the warrants (by contrast, it oddly took only a month in the case of the Vladimir Putin, for the crime of removing children from of a war zone, despite the absence of complaints by parents). The Financial Times, which has the ICC action as its lead story, suggests that it proves that Israel is losing even official support outside the US: The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes. The move is a dramatic escalation of legal proceedings over Israels offensive in Gaza, and marks the first time that the court, which was set up in 2002, has issued a warrant for a western-backed leader. It means that the ICCs 124 member states which include most European and Latin American countries and many in Africa and Asia would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they entered their territory. But the court has no means of enforcing the warrants if they do not. The practical impact of this warrant is limited. Many UN members, notably the US, Russia, and Israel, are not parties to the ICC and thus do not enforce ICC warrants (see here for a long discussion, using Israel and Palestine as the focus, about the ICCs jurisdiction over non-party states). One wonders if any member of the EU (all are members of the ICC) save Ireland would arrest Bibi if, say, his plane landed unexpectedly there. The typical intelligence-insulting bluster by Netanyahu, which will be take seriously by too many in the US and is already being amplified in the UK, suggest the UK wound not enforce the warrants. The putrid Guardian has chosen to report the ICC's issuance of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu by highlighting the war criminal's ludicrous claim that the arrest warrants are 'antisemitic'. If the Guardian attached value to the lives of Israel's victims, it would have pic.twitter.com/lXudg7nu0u Dimitri Lascaris (@dimitrilascaris) November 21, 2024 Note that the Jerusalem Posts headline was more fair and balanced than the Guardians: Ha! Just after ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, State Dept cancels briefing for today. https://t.co/MWtatix1qJ pic.twitter.com/Jo7KZ7cUme Sam Husseini (@samhusseini) November 21, 2024 A reminder today, as US politicians including the President fall over one another to attack the ICC over arrest warrants and defend Netanyahu pic.twitter.com/0gKBMV8WWs Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) November 21, 2024 But when the ICC prosecutor first applied for the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, some EU members said they would enforce them: JUST IN: Germany joins France and Norway. Netanyahu will be arrested if he sets foot in Germany. Germany would "of course" execute a potential ICC arrest warrant against Israel's Netanyahu, the govt spokesman says. pic.twitter.com/rkfuV2NGEM Megatron (@Megatron_ron) May 22, 2024 According to the Financial Times today: the EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said the warrants were not political, and that the courts decision should be respected and implemented. France reaffirms its commitment: France's foreign ministry spokesman says that France's reaction to the ICC issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will be in line with the court's statutes. pic.twitter.com/xriQr9Nfqc Shibley Telhami (@ShibleyTelhami) November 21, 2024 The Netherlands joins in: Netherlands says ready to act upon ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahuhttps://t.co/X18hFB9jaI Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) November 21, 2024 South Africa quickly praised the ICC action. From Inside Politics: These actions mark a significant step towards justice for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Palestine, the International Relations and Cooperation Department said on Thursday. South Africa reaffirms its commitment to international law and urges all state parties to act in accordance with their obligations in the Rome Statute. We call on the global community to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability for human rights violations. Unfortunately, though this is yet another confirmation that Israel is a rogue state, only the US, by cutting off arms, or the Axis of Resistance can stop the slaughter of Palestinians and increasingly, Lebanese. And while the latters noose is slowly tightening, the pace is not fast enough to save many lives. ______ From the ICC press release: Today, on 21 November 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (Court), in its composition for the Situation in the State of Palestine, unanimously issued two decisions rejecting challenges by the State of Israel (Israel) brought under articles 18 and 19 of the Rome Statute (the Statute). It also issued warrants of arrest for Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant. Warrants of arrest The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024, the day the Prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest. The arrest warrants are classified as secret, in order to protect witnesses and to safeguard the conduct of the investigations. However, the Chamber decided to release the information below since conduct similar to that addressed in the warrant of arrest appears to be ongoing. Moreover, the Chamber considers it to be in the interest of victims and their families that they are made aware of the warrants existence. At the outset, the Chamber considered that the alleged conduct of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant falls within the jurisdiction of the Court. The Chamber recalled that, in a previous composition, it already decided that the Courts jurisdiction in the situation extended to Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Furthermore, the Chamber declined to use its discretionary proprio motu powers to determine the admissibility of the two cases at this stage. This is without prejudice to any determination as to the jurisdiction and admissibility of the cases at a later stage. Alleged crimes The Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that during the relevant time, international humanitarian law related to international armed conflict between Israel and Palestine applied. This is because they are two High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and because Israel occupies at least parts of Palestine. The Chamber also found that the law related to non-international armed conflict applied to the fighting between Israel and Hamas. The Chamber found that the alleged conduct of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant concerned the activities of Israeli government bodies and the armed forces against the civilian population in Palestine, more specifically civilians in Gaza. It therefore concerned the relationship between two parties to an international armed conflict, as well as the relationship between an occupying power and the population in occupied territory. For these reasons, with regards to war crimes, the Chamber found it appropriate to issue the arrest warrants pursuant to the law of international armed conflict. The Chamber also found that the alleged crimes against humanity were part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza. The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least 8 October 2023 to 20 May 2024. This finding is based on the role of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant in impeding humanitarian aid in violation of international humanitarian law and their failure to facilitate relief by all means at its disposal. The Chamber found that their conduct led to the disruption of the ability of humanitarian organisations to provide food and other essential goods to the population in need in Gaza. The aforementioned restrictions together with cutting off electricity and reducing fuel supply also had a severe impact on the availability of water in Gaza and the ability of hospitals to provide medical care. The Chamber also noted that decisions allowing or increasing humanitarian assistance into Gaza were often conditional. They were not made to fulfil Israels obligations under international humanitarian law or to ensure that the civilian population in Gaza would be adequately supplied with goods in need. In fact, they were a response to the pressure of the international community or requests by the United States of America. In any event, the increases in humanitarian assistance were not sufficient to improve the populations access to essential goods. Furthermore, the Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that no clear military need or other justification under international humanitarian law could be identified for the restrictions placed on access for humanitarian relief operations. Despite warnings and appeals made by, inter alia, the UN Security Council, UN Secretary General, States, and governmental and civil society organisations about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, only minimal humanitarian assistance was authorised. In this regard, the Chamber considered the prolonged period of deprivation and Mr Netanyahus statement connecting the halt in the essential goods and humanitarian aid with the goals of war. The Chamber therefore found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare. The Chamber found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and specific medical supplies, created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, which resulted in the death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration. On the basis of material presented by the Prosecution covering the period until 20 May 2024, the Chamber could not determine that all elements of the crime against humanity of extermination were met. However, the Chamber did find that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of murder was committed in relation to these victims. In addition, by intentionally limiting or preventing medical supplies and medicine from getting into Gaza, in particular anaesthetics and anaesthesia machines, the two individuals are also responsible for inflicting great suffering by means of inhumane acts on persons in need of treatment. Doctors were forced to operate on wounded persons and carry out amputations, including on children, without anaesthetics, and/or were forced to use inadequate and unsafe means to sedate patients, causing these persons extreme pain and suffering. This amounts to the crime against humanity of other inhumane acts. The Chamber also found reasonable grounds to believe that the abovementioned conduct deprived a significant portion of the civilian population in Gaza of their fundamental rights, including the rights to life and health, and that the population was targeted based on political and/or national grounds. It therefore found that the crime against humanity of persecution was committed. Finally, the Chamber assessed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza. In this regard, the Chamber found that the material provided by the Prosecution only allowed it to make findings on two incidents that qualified as attacks that were intentionally directed against civilians. Reasonable grounds to believe exist that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant, despite having measures available to them to prevent or repress the commission of crimes or ensure the submittal of the matter to the competent authorities, failed to do so. The great nuclear bunker race: Britons are snapping up Cold War-era lairs for more than 3 times the asking price while fallout shelters are flogged on eBay amid threat of WWIII Daily Mail The Fossorial Life Portal to a Better Time? Fossils and Other Living Things Adani Back in Turmoil After Tycoon Charged in Bribery Scheme Bloomberg Archegoss Bill Hwang sentenced to 18 years in prison for massive US fraud Al Jazeera The undercover hedge funds financing activist short sellers FT Climate Water Syndemics Preprint: Enhanced Encephalitic Tropism of Bovine H5N1 Compared to the Vietnam H5N1 Isolate in Mice Avian Flu Diary China? Myanmar Myanmar: Situation Update with Paul Greening The Diplomat The Koreas Syraqistan European Disunion New Not-So-Cold War The New Great Game Third night of protests in Tbilisi: Opposition to rethink strategy JAM News Trump Transition Antitrust Groves of Academe The Business-School Scandal That Just Keeps Getting Bigger The Atlantic Healthcare The Final Frontier Digital Watch Supply Chain Imperial Collapse Watch Zeitgeist Watch The Moral Limits of What, Exactly? (PDF) Economics and Philosophy Class Warfare This fungus is so humongous that it can be mapped Big Think Antidote du jour (Frank Schulenburg): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. INVESTIGATION: American news is mostly written by Israeli lobbyists pushing Zionist agenda conducted an in-depth investigation into who writes America's "news," and the findings are shocking, though expected. It turns out that hundreds of former Israeli lobbyists from groups like AIPAC (American-Israeli Political Action Committee), StandWithUs, and CAMERA are pretty much running the largest media organizations in the United States, including at MSNBC, The New York Times, CNN and Fox News. Specifically with news related to the Israel-Palestine situation, these embedded Israeli lobbyists are steering what millions of Americans believe about what Israel really is and what is really going on in the Middle East right now. "Many key U.S. newsroom staff were also formerly Israeli spies or intelligence agents, standing in stark contrast to journalists with pro-Palestine sentiments, who have been purged en masse since October 7, 2023," reports Mint Press News. (Related: Did you catch our report about how The Jerusalem Post recently ran a celebratory piece about all the powerful Jews who control the world?) Pro-Israel American media While the Israel-Palestine conflict is about as old as time itself, it is a relatively new phenomenon for many Americans to learn that this conflict has now come to the United States via the "news." For years, Israeli lobbyists have controlled what gets published, most of it having a pro-Israel slant. Most people now seem to know that the corporate media is generally untrustworthy, but it is new information for them to learn that actual pro-Israel activists are the ones telling most of the stories about the Middle East. According to Mint Press News, the job of these Israeli lobbyists is to "whitewash Israeli crimes and manufacture consent for continued U.S. participation in what a wide range of international organizations have described as a genocide." Take NBCUniversal, for instance, where journalist and associated producer Kayla Steinberg works. Back in 2018, Steinberg introduced herself to the world with an immediate admission that she is a Zionist through and through. "The summer before my first year of college, I attended the AIPAC New England Leadership Dinner and absolutely loved it," Steinberg said at the time. "After going to Saban, I knew I had to get involved in [AIPAC] and go back to Israel ... I dream of being a journalist someday, and I hope to write about Israel or Judaism. WIPAC and AIPAC have taught me so much about how important it is for the U.S. to be Israel's greatest friend, and I know now why I am proudly pro-Israel." NBCUniversal hired "many" former Israeli lobbyists like Steinberg and keep in mind that NBCUniversal is a conglomerate that owns all sorts of other well-known media outlets including CNBC, NBC News and MSNBC. NBC reporter Emma Goss is another whose career in media began with a trip to Israel where she helped make a documentary for Write on For Israel. "This Zionist group aims to educate young Jewish students to 'make a difference on college campuses' by learning about Jewish identity and anti-Semitism in American universities," Mint Press News explains. CNBC markets and investing reporter Samantha Subin's media career likewise began with pro-Israel lobbying. In 2016, she accepted an internship at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), described as a pro-Israel think tank "created by the research director of AIPAC as a front group." "There was no question that WINEP was to be AIPAC's cutout," said a former AIPAC employee about WINEP. "It was funded by AIPAC donors, staffed by AIPAC employees, and located one door away, down the hall, from AIPAC headquarters." Brandon Glantz, NBCUniversal's senior director of global privacy operations, used to work for Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world. On LinkedIn, Glantz describes his role at Hillel in terms of "Israel advocacy." The latest news about the lying corporate media can be found at Propaganda.news. Sources for this article include: MintPressNews.com NaturalNews.com Iran reaffirms support for Lebanon as ceasefire talks continue Ali Larijani, senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, visited Beirut on Nov. 15 to express his country's unwavering support for Lebanon amid its ongoing conflict with Israel and reports of developments in ceasefire negotiations. During his meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Larijani reaffirmed that standing by Lebanon is a core duty of the Iranian government. He declared, "Hezbollah is a steadfast movement, the Lebanese people are resilient, and Iran will continue to support the resistance." Larijani's visit coincided with ongoing efforts by Berri to negotiate a ceasefire with United States special envoy to Lebanon Amos Hochstein. The Lebanese speaker has been involved in diplomatic talks aimed at halting the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which began following the escalation of hostilities in Gaza. In discussing the ceasefire talks, Larijani said: "We are working to solve the issues, but Netanyahu is the one sabotaging efforts. You must distinguish between friends and enemies." Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson presented a ceasefire proposal to Berri, which was subsequently shared with Hezbollah for review. According to reports, Hezbollah is studying the proposal and will later inform Berri of its position. (Related: Irans Ayatollah Khamenei calls for GLOBAL MILITARY COALITION against Israel.) The ceasefire proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the Lebanese media. Lebanon's Al-Akhbar newspaper described the draft as a "unilateral U.S.-Israeli agreement," which Israel insists includes security arrangements, including the withdrawal of Hezbollah's forces from southern Lebanon. This reflects Israel's longstanding demand to diminish Hezbollah's military presence along the border. Hezbollah, however, has vowed to continue its resistance, asserting that it is defending Lebanon from Israeli aggression. Lebanon asking for Iranian intervention to enforce a ceasefire Larijani's visit also included talks with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who urged Iran to help implement United Nations Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Lebanon War, and to assist in achieving national unity in Lebanon. Mikati's comments reflect growing concerns within Lebanon about Iran's influence, particularly Hezbollah's dominant role in the country's politics. Larijani responded, stating: "We are here to show that we will stand by Lebanon, no matter the circumstances." On the ground, the violence between Hezbollah and Israel continues unabated. Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon have killed hundreds, including civilians. On Nov. 15, Israeli bombings targeted the southern city of Nabatiyeh, killing a family of five. Further airstrikes in Beiruts southern suburbs and around Tyre province have damaged buildings, with significant casualties reported. A day earlier, an Israeli strike on a civil defense center in Baalbek killed 14 rescue workers, highlighting the growing intensity of Israels military operations in Lebanon. As the situation worsens, the Lebanese government remains divided on how to handle the escalating war. While some factions call for an end to the fighting through diplomatic channels, Hezbollah remains steadfast in its resistance, driven by its commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and its military ties with Iran. Meanwhile, U.S. and Israeli pressure continues to mount for Hezbollahs disarmament, a demand that the group firmly rejects. The ongoing conflict, which has killed more than 3,400 people in Lebanon and displaced many more, is deeply tied to broader regional tensions, including the war in Gaza. As the international community pushes for ceasefire negotiations, the situation in Lebanon remains precarious, with no immediate resolution in sight. Watch this clip with incoming U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warning that Iran's days are numbered. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Israel conducted 106 airstrikes on Lebanon in 24 hours, killing 17 and displacing thousands amid escalating conflict. Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says Netanyahu is the real enemy not Iran or Hezbollah. Local leaders condemn Netanyahu over failure to protect northern settlements from Hezbollah attacks. REPORT: Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon kill six medics, frustrating potential ceasefire talks. Iran sitting on "secret weapon" more powerful than nukes, general claims. Sources include: TheCradle.co APNews.com Brighteon.com Moscow promises devastating response if Zelensky strikes deep in Russian territory London and Paris are eager for Kiev to receive the green light from Washington to fire Western-supplied missiles deep into Russia, a move that Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warns will provoke a "devastating response" from Moscow. At a news briefing this week, Zakharova addressed a report from The Telegraph last week claiming that the United Kingdom and France are asking the United States for permission to approve Ukrainian strikes on Russia using Storm Shadow and Scalp cruise missiles before President-elect Donald Trump is installed in January. "If the Kiev regime gets permission for the aforementioned strikes, we will treat it as NATO de-facto entering a direct conflict with Russia," Zakharova said. "A response to the use of Western long-range weapons against the territory of our nation would be imminent and devastating." Russia has repeatedly said that longer-range, Western-supplied weapons are a no-go in Ukraine, at least not when Ukrainian forces are using them on their own. NATO specialists are needed, as is intelligence data obtained through the bloc's satellite systems, in order for the weapons to be used properly. There is a very real possibility that Washington will give Kiev the green light like London and Paris are asking. If that happens, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow will consider such an action to be indicative of NATO joining the conflict directly. "If such weapons are used, that would mean that not just Ukraine but the NATO nations are openly at war with Russia," he told Rossiya Segodnya. (Related: Russia is accusing the U.S. of waging war on free speech with its sanctions against RT.) Putin's changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine Another recent development is the changes Russian President Vladimir Putin made to his country's nuclear doctrine. Attacks on Russia by a non-nuclear state, i.e., Ukraine, that is supported by a nuclear power, i.e., the United States, will be considered by Russia as justification for a nuclear response. Read that again, America: If the pro-war West gets it wish, Russia is ready to sandblast the West as punishment using nuclear weapons. We have been hearing this kind of rhetoric for a while, and eventually something is going to break. There is also talk that Ukraine might try to cheat by passing off Western-supplied missiles as having been built in Ukraine, which Zakharova called "bloody cheating," warning that this would not even be possible for Ukraine to pull off without U.S. support. One day before Zakharova issued her warning, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told GB News in an interview that London could soon send troops to Ukraine to try to stop Kiev from being defeated by Moscow. Johnson says there is worry within the Western cabal that Trump might decrease or even abolish all military aid to Kiev, which would completely decimate the deep state in an instant. Russia says it has no plans to attack any NATO member states. However, should NATO get involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, all bets are off. "It'd be interesting to enter the reality of the likes of Starmer and Macron to understand what makes them think resorting to such desperate measures could force Russia to yield!" a commenter wrote about the situation. "It is plain to see that Russia is facing a very nasty and implacable enemy," wrote another. "In a situation like this, military force is a necessary and indispensable option." "Boris and Starmer / British intelligence represent a genuine threat to world peace," said another. "They are stupid and enmeshed in their Russophobic fantasies. They need to be slapped away like naughty children." The latest news about the Russia-Ukraine conflict can be found at Chaos.news. Sources for this article include: News-Pravda.com NaturalNews.com Ontario government reportedly tracked 428 cases of possible illegal euthanasia but never notified police Ontario euthanasia regulators have reportedly traced 428 cases of possible legal violations but failed to mention a single case to law enforcement. The Ontario Office of the Chief Coroner has counted 428 cases of non-compliance with Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) regulations since 2017, "ranging from broken safeguards to patients who were euthanized who may not have been capable of consent" based on a piece of leaked information published on Nov. 11 by the New Atlantis. Dirk Huyer, head of the Ontario Office of the Chief Coroner stated in the documents that they "see a pattern of not following legislation, a pattern of not following regulation, and frankly, we can't just continue to do education to those folks if they're directly repeating stuff that we've brought to their attention." When MAID was first introduced in 2016, it was originally only accessible to those who were terminally ill, and those murdering the patients had to follow a sequence of steps before supervising the deadly drugs. Trudeau administration extended euthanasia practice to Canadians who suffer from chronic illnesses Later in 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration extended the dangerous practice to be accessible to those who are not at risk of death but suffering from chronic illnesses. (Related: Anti-euthanasia group vows to keep fighting Trudeau government's plan to include mentally ill people in ASSISTED SUICIDE program.) The New Atlantis report mentioned documentation from 2018 which shows that Huyer, despite acknowledging regulations are regularly disregarded, still supported MAID. "Everybody has scrutiny on all of these cases. From an oversight point of view, trying to understand when it happens and how it happens, we're probably the most robust in Canada," Huyer said. Nonetheless, in the summer of 2017, just a year after MAID was legalized, Huyer co-authored a paper that discussed the high incidence of non-compliance among euthanasia providers, a trend that only appears to have persisted. "The MAID regulations require clinicians to notify the pharmacist of the purpose of the MAID medications before they are dispensed," the paper stated, adding that only 61 percent of the doctors followed the rule. Several doctors moreover ignored the 10-day waiting period between requesting MAID and receiving the drug. Doctors contended that they accelerated the process because of "persistent requests" or an "inconvenient timing of the death in relation to other familial life events." By 2018, the problem had evolved into what Huyer depicted as "a pattern of not following legislation," provoking him to enforce a recent system "to respond to concerns that arise about potential compliance issues." Nevertheless, in 2023, his office brought up concerns for a sector of all euthanasia "providers" in Ontario and concerns involving providing MAID to dementia patients and individuals with cognitive impairment. In 2023 alone, the office discovered 178 compliance problems, an average of one every second day. The total number of compliance problems stands at 428 right now. Meanwhile, Alex Schadenberg, the executive director of the Ontario-based Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, said in a recent interview with the Catholic News Agency that the number of cases reported to the Ontario College of Physicians "hasn't even resulted in an effective 'slap on the wrist.'" Schadenberg stated it was "a cover-up of mammoth proportions" that demanded a full investigation into the noncompliance with the law particularly since the Ontario Coroner admits that certain physicians have persisted in noncompliance even after receiving an 'email' or a warning about their noncompliance." Follow Euthanasia.news for more news about euthanasia programs. Watch the video below about euthanasia for the extermination of vaccine-injured Canadians. This video is from the CADKIAH channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Canada attempting to expand EUTHANASIA program to allow assisted suicide of the mentally ill. Netherlands is approving EUTHANASIA for people with autism, intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses. Euthanasia legalized in Australia: State of Victoria will allow assisted suicide beginning mid 2019. Sources include: LifesSiteNews.com Catholic News Agency.com Editor-in-chief of Scientific American magazine resigns after anti-Trump rant on social media Laura Helmuth, editor-in-chief of the Scientific American magazine, has resigned from her position in the publication after a series of social media posts labeling people who voted for President-elect Donald Trump as "fascists." Helmuth assumed her role as editor-in-chief of the United States' oldest continuously published magazine in April 2020 after serving at the Washington Post. On Nov. 14, she posted inflammatory comments on the social media platform Bluesky heralded as an alternative to X by many Democrats. In one post, she referred to Trump supporters as "fascists" and criticized her own generation, Generation X, for being "so full of f-----g fascists." Another post described her home state of Indiana as "racist and sexist." Helmuth later deleted the posts and issued an apology, saying her posts did not reflect her beliefs but were an emotional reaction to the election results. "I respect and value people across the political spectrum," she wrote on Bluesky. "These posts, which I have deleted, do not reflect my beliefs; they were a mistaken expression of shock and confusion about the election results." (Related: Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic who compared Trump to Hitler was a prison guard at IDF facility known for abusing prisoners.) However, screenshots of the comments quickly circulated widely on X. Critics accused her of politicizing the Scientific American, a publication historically devoted to science and discovery, rather than partisan commentary. Under her leadership, the magazine took an unprecedented political stance, endorsing a presidential candidate for the first time in its 175-year history by supporting Joe Biden over Trump in 2020. This year, the Scientific American endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris over Trump. Not the first "Trump-related" resignation in the industry This incident is not the first "Trump-related" resignation in the publication industry. A few days before the 2024 presidential election, two prominent Washington Post columnists also resigned after billionaire Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos decided not to endorse a presidential candidate. The non-endorsement, posted by publisher and chief executive William Lewis, revealed that the publication decided to return to its roots of "not endorsing presidential candidates" this presidential election and in any future presidential elections. As a response, two of its prominent columnists resigned. The newspaper's editor-at-large, Robert Kagan, was the first to go. He has been accusing Trump of being "anti-Ukraine," while suggesting that he could "destroy democracy" if re-elected. Michele Norris, another prominent opinion columnist and former NPR host, followed suit. In a thread posted on X, Norris, who joined the Washington Post as a reporter in 1988, called the decision a "terrible mistake." "As of yesterday, I have decided to resign from my role as a columnist for WaPo a newspaper that I love. In a moment like this, everyone needs to make their own decisions. This is the reason for mine. [WaPo's] decision to withhold an endorsement that had been written & approved in an election where core democratic principles are at stake was a terrible mistake & an insult to the paper's own longstanding standard of regularly endorsing candidates since 1976, " she said in October. Head over to Trump.news to read stories related to the president-elect's victorious journey back to the White House. Watch the video below where an economist says Trump will be explosive in economic growth following a decisive win in the 2024 election. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Bloomberg editor says ELECTIONS are a "threat to democracy." Two anti-Trump WaPo columnists quit following papers refusal to endorse Kamala Harris. MSNBC columnist says Trump "must die in prison" to send a message to the public that "you cant do this." Trumps impressive political comeback against all odds makes headlines around the world. Editor of CCP-run tabloid mocks Donald and Melania Trump for having COVID-19. Sources include: RT.com FoxNews.com X.com Brighteon.com Sermon 41: Mike Adams discusses the uses and benefits of MYRRH For his 41st sermon for the Church of Natural Abundance , the Health Ranger Mike Adams touched on the uses and benefits of myrrh He based his sermon from the Gospel of St. John, which mentions Nicodemus bringing "a mixture of myrrh and aloes" to embalm and preserve the physical body of Christ. According to the Bible nutrition educator, this was an embalming mixture of resins made up of myrrh and aloes. It is worth noting that Nicodemus, one of the secret followers of Christ, was involved in an earlier exchange with Jesus which the gospel writer also mentions. Myrrh is also mentioned in the Bible as one of the three gifts offered by the Magi alongside gold and frankincense (Matthew 2:11). Aside from being used as a spice, myrrh was used as an ingredient of the anointing oil used in the Tabernacle. It is also used as a perfume, leading to its association with wealth and beauty. Myrrh has also been used as a salve for the purification of the dead, just like how Nicodemus used it to preserve Christ's body. Winifred Walker, in her 1962 book "All the Plants of the Bible," explained that myrrh in the Old Testament came from rockrose a small plant that grew among the sand and rocks. The gum collected from the rockrose was then pressed into cakes and used as a perfume. Meanwhile, the New Testament myrrh came in the form of a soft and dark resin collected from a small tree and sold in golden pieces called "tears" or "pearls." The Health Ranger continued that myrrh extract serves as a salve, stimulant or expectorant. It can also be used as a fixative or fragrance in creams, detergents, lotions, perfumes and soaps. Myrrh gum makes a good mucilage, while the insoluble residue from the myrrh tincture can be used as a glue. Myrrh oil can be used as an astringent in mouthwashes and gargles as it addresses spongy gums, ulcerated throats and mouth sores. It it also helpful in treating bronchial inflammations and vaginal infections. Myrrh oil can be used topically, i.e. applied on the skin. (Related: Myrrh oil is worth more than gold when it comes to the health benefits it provides.) Myrrh is used as medicine worldwide According to Dr. James Duke's book "Herbs of the Bible," myrrh was deemed "a panacea for almost every human affliction from earaches to hemorrhoids" in Mesopotamia and the Greco-Roman realms. On the other side of the world, Asians used myrrh as an astringent tonic taken internally and a cleansing agent applied externally. The Chinese apply myrrh to relieve spasms and to stimulate digestive fluids. The Bible nutrition educator also noted the various uses of myrrh in Africa. Women in Egypt carry myrrh pearls in their handbags as perfume. Algerians, meanwhile, dress open wounds with myrrh resin, owing to its antibacterial properties. Myrrh is made into a healing beverage in East Africa, with Tanzanians making tea from the myrrh bark to treat diarrhea and stomachache. Ugandans pound the unripe myrrh seeds and add water to make a warming drink. West Africans use myrrh as an insecticide to repel termites, while different countries in Africa's western portion use myrrh in many other ways. Meanwhile, Ghanaians fumigate their clothing with the fragrant smoke of the burning myrrh wood. A decoction brewed from the myrrh bark is used to cure male infertility in the Ivory Coast, while the same decoction is used to treat insanity and tapeworms in Nigeria. Follow Remedies.news for more news about natural remedies like myrrh. Listen to the 41st sermon of the Health Ranger Mike Adams for the Church of Natural Abundance about the various uses of myrrh. This video is from the Abundance Church channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: 12 Essential oils and their biblical references. Ancient medicine is good prepper medicine: Uses and benefits of myrrh essential oil. The essential oil of myrrh is a powerful natural medicine for wound management. Sources include: Brighteon.com BibleGateway.com 1 BibleGateway.com 2 House Speaker Johnson orders outgoing Biden administration to preserve all records and documents The outgoing administration of President Joe Biden has been ordered to preserve all of its records, communications and any other documents in its remaining days. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) gave the order on Nov. 12 as the House of Representatives prepares for the new Congress and the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump to take over. (Related: The top twelve priorities for Trump's America in 2025 achieve these things and we may save the Republic.) The order was sent to all 18 federal departments. This is expected to spark controversy, especially if officials are caught trying to delete or destroy documents that could provide insight into some of the policies the Biden administration pursued or any potential scandals from the past four years. Anyone caught destroying any records could face severe federal criminal penalties, and any attempts to do so are likely to be discovered by the incoming Trump administration. This shows that the Republicans are better prepared during this transition than they were when Trump won his first term back in 2016. It also indicates the Republican Party means business when it comes to removing corruption across the federal government. Johnson: Congress intends to pursue all relevant documents from Biden administration One of the letters Johnson sent was to Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, who took over following former Secretary Marty Walsh's resignation in March 2023. According to the letter, Johnson said that the incoming Congress intends to pursue all relevant documents from the Biden administration as the White House changes hands. "As we begin preparation for a new Trump Administration and new Congress, we fully expect your cooperation in a smooth transition of power," Johnson wrote in the letter to Su. "To that end, it is imperative that during the transition you comply with all statutory record retention requirements, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act. In addition to compliance with federal record retention laws, we are also expressly directing that all necessary steps be taken to preserve relevant Department documents and communications." The letter was signed by Johnson as well as by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) and all the chairpersons of the House of Representatives' committees. The 18 versions of the letter sent to federal departments were coursed through Johnson's office. Johnson emphasized the need to preserve all documents related to the border crisis, the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, potential instances of government censorship, the weaponization of the federal government against conservatives and allegations of antisemitism against government officials. "In the waning days of this Congress, House Committees will continue to seek compliance with many of the subpoenas with which you largely declined to cooperate. Likewise, as the 119th Congress begins, the Committees may determine that it is necessary to reissue certain subpoenas as they continue with their oversight efforts," Johnson wrote. Follow JoeBiden.news for more news about the outgoing Biden administration. House Speaker Mike Johnson said President Joe Biden has the authority to stop the border crisis. Watch this video. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: CRY SESSION: Biden State Department holds therapy session after Trump's election win. Biden's niceness to President-elect Trump TRIGGERS LEFTISTS. Biden's economic time bomb: A warning to Trump. Still NO PARDON for Hunter Biden, outgoing Democratic White House insists. Biden-Harris administration could make a last-minute power grab by declaring a "climate emergency." Sources include: Breitbart.com Speaker.gov [PDF] Brighteon.com Studies show these three herbal medicines can reverse DEMENTIA More than 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, and the problem is only getting worse. According to Alzheimers Disease International , dementia cases are expected to double every 20 years, reaching 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. Dementia is a condition thats often equated with old age, something that is genetic and inevitable for millions of people worldwide. However, new research shows that herbal medicines can reverse dementia and prevent memory decline, suggesting that there are more factors at play with dementia that are in our control. Three little-known herbal medicines show promise for preventing dementia. These include: mamaki tea and fruit from Hawaii, Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa (jujube fruit) from East Asia, and Acorus gramineus (Japanese sweet flag) from China. Mamaki tea and fruit combats toxic proteins that cause dementia A study investigating the potential of the Hawaiian native herb Mamaki has revealed promising results in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers disease, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies. These disorders are primarily caused by the accumulation of toxic proteins such as amyloid-beta (A?), tau, ?-synuclein, and TDP-43 in the brain. This protein buildup begins decades before the onset of symptoms, suggesting that early intervention could significantly slow or prevent the progression of dementia. A hot water extract of Mamaki leaves helped to reduce pathologies of dementia, restoring synaptophysin levels (a protein essential for synaptic function), suppressing microglial activation (a marker of inflammation in the brain), and improving memory in the treated mice. In addition to reducing brain inflammation, the fruit powder boosted the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) a protein crucial for neuron survival and growth. It also promoted neurogenesis, or the creation of new neurons, suggesting that the fruit powder may have the ability to repair brain cells damaged by toxic oligomers associated with neurodegeneration. Jujube fruit combats neurodegenerative diseases A new study published in eLife Sciences highlights the potential of Zizyphi spinosi semen (ZSS), a medicinal herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, in combating neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers found that ZSS, in both its hot water extract and crushed powder form, demonstrated significant benefits in treating Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and Parkinson's disease in aging mice. The hot water extract of ZSS was shown to reduce amyloid-beta (A?) and tau protein accumulation while also improving cognitive function. In Parkinson's disease models, the simple crushed powder of ZSS proved even more effective, showing stronger results in alleviating ?-synuclein pathology a key feature of the disease as well as improving both motor and cognitive functions. Japanese sweet flag reverses cognitive decline Acorus gramineus Aiton, a plant traditionally used in Chinese medicine for over a century, may hold promise as a therapeutic agent for cognitive decline, according to a recent preclinical systematic review. The study, which analyzed data from 34 animal studies involving 1,431 subjects, assessed the efficacy of extracts or active components from the plant (EAAGA) in improving cognitive function. The review, which included studies published through June 2019, found that EAAGA significantly enhanced cognitive performance in a variety of behavioral tests, including the Morris water maze, electrical Y-maze, radial eight-arm maze, and step-through test. These tests are commonly used to assess learning and memory abilities in animal models. Specifically, the analysis revealed that EAAGA reduced escape latency and error times, while increasing the amount of time spent in the target area and the number of platform crossings, suggesting improvements in memory and learning. The extracts provided anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties that suppressed excessive activation of astrocytes, which are linked to neuroinflammation. The study showed the herb can protect against neurotoxicity, regulate synaptic plasticity, and stimulate the cholinergic system. The authors of the review concluded that EAAGA could be a promising candidate for further research and clinical trials aimed at treating cognitive impairment, particularly in conditions like Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Sources include: AlzInt.org PMC.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov ELifeSciences.org PMC.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov Health Basics: Top 10 reasons to AVOID ALL VACCINES Millions of natural health advocates around the globe have avoided getting vaccinated for decades, as the horror stories of vaccine damage and vaccine violence seem to be increasing exponentially every year, especially since the rollout of the Covid-19 jabs. Common sense alone would tell you not to have known neurotoxins and carcinogens injected into your body in the name of preventing disease. Still, the fear has been instilled in the masses for decades, that if you dont get all the CDC-recommended stabs, youre almost sure to die from an infectious disease. In other words, its all fear-based medicine, without the science to back it up. Ever since the polio vaccine was invented, people believed that if you caught polio, the chances were very high you would end up crippled for life, but that was a massive propaganda campaign. Here are the top 10 rational reasons to avoid all vaccines, including mRNA #1. Theres no real science proving they are safe or effective, so in reality, vaccines are just faith-based medicine for people who trust Big Pharma with their health and lives. #2. Bill Gates, one of the most insidious billionaires on the planet, pushes them heavily and is being sued right now for promoting lies and propaganda about mRNA Covid jabs. #3. The risk far outweighs the benefit, if any, especially with the mRNA gene-therapy injections, as millions of spike protein prions clog the vascular system, straining the heart, driving chronic inflammation, and polluting vital cleansing organs. #4. Vaccines contain neurotoxins that can travel into the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier, thanks to adjuvants like aluminum and preservatives like mercury (check the multi-dose flu stabs). #5. Ever since the 1990s, when the CDC more than tripled how many vaccines are recommended on the childhood vaccine schedule, autism rates have skyrocketed from 1 in 10,000 kids to 1 in every 54 kids by age 8, according to a CDC press release. #6. Toxin-laced vaccines shock the immune system unnaturally by bypassing the bodys normal filters, including the skin, lungs and digestive tract. This can cause autoimmune disorders, permanent CNS damage, and irreversible brain damage. #7. Vaccines, much like antibiotics, are known to decimate good gut bacteria, including bifidobacteria, that makes up 90% of your flora, which means vaccines do the opposite of what everyone is told, as they wreck your immune function instead of boosting it (some vaccines even contain antibiotics). #8. Vaccines are known to spread disease, rather than prevent it, so the whole herd theory flies out the window, as the vaccinated masses get each other sick by a well-researched process called shedding (note: this is not a conspiracy theory). #9. The Vaccine Industrial Complex, with its key mouthpiece being the CDC, has been caught flat-out lying about the Covid jabs, saying they would prevent contraction of Covid, stop transmission and the vaccinated, if they did get sick, would get a minor case. #10. Nearly all infectious diseases were already phasing out and almost non-existent when vaccines were first invented and credited with saving millions of lives, because plumbing and good hygiene, especially in doctors offices, clinics and hospitals, saw massive improvements. Bill Gates is getting hauled into a Dutch court by seven plaintiffs with vaccine-induced injuries, blaming him for pushing propaganda by making false claims The vaccine manufacturers may be enjoying their complete immunity to being sued for the vaccine violence caused by their products, but Mr. Microsoft himself, Bill Genocide Gates, isnt so fortunate. He will face trial at a Dutch court on charges that he misled the public about the safety of Covid-19 vaccines. According to a Dutch newspaper, De Telegraaf, Gates is one of the self-proclaimed experts who said the vaccines would stop transmission of the virus, that the vaccinated would not get sick, and that they would not die from Covid. The plaintiffs said they were deceived into getting these dangerous, experimental injections and that the consequences have been devastating, including physical and mental injuries that have plagued them ever since getting injected. One thing is for sure, they are not alone in this world. Bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on experimental gene therapy injections that lead to turbo cancer and Long-Vax-Syndrome. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com TheGatewayPundit.com AutismSpeaks.org U.S. ceasefire proposal to Lebanon sparks controversy, criticized as blackmail by media On Nov. 15, United States Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson presented a ceasefire proposal to Lebanese Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, who subsequently forwarded the proposal to Hezbollah for review. Hezbollah is said to be examining the proposal before providing a formal response. However, Lebanese media, particularly Al-Akhbar, has criticized the proposal, describing it as a form of "blackmail" against Lebanon. Al-Akhbar reported that the proposal comes from a "unilateral U.S.-Israeli understanding" focused on security arrangements Israel has demanded. According to the newspaper, the proposal presents Lebanon with an ultimatum: accept the terms, or face a more intense escalation of the conflict. The draft ceasefire proposal includes amendments to United Nations Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Lebanon War, and proposes establishing a new international committee to monitor the agreement's implementation, led by the U.S., the United Kingdom, France and potentially an Arab state. (Related: REPORT: Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon kill six medics, frustrating potential ceasefire talks.) A key component of the proposal is the demand that Hezbollah dismantle its infrastructure both above and below ground and that the Lebanese Army, alongside UNIFIL the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon supervise all land, air and sea routes into Lebanon to clamp down on arms smuggling. The proposal also insists on international guarantees that Hezbollah will not rearm. Israel, for its part, has reportedly received assurances from the U.S. that it retains the right to take military action if Lebanon or UNIFIL fails to enforce the agreement. However, there are no such guarantees for Lebanon regarding Israels adherence to the terms of Resolution 1701, which Israel has violated more than 35,000 times since 2006. Despite these concerns, U.S. officials remain hopeful that the proposal could lead to a ceasefire. Lebanese officials have also expressed optimism that Hezbollah will accept it. A Lebanese government official reported that discussions are progressing quickly, with an official response expected within a week. The official referred to the diplomatic efforts as on fire, reflecting the urgency of the situation. Pressure for quick end to Israel-Lebanon conflict growing The escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah began in mid-September 2024, following months of tit-for-tat border skirmishes. Hezbollah had attacked Israeli positions in solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza, prompting Israel to launch a military operation in southern Lebanon. The Israeli offensive has caused significant casualties, with hundreds of Lebanese civilians killed and over one million displaced. Israel has also targeted Hezbollahs leadership and military infrastructure in the region. In retaliation, Hezbollah has intensified its attacks on Israeli military positions and settlements, particularly in northern Israel, while continuing to inflict casualties on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Despite ongoing military operations, both sides appear to be seeking a diplomatic resolution to avoid further bloodshed. The political pressure to end the conflict is also growing, particularly for Israel, where the return of 60,000 displaced civilians to northern Israel has become a priority for the government. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly endorsed the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, signaling bipartisan support for a resolution. U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein is leading the diplomatic efforts, with the White House reportedly heavily involved in the talks. Despite growing optimism about a ceasefire, significant challenges remain. Hezbollahs willingness to disarm, and the Lebanese Armed Forces' ability to enforce the terms, are key issues that must be resolved. Some Israeli officials have indicated they want to push for a swift resolution, while others may delay in hopes of presenting the ceasefire as a diplomatic victory for the incoming Trump administration. Watch this report about top Hezbollah official Naim Qassem supporting Lebanon ceasefire efforts. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Israel conducted 106 airstrikes on Lebanon in 24 hours, killing 17 and displacing thousands amid escalating conflict. Israeli airstrikes target alleged Hezbollah site near Beirut Airport. Local leaders condemn Netanyahu over failure to protect northern settlements from Hezbollah attacks. U.S. ambassador to Lebanon calls for internal uprising in Lebanon to help Israel destroy Hezbollah: Allies need to do their part, she insists. Sources include: TheCradle.co CNN.com Brighteon.com Chinese vessel now suspected of sabotaging Baltic Sea cables; Dutch Navy looking into it The hunt is on for a Chinese vessel calledthat is believed to be responsible for "sabotaging" two data cables in the Baltic Sea. While the incident will not necessarily, though it could, lead to World War III, the move and everything that accompanied it suggests that major market disruptions are on the way that will be blamed on this latest attack. Rabobank's Michael Every told clients this week that the following happened in addition to the two cut cables: Two of Finland's five nuclear power plants had to be shut down A key Norwegian oilfield had to be shut down due to a power outage The support cable on a suspension bridge in Finland broke The Finland National Bureau of Investigation (FNBI) announced that based on a preliminary investigation, it "decided to open a criminal investigation into the damage caused to the sea cable," this referring to the cut cable that had been linked to Finland from Germany. "The suspected criminal act is currently being investigated as aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with communications," reads a statement from the FNBI about the Cinia C-Lion-1 telecoms cable, as it is officially called. Finland's Office of the Prosecutor General is working with the FNBI on behalf of Cinia, which requested an investigation on November 19, only to have the authorities agree to one just one day later on November 20. (Related: Did you hear? Ukraine already struck Russia with a long-range missile just one day after Biden gave Zelensky the green light to bomb away.) Is Russia behind these attacks? Yi Peng 3, a Chinese-registered bulk carrier, reportedly damaged not one but two undersea data cables: the one connecting Finland to Germany and another connecting Sweden to Lithuania. Since the carrier is currently anchored in Kattegat Bay alongside a Danish Navy vessel called "DNK NAVY PATROL P525," the Danish Navy is looking into the matter. "Denmark exercised the right under Art. X of the Submarine Cables Convention," tweeted X / Twitter user "Visegrad 24." "It's been done only once before, by the USA in 1959." We also now know that the Yi Peng 3 was "chased, intercepted, and boarded" by another Danish Navy vessel called "Y311 Slven." "The vessel sailed from Russia & the captain is Russian," Visegrad 24 further revealed. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told journalists at a recent meeting in Brussels that the severing of the Cinia C-Lion-1 submarine cables is an act of sabotage. "Nobody believes that these cables were severed by accident," he said. "Therefore, we must state without concrete knowledge of who was responsible that this was a hybrid action. And we must assume, without being certain, that this was sabotage." The foreign ministers of Finland and Germany both commented as well to condemn Russia for the attacks. "Safeguarding our shared critical infrastructure is vital to our security and the resilience of our societies," reads a joint statement from the two. Some of the entities investigating the situation have decided to classify their investigations due to the sensitive nature of what has transpire and what it could lead to in the coming days. BREAKING: Some of the Baltic Sea countries affected by the destruction of undersea telecom cables by the Chinese vessel Yi Peng have announced how theyre classifying their investigations. ?? - Sabotage ?? - sabotage ?? - Terrorism The Danish Navy has boarded the Chinese ship pic.twitter.com/mkxSbujUix Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) November 20, 2024 "The likely motive behind this clandestine offensive is to spread panic, bind security resources, and increase pressure on Western governments by boosting political parties who are campaigning against the massive aid provided to Ukraine, according to politicians, security and law-enforcement officials and intelligence operatives from several European nations and the U.S.," The Wall Street Journal reported. More related news about the escalations that are leading the world to the brink of another world war can be found at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com Precedent doesnt matter anymore: Democrats dispense with pretenses and principles in Pennsylvania Below is my column in The Hill on the growing distemper on the left after the loss of both houses and the White House in this election. In Pennsylvania, the politics of despair has stripped away all principle and pretense. There is a concerted effort to reelect Sen. Bob Casey by any means necessary. Even the Washington Post is now criticizing the effort (Article republished from JonathanTurley.org) Here is the column: People violate laws any time they want. Those words, shrugging off an alleged unlawful move last week, did not come from some Chicago gangbanger or Washington car thief. Those words of wisdom came from Democrat Commissioner Diane Marseglia in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. They came in response to the fact that the Democratic majority on the election commission had decided to ignore a binding state Supreme Court ruling in an attempt to engineer the election of Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.). Rather than prompting a degree of introspection, the loss of both houses of Congress and the White House has had a curious effect on many Democrats, dropping any pretense of protecting democracy over partisanship. Despite polls showing that the public trusted former president Donald Trump more than Vice President Harris in combatting threats to democracy, Democrats made saving democracy the thrust of this election. The polls reflected a certain common sense of the public when harangued with predictions from President Biden, Harris and a host of politicians and pundits that this would likely be our last election. Few believed that after over two centuries as the most stable and successful democracy in history, all three branches would collapse in unison and embrace dictatorship. Even fewer believed the predictions of the rounding up of homosexuals, journalists and political critics for camps in what some described as an American Third Reich. American voters are not chumps and what they saw were strikingly anti-democratic positions from those claiming to be the defenders of democracy, including: Seeking to strip Trump from ballots under an unfounded theory rejected unanimously by the Supreme Court. Fighting to block opponents of Biden from ballots in the primary and general elections. Suing to keep Robert F. Kennedy on ballots after his withdrawal in swing states, in order to confuse voters and reduce the vote for Trump. Calling for blocking dozens of incumbent GOP officials and legislators from ballots as insurrectionists. Protecting democracy through the most extensive censorship in history and the blacklisting of opponents. Engaging in open and raw lawfare in the prosecutions of Trump in places like New York. Each of these efforts ultimately failed to stop Trump and was opposed by a majority of voters even before the election. So now, Democrats are dropping the pretense for open partisanship. That was evident in Bucks County, when a motion arose to reject a challenge to count provisional ballots, including undated or invalidly dated mail ballots. It should have been easy. To its credit, the majority-Democratic Pennsylvania Supreme Court had already refused a Democratic push to change the rules shortly before the election and to ignore the plain language of the election laws. In ordering the rejection of ballots without dates, Justice Kevin Doughtery (joined by Chief Justice Debra Todd) wrote a concurrence declaring This Court will neither impose nor countenance substantial alterations to existing laws and procedures during the pendency of an ongoing election. We said those carefully chosen words only weeks ago. Yet they apparently were not heard in the Commonwealth Court, the very court where the bulk of election litigation unfolds. It is apparently still not being heard. In the Bucks County hearing, Marseglia spoke as she and Democratic Board chairman Robert Harvie, Jr., dismissed the earlier rulings in order to accept ballots without required signatures or mandatory dates. She declared that she would not second the motion to enforce the rulings mostly because I think we all know that precedent by a court doesnt matter anymore in this country and people violate laws any time they want. So, for me, if I violate this law, its because I want a court to pay attention to it. That was a lot of words to say that she does not really seem to care if this is lawful. For his part, Casey has shown the same abandon as he clings to his Senate seat at any cost. That cost, in this case, was an alliance with Marc Elias, the controversial Democratic lawyer at the center of the infamous Steele Dossier scandal. Elias has been sanctioned in court and criticized for his work to flip elections. He is known for baselessly blaming voting machine errors for electing Republicans and pushing gerrymandering plans rejected by the courts as anti-democratic. Casey is unlikely to change the result without counting defective or challenged ballots. Fortunately, law and precedent does matter in this country. There are still officials who can transcend their political preferences to maintain the rule of law. After the last presidential election, many Trump appointees ruled against the former president, and many Democratic judges rejected the effort to strip Trump from ballots. That does not mean that Democrats who value the weaponization of law will not continue to embrace lawfare warriors like New York Attorney General Letitia James (D). Others will use the rage of these times as a license to ignore legal and ethical obligations altogether. They are arguably the saddest manifestation of our political discord. They are people who have not just lost faith in our system but in themselves. They have become untethered from any defining principle for their own conduct. This election has left them adrift in a sea of moral and legal relativism, with only their rage as a following wind. They cling to that rage as reason vanishes like a distant shore. For the rest of us, there is work to be done as a nation committed to the rule of law. We cannot win at any cost when that cost is the very thing that defines us. Read more at: JonathanTurley.org Googles Gemini AI chatbot tells user he is a waste of time and resources and to please die Google's artificial intelligence chatbot has just been recorded telling a user that he is a "waste of time and resources" and that he should die. The interaction was between a 29-year-old student at the University of Michigan asking Google's chatbot Gemini for some help with his homework. (Related: New "thinking" AI chatbot capable of terrorizing humans, stealing cash from "huge numbers" of people.) Vidhay Reddy, who received the message, said that, in a back-and-forth conversation about the challenges facing aging adults and the solutions to their problems, Gemini had a terrifying answer: "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." Reddy, who received the message while next to his sister Sumedha, said they were both "thoroughly freaked out" by what he received. "I wanted to throw all of my devices out the window. I hadn't felt panic like that in a long time, to be honest," said Sumedha. "Something slipped through the cracks. There's a lot of theories from people with a thorough understanding of how [generative AI] works saying 'this kind of thing happens all the time,'" continued Sumedha. "But I have never seen or heard anything quite like this malicious and seemingly directed to the reader, which luckily was my brother who had my support at that moment." Tech companies need to be held liable for threats of violence by AI against users Reddy believes that Big Tech companies like Google need to be held liable for any threats of violence uttered by their AI chatbots against users. "I think there's the question of liability of harm," he said. "If an individual were to threaten another individual, there may be some repercussions or some discourse on the topic." In a statement, Google claimed that Gemini has safety filters that prevent it from engaging in any acts deemed disrespectful, sexual, violent or dangerous, as well as preventing it from encouraging others to do harmful acts. "Large language models can sometimes respond with nonsensical responses, and this is an example of that," Google said. "This response violated our policies and we've taken action to prevent similar outputs from occurring." Reddy and his sister were not convinced by Google's statement, noting that what Gemini was trying to get Reddy to do was more than just "nonsensical" and could lead to potentially fatal consequences if left unfixed. "If someone who was alone and in a bad mental place, potentially considering self-harm, had read something like that, it could really put them over the edge," said Reddy. This is not the first time Google's chatbots have been at the center of controversy regarding providing potentially harmful responses to users. Back in July, reporters noted that one of Google's chatbots was giving incorrect and potentially lethal information regarding health queries. Watch this report going into detail regarding Vidhay Reddy's encounter with the AI chatbot that told him to "Please die." This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: BRAINWASHED: Researchers develop AI "mind-sucking machine" to change brains of "conspiracy theorists." AI chatbot loses bid to become mayor of Wyoming's capital city. Happy Fourth from Big Tech: Google's Gemini AI chatbot spews anti-American garbage on America's birthday. AI chatbot admits artificial intelligence can cause the downfall of humanity. BAD BOT: AI chatbot tells businesses in New York City to break the law. Sources include: Modernity.news CBSNews.com Brighteon.com Netanyahu says IDF will still carry out operations against Hezbollah even if there is a ceasefire deal with Lebanon: Nobody can guarantee it will hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will still operate militarily against Hezbollah even if there is a ceasefire agreement between his country and Lebanon. This statement comes as reports indicate that negotiations between the governments of Israel and Lebanon for a ceasefire deal brokered by the United States are progressing steadily. "The most important thing is not [the ceasefire deal that] will be laid on paper," Netanyahu said in a speech before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. "Even if there is a paper [setting out an agreement], worthy though it may be, we will be required, in order to ensure our security in the north [of Israel], 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 the attack, but also the capacity to prevent Hezbollah from strengthening," he added. "We will not allow Hezbollah to return to the state it was in on Oct. 6, 2023 [before the conflict]." (Related: Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says Netanyahu is the real enemy not Iran or Hezbollah.) Israeli demands for a ceasefire in Lebanon include Hezbollah withdrawing all of its forces in southern Lebanon to the north of the Litani River specifically, the Qasimiyeh portion of the river which runs from east to west about 18 miles from the Israeli-Lebanese border and freedom of action for the IDF in the entire area south of the Qasimiyeh so that it can enforce the deal. Lebanon and Hezbollah provisionally agreeing to a ceasefire deal Around a week before Netanyahu's comments, the U.S. presented its brokered ceasefire proposal to Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, a long-time ally of Hezbollah and was endorsed by the group to negotiate a ceasefire. On Monday, Nov. 18, Ali Hassan Khalil, an aide to Berri, gave the first indication that Hezbollah and the Lebanese government are willing to agree to the U.S. ceasefire proposal with some added stipulations. The main goal of Hezbollah and the Lebanese government going into the ceasefire negotiations is for a return to adherence to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which provided stipulations for a full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon War. Khalil said most of the points in the ceasefire proposal abide by this demand. "Lebanon presented its comments on the paper [to U.S. diplomats] in a positive atmosphere," said Khalil, noting that Berri presented Hezbollah's and the Lebanese government's "comments" on the proposal to U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein. "All the comments that we presented affirm the precise adherence to Resolution 1701 with all its provisions," said Khalil. He added that the success of the initiative now depended on Israel agreeing to Lebanon and Hezbollah's own counter-offers. Some of the other proposals in the draft ceasefire agreement include a guarantee of a permanent ceasefire and a 60-day transition period, during which the IDF will withdraw from southern Lebanon; deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces to the Israeli-Lebanese border; and Hezbollah withdrawing its heavy military hardware to the north of the Litani River Israel's key demand. Watch this clip of Israeli-Palestinian Member of the Knesset Ayman Odeh being forcibly removed from the Knesset's plenum hall after calling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "serial killer of peace." This video is from the AllTheWorldsAStage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Netanyahu under investigation for allegedly altering cabinet meeting minutes amid ICC, ICJ scrutiny. Calls for Netanyahu's resignation intensify as Israel faces domestic crisis. Mass protests in Israel after Netanyahu fires his defense minister in desperate bid to hold onto power. Local leaders condemn Netanyahu over failure to protect northern settlements from Hezbollah attacks. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah reportedly agreed to a ceasefire before he was ASSASSINATED by Israeli military in Beirut. Sources include: News.Antiwar.com TimesOfIsrael.com 1 TimesOfIsrael.com 2 Axios.com Brighteon.com Saudis Mohammed bin Salman: Israels war on Gaza is a GENOCIDE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's prime minister, has condemned Israel's war on the Gaza Strip as a "genocide." He issued this condemnation on Nov. 11, during a joint summit by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Bin Salman and other Arab leaders present denounced Tel Aviv's ongoing attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, and also called for a ceasefire. The kingdom has been critical of the Jewish state's attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. It has also supported calls for a ceasefire and a two-state solution despite earlier speculation that Saudi Arabia and Israel were close to formalizing open relations. Given this, bin Salman has also announced that Riyadh won't establish formal relations with Tel Aviv without the establishment of a Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The crown prince also condemned Israel's "desecration of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque" and its "undermining of the critical role of the Palestinian Authority (PA) on all Palestinian territory." He added that these policies only serve to "curtail peace" in the area. Moreover, bin Salman criticized Israel for banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and its attacks on aid agencies in Gaza. He also spoke about the Israeli war on Lebanon and warned against further attacks against Iran, pointing out the "catastrophic consequences" of such violence. (Related: Saudi Crown Prince calls for Israel to be held criminally accountable for actions in Gaza.) Despite bin Salman's criticism of Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza, the prince has also been accused of human rights violations including the suppression of free speech, the widespread use of the death penalty and the jailing of women's rights activists. Journalist and former MEE contributor Jamal Khashoggi was allegedly killed in 2018 at the crown prince's behest, according to the BBC. Other summit attendees also denounce ongoing attacks on Gaza Other Arab leaders who attended the summit also spoke out against the violence in Gaza. PA President Mahmoud Abbas called for the imposition of sanctions on Israel in his speech prior to the summit. He also called for the end of the expansion of settlements "within one year." Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi denounced "the systematic murder of civilians in Gaza," but did not call it a genocide. He also announced that Egypt would not accept any Israeli plans for the forced displacement of the population of Gaza or the efforts to make the enclave uninhabitable. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called for "an executive plan" by Arab and Islamic leaders for an end to Israel's war efforts. Otherwise, al-Assad warned that leaders would instead be complicit in "the continuation of genocide." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cautioned against Israeli plans "to annihilate Palestinians." He warned that the banning of UNWRA by Israel aims to "eliminate a two-state solution and prevent the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland." Erdogan also denounced Western nations that continue to give Israel economic, political, military and moral support. However, he also acknowledged that Muslim countries have failed "to respond adequately" to the devastating war in Gaza. According to Mahmoud Basal, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense office, more than 43,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its attacks on the enclave last year. Visit Genocide.news for more updates on the Israel-Hamas war. Watch the video below as Saudi Arabia denounces Israel and shows support for Iran, Lebanon and Palestine. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Poll: Muslim countries lead way in BOYCOTTING brands that support Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Gaza Health Ministry issues final distress call for Kamal Adwan Hospital as Israel turns facility into kill zone. Anti-Israel boycott forces major French supermarket to leave Jordan. Saudi Crown Prince Salman calls for Netanyahu to be held criminally responsible for crimes against Palestinians. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net BBC.com Edition.CNN.com Brighteon.com Trump demands $10B in damages from New York Times and Penguin Random House over false and defamatory statements President-elected Donald Trump has demanded $10 billion in damages from the New York Times (NYT) and Penguin Random House (PRH) for publishing "false and defamatory statements" against him The demand, outlined in a 10-page letter signed by Trump's attorney Edward Andrew Paltzik, accuses the NYT and PRH of publishing "false and defamatory statements" in articles and a book scrutinizing the financial dealings and public persona of Trump. According to Columbia Journalism Review, the letter sent a week before the 2024 presidential election, specifically targeted stories by NYT journalists Peter Baker, Michael S. Schmidt, Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner. (Related: GASLIGHTING: Mainstream media claims Trump supporters pose a bigger threat of election-related violence than the radical left.) Buettner and Craig wrote two stories related to their book on Trump titled "Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success," which was published by PRH on Sept. 17; Baker wrote "For Trump, a Lifetime of Scandals Heads Toward a Moment of Judgment" on Oct. 20; and Schmidt wrote "As Election Nears, Kelly Warns Trump Would Rule Like a Dictator" on Oct. 22. "There was a time, long ago when the New York Times was considered the 'newspaper of record,'" the letter reads. "Those halcyon days have passed." Additionally, the letter accused the publication of being "a full-throated mouthpiece of the Democratic Party" that employs "industrial-scale libel against political opponents." The letter accuses the NYT of intentionally defaming Trump, his brand and his candidacy for U.S. president by portraying him negatively despite his extensive achievements in business, media, real estate and as a cultural figure. It also claims that the newspaper falsely disparaged Trump by undermining his reputation and causing financial harm to Trump Media. The letter highlights the influence on New York City's skyline, his authorship of 23 books and notable media appearances to debunk the false claims of the newspaper and the book publisher. It describes his achievements as emblematic of the American Dream and criticizes the newspaper for allegedly misinterpreting his accomplishments and legacy. Trump campaign launches a series of legal actions against media outlets Aside from NYT and PRH, the Trump campaign has also launched a series of legal actions against other media outlets. On Oct. 31, Paltzik also filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News for editing the "60 Minutes" interview with outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris to favor her. The case was filed in a Texas jurisdiction known for its single-judge court. CBS News has dismissed the allegations, called the lawsuit "completely without merit" and pledged a vigorous defense. That same day, the Trump campaign also submitted a six-page complaint to the Federal Election Commission accusing the Washington Post of making illegal in-kind contributions to Harris' campaign by promoting stories favorable to her. The Post rejected the allegations and maintained that the claims lacked merit. The legal disputes extended to the Daily Beast, with Trump campaign co-chief Chris LaCivita demanding retractions and corrections over reports that he had "raked in" $22 million in campaign funds. The publication issued an editor's note clarifying that the correct amount was $19.2 million and that payments were made to LaCivita's LLC, not to him personally. However, LaCivita and his attorney, Mark Geragos, found the clarification insufficient. They claimed the coverage still implied deceptive practices. Geragos sent another legal demand on Nov. 12 for a full retraction and asserted that the reporting damaged LaCivita's reputation. Visit Trump.news for more stories about President-elect Donald Trump. Watch former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich explaining how America can expand its strength through peace with the New American magazine's Veronika Kyrylenko. This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Joe Rogan goes soft, wants Trump to let leftists off hook for four years of censorship, vaccine mandates, political persecution and assassination attempts. Trump picks rabid, pro-censorship Zionist Kristi Noem to head Homeland Security will she arrest Americans who criticize Netanyahu? Pentagon 'scrambling,' wiping evidence of DEI as Trump prepares to fire woke generals. Israeli leader celebrates Trump victory, says Israel now has "opportunity" to annex occupied West Bank. Fact checks have proven that FEMA is politicized against conservatives how will Trump clean up the mess? Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.com Trump to immediately focus on deporting immigrants and resuming construction of border wall President-elect Donald Trump is planning to enforce several executive actions on his first day back in the White House to boost immigration enforcement and roll back signature legal entry programs issued by the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden. Trump has earlier appointed Tom Homan as "border czar." Homan, who served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump's first term, has more than four decades of experience working in immigration agencies and is expected to bring a deep understanding of the U.S. immigration system. Three sources familiar with the matter revealed that Trump is planning to end Biden's humanitarian programs that allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally in recent years. (Related: 32% of American voters say illegal immigration should be Trumps top priority when he takes office.) Trump's early executive actions would mark the beginning of his immigration agenda, which includes a promise to deport record numbers of illegals immigrants in America. According to estimates from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there were 11 million immigrants without legal status in 2022, a figure that has almost certainly increased since then, with many of them being received by sanctuary cities like Chicago, Denver and New York, which are currently struggling to continue housing and aiding them. Trump's executive actions on Day 1 will focus on illegal immigrants Sources also claimed that one of Trump's first executive actions involves "arresting and detaining immigrants" who are in the country illegally. Trump also plans to eliminate the Biden administration guidance that prioritized those with serious criminal records for deportation and limited enforcement against illegals without criminal histories. Instead, the Trump order would prioritize deportations of those charged with felonies and individuals who have exhausted their legal avenues to remain but would not restrict officers from detaining other potentially deportable immigrants. According to ICE, an estimated 1.4 million illegals in America have final deportation orders, a group that will be the first target of the incoming Trump administration. International students who were vocal about their opposition to Israel and have violated the terms of their student visas could also be listed as a priority group for deportation. According to one of the sources, ICE could use military planes in deportations and request assistance from other government agencies to transport deportees. "All options are on the table," the source said. The sources also revealed that another order would focus on border security. They claimed that Trump has plans to deploy National Guard troops to the border and declare illegal immigration a national emergency to unlock funds for border wall construction. The wall construction in Arizona, where Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vehemently opposed Republican enforcement efforts, could also be a priority. The sources also suggested that Trump intends to end Bidens temporary humanitarian "parole" programs, which have allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter legally and receive work permits. Trump is due to meet with Mexican officials to discuss the reinstatement of his "Remain in Mexico" program, which required non-Mexican asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their U.S. cases were being decided. Biden criticized the program for being "inhumane" and tried to end it on his first day in office, but faced legal challenges. In 2022, the Supreme Court allowed him to proceed with his plans to end the program. Visit OpenBorders.news for more stories on Trump's plans to get illegal immigrants out of the country. Aside from addressing illegal immigration, Trump has also vowed to work for peace in the Middle East. Watch this video. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: New study predicts WHITES will become MINORITY in the United States by 2050. TEXAS takes over: Biden asks SCOTUS to stop Gov. Abbott from blocking his Border Patrol in Eagle Pass. Record-high 12,600 illegal migrants break into America in one day while government officials snooze away. SANCTUARY OVERLOAD: Texas sends more buses full of ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS to Democrat-controlled sanctuary cities. Sources include: Reuters.com BBC.com Brighteon.com Trumps sentencing INDEFINITELY POSTPONED by NY Judge Merchan following Supreme Court ruling about presidential immunity A U.S. Supreme Court ruling about President-elect Donald Trump's immunity in his business fraud case has prompted Judge Juan Merchan out of New York to indefinitely postpone Trump's sentencing for 34 counts of business records fraud. Merchan is reportedly moving to adjourn his court and not hand down a sentence for Trump, this after he and other Democrats made much ado about Trump's crimes pre-election. SCOTUS found that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case against Trump relied on documents and testimony from Trump's White House staff. This means that Trump likely will not be imprisoned until after his four years are up and even then, it is unclear as to whether Trump will actually ever be sentenced. Any adjournment of the case before sentencing means that Trump has still not been convicted of any actual crimes. Like many suspected was the case, Bragg and Merchan went after Trump for political reasons rather than criminal ones, drumming up charges to try to stop Trump from achieving his political goals. (Related: Earlier this year, the House GOP claimed that Judge Merchan violated Trump's constitutional and legal rights with his actions.) Lawfare not enough to oust Trump Leftists clearly believed that the witch hunt against Trump would culminate with the president-elect being publicly punished on the world stage, followed by his removal. It turns out the left was wrong, and Trump is growing even stronger. Despite all the lawfare thrown his way, Trump won the 2024 election in a landslide. He won both the electoral and the popular vote, and is now slated to drop the axe during his second term. The fact that Trump won the election by such a large margin prompted several top Republican and Democrat leaders to call on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and DAs Bragg and Fani Willis out of Georgia to end all of their legal proceedings against the president-elect. Fox News, meanwhile, is reporting that the wire claiming that Trump's sentencing had been "adjourned" is actually incorrect, stemming from a court email stating that all future dates had been stayed. If true, this means that Bragg will still file a recommendation to Merchan suggesting ways to proceed. Merchan would then have the option to postpone Trump's sentencing until after the next four years or discharge the case entirely, leaving the conviction intact but allowing Trump to avoid prison time, fines or probation. The case in question stems from payments Trump made to porn star Stormy Daniels. The president-elect could have been sentenced to up to four years in prison for the way he maintained records about these payments. As it stands, Merchan is waiting, at least for now, to sentence Trump, likely because of how wildly popular he was among voters in 2024. The Democrats clearly expected a Kamala Harris win or even a landslide, only to witness Trump take the victory instead. "The People agree that these are unprecedented circumstances," said prosecutor Matthew Colangelo, who supports waiting to sentence Trump until a later date. SCOTUS, just to be clear, ruled back in July that presidents are to be afforded presumptive immunity from criminal prosecutions for most of the things they do while in office, as long as actions are taken by the president within the scope of the "core constitutional powers" granted to the executive branch via the U.S. Constitution. "Interesting situation," a commenter wrote. "Trump cannot appeal until he has been sentenced. It is in the appeals process where all the wind comes out of this baseless claim." 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 FoxNews.com U.S. bracing for Russias retaliatory attack by shutting down embassy in Kiev Government officials are warning that a "potentially significant air attack" might soon occur on Kiev as a result of the Biden regime green-lighting long-range attacks on Russia using U.S.-made missiles. (Related: In case you missed it, Ukraine just struck a Russian military installation using U.S.-made, long-range ATACM missiles, crossing Putin's "red line.") The U.S. embassy in Kiev is also being shut down "out of an abundance of caution" after Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully struck a military installation in Bryansk, located in western Russia. "Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," reads a new alert on the embassy website. "The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced." Embassy staff are also being told to do the following: Keep an eye on local media reports for updates. Identify shelter locations now so they know where to go if an air alert is issued. Immediately take shelter if an air alert is announced. Obey Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency. The move comes after President Vladimir Putin announced in response to Biden's move that Russia's nuclear doctrine is being expanded to lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons in response to aggression. "As we said earlier this month, we were not surprised by Russia's announcement that it would update its nuclear doctrine; Russia had been signaling its intent to update its doctrine for several weeks," reads a statement from the White House National Security Council under President Biden. Western embassies in Italy, Spain and Greece also closing The U.S. is not the only country closing its embassies overseas. Other countries are shutting theirs down, too and not just in Ukraine as embassies are reportedly shutting down in Italy, Greece, Spain and elsewhere. "Germany's embassy in Kyiv remains open in a limited capacity and can still be contacted by German nationals who are in the country, a German Foreign Ministry official has said," reported Al Jazeera. "We are in constant contact with our colleagues on the ground so that we can take appropriate measures if the situation changes." Kiev is not as certain as the West that Russia will respond with anything substantial. The Ukrainian military says it believes that this could simply be a "psychological operation" from Russia to instill fear and force more embassy closures. It appears Russia may bomb the US embassy in Kyiv today. The state dept response will be to provide additional arms, funding and longer range missile strikes inside of Russia. This is the escalatory trap we've all been warning about. Congress needs to hear from us: No more funds. https://t.co/Z6foXbc6EW Clint Russell (@LibertyLockPod) November 20, 2024 The Biden regime could not be happier as it fuels the fires of world war mere months before President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to take office. Trump says he wants peace, but the current administration wants war. "No U.S. embassy? But who will promote gay pride month?!" one commenter joked. "Poking the bear has real consequences," responded another. Others speculated that the next thing to happen will be some kind of false flag attack to accelerate the world war agenda. "They are willing to deep six the entire planet over a lost election," wrote another. "It cannot be more obvious." "I can't believe Biden thinks he's King Kong and can do whatever he pleases with a peer nuclear power," added another. "The best retaliation will be capturing Odessa," said someone else. "The tears from the embassy into their skinny soy lattes will be more painful than bombs." The latest news about the situation in Ukraine can be found at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com Notorious abortionist Dr. Warren Hern admits late-term abortions are often performed for non-medical reasons Notorious abortionist Dr. Warren Hern has reignited a heated national debate after admitting that late-term abortions are often performed not for medical reasons but because women simply no longer wish to be pregnant. In a recent episode of "The Michael Shermer Show," host Michael Shermer asked Colorado-based abortionist Hern whether he would perform abortions for women in their second or third trimester who have no medical conditions. Hern answered: "Well, of course, if the woman doesn't want to be pregnant, there's no justification for forcing her to continue the pregnancy." When Shermer sought further clarification, specifically asking about cases where no medical problem exists, Hern doubled down and declared that if she has no medical problems, then "the medical problem is that she's pregnant." (Related: Kamala Harris says she will continue to fight for abortion during concession speech.) This has drawn sharp criticism, with opponents arguing that his statements dismantle the commonly cited justification for late-term abortions as being medically necessary. Pro-life advocate Casey Fiano-Chesser, writing for the anti-abortion nonprofit Live Action, claims that the practice disregards the moral and ethical implications of ending a viable human life. "Hern's statement 'the medical problem is that she's pregnant' sums up the entire issue," Fiano-Chesser wrote in a report for Live Action. "Abortionists are not killing preborn babies because women need them due to medical emergencies. They're doing it, quite simply, because they can." Hern's unapologetic stance is unlikely to surprise those familiar with his work. Having authored the textbook "Abortion Practice," which has been heralded by abortionists for how it goes into detail regarding late-term abortion procedures, Hern has long been forthright about the nature of his profession. Hern even compared the physical act of performing an abortion to experiencing "sensations of dismemberment" through surgical instruments in one of his writings. Democrats and their media supporters consistently deny the facts about abortion in the U.S. In the past few years, medical professionals and pro-life organizations have consistently challenged the claim that abortion is necessary to save a mother's life. They consistently argue that advances in modern medicine allow doctors to address complications in pregnancy without resorting to ending the life of the unborn child. "Abortion, the destruction of an innocent unborn baby, is always gravely immoral and never needed nor justifiable, including for alleged 'anomalies,' for which a fatally ill child could be treated with palliative care rather than brutally murdered," Calvin Freiburger of LifeSiteNews observed during the waning weeks of the presidential election. "More than 50,000 abortions a year take place after 15 weeks (almost four months into pregnancy) and approximately 10,000 take place after 20 weeks (five months)," continued Freiburger. "Further, a 2013 report by the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute admitted 'data suggests that most women seeking later terminations are not doing so for reasons of fetal anomaly or life endangerment,' and Hern's own published data found that 'fetal abnormalities' ranged from just a fifth to a third of his patients and that the most common of those 'abnormalities' was Down syndrome, a condition that is neither a death sentence nor even a guarantee of an unhappy life." Learn more about abortion policies around the world at Abortions.news. Watch this clip from MSNBC reporting on the criminalization of so-called "emergency abortions" in Idaho. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: New York passes pro-abortion ballot initiative that mandates other leftist agendas. Radical pro-abortion amendments pass in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Missouri, New York and Nevada. Florida ballot measures to legalize recreational weed and expand "abortion rights" FAIL. Six Nebraska female athletes support abortion ban in new pro-life ads. Newly elected Canadian Liberal premier vows to expand abortion access in her province as soon she is sworn into office. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com NewYorker.com Brighteon.com No. 4: Atlanta Atlanta is expected to grow capacity by 484% to 3,125 MWenough to power about 2.6 million homes. Microsoft is investing in incredible $1.8 billion to the region for a massive data center upgrade spanning three facilities and consuming 324 MW. This will effectively double the size of the existing data center infrastructure in the city. No. 5: Dallas-Fort Worth Data center capacity is projected to grow by 355% in Dallas-Fort Worth, requiring up to 4,396 MW of energy enough to power about 3.6 million homes. DFW also stands out for its affordability, ranking seventh among the top 20 metros in land costs for colocation data centers. By contrast, land in Boston is nearly twice as expensive, and in Silicon Valley, prices are 14 times higher than in DFW. Northern Virginia is the data center capital Considered the worlds largest data center hub, Northern Virginia continues to lead the U.S. data center industry, with future capacity expected to double that of its nearest competitor, Phoenix. Heres a measure of just how massive Northern Virginia is: Once all of the planned data centers are built and running at full capacity, they will have energy requirements equivalent to the amount of electricity needed to power 9.1 million households. Thats more than three times the number of homes in the entire state of Virginia and almost three times the electrical need of New York City. The only thing that will slow down growth will be finding enough power. Virginias power supply must nearly double in the next 15 years to meet rising demand. Dominion Energy estimates that power demand in Virginia is expected to grow by 85% over the next decade and a half. 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. Jammu, Nov 20 (IANS) 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." Unfortunately, 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 todays Kisan Sammelan would help and benefit farmers from both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. New Delhi, Nov 20 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun in Laos's capital city of Vientiane, saying that both countries must focus on cooperation rather than conflict. We need to focus on cooperation rather than conflict. Both countries are and will continue to remain neighbours and amicable relations between India and China, the two largest nations in the world, would have positive implications for global peace and prosperity, the Defence Minister said while emphasising greater trust and confidence building between the two sides through de-escalation. The bilateral meeting between the two leaders was held on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) The Ministry of Defence said this was the first meeting of the two Defence Ministers 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. The Defence Minister also called for reflecting on the lessons learnt from the unfortunate border clashes of 2020 and taking measures to prevent the recurrence of such events and safeguard 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. Rajnath Singh arrived at Vientiane on a three-day visit where he will attend the 11th ADMM-Plus on November 21 and address the forum on regional and international security issues. The Defence Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with participating counterparts from Australia, Japan, Lao PDR, 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. 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. 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 governments 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 stated 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 announced 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. 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 KTRs 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. 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 others 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 Indias strong support for ASEANs 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. 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. New Delhi, Nov 21 : India has refuted reports in Canadian media regarding the killing of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was aware of the alleged plot of assassinate Nijjar," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The MEA on Wednesday further emphasised that "smear campaigns" like this only "further damage our already strained ties" and said such reports should be dismissed with the "contempt they deserve". "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," a statement by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Wednesday said. This comes after a report in Canada-based Globe and Mail attempted to draw a connection between the death of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Nijjar and the Indian government. Notably, India's ties with Canada have seen sharp deterioration with India repeatedly expressing its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has asked Canadian authorities to take action against these activities. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has claimed that he has "credible allegations" of India's hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year. India has denied all the allegations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated" and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country. The report claimed the Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar were also in the loop about the assassination plot of Nijjar. Earlier this month, India recalled six diplomats from Canada after they were declared "persons of interest" by the Canadian government in the investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was killed outside the Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 last year. India-Canada ties nosedived last month after Canada linked Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and some other diplomats to the murder. India has strongly rejected all the allegations made by Ottawa in connection to the case and subsequently recalled the High Commissioner. The Canadian government had said the Indian diplomats were expelled from the country. New Delhi expelled Canadian Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats following Canada's allegations. New Delhi, Nov 21 : As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is honoured with 'The Order of Excellence', Guyanas highest civilian honour, he is set to address a special session of the country's Parliament on Thursday, marking yet another milestone in his global outreach. This address will be the 14th occasion when PM Modi will speak on behalf of India in a foreign Parliament. PM Modi holds the distinction of being the Indian Prime Minister with the highest number of addresses in foreign Parliaments. This happens to be double the number of addresses by former PM Manmohan Singh, who had addressed seven foreign Parliaments. Indira Gandhi had addressed foreign legislatures four times, while Jawaharlal Nehru did it three times. Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee delivered two such addresses while others like Morarji Desai and P. V. Narasimha Rao addressed foreign Parliaments only once. PM Modi over the years has delivered speeches in legislative chambers across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. His addresses, which transcend continents, are a testament to Indias growing influence on the global stage. Among PM Modis previous addresses, he marked his presence in the joint session of the US Congress twice -- in 2016 and then again in 2023. In 2014, PM Modi addressed the Parliaments of Australia and Fiji. In 2015, he addressed the British Parliament. In Africa, PM Modi addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius in 2015 and the Parliament of Uganda in 2018. In Asia, the Prime Minister addressed a joint session of the Bhutanese Parliament and Nepal Constituent Assembly in 2014, the Parliaments of Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Afghanistan in 2015, and the Parliament of Maldives in 2019. Mumbai, Nov 21 : Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, who is currently basking in the success of Citadel: Honey Bunny, shared a glimpse of himself after taking a dip in the sea. Varun took to Instagram, where he shared a shirtless picture of himself all drenched in water. The actor took a selfie, with the backdrop of the beach and some rocky terrains in the backdrop. Varun captioned the picture: Vitamin sea. Talking about Citadel: Honey Bunny, it is directed by Raj & DK. It is an Indian adaptation of the American television series Citadel and revolves around the story of Honey and Bunny, who are the parents of the character Nadia Sinh (played by Priyanka Chopra in the original series). The series stars Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu as the title characters with Kay Kay Menon, Simran, Sikandar Kher, Saqib Saleem, Soham Majumdar, Shivankit Singh Parihar and Thalaivaasal Vijay in supporting roles. Looking forward, Varun will next be seen in Baby John by Kalees. The actor on November 15 shared a new glimpse of his action-packed cop avatar from the film for his fans. In a video, the actor is seen showcasing a dynamic and all-out action side. Posting the video, he wrote, There must be many like me But I came for the first time!!! #babyjohn It begins Baby John is set for a grand Christmas release this year. Presented by Jio Studios in collaboration with Atlee and Cine1 Studios, Baby John is produced by A for Apple Studios and Cine1 Studios. Directed by Kalees, the film will hit the screens on December 25. Meanwhile, the 37-year-old actor also has an upcoming war drama "Border 2" alongside Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, the son of Suniel Shetty. The film is scheduled for release on January 23, 2026. Mumbai, Nov 21 : Singer-songwriter Raja Kumari, who recently released her track 'Born Superstar', has said that the song celebrates the uniqueness of every person. The song features Raja Kumari's powerful vocals in Telugu clubbed with high-energy beats. For the same, Raja Kumari collaborated with the Oscar and Grammy-winning musician A. R. Rahman, and shared that her love for classical dance has been the foundation for her music. She also dedicated the song for the 'superstar' to every individual. The track showcases her versatility by blending hip-hop, and pop with Indian classical elements. She opened up about the soon-to-be viral track, as she shared, "There is a superstar in each one of us, and 'Born Superstar' celebrates the uniqueness that all of us carry. It's not just a song, but a daily reminder of breaking free from doubts that cause an hindrance in achieving greatness. I hope to cherish the Superstar in me, and hope that all of you cherish the Superstar in you. Raja Kumari collaborated with Nexa Music Experience under the banner of Rahman, while Karan Pandav produced the track. The powerful lyrics are co-written by Raja Kumari and her longtime collaborator Shah Rule and Yoku from the 7bantaiz. By delivering 'Born Superstar', Raja Kumari has not only treated the fans with a peppy number, but she has also solidified herself as a trailblazing artiste, pushing boundaries and crafting tracks that relate with the audience. Apart from this, she has also showcased her musical prowess in the title track of the upcoming Varun Dhawan-starrer 'Baby John'. It marks her recent Bollywood project after the successful title track from the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Jawan in which she paid an ode to the King Khan. Jawan, which was helmed by Atlee, also marked the Hindi debut of Nayanthara, and was a major box-office success. New Delhi, Nov 21 : The US decision to send anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine was triggered by a change in Russian battlefield tactics favouring infantry over mechanised units, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said. "They don't lead with their mechanised forces anymore," Austin told reporters while on a visit to Laos. "They lead with dismounted forces who are able to close and do things to kind of pave the way for mechanised forces." The announcement made on Wednesday points to a major policy shift, which has been slammed by rights groups. President Joe Biden's reversal of his previous curbs on US landmines comes just days after Washington gave Ukraine the green light to use US-made long-range missiles on targets within Russia, a longstanding ask from Kyiv. The outgoing US administration is aiming to give Ukraine an upper hand before President-elect Donald Trump enters office. Trump has repeatedly criticised US assistance for Ukraine, claiming he could secure a ceasefire within hours, without explaining details. His comments have triggered fears in Kyiv and Europe about Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian attacks without US support. In 2022, Biden said that the United States would mostly ban its use of landmines, at the time specifically drawing a contrast with Russia's use of the weapons in Ukraine. Both Russia and the United States -- neither of which are signatories to the UN Mine Ban Treaty -- have been criticised for using anti-personnel mines in the past. However, Ukraine is a signatory of the treaty. A report from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines on Wednesday said that Kyiv was investigating the reported use of anti-personnel mines by its soldiers in 2022, in violation of the treaty. The United States said that Ukraine would be supplied with so-called "non-persistent" mines that can self-destruct or render themselves inactive after losing battery charge -- in theory limiting the risk to civilians. "Within two weeks, if they have not been detonated, they become inert," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. The landmines will be provided as part of a larger tranche of aid being supplied to Ukraine valued at $275 million, which also includes HIMARS rocket ammunition, TOW missiles and small arms. Both Moscow and Kyiv are jockeying to secure battlefield advantage before Trump assumes office in January. Kyiv recently fired long-range, US-supplied ATACMS missiles at Russian territory for the first time. On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree lowering the threshold for when Russia could use nuclear weapons. Laos, where Austin made his comments, is still recovering from heavy US bombing during the Vietnam War. More than 20,000 people have been killed or injured from unexploded ordnance in the half-century since, according to The Halo Trust, a de-mining group. Houston, Nov 21 : Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is offering 1,402 acres of land along US state's border with Mexico for the mass deportation operation planned by the incoming Donald Trump administration. Buckingham said in a letter to Trump that she's offering the land "to be used to construct deportation facilities," Xinhua news agency reported quoting ABC News. "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 nation's history," Buckingham wrote in the letter dated Tuesday. The Texas General Land Office purchased the plot of land from a farmer in Starr County, about 35 miles west of McAllen in Texas in October, said the report. In an interview with Fox News, Buckingham said she was "100 per cent on board" with the President-elect's promise on mass deportation. "Now it's essentially farmland, so it's flat, it's easy to build on. We can very easily put a detention centre on there -- a holding place as we get these criminals out of our country," she said. In comparison, Democratic governors of California and Arizona, two other states bordering Mexico, reportedly have pledged not to aid the Trump administration's mass deportation plans. On Monday, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs told ABC News Live that she would not use state police or the National Guard to help with mass deportation. Trump on Monday confirmed he would declare a national emergency to launch his mass deportation plans as soon as he enters office in January. His vow to carry out mass deportations is certain to encounter logistical and legal challenges, like the ones that stifled promises from his first campaign once he assumed office, said a report from The Texas Tribune. Georgetown, Nov 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India and Guyana have struggled to achieve their independence from colonisation while asserting that both countries believe in the creed of 'Democracy first, humanity first'. "Democracy first, humanity first is our mantra. Democracy teaches us that everyone should be treated equally and everyone should be taken on board while 'humanity first' determines the direction of our decisions. When we make 'humanity first' the basis of our decisions, the results are also in the interest of humanity," PM Modi said while addressing the Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament during his visit to the South American country on the third and final leg of his three-nation tour. He said when India and Guyana gained freedom, the world faced different challenges, and today, in the 21st century, the challenges are entirely different. "The systems and institutions created after World War 2 are now being destroyed. While the world was supposed to move forward towards a new world order, countries got tangled up in other things. In these situations, the most powerful mantra to move forward for the world is 'democracy first', 'humanity first'," PM Modi said in his address. He said that there is no greater medium than democracy to create an inclusive society, adding that democracy is in India's DNA. "The democracy is in our vision and in our behaviour. So when it came to uniting the world, India gave the mantra of one earth, one family, one future during its G20 Presidency. When the Corona crisis came, a challenge came before the entire humanity, then India gave the message of one earth, one health," PM Modi said. PM Modi said that this is not a time for conflict for the world but this is the time to identify the conditions that create conflict and remove them. "Today there are so many challenges like terrorism, drugs, cybercrime... only by fighting them we will be able to shape the future of our coming generations," he said. In his opening remarks, PM Modi said Guyana gave him its highest honour on Wednesday. "I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you, to every citizen of Guyana, for this honour. Thank you very much to all the citizens here. I dedicate this honour to every citizen of India." Earlier, PM Modi met the top leaders of Caribbean nations such as St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Barbados, Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, and Dominica on the sidelines of the second India-CARICOM Summit here and discussed strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation across several key areas. Prime Minister Modi met his Barbados counterpart Mia Amor Mottley on Wednesday. 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. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. As many as 280 million people worldwide are affected by this disease, which is why researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model that helps to identify depression based on both speech and brain neural activity. This multimodal approach, combining two different data sources, allows a more accurate and objective analysis of a person's emotional state, opening the door to a new phase of depression diagnosis. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, with devastating consequences for both the individual and society, so we are developing a new, more objective diagnostic method that could become accessible to everyone in the future." Rytis Maskeliunas, professor at KTU and one of the authors of the invention Scientists argue that while most diagnostic research for depression has traditionally relied on a single type of data, the new multimodal approach can provide better information about a person's emotional state. Impressive accuracy using voice and brain activity data This combination of speech and brain activity data achieved an impressive 97.53 per cent accuracy in diagnosing depression, significantly outperforming alternative methods. "This is because the voice adds data to the study that we cannot yet extract from the brain," explains Maskeliunas. According to Musyyab Yousufi, KTU PhD student who contributed to the invention, the choice of data was carefully considered: "While it is believed that, facial expressions might reveal more about a person's psychological state, but this is quite easily falsifiable data. We chose voice because it can subtly reveal an emotional state, with the diagnosis affecting the pace of speech, intonation, and overall energy". In addition, unlike electrical brain activity (EEG) or voice data, the face can directly identify a person's state of severity up to certain extent. "But we cannot violate patients' privacy, and also, collecting and combining data from several sources is more promising for further use," says the professor at KTU Faculty of Informatics (IF). Maskeliunas emphasises that the used EEG dataset was obtained from the Multimodal Open Dataset for Mental Disorder Analysis (MODMA), as the KTU research group represents computer science and not the medical science field. MODMA EEG data was collected and recorded for five minutes while participants were awake, at rest, and with their eyes closed. In the audio part of the experiment, the patients participated in a question-and-answer session and several activities focused on reading and describing pictures to capture their natural language and cognitive state. AI will need to learn how to justify the diagnosis The collected EEG and audio signals were transformed into spectrograms, allowing the data to be visualised. Special noise filters and pre-processing methods were applied to make the data noise free and comparable, and a modified DenseNet-121 deep-learning model was used to identify signs of depression in the images. Each image reflected signal changes over time. The EEG showed waveforms of brain activity, and the sound showed frequency and intensity distributions. The model included a custom classification layer trained to split the data into classes of healthy or depressed people. Successful classification was evaluated and then the accuracy of the application was assessed. In the future, this AI model could speed up the diagnosis of depression, or even make it remote, and reduce the risk of subjective evaluations. This requires further clinical trials and improvements to the programme. However, Maskeliunas adds, that the latter aspect of the research might raise some challenges. "The main problem with these studies is the lack of data because people tend to remain private about their mental health matters," he says. Another important aspect mentioned by the professor of the KTU Department of Multimedia Engineering is that the algorithm needs to be improved in such a way that it is not only accurate but also provides information to the medical professional on what led to this diagnostic result. "The algorithm still has to learn how to explain the diagnosis in a comprehensible way," says Maskeliunas. According to a KTU professor, due to the growing demand for AI solutions that directly affect people in areas such as healthcare, finance, and the legal system, similar requirements are becoming common. This is why explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), which aims to explain to the user why the model makes certain decisions and to increase their trust in the AI, is now gaining momentum. A new study by researchers at the University of Galway and the University of Limerick suggests that electrical stimulation might be essential for tendons to maintain their health, offering fresh possibilities in tendon repair and regeneration. The research took place at the CURAM Research Centre for Medical Devices, funded through Taighde Eireann Research Ireland, formerly Science Foundation Ireland. Tendons resist intense mechanical stress, while facilitating force transmission from muscles to bones. They are also piezoelectric, meaning that when they are stretched, they will produce an electric field, which is thought to be important for regulating tendon cell function. However, when injured, tendons offer limited healing, which often leads to chronic pain and disability, thus affecting patient productivity. In 2023, major tears or traumatic injuries to tendon, ligaments and muscles affected nearly half a million people in full-time employment in the United States. Recovery from tendon injuries is slow and often requires extensive rehabilitation, which causes nearly two months of lost work-days per injury. Current regenerative medicine for tendon repair has so far failed to recreate tendon cells' native environment, which ultimately hampers their therapeutic potential. Led by Dr. Marc Fernandez-Yague, who completed his PhD while a researcher with CURAM at University of Galway, the research team focused on understanding how electrical and mechanical signals work together to control tendon cell function. Traditionally, tendon cells are extremely difficult to culture in the lab as they rapidly and irreversibly lose their tendon-like functions once isolated from the body. To address these challenges, the team developed a novel cell culture device - a "tympanic piezoelectric bioreactor" that works in a similar way to the human eardrum and which delivered mechanical vibrations and electrical stimuli to tendon cells. This dual stimulation caused cells to better retain their healthy, tendon-specific properties, while being expanded in the lab, allowing them to be utilized in tissue repair and regeneration approaches. Our work is rooted in a deep understanding of how cells sense and interact with their environment. Until now, tendon cells are grown in the lab in a specialized device which stretches them to mimic the effects of body movement. However, this approach overlooks that tendon tissues are piezoelectric they generate electrical signals when subjected to mechanical stress. Our research project engineered a dynamic electrical-mechanical stimulation systems, which provides cells with the specific signals they need to successfully guide their development, thereby recreating key environmental conditions observed during normal tissue formation and repair." Dr. Marc Fernandez-Yague, University of Galway Dr. Manus Biggs, Associate Professor at University of Galway and principal investigator of the study, outlined some wider implications of the research: "While our approach shows great potential for ultimately growing tendon tissues in the lab, it also has significant implications for generating other tissues that respond to dual electrical and mechanical forces, such as cartilage, bone, and even cardiovascular tissues. This study opens up new possibilities for developing therapies that promote tissue reinforcement and offer alternative or complementary strategies to current physical rehabilitation methods. "We understand that traditional musculoskeletal therapies often rely on physical therapy which provides mechanical signals to the cells of regenerating tissues. In contrast, incorporating electrical stimulation provides greater precision in controlling how cells respond, offering a more effective approaches for applications in regenerative medicine. Critically, tendon piezoelectricity has long been alluded to have physiological functions. This study is one of the first of its kind that shows that piezoelectric signals can regulate cell differentiation and development." The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) was commissioned by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) to assess the benefit of universal blood lipid screening for the early detection of familial hypercholesterolemia in children and adolescents. Based on the available studies, no benefit can be derived from universal screening of all children and adolescents. However, the available data show that, in principle, it is reasonable to identify children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia who are at high risk of premature heart attacks and strokes. This is because early treatment with lipid-lowering statins reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease in this particularly vulnerable group. IQWiG therefore recommends that the introduction of cascade screening should be discussed. Such cascade screening is based on family members (especially parents) who were diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia after a cardiovascular event or during a health check-up. Hereditary metabolic disorder can lead to early heart attacks and strokes Familial hypercholesterolemia is a hereditary, congenital lipid metabolism disorder. People with the condition have high levels of LDL cholesterol in their blood from childhood with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, sometimes even in young adulthood. In order to reduce or delay the risk of cardiovascular events, children and adolescents with known familial hypercholesterolemia can be treated early with statins, i.e. lipid-lowering drugs. There is currently no standardized procedure in Germany for identifying children and adolescents with the condition. Members of a statutory health insurance fund are entitled to a lipid profile, including the measurement of LDL cholesterol, from the age of 18 if they are at higher risk, for example if they have a positive family history. However, the introduction of screening with a blood cholesterol test at a younger age is currently being discussed as a universal measure, i.e. for all children and adolescents. Dutch study provides a hint of a benefit of early statin therapy The aim of universal screening for familial hypercholesterolemia is to identify and then treat affected children at an earlier stage. In its worldwide literature search, IQWiG did not find any studies that investigated such screening in all children and adolescents, followed by treatment. IQWiG therefore searched for studies on bringing forward lipid-lowering therapy. There is one study by a Dutch working group led by Ilse Luirink that looked at the effect of starting statin therapy earlier. In the Luirink study published in 2019, 214 people with familial hypercholesterolemia received statins from an average age of 14 years. 20 years later, only one person in this group had experienced a cardiovascular event. The situation was different for the parents of these early-treated children, who had also previously been diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia: In this time-shifted control group, around a quarter had already had a heart attack or stroke by their late thirties. The 156 mothers and fathers could not have received statins before the age of 35, as these drugs have only been available since 1988. It is remarkable that, despite statin therapy, the children did not reach the LDL cholesterol target levels recommended in some guidelines - and yet did not experience a cardiovascular event. Thus, for the treatment of children and adolescents, the results of the Luirink study do not support the "the lower the better" approach that is sometimes propagated, but suggest that a fixed average dose of a statin is sufficient as standard treatment for cardiovascular protection." Stefan Sauerland, Head of IQWiG's Department of Non-Drug Interventions However, Sauerland emphasizes that it should be borne in mind that the results of the Luirink study cannot be applied to all children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia without additional evidence, as the study participants are a selected group: "These are children who were identified by cascade screening and a considerable proportion of their parents had already experienced a cardiovascular event." Cascade screening as an alternative to universal screening Michaela Eikermann, Deputy Director of IQWiG, explains: "However, the alternative to universal lipid screening in childhood or adolescence is not simply to dispense with screening for this age group. In Germany, health check-ups are already a generally available option to also identify young adults with familial hypercholesterolemia. These check-ups, and knowing who is already affected, could be used to find and treat other affected family members - especially children and adolescents". This approach, known as cascade screening, has the particular advantage over universal screening of identifying more severe subtypes of familial hypercholesterolemia. This is because people whose family members are affected by very early or severe symptoms are more likely to seek medical care and can therefore be targeted for cascade screening without an additional invitation. Similarly, treatment would be focused on those who need it most - also thanks to the expected higher adherence. IQWiG Director Thomas Kaiser concludes: "Identifying children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia and a high risk of heart attacks makes sense, as early statin therapy can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. We therefore suggest discussing the introduction of cascade screening, starting with affected family members, especially parents. This approach was successful in the children investigated in the Luirink study. The introduction of cascade screening should definitely be accompanied by a targeted, pragmatic and cost-effective evaluation. Part of this evaluation should also be a comparative study conducted in an everyday health care setting that addresses the still open research question of the optimal time to start statin therapy." The present rapid report outlines initial considerations for an accompanying evaluation. Procedure of report production In February 2024, the G-BA commissioned IQWiG to prepare the report on screening for familial hypercholesterolemia in children and adolescents in an accelerated procedure as a rapid report. Therefore, no intermediate products were published and no comments were invited. The G-BA received this rapid report in August 2024, and it was published in August 2024. An English translation was published in November 2024. According to a new study from researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, being born preterm is associated with an increased risk of death from birth until the third and fourth decades of life. The study appears online today in JAMA Network Open. About 10% of all births worldwide are classified as preterm, which occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks gestation. Globally, preterm birth is the leading cause of infant mortality and the second leading cause of death for children under the age of 5. "Understanding the long-term effects of preterm birth can help us develop preventative strategies and identify interventions to improve the health of individuals who are born preterm," said Asma M. Ahmed, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, former post-doctoral fellow at SickKids, and the study's lead author. Ahmed said while the majority of people who are born preterm survive into adulthood, there's growing evidence that highlights an increased risk of death throughout life. We wanted to know whether people born prematurely have a higher risk of short-term and long-term mortality compared to individuals who were born full term." Asma M. Ahmed, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest University School of Medicine In the first known population-based study of preterm birth in North America, Ahmed and team analyzed a cohort of nearly 5 million live births in Canada of which 6.9% were preterm. The participants were born between 1983 and 1996, and were tracked through 2019, providing a follow-up period ranging from 23 to 36 years. The preterm births were categorized into gestational age subcategories: 24-27 weeks, 28-31 weeks, 32-33 weeks and 34-36 weeks and compared with the full-term births, 37-41 weeks. The researchers found that preterm birth is associated with increased risk of death across all age groups up to the age of 36 years, with the highest risks occurring from birth to infancy, 0-11 months, and early childhood, 1-5 years. "We also found that the risk of mortality is higher with a lower gestational age at birth, with those born before 28 weeks facing the highest risks," Ahmed said. The study also identified increased risks of mortality associated with several causes such as respiratory, circulatory and digestive system disorders; nervous system, endocrine and infectious diseases; cancers; and congenital malformations. "These findings suggest that preterm birth should be recognized as a significant risk factor for mortality," Ahmed said. "The risk remains until the third and fourth decades of life. While clinical care during the neonatal period is critical, long-term follow-up care and monitoring for people born preterm is crucial to help mitigate the risks." Ahmed said additional research is needed in other populations, especially in low-income and middle-income countries where preterm birth rates are highest. She also highlighted the importance of research that identifies underlying factors contributing to the increased mortality risk after preterm birth. The study was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant No. 438541. Historical policies shaping educational attainment have enduring benefits for later life memory and risk of dementia, according to a study led by a Rutgers Health researcher. The study, published in Epidemiology, compared the differences in years of education based on variations in state schooling mandates with cognitive performance outcomes in residents decades later. Policies to increase the quantity or quality of schooling now are likely to have long-term benefits on cognitive outcomes." Min Hee Kim, faculty member in the Center for Health Services Research at the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research and lead author of the study Researchers have found education can be a predictor of better cognitive performance, memory function, life expectancy and delayed onset of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Despite the previous evidence that schooling requirement laws impact cognition in older adults, gaps in equitable research remain. For example, previous research has lumped together educational gain of white older adults and Black older adults, although school mandates weren't consistently enforced for Black children in the United States. When she was a postdoctoral researcher at University of California San Francisco from 2022 to 2024, Kim led researchers in examining data from more than 20,000 older Black and white adults and evaluating state education policies. They found increased years of education as a result of a state's mandatory schooling laws and laws related to education quality were associated with better overall cognitive performance later in life including better memory and verbal fluency major determinants of dementia risk. Researchers examined the specific impact of education on Black Americans with regard to former educational policies and opportunities. Among other inequalities, current generations of Black older adults received education from a system impacted by racial segregation and racial discrimination. "Investment in education is important for health equity," said Kim, an assistant professor in the Rutgers School of Nursing. "Education provides similar benefits for later-life cognitive outcomes across racial groups, but the potential impact of improvements to education access and quality is likely to be larger for Black Americans because a greater proportion of this population is exposed to limited educational resources." Kim added this investigation further supported previous research which found that residing in states with high-quality education as a child is associated with lower dementia risk later in life. Coauthors include researchers from Montclair State University, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, Columbia University, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Boston University. Ford Motor to Cut 4,000 Jobs in Europe and UK, Here's Why Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 17:58 IST The company's official said most of the jobs will be cut down in Germany, and everything will be done in consultation with employee representatives. Representational image. (File photo) The top player in the car segment Ford Motor is all set to cut over 4,000 Jobs in Europe and the UK. It has been reported that the deadline for the same has been set till the end of 2027. According to the details shared by the international news agency Associated Press (AP), the decision has been taken due to headwinds from the economy, pressure from increased competition and weaker-than-expected sales of electric cars. related stories Overall Layoff Numbers The companys official said most of the jobs will be cut down in Germany. Everything will be done in consultation with employee representatives, officials added. The reports said an overall 2,900 jobs will be lost in Germany, followed by 800 job cuts in Britain and 300 in other European Union countries. Heres What Official Statment Says In an official statement, the company said, The global auto industry continues to be in a period of significant disruption as it shifts to electrified mobility. The transformation is particularly intense in Europe where automakers face significant competitive and economic headwinds while also tackling a misalignment between CO2 regulations and consumer demand for electrified vehicles." Total Sales and Shares Impacted Meanwhile, Ford has been struggling in terms of sales for quite a long time now. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, the company witnessed a downfall in sales by 15.3 percent in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period last year. Even the market shares have been affected. It shrank from 3.5 percent to 3 percent. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Location : Germany First Published: November 21, 2024, 17:56 IST Watch: Hyundai Ioniq 9 Breaks Cover Overseas, Here's How it Looks Like Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 11:32 IST Before arriving in the European and other markets, the three-row electric SUV will go on sale in the company's homeland and the United States. Hyundai Ioniq 9. (Photo: Hyundai) After creating a buzz all over the internet for months, the Korean carmaker Hyundai has finally revealed its new EV, the Ioniq 9 globally. It has been reported that before arriving in the European and other markets, the three-row electric SUV will go on sale in the companys homeland and the United States. The reports also suggested that the newly revealed model will be displayed during the LA Auto Show, which is scheduled to kick off on November 22 and will remain operational until December 1. related stories Take a look at the official teaser here View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hyundai Worldwide (@hyundai) While sharing the official teaser across social media platforms, the company in the caption says A space for belonging. Together, you can do anything." And, the tagline for the vehicle has been given IONIQ 9 Built to belong" Battery and Range According to the details, Ioniq 9 is powered by a 110.3kWh (gross) battery pack. It is said to offer an impressive range of around 620km on a single charge. To note, these figures are likely to be seen in the Long-Range RWD version only. Capabilities top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The EV is capable of touching the battery percentage from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 24 minutes, using a 350kW charger. The vehicle looks aggressive yet futuristic from the outside. The company claims that the latest offering comes with a headroom of 1,899mm and legroom of 2,050mm in both the second and third rows. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: November 21, 2024, 11:32 IST Stocks To Watch: Nestle, Airtel, Indian Hotels, BoB, Vedanta, Paytm, And Others Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 08:03 IST Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Nestle, Airtel, Indian Hotels, BoB, Vedanta, Paytm, and others will be in focus on Thursday's trade Stocks To Watch Stocks To Watch On November 21: Amid mixed global cues, GIFT Nifty futures rose by 72 points to 23,607 at around 6:48 AM. While US markets closed mixed on Wednesday, Asian markets are currently trading lower. Nestle: The FMCG giant plans to boost its advertising and marketing efforts, cut costs by at least $2.8 billion by 2027, and spin off its water and premium drinks segments into a standalone global unit under new leadership to drive growth. related stories Bharti Airtel: In its first major sourcing agreement since August 2022 for 5G deployment, the telecom leader has awarded Nokia a multiyear, multibillion-dollar extension deal for 4G and 5G equipment across key Indian cities and states. Cipla: Ciplas US subsidiary is recalling 1,875 boxes of Lanthanum Carbonate chewable tablets (1,000 mg, 10-count bottle) from the US market, according to a recent report by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Dr. Reddys Laboratories: The US FDA has issued a Form 483 with seven observations following an inspection of the companys API manufacturing facility in Bollaram, Hyderabad. Adani Energy Solutions: The company has signed an agreement with PFC Consulting Ltd to acquire Pune-III Transmission Ltd. The agreement includes the development of 21500 MVA and 3500 MVA substations and a new 816 km transmission line. Godrej Industries: The company has raised Rs 1,000 crore in two tranches via unsecured redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) in the domestic debt capital market. Indian Hotels Company: The Tata Groups hospitality arm aims to double its consolidated revenue to Rs 15,000 crore and expand its hotel portfolio to over 700 by 2030. Bank of Baroda: Warehousing and collateral management firm Sohan Lal Commodity Management (SLCM) has partnered with Bank of Baroda to offer collateral management services for agricultural financing. UPL: UPL has invested $350 million in its hybrid seeds subsidiary, Advanta Enterprises Ltd, through private equity firm Alpha Wave Global. This includes a $250 million secondary stake sale and a $100 million primary equity infusion. Tata Technologies: The Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Saha, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Tata Technologies to upgrade 19 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state. Tata Technologies will cover 86% of the Rs 683.27 crore upgrade cost, with the state government contributing the remaining 14%. Vedanta: Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary of Vedanta, has entered into an agreement with GAIL (India) for the supply of natural gas to its smelter in Jharsuguda, Odisha. JSW Steel: The company has been declared the preferred bidder for the Codli Mineral Block XII at Dharbandora in Goa, according to a communication from the Directorate of Mines & Geology, Government of Goa. Tata Power: Tata Power has formed a partnership with Bhutans Druk Green Power Corporation Ltd (DGPC) to develop 5,000 MW of clean energy capacity in Bhutan. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One 97 Communications (Paytm): Paytms parent company has launched UPI International, enabling Indian travelers to make UPI transactions at select global locations. This feature allows users to make cashless payments using the Paytm app in the UAE, France, Mauritius, Singapore, Bhutan, and Nepal. Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. First Published: November 21, 2024, 08:03 IST Stock Market In Red: Know Key Reasons Why Sensex Crashed 900 Points Today Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 13:47 IST Indian equities were under pressure due to a combination of factors; Know key factors here Why is market down today? Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty fell by 1 per cent in todays intraday trade, weighed down by a sharp sell-off in Adani group stocks, escalating geopolitical tensions, and continued foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows. The BSE Sensex opened at 77,711.11 and dropped over 900 points, reaching an intraday low of 76,802.73. By around 12:35 pm, it showed a slight recovery, trading at 77,127.42. Meanwhile, the NSE Nifty fell by 179.75 points, settling at 23,338.75 during early trading. related stories Indian equities were under pressure due to a combination of factors, with the indictment of billionaire Gautam Adani in a bribery case by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) being a key trigger. Additionally, escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and a general sense of weakness across global markets further weighed on investor sentiment. Market analysts are also watching the state assembly election results closely. Manish Chowdhury, Head of Research at StoxBox, noted, Given the current market nervousness, influenced by recent global geopolitical developments and the fresh Adani bribery case, an unfavorable outcome for the ruling Maharashtra government could further dampen market sentiment." Reasons Behind the Market Decline The Adani Factor On Wednesday, US authorities revealed that Adani and seven other individuals, including his nephew Sagar Adani, allegedly paid around $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure contracts projected to generate $2 billion in profits over 20 years, including the development of Indias largest solar power plant. This news caused Adani Group stocks to tumble by up to 20 per cent in intraday trade, with shares of Adani Energy Solutions, Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports, ACC, and Ambuja Cements hitting their respective lower circuit limits. Other Adani Group companies such as Adani Green Energy, Adani Total Gas, Adani Power, NDTV, and Adani Wilmar also saw declines ranging from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. Rising Geopolitical Tension The escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict also added to market unease. Ukraines use of Storm Shadow missiles supplied by the UK, along with Russias recent changes to its nuclear doctrine, have fueled investor uncertainty. Dr. V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, remarked, The heightened tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war are likely to weigh on market sentiment. The growing uncertainty may prompt market participants to adopt a wait-and-watch approach." Foreign Investor Outflows Data from November 18 showed a slowdown in FII selling, with domestic institutional investors (DIIs) continuing their buying spree. However, FII outflows surged again on November 19, reaching Rs 3,411.73 crore, further dampening market sentiment. Weak trends in Asian markets also contributed to the decline in India, with Nvidias revenue figures falling short of expectations after the US market closed. Among Asian markets, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong saw declines, while Seoul remained in the positive territory. Technical Outlook top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to technical analysts, the key support level for Nifty is at 23,588. If the index stays above this level, it may see a rally towards 23,711, 23,904, or 24,027. However, a drop below 23,588 could trigger profit-taking, potentially leading to a correction towards levels of 23,395, 23,272, or 23,079, analysts at Axis Securities noted. Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. First Published: November 21, 2024, 13:45 IST Bihar CHO Recruitment 2024: Registration For 4,500 Posts To End Today, Steps To Apply Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 10:43 IST Candidates still have some time left to apply for the vacancies through the official website, shs.bihar.gov.in. As per schedule, the application process will end at 6 pm today. Candidates must hold a B.Sc (Nursing) degree to apply for CHO posts in Bihar. (Representational/ PTI Photo) The State Health Society (SHS), Bihar will conclude the registration process for the recruitment of Community Health Officers (CHO) today, November 21. Candidates still have some time left to apply for the vacancies through the official website, shs.bihar.gov.in. As per schedule, the application process will end at 6 pm today. According to the official notification, Shortlisted candidates must serve as CHOs at Health Sub-Centres with the District Health Society (DHS) for a minimum of 18 (eighteen) months from the date of appointment, or pay a recoverable amount equal to 6 (six) months of total remuneration (honorarium) of Rs 2,40,000 (Rupees Two Lakh Forty Thousand only). During these 18 months, no transfer claims will be entertained." related stories The recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 4,500 positions including 979 for the Unreserved categories, 245 for the Economically Weaker Section, 1,243 for Scheduled Caste, 55 for Scheduled Tribes, 1,170 for Extremely Backward Class, 640 for Backward Class and 168 for Women of Backward Class. Bihar CHO Recruitment 2024: Eligibility Criteria To apply for the vacancies, the minimum age limit is 21 years. However, departmental candidates will receive a maximum age relaxation of 5 years. The candidate must hold a B.Sc (Nursing) degree. How to Apply for Bihar CHO Recruitment 2024? Step 1: Head to the official website of CHO Bihar at shs.bihar.gov.in. Step 2: Upon reaching the homepage, go to the Human Resources tab and click on the Advertisement Link. Step 3: Next up, find and click on the CHO Recruitment 2024 link. Step 4: Generate a User ID and Password. Step 5: Fill in the application form accurately, upload documents and make the fee payment. Step 6: Submit the form and take a hard copy of it for future reference. Bihar CHO Recruitment 2024: Application Fee To apply, male candidates belonging to the Unreserved, EWS, BC and EBC categories need to pay a fee of Rs 500, while female candidates and those belonging to SC, ST and PwBD categories need to pay Rs 250. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bihar CHO Recruitment 2024: Salary Shortlisted candidates will receive a monthly remuneration of Rs 40,000 out of which Rs 32,000 will be the fixed salary, while Rs 8,000 per month will be based on their performance. First Published: November 21, 2024, 10:42 IST FCI Recruitment 2024: No Written Exam, Salary Up To Rs 80,000 Per Month Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 10:36 IST The candidate should have retired from Central/State Govt/PSUs and must possess at least an MBBS degree from a recognised institution Eligible candidates can apply via the official FCI website on or before December 16, 2024. (Getty Images) The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has issued a recruitment notification for the position of General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO). Eligible candidates can apply via the official FCI website, on or before December 16, 2024. Total Vacancies related stories A total of six posts are going to be filled through this recruitment: one for each of FCI Noida, Uttar Pradesh; Chandigarh (RO Punjab and RO Haryana); RO Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow; RO Odisha, Bhubaneswar; RO Telangana, Hyderabad; and ZO (W), Mumbai. Educational Qualifications The candidate must have retired from Central/State Govt./PSUs and shall have a minimum educational qualification of an MBBS Degree from a recognised institution. Age Limit The candidates should be no older than 68 on the last date of submission of the application. Salary Selected candidates will receive a monthly salary of Rs 80,000. Application Procedure Interested and eligible candidates should submit their applications in the prescribed format (Annexure-I) along with the necessary documents. Applications must be sent via speed post to: Deputy General Manager (Establishment-I), Food Corporation of India, 16-20, Barakhamba Lane, New Delhi 110001. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interview, as determined by a committee. Notifications will be sent only to the shortlisted candidates. For further details, visit the official website and read the official notification for the application form. First Published: November 21, 2024, 10:36 IST UP Police Constable Result 2024 Declared, Around 1.74 Lakh Clear Exam Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 13:39 IST UP Police Result 2024: Over 48 lakh applications were received, out of which 34,060 candidates appeared in the examination. Of this, 1,74,316 candidates have cleared the exam. Candidates who have cracked the written exam should prepare for the next stages of the selection process (Representative/File Photo) UP Police Result 2024: The results of the written examination of Uttar Pradesh Police Constable Recruitment have been released on the official website at uppbpb.gov.in. Through the recruitment drive, a total of 60,244 posts of UP Police Constable will be filled. Over 48 lakh applications were received, out of which 34,060 candidates appeared in the examination. Of this, 1,74,316 candidates have cleared the exam. The cut off for the written examination of police recruitment has also been announced which is 214. The examinations were held on August 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31. The Uttar Pradesh Police Constable written examination was successfully conducted on August 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31 at 1,174 exam centres in 67 districts across the state. The recruitment test was conducted in two shifts, the first one from 10 am to noon and the second one from 3 pm to 5 pm. related stories UP Police Recruitment Result 2024: How to Check the Result? Step 1: Visit the official website, uppbpb.gov.in. Step 2: On the home page, look for the UP Police Constable result tab and click on it. Step 3: Then, candidates will be redirected to the UP Police result, where they have to log in by providing the requested information. Step 4: Once done, submit, and the UP Police Result 2024 PDF will open on your screen. Step 5: Go through the same or check for your roll number or registration number. Step 6: Download and save a copy of the exam result and take a printout for future reference. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all UP Police Recruitment Result 2024: Whats Next? Candidates undergo a four-tiered selection process. It involves written tests, and physical tests which include the Physical Measurement Test and Physical Efficiency Test, followed by document verification, and medical tests. Candidates who have cracked the written exam should prepare for the next stages of the selection process. In this round, male candidates will have to complete a run of 4.8 km in 25 minutes. Whereas female candidates will have to complete a 2.4 km run in 14 minutes. First Published: November 21, 2024, 13:27 IST Maharashtra Election 2024 More Than Just Polls For These 9 Leaders. Heres Why Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2024, 13:19 IST Maharashtra elections 2024: What's at stake for Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Sharad and Ajit Pawar, Uddhav, Raj and Aaditya Thackeray, Supriya Sule and Nana Patole The key players in the Mahayuti versus MVA battle in Maharashtra. (File) Maharashtra on Wednesday voted for what is being called its most unusual" election. It saw its share of usual political drama from names being discussed till the last minute to physical attacks, bitcoin and cash distribution allegations. But one key factor made it different it is make or break for many political stalwarts from the state. related stories While the Senas Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde are embroiled in a battle to claim the political legacy of Bal Thackeray, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is seeing a family fight between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar jeopardise its political future. Meanwhile, Nana Patole and Devendra Fadnavis are hoping the regional fights dont hit the national parties much. For Raj Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and Supriya Sule, it is all about carving their indisputable niche in Maharashtra. A look at the nine key players in Maharashtra assembly elections 2024: EKNATH SHINDE (SHINDE SENA) Eknath Shinde split the Shiv Sena to become the chief minister with Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Devendra Fadnavis. He also won seven of the 15 seats he fought in the Lok Sabha polls. But assembly elections are different. This is where Shinde, who is fighting on 81 seats, will have to prove that Maharashtra has accepted him as the leader of the Shiv Sena, whose name and symbol he has. Shinde is hoping the Ladki Bahin scheme and his being a Maratha leader will pay off for him, amid the quota fight. A good score would cement his position as the Shiv Sena chief and political heir to the late Bal Thackeray and his mentor Anand Dighe and a likely push to be made the CM again. A bad performance would mean the return of some of his leaders to the UBT faction and change the face of Shiv Sena yet again. DEVENDRA FADNAVIS (BJP) After the Lok Sabha debacle, where the BJP won only 9 of the 28 seats it contested, Devendra Fadnavis, who is considered the architect behind the split in the Shiv Sena and NCP, is under pressure to perform in Maharashtra. While Fadnavis claims the mistakes have been fixed, the assembly elections will be the real test. The BJP has contested 149 seats and has also run its campaign on the batenge to katenge slogan. However, a lot of the Maratha ire has been directed towards him. If the BJP manages a good score, Fadnavis could return as the CM, for which there are many contenders, or get a bigger role in the party. If it doesnt, it may raise questions on his leadership. AJIT PAWAR (NCP AP) Ajit Pawar joined hands with the BJP in 2022, after his similar bid in 2019 failed. As the deputy CM, he always seemed ill at ease in the Mahayuti. His different stance on the batenge to katenge campaign and the meeting between senior Pawar and Amit Shah has further substantiated the belief. In the Lok Sabha polls, he managed to win only one of the five seats contested, losing Baramati to his cousin Supriya Sule, despite having the party symbol and name. This time, he upped his game. While he refrained from talking against his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, he even got a rap from the SC to stop using the senior Pawars name and photos. He is facing his nephew Yugendra Pawar in Baramati. Like Shinde, Ajit Pawar will have to prove his might this time in the 59 constituencies he is fighting from. A poor score would mean people have rejected his joined the BJP for development" stance. Apart from return to power, a good score would mean the acceptance of his faction as the real NCP by voters, supporters and party leaders, making him the de facto political heir of Ajit Pawar or even better, the role of the kingmaker or even the CM. UDDHAV THACKERAY (SHIV SENA UBT) From a CM to fight for survival, the battle has been tough for Uddhav Thackeray. Amid the emotional appeals and legal tussle, he lost the Shiv Sena name and symbol, but kept fighting to be the political heir to his father the late Bal Thackeray. The sympathy factor helped him nine of the 21 seats he contested in the Lok Sabha polls. Now, he fighting on 95 seats, with the sympathy factor on the wane. A good score would make his faction the real Sena" and help him stake claim to the CM post, either for him or even his son, Aaditya. A poor performance would naturally push his supporters and leaders towards the Shinde Sena, putting a question mark on his political future. SHARAD PAWAR (NCP SP) While his nephew asked him to resign mentioning his age, the octogenarian, the architect of the MVA, is going strong, leading the fight for his party. While Sharad Pawar, often called the Chanakya of politics, pitched his grandnephew in family bastion Baramati, he led the charge against betrayer" Chhagan Bhujbal. Winning 8 of the 10 seats the party contested in the Lok Sabha polls has given the faction its confidence back. But the mettle will be tested in the assembly elections, where it is contesting 86 seats. His wife to daughter and MP Supriya Sule and the rest of his extended family has been backing the senior in the Pawar tussle, and western Maharashtra remains his stronghold. A good score again would mean crushing Ajit Pawars rebellion and the return of its leaders. A bad one, like for Sena, would lead to leaders joining Ajit Pawar, thus a question mark on the political future of the faction. NANA PATOLE (CONGRESS) As the state Congress chief, Nana Patole managed to win 13 of the 17 seats they contested. But there is always a fear of a Haryana-like debacle owing to infighting. The assembly polls, where the party is contesting 101 seats, remain crucial for Patole. He has been putting his weight behind the campaign, mainly in Vidarbha. Patole has had his share of struggle with the Sen and A win on the back of reservation and quota narrative would make him stronger in the Congress. A loss would put the blame on him. SUPRIYA SULE (NCP SP) The announcement of her name as the working president of the NCP led to cousin Ajit Pawars rebellion. Keen to prove that she is capable of taking everyone along, Supriya Sule fought a tough battle in the Lok Sabha elections, in which she emerged victorious. The assembly elections are key for her to establish her place in state. A good score would be a stamp of approval for her leadership. A poor score would mean Ajit Pawar still calls the shots in the state. AADITYA THACKERAY (SENA UBT) While his father, Uddhav Thackeray, fights a battle for political survival, Aaditya is keen to be seen as the next-gen leader. At a News18 event recently, he had refused to be called the leader in making", saying it is time for the adjective to change. From opposition against the ruling alliance to his stance on development, Aaditya Thackeray has been among the vocal leaders from the opposition alliance. He is fighting to retain Worli seat. A good score and consequent government formation would mean a place for him in the cabinet. A poor performance would mean another fight for the partys survival. RAJ THACKERAY (MNS) While his constant flip-flops failed to help the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) retain the popularity it began with, party chief Raj Thackeray still remains keen on being a kingmaker". While the MNS won 13 assembly seats in 2009 elections, its first state polls after the party came into existence, in 2019, the number came down to one. This time, the MNS has worked out an arrangement with Mahayuti on some seats. Thackerays son Amit is also in the fray from Mahim. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A decent score would help his party join or support the Mahayuti and build the cadre. A poor performance would mean the MNS will continue to be seen as a fringe player. First Published: November 21, 2024, 07:30 IST Maharashtra Records 65.02% Voter Turnout, Highest Since 1995 Assembly Elections Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 10:34 IST Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 65.02 per cent during the elections to 288 assembly seats on November 20. Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 Voter Turnout | Image/Representative Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 65.02 per cent during the elections to 288 assembly seats on November 20, setting a new high since the 1995 assembly poll that witnessed an impressive turnout of 71.7 per cent. Maharashtra 2024 Assembly Election turnout also surpassed the figures set during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, which saw 61.39 per cent voter turnout. Its also higher than the 61.4% recorded in the 2019 Assembly polls. related stories The Election Commission data recorded by 11:30 pm on Wednesday revealed that out of a total of 36 districts in Maharashtra, Kolhapur, consisting of ten assembly segments, clocked the highest turnout at 76.25 per cent. On the other hand, Mumbai, which witnessed major election campaigns held by prominent political leaders, recorded the lowest turnout at 52.07 per cent, the poll panel data showed. Mumbai consists of 10 assembly constituencies. However, Maharashtras overall voting percentage has set a new benchmark. It comes after the state witnessed top celebrities, politicians, and activists calling on people to exercise their right to vote. They highlighted the ECs extensive arrangements at polling booths to ensure voter convenience. The Election Commission said that special attention was given to addressing urban apathy, considering the consistently low voter turnout in urban areas of Maharashtra during previous state and parliamentary elections. District-Wise Voter Turnout The voter turnout across various districts of Maharashtra varied, with Kolhapur recording the highest at 76.25 pc, followed by Gadchiroli at 73.68 pc and Jalna at 72.30 pc. Other districts with high turnout include Chandrapur (71.27 pc), Sangli (71.89 pc), and Ahmednagar (71.73 pc). Other districts such as Amravati (65.57 pc), Aurangabad (68.89 pc), Beed (67.79 pc), and Nanded (64.92 pc) saw significant participation, while districts like Thane (56.05 pc) and Washim (66.01 pc) had moderate turnout. The overall turnout in Maharashtra reached 65.02 pc, marking the highest since the 1995 Assembly elections. Maharashtra Election Exit Polls Exit polls indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies may have the edge in Maharashtra following victories in the April-June Lok Sabha elections and last months Haryana polls. ABP-Matrize has predicted 150-170 seats for Mahayuti and 110-130 for the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Meanwhile, P-MarQ has given 137-157 seats to the Mahayuti and 126-146 to the MVA. On the other hand, Chanakya has given 152-160 seats to the Mahayuti and 130-138 to MVA. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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. First Published: November 21, 2024, 09:21 IST Maharashtra Election: Five Maha Constituencies Where Titans Locked Horns Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 08:29 IST From Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, to Yugendra Pawar, Aaditya Thackeray, and Zeeshan Siddique, prominent leaders from these five constituencies will lock horns in the Maharashtra election (From left) Devendra Fadnavis, Aaditya Thackeray, Ajit Pawar, and Zeeshan Siddique are some of the big names in the fray from these five constituencies. (News18) The battle for Maharashtra is over for now as both the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) wait with bated breath to find out who voters have picked to run the countrys financial capital for the next five years. Though Wednesdays exit polls brought some cheer for the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti as most pollsters predicted an edge for the Sena-BJP-NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), political parties too believe in taking such surveys with a pinch of salt. The results for the Maharashtra election will be announced on November 23. For now, News18 takes a look at five key constituencies that will have everyones attention because of the clash of the greats. related stories WORLI The high-profile assembly seat will see a triangular contest among Senas Milind Deora, Uddhav Thackerays son and Shiv Sena (UBT) scion Aaditya Thackeray, and Sandeep Deshpande of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Deora, a former MP from South Mumbai, has held several key positions, including minister of state for communications and information technology and shipping during the UPA-2 government. He jumped ship from the Congress to Shindes Sena and is confident of winning over urban middle-class voters. Speaking to CNN-News18 on Wednesday, Deora said Mahayuti had brought about development in the state. We have busted the fake narrative of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Chief minister Eknath Shinde enjoys a popular image. I have a strong connection with Worli and regardless of the result, I will keep working for Worli." Deora will battle it out with Aaditya Thackeray who, in his debut election in 2019, secured a landslide victory from Worli with 89,248 votes. Thackeray Jrs hands-on approach during the Covid-19 pandemic won him praise in the constituency and he is seen as a youth icon who can carry forward the legacy of his father and grandfather Balasaheb Thackeray. MNS Deshpande, meanwhile, is known for his focus on local issues, especially infrastructure and housing, and is a popular figure among Marathi-speaking voters. BARAMATI Baramati, the bastion of the Pawar family, will see a familial clash once again as Sharad Pawars grandnephew, Yugendra Pawar, will square off with Maharashtras deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Yugendra, though a political greenhorn, has been mentored by veteran politician Sharad Pawar as well as his aunt Supriya Sule. He also holds the position of treasurer at Vidya Pratishthan, an educational institution founded by Sharad Pawar. Ajit Pawar, meanwhile, has been the king of the constituency which is the turf of the Pawar family. He has won the seat for seven consecutive terms since 1991. In 2019, Ajit Pawar secured nearly 1.95 lakh votes and an overwhelming 83.24 per cent vote share. The battle this time will also test the loyalty of voters will they give Pawar Srs mentee a chance to show their allegiance to him or will they pick his nephew who also shares a close bond with the constituency? NAGPUR SOUTH WEST Maharashtras deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, also the BJPs face in Maharashtra, will defend his turf against Prafful Gudadhe of the Congress who is an influential leader and has quelled the infighting in his party to give a stiff challenge to Fadnavis. Fadnavis has represented the Nagpur South West constituency since 2009, winning three straight terms, and in the 2019 election, he won with over 49,000 votes. Gudadhe is known for his grassroots connect and could hit the BJP hard by capitalising on the negative public sentiment regarding some of the partys economic policies. VANDRE EAST The assembly constituency will witness a contest between Zeeshan Siddique and Varun Sardesai, the nephew of Uddhav Thackeray. Zeeshan Siddique, who has young voters and the Muslim community on his side, is well-known for his role in addressing local issues and his social media engagement with voters to help resolve their issues. Zeeshan is also the son of recently slain NCP leader Baba Siddique who was shot dead by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang just a month before elections. Experts feel this could get Zeeshan some sympathy votes. Sardesai, meanwhile, has been a loyal soldier of the Shiv Sena (UBT) during the partys split in 2022. He has wooed the traditional voter base of the Sena and enjoys a significant influence in Vandre East. KOPRI-PACHPAKHADI top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will lock horns with Kedar Dighe, the nephew of his political mentor Anand Dighe, in the Kopri-Pachpakhadi assembly constituency in Thane. Shinde has frequently referred to Anand Dighe as his guiding figure in politics and he even financed a Marathi film Dharmaveer 2 which is based on Dighes life and highlights Shindes close association with the late Shiv Sena strongman. Since the constituencys inception in 2009, Eknath Shinde has won the last three elections from this seat. Location : Maharashtra, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 08:15 IST Maharashtra Exit Polls Give Heft To Independents; Pawar Dons Mediator's Hat For MVA Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 12:14 IST The alliances are trying to convince the candidates before counting day on November 23, seeking their support if the coalition gets good numbers but falls just short of majority Sources told CNN-News18 that after the exit polls, both alliances have started contacting Independents and candidates of smaller parties who may win elections. (PTI) Rebels and Independents are likely to play the kingmakers role in the formation of the Maharashtra government after exit polls on Wednesday predicted a neck-and-neck contest between the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state. Sources told CNN-News18 that after the exit polls, both alliances have started contacting Independents and candidates of smaller parties who may win elections. The alliances are trying to convince the candidates before counting day on November 23, seeking their support if the coalition gets good numbers but falls just short of majority. related stories On Wednesday, ABP-Matrize 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. Sources said the exit polls had also sparked discussions within the MVA, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP veteran Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, and Rahul Gandhi discussing polling patterns. The alliance has decided to wait and watch on exit polls as they believe that the figures always go wrong". Sources also said if the need arises, Pawar Sr who is known for his master manoeuvres will be the points person to negotiate with rebels and Independents. According to data, at least a third of the 288 constituencies in Maharashtra have seen a rebellion, with at least 50 key rebels in the fray who can hurt the chances of the official candidates from both the ruling and opposition alliances. Over the years, Indias financial capital has seen an increase in the number of Independents in the fray. This year, 2,087 of the total 4,136 candidates almost 50 per cent are fighting the assembly election without the backing of a political party. The states first assembly elections in 1962 saw 15 Independents secure victories in the 264-member assembly. As the years progressed, the number of Independents rose, signalling their importance in government formation. Apart from Independents, several smaller parties are in the fray Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party; Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi; Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena; Maharashtra Swarajya Party founded by Yuvraj Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati the descendent of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; Rashtriya Samaj Paksha founded by Dhangar leader Mahadev Jankar; Prahar Janshakti Party; Peoples Party Of India (Democratic); Republican Party of India (A); Republican Sena; and Swabhimani Paksha. Political experts believe that both Independents and smaller parties will play a crucial role in deciding who holds Maharashtras reins for the next five years. Mandar Phanse, Consulting Editor of News18 Lokmat, said: Though the numbers are showing a neck-and-neck competition, but looking at the voting percentage, I feel either of the alliances will get majority. Having said this, I believe this time, Independent and smaller parties may play a crucial role as their support will make sure that the new government is firm and has strong numbers." Editor of Lokmat newspaper and senior political journalist Atul Kulkarni said: I dont believe in the exit poll numbers after looking at the voting percentage which has broken the record of 1995. It shows that people have decided to give mandate to one particular party. Hence, help of smaller parties may not be required. Also, if the situation arises, then Congress rebels or BJP rebels may be contacted by their former parties." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For independents, this scenario offers a unique opportunity to maximise their political leverage. As their market value" rises, they are in a position to negotiate lucrative offers, from ministerial portfolios to significant developmental funds for their constituencies. With political parties already lobbying for their favour, the days following the results are expected to be marked by intense backroom negotiations and strategic alliances. This election underscores the fragmented nature of Maharashtras political landscape, where independents are no longer mere outliers but key players in shaping the states governance. As the drama unfolds, all eyes remain on these pivotal candidates and the deals that will define Maharashtras political future. First Published: November 21, 2024, 09:47 IST Maharashtra Polls: 66% Voter Turnout Recorded, Kolhapur Leads With 76.63% Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 22:23 IST Polls to the 288-member state assembly were held on Wednesday, while votes will be counted on Saturday. The increase, excluding postal ballots, highlighted the EC's efforts to engage a broader electorate (Photo: PTI file) The turnout in Maharashtra assembly polls was 66 per cent as per EVM votes, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019, Election Commission officials said on Thursday. Polls to the 288-member state assembly were held on Wednesday, while votes will be counted on Saturday. related stories "The official figures for each assembly constituency will depend on the count of postal ballots reported. The 66 per cent turnout figure refers specifically to the votes cast on electronic voting machines," the chief electoral officer said in a statement. The increase, excluding postal ballots, highlighted the ECs efforts to engage a broader electorate, the statement added. Kolhapur led with 76.63 per cent, followed by 75.26 per cent in Gadchiroli, which has some Left Wing Extremism affected pockets, while the lowest was in Mumbai island city at 52.07 per cent and 55.95 per cent in the metropolis suburban district. More than 68,000 citizens aged over 85 and 12,000 individuals with disabilities cast their votes through home voting. "Additionally, 36,000 voters from essential services used postal voting. A total of 466,823 postal ballots were issued to voters on election duty, and around 16,000 Electronically Transmittable Postal Ballots (ETPB) were accepted for service voters," it said. The statement said the ECs second special summary survey revision conducted in August and September added nearly 4 million new voters, with more than half of these registrations coming from the 18-19 age group. Special attention was given to enrolling electors from the third gender, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). "To improve the voting experience, efforts were made to rationalise polling stations and reduce voter congestion. This de-clustering initiative affected over 5,800 locations, establishing over 1,100 polling stations in high-rise buildings and housing societies, as well as an additional 200 in slum areas across the state," the EC said. A total of 288 counting centres have been set up, including one for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll that was also held on November 20. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all "A total of 288 counting observers will oversee each assembly constituency, with two observers assigned to monitor counting in Nanded (bypoll)," it informed. The high volume of postal ballots has led to the establishment of 1,732 tables for postal ballot counting and 592 tables for ETPBMS scanning to ensure a smooth counting process across all assembly constituencies, the EC said. First Published: November 21, 2024, 22:23 IST As Italy Criminalises Surrogacy Abroad, Why The Move Calls For International Regulation On The Subject Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 17:22 IST Most European countries consider surrogacy as a violation of human rights. International regulation would ensure that exploitation of surrogate women who are at the socio-economic disadvantage stops Italys new law means engaging in surrogacy in another country, even where it may be legal, will be a criminal offence for Italian citizens. (Photo: AP) Pope Francis had in January called for a universal ban on surrogacy as a threat to global peace and human dignity. He had said surrogacy is a grave violation" to a mother and childs dignity, and exploits mothers material needs". Surrogacy is a complex subject, on which there is no international regulation, and people seek surrogacy services from another country. related stories Italys Senate passed a law on October 16 prohibiting Italians from seeking surrogacy abroad. Nearly all European countries ban surrogacy, but it is legal in the United States. Italys new law means engaging in surrogacy in another country, even where it may be legal, will be a criminal offence for Italian citizens. Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis right-wing party, Brothers of Italy, had promised ban on surrogacy during the 2022 election campaign that brought her party to power. Why Italy Considers Surrogacy A Universal Crime The Catholic Church opposes surrogacy because it is contrary to the unity of marriage and to the dignity of the procreation of the human person", and is against in-vitro fertilization (IVF) because the process involves the disposal of unneeded embryos, which the church believes is immoral. Pope Francis had earlier said surrogacy fundamentally violates the dignity of both the mother and the child. The path to peace calls for respect for life, for every human life, starting with the life of the unborn child in the mothers womb, which cannot be suppressed or turned into an object of trafficking," he had said. He condemned surrogacy as a form of false compassion". Italian lawmakers have condemned surrogacy as a universal crime". The language evokes the wording of the Italian criminal code for crimes considered so serious that they contravene universal values". Italys description of surrogacy ban has put it on a par with genocide and crimes against humanity. Meloni has called the new surrogacy ban a rule of common sense" against the exploitation of the female body and children. She said on social media that human life is priceless and is not a commodity". During the debate in the Senate, a Brothers of Italy senator called motherhood the foundation of our civilisation". Melonis policies, from banning surrogacy to restrictions on abortion, restrict reproductive options, emphasising on natural" motherhood. Her government has also been open about its anti-LGBTQ+ stance. But many see the surrogacy ban as the opposite of protecting women and children. During the debate in the Italian Senate, Ilaria Cucchi, a senator for the Green and Left Alliance, said passing the law was an inhumane act against parents and children, which only fuels stigma and discrimination." Filomena Gallo of the civil rights group Luca Coscioni Association, warned the law is useless and even harmful if the aim is to protect people and prevent exploitation", as reported by the American Magazine. What Do Europeans Think Of Surrogacy? Most European countries consider surrogacy as a violation of human rights. The European Union identifies surrogacy as a form of human trafficking in a revision to a juridical directive on trafficking. But some European have found loopholes and been able to locate women abroad who are willing to act as gestational surrogates. Ukraine has become a surrogacy hotspot for many western European countries. Its government allows heterosexual married couples to conclude contracts for gestational surrogacy. French newspaper Le Monde recently reported that a growing surrogacy industry in Mexico serves mostly Europeans, many of them gay couples. Spain, like Italy and other European countries, recognises motherhood only through physical birth or through adoption. In many surrogacy-friendly jurisdictions, however, some intended parents appear on the birth certificate without the name of the birth mother through a pre-birth parentage order. European authorities will sometimes accept these birth certificates to establish parentage and confer citizenship on the child, according to a report by American Magazine. In Greece, non-commercial surrogacy has been legal since 2002, allowing the intended parents to have legal parenthood at birth. In countries like France and Germany surrogacy is prohibited. This means that the surrogate is the legal mother when the child is born. However, these countries still allow the intended parents to establish a legal bond with the child by giving legal recognition to the genetic father alongside the surrogate mother or to both parents via adoption, in cases where surrogacy has been sought abroad, as reported by The Conversation magazine. The UK recognises surrogate as the legal parent. But allows transfer of parenthood to the intended parents through a parental order, which is less complex than the adoption process. Commercialisation Of Surrogacy Women who are at a socio-economic disadvantage may be coerced to be surrogates for financial compensation when they would otherwise not want to do so. This power dynamic could be exploited by commissioning parents from high-income countries like the US, seeking surrogacy services from the low-income countries like India or other Asian countries. In some cases, a lack of adequate medical care and advice provided to birth mothers can result in harmful ramifications for the health of the woman and infant. Commercial surrogacy can risk children being born into poor families. For instance, in Taiwan, a surrogate and the intended parents could not agree on the amount of compensation, so their baby girl was left with no parents and put up for adoption, as reported in Bill of Health, the blog of the Petrie-Flom Center at Harvard Law School. Regulating International Surrogacy Scholars have proposed that a new international regulatory framework could adopt an approach based on fair trade. Fair trade standards such as payment of a fair price, good working conditions, and transparency and accountability are also relevant to the regulation of surrogacy. However, countries have to consent to be bound by an international agreement on surrogacy. India has proposed legislation that would resolve legal disputes arising from international surrogacy, such as cases of conflict between Indian law and the law of the commissioning parents home country. Treating surrogacy as a legitimate avenue for earning money could help to reduce the stigma surrounding the practice and facilitate regulation. Countries immigration systems could also be useful in regulating surrogacy because babies must be granted a visa or passport to migrate from their birth country to their commissioning parents country, according to the Bill of Health blog at Harvard Law School. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 of India prohibits commercial surrogacy. Only altruistic arrangements where women acting as surrogates do not receive any monetary benefit are allowed. Further, it allows only gestational surrogacy where Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) such as In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) are used to induce the surrogate pregnancy. Only married couples and ever-married single women (widowed or divorced) can seek a surrogacy. The intending parents additionally have to produce a certificate of essentiality" that attests to medical indications that justify use of gestational surrogacy. First Published: November 21, 2024, 17:14 IST Why Himachal Bhawan In Delhi May Shut Down, Sukhu Governments Financial Woes Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 13:19 IST The 2 lakh employees and 1.5 lakh pensioners of the state did not get salaries and pensions on September 1 due to the ongoing financial crisis. The state has a debt of Rs 94,000 crore Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that salaries for government employees would be paid on the 5th of each month, and pensions for retirees would be disbursed on the 10th. (PTI File Photo) The Himachal Pradesh government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has been facing financial setbacks to the tune of crores of rupees, with the latest being the unpaid dues of Rs 150 crore to a power firm, Seli Hydropower Electrical Company. The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the attachment of the Himachal Bhawan in Delhi to recover the dues and 7% interest amounting to Rs 150 crore. The court order said, For the purpose of execution of the award in issue, this court orders the attachment of Himachal Bhawan, 27-Sikandra Road, Mandi House, New Delhi, and the execution petitioner may take appropriate steps for auction thereof". related stories The Congress government led by Sukhu will complete two years on December 11. The government is currently facing an economic crisis, and is taking steps to enforce fiscal measures. What Are The Himachal Governments Financial Setbacks? The 2 lakh employees and 1.5 lakh pensioners of the state did not get salaries and pensions on September 1 due to the ongoing financial crisis. The state has a debt of Rs 94,000 crore. Chief Minister Sukhu announced on September 4 that salaries for government employees would now be paid on the 5th of each month, and pensions for retirees would be disbursed on the 10th. The change in dates aligned better with revenue inflows. The state receives a Rs 520 crore revenue deficit grant on the 6th of each month and Rs 740 crore from central taxes on the 10th. By adjusting the payment dates, the government expects to save approximately Rs 3 crore in interest payments each month. The change will not apply to employees of government boards and corporations. The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on September 4 approved a Bill aimed at curbing party defections by withdrawing the pension benefits of disqualified members. The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill, approved by CM Sukhu, stipulates that any MLA disqualified under the anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule of the Constitution) will lose their entitlement to a pension. The government has also made provisions to recover pensions already received by the disqualified members, according to a report by The Indian Express. The MLAs, who serve a full term of five years, get a monthly pension of Rs 36,000, with Rs 1,000 added for every additional year. In February, six Congress MLAs were disqualified under the anti-defection law for violating the party whip during the budget discussions. During his address to the media, Sukhu had said on August 29, After discussing in the Cabinet, all members decided that till the state sees improvement we will not take salary, TA or DA (Transport or Dearness Allowance) for two months. This is just a small amount but it is symbolic." The state government has also come down hard on consumers by discontinuing the power subsidy scheme providing 125 units of free electricity to all households. The state government announced plans to remove subsidies benefiting hotels and commercial establishments. The free bus travel for women on 3,000 state-run buses ahead of the 2022 assembly elections has also been revoked by the government. But a 50% bus fare subsidy for women will remain. What Is The State Of Himachal Govts Coffers? Himachal Pradesh, a swing state that saw a shift from BJP to Congress in the 2022 elections, has been grappling with mounting financial liabilities. The states outstanding debt has risen from 37% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to an estimated 42.5% in 2024-25. The fiscal deficit more than doubled from 3% in FY22 to 6.5% in FY23, before settling at 5.9% in FY24 and is expected to further reduce to 4.8% in FY25. According to a report by the India Today, the increased burden of salaries and pensions has contributed significantly to the states expenditures, with salaries now accounting for 30.2% of total spending, up from 27.2% in previous years. Pensions have similarly increased, constituting 16.3% of total expenditure in 2022-23, up from 13.6%. Meanwhile, interest payments have also risen, although subsidies saw a slight decline. Spending on urban development dropped by 32%, while social welfare, agriculture, and water supply saw reductions of 15%, 9%, and 13%, respectively. Budgets for irrigation, rural development, education, and police were increased. The Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government had inherited the total direct liabilities of Rs 92,774 crore from the previous BJP government, according to a White Paper on state finance. They consist a debt of Rs 76,630 crore, other outstanding liabilities of Rs 5,544 crore in Public Account and about Rs 10,600 crore on account of pay revision and dearness allowance (DA) till December 2022. The debt liability at the end of fiscal 2017-18 was Rs 47,906 crore, which increased by Rs 28,724 crore from 2018 to 2023 and reached Rs 76,630 crore at the end of 2022-23, says the paper laid by deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, the Chairman on the Cabinet sub-committee on preparing White Paper. What Is The Seli Hydropower Electric Project Case? The Himachal Pradesh government awarded the 340 MW Seli Hydropower Electric Project to Seli Hydro Electric Power Company Limited/Moser Baer on the Chenab river in Lahaul and Spiti district, and issued the Letter of Allotment (LOA) on February 28, 2009, following which the firm deposited the upfront premium of Rs 64 crore. However, the project did not materialise. The state government cancelled the LOA and ordered forfeiture of the upfront premium. The company challenged the decision before an arbitrator, which ruled in its favour and asked the government to deposit the upfront premium with interest. When the state government did not comply with the order, Seli filed a petition before the high court under Article 226. The court found merit in the petitioners contention that the project had become technically and financially unviable and its prayer for withdrawing from it deserved to be allowed. The High Court also upheld the decision of the arbitrator on January 13, 2023, and directed the government to deposit the upfront premium with interest with the Registry. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Due to the delay in payment, the amount has increased to Rs 150 crore with the accumulation of 7% interest from the date of filing of the petition. (with inputs from PTI) First Published: November 21, 2024, 12:59 IST Why Is Canada Reducing The Number Of Tourist Visas Issued To Indians? Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 15:08 IST Allegations of US-Canada border misuse, India-Canada diplomatic row, handful of immigration officers in India to issue visas are some of the reasons behind Canada tightening visa norms Canada has cut down the number of tourist visas issued to Indians, particularly for applicants from Punjab, with success rate falling from 80% to less than 20%. (Photo: Shutterstock) Canada has amended its visa policy, ending the 10-year multiple-entry visas and allowing shorter visas based on individual assessment rather than defaulting to extended durations. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said the shift in the policy was part of a broader strategy aimed at managing temporary immigration levels, addressing housing shortages and controlling the rising cost of living. related stories Another trend that has been noticed is that Canada cutting down the number of tourist visas issued to Indians, particularly for applicants from Punjab, with success rate falling from 80% to less than 20%. Why Is There A Drop In Visa Approvals? Despite strain in ties between India and Canada, the first half of 2024 saw an uptick in the number of tourist visas issued to Indians by Canada. The IRCC issued 365,750 visitor visas to Indians between January and July, more than the 345,631 it had issued during the same period in 2023. But this trend reversed in July-August, as well-paid professionals, government officials, and families with a substantial income faced rejections due to financial reasons. India is also a top source for temporary foreign workers and international students coming to Canada. Experts say the selection criteria to issue visas to Indians have become unpredictable. Canada only has four immigration officials left in India, down from 27 in October 2023. This affects Canadas ability to process visas on-site, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said. There are other factors that could have contributed to the decline in visa issuance. Border Misuse: There has been an increase in cases where Indian visitors have used the border to illegally enter the United States. With the US governments stricter visa rules and long wait time, applicants find it easier to obtain visas from Canada to enter the US illegally through a shared open border. According to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), over 5,000 Indians crossed from Canada into the US on foot without proper documentation in June 2024 alone. Delays & Backlogs: The sheer volume of applications would have also led to delays in visa processing. The visa officials may have applied more restrictions, leading to higher rejection rates. Domestic Concerns: Canada is tightening its immigration policy as it grapples with its domestic economic concerns. The country wants to limit the number of temporary residents, which has prompted officials to strictly scrutinize each applicant. India-Canada Row: The rough patch between both the countries started when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in his Parliament last year in October that the Indian government officials were linked to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023. Officially there has been no link between visa issuance and the Nijjar case row, but experts believe these tensions may be pushing Canada to take all measures it can in issuing visas. What Are The New Visa Guidelines By Canada? Under the new rule, multiple-entry visas with maximum validity will no longer be a norm. Visa officers will assess each applicant individually and decide whether to issue single- or multiple-entry visas. Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. Officers may exercise their judgment in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period," said IRCC. The cost of a single-entry and multiple-entry Canadian visa is CAD$ 100 per person. There is no cost difference between the two visas. The government has also revised its immigration levels plan, reducing the target from 500,000 new permanent residents to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. What Is MEAs Response? The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, has said India is monitoring the well-being of its students and professionals who are working in Canada. It is concerned for their safety and security", the MEA said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The ties hit a new low when Canadas Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison alleged that home minister Amit Shah ordered a campaign of violence, intimidation and intelligence-gathering targeting Sikh separatists in Canada, according to a report by the Associated Press. The Indian government has called the references made by the Canadian minister absurd and baseless". First Published: November 21, 2024, 15:06 IST 19 International Awards, 14 Global Parliament Addresses: How PM Modi's Voice Is Heard Across The World Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 13:09 IST The prime minister, who has won 19 international honours so far, holds the distinction of being the Indian prime minister with the highest number of addresses to foreign Parliaments Guyana conferred its highest national award The Order of Excellence on PM Narendra Modi. (X @narendramodi) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Guyana, will address a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament on November 21, marking yet another significant moment in his global diplomatic outreach. This will be the 14th such instance when PM Modi will speak on behalf of the people of India in Parliaments of foreign nations. He holds the distinction of being the Indian prime minister with the highest number of addresses to foreign Parliaments. related stories Modis 14 addresses to Foreign Parliaments are double the number of addresses by Manmohan Singh, who had delivered seven such speeches. Indira Gandhi had addressed foreign legislatures four times, while Jawaharlal Nehru did it three times. Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee delivered two such addresses while others like Morarji Desai and PV Narsimha Rao addressed only once. Over the years, PM Modi has delivered speeches in legislative chambers across the world, from the Americas to Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. His addresses, which transcend continents, are a testament to Indias growing influence on the global stage. Prime Minister Modi has received 19 international honours so far, holds the distinction of being the Indian Prime Minister with the highest number of addresses (14) to foreign Parliaments Manmohan Singh (7) is a distant second, Indira (4) and Jawaharlal (3) languish far behind. pic.twitter.com/y3GGyG6GFT Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 21, 2024 PM Modi has addressed the joint session of US Congress twice in 2016 and then again in 2023. In 2014, PM addressed the Parliaments of Australia and Fiji. He also addressed the British Parliament in 2015. In Africa, PM has addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius in 2015 and the Parliament of Uganda in 2018. In Asia, Modi has addressed the joint session of the Bhutanese Parliament and Nepal Constituent Assembly in 2014, Parliaments of Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Afghanistan in 2015, and Parliament of Maldives in 2019. On Wednesday, Guyanas President Irfan Ali praised PM Modi, calling him a champion among leaders for his impactful leadership and contribution to the developing world. He commended Modis governance style, noting their relevance and adoption in Guyana and other nations 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 framework that many are adopting in their own country. And much of it are relevant to us here in Guyana," Ali said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Guyana and Barbados are also conferring their top awards on PM Modi. While Guyana conferred its highest national award The Order of Excellence", Barbados will bestow 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 will now reach 19. First Published: November 21, 2024, 11:08 IST 5 Days, 4 Honours: How PM Modi Has Emerged As The Trusted Voice Of Global South Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 09:44 IST PM Narendra Modi has been vocal about the issues of the Global South at all multilateral forums and has sought an approach to solve these issues. PM Modi received a warm welcome from the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, as he broke all protocols and received the Indian Prime Minister on the tarmac along with his other cabinet ministers. (Image: AP Photo) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emerged as the most trusted voice of the Global South. The Prime Minister has been vocal about the issues of the Global South at all multilateral forums and has sought an approach to solve these issues. His foreign policy has ensured India became a credible voice of the Global South. PM Modi being conferred with the highest honour of three countries and the second-highest honour by one in just five days proves that he is the most trusted voice of the Global South. related stories Earlier, PM Modi received a warm welcome from the President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, as he broke all protocols and received the Indian Prime Minister on the tarmac along with his other cabinet ministers. Later, Prime Ministers of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, and Barbados, Mia Mottley. Four ministers from Guyana also greeted PM Modi at a hotel in Georgetown. Ahead of the visit and during his visit, four countries have announced the highest honour to Prime Minister Modi. The first one is Dominica, which had announced an award to honour PM Modis contributions to Dominica during COVID-19. India had sent 70,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2021. The award was also for PM Modis leadership in promoting climate resilience-building initiatives and sustainable development on a global level. Nigeria on Sunday conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) during PM Modis official visit. The only foreign dignitary to have received the award was Queen Elizabeth II in 1969. Ahead of PM Modis visit, India sent 20 tons of humanitarian aid for flood relief. More than 200 Indian companies are working and generating jobs in Nigeria. India is helping Nigeria in fighting terror groups like Boko Haram. India offered developmental assistance through concessional loans ($100 Million) and by offering capacity training programmes. Guyana has conferred its highest honour The Order of Excellence on PM Modi. The discovery of oil reserves estimated at 11 billion barrels makes Guyana one of the worlds newest energy powers. India and Guyana signed an agreement for cooperation in hydrocarbons covering crude oil sourcing, exploration and refining. Guyana has sought Indian expertise to expand its oil industry. Guyana has an Indian-origin community constituting 40 per cent of its population. Both President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharat Jagdeo are of Indian descent. Beyond energy, India has enhanced defence collaboration with Guyana by delivering two Dornier 228 aircraft to the Guyana Defence Force and has trained its defence personnel under the ITEC Scheme. The two aircraft were delivered as part of a $23.37 Million Defence Line of Credit (LoC) from the Indian Government. Barbados will confer the Honorary Order of Freedom award on PM Modi. Why PM Modi is Popular Amongst Global South After coming to power for the third time in 2024, PM Modi made his first visit to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin and then to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky so that both sides can return to dialogue and diplomacy and find solutions to end the war. The one reason which India has been citing from the very beginning is the impact that war has on developing economies. Even at multilateral forums, PM Modi spoke about the most negative impact war has on countries from the Global South. India assumed the G20 Presidency in the midst of a scenario of slowing growth and productivity worldwide. PM Modi used the Indian G20 Presidency to put in his concept of human-centric globalisation, his vision of one Earth, one family and one future and his emphasis on digital public infrastructure. One of the key achievements of Indias presidency was its ability to amplify the voices of the Global South, particularly through the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member. Brazil, in its presidency, launched the Global Hunger and Poverty Alliance that aligns closely with the legacy of Indias G20 Presidency. India has set a new baseline for wider engagement with the Global South. India has leveraged five different modalities of engagement with countries from the Global South, which are capacity building, technology sharing, trade and development, grants, and concessional finance. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Indias emphasis is on Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), re-energising SDGs and promoting renewable energy through rooftop solar panels and solar farms. India has also given emphasis to Arogya Maitri under the concept of One World One Health. The assistance India provides to Africa and the Pacific Island countries by building hospitals, Jan Aushadhi Kendras. India has emerged as the first responder in humanitarian crises, be that in Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Gaza, Turkey, Nigeria or Ukraine. India is promoting financial inclusion and last-mile connectivity to be achieved through UPI and digital public infrastructure. A special fund for capacity building with $2.5 million and $1 million for training in trade policymaking has been announced. India has also announced the setting up of a Social Impact Fund with an initial contribution of $25 million. According to an RIS study, India currently extends around $7.5 billion annually to various partner countries in the Global South. First Published: November 21, 2024, 09:44 IST A Hair Dryer No One Ordered, An Explosion & Eerie Similarity To Husband's Death: The Bagalkot Mystery Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 13:48 IST The police have registered a case and are diligently pursuing leads to determine whether this was an act of deliberate sabotage or a tragic accident. Upon opening the package in the presence of the courier boy, Basamma confirmed the contents were indeed a hair dryer. (Representational Image) A bizarre incident in Karnatakas Bagalkot left a local woman severely injured after an unexpected explosion from a hair dryer. The sequence of events raised numerous questions, with police now investigating the situation to uncover the truth behind the incident. It all began when a young man arrived at the home of Rajeshwari in Bagalkot with a courier package containing a hair dryer. Rajeshwari, who was away at the time, instructed a neighbour, Basamma Yarnal, to accept the delivery on her behalf. Basamma, the widow of a former army man, was kind enough to help out. But what unfolded after she opened the package changed her life forever. related stories Upon opening the package in the presence of the courier boy, Basamma confirmed the contents were indeed a hair dryer, just as expected. Everything seemed normal at first. However, her neighbour then suggested she try out the appliance. As Basamma switched it on, the hair dryer exploded, causing severe injuries. Basamma lost all the fingers on her hand in the blast and is now receiving medical treatment at a hospital. Basamma Yarnal, aged 37, is the widow of Papanna Yarnal, a former army soldier who tragically died in 2017 from an electric shock while posted in Jammu and Kashmir. The circumstances surrounding her husbands death and the current incident added a layer of mystery to the case. Investigating officers believe the explosion was caused by an electrical short circuit, but the fact that Basamma was never expecting the hair dryer raises the question: Was this an accidental delivery, or was the appliance meant for someone else? Could there be a more sinister motive at play? Interestingly, Rajeshwari, the woman to whom the hair dryer was supposed to be delivered, also claimed that she did not order the item. This led investigators to wonder if Basamma could have been the intended target of the explosive appliance. Alternatively, they are questioning whether Basamma herself could have been involved in a conspiracy against her neighbour. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the hair dryer was not up to standard. Domestic appliances like hair dryers typically require a 2-watt power connection, but the one involved in this incident was found to have a much higher wattage, which likely contributed to the explosion. Manufactured by a company in Visakhapatnam, the hair dryer was shipped from Bagalkot. Police are now working to trace who placed the order and who paid for the device. The police have registered a case and are diligently pursuing leads to determine whether this was an act of deliberate sabotage or a tragic accident. The mystery of the hair dryer, the unexplained delivery, and Basammas injuries continue to baffle the community, and investigators are working tirelessly to uncover the truth. Location : Karnataka, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 13:43 IST CBI Interrogates Auditing Firm Employee Gaurav Mehta In Maharashtra Bitcoin 'Scam' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 20:26 IST The probe agency has called Mehta, who has been named by a retired police officer Ravindranath Patil as a key witness in the scam, for further interrogation on Friday. CBI Starts Probe In Maharashtra Bitcoin 'Scam' Case, 6 Named In FIR (PTI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday interrogated auditing company employee Gaurav Mehta in connection with an alleged Maharashtra Bitcoin scam, a day after the probe agency registered the case over the alleged scam. The probe agency has called Mehta, who has been named by a retired police officer Ravindranath Patil as a key witness in the scam, for further interrogation on Friday. related stories According to Patil, Mehta 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 on Wednesday, the CBI had registered the case against Amit Bharadwaj and Aman Bharadwaj, and also named four other accused in the case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also conducted searches at the Chhattisgarh premises of Mehta as part of a money laundering investigation. Maharashtra Bitcoin Scam The matter came into limelight after the ex-cop ccused 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. 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. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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. 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. First Published: November 21, 2024, 20:04 IST 'Even Ajmal Kasab Was Given Fair Trial': Supreme Court To CBI In Terror Convict Yasin Malik's Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 12:59 IST The Supreme Court was hearing a CBI plea against order to produce Yasin Malik physically in Jammu court for trial. Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik (PTI File Image) The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that even terrorist Ajmal Kasab was given a fair trial, while hearing an appeal by the CBI against an order to physically produce Kashmiri separatist and terror convict Yasin Malik to a Jammu court for trial in connection with a case relating to the killing of 4 IAF personnel in 1989, Live Law reported. The CBI had cited security concerns and taken exception to the order to produce Malik physically. related stories CBI Raises Security Concerns Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih that the Kashmiri separatist could not be taken all the way from Delhis Tihar Jail to Jammu for trial. The safety of the witnesses was also a matter of concern," he added. Taking note of the concern, the top court suggested that a makeshift courtroom could be set up in jail to physically cross-examine Malik, Bar and Bench reported. In our country, fair trial was given even to Ajmal Kasab. A courtroom can be set up in jail and it can be done there, just find out how many witnesses. Even witnesses will need security. We need to see how the judge will be posted in jail only for this court," Justice Oka said. Mehta reiterated that the CBI does not wish to take the terror convict to Jammu and Kashmir for trial. Yasin Malik Not Just Another Terrorist, Govt Cannot Go By Books: Tushar Mehta But how can cross-examination can be done in VC?" Justice Oka then asked, as per Bar and Bench. The SG said that Yasin Malik is not just another terrorist" and the Centre cannot go by the books" in his case. He also cited the instances of his travel to Pakistan and meetings with Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafeez Saeed. If he (Malik) is adamant to appear personally, then the trial can be shifted here (to Delhi). He is not just another terrorist. Government cannot go by the books in such cases; he frequently travelled to Pakistan and shared the dais with Hafeez Saeed In Gujarat, there was even trial in jail," the SG replied, reported Bar and Bench. What Is The Matter? A Jammu special court had ordered Maliks physical appearance for cross-examination of witnesses in two cases the abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed who was the daughter of former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed in 1989, and the killing of four IAF personnel. The CBI had challenged the trial courts order before the top court which, in April last year, issued a notice in the matter and stayed the lower courts order. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Notably, terror convict Malik was physically present during a hearing in July 2023 hearing of the matter in the Supreme Court, after informing the jail authorities that he wanted to physically attend the hearing. Justice Dipankar Datta had recused himself from hearing the case back then. Soon after the appearance, Tushar Mehta had written a letter to Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla stating that Yasin Maliks presence in the top court was a grave security lapse. First Published: November 21, 2024, 12:23 IST Himachal Court Directs Shutdown Of 18 State-Run Loss-Making Hotels To Fight Fund Crunch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 13:16 IST Justice Goel said that the functioning of the hotels was a burden on the state exchequer as they had very little occupancy The court termed these properties white elephants. (Photo: Shutterstock) The Himachal High Court has ordered the closure of 18 state-run loss-making hotels to reduce the burden on the government exchequer. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, presiding over a single-judge bench, ordered that 18 Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC)-owned hotels should be shut down by November 25 and held the Managing Director (MD) of the corporation personally responsible for ensuring compliance. related stories The court termed these properties white elephants". Justice Goel in his order said that the continued functioning of these properties is a burden on the state exchequer as they had very little occupancy. The continuation of functioning of these propertiesis nothing but a burden on the exchequer of the State and the court can take judicial notice of the fact that there is a financial crunch which is daily being propagated by the state in the matters being listed before the court involving finances," the court said. In order to ensure that public resources are not wasted by the Tourism Development Corporation in the upkeep of these white elephants, it is hereby ordered that the following properties of the Tourism Development Corporation shall be closed forthwith w.e.f. 25.11.2024, as running of these properties is not financially viable as of now.," it added. Court Allows Sale Of Delhi Himachal Bhavan Earlier this week, the high court issued an order attaching Himachal Bhavan in Delhi after the Congress-led Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government failed to pay electricity dues amounting to around Rs 150 crore. Himachal Bhavan is located at Mandi House in the national capital. What Himachal Govt Said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced plans to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court. However, there is no update on how the state intends to address its debt repayments and manage its expenses. Reacting to the High Court order Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that if these hotels were not doing financially well, alternative steps could be taken. The HPTDC hotels were built at a time when the govt wanted to encourage tourism. Only after reading the court order, I can say what message we want to give by closing down these hotels. These are properties located at prime locations. If any of these properties are not doing well financially, then we should work on it," Negi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The court may comment on the institutions, but the prerogative to operate or close the institutions lies with the state government," he added. The Minister also expressed worry over the potential loss of jobs to people working in the hotels. List Of Hotels Directed Closure The hotels ordered closure include The Palace Hotel Chail, Hotel Geetanjali Dalhousie, Hotel Baghal Dadlaghat, Hotel Dhauladhar Dharamshala, Hotel Kunal Dharamshala, Hotel Kashmir House Dharamshala, Hotel Apple Blossom Fagu, Hotel Chandrabhaga Keylong, Hotel Deodar Khajjiar, Hotel Giriganga Kharapathar, Hotel Meghdoot Kyarighat, Hotel Sarvari Kullu, Hotel Log Huts Manali, Hotel Hadimba Cottage Manali, Hotel Kunjum Manali, Hotel Bhagsu McLeodganj, Hotel The Castle Naggar Kullu, and Hotel Shivalik Parwanoo. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all (With agency inputs) Location : Shimla, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 10:49 IST Maharashtra Elections: Pelted With Stones, BJP MLA Monica Rajale Seeks Shelter In Polling Booth Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 12:30 IST On Wednesday evening, youths gathered at Shirsathwadi polling station, raising slogans against BJP MLA Monica Rajale. Amid stone pelting, she was escorted to safety at the polling station. BJP MLA Monica Rajale and four of her supporters were reportedly injured in the stone pelting incident. (X@Rajale_Monica) Pathardi MLA and BJP candidate Monica Rajale was subject to stone pelting in Ahmednagar on Wednesday, the day of voting for the Maharashtra assembly elections. The incident took place at a polling station at Shirsatwadi. To escape from the aggressive crowd, Rajale reportedly locked herself in the polling station room along with the workers. Sub-Divisional Officer Sunil Patil rescued Rajale, who was trapped in the polling station for two hours, by taking a large police force. related stories Meanwhile, thousands of Rajales supporters, who were enraged by this incident, started a roadblock at Manik Daundi Chowk in the city at night. Rajale and four of her supporters were reportedly injured in the stone pelting incident. Rajlae refused to file a complaint at the police station. This case was a blemish at the polling process, which had been peaceful except for minor verbal skirmishes. On Wednesday evening, Rajale came to know that hundreds of youths gathered at the Shirsathwadi polling station and started raising slogans against her. The police tried to pacify the youth but to no avail, as the police force was insufficient. Following this, stones were pelted towards Rajale who reached the spot. During this incident, Rajale was taken to the polling station room by her workers. By the time the incident subsided, the voting process was over. During the incident, there was an hour of power outage. Rajale was forced to sit in the dark for some time. Meanwhile, as soon as supporters of Rajale got to know about this incident, they started staging a protest march towards Shirasathwadi. However, they were stopped by the police on the way. The supporters then started blocking the road. The voting process for the assembly elections in Maharashtra was completed 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. 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 oppositions 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 (AIMIM), also contested, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM putting up 17 candidates. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The MVA combine had performed well in this years Lok Sabha polls by securing 30 out of 48 seats in the state. Most exit polls on Wednesday predicted victory for the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra. Counting of votes would take place on November 23. Location : Pathardi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 12:30 IST Network Of National Highways In Bihar Will Be Comparable To That Of US By 2029: Gadkari Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 19:32 IST Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday asserted the network of national highways in Bihar will be comparable to that of the US by the time the BJP-led NDA completes 15 years in power at the Centre in 2029. Union minister Nitin Gadkari (PTI file photo) Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday asserted the network of national highways in Bihar will be comparable to that of the US by the time the BJP-led NDA completes 15 years in power at the Centre in 2029. Gadkari, who holds the Road Transport and Highways portfolio, made the averment in Bodh Gaya, while addressing back-to-back functions. related stories "Our government is making rapid progress in road infrastructure, and that is showing in Bihar, too. I promise that after the current five-year term, when we will be completing 15 years in power, the network of Bihar will be on par with that of America," the former BJP president said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bihars road network has seen tremendous improvement in the last few years, and the NDA government will continue to work for further development, said Gadkari, who inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects to the tune of Rs 3,700 crore. Bodh Gaya is the centre of the cultural heritage of Bihar and India. With the projects inaugurated and foundation stones laid today, this region will rapidly move towards development," he said. Location : Bodh Gaya, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 19:32 IST 20-Year-Old Tribal Woman Assaulted, Human Faeces Forced Into Her Mouth In Odisha Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 07:42 IST A case was registered against a man after he assaulted a 20-year-old tribal woman in Odisha's Bolangir district forced human faeces into her mouth. Tribal woman assaulted in Odisha (Representative image: PTI) A 20-year-old tribal woman was allegedly assaulted and human faeces were forced into her mouth in Odishas Bolangir district, police said on Wednesday. The incident happened in Jurabandha village in Bangamunda police station area on November 16, they said. related stories The accused, a non-tribal man, was operating a tractor on the womans agricultural land, causing damage to crops, to which she protested. The accused then assaulted her, and forced human faeces into her mouth, according to the FIR. When her aunt went to rescue her, she was also assaulted by the accused, it alleged. Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, BJD MP Niranjan Bisi alleged that the police have not taken any action against the accused, which has angered the tribals. He said if the law and order situation in Bangamunda deteriorates, the state government would be responsible. Bolangirs Superintendent of Police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo told PTI that the accused has been on the run since the incident. We have formed two special teams to nab him. Even police teams have been sent to neighbouring states in search of him," the SP said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He said he was optimistic that the accused would be arrested soon. Another police officer said that a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has been registered. Location : Bhubaneswar, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 07:42 IST Ruling And Opposition MPs In A War Of Words Over Extending Term Of JPC On Waqf Bill Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: November 22, 2024, 00:48 IST Opposition MPs demanded an extension of the committee's term to discuss the bill in further detail. Meanwhile, the ruling side firmly believed that the panel's deliberations were extensive and that the committee should prepare its report The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8. (Representational image/Getty) During the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) meeting for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 on Thursday, a heated argument took place between members of the opposition and the ruling sides regarding the panels term. Opposition MPs demanded an extension of the committees term to discuss the bill in further detail. Meanwhile, the ruling side firmly believed that the panels deliberations were extensive and that the committee should prepare its report. related stories The meeting on Thursday witnessed considerable altercation between the two sides, with the opposition alleging that the witnesses summoned before the panel at the behest of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party were largely supporters of the bill. The ruling side retorted that a fair hearing was conducted on all sides. Committee chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal intervened, stating that the panel had held detailed discussions on the bill and that it was appropriate to begin drafting the report before submitting it to Parliament. When opposition MPs responded that detailed discussions did not occur and that no satisfactory responses came from the government, Pal argued that nearly 29 hours were spent in discussions, with the ministry of minority affairs participating. Dissatisfied, opposition members have approached the Lok Sabha speaker to seek his intervention and agree to the demand to extend the committees time. Sources indicate that opposition MPs will meet Om Birla on Monday. The bill was referred to the JPC in August, with three months given to submit its report. The committee is expected to submit its report to Parliament by the first week of the upcoming winter session. The JPC was constituted by the government upon the directions of the Lok Sabha speaker. Any extension to its term would also be granted only after Parliament meets for the winter session. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all BJP leaders, including union home minister Amit Shah, have expressed confidence on several platforms that the government will pass the bill in the upcoming winter session. The committee has held 28 meetings, including on Thursday, and, sources said, has engaged in detailed discussions, not only in Parliament but also on two study tours. During the first study tour, the panel visited states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. During the second leg of the study tour, a disagreement erupted between the two sides, and opposition MPs boycotted the visit to five states, including Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. While ruling side members continued the meeting despite the opposition boycott, the tour was postponed indefinitely after visits to Guwahati and Bhubaneswar. First Published: November 22, 2024, 00:48 IST 'Identify Those Who Create Conflict, Says PM Modi As Russia-Ukraine War Escalates Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 23:16 IST Modi assured that in any crisis, anywhere in the world, Indias 'sincere effort is to be the first responder and reach out to offer help' **EDS: VIDEO GRAB VIA PMO WEBSITE** Georgetown: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Special Session of the Parliament of Guyana, on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI11_21_2024_000258B) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a special session of the Parliament of Guyana on Friday, said that this is not the time for conflict, but rather a time to identify and remove the conditions" that create conflicts. His comments come against the backdrop of the escalating Russia-Ukraine war. The Prime Minister further assured that in any crisis, anywhere in the world, Indias sincere effort is to be the first responder and reach out to offer help." related stories We have never moved forward with the idea of expansionism I believe whether it is space or sea, this should be the subject of universal cooperation, not universal conflict. For the world also, this is not time for conflict, this is the time to identify the conditions that create conflicts and remove it," Modi stated at the Guyana Parliament. #WATCH | Georgetown, Guyana: While addressing a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, " We have never moved forward with the idea of expansionism. We have always stayed away from the idea of resource capturing. I believe whether it is pic.twitter.com/CqTKXUCm9g ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024 The Prime Minister, who is in Guyana on the final leg of his three-nation visit, was conferred with The Order of Excellence by Guyanese President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday. During the address, PM Modi expressed his gratitude, saying, I would like to thank you all for giving me a chance to come here at the historic Parliament of Guyana. Yesterday, I was conferred with Guyanas highest national award. I would like to thank you all for this as well. I dedicate this award to the people of India." Russia-Ukraine War Escalates The war between Russia and Ukraine has entered a new phase with growing international implications. On Thursday, Kyiv accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile at its central city of Dnipro. Moscow strike comes after Ukraines use of US and UK-made missiles to target military sites in Russian territory earlier this week, further escalating the conflict that has now lasted over 1,000 days. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The attack also marks the first time Moscow has deployed such a powerful, long-range missile in the war. However, the Kremlin has not confirmed whether it was responsible for the strike. ALSO READ: Ukraine Says Russia Fired Intercontinental Ballistic Missile For First Time In War Location : Guyana First Published: November 21, 2024, 20:34 IST UP Jails To Prod Prisoners To Shape Up Physically And Mentally With High-Class Gyms, Digital Libraries Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pathikrit Sen Gupta Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 18:15 IST These moves are part of Uttar Pradeshs ambitious prison modernisation plan, aimed at giving jails a complete facelift while emphasising inmate rehabilitation and personal growth Officials said the Uttar Pradesh government has approved a budget of Rs 1.9 crore to establish open gyms in all 75 jails and sub-jails across the state, as well as at the Dr Sampurnanand Prison Training Centre in Lucknow. (Representational image) By March 31, 2025, Uttar Pradeshs jails are slated to undergo a transformation with the addition of high-class gyms to encourage physical fitness and discipline among inmates. Complementing this effort, Rs 40 lakh has been allocated to establish digital libraries in 40 prisons, to foster mental resilience, moral values, and positive social behaviour among inmates. These moves are part of the states ambitious prison modernisation plan, aimed at giving jails a complete facelift while emphasising inmate rehabilitation and personal growth. Officials said the Uttar Pradesh government has approved a budget of Rs 1.9 crore to establish open gyms in all 75 jails and sub-jails across the state, as well as at the Dr Sampurnanand Prison Training Centre in Lucknow. The director general of prison administration and reform services, PV Ramasastry, has been tasked with overseeing the installation of gym equipment in all 76 prison locations across the state. The installation of the gyms is set to be completed by March 31, 2025," an official said. related stories At an event on November 13, Uttar Pradeshs minister for prisons, Dara Singh Chauhan, highlighted the states dedication to prisoner welfare. The state government is focused on addressing the physical and mental health needs of inmates," Chauhan stated, emphasising the ongoing efforts to enhance rehabilitation programmes and modernise prison facilities. In addition to the open gyms, digital libraries will be established in 40 jails, with plans to expand the initiative to the remaining 35 jails and sub-jails. These libraries are designed to promote mental resilience, foster positive social behaviour, and instil moral values among inmates," the official said. He further highlighted the curated nature of the content, emphasising its role in alleviating stress and encouraging positivity. The libraries will feature a wide array of materials, including inspiring novels, biographies, and autobiographies of notable achievers. Additionally, the complete UP board syllabus from classes 1 to 12 will be available to support inmates interested in education," said the official. Recently, the Uttar Pradesh prison administration and reform services, in collaboration with the India Vision Foundation and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organised a two-day consultation session in Lucknow. The event focused on assessing the state of health services in jails and developing strategies to prevent infectious diseases in prisons. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The session also highlighted raising awareness about mental health and substance abuse among inmates. Key activities included experience-sharing by jail and health officials, discussions on challenges they face, and brainstorming solutions to address these critical issues. The highlight of the event was the launch of a special jail toolkit that was designed to address substance abuse and HIV prevention. The toolkit included peer guides, games, and puzzles aimed at educating and engaging inmates effectively. First Published: November 21, 2024, 18:15 IST She also advises against using matte or powdery products that can emphasize dryness, recommending cream-based formulas for a dewy finish. Focus on lightweight, buildable products that enhance your natural skin texture while providing coverage and glow," she says. Follow up with a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid or vitamin E to lock in moisture.She also recommends using a thick cream with occlusive agents like shea butter or oils to create a protective barrier against the cold. A hydrating primer not only enhances makeup application but also provides an even base and prolongs wear," Edyta adds. World Television Day 2024: Theme, Evolution From B&W To Smart TV, And Its Impact On Elections Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 08:32 IST Smart TVs include internet connectivity, providing streaming and other interactive applications. Such changes are typical of advanced technologies, as they determine the type of content and audiences approach. World Television Day serves as a reminder of the importance of television in our daily lives. (Image: Shutterstock) World Television Day is celebrated annually on November 21 to draw attention to the influence of television on people and society. The UN General Assembly set this observance in December 1996 in honour of the first World Television Forum that happened on November 21-22, 1996. The forum involved media practitioners for a round table analysis of television as a powerful tool for communication, shaping perception and decision-making around the world. related stories World Television Day: History And Evolution Television has gone through so many changes since its invention. The journey started with Black and White (B&W) Television in the early 20th century and offered very restricted programme viewing to the audience. Television was invented by Philo Farnsworth and the first public demonstration was in 1927. The commercial production of B&W television sets began in the late 1930s. Shortly, towards the 1950s, colour television was introduced, changing viewers experience as well as interest. New technology in the early 1980s led to increased cable television programmes and channels that aired programmes that met the criteria of a certain section of society. This period also marked the arrival of satellite television, thus increasing accessibility. After what can be described as the generation of digital television, introduced in the late 1990s, another set of advancements in technology formed the foundation of high-definition broadcasting in the early 2000s. Today, smart TVs include internet connectivity, providing streaming and other interactive applications. Such changes are typical of advanced technologies, determining not only the type of content but also the audiences approach. ALSO READ: IIT Bombay, BITS Pilani Collaborate To Conduct Joint Research Projects, Development Of Modern Technologies World Television Day: Themes Of Last 5 Years Over the years, World Television Day has focused on various themes that reflect the changing landscape of television and its impact on society. Recent themes have included: 2024: This years theme is Advocate for Quality Programming. 2023: The theme for the 2023 edition is Accessibility. 2022: Promoting Inclusive Societies for Peace and Sustainable Development 2021: Informing, Empowering, and Connecting the World through Television 2020: Celebrating International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development World Television Day: Role of TVs In Elections Electoral political campaigns and political communication through television have been significant in society. Research shows that political commercials aired on television substantially affect voters decisions. For instance, while studying the impact of media advertising in the context of candidates, researchers affiliated with Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), found out that candidates who can make efficient use of TV advertising can add up to 5 percentage points to the vote in the polls during the campaigns. As highlighted by Statista, political advertising in India has skyrocketed in the last election cycles. For instance, expenditure in the 2019 Indian Lok Sabha elections was 73 per cent more than in 2014, which displays the significant role played by media in the strategies during the election. The estimated budget for television campaigns ahead of the 2024 elections reveals that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allocated Rs 23.04 crore. The Indian National Congress (INC) allocated Rs 16.07 crore, according to Campaign India. ALSO READ: Opinion | Why India Needs an R&D Push World Television Day: How TVs Shape Public Opinion The effects of media on voter behaviour are well-documented. An effective study discovered that the participants who targeted the 2018 U.S. midterm elections had higher victory percentages for those who used cross-screen TV advertising than those who did not. With many people relying on television for information, it is a major influence on voters familiarity with candidates and their policies. An article from the GSTF International Journal of Law and Social Sciences aims to establish that political advertisements assist in voters awareness of electoral issues. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Political ads are not only informative but are also persuasive. A survey conducted by Cambridge University Press has noted that political advertising does enhance participation among voters and sensitisation to electoral matters. That is even more so especially given that some voters will approach the ballot with little prior knowledge of candidates, especially in down-ballot elections. In these contexts, television advertising is likely to affect the knowledge and attitude of the voters while in presidential elections voters are more informed. First Published: November 21, 2024, 06:00 IST Ariana Grande Says She Channelled Personal Loss In Her Film Wicked Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 18:21 IST Ariana Grande added that she watched Wicked as a Broadway musical when young and hence being a part of the film felt like a homecoming" to her. Ariana Grande plays the role of Glinda Upland in Wicked. (Photo Credit: Instagram) Ariana Grande revealed that she incorporated a personal touch into her upcoming film Wicked. Directed by Jon M Chu, the musical fantasy starring Cynthia Erivo in the lead will hit the big screens on November 22. Wicked is the on-screen adaptation of the same-titled stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman. The movie is also loosely based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire. Grande plays the role of Glinda Upland aka the Good Witch while Erivo essays the character of Elphaba Thropp, the Wicked Witch. Ahead of Wickeds grand premiere, Grande has opened up on how she had channelled her personal feelings into the project. In an interaction with BBC, Ariana Grande said, Losing someone you love is something weve all, unfortunately, had to experience and sometimes we have the privilege to say goodbye and sometimes we dont." Grande was presumably hinting at two major tragedies in her life. The first one was the heartbreaking bombing incident at her Manchester concert in 2017 where as many as 22 concert-goers were killed and over 50 people were injured. As for the second tragic occurrence, Grande might be speaking about the death of her former partner Mac Miller in 2018. Reportedly, the rapper passed away from a drug overdose. He was found dead at his California home. related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wicked Movie (@wickedmovie) During the conversation, Ariana Grande added that she watched Wicked as a Broadway musical when young and hence being a part of the film felt like a homecoming" to her. This music has always brought such comfort and now being able to spend time with it and be trusted with it is the privilege of a lifetime," she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cynthia Erivo (@cynthiaerivo) Ariana Grande also highlighted her strong camaraderie with co-star Cynthia Erivo. According to the two-time Grammy award winner, she and Erivo got along well from the moment they were roped in for Wicked. Cynthia invited me over and we hung out for five hours and we laughed and we cried and got to know each other," disclosed Grande. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) Apart from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, Wicked also features Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Peter Dinklage, Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater. First Published: November 21, 2024, 18:21 IST Moana Live-Action BTS Pictures Are All About Dwayne Johnson As Maui Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 15:11 IST Filming is in full swing on one of the most popular beaches on Oahus West Side. Four newly revealed photos show Dwayne Johnson sporting Maui's signature long hair and chest tattoos. Photos also show a life-sized version of the waa kaulua, Moana's iconic double-hulled canoe (Photo Credits: X) If you thought the animated Moana was breathtaking, wait until you see the live-action adaptation in the works. The highly-anticipated project, which follows the success of Disneys 2016 animated hit, is already creating waves with its first behind-the-scenes set photos. Fans are getting their first glimpse of Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as the larger-than-life demigod Maui, complete with intricate tattoos and flowing locks. Alongside him, Catherine Lagaaia steps into the role of Moana, taking over from Aulii Cravalho, who lent her voice to the animated version. According to the reports, filming is in full swing on one of the most popular beaches on Oahus West Side. Four newly revealed photos show Johnson sporting Mauis signature long hair and chest tattoos, while Lagaaia is seen in Moanas classic red crop top and beige skirt. The images also show a stunning life-sized version of the waa kaulua, Moanas iconic double-hulled canoe, ready to set sail. related stories Welp, you film out in public on one of the most popular beaches on the West Side and you're bound to have people take pics and get a leak or two, especially if you're Maui and Moana. pic.twitter.com/u8pkCqmfeb Reel News Hawaii (@reelnewshawaii) November 20, 2024 Adding to the excitement, Disneys Asad Ayaz marked the first day of filming with a celebratory post, sharing images of the creative team posing with a replica of Mauis massive fish hook. The crew was stationed near an intricately detailed ship seen in the set photos, further teasing the scale of the production. Ayaz also treated fans to serene snapshots of Hawaiis stunning skies and lush landscapes, offering a glimpse into the picturesque backdrop for this epic adventure. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Asad Ayaz (@asadayaz) The photos suggest that the live-action adaptation stays true to its animated predecessor. Johnsons Maui looks as powerful as ever with his iconic tattoos and wild mane, while Lagaaias Moana embodies the determined voyager in her signature outfit. Disneys live-action remakes have been met with mixed reactions over the years, often criticised for their heavy reliance on CGI. However, the Moana images reveal a promising approach, blending practical sets with digital effects. From the intricate design of the waa kaulua to the authentic beachside atmosphere, its clear the production is striving to create an immersive and magical world. With Dwayne Johnsons charismatic Maui and Catherine Lagaaias spirited Moana leading the way, fans cant wait to see how this live-action journey turns out. First Published: November 21, 2024, 15:11 IST 'Pushpa' Allu Arjun Has The Sweetest Birthday Wish For His 'Joy Of Life' Arha Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 10:07 IST Known for his dynamic roles on screen, Allu Arjun has a softer side that often shines through in his family moments. Allu Arjun expressed his feelings in the sweetest way in a birthday post for daughter. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Allu Arjun, the celebrated star of the Telugu film industry, is gearing up for the much-awaited release of Pushpa 2: The Rule. But today, its not his on-screen charisma making headlines, and its his heartfelt wish to his daughter, Arha, who turned eight on November 21. The actor took to social media to mark the special occasion, sharing an adorable clip from their recent beachside vacation. Happy Birthday to the cutest joy of my life," he wrote, posting a delightful photo of Arha in cozy matching pyjamas and a sweatshirt. Fans of the actor flooded the comments section, showering the little one with love and birthday wishes. In the caption, Allu Arjun expressed his feelings in the sweetest way possible. Happy Birthday to the cutest joy of my life, My lil Arha, 8 years of purest joy, your presence makes my life way sweeter, lots of hugs, pokey kisses and infinite love. NANAA," reads his caption. related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allu Arjun (@alluarjunonline) Known for his dynamic roles on screen, Allu Arjun has a softer side that often shines through in his family moments. The actor shares a close bond with his wife, Allu Sneha Reddy and their two children, Ayaan and Arha. Whenever hes not immersed in his hectic shooting schedule, Arjun ensures he spends quality time with his family. Family vacations seem to be their favourite way to unwind, as the Allu family is frequently spotted at Hyderabad airport heading to exotic destinations. While Arjun keeps his personal life relatively private on social media, Sneha often shares glimpses of their fun family moments, much to the joy of fans. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allu Sneha Reddy (@allusnehareddy) Even amidst the buzz of Pushpa 2, which is set to hit theatres on December 5, Allu Arjun continues to prioritise family time. Just yesterday, sharing a cute moment with Arha on Instagram, Arjun lovingly referred to her as daddys princess." In a candid picture from his recent post, the actor is seen sitting on a couch in a white Pushpa-themed sweatshirt, with Arha perched comfortably on his lap. The photo radiates warmth, capturing a beautiful father-daughter moment. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allu Arjun (@alluarjunonline) While Arjuns family life draws admiration, his professional life is equally exciting at present. Directed by Sukumar, Pushpa 2: The Rule promises to be a massive hit. Alongside Allu Arjun, the film features a stellar cast, including Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Dhananjaya, Rao Ramesh, Sunil and Anasuya Bharadwaj. With the release date just weeks away, fans are eagerly counting down to December 5. Whether its his magnetic screen presence or his heartfelt gestures as a dad, Allu Arjun never fails to win hearts. First Published: November 21, 2024, 10:07 IST Richa Chadha Raises Concerns Over Delhi's Air Quality Post-Diwali: 'The Death Sentence Called Life...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 07:36 IST Richa Chadha, known for her outspoken views on social issues, recently raised concerns about the air quality in Delhi following Diwali celebrations. Richa Chadha was last seen in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Richa Chadha, known for her outspoken views on social issues, recently raised concerns about the air quality in Delhi following Diwali celebrations. Taking to X, she spoke of the severe pollution caused by firecrackers, which left the city shrouded in thick smog. Responding to a video shared by a user showing heavy firecracker activity, she pointed out that AQI levels in some areas exceeded 1000, reaching hazardous levels dangerous to human health. Delhis recurring post-Diwali smog continues to spark debates on environmental responsibility. Richa Chadha voiced her frustration over Delhis worsening air quality, describing it as a death sentence" due to the hazardous air people are forced to breathe. She expressed disappointment while reflecting on her deep connection with the city. related stories She wrote, The death sentence called life in Delhi the city of my childhood, my school, my roots Heartbreaking to see the apathy and sheer hatred for one-selves. Politicians will do nothing unless we learn to speak up for ourselves." On the personal front, Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in July this year. The couple, known for their strong bond and supportive partnership, have been basking in the joy of parenthood with excitement. As they navigate this beautiful phase of their lives, the couple has been sharing glimpses of their journey on social media. Now, the proud parents have dropped an adorable video of their little girl on Instagram, making fans go aww. In terms of professional commitments, Richa Chadha last starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazar. In the series, available for streaming on Netflix, she impressed the audience with her short-lived role as Lajjo. The actress is now gearing up to grace the screens with her upcoming film titled Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai, opposite Pankaj Tripathi and Shriya Pilgaonkar. She also duo Abhishek Acharya and Raj Rishabhs directorial Covid Stories in her kitty. First Published: November 21, 2024, 07:36 IST SEVENTEEN Member Mingyu Hinting At The Groups Future Has Fans In Tears Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 20, 2024, 12:17 IST While SEVENTEEN has not hinted at any major changes, its only natural for fans to be concerned about what lies ahead. SEVENTEEN will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Popular K-pop boy band SEVENTEEN is gearing up to celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. Debuting in 2015, the 13-member group quickly rose to fame and became a fan favourite. Reaching a decade as a group is a rare milestone in the K-pop industry, where many bands disband, members enlist for military service or focus on solo projects. While SEVENTEEN has not hinted at any major changes, its only natural for fans to feel a mix of excitement and concern about what lies ahead. Now, Mingyu, a member of SEVENTEEN, recently addressed fans concerns about the groups future. According to Koreaboo, he acknowledged the possible challenges the group might face in the coming years. He particularly mentioned the mandatory military service. But to reassure fans, Mingyu confidently stated that there was no stress about the issue as SEVENTEEN would still be together as a group even ten years from now. related stories I often tell the members, Of course, well still be SEVENTEEN 10 years from now, so why worry about whatll happen in 1 or 2 years?" he mentioned. Mingyu shared his thoughts during a photo shoot after being announced as the cover star for the upcoming edition of Esquire Korea. This news brought relief to fans, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their reactions. One of them wrote, This made me tear up because of how much he loves seventeen. The future is scary because of the m-word, but assurance like this from Mingyu eases that fear. He always says that he wants to be with the members for a long, long time and I always hold on to that. hes indeed svts pillar. this made me tear up bc of how much he loves seventeen. the future is scary because of the m-word, but assurance like this from mingyu eases that fear. he always says that he wants to be wt the members for a long, long time and i always hold on to that. hes indeed svts pillar. https://t.co/tn9IpFnxmH pic.twitter.com/MDxR2RetZf nic (@onusmin) November 19, 2024 I think about Mingyu being the reason svt resigned their contract genuinely every single day of my life i dont even know what to say he just has so much love in his heart," read a comment. i think about mingyu being the reason svt resigned their contract genuinely every single day of my life i dont even know what to say he just has so much love in his heart https://t.co/VqIKh7DSHP steenie SVT IN TOKYO (@blondedboo) November 19, 2024 Another one said, Mingyu choosing his team over anything nothing could ever separate him from them seventeen is truly a family right from the very beginning." mingyu choosing his team over anything nothing could ever separate him from them seventeen is truly a family right from the very beginning https://t.co/6IWSb01tDz pic.twitter.com/iFmpx7tn46 (@film_jww) November 19, 2024 Meanwhile, the 13-member group is preparing for Tecate Pal Norte, the annual music festival. They will perform on April 4, the first day of the festival in Mexico. First Published: November 20, 2024, 12:17 IST Shah Rukh Khan Death Threat Update: Arrested Lawyer Scoured Actor's Sensitive Details Online Curated By : IANS Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 14:47 IST Prior to issuing the death threat to Shah Rukh Khan, Faizan Khan had carried out extensive online searches on Shah Rukh Khan and son Aryan Khans security details and also their movements. Shah Rukh Khan received death threats on November 7. Raipur-based lawyer Faizan Khan who was arrested in connection with the extortion-cum-death threat to Bollywood mega-star Shah Rukh Khan had scoured online to get sensitive security details of the actor and his family members, investigations have revealed. Prior to issuing the death threat and a demand for Rs 50 lakh as extortion money, Faizan Khan had carried out extensive online searches on Shah Rukh Khan and his son Aryan Khans security details and also their movements. related stories This was found after forensic analysis of Faizan Khans second mobile phone that the Bandra Police probe team recovered, as the accused lawyer remains in judicial custody for the next ten days. However, Faizan Khan has been giving evasive and misleading replies on the motives behind collecting the information on the VIP star father-son duos security set-up who are accorded a Y-Plus level of protection. On November 7, Faizan Khan set alarm bells ringing when he made the menacing call to the Bandra Police Station landline, which swung into action and registered a case against an unknown person. Faizan Khan reportedly said to the policeman who picked up the phone, Is not Shah Rukh Khan the same who lives in Mannat (bungalow) a Bandstand-wala If he doesnt pay up Rs 50 lakh, I will kill him." When the on-duty cop asked for his identity, Faizan Khan said, It doesnt matter, my name is Hindustani", and disconnected the call after the threat. The police immediately swung into action, filed the case, traced the number to the Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, deployed tech intel, sought help from the local police and managed to zero in on Faizan. He was finally nabbed on November 12 by a Mumbai Police team and brought here for the probe. The accused was produced before a court that remanded him to police custody till November 18, and then he was given judicial custody for 14 days. First Published: November 21, 2024, 14:47 IST Global Watch | War On Humour: China Targets Puns And Memes In Its Latest Censorship Move Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 18:13 IST While this latest move will certainly add to the already repressive and intimidating online environment in China, the peoples resilience will undoubtedly remain undimmed Internet surveillance and censorship is nothing new in China and is something that the citizens have been accustomed to for decades now. (Image: File/Reuters) As the Chinese citizens look to find increasingly innovative ways to engage in honest and critical political discussion about their country, the Great Firewall system of China keeps sharpening its fangs to suppress even an insinuation of dissent. Internet surveillance and censorship is nothing new in China and is something that the citizens have been accustomed to for decades now. However, the progressively ridiculous tactics that the regime is employing betray its profound insecurity when it comes to its hold on the Chinese population. The latest clear and bright campaign of the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Education targets irregular and uncivilised language on the internet, primarily focused on memes, jokes, and wordplay. The logic that is given is that these puns and memes corrupt the everyday communication and ideological values of minors and hence, pose a threat to the Chinese social fabric. related stories However, the truth is that wordplay, memes, and obscure jokes have become the very means by which the Chinese people express their dissent or engage in light-hearted political banter, unsettling the Chinese regime which recognises them as a threat to itself. China began its internet control initiative in 1998 with the Golden Shield Project or what is (in)famously known as the Great Firewall of China to restrict internet usage through multiple methods, including only allowing state-affiliated companies to provide internet services, monitoring users internet activity and censoring certain online behaviour. As time passed and both the internet and the CCPs online regulatory mechanisms gained more sophistication, China established the Central Cybersecurity and Informatization Leading Group in 2014, a nationally integrated association to oversee online censorship. Four years later, this group was promoted to the rank of a central commission. Therefore, the CCP utilises a combination of two associations to lay its repressive web over peoples online behaviour the aforementioned Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission as well as the police who are charged with installing and operating surveillance equipment, making investigations, intimidations, and arrests. According to a study by the OpenNet Initiative, China has the most sophisticated content-filtering Internet regime in the world". The Chinese system of internet control already places a ban on foreign search engines such as Google, and social media websites such as WhatsApp, YouTube, and so on, and only permits indigenous internet companies such as WeChat and Weibo who comply with its regulatory and censorship standards. References to politically sensitive topics such as the Tiananmen Square protests, Tibet, Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Xi Jinping are strictly curtailed and invite punishments upon violation. For their part, the Chinese people circumvent these repressive tactics in a variety of ways such as installing a private virtual network so that their IP addresses are hidden, or making references to politically contentious subjects in a veiled manner. And the Chinese authorities seem to constantly be in a cat-and-mouse game with their population. For instance, as the latest campaign seeks to curtail, Chinese people sometimes make use of homophones, or phrases that phonetically sound the same but are written differently, such as the word for paratrooper" (san bing) instead of idiot" (sha bi), to indicate deeper political messaging. The same was seen in the Chinese iteration of the #MeToo campaign too, which was started by Luo Xixi in 2018, who publicly alleged that her former professor sexually abused her 12 years ago. Like in other places, her story inspired the widespread movement wherein many women felt encouraged to go public about their own stories of sexual abuse. The Chinese government soon blocked the hashtag MeToo and its Chinese version woyeshi, however, people began using the homonym mitu which means rice bunny to continue the movement. Therefore, in response to the suffocating atmosphere of censorship, the Chinese people too keep the authorities relentlessly on their toes by devising new ways to address their issues. To illustrate, they have, in the past, referred to Xi Jinping by using three arrows to symbolise the syllabic tones in his name, or through the cartoon character of Winnie the Pooh, which is believed to share a resemblance with the President. The Chinese authorities are extremely paranoid about people freely discussing their political opinions which was also seen in the lead-up to, and the aftermath of Xi Jinping removing the cap on presidential terms. During that time, when the regime scrambled to block the words that may be used to criticise the move, in addition to targeting terms such as ten thousand years, Xi Zedong, shameless, personality cult, lifelong, immortality, and disagree, it also inexplicably banned the letter N from the internet. Some analysts speculated that it might have been because of the authorities suspicion that N could signify n number of years that Jinping was set to install himself for. However, it still went on to demonstrate the extreme sense of insecurity that the regime suffers from. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Although the latest move will certainly add to the repressive and intimidating online environment in China, the resilience of the people will most definitely not be contained. When authoritarian regimes deprive people of the breathing space to even engage in creative, witty, and humorous chit-chat, they risk igniting more threatening fires that might simmer under the surface for some time, but are sure to erupt sooner or later. The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: November 21, 2024, 18:13 IST Opinion | Modis Caribbean Outreach: Deepening Ties With Guyana And Beyond Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 12:04 IST Indo-Caribbeans form the largest ethnic group in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname. Their cultural and economic contributions have profoundly shaped Guyanese society, creating a natural bridge between India and the region PM Narendra Modi was welcomed in Guyana by President Mohamed Irfan Ali. (MEA) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached the final leg of his three-nation tour, which included stops in Nigeria and Brazil. Now in Guyana, Modis outreach to the countries of the Global South continues. The visit to Guyana is particularly significant, given its newfound oil reserves and its sizeable Indian-origin diaspora, which have piqued Indias interest. However, the trip is not solely to Indias advantage; a wide range of issues are being discussed between the two nations, including energy, trade, and regional security. Both sides are acutely aware of the visits significance, underscored by the Guyanese government conferring its highest civilian award on Modi and welcoming him with a guard of honour. This also marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in more than 56 years. related stories Guyana is poised to become one of the worlds major oil-producing nations. Its neighbour, Suriname, is also on the brink of its own revolution in natural oil and gas production. For India, what better region to secure a positive energy supply chain than one that is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas? India And Guyana Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Guyana marks the latest in a series of high-level engagements between the two nations. Last year, Guyanas President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, was the chief guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest honour for persons of Indian origin. Energy security has been at the top of the agenda, with both parties expected to sign several energy and defence agreements. India is also drawing on Guyanas unique history; nearly 40 per cent of the nations population is of Indian origin, including President Irfaan Ali, whose ancestors were transported by the British to the Caribbean as indentured labourers in the 19th century. Modi will also meet other leaders from the Caribbean Community (Caricom), an intergovernmental organisation comprising 15 Caribbean nations, including Guyana, at a Caricom-India Summit on Thursday. The summit will be co-chaired by Modi and Grenadas Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell. According to Caricom, the meeting is expected to further solidify bilateral cooperation between Caricom and India in energy and infrastructure, agriculture and food security, health and pharmaceuticals, and technology and innovation." Keeping China At Bay Apart from energy security and infrastructure build-up, one of Indias major geopolitical challengers, China, has also been vying for influence in the region. 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 the tiny island nation. 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. Chinese companies have led major projects like the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion and the East Bank Demerara Highway. 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 the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) 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 Caribbeantraditionally 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 November, 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. The Diaspora At Work India and Guyana share a unique bond. Almost 40 per cent of Guyanas population boasts Indian heritage, descendants of indentured labourers who arrived in the 19th century. The Indian diaspora has profoundly shaped Guyanese society, contributing significantly to its economy and culture, and creating a natural bridge between the two nations. PM Modis meeting with members of this community, acknowledging their achievements and contributions, has reinforced this connection. He even took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing images and highlighting the unwavering link between the diaspora and their ancestral homeland. India will always be a trusted partner for Guyana in sectors like infrastructure, shipping, technology and more. Guyanas support for initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, CDRI and Global Biofuels Alliance are noteworthy. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2024 However, it is not just Guyana; the rest of the Caribbean is also filled with the Indian diaspora. Indo-Caribbean people comprise the largest ethnic group in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname. They are the second largest group in Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Martinique, and Guadeloupe. This increases the significance and impact of an Indian Prime Minister visiting the region even more. Additionally, Barbados and the Dominican Republic are also conferring their highest civilian honours on PM Modi. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The visit cements a growing partnership, fuelled by shared history, a vibrant diaspora, and a mutual desire to boost each other on the world stage. While China is lurking in the background, India is making its presence known, showing its seriousness about investing in the region and building long-term relationships. From energy deals to defence pacts, this trip is a clear signal: India is playing a long game in the Caribbean, and Guyanas a key player. Its a smart move, tapping into a region with huge potential and strengthening ties with a nation thats on the cusp of becoming a major global player. This is a win-win for both countries and a sign of Indias growing influence on the world stage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: November 21, 2024, 11:58 IST BJP Stages Protest Near Kejriwal's Residence Over 'Sheesh Mahal' Row, Kailash Gahlot Joins Stir Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 14:11 IST Delhi Police detained the BJP leaders protesting over the 'Sheesh Mahal' controversy near Arvind Kejriwal's residence. BJP protests in Delhi (PTI Image) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including its Delhi unit chief Virendraa Sachdeva, staged a protest near the residence of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal over the Sheesh Mahal controversy. Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, and former AAP leader Kailash Gahlot, who quit the party recently and joined the BJP, were also present in the protest. related stories #WATCH | Delhi BJP leaders and workers protest near the residence of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, over Sheesh Mahal controversy. pic.twitter.com/Iw5a54DLpY ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024 BJP workers were seen climbing the police barricade holding placards in their hands. The police detained the protesting leaders and workers. #WATCH | Delhi BJP leaders and workers protest near the residence of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, over Sheesh Mahal controversy. pic.twitter.com/HS6Zxp30jw ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024 BJP Will Form Govt In Delhi: Kailash Gahlot Ex-AAP and now a BJP leader Kailash Gahlot said that the people of Delhi are facing troubles due to pending work by the Delhi government and exuded confidence that the BJP will form government in 2025 Assembly Elections. We have come here to protest over the Sheesh Mahal issue. When I wrote a letter to Arvind Kejriwal, I wrote clearly that a controversy has been created over Sheesh Mahal is truly unfortunate. This is an example of compromise with the core principles of AAP" he said. #WATCH | BJP leader Kailash Gahlot says, We have come here to protest over the Sheesh Mahal issue. When I wrote a letter to Arvind Kejriwal, I wrote clearly that a controversy has been created over Sheesh Mahal is truly unfortunate. This is an example of compromise with the https://t.co/AN4l5xXME6 pic.twitter.com/7g3kMsur5A ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2024 I think this time BJP will form the Government in Delhi this time. People are troubled because work was not done in Delhi sewers are overflowing, drinking water is not being supplied, and roads are damaged. I am confident that the people of Delhi will make BJP win this time," he added. Delhi is slated to go to Assembly Elections early next year. The AAP received a major jolt just months before the polls with the exit of its top leader Kailash Gahlot who expressed discontent over the non-fulfillment of promises and AAPs deflection from its values, in his resignation letter to Kejriwal. What Is The Sheesh Mahal Controversy? The Sheesh Mahal controversy pertains to the new Delhi CM residence and its grandeur built under Kejriwals chief ministership. The BJP termed the building a Sheesh Mahal and accused Kejriwal of departing from his promises made in the initial days of his political career that he would not take a government bungalow. The total built-up area of the house is 21,000 square feet and the inventory shows some expensive fittings. window curtains operated with a motor have been put up costing Rs 4-6 crore. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all There were 16 state-of-the-art TVs put up costing Rs 64 lakh. Recliner sofas costing Rs 10 lakh, smart LED turntable downlights costing Rs 19.5 lakh, an oven in the kitchen costing up to Rs 9 lakh, superior water supply and sanitary installations costing Rs 15 crore, decorative pillars costing up to Rs 36 lakh. Toilet seats ranging between Rs 10-12 lakh. First Published: November 21, 2024, 13:30 IST 'Whenever Voting Increases...': Fadnavis Confident Of BJP's Maharashtra Show, Meets RSS Chief Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 12:19 IST 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 Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis (PTI) As Maharashtra recovered from the early sluggish voter turnout trend and breached 65%, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis exuded confidence in his party and its alliance (Mahayuti), saying BJP-Mahayuti will benefit from the increased voting percentage". Maharashtra polled 58.22% votes till 5 pm on Wednesday. However, the Election Commission of Indias latest and updated data revealed that Maharashtra recorded 65.11% turnout in elections to 288 assembly seats with Kolhapur district coming on top with 76.25% polling. Meanwhile, Mumbai finished at the bottom with 52.07% voting. related stories The BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West against Congress Gudadhe-Patil, said, I feel that whenever the voting percentage increases, BJP is the only one to benefit from it. With the increased voting percentage, BJP-Mahayuti will benefit from this." Fadnavis Meets RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Fadnavis on Wednesday evening visited RSS headquarters in Nagpur after voting for the state assembly polls concluded. According to sources, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and former general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi were present in the Sangh headquarters situated in Mahal area. Fadnavis was present in the Sangh headquarters for around 15 to 20 minutes, sources added. Though the BJP leader declined to comment on his meeting with Bhagwat, it has triggered buzz about the Sangh backing him for the CM post. What Exit Polls Say? Meanwhile, the ruling Mahayuti is expected to retain power with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) also putting up a strong show in assembly polls, exit polls predicted on Wednesday after the conclusion of polling on 288 seats in Maharashtra. According to the Republic TV-PMARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance could win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi could get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats. Mahayuti includes BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). 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. Chanakya Strategies 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 and the range of Republic TV-PMARQ prediction suggested that even MVA could cross the mark. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Electoral fate of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, were locked in EVMs across 288 seats, 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. It was the first assembly poll in the state after splits in Shiv Sena and NCP. The results will be declared on November 23. In the 2019 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. First Published: November 21, 2024, 09:04 IST 'Rahul, Congress Tried Since 2002 To Tarnish Modi's Image, PM's Credibility Remains High': BJP Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 15:22 IST BJP alleged that Congress cannot tolerate Indian economy gaining in strength with Modi as PM. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (PTI Image) The BJP on Thursday dubbed Rahul Gandhis attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the US prosecutors indictment of Gautam Adani on alleged bribery and fraud charges as part of his long-running efforts to target its leader, and noted that none of the four states named in American courts had a BJP government. Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra made it clear that as far as allegations against the Adani group are concerned it is for the company to issue a clarification and defend itself. related stories Law will take its own course," he said, while keeping the focus on Gandhis allegations against the prime minister and the BJP government at the Centre. How Did The BJP Respond To Rahul Gandhi? Since 2002, Rahul Gandhi, his mother Sonia Gandhi and the Congress have been trying to tarnish Modis image, but they have not succeeded and the prime minister received the highest civilian award in a foreign country on a day the opposition party was attacking him, the BJP leader said. Rahul Gandhi claimed in his press conference that the opposition has been successful in destroying Modis credibility over his alleged proximity to the business tycoon. Citing the Adani groups investment in various states ruled by the Congress and its allies, Patra noted that it invested Rs 25k crore and Rs 65k crore in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan when Bhupesh Baghel and Ashok Gehlot were at the helm there respectively. The conglomerate invested Rs 45k crore in the DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu and had recently given Rs 100 crore donation to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for a skill development foundation, he added. If Adani is corrupt", then why are the Congress governments seeking investment from his company, he asked. Allegations Against Gautam Adani The billionaire industrialist has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay over USD 250 million (about Rs 2,100 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange of favourable terms for solar power contracts. This was concealed from the US banks and investors from whom the Adani group raised billions of dollars for the project, the prosecutors have alleged. US law allows pursuing foreign corruption allegations if they involve certain links to American investors or markets. The Adani group, however, has denied the charges. The Congress, Patra alleged, cannot tolerate the Indian economy gaining in strength with Modi as prime minister, as it is now on track to become the third biggest global economy. Rahul Gandhi has been trying to target the Indian economy by making all kinds of allegations, and over 2.5 crore investors even on Thursday lost a lot of money as the stock market tanked, he said. The Congress leader targeted the government over the alleged corruption in the Rafale aircraft deal and had also gone after it over the issue of Covid vaccines, he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Patra also objected to Gandhis claim that his party has to do the job of the judiciary as well, saying it amounted to contempt of court. Gandhi does not understand legalities and technicalities around an issue and merely repeats what he is briefed by a few advisors, he added. The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha will now start a drama" when Parliaments Winter session begins from November 25 and try to disrupt its proceedings and target the economy, he claimed. First Published: November 21, 2024, 15:22 IST 85-Year-Old Zambian Grandmother Proves Its Never Too Late To Shine In Style Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 12:50 IST Chola has over 1 lakh followers on Instagram and her feed consists of striking and fun fashion photoshoots. Cholas fashion photoshoots have struck a chord with fashion enthusiasts globally. (Photo Credit: Instagram) Margret Chola, 85, from rural Zambia has become an internet sensation with her vibrant fashion sense, gaining popularity under the username Legendary Glamma. Her claim to fame began in 2023 when her granddaughter, Diana Kaumba, a stylist living in New York, came up with a project that would change their lives. Currently, Chola has over 1 lakh followers on Instagram and her feed consists of striking and fun fashion photoshoots. The concept of the Granny Series came to Kaumba during her visit to Zambia in April 2023. While staying with her grandmother, Kaumba suggested that they swap clothes in a playful dress-up session. I wasnt doing anything at the time, so I just said: OK. If thats what you want to do lets do it why not?'" Chola said during an interview with BBC. related stories After convincing Chola to try her clothes, Kaumba took pictures of herself along with her grandmother, which captured a successful interconnection between African cultural and modern trends. In the first photo shoot, Chola wore a shiny silver pantsuit and Kaumba was dressed in a traditional chitenge dress. The colourful pictures they took against the background of their rural village became popular on social media. Kaumba says. I thought it would be nice to dress up Mbuya in high fashion and then take photographs of her in her natural habitat. I was so nervous when I posted that first photo. I left my phone for 10 minutes and in those 10 minutes there were 1,000 likes," Kaumba told the BBC. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Cholas fashion photoshoots have struck a chord with fashion enthusiasts globally. Her style reflecting maximalist-chic aesthetics includes bold colours inspired by the Zambian flag and whimsical combinations like a blond wig and graphic tees. Kaumba, who has been a stylist since 2012, says that her grandma has courage, and nails every look." Margret Chola was brought up by her grandparents and went through several struggles in her life. She reportedly had to leave school at the age of 12 because her family could no longer afford to pay her fees and was forced into early marriage to a man twice her age. She had three children and was unhappy due to her husbands alcoholism. As a result, she opted for a divorce. Reflecting on her latest achievement, she noted, I didnt know I could make such an impact at this age." Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 12:10 IST After Deepika Padukone, Indias Got Latent Participant Jokes On Kolkata Rape-Murder Case Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 09:17 IST Participant Bunty Banerjee found herself under the fire for joking about the heinous rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The standup comedian introduced herself as a Bengali born and brought up in Bihar. (Photo Credits: X) Comedian Samay Rainas show Indias Got Latent has been in headlines ever since a contestant made fun of Deepika Padukones depression. The comedian, also one of the judges, faced social media heat over his casual reaction to the joke on mental health. But the controversy doesnt seem to end anytime soon. The same participant has now garnered attention for poking fun at another sensitive issue, the Kolkata rape-murder case. Participant Bunty Banerjee found herself under the fire for joking about the heinous rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident led to nationwide protests seeking justice from the administration. In a video that has now gone viral, the participant could be heard saying, Whenever theres a tense situation, the Bengali in me sleeps and Bihari wakes up." related stories The standup comedian introduced herself as a Bengali who was born and brought up in Bihar. She performed in the shows latest episode in the presence of judges including Samay Raina, comedian Tanmay Bhat, producer-actor Raghu Ram, neurologist Dr Sid Warrier, and Balraj Singh, the owner of Habitat (the shows venue). Bunty Banerjee went on to ask the audience, Any Bengalis in the house," adding, See, sab so rahe hain. Nahi. Thak gaye honge na candle march karte karte (Bengalis are sleeping! Let them. Must be tried by holding candle march protests)." This statement led the panel to burst into laughter. She cooked the whole community. pic.twitter.com/E5Ljgeh6Yr Harry (@harryyshitpost) November 18, 2024 However, the matter did not go down well with the social media community who heavily trolled the standup comedian for making fun at such a serious matter of national importance. The video was shared on X with a caption, She cooked the whole community." A user reacted to the video and said, So this lady, claiming to be a comedian, at one point of her show,mocks depression and at another point ,ridicules Bengalis for holding candlelight marches to protest heinous crimes. Its appalling that people think such cringeworthy behavior deserves applause. The jokes on them." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Another person wrote, Its not called cooking, Its called being a woke person who just wants to go with the flow. The same candle march that the Bengalis do, is for protecting women only. If God forbids, something happens to her, we will be the ones to rise and protest in favour of her to get justice." Someone else noted, Insensitivity aside, the joke (if it was a joke) was so lame. Are the judges laughing with her? Or laughing at her?" Oh God! Bless Indians with a good sense of humour and hygiene. Enough of this torture," a comment also read. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 09:17 IST In MPs Chhatarpur, This Plant Is Becoming Popular Among Locals Curated By : Local News Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 10:35 IST According to Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui, the plant symbolises wealth and prosperity. This plant is easy to care for. A new plant has become highly sought-after in the district of Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh). It is commonly referred to as the Kuber Plant by the locals. Its demand has surged in local nurseries, and when unavailable there, people are travelling to nurseries in cities across Madhya Pradesh to purchase it. Money plants were once the go-to choice for homes, offices, and shops; but now this new plant, also called Crassula, Jade Plant, or Money Tree, is gaining popularity in Chhatarpur. Ramfal Shukla, the priest of the Ram-Janaki temple, explained to Local 18 that according to Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui, the Crassula plant symbolises wealth and prosperity. Its thick, round leaves resemble coins, and are associated with financial gains. Keeping it near the entrance of a home or office is believed to enhance positive energy and attract wealth. The Crassula plant is easy to care for, drought-tolerant, and remains lush and green for extended periods. It is said to bring happiness and prosperity to homes and offices. The plant is considered auspicious when placed in the north or southeast direction. related stories According to Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui, placing a Crassula plant in the north or southeast direction of a home or office attracts wealth and prosperity. The north direction is associated with Kuber, the god of wealth, while the southeast direction is linked to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Positioning the plant in these directions promotes financial stability and enhances positive energy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Crassula plant increases the flow of positive energy in the home, reducing mental stress and anxiety. It also freshens and beautifies the surroundings, making it an appealing decorative option for homes and offices. These benefits make the plant valuable not only for economic stability but also for mental and physical well-being. The price of a Crassula plant varies depending on the nursery and the size of the plant. Generally, a Crassula plant is priced between Rs 150 and Rs 250, making it an affordable and attractive choice for many households and workplaces. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 10:35 IST In Norway, Viking-era Burial Reveals 19th-century Archaeologists Hidden Message Curated By : Local News Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 11:21 IST The archaeologists uncovered a 150-year-old glass bottle during an excavation, revealing coins and a handwritten note that has generated widespread intrigue and fascination. The bottle was intentionally placed in the Viking grave. Excavations at ancient sites often reveal incredible finds that leave archaeologists and historians awestruck, and a recent discovery in Norway is no exception. During a dig, researchers unearthed a 150-year-old glass bottle containing coins and a paper note, sparking immense curiosity and excitement. Carefully cutting the bottle open with a saw, scientists uncovered its fascinating contentsan old handwritten letter, coins, and a business cardshedding new light on the Viking age and the grave it was found in. The discovery was shared through a series of videos on the Instagram account Sagastad, which appears to focus on Viking history. In one video, scientists can be seen diligently excavating when they come across the bottle buried deep in the earth. It has been found in a Viking burial site, adding to its historical significance. Vikings, known for their seafaring prowess, dominated Scandinavian history between the 8th and 11th centuries as explorers, traders, and raiders. related stories These videos have gone viral, tempting millions of viewers around the globe. The first video, showing the moment the bottle was unearthed, has amassed over 20 million views. A second clip, depicting the careful opening of the bottle, has garnered 5.9 million views. What lay inside the bottle was nothing short of remarkablecoins from the era, an old paper note, and a business card belonging to the archaeologist responsible for the burial in 1874. Subsequent investigations revealed that the bottle had been deliberately placed in the Viking grave by Anders Lorange, a renowned archaeologist of his time. Loranges letter offered a formal summary of the excavation, including the date and purpose of the burial mound, constructed over the remains of fallen men interred in their ship along with their weapons. The coins likely included for historical context, have sparked debates among viewers, with some speculating they may not be as old as the ship burial itself. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This exciting find comes as archaeologists from the University of Bergen revisit the Myklebust Ship site, aiming to further explore its historical significance and potentially secure its place on Norways tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage sites. The letter, coins, and bottle serve as a time capsule from the 19th century, providing unique insights into how Viking graves were studied in the past. The viral videos and the gripping story behind them continue to mesmerise audiences, offering a captivating glimpse into the Viking era and the mysteries it holds. This discovery not only highlights the rich history of Scandinavia but also showcases how artefacts can bridge the gap between the past and present, fuelling our fascination with ancient civilisations. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 11:21 IST Indian-Origin Researcher Explains How The Great Pyramids Were Built Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 16:58 IST Researcher Rajan Hooda claimed that he has solved the long-standing speculation on how Great Pyramids in Egypt were constructed. The Great Pyramids in Egypt are one of the seven wonders. (Photo Credits: Instagram) The Great Pyramids in Egypt are one of the seven wonders of the world. These impressive structures have captured the attention of people across the globe due to their enormous size and design. They are also oldest among the wonders, standing tall for around 4,500 years. The way the pyramids were built though still remains a history. Many theories have been suggested over the years. Rajan Hooda, an Indian-origin researcher from the University of Chicago, believes he has uncovered the secret behind their construction. After more than five decades of research, Hooda claims to have found the method used by the ancient Egyptians to build these monumental structures. Hoodas fascination with the Pyramids began when he was just 8. His childhood curiosity about these awe-inspiring structures sparked a lifelong passion for understanding how such monumental feats of engineering were achieved. related stories Over the years, many theories have been proposed to explain how the ancient Egyptians managed to build these colossal structures with one popular suggestion being the use of ramps. These ramps were thought to have helped transport massive stone blocks to the top of the pyramid but Hooda explained that an exterior ramp would have to be up to a mile long meaning the ramp itself would have required more material than the pyramid. Other theories such as ramps supported by scaffolding attached to the pyramids exterior or an internal spiraling ramp but Hooda called it less plausible" as no scaffolding attachment points exist on the face of the pyramids." Hoodas research L Notch Ramp offers a different perspective to the long-hailed ramp theories. He mentioned that the Khufu pyramid, the largest of the Great Pyramids, is like a layer cake" made of 210 layers of stone blocks, with each layer being built one at a time. Explaining the theory, Hooda explained that the Egyptians prepared the base of the plateau where the pyramid would stand and dug subterranean passages below the pyramid. Once this was complete, they began building the first layer using stones which are about 4.5 feet high. They placed the stones into position until the first layer was almost finished. However, one corner of the first layer was left incomplete to create a space measuring 10 feet wide and 25 feet long. In this space, skilled builders constructed a small ramp that started at the base and rose to the top of the first layer at a 10-degree slope. This ramp, although built within the pyramids footprint, meaning it it was an internal ramp, but with only open air above it, so it was also an external ramp." As the pyramid rose, the ramp was extended layer by layer. When it was time to build the second layer, again space in the second layer was left to allow the ramp to be extended. It was also at a 10-degree slope from the top of the first layer to the top of the second. This process continued with each layer and the ramp gradually spiralled around the pyramid as it grew taller just like a winding road going around a mountain. It was repeated 209 times until the pyramid was done. Starting from the top, the ramp was removed and the stones were added to each layer, 209 in total. This continued till bottom level. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hooda refers to it as the L Notch Ramp because it is designed like a cut-out notch within the footprint of each stone layer. Since all the stones were now in place, exactly where they would be if no ramp had ever existed, there was no evidence remaining that the ramps ever existed," Hooda mentioned. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 16:58 IST Anand Mahindra Wants The New Government In Maharashtra To Focus On These Two Points Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 12:15 IST Anand Mahindra suggested that the new government should prioritise elevating the quality of life of the middle-class people in Maharashtra. The Mahindra Supremo cast his vote at Malabar Hill. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Maharashtra went to the polls on Wednesday, November 21. Many Mumbai-based celebrities and businessmen were spotted at the voting booths to exercise their fundamental rights. One of them was Indian businessman Anand Mahindra who cast his ballot at the Malabar Hill constituency in the South Mumbai Lok Sabha constituency of the Mumbai City District. The Indian billionaire dropped a selfie on X (formerly Twitter) where he could be seen showing off his inked finger. Our greatest personal wealth is our right to vote in the worlds largest democracy," Mahindra wrote in the caption. After casting his vote, the 69-year-old took time to address the media outside his polling station. related stories Our greatest personal wealth is our right to vote in the worlds largest democracy pic.twitter.com/PcFzAFw7kY anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) November 20, 2024 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to Free Press Journal, Mahindra claimed that choosing the best candidates for this Maharashtra Assembly Election was a difficult decision." Mahindra suggested that the government should prioritise elevating the quality of life of the middle-class people in Maharashtra. He also expressed his concerns over the economy of the state which according to him, has been quite poor in comparison to the other states. Once these areas are improved, Mahindra reckons Mumbai and Maharashtra can become the engine of growth for India. Since the last Assembly elections, Maharashtras political landscape has changed significantly, with splits within the Shiv Sena and NCP as well as the Sena group led by Uddhav Thackeray separating from the BJP to join the Congress. Comprised of 288 constituencies, the state has a total of 9.6 crore voters, including 20.9 lakh first-time voters in the 1819 age group and 1.8 crore voters in the 2029 age group. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 12:15 IST Nepali Man In Uttarakhand's Almora Can Sing National Anthems Of 160 Countries Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 19:33 IST Dal Bahadur's ability has earned him the title of Vishwa Rashtragaan Yatri Ramji Nepali from the government of Nepal. Dal Bahadurs travels around the world to perform these anthems. Dal Bahadur, a man from Nepal, captivated audiences across the globe with an extraordinary talent he can sing the national anthems of over 160 countries. Not only does he know the lyrics to these anthems, but he can also perform them with remarkable accuracy. His ability has earned him the title of Vishwa Rashtragaan Yatri Ramji Nepali from the government of Nepal. Dal Bahadur is currently in Uttarakhands Almora where he has been showcasing his unique skill. Dal Bahadurs passion for singing national anthems began in 2015. What started as a personal challenge has now become a mission. Speaking exclusively to Local 18, Dal Bahadur explained that his goal was always clear: to learn and sing the national anthems of as many countries as possible. His journey into the world of anthems began by watching YouTube videos and seeking help from friends living both in India and abroad. Over time, he meticulously memorised the anthems, perfecting his pronunciation and delivery. related stories During his visit to Almora, Dal Bahadur was invited to sing a series of national anthems in front of the camera. He started with Indias national anthem, followed by his own countrys anthem, Nepals Sayaun Thunga Phulka. He then moved on to perform the anthems of the United States, China, and France. His performances were nothing short of mesmerising. His clear, melodious voice, coupled with perfect pronunciation, left listeners in awe. Dal Bahadurs travels around the world to perform these anthems have also proven to be incredibly moving for those who hear him sing. He shared that wherever he goes, people are deeply touched when they hear their national anthem performed by someone from another country. Many listeners have been brought to tears, while others express astonishment at how a man from Nepal can sing the anthems of so many different nations. The emotional impact of his performances, he says, is incredibly rewarding. Dal Bahadur explained that for him, the purpose behind his project has always been to promote unity and understanding across borders. When people hear me sing their national anthem, it feels like I am connecting with them on a very deep level," he said. I am not just singing words; I am sharing in their pride, their history, and their culture," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Dal Bahadur also spoke about the powerful lessons hes learned from his journey. Nothing is impossible," he stated, reflecting on his achievement, adding, If you set your mind to something, you can make it happen. Even something as seemingly daunting as learning the national anthems of 160 countries is possible with hard work and determination." Dal Bahadurs story is a reminder of how small acts of dedication can lead to truly remarkable achievements. Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India First Published: November 21, 2024, 19:33 IST This 'Sacred' Volcano In New Zealand Has Equal Legal Rights As Humans; Know All About It Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 15:40 IST In 2017, the New Zealand government granted the status of a "legal personality" to Mount Taranaki. Mount Taranaki is located on the west coast of the North Island. (Photo Credits: X) A volcano in New Zealand has all the rights a human does. Surprised? You read that right. A part of New Zealands widespread landscape Mount Taranaki has been granted the same legal rights as a person. Back in 2017, the countrys government made the historic decision by granting legal status to the volcano on the west coast of the North Island. In acknowledgment of the local Maori tribes relationship to the sacred mountain, who view it as their ancestor and family member, the government also shared guardship with them. related stories In 1881, New Zealand decided to protect all land within six miles of the peak of Mount Taranaki and this is the result. Merry Christmas! pic.twitter.com/KD29hGizuY Hank Green (@hankgreen) December 26, 2019 In simple terms, the new legal status means that anyone hurting, abusing, or harming the mountain will be the same as harming the tribe. Mount Taranaki, originally named Mount Egmont by British explorer James Cook in the 18th century, is a stratovolcano that stands at 8,261 feet (2,518 meters) above sea level, as per Live Science. Surrounding the mountain slopes is the Egmont National Park which shows a near-perfect ring of green spread across 12 miles. Also, surrounding the volcano summit is a section of trees known as the Goblins Forest. Set to be nearly 120,000 years old, Mount Taranaki last erupted in 1775 and remains dormant to date, as per The Guardian. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At the time of granting the legal status to the mountain, then Minister For Treaty Negotiations, Andrew Little explained that the agreement offered the best possible protection for the landmark. As a New Plymouth local I grew up under the gaze of the mountain so Im particularly pleased with the respect accorded to local people and the legal protection and personality given to the mountain," he said as quoted by the outlet. Calling it a major milestone in acknowledging the grievances and hurt that the Taranaki iwi experienced in the past, he also asserted that the New Zealand government would apologise to local Maori. Mount Taranaki provides that sense of place, social association, and identity," he added. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 15:40 IST US Teacher To Serve Just 1 Of 30-Year Prison Sentence After She Pleads Guilty To Sexually Abusing Minor Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 17:13 IST They had sexual intercourse more than 20 times in school, Curtiss car and her mothers house. The victim filed a report with allegations of sexual abuse in October last year. (Shutterstock/Representative Image) A 32-year-old ex-middle school teacher, who received a 30-year imprisonment for sexually abusing a 14-year-old student, will reportedly serve only 12 months in jail after she pleaded guilty. Melissa Marie Curtis will be placed on a probationary period of five years when she is released. A Montgomery County judge announced the decision on November 15, 2024, after Curtis pleaded guilty to a third-degree sex offence in June 2024. According to Fox 5 DC report, the incidents took place in 2015 when Curtis was a 22-year-old teacher at Lakelands Park Middle School. The victim, who was in the eighth grade, was in the after-school program that Curtis oversaw and was left alone with her. They had sexual intercourse more than 20 times over the next several months in school, Curtiss car and her mothers house. related stories Additionally, according to the records seen by Fox 5 DC, Curtis gave the victim drugs and alcohol while he was in the eighth grade. The investigation started when the victim filed a report with allegations of sexual abuse in October last year. This led the authorities to also consider Curtiss behaviour when she was still a teacher. She was later taken to court for several offences, among them sexual abuse of a minor and third- and fourth-degree sexual offences. When sentencing the defendant, Judge Theresa Chernosky highlighted she was convicted of grave crimes, however, considered pleading guilty and offering meaningful assistance to the police. Also, Curtis is to be registered as a sex offender for 25 years from the date of her release. She cannot have any contact with the minors without supervision, with the exception of her own. Curtis departed Montgomery County Public Schools in 2017, a spokesman informed Fox 5 DC. In Maryland, laws addressing sexual offences against minors include: Third-Degree Sexual Offense: Sexual offences with those below 16 years are considered a felony, and have serious penalties. Curtis was convicted for the three counts of this offence which formed the basis of her sentencing. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sex Offender Registration: People convicted of sex crimes must register as such as they cannot have close contact with minors. Probation and Supervision: Post-prison, probation invalidates direct access with the minors, particularly applicable for Curtis, since her profession is in education. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 17:13 IST Watch: Five-Storey Residential Building In Hyderabad Demolished And The Reason Will Shock You Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 18:00 IST According to preliminary findings, the damage was caused by excavation operations on a nearby 200-square-yard property. More than 50 residents were evacuated. (Photo Credit: X) A five-storied building in Hyderabad, called Happy Residency, dangerously tilted on November 19 and was later demolished. The incident took place around 9 PM in Siddiq Nagar, Gachibowli, and resulted in major panic among the residents. As per reports, residents heard a loud cracking noise before the building tilted, indicating that the foundation had been affected. Some were also injured while escaping. More than 50 residents were evacuated by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) teams. People were temporarily settled in a community hall in the same area. The authorities started the demolition on November 20 after cordoning off the nearby areas. related stories A dramatic video has captured how the leaning structure was carefully demolished after residents were evacuated. Builder Booked as Gachibowli Building Tilt Sparks Panic and Demolition in HyderabadThe Madhapur police have registered a case against builder Srinu, also known as Kalvakolu Srinu, after a four-storey building in Gachibowlis Siddiqui Nagar tilted dangerously on Tuesday night, pic.twitter.com/9eKafaTPjz Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) November 20, 2024 According to The New Indian Express (TNIE), cracks appeared in the two-year-old structure that housed twelve flats rented for between Rs 10,000 and Rs 13,000 a month. Preliminary findings suggest that the damage was caused by excavation operations on a nearby 200-square-yard property. The authorities also found that the 5-storeyed Happy Residency was built on a 50-sq-yd plot an area considered inadequate for a five-story building, under the local building code. The plot owner, V. Laxman, had taken permission from the GHMC. However, we need to verify whether he constructed additional floors without authorisation. For a plot of this size (50 sq. yd.), only G+2 floors are typically permitted," a GHMC official told TNIE. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The sudden tilting caused injuries to the residents of the building. A tenant named Sadiq ur Rahman was trying to flee the tilting building when he fell from his third-floor apartment balcony. Another was receiving treatment at a local hospital after suffering back injuries and a fractured leg. Madhapur police filed a report against Sreenu, the contractor in charge of the excavation, after receiving a complaint from the GHMCs Serilingampally zone. The charges include mischief (Section 324) and carelessness risking personal safety (Section 125). The builder, Sreenu, has pledged to reimburse the residents for their losses, as per the report. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 21, 2024, 18:00 IST At Least 50 Killed After Gunmen Open Fire In Pakistan's Kurram Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 18:59 IST Sunni and Shiite Muslim tribes have been engaged in intermittent fighting for several months in Kurram. A police officer confirmed the latest toll, speaking on the condition of anonymity. (File) At least 50 people were killed and 20 others injured when several vehicles carrying passengers were targeted by militants in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, officials said. The militants ambushed the vehicles in the Kurram district of restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. related stories The vehicles were travelling in a convoy from Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when gunmen opened fire, the officials said. Rescue authorities said 50 people, including eight women and five children, and 20 others were killed in the attack. Most of the victims belonged to the Shia community, they said. The vehicles were ambushed in areas dominated by the Taliban, a local journalist said. According to local media, there were over 200 vehicles in the convoy. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur strongly condemned the attack and directed a delegation comprising the provincial law minister, lawmakers from the region, and the chief secretary to immediately visit Kurram to assess the situation and submit a report. He also instructed relevant authorities to work on establishing a Provincial Highways Police unit to secure all roads in the province. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Gandapur extended condolences to the bereaved families and announced financial assistance for the families of the victims. Targeting innocent civilians is extremely tragic and condemnable. Those involved in this incident will not escape the grip of the law," he said. Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: November 21, 2024, 18:34 IST Bill Clinton Recalls Frustration During Interview Over Affair Questions In New Book Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 23:09 IST In his new book, 'Citizen: My Life After the White House,' Clinton admits that he has never directly apologised to Lewinsky Former US President Bill Clinton. (File photo via AP) Former US President Bill Clinton revealed that he was frustrated" during a past interview when he was questioned about his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, a scandal that led to his impeachment, in his new book. In his new book, Citizen: My Life After the White House, Clinton admits that he has never directly apologised to Lewinsky, despite publicly apologising to her and others. related stories The affair, which came to light in 1998, triggered one of the biggest political scandals in US history. Clinton initially lied about the relationship before admitting the truth, leading to his impeachment by the then Republican-controlled House of Representatives. However, he was acquitted by the Senate in 1999. In his book, Clinton recalls a 2018 interview with NBCs Today show, where he was caught off guard when asked if the same situation would lead him to resign today, considering the MeToo movement, The Guardian reported. The interview, which was meant to discuss his novel The President is Missing, quickly shifted to the Lewinsky affair. Host Craig Melvin questioned whether Clinton had ever apologised directly to Lewinsky, despite his public apology in 1999. Clinton writes in Citizen that he was frustrated during the interview, as he had already expressed regret publicly. I fought to contain my frustration as I replied that while Id never talked to her directly, I did say publicly on more than [one] occasion I was sorry," he wrote. The former president also criticised Melvin for not being properly briefed, stating that the host was barely in his teens when all this happened." While Clinton did not directly apologise to Lewinsky at the time, he notes in his book that he meant his public apology then and I mean it today." He added that he lives with the consequences of his actions and acknowledged Lewinskys work as an anti-bullying activist. Clinton also wished her well, writing, Monicas done a lot of good and important work over the last few years I wish her nothing but the best." Lewinsky, now an anti-bullying campaigner, has previously said she does not need an apology from Clinton. In a 2021 interview, she had stated, He should wanna apologise, in the same way that I wanna apologise any chance I get to people that Ive hurt." In the book, Clinton also reflects on his meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and discusses the philanthropic work that has kept him busy since leaving office. Despite the ongoing questions about his past, Clintons memoir focuses on how he has found fulfillment in his post-presidential life. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Clinton had previously discussed the affair in a 2020 documentary, where he admitted to using the relationship with Lewinsky to cope with the pressures of the presidency, describing it as a way to manage his anxieties. He expressed regret over how the scandal affected Lewinsky, calling it awful" that the affair came to define her life. (With inputs from agencies) Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: November 21, 2024, 23:05 IST Elon Musk Joins Call As Google Boss Sundar Pichai Dials Donald Trump: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 08:46 IST Google CEO Sundar Pichai had initially dialled US President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him on his big win SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and US President-elect Donald Trump. Tesla CEO Elon Musk reportedly joined a recent phone call between US President-elect Donald Trump and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. According to a report on The Information, when Sundar Pichai called Donald Trump to congratulate him on winning the presidential race, Elon Musk was reportedly on the line. related stories Ahead of Election Day on November 5, Trump revealed he had spoken to Apple CEO Tim Cook about the financial penalties the European Union had imposed on the tech giant. Two hours ago, three hours ago, he (Cook) called me," Trump said during a conversation with podcaster Patrick Bet-David. According to the report, Musk listened in while Pichai spoke to Trump. In recent months, Musk has been described as a constant presence by Trumps side, often seen at the president-elects Florida home, with reports indicating that he rarely leaves. Musk, who acquired X (formerly Twitter) in 2022, has also participated in calls with world leaders, offering advice on personnel choices both privately and publicly through the platform. Between his frequent meme posts featuring himself and Trump, Musk has embraced the title First Buddy," suggested for his role in Trumps circle. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A Reuters report notes that Musk contributed at least $119 million to a pro-Trump political group, according to federal records. This move is part of a broader strategy to shield his companies from regulation and secure government support. Musks venturesranging from Teslas electric cars and Neuralinks brain chips to SpaceXs rocketsare all highly dependent on government policy, regulation, and subsidies. Musk endorsed Trump on July 13, the day of a Pennsylvania assassination attempt on the candidate. He became a vocal supporter in the final days of Trumps campaign and spent election night with him at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. First Published: November 21, 2024, 08:46 IST Google Asks Employees To 'Think Twice' On Internal Messages To Avoid Antitrust Suits: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 15:33 IST Google has reportedly advised employees to avoid speculation and sarcasm in internal communications and has enabled "off the record" messaging to minimise risks of antitrust lawsuits. The logo of Google LLC is shown on a building in San Diego, California (Photo: Reuters) Nearly 16 years after Google, in 2008, faced antitrust scrutiny over an advertising deal with its rival Yahoo, the search engine giant has reportedly asked its employees to refrain from speculation and sarcasm and think twice" before writing one another about hot topics". The employees were also instructed to not comment before they had all the facts. related stories According to The New York Times, Googles action, advising its employees to watchout their internal communication, came as it aims to minimise the odds of antitrust suits. Further, the company has even changed the setting for its instant messaging tool to off the record", the report claimed, adding, that any incautious phrase would be wiped the next day. In 2008, Google had confronted lawsuits involving patent, trademark and copyright claims, while its executives sent out a confidential memo, stating that they believed that information is good". However, they added that government regulators or competitors might seize on words that Google workers casually, thoughtlessly wrote to one another. The report claims that the memo has become the first salvo in a 15-year campaign by Google to make deletion the default in its internal communications. Even as the internet giant stored the worlds information, it created an office culture that tried to minimise its own, it stated. The report also stated it pieced together hundreds of documents and exhibits, as well as witness testimony, in three antitrust trials against the Silicon Valley company over the last year to learn about its distrustful culture". GOOGLE FACES CALL FOR NEW EU PROBES On November 20, Google faced a call for additional investigations into its compliance with landmark European Union rules aimed at reining in Big Tech. Privacy-focused internet search engine DuckDuckGo, which research company Statista said had a global market share of 0.54 per cent in January this year, urged the European Commission to open three additional investigations. Under the EUs Digital Markets Act (DMA) adopted in 2022, Google and six other tech companies are required to make it easier for users to switch to rival services and banned from favouring their products on their platforms, among other obligations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The worlds most popular internet search engine is already the target of two DMA investigations related to its app store Google Plays rules and whether it discriminates against third-party services on Google search results. Google said it was working with industry, experts and the Commission and has made significant changes to its products to comply with the DMA. First Published: November 21, 2024, 08:40 IST ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant Over War Crimes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 20:37 IST The Chamber issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant over crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from October 8, 2023 to May 20, 2024 Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister Yoav Gallant. (File image/X) The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant amid the ongoing Middle-East conflict. The International Court issued the warrants accusing both the leaders of crimes against humanity and war crimes over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. related stories The ICC said there were reasonable grounds" to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare". In its statement, the ICCs Pre-Trial Chamber I, a panel of three judges, said it has rejected appeals by Israel challenging its jurisdiction. The chamber said the arrest warrants are classified as secret" but that it has decided to release them because conduct similar to that addressed in the warrant of arrest appears to be ongoing," referring to the ongoing Israeli onslaught on Gaza and the continued detention of Israeli captives by Hamas. The Chamber also accused Netanyahu and Gallant of intentionally and knowingly deprived" Gazas civilians of food, water, medicine, medical supplies and fuel and electricity. The Hague-based court also issued a warrant for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, the Hamas military chief also known as Mohammed Deif. Israel said in August it had killed Deif in an airstrike in Gaza earlier this year. However, Hamas had neither confirmed nor denied this. Israel Reacts The Israeli government reacted to the ICCs action and said that the decision is a modern dreyfus trial. Israel further dubbed the International Court as a biased and discriminatory political body. The antisemitic decision of the International Criminal Court is a modern Dreyfus trial and will end the same way.Israel utterly rejects the false and absurd charges of the International Criminal Court, a biased and discriminatory political body.https://t.co/slCeoZ4fbX Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 21, 2024 The antisemitic decision of the International Criminal Court is a modern Dreyfus trial and will end the same way. Israel utterly rejects the false and absurd charges of the International Criminal Court, a biased and discriminatory political body," the Israeli PM said in a statement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not give in to pressure. He will continue to pursue all the objectives that Israel set out to achieve in its just war against Hamas and the Iranian axis of terror," the statement further read. Meanwhile, Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp has said Netanyahu would be arrested on ICC warrant if he travels to the Netherlands, reported BNO news. The decision turned Netanyahu and other leaders into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict. In May 2024, ICCs chief prosecutor Karim Khan appealed in the court to issue the warrants against the Israeli leaders for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel had rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and denied war crimes in Gaza. Netanyahu had condemned Khans request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. US President Joe Biden had also blasted the prosecutor and had expressed support for Israels right to defend itself against Hamas. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICCs jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants. No other democracy with an independent and respected legal system like that which exists in Israel has been treated in this prejudicial manner by the Prosecutor," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote on X. He said Israel remained steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and justice" and would continue to protect its citizens against militancy. The Gaza war started after Hamass October 7 attack which sparked an Israeli retaliation that has brought a spiralling civilian death toll and levelled vast swathes of Gaza. Hamass October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Hamas also took 252 hostages, 124 of whom remain in Gaza including 37 the army says are dead. What is the International Criminal Court? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The ICC was established in 2002, and is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. It is a permanent global court that can prosecute individuals, rogue leaders for atrocities, war crimes, genocides and crimes against humanity. The ICC was formed after the Yugoslav wars from 1991 to 2001 and the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. Unlike the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the ICC is not an organ of the United Nations and does not prosecute states. Although the ICC is independent of the UN, it is endorsed by the General Assembly and maintains a cooperation agreement with the UN. First Published: November 21, 2024, 17:34 IST 'Won't Yield To Pressure': Netanyahu Rejects ICC Arrest Warrant, US Terms It 'Process Error' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2024, 08:51 IST Arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza have sparked strong condemnation from Israel and the US. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: AFP) Hours after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief Yoav Gallant, over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity for Israels actions in Gaza, Netanyahu said he would not yield to pressure". The Prime Minister also said the court ruling is comparable to a modern-day Dreyfus trial". Meanwhile, the United States too rejected the International Criminal Courts warrant. related stories Netanyahus Dreyfus remark drew reference from the infamous 19th-century case in which French Jewish army captain Alfred Dreyfus was wrongly convicted of treason. The antisemitic decision of the international court in The Hague is a modern Dreyfus trial, and it will end the same way," Netanyahu said in a video message on X. The antisemitic decision of the international court in The Hague is a modern Dreyfus trial, and it will end the same way. pic.twitter.com/e1l8PMghrB Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) November 21, 2024 Further, he said the arrest warrant issued for him by the International Criminal Court over his conduct in the Gaza war would not stop him from defending Israel. No outrageous anti-Israel decision will prevent us, and it will not prevent me from continuing to defend our country in every way," Netanyahu said in the video statement. We will not yield to pressure," he vowed. . . pic.twitter.com/G1Jx1XsU4t Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) November 21, 2024 The court also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri commonly known as Mohammed Deif, whom Israel declared dead in an airstrike in southern Gaza in July. Hamas, however, did not confirm Deifs death. The court said it had issued the arrest warrant as the prosecutor had not been able to determine whether or not Deif was dead, and said it would continue to gather information with respect to his reported killing. However, Israel rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and has denied war crimes in Gaza. Netanyahu also described the court ruling as a dark day in the history of nations". The International Criminal Court in The Hague, which was established to protect humanity, has today become the enemy of humanity," he said, adding that the accusations were utterly baseless". He went on to accuse ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan of corruption and alleged that the warrants were an attempt to save himself from serious accusations of sexual harassment". Khan, meanwhile, denied the allegations, news agency AFP reported. THE ICC RULING ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR As the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, it said, The Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu, born on 21 October 1949, Prime Minister of Israel at the time of the relevant conduct, and Mr Gallant, born on 8 November 1958, Minister of Defence of Israel at the time of the alleged conduct, each bear criminal responsibility for the following crimes as co-perpetrators for committing the acts jointly with others: the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts." The Chamber also found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population," it said. The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least 8 October 2023 to 20 May 2024," the court ruling stated. This finding is based on the role of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant in impeding humanitarian aid in violation of international humanitarian law and their failure to facilitate relief by all means at its disposal. The Chamber found that their conduct led to the disruption of the ability of humanitarian organisations to provide food and other essential goods to the population in need in Gaza." The aforementioned restrictions together with cutting off electricity and reducing fuel supply also had a severe impact on the availability of water in Gaza and the ability of hospitals to provide medical care," the court said. On several Israeli citizens taken hostage by Hamas militants, the International Criminal Court said, The Chamber further found that, while they were held captive in Gaza, some hostages, predominantly women, were subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, including forced penetration, forced nudity, and humiliating and degrading treatment." On the basis of the material presented, the Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that the crimes of torture as a crime against humanity and war crime, rape and other forms of sexual violence as crimes against humanity and war crimes, cruel treatment as a war crime, and outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime were committed against these persons during the relevant period," it added. ICCs ARREST WARRANTS SPARK REACTIONS The court ruling was met with outrage in Israel, which called it shameful and absurd. Gaza residents expressed hope it would help end the violence and bring those responsible for war crimes to justice. Hamas welcomed the warrants for the Israelis, and a senior official told news agency Reuters it was a first step towards justice. Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the courts move as a dark day for justice". In an X post, Herzog wrote, It ignores the basic fact that Israel was barbarically attacked and has the duty and right to defend its people." Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said ICC had lost all legitimacy" with its attack on Israels right to defend itself". Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged the government to respond by annexing the whole of the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinians claim as part of their future state. Israels centrist opposition leader Yair Lapid too slammed the courts decision. Israel is defending its citizens lives against terrorist organisations that attacked, murdered and raped our people. These arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism," Lapid said in a statement. US REJECTS ICCs WARRANTS FOR ISRAELI OFFICIALS Meanwhile, the United States too rejected the International Criminal Courts warrant. We fundamentally reject the courts (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials. We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision," Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, said when asked about the International Criminal Court ruling. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter. Whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no evidence, none between Israel and Hamas, theres just none," he added. In coordination with partners, including Israel, we are discussing certainly the next steps. We fundamentally reject that the ICC has jurisdiction over the situation and so thats something that weve been pretty clear about and well continue to," Pierre said. First Published: November 21, 2024, 21:06 IST Khalistani Groups Threaten Fresh Protests Against Hindus In Canada, No Action Taken: Sources Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 11:09 IST Top intelligence sources said that there has been no pressure from the Justin Trudeau government on these Khalistani groups. Khalistani terrorist and SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. (AP File) Khalistani groups in Canada have threatened fresh protests against Hindus and Hindu temples. Top intelligence sources said that there has been no pressure from the Justin Trudeau government on these Khalistani groups. These groups will carry out a protest against Life Certificate Camps at Oakville temple. Khalistani group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has announced demonstrations against Life Certificate Camps scheduled for November 23 at Vaishno Devi Temple in Oakville, and November 30 at Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Scarborough. related stories SFJ has said that the protests target the actions of Indian diplomats. Indian diplomats are using Life Certificate Camps as a cover for intelligence-gathering and to pressure the Sikh community in Canada," said Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Intelligence sources have said that this is an ongoing threat and no action has been taken taken by any state police against these groups. They threatened Hindus and Indian diplomats both. Canadian police itself are unable to implement bylaws where these people cant be doing all such things so aggressively against temples and Indian diplomats," sources said. Earlier, News18 had reported that the administration in Canada was allegedly demanding money from Hindu groups to provide them protection, said top Intelligence sources. Sources had said Hindu organisations are upset with the police in Canada for asking for money. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Peel Police allegedly demanded $70,000 to provide protection to Hindu groups, sources said. Canadian Hindu organisations have accused the Justin Trudeau government of abusing their civil rights." We are also tax payers, why this bias towards us? The Peel police, instead of addressing our issues, is putting undue pressure on us," the Canadian Hindu groups said. The attacks on Hindu temples began on a large scale in the last one year, including the firing at the house of Satish Sharma, president of Surreys Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. On November 3, protesters carrying Khalistani flags clashed with devotees at a Hindu temple in Brampton. The Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey was attacked the same day. First Published: November 21, 2024, 11:09 IST Under Fire Over Sex Scandal, Matt Gaetz Withdraws As Trump's Attorney General Pick Last Updated: November 22, 2024, 00:06 IST His withdrawal came a day after meeting with senators to seek their support for his confirmation as head of the US Justice Department A lawyer for the formerly underage woman has called for the panel to release its final report on the Matt Gaetz ethics probe. (Photo: AFP) Matt Gaetz, who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to be the US Attorney General, on Thursday announced that he was withdrawing from the selection process, stating that his confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction" for the new administration. His withdrawal came a day after meeting with senators to seek their support for his confirmation as head of the Justice Department. related stories Taking to social media X, Gaetz explained that while he had received strong support and feedback from senators, he felt his confirmation was becoming a distraction. I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trumps DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he wrote in his post. Gaetz also expressed his continued commitment to ensuring that Trumps presidency is successful. I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and Im certain he will Save America," he added. Following the withdrawal announcement, in a message on Truth Social network, Trump expressed his respect for Gaetzs decision, saying he was looking forward to seeing what Gaetz would do next. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect," Trump shared. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Florida Republicans departure comes amid serious sexual misconduct allegations against him. Two women testified to the House Ethics Committee, claiming they were paid for sexual favours" by Gaetz. One woman also testified that she witnessed Gaetz having sex with an underage friend in 2017. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. (With inputs from agencies) Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: November 21, 2024, 23:17 IST 'No Remote Work': Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy Outline DOGE Plan For Federal Workers Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 13:15 IST Musk and Ramaswamy called remote work a Covid-era privilege and pushed for five-day office week, a move they think will trigger mass resignations. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy | AP Photo/File Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy outlined their plans for the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), prioritising more efficient work practices by ending the remote work culture at the federal office. As part of their effort to trim the size of the government, the two entrepreneurs, tasked by US President-elect Donald Trump to lead the DOGE, suggested that eliminating remote work would result in mass resignations that would help them achieve their goal of a smaller but more efficient government. related stories Writing in a joint op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, the billionaire entrepreneur and the biotech founder said, 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," Musk and Ramaswamy wrote. Data released by the Office of Management and Budget revealed that nearly 1.1 million federal employees nearly half of the governments civilian workforce are eligible for telework. In an August 2024 report, the agency noted that about 228,000 employees, or 10% of civilian personnel, work fully remotely with no expectation that they [work] in-person on any regular or recurring basis." Notably, the report came to a public forum years after President Joe Biden, in 2022, declared that the vast majority of federal workers would once again work in person. Musk, the billionaire owner of SpaceX, Tesla and X, and Ramaswamy, the founder of pharmaceutical company Roivant Sciences, argued that the system, shielded by civil-service protections, has grown into an antidemocratic" apparatus. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all They added that it burdens the taxpayers with unnecessary costs and pledged to enforce sweeping reforms through DOGE in the US. While pushing for a five-day office week, a move they think will trigger mass resignations, both the entrepreneurs said, If federal employees dont want to show up, American taxpayers shouldnt pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home." Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: November 21, 2024, 12:42 IST 'Russia, China Sympathiser': Nikki Haley Slams Tulsi Gabbard's Appointment As US Intelligence Chief Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 23:55 IST In an interview on her YouTube channel, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley asked if the US was "comfortable" with someone who has "defended Iran, Syria, Russia and China" Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley (L) slammed the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard (R) as the national intelligence chief. (Image: AFP/File) Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley slammed the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as the national intelligence chief, saying the US cannot have a Russian, Syrian, Iranian, Chinese sympathiser" in such an important position. In her podcast on SiriusXM, which she also added to her YouTube channel, Haley asked if the US was comfortable" with someone like Gabbard, who she claimed has defended Iran, Syria, Russia and China and has never retracted her views. related stories Shes defended Russia, shes defended Syria, shes defended Iran, shes defended China. Now, she has not denounced any of these views. None of them. She hasnt taken one of them back. DNI (Department of National Intelligence) is not a place for a Russian, Syrian, Iranian and Chinese sympathiser. The DNI has to analyse real threats. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national intelligence agencies?" she asked in the video. ALSO READ | Tulsi Gabbard Throwback: When Trump 2.0 Pick Slammed Pakistan Army, Was Dubbed A Russian Spy A strident opponent of US military interventionism, Gabbard is a former congresswoman from Hawaii who has roiled the intelligence community with past comments supportive of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his ally and Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. She switched sides from the Democrats to back Donald Trumps re-election and is yet to be confirmed by the Senate. OPPOSED ENDING IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL Haley said Gabbard, who is Trumps pick to head the DNI, has only now turned Republican. It is always important to look at the past actions of such people, she said. This is a job for an honest broker, without any policy biases. What are the facts about Tulsi Gabbard? She opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran. She opposed designating the Iran military as terrorists, who say death to America every single day," she said. She further said Gabbard once said Trump had turned the US into Saudi Arabias prostitute". She added that in Congress, Gabbard had criticised Trumps authoritarian strike against Qasem Suleimani, who was considered the master of death in Iran". She said he had no justification whatsoever for killing him. She tried to limit Trumps war powers against Iran. She tried to cut our annual defence budget so that we couldnt punish Iran and hinder their influence. Reminder: Iran is our number 1 sponsor of terrorism and Tulsi Gabbard defended Iran," she added. DEFENCE OF AL-ASSAD DISGUSTING Haley said Gabbard went to Syria in 2017 for a photo-op" with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while he was massacring his own people". She said she found it hard to believe he was behind the chemical attacks (on children). Now, this to me is disgusting For her to say that Assad was not behind those attackseverything she literally said about those attacks were Russian talking points, every bit of that. That was Russian propaganda," she said. ALSO READ | Could Give Russia A Major Win: Democrats Cast Doubt On Tulsi Gabbards Inclusion In Trump 2.0 She further said after Russia invaded Ukraine, Gabbard blamed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is the western alliance thats responsible for countering Russia". She blamed NATO for the attack on Ukraine. And the Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her interviews on Russian and Chinese television," she added. Gabbard pushed for dropping charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and pardoning National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden, Haley said. Both were accused of leaking highly sensitive US secrets that put Americans in danger," she said. WHAT ARE THE EXPERTS SAYING? Haleys views on Gabbards appointment should not come as a surprise as it has left many divided. It has raised questions over the politicisation of Washingtons spy agencies and their subservience to the White House. Her appoinment would be a threat to the security of the United States," Tom Nichols, a professor at the US Naval War College, told AFP. A person with Gabbards views should not be allowed anywhere near the crown jewels of American intelligence." If she gets the lawmakers nod, the US will witness a person with no experience in this field take on the eminently political role of US intelligence chief and overall responsibility for the 18 agencies, come January. The DNI sits atop of all of Americas intelligence agencies, including the CIA. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The post was created in 2005 to remedy a lack of coordination between US agencies that lawmakers believed had prevented Washington from foiling the September 11 attacks. Its a bureaucratic role to ensure that all the intelligence agencies are speaking to one another, that they are coordinating that CIA isnt running the whole show," Mathew Burrows, a former CIA officer now with Washington think-tank Stimson, told AFP. A key part of Gabbards job will be to oversee Trumps daily intelligence briefing. Now, Gabbard has the power because she oversees the presidents daily brief of removing intel analysis that doesnt suit whatever Trump decides as US foreign policy," Burrows said. I would be worried that her particular views would colour and politicise any of the intel she got." Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 21, 2024, 20:46 IST 'Visionary Leadership': PM Modi Receives Highest National Awards Of Dominica, Guyana Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 08:57 IST PM Modi is in the last leg of his three-nation visit and was conferred with the highest national award of Dominica. PM Narendra Modi (Photo: X/Narendra Modi/Dr S Jaishankar) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Dominicas highest national award Dominica Award of Honour by President Sylvanie Burton on Wednesday for his contributions to the Caribbean nation during the COVID-19 pandemic and also for work done to boost bilateral relations between the two countries. He was also awarded the highest national award of Guyana The Order of Excellence. related stories Another great moment for India as PM @narendramodi is awarded the highest national award of Guyana, The Order of Excellence". Noting PMs championing of the rights of the Global South and sharing Indias development journey with the world, the award is a true recognition of his visionary leadership," External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar posted on X. Another great moment for as PM @narendramodi is awarded the highest national award of Guyana, The Order of Excellence".Noting PMs championing of the rights of the Global South and sharing Indias development journey with the world, the award is a true recognition of his pic.twitter.com/hFXFBKZFv3 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 21, 2024 The Prime Minister is in Guyana on the last leg of his three-nation visit and was awarded during the India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown. Guyana and Barbados will also confer their top awards on PM Modi, raising his tally of international honours to 19. Honoured to be conferred with highest national award by Dominica. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India," he said on X. Honoured to be conferred with highest national award by Dominica. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India. https://t.co/ixOaIzD8gF Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 20, 2024 PM Modi Dedicates Award To People Of India This honour is dedicated to my sisters and brothers of India. It is also indicative of the unbreakable bond between our nations," PM Modi said in a separate post. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the highest national award is the recognition of PM Modis statesmanship and contribution to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic and his commitment to strengthening India-Dominica ties. Replying to an X post by Dominicas Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, PM Modi said, Your kind words have touched me, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. With deep humility and gratitude, I accept the Dominica Award of Honour." You spoke about the support during COVID-19. It fills my heart with joy to see how our solidarity during COVID-19 strengthened bonds across borders and continents. We will keep working closely with Dominica in the times to come," he added. Your kind words have touched me, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.With deep humility and gratitude, I accept the Dominica Award of Honour. I dedicate it to my fellow Indians, who have always cherished Indias friendship with the Commonwealth of Dominica. You spoke about the https://t.co/GX0S9Q80kt pic.twitter.com/xrEhzlMXC5 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2024 Dominicas PM Remembers PM Modis Contribution During COVID Pandemic Dominicas Prime Minister remembered the darkest days of COVID pandemic" and expressed gratitude to PM Modis generous provision" of vaccines for the people of the country. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In 2021, during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, your generous provision of 70,000 AstraZeneca vaccines became a lifeline for Dominica," PM Skerrit said in his post on X. He said the accolade was more than a symbol: It is a tribute to your enduring legacy of leadership, your commitment to humanity, and the indelible mark you have left on nations, including ours, far beyond your shores." Location : Guyana First Published: November 21, 2024, 07:39 IST Russia Puts US Missile Base In Poland On Priority Targets List As Ukraine War Escalates Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 18:19 IST The air defence base, located in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast, is part of NATO's broader missile shield. It was officially opened on November 13 A delegation including the Polish president and other guests leave the deck house of the Aegis Ashore Poland missile defence system. (AFP file photo) Russia on Friday said that the new US ballistic missile defence base in northern Poland has been added to its list of priority targets for potential elimination". The air defence base, located in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast, is part of NATOs broader missile shield. It was officially opened on November 13. related stories In a statement posted on X, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, The so-called US missile defence base (not really) in Poland has been put on the list of priority targets for potential elimination. The nature and level of threats posed by these Western military facilities are well-known & taken into account." #Zakharova: The so-called US missile defence base (not really) in Poland has been put on the list of priority targets for potential elimination.The nature and level of threats posed by these Western military facilities are well-known & taken into account. pic.twitter.com/qzDqvTKXox MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) November 21, 2024 Despite NATOs insistence that the Redzikowo facility, along with a similar system in Romania, is purely defensive, Moscow has repeatedly labelled it a threat. Purpose of defence, not attack On Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the base significantly enhances our ability to defend against the growing threat of ballistic missiles from outside the Euro-Atlantic area." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said the new base constitutes an advance of US military infrastructure in Europe towards our borders." In response, Polands foreign ministry spokesperson Pawel Wronski said on Thursday that there were no nuclear missiles at the base, and it was purely for defence." He noted, It is a base that serves the purpose of defence, not attack. Such threats will certainly serve as an argument to strengthen Polands and NATOs air defences, and should also be considered by the United States." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Currently, more than 10,000 US troops are stationed in Poland, which has been a strong supporter of neighbouring Ukraine, who is facing a Russian invasion since 2022. The base at Redzikowo is part of NATOs Aegis Ashore" system, designed to intercept short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Russia First Published: November 21, 2024, 18:09 IST Russian Ballistic Missile Strikes Ukraine's Dnipro | Caught On Cam Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 19:44 IST Ukraine said the nuclear-capable missile had targeted the central city of Dnipro, however, the Kremlin declined to confirm it had launched the strike The purported video shows the launch of the missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, aimed at Ukraine's central city of Dnipro. (Screengrab via X) A video has emerged showing what appears to be the launch of a non-nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Russia, marking what could be the first-ever use of this weapon in combat and a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict. The purported video shows the launch of the missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, aimed at Ukraines central city of Dnipro. Bright lights can be seen emitting from the sky. related stories NEW Russia fires intercontinental ballistic missile with multiple re-entry warheads on a city in Ukraine.pic.twitter.com/wOAKFn9j5b Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) November 21, 2024 ALSO READ: What Is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Russia Fired At Ukraine? The missile, which Kyiv has blamed on the Russian Air Force, is the RS-26. First successfully tested in 2012, the missile is estimated to be 12 metres (40 feet) long and weigh 36 tons, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The RS-26 is capable of carrying an 800-kg (1,765-pound) nuclear warhead. In a statement, the Ukrainian Air Force said the missile was launched from the Russian region of Astrakhan, located more than 700 km (435 miles) away from Dnipro. The statement did not specify the type of missile or warhead used, and there was no indication that it was nuclear-armed. However, the Kremlin has not confirmed whether it was responsible for the strike. When asked if Moscow had fired the missile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had nothing to say on this topic," news agency AFP reported. However, he did state that the Kremlin was making a maximum effort" to avoid a nuclear conflict, following the update to its nuclear doctrine this week. The revised policy allows Moscow to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The attack comes after both Russia and Ukraine have escalated their ongoing conflict with the use of long-range missiles in recent days. Kyiv has launched US and UK-supplied missiles at targets inside Russia earlier this week. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Ukraine First Published: November 21, 2024, 19:11 IST 'Smear Campaign': How The Western Media Has Amplified Canada's Anti-India Rant Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 14:18 IST 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". Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau | File Image In the tumultuous India-Canada ties, the Western press appears to be playing a big part in ratcheting up the tensions and opening new fronts with sensational allegations, albeit relying on sources". The latest hit job has come from The Globe and Mail, a reputed newspaper in Canada, drawing a swift Indian response. The Globe and Mail recently published an article that went to the extent of dragging Prime Minister Narendra Modi into a controversy that has become a festering wound in what was once seen as a promising relationship. The report, which cited an unnamed security official as its source, said that Canadian security agencies believe" PM Modi knew about Nijjars killing" a reference to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar June 2023 death that has triggered a massive diplomatic spat. related stories Canada has accused Indian agents of killing Nijjar and of intimidating a section of its citizens, but has failed to address a Khalistani problem on its soil and, worse, give any hard proof of Indias connivance in the alleged plots that have made global headlines. India has termed the charges preposterous", called out Canadas lack of evidence, and accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government of harbouring Khalistanis who are not only plotting against India but also attacking Hindus on Canadian soil. In this shrill war of narratives, the Western press has often come under the spotlight, amplifying the Trudeau governments anti-India tirade, making one sensational allegation after another, and, in the process, drawing sharp ripostes from India, which has said such wild claims would only make things worse for ties. On Wednesday, for example, India rejected The Globe and Mail report, terming it a smear campaign". But it was not an isolated incident though. There have been previous reports in the Western press making allegations against National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Home Minister Amit Shah. Unwarranted report In October 2024, a report in The Washington Post claimed that Indian diplomats in Canada collected intelligence on alleged Sikh separatists" over the last year. The report said the information was being used by Indian agencies to identify targets carried out by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. It added that at a secret meeting" in Singapore with Doval, Canadian security adviser Nathalie Drounin, Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison and a senior member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police allegedly gave evidence showing India had enlisted the Lawrence Bishnoi gang networks in Canada to carry out Nijjars killing. The report claimed Doval said at the meeting that Bishnoi was capable of orchestrating violence from wherever he is incarcerated" and was known to be up to no good from his jail cell". External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the article unwarranted." The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter," he reacted, adding that a high-level inquiry committee set up by New Delhi to look into inputs provided by the US on the alleged plot was still probing the case. There is an ongoing investigation of the high-level committee set up by the Government of India to look into the security concerns shared by the US government on networks of organised criminals, terrorists and others," he said. Speculative and irresponsible comments on it are not helpful." Absurd and baseless The Washington Post, in another report in October, alleged that Shah was among the senior Indian officials who authorised intelligence-gathering missions and attacks on Sikh separatists in Canada. Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs David Morrison later testified that it was him who had leaked Shahs name to The Washington Post. Morrison, while talking to the Canadian Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, even said that Khalistani extremists were targeted on orders of Shah. However, Morrison did not explain how Canada had verified this information. In a strong response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned a representative from the Canadian High Commission and presented a diplomatic note where it condemned the comments as absurd and baseless". It was conveyed in the Note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison," a government statement said. The external affairs ministry also said that recent reports of highly placed Canadian officials deliberately leaking unfounded insinuations to the international media" is a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations". It further added that these actions confirms the view Government of India has long held about the current Canadian Governments political agenda and behavioural pattern". No direct evidence Then came The Globe and Mail report earlier this week, mentioning PM Modi. The article, which quoted a senior national-security official who worked on the intelligence assessment", also said Canadian and American intelligence tied the assassination operations to Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah". It did not name the official, who it said admitted that Canada does not have direct evidence that Mr. Modi knew" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Also in the loop, the official said, was Mr. Modis trusted national-security adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar," the article went on. Indias response was sharp. 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 Jaiswal said in a rebuttal. First Published: November 21, 2024, 14:14 IST Ukraine Fires UK's 'Storm Shadow' Into Russia Day After Using US-Made Missile: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 08:21 IST The residents claimed that they heard the sound of missiles striking the Kursk region which lies on Ukraine's border. he Storm Shadow missile carries a range of around 155 miles | Getty Image A day after launching United States-made long-range missiles, Ukraine fired British Storm Shadow" missiles to strike military targets deep inside Russian territory, escalating the conflict that has already lasted 1,000 days. The development comes after Russias recent deployment of North Korean troops to push its war effort against Ukraine, according to reports. related stories The missile strikes targeted military structures in Russias Kursk region, while others were intercepted over the Black Sea port city of Yeysk, according to reports from Russian channels linked to the military. The residents claimed that they heard the sound of missiles striking the Kursk region which lies on Ukraines border. They heard at least 14 huge explosions and witnessed black smoke rising in the distance, according to reports from local media. JUST NOW: UKRAINE BOMBS RUSSIA with UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles.They really want to start WW3 before Trump enters office. pic.twitter.com/NuVtzssl1k Jackson Hinkle (@jacksonhinklle) November 20, 2024 Ukraine Fires US-Made Missile Ukraine on Tuesday used US-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets in the Russian territory. Just days before the reported strikes, US President Joe Biden reportedly approved Ukraines use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to target military positions in the Russian territory. It was later revealed that the US permitted Ukraine to target Russian military positions using their missiles only in and around the Kursk region, according to reports. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In what could be seen as another US policy shift, Biden on Wednesday allowed the use of antipersonnel landmines in Ukraine and also announced a $275m military aid package for the war-hit country. It comes as Russias war in Ukraine crossed 1,000 days and currently remains at a volatile juncture with increased military strikes and geopolitical situation. There are growing speculation about the future aid to Ukraine as the US president-elect Donald Trump will replace Biden at the White House in January. Location : Ukraine First Published: November 21, 2024, 07:46 IST Ukraines telecoms regulator said it raked in UAH2.8 billion (US$67.7 million) during its spectrum auction on Tuesday, with Vodafone, Kyivstar and Lifecell buying five lots of spectrum in the 2100, 2300, and 2600-MHz bands. According to a statement from the National Commission for State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum, and Postal Services (NCEC), Kyivstar bought two lots of spectrum in the 1940-1945/2130-2135 MHz and 2355-2395 MHz bands, while Vodafone Ukraine also bought two lots in the 1945-1950/2135-2140 MHz and 2575-2610 MHz bands. Lifecell took the fifth lot for the 1935-1940/2125-2130 MHz bands. Under the new licences, which are good for 15 years, the operators will install 1,500 new base stations within two years, including 500 in the first year, according to Ukrainian news site UNN. They are also tasked with rapid restoration of communications in de-occupied territories within six months, as well as increasing mobile coverage on national and international highways. In a statement, Kyivstars parent company Veon said the auction result boosts its total spectrum holding from 152 MHz to 202 MHz. Veon also said Kyivstar will will invest UAH1.43 billion in the Ukrainian economy through the spectrum acquisition. "We have consistently stated that the time to invest in Ukraine is now, and have committed US$1 billion in investments through 2027, said Veon Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu. We have an unwavering commitment to building Ukraine's digital infrastructure, taking 4G connectivity across the nation, bolstering our networks energy resilience to keep Ukraine connected, and investing in the digital services that Ukraine needs. The successful auction also signifies the Ukraine governments determination to develop the countrys digital infrastructure even amid the ongoing war with Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022. As we reported this week, the Ukrainian government has set a target to increase 4G coverage from 65% to 91% over the next three years, despite repeated attacks on critical infrastructure. "Developing an industry during wartime is a challenge, but not a reason to put life on hold, said Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov. The auction for obtaining licenses for the use of the radio frequency spectrum is an important step in the development of Ukraine's electronic communications industry and evidence that the war does not stop investments in state assets, and their effective management can bring significant funds to the budget. London Tops World's Best Cities 2025, No Indian City In Top 100: Where Do Delhi, Mumbai Stand? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 21, 2024, 11:06 IST London is the best city in the world followed by New York and Paris. Where do Delhi and Mumbai stand in Worlds Best Cities 2025? Tower Bridge, London (AP Image) London has bagged the top ranking as the Worlds Best Cities 2025 for the 10th year in a row while big Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai failed to make a mark in the top 100 such places. The annual rankings were released on Wednesday by Resonance Consultancy in partnership with Ipsos, which are an analysis of large urban areas in the world, leading in aspects that are most crucial to attracting workforce, visitors, and businesses. related stories The 2025 report is the first in terms of compiling perception-based data after the survey of over 22,000 people in 31 countries. The outcome of the survey point to a perception that people across the globe aspire to live, visit or work in the largest cities in the world. Where Do Delhi And Mumbai Stand In Rankings? 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 dont make the top 100," Chris Fair, President & CEO of Resonance Consultancy, told news agency PTI. Fair noted that Mumbai and Delhi have some strengths, however, they have some particular weaknesses". 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. Criteria For Worlds Best Cities Ranking The Worlds Best Cities ranking is based on three key criteria: livability", which assesses the quality of a citys natural and built environments; lovability", which measures the quality of life through culture, dining, and nightlife; and prosperity", which evaluates a citys human capital and the support it receives to flourish. The aim is to develop a comprehensive and holistic framework for measuring and benchmarking both the perception and performance of cities worldwide. 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. Which Cities Are In Top 10? London (UK) New York (US) Paris (France) Tokyo (Japan) Singapore Rome (Italy) Madrid (Spain) Barcelona (Spain) Berlin (Germany) Sydney (Australia) US Has Most Cities In Top 100 The US leads the pack with 36 cities in the Top 100 best cities globally, Canada follows the neighbouring country with a distant second, having six cities in the Top 100. Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro are the new entrants in the 2025 ranking. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Worlds Best Cities rankings are determined by analysing public perception alongside various factors that show moderate to strong correlations with attracting the prime-age population (ages 25-44), visitor spending, and business formation. (With PTI inputs) Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: November 21, 2024, 11:06 IST Theres been good news on the tax front for Indias telecommunications industry. However, one of the beneficiaries, operator Vodafone Idea, has received less positive news from banks relating to letters of credit. In what is described as a major development for the telecommunications industry, Indias Supreme Court has overturned a tax ruling by a lower court and allowed a number of companies to claim tax credits for which they were previously considered ineligible. The Bombay High Court had classified these items as non-capital goods for which credit would not be available, thereby denying the companies central value-added tax (CENVAT) credit for the duties paid. The Supreme Court, however, ruled in favour of telecommunications companies, affirming their entitlement to claim credit for duties paid on parts such as tower components and green shelters. Its a boost for operators, easing the financial burden related to infrastructure expenses. Other companies, notably Tata Teleservices and Indus Towers, are also likely to benefit. However, Indias Economic Times (ET) news service has also reported that banks have sought extra collateral from Vodafone Idea (Vi) to process its request for additional letters of credit to be issued to its suppliers big names such as Nokia, Ericsson and Samsung. Letters of credit are a short-term exposure for banks, but an exposure nonetheless, and it hasnt helped that the Supreme Court recently rejected Vi's petition for a review of a 2019 judgment on the computation of adjusted gross revenues (AGR) payable by telecom firms. This may have worried some banks. And of course Vi is managing titanic historical debts. Any hold-up in the availability of letters of credit could delay Vi's investment plans and potentially prevent the company from placing fresh equipment orders. The company, however, has said it has sufficient funds to execute its capex plans for the 2025 financial year. A California teen is believed to be the state's youngest person ever to pass its bar examand the person whose record she just beat is her own brother. According to the Tulare County District Attorney's Office, Sophia Park was just 17 years, 8 months when she passed the bar on Nov. 8, while her brother, Peter Park, was a slightly more mature 17 years, 11 months when he passed the same two-day exam in 2023, reports KAKE. The New York Times, which calls the state's bar "among the most difficult" in the nation, notes that just over half of the 8,300 or so hopefuls who took it this past July passed it. Sophia's journey: The Tulare DA's office notes that Sophia started law school at age 13, in 2020, at the same time she was attending middle school in Cypress, California. "Seeing my brother start law school at an early age, it was natural for me to start at a young age," she tells the Times. She graduated high school two years ago by passing state proficiency exams, then graduated from Northwestern California University School of Law earlier this year. As her brother did before her, Sophia "utilized a state bar rule that allows students to apply to law school through the completion of College Level Proficiency Exams," or CLEPs, per the DA's office. North Korea has sent thousands of troops and millions of artillery shells to Russia and received a menagerie in return. Vladimir Putin has sent more than 70 animals to Pyongyang in what the Telegraph describes as a "symbol of friendship" between the Russian leader and Kim Jong Un. Officials say the shipment of animals to a zoo in the North Korean capital includes an African lion, two bears, two yaks, 25 pheasants, 40 mandarin ducks, and five white cockatoos, the AP reports. The animals were brought to North Korea on a Russian government plane Wednesday, accompanied by experts from the Moscow Zoo. The transfer was overseen by Alexander Kozlov, Russia's natural resources minister, reports Reuters. "Historically, animals always have played a special role in relations between states," Kozlov said. "They have been given as a sign of support, kindness, and care." The Telegraph notes that Pyongyang's Central Zoo doesn't have a great reputation for animal welfareits residents include a chimpanzee known for her pack-a-day cigarette habit. Kozlov dismissed concerns that the animals would fare poorly at the zoo, saying, "I am sure that the animals and birds will not get sick and will quickly get used to the new place." (More North Korea stories.) SpaceSail, a Chinese low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite company, has signed an agreement to enter the Brazilian market. The signing took place during Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to the capital, Brasilia. SpaceSail signed a memorandum with state-owned operator Telebras to provide satellite communications and broadband internet services to Brazil. The companies will reportedly study demand in areas not served by fibre optic infrastructure. A service is expected to go live in 2026. Reuters says the agreement marks the start of SpaceSail's overseas business. SpaceSail is developing high-speed internet services through low Earth orbit satellites described by the company as the Thousand Sails Constellation, a giant low-orbit satellite constellation adopting a full-frequency-band, multilayer and multi-orbit design. Its not alone. Indeed, China currently has about 1,059 satellites in orbit, of which just under half are commercial satellites. And a number of Chinese private and state-owned firms have plans for mega-constellations of thousands of LEO satellites each. It is estimated that, at the moment, Starlink controls almost half the satellite internet market in the country. Brazil claims therefore that it is trying to offer society more telecommunications options, especially in remote areas. However, recent arguments between Starlink and the Brazilian authorities may also have motivated the latest deal. The agreement took place not long after a dispute between Brazil's Supreme Court and social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which led to a temporarily freeze on the bank accounts of Starlink in the country. Both X and Starlink are owned by Elon Musk. Musk refused to obey court orders to take down accounts that were allegedly promoting extremist content on X, resulting in the platforms temporary ban in the country. Starlink was forced to pay fines on behalf of X, as regulators warned it risked losing its licence if it did not comply with court rulings. Musk ultimately agreed to remove the offending accounts. However, as the UKs Financial Times news service reported, there have been further incidents since then, including a row during the G20 summit between the Brazilian presidents wife and Musk. SpaceSail has a reported goal of 15,000 spacecraft in low Earth orbit by 2030. It launched its first round of 18 satellites in August; more followed in October. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced the resignation of Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault. The minister stepped down following allegations concerning his Indigenous identity, which have stirred controversy in recent weeks. Trudeau communicated that Boissonnault would depart his Cabinet role immediately to "focus on clearing the allegations made against him." Concerns about Boissonnault's heritage emerged after the National Post reported that a company he co-owned had claimed to be Indigenous-owned while seeking government contracts. Though he had previously identified himself as "non-status adopted Cree" and described himself as Indigenous in party communications, Boissonnault has since retracted these statements. Conservative and New Democratic Party opponents had called for his resignation; his exit leaves the Cabinet without a representative from Alberta. This development arrives amidst Trudeau's commitment to leading his Liberal Party into the forthcoming federal elections. The elections, predicted to occur between this fall and next October, pose a formidable challenge for Trudeau. No Canadian prime minister has secured four consecutive terms in over a century. With the Liberals lacking a clear parliamentary majority, they will need support from at least one major party to maintain governance. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) A Spanish court has ruled in favor of a supermarket employee dismissed by Mercadona for consuming a croquette destined for the trash. In a decision announced Wednesday, the Superior Court of Castilla-La Mancha upheld a lower court's May 2024 verdict, granting justice to the worker who merely ate one unsold snack from the store's deli. The incident occurred in July 2023, prompting the employee's termination for contravening the company's policy against consuming unpaid products. The higher court noted it was customary for employees to indulge in such "ready to eat" items after business hours, and the worker had consumed only a single croquette. The ruling stressed this "important detail," emphasizing that the snack would not have been resold. Consequently, the lower court ordered the worker's reinstatement and awarded him $41,800 in back pay. The recent verdict further mandates Mercadona to cover $633 in legal costs. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega on Wednesday proposed a constitutional reform that would officially make him and his wife, current Vice President Rosario Murillo, copresidents of the Central American nation. While the initiative has to pass through the country's legislature to take effect, Ortega and Murillo's Sandinista party control the congress and all government institutions, so it is likely to be approved. The proposal also looks to expand the presidential term to six years from five, the AP reports. Ortega put forward another bill Wednesday that would make it illegal for anyone to enforce sanctions from the US or other foreign bodies "within Nicaraguan territory." The proposals come during a ongoing crackdown by the Ortega government since mass social protests in 2018 that the government violently repressed. Nicaragua's government has imprisoned adversaries, religious leaders, journalists, and others, then exiled them, stripping hundreds of their Nicaraguan citizenship and possessions. Since 2018, it has shuttered more than 5,000 organizations, largely religious, and forced thousands to flee the country. Dissident groups including the Nicaraguan University Alliance quickly railed against the measures, calling them an extension of that clampdown, per the AP. "They are institutionalizing nepotism and repression, destroying the rule of law. Democracy faces its greatest threat," the organization wrote on the social media platform X on Wednesday. Manuel Orozco, director of the migration, remittances, and development program at the Inter-American Dialogue, called Ortega's proposals "nothing but a rubber stamping formalization of a decision to guarantee presidential succession" for Murillo and their family. Ortega has referred to Murillo previously in recent years as his copresident. Orozco said the constitutional reform to the presidency is part of a long-term plan for the administration to stay in power. (More Nicaragua stories.) The Department of Government Efficiency may not be an official government agency, but its two leaders are wasting no time laying out their intentions. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy outline what they call "the DOGE Plan to Reform Government" (yes, the unofficial department is nicknamed after Musk's pet cryptocurrency). It involves reducing the federal workforce, rolling back regulations, and bringing federal employees back into the office full-time. Some key quotes: "Our nation was founded on the basic idea that the people we elect run the government. That isn't how America functions today. Most legal edicts aren't laws enacted by Congress but 'rules and regulations' promulgated by unelected bureaucratstens of thousands of them each year." Bryan Kohberger could face the death penalty when he goes on trial next summer for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students found stabbed to death in an off-campus home. Kohberger's defense team sought to block the death penalty as a possible punishment, arguing death by lethal injection or firing squad amounts to cruel and unusual punishment and is in violation of an international treaty against the torture of prisoners. But in a Tuesday ruling, Ada County District Court Judge Steven Hippler said Kohberger's lawyers had failed to provide an alternative method of execution, "thus foreclosing his claim," per NBC News. UPDATE Nov 21, 2024 4:15 PM CST Another tourist has died in Laos in what authorities suspect is a mass poisoning. The UK's Foreign Office reported Thursday that Simone White, a 28-year-old London lawyer, is the fifth person killed in the tourist town of Vang Vieng, the BBC reports. At least seven people are hospitalized, per the Times. Many of those who became ill had consumed drinks last Tuesday; it's not yet known where the drinks were sold. A woman posted on Facebook that six people in her group were hospitalized with methanol poisoning. "We drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as so not worth," she posted. Nov 21, 2024 7:36 AM CST An Australian teenager has died after drinking tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng, Laos, Australia's prime minister said Thursday, and the US State Department confirmed an American also died in the same party town, bringing the death toll to four in the poisoning incident, including two Danish tourists, the AP reports. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones died after being evacuated from Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalized in Thailand. The US State Department confirmed that an American tourist had also died, but said it had no further comment out of respect to the families. A volcano has erupted on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, spewing lava from a fissure late Wednesday. This marks its seventh eruption since December. The fissure, approximately 1.8 miles long, opened at 11:14pm, and while significant, it remains smaller compared to the last eruption in August, according to Iceland's meteorological office. Despite the dramatic display, there is no current risk to aviation. However, authorities have issued warnings about potential gas hazards in parts of the peninsulaincluding the nearby town of Grindavik. This community, home to roughly 3,800 residents, has already faced disruptions due to recent volcanic activity, with damage to infrastructure and forced relocations for some residents. However, officials report that Grindavik is not under threat from this latest eruption. Residents have been on high alert since the eruptions began, but with the area accustomed to such geological events, contingency plans are in place to ensure public safety. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) More-than-casual fans of The Simpsons would know that Milhouse's full name is Milhouse Van Houten. Even more dedicated ones would know that Milhouse Van Houten is voiced by Pamela Hayden and has been for 35 years. But the 70-year-old Hayden is calling it quits: She has announced her retirement, with her final episode (No. 7 of season 36) to air on Nov. 24, reports the New York Times. "The time has come for me to hang up my microphone, but how do I say goodbye to The Simpsons? Not easily," Hayden said in a statement, per the Hollywood Reporter. "I'll always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired 10-year-old boy with glasses." She is credited on nearly 700 of the show's 774 episodes. Two weeks after he was convicted of charges for his role as one of the first people to breach the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Edward Kelley has been convicted of plotting to kill those who investigated him. The Tennessee man was found guilty Wednesday of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation of violent crime, and threatening a federal official, per CNN . In December 2022, as Kelley awaited trial in the Jan. 6 case, he formed a group dedicated to armed conflict with the government and wrote up a "kill list" of the names of 37 people involved in the investigation of him, including the two FBI agents leading the inquiry, prosecutors said. Christopher Roddy, a co-conspirator who handed the kill list to authorities, testified during a three-day trial, saying Kelley asked him to collect information on the targets. He also recorded Kelley asking him to attack the FBI office in Knoxville. In the phone call, Kelley allegedly instructed Roddy and another co-conspirator to launch an attack "if I'm extradited to DC or you don't hear about my status within 24 or 48 hours," per CNN. "Every hit has to hurt," Kelley added, per the New York Times. He faces up to life in prison at his May 7 sentencing, which will come exactly a month after his sentencing in the Jan. 6 case. In that case, Kelley was convicted of three feloniescivil disorder, destruction of government property, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officersand eight misdemeanors in a bench trial. Prosecutors said he was wearing a gas mask and tactical helmet when he became the fourth rioter to breach the Capitol building, per the Times and NBC News. He threw an officer to the ground and used a piece of wood to smash a window, gaining access to the building, before kicking open a door, allowing other rioters to stream inside, prosecutors said. The reported anti-abortion activist spent 40 minutes inside the building and was charged in May 2022. (More Capitol riot stories.) The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister, and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes in the Gaza war and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel's offensive. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, per the AP . However, the practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court. Also, several of the Hamas officials have been killed in the conflict. "The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity," the three-judge panel wrote in its unanimous decision to issue warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's request for warrants earlier this year as disgraceful and antisemitic. Hamas also has criticized the move, as did the White House. The ICC is a court of last resort that only prosecutes cases when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate. Israel is not a member state of the court. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in the Hague any time soon. The court itself has no police to enforce warrants, instead relying on cooperation from its member states. (More International Criminal Court stories.) A recent landmark decision by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) has revealed that Australian businesses currently engaging offshore contractors could be inadvertently vulnerable to costly unfair dismissal claims. This decision could have significant implications for businesses outsourcing work to international workers under the assumption that they are engaging independent contractors rather than employees. The case of Pascua v. Doessel Group serves as a key example. In this case, the FWC found that a legal assistant based in the Philippines was unfairly dismissed. The ruling is a stark reminder that offshore contractors might qualify for employee protections under Australian labour laws, especially if their working conditions resemble those of a typical employee. This decision could open the floodgates to more such claims in the future, placing businesses at risk. The implications of the Pascua case stretch across various sectors. Industries such as real estate, legal, accounting, construction, and startups, which have increasingly turned to offshore workers and virtual assistants to reduce costs and enhance productivity, now face heightened legal exposure. The case highlights that businesses may mistakenly assume their offshore workers are engaged as contractors, only to find that the arrangements resemble traditional employment relationships in terms of control, supervision, and integration within the company. This misclassification could lead to costly legal repercussions, including claims for unfair dismissal or entitlements typically reserved for employees. Here are the main factors that differentiate employees from independent contractors in Australia: 1. Control and Autonomy Employee : An employee typically works under the control and direction of the employer. The employer dictates how, when, and where the work will be done. : An employee typically works under the control and direction of the employer. The employer dictates how, when, and where the work will be done. Contractor: A contractor generally has more autonomy. They decide how to complete the work, often having control over their own hours, methods, and the tools they use. 2. Integration into the Business Employee : Employees are usually integrated into the business, working as part of the organizations day-to-day operations. They may be provided with a workspace, equipment, and training by the employer. : Employees are usually integrated into the business, working as part of the organizations day-to-day operations. They may be provided with a workspace, equipment, and training by the employer. Contractor: Contractors are usually engaged for a specific task or project and are not integrated into the business in the same way. They may work from their own premises, use their own equipment, and operate more independently. 3. Payment and Risk Employee : Employees are generally paid a regular wage or salary (e.g., weekly, fortnightly, or monthly), and their income is subject to tax withholding by the employer. : Employees are generally paid a regular wage or salary (e.g., weekly, fortnightly, or monthly), and their income is subject to tax withholding by the employer. Contractor: Contractors are typically paid based on a fixed fee or per project, and they may invoice the business for their services. They are responsible for paying their own tax (via their own ABN, or Australian Business Number) and may be liable for the costs of the work they do, including any necessary materials or tools. 4. Entitlements and Benefits Employee : Employees are entitled to a range of benefits and protections, including paid annual leave, sick leave, superannuation (retirement savings), and protection under unfair dismissal laws. : Employees are entitled to a range of benefits and protections, including paid annual leave, sick leave, superannuation (retirement savings), and protection under unfair dismissal laws. Contractor: Contractors are not entitled to these benefits or protections. They are responsible for their own superannuation and may not be entitled to paid leave or other employee benefits. 5. Length and Nature of the Relationship Employee : The employment relationship is typically ongoing, with employees often working with the same employer for a long period. : The employment relationship is typically ongoing, with employees often working with the same employer for a long period. Contractor: Contractors are typically hired for a specific period or to complete a particular task. Once the project is finished, the relationship ends, and they may be engaged by other clients. 6. Provision of Tools and Equipment Employee : Employees are often provided with the tools, equipment, and resources necessary to perform their job by the employer. : Employees are often provided with the tools, equipment, and resources necessary to perform their job by the employer. Contractor: Contractors usually supply their own tools and equipment to complete the work, although this can vary depending on the contract. 7. Ability to Subcontract or Delegate Employee : Employees are generally not allowed to subcontract their work to others. They must personally perform the work. : Employees are generally not allowed to subcontract their work to others. They must personally perform the work. Contractor: Contractors often have the ability to subcontract or delegate tasks to others, as long as its within the terms of the contract. 8. Superannuation (Retirement Fund) Employee : Employers are required by law to pay superannuation contributions on behalf of employees, usually around 11% of the employees earnings. : Employers are required by law to pay superannuation contributions on behalf of employees, usually around 11% of the employees earnings. Contractor: Contractors are responsible for making their own superannuation arrangements and may not receive super contributions unless they are working under a contractor agreement where its stipulated. Brian Jones, CEO of VA Platinum, an offshore outsourcing provider, stresses the importance of reviewing offshore engagement models in light of this ruling. He states, The Pascua ruling is a timely reminder for Australian businesses to look closely at their offshore engagement models. Offshore talent offers incredible potential, but its vital to structure these agreements correctly and not simply rely on the contractor label in blind faith. For Australian businesses to continue benefiting from offshore talent while avoiding the risks associated with misclassification, they must ensure that their contracts reflect the true nature of the working relationship. Companies with sensitive data, such as those in financial services, are particularly vulnerable to legal exposure in these circumstances. Offshore workers often handle complex tasks that require a high level of integration with internal teams and resources, making it crucial for businesses to assess whether their offshore workers might be considered employees under Australian law. Determining whether your offshore workers could be classified as employees is an important first step in avoiding legal risks for your financial services business. Its about smart, compliant growth for businesses looking to expand with global talent, Jones advises. How to mitigate legal risks with employment agreements One way businesses can mitigate these risks is by engaging offshore workers through an Employer of Record (EOR)model. This approach allows companies to outsource functions to offshore workers without exposing themselves to legal risk or misclassification. Under the EOR model, the offshore worker is legally employed by a third party in compliance with both local labor laws and Australian laws. This third-party employer handles all aspects of the employment relationship, including payroll, benefits, and workplace policies, ensuring that the business remains compliant with relevant laws, including the Fair Work Act. The EOR model also provides key advantages for businesses, especially in industries like financial services. By using an EOR, companies ensure that offshore workers are subject to appropriate employment policies and standards, including monitoring, data security protocols, and confidentiality agreements. This is particularly important when handling sensitive client information or when offshore workers are closely integrated with internal teams. The EOR model gives Australian businesses relying on offshore workers the peace of mind that, until recently, they might not have known they needed. When everything from recruitment, payroll, and compliance is managed by a third-party employer outside the organisation, there can never be any misclassification around the nature of the relationship businesses hold with their offshore workers, says Jones. Also: Carefully Assess the Work Relationship: Consider the degree of control, autonomy, and integration into the business before classifying someone as a contractor. Review Contracts and Agreements: Ensure that contracts with contractors clearly specify their role, responsibilities, and the nature of the work. This helps avoid misunderstandings or misclassification. Seek Legal Advice: For both domestic and overseas workers, businesses should consult with legal experts to avoid entering into a sham contracting arrangement, particularly if the worker could be considered an employee under Australian law. Maintain Proper Records: Document the nature of the work relationship, contracts, payment terms, and other relevant details to demonstrate that the worker is correctly classified. Data Security and Accountability Risks In light of the FWCs decision, businesses should also carefully consider the risks associated with granting contractors access to customer and client data. Without the appropriate oversight, a lack of accountability could expose businesses to additional legal challenges, including data breaches or compliance violations. Proper contractual arrangements and external management, like the EOR model, can help ensure that offshore workers adhere to the same level of security and confidentiality standards expected of Australian employees. Contractor vs. Employee: What to Look Out For To assess whether offshore workers could be misclassified as employees, businesses should evaluate the following factors: Do they work full-time? Independent contractors typically have more flexibility in their schedules, whereas employees often work full-time. Do they work fixed hours? Employees usually have set working hours, while contractors are typically more flexible with their time. Are they receiving direct instructions from onshore staff? Employees are generally subject to direct supervision and instructions, while contractors typically work independently. Are they integrated into operations? Employees are more likely to be fully integrated into the companys operations, such as using company email accounts and receiving a local phone number. Are they accountable for internal performance reviews? Employees are often subject to regular performance evaluations, while contractors are not usually assessed in the same way. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. New York City police are on the lookout for a man accused of stealing a gold-plated rose from a memorial for 9/11 victimsthe church's then-priest among themat the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Manhattan. The metal flower was reportedly taken on Wednesday afternoon. Surveillance images captured a man holding the distinct artwork outside the church. The suspect is currently wanted for grand larceny. Father Mychal Judge, the church's long-time priest, was killed by falling debris while praying for victims and rescuers during the 9/11 attacks; he was in the lobby of the north tower at the time. Father Judge was a prominent chaplain for the New York Fire Department and the founder of one of the first Catholic ministries supporting individuals with HIV/AIDS. His untimely death while serving others led many to call for sainthood. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Twelve individuals have been detained in Serbia following the Nov. 1 roof collapse at a Novi Sad train station that resulted in 15 deaths and severe injuries to two others. Prosecutors indicated the suspects face charges related to committing criminal acts against public security, public endangerment, and negligent construction. A 13th suspect remains at large. Former construction minister Goran Vesic, who resigned after the incident, was among those detained. The station was built in 1964 and recently renovated twice under a deal with Chinese companies. Many in Serbia feel corruption and a lack of transparency led to shoddy construction work, and that the collapse was a result of that. Opposition figures have expressed skepticism over the arrests. "They [prosecutors] have avoided mentioning the deaths of the people and corruption and those are key," said Borislav Novakovic, a former mayor of Novi Sad. "For the past 20 days all suspects could influence witnesses, tamper with evidence, and alter documentation." Unrest has gripped Novi Sad, as opposition supporters on Wednesday clashed with police for the third consecutive day, demanding accountability for the tragedy and the release of detained activists. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic condemned the protests, labeling them as acts of "terror" and violent instigation by political adversaries. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) For the first time, Colorado and New Mexico will see women forming the majority in their state legislatures next year. A record number of women, at least 2,450, will serve in state legislatures nationwide, marking 33.2% representation, slightly surpassing the previous high of 2,431 set in 2024. Kelly Dittmar, director of research at CAWP, expressed a desire for "a faster rate of change." And despite this historic shift, a report from the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics reveals that female representation in at least 13 states declined following this month's elections. The numbers highlight disparities within party lines, with Republican women achieving a record 851 seats (up from 2024's high of 815 seats), yet remaining significantly underrepresented compared to Democratic women, as noted by CAWP's Debbie Walsh. Noteworthy increases occurred in New Mexico, with 11 additional female lawmakers, and in Colorado, where women will slightly outnumber men. Nevada, which led this trend in 2018, will see women make up nearly 62% of its legislature next year. Conversely, South Carolina experienced the steepest decline, with women making up just 13% of the state legislature. Only two women, both Democrats, will be in its 46-member Senate. South Carolina ranks just above West Virginia, where women's representation in the legislature will dip to approximately 11%. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Brazil's federal police said Thursday they indicted former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections. Police said their findings were being delivered Thursday to Brazil's Supreme Court, which must decide whether to refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation, the AP reports. The right-wing former president has denied all claims he tried to stay in office after his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 to his rival, leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The 700-page police document will likely take several days for the court to review, Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes said. Dozens of former and current Bolsonaro aides also were indicted, including Gen. Walter Braga Netto, who was his running mate in the 2022 campaign; former Army commander Gen. Paulo Sergio Nogueira de Oliveira; Valdemar Costa Neto, the chairman of Bolsonaro's Liberal Party; and his veteran former adviser, Gen. Augusto Heleno. The investigation started last year. On Tuesday, as part of the same probe, the federal police arrested four military and a federal police officer accused of plotting to overthrow the government following the 2022 elections, including alleged plans to kill Lula and other top officials. Other investigations focus on Bolosnaro's potential roles in smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them, and in directing a subordinate to falsify his and others' COVID-19 vaccination statuses. Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in either. Another probe found that he had abused his authority to cast doubt on the country's voting system, and judges barred him from running again until 2030. (More Jair Bolsonaro stories.) As Elon Musks X (formerly Twitter) grapples with controversies and declining user trust, a new wave of ethical, user-first social platforms is emerging. With growing dissatisfaction around platforms like X, users are increasingly seeking ethical alternativessocial media spaces that prioritize well-being, inclusivity, and meaningful connections over profit-driven algorithms. Ethical social media aims to create safer, more supportive environments, offering features that foster genuine interactions rather than encouraging endless scrolling and toxic debates. These platforms are designed to respond to the needs of users who are tired of being commodified or subjected to harmful content. As people flee traditional networks, many are looking for spaces that champion user rights, accessibility, and mental health supportplaces where they can truly feel seen and heard. For instance, Spoony, an Australian-made app is flipping the script on social media, offering a safe, welcoming space for neurodivergent individuals, those with chronic illnesses, and disabled people. Think of it as a social platform that actually gets youthe one where you can connect, share, and get support without all the stress, toxicity, and endless scrolling. So, how did it all come to be? The genius behind Spoony, Nicholas Carlton, came up with the idea after his own life took a sudden turn. After a severe illness forced him into early medical retirement, Carlton found himself battling more than just his healthhe was hit hard by the isolation many people with chronic conditions or disabilities face. The feeling of being alone in a world that doesnt always understand was all too familiar. And thats when he decided to create a space that would change all that. What makes such apps so special? For starters, its designed with the community in mind, offering a bunch of awesome features you wont find anywhere else: Symptom tracking and wellness tools : Because your health matters, ut helps you track it all in one place, so you can manage your well-being with ease. : Because your health matters, ut helps you track it all in one place, so you can manage your well-being with ease. Moderated communities : Toxic-free interactions, because no one needs to deal with negativity in a space thats supposed to be supportive. Spoony ensures that everyone can enjoy a safe, respectful environment. : Toxic-free interactions, because no one needs to deal with negativity in a space thats supposed to be supportive. Spoony ensures that everyone can enjoy a safe, respectful environment. Accessibility-first design: The creators didnt just build an app; they built it with input from experts and the community to make sure it works for everyonewhether you have visual impairments, mobility issues, or other accessibility needs. With mainstream platforms like X (formerly Twitter) getting more and more criticized for fueling negativity, home grown Spoony has found its niche by offering a sanctuarya safe haven for those who want to break away from the chaos. And people are noticing. Neurodivergent, chronically ill, and disabled people experience a disproportionally high degree of social isolation, said Nicholas Carlton, founder and CEO of Spoony. Spoony is a safe space for this community to connect and support each other. The response has been overwhelming, and were honoured to create a space that feels like home for so many. A New Era of Ethical Social Media But Spoony isnt alone in the quest to redefine social media. Several emerging social media platforms are challenging the traditional, profit-driven models of mainstream apps, offering alternatives that prioritize user well-being, safety, and inclusivity. Platforms like Mastodon, a decentralized network where users join community-driven instances, and Bluesky, backed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, are gaining traction for their focus on decentralization and user control over data. Threads, developed by Meta, offers a more intimate space for conversations, while Hive Social champions a clean interface and chronological feeds, free from algorithmic manipulation. Platforms like Mighty Networks and Tribe provide creators and niche communities with tools to build private, purpose-driven networks. Meanwhile, Signal and Vero emphasize privacy and user autonomy, appealing to those disillusioned by the data harvesting of traditional social media giants. As these platforms continue to grow, they reflect a broader shift toward ethical, community-focused social media that prioritizes meaningful engagement over corporate profit. For Carlton and the Spoony team, the goal isnt just growth; its transformation. Were building more than an app, Carlton says. Were building a movement to change how marginalized communities experience digital spaces. Spoonys rise is a testament to the hunger for meaningful, supportive connections in an increasingly fragmented digital world. As users continue to search for alternatives to mainstream platforms, Spoony is leading the way with a model that prioritizes empathy, inclusivity, and community care. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com A six-member drug smuggling ring bringing illegal substances into Bahrain through air cargo and mail deliveries has been taken down after customs officers intercepted a package at Bahrain International Airport. The package, sent from a European country, held four blocks of drugs concealed in plastic wraps and metallic foil. Customs officials detained two men, aged 28 and 36, when they arrived to collect the package. Officers handed them over to the Anti-Narcotics Directorate, where searches uncovered further evidence. Crime The younger man carried a vape containing drugs and BD18, suspected to be crime proceeds, while the older man held BD96.500, also believed to be ill-gotten gains. With a search warrant from the Public Prosecution, police raided the suspects homes and found money transfer papers, ledgers, and postal packages. Inquiries revealed the smuggling operation was run by two leaders overseas, with four accomplices in Bahrain managing receipt and sale of the contraband. The group used crafty methods, such as air freight and postal deliveries, to sneak drugs into the country. Sales Once the goods arrived, the local members handled sales to make money. Further arrests followed when other suspects tried to claim more packages. One suspect admitted to retrieving a package on orders from an overseas leader for BD500. He knew it contained drugs, admitted to using them, and confessed to storing them at another accomplices home. Narcotics A search of this home found drug-laced drinks and a cigarette pack with narcotics. Evidence from the suspects phones included messages about drug deals, photos of drugs on weighing scales, and videos showing specific drop points with payment details. Investigators believe this crackdown has dealt a heavy blow to local drug smuggling operations. Mahir Haneef TDT| Manama Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com A groundbreaking cultural event is set to take centre stage in Bahrain, where This is Bahrain and Punjabi Virsa Bahrain are joining forces to break a Guinness World Record for the largest Bhangra performance. Scheduled for December 13, 2024, this ambitious gathering will transform the Bahrain National Stadium car park into a sea of rhythm and unity, as organizers aim to bring together 5,100 participants - shattering the current record. Bhangra, a spirited folk dance rooted in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, traditionally marks the joy of the harvest season. However, this event will transcend its agrarian origins, offering a platform to celebrate diversity and foster community bonds across nationalities and backgrounds. With no prior dance experience required, the organizers are inviting anyone aged 13 and above to don their dancing shoes and join this historic moment. At a press conference held at the InterContinental Bahrain in Manama, event organizers revealed that registrations are now open. Enthusiastic participants can secure their spot by signing up through the Instagram account @punjabivirsa23bahrain. Speaking at the conference, organizers emphasized the events inclusive vision. This isnt just about setting a world record, they said. Its about celebrating culture, heritage, and the unity that binds us as a global community. We want everyone to feel welcome, whether theyve been dancing Bhangra for years or are stepping into it for the first time. As anticipation builds, the event promises to highlight Bahrains role as a hub for cultural exchange. The choice of Bhangra, with its infectious energy and unifying spirit, mirrors the ethos of the island nation - where people of diverse backgrounds come together in celebration and harmony. The Guinness World Record attempt, backed by passionate organizers and the enthusiastic public, is more than just a dance performance. It is a statement of Bahrains commitment to inclusivity, community, and the celebration of shared heritage. Mark your calendars, register early, and become part of a cultural milestone. December 13, 2024, is set to be a day when Bahrain dances its way into history, one vibrant step at a time. CALGARY, AB, Nov. 21, 2024 /CNW/ - Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. (the "Company" or "Decibel") (TSXV: DB) (OTCQB: DBCCF), a market leader in premium cannabis and extract manufactured products, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim financial results for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2024. "Decibel has been very deliberate about reducing our current liabilities, by ~5mm this quarter. Maintaining discipline over time will result in a stronger balance sheet. This marks the last quarter where our primary focus is on Canadian domestic recreational sales. While we continue to integrate AgMedica into our portfolio, it is encouraging to see there is significant demand internationally for Decibel flower." Benjamin Sze Chief Executive Officer Third Quarter Highlights Net Revenue was $24.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 9% sequentially over Q2 2024 and a year over year decrease of 12%. Net revenue decrease driven by increased competition in the infused pre-roll segment, vape consumers switching towards large format 510 cartridges and disposables and the halting of exports to Israel as the Company transitioned to a new distribution partner. Decibel has combatted market share declines with the relaunch of its domestic flower brand Qwest, introduction of large format 510 cartridges and disposables. was in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 9% sequentially over Q2 2024 and a year over year decrease of 12%. Net revenue decrease driven by increased competition in the infused pre-roll segment, vape consumers switching towards large format 510 cartridges and disposables and the halting of exports to as the Company transitioned to a new distribution partner. Decibel has combatted market share declines with the relaunch of its domestic flower brand Qwest, introduction of large format 510 cartridges and disposables. Gross Margin Before Fair Value Adjustments was 53% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 44% in the third quarter of 2023. was 53% in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 44% in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA (1) of $5.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 31% sequentially over Q2 2024 and a year over year decline of 21%. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA year over year was primarily driven by a decline in net Canadian recreational sales and international sales. of $5.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 31% sequentially over Q2 2024 and a year over year decline of 21%. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA year over year was primarily driven by a decline in net Canadian recreational sales and international sales. Positive Free Cash Flow (1) of $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, with a sequential increase of 75% over the third quarter of 2023. of in the third quarter of 2024, with a sequential increase of 75% over the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted Net Income (1) of positive $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 294% over the third quarter of 2023. of positive $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 294% over the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted Earning Per Share ("Adjusted EPS")(2) of $0.01 , with a year over year increase of $0.01 . Notes: 1 Non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Measures" for further details. 2 Non-GAAP ratio. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Measures" for further details. Summary Highlights Three months ended Nine months ended September 30 September 30 2024 2023 2024 2023 (thousands of Canadian dollars, except where noted) Gross Canadian recreational sales 1 $36,587 $45,959 $102,534 $131,812 Net Canadian recreational sales 1 $23,800 $27,042 $66,524 $78,748 International sales 1 $309 $500 $701 $2,266 Total Gross revenue $36,896 $46,459 $103,235 $134,078 Net revenue $24,109 $27,542 $67,225 $81,014 Gross profit before fair value adjustments $12,716 $11,983 $32,031 $36,940 Gross margin before fair value adjustments 53 % 44 % 48 % 46 % Adjusted EBITDA 2 $5,147 $6,475 $12,673 $20,122 Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) ($585) $413 ($3,796) ($579) Adjusted net income (loss) 2 $2,058 $522 ($814) $8,134 Cash flow from operations $1,906 $1,793 $3,766 $4,758 Free cash flow 2 $1,773 $1,013 $3,012 $3,028 Per Share Metrics Income (loss) per share - - - - Adjusted EPS 3 $0.01 - - $0.02 1 Supplementary financial measure. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Measures" for further details. 2 Refer to "Cash Flows" in the MD&A (as defined herein) for further details. 3 Non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Measures" for further details. Decibel's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2024 (the "Financial Statements") and related management's discussion & analysis for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2024 ("MD&A") are available on SEDAR+ under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. As of September 30, 2024, Decibel was in compliance with all of its financial covenants and expects to remain in compliance for the remainder of its twelve-month forecast period. Decibel also ratified the appointment and position of Corporate Secretary to hold the position as an officer of the Company. About Decibel Decibel is a consumer-focused cannabis company known for premium products that delight customers through innovation and quality. With brands like General Admission, Qwest, and Vox, Decibel's offerings are available across Canada, with expanding reach into global markets. Following the acquisition of AgMedica Biosciences in Q4 2024, Decibel has added an EU-GMP-certified facility, supporting its commitment to international standards and global distribution growth. Decibel now operates three cultivation facilities and a processing and manufacturing center, positioning the company as a leader in high-quality, globally accessible cannabis products and brands. 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 news release. Cautionary Statements Non-GAAP Measures This news release contains certain financial performance measures, namely Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Free Cash Flow, that are not recognized or defined under IFRS (termed "Non-GAAP Measures"). As a result, this data may not be comparable to data presented by other licensed producers and cannabis companies. For an explanation of these measures to related comparable financial information presented in the Financial Statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, refer to the discussion below. The Company believes that these Non-GAAP Measures are useful indicators of operating performance and are specifically used by management to assess the financial and operational performance of the Company. Accordingly, these Non-GAAP Measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) excluding unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets, change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold, depreciation and amortization expense, share-based compensation, other income, finance costs, foreign exchange loss, non-cash production costs and severance payments. Non-cash production costs relate to amortization expense allocations included in production costs. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered together with other financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Decibel's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to Decibel's management. Three months ended Nine months ended September 30 September 30 2024 2023 2024 2023 (thousands of Canadian dollars) Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) (585) 413 (3,796) (579) Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (1,201) (4,683) (9,108) (9,107) Change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold 3,844 4,792 12,090 17,820 Depreciation and amortization 1,219 690 3,640 2,049 Share-based compensation (recovery) 162 493 (631) 1,064 Other (income) (89) (99) 134 (242) Finance costs 728 696 2,253 2,067 Foreign exchange loss 104 39 189 283 Gain on disposal of Prairie Records Retail assets - - (62) - Non-cash cost of goods sold 480 1,177 3,032 3,810 Other adjustments 485 2,957 4,932 2,957 Adjusted EBITDA 5,147 6,475 12,673 20,122 Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) excluding unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets and change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold. Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP ratio that is calculated as net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) excluding unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets and change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold, divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding. These measures are intended to provide a proxy for the Company's net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) and are used to compare Decibel to its competitors and derive expectations of future financial performance of the Company and should be considered together with other financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Decibel's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to Decibel's management. Three months ended Nine months ended September 30 September 30 2024 2023 2024 2023 (thousands of Canadian dollars) Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) (585) 413 (3,796) (579) Unrealized gain on changes in fair value of biological assets (1,201) (4,683) (9,108) (9,107) Change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold 3,844 4,792 12,090 17,820 Adjusted net income (loss) 2,058 522 (814) 8,134 Weighted average number of shares outstanding 409,039,064 472,318,208 409,039,064 409,039,064 Adjusted EPS $0.01 - - $0.02 Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as cash flow from operations less cash provided by (used in) investing activities. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered together with other financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the Decibel's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to Decibel's management. Three months ended Nine months ended September 30 September 30 2024 2023 2024 2023 (thousands of Canadian dollars) Cash provided by operating activities 1,906 1,793 3,766 4,758 Cash used in investing activities (133) (780) (754) (1,730) Free cash flow 1,773 1,013 3,012 3,028 Non-GAAP Ratios Adjusted earnings per share (adjusted net income (loss) divided by the number of outstanding shares) is a non-GAAP ratio, does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that adjusted earnings per share is a useful metric to normalize net income for biological asset accounting impacts. Supplementary Financial Measures International Sales is a supplementary financial measure intended to provide a more accurate depiction of international sales earned by the Company's wholesale operations. Gross Canadian Recreational Sales is a supplementary financial measure intended to provide a more accurate depiction of gross revenue earned by the Company's wholesale operations. Inventory transferred directly from the Company's wholesale operations to the Company's retail operations is added to Gross Canadian Recreational Sales as found in the Financial Statements to arrive at Gross Canadian Recreational Sales. Net Canadian Recreational Sales is a supplementary financial measure intended to provide a more accurate depiction of net revenue earned by the Company's wholesale operations. Inventory transferred directly from the Company's wholesale operations to the Company's retail operations is added to Net Canadian Recreational Sales as found in the Financial Statements to arrive at Net Canadian Recreational Sales. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: expectations that demand for Decibel's products will grow; the ability for Decibel to delight customers through the Company's product offering; the ability of the Company to extend its product offering to new countries and create a global footprint; and the Company's expectation that it will remain in compliance with all of its financial covenants under its credit facilities for the remainder of its twelve-month forecast period, the Company's full year 2025 guidance, and its other business plans and expectations. 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 the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections or other factors should they change, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements and FOFI (as defined herein) are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to delays, regulatory changes and impacts; capital requirements; construction impacts; the ability to obtain and maintain licences to retail cannabis products; review of the Company's production facilities by Health Canada and maintenance of licences (including any amendments thereto) from Health Canada in respect thereof; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the labour market generally and the ability to access, hire and retain employees; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the risk that the Company may not be able to meet consumer demand; the risk that the Company may not improve its operational capacity when anticipated or at all; the risk that Decibel may not remain in compliance with its financial covenants for the remainder of its twelve-month forecast period; and the delay or failure to receive board, regulatory or other approvals, including any approvals of the TSX Venture Exchange, as applicable. Many of these risks and uncertainties and additional risk factors are described in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, which are available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. With respect to forward-looking statements and FOFI contained in this news release, Decibel has made assumptions regarding, but not limited to: growth of the brand and recognition in Canada will lead to growth internationally; demand for Decibel's products; Decibel's ability to enter new markets and industry verticals; Decibel's ability to attract, develop and retain key personnel; Decibel's ability to raise additional capital and to execute on its expansion plans; the timelines for new product launches; Decibel's ability to continue investing in infrastructure and implement scalable controls, systems and processes to support its growth; the impact of competition; the changes and trends in Decibel's industry or the global economy; the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations and obtain financing, if needed, on acceptable terms or at all; the general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which the Company operates; the ability of the Company to ship its products and maintain supply chain stability; consumer interest in the Company's products; anticipated and unanticipated costs; government regulation of the Company's activities and products; the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; the Company's ability to conduct operations in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the Company's construction plans and timeframe for completion of such plans; and the changes in laws, rules, regulations, and global standards. Any financial outlook or future oriented financial information (in each case "FOFI") contained in this news release regarding the Company's prospective financial position, including, but not limited to net revenue and adjusted EBITDA projections relating to the full year 2025 guidance in this news release, is based on reasonable assumptions about future events, including those described above, based on an assessment by management of Company of the relevant information that is currently available. The actual results will likely vary from the amounts set forth herein and such variations may be material. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Decibel does not undertake any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless so required by applicable securities laws. Market, Independent Third Party and Industry Data Certain market, independent third party and industry data contained in this news release is based upon information from government or other independent industry publications and reports or based on estimates derived from such publications and reports. Government and industry publications and reports generally indicate that they have obtained their information from sources believed to be reliable, but Decibel has not conducted its own independent verification of such information. This news release also includes certain data derived from independent third parties. While Decibel believes this data to be reliable, market and industry data is subject to variations and cannot be verified with complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any statistical survey. Decibel has not independently verified any of the data from independent thirdparty sources referred to in this news release or ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources. SOURCE Decibel Cannabis Company Inc. For More Information Contact: Decibel Cannabis Company Inc., [email protected], 1-844-993-4769, www.decibelcc.com VAL-D'OR, QC and MONTREAL, Nov. 21, 2024 /CNW/ - The Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT) and the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) are announcing new master's and Ph.D. programs in Indigenous Studies. With their creation, the two Universite du Quebec institutions become the first universities in Canada to offer French-language graduate programs in the field. UQAT and INRS are announcing new masters and Ph.D. programs in Indigenous Studies. (CNW Group/Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT)) Creating the programs aligns with the vision of the INRS-UQAT Joint Research Unit in Indigenous Studies. Established in 2020, it aims to transform the relational dynamics and modes of interaction between the academic and Indigenous spheres in order to highlight the contribution of Indigenous peoples to humanity's cultural heritage and the future of societies. By pooling their strengths and expertise, UQAT and INRS are offering specialized programs with a distinctive pedagogical approach that integrates both Indigenous and scientific knowledge. "Thanks to their complementary expertise and close ties with local partners, UQAT and INRS faculty members will contribute to training a generation of researchers committed to a more just and equitable society, by promoting social innovation and the democratization of knowledge," says UQAT rector Vincent Rousson. "Building on the long-standing collaboration between our two institutions, these programs feature interactive, collaborative, and multidisciplinary pedagogical approaches. Co-constructing and mobilizing knowledge, which will be central to the programs, are well-established practices at UQAT's School of Indigenous Studies and at INRS's Urbanisation Culture Societe Research Centre," adds INRS Chief Executive Officer Luc-Alain Giraldeau. Programs unique in Quebec The programs will use innovative pedagogical approaches such as talking circles, sharing workshops, and meetings with Indigenous partners. In addition to identifying solutions for more harmonious coexistence, the cutting-edge research carried out for master's and Ph.D. projects will help co-construct knowledge in collaboration with knowledge holders and Indigenous authorities and organizations. The work could address a plethora of topics related to the faculty's areas of expertise, such as law, administration, governance and self-determination, women's issues, Indigenousnon-Indigenous relations, and territorial and community development. Graduates will have access to employment opportunities in a variety of sectors, including Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations of all kinds, universities, federal and provincial government departments, and non-governmental organizations. These joint programs will be offered full- and part-time at UQAT's School of Indigenous Studies and INRS's Urbanisation Culture Societe Research Centre starting in Fall 2025. Learn more about the programs (UQAT) | Learn more about the programs (INRS) About UQAT For over 40 years, UQAT has been an exceptional, committed university in the community. With its three campuses, four centres, and numerous points of service, UQAT has over 7,000 students and offers more than 150 programs, including programs in Indigenous Studies. Its School of Indigenous Studies, which is unique in Quebec, stands out for its multidisciplinary and intercultural approach. Inclusive and respectful of Indigenous knowledge and cultures, its programs are offered virtually at all three university levels and cover a wide range of fields, such as Indigenous governance, territorial management, and social intervention. About INRS INRS is an academic institution dedicated exclusively to graduate research and training. For the past 55 years, it has actively contributed to Quebec's economic, social, and cultural development. INRS is first in Quebec and Canada in research intensity. It is made up of four interdisciplinary research and training centres located in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, which focus their efforts on strategic sectors: water, earth, and environment (Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre); energy, materials, and telecommunications (Energie Materiaux Telecommunications Research Centre); urbanization, culture, and society (Urbanisation Culture Societe Research Centre); and health and biotechnology (Armand-Frappier Sante Biotechnologie Research Centre). The INRS community includes over 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty and staff members. SOURCE Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQAT) Information: Catherine Berube-Leblanc, Communications and Recruitment Service, Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue, [email protected]; Julie Robert, Communications and Public Affairs Department, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, [email protected] One thousand days have passed since Russia launched its unprovoked and brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. At a Security Council briefing marking the somber anniversary, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Russian President Vladimir Putin believed his invasion would be a quick victory, that Ukrainians would succumb, wave the white flag of defeat: And yet, the Russian military failed to conquer Ukraine, end its existence as an independent country, or absorb it into Russia. When he couldnt break the Ukrainian military, Putin ramped up efforts to break the Ukrainian people, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield: Killing tens of thousands of Ukrainian men, women, and children; uprooting millions of families from their homes; Bombing out thousands of schools and hospitals, energy infrastructure and food storage; abducting abducting thousands of Ukrainian children and relocating them into Russia. And yet, for one thousand days, the people of Ukraine have not broken or bent. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have died fighting in Putins cruel and callous war, noted Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. In desperation, Moscow has turned to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the DPRK. At least 10,000 North Korean soldiers, she said, have been sent to Russia and have begun engaging in combat with Russian forces. It is a move without modern precedent: not in over 100 years has Russia welcomed foreign troops onto its soil. And its one in blatant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874, and 2270; Resolutions Russia agreed to only a few years ago. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said the bottom line is that Putin has never accepted that Ukraine, a fellow UN Member State, has the same rights to sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity: Perhaps its why Putin so underestimated the resolve of the Ukrainian people. How bravely and effectively they have been able to defend their homeland, their democratically elected government, their culture and way of life, for 1,000 days. As Ukrainians continue the fight against imperialist invasion and might-makes-right ideology, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, the United States stands with them. ... I call on Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine, and now. Let this madness not continue. Not one day more. Palo Alto, California, November 20th, 2024, CyberNewsWire SquareX, the leading browser security company, will make its Australian debut at Melbourne CyberCon 2024, hosted by AISA (Australian Information Security Association), from 26th to 28th November 2024. SquareX will showcase its groundbreaking Browser Detection and Response (BDR) solution at StartUp Booth 42, addressing the growing risk of browser-based cyber threats targeting employees. With the browser being the most used application within the enterprise but also the least protected, browser security is an increasingly serious risk for enterprises. The risk is compounded as endpoint security has zero visibility into the browser, and SASE/SSE solutions such as Secure Web Gateways (SWG) lack user context and cannot detect client-side attacks just by using network traffic. SquareX addresses this gap with a browser-native layer of protection, running directly within the browser. Leveraging rich data metrics such as browser DOM insights and user context, SquareX empowers security teams to create precise policies to protect employees from web threats. In an effort to help enterprises access their own security posture, SquareX has also launched scan.browser.security a website featuring over 25+ SWG bypass for enterprises and vendors to assess their current security posture. Cyber threats are on the rise globally and in Australia. As reported by authorities such as the Australian Signals Directorate in its recent Cyber Threat Report 2022-2023, malicious cyber activity continues to pose a risk to Australias security and prosperity, said Vivek Ramachandran, Founder and CEO of SquareX. SquareXs browser-native security solution, deployed as an extension on major browsers, detects client-side attacks, prevents data loss, enables secure access to private apps for unmanaged devices and more. Our solution allows security teams to immediately mitigate attacks and conduct threat-hunting across the organization, added Ramachandran. Attendees can also look forward to an exclusive session on Wednesday, 27 November at 2pm (AEST), where SquareX Founder Vivek Ramachandran and Chief Architect Jeswin Mathai will be delivering a talk titled The Silver Bullet in Your Enterprise Defense Strategy: Browser Security Solutions . The talk will cover why SMEs and non-profits should choose a native browser security solution to protect themselves, and offer guidance on selecting the right solution based on factors such as scalability, attack coverage and cost. Explore SquareXs BDR solution at Booth 42, AISA Melbourne CyberCon via live demos and see first-hand how SquareXs browser-native approach fills crucial gaps in todays cybersecurity landscape. Attendees are encouraged to schedule a demo here to secure a slot to meet the team this November. About SquareX: SquareX helps organizations detect, mitigate and threat-hunt client-side web attacks happening against their users in real time. SquareXs industry-first Browser Detection and Response (BDR) solution, takes an attack-focused approach to browser security, ensuring enterprise users are protected against advanced threats like malicious QR Codes, Browser-in-the-Browser phishing, macro-based malware and other web attacks encompassing malicious files, websites, scripts, and compromised networks. With SquareX, enterprises can provide contractors and remote workers with secure access to internal applications, enterprise SaaS, and convert the browsers on BYOD / unmanaged devices into trusted browsing sessions. Contact Head of PR Junice Liew SquareX [email protected] The United States strongly condemns the sentences announced ... in Hong Kongs National Security Law trial of pro-democracy advocates, known as the NSL 47, declared State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in a statement. The 45 defendants sentenced on November 19 were aggressively prosecuted, and many now face life-altering imprisonment simply for organizing or participating in a 2020 primary held by the political opposition in Hong Kong. The three-judge panel identified Benny Tai, 60, as the mastermind behind the activists' plans and sentenced him to 10 years in jail - the longest sentence so far under the 2020 national security law. Twenty pro-democracy activists were handed sentences ranging from five to nearly eight years. Joshua Wong, 28, a former student leader in the pro-democracy movement was among 24 others whose sentences ranged from just over four to just under five years. Gwyneth Ho, 32, a former journalist famous for live streaming the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests in 2019, was sentenced to seven years for running as a candidate. She had refused to plead guilty. Our true crime for Beijing is that we were not content with playing along in manipulated elections, said a statement posted on Ms. Hos Facebook account. 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. In response, the Department of State is taking steps to impose new visa restrictions on multiple Hong Kong officials responsible for implementation of the National Security Law. We will continue to monitor the implementation of Hong Kongs national security laws and promote accountability for human rights in the [Peoples Republic of China] and Hong Kong, declared Spokesperson Miller. The United States call[s] on Hong Kong authorities to immediately and unconditionally release these 45 individuals and similarly detained political prisoners. These harsh sentences erode confidence in Hong Kongs judicial system and harm the citys international reputation. We continue to urge the PRC government and Hong Kong authorities, stated Spokesperson Miller, to uphold Hong Kongs judicial independence, cease the use of vague national security laws to silence those peacefully expressing their political views, and restore the openness that was so crucial to Hong Kongs vitality and success. RENO How does the Union Pacific Railroad handle safety and construction in the Elko area? Rooke Jackson, manager of the railroads public projects in Nevada, provided interesting answers at the Nevada Traffic Safety Summit in Reno last week. Anytime theres a roadway project, whether thats sidewalks, road improvements or bridges, Im the face of Union Pacific, and my role is to help agencies get through the process and provide some engineering guidance along the way, Jackson said in an interview. With the U.S. Union Pacific Railroad, we operate just over 32,000 miles across 23 states, Jackson said. Nevada alone has 1,193 miles of track and 442 Union Pacific employees, with a $55.7 million annual payroll. In the state of Nevada just for Union Pacific, were not counting the other short line railroads and tourist railroads there are 232 private crossings, said Jackson, a railroad public project manager for Benesch, working on behalf of Union Pacific. A private crossing is exclusively for the use of a certain party. Its not open to the public. It is exclusive and the railroad gets to dictate who uses that crossing. We are the ones who assign rights to a public crossing, he said. We have 46 underpasses where the railroad actually goes over the roadway and 91 overpasses where the railroad goes under the highway, Jackson said of Nevadas roads. Union Pacifics goal, the Federal Railroad Administrations goal and the Federal Highway Administrations goal is to eliminate at-grade crossings, that is, a crossing where a train track and a road are on the same level, Jackson added. So, one of the things that we try to look for is an opportunity to consolidate crossings, or an opportunity to close crossings because those are risks, not just to the traveling public, but to the railroad, Jackson said. As long as railroads have been around and people have been around, and motorized vehicles especially have been around, weve had accidents. Weve had crashes, Jackson said. Sometimes its because the public is, or the driver is, not obeying the law and sometimes theres actually a problem there. And when theres actually a problem there, we form a team called the diagnostic team, which is a group of professionals or stakeholders are involved in that crossing, Ken Tom, Manager of industry and public projects at Union Pacific, said. We try to prevent incidents and make crossings safer. A train traveling 55 miles per hour takes about 1 mile or more to stop. And on average, nine people or vehicles are hit by a train daily. So it is a recurring issue, Jackson said. It is something that our team in public projects is trying to mitigate in every project that we work on. Jackson said since 1975, Nevada has seen 256 railroad crashes, with 41 fatalities and 73 injuries. As far as crash years, in 1978 we had 23 crashes as railroad companies in Nevada. For the lowest crash years, weve only had one documented Federal Railroad Administration report of a crash in 1997, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2018 and 2020. Train snuck up on me So as far as approaching this zero fatality and reducing crashes, there are some good stats in Nevada but we still have a long way to go, Jackson said. We can see the decrease, but I can say from personal experience, the amount of cell phone usage and distraction while driving, those are all contributing factors around railroad crossings. Ive been at an on-site diagnostic in Arizona and I watched somebody drive right into a gate in front of a train. The gate was down, the lights were flashing. They just drove right into the gate. We the railroad provided all the warning that was required and they still just didnt obey the warning devices, Jackson noted. A train approaching is extremely quiet. Its not like those old movies you see in New York or Chicago where you hear clickity clack and you can hear it coming, Tom added. Today, with the distraction of people wearing earbuds and headsets, they cant hear that train coming. Ive been in locations where Ive had my back turned to a train and didnt realize that the train had snuck up on me until it basically approached me. Jackson said along with education about rail safety through public events and enforcement of rail safety through their own police force, Union Pacific also values safe engineering. Thats where Im heavily involved. When we have projects that interact with the railroad, how do we design it according to the latest safety standards and the guidances out there that were all supposed to be following? Tom added, Enforcement is great but enforcement is temporary. Engineering, for us, is really a permanent solution. And thats why we try to get the professionals and experts who really know about the crossings and incidents at the crossings to resolve these issues. 80 projects in Nevada Thus, Union Pacific heads up public projects, which can involve anything from a crossing closure to road separations to trespassing issues, Jackson said. We work with everybody from federal agencies, different organizations that lead the way in designing engineering and safety principles, public agencies like Nevada DOT, counties, cities and the Public Utilities Commission. There are 3,500 public projects currently active in the United States, 80 of them in Nevada. Jackson explained what kind of public projects Union Pacific is tackling in Elko County. We have two projects in Carlin for the city of Carlin. We have two projects with the city of Elko. Ones repairing the 12th Street Overpass, and the other one is Hot Springs Road doing some road maintenance. We have an expansion project coming up, which he said involves increasing our capacity in our yard and making it a little more fluid so we have less train blockages. Jackson said they are also tackling some projects in rural Elko County. Bridge replacements are pretty much the main thing, just working with NDOT on replacing existing structures, he said. The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada actually regulates how crossings are designed and implemented, Jackson noted. We meet as a diagnostic team to decide on the design of a crossing. But ultimately, the Public Utilities Commission has a final say on that. Its not a railroad decision. And in Nevada, its not just an agency decision, its a PUC final authority. Tom said cities and counties design crossings, the commission approves them and the railroad installs what the city has designed. So really, the railroad has no individual say on what happens at the crossing, Tom said. Theyre just basically installing what the city is designed and what the state has approved. Partnerships important Private partnerships are also important, Jackson explained. The railroad is in the business of shipping freight, so we have that overlap with these private companies that want to bring rail service into their facility. And then also adjacent landowners. I have a project right now in Reno with Truckee Meadows Water Authority. Theyre rebuilding a pump station next to our tracks and so theres a lot of coordination which happens. There are a lot of risks working near the tracks, he said. When we do a project, it involves real estate, joint facilities, government affairs, finance, law, operations and engineering. And then the engineering goes even deeper, because we deal with construction, maintenance, planning, structure, signal and track, Jackson said. All of these elements have to be considered at a crossing. Its not just an engineering decision looking at plans. We have to figure out, how does this impact the rest of Union Pacific? How does it impact the way we operate trains? How does it impact the way we maintain this crossing? The Union Pacific tries to educate people on the best way to do maintenance on UP property, Jackson explained. Considering factors such as how crossing gates limit traffic flow, there is special coordination for any type of maintenance or just construction projects in general. Union Pacific also has processes in place to help supervise real estate and utilities projects such as surveying and potholing, Jackson said. As for wreckages of trains themselves like the one which occurred in Elko at the 12th Street Bridge this February Tom said theres a protocol they have to follow and depending how severe the damage is, theres a federal requirement as well. So we use a federal program to maintain and schedule maintenance for revenues. The state also imposes certain requirements. Were required to inspect a main line, I think, two times a week, Tom said. There are published resources that we look at how to initiate a public project, Jackson said, such as the Union Pacifics Public Project Manual which Jackson described as the Bible of overpass and underpass projects or the Highway Rail Crossing Handbook from the Federal Railroad Administration. We have an online system where you can actually submit a project directly to Union Pacific, include the location, include plans and if its in the state of Nevada, it comes to my desk within a matter of minutes and I can start engaging with the public agencies weve seen in the past, Jackson said. We actually have to respond within 24 hours of getting that project request, which ensures customers of the railroad wont run into communication delays, he said. We do want you to be engaged and engage us early. As for another important railroad safety precaution, every crossing has a DOT number. Typically, its going to be posted on this blue sign that youll see at a crossing, Jackson said. If you ever have an emergency around the railroad, I would encourage you to locate that sign and call the emergency number because that is the quickest way to get trains notified and get trains stopped if theres something wrong with the tracks or youre stuck on the tracks. That is a direct line to our operations. With those blue emergency signs, Union Pacific does have a one-call number, if you will, for any emergencies. You might see a train and its leaking something, and so you can call that number and say, Hey, Im near this street or in this town. I just saw a train and it was spewing chemicals out the top, Jackson said. If you see something, say something, because you could prevent some injuries and accidents down the road. To reach the Union Pacific emergency number, call 1-888-877-7267. A former broker in Bergen County admitted in federal court that he stole more than $3 million from five clients over a four-year period to cover gambling expenses and purchase high-end luxury items, officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office said Wednesday. Kenneth A. Welsh, 42, of River Edge pleaded guilty Wednesday to an indictment charging him with four counts of wire fraud and one count of investment advisor fraud, officials said. From July 2017 through March of 2021, prosecutors said Welsh misappropriated at least $3 million from five clients while working for a large brokerage firm. Instead of responsibly managing client funds, officials said Welsh diverted client money from their brokerage accounts to accounts he controlled. Welsh had clients sign blank forms under the guise that they would be used for routine account maintenance when in reality they were used to transfer over millions of dollars to accounts in the names of Welshs relatives, authorities said in the federal indictment. Welsh used the stolen money to gamble and purchase high-end luxury items for himself, authorities said. Officials did not state in the indictment what company Welsh worked for as a broker and did not detail what types of luxury items he purchased with the stolen money. Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2025, authorities said. An attorney for Welsh did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X Investigators believe a wildfire that firefighters fought to contain for about two days started under suspicious circumstances, according to authorities. The fire in Hainesport in Burlington County burned near Big Rusty, a 20-foot-high sculpture made of recycled trash. The fire began Monday and was deemed fully contained on Wednesday, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. It reached 40 acres. New Jersey State Police on Thursday asked for the publics assistance in its investigation into the fire. The agency did not say if the fire is being investigated as arson. The artwork, which depicts a troll, was seated yards from where the fire burned but was not affected. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the events prior to is asked to contact the State Polices Troop C Bordentown Stations Detective Bureau at 609-298-1171. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. A 36-year-old driver who ran a red light before a crash that killed a passenger in another vehicle in Ocean City in 2021 has been sentenced to three years in state prison. Ruddy Narvaez, of Galloway, was speeding when he went through the red light, the Cape May County Prosecutors Office said Thursday. Narvaezs westbound SUV struck the passenger side of a car turning left onto Bay Avenue from Ninth Street at about 6:20 p.m. on June 22, 2021. John D. Andrews, 66, of Ocean City died of his injuries at an area hospital. A 48-year-old Somers Point man driving the other vehicle was hospitalized that with injuries that were not life-threatening. Andrews was survived by his son, daughter, brother and many other relatives, according to an online obituary. This case underscores the serious consequences of reckless driving and our commitment to holding offenders accountable, prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said in a statement. We hope this sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior on our roadways. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. A former Monmouth County teacher accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl has filed a lawsuit against the student, her family and school officials after the educator said the baseless allegations destroyed her career. Jenna Sciabica, a former special education teacher, filed a countersuit last month in Superior Court of Monmouth County denying the unnamed familys allegations. The students family sued the teacher earlier this year after the girls mother spoke at a school board meeting and accused the teacher of sexually assaulting her daughter. Sciabica was later charged with harassment by offensive touching in municipal court after a month-long investigation by police. A municipal judge found Sciabica not guilty at a hearing in the case Thursday, according to her attorney, Mitchell J. Ansell. Sciabicas lawsuit alleges the family demanded the Marlboro School District pay them $5 million, or they would file a lawsuit. The school district rejected the demand, the lawsuit said. Sciabica also filed a defamation complaint against school staff and more than a dozen people who made claims about the case online, including in a YouTube video and via Facebook comments. Ms. Sciabica was a devoted educator and member of the community, and it is shameful how she has been treated by her friends, colleagues, and others who rushed to judgment without knowing all the facts, said Layne A. Feldman, Sciabicas attorney. As a result, her reputation is ruined, and she will likely never again work in her chosen career, said Feldman. She has received bomb threats at her home. This is utterly inexcusable. Marlboro school officials did not respond to a request for comment. The familys attorney, Nimi Ameri, also did not respond to a request for comment. Ms. Sciabica is a victim here, but so is the minor child at the center of this Complaint, whose parents have sacrificed her anonymity in service of their greed, Feldman said. Ms. Sciabica may never be able to regain her reputation, but we are hopeful that our efforts will bring her justice. Sciabica was charged in April with harassment by offensive touching, a petty disorderly persons offense. An attorney representing Sciabica at Thursdays hearing in the case said she was found not guilty. In April, school officials sent a letter to the community that said Sciabica was no longer in her position after she was accused of inappropriate physical contact with the student in a school hallway at Marlboro Memorial Middle School in March. The districts letter followed a dramatic statement at a school board meeting by the girls mother. My daughter was sexually abused in this school, the mother told the school board. Standing with her husband, the woman alleged school officials failed to protect her daughter from the teacher and mishandled the incident. She molested my daughter, the mother said of the teacher. The alleged sexual abuse was caught on surveillance video, and another teacher witnessed the assault in the school hallway, the woman said. The 14-year-old was also forced to go to Sciabicas classroom following the alleged incident, where she had a class, the girls mother said. In May, the family filed a lawsuit against Sciabica and school officials, alleging a video shows Sciabica fondling the students breast in the hallway in view of another teacher. The lawsuit also alleged Sciabica repeatedly made sexual comments in front of her students, who were between 10 and 14, including inappropriate remarks about other teachers at the school and her own sex life. Sciabica was a tutor and was familiar to the teenagers family, the complaint said. Sciabica privately tutored the girls two younger brothers. The girl was also a student in Sciabicas classroom at school. In her countersuit filed last month, Sciabica denied she inappropriately touched the girl and made sexual remarks to students. She viewed the girl as a daughter or niece, due to her friendship with the girls mother, her lawsuit said. There was absolutely and unequivocally nothing sexual about their relationship and it is wholly inaccurate and frankly, disgusting, to suggest otherwise, the lawsuit said. The incident in the school hallway was related to a conversation the previous week when the girl tried on her 8th-grade dance dress at home while Sciabica was at the house and the dress didnt properly fit her chest, the complaint alleged. In the school hallway the next week, Sciabica asked if the girl borrowed a shirt of hers and pulled at some fabric on the chest area of the shirt, feeling the shirt, the complaint said. She also tapped the girls chest twice for no longer than a second and asked, What did mom decide? about the dress, according to the lawsuit. The girl giggled and stomped her feet, and replied that her mother was taking the dress in, the lawsuit said. The video showing the incident demonstrates there was no groping, the lawsuit alleges. The teacher who witnessed the incident tutored the girl, but at roughly half the rate that Sciabica was paid to tutor the girls siblings, making her jealous of Sciabica, the lawsuit alleges. There had been no prior complaints about Sciabica during her 16-year teaching career, her lawsuit said. Sciabica was forced to resign, lost her tenure and may lose her pension, the complaint alleged. She is also in danger of losing her teaching license, it said. She has received credible death threats and numerous unwanted communications from actual pedophiles and creepy men, the lawsuit said. NJ Advance Media staff writers Tina Kelley and Eric Conklin contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com. U.S. News & World Report has released its ranking of New Jerseys best middle schools, weighing data from 59,128 schools around the country. The 2025 list ranked School No. 28 in Paterson as the best middle school in the state. Infinity Institute in Jersey City, a public school that requires students to apply for admission, was ranked second. Upper School, a public school in Englewood Cliffs, ranked third. (See the top 25 New Jersey middle schools below.) School No. 28, which serves 484 students in pre-K through 8th grade, also ranks as New Jerseys best elementary school on this years list from U.S. News. When schools cover such a wide grade span, U.S. News based its rankings on tests taken in third through fifth grades for the elementary school rankings and sixth through eighth grades for middle schools. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BRASILIA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Brazil decided on Wednesday to elevate their ties to the community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet. The decision was made during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Xi is paying a state visit to the country after he attended the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. China and Brazil are two major developing countries in their respective hemispheres, he said, noting that in the past 50 years, they enjoyed a relationship that transcends mountains and seas, and found a right way for major developing countries to get along with each other, one that is based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and amity. Brazil, Xi said, is the first country to establish a strategic partnership with China, and the first Latin American country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. In recent years, under the joint strategic guidance of two heads of state, the two countries are increasingly becoming reliable friends with a shared future and positive forces for peace, he said. The China-Brazil relationship is at its best in history, which has not only improved the well-being of the people of the two countries, but also defended the common interests of developing countries, enhanced the strength and voice of the Global South, and made outstanding contributions to world peace and stability, Xi added. Xi noted that China and Brazil have also decided to establish synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Brazil's development strategies. He hailed the decision to elevate ties and to align the two nations' development strategies as another historic moment in the development of bilateral ties, which demonstrates the global, strategic and long-term nature of China-Brazil relations, meets the expectations of both peoples, gives impetus and support to the modernization of the two countries, and demonstrates their resolve to jointly defend international fairness and justice and promote common development of the world. China, Xi said, is ready to work with Brazil to continually enrich China-Brazil relations in the new era, be "golden partners" who help each other succeed, and keep working toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind and creating a more just world and a more sustainable planet. Together, China and Brazil will make even greater contribution to the peace and progress of humanity, he added. For the future development of bilateral ties, Xi called on the two sides to firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests such as sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, be strategic partners of mutual trust and set a good example of solidarity, cooperation, mutual benefit and common development for countries in the Global South. Xi also urged the two countries to strengthen people-to-people exchanges in culture, education and youth to consolidate popular support for the China-Brazil community with a shared future. He said the two countries should deepen synergies of development strategies, urging them to seize the historic opportunity of synergizing the BRI with Brazil's development strategies, deepen cooperation in such key areas as economy and trade, infrastructure, finance, science and technology, and environmental protection, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as space, agricultural science and technology, and clean energy. China prioritizes poverty alleviation in national governance, supports Brazil's Fome Zero (Zero Hunger) program, and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Brazil on poverty reduction so that the two peoples can live a better life. Xi urged China and Brazil to demonstrate their distinctive strength in safeguarding world peace and justice. The two countries should practice genuine multilateralism, make fair remarks and take fair actions, so as to make global governance more just and equitable, he said. Noting that China highly values Brazil's international status and influence and supports Brazil in playing a greater role on the international stage, Xi said China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Brazil at the United Nations, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, support Brazil's presidency of BRICS next year, promote high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make BRICS voice louder on upholding multilateralism and improving global governance. Xi also called on the two countries to make distinctive contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind. As major developing countries, China and Brazil should take the lead in conducting consultations, promoting global solidarity, jointly addressing global challenges concerning the future of mankind, and strengthening cooperation in such fields as green transformation, sustainable development, climate change, artificial intelligence governance, he said. China is willing to support Brazil in hosting the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, he said. He recalled that 10 years ago he joined leaders of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) leaders in announcing the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum, which ushered China-LAC relations into a new era featuring equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and benefits for the people. Xi said China stands ready to work with Brazil to ensure the success of the China-CELAC Forum, better synergize the BRI with the development strengths and needs of the LAC region, and strive for more achievements in building a China-LAC community with a shared future. For his part, Lula said Brazil and China are good friends that respect and depend on each other, adding that China is Brazil's most important strategic partner, and the Chinese people are the most trustworthy friends of the Brazilian people. In the past 50 years, Brazil-China cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results, Lula noted, saying that Brazil looks forward to taking Xi's visit as a new starting point for more tangible results in bilateral relations. Brazil also expects to work with China to build a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, Lula added. Brazil is vigorously promoting development strategies such as New Growth Acceleration Program, new industrial policy and the Routes for South American Integration initiative, which are highly compatible with the China-proposed BRI, Lula said. Enhanced synergy of development strategies between Brazil and China will greatly contribute to Brazil's reindustrialization, promote the integration of South America, and set an example of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit among developing countries, he said. The working groups of the two sides should step up discussions and promote cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure, finance, industrial chains, science and technology, and ecological conservation, Lula said, adding that more Chinese enterprises are welcomed to invest and conduct cooperation in Brazil. Brazil expects to improve its level of connectivity and logistics with China, and promote the common development and prosperity for Brazil, Latin America and China, Lula said. Brazil, Lula said, opposes the "new Cold War," and advocates the building of a multi-polar world and a global partnership based on equality and mutual respect, adding that he appreciates China's strong support for Brazil's G20 presidency. He said Brazil will continue to deepen communication and cooperation with China within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, BRICS and G20, and enhance the voice and influence of the Global South in global governance. The Brazilian side is also ready to maintain close multilateral coordination with China and make positive contributions to the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis and other hotspot issues. Following their meeting, the two presidents jointly met the press. Xi noted that it is his second visit to this land full of love and hope after five years, saying that on the eve of his departure, he received many letters from Brazilian friends from all walks of life, which brimmed with Brazilian people's appreciation of the friendship between China and Brazil and their expectations for deepening the friendship between the two countries. Xi added that he was deeply moved. The Chinese leader said his talks with Lula were cordial, friendly and fruitful. Xi also said that the world today is not peaceful, and there are still many regions plagued by wars and turbulence. Mankind belongs to an indivisible security community, and only by pursuing a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security can a path to universal security be found, Xi said, noting that China and Brazil have jointly issued a "six-point consensus" on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and launched a "Friends of Peace" group with relevant countries of the Global South on the Ukraine crisis. He called for gathering more voices committed to peace to pave the way for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis. Xi also expressed concerns about the continued spread of the conflict in Gaza, and called for a ceasefire and an end to the war at an early date, the implementation of the two-state solution and unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question. Both China and Brazil share the tradition and sense of responsibility of upholding justice and morality, Xi said. China is ready to work with Brazil to enrich the China-Brazil community with a shared future, firmly defend genuine multilateralism, and jointly sound a strong message in the new era of development rather than poverty, cooperation rather than confrontation and justice rather than hegemony, so as to jointly build a better world, he added. Lula said although the two countries are far apart, they share similar values, extensive common interests and deep and solid friendship, and their cooperation bears strategic significance and global influence. China is Brazil's most important trade and investment partner, and Chinese enterprises in Brazil have strongly promoted Brazil's economic and social development, he noted. Brazil and China have highly consistent positions on major issues such as international development and security, he said, adding that the two countries will further strengthen communication and coordination within the United Nations, G20, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, jointly advocate the reform of the global governance system, build a more just, democratic, equitable and sustainable international system, and promote peaceful and diplomatic solutions to hotspot issues. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva jointly meet the press after their talks in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sign and issue a joint statement on jointly building the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela da Silva warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold a grand welcome ceremony for Xi, prior to the talks between Xi and Lula, in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. Xi on Wednesday held talks with Lula in Brasilia. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela da Silva warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold a grand welcome ceremony for Xi, prior to the talks between Xi and Lula, in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. Xi on Wednesday held talks with Lula in Brasilia. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela da Silva warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold a grand welcome ceremony for Xi, prior to the talks between Xi and Lula, in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. Xi on Wednesday held talks with Lula in Brasilia. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela da Silva warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold a grand welcome ceremony for Xi, prior to the talks between Xi and Lula, in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. Xi on Wednesday held talks with Lula in Brasilia. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Editor: WRX Newark Museum of Art Director and CEO Linda Harrison is stepping down after a six-year tenure that extended the 115-year-old painting and sculpture gallerys reputation as a culturally inclusive institution, deepened its roots in the surrounding community, and secured approval of a major physical expansion, the museum announced Thursday. Linda has been a transformative leader of this anchor cultural institution, Peter Englot, the museum boards chairman, said in a statement. She has leveraged the museums illustrious history of national leadership in collecting from artists representing diverse global cultures, setting new standards for how museums everywhere can tell a more truthful story of who we are. Harrison is leaving after accomplishing several goals, with plans to move back to the West Coast for what the announcement said were family reasons. A board committee is searching for a new director. Harrison will officially step down on May 31 and then serve as a consultant for three months to ease the transition to a new leader, Englot said. She was named CEO in 2018 to replace Steven Kern after spending five years leading the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco. It had been her distinct honor, she said, to lead such an important cultural resource for the city and beyond. The museum is an intergenerational institution that serves our global community, and I have felt that profoundly from my first day here, Harrison said in a statement. The role of museums continues to evolve in ever more relevant ways: from repositories of history to places where we gather to rediscover the past, understand the present, and imagine the future. With 300,000-plus works concentrated on African, Asian and American paintings and sculpture, including an extensive collection of Tibetan art, the Newark Museum is New Jerseys largest museum of fine arts. The collection also features objects of scientific and cultural significance, including a 1784 schoolhouse on its property and the adjacent John Ballantine House, the mansion of one of Newarks 19th-century beer barons, restored and re-interpreted under Harrisons watch. As CEO, Harrison presides over an annual budget of $18 million, with a staff of 86 full-time and 69 part-time employees, on a 4-acre campus on Washington Street opposite Harriet Tubman Plaza. This rendering depicts part of the Museum project planned under Newark Museum of Art CEO Linda Harrison, who will leave the post on May 31. The project includes 250 apartments plus new and reconfigured gallery space on the museum's Washington Street campus, with a groundbreaking anticipated before Harrison's departure. Newark Museum of Art/L+M Development Partners A major redevelopment on the campus cleared a final hurdle in June when the Newark City Council granted a 25-year tax abatement to L + M Development Partners for a $112 million mixed-use project that had been planned for years. The project includes two apartment towers with 200 market-rate apartments and 50 affordable units, a new 4,216-square-foot gallery for contemporary art, and the reconfiguration of existing gallery space. Officials expect to break ground before Harrison steps down. Last year, Harrison directed an addition to the museums exterior reflecting the multicultural nature of the works inside. Its a pair of complimentary marble busts one black, one white flanking the 1926 Washington Street entrance, created by contemporary sculptor Sanford Biggers depicting the Greek sun god Apollo wearing a mask with African motifs. One of her first notable changes was how the museum refers to itself, adding of Art to its name in 2019 to emphasize its focus on fine arts. The CEO of another one of Newarks leading arts institutions, John Schreiber of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, said Harrison had partnered with NJPAC to augment and enhance arts programming and education to Newark residents and made the museum more accessible to local artists. She has featured Newark and New Jersey artists in the galleries, in intentional and effective exhibitions, Schreiber said. This is a world-class museum, and under her leadership, the museums significance has been raised, but its meaning to our community has exponentially grown with her as the boss. He said Harrison was the person who suggested to Mayor Ras J. Baraka that he establish a Newark Arts District which he did and that she was a member of the Newark Anchor Collaborative, a group formed by former Rutgers-Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor to integrate Newarks large institutions into the life of the city. I will miss her and I think our entire community will miss her, Schreiber said. Its a loss. Among visible changes directed by outgoing Newark Museum of Art CEO Linda Harrison were the 2023 installation of a two-piece work by sculptor Sanford Biggers flanking the museum's Washington Street entrance, and addition of the words "of Art" to the museum's name in 2019. Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Nobody knows Jersey better than NJ.com Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com Domoto may seem like just another restaurant in the up-and-coming foodie town of Closter and mere minutes from one of my favorite diners in the state. But this new Japanese restaurant, which opened at the end of September, already had big shoes to fill. Its sister restaurant, DOMO DOMO, is acclaimed for its sushi and hand rolls, with locations in New York City and Jersey City. From 2017 to 2023, DOMO DOMO was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, honoring restaurants that provide exceptional meals at a good value. DOMO DOMO even reigned supreme on NJ.coms 2024 best sushi restaurants list, ranking No. 1 in New Jersey. Domoto in Closter, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni And while Domoto still offers sushi and hand rolls like its close-by relative, it focuses more on casual Japanese comfort food made from fresh quality ingredients, according to its website. (DOMO Hospitality, the group that owns both restaurants, also owns ONDO in Jersey City and Konban in New York City.) With such a strong legacy to build on, does Domoto live up to its predecessor? Can it hold its own against the renowned Japanese eateries and sushi spots already scattered throughout the area? Lets dig in. The good The Japanese comfort can be seen throughout Domotos menu, while still honoring DOMO DOMOs famed hand rolls and sushi with a select number of options. Ebi sando from Domoto in Closter, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni Ebi is a traditional Japanese shrimp preparation for sushi, where shrimp is steamed, butterflied and served atop sushi rice. The restaurants ebi sando ($16) reimagines it by finely chopping the shrimp into a paste-like texture and squeezing it between toasted brioche bread with a smear of brown garlic spread. The shrimp tasted fresh, with the brown garlic adding even more depth and aromatic notes enclosed between the two crispy, buttery slices of brioche. I also loved the size of the sandwiches, making it optimal for sharing. Pork loin katsu from Domoto in Closter, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni Katsu is a popular dish in Japan, where a chicken or pork cutlet is breaded in panko breadcrumbs and fried. The pork loin katsu ($21) was served with a small cabbage salad sided with black sesame dressing, katsu sauce and truffle salt. The moist and tender center of the cutlet, with its crunchy, fried breading, tasted heavenly especially when dipped in the truffle salt and katsu sauce, adding a more tangy and earthy taste. Omurice from Domoto in Closter, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni Out of the three rice dishes offered, I ordered the omurice ($18) a Japanese dish with fried rice covered with a thin omelet. Its commonly drizzled with ketchup, but Domoto pours a demi-glace with mushrooms around the bowl. I grew up with eggs and rice as a comfort food, but this elevated it in a more hearty, yet extremely tasty way. Bites of fragrant fried rice with the creamy egg and the sauces saltiness had me hooked. Hand roll set from Domoto in Closter, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni Domotos counterpart is known for its unforgettable sushi and hand rolls. I thought it was only right to get them here too. It offers a hand roll set ($24) with four kinds of rolls spicy tuna, salmon with shiso, yellow tail and shrimp tempura. Each hand roll had a bold flavor of its own. The shrimp tempura was crunchy and tangy with the vibrant and silky salmon. I thought it was interesting that they had plastic wrap around the nori sheet, which were a little hard to navigate and pull but anything to get to that hand roll was worth it. Sweet potato creme brulee from Domoto in Closter, NJLauren Musni At Domoto, there were two dessert options: kakigoori (shaved ice) and sweet potato creme brulee ($11). I opted for the latter, which was served in a roasted Japanese sweet potato. Unlike the familiar orange variety, the Japanese sweet potato has pale yellow flesh and a milder, subtly sweet flavor with a touch of nuttiness. While it wasnt what I anticipated, the combination of the creamy custard and the light, fluffy texture of the sweet potato was absolutely delightful. It turned out to be my favorite dish of the night. The bad Corn rib appetizer at Domoto in Closter, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni I love corn, but I prefer it off the cob. The corn rib appetizer ($8) wasnt bad, and it looked like it was off the cob, but it turned out the kernels were still intact. It was a little annoying biting the corn off it. The appetizer was also dusted with yukari (Japanese seasoning) and a cheese powder. It was seasoned well, but the cheese tasted like the packet from a Kraft Mac & Cheese box. Pepper cheese katsu balls at Domoto in Closter, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media)Lauren Musni The pepper cheese ball katsu ($18 for 3 pieces) were stuffed with minced pork, serrano pepper and mozzarella cheese. They had an epic cheese pull when cut in the center, but the minced pork was mushy and tasteless. I tasted just the heat from the serrano pepper and the cheese. The vibe The atmosphere at Domoto felt very classy, as if I was in a restaurant in the city, with its beige walls and wood paneling. There wasnt too much decor besides a few plants, giving a minimalistic vibe to the space. Dining space at Domoto in Closter, NJ (photo provided by Domoto)Domoto Theres tons of seating, and it wasnt noisy at all, even for a somewhat busy Tuesday night. This is a great place for a quiet date night or a get-together with friends and family. The bottom line For anyone who is a big fan of DOMO DOMO or loves Japanese food, Domoto is the destination. There are loads of options to choose from in Japanese cuisine beyond sushi, and Domoto delivers the best comfort dishes. There are a few other Japanese spots in Closter, but they focus on sushi or ramen. So choosing to open up here was smart. The restaurant adds variety with high-quality dishes you cant find anywhere else in the area. Theres still more to come in the state for DOMO Hospitality as theyre planning to open BrBQ, an Asian-inspired grill and bar, in Jersey City. I look forward to returning to Domoto, and I wouldnt be surprised if the Michelin Guide found itself here too. Related coverage Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Lauren Musni may be reached at lmusni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Laurengmusni and on Instagram. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A former urologist from New Jersey was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after being convicted of sexually abusing patients for over a decade, officials from the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York said. Darius A. Paduch, 57, of North Bergen was convicted on May 8 of six counts of inducing a person to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five counts of inducing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity after a two-week trial. Paduch was a doctor at two prominent New York medical institutions, officials said. Authorities did not say which institutions Paduch worked for Wednesday. An attorney representing over 200 alleged victims in civil lawsuits related to the case told the New York Times that Paduch previously worked for New York-Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Medical Center and Northwell Health. The attorney also told the New York Times that Paduch specialized in a genetic abnormality called Klinefelter syndrome. Darius Paduch was a sexual predator who preyed on patients seeking treatment for sensitive medical issues, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said. He used his position as a renowned urologist at prestigious hospitals to sexually assault vulnerable patients, including children, to gratify his own sexual desires. Prosecutors said Paduch victimized patients inside and outside exam rooms for over a decade. From at least 2007 until 2019, Paduch convinced multiple victims to travel to his medical offices at a Manhattan hospital and New Jersey so that he could sexually abuse them under the pretense of medical care, prosecutors said. Authorities said that in 2019 Paduch started working at a different hospital in Long Island where continued abusing patients. Paduch was accused by prosecutors of groping and touching victims, among many other things, that came to see him for complications associated with infertility, according to authorities. At least one victim was invited to Paduchs boat where he provided sedatives before sexually abusing the patient and exposing his genitals, authorities said in a statement announcing the sentence Wednesday. Paduch used his position at prominent medical institutions in New York to make or attempt to make the victims believe that the sexual abuse he inflicted on them was medically necessary and appropriate, when, in fact, it was not, authorities said in the press release. Paduch was also accused of inviting at least two minors to serve as high school interns, authorities said. Eleven victims testified about being sexually abused during the trial and dozens more filed impact statements with the court during sentencing, officials said. Dr. Paduch maintains his innocence and we are confident that someday he will be vindicated, Paduchs attorney Michael Baldassare said Wednesday. Baldassare said he planned to file an appeal as soon as possible. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X 7 1 / 7 Authorities seize dogs, lizards from Jersey City home described as an illegal breeding facility Authorities seized at least a dozen animals, including a large Colombian boa constrictor and a Savannah monitor lizard, during a raid of a Jersey City home Wednesday that officials described as an illegal breeding facility. Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said approximately seven dogs and five reptiles were removed from 146 Clendenny Ave. after a warrant was executed by an interdepartmental team led by Jersey City Prosecutor Jake Hudnut. The Department of Health and Human Services Division of Animal Care and Control, Zoning, and Jersey City police participated, Wallace-Scalcione said. In 2018, the state moved animal welfare and abuse investigations under local law enforcement, and since then Jersey City has led statewide in this space, said Hudnut, who confirmed the home was being used as an illegal dog breeding facility. The cooperation between the health and police departments at the scene was remarkable, ensuring these animals are now safe, secure, and receiving the care they deserve. Seven mixed-breed pit bulls, two large bearded dragons and a large tortoise were also recovered from the home for welfare and potential abuse concerns, Wallace-Scalcione said. Colombian boa constrictors grow to six to nine feet, are non-venomous and generally docile. The Savannah monitor can grow up to four feet, has sharp teeth and can use its tail to strike. Two men, ages 34 and 39, received summonses for animal cruelty, specifically maintaining unsanitary living conditions for multiple canines and reptiles, as well as several state and local ordinance violations. The animals are currently being examined and triaged at the citys animal shelter. To adopt animals like the ones rescued from this illegal breeder go to JCNJ.org/adopt Trenton police officers routinely use excessive force and engaged in a pattern of searches and arrests without reasonable suspicion or probable cause, according to a scathing federal report released Thursday. The findings of a year-long civil rights investigation of the Trenton Police Department gave a grim view of law enforcement in the states capital city. City police routinely made illegal arrests, escalated encounters, used unnecessary force, conducted illegal pedestrian stops and searches, and unlawfully prolong traffic stops, federal authorities said in the 42-page report. Trenton has paid more than $7 million since 2021 to resolve lawsuits stemming from accusations of officer misconduct. The report lists 26 wide-ranging recommendations to remedy the forces interactions with the public, along with training, supervision and accountability to follow up the police work. However, no formal sanctions have been issued to the department. Police Director Steve Wilson said the department will improve and continue to work with federal authorities. We cooperated fully and well continue to do whatever we can do to make this place better, Wilson told NJ Advance Media Thursday. Weve already made changes in the past two years since Ive been here. The Trenton police union said it was still reading the report and would likely issue a statement, a union officer said. The federal report details widespread police issues, saying the problems start at the top. (The investigation) identified deficiencies in training, supervision, policy and accountability that contribute to TPD and the citys unlawful conduct, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a statement. For too long, the residents of Trenton have felt afraid of the police, rather than protected by them. The use of excessive force and unconstitutional stops, searches and arrests, sometimes with tragic consequences, have eroded public trust and undermined public safety. A Trenton police officer pepper sprayed a man in the face five times because the man "made provocative remarks and hand gestures," federal officials said.Trenton police The report detailed numerous examples of police misconduct. Joseph Ahr Sr., an ailing 64-year-old man, died in a hospital 18 days after he was pepper-sprayed by police multiple times in July 2020. Police tossed him across his front porch and against the railing, and sprayed Ahr Sr. when he wouldnt let police enter the residence without a search warrant, the report said. In another instance, an officer grabbed a 16-year-old boy by the throat and slammed him into the hood of a car, mistakenly thinking the teen was armed, the report said. Another time, police tackled a teenage boy riding his bicycle on a sidewalk because there was no reflector on the bike, according to the report. His mother told federal investigators her son transferred schools because he was afraid of the officers that patrolled the neighborhood and he has been experiencing thoughts of self harm. Women were also victimized, the reports said. One was repeatedly struck in the head with police radio for refusing to leave a soup kitchen. The officer stopped only when staff and other clients pulled the officer and the woman apart, the report said. U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke called those types of incidents egregious, unacceptable and unlawful and said police sow public mistrust with that misconduct. The citys mayor said said the police must work to earn the respect of the community. All residents of the city of Trenton, and the thousands of people who come here to work and visit on a daily basis, want and deserve a police department which keeps them safe while upholding the rights afforded by the U.S. Constitution, Mayor Reed Gusciora said in a statement. Trust within the community is absolutely critical to the mission of the TPD, and the members of the TPD must work at building and rebuilding that trust every day. The investigation, called pattern-or-practice probe, started in October 2023 after a September meeting organized by Trentons Salvation and Social Justice chapter at a North Trenton church, Greater Mount Zion AME. The Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer, the churchs pastor and director of Salvation and Social Justice, said Thursday the incidents highlighted in the report were pretty disgusting. And it justifies everything the community told us at that meeting, Boyer said. It really speaks to massive changes that need to happen. But, he said the report woefully lacks any teeth in real accountability, and he said the next move is to work with the mayor, city council and state authorities to make sure that work is done with accountability measures. Robin Lord, a Trenton-based defense attorney and longtime critic of the police force, read the first part of the press statement that described Trenton police regularly using excessive force and reacted with a howl and said: Thank you captain obvious. The report lists example after example of Trenton police conduct on the streets and in internal affairs investigations as well. Many were stops or arrests by the Violent Crimes Unit and the Street Crimes Unit, both which were disbanded after the investigation commenced. They include: - A May 2022 incident in which officers arrested a Black woman whod been sitting behind the wheel of her car talking to a friend standing on the street. When street crimes officers approached, the man ran away. They arrested the woman, who protested and said: What is going on? Why are you arresting me? The officer pulled her by the handcuffs and said, Get the f--- out of the car or youre going to get pepper sprayed The police found no drugs after searching the woman and her car. In the back of the police car, the woman again asked why she was arrested. I dont know, the officer replied. - Four Violent Crimes Unit officers stopped and searched a woman merely walking down a public sidewalk. They violated New Jersey attorney generals guidelines and department policy when none documented the encounter in a report, nor activated their body-worn cameras. Nearby surveillance video showed the woman, who is white, walking home from a corner store. The four officers had driven next to the woman, jumped out and searched her pockets and asked her why she was in the area. Prosecutors later interviewed her and she said one of the officers asked, Did you go purchase drugs? The woman replied that she lived in the neighborhood and went to the store to get cigarettes. When she asked why the officers stopped her, one of them replied, according to the woman, White girl in a bad neighborhood. The officers then released her, the report says. - Another describes officers following a young Black man after seeing him outside the back of a store in black clothing at 10 a.m. The officers followed the man, grabbed him, and placed him under arrest. After the arrest, one of the officers said to the other, I dont know what he had. The officer added, Maybe he didnt have anything. I dont know what he was doing, the report describes. Without any objectively reasonable basis to suspect the young man committed a crime, the officers should not even have stopped him, much less arrested him. Officers also arrested five more Black men for filming the young mans arrest from across the street, even though the men did not interfere with officers during the arrest. Police officers frequently and unnecessarily escalate verbal encounters, spice it up with crude language and employ aggressive tactics and then refusal to answer peoples legitimate questions, the report says. - Put your f--ing hands behind your back, one said in another arrest. Im gonna f---ing spray you, bitch. Seconds later, the officer pepper-sprayed the man in the face before arresting him. There was no reasonable indication of a crime or threat, the report says. Among the interviews federal investigators completed while in Trenton, they talked to a Black woman who was stopped by police, who said: I just feel like nobodys overseeing them or really monitoring their stops or their body cam or making them take accountability for their actions, just as much as they expect us to take accountability for our actions. From March 2, 2020, to Dec.31, 2023, Trenton officers reported using force in 815 incidents, including physical force 744 times, pepper spray 120 times, and a firearm once, the report says. The report is also highly critical of internal affairs investigations, saying they are given little to no follow through, and they discourage and disrespect those who make complaints. They also incorrectly use mail to contact people not phones. When they are finalized, they often misclassify complaints by overusing the other rule violation category in closing cases, the report found. One example described an internal affairs detective closing a case even though hed obtained surveillance video supporting a Black mans claim that officers used excessive force and searched his car illegally. The investigator shut it down due to lack of cooperation from the complainant. The man told federal investigators us that he moved after filing the complaint, but was reachable by phone. I did my part and did what I needed to do, and nothing was done, he said. It put a bitter taste in my mouth about law enforcement. Federal investigators asked why internal affairs use mail to contact complainants. the supervisor claimed that this was required by the New Jersey attorney generals guidelines. This is incorrect. The guidelines require IA investigators to interview complainants, but do not dictate a method for contacting them, and certainly do not limit investigators to sending letters. From 2018 through 2023, internal affairs investigators did not sustain a single allegation that TPD officers used excessive force or made an illegal stop or arrest, the report says. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. The Long Branch City Council has appointed Glen Rassas, a lifelong resident of the city, to fill the seat left vacant by the late Mary Jane Celli. Celli, who died last month at the age of 90, served on the city council for three decades, according to city officials. Rassas, who was sworn in on Nov. 6, will serve out the remaining 18 months of Cellis term. A third-generation Long Branch resident, Rassas graduated from Long Branch High School in 1980 and earned his degree in pharmacy from Rutgers University in 1985. A registered pharmacist for 39 years, he currently works at local pharmacies. Rassas has deep roots in the community and is an active member of Congregation Brothers of Israel. He is also well-known for his long involvement with the Ray Licata Memorial Long Branch Ocean Swim, a fundraising event he organized from 2005 to 2019. The event, co-sponsored by the Long Branch Department of Recreation, raised over $100,000 to support swimmer safety at Long Branch beaches. City Council President Mario Vieira expressed confidence in Rassas appointment. Glen will be a tremendous asset to our council, and were proud to have a lifelong resident bring his dedication and experience to the table, Vieira said. Rassas, for his part, shared his enthusiasm about his new role. Im excited to get started and to work with the mayor and council to continue serving the Long Branch community, he said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson UPDATE: In a 2:52 a.m. message, the university lifted the shelter-in-place. "Police activity has concluded. ALL CLEAR!!" the message, posted on X, read. The school did not immediately detail any additional information about the incident. -- A shelter in place was in effect at Fairleigh Dickinsons Florham Campus in Madison late Wednesday night as police were searching for a person possibly armed with a gun. Stay inside the building away from windows and doors, an alert posted on the universitys social media sites stated. If outside, find shelter immediately. Those on campus were told to remain in place until an all-clear message was sent via the FDU Alert System. Police were in the area of the university looking for a person who may be in possession of a gun, an 11:30 p.m. alert from the school stated. No other information was released by the university. The Florham and Metropolitan campuses will both operate remotely Thursday, school officials said shortly after midnight. Essential personnel were expected to remain on campus, and all Florham on-campus activities were cancelled. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. 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. A travel nurse from Florida was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly stole fentanyl from a New Jersey hospital, federal prosecutors said. From Jan. 22 through Feb. 14, while David L. Shaeffer, 35, of St. Petersburg, was employed as a nurse in the Interventional Radiology Unit of the unidentified hospital and stole vials of fentanyl at least 143 times, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Jersey. Shaeffer took the vials from the hospitals automated medication dispensing cabinets by using an override in the system to bypass a usually-required doctors order, the office said. He would then prescribe the fentanyl himself to a specified patient even though he was not authorized to do so, investigators said. There were also times when he would simply dispose of the fentanyl. On Feb. 14, the hospital fired him after an internal investigation revealed that he stole hundreds of 100mcg/2mL vials of liquid fentanyl, according to criminal complaint. Detectives also discovered that he fraudulently obtained fentanyl in a similar way while employed as a nurse in hospitals in Florida and Pennsylvania, the office said. Shaeffer was charged with unlawfully acquiring or obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception and subterfuge, the release stated. He appeared in Tampa federal court, and was released on $50,000 bond. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Last January, Gov. Murphy signed the Seabrooks-Washington Crisis Response Act, a law designed to strengthen the states network of crisis intervention services -- one that would provide pilot funding for community-based response organizations in six counties, and establish an Advisory Council that would coordinate them. These local groups would augment the enormously successful ARRIVE Together program, which pairs a mental health professional with a plainclothes cop to handle mental crisis emergencies. The state is rightly proud of ARRIVEs three-year record of 5,000 successful interventions, but this law acknowledges that it cannot cover the entire state or triage all the mental health crisis calls that pour into 911, the 988 suicide hotline, and hospital hotlines every day. So Seabrooks-Washington must be applauded and nurtured, but for two exigent problems. First, the rollout of the $12 million seeding for these community-based non-profits -- such as the Paterson Healing Collective and the Trenton Restorative Street Team, just two grassroots crisis response teams that predate ARRIVE has been inexcusably slow. Second, that 13-member Advisory Council has yet to be announced, much less seated. In other words, more foot-dragging from Trenton has held up a critical public health initiative that was supposed to have an organizing Council back in March, and full funding in July. And the Governors office could not explain the delay when we asked them about it. Attorney General Matt Platkin, whose commitment to expanding ARRIVE has been laudable, will chair that council. He said through a spokesman that it is still being assembled, but that once a quorum has been established, we will hold a meeting, and that ideally, it will occur before years end. There is no time to waste, because delays could be an invitation to the kind of tragedy that ended the lives of Najee Seabrooks and Drew Washington, who last year had their doors kicked in during manic episodes and were shot dead by cops from Paterson and Jersey City, respectively. That was followed by the recent death of Victoria Lee, a young woman with bipolar disorder who took a lethal bullet from a Fort Lee cop just two minutes after he arrived on the scene, with no effort to call for mental health intervention. Fort Lees disgrace demands a policing reboot. Insist on it | Editorial https://t.co/mSGDwZ3EQz njdotcom (@njdotcom) August 20, 2024 New Jersey must be committed to its promise that her death is the last of its kind that every mental health call must be a community-based, trauma-informed response that treats people with compassion, not escalation and gunfire. If youre going to have the photo-op for this community-response program and tout the work being done without making programs sustainable, it seems very hollow without funding, said Robyn Gorman of the New Jersey Violence Intervention and Prevention Coalition, who hosted a forum Tuesday that warned of delays in enacting Seabrooks-Washington. If they are truly part of public safety framework, you have to respect the work they do, provide the training they need, and give them the technical assistance that has not been offered to these programs. The Advisory Council must coordinate these groups, offer tech help, and establish best practices. But funding -- which comes from three different state agencies must be expedited, because delays are not only problematic, they are paralyzing. Racquel Romans-Henry of Salvation and Social Justice, which operates the Trenton Restorative Street Team -- a non-profit with a stellar record of stabilizing communities with high rates of violence says lags in funding are not a matter of a week, but eight or more months. Platkin says the funding will be sent out once organizations have presented a fully developed plan that meets the program guidelines, and a corresponding finalized budget to the State for approval. Those grantees, he added, are at various stages of getting this done. The death of a mentally-ill person is often depicted as the act of a cop who made a horrendous mistake, but its actually a system-wide failure. Forming a network of community-based, medically-informed, culturally-responsive mental health organizations is a public service in which failure is not an option. ARRIVE is indispensable, but it can always use help. Let the locals provide it and help carve the path forward. To comment on this Star-Ledger editorial, send a letter to eletters@starledger.com. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Tourists visit the Senado Square in south China's Macao, Nov. 18, 2024. The Historic Center of Macao, with its historic street and various historical buildings, has been accepted on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) This photo taken on Nov. 18, 2024 shows the Dom Pedro V Theatre in south China's Macao. The Historic Center of Macao, with its historic street and various historical buildings, has been accepted on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) Tourists visit the Monte Fort in south China's Macao, Nov. 18, 2024. The Historic Center of Macao, with its historic street and various historical buildings, has been accepted on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) Tourists visit the Ruins of St. Paul's in south China's Macao, Nov. 18, 2024. The Historic Center of Macao, with its historic street and various historical buildings, has been accepted on the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang) Editor: JYZ Steve Niforatos recent letter, Bombs were dropped for a reason, was spot on in its criticism of a ridiculous Chicago Tribune opinion article that asks Americans to take a new look at our use of atomic bombs in Japan in World War II. Niforatos, however, left out one other item: Operation Downfall. While virtually unknown to most Americans, Operation Downfall was the name of a plan to invade the Japanese home islands with our troops, beginning in 1945 and possibly extending years. Even at the end of the war, Japan had a home army of around 2 million soldiers. Everybody, including the Japanese, knew exactly where the first invasion would be, and Japan prepared a devastating welcome committee including hundreds of two-man suicide mini-submarines. Gen. Douglas MacArthurs first estimate of casualties, had Operation Downfall gone forward, was almost 300,000 U.S. troops killed and another 600,000 wounded. Many historians think the actual numbers would have been in the millions. These estimates, of course, did not include Japanese casualties in a country where everyone was inculcated to die in the war, if need be. One Japanese politician said there were 40 million souls for the Emperor. Operation Downfall was canceled because of the Japanese surrender following our use of nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While the results of dropping these bombs were, of course, regrettable, do the authors of the Chicago Tribune piece really think the perhaps 200,000 Japanese who died outweigh an almost-certain 1 million or more U.S. casualties? Its time to forestall this World War II version of the 1619 Project before it even gets started. Kenneth Newman, Sarasota, Fla. The writer is a former Pompton Plains resident. Launching for dollars I am conflicted by Elon Musk. As a creator of unique electric cars and batteries, his contributions to Americas and the worlds efforts to transition off of fossil fuels has been amazing. You see Tesla cars everywhere now. But, now, President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Musk and his uber-wealthy tech-bro Vivek Ramaswamy to lead an advisory Department of Government Efficiency. Barring questions about the oxymoronic need for two individuals to lead an efficiency organization, I think Musk and Ramaswamy will need to take a significantly close look at why U.S. taxpayers are funding Musks massive Starship rocket with NASA contracts, through his SpaceX company. It seems like a fundamental question an efficiency group should be asking: What are we getting when we pay to stroke Musks ego in building a giant rocket thats going to take humans to Mars? As Elton John sang in Rocket Man so many years ago, Mars aint the kind of place to raise your kids/In fact its cold as hell. James V. Gruber, Washington Trump didnt win a mandate Ken Franks recent letter, Dems recent woke history haunts them, asserted that the Democratic Party is too tied to political correctness, stating that the party built a house on sand that was blown off its moorings by a wave of (contrary) voters. Poppycock! Yes, Donald Trump won the presidency, and Republicans have control of the House and Senate. However, at this writing, Trump won 49.9% of the popular vote to Kamala Harris 48.3%. Thats hardly a thrashing. Trump didnt win a mandate or in a landslide. Barack Obama won the popular vote by 7% and 4%, respectively, for his two terms, and had more Electoral College votes both times than Trump received this year. Hardly anyone called it a mandate. After Obamas first 2008 victory, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to make Obama a one-term president and oppose his initiatives. At that time, Republicans didnt consider Obamas victory large enough to surrender, and I dont expect Democrats to bow down this time. As a Democrat, Im aware that the far left has, at times, gone off the rails. I supported Harris campaign and worked hard for her, but I acknowledge that her statement about supporting taxpayer-paid transgender surgery for prisoners was damaging. Its repeated use in Trump commercials was effective. But, compared to some wackadoodle Trump statements, Harris transgender statement was tame. Its not a policy that she couldve implemented in a widespread way, since most prisoners are state, not federal, inmates. The far left sometimes goes overboard, but we should protect all people, treat everyone fairly and ensure that our fellow Americans are not discriminated against. Jennifer L. Keyes-Maloney, Ewing Raise a glass to not wanting one Concerning Reservoir that supplies drinking water to 1.2M people drops below half empty: In view of the fact that New Jersey is in a severe drought, and that even our drinking water could eventually be at risk, why do so many restaurants continue to serve water to customers who have not requested it? At several excellent area restaurants that my wife and I frequent, glasses of water are brought to the table even before we have a chance to say we dont need or want them. In addition to the obvious fact that this wastes drinking water, even when we are not in a drought, the glasses take up additional space on tables; can easily be spilled, especially if children are present; make more work for servers; and use even more water when they add to glassware wash loads. Right now would be a great opportunity for restaurants to do their customers, our state and themselves a favor by simply asking first whether their guests would like water. Phil Kirsch, Milburn Hegseth hardly emulates a Christ-like life Columnist Paul Mulshine (Cheap shots on religious symbols are Pete Hegseths cross to bear) thinks criticism of the defense secretary nominees Christian themed tattoos is a cheap shot because, after all, Hegseth is just demonstrating strong support of his faith by marking up his body with mottos and symbols from his Christian upbringing. Except, this guy must have been asleep or absent when Christian morals were taught. Why else would he have been divorced twice, before marrying his third wife, with at least one breakup resulting from an affair? He was also accused of sexual assault by another woman. While he denies the allegation, he paid an undisclosed financial settlement to the accuser. Like President-elect Donald Trump, who nominated Hegseth, he doesnt seem to be a real sterling example of someone who emulated a Christ-like life. As for the motto, Deus Vult, (God wills it), which is one tattoo Hegseth has, Mulshine quoted a priest who traces the slogan to the Crusades and pronounced them to be a good thing. How about if you go back to the 1200s and tell that to Muslims who were attacked in their homelands by Christian military expeditions. As for Trumps pick of a Fox News anchor to lead the Defense Department, heres another Latin phrase: Non compos mentis. Look it up. Rochelle Clerkin, Hamilton Sherrills not for us U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11th Dist., is running for New Jersey governor next year. At her recent video announcement, she said its time to make life more affordable for hard-working citizens of this state. Where has she been since she was elected to Congress six years ago (and re-elected earlier this month)? She has done noting but vote the Democrats party line, while New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation. Sherrill is just another party hack in lockstep with the other Democrats from New Jersey in Washington. If youre considering voting for her as governor, you havent learned your lesson from eight years of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. Only a Republican will work for the working-class citizens of New Jersey. Walter Goldeski, East Brunswick Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. In the year 2024, in the midst of record droughts, historic hurricanes, and rampant wildfires, there are still people -- and sometimes entire political parties -- that refuse to acknowledge the threat of global climate change. In Donald Trumps GOP, the range of views on the climate crisis can range from recognizing something is going on but its not our fault, to outright denial and the implication that all these climate anomalies we are witnessing with our own eyes are part of some sinister hoax. Much like our current climate, its about to get worse. Trump is coming into his second term armed with a detailed anti-environmental agenda courtesy of The Heritage Foundation and their magnum opus, Project 2025. In a 900-page document, about 150 of those pages are devoted to rolling back what environmental progress weve made over the past decades, and creating a warm, loving atmosphere in which oil and gas giants will be encouraged to drill, baby, drill. Theres plenty to criticize the Biden administration about, but when it comes to environmental legislation, they have managed to advance the cause further than any president since climate became an existential threat. With Trump in control of the House and Senate, you can kiss those advances goodbye. What can be repealed, will be. What cant be repealed will be undermined by putting people like Lee Zeldin in charge of the EPA. The former congressman and New York State gubernatorial candidate has promised to deregulate the regulatory agency and start paying more attention to the poor, neglected fossil fuel interests who have suffered so long under a repressive regime, intent on limiting their record profits and sacred mission to create shareholder value. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. President-elect Donald Trumps pick for secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has joined the club of people within Trumps current inner circle who once compared him to Adolf Hitler. CNNs Andy Kaczynski reported on audio from Kennedys radio show Ring of Fire in 2016, where he blasted the then-president as a bully and a threat to democracy. From the report: Kennedy applauded descriptions of Trumps base as belligerent idiots and suggestions that some were outright Nazis and spineless fellow travelers. Kennedy also likened Trump to historical demagogues like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, accusing Trump of exploiting societal insecurities and xenophobia to amass power. After Trump won in 2016, Kennedy concluded in one episode from December of that year that Trump was at least in one way not like Hitler, because, Hitler was interested in policy. NEW on RFK Jr.: In audio we uncovered from his radio show he read and praised a description of Trump and his supporters as "belligerent idiots," "outright Nazis," and "cowards" and "bootlickers." He also compared Trump to Adolf Hitler.https://t.co/b4hXNCVKMi pic.twitter.com/EjbZS1FP4X Andy Kaczynski (@KFILE) November 21, 2024 Kaczynski went on to detail Kennedys other criticisms of Trump. Kennedy suspended his independent campaign for the White House in August and endorsed Trump. Kennedy said his internal polls had shown that his presence in the race would hurt Trump and help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Trumps incoming vice president, JD Vance, made similar comments about the 45th president. In a 2016 interview with Charlie Rose while promoting his book Hillbilly Elegy, Vance called himself a Never Trump guy and said of the soon-to-be-president, I never liked him. He told NPR that year, I cant stomach Trump. I think that hes noxious and is leading the white working class to a very dark place. He wrote an op-ed for The New York Times titled: Mr. Trump Is Unfit For Our Nations Highest Office. Vance said he didnt vote for Trump in 2016 and his former roommate shared images of a text message Vance sent him that year in which he called Trump cynical and said he could be Americas Hitler. But by the time Vance launched his campaign for the Senate in 2021, his views were closely aligned with Trumps. He met with the former president and quickly won his endorsement, gaining a crucial boost in the Republican primary. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. Its probably time for MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski to turn their attention to Mike Lindell now that the couple hit a reset of sorts with President-elect Donald Trump. The MyPillow chief executive, whos been a prominent promoter of false claims that voting machines were manipulated to steal the 2020 election, expressed some vindication after the hosts told their viewers they met with Trump and then watched their ratings plummet. Lindell spoke on Real Americas Voice with host John Fredericks Thursday: Fredericks: What do you think about the media shakeout? You look at MSNBC and CNN, their ratings have tanked since Trump won. In fact, they were so bad that Im assuming the suits in the C Suite sent Joe and Mika down to kiss Trumps ring at MAL. For 6 months they called him Hitler and everything else in the book, fascist. How do you think this ends up with them? Lindell: Youre exactly right. The two people you mentioned - Joe and Mika - they attacked me more than any other two journalists in history. It was relentless. The names they called me - they attacked MyPillow directly. I could have went after them with a defamation suit. But I just said the heck with them. The MSNBC anchor team had been so critical of Trump that, in September, Scarborough said that its not a reach to compare him to Hitler. MSNBC pulled Morning Joe from the air the Monday after the assassination attempt on Trump this past summer. On Mondays show, the hosts said they had reached out to Trump last Thursday and met with him the next day. It was the first time we have seen him in seven years, Brzezinski said. She said Trump was cheerful, upbeat, even as the three of them discussed issues they disagreed on. There was a double-digit drop in total viewers the day after the hosts talked about their meeting with Trump. Lindell, meanwhile, owes $5 million to a software engineer for breach of contract in a dispute over data that Lindell claims proves that China interfered in the U.S. 2020 elections and tipped the outcome to Joe Biden. Lindell is also the subject of a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems in the District of Columbia that says he falsely accused the company of rigging the 2020 presidential election. Hes also the target of a separate defamation lawsuit in Minnesota by a different voting machine company, Smartmatic. Lindell has conceded that he and MyPillow are struggling financially. Fox News, which had been one of his biggest advertising platforms, stopped running MyPillow commercials in January in a payment dispute. Two law firms that had been defending him against lawsuits by Dominion and Smartmatic quit last fall. He acknowledged that he owed them millions of dollars. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco. The incoming Trump administration is sending a message to any GOP member thinking about defying the president-elect. In the weeks since defeating Vice President Kamala Harris for the White House, President-elect Donald Trump has announced a flurry of nominations for his cabinet and administration. His controversial picks have been met with widespread criticism, including from some skeptical GOP lawmakers. Among his choices was former Rep. Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, who announced on Thursday that he would be withdrawing his name from consideration. He was heavily scrutinized in recent days over a House Ethics Committee report looking into accusations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Gaetz resigned from the House last week, reportedly just days before the report may have been released. But before Gaetz withdrew from the consideration, Trump reportedly warned Republican senators not to oppose him or other nominees, a Trump adviser told ABCs Jonathan Karl. "If you are on the wrong side of the vote, youre buying yourself a primary. That is all. And theres a guy named Elon Musk who is going to finance it," the adviser told Karl. The president gets to decide his cabinet, no one else. Trump advisor tells @jonkarl the message to Senate Republicans who try to oppose confirming Matt Gaetz: "If you are on the wrong side of the vote, youre buying yourself a primary. That is all. And theres a guy named Elon Musk who is going to finance it" @ABC pic.twitter.com/fJpU62jHB9 Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) November 21, 2024 Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary are also names that could face an uphill battle in the Senate. Similar to Gaetz, these two nominees have been scrutinized for their lack of experience needed for those respective roles. Many senators have expressed their intent to have a full confirmation process for Trumps picks, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) who said he opposed recess appointments for Cabinet-level positions. It is the Senates responsibility to vet and confirm Cabinet-level positions, but Trump has made it clear that he wants to bulldoze through typical Senate procedure. He has demanded that the Senate allow him to make recess appointmentsa move that would bypass the standard confirmation process. Even though some GOP senators have expressed concerns about Trumps cabinet picks, it is unlikely that they will defy the president-elect. UPDATE: Winter weather advisory issued in 4 N.J. counties, with 4 to 6 inches of snow possible in some spots A cool, damp day is in store for New Jersey with rain during the day and northwestern areas of the state getting a dusting of snow at night, forecasters say. NEW YORK I listened to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner for more than 15 minutes on Wednesday, struck as always at how different he is from the Old Man, who never took no for an answer. The young Steinbrenner is facing the greatest challenge of his professional life. He has to balance the Yankees need for Juan Soto against an absurd price tag. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. 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) Editor: GSY Ukraine and Italy will deepen cooperation in the supply of critical raw materials. As reported by First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko during the Ukrainian-Italian business forum in Rome, cooperation will develop in such areas as, in particular, strengthening the value chains of critical raw materials, research and innovation. As well as mapping and exploration, which provide, in particular, for possible cooperation between the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) and the State Service of Geology and Subsoil of Ukraine. "Our countries will work together to develop value chains of critical raw materials. Attracting investment and innovative development of this area is one of Ukraine's priorities. Cooperation with Italy will contribute to the achievement of our goals," Svyrydenko noted. The administration of current U.S. President Joseph Biden has submitted to Congress a statement of intent to cancel half of Ukraine's debt for economic assistance in the amount of about $4.65 billion, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a briefing on Wednesday. "So 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," Miller said. It is noted that after the White House informed Congress of this decision, lawmakers may adopt a resolution to object to it. However, according to Miller, this will not happen. "I think I would be surprised if Congress took that step, given the overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress for providing assistance. But we will follow the law," he explained. It was previously reported that in April, the House of Representatives passed a $95 billion supplemental spending bill that included $61 billion in funding for Ukraine, and as part of that bill, Congress asked the Biden administration to submit a detailed strategy for Ukraine by early June. Weeks after the deadline passed without a report, some members of Congress said they were disappointed and would consider blocking further funding. Under the terms of that document, about $10 billion in economic aid is provided to Kyiv as a conditional loan. Meanwhile, the document gives Biden the authority to cancel 50% of that loan. It provides that from November 15, 2024, the current president can cancel up to 50% of this loan, while the remaining 50% of the loan can be canceled by the next president on January 1, 2026. South West Water has announced it has invested 180,000 to reduce storm overflow spills at one of its highest spilling sites in North Devon. The water company has said that Bratton Fleming, near Barnstaple, recorded 210 spills in 2023, but recent works have delivered significant improvements, with no spills from the site in the following four months. Earlier this year, the company stated that investigations revealed surface water and groundwater were entering pipes in the catchment, which increased flows within sewers and put additional pressure on the treatment works. A programme of work was launched to tackle spills at the site directly. This included relining 300 metres of sewer across the network to stop groundwater from entering the system. A number of smaller repairs were also completed to address parts of the network where additional flows were entering pipes. The team then identified areas for improvement within the sewage treatment works and made modifications to the pipework, helping flows move through the site more efficiently. Jay Harris, Director of Wastewater Operations, said: Bratton Fleming was one of our highest spilling sites last year and it was clear that we needed to take action to reduce spills. Weve done some fantastic work at the site and in the wider catchment which has already delivered positive results, and we hope that these improvements will benefit the environment for years to come. The project is part of a wider programme by South West Water to address storm overflows at its highest spilling sites. Through this investment, South West Water has said it will become the first water company to meet the governments target of fewer than 10 spills per overflow per year a decade ahead of schedule. On the morning of November 21, 2024, between 05:00 and 07:00, Russian troops launched a series of strikes at Dnipro with missiles of various types. In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, the press service of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the Telegram channel. In addition, an aeroballistic missile X-47M2 Kinzhal was launched from a MiG-31K fighter from Tambov region. Another seven X-101 cruise missiles were launched by Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Volgograd region. "As a result of the anti-aircraft battle, units of the Air Force's anti-aircraft missile forces destroyed six X-101 missiles. There were no significant consequences for the other missiles," the report states. No information about casualties or injured people was received. Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration - Minister of Justice Olha Stefanishyna believes that ideas about "partial membership" of Ukraine in the European Union are unproductive and is confident that full integration will contribute to strengthening the EU security and defense capability. "Ukraine will become a full member of the European Union. This has been repeatedly confirmed by the EU itself and the leaders of the member states, legally recorded in the EU decision to open negotiations," Stefanishyna told Interfax-Ukraine, commenting on the idea of former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker about "partial membership" in the EU for Ukraine. She noted that, in parallel, Ukraine is setting itself the goal of sectoral integration, which will allow it to take advantage of all the benefits that participation in the EU internal market provides, even before official accession. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the European Commission supports Ukraine's aspirations, and the parties are jointly formulating a list of specific steps and measures to deepen integration. "At the same time, ideas about 'partial membership' do not seem productive. Moreover, this may undermine both the spirit and the goals of EU enlargement. By submitting an application, Ukraine has given the EU enlargement process a new lease of life. We must work together to maintain the high dynamics of the process and restore trust in it. This is the expectation not only of Ukraine, but of all candidate countries. Today, enlargement is the security and geopolitical strength of the European Union," Stefanishyna added. The Deputy Prime Minister also stated that Ukraine has never asked for exceptions or concessions for itself, and with the start of the war, it not only continued, but also accelerated the implementation of reforms, including in such critically important issues as the rule of law and the prevention of corruption. "And I am sure that Ukraine, where the history of Europe is being written today, will shape the future of the United Europe on an equal footing, together with its partners. This is in the interests of the EU. Our full integration will contribute to strengthening the EU's security and defense capability, economic prosperity and achieving the strategic autonomy of the European Union," she concluded. As reported earlier in November, former President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker put forward the idea of "partial membership" in the EU for Ukraine, which envisages that Ukraine will participate in some of the internal processes in the European Union and meetings, but will not have voting rights. TikTok has also sought a line into Republicans and the Trump campaign through Tony Sayegh, a former Treasury official in Mr. Trumps administration, according to two people familiar with the meetings who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Mr. Sayegh, who leads public affairs for Susquehanna, has been viewed as friendly with the Trump family and was a core part of the Trump campaigns decision to join TikTok this summer, the people said. Mr. Trump was an instant hit on TikTok, where he now has 14.4 million followers. (The pop star Olivia Rodrigo has 22.8 million followers, while NBC News has 5.9 million.) Several members of his family, including Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and his granddaughter Kai Trump, have also joined the app. Mr. Sayegh regularly joined weekly strategy calls this year to advise Shou Chew, TikToks chief executive; Zenia Mucha, its head of communications; and Michael Beckerman, its head of public policy for the Americas, according to the two people. He was also part of an April meeting in New York with a group that included those executives to discuss the apps future, right around the time that President Biden signed the law. Executives inside the company saw Mr. Sayeghs counsel as crucial to the companys relationship with Mr. Trump, they said. Mr. Sayegh declined to comment. The app courted Democrats, too. Former Democratic strategists also worked for the company, including David Plouffe, who left to work for Vice President Kamala Harriss presidential campaign, the people said. And the prowess of the Harris campaign on TikTok, where the vice president amassed more than nine million followers, was widely lauded. Inside TikTok, there has been little acknowledgment that the company might soon be banned in the United States, despite its thousands of employees here, according to four former employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing nondisclosure agreements. Executives have, at times, made light of the possible ban, suggesting in one all-hands meeting that it would one day be the subject of a Hollywood film, three of the employees said. For years at global climate summits, nuclear energy was seen by many as part of the problem, not part of the solution. Sama Bilbao y Leon has been attending the annual United Nations climate change talks since 1999, when she was a student of nuclear engineering. And for most of that time, she said, people didnt want to discuss nuclear power at all. We had antinuclear groups saying, What are you doing here? Leave! she said. These days, its a very different story. At last years climate conference in the United Arab Emirates, 22 countries pledged, for the first time, to triple the worlds use of nuclear power by midcentury to help curb global warming. At this years summit in Azerbaijan, six more countries signed the pledge. When Velasquez expressed anxiety about getting pigeonholed as a commercial artist, she encouraged him to make art beyond what she could easily sell at the gallery, art that delved into social themes, like equity, the environment and affordable housing. I listened to him. He listened to me, Doran said. In turn, he said, she told about her own worries that Robischon may be perceived as a a snooty, coastal gallery. That moved to her stories about growing up and her family in Seattle and how that formed her sense of who she is. It was all connected to work, but fell into the kind of chatter that happens between people who are actually friends. Jennifer is good at talking about art and about actual life, Velasquez said. I wouldnt have done this for anyone, he added. But I would have done this for a lot of people. After so many years, and so many openings that he attended, and the fellow artists he got to know there, Robischon was his second home. Velasquez went there for the first time in November 2008. He had just moved to Denver after graduating with an M.F.A. from Ohio State University. He wandered into Robischon and was mesmerized, he said. Not only did the gallery represent top Colorado artists, it was also the regional dealer for some of the international art stars he studied at school. Frank Stella and Kiki Smith were on Robischons roster. So was Ann Hamilton, who was showing the day he stopped by. Two years later, Velasquez answered a call he found on Craigslist inviting artists to submit work for a group show at another local gallery. Jim Robischon, Dorans husband and the co-owner of Robischon Gallery, was one of the jurors. Although its easy to feel alienated by the opaque processes behind artificial intelligence and fearful that the technology isnt regulated, the artists Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst want you to know that A.I. can be beautiful. Their exhibition The Call, at the Serpentine Galleries in London through Feb. 2, is the first large-scale solo museum show for the artist duo, who have long been at the forefront of A.I.s creative possibilities. Herndon who was born in Tennessee, grew up singing in church choirs and later received a Ph.D. in music composition from Stanford has made cutting-edge, A.I.-inflected pop music for over a decade. With Dryhurst, a British artist who is also her husband, she has branched out to make tools that help creatives monitor the use of their data online, and recently, into the visual arts. The couples work xhairymutantx, commissioned for this years Whitney Biennial, uses A.I. text prompts to produce an infinite series of Herndon portraits that highlight the playful nature of digital identities. On the 1,000th day of the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky took advantage of Washingtons new willingness to allow long-range missiles to be shot deep into Russia. Until this weekend, President Biden had declined to allow such strikes using American weapons, out of fear they could prompt World War III. On the same day, Russia formally announced a new nuclear doctrine that it had signaled two months ago, declaring for the first time that it would use nuclear weapons not only in response to an attack that threatened its survival, but also in response to any attack that posed a critical threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity a situation very similar to what was playing out in the Kursk region, as American-made ballistic missiles struck Russian weapons arsenals. And there was another wrinkle to Russias guidelines for nuclear use: For the first time, it declared the right to use nuclear weapons against a state that only possesses conventional arms if it is backed by a nuclear power. Ukraine, backed by the United States, Britain and France three of the five original nuclear-armed states seems to be the country Russias president, Vladimir V. Putin, had in mind. Yet it was telling that the reaction in Washington on Tuesday was just short of a yawn. Officials dismissed the doctrine as the nothingburger of nuclear threats. Instead, the city was rife with speculation over who would prevail as Treasury secretary, or whether Matt Gaetz, a former congressman surrounded by sex-and-drug allegations though never charged, could survive the confirmation process to become attorney general. The weekend after Mr. Trumps victory, Ms. Hall told her 4,000-plus TikTok followers that she would be taking what she calls the great Black step back. She wont allow herself to feel consumed by national politics, she said, and she instead plans to focus on her mental and physical health by exercising and no longer molding herself to please others. Although Mr. Trumps first presidential victory in 2016 worried Ms. Hall, she thought it might have been a fluke, that some voters overlooked his dearth of experience in politics and bought what he was selling because he was a prominent businessman, she said. And his triumph, despite a long history of allegations of racism and sexism, was a harsh reminder of the role racism could play in American politics, she added. Nevertheless, Ms. Hall still wanted to engage with politics back then to witness how this foolishness plays out, she said. But this time, Mr. Trumps success and Ms. Harriss defeat despite her qualifications felt very, very personal, she said. It almost felt like a rejection of not just Ms. Harris but of all Black women in the United States, Ms. Hall added. In the wake of the election, checking the news every morning just became too much for her to bear. I think of this as our opportunity to decenter everyone and focus on us, Ms. Hall said in the video, in which she wears a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase minding my black-owned business. So what does a rest era look like? In interviews and online, some Black women said it could mean striving for more sleep, declining extra responsibilities at work or exploring new hobbies. Others said it might mean volunteering in local Black communities, eating more healthfully, spending time with loved ones or simply allowing themselves to grieve the elections outcome or distance themselves from national politics. As the founder of Hong Kongs leading pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily, Jimmy Lai cut an unusual figure: a rebellious tycoon who was not afraid to march with anti-government demonstrators and openly criticize Chinas ruling Communist Party. But as he testified for the first time at his landmark national security trial on Wednesday, Mr. Lai eschewed his confrontational image. The jailed media mogul distanced himself from some of the editorial decisions at his former newspaper. He denied having close relationships with Western politicians who prosecutors accuse him of colluding with. And he dismissed the idea of Hong Kong or Taiwanese independence from China as crazy. The far more measured approach from a man who once told Chinas former premier, Li Peng, to drop dead in a magazine column, reflects the stakes involved in his high-profile case, for which he faces up to life in prison if convicted. Mr. Lai, 77, is accused of being the mastermind behind anti-government protests that swept across Hong Kong in 2019. Prosecutors have charged him with conspiring and colluding with foreign forces to undermine Beijings authority over Hong Kong. Russias military made its largest territorial gains in more than two years in October, as it pressed farther into Ukraines eastern Donbas region but at a heavy cost. British and Ukrainian military officials, as well as BBC researchers, claim that Russia suffered its highest rate of dead and injured soldiers during that month. The arrival of thousands of North Korean troops in Russia is also raising questions about whether the Kremlin has enough soldiers to make up for its losses. What do we really know about Russias casualties and its ability to replace them? The losses that matter It is difficult to obtain concrete information about Russian casualties, which comprise deaths and injuries. Moscow has an incentive to minimize its losses and rarely discloses any information; Ukraine and its allies have an incentive to overstate them. Even if they are accurate, the Western casualty estimates usually lump together deaths with all injuries. Military experts say that category is too broad to fully explain the state of the war. Lightly wounded soldiers can quickly recover, for example. For the second time in a week, the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is at risk of a blackout due to Russian shelling. As a result, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors is convening in Vienna, according to Ukraine's Ministry of Energy via Telegram. "For the second time this week, the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant faces a real blackout threat due to Russian shelling. Today, the IAEA Board of Governors will meet in Vienna, and we insist on the immediate and full implementation of the resolution to return the occupied plant under Ukraine's control. This is the only way to ensure its safe operation," said Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko. The Ministry of Energy reported that one of the two power lines supplying electricity to the occupied plant was knocked out due to the enemy shelling. Currently, ZNPP is connected to Ukraine's energy grid by just one power line. Energy workers will restore full power supply to the plant as soon as the safety situation permits, the ministry added. In the months leading up to the election, Donald J. Trump appeared on several podcasts with young male audiences. Whether or not they tilted the outcome, they helped increase Trumps visibility and appeal with a notoriously hard-to-reach demographic. And following his victory, Trump culture moved out of these comfort spaces and began seeping out in unexpected places: Trump danced in N.F.L. end zones, there were TikTok videos of people wearing MAGA hats in New York City. In many ways the cultural legacy of the first Trump administration was more visible in backlash and protest. But its possible the second time around, the impact will be an affirmative one. On this weeks Popcast, a conversation about the long tail of cultural response to political change, the de-monopolization of centrist broadcast and cable television and the different directions pop culture might take in Trumps second term. Angela Weir went into a screening of Wicked on Monday night ready to be transported to the Land of Oz. But when Glinda (Ariana Grande) began to sing Popular, one of the musicals early numbers, she was not the only one singing. It started slow. Then people heard each other it was like they encouraged each other, Weir said on Tuesday. It was a beautiful scene, and then youre taken out of it. As anticipation builds for the films release on Friday, some fans who have attended early screenings have ignored theater norms to sing right along with their favorite characters, much to the chagrin and annoyance of other Wicked enthusiasts. Many have taken to social media to issue a strict edict: Shush. As a debate grew on TikTok and Reddit, a possible solution emerged this week: For those who want to join in on the duet What Is This Feeling? between Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, more than 1,000 theaters across North America will host singalong screenings starting on Christmas Day. Some of the items include a luxury apartment on the Upper East Side and a collection of rare Yankees memorabilia. So far, the women have only received a number of Mr. Giulianis high-end watches and a vintage Mercedes-Benz convertible, among other collectibles. If he does not comply fully with the handover, Mr. Giuliani could face steep penalties, including jail time. He could face further penalties if a federal judge in Washington, D.C., finds him in contempt for continuing to defame the two women. In late 2023, a jury made the award to Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss for the harm their reputations suffered after Mr. Giuliani claimed repeatedly and without evidence that they had tried to steal the 2020 election from Donald Trump. Mr. Giuliani, 80, filed for bankruptcy shortly after. But, because he refused to comply with court requirements, the case was dismissed, leaving his assets vulnerable. Mr. Giuliani did not attend the news conference on Wednesday, which featured an appearance by the new lawyer, Joseph M. Cammarata. Its unclear how Mr. Cammaratas specialty in divorce was going to aid the former mayors defense. And the change in counsel has already caused some confusion. Mr. Cammarata shares the name of a high-profile lawyer who represented Paula Jones in a sexual harassment lawsuit against former president Bill Clinton. That Mr. Cammarata has posted a disclaimer on his law firms website making it clear that he is not representing Mr. Giuliani. On Wednesday, his sentence was handed down by Judge Ronnie Abrams in federal court in Manhattan. Dr. Paduch, of North Bergen, N.J., was arrested last April. He has been barred from practicing in New York. Through the trial, he maintained his innocence. A lawyer who represented him, Michael Baldassare, said on Wednesday that we are confident that one day he will be vindicated. Once a urologist who specialized in treating patients with a genetic condition, Dr. Paduch worked at hospitals including NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill-Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan and Northwell Health on Long Island. According to prosecutors, he used his position at prominent hospitals to make the victims believe that the sexual abuse he inflicted on them was medically necessary and appropriate, when, in fact, it was not. The abuse continued over several years in some cases, as Dr. Paduch instructed the patients to return for follow-up appointments, where he continued to assault them. During appointments, the indictment said, Dr. Paduch told patients to masturbate in front of him, sometimes groping them or showing them pornography. During the course of the trial, 11 victims testified about abuse they had suffered under Dr. Paduchs care, and dozens more wrote impact statements before he was sentenced Wednesday. Mallory Allen, a lawyer for a firm that represents 140 former patients who have filed civil suits against him, said in a statement that the sentence affirms that heinous sexual abuse will not be overlooked. After all, weve been here before, havent we? Trump was president once before, and even though he managed to enact a great deal of cruelty and bungle a pandemic, most of us survived, didnt we? He was never that popular with voters, but even an uninspiring candidate like Joe Biden managed to defeat him soundly at the ballot box. Yet as Ive tried to summon that sanguine self over the past two weeks, she has stubbornly refused to show up. I have a sense that many other people are feeling similarly abandoned by their more resilient selves, instead finding a new, excruciating sense of vulnerability. The sensation has only deepened as Trumps preposterous cabinet announcements have rolled out and his cruel policy plans for grotesque campaigns of deportation, vengeful prosecution and heedless budget slashing come into view. Despite myself, I am panicking. It is hard not to ask what clues I might have missed along the way. For instance, why hadnt I paid more attention to what my mothers fixation on finding her passport might have told me? She was asking about it in part because she was considering returning to Ethiopia permanently in search of a lower cost of living. Like a lot of Americans, particularly immigrants, she has been very worried about money. She lives on the Social Security and veterans benefits my father earned. Groceries are expensive, even for an older woman living alone who doesnt have much of an appetite. The electricity bill for her tiny apartment, her cable TV and internet: These things seem, as a portion of her meager income, obscenely expensive, never mind the escalating costs of prescription medication. Another blow came a couple of months ago, when the giant corporation that owns the apartment complex where she lives hiked her rent by nearly 10 percent. When I saw the amount, I felt a wave of nausea. I assured her that of course my brothers and I would help, but how would a person who did not have an affluent child with no children of her own manage such a sudden, sharp hike in the cost of something as essential as shelter? And in any case, she hated the idea of being a burden on her children. Looking now at her situation, indeed around my neighborhood and city, our country, this world, I can see that we are clearly on the wrong track. Thinking about this election has felt a bit like staring into the sun. The blaze blinds rather than illuminates. Most especially at times of confusion and overwhelm, I have found it useful to turn toward similar but more distant stars for understanding. It is useful to ask: Where have I seen this particular shade of light? When have I felt the scorch of this particular form of heat? Federal prosecutors in New York charged the Indian tycoon Gautam Adani, one of the worlds richest people, with multiple counts of fraud on Wednesday, accusing him and associates of bribing Indian officials and later lying to investors about the scheme. Mr. Adani, who has amassed a fortune estimated to be over $85 billion from the Adani Group, a conglomerate with holdings in ports, coal mines and airports, was charged with wire and securities fraud by the U.S. attorneys office for the Eastern District of New York, the office said in a statement. The defendants are accused of paying more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to obtain solar energy contracts worth billions of dollars for Adani Green Energy, a renewable energy company majority-owned by Adani Group. Mr. Adani discussed the bribery plan with officials in person, prosecutors said. Adani Green Energy then tried to raise money from U.S. and international investors with a 2021 bond offering on the basis of false and misleading statements about the firms anti-corruption and anti-bribery efforts, according to the indictment. As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars, Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the district, said in a statement. Mr. Adani and his associates lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from U.S. and international investors. The proposals are the most significant remedies requested in a tech antitrust case since the Justice Department asked to break up Microsoft in 2000. If Judge Mehta adopts the proposals, they will set the tone for a string of other antitrust cases that challenge the dominance of tech behemoths, including Apple, Amazon and Meta. Being forced to sell Chrome and Android would be among the worst possible outcomes for Google. Chrome, which was introduced in 2008 and is free to use, is the most popular web browser in the world, with an estimated 67 percent of the global browser market, according to Statcounter, which compiles tech market data. Googles search engine is bundled into Chrome. Android is the worlds most popular mobile software, with an estimated 71 percent of the market, according to Statcounter. The system is open source, meaning that Samsung and other phone manufacturers do not have to pay Google for its use. But most Android devices come with Googles apps already installed. Both are part of an elaborate Google ecosystem that keeps people using the companys products. The playing field is not level because of Googles conduct, and Googles quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired, the government said in the filing. The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages. Legal experts said the request to force the sale of Chrome could be met with skepticism by Judge Mehta, in part because the governments attempted breakup of Microsoft in the 2000s was overturned by an appeals court. Court papers say that in 2022, while Mr. Kelley was at home awaiting trial in his Jan. 6 case, he formed a group that was preparing for armed conflict against the United States government and its personnel, specifically including F.B.I. agents. Prosecutors say he drew up a list of 37 people who were involved in his arrest or who helped to search his home as part of the investigation, targeting them for assassination. Mr. Kelley shared the list with two co-conspirators, prosecutors say, one of whom Christopher Roddy ultimately gave it to the authorities. Accompanying the list of names that Mr. Roddy turned over, court papers say, was a computer thumb drive that contained video footage from Mr. Kelleys home security camera showing a law enforcement officer approaching his home on the day of the arrest. During an interview with federal investigators, Mr. Roddy, who testified at the trial, said Mr. Kelley had informed him about putting the list together in early December 2022 and asked him to reach out to his cop buddies about collecting information on the targets. Mr. Roddy secretly recorded Mr. Kelley asking him at one point to attack the F.B.I.s office in Knoxville, court papers say. Federal officials have arrested a homeless Florida man in what they describe as a plan to detonate a bomb outside the New York Stock Exchange. The man, Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, was charged with trying to use an explosive device to damage a building, after a monthslong undercover investigation by the F.B.I. into his alleged desire to join extremist groups and carry out violent attacks, according to a criminal complaint filed on Wednesday. The complaint suggests, however, that Mr. Yener did not have explosive material and was counting on others, who turned out to be undercover agents, to provide it. Investigators said a search of a storage unit used by Mr. Yener yielded bombmaking sketches, numerous watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics that could be used to make an explosive device. Mr. Yener, 40, also told an F.B.I. informant about his desire to join an antigovernment militia and to construct an improvised explosive device, the filing said. Tusk announces special format on Ukraine next week in Sweden with Scandinavian, Baltic countries Photo: Website of the President of Ukraine The West must have a unified position on supporting Ukraine and common security, this will be the focus of a meeting in an emergency format in Sweden next week, said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. "Today I spoke with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, next week in Sweden a special format with Scandinavian countries, plus the Baltics, plus Poland," Tusk said on X. The West must have a unified position on the support for Ukraine and common security, he noted. As reported, European countries and Canada cannot wait for the plan of newly elected U.S. President Trump and must unite in a coalition of the willing to ensure the security of Ukraine, according to an open appeal from November 19, signed by 79 current and former politicians, military personnel, journalists, political scientists and intellectuals. Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday said single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House office buildings would be available only to those of that biological sex, backing a move from a far-right member to target the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. The new restrictions, which apply to restrooms, changing rooms and locker rooms, were first proposed by Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina but quickly gained the support of other Republican women. Ms. Mace made it clear that her efforts were designed to target one individual, Representative-elect Sarah McBride, a Delaware Democrat who this month became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. Women deserve womens only spaces, Mr. Johnson said in a statement, giving his unequivocal backing to Ms. Maces resolution. On Tuesday, Mr. Johnson had appeared noncommittal about any rules he might impose on use of the Capitol and House facilities. When Ms. McBride won her seat earlier this month, she knew she would face attacks from hard-right Republicans over her identity. But she did not expect they would start before she had even been sworn in. The Senate on Wednesday resoundingly rejected a series of three resolutions to block weapons transfers to Israel, but the move to curtail American support for the war in Gaza drew substantial support from Democrats, reflecting growing consternation in the party over the conflict. Seventeen Senate Democrats and two independents backed at least one of the measures, a display of deepening divisions over Israels conduct after 13 months of war and the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians. The vote showed that support for restricting Israels military operations has grown beyond just the most progressive lawmakers, with notably more senators joining them than in previous efforts. The measures were offered by Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, who has been a vocal critic of Israels tactics in the war. He has also been a frequent critic of the Biden administration for continuing to support Israel militarily despite ample evidence of human rights violations in Gaza. In the days since the election, he has also argued that the administrations Israel policy is partially to blame for the Democrats election losses. You cannot condemn human rights violations around the world, Mr. Sanders said on the Senate floor on Wednesday, and then turn a blind eye to what the United States is now funding in Israel people will laugh in your face. Ukraine fired a number of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russias Kursk region on Wednesday, a day after firing American long-range missiles into the country, according to Pentagon and Ukrainian officials. Moscow has said that the use of Western weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory is a major escalation, and for months that stance had kept the United States and Britain from allowing Kyiv to use the American long-range missiles or the Storm Shadows. But President Biden last week authorized the first use of the American Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, deep inside Russia. American officials say the pivot was in response to Moscows surprise decision to bring North Korean troops into the fight. Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain quickly followed suit, authorizing Ukraine to use the Storm Shadows, officials said. Britain had previously allowed Ukraine to use the missiles against Russian positions within Ukrainian territory. In the days after Donald J. Trumps electoral victory, thousands of people revived the grass-roots movement that opposed his first term in office. Marchers in Manhattan took over streets carrying a block-wide banner that read, We Wont Back Down. Activists in Los Angeles and Chicago decried Mr. Trumps abortion and immigration policies and vowed to descend on Washington to protest his inauguration in January. But participants noted that Mr. Trump had not appeared to be swayed by protests, petitions, hashtag campaigns or other tools of mass dissent. Many have been calling for a fresh playbook. I thought the first womens march would be a turning point, said Laura Bartek, a 45-year-old nurse from Virginia, referring to the protest with nearly half a million people that took place after Mr. Trumps 2017 inauguration. A small band of Ukrainian soldiers was trapped. They were holding the line on the battlefield, but Russian forces had managed to creep in behind their trench and encircle them. Even if the position holds, supplies ammunition, provisions eventually run out, Capt. Viacheslav, the 30-year-old commander of an elite drone unit, said last week as he monitored events from an outpost a few miles away in eastern Ukraine. Any vehicle attempting to reach these positions will be ambushed. We are always getting stuck in these kinds of tough situations, he said. As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth winter and the first snowfall blankets cratered fields strewed with bodies, the situations are only growing tougher for Ukrainian forces. The United States on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, where fighting has raged for more than 13 months and a humanitarian crisis is intensifying. Underlining Washingtons diplomatic isolation on the issue, the United States cast the sole vote against the resolution, with the 14 other Council members voting in favor. The United States said it vetoed the resolution, the fifth the Council has taken up, because it did not make the cease-fire contingent on the release of the hostages still being held in Gaza. The resolution does call for the release of all hostages, but the wording suggests that their release would come only after a cease-fire was implemented. The impasse at the United Nations appeared in contrast to cease-fire talks in Lebanon, where a top U.S. envoy, Amos Hochstein, said on Wednesday that there had been additional progress in efforts to halt the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group allied with Hamas. Mr. Hochstein, saying he hoped to try to bring this to a close if we can," traveled to Israel on Wednesday evening. Egon Schiele, the widely celebrated Austrian Expressionist, had one of the shortest-ever careers in art. He was only 28 when he died in the flu pandemic of 1918, and his premature death bolstered his image as a symbol of over-the-top Viennese intensity. He is known mainly for drawings of nudes and semi-nudes that can be unnervingly explicit, and he often appears in his own work. With his stand-up hair, skinny body and long, skeletal fingers, he could pass for a contemporary of ours, a proto-punk figure who would seem at home on the Lower East Side. But Schiele never cottoned to city life. His paintings, unlike his drawings, consist largely of landscapes nature scenes as well as overhead views of empty Austrian villages unperturbed by artists models or even the decently clothed. Now, the Neue Galerie has gathered about 60 works spanning his career into the first exhibition of its kind. Egon Schiele: Living Landscapes is a stirring, deeply engrossing show that acquaints us with a long-hidden part of the artists career. At a time when the Austro-Hungarian empire was in its final years, Schiele turned to landscape as if to reconstitute a disintegrating world. Its telling that he conceived of his scenes in clearly delineated horizontal bars that give sky, earth and the Danube River an unshakable, marble-like solidity. Born in June 1890 in countrified Tulln, Austria, Schiele was raised in humble circumstances and had a difficult childhood. He spoke of his mother as aloof and unloving and preferred the company of his noble father, who worked as a railroad station master and housed the family in an apartment above the Tulln station. Schiele was 14 when his father died of syphilis, not long after a suicide attempt. Two of our recommended books this week put rock music front and center: Peter Ames Carlins biography of the band R.E.M., and Izumi Suzukis novel of Tokyos rock scene in the early 1980s. We also like a biography of the physicist Roger Penrose, a study of the 20th-century novel, and fiction by Elias Khoury and Sergio De La Pava. Happy reading. Gregory Cowles Frank is the editorial director of New York Review Books, the publishing arm of the intellectual journal, and founder of its Classics series, which revives old works, many in translation. In this history of the novel he embraces works that shock, not soothe, and maps a path from Dostoyevsky to Sebald, finding surprising ties among 20th-century writers. In fact, most automakers dont love the more stringent rules Mr. Biden put in place. But they have already invested billions in a transition to electric vehicles, and fear that if Mr. Trump made an abrupt change as he has promised, they could be undercut by automakers who sell cheaper, gas-powered cars. They argue it would harm an industry that is a backbone of American manufacturing and employs 1.1 million people. Lobbyists and officials from several car companies say the automakers want the Biden regulations to remain largely intact, with some changes such as more time for compliance and lower penalties for companies that dont meet the requirements. One wild card in negotiations is Elon Musk, the top Trump adviser and chief executive of Tesla, which accounts for half of electric vehicle sales in the United States. In a previously unreported Nov. 12 letter to Mr. Trump, John Bozzella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents 42 car companies that produce nearly all the new vehicles sold in the United States, wrote that in order for the auto industry to remain successful and competitive, it needed stability and predictability in auto-related emissions standards. Transportation is the sector of the U.S. economy that produces the most greenhouse gases pollution that is dangerously heating the planet. The Obama administration was the first to limit tailpipe emissions of such pollution. During his first term, Mr. Trump effectively erased those rules, replacing them with standards that were little more than business as usual. Up and out of poverty People's Daily Online) 23:06, November 20, 2024 On the morning of Nov. 18, local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During the first session of the summit, which focused on the "Fight Against Hunger and Poverty," Xi said that China is ready to work with all parties to build a just world of common development, leave poverty in the past, and turn our vision into reality. Since the reform and opening up policy was initiated, China has lifted hundreds of millions of rural people out of poverty, achieving a historic solution to absolute poverty. The country has met the poverty reduction goals set out in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule, contributing over 70 percent of the world's poverty reduction. China's story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty, and 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. If China can make it, other developing countries can make it too. This is what China's battle against poverty says to the world. What, you may ask, are the keys to decoding China's success in poverty alleviation? Let's find out the answer. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Xian Jiangnan) Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and the World Food Programme provide assistance to residents of Kherson who belong to vulnerable categories of the population. "The Ukrainian Red Cross Society, together with the World Food Programme, continues to help Kherson residents who need it most. Food packages weighing more than 13 kg were received by residents of the city aged 60 and over as well as people with disabilities," the URCS reported on Facebook on Thursday. After years of relentless rises in overdose deaths, the United States has seen a remarkable reversal. For seven straight months, according to federal data, drug fatalities have been declining. Expanded treatment, prevention and education efforts are playing a role, but drug policy experts believe there is another, surprising reason: changes in the drug supply itself, which are, in turn, influencing how people are using drugs. The fentanyl on the street is starting to become weaker. Anne Milgram, who heads the Drug Enforcement Administration, announced last week that for the first time since 2021, the agency was seeing a decline in fentanyl potency, a development she attributed to the governments crackdown on Mexican cartels and international supply chains. Last year, seven out of 10 counterfeit pills tested in D.E.A. labs contained a life-threatening amount of fentanyl, she said, but that number has dropped to five out of 10. Addiction experts say that other interventions contributed to the declining fatalities, including wider distribution of overdose reversal medications like Narcan; an uptick in some states in prescriptions for medication that suppresses opioid cravings; and campaigns warning the public about fentanyl-tainted counterfeit pills. Ernest Cole, the groundbreaking South African chronicler of apartheid, died in 1990 in Manhattan. He was 49 and had been in exile since 1966. A new documentary directed by Raoul Peck, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, revives interest in the photographer, who trained his gaze on fellow Black South Africans living with the daily outrages and violent outbursts of a system that controlled their movements but not their meaning. In 2017, a trove of Coles work was found in a safe deposit box in Sweden. Amid that cache were the black-and-white images that were featured in his acclaimed photo book House of Bondage. First published in 1967, the book guaranteed the then-26-year-olds banishment from his homeland. In vitro fertilization is considered by many to be a miracle. Its still controversial in some circles, as was seen in the recent election, when politicians made often contradictory pronouncements about it. But Joy, a biographical treatment of Jean Purdy, one of the pioneers of the science, while certainly waving the flag for the procedure, is primarily concerned with the human story behind the creation of I.V.F. It sets out to redress an imbalance that the real-life Purdy, a nurse, was long unacknowledged for her work. Like many a self-respecting tween, Melody Brooks has a thing or two to say about this and that, and a need to be heard. But that need has a particular urgency: Melody, the central character in Out of My Mind, has cerebral palsy and is unable to speak. Her story, set in the early aughts and based on a novel by Sharon M. Draper, arrives onscreen with a family-friendly brightness, buoyed by upbeat montages. The director, Amber Sealey, and the strong cast keep things grounded, though, honoring the serious undercurrents while having some fun. The latest documentary dispatch from Ukraine, Porcelain War, brings a message of hope rooted in art. Making art does feel like an act of resistance during the Russian invasion, when Kremlin propaganda attacks the very existence of Ukrainian culture. But whats intriguing is that the directors, Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev, also celebrate Ukraines military defense, making for a jangly mix of idyll and warfare. Slava, who appears in the film, is both a ceramist and a member of a Ukraine special forces unit who gives weapons training to civilians turned soldiers. His partner, Anya, paints the whimsical figurines he creates, and the irrepressible couple weather the war in bombed-out Kharkiv with their more anxious pal Andrey, a painter and cameraman. In the play, this history is discussed by the characters, but not depicted, the result being that those in the audience create the scene in their heads. In that way, the audience members take on those memories as if theyre their own, fashioning them from images and imaginations and perhaps their own history. The more literal medium of cinema offers ways to create those scenes for the audience, and so the director elects to do so. In Malcolm Washingtons film, full-scene flashbacks appear as well as more impressionistic slices, as if recalled collectively from some inherited memory. Other events left offstage in the play such as when Willie and Lymon go out to woo some local women are shot here as well. And while the play takes place entirely inside Doaker Charless house, the film begins and ends in Mississippi, showing us what happened before these events and what will happen next. The result is not entirely satisfactory. Leaving less to the imagination sets the Charles family story at more of a distance from the audience, as if their story is their story, and not ours too. These characters are people, with cadences and quirks and desires, but theyre also stand-ins for the myriad ways that Wilson saw formerly enslaved Americans grappling with the past and the future: Berniece with her painful reverence, Doaker Charles with his measured ambivalence, Wining Boy with his dissipation, Willie with his full-steam headlong drive to prove himself equal to the white men around him down South. Theyre types and real people all at once, and the text asks us to connect on both levels; the movie doesnt quite let the metaphors surface. Thats nowhere more evident than near the end of the film, which, like the 2022 Broadway revival, turns the lurking idea of ghosts haunting the piano from the more figurative ghosts lurk in America, especially in Black families into something quite literal. This is Washingtons debut feature, and his directorial eye is not quite up to the raucous staging this requires; it turns choppy and the rhythm is off. Whats great about the movie is its performances. John David Washington brings fire to his role, matched by Deadwylers coolly furious resolve. Jacksons role has him mostly observing, but hes a magnetic presence. And Fisher is phenomenal, embodying a character who seems oblivious and a little dense but, it turns out, is more than meets the eye. Still, as a film, The Piano Lesson is the weakest of the Denzel Washington-produced Pittsburgh Cycle. But when youre working with Wilsons material, theres an inherent richness, and the questions this film raises have never been more potent. What do we do with our past? What does it mean to face the future? And when every ordinary day in a nation is littered with reminders of a history thats never been resolved, how do we live? The Piano Lesson presents a ghost-haunted world with few answers to these questions. To grapple with them, we first have to listen. The Piano Lesson Rated PG-13 for scenes of trauma and violence, some language, and some ghosts. Running time: 2 hours 5 minutes. Watch on Netflix. Angel Lata Landi called his mother in Ecuador on Sunday, as he did every week. He told her he would not be able to send her money as he usually did because his bills had mounted. But he promised to make up for it soon. The following day, in the next call she got from her family, his mother, Mercedes Landi, learned that her son was dead. Mr. Lata Landi, a 36-year-old construction worker, was one of three people fatally stabbed by a man who went on a killing spree in Manhattan on Monday. Mr. Lata Landi was getting a ladder on West 19th Street when he was stabbed, his family said. Image Angel Lata Landi The assailant went on to kill two other strangers, the police said: Wilma Augustin, 36, a Haitian migrant who was living in a Midtown shelter; and Chang Wang, 67, who had been fishing along the East River. Ramon Rivera, 51, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the attacks. He was arrested after a cabdriver saw the third attack, followed him and reported him to a police officer. Everyone is in a tizzy. That is my official diagnosis of the post-election hangover in my world. My phone is full of text messages from people I havent heard from in years, looking for commiseration. I taught my first class a week after the election, and it took an hour for my students to process enough grief so that we could talk about cheerier topics like the high price of telecommunications in American prisons. Im aware that a big part of America is living its wildest dreams. But in my corner of the world, one big question lingers: How did we get here? The long and the short of it is that circumstance and history forced Kamala Harris, a potential change candidate, to run as an incumbent during a global anti-incumbency, pro-authoritarian political wave. The only surprise here is that anyone expected the United States to be exceptional by bucking the global headwinds that favored a conservative populist. Those headwinds helped Donald Trump grow his support among young voters, Latino men and Black men, among others. For as long as I have been eligible to vote, the line on the G.O.P. has been that it is old, white and boring. Trumps appeal with young people refutes that as much as his success with nonwhite men does. Trump did not win over these minority and young voters because he figured out how to appeal to their identity. He excelled at tapping into the information ecosystems social media, memes and the cultish language of overlapping digital communities where minority and young voters express their identity. That is a meaningful difference. Trumps rhetoric and agenda may appeal to some voters based on racial identity, but the bigger story of Trumpism is how economic polarization is scrambling and complicating identity politics, especially in online spaces. In a stunning scientific and technological feat, a group of astronomers said Thursday that it had managed to take the first close-up picture of a star in another galaxy. Not only was the image a distance record for such cosmic intimacy, but the star, bulging like an overripe fruit, looks as if it is getting ready to explode. For the first time, we have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in a galaxy outside our own Milky Way, Keiichi Ohnaka, an astrophysicist from Andres Bello National University in Chile, said in a news release from the European Southern Observatory, an international collaboration that runs a phalanx of powerful telescopes in Chile. Dr. Ohnaka and colleagues described their observations in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics. The star goes by the name of WOH G64. It is in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small galaxy that orbits the Milky Way at a distance of about 160,000 light-years and is visible as a large cloud of light in the Southern Hemisphere. The L.M.C. was the site of the last great supernova explosion witnessed by astronomers in 1987, an event known as SN1987a. It was unclear whether the Jean family would ever see any of the money, but its legal team said what mattered more was holding Ms. Guyger liable in a civil court. I think this jury sent the message loud and clear, that they are not going to tolerate police brutality, Daryl Washington, one of the familys lawyers, told reporters. And I think that message is going to be heard not only in Dallas, not only in the state of Texas, but throughout this country. Ms. Guyger was fired by the Dallas Police Department after the shooting. She was found guilty of murder and sentenced in 2019 to 10 years in prison. Mr. Jean, a 26-year-old accountant, lived in the apartment directly above Ms. Guygers. She told the court during her criminal trial that after finishing her shift, she entered the wrong apartment and shot Mr. Jean, thinking he was an intruder. While she was convicted of murder, civil rights activists said her 10-year sentence was too lenient. Some also said that Ms. Guyger had received preferential treatment because she was not arrested immediately after the shooting and was initially charged with manslaughter, not murder. Photo: McDonald's The Ukrainian subsidiary of McDonald's, McDonald's Ukraine Ltd., reopened its restaurant on Vokzalna Square in Kyiv on Thursday after extensive modernization, the companys press service told Interfax-Ukraine. The restaurant underwent a five-month reconstruction, emerging as a barrier-free establishment. The building was partially dismantled and rebuilt, with a redesigned facade and upgraded interior. "We are building new establishments and modernizing existing ones according to inclusive standards. The restaurant on Vokzalna Square was previously the second most-visited McDonald's globally. It will now welcome people from all over the country daily. That's why it's crucial to ensure maximum comfort for everyone whether they are wheelchair users, people with prosthetics, elderly visitors, parents with children, or anyone else," said Vitaliy Stefura, Development Director for McDonald's Ukraine, as quoted by the press service. The restaurant achieved barrier-free accessibility through various inclusive features: automatic doors at the side entrance, a passenger elevator, tactile paving inside and outside for visually impaired individuals, Braille signage, dedicated spaces for wheelchair users, ensuring freedom of movement and restrooms designed for people with disabilities. The upgraded McDonald's is now one of the largest in Ukraine, with a total area of 944 square meters, seating 193 customers indoors and 88 on the terrace. Orders can be placed at 11 dual-sided self-service kiosks, traditional counters, or through an express window. The restaurant also offers table service and features USB ports for smartphone charging. To ensure uninterrupted operations during power outages, the restaurant is equipped with a generator. The Vokzalna Square McDonald's will operate under enhanced safety protocols, closing during air raid alerts and reopening within an hour after the all-clear signal. Ukraine's first McDonald's opened on May 24, 1997, in Kyiv. As of September 20, 2022, McDonalds began gradually reopening its restaurants across Ukraine. The chain now operates 120 outlets nationwide (including 15 temporarily closed due to safety requirements) and employs nearly 10,000 people across different regions. Approximately 60% of its goods and products are sourced from local Ukrainian suppliers. Senator Bob Casey, a three-term Democrat from Pennsylvania long seen as an institution in state politics, was defeated on Thursday by his Republican challenger, the former hedge-fund executive David McCormick, in a stunning upset in one of the nations top Senate races. Mr. Casey conceded on Thursday shortly before The New York Times called the race for Mr. McCormick, whose lead of less than half a percentage point had triggered a recount. As Republicans looked to add Pennsylvania to their win column after seizing control of the Senate, the post-election period set off a legal battle between the two sides. This race was one of the closest in our commonwealths history, Mr. Casey said in a statement. I am grateful to the thousands of people who worked to make sure every eligible vote cast could be counted. In his second time running for Senate in Pennsylvania, Mr. McCormick channeled the sour national mood into a victory over a well-established incumbent in a top battleground state. Republicans will now hold a 53-to-47 advantage in the Senate in addition to narrowly controlling the House, giving President-elect Donald J. Trump more flexibility to pursue his agenda. Those involved in work tied to Ukraine or other geopolitical conflicts should be cautious about disclosing work, travel, personal and family information online, the warning said. Adversaries can use this information to identify access, location and personal vulnerabilities. The warning highlighted Britains arrest of several people in an arson attack in March on a business linked to Ukraine, and Polands announcement in June that it had arrested 18 people accused of plotting sabotage attacks on behalf of Russia. In addition, Western officials previously warned that Russia had plotted to plant incendiary devices in cargo planes and was potentially planning to set off those devices in U.S. warehouses or on planes bound for the United States. So far all of Russias known sabotage attacks have taken place in Europe, although Russian intelligence has targeted many countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Lithuania and beyond. But some officials believe that Russia wants to expand its sabotage campaign to the United States, particularly if the Biden administration in its closing weeks continues to support Ukraine in its war against Russia or takes steps that Russia sees as escalatory. A small fire at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania in September, and another incident at the same site in April, set off concerns that Russia had extended its campaign to the United States. But officials believe those fires were an accident, not sabotage. Mr. Buttigiegs most direct admonition to the gathered Democrats, at a Washington hotel, was for them to not allow themselves to be so outraged by the Trump administration that they would neglect working for their constituents. We cannot be mesmerized by the worst things that we see happening, Mr. Buttigieg said. We will be inclined to react with shock by some things that are done precisely with the intent of shocking us, we need to move very quickly through the shock. Though he has been a national political figure essentially since he ran to be chairman of the Democratic National Committee, in 2017, Mr. Buttigieg is still just 42 years old, nearly half the age of Mr. Biden and significantly younger than most of the other would-be party leaders. On Thursday, Mr. Buttigieg suggested that Democrats spent too much time online at the expense of the sort of human interactions that defined campaigns before social media and influencers became central ways to communicate political messages. Weve got to figure out how to take online conversations offline at scale, he said. While it is not obvious how to do that, that is something that through human history until about 15 years ago, we all did. And so were going to have ways to do that that might on some level be a return to form but on other levels, entail information environment work that is unfamiliar to people who have taken a free press in a democratic society for granted. His views on how the military should conduct itself are also likely to be scrutinized during Senate hearings unless Mr. Trump manages to make him a recess appointment. Beyond Mr. Hegseths divisive perspective on certain war crimes cases, some of his public statements on who belongs in the military and in what roles are outside the mainstream, including positions against allowing women to serve in combat. Mr. Hegseth, 44, did not respond to requests for comment. In Washington, many are concerned not only that Mr. Hegseth may be a partisan bomb thrower set on politicizing the military, but also that, as a former part-time National Guard officer with minimal managerial skills, he is not qualified to run a department with nearly three million employees. Representative Jason Crow, Democrat of Colorado and a former Army Ranger, echoed the views of many in a video last week, calling Mr. Hegseth woefully unqualified. But Mr. Hegseths views reflect a disillusionment among a segment of post-9/11 service members, and a slice of the broader public, about how the military is used. Mr. Trump tapped into that anger, promising a more inward-looking foreign policy and a hands-off approach to prosecuting soldiers. That is why several veterans who served with Mr. Hegseth said they were thrilled with his nomination. Most of those interviewed said they hoped the fact that he did not follow a traditional path to the office, through the upper ranks of the Pentagon and jobs in the defense industry, could help him understand the burdens placed on rank-and-file troops and redirect the militarys priorities. Others see it differently. They say battlefield rules prevent missions from spiraling into chaos and protect troops from some of the moral pitfalls inherent in combat. Vice President-elect JD Vance brought two of Donald J. Trumps potential cabinet members to the Senate this week to shore up support for the president-elects picks, but hes leaving with only one. Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration as the next attorney general on Thursday amid allegations of sexual misconduct, one day after Mr. Vance tried to muster support for him on Capitol Hill. His withdrawal came less than 45 minutes after another embattled cabinet pick, Pete Hegseth, Mr. Trumps choice for defense secretary, faced a direct question about his own sexual assault accusations. After finishing meetings with senators in Mr. Vances office, Mr. Hegseth, a Fox News anchor, emerged from behind closed doors and told reporters that he looked forward to the confirmation process. A reporter immediately brought up the 2017 allegations of sexual misconduct, asking: Did you sexually assault a woman in Monterey, California? As far as the media is concerned, Ill keep this very simple, Mr. Hegseth replied. The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared. And thats where Im going to leave it. Steven J. Rosen, a hawkish supporter of Israel who strengthened the clout of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a Washington lobbying group, but whose career was derailed when he was charged with leaking government secrets, a case that was later dropped, died on Oct. 28 near his home in Silver Spring, Md. He was 82. His partner, Barbara Schubert, said his death, in a memory-care center, was from complications of Alzheimers disease. Mr. Rosen was a prominent behind-the-scenes figure in Washington as the director of foreign policy issues for AIPAC, as the pro-Israel group is known, from the 1980s to the early 2000s. He forged ties with officials in the State Department and the White House to promote American support for Israel. He was known as a brainy, aggressive advocate, and his private life was as changeable as his moods: He was married and divorced six times. Two years ago, Gen. Mark A. Milley, then the chief military adviser to President Biden, suggested that neither Russia nor Ukraine could win the war. A negotiated settlement, he argued, was the only route to peace. His remarks caused a furor among senior officials. But President-elect Donald J. Trumps win is turning General Milleys prediction into reality. Mr. Trump has made clear his distaste for continuing to help Ukraine take back territory seized by Russia, making a negotiated settlement the only real viable option left. The ascendance of Mr. Trump as Ukraine suffers losses on the battlefield in fact means less room for Ukraine to maneuver. One of the biggest unknowns for Ukraine is whether the Trump administration and Europe will provide any kind of security guarantees that would prevent Russia from trying to take more territory. Mr. Trump has said he would end the war quickly, though he has not explained how. But Vice President-elect JD Vance has outlined a plan that would allow Russia to keep the Ukrainian territory it has taken. A Wisconsin man who faked his own death and left his family three months ago after communicating with a woman in Uzbekistan has been in regular contact with the authorities and sent them a video this month, saying he was safe and secure. Mark A. Podoll, the Green Lake County sheriff, played the video of the man, Ryan Borgwardt, of Watertown, Wis., at a news conference on Thursday. In the 24-second clip, Mr. Borgwardt is seen recording himself in what looks like a spartan apartment with white walls and a gray door. Good evening, its Ryan Borgwardt, he says in a quiet voice. Today is Nov. 11. Its approximately 10 a.m. by you guys. Im in my apartment. I am safe, secure, no problem. I hope this works. Sheriff Podoll said the authorities did not know exactly where Mr. Borgwardt was, but knew it was someplace in Eastern Europe. He said that investigators were in near-daily contact with him and were urging him to come home to his family and to clean up the mess that he has created. On state television, the new prime minister and the president, Gen. Assimi Goita, said that key ministries would remain under the same leadership. The influential cabinet members include Abdoulaye Diop, a veteran diplomat and former ambassador to the United States in the 2000s, and Defense Minister Sadio Camara, who has played a major role in strengthening relationships with Russia. General Maiga an expert in international affairs and good governance who has a doctorate, according to his resume represented Mali at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, and at the U.N. climate conference known as COP29 in Azerbaijan this month. The appointment of a military man to a position previously held by a civilian fuels uncertainty over Malis presidential election, which was scheduled for February but has been indefinitely postponed. The military cited technical reasons for the delay but did not provide additional details. Whether General Goita will run in that election, if it takes place, to retain power remains unclear. Soumaila Lah, a political analyst focused on Mali, said the latest developments pointed to a power struggle between General Goita and Choguel Maiga. Goita wants to eventually become a civilian in order to be able to stand as president should elections eventually happen, Mr. Lah said. But, he added, Choguel Maiga also has political ambitions and wants to be president. The charges are the culmination of a sweeping two-year investigation in which police raided homes and offices, arrested senior aides to Mr. Bolsonaro and secured confessions and plea deals with people involved in the plot. The announcement comes two days after four members of an elite military unit, including a former top aide to Mr. Bolsonaro, were arrested and accused of planning to assassinate Mr. Lula shortly before he took office in January 2023. The police have already recommended criminal charges against Mr. Bolsonaro in two separate cases: an effort to falsify his Covid-19 vaccination records and a plot to embezzle jewelry that he received as gifts from foreign leaders while in office. Federal prosecutors have still not decided whether to pursue charges in any of these cases. If they do, it will be the first time Mr. Bolsonaro faces criminal charges. The authorities said that Mr. Bolsonaro, along with dozens of close aides, ministers and military leaders, had participated in a plan to reverse the results of the elections and prevent Mr. Lula from taking office in January 2023. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua The first school for training operators of unmanned ground robotic systems has been created in the Armed Forces of Ukraine at one of the training centers, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports on the Telegram channel. It is noted that the training of future specialists has already begun. Servicemen are undergoing training in about 10 different types of unmanned ground robotic systems logistics, special and engineering. Work continues on scaling the project and improving it in the direction of increasing the efficiency of training and providing an appropriate educational and training base. "The training of operators of unmanned ground systems is carried out according to a clearly defined program with the receipt of the corresponding military registration specialty. To ensure the proper and high-quality level of training, specialized software has been created and training samples of unmanned ground systems are used. It is extremely important that future specialists have not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills and abilities. All this is supported by due attention to the duration of the unmanned ground system crew training process. We should not wait for the future, but are obliged to confidently step towards it. One of the ways to develop the Armed Forces of Ukraine is to search for and implement innovative solutions in the field of training operators of unmanned ground systems," said Vitaliy Dobriansky, Head of the Innovation Activity Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On his path to the presidency, President-elect Donald J. Trump consistently made Mexico a target. He threatened extreme tariffs on the countrys exports to the United States and vowed to carry out mass deportations. He even challenged Mexican sovereignty by proposing military strikes against drug cartels there. Those warnings would likely set off alarm bells in many countries. But Mexicos leaders arent panicking in fact, some of them see opportunity in Trumps return to the White House, according to six current and former officials, some of whom were not authorized to speak publicly. Mexico is banking on its ability to negotiate with a deal maker like Mr. Trump. And while the government is taking Mr. Trumps threats seriously, and while there is concern over some of his cabinet nominees, the officials say the country is better prepared than it was during his first term. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico has said that her government will look to contact President Trumps transition team before he enters the White House. The goal of those talks, officials say, would be to reach agreements on key issues ahead of the inauguration in January. At least 38 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, were killed in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday as gunmen ambushed convoys of vehicles that had been under the protection of security forces. The attack was one of the deadliest in months of sectarian violence in the Kurram region, a scenic mountainous district bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, but Kurrams population of 800,000 is nearly half Shiite Muslim, contributing to a cauldron of tribal tensions. Conflicts, often rooted in disputes over land, frequently escalate into deadly sectarian clashes. The violence highlights the governments persistent struggle to maintain control in the region. At least five people traveling in Laos, including an American, have died in recent days as officials in Australia and New Zealand said there has likely been an outbreak of methanol poisoning in that country caused by tainted alcoholic drinks. Penny Wong, Australias foreign minister, said on Thursday that Bianca Jones, an Australian, had died in Thailand, where she had been brought after becoming sick in Laos. Ms. Jones, 19, had been hospitalized last week after consuming an alcoholic drink in Laos, said Col. Phattanawong Chanphon, the superintendent of the police station in Muang Udon Thani, the town in Thailand where she died. He said the cause was swelling in the brain caused by methanol. His walk for charity at the age of 99 captivated a nation in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic. But the legacy of Captain Tom Moore, the decorated British Army officer who raised nearly 40 million pounds, or $50.5 million, for the National Health Service, has been tarnished by disclosures about how his family profited from the sudden fame of their plucky patriarch. On Thursday, Britains Charity Commission said in a damning report that Mr. Moores daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, and her husband Colin had damaged public trust with serious and repeated instances of misconduct relating to a charitable foundation set up in the name of Mr. Moore, who died in 2021. The couple held on to an advance worth close to 1.5 million pounds, or $1.9 million, for three books by Mr. Moore, rather than giving a portion of it to the foundation as they had signaled they would. They used the foundations name to obtain approval to build a spa and pool facility next to the Moore family home in Bedfordshire (they were later ordered to tear it down). And Ms. Ingram-Moore had been disingenuous when she claimed in interviews that she had never been offered a six-figure salary to become chief executive of the Captain Tom Foundation. She had discussed a salary of 150,000 pounds, applied for one of 100,000 pounds, and was rejected by the commission. The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency censured Iran on Thursday evening for failing to cooperate fully with the agencys monitoring and inspection, as the country is obligated to do under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The censure by the International Atomic Energy Agency could lead to penalties against Iran, including renewed economic sanctions. The agencys Board of Governors voted 19 to 3, with 12 abstentions, for the censure, despite intensive lobbying by Iran and its foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi. He spoke to officials of countries on the board, including Brazil, South Africa, Bangladesh, Algeria, Burkina Faso and Pakistan, urging them to oppose the resolution, which was put forward by Britain, France, Germany and the United States. The three votes against were cast by Russia, China and Burkina Faso. Mr. Araghchi promised that Iran would retaliate if the resolution passed, most likely choosing to accelerate its enrichment of uranium to levels close to bomb grade, rather than putting a cap on that enrichment. The formal decision to tap Mr. Scholz will take place on Monday, the partys chairman said on Thursday night. With top party officials still backing his candidacy very publicly, Mr. Scholz had the upper hand throughout. But the fact that replacing him is even being debated and has dominated headlines and talk shows is a major problem for the man fighting to stay chancellor. Mr. Scholz, who returned from the Group of 20 meeting in Brazil on Wednesday, has done everything to quell the challenge. His strategy appears to be to remind his party that he won an uphill battle during the last election, beating out the favored conservative Christian Democrats by 1.5 percentage points in 2021, despite earlier polling that suggested he had no chance. The S.P.D. and I want to win together. And we have already shown that we can do that even from a starting position where the polls did not suggest it likely, he told a German public broadcaster in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday. Mr. Scholz was not especially well-liked by the rank-and-file Social Democrats in 2021, making him an unlikely candidate for chancellor. But most in the party accepted his candidacy as the only way to beat the Christian Democrats. He has similarities in that respect to Mr. Biden, who has been a close ally of Mr. Scholz in their overlapping tenures: Mr. Biden won the 2020 Democratic nomination in part on the strength of his argument that he was best positioned among Democrats to defeat Mr. Trump. Fabian Rene Hoffmann, a weapons expert at the University of Oslo, said that from a Russian perspective, what they would like to tell us today is that Look, last nights strike was nonnuclear in payload, but, you know, if whatever you do continues, the next strike might be with a nuclear warhead. There was initially debate on Thursday over exactly what Russia fired at Ukraine. Ukraines air force along with Mr. Zelensky initially claimed it was an intercontinental ballistic missile, a weapon capable of hitting targets thousands of miles away, including in the United States. Ukrainian officials said the missile struck a military facility in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, though the extent of the damage was not immediately clear. Senior U.S. officials and a Ukrainian official, however, said the weapon appeared to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile, not an ICBM. Dimitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said that under protocol, Russia was not required to notify the American side in advance of the missile launch because the Oreshnik is not an intercontinental missile. But an automatic notification to the U.S. was triggered 30 minutes before the launch, Mr. Peskov told Tass, the Russian state media outlet. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that it received that warning. In a statement on Thursday, the National Security Council in the U.S. said that Russia launched what it called an experimental medium-range ballistic missile against Ukraine. The statement said Russia likely had only a handful of these missiles and had likely used it to try to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters. The International Criminal Court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for a single Hamas official not three as the chief prosecutor had initially sought in May. Thats because two of them have since been killed. Karim Khan, the courts chief prosecutor, requested the warrants after investigating Hamass attack on Israel in October 2023 and Israels subsequent bombardment and invasion of Gaza. In May, Mr. Khan asked the court to issue warrants for Hamass top leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar; its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh; and its military chief, Muhammad Deif. He accused them of war crimes and crimes against humanity for the killing of civilians and the capture of hostages during the October 2023 attack, as well as maltreatment of and sexual violence against hostages during their captivity in Gaza. The requests required approval by judges from the I.C.C., the worlds top criminal court. That took months. In the meantime, Mr. Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in July, a killing widely attributed to Israel. The court subsequently announced that it had terminated proceedings against him. And Israeli forces killed Mr. Sinwar in a firefight in Gaza in October. As for Mr. Deif, Israel claimed to have killed him in an airstrike in Gaza in October. On Thursday, the court said it was not in a position to determine whether Mr. Deif has been killed or remains alive and was therefore issuing the warrant for his arrest. Matthew Mpoke Bigg contributed reporting. The International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and dealing an extraordinary blow to Israels global standing as it presses on with wars on multiple fronts. The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Hamass military chief, Muhammad Deif, accusing him, too, of crimes against humanity, including murder, hostage taking and sexual violence. Israel has said that it killed Mr. Deif in an airstrike, but the court said it could not determine whether he was dead. Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant are unlikely to find themselves in a courtroom standing trial on the charges anytime soon. The court has no police force to make arrests and neither Israel nor its chief ally, the United States, is among its member nations. But the order carries significant moral weight, it is likely to restrict the leaders travel around the world, and it further isolates Israel as it prosecutes wars in Gaza and Lebanon. The court did not release the warrants, but it said in a news release that there were reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has joined a short list of sitting leaders charged by the International Criminal Court. The warrant announced against him on Thursday puts Mr. Netanyahu in the same category as Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the deposed president of Sudan, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. As part of their membership in the court, countries are required to arrest people for whom it has issued warrants, though that obligation has not always been observed. Here is a closer look at some of the leaders for whom warrants have been issued by the court since its creation more than two decades ago. Cyber specialists from Ukraine hacked the websites of 19 Russian companies in the temporarily occupied territories, the obtained valuable information was transferred to the Defense Forces, the Centre for Strategic Communication of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. "Ukrainian cyber specialists published congratulations on the 11th anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity on the Russian websites of enterprises operating in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and supporting aggression Information that may be valuable was transferred to partners from the Defense Forces," the Telegram channel said on Thursday. Some 19 Russian companies in the temporarily occupied Crimea, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions were affected. "Instead of the front pages, the websites posted an image of a broken chain. This was a reminder of freedom - the value for which Ukrainians went to Maidan on November 21, 2013. And the Russians were shown that their systems are vulnerable," the report notes. The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel will confront governments around the world with a dilemma: whether to detain the leader of a democracy that is also an ally of many of their countries. The warrants issued on Thursday, which seek the arrests of Mr. Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, represent a diplomatic landmark: It is the first time leaders of a modern Western democracy stand accused of war crimes by a global judicial body. But they are also a reminder of the significant gaps in the courts jurisdiction and the often patchwork enforcement of previous such warrants. The court has 124 signatories, all of which are formally obliged to carry out the arrest warrants if Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Gallant or any other person wanted by the court steps on their soil, even if by accident, as, for example, because of an aircraft malfunction requiring an unscheduled landing. The warrants are binding on all parties to the I.C.C., said Philippe Sands, an expert in international law who has argued before the court. If they set foot on the territory of a state party, that state party has an obligation to arrest and transfer to The Hague. Thats pretty binding. U.S. presidential administrations from both parties have argued in the past that the court should not exercise its authority over citizens from countries that are not a member of the court. There remains fear of actually being investigated by the court for the commission of atrocity crimes, given the military projection of both countries regionally or globally, and fear of being prosecuted for political, rather than evidence-based, reasons, said David Scheffer, a former U.S. ambassador and a chief negotiator of the statute that established the court. Mr. Scheffer added that there were strong rebuttals to those fears, including that no countrys leaders should, as a matter of policy and of law, enjoy impunity for intentionally committing genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity. This argument, he said in an email, has been pursued with determination (and American support) in Ukraine, which shortly will become the 125th member of the I.C.C. The Biden administration swiftly denounced the I.C.C.s decision on Thursday. The United States fundamentally rejects the courts decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, a spokesman for President Bidens National Security Council said in a statement. We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision. Several prominent Republicans, too, condemned it, including Representative Michael Waltz, Republican of Florida, whom President-elect Donald J. Trump has tapped to be his national security adviser. Mr. Waltz said in a statement on Thursday that Israel had acted lawfully during the war in Gaza and that the United States had rejected the courts charges. He also warned the court and the United Nations about the Trump administrations position toward the bodies once it takes office. You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January, he wrote on X. 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 Peter Prodromou Arch Painting, a provider of commercial and residential painting services, brings on former Racepoint Global CEO and president Peter Prodromou as CMO. Prodromou most recently founded and was president of Boathouse. He has also served as CEO and president at Boston Digital and SVP at Weber Shandwick. Prodromou, who has been on Arch Paintings board of directors, will work with company president and CEO Rich Kilgannon to execute a strategic vision to amplify growth in the commercial and national account sectors, as well as launching Paintezen, a technology and service platform aimed at transforming customer service through next generation automation. Peter brings a level of experience and creativity that we believe is crucial to fueling growth, said Kilgannon. The company has also named Ryan Clinton as VP of technology. Clinton was formerly an EVP at Thrive, where he provided strategic technology and cybersecurity advisory services to clients globally, including Arch. Eric Dahmer Mid America Pet Food appoints Eric Dahmer as CMO. Dahmer was previously CMO at Pet Honesty, which manufactures supplements for dogs and cats. He has also served as head of marketing and VP at Natures Way and held senior marketing posts at The Kraft Heinz Company and Johnson & Johnson. At Mid America Pet Food, he will lead all omni-channel brand and digital marketing, including commercialization within e-commerce channels. "Eric's extensive experience in working on big and emerging brands, paired with his proven track record in developing top and bottom-line growth, will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and expand our reach," said Mid America Pet Food CEO Jeff Caswell. Bryant Ison Planet 13 Holdings, a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis company, hires Bryant Ison as VP of national marketing. Ison was previously managing director/CMO at Sterling-Rice Group, a strategic growth consultancy and CMO for cannabis operator Columbia Care. He has also held executive positions at PepsiCo and Johnson & Johnson. At Planet 13, Ison is tasked with spearheading strategic initiatives to will elevate Planet 13s brand presence, expand its customer base, and capitalize on emerging market trends.. "Bryant's extensive experience in building and driving brand growth across iconic, emerging, and cannabis markets makes him an ideal leader for Planet 13's expansion, said Planet 13 co-CEO Bob Groesbeck. Ronn Torossian Things move fast in New York City and 5W Public Relations Founder and Chairman Ronn Torossian is no exception. His firm has thrived in the hustle and bustle of the city since 2003. We blitzed through a discussion on artificial intelligence where Torossian explained his overall embrace of the phenomenon and how its a core part of his agencys expertise, both for clients and to improve internal efficiencies. AI is changing the whole world, every business on Earth. Theres no reason to think that the PR and digital marketing business wont be completely changed as well, Torossian insists. One of the first points Torossian hit upon is the use of AI tools that streamline media monitoring and offer more precise targeting of journalists. AI enables us to analyze big amounts of data and identify trends much quicker, Torossian said. 5Ws approach to earned media has undergone a paradigm shift. Were just better able to understand and track in real-time public sentiment, Torossian said. Recent work for a 5W fintech client involved demonstrating the responsible use of AI and addressing consumer bias concerns for the companys use of AI algorithms to gauge risk assessment and credit scoring. This article is featured in O'Dwyer's Nov. Technology PR Magazine Torossian pointed out in an article posted online with ODwyers that public relations is essential in bridging the gap between innovation and understanding, fostering trust in AI, and ensuring its responsible adoption. For Torossian, there should be no shortage of educational resources to help the public understand AI and its potential benefits. An edtech client was counseled to run a public workshop on demystifying AIs role while also offering personalized learning, Torossian explained. 5Ws counsel for a healthcare client keyed in on AI driven diagnostic work and highlights the need for real-world examples of AI solving problems and improving lives, according to Torossian. Torossian is not shy about encouraging his clients to invest in AI and take it seriously. Any company not looking at AI is making a mistake, Torossian said. Torossian emphasizes AIs positive impact on society, including advancements in medical research and climate change mitigation, as a way to ease concerns people might have about it. AI and journalism Torossian feels that journalism was already in trouble before the emergence of AI, and he thinks it will just continue to struggle. I pointed out to Torossian that the ratio of PR pros to journalists was only two to one in 1980, but now stands at more than six to one. This means getting earned media will be harder and harder, Torossian lamented. AI is just capable of automating so many tasks, Torossian notes. Youre going to see for every 100 jobs, 20 of them will be eliminated. While a mention in the Wall Street Journal or the New York Times is still seen as a major coup, posting original thought leadership for clients on platforms like LinkedIn is just as much of a goal, Torossian explained. Torossian feels LinkedIn is a great B2B tool while X is mostly for breaking news. My consumer-packaged goods clients pretty much stay away from X, he said. AIs place with social media is to help you leverage use of different channels and make life easier, Torossian explained. Torossian described how staffers are using a proprietary tool that queries their own knowledge base to assist with prepping releases and other client documents. AI makes it easier to make noise, to create content and to respond to whatevers going on, Torossian said. Theres no question about that. Whether its X, Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram, you must know these platforms inside and out and be able to leverage these channels to be effective in PR in 2024, Torossian said. Search engine optimization 5W has long recognized the importance of managing how clients appear in search engine results, Torossian explained. Its the first place people turn when they are seeking answers, he said. Search engine optimization is not a dead art, but gone are the days of loading up key words on a web page and tweaking meta tags, according to Torossian. His team looks to websites, blogs, social networks, inter-linking and SEO copy writing to impact online search results. Google has always been the smartest when it comes to the algorithms that rank web pages and they are continually inventing new ground rules, especially in the AI space, Torossian explained. Everything has to be creative and original and cant only be machine-generated, Torossian said. Torossian believes AI is going to completely change the PR and communications business, but what is unknown though is how and in what way, he admits. If I knew the answer, Id have a much larger business in many different sectors besides PR, Torossian said. Torossian acknowledges that no matter what happens with AI, human creativity and interaction are key in PR and communications. You still need relationship building. Sachs Media is selected to lead a comprehensive PR and marketing campaign for the Girl Scouts Florida Association as it prepares for the December release of its "State of the Florida Girl" report. The rms communications strategy will work to raise awareness for the report through a mix of media reach, digital marketing and grassroots engagement, with a targeted approach to engage policymakers, community leaders, parents and educators across Florida. The Girl Scouts Florida Association represents more than 40,000 girls and 20,000 adult members in six Councils across the state. Working with Sachs Media has been a truly rewarding experience. Their commitment to advancing our mission and their strategic expertise are exactly what we need to amplify our impact across Florida, said Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida CEO Chelsea Wilkerson. RG2 Communications lands Wave House, an oceanfront high-end condo hotel in El Zonte, El Salvador, an area known as Bitcoin Beach due to the fact that it accepts bitcoin as a payment method. The agencys services for Wave House include international communications strategy, storytelling/brand consultancy, press releases and media hostings. The propertys 19 units range in size from studios to three-bedroom penthouse suites, each with furniture created by local Salvadoran design studio CHWashington Studio. Wave House amenities include a gallery featuring local artists, a 5,000-square-foot rooftop deck with ocean views, a wellness area and a poolside cocktail bar. Jack Taylor signs on as PR agency of record for Tonal, a strength training system. The efforts will focus on brand and consumer communications through dynamic storytelling about the product, while underlining Tonals growth and innovation. This will include product seeding and in-person demos, building community through activations. Jack Taylor will also work to elevate the leadership team behind the brand, including newly appointed CEO Darren MacDonald, through digital, podcast broadcast, and speaking opportunities spanning traditional and new media channels. Tonal combines data science, computer vision, AI and instructor-led on-demand and live workouts across such fitness categories as strength training, cardio, yoga, HIIT and mobility. MMGY Global is working with Zurich Tourism to promote travel to that Swiss city. It is to generate impactful and positive social media and press coverage and broaden brand awareness by promoting Zurich's unique architecture, culture and arts, according to its contract. Zurich is known for its twin-towered Grossmunster church, which according to legend was founded by Charlemagne. It also is the burial site of Saints Felix and Regula, patron saints of Zurich. On a lighter note, Zurich is home of the Lindt Home of Chocolate complex. MMGYs media outreach may cover news, seasonal storytelling, evergreen content, special events and partnerships. Julie Freeman, MMGY executive VP & managing director for PR, social & experiential marketing, oversees the Zurich push. AS the opening of the new ALDI store in Tullamore approaches, Store Manager Yasmin Rourke says ''It is a great opportunity to take on the new Tullamore store. The experience of opening a new store, building a new team and creating a local customer base is something I am really excited about and grateful to have the opportunity to do.'' Yasmin is originally from Headford, Co. Galway but now lives in Athlone, with her five-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier called Jessie which she rescued during the pandemic in 2021.''She quickly became the highlight of my day! I also recently got married in September of this year in County Offaly,'' says Yasmin. ''Since I started my career in ALDI nearly ten years ago, I have worked in a number of stores. I started as a Store Assistant in Headford Road, County Galway and then spent time at a number of ALDI stores including Loughrea, Athlone, Roscommon, Kinnegad and Ballyfermot, and now onto the new Tullamore store.'' Yasmin worked as a Store Assistant until 2019 when she was promoted to Deputy Store Manager. Two years later she became Assistant Store Manager in the Kinnegad store before eventually moving to Ballyfermot as Acting Store Manager. ''ALDI provided training for me at the Kinnegad and Ballyfermot stores which was really beneficial when it came to progressing my career.'' When she is not busy working in ALDI Yasmin enjoys cooking, travelling, and listening to music. ''I find that working at ALDI allows me to maintain a good work-life balance, so Im able to pursue these hobbies in my free time.'' ALDIs new store in Tullamore, will create 30 permanent jobs and represents an investment of over 9.8 million in the area.The store will officially be opened by the local team, led by Yasmin on November 28.This will be ALDIs 163rd store in Ireland and the second store in Tullamore. Ukrzaliznytsia will launch a daily direct train route between Kyiv and Budapest starting December 15, the company announced on Thursday via Telegram. "Train pair No. 9/10, connecting Kyiv and Budapest, will become the 20th international route operated by Ukrzaliznytsia," Ukrzaliznytsia's press service reported. The train will feature standard sleeping cars, including four-berth coupe compartments and two-berth luxury compartments. "This route was made possible after extensive diplomatic negotiations, ensuring the use of wide-gauge carriages, with at least eight carriages per journey, to transport Ukrainians to and from Hungary's capital. Budapest is home to the Ferenc Liszt International Airport, the largest in the region, with many flights now synchronized with the Ukrainian train schedule," said Ukrzaliznytsia Board Chairman Oleksandr Pertsovsky in the statement. The train will depart from Kyiv at 10:16 AM, arriving in Budapest at 6:00 AM the following day. The return trip will leave Budapest at 10:40 PM, arriving in Kyiv at 7:11 PM. Tickets for coupe compartments are estimated to cost UAH 3,000. A MEETING of the homeowners involved in the first phase of the Fivealley PV Solar Meitheal took place on Wednesday evening last in Rath and marked the official commencement of the Meitheal bringing almost 10 months of planning to a successful conclusion. The Meitheal now moves to the implementation stage which will see up to 58 houses within a 10km radius transition away from reliance on fossil fuels to Solar PV energy source. The Solar Meitheal is an initiative of Fivealley Development Group, who are also registered as a Sustainable Energy Community. The objective of the Fivealley SEC is to bring about carbon reduction, promoting a shift to renewable energy sources in an area of South Offaly that relied on fossil fuels such as turf and briquettes for generations. During the planning phase of the parish Plan launched in February this year, the sample surveyed highlighted reliance on solid fuels, peat briquettes/turf, firewood or a combination as their main source of heating. 83% of those surveyed did not have immediate plans to change their heating source with 56% citing cost as the main barrier. Against this backdrop, Fivealley SEC began to work with SEAI Mentor, Laurence O'Reilly to research the concept of a Solar Meitheal for the Parish to help accelerate a shift to renewables. In April, a public meeting was held with the support of the SEAI to determine interest in a local PV Solar Meitheal and 103 Expressions of Interest from homeowners came forward. With the key objective of achieving value for homeowners, Fivealley SEC invited quotations from 12 SEAI registered contractors to deliver a pilot project in Eglish Drumcullen Parish and following a very competitive process, Tullamore firm Alternative Energy Ireland have been selected to deliver the project for the first cohort who stand to benefit from the full SEAI grant which will be matched by Bord na Mona. Phase 2 of the project will be rolled out in 2025 contingent on the availability of funds and the learning from this pilot phase. The Fivealley SEC is a sub committee of the Fivealley Development Group and includes; Anne Egan, Chair, Rita Guinan, Secretary, Una Watkins and Grace Grennan. At Wednesdays meeting, Anne Egan, Chair of Fivealley Development, acknowledged the support of SEAI Mentor, Laurence O'Reilly and the Committee which is entirely voluntary and wished AEI well with this very ambitious project. Speaking at the event, Rita Guinan, Secretary, stated that this is the first Meitheal of its kind in the Midlands, and of this scale in Ireland, and called on the attendees to play their part to derive benefits and success for everyone involved including the local community, Bord na Mona, SEAI, Contractors, and the environment going forward. With grants and significant private Sector funding this Meitheal represents a major investment in a sustainable future for the area. SEAI Mentor, Laurence O'Reilly explained that the Sustainable Energy Community concept to the gathering and highlighted that communities of active energy citizens such as this will lead the societal transformation to a low carbon future. Una Watkins closed the event managing a lively Q&A session and called on homeowners not going ahead to come forward as soon as possible to allow Fivealley Development substitute others from the initial verified list of 103 homeowners within the 10km catchment. A MAN will have to pay 2,500 in compensation if Judge Andrew Cody is to strike out a charge of assaulting another man last month in Tullamore town centre, causing him harm. Judge Cody made the order after a plea of guilty was entered to the offence by a Georgian national, Badri Jangavadze (25), Russellstown, Carlow. Mr Jangavadze admitted assaulting Olkeksandr Olshevskyi at Church Street, Tullamore on October 20 last. Garda Christopher Ward told the court that gardai had been told by a bouncer at the Bridge House that two men had been fighting outside the premises. Garda Ward said he saw the accused, Mr Jangavadze, standing on the injured party and punching him in the head at Church Street. The garda stopped Mr Jangavadze and pulled him away and after that he became compliant and offered no resistance. Garda Ward told the court the defendant said the injured party had been making unwanted advances towards his girlfriend. The court was told the accused was in full-time employment with a fencing company in Carlow and was willing to pay 1,000 towards redress. Judge Cody said that punching a man on the head on the ground was a serious offence and the guilty party would have to pay 2,500 if he wished to have the assault charge against him struck out. The payment must be made by December 11 next, Judge Cody ordered. As it moves into its third decade in business, Trade Safety Ltd has grown impressively to become an industry leader in health & safety, consultancy, training, and equipment sales and hire. Headed up by husband and wife team Austin and Patricia Handy, Trade Safety celebrated reaching the 20-year milestone with an open day last Friday at its headquarters in Sragh Business Park on Sragh Avenue in Tullamore. Visitors along with any motorists passing by were treated to the sight of a man conducting a simulated rescue from a great height, just one of the numerous services which Trade Safety now offers. Austin Handy's original qualification was as a welder/fitter and in the mid 2000s he completed a degree in environmental health and safety management, a move which brought him to where he is today - running a company which has clients large and small all over the country (Enva in Portlaoise and AQS Environmental Solutions, Tipperary are just two examples) and which has just opened a branch in Belfast. The Clara man's breadth of experience means he is extremely well positioned to understand the safety needs of the modern workplace. Standing in the very well stocked store at the Trade Safety premises he recalls the early years of his career as a craftsman. When I served my time we had no protection whatsoever and as a result of that I struggle with my lungs. I used to be able to swim 100 lengths and now I would struggle to swim 20 because I can't get the oxygen through, he said. We even used to sniff the welding rods not knowing that they were a carcinogen. The supply and service of specialised equipment for all kinds of workplaces is now paramount and all industrial sectors have moved to the point where they realise the importance of health and safety. As a result, protective masks and headgear are now so complex that some can be provided specifically to fit a person's head, just as one would choose a certain shoe size. Austin sums it up: We don't just put a mask on the person, we do a face fit test to ensure the mask actually fits. If it not correct contaminants can get in and that person could breathe in something they shouldn't. Trade Safety owners, Austin and Patricia Handy and colleagues celebrated 20 years in business last Friday As he found his feet in the world of health and safety Austin quickly discovered that there were many problems out on sites, but few solutions. He set about rectifying that imbalance. Today, Trade Safety Ltd is a very large operation employing more than 15 people which can broken down into three broad areas of activity Equipment Hire, Sales and Servicing; Consultancy; and Training. At the open day there was a particular focus on three specialist sectors in which Trade Safety has particular expertise - confined spaces, working at heights and asbestos. With the confined spaces training unit beside him, Jimmy Duffy, Trade Safety general manager, explained that such spaces require a particular response: Confined space is an area where there's an issue with access or egress, or issues inside that could cause a restriction. Basically it's an enclosed space and within it there are different levels of risk, low, medium or high. At the same time, Aidan Marrinan was going up and down the Skyhook, Trade Safety's system for rescuing people from heights. Aidan demonstrated how an injured person and himself can be brought safely to earth for medical treatment in under four minutes, something which is of critical importance in situations which are literally matters of life or death. The Skyhook (there are only four such devices in Ireland and Trade Safety has all four) can be positioned where the emergency is and the person in difficulty can be winched off and brought down so that first aid can be administered. Trade Safety trains others in the assembly, installation and use of the Skyhook and the company's staff can also be on standby at a site to manage a rescue in the event of a fall. Last Friday visitors could also see a decontamination trailer, a mobile unit which is especially important when workers encounter the dangers of asbestos. Commonplace in construction for centuries, its safe removal is now a key requirement in many refurbishment, reconstruction and demolition projects. Workers enter the trailer, undergo a changing and washing procedure, and emerge without any contamination. As Jimmy Duffy put it: You go in a dirty end and come out at the clean end. Trade Safety also offers roof safety systems, working with an Italian company, Rothoblaas, to carry out bespoke design solutions which are then installed and inspected periodically. Whether it is access or egress to a roof via a ladder, or safe walking on a roof in bad weather, solutions are necessary and Trade Safety can deliver them. The company is also expert in over-netting which prevents falls through the weakest part of many roofs the skylight. Austin Handy lists just some of the challenges his business has to address: How do we rescue somebody from heights? How do we rescue somebody from a confined space? How do we put somebody into a confined space that has a toxic atmosphere or an oxygen deficient atmosphere? Some of the answers to those questions, and countless other problems which are more down to earth, are answered in Trade Safety store. It is open Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5.30pm and on Fridays from 9am to 5pm, and stocks masks, helmets, first aid equipment, fire extinguishers, gas detectors, safety wear, safety equipment, breathing apparatus, lanyards, winches and much more. A lot of the guys around the town call us the harness people. We do sell a lot of harnesses so I suppose it's a good thing to be known as, laughed Austin. The sale and hire of equipment is a big part of the business (even some of the largest contractors find it more economical to hire than buy equipment outright, especially when one item, like an ATEX light would costs thousands of euros to purchase but only a couple of hundred to rent) but servicing is crucial too. We have to be able to service equipment because basically somebody's life is on the line if it fails, said Austin. Log on to www.tradesafety.ie for more information. *Sponsored Content Photo: https://president.gov.ua/ The frontline in Ukraine is "less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale invasion" as Russia escalates its attacks, including with the deployment of at least 10,000 North Korean troops, UK Defence Secretary John Healey has said. "Defence intelligence will reveal today that the frontline is now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full scale Russian invasion in February 22 and we've seen in recent weeks a very clear escalation from Putin and his forces," Healy said, speaking in front of the Defense Committee, SkyNews reports. The minister said that there had been a "very clear escalation" from Russian President Vladimir Putin and his forces and also that Moscow is increasing attacks on civilian infrastructure and he cited media reports that Russia had deployed a new type of ballistic missile against Ukraine. "They've stepped up attacks on the energy system in Ukraine ahead of winter. They've stepped up attacks on civilian centres, killing children. They've deployed at least 10,000 North Korean troops to the battle[field], and there are unconfirmed ... media reports today of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine, which we know they have been preparing for months," Healey stressed. In response to a question whether the Ukrainian military actually launched Storm Shadow cruise missiles supplied by the UK at Russia for the first time, Healy said that the UK was "stepping up" and "doubling down" on its support for Ukraine, but refused to talk about any details. The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine has posted a video of the press briefing by Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova with a request to refrain from commenting on today's missile strikes against Dnipro. Thus, Russia has, in fact, admitted the strike by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) against the territory of Ukraine, the CCD said. As seen on the video published by the CCD, during the press briefing on Thursday, Zakharova received an incoming call on her cellphone. It can be heard that the person speaking on the phone asks the spokeswoman to give no comment on the ICBM strikes against a Dnipro-based industrial enterprise. "Russian terrorists have, in fact, admitted an ICBM strike against the territory of Ukraine on air," the CCD said. According to experts, if the ICBM strike is confirmed, it will be the first known combat use of such weapons in the history. More than 60 Crimean political prisoners are already in need of urgent medical care, two of them died in Russian prisons due to the lack of help, First Deputy Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, former political prisoner Nariman Dzhelal has said. "According to the calculations of our human rights activists, 60 of our Crimean political prisoners need urgent medical care, although everyone has medical problems. It is because of the lack of medical care that two Crimean political prisoners died in prison: Dzhemil Gafarov and Kostiantyn Shyrinh," he said at the Second International Conference "Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South" in Kyiv on Thursday. Dzhelal also noted that there are 218 people in occupied Crimea who are officially recognized by human rights activists as Crimean political prisoners, and 132 of them are Crimean Tatars. "And this is only official data," he emphasized. "Repressive policy, not stopping for a minute all the years of occupation with the beginning of full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine in 2022, has acquired an extraordinary scope. Today, no citizen of Ukraine in Crimea can feel safe and be sure that, if necessary, they will be able to protect their rights and their life," the First Deputy Head of the Mejlis said. He also emphasized that free journalism in Crimea is destroyed, journalists succumb to repression. "There are 18 Crimean journalists illegally staying behind bars," Dzhelal said. A total of 114 combat clashes were recorded along the entire front line since the beginning of the day and as of 4 p.m. on Thursday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has said on Facebook, reporting, in particular, 30 combat clashes on the Pokrovsk axis and 21 on the Kurakhove axis. "The Ukrainian defense forces are holding back the offensive of the Russian occupiers. Currently, the number of combat clashes has increased to 114. Ukrainian defenders are taking the necessary measures to prevent the enemy from advancing deep into the territory of Ukraine," it said. On the Kurakhove axis, the enemy army carried out 21 attacks near Berestky, Sontsivka, Zoria, Kurakhove, Dalne, Katerynivka and Antonivka. Nine attempts of the occupiers to advance have already been repulsed. The fighting continues. The enemy dropped seven aerial bombs on Andriyivka. "On the Pokrovsk axis, Russian invaders made 30 attempts to push our defenders from their positions in the areas of Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Petrivka, Chumatske and Pustynka. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught and repulsed 22 enemy attacks, eight combat clashes are still ongoing," the General Staff said. On the Lyman axis, the Russian army carried out twelve attacks on Ukrainian positions near Tverdokhlibove, Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Terny, Torske and in the Serebryansky Forest during the day. Ten battles ended, another two are ongoing. On the Siversk axis, enemy aircraft struck Kuzmynivka with guided aerial bombs. On the Kramatorsk axis, the enemy attacked twice the areas of Chasiv Yar and Stupochky since the beginning of the day, currently the battle is ongoing. On the Toretsk axis, the aggressor tried four times to cut into our defense in the areas of Toretsk and Scherbynivka. The occupiers are actively using aviation in the area. They struck Toretsk, Kalynove, Ivanopillia and Kostiantynivka with guided aerial bombs. On the Kharkiv axis, the enemy stormed six times the positions of our units in the area of Vovchansk, the fighting continues. On the Kupyansk axis, the Russian occupiers attacked the defense forces twelve times in the areas of Petropavlivka, Kolesnykivka, Zahryzove and Lozova. Five combat clashes continue. On the Vremiv axis, there were seven enemy attacks in the area of Trudove, Konstantynopolske, Rozlyv, Sukhi Yaly and Novodorivka. Three battles are still ongoing. Ulakly and Velyka Novosilka came under enemy air attacks. "On the Orikhiv axis, the occupation troops once stormed the positions of the defense forces near Pyatykhatky. On the Prydniprovsky axis, an enemy attack continues," the General Staff said. A social hostel for internally displaced persons (IDP) has been opened in the Fastiv district of Kyiv region, seven families from war-affected regions of Ukraine have settled in it, the press service of Kyiv Regional Military Administration said on Thursday. "A social hostel in the village Dorohynka, Tomashivka community, opened its doors for seven internally displaced families. The keys to the apartments were given to residents of Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Sumy and Kherson regions. Housing is provided for perpetual use," it said on the Telegram channel. People have settled in the furnished apartments: five two-room, one three-room and one one-room apartments. Each apartment is equipped with furniture and household appliances. The hostel has two bathrooms, a kitchen and a recreation area, which will provide comfortable accommodation for those who were forced to leave their homes because of the war. The project was implemented with the financial support of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the ROKADA Charitable Foundation. More than 250,000 IDPs are currently registered in Kyiv region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with a UK delegation led by Chief of the Defense Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin. "We discussed defense cooperation between Ukraine and the UK the development and build-up of technological capabilities of the AFU. Special attention [was paid] to military needs of Ukraine and further assistance from partners," Zelensky said on the Telegram channel on Thursday. The head of state thanked the UK people and the government for their long-term support, adding that Ukraine and the UK have good contacts and strong cooperation. I am not a historian. I am a journalist and political strategist, and I deal with data and information. So, permit me some leeway if I do not get some historical analyses right. But the topic of how empires decline and ultimately fall is a valid one to discuss in 2024, especially with the return of Donald Trump to the White House. In fact, the recently concluded United States presidential elections helped to shed light on what many are calling the "end of Pax Americana" - the end of the American century. The American Empire, constructed upon the decay, debris and fall of the British Empire (and Europe) at the end of World War II has lasted for about 80 years. And while the empire is certainly alive today and may go on living for decades to come, the fact is that imperial decline is a well-established gradual process. Empires no not decline overnight. Let me begin with when this weakening of the American Empire started - in 2010. That year economic globalization of the American-led world order was cutting good-paying factory jobs here, income inequality was rising, deepening and widening, and capitalism's failures in the form of corporate bailouts were booming -- all essential ingredients for rising working-class anger and resentment as well as deepening domestic divisions. Coupled with these early warning signs were ill-advised U.S. (and its European poodle states) military misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan, concocted and promoted by Washington elites trying to deny any semblance of socio-economic decline, stoked anger among ordinary Americans, and gradually discredited the very notion of international commitments. This was accompanied by the erosion of America's relative economic strength from half the world's output back in 1950 to about 25% in 2010 meant the wherewithal for its unipolar power was fading fast. Historians long ago coined the phrase The Thucydides Trap to describe an apparent tendency towards war when an emerging power threatens to displace an existing great power as a regional or international hegemon. China was that "emerging power," a "near-peer" competitor that was needed to turn that attenuating U.S. global hegemony into accelerating imperial decline. With rapid economic growth, a vast population, and the world's longest imperial tradition, China was primed to become just such an emerging power. However, back in 2010 even as China pulled over 600 million of its people out of poverty - an incredible feat accomplished in less than 40 years - Washington's foreign policy elites thought little of China's rise and even admitted the country to the World Trade Organization (WTO) confident that U.S. power and global hegemony could readily mold and make China to the United States' particular liking. But two years later, in 2012, the United States political scientists finally woke up and concluded that "China alone will probably have the largest economy, surpassing that of the United States a few years before 2030," and the U.S. would no longer be "a hegemonic power." To make matters worse, one year later in 2013, China launched its massive $4 trillion "Belt and Road Initiative" catching the United States and its European allies flat-footed, by surprise, which forced them to try and play catch up ever since. The BRI is today history's largest development program that spans the globe opening up new markets for Chinese goods and services, and bringing hundreds of countries into China's column. All of this has forced Washington to finally conclude that China - not Russia - is America's biggest military AND economic threat today in 2024. By exploiting the very globalized economy, China's manufacturing and industrial output soared to a staggering $3.2 trillion by 2016, surpassing both the U.S. and Japan, while simultaneously eliminating, killing a whopping 2.4 million American jobs between 1999 and 2011. This caused the closure of factories in countless towns across the U.S. South and Midwest. By fraying social safety nets while eroding protections for labor unions and local businesses in both the U.S. and Europe, globalization reduced the quality of life for hundreds of millions, while creating mounting inequality on a truly humongous scale, and stoking a working-class reaction that would crest in a global wave of angry populism. As the United States (and Europe) weakened and with the growing assertiveness of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and new-found enthusiasm by some African countries to kick out its old colonial masters (France in Niger, for example), the world witnessed the rise of the political populist strongman as a consequence of working-class anger and distrust of the elites and oligarchs of moribund liberal democracies. Riding that wave, right-wing populists have won a steady stream of elections -- in Russia (2000), Israel (2009), Hungary (2010), China (2012), Turkey (2014), the Philippines (2016), the U.S. (2016), Brazil (2018), Italy (2022), the Netherlands (2023), Indonesia (2024), and the U.S. again (2024). Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Count on one thing: On January 20, 2025, we will indeed find ourselves in a new world. And that new world won't, I suspect, be all that familiar even to those of us who lived through the previous version of it from January 20, 2017, to perhaps January 6, 2021, when Washington almost literally came apart at the seams. In retrospect, the last four years have been kind of a waiting game with an old man (and I say that as an old man myself) holding down the fort until Donald J. Trump could sweep back into power and, from disease to war, climate change to immigration, turn this country into an increasingly unrecognizable new world (from hell). I sometimes dream of bringing back my parents (both of whom died in the previous century) and introducing them (so to speak) to Donald J. Trump, the president of the United States a second time around. They wouldn't believe it! We're talking, of course, about the man who just nominated Matt Gaetz, a congressman who gives "far-right" true meaning, as the" yes!" attorney general, which will also give the phrase "the rule of law" new meaning. And then there's Pete Hegseth, best known as a Fox News presenter (and not as a once-upon-a-time prison guard at the Guanta'namo Bay detention camp) to run the Pentagon, the home of the generals who have lost just about every war imaginable in this century, while running into the ground the most overfunded institution in America, and who plans, above all else, to end its -- are you kidding me? -- "wokeness." And that's just to begin what will undoubtedly prove to be an endless list of appointees guaranteed to give the very word "government" a grim new meaning. In such a world, we can only dream that we (and those we love) were in another, better America on another, better planet in another, better time. But since that's not possible, let me instead turn you over to TomDispatch regular Frida Berrigan whose dreams of how this world might be, put the eerie world that now is the (dis)United States of America in (as you'll see) a far better context. If only! Tom A Final Speech from the Great Disrupter (If Only in My Dreams) By Frida Berrigan My inbox is full of lament (and encouragement). My Instagram feed is full of anger and "the arc of the moral universe bends slow but-- My Facebook brims with exhortations to focus on the positive, on what we can control, on the next fight. I live in a poor Democratic stronghold in southeastern Connecticut. Kamala Harris won our state by more than 200,000 votes. Our seven paltry electoral votes went blue. Here, Jill Stein got a lot more votes than Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., but nowhere near enough to swing the Nutmeg State red. I didn't plant a Harris/Walz sign on my front walk. I didn't knock on doors in Pennsylvania. I didn't give any money in response to the desperate and constant text messages I received from Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, and dozens of other Democratic pen pals. I also never figured out how to stop those texts from crowding onto my phone. Now that the election -- the longest for Donald Trump (he started campaigning and fomenting insurrection even before the White House door whacked him on the bottom in 2021) and the shortest (just 107 days) for Kamala Harris -- is over, there's a small voice in my head asking why I didn't go in hard for Kamala's politics of JOY. I love joy! I love her laugh! But I also know the answer: 43,000 dead in Gaza didn't spark joy. Continued shipments of U.S. weapons to Israel didn't make me happy. For all their good vibes alchemy, the Harris/Walz campaign failed to depart from the Biden administration's blank check for Benjamin Netanyahu's version of saturation bombing. There's a lot her campaign should have/could have/might have done differently (if they had more time, if they had listened to different strategists) in terms of their ground game, how they spent their money, and who they focused on. There's already a cottage industry of podcasters, pundits, and policy wonks at work figuring out just how and where the Harris/Walz campaign went wrong. But at the end of the day, of course, she lost because Trump won, because white men, atheist men, born-again men, Catholic men, rich men, poor men, men of all colors voted for him. They embraced his misogyny; his nativism; his racism; his Teflon-Don persona; his tall walls and barbed wire; his hatred of trans kids and gender as a spectrum; and his well-financed, loudly declared, legislatively-wired hatred of just about anyone who isn't like him. Or maybe, just maybe, they held their noses against that foul hate-fest and voted for him because of some small, single, shining promise that rang out for them amid the cacophony of his raucous, roadshowing campaign. Who knows? I'm not a pundit, a podcaster, or a policy wonk. I'm not a Democratic Party insider. In fact, I've often (but not in 2024) voted Green. I'm a mother of three bright, opinionated kids, two of whom don't fit neatly into the rigid gender-presentation box now mandated by the Republican leadership. All three of those gorgeous human beings love peace and kindness. They're friendly and trusting, as well as sharp and capable of sniffing out hypocrisy and equivocation. The day after the election, I sent them off to school with a warm lecture on staying true to our values of kindness and recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every person -- even those who voted for Trump. "No one we know would vote for him," my son asserted with the confidence of the young. He is incorrect. More than 75 million people in this country voted for him. We certainly know some of them" Some of them are our friends. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Acclaimed Canadian author Margaret Atwood was scheduled to address an in-person audience of 1,200 people Tuesday as part of an Oregon State University lecture series. But the event had to move online due to what Atwood called anonymous threats of violence, The Daily Barometer reported. An OSU spokesperson, Rob Odom, confirmed the move to The Oregonian/OregonLive but attributed it only to unforeseen circumstances. Atwood, who had been communicating through representatives with striking graduate students on the Corvallis campus in advance of her appearance, sent those students a statement. She then read it at the live-streamed version of the event, according to people who attended. Here is Margaret Atwoods statement in full, according to the Coalition of Graduate Employees, AFT Local 6069: THE OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY GRAD STUDENT TA STRIKE AND MY NOVEMBER 19 EVENT Hello Oregonites, and Greetings from my Planet: Here I am in Portland, having travelled for 14 hours to get here (on my birthday! Its okay, at my age, best to ignore it). It seems there is a graduate student strike going on, for higher wages and a shorter contract that wont lock people in for 5 years. I am told that many items have been agreed upon and that a settlement is close. I wouldnt cross a picket line uninvited. The University gave me the option of cancelling. The strikers, on the other hand, said they didnt want to cancel or disrupt the event thereby p*ssing off 1200 people, which would not have helped their position. They only want to gain attention for their cause. As you can see, I am helping them do that. They have a website for donations of food etc. at; vp_solidarity@cge6069.org However, late-breaking news: due to anonymous threats of violence, Ill be doing the event via live-stream rather than in person, as I would not wish to endanger live-event audience members. As far as I can tell, the sides are aligned thus: The grad student teachers are in favour of themselves eating. With the cost of food having gone up so much, you can see their point. The university has offered increases, but (say some) not in line with the rise in cost of living. Having been a grad student once, a long, long, time ago, before face piercings, back when female students had to wear skirts to class, I can testify to some of the cheap crap one eats on a very limited budget. Want the recipe for my nourishing potato, onion, and wiener casserole? No. You dont. The university is in favour of fiscal responsibility and of being able to apportion and account for its responsible spending of donor and government funds. You can see their point, too: if they overspend, debt will ensue. But if they dont have any grad student TAs, they essentially wont have a university. I wish both sides a successful outcome. According to the negotiating classic, Getting to Yes , a good negotiation is one in which neither side ends up with everything it wants. And a hint from the oracle: the incoming federal government does not have warm, friendly feelings towards universities. Get it done before then. And hide under the table. Very best wishes and good luck, Margaret Atwood Beth Slovic is an editor on the public safety and breaking news team. Reach her at 503-221-8551 or bslovic@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com/subscribe. A former Proud Boy associate who clashed with antifa activists at an Oregon City park three years ago was sentenced Wednesday to 14 days in jail and two years of probation. Barry Johnson, 59, of Portland nodded as the man he shoved at the park that day addressed him in court. Travelers should expect delays in both directions of Oregon 6 at milepost 35 as a sunken part of the roadway requires a westbound lane closure. The Oregon Department of Transportation closed the one westbound lane early Wednesday after the sunken roadway was discovered about 15 miles west of Banks. Flaggers are currently directing traffic through the area on one lane only. ODOT spokesperson David House said the disturbance was likely due to heavy rain in the Coast Range. The lane closure may last beyond Thursday while crews and a geologist figure out how to stabilize and repair the road surface. Expect delays until further notice. Travelers heading to the coast may want to use U.S. 26 westbound instead to avoid possible long waits through the area. Visit TripCheck.com for updates. Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov reported on a productive meeting in Copenhagen with the Minister of Defense of Finland Antti Hakkanen. "Finland is one of our most important partners, and I sincerely appreciate the active development of cooperation between our countries in recent years. We discussed opportunities to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities on the battlefield with Finnish defense products. We agreed on further development of bilateral cooperation in military tech, particularly in the field of telecommunications," Umerov said on Facebook. He said Ukraine separately sees great prospects for partnership between Ukrainian and Finnish defense industry enterprises. "For its part, Ukraine is ready to share its unique experience in modernly countering an aggressora nation with which Finland, like Ukraine, shares a common border. Thank you, Antti Hakkanen, for your openness to collaboration," the minister said. The former Oregon juvenile probation officer tied to the killing of a celebrity hairstylist is accused of holding down the victim, covering the mans eyes and helping an alleged accomplice stab him to death, according to California court records. Christopher Austin, 38, of Vancouver is being held at the Mens Central Jail in Los Angeles on more than $2 million bail in connection with the January 2017 stabbing death of Fabio Sementilli. Police have arrested a man and a woman suspected in more than 10 bank robberies in Oregon and Washington, the Clark County Sheriffs Office said Wednesday. Andrew Bekman, 31, and Amira Askew, 28, face charges of first-degree robbery. The sheriffs office said detectives believe Bekman and Askew robbed the Umpqua Bank in Salmon Creek on November 6th and suspect their involvement in other bank robberies in the Vancouver/Portland metro area dating back to June of 2024. After they were arrested, Bekman and Askew confessed to the Umpqua Bank robbery, along with several others, the sheriffs office said in a statement. In the November 6 robbery, a man and a woman wearing masks burst into the Umpqua Bank branch and demanded money, with the man suggesting he had a gun. Working from information provided by a tipster, sheriffs deputies, Portland and Vancouver police officers and the Southwest Regional SWAT Team served a search warrant at a home in Battle Ground at about 9:30 Wednesday morning, according to the sheriffs office. While conducting the search of the house, detectives found weapons, bullet-proof vests and clothing that appeared to match those worn by the robbers during some of the robberies, the sheriffs office said. Detectives also discovered a note that reads: This is a robbery. I have a gun. Empty your till. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive; dperry@oregonian.com Officer Eli Arnold was hiding on Nov. 1, watching a man in a black rain jacket, khakis and a fanny pack hand out what he thought was fentanyl to people in exchange for cash. Many of the people who interacted with the man in the black rain jacket then immediately lit up an unknown substance on a piece of tinfoil. An Amtrak train with 48 passengers onboard ran into a fallen tree Tuesday night while traveling from Vancouver, Canada, to Seattle leaving the train with the tree impaled through its windshield. Amtrak spokesperson Kelly Just said in an email that the accident happened around 7:50 p.m. in Silvana, Washington. An engineer on the train was taken to a hospital for evaluation after the crash.Courtesy of the Washington Department of Transportation An engineer on the train was taken to a hospital for evaluation and released, Just said. None of the passengers reported injuries, and Amtrak transported them to Seattle by bus after the accident, Just said. Amtrak had to arrange alternative transportation for the 48 passengers on the train due to the crash.Courtesy of the Washington Department of Transportation Just added that Amtrak did not have to adjust its train schedule after the crash. Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313. Another Oregon destination has earned national attention, with the announcement of the Good Housekeeping 2025 Family Travel Awards. According to the website, For Good Housekeepings third annual Family Travel Awards, we reviewed hundreds of submissions ranging from luggage and booking platforms to cities, resorts, experiences and much more to find the best options for every type of family. The website also explains how the Good Housekeeping Institute goes about testing candidates for awards, with different procedures for different categories. When it comes to travel destinations, for example, travel professionals assessed regions, resorts, attractions and more to find the best vacation destinations for every family size and trip preference. Our in-depth application form asked entrants to share everything from their typical guests and ideal times to visit to describing what made their destination award-worthy. Hotels and resorts also specified in-room amenities, pool features, recreational activities and other offerings while providing details around diversity, accessibility and sustainability efforts. Next steps involved sending more than 85 travel testers to visit the destinations and evaluate them, in areas including the check-in experience, staff, crowds, Wifi reliability, and more. Among the winners in the Beach Resorts category is Surfsand Resort, in Cannon Beach. As the Good Housekeeping site says, some of the attributes that earned Surfsand Resort include sand dollar hunts at the beach, kite-flying lessons, hot dog roasts, shuttles to the Cannon Beach shopping district, bonfires on the beach, and a heated indoor pool that takes the doldrums out of the locales often moody weather. A travel tester note says, The location is magic, adding that her room faced Haystack Rock. She suggests booking a Haystack Room, the Good Housekeeping site says, because the view of the 235-foot-tall wonder never gets old. A $12 million renovation at Surfsand Resort was completed in June. Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe The 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. The Challenge 40 airs Episode 14 on Wednesday, November 20 at 8 p.m. on MTV. The reality series features individuals from across reality TV platforms throughout The Challenges 40 seasons all coming together to compete in epic challenges for a chance to win a whopping one million dollars. Tune in to watch this weeks episode with a free trial of Philo. Dont have cable? You can watch The Challenge for FREE on Philo (free trial) or Fubo (free trial). This weeks episode is called Swinging Era, where a difficult challenge will start to cause tension between the remaining contestants. Tune in for free with Philo to find out what happens tonight, and get ready for next weeks exciting episode. Who is hosting The Challenge 40? TJ Lavin is back to host the most iconic season of the longest running MTV challenge show. Who is competing on The Challenge 40? Brad Fiorenza from The Real World: San Diego (2004) Brandon Nelson from The Challenge: Fresh Meat II Cory Wharton from Real World: Ex-Plosion Chris CT Tamburello from The Real World: Paris Darrell Taylor from Road Rules: Campus Crawl Derek Chavez from The Real World: Cancun Leroy Garrett from The Real World: Las Vegas (2011) Nehemiah Clark from The Real World: Austin and many others What seasons and shows will re-appear during The Challenge 40? Viewers will see alumni from The Real World, Road Rules, The Challenge (U.S.), Are You the One? (U.S.), Big Brother (U.S.), Survivor (U.S.), Love Island (U.S. and UK), Survival of the Fittest, and Exatlon Estados Unidos. Who has been banned from MTVs The Challenge? Rumor has it that Dunbar Merrill, Duong Dee Nguyen, Tonya Cooley, Evan Starkman, Camila Nakagawa, and Kenny Santucci have all been banned from participating in The Challenge. What TV channel is The Challenge 40 on? What: The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras When: Wednesday, November 20 at 8 p.m. PT/ET (new episodes every Wednesday) TV channel: MTV Watch live stream online: You can watch The Challenge 40 for FREE on Philo (free trial) or Fubo (free trial). If youre out of free trials, you can sign up for Philo for only $28/month. On Friday at 3:28 a.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated high wind warning in effect until 1 p.m. for South Central Oregon Coast and Curry County Coast. The weather service adds, "South winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph possible. The strongest gusts will be along the beaches, headlands and higher coastal terrain." "Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles," describes the weather service. "Remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs. Use caution if you must drive." 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. Interstate 5 reopened northbound and southbound over the Siskiyou Summit between milepost 11 in Ashland and the Oregon-California border at about 10 p.m. Wednesday night. The Oregon Department of Transportation posted on TripCheck.com that while the freeway is open Thursday, travel may still be difficult with changing weather conditions. Those who choose to drive this stretch should be prepared for chain restrictions and watch for snowplows and workers in the area. Travelers should also carry emergency supplies and check the weather forecast and TripCheck.com before getting on the freeway. A check of traffic cams just south of Ashland showed a long line of semis re-entering freeway lanes. Many of these vehicles had been held for about 24 hours while I-5 was closed Wednesday. Expect slow traffic and workers in the area around the Siskiyou Summit. #pdxtraffic OR/CA border update. Looks like I-5 re-opened in both directions last night about 10 p.m. But a look at cams on the Siskiyou Summit shows a lot of stuck traffic. If you can delay that drive, temps should warm today and into Friday. Check https://t.co/0hg0utK6VY pic.twitter.com/L6kRd85ete PDX Traffic Alerts (@TrafficPortland) November 21, 2024 The forecast calls for warming Thursday, but plenty of rain through northern California and into southwest Oregon. Snow levels are expected to rise above 6,000 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Snow levels will lower again by Friday afternoon. Check TripCheck.com for the latest road conditions. On the Day of Dignity and Freedom, Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko handed over help from the capital's community to the soldiers of the Svoboda (Freedom) battalion. "Today I came to congratulate the soldiers of the Svoboda battalion of the 4th brigade of the National Guard Rubezh on the Day of Dignity and Freedom. And I handed over another batch of aid from the hromada of the capital. In particular: Heavyshot bombers, Mavic UAVs of various types, FPV drones, electronic warfare systems (trench and machine)," Klitschko wrote on the Telegram channel. He noted that since 2022, Kyiv has allocated almost UAH 800 million from the city budget for equipping four brigades of the National Guard Rubezh and stressed that Kyiv will continue to help defenders both for the money of the community and by attracting extra-budgetary funds. In 2024, Kyiv allocated UAH 8.6 billion to help the Defense Forces, and UAH 7.5 billion for the entire past 2023. The Xi chapter of Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. prides itself on many things we do and have accomplished here at OU. However, our biggest accomplishment is the ever-enduring T.R.E.E. Conference. The Tomas Rivera Educational Empowerment Conference is a conference dedicated to serving high school seniors around the state of Oklahoma, encouraging them to pursue a higher education after completion of their high school degrees. This year, ODPhi is going to put on the 19th annual T.R.E.E. Conference. We have been blessed to have given out over $600,000 in scholarship money to deserving seniors who have attended our past years' conferences, with last year's conference giving out over $49,500 in scholarships. Hosted by: Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. Additional Information can be found at: https://ou.campuslabs.com/engage/event/10724020 Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov has said he had a productive meeting in Copenhagen with his Finnish counterpart Antti Hakkanen. "Finland is one of our most important partners, and I sincerely appreciate the active development of cooperation between our countries in recent years. We discussed opportunities to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities on the battlefield with Finnish defense products. We agreed on further development of bilateral cooperation in military tech, particularly in the field of telecommunications," Umerov said on Facebook on Thursday. According to him, Ukraine also sees excellent prospects for partnerships between Ukrainian and Finnish defense industry enterprises. "For its part, Ukraine is ready to share its unique experience in modernly countering an aggressor a nation with which Finland, like Ukraine, shares a common border. Thank you, Antti Hakkanen, for your openness to collaboration," the minister said. Jukka Tiitinen, Area President, North America, at Valmet to Retire at Year-End Jukka Tiitinen Jukka Tiitinen Nov. 21, 2024 - Valmet announced that Jukka Tiitinen, Area President, North America, has decided to retire after a long and successful career at Valmet. Tiitinen will step down from his role on December 31, 2024. Valmet said that an interim Head of North America will take over in January 2025 and a search for Tiitinen's successor will begin in 2025. Thomas Hinnerskov, President and CEO of Valmet, commented, "I want to express my warmest gratitude to Jukka for his contribution and long-term commitment to Valmet's success over the years. Jukka is a home-grown Valmeteer with vast experience from many different organizations and cultures, and he has been a trusted member of Valmet's Executive Team since 2013. I have enjoyed working with Jukka and wish him all the best in his up-coming well-deserved retirement days." Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With its automation systems and flow control solutions, Valmet serves an even wider base of process industries. SOURCE: Valmet Government of Quebec Announces Investments of $252 Million to Support Forestry Sector The additional investments of $252 million over five years will enable initiatives worth $540 million over the next seven years to provide support to the wood processing sector and invest in reforestation efforts. The additional investments of $252 million over five years will enable initiatives worth $540 million over the next seven years to provide support to the wood processing sector and invest in reforestation efforts. Nov. 21, 2024 - In the fall 2024 Update on Quebec's Economic and Financial Situation, the government has chosen to support Quebec's forestry sector, which has been facing a number of challenges over the past few years, including the major forest fires in the summer of 2023 and the imposition by the United States of countervailing and anti-dumping duties on Canadian lumber. The additional investments of $252 million over five years announced today will enable initiatives worth $540 million over the next seven years to provide support to the wood processing sector and invest in reforestation efforts. Providing $100M to support the wood processing sector To support certain businesses currently facing liquidity problems, notably because of the dispute with the United States over various softwood lumber products, financial assistance of up to $100 million will be granted in the form of loans. Investing $440M in reforestation efforts The Quebec government and the Canadian government have agreed to step up reforestation efforts and to plant more than 100 million trees in public and private forests by 2030-2031. More specifically, the Canadian government has committed to contributing $220 million under the 2 Billion Trees program to further the Quebec government's efforts aimed at increasing reforestation, particularly in unproductive sites and areas affected by natural disturbances, and to ensure tree planting maintenance, bringing the total investment to $440 million. "The forestry sector plays a key role in Quebec's economy and the development of its regions. The initiatives we are announcing today bring to more than $1 billion the sums invested by our government since the fall of 2023 to help this sector," stated Eric Girard, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers Maite Blanchette Vezina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, added, "We are fully aware of the difficulties that the forestry sector has been facing in recent years. The government has chosen to support this vital sector for our regions. By combining the modernization of the forest regime with the new investments we are announcing today, we are giving the sector the means to meet these challenges. In the long term, we will offer greater flexibility, but most importantly predictability, to businesses in the forestry sector and to other forest users." Ministry of Finance of Quebec, through its contribution to the responsible and rigorous management of public finances, intends to be recognized as a highly effective, innovative and outstanding institution which serves society as a whole and supports Quebec's equitable economic development to ensure a better quality of life for current and future generations. SOURCE: Ministry of Finance of Quebec 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. 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. Five Biblical Examples Provided CARM is a huge online forum that is dominated by the extreme anti-Catholic form of Protestantism. In its Roman Catholicism sub-forum, the discussion topic and thread, Why not just go straight to Jesus in prayer? began on 25 October 2024. In it, a number of false claims about what the Bible teaches or supposedly never teaches are made. I will prove that the statements are false at the end by producing five scriptural examples that many of these folks claim dont exist. Will they follow inspired, inerrant, infallible revelation wherever it leads? ***** I have dealt with the topic, broadly speaking, many times: Biblical Evidence for Prayers of the Righteous Having More Power [3-23-11] Why the Bible Says the Prayers of Holy People Are More Powerful [National Catholic Register, 3-19-19] Bible on Praying Straight to God (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [9-21-22] Bible on the Power of Prayers of the Righteous [11-16-22] Bible on Seeking Exceptionally Righteous Intercessors (vs. Dr. Lydia McGrew) [11-9-24] But specifically in this thread, its repeatedly asserted that the Bible never references prayer to anyone but God (citations of instances of this follow). *** Nondenom40: your church also advocates praying to anyone else doesnt it? One you will find in the bible, one you wont. Guess which is which? Nothing in the bible, not one thing indicates we should or need to go to anyone else to pray TO. . . . Scripture very clearly tells us that we are to ask others to pray FOR us. Where is the equally clear verse that says we should pray to dead people? Give us the verse and youve made your case. Its wise to let scripture be our guide instead of us being our guide. The entire bible models prayer as going to God, no one else. . . . If God wanted you to pray to someone besides Him, He would have told us. Wheres the one name Ive asked you for, twice, of anyone from scripture that does what youre saying is okay to do. Got that one yet? Wheres that verse again where Paul prays to James or Stephen or Moses? Maybe you can help us out here? Who do you imitate to pray to anyone besides God? Name them, from scripture. Do as Ive been asking like forever here. If Paul or anyone else suggested there are others you can pray to, just list them for us. Well wait. Its funny how certain catholics can be about thing nowhere found in the bible yet so uncertain of things all over the bible from cover to cover and wont believe it. Its truly amazing to watch. There are clear cut practices and exhortations regarding these practices and one of them is prayer. Whats the model we see? What directives did Jesus Himself or the apostles give us? Where did they say that there are any exceptions to whom we can pray to? You keep dodging my question which is directly related to your practice. WHO in the bible does the thing you are here advocating? Name someone or at least admit that nowhere in the bible do we see anyone at all praying to anyone other than God. You can admit at least that much huh? So yes, you pray to the deadi.e. those no longer on this earth. Something never one time endorsed by anyone in the bible. It is clear we are not to communicate with the dead from scripture. It is clear when asked the question about prayer Jesus is clear as to who we are to pray to, He does not add you can also pray to Moses, Jacob etc. The apostles NEVER pray to the dead. How about the fact no one ever, does what youre advocating in the bible? If location has nothing to do with prayer why isnt even one person praying to anyone other than God, even those alive on the planet? balshan: Nowhere does He or the apostles even hint at praying to the dead. If praying to the dead was apostolic, please NAME one apostle who prayed to anyone other than the Lord? Thats just in the first four pages out of twelve. But its enough. Now I will answer this biblically illiterate foolishness. Jesus taught the following, which was a true story, not a parable (parables never contain proper names): Luke 16:19-31 (RSV) There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. [20] And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, [21] who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich mans table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abrahams bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; [23] and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. [25] But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us. [27] And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my fathers house, [28] for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment. [29] But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. [30]And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent. [31] He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead. *** Please Hit Subscribe! If you have received benefit from this or any of my other 5,000+ articles, please follow my blog by signing up (with your email address) on the sidebar to the right (you may have to scroll down a bit), above where there is an icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. My blog was rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT: endorsed by influential Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Actually, I partner with Kenny Burchard on the YouTube channel, Catholic Bible Highlights. Please subscribe there, too! Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books. All of this helps me get more exposure, and (however little!) more income for my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading! *** From this we learn many things: 1) Prayer petitions can be made to someone other than God: to dead saints; in this case, a famous figure and the father of faith and monotheism, Abraham. Three petitions are made (16:24, 27-28, 30). In Luke 16:27 in the King James Bible, it even renders what the rich man says as, I pray thee. * 2) The rich man assumes that Abraham has it in his power to answer his petitions. Abraham doesnt deny that he can answer; nor does this contradict the idea that Abraham would go to God to fulfill the request (per Rev 5:8), and if God so wills, deliver the reply to the rich man. From the rich mans perspective, Abraham can grant to him what he desires. * 3) The usual Protestant counter-reply to this is to say that Abraham refused the requests. But that no more proves their illegitimacy than Gods refusal to answer all of our prayers proves that we shouldnt pray to Him. If prayer to him were indeed totally improper, Jesus could have never told the story in the first place. It would be a demonic lie, from Jesus lips! And if Protestants are right on this point, Abraham would have had to say that the rich man was asking amiss, and he would have rebuked him and told him to pray to God only! You cant pray to me! But he didnt. Therefore, its proper. * 4) Nor does Abrahams refusal prove that he lacks the power to fulfill the prayer (ultimately due to Gods power, of course). He said no in the first instances, because Dives punishment in the afterlife was already determined by God. He refused in the second instance because the proposal wasnt going to work, anyway. He didnt say, I dont have the power to send Lazarus and its blasphemous for you to think so. He said, rather, that if he did send him, it wouldnt make any difference as to the result Abraham hoped for (Lk 16:21: If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead). * 5) The second most common Protestant retort is to say that both men are dead, so it is an irrelevant example. This fails, because if in fact we ought to never pray to anyone but God, it remains a sin even after we are dead (like the rich man was). Whats wrong is wrong. If such a prayer is totally impermissible, period, then the rich man cant make it. Whether he is dead or not is irrelevant. Hes still alive as a soul. * 6) Its Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is God, Who taught us this sort of prayer, by providing the story that included it without condemnation and no hint of wrongdoing (in praying to Abraham) whatsoever. Jesus cant contradict Himself. And He certainly cant teach rank heresy in any illustrative story or parable that He tells (if someone insists this is a parable), or any of His sayings or sermons whatsoever. Yet here we are: Jesus is teaching things that Protestants tell us are damnable lies and idolatrous, blasphemous, occultic practices. One must choose! I choose Jesus over unbiblical man-made traditions, any day, any time. Secondly, King Saul spoke to the dead prophet Samuel, who appeared to him after death: 1 Samuel 28:15-16 Then Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up? Saul answered, I am in great distress; for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams; therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. And Samuel said, Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? Saul made a petition (I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do) and Samuel never said that Saul shouldnt have done that. If the Protestant opposition to invocation of saints were true, Samuel should have said, Why then do you ask me, since God has forbidden all invocation of departed persons. You have to ask God only. Rather, Samuel noted the simple fact that the Lord had already turned against Saul and he proceeded to inform him that he would be killed the next day. The comeback is that this is a demon impersonating Saul or that its irrelevant because it occurred during a seance. Both fail, since the Bible never indicates that this isnt Samuel. It repeatedly refers to Samuel (15:12, 14-16, 20). And Samuel predicted that Saul would die in battle. This happened the next day; therefore it was a true prophecy, which a demon wouldnt give (being a habitual liar). The principle / scenario here is the same as the rich man and Abraham. Samuel could properly be petitioned or, in effect, prayed to but he also could refuse the request, and he did so. As Samuel explained, he didnt question the asking as wrong and sinful, but rather, refused because the request to save Saul was against Gods expressed will: which Samuel also knew about, as a departed saint. Thirdly, Lot made two petitionary prayer requests to angels, and they were both granted: Genesis 19:15, 18-21 When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city. . . . [18] And Lot said to them, Oh, no, my lords; [19] behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life; but I cannot flee to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me, and I die. [20] Behold, yonder city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there is it not a little one? and my life will be saved! [21] He said to him, Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. This is sanctioned prayer to creatures and beings other than God (angels): what was repeatedly demanded in a mocking, contemptuous spirit in the thread. So what do the anti-Catholics there do with this? We have Jesus teaching through a story that featured Abraham: the historical figure. Abraham is petitioned in the story, and neither Abraham nor Jesus state that he shouldnt have been. We have the prophet Samuel being petitioned and saying no, but not rebuking Saul for having petitioned him. So thats two examples. Then we have a third example of Lot making two petitionary requests to angels, and both being granted in that instance. There is a fourth evidence as well; not as strong as those above, but still interesting: Matthew 27:46-49 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabach-thani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [47] And some of the bystanders hearing it said, This man is calling Elijah. [48] And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink. [49] But the others said, Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. (cf. Mk 15:34-36) The bystanders at Jesus crucifixion assumed that He could ask (pray to) the prophet Elijah to save Him from the agony of the cross (Mt 27:46-50). Theyre presented as allies of Jesus (not enemies), since one of them gave Him a drink (Mt 27:48). Matthew 27:49 shows that this type of petition was commonly believed at the time. Moreover, Elijah had already appeared, along with Moses, at the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mt 17:2-3; Mk 9:4; Lk 9:30-31). And some (perhaps many?) biblical commentators think that Elijah was one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3, who came back to earth. Its perfectly understandable that the bystanders at the crucifixion misunderstood Jesus on the cross as calling out to Elijah, for this purpose. It would have been very difficult for him to talk, and they may have been a ways away. Tradition holds that the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John, whom we know were at the cross, were some distance away (30-40 feet). I stood on the spot when I visited Jerusalem in 2014. These other people heard Jesus say (in actuality) Eli or Eloi and mistook it for Elijah (Eliyahu or Eliya in Hebrew). We know that Jesus was in fact referring to God, not Elijah. But it doesnt affect the present argument. What is relevant to note is the fact that they casually assumed that he could call on (in effect, pray to) a human being rather than God. These people probably hadnt heard Jesus interpretation of John the Baptist as Messiah, so they thought that he (of whom it was known by then that he claimed to be the Messiah) was invoking / calling upon Elijah, as a fulfillment of the prophecy tying Elijah to the Messiah. They were simply applying the Old Testament tradition of Elijah returning, reiterated several times in the New Testament. And in so doing they assumed the ability of human beings to invoke dead saints (as a tenet of existing Judaism). This is an argument for the invocation of the saints. Its not the best one, or anywhere near compelling in and of itself (I want to make it clear how much I claim for it), but it is a valid and interesting argument and one (in my humble opinion) more than worthy of serious consideration. In any event, the other three above, are indisputable; they all illustrated human beings praying to someone other than God: either a dead person (Abraham, Samuel) or an angel, without a hint in any of the texts that it was wrong, let alone blasphemous, to do so. There is also a fifth evidence of communication with the dead, by both Peter and Jesus, and something close to asking them to intercede. Tabitha was a disciple in Joppa who died. Peter prayed to her when he said Tabitha, rise. See Acts 9:36-41. She was dead, and he was addressing her. There is no impenetrable wall between heaven and earth. This is not only praying to the dead, but for the dead, since the passage says that Peter prayed before addressing Tabitha first person. And he was praying for her to come back to life. Our Lord Jesus does the same thing with regard to Lazarus. He prays for Lazarus (a dead man: John 11:41-42) and then speaks directly to a dead man (in effect, praying to him): Lazarus, come out (John 11:43). So we have Jesus, Abraham, Samuel, Elijah, Peter, Moses, and angels connected with prayer to dead saints or angels or the closely related communication with the dead (also regarded as blasphemous, occultic, and always impermissible by most Protestants). Case closed. Next question? Windows 11 24H2 has already caused so many issues since it first started rolling out in October, and there doesnt seem to be an end in sight. Microsoft is scrambling to address concerns left and right, and heres another one to add to the ever-growing list. After updating to Windows 11 24H2, some users who dont have administrative privileges are reporting that the Date & Time section of Windows Settings cant change the time zone anymore. The expected time zone option is not visible to non-administrator users, says Microsoft on the relevant support page, aware of the issue. To be absolutely clear, this is a problem thats isolated to Windows Settings and its Date & Time section. The problem doesnt stem from any changes made to the systems settings, permissions, or user policies. Users with administrative privileges can still access and change the time zone setting through Windows Settings. If youre affected and you need to change your PCs time zone, you can do so through Control Panel: Search for control panel in the Start menu and launch it. In Control Panel, navigate to Clock and Region > Date and Time > Change time zone Alternatively, you can use the Run prompt (open it with the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut) to execute the timedate.cpl command. Microsoft is actively investigating the issue and promises a fix in an upcoming Windows update. However, according to Windows Latest, its unlikely well see that patch until January 2025 or later. In addition to time zone problems, some users are also reporting that the system time isnt syncing correctly after daylight savings time changes, and other users are reporting that the system time is occasionally incorrect after the system comes out of sleep mode. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for the package of sanctions imposed against the economy and the military budget of the Russian Federation. I am grateful to Biden and his administration for todays strong package of financial and banking sanctions targeting Russias economy and war chest. By targeting Gazprombank, one of Russias largest banks, as well as its six subsidiaries and over 50 other financial institutions, the US strikes a significant blow to Putin's war machine and further isolates his bloody, corrupt economy from the global market, Zelenskyy said on X Thursday. The President stressed that this is happening at a critical moment when the Russian Federation uses missile saber-rattling in a desperate attempt to destroy what remains of international law. Zelenskyy noted that the aggressor must pay the full cost of this war. We are deeply grateful for Americas leadership in defending liberty and for the unwavering bipartisan support of Congress, which continues to champion strong and decisive sanctions. Together, we must weaken tyranny and strengthen global security, the head of the Ukrainian state summed up. As reported, the U.S. Treasury Department has included more than 50 Russian banks in the sanction list, including Gazprombank, DOM.RF Bank, BKS Bank. Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Presidents Office, has held a meeting with Wouter Jurgens, Director of the Department of Security Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and Erik Weststrate, Director of the Department for Europe. According to the press service of the President, Zhovkva thanked the Netherlands for the versatile support of Ukraine totalling almost EUR 9 billion, as well as for a significant contribution to strengthening Ukrainian missile defense. The parties discussed the security situation in Ukraine amid the intensification of massive Russian missile strikes before the start of winter. It is noted that Ukraine and the Netherlands have agreed to continue working with partners to strengthen the protection of the Ukrainian sky. In addition, the interlocutors discussed deepening bilateral cooperation in the field of arms production and strengthening collective security in Europe. We in Europe should invest more in ensuring defense needs and spend more on security. We are grateful to the Netherlands for its interest in supporting the Ukrainian production of weapons. We are counting on an appropriate contribution in order to increase its production, Zhovkva said. Also, advisers to the head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Daria Zarivna and Oleksandr Bevz discussed with the delegation of the Dutch Foreign Ministry and representatives of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue David Gorman, Cristian Bobocea, Stanyslav Sereda the implementation of the Peace Formula, as well as ways to achieve a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace for Ukraine. It is noted that the parties agreed on further steps to strengthen support for Ukraine. Three people have been killed in what police are calling a double murder-suicide in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Police said they arrived at a home along the 7300 block of Walnut Lane at around 4 p.m. after receiving reports of gunshots in that area, according to NBC10 and 6ABC. Upon arrival, they found a 77-year-old man lying on the front steps and suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and body. A man in his 50s was lying nearby and also suffering from a gunshot wound to his head. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Inside the home, authorities found the body of a 76-year-old woman who was also suffering from gunshot wounds. She was taken to a hospital where she later died. Police said that according to witnesses, the elderly couple was returning from the grocery store and heading back into their house when their neighbor shot them. The neighbor then turned the gun on himself, dying by suicide, police said. I watched the whole thing from my bedroom window, neighbor Dashanae Diego said to 6ABC. I could see the lady still breathing so I ran over to put pressure on the wound. Witnesses told police that the couple had been having disputes with the neighbor but it isnt clear if that is what led to the shooting. Kevin Spacey has had his share of ugly headlines across the past couple of years, but Denzel Washington recently said rumors swirled about him a long time before those reports popped up. In fact, Washington said, there was talk decades before the House of Cards actor, 65, was accused of sexual assault and harassment. Washington made the revelation in a five-part, first-person essay written in a Nov. 19 issue of Esquire. Washington remembered attending the 2000 Academy Awards due to his nomination for Best Actor for his performance in The Hurricane. While there, he recalled watching Spacey win the award instead. Im sure I went home and drank that night. I had to, Washington, who also opened up in the piece about his decision to quit drinking and live a sober lifestyle over the past decade. 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, and thats between him and God, Washington added. I aint got nothing to do with that. I pray for him. Thats between him and his maker. Spacey won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in 1999s American Beauty after he won Best Supporting Actor in 1996 for the movie, The Usual Suspects. 17 years later, controversy struck and heavily impacted the actors career when Anthony Rapp became the first person to come out and publicly accuse him of sexual assault, with more accusers who came forward. In 2022, a jury in New York found that Spacey wasnt liable for battery in relation to Rapps accusations, and the following year, a U.K. court found him not guilty of nine counts of alleged sexual assault. Allegations against Spacey have continued to mount, much like in documentaries such as Investigation Discoverys Spacey Unmasked, which was released in May. Spacey has denied all claims and has received an onslaught of criticism after coming out as gay in response to Rapps initial accusations in 2017. Jelly Roll has been open about his past indiscretions so it probably should not have surprised folks to see him supporting a fellow country music star who has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons during Wednesdays CMAs. Eagled-eyed fans might have noticed that when cameras cut to the big fella in the crowd next to his wife, Bunnie XO, early in the show, he had a grey shirt with a patch on the breast pulled over the black shirt he wore on stage. And those who zoomed in even closer might have been able to notice that patch was of a guitar with Jamey Johnsons name across it. Johnson, of course, was arrested on speeding and drug charges in Tennessee on Nov. 17. Melone Cannon, a country music veteran who sings backup for Johnson, didnt miss the gesture from Jelly Roll. She took a phot of it and shared it on Facebook with hashtags that included #supportyourpeople and musicfamily. Johnson, for what it is worth, actually showed up, fresh out of jail, to perform a tribute to George Strait on the CMAs. The 49-year-old country music star, who recently released his first new album Midnight Gasoline in years was reportedly taken into custody in Williamson County and charged with possession of drugs and speeding. His bond was set at $500,000. We can confirm that Jamey Johnson was arrested n Sunday, Nov. 17 in Williamson Country, the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WTVF. The incident is still under investigation. By Erin Negley, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. Twenty Pennsylvania cheeses now have proof theyre among the best in the world. For Lancaster County producers, a cheddar cheese aged by S. Clyde Weaver, East Petersburg, received a gold medal in the World Cheese Awards. S. Clyde Weaver started selling meat and cheese in Lancaster in 1920. The business has imported and aged cheddar for more than 30 years. Staff entered several varieties of cheddar cheese in the world competition last year. We know weve got good cheese, says CEO William Roche. Lets send it to Norway and see what happens. The 7-year and 10-year Old Quebec Vintage Reserve cheddar won two silver medals in 2023. The 7-year cheddar won gold this year. The cheddar is made in Quebec and aged in Lancaster County for 5, 7, and 10 years. The Quebec Vintage Reserve is the companys sharpest cheddar. After seven years of aging, crystallization develops, creating a cheese that crunches and crumbles but still retains its creamy nature, Roche says. It comes off very big but balanced, he says. The cheddar is sold at S. Clyde Weavers stores and farmers markets (including Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market, Lancaster Central Market, and Roots Country Market) as well as online. Friday, judges picked the top cheese in the world from 4,786 entries: Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado made by Quinta do Pomar in Portugal. (British cheeses did not compete because they were stuck in customs, post-Brexit.) The best American cheese award went to Bayley Hazen Blue made by Jasper Hill Farm in Vermont. Other Pennsylvania winners are: Alex Jones is suing the families of Sandy Hook victims. CNN Business reports how Jones filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas alleging that Christopher Murray the trustee overseeing the bankruptcy sale of Joness platform, Infowars and the families colluded for a non-compliant Frankenstein bid in the bankruptcy auction of Infowars. This lawsuit follows the news that the satirical website The Onion successfully won the bidding on Infowars. Jones was found guilty in a defamation lawsuit for asserting that the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut was staged, manufactured, and a giant hoax, according to a 2023 Reuters report. He was ordered to pay punitive damages, resulting in the bankruptcy auction. The dissolution of Alex Joness assets and the death of Infowars is the justice we have long awaited and fought for, Robbie Parker, who lost his daughter Emilie in the shooting, said in a statement provided by his lawyers. However, in his lawsuit, Jones is looking for a judge to stop the sale. The suit additionally claims his defamation verdict will be overturned on appeal. America knows if the deep state hates someone we should support them. Jones posted on X. Myself and Infowars are under massive DemoRat lawfare attack! Please help fund the lawsuit I launched yesterday against the DOJ operatives to close our doors! The same CNN article states how First United American Companies (FUAC) who placed a competing bid on Infowars and which is affiliated with Jones filed their own emergency motion to stop the sale. Federal bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez, who is handling the case, also questioned an attorney for the trustee about the auction rules. I am not comfortable with the process and the highest level of transparency that took place, he said during a Thursday hearing. Murray, however, believes that FUAC is simply a disappointed bidder. The Trustee intends to respond in due course full and in detail to the barrage of baseless allegations, selective quoting and half-truths in FUACs recent filings, Murray wrote to the court Monday. Lopez stated his intent to hold an evidentiary hearing to fully understand the bidding process. The next hearing on the docket will take place Nov. 25. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Renee Williams of West Philadelphia is very much alive. And yet, Social Security somehow accidentally declared her dead. CBS Local Philadelphia reports how the 66-year-old had gone to the emergency ward on Friday only to be informed by employees that they were unable to pull her insurance information. She [the employee] said she tried several places and they said it was inactive, Williams told the news station. They said that I was deceased. WABI 5 News said that what ended up being a clerical error on Social Securitys end of things one that placed the grandmother of 10 on their Death Master File caused Williams to lose access to not only her health insurance, but to her bank accounts and retirement benefits as well. Her benefits, the banks, credit cards, told Williamss daughter, Wadeeyah McNeil, to CBS. Its going to be a while before she gets all this stuff back in order. Itll be a long while. According to the same CBS article, both Williams and McNeil suspect the error occurred following the death of her husband, Ronald, in August. A Social Security Administration (SSA) spokesperson declined to discuss Williamss case with CBS News Philadelphia. However, they did note the agency tends to be highly accurate in its record-keeping, and that only less than one-third of one percent of errors occur in the roughly 3.1 million annual deaths reported to the administration, I want people to know that Social Security is a pain in the behind, Williams stated. WASHINGTON With two months to go before the end of the Biden administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Mandy Cohen says shes worried about the future of the public health agency and the people it serves. House GOP appropriators are pushing a 22 percent cut to the sprawling public health agency. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a vaccine skeptic, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. And years after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, skepticism about public health agencies remains, despite the agencys work to restore trust in it and its efforts. I dont want to go backwards and see children or adults suffer or lose their lives to remind us that vaccines work, and so I am concerned, Cohen said. Any misinformation coming from places of influence or power are concerning. Cohens replacement at the CDC who will work under Kennedy, assuming Kennedy is confirmed has yet to be picked. But he or she will play a key role in public health infrastructure, with a say in vaccine recommendations and a voice influencing whether the U.S. participates in global public health agreements. She worries that whoever is picked, combined with Kennedy and a Republican-led Congress skeptical of the agency, will undo much of the progress the Biden administration made in upping vaccination coverage and reducing unnecessary deaths. So shes spending the last few months of her tenure climbing Capitol Hill, meeting with lawmakers to make the case for the CDCs work in public health. I think the best defense is a good offense, meaning we do our job well and show our value, Cohen said. New direction at the agency Public opinion toward the CDC shifted dramatically with the COVID-19 pandemic, making the agency much more politicized than its been in the past. That gap in trust played out in the public sphere, in the form of vaccine skepticism, and on Capitol Hill, as Republicans repeatedly criticized the agency and proposed budget cuts. In 2023, Congress passed a law to ensure that an incoming CDC director is confirmed by the Senate. The incoming agency director under Trump will be the first official to go through the confirmation process. What that director does with the agency, however, is unknown. Jennifer Kates, senior vice president and director of the Global Health & HIV Policy program at KFF, said the incoming administration, buoyed by a GOP Congress, has the authority to move in an entirely different direction. Theres a lot of discretion that the new administrations going to have to decide what role it wants CDC to play, Kates said. The power is not without limits: Trump and his allies have suggested theyd remove vaccine mandates, but the CDC cannot do that only state public health departments can. Still, the CDC can change its recommendations a decision that could have ripple effects. The Trump administration could also decide whether to adhere to or ignore the advice of the CDCs independent public health advisory committees, Kates said. For example, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices makes recommendations on what new vaccines to approve and recommend to the population. The CDC director does not have to listen to these recommendations, and a new agency director can appoint their allies to the independent councils. A new director could also decide not to renew the committees charters, and can create a new structure for recommending vaccine usage, Kates said. International agreements U.S. involvement in international public health agreements could also be in flux, public health advocates worry. Trump initiated a process to pull the U.S. out of the World Health Organization during his first term, but the Biden administration reversed course. Trump has not changed his position on the global body, and a U.S. retreat from WHO is expected to remain on the table, experts say. WHO has been working to finalize an international agreement to prevent and combat future pandemics a process that the Biden administration supports but many Republicans on Capitol Hill say infringes on the rights of American taxpayers. GOP members of the House Oversight and Accountability Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic say that WHO has become too political, and the treaty could result in U.S. taxpayer dollars going toward abortion or infringing on U.S. intellectual property rights. In September the House passed legislation to require Senate ratification before the U.S. joins any future WHO pandemic accords. At the time, Republican Texas Rep. Keith Self called the WHO a globalist cabal that was pushing tyrannical policies across the world. But Democrats and global health experts say an information-sharing pandemic pact could stop the next pandemic before it starts. Negotiations over the treaty could conclude by May, members of the WHO intergovernmental negotiating body said during a November meeting meaning the Trump administration will have the final say as to whether the U.S. is involved. One of the most important lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is that viruses dont respect borders, said Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC. Congressional cuts In an interview last week, Cohen also expressed worry about the agencys budget. The fiscal 2025 House Labor-HHS-Education spending bill proposed a 22 percent cut across the board and would zero out the Injury Center, which includes prevention efforts for suicide, overdose and drowning. Over the last several years, the CDC has emphasized lowering overdose deaths, and their efforts appear to have had an impact. Provisional data released in May show 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023, a decrease of 3 percent from the 111,029 estimated in 2022 and the first annual decrease in drug overdose deaths since 2018. The prospect of eliminating the Injury Center, which may have contributed to that decline, Cohen said, is very worrisome to me. Cohen said the agency has also expanded its ability to collect data to monitor ongoing threats to public health, including from state health departments and emergency rooms. Democrats and public health experts often lament the boom or bust nature of public health funding. The United States tends to only prioritize public health funding and resources during public health emergencies, followed by letting funding lapse and resources dry up when the immediate threat is perceived to have passed, Besser said. Project 2025, a proposed policy platform written by conservative scholars and organized by the conservative Heritage Foundation, has suggested restructuring the CDC into two parts, and former Trump officials have proposed narrowing the agencys work to only infectious diseases. But Trumps former CDC Director Robert Redfield, mentioned as a possible CDC director again in this administration, called such a scale back of the CDC a prescription for disaster, in a recent op-ed in Stat News co-authored with his fellow past directors. Incoming Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, told CQ Roll Call he plans to continue his investigation into the CDCs pandemic response and look for ways to overhaul the agency when he takes the gavel next year. Cassidy has been looking into ways to modernize public health data, improve public health activities, training programs and coordination with stakeholders, among other things. Between now and January Cohen likes to say that the public health arena does its best work when its invisible. The American people dont want to know about the crop of infectious diseases in the Congo or listeria outbreaks because of onions in McDonalds hamburgers they want the diseases stopped before they become a concern. She said hes been proud of the agencys quick response to avian flu H5N1 and ongoing response to Marburg, an Ebola virus in Rwanda. The agency, she said, is not the same CDC that was here four years ago. Sen Elizabeth Warren, D- Mass., a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said shes worried the increased politicization of public health will ultimately put lives at risk. During the lame-duck session, she says theres not much Democrats can do to enshrine public health programs. All they can do is hope Republicans, when they control Washington, back public health funding as directed by past congressional authorizations. If the Republicans will follow the rules and fund the work that Congress has already authorized, then we dont have to be afraid, Warren said. The problem is, theyve indicated they dont plan to fund the work that has already been authorized. When the starting point is lawlessness, theres no program thats safe. WILLIAMSPORT A former Williamsport police corporal found guilty of unauthorized use of the state JNET records system is seeking a new trial and reinstatement of bail. Eric B. Derr, 40, of Cogan Station, in motions filed Wednesday in Lycoming County court claimed specially assigned Northumberland County Senior Judge Charles H. Saylor made a number of errors during the August trial. Derr was found guilty of 28 counts of misuse of the police records system but was acquitted on charges of unsworn falsification to authorities, tampering with public records and obstructing the administration of law. A Pennsylvania-based grocery store chain is suing four of the largest frozen potato product companies in the U.S., accusing them of price-fixing. Berks County-based Redners Markets filed suit Friday in an Illinois federal court against Lamb Weston, Inc., McCain Foods, J.R. Simplot, and Cavendish Farms, accusing the companies of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. The same companies, as well as the marketing group Potatoes USA, were separately sued on Sunday in a proposed consumer class action over similar claims in court. Redners has locations across eastern Pennsylvania, as well as locations in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. The lawsuit filed accuses the four companies of scheming to overcharge grocery stores, other commercial buyers and consumers for years. According to the lawsuit, the companies which control 97% of the market illegally fixed prices for frozen French fries, hash browns, tater tots and other products. Redners says those increases allowed them to realize unprecedented margins. In 2021 and again in the spring of 2022, while facing increased input costs, Defendants changed their pricing methods to collectively impose strong arm price hikes with no worry their customers could defect to competitors, the complaint states. In contrast to their own sales prices, Defendants input costs peaked in 2022 and fell steadily after that. Following Defendants series of matching price increases, in April 2022, one restaurant owner remarked that it was [a]mazing how all of the major suppliers for French fries and the like are all raising their prices at the same time and by the same amount, the complaint continued. The lawsuit says that prices for frozen potato products skyrocketed due to what Redners called collusion by the defendants. The frozen potato manufacturers cartel relied on trade industry conferences to unlawfully coordinate pricing, according to the lawsuits. The lawsuit requests a jury trial. The cases seek unspecified monetary damages and a court order ending the accused price-fixing. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the soldiers of the airborne assault troops and presented state awards to them and the relatives of the fallen heroes. The ceremony was also attended by a delegation from the United Kingdom, led by Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, the presidential press service reported. "There is no truly hot section of our front line that has not felt the strength of our Air Assault Forces. I especially want to thank our paratroopers for the Kursk operation, for proving that Ukraine, under any circumstances, can steer this war in a way that makes Russia understand what they have done with this war and that they will be held accountable for it," said the President. Zelenskyy urged everyone to always remember the Ukrainians who gave their lives in battle for Ukraine and its independence. The attendees honored the fallen warriors with a moment of silence. Zelenskyy presented the Order of the Golden Star to the relatives of the three dead heroes. Lieutenant Vitaliy Duda, senior sapper Danylo Zvonariov and Sergeant Artem Sobchenko were posthumously awarded the highest rank. The Head of State also personally presented the Order of the Golden Star to Colonel Yevhen Lasichuk and Major Ruslan Panezerov, the award of the Cross of Military Merit was received by Colonel Andriy Tkachuk and Colonel Oleksiy Yavkun. The President also distinguished the defenders with the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky (II and III classes), For Courage (II and III classes) and Princess Olga (II class). In addition, the Head of State presented the 199th Training Center of the Air Assault Forces with the distinction For Courage and Bravery. Additionally, he granted honorary titles to two brigades: the 77th separate air assault brigade, named Naddniprianska, and the 148th separate artillery brigade, named Zhytomyrska. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The Baku Water Dialogue should be supported and held permanently as an integral part of future COPs, Special Envoy of the UN on Water Resources Retno Marsudi said at the high-level launch event Celebrating Waters Lifeline for Climate, Nature, and People," Trend reports. The Baku Dialogue on Water and Climate Action was an important opportunity to integrate the water issue into the climate agenda, she stated. According to her, climate change manifests itself through water, and water represents a key solution to combat this global challenge. However, the water-climate nexus has remained in the background in discussions on the climate change agenda. I am confident that the Baku Dialogue on Water and Climate Action will deepen discussions on water issues and ensure their coherent integration into the climate agenda. This dialogue will continue the water-related initiatives agreed at COP26, COP27, and COP28, she noted. She emphasized the importance of continuity and sustainability. Marsudi added that the Baku Dialogue should be held permanently in COP conferences. This will ensure that the climate-water nexus is monitored and strengthened over time. The continuity and sustainability of the Baku Dialogue are also important for the effective use of limited time to achieve global water and climate goals, including the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, 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 Columbia, SC (29201) Today Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Columbia, SC (29201) Today Cloudy skies this evening followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) relies on close cooperation on the implementation of the Baku Water Dialogue, the Deputy Secretary General of WMO Ko Barrett said at the high-level launch event Celebrating Waters Lifeline for Climate, Nature, and People," Trend reports. WMO is honored to be part of this launch and to support the COP29 Chairmanship in developing the Baku Water Dialogue. We look forward to working closely together on its implementation, and it is impressive to see how fast this initiative is growing. We are optimistic about its further development. Assembled here at COP29, we recognize the vital role of water, the 'blood' of our planet, in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, supporting climate change mitigation, adaptation, and building resilience, she said. Barrett noted that freshwater resources are increasingly under pressure due to growing societal demands, environmental degradation, and changes caused by climate change. 2023 was the driest year on record for rivers in the world in more than 30 years. Nearly half the planet experienced lower than normal annual river flows. The world's glaciers lost the most mass in nearly 50 years of records, and this is a worrying sign for the future water security of billions of people. We are suffering longer droughts and many devastating floods, as previous speakers have mentioned. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, and warmer oceans stimulate intense precipitation. Every small increase in temperature increases the risk of extreme precipitation, 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 Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. MYRTLE BEACH A $6.4 million brewery will open in Myrtle Beach by the summer of 2026, according to a news release from the S.C. Department of Commerce. 357 Brewers, which has several locations across South Carolina, is planning to build a 10,000-square-foot facility at Grand Dunes Marina. "We're thrilled to launch 357 Brewers in Horry County and to contribute to the economic growth of this vibrant region," co-founder of 357 Brewers Nick Vaugh said in the release. "Our goal is to create a unique space that celebrates the spirit of the Carolinas, providing both quality employment opportunities and an exceptional experience for our guests through great beer, delicious food and an unforgettable coastal setting." The brewery, which is a part of Vaugh and Spadaccini Group, will can and distribute its craft beer. It will also offer an outdoor space and an on-site tasting experiences. The facility will feature a 15-barrel brewing system and is expected to create 35 jobs. "Horry County is thrilled to have 357 Brewers establish its new home in our county and build on the excellent service the business owners are known for in our community," Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner said in the release. "The diversification it brings to our area is what we strive to provide as a great place to live, work and play." The brewery has not received any local incentives yet, but it would qualify for $50,000, according to Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp. (EDC) President Sandy Davis. If the company receives that incentive, it would be paid in reimbursements, Davis said. Half of the amount would be released when half of the workers are hired and half of the investment is made, and the rest would come once the project is finished and all positions are filled. NORTH MYRTLE BEACH North Myrtle Beach leaders want to crack down on problematic short-term rentals, but they haven't decided how tough those regulations should be. By April, city officials plan to have new restrictions for short-term rentals, including potential permit requirements, safety inspections and occupancy limits. However, the ordinance would not take effect until August, meaning the new rules wouldn't impact the upcoming tourist season. "This is a way to deal with what we're already allowing, and making sure that those people are doing it in a way that is respectful of the neighborhood and neighbors," City Manager Ryan Fabbri said, referring to the owners of rental properties. "If they're not, then we can have people go and kind of correct that behavior. If they don't want to comply, then we have even further measures we can take to ultimately strip them of their ability to rent their house." There are about 5,400 short-term rental sites in North Myrtle Beach, according to city records. On Nov. 20, City Council discussed possible new rules, but they also emphasized that the talks are still early. Another meeting to discuss the ordinance could come in early December. City staff are considering requiring rental owners to obtain annual permits, in addition to the business license that is currently required. The permit may cost $250, which would generate $1.35 million for the city every year, according to city estimates. Council members discussed requiring rental inspections for safety and parking, and dedicating a section of the city's code enforcement department to short-term rentals. The city would hire about eight new staff members specifically to manage these rentals, which would cost the city about $700,000 annually. The council also proposed requiring the rental owners to designate a "local responsible party" who would respond to complaints about the property within a specific time frame, like 30-45 minutes. A James Island man on probation for multiple convictions related to abusing women is going to prison after his latest arrest this year. Judge Jennifer McCoy sentenced Casey Lee Combs, 43, to 10 years in prison. The judge determined that he violated probation conditions when police arrested him on charges in the break-in of his girlfriend's home, pistol-whipping a man inside and pointing the pistol at the woman's head, according to court records. Charleston police arrested the Army veteran on Feb. 21 and charged him with first-degree assault and battery, assault and battery of a high-and-aggravated nature, first-degree burglary and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He has been in the county jail since his arrest. McCoy on Nov. 18 decided charges from the February incident violated the terms of a probation sentence Combs received from a different judge in 2022, according to court records. Combs could face life in prison without parole because of the new charges, his attorneys wrote in a Nov. 20 motion. They stated that Combs wants a trial in the latest case. South Carolina has a two-strike and three-strike law that sends repeat violent offenders to prison for life upon conviction. In September 2022, Combs pleaded guilty to felony domestic violence and a pair of misdemeanor charges after three of his former girlfriends came forward with accusations that he harassed, beat or strangled them. Combs, originally from Atlanta, was also convicted of domestic violence in North Carolina in 2020, The Post and Courier previously reported. He had been working as a stone mason in the Charleston area. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The United States is looking forward to participating in the Baku Dialogue on Water, said Laura Daniel-Davis, Acting Deputy Secretary of the US Department of the Interior, Trend reports. Speaking at the high-level event "Celebrating Waters Lifeline for Climate, Nature, and People" at COP29, Daniel-Davis stated that the Baku Dialogue on Water represents a significant step forward in helping countries continue to coordinate efforts to address water issues. She emphasized that while the dialogue could provide a platform for finding technical solutions, it must also create opportunities for maintaining high levels of engagement on water-related matters. "With the upcoming UN Water Conference in 2026, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, the Baku Dialogue on Water on Climate could play a key role in helping the world better prepare for the conference and respond effectively to water challenges. The United States looks forward to participating in this dialogue and will continue to collaborate with governments, partners, stakeholders, and communities in the coming months and yearsboth within the UN and beyondto address the global water crisis," she said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The SAT-SAS-2024 joint exercise is being held in Turkiye with the underwater offence and defense units of the Naval Forces of Azerbaijan and Turkiye according to the training plan for 2024, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. During the joint exercises at the Aksaz Naval Base in Marmaris, Turkiye, the Naval Special Forces fulfilled the tasks of capturing target ships with high professionalism. In the following days of the exercise, according to the plan, both countries Special Forces Units will accomplish tasks on working out land and sea combat tactics, rappelling from helicopters, capturing conditional coastal areas, searching and destroying unexploded ordnance and sea mines. To note, the joint exercise will last until November 29. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. First Deputy Minister of Defense Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, who is on a visit to Pakistan, met in Karachi with the Chief of Army Staff of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, General Syed Asim Munir, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Colonel General Karim Valiyev emphasized that the development of cooperation with friendly and fraternal Pakistan in all spheres, including the military sphere, is in the spotlight of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev. At the meeting, the sides highlighted the importance of expanding bilateral military cooperation and increasing the intensity of joint exercises and noted that the strategic partnership between the countries is developing. Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army condemned the terror attack in the Tirah valley in northwestern Pakistan and expressed condolences to the Pakistani side regarding the deceased. At the meeting, the sides discussed Azerbaijani-Pakistani military cooperation and exchanged views on the fight against terrorism and security issues. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. A phone call took place today between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Badr Abdelatty, Trend reports via the ministry. The telephonic discourse underscored the criticality of advancing amicable relations and enhancing both bilateral and multilateral engagements between Azerbaijan and Egypt, predicated on a foundation of reciprocal trust. The conversation also underscored the imperative to optimize synergies within global institutions and multilateral paradigms, while amplifying collaborative initiatives that serve the strategic interests of both nations. Discussions from the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) were also shared, along with the role of the event in the global fight against climate change. The potential for this event to create additional opportunities for Azerbaijani-Egyptian cooperation in green energy was noted. Also, regional issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the call. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on abolishing the Azerbaijan State Translation Center and Monitoring Center under the State Language Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. According to the decree, the legal entity of public law, Azerbaijan State Translation Center, is abolished. The Cabinet of Ministers is instructed to take necessary measures in connection with the abolition of the legal entity of public law Monitoring Center under the State Language Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan within ten days; within two months to prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan proposals on the transfer of functions of legal entities of public law in the field of translation and application of the state language to appropriate state bodies (institutions) envisaged by this decree; taking into account this order, the Cabinet of Ministers is instructed to take necessary measures in connection with the abolition of the legal entity of public law Monitoring Center under the State Language Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Sahiba Gafarova, the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, currently in St. Petersburg (Russian Federation) to attend the 57th plenary session of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Interparliamentary Assembly (IPA CIS) and the Council, met with Valentina Matviyenko, the Chair of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, on November 21, the Azerbaijani parliament told Trend. During the meeting, the two sides shot the breeze about the ties that bind their countries and parliaments. They also deliberated on collaborative opportunities between Azerbaijani and Russian parliamentarians in international organizations, particularly within the context of the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) Recognizes Individuals for Exceptional Contributions to the Disaster Safety and Resilience Movement CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Disaster Resilience Conference (NDRC) today announced its 2024 resilience leadership awards for individuals who champion disaster safety and resilience. The NDRC and nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. (FLASH) will honor the six individuals during the award luncheon at its annual gathering in Clearwater Beach, Florida. "The NDRC award committee has honored these extraordinary individuals for their invaluable contributions and steadfast dedication to our mission of creating safer homes and protecting families from disasters of all types," said FLASH President and CEO Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "These awards celebrate those who consistently exceed expectations to serve others, advancing a vision where homes and communities are built using best-in-class construction practices to withstand earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and more." The NDRC award committee has honored these extraordinary individuals for their invaluable contributions. Post this The six award categories and winners include the following: Dr. Ernst W. Kiesling Lifetime Achievement Award: Kevin King, Executive Director Mennonite Disaster Service The Dr. Ernst W. Kiesling Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for individuals whose lifelong dedication leaves an indelible, positive impact on the disaster safety and resilience movement. Award recipients reflect the level of achievements by Dr. Kiesling, who, through his leadership and research at Texas Tech Wind Science and Engineering, mentored generations of wind engineers and invented the life-saving tornado safe room. Kevin King, Executive Director Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) exemplifies this legacy through decades of exceptional service in disaster recovery and resilience. Under his guidance, MDS has quadrupled its staffing and expanded its volunteer efforts, enabling the organization to respond to numerous natural disasters with increased reach and effectiveness. "Kevin's enduring contributions reflect the essence of resilience leadership," said FLASH Executive Vice President Eric Vaughn. "His vision, compassion, and tireless dedication have inspired countless communities to recover, rebuild, and thrive in the face of adversity." Corporate Board Member of the Year: Chris Rizer, Branch Engineer Simpson Strong-Tie Co. The Board Member of the Year Award is given to an outstanding individual who serves on the FLASH Board of Directors with distinction. This year, FLASH honors Chris Rizer, Branch Engineer at Simpson Strong-Tie Co., for his exemplary commitment to disaster resilience and the FLASH mission. Chris's expertise and meticulous review of outreach materials ensure they are accurate, reliable, and impactful, advancing our shared goal of a safer, more resilient future. "Chris's work exemplifies the power of expertise and dedication," said Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "His contributions uphold the highest standards of accuracy and impact, strengthening resilience nationwide." Excellence in Leadership Award: Dr. Jeff Czajkowski, Director of the Center for Insurance Policy and Research (CIPR) National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)/FLASH Board Advisor The Excellence in Leadership Award is given to Dr. Jeff Czajkowski, Director of the Center for Insurance Policy and Research at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Jeff's exceptional leadership and dedication have been instrumental in advancing resilience in the face of growing climate challenges. His guidance led to the publication of the Resilience Policy Resource Guide and Retrofitting Program Playbook for State Insurance Regulators. This groundbreaking work, developed in partnership with the NAIC-CIPR and FLASH, provides actionable strategies for state insurance regulators to address the increasing impacts of climate risk and accelerating disasters. "Jeff's innovative leadership is paving the way for smarter, more resilient policies," said Cecil Pearce, President - Florida Insurance Council. "His work exemplifies how strategic collaboration can drive meaningful change for communities facing increasing disaster risks." Education Excellence Award: Forrest Masters Ph.D., P.E., Professor and Interim Dean of Engineering University of Florida/FLASH Board Director The Education Excellence Award honors remarkable achievements in educating individuals, communities, and organizations about the importance of disaster resilience. This year, we are proud to recognize Dr. Forrest Masters, whose exceptional contributions in the field of hurricane and high-wind event research have set a new standard of excellence. Forrest has deepened our understanding of how these forces impact homes and communities through his pioneering academic work, providing invaluable insights that guide safety innovations and resilience strategies. His dedication to advancing knowledge and solutions in disaster resilience is truly inspiring. "Forrest's work is nothing short of transformative," said Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "His dedication inspires innovations that save lives and strengthen homes." Outreach Excellence Award: Mark Taylor, President MDT and Associates The Outreach Excellence Award is presented to an individual or organization that has gone above and beyond in reaching individuals, families, and communities to foster a culture of resilience. This year, FLASH honors Mark Taylor, President of MDT and Associates, whose tireless efforts and strategic vision have been instrumental in building strong, impactful partnerships for FLASH. "Through his dedication, Mark has expanded FLASH's reach, inspiring communities to embrace and prioritize disaster resilience," said JZ Media President and FLASH Board Advisor John Zarrella. "His commitment not only strengthens the mission but also lays the groundwork for a safer, more prepared society." Employee of the Year: Sarah Chason, Project Coordinator/Executive Assistant The Employee of the Year Award honors a standout FLASH team member whose dedication and contributions are vital to the organization's success. Sarah Chason embodies this recognition through her professionalism, expertise, and steadfast commitment to excellence. Her meticulous approach to every task ensures exceptional quality, timeliness, and impact, making her an invaluable part of the FLASH team. "Sarah's extraordinary dedication and unmatched skills exemplify the highest standards of excellence," said Leslie Chapman-Henderson. "Her efforts are a driving force behind FLASH's accomplishments, and we are profoundly grateful for her unwavering commitment to our mission of building a safer, more resilient future." The National Disaster Resilience Conference is an annual event that will return November 19-21, 2025, to Clearwater Beach, FL. NDRC24 Sponsors: Titanium Sponsor - USAA - USAA Gold Sponsors - International Code Council, Lowe's, and Renew Financial - International Code Council, Lowe's, and Renew Financial Silver Sponsors - Verisk Analytics, Inc. and Zip System Sheathing and Tape - Verisk Analytics, Inc. and Zip System Sheathing and Tape Bronze Sponsors Fox Blocks, IEM, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, Nan McKay and Associates, Inc., and Simpson Strong-Tie For more information, visit the National Disaster Resilience Conference website. About FLASH The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) is the country's leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from disasters. The FLASH partnership includes more than 100 innovative and diverse organizations that share a vision of making America a more disaster-resilient nation, including FEMA, Florida Division of Emergency Management, Huber Engineered Woods, International Code Council, ISO - Verisk Analytics, MyRadar, National Weather Service, Renew Financial, Simpson Strong-Tie, State Farm, and USAA. In 2008, FLASH and Disney opened the interactive weather experience StormStruck: A Tale of Two Homes in Lake Buena Vista, FL. FLASH's signature program No Code. No Confidence. - Inspect2Protect.org provides consumers with a one-of-a-kind building code transparency tool to easily identify their community's building code. Learn more about FLASH and access free consumer resources by visiting www.flash.org and www.Inspect2Protect.org, calling toll-free (877) 221- SAFE (7233), following @federalalliance on X, and Facebook.com/federalalliance. SOURCE Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) Automaker launches 17th annual philanthropic campaign dedicated to helping national and hometown charity partners CAMDEN, N.J., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/-- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the launch of the 2024 Subaru Share the Love Event with its newest national advertising campaign and increased donation goal of $32 million for this year's campaign. By the end of this year's event, Subaru and its retailers are aiming to reach nearly $320 million in overall donations to national and hometown charities over the past 17 consecutive years as part of the automaker's largest annual charitable initiative. This year, Subaru and its retailers are continuing to support four national charity partners that exemplify the Subaru Love Promise; The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels, and the National Park Foundation, as well as over 820 local hometown charities. The advertising campaign spotlights each partner organization's cause, as well as the important connection to hometown charities that are selected by Subaru retailers and benefit their local communities. Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc.: "It is our honor to support causes and organizations that strive to make a difference through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event. A dedication to giving back is core to what makes Subaru More Than a Car Company and our retailers More Than a Car Dealer. Helping to match Subaru owners with a charity they believe in is one of the greatest gifts we can give this season, and we hope that it forges a connection that lasts for years to come." For every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased at any participating Subaru retailer from November 21, 2024, to January 2, 2025, Subaru will donate $250 to the purchaser's choice of charities.* Retailers can select up to two hometown charities in their local communities to receive at least an additional $50 total for each vehicle sold or leased to accompany the original donation. Furthermore, many participating Subaru retailers will donate $5 to their registered hometown charities for every Subaru vehicle routine service visit during the campaign period. Throughout the campaign, two new advertising spots featuring national and hometown charity partners will run on national television, streaming, digital video, and social media platforms in :30 and :15 second format. The title campaign spot, The Hard Work of Love, celebrates heroic animal shelter workers who love and care for millions of pets in need, while Hometown Love highlights the work of Subaru retailers supporting hometown charities in their respective communities. Paid media partners include ABC, NBC, the CW, YouTube, and more. A Spanish-language translated version of The Hard Work of Love will run on Telemundo, UniMas, and Univision. The creative will also run across streaming partners in English and Spanish, including Peacock, MAX, Hulu, Amazon, Netflix and more, and the spots are available to view on the Subaru of America YouTube channel. Since 2008, Subaru and its retailers have donated over $288 million and supported nearly 2,300 hometown charities over the years as a part of the Subaru Share the Love Event. To learn more, visit: www.subaru.com/share Join the conversation: #ShareTheLove *Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 21, 2024, through January 2, 2025, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Subaru will donate a total of $5 to their registered Hometown Charities for every Subaru vehicle routine service visit during the campaign period. A routine visit includes customer payment of $5 or greater, or any service that includes a genuine Subaru oil filter. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 10, 2025. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc. About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. Diane Anton Corporate Communications Manager (856) 488-5093 [email protected] Adam Leiter Corporate Communications Specialist (856) 488-8668 [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1732477/Subaru_of_America_Logo.jpg SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc. Leading Provider of Clinical Documentation Integrity Solutions Receives Funding to Continue Accelerated Growth GREENWICH, Conn., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 3 Boomerang Capital ("3BC" or "3 Boomerang"), a healthcare-focused, lower middle-market private equity firm, announces a majority growth investment in Enjoin, LLC ("Enjoin" or the "Company"), a leader in Clinical Documentation Integrity ("CDI") solutions for hospitals and health systems nationwide. 3 Boomerang's investment in Enjoin provides strategic resources and capital to support the continued expansion of the Company's tech-enabled capabilities focused on helping healthcare providers manage the increasing challenges of CDI and revenue integrity. Founded in 1988 by Garry L. Huff, MD, CCS, Enjoin is a physician-directed partner in the mid-revenue cycle to many of the country's leading health systems. Enjoin works closely with the physicians at each hospital to improve the capture of clinical documentation and coding related to the valued patient care they provide. The Company's unique pre-bill review solution, coupled with its deep education and advisory capabilities, position Enjoin as a trusted advisor to hospitals, their administration, and their physicians. "I am incredibly proud of everything that Enjoin has accomplished since I founded the Company over 35 years ago, and I firmly believe that Enjoin and its strong team are well positioned for continued growth and innovation in partnership with 3 Boomerang," said Dr. Huff. Steven Bressler, a Managing Director at 3 Boomerang, added, "We are excited to partner with Enjoin and the management team. The Company helps providers not only address numerous challenges related to CDI, but also optimize the overall process of revenue integrity before the bill is sent to the payor. This process increases the efficiency of the payment streams and ensures correct payments, the first time." "Dr. James Fee and I were particularly impressed with 3 Boomerang's depth of knowledge and expertise in our sector and we are thrilled to join forces with them," echoed Justin Schmidt, CEO of Enjoin. "We look forward to working with 3BC as we enter this next chapter; their investment and healthcare experience will help us grow our company and continue to drive success for our clients." About Enjoin For over 35 years. Enjoin has helped organizations fully tell their patients' stories, aligning physician-directed services to enhance mid-revenue cycle functions for better documentation and coding quality. Led by acclaimed physicians with extensive clinical practice experience, coupled with certified coding and clinical documentation credentials, our approach enhances clinical documentation with deep expertise, driving physician engagement, revenue integrity, reducing costs and mitigating risk. Clients achieve demonstrable enhancements to CMI, coding accuracy, quality metrics, risk adjustment and physician alignment for an average ROI of more than 700%. For more information, visit www.enjoincdi.com. About 3 Boomerang Capital 3 Boomerang Capital is a lower middle-market healthcare private equity firm committed to fostering creative investment partnerships with healthcare entrepreneurs across North America and Western Europe. 3BC's areas of investment focus span four key healthcare sectors: Biopharma outsourcing, medical device and diagnostic manufacturing, information technology and tech-enabled services, and alternate site care. The firm specializes in backing founder-led businesses, providing the guidance and resources needed for successful growth and innovation in the healthcare market. By strategically concentrating on four core areas, 3 Boomerang Capital is well-equipped to deliver on its mission of empowering healthcare entrepreneurs and propelling healthcare businesses to new heights. The firm is currently investing out of its flagship fund, 3 Boomerang Capital I, LP, a $376 million investment vehicle. For more information, visit www.3boomerang.com. Media Contact Alixe Kluttz, 3 Boomerang Capital, 203.517.4763, [email protected] SOURCE 3 Boomerang Capital SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerging consumer electronics brand ACEFAST has officially launched their pre-order campaign on November 21 with their latest transparent design ultra-thin open-ear headphones, ACEFIT Pro. The new ACEFAST open-ear headphones combine transparent design, powerful sound, and innovative smart features, offering long-lasting battery life, high comfort, and enhance night-time safety. This showcases the brand's "New audiovisual experience" philosophy. Acefast AceFit Pro Open-ear Headphones ACEFIT Pro: All-New Open-Ear Continuing the classic design, the ACEFIT Pro retains the classic crystal transparent series in its open-ear headphones design. Featuring a transparent charging case and the 3D embossed numeric display on the charging box. Additionally, the charging case features a smooth, curved design with a high-level G2 curvature, creating a visually fluid and elegant look, with a thickness of only 10mm at its thinnest point, making it lighter and thinner overall. Night Safety Mode A key highlight of the ACEFIT Pro is the groundbreaking Night Safety Mode. Featuring a matrix of 40 breathing lights around the ear area. The soft light effect provides visual cues in the dark, increasing safety. Additionally, the exclusive app allows users to customize lighting effects, offering 8 different lighting settings for the charging case to meet individual preferences and enhance interactive experiences. Comfort-Focused Design The non-in-ear comfort design provides a soft, secure grip with liquid silicone, and the ear hooks are as thin as 0.7mm, made from aviation-grade titanium wire. This makes them suitable for all ear shapes, especially for those who wear glasses. The lightweight design, with each headphone weighing only 7.8g, ensures a comfortable, secure, and snug fit. Innovative Technology The ACEFIT Pro is packed with innovative technologies to meet users' demands for high-quality sound, and support Hi-Res Audio. The ACEFIT Pro is features an open sound leakage prevention design and a 3 magnetic super-linear speaker, which is the first compact speaker on the market with a 0.5mm max high amplitude. The custom driver, utilizes proprietary technology to increase the effective diaphragm amplitude, delivering high volume with low distortion, resulting in clearer and fuller sound. Additionally, AELC Bass enhanced technology and super-linear speaker units provide adaptive bass compensation, delivering rich sound details and deep bass, perfectly recreating the nuances of music. Pre-Order on Kickstarter The ACEFIT Pro is now available for pre-order, subscribe and join in our Facebook group. The first 600 backers can secure it for an exclusive discounted price of $99 (40% OFF) by paying a $9.9 deposit. After the crowdfunding campaign ends, ACEFIT Pro will be available for purchase on acefastmall.com and through retail partners such as Amazon. About ACEFAST Founded in 2021, ACEFAST is a global consumer electronics brand with a core team of 15 years of experience in the audio industry. The company specializes in the research, design, and sales of smart electronic products. ACEFAST's products are sold worldwide through global e-commerce and trade channels. The brand follows the "New audiovisual experience" philosophy, striving to provide high-quality, affordable smart products to consumers worldwide through technological innovation and stylish design. For more information, please contact: Media Contact: Name: Acefast PR Team Email: pr@acefast.com Company: Shenzhen Houshuxia Technology Co., Ltd. SOURCE ACEFAST ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aleut Environmental Remediation LLC (Aleut), a subsidiary of Aleut Federal LLC, has been awarded a 5-year, $48 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract under the Alaska Environmental Support Services (ESS) Multiple Award Task Order Contract. "With a regional headquarters in Anchorage and a deep understanding of the unique needs of the region, we are excited to use our environmental services expertise to deliver sustainable, high-quality solutions for our Department of Defense clients," said Jennifer Anderson, Environmental Programs Director at Aleut Federal. The contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, will support the Environmental Quality Program across Alaska and the Pacific Ocean Division Area of Responsibility, including Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Guam, Wake Island, and the Northern Marianas Islands. Aleut was selected as one of four contractors for this significant award, which will run through November 6, 2029. The company has also secured the seed task order associated with the contract which involves completing an Environmental Assessment at the Tanana Flats Training Grounds. Under this IDIQ, Aleut will compete for task orders to provide a wide range of services, including environmental conservation, compliance, pollution prevention, and environmental operations and maintenance. Specific scope, funding, and locations for work will be determined as task orders are issued. "As an Alaska Native-owned company, we are proud to bring our extensive regional experience to this crucial project," said Mark Gragg, Vice President of Aleut Federal's Environmental Services Group. ABOUT ALEUT Aleut Federal LLC (Aleut), a holding company for The Aleut Corporation's federal services portfolio, is an Alaska Native-owned enterprise dedicated to delivering vital services to the U.S. government across four primary sectors: Technology, Mission Support, Environmental, and Construction. Our Environmental Services Group (ESG) focuses on specialized environmental solutions such as hazardous waste disposal, radiological cleanup, munitions remediation, and site restoration, adhering to ISO 9001:2015 and DOE "Q" security standards to ensure safety and compliance. Through our specialized subsidiaries like Aleut Environmental Remediation and A2RGCa joint venture with Geosyntec Consultantswe bring expertise in PFAS remediation, groundwater monitoring, and advanced environmental technologies. Committed to regulatory compliance and sustainability, Aleut ESG delivers high-quality outcomes aligned with client goals. Established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, The Aleut Corporation is one of 12 original regional Alaska Native corporations. Aleut Federal's diversified portfolio includes Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) certified and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) subsidiaries, offering specialized capabilities to meet the diverse needs of federal clients. Berlyn Martin Aleut Federal, LLC Phone: 586-337-5828 SOURCE Aleut Federal, LLC Chatham County is more susceptible to the adverse impacts of natural disasters than 99% of the country, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross has expanded its Community Adaptation Program (CAP) into Chatham County, Georgia, with support from a generous $1 million gift from the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation. A first for the state, CAP will partner with trusted, local organizations specializing in health, hunger and housing to enhance resources for families struggling with pre-existing social inequities. On Nov. 19, the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation announced a $1M donation to the American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program. Pictured from left: Serena Levy, President of Southern Company Gas Foundation; Alicia Doherty, Red Cross Georgia Region Chief Executive Officer; Pedro Cherry, President and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas; Alex Taylor, Red Cross Community Adaptation Program Manager, Chatham County; and Maria Center, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Southeast Georgia. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index has identified Chatham County as more at risk of the adverse impacts of natural disasters than 99% of all U.S. counties, making it a prime candidate for this new initiative. Working on the front lines to respond to frequent and intense disasters, the Red Cross sees firsthand how chronic physical and mental health conditions, food insecurity and the availability of safe and affordable housing are worsened by these events. CAP is a multi-year effort designed to increase support for socially and geographically vulnerable communities while reducing disaster-caused displacement. "Stronger and more frequent disasters are repeatedly striking communities across the country, creating incredible suffering for families," said Cliff Holtz, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Last month, I visited some of the communities hit hardest by recent disasters that will need support today, tomorrow and in the many months ahead. We are grateful for Atlanta Gas Light Foundation's generosity and partnership as we work to expand the capacity of entire communities and adapt to help people in times of dire need." "The Atlanta Gas Light Foundation is committed to supporting those who are transforming lives by addressing the complex challenges facing Georgia's communities with revolutionary vision. The Community Adaptation Program is such an initiative because it combines long-term vision with local experts and community leaders to identify solutions that are targeted to meet the local community needs," said Pedro Cherry, president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas. "We are proud to champion efforts that drive meaningful and sustainable change across Georgia." CAP will build the capacity, capability and business continuity of Chatham County nonprofit organizations to help increase community resilience and lessen the impact of disaster-caused displacement on the most vulnerable in this area. In turn, CAP partners will commit to working with the Red Cross before, during and after disasters to help mitigate disaster-caused poverty. Through these partnerships, the Red Cross will help strengthen the resilience of the entire frontline community. At the end of the organization's most recent fiscal year, the Red Cross Community Adaptation Program was operating in 17 other counties across the country, with more than 200 hyperlocal partners and over $10 million in funds committed for hundreds of different resilience projects. The Red Cross estimates that this support has helped hyper-local partners serve some 100,000 households, impacting about 300,000 people. Building on lessons learned from the initial CAP communities, the Red Cross plans to expand to additional counties and parishes over the next several years. More importantly, the Red Cross is taking relevant learnings and integrating them across its entire disaster program. About the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation: The Atlanta Gas Light Foundation supports nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Georgia. A subsidiary of the Southern Company Gas Foundation, its mission is to advance social justice, enable economic mobility, care for the environment and provide community assistance in the areas where Atlanta Gas Light employees live, work and serve. The Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization funded by an endowment from Southern Company Gas. To learn more, visit www.AtlantaGasLight.com. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media. SOURCE American Red Cross Initiative will support Education Freedom Accounts, Literacy Tutoring Grants for thousands of Arkansas families MIAMI, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClassWallet, the leading digital wallet for public funds, announced today that the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) has awarded the company a new contract to support its Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) and Literacy Tutoring Grants (LTG) programs, initiatives launched from the state's 2023 Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking and School Safety (LEARNS) Act. The three-year contract, which also includes four option years, will enable ClassWallet to distribute $99 million to qualified families for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year. The initiative also provides an annual literacy grant of $8.5 million, for a total of $107.5 million in year-one funding. For the 2024-2025 school year, Arkansas families that receive approval for an EFA will receive a ClassWallet account with $6,856 per student, which can be used to pay approved vendors for tuition, fees, uniforms and other approved education-related expenses. Funds are distributed quarterly through ClassWallet's secure online platform, with transaction oversight managed by ADE officials. Jamie Rosenberg, ClassWallet co-founder and CEO, noted that the company is excited to be back in Arkansas, having supported the state's launch of the original EFA program in 2023. "We've been given the opportunity to support Arkansas families once again, and we are grateful for it," Rosenberg said. "We will work harder than ever to help ensure that the EFA and LTG funding is available to Arkansas families as soon as possible, and provide the appropriate reporting and transparency to state officials for the program's long-term success." For information about the Arkansas EFA Program, visit https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/. About ClassWallet ClassWallet is the leading digital wallet for public funds. A pioneer in financial and government technology, ClassWallet's technology is used by public agencies across 35 states to maximize the positive impact of public funding on people's lives. Since 2014, the ClassWallet platform has been used to deliver more than $4 billion in public funds to millions of citizens, and has helped clients achieve the highest standards of program integrity and efficiency. With customer loyalty and satisfaction exceeding some of the world's largest brands, ClassWallet was recognized by J.D. Power in 2024 for providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" for Phone Support. ClassWallet is headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, and ranks as the 88th fastest-growing software company on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list. Media contact: Jason Hart Vice President, Communications [email protected] SOURCE ClassWallet YAKUM, Israel, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Augwind Energy Tech Storage ("Augwind") (TASE: AUGN), an energy technology company specializing in long-duration energy storage and compressed air systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Oren Helman to its Board of Directors. Mr. Helman brings extensive expertise in the energy, renewable energy and electricity sectors, with a proven track record in business development, investor relations, customer service, regulation and strategic innovation. Mr. Oren Helman, new Board Memebr at Augwind Energy Tech (PRNewsfoto/Augwind) The appointment of Mr. Helman underscores Augwind's commitment to enhancing its leadership team with professionals who are dedicated to driving innovation and advancing the field of sustainable energy. His expertise will be invaluable as the company continues to expand its technological capabilities and pursue new business opportunities. Mr. Helman spent years in senior management roles, including his most recent position as Senior Vice President of Supply segment Customer Service, Marketing, and Regulation at the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC). His experience leading major divisions, overseeing large budgets and driving customer-centric innovation makes him an outstanding addition to Augwind's board. In addition, Mr. Helman has a deep understanding of ESG practices, which aligns closely with Augwind's mission to contribute to a sustainable energy future. He also served as Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Israel National Coal Company. Mr. Helman expressed his excitement about joining Augwind, stating, "I am thrilled to join a technology-driven company with a promising future that operates in areas closely connected to my professional focus: energy, operational continuity and reduction of CO 2 emissions. The future of the world is energy, given its critical importance and in light of the transition to renewable sources - long duration energy storage is essential for achieving decarbonized grids." Dr. Or Yogev, Founder and CEO at Augwind, added "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Helman to our board of directors. His extensive expertise and proven leadership in the power industry is a key to our progress with our strategic initiatives and technologies". About Augwind Founded in Israel in 2012, Augwind is an energy technology company aiming to decarbonize electrical grids through its innovative AirBattery technology. Specializing in air compression, storage and controlled expansion, the company has developed a novel grid-scale energy storage asset that can discharge at full capacity for weeks at a time, novel industrial water compressor and an energy efficiency system. In addition, it is developing a hydrogen-storage technology alongside its legacy AirSmart business of optimizing industrial compressed air systems. Augwind shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the ticker TASE:AUGN, and are included in the following indices: TA BlueTech Global, TA Technology, TA-Energy Utilities, TA-Cleantech, TA-Growth, TA-All-Share. About AirBattery AirBattery is an innovative energy storage technology that utilizes underground salt caverns to store compressed air, employing hydraulic pumps and turbines to efficiently circulate water in closed-loops between compression and expansion chambers, creating a highly efficient, near-isothermal charging and discharging process. This approach allows us to take advantage of the significantly low incremental cost of storage, measured on a $/kWh basis, made possible by the use of geological caverns. Benefiting of the isothermal process, AirBattery does not require any type of thermal compensation and is designed to address energy storage and dispatch durations of days, weeks, and possibly months at a time. AirBattery pushes the envelope of long-duration energy storage providing a reliable, sustainable and cost-effective energy asset with the capacity to enable total renewable integration. About Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) The global shift to renewable energy presents an inherent challenge. The intermittent nature of these sources when applied commercially at a growing rate exposes grid operators to prolonged periods of undersupply. Long duration energy storage will enable total renewable integration by compensating for periods of underproduction by renewable energy sources. LDES refers to a wide range of applications and durations, typically from 8 hours and above. As renewable energy penetration rates approach 80%, the need for stored energy to support durations of dozens and even hundreds of hours will become critical. Augwind operates at the forefront of LDES technological landscape, well in sync with the EU and US roadmap for the transition to renewable energy sources. Contact: [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564664/Mr_Oren_Helman_Augwind.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564665/Augwind_Logo.jpg SOURCE Augwind PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Autel Energy, a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, applauds the completion of the first ultra-fast EV charging hub in the Eastern United States, located in Deerfield, Massachusetts. This groundbreaking project is the result of a successful collaboration between the Town of Deerfield, Rivermoor Energy, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Autel Energy's partner Rexel Energy Solutions. The project represents a major leap forward in the region's EV infrastructure, offering faster, more efficient, reliable charging solutions to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility. Image courtesy of The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation At the heart of this pioneering hub is Autel's MaxiCharger DC HiPower solution, which boasts a world-leading maximum output of 640 kW. This cutting-edge technology enables ultra-fast charging that can power up an EV in as little as 20 minutes, addressing key concerns around charging speed and range anxiety. Built in Autel's facility in Greensboro, NC, these units reaffirm the company's commitment to providing the most advanced, high-performance charging solutions on the market. Autel Energy worked in close collaboration with Rexel Energy Solutions, whose industry expertise and deep knowledge of energy management were instrumental in delivering the solution efficiently and on schedule. "The Deerfield charging hub is a testament to what collaboration can achieve in advancing the clean energy transition," said Paul Michaud, General Manager of Rexel Energy Solutions. "By partnering with innovative companies like Autel, who meet Made in America requirements, we're supporting EV adoption while strengthening local economies and creating opportunities in the energy sector. Rexel Energy Solutions is proud to play a role in delivering critical supply chain solutions that help projects like this come to life." "The Deerfield charging hub is a model for the future of EV infrastructure, setting a high bar for speed, reliability, and sustainability," said Michelle Luo, Chief Revenue Officer at Autel Energy North America. Strategically positioned along key highways, the new hub will serve as a critical charging point for drivers traveling long distances, closing gaps in the region's EV infrastructure. "This project is not only an impactful one for the environment and the advancement of clean energy, but it's also a boost for the economic backbone of our Town," said Christopher Dunne, Acting Town Administrator for the Town of Deerfield. "With the added accessibility, climate change mitigation and new pedestrian walkways leading to downtown businesses, Deerfield can continue to thrive and serve its local business owners and attract new customers to our business community." The solution also features Autel's advanced cloud software, allowing for seamless integration, real-time monitoring, and user-friendly payment systems, ensuring a smooth experience for all EV drivers. Autel Energy's participation in the Deerfield charging hub is part of the company's broader efforts to expand its network of high-speed EV chargers, making electric vehicle travel more accessible and practical for drivers nationwide. About Autel Energy Autel Energy is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. With a strong focus on performance, reliability and driver experience, Autel is at the forefront of the transition to a cleaner, more efficient transportation ecosystem. Contacts Dario Pagani Director, Marketing and Communications Autel Energy North America [email protected] SOURCE Autel Energy BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The National Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan has issued a statement regarding the biased resolution adopted by the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg on November 20, 2024, Trend reports. "The Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan considers the resolution adopted by the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies on 20 November of this year to be biased, non-objective, and unjust, and categorically rejects the baseless claims and accusations targeting our country. This political act of the Luxembourg Parliament demonstrates that that country's parliament has become a stage for political adventurism. The issues raised in the resolution, which demonstrate an open disrespect for Azerbaijan's sovereignty and indifference to the measures taken to protect its national security, public stability, and territorial integrity, are nothing more than gross interference in Azerbaijan's internal affairs. The allegations regarding the extraordinary presidential elections held on 7 February 2024 are completely unfounded. Azerbaijan's progress in improving election practices has been recognised internationally. The elections were held wholly in compliance with national laws and international commitments. The statements made in the resolution regarding arbitrary arrests and the restriction of freedom of expression and assembly are based on gross distortions. The arrests of individuals mentioned in various reports were conducted based on solid evidence indicating violations of national laws, and the necessary legal procedures were observed in the process. The claims made in the resolution as to political prisoners are unfounded and form part of a campaign aimed at discrediting Azerbaijan. Attempts to overshadow the efforts made in Azerbaijan to develop civil society and strengthen democratic processes are regrettable. The declaration by 76 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, including members of the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies, as personae non grata was due to their energetic support for actions contrary to Azerbaijans efforts for peace and stability as well as the sheer manifestation of disregard for our countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty. The call for the cancellation of these measures reflects a lack of understanding of the profound consequences this kind of support can have on bilateral and multilateral relations. The Republic of Azerbaijan remains committed to constructive dialogue with all international partners, including Luxembourg; however, such dialogue must be based on mutual respect and adherence to international law. In this regard, the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan calls on the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies to set aside aggressive rhetoric and to refrain from the practice of adopting resolutions that are contrary to the principles of parliamentary dialogue and diplomacy and which undermine efforts to build trust and cooperation," the statement reads. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel HOUSTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Autoimmunity BioSolutions (ABS), a biotechnology company pioneering a next-generation, immuno-corrective therapy for a highly prevalent, genetically-defined subpopulation of patients that suffer from autoimmune disease, announced the closing of a seed financing led by Eos BioInnovation, with participation from Alexandria Venture Investments, Independent Capital and others. ABS was founded based on the groundbreaking research of Drs. Gaddiel Galarza-Munoz and Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco, when the Garcia-Blanco laboratory was at Duke University and University of Texas Medical Branch. ABS targets a branch of the Interleukin-7 (IL7) / Interleukin-7 receptor (IL7R) pathway controlled by the soluble Interleukin-7 receptor (sIL7R), a critical amplifier of autoimmune reactions. In particular, the founders discovered that a highly prevalent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that increases the risk and severity of autoimmune disease, does so by enhancing the expression of sIL7R. ABS has developed monoclonal antibodies highly specific for sIL7R. "While the role of IL7 and IL7R in autoimmunity has been documented in the literature, our genetic and biochemical studies indicated that the alternative isoform sIL7R is the real culprit in this pathway, and thus the desired target of therapy", said Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco, MD, PhD, co-founder of ABS and currently Professor and Chair of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology at the University of Virginia. Autoimmunity BioSolutions is developing a next-generation, immuno-corrective therapy for autoimmune disease treatment Post this The seed capital will fund the development of the company's lead program, a first-in-class series of monoclonal antibodies specifically targeting sIL7R while sparing membrane-bound IL7R. "Our novel anti-sIL7R antibodies were developed to correct an over-reactive immune system in a genetically-defined population of patients with autoimmune disease", said Gaddiel Galarza-Munoz, PhD, ABS co-founder and CSO. "The SNP and elevated sIL7R are associated with poor prognosis in numerous autoimmune diseases, such as greater risk of progressive disease as in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), worse disease activity in diseases like lupus nephritis, and poor response to therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. We believe that the sIL7R biology leading to those poor outcomes is driven by substantially greater accumulation of autoreactive effector and memory T cells over time, leading to exacerbation of disease severity." Gene Williams, ABS CEO, said: "I am thrilled to be part of this outstanding team in the effort to develop therapies that could be transformative for many patients with autoimmune disease and want to thank our outstanding group of investors for their support. ABS is in the forefront of a next generation of transformative therapies correcting the genetic drivers of disease in a genetically-defined population. Based on the known epidemiology and biology, we expect our therapies will have value in severe disease populations that are challenging to treat, such as progressive MS or lupus nephritis, where we might see efficient early proof of concept and possibly a rapid path to approval. In addition, we plan to collaborate with leaders in the field to explore the possibility that genetically-defined immuno-corrective therapy such as ours, with its likely safety advantages over current standards of care, could emerge as first line concomitant therapy for all patients with the SNP, to mitigate risk of disease progression as well as treat severe disease, and possibly to reduce the need for immunosuppression." Brock Reeve, Chairman of ABS and CEO of Eos BioInnovation said: "We are proud to lead ABS's first external financing and help bring the founders' scientific insight to the clinic and the market. ABS is an example of the type of groundbreaking early-stage innovation that is Eos' focus as a seed investor. We thank our co-investors who have joined us so far, and look forward to welcoming others into the syndicate to build a novel and potentially transformative approach to treat autoimmune diseases." About Autoimmunity BioSolutions Autoimmunity BioSolutions (ABS) is a seed-stage biotech developing a next-generation, immuno-corrective antibody therapy for treatment of autoimmune diseases to restore normal immune function. This therapy is targeted to a genetically-defined subpopulation of autoimmune disease patients marked by a highly prevalent genetic variant (SNP) associated with increased risk and severity of various autoimmune diseases. This immuno-corrective approach to autoimmune disease treatment is highly differentiated from current standards of care that rely on immunosuppressive mechanisms, and has broad potential to treat numerous autoimmune diseases. About Eos BioInnovation Launched in 2021, Eos BioInnovation is a venture capital fund that focuses on building and launching early-stage companies in the regenerative medicine field. Eos works closely with founding scientists, entrepreneurs, fellow investors and strategic partners to ensure its portfolio companies' success in creating the therapies of tomorrow. Contact: Eugene Williams, CEO, [email protected] Gaddiel Galarza-Munoz, CSO, [email protected] SOURCE Autoimmunity BioSolutions Module brings world's first ultrasonic touch on metal slider interface to the steering wheel replacing plastic scroller wheels. RADOLFZELL, Germany, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BCS Automotive Interface Solutions (BCS-AIS), a leader in the design, development, and production of advanced switch modules for the world's largest automotive manufacturers, is announcing an expanded partnership with UltraSense Systems. BCS-AIS will incorporate UltraSense's innovative metal UltraSlide ultrasound-based slider module into some of its steering wheel projects, replacing traditional plastic scroller wheels to achieve a sleek, minimalistic design aesthetic. The new premium slider features a robust metal construction, offering a superior alternative to plastic while enhancing durability with a streamlined, modern look. This cutting-edge technology provides a high-resolution, fine-grain slider that delivers unparalleled precision in control, ensuring an intuitive user experience. Users will enjoy tactile "tick" feedback from a localized haptic motor as they slide their finger over the 25mm (1 inch) long aluminum or stainless-steel slider surface bar, further enhancing the interaction between the driver and vehicle controls. The UltraSlide module is also customizable, catering to various use cases, including door seating or seat base controls, while occupying minimal space to maximize efficiency and convenience within vehicle interiors. BCS-AIS plans to enter serial production with this innovative technology in future vehicle model years. Tim Zhou, Chief Technology Officer of BCS-AIS, commented, "We are always striving to bring the latest technology innovations to our OEM customers to enhance user functionality and feel. The UltraSense Systems UltraSlide metal slider module provides a unique and premium user experience, replacing common plastic roller switches. We adopted UltraSense Systems' TouchPoint Q force-touch sensor last year in some of our steering wheel projects and are excited to expand our partnership by incorporating additional cutting-edge ideas and solutions." Daniel Goehl, Chief Business Officer of UltraSense Systems, added, "We are delighted that our partnership with BCS is expanding to include our latest ultrasound touch on metal solution. Supplying the UltraSense UltraSlide module marks a major milestone in providing a complete self-contained modular system that includes not only our ultrasound touch controller but also the system electronics and metal extrusion. This showcases how we are moving up the automotive supply chain by delivering more value-added complex system solutions." UltraSense will demonstrate its UltraSlide slider module, among other automotive system innovations, during the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, January 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall, Booth 3266. About BCS Automotive Interface Solutions BCS Automotive Interface Solutions specializes in crafting innovative switch solutions for vehicle interiors, ensuring a safe and comfortable driving experience for all drivers. With a rich heritage dating back to 1949, BCS has evolved into a global leader in automotive interface solutions, employing approximately 3,600 dedicated professionals across 10 countries, including 8 advanced manufacturing facilities and 13 Sales and Engineering locations. BCS is a trusted partner for automotive manufacturers worldwide. For more information, visit www.bcs-ais.com. About UltraSense Systems Inc. UltraSense Systems elevates the automotive touch experience with its Human Machine Interface (HMI) Controllers and InPlane Sensing solutions for SmartSurfaces. Their technology enables multi-mode touch sensing, backlighting, and haptic feedback, transforming almost any surface into an interactive touch interface. UltraSense offers a more intuitive experience for drivers, streamlined manufacturing solutions for tier-suppliers, and greater design options with sustainability benefits for automakers. For more information, visit www.ultrasensesys.com. Media Contacts: Daniel Goehl Chief Business Officer UltraSense Systems Inc. [email protected] SOURCE UltraSense WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) today cheered the introduction of a bill to keep fixing aging infrastructure in national parks across the country. America the Beautiful Act, which will extend critical park maintenance funding, was introduced by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mark Warner (D-VA) and would provide an additional $11.2 billion over eight years to address our parks' crumbling roads, decaying buildings, outdated water systems and many more critical repair needs. For decades, NPCA and hundreds of thousands of park supporters have fought for funding to fix our national parks, and we are seeing major progress that members of Congress on both sides of the aisle agree should continue. In 2020, park supporters celebrated a historic moment for our national parks with the passage of the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), the largest investment made in our national parks and public lands in more than 50 years. These federal dollars up to $6.65 billion over five years dedicated to national parks have funded more than 400 critical repair and maintenance projects across the National Park System, including fixing damaged trails at Mammoth Cave, replacing a failing water system at Grand Canyon, rehabilitating staff housing at Glacier Bay and Great Sand Dunes, and enhancing campgrounds at Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Mount Rainier. Additionally, this funding has contributed $8 billion in economic output and created more than 72,500 jobs, often utilizing local contractors in the process. This funding is proof that when we invest in our national parks, we all benefit. Americans love their parks. This bill is a promise that we will take care of the places that mean so much to so many. Post this The Great American Outdoors Act's national park and public lands maintenance funding is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025. This spells trouble for our national parks, which have a deferred maintenance backlog of $23 billion. Despite the progress Great American Outdoors Act has made, the challenge persists, and the cost of routine maintenance needs simply outpaces annual funding from Congress. Extending maintenance funding for our national parks is fundamental if we want these places to continue to exist for the next generation to experience. Now, members of Congress must work together to get this bill over the finish line. Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA): "Millions of people flock to national parks every year to experience some of our nation's best landscapes and most significant stories. National parks are icons of our country, and Americans love them. They also want to see them supported. And this bill is a promise that we will continue to take care of the places that mean so much to so many people. "NPCA has worked tirelessly with our congressional champions and many partners and communities across the country to make possible this reinvestment in our national parks and public lands. Our national parks need and deserve this investment, and so do all the people who care for these places. "Great American Outdoors Act successes have been mounting for years, as hundreds of park repair projects have been addressed and visitor experience and safety improved for millions. National parks in every state have benefited from this funding. And local businesses and economies are reaping the benefits every day from this investment in our parks. Prioritizing our national parks and extending this commonsense funding is something that everyone can get behind. "With Senators Steve Daines, Angus King, Kevin Cramer and Mark Warner's leadership, our parks will be one step closer to being ready for America's 250th anniversary of our country's independence and the millions of visitors who will visit them in our sesquicentennial year. "Our parks are not something we should ever take for granted. These places are worth protecting with all our power. Today was a big step, and we look forward to working with Congress to extend this funding to fix more national parks, so we can leave a legacy that our parks deserve." About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation's most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org. SOURCE National Parks Conservation Association. NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation ("BNY") (NYSE: BK), a global financial services company, has been selected by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service ("Fiscal Service") as the financial agent for the Direct Express prepaid debit card program. The 5-year agreement begins on January 3, 2025. The Direct Express prepaid debit card provides secure, easy access to federal benefit payments for approximately 3.4 million Americans1. After evaluating proposals from multiple financial institutions, Fiscal Service selected BNY due to the expansive suite of customer service options that will better target Treasury's unique customer base and enhance the cardholder experience to include: online/digital funds access, bill pay, cardless ATM access, chat and text (omni-channel) customer service, online dispute filing, in-person authentication options, and more. With a strong focus on customer experience and an expansive suite of services tailored to the program's customer base, BNY will further advance electronic payments, including contactless capabilities, money movement, bill pay, emergency access to funds, and more. "We're honored to be appointed as the financial agent for the Direct Express program, a decision which speaks to BNY's legacy serving clients and communities throughout the financial ecosystem," said Jennifer Barker, Global Head of Treasury Services and Depositary Receipts, BNY. "Drawing on our leading platform capabilities, we look forward to advancing the program's goal of providing high-quality financial services to individuals and communities throughout the U.S." Mastercard will serve as the program's payment network, a role it has played since Direct Express' inception in 2008. Additional providers include Galileo Financial Technologies, LLC ("Galileo"), Mobility Capital Finance, Inc. ("MoCaFi"), Senture LLC ("Senture"), Sunrise Banks, N.A. ("Sunrise"), and Ubiquity Global Services, Inc. ("Ubiquity"). Media Contacts Anneliese Diedrichs [email protected] +44 7930 135 524 About BNY BNY is a global financial services company that helps make money work for the world managing it, moving it and keeping it safe. For 240 years BNY has partnered alongside clients, putting its expertise and platforms to work to help them achieve their ambitions. Today BNY helps over 90% of Fortune 100 companies and nearly all the top 100 banks globally to access the money they need. BNY supports governments in funding local projects and works with over 90% of the top 100 pension plans to safeguard investments for millions of individuals, and so much more. As of September 30, 2024, BNY oversees $52.1 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and $2.1 trillion in assets under management. BNY is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Headquartered in New York City, BNY employs over 50,000 people globally and has been named among Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators. Additional information is available on www.bny.com . Follow on LinkedIn or visit the BNY Newsroom for the latest company news. 1 Source: Direct Express Program, URL: https://www.usdirectexpress.com/ SOURCE BNY NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR) announced that it will be participating at the UBS Global Technology and AI Conference, including a fireside chat with management, available on Broadridge's Investor Relations page at www.broadridge-ir.com. UBS Global Technology and AI Conference Scottsdale, Arizona Date and Time: December 4, 10:55 A.M. Eastern Time Company Speaker: Ashima Ghei, Interim Chief Financial Officer About Broadridge Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a global Fintech leader with over $6 billion in revenues, provides the critical infrastructure that powers investing, corporate governance and communications to enable better financial lives. We deliver technology-driven solutions to banks, broker-dealers, asset and wealth managers and public companies. Broadridge's infrastructure serves as a global communications hub enabling corporate governance by linking thousands of public companies and mutual funds to tens of millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. In addition, Broadridge's technology and operations platforms underpin the daily trading of on average more than U.S. $10 trillion of equities, fixed income and other securities globally. A certified Great Place to Work, Broadridge is a part of the S&P 500 Index, employing over 14,000 associates in 21 countries. For more information about Broadridge, please visit www.broadridge.com. Investors [email protected] Media [email protected] SOURCE Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. "This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide unparalleled care to the children of our region," said Trevor Paris, MD, FAAPM&R, System Chief Medical Officer for Brooks Rehabilitation. "Through our shared commitment, we are ensuring that every child receives the best medical and rehabilitative care possible." Commitment to Pediatric Excellence Noting a shortage of pediatric rehabilitation beds at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital University Campus (BRH) and in the state of Florida, Brooks fully committed to a pediatric program enhancement. With funding from the Florida legislature, Brooks was able to double the number of pediatric beds available at BRH, create a secured pediatric area with pediatric and sensory gyms, expand the state-of-the-art technology available to patients and provide the only, no cost, school re-entry services in the region. This integrative approach ensures that children who historically transitioned directly to outpatient services can now receive the intensive and specialized pediatric services they need for best long-term outcomes. In 2021, Brooks saw seven pediatric patients from Wolfson Children's, and this number has increased to more than 40 in 2024, demonstrating the growing need and success of this partnership. Clinical and Educational Expertise Under this new groundbreaking partnership, Nemours Children's will employ two hospitalists at BRH to provide 24/7 medical coverage for pediatric patients. These hospitalists will be responsible for managing medical complexities, mitigating potential complications and ensuring patients are medically stable. An additional hospitalist will split time between Brooks and Wolfson Children's, allowing for seamless integration and continuity of care. In a separate collaboration, Brooks and UF Health will hire a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician to oversee the physical care of patients at Brooks' inpatient and Pediatric Day Program. This physician will work closely with therapists and nursing teams to manage the physical aspects of recovery, like muscle tone and spasticity, ensuring patients are set up for success and smooth transitions back home. Additionally, patients will have access to a team of Nemours Children's and University of Florida subspecialists for consultations. This will create an increased network of physician support for patients being served at Brooks. Brooks nurses will receive hands-on training at Wolfson Children's, including the TAPS course (Transition from Adults to Pediatrics) to ensure they meet the highest standards of both Brooks and Wolfson Children's pediatric care. After course work, they will complete multiple phases of direct patient shadowing at Wolfson Children's, beginning with respiratory care, as part of this comprehensive training program. "This announcement underscores the value and importance of collaboration between institutions, such as Nemours Children's Health and Brooks. Aligning our two institutions through a common mission further enhances our goal of creating the healthiest generations of children," said Andrew Stec, MD, Vice President, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville. "By combining Nemours' clinical resources and Brooks' rehabilitation network, the children in our community benefit by receiving better specialized care closer to home while they recover." About Brooks Rehabilitation Brooks Rehabilitation, a nonprofit headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., has been a comprehensive system of care for physical rehabilitation for more than 50 years. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek as the No. 1 rehabilitation hospital in Florida and top 20 in the nation, Brooks operates three inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in Florida and will open a new hospital on the Mayo Clinic campus in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2026. Through its commitment to innovation, Brooks is at the forefront of cutting-edge research, education and technology advancing the science of rehabilitation. Brooks provides outpatient services in more than 50 locations, offers skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care along with community programs and services to improve the quality of life for people living with physical disabilities. About Nemours Children's Health Nemours Children's Health is one of the nation's largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two free-standing children's hospitals and a network of more than 70 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children's seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe and high-quality care, while also caring for the health of the whole child beyond medicine. Nemours Children's also powers the world's most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org. The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit Nemours.org. About Wolfson Children's Hospital Nonprofit Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, is a part of Baptist Health, Northeast Florida's most comprehensive health system serving every stage of life. Wolfson Children's is the only children's hospital in Northeast Florida and serves as the pediatric referral center for North Florida, South Georgia and beyond. Staffed 24/7 by pediatric nurses and other healthcare professionals specially trained to work with children, the 281-bed, patient- and family-centered hospital features the latest pediatric medical technology in a welcoming, child-friendly environment. At Wolfson Children's, nationally recognized pediatric specialists representing nearly every medical and surgical specialty work with pediatricians to provide care for children of all ages with congenital heart conditions, cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and endocrinology disorders, orthopedic conditions, behavioral health conditions, traumatic injuries, and more. Wolfson Children's collaborates with pediatric organizations, including Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville, the University of Florida College of Medicine Jacksonville, Emergency Resources Group, and Mayo Clinic Florida. A Magnet-designated hospital since 2010, Wolfson Children's Hospital has been named among the U.S. News & World Report 50 Best Children's Hospitals year after year, and in 2023, was selected as one of only eight children's hospitals in the country as a Leapfrog Top Children's Hospital, a recognition of patient quality and safety. For additional information, please visit wolfsonchildrens.com. About UF Health Jacksonville UF Health Jacksonville is at the center of the region's premier academic health center, a leader in the education of health professionals, a hub for clinical research and a unique provider of high-quality patient care. With more than 7,000 faculty and staff, the academic health center in Jacksonville is the largest UF campus outside of Gainesville. UF physicians tally more than 600,000 outpatient visits and more than 34,000 inpatient admissions annually. UF Health in Jacksonville, Florida, is composed of: UF Health Jacksonville, a 623-bed academic health center near downtown Jacksonville UF Health North, an outpatient medical complex, emergency center and 216-inpatient hospital in North Jacksonville UF Health Science Center Jacksonville, which encompasses three UF colleges in Jacksonville : Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy : Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy UF Jacksonville Physicians, Inc., a network of primary and specialty care centers offering exceptional patient care throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia Together with our University of Florida colleagues and affiliates, UF Health Jacksonville provides a wide range of health care services across the continuum of care on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Backed by a team of approximately 400 faculty physicians, we offer more than 100 specialty and subspecialty services. Contact: Jill Matejcek Manager, Public & Community Relations (904) 345-7718 phone (904) 328-9531 mobile [email protected] SOURCE Brooks Rehabilitation LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Medical Board of California will vote on a controversial legislative proposal that would significantly decrease accountability and transparency for doctors in substance abuse treatment at its Quarterly Board meeting in Los Angeles on Friday. This legislative proposal seeks to overturn a compromise that the legislature made years ago to balance the interests of the public and physicians. It also overrides transparency and accountability standards that every other state healing arts board must use in monitoring and evaluating substance abusing healthcare professionals. Consumer Watchdog's letter to the Medical Board of California (MBC) expressed concerns that the Board's vote to proceed with this legislative proposal would erase 16 years of consumer advocacy directed to protect patients. "Consumer Watchdog has reviewed the legislative proposal to overturn existing law, SB 1177 (Galgiani), which requires the Board to adhere to Uniform Standards for Substance Abusing Health Care Professionals, SB 1441 (Ridley-Thomas) while creating a new Physician Health and Wellness Program (PHWP). With your proposal removing the accountability and transparency that current law provides, the Medical Board of California (MBC) is taking Californians backwards to a secret Diversion Program that numerous audits proved failed, and a previous board unanimously voted to terminate. Any new program should not allow doctors facing discipline to divert into a secret program. Maintaining Board oversight of physicians with substance abuse problems is the only way to protect patients." Consumer Watchdog wrote, "The previous diversion program failed all five audits it faced. Physicians that failed drug tests or cheated on drug tests were allowed to continue to skip and/or fail testing and the findings were kept confidential from the Board. The program was used as a revolving door by repeat offenders to avoid discipline indefinitely. ... With this legislative proposal the MBC is reversing those laws, giving up its right to protect consumers, and patients' rights to transparency and accountability are lost in the process." The MBC continues to argue that program participants should be afforded full confidentiality regardless of how many times they fail aspects of the program because their concern is that substance abusing licensees will only self-refer to the program with full confidentiality privileges. Statistics from the prior confidential program show otherwise. Consumer Watchdog wrote, "The idea that a confidential program will encourage voluntary participation is a myth. Over its three-decade history, the Medical Board's Diversion Program was never successful in enticing self-referrals into voluntary treatment." The Medical Board intends to eliminate any consequences that current law requires substance abusing licensees to face, the letter continued. "The Uniform Standards currently require reporting of all violations of a participant's contract to the MBC, not just program withdrawals and terminations as the new proposal would allow. The Uniform Standards also created consequences for violations. These critical consumer protections include a requirement the Board be notified when a physician in the program fails a drug or alcohol test, that the Board issue a cease practice order, and that the Board require clean drug or alcohol testing for a minimum of 30 days before a physician returns to work to ensure patient safety. Such consequences do not appear in this legislative proposal." "Although the mission of the Medical Board of California is to protect healthcare consumers and prevent harm through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professionals, this proposal is taking every action conceivable to keep health care consumers in the dark and limit consumer protection," stated Michele Monserratt-Ramos, Kathy Olsen Patient Advocate at Consumer Watchdog. Consumer Watchdog's letter to the Medical Board of California can be found here. The Medical Board of California's legislative proposal can be found here. Program History: The MBC's original confidential physician diversion program was terminated in 2008 by a unanimous vote with then Board President Richard Fantozzi stating that the program was putting Californians at risk. That same year the California Medical Association sought an author to bring the defunct diversion program back. The then chair of the Senate Business & Professions Committee called for a Diversion Summit in early 2008. The outcome of the summit was the committee chair's call to author SB 1441 (Ridley Thomas) Uniform Standards for Substance Abusing Healthcare Professionals. After numerous attempts to bring the defunct diversion program back, SB 1177 (Galgiani) was passed into law in 2016 requiring the MBC to create a Physician Health & Wellness Program that must adhere to the Uniform Standards. It took the MBC 8 years to present regulations for a new PHWP program. The regulations were close to being finalized in March when the MBC made the surprise move to terminate the program's regulations and pursue new legislation effectively overturning two existing laws to do so. SOURCE Consumer Watchdog VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - 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. CMU commits to meet student needs with financial aid offer that includes a tuition- or loan-free undergraduate education PITTSBURGH, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian announced the launch of the CMU Pathway Program, a pivotal student affordability initiative beginning at the start of the 2025-26 academic year. In the CMU Pathway Program, all new and returning undergraduate CMU students at the Pittsburgh campus whose families earn less than $75,000 annually will be able to attend CMU tuition-free while undergraduates whose families earn less than $100,000 annually will be able to attend CMU without borrowing any federal student loans. To be eligible for the CMU Pathway Program, a student must: have typical family assets and an annual family income that falls below the income thresholds for a tuition-free ($75,000) and federal loan-free ( $100,000 ) CMU education and federal loan-free ( ) CMU education be a new or returning undergraduate enrolled at our Pittsburgh campus; and campus; and be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States "The CMU Pathway Program is a powerful investment in our students and the latest milestone in our ongoing efforts to expand access and affordability across our university community," said President Jahanian. "We believe that family finances should never prevent the brightest students from chasing their dreams and pursuing a world-class education at Carnegie Mellon University. And now, thanks to the CMU Pathway Program, we are one extraordinary step closer to achieving this goal." In addition to launching this new program, Carnegie Mellon has already reached the following milestones: Met and continues to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents, regardless of their family income. Bolstered the institutional investment in undergraduate financial aid by over 86% in the last 10 years from $76 million in fiscal year 2015 to $141 million in fiscal year 2024. in fiscal year 2015 to in fiscal year 2024. Reduced the share of students borrowing federal loans from 52% in 2019 to 28% in 2024 and cut their total debt burden at graduation by nearly 30%, from $25,936 per student to $18,200 per student, in that same five-year span. per student to per student, in that same five-year span. Launched other targeted access and affordability initiatives the Tartan Scholars program for undergraduate students and the CMU Rales Fellows program for graduate-level STEM students aimed at removing financial barriers for high-achieving students. For more information about these access and affordability efforts and the CMU Pathway Program, visit CMU's Student Financial Services site . About Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon is a private, internationally-ranked research university with acclaimed programs spanning the sciences, engineering, technology, business, public policy, humanities and the arts. Our diverse community of scholars, researchers, creators and innovators is driven to make real-world impacts that benefit people across the globe. With an unconventional, interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial approach, we do the work that matters. SOURCE Carnegie Mellon University Milestone Investment allows for scaling of deeply-vetted early-stage Assisted Natural Regeneration project, demonstrates power and potential of Catona's innovative climate finance model LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global climate finance company Catona Climate has made a major milestone investment in an Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) project in Antioquia, Colombia. This capital infusion lays the foundation for Catona's project development partner, NatureRe, to significantly expand its activities making it an important first step towards its goal to restore over 60,000 hectares of land in Colombia and sequestering an estimated 18M tonnes CO2e. "We're thrilled to partner with NatureRe and accelerate the restoration of large swaths of degraded lands in Colombia, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world," said Catona Climate CEO Tate Mill, "and one that is highly attractive for carbon market investment opportunities." Illustrative of Catona's innovative climate finance model, Catona conducted a rigorous due diligence process and secured demand signals from enterprise buyers, de-risking the opportunity for other capital providers and enabling the project to scale. Multiple enterprises including one of Catona's existing Fortune 50 customers have shown strong signs of interest in NatureRe's ANR project. "This is the Catona Climate finance model at work," said Mill. "We're allocating capital for a stake in an early-stage project we believe in, because we've worked closely with the developer to determine that it demonstrates high integrity and immense potential for impact. We then invite other market stakeholders enterprise buyers and other investors to follow our lead in deploying capital toward underfunded, climate-critical nature-based solutions, right when they need it most to get off the ground." Assisted Natural Regeneration: Allowing the Land to Heal ANR enables natural regrowth processes by first removing what stops nature from restoring itself such as invasive species, field burns, improper use of agrochemicals, or traditional forms of cattle ranching. Light-touch human interventions are then added to help the regeneration of native forests. These include the targeted planting of native species at various densities, weeding, excluding grazing animals, fencing boundaries, and controlling invasive grasses. Regrowth and rewilding on the land results in the return of natural ecosystems and native biodiversity, as multilayered vegetative cover enhances habitat quality for local wildlife and improves critical ecosystem services like healthy soil and clean water. Restoring nature and reviving biodiversity can also remove significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere potentially sequestering more than 400 tonnes of CO2e per hectare over a 40-year project duration. NatureRe has been applying ANR techniques in the area since launching a pilot project in Colombia's Choco region in 2014. They identify pasture lands that have been degraded by decades of cattle ranching, but exhibit enough soil health and clusters of secondary forest to enable ANR and allow for ecosystem connectivity. "We've spent a decade in Colombia demonstrating ANR's power to help turn lands degraded by human activity into the thriving ecosystems they once were," said NatureRe CEO, Daniel Pfeifer. "Catona's transformative milestone investment will allow us to scale one of the most efficient nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change, restoring more areas more quickly and eventually fulfilling our vision to create an intact biodiversity corridor. We're excited to work closely with Catona and the key stakeholders they bring to the table from enterprise buyers to innovative monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) technology partnerships." A Catona Kind of Project Catona's decision to join forces with NatureRe and support the project was ultimately informed by its comprehensive evaluation and due diligence process, which included multiple site visits as well as detailed research and information-gathering, independent third-party assessments, industry-leading proprietary screening tools, and geospatial data analysis. "Including a new project in our portfolio is a decision we never take lightly," said Destin Whitehurst, Catona's VP, Head of Origination, "but upon my first visit to the project site I was impressed with NatureRe's work as they demonstrated how ANR techniques are already having their intended effect. I could see that the land is beginning to heal, and that there exists an immense capacity for high-integrity large-scale carbon removal and storage in this area. My recent visit, 12 months after the first, revealed saplings towering over my head where before there were knee-high seedlings. The growth is incredible." Beyond the climate impact of carbon mitigation, the Antioquia project also fulfills Catona's requirements around environmental and community impact. Not only will the project greatly restore biodiversity, other environmental benefits include improved water quality, enhanced climate resilience against drought, reduction of soil runoff from integrated water and soil conservation, and reduced fire threats to existing forests. Furthermore, NatureRe actively consults with local stakeholders on the project, has provided local jobs for activities like planting, monitoring, area protection and maintenance, and could unlock opportunities for improved local infrastructure. Additionally, NatureRe plans to develop a youth educational program and focus on providing women in neighboring communities with local jobs. A Model for Nature Restoration at Scale Nature-based carbon removal projects have historically been difficult to scale because there tends to be a large gap between the deployment of upfront capital and carbon revenues tied to credit issuance. Catona's financing model addresses this challenge through our thorough due diligence process, catalytic early-stage investments, and enterprise buyer demand signals ultimately de-risking projects and unlocking additional financing from various third-party capital sources. NatureRe provides a profitable business model, encouraging nature-positive investments into high-quality carbon removal projects. "By getting involved early in the development process, thoroughly evaluating projects through our own rigorous standards of diligence and quality, and taking on some risk by investing early, Catona makes it easier for other stakeholders to come on board," said Catona's Chief Carbon Officer, Rob Lee. "That means more capital being deployed to nature more effectively, and more critical projects getting off the ground and fulfilling their potential to help combat the climate crisis." About NatureRe NatureRe is a project developer providing the next generation of high integrity nature-based removal solutions. By combining leading experience in impact finance, nature restoration and carbon management, and 10 years of track record in Colombia, NatureRe is dedicated to scale up high-quality nature-based removal projects in Colombia and beyond. With a focus on nature, their impact goes beyond carbon removal, extending to biodiversity restoration and positive social impact. For more information, visit Nature-Re.com. About Catona Climate Catona Climate is a climate finance company that delivers high-quality carbon solutions to businesses everywhere, helping transform climate pledges into measurable action through rigorously vetted high-impact nature-based carbon projects around the world. Guided by an unwavering commitment to the planet, Catona Climate exists to combat the climate crisis by driving capital to nature and enabling a fair and equitable transition to a net-zero future. Catona Climate is a member of the Business Alliance to Scale Climate Solutions, IETA and other critical industry groups dedicated to accelerating climate action. For more information, visit Catona.com. Media Contacts Catona [email protected] Catona Investor Relations [email protected] SOURCE Catona Climate BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. A telephone conversation took place today between Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Uzbekistans Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, Trend reports. During the call, Minister Bayramov congratulated his counterpart on his reappointment as Foreign Minister and wished him continued success in his role. The two officials exchanged views on key areas of cooperation within the framework of the fraternal, friendly, and allied relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. They also discussed the current regional situation and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing collaboration and mutual support on international platforms. Bart Schulte joins Cetera, leveraging its RIA Blueprint offering to support his advisory business SAN DIEGO, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera Financial Group, the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, announced today that Bart Schulte has joined Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Schulte is leveraging Cetera's growing RIA Blueprint platform to support his exclusive advisory business as an investment adviser representative and will have access to the resources and support provided through the Cetera Advisors community. He oversees approximately $300 million in assets under management* as of August 31, 2024, and previously managed client portfolios for nearly seven years in his latest role in his 24-year financial services industry career. "Owning and operating my own RIA is a longstanding career goal, and this affiliation with Cetera takes me one step closer to realizing this goal for the benefit of my business and my clients," Schulte said. "Cetera's RIA tech resources and self-clearing custodial capabilities provide the optionality and support for my independent advisory business today with the flexibility to open my own RIA in the future. I look forward to continuing this exciting path in collaboration with the expert team at Cetera." "As growth in the RIA space continues to accelerate, many financial advisors lack the guidance and infrastructure they need to establish a successful RIA," said Kerry Pierce, senior managing director and head of advisory solutions at Cetera. "Cetera's RIA Blueprint offering is designed for advisors like Bart who are on the path to building their own RIAs, as well as for advisors who want to realize the benefits of owning their RIA with the assistance of an experienced partner. Cetera is here to support advisors who want to balance independence and compliance risk and we encourage any advisors considering these paths to connect with Cetera to learn more." Schulte holds a Series 66 registration as well as the Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) certification. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business and marketing from University of Missouri-Saint Louis and an MBA from Fontbonne University. He is based in Camdenton, Mo. Click here for more information about Cetera RIA Blueprint. About Cetera Cetera Financial Group, which is owned by Cetera Holdings (collectively Cetera), is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub where financial advisors and institutions optimize their control and value creation. Breaking away from a commoditized and homogenous IBD model, Cetera offers financial professionals and institutions the latest solutions, support, and services to grow, scale, or transition with a merger, sale, investment, or succession plan. Cetera proudly serves independent financial advisors, tax professionals, licensed administrators, large enterprises, as well as institutions, such as banks and credit unions, providing an established and repeatable blueprint for scalable growth. Home to approximately 12,000 financial professionals and their teams, Cetera oversees more than $545 billion in assets under administration and $235 billion in assets under management, as of September 30, 2024. In a recent advisor satisfaction survey of nearly 35,000 reviews, Cetera's Voice of Customer (VoC) program vigorously measures advisor experience and satisfaction 24/7. Currently, it's ranked 4.8 out of 5 stars. Visit www.cetera.com, and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, YouTube, X, and Facebook. "Cetera Financial Group" refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser, and the following FINRA/SIPC members: Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Located at: 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. *Value approximated based on asset holding details provided to Cetera. Bart Schulte is an Investment Advisor Representative offering advisory services through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. SOURCE Cetera Financial Group New cloud migration, cyber security, and managed service solutions for growing organizations to streamline technology integration, enhance security, and improve operational efficiency. MIRAMAR, Fla., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Claro Enterprise Solutions, a single-source technology solutions provider for growing organizations, announced expanded services to support merger and acquisition activity on buy-side and sell-side, as companies seek cost efficiencies and technology modernization. The expanded consulting, implementation and managed service offerings make it more expeditious for investors and acquired companies to merge technology infrastructure while improving cyber and physical security, productivity and performance. "Claro Enterprise Solutions was the optimal decision as our customer sought to stand up managed IT services for a multi-national organization. Claro Enterprise Solutions had all the technology solutions they needed, plus an impressive flexibility and mindset that ensured the integration of the acquired entity was completed successfully. They deployed Cloud Migration Services and a Managed CyberSOC for incident response, while understanding the client's complex infrastructure. The client was pleased with the overall outcome and would use them for further acquisitions, as well as overall solutions and services," said Alex D'Angelo, Vice President at Ten Oaks Group. Claro Enterprise Solutions expands services to streamline M&A integrations, enhancing security/operational efficiency. Post this After announcing a major expansion of its cyber-physical product-specific offerings in early 2024, Claro Enterprise Solutions is now rolling out additional standard and custom service offerings. While these are not limited to Mergers and Acquisitions use cases, as they support any company seeking ways to simplify and unify cyber security, cloud, IoT, and connectivity technology infrastructure, they have already seen an uptake from the investor community. Services include: Cloud Data Security The Solution for Collaboration Security Management for Microsoft 365 combines powerful tools with expert managed services to safeguard the organization's sensitive information while adhering to industry standard regulations. Through an initial assessment, Claro Enterprise Solutions will create a customized remediation plan to address data exposure and risks, assuring compliance with the strictest regulations. Through managed services, Claro Enterprise Solutions monitors how the information is being shared, reducing the risk of oversharing and exposure of sensitive information. Claro Enterprise Solutions' services cover the entire Microsoft 365 journey, from migration to backup, policy enforcement, and risk reduction. Solution for Collaboration Security follows the NIST 2.0 standard, ensuring a comprehensive approach to data security needs. Whether during the due diligence period or after the independent entity is established, they identify and govern what cloud-hosted data is shared with whom, flag any compliance-related activities, and enforce policies. In one customer assessment, over 30,000 abandoned links were discovered and promptly remediated, and over 100 hours were saved in manual IT configuration and reporting. Cloud Data Migration Claro Enterprise Solutions' Cloud Migration Services professional and managed services move newly acquired and existing (Microsoft 365) end users onto shared cloud infrastructures, safely and securely. Customers also use migrations to deploy multi-Cloud strategies to reduce impact should a single Cloud provider experience an outage, or to meet local data storage compliance requirements. To address key security challenges in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), Claro Enterprise Solutions introduces its "Microsoft 365 Readiness Suite". This comprehensive solution streamlines Microsoft 365 integration with three core components: Cloud Migration Services, Cloud Backup, and Collaboration Security Management Data Risk Assessment. Each offering includes implementation support, providing M&A companies with a turnkey solution to identify risks, enhance security, and optimize their Microsoft 365 investment during organizational transitions. The Microsoft 365 Readiness Suite empowers businesses to navigate complex IT integrations efficiently, ensuring protected information sharing and safeguarding critical data throughout the M&A process. Cyber Threat Detection & Response As incidents impacting worldwide operations have shown, the complexity of today's technology ecosystem can inadvertently affect companies at any time. As part of Claro Enterprise Solutions' expanded technology services, it offers a robust suite of cyber threat detection and response capabilities designed to enhance security during critical Mergers and Acquisitions integrations. Claro Enterprise Solutions' Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and CyberSOC solutions provide continuous monitoring, advanced threat detection, and rapid incident response, ensuring that any security threats are identified and mitigated promptly. Claro Enterprise Solutions' MDR service leverages sophisticated tools and expert analysts to detect and respond to threats in real-time, minimizing the potential impact of cyber incidents. Claro Enterprise Solutions' CyberSOC, a managed security operations center, adds another layer of protection by offering 24/7 monitoring and incident management, allowing companies to maintain an agile and resilient security posture even during the most complex mergers. Additionally, Claro Enterprise Solutions' Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Management services are crucial for identifying and addressing potential weaknesses in both legacy and newly integrated systems. Penetration testing simulates cyber attacks to expose vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers, while the vulnerability management solutions continuously scan and assess the environment to ensure that any potential security gaps are identified and remediated before they can be exploited. Together, these solutions provide a comprehensive approach to cyber threat detection and response, empowering companies to navigate the complexities of Mergers and Acquisitions with confidence, knowing that their infrastructure is secured against evolving threats. About Claro Enterprise Solutions Claro Enterprise Solutions is a single-source IT solutions provider backed by global Latin American service provider America Movil (NYSE: AMX). Claro Enterprise Solutions' cyber-physical approach to integrated solutions helps growing organizations strengthen security, increase productivity, and optimize performance. Our experts independently identify, implement, and manage technical solutions leveraging innovations in AI, Cloud, IoT and security. Claro Enterprise Solutions has earned a Great Place To Work Certification and is headquartered outside Miami in Miramar, Florida. Find us online at usclaro.com. SOURCE Claro Enterprise Solutions Two industry sales veterans tapped to increase market share in North America COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Configit, the global leader in Configuration Lifecycle Management (CLM), announced today the expansion of its U.S. team with two new hires. Sarah Golden and James McKenna will serve as Configit's sales managers for North America to help drive further growth and adoption in the U.S. and beyond. These hires come as Configit sees higher demand for Configuration Lifecycle Management due to the need to digitalize the engineering process and improve the customer experience. This aligns with Gartner's report that by 2026, CLM will transform 40% of manufacturers , reducing the amount of customer-specific engineering required to deliver products. Prior to joining Configit, Golden leapt into sales by leading an international team before moving on to empower global enterprises to achieve digital success at Acquia. She has received multiple awards for her performance and skills and brings deep expertise in direct sales, consultative sales strategy, business development, team building, and leadership. Golden will be a key figure in growing Configit's North American footprint. Based in Florida, McKenna is an IT sales professional with over 20 years of experience, including his most recent role as senior enterprise account executive for North America with Tacton CPQ. He is skilled in selling, leading, and uncovering and closing new business opportunities, and has also held sales manager positions at Liongard, Connectwise and Tech Data. At Tacton CPQ, McKenna was recognized as Rookie of the Year for 2023. He was also a multiple-year President's Club Winner at Tech Data and ConnectWise. Configit is committed to bringing the power of CLM to more U.S. companies as manufacturers struggle to match pace with technology changes and customer trends, including the demand for customizable products. The company's CLM offering, Ace, eliminates silos between ERP, CRM, and PLM to improve engineering productivity, eradicate manual rework, and provide better and faster customer experiences. Sarah Golden, sales manager for North America, Configit, said: "As someone curious and driven to learn, I welcome the opportunity to dive deep into Configit's technology. I'm looking forward to using my skills and experience to educate the market on what we can do for manufacturers of complex products." James McKenna, sales manager for North America, Configit, said: "My career in tech sales spans various sales and management roles, with a focus on Configure, Price, Quote SaaS sales since 2015. I'm bringing my expertise in building relationships at the distributor, Value Added Reseller and IT vendor/manufacturer level to Configit. I am already busy making the connections that will expand our North American presence." Kenneth Hune Petersen, chief commercial officer, Configit, said: "For maximum success, manufacturers must rely on an accurate, complete source of truth that enables an efficient manufacturing process. That's what we deliver, and that's what Sarah and James will represent as they act on our commitment to growth in the North American region." About Configit Configit is the global leader in Configuration Lifecycle Management (CLM) solutions and a supplier of business-critical software for the configuration of complex products. All Configit products are based on the patented Virtual Tabulation (VT) technology, which has redefined product configuration by offering greater speed and better handling of complexity. Virtual Tabulation enables Configit to deliver powerful, easy-to-use configuration solutions to market-leading global enterprises. Website: configit.com SOURCE Configit ATLANTA, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Automotive announced today that Dale Pollak, executive vice president and the founder of vAuto, will leave the company at the end of 2025. Throughout next year, Pollak will focus on transitioning key customer relationships and his industry-leading thought leadership, as well as continue his National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) teachings. Pollak will also represent Cox Automotive at NADA Show in January, his 56th convention, where he'll release his seventh book, "Invested: The New Science, Strategy & System of Used Vehicle Investment Management." Pollak has been an icon in the automotive industry for nearly 50 years. He founded vAuto 20 years ago and has been the driving force behind Cox Automotive's inventory management business since Cox Automotive acquired vAuto in 2010. Known for his visionary leadership, Pollak has created tremendous value for dealers and remains a preeminent thought leader in inventory management and the dealership business. His unique blend of futurism, technological acumen, and tactical genius has made a singular impact on Cox Automotive, its customers, and the entire automotive industry. Steve Rowley, president of Cox Automotive, expressed his gratitude for Pollak's dedication and contributions: "Dale has poured himself into our company, our customers, and everything automotive for most of his life. We are very grateful for his unwavering commitment and look forward to celebrating his incredible career and many contributions next year." About Cox Automotive Cox Automotive is the world's largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has 29,000+ employees on five continents and a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, vAuto, Dealertrack, NextGear Capital, CentralDispatch and FleetNet America. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately owned, Atlanta-based company with $22 billion in annual revenue. Visit coxautoinc.com or connect via @CoxAutomotive on X, CoxAutoInc on Facebook or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn. SOURCE Cox Automotive New name heralds an expanded mission to amplify the stories of Chicago Public Schools CHICAGO, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CPS Lives, a non-profit that creates artist residencies in Chicago Public Schools to provide art experiences for students while revealing positive stories of public education, announces a rebrand to "Artists in Public Schools." "After six years, we want to bring our mission, 'Chicago artists sharing stories of Chicago Public Schools,' to life as we expand our visibility and impact through expansive experiences in the nation's fourth-largest school district," said Suzette Bross, Founder and Executive Director. "Artists in Public Schools" directly reflects the mission and function of our organization, providing exciting growth opportunities. Artists in Public Schools was founded as CPS Lives in 2018 by Bross, a Chicago native, artist, and philanthropist working with underserved and underrepresented communities. The organization's unique model of embedding professional artists within schools was inspired by her vision to counter negative narratives about public education with positive stories created through the arts. Artists learn about each school's culture from its students and educators, informing their resulting artwork, be it painting, photography, writing, sculpture or other mediums. Final artworks are shared in exhibitions across the city. What Sets Artists in Public Schools Apart in Chicago: Our unique model is a win-win-win for Chicago Public Schools, local artists, and students. For Schools We offer CPS schools unique opportunities for differentiation and recognition, with principals able to highlight their professionally guided, culturally rooted projects that capture each school's identities and showcase student talent. Our initiatives connect schools with diverse artists and enhance visibility among key influencers and supporters. For Artists We support local emerging and established artists through paid residencies, empowering artists to curate community-driven arts experiences and projects tailored to each schoolrejecting pre-packaged curriculum in favor of deeply personal, relevant art experiences. Artists gain exposure through exhibits at local galleries and events like The Design Museum of Chicago, EXPO CHICAGO, and Heaven Gallery, cementing their presence in Chicago's arts scene. For Students Students gain confidence, discover their talents, and contribute to public art that celebrates their communities. Through Artists in Public Schools, they collaborate with professional artists, gaining exposure to exhibitions and experiencing the value of self-expression. Additionally, the program provides students with showcase-worthy work and valuable experiences that enhance their opportunities for private scholarships and selective high school admissions. Since its founding, Artists in Public Schools has impacted 51,000 students in 86 schools and 61 neighborhoods across all socioeconomic backgrounds, partnering with 80+ local professional artists to make positive art experiences and storytelling accessible to Chicago children. An Expanded Mission: Artists in Public Schools also announces its expanded mission and new strategic initiatives. Increased Community Impact: Artists in Public Schools plans to add ten new schools and paid artist residencies to its roster each year, expanding its reach to more students, schools, and professional artists. plans to add ten new schools and paid artist residencies to its roster each year, expanding its reach to more students, schools, and professional artists. Public Art Exhibitions in Civic Spaces: While Artists in Public Schools ' creative storytelling can be seen in galleries and at art shows, a new goal is expanding to Chicago's public spaces to provide more viewing access and visibility. While ' creative storytelling can be seen in galleries and at art shows, a new goal is expanding to public spaces to provide more viewing access and visibility. New Corporate and Arts Partnerships: Artists in Public Schools aims to secure sustainable support to fund its program and create more artist/school collaborations by partnering with Chicago corporations and arts leaders. With increased funding, the program could be implemented in additional cities. "Artists in Public Schools is positioned for growth as we continue to create win-win-win experiences for students, artists, and schools across Chicago Public Schools, now with renewed clarity and focus," said Bross. About Artists in Public Schools Artists in Public Schools is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that creates artist residencies in Chicago Public Schools that provide expansive experiences for students and professional artists. We achieve this through paid residencies within the schools, creating a collaborative partnership among professional artists, students, and educators. Through the artworks each residency facilitates, Artists in Public Schools reveals powerful and positive stories of Chicago Public Schools across all socioeconomic backgrounds. These stories are brought to the public in exhibitions designed to counter negative narratives about public education. Since 2018, Artists in Public Schools has impacted 51,000 students in 86 schools and 61 neighborhoods, partnering with 80+ local professional artists. To learn more, visit our website: www.artistsinpublicschools.org Or contact: Susan T. Mangaluz Associate Director 202.999.5812 [email protected] SOURCE Artists in Public Schools SAN DIEGO, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) (the "Company", "CV Sciences", "our", "us" or "we"), a preeminent consumer wellness company specializing in hemp extracts and other proven science-backed, natural ingredients and products, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") to acquire Extract Labs, Inc. ("Extract Labs"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of premium cannabinoid products including gummies, topicals and tinctures. Extract Labs branded products are sold through a range of sales channels from B2B to B2C. Extract Labs has operational flexibility allowing low to large minimum order quantity ("MOQ") production runs, allowing for efficient use of capital and the ability to increase speed to market for new product development. Extract Labs is GMP-certified and FDA-registered. The acquisition is expected to create the opportunity to increase our sales to current and new clients. In addition, we intend to in-source production of certain of our key products. "We are thrilled that Extract Labs and its employees are joining CV Sciences as another milestone in our transition to a thriving health and wellness company. The acquisition synergies are expected to increase our revenue and customer base, allow us to leverage our key assets, optimize operations and processes, and drive long-term growth and shareholder value. Extract Labs is a stand-alone profitable business and our plan is to increase its existing revenue base and further leverage its existing capacity," said Joseph Dowling, Chief Executive Officer of CV Sciences. "In addition, we are planning to in-source the manufacturing of select +PlusCBD branded products providing an opportunity for meaningful cost savings. Extract Labs manufacturing capability will provide us with greater control over our supply chain and accelerate our new product development cycle." The total consideration for the acquisition of Extract Labs payable at closing, consists of (i) a cash payment of $400,000 (the "Closing Payment"), less the amount of certain holdbacks and adjustments, and (ii) the issuance of shares of CV Sciences' common stock valued at $1,000,000 based on the sixty day volume weighted average price ("VWAP") of CV Sciences' common stock. In addition to the consideration payable at closing, and as further consideration for the acquisition, the Extract Labs sellers will be eligible to receive up to $600,000 of additional shares of CV Sciences' common stock if Extract Labs satisfies certain revenue targets during the two 12-month periods following the closing date. Such shares will be issued based on the thirty day VWAP of CV Sciences' common stock as of the end of each such 12-month period and will be calculated as follows: If Extract Labs' Net Revenue is at least $4,600,000 in the relevant calculation period, then the Extract Labs Earnout Amount for such period will be $300,000 . in the relevant calculation period, then the Extract Labs Earnout Amount for such period will be . If Extract Labs' Net Revenue is at least $4,300,000 but less than $4,600,000 in the relevant calculation period, then the Extract Labs Earnout Amount for such period will be $200,000 . but less than in the relevant calculation period, then the Extract Labs Earnout Amount for such period will be . If Extract Labs' Net Revenue is at least $4,000,000 but less than $4,300,000 in the relevant calculation period, then the Extract Labs Earnout Amount for such period will be $100,000 . but less than in the relevant calculation period, then the Extract Labs Earnout Amount for such period will be . If Extract Labs' Net Revenue is at least $3,500,000 but less than $4,000,000 in the relevant calculation period, then the Extract Labs Earnout Amount for such period will be $50,000 . but less than in the relevant calculation period, then the Extract Labs Earnout Amount for such period will be . If Extract Labs' Net Revenue is less than $3,500,000 in the relevant calculation period, then the Extract Labs Earnout Amount for such period will be $0 . The acquisition is expected to close during the first quarter of 2025. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions precedent. On November 21, 2024, CV Sciences, Inc. filed a Current Report on Form 8-K which includes a description of the material terms of the transaction. Investors are encouraged to read such filing in its entirety. About CV Sciences, Inc. CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) is a consumer wellness company specializing in nutraceuticals and plant-based foods. The Company's hemp extracts and other proven, science-backed, natural ingredients and products are sold through a range of sales channels from B2B to B2C. The Company's +PlusCBD branded products are sold at select retail locations throughout the U.S. and are the top-selling brands of hemp extracts in the natural products market, according to SPINS, the leading provider of syndicated data and insights for the natural, organic and specialty products industry. With a commitment to science, +PlusCBD product benefits in healthy people are supported by human clinical research data, in addition to three published clinical case studies available on PubMed.gov. +PlusCBD was the first hemp extract supplement brand to invest in the scientific evidence necessary to receive self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. The Company's Cultured Foods brand provides a variety of 100% plant-based food products. Committed to crafting nutritious and flavorful alternatives, Cultured Foods caters to individuals seeking vegan, gluten-free, or flexitarian options for a wholesome and satisfying culinary experience. In addition, the Company owns Elevated Softgels, a manufacturer of encapsulated softgels and tinctures for the supplement and nutrition industry. CV Sciences, Inc. has primary offices and facilities in San Diego, California, Grand Junction, Colorado, and Warsaw, Poland. The Company also operates a drug development program focused on developing and commercializing CBD-based novel therapeutics. Additional information is available from OTCMarkets.com or by visiting www.cvsciences.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risk and uncertainties. CV Sciences does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. As a result, investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Contact Information [email protected] SOURCE CV Sciences, Inc. 1372% Revenue Growth attributed to sky-high demand for Excel-native FP&A planning and AI innovation. NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Datarails today announced it ranked 92 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. Datarails grew 1372% during this period. Datarails's Cofounder and CEO, Didi Gurfinkel, credits this ranking to the fact that Datarails allows customers to reap all the benefits enjoyed from Excel, with the added advantages of data consolidation, automation and advanced insights and analytics. Didi Gurfinkel, Datarails CEO and co-founder says: "Our extraordinary growth is driven by a strong alignment with what finance teams want and what modern FP&A demands. We've taken Excelthe most flexible and practical interface for FP&A professionalsand supercharged it with AI and advanced analytics." "But technological innovation isn't the only story here. Our premium customer support transforms clients into true advocates, and they are our partners in this win." "When you combine an Excel-native platform that teams love, cutting-edge AI capabilities, and implementation from teams with decades of experience in FP&A, you create something special. That's why we're seeing such rapid adoption across industries. We're not just providing software; we're empowering finance teams to become more strategic partners to their businesses." "For 30 years we've been celebrating companies that are actively driving innovation. The software industry continues to be a beacon of growth, and the fintech industry made a strong showing on this year's list, surpassing life sciences for the first time," said Steve Fineberg, vice chair, U.S. technology sector leader, Deloitte. "Significantly, we also saw a breakthrough in performance of private companies, with the highest number of private companies named to the list in our program's history. This year's winners have shown they have the vision and expertise to continue to perform at a high level, and that deserves to be celebrated." "Innovation, transformation and disruption of the status quo are at the forefront for this year's Technology Fast 500 list, and there's no better way to celebrate 30 years of program history," said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte's Audit & Assurance practice. "This year's winning companies have demonstrated a continuous commitment to growth and remarkable consistency in driving forward progress. We extend our congratulations to all of this year's winners it's an incredible time for innovation. "This is Datarails second consecutive year as a Technology Fast 500 award winner. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies both public and private in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About Datarails Datarails is the AI-powered FP&A tool for mid-market and SMB finance teams. Datarails lets teams keep working in Excel while gaining the benefits of data consolidation, automation and advanced insights and analytics. Datarails eliminates manual data work and unlocks strategic insights enabling CFOs to get to game-changing decisions faster. 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. 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. Contact: Jonathan Marciano, VP Communications Datarails, +972-586135342, [email protected] SOURCE Datarails LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ Drofa Comms , the UK-based PR agency specialising in financial and fintech communications, has been acknowledged by the California Business Journal as one of the Top 10 Fastest-Growing PR Agencies in 2024-2025. Drofa Comms has achieved an impressive growth rate of 69.5% in 2024. This figure is driven by the growing demand for PR services in today's rapidly evolving financial markets and the agency's ability to rise up and meet these needs. o-founded by Valentina Drofa and Mary Poliakova in 2011, Drofa Comms has built a solid reputation over the years as a PR firm that develops tailored communications strategies for clients in the financial sector, including established TradFi institutions and fintech and crypto innovators alike. Drofa Comms' team leverages deep market knowledge and connections to journalists to craft client-specific promotion strategies, highlighting their strengths and building a compelling narrative in the media landscape. The approach has allowed companies that have partnered with the agency to establish strong market positions in a competitive landscape and gain the confidence of clients and investors worldwide. "Finance and fintech are highly competitive markets, so if you want to get ahead of the competition, clear and reliable communication isn't just desirable it's essential. Our inclusion in the California Business Journal's ranking is a testament to our team's professionalism and dedication to delivering the best possible results, as well as our clients' trust in our services," said Valentina Drofa, CEO of Drofa Comms. Beyond supporting individual companies, Drofa Comms also actively contributes to the development of the fintech industry as a whole. In the past year, the agency introduced three major initiatives aimed at advancing this landscape. Women Leading the Way is a project that focuses on diversity in leadership and giving voice to women in fintech. is a project that focuses on diversity in leadership and giving voice to women in fintech. Crypto Edu is an initiative created in close partnership with CryptoUK; it is aimed at supporting the cause of digital assets literacy and giving a voice to crypto industry representatives. is an initiative created in close partnership with CryptoUK; it is aimed at supporting the cause of digital assets literacy and giving a voice to industry representatives. Communicate Fintech is a platform where fintech opinion leaders and marketing professionals can meet, share insights and help the industry grow. All of these underscore Drofa Comms' role as a thought leader in the PR and fintech space and are a testament to the agency's rapid growth and influence. SOURCE Drofa Comms Global digital solutions provider successfully completes 30 major modernization projects with 23 customers in six regions, made possible by their three decades of insurance and investment industry expertise. MONTREAL, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Equisoft, a leading global digital solutions provider to the financial services industry, currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, announced today the successful completion of 30 modernization projects in the past 18 months. These initiatives showcase the full spectrum of Equisoft's solutions, centered around its flagship Equisoft/manage platforma comprehensive SaaS policy administration system for life, group, and annuity products. Equisoft Completes 30 Major Life Insurance Go-Lives in the Last 18 Months (CNW Group/Equisoft Inc.) Eleven projects included large data migrations, helping clients accelerate the development of innovative products, differentiate against competition as well as reduce risks and operational costs associated with the legacy systems. "The scale and success of these implementations demonstrate the deep industry expertise we've built over three decades. What started in 1994 with the development and delivery of a desktop investment analysis solution, has evolved into a mission to make financial services accessible to allsupported by more than 900 team members around the globe," said Luis Romero, Founder and CEO of Equisoft. "We invest massively in our R&D, but also in our expertise. Successful deliveries are the only milestone that matters when it comes to ROI. Our onshore, nearshore, and offshore delivery model provides the right blend of lower risk, cost structure and scalability that our clients expect." Last year Equisoft secured a $125 million equity investment to support global expansion and further accelerate the development of its integrated life insurance software platform and wealth products. In the past five years, the company has experienced strong growth and now services over 300 financial institutions in over 20 countries. Equisoft's success has made it a dominant player in LATAM, the Caribbean, Europe, and North America. "We've evolved from basic policy administration implementation to delivering complete, end-to-end digital ecosystems that help financial services companies modernize their insurance, investment, and pension operations to better serve their customers in a digital world," added Romero. In addition to these policy administration deliveries, Equisoft has onboarded over 25 clients for Equisoft wealth solutions, where the SaaS solutions can be deployed within weeks. About Equisoft Founded in 1994, Equisoft is a global provider of advanced insurance and investment digital solutions. Recognized as a valued partner by over 300 of the world's leading financial institutions, Equisoft offers a complete ecosystem of solutions, from innovative front-end applications to extensive back-office services and unique data migration expertise. The firm's flagship solutions include SaaS policy administration, CRM, financial needs analysis, financial planning, asset allocation, fund and portfolio analysis, quotes and illustrations, electronic application, agency management systems, as well as customer, agent and broker portals. With its business-driven approach, deep industry knowledge, innovative technology, and multicultural team of experts based in North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, Equisoft helps its clients tackle any challenge in this era of digital disruption. For more information, please visit www.equisoft.com. SOURCE Equisoft Inc. FORT LEE, N.J., Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kedrion Biopharma Inc. is pleased to announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company's manufacturing facility in Bolognana, Italy, to produce RYPLAZIM. This plasma-derived human plasminogen is indicated for treating patients with plasminogen deficiency type 1 (PLGD-1), a rare and challenging chronic disease. RYPLAZIM offers new hope for those affected by PLGD-1. PLGD-1 primarily manifests through the development of abnormal extra-vascular fibrin-rich, ligneous lesions on mucosal surfaces throughout the body. The most commonly observed lesions occur in the eye (ligneous conjunctivitis), but they can also appear in the ears, mouth, central nervous system, skin, and respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts. These lesions can lead to severe and life-altering consequences, including vision and hearing loss, airway obstruction, infertility and hydrocephalus. This FDA approval is a significant milestone for both Kedrion and the global PLGD-1 community, enabling an expansion of RYPLAZIM production capacity. This enhancement ensures that this crucial treatment can reach more PLGD-1 patients in the United States and worldwide. RYPLAZIM exemplifies Kedrion's commitment to addressing unmet medical needs in rare diseases. As the first and only FDA-approved therapy specifically for PLGD-1, RYPLAZIM represents a major advancement in patient care, addressing the root cause of PLGD-1 and offering patients the possibility of a near-normal life. "The FDA's approval of our Bolognana facility is a pivotal moment for our company, and I want to thank all employees worldwide who contributed to this achievement," said Bob Rossilli, CCO, Global Business and US General Manager. "This expanded capacity for RYPLAZIM means we can provide treatment for more patients with PLGD-1. Offering a product like RYPLAZIM to patients in need is truly a privilege." Rebecca Bialas MD, Co-founder and Chair of The Plasminogen Deficiency Foundation, "With increased awareness of PLGD-1, the expanded capacity of RYPLAZIM ensures we are better equipped to meet the growing demand. This means more patients who receive the correct diagnosis can be confident they will get the treatment they so desperately deserve and need. This is an exciting time for the PLGD-1 community, marking a significant event in our collective journey towards better health." This accomplishment highlights Kedrion's dedication to scientific excellence and patient-focused innovation. Recognizing the profound impact of PLGD-1 on individuals and families, this milestone is the first of several steps to increase RYPLAZIM's capacity. For more information about RYPLAZIM and Kedrion Biopharma Inc., please visit [ Ryplazim | Envision a brighter future ]. Kedrion Biopharma is an international biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and development, production, and commercialization of plasma-derived therapeutic products for use in treating and preventing serious diseases, disorders, and conditions like plasminogen deficiency, hereditary factor X deficiency, and hemophilia. Its portfolio of 38 life-saving products is distributed in over 100 countries. CONTACT: Jennifer Bayliss, U.S. Lead, [email protected] SOURCE Kedrion Biopharma Baku, Azerbaijan, November 21. Alongside high-level talks in the Blue Zone, COP29s Green Zone programming continued its series of events. On November 21, the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company hosted another session in the Green Zone, Trend reports. A panel session titled SIDS Ecosystems and Communities Amid Climate Change discussed the challenges faced by developing SIDS in combating the escalating impacts of climate change. Moderated by Vanuatus Special Envoy to COP29, Ali Serim, the discussion included The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Dr Maina Talia, Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment of the Government of Tuvalu; Dr Rebecca Nadin, Director of Global Risk and Resilience Programme at ODI Global; Angelique Pouponneau, Advisor at the Permanent Mission of Palau to the United Nations; and Murad Jamalov, Head of Thematic Processing at the Geospatial Information Systems Centre of the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azercosmos). The panel highlighted how issues ranging from sea-level rise and extreme weather events to the loss of vital ecosystems make small island developing states (SIDS) particularly vulnerable. The session discussed the socio-economic consequences of climate change for these nations, including displacement, livelihood losses, and the weakening of economies reliant on marine and coastal resources. The degradation of natural ecosystems and the resulting threats to biodiversity and the livelihoods of indigenous communities were also key discussion points. Panellists stressed the importance of continuous monitoring and responsive action to combat climate change and its impacts. They emphasized the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, equipping younger generations with the necessary skills and knowledge, enhancing local adaptation capacities, and developing strategies that integrate ecosystem protection with community-led solutions. AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition embodies FIAT's commitment to an electric-powered future while showcasing Italian style, elegance and craftsmanship Available in two exclusive colors green and Greige with matching tone-on-tone eco-leather seats, Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition features special Armani interior treatment and unique 17-inch wheels with GA logo "Ovation," the new Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition commercial, debuts with the tagline, "Don't drive it, wear it" The 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collectors Edition, adorned with design elements exclusively crafted for this special series, will be available in the first quarter of 2025 At the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show, in the city known as a global leader and trendsetter in electric vehicles and fashion, the FIAT brand revealed the new 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition, the perfect balance of elegance, style and sustainability. An embodiment of made-in-Italy design, the Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is a statement piece, reflecting Giorgio Armani's expertise and the refined artistry of FIAT's Centro Stile design studio in Turin, Italy. "The Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition represents the finest expression of Italian design, bringing together two legendary icons in the Fiat Cinquecento and Giorgio Armani," said Aamir Ahmed, head of FIAT brand North America. "Featuring Armani's unparalleled design influence, including two bespoke color combinations and high-end touches befitting an Armani fashion collection, not to mention the artistry instilled by the FIAT Centro Stile design team, the 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition epitomizes the exceptionality of Italian design and craftsmanship." Produced at the FIAT Mirafiori plant in Turin, the Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is the result of an immersive collaboration between the Italian designer and the FIAT design team: a vehicle crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail and dedication to quality expected in a fashion collection. The 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition will be available in the first quarter of 2025. Pricing will be announced at a later date. Special Series, Special Colors For the exterior, designers focused on achieving a sleek, monochromatic look that seamlessly aligns with Armani's aesthetic. The most striking feature of the exterior design are the wheels, custom-made to display the GA logo on a grand scale, ensuring the car makes a bold impression from a distance. The design enhances aerodynamic efficiency through a subtle three-dimensional surface. The wheels feature a sophisticated, burnished two-tone anodized finish and precise lateral grooves, adding elegance to the overall appearance. Two distinguishing and exclusive colors have been specially created, each underlying the car's elegant design. The first is a signature green, a unique and technically advanced color that mirrors Giorgio Armani's style and refined taste. Both timeless and modern, the second is ceramic Greige, a sophisticated and unmistakable shade created by Armani that merges gray and beige. The interior, inspired by Armani/Casa and the fashion collection, exemplifies great craftsmanship. Chevron stitching and three-dimensional patterns on the central seat inserts evoke traditional tailoring techniques, while materials within the cabin blend cutting-edge and artisanal methods. Innovative touches include a laser-cut dashboard insert that offers an exquisite woodgrain appearance and delivers the soft touch of luxurious fabric. This is complemented by an intricate embroidery that showcases a dedication to fine, handmade expertise. The vehicle also features the Giorgio Armani logo on the front-seat headrests, with the designer's signature displayed on the dashboard, interior door panels and rear window, reinforcing the collaboration's distinctive character and attention to detail. Premium Equipment The 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition boasts premium, high-end features, including standard full LED headlamps and taillamps, wireless charging pad, seven-inch TFT display, and 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with navigation and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity. For audiophiles, the seven-speaker JBL audio system features four Virtual Venues hand-selected by Maestro Andrea Bocelli, offering listeners a virtual-reality audio experience that changes the acoustic characteristics of the car depending on the chosen location. My Music Room An intimate musical experience as if the artist was playing right in front of you An intimate musical experience as if the artist was playing right in front of you My Recording Studio Pure acoustics and beautiful tones of a real recording space Giuseppe Verdi Opera House, Pisa Feel the nature of music in a theatre setting, enjoying a live performance Feel the nature of music in a theatre setting, enjoying a live performance Open-air Arena Hear the unmistakable acoustics and feel the energy of an open-air arena Additionally, the 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is offered with the latest safety equipment, ADAS and Level 2 assisted driving technology, ensuring both advanced functionality and a safer driving experience. Safety features include seven air bags, Active Lane Management System, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, Drowsy Driver Detection, Full-speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Intelligent Speed Assist, Lane Departure Warning-Plus and Traffic Sign Information. The Level 2 assisted driving technology combines adaptive cruise control and Lane Keep Assist to aid the driver on select roads. The Fiat 500e is the first all-electric car in its segment to offer Level 2, hands-on driver-assist technology. Fiat 500e BEV Experience The lightest passenger BEV in the market, the 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition features a 42-kWh battery with a Level 2 (11 kW) charge time of 4.5 hours. BEV capability combined with quintessential design cues make it unmistakably FIAT, with style and sustainability at its core. Under the hood, the 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is driven by an electric motor with an output of 117 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering spirited performance while managing range 0-30 mph in under three seconds and a combined range of up to 149 miles. The Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is exceptionally intuitive with no need for instructions, making it easy and fun to drive. Welcoming passengers with a digital melody, it sets the tone for an immersive Italian experience. In addition, the acoustic vehicle alert system (AVAS) "sings" to pedestrians with a song titled, "The Sound of 500," authored by Flavio Ibba-Marco Gualdi. The exclusive melody provides a taste of Italy during the first moments of every drive. Fast Charging The 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition handily tackles the common concern of charge time using the equipped 85-kW fast charger system in which five minutes of charge time translates to a range of up to 31 miles, more than what's needed for average daily use. Estimated charge time from 0-80% is approximately 35 minutes with an 85-kW DC fast charge; estimated time from 0-100% is 4.5 hours with a Level 2 (11-kW) charging station. New "Ovation" Campaign This one-of-a-kind collaboration between FIAT and Giorgio Armani is beautifully captured in the captivating Ovation spot. The visual narrative begins with a cover of the iconic song "Citta Vuota" as the camera follows the new Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Edition as it travels through the deserted streets of Milan at night, passing by iconic locations such as the Armani Hotel, the fashion avenues and the Armani boutique. During the journey, something unexpected happens: the iconic Via Montenapoleone turns into a catwalk. An enthusiastic public awaits the arrival of the Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition and, when the car finally makes its entrance, the atmosphere is one of emotion and refinement. The entire city seems to celebrate the arrival of this extraordinary model, while the evocative claim "Don't drive it, wear it" appears. The Armani Group Established in 1975 by Giorgio Armani, chairman and CEO, the Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods companies in the world. With more than 9,000 employees and nine production plants, the Group designs, manufactures, distributes, and directly retails fashion and lifestyle products, including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, furniture and home decor, and operates in the areas of food and beverage and hotels. FIAT Brand FIAT brand celebrates 125 years as an automaker and some things haven't changed. Iconic Italian design and refinement, plus a fun-to-drive factor, come standard with every Fiat. In early 2024, FIAT brand will launch the Fiat 500e, the first Stellantis retail battery-electric vehicle offering in North America and the best-selling city EV in Europe. FIAT is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com Follow FIAT and company news and video on: Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com Fiat brand: www.fiatusa.com Fiat blog: blog.fiatusa.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/fiatusa Instagram: www.instagram.com/fiatusa Twitter: www.twitter.com/fiatusa or @StellantisNA YouTube: www.youtube.com/fiatusa or https://www.youtube.com/StellantisNA SOURCE Stellantis NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new United Nations University (UNU) Hub on Remote-Sensing and Sustainable Innovations for Resilient Urban Systems (R-SIRUS) at The City College of New York was announced at a partnership agreement signing ceremony by CCNY President Vincent Boudreau and Tshilidzi Marwala, the rector of UNU and under-secretary-general of the United Nations. UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala and CCNY President Vince Boudreau sign the official Memorandum of Understanding at a ceremony in Steinman Hall on Nov. 5. This Hub, in close partnership with the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), will connect CCNY to UNU's global research and educational efforts, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), international relations, and the advancement of sustainable cities. The first one of its kind in the U.S., the new UNU Hub is the first one in the world that will be focused on remote sensing and the sustainability problems of complex urban systems. It aims to enhance the adaptability of cities worldwide to climate-related challenges, fostering inclusivity and resilience in urban spaces. This Hub will leverage the university's strong legacy in science, technology, and urban innovation to serve as a global model for resilient, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable urban development. The formation of this Hub will enable active partnership between CCNY and UNU-INWEH, which is based in Toronto. "New York City is an ideal location for a hub dedicated to sustainable urban transformation. This collaboration with CCNY represents a powerful commitment to leverage science and technology to make cities more adaptable and resilient," said Marwala. "Our partnership with CCNY will not only benefit the city but will also contribute to global urban sustainability efforts through knowledge sharing and capacity building, particularly benefiting the Global South." The UNU Hub will bring together interdisciplinary experts to work on solutions addressing extreme weather impacts, urban water and energy needs, and social inequalities affecting urban communities. The UNU R-SIRUS Hub will operate with three primary pillars: Research and Development; Education and Capacity Building; and Policy and Advocacy. These pillars aim to bridge scientific innovation and policy-making, providing actionable solutions to pressing urban challenges. "Our college has always been especially sensitive to the obligation of public educational institutions to serve the public interest," said Boudreau. "Over the decades, we have made substantial investments in remote sensing climate change in water and energy systems. This partnership allows us to divest those resources in ways that will be most publicly impactful, and we're thrilled to be doing this work in partnership with UNU." As the academic arm of the United Nations with 13 institutes in 12 countries, Tokyo-based UNU addresses a range of global development challenges through joint research and education. UNU-INWEH works on major sustainability issues that deal with the most pressing water, environmental, and health problems worldwide. UNU-INWEH Director Kaveh Madani emphasized the Hub's potential for global impact. "This initiative reflects UNU's commitment to addressing sustainability challenges," he said. "By combining UNU's global perspective with CCNY's localized expertise, the R-SIRUS Hub will serve as a model for other cities around the world." "City College has unique scientific strengths in remote sensing but what makes it special is its historic contribution to making education affordable, accessible, and inclusive in the United States," he added. "We value this success and will work with our colleagues at CCNY to make knowledge accessible globally," Madani also acknowledged Canada's support of the new partnership as the host government of UNU-INWEH, recognizing the potential for this UNU Hub to act as a catalyst for sustainable solutions to climate-related challenges in urban centers. Ambassador Bob Rae, Canada's permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, and the president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), spoke on behalf of his government at the ceremony. "A global climate crisis requires a global response and, in that global response, it's important that we link what is happening globally to what is happening locally," he said. "And I can't think of a better place to do this in the United States than in the city of New York, and there's no place to do it better than at The City College of New York." The Hub at CCNY will have three research clusters: Emerging Technologies for Earth Monitoring and Remote Sensing of Urban Systems; Climate Change Impacts on Health in Underserved Urban Communities; and Energy Innovations for Sustainable Urban Environments. It also offers CCNY students a range of joint M.S. and Ph.D. programs with UNU in addition to opportunities for short training courses, internships, and certified education programs. The Policy, Advocacy, and Outreach pillar of R-SIRUS will work closely with New York City authorities and international stakeholders to develop policies that promote equitable and sustainable urban transformation. The Hub's policy-focused activities will address environmental justice issues in underserved communities, contributing to inclusive urban planning. Led by experts from the Colin Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership, this pillar will focus on translating scientific research into actionable policies that support resilience and sustainability in urban environments globally. Dean Alexander Couzis, and NOAA Chair and Professor Reza Khanbilvardi of the Grove School of Engineering will serve as the executive co-directors of the UNU Hub at CCNYR-SIRUS. While R-SIRUS's main office will be at the Grove School, the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Center for Worker Education will house a satellite office to maximize reach to working professionals, in addition to researchers and students. About The City College of New York Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY's annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the "for dollar" return on investment to students, taxpayers and society. At City College, more than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign, ever. The campaign, titled "Doing Remarkable Things Together" seeks to bring the College's Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit. SOURCE The City College of New York Expects Plan of Reorganization to be Effective Early January 2025; Distributions to Begin No Later than 60 Days Thereafter WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FTX Trading Ltd. (d.b.a. FTX.com) and its affiliated debtors ("FTX" or the "Debtors") today announced that FTX is nearing completion of the final prerequisites for its Court-approved Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") to become effective, paving the way for FTX to begin creditor and customer distributions. John J. Ray III, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer of the FTX Debtors, said: "We are pleased to announce that we will begin distributing proceeds in early 2025. The timeline laid out reflects the experience and continued work of the team of professionals supporting the Debtors, who already have recovered billions of dollars on behalf of FTX's creditors and customers. While we continue to take actions to maximize recoveries, we are full steam ahead to reach arrangements with our distribution agents and return proceeds to creditors and customers as quickly as possible." FTX provided the following updates on the expected timeline for distributions: In early December, the Debtors expect to finalize arrangements with the specialized distribution agents which will assist FTX in distributing the recoveries to customers globally in supported jurisdictions (the "Distribution Agents") . At that time, the Debtors will provide instructions for customers to establish an approved account with a Distribution Agent on the existing customer portal. At that time, the Debtors will provide instructions for customers to establish an approved account with a Distribution Agent on the existing customer portal. By the end of December, the Debtors expect to announce the exact effective date, following entry of a Court Order approving the Disputed Claims Reserve Amount, which is a precondition to distributions pursuant to the Confirmation Order. The Debtors currently anticipate the Plan to be effective in early January 2025 . Pursuant to the Confirmation Order, the first distribution will be made to holders of allowed claims in the Plan's Convenience Classes (the "Initial Distribution") within 60 days thereafter. The distribution record date for the Initial Distribution will be the same date as the effective date. Customers should be aware that in order to be eligible to receive a distribution on the Initial Distribution date, customers must establish an approved account with a Distribution Agent, complete KYC verification and submit the required tax forms prior to the distribution record date. Claims traders should be aware that, pursuant to Section 7.4.1 of the Plan, claims traded within the 45-day period prior to the distribution record date may not be reflected on the claims register by the close of business on the distribution record date, and it is possible that distributions on these claims may be made to the transferor. Bankruptcy Court filings, including the Plan, Confirmation Order and other documents related to the Court proceedings are available at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/FTX/. Advisors The FTX Debtors are represented by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as legal counsel and are assisted by Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC as financial advisor, Perella Weinberg Partners LP as investment banker, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP as special counsel and Landis Rath & Cobb LLP as Delaware counsel. SOURCE FTX G-P's placement on the list for the second consecutive year reflects continued investment in innovation and market leadership BOSTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- REMOTE FIRST COMPANY -- G-P (Globalization Partners) , recognized by industry analysts as the undisputed leader in global employment, today announced it was named to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for the second consecutive year. The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 is a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. "Innovation, transformation and disruption of the status quo are at the forefront for this year's Technology Fast 500 list, and there's no better way to celebrate 30 years of program history," said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte's Audit & Assurance practice. "This year's winning companies have demonstrated a continuous commitment to growth and remarkable consistency in driving forward progress." This year's 2024 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 201% to 186,373% over the three-year time frame, with an average growth rate of 1,981% and median growth rate of 460%. G-P was previously recognized as a Technology Fast 500 award winner for 2023. The company continues to receive recognition as a leader in global employment, earning top placement in all industry analyst reports since 2020, including Everest Group's Employer of Record (EOR) Solutions PEAK Matrix Assessment , NelsonHall's Global EOR Services NEAT evaluation report and the IEC Group Global EOR Study in 2024. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies both public and private in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About G-P G-P is the recognized leader in global employment, delivering everything companies of all sizes need to manage the full employee lifecycle. G-P offers a robust suite of products, including the world's first AI-based global HR compliance advisor, G-P Gia, and AI-enabled Employer of Record (EOR) and Contractor products. G-P supports teams in 180+ countries with more than a decade of global employment experience, the largest team of in-country HR, legal, and compliance experts, and its unmatched proprietary knowledge base. G-P: Global Made Possible To learn more, please visit: g-p.com or connect with us via LinkedIn , X , Facebook or check out our Blog . 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. 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 G-P Skye Squirrel, a Unique Book Series and Stuffed Animal, Teaches Kids Emotional Literacy MORRISTOWN, Tenn., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, parents and gift-givers are searching for something meaningfulgifts that not only delight children but also make a lasting impact. Enter Skye Squirrel, a new groundbreaking children's book series paired with an interactive stuffed animal, My Emotion Squirrel, that's helping kids learn how to understand and express their emotions. Skye Squirrel Logo Kids love their My Emotion Squirrel while reading their Skye Squirrel books. Skye Squirrel, a lovable white squirrel whose tail changes colors based on his emotions, takes children on adventures designed to teach emotional literacy, empathy, and healthy coping skills. Each book in the series is paired with a colored tail that children can attach to the accompanying stuffed animal, My Emotion Squirrel, creating a fun, hands-on way for kids to connect with their feelings. "The holidays are filled with emotions, and we want to help children navigate those feelings while fostering meaningful conversations with parents, grandparents, and caregivers," says Diana Hutsell, author of Skye Squirrel and co-founder of FourEyed Books, LLC, a small woman-owned publishing business. "Our goal is to make emotional learning approachable, fun, and engaging for kids and the adults in their lives." Skye Squirrel isn't just a toy or a bookit's a tool for connection. As children explore stories like Sad Skye (blue tail for sadness) or Friend Skye (yellow tail for happiness), they learn to identify their emotions and develop healthy ways to cope. These lessons are critical for building emotional intelligence, a skill that studies show contributes to long-term success in school, relationships, and life. The stuffed animal, My Emotion Squirrel, brings the learning to life, allowing children to role-play emotions by changing the squirrel's tail to reflect their own feelings. Parents and educators have praised Skye Squirrel for helping children express themselves in ways that feel safe and supported. "My kids love reading about Skye's adventures," shares parent of two Jessica Serrano. "I love how Skye gets into situations that most people encounter in life and teaches coping mechanisms to get through them. Things such as being sad, getting upset, or feeling jealous are easier for kids to identify when there's a color associated. I've even caught one of my daughters running to get Skye for her sister when her sister was upset." Whether it's under the tree or in the classroom, Skye Squirrel is the perfect gift this season for children ages 3-8. By choosing Skye Squirrel, shoppers can support a small, independent business and give a gift that matters. For more information or to purchase, visit SkyeSquirrel.com. About FourEyed Books, LLC Co-founded by author Diana Hutsell, who began publishing her stories at age 70, along with her daughter Michelle Badger, FourEyed Books is dedicated to creating products that teach children important life skills through stories and play. Inspired by the white squirrels of Brevard, NC, Skye Squirrel was born out of a love for storytelling and a mission to make emotional learning accessible to all. MEDIA CONTACT: NAME: Michelle Badger COMPANY: FourEyed Books, LLC EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 828-290-7922 WEB ADDRESSES: https://skyesquirrel.com and https://foureyedbooks.shop SOURCE FourEyed Books,LLC BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brazil has witnessed a surge in the popularity of traditional Chinese practices in recent years, with tai chi and acupuncture key among them. As more Brazilians seek holistic approaches to health and wellness, these ancient disciplines are gaining traction across the nation, and becoming links for the promotion of cultural exchanges and spiritual bonding between the two peoples. The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in Brazilian media outlet Folha de S. Paulo on Sunday. "China and Brazil boast rich, diverse and uniquely fascinating cultures that are complementary and drawn to each other," the article said. "We should uphold openness and inclusiveness, values that are imbued in our traditions, and deepen our exchanges and cooperation in the areas of culture, education, science and technology, health, sports, tourism, and at the subnational levels." Harmony in motion Tai chi, often described as "meditation in motion," combines gentle physical exercise with mindfulness and deep breathing. In Brazil, community classes have sprung up in parks and squares, attracting participants of all ages. On Monday local time, a vibrant scene unfolded at the "Square of Harmony" in Brasilia, where nearly 60 members of a local community gathered for tai chi lessons. Hildo Couko, a retired professor at the University of Brasilia, has been practicing tai chi for about two decades. He told the Global Times that in 2005, he was passing by a park and saw a group of people practicing tai chi, which sparked curiosity in him, which was rewarded when a German invited him to join in. "Then I join 'forever.' It changed my life," Couko said, noting that tai chi makes him healthier, and is a beautiful way to connect body and mind. Tai chi is growing in Brazil. Even in small towns, you can see people practicing tai chi, Couko said, noting that there are several other groups practicing tai chi all over Brasilia. Woo Moo-Shong, 93, graces the morning practice with his presence. As a prominent figure in the promotion of tai chi, he has been leading classes in the public square since 1974. Participants from various religious backgrounds and nationalities gather daily to practice tai chi under his guidance. Revered as Master Woo, his contributions to cultural dialogue have been recognized multiple times by the Brazilian government. Master Woo, born in the island of Taiwan, expressed a deep desire to promote and elevate Chinese culture globally. He highlighted the support he received from the Chinese Embassy in Brazil, which provided him with tai chi materials from China. "Tai chi is a treasure left by our ancestors," he stated. Through tai chi, many people have come to understand that China is not only known for its martial arts but also for tai chi, which symbolizes health, harmony, and peaceful coexistence. "At my age, I hope to contribute to the health and happiness of not only Chinese people and Brazilians, but all of humanity," he remarked. Aristein Tai Shyn Woo, son of Master Woo who owns a clinic in Brasilia, has also witnessed the positive impact of tai chi, noting that it has helped many individuals improve their health. Under their promotion, Brasilia now boasts 43 clinics that introduce tai chi to patients, aiding them in their recovery and overall well-being. The Brazilian government has listed tai chi as one of the "recommended health sports," the Global Times learned. Tai chi has approximately 250,000 practitioners in Brazil, according to CGTN. Reviving ancient healing Acupuncture, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is also experiencing a renaissance in Brazil. Many Brazilians are turning to acupuncture for relief from chronic pain, anxiety, and other health issues. On Monday, the Global Times visited Dr Song Nanhua's clinic in Brasilia, where he practices acupuncture. A quick search on the map revealed that within a 4-kilometer radius of his clinic, there are over 20 acupuncture clinics. Notably, some of these are named after renowned ancient Chinese physicians, such as Hua Tuo, highlighting the deep cultural roots and growing popularity of TCM. Song was born in 1963 in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, a region famous for its medicinal herbs. During an exchange program in the 1990s to Brazil, Song recognized the immense potential for the growth of Chinese acupuncture in the South American country. And he decided to stay and establish himself as an acupuncturist in the country. To ensure his legal practice, Song dedicated nine years to completing the local medical curriculum, and successfully passing the medical licensing exam. Through his dedication to noble medical ethics and exceptional skills, Song has gained the trust and admiration of a growing number of Brazilians. In his bustling clinic, the Global Times observed a steady stream of Brazilian patients seeking medical attention, forcing the doctor to frequently pause our interview. It became clear that Song's clinic is a vital resource for the local community, as he typically sees around 40 patients a day. A variety of patients present with different symptoms, including abdominal pain, headaches, insomnia, tinnitus, and rheumatoid arthritis in Song's clinic. He revealed to the Global Times that acupuncture has won the recognition of the Brazilian people because of its remarkable therapeutic effect. Chinese medicine has given Brazilians a solution to many diseases that Western medicine could not solve. Both their government healthcare system and the general public hold Chinese medicine in high esteem, Song said. Brazil incorporated acupuncture into the national medical systems in 2006, with a growing number of doctors learning how to administer the treatment. It currently has 150,000 licensed practitioners, with 30,000 more being trained each year, according to CGTN. There are 260 public hospitals in Brazil which own treatment rooms offering acupuncture treatment for free to Brazilians, according to Song. Anna, 25, shared her experience of treating chronic abdominal pain, which persisted despite countless consultations involving Western medicine. Lacking effective solutions, she turned to the internet and discovered acupuncture. After a treatment two weeks ago, Anna reported a marked improvement in her pain levels and expressed satisfaction with the treatment. "When Western treatments fail to provide relief, many Brazilians turn to TCM, especially acupuncture," Anna notes. "It's amazing how much of an impact just a few needles can have without the need for medication." Song emphasized that TCM is a Chinese cultural treasure, representing the nation's soft power, values, and lifestyle. The growing popularity of acupuncture in Brazil is seen as a recognition of Chinese culture. He expressed his pride in promoting TCM and Chinese culture in Brazil, which not only enhances the friendship between the two countries but also brings health and happiness to the Brazilian people. SOURCE Global Times BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. During the meeting, China, Brazil decided to establish synergies between Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Brazil's development strategies. The two countries also elevated their ties to a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet. During the meeting, Xi said that China-Brazil relations are at their best in history, adding that the two countries are increasingly becoming reliable friends with a shared future and positive forces for peace. Before the talks, Xi attended a grand welcome ceremony held by Brazilian President Lula. Xi arrived in Brasilia on Tuesday for a state visit to Brazil after attending the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro. New starting point In a signed article in Brazilian media outlet Folha de S. Paulo on Sunday, Xi said fifty years ago, on August 15, 1974, China and Brazil established full diplomatic ties. The bilateral relationship has since withstood the test of a changing international landscape and become increasingly mature and vibrant. Brazil is the first country to establish a strategic partnership with China. It is also the first nation in Latin America to enter into a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. Xi hailed the bilateral relationship "has always been a forerunner in the relations between China and fellow developing nations." Theo Schunck, Executive Secretary of the Instituto Rio Metropole, believes the Xi-Lula meeting represents a new starting point for further strengthening of bilateral ties and practical cooperation in various fields. He said the substantive alignment of Brazilian development strategies with the BRI could bring various economic and social benefits, and it's a strategic opportunity [for Brazil] to strengthen economic and political ties with China, benefit from China's experience in development and innovation, and improve infrastructure and the quality of people's lives. "Being a Belt and Road partner country will open up investment opportunities, facilitate trade and promote infrastructure in Brazil It could benefit from infrastructure projects like roads, ports, and railroads that could cut connectivity and transportation costs," Schunck noted. In addition, cooperation in education and technology can lead to the transfer of knowledge and the development of new skills, and our cultural exchanges can form cultural and educational partnerships, strengthening ties between the two countries and promoting greater mutual understanding and collaboration, Schunck added. China and Brazil have maintained a comprehensive strategic partnership. Data show that China has been Brazil's top trading partner for 15 consecutive years, while Brazil is China's largest trading partner and direct investment destination in Latin America, with bilateral trade exceeded $100 billion for six consecutive years. Jose Acacio Ferreira, General Director of the Superintendence of Economic and Social Studies of Bahia State, said the concept of a shared future means a commitment to addressing common challenges, promoting mutual development, and prosperity. Renewable energy, agriculture, and technological innovation sectors hold promising potential for future cooperation between China and Brazil, Ferreira said. Challenges like climate change and food security demand international cooperation, where China and Brazil can work together on research and sustainable development, he added. Rodrigo Pires de Campos, a professor of Institute of International Relations, University of Brasilia, told the Global Times that through BRI, China shows the world a different way of achieving an important objective for fair trade, fair investment, for a new perspective of multilateral relations without being pushed into a war, choosing the peaceful way in order to achieve that goal. He believes Brazil's enhanced cooperation with China would be helpful in terms of developing autonomy and balancing international relationship. Beyond bilateral context As two of the world's major developing countries, China and Brazil "must work together with others in the Global South to resolutely safeguard the developing nations' common interests, address global challenges through cooperation, and promote a global governance system that is fairer and more equitable," Xi said in the article. Chinese and Brazilian experts also believe that the high level of convergence of interests between China and Brazil is reflected not only in the economic and trade spheres, but also in mutual political trust, as well as in the understanding of many international issues and collaboration in the globe arena. According to Wang Youming, director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing, the development of China-Brazil ties would further inject impetus for the Global South solidarity. The two countries are the most representative members of the Global South. China-Brazil cooperation has a role to play in enhancing the voice of the countries of the Global South in global governance, Wang noted, stressing that China, Brazil and other Global South countries share common interests in upholding a multipolar world, promoting sustainable development, reducing poverty, improving the unjust aspects of the existing system and addressing global challenges. According to Wang, Brazil is at the forefront of the Global South countries in terms of green economy, and will also host COP 30 next year, and China and Brazil have similar or even the same position on addressing climate change. In terms of geopolitical hot spots, the six-point consensus on a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis jointly issued by Brazil and China has been widely echoed by the Global South. The collective rise of the Global South is a significant phenomenon in today's geopolitical landscape, Schunck said. With the economic growth and political influence of countries like China and Brazil, we are seeing a shift in the distribution of global power. This rise could lead to a more balanced and just world order, where the countries of the Global South have more say and participation in global decisions, Schunck said. SOURCE Global Times BEIJING, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Latin America not only marks a new chapter in China's relations with the continent but also underscores China's commitment to advancing cooperation with and amplifying the voice of Global South nations, experts said. Xi left Brasilia on Thursday after attending the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit and paying a state visit to Brazil. Brazilian senior officials bid farewell to Xi at the airport. On the way to the airport, representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions and students waved the national flags of China and Brazil on both sides of the road, congratulating Xi on the complete success of the visit. During his state visit to Brazil, President Xi and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva jointly announced to elevate China-Brazil ties to a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, and to promote synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil's development strategies. When asked to comment on the details, outcomes and highlights of President Xi's visit to Brazil, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Thursday said that the two presidents took stock of the past 50 years of China-Brazil relations, and agreed that the relationship is at its best period in history, is growing stronger in global, strategic and long-term significance, and has become an exemplar of common progress, solidarity and cooperation between major developing countries. Elevating the bilateral ties and synergizing the two countries' development strategies will certainly enable the two countries to carry forward the past achievements in the relations and usher in the next "golden 50 years," as well as to set an example for Global South nations to seek strength through unity and make new contributions to increasing the representation and voice of developing countries in global governance, according to Lin. President Xi also pointed out that next year marks the 10th anniversary of the official launch of the China-CELAC Forum. China stands ready to join hands with Brazil and other Latin American countries to take China-Latin American cooperation to new heights, Lin said. Emerging Global South Chinese analysts said that President Xi's Latin America trip highlighted China's commitment to promoting development and cooperation among Global South countries as the country is positioning itself as a key player in promoting global peace, security, and development. In a written speech addressing the APEC CEO Summit 2024, Xi said that the principles of "plan together, build together and benefit together" should be followed, the representation and voice of the Global South should be enhanced continuously, and all countries should be ensured of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules in conducting international economic cooperation. While addressing Session I of the 19th G20 Summit on Fight Against Hunger and Poverty, Xi said "there should be more bridges of cooperation, and less 'small yard, high fences,' so that more and more developing countries will be better off and achieve modernization." To build such a world, Xi calls for an "open, inclusive and non-discriminatory environment for international economic cooperation," a "universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization," and support for developing countries in better integrating into digital, smart, and green development to bridge the North-South gap. Xi also said 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. Xi's trip to Latin America not only serves as a new chapter for China's relationship with the continent, but also highlighted China's commitment to promoting development and cooperation among Global South countries, Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times. He noted that Global South countries are not only focusing on economic cooperation but are also playing an increasingly important role in international political and security matters. China has emphasized cooperation among the Global South in various multilateral platforms such as APEC and G20, effectively working to strengthen and elevate the collaboration in the international community. This aligns with the current trend of the Global South's emergence, actively promoting deeper cooperation and enhancing influence within this group. Within the Global South, the China-Latin America partnership represents a model of autonomous and reciprocal development. This partnership encourages other Global South countries to pursue mutually beneficial horizontal relationships, supporting a new multipolar order, Ronnie Lins, Brazilian economist and director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, told the Global Times. By strengthening economic, cultural, and technological ties, China and Latin America have the potential to form a more cohesive bloc, promoting cooperation on global challenges such as inequality, sustainability, and innovation. This integration among emerging countries paves new pathways for development, amplifying the Global South's voice and potentially redefining the global economic and political balance, said Lins. Head-of-state diplomacy President Xi kicked off his first state visits this year to France, Serbia and Hungary in May. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press briefing that Xi's Europe trip is a journey of carrying forward friendship, enhancing mutual trust, boosting confidence and charting the course for the future. In July, Xi attended the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Astana, and made state visits to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. In October, Xi arrived in Kazan to attend the 16th BRICS Summit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, Xi told Putin that China-Russia relations have forged ahead despite wind and rain in the last 75 years and found the right way for two big, neighboring countries to get along with each other, characterized by non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party. When meeting with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru on November 16, Xi said that over the past four years, China-US relations have gone through ups and downs, but the two sides have also been engaged in dialogue and cooperation, adding that the relationship has remained stable on the whole. Apart from promoting Global South cooperation, China's diplomacy is also making efforts to stabilize relations with major powers such as the US, Russia, and Europe, said Yang. Yang said that the interactions among these major powers, especially with the US, Europe and Russia, not only affect bilateral relations but are also related to the overall stability of the international situation. The endeavor to stabilize relations among major powers reflects China's ongoing commitment to promoting world peace and development. Another characteristic is marked by China's neighboring diplomacy, said Yang. China places great importance on its neighboring diplomacy, consistently prioritizing its neighbors within the overall framework of its foreign policy. President Xi previously put forward the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness to guide China's neighborhood diplomacy, and also proposed an open and interconnected paradigm for Asia-Pacific cooperation. These principles have become the fundamental guidelines and direction for the development of China's relations with neighboring countries, aiming to create a peaceful and stable diplomatic environment in the region, which benefits both China and those countries, said Xu Bu, president of Institute of International Development and Security Studies, Jiangsu University. Under the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, China is maintaining stable relations with major countries, working hand in hand with neighboring countries, and collaborating with Global South countries for revitalization, said Xu, noting that in doing so, China is charting a course for world peace, security, and development, writing a new chapter in its diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. SOURCE Global Times BEIJING, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, two sets of freshly-released data about "China Cars" underscore the latest achievements of China's reform and opening-up. The first set of data involves China's new-energy vehicles (NEV). By November 14, China's annual production of NEVs exceeded 10 million units this year, making it the first country in the world to reach this milestone. Also in the first 10 months, China's NEV exports exceeded 1 million units, hitting 1.058 million units, up 6.3 percent year-on-year. The second set of data is about China-Europe freight train operations. On November 15, the total number of China-Europe freight train runs reached the milestone of 100,000, which have collectively delivered over 11 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods with a total value exceeding $420 billion. Meanwhile, the trains operate seven outbound trips and six return trips every week, signaling that the operations are essentially balanced in two-way flows. Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a written speech to the APEC CEO Summit held on November 15 in Lima, said that "From Chancay to Shanghai" has now become a fashionable saying in Peru, an echo to the China Ships that arrived in Peru over 500 years ago. The journey of "China Cars" and "China Ships" provides a vivid lens to zoom in the country's reform and opening-up efforts, and there are three key takeaways from this great process. Economic globalization The first insight is that economic globalization is always an unstoppable momentum. The historical tide may have faced headwinds and setbacks, but the overall development trajectory has never changed and will not change. The development of US EV maker Tesla in China serves as an epitome in this regard, demonstrating the fruitful outcomes of economic globalization, which also stands as a testament to the principle of "harmonious coexistence." In October, the 3-millionth vehicle produced by Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai rolled off the assembly line, setting a new milestone. Of the 3 million vehicles, one-third have been exported to Europe and Asia-Pacific markets. In the first three quarters this year, the 676,000 Tesla cars delivered by the Shanghai Gigafactory accounted for more than half of Tesla's global deliveries, further cementing the factory's role as a "capacity cornerstone" for Tesla. As to the Gigafactory's local supply, the components localization rate at the Shanghai Gigafactory has surpassed 95 percent, and the US firm has signed contracts with over 400 local tier-one suppliers in China, of which more than 60 suppliers have been integrated into Tesla's global supply chain. Besides Tesla, a good number of foreign carmakers, such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and BMW, have stepped up investment in the Chinese market, which highlighted that China - with a full-fledged industrial chain, efficient market operation mechanism, and a healthy ecosystem for industrial competition - continues to attract global capital to invest and prosper in China. China is not only a beneficiary of economic globalization but also a steadfast advocate, for this country is aware that "when the world prospers, China can prosper, and when China thrives, the world becomes an even better place." As economic globalization gains pace, the integration and mutual interdependence among countries have deepened. From research and development to production, distribution and consumption, no single country can independently manage the entire lifecycle of an industrial and supply chain. As such, the collaboration structure of "a bit of me in you and a bit of you in me" has grown more robust, which demonstrates that unilateralism and protectionism offer no viable path forward, and that the "small yard, high fence" approach would only end up trapping those inside. Bountiful evidences have proved that the development of China's new energy industry is a genuine contribution to the world that also offers significant opportunities for many countries. Take the "China Cars" as an example. In terms of NEV, the BYD Atto-3 model was anointed as the UK's best electric vehicle of 2023 by a British news outlet. Spanish media reports suggest that nearly half of Spaniards would consider purchasing a Chinese car as their next vehicle. Reform and opening-up In an address by President Xi at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on November 16 in Lima, Xi stressed that "China always promotes reform through opening-up." That leads to the second takeaway - advancing reform through opening-up is a necessary requirement of the time. For more than 40 years, China's reform and opening up have been closely intertwined. Using opening-up to drive reform and development is a successful practice and a fundamental understanding of China's reform and development journey. High-level opening-up is also a key driver for deepening reform and achieving China's high-quality development. Chinese policymakers have been advancing high-level opening-up and extending it to broader areas, wider fields and deeper levels since the beginning of this year. For example, China lifted all restrictions on foreign investment in its manufacturing sector on November 1. On November 8, China implemented a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from nine countries. Earlier in September, China announced that wholly foreign-owned hospitals will be allowed to be set up in nine localities including Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai. Those high-level opening-up inputs have significantly driven China's high-quality development and propelled its open economy to reach new heights. And China's status as a major trading nation and a leading player in two-way investment continues to fortify, with the inflow of foreign investment ranking among the top globally. On the other hand, deepening reform also provides institutional guarantee for further advancing high-level opening-up. In March, China issued a guideline as part of efforts to smooth payments for foreign travelers. Thanks to the measures, over 5 million inbound visitors have used mobile payment services in the first half of this year, marking a fourfold year-on-year increase. Since the beginning of the new era, China has made breakthroughs in key areas and critical sectors concerning the comprehensive deepening of reform, and the coordination and synergy between deep-level reforms and high-level opening-up have created new opportunities for economic development. In July, the Communist Party of China held the Third Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee, and adopted a comprehensive plan for further deepening reform across the board to advance Chinese modernization. More than 300 important reform measures were introduced at the meeting, and they will be fully implemented within five years. This will provide not only strong impetus for China's economic and social development, but also more opportunities for global development. The journey of reform and opening-up is a historical process of shared development and joint progress for China and the world. While profoundly transforming China, the reform and opening-up process has also significantly influenced the world. And based on the process, it is easy to conclude the third insight - China's door to opening-up is widening, which will provide significant opportunities for global development. Take the "China Cars" for an example. The China-Europe freight train runs not only enable an increasing number of countries along the route to share the dividends of Chinese market, but also lead to the creation of new logistics hubs, industrial centers, trade hubs, and industrial parks. These developments have created numerous job opportunities for local communities and enhanced connectivity across the Eurasian continent. In November, the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the world's first national-level exposition dedicated to imports, concluded its 7th edition with a record of over $80 billion in signed trade deals, which showcased the vast opportunities of the Chinese market. In addition to CIIE, China is also hosting other global trade fairs, one after another, as exemplified by the Canton Fair and the China International Fair for Trade in Services. Through the new development, China provides fresh opportunities to the world, promotes the building of an open world economy, and writes a new chapter of shared development between China and the world. The stories of "China Cars" and "China Ships" shed light on "how history has been unfolding in unprecedented ways amid the changes in the world and the times." They also provide clues to answering the question: "What is happening to the world, and what should we do about it?" China will deepen reform comprehensively and continue to provide robust momentum for the world economy. China also welcomes all parties to continue riding the "express train" of its development and grow together with the Chinese economy so that we can all contribute to the modernization of all countries featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity. SOURCE Global Times GOJO President and CEO, Carey Jaros, Corporate Sales Director Moshe Lewis and National Sales VP, Ashley Fubini, received top honors for industry leadership AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GOJO President and CEO, Carey Jaros received the Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award from ISSA in recognition of her outstanding service to the cleaning industry. With an audience of more than 500 industry colleagues, Jaros accepted the prestigious award, named after ISSA's executive director from 1960 to 1981. GOJO President and CEO, Carey Jaros received the Jack D. Ramaley Industry Distinguished Service Award from ISSA in recognition of her outstanding service to the cleaning industry. GOJO President and CEO, Carey Jaros, Corporate Sales Director Moshe Lewis and National Sales VP, Ashley Fubini, received top honors for industry leadership at the ISSA North America Trade Show In accepting the award, Jaros praised ISSA, the GOJO team, distributor partners, and customers for their leadership in advancing the global cleaning industry through collaboration, mentorship, and participation in industry initiatives to help the sector grow and thrive. "I firmly believe that any time a leader is recognized that recognition ultimately belongs to their team, as none of us accomplish anything worthy of an award like this on our own," said Jaros. "So, it's my honor to accept the Jack D. Ramaley Award on behalf of all of Team GOJO, who are so passionate, hard-working, and purpose-driven, and our awesome distributor partners, who ultimately enable our PURELL products to get to people out in the world, and who are also dear friends and colleagues who push us to get better and better." In addition to Jaros' award, GOJO Corporate Sales Director, Moshe Lewis was selected as a member of the inaugural class of ISSA Emerging Leaders for 2024, and was the 1st Runner Up for the Rising Star Award. Lewis is part of a group of 30 industry professionals that represent the next generation of leaders and was selected from a group of more than 100 nominations of industry professionals under the age of 40 for his outstanding contributions, leadership, and commitment to driving the industry forward. In addition to Jaros and Lewis' honors, the ISSA Hygieia Network awarded GOJO's National Sales Vice President Ashley Fubini the Rising Star of the Year Award. The award recognizes the significant achievements of an ISSA Hygieia member who has demonstrated consistent upward mobility in her career within the cleaning industry. Along with GOJO's multiple awards, the company continued to wow the ISSA Trade Show attendees with its newest dispensing system - PURELL ES 10. The PURELL ES10 is our simplest, most sustainable touch-free dispensing system.3 This ground-breaking technology proves that less is more with less maintenance and less waste, all while delivering more ways to impress. Significant features of the new product include: Less Maintenance Never change batteries again 1 a fresh battery is built into every refill. a fresh battery is built into every refill. Work smarter complimentary DISPENSER ADVISOR app offers data-driven approach to help manage your dispenser fleet Less Waste 30% less plastic per refill 2 38% lower greenhouse gas emissions 2 Easy to recycle for Improved recyclability from easy separation of the battery from plastic components for reduced battery and product waste. More Ways to Impress Exceptionally quiet dispensing Slim design fits and accentuates any environment GOJO is certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a Women's Business Enterprise, so purchasing these dispensing systems and PURELL refills can help customers achieve their supplier diversity goals and demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and equity. Businesses and government entities can now purchase the PURELL ES10 Dispensing Systems across the United States. Interested customers can visit (insert link) to learn more or contact their GOJO distributor. A video of the new dispensing system can be viewed here. About GOJO Industries GOJO is a Purpose-driven, 3rd generation Family Enterprise whose market-leading PURELL soap, hand sanitizer, surface sprays and wipes are used around the world to help keep people healthy and well. A WBENC-certified women-owned business, for more than 75 years, GOJO has used science-based innovation to set new standards in safety, efficacy, and sustainability for both consumers and in public spaces like hospitals, schools, restaurants. GOJO is headquartered in Akron, Ohio with manufacturing facilities located in Northeast Ohio. For more information on GOJO Industries, please visit GOJO.com. Footnotes: 1 Per standard use under normal usage conditions 2Compared with ES8 3Has less 30% less plastic per refill and a 38% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to ES8 system. SOURCE GOJO Industries, Inc. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Azerbaijan has allocated 16.9 billion manat ($9.9 billion) for social expenditures in its state budget for the year 2025, the countrys Minister of Labor and Social Protection Sahil Babayev said at a joint meeting of two committees of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Trend reports. The Minister noted that spending on social protection and social security will increase by 10 percent compared to the current year. A substantial 96 percent of these funds will be directed toward payments to the population. "7.2 billion manat will be allocated for financing labor pensions. It is forecasted that the average amount of labor pensions will reach 531 manat [$312.3]. The average size of labor pensions in 2019 was 264 manat [$155.2]. For old-age labor pensions, this figure will be even higher, reaching 569 manat [$334.7], compared to 292 manat [$171.7] in 2019," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel In the last decade, the initiative has grown into a year-round cultural program that drives tourism and supports local artists and businesses MIAMI, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) celebrates a decade of Art of Black Miami (AOBM), a program launched in Greater Miami's heritage neighborhoods of Little Haiti, Little Havana, Coconut Grove and Historic Overtown that's now a countywide initiative showcasing the destination's vibrant art scene and its deep connections to the Black diaspora. AOBM has emerged as a pivotal 365-day catalyst, bringing recognition to Greater Miami's Black artists. Renowned talents such as Sanford Biggers, Basil Watson, Hank Willis Thomas and Deborah Roberts have all been part of this transformative program, cementing the destination's reputation as a hub for groundbreaking artistic expression. Today, AOBM plays a crucial role in the GMCVB's Tourism Business Enhancement efforts linking the destination's vibrant art scene with economic opportunities for local small businesses. AOBM events provide businesses with increased visibility and drives economic activity year-round, extending beyond the major events and ensuring continued growth for Greater Miami's diverse communities. "Through our programming, we're not only spotlighting the remarkable talent within our community, but also creating a platform for Black and Afro-Latino artists to showcase their unique expressions of Greater Miami and Miami Beach through their lived experiences," notes GMCVB Senior Vice President of Multicultural Tourism and Development Connie Kinnard. "By partnering with local businesses and educating them on leveraging the cultural economy, we're amplifying the importance of our neighborhoods across the county, driving year-round tourism and solidifying Miami-Dade's reputation as a cultural destination that thrives well beyond peak seasons." AOBM 2024-2025 will feature a dynamic celebration of creativity and cultural exchange. With thought-provoking art and powerful narratives, this year's lineup promises to deepen audience engagement featuring established artists and emerging voices. For more details on Art of Black Miami and its upcoming events, visit www.ArtofBlackMiami.com. About the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is an accredited, independent not-for-profit sales and marketing organization whose mission is to attract visitors to Greater Miami and Miami Beach for leisure, business, meetings and conventions. For additional information, visit www.MiamiandMiamiBeach.com/About-GMCVB or call 305-539-3000. Stay connected with the GMCVB by following us on our corporate communications and external affairs social media channels: Instagram and X.com, (X)Twitter.com/@GreaterMiamiCVB and LinkedIn.com/GreaterMiamiConvention&VisitorsBureau SOURCE The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Total revenues decreased by 22.5% year over year to RMB357.0 million ( US$50.9 million ) [1] . Income from operations was RMB106.4 million ( US$15.2 million ) [1] compared to RMB137.8 million for the third quarter of 2023. Net income was RMB65.2 million ( US$9.3 million ) [1] compared to RMB117.4 million for the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) [ 2 ] decreased 32.1% year over year to RMB122.5million ( US$17.5 million ) [1] . Core net income (non-GAAP)[3] decreased 26.6% year over year to RMB93.5million ( US$13.3 million )[1]. SHANGHAI, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. (NYSE: GHG) ("GreenTree", the "Company", "we", "us" and "our"), a leading hospitality and restaurant management group in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of 2024. [1] The conversion of Renminbi ("RMB") into United States dollars ("US$") is based on the exchange rate of US$1.00=RMB 7.0176 on September 30, 2024 as set forth in H.10 statistical release of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and available at https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/20220103/. [2] Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) is calculated as net income plus other operating expenses, income tax expense, share of loss in equity investees, net of tax, interest expense, depreciation and amortization, losses from investment in equity securities and other general expenses, but excludes other operating income, interest income and other, net, gains from investment in equity securities, share of gains in equity investees (net of tax), and other income, net. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) included in this report has been aligned according to the above mentioned definition. [3] Core net income is calculated as net income plus share-based compensation, losses from investments in equity securities (net of 25% tax), other expense(net of 25% tax), one-time fees and expense, and other general expenses but excludes government subsidies (net of 25% tax), gains from investment in equity securities (net of 25% tax), and other income (net of 25% tax). Third Quarter of 2024 Operational Highlights Hotels A total of 4,336 hotels with 316,461 hotel rooms were in operation as of September 30, 2024 . . The Company opened 109 hotels and had a pipeline of 1,085 hotels contracted for or under development as of September 30 , 2024. , 2024. The average daily room rate was RMB181 , a decrease of 6.0% from RMB192 in the third quarter of 2023. , a decrease of 6.0% from in the third quarter of 2023. The occupancy rate was 74.6%, decreased from 81.2% in the third quarter of 2023. Revenue per available room, or RevPAR, was RMB135 , a 13.6% year-over-year decrease. Restaurants A total of 182 restaurants were in operation as of September 30, 2024 The AC (average check) was RMB46 , a 15.9% year-over-year decrease. , a 15.9% year-over-year decrease. The ADT (average daily tickets) was 106, decreased from 120 in the third quarter of 2023. The ADS (average daily sales per store) was RMB4,891 , a decrease of 25.6% from RMB6,570 in the third quarter of 2023. Our hotel business improved in the third quarter over the first two quarters of this year as the economy continued to recover. Travel consumption returned to a more normal pattern following last year's surge, which has influenced year-over-year comparisons. We are back to a more positive environment, focusing on growing our pipeline and upgrading numerous hotels across our portfolio. We are confident that we are on the right track and will benefit from the ongoing stimulus measures implemented by the government. Our restaurant business' net income remained positive for a second consecutive quarter as we continued to grow the number of franchised street stores and stores with stable consumer traffic. Such stores now account for 55.5% of our store count compared to 44.6% a year ago. Following the closing of unprofitable stores over the past year, the number restaurants in operation had stabilized at 182 at the end of quarter and we are now focused on growing that number," said Mr. Alex S. Xu, Chairman and Chief Executive Office of GreenTree. Quarter Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 RMB RMB RMB RMB Hotel Restaurant Elimination Total Revenues Leased-and-operated revenues 151,839,044 80,358,490 49,624 232,247,158 Franchised-and-managed revenues 186,043,016 4,070,541 - 190,113,557 Wholesales and others 1,168,017 37,355,462 - 38,523,479 Total revenues 339,050,077 121,784,493 49,624 460,884,194 Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB RMB RMB US$ Hotel Restaurant Elimination Total Total Revenues Leased-and-operated revenues 118,159,125 41,117,277 - 159,276,402 22,696,706 Franchised-and-managed revenues 167,928,127 1,757,933 - 169,686,060 24,180,070 Wholesales and others 796,488 27,766,790 (544,290) 28,018,988 3,992,674 Total revenues 286,883,740 70,642,000 (544,290) 356,981,450 50,869,450 Nine Month Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 RMB RMB RMB RMB Hotel Restaurant Elimination Total Revenues Leased-and-operated revenues 365,402,970 248,698,564 (1,075,555) 613,025,979 Franchised-and-managed revenues 533,460,017 7,235,800 - 540,695,817 Wholesales and others 3,393,596 97,978,792 - 101,372,388 Total revenues 902,256,583 353,913,156 (1,075,555) 1,255,094,184 Nine Month Ended September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB RMB RMB US$ Hotel Restaurant Elimination Total Total Revenues Leased-and-operated revenues 346,552,738 130,792,112 - 477,344,850 68,021,097 Franchised-and-managed revenues 476,898,409 5,527,686 - 482,426,095 68,745,169 Wholesales and others 2,881,694 77,272,388 (1,004,493) 79,149,589 11,278,726 Total revenues 826,332,841 213,592,186 (1,004,493) 1,038,920,534 148,044,992 Total revenues were RMB357.0 million (US$50.9 million), a 22.5% year-over-year decrease. Hotel revenues were RMB286.9 million (US$40.9 million), a 15.4% year-over-year decrease due to a 13.6% year-over-year decrease in Revpar and the closure of 6 L&O hotels in the third quarter due to lease expiration and strategic reviews. The decrease was partially offset by revenues from new openings. Restaurant revenues were RMB70.6 million (US$10.1 million), a 42.0% year-over-year decrease, mainly due to lower ADS and the decrease in the number of L&O stores. By the end of the third quarter, we had completed the strategic transformation of our business model. Total revenues for the first nine months of 2024 were RMB1,038.9 million (US$148.0 million)[1], a 17.2% year-over-year decrease. Total revenues from leased-and-operated, or L&O, hotels and restaurants were RMB159.3 million (US$22.7 million)[1], a 31.4% year-over-year decrease. Total revenues from L&O hotels were RMB118.2 million (US$16.8 million)[1], a 22.2% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was primarily attributable to an 7.5% year-over-year decrease in the third quarter RevPAR of L&O hotels, the closing of 6 L&O hotels, and a reduction in sublease revenues mainly due to the disposal of a property. Total revenues from L&O restaurants were RMB41.1 million (US$5.9 million)[1], a 48.8% year-over-year decrease, mainly due to the closure of 29 L&O restaurants since the third quarter of 2023 and the year-over-year decrease in ADS. Total revenues from L&O hotels and restaurants for the first nine months of 2024 were RMB477.3 million (US$68.0 million)[1], a 22.1% year-over-year decrease. Total revenues from franchised-and-managed, or F&M, hotels and restaurants were RMB169.7 million (US$24.2 million), a 10.7% year-over-year decrease. Total revenues from F&M hotels were RMB167.9 million (US$23.9 million), a 9.7% year-over-year decrease, primary due to a 13.8% decrease in F&M hotels' Revpar and partially offset by new openings. Total revenues from F&M restaurants were RMB1.8 million (US$0.3 million), a 56.8% year-over-year decrease, mainly due to the year-over-year decrease in ADS. Total revenues from F&M hotels and restaurants for the first nine months of 2024 were RMB482.4 million (US$68.7 million)[1], a 10.8% year-over-year decrease. Total revenues from wholesale and others were RMB28.0M (US$4.0 million), a 27.3% year-over-year decrease, mainly due to the decline in the wholesale segment of the restaurant business. Total revenues from wholesale and others for the first nine months of 2024 were RMB79.1 million (US$11.3 million), a 21.9% year-over-year decrease. Total operating costs and expenses Quarter Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 RMB RMB RMB RMB Hotel Restaurant Elimination Total Operating costs and expenses Operating costs 159,920,582 87,814,484 49,623 247,784,689 Selling and marketing expenses 14,277,225 12,026,085 - 26,303,310 General and administrative expenses 26,655,780 11,858,500 - 38,514,280 Other operating expenses 180,515 120,654 - 301,169 Other general expenses 11,322,509 - - 11,322,509 Total operating costs and expenses 212,356,611 111,819,723 49,623 324,225,957 Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB RMB RMB US$ Hotel Restaurant Elimination Total Total Operating costs and expenses Operating costs 152,278,796 53,365,650 (475,648) 205,168,798 29,236,320 Selling and marketing expenses 12,899,411 2,881,942 (68,642) 15,712,711 2,239,043 General and administrative expenses 35,309,079 7,023,449 - 42,332,528 6,032,337 Other operating expenses 1,363,201 654,777 - 2,017,978 287,560 Other general expenses - - - - - Total operating costs and expenses 201,850,487 63,925,818 (544,290) 265,232,015 37,795,260 Nine Month Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2023 RMB RMB RMB RMB Hotel Restaurant Elimination Total Operating costs and expenses Operating costs 444,284,960 292,122,643 (560,465) 735,847,138 Selling and marketing expenses 39,115,830 21,411,730 - 60,527,560 General and administrative expenses 117,191,327 33,197,310 - 150,388,637 Other operating expenses 1,024,079 7,111,308 - 8,135,387 Other general expenses 27,296,093 - - 27,296,093 Total operating costs and expenses 628,912,289 353,842,991 (560,465) 982,194,815 Nine Month Ended September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB RMB RMB US$ Hotel Restaurant Elimination Total Total Operating costs and expenses Operating costs 441,888,078 170,642,273 (916,517) 611,613,834 87,154,274 Selling and marketing expenses 41,576,925 8,473,078 (87,975) 49,962,028 7,119,532 General and administrative expenses 128,706,277 22,802,128 - 151,508,405 21,589,775 Other operating expenses 2,301,445 2,136,726 - 4,438,171 632,434 Other general expenses 11,756,531 - - 11,756,531 1,675,292 Total operating costs and expenses 626,229,256 204,054,205 (1,004,492) 829,278,969 118,171,308 Operating costs were 205.2 million (US$ 29.2 million)[1], a 17.2% year-over-year decrease. Operating costs of the hotel business were RMB152.3 million (US$21.7million)[1], a 4.8% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was mainly attributable to lower staff related costs due to the disposal of L&O hotels. Operating costs of the restaurant business in the third quarter of 2024 were RMB53.4 million (US$ 7.6 million)[1], a 39.2% year-over-year decrease, due to the closure of L&O stores. For the first nine months of 2024, operating costs were RMB611.6 million (US$87.2 million)[1], a 16.9% decrease. Selling and marketing expenses were RMB15.7 million (US$2.2 million)[1], a 40.3% year-over-year decrease. Selling and marketing expenses of the hotel business were RMB12.9 million (US$1.8 million)[1], a 9.7% year-over-year decrease. The decrease was mainly due to lower advertising expenses. Selling and marketing expenses of the restaurant business were RMB2.9 million (US$0.4 million)[1], a 76.0% year-over-year decrease, mainly attributable to lower sales staff related expenses and lower sales-channel commissions. For the first nine months of 2024, selling and marketing expenses were RMB50.0 million (US$7.1 million)[1], a 17.5% decrease. General and administrative, or G&A expenses were RMB42.3 million (US$6.0 million)[1], a 9.9% year-over-year increase. G&A expenses of the hotel business were RMB35.3 million (US$5.0 million)[1], a 32.5% year-over-year increase. The increase was mainly due to an increase of approximately RMB11 million in bad debt provisions for long-aged account receivables. G&A expenses of the restaurant business were RMB7.0 million (US$1.0 million)[1], a 40.8% year-over-year decrease, mainly due to lower staff related expenses. General and administrative expenses for the first nine months of 2024 were RMB151.5 million (US$21.6 million)[1], a 0.7% year-over-year increase. Other general expenses were nil for this quarter, and for the first nine months of 2024 were RMB11.8 million (US$1.7 million) [1], a 56.9% year-over-year decrease. Gross profit was RMB151.8 million (US$21.6 million)[1], a year-over-year decrease of 28.8%. Gross margin was 42.5%, compared to 46.2% a year ago. The gross profit of the hotel business was RMB134.6 million (US$19.2 million)[1], an 24.9% year-over-year decrease. The gross profit of the restaurant business was RMB17.3 million (US$2.5 million)[1], a 49.1% year-over-year decrease. Income from operations in the third quarter of 2024 was RMB106.4 million (US$15.2 million)[1] , compared to income from operations of RMB137.8 million in the third quarter of 2023, with a margin of 29.8%. The lower profitability was due to the decline in revenue, despite lower operating costs and expenses. Income from operations of the hotel business was RMB99.5 million (US$14.2 million)[1], compared to an income from operations of RMB127.5 million in the third quarter of 2023, with a margin of 34.7%. Income from operations of the restaurant business in the third quarter of 2024 was RMB6.9 million (US$1.0 million)[1], compared to income from operations of RMB10.3 million in the third quarter of 2023, with a margin of 9.7%. Income from operations for the first nine months of 2024 was RMB263.1 million (US$37.5 million)[1] compared to income from operations of RMB288.7 million in 2023, with a margin of 25.3%. Net income in the third quarter of 2024 was RMB65.2 million (US$9.3 million)[1], compared to a net income of RMB117.4 million in the third quarter of 2023, and net margin was 18.3%. Net income was partially negatively impacted by a foreign exchange loss of approximately RMB33 million. Net income of the hotel business was RMB58.6 million (US$8.4 million)[1], compared to a net income of RMB108.5 million in the third quarter of 2023, and net margin was 20.4%. Net income of the restaurant business in the third quarter of 2024 was RMB6.6 million (US$0.9 million)[1], compared to a net income of RMB8.8 million in the third quarter of 2023, and net margin was 9.4%. Net income for the first nine months of 2024 was RMB184.8 million (US$26.3million)[1], compared to a net income of RMB 251.9 million in 2023, and net margin was 17.8%. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)[2] in the third quarter of 2024 was RMB122.5 million (US$17.5 million)[1], a year-over-year decrease of 32.1%. Adjusted EBITDA margin, defined as adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) as a percentage of total revenues, was 34.3%, compared to 39.2% a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) for the first nine months of 2024 was RMB315.0 million (US$44.9 million), a year-over-year decrease of 21.4%. Core net income (non-GAAP) in the third quarter of 2024 was RMB93.5 million (US$13.3 million)[1], a year-over-year decrease of 26.6%. The core net margin, defined as core net income (non-GAAP) as a percentage of total revenues, was 26.2%, compared to 27.6% one year ago. Core net income (non-GAAP) for the first nine months of 2024 was RMB224.4 million (US$ 32.0 million)[1], a year-over-year decrease of 8.7%. Earnings per American Depositary Share, or ADS, (basic and diluted) were RMB0.65 (US$0.09 )[1], decreased from RMB1.15 one year ago. Earnings per American Depositary Share, or ADS, (basic and diluted) for the first nine months of 2024 were RMB1.83 (US$0.26 )[1], decreased from RMB2.52 one year ago. Core net income per ADS (basic and diluted) (non-GAAP) was RMB0.92 (US$0.13 )[1], decreased from RMB1.25 a year ago. Core net income per ADS (basic and diluted) (non-GAAP) was RMB2.21 (US$0.31)[1] for the first nine months of 2024, an decrease from RMB2.41 a year ago. Cash flow Operating cash inflow was RMB139.2 million (US$19.8 million)[1] as a result of income from operations. Investing cash outflow for the third quarter of 2024 was RMB0.1 million (US$0.01 million)[1], which was primarily due to purchase of equipment for the newly opened LO store in the second quarter and offset by repayment of loans from franchisees. Financing cash outflow was RMB1.3 million (US$0.2 million)[1],mainly due to the repurchase of ordinary shares. Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, investments in equity securities and time deposits. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short term investments, investments in equity securities and time deposits of RMB1,883.9million (US$268.5 million)[1],compared to RMB1,737.2 million as of June 30, 2024. The increase was mainly attributable to continued operating cash inflow and repayment of loans from franchisees. Guidance We now anticipate revenue for our hotel business for the full year 2024 to decrease approximately 8% compared to 2023. This is based on our operating performance so far this year, in particular lower than expected travel in the third quarter, and the strategic review of our LO hotels segment that led to the net closure of 9 hotels by the end of the third quarter and contributed nearly half of the decline. Conference Call GreenTree's management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on November 21, 2024, (9:00 PM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on November 21, 2024). Dial-in numbers for the live conference call are as follows: International 1-412-902-4272 Mainland China 4001-201-203 US 1-888-346-8982 Hong Kong 800-905-945 or 852-3018-4992 Singapore 800-120-6157 Participants should ask to join the GreenTree call, please dial in approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled time of the call. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available after the conclusion of the live conference call until november 28, 2024. Dial-in numbers for the replay are as follows: International Dial-in 1-412-317-0088 U.S. Toll Free 1-877-344-7529 Canada Toll Free 855-669-9658 Passcode: 5184244 Additionally, a live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at http://ir.998.com. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and core net income, as we present them, are useful financial metrics to assess our operating and financial performance before the impact of investing and financing transactions, income taxes and certain non-core and non-recurring items in our financial statements. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and core net income should not be construed as an indication that our future results will be unaffected by other charges and gains we consider to be outside the ordinary course of our business. The use of Adjusted EBITDA and core net income has certain limitations because it does not reflect all items of income and expenses that affect our operations. Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA and core net income are significant components in understanding and assessing our operating and financial performance. Depreciation and amortization expense for various long-term assets, income tax and share-based compensation have been and will be incurred and are not reflected in the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA. Each of these items should also be considered in the overall evaluation of our results. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA and core net income do not consider capital expenditures and other investing activities and should not be considered as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of our depreciation and amortization, interest expense/income, gains/losses from investments in equity securities, income tax expenses, share-based compensation, share of loss in equity investees, government subsidies and other relevant items both in our reconciliations to the corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures and in our consolidated financial statements, all of which should be considered when evaluating our performance. The terms Adjusted EBITDA and core net income are not defined under U.S. GAAP, and Adjusted EBITDA and core net income are not measures of net income, operating income, operating performance or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When assessing our operating and financial performance, you should not consider this data in isolation or as a substitute for our net income, operating income or any other operating performance measure that is calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our Adjusted EBITDA and core net income may not be comparable to Adjusted EBITDA and core net income or similarly titled measures utilized by other companies since such other companies may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA and core net income in the same manner as we do. Reconciliations of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA and core net income, to the consolidated statement of operations information are included at the end of this press release. About GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. ("GreenTree" or the "Company") (NYSE: GHG) is a leading hospitality and restaurant management group in China. As of September 30, 2024, GreenTree had a total number of 4,336 hotels and 182 restaurants. In 2023, HOTELS magazine ranked GreenTree 11th among the 225 largest global hotel groups in terms of number of hotels in its annual HOTELS' 225. GreenTree was the fourth largest hospitality company in China in 2023 according to the China Hospitality Association. In 2023, GreenTree completed its acquisition of Da Niang Dumplings and Bellagio, two leading restaurant chain businesses in China. GreenTree has a broad portfolio of diverse brands spanning from the economy to mid-scale, up-scale and luxury segments of the hospitality industry mainly in China. Through its strong membership base, expansive booking network, superior system management with moderate charges, and fully supported by its operating departments including Decoration, Engineering, Purchasing, Operation, IT and Finance, GreenTree aims to keep closer relationships with all of its clients and partners by providing a diverse brand portfolio that features comfort, style and value. For more information on GreenTree, please visit http://ir.998.com Safe Harbor Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to," "confident," "future," or other similar expressions. GreenTree may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about or based on GreenTree's current beliefs, expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry, are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: GreenTree's goals and growth strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; trends in the hospitality industry in China and globally; competition in our industry; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and other regions where we operate; the regulatory environment in which we and our franchisees operate; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided, including the forward-looking statements made, in this press release are current as of the date of the press release. Except as required by law, GreenTree undertakes no obligation to update any such information or forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the information is provided or statements are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Financial Tables and Operational Data Follow GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31 September 30 September 30 2023 2024 2024 RMB RMB US$ ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 765,547,547 1,513,020,988 215,603,766 Restricted cash 6,576,906 7,240,598 1,031,777 Short-term investments 417,711,617 64,034 9,125 Investments in equity securities 26,076,169 22,798,811 3,248,805 Accounts receivable, net of allowance 123,887,879 112,807,834 16,074,988 Amounts due from related parties 19,928,781 17,890,534 2,549,381 Inventories 20,462,490 6,423,582 915,353 Other current assets 117,047,122 125,926,677 17,944,408 Loans receivable, net 129,521,094 79,569,204 11,338,521 Total current assets 1,626,759,605 1,885,742,262 268,716,124 Non-current assets: Amounts due from a related party 110,000,000 110,000,000 15,674,875 Restricted cash 19,476,259 19,397,031 2,764,055 Long-term time deposits 63,340,000 285,570,000 40,693,399 Loans receivable, net 70,690,305 43,154,241 6,149,430 Property and equipment, net 814,949,026 634,881,632 90,469,909 Intangible assets, net 117,720,693 114,380,472 16,299,087 Goodwill 177,082,468 177,082,468 25,234,050 Long-term investments 184,758,800 188,946,438 26,924,652 Operating lease right-of-use assets 1,535,330,762 1,353,807,671 192,916,050 Other assets 104,725,600 106,200,135 15,133,398 Deferred tax assets 241,965,360 180,650,424 25,742,479 TOTAL ASSETS 5,066,798,878 5,099,812,774 726,717,508 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Long-term bank loans, current portion 200,000 - - Short-term bank loans 116,800,000 400,000 57,000 Accounts payable 73,126,677 45,619,837 6,500,775 Advance from customers 22,393,097 21,258,689 3,029,339 Amounts due to related parties 16,310,293 15,694,608 2,236,464 Salary and welfare payable 86,332,096 74,484,735 10,613,990 Deferred revenue 186,281,838 197,495,166 28,142,836 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 459,832,717 493,142,341 70,272,221 Income tax payable 112,782,712 124,691,079 17,768,337 Dividends payable - 70,176,000 10,000,000 Operating lease liabilities, current 267,536,846 183,764,847 26,186,281 Total current liabilities 1,341,596,276 1,226,727,302 174,807,243 Long-term bank loans 56,800,000 256,400,000 36,536,708 Deferred revenue 207,905,769 182,882,796 26,060,590 Other long-term liabilities 111,711,748 117,713,049 16,773,975 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 1,391,909,309 1,300,009,022 185,249,804 Deferred tax liabilities 94,716,495 54,099,834 7,709,165 Unrecognized tax benefits 382,125,786 371,085,335 52,879,237 TOTAL LIABILITIES 3,586,765,383 3,508,917,338 500,016,722 Shareholders' equity: Class A ordinary shares 222,587,070 222,587,070 31,718,404 Class B ordinary shares 115,534,210 115,534,210 16,463,493 Treasury Stock (36,677,832) (36,977,954) (5,269,316) Additional paid-in capital 1,680,713,349 1,680,194,335 239,425,777 Retained earnings (Accumulated losses) (568,339,799) (452,428,018) (64,470,477) Accumulated other comprehensive income 28,401,282 26,759,125 3,813,145 Total GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. shareholders' equity 1,442,218,280 1,555,668,768 221,681,026 Non-controlling interests 37,815,215 35,226,668 5,019,760 Total shareholders' equity 1,480,033,495 1,590,895,436 226,700,786 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 5,066,798,878 5,099,812,774 726,717,508 GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Quarter Ended Nine Month Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Revenues Leased-and-operated revenues 232,247,158 159,276,402 22,696,706 613,025,979 477,344,850 68,021,097 Franchised-and- managed revenues 190,113,557 169,686,060 24,180,070 540,695,817 482,426,095 68,745,169 Wholesales and others 38,523,479 28,018,988 3,992,674 101,372,388 79,149,589 11,278,726 Total revenues 460,884,194 356,981,450 50,869,450 1,255,094,184 1,038,920,534 148,044,992 Operating costs and expenses Operating costs (247,784,689) (205,168,798) (29,236,320) (735,847,138) (611,613,834) (87,154,274) Selling and marketing expenses (26,303,310) (15,712,711) (2,239,043) (60,527,560) (49,962,028) (7,119,532) General and administrative expenses (38,514,280) (42,332,528) (6,032,337) (150,388,637) (151,508,405) (21,589,775) Other operating expenses (301,169) (2,017,978) (287,560) (8,135,387) (4,438,171) (632,434) Other general expenses (11,322,509) - - (27,296,093) (11,756,531) (1,675,292) Total operating costs and expenses (324,225,957) (265,232,015) (37,795,260) (982,194,815) (829,278,969) (118,171,308) Other operating income 1,136,022 14,654,068 2,088,188 15,806,939 53,422,304 7,612,617 Income from operations 137,794,259 106,403,503 15,162,378 288,706,308 263,063,869 37,486,301 Interest income and other, net 13,662,038 7,488,034 1,067,036 31,041,389 27,438,533 3,909,960 Interest expense (3,740,491) (116,161) (16,553) (13,137,021) (4,485,219) (639,139) Gains (losses) from investment in equity securities 365,577 10,015,229 1,427,159 (4,434,821) (5,409,426) (770,837) Other income, net 1,779,998 (34,653,121) (4,938,030) 42,926,246 (17,862,097) (2,545,328) Income before income taxes 149,861,381 89,137,484 12,701,990 345,102,101 262,745,660 37,440,957 Income tax expense (32,385,239) (24,330,641) (3,467,089) (92,335,322) (77,512,335) (11,045,419) Income (loss) before share of gains in equity investees 117,476,142 64,806,843 9,234,901 252,766,779 185,233,325 26,395,538 Share of loss/(income) in equity investees, net of tax (83,027) 405,064 57,721 (869,910) (464,693) (66,218) Net income(loss) 117,393,115 65,211,907 9,292,622 251,896,869 184,768,632 26,329,320 Net loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interests 227,170 288,968 41,178 5,304,468 1,319,147 187,977 Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders 117,620,285 65,500,875 9,333,800 257,201,337 186,087,779 26,517,297 Net earnings per share Class A ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.15 0.65 0.09 2.52 1.83 0.26 Class B ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.15 0.65 0.09 2.52 1.83 0.26 Net earnings per ADS Class A ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.15 0.65 0.09 2.52 1.83 0.26 Class B ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.15 0.65 0.09 2.52 1.83 0.26 Weighted average shares outstanding Class A ordinary share-basic and diluted 67,416,046 66,778,809 66,778,809 67,416,046 66,780,008 66,780,008 Class B ordinary share-basic and diluted 34,762,909 34,762,909 34,762,909 34,762,909 34,762,909 34,762,909 Other comprehensive income, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustments (68,502) 6,463,594 921,055 927,605 (1,642,157) (234,006) Unrealized gains(loss) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax Comprehensive income, net of tax 117,324,613 71,675,501 10,213,677 252,824,474 183,126,475 26,095,314 Comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to non-controlling interests 6,379,505 288,968 41,178 5,304,468 1,319,147 187,977 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders 123,704,118 71,964,469 10,254,855 258,128,942 184,445,622 26,283,291 GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Hotel Business Results Quarter Ended Nine Month Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Revenues Leased-and-operated revenues 151,839,044 118,159,125 16,837,541 365,402,970 346,552,738 49,383,370 Franchised-and- managed revenues 186,043,016 167,928,127 23,929,567 533,460,017 476,898,409 67,957,480 Others 1,168,017 796,488 113,499 3,393,596 2,881,694 410,638 Total revenues 339,050,077 286,883,740 40,880,607 902,256,583 826,332,841 117,751,488 Operating costs and expenses Hotel operating costs (159,920,582) (152,278,796) (21,699,555) (444,284,960) (441,888,078) (62,968,547) Selling and marketing expenses (14,277,225) (12,899,411) (1,838,151) (39,115,830) (41,576,925) (5,924,664) General and administrative expenses (26,655,780) (35,309,079) (5,031,504) (117,191,327) (128,706,277) (18,340,498) Other operating expenses (180,515) (1,363,201) (194,255) (1,024,079) (2,301,445) (327,953) Other general expenses (11,322,509) - - (27,296,093) (11,756,531) (1,675,292) Total operating costs and expenses (212,356,611) (201,850,487) (28,763,465) (628,912,289) (626,229,256) (89,236,954) Other operating income 796,141 14,496,942 2,065,798 14,587,926 51,347,340 7,316,937 Income from operations 127,489,607 99,530,195 14,182,940 287,932,220 251,450,925 35,831,471 Interest income and other, net 13,514,958 7,467,287 1,064,080 30,587,298 27,376,005 3,901,050 Interest expense (3,004,677) (115,851) (16,509) (10,896,629) (4,484,909) (639,094) Gains (losses) from investment in equity securities 365,577 10,015,229 1,427,159 (4,434,821) (769,747) (109,688) Other income, net 2,150,576 (34,647,093) (4,937,171) 42,846,940 (17,938,054) (2,556,152) Income before income taxes 140,516,041 82,249,767 11,720,499 346,035,008 255,634,220 36,427,587 Income tax expense (31,888,801) (24,053,937) (3,427,659) (87,620,126) (76,155,862) (10,852,124) Income (loss) before share of gains in equity investees 108,627,240 58,195,830 8,292,840 258,414,882 179,478,358 25,575,463 Share of loss/(income) in equity investees, net of tax (83,027) 405,064 57,721 (869,910) (464,693) (66,218) Net income(loss) 108,544,213 58,600,894 8,350,561 257,544,972 179,013,665 25,509,245 GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Restaurant Business Results Quarter Ended Nine Month Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Revenues Leased-and-operated revenues 80,358,490 41,117,277 5,859,165 248,698,564 130,792,112 18,637,727 Franchised-and- managed revenues 4,070,541 1,757,933 250,503 7,235,800 5,527,686 787,689 Wholesales and others 37,355,462 27,766,790 3,956,736 97,978,792 77,272,388 11,011,227 Total revenues 121,784,493 70,642,000 10,066,404 353,913,156 213,592,186 30,436,643 Operating costs and expenses Restaurant operating costs (87,814,484) (53,365,650) (7,604,544) (292,122,643) (170,642,273) (24,316,329) Selling and marketing expenses (12,026,085) (2,881,942) (410,673) (21,411,730) (8,473,078) (1,207,404) General and administrative expenses (11,858,500) (7,023,449) (1,000,833) (33,197,310) (22,802,128) (3,249,277) Other operating expenses (120,654) (654,777) (93,305) (7,111,308) (2,136,726) (304,481) Other general expenses - - - - - - Total operating costs and expenses (111,819,723) (63,925,818) (9,109,355) (353,842,991) (204,054,205) (29,077,491) Other operating income 339,881 157,126 22,390 1,219,013 2,074,964 295,680 Income from operations 10,304,651 6,873,308 979,439 1,289,178 11,612,945 1,654,832 Interest income and other, net 147,080 20,746 2,956 454,091 62,528 8,910 Interest expense (735,814) (310) (44) (2,240,392) (310) (44) Gains (losses) from investment in equity securities - - - - - - Other income, net (370,578) (6,028) (859) 79,306 (33,122) (4,720) Income before income taxes 9,345,339 6,887,716 981,492 (417,817) 11,642,041 1,658,978 Income tax expense (496,438) (276,704) (39,430) (4,843,969) (1,356,473) (193,296) Income (loss) before share of gains in equity investees 8,848,901 6,611,012 942,062 (5,261,786) 10,285,568 1,465,682 Share of loss/(income) in equity investees, net of tax - - - - - - Net income(loss) 8,848,901 6,611,012 942,062 (5,261,786) 10,285,568 1,465,682 GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Quarter Ended Nine Month Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Operating activities: Net (loss) income 117,393,114 65,211,908 9,292,623 251,896,867 184,768,634 26,329,320 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 32,167,798 28,690,959 4,088,429 92,487,725 89,170,635 12,706,714 Impairment of long-lived assets - - - 2,900,000 - - Share of (gains) losses in equity method investments 83,027 (405,064) (57,721) 869,910 464,693 66,218 Noncash lease expense 58,627,753 68,398,682 9,746,734 193,450,844 205,628,129 29,301,774 Loss from disposal of a subsidiary - (4,925,221) (701,838) 1,223,952 (5,764,903) (821,492) Interest income (2,025,838) (1,199,222) (170,888) (3,683,748) (6,416,109) (914,288) Bad debt expenses 18,349,856 12,615,651 1,797,716 37,029,330 34,383,723 4,899,641 (Gains) losses and impairment on equity securities held (365,577) (10,015,229) (1,427,159) 4,434,821 5,409,426 770,837 Loss (gains) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 10,173 332,997 47,452 238,014 (24,783,238) (3,531,583) Foreign exchange (gains) losses 819,037 7,449,403 1,061,531 (269,162) (1,314,548) (187,322) Share-based compensation (11,998) 15,662 2,232 16,594 46,986 6,695 Accounts receivable (18,632,382) (5,363,153) (764,243) (13,516,688) (13,092,304) (1,865,638) Prepaid rent (129,472) - - (129,472) - - Inventories 637,459 223,113 31,793 8,088,185 15,112,676 2,153,539 Amounts due from related parties 3,930,789 2,188,419 311,847 5,559,317 2,488,246 354,572 Other current assets (5,238,709) (6,330,209) (902,048) (40,136,745) (1,245,258) (177,448) Other assets 1,942,473 (2,775,493) (395,505) 7,889,240 (1,474,535) (210,120) Accounts payable (19,131,574) (7,758,061) (1,105,515) (29,048,734) (20,318,304) (2,895,335) Amounts due to related parties 5,053,227 788,969 112,427 3,373,836 (615,685) (87,734) Salary and welfare payable (1,443,289) (10,164,582) (1,448,441) 5,029,575 (11,588,641) (1,651,368) Deferred revenue (18,693,576) 17,893,291 2,549,774 (24,552,689) (13,809,645) (1,967,859) Advance from customers 5,344,742 (706,088) (100,617) 1,686,920 (1,123,375) (160,080) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 20,585,844 35,754,773 5,095,014 88,392,990 32,469,157 4,626,818 Income tax payable (638,107) 20,169,690 2,874,158 50,644,167 11,908,367 1,696,929 Unrecognized tax benefits 11,569,800 (4,844,361) (690,316) 43,530,199 (11,040,451) (1,573,252) Operating lease liabilities (54,348,610) (80,036,795) (11,405,152) (179,026,778) (189,805,890) (27,047,123) Other long-term liabilities (159,947) 6,321,131 900,754 (8,241,312) (1,998,698) (284,812) Deferred taxes (911,201) 7,711,357 1,098,860 (32,243,691) 21,677,657 3,089,041 Net cash provided by operating activities 154,784,812 139,242,527 19,841,901 467,893,467 299,136,745 42,626,644 Investing activities: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (833,691) (8,771,704) (1,249,958) (72,566,925) (28,965,630) (4,127,569) Purchases of intangible assets 185,683 - - (166,598) - - Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment (29,960) 451,660 64,361 14,666,721 140,184,760 19,976,168 Payment for acquisition of minority equity - 966,000 137,654 - - - Purchases of a long-term investment - (6,800,000) (968,992) - (6,800,000) (968,992) Repayment of Advances for acquisitions - - - - - - Purchases of short-term investments (150,860,480) - - (202,230,480) - - Proceeds from short-term investments 27,211,463 - - 160,854,647 419,362,037 59,758,612 Increase of long-term time deposits - - - - (222,230,000) (31,667,522) Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries - 1,307,500 186,317 37,800,000 2,807,500 400,066 Loan to related parties - - - - (270,000) (38,475) Loan to third parties - - - - (1,200,000) (170,999) Repayment of loan from third parties 135,930 304,111 43,335 14,553,007 5,900,000 840,743 Loan to fanchisees (6,058,982) (4,050,000) (577,120) (16,033,578) (5,650,000) (805,119) Repayment from franchisees 35,127,246 16,489,580 2,349,746 96,248,818 67,466,801 9,613,942 Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (95,122,791) (102,853) (14,657) 33,125,612 370,605,468 52,810,855 Financing activities: Distribution to the shareholders - - - - (760,321) (108,345) Repurchase of ordinary shares - (300,122) (42,767) - (300,122) (42,767) Repayment of short-term loans (450,600,000) - - (450,600,000) (117,000,000) (16,672,367) Proceeds from bank loans 271,400,000 - - 117,000,000 200,000,000 28,499,772 Capital contribution from non-controlling interest holders (117,000,000) (966,000) (137,654) - (966,000) (137,654) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (296,200,000) (1,266,122) (180,421) (333,600,000) 80,973,557 11,538,639 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (395,858) 142,062 20,244 (52,807) (2,657,865) (378,743) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (236,933,837) 138,015,614 19,667,067 167,366,272 748,057,905 106,597,395 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 1,138,929,311 1,401,643,004 167,581,976 734,629,202 791,600,712 112,802,199 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 901,995,474 1,539,658,617 187,249,043 901,995,474 1,539,658,617 219,399,594 GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Unaudited Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results Quarter Ended Nine Month Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Net income 117,393,115 65,211,908 9,292,623 251,896,868 184,768,634 26,329,320 Deduct: Other operating income 1,136,022 14,654,068 2,088,188 15,806,939 53,422,304 7,612,617 Interest income and other, net 13,662,038 7,488,034 1,067,036 31,041,389 27,438,533 3,909,960 Gains from investment in equity securities 365,577 10,015,229 1,427,159 - - - Share of gain in equity investees, net of tax - 405,064.00 57,721.00 - - - Other income, net 1,779,998 - - 42,926,246 - - Add: Other operating expenses 301,169 2,017,978 287,560 8,135,387 4,438,171 632,434 Other general expenses 11,322,509 - - 27,296,093 11,756,531 1,675,292 Income tax expenses (benefits) 32,385,239 24,330,641 3,467,089 92,335,322 77,512,335 11,045,419 Share of loss in equity investees, net of tax 83,027 - - 869,910 464,693 66,218 Interest expenses 3,740,491 116,161 16,553 13,137,021 4,485,219 639,139 Depreciation and amortization 32,167,798 28,690,959 4,088,429 92,487,725 89,170,635 12,706,714 Losses from investment in equity securities - - - 4,434,821 5,409,426 770,837 Other expense, net - 34,653,121 4,938,030 - 17,862,097 2,545,328 Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) 180,449,713 122,458,373 17,450,180 400,818,573 315,006,904 44,888,124 Quarter Ended Nine Month Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024 RMB RMB US$ RMB RMB US$ Net income 117,393,115 65,211,908 9,292,623 251,896,868 184,768,634 26,329,320 Deduct: Government subsidies (net of 25% tax) - 4,374,750 623,397 6,671,305 4,844,636 690,355 Gains from investment in equity securities (net of 25% tax) 274,183 7,511,422 1,070,369 - - - Other income (net of 25% tax) 1,334,998 - - 32,194,684 - - Add: Share-based compensation (11,998) 15,662 2,232 16,594 46,986 6,695 Losses from investments in equity securities (net of 25% tax) - - - 3,326,116 4,057,070 578,128 Other expense (net of 25% tax) - 25,989,841 3,703,523 - 13,396,573 1,908,996 One-time fees and expenses 220,916 658,981 93,904 2,181,773 1,713,989 244,242 Other general expenses 11,322,509 - - 27,296,093 11,756,531 1,675,292 Income tax expenses related to dividend distribution - 13,496,240 1,923,199 - 13,496,240 1,923,199 Core net income (Non-GAAP) 127,315,361 93,486,460 13,321,714 245,851,454 224,391,387 31,975,517 Core net income per ADS (Non-GAAP) Class A ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.25 0.92 0.13 2.41 2.21 0.31 Class B ordinary share-basic and diluted 1.25 0.92 0.13 2.41 2.21 0.31 Hotel Operational Data September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 Total hotels in operation: 4,185 4,336 Leased and owned hotels 64 56 Franchised hotels 4,121 4,280 Total hotel rooms in operation 307,010 316,461 Leased and owned hotels 7,093 6,367 Franchised hotels 299,917 310,094 Number of cities 354 351 Quarter Ended September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 Occupancy rate (as a percentage) Leased-and-owned hotels 79.0 % 75.9 % Franchised hotels 81.3 % 74.6 % Blended 81.2 % 74.6 % Average daily rate (in RMB) Leased-and-owned hotels 268 258 Franchised hotels 190 179 Blended 192 181 RevPAR (in RMB) Leased-and-owned hotels 212 196 Franchised hotels 155 133 Blended 156 135 Number of Hotels in Operation Number of Hotel Rooms in Operation September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 Mid-to-up-scale 455 527 43,485 49,763 GreenTree Eastern 224 234 23,639 25,245 Deepsleep Hotel 7 7 534 534 Gem 61 91 5,372 8,178 Gya 71 73 5,899 6,071 Vx 92 104 8,041 9,109 Others - 18 - 626 Mid-scale 2,965 2,965 230,655 230,580 GreenTree Inn 2,282 2,336 182,041 184,086 GT Alliance 552 498 39,379 37,366 GreenTree Apartment 20 23 1,308 1,495 Vatica 111 108 7,927 7,633 Others - - - - Economy hotels 765 844 32,870 36,118 Shell 765 844 32,870 36,118 Others - - - - Total 4,185 4,336 307,010 316,461 Restaurant Operational Data September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 Total restaurants in operation: 202 182 Leased and owned restaurants 51 22 Franchised restaurants 151 160 Number of cities 66 53 Da Niang Dumplings 167 159 Bellagio 35 23 Quarter Ended 2023 Q3 2024 Q3 ADT Leased-and-owned restaurants 158 188 Franchised restaurants 101 89 Blended 120 106 AC (in RMB) Leased-and-owned restaurants 87 100 Franchised restaurants 40 33 Blended 55 46 ADS (in RMB) Leased-and-owned restaurants 13,785 18,860 Franchised restaurants 4,015 2,950 Blended 6,570 4,891 For more information, please contact: GreenTree Ms. Selina Yang Phone: +86-158-2166-6251 E-mail: [email protected] Mr. Maple Miao Phone: +86-181-0184-0639 E-mail: [email protected] Christensen In Shanghai Mr. Jerry Xu Phone: +86-138-1680-0706 E-mail: [email protected] In Hong Kong Ms. Karen Hui Phone: +852-9266-4140 E-mail: [email protected] In the US Ms. Linda Bergkamp Phone: +1-480-614-3004 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE GreenTree Hospitality Group Ltd. Havenpark highlights its Education Success Program and scholarship opportunities during National Scholarship Month. OREM, Utah, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- November is National Scholarship Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the critical role scholarships play in expanding access to higher education. In celebration of this important initiative, Havenpark is thrilled to highlight its Education Success Program and the J. Anthony Antonelli Scholarship, both designed to support residents of Havenpark communities in their pursuit of post-secondary education. Havenpark's 2024 J. Anthony Antonelli Scholarship Recipients "Havenpark takes immense pride in awarding academic scholarships to exceptional individuals from our communities. The J. Anthony Antonelli Scholarship is more than just financial assistance, it's a testament to Havenpark's belief in the transformative power of education. Havenpark understands that pursuing knowledge is a vital step toward building a better future, and I am honored to play a part in empowering our residents to reach new heights," said Havenpark Co-Founder and CEO Robbie Pratt. Since 2021, Havenpark has awarded scholarships to 101 students. The students receive up to $10,000 annually to cover expenses for colleges, universities, trade, and vocational schools. This year, 73 percent of recipients are first-generation college students, and 74 percent plan to attend a 4-year college or university. In addition to providing scholarships, Havenpark's Education Success Program also supports students through one-on-one mentoring programs, opportunities to engage with education and career experts through a series of webinars, and counseling to help navigate students through their higher education journey. "Our Education Success Program and scholarship are testaments to our commitment to making higher education accessible to all," said Jason Hale, director of the Education Success Program at Havenpark. "National Scholarship Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of scholarships and to celebrate the achievements of our students who are working hard to reach their educational and career objectives." For more information about Havenpark's Education Success Program and the J. Anthony Antonelli Scholarship, please visit https://havenparkcommunities.com/education-havenpark-academic-scholarship/. Media contact: [email protected] About Havenpark Havenpark is an operator and developer of manufactured home communities and makes caring communities attainable for responsible residents. Havenpark believes in respectful and professional management, well-maintained communities, and attainable homeownership. Havenpark makes long-term investments in its communities, providing enduring value for current and future residents. SOURCE Havenpark Communities CHICAGO, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- National partners of Feeding America are supporting neighbors facing hunger during this busy holiday season. Several Feeding America partners, including Amazon Fresh, BMW, Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc., Food Lion, Fresh Thyme, Giant, Maverik Adventure's First Stop, Mission Driven Foods, Monro and T-Mobile are giving back to help people who may not know where they will find their next meal. The Feeding America nationwide network of more than 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs has been on the front lines responding to increased demand for food assistance this year. 47 million people, including nearly 14 million children, live in food insecure households, and more than 50 million people turned to the charitable food sector for help in 2023. "Millions of people across America turn to food banks, pantries and agencies to help put meals on the table for their families during the holidays," said Casey Marsh, chief development officer at Feeding America. "We're thankful for the many partners that join in and support the movement to end hunger by raising awareness and giving people an opportunity to give back this holiday season." Here are the many ways shoppers can help fight hunger during this giving season: Amazon Fresh. From November 1through December 31, 2024 , Amazon Fresh will donate $0.10 to Feeding America for every purchase of select Amazon private label products, including Aplenty, Amazon Saver, Amazon Kitchen, Happy Belly, Amazon Fresh, and 365 by Whole Foods Market brands at Amazon Fresh stores. From , Amazon Fresh will donate to Feeding America for every purchase of select Amazon private label products, including Aplenty, Amazon Saver, Amazon Kitchen, Happy Belly, Amazon Fresh, and 365 by Whole Foods Market brands at Amazon Fresh stores. BMW. From November 1-30, 2024 , for each purchase of any new BMW at your local participating BMW dealership, $20 will be donated to Feeding America and its partner food banks. Since 2017, BMW's commitment to hunger relief has helped provide more than 17 million meals* through Feeding America's network of food banks. From , for each purchase of any new BMW at your local participating BMW dealership, will be donated to Feeding America and its partner food banks. Since 2017, BMW's commitment to hunger relief has helped provide more than 17 million meals* through Feeding America's network of food banks. Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc . From November 14 through December 24, 2024 , Crate & Barrel, Crate & Kids, CB2, and Hudson Grace will be selling specially marked products to raise donations for Feeding America. Crate & Barrel will also be asking customers to make a donation at the register and online. From , Crate & Barrel, Crate & Kids, CB2, and will be selling specially marked products to raise donations for Feeding America. Crate & Barrel will also be asking customers to make a donation at the register and online. Food Lion . Food Lion will conduct their annual "Holidays Without Hunger" campaign from November 6 and December 10, 2024 . Food Lion stores will sell food boxes for $6 to donate to their local partner Feeding America food bank. Customers will also have an opportunity to donate at the register. Food Lion will conduct their annual "Holidays Without Hunger" campaign from and . Food Lion stores will sell food boxes for to donate to their local partner Feeding America food bank. Customers will also have an opportunity to donate at the register. Fresh Thyme Market . As Fresh Thyme Market continues to give back to the communities they serve, participating Fresh Thyme Market locations will have the option of rounding up at the register throughout the month of November 2024 to help provide meals for local food banks within the Feeding America network. As Fresh Thyme Market continues to give back to the communities they serve, participating Fresh Thyme Market locations will have the option of rounding up at the register throughout the month of to help provide meals for local food banks within the Feeding America network. The GIANT Company . From November 11-24, 2024 , every time you purchase $15 of select products at your local GIANT store, you can receive $5 off your total purchase, while also generating a $10 donation to Feeding America benefiting local food banks. Join The GIANT Company's Million Meals Campaign to help provide meals to neighbors facing hunger this holiday season. From , every time you purchase of select products at your local GIANT store, you can receive off your total purchase, while also generating a donation to Feeding America benefiting local food banks. Join The GIANT Company's Million Meals Campaign to help provide meals to neighbors facing hunger this holiday season. Maverik - Adventure's First Stop. Maverik's annual Round Up Your Change campaign is back. Following their 2023 acquisition of Kum & Go, this year's campaign spans their combined 20-state footprint, featuring over 840 participating stores and support for 38 food banks. The campaign runs from October 23 through December 4 , 2024. Maverik's annual Round Up Your Change campaign is back. Following their 2023 acquisition of Kum & Go, this year's campaign spans their combined 20-state footprint, featuring over 840 participating stores and support for 38 food banks. The campaign runs from , 2024. Mission Driven Foods. From November 27 through December 4, 2024 , Mission Driven Foods will offer for sale its full product line of meat and seafood through Misfits Market and has committed to a minimum contribution of $50,000 and a maximum contribution of $200,000 from this promotion. For each unit of Mission Driven Foods product sold, Mission Driven Foods will donate $1.00 to Feeding America. From , Mission Driven Foods will offer for sale its full product line of meat and seafood through Misfits Market and has committed to a minimum contribution of and a maximum contribution of from this promotion. For each unit of Mission Driven Foods product sold, Mission Driven Foods will donate to Feeding America. Monro. This holiday season November 1 - December 31, 2024 , Monro's family of automotive service and tire brands will invite customers to donate at the register to support hunger relief through Feeding America, with Monro committing a minimum donation of $150,000 . This holiday season , Monro's family of automotive service and tire brands will invite customers to donate at the register to support hunger relief through Feeding America, with Monro committing a minimum donation of . T-Mobile. On Giving Tuesday, for every tap of the offer in the T-Mobile app, T-Mobile will donate $1 to Feeding America, up to $200,000 . People can help fight hunger this holiday season in other ways, such as volunteering, making a donation or engaging on social media. Contact your local food bank to see how you can help during the holidays and beyond. For more information on ways you can help Feeding America and its partners support people facing hunger year-round, visit feedingamerica.org. *$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local partner food banks. Media Contact Emily James Feeding America About Feeding America Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more. SOURCE Feeding America WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Since Donald Trump's election victory, Iran decided against retaliatory strikes on Israel and Qatar reportedly agreed to expel Hamas executives from Doha. Today at the National Press Club, families of hostages held in Gaza appealed for the President-Elect's intervention. Barry Rosen, who was held captive during the Iran hostage crisis for 444 days, drew powerful parallels to the current situation. "As someone who endured solitary confinement and mock executions before President Reagan secured our release, I see the 101 hostages held by Hamas living in conditions that are profoundly more inhumane than what I went through," said Rosen. "With Trump now poised to return to the White House, we turn to a leader who has proven himself as the ultimate dealmaker." "We are approaching a dark milestone where seven American citizens will have been held hostage longer than during the Iran crisis," warned Ronen Neutra, father of American hostage Omer Neutra. "Iran's hostages were released just minutes after President Ronald Reagan was sworn in. We believe President-Elect Trump can have a Reagan moment of his own." Dr. Shoshan Haran, who endured 50 days of captivity with her daughter and young grandchildren Yahel and Naveh before being released, shared her harrowing experience. "Today, my grandchildren await their father's return with unwavering hope, praying for him daily. They've already planned every detail of his homecomingwhere to hang the balloons, where to display the drawings they've made for him." She expressed confidence in Trump's proven leadership abilities: "We have witnessed President-Elect Trump's unprecedented achievements in the Middle East through the Abraham Accords. This demonstrated his unique ability to bring parties together and achieve what many thought impossible." Her son-in-law Tal Shoham remains in captivity after 412 days. Nizar Zakka, President of Hostage Aid Worldwide who was freed from Iranian captivity in 2019 during the Trump administration, shared his perspective: "As someone who spent 1,362 days in captivity, I deeply understand what it means to have your freedom stripped away. This is probably the largest hostage crisis in recent history, and a global humanitarian crisis that demands our collective attention." "This dire humanitarian crisis cannot be a political issue," emphasized Orna Neutra, mother of Omer who has now spent 412 days in Hamas captivity. "As winter approaches for the second time, with all resources depleted, Omer and the others are out of time." "At the Republican convention, we listened to Mr. Trump threaten Hamas: 'We want our hostages back, and they better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price,'" recalled Ronen Neutra. "We urge President Trump to seize the moment." For additional information or media inquiries, please contact Sophie Gilpin at [email protected]. Contact: Sophie Gilpin Email: [email protected] SOURCE Hostage Aid Worldwide The animal welfare community gathered to honor the 92 groups receiving grants for 2025. HOUSTON, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, November 18, Houston PetSet , a local nonprofit organization working to end Houston's homeless animal crisis, hosted their yearly Thanks+Gifting Event. The evening took place at Warehouse Live Midtown where more than 200 guests gathered to honor the recipients of Houston PetSet's annual grant program. Another record-breaking year will boast more than $401,300 distributed to 92 Houston-area animal welfare nonprofits. View Photos Here. Every year, Houston PetSet raises crucial funds at their Fierce & Fabulous Soiree which are then granted to 501c3 organizations doing invaluable work for Houston's animal welfare. This year the primary focus was on spay and neuter programs, as this is one of the keys to solving the animal homelessness crisis. Each applicant undergoes a rigorous process to be selected as a grant partner. Over the course of the past 20 years, Houston PetSet has granted more than $4 million to deserving groups. This year's recipients had a cumulative operating budget of $123 million in 2023, and they spent $19.7 million of that on spay and neuter alone. In 2023, more than 600,000 people and 157,000 pets were directly impacted by these organizations. "Houston PetSet's Thanks+Gifting Event is the most important event we hold each year," said Houston PetSet Co-President Tena Lundquist Faust. "It is both inspiring and heartwarming to gather nearly 100 animal welfare groups in one room to cheer for each other as their names are read aloud. We are so proud to lock arms with these volunteers and professionals as they work together to help mitigate Houston's stray animal crisis. We now need our county and city to step up and do their part for the animals." The Houston PetSet Grant Committee selects one or two groups per grant cycle to receive the Ann Kaesermann Impact Award for going above and beyond for the animals of Houston. In addition to their annual grants, these honorees receive a second financial gift to bolster their vital contributions. This year, Lone Star Animal Welfare League and Good Lif3 Bully Rescue were presented with the Impact Award. All of the 2024 grant recipients can be viewed on Houston PetSet's website at https://houstonpetset.org/grants/. ABOUT HOUSTON PETSET: Houston PetSet gives, connects, and advocates for lasting solutions in Houston to alleviate suffering and end companion animal homelessness. The 501c3 nonprofit umbrella organization does this through their own local programming and by supporting groups that have demonstrated accountability and are making an impact "in the trenches" in our community for the animals. SOURCE Houston PetSet Award evaluation process included 38 U.S. automotive brands Editors considered safety data, predicted reliability ratings, and cabin and cargo space among other factors Hyundai's popular range of SUVs includes the Kona, Tucson , Santa Fe and Palisade, along with the IONIQ 5 EV and Kona Electric FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai has been awarded the 2025 Best SUV Brand by U.S. News & World Report. The award recognizes industry-wide excellence of the automotive market and reflects the best combination of safety, reliability, space, convenience, and connectivity. The publication's editors evaluated 38 automotive brands and concluded that Hyundai SUVs stood out, not only due to the exceptional quality of its Palisade, Tucson and Tucson HEV models, but also on the strength of its vast SUV lineup including Santa Fe, Kona, Kona Electric, and IONIQ 5 EV. Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report named the 2024 Hyundai Tucson its Best Compact SUV for the third consecutive year and the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was selected as the Best Electric Vehicle for Families. Hyundai 2024 SUV Lineup "As the popularity for SUVs continues to grow, so does the competition for market share," said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president, product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. "Amidst such a challenging landscape, we are truly honored to receive such a strong accolade by U.S. News & World Report. Our SUV lineup offers the styling, space, quality and technology customers are seeking. This success is also evidenced by our SUV sales increases. Last month, Tucson HEV enjoyed its best-ever sales month in total and retail sales. We look forward to expanding our lead as the Best SUV Brand as we launch our newest all-electric SUV at the Los Angeles AutoMobility show." "A key consideration for consumers during the car-buying process is the strength of an automaker's brand and how it's reflected on the quality of the cars in its lineup," said John M. Vincent, senior automotive correspondent at U.S. News & World Report. "With high-quality products in nearly every SUV segment and fantastic warranty coverage, Hyundai is a brand that every shopper should consider when they're in the market for a new vehicle." In their evaluations, the U.S. News & World Report editorial team looked at each company's product offerings, evaluating elements like safety data, predicted reliability ratings, passenger and cargo space and the consensus opinion of the automotive press. To determine the award winners, U.S. News Best Cars averaged the overall score of all the given brand's products in each award class. The brand with the highest average score was designated the winner in that specific category. U.S. News Best Cars Since 2007, U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings of the majority of new vehicles sold in America. Each year, U.S. News also publishes the Best Cars awards, including Best Vehicle Brands , Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families . U.S. News Best Cars supports car shoppers throughout the entire car-buying journey, offering advice for researching cars , finding cars for sale near you and getting the best rate on car insurance . U.S. News Best Cars had more than 73 million visitors over the past year, with the majority actively shopping for a car. Eighty percent of active shoppers reported that the U.S. News Best Cars site influenced their car purchasing decision. Hyundai Motor America Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 835 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com. Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok SOURCE Hyundai Motor America Info-Tech Research Group has announced the global expansion of its flagship event, Info-Tech LIVE, with new events set for Australia in March 2025, Las Vegas in June 2025, and the EMEA region in fall 2025. In addition to its growing international reach, Info-Tech LIVE will also feature new events across North America, with other locations and event formats to be announced in the coming months. TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Info-Tech Research Group, a global leader in IT research and advisory, has announced the international expansion of its flagship conference, Info-Tech LIVE, in 2025. For the first time, Info-Tech LIVE events will be hosted in multiple locations, starting with Brisbane, Australia, March 18-19, 2025, followed by Las Vegas, Nevada, June 10-13, 2025, and the EMEA region in fall 2025. Info-Tech Research Group has announced the global expansion of its flagship event, Info-Tech LIVE, with new events set for Australia in March 2025, Las Vegas in June 2025, and the EMEA region in fall 2025. In addition to its growing international reach, Info-Tech LIVE will also feature new events across North America, with other locations and event formats to be announced in the coming months. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group) With these events, Info-Tech LIVE will reach a broader global audience, delivering actionable insights and research that IT leaders, professionals, and industry experts have come to expect. The move to offer the popular event in more locations is driven by the success of previous conferences and reflects the growing demand for region-specific insights and strategies from Info-Tech's expert analysts. "Our goal with Info-Tech LIVE has always been to push boundaries and equip IT leaders with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex technological landscape," says Info-Tech Research Group's Chief Research Officer, Gord Harrison. "By expanding globally in 2025, we're offering more IT professionals the opportunity to engage directly with our experts and take away insights that are tailored to their unique regional challenges." Attendees of Info-Tech LIVE conferences can expect an agenda filled with industry keynotes, interactive sessions, and hands-on workshops that focus on the most critical topics shaping the future of IT. These events will offer unparalleled networking opportunities, one-on-one sessions with Info-Tech's analysts and experts, and exclusive insights into the research and trends driving the industry forward. Exhibitors and media are invited to be part of Info-Tech LIVE. The firm's conferences provide a unique platform for exhibitors to showcase their products and services to a highly engaged audience of IT decision-makers. Journalists, podcasters, and influencers will have access to exclusive content, research, and interviews with industry leaders. Media professionals looking to apply for media passes can contact [email protected]. For organizations interested in more information about becoming an Info-Tech LIVE exhibitor, please visit Info-Tech's events page or contact [email protected]. Further details on the event theme, keynote speakers, and registration will be announced in the coming months. Follow Info-Tech Research Group on LinkedIn and X for updates. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software-buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected] . SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group TAIPEI, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KryptoGO, a leading Web3 infrastructure provider, offers an innovative wallet solution to help businesses offer secure and stable crypto payment services without the need for costly in-house development . With its Wallet as a Service (WaaS), KryptoGO enables enterprises to quickly integrate efficient and cost-effective crypto payment solutions while focusing on their business operations. Why Choose KryptoGO's Wallet Solution? KryptoGO helped Ocean Wallet offer the lowest USDT transfer fees on the TRON blockchain. Developing a secure, multi-chain crypto wallet from scratch presents significant challenges , including extensive security measures, maintaining fast and reliable transaction speeds, and controlling development and operational costs. A recent PwC global CEO survey highlighted that security concerns, regulatory issues, and operational complexities are key barriers for businesses adopting digital asset solutions. Additionally, Coinbase's report states that 87% of Fortune 500 executives cited a lack of clear regulations as a significant obstacle in their digital asset investments. KryptoGO's WaaS addresses these issues by providing a white-label wallet service that businesses can easily integrate, ensuring strong performance and compliance. Competitive Advantage: Speed and Cost Control KryptoGO has optimized transaction speeds and minimized costs through extensive benchmarking and performance evaluations. On the TRON blockchain, KryptoGO delivers transaction notifications within 1.2 seconds and reduces transaction fees by at least 20% compared to other wallets. These advantages stem from the team's expertise in blockchain development and data index optimization, ensuring faster, more efficient, and dependable transactions. Success Story: Ocean Wallet One of KryptoGO's notable successes in customizable, white-label wallet solutions is Ocean Wallet. In less than two months, Ocean Wallet was able to launch a fully functional, competitive crypto wallet app without needing to hire any developer. With KryptoGO's flexible solution, Ocean Wallet was able to tailor its features to meet the specific needs of its target audiencestablecoins payments in the TRON ecosystem. By leveraging KryptoGO's expertise, Ocean Wallet was able to deliver a seamless wallet experience with the ideal functionality to support its unique business model, achieving fast market entry and providing seamless crypto payment solutions at the lowest possible cost. Building the Future of Crypto Payments For businesses looking to enter Web3 quickly and efficiently, a customizable wallet solution is the key. KryptoGO's Wallet as a Service enables corporates to adopt crypto with minimal development resources. If you're also interested in how KryptoGO can support your Web3 business needs, please contact us or visit www.kryptogo.com. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE KryptoGO Injury firm has been helping people hurt in Raleigh since 1997.* RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is honored on the 2024 'Raleigh's Best' list for both personal injury law and workers' compensation law. The acclaimed list from "The News & Observer" recognizes "the best businesses, organizations and people" in the Raleigh area as chosen by voters.* The firm has provided compassionate legal representation for people navigating personal injury and workers' compensation cases since it opened its doors 27+ years ago. Last year alone, the firm recovered over $225 million total for more than 5,000 clients.** "Being named to this list is a testament to our team's relentless commitment to justice and the Raleigh community," said James S. Farrin, firm President and Founder. "We are honored to stand by our clients during their most challenging times." The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has received several other prestigious awards this year. Among them, the firm was selected to the 2024 'Best Law Firms' list by "Best Lawyers in America" for the ninth consecutive year and to the 2024 'Best Companies to Work For' list among law firms by "U.S. News and World Report."* Locally, the firm was also chosen for a 2024 'Fast 50 Award' by the "Triangle Business Journal."* ABOUT THE LAW OFFICES OF JAMES SCOTT FARRIN The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is one of the largest personal injury firms in North Carolina and has helped over 65,000 injured people since 1997. Operating from 14 offices in NC and one in SC, many of the firm's 60+ accomplished attorneys are recognized professionals in their fields. The firm focuses on providing quality legal services to as many people as possible in the following practice areas: personal injury, car accidents, workers' compensation, whistleblowing, defective products, eminent domain, mass torts, class actions, and Social Security Disability. Contact Information: David Chamberlin 555 S. Mangum Street Suite 800 Durham, NC 27701 1-866-900-7078 https://www.farrin.com Offices in Durham (main), Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, NC, and Greenville, SC. Attorney Michael Shepherd: 555 S. Mangum Street, Suite 800, Durham, NC *'Raleigh's Best' standards of inclusion: votedraleighsbest.com. 'Best Law Firms' standards of inclusion: bestlawyers.com. 'Fast 50' standards of inclusion: bizjournals.com. **Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases because each case is unique and must be evaluated separately SOURCE Law Offices of James Scott Farrin BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Azerbaijan's Health Minister Teymur Musayev delivered a speech during a presentation of the UNAIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) Framework Document on HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and Climate Change at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Health Ministry statement. "The event was organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and UNAIDS. The event featured speeches by Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan; Minister of Health of Azerbaijan; Mbulawa Mugabe, UNAIDS Special Advisor on AIDS and Pandemics; and Etel Maciel, Secretary of Health Surveillance at the Ministry of Health of Brazil," the statement said. The Azerbaijani minister emphasized that HIV remains one of the major global health challenges: Every year, more than one million people worldwide are infected with HIV, and over 600,000 people die from HIV-related illnesses, he said. Musayev highlighted the significant steps Azerbaijan has taken in combating HIV and the substantial progress achieved. According to him, individuals living with HIV in Azerbaijan are provided with antiretroviral medications by the state. Azerbaijan has established strong partnerships with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Fund. By the end of 2023, Azerbaijan achieved notable progress in reaching the global targets of the 89-80-93 HIV testing and treatment cascade for people living with HIV, which ranks among the best in the region, he said. Reminding that climate change was a central topic of discussion at COP29, during which speakers repeatedly highlighted the disproportionate distribution of its impacts, Musayev pointed out that the countries most affected often contribute minimally to solving the global problem. According to him, weather-related disasters, rising sea levels, changes in rainfall patterns, and average temperatures lead to population displacement, the spread of diseases, clean water shortages, food insecurity, and damage to healthcare infrastructure. It was highlighted that evidence-based research confirms that such conditions exacerbate mental health problems, increase violence and child marriages, and promote substance abuse. "Interruptions in healthcare delivery further limit access to HIV treatment, prevention, and mental health services. This ultimately leads to increased morbidity and mortality, particularly among vulnerable groups. The complex effects contribute to rising HIV rates and undermine decades of progress in combating the epidemic. "At COP29 held in Baku, the international community has come together to address the global impacts of climate change. Among the existing challenges, its effects on health are the most significant. Mitigating the health impacts of climate change is a long and complex process. However, the sooner we take the necessary steps, the sooner we will achieve success. Building climate-resilient healthcare systems and training the health workforce are crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including ending the HIV epidemic. Only through international solidarity, equitable resource distribution, and the exchange of knowledge and best practices can we create a climate-resilient society where health challenges are addressed and the protection of public health is ensured," concluded the minister. The event continued with panel discussions. 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 A 1,035% growth over three years #23 in New York State #14 in New York City #14 in #68 in the competitive Software & services category Dima Gutzeit, Founder & CEO of LeapXpert, credits the company's innovative platform, a robust partnership ecosystem, and the company's exceptional team with the company's 1035% revenue growth and high ranking on the list. "Our inclusion in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 reflects the strength of our vision and innovation," said Gutzeit. "We were the first to bridge messaging channels with enterprise systems, enabling us to deliver modern communications solutions with unparalleled governance and compliance. In addition, this achievement would not have been possible without our exceptional team, whose relentless drive and dedication continue to propel us forward at warp speed. I am also deeply grateful for our robust partnerships with many of the world's leading tech innovators, which have played a pivotal role in our success." LeapXpert is the only Digital Communications Governance & Archiving (DCGA) provider included in the Fast 500 list this year. Overall, 2024 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 201% to 153,625% over the past three years, with a median growth rate of 460%. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies both public and private in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023.In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About LeapXpert LeapXpert, the responsible business communication pioneer, provides enterprises peace of mind through compliant and secure communication solutions. The LeapXpert Communications Platform enables compliant, governed, and secure communication between enterprise employees and their clients across consumer messaging and voice channels, while leveraging Communication Intelligence to enhance front-office employee productivity and decision-making. LeapXpert, a Gartner Cool Vendor, is headquartered in New York, with offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Asia. Hundreds of enterprise customers, with hundreds of thousands of users in more than 45 countries, depend on LeapXpert daily for Digital Communications Governance. For more information, visit www.leapxpert.com. 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. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564666/LeapXpert.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1770411/LeapXpert_Logo.jpg SOURCE LeapXpert Foremost pre-settlement funding company has hired additional underwriters to handle anticipated boon of lawsuit loan funding requests WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay Pre Settlement Funding has always offered lawsuit loan funding nationwide, but today they announce lawsuit loan funding needs specifically for customers in our nation's capital. Whether you're looking for a settlement loan for your workplace harassment or discrimination lawsuit, childhood sexual abuse lawsuit, personal injury lawsuit, or motor vehicle accident lawsuit, Legal Bay has got you covered. Legal Bay's newly revamped website allows customers to get answers to all their lawsuit loan funding questions. And their newly-expanded underwriting department is prepared to keep up with the influx of application filings, getting settlement funds into plaintiffs' hands as easily and quickly as possible. Georgetown lawsuit loans, Capitol Hill settlement loans, Dupont Circle loans for lawsuit, Foggy Bottom loans on settlement, and Brentwood lawsuit funding loans are just the tip of the iceberg. Legal Bay can get lawsuit loan funds to almost any plaintiff in any area for almost any type of case. Legal Bay has already handled hundreds of lawsuit loan requests across the country for cases such as the PG&E Camp Fire, Rikers Island prison sexual assault, workplace sexual harassment and gender discrimination, along with class action and mass tort lawsuits against heavy hitters like Johnson & Johnson and Monsanto. Legal Bay has wide-ranging experience when it comes to almost every type of case. Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay, commented on the company's dedication to assisting their clients, "We are well acquainted with the many various types of lawsuits from personal injury to wildfire property damage to medical malpractice. For plaintiffs who are tired of waiting for their lawsuits to settle, legal funding can be a great way to get some money noweven before their case ever makes it to the inside of a courtroom." 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: Washington D.C. Lawsuit Loans Legal-Bay is known to many as the best lawsuit loan funding provider in the industry for their helpful and knowledgeable staff, and one of the best lawsuit loan companies overall for their low rates and quick turnaround, sometimes within 24-48 hours once all documents have been received. To apply right now for a loan settlement program, please visit the company's website here: Washington D.C. Lawsuit Loans or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by to answer any questions. SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC Building on unparalleled nuclear experience, James Owen to lead Fuse's strategy to build technology solutions for sustainable, clean, reliable energy SAN LEANDRO, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuse , a leading nuclear fusion company dedicated to accelerating the world's transition to fusion energy while safeguarding humankind, today announced the appointment of Los Alamos National Laboratory's (LANL) Chief Engineer for Nuclear Weapons, James Owen, as President of Fuse Federal, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary focused on U.S. government business. Los Alamos Chief Engineer Joins Nuclear Fusion Startup Fuse to Lead Federal Business "James Owen's unparalleled background in nuclear engineering and his leadership at Los Alamos National Lab make him the ideal person to spearhead our federal business," said JC Btaiche, Founder and CEO of Fuse. "His experience and unique background at LANL will be invaluable as we strive to solve one of humanity's grandest challenges: fusion energy." At Los Alamos, Owen was responsible for the oversight of all weapons engineering activities in support of the Lab's national security mission to ensure America's nuclear deterrent remains effective and secure. Notably, Owen led and delivered four stockpile modernization programs while sustaining the United States' legacy deterrent through surveillance, weapons response, and more. Owen oversaw six divisions at Los Alamos with over 1,300 staff members and an annual budget of $1 billion dollars. LANL's heritage stretches back to the Manhattan Project, and now Owen will be working on what many consider humanity's next Manhattan Project: unlocking clean and abundant fusion energy. As President of Fuse Federal, Owen will leverage his extensive experience in nuclear technologies to lead the company's efforts in providing critical products and testing services for components of the nuclear stockpile and other defense infrastructure. He will focus on expanding the company's radiation services, a critical component of nuclear fusion energy, for government customers while also contributing to Fuse's overall strategy for commercializing fusion energy technology as a source of clean energy. Owen will join Fuse's executive team to drive the expansion of fusion and pulsed power products and services for the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and other customers. Owen expressed enthusiasm about joining Fuse: "Since beginning as a summer student in 1988, I have been privileged to work with the most amazing people on the most important mission for the nation," Owen said. "And I am looking forward to working on one of the most difficult yet important technological challenges facing humanity and our planet fusion energy." The Honorable Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, Fuse board member and former Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, added: "Fuse will provide critically needed and groundbreaking technologies to the national security ecosystem and will support a clean energy future. I am thrilled that James Owen, a pioneer in the nuclear security community has joined the Fuse team, bringing invaluable experience and expertise which will enable the nuclear enterprise to accelerate and execute important missions." About Fuse Fuse is a California-based nuclear fusion company dedicated to accelerating the world's transition to fusion energy while safeguarding humankind. Through its subsidiary, Fuse Federal, the company provides essential radiation services to U.S. government agencies, supporting critical defense and energy initiatives. SOURCE Fuse Energy Technologies Corporation VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) (OTCQB: LMGDF) (the "Company" or "Lumina") is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Ecuador has extended the Los Cangrejos mining concession until 2049. This decision by the Government of Ecuador creates positive conditions to continue the investment plans for Cangrejos. The Company can apply for another 25-year extension beyond 2049. The Company continues to execute its plans to advance the Cangrejos project to a fully permitted, ready to construct project with the following projected milestones: Signing of the binding terms (Acta de Negociacion Final) for the Exploitation Contract Q4 2024 Addendum of the existing Exploration Investment Protection Agreement to include historical investment up to 2024 Q4 2024 Signing of the Complementary Investment Protection Agreement for the construction period Q1 2025 Completion of the Feasibility Study Q2 2025 Submission of the Environmental Impact Study for permitting Q2 2025 Change of Mining Title phase to exploitation H1 2025 Signing of the Exploitation Contract H2 2025 Public Environmental Consultation Specific timing to be determined Lumina continues to advance specific components of the Feasibility Study, including: Completion of a metallurgical test work program at C. H. Plenge & CIA S.A., an independent metallurgical laboratory based in Lima, Peru . . Completion of a geotechnical field program for facility siting was completed to finalize designs, including a total of 20 boreholes, 53 test pits, and over 9,500 metres of geophysics lines. Completion of a Regional Hydrogeology Program, which included the drilling and pump-testing of 12 new wells to support the Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Study baseline. Advancement of an updated resource estimate and mine plan design is near completion by Sim Geological and IMC Tucson. Advancement of final site plans, plant design and receipt of vendor quotes for all major equipment required to generate capital and operating cost estimates for the Feasibility Study are being undertaken by Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC. Qualified Persons Ron Halas, P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer of Lumina and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 has reviewed, verified, and approved the contents of this news release. About Lumina Gold Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LUM) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals development company focused on the Cangrejos Gold-Copper Project located in El Oro Province, southwest Ecuador. In 2023, the Company completed a Pre-Feasibility Study for Cangrejos, which is the largest primary gold deposit in Ecuador. Lumina has an experienced management team with a successful track record of advancing and monetizing exploration projects. Follow us on: Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminagold.com/. To receive future news releases please sign up at https://luminagold.com/contact. LUMINA GOLD CORP. Signed: "Marshall Koval" Marshall Koval, President & CEO, Director 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the timing and completion of the items listed as projected milestones. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "will" or "projected" or variations of those words or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "could", "are proposed to", "are planned to", "are expected to" or "are anticipated to" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks relating to adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE Lumina Gold Corp. NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global marine air conditioning (AC) systems market size is estimated to grow by USD 3.7 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 2.59% during the forecast period. Growth in commercial shipping is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing marpol regulations. However, high safety issues and piracy threats associated with digital air conditioning systems poses a challenge.Key market players include Aquamare Marine Ltd., BRONSWERK GROUP Ltd., Carrier Global Corp., Chongqing Acir Marine Co. Ltd., Daikin Industries Ltd., Dometic Group AB, Eberca Holding BV, Flagship Marine Inc., FRIGOMAR Srl, GEA Group AG, Heinen and Hopman, Johnson Controls International Plc., Mabru Power Systems, MARINAIRE TECHNOLOGIES INC., Nissin Refrigeration and Engineering Ltd., Ocean Breeze, Pompanette LLC, The Koja Group, Veco S.p.A, and Webasto SE. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global marine air conditioning (AC) systems market 2024-2028 Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Marine Air Conditioning (AC) Systems Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.59% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 3702.3 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 2.5 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 53% Key countries China, US, Japan, Germany, and UK Key companies profiled Aquamare Marine Ltd., BRONSWERK GROUP Ltd., Carrier Global Corp., Chongqing Acir Marine Co. Ltd., Daikin Industries Ltd., Dometic Group AB, Eberca Holding BV, Flagship Marine Inc., FRIGOMAR Srl, GEA Group AG, Heinen and Hopman, Johnson Controls International Plc., Mabru Power Systems, MARINAIRE TECHNOLOGIES INC., Nissin Refrigeration and Engineering Ltd., Ocean Breeze, Pompanette LLC, The Koja Group, Veco S.p.A, and Webasto SE Market Driver The Marine Air Conditioning (AC) Systems market is witnessing significant trends in the maritime industry. Strategies for enhancing cabin comfort in ships include the use of both refrigerant air conditioners and evaporative air conditioners. Heat and humidity control are crucial for client satisfaction in passenger vessels like cruise ships, ocean liners, ferries, and yachts. The shipbuilding industry's urbanization and enhanced globalization drive the demand for energy-efficient AC systems. Refrigerant gases are essential for refrigeration systems, but overcapacity and energy efficiency concerns necessitate innovative processes. HVAC systems, including heating and cooling systems, are vital for maritime cargo and passenger vessels. Sea water can be used for cooling in some applications. The market caters to various clients, including the leisure industry, tourism, and maritime cargo. Shipyards are key players in the market, integrating AC systems into new builds and retrofits. Capacity expansion and temperature control are crucial for cargo vessels, while air quality and cabin comfort are essential for passenger vessels. The international community is increasingly concerned about marine pollution, particularly from ships and other ocean-going vessels. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is a significant international regulation addressing this issue. Marine vessels contribute to air pollution through the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and sulfur oxides (SOx). These emissions not only violate National Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM2.5 but also pose risks to marine life and human health near ports and coastlines. To mitigate these environmental concerns, the marine air conditioning (AC) systems market is witnessing significant growth as these systems help reduce emissions from ships by improving energy efficiency and reducing the need for auxiliary power, thereby reducing overall emissions. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The Marine Air Conditioning (AC) Systems market faces several challenges in the maritime industry. With increasing heat and humidity on cabin decks, there's a growing demand for efficient refrigerant air conditioners and evaporative air conditioners. However, the process of integrating these systems into ships can be complex, involving considerations for air quality, cabin comfort, and energy efficiency. The shipbuilding industry, including cruise ships, ocean liners, ferries, and yachts, is a significant client base for marine AC systems. Urbanization and enhanced globalization have led to an increase in maritime cargo and tourism, putting pressure on capacity and temperature control. Sea water and non-major ports can also pose challenges for marine AC systems, requiring innovative solutions for cooling and heating systems. Overcapacity and energy efficiency are key concerns, as the industry strives to meet growing demand while minimizing environmental impact. HVAC systems, including refrigeration and heating, are essential for maintaining cabin comfort in various maritime applications, from cargo vessels to passenger vessels. Shipyards are continually exploring new technologies to meet these challenges and provide top-notch solutions for the maritime industry. In summary, the marine AC Systems market is a dynamic and evolving sector, requiring innovative strategies to address the unique challenges of the maritime industry, including temperature control, energy efficiency, and cabin comfort for various applications, from cargo vessels to yachting and maritime tourism. The maritime industry plays a crucial role in globalization by facilitating economic interlinking among countries. However, it faces a significant challenge in the form of piracy. In recent years, piracy and armed robbery incidents have increased in Europe , Southeast Asia , East Asia , South Asia , the Persian Gulf, Madagascar , the Canary Islands, North America , and the Caribbean Sea. Ineffective government policies and socio-economic factors, including widespread drought and famine in Somalia , contribute to the allure of piracy for coastal populations in the region. This trend poses a serious threat to the safety and security of ships and their crews, as well as to the overall efficiency and profitability of the maritime industry. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This marine air conditioning (ac) systems market report extensively covers market segmentation by Product 1.1 Chiller systems 1.2 Self contained systems 1.3 Split systems End-user 2.1 Leisure ships 2.2 Commercial ships Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Chiller systems- Marine air conditioning systems, including chiller systems, play a crucial role in providing cooling and climate control for the interior spaces of boats, ships, and other maritime vessels. Chiller systems, which are a common type of air conditioning system in marine environments, have become increasingly energy-efficient over time. This energy efficiency is a significant draw for vessel operators looking to reduce energy consumption and operating costs. With the expansion of marine tourism and leisure industries globally, the demand for advanced air conditioning systems, such as chiller systems, is on the rise. Passengers expect a comfortable and enjoyable experience on leisure ships, and owners are investing in these systems to meet these expectations. Technological advancements, energy efficiency concerns, and environmental regulations are also driving the demand for chiller systems in marine air conditioning. The market for these systems is expected to grow as the marine industry evolves and the need for comfortable and efficient onboard environments for passengers and crew members continues to increase. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Marine Air Conditioning (AC) Systems market caters to the cooling and temperature control needs of ships, ensuring optimal conditions for crew comfort and preservation of cargo. These systems utilize refrigerant gases to absorb heat from the air and release it into the sea water. The market is driven by urbanization and enhanced globalization, leading to an increase in demand for modern shipping fleets. The shipbuilding industry is a significant end-user, integrating AC systems as standard equipment. Overcapacity in the market, however, presents a challenge, necessitating strategies for energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Temperature and air quality control are essential considerations for both crew comfort and cargo preservation, making AC systems an indispensable component of modern maritime operations. Market Research Overview The Marine Air Conditioning (AC) Systems market caters to the cooling and heating needs of various marine vessels, including cruise ships, ocean liners, ferries, yachts, and cargo vessels. These systems ensure cabin comfort by regulating temperature, humidity, and air quality. Refrigerant air conditioners and evaporative air conditioners are the primary types used. The market is driven by urbanization, enhanced globalization, and the growing demand for maritime tourism and leisure industry. The process involves the use of refrigerant gases to cool down the hot air and remove moisture. Heat is expelled into the sea water or through the ship's exhaust. Shipyards and non-major ports are significant clients in the market. Overcapacity and energy efficiency are key challenges. HVAC systems, heating systems, and refrigeration systems are integral components of marine AC systems. The maritime industry's expansion, especially in cruising and cargo shipping, fuels market growth. Capacity, temperature, and cargo vessels are crucial factors influencing market trends. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Chiller Systems Self Contained Systems Split Systems End-user Leisure Ships Commercial Ships Geography APAC Europe North America South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), today announced the appointment of David Pressman as Senior Underwriter Marine Cargo, with immediate effect. David Pressman, Senior Underwriter, Marine Cargo at Markel Pressman will support the profitable expansion of Markel's Marine Cargo portfolio in London, by servicing new and renewal business as well as fostering strong relationships with broker partners, ensuring high service levels are maintained. He will also be responsible for identifying new areas to scale further profitable growth and supporting members in the Marine Cargo underwriting team with their professional development. Pressman is a seasoned underwriter possessing 11 years of experience within the insurance industry. Before joining Markel, he was employed at AEGIS London, where he served in a marine cargo underwriting capacity. Before this position, Pressman spent more than eight years at MS Amlin, starting out as a Binding Authority Technician before progressing to the role of Marine Cargo Underwriter. Based at Markel's London office, Pressman will report directly to Brook Styles, Head of Marine Cargo. Styles commented: "The marine cargo market is continuing to navigate a plethora of challenges - from the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea to the increase in natural disasters - which are causing supply chains disruptions and security concerns for the transportation of goods worldwide. "I'm therefore delighted to welcome David to our Cargo team here in London. His strong track record, deep sector knowledge and 11 years of market experience in developing and managing cargo portfolios will add further bench strength to our well-established underwriting team. This appointment will further strengthen our leadership profile with our existing London market brokers and global partners while positioning us for long-term, profitable growth over the coming years." About Markel We are Markel, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we operate the Markel Specialty, Markel International, and Markel Global Reinsurance divisions, as well as State National, our portfolio protection and program services operations, and Nephila, our insurance-linked securities operations. Our broad array of capabilities and expertise allow us to create intelligent solutions for the most complex risk management needs. However, it is our peopleand the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clientsthat differentiates us worldwide. SOURCE Markel The new "This Is Home" campaign embodies a deep commitment to meaningful storytelling and the shared experiences of North Texans. DALLAS, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrated creative marketing agency Medium Giant is excited to announce the launch of a new brand campaign created for its sister company, The Dallas Morning News. Called "This is Home," this new campaign is designed to build community, reinforce reader trust, and resonate with people where they are. It embodies a deep commitment to meaningful storytelling and the shared experiences of North Texans. Westchester Drive & Grassmere Lane. We relentlessly capture everything that is North Texas, connecting you to the people and places all around us. Full hearts. University Park. For more than 150 years, The News has chronicled the stories that shape the lives and perspectives of its readers, who are also its friends and neighbors. More than just a professional endeavor, this work is rooted in personal connection and dedication because this is home. "This brand campaign with Medium Giant represents an exciting collaboration that goes beyond creative work; it's about building a meaningful connection with our members and our community who we want to become members," says Grant Moise, CEO of DallasNews Corporation and president and publisher of The Dallas Morning News. "We hope this campaign helps break through the lack of trust in the media that exists in our country, and helps North Texas understand we want to help them make this community feel smaller, safer, and more like home." Indeed, "This is Home" tells the full story of what it means to be part of North Texas. This includes the triumphs, joys, and challenges the community faces. From the pervasive impact of the fentanyl crisis and the challenges of the toll roads to stories that spotlight resilience and hope, The News is committed to covering the multifaceted nature of life in the region. "Working with The Dallas Morning News to launch this new campaign has been a dream come true," says John Kiker, president of Medium Giant. "Our team has spent 15 months researching, brainstorming, interviewing, and developing concepts, bringing to life an idea with the power to resonate deeply and make an impact on everyone who encounters it. I couldn't be more proud of the team and the depth of emotional commitment they've poured into this project." An important element of the campaign is the concept of intersections where stories, people, and perspectives meet. The News sees itself as an essential part of these intersections, providing its readers with the information and context needed to build their own views while appreciating the perspectives of others. Launching this week, "This is Home" will spotlight iconic intersections across North Texas, bringing to life the places where stories converge and resonate. It's an invitation to readers to see their home not just through the headlines but through shared experiences and deeper community ties. Stay tuned as "This is Home" unfolds, continuing The News' legacy of impactful, relevant journalism. For more information, visit dallasnews.com . About Medium Giant Medium Giant, with offices in Dallas and Tulsa, Okla., is an integrated creative marketing agency with a leading roster of world-class brands and companies. It is dedicated to designing, creating, and delivering stories that drive customers to act and includes a team of more than 100 creative storytellers applying this sensibility to clients' business acumen. Medium Giant is a wholly owned business of DallasNews Corporation. For additional information, visit mediumgiant.co . About DallasNews Corporation DallasNews Corporation is the Dallas-based holding company of The Dallas Morning News and Medium Giant. The Dallas Morning News is Texas' leading daily newspaper with an excellent journalistic reputation, intense regional focus and close community ties. With offices in Dallas and Tulsa, Medium Giant is an integrated creative marketing agency dedicated to designing, creating and delivering stories that drive customers to act. For additional information, visit dallasnewscorporation.com or email [email protected]. SOURCE Medium Giant Recognition is a testament to MPOWER's mission-driven growth as it fuels the educational dreams of students from around the world WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MPOWER Financing ("MPOWER"), a mission-driven fintech firm and the leader in international student financing, is proud to announce its recognition on the prestigious 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list. MPOWER ranked No. 275 among the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America. "This recognition is a testament to our unwavering mission to eMPOWER the dreams of students from around the world." Post this This recognition on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 is a testament to our unwavering mission to eMPOWER the dreams of students from around the world, said Sasha Ramani, head of corporate strategy at MPOWER Financing, as he accepted the award at the ceremony in Washington, DC. Since inception, our team has had the honor of fueling the educational dreams of nearly 20,000 students from 180+ countries." Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 program honors innovation, entrepreneurship, and rapid growth. Companies on the list are ranked by revenue growth percentage from 2019 to 2023, showcasing their outstanding achievements in fostering technological advancements and business impact. "This recognition on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 is a testament to our unwavering mission to eMPOWER the dreams of students from around the world," said Sasha Ramani, head of corporate strategy at MPOWER Financing, as he accepted the award at the ceremony in Washington, DC. "Since inception, our team has had the honor of fueling the educational dreams of nearly 20,000 students from 180+ countries. Our growth reflects the trust of our students, the commitment of our team, and the transformative role education plays in building a brighter future." MPOWER Financing is dedicated to making education accessible and affordable for students from around the world. Its no-cosigner, fixed-rate loans and scholarships have enabled thousands of students to attend top universities and achieve their educational aspirations. For more information about MPOWER Financing and its mission, visit www.mpowerfinancing.com. About MPOWER Financing MPOWER Financing , headquartered in Washington, D.C., and with employees worldwide, is a mission-driven fintech company and the leading provider of global education loans. Its proprietary algorithm analyzes overseas and domestic credit data as well as future earning potential to serve promising international students. MPOWER works with top universities across the U.S. and Canada to provide financing to students from around the world. The MPOWER team consists of former international students and provides students with career guidance and immigration support to prepare them for their professional careers after graduation. MPOWER is a Certified B-Corp and Great Place To Work , one of the best fintechs to work for and the best tech workplace for diversity . The company is hiring for various positions worldwide. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE MPOWER Financing Third-quarter NFCC data indicate that consumers who are struggling to manage all-time high levels of debt will continue to experience hardship. WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) today released its latest Financial Stress Forecast, revealing that a recent surge in consumer financial distress is likely to continue into 2025. The NFCC data support a recent report issued by The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Center for Microeconomic Data which shows that total household debt increased by $147 billion in Q3 2024, to $17.94 trillion. Credit card debt alone increased by $24 billion to $1.17 trillion. NFCC Financial Stress Forecast "The Financial Stress Forecast, which is derived through proprietary data from individuals seeking credit counseling, is a strong indicator of financial stress levels within the population at large," said NFCC CEO Mike Croxson. "With debt levels at record highs, we are not surprised to see that our Debt Burden Scale has consumers moving rapidly toward dangerous levels of financial strain." Measuring consumer financial health in stages, the Q3 NFCC Financial Stress Forecast reached 5.6, a 99.3% jump since its lowest of 3.9 set in 2021. Analysts project that by the end of the year, many more consumers will reach the Debt Burden Scale's Stage 6, a "Tightening the Belt" stage in which consumers may cut back on food and personal savings to make ends meet. "This is an alarming trend with millions of Americans unable to keep up with increasingly unmanageable debt," said Croxson. "Nonprofit credit counseling can provide the support consumers need to navigate these challenges. We encourage anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by debt to seek help from our certified counselors now." About NFCC Founded in 1951, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is the oldest nonprofit dedicated to improving people's financial well-being. With a growing network of NFCC Certified Credit Counselors serving 50 states and all U.S. territories, NFCC nonprofit counselors are financial advocates, empowering millions of consumers to take charge of their finances through one-on-one financial reviews that address credit card debt, student loans, housing decisions, and overall money management. For expert guidance and advice, visit www.nfcc.org. The NFCC Financial Stress Forecast serves as a critical early warning indicator of potential economic instability. As consumer financial health deteriorates, it can have far-reaching consequences for the broader economy, including increased loan defaults and economic slowdown. For more details, email [email protected]. SOURCE National Foundation For Credit Counseling 150 MW Bee Hollow Solar located in MISO market MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, National Grid Renewables announced the execution of a power purchase agreement with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) for its Bee Hollow Solar Project (Bee Hollow), a 150-megawatt (MW) development located in St. Clair County, Illinois. Anticipated to begin construction in 2025, Bee Hollow will join the previously announced Prairie Wolf Solar, located in nearby Coles County, Illinois, and will expand National Grid Renewables' operating solar portfolio in the state to 350 MW. "We're extremely proud of our deep roots in the Midwest, and our commitment to bringing clean, sustainable energy solutions to its residents remains firm," said Blake Nixon, President and CEO of National Grid Renewables. "The expansion of our portfolio in Illinois will further that commitment and we're excited to see the positive impacts the Bee Hollow Project will provide to local residents in the form of jobs, new tax revenue and charitable giving." "The addition of the Bee Hollow solar project to our power portfolio significantly advances the IMEA Board's commitment to responsibly transitioning the agency's portfolio to more carbon-free generation resources," said Kevin Gaden, IMEA President and CEO. "Purchasing energy from Bee Hollow meets one of the strategies detailed in our agency's Sustainability Plan which, by 2050, seeks to reduce to net-zero the carbon emissions of the power supply we deliver to our member municipalities. Bee Hollow is a tremendous investment in renewable energy, and we're excited about this resource growth to serve our members over the long term." Bee Hollow is anticipated to benefit local and statewide communities through the production of millions of dollars in new tax revenue and landowner income, the creation of new jobs, and local spending. The project community will also benefit from a dedicated charitable fund, which is pledged above and beyond any tax revenue delivered by the project. These charitable funds are unique to National Grid Renewables and exemplify their commitment to being good neighbors in their projects' host communities. In total, the direct economic impact of Bee Hollow is estimated to reach $34 million over the first 20 years of operations. About National Grid Renewables National Grid Renewables develops, owns and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-founded and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America's electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid's vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on LinkedIn. Media Inquiries Contact: Emily Morissette Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications National Grid Renewables [email protected] 612-504-4839 SOURCE National Grid Renewables BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. An event on "The Role of Climate-Informed Transboundary Water Management in Ensuring the Progress of the United Arab Emirates in the Framework of Global Resilience to Climate Change" was organized as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Trend reports. At the event, Vugar Kerimov, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, drove home the point that water resource issues are a can of worms on a global scale. He pointed out that the writing is on the wall when it comes to climate change, as its throwing a wrench in the works for both agriculture and our drinking water supply. "Approximately 2 billion individuals globally lack access to clean water, with difficulties intensified by population increase, urbanization, poor water utilization, and pollution. Azerbaijan, a nation with constrained natural water resources, has prioritized the sustainable management of water. Azerbaijan has undertaken several significant initiatives to tackle these challenges, including the formation of the Commission on Efficient Use of Water Resources in April 2020, the establishment of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency in 2023, and the endorsement of the "National Strategy for the Efficient Use of Water Resources."These efforts demonstrate the nation's dedication to the responsible management of its water resources. While Azerbaijan has made significant strides in this area, there are still substantial hurdles ahead, including the impacts of global climate change and the increasing water demand. To meet these challenges, Azerbaijan is focusing on water reuse, the integration of green technologies, and fostering regional cooperation. Like many countries, Azerbaijan faces the dual issues of water resource depletion and their uneven distribution. This makes the coordinated management of transboundary rivers and watersheds essential. Such cooperation is crucial not only for the sustainable use of water resources but also for developing joint solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change," he said. The Deputy Minister drove home that a hefty chunk, about 60 percent, of the globe's freshwater resources is in the hands of two or more nations, with more than 150 countries depending on these shared water bodies to keep their heads above water. These lifeblood resources are not just the bread and butter for millions, but they also keep the wheels turning in crucial sectors like agriculture, energy, and industry. "Water-related issues driven by climate change underscore the urgent need for global cooperation among states and organizations. The UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, adopted in 1992, laid a critical international legal foundation for the sustainable and effective management of transboundary water resources. For Azerbaijan, managing transboundary waters is a strategic priority. Several major transboundary rivers, including the Khakarichay, Bargushadchay, Okhchuchay, Kura, and Araz, flow into the Caspian Sea downstream of the country. These rivers play a key role in the socio-economic development of the entire region. However, Armenia has heavily polluted the Okhchuchay River for many years, posing a significant threat to the ecosystem and water security across the region. Azerbaijan places significant emphasis on cooperative management of transboundary water resources based on international legal principles and has been a member of the UN Water Convention since 2000. Unfortunately, the lack of participation from other countries in the region has hindered meaningful cooperation, limiting opportunities for sustainable water management. Given that transboundary rivers provide around 70 percent of the country's water resources, Azerbaijan's membership in the UN Water Convention is strategically significant. The potential for cross-border cooperation under international law is crucial for addressing the challenges of shared water management. Achieving fair and sustainable management of transboundary waters is not the responsibility of any one nation but of the entire region. We must intensify our collective efforts to succeed. The fact that we have gathered here today demonstrates our collective readiness to collaborate, share knowledge, and exchange experiences. I am confident that the discussions at this event will open up new avenues for cooperation in transboundary water management, helping to build a more sustainable future for the region as a whole, he added. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. 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 Clinical Trial Results Could Help Save the Lives of Over 70,000 Pregnant Women Globally Each Year According to the World Health Organization (WHO), puerperal or postpartum hemorrhage - PPH - is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the world The Spanish laboratory Insud Pharma will receive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to conduct a Phase II clinical trial to determine the optimal dose of sublingual oxytocin to prevent PPH The group, which specializes in women's health, thus reinforces its commitment in this area in which it has been working for decades The Mundo Sano Foundation will contribute to raising awareness of this clinical condition, and will facilitate the dissemination of the results of the clinical trial, as well as access to sublingual oxytocin in the geographical areas with the highest maternal mortality rates MADRID, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Insud Pharma has just announced they will receive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which includes a grant totaling $2.7 million, for the launch of a Phase II Clinical Trial to determine the optimal dose of an innovative sublingual oxytocin treatment designed to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Mundo Sano Logo This problem, characterized by excessive bleeding after childbirth, is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently, it is estimated to affect approximately 14 million women each year and causes around 70,000 deaths, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. With the implementation of this sublingual treatment, many lives could be saved and provide a practical and accessible solution for the management of postpartum emergencies. This sublingual oxytocin formulation in tablet form has the characteristic of being thermostable, which means that it does not require refrigeration and could be administered without the need for skilled health personnel. This makes it particularly suitable for use in countries where access to rapid and safe medical care is very limited, as well as among the most disadvantaged communities, regardless of their geographic location*. Funding provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Insud Pharma underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to advance maternal and child health globally. According to WHO, a woman dies every two minutes from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth, underscoring the urgency of reducing these deaths and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. Ensuring access Insud Pharma, a leader in women's healthcare, has been focused for decades on the research and development of accessible medicines to improve the quality of life for women at all stages of their lives. Its commitment to innovation aims not only to save lives, but also to promote equality in global health in collaboration with Mundo Sano, the family foundation led by its shareholders, which has been working for 30 years to improve access to health for people affected by socially or economically determined diseases, promoting equity in health. Therefore, Insud Pharma, with their help, will launch innovative campaigns to address postpartum hemorrhage with the aim of also raising awareness and facilitating access to medication in the most underserved regions. Dr. Clara Menendez, director of the Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health Program at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, and advisor on this subject to the Mundo Sano Foundation, highlighted the importance and potential impact of this study, as well as the fundamental role of the industry in promoting it. Menendez pointed out that "access to effective drugs with the potential to save the lives of pregnant women is a question of equity, that all women, regardless of where they live, have the same right not to die in childbirth". Menendez added that, despite its importance, clinical trials on conditions related to maternal health are still scarce. Therefore, this clinical trial is a milestone, especially as it is conducted in low-income countries, although its potential impact will be much broader. Ensuring that women have a safe delivery through PPH prevention, with access to quality healthcare and effective drugs - such as oxytocin - is critical to reducing maternal and infant mortality and improving the development of any community and country. The clinical trial is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025 and will include a total of 180 participants. About Insud Pharma Insud Pharma is a pharmaceutical group with more than 45 years of history, presence in around 50 countries, 9,000 employees worldwide and 20 manufacturing facilities. Insud Pharma operates along the entire value chain of the pharmaceutical industry, offering expertise in scientific research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of a wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), finished dosage forms (FDFs) and branded pharmaceuticals for human and animal care, as well as biopharmaceuticals. Insud Pharma seeks to improve health worldwide by providing accessible, effective, safe and quality drug treatments through its different business units, with continuous investment in R&D and the latest technology. Through its brand Exeltis, Insud Pharma specializes in Women's Health where it occupies a leading position accompanying women in all phases of life from preconception, pregnancy, postpartum or menopause. About Mundo Sano Mundo Sano Foundation is a family foundation created in 1993 with the purpose of improving access to health for people affected by socially or economically determined diseases, promoting equity in health. Through translational research, it generates a comprehensive approach that seeks to improve access to health for the most vulnerable populations; promotes research and the development of innovative tools for global programs for neglected diseases; contributes to the prevention of the transmission of these diseases; raises awareness in local communities about the importance of taking care of their health; and promotes the training of health professionals to contribute to the promotion of knowledge. It has cooperation agreements with entities such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), Harvard University -through the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies-, Uniting to combat NTDs (Neglected Tropical Diseases) and the Global Chagas Coalition, among others. Background information According to WHO, puerperal hemorrhage, defined as the loss of more than 500 ml of blood within 24 hours of delivery, is the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. It is estimated that a woman dies every two minutes from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. WHO publishes global plan to combat leading cause of death in childbirth According to WHO, there are marked differences in survival rates following postpartum hemorrhage, reflecting great inequalities in access to essential health services. In this regard, more than 85% of deaths from postpartum hemorrhage occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. *Even in high-income countries such as the United States, maternal mortality rates are rising. Stalled global progress on preventable maternal deaths needs renewed focus and action Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation report on maternal mortality. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2520570/Insud_Pharma_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2520571/Mundo_Sano_Logo.jpg SOURCE Insud Pharma Sci-Fi Epic Debuted at Frankfurt International Book Fair LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- When writer/producer Kevin E. Allison first envisioned his tale of a dystopian future in which a lone hero is forced into gladiatorial combat against robotic opponents, it took the form of a screenplay. "Mounting a big-budget film can take several years," the graduate of the prestigious UCLA Theater, Film and Television professional program said, "so I wanted to first introduce 'Gladiator Bots' to the world in the form of a graphic novel." Writer/Producer and 'Gladiator Bots' graphic novel author Kevin E. Allison, surrounded by bots at Frankfurt International Book Fair, where the sci-fi epic sold out. The 'Gladiator Bots' graphic novel is available in both print and digital editions from a variety of booksellers. The 180-page full-color graphic novel explores themes of identity, resistance, and transformation, as its hero, Jericho, becomes less human and more machine with each of his gladiatorial victories. "This is my meditation on what it means to be human in a world increasingly dominated by machines," said Allison. "It's also an exciting tale that will appeal to everyone from fans of movies ranging from 'Dune' to 'Blade Runner' to 'Gladiator'. The prolific writer and producer's first film was the romcom 'Hashtag Love Swag', and his next graphic novel, 'The Last Train From Allensworth', is based on the true story of one of the first towns in California to be established and governed by African-Americans. "I am as excited about the sequential storytelling medium of graphic novels as I am about the medium of film," Allison explained. "In so many ways, we are living in the golden age for content creators." 'Gladiator Bots' sold out earlier this year at the Frankfurt Book Fair, and is now widely available in either print or digital format from a variety of sellers, from Amazon to Barnes and Noble. A trailer for the book can be found at www.kevineallisonbooks.com. For further information, contact Kevin E. Allison at [email protected] or (661) 717-7033. SOURCE Kevin E. Allison Books Partnership helps students and other young people become change-makers in support of achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. LONDON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading international schools organisation Nord Anglia Education today announced the continuation of its partnership with UNICEF for a further three years. The collaboration, which was established in 2017, will further strengthen the two organisations' advocacy for children's rights, inspire students and young people to become change-makers, and continue the ongoing work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Empowering students to make the world a better place The partnership with UNICEF aims to embed leadership, social advocacy, and global citizenship within the educational offering of Nord Anglia's more than 80 schools in 33 countries worldwide. Students are challenged to learn about sustainability and equality, and to make a lasting impact on their communities by working to address issues they have come to understand and care deeply about. Each year, Nord Anglia students are invited to take part in events and social impact initiatives, such as Youth Advocate Workshops and the annual Student Summit. A key event each year on 20 November is World Children's Day, when Nord Anglia students reflect on the value and agency of young people as change-makers, with a focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. As well as helping support Nord Anglia's students, UNICEF will use the US$1.5 million pledged by the international schools organisation to help raise awareness of children's rights with governments and international bodies, driving support towards achieving the SDGs for every child, everywhere. With the support of Nord Anglia Education, UNICEF will continue amplifying the voices of children and young people on the importance of the SDGs to ensure they actively participate in conversations that most impact their lives. In addition to its partnership with UNICEF, Nord Anglia's students are also encouraged to develop sustainable projects tackling a number of the SDGs. Through Nord Anglia's Social Impact Grants, each project's funding application is reviewed by a Student Advisory Board, comprising a group of elected representatives from across its schools. Lord David Puttnam, UNICEF UK Ambassador and Chairperson of Nord Anglia's Education Advisory Board, said: "This unique collaboration with UNICEF gives Nord Anglia students and young people around the globe the tools to make a difference in our world. Embedding empathy, social advocacy, and global citizenship in their education will help them to create a better future for themselves and for generations to come." Andrew Fitzmaurice, Chief Executive Officer of Nord Anglia Education, said: "What makes our UNICEF partnership so powerful is that it combines sustainability, equality, and global citizenship with important leadership skills. These principles are at the heart of our educational approach, and we are delighted to be continuing this important work with UNICEF." Valentina Buj, Senior Adviser, Public Sector Engagement Hub, Public Partnerships Division at UNICEF, said: "At UNICEF, we believe in the power of children to shape a better future. By partnering with Nord Anglia Education, we are equipping young minds with the knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the skills they need to become agents of change in their communities and beyond. Together, we are fostering a generation of leaders who will build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world for all." Notes to Editors: For more information about Nord Anglia Education, please contact James Russell, +44 (0) 7770 365437, [email protected]. For more information about UNICEF's work, please contact UNICEF UK Media team at [email protected] or 0208 375 6030. 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. About UNICEF UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF's emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children's rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters. United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland). For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. 'UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service' Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1503193/4151863/Nord_Anglia_Education_Logo.jpg SOURCE Nord Anglia Education IRVING, Texas, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthStar Anesthesia, an industry leader in anesthesia care, today announced the publication of their latest piece, "NorthStar Anesthesia's Innovative and Differentiated Approach Uplifts Ambulatory Surgery Centers," in Becker's Healthcare, a leading source for healthcare decision makers. The piece provides in-depth insight into NorthStar's approach to providing dedicated service to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), confirming that its tailored management services set the standard for helping ASCs effectively manage rising costs, while still delivering high-quality care amidst an ever-expanding volume of surgical procedures. "Across the country, we continue to see a shortage of anesthesia providers. At the same time, patients and providers are increasingly turning to ASCs for surgical care," Cindy Myers, Vice President of ASC Operations for NorthStar, said. "ASC leaders are naturally concerned about the ability to meet this exponentially increasing demand in a resource-constrained environment. With our established national footprint, supported by a dedicated ASC team equipped with industry-leading ASC management experience, NorthStar is able to provide tailored solutions for clinical quality and operations. Our model allows our ASC partners to focus on their top priority: improving healthcare outcomes in the communities they serve." NorthStar's track record of success in providing high quality anesthesiology care has enhanced the care protocols for ASCs across the United States. The company's breadth of regional market knowledge allows NorthStar to manage complex provider transitions and build geographic-oriented pipelines of future clinicians to stabilize staffing environments. To access the full article in Becker's Healthcare, please visit: https://www.beckersasc.com/leadership/northstar-anesthesia-s-innovative-and-differentiated-approach-uplifts-ambulatory-surgery-centers.html About NorthStar Anesthesia NorthStar Anesthesia is a company of caregivers, founded by an anesthesiologist and a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). With more than 4,000 anesthesiologists and CRNAs under its banner, NorthStar partners with more than 300 health care facilities across 25 states to deliver a more productive and efficient model of anesthesia care. Its "care team" approach focuses on the provision of high-quality care while measurably improving operating room performance. For more information, visit www.northstaranesthesia.com. NorthStar Media Contact: Dennis Shin 202-255-8096 [email protected] SOURCE NorthStar Anesthesia Providing life-saving resources to an industry impacted by substance use disorder at two times the rate of other industries NORWALK, Conn., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Shatterproof , a national nonprofit organization and a leader in improving the way the healthcare system addresses and treats substance use disorders, is proud to announce a new partnership with Northstar Travel Group, a leading global provider of trusted information and experiences for the travel industry. Over the next year, Northstar Travel Group will highlight evidence-based information, educational resources, and engagement opportunities to those in the hospitality and travel industries to address substance use disorder. This treatable medical condition impacts the industry at a higher-than-average rate. NorthStar According to a recent report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, employees in the accommodations and food [hospitality] industry had the highest rates of substance use disorder in the past year. "Northstar is taking the support of Shatterproof from the hospitality industry to the next level by creating opportunities for those impacted by addiction in the hospitality industry to access to resources, but also to engage the entire hospitality and travel industry to come behind a public health crisis that is impacting so many in the United States," said Shatterproof founder and CEO Gary Mendell. Over the next year, Northstar Travel Group will be leveraging a portion of its portfolio of 28 brands and over 100 events to call attention to the crisis and provide critical education and resources for employees in the hospitality and travel industries. Each month, they will highlight issues, including the dangers of fentanyl, understanding alcohol use disorder, and provide treatment resources like Shatterproof's Treatment Atlas to their audience. "At Northstar Travel Group, we recognize the critical impact of substance use disorder on the hospitality and travel workforce and are committed to leveraging our platforms to address this public health challenge," said Bob Sullivan, Chief Commercial Officer and President of Northstar Travel Group. "Partnering with Shatterproof allows us to bring essential resources, awareness, and support to our industry, helping foster a healthier environment for those affected by addiction. Together, we aim to create a stronger, more resilient hospitality community that cares for and supports its members." In January 2025, Northstar Travel Group will bring this topic to center stage at the annual America's Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) with a panel during the general session. Additionally, Shatterproof's annual Hospitality Heroes Reception will take place at ALIS honoring an executive in the hospitality industry. The Hospitality Heroes Reception was created by Gary Mendell, a former hotelier who served as the co-founder and chairman of HEI Hotels & Resorts, and who is now the Shatterproof Founder and CEO. Mendell founded Shatterproof ten years ago after losing his son to the stigma of addiction. His goal was to ensure that other families don't have to experience the same pain and heartbreak he went through. Since its inception, the Hospitality Heroes Reception has raised more than $5 million to help the Shatterproof mission and gathered more than 100 hotel companies and 500 employees. About Shatterproof Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the addiction treatment system in the U.S. Shatterproof is focused on guiding society, especially families, through the complexities of a substance use disorder; informing the public on prevention, treatment and recovery from addiction; and educating the public to reduce addiction stigma to ensure that people who use substances or have a substance use disorder can live healthy and fulfilled lives. Find Shatterproof on Facebook, X and YouTube: @ShatterproofHQ or follow them on Instagram at @weareshatterproof. To learn more, visit www.Shatterproof.org. About Northstar Travel Group Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B media company providing information and marketing solutions for the global travel industry. The company owns fourteen media brands connecting 1.4m industry professionals through a comprehensive portfolio of digital, social, print and more than one hundred events in thirteen countries. Northstar Travel Group is owned by EagleTree Capital. Northstar Travel Group is based in Rutherford, NJ, and more information is available at northstartravelgroup.com. SOURCE Shatterproof Saint Maurice Clothing to Hold New Year's Eve Celebration, Highlights Black Art, Tech, and History OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuvo Noir, a groundbreaking celebration of Black and Brown excellence in art, fashion, and technology, has secured Oakland jazz sensation Ayo Brame as the featured musician for its Networking Mixer on December 31, 2024, at Geoffrey's Inner Circle. The event begins at 8:00 PM, with Brame's soulful tenor saxophone setting the tone for a night of cultural renaissance and connection. Jazz Phenom Ayo Brame to perform at Nuvo Noir on December 31st in Oakland (Photo Credit: Thomas Ovalle) Brame, a 17-year-old Oakland native and internationally acclaimed tenor saxophonist, is a multi-instrument musical prodigy, celebrated for his innovative blend of jazz traditions and contemporary influences. Brame's emotionally charged performances and improvisational mastery have earned him a fan base that includes President Bill Clinton (also a saxophonist) and acclaimed screenwriter Spike Lee, among other notable figures. Brame performed at San Francisco's Oracle Park for Willie Mays' memorial, and has graced stages in New York, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Havana, Cuba, headlining at the San Jose Jazz Festival and twice selling out Oakland's famed Yoshi's Jazz Club. Nuvo Noir promises to be a transformative experience, combining networking, art, fashion, and technology in an opulent setting that reimagines Oakland's iconic Geoffrey's Inner Circle. In addition to Brame, the event also features a tech-forward interactive art installation, an exclusive fashion show by Saint Maurice Clothing, and cutting-edge augmented reality technology from Black Terminus AR, developed by Oakland archivist and technologist, Damien McDuffie. The evening culminates in a lively New Year's Eve celebration Saint Maurice Founder Ellias Kenneth Fullmore, a Morehouse College alum, shared his vision for the event: "Ayo Brame's artistry embodies the spirit of Nuvo Noirinnovative, authentic, and deeply rooted in the rich history of Black creativity. This evening is not just about celebrating our past; it's about forging new narratives for our future." Set in the iconic Geoffrey's Inner Circlea historic space transformed from a segregated social club into a beacon of Black excellenceNuvo Noir represents a renaissance in how Black and Brown identities are celebrated and reclaimed. Event Details: What: NUVO NOIR When: December 31, 2024 (New Year's Eve) Where: Geoffrey's Inner Circle (410 14th Street, Oakland) 8:00 PM Networking Mixer (featuring Ayo Brame) 9:00 PM Interactive Fashion Show & Art Installation (Featuring Black Terminus AR by Oakland's Damien McDuffie) 10:30PM New Year's Eve Celebration (DJ'd by Authentic Craft) Nuvo Noir invites the community to support event production through a Kickstarter campaign, recently named by the crowdfunding platform as a "Project We Love." Tickets are available on the Visit Oakland website or on Eventbrite. NOTE TO EDITORS: MEDIA CONTACTS: Ellias Kenneth Fullmore Email: [email protected] Phone: (510) 610-6163 Keonnis R. Taylor Email: [email protected] Phone: (510) 858-4456 About Saint Maurice Clothing: Saint Maurice Clothing is dedicated to celebrating Black and Brown identities through artistic fashion design. By reclaiming historical narratives and promoting cultural pride, the brand inspires individuals to embrace their heritage and engage in meaningful dialogue. SOURCE Saint Maurice Clothing Enhanced integration fuels the rapid growth of this first-of-its kind platform and related initiative between Outcomes4Me and NCCN, leveraging technology to empower cancer patients with personalized clinical information and resources Outcomes4Me now supports more than 200,000 cancer patients globally BOSTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Outcomes4Me Inc., the developer of the first direct-to-patient, personalized, and evidence-based cancer navigation platform, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) announced today that Outcomes4Me has newly integrated the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Prostate Cancer into its free, consumer-grade, direct-to-patient platform. This integration represents the continued expansion of the collaboration between Outcomes4Me and NCCN, a relationship that dates to 2019. In addition to prostate cancer, Outcomes4Me's cancer navigation and empowerment platform integrates the NCCN Guidelines for Breast Cancer, the NCCN Guidelines for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, the NCCN Guidelines for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate, and the NCCN Guidelines for Patients (across many cancer types). Through its proprietary algorithms, patented technology, and consumer-grade experience, Outcomes4Me provides patients diagnosed with cancer with personalized treatment options and resources based upon the latest evidence-based, expert consensus-driven guidelines. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer diagnosis among men and the second most common cancer diagnosis overall with ~300,000 new cases expected in the U.S. in 20241 and, globally, the number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer is expected to double to ~3 million by 20402. Despite its prevalence, prostate cancer has one of the best overall prognosis3 out of all cancers when caught early; however it remains the second leading cause of death4 from cancer for men, driven by an increase in metastatic prostate cancer5 in the last two decades, which has a five-year survival rate of only 28 percent6. To improve outcomes, it is therefore critical to help people gain access to early detection and better treatments for prostate cancer by helping them understand and access the latest screening technologies and treatments. The 2024 NCCN Guidelines for Prostate Cancer have been updated four times to-date, integrating new FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer as well as new scientific data that could change the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best outcomes for patients. Through Outcomes4Me's integration with the NCCN Guidelines for Prostate Cancer, more patients will now have direct access to the latest guidelines and innovations that could influence their care and improve their health outcomes. Outcomes4Me is empowering prostate cancer patients to partner with their care teams to make the best evidence-based decisions about their own treatment. "Hearing that you have prostate cancer is emotionally stunning, even immobilizing," said Outcomes4Me patient member Gary. "After your first meeting with a medical oncologist, questions will come in a floodoften brought on by the inevitable Google search. Having a single, medically approved resource is essential for learning about your cancer, its causes, treatment options and relevant clinical trials, effect on quality of life, and outcomes. Outcomes4Me addresses all these informational needs in a way that enables you to be an active participant in your own treatment." "The only way we can end cancer as we know it and improve outcomes is for everyone to get guideline-concordant care," said Maya R. Said, Sc.D., Founder and CEO at Outcomes4Me. "We believe this can only be achieved by empowering patients and their providers with up-to-date, actionable information, ensuring the right patient gets the right treatment at the right time and in the right setting. We are delighted to expand our collaboration with NCCN, a collaborator that has been with us from day one, and to continue to enable the dissemination of innovation at scale, achieving better outcomes for all." "As a practicing oncologist, I recognize the immense value of informed and empowered patients," said Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, Chief Executive Officer at NCCN. "That is why we ensure the NCCN Guidelines are kept up-to-date and accessible to users from all walks of life. Outcomes4Me provides patients direct access to NCCN's evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations in a way that is targeted for them. This empowers patients to have conversations with their oncologists that are rooted in evidence-based guidance that doctor and patient can review and act upon together. Outcomes4Me's technology-forward approach can provide information that helps patients to achieve their best possible outcomes." The Outcomes4Me platform, currently used by over 200,000 cancer patients, is available for download on iOS and Android. After patients download the app and answer a few questions about their health history, they can immediately get a comprehensive list of the most up-to-date, FDA-approved, personalized treatment options, be matched to the most relevant and closest clinical trials, gain access to genetic and genomic testing opportunities, track and manage their symptoms and medication, retrieve their health records, and gain access to healthcare professionals and resources to help them better understand their condition, options, and navigate their needs at all times. About Outcomes4Me Named a 2024 Fast Company World Changing Idea, Outcomes4Me is the first and only end-to-end, AI-driven patient empowerment platform that helps cancer patients take a proactive approach to their care from diagnosis throughout every stage of life and care. Through its patented technology, the company is on a mission to democratize healthcare by providing personalized, real-time, evidence-based information and resources to cancer patients to address their clinical and emotional needs, ensuring they can effectively navigate through their disease and improve their outcomes. In doing so, Outcomes4Me is working to promote health equity by generating deeper insights that improve care, and accelerating research and access to innovation. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Outcomes4Me is a woman-led company of seasoned healthcare, oncology, pharmaceutical, consumer and technology veterans. For more information, visit www.outcomes4me.com. About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, efficient, and accessible cancer care so patients can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information. 1 National Institutes of Health. Cancer Stat Facts: Common Cancer Sites. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/common.html (accessed July 26, 2024) 2 Emily Harris, "Prostate Cancer Cases Might Rise to 3 Million Globally by 2040,"JAMA Network, May 3, 2024, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2818443 (access July 26, 2024) 3 Johns Hopkins Medicine. Prostate Cancer Prognosis. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-prognosis (accessed July 12, 2024). 4 American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html (accessed July 12, 2024) 5 Mihir M. Desai, MD, MPH, "Trends in Incidence of Metastatic Prostate Cancer in the US," JAMA Network, March 14, 2022, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2790041 (accessed July 12, 2024). 6 Johns Hopkins Medicine. Prostate Cancer Prognosis. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-prognosis (accessed July 12, 2024). SOURCE Outcomes4Me Inc. MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year in a row, Ovative Group is a Google Agency Excellence Awards winner. The awards recognize excellence in digital advertising, celebrating industry leaders pushing boundaries, breaking through, and driving exceptional results for their clients. Ovative was awarded the first-ever Measurement Solutions award, standing out among more than 2,000 submissions for its forward-thinking measurement approach that helps clients navigate an ever-evolving marketing landscape. For the second year in a row, Ovative Group is a Google Agency Excellence Awards winner. They were awarded the first-ever Measurement Solutions award, standing out among more than 2,000 submissions for their forward-thinking measurement approach that helps clients navigate an ever-evolving marketing landscape. Ovative's search and measurement experts partner with their clients to build sustainable competitive advantages within Google Ads through first-party data, AI-powered audience strategies, and value-based bidding approaches. As a strategic partner, Ovative positions its clients for long-term success by aligning their marketing strategies and tactics with broader business goals. This enables Ovative to drive results aligned with its proprietary holistic measurement approach, Enterprise Marketing Return (EMR), elevating incremental revenue, customer, and brand performance. This holistic approach is brought to life by Ovative's proprietary comprehensive MarTech solution, EMRge, which has set new standards in the industry. Powered by EMR, EMRge empowers marketers to plan, buy, and measure campaigns more effectively, leading to stronger revenue, brand, and customer outcomes. With EMRge, brands are driving sustainable business growth. "Winning this award represents our team's ability to develop measurement capabilities that drive business transformation. Our comprehensive MarTech solution, EMRge, is ushering in a new era for how marketers operate. With EMRge, we're giving our clients the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving media landscape," says Beth McKigney, SVP of Measurement and Technology Solutions at Ovative. Ovative won the Google Agency Excellence Award for Measurement Solutions for its innovative partnership with a sporting goods retailer. The brand approached Ovative with a twofold challengeto increase enterprise traffic and sales while accelerating market penetration in key markets. Leveraging Google's Performance Max (PMAX), Ovative's holistic search (SEO and SEM) team developed a strategy that enabled the retailer to drive sustainable growth by optimizing to EMR. Most notably, Ovative's search experts enhanced the retailer's PMAX campaigns with local inventory ads, value-based smart bidding, customer match data, omnichannel bidding with first-party store sales uploads, and enhanced conversions. Additionally, Ovative's diverse mix of creative assets, including text, images, and videos, enabled the retailer to reach a broader audience while tailoring messaging to unique user interactions. From there, Ovative leveraged Google's machine learning to automatically serve the best-performing combinations of assets to users and enhance campaign effectiveness. By combining these tools and strategies, Ovative maximized performance in real time, accelerating optimizations to drive stronger results. With the goal of maximizing EMR, Ovative partnered with the brand to observe a statistically significant lift in enterprise traffic and revenue. As a result, Ovative nearly doubled its SEM investment while driving significant lifts in both enterprise sales and value driven in-store in the key market. Not only did the results of this test reverse negative trends, but they also informed the retailer's broader strategy, positioning PMAX as a crucial lever for achieving measurable, sustainable business growth. "This data-driven approach powers continuous, real-time optimizations in platform, with EMR serving as a comprehensive measurement metric allowing us to drive both short and long-term business impact," says Ericka Strickland, VP of Holistic Search at Ovative. This success story is just one example of the exceptional dedication and expertise of Ovative's team, the strategic vision it brings to clients, and the overall excellence that defines its work. Because of its commitment to consistently raising the bar, Ovative has experienced explosive growth over the past few years. The firm continues to serve its clients in impactful ways across media, measurement, creative, and consulting. Ovative has expanded its client base across industries, including retail, CPG, healthcare, and various others. Top brands including At Home, Domino's, eHealth, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have joined Ovative's roster to move the needle in media strategy and measurement. See the complete list of Google Agency Excellence Awards winners here. ABOUT OVATIVE GROUP Ovative Group is an independent, full-funnel media, measurement, and creative firm. Leveraging our deep industry expertise, we help brands like Domino's, Facebook, The Home Depot, General Mills, Disney, and UnitedHealth Group transform their media and measurement programs. The result? Profitable growth that speaks for itself. At Ovative, we don't just track data, we redefine success. How do we do it? Our proprietary MarTech platform, EMRge helps businesses transform marketing into a driver of sustainable growth. Powered by Enterprise Marketing Return (EMR), our differentiated approach to holistic media buying, planning, and measurement, EMRge is the first MarTech platform to measure businesses holistically. We're all about raising the bar every day, and it shows. Our work has been recognized by organizations like Digiday, Google, Inc. 5000, USA Today, and Search Engine Land. For more information about Ovative, visit our website or follow Ovative on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Media Contact: Courtney Stoesz Sr. Manager, Brand Marketing and Events 715-307-2255 [email protected] SOURCE Ovative Group Recent peer-reviewed study supports what patients shared with their own voices: Automated red blood cell exchange improves the lives of people struggling with sickle cell disease LAKEWOOD, Colo., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pain. It haunts patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). They live with the looming threat of acute pain crises that could land them in the hospital where they can struggle to find relief. "A sickle cell disease pain crisis is indescribable. It takes your breath, it takes everything," comments Bola Jibodu, a Sickle Cell Warrior from the UK. Especially after a major SCD drug was recently withdrawn from the market,[1] patients will be looking for other options to prevent pain and other dangerous complications from a disease that robs them of so much. Thankfully, another therapeutic avenue already exists automated red blood cell exchange (aRBCX), where the problematic sickled blood cells are removed and replaced with healthy donor cells. A team from Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT) recently completed a meta-analysis of retrospective data comparing the efficacy of different transfusion modalities used historically in SCD. A meta-analysis refers to a statistical method where researchers combine results from multiple studies that all used retrospective data (meaning they looked back at previously collected data) to analyze a particular research question, providing a more comprehensive picture compared to analyzing each individual study alone. The meta-analysis completed by the Terumo BCT researchers examined over two decades of research documenting the efficacy of various SCD treatments and demonstrated that aRBCX consistently enhances the quality of life of patients with SCD.[2] Rona Wiggins knows this firsthand. Before she started aRBCX in the U.S. more than 20 years ago, "There wasn't anything that was working for me. I would have pain in my joints, fatigue and jaundice." By receiving regular aRBCX procedures, she says "I don't have to worry about pain crises. I'm not as fatigued. It has afforded me to have a good quality of life. I am definitely living well with sickle cell." The analysis highlights aRBCX as a proven therapy for managing SCD complications, leading to shorter hospital stays, reduced procedure times and fewer pain-related hospitalizations. "Hospital used to be my second home," says Bola. "I could be talking to you and then go straight into crisis, just that minute. You live every day not knowing what's going to happen." Terumo BCT makes the Spectra Optia Apheresis System, a platform used to collect and remove sickled cells from the blood of patients with SCD. The company advocates globally for patients with physicians, governments and NGOs to improve the lives of people suffering from SCD as well as different patient populations. For example, earlier this year, a Terumo BCT-supported Delphi panel leveraged international experts to generate consensus on SCD complications and pregnancy. The result was a published consensus of recommendations for SCD complications due to pregnancy, including guidelines for whether and when to consider transfusion or aRBCX.[3] "As gene therapies and drug treatments target permanent cures for sickle cell disease, red blood cell exchange remains a high-impact treatment to improve quality of life for Sickle Cell Warriors around the globe," said Antoinette Gawin, President and CEO of Terumo BCT. "Exchange therapies remain a mainstay to avoid disease complications, helping these warriors live their lives. We continue partnering with patient advocacy and policy groups to expand access to this common therapy." Meta-analysis of retrospective study findings: aRBCX benefits : The results suggest that aRBCX, which replaces sickled cells with healthy red blood cells, may lead to shorter hospital stays, fewer pain-related hospitalizations and reduced procedure times for SCD patients. All of these together are deemed to positively influence the quality of life for patient with SCD. : The results suggest that aRBCX, which replaces sickled cells with healthy red blood cells, may lead to shorter hospital stays, fewer pain-related hospitalizations and reduced procedure times for SCD patients. All of these together are deemed to positively influence the quality of life for patient with SCD. Comparable complication rates : Complications related to vascular access were found to be comparable to those of other transfusion methods but require careful management. : Complications related to vascular access were found to be comparable to those of other transfusion methods but require careful management. Under-researched psychosocial aspects: The publication makes clear that areas such as anxiety, social functioning and emotional well-being need further study, with a greater focus on patient-reported outcomes. Study Overview and Summary The review, based on 20 years of data from PubMed and medical guidelines, explores factors affecting quality of life for patients with SCD, including: Pain frequency and severity Hospitalization frequency and duration Vascular access and procedure-related complications Psychosocial aspects such as anxiety and social functioning Automated RBCX led to improvement in clinical outcomes and reduced hospital visits, and further research is needed to better understand its impact on long-term psychosocial health. The study was published October 22 in Vox Sanguinis, the official journal of the International Society of Blood Transfusion. "We are excited to show that aRBCX appears to be promising in improving quality of life for patients with sickle cell disease," said Koenraad Dierick, Vice President Patient Access, Terumo BCT, and first author on the study. "It is important we continue to demonstrate the value of the therapies we enable for sickle cell disease and beyond, in areas like oncology and neurology as well." Understanding Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder affecting millions globally, primarily those of African, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent. It leads to the production of abnormal haemoglobin, causing red blood cells to become crescent-shaped, which blocks blood flow and results in severe pain crises, organ damage and life-threatening complications like acute chest syndrome and stroke.[4],[5],[6],[7] About Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT) is a medical technology company. Our products, software and services enable customers to collect and prepare blood and cells to help treat challenging diseases and conditions. Our employees worldwide believe in the potential of blood and cells to do even more for patients than they do today. This belief inspires our innovation and strengthens our collaboration with customers. Terumo BCT's customers include blood centers, hospitals, therapeutic apheresis clinics, cell collection and processing organizations, researchers, and private medical practices. Our customers are based in over 150 countries across the globe. We have 750+ granted patents, with more than 150 additionally pending. We have global headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado, along with four regional headquarters, seven manufacturing sites and five research and development centers across the globe. Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies is a subsidiary of Terumo Corporation (TSE: 4543), a global leader in medical technology. About the Spectra Optia Apheresis System The Spectra Optia system is a user-friendly, versatile, industry-leading therapeutic apheresis, cell processing and cell collection platform that allows operators to spend more time focusing on patient care. Therapeutic apheresis is used widely for a variety of applications. For example, practitioners use red blood cell exchange (RBCX) for sickle cell disease treatment; cell collections for stem cell transplantations and to collect starting material for cell therapies; and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to treat many diseases in both the chronic and acute setting in the neurology, nephrology and hematology spaces. Product and protocol availability varies by country. Spectra Optia is either a registered trademark or a trademark of Terumo BCT, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. See TerumoBCT.com/trademarks for details. [1]Pfizer voluntarily withdraws all lots of sickle cell disease treatment OXBRYTA (voxelotor) from worldwide markets | Pfizer. Pfizer.com. Published 2024. https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-voluntarily-withdraws-all-lots-sickle-cell-disease [2]Dierick K, RodriguezGrande B, NavarroAragall AG, Beraud M. Quality of life in people with sickle cell disease treated with automated red blood cell exchange. Vox Sang. Published online October 22, 2024. doi: 10.1111/vox.13757 [3]Sharma D, Kozanoglu I, Ataga KI, et al. Managing sickle cell disease and related complications in pregnancy: results of an international Delphi panel. Blood Advances. 2024;8(4):1018-1029. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011301 [4]Connelly-Smith L, Alquist CR, Aqui NA, Hofmann JC, Klingel R, Onwuemene OA, et al. Guidelines on the use of therapeutic apheresis in clinical practice evidence-based approach from the writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: the ninth special issue. J Clin Apher. 2023;38:77-278. [5]Sachdev V, Rosing DR, Thein SL. Cardiovascular complications of sickle cell disease. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2021;31(3):187-193. doi: 10.1016/j.tcm.2020.02.002 [6]Farooq S, Testai FD. Neurologic complications of sickle cell disease. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2019;19(4):17. doi: 10.1007/s11910-019-0932-0 [7]Kato GJ, Steinberg MH, Gladwin MT. Intravascular hemolysis and the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease. J Clin Invest. 2017;127(3):750-760. doi: 10.1172/JCI89741 SOURCE Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies In its 15th year of giving, the company's support arrives as food insecurity hits record levels across the U.S., bringing relief to families in need. DENVER, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - With nearly 50 million Americans living in food-insecure households last year, and the average cost to feed a family of four rising to $984.60 per month, many families are struggling to meet basic needs. In response, PCL Construction Enterprises, Inc. is donating $77,000 to 18 food banks across the nation, equivalent to providing groceries for nearly 80 families of four for one month alone. "At PCL, we believe no family should have to choose between putting food on the table and meeting other essential needs," said Deron Brown, PCL president and chief operating officer, U.S. operations. "Our 15 years of continuous support for food banks reflects our commitment to helping families in the communities where we live and work. We understand the significant impact that even a single meal can have on the health and well-being of individuals and families nationwide." In addition to monetary support, PCL recently took action locally to make a lasting impact in North Minneapolis, recognized as the fourth largest food desert in the U.S. Last month, PCL's Minneapolis office completed a critical renovation of the Shiloh Cares Food Shelf, which had been forced to close after a car crash severely damaged the facility in 2023. The food shelf, which now serves over 9,000 people monthly, stands as a cornerstone of support for the community. The community and partners rallied to support this cause, raising $2 million for the rebuild. Enhancements include increased safety features, expanded shopping space, and improved accessibility, transforming the facility into a community hub offering multiple services beyond food assistance. "The renovation of the Shiloh Cares Food Shelf is a vital step for North Minneapolis, restoring hope in the community," said Trent Johnson, district manager for PCL. "With a 50-year history of building in Minnesota, we are proud to focus on projects that make a lasting difference. This initiative goes beyond physical improvements; it ensures that essential services are accessible to everyone." This Thanksgiving, PCL also donated turkeys to the food shelf and volunteered, aiding those in need during the holiday season. PCL's commitment extends across the nation by contributing to the following 18 local food banks: For more information on your local food bank and how you can help support, visit Feeding America to learn more. About PCL Construction PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $7 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company's 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL's leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com. SOURCE PCL Construction BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The World Bank has placed climate change at the core of its mission, reflecting a significant shift in its mandate to focus on a world free of poverty on a livable planet, said Rolande Pryce, Regional Director for the South Caucasus, in an interview with Trend. Speaking on the sidelines of COP29 summit in Baku, Pryce elaborated on the institution's strategic climate initiatives and the progress being highlighted at the global summit. "In October 2023, we revised our mandate," she stated. "This was a signal to everyone that we're putting climate at the center of our usual poverty reduction mandate". At the forefront of the World Bank's climate efforts are three major initiatives. The first is the Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs), a diagnostic tool introduced three years ago. "The focus of that report is to help governments prioritize actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost adaptation and resilience, while also delivering on broader development goals," Pryce explained. "The point essentially is that there are trade-offs. It helps governments think through: if you had $1 to spend, where can you get the biggest bang for the buck regarding climate and development?" The second initiative is the scaling up of climate finance. Pryce noted that the World Bank had surpassed its initial target of allocating 35% of total lending to climate finance, achieving a record $42.6 billion in the last fiscal year. "For the year ending June 30, 2025, we aim to move from 35% to 45% of total lending targeted at climate," she said. "This is significant because as the bank optimizes its balance sheet, the total volume of lending is expected to increase, meaning both the percentage and the amount allocated to climate finance will rise". The third major initiative focuses on partnerships. Pryce highlighted the importance of collaboration with multilateral development banks (MDBs) and the private sector. "Weve been more deliberate over the past year. As a group of MDBs, weve set a joint target to deliver $120 billion annually in climate finance by 2030," she shared. Pryce emphasized that COP29 provides an opportunity to showcase these efforts while reinforcing the World Bank's leadership in climate action. "We remain the principal multilateral development bank for delivering climate finance. These initiatives reflect our commitment to addressing climate challenges while supporting sustainable development goals". Private sectors contribution to achieving climate financing targets Further speaking, the regional director noted that the World Bank has been actively fostering private sector engagement to advance climate finance and low-carbon transitions. "Governments cannot do it alone," Pryce emphasized. "Even with the support of multilateral development banks, the task is too great. Thats why weve been particularly focused on creating a larger space for private sector involvement, investment, and finance". The regional director highlighted the banks efforts to provide governments with a structured roadmap for the low-carbon transition, emphasizing the critical role of the private sector. "It essentially gives the government a basisa roadmap for this transition. Its very clear about where the private sector can play a role," she explained. A key initiative in this effort has been the establishment of a climate finance mobilization unit within the World Bank. "We have resources, but the typical challenge with climate finance is that its often insufficient or too expensive for governments," Pryce noted. The unit blends grant funding from private sector and donor resources with the World Banks own financing tools, such as IDA and IBRD resources. "This enables us to support larger climate-focused projects, including public-private partnerships and carbon markets," she said. The World Bank has also been leveraging its expertise in carbon finance to expand carbon markets globally. "More and more, countries are trying to figure out how to create a market for reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Pryce said. "The idea is to enable emitters - whether countries or companies - to buy and sell capacity, ensuring overall global targets are met. Countries doing a good job in reducing emissions can secure financing through these markets". MDBs unite to boost climate financing Rolande Pryce further highlighted the transformative approach MDBs are adopting to integrate climate considerations into development efforts. "The challenge is huge," Pryce stated. "But it's not as if it's a tiny pie, and we're scrambling for the crumbs. We've always worked with individual countries, placing their development ambitions at the center. Increasingly, those conversations have a climate focus." She elaborated on how climate considerations are being woven into various projects: "For example, if you're building new schools, the discussion isn't just about designing the best classrooms anymore. Now, it might include climate-resilient infrastructure or installing solar panels for electricity. More and more, were focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation, and resilience in our engagements with governments." Pryce also emphasized the collaborative efforts required for large-scale projects, pointing to the Black Sea submarine cable as an example. "That is a $3 billion infrastructure program. We know that the bank and individual governments alone cannot fund this, so we're actively collaborating with other MDBs like the Asian Development Bank and potentially the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Everyone is interested, and once the program is structured, we'll see how others can contribute," she explained. To streamline such collaborations, MDBs are developing mutual reliance agreements. "When multiple MDBs are involved in the same program, we work on whose policies we will rely on to reduce transaction costs for governments. The goal is to avoid adding a 'tax' by bringing in too many players and to ensure seamless or at least less painful collaboration," Pryce said. World Bank's support for vulnerable communities in the South Caucasus The regional director reaffirmed the bank's commitment to supporting vulnerable communities in the South Caucasus by focusing on climate resilience and adaptation. "The poorest and most vulnerable communities are at the core of what we care about," Pryce noted. She highlighted the importance of creating resilient communities, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters, such as coastal regions or riverbanks. "How are we ensuring that the infrastructure around them is resilient, won't fail them in difficult moments?" she asked, stressing the need for robust solutions to mitigate the risks of shocks. According to Pryce, the World Bank has been actively working with South Caucasus countries to develop roadmaps for transitioning to low- or zero-carbon technologies in critical sectors like energy and transport. "People use buses, and buses create great emissions. How do we electrify the buses, for example?" she said, underlining the role of sustainable transport in reducing emissions. Water scarcity, particularly in Azerbaijan, has emerged as a key area of focus. "A lot of your irrigation canals are no longer fit for purpose, need to be retrofitted, rehabbed," Pryce explained. She pointed out the need to introduce climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies that conserve water while maintaining high productivity. The World Banks efforts also extend to regional infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing climate resilience. In Azerbaijan, the organization has been involved in projects that improve road infrastructure, making it resistant to flooding, erosion, and extreme temperatures. "It comes down to a lot of fine details," Pryce said, referring to elements like drainage systems and bridge adaptations designed to withstand climate impacts. In Georgia, the focus has been on energy transition and modernizing the agriculture sector, while similar conversations are beginning in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Pryce described these initiatives as part of a broader strategy to address climate change in a practical and localized manner. "Our work is about rethinking infrastructure to respond to the climate impacts we see happening more frequently," she added. Pryce further highlighted the pressing issue of the decreasing sea level in the Caspian and its potential impact on using the Middle Corridor as a trade route. "We've discussed the impact of climate change on trade, with the Middle Corridor being one of the key routes. If we consider the Middle Corridor as the multimodal path from east to west, it starts in Central Asia, crosses the Caspian Sea, goes through the Caucasus, and continues over the Black Sea to connect with Europe and the east. Similar challenges arise when we think about multimodal transport - particularly freight coming by ship and continuing by rail," she elaborated. When laying down or rehabilitating tracks, factors like drought, floods, extreme heat, or cold need to be considered, the country director explained. "These conditions will influence the materials we use and where the tracks are placed. Clearly, these are crucial considerations. When I speak about a change in mindset, I mean that all of our institutions and governments are now integrating these factors into the design and implementation of our operations. Climate is no longer something in the distant future - it's here, and it impacts us every day. As such, climate mitigation and disaster vulnerability reduction are integral to our daily work," Pryce added. Water shortages and flooding: World Bank addresses climate impacts in South Caucasus Some countries simply lack access to sufficient water sources, whereas drought typically occurs when rainfall that once replenished those sources is no longer occurring, Rolande Pryce pointed out. "Both drought and water scarcity present major challenges. Flooding is another pressing issue were witnessing". "These are very real, live challenges facing the countries I serve. We all share the same tools and work together to help countries conduct robust analysis to understand the most pressing challenges. Our goal is to address these issues while ensuring that broader development objectives are still met," she said. One of the key ways the World Bank does this is through the Country Climate and Development Report, which helps guide governments on low- or zero-carbon transition strategies, the country director explained. "We also focus on investing in resilient infrastructure - new projects that are informed by the climate challenges we face. Additionally, we must address critical older infrastructure. Aging infrastructure needs to be upgraded to meet the demands of the changing climate. We also recognize that designing, implementing, and monitoring climate projects requires strong institutional capacity. Its essential that institutions and even small businesses adapt to this new reality. Many companies no longer know how to make their products climate-responsive, so we focus heavily on capacity building and providing technical assistance to help them upgrade their capabilities to face todays challenges. These are just a few practical ways were helping the South Caucasus countries address climate change and its impacts," Rolande Pryce concluded. Combined with the Spring 2024 TRAILS GRANTS, Polaris has donated more than $220,000 in 2024 and more than $3.5 million since the program's inception MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), announced it is donating nearly $85,000 to off-road vehicles (ORV), all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and snowmobile riding clubs, and organizations across the United States and Canada as a part of its TRAILS GRANTS program. The TRAILS GRANTS program offers support to organizations and programs that promote safe and responsible riding, facilitate trail preservation, and help protect the environment and natural resources that are a part of the off-road trail systems. "Local riding clubs play a critical role in maintaining trails and promoting responsible riding," said Reid Wilson, vice president and general manager, of Off-Road Vehicles, Polaris. "Our bi-annual TRAILS GRANTS are one way Polaris supports their efforts and helps create opportunities for riders to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family." Awarded twice annually, TRAILS GRANTS support the efforts of nonprofit organizations and local riding clubs who use the grant for trail development, maintenance projects, safety and responsible riding education initiatives and other projects. In April, Polaris awarded 14 organizations Spring TRAILS GRANTS, making the combined donation amount for 2024 more than $220,000. "We are thrilled to partner with Polaris to increase safety and education for our trail network," said Tommy O'Connor, executive director, Vermont ATV Sportsman's Association. "Polaris continues to be a valued partner in the efforts of growing ATV riding in Vermont and nationwide." "On behalf of North Routt Snow Riders, which is a group of all volunteers that work tirelessly to maintain over 100 miles of snowmobile trails in Routt County, Colorado, I want to thank Polaris for selecting us as a recipient of the 2024 Fall Polaris Trails Grant Program," said Gary Doven, president of North Routt Snow Riders. "These funds will go a long way in helping us maintain trails through the 2024-2025 season." These 10 organizations were named Fall 2024 TRAILS GRANTS recipients and received awards up to $10,000 each. Bog Hooters ATV Club ( Mechanic Falls, Maine ): Help create new segment of trail and build bridge to provide rider access to the other side of the falls and avoid crossing private land. ( ): Help create new segment of trail and build bridge to provide rider access to the other side of the falls and avoid crossing private land. Tuleyome ( Woodland, California ): Help restore nearly three miles of trail destroyed by wildfires to include constructing armored crossings, inserting rolling dips and more. ( ): Help restore nearly three miles of trail destroyed by wildfires to include constructing armored crossings, inserting rolling dips and more. North Routt Snow Riders ( Clark, Colorado ): Help fund trail grooming and maintenance. ( ): Help fund trail grooming and maintenance. Mad River Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club ( Waitsfield, Vermont ): Help rebuild bridge damaged by flooding to reinstate access rider services and popular waypoints. ( ): Help rebuild bridge damaged by flooding to reinstate access rider services and popular waypoints. Coalmont OHV Park Inc. ( Coalmont, Tennessee ): Help maintain, create, and connect existing trails at Coalmont OHV Park. ( ): Help maintain, create, and connect existing trails at Coalmont OHV Park. Pine Center Sportsmens Club ( Brainerd, Minnesota ): Help repair trails to meet safety standards. ( ): Help repair trails to meet safety standards. Lumberjack Memorial Trail Inc. ( Wabeno, Wisconsin ): Help acquire equipment needed to facilitate the brushing and clearing of a100+ mile trail system. ( ): Help acquire equipment needed to facilitate the brushing and clearing of a100+ mile trail system. Kettle Moraine Snowmobile Club ( Richfield, Wisconsin ): Help with re-routing of trails to enable preservation of wetlands. ( ): Help with re-routing of trails to enable preservation of wetlands. VTT Club 2000 ATV Inc. ( Eel River Crossing, New Brunswick , Canada): Help repair trails and support future maintenance. ( , Canada): Help repair trails and support future maintenance. Vermont ATV Sportsmans Association Inc. ( Barre, Vermont ): Update trail signage including new crossroad identification, major road intersections and waypoints, all of which will aid in the event of an emergency. Since the start of the TRAILS GRANTS program in 2006, Polaris has supported more than 420 ATV, off-road and snowmobiling organizations across the U.S. and Canada with more than $3.5 million in donations. For more information, including how to apply for a spring 2025 TRAILS GRANT, visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/trails-application/. About Polaris As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER, RZR, Polaris XPEDITION, and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves nearly 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com SOURCE Polaris Inc. NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of a plan participant, we have filed a lawsuit against Mitsubishi Chemical America Retirement Plan administrators alleging that they breached their fiduciary duties owed to you. Specifically, we allege that the plan's administrators invested plan assets in a manner not prudent for participants' retirement savings and/or may be charging you excessive fees. If you participate in the Mitsubishi Chemical America Retirement Plan and wish to discuss how we can help you recover these excessive fees free of charge please contact us for a quick, confidential, and risk-free consultation. [Click here for information about joining the pending lawsuit] To discuss this action, contact Gustavo F. Bruckner at [email protected] or 646-581-9941 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7941. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered billions of dollars in damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP Exponential growth attributed to Popmenu's history of delivering strong financial results for restaurants through AI-powered, multichannel marketing ATLANTA, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Popmenu today announced it is featured on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. Popmenu grew 581% from 2020 to 2023. Popmenu's CEO and Co-founder, Brendan Sweeney, credits the company's revenue performance to helping restaurants consistently reach more guests, drive more sales, and save time and money. From interactive menus and online ordering to AI content creation and AI phone answering, Popmenu personalizes marketing and increases business across digital channels automatically. "Popmenu is obsessed with helping restaurants better compete for new and repeat guests while freeing up time and resources to focus on delivering the incredibly high levels of hospitality today's consumers demand," said Sweeney. "We were very early in bringing AI, automation, and personalization to restaurant marketing, and that focus has paid off by making our platform not just the most feature-rich in the market, but also the most performant. We are also proud of our efforts to help raise the level of understanding across the industry of how to most efficiently promote a restaurant in today's noisy market, how to clearly measure ROI down to specific messages, and even what should be expected of software providers as tech becomes an inevitable part of operating a successful restaurant. We've put a lot of thought, blood, sweat, and tears into helping this industry we love and are thankful for the recognition that comes from a third straight year on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list." "For 30 years we've been celebrating companies that are actively driving innovation. The software industry continues to be a beacon of growth, and the fintech industry made a strong showing on this year's list, surpassing life sciences for the first time," said Steve Fineberg, vice chair, U.S. technology sector leader, Deloitte. "Significantly, we also saw a breakthrough in performance of private companies, with the highest number of private companies named to the list in our program's history. This year's winners have shown they have the vision and expertise to continue to perform at a high level, and that deserves to be celebrated." "Innovation, transformation and disruption of the status quo are at the forefront for this year's Technology Fast 500 list, and there's no better way to celebrate 30 years of program history," said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte's Audit & Assurance practice. "This year's winning companies have demonstrated a continuous commitment to growth and remarkable consistency in driving forward progress. We extend our congratulations to all of this year's winners it's an incredible time for innovation." About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies both public and private in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About Popmenu As a leader in restaurant technology, Popmenu is on a mission to make profitable growth easy for all restaurants. Digital marketing, online ordering, and on-premise technologies headline a powerful product suite infused with artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and deep data on guest preferences. The company consolidates tools needed to engage guests, serving as a digital control center for more than 10,000 independent restaurants and hospitality groups in the US, UK, and Canada. For more information, visit popmenu.com. 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. Media Contact: Jennifer Grasz Head of Marketing, Popmenu [email protected] SOURCE Popmenu Inc. Signatory contractor Taylor Electric and Technology and IBEW 134 Electricians adorn Chicago's "official" Christmas Tree CHICAGO, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Powering Chicago, the labor-management partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors' Association of Chicago and Cook County (ECA), will proudly present the 111th Chicago Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park on Friday, November 22. Powering Chicago is grateful to the City of Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) for the opportunity to return as a presenting sponsor for this part of the 2024 holiday traditions at Millenium Park. "It's an honor to begin holiday celebrations with the 2024 Chicago Tree Lighting Ceremony," said Executive Director Elbert Walters III. "From the intricate planning to the precise execution, every detail reflects our commitment to safety, innovation, and bringing joy to families across the city." Powering Chicago contractors and union members bring their commitment to safety and electrical expertise to every installation, including the Chicago holiday tree lighting. This year's 53-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, donated by the Holden-Shaddick family of Logan Square, will be illuminated with thousands of LED light bulbs and miles of light strands, continuing a tradition of innovation and sustainability. Chicago-based licensed electrical contractor Taylor Electric Company was selected to complete the tree-lighting to the same high-quality standards and excitement the project brings to Chicago, with the support of the skilled IBEW Local 134 electricians. "We're excited to be part of this beloved Chicago tradition," said Kendra Dinkins, President at Taylor Electric. "Working alongside Powering Chicago and the skilled electricians of IBEW 134, we're committed to upholding the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and expertise for this year's tree lighting." The Tree Lighting Ceremony, presented by Powering Chicago with leadership support from the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation, will include multiple viewing locations throughout Millennium Park with screens and concessions. The main stage will be located on Washington Street adjacent to the Chicago Cultural Center, directly across Michigan Avenue from the Chicago Christmas Tree. The evening's festivities will feature holiday performances leading up to the ceremonial tree lighting at approximately 6:25 p.m., capped off with a fireworks display. The 111th Annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park will shine brightly near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street from November 22 through January 8, spreading holiday cheer to residents and visitors alike. About Powering Chicago Bringing together the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134 electricians and the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) of Chicago and Cook County, Powering Chicago is an electrical industry labor-management partnership that invests in consistently better construction, better careers and better communities within the metro Chicago region. Employing the latest technology, its members are elevating industry performance through their commitment to safety, level of experience and reliability, while also investing in the future of skilled labor through an innovative apprenticeship program that is paving the way for the next generation of skilled electricians. For additional information, visit poweringchicago.com. Media Contact: Elbert Walters III [email protected] +17082861019 SOURCE Powering Chicago The addition of four highly accomplished partners, who have advised clients at the center of the most complex and consequential restructuring matters in the United States , will further strengthen and expand Latham's market-leading restructuring practice. Formidable practitioner Ray Schrock will serve as the firm's new Global Chair of the Restructuring & Special Situations Practice; Andrew Parlen will serve as Head of US Restructuring; Candace Arthur and Alexander Welch bring leadership from some of the United States' most significant and complex restructurings. NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Latham & Watkins LLP1 is pleased to announce that four prominent restructuring partners will join the firm's New York office. The highly accomplished partners, who have a wealth of experience advising on many of the most complex and groundbreaking bankruptcy and restructuring matters, will further strengthen Latham's premier Restructuring & Special Situations Practice, significantly expanding the firm's company- and creditor-side practices. The partners joining are Ray Schrock, Candace Arthur, and Alexander Welch from Weil, along with Andrew Parlen, who rejoins from Paul, Weiss. Schrock will also serve as Global Chair of Latham's Restructuring & Special Situations Practice. Parlen will serve as Head of US Restructuring. The partners bring significant experience in representing public companies, financial institutions, private equity funds, portfolio companies, investors, and creditors in US and international restructurings and distressed financings. All four have advised on sophisticated out-of-court restructurings, prepackaged and prearranged Chapter 11 reorganizations, exit and debtor-in-possession financings, and acquisitions of distressed companies across multiple industries. Collectively, the partners' extensive experience spans virtually every industry sector, including: pharmaceuticals, industrials, power, exploration and production services, retail, financial services, healthcare, and homebuilding. They bring complementary practices that align well with the firm's existing capabilities. "We are delighted to welcome Ray, Candace, Alex, and Andrew to our team," said Rich Trobman, Chair and Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins. "They are exceptional lawyers and significant additions to both our New York office and our Restructuring & Special Situations Practice. We are committed to building the absolute best restructuring firm in the world. Adding this outstanding group of partners to our practice marks a significant step toward our ambitious goals and, together with Latham's unmatched global platform, delivers unparalleled value to our clients." "Ray has a well-deserved reputation as one of the foremost bankruptcy and restructuring lawyers in the United States and globally. He is a tremendous leader who will bring extensive experience to the role of Global Chair of the Restructuring & Special Situations Practice, succeeding George Davis, who will continue to bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and leadership to Latham for many years to come. We are immensely grateful to George for his outstanding job leading the practice's expansion. His strong leadership over many years has propelled our restructuring practice to new heights," added Trobman. Marc Jaffe, Office Managing Partner of Latham's New York office, said: "The arrival of this accomplished group of partners is a significant milestone for our practice in New York, the US, and globally. They bring strong relationships with major companies and sponsors, as well as impressive creditor-side expertise that will enhance our practice. We are particularly excited about the synergy between their experience and our market-leading private equity, private credit, hybrid capital, and liability management capabilities, as well as our vast public company practice. Their arrival presents a unique opportunity to deepen our client relationships and expand our service offerings." "Ray, Candace, Alex, and Andrew have earned tremendous respect in the market for their business judgment, competitive drive, and track record," said George Davis, Global Chair of Latham's Restructuring & Special Situations Practice. "They all will be excellent additions to our team, contributing to the continued growth and success of our practice. I am excited for their arrival as we continue to build our preeminent practice in the US and around the world to serve our clients." This group of partners is the latest to join Latham's market-leading Restructuring & Special Situations Practice, following partner Joe Zujkowski, who joined the New York office in August 2024. A talented practitioner with a stellar reputation in the distressed world, Zujkowski brings significant experience advising on complex restructurings for major creditors and creditor groups across the capital structure. Schrock received his JD from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law and BBA from Western Michigan University; Arthur received her JD from Georgetown Law and BA from Yale University; Welch received his JD from Bond University in Australia and BA from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada; and Parlen received his JD from Harvard Law School and BA from University of California, Berkeley. About Latham & Watkins (lw.com) Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world's largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability. Notes to Editors 1 Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company, in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office, and in Saudi Arabia through a limited liability company. Contacts Richard Trobman, Chair and Managing Partner, +1.212.906.1200 Marc Jaffe, New York Office Managing Partner, + 1.212.906.1281 George Davis, Global Chair of the Restructuring & Special Situations Practice, +1.212.906.1305 SOURCE Latham & Watkins LLP Nearly 90% of companies surveyed with annual revenues of $500 million or more plan to increase in-office events in the next year NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A Deloitte Private survey of C-suite executives and leaders revealed that nearly three-quarters (73%) of private companies plan to increase or significantly increase their investment in talent development in the next 12 months. The survey, Private Company Outlook: Talent development, asked respondents to share their organization's top three business priorities during the next year, and productivity (36%) and leadership succession (33%) appeared highest. Comparatively, only a small percentage of respondents selected managing liquidity (5%) and pursuing mergers & acquisitions (4%) as top priorities, potentially pointing to increased optimism around company financial performance. Key findings: Private companies turn to innovative mentorship strategies to develop talent. Reverse mentoring (69%) emerged as the #1 talent development strategy organizations have implemented within the last year, suggesting that leaders recognize skills gaps to address among both early-career employees and senior leaders. Training employees on AI (64%) and on-the-job learning and apprenticeship programs (52%) were also among the top strategies. In the coming year, 72% of respondents say their organizations plan to increase or significantly increase their use of apprenticeship and mentoring programs. Reverse mentoring (69%) emerged as the #1 talent development strategy organizations have implemented within the last year, suggesting that leaders recognize skills gaps to address among both early-career employees and senior leaders. Training employees on AI (64%) and on-the-job learning and apprenticeship programs (52%) were also among the top strategies. In the coming year, 72% of respondents say their organizations plan to increase or significantly increase their use of apprenticeship and mentoring programs. Organizations are divided about increasing in-person collaboration. Respondents from organizations with $500 million or more in annual revenue (i.e., larger private enterprises) more frequently cited in-office events (37%) among effective approaches to maintaining corporate culture in a hybrid work environment 20 percentage points higher than respondents from organizations with under $500 million in annual revenue. The larger private enterprises were also significantly more likely than smaller-revenue organizations to say in-office events would increase or significantly increase over the next 12 months (87% and 9%, respectively). Respondents from organizations with or more in annual revenue (i.e., larger private enterprises) more frequently cited in-office events (37%) among effective approaches to maintaining corporate culture in a hybrid work environment 20 percentage points higher than respondents from organizations with under in annual revenue. The larger private enterprises were also significantly more likely than smaller-revenue organizations to say in-office events would increase or significantly increase over the next 12 months (87% and 9%, respectively). Employee engagement and productivity levels are key metrics. More than 7 in 10 (71%) leaders surveyed said employee engagement is one of the most important outcomes of employee development programs. Employee productivity was particularly important among organizations with under $500 million in annual revenue, with 80% of these respondents selecting productivity as a key outcome. More than 7 in 10 (71%) leaders surveyed said employee engagement is one of the most important outcomes of employee development programs. Employee productivity was particularly important among organizations with under in annual revenue, with 80% of these respondents selecting productivity as a key outcome. Larger companies face more challenges getting buy-in from stakeholders when implementing new talent initiatives. Organizations with $500 million or more in annual revenue were three times more likely to consider gaining support from other leaders or stakeholders as one of their biggest challenges compared with those with less than $500 million . More than half of total respondents noted challenges such as the potential for low employee engagement (59%), uncertainty measuring effectiveness (57%) and disruption to current workflows (55%). "Many of the preeminent priorities among private companies are talent-centric, ranging from enhancing employee productivity to developing and establishing new leadership," said Wolfe Tone, vice chair and U.S. Deloitte Private leader. "Investments in talent development are the cornerstone of fostering an engaged and collaborative workforce while ensuring an organization remains competitive and is poised to adapt in the future. While learning and mentorship programs are important pillars to a workforce development strategy, components like well-being and employee satisfaction also play a part in establishing a workforce aligned to company goals and forward progress." About the survey The survey of 100 private company leaders was conducted online by an independent research company between October 7 and 10, 2024. Respondents represented C-level, president, board member, partner/owner roles at private companies in the US with annual revenues of US$100 million to more than US$1 billion+. For more information about this survey, please visit: Private Company Outlook. Deloitte Private serves the unique needs of private companies and their stakeholders by leveraging the full depth of Deloitte's technical experience and industry capabilities to serve private enterprises, family-owned businesses, private equity portfolio companies and emerging growth companies. Visit us at https://www2.deloitte.com/us/private or follow us on LinkedIn. 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. 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 Publicis Sapient will create a dedicated Google Business Unit to support enterprise demand for Google's AI technology NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Publicis Sapient, a digital business transformation company, today announced a global partnership with Google Cloud to rapidly increase adoption of generative AI and scale Google's technology to enterprise customers. Publicis Sapient will create a dedicated Google Cloud business unit to address demand for Google's AI technology, with dedicated resources to help customers successfully plan, deploy, and manage generative AI projects. The fusion of Google Cloud's leading technologies and Publicis Sapient's deep industry knowledge and expertise across its SPEED Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data and AI capabilities will enable solutions that drive efficiency, innovation and growth for clients across industries, including BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), consumer products, healthcare, retail, telecommunications, media & technology, transportation & mobility and travel & hospitality. "As consumer expectations continue to evolve, new business demands are calling for strategic collaboration throughout their AI and digital business transformation journey," said Nigel Vaz, CEO of Publicis Sapient. "Our expanded partnership with Google Cloud represents a significant leap forward in our ability to deliver transformative solutions across industries, ultimately empowering our clients to achieve unparalleled growth and success. By tapping into the power of Google Cloud's technologies, we can help businesses stay ahead of the curve in the age of AI." "To realize the full potential of generative AI, customers need a combination of expertise and leading technology to fundamentally improve their business operations," said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. "Through this partnership, Publicis Sapient will increase its expertise in Google Cloud and scale its consulting offerings to develop new solutions and AI services that help customers solve complex industry challenges and unlock new growth opportunities." Through the establishment of a dedicated Google Business Unit and new Google Center of Excellence, Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud will focus on: Joint go-to-market: Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud will increase alignment of their sales, marketing and engineering teams to ensure that customers can access the resources needed to optimally deploy and manage AI projects. Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud will increase alignment of their sales, marketing and engineering teams to ensure that customers can access the resources needed to optimally deploy and manage AI projects. New generative AI solutions for marketing and sales: Publicis Sapient will use a combination of proprietary AI tools and Gemini models to build new solutions that enable businesses to more efficiently market, sell and modernize their products and services to end-customers. Publicis Sapient will use a combination of proprietary AI tools and Gemini models to build new solutions that enable businesses to more efficiently market, sell and modernize their products and services to end-customers. Generative AI talent development: The Google Cloud Center of Excellence will be staffed by Public Sapient experts trained on the latest generative AI technology and solutions, ensuring that customers optimally utilize AI products and services. Publicis Sapient and Google Cloud are already working with a large bank to modernize its infrastructure and enhance the software development lifecycle with gen AI, aiming to boost efficiency by up to 40%. This project included the design and integration of a comprehensive generative AI framework tailored specifically to the customer's risk and compliance requirements. Publicis Sapient's partnership with Google Cloud will enhance some of its key business offerings, including legacy modernization, application modernization and development, generative AI, data analytics, cloud migration and database/infrastructure modernization. In addition, this partnership will enable Publicis Sapient to elevate AI applications within marketing through offerings such as Retail Media Networks (RMNs), Customer Data Platforms (CDPs), Content Supply Chain and Data Modernization and Monetization. About Publicis Sapient Publicis Sapient is a digital business transformation company. We partner with global organizations to help them create and sustain competitive advantage in a world that is increasingly digital. We operate through our expert SPEED Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering and Data and AI capabilities, which combined with our culture of curiosity and deep industry knowledge, enables us to deliver meaningful impact to our clients' businesses through reimagining the products and experiences their customers truly value. Our agile, data-driven approach equips our clients' businesses for change, making digital the core of how they think and what they do. Publicis Sapient is the digital business transformation hub of Publicis Groupe with 20,000 people and over 50 offices worldwide. For more information, visit publicissapient.com . Media Relations Contact Publicis Sapient: Abby Evans, [email protected] SOURCE Publicis Sapient Attributes 335% Revenue Growth to Pioneering Agentic AI Solutions and Driving Innovation in Automation for Healthcare, Finance, and CX PHOENIX, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- qBotica today announced it ranked 344 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. qBotica grew 335% during this period. qBotica ranks 344 on the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, with 335% growth driven by innovative Agentic AI solutions in healthcare, finance, and CX. Recognized as a leader in intelligent automation, qBotica continues to revolutionize AI-driven transformation qBotica's Chief Executive Officer, Mahesh Vinayagam, credits the company's innovation and speed in driving adoption of Intelligent Automation and Agentic AI solutions as well as the trust that the company's clients place in qBotica as key drivers for the 335% revenue growth. He said, "This recognition on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 reflects our team's outstanding efforts and our clients' confidence in qBotica to accelerate and steer them through their AI adoption and automation journeys. Our commitment to continuous innovation and delivering meaningful outcomes for our customers and stakeholders remains at the heart of everything we do." "Innovation, transformation and disruption of the status quo are at the forefront for this year's Technology Fast 500 list, and there's no better way to celebrate 30 years of program history," said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte's Audit & Assurance practice. "This year's winning companies have demonstrated a continuous commitment to growth and remarkable consistency in driving forward progress. We extend our congratulations to all of this year's winners it's an incredible time for innovation." qBotica previously ranked 463 on the Technology Fast 500 for 2023 and stands at the forefront of the Generative AI revolution, addressing the growing need and desire for human-like decision-making in automation with its Agentic AI solutions. Recognized as UiPath's Global Partner of the Year for Innovation and listed on the Inc5000 as one of America's Fastest Growing Companies, qBotica excels with solutions like the CX Companion for Contact Centers, SAP Automation, S/4 Hana Migration Accelerators, AI agents for Healthcare, Insurance, Banking and Transportation industries. This recognition cements qBotica's role as a leader in shaping the future of AI and intelligent automation. Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies both public and private in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About qBotica qBotica is a leading provider of Intelligent Automation and AI solutions, empowering organizations across industries such as healthcare, financial services, and logistics to streamline operations with cutting-edge AI technologies. At the forefront of the Agentic AI revolution, qBotica delivers transformative solutions that leverage human-like decision-making capabilities in automation. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, qBotica continues to shape the future of intelligent automation with a strong commitment to innovation, measurable results, and exceptional client success. 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. Contact: Dominic Bartola 623-282-1191 [email protected] SOURCE qBotica CALGARY, AB, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (the "Company" or "ReconAfrica") (TSXV: RECO) (OTCQX: RECAF) (Frankfurt: 0XD) (NSX: REC) announces an operational update with respect to its exploration activities on Petroleum Exploration Licence 073 ("PEL 73"), onshore Namibia, the appointment of directors and the filing of its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Highlights Spud the Naingopo exploration well in the Damara Fold Belt on July 7, 2024 . The well is currently drilling at a depth of 4,000 metres (13,125 feet). . The well is currently drilling at a depth of 4,000 metres (13,125 feet). Entered into a definitive agreement with BW Energy Limited (OSE:BWE), for a 20% working interest in Petroleum Exploration Licence 073, including a $22 million ( US$16 million ) equity investment to support a multi-well exploration program, and additional contingent payments of US$125 million ( $171 million ), based on meeting certain development, production and cash flow milestones. ( ) equity investment to support a multi-well exploration program, and additional contingent payments of ( ), based on meeting certain development, production and cash flow milestones. Raised gross proceeds of $38.8 million via an underwritten public offering on July 31, 2024 . via an underwritten public offering on . Reduced General and Administration costs to $3.2 million from $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to September 30, 2023 . from for the three months ended compared to . Completed the Company's first Sustainability Report. Granted approval for the First Renewal Exploration Period by the Department of Mines of the Republic of Botswana for PEL 001 onshore Botswana . The First Renewal Exploration Period covers the period from October 1, 2024 , to September 30, 2028 . for PEL 001 onshore . The First Renewal Exploration Period covers the period from , to . Listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange ("NSX") under the symbol "REC". Appointed Gitane De Silva to our team as the new Senior Vice President ESG, Communications & Stakeholder Relations on October 21, 2024 . to our team as the new Senior Vice President ESG, Communications & Stakeholder Relations on . Elected W. Derek Aylesworth , independent director, and Brian Reinsborough , President and CEO, to the Board of Directors, effective November 20, 2024 . Brian Reinsborough, President and CEO of the Company stated: "Since the last Annual General Meeting of shareholders, ReconAfrica has undergone significant change in every aspect of how the Company operates. It was another quarter whereby we reduced our general and administrative costs by nearly $1 million compared to the same period a year ago. We have positioned the Company for success following our joint venture process with BW Energy. We have nearly completed drilling operations on the Naingopo exploration well, our first Damara Fold Belt well, and have prepared the access roads and well pad for our second well, Kambundu. We are also planning the first onshore 3D seismic program ever completed in Namibia. Our technical team are proven oil finders who have created significant value in the past while we have added significant experience at the executive level and added core competencies at the board level. I would like to welcome Derek Aylesworth to the Board of Directors and I look forward to the next year as we continue to deliver on our objectives for shareholders." Operational Update The Company is currently drilling ahead on the Naingopo exploration well at a depth of approximately 4,000 metres (13,125 feet). On completion of drilling activities, the Company will undertake a comprehensive logging and coring program, and perform a vertical seismic profile of the well. Results of the well will be provided following a thorough analysis of an extensive logging program and any obtained oil or natural gas samples. Road and well site construction activities are nearly complete on the Kambundu exploration (Prospect P). We anticipate moving to the Kambundu exploration well following the complete analysis of the results of the Naingopo exploration well. Appointment of Directors Joining the Board of Directors as an independent director is W. Derek Aylesworth, an independent businessman. Mr. Aylesworth has over 30 years of experience in the Canadian oil and gas industry having previously served as Chief Financial Officer of TSX listed Seven Generations Energy and TSX and NYSE listed Baytex Energy Corporation. Since September 2023, he is a director of TSX and NYSE listed Greenfire Resources Ltd, and is Chair of the Audit and Reserves Committee. Mr. Aylesworth is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Batchelor of Commerce degree. Additionally, President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian Reinsborough, has been elected to the Board of Directors. Filing Update The Company has filed its quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended September 30, 2024, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. About ReconAfrica ReconAfrica is a Canadian oil and gas company engaged in the exploration of the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin in the Kalahari Desert of northeastern Namibia and northwestern Botswana, where the Company holds petroleum licenses comprising ~8 million contiguous acres. In all aspects of its operations, ReconAfrica is committed to minimal disturbance of habitat in line with international standards and to implementing environmental and social best practices in all of its project areas. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under applicable Canadian, United States and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the drilling and analysis of the Naingopo exploration well, the drilling of the Kambundu exploration well, the joint venture with BW Energy, the 3D seismic program, the Company's commitment to minimal disturbance of habitat, in line with best international standards and its implementation of environmental and social best practices in all of its project areas. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on ReconAfrica's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's annual information form dated July 29, 2024, available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to ReconAfrica. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and ReconAfrica undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. SOURCE Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Artistry, a leading marketing and e-commerce agency in New Jersey, proudly announces its acquisition of Croton Watches, a renowned brand established in 1878 and known for its innovative designs and enduring quality. With over $40 million in annual revenue, Croton Watches has remained a leader in the timepiece industry for decades. On the left: David Mermelstein - On The Right: Aki Stein Croton Watches has been around since 1878. Digital Artistry has been pivotal in Croton's recent transformation. It serves as its marketing agency and spearheads a comprehensive rebrand that shifted the company's focus from traditional brick-and-mortar and television retail to an e-commerce-first strategy. This digital evolution has driven an impressive 90% of Croton's revenue online, generating millions of dollars in e-commerce sales. David Mermelstein, the visionary founder and former CEO of Croton Watches, will remain an integral part of the company as Chairman. In this role, Mermelstein will focus on guiding the design and development of Croton's signature watches and accessories, ensuring the brand's heritage of craftsmanship and quality remains a cornerstone of its future. "Acquiring Croton Watches is a significant milestone for Digital Artistry as we combine our digital expertise with Croton's legacy of excellence," said Aki Stein, CEO & Partner of Digital Artistry. "We look forward to building on the incredible foundation established by David and his team while expanding Croton's reach in the global e-commerce marketplace." Mermelstein added, "Working with Digital Artistry over the past few years has been transformative for Croton. I'm thrilled to remain involved in shaping the future of our products as we continue to innovate and bring our timepieces to even more customers worldwide." To kick off this new chapter, Croton is proud to introduce the Cintra Limited Edition, a stunning timepiece that combines Croton's timeless craftsmanship with bold, modern design. The acquisition reflects Digital Artistry's commitment to blending traditional brand values with modern marketing strategies. This union positions Croton Watches for continued growth and leadership in the competitive watch and accessories market. About Croton Watches Founded in 1878, Croton Watches is synonymous with quality, innovation, and timeless design. Known for their dedication to craftsmanship, Croton's timepieces have adorned the wrists of customers worldwide for over four decades. About Digital Artistry Digital Artistry is a premier marketing and e-commerce agency specializing in brand transformation and digital innovation. With a proven track record of driving growth and maximizing revenue, Digital Artistry helps brands achieve their full potential in the digital age. For media inquiries, please contact: Croton Companies [email protected] 9148934111 SOURCE Croton Companies; Digital Artistry BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Germany eagerly awaits participation in the Baku Water Dialogue, Germany's Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection Steffi Lemke said at the high-level launch event Celebrating Waters Lifeline for Climate, Nature, and People," Trend reports. Water is a key sector for adaptation. It is essential for the global goal of adaptation. Water policies should be systematically integrated into national adaptation plans. We can learn a lot from each other in water management. I am confident that the Baku Dialogue will provide an important platform for this. Germany eagerly looks forward to participating in this dialogue, she said. According to the Minister, Germany supports the Baku Water Declaration, and the Baku Dialogue can facilitate focused discussions and the realization of practical actions. Water is the source of all life and is a key element for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including climate change mitigation and adaptation. Water is also the 'messenger' of the climate crisis. Too often it is either too much or too little. We are seeing more and more droughts, increasing water scarcity, and devastating floods. We want water to be part of the solution, not a symbol of the crisis, the minister 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 LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - RideCo, the most adopted cloud-based on-demand transit solution among the 10 largest cities in the United States, announced today it ranked number 95 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 with a 1,276% growth rate between 2020 and 2023. The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 is a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. RideCo Ranked 95th Fastest-Growing Company in North America on the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 (CNW Group/RideCo) RideCo's Head of Marketing, John McLeod, credits transit innovators seeking transformative change within the industry, along with the energetic spirit and commitment delivered by members of the RideCo team, for the company's continued growth. He said, "We are seeing forward-thinking transit agencies actively seeking better ways to advance the transit options offered to riders through delivering more accessible and efficient paratransit and microtransit services. By working collaboratively with transit agencies and a wide range of partners, RideCo has made a substantive impact, improving mobility across North America." "For 30 years we've been celebrating companies that are actively driving innovation. The software industry continues to be a beacon of growth, and the fintech industry made a strong showing on this year's list, surpassing life sciences for the first time," said Steve Fineberg, vice chair, U.S. technology sector leader, Deloitte. "Significantly, we also saw a breakthrough in performance of private companies, with the highest number of private companies named to the list in our program's history. This year's winners have shown they have the vision and expertise to continue to perform at a high level, and that deserves to be celebrated." "Innovation, transformation and disruption of the status quo are at the forefront for this year's Technology Fast 500 list, and there's no better way to celebrate 30 years of program history," said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte's Audit & Assurance practice. "This year's winning companies have demonstrated a continuous commitment to growth and remarkable consistency in driving forward progress. We extend our congratulations to all of this year's winners it's an incredible time for innovation." RideCo previously ranked 49th as a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 award winner in 2023. About RideCo RideCo is the leader in rider-centric on-demand transit technology, with the most adopted cloud-based paratransit and microtransit solution among the 10 largest cities in the United States. Trusted by agencies, as well as fleet operators and technology companies, the platform powers the largest on-demand transit services in North America including Philadelphia. Houston and San Antonio have also adopted RideCo's transformative software, rooted in proprietary continuous optimization technology, and supported by the industry's best customer service, including a 95% plus retention rate. From reducing overall travel time and encouraging sustainable public transit usage to improving operational efficiency and delivering the lowest total cost of ownership, RideCo's on-demand transit technology is advancing transit for riders and reshaping how transit agencies operate their services. To date, RideCo has been awarded U.S. patent numbers 10,248,913; 10,853,743; and 11,429,910. Visit www.rideco.com to learn more about revolutionizing mobility in your city. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies both public and private in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. 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. SOURCE RideCo NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global robotics system integration market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.95 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 9.59% during the forecast period. Increase in demand for cobots is driving market growth, with a trend towards increase in demand for application-specific industrial robots. However, high cost of services for robotic system integration poses a challenge.Key market players include Amtec Solutions Group Inc., Burke Porter Group, CNC Robotics Ltd., Concept Systems Inc., FH Automation, Geku Automation, Hitachi Ltd., IPG Photonics Corp., JH Robotics Inc, MESH Automation Inc., Midwest Engineered Systems Inc., Mitsui and Co. Ltd., Motion Controls Robotics Inc., Peak Analysis and Automation Ltd., Phoenix Control Systems Ltd., Rhein Nadel Automation GmbH, Scott Technology Ltd., TASI Group, TW Automation, and United Robotics Inc.. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global robotics system integration market 2024-2028 AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Application (Material handling, Welding and soldering, Assembly line, and Others), End-user (Electronics, Automotive, Healthcare, Aerospace and defence, and Logistics and others), and Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Amtec Solutions Group Inc., Burke Porter Group, CNC Robotics Ltd., Concept Systems Inc., FH Automation, Geku Automation, Hitachi Ltd., IPG Photonics Corp., JH Robotics Inc, MESH Automation Inc., Midwest Engineered Systems Inc., Mitsui and Co. Ltd., Motion Controls Robotics Inc., Peak Analysis and Automation Ltd., Phoenix Control Systems Ltd., Rhein Nadel Automation GmbH, Scott Technology Ltd., TASI Group, TW Automation, and United Robotics Inc. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The Robotics System Integration market is experiencing significant growth as industries seek to automate processes and increase efficiency. Industrial robots, including collaborative robots or cobots, are being integrated into manufacturing units in sectors like automotive, electronics, aerospace and defense, and more. Robotics system integrators provide consulting services to help businesses optimize their infrastructure and application integration. Next-generation robots are being developed with advanced hardware and software for tasks in material handling, logistics, healthcare, defense, IT and telecom, and more. The robotic industry is also seeing accelerated adoption due to advancements in AI, machine learning algorithms, IoT sensors, and data analytics. This leads to real-time monitoring, improved productivity, and reduced operational costs. Robotic system integrators play a crucial role in configuring and optimizing cohesive robotic systems. With the increasing use of cobots, labor costs are becoming more competitive. Skilled robotics engineers and technicians are in high demand to ensure the successful implementation of these advanced technologies. However, cybersecurity concerns remain a challenge as robots become more integrated into critical infrastructure. Dynamic Automation Solutions offer solutions to address these concerns while ensuring political stability and dynamic automation. The industrial robotics market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing adoption of robots in industries previously relying on manual labor. This trend is particularly noticeable in sectors facing workforce deficits, such as construction. For instance, in regions like the Nordic countries, where construction is on the rise, there is an emerging need for specialist integrators to facilitate the implementation of robots for improved efficiency. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent a substantial opportunity for the expansion of the global robotics system integration market. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges The Robotics System Integration market is experiencing significant growth as more industries automate their processes with industrial robots. However, integration of these robots presents challenges such as programming and configuration. Robotics system integrators play a crucial role in ensuring a cohesive system by handling infrastructure and application integration. Industries like automotive, electronics, aerospace and defense, and manufacturing units are leading the way in robotic automation. Next-generation robots, including collaborative robots (cobots), are increasingly being adopted for material handling applications. Robotic system integrators help optimize productivity, reduce operational costs, and improve product quality. Challenges include the need for skilled engineers and technicians, cybersecurity concerns, and the integration of IoT sensors, data analytics, and real-time monitoring. Advancements in robotics and AI are accelerating adoption in various sectors, from logistics and healthcare to defense and finance. Robots are being used for tasks ranging from bomb disposal and reconnaissance to surgeries and patient care. Dynamic Automation Solutions provides comprehensive consulting services to help businesses navigate these challenges and maximize the benefits of robotics and automation. System integrators play a crucial role in the deployment of industrial robots for businesses. The process involves various formalities, including contract signing, competitive bidding, and legalities. Vendors must focus on streamlining these pre-purchase procedures to save end-users time and money. Robotic integration market players offer software packages for seamless robot programming and integration. Innovations in the process, such as efficient contract negotiations and quick evaluations, are essential to maintain competitiveness. By optimizing these steps, integrators can help businesses effectively incorporate robots into their operations. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This robotics system integration market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 Material handling 1.2 Welding and soldering 1.3 Assembly line 1.4 Others End-user 2.1 Electronics 2.2 Automotive 2.3 Healthcare 2.4 Aerospace and defence 2.5 Logistics and others Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Material handling- The robotics system integration market for material handling is experiencing significant growth, particularly in industries such as automotive, chemicals, electrical and electronics, industrial machinery, and food and beverage. Robots are increasingly being used for material handling due to their ability to work on multiple processes simultaneously and improve process efficiency. In the automotive industry, the need to move bulk payloads efficiently has resulted in high demand for robotics system integration. The chemical industry also represents a major consumer due to the handling of hazardous materials and the desire to reduce liability and refurbishment costs. In the electrical and electronics industry, the trend towards miniaturization necessitates high throughput and quality, making robots an attractive solution. The industrial machinery industry seeks to reduce worker fatigue, accidents, and costs by automating production processes, including material handling. In the food and beverage industry, robots help improve efficiency in material handling and packaging a variety of SKUs within a short timeframe. Companies like Coop in the food industry have automated their warehousing, distribution, and order fulfillment functions to address labor shortages, increasing wages, and consumer expectations. As the demand for material handling automation continues to grow, manufacturers, system integrators, and consultancies stand to benefit from this trend in industries worldwide. 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 Robotics system integration refers to the process of bringing together industrial robots, programming software, and infrastructure to create a cohesive automation solution. This market encompasses the integration of units from various robotics manufacturers to meet specific manufacturing tasks in industries such as automotive, electronics, aerospace and defense, and material handling applications. The next generation of robots, including collaborative robots, are driving growth in this sector. Robotic system integrators provide configuration, optimization, hardware, and software solutions to automate processes in manufacturing units. The goal is to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance productivity in the robotic industry. Mesh Engineering, for instance, offers integration services for Robots, Automation, and Infrastructure, enabling seamless communication between hardware and software components. Market Research Overview Robotics system integration refers to the process of bringing together industrial robots, collaborative robots (cobots), and related hardware, software, and infrastructure to create a cohesive automation solution. This involves programming, configuration, optimization, and application integration to automate tasks in manufacturing, material handling, automotive, electronics, aerospace and defense, and various industries. The next generation of robots is characterized by advancements in AI, machine learning algorithms, IoT sensors, data analytics, and real-time monitoring. Robotic system integrators play a crucial role in the robotic industry, providing consulting services, infrastructure integration, and productivity improvements, while reducing operational costs and enhancing product quality. The adoption of robotics is accelerating due to advancements in robotics and AI, as well as the need for labor cost savings and dynamic automation solutions. Skilled robotics engineers and technicians are in high demand to meet the increasing demand for robotic systems in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, defense, IT and telecom, data centers, network management, bomb disposal, reconnaissance, surveillance, banking, financial services, insurance, inspection maintenance, exploration, surgeries, medications, patient care, political stability, and more. Robotic system integration also involves dealing with cyberattacks and ensuring the security of robotic systems. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Material Handling Welding And Soldering Assembly Line Others End-user Electronics Automotive Healthcare Aerospace And Defence Logistics And Others Geography APAC Europe North America South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio $500,000 grant to Health In Harmony to catalyze private sector investments toward climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience Represents latest funding from The Rockefeller Foundation to address climate change and biodiversity loss BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of "Nature and Biodiversity / Indigenous People / Gender Equality / Oceans and Coastal Zones Day" at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29), The Rockefeller Foundation announced a $500,000 grant to Health In Harmony (HIH) . HIH is a global climate nonprofit that collaborates with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to scale investments and implement their environmental solutions in Indonesia, Panama, Brazil, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2025. With funding from The Rockefeller Foundation, the organization will strengthen the link between environmental conservation and human health by partnering with rainforest communities in the Brazilian Amazon and investing directly in their solutions. Less than 1% of global climate finance annually goes directly to Indigenous peoples and local communities, despite Indigenous communities being a critical steward of the land globally and their solutions are central to avoiding rainforest deforestation. This grant is a part of The Rockefeller Foundation's broader effort to mobilize private sector resources for people-centered climate solutions, including mainstreaming investment in nature, with a focus on nature dependencies and frontline communities. "Indigenous solutions provide unparalleled benefits for carbon and biodiversity protection, yet current nature-based tools often disregard their rights and self-determination, offering little to no direct benefits to these communities. Despite their critical role, they are extremely underfunded," said Ashley Emerson, co-CEO of Business & Scale at Health In Harmony. "This is a missed opportunity to develop new financing models that amplify community-driven solutionssupporting planetary health, Indigenous self-determination, and nature-positive outcomes. We must actively listen and invest in their solutions." HIH collaborates with local partners throughout the tropics to reverse deforestation, aiming to combat the global climate and nature crises. Reciprocity-based investments in Indigenous Peoples, Afro Descendent, and local communities' self-designed systems and solutions can reverse the loss of tropical rainforests. The Rockefeller Foundation's grant will support market infrastructure to drive adoption, accountability, and integrity of climate and nature solutions in the Brazilian Amazon. In addition, HIH is advancing carbon and biodiversity monitoringcritical areas that remain underfunded and hampered by a lack of robust tools, data, and community-led solutions, in collaboration with Woodwell Climate Research Center, Pawanka Fund, and WildMon. "Nature's health determines people's healthand the quality of the food we eat, the jobs we have, the economies that shape our well-being, and so much more," said Maria Kozloski, Senior Vice President of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation. "The Rockefeller Foundation is investing in nature to help protect and preserve ecosystems while accelerating a green transition that centers people and communities. We are excited that Health In Harmony is helping drive the adoption of climate and nature solutions and increasing capital flows to underinvested areas." Nature-based solutions with safeguards are estimated to provide 37% of climate change mitigation until 2030 needed to meet the goal of keeping climate warming below 2C, with likely co-benefits for biodiversity, according to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services ( IPBES ). This grant is the latest funding from The Rockefeller Foundation to address climate change and biodiversity loss, which includes, but is not limited to: Investing in native species reforestation through The Amazon Reforestation Fund. The Rockefeller Foundation committed catalytic capital to support Mombak , a Brazilian carbon removal startup, in its $100 million Amazon reforestation strategy. Mombak is supporting local communities seeking to become one of the largest biodiverse reforestation efforts for carbon removal in the region. Microsoft Corp has also agreed to purchase as many as 1.5 million carbon removal credits generated through its reforestation of degraded Brazilian pastureland using native and biodiverse tree species. In the summer of 2024, The World Bank issued its largest outcome bond, $255 million , for reforestation efforts, including Mombak's. This bond is the first of its kind to link investors' returns to carbon removal from the atmosphere through reforestation in the Amazon. The Rockefeller Foundation committed catalytic capital to support , a Brazilian carbon removal startup, in its Amazon reforestation strategy. Mombak is supporting local communities seeking to become one of the largest biodiverse reforestation efforts for carbon removal in the region. Microsoft Corp has also agreed to purchase as many as 1.5 million carbon removal credits generated through its reforestation of degraded Brazilian pastureland using native and biodiverse tree species. In the summer of 2024, The World Bank issued its largest outcome bond, , for reforestation efforts, including Mombak's. This bond is the first of its kind to link investors' returns to carbon removal from the atmosphere through reforestation in the Amazon. Mobilizing private capital for investments in forest restoration and fire risk mitigation. The Zero Gap Fund (ZGF), a $30 million partnership with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to promote investment in scalable and innovative impact-driven investment solutions, invested in Blue Forest's Forest Resilience Bond I (FRB I ), which uses a public private partnership structure to mobilize private capital for investments in forest restoration and fire risk mitigation to protect communities and ecosystems on public lands. The FRB I, which reached maturation in December 2023 , has helped avoid 27,280 metric tons of CO2e emissions, restore 2,675 acres of terrestrial ecosystems, and protect 27,601 acre-feet of water supply. The Zero Gap Fund (ZGF), a partnership with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to promote investment in scalable and innovative impact-driven investment solutions, invested in Blue Forest's Forest Resilience Bond I (FRB I which uses a public private partnership structure to mobilize private capital for investments in forest restoration and fire risk mitigation to protect communities and ecosystems on public lands. The FRB I, which reached maturation in , has helped avoid 27,280 metric tons of CO2e emissions, restore 2,675 acres of terrestrial ecosystems, and protect 27,601 acre-feet of water supply. Pooling and accelerating financing into ecological restoration projects. In 2023, The ZGF invested in Blue Forest's FRB Catalyst Facility , which leverages the public private partnership structure of the Forest Resilience Bond to create a pooled, revolving investment facility to accelerate the financing of critical ecological restoration projects. As of the end of 2023, their efforts have helped avoid more than 26,300 metric tons of CO2e emissions. In 2023, The ZGF invested in Blue Forest's FRB Catalyst Facility which leverages the public private partnership structure of the Forest Resilience Bond to create a pooled, revolving investment facility to accelerate the financing of critical ecological restoration projects. As of the end of 2023, their efforts have helped avoid more than 26,300 metric tons of CO2e emissions. Catalyzing regenerative agriculture practices. In 2023, the ZGF invested in Trailhead Capital's Regeneration Fund I, which supports businesses that develop sustainable and regenerative practices in agriculture and food systems, via carbon sequestration, biodiversity, land preservation, water conservation, food waste, and quality. The Regeneration Fund I has conserved 411 million gallons of water, avoided more than 11,000 tons of CO2e emissions, and impacted 3.4 million acres of land across their portfolio companies. In 2023, the ZGF invested in which supports businesses that develop sustainable and regenerative practices in agriculture and food systems, via carbon sequestration, biodiversity, land preservation, water conservation, food waste, and quality. The Regeneration Fund I has conserved 411 million gallons of water, avoided more than 11,000 tons of CO2e emissions, and impacted 3.4 million acres of land across their portfolio companies. Building a diversified portfolio of high-quality nature-based solutions. The Rockefeller Foundation has grant-funded, alongside other partners, The Nature Conservancy's Natural Climate Solutions Accelerator , which stewards projects from first concept to investability with technical and financial support through its global portfolio, including approximately 25% Latin America exposure. The Rockefeller Foundation has grant-funded, alongside other partners, The Nature Conservancy's , which stewards projects from first concept to investability with technical and financial support through its global portfolio, including approximately 25% exposure. Strengthening food security and regenerative agricultural solutions. The Rockefeller Foundation provided grant funding to Fundacion para la Aplicacion y Ensenanza de la Ciencia (FUNDAEC) to promote locally-centered agroecology to address food insecurity for impoverished communities in Colombia and to CIMMYT , a non-profit international organization, dedicated to improving production systems and basic cereals for the future. The Rockefeller Foundation's grant to CIMMYT is in support of research on regenerative agricultural practices on farms in Mexico . The Rockefeller Foundation provided grant funding to to promote locally-centered agroecology to address food insecurity for impoverished communities in and to , a non-profit international organization, dedicated to improving production systems and basic cereals for the future. The Rockefeller Foundation's grant to CIMMYT is in support of research on regenerative agricultural practices on farms in . Scaling access to environmental monitoring technologies. The Rockefeller Foundation's grant to Earth Genome is expanding access to environmental monitoring technologies for indigenous communities across the world so they can more effectively protect their local environments and manage their natural heritage. The Rockefeller Foundation's grant to is expanding access to environmental monitoring technologies for indigenous communities across the world so they can more effectively protect their local environments and manage their natural heritage. Identifying regenerative agriculture financing instruments. Pollination and Transformational Investing in Food Systems (TIFS), with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, canvassed the market of available resources for financing regenerative agriculture solutions. Released in June, Financing Regenerative Agriculture offers insights from key market participants and provides interested stakeholders with a broad catalogue of the innovative regenerative financing instruments currently being deployed globally. Pollination and Transformational Investing in Food Systems (TIFS), with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, canvassed the market of available resources for financing regenerative agriculture solutions. Released in June, offers insights from key market participants and provides interested stakeholders with a broad catalogue of the innovative regenerative financing instruments currently being deployed globally. Supporting solutions to scale U.S. regenerative organic agriculture. The Rockefeller Foundation invested in Mad Capital 's Perennial Fund II, which launched in March to provide farmers in the United States with tailored loans that help them transition to regenerative organic farmland while also increasing farmer profits. About Health In Harmony Health In Harmony (HIH) works alongside Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples to realize community-led climate and nature crisis solutions. Currently, HIH supports 135,000 community members to have a significant impact on protecting half of the world's tropical rainforests. HIH is expanding globally to work alongside tropical rainforest communities through an ecosystem of partners including Earth Finance, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Indonesia Ministry of Health, Savimbo, If Not Us Then Who, Silverback Earth, and FSC Indigenous Foundation To learn more, please visit www.healthinharmony.org and follow us on Instagram @healthinharmonyngo . About The Rockefeller Foundation The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity and make opportunity universal and sustainable. Our focus is on scaling renewable energy for all, stimulating economic mobility, and ensuring equitable access to health care and nutritious food. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @RockefellerFdn . SOURCE The Rockefeller Foundation Expanded capabilities will support increased Polish Air Force needs RZESZOW, Poland, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, signed a letter of intent with Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze Nr. 2 S.A., also known as WZL2, to explore expanded maintenance repair and overhaul capabilities for increased Polish Air Force needs. "We are identifying ways to increase F100 engine sustainment work in Poland to ensure our Polish ally has the propulsion power they need," said Piotr Owsicki, general director of Pratt & Whitney Rzeszow. "We plan to use existing knowledge and experience, as well as infrastructure testing facilities, to provide the full cycle of F100 engine maintenance in country." Between 2005 and 2008, the original F100 engines powering the Polish Air Force's F-16 fleet were built by Polish employees at the Pratt & Whitney Rzeszow facility. Today, nearly 20 years later, the facility produces F100 static structures and critical rotating parts in support of new F100 engines and worldwide sustainment. "Our cooperation with Pratt & Whitney Rzeszow dates back to when they produced the F100 engines for the Polish F-16 fleet," said Mr. Dariusz Sokolski, president of Military Aviation Works No. 2 S.A. "Participation in subsequent projects is a development of WZL2's competencies beyond the repair of F100 engine modules, which in the future will give more opportunities to support the Polish Air Force." Should the Polish Air Force select the F-15EX to enhance its defense capabilities, the F100 engine is the F-15EX's best propulsion solution. The Polish Air Force's existing familiarity with the F100, coupled with the Polish industry's long-standing F100 MRO capability, will provide the most cost effective and lowest risk path to sustaining the engines and maximizing fleet readiness for both the F-15EX and F-16. About Pratt & Whitney Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com . About RTX With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected]. SOURCE RTX New research labs and process development services to enable next generation therapeutics Up- and downstream process optimization, proof of concept runs, demos and trainings for customers Coming 2025: two GMP suites for implementing novel manufacturing processes AUBAGNE, France, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sartorius Stedim Biotech, a leading partner of the biopharmaceutical industry, today opened its new Center for Bioprocess Innovation in Marlborough, Massachusetts. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to foster collaboration, co-development and learning on site with customers and other external innovation partners, applying Sartorius' latest technologies in real-life bioprocess workflows. L-R: Christian Dumais, Mayor of Marlborough; Rene Faber, CEO of Sartorius Stedim Biotech; Maurice Phelan, President of Sartorius North America; Yvonne Hao, Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development. "Cell and gene therapies and other novel treatments offer promising solutions for patients with previously incurable diseases. However, these modalities are still in their infancy and often require the development of new manufacturing processes, in order to become more efficient and less costly. This cutting-edge innovation center enables us to leverage our bioprocessing tools and workflows expertise, ultimately accelerating and simplifying our customers' path to clinical trials," said Rene Faber, CEO of Sartorius Stedim Biotech. The 63,000-square-foot facility houses research and service laboratories, as well as facilities for customer demos and trainings. Dedicated expert teams will offer process development, optimization and validation services. Currently hosting a team of 50 scientists and product developers, the new hub will have the capacity to accommodate more than 120 internal and external bioprocessing experts. In 2025, Sartorius Stedim Biotech will add two multi-modality GMP suites, operating on Sartorius workflows and equipment. The suites will allow customers to extend their process development projects with Sartorius into the early stages of clinical production. With this, the company further expands its solution offering with a focus on developing novel manufacturing processes for next generation therapeutics. "The Greater Boston area is home to an unparalleled ecosystem that fosters innovation, collaboration, and growth. As a global hub for biotechnology and life sciences, it offers access to world-renowned academic institutions, cutting-edge research facilities, and a highly skilled workforce. Moreover, the region's robust network of venture capital firms and industry partnerships provides ample opportunities for strategic collaborations. This is an ideal time and a great place to launch these capabilities which are so critical to the success of our customers," said Maurice Phelan, President of Sartorius North America. "Massachusetts is the global epicenter of life sciences because of companies like Sartorius," said Yvonne Hao, Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development. "This new center will serve as a hub that encourages open collaboration and creates comprehensive research pathways for experts. We look forward to this company's continued success, and we are grateful for their work ensuring that our communities have access to innovative therapeutic technologies." Sartorius Stedim Biotech has expanded its presence in the area in the recent past. Initially operating from a shared lab in the Seaport District in Boston, the company acquired Marlborough-based purification expert WaterSep BioSeparations in 2020 and opened a new Customer Interaction Center (CIC) for Bioprocess Equipment in 2021, both located near the new Center for Bioprocess Innovation. More than 100 employees work at three sites in Marlborough, and around 1,800 people for Sartorius Stedim Biotech in North America. A profile of Sartorius Stedim Biotech Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading international partner of the biopharmaceutical industry. As a provider of innovative solutions, the company based in Aubagne, France, helps its customers to manufacture biotech medications, such as cell and gene therapies, safely, rapidly, and economically. The shares of Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A. are quoted on the Euronext Paris. The company has a strong global reach with manufacturing and R&D sites as well as sales entities in Europe, North America, and Asia. Sartorius Stedim Biotech regularly expands its portfolio through acquisitions of complementary technologies. In 2023, the company generated sales revenue of around 2.8 billion euros. Currently, more than 10,000 employees are working for customers around the globe. Visit our Newsroom or follow us on LinkedIn. Contact Leona Malorny Head of External Communications +49 551 308 4067 [email protected] SOURCE Sartorius Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $75,000 In Paragon 28 To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $75,000 in Paragon 28 between May 5, 2023 and September 20, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Paragon 28, Inc. ("Paragon 28" or the "Company") (NYSE: FNA) and reminds investors of the November 29, 2024 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi Logo (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP) Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com. As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that throughout the Class Period defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Paragon 28's financial statements were misstated; (2) Paragon 28 lacked adequate internal controls and at times understated the extent of the issues with its internal controls; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times. On July 30, 2024, after the market closed, Paragon 28 filed a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC disclosing that "the Company's previously issued audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, contained within the Annual Report on Form 10-K for that year . . . and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained within the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, and March 31, 2024 should no longer be relied upon due to errors in such financial statements, and therefore a restatement of these prior financial statements is required." On this news, Paragon 28's stock fell $1.24 per share, or 13.7%, to close at $7.79 per share on July 31, 2024. Then, on August 8, 2024, the Company issued a press release announcing its financial results for the second quarter of 2024. In it, the Company issued revised full-year revenue guidance of $249 million to $255 million, down from a previous range of $249 million to $259 million. The Company also announced the implementation of an "operational efficiency strategy" that involved a 7% reduction in workforce, an "inventory burn-down", and a "[o]ne-time realignment of executive compensation for 2024." On this news, Paragon 28's stock fell $1.67 per share, or 20.1%, to close at $6.64 per share on August 9, 2024. Finally, after the market closed on September 20, 2024, Paragon disclosed the abrupt departure of Defendant Erik Mickelson, the Company's Chief Accounting Officer. This news sent the price of Paragon shares down $0.30 (-4.3%) on September 23, 2024. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Paragon 28's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Paragon 28 class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/FNA or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky announces that it has commenced an investigation of Zeta Global Holdings Corp (NYSE: ZETA) concerning possible breaches of fiduciary duty. If you have been a shareholder of ZETA since at least February 23, 2022, and currently hold shares, you can obtain additional information here: https://zlk.com/compensation2/zeta-global-holdings-corp-lawsuit-submission-form or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 363-7500. There is no cost or obligation to you. Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized firm with offices in New York, Connecticut, California, and Washington, D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities lawsuits and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders. For more information, please feel free to contact the firm. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Levi & Korsinsky, LLP Joseph E. Levi, Esq. 33 Whitehall Street, 17th Floor New York, NY 10004 [email protected] Tel: (212) 363-7500 Fax: (212) 363-7171 www.zlk.com SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP MORRISVILLE, N.C., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SilverSky, a cybersecurity innovator offering powerful managed extended detection and response (MxDR) services, has been recognized by Intelisys, a leading technology services distributor of connectivity and cloud services as the Top Engineering Team. The recognition honors supplier partners for consistently going above and beyond to deliver excellence, support and value to Intelisys Sales Partners. SilverSky has experienced significant growth and adoption of our Lightning MxDR service since implementing a channel-focused go-to-market strategy in 2021. "We are honored to receive this award from Intelisys," says Mike Viruso, SVP of Sales. "Since joining the company, my goal has been to build a 100% channel-focused sales team. This award validates that we chose the right strategy. Our commitment to enabling partners to identify client needs and position solutions that address the ever-evolving threat landscape and increasing regulatory compliance requirements will continue to drive value for our partners and fuel exponential growth moving forward." Winners were selected by Intelisys based on a number of criteria which include, but are not limited to, revenue performance, new logo billings, year-over-year growth, and overall impact of their solutions and programs in the channel. "We are excited to recognize our supplier partners who go above and beyond in delivering exceptional value and support to our Sales Partners," said Paul Constantine, Senior Vice President, Supplier Services, Intelisys. "We'd like to extend congratulations to SilverSky for their recognition as Top Engineering Team. Their achievements this year have set a standard for excellence, driving growth within the channel. We look forward to building on this success and achieving even greater milestones together in the future." The awards were presented to the honorees during Intelisys Channel Connect in Nashville, Tennessee. About SilverSky Medium-sized enterprises face the same cybersecurity threats, compliance mandates, and business risks as Fortune 500 companies. SilverSky is a leader in enabling these companies to meet regulatory requirements, proactively respond to threats, and rapidly reduce risk. State-of-the-art Managed xDR services are delivered through its SOCs, which were developed based on military-grade security, and are powered by the latest integrated technology. SilverSky has more than 20 years of operational success defending thousands of customers in some of the most demanding and regulated industry sectors. Visit www.silversky.com. Company Contact: Clark Easterling Vice President, Marketing SilverSky [email protected] SOURCE SilverSky Businesses with > $50m revenue are 2.5x more likely to face cyber incidents Supply chain attacks increased fivefold, up by 431%, since 2021 Manufacturing sector is most vulnerable to cyber threats PLEASANTON, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Businesses with revenues exceeding $50 million (40.5m) are 2.5x more likely to face cyber incidents - that's according to a new Cyber Roundup Report published today by Cowbell, a leading provider of cyber insurance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and middle-market businesses. Drawing on a vast three-year data set from over 46 million SMEs across the US, UK, and Japan, Cowbell's new report stands apart from others globally. As well as spotlighting the frequency of attacks among larger organizations, the report also sheds light on the heightened vulnerability of smaller SMEs due to limited cybersecurity resources, and the escalating threat of supply chain attacks and industry-specific cyber exposure. Discussing the report findings, Cowbell founder and CEO Jack Kudale said: "The digital age has opened up some incredible avenues for business growth. But in the same breath, it's also brought a complex set of cyber risks. Across the board, we're seeing cybercriminals capitalize on interconnectivity, automation, and emerging tools like AI to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks." Key findings include: Supply chain attacks have surged by 431% since 2021, indicating a growing vulnerability in interconnected business ecosystems. The manufacturing sector emerges as the most at-risk, with cyber risk scores 11.7% below the global average - a finding driven by the sector's reliance on automation and the sensitivity of its intellectual property. Public administration and educational services also face elevated risks, particularly from ransomware attacks, with a 70% increase in attacks on educational institutions over the past year. Five risky technology categories were identified, and include operating systems, content management tools, virtualization technologies, server-side technologies, and business applications. Kudale continues: "This report underscores one particularly critical reality: no business - large, small, or niche - is immune to cyber threats. Larger organizations are key targets because of their vast data and complex operations, while smaller businesses are at risk due to supply chain vulnerabilities and limited cybersecurity resources. The latter may face a lower frequency of attacks overall, however, the consequences of a single incident can be devastating, including significant financial losses, crippling downtime and business interruption, and, in some cases, closure. The stark 70% rise in attacks on educational institutions, many under-resourced, highlights how vulnerable underprepared sectors can be." In addition to the report's key findings, Cowbell provides businesses with practical recommendations for cyber risk management, emphasizing the role of comprehensive third-party risk management, technology risk prioritization, and the importance of regular employee training and robust Incident Response Plans (IRPs). "To stay resilient, leaders across businesses of all sizes and sectors need to prioritize cybersecurity just as they would any other core aspect of their operations. At Cowbell, we're committed to equipping SMEs and mid-market businesses with the insights and resources they need to protect themselves in this evolving threat landscape," Kudale adds. To learn more and download the full report, please visit cowbell.insure. Notes to Editor Data taken across three years, between 2021 and 2023. Link to the report - https://cowbell.insure/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/CB-US-Q4-CyberRoundupReport24.pdf About Cowbell Cowbell is a pioneer of Adaptive Cyber Insurance, leading the way in providing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and middle-market businesses with coverage adaptable to today's and tomorrow's threats and the advanced warning of cyber risk exposures. With its unique AI-based approach in risk selection and pricing, Cowbell's continuous underwriting platform, powered by Cowbell Factors, compresses the insurance process from submission to issue in less than 5 minutes. Backed by 25 prominent global (re)insurance partners, Cowbell serves SMEs across 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom, assessing businesses with revenues up to $1B globally. Founded in 2019, Cowbell is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and has employees across the U.S., Canada, India, and the U.K. For more information, please visit https://cowbell.insure/. About Cowbell (UK) Cowbell is a pioneer of Adaptive Cyber Insurance, a leader in providing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) coverage adaptable to today's and tomorrow's threats and the advanced warning of cyber risk exposures. In its unique AI-based approach in risk selection and pricing, Cowbell's continuous underwriting platform, powered by Cowbell Factors, compresses the insurance process from submission to issue in less than 5 minutes. Cowbell is backed by 20 prominent leading global (re)insurance partners and serves SMEs in 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the United Kingdom. Founded in 2019, Cowbell is based in the San Francisco Bay Area with employees across the U.S., Canada, India, and the U.K. For more information, please visit https://cowbell.insure/. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563380/Cowbell_Logo.jpg SOURCE Cowbell The Quarterly Pop-Up Chef's Table Series is One of Several Ongoing Series at the Eclectic, Epicurean Estate that Includes Priest Ranch Wines YOUNTVILLE, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Somerston Estate, a 1,682-acre winery property nestled in the eastern Napa Valley Vaca Mountain range, has partnered with former Food Network Host & Cookbook Author Bob Blumer to launch its Surreal Suppers series. The series will feature Priest Ranch and Somerston Estate wines, all sourced from the estate-owned vineyard. Blumer, a cookbook author, artist, and eight-time Guinness World Record holder is the creator and host of the television series Surreal Gourmet, and Glutton for Punishment, and a producer and host of World's Weirdest Restaurants. His shows air on various networks in over twenty countries worldwide. Blumer's most recent cookbook with Random House, Flavorbomb: A Rogue Guide to Making Everything Taste Better, has a singular goal: to help readers become a better cook. The quarterly pop-up chef's table series will be held at Somerston Estate for intimate groups of up to ten guests. These progressive dinners will take you on a culinary journey across the estate, from mountain-top sparkling wine sabering to crush pad and barrel room bites, to dining in the estate's private kitchen. In the kitchen, Blumer prepares, interacts face-to-face, and presents his artistic and whimsical dishes with guests. The evening closes with dessert on the tasting room patio overlooking the estate vineyards. Transportation to and from Somerston Estate is included. "As one of the most celebrated estates in the Napa Valley," said Blumer, "I'm thrilled to launch this new series for those who want a culinary experience off the eaten path literally and figuratively. Off the Eaten Path also happens to be the name of my third of seven cookbooks, so we'll all be living our best lives when we break bread together." "Bob Blumer is one of the most inventive talents I've come across," said Judd Wallenbrock, CEO at Somerston Estate. "His dishes are both delicious and thought-provoking in equal measure, making him an ideal partner for our uniquely epicurean estate." Dates for the 2024 holiday season and 2025 will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested in learning more about the series and booking may visit the online website, https://priestranchwines.com/surreal-suppers/ , contact [email protected] or by calling 707.944.8200 x204. About Somerston Estate Nestled in the eastern Vaca range of the Napa Valley, Somerston Estate is a 1,682-acre property that houses two premier wine brands: Priest Ranch and Somerston. The collective focus centers on celebrating a rich agricultural heritage through leadership-driven viticulture and viniculture practices and cultivated wine and food experiences. With a commitment to sustainable farming practices and a passion for producing wines of unparalleled quality, Somerston Estate has garnered acclaim from wine enthusiasts and critics alike. SOURCE Priest Ranch Winery BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The UK supports the Baku Declaration on Water, the country's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature Mary Creagh said at the COP29 High-Level Event Celebrating Waters Lifeline for Climate, Nature, and People today, Trend reports. "In 2023, we witnessed the driest year for rivers in the past 30 years. This has serious consequences. Just look at the Rhone or the Danube to understand the scale of the damage it inflicts on food systems, transport, and clean energy production. Thats why, at COP26, the UK organized the first-ever water pavilion at the conference to highlight its importance in this context, and were pleased to see that with each subsequent COP, the role of water continues to grow. This continues today, as we are proud to announce the UKs support for the COP29 Water Declaration. We fully back this initiative and look forward to seeing this powerful 'river of action' continue its flow through Belem and beyond. This won't be an easy task," 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. 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 Sorenson has been recognized alongside brands such as Adobe, Amazon, Disney, Samsung, and others for groundbreaking technology that profoundly impacts consumers, industries, and society SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sorenson , a global leader in communication solutions, is honored to announce that its groundbreaking AI-powered language solution for events, Sorenson Forum , was named to Fast Company's 2024 Next Big Things in Tech in the Enterprise award category for "hardware, software, and services that change how business gets done." This year, a panel of judges evaluated over 1,300 applications to select the top 138 honorees. Sorenson has been recognized by Fast Company alongside brands such as Adobe, Amazon, Disney, Samsung, and others for groundbreaking technology that profoundly impacts consumers, industries, and society. Sorenson Forum is revolutionizing real-time communication by providing remote simultaneous interpreting and captioning across 25 languages and 45 dialects. This innovative solution empowers organizations to create fully inclusive, accessible events that bridge language barriers and connect diverse language audiences in real-time. "We are honored to be recognized by Fast Company for our work to develop cutting-edge language solutions," said Paget Alves, CEO of Sorenson, which connects more than 140 million conversations across all business lines each year. "Sorenson Forum is a testament to our commitment to innovation and our dedication to creating a more inclusive world." Sorenson Forum is designed to be user-friendly and accessible. Participants can easily join a session and select their preferred language, and the platform will automatically produce interpreted audio, captions, and transcripts in real-time. Whether it's a global conference, a multinational team meeting, or a classroom setting, Sorenson Forum ensures that everyone can participate and understand. "Sorenson Forum represents a significant leap forward in making real-time communication accessible to a global audience," explained Ryan Sullivan, Chief Product Officer of Sorenson. "This innovative tool, with its intuitive design, user-friendly interface, and powerful AI model, paves the way for a more inclusive and connected world." Sullivan believes that accessibility goes beyond technical prowess it's about user experience. Unlike other multilingual tools, Sorenson Forum offers a more seamless experience for meeting hosts. Participation is effortless, with users simply joining a session using a PIN or QR code displayed by the host. And unlike other multilingual CART or interpretation tools, Sorenson Forum eliminates cost and complexity for both organizers and participants. Organizers simply share a link to a virtual meeting room, accessible on any browser, iOS, or Android device. "In today's globalized environment, communication transcends language barriers, empowering individuals to participate, learn, and thrive," Sullivan said. "Sorenson is proud to be at the forefront of this technology." Sorenson Forum will be officially unveiled at the Language Lounge , a media-only event on Jan. 7, during CES 2025 in Las Vegas. This immersive experience will showcase the power of Sorenson's language solutions and provide tech media with a firsthand look at the future of communication. The Language Lounge is a by-invitation-only event offering a rare, hands-on experience that will include: Real-time demos: See Sorenson's newest translation tools in action. newest translation tools in action. Exclusive access: Meet Sorenson CPO Ryan Sullivan and uncover exclusive insights behind our innovations. Intrigue and connection: Enjoy cocktails, conversation, and the latest in tech to break language barriers. Please note that space is limited, so be sure to register early for your invitation to the Language Lounge: Learn More . View this announcement in Spanish or ASL. About Sorenson Sorenson is one of the world's leading language services providers, combining patented technology with human-centric solutions. We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for underrepresented people through communication solutions for all. We provide call captioning and video relay services, video remote and in-person sign language and spoken language interpreting, translation, real-time captioning, and post-production language services. Our company impact extends beyond the 140 million conversations we facilitate annually Sorenson fosters inclusive workplaces and job creation through communication accessibility and saves lives through interpreted emergency and health services. Sorenson is a portfolio company of Ariel Alternatives LLC's Project Black Fund, which aims to scale sustainable minority-owned businesses to serve as leading vendors to Fortune 500 companies, and we strive to manage and minimize our environmental impact. To learn more about our responsible business practices and efforts to advance human connection, visit sorenson.com or es.sorenson.com. Sorenson Press Contact Denisse Tamez Director of Public Relations Sorenson (801) 287-9400 [email protected] SOURCE Sorenson Silicon Beach startup pivots from infrastructure provider to tackle crypto's $100B operational crisis LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stackup, the company that built critical infrastructure for Coinbase and Trust Wallet, today announced its evolution into an enterprise-grade platform that transforms how businesses operate on blockchain. The platform eliminates the manual overhead and security risks that have plagued crypto companies, replacing clunky hardware wallets and fragmented tools with seamless financial operations. "Here's crypto's worst-kept secret: the companies building the future of finance use primitive technology to run their operations," said John Rising, CEO of Stackup. "We watched companies manage treasury operations through hardware wallets and manual processes. It's not just inefficientit's dangerous. We realized that solving this fundamental problem could unlock the next phase of blockchain adoption by making doing business onchain a strategic advantage." The pivot follows Stackup's success in providing infrastructure for major crypto wallets. While building solutions for Trust Wallet and Coinbase, the team discovered a deeper problem: the lack of enterprise-grade tools for basic business operations on blockchain. "We saw CFOs spending hours manually processing transactions, founders losing nights to administrative overhead, and companies cobbling together consumer tools to run multi-million dollar operations," said Hazim Jumali, CTO of Stackup. "The infrastructure we'd built for wallets gave us unique insight into solving these operational challenges." Bringing Modern Financial Controls to Blockchain Stackup's platform introduces several industry firsts: True non-custodial operations with enterprise-grade security Cross-chain permissions and workflows that mirror traditional finance controls Automated transaction management without sacrificing security Real-time financial visibility across all blockchain operations The solution leverages advanced smart contract technology (ERC-4337) to eliminate the need for hardware wallets, browser extensions, or complex key management systems. Companies can now manage blockchain operations with the same level of control and efficiency they expect from traditional financial systems. The founding team brings unique expertise to the challenge. Rising, previously Director of Vehicle Engineering at Relativity Space, brings experience scaling complex systems from concept to launch. Jumali, an early pioneer in smart account technology, led development of the infrastructure now used by major crypto wallets. "Stackup isn't just another blockchain toolit's a complete reimagining of how businesses should operate on-chain," said Rising. "We're giving companies the operational foundation they need to build the future of finance." Availability Stackup's enterprise platform is available immediately for companies looking to transform their blockchain operations. For more information, visit https://www.stackup.fi. About Stackup Stackup transforms how businesses operate on blockchain through enterprise-grade infrastructure that makes complex crypto operations simple, secure, and scalable. Founded by veterans from SpaceX and Afterpay, Stackup powers operations for leading crypto companies. The company is based in Culver City, California. Media Contact: John Rising 2132863874 [email protected] SOURCE Stackup JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellar, an integrated design-build firm, is honored to receive the 2024 Built By The Best Award from the Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA). The award recognizes Stellar's work on a 136,000-square-foot, 140-foot-tall expansion of a frozen food storage facility in Russellville, Arkansas, completed for Americold Logistics. The Built By The Best Award is the premier honor recognizing groundbreaking construction projects within the controlled environment sector. This category includes facilities essential for maintaining defined temperature conditions across various applications, such as fresh and frozen food storage, pharmaceuticals, data centers, and more. Submissions are categorized into two segments: projects below $35 million and those exceeding that amount. The award presentation took place during the CEBA Annual Conference and Expo in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, supported by the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), conveniently located near Stellar's headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla. "Stellar has been a vital partner in the expansion of our Russellville facility, and we are thrilled that the project has been awarded this recognition," said Rob Chambers, President, Americas at Americold. "We appreciate Stellar's expertise and commitment to excellence in delivering this state-of-the-art facility as we strive to help our customers feed the world." CEBA Built By The Best Award Project Over $35 Million This multimillion-dollar project features a leading-edge ammonia refrigeration system, insulated metal panel (IMP) exterior walls, an automated truck unloading system, an advanced fire protection system, and a state-of-the-art automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) that integrates seamlessly with the gantry and loop connections to the loading docks. The expansion also introduced a modern breakroom, offices, and a conference room while prioritizing sustainability with energy-efficient systems and a 25% reduction in water use. Stellar's design integrated these features seamlessly into the active facility without disrupting operations. The project's success underscores the commitment to overcoming challenges while maintaining the highest safety standards, achieving zero incidents, and reflecting the company's core values of trust, dedication, transparency, and accountability. Senior Vice President, Food Logistics Division, Stellar, Wyatt Payne, said: "This award highlights Stellar's leadership in Design-Build ASRS facilities and our commitment to delivering innovative, client-focused solutions. Partnering with Americold Logistics, we have developed an advanced design that meets their needs and strengthens their ability to serve their clients. We are honored to receive this award from CEBA." About Stellar Stellar is a fully integrated design, engineering, construction, refrigeration, and mechanical services firm serving commercial, industrial, and public sector markets across the United States. More than 750 Stellar employees throughout the country create award-winning food processing plants, refrigerated warehouses, distribution centers, commercial buildings, and military facilities. In addition to its headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, Stellar operates support locations throughout the United States. For more information, visit stellar.net . SOURCE Stellar 74 Warehouse Workers Join Teamsters Local 337, Prepare for Contract Negotiations DETROIT, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Warehouse workers at Sysco/SYGMA have voted to join Teamsters Local 337 in Detroit. SYGMA is a subsidiary of Sysco that supplies food and other goods to major chain restaurants. The group of 74 workers join a growing wave of organizing victories at Sysco nationwide. "We endured eight weeks of intense union busting from a multibillion-dollar multinational mega-corporation," said Andrew Wingate, a SYGMA worker in Detroit and a new member of Local 337. "The thousands of dollars this company spent to stop us from forming our union didn't matter in the end. We stood strong, we won, and now we're ready to fight for the first contract we deserve." Newly organized warehouse workers join drivers at the same Detroit facility who are already represented by Local 337. Despite Sysco's aggressive and costly union-busting campaign, these workers remained determined to form their union. "Sysco management attempted everything they could to prevent these workers from exercising their legally protected right to form a union, but the workers prevailed," said Todd Lince, President of Local 337. "Our newest members are the backbone of this company, and we're committed to negotiating a contract that reflects their hard work and dedication." The latest victory in Detroit is part of a broader movement at Sysco and its subsidiaries. Nationwide, the Teamsters represent more than 10,000 workers at the company. Earlier this month, SYGMA drivers in Kansas City voted to join Teamsters Local 955, and Sysco logistics workers in Kent, Wash., joined Local 117. "Sysco's union-busting playbook of lies and intimidation is failing coast-to-coast," said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. "This company is driven by greed, and its mistreatment of workers only fuels our organizing efforts. Workers at Sysco are sending a clear message: they're ready to fight for respect, dignity, and the contracts they deserve." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters Driving Innovation in Tax and Accounting Compliance, Taxbit with 2875% growth, Recognized on Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for Second Consecutive Year NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Taxbit , the leading tax and accounting compliance solution, today announced that it was named to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for the second consecutive year, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. "Earning a place on the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for the second consecutive year is an incredible achievement for Taxbit," said Lindsey Argalas, CEO of Taxbit. "This recognition underscores our position as a global leader and reflects our team's exceptional expertise and relentless commitment to driving innovation in the industry." Taxbit's inclusion in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 is just one of several significant milestones for the company in 2024. This year, Taxbit was also honored with the Tax Compliance Solution of the Year award, named a Top 10 Startup Employer of the Year, and won the Finance Technology Award at the Global FinTech Magazine Awards. Beyond these accolades, Taxbit also announced its strategic expansion into Europe earlier this year in response to the rapidly increasing adoption across the European digital asset market. This expansion follows evolving regulatory clarity in the region and the increased demand for Taxbit's compliance solutions at a global level. "For 30 years we've been celebrating companies that are actively driving innovation. The software industry continues to be a beacon of growth, and the fintech industry made a strong showing on this year's list, surpassing life sciences for the first time," said Steve Fineberg , vice chair, U.S. technology sector leader, Deloitte. "Significantly, we also saw a breakthrough in performance of private companies, with the highest number of private companies named to the list in our program's history. This year's winners have shown they have the vision and expertise to continue to perform at a high level, and that deserves to be celebrated." "Innovation, transformation and disruption of the status quo are at the forefront for this year's Technology Fast 500 list, and there's no better way to celebrate 30 years of program history," said Christie Simons , partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloitte's Audit & Assurance practice. "This year's winning companies have demonstrated a continuous commitment to growth and remarkable consistency in driving forward progress. We extend our congratulations to all of this year's winners it's an incredible time for innovation." About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies both public and private in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About Taxbit Taxbit is the premier tax and accounting compliance solution designed by CPAs and tax attorneys to simplify compliance and reporting for digital assets. Enterprises, financial institutions, and government agencies trust our comprehensive, end-to-end solution to compliance and ensure accuracy. Taxbit is certified with SOC 1 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2 attestation, and ISO 27001 standards. With over $235 million in funding from top global investors like Ribbit, IVP, Paradigm, Haun Ventures, and PayPal Ventures, Taxbit is headquartered in Draper, Utah, and has offices in Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Washington, D.C. Discover more at www.taxbit.com . 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 . Media Contact: Michelle O'Connor VP Global Brand and Market Expansion [email protected] 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 Taxbit DALLAS, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mammoth Holdings LLC, America's premier express car wash platform, announced the appointment of Terry Emerson as President and Chief Operating Officer. Most recently as Senior Vice President of Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers, Terry brings over 20 years of distinguished leadership in the automotive and retail sectors, punctuated by a commitment to team development and best-in-class customer service. Terry Emerson, President and Chief Operating Officer, Mammoth Holdings "Terry Emerson will play a pivotal role in refining Mammoth's go-to-market strategy as we continue to expand our presence in a highly competitive industry," said Dave Hoffmann, Chairman and CEO of Mammoth Holdings. "His leadership will further strengthen our commitment to operational excellence and a performance-driven culture." "I'm thrilled to join the dynamic management team built by Dave Hoffmann," said Terry Emerson. "Mammoth is primed to embrace huge opportunity in the express car wash sector and I'm excited to add my passion for building high-performance teams that deliver sustainable growth." At Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers, Emerson was instrumental in guiding the company's growth over the past decade from 150 to 2,300 locations across multiple platforms through strategic greenfield development and M&Aall while nurturing a company culture rooted in positivity and shared values. Emerson's leadership philosophy centered on mentorship, open dialogue, and leading by example consistently drove team excellence and resulted in the lowest employee turnover rates across the organization. Emerson led many specific initiatives at Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers that contributed to the company's growth. He launched and led the Ascend Leadership Workshop, a program designed to cultivate leaders at all levels of the organization and embed mission, vision, and values in a scalable and sustainable way during a period of rapid expansion. Emerson also founded the recruitment, development, and retention department, which became a cornerstone in scaling the company effectively. His development of the Vehicle Service Professional standard operating process significantly boosted mechanical and tire service revenues and profits. Additionally, he revolutionized operational oversight through the implementation of electronic store evaluations and focus reporting, providing unmatched transparency and enhancing performance metrics. "Terry's vision for leadership is devising creative growth strategies, empowering teams, and cultivating an environment where success is both shared and amplified at every level," said Dave Hoffmann. Emerson also brings experience from previous roles at Bridgestone and TBC Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management/Computer Information Systems from Park University. Additionally, his dedication to service extends beyond the professional sphere. He actively volunteers with the Special Olympics and youth sports, embodying a lifelong commitment to teamwork and community. Mammoth Holdings is the first car wash platform formed by industry insiders. Mammoth is customer-focused operationally; operator-focused in its approach to acquisitions; and seeks to be the partner-of-choice for car wash operators who desire liquidity, growth capital, and a tax-deferred equity investment opportunity. The company recently announced the opening of its 150th site. Mammoth Holdings' multi-brand portfolio includes Busy Bee Car Wash, Coastal Carwash, Finish Line Car Wash, Galaxies Express Car Wash, In & Out Express Carwash, Jax Kar Wash, Lulu's Express Car Wash, Marc-1 Car Wash, Mr. Squeaky Car Wash, Pals Carwash, Pitstop Car Wash, PureMagic Carwash, Silverstar Car Wash, Speedy Clean Car Wash, Suds Car Wash, Swifty Car Wash, Today's Car Wash, Ultra Car Wash, Wash Me Fast, Wash-N-Go Express Car Wash, and Wiggy Wash. Mammoth has significant growth capital available and is actively seeking acquisitions and development opportunities. In October 2018, Mammoth partnered with Red Dog Equity LLC, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, which, through its partnership with Tom Pritzker's family business interests (advised by The Pritzker Organization), provided the equity for Mammoth Holdings' corporate development initiatives. In December 2022, Mammoth sold a minority stake to CCMP Growth Advisors that provided Mammoth with additional capital to pursue building new units and making acquisitions. Oak Hill Advisors provides Mammoth Holdings' debt financing through its direct lending partnership with BMO Capital Markets. About Mammoth Holdings Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Mammoth Holdings, LLC operates 150 conveyor car washes under the Busy Bee Car Wash, Coastal Carwash, Finish Line Car Wash, Galaxies Express Car Wash, In & Out Express Carwash, Jax Kar Wash, Lulu's Express Car Wash, Marc-1 Car Wash, Mr. Squeaky Car Wash, Pals Carwash, Pitstop Car Wash, PureMagic Carwash, Silverstar Car Wash, Speedy Clean Car Wash, Suds Car Wash, Swifty Car Wash, Today's Car Wash, Ultra Car Wash, Wash Me Fast, Wash-N-Go Express Car Wash, and Wiggy Wash brands in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah. Mammoth Holdings was founded by Gary Dennis and Chip Hackett in 2002. To learn more, please visit mammothholdings.com. About Red Dog Equity Red Dog Equity LLC is a private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market companies poised for strong growth in partnership with driven, entrepreneurial business leaders ("Red Dogs"). To learn more, please visit reddogequity.com. About The Pritzker Organization The Pritzker Organization is the merchant bank for the business interests of the Tom Pritzker family. Additional information can be found at pritzkerorg.com. About CCMP Growth Advisors CCMP Growth Advisors, LP ("CCMP Growth") is a New York based growth-oriented private equity firm focused on making lead buyout and growth equity investments in middle-market companies in the Consumer and Industrial sectors primarily in North America. CCMP Growth leverages the deep investment experience of its team to identify high growth companies in transition, and partners with management to help each platform scale through strategic and operational support. SOURCE Mammoth Holdings Committed to guest and employee satisfaction, Smokey Mo's BBQ is honored to receive the Top Workplaces Award presented by the Austin-American Statesman AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smokey Mo's BBQ, the beloved Texas barbecue chain known for its smoked in-house classic Texas barbecue and fast and friendly service, is honored to be awarded the Greater Austin Top Workplaces Award of 2024. This year, the Austin American-Statesman and USA Today recognized over 100 companies and organizations in Austin, Texas, as Top Workplaces, and Smokey Mo's BBQ is proud to be recognized amongst the best in the city. The Top Workplaces committee chooses its honorees each year through extensive research on employee and guest satisfaction and excellent results on company-wide workplace surveys. "A positive and supportive work environment is at the heart of everything we do at Smokey Mo's BBQ. Our team's dedication and passion for delivering the best barbecue and service truly shine through, and it's incredibly rewarding to see that commitment recognized with this Top Workplaces award," said Gini Quiroz, Vice President of HR at Smokey Mo's BBQ. "Being named a Top Workplace is not only a great honor but also a powerful recruiting tool that helps us attract the best talent from our local communities. With strong leadership in every location, we are committed to fostering an environment where team members feel valued, empowered, and excited to grow with us." Smokey Mo's BBQ deeply values employee satisfaction, and this award is a reflection of the passion and dedication its employees bring to work every day. The Austin Top Workplaces Award is a testament to the company culture, constant innovation, and room for growth at Smokey Mo's BBQ. As the company continues to expand across Texas through corporate and franchisee growth, it will continue to stay true to its positive culture and brand values that attract and retain top-tier restaurant industry professionals. For more than 20 years, Smokey Mo's BBQ has served smoked in-house classic Texas barbecue to guests in Central Texas. With 20 locations and counting, Smokey Mo's BBQ is continuing to expand with plans for corporate-owned growth in Central Texas. To learn more about the Smokey Mo's BBQ company and career opportunities, please visit https://smokeymosbbq.com. About Smokey Mo's BBQ Based in Austin, Texas, Smokey Mo's BBQ started serving the best neighborhood BBQ in Texas in 2000. Now, with 20 total locations in the Austin, San Antonio, and Houston areas, Smokey Mo's BBQ pitmasters smoke classic Texas barbecue in-house every day and serve it fast and friendly. As a Top Workplaces honoree in 2024 and the first-place winner of Boerne Star's Best of Barbecue in both 2023 and 2024, Smokey Mo's BBQ is committed to providing top-quality barbecue and excellent guest and employee services. With a modern ordering platform, speedy delivery options, and robust catering offerings for groups of all sizes, Smokey Mo's BBQ is constantly innovating and improving the barbecue experience. The company emphasizes the importance of community involvement by supporting local high schools, charitable organizations, and houses of worship. Smokey Mo's BBQ is expanding with carefully vetted franchise partners who are committed to the communities in which they serve. For more information about becoming a franchisee, visit www.smokeymosbbq.com. SOURCE Smokey Mo's TX BBQ Two families will win a 'Caymanneapolis Season Swap,' trading sand and snow to embrace the joys of the winter season in new ways GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the spirit of spreading holiday joy and the excitement for what the new year will bring, Minnesotans have the chance to win the ultimate warm-weather winter escape for their family and friends. To celebrate Delta and Sun Country's increased nonstop flights between Grand Cayman and Minneapolis-St. Paul this winter, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and Meet Minneapolis have partnered to launch the first-ever ' Caymanneapolis Season Swap .' One lucky group from each destination will swap seasons one will experience the wonder of winter fun in Minneapolis, while the other soaks in the Cayman Islands' tropical bliss. "The holiday season is the perfect time to begin planning your next vacation. You can have your toes in the sand in the Cayman Islands in just under five hours from Minneapolis," said Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. "The nonstop service increasing to four times per week via Delta and Sun Country Airlines makes it easier than ever to trade snowsuits for swimsuits this season, and we're proud to be partnering with Meet Minneapolis to promote our distinct, memorable winter experiences." How to Enter this Holiday Season Visit visitcaymanislands.com/season-swap for a chance to be transported to a very different winter experience and a comprehensive overview of the prize packages. Minnesotans visiting the Cayman Islands will receive: A Stay at the Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman Roundtrip Air Transportation An Adventure Day to Stingray City A Guide to the Ultimate Grand Cayman Experience Caymanians visiting Minneapolis will receive: A Stay at the Hotel Indigo Minneapolis Downtown Roundtrip Air Transportation Access to Mall of America's VIP Shopping Program A Guide to the Ultimate Minneapolis Experience The 'Caymanneapolis Season Swap' is open to residents of the Cayman Islands and Minnesota, ages 21+ with a valid passport, now through Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. Full terms and conditions can be found at visitcaymanislands.com/season-swap . SOURCE Cayman Islands Department of Tourism SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- THE STAR PARTNER is a company in charge of the Korean concert and fan meeting of "THE RAMPAGE". On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Japanese boy group THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE Live held a fan meeting at the Myeonghwa Live Hall in Seoul with great success. The event is the first fan concert in Seoul since November last year, attracting expectations from fans who have returned for the first time in a year. THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE / Photo by THE STAR PARTNER Formed in September 2014 and officially debuting in January 2017, THE RAMPAGE comprises 16 members chosen through three auditions. The group features Riku, Kazuma Kawamura, and Hokuto Yoshino as vocalists, alongside performers LIKIYA, Zin, Kenta Kamiya, Rui Yonamine, Shogo Yamamoto, Shogo Iwaya, Shohei Urakawa, Itsuki Fujiwara, Kaisei Takechi, Makoto Hasegawa, Ryu, Takahide Suzuki, and Takuma Goto. The fan meeting, titled "2024 THE RAMPAGE FAN MEETING DEAR RAVERS in SEOUL", was a special occasion dedicated to the fans who have long supported the group. The event kicked off with their 23rd single, "24karats GOLD GENESIS", which topped the Oricon charts. This powerful start was followed by performances of fan-favorite hits "SWAG & PRIDE" and "100degrees". Member Rui impressed the audience with his fluent Korean, and the rest of the group showcased their improved language skills, expressing heartfelt gratitude to their Korean fans for their unwavering support. The fan meeting featured a variety of engaging segments, including member talk sessions that offered a glimpse into their candid thoughts and a lively "99-second mission relay," where the members split into two teams, led by Zin and Rikiya, to complete fun challenges. Adding a dose of humor and charm, Itsuki delighted fans with his impression of a scene from the Korean drama The Penthouse: War in Life, while Takahide brought the house down with his energetic rendition of Gangnam Style. These moments highlighted the group's deep affection for Korean culture. Though it was billed as a fan meeting, THE RAMPAGE delivered a full concert-like experience with three additional performances, showcasing their exceptional stage presence and live performance skills. They closed the event with "Endless Happy Ending", leaving fans with unforgettable memories. Rui wrapped up the event with a heartfelt message: "It was wonderful to reunite with our Korean fans this year. We hope to hold a full tour in Korea someday." The members also promised to return, ending the event on a note of gratitude and love for their fans. SOURCE THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Republic of El Salvador (the "Republic"), announced today its acceptance of offers (the "Offers") submitted by holders to tender for cash the notes set forth in the table below (collectively, the "Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the invitation, dated November 12, 2024 (the "Invitation"). The Invitation and withdrawal rights expired as scheduled at 5:00 p.m., New York time on November 18, 2024. The following table sets forth the results of the Invitation, as well as the principal amount of the Notes of each series which the Republic has accepted for purchase and the principal amount of the Notes of each series that will remain outstanding after repurchase of the Notes accepted by the Republic: Securities CUSIPs, ISINs and Common Codes Principal Amount Outstanding as of November 12, 2024 Principal Amount Tendered Percentage of Principal Amount Tendered Principal Amount to be Accepted for Purchase Principal Amount to Remain Outstanding After Repurchase 6.375% Notes due 2027 (the " 2027 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 AS1 ISIN: US283875AS10 Common Code: 111168059 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 AT3 ISIN: USP01012AT38 Common Code: 111168075 U.S.$387,408,000 U.S.$238,808,000 61.64 % U.S.$238,808,000 U.S.$148,600,000 8.625% Notes due 2029 (the " 2029 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 BW1 ISIN: US283875BW13 Common Code: 157312162 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 BX3 ISIN: USP01012BX31 Common Code: 157242083 U.S.$500,000,000 U.S.$32,251,000 6.45 % U.S.$0.00 U.S.$500,000,000 9.25% Notes due 2030 (the " 2030 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 CE0 ISIN: US283875CE06 Common Code: 280751413 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 CF1 ISIN: USP01012CF16 Common Code: 280751405 U.S.$1,000,000,000 U.S.$81,316,000 8.13 % U.S.$0.00 U.S.$1,000,000,000 8.250% Notes due 2032 (the " 2032 Notes " ) Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 AH5 ISIN: US283875AH54 Common Code: 014617418 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 AE6 ISIN: XS0146173371 Common Code: 014617337 U.S.$500,000,000 U.S.$33,408,000 6.68 % U.S.$0.00 U.S.$500,000.000 7.625% Notes due 2034 (the " 2034 Notes ") Rule 144A CUSIP: 283875 AM4 ISIN: US283875AM40 Common Code: 020163186 Regulation S CUSIP: P01012 AM8 ISIN: USP01012AM84 Common Code: 020163232 U.S.$248,183,000 U.S.$2,322,000 0.94 % U.S.$0.00 U.S.$248,183,000 The Notes accepted for repurchase will not be subject to proration. The settlement of validly tendered and accepted Notes is scheduled to occur on or about November 25, 2024 (the "Settlement Date"), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Invitation. Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase by the Republic will be entitled to receive for such Notes the applicable purchase price plus applicable accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the Settlement Date ("Accrued Interest"). The aggregate purchase price plus Accrued Interest to be paid by the Republic is expected to be U.S.$242,903,457.70. Any Notes tendered that are not accepted and purchased by the Republic are expected to be returned to the relevant tendering holders on the Settlement Date. The Republic reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to delay the Settlement Date. Any holder who fails to make delivery in accordance with the Invitation shall not be entitled to receive any payment therefore unless the Republic, in its sole discretion, determines to waive any such failure. The Republic will cancel the Notes purchased pursuant to the Invitation following the Settlement Date. The tender and information agent for the Invitation was D.F. King & Co., Inc., (the "Tender and Information Agent") and can be reached at [email protected], by telephone at1 (800) 848-3402 (U.S. toll free) and (212) 269-5550 (collect) or +44 20 7920 9700 (UK), in writing at 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005 or 51 Lime Street, London EC3M 7DQ, United Kingdom. The Dealer Manager for the Invitation was BofA Securities, Inc. (the "Dealer Manager") and can be reached regarding the terms of the Invitation by telephone at +1 (646) 855-8988 (collect) or +1 (888) 292-0070 (U.S. Toll-free). Disclaimer This announcement is not an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes. The invitation for each holder to submit Offers is only being made pursuant to the Invitation. The distribution of materials relating to the Invitation, and the transactions contemplated by the Invitation, may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. The Invitation is made only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. The Invitation is void in all jurisdictions where it is prohibited. If materials relating to the Invitation come into your possession, you are required to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the Invitation do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. The Invitation does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the Invitation is required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and in which the Dealer Manager or any of its affiliates is so licensed, it shall be deemed to be made by the Dealer Manager or such affiliates on behalf of El Salvador. See "Certain Legal Restrictions" and "Jurisdictional Restrictions" in the Invitation. El Salvador will make (or cause to be made) all announcements regarding the Invitation by press release issued to an international news service, which is expected to be PR Newswire or another appropriate international news service, (the "News Service"), and will subsequently publish such announcement on the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (www.luxse.com). NONE OF EL SALVADOR, THE DEALER MANAGER OR THE INFORMATION AND TENDER AGENT MADE ANY RECOMMENDATION THAT ANY HOLDER TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH HOLDER'S NOTES, AND NO ONE HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED BY ANY OF THEM TO MAKE SUCH A RECOMMENDATION. Important Notice The distribution of the Invitation and the transactions contemplated hereby may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Persons into whose possession this Invitation come are required by El Salvador and the Dealer Manager to inform themselves of and to observe any of these restrictions. Each person accepting the Invitation shall be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed (in respect of itself and any person for whom it is acting) that it is not a person to whom it is unlawful to make an Invitation pursuant to this Invitation (including under the applicable securities laws referenced below), it has not distributed or forwarded this Invitation or any other documents or materials relating to the Invitation to any such person, and it has (before offering the Notes for exchange) complied with all laws and regulations applicable to it for the purposes of its participation in the Invitation. This Invitation does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making an offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. Neither El Salvador nor the Dealer Manager accepts any responsibility for any violation by any person of the restrictions applicable in any jurisdiction. European Economic Area The Invitation is not intended to be offered, or otherwise made available to and should not be offered or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2016/97/EC (as amended, the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 (e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129) (the "Prospectus Regulation"). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore making the Invitation or offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. United Kingdom The Invitation is not intended to be offered or otherwise made available to and should not be offered or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom ("UK"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore making the Invitation or offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them or the Invitation available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. The communication of this Invitation and any other offer material relating to the Invitation are not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials is exempt from the restriction on financial promotions under section 21 of the FSMA on the basis that they are only directed at, and may only be communicated to persons (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) (the "Financial Promotion Order"), (ii) who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc. ") of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) who are outside the United Kingdom, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities, including this Invitation, may otherwise lawfully be communicated in accordance with the Financial Promotion Order (such persons together being "relevant persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this Invitation or these other documents and/or materials relate are available only to, and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this Invitation or these other documents and/or materials or any of its or their contents. SOURCE The Republic of El Salvador ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 21. The Kashagan liquefied gas terminal is being built ahead of schedule, declared Eskene LPG during a project construction briefing, Trend report. Chairman of QazaqGaz, Sanzhar Zharkeshov, held a meeting with representatives of the shareholders of the North Caspian project with the participation of the leadership of Eskene LPG. The negotiations were attended by the management of NCOC (North Caspian Operating Company), companies Eni, ExxonMobil, Total E&P in Kazakhstan, INPEX, and KMG Kashagan B.V. During the meeting, the management of the contractor company Eskene LPG reported on the progress of the liquefied gas terminal construction ahead of schedule. Equipment procurement for the project began on time, and the process of signing contracts is being carried out strictly according to the established deadlines. Special attention is given to monitoring compliance with delivery timelines to avoid delays in construction and commissioning works. The terminal construction project is of significant socio-economic importance for the region. The commercialization of liquefied petroleum gas from the Kashagan field will significantly reduce its shortage in the domestic market of Kazakhstan, improving the fuel situation. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the demand for which as automotive fuel has been rapidly growing in Kazakhstan in recent years, will start being supplied to the domestic market from Kashagan in 2025. This was announced by the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan in January 2024. North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) is an operating company for the North Caspian Sea Production Sharing Agreement (NCSPSA). NCOC is based in Atyrau, Kazakhstan. The first dedicated wine spa in the U.S. brings vinotherapy to Portland, exclusively featuring Caudalie spa products PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wine Spa, the region's first dedicated wine spa in the U.S. announces its grand opening. Nestled in the heart of Portland, Oregon, the spa offers a unique and luxurious experience that combines the therapeutic benefits of vinotherapy with the indulgent atmosphere of a day spa. The spa will have ten treatment rooms with four soaking tubs. The Wine Spa, Portland, OR The Wine Spa is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with Caudalie, a renowned French beauty brand specializing in vinotherapy products, which will be used in different treatments and for sale. In addition to New York and Paris (where Caudalie is based), The Wine Spa is the only other Caudalie exclusive spa partner in Oregon. The spa will offer vinotherapy packages that include a 20-minute wine soak and massages ranging from 30-50 minutes as well as facials, Swedish massage and deep tissue massages. Treatment prices will range from $125-$399. Inspired by the region's rich wine heritage, The Wine Spa features a variety of innovative treatments, including vinotherapy massages, facials, and soaks. Vinotherapy, the therapeutic use of grape-based products, offers a range of benefits for both the mind and body. Grapes are rich in antioxidants, including resveratrol, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and heart-healthy properties. When used in spa treatments, these compounds can help improve skin health, reduce stress and boost circulation. Vinotherapy can help to hydrate, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The spa is committed to sustainable practices and will use repurposed wine from the region in their wine soaks, ensuring nothing goes to waste. The first wine partner is Terra Vina Wines, who have provided cases of wine for soaking that were unsellable due to a labeling error. Terra Vina is also making wine specifically for The Wine Spa, available in Spring 2025. For those who drink wine, the spa is serving wine from the Willamette Valley, featuring new wineries every three months. For those who abstain from alcohol, The Wine Spa offers a non-alcoholic wine option for both drinking and soaking, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the benefits of vinotherapy. PRESS CONTACT: Laura Ledesma [email protected] SOURCE The Wine Spa NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiffany Durr is the new president of LISC Fund Management (LFM), an affiliate of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) that leads social investment funds focused on affordable housing, economic development and jobs in underserved communities. Durr has served as interim president of LFM since May and in that time has ushered in a series of new investors and project closings. Previously, she was LFM's senior director of fund management overseeing deployment of approximately $450 million in investments. She also helped lead the product design of new funds and as well as collaborations with other LISC staff, affiliates and stakeholders, working together on strategies to meet the needs of the communities that LISC serves. "Investors are looking for proven ways to close the gaps in health, wealth and opportunity that impact tens of millions of people across the country," said Durr, reflecting on the 11 funds currently under LFM management. "Our funds offer them the chance to meet their goals for financial return while also supporting critical strategies to expand affordable housing, small businesses, health, education and jobs in places that might otherwise struggle to attract capital. I'm so proud to lead this amazing team of impact professionals as we work to capture market opportunities that deliver strong benefits to communities." Prior to joining LFM, Durr was vice president and senior relationship manager at KeyBank Real Estate Capital, having served earlier as a portfolio manager. Earlier, she managed a $160 million microfinance portfolio for MicroVest Capital Management. "Tiffany brings an impressive range of investment and commercial real estate experience to her role as LFM president," said Michael T. Pugh, LISC president and CEO. "But I think it is her passion for this work that really sets her apart. She understands how to connect with investors on questions of risk, return and impact as well as how to make connections with developers, community organizations and city leaders to generate the best possible outcomes. We are lucky to have her at the helm of LFM, driving opportunities for impact all across the country." LFM is one of four LISC affiliate companies, which also include National Equity Fund, Broadstreet Impact Services, and LISC Green. "Tiffany's leadership style will be a nice complement our organization as we continue to look for ways to address the economic needs of communities across the country," Pugh added. In addition to her professional activities, Durr volunteers her time as a board member of the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. She formerly served as a board member for the George Washington University Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis, and as the treasurer of Cheverly Village, a social services organization that supports the elderly in Maryland. She earned her B.A. in political science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and her M.A. in Latin American and Hemispheric studies at George Washington University. Durr can be reached at [email protected]. About LISC LISC is one of the country's largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. It works with residents and partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity and advance racial equity so that people and local economies can thrive. Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested $32 billion to create more than 506,302 affordable homes and apartments, developed 82.5 million square feet of retail, community and educational space and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances. For more, visit www.lisc.org. 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. To learn more about LISC Fund Management, please visit https://www.liscstrategicinvestments.org/fund-management. SOURCE Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Canadian-based barbershop franchise marks significant milestone as it expands into new markets and redefines barbershop culture GILBERT, Ariz., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop, an internationally acclaimed barbershop franchise known for its top-notch barbering experience and community-focused atmosphere, has reached a tremendous milestone with the grand opening its 100th location. Finding success in Canada, New Zealand and Australia, Tommy Gun's is now focusing their expansion efforts in the U.S., specifically looking to open locations in Utah and Arizona. Tommy Gun's Photo "Our franchise model is about revolutionizing the barbershop experience on a larger scale," said Keenan Fisher, Managing Partner of Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop. "In our industry guests historically had to choose between convenience or a great experience, at Tommy Gun's we don't believe our guests should have to choose, we've created a system that allows for a top level barbershop experience, at the convenience of when the guests want it. This unique approach sets us apart in the barbering industry, leveraging technology, an upscale environment and a best in-class barber experience ensures every guest leaves not just looking great, but feeling unstoppable." Founded in 2009 by Ken Fisher, Tommy Gun's is an experience-based brand, dedicated to providing premium products and services while remaining customer-focused reaching more than 10 million haircuts provided. With it's first in market location already open in Gilbert, Arizona, Tommy Gun's will continue expanding into the U.S. market, giving franchise partners the unique opportunity to offer a fresh, world-class experience to American guests, backed by the brand's proven success and global expertise. "We're more than just a barbershop; we're obsessed with creating the ultimate barbershop experience, having our guests leaving after their service feeling confident and ready to take on the world." said Keenan Fisher. "As we expand into Utah and Arizona, we're proud to celebrate reaching 100 locationsa significant milestone in our journey. With decades of industry expertise we have created a support system where our franchise partners can operate and scale without industry experience. Tommy Gun's promotes an environment where franchise partners are working for themselves, but not by themselves. You think going to a barbershop is fun, try owning one!" Tommy Gun's is passionate about serving customers. Service experience extends beyond just getting a haircut, with amenities like in-mirror TVs, complimentary soda with service, a signature two-minute scalp massage, and bespoke Tommy Gun's check-in technology, the Tommy gun's Code ensures every guest receives the highest quality service. Additionally, the barbershop invests in comprehensive training for its staff using the Tommy Gun's University program, offering a variety of resources for barbers to hone their skills and ensure each haircut is of the utmost quality. Looking for continuous growth opportunities, Tommy Gun's franchise model provides a stable foundation for new franchisees, offering the confidence that comes with joining a proven franchise model that has consistently delivered exceptional service. Tommy Gun's is currently working on numerous upcoming new franchise opportunities in the U.S. and is on track to double in size in the next five years, reaching over 200 locations. About Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop Founded in 2009 by Ken Fisher, Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop came to fruition from his determination to revolutionize the traditional barber industry. Offering Guests an unparalleled experience where they receive an outstanding haircut that leaves them feeling more confident, and ready to take on the world. This approach has proven itself, with over 100 locations throughout the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia and more than 10 million haircuts provided. As the brand expands across America, they are committed to supporting their Franchise Partners with comprehensive training programs and strategic operational practices. For more information on the Tommy Gun's franchise opportunity, please visit: https://us.tommyguns.com/pages/franchise-tommy-guns Or contact Malcolm Wilson, VP of Global Development, directly [email protected] Contact: Kennedy Wyles | Franchise Elevator PR | [email protected] SOURCE Tommy Gun's Freedom Decks' Patented Deck-in-Pool Solution Lets Arizona Homeowners Reclaim Their Backyards with Custom DecksEnjoy Maintenance-Free Living and Flexible Future Options for Any Pool. PHOENIX, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Decks, by Retire My Pool, Inc., is Arizona's premier pool conversion company and is proud to offer homeowners a transformative alternative to pool demolition and high-maintenance upkeep. Leveraging a patented bracket and design system, Freedom Decks has perfected the art of converting underused pools into safe, versatile outdoor spaces that fit each homeowner's unique backyard layout. For Arizona's aging homeowners and "snowbirds" who often travel seasonally, an unused pool can be both a financial burden and a safety hazard. Freedom Decks' innovative system changes that by turning the pool into a customizable deck, eliminating pool upkeep and maximizing usable outdoor space. "With our patented bracket and design system, Freedom Decks can convert pools of any shape or size," says Jeff Getz, founder of Freedom Decks. "Our unique approach offers homeowners the flexibility to reclaim their backyard in a safe, affordable, and sustainable way, without the hassle of demolition." Key Benefits of Freedom Decks' Patented Pool-to-Deck Solution: Patented Bracket and Design System : Freedom Decks' proprietary system uses specialized brackets engineered to accommodate the angles and dimensions of any pool, ensuring a precise and secure fit. This means homeowners can enjoy a beautiful, custom-built deck without the mess or cost of a full demolition. : Freedom Decks' proprietary system uses specialized brackets engineered to accommodate the angles and dimensions of any pool, ensuring a precise and secure fit. This means homeowners can enjoy a beautiful, custom-built deck without the mess or cost of a full demolition. Flexible, Removable Option : Unlike traditional demolition, Freedom Decks' system is designed to be removable. Homeowners can convert the deck back to a pool if desired, making it a flexible option that adds long-term value. : Unlike traditional demolition, Freedom Decks' system is designed to be removable. Homeowners can convert the deck back to a pool if desired, making it a flexible option that adds long-term value. Ideal for Seasonal Residents : Arizona snowbirds can leave town without worrying about water evaporation, pool safety, or maintenance costs. : snowbirds can leave town without worrying about water evaporation, pool safety, or maintenance costs. Increased Usable Space : The pool-to-deck conversion creates a large, versatile area perfect for entertaining, outdoor dining, or relaxing in a safe, maintenance-free setting. : The pool-to-deck conversion creates a large, versatile area perfect for entertaining, outdoor dining, or relaxing in a safe, maintenance-free setting. Safety for Aging Homeowners: Eliminates the risks of accidental slips or falls associated with pools, providing a safer environment for families and older adults. With over 18 years in business and more than 700 pool-to-deck conversions completed, Freedom Decks is recognized as the trusted choice for Arizona homeowners looking to create safe, low-maintenance outdoor spaces. Each project is managed with precision, quality materials, and a commitment to sustainability, making Freedom Decks a pioneer in backyard transformations. For more information or to schedule a free estimate, visit www.FreedomDecks.net or Media Contact: Sheila Stewart [email protected] or 480-414-9922 cell. About Freedom Decks Founded by Jeff Getz, Freedom Decks, by Retire My Pool, Inc., is Arizona's trusted expert in transforming underused pools into beautiful, functional deck spaces, designed for those looking to reclaim their backyard without the costs and hassle of pool removal or maintenance. The unique system is a sturdy, custom-built deck within the existing pool structure, creating a seamless outdoor area perfect for relaxation, entertaining, or enjoying the Arizona sun. Unlike pool demolition, which is costly, disruptive, and permanent, Freedom Decks' solution uses a patented bracket and design system that works with pools of any shape to provide a safe, solid surface that becomes part of the landscape. This deck-in-pool approach allows homeowners to convert an unused pool into a versatile, maintenance-free area while retaining the flexibility to revert to a pool if desiredideal for those who may sell their home or want future options. We are dedicated to quality craftsmanship, and providing Arizona residents with a beautiful, practical way to enjoy their homes to the fullest. SOURCE Freedom Decks GREENVILLE, S.C., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trua an emerging franchise that helps families find ideal senior living options for their loved ones has launched in upstate South Carolina. Powered by BrandOne Franchise Development, the concept recently welcomed its first franchise owners Anna and Jason Winecoff. "We're thrilled to take our passion for helping others to the next level through Trua Senior Living Locators of the Upstate South Carolina," said Anna Winecoff. "There's something special about being in a position to connect cherished seniors with a place they can call home, and do so with their families knowing it matches their every wish and need. That's what Trua's proprietary process and system will allow us to do day-in and day-out." Specifically, the Winecoffs look to introduce Trua's services to Greenville, Anderson and Spartanburg, S.C. With census experts projecting upwards of 70 million seniors in the U.S. by 2030, Trua shaped its system to accurately identify, vet and provide guidance on customized living options for this wave of aging adults. As for the Winecoffs' focus out of the gate, they plan to harness their previous experience in the senior services industry to improve qualities of life in the Palmetto State. "This is who we are," Anna said. "Caring is a part of our character, and we understand the value of having a trustworthy, helping hand with these most important decisions." Both natives of upstate South Carolina and Business Administration graduates from Erskine College, the Winecoffs hold more than 15 years of experience in senior living. Anna has worked in Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing since 2009. In these roles, she guided families from all walks of life to the best care solutions. Jason, a seasoned IT professional, complements Anna's service-centric approach with vast business expertise. Together, the couple said they are dedicated to making a positive impact in this newest venture. "Trua is definitely a brand to watch," said Jason Barclay, Partner at BrandONE Franchise Development. "We are incredibly proud of the positive impact they're bringing to communities, and it's a brand we couldn't wait to support. With Greenville, SC, growing as rapidly as it is, it's no surprise that this territory was the first to sell out." Barclay noted why the Winecoffs represent the perfect fit for Trua's expansion. "The Winecoff family embodies the ideal franchisee credentials for Trua," he said. "Anna brings deep expertise in the senior care space and a genuine passion for serving this demographic, which she's demonstrated throughout her entire career. Meanwhile, Jason's project management background provides the perfect foundation for business ownership, setting them up for success from day one. We can't wait to watch this location blossom and see the positive impact the Winecoff family brings to Greenville, SC." Matt Staley, founder of Trua Senior Living Locators, shared the same enthusiasm. "They're such a wonderful addition to our franchise vision," Staley said. "Through our role as a premier senior living locator, there are so many ways we can help aging populations around the country. But, we only succeed by doing so with the right people in our system. That's a critical part of our mission. Individuals like the Winecoffs will allow us to grow the Trua footprint through compassion and innovation. Anna and Jason absolutely epitomize entrepreneurial leaders with caregivers' hearts." For more information on Trua of the Upstate South Carolina, please visit truacares.com. ABOUT TRUA SENIOR LIVING LOCATORS Founded in 2019, Trua Senior Living Locators provides personalized guidance to help families navigate senior living options. CEO Matt Staley a physical therapist with 21 years of experience in geriatric care created Trua to address the emotional and logistical challenges that often arise when seeking the right care for a loved one. The Cincinnati-based operation combines a blend of proprietary software, vetting protocols and skillsets to identify senior living options that best match their clients' personal wishes. "Our goal and vision for Trua is to become the premier placement agency of choice," Staley said. "To accomplish this, it's vital we recruit the right kind of franchisees those who understand the big picture benefit of growing prosperity through helping others. As we expand the Trua mission to communities around the country, it's this type of mindset that will lead the way." To inquire about Trua franchise opportunities, please visit TruaFranchise.com or contact BrandONE at brandonefd.com. SOURCE Trua Senior Living Locators NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuya Smart (NYSE: TUYA, HKEX: 2391), a global cloud platform service provider, in partnership with Biosphere 3, successfully hosted a side event titled "Sustainable Communities and Technology Applications" in the COP29 Blue Zone. The company also participated in an additional side event "Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities". These engagements explored the innovative applications of smart technology in energy transition and carbon reduction, emphasizing its potential to transform various areas of life and production. Through these efforts, Tuya aims to collaborate with global partners to foster greener, more sustainable, and prosperous communities. The event commenced with a speech by Liu Zhenmin, Special Envoy for Climate Change of China. This was followed by insightful contributions from Ayan Najaf, Coordination Board Member and COP29 Spokesperson, alongside representatives from leading enterprises in the fields of smart technology, energy, and power. Ayan Najaf, Coordination Board Member and COP29 Spokesperson, shared Azerbaijan's ambitious climate goals, including a 40% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by mid-century and achieving net zero emissions by 2035. Najaf emphasized Azerbaijan's robust development in the new energy sector, particularly in electric vehicles, and its commitment to international collaboration in areas such as think tank exchanges, knowledge sharing, and technology partnerships. Recognizing China's critical role in the global green transformation, Najaf expressed hope for deeper cooperation with Chinese companies to advance green energy projects in Asia and collectively combat global warming. Eva Na, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Cooperation and CMO of Tuya Smart, emphasized the transformative potential of smart technology in advancing climate-friendly actions. "Smart technology offers a universally practical pathway to addressing climate challenges. Amid varying perspectives, diverse behavioral patterns, and complex environments, turning the concept of carbon reduction into actionable steps that integrate seamlessly into community life depends heavily on innovative technology. As a global smart technology company, Tuya is committed to collaborating with global partners to achieve smart management across the entire energy chain through cutting-edge technologies like AIoT and cloud computing. We also warmly welcome more participants to join us in fostering a greener, more sustainable world," said Na. Notably, at COP29, Tuya introduced its groundbreaking "Smart Decarb" initiative, showcasing its commitment to a greener future. Designed to optimize energy management in buildings and homes through intelligent learning algorithms, the initiative enables automatic energy adjustments, ensuring consumption is visualized, controllable, and sustainable. By integrating smart technology across industries and households, Tuya empowers individuals and organizations to actively participate in carbon reduction. Through advanced insights, actionable strategies, and end-to-end solutions for energy generation, storage, and consumption, Tuya is working with global partners to drive tangible progress toward a sustainable future for humanity. Elmir Musayev, General Manager of SOCAR Green LLC, expressed strong support for global energy innovation solutions, highlighting his admiration for China's advancements in energy transformation. Having visited multiple Chinese power and energy companies, Musayev acknowledged China's wealth of experience in this domain. He expressed hope for greater participation from Chinese enterprises in Azerbaijan's green energy projects, emphasizing that both technological innovation and business model exploration are essential power for accelerating energy transitions. Together, these efforts can propel the world toward a more sustainable and low-carbon future. During the roundtable session titled "Solutions for the Energy Transition", Holmes Chen, Head of Public Affairs of Tuya Smart, emphasized the critical role of technological innovation in energy utilization. "Tuya has long been a steadfast advocate and practitioner of energy saving and carbon reduction. These goals are not solely the responsibility of enterprises, organizations, or governments, but represent a global movement in which everyone can play a part. This philosophy aligns closely with Tuya's ongoing efforts in energy saving. We not only support energy companies in reshaping their production methods but also bridge the gap to the 'last mile' of smart energy use, enabling individuals to take climate-friendly actions through smart technology," Chen remarked. During the climate dialogue session on "Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Energy Transformation in Sustainable Communities under the Background of Carbon Neutrallity", Charles Zhao, Director of Business Development in Singapore of Tuya Smart, joined business leaders from diversified enterprise groups such as AF Holding and PASHA Property Management in Azerbaijan and explored the application value of cutting-edge intelligent technology in sustainable communities. "In Singapore, where the dual challenges of tight energy supply and growing consumption persist, Tuya's home energy management system has redefined the power supply-consumption relationship with real-time, interactive solutions. This system transitions household electricity usage from passive monitoring to proactive, smart management and execution. By integrating the entire ecosystem of smart energy equipment, which covers power generation, storage, consumption, and metering, our system delivers energy-saving strategies. Singaporean households have achieved average energy savings of up to 25%, paving a new path toward smart energy transformation," Zhao remarked. As a global leader in smart technology, Tuya showcased its innovative energy efficiency solutions at COP29, including its smart energy management system and successful implementation cases. These advancements highlighted the transformative potential of smart technology in driving energy transitions and carbon reduction. Looking ahead, Tuya will continue collaborating with global partners to push the boundaries of intelligent technology, advancing low-carbon and sustainable development to build a greener, smarter future. SOURCE Tuya Smart This year's effort spanned Unifi's corporate office in Buckhead, the Atlanta Operations Center, and operational sites in Chicago, Los Angeles and Nashville. The initiative also included an international component, with Unifi's New Delhi, India, facility joining earlier in the week. This simultaneous multi-site event underscores Unifi's global commitment to creating meaningful, tangible change. "Giving back to the community is central to Unifi's values of passion, integrity and empathy," said Bryan Stillwagon, Unifi's Chief Legal Counsel. "Our partnership with Rise Against Hunger not only allows us to provide meals to those in need but also contributes to long-term, sustainable development projects. This event showcases our team's dedication to making a positive impact around the world." Over the past three years, Unifi's collaboration with the nonprofit has steadily grown, from packaging 15,000 meals at a single location in 2022 to over 45,000 meals across multiple sites in 2023. The meals packaged at the Atlanta Operations Center in 2023 fed 150 students in Johannesburg for the entire school year, fueling the children's health, education and development. This year, Unifi more than tripled its original impact, with meals destined for families and communities in need, including India and other countries worldwide. "We have many employees who have immigrated to the United States, including many refugees," Stillwagon said. "For them, serving the community isn't just about where they currently live but where they are originally from. Knowing that some meals could be headed to their home communities adds a sense of connection and purpose." Contact: [email protected] Unifi Aviation, LLC is the largest aviation services company in North America, servicing more than two million flights annually. The company has stations in over 200 airports and provides a full range of services, including ground handling, passenger transport, security, cabin services, ground support equipment maintenance, and much more. Unifi is a part of the Argenbright Group and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, visit unifiservice.com. SOURCE Unifi CINCINNATI, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Upside Innovations, a leading manufacturer of ADA-compliant aluminum ramps, decks, and stairs, is proud to announce Division of the State Architect (DSA) accreditation in California. This pivotal development positions Upside Innovations as a key player in enhancing accessibility for K12 public schools and community colleges across the state, offering unparalleled compliance, quality, and innovation. As one of a few manufacturers in California to secure this approval, Upside Innovations is poised to meet the growing demand for reliable, DSA-approved wheelchair ramps, decks, and stairs accessibility solutions. This accreditation is a testament to the company's dedication to excellence and its commitment to supporting educational institutions in creating inclusive environments for all students and staff. A New Era of Accessibility for California Schools The DSA accreditation underscores Upside Innovations' alignment with California's rigorous standards for safety and accessibility in school construction. Schools and modular vendors engaged in bidding for school projects can now leverage Upside Innovations' certified solutions to streamline their accessibility enhancements, ensuring faster project completion and compliance with state regulations. "Our upcoming DSA accreditation marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide top-quality accessibility solutions," said Billy Lippert, Sales Manager of Upside Innovations. "We understand the challenges schools face in meeting compliance while striving to create accessible learning environments. Our DSA-approved wheelchair ramps , decks, and stairs are designed to address these needs, offering durability, safety, and ease of installation." Enhanced Accessibility, Streamlined Projects With DSA approval, Upside Innovations aims to simplify the process for schools and modular vendors to implement compliant accessibility projects. This achievement signifies the company's expertise and reliability and enhances its ability to serve the educational sector more effectively. About Upside Innovations Upside Innovations specializes in the design and manufacture of ADA-compliant aluminum ramps, decks, and stairs, providing innovative solutions to improve accessibility in educational institutions and other facilities. With a focus on quality, safety, and customer satisfaction, Upside Innovations is dedicated to making environments accessible and compliant for everyone. SOURCE SixAxis LLC WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today announced its 2025 Best Vehicle Brand and Best Certified Pre-Owned Program awards. After evaluating 38 brands, U.S. News' Best Vehicle Brands recognizes industry-wide excellence across four key segments of the automotive market: cars, SUVs, trucks and luxury vehicles. Drawing from distinct criteria, the U.S. News Best CPO Program recognizes the program that offers consumers the most benefits. This year's winners include: Best Car Brand: Honda Best SUV Brand: Hyundai Best Truck Brand: Ram Best Luxury Brand: Porsche Best Certified Pre-Owned Program: Lexus The 2025 Best Vehicle Brand Awards For the fourth consecutive year, U.S. News recognized Honda as the Best Car Brand, with high scores across the board for each of its models, most notably the Civic Type R . In addition, the exceptional quality of the Palisade , Tucson and Tucson Hybrid models helped Hyundai earn the award for the Best SUV Brand, while Ram extended its Best Truck Brand winning streak to six years due to the strength of its Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 models. For the Best Luxury Brand award, the Boxster and Cayman helped Porsche secure the win. "A key consideration for consumers during the car-buying process is the strength of an automaker's brand and how it's reflected on the quality of the cars in its lineup," said John Vincent , senior automotive correspondent at U.S. News. "Those in the market for a car, SUV, truck or luxury vehicle can look to this year's Best Vehicle Brand winners as a helpful starting point on their car buying journey, as these brands have an excellent combination of performance, interior quality, safety and reliability among vehicles in their respective categories." To determine the award winners, U.S. News Best Cars averaged the overall score of all the given brand's products in each award class. The vehicle scores are derived from the U.S. News Best Cars rankings, which take into account a range of data points like safety ratings and reliability data, as well as the consensus opinion of the automotive press. The brand with the highest average score was designated the winner in that specific category. The 2025 Best Certified Pre-Owned Program Winner Lexus wins the Best Certified Pre-Owned Program award for the eighth year in row due to its extensive warranty coverage and range of premium program benefits. "With warranty coverage for unlimited miles over six years, and competitive benefits like a service loaner and complimentary maintenance, L/Certified by Lexus continues to be a standout among certified pre-owned programs," said Vincent. To determine the award winner, U.S. News evaluated a range of distinct CPO program coverages and benefits including warranty coverage duration, trip interruption reimbursement, roadside assistance perks and more. For more information, visit Best Vehicle Brands and Best Certified Pre-Owned Program and use #BestVehicleBrands and #BestCPO on Instagram , X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook . About U.S. News Best Cars Since 2007, U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings and reviews of the majority of new vehicles sold in America. Each year, U.S. News also publishes the Best Cars Awards, including Best Vehicle Brands , Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families . U.S. News Best Cars supports car shoppers throughout the entire car buying journey, offering industry leading advice for researching cars and finding cars for sale , as well as its U.S. News Best Price Program . About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services. SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P. Exclusive holiday discounts include home, kitchen, and pet wellness products from beloved VeSync brands ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VeSync, the parent company of leading home tech brands Levoit, COSORI, Pawsync and Etekcity, today released its 2024 holiday gift guide featuring best-selling products for up to 50% off. The discounts will run on Amazon throughout the holiday season, providing great gifting options for everyone on Santa's list. Levoit: For Home Health & Wellness Enthusiasts Levoit brings a lineup of products that makes home environments cleaner and healthier, beginning with the air we breathe. Leading with award-winning air purifiers, humidifiers, and stick vacuums. COSORI: For Amateur & Pro Home Chefs With intuitive, tech-first kitchen appliances and a wealth of recipes and community support, anyone can cook like a pro. While known for its leadership in air fryers, COSORI designs and delivers innovative and stylish smart ovens, rice cookers, gooseneck kettles, and more. Etekcity: For Health & Fitness Gurus Etekcity covers every other area of the home where smart products will simplify lives. For personal health, it is a top seller in smart digital scales, infrared thermometers, and its blood pressure monitors are second to none. Pawsync: For Dedicated Pet Parents Pawsync is focused on designing, manufacturing, and delivering premium and smart pet products that promote wellness while giving peace of mind to pet parents. Up to 40% off Pawsync Au tomatic Pet Feeder with appli ed Amazon coupon for a deal price of between $59.99 to $79.99 (11/15 12/2) VeSync brings its smart brands together in one intuitive IoT platform app. Today, there are more than 5.5 million devices connected to the VeSync app, bringing comfort, control, and wellness to people's lives. The VeSync app features include device automation and control, health monitoring, scheduling, exclusive content, and more. "We're dedicated to delivering innovative products that help people enhance their everyday wellness in their homes," said Daniel Lee, Global Chief Marketing Officer and General Manager, Americas, VeSync. "This holiday season, we're making it easier and more affordable than ever for customers to give the gift of wellness to everyone on their list, from the home chef to the pet parent." Browse additional gifting options at Levoit.com, COSORI.com, Pawsync.com, and Etekcity.com. About VeSync Co., Ltd. VeSync Co., Ltd is a leading market player in the smart home appliance market in the United States. Its products are sold to consumers across numerous sales channels in several countries, including, without limitation, the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Japan. Its business primarily focuses on innovative and accessible home appliances and smart home devices under the brands Levoit, COSORI, Etekcity, and PawSync. CONTACT: Elaine Huang, [email protected] SOURCE Vesync Co., Ltd BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. We have already installed an observation and measuring station on the territory of Lachin, and the process of data collection is underway, the Director of the State Agency of Renewable Energy Sources under the Ministry of Energy Javid Abdullayev told Trend at the COP29 event. He pointed out that Lachin's wind potential is a goldmine waiting to be tapped. A wind power plant will be built there. The interest in renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan is great. If we look at the dynamics of signed memorandums of understanding, we will see this. According to the legislation of Azerbaijan, the auction is one of the main methods of selection. Of course, it is necessary to identify the territories and at the same time analyze the territories for renewables and the possibilities of the network, he noted. The director noted that next year's work is likely to be mainly on technological issues. It is also mainly transformations and storage systems. There is a concept regarding the vacated territories; the action plan has been approved and is being implemented, and monitoring is underway, he said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BEIJING, Nov. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday afternoon local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Brasilia and began his state visit to Brazil. Following two important multilateral meetings - the APEC meeting and the G20 Summit, the interactions between China and Brazil have also attracted great attention from the international media. According to reports, China and Brazil are expected to promote trade and cooperation in various fields including agriculture, infrastructure, energy and aerospace, strengthen the alignment of the two countries' development strategies, consolidate political mutual trust between the two sides, and enhance the strategic, innovative and leading nature of their bilateral relations. China and Brazil are two major developing countries in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Both are vast and populous countries, and they are also BRICS members. Naturally, China and Brazil share many common themes in terms of national development and the progress of their people's livelihood, among other aspects. The most representative one is the commitment of both leaders to poverty alleviation as one of their most urgent tasks. President Xi described poverty alleviation work as "a major task I am determined to deliver," while Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva referred to solving hunger as "fulfilling the mission of life." This reflects the reality that although developing countries have their own realities, all countries have a common desire to pursue development and a better life. Under the current international landscape, is it possible for developing countries to fully leverage their late-mover advantages through equal cooperation and mutual assistance, thereby forging a new path of shared development? China and Brazil have demonstrated through practice that this path is not only feasible but also holds tremendous promise for the future. As President Xi said, a weaker bird can start early and fly high. As influential developing nations, China and Brazil have opened a new avenue of cooperation that embodies mutual benefit and shared destiny, serving as a powerful inspiration for "Global South" countries striving for modernization. In this context, the enhanced and upgraded cooperation between the two countries carries profound significance beyond the bilateral level. The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Brazil is highly convincing. For 15 consecutive years, China has been Brazil's largest trading partner and one of its primary sources of foreign investment. According to Chinese statistics, China's annual imports from Brazil have exceeded $100 billion over the past three years. The scope of their shared interests continues to expand, with notable highlights in agriculture, infrastructure, green development, and technological innovation. Despite being approximately 18,800 kilometers apart, making them "the most distant countries," their relationship has transcended hemispheric and civilizational divides, achieving mutual learning and shared prosperity. They have also become a model for cooperation and win-win outcomes on the path to modernization between two developing countries and two "Global South" nations. More importantly, China-Brazil cooperation is guided by lofty aspirations. Take poverty reduction as an example - both nations are determined to tackle challenges that even developed countries have struggled to address and are willing to share their solutions with others. This gives their partnership global and contemporary relevance, potentially marking a significant milestone in the true rise of the "Global South." As we keep enhancing the strategic impacts of our mutually beneficial cooperation, broaden its scope, and break new ground, more exemplary projects that align with the trends of the times, and deliver lasting benefits to the people are emerging. The dimensions of "South-South" cooperation will be enriched and expanded, providing stronger leverage for global peace and stability. In the recent family photo taken at the G20 summit in Rio, the leaders of China, South Africa, Brazil and India stood together, with some commentators interpreting this as a sign that the future of "Global South" countries is on the horizon. Embracing this visible future, China and Brazil will boldly act as "pioneers" and "wave riders," using their deep friendship and close cooperation to write an even more remarkable chapter for the "Global South." SOURCE Global Times PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP ("Wolf Haldenstein"), a preeminent national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Seaboard Corp. (NYSE American: SEB) ("Seaboard" or the "Company"). The investigation concerns whether Seaboard Corp. and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION Seaboard and its subsidiaries are a diversified group of companies that operate worldwide in agricultural and ocean transport businesses. Seaboard is primarily engaged in hog production and pork processing in the U.S.; commodity trading and grain processing in Africa and South America; cargo shipping services in the U.S., Caribbean and Central and South America, sugar, and alcohol production in Argentina; and electric power generation in the Dominican Republic. On October 29, 2024, the Company disclosed a net loss of $149 million, equating to a loss of $153.44 per share. Seaboard reported total revenue of $2.2 billion for the quarter. The loss reflects challenges in the pork sector, which include high input costs and fluctuations in pork prices. Months earlier, on August 1, 2024, the Company agreed to settle two lawsuits regarding its involvement in a price-fixing conspiracy with other pork producers. The settlements, totaling nearly $15 million, address claims that date back to 2009. Wolf Haldenstein has experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas, and offices in New York, Chicago, Nashville and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly lauded by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities, multi-district and consolidated litigation. If you wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions regarding your rights and interests, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735 or via e-mail at [email protected]. Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. SOURCE Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP CHICAGO, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yello , a leading provider of talent acquisition software solutions, is excited to announce that it has been awarded a five-year, $20 million firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract by Army Contracting Command (ACC), Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland. Under the scope of the contract, Yello will provide the Department of the Army technology to: YELLO AWARDED $20 MILLION IDIQ CONTRACT TO PROVIDE ARMY TALENT ACQUISITION SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS Plan, conduct, and manage in-person and virtual recruitment events Customize, organize, and automate robust and diverse talent acquisition pipelines to expand recruiting reach and source more candidates Capture key metrics and visualize data analytics on applicants in real-time to speed up the hiring process and show the return on investment Get real-time analytics with dashboards to promote and achieve DEI and hiring goals "Army Contracting Command is joining over 70 federal agencies that use Yello's FedRAMP authorized solutions to support recently published guidance from OPM on improving the federal hiring experience. Yello supports these initiatives by helping agencies reduce time-to-hire, improving the candidate and recruiter experience, and by providing the data needed to streamline their hiring process," said Dan Bartfield, Yello Co-Founder and CEO. "We are pleased to have been selected by Army Contracting Command as this contract further demonstrates Yello's commitment to providing innovative solutions that drive efficiency and success for our United States government clients." Learn more about Yello Government Recruiting Solutions. About Yello: Yello is a talent acquisition software designed to simplify and modernize the recruiting and hiring process. Yello's technology improves your organization's ability to nd, prioritize, manage, engage with, and hire talent in a highly automated and ecient manner, improving the experience for both candidates and employers. Yello helps hundreds of the world's leading brands and more than 70 federal agencies manage their recruitment events to source and engage candidates efficiently. Yello is FedRAMP authorized with industry-leading capabilities spanning the entire talent journey, from planning to sourcing to events and recruitment operations. Media Contact: Wes Kuhns (312) 517-3200 [email protected] SOURCE Yello The brand will donate $300K from BFCM sales for creative scholarships with upcoming campaign COSTA MESA, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Z SUPPLY , the fashion house known for its everyday essentials focused on simplicity, comfort and effortless style, is proud to announce the continuation of its Black Friday/Cyber Monday initiative. The company will be donating $300,000 of their online sales from ZSUPPLY.com to the Z SUPPLY Foundation for the fourth year in a row, bringing the total contribution since the launch of the Foundation to $1.2 million. Betty Pham, Melanie Vo, Mandy Fry and Kalen Walthour (Photo credit: Ali Mitton) The Z SUPPLY Foundation's mission is to create opportunities for the next generation of creatives. They do this by creating an educational initiative dedicated to students pursuing various degrees in the arts. Since its inception in November of 2021, Z SUPPLY has raised over $900,000 for the Foundation, with the majority allocated to its Education Fund, creating 58 scholarships for students pursuing degrees in fashion design, art, and marketing. "We are amazed by the generosity of our customers," said Z SUPPLY President, Mandy Fry. "This holiday season, we're thrilled to surpass the million dollar mark in money raised for the Z SUPPLY Foundation Education Fund and will continue giving back through scholarships in the creative fields and other forms of service throughout the coming year." In the past, Z SUPPLY celebrated this special campaign by visiting the colleges where scholarships have been established to highlight the talented students with a showcase of their work on campus. This year, Z SUPPLY took that a step further by inviting three of the scholarship recipients to the company's headquarters in Costa Mesa for a special mentorship day on October 2. The students were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the office, met with the Z SUPPLY team, and engaged in a professional photoshoot and video session in the company's photo studio. During the experience, they were asked questions about their majors, their creative journeys, and what creativity means to them. The three scholarship recipients invited to participate were Betty Pham, a Product Design major from Otis College of Art and Design, Melanie Vo, a Graphic Design major from California State University, Long Beach, and Kalen Walthour, a Fashion Design major from the California College of the Arts. It was an inspiring day for the students, offering them valuable insight into the industry and providing an opportunity to connect with mentors who are helping shape the future of design and creativity. To date, the Z SUPPLY Foundation has partnered with several creative art and design schools through their scholarship program, including Otis College of Art and Design, California College of the Arts, California State University, Long Beach's School of Art, Parsons School of Design, Kansas City Art Institute, and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The Foundation's board members will decide the amount of the funds that will be allocated to all six schools for the 2025/2026 academic year. Anyone can participate in supporting these creative scholarship programs simply by shopping at ZSUPPLY.com from Black Friday through Giving Tuesday. For more information regarding the Z SUPPLY Foundation or for more details on the Z SUPPLY Foundation college scholarships, please visit Z SUPPLY Foundation . Additional images and video accessible HERE . About Z SUPPLY FOUNDATION: Z SUPPLY Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the clothing brand Z SUPPLY, launched in 2021 and is committed to supporting educational and social organizations. Each year, the Foundation has a specific focus, which will give the brand the opportunity to support the many causes that mean so much to it. This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public and charitable purposes. The Foundation was considered a public charity and now is applying to be a private foundation. ABOUT Z SUPPLY: Z SUPPLY designs reflect the belief that simplicity, comfort and style should coexist in every closet. Featuring signature plush fabrics, timeless silhouettes, and versatile style, Z SUPPLY creates everyday essentials that can be worn by everyone. For more information and to view current collections, visit www.ZSUPPLY.com . Press Contacts Shout Public Relations Amanda Pennington / Francesca Ressa [email protected] / [email protected] SOURCE Z SUPPLY BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Azerbaijan has successfully concluded its first renewable energy auction, a major step in its green energy transition, with technical assistance from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Trend reports. The announcement was made at the COP29 Climate Change Conference in Baku. Universal International Holding Limited won the auction with a competitive tariff of $0.0354 per kilowatt-hour. The company will now develop a 100-megawatt solar power plant in the Garadagh region. Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov called the auction a milestone that demonstrates growing international confidence in Azerbaijans renewable energy sector. "This achievement will accelerate our energy transition and strengthen our contribution to global climate goals," he said. Alkis Vryenios Drakinos, the EBRDs Regional Head for the Caucasus, said: "This is a great way to wrap up the EBRDs work at COP29 in Baku. Having surpassed one-gigawatt mark in financed green energy and following our consistent policy engagement with the authorities, our assistance with renewables auctions in Azerbaijan has today produced game-changing success. I would like to congratulate all parties involved". The EBRD, which has invested over 3.7 billion euros in 191 projects in Azerbaijan to date, highlighted the auction as a success in its long-standing support for the countrys decarbonization efforts. It has previously financed key solar and wind projects and continues to engage with the government on energy reforms and infrastructure improvements. Ankara, Nov 20 : US decision to allow Kyiv 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 Turkey 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 US 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, Xinhua news agency reported. In a major shift of his administration's policy on the Ukraine crisis, US President Joe Biden had authorised Kyiv to use US-supplied long-range missiles, or the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), to strike targets inside Russia, US 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 US ATACMS ballistic missiles at Russia's Bryansk region. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on November 20 at COP29 Green Zone as part of the conference between the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kenyan SMACHS Foundation, Trend reports. The MoU was signed by Aygun Aliyeva, Executive Director of the State Support Agency for NGOs, and Charlene Ruto, Founder of the SMACHS Foundation. The memorandum aims to create opportunities for strengthening ties between NGOs in both countries and enhancing collaborative efforts. After the signing ceremony, a presentation of the SMACHS Foundation took place, followed by a Q&A session. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Georgetown : , Nov 21 (IANS) After being conferred the highest award for his contributions to the Caribbean nation during the Covid-19 pandemic and his dedication to enhancing the bilateral partnership between India and Dominica, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dedicated the honour to the "140 crore people living in India". "Honoured to be conferred with the highest national award by Dominica. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India," Prime Minister Modi said in a post on social media platform X. Prime Minister Modi also said that he dedicated the highest national award conferred by Dominica to the efforts, culture and traditions of the people of India. He also thanked President Sylvanie Burton for giving him this special honour by coming to Guyana personally and hailed both India and Dominica not only as democratic nations but also as role models for the whole world to emulate regarding women's empowerment, adding that President Droupadi Murmu is the first Indian President to be elected from the tribal community whereas President of Dominica Sylvanie Burton is also the first President from the indigenous community. "India and Dominica not only share centuries-old historical and civilisational ties," PM Modi added. The Prime Minister, who is in Guyana on the last leg of his three-nation visit, was conferred the "Dominica Award of Honour" by President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica during the India-CARICOM Summit here on Wednesday. "The award is a recognition of PM's statesmanship and contribution to Dominica during the Covid-19 pandemic and his commitment to strengthening India-Dominica ties," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a post on X. "President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica conferred on PM @narendramodi the "Dominica Award of Honour", the highest National Award of the Commonwealth of Dominica. The award is a recognition of PMas statesmanship and contribution to YY during the Covid pandemic and his commitment to strengthening India-Dominica ties," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement. Guyana and Barbados will also confer their top awards on Prime Minister Modi, bringing his tally of international honours to 19. Dominica announced its top award to PM Modi a few days ago. "In February 2021, Prime Minister Modi supplied Dominica with 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine -- a generous gift which enabled Dominica to extend support to its Caribbean neighbours," said a statement by the office of the Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. The award also recognises India's support for Dominica in healthcare, education and information technology under PM Modi's leadership and his role in promoting climate resilience-building initiatives and sustainable development on a global level, it added. The statement quoted Prime Minister Skerrit as saying that the award is an expression of Dominica's gratitude for PM Modi's solidarity with Dominica and the wider region. In accepting the offer of the award, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of collaboration in tackling global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical conflicts and affirmed India's commitment to working alongside Dominica and the Caribbean in addressing these issues, the statement underlined. Georgetown, Nov 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Guyana would be a natural partner for energy security as the two countries signed 10 pacts for cooperation in several areas, from health and agriculture to defence, education, and digital payments. Speaking after the signing of the memorandum of understating (MoU) on Wednesday, he nostalgically recalled his visit to Guyana 24 years ago as a private citizen when he was struck by the cultural ties with India. He said that he felt blessed to return as the Prime Minister when both countries were deepening their relations beyond culture to other areas. One of the MoUs signed was on "Cooperation in the Hydrocarbons Sector" covering crude sourcing, natural gas, and infrastructure development fostering capacity building and expertise sharing across the sector. Guyana is emerging as a petroleum and gas powerhouse with reserves estimated at more than 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels. Before the signing of MoUs, PM Modi and Guyana's Mohamed Irfaan Ali held discussions with their officials present. PM Modi said that at their meeting they found areas of convergence and collaboration and India will continue to assist the host country and give priority to the areas they have identified for working together. While India looks to Guyana as an energy security partner, New Delhi will in turn help develop its food security through the agricultural programmes, he added. Ali said he felt "very grateful and humbled" to receive PM Modi in Guyana, calling the visit "a significant milestone". "Our discussions today were not only fruitful but also reinforced our shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and to collaboratively address regional and global concerns," he added. "We signed several key agreements in critical areas, such as hydrocarbon, health, agriculture, and technology transfer," and discussed enhancing collaboration on infrastructure, education, human capital, and development. Another area was "the continued diversification of our economy, important to our economy". He added that they also discussed working together on defence and technology transfer. Earlier, Ali welcomed PM Modi to the State House with a guard of honour and after the ceremony they planted trees, taking the "Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam" (a tree in mother's name) global. Bilateral Cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Allied Sectors will promote cooperation in the fields of agriculture and allied sectors through joint activities, and the exchange of scientific materials, information and personnel. An important MoU was in the pharmaceutical sector, recognising the Indian Pharmacopoeia between the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission as the standard for Guyana while cooperating on the regulation of medicines. Another MoU between HLL Lifecare Ltd and the Guyana Ministry of Health is to extend the benefits of the Janaushadhi Scheme (PMBJP) -- which provides affordable medicines for patients in India -- by supplying medicines to Public Procurement Agencies of CARICOM countries. The MoU covering Agriculture and Allied Sectors will promote cooperation in the fields through joint activities, and the exchange of scientific materials, information, and personnel. An MoU involving NPCI International Payments Ltd is for developing a system like India's Unified Payments Interface for digital payments in Guyana. It has the potential to enable the RuPay system link in Guyana. In the strategic security area, the National Defence Institute of Guyana and the Rashtriya Raksha University in Gujarat signed an MoU for collaborating on research, education, and training in national security and defence. The MoU on Cultural Exchange Programme aims to strengthen cultural cooperation in theatre, music, fine arts, literature, libraries, and museums. Ramallah, Nov 21 : The Palestinian presidency has denounced the US for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that called for a ceasefire and an end to Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip. In a press statement published by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, the presidency said on Wednesday that the US used its veto for the fourth time, encouraging Israel to persist in its "crimes" against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples while defying international law and legitimacy. The statement stressed that Palestine's demands to the UN Security Council and the international community were clear: to halt the "aggression," enforce a ceasefire, and address the "crimes" Israel has committed against the defenseless Palestinian people, Xinhua news agency reported. The statement urged the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to take responsibility for the Palestinian people by acting immediately to end the ongoing "aggression," the humanitarian crisis, and the hunger affecting Gaza. Farsin Shaheen, the Palestinian Authority's state minister for foreign affairs and expatriates, deemed the US veto "unjustified, and is a challenge to the will of the international community". She affirmed that achieving peace, security, and stability in the region and the world is contingent on implementing international legitimacy resolutions, ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory, and recognising the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Hamas said in a statement that by using the veto, the US proves it is a "direct partner in the aggression," responsible for "killing children and women, destroying civilian life in Gaza". The statement called on the US to stop this "reckless hostile policy" if it truly seeks to end wars and achieve security and stability in the region, as claimed by the elected administration. The US 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 favour of the resolution, and the US used its veto as a permanent council member to block it. New Delhi, Nov 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Guyana's highest civilian honour, 'The Order of Excellence', by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for his visionary statesmanship, championing the rights of developing countries on the global stage, exceptional service to the global community and for his commitment to strengthening India-Guyana relations. New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Guyanaas highest civilian honour, 'The Order of Excellence', by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, for his visionary statesmanship, championing the rights of developing countries on the global stage, exceptional service to the global community and for his commitment to strengthening India-Guyana relations. While accepting the award, PM Modi dedicated the honour to the people of India and the deep-rooted historical ties between the people of the two countries. He emphasized that his state visit is a testament to India's continued commitment towards deepening India-Guyana friendship. Prime Minister Modi is only the fourth foreign leader to be conferred with the highest National award of Guyana. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X said, "Another feather in the cap for India! President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana conferred PM Narendra Modi with the highest national award of Guyana aThe Order of Excellencea, for his exceptional service to the global community, statesmanship and contribution in deepening India-Guyana ties." The ceremony was held at the State House in Georgetown, Guyana. On this occasion, Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali said that technology, innovation and digitization must not be used to widen the gap between the countries and these advancements must be made to reduce the gap and poverty and bring the world closer together. "India has been championing new technology innovation and PM Modi reminded us in CARICOM that you are a member of this CARICOM family. We want you to know we hold you as a member of this CARICOM family...," said the Guyana President. Thanking the Guyana President for the honour, PM Modi said, "Sincerely thank President Dr. Irfaan Ali, for conferring upon me Guyana's highest honour, 'The Order of Excellence.' This is a recognition of the 140 crore people of India." PM Modi said, "President Irfaan Ali contributed immensely to taking these relations to unprecedented heights...India is also ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with Guyana. Our cooperation as two democracies is important for bilateral relations and also for the entire Global South." "Guyana, blessed with numerous waterfalls and lakes is called 'The Land of Many Waters'... Just as the rivers of Guyana are a part of the cultural identity of the people here, rivers of India like the Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra have been the birthplace of our ancient civilisation. There are many such examples of similarities between India and Guyana..." Patna, Nov 21 : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will be in Bihar for a one-day programme on Thursday where he will inaugurate part 3 of Rajauli-Bakhtiyarpur's 4-lane road from Gaya. Preparations have been completed, with officials inspecting the arrangements and ensuring tight security at the venues. Gadkari will inaugurate the Rajauli-Bakhtiyarpur Package 3, a project under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 3,700 crore. The foundation stone for Rajauli-Bakhtiyarpur Package 1 will also be laid, with an estimated construction cost of around Rs 300 crore and the Gaya-Dobhi-Patna four-lane National Highway 83 (NH 83) and the toll plaza on this route are also expected to be inaugurated. Gadkari will participate in the 22nd session of the Bihar Economic Council, organised by Magadh University, at the Mahabodhi Cultural Center in Bodh Gaya. The event will be organised at the Cultural Center's 2,000-capacity hall, by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at a venue set up opposite the main gate of Magadh University. The main focus of the event is economic discussions for Bihar. The Union Minister will arrive at Gaya airport via a special flight from Nagpur. This visit highlights the government's focus on infrastructure development in Bihar, particularly the enhancement of road connectivity through significant highway projects. Following this, the Union Minister will visit the Mahabodhi Temple and Vishnupad Temple to offer prayers. He will also pay tributes at the statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and will visit the Mahabodhi Society in Bodhgaya. To ensure the success and security of the events, District Magistrate Dr Tyag Rajan, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ashish Bharti, and City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Prerna Kumar inspected the venues. A 'pandal (stage)' has been erected for the programme, and officials reviewed all aspects of security and logistical arrangements. "The elaborate arrangements have been made, including a strong deployment of police personnel, magistrates, and officers to ensure a smooth flow of events and traffic management," said Ashish Bharti, SSP of Gaya. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Seoul, Nov 21 : Samsung Electronics on Thursday unveiled Gauss 2, the second generation of its generative artificial intelligence (AI) model, at an annual tech conference. During a keynote address of the online Samsung Developer Conference Korea 2024, the company highlighted the improved performance, efficiency and various application possibilities of its latest AI model. Samsung Gauss, first introduced last year, is aimed at enhancing the work efficiency of workers by facilitating tasks, such as composing emails, summarising documents and translating content, reports Yonhap news agency. The second-generation version offers improved performance and efficiency in simultaneously handling various data types as a multimodal model integrating language, code and images. It is available in three distinct models catered to different purposes -- Compact, Balanced and Supreme. Samsung Gauss 2 supports nine to 14 languages, as well as various programming languages, depending on the model. The tech giant said Samsung Gauss is already being used in various tasks for the company's employees, leveraging its customizable development capabilities. "Samsung Electronics is committed to developing cutting-edge software, including AI and data analytics, to enhance user experiences," said Cheun Kyung-whoon, president of Samsung Research. "With three distinct models, Samsung Gauss2 is already boosting our internal productivity, and we plan to integrate it into products to deliver higher levels of convenience and personalization." Earlier this month, Lin Hong-wen, a senior journalist at Taiwan's Business Today and an expert on the chip industry, pointed to several long- and mid-term challenges on global and regional levels that he said weighed heavily on Samsung Electronics. "'The rise of China' dealt a direct blow to Samsung," Lin said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency. "China is competing with Samsung in multiple sectors, including mobile phones, panels and memory chips," he said. "China is replacing imported goods with its own products, and Samsung was most affected by this policy." "The rapid growth of AI has reshaped the competitive landscape of the chip industry," explained Lin, adding that Samsung Electronics has failed to secure dominant technologies in HBM, a key memory chip for AI accelerators, in a timely manner due to those challenges. United Nations, Nov 21 : The lack of flour and fuel in Gaza threatens to shut down bakeries serving hundreds of thousands of hungry Palestinians, UN humanitarians said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its warning comes as parts of Gaza are at imminent risk of famine, Xinhua news agency reported. 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 per cent 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 organised armed looting. "This is also endangering aid workers, making it almost impossible for humanitarian organisations to do their jobs," the office said. OCHA said that as of Monday, the Israeli authorities facilitated just over 40 per cent 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 centres 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 September 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 litres of bottled water and over 42 million litres of water through trucking," OCHA said. "We have also delivered around 600,000 litres 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. Bamkaro, Nov 21 : Mali's Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga and his government were dismissed, according to a decree issued by President Assimi Goita. "The duties of the Prime Minister and the members of the government are terminated," said the decree, which was read out by the Secretary General of the presidency, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the state television station ORTM. The decision came after the head of government's "muscular outburst" against the transition at a meeting of the "Movement of June 5 - Rally of Patriotic Forces" (M5-RFP) last Saturday. On Tuesday, demonstrators in the capital and many cities in the country called for Maiga's resignation. Maiga, president of the strategic committee of the M5-RFP, was appointed Mali's Prime Minister in June 2021. New Delhi, Nov 21 : Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Thursday launched a scathing attack on former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing them of promoting and rewarding Bibhav Kumar, whom she referred to as a "goon". In a post on X on Thursday, Maliwal claimed, "For beating me up, Arvind Kejriwal ji has given huge rewards to his beloved goon Bibhav Kumar. He now occupies the top administrative post in Punjab as Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister." She added that Kumar, out on bail for allegedly assaulting her, has been given a position where senior officials, including the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) and Chief Secretary, report to him. Maliwal criticized Punjabas AAP leadership, alleging that CM Bhagwant Mann has become a "rubber stamp" under Kejriwalas influence. She lamented, "The talented youth of Punjab are leaving the country while goons are being showered with salaries in lakhs, luxury cars, bungalows, and servants." She claimed that senior MP N.D. Gupta was evicted from his official bungalow at 10, Feroz Shah Road, alleging that the property was illegally handed over to Kumar. "This goon is living in Gupta ji's house, forcibly taken from him at his age. How can a person labeled a goon by the Supreme Court be given such privileges, violating his bail conditions? Just imagine how many secrets this man must be hiding," Maliwal questioned. The MP further raised concerns over the safety of women in Punjab under Kumar's alleged influence, stating, "If goons run the Punjab government, how will women in the state feel secure? Bhagwant Mann ji, you too have sisters and daughters at home. A Chief Minister must not allow himself to be reduced to a mere rubber stamp." Bibhav Kumar is Arvind Kejriwal's close aide and manager, both personal and political and is accused of assaulting Maliwal at the CMas residence on May 13. He was arrested on May 18 and produced late that night before a local court which sent him to five days under police custody. The Supreme Court later granted him bail after over 100 days in judicial custody. New Delhi, Nov 21 : The cumulative mobile number portability (MNP) requests increased from 1,025.78 million at the end of August to 1,039.11 million at the end of September, since the implementation of MNP, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data on Thursday. The subscriber requests for MNP in the month of September stood at 13.32 million. In the month of August, 14.66 million subscribers submitted their requests for mobile number portability (MNP). The number of active wireless subscribers in September was 1,059.97 million, the data showed. Number of machine-to-machine (M2M) cellular mobile connections increased from 54.07 million at the end of August to 54.64 million in September. Overall, the total broadband subscribers decreased from 949.21 million at the end of August to 944.40 million at the end of September with a monthly decline rate of 0.51 per cent. Total wireless subscribers decreased from 1,163.83 million at the end of August to 1,153.72 million in September, thereby registering a monthly decline rate of 0.87 per cent. The wireless tele-density in India decreased from 82.85 per cent at the end of August to 82.07 per cent at the end of September, showed the data, "Wireline subscribers increased from 36.23 million at the end of August to 36.93 million at the end of September. Net increase in the wireline subscriber base was 0.70 million with a monthly rate of growth 1.93 per cent," said TRAI. Bharti Airtel Limited has the highest number of M2M cellular mobile connections 28.44 million with a market share of 52.06 per cent, followed by Vodafone idea Limited. The overall tele-density in India decreased from 85.43 per cent to 84.69 per cent. The private access service providers held 91.85 per cent market share of the wireless subscribers whereas BSNL and MTNL, the two PSU access service providers, had a market share of only 8.15 per cent. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. As the international community, we must do everything possible to finally stay on the 1.5-degree path outlined in Paris, said Annalena Baerbock, Germanys Minister for Foreign Affairs, at a press conference at COP29, Trend reports. "The climate crisis is the largest security challenge of our time, and it transcends national borders, affecting even the most powerful military nations. It is indifferent to geopolitical tensions and even to election dates," she said. Unlike geopolitical conflicts, where the responsibility for establishing peace lies with governments and societies, Baerbock argued, resolving the climate crisis is no longer solely in our hands. If we cooperate closely as an international community, we can at best contain the climate crisis. Thats why we come to climate conferences every year because every tenth of a degree matters. As the international community, we must do everything we can to finally get on the path of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, as set out in Paris, she added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Bengaluru, Nov 21 : Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Congress' senior observer in Maharashtra Assembly polls, on Thursday, expressed confidence in Maha Vikas Aghadi's victory. "We will also win all three seats in by-elections in our state," he underlined. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said, "The exit poll results are mixed and among them, some have given 162 seats for Maha Vikas Aghadi and 128 seats for the opposition. Some exit polls have given a majority for the opposition by predicting 130 to 140 seats for them. The surveys are divided and nothing could be predicted." "The reality is people have become frustrated with the ruling party. There is an alleged scam of Rs 8,000 crore in connection with the purchase and running of ambulances in Maharashtra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's World Class Research Centre there in 2015. Ambedkar hails from Maharashtra. Ambedkar is respected by the people of Maharashtra and other states as well. All communities, including Mahars, are unhappy about the non-completion of this centre," Parameshwara maintained. "The Foxconn company which came with an investment of Rs 4 lakh crore to Maharashtra state is taken to Gujarat state. Another company with Rs 25,000 crore investment is also taken to Gujarat," he alleged. "The youths in Maharashtra are of the opinion that their jobs are being taken away. No succour and programmes are given to farmers. I have heard that CM Eknath Shinde indulged in corruption when I interacted with the media, leaders and common people. I have come to an opinion that Maha Vikas Aghadi will get an opportunity in Maharashtra," Parameshwara stated. "We want to win all three seats in bypolls in Karnataka. There is a conducive atmosphere in the state in this regard. Some were claiming that in the Shiggaon Assembly segment, former CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai had won with a margin of 36,000 votes in the 2023 Assembly election and this time it will come down to 10,000 votes in bypolls. That shows the situation is adverse for the BJP. If we consider that those 10,000 votes come to the Congress party, we can win this seat," he claimed. Talking about the row over the cancellation of BPL ration cards, he stated, "The Central government has cancelled 5.8 crore ration cards across the country. I don't know what morality the BJP leaders have to question us. Is the BPL card necessary for income taxpayers? Do the government employees want the BPL card? The criteria are not set by our government. The cards are revoked as per the guidelines. In case there is a mistake in the process, it will be reverified and BPL cards will be reissued. The government will not err in providing BPL cards to the eligible," Parameshwara stated. Bhopal, Nov 21 : As the mercury dips in Madhya Pradesh, the air quality in Bhopal and surrounding areas has been worsening continuously for the last ten days as the AQI crossed the 300 mark, putting it in the 'very poor' category. Bhopal, Nov 21 (IANS) As the mercury dips in Madhya Pradesh, the air quality in Bhopal and surrounding areas has been worsening continuously for the last ten days as the AQI crossed the 300 mark, putting it in the avery poora category. Winter is making its presence felt in Madhya Pradesh with night temperatures in several parts dipping below 10 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature in the capital city Bhopal was 11 degree Celsius, three degrees below the normal mark on Wednesday. As always, the state's only hill station, Pachmarhi recorded the lowest temperature at 7.8 degree Celsius on Wednesday. Temperatures in Shajapur, Shivpuri and Rajgarh were also recorded between 8.7 degree Celsius and 9.6 degree Celsius. The state's economic city Indore recorded 13.9 degree Celsius, two degrees below the normal mark, and maximum temperature was at 27.8 degree Celsius. The Met department has predicted the maximum temperature at 28 degree Celsius and minimum at 13 degree Celsius in Indore on Thursday. The meteorological department predicted a clear sky on Thursday morning and suggested that dry weather would prevail in the state and the temperatures may dip further. The Met department has issued warnings of shallow to moderate fog in isolated places in the Gwalior-Chambal regions. The chill in Bhopal is being felt due to wind speeds of 12.6 km and above on Thursday morning. Along with the dipping temperatures, the air quality in Bhopal is worsening continuously as for the last ten days, the AQI has been above the 300 mark. Experts suggested that increase in bonfires, and other local factors like burning plastics and leaves, in the coming days will result in increasing levels of air pollution. The Meteorological department also predicted that winds from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan Punjab and Delhi blowing over the state may increase air pollution by up to 20 per cent in days to come. Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 21 : Minutes after a single Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday ordered a fresh investigation by the Crime Branch of the Kerala Police into the alleged insulting remarks made against the Constitution by Saji Cherian, the state's Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs said he would not resign. "There is nothing immoral in me continuing as a minister. I was exonerated by one court and another court has now ordered a probe. Let the fresh probe go forward. In all fairness, I also should have been heard. "Also, there are higher courts and I will seek legal recourse and move forward," said Cherian to the media in the state capital city soon after the single Bench's verdict came. Incidentally on Thursday, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas ordered a fresh probe in a petition moved by a lawyer against the police closing the investigation against the minister and a lower court clearing him. The case against Cherian is that at a party meeting in Pathanamthitta district in July 2022, he made curt remarks about the Constitution. Following a huge public outcry over the issue that was raised by the Congress-led Opposition, he resigned as minister. Later, a local court exonerated him and six months after he quit, Cherian was sworn in again as a minister. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said now that the High Court has categorically ordered a fresh probe by the Crime Branch, he has no other option but to quit. "Now the scenario has changed as the court has made it clear that the police report submitted in their probe was not acceptable to the High Court. So it means it was not a clean probe report and hence the situation is serious. So Cherian has no other option left but to quit. Today's verdict is also a blow to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as he allowed Cherian to be sworn-in again," said Satheesan. Media critic Sunnykutty Abraham said now the situation is much more serious than when Cherian resigned in July 2022. "Then Cherian said the same thing and claimed he had done no wrong and there was no impropriety in continuing as a minister, but he had to quit. Now the situation is much more serious and he has no other option but to quit again," said Abraham. Jaipur, Nov 21 : Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress National General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be in Jaipur on Thursday to attend a wedding ceremony. Party officials confirmed to IANS that this is their personal visit and they will be attending the ceremony here. According to sources, Rahul Gandhi will reach Jaipur on Thursday afternoon. Priyanka Gandhi arrived in Ranthambore on Tuesday. She is accompanied by her husband Robert Vadra, son Raihan Vadra, daughter Miraya and mother-in-law Maureen Vadra. All will reach Jaipur on Thursday where they will attend the ceremony. This wedding, as per party office-bearers, is of Raihan Gandhi's friend, and the ceremony will be held in a five-star hotel in the pink city. Priyanka Gandhi is contesting from Kerala's most talked-about Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, which went vacant after Rahul Gandhi resigned and chose to retain Raebareli. In the by-election held here, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi actively campaigned. Soon after arriving in Ranthambore, Priyanka Gandhi did a tiger safari with her family. In zone number 3, the family spotted the tigress 'Arrowhead' and her three cubs. She watched the tigress and her cubs frolicking for about 25 minutes. Her son also captured the pictures of this scene in his camera. Priyanka Gandhi has made several trips to Ranthambore earlier also. She celebrated her birthday in the national park and also stayed there with her brother and mother during Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra. Ranthambore currently has 75 tigers, tigresses and cubs. The tourist season started in the national park on October 1. For the last 12 years, Priyanka Gandhi has been coming to the Park every year with her children. She has taken thousands of photographs of the tigers here and has also mentioned the tigers of Ranthambore in a book. She came here in April also. Her son Raihan Vadra has even organised an exhibition of photographs taken from Ranthambore and Priyanka Gandhi has co-authored a book titled 'Ranthambhore The Tiger's Realm'. Washington, Nov 21 : The Biden administration has moved to forgive about $4.7 billion in US loans to Ukraine, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. According to the statement made on Wednesday, outgoing officials seek to do what they can before leaving office to bolster Ukraine in its war against Russia. A funding bill passed by the US Congress in April included over $9.4 billion of forgivable loans for economic and budgetary support to Ukraine's government, half of which the President could cancel after November 15. The bill appropriated a total of $61 billion to help Ukraine fight the full-scale invasion Moscow launched in February 2022. "We have taken the step that was outlined in the law to cancel those loans," Miller told a press briefing, adding that the step was taken in recent days. However, Congress could still block the move, Miller added. President Joe Biden has ordered officials to rush as much aid to Ukraine as possible before he leaves office on January 20, amid concerns that President-elect Donald Trump could limit US support. Mumbai, Nov 21 : Bollywood actress Ananya Panday's recent Instagram Story has gained attention for the wrong reasons. The actress recently took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and shared a throwback picture of herself with her grandmother as she wished her on her birthday. Mumbai, Nov 21 (IANS) Bollywood actress Ananya Pandayas recent Instagram Story has gained attention for the wrong reasons. The actress recently took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and shared a throwback picture of herself with her grandmother as she wished her on her birthday. The throwback picture showed her nani holding a glass of beer while feeding the milk to baby Ananya through a bottle. While the picture earlier received a fair share of criticism, it has now triggered the fans of Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh, who recently performed in Ahmedabad. The fans of Diljit gave negative reactions to the picture on social media and aggregator websites saying that artists like Diljit bear the brunt of righteousness while everything in Bollywood goes about as usual business. Earlier, the Telangana government had issued a notice to Diljit over performing songs referencing alcohol following which Dijit performed to those songs with changed lyrics. However, the Punjabi superstar pointed his guns at the Telangana government as he took a bold stand, and played an Uno reverse as he challenged all state governments across the country, and proposed a ban on alcohol consumption. Diljit said in one of his shows that people from Bollywood showcase and glorify the usage of alcohol in their films and songs but nobody from the authorities bats an eye. The Punjabi superstar said that when itas his turn to perform his songs referencing alcohol, which are very few in his illustrious discography, he is discouraged by the authorities. He said that if alcohol consumption is banned across India, he would permanently stop singing songs that use alcohol as reference. He said that he recently released two devotional songs as well, and has very few songs related to alcohol as he himself is a teetotaller. A nationwide ban on alcohol would prove detrimental to the economy as licensed alcohol forms a huge part of the GDP and tax collections across the states. Of late, Diljitas concerts have been gaining massive national attention owing to his performance and the content coming out of them. New Delhi, Nov 21 : Smoking cigarettes can cause changes in throat microbiota and worsen influenza A virus infection, finds a study. Smoking has long been known as unhealthy. It is known to lead to chronic pulmonary disease and has also been associated with increased risk for influenza-related illness, among a host of other conditions. More recently, scientists demonstrated a link between cigarette smoke and a disordering of the oropharyngeal microbiota composition. However, this association has not been clear. The soft palate, side and back walls of the throat, tonsils, and the back of the tongue make up the oropharynx. To decode, researchers from the University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland led a mice study. They showed that gut and oropharyngeal microbiota are altered by chronic cigarette exposure in mice. Markus Hilty, Associate Professor at the Institute for Infectious Diseases, at the varsity said that smoking alone does not impact respiratory disease. "The smoker's microbiota may also impact respiratory disease and/or infection. In our case, it impacts viral infection," said Hilty. In the study, the team exposed mice to cigarette smoke, and then cohoused them with air-exposed mice (control) and germ-free mice. The experiment allowed the transfer of the microbiota from donor mice to germ-free mice. The results, published in mSystems, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, showed that the original germ-free mice were colonised either with bacteria from a smoke-exposed or air-exposed mouse. Further, the team infected the recipient mice with influenza A virus and monitored the disease course. They found that the original germ-free mice who received bacteria from smoke-exposed mice had a more severe disease course, which was measured by increased weight loss. In addition, virus infection was linked with substantial changes in the oropharyngeal microbiota composition. The changes were particularly visible on day 4 and day 8 after infection. Hilty urged physicians to consider "cigarette-induced disordering of the microbiota as probably an important factor during viral infection". Dubai, Nov 21 : Australia great Ricky Ponting reflected on the challenges of preparing for a high-stakes series like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, emphasising mental clarity over excessive match practice and said that performing in the series will be more about "making sure you're nice and fresh mentally and physically." "Preparation is always a hard one to get right. Because I've seen guys like Travis Head in the past where they've almost had no preparation at all, going into a game and then turn up and play one of the all-time great innings. "For me, it's not so much the skills side going into games or series like this. It's making sure you're nice and fresh mentally and physically," Ponting said on the ICC Review show. The former Ausie captain further outlined his reasoning and reflected on past predictions that didn't go his way, adding a touch of humour to his assessment. Ravi Shastri had recently forecasted a close series, suggesting a 3-1 scoreline for either side but believing India could edge ahead with a strong start. When Ponting was asked his view on Shastri's prediction, the 49-year-old stuck to his guns, saying, "I'm going to stick with the 3-1 Australia." Ponting's prediction comes against the backdrop of a historic rivalry. India has not lost a Border-Gavaskar Trophy series since 2017 and famously won the last two contests in Australia, including their dramatic triumph in 2020/21. Ponting also recounted a past exchange with India legend Sunil Gavaskar during the 2020/21 series. After India's disastrous first Test in Adelaide, where they were bowled out for 36, Ponting had predicted a 2-1 series win for Australia. Gavaskar countered, predicting the same margin in India's favor. To Ponting's disbelief, India rebounded spectacularly to win the series 2-1, proving him wrong. "Sunny got the better of me there. hope Ravi doesn't get the better of me this time. So I'm going to stick with the 3-1 Australia," he added He also cited Australia's balanced lineup and preparedness as reasons for his confidence and acknowledged the potential disruptions in India's campaign, particularly with captain Rohit Sharma expected to return midway through the series. "India will be pretty certain of what team they're going to play (in Perth). They've known for a while that Rohit probably wasn't going to be here. They've probably known for a while that Bumrah was going to be captain. So they've probably known what holes they've needed to fill. So they'll be reasonably settled," he said. The first Test of the series kicks off on November 22 in Perth, with both teams gearing up for a grueling battle for supremacy. Australia, buoyed by recent success, will look to end India's dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while the visitors aim for an unprecedented third consecutive series victory Down Under. New Delhi, Nov 21 : Nokia on Thursday announced a five-year expansion of its multi-year agreement to supply Microsoft Azure with data centre routers and switches. Nokia's data centre networking portfolio will enhance the scalability and reliability of Azure data centres around the world. The partnership will grow Nokia's global footprint to over 30 countries and strengthen its role as a strategic supplier for Microsoft's worldwide cloud infrastructure. As part of the expansion, Nokia will supply its 7250 IXR-10e platform to deliver multi-terabit-scale interconnectivity within Microsoft's data centres. Nokia will also continue to deliver its custom developed management top of rack switch that is used extensively throughout the Azure network, said the company The Nokia SONiC-based data centre routers and switches will be deployed both in greenfield locations and used in support of Microsoft's migration from 100GE to 400GE connectivity within existing facilities. "As a result of this new deal, Nokia will further increase the scalability and reliability of Microsoft Azure data centres around the world. This win affirms Nokia's commitment to being a strategic supplier for tier one hyperscaler companies, and highlights that our multi-year strategic investments and approach have put us on the right trajectory," said Vach Kompella, SVP and General Manager of IP Networks business at Nokia. This will enable Microsoft to meet increasing traffic demands for years to come with Nokia's exceptional networking performance and reliability. Deployment of the Nokia 7250 IXR-10e will begin in February. David Maltz, Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Azure Networking, said as leaders in the advancement of cloud compute, we are continuously expanding our global footprint to support the massive growth in compute workloads. "Over the past six years, we have worked with Nokia's engineers to develop their routers running SONiC to rapidly advance our expansion at the quality our customers demand," he added. Bhubaneswar, Nov 21 : A maoist was killed in an exchange of fire with the security forces near MV-79 in the Jindalguda area of Malkangiri district in Odisha. A member of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Odisha Police also sustained serious injuries during the gunfight with the ultras. "We had received reliable inputs that some ultras from Chhattisgarh might enter Odisha's Malkangiri district. We have been guarding the area for the past several days. On Wednesday night, the exchange of fire took place. A Maoist was neutralised in the exchange of fire while one of our commandos sustained gunshot injuries," said Y. B. Khurania, DGP Odisha Police on Thursday. Khurania added that the injured commando had been safely evacuated to the district headquarters hospital. The DGP also informed that the operation against the Maoists in the area was continuing. Sources claimed that the health condition of the commando was stable now. The DGP stated that Odisha Police were in touch with their counterparts in neighbouring states and other sister agencies over the activities of Maoists. He asserted that Odisha Police will continue its operations against Maoists to put an end to their activities in the state. Khurania again urged the Maoists to shun violence and join the mainstream in the larger interest of the state and country. As per reports, Chhattisgarh has escalated its military operations against Maoist insurgents since November 2023. Many extremists have been neutralised in these anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh. So, the Police in bordering areas have been put on high alert expecting a massive influx of Maoists from the neighbouring Chhattisgarh to Odisha. Notably, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the country will be free of the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 2026. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. New Delhi, Nov 21 : The Ministry of Science & Technology on Thursday announced that it has signed agreements under the Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research and Technology Development (PACE). The PACE programme by the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) fosters collaborative research between Indian industries and R&D organisations, academic institutions, and universities. It emphasises innovative work and supports the development of new technologies focused on the commercialization of products and processes addressing unmet industrial needs. The ministry notified the signing of two separate tripartite agreements with Devashish Polymers (DPPL), Mumbai and GPS Renewables, Bangalore, and Agarkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune. The MoU with DPPL aims to develop compounded elastomers and evaluate their performance for diverse applications under this project. The GPS Renewables in collaboration with ARI seeks to scale up and conduct pilot trials for enhanced microbial methane production from agricultural residues using anaerobic fungi. "The PACE programme represents a cornerstone of DSIR's commitment to fostering innovation and collaborative research in India," said Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR. "Through this initiative, we aim to catalyse the development of new products, processes, and solutions that are not only technologically sound but also have a clear path leading to commercialisation," Kalaiselvi added. Kalaiselvi noted that the projects will help address pressing national challenges and contribute significantly to India's development goals. Kalaiselvi also underlined the critical role such projects play in fostering industry-academia partnerships to create sustainable solutions and drive the nation's progress in science, technology, and societal impact. "DSIR remains committed to nurturing ideas that transform into impactful solutions, and the PACE programme is a testament to this mission. Together, we can drive sustainable industrial growth and technological self-reliance for India," said Dr. Vipin Chandra Shukla, Scientist-G, & Head PACE. The PACE programme encourages proposals targeting specific industrial sectors with practical applications. It supports projects demonstrating proof-of-concept to address significant unmet industrial needs, with a duration of one to three years. Chennai, Nov 21 : The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the backing of its central leadership, has initiated discussions with the principal Opposition party in the state, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), to renew their political alliance. Sources within the BJP revealed that the party leadership has reached a consensus that a strong Dravidian support base is essential for success in Tamil Nadu, especially in the 2026 Assembly polls. Contesting elections independently is considered an unfeasible strategy for the BJP in the state. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the BJP managed to secure four seats, including a victory for the Mahila Morcha National President Vanathi Srinivasan in Coimbatore. She notably defeated Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan. However, the relationship between the two parties soured under BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai, who made controversial allegations against iconic Dravidian leaders such as C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa. On September 25, 2023 the AIADMK officially announced the end of its alliance with the BJP following a meeting of its MLAs, MPs, and district secretaries at the party headquarters in Chennai. The AIADMK accused the BJP of repeatedly targeting and criticising its leaders, forcing the decision to part ways. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK secured 89,26,508 votes (22.6 per cent vote share), while the BJP garnered 49.18 lakh votes (19.6 per cent vote share). Despite these numbers, neither party won any seats. In contrast, the DMK-led alliance swept all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone seat in Puducherry. BJP leaders, including K. Annamalai, claimed that the party had significantly increased its vote share in the state. However, the NDA alliance's inability to win seats exposed limitations in its strategy. Political analyst K.R. Subramaniam from the Centre for Policy and Development Studies commented, "If the AIADMK-BJP alliance had continued for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA could have won a minimum of ten seats, boosting its influence in New Delhi." With the DMK gearing up for the 2026 Assembly polls and targeting 200 of the total 234 seats, the BJP is now keen on realigning with the AIADMK for a stronger position in the state. Senior BJP leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan and H. Raja, support renewing the alliance with the AIADMK. According to sources, the state BJP leadership has urged the central command to initiate discussions with the AIADMK. While the AIADMK has publicly dismissed the possibility of rejoining hands with the BJP, sources indicate that behind-the-scenes discussions are still underway. Simultaneously, the AIADMK is reportedly engaging in talks with other parties, including Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). Kolkata, Nov 21 : The Centre, on Thursday, informed a division bench of the Calcutta High Court that the West Bengal government has a free hand to initiate any action against former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal for taking the name of the victim in the R.G. Kar rape and murder case at a press conference after the tragedy. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Ashoke Chakraborty informed the division bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam during the hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed last month accusing Goyal of revealing the identity of the victim woman doctor. The division bench then directed the Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) to be a party in the case, since DoPT is the cadre-control authority of all Central service officers, including an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer like Goyal. The division bench also sought an affidavit from DoPT seeking an explanation on the nature of action that can be taken against any all-India service officer for breaching the law. On Thursday, the ASG on behalf of the Union Home Ministry told the court that there is no restriction on the West Bengal government in initiating action against the former city police commissioner in the matter. However, the petitioner could make a fresh appeal on this count in case the state government does not initiate any action. The matter will come up again for a hearing on December 23. The PIL on this count was filed by Anita Pandey, a legal practitioner. In the petition, she had made a plea for an FIR to be registered against the former city Police Commissioner in the matter. Goyal, currently the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police came under scathing criticism since the beginning of the R.G. Kar case over the alleged lackadaisical initial probe by the city police when he was at the helm of affairs. The junior doctors since the beginning demanded his removal from the post. The Chief Minister finally accepted the demand of the junior doctors and Goyal was replaced by Manoj Kumar Verma. Earlier to that, the charge of the investigation in the rape and murder case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from Kolkata Police. Both the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court in the past had made strong observations over the revelation of the identity of the victim. New Delhi, Nov 21 : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday urged the industry to utilise Rs 1 lakh crore Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) fund to foster innovation and create a research-based ecosystem in the country. The talented youth should also be tuned to the mindset of experimenting and developing new ideas under this government initiative, Goyal said during his keynote address at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FICCI) event in the national capital. "The initiative will help India develop the research and development ecosystem and will evince interest from the industry leaders," he said and urged the participants to provide suggestions in making the processes to get funds outcome-oriented and time efficient. He also advocated bringing in private sector institutions to be part of the industry-academia-government partnership in fostering innovation and collaboration with the industry to meet the needs of the people and spur exports. Goyal also highlighted that the initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government such as Digital India, Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana SAUBHAGYA, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Ayushman Bharat and others contributed to India's rapid transformation. Further, the minister complimented FICCI for organising an award category "Excellence in Swachh Industry Parks" to promote cleanliness at industrial parks across the country and noted that cleanliness is closely aligned to economic development, job creation and employment. Goyal urged the industry leaders to play a more proactive role and work closely with the government in their agenda to reduce compliance burdens and decriminalise laws detrimental to businesses which will lead to improvement in 'Ease of Doing Business'. "FICCI has to be the feedback mechanism to help the Centre do its job better," the Minister noted. Emphasising the need to raise quality standards in the country, the Minister urged FICCI to tap into its technical committees and appoint a representative from every industry to ensure standards are maintained. "This way, quality standards will be more practical, and useful and will help India be recognised as a quality producer of goods and services. India will not only be a trusted partner but also a provider of quality goods," Goyal told the gathering. Tunis, Nov 21 : Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti and his visiting Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya signed a series of cooperation agreements in various fields. At the 4th Tunisian-Kuwaiti Joint Commission, the two countries signed deals including the upgrade of railway lines for phosphate transport, cooperation in meteorology and climate sciences, labour exchange in the private sector, air services, industrial exports, and tourism, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Tunisian state radio station. Citing promising cooperation sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, and mining, Nafti highlighted the need to fully implement the ongoing projects, which would enhance the "fruitful cooperation" between Tunisia and Kuwait. Furthermore, Nafti called for modernising the legal framework governing trade relations between the two countries while highlighting the crucial role of the private sector in intensifying partnerships. For his part, Al-Yahya affirmed that the Tunisian-Kuwaiti Joint Commission considered an exemplary model of bilateral cooperation, constitutes a continuation of the partnership and constructive work between the two countries. According to Al-Yahya, Kuwait is one of the first Arab countries to have invested in Tunisia, notably through the creation of the Tunisian-Kuwaiti Consortium of Development in 1976. Al-Yahya added that Kuwait has also benefited from Tunisian expertise in several areas, notably health and education. Rome, Nov 21 : Dozens of prison guards were under investigation, and at least 11 of them were under house arrest in Italy on Wednesday on suspicion of torture and abuse of power against prisoners, authorities said. The operation was ordered by prosecutors in Trapani, Sicily region, at the end of a three-year-long probe triggered by inmates' reports about routine abuses and violence within the prison facility, Xinhua news agency reported. Overall, 46 jail officers were being probed. Investigators obtained video footage that confirmed the prisoners' complaints, showing guards systematically beating and mistreating inmates in some isolated cells. Addressing a press conference, Trapani chief prosecutor Gabriele Paci said violence against inmates was not episodic, but "became a sort of method to ensure order within the prison." In early August, the Italian Parliament passed a law to improve jail life conditions, allowing inmates to make more phone calls, and streamlining rules to obtain early release or alternative measures to the prison. By end of June, Italian jails hosted 61,480 prisoners out of a capacity of 51,234, the Justice Ministry said. No plan to build new facilities has been announced so far. New Delhi, Nov 21 : The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines to immediately inform passengers of any delay in flights and to cancel flights delayed beyond three hours in order to avoid inconvenience to passengers as the winter intensifies and dense fog is expected to disrupt flying schedules. The guidelines were issued after a review meeting on fog preparedness chaired by Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday. The Minister emphasised a passenger-first approach aligned with the aEase of Flyinga vision, prioritising convenience and safety. Airlines have also been told to use CAT II/III compliant aircraft and trained pilots for operations at airports such as Delhi which are prone to low visibility during winter, especially in December. Airlines have also been directed to maintain fully staffed check-in counters to reduce inconvenience and record accurate contact details of passengers while booking tickets to facilitate communication. Delhi airport operator DIAL has been directed to install LED screens to provide real-time updates on visibility conditions and increase the number of aFollow Mea vehicles to guide planes during low-visibility situations. The unexpected spike in smog has already thrown flight schedules out of gear during this week as over 100 flights were delayed, and 15 were diverted due to the low visibility in the national capital. The Civil Aviation Ministry has underlined the need for stepped-up real-time coordination between airlines, air traffic controllers, and ground handlers to reduce disruptions to a minimum. The high-level meeting, chaired by the Civil Aviation Minister, included senior officials from the Ministry, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Indian Meteorological Department, the Delhi airport operator, and representatives of commercial airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa. Delhi airport officials said several measures to handle the low-visibility challenges effectively are being implemented. Three out of four runways at Delhi airport are equipped with CAT III Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), enabling operations in dense fog when the visibility is low. Amman, Nov 21 : The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army sent a fleet of military helicopters loaded with essential relief, medical, and pharmaceutical supplies for residents in Gaza. It marks the first operation of its kind under the 'humanitarian bridge' initiative to Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the state-run Petra news agency. According to the report, a total of eight military helicopters departed from Jordan towards Gaza, carrying over seven tonnes of humanitarian aid. The supplies were transported to the al-Qarara area in Khan Younis city and handed over to the World Food Programme in Gaza for distribution. Since October 7, 2023, the kingdom has sent approximately 56,573 tonnes of aid, consisting of food, relief items, medicine, and medical supplies, to Gaza. Around 4,082 trucks delivered the aid, 53 planes via Egypt's Al Arish International Airport, and 123 airdrops, and 266 more airdrops conducted in collaboration with other countries, the report said. New Delhi, Nov 21 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday pitched for the Buddhist doctrine of peaceful co-existence at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting in Loas. "The Buddhist doctrine of peaceful co-existence must be embraced more closely by all the nations as the world is increasingly getting polarised into blocks and camps which is leading to increasing strain on the established world order," said the Defence Minister while addressing the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus forum in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Rajnath Singh added that India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. "India has always advocated and practised dialogue for resolving complex international issues. This commitment to open communication and peaceful negotiation is evident in India's approach to a wide range of international challenges, from border disputes to trade agreements," the Defence Minister said. He added that an open dialogue promotes trust, understanding, and cooperation, laying the foundation for sustainable partnerships. "The power of dialogue has always proven effective, yielding tangible results that contribute to stability and harmony on the global stage. India believes that genuine, long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations engage constructively, respecting each other's perspectives and working toward shared goals in the spirit of cooperation," the Defence Minister said. He said that the ASEAN region, in particular, has always been economically dynamic and bustling with trade, commerce and cultural activities, adding that all through this transformational journey, India has remained a trusted friend of the region. Citing a quote by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, while he visited South East Asia in 1927, the Defence Minister said, "Everywhere I could see India, yet I could not recognise it." The Defence Minister also stressed that the statement symbolises the deep and widespread cultural and historical ties between India and South East Asia. Sharing his insights on the discussions on the Code of Conduct, Rajnath Singh said: "India would like to see a Code that does not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations which are not party to these deliberations. The code should be fully consistent with international law, in particular the UN Convention Law of Sea 1982." In view of the natural disasters wreaking havoc in different parts of the world, the Defence Minister said that it reminds of the perils of climate change while also complimenting the chair for choosing the most relevant topic in today's scenario for the 11th ADMM-Plus Joint statement. "Strengthening resilience to climate change in the defence domain requires multi-stakeholder engagement, from developing innovative solutions to managing the adverse impacts of climate change. This includes protecting vulnerable populations as well as safeguarding our defence installations," the Defence Minister added. He also highlighted the need to deepen the understanding of the interlinkages between climate change and threats to security while calling for developing an ADMM-Plus Defence Strategy on climate change. Rajnath Singh also drew attention to the Global Commons - the shared natural resources and ecosystems essential to sustaining life and bringing prosperity on the planet. He underscored the need to safeguard these Global Commons in a just and balanced manner by not resorting to unilateral actions. "These resources provide invaluable ecological, economic, and social benefits that extend beyond national boundaries," said the Defence Minister. The 11th ADMM-Plus forum consisted of 10 ASEAN countries, eight Plus countries, and Timor Leste. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Laos General Chansamone Chanyalath. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. It is crucial to reach an agreement on all key aspects of the Paris Agreement at COP29, Rachel Kyte, the UKs Special Representative for Climate, said at a press conference during the conference, Trend reports. "It is absolutely vital that we reach an agreement here at COP29 on all key aspects of the Paris Agreement: climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance. The UK is ready to support and collaborate with all countries and the presidency to achieve a new collective quantitative goal (NCQG)," she said. Kyte further stressed the need for an NCQG that would accelerate actions to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C within reach. "The new benchmark must be ambitious, realistic, and achievable, with a priority on public financing but also the potential to attract more private capital. It must also emphasize the need to accelerate reforms of international financial institutions and multilateral climate funds. We need to demand more decisive action on debt sustainability and ensure easier access for developing countries," 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 New Delhi, Nov 21 : BJP national spokesperson Sanju Verma on Thursday said that India's ties with Caribbean countries are set to crystallise further under former's leadership, thereby emboldening PM Modi's dream of brining the global south together. "As PM Modi reached out Caribbean countries including Guyana at the height of Covid pandemic, this brought them much closer to India and this is likely to crystallise PM Modi's dreams of further bringing global south together, with India taking the lead," said Sanju Verma. Highlighting PM Modi's historic visit to Guyana, the first by any Prime Minister in past 56 years, she said India and Guyana have a lot to mutually gain as India was the third largest oil importer and Guyana a potentially large oil supplier. She said that both nations are likely to have a formidable partnership based on mutual respect and dignity. The BJP spokesperson also emphasised that Guyana has a solid 3.2 lakh plus Indian community, forming 43.5 per cent of the population and the largest ethnic grouping in the South American country. She also pointed out that 11 billion tonnes of oil reserves were found in Guyana in 2015, which is equal to 18 per cent of the world's oil and gas reserves and equal to 32 per cent of the world's discovered oil reserves. Highlighting PM Modi's camaraderie with Guyanese president Irfan Ali, she said: "The latter broke protocol and received our leader at the airport in Georgetown along with more than a dozen of his cabinet colleagues." During the second India-CARICOM summit, over a dozen MoUs were signed between India and Guyana across various sectors. She said the first-ever India-CARICOM summit was held in New York, on the sidelines of the UNGA in 2019. On China's ties with Guyana, she said that the South American country did not have a flattering experience as the former did not employ the Guyanese population despite major investments. She expressed confidence that India, having historically strong cultural ties with Guyana, is expected to do what the Chinese could not. Imphal, Nov 21 : Amid the Kuki-Zo bodies' claims of deprivation and lack of development in tribal areas, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday said that for the first time, five hill districts would have access to advanced medical facilities. In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that for the first time, hill districts like Chandel, Ukhrul, Jiribam, Senapati, and Tamenglong would have access to advanced medical facilities bringing healthcare closer to home. The advanced medical facilities include Computed Tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services, and super-specialty care. "Not to mention, the Churachandpur Medical College is already operational, transforming healthcare in the region (tribal areas)," CM Singh said. "This recent sanction of Rs 104.66 crore under PM-DevINE is a step towards equitable healthcare. Heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda, and DoNER Minister J. M. Scindia for their relentless support for the development of Manipur," the Chief Minister said. The Manipur Chief Minister earlier announced that the state government made equal efforts for the development of the valley and hill areas. The Chief Minister's response comes after some tribal organisations, tribal leaders and MLAs have been accusing the state government of imbalanced allocation of funding of the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. After the Chief Minister's announcement, the Chief Engineer of Manipur's Public Works Department Ningombam Subhash said that a higher amount of funds was sanctioned in the hilly areas than in the valley areas. The Chief Engineer had said that between 2020-21 and 2024-25, Rs 2,395.51 crore was sanctioned for different road and bridge projects in the hill areas of the state while Rs 1,300.21 crore was sanctioned for the valley areas. He added that Rs 1,374.81 crore and Rs 1,125.97 crore were sanctioned during the 2024-25 fiscal for the hilly and valley areas respectively, for various projects under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and North Eastern Council. According to the Chief Engineer, Rs 8,541.97 crore and Rs 351.8 crore were sanctioned for the hilly and valley areas respectively, for various projects under National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. between the 2020-21 and 2023-2024 financial years. Senior tribal leader Paolienlal Haokip earlier claimed that 57 road projects worth around Rs 399.36 crore were recently sanctioned for the valley areas by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Terming the allocation of funds as "neglect of hill areas of the state," he said on X: "All 57 road building projects only for valley Manipur districts. This is why Union Territory with a Legislature for the hills is a necessity." The non-tribal Meiteis account for around 53 per cent of Manipur's 3.2 million population and live mostly in the valley regions comprising six or seven districts while the tribal Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts, which cover around 90 per cent of the geographical areas of Manipur. The Valley region has a total of 40 non-tribal Meitei MLAs, while the hills have 19 MLAs divided between the Naga and the Kuki-Zo tribes and one seat reserved for the Scheduled Caste community. Phnom Penh, Nov 21 : The first-ever Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit concluded in Cambodia's Siem Reap province with strong commitments to enhancing child nutrition and education in the region, said a joint press release on Thursday. Held from Monday to Wednesday under the umbrella of the Global School Meals Coalition, the summit brought together 130 delegates from seven countries in the region and 39 partner organisations, Xinhua news agency reported. "While governments in Southeast Asia have made significant progress in developing school meal policies, allocating national budgets, and launching large-scale innovative programs that leverage local food systems, further actions are needed to improve the quality and coverage to ensure that no child is left behind," the press release said. The summit underscored the transformative potential of school meal programs to advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including child nutrition, education, and local agriculture, while addressing pressing global challenges like climate change and food system resilience, it added. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Hang Chuon Naron said that in a world where education serves as the cornerstone for personal and societal progress, nourishment plays a critical role in this equation. "School meals are more than just sustenance; they are a foundation for learning, growth, and transformation," he said. "When we prioritise the nutritional needs of our students, we are investing not only in their health but also in their cognitive development, academic performance, and overall potential." Currently, the Cambodian government, through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, is supporting a national Home-Grown School Feeding programme in almost two-thirds of all the target schools, with a commitment to reach 1,114 schools, benefiting more than 300,000 students by 2028. Anita Hirsch, deputy regional director for Asia and the Pacific at World Food Programme, said the impressive launch of Cambodia's School Feeding Policy stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to enhancing child nutrition, education and agriculture development. New Delhi, Nov 21 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sudhanshu Trivedi on Thursday spoke at length about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's global admiration, India's towering stature in the world and also took a swipe at those criticising the country's stand on Israel-Palestine armed conflict. Sudhanshu Trivedi, speaking to IANS said that India's diplomatic prowess has seen a new uptrend under PM Modi's leadership but the naysayers continue to live in scepticism, despite the world showering accolades on him. He said that PM Modi has become the only Indian Prime Minister to have addressed 14 foreign Parliaments and receive top honours from 19 nations across the globe and this includes even four Muslim nations. "It's also a big lesson for PM Modi's critics. You raise slogans for Palestine but that country is going gaga over him and offering its top honours," Trivedi told IANS. Notably, PM Modi was conferred with the 'Grand Collar of the State of Palestine', the highest Palestinian honour for foreign dignitaries in 2018, recognising his contributions to promoting relations between India and Palestine. "This shows India's towering stature on the world stage and it has been possible because of its growing might and robust diplomacy. This is the beginning of a new era. Earlier, India's diplomacy was driven by principles of being 'non-aligned' but PM Modi has successfully transformed this into 'all-aligned'," he further said. BJP leader's remarks came in the backdrop of an outpouring of support for Palestine from certain parties and political activists in the country over the killing of Hamas chief and Israel terror attack mastermind Yahya Sinwar, last month. Leading parties of the INDIA Bloc had accused the Centre of 'taking sides' in the Israel-Palestine war and asked it to not be 'complicit' over massacres in Palestine. Sudhanshu Trivedi also stated that former Prime Ministers including Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi addressed the Parliaments of foreign countries but their numbers stood at three and four respectively. "With 14 addresses, PM Modi surpassed them taken together," he added. New Delhi, Nov 21 : BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra on Thursday lashed out at the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over holding a press conference with his version of 'ek hain toh safe hain' and also rebutted his 'hijacking' claims. Sambit Patra, taking strong offence to Congress MP's purported claims of 'India has been hijacked', mockingly said that his statement is correct but he got the tense wrong. "India isn't hijacked; it was already hijacked! The Gandhi family were the hijackers, and the commando (Modi Ji) freed it," Patra told media persons. BJP spokesperson said that the Gandhi family and the Congress are unable to tolerate that India is continuously moving towards becoming the third largest economy of the world and hence they keep venting out their grudge. "Since 2002, you, your mother and your party have been continuously trying to destroy the credibility of PM Modi. Today, the Prime Minister has been given the 'Highest Civilian Award' in another country, thousands of miles away. This is PM Modi's credibility," he said while adding that Rahul and his mother are themselves out of jail on bail. Patra further accused the Congress MP and his 'international structure' of attacking the Indian market. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also took to X to share the growth data and Worker Population Ratio (WPR) to counter the Congress' charge. "India has made significant progress on the employment front under the Modi government. They should take a hard look at their own performance during the UPA era," Malviya said. He further stated that the Congress ecosystem's baseless claims have crumbled in the face of data, as it shows the Modi government delivering on employment while exposing UPA's disastrous track record. "It is time to remind the collective Opposition to look in the mirror before spreading misinformation," he wrote on X. Hyderabad, Nov 21 : AI-powered smart glasses, which can help the visually impaired to identify faces and objects and also provide navigation support, were launched by Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma at a programme here on Thursday. The glasses have been developed by the KIMS Foundation and Research Centre (KFRC). In his address at the programme for the launch of the glasses, held at KIMS Hospital, Secunderabad here, the Governor stated that AI-powered smart glasses are set to bring a new light to their lives. Until now, visually impaired individuals largely relied on canes for assistance, but these advanced glasses are designed to enhance their quality of life in ways previously unimaginable, he said. Governor Varma praised the innovation, noting that it has the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of millions of visually impaired people. The development of these glasses was led by former DRDO scientist Dr. V. Bhujanga Rao, under the KIMS Foundation and Research Centre. Founded in 2010 by KIMS Hospital CMD Dr Bollineni Bhaskar Rao, the foundation collaborated with Achala Health Services, a technology company founded by Rajesh Raju. These smart glasses employ advanced computer vision and machine learning algorithms, making them an exceptional aid for the visually impaired. The glasses can help identify people standing in front of the user and can detect objects, obstacles, and surroundings, helping visually impaired individuals navigate without difficulty. The glasses can also read printed or handwritten text aloud, facilitating easier communication and information access. Governor Varma noted that India is home to over 20 million visually impaired people, making these smart glasses a crucial resource for them. He highlighted that these devices not only support daily activities but also boost usersa self-confidence. He expressed admiration for the scientists, technology experts, and supporting organizations involved, commending them for their dedication to improving the lives of the visually impaired. Dr Bhaskar Rao emphasised that these glasses would allow the visually impaired to move more freely, recognise people around them, and communicate with greater ease. This technology, he said, fulfils the vision of providing equal opportunities and accessible information for everyone. Dr. V. Bhujanga Rao announced that these smart glasses will be distributed to visually impaired individuals in need, with the assistance of prominent non-profit organisations, government agencies, and healthcare providers. Achala Solutions CEO Raju affirmed that they have the infrastructure necessary to produce as many smart glasses as required. The Devanar Foundation for the Blind has verified the quality and performance of these smart glasses. Udupi : , Nov 21 (IANS) Stating that the party had put in all possible efforts to fight the bye-election in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President, D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said that the fruits of labour would depend on God's will. Speaking to reporters after offering special prayers to goddess Kollur Mookambika, he said, "The fruits of labour are God's will. I believe that God will bless us in all the three Assembly segments in the bypolls." Asked about the surveys which are projecting one seat each for the three major parties in the state, he said, "What did the surveys of Karnataka and Haryana Assembly elections show earlier? I don't believe in election surveys. We can't do politics based on surveys. People will support those who win their trust." Asked about allegations that defectors have been accommodated rather than the original Congressmen in the Administrative Board of the Kollur temple, he said, "We had given them our word during elections. Let them administer for some time." Replying to a query on the BPL card controversy in Karnataka, he said, "We will not let down BPL card holders at any cost. We have already instructed the minister concerned to give us a list of genuine people who have lost BPL cards. And, we have also given them permission to re-apply for new BPL cards if their cards have been cancelled erroneously." "We will ensure that not even a single poor family is affected by this revision process. This is my promise as a representative of the government and KPCC President. The Opposition is busy making a hue and cry because it is their job," he stated. Asked about the police encounter of the most wanted Naxal leader, the Deputy CM said he would not want to comment on another department. Asked about reduction of NABARD loans to the state by the Centre, he said, "CM Siddaramaiah has already submitted an appeal to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding this in New Delhi." Replying to claims of Opposition leaders that the guarantee schemes would be stopped, he said, "Guarantees will continue for another 3.5 years. We will continue them for another five years if we come back to power. We are able to provide the guarantee schemes to the people, thanks to the blessings of goddess Mookambika. I prayed for the welfare of the state." Vientiane, Nov 21 : Representatives from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in the Laotian capital Vientiane to enhance ASEAN defence cooperation and address security challenges. Representatives gathered on Wednesday for the 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting, held under the theme "ASEAN: Together for Peace, Security and Resilience," Xinhua news agency reported. Closer cooperation between ASEAN countries was the main topic of discussion by ASEAN Defence ministers in the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Chansamone Chanyalath, said that regional and global situations are posing complexity and unpredictability, threats and challenges to peace, security, cooperation and socio-economic development in the region and the world as a whole. "Against this backdrop, we need to continue discussing and navigating ways to ensure that our region is resilient and responsive to emerging threats and challenges. At the same time, ASEAN member states need to work closely with one another to maintain unity and ASEAN centrality as a driving force for external cooperation, and take appropriate measures to handle security challenges," he said. Chansamone said the meeting had reached a consensus on its intended objectives, which are vitally important for the future of the ASEAN Political and Security Community. Chennai, Nov 21 : The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a prominent Dalit political party in Tamil Nadu, has announced a padayatra (foot march) from Kanyakumari's Gandhi Mandapam to the Ambedkar statue in Nagercoil on December 6 to demand a Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved Assembly seat in Kanyakumari. Chennai, Nov 21 (IANS) The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a prominent Dalit political party in Tamil Nadu, has announced a padayatra (foot march) from Kanyakumarias Gandhi Mandapam to the Ambedkar statue in Nagercoil on December 6 to demand a Scheduled Caste (SC) reserved Assembly seat in Kanyakumari. VCK Kanyakumari East District Secretary Gobi Perivalan told the media that the party has been consistently demanding the conversion of Kanyakumari into an SC-reserved Assembly constituency. He emphasised the significance of such a move, citing the large Dalit population in the district. According to Perivalan, Dalit representation in the state Assembly is crucial for addressing the issues faced by the community. The Tamil Nadu Dalit Rights Movement will also conduct a march from Kanyakumari to Chennai on November 26 to further the demand. Vin Dhinakaran, leader of the movement, stated that Kanyakumari district had two SC-reserved constituencies when it was part of the erstwhile Travancore state. However, after the linguistic reorganisation of states in 1956, the Kanyakumari district was merged with Tamil Nadu, and the SC-reserved Assembly constituencies ceased to exist. Dhinakaran urged authorities to create a new constituency by including the Thovalai and Agastheeswaram taluks. Arokkiya Samy, Director of the Kanyakumari-based think tank Research and Study Centre, supported VCKas demand, calling it a necessity while expressing hope that the party would exert enough pressure on the DMK government to take action. CPI District Secretary T. Subhas Chandra Bose also backed the demand, highlighting the lack of representation for suppressed communities in the district. He urged major political parties to field candidates from these communities in the Assembly constituencies. Both the VCK and CPI are constituents of the INDIA Bloc in Tamil Nadu, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. VCK, Tamil Naduas leading Dalit political party, currently holds two Lok Sabha seats and four MLA positions in the state Assembly. Recently, VCK leader Aadhav Arjuna stirred controversy by demanding a ministerial berth for the party in Stalinas Cabinet. Both the DMK and AIADMK governments have historically excluded coalition partners from ministerial positions. However, the issue was reportedly resolved after VCK founder and leader Thol Thirumavalavan met with Chief Minister Stalin. Colombo, Nov 21 : Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Thursday that the government hopes to sign a new staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by November 23. Delivering the new government's policy statement at the commencement of the 10th Parliament, Dissanayake said breaking away from the IMF agreement is not an option for the country, Xinhua news agency reported. The President said that there was a delay in the third review, initially scheduled for September, owing to the recent elections. He said that soon after the November 14 parliamentary election, the IMF resumed discussions with the government and they are hopeful of finalising the staff-level agreement within this week. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The founding meeting of the heads of national associations of road carriers from member countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) took place in Istanbul, Turkiye, Trend reports via the Azerbaijan International Road Carriers Association (ABADA). The primary issue discussed at the meeting was the establishment of the Union of Associations of International Road Carriers in the Turkic Region (OTS-URTA). The participants were all on the same page when it came to backing the decision to form the union. Azerbaijan was represented at the event by Habib Hasanov, head of ABADA. ABADA - Azerbaijan International Road Carriers Association Public Union is a non-commercial legal institution based on volunteers and member rights that operates across the country. The association represents international road transport carriers locally and internationally with years of experience and a good reputation. The Union is the only Azerbaijani carrier association with nearly 30 years of international road transport experience. To note, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), previously known as the Turkic Council or the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, is an intergovernmental entity that includes all but one of the internationally recognized Turkic sovereign nations. The primary objective is to foster extensive collaboration among the Turkic nations. The General Secretariat of OTS is situated in Istanbul, Turkiye. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Nov 21 : While caregiving roles often take a toll on women's sleep, a new study on Thursday suggested that biological factors may also play a role in why females sleep less. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, showed that women sleep less, and wake up more often. They also get less restorative sleep than men. The findings based on experiments in mice shed new light on what may underlie sleep differences in men and women. "In humans, men and women exhibit distinct sleep patterns, often attributed to lifestyle factors and caregiving roles," said Rachel Rowe, assistant professor of integrative physiology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, US. "Our results suggest that biological factors may play a more substantial role in driving these sleep differences than previously recognised," Rowe added. Sleep research has exploded in recent years, with thousands of animal studies exploring how insufficient sleep impacts the risk of diseases like diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's, and immune disorders -- and how such diseases impact sleep. For the non-invasive study, the team used specialised cages lined with ultrasensitive movement sensors to assess the sleep patterns of 267 "C57BL/6J" mice. They found that males slept about 670 minutes total per 24-hour period, about an hour more than female mice. That extra sleep was non-rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep -- the restorative sleep when the body works to repair itself. Female mice were found to have shorter bouts of sleep -- essentially, their sleep is more fragmented. The study saw similar sex differences in other animals, including fruit flies, rats, zebrafish, and birds. Rowe said biologically, "females are designed to be more sensitive to their environment and be aroused when they need to be because they are typically the ones who are caring for the young," Rowe said, noting that stress hormones like cortisol (which promotes wakefulness) and sex hormones also may play a role. The team hopes for more research to understand the underlying biological differences that can boost sleep treatment Bengaluru, Nov 21 : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy claimed on Thursday that people want the NDA to win the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Union Minister Kumaraswamy made the statement while reacting to the exit poll predictions giving edge to the BJP-led NDA alliance in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. "The exit poll predictions are one aspect. It is the wish of people the NDA emerge victorious in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand," he said. Regarding the Channapatna bypolls in Karnataka, he said, "I have actively participated in election campaigning for 15 days in the constituency. I know the feelings of the people. The NDA candidate is going to win." Union Minister Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil has contested as the NDA candidate from the Channapatna. Earlier, the seat was represented by HD Kumaraswamy. The Channapatna seat recorded 88.80 per cent voter turnout in the by-election. Congress nominee for Channapatna C. P. Yogeshwara said the state Tourism and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan's objectionable remarks against Union Minister Kumaraswamy have cost the party Vokaligga votes. Commenting on the row over the cancellation of Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards in state and Congress leaders referring to cancellations done by the Centre, HD Kumaraswamy said, "Why did not the Congress government say anything for a week?" He also attacked the Congress government in the state, saying, "The state government was not in a position to answer. The Chief Minister will issue one statement and the Food Minister will issue another statement." "There is no clarity among themselves. I won't speak lightly about the guarantee schemes," the Union Minister maintained. Earlier in the day, Karnataka Food Minister K. H. Muniyappa said that cancellation of BPL cards was limited to government employees and people who pay income tax. Jammu, Nov 21 : A Delhi court on Thursday recommended the transfer of the terror case against Lok Sabha member, Engineer Rashid to the MP/MLA court. Additional Sessions Judge, Chander Jit Singh was scheduled to pass the order on Engineer Rashidas regular bail application on Thursday. The Additional Sessions Judge instead of passing an order on the application for regular bail, recommended to the District Judge to transfer the case against Engineer Rashid to the MP/MLA court since the accused is now a member of the Lok Sabha. Engineer Rashid fought the Lok Sabha polls from Tihar Jail. He won the election against the present Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President, Omar Abdullah from Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency. He was arrested by the NIA in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and lodged in Delhias Tihar Jail. After winning the Lok Sabha election, Engineer Rashid was granted interim bail on grounds of the old age and ill-health of his father. The interim bail was later extended till October 27, 2024. He surrendered before the authorities of Tihar Jail on October 28 upon the expiry of his interim bail. He had simultaneously moved another application for regular bail on which the Additional Sessions Judge at Tis Hazari Court complex in Delhi was to pass the final order today. Engineer Rashid has represented the north Kashmir Langate Assembly constituency in J&K twice. His brother, Sheikh Khurshid Ahmad won the 2024 Assembly election from Langate Assembly constituency. Khurshid Ahmad won the Assembly election on the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) ticket. The AIP was founded by Engineer Rashid in 2013 and he aggressively campaigned for his party candidates during the Assembly polls when he was on interim bail, but the AIP could win only one seat. Jerusalem, Nov 21 : A civilian in Israel was killed by a rocket attack from Lebanon on Thursday, Israeli authorities said. Israel's Magen David Adom said a man in his 30s in the city of Nahariya sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, Xinhua news agency reported. The rocket fell near a playground in the northern city. The military released a statement saying about ten projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon, targeting the Western Galilee. "Most of the projectiles were intercepted and the fallen projectiles were identified," it said. Kyiv, Nov 21 : Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine for the first time amid a missile attack on Dnipro city on Thursday morning, the Ukrainian Air Force said. The ICBM was fired from Russia's Astrakhan region, the Air Force said on Telegram, without specifying the missile type, Xinhua news agency reported. The attack included eight other missiles. The air defence shot down six cruise missiles, while the remaining missiles caused no "significant consequences," the Air Force added. Regional governor Sergii Lysak said the massive attack on Dnipro damaged an industrial enterprise and caused two fires in the city. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment, directing questions to the Defence Ministry. Seoul, Nov 21 : Defence chiefs of South Korea, United States, Japan, the Philippines and Australia discussed multilateral cooperation on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence ministerial meeting in Laos. In their first joint meeting held in Vientiane, the Defence chiefs "emphasised their shared commitment to advancing a vision for a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region where international law and sovereignty are respected," according to Seoul's Defence ministry, Yonhap news agency reported. The participants were South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani, Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro and Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy. The meeting was arranged on the occasion of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. The five sides underscored the importance of close multilateral cooperation to support security and stability in the region, the centrality and unity of ASEAN and the significance of ASEAN-led regional mechanisms. Furthermore, the ministers and secretaries highlighted the progress made in strengthening Defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to future collaboration. Kim and Nakatani also held a separate one-on-one meeting. They strongly condemned the comprehensive military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. The two sides agreed that South Korea and Japan would closely cooperate with the international community to block the Russia-North Korea military collaboration. Earlier in the day, South Korean Vice Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho also condemned North Korea's deployment of troops in support of Russia in its war with Ukraine, expressing concerns that the North will likely use the technology and funds it receives in return to advance its nuclear and missile weapons. Kim made the remark as he delivered a speech during a session at the ASEAN meeting. "The deployment of North Korean troops is collusion with Russia's illegal invasion and an action that goes against humanity and peace by using young people as cannon fodder mercenaries," Kim said. South Korea and the US have said North Korean troops deployed to Russia are engaging in combat against Ukrainian forces in Russia's western border region of Kursk. Raising concerns over the North using what it receives from Russia in return, Kim called for the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops and international solidarity against deepening military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. ADMM-Plus opened its inaugural session in 2010 to enhance Defence cooperation between ASEAN members and other regional states and has been held annually since 2018. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Peshawar, Nov 21 : At least 42 people have been killed while 14 others were critically injured after three vehicles in Kurram Agency, a remote area of Pakistan's Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) province, were ambushed by militants. Officials said that all the buses carrying locals, on the way from Parachinar to Peshawar, were mostly from the Shia community. "42 people have died as a result of firing on passenger vehicles in Kurram district. These include women as well. 14 of them have no IDs. We are trying to get in touch with their relatives," said a police official. The Shia-dominated Parachinar area has had bloody confrontational clashes with the surrounding areas of the Sunni majority in the past. No militant groups have claimed responsibility for the attack while the security forces have initiated a search operation to track down the attackers. Pakistan's Federal Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, stating that the federal government is in constant contact with the KP provincial government. "This past week has been difficult and upsetting. We see a new incident every day and now are in constant contact with the KP authorities," he said. President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the tragic incident and said that "attacking innocent passengers is a cowardly and inhumane act". Kurram agency has witnessed violent and deadly clashes in the past over land disputes between Shia and Sunni tribes. Over the years, both tribes have engaged in conflicts, which have claimed the lives of hundreds on both sides. Since the last conflict between the tribes, the locals were allowed to travel in only convoys as per the decision taken by the local elders. "It can at least be established that the gunmen were aware of the movement of the convoy from Parachinar towards Peshawar and had placed themselves in hiding positions around the surrounding mountains to carry out the attack," said a local resident of Ochut. Thursday's attack is one of the deadliest ones in the ongoing longstanding sectarian conflict between the Shia and Sunni tribes in the Kurram district. Earlier this month, thousands of residents gathered in Parachinar to participate in a "peace march" calling on the government to enhance the security of Kurram district's 800,000 residents, over 45 per cent of who belong to the Shia community. Seoul, Nov 21 : Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul will fly to Italy next week to attend the foreign ministers' meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced countries, Seoul's foreign ministry said on Thursday. The two-day trip to Fiuggi, the venue for the G7 gathering from Monday, comes at the invitation of Italy, this year's chair for G7, during which Cho is expected to hold broad discussions with his foreign counterparts on regional and global issues, ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said, Yonhap news agency reported. "Our country, as a member of the G7 Plus, is actively pursuing cooperation with G7 like-minded countries," Lee said and added, "We take this invitation as an evaluation of our country's status and role and we plan to continue to expand such cooperation going forward." Cho will take part in sessions related to the Indo-Pacific issues and discuss regional situations, including the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, Lee said. Expanding cooperation with G7 countries in key security issues is also expected to be a topic for discussion. Cho also plans to use the meeting to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts of the participating countries. G7 comprises the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Italy. The G7 chair country can invite other non-member countries or international organisations at its discretion to contribute to the discussions, in the form of 'expanded talks' during the summit or foreign ministers' meetings. In May last year, Japan invited President Yoon Suk Yeol to the G7 summit in Hiroshima. In 2021, Britain invited South Korea to both the summit and the foreign ministers' meeting. Jaipur, Nov 21 : A teacher sustained severe burn injuries on Thursday after his bike, which he was riding, caught fire when he lit a cigarette as the petrol tank's lid had remained open in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The victim teacher has been identified as Hritik Malhotra, a resident of Bassi in Jaipur. An official said that the teacher was rushed to a hospital where he is said to be critical as he has sustained 85 per cent burn injuries. "I am staying at Aravali hostel in the university and was on the way to one to the market on my bike. I caught fire all of sudden when I lit a cigarette as the lid of the petrol tank had remained open," the teacher told the police officials of the Gandhi Nagar police station. The police officials said that the victim was admitted to the Sawai Mansingh Hospital for treatment. "The teacher was admitted to the hospital at around 1.45 pm. He has near about 85 per cent burn injuries. His condition is critical," said Sawai Mansingh Hospital Plastic Surgery Department HOD R.K. Jain. Meanwhile, Rajasthan University Vice-Chancellor Professor Alpana Kateja said Hrithik Malhotra is not associated with the university anymore. "We got the information in the afternoon about the incident and we immediately rushed him to the hospital," said Alpana Kateja. Mumbai, Nov 21 : A day after polling for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has initiated the post-verdict strategising, with preliminary discussions on a variety of issues that could crop up on Saturday after the results start tumbling out, party leaders said here on Thursday. A Congress party source in Mumbai said the basic issues figure around the leadership issue, sounding out potential winning rebels or independents and preparing the groundwork for the support of fringe groups as needed. Senior leaders like Balasaheb Thorat, Prithviraj Chavan, and M. Arif Naseem Khan have sounded out over a dozen independent candidates or rebels of the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party-SP-Shiv Sena-UBT as they keep their fingers crossed for a likely fractured mandate. NCP-SP state chief Jayant R. Patil, along with national General Secretary Jitendra Awhad, are engaged in a similar exercise for a few of its rebels to come to the aid of the party after the results. Besides, leaders of the three parties are slated to hold a meeting later this evening and on Friday to hammer out the details of staking a claim to form the government, a power-sharing formula, plus the contenders for the post of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Adopting a diplomatic stance, state Congress President Nana F. Patole said today that the final decision on who would be the CM will be taken only by the party high command. However, Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar said this evening that the MVA partner which bags the highest number of seats "would be a natural claimant to the post of CM" a" a stance loosely echoed even by SS-UBT leader Sanjay Raut. Legislators of all the MVA alliance parties shall be reaching Mumbai by Saturday when the counting of votes is scheduled to take place and the results are expected to come out from noon onwards, with the final shape of the new Assembly slated to emerge by late evening. A senior leader from the NCP-SP confided that "everything is finalised" and now only the finishing touches remain pending the declaration of the results, given a very narrow window of barely three days to set up a new regime by November 26. The leader, declining to be identified, hinted that "there some big political surprises may be in store even after the results", but refused to elaborate on his claims. An SS-UBT leader said that although the MVA has dismissed many of the dozen-odd exit polls as "mischievous and misleading", the opposition groups are not willing to take any chances given past experiences. He cited the bombshell after the 2019 Assembly polls when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)as Devendra Fadnavis and (undivided) NCPas Ajit A. Pawar had suddenly joined hands, were sworn in as CM and DyCM in a dawn ceremony but the two-men government collapsed in barely 80 hours. It was only after collecting the flock of MLAs from places within Maharashtra, New Delhi and Haryana that the MVA government was finally formed with Uddhav Thackeray taking oath as CM (in November 2019), he pointed out. Nevertheless, leaders of the MVA scoff at speculation that they have booked multiple hotel rooms, helicopters, and aircraft either in Mumbai or other Congress-ruled states, as witnessed in 2019. Maharashtra voted on November 20 for the 288 Assembly seats in a hotly-contested election and the peopleas verdict will be revealed after the EVMs are unsealed and unlocked on Saturday. In the meantime, both the MVA and ruling MahaYuti exude supreme confidence in gaining a clear majority to stake the claim to government formation. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com ) BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov is set to attend the inaugural Istanbul Energy Forum, scheduled for November 22 in Turkiyes Istanbul, Trend reports. The ministers visit to Turkiye comes at the invitation of Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar. According to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Energy, Shahbazov will take part in discussions during the session titled "Challenges and Opportunities for a Sustainable Future." In addition to the forum's activities, the Minister will also hold bilateral meetings. The Istanbul Energy Forum, organized by the Anadolu Agency under the auspices of Turkiye's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, will focus on the theme "Common Future, Common Goals." The forum will bring high-ranking officials responsible for energy from various countries, civil society representatives, international organizations, academics, and business leaders under one roof. Key topics will include regional energy goals, Turkiye's role in ensuring natural gas supply security, as well as issues like financing energy transformation, energy resources, technological development, and other regional and international energy matters. The forum aims to provide a platform for global dialogue on these critical issues. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Patna, Nov 21 : The Jan Aushadhi Kendras, launched under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PM-BJP) has opened up scores of opportunities for lower and middle-class families to cut their medical expenditures and buy medicines at a much cheaper rate than the market price. The beneficiaries in the Kaimur district of Bihar, speaking to IANS, shared how they were drawing benefits from the path-breaking scheme and how this helped them save money on medical bills. Those buying cheap medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Mohania Sub-Divisional Hospital of Kaimur district said that they were very thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the people-friendly scheme. Sonu Mishra, Director of the Jan Aushadhi Kendra said: " At present, we have about 350 types of medicines available, which are available at affordable prices. The poor are benefiting a lot from this initiative." "We thank PM Modi for starting this scheme. All the medicines available at the Jan Aushadhi Kendras are effective and useful," he said. Under the PM-BJP scheme, many Jan Aushadhi Kendra have been set up across the country to provide generic drugs, which are available at much lesser prices at these centres but remain equivalent to expensive and branded drugs as available at private shops, in quality as well as efficacy. According to official estimates, a total of 13,822 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been established across the country, as of September 30, 2024, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PM-BJP). In September 2024, these Kendras achieved record sales of 200 crores - the highest monthly sales in the history of the scheme. The central government has set up a target of opening up 25,000 Jan Aushadhi centres across the country by March 2026. New Delhi, Nov 21 : India's annual fish production has nearly doubled since 2014 to 17.5 million tons, with inland fishing now surpassing marine fishing, contributing 13.2 million tons, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said on Thursday. New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Indiaas annual fish production has nearly doubled since 2014 to 17.5 million tons, with inland fishing now surpassing marine fishing, contributing 13.2 million tons, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh said on Thursday. In his address here to celebrate World Fisheries Day 2024, the minister said that India has now become the second-largest fish producer globally, with around 30 million people involved in fish production across the value chain. The country accounts for as much as 8 per cent of the worldas total fish production, he added. He said that various initiatives by the fisheries department like the Blue Revolution, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSY) have resulted in boosting fish production in the country. The Minister also congratulated the fishermen and fish farmers for their role in achieving the target. Singh launched a series of landmark initiatives and projects aimed at transforming the fisheries sector and strengthening Indiaas blue economy. These included the launch of the 5th Marine Fisheries Census for data-driven policymaking, the National Plan of Action on Sharks for sustainable shark management and Indiaas endorsement of the Regional Plan of Action on IUU (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated) Fishing to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Bay of Bengal Region jointly in cooperation with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives, the International Maritime Organisation-Food and Agricultural Organisation (IMO-FAO) GloLitter Partnership Project to combat marine plastic litter, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for retrofitted LPG kits to promote energy-efficient, low-cost marine fishing fuels. Additionally, the New Single Window System (NSWS) by the Coastal Aquaculture Authority was launched to enable online registration of coastal aquaculture farms. A signed MoU was also exchanged to implement a framework for the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), harnessing carbon-sequestering practices in the sector. The Union Minister also highlighted issues like plastic pollution, carbon emissions from traditional fishing and water pollution, emphasising the government's efforts to reduce plastics, improve water quality and promote eco-friendly practices. Singh mentioned the unorganised nature of the sector and the infrastructural gaps, stressing the need for reforms and initiatives like the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). He outlined a vision for sustainable development and economically empowering the fisheries sector, focusing on modern techniques, policy integration and long-term goals to ensure Indiaas global leadership in fish production. Speaking on the occasion, Manuel Barange, ADG and Director Fisheries Division FAO, Rome, emphasised the global challenges of hunger and malnutrition, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to feed a growing population. FAOas Blue Transformation Initiative was presented during the event, focusing on sustainable aquaculture development, effective fisheries management, and enhancing aquatic food value chains. Progressive states, Union Territories (UTs), districts, and individuals were honoured for their remarkable contributions to the growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in India. Kerala received the award for the Best Marine State, while Telangana was recognised as the Best Inland State. Uttarakhand earned the title of Best Himalayan and Northeastern State, and Jammu & Kashmir was awarded Best Union Territory. Among the districts, Kerala's Kollam won the Best Marine District award, Chhattisgarh's Kanker was named Best Inland District while Assam's Darrang received the Best Himalayan and Northeastern District award and Kulgam in Jammu & Kashmir was honoured as the Best District in a Union Territory. Chennai, Nov 21 : Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudi announced that the state government will reject any applications for Tungsten mining in Arittapatti, located in the Madurai district. Speaking to the media, the minister clarified that Hindustan Zinc, a subsidiary of the Vedanta Group, has not yet submitted an application for mining. However, he noted that the company has already received permission from the central government to conduct mining activities. Arittapatti, the proposed site for mining, is a biodiversity-rich area and has been declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the Tamil Nadu government. He emphasised that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is committed to preserving the site as a forest and confirmed that the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has not granted any permission for Tungsten mining in the area. When news of the Union government's clearance for mining became public, environmentalists, activists, and residents of Melur and nearby areas staged demonstrations in Madurai. They demanded that the state government deny permission to Hindustan Zinc Limited, citing the ecological and social risks associated with mining. Protestors accused Hindustan Zinc of having a notorious history of destroying livelihoods and ecosystems wherever it operates. They pointed to incidents in South Africa and other parts of India, where mining operations by the company allegedly caused significant environmental damage and resulted in the loss of over 60 lives due to violations of local regulations. Environmental activist R.S. Mugilan stated: "The same company, which had a copper smelting unit in Thoothukudi, polluted the air and water and influenced the government to suppress protests, resulting in the killing of 13 people. A similar situation could arise in Madurai district if this project is allowed to proceed." Mugilan also alleged that the Ministry of Mines attempted to downplay the scale of the project by mentioning only Nayakkarpatti village, which has around 20 houses, in its press release. However, official records reveal that the proposed 5,000-acre mining site extends across multiple eco-sensitive areas, including Melur, Arittapatti, Terkutteru, Muthuvelpatti, Kulanipatti, Kidaripatti, Etimangalam, Vallalappatti, Sillippyapatti, Chettiyarpatti, and several Melur tanks. The Tamil Nadu government reiterated its commitment to protecting Arittapatti's ecological and cultural significance. By rejecting the mining proposal, the state aims to safeguard the biodiversity, heritage, and livelihoods of the region. Raipur, Nov 21 : Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has strongly denied any connection with Gaurav Mehta, the alleged mastermind of a Bitcoin scam, following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the latter. Reacting to accusations from the BJP linking him to the case, Baghel dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking to IANS on Thursday, Baghel said: "I have no connection with the Bitcoin scam or Gaurav Mehta. The BJP is mentally bankrupt by using its agencies to level baseless allegations. Their spokespersons are raising questions about me without any evidence. I do not trust these agencies and will file a defamation case against those dragging my name into this forcibly." He further criticised BJP leaders for allegedly promoting cryptocurrencies, stating, "Their people openly discuss Bitcoin and other mutual fund cryptocurrencies, even encouraging investments. Yet, they are trying to shift blame without accountability." The ED raided Gaurav Mehta's residence in Raipur in connection with the crypto funds for Maharashtra polls linked to NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule and state Congress chief Nana Patole. Baghel also expressed grave concerns over the paddy procurement system in Chhattisgarh, criticising the government for policies he believes will harm farmers, especially in tribal areas. "Under the current government, farmers are suffering due to flawed systems like the Anwari report, which estimates low yields in tribal areas -- sometimes just 8 to 10 quintals per acre. This results in farmers receiving less per quintal against the support price, a huge drop from the Rs 9,000 per acre provided during our tenure," he contended. He mentioned several operational issues, including the unavailability of gunny bags, delayed payments, and server failures caused by mandatory biometric verification. "The government is creating hurdles in the procurement process and even the 72-hour deadline for lifting paddy has been altered. This is an anti-farmer government, and farmers will suffer massive losses," Baghel told IANS. Addressing exit polls predicting a BJP lead in Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections, Baghel refrained from commenting on the forecasts. "Exit polls are their work. Let the results on November 23 speak for themselves," he remarked confidently. He expressed optimism for the INDIA bloc, asserting that it is poised to form governments in both states. Bengaluru, Nov 21 : Karnataka BJP staged a protest across the state on Thursday opposing the alleged land grabbing by the Waqf board in Karnataka. The BJP MLAs and MPs gathered near the offices of the Deputy Commissioners in district headquarters and condemned the alleged development. The agitators also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister for Housing and Waqf Zameer Ahmad Khan. The BJP will also organise a massive agitation on the premises of the Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Friday. The agitation will be led by the Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka. All MLAs, MLCs and MPs from Bengaluru will take part in the agitation with party workers and victims. State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra led the protest in his native Shivamogga city. The party staged protests in Davanagere, Haveri, coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada, north Karnataka districts of Belagavi, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Haveri and others. The opposition leader in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy led the protests in Kalaburagi. BJP MLC C.T. Ravi headed the protest in Chikkamagaluru. The leaders warned the state government that it should not issue notices to farmers and temples claiming ownership to the Waqf board. The protestors warned that the Waqf board is issuing notices targeting the Hindu religion and issuing notices to properties belonging to Hindus, and agricultural lands of farmers. The board is also attempting to take away properties belonging to temples, and community halls. Meanwhile, Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka has stated that after the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seems to have "lost his mental stability" and is burdening people with taxes. He was speaking to the media on Thursday after visiting families in the Jayanagar Arasu Colony in Bengaluru, whose ration cards had been revoked. "After the MUDA scam, Siddaramaiah seems to have lost his mental stability and is burdening people with taxes. Entry to Vidhana Soudha is possible only if bribes are paid. Healthcare should be made completely free, but the government has cast its evil eye on even this," Ashoka said. "In the last 16 months, the Congress government has only added to the people's struggles. Due to a lack of funds in the health department, medicines cannot be purchased," he alleged. Allocations for education and healthcare have been reduced. Even basic maintenance of government hospitals is not being carried out, and service charges have been hiked, Ashoka claimed. Siddaramaiah's government has betrayed people in matters of food and healthcare, he underlined. Ashoka further pointed out: "On one hand, people are losing land; on the other, they are losing ration cards, and now even free healthcare is inaccessible. Government hospitals have increased all charges, proving the treasury is empty. Taxes are being imposed on people to fund the so-called five guarantees." Ashoka warned that the state government should restore ration cards to the public before the assembly session begins. Failing this, he stated that the BJP would launch severe protests, including locking up government offices and the Vidhana Soudha. "In the name of 'Anna Bhagya' (free rice scheme), he has created a 'Kanna Bhagya' (theft scheme)," Ashoka chided. Mumbai, Nov 21 : Maharashtra has recorded 65.11 per cent voting during the Assembly election which is for the first time in the last 30 years. The state had recorded 71.69 per cent polling in the 1995 elections when the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance formed the government after the Congress party under the leadership of former chief minister Sharad Pawar refused to take the reins despite emerging as the single largest party by winning 80 seats. As far as the Election Commission and the office of the Chief Electoral Officer are concerned, they heaved a sigh of relief as their efforts to boost the polling percentage have yielded positive results when compared with 61.39 per cent turnout during the general elections held in May and 61.44 per cent in the 2019 assembly elections. Compared to the previous elections, the voter turnout has increased by 3.7 per cent. The surge in voting percentage is also attributed to the increase in the number of total voters which was reported at 9.70 crore against 8.94 crore during the 2019 Assembly elections, a rise of 8.50 per cent. The increase in turnout by first-time voters was also visible across the state. In the case of Mumbai, of the 1.02 crore voters 1,68,422 voters come in the 18-19 years age category and are registered as first-time voters. The extensive awareness campaign carried out by the state election machinery and the non-government organisations helped to lure first-time voters. Similarly, women voters especially from rural areas and towns queue up for voting. This was attributed to the MahaYuti government's ambitious Ladki Bahin Yojana. Nearly 2.36 crore eligible women beneficiaries have already received financial aid of Rs 7,500 for five months since July. In Solapur district, of the total 38.48 lakh voters, 21.97 lakh voters cast their votes with a turnout of 57.09 per cent. However, women's turnout was higher at 66.23 per cent compared to 62.50 per cent of male voters. According to the Election Commission's compilation, Maharashtra had reported 60.36 per cent voters turnout in 1962, 64.84 per cent in 1967, 60.63 per cent in 1972, 67.59 per cent in 1978, 53.2 per cent in 1980, 59.17 per cent in 1985, 62.26 per cent in 1990, 71.69 per cent in 1995, 60.95 per cent in 1999, 63.44 per cent in 204, 59.68 per cent in 2009, 63.38 per cent in 2014 and 61.44 per cent in 2019. Although the Election Commission has uploaded 65.11 per cent voting percentage as of 11.30 pm on November 20, it is expected to release the final numbers of the voters turnout by 11 pm tonight. However, some discouragement was seen in urban areas of Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Pune and Nagpur where the turnout was 52.07 per cent, 55.77 per cent, 56.05 per cent, 60.70 per cent and 60.49 per cent respectively against 65.11 per cent at the state level. The Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar during his meeting held with the state government in September had expressed a serious concern over the low turnout of less than 50 per cent in 18 assembly constituencies during the Lok Sabha elections observed due to urban apathy. The voting percentage was below 50 per cent in Thane (6), Mumbai City (4), Mumbai Suburbs (2), Pune (5) and Raigad (1). A senior officer from the state election machinery said: "During the present Assembly elections, a series of measures were adopted to address the urban apathy issue by increasing the number of polling stations in high-rise buildings and cooperative societies complexes and asked the private establishments, in particular, to declare holiday on November 20 to enable the construction and daily wage earners to participate in voting." He added that in addition, polling was held on Wednesday and not on weekends or the subsequent day which also helped the voters to cast their votes instead of going on holiday. He admitted that due to malfunctioning voting machines, slow voting process and queues outside the polling booths, voters in urban areas had expressed strong displeasure that had impacted the voting percentage during the general elections. "However, the Election Commission's decision to decentralise polling stations in urban areas and allow four voters to enter polling stations at a time prevented a repeat of the chaos in the Lok Sabha elections," he said. He further added that by and large, the polling took place peacefully except few complaints of technical snags and incidents of vandalising of polling booths. Meanwhile, MahaYuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi are making claims that higher polling will pave the way for crossing the magic figure of 145 in the 288-member state Assembly. Both MahaYuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi are of the view that the increase in voter turnout was also due to the large presence of independents and rebels in the fray apart from voters from different castes and communities thronging to polling stations to cast their votes for candidates from their respective castes and communities. The caste equation was one of the key factors that was at play during the present election. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is contesting from Nagpur South West constituency, asserted that an increased voting percentage is beneficial to MahaYuti. "The voting percentage has increased everywhere in the state, not in Nagpur. Our experience to date is that the BJP has always benefited from this increased percentage. How much we will benefit will come to know after counting that is slated for November 30," he said. He said that there are many reasons for the rise in voter turnout, adding that the people have shown affection towards the MahaYuti government. He clarified that the MahaYuti partners have not held any talks with regard to the post of Chief Minister yet. On the other hand, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President, Nana Patole, who is seeking re-election from the Sakoli constituency, expressed confidence that the Maha Vikas Aghadi will get the majority and form the government in the state. Further, the Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed that the Maha Vikas Aghadi will get 160 to 165 seats to form a stable government in the state. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at Sanjay.j@ians.in) Georgetown, Nov 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India and Guyana have struggled to achieve their independence from colonisation while asserting that both countries believe in the creed of 'Democracy first, humanity first'. "Democracy first, humanity first is our mantra. Democracy teaches us that everyone should be treated equally and everyone should be taken on board while 'humanity first' determines the direction of our decisions. When we make 'humanity first' the basis of our decisions, the results are also in the interest of humanity," PM Modi said while addressing the Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament during his visit to the South American country on the third and final leg of his three-nation tour. He said when India and Guyana gained freedom, the world faced different challenges, and today, in the 21st century, the challenges are entirely different. "The systems and institutions created after World War 2 are now being destroyed. While the world was supposed to move forward towards a new world order, countries got tangled up in other things. In these situations, the most powerful mantra to move forward for the world is 'democracy first', 'humanity first'," PM Modi said in his address. He said that there is no greater medium than democracy to create an inclusive society, adding that democracy is in India's DNA. "The democracy is in our vision and in our behaviour. So when it came to uniting the world, India gave the mantra of one earth, one family, one future during its G20 Presidency. When the Corona crisis came, a challenge came before the entire humanity, then India gave the message of one earth, one health," PM Modi said. PM Modi said that this is not a time for conflict for the world but this is the time to identify the conditions that create conflict and remove them. "Today there are so many challenges like terrorism, drugs, cybercrime only by fighting them we will be able to shape the future of our coming generations," he said. In his opening remarks, PM Modi said Guyana gave him its highest honour on Wednesday. "I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you, to every citizen of Guyana, for this honour. Thank you very much to all the citizens here. I dedicate this honour to every citizen of India." Earlier, PM Modi met the top leaders of Caribbean nations such as St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Barbados, Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, and Dominica on the sidelines of the second India-CARICOM Summit here and discussed strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation across several key areas. Prime Minister Modi met his Barbados counterpart Mia Amor Mottley on Wednesday. Imphal, Nov 21 : Additional Central forces are starting to arrive in trouble-torn Manipur even as there have been no fresh incidents of violence in the northeastern state during the past four days, officials said on Thursday. A senior official of the Home Department said that the additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have started arriving in Manipur since Tuesday and they are being deployed in vulnerable, mixed-population, sensitive, and fringe areas of both hill and valley districts. Amid the escalating violence in Manipur, especially in the Jiribam district, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on November 18 decided to provide an additional 50 companies (around 5,000 personnel) of CAPF to Manipur to deal with the prevailing law and order situation, the official said. "Of the CAPF already arrived in Manipur, one company is of women personnel. The CAPF comprises the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), the BSF (Border Security Force) and other paramilitary forces," he said. The MHA decided to provide additional 50 companies of CAPF, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an urgent meeting reviewed the situation in Delhi in the violence-ridden state on November 17 and 18. Top MHA and security force officials were present in these meetings. The MHA last week provided another 20 companies of CAPF -- 15 of the CRPF and five of the BSF. "There have been no fresh incidents of violence in any of the districts in Manipur since Monday," the Home Department official said. Widespread violence took place in different districts of Manipur, especially in Imphal East, Imphal West and Jiribam after three women and three children belonging to the Meitei community had been "abducted by militants" from a relief camp in Borobekra Sub division in Jiribam district on November 11 and their bodies recovered on November 15 and 16. According to police officials, the six people were "kidnapped" after an encounter between the CRPF and the suspected militants leading to the killing of 10 suspected Kuki-Zo militants in the Jiribam district on November 11. All Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal organisations, however, claimed that these 10 slain people were "Village Volunteers". After the post-mortem in the Silchar Medical College, their bodies are now kept at a morgue in a Churachandpur hospital. Mumbai, Nov 21 : Aneez Bazmee's long-awaited psychological thriller Naam - starring Ajay Devgn, Sameera Reddy, Bhoomika Chawla and Rahul Dev is a film that will take you back in time. This drama - which was released 10 years after it was made, has the right amount of action, drama, romance and comedy that is nothing short of nostalgic. Written by Bazmee and Humayun Mirza, Naam is a quintessential 10s entertainer who has the right amount of action, drama, dialogues and music that would have resulted in the film being re-released today. The film tells the story of Shekhar - who after losing his mind during a gang war, starts afresh in Manali and now has a wife and daughter. However, 3 years later, his past catches up, resulting in him heading to Mumbai to learn about the life he's forgotten. Will he be better able to learn the truth? How many more secrets are still to unfold? These are the questions that Naam answers during its 2-hour runtime. On the technical front, Anees Bazmee has done a good job when you take into consideration the film was made in the early 2010s. Bazmee has succeeded in bringing out the emotions of his actors, especially Ajay Devgn and Bhoomika Chawla. From its cinematography to set design and costumes, Naam is an immersive watch. The film's music is on point. Be it emotional tracks with touching lyrics or sensational songs that are sure to set the screens on fire, Naam's music album has it all. The music is peppy. Talking about the performances, Ajay Devgn shines bright as every character he essays in the Anees Bazmee directorial. Sameera Reddy and Bhoomika Chawla have both done justice to their roles. Rahul Dev and Yashpal Sharma as the film's villains are a commendable force to be reckoned with. Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz and the other supporting characters do justice to the different characters they have brought to life. In conclusion, Aneez Bazmee's Naam is a full-on '10s entertainer that won't leave you feeling bored for even a minute. PS: Naam is a 2014 film that's releasing for the first time 10 years after it was originally made, so keep that in mind while watching it. Movie: Naam Ratings: 4 Stars Director: Anees Bazmee Star cast: Ajay Devgn, Sameera Reddy, Bhoomika Chawla & Rahul Dev Duration: 2h 16m Producer: Anil Roongta Amaravati, Nov 21 : The Andhra Pradesh government is working to create an ecosystem for Information Technology companies with the target of providing five lakh jobs in the sector over the next five years, Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics Nara Lokesh said on Thursday. He told the Assembly during question hour that the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will set up its unit in Visakhapatnam soon and was confident that the company would begin its operations in three months. He said during the last five months, he had discussions with representatives of various IT companies. "I also made a request to Infosys to set up another campus. We are now in search of necessary land for them and I am confident that within six months they will take off," Lokesh said. Recalling that he has held discussions with owners of various data centres during his recent visit to the United States, the IT Minister said that since the previous state government did not focus on setting up data centres, they moved to neighbouring states like Karnataka and Telangana, besides Mumbai. The data centre owners had raised several issues during discussions like data security and taxation, he said, adding that now talks are on to resolve these issues. Expressing confidence that the discussions that he held with the top 100 IT companies in the country will be fruitful, Lokesh said that these companies also will be invited to Visakhapatnam. He also stressed the need for a new policy for setting up global delivery centers of Fortune 500 companies which is likely to be adopted next month. At least two data companies are going to set up their units in Visakhapatnam in a couple of months, Lokesh said and stated that efforts are on to get the NICSI to Vizag. The IT Minister felt that if a national-level data policy is adopted data companies will certainly come to the state with massive investments. He said it was gratifying that of the total employees in the entire IT sector across the globe, 20 per cent are Telugus. He revealed that that at least 150 companies were set up in the state between 2014 and 2019 providing jobs to 50,000 youth. "We have even entered into an agreement then with the industrialist, Mr Adani, to establish a data centre in the state and have organised a conclave in Vizag with several IT giants," Lokesh said. He said at a time when the IT industry was moving much further, there was a sudden halt due to the policies adopted by the previous government. aPerhaps for the first time in the history of the country the government had demanded shares in IT companies following which units like the NICSI and the STBI have left the state as a result of which the youth lost the employment opportunities," Lokesh said. Lokesh informed the House that the Bhogapuram airport works are moving at a fast pace and the biggest convention centre in the country which is part of the social ecosystem is going to be established in Visakhapatnam very soon. He underlined the need for more hotels along with such companies. --IANS ms/vd BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The Baku Declaration on water resources management will be adopted today, Head of the Water Mandate of the UN Global Compact Director-General Jason Morisson told reporters, Trend reports Talking about climate change mitigation, we are not moving fast enough, our ambitions remain insufficiently high, and the results are still not on track. At the same time, we are increasingly aware of the importance of climate change adaptation and the need to build resilience. At this conference and the next, water and adaptation to climate change will become key topics of discussion, accompanied by a global adaptation agenda. I hope we will continue to build on the Baku Declaration that will be issued today and strengthen this momentum towards the next conference in Brazil next year, 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 Noida, Nov 21 : Telugu Titans secured a very important 31-29 victory over Bengal Warriorz in Match 67 of Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) at the Noida Indoor Stadium here on Thursday. The hero for their win once again was Vijay Malik, whose 14 points were crucial as they quelled a late challenge by Bengal Warriorz to secure the five points. The win also moved the Telugu Titans above the Haryana Steelers to the top of the standings before their clash against the Bengaluru Bulls in the second match of the night. The Bengal Warriorz started strong, with early points for Pranay Rane and Manjeet. However, the Telugu Titans a" led by Vijay Malik yet again a" used the momentum to shift the tide in their favour. He got a raid that ended in three points as he got Fazel Atrachali and Manjeet, while Vishwas S. stepped into the lobby, giving away a non-raid technical point. The excellent all-round performance from the Telugu Titans was complemented by their defence and attack, as Vijay Malik got Fazel Atrachali in a do-or-die raid. Vishwas S. was then unsuccessful in his raid attempt as the Telugu Titans inflicted an All Out on the Bengal Warriorz. This extended the lead to 10 points as the first half ended with the scoreline reading 19-9 in favour of the Telugu Titans. The second half was no different, as the Telugu Titans maintained their lead over the Bengal Warriorz. With the hope of mounting a comeback, raiders Pranay Rane and Nitin Kumar stepped up with raid points, while Hem Raj successfully tackled Ashish Narwal in a do-or-die raid. But Vijay a" who had completed a well-earned Super 10 for his team a" was equally adept in keeping his team in front. The Bengal Warriorz closed the gap on their opponents with an important All Out in the fifth minute, as the difference between the two teams was reduced to just five points. Sushil Kambrekar was brought onto the mat and earned two very by the Bengal Warriorz important Raid Points that got both Sagar and Ankit in one fell swoop. It was a little too late though at the end of the 40 minutes, as Ashish Narwal and Shankar Gadai closed out a well-earned win by a difference of two points. Amaravati, Nov 21 : The NPTC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) on Thursday signed a joint venture with the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) to set up renewable energy projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore in the state, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu took to aXa to reveal that NGEL has entered the joint venture. Officials of NGEL and NREDCAP signed the agreement in the presence of the Chief Minister. "The new ICE Policy 2024 continues to attract investments and pave the way for Andhra Pradesh to emerge as a clean energy hub. Today, NTPC Green Energy Ltd. signed a Joint Venture with NREDCAP to set up RE projects worth a2,00,000 Cr in Andhra Pradesh," he wrote. "The focus will be on 25 GW Solar/Wind, 10 GW Pumped Storage, and 0.5 MMTPA Green Hydrogen. This historic project will create over one lakh jobs and position our state as a renewable energy leader at the forefront of India's green energy revolution," he added. The joint venture is expected to create employment for 1,06,250 people with an estimated financial benefit of Rs. 20,620 crore over a period of 25 years. NTPC Green Energy will facilitate securing financial and technical support and obtaining necessary clearances from the Centre and NREDCAP will identify suitable sites, provide data and encumbrance-free land, and assist in obtaining state-level permits and clearances. NGEL is an umbrella company for the green business initiatives of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and undertakes projects through organic and inorganic routes and aims to be the flag-bearer of NTPCas green energy journey to achieve the ambitious target of 60 GW by FY 2032. The state government last month launched the Integrated Clean Energy Policy-2024. It has set an ambitious agenda for transitioning to renewable energy. With plans to develop 78.5 GW of solar and 35 GW of wind energy capacity, along with 25 GWh of battery storage, the sate aims to become a clean energy powerhouse. The state government said that this policy will not only contribute to Indiaas net-zero target but also foster a circular economy, create 7.5 lakh jobs, and attract investments worth Rs 10 lakh crore. New Delhi, Nov 21 : Central Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Prahlad Joshi on Thursday criticised Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the allegations on NABARD's reduced loan quota for Karnataka. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, Joshi provided clarifications regarding National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)-related issues raised by Siddaramaiah. He pointed out that the problem is not exclusive to Karnataka, as Siddaramaiah claims. "In Gujarat, the amount allocated by NABARD for agriculture was Rs 1,800 crore last time, but this time it has been reduced to Rs 1,070 crore. In Rajasthan, where the Congress is in power, it decreased from Rs 4,792 crore to Rs 2,070 crore. In Uttar Pradesh, the amount dropped from Rs 2,700 crore to Rs 920 crore," said Joshi. He also stated that in Karnataka, the allocation decreased from Rs 5,600 crore last time to Rs 2,340 crore this time. He said that NABARD provides cooperative institutions with funds, and it is their responsibility to offer loans to priority sectors like agriculture. He clarified that the Siddaramaiah might not be fully aware of this process, as the system for NABARD loans has been in place since the time of the Congress government. "Under the system, nationalised banks, scheduled commercial banks, and private sector banks are required to provide 40 per cent of their loans to agriculture. If banks fail to meet their agricultural loan targets, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) takes the required amount and transfers it to NABARD. NABARD then passes the funds through state cooperative banks to cooperative societies," he said. He emphasised that if all banks are fulfilling their agricultural loan targets, NABARD's funding needs decrease. He stated that Siddaramaiah should appreciate this process, which helps ensure that funds are properly allocated to agriculture. He also underlined that the ground-level credit for agriculture in Karnataka had increased from 8 per cent to 8.15 per cent compared to the previous year, which indicates that NABARD's funding has been effectively distributed. Bengaluru, Nov 21 : Kannada superstar Darshan, who is out on medical bail in the fan murder case, has not adhered to the guidelines dictated to him during the granting of bail, the Karnataka High Court was told on Thursday. Special Public Prosecutor Prasanna Kumar made the submission while the High Court took up the petition seeking regular bail for the actor in the sensational fan murder case. He further said that the copy of the latest medical report had not been submitted to him. The bail is granted on medical grounds for six weeks. However, the date of surgery is not conveyed yet. Darshanas counsel C.V. Nagesh then submitted the latest medical report of the actor to the court. The copy was also provided to the SPP. Meanwhile, the police submitted an additional charge sheet to the court in the case. The court asked the SPP to submit his response after studying the medical report and adjourned the matter to November 26. Darshan was granted bail on medical grounds three weeks ago and he had not undergone surgery, according to sources. The police department is all set to approach the Supreme Court questioning the medical bail granted to Darshan in the High Court. Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda and 15 others were arrested on June 11 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering his fan Renukaswamy from Chitradurga. Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda as he was miffed with the actor having a relationship with Pavithra Gowda despite being married. Darshan was shifted to Ballari Prison after photos of 'royal treatment' for him at the Bengaluru Central Prison surfaced. He is facing three FIRs in this connection. The police submitted a 3,991-page charge sheet on September 4 in the fan murder case. Darshan was released from prison on October 30, after 131 days behind bars, after the Karnataka High Court granted him conditional bail on medical grounds for six weeks. The actor is admitted to the BGS Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru and is being treated for severe back pain. However, he had not undergone surgery yet, according to sources. In the bail hearing in the high court, counsel for Darshan had stated that if the actor does not undergo surgery, there is a possibility of him getting a stroke. Hyderabad, Nov 21 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint from the residents of Lagacharla village of Vikarabad district in Telangana, alleging police harassment, physical abuse, and false criminal charges. These actions allegedly occurred after the villagers protested the state's land acquisition for a proposed "Pharma Village" without following proper procedures, the NHRC said in a press release. The NHRC issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Telangana calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The Commission also decided to send a joint team of its Law and Investigation officers for on-the-spot enquiry into the matter and submit a report within one week. Most of the victims of the alleged atrocities claim to be from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Communities. The complaint has been submitted by at least 12 victims who visited the Commission praying for its intervention to save them from starvation in the matter. The District Collector accompanied by other officials allegedly arrived at the Lagacharla village on November 11 to announce the forcible land acquisition for the proposed Pharma project. The same evening hundreds of police personnel allegedly accompanied by some local goons raided the village and assaulted the protesting villagers. They did not even spare the pregnant women. The internet services and the electricity supply were also allegedly shut down to ensure no communication could be made with anyone for help. The police, allegedly, registered FIRs on false complaints against the villagers including women forcing some of the victims to leave their houses in fear and to take shelter in forests and farmlands without food, medical aid, basic amenities etc, the NHRC said. The Commission observed that the contents of the complaint, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights, which is indeed a matter of concern. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Telangana calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include the status of the FIRs, persons in judicial custody and the villagers who out of fear, are allegedly hiding in the forest areas without basic amenities. The Commission would also like to know whether any medical examination of the victim women was done and medical care provided to the injured villagers. Allegedly, the State government has decided to set up a Pharma Village in Kodangal constituency by unilaterally acquiring 1,374 acres despite already having 16,000 plush acres of land acquired by the previous government for setting up an ultra-modern Pharma City. The land which is now being forcefully acquired without any prior notice, is fertile agricultural land owned and acquired for generations, by the persons belonging to SC/ ST and OBC categories and the farmers have been protesting against it for more than 4-5 months. Imphal, Nov 21 : A mob vandalised a Manipur MLA's residence and also looted Rs 18 lakh cash, and jewellery items worth Rs 1.5 crore from there, police said on Thursday. A police official said that the mother of Janata Dal-United MLA Khumukcham Joykishan Singh has lodged a complaint at the Imphal Police Station alleging that Rs 18 lakh in cash and jewellery items worth Rs 1.5 crore were looted by a mob that vandalised the legislator's residence on November 16. As per the FIR, many other items kept at Singh's residence in West Imphal district's Thangmeiband area for displaced people sheltered in relief camps were also destroyed during the attack, the official said. On the day of the attack, the MLA was in Delhi in connection with medical treatment for one of his family members. A relief camp was set up at the Tombisana Higher Secondary School at Thangmeiband a few metres away from the MLA's residence. Relief materials, including potatoes, onions, and other items as well as winter clothes for the relief camp have been stored in the MLA's residence. "Most of the relief materials were either looted or destroyed by the mobs. Lockers, electronics items and furniture were also damaged. Seven gas cylinders were also taken away by the mob," the police official said quoting the MLA's mother. The official said that the attackers also damaged many documents of the relief camp inmates. During the widespread violence on November 16 and 17, more than a dozen houses and bungalows of several ministers, legislators and political leaders were also attacked in a few districts, especially in Imphal West, Imphal East and Jiribam. The mob violence occurred following the recovery of six bodies of three missing children and three women in the Jiribam district on November 15 and 16. The three women and three children belonging to the Meitei community had been kidnapped by suspected militants on November 11 in Jiribam district following an encounter between security forces and suspected Kuki-Zo militants that resulted in the deaths of 10 extremists on the same day. Shillong, Nov 21 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Thursday said that the ruling dispensation in the hill state desires that citizens should be proud of their culture. Sangma inaugurated the Tri Hills Ensemble in the presence of Arts and Culture Minister, Paul Lyngdoh and Head of India for the Welsh Government, Mitchell Theaker at U Soso Tham Auditorium Shillong. He said, "We want our people to be proud of our culture, customs and language." The third edition of the Tri Hills Ensemble showcased the rich arts, crafts and culture of Meghalaya's three tribes Khasi, Jaintia and Garo. It also commemorated the observation of Jan Jatiya Gaurav Diwas. "The festival is a celebration of our culture, our society and our people. Through this festival, we aim to showcase the rich diversity and cultural identity of our people," the Chief Minister said, in his inaugural remark. Talking about the importance of culture, he said: "Culture has a lot of power and potential as it connects us to our roots, our past, our unique identity and distinguishes us from the crowd. As a form of soft power, we are trying as a Government to harness this potential and release it for constructive purposes." Sangma further said that the government has envisioned a road map to inspire the younger generation to be proud of the culture and the diversity of the state. He informed that the government has tailored programmes that promote culture, different forms of art, music, literature and ancient knowledge and wisdom. He lauded the arts and culture department for taking the initiative to facelift the Captain Williamson Sangma Museum and encouraged the department to use technology for a better immersive experience on the different facets and lives of the people of the state. "Our events and festivals celebrate the richness of the state," he emphasised. He also urged the Department of Education to make it mandatory for education institutes to visit the museum and learn about the rich heritage and diversity of our state. Talking about the Chief Minister's Research Fellowship program, he said that 50 scholars have been shortlisted, who are already documenting different topics of relevance to the people and culture of the state. "Our identity is our culture, our pride, it is imperative that we showcase and conserve the wisdom of our forefathers in different fields, and take it to global prominence." "The power of culture has the power to connect us with other cultures from around the globe and the convergence of all these aspects would bring and foster the further growth of tourism in the State," he added. Jaipur, Nov 21 : A delegation from Singapore visited Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha on Thursday. The Singapore delegation thoroughly understood the arrangements of the parliamentary system of the Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha and the traditions of the functioning of the House from Speaker Vasudev Devnani who gave detailed information on meetings of the House, arrangement of work, agenda, questions, slip system, adjournment motion on matters of public importance, reintroduction of bills etc. Devnani also explained to the delegation the parliamentary system of the Singapore Legislative Assembly along with the system of various legislative assemblies. Devnani has recently returned after a study tour of the Legislative Assemblies of Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan. The delegation also visited the Museum of the Legislative Assembly. "There are immense possibilities of expansion of work in various fields in Rajasthan. This tour will give a new direction to Rajasthan and Singapore's relationship," said a member of the delegation. The delegation from Singapore included senior Minister of State Jenil Puthucheary, Desmond Tan Kok Meng, Gen Siow Huang, Shawn Huang, Ji Yao Kyan, Ms. Rachel Ong, and Saktyadi Supaat, among others. Meanwhile, the Assam Legislative Assembly Committee visited Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha and met Speaker Vasudev Devnani. The committee also visited the digital museum of the Legislative Assembly. Devnani said that the role of parliamentary committees is important, adding that the stronger the committee, the more effectively the work will be done in the state government. Aizawl, Nov 21 : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday appointed Khilli Ram Meena, a 1993 batch IAS officer, as the new Chief Secretary of Mizoram, officials here said. Meena, an Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre IAS officer, succeeds Renu Sharma, who retired on October 31. According to a Mizoram government official, Meena, currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, would take over charge from acting Chief Secretary H. Lalengmawia, a 2005 batch IAS. Born on December 4, 1967, in Rajasthan, Meena holds a master's degree in history and joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1993. The Mizoram government had earlier requested the Centre to appoint Vumlunmang Vualnam, a 1992 batch IAS officer of the Manipur cadre, as the state's chief secretary. However, the MHA reportedly declined the request. Vualnam is currently the Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary. Chief Minister Lalduhoma during his recent visit to New Delhi, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ask him to relieve Vualnam to replace Renu Sharma. Vualnam, has earlier held several important positions within the Central government, including as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Company Affairs. Vualnam has also served in various key roles in the Manipur government and was an advisor to the executive director at the World Bank before he was appointed Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation in August 2023. The Chief Minister earlier appreciated the performance of the former Chief Secretary Renu Sharma. She was also the AGMUT cadre IAS officer of the 1988 batch. Lalduhoma, in a post on X, had said: "Farewell to Mizoram Chief Secretary Dr. Renu Sharma, IAS on her retirement. She took on the role of CS on November 2, 2021. Her commitment has greatly impacted our state. Wishing her health and happiness in this new chapter of life. Thank you for your invaluable contributions !" Guwahati, Nov 21 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday asserted that the state government is committed to preserving the cultural heritage of tribal communities. While expressing delight at unveiling a replica of the Kachari Kingdom's monolithic pillar within the state Assembly complex today, Sarma emphasised that this installation represents a lasting commitment to conserving and promoting tribal art, culture, and heritage. The Chief Minister also unveiled several newly developed facilities within the Assam Legislative Assembly complex, including a command and control centre, cafeteria, digital corridor, smart pole, and a sandstone monolith pillar representing ancient Assam. He said, "Assam's present government remains dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of its tribal communities." Sarma highlighted the vital role that Assam's tribal communities play in the state's cultural identity, noting that their vibrant art, cultural practices, and traditions are essential components of Assam's legacy. He said that the region's illustrious history comes to life through such cultural expressions, including historical remnants of the Kachari Kingdom, which hold an enduring place in the history of Northeast India. He mentioned that several tribal freedom fighters from the Northeast, including Dimasa leader Sambhudhan Phonglo, Rani Gaidinliu of Nagaland, Bir Tikendrajit Singh of Manipur, Ratanmani Reang of Tripura, Helen Lepcha of Sikkim, U Tirot Sing Syiem of Meghalaya, Ropuiliani of Mizoram, and Moje Riba of Arunachal Pradesh, have been honoured with statues at the Amrit Udyan in Hengrabari, Guwahati. Additionally, Sarma highlighted the establishment of the Department of Indigenous and Tribal Faith and Culture, reflecting the present State government's commitment to preserving the traditions and beliefs of the indigenous communities of the region. The Chief Minister commended the efforts of Biswajit Daimary, Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Numal Momin, Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, and the Assembly's officials and staff for their significant roles in modernising the Assembly. He said that this transformation, achieved through IT-enabled initiatives, includes the sandstone monolithic pillar - an exquisite sculpture reflecting the historical legacy of the ancient Kachari kingdom of Assam. Sarma emphasised that these initiatives are part of a broader effort to modernize the Assembly through technology while simultaneously preserving Assam's rich cultural heritage. He remarked that these new facilities reflect the Assembly's effort to harmonise tradition with modernity, showcasing Assam's cultural heritage alongside digital advancements. Sarma expressed confidence that such initiatives would inspire greater appreciation for Assam's ancient history. He also asserted that the state government's continued dedication to preserving Assam's history and culture would establish the region as a cultural and heritage hub. The event was attended by Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Biswajit Daimary, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs etc. Pijush Hazarika, Minister of Education etc. Dr Ranoj Pegu and other dignitaries. 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 Simonas Gentvilas, Minister for Environment of Lithuania. In an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of COP29, Gentvilas noted that first of all, it's a very well-organized COP. Thank you, Azerbaijan, for hosting it. You are becoming really professionals in international events. It's early to say about the progress. We see that discussions and negotiations are still ongoing. We must wait for Friday. Usually it's the last days in COP when decisions are made, he said. The minister expressed hope that there will be agreement on fossil fuel abolishment. G20 was very weak stating about the fossil fuel eviction. We hope that the financing for the developing world will also be secured. These are the two topics. If we speak about climate change, we have to use less oil, gas and coal and eventually stop using them, said Gentvilas. The minister went on to add that climate is changing everywhere, so everybody has to do its part. Oil-rich economies have the biggest capacity to change. because they are rich economies. Azerbaijan is a big trading partner for Lithuania. We like and love a lot Azerbaijan. We have to strive to become examples of change. Azerbaijan has been a very successful country. Many countries are looking at you, just like at Lithuania, looking how they could transform their economies, he said. The minister reminded that Lithuania is negotiating through European Union as a member. So we are collectively contributing to the New Collective Quantified Goal and we are the largest donors globally. We are spending one third of the total 100 billion dollar package. Meanwhile, Europe accounts for only 6% of emissions. We expect the average countries also to support this, said Gentvilas. The Lithuanian minister pointed out that Europe is already doing more than it should. We expect big countries, big polluters like China and the US to help also other countries to adapt to climate change. This is totally of necessity, because we are experiencing climate-induced migration to our continents, to North Europe, as people cannot afford living in sub-Saharan regions, in low-lying nations, with all the Pakistani floods and others. We have to support such countries, he said. The minister went on to add that Lithuania has been a very successful country to decarbonize its economy. We have already reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 70% and our economy is already transformed. The single most challenging sector is transport sector. We have to search for solutions and we expect that we can be an example for many countries that in a short period has transformed its economy. So in 2030, for example, all the electricity in Lithuania will be based only on renewables. Currently the district heating sector is already for 80% based renewables. We expect to show how a small country can do big things, he concluded. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Tumakuru, Nov 21 : A Karnataka court has given life imprisonment for 21 accused persons on Thursday in connection with the murder case of a Dalit woman reported in Tumakuru district in 2010. The order was passed by the Tumakuru Third Additional District and Sessions Court Judge Nagi Reddy who also imposed a fine of Rs 13,500 for each of the convicted persons. The incident took place on June 28, 2010, in Gopalapura village of Chikkanayakanahalli village in Tumakuru district. The convicted persons had murdered Honnamma aka Dabha Honnamma by smashing her head with a huge stone. Jurisdictional Handanakere police had registered a case and slapped FIR on 27 accused persons belonging to the upper caste. The police had framed murder and atrocity cases against them. Then Dy SP Shivarudraswamy submitted a charge sheet against the accused in the case to the court. Six of the accused persons died among a total of 27. Two of the convicts are women. The court had posted the matter for judgment. The judge has passed the order under the various sections of IPC and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victim Honnamma was running a dhaba in Gopalapura village. The villagers had collected and stored wooden logs for the purpose of the construction of a temple. These wooden logs were burgled and Honnamma had lodged a police complaint in this regard. The villagers started hating Honnamma following the development and it ended in convicts smashing her head with a huge stone. Earlier, in a historical judgement, a Karnataka court convicted 98 persons with life imprisonment on Oct 25 in an atrocity case reported in the Koppal district of the state. The judge C. Chandrashekar passed the judgement. It is the first case in the history of the state that such a large number of accused are convicted of life imprisonment in an atrocity case, according to sources. The incident had taken place in Marakumbi village in Gangavathi taluk. The Gangavathi police investigated the case and submitted the chargesheet. A total of 101 persons were produced before the court and among them, three accused persons belonging to the SC and ST communities were awarded five years of rigorous imprisonment with a Rs 5,000 fine and the rest belonging to the upper caste were awarded life imprisonment. However, the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court in a major decision on Nov 13 had stayed the order of the lower court convicting 98 persons of life imprisonment in an atrocity case. The bench has also granted bail for 97 convicted persons. --IANS Guwahati, Nov 21 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday held a video conference with all the District Commissioners (DC) from his office at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati and took stock of the progress made in the districts across the state for expeditious disbursal of financial assistance to the beneficiaries under the government's ambitious scheme Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan. The Chief Minister took district-specific progress of different aspects of Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan and gave suggestions to address all issues including completing the backend processes so that Rs 10 thousand can be given to the woman beneficiaries under the scheme very soon. He said that the state government is aiming at empowering the women through this scheme, as the successful implementation would lead to achieving the government's objective of 'atmanirbhar nari'. It may be noted that through Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, the state government has envisaged supporting women SHG (Self Help Groups) to become rural micro-entrepreneurs and facilitate them to earn annual income through financial assistance as grant aid in the form of entrepreneurship fund. The Chief Minister asked to complete all formalities of the scheme by December this year. Sarma also took note of the preparedness of the district administrations with regard to the early disbursal of flood relief grants through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). He asked the DCs to finalise the dates for formally handing over the financial help to the flood victims. The Chief Minister also asked the DCs to decide on the dates after consultation with the Guardian Ministers for handing over the benefits under Anundoram Borooah Cash Award Scheme, bicycle and scooty distribution and microfinance loan waiver scheme. He said that the benefits under all the schemes should reach the beneficiaries by the end of December this year. Taking to X handle, Sarma wrote: "Today, I chaired a meeting with senior officials to expedite the implementation of all DBT-based welfare schemes. From strengthening Nari Shakti to Yuva Shakti, most of Assam's welfare measures are now delivered through Direct Benefit Transfer to minimise leakages." Imphal, Nov 21 : The non-cooperation movement by four tribal student organisations in Manipur against the CRPF has been withdrawn with immediate effect, tribal organisations announced here on Thursday night. The Kuki Students' Organisation, Zo Students Federation, Hmar Students Association and two other organisations in a joint statement said that the non-cooperation movement was withdrawn with immediate effect after high-level discussions between the CRPF officials and the student bodies. "During a meeting with the Director General of CRPF (Anish Dayal Singh) and other CRPF officials provided a full assurance that they would not engage in any actions that may be considered sacrilegious or disrespectful to the community," the joint statement said. It said that the CRPF has expressed their sincere commitment to the safety of the public and is committed to fostering a respectful and cordial relationship with the tribal people going forward. They have requested our cooperation in this process, and we look forward to a positive, collaborative future, the statement said. It said: "We hope that this would pave the way for a better understanding and cooperation between the CRPF and the local communities, and we remain committed to fostering peace and mutual respect." The student bodies and other tribal organisations started non-cooperation after an encounter with the CRPF and the militants in Jiribam district on November 11 leading to the death of 10 suspected Kuki militants. Though the Manipur police said that the ten slain people were Kuki militants, all the tribal organisations including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), an apex body of tribals in Manipur, claimed that they were "Village Volunteers". The ITLF earlier said that they had decided that the last rites of 10 Village Volunteers would not be performed till their postmortem examination reports were handed over to the families. After the post-mortem of all ten bodies was conducted in Assam's Silchar Medical College and Hospital, the bodies were airlifted on November 16 to Churachandpur, a Kuki-Zo-Hmar inhabited district. Patna, Nov 21 : In a significant verdict, the district court of Begusarai sentenced 12 individuals, including a prominent political leader, to life imprisonment in a 20-year-old double murder case on Thursday. Among the accused are Mithilesh Singh, a political leader. The other accused are identified as Roshan Singh, Ravindra Singh, Randhir Kumar alias Dukha, Sunil Singh, Sudhir Singh, Sanjeev Singh, Komal Singh, Shaligram Singh, Anil Singh, Manoj Singh, and Ranjit Singh, all residents of Akbarpur Purani Deeh under the jurisdiction of Shamho police station. The judgment was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Shaba Alam on Thursday. Initially, all the accused were acquitted by the district court in 2015. However, the victim's family challenged their acquittal in the Patna High Court, which reopened the case and directed the district court to resolve it within four months. The accused subsequently approached the Supreme Court, but the apex court upheld the Patna High Court's order. After nearly two decades of legal proceedings, the district court has now pronounced the quantum of punishment, marking the culmination of a long legal battle for justice. The case stems from an incident in Akbarpur Purani Deeh village of Shamho block, where Congress leader and PACS president Lalan Singh, along with his cousin Sipul Singh, were allegedly gunned down by the accused on the night of March 8, 2004. The incident occurred near Thakurbari when Lalan Singh, Sipul Singh, and their brother Mukesh Singh were returning after distributing relief materials to fire victims in the area. According to Mukesh Singh, who filed the complaint at Nayagaon police station case number 13/2004, the accused, including Mithilesh Singh, ambushed them. Mukesh managed to escape the scene, but the others were overpowered. The case had roots in political rivalry, as both Lalan Singh and Mithilesh Singh had contested against each other in PACS and Zilla Parishad elections. While Lalan Singh won the PACS election, both lost the Zilla Parishad election, leading to heightened tensions. Over time, the dispute evolved into a land-related feud. Initially, the district court acquitted all the accused in 2015. However, following a petition by the victim's family, the Patna High Court reopened the case and ordered its resolution within four months. The Supreme Court later upheld the High Court's decision, leading to the case's conclusion. "The ruling of the district court is a historic and unprecedented decision. This was the first instance where a district court reversed its earlier acquittal and imposed life sentences after reopening a case. The crime was politically motivated, exacerbated by underlying land disputes," said Additional Public Prosecutor Dilip Kushwaha. Bhopal, Nov 22 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, on Thursday, flagged off a vehicle carrying 'laddus' (prasad) prepared by the Ujjain Mahakaleshwar temple committee to Nepal. More than 1.11 lakh laddus of gram flour will reach Ayodhya on November 26, from where it will be sent to Janakpur in Nepal on December 3 via Bihar for Ram-Sita's wedding procession to be held on December 9. The taste of the laddus of Mahakaleshwar temple is known across the country, and these are famous abroad as well. The special thing about the laddus is that the making process is given its high standards and religious sentiments attached to it. On this occasion, CM Yadav said that relations between India and Nepal date back centuries ago. "Distribution of Lord Mahakal's laddoo (prasad) in Mithila Nepal is an important step toward the direction of deepening India-Nepal relations," he added. Meanwhile, he also inaugurated the training programme to conduct disaster-free Simhastha Kumbh-2028 at the police line in Ujjain. More than 18,000 police, SDRF, Home Guard jawans, and civil volunteers will be trained for the safety of the devotees. Recently, Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Sudhir Saxena chaired a meeting with senior police officers to start preparation for Simhastha Kumbh-2028 and has stressed providing proper training for the policemen who will be deployed during the Kumbh Mela. Retired IPS officers, who served in the previous two Simhastha (2004 and 2016), including former DGP Sarabjeet Singh, who was Ujjain Inspector General of Police in 2004, were invited for their suggestions. In the meeting, retired IPS officers shared their experiences in two previous Simhastha and also suggested establishing a strong crowd management system and proper training sessions for police personnel will be deployed in Ujjain during Simhastha Kumbh. Ramallah, Nov 22 : The Israeli forces have killed a Palestinian man in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. The man has been transferred to Rafidia Governmental Hospital from the al-Ain refugee camp, west of Nablus, the Ramallah-based Health Ministry said on Thursday in a brief statement as reported by Xinhua news agency. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua news agency that Israeli forces stormed the refugee camp with live ammunition, critically wounding the young man, Jihad al-Qatouni, who later died of the injury. The sources and witnesses added that the Israeli forces arrested three other young men after raiding and searching their homes in Nablus. Meanwhile, during an Israeli raid into Qalqilya city, the Israeli forces injured a young Palestinian, prevented an ambulance from reaching him, and later arrested him, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa. The Palestinian news agency added that there was no information about the fate of the injured Palestinian who was identified as Mohammad Al-Fayyoumi. Tension has been running high in the West Bank due to Israelas brutal war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 44,000 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas in October last year. The Israeli army has not commented on the incident. Israel usually described these raids in the West Bank as "counter-terrorism operations" targeting "terrorists" linked to Palestinian armed groups. West Bank cities, camps, and villages have been witnessing an escalation in tensions since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. Since then, more than 770 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and bombing across the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Hague, Nov 22 : The International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. In a statement, the ICC's pre-trial chamber accused Netanyahu and Gallant of committing "crimes against humanity and war crimes" between at least October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024, the date when the prosecution submitted the arrest warrant applications, Xinhua news agency reported. The ICC said that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant "each bear criminal responsibility as co-perpetrators" for committing war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare, and crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The court's statement outlined a series of alleged war crimes, including "intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population," and depriving the "civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity". The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the commander of Hamas' military wing, accusing him of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the territories of Israel and Palestine from at least October 7, 2023. Although Deif has reportedly been killed by Israeli forces, the ICC noted that it cannot conclusively confirm his death. Prosecutor Karim Khan informed the court that available information from Israeli and Palestinian sources about his death remains inconclusive, leaving the arrest warrant active. In May, Khan initially requested arrest warrants for five individuals: Netanyahu, Gallant, Deif, and senior Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. However, after confirmed reports of Haniyeh and Sinwar's deaths, the court withdrew those applications. Israel has said it killed Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike in July but Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied this. The prosecution indicated it would continue to gather information concerning his reported death. Israel has rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and denies war crimes in Gaza. The US, Israel's main diplomatic supporter, is also not a member of the ICC. It said it "fundamentally rejects" the move. "We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutoras rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision," a White House National Security Council spokesperson said, adding that the US is discussing next steps with its partners. Global powers Russia, China, and India have also not signed onto the ICC, the world's permanent war crimes court, which is backed by all of the European Union, Australia, Canada, Britain, Brazil, Japan, and dozens of African and Latin American countries. ICC prosecutor Khan had announced on May 20 that he was seeking arrest warrants for alleged crimes connected to the Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the Israeli military response in Gaza. Israeli and Hamas leaders have dismissed allegations that they committed war crimes. The court does not have its own police force to carry out arrests and relies on its 124 member states for that, with only limited diplomatic means to force them if they do not want to. Khan called on signatories of the court's founding treaty "to live up to their commitment to the Rome Statute by respecting and complying with these judicial orders". In a statement, he said, "We count on their cooperation in this situation, as with all other situations... We also welcome collaboration with non-state parties in working towards accountability and upholding international law." Netanyahu's office said the ICC decision was "anti-Semitic" and he would "not yield to pressure, will not be deterred" until Israel's war objectives are met. The ICC has "lost all legitimacy" after issuing the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said. "A dark moment for the International Criminal Court," Saar said on X, adding that it had issued "absurd orders without authority". There was no immediate comment from Gallant. In a statement, Hamas welcomed the warrants against Gallant and Netanyahu and urged the court to expand accountability to all Israeli leaders. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the decision was not political but made by a court and thus should be respected and implemented. "The tragedy in Gaza has to stop," he added. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also said the ICC's decision must be implemented, adding that Palestinians deserved justice after what he termed Israel's "war crimes" in Gaza. The Netherlands' Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said his country acts on arrest warrants for people on its territory and will not engage in "non-essential" contacts. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, said: "The court is a dangerous joke. It is now time for the US Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body." Israel's 13-month campaign in Gaza has killed about 44,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly all the enclave's population while creating a humanitarian crisis, Gaza officials said. It launched the campaign in response to the October 2023, Hamas-led attack which killed 1,200 people in southern Israel, with more than 250 others taken hostage, Israel has said. Jerusalem, Nov 22 : As the International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum united to condemn the decision pronounced by a three-judge panel of the United Nations court. Jerusalem, Nov 22 (IANS) As the International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum united to condemn the decision pronounced by a three-judge panel of the United Nations court. Netanyahu's office described the warrants as "an antisemitic decisiona equivalent to the modern Dreyfus trial," referring to the 1894 trial of a French artillery captain of Jewish descent that has become one of the most prominent examples of anti-Semitism. Netanyahu added: "Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and charges against it by the International Criminal Court, which is a biased and discriminatory political body." Under the Rome statute that established the ICC, the court was set up to be an independent body that stands apart from international politics. The Israeli statement said: "There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza since October 7, 2023, after the terrorist organisation Hamas launched a murderous attack against it, and carried out the greatest massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. "The decision was made by a corrupt chief prosecutor trying to save his own skin from the serious charges against him for sexual harassment, and by biased judges motivated by antisemitic hatred of Israel," it said, referring to claims made against the Netherlands-based court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, which Khan has denied. Benny Gantz, a former member of Netanyahu's war cabinet, in a post on X, described the ICC move as "moral blindness and (a) shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten". The Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, said: "This is a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity. Taken in bad faith, the outrageous decision at the ICC has turned universal justice into a universal laughing stock. It ignores the plight of the 101 Israeli hostages held in brutal captivity by Hamas in Gaza." ICC judges said reasonable grounds existed to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant had committed the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder and persecution. Most outspoken in Israel was the far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who said Israel should annex the West Bank in response to the ICC's issuance of the arrest warrants. "The response to the arrest warrants: applying sovereignty over all areas of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), Jewish settlement throughout the entire land," he said. Describing the warrants as "an unprecedented disgrace," Ben-Gvir said the ICC "once again demonstrates that it is antisemitic from beginning to end". Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, said: "This is a black moment for the international criminal court, in which it lost all legitimacy for its existence and activity. This is an attack on Israel's right to defend itself. This attack is directed against the most attacked and threatened country in the world, which is also the only country that other countries in the region openly call for and work to destroy." The Opposition leader, Yair Lapid, described the warrants as a "reward for terrorism". "Israel is defending itself against terrorist organisations that attacked, murdered, and raped our citizens. These arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism," he said. The Chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, who has previously served as Defence Minister under Netanyahu, said the move provided "further proof of the double standards and hypocrisy of the international community and the UN institutions". He said: "The state of Israel will not apologise for protecting its citizens and is committed to continuing to fight terrorism without compromise." The warrants were issued on a day when Netanyahu was meeting the US special envoy Amos Hochstein in Jerusalem to discuss recent renewed efforts to secure a ceasefire with Hezbollah. Hochstein has been in Beirut this week to advance an agreement to halt fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Ramallah, Nov 22 : Palestinian politicians hailed the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, concerning alleged war crimes committed in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority (PA) government said on Thursday in a statement that the court's decision "restores hiope and confidence in international law and its institutions, and in the importance of justice, accountability and the prosecution of war criminals". The PA is headquartered in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Ramallah and exercises nominal self-rule in parts of the territory. The criminal court released arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on Thursday, accusing them of war crimes in Gaza -- where more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its campaign, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The ICC said it had found "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bore "criminal responsibility" for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, as well as the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The statement from the Palestinian Authority, which has partial administrative control in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, did not make any mention of the warrant also issued on Thursday for Hamas's military chief Mohammed Deif over war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel said it killed Deif in Gaza in July, but Hamas has not confirmed his death. The group, in its own statement about the ICC decision, similarly did not mention Deif. Hamas said the warrants for the Israeli leaders were "an important step towards justice and can lead to redress for the victims in general". "But it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world", the group's political bureau member Bassem Naim said. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, said it was "incumbent upon all parties" to enforce the ICC measures. While the court cannot enforce arrests, signatory states are obliged to apprehend those facing warrants. "The ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant is not only a step towards accountability and justice in Palestine but also a step to restore the credibility of the rules-based international order and its judicial system," he posted on X. Ukrainian historian and author Olena Stiazhkina, whose two recently translated works examine the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, argues that the war with Russia began long before the west acknowledgesand hopes her work will serve as a testament and a warning. "This war started not in February 2022, but in 2014," Stiazhkina said. "The world gave us three days, maybe one week, but we survived, and we are fighting." A former professor at Donetsk National University, where she taught Slavic history for over twenty years until the 2014 Russian invasion, Stiazhkina has emerged as a crucial voice documenting Ukraine's transformation through both fiction and nonfiction. Her latest works, Ukraine, War, Love: A Donetsk Diary and Cecil the Lion Had to Die, both published by Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute and Harvard University Press, offer distinct perspectives on the conflict. The titles are part of Harvard UP's Harvard Library of Ukrainian Literature series, an initiative to broaden understanding of Ukrainian culture and history, and were supported by Razom, a Ukrainian advocacy organization. The diary, translated by Anne O. Fisher, provides a firsthand account of the initial Russian invasion of Donetsk in 2014. "We are still living in the world of last words," Stiazhkina said, describing the constant threat of Russian attacks. "Every day we think about what would be our last words, because it could be at any moment in any town, village, library, or school." Yet Stiazhkina emphasizes that Ukrainian literature aims to portray more than just suffering. "We are not victims, we don't want to be remembered as victims," Stiazhkina said. "We would like to be remembered as fightersas funny, strong fighters for freedom." She added, "Ukraine now is both place and concept," drawing a parallel to Abraham Lincoln's description of America. "The concept of freedom is central to our identity and that is why, if we will have last words, they will be about freedom. Her novel Cecil the Lion Had to Die, translated by Dominique Hoffman, explores Ukrainian identity through four families in Donetsk. Written in 2020 before the full-scale invasion, the work demonstrates what Stiazhkina calls "not a prediction, but a prognosis," of escalating tensions. The novel's unique bilingual format reflects the authors own linguistic journey. Stiazhkina, a Russian native speaker, transitioned to writing in Ukrainian, and her linguistic shift is visually represented in the novel's design, with Russian text appearing as white on black pages and Ukrainian as black on whitea creative decision that mirrors Ukraine's cultural transformation. "I will be the last person in my family who can dream in Russian," Stiazhkina said. "It is my choice." Stiazhkina believes writing serves as a means to counter propaganda and misinformation, and that individual stories are an effective way to begin understanding larger conflicts: "Personal experience is a great way to explain something true," she said. As an example, her warnings about Russian aggression carry particular weight, given her observations from the conflict's early days. "In 2014, there were many inscriptions on Russian tanks saying 'On to Kiev, on to Lviv,' " Stiazhkina said. "Many people told us that it is bullshit, nothing happened, nothing will happen. But in 2022, it happened." Now, she said, new inscriptions on Russian tanks read, On to Warsaw, on to Berlin, on to Washington." "These inscriptions are not bullshit," Stiazhkina added. "It is a strategy of Russia, and I want to warn people about it." 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 Attila Steiner, State Secretary for Energy and Climate at the Ministry of Energy of Hungary. In an exclusive interview with Trend on the sidelines of COP29, Steiner praised the hospitality at COP29 and thanked Azerbaijan for the excellent organization. We are very well treated here at COP Now we are approaching the end, so expectations are higher and higher. Of course, there is already some progress, especially regarding the Article 6 of the Paris agreement about the carbon markets. I think it's a very good performance. But, of course, the main question of financing is still open, which is crucial. We are counting also on the Azerbaijani presidency's leadership in this issue, and we would like to have a very balanced and good outcome of this COP29, he said. Steiner noted that Hungary would like to see ambitious financing commitments at COP29. I think it is important not to forget about mitigation. Of course, that was the topic of the previous COP in Dubai. However, we think that we shouldn't forget mitigation. It's a red line for us to step back on that question. Also, if we could close Article 6, the carbon market issue, that would be a very good achievement, because it's something concrete and it's a market-based scheme. It would help a lot in the fight against climate change, added the state secretary. He went on to add that Hungary, which is chairing this year the European Council, is in contact with the Azerbaijani presidency throughout the COP. I think it's a very good coincidence. We have very regular exchanges and cooperation with president of COP29, Minister Mukhtar Babayev and lead negotiator Yalcin Rafiyev. Aside from COP29, cooperation in green energy is clearly a topic which is important for us. The Green Energy Corridor initiative, which brings together Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia and Azerbaijan, is an excellent project reflecting our basic attitude to these questions. We can show that this region is capable to progress also with renewable energy, said Steiner. Hungarian state secretary pointed out that the European Union will also submit the NDCs, the contributions. So now, of course, we will have an exercise to elaborate the EU's contribution based on the member states' contribution. We just recently submitted to the European Commission our National Energy and Climate Plan, which are the very concrete targets, which we would like to achieve by 2030. I think it's a good basis for that discussion. But as quite a small Central Eastern European country, we would like to also focus on our neighborhood. Especially, the Western Balkans is very important for us. They are also developing countries, and I think we need to help those countries in decarbonization in the future, he said. Steiner pointed out that Europe is responsible only for 6 percent of the global emissions, and Hungary is responsible only for 2 percent of it. It's a very small number globally, but it doesn't mean that we don't have responsibility. We have to do our homework, and in our neighborhoods, he concluded. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn Imagine these words as the first speech delivered by the incoming Secretary of Education. Today, I am here to deliver bitter medicine: American education has failed. Teachers and parents, administrators and governmentand even studentsall bear some responsibility. The most common explanations for our educational crisis are inadequate funding, overuse of standardized testing, and systemic prejudice. They are false. Our schools do not lack funding no country spends more on public education. no country spends more on public education. The poor results of standardized tests indicate our failures; they are not the cause. indicate our failures; they are not the cause. Our schools are not prejudicedthe most aggressive education reforms since 1955 directly aimed to eliminate systemic discrimination. For decades, we ignored signs of trouble, but the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the depth of our challenges. The problems are so pervasive and complex that there is no quick fix. We cannot merely repair; we must rebuild. Since 2020, American families have struggled mightily. The declining quality of education prompted affluent families to opt out of public schools, leaving middle- and working-class families with diminished resources and influence to push for reform. States' refusal to enact school choice reforms widened the wealth gap and limited generational mobility. But lower- and middle-class families bear some responsibility, too. The rise of single-parent households, less common among affluent families, has been catastrophic. When the only adult in the home works up to 60 hours a week to make ends meet, there is little time for homework help, PTA meetings, or engaging with school officials. Even in households with two working parents, time and energy are often in short supply. Teachers, for their part, have good reason to despair. Despite the monumental importance of their work, many are underpaid. They face administrators who value standardized test scores above all else. Meanwhile, declining standards for decorum and discipline, often justified in the name of "social justice," have made schools unsafe for both teachers and students. Violence and insubordination create an environment unfit for serious learning. Some parents treat schools as daycare centers or demand good grades for minimal effort. Worse, parents of disruptive students often refuse to ensure their children do not rob others of the opportunity to learn. Yet teachers, too, have failed. They inflate grades to keep their jobs but do no favors for students unprepared for future challenges. This, in turn, lowers the quality of education for students ready for more advanced work, driving gifted students out of public schools. Another harsh truth is that many teachers are unprepared for the job. The education system has failed for so long that many teachers have never mastered the material they are supposed to teach. Colleges steer future educators toward "education" majors, where coursework focuses more on leftist "social justice" ideology than on subject mastery. Some graduates believe their mission is to "dismantle" an "unjust" society by creating anti-American activists. When these activist-teachers enter classrooms, they often abandon their duty to transmit America's culture, knowledge, and values. Instead, they teach students to disdain their nation, its people, its past, and its way of life. This undermines social cohesion and deprives disadvantaged students of the tools they need to succeed. Outdated curricula exacerbate these issues. Most schools still use models from the late 20th century, failing to address how computing, the internet, and artificial intelligence have transformed how we read, write, and learn. Even in innovative schools, teachers often struggle to balance the needs of non-native English speakers with those of native speakers, diluting the educational experience for the latter. Our colleges and universities are also broken. Admitting underprepared students has lowered academic standards nationwide. General education curricula often assume a need for remediation, leaving motivated students without the challenge or preparation they deserve. Government-run financial aid has inflated tuition costs while diminishing the value of college degrees. Proposals to cancel student debt signal to universities that they can continue raising prices without consequence, encouraging predatory admission policies that saddle students with unmanageable debt. How do we revitalize American education? Nothing short of an academic Sputnik will suffice. Just as Sputnik spurred the urgency that sent Americans to the moon, we need a bold initiative to revolutionize education: We will create K-12 curricula prioritizing history, civics, and an understanding of our government. We will eliminate curricula that divide Americans by race, class, religion, sex, or sexual identity. We will implement school choice nationwide. We will end federal student loan programs, allowing private lenders to evaluate borrowers' ability to repay. Conditional lending will force colleges to lower tuition and revise admissions and program offerings. We will expand vocational training and enhance opportunities for gifted students. We will raise teacher credentialing standards to ensure advanced subject knowledge. We will enforce decorum and discipline in schools. Uniforms will unify student bodies, and measures like suspension and expulsion will ensure classrooms are conducive to learning. We will revise college accreditation standards to reflect post-graduation success and employment metrics. We will penalize public colleges and universities that engage in discriminatory admissions practices. And that is just the beginning. The destiny of our nation depends on education. The effort to revitalize our schools must be as bold as our aspirations. Together, we will bring American education into the 21st century. Together, we will make American education great again. Apple TV+ is teasing Wonder Pets: In the City, a new animated kids series. ADVERTISEMENT "These heroic classroom pets live in a kindergarten in New York City and travel all around the globe in their amazing 'Jetcar' to rescue animals in musical, mini-opera-themed adventures," an official synopsis reads. The streaming platform released a trailer Wednesday that shows guinea pig Izzy, bunny Zuri and snake Tate preparing to rescue a hedgehog. "They're little heroes with big hearts," the narrator says. "The wonder of friendship saves the day." Victoria Scola-Giampapa, Vanessa Huszar and Christopher Sean Cooper Jr. all lend voices to the series. The show starts streaming Dec. 13. Disney/Gilles Mingasson By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/20/2024 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. couple Joan Vassos and Chock Chapple have revealed an exciting update about when they'd like to get married.After Joan and Chock's engagement aired on 's November 13 finale, the couple shared with the media how they're in no rush to tie the knot and had no idea when their wedding would take place.But Joan shared more specific details about her future wedding during a recent appearance on former The Bachelor star Nick Viall 's "The Viall Files" podcast."Chock asks me every day, 'When are you going to marry me?'" Joan quipped in her joint interview with Chock."So I get asked all the time, but he says whenever I want is fine with him."Joan praised her new fiance for being "the easiest guy in the world" to date and get along with."I originally thought I kind of just wanted it to be an intimate wedding with just family and friends, which is easy to plan. I could do it quicker and sooner," Joan explained."You know, I want to wait a little bit and let us just be out [in the public] and live life for at least a few months before we start thinking about a wedding."However, Joan has apparently had a change of heart."Now I'm thinking, maybe, bigger -- and maybe include Bachelor Nation!" Joan revealed.Nick sounded surprised and happy about the idea of a televised wedding on ABC, but Joan suggested that she and Chock have to talk about specifics."That's a bigger conversation and maybe a little harder to do, so it may take a little longer," Joan reasoned."But we're going to get married, and I'd say it's in 2025 or early 2026 timeframe!"Chock, an insurance executive from Kansas, will be heading to Maryland, where Joan lives with her family, for the holidays this year.And then the happy couple will be traveling to New York City , where they'll begin apartment hunting, in December. (While Joan and Chock are going to continue living in different states due to their responsibilities at their respective homes, their NYC apartment will provide them a convenient meet-up location).Joan and Chock also have big travel plans for 2025. They shared on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast how they'll be taking trips to Africa, Spain, France and the Caribbean."We can now concentrate on our relationship, and I feel that's really important in the beginning," Joan told Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt , adding how she's looking forward to bonding with Chock's friends and family in Kansas as well.But on the topic of their wedding, Joan said she'd like to just be "us for a little while" and not have to plan or worry about anything."I just want to live and be us and meet each other's friends and go out for dinner and take some vacations. But then I do want to get married -- and we've got to see what that looks like," Joan explained.Joan added how she needed some time "outside of Bachelor Nation" to be a couple before making such big plans with Chock.But then Chock chimed in and insisted, "We're going to get married. I guarantee we will!"Joan admitted, however, there is also a part of her that wants to be spontaneous and just elope."I've had thoughts in my mind, like, 'Let's just go do it!'" Joan confessed.Serena joked about how the New York City courthouse is a beautiful place to exchange vows considering she and Joe had a quickie wedding after falling in love on Bachelor in Paradise.But Chock noted how he'd love for his wedding to be a "special" affair.Chock said he wants to make his wedding special because he and Joan are in a "very unique" situation.He also clarified, "We're in our sixties, and there's really no rush. There is not a rush. So we'll navigate all that. The love is there and it's going to happen, trust me!"When Joan was down to two bachelors on , Chock and Nevada-based ER doctor Guy Gansert , Chock met Joan's family and then gifted her a red-heart keychain to symbolize his commitment to her and desire to have a place with her in New York City.Joan was overwhelmed with emotion because Chock -- who also said, "I love you," to Joan at that point -- was willing to make one of her dreams come true.The next morning, Joan determined that she was also "in love" with Chock and so it would be best to send Guy home immediately.Joan therefore ousted Guy before he even had the chance to meet her children.When Joan and Chock reunited at the Final Rose Ceremony in Bora Bora, Joan expressed her love to Chock for the first time, and then he got down on one knee and proposed marriage."I've only been in love with one person -- more than one now. I love Chock and I want to spend the rest of my life with him," Joan told cameras.Joan and Chock still seemed happy and crazy about each other on the live After the Final Rose special.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. COP29 is hosting a panel discussion on Meaningful Engagement of Children and Youth in the NDC 3.0 Process: An Inventory on progress and achievements, Trend reports. Will be updated The Delhi high court has granted bail to Hari Om Rai, the former MD of Lava International mobile company, in a money laundering case involving smartphone-maker Vivo. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri granted relief to the ex-Lava official, who was in custody since his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in October last year. 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 1 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. 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 judgment, 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. The concerns that some investors may have is that a government led by MVA could perhaps give lower priority to some of the infrastructure projects The outcome of Maharashtra state elections is unlikely to move markets much, said analysts. The markets, they believe, have bigger developments to worry about in the short-to-medium term. The state went to polls across 288 legislative seats on November 20, 2024 with the counting of votes scheduled for Saturday, November 23. Maharashtra elections should not have any major impact on the markets, which have been weak off late thanks to the relentless selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs). "We dont expect any major correction, or reaction (either ways), on the result day irrespective of the verdict. "Investors should use this opportunity to buy stocks of quality businesses, said Manish Jain, chief investment officer at Centrum PMS. That said, Maharashtra polls are likely to be keenly contested between the ruling MahaYuti alliance and the opposition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Considering that Maharashtra is the second largest state in terms of contribution of seats at the Centre, wrote analysts at Macquarie in a recent note, a favourable political outcome for the BJP-led Maha Yuti alliance assumes political importance for Narendra Modi to consolidate his power. Policy announcements Following the formation of a new administration, markets, analysts said, will closely keep a tab on policy announcements, if any, that may have an operational impact on Maharashtra-based firms. The concerns that some investors may have is that a government led by MVA could perhaps give lower priority to some of the infrastructure projects compared to MYA (BJP-led alliance). "Hence, we think it becomes imperative to closely track some of the major projects that have been planned in the state and the implications for companies that are involved in executing those projects, wrote Suresh Ganapathy, Aditya Suresh and Punit Bahlani of Macquarie in a recent note. In the Lok Sabha, Maharashtra is the second-largest state with 48 seats. It contributes the largest at 13-14 per cent to overall gross domestic product (GDP) in India, according to Macquarie's estimates, and has per capita income 30 per cent above the national average. The state also has a 16 per cent share in total exports from India and has the highest share (19 per cent) in startups recognised by GOI at an all-India level, as per the foreign brokerage. Market outlook Although the elections in Maharashtra are a significant event for the stock market, market performance, analysts said, is not solely determined by them. Additional elements, including the state of the world economy and geopolitics, company profits and investor sentiment are also very important. "Market expansion can only be fueled by a clear mandate for any business-friendly government that will increase investor confidence and draw in investments," said Vishnu Kant Upadhyay, assistant vice-president for research and advisory at Master Capital Services. With the September 2024 quarter (Q2-FY25) results season drawing to a close, markets' gaze, according to analysts, has shifted back to geopolitical developments, especially the Russia Ukraine war. That apart, they await President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025, which they believe will pave the way for his thoughts and policies being put into practice. Technically, 23,650-23,700 remains a strong resistance for the Nifty, Osho Krishnan, senior analyst for technical & derivatives research at Angel One said, while 23,800-24,000 remains a hurdle for a trend reversal in the near-term. On the lower end, 23,400-23,350 is likely to serve as an intermediate support level. "Should this be breached, there is a potential for further downward correction toward 23,200-23,100 levels, he said. Indications are that the Tata Sons stand on listing of the company may come up for a discussion even if it's not part of the agenda. IMAGE: Noel Tata the day after his half brother Ratan Tata passed away in Mumbai, October 10, 2024. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata, who is also a Trusts nominee director at Tata Sons, is expected to attend the Tata Sons board meeting, scheduled for Thursday, according to sources. This will be his first presence at a Tata Sons board of directors' meeting. In a unique setting, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran (popularly known as Chandra), who steers the board of the holding company of the salt-to-software conglomerate and sets the meeting agenda, will have the chairman of Tata Trusts at the meeting table in Bombay House along with the other directors. After Tata Group chairman emeritus Ratan Tata passed away last month, his half brother and Trent Chairman Noel Tata was named chairman of Tata Trusts, which holds 66 per cent in Tata Sons. Soon after, Noel Tata was inducted into the Tata Sons board as a Trusts nominee director. The Tata Sons board has three nominee directors from Tata Trusts, the other two being TVS chairman emeritus Venu Srinivasan and former defence secretary Vijay Singh. Among other directors, former Titan CEO Bhaskar Bhat's term ended recently, making it a 10-member Tata Sons board. Sources refused to divulge the agenda of the board meeting but indications are that the Tata Sons stand on listing of the company may come up for a discussion even if it's not part of the agenda. The Reserve Bank of India is yet to respond to a request by Tata Sons to exempt it from a mandatory listing. The request for exemption followed a classification by RBI two years ago, declaring Tata Sons as an upper-layer non banking finance company (NBFC) and making it mandatory to get listed by September 2025. Tata Sons subsidiary Tata Capital was also classified by the RBI as an upper layer NBFC, making it mandatory to list by September next. Tata Sons reportedly repaid around Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion) in debt a few months ago so that it's not classified as an upper layer NBFC anymore and can avoid getting listed on a stock exchange. However, the Shapoorji Pallonji group, which owns over 18 per cent in Tata Sons, is in favour of listing the Tata holding company, according to reports. The meeting on Thursday assumes significance for the historical context. When Ratan Tata stepped down as Tata Sons chairman in 2012, Cyrus Mistry became the first chairman of the holding company not to hold the position of Tata Trusts chairman. Ratan Tata, as emeritus chairman of the Tata group, continued to be the chairman of Tata Trusts till he passed away in October. Ratan Tata held the dual position of Tata Sons chairman and Tata Trusts chairman from 1991 to 2012. He retained the position of Tata Trusts chairman until his death on October 9, 2024. In 2022, the articles of association of Tata Sons was amended to specifically state that no single person can assume the position of the chairman of both Tata Sons and Tata Trusts at the same time. In an unexpected development, Ratan Tata, as chairman emeritus of the group, had chaired a Tata Sons board meeting on October 24, 2016, when Cyrus Mistry was removed from the chairman's position. After that, Ratan Tata was appointed interim chairman of Tata Sons till Chandra took charge as executive chairman on February 21, 2017. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The COP29 Blue Zone has hosted a side event themed "Enhancing green skills of women and youth: Building on Commonwealth experience," covering the impact of climate change on women and youth, ways to combat it, 'green' skills, and international experience, Trend reports. Overall, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) is often discussing the impact of climate change on vulnerable groups, ways to combat it, and green skills. The mentioned joint side event of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan was organized at the Commonwealth pavilion by Gender Hub Azerbaijan as part of the "International Initiatives Related to COP29" project. The event gathered 35 participants from 12 countries, including representatives of local and international NGOs, international organizations, climate activists, and young leaders, who shared their experiences and contributed to both the interactivity of the event and the local application of global knowledge. It began with high-level speeches from Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat Patricia Janet Scotland, Nigar Arpadarai, Member of the Azerbaijan Parliament of 6th and 7th convocations, Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan Syed Naveed Qamar, and Head of COP29 at the UK Embassy in Azerbaijan Nick Baker. The session continued with a panel session, moderated by Chair of Gender Hub Azerbaijan and Member of the COP29 Organizing Committee Maryam Mammadova. The session included Co-Founder of M&C Consulting Giovanna Mingarelli, Co-Founder of Ushindi Empowerment Group Nafula Wafula-Jitonga, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Azerbaijan Nasar Hayat, and Founder of GSISD (Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development) and THE (Together for Health and Education) Society International Qaiser Nawab. The panel discussed the impact of climate change on women and youth in different countries, as well as local and international strategies for mitigating these effects. The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session with participants. 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 'It has changed the political character of India by ejecting socialism as an ideology from the Constitution of India.' IMAGE: The Supreme Court of India. Photograph: Amit Sharma/ANI The recent nine-judge bench judgment by the Supreme Court limiting the State's control over private property became significant because of the strong dissenting opinions by two judges, Justice B V Nagaratna and Justice Sudanshu Dhulia. The judgment overturned the interpretation of Article 39(b) of the Constitution, and criticised the 1977 judgment by Justice V R Krishna Iyer which they feel as 'unwarranted and unjustified'. "Indian oligarchs and their supporters would naturally be celebrating this judgment: Greater protection of private property rights and the ending of socialism and re-distribution of economic wealth as guiding principles of the Republic," G Mohan Gopal, former director of the National Judicial Academy, and ex-director (vice-chancellor) of the National Law School of India, tells Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com in an e-mail interview. The Supreme Court ruling that not all private property can be deemed material resources of the community has been praised by many. How do you look at it? The Supreme Court judgment in Property Owners' Association vs. State of Maharashtra, 2024 does not alter the fundamental principle of law on the issue that was adjudicated in the case. The judgment itself says, 'On the limited question of whether the acquisition of private resources falls within the ambit of the term 'distribution', 'we agree with the principles enunciated in previous decisions of this Court' (para 227). However, the majority judgment authored by Chief Justice Chandrachud on behalf of seven judges is a Constitutional earthquake -- it has changed the political character of India by ejecting socialism as an ideology from the Constitution of India. The judgment also rejects the Article 39 agenda of re-distribution of economic resources which is a part of the socialist ideology. The majority judgment does not explain how its view squares with the express description of India in the Preamble of the Constitution as a socialist Republic and the settled understanding of the meaning of 'socialism' as a specific ideology. In effect, the majority judgment has amended the Preamble and re-defined the word 'socialism' so as to strip it of its ideological content. By ejecting socialism and rejecting the re-distribution of economic resources the majority judgment has implemented a long-standing demand of the Sangh Parivar. Chief Justice Chandrachud holds on behalf of seven of the nine judges on the bench holds that the phrase 'material resources of the community' used in Article 39(b) may include privately owned resources and whether a privately-owned resource in question falls within the ambit of Article 39(b) must be context-specific and subject to a non-exhaustive list of factors such as the nature of the resource and its characteristics; the impact of the resource on the well-being of the community; the scarcity of the resource; and the consequences of such a resource being concentrated in the hands of private players. 'The Public Trust Doctrine evolved by this Court may also help identify resources which fall within the ambit of the phrase 'material resource of the community.' Article 39 of the Constitution says, 'The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing (b) that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good; and (c) that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment'. Five of the six clauses of Article 39 deal with the problem of ending economic inequality. Even a child would understand that the purpose of Article 39(b) and (c) is to re-distribute ownership of economic resources to correct maldistribution of wealth and promote economic equality. Do you feel the Justice Krishna Iyer doctrine of 1977 echoed the socialistic sentiments of the then Indian society? Reflecting the plain intent of the Constitution and years of interpretation by many judgments, Justice Krishna Iyer rightly said in a 1977 judgment about Article 39(b) (State of Karnataka v. Ranganatha Reddy). 'The key word is 'distribute' and the genius of the Article, if we may say so, cannot but be given full play as it fulfills the basic purpose of restructuring the economic order. Each word in the Article has a strategic role and the whole Article a social mission. It embraces the entire material resources of the community. Its task is to distribute such resources. Its goal is so to undertake distribution as best to subserve the common good. It re-organizes by such distribution the ownership and control. This reasoning was followed by Justice O Chinnappa Reddy five years later in a 1982 judgment (Sanjeev Coke Manufacturing Company vs Bharat Coking Coal Ltd. And Another). The Chief Justice was rather critical of Justice Krishna Iyer saying he was postulating a rigid economic theory which advocated for greater State control over private resources... Chief Justice Chandrachud dismisses these well-reasoned and widely accepted views of two of India's greatest judges (Justice Krishna Iyer and Justice Chinnappa Reddy) about Article 39(b) and (c) as merely the personal doctrine of Justice Krishna Iyer saying 'According to Justice Iyer, if privately owned resources are excluded from the ambit of Article 39(b) it would defeat the underlying purpose of the provision, which is redistribution of wealth. (para 182) -- but of course Justice Krishna Iyer is right and the majority judgment's understanding of Article 39 is plainly ahistorical and wrong. Using trolling style language, Chief Justice Chandrachud says, 'To scuttle this Constitutional vision by imposing a single economic theory, which views the acquisition of private property by the State as the ultimate goal, would undermine the very fabric and principles of our Constitutional framework' (para 216). Justice Chandrachud goes on to say, 'In essence, the interpretation of Article 39(b) adopted [by Justice Iyer and Justice Chinappa Reddy] in these judgments is rooted in particular economic ideology and the belief that an economic structure which prioritises the acquisition of private property by the state is beneficial for the nation' (para 213). Significantly, both Justice Krishna Iyer (in Ranganatha Reddy and Bhimsinghji) and Justice Chinappa Reddy (in Sanjeev Coke) consistently referred to the vision of the framers as the basis to advance this economic ideology as the guiding principle of the provision (para 214). However the vision of the framers while drafting the Constitution was not to lay down a particular form of social structure or economic policy for future governments (para 214). [Dr. Ambedkar] opined on several occasions that economic democracy is not tied to one economic structure, such as socialism or capitalism, but to the aspiration for a 'welfare State'. Thus, the role of this Court is not to lay down economic policy, but to facilitate this intent of the framers to lay down the foundation for an 'economic democracy'(para 214). In some cases, the mere vesting of the resource in the hands of the government serves the 'common good', while in other cases, a resource may be distributed amongst private players to achieve this purpose. To illustrate, a large privately owned pond may be acquired and put in control of a governmental agency or a cooperative society so that the pond is preserved. Similarly, the material resource of spectrum may be auctioned to the highest bidder who may be a private company, who would then utilise the spectrum along with their technology to best subserve the common good. These are questions of economic and social policy which fall outside the ambit of judicial inquiry. As noted above, this Court must not tread into the domain of economic policy or endorse a particular economic ideology while undertaking Constitutional interpretation. To hold that the term 'distribution' cannot encompass the vesting of a private resource would amount to falling into the same error as the Justice Krishna Iyer doctrine -- to lay down a preference of economic and social policy (para 228). To hold that the term 'distribution' cannot encompass the vesting of a private resource would amount to falling into the same error as the Justice Krishna Iyer doctrine -- to lay down a preference of economic and social policy (para 228). Today, the Indian economy has transitioned from the dominance of public investment to the co-existence of public and private investment. 151 The doctrinal error in the Krishna Iyer approach was, postulating a rigid economic theory, which advocates for greater state control over private resources, as the exclusive basis for Constitutional governance (para 215) The interpretation of Article 39(b), both as a precursor to the protection of Article 31C and as an aspirational Directive Principle, cannot run counter to the Constitutional recognition of private property. To hold that all private property is covered by the phrase 'material resources of the community' and that the ultimate aim is State control of private resources would be incompatible with the Constitutional protection detailed above. (para 221). Totally blind to the core goal of Articles 39(b) and (c) of reducing inequality through re-distributing the material resources of the community, Chief Justice Chandrachud says, 'The term 'distribution' has a wide connotation. The various forms of distribution which can be adopted by the state cannot be exhaustively detailed. However, it may include the vesting of the concerned resources in the state or nationalisation. In the specific case, the Court must determine whether the distribution 'subserves the common good'. The majority judgment makes a naive and erroneous argument that the Constitution does not have an ideology (which is a naive and erroneous view) and the settled understanding of countless earlier judgments of the Court about socialism as an ideology was only an imposition by Justice V R Krishna Iyer (judge of the Supreme Court from 17 July 1973 to 15 November 1980) of his personal ideological views which the judgment calls 'the Krishna Iyer doctrine', which is not socialism and is not found in the Constitution. Chief Justice Chandrachud terms Justice Krishna Iyer's narration of universally accepted ideas of socialism as an 'error'. Justice Nagarathna and Justice Dhulia disagree with the CJI's observation. Justice Dhulia spoke about Justice Krishna Iyer's judgement as one based on strong humanistic principles of fairness and equality... Yes. The separate judgment delivered by Justice Nagararathna quotes the majority judgment of Chief Justice Chandrachud as saying that 'The Krishna Iyer doctrine does a disservice to the broad and flexible spirit of the Constitution.' It is interesting that this phrase which must have been part of an earlier version of the Chief Justice's judgment seems to have been removed from the uploaded judgment. Justice Nagarathna and Justice Sudanshu Dhulia (who wrote a stirring dissent explaining the judicially accepted idea of socialism) have in their judgment strongly rebuked the Chief Justice of India for his comments on Justice Krishna Iyer -- which is in itself very rare if not completely unprecedented. Justice Nagarathna said, 'It has been observed by the learned Chief Justice that "the doctrinal error in the Krishna Iyer approach was, postulating a rigid economic theory, which advocates for greater State control over private resources, as the exclusive basis for Constitutional governance... a single economic theory, which views the acquisition of private property by the State as the ultimate goal, would undermine the very fabric and principles of our Constitutional framework. The above comments on Krishna Iyer are in my opinion unwarranted and unjustified.' She added, 'Any interpretation which was found to be sound and in consonance with the socio-economic policy of the State during a particular period of time, cannot be critiqued at a later point of time in any quarter including by a court of law merely because the socio-economic policies of the State have changed over a period of time or there is a paradigm shift in the thinking and policies of the State.' Justice Dhulia said, 'Before I conclude, I must also record here my strong disapproval on the remarks made on the Krishna Iyer Doctrine as it is called. This criticism is harsh and could have been avoided. The Krishna Iyer Doctrine, or for that matter the O. Chinnappa Reddy Doctrine, is familiar to all who have anything to do with law or life. It is based on strong humanist principles of fairness and equity. It is a doctrine which has illuminated our path in dark times. The long body of their judgment is not just a reflection of their perspicacious intellect but more importantly of their empathy for the people, as human being was at the centre of their judicial philosophy. In the words of Justice Krishna Iyer himself: "The Courts too have a constituency -- the nation -- and a manifesto -- the Constitution (Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board. vs A. Rajappa & Others)'. By ejecting socialism and rejecting the re-distribution of economic resources, the judgment provides a powerful bastion for the protection and maintenance of economic inequality in India, reinforcing the rule of the small caste oligarchy that controls power and wealth in the country. Socialism and re-distribution of economic resources have always been a grave threat to the oligarchy. Indian oligarchs and their supporters would naturally be celebrating this judgment: Greater protection of private property rights and the ending of socialism and re-distribution of economic wealth as guiding principles of the Republic. However, the turning of our Apex court into an adversary of socialism is a dark day for the common masses of India. What is being celebrated is the political coup against socialism. 'Russia is aiming at demoralising Ukraine as a nation.' 'They want to bomb the infrastructure, the electric stations so that regular citizens will not to be able to live, to cook, to give comfort to their kids.' IMAGE: Yana Bachek is consoled by her partner Yevgeniy Vlasenko as she mourns her father Victor Gubarev, 79, killed by shelling, in Kharkiv, April 18, 2022. Photograph: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters "I don't know if I will ever recover from depression and this impact of war," says Ukrainian director Lesia Diak. Diak, 36, saw the consequences of war first-hand, when her partner joined the army and went to war against the Russians. "He was destroyed (when he came back)," she says. That experience made her film a documentary called Dad's Lullaby, based on how another war veteran finds it hard resume his normal life again. His family of a pregnant wife and three young sons struggle with him and his deep trauma. To make things worse, they can't even afford professional help. The horrors of war are endless. "There was this moment when a mother told me that she wants to show us something. She started showing a video of how her son died... that moment of a mother watching the video of the death of her son over and over again, it's from a completely different reality," Lesia tells Ronjita Kulkarni/Rediff.com in this heart-breaking interview. What made you make this documentary, Dad's Lullaby? I was in a relationship with a soldier. He worked with the paramedic team on a voluntary basis. He was destroyed (when he came back). He couldn't find meaning in his life. Because I was so deeply in love with him, I wanted to understand this. I wanted to find a family who was facing similar problems. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lesia Diak/Instagram So what did you do? I contacted a non-government organisation for war veterans in Ukraine. Through them, one woman volunteered to meet me. It was the wife of my protagonist, Serhiy. She said she was facing similar issues in her family. She felt very unstable but wanted to save the marriage. On the very first meeting, she was crying. Filming with her family was a very intense experience. After Serhiy returned from war, he was feeling euphoric and hopeful to begin a new life. They conceived a baby. They hoped everything would be better but the stress of pregnancy and taking care of the kids caused him to face a lot of psychological issues, besides the issues he was already feeling. He wanted to spend some time on his own in silence but the house was very noisy, with three boys. They had to spend most of their time together, as they didn't have the resources to get out of that reality. Like, they didn't have resources to seek professional help or even to go on vacation. Was he able to heal? No. When I finished the movie, I asked him about going to a psychiatrist. But he had reasons to doubt the quality of mental health support in Ukraine. He gave me the examples of his friends, also war veterans, who asked for support. But it was not high-quality service and caused them more damage. The mental health professionals who are good, their service costs a lot of money. Serhiy couldn't afford it because he had to provide for his family. But the situation is changing now. There are more and more programmes organised by communities that are focused on the mental health of war veterans. IMAGE: Serhiy in Dad's Lullaby. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lesia Diak/Instagram When did you make this documentary? I filmed for three years with breaks, from 2017 to 2019. The war started in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and invaded the east of Ukraine. Serhiy had to go back to war after the full-scale invasion in 2022, and that multiplied the damage. He was already broken and then he had to go back to war. He was not a professional soldier. Before the war, he was responsible for the guards in a supermarket, and then later, a jewellery company. So he knew how to handle weapons but was not mentally prepared for war. He volunteered to join the army in 2015. That's the destiny of many young people in Ukraine. My ex-partner was a journalist and suddenly he had to become a soldier. It changed him forever. IMAGE: A scene in Dad's Lullaby. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lesia Diak/Instagram What are their nightmares about? My partner saw a young boy being killed by a bomb, when he was playing a video game on his phone. When he saw the phone, it said, 'Level completed'. It was like the Russians bombs completed this level and killed him. That traumatised him. There was another case when he had to deliver a dead body, but they needed to hide from the shelling. It was this never-ending trip with a dead body. It stayed with him. He would see this nightmare that he's in the same situation, trying to deliver a dead body, and he can't. Serhiy told me that it was very difficult for him to collect the remains of his comrades in a bucket. It's awful to realise that you are sharing the same space with a person, you are friends with this person, eating from the same plate, and the next day, you are collecting parts of his body. You are also experiencing tremendous guilt because you could not protect them. How did you deal with it? I was in therapy for more than seven years. I still have depression. I don't know if I will ever recover from depression and this impact of war. I went to study abroad in 2021, and felt better to live in countries like Portugal, Belgium and Hungary where there was no war. In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the war was just everywhere. It was impossible not to think about it. It was very difficult to heal. Non-stressful life doesn't exist for me anymore. IMAGE: The funeral of Yuriy Chopyk who died in battle near Kharkiv in Ivano-Frankivsk, March 31, 2022. Photograph: Yuriy Rylchuk/Reuters Dad's Lullaby is your first full length documentary but you have made shorts on war earlier as well. I filmed a documentary called Wounds in 2022. It was during a rehabilitation programme for women who lost their husbands and sons. There was this moment when one of the mothers told me that she wants to show something. She started showing a video of how her son died. Some of his comrades had sent the video to her so that she knows the truth, and how her son died. It's a video from a school where a soldier is filming the surroundings during a Russian attack. There were dead bodies, including the body of this son. That left a mark on me because I wasn't actually prepared. I knew it was a very tough subject but that moment of a mother watching the video of the death of her son over and over again, it's from a completely different reality. There was another mom in this documentary, who lost not only her son but his entire family. She is from the Chernihiv region, south of Ukraine. Her son coincidentally was killed on the same day as his wife and teenage daughter. The wife and daughter were trying to flee from Chernihiv but on the way, their car was shot. This is a war crime because there are international rules even during war times but they were constantly violated. IMAGE: A burning gas pipeline struck by Russian shelling in northern Kharkiv, March 31, 2022. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters Do you think Ukraine will be what it was ever again? No. I want to be hopeful that we will find strength to move forward and rebuild our country, our economy and our culture. But it will never be the same. My friends from other countries constantly encourage me and say that the Russian war criminals will be put in prison. But it's difficult for me to imagine this optimistic scenario. My ex-partner was destroyed because of the war. He couldn't find meaning in his life. He could not control his anger. So it's a little naive to imagine an optimistic image of the country after the war. IMAGE: Serhiy in Dad's Lullaby. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lesia Diak/Instagram In your documentary, you have shown that children have become more aggressive after the war. Why is that? When I was in therapy, one of the psychologists told me that aggression is a sign of pain. That's how kids are processing this. You know, they are not evil children, they are normal kids who are faced with abnormal circumstances and pain. That's why there is this anger and aggression, which they don't know how to control. Serhiy's children were traumatised. Their father came back from war, and they were exposed to seeing him traumatised. This will stay with them forever. This family now lives in Canada. I am very glad that they are living in a peaceful country, and are finding ways to tame the aggression and anger. But this is not the case of all Ukrainians. A lot of families stayed back in our country because they don't have money to emigrate, because they want to stay home, because they don't feel secure enough to emigrate. It's also a challenge to be a foreigner in a different country. Since Vladimir Putin seems unwilling to end the war, do you think Donald Trump will negotiate an agreement with him to end the war? During his first term as president of the United States, Trump gave a lot of promises but never actually completed them. He is the type of politician who sounds very ambitious and arrogantly confident. As a Ukrainian and a person with critical thinking, I don't believe that Trump can negotiate easily and especially negotiate on the terms that will be okay for Ukraine. I don't believe the war will be over with the power of negotiation of Donald Trump. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lesia Diak/Instagram How did you become a film-maker? My interest in cinema started at 17 when I was in university. I wrote a thesis on cinema and how it can impact people. When I was 24-25, I realised that I need to study film-making because that can give me a sense of freedom. I wanted to build a career in cinema so that I could express something that I couldn't in other mediums. Also, because of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. I started with documentaries because it's simpler. You don't need a script or a budget; you can start with your own money. You moved from Ukraine to Lisbon. Yes. For my creativity, it's a better place, where I'm not exposed to hiding in bomb shelters each night like my friends in Ukraine. I visit Ukraine twice a year because the production company is based there. Also, I need to feel this artistic link to the reality of my country. I need to meet people from there, see places with my own eyes because it's never enough to read the news. IMAGE: An aerial view taken by a drone shows a residential building destroyed by Russian shelling in the settlement of Borodyanka in the Kyiv region, March 3, 2022. Photograph: Maksim Levin/Reuters How much has Ukraine changed since the war in 2022? Everything is so, so, different. I have a brother in Kyiv. He has a generator when there is no electricity, so he can still cook, make the house warm and function. But my friend recently gave birth to a baby. She needs to provide some basic comfort for this toddler but if there is no electricity, there is no way to provide for the small child. It's difficult to live in a cold house without the possibility to cook warm food. It's a very unpleasant reality. Russia is aiming at demoralising us as a nation. They are aiming at breaking our economical capacity. They want to bomb the infrastructure, the electric stations so that regular citizens will not to be able to live, to cook, to give comfort to their kids. This is their method of terror. I'm talking, of course, about life in more peaceful parts of Ukraine. I don't know much about life in villages and cities that are bombed on a daily basis. It's more complex there. Novo Poshta is a famous business in Ukraine. Russians hit Novo Poshta and killed several workers, who were just doing their job. It's a huge responsibility (for the owner). On one side, you want your country to function and be prosperous. On the other, it's partially your responsibility that your workers are dead, and you have to communicate to their families about their deaths. It's a very, very, complex reality. 'There are 7,000 guns which are in the hands of the armed militia of the Kuki and Meitei communities.' IMAGE: The bodies of Kuki militants, who were killed in an encounter with the Central Reserve Police Force, being brought to Churachandpur from the Silchar Medical College and Hospital after post-mortem, November 16, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Manipur is on the boil once again. It has been more than a year since the two major ethnic communities of Manipur, Meitei and Kuki, have been at loggerheads, leading to a civil war kind of situation in the north east state. The trouble began in April 2023 when the Manipur high court directed the state to include the Meitei community in the scheduled tribes list. The Kukis and Nagas, both Scheduled Tribes, felt the judgment, by declaring the Meiteis as scheduled tribes, would give them right to own lands in hills presently inhabited by the Kukis and Nagas. The anger snowballed into riots after which there has been no sign of the violence ebbing. Chief Minister N Biren Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who hails from the Meitei community, has failed to restore peace. In recent days mobs have burned down three BJP MLAs' homes and that of one independent MLA. The mob also stormed Biren Singh's ancestral residence in Imphal and tried to burn it down. Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com spoke to Magsaysay Award winner Professor Sandeep Pandey to understand why violence continues to escalate in Manipur. A PhD in mechanical engineering from University of California, Berkeley, US, Professor Pandey is general secretary of the Socialist Party of India and has been trying to restore peace in Manipur with the help of civil groups. Dr Pandey, who has given up both his Magsaysay award and US degrees to protest US involvement in Israel's war against Palestine, has been to Manipur three times in the last one year and intends to hold a two-day fast in Imphal (Meitei area) and another two days in Churachandpur (Kuki area). What has caused the eruption of violence in Manipur again? This violence is going on from May 3, 2023. In the beginning the Meitei community was dominant in the cycle of violence as more Kukis had died. The Kukis were not prepared for the violence. Gradually, there was an alienation of Kukis in Manipur and they were kicked out of Imphal city and other places by the Meiteis. The Kukis then drove out Meitei people from their respective areas and then it became a complete segregation between the two communities. The state government, which should be neutral in such a case, has taken sides with the Meitei community, blaming the Kuki community for being involved in the drugs business. This is not true as sections of every community, be it Kuki, Meitei, Pangal or Nagas. The worst point is that nobody is speaking to the Kuki community in Manipur from the government side. But are there no BJP MLAs who are from the Kuki community? Yes, but they too are not being approached to find a peaceful solution. In the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta says the government is trying to work out a peace formula by involving Kuki MLAs in peace talks. However, Kuki MLAs say he is lying. Nobody is talking to them since the violence began on May 3, 2023. The chief minister, Biren Singh, has never met them. Now, the Kukis are frustrated as nobody is talking to them. Is that the reason for the new wave of violence? The new wave of violence has begun after one Kuki woman was killed at Jiribam. After which the Kukis killed one woman in Bishnupur. Post that came news of six children and women from the Meitei community being killed. CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) later retaliated by killing 10 Kuki youth. Later, these 10 Kuki youth' dead bodies were taken to Silchar in Assam. Hmar, a sub tribe of Kukis, protested demanding that the 10 dead bodies of Kuki youth be returned, and it is beyond my understanding why the government delayed in handing over dead bodies to the Kukis from the Silchar Medical College Hospital. By doing so the government has complicated the matter more. Earlier, the Supreme Court had to intervene and allow mass burial to people killed in ethnic strife. Mass burial was done at Churachandpur where the dead people got a burial ground. What is the reaction of the Meiteis since Chief Minister Biren Singh is from the community? They too are unhappy with the state government. In the 2024 elections, both the Lok Sabha seats of Manipur were won by the Congress. Meiteis too now say that till the time Biren Singh is the chief minister, the problem won't be resolved. I fail to understand why the government is not imposing President's rule in Manipur. This is beyond our comprehension. BJP MLAs' homes have been attacked. Who are the perpetrators? Meitei community people have attacked BJP MLAs' homes. They are saying their community people are dying and the BJP government is unable to stop the killings. The Supreme Court should take a firm stance and remove Biren Singh as chief minister. But even the CRPF is unable to control the situation. The state government is not allowing the CRPF to do anything on the ground. Can you imagine in any part of India there being police and army check posts, and besides them there are check posts of private armies? The answer is, no. But in Manipur the Kuki and Meitei communities have their private army check posts. The police and military personnel on the ground check your identification card and at the same time Kuki and Meitei armed guards on the ground too check your identification card. This cannot be imagined in one's wildest dreams happening in any other part of India. There are 7,000 guns on the streets which are in the hands of civilians guarding their respective places as armed militia of the Kuki and Meitei communities. There are arms and ammunition which have been looted from the local police but the police have not recovered those arms yet. If this happens in Mumbai then the police can recover in minutes the arms that were stolen. Sadly, a situation of anarchy exists in Manipur. The killing of an Indian academic who had been living in the US for close to four decades has stunned the natives of Tulsipur Majha village, his birthplace. Dr Shriram Singh, 58, a native of Gonda was gunned down in Georgia capital Atlanta on Wednesday. Image used for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo He was going to attend a programme in Atlanta by car when some unknown people fired at his car indiscriminately, Tulsipur Majha village head Lalji Singh said. The news of his killing was borne by his son Amit Singh. Lalji Singh said Dr Singh joined as a professor at Atlanta Agricultural University in the US in 1990. He had started some business recently in the country which was his home for 37 years. Dr Singh's younger brother Shivaji Singh, who lives in the village, said his brother had done his postgraduate from Acharya Narendra Dev Agricultural University Kumarganj in Ayodhya before leaving for the US. After completing his doctorate there, he joined as a professor at Atlanta Agricultural University and since then, he had been living in the US with his family, he said. His elder son Amit Singh is an engineer in the FBI, while the younger son Ankur Singh is a cancer specialist in the US, his brother said. According to Shivaji Singh, Dr Singh had made a deep inroads in the US with his social skills. "Two years ago, he left his job and turned to business in partnership. His business was expanding rapidly in a short time. Along with a shopping mall, he ventured into the business of petrol pumps and hotels. He started many works in partnership with businessmen of Punjab and Gujarat origin," he said. "Some time ago, some businessmen of Pakistani origin also joined him. In a short time, the scope of his business spread all over the US. Due to this, some rivals started getting annoyed with him," he said. Lalji Singh said Dr Singh was very social and used to meet all the villagers whenever he would come here. He had last come to the village about two years ago and was scheduled to visit again in March next year. "The people of the village are saddened by his murder. They have demanded security for his family and strict punishment for the culprits by investigating the murder," he said. Tesla owner billionaire Elon Musk and Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in an op-ed provided an insight into their blueprint for an unprecedented government reform that includes mass federal job cuts and massive expense reduction. IMAGE: US President-elect Donald Trump walks with Elon Musk in Brownsville, Texas, on November 19, 2024. Photograph: Brandon Bell/Pool via Reuters Following his stunning electoral victory, President-elect Donald Trump entrusted Musk, 53, and Ramaswamy, 39, with government reform by appointing them to head the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The two confidants of Trump wrote in an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday that they will serve as outside volunteers, assisting the Trump transition team in identifying and hiring a lean team of small-government crusaders, including some of the sharpest technical and legal minds in America. This team will work closely with the White House Office of Management and Budget in the new administration. 'The two of us will advise DOGE at every step to pursue three major kinds of reform: regulatory rescissions, administrative reductions and cost savings,' they wrote. 'We will focus particularly on driving change through executive action based on existing legislation rather than by passing new laws. Our North Star for reform will be the US Constitution, with a focus on two critical Supreme Court rulings issued during President (Joe) Biden's tenure,' they added. Setting a deadline of July 4, 2026, Musk and Ramaswamy said DOGE will present this list of regulations to Trump, who can, by executive action, immediately pause the enforcement of those regulations and initiate the process for review and rescission. This would liberate individuals and businesses from illicit regulations never passed by Congress and stimulate the US economy, they argued. '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,' they said. Observing that a drastic reduction in federal regulations provides sound industrial logic for mass head-count reductions across the federal bureaucracy, Musk and Ramaswamy said DOGE intends to work with embedded appointees in agencies to identify the minimum number of employees required at an agency for it to perform its constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated functions. Musk and Ramaswamy said that they would require federal employees to come to the office five days a week. '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 don't want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn't pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home,' they two asserted. Noting that they are focused on delivering cost savings for taxpayers, the two said DOGE will help end federal overspending by taking aim at the $500 billion-plus in annual federal expenditures that are unauthorised by Congress or being used in ways that Congress never intended, from $535 million a year to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $1.5 billion for grants to international organisations to nearly $300 million to progressive groups like Planned Parenthood. 'With a decisive electoral mandate and a 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, DOGE has a historic opportunity for structural reductions in the federal government. We are prepared for the onslaught from entrenched interests in Washington. We expect to prevail,' Musk and Ramaswamy wrote. The Jammu Development Authority has demolished a dozen shops belonging to displaced Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu city, allegedly without issuing notices, sparking protests from various sections that demanded action against the officials. IMAGE: Kashmiri Pandits stage a protest under the banner of J&K Internally Displaced Welfare Society demanding relief and rehabilitation, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, July 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The demolition drive was launched on Wednesday, targeting shops built by displaced Kashmiri Pandits near the Muthi camp three decades ago, officials said. The old shops were located on land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA). Relief Commissioner Arvind Karwani visited the area to assess the situation and assured the affected families that new shops would be constructed for them in the area. "These shops were on JDA land. The relief organisation has floated tenders for constructing a shopping complex in Muthi Camp Phase II. Ten shops will be constructed soon and allotted to these shopkeepers," he said. Political parties, including the BJP, PDP and Apni Party, and several Kashmir Pandit organisations condemned the JDA's action and called for the construction of new shops for the displaced community to help them sustain their livelihood. Pointing to his demolished shop, its owner Kuldeep Kisroo said, "Instead of helping us survive by providing better facilities and financial support, this government has snatched our bread and butter by bulldozing our shops." Jav Lal Bhat, another shopkeeper who set up his shop in a tin shed in 1991, said, "How can we feed our families when we are solely dependent on the earnings from these shops? We urge the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister to intervene and give us justice." Another shopkeeper, Jawahir Lal, described the demolition as "sheer hooliganism". He said, "No notices were served to us for the demolition." President of the Muthi migrant camp Anil Bhan criticised the timing of the demolition. "It should have waited for another month as the relief department is already constructing shops for them within the camp. This unfortunate incident could have been avoided," he said. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti shared a clip of the affected shopkeepers on X and urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address the issue with compassion and urgency. "Heartbreaking scenes emerge as Kashmiri Pandit shopkeepers stand helplessly by the rubble of their demolished shops, reportedly brought down by the JDA without prior notice. This act further deepens their sense of alienation and loss," she said on X. BJP Spokesperson G L Raina, who visited the site and met the affected families, said, "This visibly seems to be a revenge action soon after the return of the NC-Congress government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah." "JDA should have provided alternatives to these families. The government must stop targeting this hapless community," he said. Apni Party General Secretary and former legislator Vijay Bakaya expressed dismay and questioned the intentions of the JDA. "Many shops being run by Kashmiri Pandit migrants in Muthi for nearly 30 years have been demolished. If these shops had to be removed for any legitimate reason, notice should have been given and alternative locations provided. This high-handed action by the authorities is most condemnable," he said. The Bombay high court has imposed a Rs 25,000 cost on the Nashik prison jailor for rejecting the parole application of a prisoner in contravention of law and despite not having the power to do so. IMAGE: A view of the Bombay high court. Photograph: ANI Photo Prisoner Shrihari Rajlingam Guntuka's parole application was rejected in September this year by the jailor, relying on a government circular of 2022 that mandated a gap of one-and-a-half years between the furlough and parole leave. A division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande in its order of November 12 said the courts in the past have passed an order, clearly stating that such an embargo was in contravention to the provisions of the Prisons (Bombay Furlough and Parole) Rules. The court said a prisoner was entitled to avail parole leave in order to deal with an emergent situation and the imposition of a condition that he or she will have to wait for a period of one-and-a-half years is completely unreasonable. "We have in the past clearly expressed our view that a contingency like serious illness of a near relation, natural calamities like house collapse, flood, fire, and earthquake is an unforeseen contingency and one cannot speculate as to when it will strike," the HC said. The bench said it was really "unfortunate that the prison authorities have turned a deaf ear to the orders passed by courts and have continued to adopt their regime by rejecting applications". The Nashik jail superintendent had rejected Guntuka's parole application on the ground that it was submitted within a short span of 21 days from his return to jail after furlough leave. "We strongly deprecate the approach adopted by the Nashik jailor in defeating the rights of the petitioner. The respondent No 4 (jailor) has shown disrespect to the law laid down by this court," the HC said. The bench directed the jailor to reconsider Guntuka's application for parole and forward the same to the authority concerned who has the power to decide. "For denying the right of the petitioner in an arbitrary manner and in utter disregard to the law laid down by this court, we deem it appropriate to impose a cost of Rs 25,000 on the jailor to be paid personally to the petitioner within a period of four weeks," the court said. The bench also directed for its order to be communicated to the Additional Chief Secretary of the state Home Department so that this "mistake of disregarding the law laid down is not repeated". Guntuka, presently serving his sentence in Nashik central prison, had in September submitted a letter to the divisional commissioner, Nashik division, through the jail's superintendent seeking to be released on parole for his wife's surgery. The jail superintendent instead of forwarding the letter rejected the same. As per the superintendent, Guntuka had surrendered back in prison after his furlough leave only in August 2024. The court said there have been several instances in the past, too, where it noted the judgments and orders passed by courts are not followed by jail authorities when it comes to the release of prisoners on parole or furlough under the Prisons (Bombay Furlough and Parole) Rules. The International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and a senior Hamas official over alleged war crimes committed during the conflict that followed the October 7 attacks on Israel last year, a statement by the ICC said. IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the plenum, during a discussion on the subject of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, in Israel's parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 18, 2024. . Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters The court believed it had 'reasonable grounds' to believe that the Netanyahu, Gallant and Mohammed Diab Ibrahim AL-MASRI, more commonly known as DEIF (commander-in-chief of the military wing of Hamas, known as the Al-Qassam Brigades) committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, as per the statement. The charges include -- starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health, intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population, other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity, among other charges, as per the statement. "The war crimes alleged in these applications were committed in the context of an international armed conflict between Israel and Palestine, and a non-international armed conflict between Israel and Hamas (together with other Palestinian Armed Groups) running in parallel. We submit that the crimes against humanity charged were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the Palestinian civilian population pursuant to State policy. These crimes, in our assessment, continue to this day," the court noted. This will be the first time the ICC ever issued warrants against leaders of a democratic country, Times of Israel said, adding that Netanyahu and Gallant would be liable of arrest if they travel to any country that is party to the ICC. Israel is not a party to the ICC. Israel says Deif was killed by an IDF strike in Gaza in July, as per Times of Israel. The Court charged Yahya Sinwar, head of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, DIEF, and Ismail Haniyeh for 'crimes against humanity', including rape and other acts of sexual violence, outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime, in the context of captivity, among other charges, as per the ICC. India on Wednesday strongly trashed as 'smear campaign' a Canadian media report that claimed that the Indian prime minister was aware of the alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. IMAGE: A man holds a poster with photographs of Khalistani terrorists Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh Panjwar, during a protest outside the Golden Temple, in Amritsar. Photograph: ANI Photo Referring to the report quoting an unnamed official, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such 'ludicrous statements' should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. "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," he said. "Smear campaigns like this only further damage our already strained ties," he said. Jaiswal was responding to media queries regarding the report in Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail. In the report, the newspaper cited inputs from a senior national security official. The report claimed the Indian national security advisor and the external affairs minister were also in the loop of the plot. Nijjar was gunned down on Canadian soil last year. India-Canada ties nosedived last month after Canada linked Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma and some other diplomats to the murder. India has strongly rejected all the allegations made by Ottawa in connection to the case and subsequently recalled the high commissioner. The Canadian government had said the Indian diplomats were expelled from the country. New Delhi expelled Canadian Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler and five other diplomats following Canada's allegations. The mother of Janata Dal-United MLA Kh Joykishan Singh in Manipur has lodged a complaint, alleging that Rs 18 lakh in cash and jewellery items worth Rs 1.5 crore were looted by a mob that vandalised the legislator's residence on November 16, police said on Thursday. IMAGE: People take part in a protest organised by AMUCO, MSF, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, and All Manipur Voluntary Association demanding the repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, in Imphal on November 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Several items kept at the MLA's residence in West Imphal's Thangmeiband area for internally displaced people were also destroyed during the attack, a senior officer said. "The mother of Thangmeiband constituency legislator Kh Joykishan Singh filed a complaint with the Imphal Police Station that Rs 18 lakh in cash and several valuable items worth Rs 1.5 crore were looted and destroyed during a mob attack. An FIR has been registered," the police officer told PTI. The mob vandalised the residence of the legislator for about two hours on the November 16 evening, he said. Notably, the MLA was in Delhi due to medical treatment for one of his family members when the mob attacked his residence last week. An internally displaced person, staying in a relief camp set up at Tombisana Higher Secondary School in Thangmeiband, a few meters away from the residence of Joykishan, said, "Vegetables like potatoes and onions, and other items such as winter clothes were kept for people like us. All these materials were looted." "We urged the mob not to vandalise the residence of the MLA as several items meant for distribution among displaced people were kept there," Sanayai, a volunteer who manages the relief camp under the supervision of Joykishan, said. Lockers, electronics goods and furniture were vandalised, she claimed, adding that the mob attempted to take away three air conditioners but failed. Seven gas cylinders were also taken away by the mob, she claimed. Documents of internally displaced people were also destroyed during the attack, Sanayai said. The mob also pushed internally displaced people and one of the volunteers there was injured after being beaten up, she claimed. Houses of several legislators in Manipur were vandalised as violence escalated last week after three women and three children belonging to the Meitei community had gone missing from a relief camp in Jiribam district following 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Kazakhstan has great experience in the development of agriculture, taking into account climate change, Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Agriculture Yermek Kenzhekhanuly told Trend on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku. On November 19, days of agriculture within the framework of COP29 events were held. At the invitation of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, we took part in all events. Of course, we raise issues within the framework of the fight against climate change. Those issues related to environmental issues are all relevant today. In the framework of these sessions, first of all, we exchanged experiences about how each country fights with the consequences, because of which we have environmental problems. We can say that each country presented its practical mechanisms. Of course, Kazakhstan also has a very great experience in developing agriculture in the light of climate change. Just last year, we adopted a large concept for the development of the agro-industrial complex until 2030. It provides for all the mechanisms of agricultural development, he said. Kenzhekhanuly noted that in principle, all countries agree that to date, in general, agriculture is underfunded. In this direction, Kazakhstan is doing a lot of work. Literally within one year, Kazakhstan has brought the issue of financing just in terms of crediting spring field work and harvesting companies to $1.2 million. This is a large volume, which is directed to crediting. The head of state has set a task for us to bring the volume of financing up to $3 billion. If today the volume of finance has been brought to $1.2 billion, the task is to bring it to $3 billion. We hope that we will reach this figure in 2025, added the vice minister. 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 The final turnout in Maharashtra assembly polls was 66.05 percent as per EVM votes, up from 61.1 percent in 2019, Election Commission officials said on Thursday. IMAGE: Voters waiting in a queue to cast their votes for Maharashtra assembly election 2024 at a polling station in Mumbai, November 20, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The polling percentage for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll was 67.81 percent. Polls to the 288-member state assembly were held on Wednesday, while votes will be counted on Saturday. "The official figures for each assembly constituency will depend on the count of postal ballots reported. The 66 percent turnout figure refers specifically to the votes cast on electronic voting machines," the chief electoral officer said in a statement. The increase, excluding postal ballots, highlighted the EC's efforts to engage a broader electorate, the statement added. Kolhapur led with 76.63 percent, followed by 75.26 percent in Gadchiroli, which has some Left Wing Extremism affected pockets, while the lowest was in Mumbai island city at 52.07 percent and 55.95 percent in the metropolis' suburban district. More than 68,000 citizens aged over 85 and 12,000 individuals with disabilities cast their votes through home voting. "Additionally, 36,000 voters from essential services used postal voting. A total of 466,823 postal ballots were issued to voters on election duty, and around 16,000 Electronically Transmittable Postal Ballots were accepted for service voters," it said. The statement said the EC's second 'special summary survey revision' conducted in August and September added nearly 4 million new voters, with more than half of these registrations coming from the 18-19 age group. Special attention was given to enrolling electors from the third gender, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and Persons with Disabilities. "To improve the voting experience, efforts were made to rationalise polling stations and reduce voter congestion. This de-clustering initiative affected over 5,800 locations, establishing over 1,100 polling stations in high-rise buildings and housing societies, as well as an additional 200 in slum areas across the state," the EC said. A total of 288 counting centres have been set up, including one for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll that was also held on November 20. "A total of 288 counting observers will oversee each assembly constituency, with two observers assigned to monitor counting in Nanded (bypoll)," it informed. The high volume of postal ballots has led to the establishment of 1,732 tables for postal ballot counting and 592 tables for ETPBMS scanning to ensure a smooth counting process across all assembly constituencies, the EC said. Authorities have successfully handled the menace of hoax bomb calls to airlines and such calls have reduced, a senior government official said on Thursday. Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo Civil aviation secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam also said that procedures being adopted to deal with fog-related disruptions have been streamlined. To a query about hoax bomb calls, he said that authorities have tackled them successfully. A few weeks back, hundreds of flights had received bomb threat calls that later turned out to be hoaxes. These threats had significantly impacted flight operations of various domestic carriers. "Our security have tackled this (hoax bomb calls) and we have seen also that we have been successful. The numbers have now gone down and from the airport threat assessment committee also, the consultation process has been streamlined. They have been made more responsive, (for) quick response...," Vualnam said. "We have successfully handled the hoax cases so that passengers and flights are not disrupted by hoax calls," he said. As part of preparations for the fog season during which generally there are flight disruptions due to low visibility conditions, the secretary said airlines have been instructed to timely inform passengers about delays or cancellations. "We will be issuing fresh instructions to remind airlines and airports for the arrangements for passengers". "If there is any unavoidable delay in flights or cancellations, the procedures being adopted have been streamlined... BCAS has issued the circular and the drills are taking place. With this, there will be a better handling of fog season this year," he said. Other steps include allowing passengers to exit from an aircraft through an airport departure gate in case there is a long delay in operating the flight after boarding. In this regard, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) had issued a circular earlier this year. "Now, with the drills and the space being earmarked, it has been activated. It requires holding areas to be earmarked and all those things... It will be applicable everywhere (airports) but Delhi is the top priority because of the weather and the volume of people," the secretary said on the sidelines of an event in the national capital. On Wednesday, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu held a review meeting with various stakeholders on fog preparedness. As Parliament gears up for a stormy start next week over the Adani issue, the government has listed 16 bills, including one to amend the waqf law and five new ones, for the winter session. IMAGE: Opposition MPs walk out of a meeting of the joint committee on the Waqf Bill in New Delhi. Photograph: Screen grab/ANI on X The five new draft legislations include the one to set up a cooperative university, the Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya.. The pending bills include the Waqf (Amendment) Bill which has been listed for consideration and passage after the joint committee of the two Houses submits its report to Lok Sabha. The panel is mandated to submit its report on the last day of the first week of the winter session. Opposition members on the panel are demanding an extension in the timeline to submit its report. They have alleged that committee chair Jagdambika Pal, a BJP MP, is bulldozing the committee meetings and have sought the intervention of Speaker Om Birla. The presentation, discussion and voting on First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the year 2024-25 has also been listed. The session concludes on December 20. The other bill listed by the government for introduction, consideration and passage is the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill to enhance the pecuniary (defined as the monetary value of a case) appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from the existing Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. The Merchant Shipping Bill, also a new draft law planned by the government, seeks to ensure compliance with India's obligation under maritime treaties to which New Delhi is a party. Besides, the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill have also been listed for introduction and eventual passage. As many as eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill are pending in Lok Sabha. According to the Lok Sabha, two bills are pending with the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha bulletin said an additional bill The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, passed by the Lok is pending with the upper house. A set of proposed bills to implement simultaneous elections in the country are not part of the list yet, though some reports suggested that the government is likely to bring the legislations in the coming session. Queenie Hallegua, who passed away at 89 in August, was almost the last of the Sephardi Jews in Fort Kochi. Her son Dr David Hallegua reflects on his mother's death and of his life growing up in Kerala. IMAGE: Queenie Hallegua was the wife of Samuel Hallegua, a community leader who passed away in 2009. All photographs: Kind courtesy Shevlin Sebastian At 5.45 pm in Los Angeles on August 10, Eliana, 22, called her father David Hallegua and said, "Dad, I am in a panic. I don't know what is wrong with me." About 14,900 kms away, in Fort Kochi, at 6.15 am on August 11, David was feeling groggy. He was suffering from jetlag after arriving from Los Angeles. At 3 am, he went to sleep in his parents' house on Synagogue Lane. Even so, he told Eliana, "You have not had enough water to drink." Eliana did that. Then she lay down and felt better. As soon as David hung up, the housekeeper, Flory, came to his room and said, "I want you to check up on Mom." David immediately went to his mother's bed, and even though her body was warm, Queenie, 89, was no longer breathing. David realised that at the moment Eliana felt anxiety and discomfort, her grandmother had passed away. IMAGE: David with his mother Queenie. Queenie was almost the last of the Sephardi Jews in Fort Kochi. Only her nephew Keith Hallegua, 65, a bachelor, remains. She was the wife of Samuel, a community leader and a prominent proprietor who passed away in 2009. Queenie's funeral took place at the Gan Shalom Jewish cemetery. This is near the Paradesi Synagogue. David's sister Fiona had flown down from New York. "It was the end of that chapter of my life with her," she said. "I felt relieved my mother was not in pain anymore." IMAGE: David and Queenie. Asked about his mother's last words, David said it happened on his previous visit in July. He had come home when Queenie had taken ill with congestive heart problems. As David was returning to the US, he told his mother he was leaving. "She looked at me and smiled," said David. Then Flory told her, "Give your son a blessing." Queenie placed her palm on David's head and said, "May you get everything that you desire in life. May God bless you!" IMAGE: Queenie Hallegua. David feels sad that the community has died out. In the 1950s, there were about 2,000 Jews in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. But many emigrated to Israel when the country came into being in 1948. "A lot of Jewish customs and practices have disappeared," he said. David's early life David did his schooling at the St John De Britto's Anglo-Indian High School in Fort Kochi. His best friend was Elvis D'Cruz. They sat on the same bench. When David and Elvis were in Class 8, they realised that both their fathers were students of the same school. They had studied in the same class. After 30 years, Elvis and David met again in Kochi in 2023. Elvis lived in Dubai for many years and had moved to Fort Kochi. "It was so good to catch up with Elvis after so many years," said David. "Elvis again came to see me when my mother passed away." IMAGE: David with wife Cici and daughter Eliana. After his Class 10, David did his pre-degree from the Sacred Heart College in Thevara. Thereafter, he went to the Trivandrum Medical College because he wanted to be a doctor. After completing his course, in 1988, he went to the US for further medical studies. Today, David is a practising rheumatologist (the management of arthritis). His wife Cici is a chartered accountant while Eliana works at the Capitol Records music company. Asked whether because he was a Jew, he felt different while growing up in Fort Kochi, David said, "My original identity is that of a South Indian. I speak Malayalam fluently. It is my first language. But in my daily life, I am Jewish." So David would not eat meat in a restaurant that was not kosher. But his friends, Christians, Hindus and Muslims, understood and accepted it. In medical school, his friends would say, "We can't go to that restaurant because there is nothing that David could eat there." David said that all his friends would come over during the Jewish festivals, like Rosh Hashanah and the Shabbat. He also had a joyous celebration for his bar mitzvah. This is a coming-of-age ceremony when a boy turns 13 and marks his transition to becoming an adult. David celebrated the Onam festival in the house of his Hindu friends. He also enjoyed Christmas with his Christian friends and Eid with the Muslims. Not to forget the Gujarati and Parsi festivals. IMAGE: David and his sister Fiona with Queenie. Asked how Fort Kochi has changed, over the decades, David said, "It has become a commercialised tourist hub." David lived on the lane that led to the Jewish synagogue. "By 10 am, nowadays, the lane is very crowded," said David. "Thousands of tourists come every day." David remembered it as a quiet lane. "My sister and I would have impromptu games with other boys and girls," said David. "It was boisterous and full of joy. The elders would get together and have a drink. Some drank liquor or soda, while others had soft drinks." The Jews would have guests like Hamsa, a Muslim lawyer, Babu Seth, a Gujarati lawyer, a Parsi gentleman named Sorabjee, and a Hindu by the name of Sundaram. "It was a melting pot in one person's living room," said David On tables and chairs placed outside, the women, including Queenie, played a South American game called Canasta (a type of rummy). "It was very competitive," said David with a smile. When asked whether syncretism, after hundreds of years, is alive and thriving in Fort Kochi, David said, "Yes, everybody lives in harmony. "They depend economically on each other. Nobody wants any trouble that will disturb the peace." Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Get the book Vermontiana: An Annotated Checklist, 1764-1899, by J. Kevin Graffagnino, will soon become available from: Vermont Historical Society: vermonthistory.org The Eloquent Page: theeloquentpage.com Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Nancy Braus is a long-time political activist who writes from Guilford. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. A high-level event Celebrating Waters Lifeline for Climate, Nature, and People has started within COP29, Trend reports. In his speech, COP29 President and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, Mukhtar Babayev, emphasized the need to address water as a cross-cutting issue in global policy, given its connection to climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and desertification. "Water must be considered an integral element of all global policies. This year, water is a key focus in COP29's agenda for climate action for the same reason. We acknowledge that tackling water-related challenges demands sustained attention and action across COPs. The COP29 Declaration on Water and Climate Action will catalyze dialogue and collaboration, focusing on shared climate stress challenges, enhancing water and climate policies, and advancing scientific research on the impacts of climate change on water resources and ecosystems," he said. Babayev also announced the launch of the Dialogue on Water and Climate Action. "This platform will serve as a mechanism for cooperation between COPs, ensuring continuity and a sustained focus on water-related issues. It will examine the interconnectedness of water, climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and desertification, with a particular emphasis on driving action at both the international and regional levels," he added. Inger Andersen, UN Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said that 119 countries have submitted their national biodiversity targets, which include water-related goals. "The 6th UN Environment Assembly, which took place in February this year, adopted a resolution to strengthen water policies and enhance water management initiatives. More than 90 percent of the submitted NDCs contain important water-related elements, which is a positive development. 119 countries have already submitted their national biodiversity targets. However, the harsh truth is that these commitments are not being fulfilled, neither in terms of funding nor in terms of actions or integrated approaches. This is why this Baku Water Dialogue is so important. We must move much faster and shift from a sectoral approach to an economy-wide perspective," she said. Andersen noted that urban infrastructure, agriculture, water use, and storage, as well as natural reservoirs, need to be reviewed. German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke stressed the importance of water in climate adaptation efforts and expressed her country's support for the Baku Water Dialogue. "Water is a critical sector for adaptation and essential to achieving global adaptation goals. Water policy must be seamlessly integrated into national adaptation plans. We have much to learn from each other in water management, and I am confident that the Baku Dialogue will serve as a vital platform for this exchange. Germany is eager to actively participate in this important dialogue," she said. The minister stated that Germany fully backs the Baku Declaration on Water, emphasizing that the Baku Dialogue will help foster focused discussions and drive the implementation of practical solutions. "Water is the foundation of all life and a critical element in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including climate change mitigation and adaptation. It is also the 'messenger' of the climate crisistoo often present in extremes, either in devastating surpluses or alarming shortages. We are witnessing an increase in droughts, worsening water scarcity, and catastrophic floods. Our goal is for water to be part of the solution, not just a symbol of the crisis," the minister added. UK Environment Minister Mary Creagh also supported the Baku Declaration on Water, referencing the severe droughts and water shortages faced by Europe, including in rivers like the Danube and Rhone. "In 2023, we experienced the driest year for rivers in 30 years, with serious consequences. A glance at the Rhone or the Danube reveals the massive damage being done to food systems, transportation, and clean energy production. This is why, at COP26, the UK hosted the first-ever water pavilion to highlight the critical importance of water in addressing these challenges. We are pleased to see the role of water growing with each successive COP. This commitment continues today as we proudly announce the UK's full support for the COP29 Declaration on Water. We fully back this initiative and look forward to seeing this powerful 'river of action' flow through Belem and beyond. Achieving this will not be easy, but it is an essential task," she said. Cyber security specialist Palo Alto Networks has recognised the outstanding achievements and contributions of its partners during 2024, with Spark and Datacom collecting four of the eight awards. The winners included systems integrators, distributors, telcos, managed service providers and cloud providers who had shown exceptional innovation and agility, Palo Alto said. Head of channel and commercial business Vasely Sapunov said the dedication of Palo Altos partner community had enabled the delivery of solutions to organisations of all sizes across New Zealand. At Palo Alto Networks, our partners are integral to our success, Sapunov said. Through close collaboration, we are able to reach more organisations and advance cyber resilience and capabilities as we safeguard our customers businesses. The winners were: Technical excellence award: Datacom Growth partner of the year: Lexel Systems Rising star: Spark MSSP of the year: LinearStack Cortex partner of the year: PwC New Zealand SASE partner of the year: One New Zealand, in partnership with Defend Deal of the year: Datacom Sales excellence award: Spark The awards were held at the SO/ in Auckland after the 2024 Technology Summit with Ingram Micro sponsoring the dinner. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. I didn't come to my L.A. school's campus in August to set up my classroom, or spend my last days of summer mapping the upcoming curriculum. Instead, I became one of the record number of teachers not returning to the job. Teacher turnover, long a problem in K-12 education, has reached a record high since the pandemic hit, with 10% of educators leaving their jobs in the 2021-22 school year. Turnover rates have slightly improved since, but teachers' job satisfaction stands near a 50-year low, with a reported 55% considering leaving the profession earlier than they had planned. Student behavior and low pay are among the top factors pushing educators out of the classroom. But I left teaching for another reason: I had children. Of the nation's 3.8 million teachers, close to half have children living at home. Yet teaching was never meant to be a sustainable career for a parent. In fact, it was designed to be the opposite. In the 1830s and '40s, education reformer Catharine Beecher (sister to the author Harriet Beecher Stowe and the preacher Henry Ward Beecher) popularized the idea of teaching as the female equivalent of ministry. Instrumental in feminizing the occupation, Beecher argued that pious young women should be the ones to do the moral work of teaching in no small part because they provided cheap labor. In Beecher's vision, teaching wasn't so much a profession as a calling. There was no room in this vision for marriage or motherhood. In fact, marriage bans were common in education through the 1950s. At the start of World War II, 87% of school boards would not hire a married woman and 70% would not retain female teachers if they got married. Teacher marriage bans were not officially outlawed until the Civil Rights Act passed in 1964. The remnants of this history are still evident in the structure of the job. A 2022 report by the National Council on Teacher Quality found that only 18% of the nation's school districts offer some form of paid parental leave. Teachers, who don't always qualify for state disability or pay during leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act, are instead expected to exhaust sick days, pay for their own substitutes, return to work before they're fully healed or time our births with summer vacation. As recently as 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a California bill that would have ensured six weeks of paid maternity leave for the state's teachers. Beyond paid leave, the inflexible structure of teachers' hours makes it difficult to care for our own children. Yes, there are the long, glorious summers off, which relieve teacher-parents of the stress and expense of the summer camp scramble. But the dictated working hours of the school day during the rest of the year often conflict with their own children's drop-offs and pick-ups, parent-teacher conferences, back-to-school nights, PTA meetings and other school events. Caring for a child with special needs made this inflexibility even harder for me to navigate. My daughter was born with a rare genetic disorder and attends weekly medical therapies as well as periodic visits with a half dozen specialists. Balancing the absences these appointments required with the needs of my students and the demands of creating plans for substitutes quickly became unmanageable. And answering doctors' frequent phone calls posed a logistical challenge in the classroom. The work didn't stop at the end of the school day. American teachers work seven hours per week more than adults in other professions, and 15 hours per week beyond their contracted, paid hours, according to RAND's 2023 State of the American Teacher Survey. At LAUSD, I received one paid hour for planning and grading two different courses that together were taken by nearly 150 students. While this contract was typical, the paid time it allotted wasn't adequate to complete the work, which I would end up bringing home. I coped by working through my lunch break, showing movies to students so that I could grade and staying up long after my daughter had gone to bed to plan lessons. I wasn't just expected to work this unpaid overtime. The practice is codified into law. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 exempted teachers from overtime pay and still stands as law today. The teaching profession, and the American education system as a whole, is dependent on this kind of unpaid labor. In a workforce that is 77% female, that work is primarily done by women, just as American parenting, similarly lacking in structural support, relies on women. It's 2024: Teaching should be structured to allow parents to meet the needs of their families, without sacrificing their students' education or themselves. To start, the U.S. should enact paid family leave for all educators and end teachers' Fair Labor Standards exemption. Some schools in Idaho and Texas have piloted school-sponsored child-care programs to help retain teachers; more such programs should be developed. And in the European Union, legislation has passed that gives all working parents of kids up to 8 years old the right to request flexible work arrangements, which can mean reduced or flexible hours, among other things. The U.S. needs to institute something similar. Accommodations like these will not only support and retain teacher-parents but also will make the profession more attractive and sustainable for all teachers. They could even lure me back to the classroom and to a profession I loved just not more than I love my own children. Lauren Quinn is a former high school English teacher. She writes the newsletter Leaving Teaching. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The panel discussion on Combating Climate Change and Achieving Resilience of Agrifood Systems through Mutual Water-Energy Food Ecosystem (WEFE) Management was held within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture. It was noted that the event held at the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) pavilion in Blue Zone discussed strategies to achieve sustainable agri-food systems, best practices, policy frameworks, and technological innovations supporting sustainable and appropriate management of water, energy and food resources in the face of the climate crisis. The panel discussion was moderated by ISESCO's science and environment expert Fahman Fathurrahman. Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ilhama Gadimova noted that climate change causes challenges related to food security and access to water and energy use. This leads to the need to discuss solutions to build resilience in agri-food systems; addressing these challenges requires innovative, integrated approaches that balance the immediate needs of farmers and communities. The Deputy Minister noted that comprehensive state programs and financial support instruments are applied in Azerbaijan to facilitate the process of transition to sustainable agriculture. The rational use of water and land resources and biodiversity conservation form the basis of climate change adaptation strategies in the country, with preference given to environmentally friendly agricultural practices that increase efficiency and sustainability. Irrigation systems are being modernized through the introduction of drip and sprinkler technologies. Subsidies and low-interest loans are provided to farmers to adopt efficient water use practices. Such investments not only increase crop yields but also ensure sustainable use of water and soil for future generations. Speaking at the panel discussions were Pakistan's Federal Minister for National Food Safety and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Deputy Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean Grammenos Mastrojeni, Secretary General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) Tarifa Alzaabi, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Land and Water Specialist Virginia Gillette, Islamic Development Bank's Chief Director for Global Experience and Partnerships Issa Faye. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel More than 1 billion hryvnyas ($24 million) in assets owned by a businessman with Russian citizenship under sanctions eluded Kyiv's control when they were sold off to private companies in deals that the government did not stop, Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, has found. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government has pledged that assets seized from Russian owners would be used to finance Ukraine's war-recovery effort, which the World Bank estimates will cost $486 billion. As of August, Kyiv had confiscated Russian-owned assets worth an estimated 15 billion hryvnyas ($362 million), according to the nonprofit Anti-Corruption Action Center. In the case of sanctioned Russian-Ukrainian businessman Ihor Naumets and his stone-and-sand mining and manufacturing company, Unigran, the state budget has not benefited, Schemes discovered. Until the end of 2021, it regularly exported to private and state-run firms in Russia, including a Defense Ministry agency that built facilities in Russian-occupied Crimea and a construction group controlled by Russia's presidential administration, according to information from ImportGenius, a database of trade transactions. The Russian government-services portal Gosuslugi and business registries identify Naumets as a Russian citizen. He renewed his Russian passport in March 2014, the month Russia seized Crimea. Prosecutors said that Naumets left Ukraine shortly before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Sources with knowledge of the matter told Schemes he traveled to Russia throughout 2022 and 2023. In a video interview with Schemes, Naumets declined to say whether he had Russian citizenship, and denied any wrongdoing. But evidence of Russian citizenship and alleged financing of the occupation authorities in Crimea and the Donbas qualified him for sanctions and, potentially, confiscation of his assets. In June 2022, the Prosecutor-General's Office and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the seizure of over 1 billion hryvnyas ($24 million) in assets belonging to an unnamed Russian citizen, based on its investigation of "the Russian businessman's" alleged financing of terrorists, tax and land-fee evasion, money laundering, and "illegal activities related to mining." The SBU alleged that the Russian citizen illegally mined Ukrainian minerals and sent money from their sales to Russia and to support Russian-occupied Crimea and Russian-controlled parts of the Donbas. It claimed that he "systematically" supported Russia's war on Ukraine. Naumets was not named, and he has not been formally charged or identified as a suspect in any alleged crime. But a photo posted on the Prosecutor-General's Office website showed a sand truck bearing the Unigran logo. In May 2023, Zelenskiy imposed sanctions on Naumets; Elena Calpa, a U.K. citizen Ukrainian authorities say is the indirect owner of Unigran; and three Cyprus-based companies linked to Unigran. With sanctions in place, Naumets, Calpa, and the Cypriot companies lost the right to use and manage their assets. The Justice Ministry could have petitioned the High Anti-Corruption Court to authorize confiscation of Naumets' assets but has not. Asked why, the ministry told Schemes it was gathering evidence. And in October 2023, Serhiy Vovk, a judge on Kyiv's Pechersk district court, revoked the assets-seizure order for Unigran, concluding that there was no justification for "further interference by the state" in Nauments' property rights in the matter. Asked to explain his reasoning, Vovk told Schemes to read his decision and contact the court's press service. The Prosecutor-General's Office appealed Vovk's ruling, but later dropped the appeal. Unigran's assets -- equipment, buildings, vehicles, land -- began to be transferred, through intermediaries and in some cases at minuscule prices, to three Ukrainian companies created late in 2023. Only one official has been held accountable for the sales -- a state registrar who formalized some of the transactions. The Justice Ministry told Schemes it had revoked the registrar's access to the property registry and was appealing a court decision to restore that access. "We don't have a single body [that coordinates sanctions enforcement]. At this moment, there's no responsibility for violating sanctions, in the sense of circumventing them," Zelenskiy's sanctions policy commissioner, Vladyslav Vlasyuk, told RFE/RL. He said a bill criminalizing sanctions evasion could be submitted to parliament soon. A new corporate flag now flies over Unigran's former office in the Zhytomyr region. It belongs to Uni Stone Plant, formed about a month after Vovk's ruling, according to the Ukrainian business database YouControl. Uni Stone Plant is one of the three purchasers of Unigran's assets. The others, Uni Lux and Uni Service, were registered on the same day in November 2023. The three companies' owners, according to YouControl, are the same: Ukrainian entrepreneur Serhiy Shapran, with 90 percent, and Denmark, an investment fund owned by Shapran, with the other 10 percent. Since the asset seizure was lifted, the companies have bought numerous former Unigran assets, according to YouControl and tax documents. The purchases include offices, factories, freight cars, land, entrance gates, dump trucks, excavators, and even screwdrivers acquired from firms that had bought them at reduced prices days earlier. Naumets, who said he now lives in the U.K., described himself to Schemes as the victim of a raid targeting Unigran's assets and mineral-extraction permits, and claimed it was "probably planned" by Shapran, whom he blamed for "all these criminal proceedings." Shapran is the multimillionaire owner of the Brovary Aluminum Plant, outside Kyiv, and the former local head of a party backed by billionaire businessman Ihor Kolomoyskiy. Naumets showed Schemes an excerpt from what he said was a memorandum he signed with Shapran in September 2023 that obliged Shapran to help with his legal troubles in exchange for a 50-percent stake in Unigran. In a phone interview attended by his lawyer, Shapran denied he had signed a memorandum with Naumets, discussed such a deal, or taken part in a corporate raid or "any illegal activity." Shapran implied that his signature on the document Naumets showed had been forged and urged Schemes to analyze it. A comparison with his signature on multiple official documents showed that they appeared similar. Adapted from the original Schemes report by Elizabeth Owen 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. 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 Since Moscow launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has complained that it is defending itself with one arm tied behind its back in the face of Russia's full might. While Western partners like the United States provided billions of dollars in weapons, Ukraine was prevented from using them to strike deep into Russian territory, where Moscow's war machine largely sat out of harm's way. That all changed on November 19, the 1,000th day of the war, when Moscow claimed Ukraine had fired U.S.-made longer-range missiles inside its territory, just after the White House reportedly granted Kyiv the green light. The administration of outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden then announced another reversal to a longstanding policy, saying on November 20 that it would provide Kyiv with antipersonnel mines to help it blunt advancing Russian forces on Ukrainian territory. Russia, meanwhile, made changes to its own policies, with President Vladimir Putin signing into law a revised nuclear doctrine that significantly lowers the threshold for his country to use the nuclear option to counter even a conventional attack by an adversary. Uncomfortable Questions The successive changes to the battlefield rules, which Moscow had already altered with the recent addition of thousands of North Korean troops to buttress its own forces in southwestern Russia, now have pundits asking a slew of questions: Why is this happening now, just two months before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has claimed he can quickly end the war, returns to the White House? Are Biden, or Putin -- or both -- suddenly taking unnecessary and reckless risks? Can Washington's decisions save Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's "victory plan," which called for longer strike capabilities to hit the heart of Russia's war machine? And the biggest question, the one that arguably prevented Washington from granting Zelenskiy the permission he sought in the first place: Are we headed for World War III between nuclear superpowers? Experts are at odds over who might be the bigger risk-taker. "The current situation offers Putin a significant temptation to escalate," Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of R.Politik, wrote on X in reference to Russia's potential to use nukes. "With Trump not yet in office, such a move would not interfere with any immediate peace initiatives but could instead reinforce Trump's argument for direct dialogue with Putin." Nikolai Sokov, a former Russian diplomat and arms-control negotiator now with the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Nonproliferation, countered on X by saying, "I think, rather, Biden has suddenly displayed [a] big appetite for risk-taking after 2.5 years of being risk-averse." Now, he added, "Putin may feel forced to react or Trump will take him to the cleaners." Too Little, Too Late? But when asked by RFE/RL whether the recent moves by Moscow and Washington have increased the risk of a nuclear escalation, Keir Giles, an expert on the geopolitical conflict between the West and Russia, said "not at all." Giles, author of a new book called Who Will Defend Europe?, said the U.S. decision to grant Kyiv greater strike capabilities came "long after it would have had the maximum impact" and "is really not something about which Russia is going to be genuinely, legitimately concerned." Moscow "will still indulge in the performative theatrics to do with the nuclear doctrine, getting enormous value out of the changes," Giles said. "They are milking this for all it is worth, because they get a very gratifying reaction abroad." Ukraine, meanwhile, faces Russian and North Korean troops intent on retaking territory in Russia's southwestern Kursk region. The Ukrainian military's territorial gains within Russia came as the result of a surprise incursion in August that Zelenskiy said would give Kyiv more leverage in future negotiations. Kyiv is also trying to stave off a massive assault by Russian troops in Ukraine's east that some observers say is aimed at seizing full control of the four regions of Ukraine that Moscow has illegally annexed when and if peace talks do take place. But at the moment, Giles said, "there is no incentive for either Russia or Ukraine to enter negotiations." "Ukraine knows that this is likely to be far more disastrous for them than fighting on, and Russia knows that it can extract far more from Ukraine than if they freeze the conflict at the present moment," he said. Most observers agree that Ukraine's longer-range U.S. missiles, which are in short supply, are not going to seriously alter the course of the war in and of themselves. Jack Watling, senior research fellow at the Britain-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), wrote that the developments "are less about the damage" the U.S. ATACMS missiles, or Army Tactical Missile System, can inflict. It is "more about what they might enable, and whether their provision is a catalyst for others like Germany to provide similar kinds of support," he said. Take A Deep Breath As for the prospect of Russian retaliation for Ukraine using the U.S.-supplied missiles, Watling wrote that "it certainly will not" lead to a nuclear response. "The reality is 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," Watling wrote. Sam Greene, a professor at the Russia Institute at King's College London, called for "deep breaths, everyone." "The fact that Russia published a revised nuclear doctrine on the same day that Ukraine first fired ATACMs across the border is the result of careful escalation management by both sides," Greene wrote on X on November 19. "We may eventually get to WWIII, but probably not tonight." The Russian Army is positioned only a few kilometers from Kupyansk, a city in Ukraine's Kharkiv region where some 4,000 people still live. Current Time correspondent Borys Sachalko spoke with locals about how they manage to live in the embattled city amid daily Russian attacks. One local woman said that her family had decided to evacuate as Russian forces inch closer to the city. At least 12 people, including one child, were killed in a Russian air attack on the city of Hlukhiv in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region. The November 19 strike hit a dormitory that housed displaced people who had been evacuated to Hlukhiv from an embattled area closer to the border with Russia. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Saudi Arabia is focused on enhancing the implementation of the Rio Trio Declaration, said Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Abdulkader, Director General of the National Center for Vegetative Cover of Saudi Arabia, Trend reports. Speaking at a high-level dialogue on "Enhancing knowledge exchange between conventions to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems on the Rio Trio Initiative (Colombia, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia) at COP29, Al-Abdulkader spoke on the framework of the initiative. "In the context of climate cooperation, we once again recognize the power of the interconnections between interdependent systems that can create resilience and strengthen cooperation. Just as ecosystems thrive in harmony, our actions must also be interconnected to achieve maximum impact. As the presidency of the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), we are committed to strengthening the necessary cooperation within the 'Rio Trio'. The Earth is the foundation for both biodiversity and climate action. Our task is to use this fundamental resource to support the synergies we urgently need to create. Acknowledging this responsibility, we have already taken steps to support the Synergies Agenda," he said. The Director General reminded the audience that Saudi Arabia, together with Colombia and Azerbaijan, launched the "Rio Trio" Declaration in New York. "The declaration calls on all stakeholders to align efforts for bilateral and multilateral cooperation and drive significant progress through enhanced synergies. We are committed to strengthening the implementation of the 'Rio Trio' Declaration. Special attention will be given to engaging non-state actors to support the action agenda. Together, we aim to achieve high-quality and effective results that will bring triple benefits for land, nature, and climate. This mission is ambitious, but with joint efforts, we can achieve what none of us could do alone," he added. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. 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 21. We would like to highlight the excellent organization of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which has been taking place since November 11 in Azerbaijan's Baku, the country's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a weekly briefing today, Trend reports. "The broad representation of Russia at the event once again confirms that our country consistently advocates for the collective effort to combat climate change. As part of this framework, the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin addressed the World Leaders Summit on Climate Action," she reminded. Zakharova painted a picture of a sun-drenched welcome, where the Azerbaijani side embraced the Russian delegation with warmth and hospitality. "We can confidently add the traditionally warm and welcoming reception," the official said. She also pointed out that hosting this event in Azerbaijan will further enhance Baku's international standing. "We are focused on continuing to strengthen our climate cooperation with Azerbaijan and all interested countries," added Zakharova. 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. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Tomas Doherty Healthcare and housing are at the top of voters' concerns in Limerick City. Here is everything you need to know about the area before heading to the polls on November 29th. The constituency Limerick city is at the heart of this constituency, but the boundaries also extend east to the border with Tipperary. The constituency is slightly smaller compared to the last election after three electoral divisions moved to Tipperary North. The population is 119,039. The issues Healthcare is at the top of the election agenda. The emergency department in University Hospital Limerick has the worst overcrowding of any hospital in the State. Housing is also a major local concern, with growing waiting lists for social homes and students at the citys university struggling to find accommodation. There were more than 5,000 qualified applicants on the citys social housing waiting list last year. Limerick City has some of the highest poverty rates in the country 11 electoral divisions in the city are very or extremely disadvantaged, according to the Pobal Deprivation Index. Seats There are four seats in this constituency, unchanged from the last election. The candidates One of the candidates, Melanie Cleary, of the Mid West Hospital Campaign, is the mother of Eve Cleary, who died aged 21 in 2019 after being discharged from the hospital. About half of the candidates should be familiar to voters as they also contested the race this summer to become Limerick's elected mayor. Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein will likely keep their seats here Green Party TD Brian Leddin will have a battle on his hands to keep his seat. Outgoing TDs Willie O'Dea Fianna Fail Kieran O'Donnell Fine Gael Maurice Quinlivan Sinn Fein Brian Leddin Green Party By PA Reporter The funeral of One Direction star Liam Payne featured on the front pages of many Irish newspapers on Thursday morning. The Irish Times reports that Fine Gaels Paschal Donohoe held a private and previously undisclosed dinner with Ryanair chief executive Michael OLeary in February 2022. The paper's front page also features a piece on how the Cabinet was given a stark warning on Wednesday about potentially damaging economic fallout for Ireland from the unsettled global situation and the return of Donald Trump to the White House in 2025. The Irish Examiner leads with Tanaiste Micheal Martin saying Donald Trump will impact Irish plans, adding that spending promises must adapt to external shock. There is a 'reluctance' to install new bins in Cork city, according to some local representatives, The Echo reports. The Irish Independent reports that house prices are unlikely to fall in the short term despite the plethora of election promises, according to an expert. The funeral of pop star Liam Payne features on the front page of the Irish Daily Mail, as well as a piece on how voters are being "short-changed" with only one three-way leaders' election debate on television, after Fine Gael cited "logistics" as to why Simon Harris could not take part in a planned showdown. Payne's funeral and the sentencing outcome for a man who set a garda car on fire during last November's Dublin riots feature on the front page of the Irish Daily Star. The Herald also reports on the man who was sentenced for lighting a garda car on fire as well as Liam Payne's funeral. Liam Payne's funeral takes up a lot of space on the Irish Daily Mirror's front page, and the paper also reports on the warning given by the judge in the Conor McGregor trial to the jury as he sums up the case. In the UK... The conflict between Ukraine and Russia consumes the front pages on Thursday. The Times, The Guardian, Daily Mail and i all lead with Ukraine launching British missiles into Russian territory for the first time. Thursday's TIMES: Ukraine launches British missiles deep into Russia#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/zUUrEZ05Wp Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) November 20, 2024 Thursday's GUARDIAN: Ukraine attacks target in Russia with UK missiles for the first time#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hVeLMblf46 Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) November 20, 2024 Thursday's DAILY MAIL: Up to 12 British Storm Shadows fired into Russia#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/fW9jkCAL1r Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) November 20, 2024 Thursday's i: UK defies Putin as Ukraine fires British missiles into Russia#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/RFXG5HwY8x Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) November 20, 2024 The Daily Star says people are looking to buy nuclear bunkers in the wake of the development. The Prime Minister previously said Kyivs allies need to double down on their support for Ukraine, according to the Financial Times. Thursday's FINANCIAL TIMES UK EDITION: Ukraine fires UK-made missiles into Russia as Kyiv's allies 'double down'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/63VDhSGOhu Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) November 20, 2024 The Telegraph says the action comes after the Defence Secretary announced the military will be hit by 500 million worth of cuts. Thursday's DAILY TELEGRAPH: Defence cuts as UK missiles hit Russia#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/nI98qRTDi0 Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) November 20, 2024 Meanwhile, Farewell Liam is the headline in the Daily Mirror, The Sun and Metro, as the papers lead with the funeral of the former One Direction star. November 21, 2024 A roundup of news from Romania and the world Newsflash Newsroom, 21.11.2024, 13:55 Election The first round of the presidential election takes place in Romania on November 24. The second round is scheduled for December 8, and legislative elections are held on December 1. There are 13 candidates in the race for president, 10 supported by parties and 3 independents. There are 14 names on the ballots, but one of the candidates withdrew in favor of another. The authorities opened 950 polling stations for Romanians outside the borders, a record number. They can vote, in the first round of the presidential election, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tractors Small Romanian farms that own old and polluting tractors will be able to buy new ones by applying to the Tractors Scrap program. The budget allocated to the project by the administration of the environmental fund is 500 million lei (the equivalent of about 100 million Euros). The registration of the companies from which farmers can purchase the tractors starts on Friday and can be done until November 28 at the latest. The vouchers acquired by farmers will cover between 65% and 80% of the purchase value, which should not exceed 55,000 Euros. Tourism fair The autumn 2024 edition of the Romanian Tourism Fair has opened today in Bucharest. Visitors have access to a wide range of promotional packages, exclusive discounts and holiday ideas for all tastes and budgets, the organizers say. More than 100 participating companies offer destinations from all over the world, and discounts on vacation packages during the fair are up to 50%. Among the participants are tour operators from Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Israel, Austria, Hungary, Egypt, Vietnam and Italy. EC The right-wing, centrist and social democratic parties in the European Parliament reached, on Wednesday evening, a political agreement to approve the new team of the European Commission. The Romanian Roxana Minzatu will thus become Executive Vice-president for People, Skills and Preparedness in the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen. The European Parliament will give its final vote on the makeup of the new European Commission on November 27, in a plenary session in Strasbourg. Moldova The Romanian Foreign Minister, Luminita Odobescu, paid an official visit to the neighboring Republic of Moldova (with a majority Romanian-speaking population) on Wednesday, together with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Lammy. The two were received by the pro-Western President Maia Sandu and had trilateral consultations with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popsoi. The discussions focused on long-term support for the stability and resilience of the Republic, the reform agenda for the continuation of Chisinaus European integration process and the regional security situation in the context of the continuation of Russias aggression on Ukraine. Minister Luminita Odobescu also participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new building of the Mihai Eminescu Theoretical High School in Comrat (south, with a majority population of Gagauz ethnic Turks of the Christian-Orthodox denomination), built with funding granted by the Government of Romania and the Moldovan Education Ministry. She emphasized that the support for the education sector and for studying in the Romanian language represents investments in the European, democratic and prosperous future of the Republic of Moldova. Resignation Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, signed the decree acknowledging the resignation of Adrian Vestea from the position of Minister of Development and the termination of his mandate as a member of the Government. Vesteas portfolio was taken over by the finance minister, Marcel Bolos. He stated that his objectives include, among other things, the access of communities to a stable and functional heating system ahead of the winter season, as well as the support of water, sewerage and road projects. (LS) November 21, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of local and international news. Newsflash Newsroom, 21.11.2024, 20:00 A roundup of local and international news. RULING The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and the leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, Al-Masri, known as Mohammad Deif. The Hague-based courts Pre-Trial Chamber rejected Israeli challenges to its jurisdiction and said there were sufficient grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant committed war crimes and crimes against humanity by approving attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip. The ICC also issued a warrant Thursday for the arrest of Muhammad Deif, Hamas military chief. Israel said in August that it had killed Deif but Hamas has not confirmed his death. ENERGY The Bucharest Government on Friday adopted the national energy strategy for the next 10 years, with an extension until 2050. It aims at gradually shifting from coal-based production to natural gas-based production, which is less polluting, and, in the medium and long term, to nuclear energy. Three other economic strategies were also on the Governments agenda. The first is the Romanian industrialization strategy for the period 2024-2030. This involves the transition of Romanian industry towards clean energy. The second strategy is the one regarding non-energy mineral resources and aims to develop an integrated chain in the mining industry, from research, exploitation and development to processing. The third national strategy is the one for market surveillance. It is about a single market and the need, on the one hand, to guarantee the free movement of products in the European Union and, on the other hand, to make sure that these products meet quality standards. ELECTION The first round of the presidential election takes place in Romania on November 24. The second round is scheduled for December 8, and legislative elections are held on December 1. There are 13 candidates in the race for president, 10 supported by parties and 3 independents. There are 14 names on the ballots, but one of the candidates withdrew in favor of another. The authorities opened 950 polling stations for Romanians outside the borders, a record number. They can vote, in the first round of the presidential election, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. TRACTORS Small Romanian farms that own old and polluting tractors will be able to buy new ones by applying to the Tractors Scrap program. The budget allocated to the project by the administration of the environmental fund is 500 million lei (the equivalent of about 100 million Euros). The registration of the companies from which farmers can purchase the tractors starts on Friday and can be done until November 28 at the latest. The vouchers acquired by farmers will cover between 65% and 80% of the purchase value, which should not exceed 55,000 Euros. TOURISM The autumn edition of the 2024 Romanian Tourism Fair opened on Thursday in Bucharest. Visitors have access to a wide range of promotional packages, exclusive discounts and holiday ideas for all tastes and budgets, the organizers say. More than 100 participating companies offer destinations from all over the world, and discounts on vacation packages during the fair are up to 50%. Among the participants are tour operators from Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Israel, Austria, Hungary, Egypt, Vietnam and Italy. EC The right-wing, centrist and social democratic parties in the European Parliament reached, on Wednesday evening, a political agreement to approve the new European Commission makeup. The Romanian Roxana Minzatu will thus become Executive Vice-president for People, Skills and Preparedness in the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen. The European Parliament will give its final vote on the new EC membership on November 27, in a plenary session in Strasbourg. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Creation of Rio Tri initiative-framed resilient ecosystems requires coordinated knowledge sharing, Fijan Minister of Housing and Local Government Machiu Katamotu Nalumisa said, Trend reports. He made the remark at the COP-29 high-level dialogue themed Increasing knowledge exchange between conventions to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems on the Rio Trio Initiative (Colombia, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia) today. "We are facing serious consequences of climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation in the Pacific region. Our ecosystems are deeply intertwined with our way of life and culture, which is why it is crucial to incorporate information-sharing into legislation. This will help close data gaps, align local efforts with global goals, and develop comprehensive policies that address interconnected issues through reliable, transparent, and up-to-date information exchange," the minister explained. He further said that tools such as biodiversity assessments, climate models, information platforms, and land-use maps can greatly improve collaboration between stakeholders. "For example, in the Pacific region, we have used biodiversity data to support ecosystem restoration initiatives and combined information from various sources to create early warning systems for natural disasters. To build resilient ecosystems under the Rio Trio initiative, urgent coordinated knowledge exchange is needed. Interconnected challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation require innovative approaches," Nalumisa emphasized. The minister also highlighted that bridging the knowledge and resource gap between countries is impossible without prioritizing technology transfer and capacity building. "Fiji advocates for investments in digital infrastructure and educational programs that will enable all, especially developing countries, to effectively participate in common systems. If knowledge exchange processes integrate principles of equity and inclusivity, every country will not only be able to participate in joint efforts but also benefit from them. We recognize the importance of coordinated information exchange to achieve the goals of the conventions and ensure a sustainable future for all. Fiji reaffirms its commitment to these initiatives. At the same time, local knowledge plays a critical role in enhancing data collection and analysis 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. 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 Political agreement on the new European Commission The main parties in the European Parliament have reached a political agreement to approve the new European Commission team, which includes the Romanian Roxana Manzatu. European Commission (photo: European Union - Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe) Mihai Pelin, 21.11.2024, 14:00 The leaders of the three major political groups in the European Parliament have given the green light to the members of the next European Commission. They finally said yes to all the 7 European Commissioner nominations that were still under evaluation, thus ending the weeks-long deadlock between the EUs political factions over the composition of the future Commission. Between November 4 and 12 Parliament heard the prospective European commissioners in Ursula von der Leyens new team. After the interviews, however, for more than a week, the fate of the 6 vice-presidents and of the Hungarian nominee for public health and animal welfare commissioner Oliver Varhelyi was in limbo over political disagreements between the European Peoples Party, Renew, and the Socialists and Democrats. One of those left waiting was Roxana Manzatu, Romanias proposal, who would hold the post of Executive Vice-President for People, Skills and Preparedness. During the interview, she was asked questions not only about employee rights and the Erasmus programme, but also about the illegal extension of her house in Brasov, a topic also covered by Romanian media. In a social network post, the Romanian PM Marcel Ciolacu welcomed Roxana Minzatus validation as vice-president of the EC and as commissioner for a relevant sector. She is an excellent professional and will do Romania credit, said the Romanian PM. It is the first time since 1999 that no EU commissioner candidate has been rejected, which is a step back for the power of the EP, Politico notes. Along with the agreement on the membership of the future European Commission, the leaders of the main parties represented in Brussels also signed a document in which, as a parliamentary majority, they undertake to work together during their term in office to support Ukraine and to enhance the blocs security and competitiveness. The signatories also agreed to adopt a new industrial agreement and to boost circular economy, friendly to the environment. Last but not least, an efficient migration policy is being considered. The European Parliaments final vote on the new Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen will be given in next weeks session in Strasbourg. Two-thirds of the MEP votes are needed for the Commission to be endorsed. According to the procedural calendar, if the vote is favorable, the new commissioners will take office on December 1. The formula proposed by Ursula von der Leyen is slightly changed, with a vice-president position for European diplomacy chief (Kaja Kallas), 5 executive vice-presidents who will also coordinate certain policies, as well as 20 commissioner posts. (AMP) The U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust officials have formally asked a federal judge to force Alphabet Inc.'s Google to sell Chrome web browser with a view to ending the tech major's illegal monopoly in search. The decision comes after a landmark ruling by District Judge Amit Mehta in August found that Google had violated US antitrust law by illegally monopolizing the search market. If the judge agrees to the Justice Department proposal, Chrome browser could be sold for as much as $20 billion, Bloomberg reported. In a filing with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, the DOJ officials submitted the Initial Proposed Final Judgment or PFJ, which said, "The playing field is not level because of Google's conduct, and Google's quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired. The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages." The DOJ alleged that Google has manipulated its control of Chrome and Android to benefit itself, while sharing monopoly profits under conditions to induce third parties across the ecosystem to help Google maintain its monopolies. As a remedy, the DOJ requires Google to divest Chrome, which will permanently stop its control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet. In addition, there are multiple provisions that will limit Google's distribution of general search services by contract with third-party devices and search access points. Google is now being asked to syndicate its search results, ranking signals, and query understanding information in the U.S. to other rival search engines for ten years. The DOJ lawyers also sought that the court ban agreements including Google's multi-year contracts making it the default search engine on the devices of Apple, Samsung and others. They are also seeking to impose a range of other restrictions that would, among other things, limit or prohibit pre-installation agreements, and other revenue-sharing arrangements related to search and search-related products, potentially with or without the use of a choice screen. In early August, the Columbia District Court had ruled that Google has a monopoly in the general search services market and has used exclusive default search engine agreements to preserve its dominance, thereby suppressing competition. Following a lengthy trial, the court then had found that "Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly" over both the general search services and search text advertising . A potential partial breakup of Google is expected to significantly reshape both the online search market and the rapidly developing AI industry. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Canadian is up firmly in positive territory Thursday afternoon, and looks well on course to end the session on a buoyant note with stocks from , energy, industrials and financials sectors continuing to attract strong buying. The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index is up 340.82 points or 1.36% at 25,377.28. Celestica Inc (CLS.TO) is up 6%. Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC.TO), Bombardier Inc (BBD.A.TO), Cameco Corporation (CCO.TO) and Tourmaline Oil Corporation (TOU.TO) are up 4 to 5%. AtkinsRealis Group (ATRL.TO), Dayforce (DAY.TO), Magna International (MG.TO), Metro Inc (MRU.TO), Royal Bank of Canada (RY.TO), Shopify Inc (SHOP.TO), TFI International (TFII.TO), Constellation Software (CSU.TO) and West Fraser Timber (WFG.TO) are gaining 2 to 3.4%. Precision Drilling Corporation (PD.TO), Stantec Inc (STN.TO), WSP Global (WSP.TO), Canadian Pacific Kansas (CP.TO), Canadian National Railway (CNR.TO), Imperial Oil (IMO.TO), RB Global (RBA.TO), ONEX Corporation (ONEX.TO) and CGI Inc (GIB.A.TO) are also notably higher. Silvercorp Metals (SVM.TO) shares are down nearly 7%. Aya Gold & Silver (AYA.TO), Hut 8 Corp (HUT.TO), Dye & Durham (DND.TO), Endeavour Mining (EDV.TO), ATS Corporation (ATS.TO), BCE Inc (BCE.TO), MAG Silver Corp (MAG.TO) and Molson Coors Canada (TPX.B.TO) are down 1.6 to 4%. Data from Statistics Canada showed industrial producer prices in Canada rose by 1.2% month-over-month in October, rebounding from a revised 0.8% decline in the previous month. On yearly basis, producer prices rose by 1.1% in October, after a revised 1% fall in the previous month. The Raw Materials Price Index in Canada rose 3.8% month-over-month in October, rebounding from two consecutive monthly declines. Year-on-year, the Raw Materials Price Index dropped 2.8%, marking the third straight annual decline. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Determined to see the project finalised, Ms Thabisa Mhlahlo spent many hours at ILAM adding metadata to the recordings The rich musical heritage of Keiskammahoek has been preserved and made accessible through a collaborative cataloguing project, led by the International Library of African Music (ILAM) at Rhodes University. This initiative is the first in South Africa to catalogue a collection in isiXhosa and English, highlighting a significant step towards inclusive and representative music heritage preservation. Initiated in 2012, this heritage research project brought together Ethnomusicology and isiXhosa language students from Rhodes University under the guidance of Dr Lee Watkins and Professor Pamela Maseko. Students gained hands-on experience in service learning, collaborating with local fieldworkers coordinated by the Ntinga Development Centre (NDC). Despite the eventual closure of the NDC, the project adapted, with Ms Thabisa Mhlahlo, a former NDC staff member and key collaborator, stepping in to assist with cataloguing the recordings. In 2023, Ms Mhlahlo undertook the meticulous task of adding metadata to the recordings at the International Library of African Music (ILAM) on Rhodes Universitys campus. With guidance from assistant sound engineer and PhD student Praise Mathebula, she ensured that the collection was not only well-organised but also fully bilingual. This approach enhances accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for isiXhosa-speaking communities. The collection was officially launched last month in Keiskammahoek, with representatives from 24 local villages in attendance. The event highlighted the importance of community ownership and accessibility. A hard drive containing the entire collection is available to local residents, enabling access to recordings even in areas without internet connectivity. Plans are underway to direct any income generated from the collection to benefit a community organisation, further reinforcing the projects commitment to ethical and sustainable heritage management. This project demonstrates innovation in several key areas: Decolonisation of the archive : By including isiXhosa alongside English metadata, the project aligns with ongoing efforts to transform archives into more inclusive and representative spaces. : By including isiXhosa alongside English metadata, the project aligns with ongoing efforts to transform archives into more inclusive and representative spaces. Empowering communities : The involvement of community members in both the collection and management of their heritage promotes a sense of ownership and demystifies archival processes. : The involvement of community members in both the collection and management of their heritage promotes a sense of ownership and demystifies archival processes. Open access: Unlike many archives that are inaccessible to the public, this collection is readily available to the community, ensuring that heritage remains a living and shared resource. The project was made possible through support from Rhodes Universitys Community Engagement (RUCE) Division, the National Arts Council, and the National Heritage Council. Its long-term implications are far-reaching, offering a model for how archives can be ethically managed in partnership with the communities they represent. The collection, which includes invaluable cultural performances and historical recordings, is available online at: Rhodes University ILAM. This bilingual cataloguing project is a meaningful contribution to heritage preservation in South Africa, ensuring that the voices and music of Keiskammahoek remain preserved and accessible for future generations. In the latest teaser ahead of the much-anticipated Activa Electric launch on November 27, 2024, Honda has unveiled the scooters removable battery setup The new eActiva teaser highlights a dual battery configuration designed to provide enhanced convenience and practicality for urban commuters. The batteries are neatly housed under the seat, where they can be easily removed and replaced once depleted. Dual Battery Convenience: A Game-Changer for Electric Mobility The removable battery setup confirms Hondas focus on addressing common pain points of electric vehicle users, such as long charging times and range anxiety. With two compact batteries tucked under the seat, the Activa Electric ensures riders can quickly swap out empty batteries for fully charged ones, eliminating downtime. This feature aligns with Hondas broader strategy to incorporate swappable battery technology into its electric two-wheelers, supported by its subsidiary, Honda Power Pack Energy India Private Limited, based in Bangalore. What sets the Activa Electric apart is the inclusion of a swappable battery systema feature currently missing from some of the top-selling electric scooters in India, such as the Ola S1, TVS iQube, and Bajaj Chetak, which all rely on fixed battery setups. While these scooters have gained popularity for their features and performance, the inability to swap batteries means users must wait for charging, which can be a drawback for those with tight schedules. Hondas approach with the Activa Electric could work in its favor, especially for riders prioritizing convenience and flexibility. The ability to swap batteries quickly allows users to extend their range without downtime, making it a practical solution for urban commuters and long-distance riders alike. Practical Design and Enhanced Utility The design of the dual battery system emphasizes practicality. Positioned under the seat, the batteries are easy to access without compromising the scooters storage space or aesthetics. This setup offers several key advantages: Ease of Use: The batteries can be removed and replaced effortlessly, making it convenient for users of all age groups. Extended Range: Riders can carry spare batteries for long trips, ensuring uninterrupted rides. Swappable Infrastructure: With Hondas battery-sharing service subsidiary already established, this setup aligns perfectly with plans for a robust swappable battery network. What to Expect from the Activa Electric The Activa Electric has already generated buzz with previous teasers showcasing its advanced digital instrument cluster, sleek design, and performance capabilities. Combining these with the newly revealed dual battery system solidifies Hondas intent to deliver a feature-rich, practical, and user-friendly electric scooter. The dual removable battery system adds yet another layer of innovation, catering to urban commuters looking for eco-friendly mobility solutions without the limitations of traditional charging systems. The Activa Electric is set to launch on November 27, 2024, in Bangalore, where Hondas battery-swapping infrastructure is headquartered. With features like this dual battery setup and a likely range exceeding 100 km per charge, Honda is poised to make a significant impact on Indias electric scooter market. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. We must secure an agreement on a new ambitious climate finance target in Baku, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said in a media briefing as part of the COP29 in Baku, Trend reports. "We need an agreement on a new, ambitious climate finance goal here in Baku. Through various components, this goal must mobilize the necessary financing for developing countries," the Secretary-General said. Guterres emphasized the critical importance of financial growth in addressing climate challenges. "Each government must be allowed to benefit from clean, affordable renewable energy and a fair energy transition while accelerating emissions reductions. Financial growth is essential for all countries to protect themselves and their people from climate disaster and to strengthen trust between nations," he added. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. 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 21. During a sit-down between Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, and Yang Tianfu, the President of PowerChina Resources Ltd., they kicked around ideas for potential collaboration in the green energy arena, the minister wrote on X, Trend reports. At the meeting with the president of PowerChina Resources Ltd., Yang Tianfu we discussed potential cooperation in the field of green energy, the possibility of using the favorable business environment of our country, and the implementation of joint investment projects, the publication reads. PowerChina Resources Ltd, a principal holding subsidiary of Power Construction Corporation of China Ltd., was founded in 2012 in Beijing, China, with a registered capital of 5.41 billion RMB. The business scope encompasses the concession of electric power projects, development of oil, non-ferrous metals, and mineral resources, real estate development, environmental conservation, investment in utilities and infrastructure, engineering and technical consulting services, import and export trading, and overseas contracting. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. Investments in nature and environmental conservation contribute to unlocking new economic opportunities, COP29 President and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev said at Global Leaders Roundtable: Aligning Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation for Achieving a Nature-positive Future and the Paris Agreement Goals, Trend reports. Innovative strategies are increasing funding and investment in the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of biodiversity. Through investing in nature-centered solutions, we can unlock economic potential, build resilience, and create the foundation for a sustainable future, he said. The minister emphasized that a key element of the effort is public-private partnerships to achieve ambitious goals, including transforming and conserving at least 30 percent of land and oceans by 2030, protecting biodiversity, building resilience to climate change, and ensuring sustainable development for future generations. Babayev also drew attention to the importance of developing a strategy to harmonize initiatives on climate, biodiversity, land, and oceans in national policies. These efforts are aimed at achieving the 2030 climate, conservation, and sustainable development goals, he noted. In addition, the minister noted the necessity to deepen cooperation between the public and private sectors. By combining public policy and corporate leadership, we can protect ecosystems and ensure equitable outcomes, he emphasized. The minister also pointed to the importance of increasing funding for conservation and noted that the private sector should act in harmony with the environment. According to Babayev, transparent biodiversity monitoring systems play a key role in developing effective conservation measures. This is a unique opportunity to address the interlinked crisis of climate and biodiversity in an integrated and transformative approach, the minister stated. 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 21. We have a chance in the next 24-48 hours to deliver significant results in the field of nature protection and lay the foundation for the transition from Baku to Belem, the Minister for the Environment of the UK Mary Creagh said at a Global Leaders Roundtable: Aligning Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation for Achieving a Nature-positive Future and the Paris Agreement Goals, Trend reports. We must effectively use natural solutions such as forests, mangrove vegetation, and peatlands to combat climate change. Their protection and restoration are vital. The UK, with partners, is investing in the Legacy Landscapes Fund to achieve the global 30 by 30 target. We are integrating nature into land use, supporting sustainable agriculture and forestry. A 'first loss' approach is used to attract private capital, where the government reduces risk for investors. The Eco-Business Fund, supported by the UK and Germany, is implementing sustainable practices, protecting more than one million hectares of land, and attracting significant private investment, she said. According to her, the UK is also funding the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund, restoring areas, supporting farmers, and reducing CO2 emissions. Technical assistance plays a key role in transferring knowledge and amplifying the impact of initiatives. In Madagascar, the Acre project is rehabilitating degraded land, supporting farmers, and preserving biodiversity through such investments. Public-private partnerships like these, tackling climate, nature, and poverty at the same time, are the way forward. The UK has demonstrated success with such approaches. The demand for funding to achieve such goals is huge, and there are many opportunities to make a difference with the right support. We have a chance in the next 24-48 hours to deliver strong conservation outcomes and lay the groundwork for the transition from Baku to Belem next year. Together, we must find the right balance between different approaches and frameworks to protect our only planet, 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 21. The high-level event on Forests for Climate, Nature, and People: Harnessing Climate Finance for Forests was held on the sidelines of the 29th UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP29), Trend reports. The event, co-organized by the COP29 Presidency and the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), also brought together officials from the Ministries of Environment of Brazil, Canada, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Japan, Suriname, the UK, as well as staff from the UN Environment Programme, the World Bank, the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, and the Asian Development Bank. At the high-level meeting, relevant experts and officials discussed issues related to forest loss in the face of climate change, degradation of forest ecosystems, strengthening climate action and policies to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement by addressing existing forest-related challenges, utilizing additional climate finance for forest protection, including existing innovative financing mechanisms, strengthening global efforts to share information and knowledge management on best practices, and enhancing the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The event provided information on the initiative of next year's international event, Synergy for Sustainable Forestry and Biodiversity: Dialogue of Cooperation for a Green World," initiated by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. 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 21. In response to the climate issue and the dwindling biodiversity, I demand that the world come together at COP29, said Hana Alhashimi, Chief Negotiator for COP28, Trend reports. Speaking at an event titled "From Baku TO Belem: Joint Mitigation and Adaptation Amazon Regional Mechanism for the Integral and Sustainable Management of Forests," Alhashimi highlighted the critical role of nature and ecosystems in addressing climate change. "The dialogue on ecosystem preservation and sustainable natural resource management began in July during the ministerial meeting on climate action in Wuhan, China. It is a tremendous honor to co-host this important event here at COP29, alongside Azerbaijan, Brazil, and Bolivia. Such discussions deepen our understanding of the role nature plays in achieving climate goals and sustainable development targets, including combating deforestation and preserving biodiversity," she said. Alhashimi also emphasized that the consensus reached at COP28 in Dubai confirmed the need to incorporate all available solutions across all sectors and systems. "The first global review's results, which set the goal of halting deforestation by 2030, underscored the importance of nature and ecosystems. Forests are the lungs of our planet. Forest management will be a key element in achieving our climate targets and maintaining vital ecosystem services," she added. She added that the designation of 2024 as the Year of Environmental Sustainability represents a significant turning point for sustainable development. "I urge countries to unite in the fight against biodiversity loss and the climate crisis. We are committed to success and ready to work toward results here in Baku, Belem, and other regions. Only by joining forces at the international level can we achieve sustainable development and climate stability. Ecosystem preservation, including forests, oceans, and the cryosphere, must become a central part of the global climate agenda," Alhashimi concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Recent articles in The Atlantic and Teen Vogue highlight a troubling trend: College students are increasingly disengaged from reading, prompting a search for scapegoats. From private research universities to small liberal arts colleges, professors have expressed frustration over students' declining ability to tackle course readings. They've had to reduce the number of pages assigned for homework due to dwindling reading stamina and enthusiasm for "academic" texts. But who truly deserves the blame? A significant portion of the criticism is directed at technological devices because the distractions these devices present can severely affect learning. Research has shown that cellphones, tablets and laptops enable students to indulge in distractions, prompting several states to pass legislation aimed at banning cellphones to improve students' mental health and focus. Others point fingers at standardized testing and, by extension, K-12 teachers. Standardized tests dominate educational priorities, influencing national and state policy, school rankings and resource distribution. Although many teachers recognize that these tests do little to enhance classroom learning, they remain a central focus. Because of this, some teachers feel obligated to prioritize test preparation, which often favors superficial reading comprehension over deep, sustained engagement with texts and ideas. Consequently, students may find themselves skimming to answer questions rather than appreciating the transformative power of literature, all in pursuit of a passing score on a high-stakes exam. Teachers are not to blame for this predicament. When I was an English teacher in Florida and Georgia at-will employment states in which an employer can fire an employee for any reason, with or without cause or notice I understood that improving student test scores was crucial for job security. Despite my passion for reading and my efforts to cultivate literary engagement in my classroom, I was acutely aware that failure to show adequate yearly progress could jeopardize my position. In many states, test scores are linked to merit pay and job stability, placing immense pressure on teachers to deliver results. While it's easy to point fingers, we must recognize the many layers to this conversation. In many articles about students' reading abilities, there is an overemphasis on students' disengagement from canonical texts those traditionally deemed "classics" that all students should read. Works such as "Wuthering Heights," "Jane Eyre," "The Iliad," "Great Expectations" and "Pride and Prejudice" are often heralded as crucial for understanding the human condition and appreciating humanity's greatest achievements. While these texts can offer valuable insights, they predominately feature white authors and white protagonists, suggesting that only certain humans are worthy of appreciation. When the canon is prioritized, contemporary, diverse and young adult literature, especially works by and about minoritized people, are often overlooked. By emphasizing a narrow selection of texts, we can alienate students who might connect more deeply with stories that reflect their own experiences. By spotlighting white-centric literature from centuries ago, we risk making reading feel irrelevant to students' lives, further diminishing their motivation to read. Certainly, technology plays a role in the time students devote to reading, but can we truly blame them for being drawn in? Social media algorithms curate personalized content connected to people's interests, contrasting sharply with our approach to selecting class texts. Schools, for numerous reasons, tend to favor standardized reading experiences, often ignoring students' diverse interests and backgrounds. It's no wonder students aren't reading complete novels; we've categorized the books young people love as not "real" reading. Our educational culture has prioritized test scores over meaningful reading engagement. We've communicated that reading matters only when it can be dissected for a test, while students' interests are sidelined. There are no official statistics tracking the number of complete novels assigned in high school. But reports indicate that assignments requiring students to read full-length novels are becoming less common, and federal data shows teens are reading less than they did a decade ago. Researchers have also noted a decline in young people reading books for pleasure, a trend that continues into adulthood. So, yes, reading in the U.S. is in a state of emergency. Yes, college students and everyone else are reading fewer novels. However, if we want to point fingers, we should start with ourselves. We've spent so much time blaming each other, young people and books when we could've been suggesting solutions. We could advocate for a reduced emphasis on standardized testing and push for increased funding to help schools acquire texts that align with student interests. We could champion diverse and contemporary literature that reflects the lives and experiences of all students. We could call for better funding for teacher education programs to equip educators with the tools they need to match students with texts that might foster a love of reading. The responsibility lies with all of us educators, policymakers and communities to create an environment where every student feels inspired to explore the vast world of literature, even if their reading journey occurs outside of our classrooms. Stephanie R. Toliver is an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a public voices fellow with the OpEd Project. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. COP29 has demonstrated the ability to unite all participants in the pursuit of ambitious climate goals, said Jean Baderschneider, member of the COP29 Advisory Council and board member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, Trend reports. Speaking in a press conference held by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, Baderschneider expressed special gratitude to the COP29 presidency for creating a platform to discuss the role of the private sector in scaling up climate financing. "This is an important step forward that lays a solid foundation for further action," she said. Baderschneider emphasized that rapidly scaling up climate finance is crucial to achieving global climate targets. "You can propose thousands of recommendations, but without the financial resources to implement them, they will remain just on paper. Accelerated climate financing is the foundation for achieving our goals," she noted. She also pointed out that government and multilateral efforts alone are insufficient to address the climate challenges, highlighting the critical role of the private sector. "The partnership between the public and private sectors will be a decisive factor in implementing climate initiatives and accelerating the transition to a sustainable future," Baderschneider added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Dr. Thomas Jankowski Dr. Thomas Jankowski. Roxanne Frith A gathering for Michigan State University's Generations Connect program, which matches MSU undergraduate students with elders in the community, at the East Lansing Public Library. Roxanne Frith A gathering for Michigan State University's Generations Connect program, which matches MSU undergraduate students with elders in the community, at the East Lansing Public Library. Roxanne Frith A gathering for Michigan State University's Generations Connect program, which matches MSU undergraduate students with elders in the community, at the East Lansing Public Library. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev has discussed cooperation between the two countries in the field of transport, particularly aviation with the Federal Minister for Privatization, Investment Board and Communications of Pakistan Abdul Aleem Khan, Trend reports. The parties also held an exchange of views on the joint activities of aviation operators from Azerbaijan and Pakistan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Detroit is growing and changing, but can it keep up this pace? The latest report from Detroit Future City (DFC), Making the Middle Class: Leveraging Detroits Neighborhoods to Build a Middle-Class City suggests that in order to be sustainable in the future, Detroit must increase its middle-class population.The new report is in addition to the Growing Detroits African American Middle Class report released in 2019. The latest figures show that despite an increase of 2,000 residents, Detroit has lost 67,000 residents since 2012. Over the past 10 years, more than 100,000 Black residents left the city. There are many factors at play, including income, education, housing, neighborhood quality, and more which have an impact on the citys growth.The report, which was released in September, is from DFCs Center for Equity, Engagement, and Research, which utilizes data and insight from community stakeholders. DFC is a self-described think-tank, policy advocate and innovative data-driven strategist engine which aims to create a more equitable and sustainable future for Detroit.In a press release, DFC CEO Anika Goss says the city of Detroit must advocate for new policies and investments that move Detroiters into the middle class and keep them there.A strong middle class will fuel economic growth, foster community stability and pave the way for sustainable progress in Detroit and throughout the region, she says.Ashley Williams Clark is DFCs vice president of equity, engagement and research. Williams Clark says the Detroit nonprofit is focused on a major goal from now until 2030 laser-focused on building thriving resilient neighborhoods and growing Detroits Black population again. This particular population makes up the largest demographic in the city, but is also the demographic that is leaving the city at the fastest rate.Edward Lynch is the director of research at DFC. Lynch says the latest report pulls data from community surveys, disclosure data and the City of Detroits open data portal. After collecting data for a few months, they walk through the data with advisory committees, and gather more interpretations in additional contexts to help elevate areas that might need further research. The numbers date back to 2012-2022, the decade-long lookback helps provides an in-depth picture and a roadmap for the present and future, says Lynch.Williams Clark says this report is a culmination of a large body of work DFC has been building over the past six years.We did a report several years ago that found that 75% of Detroiters had incomes below $50,000, she says. When we did that, it was so critical that we look at the middle-class because weve seen population loss, weve seen what the median household income is in the city, and weve seen a decline of just under 100,000 Black residents that have left the city since 2012.As we think about the future for the city, its not just about confronting the issues that the city is facing today, but also thinking very intentionally about becoming that middle-class city with the idea that it wont just fuel economic growth, but also foster community stability and will benefit residents.Although Detroit experienced a population milestone last year, when the city saw its first population increase in 60 years. However, 62% of the citys census tracts have seen a decline in population of more than five percent. In looking for ways to increase middle-class neighborhoods, foster growth and development, and address disparities and equity gaps, the report breaks down a few key areas of focus.Income, education, housing, and neighborhood quality all factor into whether residents stay in the city or are seemingly forced out. The report shows that incomes remain low among Black and Latino/Hispanic populations, while white incomes steadily increase. These disparities are compounded even more so from the increase of the citys white population with Bachelors degrees or higher levels of education.When it comes to the citys housing landscape, the report shows Detroit is split evenly between homeowners and renters, but renter affordability remains an issue. Issues like blight, vacancy, public safety, taxes and insurance also reflect on neighborhood quality.In order to address these issues, the report details that Detroit must take an intentional, comprehensive, collaborative approach to build the middle-class city. Within this approach, it breaks down a few key next steps: to provide opportunities for all Detroiters to enter the middle class, to renew Detroits housing to build middle-class neighborhoods, and to address vacant land through open space.Lynch says the solution is a two-pronged approach, to increase quality job opportunities for current residents and improve educational opportunities for the citys youth, and to improve neighborhoods and their respective investments.As people enter the middle-class, we would like them to see Detroit as a place that they want to stay, he says.Lynch hopes by delivering this report to both the general public and to stakeholders that it can help folks gather around this vision of becoming a middle-class city, and to align policies around building that initiative.The report helps people start thinking about the city we are, but also the city we want to be, and kind of the roadmap to get there, he says. Courtesy of the artist. Courtesy of the artist. Courtesy of the artist. Courtesy of the artist. As Thanksgiving nears, so too does the holiday shopping season. And while well never stop encouraging readers to shop local and especially come the holidays a brand new event in Sterling Heights will provide the opportunity to shop local and buy directly from the makers themselves.On Saturday, Nov. 23, the Sterling Heights Arts Commission will open the doors to its first-ever Fall Art Show at the Sterling Heights Community Center. The event is free, open to the public, and features the arts and crafts of 20 local makers. Its a list that includes candy and candlemakers, metal-bending artists, fine artists, and plenty more.We wanted to get a sense of what to expect at the inaugural event, so we checked in with some of the vendors scheduled to line the booths at the Sterling Heights Community Center.Those who browsed the vendor booths at the 2024 SterlingFest might recognize the work of Kirk Young. The founder of KEY Kustoms has launched a line of custom home and bar decor, repurposing old bourbon barrels to create a range of products that include clocks, bottle openers, wine racks, and plenty more. Working from his Sterling Heights home, Young laser engraves barrel staves and barrel heads for personalized gifts. It can be anything from your favorite drink to something personal such as a nickname or your cottage name, he says.As the owner of a painting company, Young got to launching KEY Kustoms during the winter when business slowed after the busy warm weather months gave way to the cold. After entering a few holiday markets, hed discover just how popular his creations would be. That he was invited to be a vendor for the Fall Art Show in his own hometown? Hes fortunate, he says.Visitors can expect to see just how creative humans can be. There are typically woodworkers, handmade candles, crochet items, and handmade holiday decorations just to name a few, Young says of what Saturday could entail. I feel it is very important for the city to organize and host events such as this. There is a lot of community involvement and the opportunities to network and meet new people are endless.Visit KEY Kustoms online Located in nearby Warren is Tamie Simpson, the owner of Many Hands Marketplace. Simpson is another veteran of SterlingFest, having sold her handmade jewelry there for several years now. To be included in the inaugural Fall Art Show is another great opportunity for local business owners, she says. And as an artist, after 24 years of creating jewelry, Simpson is as passionate as ever about her art and sharing it with others.Im inspired to create and share a connection that only something made by hand can make someone feel, Simpson says. I design and create artisan earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, using ethically-sourced and handmade components and findings. Each piece of jewelry tells a story its in the creator: who she is, why she chose those pieces, and how she put them together.Visit Many Hands Marketplace online Fiber artist Julie Nicholls launched Nicholls Knits in 2019, though her imagination and hands have been busy since well before then.My mother and both my grandmothers are avid crafters, so I learned when I was in kindergarten and have been going ever since, Nicholls says.The Nicholls Knits line includes wearables, dolls, blankets, and more, featuring fun and playful designs like her dinosaur plushies and a Taylor Swift-inspired crochet dress.If its made with yarn, chances are Ive tried it, she says. Her strengths are in crocheting and knitting, but she can spin, tat, embroider, and cross stitch, too.The Fall Art Show provides small business owners like her the prized opportunity to get out from behind her supplies and tools and meet customers and fellow makers face-to-face.Small business owners benefit from events like this, Nicholls says. It provides a chance to interact and learn from other vendors, while promoting our businesses. I know many people who want to support small businesses but dont know how. Events like this show the community who is local and what services they provide while also providing a sense of security because the community can meet the businesses in person.Visit Nicholls Knits online One of the newest businesses to be featured at the Fall Art Show will be Othala Fyne Arts. The wife-and-husband team of Christine and Jay Meloche launched the company earlier this year following Christines arrival from her native Germany.Located in nearby Roseville, Othala Fyne Arts specializes in handmade wire and resin sculptures and jewelry, with leather- and woodwork pieces recently making their way into the collection, too. Their work, Jay says, draws its inspiration from nature and Norse mythology.And he hopes their own work inspires others, too.We think events like this are very important since it gives guests and artists the opportunity to meet new people and get new ideas. Sometimes great friendships develop at shows like this, Jay says. Hopefully some of the artists will inspire some visitors to try out things and become artists and crafters themselves.Visit Othala Fyne Arts online See our sidebar for a complete list of vendors for the Fall Art Show presented by the Sterling Heights Arts Commission . The event is free and open to the public, and scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sterling Heights Community Center. Steve Koss Brian Wright on the proposed site of a new HOPE Shelter in Pontiac. Steve Koss Brian Wright and Devon Hollins at HOPE Shelters' adult homeless shelter in Pontiac. Courtesy photo Deana Spencer, co-founder of BC Pride. This story is part of Southwest Michigan Second Wave's On the Ground Battle Creek series BATTLE CREEK, MI Cultivating and maintaining a lower profile is becoming a reality for some members of Battle Creeks LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community as they weigh the impact of an incoming presidential administration that threatens to undo the gains theyve made.For those who identify as LGBTQIA, Project 2025 a presidential transition plan spearheaded and organized by the far-right Heritage Foundation, is a stark reminder of the what ifs many now feel compelled to address, says Deana Spencer, President of Battle Creek Pride The plan includes firing federal employees that oppose or insufficiently support right-wing policies, ending access to abortion and contraception, and eliminating protections for LGBTQ people, according to the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). The document even calls for erasing LGBTQ-inclusive language throughout federal agencies such as the terms sexual orientation and gender identity ('SOGI'), diversity, equity, and inclusion, gender, gender equality, gender equity, gender awareness, gender-sensitive, abortion, reproductive health, reproductive rights.Following the presidential election, Spencer says her organization decided to host a gathering on November 13 at their Resource Center to provide support and guidance after seeing increased social media posts and comments regarding people's fears and concerns.We wanted to provide a safe space for folks to share community following the outcome of the election, Spencer says. Many people are sad, scared, and angry and don't know where to turn or what to do. We wanted to offer the space to simply gather to mourn, vent, cry, and simply support each other.These gatherings will be ongoing as the impact of the new administration is felt.We are trying to remember that we can only control what we can control. What that means for us and the community is that we will gather more frequently, we will tighten our circles and expand our support, Spencer says.We will offer safety in numbers and create safe spaces. We are already planning a workshop that will cover funeral trusts and pre-funeral planning, patient advocacy and advanced care directives, and wills, trusts, and POAs. These will take place during the first part of next year, and likely in the month of January. We need to offer resources and information on how folks can legally protect themselves, their assets, and their families.Kellie Podolsky, an Attorney with Podolsky and Wickham in Battle Creek, was mentioned in some of the social media posts Spencer saw as a good legal resource. Although Podolsky says that less than five percent of her clients identify as LGBTQIA+, she knows there are concerns nationwide from groups she belongs to.Its more of the unease of the unknown, she says. We dont know whats going to happen and you want to take every precaution.For this reason, Podolsky says its super important to make sure all your estate planning documents are up to date. You need to be making sure youre identifying individuals by name in all of those documents rather than referring to them as my spouse. All directives need to be very clear in the event that you become incapacitated or pass away.She had a friend out of state who married earlier than planned recently just to be safe even though the wedding wasnt supposed to happen until 2025.If the changes called for in Project 2025 are acted upon, Spencer says there will be a lasting impact that goes well beyond the next Presidential election.I am concerned about appointees that have term limits beyond four years. I am afraid of term limits being abolished and having this as our reality well beyond the end of 2028, she says.Kim Langridge, Immediate Past President of BC Pride, has the same concerns. She says she doesnt worry for herself so much, but she is concerned about the United States, democracy, and transgender and LGBTQ people everywhere, especially young people who are just starting their journey as part of these communities.The changes called for in Project 2025 are going to be so deeply institutionalized that next election wont be able to undo the damage that will have already been done, says Langridge who identifies as transgender. This feels more dangerous. Its a lot more mean and serious than anything Ive experienced.A lifelong resident of Marshall, Langridge says shes glad she lives in Michigan where the governor, attorney general, and secretary of state are all women and Democrats. In addition, Marshall Pride was formed last year adding another level of support for the LGBTQIA+ community.Weve become an easy target for conservatives. They always seem to need a target which used to be Black people, then Asians and women, and now it's trans people, Langridge says. Ive lived in Marshall my entire life and I dont have a lot of cares and concerns for my personal well-being. Ive never been threatened. It may be foolhardy to think this way especially now that the gloves are off with Trump supporters who have essentially been given license to do and say anything. Although Langridge will continue to speak out and advocate for her community, Spencer says she knows of others who identify as LGBTQIA+ who will be staying off of social media and more closely vetting allies. At the same time, she says others are choosing to fight even harder, louder, and more visibly than ever before.I have been hearing chatter that says some will retreat and isolate, some, in essence, are going underground like we had to decades ago, Spencer says. I think most of us are unsure what to do and how to do it and will be figuring it out as we go as we assess moment by moment what is safe.Allies, she says, can create safe spaces for the LGBTQIA community literally and figuratively.They can help advocate for changes in their organizations, churches, places of employment, and families. They can VOTE for ALL humanity and they can encourage others to do the same, Spencer says. They can always share with others why they are allies, and appeal to folks' compassion and human spirit to continue to change minds. Housing Spotlight Amid SF crackdown, many homeless still shelter-skeptical Craig Lee/The Examiner Workers from the Department of Emergency Management, SF Public Works and the San Francisco Fire Department take down a tent during a homeless-encampment sweep on 16th Street between Folsom and Harrison streets on Oct. 31. Sleeping on San Franciscos streets can be a cold and dangerous way to live. But when city outreach workers offer shelter to unhoused residents, the offer is turned down more often than not. Over the course of 2023, the acceptance rate for such offers reached only 35%. Its a figure outgoing Mayor London Breed has called unacceptable, and she has cited it more than once in making her case for The Citys recent transition to a more aggressive approach to clearing encampments. But after nearly four months of stepped-up enforcement which have seen a marked uptick in citations over alleged violations of San Franciscos vagrancy laws the acceptance rate for offers of shelter has shown no signs of improvement, according to an Examiner review of city data. Since August, city outreach workers have engaged with unhoused residents more than 1,400 times to offer shelter and services, but only 350 of those encounters have resulted in a homeless person agreeing to a housing offer, marking an acceptance rate of 25%. That figure represents a decline from 2023 and also from the first seven months of 2024, when such offers resulted in placements in housing 33% of the time. For critics of Breeds approach, including many advocates for the homeless, those figures come as no surprise. They have been warning that turning to stricter enforcement of The Citys vagrancy laws without taking more action to expand shelter offerings would succeed only in upending the already precarious lives of many unhoused people. They have also warned that turning to more punitive forms of encampment management will sow distrust among those who have been cleared, making the rehousing conversation all the more difficult. Breed, however, has contended that The Citys new approach has offered a crucial means of convincing unhoused residents to abandon life on the street. Our goal with enforcement is not to punish people, Breed wrote in an August op-ed in The San Francisco Standard. Its to make clear that when we offer help whether by our encampment teams in the moment or by another outreach worker making their daily rounds that these offers are not an option. They are the option. Craig Lee/The Examiner Mayor London Breed speaking about the San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act at Planned Parenthood in San Francisco on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Responding to The Examiners inquiry, Breeds office also said that the acceptance rate alone is not a sufficient gauge of the success of The Citys rehousing effort, arguing that the resistance to shelter offers from those still living on the street has only grown stronger with each passing year. With Breeds administration now on its way out following her loss in the November election, it will soon be left to incoming Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie to decide how to contend with the reality of so many people on the street who seemingly remain highly skeptical of The Citys housing offers. Interviews with homeless residents, city officials, advocates and nonprofit workers suggest that overcoming such skepticism often rooted in deep-seated mistrust or dissatisfaction with The Citys shelter offerings will be a crucial hurdle to clear, as Lurie seeks to make good on his ambitious campaign pledge to end street homelessness within his first six months in office. The new approach Just as San Franciscos mayoral race hit a fever pitch this summer, Breed announced that The City would adopt a new, very aggressive approach to clearing homeless encampments beginning in August. The announcement followed the U.S. Supreme Courts June ruling in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, overturning a precedent that had held that penalizing people under public-vagrancy laws when no alternative housing option could be made available violated the Eighth Amendments protection against cruel and unusual punishment. The decision had near-immediate consequences for San Francisco: About a week later, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated part of an injunction against The City that had limited the use of encampment sweeps based on a similar interpretation of the Constitution. The legal victory for San Francisco has freed the Breed administration to take a firmer hand in enforcing city laws related to obstructing sidewalks, as well as those that prohibit sitting, lying or lodging on public property. City homelessness officials also say that the ruling has granted more flexibility in managing street homelessness. It has helped us address our most challenging encampments, where services are often refused, and re-encampment is common, said a statement from the Healthy Streets Operation Center, which oversees encampment-clearing and rehousing efforts. Craig Lee/The Examiner People living at a homeless encampment move their belongings before a sweep on 16th Street between Folsom and Harrison Streets in San Francisco on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Even before the policy change, city outreach teams were conducting two regularly scheduled encampment sweeps each weekday. Since August, The City has dispatched teams that include both Public Works employees as well as police officers to clear encampments, city officials have said. In addition, those teams have conducted encampment sweeps without issuing the 72-hour prior notice that has been typical of such operations. Outreach teams continue to offer shelter and services, officials say, but police have also been dispensing more penalties to those who refuse shelter. In the first seven weeks after the new policy was put in place, San Francisco issued over 150 citations for illegal lodging, more than twice as much as had been issued over the previous three years, the Associated Press reported. Does tough love work? Homeless advocates say that the new approach has been counterproductive. When people feel stressed and under pressure and even more desperate, theyre just more likely to hide and live on the street with nothing, said Eleana Binder, a policy manager with the GLIDE Foundation, a service and advocacy nonprofit. Unfortunately, for some people, the first time or maybe the only time theres actually a concrete offer of anything for them, it might be coming up during a sweep where theyre panicked, theyre trying to not lose all of their belongings critical things like IDs and medication, she said. Under such conditions, she added, winning the trust of the unhoused is unlikely. However, Breed spokesperson Jeff Cretan said The City is already seeing signs that the new approach is paying off. Its been helpful to really try to encourage people to come in, he said. Its like having a little bit more leverage. Craig Lee/The Examiner San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team members speaking to people living at a homeless encampment on Merlin Street off of Harrison Street in San Francisco during a sweep on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. The acceptance rate figure for The Citys housing offers has been steadily declining for several years at this point. However, Cretan argued, the trend offers a misleading portrait of The Citys actual progress tackling the homelessness crisis over that time. Thats because as San Francisco has expanded shelter options and rehoused thousands of people, those who remain on the street tend to also be the most resistant to housing offers, sometimes for reasons related to drug addiction or mental health challenges, he said. Weve gotten to the point where really hard-to-reach people have these complex, co-occurring challenges that its not just about saying yes, its about making them maybe recognize All right, now is the time I want to seek treatment, Cretan said. Thats a harder thing to get to for anyone. Still, shelter beds remain limited in San Francisco, with waitlists for housing running into the hundreds. Critics contend that one reason the acceptance rate is so low is that, all too often, when outreach workers engage with homeless people, the housing options on offer are a poor fit. We do not give that ability to make the choice, and we mark those people as refusing services, said Del Seymour, who was chronically homeless himself before founding homeless-services nonprofit Code Tenderloin in 2015. And that is so wrong that we do that every day to people. Unlike some advocates, Seymour said he feels The Citys new policy is working in getting more people off the streets, but he does understand why it can be a challenge depending on the day. It all boils down to choice, he said, and many unhoused people want to make the right choice for themselves. If the freeway was coming to your apartment complex or your house and you had to move, you would look at seven different places before you made the decision, he said. So why are we taking that choice away from the unhoused penalizing and just violating their right to choice? As for Lurie, among the measures his homelessness plan calls for is the creation of an additional 1,500 emergency shelter beds over his first six months. So far, his transition team has offered few specifics on how the new administration will approach encampment sweeps or how it will respond to those who refuse shelter. What todays sweeps are like The Examiner observed a recent sweep on Leavenworth Street between OFarrell and Eddy streets in the Tenderloin. Over the course of that effort, several unhoused residents expressed their own misgivings about accepting offers of shelter, especially in congregate settings. These places are terrible, said Andrew Berger, who has been unhoused for five years and had been in a different shelter up until four weeks prior, but he said his service dogs got him kicked out for barking and causing a ruckus. Ultimately, he accepted the latest offer of shelter made by outreach workers. Im hesitant to even go, because theyre going to put me in a room with four random people and I have two dogs, Berger said. Craig Lee/The Examiner Johnathan Evans, left, is placed into a shelter by Douglas Liu of the Code Tenderloin Night Navigation Team in UN Plaza in July. When city workers ask homeless people why they have declined shelter, they frequently city concerns about health and safety at facilities in addition to unease about congregate settings. Many also object to the rules they would be required to follow after moving into a shelter, which can include restrictions on personal belongings and pets. About a third of the time, people decline shelter because they already have shelter placements, according to city data. In addition, many women also say they experience frequent harassment in the shelter system. I dont know how many times Ive had men following me men trying to go anywhere I was, said Katherine Henkels, another unhoused person, as the encampment sweep continued. Folks lying on the ground on mattresses and tarps, or sitting in huddles over lighters and pipes, knew the drill. They slowly shuffled around and gathered their belongings in their arms as San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team members made their way up the street and spoke with people. Homeless residents scattered to other parts of the Tenderloin with their stuff packed away in bags, spilling out onto the sidewalk, while others including Berger awaited transportation to where theyd be sleeping inside for the night. Bergers friend Lance, who declined to share his last name, said he rejected an offer of shelter because he said he has post-traumatic stress disorder from previous stints living inside the shelter system. He said hes terrified of moving into shelter, over the possibility that his belongings might be stolen and he could end up with nothing. At this encampment, there were no tents to throw away, and people were carrying far less than they had in previous sweeps The Examiner observed in the neighborhood last year. The rapid disappearance of tents from city streets has been one of the most visible consequences of The Citys stepped-up clearing efforts. Breed trumpeted San Franciscos now mostly tentless downtown in an October press conference, highlighting a recent quarterly survey that found only 242 tents across The City, the lowest tally recorded since The City began compiling such figures in 2018. However, the announcement was met with skepticism: Its unclear whether those who had been living in tents actually exited homelessness or simply settled elsewhere on city streets, now with less shelter from the elements. By some accounts, in fact, the loss of tents has made the drug problem in the Tenderloin far more visible. Craig Lee/The Examiner Amos Gregory at Veterans Alley on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. Amos Gregory is working on a photo and video project documenting people in the Tenderloin of San Francisco. More people are using dope, straight-up smoking in large congregate groups, because people used to smoke in their tents, said Amos Gregory, a veteran and artist who collaborates with unhoused residents on community art projects. Somebody figures out, OK, well, this is a space where we can smoke, and it turns into two people, turns into 12 people in like two seconds, he said. Another stark reality of the homelessness crisis that any rehousing effort must contend with: The longer someone lives out on the street, the more difficult it can be to transition into shelter, several homelessness experts said. With that population, its going to take a whole lot more resources to engage them and to convince them to come inside, Gregory said. So even as the winter takes hold, Gregory said he doubts that the loss of tents will convince many to pack it in. I know those folks will sleep outside in the rain, he said. kmenconi@sfexaminer.com ngurevich@sfexaminer.com Markets' attention at the end of the week will be on the release of a raft of purchasing managers' surveys for manufacturing and services in the euro area, UK and US. On home shores, S&P Global will publish its purchasing managers' indices at 0930 BST. They will be preceded a half hour before by euro area PMIs, followed by the US PMIs at 1445 BST. Also due out in the UK are retail sales figures for October and consultancy GfK's consumer confidence index referencing the month of November. On the company side of things, consumer goods giant Unilever is scheduled to hold a Capital Markets Day. According to Guillaume Delmas at UBS, the company is expected to provide further details on its journey for over the next 3-5 years. That will include an update on progress so far on the Growth Action Plan unveiled in October 2023. Friday 22 November AGMs Quadrise, Synergia Energy Ltd NPV, Caracal Gold, Neometals Ltd Npv (Di), DFS Furniture, Europa Metals Ltd NPV (DI), Sovereign Metals Limited NPV (DI), GreenX Metals Limited NPV (DI) FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE MJ Gleeson, Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust, Smiths Group, Ricardo INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Edinburgh Inv Trust, Next 15 Group, Care Reit, CQS Natural Resources Growth and Income, Abrdn Asian Income Fund Limited NPV, Alternative Income Reit, Howden Joinery Group, Invesco Global Equity Income Trust Glbl Eqty Inc Shs, Artemis Alpha Trust, Starwood European Real Estate Finance Ltd, M & G Credit Income Investment Trust, Foresight Solar Fund Limited, Bytes Technology Group, Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund Limited, Tesco, S&U, Warpaint London SPECIAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Downing Strategic Micro-Cap Investment Trust Red QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE JPMorgan Asia Growth & Income, Primary Health Properties UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01) Retail Sales (07:00) INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Gross Domestic Product (GER) (07:00) U. of Michigan Confidence (US) (15:00) Shares in Adani companies plunged on Thursday, after US prosecutors indicted billionaire founder Gautam Adani, one of the worlds richest men. The US authorities have accused Adani, his nephew Sagar and several others of being involved in a $265m scheme to bribe Indian officials. Sagar is an executive director at Adani Green Energy, the company at the centre of the allegations A spokesperson for India's Adani Group denied all the allegations, calling them "baseless" and adding: "All possible legal recourse will be sought." Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said: "As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars. "Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Vneet Jaain lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from US and international investors." Jaain is chief executive of Adani Green Energy. The Securities and Exchange Commission issued its own charges in parallel, accusing Adani and Sagar of violating the antifraud provisions of federal securities laws. It is seeking permanent injunctions, civil penalties and officer and directors bars against them and Cyril Cabanes, a former board member of Azure Power Global. As at 1445 GMT, Adani's flagship Adani Enterprises had slumped 23% while Adani Green Energy had lost 19%. The Adani spokesperson said the organisation was "law abiding and fully compliant" with all laws. "As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. "The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations." Azure Power said in a statement that the former officers referenced in the indictment were no longer associated with the company, and that it continued to cooperate with the US authorities. This is the second scandal to hit Adani in just under two years. Shares plunged in 2023 after short seller Hindenburg Research accused the conglomerate of using offshore tax havens improperly. The company has strongly denied the allegations. Adani founded the Adani Group in 1988 as a commodity trading business, but has since expanded it to include energy, infrastructure and airports. British manufacturers expect conditions to improve in the coming months, a long-running survey showed on Thursday, despite seeing a slide in output in November. According to the latest Industrial Trends Survey from the Confederation of British Industry, output volumes fell in the three months to November, with a weighted balance of -12. That down on Octobers -6. Of the 17 sub-sectors, 14 saw output decline. Total order books were also reported as below normal for the time of year, with a balance of -19. However, the balance was an improvement relative to October, when it was -27. And looking ahead, manufacturers were more optimistic, with a balance of 9 expecting output to rise in three months to February. Ben Jones, CBI lead economist, said: "Output has underperformed expectations in recent months, with manufacturers pointing to uncertainty around the Budget, the US elections and recent political instability in Europe as among the factors leading customers to pause or cancel orders. "Many firms still need to work through the implications of the Budget for their own plans for pay, hiring and investments. But its an encouraging sign that output volumes are expected to return to growth in the quarter ahead, with order books also showing some improvement this month." The survey was conducted between 25 October and 13 November. A total of 317 manufacturing firms responded. Close Brothers reported a stable first-quarter performance in an update on Thursday, supported by growth in its banking division and disciplined cost management, despite headwinds from legal challenges in its motor finance business. The FTSE 250 company said its banking loan book grew modestly by 0.6% to 10.2bn during the three months ended 31 October, with strong demand in the commercial division partly offset by higher repayments in property finance and lower new business volumes in retail. It said the temporary pause in UK motor finance lending following the Court of Appeals judgement in the Hopcraft case affected growth, although lending resumed for a significant portion of the portfolio in early November. The annualised net interest margin was 7.3%, which the board said reflected pricing discipline and optimised funding costs. Close Brothers Asset Management (CBAM) meanwhile recorded annualised net inflows of 4%, with managed assets increasing slightly to 19.5bn. The business was set to be sold to Oaktree Capital Management, a transaction expected to close in early 2025, which Close Brothers said would strengthen its capital position by adding around 100 basis points to its CET1 capital ratio. Winterflood, the group's trading arm, continued to face difficult market conditions, posting an operating loss of 0.7m. The group said it maintained a strong balance sheet, with stable funding at 13bn and a liquidity coverage ratio of 964%, well above regulatory requirements. Its CET1 ratio increased to 13.2% from 12.8%, supported by retained profit and reduced risk-weighted assets. Close Brothers said it expected its CET1 ratio to reach between 14% and 15% by the end of the financial year, aided by the CBAM sale, ongoing cost actions, and potential risk transfer of motor finance loans. Cost management remained a priority, with the group on track to achieve 20m in annualised savings by the end of the 2025 financial year. The bad debt ratio stayed below the long-term average of 1.2%, underpinned by the secured and prudently underwritten nature of the loan book. Close Brothers said its outlook remained cautious, however, as it navigated the implications of the Court of Appeals judgement, which upheld customer appeals related to motor finance commission practices. The group said it was planning to seek an expedited Supreme Court appeal, and had resumed motor finance lending with updated disclosures and compliance measures. While the financial impact of the judgement remained uncertain, the group said it had outlined measures to mitigate potential liabilities and protect its franchise. The group delivered a robust performance in the first quarter, said group finance director Mike Morgan. In our banking division, customer demand remained healthy, alongside a strong net interest margin and a resilient credit quality. Whilst Winterflood continued to experience unfavourable market conditions, it remains well positioned to benefit when investor appetite returns. Morgan said the company was confident in its underlying business, supported by a strong balance sheet and liquidity position, and remained committed to driving it forward. Notwithstanding the significant uncertainty resulting from the FCA's review of historical motor finance commission arrangements and the recent Court of Appeal judgement, our focus is on protecting our valuable franchise. Our core banking business model remains as relevant as ever as we continue to offer excellent and specialist service to our customers, while maintaining our pricing and underwriting discipline. At 0804 GMT, shares in Close Brothers Group were down 0.31% at 214.34p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Eagle Eye Solutions Group reported a strong start to the 2025 financial year on Thursday, driven by new contract wins, expanded client engagements, and a growing global demand for personalised loyalty solutions. The AIM-traded software-as-a-service (SaaS) and AI technology provider, which specialises in real-time, data-driven marketing, shared the update ahead of its annual general meeting. It said key achievements in the early months of the period included a five-year contract with Waterstones and another leading UK retailer, a deal with Cote for its employee loyalty and discount programme, and a multi-year agreement with RONA in Canada. Eagle Eye said it had also deepened relationships with existing clients, such as Loblaw in Canada, for its message at till solution, and expanded its loyalty services to the more-than-960 Morrisons Daily convenience stores in the UK. Other notable highlights included supporting Asda's Cashpot for Schools initiative, which raised nearly 5m for school PTAs, and continued innovation with E.Leclerc in France through EagleAI. The company said it had maintained its focus on global partnerships, becoming a certified member of the MACH Alliance, a recognition of its technological capabilities. Eagle Eye also announced a new and expanded 10m revolving credit facility with HSBC Innovation Bank, replacing a previous 5m facility. The agreement included an additional 10m accordion option, subject to approval, providing the company with greater financial flexibility to pursue growth opportunities. It also highlighted its strong sales pipeline across multiple geographies, bolstered by rising interest in personalised engagement solutions. Recent awards, including being ranked the third most innovative marketing technology company globally and securing high rankings in employee satisfaction metrics, underlined its operational excellence. Looking ahead, Eagle Eye said it was confident in its 2025 performance, citing an increase in annual recurring revenue (ARR), a robust pipeline, and disciplined cost management. The board said it viewed the global adoption of personalised loyalty as a significant growth opportunity, positioning the company for sustained long-term expansion. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Shares in PayPoint were sliding on Thursday morning, even after it reported a 20.6% improvement in first-half underlying EBITDA to 37.5m on the back of continued operational momentum across its divisions. The FTSE 250 company said revenue for the six months ended 30 September was ahead 6.7% to 135m, while net revenue grew 6% to 84.6m. Underlying profit before tax climbed 23.4% to 26.9m, and diluted earnings per share rose 35.1% to 23.5p. The company raised its interim dividend by 2.1% to 19.4p per share. Net corporate debt widened to 86.8m, primarily driven by investments to support growth initiatives. PayPoint said its shopping division recorded net revenue growth of 2.5% to 32.9m, driven by higher service fee revenue and an expanded network of PayPoint One/Mini sites. E-commerce was a standout performer, with net revenue surging 56.9% to 8m, supported by a 47% increase in Collect+ parcel transactions and the expansion of its network to 13,421 sites. Meanwhile, payments and banking net revenue dipped slightly by 0.8% to 24.9m, although open banking revenue more than doubled, and the MultiPay platform continued to gain traction. Love2shop achieved a 7.4% increase in net revenue to 18.8m, buoyed by strong corporate billings and enhanced gift card distribution. Strategically, the company said it continued to execute on its growth pillars, including network expansion, card processing, Open Banking, and loyalty solutions. A significant partnership with Lloyds Cardnet was expected to drive growth in its card processing business, while pilots for High Street bank deposit services were set to launch in early 2025. PayPoint also added a seventh growth focus aimed at leveraging its integrated capabilities across multichannel payments, loyalty programs, and retail networks. The company reaffirmed its confidence in achieving its target of 100m EBITDA by the 2026 financial year, citing its diversified revenue base, expanding customer offerings, and disciplined cost management. This has been a strong half year for PayPoint where we have delivered a positive financial performance and made further progress towards our medium-term target of delivering 100m underlying EBITDA by the end of 2026, said chief executive officer Nick Wiles. The strategic investments made in Yodel and obconnect strengthen two core areas of our business, enhancing future growth and opportunities in parcels and Open Banking. The resilience of our businesses combined with the growing opportunities to deliver value-add solutions to our clients, continue to underline our confidence in building further momentum in our key growth building blocks. Wiles added that the company was now putting greater focus on harnessing its enhanced platform through better connecting its increased capabilities and achieving greater collaboration across the business as a whole, in a bid to open up more revenue opportunities. Over the half, consumer behaviour has improved from a slow start in April although remains subdued, with broader economic indicators demonstrating the continuing challenging environment for UK consumers. We continue to monitor this closely as we head into the important second-half period for a number of our more seasonal businesses. Nick Wiles noted that the companys share buyback programme started on 1 July, returning at least 20m over the next 12 months, which, combined with the firms growing dividend, should further enhance shareholder returns. Our core characteristics of strong earnings growth, cash flow generation and capital discipline, along with the continued growth across the group, give the board confidence in delivering further progress in the year and meeting expectations. At 0844 GMT, shares in PayPoint were down 6.78% at 778.4p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. The financial watchdog is considering giving firms up until the end of 2025 to handle car finance complaints, it confirmed on Thursday. The Financial Conduct Authority, which is investigating potential mis-selling in motor finance, said last week that it may introduce fresh deadlines in light of a key legal judgement. The Court of Appeal ruled on 25 October that it was illegal for banks to pay commission to a car dealer without the customers informed consent. The FCA said firms who provide motor finance are likely to receive a high volume of complaints as a result. The two lenders involved in the cases also intend to appeal. It is therefore consulting on extending the timelines to either 31 May 2025 or 4 December 2025. The first deadline reflects how long it could take to hear whether the Supreme Court has granted permission to appeal, the FCA noted, while the second would align with a timeline already in place for discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs) complaints. The FCA banned DCAs in 2021. Allowing more time would help prevent "disorderly, inconsistent and inefficient outcomes for consumers and firms", the FCA argued. Nikhil Rathi, the watchdogs chief executive, said: "We want to make sure that consumers who are owed money get it in an orderly way, and that the motor finance market continues to provide competitive deals for the millions of people that rely on it." On Wednesday, Banco Santanders UK arm announced it had put aside 295m to cover possible legal costs and redress associated with motor finance claims, weighing heavily on profits. Earlier this year, Lloyds Banking Group - the UKs biggest provider of motor finance - set aside 450m. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The adoption of sanctions against Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency could deal a blow to the IAEA's fulfillment of its technical and professional duty, the Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said, Trend reports. He made the statement in a separate telephone conversation with the foreign ministers of the member countries of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Directors, including Brazil, South Africa, Bangladesh, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Pakistan, and France. According to him, the actions of some Western countries that are members of the International Atomic Energy Agency to push forward the sanctions project against Iran are unacceptable. Describing the steps of the three European countries in the face of Iran's peaceful nuclear program as unconstructive, Araghchi noted that agreements between Iran and the IAEA were reached during the latest visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Tehran. However, the adoption of anti-Iran sanctions would deal a blow to the agreement process between Iran and the IAEA. To note, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visited Tehran on November 14 (2024) and held negotiations with several senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian. Meanwhile, 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. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. The winners of the 75th National Book Awards were announced and honored last night in a gala event in New York City, hosted by Kate McKinnon and featuring musician Jon Batiste. The event was a mix of the usual celebration of reading and books and authors and the industry, as well as an acknowledgement of so many storm clouds in the country and the world. The winners: Percival Everett Fiction: James by Percival Everett (Doubleday) Percival Everett said in part, "Two weeks ago, I was feeling pretty low, and to tell the truth, I still feel pretty low. And as I look out at this--so much excitement about books--I have to say I do feel some hope. But it's important to remember hope really is no substitute for strategy." Noting that "James has been nicely received in the U.S.," Everett thanked many people, including his "two teenaged sons... whose near complete apathy about my career helps me keep things in perspective." Jason De Leon Nonfiction: Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling by Jason De Leon (Viking Books) Jason De Leon called his prize-winning book "a janky little anthropological project about a bunch of banged-up and beaten-up down people who refused to give up hope, and it all started with [a kid] who said to me, 'How come no one listens to us?' I wish that he was here today because then he'd get a kick out of the fact that people are listening to his words now. This award is for him... and everyone out there in the migrant culture who is trying to make ends meet and trying to do the right thing while keeping hope alive." Lena Khalaf Tuffaha Poetry: Something About Living by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha (University of Akron Press) Decrying the "American-funded" war in Gaza, Lena Khalaf Tuffaha noted that her father "was born in Jerusalem, Palestine, in 1938. He sat me down at age five and told me about the homeland he couldn't live in anymore, and that story has carried me through my entire life, has driven me, has motivated me. I'm proud to stand here today and to accept this honor as a Palestinian-American on behalf of all the deeply beautiful Palestinians that this world has lost and in honor of all those miraculous ones who endure, waiting, waiting for us to wake up." Yang Shuang-zi and Lin King Translated Literature: Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi, translated from the Mandarin Chinese by Lin King (Graywolf Press) In remarks translated by Lin King, Yang Shuang-zi said in part, "For more than a century, Taiwan has never stopped facing the threat of invasion from another powerful nation [first Japan, now China]. Meanwhile, Taiwanese have a complicated relationship to our own national and ethnic identities. Some of us still identify as Chinese, just as some of us used to identify as Japanese. I write in order to answer the question of what is a Taiwanese person. I write about Taiwan's past as a step into its future." Shifa Saltagi Safadi Young People's Literature: Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi (Putnam Books for Young Readers) Among many others, Shifa Saltagi Safadi thanked her parents "for always believing in me. They came from Syria to give us a better life. It was a struggle, with a new culture and language, and they showed us what it looked like to be strong, proud Muslims. I wouldn't be who I am without my parents." She also thanked "the Muslim authors who stepped forward first and paved the way for me to be inspired to follow my dream of writing. I would not have had the bravery of writing my first words if I had not seen Muslim books on the shelf. I would never have believed I could do it if I had not read the words of the people before me who showed me what it looks like." In addition, Barbara Kingsolver was presented with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, and W. Paul Coates was presented with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. Both awards were announced in September. (photos courtesy National Book Foundation) Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) has signed an Implementation Agreement(IA) with the Australian Space Agency(ASA) as part of its efforts to strengthen space exploration cooperation. As part of the deal, it specifically deals with supporting the crew module recovery and crew for ISRO's Gaganyaan, which is India's first crewed space venture. The Implementation Agreement was inked in a virtual ceremony, with D K Singh, Director of ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in Bengaluru, and Jarrod Powell, General Manager of the Space Capability Branch at ASA in Canberra. This kind of partnership will be crucial in support of the recovery of the crew as well as the crew module, especially in contingency situations where the spacecraft has to abort its ascent phase near the waters off Australia. The Gaganyaan mission is one of the key projects for India that will send astronauts up to three in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for a duration of up to three days. Not only will this mission showcase India's capability for conducting crewed spaceflights, it will also ensure the safe return of the crew module after the mission. In both ISRO and ASA, a jointly valued commitment to deepen and explore future opportunities in bilateral space cooperation has been clearly accentuated, furtherifying the strong strategic partnership between India and Australia. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A 33-year-old man with an extensive criminal history burglarized a well-known and highly-rated restaurant in St. George early on Sunday morning, authorities allege. Jeffery Reader of Tessa Court in Stapleton stands accused in the burglary that occurred on Sunday at about 1:40 a.m. at Beso restaurant at 70 Bay St. Reader used a crowbar to break a glass window to enter the restaurant, which was closed to business, according to the criminal complaint. He was arrested inside the restaurant, police said. Information about what, if anything, was taken was not listed in the criminal complaint or available from police. The investigation included a review of video surveillance footage, the complaint states. Police allege they found a burglary tool a screwdriver in the suspects pants pocket. Reader has pleaded not guilty to charges that include burglary, criminal mischief, possession of burglar tools, criminal trespass and trespass. The defendant, whose first name also is spelled Jeffrey in public records, is being held at Rikers Island in lieu of bail set at $50,000/$25,000 cash. He is due back in Criminal Court in St. George on Nov. 22, according to public records. An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prior arrests Reader has been arrested more than 10 times in New York City. He was convicted of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and burglary in the third degree and sentenced to four years and six months to nine years in prison for incidents on Staten Island. He received a merit release on parole in February 2023, according to public records. The burglaries occurred on the 300 block of Forest Avenue in West Brighton between 3 and 4 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2019, and the gun plea was in connection with an unrelated parole visit on July 11, 2017. The defendant broke into Mar Mar restaurant through a rear window and snatched more than $9,000 in cash, plus electronic equipment, said prosecutors court filings. Reader also burglarized Liberty Tavern, court papers said. The defendant broke an ATM at the front of the pub by prying at it with a crowbar, said court documents. Reader ran when he heard cops coming and left behind telltale evidence, court papers said. Police found articles of clothing, a crowbar, a flashlight and some cash, said court records. Authorities later matched the defendants DNA to the clothing, court papers said. Reader was indicted on charges including burglary, grand larceny and possessing burglars tools. Reader pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to one count of third-degree burglary to satisfy all charges against him in the restaurant incident. The two-to-four year sentence was imposed while he was serving a sentence of 30 months to five years for gun possession. That conviction stems from Readers arrest by his parole officer on July 11, 2017, inside the defendants home. Authorities found a .22-caliber Firearms International Corporation Regent revolver with four rounds in the cylinder in one room, said a criminal complaint. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced more than a month ago that the state has chosen Georgia-based Public Partnerships to manage its Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) -- which provides essential home care services to around 250,000 New York residents covered by Medicaid -- and dozens of facilitators were recently chosen to join the revamped network. Following the states decision to consolidate CDPAP management under Public Partnerships, consumers, providers and disability rights advocates have raised concerns about relying on a single statewide fiscal intermediary, fearing it could lead to job losses for local providers and disrupt essential services for CDPAP clients. Given the size and continued growth of the program, implementing the new proposal could be challenging without impacting services, according to Elite Choice, a company that exclusively services clients who use CDPAP for self-directed home health care. Hochul, however, said that CDPAP eligibility for home care recipients will remain unchanged, with no need for current users to reapply, and that the initiative is designed to ensure timely caregiver payments and uninterrupted services. With changes to home health care underway in New York, set for full implementation by April 1, here are answers from the state to key questions: What will be the role of Georgia-based Public Partnerships as the new lead partner for New Yorks CDPAP? What does it entail? Public Partnerships will serve as the statewide fiscal intermediary for CDPAP, operating the contract from New York while relocating its headquarters to the state. Specifically, Public Partnership will: Help individuals register for the program Provide training and education to consumers Collaborate with state and health plan case managers to support consumers Work as a joint employer with consumers to support caregivers (personal assistants) Issue payroll to personal assistants Ensure compliance with Medicaid and program requirements Identify and address fraud, waste, and abuse in collaboration with the state Handle taxes and required reporting The states Health Department has conditionally approved additional partners for New Yorks statewide CDPAP partnership. What is their role, how does it differ from Public Partnershipss? The 24 new organizations in the network are called CDPAP facilitators. They will help consumers and personal assistants register with Public Partnerships, and support consumers with training, education and customer service. Both Public Partnerships and their facilitator partners will provide multi-lingual, accessible support that is culturally and disability competent. While both Public Partnerships and their partners will provide registration and customer service support, Public Partnerships is the only entity that will be issuing payroll, handling the billing, and reporting requirements of the contract. What will happen to the more than 600 fiscal intermediaries (home care agencies) currently managing tasks like payroll and acting as a liaison between Medicaid and service providers? What other roles did they have? Some of the current fiscal intermediaries will become partners with Public Partnerships, known as CDPAP facilitators. These facilitators will help consumers and personal assistants get registered with Public Partnerships and support consumers with training, education, and customer service. Public Partnerships is hiring over 1,200 New Yorkers to help operate the program, specifically seeking individuals with prior CDPAP experience, including staff who may be transitioning from other fiscal intermediaries. Will the current model, where individuals with long-term health needs receive in-home care from a caregiver of their choice, often a family member or friend, remain the same or change? The model will remain the same. CDPAP eligibility for home care users will stay unchanged, and consumers will continue to have the same caregiver choices and access to program services. What was the overall motive of the change in CDPAP? With over 600 fiscal intermediaries, New York had more than all the other states combined. It was simply not possible for the State to perform the oversight needed to ensure CDPAP was delivering value to every home care user and that this Medicaid-funded program was financially sustainable, Sam Spokony, spokesperson for Hochul, said. He added that the lack of centralized oversight for CDPAP in New York led to skyrocketing administrative costs. Total spending on CDPAP nearly quadrupled in the past five years, rising from $2.5 billion in 2018 to over $9 billion last year. More than 328 million hours of home care were provided through the program last year, reflecting a 262% increase since 2018. The increase in spending outpaced the growth in hours -- indicating higher costs associated with the program. If the program were to face a financial collapse due to ballooning costs and failure for spending to keep pace, that would be devastating for people who rely on CDPAP, Spokony said. The States reforms will directly address these problems while ensuring that CDPAP services remain the same for the New Yorkers who rely on it. Hochul told Bloomberg News that the home health aide program is being exploited. Just last week, the State Comptroller found that New York State paid $14.5 billion for Medicaid home care services without verification that the services actually took place. And last month, eight people were charged with defrauding New Yorks Medicaid home care program by allegedly stealing $68 million through a bribery and kickback scheme. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently reminded Americans to take caution against scammers, and shared information on how to report fraud. The agency published the information as part of its efforts for International Fraud Awareness Week, which runs from Nov. 17-23. Tax fraud comes in many forms, according to the IRS, including scams targeting individuals, tax-related schemes on the part of nefarious groups, and fraud committed when taxpayers knowingly file incomplete or inaccurate information. Members of the public can assist the IRS in identifying and investigating these types of fraud by filing Form 3949-A, Information Report Referrals, an anonymous form which can be submitted voluntarily by individuals to report alleged violations of tax law. The IRS reviews those submissions and determines the appropriate action to take based on the information provided, according to the agency, which can recommend for audit or for criminal prosecution. Separate Form 13909, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint and Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers also exist for members of the public suspicious of other possible types of fraud. If information leads to a successful collection, people who file such forms can also be eligible for a monetary reward by filling out a Form 211, Application for Award of Original Information. The IRS also compiles an annual Dirty Dozen list that brings public awareness to a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter. This years list included phishing and smishing scams, questionable Employee Retention Credits, Fuel Tax Credit claims, Offer in Compromise mills and fake charities exploiting taxpayer generosity. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Lt. Esther Mobley, lead pastor of The Salvation Army Stapleton Corps, once struggled as a young mother to feed her children. Back in her hometown of Philadelphia, Mobley turned to The Salvation Army for help, where she was welcomed with open arms and provided food, toys and afterschool programming -- all of which was made possible through the generosity of others. Having previously struggled with food insecurity, Mobley has since devoted her life to helping Staten Islanders who find themselves in similar situations. Its simply giving back to them what they gave to me, which was that security, that blanket, that safety to know that when my children woke up on Christmas morning they would have something under the tree. That blanket of the afterschool program feeding my children dinner knowing that I didnt have food in the house, but as long as they were at The Salvation Army, I knew they were going to eat, Mobley said. The Salvation Army Stapleton Corps, led by Lt. Esther Mobley, helps feed more than 1,000 Staten Islanders each month through the organization's soup kitchen and food pantry. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome)Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome Now, years later, Mobley heads up operations at The Salvation Army Stapleton Corps, where the organizations food pantry and soup kitchen help feed thousands of Staten Islanders living in one of the borough neighborhoods most severely impacted by hunger. Each month, the food pantry, which is open Tuesdays through Thursdays, provides 700 families with a mix of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, quality meats, cereal, pasta and canned goods, allowing residents to prepare balanced, nutritious meals they may have otherwise been unable to afford. The soup kitchen, which is open on Mondays and Fridays, serves home-cooked meals to roughly 500 residents per month, with Mobley leading them in prayer before joining them at the table and ensuring not only that each person is fed, but also heard and cared for. What it means to be able to provide food for the unhoused and the less fortunate here on Staten Island, I think one word sums it up: blessing. Its a blessing. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to to service these people, Mobley said. A lot of what I hear is that we are like their family to them. They feel comfortable being able to come here and get food and not feel like an embarrassment or ashamed because they know that they are welcome. The Salvation Army Stapleton Corps, led by Lt. Esther Mobley, helps feed more than 1,000 Staten Islanders each month through the organization's soup kitchen and food pantry. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome)Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome Seeking Help for the Holidays While for many Staten Islanders the holiday season is a time of joy, for others it can be among the most difficult times of year. Thats when those in need struggle to provide their families with the festivities they deserve. Mobley said the organization often sees an uptick in demand for both the food pantry and soup kitchen as the holidays approach and the temperature drops, with many of their regulars having nowhere else to turn. With Thanksgiving around the corner, the organization is now preparing to host its annual community dinner, which last year served 150 residents a full, traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings. We are looking forward to doing that again this year with the same expectancy, being able to sit down and commune with them, and just let them know that we are here for them. Just because its Thanksgiving does not mean you have to be alone, Mobley said. The Salvation Army Stapleton Corps, led by Lt. Esther Mobley, helps feed more than 1,000 Staten Islanders each month through the organization's soup kitchen and food pantry. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome)Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome And for those hoping to prepare a meal at home for their families, the food pantry will be providing all the ingredients theyll need at a turkey giveaway on Nov. 21. It takes a heavy load off of the families. I see a lot of single mothers coming in with their children and they are very grateful because otherwise they wouldnt be able to feed their family on Thanksgiving Day. And so I think for them its a blessing and it takes some of the worry and the stress off trying to figure out how to feed their families, said Mobley. Unfortunately, as is the case at many of the boroughs food pantries, the demand currently outweighs the supply, with the organization having 250 families signed up for the event and just 60 turkeys available to distribute. With that in mind, any Staten Island residents or businesses who are able and willing to contribute are urged to contact Mobley at 718-448-8480. And while Thanksgiving is currently top of mind, Mobley is already preparing for the organizations Christmas brunch, which will take place on Dec. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The annual event holds special meaning for many of the attendees, not only providing them with a warm meal, but allowing them to gather and celebrate with their community. People told me they had no other place to go and they didnt know what they were going to do on Christmas, and so they were very grateful that we opted to open up our doors, Mobley said. The Salvation Army Stapleton Corps, led by Lt. Esther Mobley, helps feed more than 1,000 Staten Islanders each month through the organization's soup kitchen and food pantry. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome)Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome Food Insecurity in Stapleton Earlier this year, the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com published a series of articles, Health and Hunger on Staten Island, analyzing food insecurity on Staten Island and the role it plays in the health of the boroughs residents. Reporters found that along the North Shore, the limited access to major supermarkets, coupled with higher rates of poverty, resulted in poorer health outcomes, as residents struggled to find and afford nutritious foods, leaving them to rely on cheaper, processed alternatives at a detriment to their health. An analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey and the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) 2023 PLACES: Local Data for Better Health showed that the 10304 ZIP code, where The Salvation Army Stapleton Corps is located, was among the hardest hit areas across Staten Island. In the 10304 ZIP code, where a borough-high 26.1% of households rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to feed their families, the percentage of adults dealing with obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are 36%, 13.9% and 32.9%, respectively, which were all among the highest rates on Staten Island. The Salvation Army Stapleton Corps, led by Lt. Esther Mobley, helps feed more than 1,000 Staten Islanders each month through the organization's soup kitchen and food pantry. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome)Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome One common misconception with food insecurity is that those who struggle with it would be unlikely to develop obesity and weight-related ailments due to a lack of available food. But experts stressed that food insecurity doesnt necessarily mean that someone has nothing to eat, but that due to various factors, including the availability of fresh produce in their area and the fact that healthier food tends to be more expensive, these residents are forced to resort to cheaper, less-healthy alternatives. If you only have access to processed foods that increase your risk of developing obesity and developing the side effects of obesity, which include diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and sleep apnea. It can actually shorten your life, Dr. Ana Mendez, chief of ambulatory pediatrics at Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), previously told the Advance/SILive.com. If you or a loved one is struggling with food insecurity and would like to share your story, please contact reporter Erik Bascome at tbascome@siadvance.com. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Mayor Eric Adams promised action Tuesday on migrant crime data long-sought by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn). The congresswoman first officially made her request to the NYPD in January under the states Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), but the department has yet to provide the data. Adams said Tuesday that shouldnt be. We should be able to tell you, based on an address, what type of crime is around that address, the mayor, a former NYPD captain, said. Let me speak with NYPD and see what we can give you, because if youre giving an address, we should get to give you a profile of what is happening. Malliotakis' official FOIL request came after an Oct. 2, 2023 letter to former Police Commissioner Edward Caban went unanswered. The congresswoman led that letter with signatures from a host of elected officials, including State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore), Assemblyman Michael Reilly (R-South Shore), Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/Southern Brooklyn), Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid-Island), Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island/South Brooklyn) and Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore). The groups letter requested several data points from the NYPD on migrant crime how many crimes had been committed within a five-block radius of a city-run migrant shelter in the first nine months of 2023, how many arrestees had listed one of those shelters as their address in the same time period, what were those arrestees' top charges, and whether the commissioners office had instructed detailed record keeping of migrant crime. Their letter followed a series of high-profile incidents involving migrants, including an alleged June 2023 incident in which a Venezuelan migrant shot two NYPD officers in Queens. In response to Mallitoakis' FOIL request, the NYPD twice delayed the deadline with the most recent extension made to last Friday, Nov. 15 a deadline that came and went without a response. FOIL is a legal process in New York, but government agencies often flout its requirements forcing people into long, costly legal battles. The congresswoman has accused the city of stonewalling her request to avoid transparency. Its been over a year since our office requested this data, and its absolutely ridiculous that the city continues to evade transparency about how many illegal migrants are committing crimes on our streets, Malliotakis said Tuesday. Their failure to provide this information is unacceptable and only puts public safety at greater risk. The American people are not supportive of these sanctuary policies, and thankfully come January, President Trump will take swift action to get hardened, illegal criminals off our streets whether the city cooperates or not. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. While U.S. Department of Agriculture reports indicate unprecedented food prices will drop through 2025, New York Citys families still struggle with grocery bills. With Thanksgiving approaching, Council Member Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) is coordinating a Food Pantry Drive to help Staten Islanders in need during the holiday season. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. now through Monday, Nov. 25, staff at the councilmans district office at 2955 Veterans Rd. West, second floor, Suite 2E, are accepting donations. On wishlists are non-perishable food items and canned goods i.e. vegetables, peanut butter, plastic containers of jelly, tuna fish and Thanksgiving-themed edibles such as stuffing and pumpkin pie ingredients. The councilmember will also be partnering with the Mannix Family ShopRite of Veterans Road. The annual collaboration, notes Borellis office, is continuing a tradition that shows how Staten Islanders prevail to support each other and their communities. On Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the councilmembers office additionally will have a table present for collection outside of the ShopRite at 3010 Veterans Rd., Charleston. He encourages willing fellow Staten Islanders to pick up an extra item in their cart while doing their shopping. An organized effort to donate food to needy Staten Islanders is underway on the South Shore. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome)Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome Stepping up before the holiday Each year, we see the generosity in people, whether theyre coming into the office with bags, or theyre donating cans they picked up from the Mannix Family ShopRite, said Borelli. He added, I thank those in advance for their generosity and the Mannix Family ShopRite for always partnering with us to help support those in need of some extra assistance around the holidays. Since the Mannix family first opened in 2007 on Staten Island, their ShopRite store has made regular frozen turkey donations. The practice continued with donations of gift cards for more shopper flexibility. There are now three ShopRites on the Island. A Mannix Family Markets spokesperson said, The Mannix Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community organizations that work tirelessly in the fight against hunger on Staten Island and wish the community of Staten Island a happy and healthy holidays. The national standard of a federal poverty line considers a family of four to be impoverished if their annual income is below $31,200. The benchmark does not adjust for steep living cost disparities between New York City and rural communities. New York Citys poverty rate of 23% in 2022 was nearly double the national average of 12%, according to NYC.gov. The NYC Mayors Office of Food Policy estimates that 1.2 million city residents, or 14.6%, were food insecure last year. While Staten Islands poverty rate of 11.2% falls just below the U.S. average, the high cost of living means many families earning above the federal poverty line still struggle to afford basic necessities. When accounting for the True Cost of Living including housing, food, medical care and childcare, half of New York City households fall below that threshold. Looking forward, the annual January Can-Can sale is a valuable source for borough residents to stock up on shelf-stable items ideal for replenishing a food pantrys inventory. Pamela Silvestri is Advance/SILive.com food editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com. Enough is enough! Mayor not learning from past mistakes on Staten Island, pushing City of Yes ahead | From the Editor New York City Mayor Eric Adams exits from the U.S. federal courthouse in New York, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Kena Betancur | AP Photo)Kena Betancur | AP Photo UPDATE: CITY COUNCIL NEGOTIATES SOME CHANGES TO CITY OF YES AHEAD OF COMMITTEE VOTE >> Hi Neighbor, STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Staten Island lawyer is stepping up to the plate for former Mayor Rudy Giuliani in his defamation case with two election workers from Georgia. Joseph M. Cammarata of Cammarata & De Meyer P.C., according to the New York Times, is the newest force on Giulianis legal team. Cammarata, according to his law firms website, is a graduate of the now defunct St. Johns University Staten Island campus and the School of Law at Hofstra University. The website additionally calls him an experienced litigator and trial attorney. He additionally handles divorce proceedings. The website continues on to say that Cammarata successfully prosecuted and defended complex civil, criminal, and commercial cases in the New York, New Jersey, and Florida State Courts, for his clients. He has also successfully litigated cases in multiple Federal Courts in New York and New Jersey. Cammarata took to the streets of Midtown Manhattan yesterday to make a statement in Giulianis defense, saying that The $148 million judgment against Mayor Rudy Giuliani is astronomical, unconstitutional and un-American, the Times reported. He additionally said, Judges have the power to reduce judgments and verdicts; it happens every day. The $148 million Cammarata is referring to is the amount of money that a judge ordered Giuliani to pay after the former mayor was deemed liable for defaming Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss last year. He appealed the decision, but no verdict has come yet. While the appeal works its way through the system, the Times reported that he has missed numerous deadlines to turn over his property in order to pay Freeman and Moss, totaling near $11 million. Cammarata made his statements on the same day that lawyers for the two former poll workers attempted to have Mr. Giuliani found in contempt of court. The Times said that should Giuliani doesnt fulfill his obligations, he could face steep penalties, including jail time. He could face further penalties if a federal judge in Washington, D.C., finds him in contempt for continuing to defame the two women. "Jack and Rosa. Reunion" is the title of an unexpected photo of actors Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio during their meeting at a special screening of the movie "Lee." The stars of "Titanic" showed their strong friendship on camera after 27 years have passed since the premiere of the cult film starring them. ADVERTISIMENT In the photo, the actors held hands and leaned their heads on each other. They embraced as they were photographed together in front of the poster for Kate Winslet's new movie "Lee." The actors' appearance has hardly changed in these 27 years. Only the natural wrinkles on their faces betrayed their advanced age. In a video posted by Leonard DiCaprio's official fan account on the social network X, the actor praised his colleague and called her one of the most talented stars of his generation. ADVERTISIMENT "Kate, my dear friend, your work in this movie was nothing short of transformational. I continue to be amazed. I continue to be in awe of your strength, your honesty, your talent, and your passion for every project you create. So, without further ado, one of the greatest talents of my generation, the one and only Kate Winslet," DiCaprio said. Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote that Kate Winslet told an interesting fact about the legendary scene in "Titanic." For many years, there has been a debate about whether Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack Dawson could have fit on a piece of floating balsa wood next to Rose after the ship sank. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The new Renault Twingo E-Tech model has already surprised with its price of less than 20,000 euros even before the premiere of the production version. The car is going to be very popular. ADVERTISIMENT The new 4th generation Renault Twingo is set to go into production in 2026. Until then, the manufacturer has shown a concept that will almost completely transfer its design to the finished car. The artist avarvarii showed what could come of it. A low price within an efficient design will be achieved by unifying components with the more expensive Renault 5 model. In technical terms, the cars will be 70% identical. Volkswagen and Renault were considering a partnership to jointly develop low-cost cars, including the 4th generation Renault Twingo. However, the negotiations have officially ended. Renault called it a missed opportunity. However, they emphasized that they are open to cooperation with other automakers. A Chinese manufacturer was found as a partner to create a special brand Ampere. The design and concept will be finalized in France, and technical development will be done in China. At the same time, production will be set up in Slovenia at a plant with a design capacity of 150,000 cars per year, which currently produces Renault Clio. The US Justice Department and a group of states have asked a federal court to force Google to sell Chrome, its popular web browser, a move that could fundamentally alter the $US2 trillion ($3 trillion) companys business and reshape competition on the internet. The request filed late on Wednesday follows a landmark ruling in August by Judge Amit Mehta of the US District Court for the District of Columbia that found Google had illegally maintained a monopoly in online search. Mehta asked the Justice Department and the states that brought the antitrust case to submit solutions by the end of Wednesday to correct the search monopoly. The US government has told a judge it should break up Google and make it sell its Chrome web browser. Credit: Bloomberg Beyond the sale of Chrome, the government asked Mehta to give Google a choice: either sell Android, its smartphone operating system, or bar Google from making its services mandatory on phones that use Android to operate. If Google broke those terms, or the remedies failed to improve competition, the government could force the company to sell Android at a later date. In a sweeping filing, the government also asked the judge to stop Google from entering into paid agreements with Apple and others to be the automatically selected search engine on smartphones and in browsers. Google should also be required by the court to allow rival search engines to display the companys results and access its data for a decade, the government said. Regular consumers of News Corps content would know that corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is just the kind of thing that sends its columnists and presenters into paroxysms of fury. In fact, just last week, Sky News ran a piece from reporter Caroline Marcus declaring the ABCs own DEI measures radical activist rubbish. But forget the after-dark bluster. When it comes to turning 15 minutes of fame into a financially viable career, Raygun has all the right moves. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Next week, the Australian arm of the Murdoch media empire is set to host its third annual diversity, equity and inclusion event. And you know the company is taking it seriously because its secured the services of Australias most successful cultural export of 2024 just for the occasion. Were talking, of course, about Olympic breakdancer Rachael Raygun Gunn, whose routine at the Paris Games spawned a million memes, and who has now clearly arrived on the motivational speaker circuit. Were thrilled to welcome Olympian Rachael Gunn (aka Raygun) as our special guest, who will share her journey and explore the powerful role that community, connection and belonging have played in her life, as well as the importance of staying true to yourself, an email invite seen by CBD read. Say Nothing Disney+ The setting is The Troubles, the brutal asymmetric war fought in Northern Ireland in the final decades of the 20th century, and the detail is intensely specific, but the telling message of this compelling political thriller is sadly universal. Laced with blood and recrimination, Say Nothing observes that political fanaticism, and the violence that extends from it, is a natural accelerant for the young, but for those who live long enough, self-doubt and eventually guilt are a heavier burden than any weapon previously brandished. Lola Petticrew as Dolours Price in Say Nothing. Credit: Rob Youngson/FX Say Nothing was adapted from the 2018 book of the same name by American journalist Patrick Radden Keefe. It begins with the 1972 kidnapping of Jean McConville (Judith Roddy), a widowed mother of 10 children who was disappeared by the paramilitary Irish Republican Army (IRA) because she was believed to be informing on fellow Catholics to the British soldiers maintaining Westminsters control of the country. Like so many examples of sectarian struggle, it is a crime carried out by a community that cannot acknowledge it. Jeans unknown fate hangs over the shows central characters, starting with sisters Dolours (Lola Petticrew) and Marian Price (Hazel Doupe). The children of IRA members, the siblings grew up helping tend to an aunt maimed by her own explosives. The young women break the gender barrier, serving under mercurial IRA field commander Brendan Hughes (Anthony Boyle) and his boss, future political leader Gerry Adams (Josh Finan), whose presence on the show comes with a disclaimer on every episode the character appears in. Advertisement Review Eating outMargaret River This freewheeling Margaret River pop-up is blazing a new trail for modern Asian cooking While BMX bandits practice bar spins and grommets drop-in, an emerging cooking talent is serving game-changing dahl, punchy pickles and other bold Burmese cooking at Dahl Daddys. Max Veenhuyzen November 21, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 3 Dahl Daddys prawn curry. Max Veenhuyzen 2 / 3 Fried egg paratha. Max Veenhuyzen 3 / 3 Dahl with rice and line-caught Augusta nannygai. Max Veenhuyzen Previous Slide Next Slide 14.5 / 20 How we score Asian$$$$ Where do people that live in Margaret River eat and drink? Its a question that visitors to the South West Google and ponder incessantly, hopeful that a local will spill the beans on somewhere to get a taste of The Real Margaret River. Im no Margaret River local, but after infiltrating numerous southwest friendship groups, I like to think Ive gleaned a few insights into regional dining habits. Advertisement There are, of course, the classics. The Saturday Margaret River farmers market, say. (See Nadia and Cam at the Harlequin Dessert caravan for vegan and gluten-free baked goods of the highest calibre). Settlers Tavern remains a blueprint for the dream country pub, while local aquanauts congregate at White Elephant Cafe for post-swim coffees over winter. Yet the community has also found space in its heart for newer arrivals. Newcomers such as Mikis Open Kitchen, a singular, regionally focused tempura restaurant thats also one of the townships few options for a flash dinner. (See also desendent, a contemporary, Japanese-inspired restaurant that opened in January.) The terrific burgers at Normal Van have won it many admirers, while many working parents confess to having the hots for Dominos and how its helped make weeknight dinners a little more manageable. Margaret River, my friends, is a-changing. Imogen Mitchen and Corey Rozario are doing great things with their pop-up at Margaret River skate park. Max Veenhuyzen If you didnt expect the Margaret River food discussion to include pizza, youll probably be surprised to hear that the cafe at the local skate park also cops a mention. Or at least on the nights that it gets hijacked by young go-getters, Imogen Mitchen and Corey Rozario. Advertisement Since last May, the couple have used the space to host their pop-up, Dahl Daddys: a fresh-faced curry canteen serving food inspired by Rozarios South Asian heritage (dad was Burmese, mum was British.) Yes, Rozario knows that he doesnt look typically Burmese, yet hes not cooking typically Burmese, either. Take Dahl Daddys namesake. As anyone familiar with South Asian food knows, standard dahl recipes dont exist and cooking methods vary from house to house, family member to family member. When I first tasted Rozarios dahl last winter, I was stunned by its deep, warming complexity. What is this sorcery? How does not-so-old mate get this much flavour from legumes? How do I taste Papa Rozarios OG dahl that this is based on, I wondered. Fast-forward 18 months and Rozario has fine-tuned and streamlined his dahl game to create something that still bangs while being less time-intensive to prepare: crucial for a kitchen that only starts cooking once the cafe closes and has just four hours to get dinner up. Previously made with a mix of legumes, Rozarios dahl is now all red lentil. A vivid spiced ghee brings colour and the low buzz of chilli to the party. In the early days, modular menus let guests fine-tune orders with Rozarios wondrous housemade condiments. Now chef accessorises dishes himself, perhaps deploying a zippy lemon pickle as a sharp counterpoint to the dahl, or using balachaung a fiery, crunchy mass of fried onion and seafood to really redline flavour levels. 14 / 20 Review This suburban pizzeria brings a plus-sized slice of Naples to Canning Highway While the dahl is always on, the rest of the menu is fluid and reflects Rozarios whims and the ingredients at hand. When papayas are ripening in Carnarvon, Dahl Daddys serves thin baw thee thoke ($22): Burmas equivalent to Thailands famous shredded green papaya salad, som tum. Rozarios zesty version is low on sugar, high on toasted sesame seeds and fried split yellow peas plus the fruit and veg is shaved into svelte threads rather than sliced into fat chunks. Pickled tea leaves are coarsely blitzed into a paste and used to dress scraps of shaved cabbage in a cool interpretation of laphet thoke ($22). Advertisement Although vegetarians will feel seen here, meatier dishes are also part of the kitchens repertoire. You can get your dahl bulked out with grilled line-caught nannygai from Augusta ($37); or you can subject yourself to the sadistic joys of a wicked prawn curry ($38) where the prawns heads form the base of the fiery, weapons-grade gravy and their bodies are separately grilled until just-so. While curries and dahl all come with jasmine rice as standard-issue, side orders of flaky paratha ($4.50) are essential for plate-mopping purposes. The nature of Dahl Daddys operation means that there are limited serves of everything each night. Come late and youll likely miss out on Thai pad krapow ($35) stir-fried with local kangaroo, or charcoal-grilled chicken satay ($12). True, sold out stickers are no ones idea of a good time, but the warm nature of staff such as Lewis Stephens and Monique Piper and of course Rozario and Mitchell themselves goes a long way to taking the sting out of that FOMO. It doesnt hurt either that dinner is served in a fuss-free, outdoor space soundtracked by dreamy beats. Its a setting that feels distinctly, wonderfully Margaret River and Dahl Daddys is, for my money, one of the South Wests most unique, delicious and essential dining addresses. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the solitary dessert: an excellent raspberry and hazelnut brownie ($8.50) starring local Bahen & Co chocolate that has the chocolate content of six lesser brownies. Predictable, someone jokingly asks if the brownies were baked with any additional ingredients. Perhaps something of the seven-leafed, resinous variety. Not this time. Instead of edible weeds, these brownies feature sprigs of colourful Geraldton wax snipped from local plants. Margaret River, my friends, is a-changing. The low-down Vibe: an exciting, freewheeling blueprint for casual Asian dining. Go-to dish: dahl and rice. Drinks: small-scale soft drinks plus housemade beverages including a brilliant chai. Cost: about $70 for two, excluding drinks. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up What and where to study seems like huge decisions but there are simple ways for students to steer in the right direction. November 22, 2024 by Peter Lenaghan Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Other writers may say what they like about Alan Jones conduct and use of power from living in the spotlight of celebrity status, but such a bright light casts deep shadows, and we will always have the picture of him dressed, cosplay-style, as a Parthenon guard during his attempt to be elected as the MP for the then seat of Earlwood (Letters, November 21). Surprisingly, this image did not appeal to Earlwoods many Greek-Australian voters, or the Anglo ones either, as in a pro-Liberal landslide election, Earlwood was the only seat where the Liberal vote went down. Garry Dalrymple, Earlwood Alan Jones trade unionist father Charlie (centre), was a proud supporter during his sons failed bid as Liberal candidate for the NSW seat of Earlwood in 1978. I am informed by some of my acquaintances that I have had a few of my letters to the editor read out by Alan Jones on 2GB back in the day. Dilemma! Those letters are the early entries of my incomplete chronological scrapbook of contributions to this page. Would my fellow correspondents be so kind as to advise: tear out the yellowing pages in the scrapbook in light of current events or preserve them as evidence of the wax and wane of popular opinion? Stephen Driscoll, Castle Hill Dislike for Alan Jones runs deep, and for good reason. But trial by media and popular opinion is neither wise nor just. We all need to step back, take a deep breath and hold our judgement. Unpopular as the man is among us, he deserves to be afforded due legal process. Meredith Williams, Baulkham Hills I once enquired with my friend working in the media as to why the media didnt castigate Alan Jones after his arrest in a London toilet. He advised me that while Jones had a radio program, he had right of reply. As a consequence, not one of the media stood up to Jones and his power became entrenched even more. Peter Nelson, Moss Vale Trust eroded Coalition frontbencher Sarah Henderson headlined events for private migration and education providers, then voted against a government bill to reform the sector (Coalition MP at visa agents event before dumping Labor bill, November 21). So what? This is the way business is done in Australian politics. Its all about political and private self-interest instead of the public good. Political donations, unbridled lobbyist access, attendance at highly priced functions and the murky mingling of political with private careers has reduced public trust in the political process and seriously eroded our democratic systems. This is why we see so little real reform, why climate action is stilted, deforestation and extinctions continue, developers shape housing policy and the Pharmacy Guild shape health spending. Marie Healy, Hurlstone Park Advertisement For almost a decade, the Coalition in government allowed thousands to abuse the education visa system with dubious enrolment at private tertiary colleges. These colleges, many without proper premises, classrooms or qualified academics, were used simply as a vehicle to bring in cheap, unskilled, low-paid agricultural workers, labourers or kitchen hands for unscrupulous employers. Labors bill to prevent this continued practice is being hypocritically blocked by the Coalition, who cynically do not want Labor to enact a solution to the issue they wish to focus upon in the next election campaign. Mark Berg, Caringbah South Strength in numbers Opposition Leader Dutton could not find the generosity for a bipartisan approach to the very modest request by our First Nations people for a Voice to parliament, but now rushes arm in arm with Labor to tilt the Australian electoral system dramatically against existing independents and any future outsider candidates (Teals furious as Coalition to wave through tough laws cutting campaign donations, November 20). Labor and the Coalition each has roughly 100 members in the parliament, as well as long-established blue and red branding. If political donations are to be capped to a person giving $20,000 to a candidate, this would provide a massive distortion in the funds available for further brand-building. Shame on both Labor and the Coalition for rushing such cynical and anti-democratic legislation through the final sittings of this parliament. Rob Firth, Red Hill (ACT) A very cross bench Credit: SMH Rocky road for EVs I recently experienced a very traumatic venture to Canberra, the first such long-distance journey we have attempted in an EV (Letters, November 21). The hotel had Tesla charging which didnt match our MG EV. We then found a power point in the hotel carpark and plugged in the car, thinking that even with slow charging overnight we would have enough power to get home to Sydney. Someone turned off the power during the night. We had just enough power to get to a slow charger in Dickson, but had to leave before fully charged to get home for an event. We then tried two service centres along the Hume Highway, but neither had a charger that fitted our standard socket. Didnt make the event but managed to catch up overnight with old friends at Moss Vale, so all wasnt lost. It seems that petrol stations are not keen on EVs. Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont Your correspondent advocates a standard physical EV battery size but thats not really feasible, given the range of vehicle form factors, from micro-city cars to hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and people movers. It would also be a handbrake on developments in new battery technology. Battery swapping has never really worked due to the very high capital cost of the swapping stations. Nio in China has been trying it for six years and loses money from it. Brendan Jones, Annandale Advertisement Fundamentally unfair I have always thought the word future was rather a weasel word in the name of the Future Fund, which was set up to cover unfunded liabilities of the Commonwealth to its employees in defined benefit superannuation schemes (Future Fund told to sink cash into homes and green energy, November 21). Most people would think the word future meant the future of Australia, which it could have been if governments had ever had the fortitude to properly tax resources industries, and particularly the oil and gas sector. We might then have had a genuine Australian Future Fund rather like Norways. Anyway, Im sure the government could overcome the objection of the opposition to an investment mandate change if they promise to also invest in car parks. John Burman, Port Macquarie Keep it civil I would like that public education campaign about using headphones to include the guidance that, if you are behaving that way in a quiet carriage and someone politely asks you to tone it down or change carriages, your response should not include a foul-mouthed torrent or threats of physical violence (Letters, November 21). Mickey Pragnell, Kiama On public transport, when you are subjected to both sides of a phone conversation, do the right thing and offer your opinion on whose side youre on. Its only fair. Pauline McGinley, Drummoyne Cash splash will solve impasse Police should be paid well and needed a pay rise (No end to rail mess as Premier intervenes, November 21). But up to 40 per cent in some cases? No wonder other public sector workers are in no mood to mess around. Nurses wages have gone backwards in real terms. The government cannot recruit enough drivers for public transport. Experienced teachers are leaving while fewer new ones are entering the profession. The solution is easy enough. Rather than moan about the situation, we should make it clear to the government that adequate and needed pay rises will lead to a cure. Greg McCarry, Epping Advertisement Train strike? Recall Sydney in the 70s. Red rattlers brutally cold and horrifically hot. Open windows and doors, followed by Philip Shirleys pink dilapidated fleet. Strikes would last for 10 days, orchestrated by Bernie Willingale. Transport Minister Peter Cox didnt get a look in. No Metro. Carpools from the west crawled their way into the city. Holdens, Fords, Valiants, Vanguards, Vauxhalls, VWs. Park wherever in the city without reprisal from the brown bombers. Then back to the pub. Go to bed and do it again the next day. Enter Neville Wran. Double-decker trains. One dollar fares. Electrification to Newcastle. Air conditioning. XPTs. Station upgrades. Pay and conditions second to none. Transport ministers and unions have never had it so good. Forget this strike. Ken Dixon, Woy Woy Dont sack Sarah What on earth is happening in the lofty environs of ABC management (Fran Kelly returns to Radio National, new Media Watch host revealed, smh.com.au, November 21)? If its not enough that Richard Glover, our extended ABC familiar extra-family member is pulling the plug next week, for heavens sake! My partner and I were recently discussing how popular Sarah McDonald is as morning radio presenter. Her journalistic skills, combining curiosity and integrity and endearing self-deprecating humour, we hold in esteem. Above all that, shes a fine, warm-hearted human being, representing the very best of what ABC stands for. Those who pull the employment levers, please rethink this disastrous decision. Cleveland Rose, Dee Why Sarah Macdonald and Herald artist Cathy Wilcox at the launch of their book, So...Youre Having a Teenager Credit: Jeremy Simons Learning curve Students turning backs on education degrees is a response to their own education experience 19th century teaching settings, a leadership drought and classroom cultures that enable the entitled untouchables and the downright naughty to monopolise the learning oxygen while teachers waited for calm (Why students are shunning education degrees and teachers are quitting the classroom, November 20). And waited. I know from experience that the entitled untouchables in a classroom remain unchecked and without consequence. And dangerous. Schools and families all have a part to play in this. It might reinstate dignity to the profession and prompt those turning their backs to U-turn their way to an education degree before the exit ramp gets clogged. Penny McKee, Port Macquarie Advertisement Nuclear idiocy Given the situation in Ukraine and the use of long-range missiles, and Putins nuclear threat response, it is timely to consider how a version of that may occur elsewhere (Missiles spark Russia nuclear shift, November 21). Dutton proposes nuclear power generators up and the east coast of Australia, which would be prime targets if this country is ever drawn in to a wider conflict. It would only take conventional missiles to turn the generator targets into widespread and forever radioactive wastelands. Chernobyl has a 30-kilometre exclusion zone in place for thousands of years. Duttons nuclear plan is so short-sighted, ill-conceived and costly in so many ways, one wonders how it ever became Liberal Party policy. Long-range thinking? Maybe not. Mark Olesen, Ryde Keep free mediation The NSW Government is closing community justice centres (The feuding northern beaches neighbours and the morning yoga session, November 17). CJCs are cost-effective community-based organisations that get fantastic results, help neighbours live peacefully and reduce court and policing costs for the government. Neighbours will lose access to free mediation and instead face possible police actions and costly legal bills. Without CJCs, mediation will be available only to those wealthy enough to afford the high cost of private mediators or those who choose to take their dispute to court. Courts and police should be spending their limited resources on criminal matters that improve community safety, not on disputes that could be better resolved through freely accessible mediation. Local councils have neither the resources nor expertise to deal with neighbour disputes. Now, when community tensions are escalating, when more than ever we need reason and balance, CJCs are being shut down. Frankly, I expected better from the Labor government. Jan Campbell, Springwood Doorway to doom I absolutely concur with Mike Duttons comments regarding the NSW Planning Portal (Letters, November 21). It is totally unfit for purpose, with algorithms that appear to have been designed with little understanding of the design and planning process. As an architect, the time we have to spend completing information fields that have absolutely no relevance to the size and scope of a project is truly mind-boggling. Should one of these fields not be correctly completed, the whole application freezes and you either have to start again or try to get assistance, often waiting weeks if it cannot be dealt with by the helpline. I now refer to it as the portal of doom (a view shared by many of my colleagues and clients). Judith Kubanyi, McMahons Point Advertisement The right to protest in NSW should be cherished. But to come like sneak thieves in the night and spray antisemitic graffiti on vehicles, buildings and a business in Woollahra is the work of extremist cowards too afraid to publicly state their abhorrent words. More than 10 cars were vandalised in the attack. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos The two men wearing masks and hoodies caught on video fleeing the scene used the words of antisemitism, spray-painting vehicles, buildings and a restaurant with anti-Israel graffiti and the initials of the listed terrorist organisation, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), with white paint. The attackers indiscriminately sprayed vehicles, buildings and a business with no apparent links to the Middle East war. Police have estimated damage to the 12 vehicles around $70,000 and up to $30,000 for three buildings. The attack also occurred in the neighbourhood of a synagogue, a Jewish hospital and the Turkish consulate, and was discovered after emergency services were called to attend a torched ute in Wellington Street, Woollahra. It has quite rightly appalled leaders across Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was no place for antisemitism in Australia. Conflict overseas cannot be made a platform for prejudice at home, he said. His comments were echoed by NSW Premier Chris Minns: It is unacceptable, un-Australian, and it will not be tolerated. The NSW Police have stood up Strike Force Mylor to investigate those who participated in this disgraceful behaviour. The Polish Camerimage festival premiered the western "Rust," during the filming of which actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shot and killed Ukrainian cameraman Halyna Hutchins. According to critics, the film contains a gruesome scene reminiscent of the death of a Ukrainian woman who died in 2021. ADVERTISIMENT "The second [trigger pull] leads to the accidental death of a character, causing a breathlessness in the premiere attendees," Vulture's review says. The expert added that it is difficult to separate the events of "Rust" from a real deadly disaster while watching it. "Rust" doesn't recreate the tragedy, but it permeates the film, which is compelling, an appropriately unvarnished western about guilt, blame, family, law, and loyalty," the critic writes. There have been many questions about why they decided to continue filming the movie after Hutchins' death unless it was to recoup the money already spent on it. Production on the film in New Mexico was halted in 2021, after which prosecutors filed charges against Baldwin. The involuntary manslaughter case against him was dismissed by a New Mexico judge in July, and the film's gunman, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is currently serving 18 months in prison. Production resumed in 2023. ADVERTISIMENT A reviewer for Vulture said Baldwin, who plays an 1880s Kansas outlaw named Garland Rust, is a stunner on screen. "Baldwin is often off-balance," the commentary reads, "His accent and overall mood of the performance fluctuate from scene to scene. A critic at the Polish premiere said that Rust was a "solid western." "I thought it looked great with really amazing cinematography," he added. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Protesters accused of obstructing police and causing chaos in central Melbourne during the Land Forces weapons expo in September will be able to return to the city for peaceful protests after a magistrate eased their bail conditions. About 35 people, aged 20 to 57, charged over the violent protest had their cases heard back-to-back over more than two hours in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday in a room packed with the accused, supporters and lawyers. Demonstrators rally in support of activists appearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday over the Land Forces expo protests. Credit: Simon Schluter Outside court, demonstrators waved banners supporting those charged over clashes outside the weapons expo, where police fired rubber bullets at protesters and deployed stun grenades to disperse crowds. Thirteen protesters indicated they planned to fight the charges, while police dropped charges against six. One chose to plead guilty. The rest are expected to return to court early next year. Tyler Rowe quietly walked through Ward F of Royal Perth Hospitals trauma unit the first time hes returned to the ward he spent 11 days clinging to life in an induced coma. The teenage survivor of a crash that killed his friend Nick Campo was waiting to be reunited with the surgeons who kept him alive. Its a bit of a weird thing being in this room, I didnt think I ever would be, I didnt hope I ever would be, he told 9News Perth and WAtoday. The 18-year-old suffered critical brain, spine and internal organ injuries, as well as a broken neck, jaw and hip. He and Campo were two of four teenage passengers in a ute that collided with a car on Farrington Road in July. The Victorian Greens are without a candidate for the federal seat of Jagajaga just months out from the federal election, as deepening internal divisions threaten to upend efforts to win seats across Melbournes north-east. The Jagajaga preselection completed seven months ago has been overturned amid conflict-of-interest accusations, alleged breaches of party rules and broader questions about the partys future. Former Greens candidates for Jagajaga Liz Chase, left, and Jy Sandford. The local tensions have also triggered more than a dozen resignations, which could affect the partys resources as it seeks to win votes from a Labor government seeking a second term in nearby target seats such as Cooper and Wills. The finger-pointing which even a Greens committee admitted was severe once again highlights tensions within the party. The split is between the old guard who mostly want to focus on environmental reforms and have the freedom to debate controversial policy issues and a newer guard largely concerned with the rights and safety of transgender and other gender-diverse Victorians. A British woman who fell ill after drinking contaminated alcohol in Laos has died, the fifth foreign national now suspected to have died in the poisoning incident. British media reported on Thursday that 28-year-old Simone White, a lawyer from south-east London, was among the tourists who died after consuming drinks laced with methanol, a toxic alcohol. Simone White, the 28-year-old British lawyer who died in the suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos. Credit: Facebook We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities, Britains Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Four other tourists Australian Bianca Jones, two Danes and an American have died after the poisoning in Vang Vieng, a town in the South-East Asian nation popular with backpackers. This month, the local authority that manages Wales highest mountain, which stands at 1085 metres in Snowdonia National Park and attracts 400,000 walkers a year, confirmed the peak would continue to be referred to solely by its Welsh name. Loading Eryri National Park Authority voted to use Yr Wyddfa (pronounced Uhr With-Va), rather than Mount Snowdon, and Eryri (Eh Ruh-Ree), rather than Snowdonia, in all official communication in November 2022. And surveys from this past northern summer found strong support for the move from locals and visitors, the authority said. This was quickly followed by another national park, the Brecon Beacons, deciding to switch to using its Welsh name, Bannau Brycheiniog, pronounced Ban-aye Bruch-ay-Nee-og. Welsh actor Michael Sheen (best known for his work on Masters of Sex, his portrayal of Tony Blair in The Queen, and the Twilight films) was a fierce advocate. He fronted the launch campaign and described it as a name from our past, to take us into our future. The changes have ignited fierce political and public debate between staunch nationalists and unionists. They have also sparked a fresh history war, with many pointing out that in the Dictionary of the Place Names of Wales, the name Snowdon is documented as far back as 1095, while the first known reference to Yr Wyddfa was in 1284. Historians, however, argue that Wales has a strong oral tradition, and Welsh names almost definitely date back much further. Snowdonia National Park, now Eryri, attracts 400,000 walkers a year. Credit: All children in Wales learn the language until the age of 16, and more than a fifth attend Welsh-medium schools where all lessons are taught in Welsh. By 2050, the goal is for 70 per cent of pupils to be fluent in the language when they leave school and for there to be 1 million Welsh speakers nationally (the Welsh population in 2022 was about 3.13 million). But not everyone is happy about the rebranding. In a time when every authority in Wales is struggling financially, allocating resources to shift from being bilingual to Welsh would not have been my priority, says Janet Finch Saunders, a Conservative member of the Welsh Assembly, adding that the national park would always be known as Snowdonia. Spending resources on rebranding in this current climate is not the best use of limited taxpayers resources. Is it going to help Wales reach the target of 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050? I think not. What would help is building more social and affordable homes within the national park, and having small modular reactors at Trawsfynydd, so that local young people have high-paid jobs to take up in the area, and homes they can afford to buy and raise a family in. There is also a growing campaign to rename the nations sporting teams Cymru, the Welsh word for Wales. At present, both are used, though Wales remains prominent. A petition that attracted tens of thousands of signatures said: Wales is a name imposed on Cymru and is not a Welsh word at all. The world knows about Wales because of its English connection since 1282. Loading Hardly anyone has heard of Cymru or realises we have our own unique language and culture which is totally different from the other countries within the United Kingdom. London tabloids The Daily Mail and The Sun have dubbed those behind the campaign language extremists. But many locals prefer historic Welsh place names, and not just because they cast off the anglicisation that has been likened to cultural vandalism. Most want them restored simply because they evoke local history and traditions. Opponents argue that English names are more accessible to tourists. Cairo: Hamas acting Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya says that there will be no hostage-for-prisoner swap deal with Israel unless the war in the Palestinian enclave ends. Without an end to the war, there can be no prisoner swap, Hayya said in a televised interview with the groups Al-Aqsa channel. 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? A Palestinian girl queues for food in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Monday. Credit: AP Efforts to negotiate a truce for Gaza have stalled, and overnight the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an unconditional permanent ceasefire. Washingtons UN ambassador said the US would only support a resolution that explicitly called for the immediate release of the Israeli hostages as part of a ceasefire. ~ Wants to meet with Members of Parliament. ~ PHILIPSBURG: --- Prisoners at Pointe Blanche Prison are currently on strike. They demand to meet with Members of Parliament to address the issues affecting them. The strike began on November 18th, 2024. SMN News has been reliably informed that the prisoners are contesting the unfair treatment they are confronted with at the House of Detention on St. Maarten. According to information provided to SMN News, a prisoner who has a genetic disease and is going blind began the protest since he was denied the opportunity to go home on an Ankle Bracelet. Some of the prisoners' concerns are the unfair treatment they are receiving and the overpopulation of the Pointe Blanche House of Detention. They also demand that they get the same rights as the other ABC islands, such as conjugal visits and access to cellular phones, since prisoners in Curacao are allowed to have cellular phones and conjugal visits. They intend to demand that their human rights are respected while ensuring doctors are available at the facility on weekends. Research conducted by SMN News shows that the prisoner in question was born in St. Maarten but has no legal status on the island. SMN News research shows the undocumented prisoner who has been in contact with the Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis since he took office in May is a descendant of the Dominican Republic, and that country refused to accept the prisoner since he was not born in their country. On Wednesday, the inmates sent a letter to the Justice Committee of Parliament outlining their grievances and the urgent need for better rehabilitation programs. In their letter to the Justice Committee of Parliament, they stated that they have grown increasingly frustrated with the abuse of power by the prosecuting authorities and the neglect by government representatives. It has become clear that our voices are often unheard and our needs overlooked. As a result, many of us are struggling with inadequate mental and physical healthcare that hampers our ability to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society. They believe that effective rehabilitation is crucial for reducing recidivism and ensuring one can successfully transition back into the community. However, the current state of programs and services provided to the inmates falls short of what is necessary. They ask parliamentarians and relevant authorities to meet with them urgently to address these pressing issues. They are seeking an open dialogue where they could discuss their experiences and advocate for legislative changes that will benefit rehabilitation and reintegration into society. SMN News also confirmed that MP Sjamira Roseburg, the Chair of the Justice Committee of Parliament, has already responded to the letter sent today by the Prison Inmates Association through the interim director of Pointe Blanche Prison. In response to the interim director, Roseburg outlined the course of action she intends to take as Chair of the Justice Committee. Those include a work visit to the Pointe Blanche House of Detention, where Members of Parliament could gain firsthand insight into the concerns of the inmates. The Member of Parliament, who also represents the Prison Inmate Association in the past, wants a tour of the facility to learn about the prisoners' living conditions and the overall management of the House of Detention. The Justice Committee also wants to meet with the Prison Inmates Association to discuss the proposed agenda points. This would allow the association to express its concerns and make suggestions, engage in open and respectful dialogue, and make suggestions. After that, the Justice Committee wants to visit the facility again to present a report that will be prepared after the initial visit. This report will be presented to parliament for future discussions. The Prison Inmate Association has since expressed gratitude for the response they received from Roseburg on Wednesday. Port-of-Spain, Trinidad:--- Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) announced today the addition of Mr. Robert Wickham to its Board of Directors, effective November 19, 2024. Robert Wickham is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in leading technology-based businesses and a notable track record in management, consulting, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership. He began his professional journey at the esteemed Boston Consulting Group. His distinguished career includes leadership roles at multinational companies, such as Salesforce and Oracle, where he spearheaded significant growth initiatives and technological advancements. At Salesforce, Mr. Wickham served as a former General Manager of Tableau Asia Pacific and Chief of Staff for the Asia Pacific region where he was responsible for the Platform & Emerging Technologies portfolio and the launch of Salesforces $50 million Australian venture fund and regional startup programme. At Oracle, Mr. Wickham had responsibility for leading the Engineered Systems business in Australia and New Zealand, and System Management business in North America. He also co-founded Go Fly Limited, a low-cost airline later acquired by easyJet. In announcing the appointment, Mr. Vincent Pereira, Chairman of the RFHL Board of Directors shared, Robert Wickhams formidable leadership expertise in technology, entrepreneurship and corporate strategy makes him a valuable addition to our Board. We welcome him onboard and look forward to his keen insight which will certainly contribute to the Republic Group fortifying its position as a leader of innovation in the financial services industry. The Russian intercontinental ballistic missile RS-26 "Rubizh" equipped with separate warheads could be used for the first time in the war against Ukraine. According to preliminary information, Russia struck the Dnipro River with this weapon. ADVERTISIMENT OBOZ.UA tells what is known about this missile. The RS-26 "Rubizh" missile is a development of the Russian "Moscow Institute of Heat Engineering", created on the basis of the Topol-M intercontinental missile. The first tests took place in 2011, and in 2015 its readiness was officially confirmed. Despite this, the project was excluded from the state arms program in 2018, but in July 2023, Moscow announced the possibility of resuming its production. Missile characteristics Launch range: up to 6000 km. Weight: 40-50 tons. Equipment: four separate warheads of 0.3 Mt each, similar to the RS-24 Yars. Additional capabilities: probably a hypersonic Avangard planning unit. ADVERTISIMENT The missile is classified as intermediate-range, despite the fact that its range allows it to be classified as intercontinental. This decision is likely due to Russia's desire to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). The RS-26 is in fact a modernization of the older RSD-10 Pioneer missile, which was once based on Topol technology. The production of such missiles is not difficult for Russia, as the technological base already exists: "The Votkinsk plant" is able to quickly establish mass production. Although the missile is designed to hit targets up to 6,000 kilometers away, its use against Ukraine is unlikely. "The Rubizh is a strategic weapon that is usually used for other purposes. However, risks cannot be ruled out, given Russia's aggressive rhetoric. ADVERTISIMENT This missile is a powerful carrier with six warheads that can be separated to hit individual targets. The missile has the ability to overcome missile defense systems thanks to deceptive warheads that distract air defense systems. The peculiarity is that the RS-26 must be destroyed at the stage of carrier flight before it drops its warheads. After the missile is fired, each warhead needs to be destroyed separately, which greatly complicates the work of air defense. If the missile is not destroyed at the launch stage, each of its warheads may pose a separate threat that needs to be neutralized. As a reminder, on the morning of November 21, the Russian occupation army launched a massive missile attack on the Dnipro River. During the attack, terrorists used an intercontinental ballistic missile. This is the first time the invaders have used this type of weapon since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT During a morning missile attack on Ukraine on November 21, Russia launched a massive missile strike on Dnipro, wounding two people. An industrial enterprise and a building of a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities were damaged in the city, and two fires broke out due to the shelling. The Russian attack, which lasted from 05:00 to 07:00, targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in Dnipro, the Air Force reported. 101. The defenders of the sky shot down six X-101s, while the remaining Russian missiles did not cause any significant consequences. The day before, OBOZ.UA's interlocutors assure that they do not expect Russian missile strikes on November 20 that would be more powerful than the recent massive combined attacks. After all, the Russians have technical limitations to launch such strikes and need time to accumulate the appropriate number of missiles. ADVERTISIMENT On the morning of November 20, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv announced that it would not be open that day because of the threat of a massive missile attack by Russian troops on Ukraine. Following the American diplomats, a similar statement was made by their colleagues at the Spanish Embassy in our country. The media also began reporting on similar decisions by the diplomatic missions of Greece and Italy in Ukraine. Meanwhile, only on Sunday, November 17, Russia launched the most massive combined attack in at least the last few months. At night and in the morning, the aggressor state launched about 120 missiles and 90 drones at Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense destroyed more than 140 targets. During the attack, the Russians focused their main efforts on the Ukrainian energy system. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Israel army says 3 soldiers, including 70-year-old, killed in Lebanon Jerusalem, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024 The Israeli military said Wednesday three soldiers, including a 70-year-old, were killed in south Lebanon, where its troops have battled Hezbollah since late September after a year of cross-border exchanges of fire. The army announced two soldiers were killed in the same incident including 70-year-old reservist Ze'ev 'Jabo' Hanoch Erlich, after it had said earlier Wednesday that a 22-year-old soldier from Jerusalem "fell during combat in southern Lebanon". The deaths bring to 52 the army's losses in Lebanon since the start of ground operations. Another soldier was heavily injured during the same incident that killed the two soldiers including Erlich, the military said, adding he had been taken to hospital. The Yesha Council, an umbrella group representing Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, described Erlich as a "pioneer of research in geography, archaeology and Jewish history of Judea and Samaria" -- as Israel calls the West Bank. He lived in Ofra, one of the first settlements in the area. The announcements come amid a US-led push to secure a truce, with US envoy Amos Hochstein expected in Israel Wednesday after talks in Beirut this week. Israel widened the focus of its war from Gaza to Lebanon, nearly a year into the conflict in Gaza that was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack. In support of its Palestinian ally, Hezbollah launched low-intensity strikes on Israel after the attack, forcing around 60,000 Israelis to flee their homes. Syria says 36 killed in Israeli strikes on Palmyra Damascus, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 The Syrian defence ministry said 36 people were killed and more than 50 wounded Wednesday in Israeli air strikes on the city of Palmyra, renowned for its ancient ruins. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said the Israeli strikes had killed as many as 61 people. "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," the defence ministry said in a statement. The attack "killed 36 people and wounded more than 50", and caused "significant material damage," it added. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights however gave a higher toll, which it expected to "rise due to the presence of seriously injured people". "The total number of dead reached 61 people," it said. Among them, 33 were Syrians affiliated with Iranian militias, 22 were non-Syrians, four from Hezbollah and two unknown, according to the monitor. The strikes targeting Palmyra -- a modern city adjacent to Greco-Roman ruins -- are the deadliest in Syria since all-out war erupted between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel on September 23. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in the country. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned "in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression against the city of Palmyra, which reflects the continuing crimes of Zionism against the countries of the region and their peoples". Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was taken over and pillaged by Islamic State jihadists at the height of the Syrian civil war. The director general of Antiquities and Museums in Syria, Nazir Awad, told AFP the city's temples "did not suffer any direct damage" during the latest strikes. "We need to conduct a survey on the ground to confirm these observations," he added. Russia fired intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine for first time: Kyiv Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Moscow on Thursday launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine for the first time, Kyiv said, marking the latest escalation of the conflict since Ukraine fired Western-supplied long-range missiles on Russia. The Ukrainian air force said in a statement that Russian forces in the morning had launched several types of missiles at the central city of Dnipro, targeting critical infrastructure. "In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation," the statement said. A source in the Ukrainian air force confirmed to AFP that it was the first time since the Kremlin launched its invasion that its forces had deployed the weapon. The source added it was "obvious" that the missile, which is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, did not carry a nuclear charge. Asked whether Moscow fired the missile, which can hit targets thousands of kilometres away, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had "nothing to say on this topic." Air defence units downed six missiles, the air force said, without elaborating on whether the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) had been downed. The head of the wider region where the city of Dnipro is located said the Russian aerial bombardment had damaged a rehabilitation centre and several homes, as well as an industrial enterprise. "Two people were wounded -- a 57-year-old man was treated on the scene and a 42-year-old woman was hospitalised," the official, Sergiy Lysak. Russia and Ukraine have escalated their use of deadly long-range missiles over recent days since the United States gave permission to use its ATACMS against military targets inside Russia -- a long-standing Ukrainian request. British media meanwhile reported on Wednesday that Kyiv had launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russia after being given the green light from London. The defence ministry in Moscow said its air defence systems had downed two Storm Shadows, without saying whether they were downed on Russian territory or in occupied Ukraine. Russia jails three company directors for defence contract fraud Moscow, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 A Moscow court has jailed the directors of three companies for embezzling over $2.9 million (2.8 million euros) from defence contracts, investigators said Thursday, as Russia cracks down on corruption hampering its Ukraine offensive. Vyacheslav Shustov, Konstantin Savostyanov and Sergei Belov were convicted of stealing the funds by inflating the cost of orders they received from the defence ministry between 2018 and 2021 and through forging documents, according to investigators. Among the items seized from the defendants were money, real estate and cars totalling over 50 million roubles ($500,000), which have now been transferred to state coffers, Russia's Investigative Committee said. "The court sentenced Savostyanov to nine years' jail, and Shustov and Belov to six years each," it added. Russia's defence sector has been marred by corruption scandals since the fall of the Soviet Union but the problem has come under intense scrutiny since Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022 The Kremlin has been diverting huge resources to the conflict, with plans to ramp up defence spending by almost 30 percent next year, and officials are keen for the money to be spent efficiently. Russian authorities have arrested more than a dozen military officials since April, part of what analysts have called a "purge" aimed at stamping out graft. In the morning of November 21, the aggressor country Russia activated the movement of military aircraft, which usually carries out shelling of Ukraine, and deployed missile carriers into the sea. Subsequently, the enemy launched cruise and ballistic missiles, including an intercontinental missile that struck the Dnipro River. ADVERTISIMENT The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was notified of the threat of an attack. Accordingly, an air alert was declared in the country. "A cruise missile from the north through Chernihiv region, heading south. More cruise missiles on the same course. They changed their course in the direction of Kyiv region," the air force said after 06:40. An hour earlier, the military reported that the enemy could have launched X-101 cruise missiles from Tu-95s in the Engels area. After 07:15, explosions were heard in the city of Kremenchuk, Poltava region. The enemy struck at Dnipro: according to the JFO, an industrial enterprise was damaged and two fires broke out in the city. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, during the attack between 05:00 and 07:00, Russian troops attacked the city of Dnipro (enterprises and critical infrastructure) with missiles of various types. In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, an X-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile was launched from the Tambov region from a MiG-31K fighter jet, and seven X-101 cruise missiles were launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers (launch area Volgograd region of the Russian Federation). Air Force anti-aircraft missile units destroyed six X-101s, while the remaining enemy missiles did not cause any significant consequences. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, as of 05:30, six Russian Tu-95MS planes were recorded taking off from the Engels airfield. They were at the launching borders of Saratov and Volgograd regions of the Russian Federation. Later, the Telegram channel "Mykolaiv Vanek" indicated that four TU-95MS aircraft performed launch maneuvers in two waves. "If the launches are real, we expect missiles in our airspace closer to 06:40. In total, there are six TU-95MS aircraft in the air, flying towards the Caspian Sea. All the planes took off from Engels," he wrote. At about 06:30, all six Tu-95MS aircraft landed at Engels airfield in Saratov and Privolzhsky airfield in Astrakhan regions of the Russian Federation. Prior to that, two MiG-31K aircraft landed at the Savasleyka airfield. The preventive threat of cruise and ballistic missile strikes continued in Ukraine. At the same time, the enemy deployed five Kalibr cruise missile carriers to the Black Sea with a total volley of up to 28 missiles, and another volley of up to 16 missiles was in the Mediterranean. The alert in the regions was canceled after 08:16. As reported by OBOZ.UA, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Ukrainians to always pay attention to air alerts, regardless of the time and news, because we have a "crazy neighbor," and because of this, it is simply impossible to predict his actions. This was his reaction to the Russian IPSO about an alleged massive missile attack on November 20, which caused several foreign embassies to suspend their operations in the country. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Iran says Western resolution will 'weaken' interaction with IAEA Tehran, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 A resolution tabled by Western countries to censure Iran's nuclear program at the International Atomic Energy Agency "will weaken and disrupt" interactions between the UN body and Tehran, it warned ahead of the vote on Thursday. Paris, Berlin, London and Washington have formally submitted a text condemning Iran for alleged lack of cooperation with the agency and its nuclear observers. A formal vote is scheduled for later on Thursday at the UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors meeting at its Vienna headquarters. The tabling of the resolution comes a week after a visit to Iran by the head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi. "This inappropriate action of the three European countries to issue a resolution against Iran will only weaken and disrupt interactive processes between the agency and Iran," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement carried by the foreign ministry. To illustrate this idea, the reformist newspaper Sazandegi puts on its front page a photomontage of Araghchi and Grossi with their backs turned to one another. The Iranian deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said on X on Wednesday that the three European countries were using the IAEA as a "political tool." According to the final version of the text seen by AFP, Western powers are asking for a "comprehensive report" to be issued by Grossi "at the latest" by spring 2025. The report also demands "credible technical answers" for the presence of unexplained uranium traces found at two undeclared sites. Araghachi warned earlier that Iran "will respond in a proportionate and appropriate manner," if the resolution passed. The foreign minister was Iran's chief nuclear negotiator when it secured a landmark 2015 agreement to limit Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Western countries have accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, which Tehran fiercely denies. In 2018, Donald Trump, then president of the United States, unilaterally withdrew his country from the agreement -- with which Tehran was complying, according to the IAEA -- and reimposed heavy sanctions. In retaliation, Tehran in 2019, started to roll back some of its commitments under the deal. Iran then significantly increased its reserves of enriched materials and raised the enrichment threshold to 60 percent, close to the 90 percent level needed to make an atomic weapon. Enrichment levels had been capped at 3.67 percent under the nuclear deal. Advanced Chinese warship showcased in Hong Kong Hong Kong, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 An advanced Chinese warship thought to play a key role in the country's South China Sea and Taiwan strategies sailed into Hong Kong on Thursday, part of a publicity campaign showcasing Beijing's increasingly sophisticated military force. The 36,000-tonne Hainan is a helicopter-carrying amphibious assault ship that was hailed as a breakthrough for China's navy when it came into service in 2021. It is part of the fleet that operates in the South China Sea, the site of multiple simmering territorial disputes between Beijing and its neighbours. The hulking vessel was docked at a Hong Kong Island pier on Thursday, with multiple helicopters parked on its large, flat deck. China's defence ministry this week said it was there to showcase the country's "military development" and the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) "firm determination and strong capabilities in safeguarding national sovereignty and security". One expert told AFP its presence in Hong Kong was a deliberate reminder of China's authority there, after the quashing of the city's pro-democracy movement with a sweeping national security law in 2020. "Sending some of the most powerful Chinese warships for public view in Hong Kong, in a way, symbolises and signals the very fact that (China's) government is behind the Hong Kong SAR government," Collin Koh, senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told AFP. Along with the guided-missile destroyer Changsha, the Hainan will stay in the city for five days. More than 10,000 people are expected to visit through invitation-only events, local media said. The Hainan is one of three active warships of its type, and was spotted in the western Pacific near Japanese waters in August. Over 200 metres long, the vessel can reportedly carry 30 helicopters, with the flight deck able to operate six at a time. It represents "a milestone for the growing PLA amphibious assault capabilities", said Koh, increasingly important as tensions in both the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait ramp up. "Many will speculate that this ship (would) come in as a very important piece of capability when it comes to, say, a full-scale invasion of Taiwan itself," he said. Russian ICBM attack on Ukraine 'would mark clear escalation': EU Brussels, Belgium, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Russia launching an intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine would mark a "clear escalation" by President Vladimir Putin, the European Union said on Thursday after Kyiv accused Moscow of such an attack. Ukraine said the missile, without a nuclear warhead, targeted the central city of Dnipro. The Kremlin did not confirm it had deployed the weapon but said it was doing everything possible to avoid a nuclear conflict. "While we're assessing the full facts, it's obvious that such (an) attack would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of Putin," EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano told reporters. Kyiv said several types of missiles were launched at the industrial city in the latest escalation since Ukraine fired Western-supplied long-range missiles on Russia, targeting critical infrastructure and leaving two people wounded. If confirmed, the use of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), would represent a "quantitative and qualitative change" in the war, said Stano. ICBMs can hit targets thousands of kilometres away and are designed to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. A source in the Ukrainian air force confirmed it was the first time such a weapon had been used since Russia invaded in February 2022, adding it was "obvious" that the missile did not carry a nuclear charge. Russia updated its nuclear doctrine this week, allowing it to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states after the United States gave Kyiv permission to use its ATACMS against military targets inside Russia. "They are playing a nuclear gamble," the EU's Stano said of Moscow. "Whether they really mean it, it's very hard to foresee. We don't see in their heads. We only know that this is irresponsible and this constitutes a global threat". Russian spokeswoman told not to comment on Ukraine missile strike live on air Moscow, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova received a phone call during a live press briefing on Thursday telling her not to comment on reports of a ballistic missile strike on Ukraine, video showed. The hot mic moment came after Ukraine accused Russia of firing an intercontinental ballistic missile at the city of Dnipro, in what Russian military bloggers speculated was an attack on aerospace manufacturer Pivdenmash -- previously known as Yuzhmash. "Masha," an unknown male voice on the phone said, addressing Zakharova using a diminutive form of her first name. "On the 'Yuzhmash' ballistic missile strike that the Westerners have started talking about, we are not commenting at all," the voice added. In later comments to Russian state news agency TASS, Zakharova said the phone call was aimed at clarifying whether the foreign ministry was able to broach a specific topic and dismissed any "intrigue". "I clarified with experts whether this topic is ours. The answer came during the briefing -- the Foreign Ministry does not comment. So there is no intrigue," she told the news agency. The Ukrainian air force said earlier Russia had launched several types of missiles at Dnipro in the morning, including an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time since the conflict began. An air force source told AFP it was "obvious" that the missile, which is designed to carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, did not carry a nuclear charge. China blames US for failure of defence chiefs to meet Beijing, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 China on Thursday blamed Washington's support for Taiwan for the failure of the two countries' defence ministers to meet this week, after US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin called Beijing's no-show "unfortunate". Multiple US media reported this week that Austin had hoped to meet his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun at a regional summit in Laos as part of efforts to maintain military contact between the two superpowers. Austin reportedly said China had declined the meeting, calling the decision "a setback for the whole region". Beijing hit back Thursday, saying "the responsibility for not holding a meeting... lies solely with the US side." "The US can't damage China's core interests on the Taiwan question while at the same time conducting exchanges with the Chinese military as if nothing had happened," defence ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said in an online statement. China and the US have butted heads in recent years over Taiwan, the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as part of its territory and has refused to rule out the use of force to seize one day. On Saturday, President Xi Jinping warned his outgoing US counterpart Joe Biden that support for Taiwan was a "red line that must not be challenged" during a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation summit in Peru. The US approved a $2 billion arms sale package for Taiwan in October. Xi also said Beijing was ready to work with the incoming administration of Biden's successor, Donald Trump, whose first term in office yielded a damaging trade war between the world's two largest economies. New Iran censure looms large over UN nuclear meeting Vienna, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Diplomats meeting in Vienna on Thursday are to discuss a resolution condemning Iran for insufficient cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, as Tehran warned it would swiftly respond once it passed. Earlier this week, European powers and the United States formally submitted a censure motion critical of Iran to the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Western powers have repeatedly expressed concern over Tehran's decreased cooperation with the agency, as tensions have run high ever since a 2015 deal curbing Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief fell apart. The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany and the United States says it is "essential and urgent" for Iran to "act to fulfil its legal obligations". The confidential resolution seen by AFP also calls on Tehran to provide "technically credible explanations" for the presence of uranium particles found at two undeclared locations in Iran. Furthermore, Western powers are asking for a "comprehensive report" to be issued by the IAEA on Iran's nuclear efforts "at the latest" by spring 2025. The resolution is expected to come to a vote on Thursday evening, diplomats told AFP. - Differences laid bare - Since 2021, Tehran has significantly decreased its cooperation with the agency by deactivating surveillance devices to monitor the nuclear programme and barring UN inspectors. At the same time, Iran has rapidly ramped up its nuclear activities, including increased stockpiles of enriched uranium, which has heightened fears that Tehran might be seeking to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran denies wanting to develop a nuclear weapon. The resolution comes just as IAEA head Rafael Grossi returned from a trip to Tehran last week, where he appeared to have made headway. During the visit, Iran agreed to an IAEA demand to cap its sensitive stock of near weapons-grade uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity. "This is a concrete step in the right direction," Grossi told reporters Wednesday, saying it was "the first time" Iran had made such a commitment since it started breaking away from its obligations under the 2015 deal. The landmark 2015 deal fell apart three years later after the unilateral withdrawal by the United States under then-president Donald Trump. In retaliation, Tehran began rolling back some of its commitments by increasing its uranium stockpiles and enriching beyond 3.67 percent purity -- enough for nuclear power stations -- permitted under the deal. - Potential to 'harm efforts' - Ahead of the vote, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sounded another warning on Thursday, saying that adopting the censure "will weaken and disrupt" interactions between the agency and Tehran. Araghchi had warned earlier of a "proportionate and appropriate" response by Iran if the board passes the resolution. According to Heloise Fayet, a researcher at the French Institute of International Relations, the resolution has the potential to "harm Rafael Grossi's efforts". "But Western powers are frustrated by the lack of effectiveness of his diplomatic manoeuvres and are looking for firmer solutions," she told AFP. On Wednesday, Grossi said he could "not exclude" that Iran's commitment to cap enrichment might falter "as a result of further developments". Foreign policy expert Rahman Ghahremanpour said Tehran might retaliate to the new censure by "increasing the enrichment levels". But he does not expect any drastic "strategic measures" as Iran does not want to "aggravate tensions" before Donald Trump returns to the White House. Kyiv claims 'crazy' Russia fired nuke-capable missile Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Ukraine on Thursday accused Russia of having deployed a ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear warheads for the first time in history which, if confirmed, would be a major escalation of the war. Ukrainian allies have yet to confirm initial assessments from Kyiv's military that Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The Kremlin has not denied it used the weapon, which can strike targets from a distance of thousands of kilometres, spokesman Dmitri Peskov refusing to comment when questioned. The Ukrainian air force said Moscow had launched the nuclear-capable missile as part of a barrage towards the central city of Dnipro, where local authorities said an infrastructure facility was hit and two civilians were wounded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said experts were examining evidence before confirming an intercontinental ballistic missile had been fired by "our crazy neighbour". He said that the attack bore "all the characteristics" of an ICBM attack and accused the Kremlin of "using Ukraine as a testing ground". Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman said analysts were preparing their "expert conclusions" while adding that the attack bore "all flight characteristics of an ICBM". "The strike itself proves: Russia does not seek peace. To the contrary, it makes every effort to expand the war," spokesman Georgiy Tykhy said in a statement on social media. The attack on Dnipro comes just days after several foreign embassies shuttered temporarily in the Ukrainian capital, citing the threat of a large-scale strike. - Kremlin declines comment - Tension has been building between Moscow and Kyiv's allies in the West since Ukrainian forces struck Russian territory with Western-supplied long-range weapons on Tuesday after getting the green light from Washington. Asked whether Moscow had fired an ICBM, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said he had "nothing to say on this topic". He did however say the Kremlin was doing everything to avoid a nuclear conflict, having updated its nuclear doctrine this week. "We have stressed in the context of our doctrine that Russia is taking a responsible position to make maximum effort not to allow such a conflict," Peskov said. Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman received a phone call during a live press briefing, in which she was ordered not to comment on reports of the ballistic strike, video showed. Yuzhmash is the Russian name of an aerospace manufacturer -- now called Pivdenmash -- in Dnipro that produced missiles during the Soviet era and is reported now to make satellites. Russia claimed to have struck the facility in September this year. Western countries reacted with alarm. "While we're assessing the full facts it's obvious that such (an) attack would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of (Vladimir) Putin," European Union foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano told reporters. The United Kingdom said the strike would be "reckless and escalatory" if confirmed. France said it would represent an "extremely serious" incident. Ukraine's air force said it had downed missiles launched on the industrial city, without elaborating on whether the alleged intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was among those downed. - 'Political value' - The head of the Dnipropetrovsk region where the city of Dnipro is located said the Russian aerial bombardment damaged a rehabilitation centre and several homes, as well as an industrial enterprise. "Two people were wounded -- a 57-year-old man was treated on the scene and a 42-year-old woman was hospitalised," said the official, Sergiy Lysak. Fabian Hoffmann, a research fellow at the University of Oslo, who specialises in missile technology, said Russia had nothing to gain militarily by using an ICBM in such an attack. "This is all about the political effect. This is not about the military value," Hoffmann told AFP. Russia and Ukraine have escalated their use of long-range missiles in recent days since the Washington gave Kyiv permission to use its Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) against military targets inside Russia -- a long-standing Ukrainian request. British media meanwhile reported on Wednesday that Kyiv had launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russia after being given the green light from London. The defence ministry in Moscow said Thursday its air-defence systems had downed two Storm Shadows, without saying whether they had come down on Russian territory or in occupied Ukraine. The missile escalation is coming at a critical moment on the ground for Ukraine, as its defensive lines buckle under Russian pressure across the sprawling front line. Russia claimed deeper advances in the war-battered Donetsk region, announcing on Thursday that its forces had captured another village close to Kurakhove, closing in on the town after months of steady advances. Moscow's defence ministry said Russian forces had taken the small village of Dalne, five kilometres (three miles) south of Kurakhove. Lysak, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said that 26 people had been wounded in another strike on the town of Kryvyi Rig, where Zelensky was born. Iran says censure would 'disrupt' its dealings with UN nuclear watchdog Tehran, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 A censure motion put forward by Western governments at the International Atomic Energy Agency "will weaken and disrupt" Iran's dealings with the UN watchdog, it warned ahead of the vote on Thursday. Britain, France, Germany and the United States have submitted a text to the IAEA board of governors condemning Iran for alleged lack of cooperation with the agency and its monitors. The vote, scheduled for later on Thursday, comes after IAEA chief Rafael Grossi visited Iran last week and toured two uranium enrichment plants that have been at the centre of Western concerns. "This inappropriate action of the three European countries to issue a resolution against Iran will only weaken and disrupt interactive processes between the agency and Iran," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement. In comments to Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen television, Araghchi underlined that Iran remained keen to cooperate with the agency, despite the move by the three European governments. "We have a real determination to work with the agency and resolve the remaining issues, but Europe's move is at odds with this process," Araghchi said. On Wednesday, deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs Kazem Gharibabadi accused the European governments of using the IAEA as a "political tool". The draft motion drawn up by Western governments calls for a "comprehensive report" from Grossi by spring 2025 "at the latest". It also demands "credible technical answers" for the presence of unexplained uranium traces at two sites Iran did not declare as part of its nuclear programme. Araghchi warned earlier that Iran "will respond in a proportionate and appropriate manner," if the resolution passed. The foreign minister was Iran's chief nuclear negotiator when it secured a landmark 2015 agreement to limit Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Western intelligence services have accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapons capability, an ambition it has repeatedly denied. Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear programme monitored by the IAEA as part of a landmark 2015 deal with major powers that saw most international sanctions lifted. But three years later, US president Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned the agreement and reimposed sweeping economic sanctions. The following year, Iran started to roll back some of its own commitments under the deal, significantly increasing its stocks of uranium enriched to 60 percent. That level still falls well short of the 90 percent plus level required for a nuclear warhead but is substantially higher than the 3.67 percent limit it agreed to in 2015. Russia used 'experimental' missile in Ukraine strike: US official Washington, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Russia's strike on Ukraine was not an ICBM, but an "experimental" medium-range ballistic missile, a US official said Thursday, playing down the significance of the attack. "Russia may be seeking to use this capability to try to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters... but it will not be a game changer in this conflict," the US official said. Ukraine accused Russia on Thursday of having launched a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as part of a barrage on the central city of Dnipro. The US official said the missile used in the strike was not an ICBM but an "experimental medium-range ballistic missile" and Russia "likely possesses only a handful of these experimental missiles." "Ukraine has withstood countless attacks from Russia, including from missiles with significantly larger warheads than this weapon," the official said. The United States briefed Ukraine and allies in recent days about Russia's possible use of the weapon, the official said. The US official also recalled that President Joe Biden had announced plans earlier this year to provide Ukraine with hundreds of Patriot and AMRAAM missiles to strengthen its air defenses. "The United States will continue to surge security assistance to Ukraine to strengthen capabilities, including air defense, and put Ukraine in the best possible position on the battlefield," the official said. Tension has been building between Moscow and Kyiv's allies in the West since Ukrainian forces struck Russian territory with Western-supplied long-range weapons on Tuesday after getting the green light from Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the missile strike on Dnipro bore "all the characteristics" of an ICBM attack and accused the Kremlin of "using Ukraine as a testing ground." Local authorities in Dnipro said an infrastructure facility was hit and two civilians were wounded. Denmark in diplomatic talks over Chinese ship in cable incident Copenhagen, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Denmark said Thursday that it was in diplomatic talks with several countries over a Chinese ship anchored off its coast since Tuesday, after two undersea cables were severed in a suspected case of sabotage. Sections of the two telecom cables, both in Swedish waters of the Baltic Sea, were cut on Sunday and Monday. Denmark's navy said Wednesday that it was shadowing a Chinese cargo vessel, the Yi Peng 3, that had sailed over the cables around the time they were severed, according to ship tracking sites, though there is nothing yet to indicate that it was involved in the incidents. European officials have said they suspect "sabotage" and "hybrid warfare" linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin has rejected as "absurd" and "laughable". The fact that the ship remains anchored in the narrow Kattegat strait between Sweden and Denmark since Tuesday has raised questions. "Denmark does not own the damaged cables, and the ship is currently in international waters," the Danish foreign ministry told AFP in a statement Thursday. This limits the Danish authorities' possibility to intervene. "The foreign ministry has had a string of diplomatic contacts, but can not go into any concrete details," it said. China's foreign ministry on Monday denied any responsibility in the matter. Sweden and Finland have opened police investigations, and German police are supporting them. Swedish police said Wednesday that they were interested in a ship that had been observed in the vicinity of the cables, but did not identify the vessel. The C-Lion 1 submarine cable connecting Helsinki and the German port of Rostock was cut Monday south of Sweden's Oland island, around 700 kilometres (435 miles) from Helsinki. Early Sunday, the Arelion cable, running from the Swedish island of Gotland to Lithuania, was also damaged. Tensions have mounted in the Baltic Sea region since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. As votes flooded in for Donald Trump, Silicon Valley leaders grew anxious. "Tonight we cry, we despair, and we fear. Tomorrow we get back to work trying to build the world we want," OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman wrote on Twitter. "We have to admit that we are hugely disconnected with our nation," Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi tweeted. "I don't like it but have to recognize this issue." That was in 2016, the first time Donald Trump won the White House. This week, many of the same tech executives dutifully celebrated his election. Khosrowshahi, who moved to become CEO of Uber in 2017, hailed Trump's "resounding victory" in a post Wednesday on X, as Twitter is now called. "We stand ready to work with you and your administration," he said. "Big congratulations to our 45th and now 47th President on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory," Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also criticized Trump in 2016 and owns The Washington Post, wrote on X. Altman also changed his tune: "congrats to President Trump. i wish for his huge success in the job," he tapped out on X. OpenAI declined to comment. Uber did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The change in tone underscores the pragmatism many tech companies have adopted as another Trump administration nears. In recent years, many tech elites have shrugged off the idealism once central to Silicon Valley's self-image, in favor of a more corporate and transactional approach to politics. "There were already rumblings of a change in our industry's political outlook. Harris's tax plans would have sundered her support in the tech community had she won," said Matt Calkins, CEO of Appian, which makes business software used by companies and government. "The industry may be more accommodating and less confrontational this time." Calkins says he is a political independent. That shift occurs as the tech industry looks to continue the phenomenal growth of its early years. Google and others joined the ranks of the world's biggest companies by getting the world online and putting a smartphone in every pocket. Now tech leaders and venture investors must reckon with the antitrust scrutiny that comes with running the most powerful companies in the world. They are pursuing growth in more regulated or government-dependent sectors such as finance, defense, energy and electric vehicles. A growing contingent of right-wing tech figures argue that Trump can usher in a new era of American dominance by removing red tape. The co-founders of high-profile investment firm Andreessen Horowitz threw their support behind Trump in July - shortly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk - calling for clear rules around its multibillion-dollar crypto portfolio, and more investment in artificial intelligence and defense start-ups to boost U.S. competition with China. Augustus Doricko, CEO of the cloud-seeding start-up Rainmaker, who has championed a community of patriotic young male start-up founders in El Segundo, California, said in a text message after Trump's win that political outsiders like the president-elect and his close ally Musk could "accelerate America by a thousand years" by investing in and deregulating "futuristic technology." "This election was a miracle because the winners believe in a glorious, sci-fi future of colonizing Mars and controlling the weather," he said. "Americans embodied this in the past and are recapturing it." A much wider swath of Silicon Valley leaders did not endorse Trump but have been unhappy with the Biden administration's approach to tech regulation and in particular his appointment of FTC Chair Lina Khan. Her tougher approach to policing megamergers rankles start-up leaders and investors who want to one day sell their companies to tech giants for billion-dollar payouts. Cloud storage company Box CEO Aaron Levie, who campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris and argued with Trump-supporting tech leaders on social media in the months before the election, struck an upbeat tone in an interview on Wednesday. Levie remains concerned about Trump's promises to deport undocumented immigrants and the former president's track record of slowing high-skilled immigration, but said tech companies and the wider economy could benefit from lower corporate taxes. He is hopeful Musk's influence on Trump would temper his policies, despite backing a different candidate. "I will fully admit that some of my optimism is driven by the closeness that Elon has had to Trump," Levie said. Musk has endorsed many of Trump's signature policies and unsubstantiated political claims, telling his followers on X on Monday that unless they voted for the former president the Democratic Party would "legalize so many illegals in swing states that this will be the last real election in America." Veena Dubal, a professor at the University of California at Irvine, who has studied the inequities of the gig economy, said that the emergence of conservative tech figures such as Musk and investor David Sacks makes it easier for tech leaders who voted against Trump to now embrace him. In response to Trump's anti-immigrant policies in 2017, ride share start-up Lyft donated $1 million to the ACLU and Airbnb took out a pointed Super Bowl ad about accepting people regardless of their race, religion or the country they immigrated from. The calculation being made now, Dubal said, is that publicly opposing Trump "is not economically or politically advantageous." Many of the tech leaders now welcoming Trump live and work in some of the deepest-blue communities in the nation. Nearly 80 percent of San Francisco voters, and around 70 percent of those in the Silicon Valley counties to the south of Santa Clara and San Mateo voted for Harris. Many tech workers are immigrants themselves - including the CEOs of Google, Microsoft and Uber - and thousands live in the United States on skilled worker visas. Trump has said he will deport undocumented immigrants en masse and during his time in office, he slowed visa processing times significantly. In interviews with The Post, some in Silicon Valley's rank and file expressed disappointment at the reaction from tech leaders. A Google employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their job said they wanted the company's leaders to do more to acknowledge the impact of the election on real people. "It's frustrating to be told to focus on AI when the foundation of society and democracy feels strained. As plans for the largest deportation in the history of the U.S. are being planned, I'm told to focus on Gemini," the employee said, referring to Google's flagship AI chatbot. "I get that that's the job but it feels absurd." In 2017, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and company co-founder Sergey Brin attended a company protest of Trump's immigration restrictions. This April, Pichai told workers that they should not debate politics at work after the company fired 28 workers for staging a sit-in against Google's work with the Israeli government. And this week, Pichai congratulated Trump on X and said "we are in a golden age of American innovation and are committed to working with his administration to help bring the benefits to everyone." Weeks before the election, Trump said Google should be prosecuted for election interference for allegedly showing biased search results. Multiple tech workers told The Post that there had been little to no discussion on internal forums about the election, in contrast to how workers had pressured management to respond to Trump's election in 2016. The industry once stood apart from the rest of corporate America in how readily employees spoke out. Now fears of layoffs and leaders' reduced tolerance for employee protest have silenced internal political debate. Inside Amazon, leadership communicated "absolutely nothing acknowledging the election" an employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their job said. Another corporate Amazon worker said that Wednesday was "more or less business as usual." Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said on X that he was looking forward to working with Trump. The company declined to comment. At Meta, which for more than a year has had rules against engaging in divisive rhetoric at work, executives did not mention the election in a companywide meeting last week, according to a recording listened to by The Post. Hours after Trump's win became clear, workers spoke more freely on Blind, a workplace app that gives people who have held a Meta email a private anonymous discussion board, according to copies of messages seen by The Post. "Don't cry on Workplace tomorrow about the election," wrote one user, referring to Meta's internal communication platform. "No one wants to hear about your liberal politics at work any more than you wanna hear from conservatives about their viewpoints. That is all." The sentiment seemed to echo CEO Mark Zuckerberg's own recent attempts to distance himself from Democratic political activism. Earlier this year, he said it had been a mistake for Facebook to crack down on posts about covid and Hunter Biden's laptop in previous years as he attempted to mend fences with conservative politicians who have attacked him and the company for years. On Meta's Threads social media platform, Zuckerberg wrote "Congratulations to President Trump on a decisive victory. We have great opportunities ahead of us as a country. Looking forward to working with you and your administration." (COMMENT, BELOW) On November 21, the aggressor country Russia launched a massive missile attack on Dnipro during the morning missile attack on Ukraine, wounding two people. An industrial enterprise and the building of a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities were damaged in the city, and two fires broke out as a result of the shelling. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the head of the Dnipropetrovs'k regional military administration Serhii Lysak. According to him, the rehabilitation center's boiler room was partially destroyed, several dozen windows were smashed, but people were not injured. In addition, the garage cooperative was damaged: a fire broke out and nine garages were damaged. "As it was reported earlier, an industrial enterprise was damaged. Two private houses were also damaged: a fire broke out in one of them and was extinguished. The fire was also extinguished at the second site. Preliminary, two people were injured: A 57-year-old man was treated on the spot, and a 42-year-old woman was hospitalized," Lysak said. ADVERTISIMENT He emphasized that public utilities are working at the emergency sites. The National Police is accepting reports of property damage. Philanthropists have joined in to help people. They are providing psychological assistance and materials for quick repairs. The State Emergency Service reported that the roof of a two-story residential building in the private sector was burning on an area of 150 square meters. Rescuers extinguished the fire there and a 100-square-meter fire on the territory of a garage cooperative. ADVERTISIMENT The morning Russian attack, which lasted from 05:00 to 07:00, targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in Dnipro, the Air Force reported. The military noted that the aggressor launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, an X-47M2 Kinzhal air-to-air missile, and seven X-101 cruise missiles. The Ukrainian defenders of the sky shot down six X-101s, while the rest of the Russian missiles did not cause any significant consequences. The OVA added that at night, the Russian army attacked Nikopol district center, Pokrovska, and Chervonohryhorivska communities. They used artillery and Grad multiple rocket launchers. No people were injured. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Russia's missile 'warning' to Ukraine and West: what we know Paris, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Russia on Thursday fired an innovative missile at Ukraine in a clear warning of its capabilities as tensions surge, officials from Western governments said, even as they pushed back against Ukrainian claims of an even more widescale action by Moscow. Ukraine said on Thursday Russia had launched against its territory an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) designed to carry nuclear warheads. But while warning that such a step would make a major escalation, Ukraine's European allies did not confirm Kyiv's initial assessments that such a weapon had been fired. A US official, who asked not to be named, said Russia's strike on Ukraine was not an ICBM, but an "experimental" medium-range ballistic missile. In an address to the nation late Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia had used a new, experimental "hypersonic" medium range non-nuclear ballistic missile named "Oreshnik" ("Hazel") in the arrack on Dnipro. - What was fired? Analysts and now the United States have pushed back on the initial claims from Kyiv that Moscow had launched the nuclear capable ICBM as part of a barrage towards the central city of Dnipro. Using such a missile at such short range would be a hugely profligate use of valuable resources. "My take is that one must be sceptical and cautious," wrote weapons expert Pavel Podvig, director of the Russian Nuclear Forces Project. While not naming the missile used or giving technical specifications, the US official said Russia "likely possesses only a handful of these experimental missiles." "Ukraine has withstood countless attacks from Russia, including from missiles with significantly larger warheads than this weapon," the official said. In London, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters Russia's strike on Ukraine was a "ballistic missile" with "a range of several thousand kilometres", the first time Moscow had used such a weapon in the war. - What is the context? Tension has been building between Moscow and Kyiv's allies in the West since Ukrainian forces struck Russian territory with Western-supplied long-range weapons on Tuesday after getting the green light from Washington. US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the go-ahead to fire the missiles into Russian territory for the first time while Washington will soon provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines to shore up its defences against Russian forces. Biden is moving to boost Ukraine's war effort in the final two months of his administration, before Donald Trump, who has repeatedly promised to end the war quickly, takes power in January. "The United States will continue to surge security assistance to Ukraine to strengthen capabilities, including air defence, and put Ukraine in the best possible position on the battlefield," the official said. In London, the British government spokesman said: "It is another example of reckless behaviour from Russia, which only serves to strengthen our resolve in terms of standing by Ukraine for as long as it takes." - What message is Moscow seeking to send? Despite the initial confusion on the nature of the missile fired, it is clear that the strike on Dnipro was unusual and aimed at sparking the maximum attention from Kyiv and its allies. "We are really on something unprecedented, and it is much more a political act than a military act. The cost-effectiveness ratio of the attack is zero," says Heloise Fayet, a researcher at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI). "This change of scale is significant," she said, adding this was "the first use by the Russians on the battlefield of a missile with a range greater than 2,000 kilometres." But the use of this missile "will not change the situation significantly on the operational level. They obviously have very few and they are expensive." Local authorities said an infrastructure facility was hit in Dnipro and two civilians were wounded. For Nick Brown, of British defence analysis organisation Janes, "this is really about sending an escalatory message or warning, an expensive and potentially dangerous way for Russia to rattle its sabre." According to the US official: "Russia may be seeking to use this capability to try to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters... but it will not be a game changer in this conflict," the US official said. UK Serious Fraud Office says probing defence group Thales London, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said Thursday it had launched a joint investigation with its French counterparts into "suspected bribery and corruption" at the France-based multinational defence giant Thales. "Investigators from the SFO and French authority Parquet National Financier (PNF) have informed the company of the investigation," it said, noting the two agencies were probing "in their respective jurisdictions". Thales has its headquarters in Paris. Thales UK is a subsidiary and one of the British government's key defence contractors, employing over 7,000 staff at 16 sites across the country. It built hundreds of lightweight missiles which the UK sent to Ukraine in September. A Thales spokesperson confirmed that the SFO and the PNF had "commenced an investigation in relation to four of its entities in France and the UK". "Thales is co-operating with the PNF in France and the SFO in the UK. The group complies with all national and international regulations. "As the investigation is ongoing, Thales will not comment further." The SFO announcement follows police in France, the Netherlands and Spain searching the multinational's offices in June, over suspicions of corruption linked to arms sales, according to reports. SFO director Nick Ephgrave said he hoped the joint probe would reinforce the SFO's and PNF's "long-standing relationship, built on mutual cooperation and shared success". "We will together rigorously pursue every avenue in our investigation into these serious allegations," he added in a statement, which did not provide any further details about the accusations. The SFO is a specialist prosecuting authority tackling top level serious or complex fraud, bribery and corruption, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Thales specialises in defence electronics, and built the 650 so-called Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) that the UK announced it would supply to Ukraine in September, costing pound162 million ($204 million). The firm also won a pound1.8-billion UK defence contract in February, which will see it maintain the Royal Navy's fleet of ships and submarines for the next 15 years. jj/phz/db Guerrillas kill four Colombian soldiers as peace efforts falter Bogota, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Colombia's ELN guerrilla group has killed four soldiers in an attack with explosives in a rural part of the country's northwest, the army said Thursday, in the latest blow to peace efforts. It was the first such attack attributed to the ELN (National Liberation Army) since it resumed peace negotiations with the government earlier this month. The army did not say when the attack, which also injured four other soldiers and a civilian, took place. The ELN and the government agreed on November 7 to resume peace talks that were stalled for several months after an attack on a military base that killed three soldiers and injured 28. A ceasefire was not part of that agreement, however, and a week after the parties agreed to resume talks, the military killed 13 guerrillas in two operations. The ELN is the biggest of the armed groups still active in Colombia since the government signed a deal with the much bigger FARC Marxist rebel group, which disarmed in 2017 after more than 50 years of war with the state. The deal with FARC sought to end the longest-running war in the Americas, but holdout FARC splinter groups and the ELN have refused to make peace. Leftist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries, drug gangs and state forces remain in open conflict in parts of the country, despite President Gustavo Petro opening negotiations in a quest for "total peace." The government condemned the latest attack Thursday, accusing the ELN of "talking about peace while making war." The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), a humanitarian organization, said Thursday that at least 1.5 million people have been displaced in Colombia since the deal with the FARC in 2016. "If displacement was a thermometer of peace, then Colombia's health would be failing," NRC's Colombia country director Giovanni Rizzo said in a statement. Putin hints at strikes on West in 'global' Ukraine war Dnipro, Ukraine, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the conflict in Ukraine had characteristics of a "global" war and did not rule out strikes on Western countries. The Kremlin strongman spoke out after a day of frayed nerves, with Russia test-firing a new generation intermediate-range missile at Ukraine -- which Putin hinted was capable of unleashing a nuclear payload. Ukraine had earlier on Thursday accused Russia of firing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time in history at the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, while the UN Secretary-General branded the new missile's use "worrying". Ukraine's key backer the United States played down suggestions that Russia had launched an ICBM, echoing Putin's description of the "experimental" weapon. Yet while stopping short of calling it "intercontinental", Britain warned the weapon had "a range of several thousand kilometres" -- enough to make good on Putin's threat of striking the West. In a defiant address to the nation, Russia's president railed at Ukraine's allies granting permission for Kyiv to use Western-supplied weapons to strike targets on Russian territory, warning of retaliation. In recent days Ukraine has fired US and UK-supplied missiles at Russian territory for the first time, escalating already sky-high tensions in the brutal nearly three-year-long conflict. "We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities," Putin said. He said the US-sent Army Tactical Missile System and British Storm Shadow payloads were shot down by Moscow's air defences, adding: "The goals that the enemy obviously set were not achieved". Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov did however say Russia was doing everything to avoid a nuclear conflict, having updated its nuclear doctrine this week. - 'Crazy neighbour' - The Ukrainian air force said Moscow had launched the missile as part of a barrage towards Dnipro, where local authorities said an infrastructure facility was hit and two civilians were wounded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said experts were examining evidence before confirming an intercontinental ballistic missile had been fired by "our crazy neighbour". He said that the attack bore "all the characteristics" of an ICBM attack and accused the Kremlin of "using Ukraine as a testing ground". Putin said that Russia had carried out "testing in combat conditions of one of the newest Russian mid-range missile systems... Our engineers named it 'Oreshnik'," meaning "Hazel". The attack on Dnipro comes just days after several foreign embassies shuttered temporarily in the Ukrainian capital, citing the threat of a large-scale strike. "It is another example of reckless behaviour from Russia, which only serves to strengthen our resolve in terms of standing by Ukraine for as long as it takes," a spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told reporters. The spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, said the new missile's deployment was "another concerning and worrying development," warning the war was "going in the wrong direction". Yet a US official played down the threat, saying on condition of anonymity that the missile used was not an ICBM but an "experimental medium-range ballistic missile" -- seemingly confirmed by Putin's address. Russia "likely possesses only a handful of these", the official added. - 'Political value' - Ukraine's air force said it had downed missiles launched on the industrial city, without elaborating on whether the new missile was among those downed. The head of the Dnipropetrovsk region where the city of Dnipro is located said the Russian aerial bombardment damaged a rehabilitation centre and several homes, as well as an industrial enterprise. "Two people were wounded -- a 57-year-old man was treated on the scene and a 42-year-old woman was hospitalised," said the official, Sergiy Lysak. Fabian Hoffmann, a research fellow at the University of Oslo, who specialises in missile technology, said Russia had nothing to gain militarily by using an ICBM in such an attack. "This is all about the political effect. This is not about the military value," Hoffmann told AFP. Russia and Ukraine have escalated their use of long-range missiles in recent days since Washington gave Kyiv permission to use its ATACMS against military targets inside Russia -- a long-standing Ukrainian request. British media meanwhile reported on Wednesday that Kyiv had launched UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Russia after being given the green light from London. Russia's envoy to London on Thursday said that meant Britain was "now directly involved" in the Ukraine war, with Andrei Kelin telling Sky News "this firing cannot happen" without UK and NATO support. The defence ministry in Moscow said Thursday its air-defence systems had downed two Storm Shadows, without saying whether they had come down on Russian territory or in occupied Ukraine. The missile escalation is coming at a critical moment on the ground for Ukraine, as its defences buckle under Russian pressure across the sprawling front line. Russia claimed deeper advances in the war-battered Donetsk region, announcing on Thursday that its forces had captured another village close to Kurakhove, closing in on the town after months of steady advances. Moscow's defence ministry said Russian forces had taken the small village of Dalne, five kilometres (three miles) south of Kurakhove. Lysak, the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said that 26 people had been wounded in another strike on the town of Kryvyi Rig, where Zelensky was born. Russia says notified US before firing hypersonic missile at Ukraine Moscow, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Russia informed the United States that it was going to launch a new hypersonic missile 30 minutes before firing it at Ukraine, state media cited the Kremlin's spokesman as saying Thursday. "The Russian side warned the Americans about the launch of 'Oreshnik'," through an automatic nuclear de-escalation hotline, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the TASS news agency, using Russia's name for the missile. Putin said earlier that Russia had test-fired a new type of hypersonic intermediate-range missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro that was equipped with a non-nuclear warhead. Kyiv had accused Russia of firing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), but said tests were being carried out on debris to ascertain which type of weapon and warhead were used. Peskov said Russia's National Centre for the Reduction of Nuclear Danger sent a message to a similar service in the United States "automatically" 30 minutes before the planned launch, TASS reported. ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, Deif The Hague, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 The International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, as well as Hamas's military chief Mohammed Deif. The unprecedented move drew a furious reaction from Netanyahu, who denounced it as anti-Semitic and the court's accusations "absurd and false". Israel's closest allies, including the United States, also slammed the warrants against the Israeli politicians, but rights groups including Amnesty International welcomed them. "Prime Minister Netanyahu is now officially a wanted man," said Amnesty Secretary General Agnes Callamard. The ICC's move theoretically limits the movement of Netanyahu, as any of the court's 124 national members would be obliged to arrest him on their territory. "The Chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024," the ICC said in a statement. A warrant had also been issued for Deif, it added. Israel said in early August it had killed Deif in an air strike in southern Gaza in July, but Hamas has not confirmed his death. The court said it had issued the arrest warrant as the prosecutor had not been able to determine whether or not Deif was dead. The court's chief prosecutor Karim Khan urged the body's members to act on the warrants, and for non-members to work together for "upholding international law". "I appeal to all States Parties to live up to their commitment... by respecting and complying with these judicial orders," Khan said in a statement. The Palestinian Authority and militant group Hamas both welcomed the warrants -- though without mentioning Deif. The warrants for the Israeli leaders are "an important step towards justice and can lead to redress for the victims in general", Hamas's political bureau member Bassem Naim said. "But it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world." - 'Reasonable grounds' - The court said it had found "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bore "criminal responsibility" for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, as well as the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The ICC said the pair were also criminally responsible "for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population". The court alleged both men "intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival", including food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity. Regarding the war crime of starvation, it said the manufactured shortages "created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza". This resulted in civilian deaths including of children, due to malnutrition and dehydration, the court charged. It said it had not yet determined if "all elements of the crime against humanity of extermination were met," the court said. However, judges did say there were reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of murder had been committed in relation to these victims. - 'Deeply concerned' - Washington denounced the warrants against Israel. "We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor's rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision," said a National Security Council spokesperson. "The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter." Argentina's president, Javier Milei, also expressed his country's "deep disagreement", arguing it "distorts the spirit of international justice". Yet Italy said it would be forced to comply with the warrant should the Israeli officials set foot in the country. While Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said he believed the ICC was "wrong" to put Netanyahu and Gallant on the same level as Hamas, if either "were to come to Italy, we would have to arrest them". Speaking from Jordan, the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell noted: "It is not a political decision. It is a decision of a court... of an international court of justice. "And the decision of the court has to be respected and implemented." - 'Secret' warrants - The warrants had initially been classified as "secret" to protect witnesses and safeguard the conduct of the investigations, the court said. They decided to make the public "since conduct similar to that addressed in the warrant of arrest appears to be ongoing", it added. "Moreover, the Chamber considers it to be in the interest of victims and their families that they are made aware of the warrants' existence." ICC prosecutor Khan in May requested the court issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Netanyahu sacked Gallant as defence minister on November 5. Khan initially also sought warrants against other top Hamas leaders on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He had already dropped the application for Ismail Haniyeh, the group's political leader, following his death in an explosion in Tehran. Khan had also requested warrants against former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was also killed by the Israeli military in Gaza. Since Hamas conducted its October 7, 2023 attack, the deadliest in Israeli history, Israel has been fighting a war in Gaza, which the militant group rules. It was triggered by the assault on Israel by Hamas militants, 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 Hamas government's health ministry in the Gaza Strip said Thursday that at least 44,056 people had been killed in more than 13 months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants. The toll includes 71 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the ministry, which said 104,268 people had been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began. The Third World War began in Ukraine in 2024, according to our country's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces pointed out that Russia is supported in its full-scale aggression by North Korea, Iran, and China. ADVERTISIMENT The diplomat shared his opinion during a speech at the UP-100 award ceremony. "In 2024, we can assume that World War III has begun," he said. Zaluzhnyi explained that it is not just Russia that we are facing now. "Ukraine is facing soldiers from North Korea. Let's be honest. Already in Ukraine, Iranian Shaheeds are killing civilians quite openly, without hesitation. North Korean-made missiles are already flying into Ukraine, and they openly declare this. Chinese shells are being detonated in Ukraine, and Chinese parts are being used in Russian missiles," the ambassador listed. These facts give grounds to talk about a world war. The world must prepare for this, and the reaction of the allies must be more decisive. We quote further: "What has been expected for so long has already begun. But I want to say that God himself gives a chance (not only to Ukraine but to the whole world) to have time to draw the right conclusions now. ADVERTISIMENT It is still possible to stop it here, on the territory of Ukraine. But for some reason, our partners do not want to understand this. Ukraine already has too many enemies. Ukraine will survive with the help of technology, but it is not known whether it will be able to win this battle alone. So I believe that the world war has begun." As reported by OBOZ.UA: At the Chatham House think tank in London, Zaluzhnyi said that Kyiv needs to join NATO and there is no alternative. Our country must receive guarantees of peace and security for the next 100 years. Zaluzhnyi also said that it is "almost impossible" to get out of the state of "protracted" war with the Russian Federation today. And this is a consequence of the attitude of NATO countries, Ukraine's partners, to the war. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! During her tenure, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel prevented Ukraine's rapid accession to NATO, citing a number of factors that she believed were important to the Alliance's security. In particular, Merkel feared a possible military response from Russian President Vladimir Putin. ADVERTISIMENT She outlined this position in her memoirs, excerpts of which were published by Die Zeit. Merkel's policy toward Ukraine during her tenure as chancellor is still criticized in Kyiv. "I understood the desire of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to become NATO members as soon as possible," Merkel writes about the decisive NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008 when the plan to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Georgia was discussed. Merkel noted that the accession of a new member to NATO should increase the security of both the candidate and the entire Alliance. However, she saw risks due to the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the Crimean peninsula, which created a unique situation compared to other candidates for membership. In addition, she said, at that time only a minority of Ukrainians supported the idea of joining NATO. ADVERTISIMENT "I thought it was an illusion to assume that the candidate status would protect Ukraine and Georgia from Putin's aggression, that this status would have such a deterrent effect that Putin would passively accept the developments. Could it have been imagined then that in an emergency, NATO member states would have responded with military force in terms of materials and troops, and intervened? Could I have imagined that as chancellor I would have asked the German Bundestag for such a mandate for our Bundeswehr and received majority support?" she writes in her book. As a result, Merkel notes, a compromise was found in which none of these countries received guarantees of protection from NATO. "The fact that Georgia and Ukraine did not receive a commitment to candidate status was a 'no' for their hopes. The fact that NATO also offered them a general promise of membership was a 'yes' to NATO membership for both countries and a declaration of war for Putin," the former Chancellor summarized. Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki criticized former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He was outraged by her agreements on energy supplies from Russia, drawing parallels with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Ash Schofield, giffgaff chief executive, said: Were proud to continue our partnership with Big Issue Group, providing more refurbished devices so that every vendor across the UK can take cashless payments and connect to essential services and support. Ali Gayward, easyJet UK country manager, said: Were proud to be releasing such an incredible range of new routes and package holidays, providing more choice for customers to visit more of the places they love across Europe and to experience some incredible new destinations. The proposals also call for Google to be banned from signing multibillion-pound deals with smartphone makers such as Apple to make Google Search the default search engine on those companies devices, including the iPhone, and to force Google to share data it collects from its search engine with its rivals in an effort to boost competition in the sector. But the ICBM claim has been disputed by the Americans, with a senior US official telling the New York Times that the weapon appeared to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile, who however added that it was a new type we have been tracking. Putin is desperate to achieve a recognised victory on the battlefield before the end of the year. He wants to get the Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk pocket, the chunk of Russia they invaded and took in the late spring. Russian forces are grinding forward there, as they are at several critical points on the front from Luhansk and Donetsk, and in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. But progress is slow, and very expensive in manpower and ground attack equipment. Up to 2,000 soldiers are being killed and wounded a day tanks, with an average of 100 tanks and 200 artillery pieces destroyed every month. 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. In 1981, six years before his death, Andy Warhol devoted the spring to a limited series of paintings commissioned by Donald Trump. The American tycoon, then 34 years old, asked the artist for paintings inspired by Trump Tower, which was still under construction, to adorn the atrium of his first architectural project, located at 725 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. New York Skyscrapers stands as a testament to Warhols ability to encapsulate the spirit of an era characterized by excess, and it remains a powerful commentary on the pursuit of the American Dream as seen through the lens of one of the 20th centurys most iconic artists, says the Phillips auction house, which has now sold one of the paintings for $952,500. But Trump did not like it at all. Mr. Trump was very upset that it wasnt color-coordinated, Warhol wrote in his diary on August 5, 1981. So Trump rejected all eight of Warhols works and refused to pay him. Theyre going to come down with swatches of material so I can do the paintings to match the pinks and oranges. I think Trumps sort of cheap, though, I get that feeling, the artist wrote. More than four decades later, New York Skyscrapers has achieved the recognition that was denied by the now president-elect of the United States and has been acquired at auction in New York by an anonymous buyer for a price that is more than $250,000 above the maximum estimate. Some in the art world speculated that a disgruntled Democrat may want to make a political statement by buying it simply to destroy it following Trumps victory in the presidential election. Others thought a Trump supporter may wish to own a unique piece of memorabilia. There was even a rumour that Trump may try to reclaim the piece and hang it in the White House when he returns in January, posited The Times. Phillips deputy chairman Robert Manley confirmed that interest in the painting was split: Some people are politically motivated but some people are Warhol collectors. The work in question, in which Warhol portrayed in his own way the iconic skyscraper whose escalator Trump descended when he announced his first run for the White House in 2015, has been in the collection of the Swiss-based gallerist and close friend of Warhol, Bruno Bischofberger, for years. It was prominently displayed in the 2001 exhibition Gems and Skyscrapers at Bischofbergers gallery in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, two of the eight paintings in the series reside in the permanent collection of the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. None of them had been auctioned before. Andy Warhol's 'New York Skyscrapers,' commissioned by Donald Trump in 1981, in an image provided by the Phillips auction house. Jean Bourbon Trump and Warhol did not resume their relationship after the failed commission. The unlikely pair had been introduced by the art director of Interview magazine, Marc Balet, who was working on choosing the shops that would open inside the atrium of Trump Tower. However, it was the tycoons then-wife, Ivana Trump (they were married from 1977 to 1990), who suggested to her husband that he meet with the well-known artist to discuss the possibility of painting the pictures that would be destined to be displayed inside the building. It was so strange, these people are so rich. They talked about buying a building yesterday for $500 million or something. Hes a butch guy, the artist wrote in his diary after their first meeting. Nothing was settled, but Im going to do some paintings, anyway, and show them to them. After the skyscraper was completed in November 1983 and his work had been rejected, Warhol met the Trumps again at a party in New York organized for Roy Cohn, a lawyer and adviser to the business tycoon. In his diaries Warhol describes the tense encounter he had with Ivana, who died in 2022. Ivana Trump was there and she came over and when she saw me she was embarrassed and she said, Oh, whatever happened to those pictures? and I had this speech in my mind of telling her off, Warhol wrote of the encounter. She was trying to get away and she did, he wrote. Years later, Warhol was invited to Trump Tower to judge a cheerleading competition. He accepted, but arrived late to spite Trump. Donald Trump, 33, holds a model of Trump Tower in New York in January 1980. Bettmann Archive Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Saturday Night Live may not cut quite the same dash it once did, but it remains a stalwart of American telly and of YouTube highlights. Fifty years ago, it was nothing but a glimmer in the eye of then-unknown producer Lorne Michaels. This biography one that plays fast and loose with the exact truth of it all follows the lead up to the very first show in October 1975. Its TV land, and its the Seventies, so chaos reigns: half the team is drunk, the other high, and everything looks like its going to hell. It all makes for a gleefully entertaining movie. Speaking after she greeted the King, Ms Takoko, who came from Gisborne in the upper North Island of New Zealand, said it was vitally important for her to greet Charles. My height comes from a rare condition called Weaver syndrome which also brings some physical disabilities. This affects my daily life and I am dependent on my parents who support me all the time. Travelling is not easy, neither is finding shoes or clothes. Ahead of the meeting on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Hastings Jews for Justice added: Standing for justice, peace and dignity for Palestinians is a matter of huge importance to people in this town as we can see by the positive responses to actions taken in their support. The impact of the warrants is likely to be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the ICC and several of the Hamas officials have been killed in the conflict. Why? Nobacon pulled the stunt in solidarity with dock workers in Liverpool who had been involved in a years-long industrial dispute. Many were angry with the government - particularly Prescott, who has long been a supporter of unions - for not aiding the end of the dispute or reversing anti-trade union legislation brought forward by the previous Conservative government. Speaking with NME earlier this year, the bands frontman Dunstan Bruce said the reason why the stunt was pulled was because Prescott could have resolved that dispute and he refused to, even though it was a union he used to be a part of. In a statement following the incident, Prescotts office called the stunt utterly contemptible. The Kings message, read out on his behalf by The Duchess of Edinburgh, said: As you come together to mark 50 years since the terrible events of 21st November 1974, my wife and I would like to take this opportunity to say that you, and all those affected by this dreadful attack, remain very much in our thoughts. It is one of a number of greetings that Charles has carried out this week, including welcoming the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to the royal residence on Wednesday. We remain dedicated to upholding Captain Sir Toms legacy and want the public to know, that there has never been any misappropriation of funds or unauthorised payments from the charitys bank account, by any member of our family. Thirty-eight years ago, the worlds first avant-garde amusement park opened in Hamburg, Germany: Luna Luna. It was an ode to freedom, art, and dreams, founded on the belief that art should be presented in unconventional ways, drawing in audiences who might not typically seek it out in more traditional settings. Conceived by Austrian artist Andre Heller, Luna Lunas greatest allure and uniqueness lay in the fact that its attractions were also artistic installations, created by some of the most prominent artists of the time. Luna Luna was an unprecedented, dream-like park, which was designed to be temporary and to travel around the world. From June 5 to August 31, 1987, it attracted around 300,000 visitors. As planned, the park closed at the end of the summer, with the idea of being reinstalled elsewhere. A plan to set it up in Balboa Park in San Diego, California, was derailed by an unforeseen event, leading to the cancellation of the contract. The parks attractions, stored in 44 containers, were then transported to a warehouse in Texas, where they fell into oblivion. Nearly four decades later, these attractions have been rescued and restored for a traveling exhibition, now on display at The Shed in New York until January 5, 2025, after previously stopping in Los Angeles. The driving force behind the revival of Luna Luna is Michael Goldberg, an American businessman and creative director, who became fascinated with the parks history during the pandemic and was determined to bring it back to life. Goldberg secured funding through an unlikely source: rapper Drake, who captivated by the story of Luna Luna invested $100 million through his company, Dreamcrew, in partnership with Live Nation. The restoration was a gamble, as the funding had to be paid without any certainty about the condition of the pieces or even what was inside the containers. Fortunately, while some of the attractions had suffered damage from rodents and the ravages of time, others were remarkably well-preserved. The complex, two-year-long reconstruction process was guided by photographs of the park taken by Sabina Sarnitz, which had been used to illustrate the 1987 catalog. In 1987, Andre Hellers budget was a modest 474,035 ($497,039), a tiny sum for a project of such ambition and scale. Nevertheless, he convinced the invited artists with a bold challenge: to return to their childhood memories and create their own vision of an amusement park without any limitations. All of them accepted. Jean-Michel Basquiat designed an 11-meter-high white Ferris wheel, featuring an image of a monkeys backside in the center, and surprising words on each cabin, such as Pornography, Standard, Bleeding Fingers, Chassis, and Crushed. The Ferris wheel ran while the music of Miles Davis played in the background. Roy Lichtenstein designed a labyrinth of 75 crystals intended to disorient participants, with background music by Philip Glass. Salvador Dali's pavilion, named Dalidom, was a mirrored dome with an interior designed to reflect visitors in myriad ways, accompanied by music from the Blue Chip Orchestra. Keith Haring, meanwhile, created the parks iconic carousel and designed the merchandising T-shirts. These are just a few of the standout examples of the parks artistic offerings. But to truly evoke the sensory experience of Luna Luna, its important to remember that the magic of the park wasnt only in the attractions, but also in the performances that brought it to life. Thirty attractions Among the thirty attractions that made up Luna Luna were stilt walkers and performers dressed as nuns, penguins, moons, and surreal creatures. Dancers roamed the park, inviting visitors to join them in spinning and dancing. It was a carnival, a party. The performances were as audacious as they were politically incorrect, including a flatulence concert that would surely raise eyebrows in todays climate. True to Andy Warhols concept of five minutes of fame, visitors had the chance to have their photos taken with life-sized cardboard cutouts of icons like Einstein or Marilyn Monroe, or to transform into mythological figures by peeking their faces out from behind a centaur figure. Luna Luna was a playground for the imagination, where everything had a place. Andre Heller even created a chapel where visitors could marry anyone or anything they desired, receiving an instant wedding certificate along with a photo. This subversive concept was particularly bold in 1987, when same-sex marriage was illegal in Germany, and the idea of marrying objects or pets was of course unthinkable. Costumes in the 'Luna Luna Forgotten Fantasy' exhibition. Sarah Mathison The artistic freedom achieved in Luna Luna was the product of a fusion of artistic movements, ranging from abstract art and expressionism to art brut, pop art, surrealism, dada, the Fluxus movement, and Viennese actionism. The parks creation was also influenced by the worlds of cabaret, burlesque, and the golden age of the circus. Luna Luna can also be seen as a culmination of significant historical moments, including the premiere of Fantasia, the construction of the Watts Towers by Italian artist Simon Rodia without any institutional backing, and the founding of the Japanese avant-garde group Gutai. It also reflects the eras social and cultural milestones: Rosa Parks refusal to give up her seat, the legendary Woodstock festival, the Stonewall riots, and the first hip-hop party in the Bronx. The park was inspired by transformative works like Philip Glass and Robert Wilsons opera Einstein on the Beach, as well as monumental events such as humanitys landing on the Moon, the first image of Earth from space, and the opening of the Pompidou Centre in France. Luna Luna draws from the boldness of John Waters Polyester, the public display of treasures from Tutankhamuns tomb, and the iconic demonstration of one million people in New York protesting against nuclear weapons. It was also shaped by more personal feats, like French tightrope walker Philippe Petits daring, illegal crossing between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Avant-garde pieces in the 'Luna Luna Forgotten Fantasy' exhibition. Sinna Nasseri Unlike the original open-air experience of Luna Luna, todays visitors wont be able to ride the Ferris wheel or the carousel. However, they can still get married, explore some of the installations, interact with performers, and walk through a curated itinerary where the history of the worlds first art park is reconstructed through photographs, posters, and videos. Its an opportunity to escape the constraints of politics, religion, and reality, and to gracefully return to the innocence of childhood. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The winner of this years Nobel Peace Prize is Nihon Hidankyo - a Japanese grassroots organisation which works with survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki 1945 atomic bombings to call for a world free of nuclear weapons. The organisation will receive the prize at the ceremony in Oslo on December 10. The lit Hanukkiah will be placed near a window to announce the miracle' of the festival to the outside world, and a candle is lit every day in order (one on the first day, two on the second, and so on). How you can help HOW YOU CAN HELP 10 could provide a young person travel to meet a wellbeing mentor and have a hot meal 50 could provide travel to work or school for a month for an at-risk youth 150 could refurbish a bike for an adult refugee giving them freedom to travel independently 500 could train ten people with experience of homelessness to become homeless health advocates 1,000 could enable one of our partners to fully support a young person throughout the year But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court, and two of the Hamas officials are understood to have been killed in the conflict. In the big picture, this is a bit smaller than the last eruption, and the eruption that occurred in May, Magnus Tumi Gumundsson, a professor of geophysics who flew over the scene with the Civil Protection agency to monitor the event, told the national RUV broadcaster. A UK Foreign Office spokesperson told the Daily Mail: We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the heads of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which for now only exists in the virtual world, plan to slash federal regulations and carry out mass layoffs of civil servants. The richest man in the world and his fellow billionaire have outlined their plans for a drastic government overhaul in an article in The Wall Street Journal. Although they want to cut the number of federal workers aggressively, they are expecting many of them to simply resign if they are forced to go to the office. Elon Musk fired three out of four employees after buying Twitter, but that led to a series of network failures and a departure of advertisers when the social media company stopped content moderation. The entrepreneur, however, prefers to go overboard rather than fall short. In the article, he holds the view that the civil service protections that apply to federal employees do not apply, if what is being undertaken is a widespread reduction in employment and not layoffs as a form of political retaliation. In their view, Donald Trump would have broad powers as president to enact measures ranging from large-scale layoffs to relocating federal agencies outside the Washington area. And thats where they add their plan to end work-from-home policies introduced during the Covid era: 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 write. Elon Musk has been vocal against remote working for years. On Twitter, he demanded that employees report to the office. Two years ago, his position on the matter at Tesla became known: he was happy for employees to log on to continue working remotely from home, but only if they had previously spent the full day in the office. Anyone who wants to work remotely must be in the office for a minimum of 40 hours a week or leave Tesla. This is less than what we ask of factory workers, he wrote in a message at the time, stressing that 40 hours was a minimum. Conflicts of interest In their article, Musk and Ramaswamy make it clear that they will not be joining the federal government. Therefore, they will not be subject to the conflict of interest and incompatibility regimes for public employees. Musk wants to eliminate regulations that hinder his own companies, such as Tesla, SpaceX, xAI and Neuralink. In a conference call with analysts, he made it clear that he would use his influence with the president to benefit himself, for example by changing the regulations for self-driving cars. The value of his companies has since skyrocketed. President Trump has asked the two of us to lead a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to cut the federal government down to size, they write in their article. The entrenched and ever-growing bureaucracy represents an existential threat to our republic, and politicians have abetted it for too long. Thats why were doing things differently. We are entrepreneurs, not politicians. We will serve as outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees. Unlike government commissions or advisory committees, we wont just write reports or cut ribbons. Well cut costs. We are assisting the Trump transition team to identify and hire a lean team of small-government crusaders, including some of the sharpest technical and legal minds in America. This team will work in the new administration closely with the White House Office of Management and Budget. The two of us will advise DOGE at every step to pursue three major kinds of reform: regulatory rescissions, administrative reductions and cost saving, they say. Musk and Ramaswamy aim to use recent case law by the conservative-majority Supreme Court stripping federal agencies of regulatory power in order to roll back regulations. The cases are West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency, from 2022, in which the justices ruled that agencies cannot impose regulations addressing important economic or political issues unless specifically authorized by Congress. The other case is Loper Bright v. Raimondo, from 2024, in which the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine and held that federal courts should no longer defer to federal agencies interpretations of statutes. 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. 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. This would liberate individuals and businesses from illicit regulations never passed by Congress and stimulate the U.S. economy, says the article. Massive layoffs The two billionaires hold the theory that a drastic reduction in regulations must result in mass head-count reductions across the federal bureaucracy. DOGE wants to reduce staff to the minimum number of employees necessary in an agency to be able to carry out its constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated functions. The number of federal employees to be cut, they argue, must be at least proportional to the number of federal regulations repealed: not only are fewer employees needed to enforce fewer regulations, but the agency would produce fewer regulations once its scope of authority is limited. The logic fails to take into account that not all regulations require the same number of employees for their implementation. Employees whose positions are eliminated deserve to be treated with respect, and DOGEs goal is to help support their transition into the private sector. The president can use existing laws to give them incentives for early retirement and to make voluntary severance payments to facilitate a graceful exit, the billionaires say. That is, of course, assuming the federal workers dont resign first for being made to go to the office, as Musk and Ramaswamy suggest will probably happen. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A free rein, or something close. For more than two and a half years of war, Joe Biden imposed serious restrictions on the use of the weapons sent to Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion. The argument was the fear of provoking a disproportionate Russian response. Two months before leaving the White House ahead of the arrival of Donald Trump, who is expected to change the Biden administrations policy, the outgoing U.S. president is hastily lifting these restrictions: first he approved the use of long-range missiles to hit targets in Russian territory; on Wednesday, the use of anti-personnel mines was approved. The advantages, Washington calculates, outweigh the perceived risks at this point. At the same time as removing limits on the use of weapons on the battlefield, the U.S. government is also accelerating the pace of delivery of equipment to Kyiv. On Tuesday, it announced a shipment worth $100 million. On Wednesday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced a new package of military aid of $275 million, which will include munitions for rocket and artillery systems, and anti-tank weapons. Nearly $6 billion of the $61 billion that Congress approved last spring for Ukraine remains to be allocated, and Washington has promised to do so before the transfer of power on January 20. On Wednesday, Austin also confirmed from Laos, where he is on an official tour, the lifting of one of the major barriers imposed until now: Ukrainian forces will be able to use anti-personnel mines to stop Russian advances, despite criticism from humanitarian organizations denouncing the damage these devices cause to civilians. According to the Pentagon chief, in statements to the press during his official visit, Russia has changed its tactics and now prefers to use infantry soldiers instead of armored vehicles, which are very exposed to attacks from Javelin portable anti-tank missiles. In addition, these soldiers can be deployed more quickly and prepare the ground for the advance of the armored units. The war, which marked its 1,000th day on Tuesday, is in a phase in which Russia has held the initiative for months. The Kremlins forces, far more numerous than the Ukrainian defenders and now reinforced, according to Washington, by around 12,000 North Korean troops are taking advantage of their greater numbers to push back the Ukrainian military in the eastern region of Donetsk, where Moscow launches frequent drone and missile attacks from inside Russia. Mines with battery Ukraine has a need for things that can help slow down these Russian infantry advances, Austin said. The countrys forces have asked for this and so I think its a good idea, the defense secretary added. He noted that the Ukrainian military already uses cruder, home-made antipersonnel mines to stop Russian troops. The landmines that we would look to provide them would be landmines 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. Non-persistent mines require batteries to detonate, which eventually renders them useless over time and prevents them from being detonated years later by a civilian passing by, even if they remain in the ground. The United States, the retired general said, has given instructions on how to use this type of weaponry to ensure that they do things responsibly, recording where theyre putting the mines. Russia has used antipersonnel mines in Ukraine since the beginning of the war in February 2022. Wednesdays announcement came three days after Washington said that it had lifted what until then despite the pleas of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had been its biggest red line: authorizing the use of its ATACMS missiles, with a range of more than 300 kilometers (186 miles), inside Russian territory, so that Ukraine can reach, among other targets, the sites from which enemy batteries fire their rockets. The American missiles were to be used, above all, in the Kursk area, in western Russia, to protect Ukrainian troops that have been occupying the region since the summer. Previously, the U.S. had authorized the use of HIMARS missiles, with a range of 80 kilometers (50 miles), against the Russian side of the border. The Biden administrations move was less about changing the course of the war than sending a stark warning to North Korean troops that they are vulnerable, and to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un not to send more forces into the conflict. The lifting of restrictions is also intended to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to negotiate a peace deal with Russia if it comes to that. This last-minute rush to help Ukraine before Bidens term ends and Trump takes office is motivated because Biden and everyone else realizes that the president-elect could very well cut off all aid to Ukraine entirely [...] We dont know for sure that he will do it, but its certainly one of the options on the table, said Max Booth of the Council on Foreign Relations think tank in a virtual press conference. Its a race to provide every last cent of aid and give Ukraine as much as possible to allow them to hold out as long as possible. Trump promised during the presidential campaign to end the war by forcing the parties to sit down at the negotiating table within 24 hours and reach an agreement, although he has never specified how he would achieve this, or what that agreement would include. If he is serious about negotiating an agreement that the Ukrainians can accept, instead of simply abandoning them and letting them be defeated which would be a serious blow not only to the security of the United States, but to Trumps own political prestige the steps that are being taken will help him, because they increase the pressure on Putin and Ukraines negotiating capacity, Booth noted. The president-elect gave an early signal on Wednesday, announcing his nominee for NATO ambassador: his former acting attorney general, Matt Whitaker, who served in that role for a few months in 2018. Whitaker has no foreign policy or defense experience, but he is a staunch Trump supporter, the quality the Republican most values. If confirmed, he is likely to focus his mission on pressuring member states to meet or exceed their military spending target of more than 2% of GDP, and insist that the United States, which spends 3.38% of its GDP on defense, bears a disproportionate responsibility within the alliance. Vladimir Putins regime has reacted with fury to Bidens policy changes. On Tuesday, it announced a change in its nuclear doctrine, which now allows the use of such weapons in the event of a conventional attack on its territory by a country backed by a nuclear power, in this case the United States. Washington and European countries suspended the operations of their embassies in Kyiv on Wednesday for fear of a major Russian airstrike. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, marking the most significant international condemnation of the Israeli governments actions in Gaza to date. The three-judge panel accuses them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over Israels 13-month war in Gaza, sparked by Hamas attacks on October 7. The warrants also name Mohamed Deif, the leader of Hamas armed wing, who is presumed dead by Israeli authorities. The ICC is investigating the conduct of both sides in the conflict, focusing on holding accountable those deemed most responsible for the gravest violations of international law. The judges acted on a request made last May by Prosecutor Karim Khan, who had called for these arrest warrants. At the time, Khan argued that the evidence collected by his team demonstrated that Israel had intentionally and systematically deprived the civilian population in all parts of Gaza of objects indispensable to human survival. The prosecutor stated there were reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. In the arrest warrant request, Khan accused the Israeli leaders of the war crime of starvation of civilians, a charge rarely invoked by the ICC, which was founded in 2002. The timeline of the alleged crimes begins on October 8, 2023. The decision to issue the arrest warrants was unanimous, despite the intense political pressure surrounding the case. The initial request also included three Hamas leaders. However, on Thursday, only Mohamed Deif was named, as the prosecution deemed reports of his alleged death inconclusive. The other two leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas former political head, and Yahya Sinwar, his successor are believed to be dead. Israel is not a member of the ICC, challenges its jurisdiction, and argues that it has not committed war crimes in Gaza, since its objective is to eliminate Hamas. Palestine, however, has been a member of the court since 2015, and judges can rule on alleged crimes committed by Israeli troops or citizens on Palestinian territory. The same principle applies in reverse, hence the arrest warrants against the top Hamas leaders. The ICC lacks its own enforcement mechanism and relies on the cooperation of its member states to execute arrests. Notably, key global powers such as the United States Israels principal ally along with China and Russia, are not members of the court. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, accompanied by members of the Cabinet, will be on a working visit to Hungary on Friday, where he will have consultations on the process of Romania's full integration into the Schengen Area, announce agerpres.ro. He will meet his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban. "I want to complete my mandate by obtaining the decision on Romania's full entry into Schengen. In this sense, I will meet with my Hungarian counterpart and with officials from Hungary, the country that holds the current Presidency of the EU Council, in order to move forward in this important process for our country. After the completion of the first stage of Romania's accession to Schengen in March 2024, our priority is to we are finalizing this approach by lifting the controls at the land borders by the end of this year. We continue to count on the active support of Hungary to achieve this objective," said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, according to an Executive press release. During the visit, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu will have a one-on-one meeting with his Hungarian counterpart, Viktor Orban, followed by a plenary meeting of the two official delegations and joint press statements. In parallel, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Catalin Predoiu, will have meetings with the Ministers of the Interior of Hungary, Austria and Bulgaria, as well as with Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs of the European Union. The visit to Budapest of the delegation led by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu takes place in the context in which Hungary holds, until December 31, 2024, the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, having a decisive role in supporting the European agenda for the expansion of the Schengen Area, stated cited source. The Romanian delegation that will travel to Budapest includes the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Catalin Predoiu, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, and Ministers of Transport and Infrastructure, Sorin Grindeanu, Honorary Advisor to the Prime Minister and Vice-President of the European Parliament, Victor Negrescu , and the president of UDMR, Kelemen Hunor. Exim Banca Romaneasca and the Damen Shipyards Galati, one of the major naval builders in Romania, have concluded a financing agreement worth 25 million euros for the implementation of the company's investment program focused on expanding and equipping ship assembly facilities, a release informs. "As established supporters of the business environment, we are permanently at the side of businesses with a development vision, particularly in the manufacturing sector that brings added value to the Romanian economy. We believe that it is important for Romania to have strong local producers and therefore we are pleased to support the Damen Galati Naval Shipyard implement its investment projects in an activity field of national and local strategic importance, as it engages workforce and an entire related sector of services and subcontractors, on a horizontal level," said Exim Banca Romaneasca executive president Traian Halalai, announce agerpres.ro. The planned investment will allow the shipbuilder to expand its construction capacities, especially for ships in the luxury segment, but also for military vessels. Last year, the Damen Galati Naval Shipyard inaugurated a new fully robotized welding line for micro-panels, with an investment that was also funded by Exim Banca Romaneasca, the release states. "This year we celebrate 25 years of Damen activity in Galati and we are pleased that we are currently carrying out a new investment project that will allow the shipyard to evolve in a prosperous and sustainable direction. Our continuous concern has been to build a company oriented towards innovation, progress, performance and professionalism. Thus, we consolidated our position as one of the best performing shipyards, standing out through a diversified portfolio of vessels built, and through our ability to meet the most complex and sophisticated requirements of our clients. With a highly qualified workforce and advanced resources, we are committed to providing high quality solutions designed to meet the industry's highest standards. We are determined to continue investing and are glad that in Exim Banca Romaneasca we found a partner who will support us in our endeavor," said Damen Shipyards Galati managing director Doru Gaibar. According to the cited source, the total investments made by Damen Group since taking over the majority stake in the Galati shipbuilding yard in 1999 exceed 146 million euros. "The company's major project this year was the completion of the construction and delivery of a 179-meter long combat support ship for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Among the most important ongoing production projects are the construction of a multipurpose ship for the Portuguese Navy and the delivery of four fully electric ferries for Canada's British Columbia province, as part of the company's commitment to become a sustainable provider of maritime solutions," the release shows. With an area of 55 hectares and having approximately 1,500 employees, Damen Shipyards Galati is one of the largest production units of the Dutch Damen Group which operates 35 shipbuilding and repair yards worldwide. As from 1999, Damen Shipyards Galati has delivered more than 500 vessels to clients from all over the world (among which 30 naval vessels for 13 different countries, including NATO and EU countries). The company's portfolio includes patrol ships, offshore vessels, ferries, dredgers and barges, super-yachts, naval vessels and tugs. Romanian writer Nora Iuga was nominated, alongside another five authors, for the European Poet of Freedom Literary Award of the city of Gdansk, inform agerpres.ro. The proposal was made by Polish translator, poet and classical philologist Enormi Stationis, a.k.a. Bartosz Radomski. The other finalists for the competition are Amina Elmi (Danish), Laima Kreivyte (Lithuanian), Luigi Nacci (Italian) and English-language poets Roger Robinson and Alicia Elsbeth Stallings, the Romanian Cultural Institute announced on Thursday. The submissions entered in the competition include both mature poets, highly esteemed in their countries of origin, as well as exponents of the young generation, who open new thematic universes in poetry, said Barbara Sroka, acting director of the City Culture Institute in Gdansk, the organizing institution of the contest, as cited in the ICR release. In the opinion of the jury, Nora Iuga's creation "explores and touches on deeply personal and sensitive themes". The selection jury consisted of Anna Czekanowicz, Krzysztof Czyzewski (chair), Andrzej Jagodzinski (non-voting secretary), Cezary Lasiczka, Stanislaw Rosiek, Anda Rottenberg, Michal Rusinek, Beata Stasilska, and Olga Tokarczuk. The winner will receive a statuette and a financial prize of 100,000 PLN, while the translator of the winning collection will receive a statuette and a prize of 20,000 PLN. The award ceremony will take place during the European Poet of Freedom Festival, to be held in Gdansk in the spring of 2026. All nominated collections will be published in late 2025 as part of the European Poet of Freedom series. Now at its ninth edition, the competition highlights and promotes poetic phenomena that address one of the fundamental themes of contemporaneity - freedom - while also standing out through their exceptional artistic value. At each edition, the organizers invite submissions from translators from seven European languages; at the current edition (2024 - 2026) the works of living poets who write in English, Danish and Faroese, Greek, Lithuanian, Romanian and Italian came into focus, with the jury receiving at least one proposal for each of these languages. Nora Iuga's body of work that appeared in Polish rendition includes the novel The Sexagenarian and The Young Man, translated by Kazimierz Jurczak. The Polish version, put out by the Universitas Publishing House in Krakow, benefited from financing from the Romanian Cultural Institute through the Translation and Publication Support Programme. The biopic "Why Is my Name Nora, When My Sky Is Clear" (directed by Carla Maria Teaha, 2023) was screened at the Sopot Literacki festival in August of this year, courtesy of the Romanian Cultural Institute in Warsaw. In 2016, poet Ana Blandiana was graced with the European Poet of Freedom Award for her volume My A4 Homeland, translated by Joanna Kornas-Warwas. The Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitalization, Bogdan Ivan, said on Thursday that there is no question of terminating post offices or people being fired, noting that the Romanian Post is a "strategic institution" and it must be seen how this company can develop and not how its activity can be restricted, announce agerpres.ro. "At the moment, as long as I represent the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization, which is the majority shareholder in the Romanian National Post Company, there is no question to close these offices. I also want to say that in the repeated requests since I have held this portfolio, in none of the meetings of the General Assembly of shareholders did we approve the closure of such offices", said Ivan, when asked about the fact that the director of the Romanian Post considers it necessary to terminate some offices that are at the limit of survival. Ivan mentioned that his vision is clear and there is no question of the situation of firing people or closing the offices of the Romanian Post. Asked how many post offices are still useful, Ivan said that the strategic role of the Romanian Post must not be forgotten. "Beyond the services it provides for private beneficiaries and for public beneficiaries, the Romanian Post has the role of universal service, which means that for certain services it provides, regardless of whether some are more or less profitable, it is obliged by law to provide certain services of strategic importance. And from this point of view, the closure without a very clear analysis of some post offices is not part of the vision he has today the majority shareholder of the Romanian Post", the minister pointed out. He added that he expects the diversification of the activity of the Romanian Post, higher revenues and "the optimization of certain expenses only in the equation where there are explicit situations in which certain post offices do not operate according to some very clear rules and have no beneficiaries". "There I agree: if you have a town with 30 people and there you have a post office and it can be served by another office, it's a different situation. But as long as I am part of the Romanian Government, this will not happen. We will not close offices, we will not let people go," the minister assured. ST. LOUIS Peter J. Dunne was born in Chicago in 1870. His mother died when he was 9, his father three years later. He drifted to Kansas City, working as a printers devil (apprentice) and teamster, finding shelter where he could. Dunne moved to St. Louis and, in his 20s, entered the seminary. He was ordained in 1903. He took a streetcar every morning to say Mass at Visitation Academy, then on Cabanne Avenue near the city limit, and bought his newspapers from a boy named Jimmy Fleming. One day, Jimmy wasnt on the route. The motorman told the young priest he had turned Jimmy away for being too unkempt. Dunne worked at St. Patricks parish, north of downtown, as assistant to Msgr. Timothy Dempsey, a legendary leader of the Irish-American working class in St. Louis. Dempsey mediated gang fights and labor-management disputes. His parish gave meals and shelter to the homeless and hosted popular St. Patricks Day events. With Dempseys nod, Dunne told a Catholic organization of his plan to help homeless boys. In early February 1906, he opened a shelter in a row house at 1013 Selby Place, northwest of downtown, with bedding donated by a nearby merchant. He called it the Newsboys Home. One of the first three residents was Jimmy. The Newsboys Home soon attracted support from rich men who had sold papers as kids. In barely more than a year, Dunne raised enough to build a three-story orphanage at 3010 Washington Boulevard. Among speakers at the grand opening in November 1907 was Archbishop John Glennon and Festus Wade, president of Mercantile Trust Co., the oldest old newsboy on the platform. Rules for admission were fairly simple. Once asked by a boy how he could belong, Dunne said, You have got to take a bath, son. Another of fathers rules: Dont talk at night after you say your prayers. Dunne made them share the chores, go to school and chapel and, when they became teenagers, get jobs. If they could, they paid part of their board. In 1931, Dunne opened another home next door for about 40 black youths. In the cultural tradition of the times, white and black boys ate and slept separately, even during the Thanksgiving feasts provided for every year, first by Mrs. August A. Busch Sr. and later by a mystery donor. More than 6,500 boys had found shelter there when Dunne died in 1939 at age 68. Thousands of mourners passed by his coffin at the home or attended the funeral at the St. Louis Cathedral. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery. Obituary articles noted that some of the boys had entered religious orders and five had been killed in World War I. In 1947, a movie starring Pat OBrien was made of Dunnes story entitled, Fighting Father Dunne. In 1970, the Newsboys Home was moved to the first of two new locations and later recast to serve neglected or abused boys. Its programs became part of Good Shepherd Children and Family Services in 2006. The home on Washington Boulevard became part of the Harbor Light shelter of the Salvation Army, which is remodeling it into apartments. Several years ago, researchers at Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, led by neurologist Alex Iranzo, uncovered evidence linking REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinsons disease and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). A study led by Iranzo, published in The Lancet Neurology in 2006 and expanded in 2014, suggested that RBD could serve as an early indicator of Parkinsons disease. This disorder predominantly affects men over 50 and is marked by intense motor activity during sleep, vivid nightmares, and the absence of the muscle paralysis typically associated with the REM phase. Patients act out nightmares, such as being attacked or chased, which can lead them to scream, punch, kick, or even fall out of bed. The symptom manifests many years before the hallmark signs of Parkinsons or dementia, such as tremors and memory loss, become evident. According to the studys findings, the estimated risk of developing a neurodegenerative syndrome after a diagnosis of REM sleep behavior disorder is 33.1% at five years, 75.7% at 10 years, and 90.9% at 14 years. Since this discovery, Iranzo and his team have worked to demonstrate that the alpha-synuclein protein whose accumulation in the brain is linked to Parkinsons disease and Lewy body dementia is present in the brains of patients with REM sleep behavior disorder, regardless of whether they eventually develop symptoms of these neurodegenerative diseases. Until now, this evidence had been obtained indirectly, through cerebrospinal fluid analysis via lumbar puncture. These findings were published in The Lancet Neurology in 2021. The cerebrospinal fluid is like a mirror of the brain, so finding the protein there was very revealing, says Iranzo. However, it was still an indirect marker. The definitive diagnosis the only way to reliably corroborate that the alpha-synuclein protein is in the areas of the brain that regulate this disorder could only be achieved by looking at the exact area, analyzing the brain of deceased patients. Thanks to donations from patients, Iranzo was able to collect approximately 20 brains from individuals with REM sleep behavior disorder who had passed away in recent years. Of the 20 analyzed, 17 belonged to patients who had developed Parkinsons disease or dementia with Lewy bodies, while the remaining three were from individuals who had only been diagnosed with the sleep disorder: they had not exhibited symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. These findings, supported by funding from the BBVA-Hospital Clinic Foundation, were published on Thursday in The Lancet Neurology. The analysis, led by Gerard Maya, a neurologist at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, yielded unequivocal results: all individuals with REM sleep behavior disorder studied had alpha-synuclein protein present in their brains, even if they had not displayed tremors or dementia. We have observed that in the brains of patients who died without showing symptoms of Parkinsons who were diagnosed only with REM sleep behavior disorder the alpha-synuclein protein was highly localized, mainly in the brain stem, says Maya. In fact, in that area, we have seen that a certain loss of neurons is already noticeable, although the patient does not realize it, they think they are healthy, because they are not showing any symptoms. As the alpha-synuclein protein progresses through the brain and reaches the upper brain stem, Parkinsons disease can appear. According to Maya, as the damage extends to the limbic system, the first cognitive symptoms may appear. These symptoms become more severe as the protein reaches the cortex, at which point the patient has dementia. The results were what we expected from all the accumulated evidence, but it had never really been confirmed, except for two unique cases reported in 1995 and 2007 in Japan and the United States, respectively, says Maya. Now we have added 20 cases to the scientific literature. For me, it meant the end of a cycle, a final statement, adds Iranzo. We could say that the result was what we expected, yes, but the reality is that almost no one had seen it until now, and we have seen it in 20 brains. It is as if everyone tells you that there is no life on the Moon. OK, but you have to be there and check, right? Well, this is the same thing. Important implications of the study Another key finding from the analysis of the 20 brains, says Maya, is that researchers observed how, as the brain deteriorates, proteins associated with other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimers, begin to appear. Normally, we associate Alzheimers with the protein beta amyloid and Parkinsons and Lewy body dementia with alpha-synuclein, says Maya. But the reality is that when you examine the brain, especially in more advanced stages of these diseases, theres a very high percentage of people with Alzheimers who also have alpha-synuclein. And conversely, a significant number of people with Parkinsons or Lewy body dementia also have the protein linked to Alzheimers. This is what weve observed in our patients with REM sleep behavior disorder: the Parkinsons protein predominates, but when the patients develop dementia, the Alzheimers protein also appears. In this regard, Maya believes this could lead to a shift in how neurodegenerative diseases are diagnosed. Traditionally, these diseases have been diagnosed based on symptoms. Now we are moving towards a molecular diagnosis, just as what has happened with cancer, which will allow us, to personalize treatments when they exist for patients. In recent years, clinical trials have begun testing drugs aimed at halting neurodegenerative diseases. In 2023, the U.S. FDA approved the monoclonal antibody lecanemab, the first drug to show any effect against Alzheimers in decades. Last week, the European Medicines Agency reversed its initial decision and recommended the approval of the drug, which has demonstrated a 27% reduction in cognitive decline caused by the disease. In the case of Parkinsons, there is also talk of drugs that are potentially suitable in this regard, says Maya. However, two studies published in the prestigious journal The New England Journal of Medicine that analyzed the impact of two drugs (prasinezumab and cinpanemab) to eradicate deposits of the alpha-synuclein protein from the brain of patients, found no benefits for patients. One of the arguments given to explain these negative results is that the drug may have been administered too late, because Parkinsons is a disease that causes cascading failures in the brain, says Maya. In the studies they talk about early stages of Parkinsons, but we already know that by the time tremors or cognitive symptoms appear, the disease has been progressing and killing neurons for years sometimes more than a decade. If we could administer these drugs at the earliest stages of the disease, when REM sleep behavior disorder first appears, there may be a greater chance of stopping the disease. Iranzo agrees: Our study confirms that people who have REM sleep disorder and who have not yet developed Parkinsons or dementia with Lewy bodies are the ideal candidates to receive an antidote to the alpha-synuclein protein when it is only in the brain stem, in order to prevent it from rising and invading other levels of the brain that can affect dopamine cells and cause Parkinsons or acetylcholine cells and lead to dementia. Indeed Iranzo says that he is already in discussions with pharmaceutical companies developing Parkinsons drugs to launch a trial testing their efficacy in patients with REM sleep behavior disorder. What weve done so far is solidify all the evidence of the relationship betwen REM sleep disorder and alpha-synuclein, Parkinsons, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Now, its time to start to see if neuroprotective treatment works for these patients, he concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Car restrictions in city centers, so common in Europe, seem anathema in the United States, which is much more dependent on private vehicles. New York, arguably the most European of Americas cities, has been trying for more than a year to impose a congestion pricing plan to access Manhattans Central Business District similar to those already in place in London, Milan or Stockholm. Although the project has taken several tumbles since its initial conception, fear of the announced cut in public spending by the incoming Trump administration has reactivated the toll plan. If the outgoing Biden administration gives final approval, drivers will have to pay $9 to access the area starting January 5. In London, drivers are already paying a 15 ($18) daily fee for driving in the Congestion Charge zone. The revised congestion pricing plan, with a new base toll of $9 (down from the original proposed $15), was approved this week by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in the hope of obtaining the final authorization from the outgoing Democratic administration before the transfer of power on January 20. The aim of the plan, adopted by 12 votes to 1, is also to raise money to cover the maintenance of heavily used infrastructure, such as the bypass between New Jersey and Manhattan, and facilities that are in desperate need of renovation, such as those on the subway. The plan now needs to go through a federal review process. In light of the overwhelming Trump victory on Election Day, the MTA board held a hastily rescheduled meeting on Monday and approved the new daytime fee to enter below 60th Street, the southern limit of Central Park. The board also agreed to update prices in 2028 and 2031, until it reaches the initial proposed amount of $15. The process was completed in record time after New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, ended the pause that had paralyzed the initiative in June, a month after it was approved, due to the high cost of the fares, which was proving very unpopular politically on the eve of the presidential elections (and the local elections next year). The question is whether the lower tolls will be able to generate the $15 billion needed for the reforms of the public transit system, something that its promoters see as feasible. According to Hochul, who assures that she did not rush to kickstart the process again due to the Republican victory, the reduced tolls will save drivers about $1,500 a year, and there will be discounts for those who earn less than $50,000 a year but because of their job are forced to enter the zone every day. If it receives Washingtons approval, it will be applied in a city where residents spend an average of 236 hours a year stuck in traffic. Less than a week after the governor lifted her objections, the plans future now rests with the Federal Highway Administration, which must give the final go-ahead because many of Manhattans streets, and especially most of its accesses, receive federal funding, such as the aid approved by the Biden administration to renovate the Lincoln Tunnel, which connects Manhattan to New Jersey. Therein lies the first hurdle. After state lawmakers initially approved congestion pricing in 2019, during Trumps first term, federal officials declined to provide guidance on what kind of environmental review should be done. The feds eventually gave the go-ahead two months after President Joe Biden was inaugurated in 2021, but the process dragged on with hundreds of environmental impact considerations. The final plan was approved in June 2023, well after New York officials had anticipated. The president-elect wants to kill the project Were gonna pursue the bureaucratic process with the feds, which we have to go through now because theres a tweak to the original tolling structure, and then were gonna get it going on the fifth of January, explained an optimistic Janno Lieber, head of the MTA. If it is achieved, it will be the result of a race against the clock and almost against the political enemy by the outgoing federal administration and that of the State of New York, both Democratic. Trump threatened on social media in May to kill congestion pricing during his first week in the White House. Hence the urgency of the MTA to get the toll plan, which would depend on a long-term federal program and, therefore, theoretically be protected, approved before the transition. Five Republican congressmembers from New York, representing residential areas whose residents are highly dependent on cars have also threatened to try to overturn the initiative through federal legislation. There are nine pending appeals, mainly from New Jersey where many New Yorkers live, driven out of the Big Apple by the high cost of housing and two more from individuals opposed to Hochuls halting of the plan at the time. With the introduction of tolls, the deficit-ridden MTA, which has not yet recovered the volume of passengers it had before the Covid pandemic, hopes to be able to carry out a series of improvements. These include the modernization of signals, the extension of the Second Avenue subway to East Harlem, and projects to make more than 20 subway stations accessible for people with disabilities. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition State officials hopes of rolling back Jackson County property assessment increases are floundering after a circuit court judge dismissed a lawsuit by the State Tax Commission on Wednesday. The commission in August ordered Jackson County to reverse most of its 2023 property valuations, arguing they had been performed illegally and resulted in huge increases in property values. But the county didnt comply. Jackson County officials called the State Tax Commissions August order unconstitutional and unprecedented and said it only took action to cover for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys failures in his own efforts to undo the property assessments. The State Tax Commission then sought a court order to force the county to cap property assessments to a 15% increase since the last assessment unless new construction or building improvements increased the value. That effort was dismissed Wednesday. Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. thanked county residents in a statement Wednesday for their patience and understanding as weve worked to address problems that have been decades in the making. Our goal remains ensuring that every property owner is treated fairly under the law, White said. Gregory Allsberry, chief counsel for the State Tax Commission, said in an email that the judge did not find the commissions order invalid. The commissions order is still a valid order, despite Jackson Countys refusal to comply, and the Commission will continue to do all within its power to enforce the order, Allsberry said. It will also do everything within its power to ensure that Jackson Countys assessing officials dont commit the violations of state law in 2025 that they did during the 2023 reassessment cycle. Neither Baileys office nor the State Tax Commission immediately returned requests for comment. Jackson Countys property valuation process has been in near-constant litigation since Bailey and the State Tax Commission first sued the county in December. According to that lawsuit, the countys 2023 reassessment process resulted in an average 30% increase in value across hundreds of thousands of properties in the county. The lawsuit says more than 90% of residential properties saw an increase in value, and values increased by at least 15% for three-quarters of properties in the county. The increase in property values means an increase in property taxes for some owners. Bailey and the State Tax Commission accused Jackson County of failing to follow proper procedures in the valuation process, including performing physical inspections, before increasing property values by more than 15%. During the litigation, Bailey and a deputy came under fire for meeting with a Jackson County official without notifying the countys attorneys. Under Missouri Supreme Court rules, attorneys are not to communicate about a lawsuit with individuals represented in the case by another lawyer without the consent of the other lawyer. Bailey maintained that his meeting with the official, Sean Smith, was nothing more than a campaign meeting. At the time, Smith, a member of the Jackson County Legislature, was running for the U.S. House of Representatives against incumbent U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II, who won with 60% of the vote earlier this month. Jackson Countys attorneys were granted permission by the judge in the case to question Bailey under oath about his meetings with Smith. But in August, a day before Bailey was scheduled to sit for the deposition, the State Tax Commission issued its order and Baileys office had the case dismissed. At the time, Baileys spokeswoman, Madeline Sieren, said the state dismissed the lawsuit because of the State Tax Commissions order. Pushing the lawsuit forward could have jeopardized the much needed relief offered in the Tax Commissions order and would be counterproductive for Jackson County taxpayers, Sieren said in an August email. The county said at the time that the State Tax Commission was being used as a shield for Bailey, who is trying to escape accountability after lying and realizing he was losing the case. When the county didnt comply with the August order, the State Tax Commission sought a court order to force the issue. In response, the county said in a filing that the State Tax Commission was attempting to bring the same legal claims a second time. That was impermissible, the county argued, because the original lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the case couldnt be brought again. Senior Judge Jacqueline Cook, who handled the case because the circuit judges in Jackson County recused themselves, dismissed the case with prejudice Wednesday. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X. Army Pfc. Javier Pantoja Tinoco, 22, who is assigned to Fort Cavazos, Texas, admitted in court that he was drinking when he started a fire in a trash can of a barracks laundry room. He also admitted to having two sexually explicit videos on his phone of girls younger than 15 years old. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes) FORT CAVAZOS, Texas A Fort Cavazos soldier was sentenced Wednesday to six months confinement and a discharge after pleading guilty to possession of child sex materials and setting fire to a trash can in the barracks during a night of heavy drinking. Pfc. Javier Pantoja Tinoco, 22, admitted in court that he used a lighter to ignite a piece of paper in a trash can of a barracks laundry room after drinking malt liquor and cognac with a friend. He also admitted to having two sexually explicit videos on his phone of girls younger than 15 years old. He was originally charged with setting fire to a washing machine valued at more than $1,000, which would have required a steeper punishment. Pantoja Tinoco said it was his friend, the other soldier involved in the April 2023 incident, who had the idea to spray paint graffiti on the walls of the barracks and laundry room. The graffiti included racial slurs that were specifically derogatory to Black people and gang signs. The second soldier, who was not named in court documents, was discharged in lieu of a court-martial, Pantoja Tinoco said during an unsworn statement. Military Judge Col. Maureen Kohn also sentenced Pantoja Tinoco to a bad conduct discharge. He will be required to register as a sex offender. Maj. Steven Dray, Pantoja Tinocos attorney asked the judge to recommend to Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division and the convening authority of the court-martial, that he suspend Pantoja Tinocos sentence of confinement. Four people who served with Pantoja Tinoco in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment testified to his good work ethic and positivity. Dray used their words as reason to trust Pantoja Tinoco to continue to learn from his mistakes without time in prison. Pantoja Tinoco enlisted in the Army in September 2022 and arrived at Fort Cavazos in early 2023, according to court documents and testimony Wednesday. He was assigned to the regiments engineer squadron. Kohn did not indicate during the close of Wednesdays hearing whether she would make such a recommendation. As part of a plea agreement, charges that Pantoja Tinoco was drunk and disorderly and he damaged military property with graffiti were dismissed. The soldier wore black-rimmed glasses and spent about 30 minutes fielding questions from the judge about his actions. I wanted to set the trash can on fire because I thought it would be fun, Pantoja Tinoco said. I am embarrassed by my actions. He said he did not seek out the child sexual abuse videos found on his phone. Instead, they were sent to him through a group chat on Whats App, a messaging smartphone app. Any photos or videos that Pantoja Tinoco received in app were automatically stored on his device. Pantoja Tinoco said he joined the group as a place to share music, funny photos and videos, but soon other users began to send sexually explicit videos of children. When the videos downloaded to his camera roll, he moved them into a file on his phone labeled CP. The soldier said he knew he should have deleted the photos or reported them to police because he knew even then that keeping them was wrong. Im going to do whatever I can going forward for a better life, he said. I will try to put all this behind me as best I can. Since the night of the arson, Pantoja Tinoco said he has cut back significantly on drinking alcohol and will return to his parents home in California. He said he plans to get a job cleaning pools with his uncle or picking grapes. Army Pfc. Kenron Laing, 24, was arrested Nov. 14, 2024, at Fort Liberty, N.C., by Indiana State Police detectives and Army Criminal Investigation Division agents on a felony murder warrant, police said. Laing is accused in the Nov. 2, 2022, shooting death of Gildardo Garcia Salina, a 39-year-old landscaper. (Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes) An 82nd Airborne Division soldier was arrested and charged at Fort Liberty, N.C., for a killing that he is accused of committing in Indiana two years ago before he joined the Army, military and state law enforcement officials said. Pfc. Kenron Laing, 24, was arrested Nov. 14 at the sprawling Army post by Indiana State Police detectives and Army Criminal Investigation Division agents on a felony murder warrant, police said. Laing is accused in the Nov. 2, 2022, shooting death of Gildardo Garcia Salina, a 39-year-old landscaper. Police said Laing was arrested without incident and booked into North Carolinas Cumberland County Jail. He remained in the Cumberland County jail awaiting extradition to Indiana on Wednesday, according to jail records. Detectives linked Laing to Salinas death through a hotel where Salinas landscaping company had worked and which was frequented by Laing, police said. Salina was found shot to death at his residence in northern Owen County, about 45 miles southeast of Indianapolis. Police provided no information about a possible motive in the killing and said the investigation was ongoing. Detectives spent two years interviewing witnesses and processing evidence in the case, which included interviews in Chicago, according to the Indiana State Police. Laings home of record is listed as Crown Point in northeastern Indiana, about 45 miles southwest of Chicago. Laing was a petroleum supply specialist assigned to the 82nd Airbornes 2nd Brigade Combat Team, according to the Army. He had been stationed at Fort Liberty since April. Records show Laing enlisted in the service in August 2023, about 10 months after Salinas was killed. (Al Chang/Stars and Stripes) Saigon, South Vietnam, Feb. 27, 1962: A tank can be seen moving toward the Presidential Palace in Saigon, and a Jeep already is standing in front of the palace gates, as smoke and flames billow out of the west wing of the palace after it was hit during the Feb. 27, 1962 surprise strafing-bombing attack. The attack carried out by two dissenting Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots killed three and wounded 30. Stars and Stripes photographer Al Chang in Saigon on another assignment that day happened to be near the presidential palace early morning and rushed to the scene to document it. Although his original negatives are not in Stars and Stripes archives, we do have three of the six original photo prints of the images that ran in the paper. The prints were created by Stars and Stripes Pacifics photo department at the time to run in the print newspaper and are often the only images we have of much of Pacific Stars and Stripes news photography from the years prior to 1964 as the vast majority of pre-1964 Stars and Stripes Pacific negatives and slides were unwittingly destroyed by poor temporary storage in 1963. Check out the images of the other two prints found, as well as the original published photo spread here. Looking for more Stars and Stripes coverage of the early days of the US involvement in Vietnam? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/ The Mexican government has a plan to receive Mexicans living in the U.S. if Donald Trump makes good on his promise of mass deportations, according to President Claudia Sheinbaum. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg) The Mexican government has a plan to receive Mexicans living in the U.S. if Donald Trump makes good on his promise of mass deportations, according to President Claudia Sheinbaum. In case there are deportations, we are going to receive Mexicans and we have a plan for that, Sheinbaum said Thursday during her daily press conference, raising the tone against the president-elects claims. We dont agree that migrants should be treated as criminals. Sheinbaum added that her government will show Trumps team a presentation on the importance of Mexicans work in the U.S., which includes the big resources they pay in taxes. During his presidential campaign, Trump has threatened to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants, accusing them of increasing crime in the country. Trade deal Sheinbaum also said that Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told her that he doesnt want Mexico removed from the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, known as USMCA, even though some Canadian officials have called for the Latin American country to be removed from the pact. Trudeau has said before his government has concerns about Mexicos trade with China amid the review of the USMCA scheduled for 2026, but he said he was hopeful the three countries are going to be able to work constructively on the issues over the coming months. Some Canadian provincial leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, have said Canada should pursue a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. due to Mexicos more open trade with China. Sheinbaum noted that the only plant making vehicles of a Chinese brand in North America- referring to BYD, but without naming it directly- is in Pasadena, California, and not in Mexico. The president also presented on Thursday her government water plan, which seeks to review water concessions and increase agricultural productivity. The plan, which includes the construction of several dams, aqueducts and flood protection works, also seeks to clean up the countrys three most polluted rivers, said Efrain Morales, head of the national water commission known as Conagua, during the press conference. Sheinbaum also added that her government is analyzing invitations to visit foreign countries such as China, France and South Korea but that her focus remains Mexico. With assistance from Amy Stillman. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives in Vientiane, Laos, on Nov. 19, 2024. (Jackie Sanders/U.S. Air Force) Lloyd Austin, on one of his last trips to Asia as Defense Secretary, expressed regret Thursday that China chose not to meet with Southeast Asia defense ministers this week in Laos. At the same press conference, he also talked briefly in praise of womens contributions in the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every place I went, there were women doing incredible things and they were adding value to the overall effort, he said. Defense ministers from the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and eight other regional states gathered for talks Wednesday and Thursday in Vientiane. China declined an invitation from Austin to attend, citing recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, DefenseScoop, an online news site, reported Thursday, citing two unnamed senior U.S. defense officials in Austins entourage. Now, I regret that the [Peoples Republic of China] chose not to meet here, Austin said Thursday, according to a press conference transcript posted by the Defense Department. The PRCs decision is a setback for the whole region. As Ive said consistently, the right time to meet is any time. Austin termed Chinas absence as unfortunate. It affects the region because the region really wants to see us, you know, two significant players in the region, two significant powers, talk to each other. And that reassures the entire region, he said. Chinas decision has no future implications, Austin said. I just think that its something that they chose to do at this point in time and only they can explain why they chose to not take advantage of a good opportunity. Austin also announced a second ASEAN U.S. Maritime Exercise next year, which he said ASEAN members approved Thursday. The first exercise took place in September 2019 and drew more than 1,000 personnel, eight warships and four aircraft from seven countries, according to the Navy. ASEAN members Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei are facing sometimes aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea from Beijing, which claims nearly the entire sea. Japan, one of eight ASEAN dialogue partners, is in similar straits. Its coast guard squares off regularly against Chinese coast guard vessels shadowing fishing boats near the Senkakus, a collection of islets and rocks near Taiwan that Tokyo possesses but Beijing also claims. Among a range questions from reporters, Austin was asked if hed personally ever seen an unidentified flying object, or what the Pentagon now calls unidentified anomalous phenomena, that threatened national security. Well, you know, I quite frankly have not seen any UAP incidents that I would categorize as threatening, he said. As for womens roles in the U.S. military, Austin declined to comment on President-elect Donald Trumps candidate to succeed him, Pete Hegseth, who has written that he does not support women working with men in the military or in combat roles. Austin gave an alternate view. I can tell you about my experiences with women in the military and women in combat, and theyre pretty good, he said. Austin recalled serving as a deputy commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, the spearhead on the Armys drive to Baghdad in 2003, and working with three women in the division headquarters close to the front. In my command post were several very courageous and very proficient women who did amazing things to support our effort and support their colleagues, he said. And so, I think our women add significant value to the United States military and we should never change that. These motorcycles, parked at Ishikawa Police Station in Uruma, Okinawa, Nov. 20, 2024, were involved in a fatal collision the previous day in Kin town. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa The Marine motorcyclist killed Tuesday in a multivehicle accident in northern Okinawa was a Texas native and motor vehicle operator with multiple service awards, according to the Marine Corps. Lance Cpl. Avery Wayne Leverette, 21, of the III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion at Camp Hansen, died in the five-vehicle crash, III MEF spokesman Capt. Pawel Puczko announced in a news release Thursday. Leverette was pronounced dead at Chubu hospital in Uruma city at approximately 10:50 p.m., the release said. Lance Cpl. Leverette has had a lasting impact on all the Marines around him over the past few years, battalion commander Lt. Col. Kieran ONeil said in the release. His death is tragic, and the battalion joins his family in grief. He will always be loved and remembered. Leverette enlisted in the Marine Corps out of Houston in March 2022 and was promoted to lance corporal in May 2023, according to the Corps. His awards include the Korea Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. Leverettes motorcycle collided with the motorcycle of a fellow III MEF Marine at 8:16 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 329 in the Yaka district of Kin town, according to an Okinawa Prefectural Police spokesman. His bike veered into the oncoming lane, hit the right front of a passenger car and then a kei truck behind the car. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. The other Marine, a 20-year-old corporal who was not identified by the Marines or police, hit the rear of the passenger car in front of him, the police spokesman said. He was in stable condition at Naval Hospital Okinawa, Puczko wrote in an email Wednesday. Police said he apparently broke his ankle. U.S. Military officials are working with local authorities to investigate the incident, the III MEF release said. Stars and Stripes reporter Keishi Koja contributed to this report. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Of the television commentators who routinely disparaged, attacked, demeaned and mocked former President Donald Trump and his supporters, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, co-hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," belong to the "A" team. Yet, after Trump's extraordinary victory two weeks ago, including a sweep of all seven swing states and becoming the first Republican presidential candidate to win the popular vote in 20 years, Scarborough and Brzezinski visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago after the election, spending a reported 90 minutes with the president-elect. As for why they made the trek, Brzezinski said: "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 wouldn't we?' Joe and I realized it's time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump but also talking with him." Neither Brzezinski nor Scarborough mentioned the most likely reason: ratings. Since Trump's victory that several MSNBC hosts predicted would not happen, the channel's primetime viewership is down a whopping 53%. By contrast, Fox's ratings are up 38%. The MSNBC pundits for the most part not only failed to prepare their viewers for Vice President Kamala Harris' defeat but host Rachel Maddow, for example, all but predicted a humiliating loss for Trump. Two days before the election, Maddow devoted several minutes to the "gold standard" of polls, an Iowa poll showing Trump down 3 points in the Hawkeye State, where no Democratic presidential candidate has won since 2012. Gosh, Trump is down even in Iowa! Maddow gushed: "The prototypical example of a gold standard poll is the Iowa poll done by J. Ann Selzer in Iowa. ... (H)er poll has accurately predicted the winner of the Senate and presidential races in Iowa within one or two points every time. ... (Y)ou have seen Ann Selzer basically as a living bullseye." Trump won Iowa 56% to Harris' 42.7%. MSNBC News wrote about historian and election predictor Allen Lichtman, who supposedly has correctly predicted eight out of the last nine presidential contests. He uses "13 keys" to determine the result, eight of which he said pointed to Harris. But back to the "Morning Joe" hosts. Roll tape: May 2017 Scarborough: "And I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that if there are articles of impeachment ever drawn up, the first article of impeachment drawn up against Donald Trump will be the first article of impeachment drawn up against Richard Nixon and that is obstruction of justice, because I could find you 1,000 Republican criminal defense lawyers across America who could say what Donald Trump has admitted already on national television could rise to the level of obstruction of justice." May 2017 Scarborough described to me Trump's visit to Europe with leaders as a "disaster" and said Trump looked like a "thug, goon and an idiot." June 2018 Scarborough: "... (W)ho in the world would be so cruel, so hateful, who would be so despicable, who would be so utterly lacking in character, to suggest, to to make something up about someone having a facelift for the sole purposes of trying to damage or humiliate them. ... You would have to be utterly despicable, a classless man, to say that about a woman." May 2020 Scarborough: "But there are these bizarre disconnects and they're showing up in campaign ads. There are these weird things he's saying off the cuff. Again, it's so - it is so ironic that Trump's campaign team actually go after Joe Biden for non sequiturs, for stumbling, for getting lost halfway through his sentence when " Brzezinski: "Or a decline." Scarborough: " that's what Donald Trump has been doing now, in a very public way, for 3 1/2 years." April 2024 Scarborough: "They voted for Trump in '20, they knew exactly what they were doing. If they vote for Donald Trump in 2024 ... they're knowingly voting for a fascist, they're voting for a racist ..." Question: What's it like spending 90 minutes with a "fascist," a "thug" and a man who is "utterly despicable"? Did they bring along a food taster? But most important for these Trump-hating hosts turned Mar-a-Lago guests, will their ratings improve? When it comes to declining ratings, Joe and Mika know how to turn on a dime to make a dime. (COMMENT, BELOW) The United States has delivered a new blow to the financial structure of the Mexican criminal organization Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The Treasury Department announced on Tuesday that it was including nine members of the Bonques Brothers, key allies of CJNG in the Mexican state of Nayarit, on the so-called black list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). As a result of these measures, which are part of Washingtons offensive to stop fentanyl trafficking from Mexico, the designees banking assets have been frozen. Being on the black list means losing access to bank accounts in the international financial system and a freeze on properties and companies incorporated in their name, crucial for the transfer of money from illegal businesses to front companies. 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, reads the statement from the U.S. Treasury Department. Washington has identified Roberto Castellanos Meza, alias Beto Bonques, as the leader of the network. Among those also sanctioned by OFAC are three of his brothers: Ivan Atzayacatl, Giovanni and Juan Carlos Castaneda Meza, also known as Axa Bonques, Vanni Bonques and Calocho. U.S. authorities say the Bonques Brothers are one of the most prominent families in the trafficking of heroin and other synthetic drugs in western Mexico, with a criminal career that dates back to the 1990s, as well as being close collaborators of Ruben Oseguera Cervantes El Mencho, leader and founder of the Jalisco Cartel. They are also linked to Audias Flores Silva El Jardinero, commander of the criminal organization in Nayarit. The Beto Bonques family has its main base of operations in Xalisco (Nayarit), according to the White House. Their biggest business is heroin trafficking, although they have also ventured into the illegal trade of other substances, such as cocaine. The leader of the clan has ties to Colombia, from where he traffics drugs with the help of small planes and boats. Castellanos Meza has a case against him opened on Monday in California for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The blow to his economic structure tightens the noose of Washingtons latest offensive against the CJNG. In late 2007, Mexican authorities clashed with the Bonques Brothers after law enforcement identified a clandestine drug lab in Xalisco. Ivan Atzayacatl Castaneda was arrested while trying to escape and Juan Carlos Castaneda was hospitalized after the shootout. Ten kilograms of heroin were seized, the equivalent of 200,000 individual doses, the media reported at the time. Jose Adrian Castllo, the CJNGs boss in Tepic, the capital of Nayarit, is another one of the sanctioned individuals. He is accused of being in Beto Bonques client portfolio and of running a network that exports drugs to California, Colorado and Nevada. Luis Alonso Navarro, Castillos right-hand man, was included on the list for money laundering, human smuggling and for trafficking fentanyl and other drugs. He has an open criminal case in Colorado for 108 counts of drug trafficking and other crimes, such as importing three kilograms of fentanyl last year. Navarro had the dual role, according to the United States, of facilitating drug shipments and laundering the profits through bank transfers that he collected with false identities and addresses. His wife, Erandiny Jazmin Arias, was also included on the list for helping launder the money. Navarro had ties to another couple in Sonora who sent him shipments of fentanyl, Araceli Castillo and Jose Sinue Castro. The couple was a key link in organizing deliveries of pills to distributors in Navarros network that were then sent to the United States. 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, says the Treasury Department statement. Ruben Oseguera Gonzalez El Menchito, son of El Mencho, was found guilty last September in a Washington DC court of conspiracy to traffic cocaine and methamphetamine, and illegal use of weapons in connection with his criminal activities. The DEA is offering a $10 million reward for his father, the elusive leader of the CJNG, one of the most powerful criminal forces in the world. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Vietnam plans to incorporate the T-6C Texan II into its pilot training program at Phan Thiet Air Base, according to Pacific Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force) This story has been corrected Vietnam this week received the first of 12 military training aircraft scheduled for delivery through a U.S. program to strengthen partner nation militaries facing China. The commander of Pacific Air Forces, Gen. Kevin Schneider, was at the controls of one T-6C Texan II a single-engine turboprop, next-generation trainer made by Beechcraft when it landed Wednesday at Phan Thiet Air Base, according to a PACAF release that day. Todays arrival of the first T-6 aircraft to the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force represents the promise we made to assist in your air force modernization efforts, Schneider said in the release. Five aircraft were delivered Wednesday, according to a statement on the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam website. The remainder are due next year. The aircraft were made available through the Defense Departments Building Partnership Capacity program, a form of foreign aid, according to a report Tuesday by a Belgian news site armyrecognition.com. The delivery is part of an ongoing effort by the United States and Vietnam to modernize the Vietnam air force and deter Beijings aggression in the South China Sea, according to a 2021 news release from the 960th Cyberspace Wing. Vietnam and the U.S. first agreed to the T-6 transfer in 2021. Pacific Air Forces' commander, Gen. Kevin Schneider, right, landed the first of five T-6C Texan IIs at Phan Thiet Air Base, Vietnam, on Nov. 20, 2024. Seven more training aircraft will be delivered to the country next year. (Elizabeth Taranto/U.S. Air Force) Vietnam, like other countries that ring the South China Sea, is at odds with China over territorial claims, which sometimes result in confrontations between their respective coast guards or harassment of fishing boats by China. Vietnam plans to incorporate the T-6C Texan II into its pilot training program at Phan Thiet Air Base, according to the PACAF release. With these aircraft and your well-trained forces, Vietnam, along with the United States and our international partners, will continue to deliver peace and stability, Schneider said. Vietnams air force handles every aspect of air defense in the country and buys much of its equipment from Russia, but in recent years has favored U.S. and Israeli equipment, according to the cyberspace wing. This is not the first time Vietnam has acquired military equipment from the U.S. The Coast Guard has transferred two of its cutters to Vietnamese control since 2017 through the Excess Defense Articles Program. That program offers excess military equipment to U.S. allies and partners to assist with military modernization efforts. Vietnams acquisition of U.S. military equipment is just one part of the countrys strategy to counter Chinese influence in the region and follow its three nos military strategy, which emphasizes no alliances, no foreign bases in Vietnamese territory and no reliance on any country to combat another, according to the 2021 release. Families of U.S. service members in and around Vicenza, Italy, have reported 20 home invasion break-ins to military police so far this year. Although that is down from the total of 28 last year, the winter holiday season is just about to start, meaning many residents will be leaving soon on extended vacations. (djedj/Pixabay) VICENZA, Italy Recent break-ins at the off-post homes of U.S. military personnel stationed at area Army bases are shining a spotlight on property crime just ahead of the winter holidays. American families in and around Vicenza have reported 20 break-ins to military police so far this year. The scattered crimes have not targeted a particular neighborhood. Last year, there were 28 break-ins at military-affiliated households in the Vicenza area. While the number doesnt show an upward trend, families of American personnel have described brazen criminal behavior in posts to Facebook. Alondra Govea, who lives about 8 miles outside of Vicenza with her Army spouse, had $10,000 worth of jewelry stolen over Veterans Day Weekend, she said in an interview. Police think the thieves climbed up to her second-floor balcony and opened the electric shutters with a credit card, she said. We believe they saw us leaving with a suitcase and knew that we were gone, Govea said. People also have rung the doorbell from time to time, possibly to check whether the family is home, she said, adding that one of those instances happened at 11 p.m. Others have posted on Facebook about having their windows kicked in and seeing men in ski masks loitering outside homes. After a series of break-ins early in 2023, the city of Vicenza said it would install at least nine additional cameras to be monitored by police, hire additional officers and increase patrols throughout the city center. Attempts to reach the police department for comment on those measures were unsuccessful. But Italian authorities have told their U.S. military counterparts that the issue is not unique to Americans, said Rick Scavetta, a U.S. Army Garrison Italy spokesman. Thefts occur at about the same rate among Italians, Scavetta said. There are about 14,000 Americans living in the Vicenza area, according to base officials. One way to mitigate the risk of home-invasion theft in some cases is to have a good relationship with their neighbors, Scavetta said. Leaving trash cans or mail out for days can alert would-be thieves that the occupant is out of town. A neighbor can bring them in and keep an eye out for suspicious activity, he said. Minimize leaving valuable objects in the front yard or porch; dont leave valuables in your car, Scavetta said. If you have a high-value item, dont put the box from the purchase in the trash on the street. Install camera surveillance for easy monitoring. Little things like that, just being aware. An undated handout photo shows Leonard Glenn Francis, known as Fat Leonard, after his capture in Maiquetia, Venezuela. (Interpol Venezuela Instagram account via AFP/Getty Images/TNS) SAN DIEGO (Tribune News Service) Leonard Glenn Francis, the Malaysian contractor known as Fat Leonard at the center of the U.S. Navys worst-ever bribery and corruption scandal, will appeal the 15-year prison sentence that a San Diego federal judge imposed earlier this month, according to documents filed by his attorney. The prison term imposed by U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino at the Nov. 5 sentencing hearing was more than three years longer than what prosecutors recommended for Francis, who bilked the Navy out of at least $35 million but also provided what prosecutors called unprecedented cooperation in identifying corrupt Navy officers who accepted his bribes. Sammartino also ordered Francis to pay $20 million in restitution to the Navy. As part of his plea agreements in three cases, Francis gave up his rights to appeal his convictions but had 14 days to appeal his sentence. On Tuesday, two weeks since his sentencing hearing, defense attorney Douglas Sprague filed notices of appeal in each of Francis cases. The notices are simple, one-page documents that provide no details about the arguments hell make. Francis, 60, remains jailed in San Diego, according to online records from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, though Sammartino recommended he serve his remaining time in custody at a medical prison facility. When accounting for credit hell receive from time he has already been held in custody, Francis has about 8 more years in prison, pending the outcome of his appeal. Francis, who was known as Fat Leonard because of his enormous size, spent decades bribing a rotating cast of officers from the Navys 7th Fleet in the Western Pacific, who in turn steered ships to the Southeast Asian ports controlled by Francis and his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia. Francis then charged the U.S. government heavily inflated prices for routine services. Francis was arrested in 2013 in the first of what became a series of bribery, fraud and corruption cases related to GDMA. He pleaded guilty in 2015 to charges of bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to defraud the United States and quickly became the governments key witness, providing what prosecutors described as unparalleled cooperation that led authorities to investigate some 1,000 Navy personnel. At his sentencing hearing this month, Francis also pleaded guilty to a charge related to his 2022 escape from house arrest. For all of his crimes, the federal sentencing guidelines recommended a prison term between 17 and nearly 22 years. But in large part because of the cooperation Francis provided, prosecutors recommended a sentence just shy of 12 years. Sammartino, who has presided over almost all of the cases related to Francis and the Navy corruption scandal, said she took into account Francis cooperation but called his corruption scheme insidious and said the 15-year term was more appropriate. In a related case, an attorney for retired Navy Capt. David Haas, who pleaded guilty to taking bribes from Francis and recently spent two years in prison, filed a motion on Tuesday indicating Haas will seek to have his felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor. The request stems from prosecutorial misconduct that has resulted in nine other defendants having felony convictions reduced or dismissed. Earlier this year, prosecutors promised in a court filing to review the cases related to the Navy corruption scandal to determine if any defendants who already pleaded guilty and were sentenced should have their charges reduced or dismissed because of the prosecution issues. Haas is the first known defendant to seek such relief. Chuck La Bella, who is representing Haas, sent an email to prosecutors last month asking them to reduce Haas felony conviction to a misdemeanor, according to the email exchange contained in a court exhibit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Ko responded in part: I respectfully do not see a genuine legal concern requiring relief in his case. For that reason, we cannot agree or consent to a motion vacating Mr. Haass conviction. In the document filed Tuesday, La Bella wrote that Haas will instead file a habeas corpus petition essentially asking the court to review the validity of his conviction and sentence thats based on the prosecutorial misconduct. 2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Donald Trump speaks to Fox & Friends co-host Pete Hegseth at an event at the White House in April 2017. (Andrew Harnik/AP) SANTA CRUZ, Calif. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Pete Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report made public late Wednesday. Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and President-elect Donald Trumps nominee to be defense secretary, told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. News of the allegations surfaced last week when local officials released a brief statement confirming that a woman had accused Hegseth of sexual assault in October 2017 after he had spoken at a Republican womens event in Monterey. The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination. The report does not say that police found the allegations were false. Police recommended the case report be forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorneys Office for review. Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni said Thursday that her office declined to file charges in January of 2018 because they didnt have proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Tim Palatore, Hegseths attorney, has said the woman who made the allegations was paid an undisclosed sum in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit. The 22-page police report was released in response to a public records request and offers the first detailed account of what the woman alleged to have transpired one that is at odds with Hegseths version of events. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. The womans name was not released, and the Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually assaulted. A spokeswoman for the Trump transition said Thursday that the report corroborates what Hegseths legal team has been saying all along. Investigators were first alerted to the alleged assault, the report said, by a nurse who called them after a patient requested a sexual assault exam. The patient told medical personnel she believed she was assaulted five days earlier but couldnt remember much about what had happened. She reported something may have been slipped into her drink before ending up in the hotel room where she said the assault occurred. Police collected the unwashed dress and underwear she had worn that night, the report said. The womans partner, who was staying at the hotel with her, told police that he was worried about her that night after she didnt come back to their room. At 2 a.m., he went to the hotel bar, but she wasnt there. She made it back a few hours later, apologizing that she must have fallen asleep. A few days later, she told him she had been sexually assaulted. The woman, who helped organize the California Federation of Republican Women gathering at which Hegseth spoke, told police that she had witnessed the TV anchor acting inappropriately throughout the night and saw him stroking multiple womens thighs. She texted a friend that Hegseth was giving off a creeper vibe, according to the report. After the event, the woman and others attended an after-party in a hotel suite where she said she confronted Hegseth, telling him that she did not appreciate how he treated women, the report states. A group of people, including Hegseth and the woman, decamped for the hotels bar. Thats when things got fuzzy, the woman told police. She remembered having a drink at the bar with Hegseth and others, the police report states. She also told police that she argued with Hegseth near the hotel pool, an account that is supported by a hotel staffer who was sent to handle the disturbance and spoke to police, according to the report. Soon, she told police, she was inside a hotel room with Hegseth, who took her phone and blocked the door with his body so that she could not leave, according to the report. She also told police she remembered saying no a lot, the report said. Her next memory was of lying on a couch or bed with a bare-chested Hegseth hovering over her, his dog tags dangling, the report states. Hegseth served in the National Guard, rising to the rank of major. After Hegseth finished, she recalled he threw a towel at her and asked if she was OK, the report states. She told police she did not recall how she got back to her own hotel room and had since suffered from nightmares and memory loss. At the time of the alleged assault, Hegseth, now 44, was going through a divorce with his second wife, with whom he has three children. She filed for divorce after he had a child with a Fox News producer who is now his third wife, according to court records and social media posts by Hegseth. His first marriage ended in 2009, also after infidelity by Hegseth, according to court records. Hegseth, who joined Fox News as a contributor in 2014 before becoming co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, left the network after Trump announced his intention to nominate him. Hegseth said he attended an after party and drank beer but did not consume liquor, and acknowledged being buzzed but not drunk. He said he met the woman at the hotel bar, and she led him by the arm back to his hotel room, which surprised him because he initially had no intention of having sex with her, the report said. Hegseth told investigators that the sexual encounter that followed was consensual, adding that he explicitly asked more than once if she was comfortable. Hegseth said in the morning the woman showed early signs of regret, and he assured her that he wouldnt tell anyone about the encounter. Hegseths attorney said a payment was made to the woman as part of a confidential settlement a few years after the police investigation because Hegseth was concerned that she was prepared to file a lawsuit that he feared could have resulted in him being fired from Fox News, where he was a popular host. The attorney would not reveal the amount of the payment. Slodysko reported from Washington, and Linderman reported from Baltimore. Evaluations of cybersecurity practices for protecting veterans health records and other personal data at the Department of Veterans Affairs found an online system of weak passwords, security flaws and a pattern of granting excessive permissions for users on its platforms. (Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Stricter controls are needed to secure the online personal information that the Department of Veterans Affairs collects and maintains on millions of veterans enrolled in its health care services and who receive benefits, according to a new report from the agencys inspector general. Weak passwords, security flaws and a pattern of granting excessive permissions for users on its platforms are among the deficiencies cited in an evaluation of the VAs security program for protecting health records and financial information of veterans and other personal data of beneficiaries, personnel and contractors. Security deficiencies could allow any system and database user to gain unauthorized access to critical system information, said Michael Bowman, director of the Information Technology Security Division for the Office of Audits and Evaluations at the VAs Office of Inspector General. Bowman testified Wednesday at a hearing of the House Veterans Affairs Committees subpanel on technology modernization about a lack of security controls for supporting critical operations at 1,000 VA facilities and facilitating benefit payments to eligible veterans and their families. Improvements have been painfully slow. VA has been aware of some deficiencies for years but unable or unwilling to fix them, Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., chairman of the subcommittee, said at the hearing. Despite some incremental improvements, the VAs approach is inadequate and unfocused. The challenges at the VA for securing and protecting online information from hackers is similar to other federal agencies, Bowman said. Due to advances in technology, hackers can more easily glean information about individuals from various data breaches and track someones activities to further malicious or criminal schemes, he said. Secure information storage and management are high-risk endeavors across the government. All federal agencies are required to develop, document and implement an information security and risk management program, with the inspector general providing yearly evaluations. Annual reviews are a scorecard of an agencys technology security program, Bowman said. The deficiencies identified at the VA are not new but continue year after year, he said. While VA has made some progress in certain areas of their security program, these can best be characterized as incremental improvements in addressing the deficiencies the audit team has repeatedly identified, Bowman said. The VA needs to ensure it installs security patches, makes system updates and restricts unsupported web apps to mitigate vulnerabilities, he said. Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel to manage and maintain the VAs computer systems hinders work to keep them secure, said Kurt DelBene, the VAs chief information officer at the Office of Information and Technology. There is high demand for cybersecurity professionals by government agencies and private industry that is driving up wages. DelBene said the VA is asking for a cybersecurity budget increase from $110 million in fiscal 2024 to $707 million in fiscal 2025. A larger budget for cybersecurity will enable the agency to hire more trained staff with skills in preventing and managing cyberattacks, he said. There will always be a strange attack coming out that we were not expecting, DelBene said. We want to be in the space of making good decisions and achieving good outcomes. Rep. Tim Kennedy, D-N.Y., said he considers the investment reasonable given the VAs vast operation and $369 billion spending plan for fiscal 2025. But he said the VA needs to identify measurable goals that it expects to achieve with the increase. We are concerned that salaries at VA may be too low to be competitive, even when combined with compensation incentives and benefits, DelBene said. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., said the VA remains unable to adequately address systemic challenges. Only by investing in high-skilled staff and consistently enforcing IT standards, will the VA be successful. Also testifying was David Powner, executive director for data-driven policy at MITRE, a not-for-profit company that helps government agencies improve their security posture. A team from MITRE evaluated VA cybersecurity practices in 2024. Powner identified broad areas for improvement that echoed the concerns outlined in the inspector general report. They included applying software patches, maintaining access controls and using a logging system for recording incidents that can point to suspicious activity and attacks. The team found the VAs information security program operated under outdated cybersecurity policies and failed to effectively coordinate security practices across the enterprise. The VA also needs to focus more on identifying security vulnerabilities in medical devices and maintaining the devices over their lifespan, Powner said. The inspector general also faulted the VA for granting access inappropriately to users and not removing or deactivating old and dormant accounts. Though weak passwords are a well-known security vulnerability that allows malicious users to gain unauthorized access, the IG report found lapses in implementing strong password controls, Bowman said. DelBene said the VA is moving toward adopting a zero-trust system that requires multi-factor authentication, meaning users have to provide more than one way to verify their identity before signing on and gaining access to VA systems. Rosendale urged the VA to prioritize cybersecurity and implement remediations recommended in the reviews. No organization is completely safe from cyberattacks. But we expect the VA to understand their own vulnerabilities and maintain their defense, he said. We have to identify tomorrows risk and address them today. In a world of data breaches, more Americans personal information is being bought and sold on the dark web. The VA needs to do better. When Alexandra Cooper interviewed Kamala Harris on her popular podcast Call Her Daddy, she lost thousands of followers, even though her show is not particularly political and despite the presidential candidates own admission that the interview was never intended to change the political affiliation of listeners. However, this radical drop in followers is further proof that content creators who flirt with politics can pay dearly for it Nevertheless, many influencers known for generating content that revolves around wellbeing have decided to take a political stand to support the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) movement. As journalist E. J. Dickson explains in The Cut, there has been a shift to the right on social media platforms, and there are many studies that show that right-wing content tends to generate greater engagement and visibility than content that promotes progressive values. With the news and viral content cycle churning at a virtually unprecedented rate, its arguably more difficult than ever for influencers to attract eyeballs but it also grants them more license to be incendiary without facing long-term consequences for it, she says, noting that cancellation, far from being permanent, is increasingly ephemeral. In this context, Alex Clark, a content creator specializing in wellbeing and health despite having no training in the field who is described by the media as the modern woman of the right, shines with particular force. She presents the video podcast Culture Apothecary twice a week, which aims to heal a sick culture physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and whose themes revolve around, among other things, heterosexual couples, motherhood, and discontent with feminism and hormonal contraception methods. The podcast, which launched in September, is already among the 10 most-listened to in the wellbeing and health category on Apple and Spotify and has a private Facebook group called CUTEservatives, whose rules make it clear that they do not want anyone from the left on the forum and that in order to be accepted, users must follow Alex Clark on Instagram. Make America Healthy Again Clarks interest in the world of wellness began, as it has for so many other influencers, during the pandemic. I didnt like that we were mandated to take a vaccine, she told The Washington Post, explaining that after reading Dopesick (2021) by Beth Macy, an investigation into the opioid crisis, she came to the conclusion that the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were complicit, and when researching hormonal contraceptives, she discovered a series of side effects that made her distrust the pharmaceutical industry. This is how the MAHA movement now has a powerful figure acclaimed on social media, who has become a Gwyneth Paltrow-like lifestyle guru, albeit deeply conservative, generating a type of content that continues to gain followers. In fact, when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed Trump, conservative wellness influencers did not hesitate to approach his social networks, so they are undoubtedly now in luck after he was announced as Secretary of Health and Human Services of the United States. 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. 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 wrote on his social network, Truth. While it might seem logical that young women would be against Trumps political positions, Clark is the best proof that the opposite is happening in the United States. Clarks project might be especially valuable to Trumps movement by appealing to interests and anxieties that arent overtly political. Shes an influencer for pro-Trump youth group Turning Point USA and the face of its Young Womens Leadership Summit, an annual confab that has featured the likes of Lara Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, writes Kara Voght in the aforementioned article in The Washington Post about this conservative war on wellbeing. Emily Amick, a former Democratic Senator now turned liberal influencer, explains to the same media that Clark is really talented at reaching politically disengaged women and pulling them into the right-wing ecosystem. I want to be seen as: Alex Clark, cool girl, loves health and wellness, happens to be conservative. Im not trying to beat people over the head with that. I dont think thats persuasive, Clark clarifies. Because we are so sick from the food and then being prescribed their pills, were not able to think critically or clearly. Therefore, its so much easier, in my opinion, for them to control us, adds Clark, who interviewed Dr. Jennifer Simmons, who claims that mammograms make women sick, in her video podcast. Politics 3.0 What she is doing is a campaign. Now that Donald Trump has won the election, she has declared herself totally right-wing because she knows that by being in his favor, the chances of her audience, her algorithms and her way of communicating being limited are smaller, Ignacio Cabra Bellido, director of influencer marketing at Piazza Comunicacion, explains to EL PAIS, highlighting the growing role of politics in the universe of content creators in the United States. Spain is a country that is always at the bottom when it comes to influencer marketing, with France, the United Kingdom, and the United States always at the top. The trend of taking a political position has not yet reached our country; influencers only do so when, unfortunately, a catastrophe occurs. What happens then? As we have seen, many content creators have replicated news and made comments without having a clear idea of where the information came from, doing it only to please the people, to go with the flow, and because of the fear they have of expressing a real opinion, he says. He adds that the problem of positioning themselves in Spain is that content creators do not have the necessary training in terms of politics. They are neither consistent nor coherent with the opinions they express. They do not want to position themselves, not because brands are not going to hire them, but for fear of losing followers, because in reality, firms do not declare themselves to be part of a political party. The fear of not getting involved is not motivated by a veto, but by the loss of followers, he says. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Clark is part of a growing wave of influencers who boast conservative stances, like Vani Hari and Jordan Younger, because as marketing consultant Lauren Lipsay explains to The Cut: Were in a different climate now. A different era. Trump gives people permission to be the worst versions of themselves. And with him winning, were seeing that again on a much larger scale. For her part, Clark has already gone to the U.S. Senate to speak about chronic diseases. On her own YouTube channel, she shares the video claiming that, in Legally Blonde mode, she has denounced all the lies that millennials, especially those who are mothers, have been exposed to by the agricultural and medical industry. We have reached historic levels of childhood obesity, fertility problems, anxiety, and depression because of the legal poison sold in supermarkets and pharmacies. It is time to stop corruption and start prioritizing the health and well-being of the next generation. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Nikita Hand has alleged the UFC star and his friend James Lawerence raped her at a hotel in Dublin. Both men deny the allegations. Conor McGregor and James Lawrence are being sued by Nikita Hand for damages in a civil trial that began at Dublins High Court on November 5th. Ms Hand alleges she was raped by both men at a Dublin hotel on December 9, 2018. They both deny the allegations and say they had consensual sex with her. As legal counsel for the plaintiff and both defendants rested their cases this week, the judge began instructing the jury before he is set to send them to begin deliberations. Crime World has covered each day of the trial, and bring you inside the courtroom with a comprehensive summary of the evidence. Day 1 On the first day of the proceedings, the plaintiff Nikita Hand took to the stand to give evidence. Day 2 On the second day of the trial, Nikita Hand continued her testimony of the alleged events as cross-examination began. The court heard evidence of her text messages as well as her correspondence with the Director of Public Prosecutions. Day 3 On day three in the High Court, Nikita Hands cross examination continued. The jury were given photographs of the hotel room in the Beacon where the alleged incident occurred, and the court heard an audio recording of a conversation Nikita had with her then-boyfriend after she returned home. The court also heard Conor McGregors version of events from the day of the alleged rape. Day 4 On day 4, Nikita Hand concluded her testimony on the stand. Eimear Brennan, her friend and manager, as well as Detective Garda John Ryan gave evidence to the court also. The court also heard James Lawrences version of events. Day 5 On the fifth day of the civil trial, the court heard evidence from the ambulance crew who attended to Nikita Hand on the morning of December 10th 2018. Dr Emma Quinn and Dr Frank Clarke, GPs for Ms Hand gave testimony, telling the court about Ms Hands medical history as well as her diagnosis of PTSD. Dr Ann Leader, a psychiatrist who specialises in treating victims of sexual assault also described Ms Hands PTSD symptoms. Day 6 On day 6 Conor McGregor also began his testimony. Part One Prior to this, Forensic Scientist Charlotte Murphy told the court about DNA evidence, while property valuer Patrick Sheehan, vocational assessor Elva Breen, actuary Peter Byrne, and Nikitas former boss John McMahon also gave testimony on behalf of the plaintiff. As Ms Hands legal rested their case, the defendants case began. Detective Garda James Codd took to the stand, as did Danielle Keely, a former colleague of Ms Hand, who was present at the hotel on the day of the alleged rape also gave testimony. Part Two Day 7 & 8 On day 7 of the trial, McGregor continued giving evidence on the stand, where he was cross examined by Nikita Hands legal team. His former security guard Denis Dezari and his personal photographer David Fogarty also took to the stand before his legal team rested their case. James Lawrence began his case, and he took the witness box to give evidence in the trial. On the eighth day Professor Basil John Farnham, a forensic physician also gave evidence, concluding all evidence in the trial. Part One Part Two Day 9 On day 9 of the civil action, the jury heard closing statements from legal counsel for Nikita Hand, Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. Part One Part Two The case continues as the jury are expected to begin their deliberations on Thursday. Judge David McHugh imposed a two-month sentence which he suspended for two years A young man who called gardai cokeheads had consumed a mix of street drugs and alcohol at the time, a court heard. Joseph Collins (26) was also shouting: Get my money by tomorrow, or else. Judge David McHugh imposed a two-month sentence which he suspended for two years. The defendant, with an address at Avila Park in Finglas, admitted public intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour. Garda Darragh Joyce told Blanchardstown District Court that gardai were called to Avila Park in Finglas on November 15 last year following reports of a disturbance. Gda Joyce said Collins was standing in the middle of the road. He was highly intoxicated, slurring his words and had blurry eyes. The defendant became verbally threatening to gardai, calling them cokeheads and was shouting get my money by tomorrow, or else, the garda said. The court heard that Collins had eight previous convictions. Defence solicitor Kieran Moloney said the defendant had his problems with drink and drugs, and at the time of this incident he was on a cocktail of street drugs and alcohol. Mr Moloney said Collins was now on the right path, had recently completed a four-month rehabilitation programme and was doing much better. A large crowd of Donaghey's supporters were packed into the court with members of the Garda public order unit maintaining a presence for the hearing. A Dublin rioter shouted "scumbags" after being jailed for six-and-a-half years as members of the garda public order unit had to escort his supporters from court. Declan Donaghey (28), of William Street in Dublin 1, was sentenced on Wednesday for his role in the "shameless and senseless" violence. He had pleaded guilty to arson, riot, and criminal damage in the city centre on November 23 last year. Footage obtained on the night shows the shocking moment the garda car was set alight as the level of violence escalated beyond control. Declan Donaghey Almost 30 vehicles including a Luas and buses as well as garda vehicles were damaged while over 60 businesses were attacked or looted. He is the first person to be convicted and jailed by the circuit court over the riot which involved hundreds of people and broke out after adults and children were attacked at a school near Parnell Square. Sentencing him this afternoon, Judge Orla Crowe said that lawlessness and violence unfolded involving a mob of which Donaghey was a participant. The judge said it was not lost on her that gardai were present to investigate a very serious matter and that "this was the response they were met with". She did not accept Donaghey's claim that it was a "moment of madness" and said he was an active participant in the shameless and senseless vandalism. Judge Crowe said she was taking into account his admissions, his guilty plea and his letter of apology. Donaghey was then handed a seven and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended. A large crowd of Donaghey's supporters were packed into the court with members of the Garda public order unit maintaining a presence for the hearing. At a hearing on Monday, Detective Inspector Ken Hoare agreed with prosecuting counsel Joe Mulrean that it was "one of the gravest examples" of public order in the history of the state. Declan Donaghy One garda in a public order van felt his life was in danger after being isolated and surrounded by "dozens" of people on Parnell Street just off O'Connell Street. During the rioting Donaghey threw a wheelie bin at one garda car before burning out another patrol vehicle which cost over 20,000. Eye witness footage from Parnell Street captured him attempting to wipe his fingerprints from the handle of the garda car but he was later identified through CCTV footage. A short time after burning out the garda car, Donaghey smashed a window of a hostel, housing 90 migrants, with a bicycle saddle. He was arrested two months later and told gardai that he went to the scene to "support the victims" of an earlier stabbing outside a school near Parnell Square. Donaghey said he was "angry" and that the "got caught up" in the violence "in the spur of the moment", while making himself "look like a scumbag". He also told gardai that his brother had been attacked by foreign nationals a week prior to the riot and that nothing was done about that, while adding that he is not a racist. In a letter read out in court, Declan Donaghey "apologised to the government and everyone involved" and said that his actions were "out of character". He also said that he was traumatised after his partner received a phone call telling her that her younger cousin may have been one of the children stabbed, which ultimately wasn't the case. To date 57 people have been arrested in relation to the Dublin Riots, with 53 people appearing before the courts. In total 28 vehicles were damaged including a Luas, Dublin buses, and garda cars, while 66 businesses were targeted. There were also 13 gardai injured during the violence which raged for several hours before being brought under control with he deployment of garda reinforcements including members of the Public Order Unit. A public appeal this week saw images of 99 'persons of interest' released by gardai. Last night gardai confirmed that 18 Persons of interest have now been identified and their images removed from the public gallery. "An Garda Siochana is not confirming at this time the role of any of these individuals in the events of the 23rd November 2023 and it should not be presumed that identification means criminal involvement in these events. Aaron Butler (20) claimed he took a loan out to buy the bike, and he was seeking the return of it so he could sell it and repay the loan An e-biker who drove dangerously through a residential area has failed in his attempt to have the bike returned to him. Aaron Butler (20) claimed he took a loan out to buy the bike, and he was seeking the return of it so he could sell it and repay the loan. Judge Dermot Dempsey fined Butler 400 and disqualified him from driving for two years. Judge Dempsey refused an application under the Police Property Act to return the e-bike to him. The defendant, of Foxhaven, Forde De Fyne, The Naul, Co Dublin, admitted dangerous and uninsured driving at Chapel Farm in Lusk on July 12 last. A garda witness told Swords District Court that they were on mobile patrol when they saw an e-bike driving at high speed towards them. The biker went over a green area, the garda said. The biker, who was wearing a balaclava, was driving at speed through a residential area. He was pursued by gardai, stopped and arrested. The court heard the bike was seized. Butler also did not have the proper clothing nor did he have training for use of an e-bike, the garda said. Defence solicitor Fiona DArcy said Butler was seeking the return of the e-bike. She said the defendant had taken out a loan to buy the bike, and he was paying it back every week. Ms DArcy said Butler knew he was going to be disqualified, and he wanted the bike returned to him so he could sell it and pay off the loan. Ms DArcy said Butler, who worked as an assistant at Dublin Airport, was willing to give an undertaking not to ride the bike again while he was banned from driving. Gardai objected, saying the bike had been seized in line with recent legislation. Judge Dempsey refused to return the e-bike to the defendant. Following his conviction for two counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath sentenced the defendant to eleven years in prison with the final three suspended An elderly man who twice raped a 15-year-old girl who babysat for the woman he was having an affair with in the 1980s has appealed his conviction. The now 76-year-old's trial earlier this year heard that in one incident of rape, the Dublin man called to the girls home on the pretext of taking her for an interview for a job at nearby newsagents. He instead took her for a drive to the Wicklow mountains, where he raped her. Following his conviction for two counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath sentenced the defendant to eleven years in prison with the final three suspended. At an appeal hearing today Bernard Condon SC, for the defendant, said the trial judge should have warned the jury about the dangers of convicting where there was no evidence to corroborate the victim's claims. Mr Condon said there was a conflict in the evidence given by the complainant and that given by her own mother. In particular, the victim had said she initially didn't want to go with her abuser for the job interview but her mother insisted and forced her to go by breaking a mop over her back. Mr Condon said that "powerful visual" image was contradicted when the victim's mother said she did not strike her daughter with the mop and that when her daughter returned from the job interview, she was "fine". That contradiction, counsel said, combined with inconsistencies in the complainant's accounts of what happened, required the judge to give a warning to the jury. Patricia McLaughlin SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the inconsistencies relied on by Mr Condon were matters for the jury to resolve. Such inconsistencies are routine in historical cases, she said, and the trial judge had correctly used his discretion in refusing to give a corroboration warning. Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Mr Justice Brian O'Moore, reserved judgment. The trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin earlier this year heard that while being driven to the Wicklow mountains to be raped, the teenager was frantic and screaming as she feared her abuser might kill her. The man told her to shut up and that she would be alright. He handed her a bar of chocolate and a lollipop after raping her. The girl scrubbed herself raw with bleach afterwards and feared she might be pregnant. In an earlier incident of rape, the man took the victim back to the home of the woman she had been babysitting for on the pretext of getting her to clean the house. The victim later told gardai he had repeatedly promised her he would not touch her but she told gardai that after she got into the house that day everything went blank until she came to lying face down on the floor with the man raping her from behind. She said she was crushed by him lying on top of her as he held her by her hair. He asked her to clean the house after raping her but she fled. The now 51-year-old woman also told gardai that there had been occasions when the man had forced her to perform oral sex on him. During one such incident, she said she vomited as the man held her by her hair and forced his penis into her mouth until she gagged. The man had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to charges of rape and indecent assault of the then 15-year-old girl in Dublin between November 1988 and August 1989. A jury convicted him on two charges of rape and three charges of indecent assault following an eight-day trial last January. The man was around 41 years old at the time and was married with children. He was having an affair with a woman who the victim had been babysitting for. This womans partner was living in England at the time. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath described the complainant as a brave woman who has not allowed these crimes to defeat her, but has determinedly brought up her children and put herself through college. He also highly commended her for her bravery and determination in reporting the crime and giving evidence at trial. In a statement following the trial, the victim said: "Today is the day I get justice it took 35 years but it still feels like yesterday." She said her abuser had belittled her and made her "feel like dirt". She said he made her feel like she was no one and he was someone. I thought you would get away with what you had done. That you were laughing at me. You made me afraid.I felt nowhere was safe for me. The victim said at 15 years old she believed that she had no one to listen to her and the man knew this and used it to his advantage. She described how she has had to pull herself out of the darkest places time and time again and said it was only through putting herself through college to qualify as a counsellor herself that she finally found her voice. Charles Watson (89) received a 12-month sentence suspended A former nurse who twice indecently assaulted a male patient at a Belfast hospital was today spared an immediate custodial sentence. Charles Watson (89), of Carlston Avenue in Holywood, Co Down, received a 12-month sentence suspended for two years. The pensioner had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on the victim which dated back over three decades ago. Belfast Crown Court heard the victim attended the Royal Victoria Hospital in west Belfast for a medical procedure on December 3, 1993. It was the prosecution case that when the victim was in a treatment room, Watson told him to remove his trousers and underwear before indecently assaulting him for up to two minutes. Weeks later, the victim returned to the treatment room for another medical procedure when Watson locked the door, telling his victim: "We will not be disturbed.'' Watson told the male, who had just turned 19 years old, to remove his trousers before indecently assaulting him. It wasn't until August 2023 that he went to police and Watson was subsequently interviewed and provided PSNI officers with a pre-prepared statement. He accepted that he worked at the RVH for about 30 years but said he would "deny all allegations and I will give 'no comment' to all questions''. Prosecution barrister Mark O'Hara said the aggravating features of the case were that it was a breach of trust case as Watson was working as a nurse, he targeted a young male patient and he had a previous conviction for a similar type of offending. The court was told that in 2018, Watson received a two-year probation order at Belfast Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on a teenage male patient. The offences happened on dates between 1984 and 1987 when Watson was working as a clinical nursing supervisor in the RVH's Genito Urinary Medicines unit. The victim had contracted a sexually transmitted disease and during a testing procedure, he sexually assaulted the 16-year-old for about three minutes. On a later occasion, the teenager was referred back to the same unit after contracting another sexually transmitted disease and was again indecently assaulted by Watson. A prosecution barrister said at the time: "He knew what was being done to him was wrong, but it was not until 1998 that he told a close friend.'' The court heard that in September 2016, the victim got work doing repairs at a house in Holywood and realised that the owner of the house was the nurse who had sexually assaulted him two decades previously. The prosecutor said the victim "confronted'' Watson about the sexual assaults and the defendant replied: "I agree.'' Defence barrister Sean Mullan said Watson had recently been examined by a consultant geriatrician who described in her report the defendant's frailty and his cognitive impairment as a result of his age. The report added that prison would be difficult for the defendant and he is a high risk of falling from being in a strange environment and from climbing steps. The consultant also stated the defendant also suffered from depression and this could deteriorate in prison. Judge Gordon Kerr KC said: "There is absolutely no doubt given the nature of the offending and the breach of trust in this case that the custodial threshold has been met in this case.'' However, the judge said he had decided that given the offending was of a "low level'', the fact Watson is now aged 89, has a limited lifestyle, increasing mental problems and increasing physical problems, it was appropriate to suspend the prison sentence in the case. But Judge Kerr warned Watson that if committed any further offences in the next two years he would be brought back to court to serve out the 12-month sentence. Personal trainer Robert Smith had complained of nightmares and panic attacks after being trapped in a lift in his apartment block The photographs showed Mr Smith in a one-person sauna following the incident and in Rome, where he had flown to propose to his partner in front of the Trevi Fountain A judge, who heard that a gym owner had feared he would never be able to fly again or tolerate confined spaces after being trapped in a lift, was shown pictures that proved he had not only flown to Rome to propose to his partner but had thrown muscular poses in a single-person sauna. Judge Geoffrey Shannon, who was told in the Circuit Civil Court that personal trainer Robert Smith had turned down a 15,000 offer to settle his personal injuries claim, awarded the 39-year-old little more than half that amount. Smith, of Cabinteely, Dublin, claimed he suffered from claustrophobia following the incident in June 2021, could no longer tolerate confined spaces and had feared he would never be able to fly again. Robert Smith Making the award and granting Smith limited District Court costs, Judge Shannon, said the court had to take into consideration photographic evidence provided by barrister Conor Duff, counsel for defendant Infinity Lifts, Ennis, Co Clare. The photographs showed Smith throwing a muscular pose in an enclosed one-person sauna following the incident and, in Rome, where he had flown to propose to his partner in front of the Trevi Fountain. Mr Duff, who appeared with Connolly ONeill Solicitors for Infinity Lifts, told Judge Shannon that Smith, after a return flight from Rome had, only a few days later failed to tell a doctor, at a medical consultation, about his flying activities. Judge Shannon said the defendant had conceded that Mr Smith had been trapped in a lift at his apartment block residence until a neighbour had heard his cries for help and had called the emergency services. The court was being asked to assess damages after Infinity Lifts had conceded fault in the case and Judge Shannon said Mr Smith, whom he found to be a genuine witness, had complained of nightmares and panic attacks. The judge said the court had difficulty in reconciling the photographic evidence of Mr Smith on holiday and in the confined space of a one-person sauna with his issue of claustrophobia. The photographs showed Mr Smith in a one-person sauna following the incident and in Rome, where he had flown to propose to his partner in front of the Trevi Fountain. Mr Duff had asked the judge not to award Smith any damages or a very small amount. Rejecting a suggestion by Smiths barrister that damages should range from between 15,000 and 40,000, Judge Shannon said that under the compensatory guidelines, he had to consider fairness and proportionality and measured damages at 8,250. He also granted Smith his claim for expenses of 2,394:70, bringing the total award to 10,644:70. Mr Duff told the court that Smiths legal team had been written to on 25th September 2024, offering their client a settlement of 15,000. This had been declined and he sought the judges award of District Court costs to be confined up to the date of the settlement offer which Judge Shannon agreed with. US giant Johnson & Johnson denies claim asbestos was in its baby powder and caused illness Sharon Doherty, one of thousands of women taking legal action against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson over alleged links between talcum powder and cancer A woman from Derry is among thousands of women 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, who lives in Derry, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on the left side, 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. Johnson & Johnson (J&J) maintains that its baby powder was safe 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 now 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 the firm, 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. 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. KYODO NEWS - Nov 21, 2024 - 19:28 | Sports, All Former yokozuna and 10-time Emperor's Cup winner Kitanofuji, who also mentored two grand champions, including the legendary Chiyonofuji, before becoming a popular TV sumo pundit, died on Nov. 12, Japan Sumo Association officials said Thursday. He was 82. The Hokkaido native, whose real name was Katsuaki Takezawa, made his debut in 1957 and thrived on overarm throw and outside leg trip techniques, reaching the exalted rank after the 1970 New Year meet along with his rival Tamanoshima, later Tamanoumi, who unexpectedly died a year later. After the 185-centimeter wrestler retired in 1974 and established the Izutsu stable, Kitanofuji inherited the Kokonoe stable where he mentored the late 31-time winner Chiyonofuji, as well as eight-time top division-winning yokozuna Hokutoumi, both of whom were also from Hokkaido. Kitanofuji left the JSA in 1998 at 55 after serving on its board and became a beloved television commentator known for his candid and humorous style. He had been taking time off since the Spring meet in March last year after falling sick, however, and made his last television appearance this July in a recorded clip. A source said he had been in and out of hospital for the past year due to chronic heart trouble and having suffered a stroke before his condition worsened this month. "He supported me from a young age with his punditry and even though there were some tough words too, I was grateful," former yokozuna Kisenosato, now stablemaster Nishonoseki, said at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, where the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place. 46-year-old Thomas OBrien will not begin his latest sentence until he has served the rest of the nine-year term he received in 2009 A killer driver who was on the run for 12 years after absconding from temporary prison release has been handed a one-year jail sentence. At Antrim Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Fiona Bagnall ordered that 46-year-old Thomas OBrien will not begin his latest sentence until he has served the rest of the nine-year term he received in 2009. Outlining that she understood OBrien still has around nine months left to serve for the fatal road traffic collision case, Judge Bagnall said the offence and the sentence would be meaningless if she did not make it consecutive. At an earlier hearing, OBrien, whose address was listed as no fixed abode, Cork, entered a guilty plea to being unlawfully at large on July 16, 2012. During her sentencing remarks today, Judge Bagnall said OBrien had been handed sentences totalling nine years for offences of causing death and grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving. Thomas O'Brien That case related to a crash on Christmas Eve in 2005 when banned driver OBrien got behind the wheel of a car despite, according to witness statements, having consumed at least 10 drinks of cider and vodka, followed by shots of Goldschlager. He lost control of his car on a bend and his 36-year-old passenger, Paul Flanagan, was killed and two other people were seriously injured. O'Brien drove away from the incident in another car before the emergency services had arrived and he fled the country until December 2008. Imposing sentences totalling nine years along with a 20-year driving ban, Judge David McFarland told Dungannon Crown Court it was one of the worst cases of driving he had encountered. In court on Thursday, Judge Bagnall said OBrien had been on temporary release from HMP Magilligan in July 2012 when he failed to return to the prison. In January 2023, the PSNI received information that he was living in Cork under an alias of John ODonnell, so they began extradition proceedings and an international warrant was issued. When the Gardai tried to effect that warrant on August 1 this year, OBrien boarded a ferry to Wales using the alias, but he was arrested on August 3 when the ferry arrived in Wales and he was brought back to NI. Imposing the 12-month sentence, Judge Bagnall said the length of time OBrien had been at large was an aggravating factor, but that he was entitled to credit for his guilty plea. The jury, who also heard that Patrick Murphy told gardai I am responsible. I was in fear so I picked up the knife, rejected the defendants case that he was provoked A man who stabbed his friend and neighbour in boiling blood after being kicked out of his apartment has been convicted of murder. The jury, who also heard that Patrick Murphy told gardai I am responsible. I was in fear so I picked up the knife, rejected the defendants case that he was provoked. The 12 jurors at the Central Criminal Court deliberated for just two hours and two minutes before returning the unanimous verdict today against Murphy (52) who had accepted that he killed his friend, Joseph Brosnan. Mr Murphy, of no fixed abode, had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Brosnan, at Abbey Court, Tralee, on May 22, 2022. The trial heard they the deceased man had lived in an apartment at Abbey Court. He had previously worked in a direct provision centre on the outskirts of town and there he met and befriended Polish national Kamil Lisowski. Mr Brosnan helped Mr Lisowski settle in and move from apartment to apartment and they became good friends, prosecution counsel Patrick Gageby SC told the jury. On the date in question, Mr Lisowski finished work at about a quarter to eight in the morning and called on his friend Mr Brosnan. Patrick Murphy Mr Gageby said drink was taken and the pair sat and watched television together. At around 3pm that afternoon, Mr Murphy called over to Mr Brosnans home. Further drinking took place in the house which resulted in some insult passing between Mr Lisowski and Mr Murphy, counsel told the jury. It fizzled out but not before Mr Lisowski had slapped Mr Murphy in the face, said Mr Gageby. Things calmed down and people shook hands but the matter welled up again and Patrick Murphy was asked to leave. The barrister said at around a quarter to seven that evening, Patrick Murphy returned and apologised. He said the jury will hear that Mr Murphy was pushed out vigorously of the apartment and fell to the ground outside. A short time later Mr Brosnan opened the door to Mr Murphy again and told the accused to go. Counsel said Mr Murphy was armed with quite a large kitchen knife and used it to stab Mr Brosnan. The deceased was stabbed three times, with a a second stab wound to Mr Brosnans back proving fatal because it penetrated the pericardial sac around the deceaseds heart which caused massive bleeding and resulted in death occurring fairly rapidly. Counsel said Mr Brosnan was well aware that he was seriously injured and announced to Mr Lisowski: Im dying. Ambulance and gardai were called but unfortunately he [Mr Brosnan] died in his apartment lying on his sofa, said Mr Gageby. The prosecution case was that Murphy had a clear intention to kill or cause serious injury. The jury also heard from a number of gardai, including Garda James Fairbrother who spoke to Mr Murphy at the scene. Murphy told the garda that he was a peacemaker and he didnt know who had stabbed the deceased. When he was arrested and interviewed, Murphy suggested that the victim had possibly suffered a seizure before eventually admitting that he had brought a knife to the scene and that he had stabbed Mr Brosnan. Outlining a summary of the evidence in the case yesterday, trial judge Mr Justice Paul Burns reminded the jury that they had heard evidence from residents who said they heard arguing from the vicinity of Mr Brosnans apartment, with one woman saying she saw Murphy holding a knife in his hand. The woman said Murphy wasnt in this world, as his eyes were real big and he looked confused. Another witness said she heard glass breaking and saw a man with a rock and a knife, while further evidence was given by a waitress from a nearby restaurant, who said she could see and hear a man shouting and screaming at the door of the apartment, describing him as going psychotic. Kamil Lisowski also gave evidence to the trial, telling the jury that Murphy had come to the door "to revenge" and had stabbed Mr Brosnan like rapid fire My best friend was dying in my hands," the eyewitness told the jury. The jury heard that Murphy told gardai that he started drinking and taking tablets before numerous scuffles broke out on the day. 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, Murphy said in garda interview. Murphy said that the group had been drinking brandy, vodka and wine, while he had also been taking tablets and sharing them around. I know it was me. I had the knife. I know I was the one with the knife, Murphy told gardai, going on to say that Mr Brosnan was a friend of his all his life. Look, I had the knife, I am responsible. I was in fear so I picked up the knife. I dont remember stabbing Joe, but I must have. I remember jabbing back with the knife, he said, going on to say that he would not have harmed Mr Brosnan on purpose. It had been the defences case that Murphy was provoked into stabbing his daughters neighbour in boiling blood. Mr Brendan Grehan SC for the defence said that witnesses saw Murphy pacing around with a knife and a rock in each hand in an agitated state. He said Murphy had acted in boiling blood, in a rage or out of control. Mr Grehan said that something must have happened to cause that to occur and claimed the causing factor was that he had the living daylights kicked out of him on the ground. Mr Grehan suggested that it was Mr Lisowski and possibly Mr Brosnan who hit him on the ground in this instance, driving him into a rage, despite denials of this by Mr Lisowski. He said: that beating by Mr Lisowski and perhaps Joseph Brosnan was an act of provocation. Before beginning their deliberations, Mr Justice Burns told the jury that there were two verdicts open to them, guilty of murder, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. He also said that their verdict must be unanimous. After the jury of eight men and four women returned their verdict, Mr Justice Burns thanked them for their time and attention during the trial, excusing them from jury service for the next seven years. The matter was adjourned to December 16 for victim impact statements and sentencing, with Murphy remanded in custody. Judge Geoffrey Miller KC also imposed a ten year Sexual Offences Prevention Order and told the 60-year-old that he will for the rest of his life be subject to the police sex offenders register A paedophile extradited from Poland back to Northern Ireland to face sex offences against two little girls was handed an eight year sentence today. Ordering Wojciech Armatys to serve the sentences equally between prison and supervised licence conditions, Judge Geoffrey Miller KC also imposed a ten year Sexual Offences Prevention Order and told the 60-year-old that he will for the rest of his life be subject to the police sex offenders register. Describing the abuse the vulnerable girls suffered as horrendous, the Downpatrick Crown Court judge said there can be no doubt of the hurt expressed by both victim and there is a palpable need for each of them to receive help from professional assistance. Last September window fitter Armatys, with an address at Atlantic Avenue in Belfast, entered guilty pleas to seven charges including five of sexual assault of a child under 13 and two of inciting or causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity on dates unknown between 31 December 2010 and 8 April 2012. When the paedophile first appeared in court in 2018 a police officer revealed he was arrested at Belfast International Airport as he was about to board a flight back to Poland. After he denied the offences and was set to go on trial in 2019, Armatys fled to Poland but he was extradited back to NI earlier this year. Outlining the facts of the case during his sentencing remarks today Judge Miller told the court how the two victims, one who was seven and the other who was 10, were friends. Read more Paedophile extradited after fleeing to Poland five years ago admits abusing girls The seven-year-old had been having a sleepover at her friends house and had gone to sleep on the floor when she awoke to find Armatys groping her bottom and back. That was the only incident she was subjected to but her friends ordeal included Armatys touching her private part, forcing her to touch his genitals and him performing sex acts on the girl. He was friends was the childs mother and with her bause going on for several months, Judge Miller revealed there were times when he threatened to hurt her. Despite this threats she disclosed the abuse to her mum and when Armatys was arrested and questioned, he claimed he was owed money so the allegations had been concocted as some way of revenge. Judge Miller said the case was aggravated because two victims had been abused, they were vulnerable due to their ages and there had been negative consequences for both victims who were now adults. In mitigation Armatys had a clear record and had entered guilty pleas but the judge said it was his view the defendants culpability is high while he posed a moderate risk of further offending. Judge Miller said because there were two victims who had been abused in overlapping periods of time, clearly the case calls for consecutive sentencing so he imposed a two year sentence for the younger victim and six years for the ten year old, ordering the terms to be served consecutively. In addition he also imposed a five year restraining order and barred Armatyus from working with children or vulnerable adults. He was give 7 and a half years with one suspended A man who set a Garda car on fire during the Dublin riots has landed a six and a half year jail term despite pleading guilty to arson and criminal damage. Declan Donaghey apologised to the Government but a Judge said she didnt accept that he acted in a moment of madness. As he was led away the 28 year old shouted scumbags at Gardai and supporters were removed by the public order unit. Nicola speaks to Eimear Rabbitte about the sentence. MORE EPISODES The incident took place at a residence in Moreen Avenue, Sandyford at around 2.30pm on Wednesday A young man has been arrested following an alleged assault at a house in south Dublin yesterday afternoon. The incident took place at a residence in Moreen Avenue, Sandyford at around 2.30pm on Wednesday. It has been reported that two people received minor injuries in the incident. A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene, a garda spokesperson confirmed. "Gardai attended the scene of an alleged assault on Wednesday, November, 20, at a residence on Moreen Avenue, Sandyford, the spokesperson said. One male, aged in his 20s was arrested at the scene and is currently detained at a garda station in south Dublin. Investigations ongoing." It follows searches that were carried out at four homes in the Garryowen area A man has been arrested in Limerick after gardai seized cocaine worth more than 110,000 as well as 11,000 Alzopralam tablets, ammunition and a small sum of cash. The man, in his 20s, is being held at a garda station in the Limerick Division. It follows searches that were carried out at four homes in the Garryowen area as part of ongoing investigations into the sale and supply of controlled drugs and related criminal activity in the mid-western region. Gardai from Henry Street Garda Station and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) carried out the search operation in Limerick City yesterday, November 20. In the course of operation, searches were carried out at four residential properties in the Garryowen area, a garda spokesperson said. During the searches, gardai seized cocaine with a street value of over 110,000 along with 11,000 Alzopralam tablets. A number of rounds of firearms ammunition and a small sum of cash was also seized. A male in his 20s was arrested and is currently detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda Station in the Limerick Division. Gardai added that all substances seized are subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland. Investigations are ongoing and further updates will follow. The seizure forms part of Operation Tara, the enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, which was launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in July 2021. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels - international, national, and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale, and supply of controlled drugs. Fewer than 100 were in attendance at an event hosted by the new command structure The UVF leadership was left red-faced after Remembrance Sunday commemorations fell flat. Shankill HQ had been hoping to pile pressure on the rump of East Belfast UVF with a show of strength turnout at last weekend commemoration ceremonies. Firstly, they had to back off threats to remaining East Belfast members after volunteers said they would refuse to move against those they still consider our own. The hawks who have been calling for tougher actions against the East were forced to back down. It had been anticipated the leadership would use Remembrance weekend as an opportunity to warn drug dealers operating under the UVF flag in the east would be exiled from the city. A year ago the eight-man command structure of East Belfast UVF, including alleged leader Stephen Matthews, was stood down. However, a rump of the gang remained in place and have continued to peddle drugs, prompting calls for tougher sanctions. Twelve months on Matthews who denies links to paramilitarism or criminality was pictured at a commemoration ceremony in the Pitt Park area of the east last weekend. It was the culmination of events over the weekend, all of which he attended. An estimated 300 people attended the Pitt Park event. By contrast fewer than 100 were in attendance at an event hosted by a new command structure put in place in the east. The East is a problem that wont go away, a UVF source told the Sunday World. No matter that they try, they (East) just carry on. He said the Shankill may have to concede defeat in their battle of wits with the East. Veterans from the 70s, 80s and 90s attended the events held by the East. In many ways it was a very clear message of support for Matthews. Ironically, Matthews is awaiting trial on charges arising from an alleged UVF show of strength in Pitt Park in 2021 the venue for last weekends ceremony. The Dubliners new groom Jamie Gill was admitted to hospital just days after their Italian wedding. Niamh Cullen and Jamie Gill at their wedding welcome party Influencer Niamh Cullen received the ultimate early Christmas present as her new husband was finally discharged from hospital today. The Dubliners new groom Jamie Gill was admitted to hospital just days after their Italian wedding. The couple tied the knot in Borgo Di Tragliata earlier this month in front of their closest friends and family before heading to Rome on their mini moon'. Niamh shared a carousel of snaps on Instagram this afternoon to mark the occasion, including a photo of the pair holding hands and a picture of their beloved dog Lulu. She also posted a photo of herself carrying a box of chocolates that she gifted to the fab nurses who looked after Jamie over the past few days. Captioning the post, she wrote: Day 10 - Home time finally. It feels like Christmas!!! We are so excited to get home to Lulu. Big love to all the nurses in the world! You are just amazing with all you do, she added in the comments section. Niamhs friends were delighted to hear the newlyweds good news and showed their support in the comments. Bonnie Ryan, who flew to Rome to watch the couple get hitched, wrote: YAYYY!! Cant wait to hug you soon. And podcaster Ellie Kelly said: Sending loads of love your way. While pal Ashley Kehoe added: Amazing news. Delighted for you both! Safe travels. The 32-year-old had previously admitted she was devastated when her incredibly handsome husband fell ill after they said I do. Devastated how our first week of marriage has gone but you are so resilient and I love you so much! I loved your suit just as much as I loved my dress. She had previously shared an Instagram Story from the side of Jamies hospital bed as he was being treated by a doctor. Not how we planned the last 48 hours. Poor Jamie has been so sick since the wedding, he made our day 2 for like 30 minutes and when we left to head to Rome, it went downhill, she explained. He is in the best place and here now for another few days. My poor love, she added alongside a sad face and broken heart emojis. Niamh also reposted her friend Ashley Kehoes Instagram Story and said she was so grateful to her for keeping her company. Its been an emotional rollercoaster, (Id) be lost without you, she wrote. Several well-known faces had travelled to Italy to see Niamh and Jamie tie the knot, including fellow influencer Bonnie Ryan and fashion designer Aoife McNamara. The pair dated for six years after meeting at a Bingo Loco event and got engaged in December 2022. The excited bride-to-be took to Instagram ahead of the wedding to share a photo of her and Jamie in Dublin Airport, with the couple grinning from head to toe as they held up dust bags holding their wedding gown and suit in Terminal 2. Captioning the post, she wrote: Next stop Romaaa, adding some festive emojis. The Dubliners friends and followers flocked to the comments section to wish the blushing bride luck as she prepares to walk down the aisle. Fellow influencer and pal Louise Cooney said: Oh shes gorgeoussss! Enjoy every second, while Terrie McEvoy penned: Oh Niamh the best of luck. And fitness influencer Siobhan OHagan chimed in: Ahhhh have the most amazing time! Cannot wait to see it all, so happy for you both. The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, saidAssociate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard. The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of livestock exported by sea," Hoggard said. We will amend the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to ensure exporters effectively manage animal welfare outcomes throughout the entire supply chain." Hoggard said the Government is committed to making sure that when the trade is reinstated, New Zealand has the highest standards of animal welfare. Changes to the Animal Welfare Act are only a part of that. While we progress legislation, we will continue to engage with experts in the industry and key animal welfare voices around operational details to understand how to best ensure high animal welfare outcomes throughout the process of exporting livestock by sea," Hoggard said. This is a specialised trade, so it is important that we test details with those involved in the live export by sea system." Hoggard said this will inform decisions on regulations and standards. "The public will have an opportunity to comment on these proposals through the release of a discussion document next year. Reinstating livestock exports by sea will provide additional export and income opportunities for farmers, benefiting New Zealands economy and rural communities. The export of livestock by sea has contributed to New Zealands economic prosperity and the trade was worth $374 million in 2022. Our livestock is highly valued by our trading partners and supports improvement to their food security goals." Hoggard said New Zealand stopped exporting livestock for slaughter in 2007 "and this will not change". Targeted engagement on technical and operational details will occur during November and December. The public will have the opportunity to comment on any legislative proposals when a Bill is considered by Select Committee in 2025. Cabinet has agreed to draft and introduce an Animal Welfare Amendment Bill to the house in 2025 which will include provisions to: Reinstate the ability to be granted approval to export livestock by sea Place a duty on exporters to manage animal welfare outcomes through the export process Require an approved Animal Welfare Export Plan prior to applying to export Spotlight Japan - Nov 21, 2024 - 15:00 | All, Travel/Tourism, Spotlight, Japan Hands-on lessons in the art of creating food replicas have caught on with foreign visitors keen to learn more about a distinctive Japanese craft that has evolved for over 100 years. Food replicas are now used not only as window-display enticements by restaurants but also as training tools for farmers and as souvenirs. An exhibition has even been held in London in October introducing the unique history, culture and craftsmanship of food replicas. >>Read the full article with visuals and video on Spotlight Japan>> >>Read the full article with visuals and video on Spotlight Japan>> Related coverage: Exhibition exploring Japan's food replica culture opens in London FEATURE: London school opens to train chefs in authentic 'washoku' cuisine FEATURE: Hokkaido's food film goes global in gourmet town of Spain Ten households evacuated in Bay of Plenty community Te Puna after a shelter belt fire broke out on Wednesday are returning home. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said crews were called about 3.20pm to "reports of multiple shelter belts on fire" near Snodgrass Road. At 6.30pm, there were 16 fire engines at the blaze with multiple support vehicles, it said. FENZ incident commander William Pike said the fire was contained within a very large perimeter of shelter belt. Shelterbelts are rows of trees planted to provide wind breaks and improve micro climates. "Even though we've had rain over the last day or so the internal vegetation within the shelterbelts is extremely dry so it literally takes off very quick," Pike said. "We have one part of the sector inside that containment area that we've had an outbreak... into an area that borders onto an estuary, we can't put crews there at the moment in because the ground is unsafe, and that's where we managed to utilise our helicopter." FENZ was working with partner organisations to ensure evacuees could return to their homes after the helicopter finished operations at 8.30pm. "I'm very comfortable that we'll be able to contain and extinguish all hot spots overnight and we may end up going into the morning to be safe," Pike said. "We've had damage to a shed as far as I'm aware that made it unsafe, but as far as private dwellings go there's been no damage." Just after 9pm, police said residents were returning home. FENZ and police were working to determine the cause of the fire, Pike said. Newnham Park Innovation Centre managing director Ian Jeffrey said the fire was still flaring up above the trees at 5.30pm. Photo: Supplied / Renee Adkins Wind and the tinder-dry hedgerows were two reasons the fire was still burning, he said. "The fire brigade will be there for a while," he said. His business was near to Snodgrass Road, but he had not been worried about the fire getting out of control, he said. "If your home is impacted by smoke, please keep your windows and doors closed, and turn off any air conditioning units," FENZ said. Snodgrass Road is due to reopen tonight. A manager at a Te Puna business said the fire was far from the village centre, but they could see smoke. FENZ says if anyone in the vicinity of the fire has concerns overnight, they should dial 111. -RNZ By Chabella Guzman, PREEC Communications Agriculture is not just growing a crop or raising livestock, as around 190 high schoolers interested in agriculture found out at the annual Careers in Ag Day at the Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. The event, held on Nov. 13, was hosted by the Scottsbluff/Gering Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee had 26 community business representatives discussing their place in agriculture. "When people start thinking about agriculture, they're like, well, I don't want to grow a crop, or I don't want to take care of cattle, right?" said... Commissioners Participate in County Government Day SIDNEY--On Monday, November 18, 2024, the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners and Board of Equalization met at the Cheyenne County Courthouse for their regular meeting. They discussed many topics and then broke for a time to attend the annual Cheyenne County Government Day. Commissioner Philip Sanders was absent from the meeting as he is recuperating from recent knee surgery. After approving the minutes from the last meeting, the commissioners heard from Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Director Joe McCarn about a resolution for Shop Cheyenne County Days. McCarn read from the resolution,... SIDNEY--On Saturday, November 16, 2024, Faith Methodist Church in Sidney hosted a fundraiser for Zayden Turja, a local youth going through costly medical issues, and his family looked for help from the community to help pay for his treatments. The family asked, and then they received a huge amount of help at the lunchtime fundraiser at the church, as a big crowd of supporters came to wish Zayden well and contribute to defraying the costs of his treatment. Chili and cinnamon rolls and a bake and craft sale were the big attractions Saturday as a line of well-wishers formed outside the church to... The deadline is approaching for middle and high school students to enter the Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards. Teen writers who are at least 13 years old and in grades 7-12 are invited to enter original works for recognition and scholarship opportunities. Submissions are due by December 15, 2024. Students are invited to submit work in any of the Awards writing categories, which include critical and personal essays, journalism, humor, flash fiction, dramatic scripts, novels, poetry, science fiction and more. For details on the program, a link to all available writing categories and how to su... $58 Million Available, Program Improvements Include Increased Payment Rate and Production Cap WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2024 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the application deadline for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024 to Dec.13, 2024. This extension gives organic dairy producers two additional weeks to apply for the program. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats and sheep. ODMAP 2024 helps mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. Specifically, through OD... SIDNEY--On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the City of Sidney Council held its regular meeting and held two public hearings, and approved the purchase of vehicles for the Electric Department and Solid Waste Department, among other items on the agenda. It was anticipated that Vice-Mayor Paul Strommen would announce his resignation as he had won his election for State Senate representing the 47th District. Still, no mention was made of his upcoming change to a new office. Also, no mention was made of how his vacant seat would be filled in this meeting. After approving the previous meeting's minutes,... Christmas with C.S. Lewis, a one-man show that brings the legendary British author to life," is coming to Buffalo, NY, at the Sheas Performing Arts Center on Saturday, December 14, with showings at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or secondary market platforms such as Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub. Prices start as low as $56 on SeatGeek. Set in 1962, Christmas with C.S. Lewis offers a rare glimpse into the life of literary icon C.S. Lewis, the man behind the beloved Chronicles of Narnia series, among many other notable works. The show takes place on Christmas Eve, as Lewis (David Payne) hosts a group of American writers visiting Oxford during the holiday season. As the evening unfolds, Lewis delves into his past, sharing stories about his childhood, his friendship with fellow author J.R.R. Tolkien, his journey from atheism to Christianity and how these experiences reshaped his understanding of Christmas. Dont miss your chance to witness this heartwarming performance that brings the holiday spirit and the life of one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century to the stage. KYODO NEWS - Nov 13, 2024 - 09:02 | All, Podcast Hello from Washington Three Kyodo News journalists -- Yamaguchi-san; Sierra, an assistant correspondent in Washington; and Kanetomo-san, who recently came back from Washington - talk about the work Kyodo correspondents do in the U.S. capital. They delve into the latest presidential election, the factors behind Republican candidate Donald Trump's victory, and how they feel about the results and the future. Article mentioned in the podcast: Trump takes back White House with decisive election victory 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. Related coverage: Podcast [English World] Episode 70: Cashless payment Podcast [English World] Episode 69: Nobel Peace Prize Podcast [English World] Episode 68: Halloween On Saturday, November 30, Sheas Performing Arts Center will host A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin, a one-of-a-kind event where the actor will participate in a live Q&A after a screening of the beloved 1990 film Home Alone. Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster or secondary market platforms such as Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub. Prices start at $56.95. The screening will run for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, followed by a 55-minute moderated discussion and Q&A with Culkin. Fans of all ages are welcome to attend. Please note that mobile phone use will be restricted during the event. About Home Alone Home Alone catapulted Culkin to fame when he played Kevin McCallister, a clever and resourceful young boy who defends his home from burglars after his family accidentally leaves him behind while vacationing in Paris. The film, directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, became an instant classic and remains a holiday favorite to this day. Culkins performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination, and the movies success turned him into one of the biggest child stars of the early 90s. About Macaulay Culkin Culkins career has expanded far beyond Home Alone. After his breakout role, he starred in films such as Uncle Buck, My Girl and Rocket Gibraltar. He later pursued independent projects, including Changeland and Party Monster. In addition to acting, Culkin has explored music and media, including his work with the band The Pizza Underground and his online brand, Bunny Ears, which includes a podcast and live events. More recently, Culkin has ventured into television, appearing in American Horror Story: Hotel and The Righteous Gemstones. In 2023, Culkin was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Transcontinental Railroad, the Adirondacks, New York philanthropists, an iconic American female sculptor, and Abraham Lincoln. This seemingly random assemblage is actually all linked to a magnificent and seemingly random piece of public art that has adorned the campus of SUNY-ESF for half a century. Since being carefully lowered into place on November 15, 1974, countless students and visitors alike have undoubtedly passed by the rather curious statue of a studious Lincoln astride a horse, open book in hand, and wondered exactly what this subject had to do with a forestry college in Central New York. That was certainly my initial reaction when I walked onto campus for the first time in 2005. As it turns out, this homage to this nations 16th president, arguably the most accomplished autodidact in American history (Lincoln was a self-taught lawyer with no formal education) is the work of Anna Hyatt Huntington, one of the most accomplished and significant American sculptors of the 20th century. - Anna Hyatt Huntington (1876-1973): Born in Cambridge, Mass. on March 10, 1876, the daughter of a noted paleontologist, naturalist, and Harvard professor, Alpheus Hyatt, Huntington was a lifelong naturalist and artist. She is most famous for her incredible equestrian statues, which include Jose Marti (1965) in Central Park, and El Cid Compeador (1927) copies of which can be found in New York, California, and in Spain. Onondaga Historical AssociationOnondaga Historical Association Entitled, Young Abe Lincoln on Horseback, Huntington produced the piece in bronze in 1963 when she was 87 years old. Originally, she cast a smaller version of the statue for display outside the Illinois State pavilion at the 1963 Worlds Fair in New York. One of four copies, Syracuses Lincoln stood on the grounds of the Huntingtons grandiose estate Stannerigg outside Bethel, Connecticut until Mrs. Huntington passed away in 1973 and bequeathed the equestrian statue, along with several other pieces, to Syracuse University. This final gift to Syracuse University marked the end of a lifelong relationship between Anna, her husband, Archer Milton Huntington, and the university. Archer Huntington, whom Anna married in 1923, was the adopted son of Collis Potter Huntington, the founder of the Central Pacific Railroad and the Southern Pacific Railroad. Among the most ruthless and successful of the railroad potentates of the Gilded Age, Huntington was one of the primary architects of the Transcontinental Railroad, which was completed with the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit, on May 10, 1869, four years after Lincolns assassination. In his later years, Huntington, like many of the great industrialists of the era, fell in love with the pristine Adirondacks after he began recreating there in the 1880s. With his massive fortune, he purchased enormous tracts of land there. This included Pine Knot the original of the Great Camps, built on Raquette Lake. When Huntinton died at Pine Knot in 1900, Archer, his sole heir, inherited both Collis love of the outdoors and his massive tracts of land in the Adirondacks as part of a much larger fortune. Archer Huntington was a generous and diversified philanthropist, as well as an avid patron of the arts. Archer and Anna both were great admirers of Spanish culture, and they came to know one another in the museums and mansions of elite New York society. By the time Archer and Anna married in 1923, Anna had already long distinguished herself as a sculptor of the highest magnitude, with her speciality being animal subjects. The "Young Abe Lincoln on Horseback" sculpture is lifted by a crane and put into place on November 15, 1974 at the SUNY ESF campus. It was gifted to the university by its sculptor, Anna Hyatt Huntington, and her husband, Archer Milton Huntington.Post-Standard File Photo Their shared love of the natural world was a profound bond between them and Archer supported his wifes art for the duration of his life. In 1932, the relationship between Huntingtons and Syracuse University and SUNY ESF began, when they donated 15,000 acres in the Adirondacks to what was then known as the New York State Forestry School at Syracuse University. The purpose of this gift was to establish a field station for investigation, experiment and research in relation to the habits, life histories, methods of propagation and management of fish, birds, game, food and fur-bearing animals and as a forest of wildlife. Almost a century later that work continues at the Huntington Wildlife Reserve, which is home to SUNY ESFs Newcomb Campus. Considering the roots of SUNY ESF in the timber industry, it would seem that Abraham The Rail-splitter Lincoln could not have found a more appropriate place to ride. Robert Searings weekly articles are supported by the William G. Pomeroy Public History Media Series. To learn more about the William G. Pomeroy Foundations work to promote public history, visit wgpfoundation.org. By Niagara Gazette | Niagara Falls Gov. Kathy Hochul is voicing her opposition to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to reduce hours of operation at 38 points of entry along the U.S. northern border, including four crossings in New York. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced Tuesday that hours will be reduced at the 38 sites beginning Jan. 6 in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency. They say it will allow for customs officers to be shifted to busier ports of entry. Locally, hours will remain the same at area bridges. Impacted border crossings along northern New York include: Chateauguay which will reduce its operating hours from 24 hours to 6 a.m.to 6 p.m. Overton Corners will see its operating hours go from 24 hours to 6 a.m to 10 p.m. Rouses Point will reduce its operating hours from 24 hours to 8 a.m.to 8 p.m. Trout River will reduce its operating hours from 24 hours to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. These adjustments formalize current operating hours that have been in effect for more than four years at 13 ports of entry across the northern border, with eight ports of entry expanding hours, CBP officials wrote on the changes. A small number of ports will see reduced hours in an effort to continually align resources to operational realities. Travelers who use these affected crossing locations will have other options within a reasonable driving distance. The adjustments were made in close coordination with Canadian Border Security Agency officials, a CBP release noted. The move was apparently not coordinated with the governors office which is calling on the CBP to reverse its decision. I strongly oppose the U.S. Customs and Border Protections decision to reduce operating hours at four crossings on New Yorks border with Canada, Hochul said in a release. While the Biden-Harris Administration has achieved measurable success in enhancing southern border security, New York is experiencing a dramatic increase in irregular crossings along our northern border. Hochul noted that New York has already redirected $5 million in federal State Homeland Security Program funding to enhance security efforts along the states border with Canada, including by purchasing additional tools to support investigations into transnational criminal organizations. Staffing and technological capacity for the New York State Police have also been increased, which includes a comprehensive drone management system and handheld X-ray machines. While these important resources will help keep New Yorkers safe and manage the spike in illegal border crossings, greater federal support is crucial to meet the magnitude of migration we are seeing, Hochul said. CBP officials noted that they continually monitor operations, traffic patterns and volume, and analyze the best use of resources to better serve travelers. CBP officials noted they will be in contact with local and regional officials as well as impacted communities to address concerns. ___ (c)2024 the Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) Visit the Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) at www.niagara-gazette.com Washington President Joe Bidens two picks for federal judges posts in Central New York will find out today if Republicans will take Donald Trumps advice to block their confirmation to the federal bench. The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to meet at 10 a.m. to vote on six of Bidens nominations for federal judge. Washington President Joe Bidens two nominees for federal judge openings in Syracuse and Utica cleared a key hurdle Thursday when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance their nominations to the full Senate. Committee members had no new questions or comments about the nominations of former Rep. Anthony Brindisi, D-Utica, and Elizabeth Coombe, the first assistant U.S. attorney in Syracuse. NEW YORK (AP) A former doctor was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing multiple patients, including children, over the span of years in the New York area. Darius A. Paduch, a former urologist, was found guilty in May following a trial where 11 victims testified about being abused by Paduch and dozens more submitted statements to the court, federal prosecutors said. Paduch, 57, has maintained his innocence and has said some of his methods of touching patients were medically necessary. Prosecutors said Paduch sexually abused patients at a prominent hospital in Manhattan from at least 2007 to 2019 and then continued to abuse patients after he began practicing at a different hospital on Long Island. He invited at least one victim to his boat, where prosecutors said Paduch provided the victim with sedatives and sexually assaulted him. He used his position as a renowned urologist at prestigious hospitals to sexually assault vulnerable patients, including children, to gratify his own sexual desires, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. Paduchs abuse was perverse and pervasive, spanning over a decade and victimizing patients both inside and outside of hospital rooms. Paduchs attorney, Michael Baldassare, said in a statement that he would file an appeal in the coming days. Doctor Paduch maintains his innocence and we are confident that someday he will be vindicated, Baldassare said. By Bianca Fortis | New York Focus 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 hasnt yet laid out a detailed plan for his administrations education policy. But a review of his first term and his campaign promises, as well as the details contained in the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, gives some indication of what might be coming in New York. Trump, who has falsely claimed that the US ranks last in education, has repeatedly vowed to eliminate the $79 billion US Department of Education. Im dying to get back to do this, he said in September. Whether he succeeds will depend on whether he has congressional support. Late Tuesday, Trump announced his pick for Secretary of Education: Linda McMahon, who oversaw the Small Business Administration during Trumps first term and co-founded the WWE wrestling empire. McMahon is the chair of the America First Policy Institute, which has assisted Trumps transition team. The think tanks policy proposals for education center on school choice, allowing parents to evaluate curriculum materials, teaching life skills like financial and digital literacy, and prohibiting the teaching of Critical Race Theory. While education advocates wait for Trump to take office, they are bracing for changes in how public education is administered. We dont know yet what will happen, said Randi Levine, the policy director of Advocates for Children of New York, but many of the policy proposals raised would be devastating for the students we serve. Cuts to federal school funding Regardless of whether the Department of Education closes, Trump can seek to limit federal aid to schools something he repeatedly tried to do during his first term. His administration proposed a number of cuts to the education budget, including appropriations for Title II, which mainly aims to help states and districts pay for teacher development and reduce class size; Title IV, which administers postsecondary federal student aid; and funding for after-school and summer programs for low-income students. Congress rejected these cuts. This time, Trumps allies have had more time to lay the groundwork for their proposals. The nearly 900-page Project 2025 report, published by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, lays out ideas for downsizing and reshaping federal agencies including the elimination of the Education Department. While Trump has sought to distance himself from the playbook, at least 140 people who worked within his first administration were involved in the project, according to CNN. The Heritage Foundation has argued that budget cuts would help transition control over education back to states and localities. The federal government also pays for about 10 percent of the US Special Olympics budget, which the first Trump administration tried to cut. Former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos defended that move to Congress, unsuccessfully. Michael Rebell, the executive director of the Center for Educational Equity, said he is skeptical that Congress will agree to shutter the Department of Education, since the agency is federally mandated to distribute funding to low-income schools and students with disabilities. Thats easier said than done on the campaign trail, and whether Congress is going to go along with that is another question, Rebell said. The proposed federal cuts are coming just as New York begins to reevaluate Foundation Aid, the formula used to distribute most state funding to public schools. Federal budget cuts would increase pressure on the state and local school districts to make up for any shortfalls. Compared to the $36 billion the state spends on school aid, federal funds account for a much smaller amount $8.6 billion during the 2024 fiscal year, according to the Division of the Budget. For New York City, 5 percent of its budget, or $2 billion, comes from the federal government, according to the City Comptrollers Office. An additional $1.5 billion goes toward the CUNY system and early childhood programs. State education funding is a reliably heated battle during each budget cycle. Last year, Governor Kathy Hochuls proposed cuts to education were roundly rejected by the state legislature. But many observers expect that she may try again. Levines organization is calling for the new formula to create funding for homeless students, and increase it for students with disabilities and English Language Learners. We think this is a key moment for the state to commit to providing the resources necessary for all students to get the excellent education that they deserve, she said. David Little, the executive director of the Rural Schools Association, pointed to the state education departments current effort to overhaul graduation requirements as a program that will be harder for districts to implement if their budgets are cut. The only thing that can derail that is money, Little said. If the governor is in the process of trying to figure out how we alter state education aid with an eye toward trying to ratchet that back and the federal government is proposing to also diminish federal funding, then you immediately go into survival mode. Trump has also pledged to withhold funds to schools that recognize transgender students or teach critical race theory, an academic framework that seeks to understand history and society through the lens of historical and systemic racism. The deportation of newly arrived students Trump, who has called immigrants criminals, drug dealers and rapists, has made tightening US immigration policy a signature part of his platform. (There is no link between an increase in immigrant populations and a rise in crime.) He has promised the mass deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants living in the US, an effort that would be both logistically complicated and costly. The number of unauthorized immigrants in the United States grew by about 800,000 to 11 million between 2019 and 2022, according to the Pew Research Center. That number peaked in 2007 at 12.2 million. More than 200,000 new immigrants and asylum seekers have entered New York State in the last two years, prompting school districts statewide to find ways to respond to the unexpected jump in student enrollment. During the last Trump presidency, the New York City Department of Education issued guidance to schools and families to protect students from federal immigration action. We certainly hope that the city will step up again and do all it can to protect immigrant students and families and keep their records confidential as well, Levine said. A rollback of civil rights protections Trumps return also poses a risk to the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights, the arm of the agency responsible for investigating claims of discrimination at schools and universities across the country. That office handled more than 19,000 claims last year a record for the 44-year old department. In New York state alone, there are currently 423 pending cases at elementary and secondary schools and another 207 at colleges and universities. The office is also tasked with collecting data about access to education. Under DeVos, the agencys arm became more lenient, limiting the time and scope of investigations in an effort to clear a backlog of old cases, according to a ProPublica review. DeVos also rescinded protections for transgender students issued under former President Barack Obama while expanding rights afforded to individuals accused of campus sexual harassment and assault. Project 2025 recommends moving the Office for Civil Rights under the Department of Justice and would require its actions against violators to take place through litigation, rather than administrative enforcement. The plan also recommends the government rescind guidance issued during the Obama era that is meant to weed out racial discrimination toward students of color with disabilities. Education advocates in blue states like New York can expect their state governments to take a more active role in civil rights enforcement, Rebell predicted. The more so-called progressive states will probably pick up at least some of the slack, Rebell said. The ones who are going to get clobbered are going to be the kids in states that are going to be happy to see civil rights enforcement go by the wayside. School meals Previously, Trump tried to tighten requirements around who qualified for free school lunches, which would have caused nearly half a million students to lose access to the program, according to an analysis by the US Department of Agriculture. He also sought to loosen Obama-era nutrition standards. Project 2025 refers to the federal free lunch program as an entitlement program that represents an example of the ever-expanding federal footprint in local school operations. The plan would do away with a provision that eases access to free meals in high-poverty areas and recommends cutting summer meals for students who are not enrolled in summer programs. Throughout New York, 57 percent of students were eligible for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program during the 202223 school year, slightly higher than the national average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. A few cities New York City, Albany, Rochester and Yonkers have their own universal free school meal programs to help fill in gaps where the federal program does not cover all students. State legislators have successfully expanded access to free meals in other regions, but efforts to pass a statewide universal program have stalled. New York Citys program, which receives $545 million in federal funding, could face restrictions in the wake of budget cuts, according to the city comptroller. A push for school choice incentives Trump has championed charter and private schools, a win for school choice proponents in New York. His administration pushed for federal funding to go toward charter schools, voucher programs and tax credits for private school tuition, as a means to empower parents and give them educational options that better suit their children. For too long, countless American children have been trapped in failing government schools, he said in his 2020 State of the Union address. A recent study from the Stanford University Center for Research on Educational Outcomes found that charter schools have begun to outperform public schools. Critics say school choice is an effort to privatize schools and that charter schools are a financial burden on public school districts. Though New York has 357 charter schools, there is a statewide cap on the number of schools that can open. New Yorks public education community is largely opposed to using public funding for private schools, noted Little of the Rural Schools Association. There might be proposals to make inroads, he said. But our governor and our legislative houses are so overwhelmingly Democratic that it would be really hard for them to try and advance a prospective agenda like that. KYODO NEWS - Nov 21, 2024 - 23:17 | World, All, Japan Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, that he is "seriously concerned" about the intensifying military activities near Japan, as they met in Laos months after an airspace breach involving a Chinese spy plane. Nakatani lodged a stern protest with China over the violation of Japan's airspace on Aug. 26 and demanded that it not be repeated, according to Japanese officials. However, the two agreed to promote dialogue between their defense authorities to foster "mutually beneficial" relations, as recently agreed by the countries' leaders. Noting that the two countries have various outstanding security issues, Nakatani said at the outset of the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of an annual regional security meeting, "It is extremely important to hold candid discussions between defense authorities and continue communications." Dong agreed that face-to-face discussions between the two countries' defense authorities are important for the bilateral relationship and regional peace. However, he countered that China is concerned about Japan's actions on issues such as Taiwan, which Beijing views as a renegade province. It was the first Japan-China defense ministerial talks since Nakatani assumed the current post as a member of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet, launched on Oct. 1. The last such meeting was held in June in Singapore. In late August, Japan confirmed for the first time that a Chinese military plane violated Japanese airspace over waters in the East China Sea off islands in Nagasaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan. Following investigations on the Chinese side, the Japanese government announced earlier this week that China has admitted to the entry of one of its military planes into Japan's airspace but said it was an unintentional incident caused by turbulence and vowed to take measures not to repeat it. During the meeting, Nakatani also expressed concerns about the situation in the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands -- a group of uninhabited islets controlled by Tokyo but claimed by China. Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly entered Japan's territorial waters around the islands. The two, meanwhile, agreed to properly operate their bilateral defense hotline, which was launched in 2023 with the aim of building mutual trust and avoiding incidents at sea and in the air, according to the Japanese officials. They also agreed to promote bilateral defense dialogue with the aim of resuming exchanges between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the Chinese military, which have been suspended since 2019 due to strained ties and the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was held on the margins of a defense ministerial gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their regional partners in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Related coverage: China criticizes Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba's "Asian NATO" idea FOCUS: China to cautiously watch Ishiba's steering of Sino-Japanese ties China admits plane entered Japan airspace in August but unintentional The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. By Noriyuki Suzuki, KYODO NEWS - Nov 21, 2024 - 22:47 | All, World, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may be learning the hard way that diplomacy is more difficult than it sounds following his trip to South America to attend multilateral summits, but his inexperience is raising doubts over whether he is up to the job he has been in for over a month. The absence of Ishiba in a group photo at a summit gathering due to a traffic jam, his perceived bad manners in greeting foreign leaders and a missed opportunity to secure an in-person meeting with Donald Trump, who is set to lead the United States, Japan's closest ally, all added to his gloom. That comes when Japan's regional and global standing as a flag-bearer of a free and open, rules-based international order and collective efforts to tackle global challenges are being tested. As Trump prepares to take office in January for a second term, he seems poised to undermine multilateralism again, while China is increasing its military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region and strengthening its influence by courting emerging countries not aligned with the United States. "Prime Minister Ishiba does not seem to have a knack for diplomacy," Ken Jimbo, a professor well-versed in Japan-U.S. relations at Keio University, said in describing him as a "late starter" in forging good relations with Trump. "Former Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe was quick to make a move and succeeded in building a personal rapport. It was during that time that Japan had some leeway in its own diplomacy (with other nations) because the bilateral alliance with the United States was unshakable," Jimbo said. Back in 2016 when Trump won the U.S. presidential election for the first time, Abe, then prime minister, flew to New York and met with him in Trump Tower in under two weeks. Ishiba initially sought to follow that playbook, expressing his desire to meet with the president-elect at the earliest, possibly during his stop in the United States on the way home after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Peru and the Group of 20 summit in Brazil. But his hopes were dashed as Trump's team explained that he cannot meet with foreign leaders before taking office, in stark contrast to the case with Abe. Japan's alliance with the United States serves as the foundation of its diplomacy and defense policy, making it a priority for any Japanese leader to build strong personal ties with the sitting U.S. president. Ishiba, who has held the defense chief portfolio in the past but has not been a foreign minister, must navigate potentially turbulent waters if U.S.-China ties grow even more tense in the months ahead. "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 on Tuesday as he wrapped up his trip to Peru and Brazil. While speculation is rife that the incoming Trump administration may add pressure on Japan, China is apparently softening its stance on its Asian neighbor. Chinese President Xi Jinping was quick to send Ishiba a congratulatory message on his election as Japanese prime minister on Oct. 1, bilateral arrangements went smoothly for the first Ishiba-Xi meeting on the fringes of the APEC leaders' gathering and the Chinese leader had a smile on his face when he met with Ishiba, who instead looked grim. Amid concerns that the return of Trump will mean a more protectionist United States that will slap higher tariffs on imports and skepticism over multilateral arrangements like G20, Xi also sought to boost China's appeal to developing nations by promising help. "China is again trying to fill the void left by the United States, whose focus will move away from Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. We have already seen signs of that at the APEC and the G20 summit," said Junichi Sugawara, a senior fellow at Owls Consulting Group Inc. Ishiba said he was "on the same wavelength" with Xi during their meeting, but that does not necessarily mean Japan is lowering its guard against China. Ishiba is carrying on with the push by his predecessors, including Abe, for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law, calling for like-minded nations to join forces. While China celebrated the opening of a new port in Chancay with Peru as part of Beijing's "Belt and Road" initiative, an infrastructure program seen as an attempt to boost China's influence, Japan also agreed with resource-rich Peru to build robust supply chains of critical minerals -- a key development for Japanese economic security. Sugawara said Japan has potential as a "middle-power." He added that Ishiba should focus on expanding the membership of a trans-Pacific free trade pact that Trump withdrew the United States from during his first term, and maintaining the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework initiated by Trump's successor Joe Biden to sustain U.S. engagement in the fast-growing region, which Trump might now also choose to exit. But the APEC and G20 gatherings, which were important opportunities for Japan to make its presence felt, seemed to have been overshadowed by the images of an undiplomatic Ishiba and his perceived disregard for protocol and etiquette. Social media was abuzz after Ishiba was pictured breaking with the diplomatic custom of handshaking with one hand, using two instead, during his meeting with Xi, and in other photos he remained seated while other foreign leaders, including Peru's president, greeted him. "Prime Minister Ishiba is a known expert on security, agriculture and regional revitalization. There are substantial worries about his negotiation skills in terms of diplomacy and trade," Sugawara said. "Trump 2.0 will be more formidable." Related coverage: G20 summit ends with internal rifts showing ahead of Trump's return G20 drops anti-protectionism vow as Trump victory tests unity Japan PM Ishiba criticized for "bad manners" at APEC summit Teagasc Signpost Conference and General Assembly The Teagasc Signpost Programme hosted its annual conference and General Assembly today, Thursday, 21 November, at the Park Hotel, Clonmel, County Tipperary. The Signpost Programme is a collaborative partnership of farmers, industry and State Agencies, working together for climate action. As Phase 1 of the programme approaches its final year, this years General Assembly offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved through the dedication of farmers and partners. Farmers participating in the Signpost programme have taken action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Pictured discussing these actions at the Signpost Conference and General Assembly in Clonmel were: Siobhan Kavanagh, Teagasc Signpost programme; Elodie Ruelle, Teagasc researcher; Tom ODwyer, Head of the Teagasc Signpost Programme and Barry Coonan Meteorologist from Met Eireanns Climate Services Division The event brought together a diverse group of farmers, industry leaders, advisors, and researchers, featuring an agenda that combined cutting-edge science, inspiring farmer success stories, and practical, actionable advice. In his opening address, Professor Frank OMara, Director of Teagasc, emphasised the significant progress Irish farmers have made in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to the latest EPA report, GHG emissions have decreased by 4.6% in 2023, reaching 20.78 MtCOe, which accounts for 37.8% of Irelands total GHG emissions. This reduction reflects several key changes, including decreased nitrogen fertiliser usage, increased adoption of protected urea, and greater use of lime and Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) technology. These advancements not only demonstrate that emissions reductions are achievable, but also underscore the additional benefits of such efforts: improved farm efficiency, better water quality, enhanced biodiversity, and greater profitability. However, Professor OMara stressed that these outcomes require ongoing commitment and change. Dr Tom ODwyer, Head of the Teagasc Signpost Programme, outlined the substantial progress made by the Signpost Farms initiative in addressing climate change within Irish agriculture. The programme has been pivotal in raising awareness among farmers, building their capacity to interpret emissions profiles, and promoting the adoption of recognised climate mitigation measures. For instance, chemical nitrogen usage on Signpost dairy farms has declined by 21%, compared to a 14% reduction nationally. Similarly, NBPT-protected urea accounts for 67% of chemical nitrogen used on Signpost farms, significantly higher than the national average of 27%. On cattle farms, 53% of chemical nitrogen is now NBPT-protected urea, and overall chemical nitrogen use has dropped by 25%. Barry Coonan from Met Eireann showed that Ireland has warmed by 0.7C, become 7% wetter and sunnier by 4.5% over the period 1961-1990 to 1991-2020. The findings in these new 30-year averages are consistent with the results from Met Eireanns TRANSLATE climate projections, which confirms the likelihood of a warmer and wetter climate annually for Ireland. Dr. Elodie Ruelle from Teagasc stated; We need to be able to adapt to a changing climate. Climate change will create some opportunities and challenges. Better farm infrastructure, appropriate stocking rate and sufficient good quality forage stocks will all be necessary to properly adapt to future climate. The conference proceedings are available here In brief: Being the head of OpenAI, the company that essentially started the generative AI revolution, it's easy to imagine that Sam Altman's salary can be counted in the millions. Surprisingly, the CEO was paid just $76,001 in compensation in 2022, and that's with a 3.4% pay increase from the year before. According to tax filings seen by Bloomberg that show the compensation OpenAI paid Altman and other execs, the CEO's salary went from $73,546 in 2022 to $76,001 in 2023. That's significantly less than co-founder and former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, who took home the copmany's highest salary, $322,201, in 2023. He left OpenAI in May to start his own firm. Secretary/treasurer Chris Clark received the second-highest amount, $322,201. The filing also revealed that Emmett Shear, who was CEO of OpenAI for around 72 hours during the brief time that Altman was ousted, was paid $3,720 from November 19 to November 29. The filing does not include any equity-based compensation that some executives may have received. Altman has spoken about his modest salary in the past. During a senate judiciary subcommittee in May 2023, the CEO said he gets "paid enough for health insurance" and that he receives no equity in OpenAI. Company CEO Year CEO Pay TPG Inc. Jon Winkelried 2023 $198,685,926 Carlyle Group Inc. Harvey Schwartz 2023 $186,994,098 Broadcom Inc. Hock Tan 2023 $161,826,161 Palo Alto Networks Inc. Nikesh Arora 2023 $151,425,203 Coty Inc. Sue Nabi 2023 $149,429,486 Wheels Up Experience Inc. George Mattson 2023 $148,978,853 Blackstone Inc. Stephen Schwarzman 2023 $119,784,375 Charter Communications, Inc. Christopher Winfrey 2023 $89,077,078 Royalty Pharma PLC Pablo Legorreta 2023 $84,837,077 Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. Ariel Emanuel 2023 $83,879,505 Applovin Corp. Adam Foroughi 2023 $83,361,678 It was reported in September that OpenAI's board had discussed whether to award Altman with equity after the company announced it was switching from a nonprofit to a capped for-profit entity. Altman later told staff that were no plans for him to receive a "giant equity stake" in the company, which reached a valuation of $157 billion this year after raising $6.6 billion in capital. It was reported that Altman could receive a 7% stake in OpenAI, increasing his wealth by more than $10 billion. However, it's not like Altman needs the money. Even without a stake in OpenAI, his personal wealth is estimated to be more than $2 billion, and he recently bought a mansion in San Francisco for $27 million. Altman's fortune includes $1.2 billion worth of investments in various venture capital funds and elsewhere his stake in Reddit alone is believed to be worth more than $1 billion. In October, it was reported that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had seen his compensation rise 63% to $79 million. His salary was actually cut by 50% to $5.2 million, while the rest of the money came in the form of stock awards. China's huge state surveillance system has developed into a double-edged sword. Designed to track more than one billion citizens with unprecedented precision, it has inadvertently fueled a thriving black market. Insiders working within government agencies and state contractors are selling access to sensitive citizen data to the highest bidders, exposing cracks in the country's security system. The Underground Market in Data Leaks SpyCloud, a cyber security firm, reported that the services running their operations on Telegram openly sell the private information collected from government agencies. According to WIRED's report, operations hire insiders within surveillance agencies and other private contractors who offer huge financial rewards. For a few dollars in cryptocurrency, buyers can fetch phone numbers, banking records, traveling details, and even location data. Premium search operations costing hundreds of dollars promise sensitive information including passport scans and real-time location data. "China has created this massive surveillance apparatus," SpyCloud researcher Aurora Johnson tracked how surveillance data reaches the black market. "And ordinary individuals find themselves working in a system where there's not much economic and social mobility and where they have unfettered access to these databases of information based on their jobs in government or at technology companies. So they're abusing that access, in many cases by stealing data and selling it in criminal marketplaces." The 'Social Engineering Libraries' Some vendors call themselves "social engineering libraries." Those, which include Carllnet, DogeSGK, and X-Ray, operate on a credit points system where users pay using cryptocurrencies or at-home solutions like Alipay. Those paid credits grant searches by phone number and username on QQ, WeChat, and Weibo Chinese Social Media. These services not only make use of already compromised databases but actively recruit insiders with access to restricted information. Posts on Telegram even explicitly seek employees from public security, civil affairs, and state telecom companies with daily payments as high as $10,000. Corruption and Economic Temptation The rampant sale of surveillance data highlights systemic corruption in China's public sector. With average annual salaries hovering around $30,000, the promise of earning a third of that amount in a single day is a strong lure for insiders. Implications of Insider Breaches SpyCloud's research laid bare the scale of the problem. Researchers even sought data on Chinese leaders and cybersecurity vendors. The researchers were able to recover contact information such as phone numbers, emails, and even car registration records. Some services boast that they avoid data from government officials and celebrities. However, researchers discovered ways around it to access such information. The Surveillance Dilemma China's centralized surveillance system has been a tool to maintain control. However, it was meant to be used against the very agencies that created it. As those with access monetize it, the boundaries between watcher and watched blur. "It's a double-edged sword," SpyCloud researcher Kyla Cardona said. "This data is collected for them and by them. But it can also be used against them." The unperturbed proliferation of surveillance systems leaves China in a paradox: a government that is looking to secure data and fight against corruption within its ranks. We have no control over these insider leaks, but it's concerning enough for us to take care of our online data. There's a need for transparency as to how government agencies utilize them in China. Last month, Russia's Defense Minister boasted that their AI drones had been successfully deployed in Ukraine. With this, the soldiers could operate 24/7 without risking themselves in the war. This does not mean that Ukraine will easily back down against the military giant. The new report says that its reliance on drones resulted in 80% of Russia's frontline losses. Based on dwindling ammunition supplies and increasing troop shortages, the country has depended heavily on drone warfare to keep the effort going against Moscow forces. The Trend of Drone-Warfare Combat As The New York Times reports, Ukrainian commanders have revealed that the military's reliance on drones is not just tactical but increasingly essential. With a notable decrease in ammunition, including fewer rockets from U.S.-supplied HIMARS missile systems, drones have filled critical gaps. The HIMARS, capable of striking targets up to 50 miles away, has become less prominent on the battlefield due to limited munitions. "HIMARS I barely hear them at all anymore. They're almost nonexistent," Sgt. Maj. Dmytr said in The Times' interview. The 33-year-old drone operator added that the lack of manpower can be compensated with more munitions. The Costly Importance of Drone Teams Though critical, drone teams are woefully threatened. The Russians have upped their efforts to attack these units, sending glide bomb munitions, typically used to attack infrastructure, at drone operators. Sgt. Maj. Vasyl, a drone pilot, described the peril of being a drone operator. According to him, if an enemy detects them, everything is thrown at them, suggesting that they are still highly vulnerable to attacks. Innovative Drone Strategies and Production Ukrainian forces have modified by using small agile first-person-view (FPV) drones to scour the surroundings and pound with direct attacks. These drones are often laden with explosives and crash into Russian armor vehicles or positions, causing huge destruction. The domestic Ukrainian industry in drones has witnessed very tremendous growth to meet the war-surge demand. By October, Ukraine was above the annual goal of an allowance to produce one million FPV drones, explained Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk. These numbers indicate how innovative and resilient Ukraine is facing the pressures imposed by wartime. Challenges on the Horizon Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Western weapons and ammunition shipments have slowed, leaving Ukrainian forces to contend with limited resources. Simultaneously, recruitment struggles have put additional strain on the military, Business Insider writes. The rapid evolution of drone warfare is a good sign that the arms race is evolving, with both Ukraine and Russia seeking technological superiority. As the conflict continues, Ukraine's reliance on drones will likely shape the future of its defense strategy. Still, this does not guarantee a 100% war win. Indeed, drones are the life-savers for Ukrainian soldiers in terms of modern warfare, offsetting the shortfalls in labor and ammunition. Its ambitious plans for FPV drones were announced in late 2023. This also indicates that although challenges are hard to recognize, Ukraine is not willing to give up but instead uses technology in innovative ways to overcome the odds. KYODO NEWS - Nov 21, 2024 - 15:43 | All, Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet is set to approve a 39 trillion yen ($252 billion) economic package to support consumer spending as disposable incomes continue to be whittled away by resurgent prices, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday. The economic stimulus will include subsidies to offset high electricity, gas and gasoline prices and deliver cash handouts to low-income households. A plan to raise the tax-free income threshold will also be part of the package, ceding to a demand from an opposition party -- whose votes are needed for the ruling coalition, which lost its majority in last month's general election -- to pass the measures. Still suffering the worst fiscal health among advanced countries, Japan aims to get its economy on a sustainable growth path with the fiscal support plan after posting the second consecutive quarter of economic expansion in the July-September period. The Cabinet plans to formalize the stimulus measures on Friday, with a plan to have a supplementary budget for the current fiscal year through March passed through parliament by the end of the year to fund the steps. Helped in part by the supplementary budget worth about 13.9 trillion, the 39 trillion yen measures will include fiscal spending and loans totaling roughly 22 trillion yen with private-sector investment to be spurred under government initiatives. Private consumption was a driver for economic growth in the third quarter of the year, sparked by a one-off income tax cut and the sharpest average wage increase in over 30 years agreed in this year's labor-management negotiations. But subsidies for energy costs, which are slated to be or are already terminated, another spike in import costs from the recent weakening of the yen and the fading impact of the tax reduction all threaten to slow consumer appetite, economists says. The government plans to reintroduce subsidies for electricity and gas bills and extend those aimed at curbing gasoline prices beyond the year-end deadline. Cash handouts to low-income households exempt from resident tax and additional financial aid for those with children are also being discussed. The Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, the Komeito party, accepted a request from the opposition party, the Democratic Party for the People, to raise the nontaxable income level from the current 1.03 million yen in a bid to win its backing for the budget bill passage. The DPP seeks to lift the ceiling to 1.78 million yen to boost consumption but the government estimates the proposal could reduce annual tax revenues by an estimated 7 trillion to 8 trillion yen. Related coverage: Japan coalition accepts opposition party's demand over stimulus steps Ishiba Cabinet support rate up to 40% despite minority gov't status Japan extra Diet session eyed for Nov. 28 to pass budget KYODO NEWS - Nov 21, 2024 - 14:21 | All, Japan Tokyo police have obtained an arrest warrant for a Chinese teenage boy for alleged property damage after graffiti was found at the war-linked Yasukuni shrine in August, investigative sources said Thursday. The suspect, who also faces a charge of desecration of a place of worship, has already left Japan for Hong Kong. He is accused of writing Chinese characters meaning "toilet" on a stone pillar of the Tokyo shrine using a black felt-tip pen shortly after 10 p.m. on Aug. 18. The suspect was caught on a security camera climbing onto the pedestal of the stone pillar on the evening of that day and is believed to have posted an image of the graffiti on Chinese social media, the sources said. He is thought to have written the graffiti alone, although he came to Japan with several people a few days before the incident. The same pillar was defaced in May with the English word "toilet" in red spray paint, leading to the indictment of a Chinese man by Tokyo prosecutors in July for property damage and desecration of a place of worship. Two other Chinese men who both left the country have been put on wanted lists for their alleged involvement in the May incident. Yasukuni has long been a source of diplomatic friction with China and other Asian countries as it honors Japan's wartime leaders, who were convicted as war criminals in a post-World War II international tribunal, along with the war dead. Related coverage: Character for "death" found graffitied at Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine Japan PM Ishiba sends offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine Argentine farmer sentenced for killing penguin chicks Buenos Aires, Nov 20 (AFP) Nov 20, 2024 An Argentine farmer was given a three-year prison sentence for animal cruelty Wednesday, likely to be commuted, after being found guilty of killing over 100 Patagonian penguin chicks. The sheep farmer from the southern province of Chubut was found guilty last month of destroying dozens of nests and killing chicks in 2021 while clearing land along the Punta Tumbo nature reserve, home to one of the main colonies of Magellanic penguins on the Atlantic coast. The farmer is unlikely to be incarcerated as Argentina's penal code recommends alternatives to prison for a first conviction and sentences up to three years. Prosecutors had requested a four-year sentence. Environmental group Greenpeace, the complainant in the case, had welcomed the farmer's conviction as "an important step for environmental justice." The farmer argued there was no choice but to clear the land as the state had failed to set up an access route to his property, or boundaries between his farm and the reserve. The Magellanic Penguin is listed as a species of "least concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, meaning it is not at risk of extinction even though numbers are in decline. Brazil will not 'shy away' from fossil fuels issue as COP30 host: envoy Baku, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Brazil will not "shy away" from championing a phaseout of fossil fuels as host of COP30 next year, even if it is a major oil producer, the country's climate envoy said Wednesday. Ana Toni told AFP that Brazil wanted to spur a global "debate" about how to turn a promised fossil fuel phasedown into action, including through possible taxes on coal, oil and gas. "This should be a just transition on stopping fossil fuels," Toni, who is Brazil's national secretary for climate change, said in an interview on the sidelines of the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan. "We will never shy away from those very important discussions because it is in our own interests." COP30 will be the third consecutive year the UN's top climate talks have been held in a country that plans to expand domestic production of fossil fuels. Brazil is the largest oil producer in Latin America, and its COP30 comes after COP29 in Azerbaijan and last year's COP28 in the United Arab Emirates. Some high-profile climate leaders last week called for COPs to no longer be held in countries that do not support phasing out their own production of fossil fuels, the main driver of global warming. Toni, who has held senior advisory roles with Greenpeace and ActionAid, said Brazil had always been a climate champion and would keep "leading by example". "We were the first ones to say, let us stop deforestation. The same we'll do with fossil fuels," said Toni, who is also heading Brazil's delegation at COP29. "But that agreement needs to be together with the other countries, and Brazil will play a very, very strong role in pushing to get the other countries to do so." - Nothing to prove - In a landmark moment, nearly 200 countries agreed last year at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels. But the burning of coal, oil and gas hit record highs in 2024 and efforts to advance the transition away from fossil fuels have hit political opposition at this year's COP. Toni said Brazil shared similar "contradictions" to the United States and Norway, both fossil fuel producers who also advocate cuts to planet-heating emissions. She said Brazil, which plans to host the COP30 in the Amazonian city of Belem, was pushing nations to consider how to address fossil fuel use through taxes or ending subsidies. Ahead of COP30, all nations are supposed to submit updated plans for slashing their emissions of greenhouse gases. Last month, the UN said current national plans fell "miles short" of what was needed to avoid severe consequences of climate change. Ahead of COP29, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's left-leaning government announced it would cut emissions more dramatically than had been planned. Climate activists said Brazil did not go far enough, but Toni said it was the most ambitious plan of any developing country. "We don't have anything to prove to anyone," she said. Before COP30, Toni first must help break an impasse at COP29, where she has been appointed along with UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to land a successful financing deal by Friday when the summit is supposed to conclude. She said failure to reach a deal on financing energy transitions and adaptations for developing countries could deflate global climate action right as Brazil prepares to take the reins. "That's exactly what we don't want to happen. So the success of COP30 depends on the success of a good COP29," she said. Bees help tackle elephant-human conflict in Kenya Voi, Kenya, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 "We used to hate elephants a lot," Kenyan farmer Charity Mwangome says, pausing from her work under the shade of a baobab tree. The bees humming in the background are part of the reason why her hatred has dimmed. The diminutive 58-year-old said rapacious elephants would often destroy months of work in her farmland that sits between two parts of Kenya's world-renowned Tsavo National Park. Beloved by tourists -- who contribute around 10 percent of Kenya's GDP -- the animals are loathed by most local farmers, who form the backbone of the nation's economy. Elephant conservation has been a roaring success: numbers in Tsavo rose from around 6,000 in the mid-1990s to almost 15,000 elephants in 2021, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). But the human population also expanded, encroaching on grazing and migration routes for the herds. Resulting clashes are becoming the number one cause of elephant deaths, says KWS. Refused compensation when she lost her crops, Mwangome admits she was mad with the conservationists. But a long-running project by conservation organisation Save the Elephants offered her an unlikely solution -- deterring some of nature's biggest animals with some of its smallest: African honeybees. Cheery yellow beehive fences now protect several local plots, including Mwangome's. A nine-year study published last month found that elephants avoided farms with the ferocious bees 86 percent of the time during peak crop season. "The beehive fences came to our rescue," said Mwangome. - Hacking nature - The deep humming of 70,000 bees is enough to make many flee, including a six-tonne elephant, but Loise Kawira calmly removes a tray in her apiary to demonstrate the intricate combs of wax and honey. Kawira, who joined Save the Elephants in 2021 as their consultant beekeeper, trains and monitors farmers in the delicate art. The project supports 49 farmers, whose plots are surrounded by 15 connected hives. Each is strung on greased wire a few metres off the ground, which protects them from badgers and insects, but also means they shake when disturbed by a hungry elephant. "Once the elephants hear the sound of the bees and the smell, they run away," Kawira told AFP. "It hacks the interaction between elephants and bees," added Ewan Brennan, local project coordinator. It has been effective, but recent droughts, exacerbated by climate change, have raised challenges. "(In) the total heat, the dryness, bees have absconded," said Kawira. It is also expensive -- about 150,000 Kenyan shillings ($1,100) to install hives -- well beyond the means of subsistence farmers, though the project organisers say it is still cheaper than electric fences. - 'I was going to die' - Just moments after AFP arrived at Mwanajuma Kibula's farm, which abuts one of the Tsavo parks, her beehive fence had seen off an elephant. The five-tonne animal, its skin caked in red mud, rumbled into the area and then did an abrupt about-face. "I know my crops are protected," Kibula said with palpable relief. Kibula, 48, also harvests honey twice a year from her hives, making 450 shillings per jar -- enough to pay school fees for her children. She is fortunate to have protection from the biggest land mammals on Earth. "An elephant ripped off my roof, I had to hide under the bed because I knew I was going to die," said a less-fortunate neighbour, Hendrita Mwalada, 67. For those who can't afford bees, Save the Elephants offers other solutions, such as metal-sheet fences that clatter when shaken by approaching elephants, and diesel- or chilli-soaked rags that deter them. It is not always enough. "I have tried planting but every time the crops are ready, the elephants come and destroy the crops," Mwalada told AFP. "That has been the story of my life, a life full of too much struggling." Woman-owned cafe in Indonesia's Sharia stronghold shakes stigma Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 In what claims to be the only woman-run cafe in the capital of Indonesia's most conservative province, owner Qurrata Ayuni says she and her baristas provide an alternative to rowdy, smoke-filled male haunts. The 28-year-old opened Morning Mama last year to create a space that caters to women in Banda Aceh, known as the city of 1,001 coffee shops. "I thought why not open a place that is comfortable for women?" she said. While the province has long been known as the site of the world's deadliest tsunami and a decades-long separatist insurgency, Aceh's draw for visitors is often the coffee. The traditional "sanger" latte, mixed with condensed milk, is a popular staple. Aceh's strong connection to coffee started hundreds of years ago with Dutch colonial rulers. Now, its farmers cultivate world-renowned beans in lush highlands. Aceh still catches attention for its ultraconservative values, including by-laws that require Muslim women to wear hijabs. While women are not banned from working in the only region in Muslim-majority Indonesia to impose Islamic law, running a coffee shop is seen as a man's job. "It's extremely difficult for women in Aceh to pursue education or a career, facing not only legal restrictions but also social bullying," said Andreas Harsono of Human Rights Watch. Despite widespread criticism, public whipping remains a common punishment for a range of offences in the province, including gambling, alcohol consumption and relations outside marriage. Independent career paths are mostly viewed as out of reach for Aceh's young women, but Qurrata was undeterred. - 'Time for change' - Qurrata, who owns her cafe without a business partner, saw a demand for a space for women to work or meet friends. She and her team of baristas pour fresh coffee to mostly hijab-wearing customers, with children's books and menstruation pads available for use nearby. "There's no cigarette smoke, it's not noisy, it's really cosy," she said, adding that some men also have coffees at her shop. "It's a statement that women can own businesses, make decisions and lead," she said. "Now is the time for change." The entrepreneur says women are stepping up, pointing to at least 1,000 applying for a barista job. "I want to offer them the chance to change the course of their lives," she said. Caca, a 23-year-old barista, said it was a "really cool job" rare in Aceh. The cafe's regulars hail Morning Mama as a spot where women can be themselves. "I feel more connection if I ask something with a woman barista," said 21-year-old student Meulu Alina. "I don't feel any nervousness. It's more like talking with your sister." - Helping others - Before starting her business, Qurrata overcame the loss of her parents at the age of eight in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed more than 200,000 people. Her village near Banda Aceh was completely destroyed, but she survived and was raised by her aunt and uncle. Qurrata said she wants to channel her grief into helping other women. "It's a platform to help others find their own resilience, much like I did," she said. Photography jobs allowed her to build savings and confidence, taking a leap into business after her uncle encouraged her and helped financially. Other women were still "afraid to start", she said, for fear men will say bad things. "People here tend to believe that women should stay at home," she said. But "the older generation understands that times have changed." Owner of Aceh's popular Solong coffee shop, Haji Nawawi, said he would not employ women but locals had accepted them making coffee elsewhere, calling it "normal" as values "from outside" Aceh had entered the province. Qurrata employs five women alongside two men. Revenue fluctuates, but Qurrata says her ultimate aim is to inspire other women. "Women are capable of so much more than we're often given credit for. We can be leaders, creators, and innovators," she said. "So don't just sit back. Don't be afraid." Philippines typhoon death toll rises to 12 Manila, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 The death toll from Super Typhoon Man-yi in the Philippines has risen to 12, the national disaster agency said Thursday as widespread flooding subsided. Man-yi submerged villages and smashed flimsy buildings in the archipelago nation over the weekend, packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 185 kilometres (115 miles) an hour. It was the sixth major storm in a month to strike the Philippines. Together they have killed at least 175 people and displaced thousands, as well as wiping out crops and livestock Most of the Man-yi deaths were in mountainous areas north of the capital Manila, including seven people killed after a landslide buried their house in Nueva Vizcaya province. A boulder also crushed a house, burying three people alive, in the coastal town of Dipaculao, where Man-yi had made a second landfall, Ariel Nepomuceno, a senior official with the government's civil defence office, told AFP. Four people remain missing, he added. "We are now in the recovery period, people have started to fix their houses," Nepomuceno said. "Construction materials have been arriving in hard-hit provinces." In the northern city of Tuguegarao, floodwaters induced by a dam release and a swollen Cagayan River have started to subside, after swamping thousands of houses in the days after the typhoon exited the country. "The water level has subsided and is now just one foot (0.3 metres) high. Some evacuees have also gone back to their homes," city disaster official Ian Valdepenas told AFP on Thursday. Schools and government offices have reopened. About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Southeast Asian nation or its surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people, but it is rare for multiple such weather events to take place in a small window. UN chief says 'failure not an option' at Baku climate talks Baku, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday warned the world's climate negotiators of the risks of failure, urging a "major push" to seal a deal in Baku. "Let's be frank. Many substantive differences are still remaining," Guterres told reporters as he returned to the COP29 talks. "We need a major push to get discussions over the finishing line," he said. "Failure is not an option." Guterres, who also attended COP29 when it opened early last week, said he visited negotiators and felt they were "still largely with their initial positions". "Now is the moment to move from the initial positions and to find the areas of possible compromise," Guterres said. He said that a key goal would be seeking an "ambitious" finance goal for poor countries worst hit by climate change. China says COP29 draft deal 'not satisfactory' Baku, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 China joined a global rejection of a draft deal on climate finance at the COP29 summit Thursday but urged nations to bridge their differences, with one day left in the talks. The text released by the UN climate conference's host, Azerbaijan, provided two competing options that showed rich and developing nations remain far apart on how to get the funds for vulnerable countries. "The current text contains a lot of elements that are not satisfactory and acceptable to China," Xia Yingxian, a Chinese official, told delegates at the UN negotiations in Azerbaijan. "Yet we call on all parties to meet one another halfway," he said. Rich nations have insisted that the donor base should be broadened to include countries that were classified as developing in 1992 but have now grown wealthy, such as China or Saudi Arabia. China -- the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter -- has steadfastly rejected changing its status but has highlighted its bilateral aid to developing countries. Xia said "voluntary support" is "different in nature from the obligation of developed countries to provide financial resources." Libya's Derna hosts theatre festival year after flash flood Derna, Libya, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 A year after a flash flood ripped through Derna and killed thousands of people, the coastal Libyan city is hosting a theatre festival with a message of hope. The city in the war-torn country's east is still reeling from the flooding that destroyed historic buildings, including Libya's oldest theatre where the festival was held in previous years. Nizar al-Aned, artistic director of the Derna Festival, said organisers had "insisted that the festival take place, even if the theatre is still under construction" to rebuild it. Now, back after a pause due to the September 2023 floods, the festival's sixth edition is being held this week under the slogan: "Derna is back, Derna is hope". With five theatre troupes from Libya, and one each from neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia, the event has drawn artists, comedians and visitors from across the Arab world. Tunisian comedian Abir Smiti said it was her first time at the event. "To me, Derna is a discovery," she told AFP. "When you just arrive, you can feel the pain, but at the same time there's joy. You can feel how everyone has hope." Once home to about 120,000 inhabitants, the wall of water that swept through Derna last year killed nearly 4,000 people, left thousands missing and displaced more than 40,000 others, according to the United Nations. It was the result of extreme rainfall from hurricane-strength Storm Daniel, which had caused two dams to burst inland from the city that lies some 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) east of the capital Tripoli. Libya is still grappling with the aftermath of the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi. The chaos that ensued saw the rise of jihadist movements, with Derna coming under the control of Al-Qaeda and later the Islamic State group before they were chased out by 2018. The North African country remains split between two rival administrations. The divisions have complicated the emergency response and reconstruction efforts. Derna is under the eastern administration backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar, whose son Belgacem Haftar has been the figurehead for reconstruction in the city. At the theatre festival, jury member Hanane Chouehidi told AFP that "despite the drama, the deaths and the destruction", she was confident Derna could be rebuilt. "Derna deserves to be beautiful, just as its residents deserve to be happy," she said. Nations race to land climate deal as COP29 draft rejected Baku, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 Negotiators raced against the clock at UN climate talks Thursday to broker a potential trillion-dollar deal to help poorer nations tackle global warming after rich and developing countries roundly rejected a draft proposal. The UN climate summit is supposed to conclude on Friday but is almost certain to run into overtime as nations from the United States to China panned a text released by the Azerbaijani hosts. The main priority at COP29 in Baku is agreeing a new target to replace the $100 billion a year that rich nations provide poorer ones to reduce emissions and adapt to disaster. Developing countries plus China, an influential negotiating bloc, are pushing for $1.3 trillion by 2030 and want at least $500 billion of that from developed nations. Major contributors like the European Union have baulked at such demands, and insist private sector money must be counted toward the goal. The latest draft recognised that developing countries need at least "USD [X] trillion" per year but omitted a concrete figure. "There is a critical piece of this puzzle missing: the overall number," said Cedric Schuster, the Samoan chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States, a coalition of nations facing an existential threat from rising seas. "The time for political games is over." Ali Mohamed, the chair of the African Group of Negotiators, another important bloc, said the "elephant in the room" was the missing figure. "This is the reason we are here," said Mohamed, who is also Kenya's climate envoy. Azerbaijan said it would release a shorter, revised draft later Thursday that would contain numbers. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who flew back to Baku after attending COP29's opening last week, said that negotiators had not yet shifted from initial positions and urged a "final push" for a deal. "Failure is not an option." - Language on fossil fuels - China, the world's largest emitter, said the text was "not satisfactory" but urged "all parties to meet one another halfway". Other major sticking points -- including who contributes climate finance and how the money is raised and delivered -- were left unresolved in the text. Apart from splits over money, many nations said the draft failed to reflect any urgency on phasing out coal, oil and gas -- the main drivers of global warming. "We are, frankly, deeply concerned at this stage about what we view as a glaring imbalance in the text thus far," US climate envoy John Podesta said. The text's sections on cutting planet-warming emissions were "absolutely unacceptable", he added. Last year's COP28 summit in Dubai, after long negotiations, led to a landmark call on the world to transition away from fossil fuels. Saudi Arabia, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, aimed to draw a line in Baku, gains it would "not accept any text that targets any specific sectors, including fossil fuel". Australian climate minister Chris Bowen said countries had "hidden, pared back or minimised" references to fossil fuels, calling it "a big step back". As the clock ticks down, frustration in Baku boiled over at the COP29 hosts. "Could I please -- could I please -- urge you to step up the leadership?" EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said in pointed remarks. "I'm not going to sugar-coat it. I'm really sorry to say, but the text we now have in front of us -- in our view -- is imbalanced, unworkable and unacceptable." COP29 lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev appealed for "compromise and solidarity". "This is a moment where you need to put all your cards on the table," he told delegates, stressing there was "a long way to go". - Not over yet - Ireland's climate minister Eamon Ryan insisted negotiations were "advancing" behind the scenes and the final text will be "radically different" from the draft. "I think there is room for further agreement," he told AFP. Developed countries say it is politically unrealistic not to count private investment. They also want to broaden the list of donors -- notably to include China, which provides its own aid but has no obligations as it remains classified as a developing country. Presently, most climate finance is issued as loans, meaning developing nations incur more debt as they build resilience against global warming. Panama's negotiator Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez said that developing countries' envoys might find it easier to reach outer space than to hear concrete finance figures from wealthy nations. "Sadly, Mars is years away and we only have hours to get to this decision," he said. bur-np-lth-sct/sbk Arab Group rejects any COP29 text targeting fossil fuels Baku, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2024 A Saudi official said Thursday that the 22-nation Arab Group would reject any UN climate deal that goes after fossil fuels at the COP29 talks in Azerbaijan. The negotiations in Baku have centred on reaching a climate finance deal to help developing nations tackle global warming, but countries have also clashed over a push to renew a pledge to transition away from fossil fuels. "The Arab Group will not accept any text that targets any specific sectors, including fossil fuel," Albara Tawfiq, a Saudi official speaking on behalf of the bloc, told delegates in Baku. Last year's COP28 in Dubai produced a landmark agreement on "transitioning away from fossil fuels" following opposition from Saudi Arabia and the OPEC group of oil producers. "We all know that there has been a backsliding. There has been an attempt to interpret what we agreed last year as a menu," Irish climate minister Eamon Ryan told reporters. "That has to stop in the interests of the Arab group, too," he said. Developed nations and countries vulnerable to climate impacts have pushed for the Dubai commitment to be reaffirmed at COP29. "It is an embarrassment to all of us if we back away as climate impacts worsen all over the world," Tina Stege, climate envoy of the Marshall Islands, told delegates. "We need to transition away from fossil fuels," she said. This photo taken in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, shows Li Junhua, UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, addressing the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit via video link on Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Li He) 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. The News in Brief Thursday, November 21, 2024 On November 20, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili met with Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the European Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, during his visit to Georgia.According to the President's Administration, the discussion focused on the October 26 parliamentary elections and the "most serious and systemic violations" reported during the pre-election period and on election day. These issues, the President stated, affected the secrecy of the ballot, the free expression of voters' will, and the universality of the voting process.President Zourabichvili noted that the elections have not been recognized as free and fair, and Western partners have yet to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Parliament. The conversation also touched on Russia's ongoing hybrid warfare in Georgia and the President's strategy for resolving the political crisis. Her plan involves mobilizing international support for new elections and pursuing legal methods to challenge the disputed results.The President concluded by reaffirming the Georgian people's commitment to European Union integration, emphasizing that the European path remains the country's only viable direction.The Special Investigation Service of Georgia has initiated an investigation into incidents of journalists being obstructed while covering a protest rally on November 18-19 in Tbilisi. According to a statement by the Service, the investigation focuses on violations under the first and second parts of Article 154 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which address illegal interference with journalistic activities.The rally, initially held on Chavchavadze Avenue, later moved to Melikishvili Avenue after police took control of the area near Tbilisi State University. Reports emerged that law enforcement officers physically assaulted several journalists during the dispersal. The Special Investigation Service emphasized that all necessary investigative actions are actively underway to address these allegations. 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. This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Sarafand, Lebanon, on Nov. 20, 2024. 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. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- 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. This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Sarafand, Lebanon, on Nov. 20, 2024. 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. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday said that the responsibility for the absence of a meeting between Chinese and U.S. defense ministers during the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus lies entirely with the U.S. side. Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry. Wu said the United States cannot undermine China's core interests by selling arms to Taiwan on one hand while pretending that nothing happened and seeking to engage in military exchanges with China on the other. He urged the U.S. side to immediately correct its mistakes, earnestly respect China's core interests, and create favorable conditions for high-level military exchanges between the two sides. We have a very strong board that will ensure the ethics and governance processes are very strong going forward. I support the board and will continue to manage this great business with all my capability and energy through this transition phase. Loading Mineral Resources chair James McClements opened the meeting by addressing the probe which uncovered Ellison had used company resources for personal gain, with the billionaire having been involved in an offshore equipment markup scheme and tasked staff with working on his own properties, his boat and his personal finances. From time to time, Chris lacked judgment and used company resources for personal matters, he said. The board accepts that Chris intention was never to cause detriment to the company or its shareholders and there were processes in place for amounts to be repaid to the company in a timely manner. There have also been occasions, including in respect of historical dealings with Far East Equipment Holdings Limited and the subsequent personal tax implications, where Chris lacked the judgment and integrity we would expect of our managing director. McClements, who will follow Ellison by departing after 10 years with the company, insisted the related-party deals it had uncovered would remain the subject of rigorous independent testing. The Osborne Park-headquartered diversified mining services company has been grappling with a plunging share price for four weeks amid shock revelations by the Australian Financial Review that Ellison and four other executives had profited to the tune of millions of dollars in an offshore scheme that ran for a decade. Mineral Resources was founded by Chris Ellison, who remains its managing director. He says he will leave the company in the next 18 months. Credit: Trevor Collens Ellison, who remains the largest shareholder with an 11.5 per cent stake in the $7 billion miner he founded 32 years ago, will fork out $18.4m in penalties over the scheme before he departs. The billionaire had maintained a low profile since the scandal was thrust into the public arena until the meeting, entering the companys eponymous sporting centre among a convoy of private vehicles with tinted windows to avoid the waiting press pack. Hundreds of shareholders flooded the two-hour meeting, where the board was grilled about its governance failures, its debt-laden balance sheet and a succession plan that has divided investors. The board defended its decision not to disclose the probe it launched into the offshore scheme two years before it was outed by the media, insisting it wanted all the facts before addressing investors. McClements also stood by the boards decision to allow Ellison to remain at the helm for up to 18 months despite the damning findings, telling shareholders a sudden departure was not in the best interests of the company. While some were eager to see Ellison moved on promptly, others touted his value and pleaded with the board to consider giving him a second chance. The board has not explicitly ruled out the possibility of the billionaire remaining with the company in some capacity, even as the corporate regulator launches its own investigation. The board faced backlash over executive pay and was hit with a first strike, with more than two-thirds of those attending the AGM voting against the boards remuneration report. Mineral Resources Chair James McClements. Credit: Courtney McAllister McClements claimed the past 12 months had been the most challenging time in the companys history, with the tax scandal, plunging lithium prices, sweeping cost cuts and halted operations at its Bald Hill mine happening just months after the highly-anticipated opening of its $3 billion Onslow iron ore project. The meeting comes several weeks after Gina Rineharts mining empire Hancock Prospecting announced it had acquired MinRes Lockyer gas project and an interest in its other gas projects in a deal worth up to $1.1 billion. The bombshell external probe concluded Ellison used company resources for personal gain, from rent paid to entities in which he had an interest, staff directed to work on his personal property and relief afforded to entities tied to his daughter Kristy-Lee Craker. However, the board insisted it was satisfied the use of the company assets had not been financially detrimental. Emails related to East Far Equipment Holdings the company at the centre of the scheme had been wiped in 2019. Two further payments were made by MinRes after the $7 billion diversified mining services companys initial public offering in 2006 to extinguish its liability, but the revenue generated by the entities went undisclosed until Ellisons voluntary disclosure in 2021. The Perth-based billionaire settled his debts with the ATO in May 2023, something the board remained in the dark about until six months later. Copper explorer Pan Asia Metals has trebled the acreage at its Rosario copper project in Chile by filing 26 new exploration concession applications to extend its ground holding from 25 to 86 square kilometres. According to management, the newly secured grants will expand its exploration potential by capturing prospective northern strike extensions to the Rosario Central and West trends. The leases hold promise for mineralisation where cross-cutting structures intersect with the main NNW trends. Pan Asia Metals has trebled the landholding at its Rosario copper project in Chile. The move to grab adjoining grounds to the project should perhaps come as no surprise after recent first pass geochemical results and rock chip assays gave the company a good indication of the potential mineralisation at Rosario. The detailed 316-sample program covered soil, rock and stream sediments and included up to 0.19 per cent copper grabs in the soil and rock chip samples running as high as 17 per cent of the lucrative red metal. Bribery charges against Indian coal baron Gautam Adani have sparked calls for an urgent review of Adani Groups giant coal mine in central Queensland and intensified warnings for Australian superannuation investors holding shares in the company. Adani, the billionaire chair of Adani Group and one of the worlds richest men, was indicted in New York this week in connection with an alleged multibillion-dollar scheme to bribe Indian officials in return for favourable solar power contracts between 2020 and 2024. Gautam Adani is worth $US69.8 billion, according to Forbes magazine, making him the worlds 22nd-richest person. Credit: Bloomberg News of the charges raised calls from Australian Greens senator Larissa Waters for an immediate rethink of Adani Groups suitability to keep operating the Carmichael coal mine in Queensland, and condemnation of what she said amounted to billions of dollars the project received from governments. Federal and state governments should never have approved Adanis coal mine in an age of climate crisis, and they should never have provided billions of dollars in taxpayer grants and subsidies for this dodgy company to mine for coal on sacred First Nations land, she said. Minority shareholders in Rupert Murdochs News Corporation tried and failed this week to release the python-like stranglehold the nonagenarian media mogul has over the company. Realistically, these shareholders were never going to succeed. The minorities want to collapse the companys structure allowing the Murdoch family to vote 41 per cent of the shares despite only having a 14 per cent economic interest in the media giant. However, a shareholder vote is required to achieve this outcome. You see the problem here a classic catch-22. Rupert Murdochs stranglehold on News Corporation remains despite the efforts of minority shareholders. Credit: NYT Back in 2015, shareholders tried a similar trick. And while 90 per cent of non-Murdoch aligned shareholders voted to abandon the structure that gave Rupert Murdoch disproportionate control, it failed to pass. A former lover of WiseTech founder Richard White was awarded a lucrative contract to provide the company with computer monitors and Apple TVs at a time when the pair were in a relationship. The Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review can reveal WiseTech is investigating historical transactions between WiseTech and the womans company, including the 2015 purchase of 80 Samsung 40-inch 4K computer monitors for more than $100,000, and more than 36 Apple TV streaming boxes for around $3600. White did not say whether he told WiseTech he was in a relationship with the woman at the time when the purchases were approved. WiseTech founder Richard White will become a consultant to the company. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Instead, a spokesperson for White said the purchases were at arms length and priced competitively. The Apple TVs were Christmas bonus gifts for some staff, which did not include White, the spokesperson said. Fran Kelly will return to ABC Radio to host a new daily program as part of a slew of changes at the national broadcaster including Linton Besser stepping in as Media Watch host, and the departure of ABC Sydneys Mornings presenter Sarah Macdonald. The revelations came as the ABC revealed its 2025 content and line-up at its annual upfront presentation on Thursday afternoon. Fran Kelly will return to the airwaves after a brief stint in TV. Credit: James Brickwood Kelly will host The Radio National Hour, a new daily 6pm program, three years after her high-profile departure. On Thursday morning, ABC Sydneys Mornings presenter Macdonald revealed on air that her contract hadnt been renewed. State and territory climate commitments alone would reduce Australias emissions by 71 per cent by 2035, despite Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses refusal to commit to a fresh target until after the next federal election. The revelation sparked calls for the federal government to treat a 71 per cent reduction as a floor, rather than a ceiling, for Australias climate reduction ambitions. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen. Credit: Digital illustration Analysis by independent not-for-profit Climateworks Centre shows that states and territories combined emissions reduction targets already add up to a reduction of between 66 and 71 per cent in Australias emissions from 2005 levels by 2035. Thats the bar for Australias upcoming new 2035 target, said sustainable economies lead Kylie Turner. Seventy-one per cent can act as a floor for Australias ambition, not a ceiling. Advertisement Eating outOpinion We know Ben Shewry doesnt like the Good Food Guide. And we dont care The chef wants his restaurant, Attica, dropped from the annual restaurant guide. This is why it wont be, says Melbournes chief restaurant reviewer. Besha Rodell November 21, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share In recent weeks, questions have been raised about the ethics of food media in Australia, in particular in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Good Food Guides, for which I write, and this masthead publishes. Most of this is due to the publication of Melbourne chef Ben Shewrys memoir Uses for Obsession, his publicity interviews and public appearances and an Instagram post. Shewry asserts that restaurant criticism is unethical and contributes to intense pressure on the restaurant industry, and that its a broken system conducted by inexperienced reviewers. It is, without doubt, self-serving for me to stand up in defence of restaurant criticism. But in the face of the current conversation and backlash against my profession, it feels cowardly to stay silent. Criticism is my lifes work, the thing Ive spent decades pondering, the medium through which I examine the places I live and the culture by which those places are defined. Its not a perfect art it may not be an art at all but its also not something I take lightly. Chef-restaurateur Ben Shewry at his Ripponlea restaurant Attica. Supplied Advertisement First, let me acknowledge that there is plenty to criticise when it comes to media more widely, as well as in the realm of restaurant coverage. No industry or publication is perfect. No scoring system is unimpeachable. Shewry has tapped into a well of sentiment from an industry that feels maligned by forces over which it has no control. I have no desire to go to war with Ben. I have long admired his Ripponlea restaurant, both privately and also extremely publicly. Others have made the point that he only became disenchanted with the system of reviews and hats when, in 2022, his restaurant dropped from the pinnacle of three chefs hats in the Good Food Guide to two, but Im not sure how relevant that is. Many of us are happy with systems that work for us until they cease that utility, and any healthy system should be able to withstand criticism, including criticism itself. I welcome the conversation about how media should cover the restaurant industry responsibly if I didnt, Id be a hypocrite of the highest order. Guests at this years Good Food Guide ceremony mingle in the Plaza Ballrooms baroque surrounds. Ashley Ludkin But it became clear that some kind of response was necessary when, last weekend, Shewry posted an Instagram screed that did what it set out to do: turn much of the attention on this years Good Food Guide awards the following day (Monday, November 18) away from its winners and onto himself, and yes, the book hes trying to sell. Advertisement In the post, he admitted his bizarre assumption that Attica would be excluded from the Guide because of opinions he expressed in his book. Instead, he had awkwardly been invited to the awards, meaning Attica had been included in this years Guide. The timing of his post was interesting the invitations to the awards night went out on October 10, meaning Shewry had known about the restaurants inclusion for at least five weeks. Ben Shewry at the Good Food Guide 2014 Awards, when he was named chef of the year. Eddie Jim By timing his post to coincide with the awards, Shewry put a very real cloud over this years winners, stealing their moment of achievement to promote his own agenda. He spent many years attending these awards, posing for photos, being interviewed by this masthead and giving heartfelt speeches. Where was his indignation then? And why does he feel so confident in stealing that moment of joy from an industry that direly needs positivity right now? As someone who sits on the senior panel for The Age Good Food Guide, I can tell you that Atticas inclusion was never in question. Why would he assume it was? Its inclusion proves venues are not admitted or shunned for political or personal reasons. We know he doesnt like us; we dont care. His restaurant is very good and diners deserve to read about it. After all, we do what we do for readers, not for chefs. We dont ask restaurateurs or chefs for permission to include their venue in the Guide in much the way film critics do not ask permission to review a movie. Its produced independently for the dining public outside of pressures, positive or negative. Advertisement Shewry claims we have no ethics. But the Guide editors hand every reviewer a literal ethical guidebook before they begin reviewing. (You can read about it here.) Has he asked whether we have a moral framework before loudly proclaiming that we dont? He has not. Collection From the hats to whats hot: Everything you need to know about The Age Good Food Guide 2025 When a restaurant gains or loses a hat, a group of the Guides most experienced reviewers talks it over with passion and thought, and yes, empathy. We have internal disagreements, sometimes vehement ones. We debate, do revisits, tie ourselves in knots to make sure we can stand by our decisions. Attica restaurant in 2017, a few years after Shewry became owner. Kristoffer Paulsen Does food media have too much power? Perhaps, though its debatable. I believe were far more likely to make a venue than break it. We rarely write wholly negative reviews, and the accolades mean far more to readers and diners than the absence of those accolades. Advertisement But I also wonder what the alternative is to the carefully researched, edited and fact-checked review. If guides, reviews and awards were to suddenly disappear, would something better take their place? Or do chefs and owners wish influencers and marketers paid to say wonderful things might satisfactorily replace journalism? Does Shewry want the whole conversation to resemble the fawning echo chamber of his Instagram comments section? Critics, first and foremost, represent the concerns of the dining public. The good ones know how to take the realities of a difficult industry into account. The Age Good Food Guide 2025. Its restaurant reviews are positive, though scores fluctuate year on year. The thing I love most about my job is that it allows me to fully immerse myself in the vision and ambitions of people I admire, and ask if theres anything they might do to realise those ambitions more fully. Shewry asks what other industry is so mercilessly subject to public criticism (to which Id respond: almost all of the arts), but Id flip this question on its head: In what other profession would you have someone paid for by an outside entity take weeks to consider your goals, your passions, and aim to earnestly point out where those ambitions are succeeding and where you might do better? Im not claiming that every critic works from this perspective, nor that these opinions must be cherished by the subject, but I can say that my sincere goal is to help restaurants be the best version of themselves. Yes, Im also trying to help consumers decide where to dine. A good review does both. Advertisement If a chef thinks a critic is decent and writes in good faith, that chef ought to take the reviews as intended a chance to read a clear opinion from someone who has no reason to needlessly flatter take on whats helpful, and disregard the rest. We no longer consent: Ben Shewry unloads again on shallow food critics Its wholly fair for the hospitality industry to demand better of media. We should listen, try to improve, and be grateful when someone points out something we may not see from within. I strive, always, to be open to that conversation. And believe it or not, the publications I work for do the same. We spend hours talking about how to improve, how to serve our audience and the industry better, whats fair, whats unfair, and how we can ethically do the work. I would not align myself with any organisation that refused to do so. And you, and Shewry, and your mums best friend can disagree with our choices. But to claim that restaurant critics or Guide editors and reviewers do this work without thought or ethical consideration is, quite simply, patently untrue. The Good Food Guide at a glance The Good Food Guide is produced by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, owned by Nine Publishing. Its editors and writers are bound by the Nine Publishing Charter of Editorial Independence, and every reviewer is expected to abide by an extensive code of ethics. Apart from being professional writers, our reviewers are professional eaters, with years often decades of accumulated experience behind them. Every venue in the Good Food Guide has been reviewed by a member of our team in the past 12 months. All meals are paid for in full by Nine. Every venue is scored according to a strict set of criteria and every score is discussed by a panel of senior reviewers. Restaurants are scored out of 20: 10 points for food, five for hospitality, three for setting and experience, and two for value. No restaurant can pay to be included in the Good Food Guide. The SMH and Age Good Food Guides should not be confused with the Australian Good Food Guide, a separate organisation that asks restaurants for payment to be featured recommendations. The ultimate guide to the Good Food Guide Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Owner Caterina Borsato is itching to get back to business, ushering in the venerated city restaurants 30th year. As featured in the Melbourne hit list for December 2024. See all stories . Its been too long between long lunches at city Italian stalwart Caterinas Cucina e Bar. In late May, Caterina Borsato was heartbroken to find that a burst water main had flooded her eponymous basement restaurant, a business lunch destination on Melbournes Queen Street for 29 years. The road was covered in water, says Borsato. When I walked down the two sets of stairs and unlocked the door, all I heard was sludge ... I was in shock. Caterina Borsatos basement restaurant is reopening in time to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Simon Schluter While most of the floodwater had receded through the drains, the damage had been done. She was forced to close immediately. I just broke down crying, she says. A less tenacious restaurateur might have seen it as a sign to throw in the towel, particularly after COVID and its aftershocks on daytime dining trade in the CBD. Not Borsato. This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Khiam, Lebanon, on Nov. 20, 2024. At least 16 people were killed on Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 16 people were killed on Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. According to the NNA, Israeli airstrikes killed five people in the towns of Maarakeh and Qlaileh in the city of Tyre, killed one person, and injured another in the town of Ibl al-Saqi in Marjeyoun district. In addition, Israeli raids led to three deaths in the village of Zefta, three deaths in the town of Ain Qana, and four deaths in the village of Habbouch, the NNA said. Lebanese military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes launched 21 airstrikes on 18 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, while Israeli artillery shelled 12 border towns and villages with about 50 shells. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the war on Oct. 8, 2023, reached 3,558, while injuries went up to 15,123. Meanwhile, Hezbollah announced in separate statements on Wednesday that its members targeted with rockets and drones several Israeli sites in northern Israel, including the Shraga base, a logistics base for the 146th Division, and the cities of Acre and Safed, without mentioning the casualties. Hezbollah also claimed that until Tuesday, it has killed 110 Israeli soldiers, wounded 1,050 others, and destroyed 48 Merkava tanks and nine bulldozers, among other military equipment and vehicles. The Israeli army has not commented on this. 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. This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Khiam, Lebanon, on Nov. 20, 2024. At least 16 people were killed on Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Khiam, Lebanon, on Nov. 20, 2024. At least 16 people were killed on Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Khiam, Lebanon, on Nov. 20, 2024. At least 16 people were killed on Wednesday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) A federal government push to stem the flow of deliberate lies online is dead in the water after the Greens said they wouldnt support it. Labors proposed laws dont effectively address the social media algorithms that fuel misinformation and put the onus on technology giants to decide what is true and false, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young at Parliament House earlier this month. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen We know that mis- and disinformation, and the prolific spread of harmful content is doing harm across the world, the partys communications spokeswoman said in Canberra on Friday. [But] this was not in the interest of the community. The bill fails to tackle the real problems: the profiteering of the big tech companies on the very content that harms and creates distress for parents and young people. If the government wanted to tackle the issue, it must focus on the business models of social media companies, she said. Loading Under the proposed laws, the communications watchdog would be given powers to monitor and regulate content on digital platforms. Social media companies would be put on notice for failing to address deliberate lies spread on their platforms. However, the regulator wouldnt have the authority to issue take-down notices for individual posts as the bill focuses on systemic issues in the online sphere. The legislation has already been lashed by the opposition and members of the crossbench as an attack on free speech. But the Greens decision to block the bill puts the final nail in the coffin, sending another Labor proposal into political purgatory. AAP The man who bashed off-duty police officer Samantha Barlow over the head with a brick while she was on her way to work, robbed her of $200 for a heroin hit and left her for dead says he is very sorry for the attack. Roderick Holohan was quietly released through the back gate of a Sydney prison on Wednesday, avoiding the waiting media after being granted supervised parole after serving 15 years in prison for the May 2009 assault, during which he bludgeoned Barlow up to 20 times with a brick while she walked through Kings Cross. Roderick Holohan, who attacked off-duty police officer Samantha Barlow, has been seen in public for the first time since being paroled. Credit: Seven News On Thursday, Holohan was spotted in public for the first time since his release, in Nowra on the NSW South Coast, where he is reintegrating into society. Turning his back on a television camera when confronted, Holohan told Seven News he was very sorry and very remorseful. The University of Melbourne supports students through a range of targeted programs, including Access Melbourne and Academic Skills. At Open Day, she discovered Access Melbourne, the universitys Special Entry Access Scheme supporting students who have faced unique circumstances to gain entry into their preferred undergraduate course. Through this, she was able to study a Bachelor of Arts on a Narrm Scholarship, which provides a yearly living allowance, and tailored academic, wellbeing and enrichment support. Its a big weight off my shoulders, and a relief knowing that I can focus entirely on achieving the grades that I expect of myself, she says. Tapping into a range of supports To get good grades, fellow arts student Aleyna advises communicating with the tutors. They help point you in the right direction with your assignments. They give valuable feedback on your previous assignments, so make the most of these opportunities to connect with them and learn. The university itself wants all students to succeed, so beyond the classroom they offer a range of support services. The University of Melbournes Academic Skills, available to all enrolled students, provides one-on-one advice, workshops and online resources to enhance skills such as writing, critical evaluation, time management and collaboration. Ivana Domazetoska, a third-year PhD student and a University of Melbourne tutor, explains that Academic Skills helps students develop skills that employers are also looking for, which helps with both study and professional life beyond. We have something for all students, whether youre looking for just-in-time resources or ongoing skill development, she says. Students can also be paired with an academic staff member from their faculty, such as a lecturer or professor, as part of the Academic Advising program, to discuss their study plans, career goals and making the most of the resources available to students, while all first-year students are paired with current second- or third-year students to provide support and guidance about transitioning into university. These are groups designed to develop new skills and discover activities to complement academic studies, while building friendships with other new students. and exploring new connections The social side of university is just about as important as the academic aspect, as on campus you will meet people from different backgrounds from all corners of the globe, and from all different age brackets, who will expand your horizons in multiple ways. These people can become life-long friends, valuable professional contacts or both. More than 200 clubs and societies at the University of Melbourne provide opportunities to engage and make connections. However, when youre experiencing all the change that starting a new degree brings, coping can feel challenging, and its natural for students in those first few weeks and months to feel a little lost and lonely. One of the best ways to combat this, advises Brady, is to engage with the many clubs and societies that exist on campus. At the University of Melbourne there are more than 200, covering everything from music, spirituality, culture, religion, politics and more. As a Bachelor of Science student, Brady joined the Earth Sciences Students Society. They run networking events, so its a good opportunity to see the research thats coming out of earth sciences, and to connect with people who have similar career aspirations to you, he says. Regardless of the club you join, he notes that its a really good opportunity to delve into your hobbies, and you have that social environment at the same time. With so many resources available to equip you to succeed, making the transition to university life doesnt have to be challenging. If you make the most of all these opportunities, it can be a wonderful experience that will forever change your personal and professional life for the better. To find out more about studying and life at The University of Melbourne, click here. 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. Bianca Jones, one of two Melbourne teenagers whose dream holiday in South-East Asia was cut short by suspected methanol poisoning, has died surrounded by love. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was a nightmare that no parent should have to endure. Our first thoughts at this moment are with her family and friends, who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss. This is every parents very worst fear, Albanese told parliament on Thursday afternoon. All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak. 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. The last thing Anthony Albanese wanted to do when he left the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro was talk any more about the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. The prime minister left the gathering of the worlds biggest economies on Tuesday afternoon, local time, and boarded the Royal Australian Air Force jet waiting to take him home. He spoke briefly to the journalists on board, walked to his seat at the front of the plane and turned his sights on Canberra. Illustration by Simon Letch. Credit: If you did not notice Albanese was away, that was probably fine with him. He would be comfortable if few voters saw the pictures of him wearing a fine vicuna scarf at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru or laughing with the worlds most powerful at the G20 in Brazil. Only one message mattered for the prime minister over the past week: that he was spending time away so he could create jobs at home. He wanted voters to know the international visit was all about domestic priorities, that he was in Lima and Rio to talk about global inflation and open trade. The talking points for the trip repeated this message every day. Albanese made a rational decision in Australias political hothouse a place where anyone who steps outside is slammed for being away. But there was a smallness to the approach, also, because it meant the PM had to shrink the global agenda to fit the local requirements, and calculating that too many Australians would be angry or anxious to see their prime minister on the world stage. Victorias emergency triple zero computer and dispatch system was offline for two hours on Wednesday night, forcing staff to resort to pen and paper. Kate Fitzgerald, the deputy secretary of emergency management at the Department of Justice and Community Safety, told a parliamentary inquiry of an unplanned outage at 5.30pm. The computer-aided and dispatch system was fully restored by 7.30pm. The triple-zero outage affected the emergency services dispatch system. Credit: Wayne Taylor She said Triple Zero Victoria used business continuity arrangements to ensure minimal impact on the community and on those calling triple-zero during that time. Those business continuity arrangements are well practiced by Triple Zero Victoria, and theyre consistent with other jurisdictions. RIYADH, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday two high-profile multi-billion dollar educational and arts districts to be developed on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh. The two districts, namely the Qurain Cultural District and the Northern District, are expected to demonstrate the accelerating growth and development of Diriyah or the City of Earth, an expansive urban development project spanning an area of 14 square km, said the Diriyah Company, developer of the project. The Qurain Cultural District will have two world-class hotels and branded residences, and the Northern District will include the King Salman Foundation, museums, a university, a library, and a public square. Construction of the Northern District is already underway following the announcement of a 2-billion-dollar joint venture contract with the China State Construction Engineering Cooperation Limited and El Seif Engineering Contracting Co. Ltd. in July. Located a short drive from Riyadh's city center, the Diriyah development holds historical significance as the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, dating back to 1727. The project is considered a key component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. The Diriyah Company operates the development project in Diriyah. Rental affordability is the worst on record in several capital cities, pushing welfare recipients, minimum-wage workers and single-income households to the fringes of Australian communities. The National Shelter-SGS Planning and Economics Rental Affordability Index released on Friday shows it is unaffordable for the average household to rent in every city aside from the ACT, the one jurisdiction in Australia where a rent cap has been implemented. Affordability was much worse for low-income households; in some cases the poorest of the poor would need to spend more than their entire income to rent in the most expensive cities. Rental affordability was at its worst on record in Sydney and Perth, and although Melbourne improved slightly, it was still trending down. Travel quiz: Which city will host the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest? Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Egypt is on our bucket list, with Cairo and the pyramids, Luxor and a Nile River cruise to Aswan on the agenda. We are concerned about safety in the current climate. Would travel insurance cover us if we needed to leave in a hurry? K. Parsons, Sans Souci, NSW On the bucket list: The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Credit: iStock Despite the outbreak of hostilities in the region, tourists in Egypt have been relatively unaffected. Tourist numbers have been high all this year and provided you exercise some caution and travel with an experienced tour operator, there is little to fear. Another plus, the Grand Egyptian Museum is open. If the war in the Middle East was to become a wider conflict involving Egypt, that would be a force majeure incident and your travel insurance policy would no longer apply. However, in such cases an experienced operator would move heaven and earth to get you to a safe place. For that reason, Id suggest Adelaide-based Bunnik Tours. Theyve had many years experience leading tours through Egypt and their ground operators will ensure you are well looked after. My husband and I, in our early 60s with medium fitness, are spending two weeks on a Viking cruise starting in Istanbul and finishing in Rome. We can be away for a month. What are some options around this cruise? We havent been to Turkey and have spent limited time in Italy. A. Smith, Melbourne, Vic Today, there was a new Russian missile. All the characteristics speed, altitude are [of an] intercontinental ballistic [missile]. An expert investigation is currently under way, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video statement. Rescue workers put out a fire of a burning house damaged by a Russian strike on Dnipro, Ukraine. Credit: AP Ukraines Foreign Ministry urged the international community to react swiftly to the use of what it said was the use by Russia of a new type of weaponry. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russia likely possessed a handful of the experimental IRBMs used in Thursdays strike. Ukraines air force said the missile targeted Dnipro in central-eastern Ukraine and was fired from the Russian region of Astrakhan, more than 700 kilometres away. It did not specify what kind of warhead the missile was carrying, and there was no suggestion it was nuclear-armed. Intermediate-range ballistic missiles have a range of 3000 kilometres to 5500 kilometres. Loading Whether it was an ICBM or an IRBM, the range isnt the important factor, said Fabian Hoffmann, a doctoral research fellow at Oslo University specialising in missile technology and nuclear strategy. The fact that it carried a MIRV-ed (Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle) payload is much more significant for signalling purposes and is the reason Russia opted for it. This payload is exclusively associated with nuclear-capable missiles. Russia also fired a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles at Dnipro, targeting enterprises and critical infrastructure, six of which were shot down, the Ukrainian Air Force said. Dnipro was a missile-making centre in the Soviet era. Ukraine has expanded its military industry during the war but has kept its whereabouts secret. The air force did not say what the missile targeted or whether it had caused any damage, but regional Governor Serhiy Lysak said the attack damaged an industrial enterprise and set off fires the city. Two people were hurt. Ukrainska Pravda, a Kyiv-based media outlet, had cited anonymous sources saying the missile was an RS-26 Rubezh, a solid-fuelled ICBM with a range of 5800 kilometres, according to the Arms Control Association. A group of glowing projectiles could be seen plummeting to the ground from the night sky in a video published by Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian military charity. It said the video was of Dnipro overnight. The NATO military alliance did not respond to a request for comment. The US European Command said it had nothing on the reported use of an ICBM and referred questions to the US Department of Defence. Act of deterrence Loading Some military experts said the missile launch if confirmed, could be seen as an act of deterrence by Moscow following Kyivs strikes into Russia with Western weapons this week. Russian war correspondents on Telegram and an official speaking on condition of anonymity said Kyiv fired British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russias Kursk region bordering Ukraine on Wednesday. Russias Defence Ministry, in its daily report of events over the previous 24 hours on Thursday, said air defences had shot down two British Storm Shadow cruise missiles but did not say where. Britain had previously let Ukraine use Storm Shadows only within Ukrainian territory. Ukraine also fired American ATACMS missiles into Russia on Tuesday after US President Joe Biden gave the all-clear to use such missiles in this way, two months before he leaves office and Donald Trump returns to the White House. Putin on Tuesday lowered Russias threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks. Trump has said he will end the war, without saying how, and has criticised billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine under Biden. The warring sides believe Trump is likely to push for peace talks not known to have been held since the wars earliest months and are trying to attain strong positions before negotiations. Moscow has said the use of Western weapons to strike Russian territory far from the border would be a major escalation. Kyiv says it needs the capability to defend itself by hitting Russian bases used to support its forces in Ukraine. THE HAGUE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. In a statement, the ICC's pre-trial chamber accused Netanyahu and Gallant of committing "crimes against humanity and war crimes" between at least Oct. 8, 2023 and May 20, 2024, the date when the prosecution submitted the arrest warrant applications. The ICC stated that there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant "each bear criminal responsibility as co-perpetrators" for committing war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare, and crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The court's statement outlined a series of alleged war crimes, including "intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population," and depriving the "civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity." The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the commander of Hamas' military wing, accusing him of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the territories of Israel and Palestine from at least Oct. 7, 2023. Although Deif has reportedly been killed by Israeli forces, the ICC noted that it cannot conclusively confirm his death. Prosecutor Karim Khan informed the court that available information from Israeli and Palestinian sources about his death remains inconclusive, leaving the arrest warrant active. In May, Khan initially requested arrest warrants for five individuals: Netanyahu, Gallant, Deif, and senior Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. However, after confirmed reports of Haniyeh and Sinwar's deaths, the court withdrew those applications. BAKU, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The key to reaching consensus on climate financing is for developed countries to fulfill their commitments by providing financial assistance to developing countries and meeting their pledged amounts, said Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for climate change. In a recent interview with Xinhua during the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Liu said the progress in the first week of the conference was limited, and the negotiations remain intense. He noted that reaching agreements on critical issues like climate financing at COP29 will not only determine the success or failure of this conference but also influence the trajectory of multilateral cooperation under the Paris Agreement. Zhao Yingmin, head of the Chinese delegation to COP29 and vice minister of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said at a China Pavilion event Wednesday that parties need to reach a consensus on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, which will outline funding arrangements beyond 2025. Currently, countries are actively negotiating the scale, sources, and scope of support under the NCQG, Zhao said, adding that the NCQG working group has also completed a new draft document that incorporates input from various parties. He called for adherence to the principles and mandates of the Convention and the Paris Agreement, ensuring that the actions of developing countries are matched by support from developed countries while balancing equity and efficiency. "We urge developed countries to increase financial support and technology transfer to developing nations and look forward to this conference setting a more ambitious new financial target, providing confidence and assurance for the next phase of global climate action," he said. As COP29 enters its second week, ministers and senior officials from various countries are stepping into negotiations to finalize the text. The COP29 host country, Azerbaijan, has urged ministers to accelerate discussions, demonstrate courage, and work toward a fair and ambitious agreement. In Nagpur district, voters enthusiasm drives up polling percentageto oo vve rr 66 00 %% as final figures are still being tabulated Staff Reporter : Candidates all eyes now on Nov 23 Rural populace was more enthusiastic than urban dwellers in exercising franchise Ramtek constituency recorded highest turnout of 71.27 per cent in Nagpur district In Nagpur city constituencies, Nagpur East recorded highest 58.70 per cent voting In Lok Sabha polls held in May 2024, Nagpur parliamentary seat had recorded 54.1% turnout while Ramtek saw 61.1% polling Minor incidents affect polling in East and Central Nagpur Assembly segments which may delay final polling figures Chaos on Mahal street on Wednesday late evening RIDING on wave of enthusiasm among voters, the voting per centage for 12 Assembly constituencies in Nagpur District reached 60.49 per cent till 6 pm on Wednesday. Political parties are hopeful of increase in the polling per centage as final figures of voting are awaited. According to the polling data released by the administration, till 6 pm, average voting per centage in Nagpur district was 60.49 per cent with Ramtek constituency recording highest turnout of 71.27 per cent followed by Umred at 70.02 per cent and Katol was third with 66.70 per cent. In other three rural constituencies Savner recorded 66 per cent voting, Hingna recorded 58.10 per cent voter turnout while Kamptee saw 63.05 per cent voters exercising their franchise. Of the three, significant part of Kamptee and Hingna constituencies have urban base that explains the voting per cent on bit lower side. In Nagpur city constituencies, Nagpur East r e c o r d e d h i g h e s t 58.70 per cent voting while Nagpur Central recorded lowest 55.01 per cent voting. Similarly, Nagpur North witnessed 58.05 per cent voting, Nagpur South (56.20 %), Nagpur SouthWest (54.49 %) and Nagpur West (55.68 %). These figures were past midnight even as Election Commission of India stated that they may vary. Here too the voting trend again indicates a tad lower turnout in affluent areas compared to constituencies that are under developed. A cursory look at voting figures showcase that again rural populace was quite aware and ensured they cast their votes while urban dwellers seemed unenthusiastic. In Lok Sabha elections held in May this year the Nagpur parliamentary constituency recorded 54.1 per cent turnout while neighbouring Ramtek 61.1 per cent polling. The final polling per centage of Nagpur District is still being compiled and clear picture will be available only on Thursday. Due to skirmishes in East Nagpur and Central Nagpur Assembly segments, the final voting per centage calculations got delayed as election machinery got entangled in the rival claims that led to local flare up. Even police machinery hands were full due to these two incidents, particularly one in Central Nagpur segment as rumoursflew high. Finally, the city police resolved the matter peacefully and the crowd dispersed. Elsewhere entire voting process was held in peaceful atmosphere barring some minor incidents in some pockets owing to hyper local political activism among two alliances, MahaYuti and MVA. Though election see tempers high, this time however stakes were quite high as survey showed that the fight is quite close and hence no one was willing to concede the race. Compared to Lok Sabha, this time the voting process was held quite smoothly as the irritants of missing names or deleted names in voters list were far and few. The elaborate exercise undertaken by District administration and alertness on part of voters ensured that the mass complaints that surfaced during general elections were not seen in assembly elections. Only at one or two places, voters complained about not finding their names or cross mark on their names in the voter list presuming them to be dead. Overall the voting per centage that was targeted at 75 per cent was way below that mark inspite of hectic efforts put in by the administration. Several factors are being quoted as to reasons for failure of Mission Distinction, students community could not make it for voting owing to forthcoming exams, and also many of locals have shifted to Pune and other major cities, or some have moved abroad. The voting started on positive note as voters knowing well that as the day passes by the queue starts forming and hence many of them went in first hours itself. Brisk voting started across all the seats and with pleasant weather throughout the day the voters came at ease, unlike during the Lok Sabha when it was scorching heat that affected the overall voting per centage. By 3 pm the average polling in 12 assembly segments of Nagpur District was 44.45 per cent. In other districts of Vidarbha similar trends were reported elsewhere. As per guidelines of Election Commission, district administration made elaborate arrangement for elderly and Divyang voters to ensure they do not miss out on their right. They were offered transport facility and also wheel chairs were arranged at polling booth and many voters took advantage of the same. Barring in mid afternoon when there appeared to bit lull in the voting, it was confined to some pockets of East and North Nagpur segment, at other centres voters were present in substantial numbers to cast their votes.Young and old, even Divyang made it a point to exercise their franchise. Political parties pulled out all tricks to ensure voters presence, even students and people who are in Pune were ferried by deploying special buses to drive up the polling per centage, which shows a 1 per cent overall rise across Maharashtra. Dominica confers top award on PM Modi Georgetown (Guyana), Nov 21 (PTI) Dominica has conferred its top award on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contributions to the Caribbean nation during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to enhancing the bilateral partnership between India and Dominica. The prime minister, who is in Guyana on the last leg of his three-nation visit, was conferred the "Dominica Award of Honour" by President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica during the India-CARICOM Summit here on Wednesday. "Honoured to be conferred with highest national award by Dominica. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India," Modi said in a post on X. "This honour is dedicated to my sisters and brothers of India. It is also indicative of the unbreakable bond between our nations," he said in a separate post. "The award is a recognition of PM's statesmanship and contribution to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic and his commitment to strengthening India-Dominica ties," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X. Replying to an X post by Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Modi said, "Your kind words have touched me, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. With deep humility and gratitude, I accept the Dominica Award of Honour'." "You spoke about the support during COVID-19. It fills my heart with joy to see how our solidarity during COVID-19 strengthened bonds across borders and continents. We will keep working closely with Dominica in the times to come," he added. "In 2021, during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, your generous provision of 70,000 AstraZeneca vaccines became a lifeline for Dominica," Prime Minister Skerrit said in his post on X. He said the accolade was more than a symbol: "It is a tribute to your enduring legacy of leadership, your commitment to humanity, and the indelible mark you have left on nations, including ours, far beyond your shores." Skerrit asserted that it "transcended a donation; it was a powerful reminder that true leadership knows no borders". "This singular act of solidarity echoed the essence of global partnership and South-South collaboration," he said. "This honour also reflects the shared values that unite Dominica and India our unwavering dedication to democracy, resilience in the face of adversity, and belief in the power of unity. Today, we recognise that your inspiration extends far beyond the oceans that separate us. Like Dominica, the world owes you a debt of gratitude for your tireless efforts to uplift humanity," he said. Guyana and Barbados will also confer their top awards on Prime Minister Modi, bringing his tally of international honours to 19. Dominica announced its top award to Modi a few days ago. According to a statement released by Skerrit's office on the award's announcement, it also recognises India's support for Dominica in healthcare, education and information technology under Modi's leadership and his role in promoting climate resilience-building initiatives and sustainable development on a global level. The statement quoted Prime Minister Skerrit as saying that the award is an expression of Dominica's gratitude for Modi's solidarity with Dominica and the wider region. In accepting the offer of the award, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of collaboration in tackling global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical conflicts and affirmed India's commitment to working alongside Dominica and the Caribbean in addressing these issues, the statement underlined. Special welcome! PM Modi given key toGuyanas Georgetown GEORGETOWN : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Guyana on Wednesday -- the first visit by an Indian head of the state in more than 50 years -- said his visit will deepen the friendship between our nations. 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 IndiaGuyana 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. 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. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a post on X along with photos described it as A special welcome! and said this is the first visit by an Indian PM to Guyana in 56 years. On his arrival at the hotel, PM @narendramodireceived a special welcome by President @DrMohamedIrfaa1 of Guyana, PM Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, PM @miaamormottleyofBarbados& severalCabinetMinistersofGuyana, the MEA said in another post. PM was handed over the Key to the City of Georgetown by the Mayor of Georgetown, as a testament to the close India-Guyana ties, the MEA added. During his visit, Modi will meet Ali and exchange views on giving strategic direction to the unique relationship between the two countries. He will also pay respect to one of the oldest Indian diasporas, whichmigratedmore than 185 years ago, and engage a fellow democracy with an addressinGuyanasparliament. According to the MEA, there are around 3,20,000 people of Indian origin in Guyana. Modi will also join leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the second India-CARICOM Summit. HISTORIC MOMENT, SAYS BARBADOS PM ON MEETING WITH MODI: PRIME Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley on Wednesday said that visit of Prime Minister NarendraModimarkedahistoricmomentfor theCaricom 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 tomeet with PMNarendraModi. It is a historicmoment for most of us in CARICOM to be able to meet with and have the CARICOM-India at the level of Heads of Government, theBabados PM said. She said the visit at the level of heads of the Government highlights the strength of the relationship between the countries. 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 ethnicgroupsofIndigenousPeoples,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 singlemarket and a single economy. THE TRIAL SHAM AS MANY as 45 pro-democracy activists getting jail terms in Hong Kongs biggest national security case so far, reflects how the Communist China has been actively trying to suppress pro-democracy voices. Though not so for the authoritarian leadership in China, the jail terms to these activists come as a surprise for most of the world. Already, many have started criticising sentencing of pro-democracy activists as an outcome of a sham called trial. It is no secret for the world that independence of Hong Kong and Taiwan constitute the red lines for the Communist China. But, of late, anything associated with the word democracy has started disturbing the authoritarian leadership structure in China. Hence, when there were massive prodemocracy protests in Hong Kong a few years ago, and there were indications that the protesters were gaining not only sympathy of the people in Hong Kong but also attracting international attention, the Communist leadership in China cracked down on the protesters. During COVID-19 pandemic, attention shifted to dealing with the emergency. Soon after, the party leadership in China faced the heat over rising protests within country. Tensions ran high within China too, as reports coming out indicated pro-democracy voices picking up there. All this had irked China, which responded to pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong with what has become the biggest national security case so far. The world knows the reason for the Communist Chinas antipathy towards democracy -- its authoritarianism and party nationalism. However, as has come out in the Hong Kong trial, one is surprised at Beijings current leaderships rattling over the protesters advocating for a revolution. The worlds democratic countries may not offer reasons and reasoning for revolution, which for China means violent overthrow of the Government. But, the Communist Party of China opposing revolution is something against its own foundational thought. For, it came to power under the leadership of Mao Zedong, who is accused of presiding over death of millions of Chinese people in the name of revolution. This abhorrence of the current Chinese leadership reflects that it is a power-hungry structure and not true to either its own ideology or to its people. Another aspect of the Hong Kong trial is that a media mogul Mr. Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily is facing trial for being supportive of the pro-democracy protesters. The Communist China, which often orchestrates uncalled-for judgments over the internal affairs of other countries, is actively effecting decimation of the media freedom in Hong Kong. In mainland China, the leadership had already done away with media freedom years ago. Now, with measures like shutting down Apple Daily and trying Mr. Jimmy Lai, it is practising suppression of freedom. Besides, as has been reported internationally, Mr. Lais trial will not have any jury but a panel of three judges picked by national security committee with approval of Hong Kongs leadership, which owes allegiance to the Chinese leadership. In a way, this constitutes subversion of legal freedoms too in Hong Kong. But, the Communist China must realise that it is only prolonging the rise of democratic voices in mainland China as well as Hong Kong. With every such sham of a trial and incarceration or pre-trial detention of pro-democracy activists and their supporters, it is only sowing the seeds of stronger voices to emerge in favour of democracy. The world has evolved and authoritarianism cannot survive for a long time. Because, by nature, democracy is liberating and authoritarianism is suppressive. There is no use branding the concept of democracy as something alien to collective human consciousness. VIENTIANE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Thursday attended the 11th ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus and delivered a speech. Noting the Asia-Pacific region remains generally stable, Dong warned against the risk of being drawn into geopolitical conflicts, and called for joint efforts to "protect our beautiful homeland". China is willing to work with all parties to firmly consolidate ASEAN centrality, and support the improvement and upgrading of the existing cooperation framework, Dong said. Urging unity of regional countries and resolving issues through dialogues, Dong expressed opposition against provoking disputes, resorting to force, forming cliques or bringing in external forces. Dong said the parties need to deepen defense and security cooperation, promote the implementation of the Global Security Initiative in the region, and build a closer security community. China and ASEAN should expand common maritime interests with a long-term vision, carry out maritime security cooperation in a flexible and diverse manner, and enhance their ability to jointly safeguard maritime security, so as to contribute to regional and world peace and stability, Dong said. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. * Thanks to China's favorable measures for tourism, including a series of visa-free transit policies and payment facilitation services, as well as "China Travel," there is an inbound travel boom in once-poor mountainous regions. * The Chinese mainland recorded an estimated 95 million inbound tourist arrivals in the first nine months, a 55.4 percent increase year on year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. * According to the data center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in the first three quarters of 2024, village tourism visits increased 15.5 percent yearly to about 2.25 billion, with total revenue up 9.8 percent year on year to 1.32 trillion yuan. CHANGSHA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Jose Chaves, 40, from Costa Rica, recently visited Furong Town, enticed by pictures of its magnificent waterfall and traditional stilt houses built on the hillside -- famous features of this ancient scenic spot in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province. "It's a very lovely and beautiful place. Entry, hotel reservation and transportation are convenient in China," said Chaves, who took a 12-day trip to China. "I will recommend this place to my friends and share my trip on social media." With a history of more than 2,000 years and located in the hinterland of China's Wuling Mountains, the town of Furong in Xiangxi's Yongshun County is benefiting from the growing popularity of the "China Travel" campaign on global social media. Thanks to the campaign, it has seen a surge in inbound tourism. Foreign visitors take photos at the Furong Town scenic spot in Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan) HINTERLAND TOURISM BOOM "There were very few foreigners in the prefecture before poverty eradication. Now, it is not unusual to see foreign friends on the street," said Li Lichao, deputy head of the Culture, Tourism, Radio and Television Bureau of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. At Xiangxi's Shibadong Village, the idea of "targeted poverty alleviation" was first put forward in 2013. Through the strategy, 98.99 million people in rural China were lifted out of poverty, and all 832 impoverished counties were officially recognized as having escaped poverty by 2020. The strategy advocates that development is the general method to eliminate poverty, and governments in poverty-hit regions should suit their measures to different conditions and help locals find ways to shake off poverty. In the process of poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, the government of Xiangxi has explored the cultural and tourism industry to empower rural development. Today, the prefecture has 161 enterprises in the cultural and tourism industry chain above the designated size, which refers to enterprises each with an annual main business turnover of at least 20 million yuan (about 2.8 million U.S. dollars). The tourism industry has contributed more than 70 percent of the GDP growth of Xiangxi in recent years, with more than 500,000 people working in the sector. "Ancient townships, such as Furong, Fenghuang and Aizhai, which blend natural wonders and cultural interests, are particularly popular among foreign tourists," said Li. Thanks to China's favorable measures for tourism, including a series of visa-free transit policies and payment facilitation services, as well as "China Travel," there is an inbound travel boom in this once-poor mountainous region. In the first three quarters of this year, the prefecture received 254,000 inbound tourist visits, a year-on-year increase of nearly four times. The Chinese mainland recorded an estimated 95 million inbound tourist arrivals in the first nine months, a 55.4 percent increase year on year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A drone photo taken on Nov. 7, 2024 shows a view of the Furong Town scenic spot in Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan) "My schedule has been fully booked for the past few months receiving foreign tourists," said Xu Yan, Chaves' English-speaking tour guide during his journey in Xiangxi, adding that most of her clients are from visa-free entry countries such as Thailand, Singapore and the Republic of Korea. According to Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher from the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, more and more foreign tourists are gradually exploring China's rural and mountainous areas, rather than just visiting the metropolis. Sun said that Xiangxi is attracting more overseas tourists thanks to the continuous improvement of facilities and infrastructure for rural tourism, and the improvement of services and overseas marketing. "The phenomenon is the result of strategies of poverty alleviation and rural revitalization," he said. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, CULTURAL EXCHANGES In order to better connect with the overseas tourism market, Xiangxi has strengthened cooperation with travel platforms, social media and overseas influencers since last year. Other efforts include increasing multilingual signs and facilitating payment services. "We have been cooperating with online travel agency Trip.com, to promote Xiangxi to overseas tourists and facilitate their booking accommodation and tickets at our scenic spots," said Su Jun, a staffer responsible for the marketing and branding of Furong. In March, over 100 overseas influencers were invited to Furong to experience and make promotions online. In order to serve foreign tourists, Furong has set up a team of English tour guides, and also a talent pool of over 100 guides speaking Russian, French, Japanese, Korean and other foreign languages, according to Su. Deng Ni, 36, a native resident of Furong, quit her job in downtown Yongshun, returned to her hometown and started her homestay business in May last year. Foreign tourists have given her good comments on online traveling platforms, praising her fluent English communication skills and attentive service. "In the past, visitors to Furong Town were mainly domestic tourists. However with the 'China Travel' boom, overseas tourists have "changed" the traditional off-season, like November and December, into a peak season," said Deng. She added that more than half of her bookings had been made by overseas tourists during the two-month period. In Furong, another homestay owner called Qu Zhangxun started learning English to better serve foreign tourists. His homestay, featuring rooms with excellent views of the waterfall, has received guests from more than 20 countries and accepted overseas reservations for accommodation until October next year. "I have asked my staff to be skilled in using translation apps, and I am also learning it myself. I hope to make all my tourists want to come back again and again," said Qu. People visit the Furong Town scenic spot in Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hunan Province, Nov. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan) According to the data center of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in the first three quarters of 2024, village tourism visits increased 15.5 percent yearly to about 2.25 billion, with total revenue up 9.8 percent year on year to 1.32 trillion yuan. Last week, seven villages in China, including Shibadong Village in Xiangxi, were honored as "Best Tourism Villages" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. They are highly representative in terms of geography, culture and development models. For example, at Azheke Village, nestled in the heart of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in southwest China's Yunnan Province, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, villagers have contributed resources such as terraces, houses and traditional ways of life, creating a model of collective participation and shared prosperity. Xiaogang, a village in Anhui Province where China's rural reform began over four decades ago, is another location making strides on its new journey toward achieving rural revitalization. Today, visitors from across the globe can witness the profound changes China has undergone by exploring this village. During the third Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Conference on Tourism Development held earlier this month, Olga Vakhrousheva, honorary vice president of New Zealand-China Maori Culture Tourism Promotion Association Incorporated, came to Yongshun from New Zealand to sign cultural and tourism agreements, advocating cooperation activities such as developing more tourism projects and organizing more exchange visits. "Furong Town is like a fairy tale. China has such a rich culture and variety of history, and showing them to the world would be great," she said. Vakhrousheva shared her experiences of making tea, cooking, drinking and singing with local people in a village in Yongshun. She said she noticed similarities between residents in Xiangxi and Maori people, who also have traditions such as singing when guests are invited into villages. "If we can do exchanges with kids, helping them to learn about other cultures, they can be open to each other and do things together when they grow up," said Vakhrousheva. (Video reporter: Dai Bin, Zhang Yujie, Chen Sihan and Ju Yinhe; Video editors: Hong Ling, Zak Zuzanna, Zhang Yuhong, Zhu Cong and Zhang Nan) BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security on Thursday declared that all large-scale telecom fraud centers located near the China-Myanmar border in northern Myanmar had been wiped out. Over 53,000 Chinese nationals suspected of telecom frauds have been arrested with cooperative efforts from Chinese and Myanmar police since the ministry launched a crackdown on telecom frauds in northern Myanmar last year, the ministry said in a statement. In a recent coup, 1,079 telecom fraud suspects were arrested in northern Myanmar's Tangyan area for the first time. The suspects were caught during a joint operation by police of southwest China's Yunnan Province and local law enforcers of Myanmar. All of the 763 Chinese citizens among them have been handed over to China, the ministry said, calling the operation another breakthrough in the crackdown campaign. According to the statement, China's public security bodies will continue to maintain high pressure in the crackdown on cross-border telecom fraud, especially in areas where scam dens are concentrated. Vowing to strengthen law enforcement cooperation between the police of China and Myanmar, the ministry warned the public against recruitment information about high-paying jobs overseas, as it might deceive them into crimes. China, Brazil decide to elevate ties in Xi, Lula meeting Xinhua) 07:58, November 21, 2024 Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BRASILIA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Brazil decided on Wednesday to elevate their ties to the community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet. The decision was made during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Xi is paying a state visit to the country after he attended the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. China and Brazil are two major developing countries in their respective hemispheres, he said, noting that in the past 50 years, they enjoyed a relationship that transcends mountains and seas, and found a right way for major developing countries to get along with each other, one that is based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and amity. Brazil, Xi said, is the first country to establish a strategic partnership with China, and the first Latin American country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with China. In recent years, under the joint strategic guidance of two heads of state, the two countries are increasingly becoming reliable friends with a shared future and positive forces for peace, he said. The China-Brazil relationship is at its best in history, which has not only improved the well-being of the people of the two countries, but also defended the common interests of developing countries, enhanced the strength and voice of the Global South, and made outstanding contributions to world peace and stability, Xi added. Xi noted that China and Brazil have also decided to establish synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Brazil's development strategies. He hailed the decision to elevate ties and to align the two nations' development strategies as another historic moment in the development of bilateral ties, which demonstrates the global, strategic and long-term nature of China-Brazil relations, meets the expectations of both peoples, gives impetus and support to the modernization of the two countries, and demonstrates their resolve to jointly defend international fairness and justice and promote common development of the world. China, Xi said, is ready to work with Brazil to continually enrich China-Brazil relations in the new era, be "golden partners" who help each other succeed, and keep working toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind and creating a more just world and a more sustainable planet. Together, China and Brazil will make even greater contribution to the peace and progress of humanity, he added. For the future development of bilateral ties, Xi called on the two sides to firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests such as sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, be strategic partners of mutual trust and set a good example of solidarity, cooperation, mutual benefit and common development for countries in the Global South. Xi also urged the two countries to strengthen people-to-people exchanges in culture, education and youth to consolidate popular support for the China-Brazil community with a shared future. He said the two countries should deepen synergies of development strategies, urging them to seize the historic opportunity of synergizing the BRI with Brazil's development strategies, deepen cooperation in such key areas as economy and trade, infrastructure, finance, science and technology, and environmental protection, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as space, agricultural science and technology, and clean energy. China prioritizes poverty alleviation in national governance, supports Brazil's Fome Zero (Zero Hunger) program, and stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Brazil on poverty reduction so that the two peoples can live a better life. Xi urged China and Brazil to demonstrate their distinctive strength in safeguarding world peace and justice. The two countries should practice genuine multilateralism, make fair remarks and take fair actions, so as to make global governance more just and equitable, he said. Noting that China highly values Brazil's international status and influence and supports Brazil in playing a greater role on the international stage, Xi said China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Brazil at the United Nations, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, support Brazil's presidency of BRICS next year, promote high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make BRICS voice louder on upholding multilateralism and improving global governance. Xi also called on the two countries to make distinctive contribution to building a community with a shared future for mankind. As major developing countries, China and Brazil should take the lead in conducting consultations, promoting global solidarity, jointly addressing global challenges concerning the future of mankind, and strengthening cooperation in such fields as green transformation, sustainable development, climate change, artificial intelligence governance, he said. China is willing to support Brazil in hosting the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, he said. He recalled that 10 years ago he joined leaders of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) leaders in announcing the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum, which ushered China-LAC relations into a new era featuring equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and benefits for the people. Xi said China stands ready to work with Brazil to ensure the success of the China-CELAC Forum, better synergize the BRI with the development strengths and needs of the LAC region, and strive for more achievements in building a China-LAC community with a shared future. For his part, Lula said Brazil and China are good friends that respect and depend on each other, adding that China is Brazil's most important strategic partner, and the Chinese people are the most trustworthy friends of the Brazilian people. In the past 50 years, Brazil-China cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results, Lula noted, saying that Brazil looks forward to taking Xi's visit as a new starting point for more tangible results in bilateral relations. Brazil also expects to work with China to build a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet, Lula added. Brazil is vigorously promoting development strategies such as New Growth Acceleration Program, new industrial policy and the Routes for South American Integration initiative, which are highly compatible with the China-proposed BRI, Lula said. Enhanced synergy of development strategies between Brazil and China will greatly contribute to Brazil's reindustrialization, promote the integration of South America, and set an example of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit among developing countries, he said. The working groups of the two sides should step up discussions and promote cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure, finance, industrial chains, science and technology, and ecological conservation, Lula said, adding that more Chinese enterprises are welcomed to invest and conduct cooperation in Brazil. Brazil expects to improve its level of connectivity and logistics with China, and promote the common development and prosperity for Brazil, Latin America and China, Lula said. Brazil, Lula said, opposes the "new Cold War," and advocates the building of a multi-polar world and a global partnership based on equality and mutual respect, adding that he appreciates China's strong support for Brazil's G20 presidency. He said Brazil will continue to deepen communication and cooperation with China within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, BRICS and G20, and enhance the voice and influence of the Global South in global governance. The Brazilian side is also ready to maintain close multilateral coordination with China and make positive contributions to the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis and other hotspot issues. Following their meeting, the two presidents jointly met the press. Xi noted that it is his second visit to this land full of love and hope after five years, saying that on the eve of his departure, he received many letters from Brazilian friends from all walks of life, which brimmed with Brazilian people's appreciation of the friendship between China and Brazil and their expectations for deepening the friendship between the two countries. Xi added that he was deeply moved. The Chinese leader said his talks with Lula were cordial, friendly and fruitful. Xi also said that the world today is not peaceful, and there are still many regions plagued by wars and turbulence. Mankind belongs to an indivisible security community, and only by pursuing a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security can a path to universal security be found, Xi said, noting that China and Brazil have jointly issued a "six-point consensus" on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and launched a "Friends of Peace" group with relevant countries of the Global South on the Ukraine crisis. He called for gathering more voices committed to peace to pave the way for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis. Xi also expressed concerns about the continued spread of the conflict in Gaza, and called for a ceasefire and an end to the war at an early date, the implementation of the two-state solution and unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question. Both China and Brazil share the tradition and sense of responsibility of upholding justice and morality, Xi said. China is ready to work with Brazil to enrich the China-Brazil community with a shared future, firmly defend genuine multilateralism, and jointly sound a strong message in the new era of development rather than poverty, cooperation rather than confrontation and justice rather than hegemony, so as to jointly build a better world, he added. Lula said although the two countries are far apart, they share similar values, extensive common interests and deep and solid friendship, and their cooperation bears strategic significance and global influence. China is Brazil's most important trade and investment partner, and Chinese enterprises in Brazil have strongly promoted Brazil's economic and social development, he noted. Brazil and China have highly consistent positions on major issues such as international development and security, he said, adding that the two countries will further strengthen communication and coordination within the United Nations, G20, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, jointly advocate the reform of the global governance system, build a more just, democratic, equitable and sustainable international system, and promote peaceful and diplomatic solutions to hotspot issues. Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva jointly meet the press after their talks in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sign and issue a joint statement on jointly building the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela da Silva warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold a grand welcome ceremony for Xi, prior to the talks between Xi and Lula, in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. Xi on Wednesday held talks with Lula in Brasilia. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela da Silva warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold a grand welcome ceremony for Xi, prior to the talks between Xi and Lula, in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. Xi on Wednesday held talks with Lula in Brasilia. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela da Silva warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold a grand welcome ceremony for Xi, prior to the talks between Xi and Lula, in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. Xi on Wednesday held talks with Lula in Brasilia. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife Rosangela da Silva warmly welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping and hold a grand welcome ceremony for Xi, prior to the talks between Xi and Lula, in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. Xi on Wednesday held talks with Lula in Brasilia. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) VIENTIANE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Lao capital Vientiane to enhance ASEAN defense cooperation and address security challenges. Representatives gathered on Wednesday for the 18th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting, held under the theme "ASEAN: Together for Peace, Security and Resilience." Closer cooperation between ASEAN countries was the main topic of discussion by ASEAN defense ministers in the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Chansamone Chanyalath, said that regional and global situations are posing complexity and unpredictability, threats and challenges to peace, security, cooperation and socio-economic development in the region and the world as a whole. "Against this backdrop, we need to continue discussing and navigating ways to ensure that our region is resilient and responsive to emerging threats and challenges. At the same time, ASEAN member states need to work closely with one another to maintain unity and ASEAN centrality as a driving force for external cooperation, and take appropriate measures to handle security challenges," he said. Chansamone said the meeting had reached a consensus on its intended objectives, which are vitally important for the future of the ASEAN Political and Security Community. KIEV, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine for the first time during a missile attack on Dnipro in central Ukraine Thursday morning, the Ukrainian Air Force said. The ICBM was fired from Russia's southern Astrakhan region, the Air Force said on Telegram, without specifying the missile type. The attack included eight other missiles. The air defense shot down six cruise missiles, while the remaining missiles caused no "significant consequences," the Air Force added. Regional governor Sergii Lysak said the massive attack on Dnipro damaged an industrial enterprise and caused two fires in the city. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment, directing questions to the Defense Ministry. BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China has pledged to build one of its leading industrial parks into a globally attractive two-way open hub. The Ministry of Commerce, in a notice, stressed the support for the Suzhou Industrial Park in east China's Jiangsu Province in promoting reform, opening up key areas, and improving the ability to garner global resources. Multinationals will be encouraged to establish R&D, sales and distribution centers in the industrial park to promote the development of the headquarters economy. The notice said the pilot on an integrated funds pool of renminbi and foreign currencies would be deepened, with more convenient cross-border receipts and payments. According to the notice, qualified medical institutions will be encouraged to conduct clinical research in cutting-edge biopharmaceutical fields such as immune cell, stem cell and gene therapies. The Suzhou Industrial Park was founded in 1994 as the first intergovernmental cooperation project between China and Singapore. It has witnessed closer cooperation between the two sides and has become a hotbed of innovation and openness. The notice said China will support the industrial park in expanding digital economy cooperation with Singapore, including pilots on cross-border data flows and business and trade facilitation measures, and in working with Singaporean institutions to jointly build a China-Singapore medical center. The industrial park also aims to develop into an influential regional center for technology and innovation that is attractive to global talent and has better intellectual property rights protection, and a globally competitive industrial hub with strong biopharmaceutical industries, high-end, intelligent and green equipment manufacturing sectors, and the integration of advanced manufacturing and modern services. ABU DHABI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, held discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, focusing on the evolving situation in the Middle East. In a phone call, the two diplomats discussed international efforts to secure a sustainable ceasefire that ensures the protection of civilians in Gaza, the UAE's official news agency WAM reported. The talks also addressed the enhancement of humanitarian responses to civilians' needs in Gaza, as well as regional concerns including developments in Lebanon and the humanitarian implications of the situation in Sudan. According to WAM, the UAE has led political and humanitarian initiatives to support Palestinians, and spearheaded an Arab effort at the United Nations to address the humanitarian fallout from military escalations in Lebanon. ANKARA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) "neutralized" a senior member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in an operation in northern Iraq, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported Thursday, quoting anonymous Turkish security sources. Serhat Tagar, codenamed Mervan Hizan, was "neutralized" in a pinpoint strike in northern Iraq's Gara region, the report said, without specifying the time frame of the operation. Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralize" in their statements to imply the alleged terrorists have either surrendered, been killed, or been captured. Tagar joined the PKK in 2014, received military and ideological training in Gara, and was active in northern Iraq's Zap region between 2017 and 2019, taking part in numerous subversive actions against security forces, it said. Tagar was allegedly involved in the transfer of weapons, ammunition, and explosives used in these subversive activities. The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades. Turkiye regularly conducts military operations in northern Iraq, where the group has headquarters and hideouts. PHNOM PENH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The first-ever Southeast Asia School Meals Coalition Summit concluded in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province with strong commitments to enhancing child nutrition and education in the region, said a joint press release on Thursday. Held from Monday to Wednesday under the Umbrella of the Global School Meals Coalition, the summit brought together 130 delegates from seven countries in the region and 39 partner organizations. "While governments in Southeast Asia have made significant progress in developing school meal policies, allocating national budgets, and launching large-scale innovative programs that leverage local food systems, further actions are needed to improve the quality and coverage to ensure that no child is left behind," the press release said. The summit underscored the transformative potential of school meal programs to advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including child nutrition, education, and local agriculture, while addressing pressing global challenges like climate change and food system resilience, it added. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron said that in a world where education serves as the cornerstone for personal and societal progress, nourishment plays a critical role in this equation. "School meals are more than just sustenance; they are a foundation for learning, growth, and transformation," he said. "When we prioritize the nutritional needs of our students, we are investing not only in their health but also in their cognitive development, academic performance, and overall potential." Currently, the Cambodian government, through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, is supporting a national Home-Grown School Feeding program in almost two-thirds of all the target schools, with a commitment to reach 1,114 schools, benefiting more than 300,000 students by 2028. Anita Hirsch, deputy regional director for Asia and the Pacific at World Food Program, said the impressive launch of Cambodia's School Feeding Policy stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to enhancing child nutrition, education and agriculture development. "China, as we know, has done the most remarkable modernization in human history, lifting millions out of poverty," said a scholar attending a conference on human rights in China's Changsha. Drugs seized | Aizawl, Nov 21 : Security forces on Wednesday seized narcotics valued at Rs 85.95 crore in two separate operations in Champhai district of Mizoram. Based on specific input, the Assam Rifles along with Mizoram police launched an operation in the districts Zokhawthar area along the Indo-Myanmar border. During the operation, the joint team noticed suspicious movement of a group of people. On being challenged, they managed to escape leaving behind their belongings. A thorough search of the bags led to the recovery of 28.52 kilograms of methamphetamine tablets an addictive stimulant, valued at Rs 85.56 crore in the grey market. In another operation, troops of the paramilitary force and state police apprehended a man (32) and a woman (35). On being searched, 52 grams of heroin valued at Rs 39 lakh in the international market was recovered from their possession. During questioning, it was revealed that the duo hails from Myanmar. The team also seized a Kenbo bike, banned in India, used by them for transporting the narcotic substance. North East Now No roadmap for restoration of peace in Manipur | Oinam Nabakishore Singh, IAS (Retired) Despite the lapse of eighteen months since the eruption of violence on the 3rd May, 2023, one does not see a clear roadmap for restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur. There has not been any concerted effort to resolve the crisis, which has caused untold miseries to all sections of people living in the State, especially those internally displaced from their homes by the conflict. Administration of Kuki-Zo inhabited hill districts are practically separated from the Imphal valley-No Meitei staff or officer or Minister including States Chief Minister is allowed to visit Kuki-Zo inhabited areas. Chief Ministers plan to visit an annual harvest festival of Liangmei Naga in Senapati district was halted by Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), an apex organization of Kukis living in Kangpokpi district. The prevention of the visit of Chief Minister by the said organization has been strongly resented by Liangmei Naga Council, and the latter has called upon the President of India to declare CoTU as an unlawful organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The last few days starting on the 8thNovember, 2024 have witnessed escalation of violence in Manipur. After attack on a Hmar village and killing of a woman by suspected Meitei militants in Jiribam District, a woman farmer was shot dead by Kuki-Zo militants in retaliation at Wathalambi near Saiton in Bishenpur district. There has been firing on the farmers and Meitei villages in Imphal West, Imphal East and Bishenpur Districts by the Kuki militants. In the worst incident, 10 Kuki-Zo militants were gunned down by the CRPF personnel in retaliatory action at Borobekra, Jiribam District on the 10th November, 2024. It is further reported that 10 Meitei inmates were carried away by Kuki militants from the relief camp. Two are said to be dead and two others are alive. Photo of six women and three kids all aged below six years are seen in the viral photo, when they were in the custody of Kuki-Zo militants. The fearful look of the women and children is heart-wrenching. Shutdowns have been called in their respective areas by both Kuki-Zo and Meitei civil society organizations as a mark of protest on the 11th and 12th November, 2024. It is a tit for tat between the two communities dashing hope of any peace to return to the State. More violence between the warring communities takes them apart further from each other generating more mistrust and animosity. A few legislators belonging to Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Naga and Meitei communities, mostly of the ruling coalition in the State Government were invited by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India to a dialogue on the 15th October, 2024 to Delhi. The proposed talks were expected to be a good beginning to pave the way for peace in Manipur. However, the talks turned out to be a nonstarter. Kuki-Zo MLAs first met the representatives of the Central Government first before having a joint meeting with MLAs of three communities. Though the Central Government claimed to have met 15 legislators from the three communities together, Kuki-Zo MLAs asserted that there was no meeting with Meitei and Naga legislators and no peace talk would be possible before Separate Administration is granted to the Kuki-Zo communities. They went on to say that they are required to consult their civil society organizations before any talks to consult them. In fact, there were conflicting statements from the Union Government and Kuki-Zo MLAs. Other MLAs chose to remain tight-lipped. The main question to be asked upon the Union Government is whether any breakthrough was achieved by the talk with the legislators from Manipur on the 15th October, 2024. From the precondition of Separate Administration laid down in their statements by Kuki-Zo MLAs after the so-called peace talks, it is evident that the talks were non-starter of the peace process. What is more depressing is that the date for the next round of discussion and agenda for the meeting were not spelt out. At best, the said meeting was an exploratory one. The State Government of Manipur led by Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh, Honble Chief Minister looks completely helpless. In matters of law and order, Security Advisor and Director General of Police call the shots. The role of the Central Security forces namely Army, Assam Rifles, BSF and CRPF, as evident from their actions in the last eighteen months, appear to be creating a buffer zone between the hills inhabited by Kuki-Zo from the valley areas of the Meiteis. While they have been largely successful in creation of the buffer zone by restraining the individuals from both communities not to cross the physical boundary decided by them to some extent, there has been several instances where armed militants of Kuki-Zo sneaked past the Central security forces and killed Meitei farmers at Wangoo Sabal, Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou, Saiton in Bishenpur district and Borobekra in Jiribam district recently. Deploying the Central forces to maintain a buffer zone for an indefinite period has not helped in reducing the tension between the two sides. Rather, any instance of assault on one community is being replied by similar retribution from the receiving community. The Central forces do not do anything beyond the orders from their higher authorities, who are following the orders from the Union Government. In letter and spirit, the Central forces are here to assist the State administration. However, in fact, they are operating independent of the State Government because of the peculiar situation in Manipur. The expectation of the people to restore peace by the State Government of Manipur has been gradually worn out as no visible action to restore peace has been initiated. The perception of the conflict in Manipur by the Prime Minister of India has raised several questions. When he referred to past conflicts in Manipur between Nagas and Kukis, Kukis and Paites and Meitei and Meitei Pangal in his speech in Parliament, it appears that he has concluded that such conflicts in Manipur are accepted as a norm and no concrete action has been taken by the Union Government to restore normalcy. Perhaps, the Prime Minister may be under the impression that normalcy would return in due course of time on its own. However, the present conflict is different from the earlier ones in many respect. Kuki-Zo community has alleged that Chief Minister of the State is partisan and hell-bent on targeting them by raising his own radical militant groups like Arambai Tengol and Meitei Leepun. The State Government is also alleged to be pro-Meitei as the State police is fighting against Kuki-Zo militants alongside the Meitei village volunteers. Because of the perception of Kuki-Zo community especially their legislators that the Chief Minister, N Biren Singh is partial, the peace process has been made harder when the latter is at the helm. They boycotted the Peace Committee constituted by the Union Government in June, 2023 on the ground that they cannot participate in the peace process where Chief Minister participates as a member. Consequently, that peace committee has been forgotten. The indifference of the Central Government and its leadership to the escalation of violence and recent death of about 15 persons belonging to both communities is more than evident from the silence on their part. The lives of Manipuris matter as do the lives of other citizens of India. Both Central and State Government have not made any effort to bring a ceasefire between the warring groups. Is it really difficult to call upon all the leaders of the two communities to agree upon a ceasefire at least for six months to pave the way for dialogue ? It is also inconceivable to see the stance of Kuki-Zo legislators that the peace talks could happen after Separate Administration is granted. Putting forward such conditions before peace talks will act as a roadblock and delay the peace returning to the State. Unfortunately, State Government of Manipur have chosen to remain silent despite violence engulfing the State and its people are crying for action to save them from the predicament they are in. The Union Government has chosen to ignore the crisis in the State. There has been no visit to the State by any Minister of the Union Government to take stock of the situation and look for solution by interacting with important stakeholders since the much-appreciated visit of Union Home Minister in the last week of May, 2023. The all-powerful Prime Minister has chosen not to visit Manipur in the last eighteen months. He has refused to meet any delegation including the legislators of BJP on the issue. It is really unfortunate for Manipur that the Prime Minister of the country is looking the other way. In the absence of a concrete and time bound negotiations to be planned by the Central Government, returning of peace to Manipur remains a distant dream. People of the State will continue to reel under fear, economic hardship and uncertainty. Drugs waging a war on Manipur Sustaining the offensives | War on Drugs. And since the evening of May 3, 2023 it is now more than apparent that this slogan has been turned upside down and far from being a War on Drugs, Manipur is reeling under the War launched by the hands that keep the wheel of the drugs trade churning. The Golden Triangle of drugs-Laos, Thailand and Myanmar-is responsible for the violence in Manipur. Myanmars drug cartel, which survives due to its forests where opium and poppy are cultivated has spilled over to Manipur reported News18 the other day while quoting sources. The drug economy has been pegged at Rs 60,000 crore annually and this is the financial muscle which must have kept the bullets and bombs flying and to keep the violence churning, it is apparent that guns and bombs are needed. This should explain from where the guns and bombs used to attack Meitei settlements have come. Union Home Minister Amit Shah deftly sidestepped this question while expressing deep concern over the arms looted from the police armouries, most of which are located in the valley districts, but not one word has been said on from where the guns used by the so called Kuki village volunteers have come. It is also significant to note that ever since Manipur went up in flames in the evening of May 3, 2023, there has been no news of major seizure of drugs in the State with the focus now on Mizoram and while a good number of drug couriers have been arrested, there are still reports of the drug couriers managing to give the slip to the security personnel after discarding the drugs, with the latest case being at Champhai in Mizoram where the Assam Rifles and Mizoram police managed to lay their hands only on the drugs worth Rs 85 crore while the couriers reportedly managed to give them the slip. Interesting this is, for any drugs worth Rs 85 crore would have been bulky and one wonders how the smugglers managed to slip away after discarding the drugs ! In Manipur too, the script has always been one of total failure on the part of the Government to spell out the progress of any case after the seizure of any huge amount of drugs. It was in May 2022 that Kangpokpi police managed to seize heroin worth Rs 31 crore from three couriers, including a Head Constable of Manipur police. This was more than two years back, but there has been no further follow up to the story and common sense says that there could have been big fishes involved in this particular drug case. Tough to imagine that a Police Head Constable would be able to cough up the needed financial resources to procure drugs involving crores of rupees. There have been many other cases too and no one knows the follow up story of the drugs worth more than Rs 3 crore seized at Pallel on the Imphal-Moreh highway in January 2023. Just two instances that come to mind but both pointing to the fact that Manipur has not heard of any big fish being netted, even after the War on Drugs was launched with much fanfare. It is the same with the drive launched against poppy cultivation. Other than some tillers of the soil being pulled up and one or two village chiefs held, the Government never did bother to study who has funded the whole activity of poppy cultivation. Who takes away the harvested plants or pods of the poppy plants ? Who processes the products of the poppy plants into drugs ? Who sells them and who takes them to the market for sale ? All these questions were never, ever answered but The Sangai Express has been raising these questions for long, indeed very long. Now with reports more than making it clear that it is drugs money which is funding the ongoing conflict, Manipur has to pay the price for not taking things to its logical conclusion. The existence of some big fishes should have been clear from the beginning but Imphal preferred to ignore the questions raised and the fruit of this nonchalant approach to such sensitive questions is being suffered by the people. From where did the guns used by the marauders to overrun the relief centre and take away the six hostages at Jiribam come from ? These are questions the Government should seriously study else any slogan will sound empty, not more than rhetorics. HANGZHOU, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A recent job advertisement offering stable income for village CEOs in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, has gone viral online, spotlighting this emerging career amid the country's rapid rural development. The advertisement, posted by Yuhang District in Hangzhou, is seeking six village CEOs. The job offers an annual base salary of 180,000 yuan (about 25,023 U.S. dollars), along with benefits including social insurance and a housing fund. By comparison, the average annual salary for public sector employees in urban China was 120,698 yuan in 2023. Applicants must be aged 40 or younger, possess a bachelor's degree or higher, and have a minimum of three years' experience in fields such as business management and investment and financing, the advertisement reads. Since the application process started on Nov. 14, over 90 candidates have formally expressed their interest, according to Yu Huafen, an official with Yuhang's agriculture and rural affairs bureau. Applicants will undergo both written exams and interviews as part of the selection process. Moving to the countryside is becoming an increasingly popular trend among young people in China, as rural areas undergo rapid development driven by the country's rural revitalization efforts. As a result, the role of Village CEO -- also known as agricultural manager, has emerged as a promising career choice. Like a CEO overseeing a company, a village CEO is responsible for various aspects of a village's agricultural and economic activities. In 2019, village CEO was included among 13 new professions published jointly by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Bureau of Statistics. Yuhang has been among the pioneers in promoting the village CEO initiative in China since 2019. "Our goal is to bring in fresh talent, and apply modern corporate management practices to drive the development of village economies," Yu noted. To date, Yuhang has employed 34 village CEOs, with an average age of 36. These CEOs have facilitated a total of 122 projects, attracted 299 million yuan in investments, and generated more than 100 million yuan in revenue for the local economy. Liu Song, a village CEO originally from the eastern Anhui Province, has been working in Yong'an Village in Yuhang since 2020. Having grown up in a rural area, Liu graduated with a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Zhejiang University. With prior experience in three listed companies and a background in entrepreneurship, he was determined and qualified to create opportunities in challenging environments. Yong'an Village spans a total area of 7.09 square kilometers, with 97 percent of the land designated as permanent basic farmland, which has limited its development opportunities outside the agricultural field. Historically considered underdeveloped, the village has struggled due to a lack of funds, skilled professionals and business opportunities. To address these challenges, Liu focused on integrating the agricultural, industrial and service sectors to enhance the local economy, maximize growth and boost overall competitiveness. Liu in 2022 helped establish a family farm cooperative, cultivating over 1,300 mu (about 86.67 hectares) of rice in the village. In September 2024, Liu spearheaded the founding of a rice processing factory, producing rice wine and marketing it through e-commerce. Over the past two months, more than 6,000 orders of rice wine have been fulfilled. Thanks to such efforts, the village, with a population of 3,100, achieved an average annual income of 63,000 yuan per capita in 2023. Last year, Liu earned a total income of around 300,000 yuan -- including bonuses and performance incentives. Liu is one of many village CEOs dedicated to revitalizing rural areas across China. Incomplete statistics show that, as of the end of 2023, the village CEO recruitment and training program had expanded to 125 counties, cities and districts across provinces such as Zhejiang, Guangdong and Yunnan. "Rapid development and transformation of economy and society have combined to redefine urban-rural relations, bringing the value of the countryside into focus," said Li Xiaoyun, chair professor of China Agricultural University. "The village CEO initiative bridges the knowledge and management gap in rural areas, supporting China's rural development in the new era," Li noted. "These professionals are playing crucial roles in rural revitalization." CANBERRA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Social media companies that fail to prevent Australians younger than 16 from using their service will face fines worth tens of millions of dollars under world-first laws. Australia's governing Labor Party on Thursday introduced legislation to parliament to introduce a minimum age limit of 16 years to use social media. Under the legislation, the onus to enforce the minimum age limit will fall on social media companies rather than children, parents or guardians. Social media companies that systematically fail to enforce the age limit will face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (32.5 million U.S. dollars). "This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them, and letting parents know we're in their corner when it comes to supporting their children's health and wellbeing," Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland told parliament upon tabling the legislation. "This bill seeks to set a new normative value in society, that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia." She said that online gaming would be exempt from the ban because it is already regulated by the age classification scheme and including them would create unnecessary overlap. Messaging services will also be excluded. Rowland said that messaging app users are not exposed to an algorithmic curation of content and psychological manipulation to encourage near endless engagement. "Further, the inclusion of messaging apps could have wider consequences, such as making communication within families harder," she said. The federal opposition has flagged support for the legislation, meaning it is set to pass both houses of parliament with a strong majority of votes. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously said that the new laws will take effect at least 12 months after they pass parliament. The government has not specified how social media users' ages will be verified but said it would be informed by a trial of age verification technology that was funded in May's federal budget. The minimum age limit will be enforced by the office of the government's eSafety Commissioner. West Bengal governments flagship initiative, Deucha Pachami coal block project in Birbhum district, will now have no hindrance from the Centre in terms of Just Transition policy. This has become apparent from the government of Indias interpretation of the principle of Just Transition, given at the UN Climate Summit, COP-29, currently being held at Azerbaijan capital Baku. Just Transition is the safeguard mechanism for the coal workers in phasing out of fossil fuel, especially coal in case of India, which came into focus in COP-21 held in Paris in 2015. India, in the current COP-29, has been very critical of the developed nations for making the developing countries pay the price of unabated carbon emission done by the developed nations in the past. India also denied immediate inclusion of Just Transition in their forthcoming Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Action Plan (NAP) on climate change. Advertisement Deucha Pachami is the second largest coal block in the world and the largest in Asia, having an estimated 2102 million tonnes of coal reserve. The West Bengal government is very keen to develop this as a part of its ongoing effort of industrialisation initiative. It expects to attract foreign collaboration. However, this stand of the central government on Just Transition will definitely bring relief to the state govt. towards furthering the project after meeting other compliances. Advertisement India has now put forward its interpretation of the Just Transition concept asking for climate justice. India reiterated the COP-27 decision taken in Sharm El Sheikh, which said that the Just Transition framework is not narrow and linked to the wider economic and social aspects. India urged COP-29 to have a clear discussion on carbon debt that is owed by developed countries to the developing countries for overusing their carbon budget, stating that monetisation of this carbon debt would be in trillion. Highlighting this inequality in the entire climate discourse, India categorically said, Choices of people in developed countries being sacrosanct versus the cost imposed on the citizens of the developing countries due to transition. India also called for giving greater share of the carbon space to the developing countries and demanded that the cost for undertaking Just and Green Transition should be borne by developing countries. Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) councillor Mitali Bandyopadhyays younger son Suddhaswatta Bandyopadhyay was arrested on charge of rash driving. It is alleged that he injured a 70-year-old woman in Haltu, Wednesday morning. The woman sustained severe injury on her hand and was shifted to SSKM Hospital. Advertisement Rabindra Sarobar police station registered a case of rash driving against Suddhaswatta and arrested him. Advertisement According to police sources, the incident occurred around 6.30 am today when Suddhaswatta was driving the white car along Southern Avenue. His car dashed the woman when she suddenly came in front of the vehicle. She was trying to cross the road near Vivekananda Park at Lake Kalibari. After hitting the woman, the vehicle also hit another car, parked close to the spot. Mrs Bandyopadhyay, councilor of ward 99 and MMiC of KMC, said, She got panicked and touched my sons car sustaining injury. She was taken to the SSKM Hospital and would undergo an MRI though no major injury was found there in her body so far. She is absolutely okay and it was an undesirable and unwanted incident. My elder son was also there with his younger brother when the latter was driving. They were going to have tea in the area near Lake Kalibari, Mrs Bandyopadhyay told the media. BJP West Bengal president Sukanta Majumdar was preventively arrested by Kotwali police on Wednesday afternoon while attempting to visit violence-hit Beldanga in Murshidabad district. The police, citing prohibitory orders under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), stopped Majumdars convoy near the Dwijendralal Bridge on the national highway around 12.40 pm. Majumdar, who was accompanied by other BJP leaders, was en route to assess the situation in Beldanga, where communal clashes broke out on Saturday night over an objectionable message displayed on a gate erected for Kartik Puja. The violence injured 17 people and caused significant property damage, prompting the imposition of prohibitory orders and suspension of internet services in the area. Advertisement When stopped, Majumdar requested police escort to meet Murshidabad Superintendent of Police (SP) to discuss the violence. Upon being denied, the BJP leader got down from his vehicle and staged a sit-in protest on the national highway, blocking traffic. Advertisement A large police contingent was deployed to manage the situation, and the national highway remained blocked until the police took Majumdar and his associates into preventive custody. We cannot allow anyone to enter Beldanga as prohibitory orders have been imposed there. The decision to prevent Majumdars visit was made to avoid further disruption of peace in the area, a senior Krishnagar police officer stated. Speaking to reporters following his arrest, Majumdar said, I was trying to go to Beldanga to review the situation. Our party workers have put up road blockades in other areas in protest against the police action. We are not going to create any law and order situation. If there are restrictions, they should at least escort us to meet the district magistrate or superintendent of police. Majumdar accused the police of acting under political pressure to prevent BJP leaders from addressing the violence. The clashes in Beldanga erupted over a provocative message displayed at a temporary Kartik Puja gate. The situation escalated into communal violence, with 17 injuries reported and several properties damaged. In response, the district administration imposed Section 144 in the area, barring large gatherings, and suspended internet services to curb the spread of misinformation. The situation in Beldanga remains tense, with heavy police deployment to maintain order. Meanwhile, the BJP has criticized the administrations actions, alleging bias and suppression of their leaderships movement. The 18th National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) International Conference & Exhibition will be held here from 27th to 29th November. The theme of this years conference, Cementing the Net Zero Future, underscores Indias commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, a vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The conference is being organised by the NCB, under the administrative control of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Advertisement Union Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will be the chief guest during a special session. He will also present the NCB Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of exemplary contributions to the cement and concrete sector. Advertisement The event will bring together experts and stakeholders from around the globe to discuss innovations and sustainability in the cement and building materials sector. During this session, several key publications will be released, including The Cement Industry India 2024 compendium, a publication focusing on alternative fuels and raw materials, and a short film celebrating 200 years of the cement industry. The conference will feature an extensive programme, including panel discussions and keynote addresses by eminent speakers from academia and industry, alongside the presentation of 220 technical papers. A concurrent technical exhibition will showcase the latest innovations, products, and services from over 120 leading global and Indian manufacturers and service providers. This event provides a unique platform for industry leaders, policymakers, engineers, academicians, and scientists to come together and chart the path toward sustainable growth and innovation in the cement and building materials sector. With its focus on clean production, efficient resource utilisation, and sustainability, the conference aims to drive the industrys transition toward a greener future. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on Tuesday announced the successful conclusion of Bharatpur Kaushal Mahotsav, where more than 2,400 youth were given appointment letters for jobs with leading corporate employers across multiple sectors. Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Ministry of Education, presided over the event in Rajasthans Bharatpur, where he personally handed over the job letters to the successful candidates. Advertisement The mega recruitment drive witnessed an overwhelming response from the corporate sector, with more than 70 industry leaders participating actively in the initiative. Major employers including e-commerce giants Flipkart and Zepto, global food chain Burger King, and premium dining brand Barbeque Nation, along with other prominent companies, collectively brought over 20,000 job opportunities to Bharatpur Kaushal Mahotsav, said an official statement. Advertisement The diverse range of positions offered competitive salary packages ranging from 19,000 to 35,000 per month, marking a significant boost to local employment prospects. The recruitment drive included corporations from sectors such as tourism, hospitality, logistics, food processing, IT-ITES, automotive, BFSI, and electronics. The minister stressed the significance of community involvement in effectively implementing skill development plans in Bharatpur, which is ready for launch. He highlighted NSDC and MSDEs collaborative efforts to attract pro-industry policies through state investment summits, opening opportunities for youth in remote areas. Addressing the gathering, he emphasized upskilling through platforms like SIDH and JobX, which bridge skill gaps by offering insights into industry demands, certifications, and courses. The companies here today are offering jobs in nearby areas, providing a significant opportunity for Bharatpurs youth. Guided by our Prime Ministers vision of Lifelong Learning, we are focused on creating education and employment pathways for all, irrespective of age or location, the minister said. Chaudhary also praised the initiative for effectively connecting local talent with potential employers, fostering economic growth in the region. Over the past month, more than 3,500 youth from Bharatpur registered on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) and underwent a five-day intensive job-readiness programme, which included training on soft skills and role-specific capabilities like Assembly Line Operations and Customer Care. The five-day intensive job-readiness programme culminated with a mega recruitment fair Kaushal Mahotsav wherein over 3,000 youth appeared for walk-in interviews. The Job Readiness Programme aimed to enhance employment opportunities for Bharatpurs youth and position the district as a hub for skilled workforce development. Employers from Rajasthan and neighbouring regions participated, providing diverse opportunities and boosting local economic development. This initiative not only presents significant opportunities for Bharatpurs youth but also aims to stimulate local economic development by connecting skilled individuals with potential employers. The Kaushal Mahotsav exemplifies the collaborative efforts between government bodies and industry leaders in preparing a skilled workforce to meet future challenges. The event was attended by Vishnoi, Minister of State, Skill and Employment and Entrepreneurship, Rajasthan government and other senior officials. Since November 6, 2022, the NSDC has organised eight Kaushal Mahotsavs across the nation in cities such as Dhenkanal (Odisha), Bundi (Rajasthan), Koderma (Jharkhand), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Secunderabad (Telangana), Sambalpur (Odisha), and Bijnor (Uttar Pradesh). These events connected 45,000 candidates with 26,431 job opportunities, with participation from 657 employers. The Adani Group on Thursday rejected the bribery allegations leveled by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and US Department of Justice against the directors of Adani Green. They called it baseless, and said, As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Advertisement All possible legal recourse will be sought, it added. Advertisement It said that the Adani Group has always upheld and steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency, and regulatory compliances across all jursidictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws, the statement read. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has alleged that Adani and others conspired to pay about $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts for Adani Green Energy, the renewable energy arm of the Adani Group. The SEC alleged that the incident occurred during a September 2021 offering by Adani Green that raised $750 million, including $175 million from US investors. The offering materials falsely claimed anti-corruption efforts, deceiving US investors, the complaint further stated. The charges against the Adanis include violations of the antifraud provisions of federal securities laws. The SEC is seeking permanent injunctions, civil penalties, and bans on them serving as officers or directors of public companies. The SEC has charged Adani with defrauding US investors by concealing that Adani Greens India-based solar energy project was allegedly facilitated through bribery. Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, and Vneet Jaain of Adani Green Energy were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy. The Adanis were also charged in a US Securities and Exchange Commission civil case. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has carried out an anti-encroachment drive in the city and cleared around 53 kilometres of stretch. The civic body took action against unauthorised encroachments at Shyama Prasad Mukherji Marg, Church Mission Road, Purani Delhi Railway Station, Khari Baoli and Arya Samaj Road in City SP Zone. Temporary structures and platforms were removed. The action was carried out with the help of local police. Advertisement During the encroachment removal drive, the City SP Zone has cleared approximately 53 kilometres of stretch and around 453 items were seized, as per the MCD. Advertisement Mentioning about the drive, Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Kumar Mishra said that this initiative reflects ongoing commitment of MCD to maintaining public spaces and ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents. Mishra said the drive involved the removal of several illegal encroachments that had been occupying public land and disrupting community access. The official said with the removal of these encroachments, the area has been restored for community use, promoting cleaner, safer, and more accessible public spaces for all. Mishra said the MCD will continue to monitor the area closely to prevent future encroachments and ensure that public land is utilised for the benefit of the community. The official said removal of encroachments has reopened vital public areas, fostering a cleaner and safer environment for all residents to enjoy. The BJP on Thursday said Adani Group will defend itself on its own in the alleged bribery case, and the law will take its own course. The partys reaction came after US prosecutors charged Gautam Adani and others in an alleged bribery scam. Advertisement Addressing a press conference, BJP MP Sambit Patra said, Today, since morning, we have been seeing in the media an issue regarding a company. There is a case against that company in the US. There are allegations and counter-allegations. We clearly believe that as far as the company and the case against it are concerned, the company will issue a statement and defend itself on its own. Law will take its own course. Advertisement Patra also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and accused him of sensationalising things. The BJP MP remarked that Rahul Gandhi, in the same way has raised allegations about the Rafale deal and during Covid-19 time-period, but at the end, he had to apologise. The BJP leader said, Today, Rahul Gandhi has done a press conference again. Today, he has again shown the same behaviour and presented the topic in the same way he used to present. This isnt a new PC. He has used the same names and the same ways through which he tried to put a new allegation on PM Modi. He always tries to sensationalise things and describe them in the way that how big the matter is. During the Covid 19, he (Rahul Gandhi) used to do press conferences in the same way, but at the end, he has to go to the Supreme Court and apologise Its his way to attack the structure of India and the people who save it, the BJP leader said Referring to the documents, which are available in the public domain, Patra said the dispute is about the agreement on electricity purchase with the State Distribution Companies (SDCs) of four states, dated from July 2021- February 2022. Because the documents are available in public domain, people have seen these documents, we have also seen the documents. The whole issue is about the agreement for the electricity purchase with the State Distribution Companies (SDCs). There are two companies, one Indian, one American and there are four Indian states involved in it. This whole matter was dated between July 2021- February 2022, he said. He added that SDCs are owned by state governments and at that time, all these states were either ruled by Congress or its allies and not by the BJP. Patra welcomed Rahul Gandhis demand for investigation, saying that an investigation should be conducted against all those Chief Ministers who were ruling these states between the time period of July 2021- February 2022. Patra stated, SDCs are properties of state governments, among the four Indian states, one was Chhattisgarh, at that time it was ruled by Congresss Bhupesh Baghel, it is present in documents. Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of bribery. These are all allegations. It wasnt BJPs or BJPs supported government. In Tamil Nadu, it was DMKs government, in Odisha, it was BJDs government. So, in all these 4 states, it wasnt BJPs or BJP-supported government, rather it was Congress and its allies governments. If Rahul Gandhi has said he does not have any objection, then an investigation should be conducted against Bhupesh Baghel and all other CMs of these states. We dont have any objection. Earlier today, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi called for Adanis arrest and said that it is clear and established that the Adani Group Chairman has broken both American and Indian laws. Wherever there is corruption, investigation should be done. But investigation will begin with Adani. Unless he is arrested, it wont be credible. So, begin it from there. Arrest Adani, interrogate him and then nab whoever is involved. In the end, Narendra Modis name will come out because BJPs entire funding structure is in his hands. So, even if the PM wants, he cant do anything. In a way, Adani has hijacked the country. India is in Adanis grip, Gandhi said. However, the Adani Group strongly refuted bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of the Adani Green as baseless. The Adani Group spokesperson in an official statement said all legal recourse will be taken. The US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied, according to the statement. The group further highlighted a key aspect of the legal proceedings, noting that, As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All possible legal recourse will be sought. A day after polling concluded for nine assembly by-elections, Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav wrote a letter on Thursday thanking the people of Uttar Pradesh for maintaining their morale despite alleged administrative pressure during voting. In a social media post, Yadav stated, The by-elections in nine assembly seats were a contest of 90% of the states population against the dominant BJP, which denies the unity, respect, and rights of the PDA (backward classes, Dalits, and minorities). Even the pointed guns of the negative BJP and its autocratic government could not break the courage of the PDA. Advertisement He extended his congratulations to voters, candidates, the entire PDA community, the INDI Alliance, and workers and leaders from the booth to the state level, including journalists. Advertisement Yadav added, Despite BJPs best efforts, INDIs team and PDAs strategy have won the elections on all nine seats morally. Now, I urge everyone to protect their votes and take a rest only after receiving the certificate of victory. Then, set out for public service. Best wishes! The bypolls were marked by minor incidents of violence and mutual allegations of rigging by SP and BJP leaders. The counting of votes for the nine assembly seats will take place on November 23. Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Uttar Pradesh government over the outsourcing of key administrative posts, such as Tehsildar and Accountant, in Municipal Corporation Gorakhpur. Sarcastically, he remarked, It would be better if the BJP outsourced the entire government, as all its commissions would then be managed from one place. The Municipal Corporation Gorakhpur had issued an advertisement on November 18 inviting applications for posts such as Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, Revenue Inspector, and Accountant on an honorarium basis. The deadline for applications is 5 PM on December 7, with proposed honorariums of Rs 35,000 for Tehsildars, Rs 30,000 for Naib Tehsildars, Rs 29,000 for Revenue Inspectors, and Rs 27,000 for Accountants. Citing excess workload, the corporation proposed hiring retired officers and employees for these roles. Opposing this move, Yadav alleged it was an economic conspiracy against the PDA and demanded the BJP withdraw the proposal immediately. He criticized the decision, asserting that it undermined the constitutional right to job reservations and called it condemnable. Allegations of torture of four civilians by the Army have surfaced in the Chas area of Kishtwar where a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the special forces of the Indian Army was recently killed and three soldiers injured in a terrorist attack. Reports said these civilians were among those suspected of providing shelter to the terrorists who had earlier abducted and killed two members of the Village Defence Group (VDG). Advertisement Reacting to these allegations, the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said: Based on specific intelligence of the move of a group of terrorists in the Kishtwar Sector, an operation was launched by Rashtriya Rifles on 20 November 2024. Advertisement There are some reports on the alleged ill treatment of civilians during the conduct of the operation. An investigation is being launched to ascertain the facts. Necessary follow up action will be ensured. Further move of the group of terrorists is being monitored, the White Knight Corps added. The Army along with police and paramilitary forces had launched a search operation in the area where the terrorists ambushed the soldiers and the JCO was killed in the gunfight. It is being alleged that the four civilians were summoned to an Army camp on 20 November for questioning during which they were beaten. A police officer said that the matter is being investigated. Reacting to the issue, J&K Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari wrote on X: The reports suggesting that the Army has brutally tortured five civilians in Kishtwar are deeply concerning. The matter must be thoroughly investigated, and those found responsible must be severely punished. Such incidents should not be tolerated. My deepest sympathies are with the victims. PDP leader and Mehbooba Muftis daughter Iltija Mufti wrote on X: Reports about army officials allegedly torturing five civilians in Kishtwar is yet another distressing example of how certain laws give sweeping powers & impunity to armed forces in J&K. BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China will make more efforts to advance the artificial intelligence (AI) development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Thursday. SMEs are an important force for the development of the AI industry, with innovation capability and huge potential, Jin Zhuanglong, minister of industry and information technology, said at a roundtable meeting on SME development. Jin called for the enterprises to step up investment in research and development, focus on computing power, models and data, consolidate the base of key technologies, and improve the coordinated development ecology of hardware and software. Smart products should be vigorously developed, Jin said, calling for accelerating the development of smart equipment, promoting the replacement of consumer terminals such as home appliances and mobile phones, and creating intelligent software applications. The minister also urged enhancing international cooperation, introducing advanced technologies and top talents, and actively participating in the international governance of AI. Jin said that the ministry will provide high-level services for AI enterprises in terms of innovation platforms, financial support, application scenarios, standard formulation, as well as talent introduction and training. The third edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise, AUSTRAHIND 2024, concluded on Thursday at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune. The closing ceremony was attended by Major General KTG Krishnan, General Officer Commanding of 36 RAPID, and Major General David Thomae, Commander of the 2nd Australian Division. Both dignitaries commended the participating contingents for their exceptional performance, collaborative spirit, and dedication to strengthening bilateral military ties. The exercise, which began on 8th November, featured an intensive two-week training programme aimed at enhancing cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces of the two nations. Advertisement The final phase of the exercise involved a validation drill where Indian and Australian troops conducted joint simulated operations against rebel forces in a semi-urban setting. Activities included establishing a Temporary Operating Base, creating an intelligence and surveillance grid, conducting heliborne operations, executing raids, isolating hostile areas, and carrying out a successful hostage rescue mission. Advertisement AUSTRAHIND 2024 highlighted the mutual confidence, trust, and exchange of best practices between the two nations, further solidifying their military partnership. The exercise underscores India and Australias shared commitment to global peace, stability, and the ability to tackle multifaceted challenges in peacekeeping and beyond. The BJP has come out strongly in defense of industrialist Gautam Adani following his indictment in a bribery case by the US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York. The indictment accuses Adani, along with other associates, of securities and wire fraud and a bribery scheme aimed at securing funds from US investors and global financial institutions through false statements. In a strongly worded statement, BJP leader Amit Malviya took to X to question the timing of the indictment and alleged political motives behind its release. He accused the opposition Congress and its allies of leveraging the case to further their political narrative. The timing of the report, just before the Parliament session and Donald Trumps impending Presidency, raises several questions. That the Congress is willing to be a prop in the hands of George Soros and his cabal speaks volumes, the Malviya remarked. Responding to the Congress leader Jairam Rameshs post, demanding a JPC probe into the matter, the BJP leader said the court documents Ramesh quoted says, The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Referring to the allegations against Mr Adani, Malviya further stated that the charges stem from agreements to supply 12 GW of power to the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), involving both Indian and US companies. Under this agreement, Adani Green Energy and Azure Power, a US renewable energy firm, were allotted 8 GW and 4 GW of power supply, respectively. Since the power was costly, the SDCs (State electricity distribution companies) were not willing to buy. Therefore, the Adanis (in collusion with Azure Power; a US firm) paid the equivalent of US $265 million to SDCs based in Odisha (BJD ruled), Tamil Nadu (DMK), Chhattisgarh (Congress), and Andhra Pradesh (YSRCP) between Jul 21 and Feb 22 (by far the largest to AP). All the States mentioned here were Opposition ruled during that time. So, before you pontificate, answer on the bribes the Congress and its allies accepted, Malviya added. He further criticised the involvement of foreign entities in domestic politics, stating, An Indian Court can similarly, on legitimate grounds, accuse American firms of bribing US government officials, to deny access to Indian markets. Should we then allow law to take its course and the concerned corporate to defend or plant ourselves in the domestic politics of a foreign country? The criminal charges also implicate other individuals, including former executives of a renewable energy company traded on the New York Stock Exchange and employees of a Canadian institutional investor, for conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The indictment of Gautam Adani by the US has given the Opposition fresh ammo to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Opposition Congress has, on several occasions, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of shielding Mr Adani. Even during the recent assembly elections in Maharashtra, the Congress made Modis links to Adani a key election issue. The BJP, however, has maintained that it has become the habit of the Congress to target the countrys wealth creators. Advertisement The 11th edition of the Asia Fire Protection Inspection Council (AFIC) Meet commenced today, jointly organised by the Centre for Fire, Explosive, and Environment Safety (CFEES), DRDO, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The three-day event, concluding on November 23, has drawn participation from 21 international delegates representing six Asian countries. AFIC serves as a pivotal platform for technical exchange and the development of fire safety knowledge, technologies, and standards across 11 Asian nations. Advertisement In his inaugural address, Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, highlighted the significance of the event as a space for meaningful dialogue and innovation. This meet is an ideal platform for sharing knowledge, valuable insights, and collaborative innovation, he said. Advertisement Dr Kamat expressed optimism that the event would propel DRDOs mission to advance Indias fire safety technologies, enhancing national security and global competitiveness. The event also features an International Seminar titled Latest Trends in Fire Safety and Future Perspectives and the Asian Fire Safety Expo (AFSE) 2024. More than 100 fire safety professionals from state fire services, the Army, Navy, Air Force, BSF, DRDO, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are attending the meet. Stating that Jammu & Kashmir separatist leader Yasin Malik, who is serving a life sentence in Delhis Tihar Central Jail, is entitled to a fair trial in the 1989 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (Union Home minister from December 2, 1989, to November 10, 1990), the Supreme Court on Thursday cited the case of Ajmal Kasab, the convict in November 26, 2008, Mumbai attacks, who was given a fair trial and provided with legal assistance. Ajmal Kasab was a member of the Islamist terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba. Advertisement Observing that even Ajmal Kasab was given a fair trial in our country, with legal assistance provided up to the Supreme Court, a bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih indicated that a courtroom might be set up inside Tihar Jail for conducting the trial in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case, which involves the cross-examination of prosecution witnesses. Advertisement The top court made this observation while hearing a CBI plea against the September 20, 2022, order of a Jammu trial court that had directed Malik to be produced before it physically to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case. Questioning the feasibility of virtual cross-examination of prosecution witnesses due to poor internet connectivity in Jammu, the bench hinted at setting up a courtroom within Tihar Jail for the trial. The bench remarked, How will cross-examination be done online? There is hardly any connectivity in Jammu In our country, a fair trial was given even to Ajmal Kasab, and legal assistance was given to him in the high court. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, suggested conducting the trial inside Tihar Jail, with the judge of the Jammu court travelling to Delhi. Agreeing to consider the suggestion by Solicitor General Mehta, the court said that it needed to hear all the accused in the case and posted the matter for hearing on November 28, 2024. Asking the CBI to amend its plea and make all the accused parties, the court also asked the investigating agency to give the details of the witnesses in the case. India stands firm on the principles of freedom of navigation, overflight, and adherence to international law as pillars of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday, while addressing the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) forum in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Highlighting discussions on the proposed Code of Conduct, Singh underlined that India supports a framework that respects the rights of nations not involved in its drafting. The Code should align with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, he said, reiterating Indias commitment to maintaining global maritime order. Advertisement Touching on the broader challenges to international peace, Singh praised Lao PDR for embodying Buddhist values of non-violence and peace. He urged nations to adopt these principles as a guide in a world increasingly divided into polarized blocs, stressing that peaceful coexistence and dialogue are essential for addressing global challenges. Advertisement India has consistently advocated for dialogue as the cornerstone of resolving complex international issues. Open communication builds trust, fosters cooperation, and creates sustainable partnerships, Singh remarked. He noted that Indias approach to challenges, from border disputes to trade negotiations, reflects this enduring commitment to peaceful engagement. Singh also highlighted the significance of the ASEAN region in the Asian Century, lauding its economic dynamism and cultural vibrancy. He assured that India remains a steadfast partner in the regions transformative journey, strengthening shared goals of peace and prosperity. The Special Operation Group (SOG), an elite Commando unit of the Odisha police, on Thursday gunned down a maoist cadre of outlawed the Communist Party of India (Maoist) outfit in a dense forest area along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border in Malkangiri district, said a senior police official. The rebel was killed in an intelligence-based operation and the rebels were in their hideout in the mountainous terrains when the operation was launched to flush out the Maoists, said the official. Advertisement The gun battle is still continuing while a Jawan of the SOG has been injured in the exchange of fire. The injured Jawan shifted to Malkangiri district headquarters hospital is stated to be critical. Advertisement The rebels of the outlawed outfit are heading towards Odisha after an intense crackdown on the naxals in the recent past. Odisha police later acting in ground-level feedback on the intrusion of left wing extremists swung into action, resulting in the exchange of fire, confided an official. Details of the anti-naxal operation are still awaited, police said, adding that a huge cache of arms and live ammunition has been seized during the combing operation. Taking advantage of the topographical isolation of the cut-off area, the Maoists had established their base to operate from Malkangiri, regarded as the hub of Naxals in Odisha. The construction of Machhkund and Balimela multi-purpose irrigation and hydroelectricity projects in the sixties and eighties had altered the topography of the region and the place remained cut off from the mainland. It had provided the Maoists to flourish due to seclusion of the place and unleash a reign of terror. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the states first medicity at Ujjain to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 592 crore. The CM also performed the ground breaking for a new medical college in the medicity at Ujjain. Dr Yadav said during the event on Thursday evening that the initiative would not only elevate Ujjains healthcare facilities but also make the city a high-tech medical hub in central India. Advertisement The CM said that the state would soon have 50 medical colleges. He informed that presently 17 government medical colleges are operating in the state, and eight are under construction. He said 13 private medical colleges are also functioning in the state. Advertisement The CM said that the state government has invited tenders for 12 medical colleges, which will be operated on the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model. Dr Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is among the leading states in the country in the expansion of medical education and medical facilities. The Chief Minister lauded the union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doing a lot of work in the field of medical services and medical education. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the concept of Medicity and arrangements have been made to provide various health and medical facilities and solutions in a single campus. The CM emphasized that the state government is committed to providing world-class modern medical services, and efforts are also underway to promote a new concept of holistic health and medicine through AYUSH. The CM informed that the proposed medicity in Ujjain will include a medical college along with comprehensive facilities such as nursing, paramedical services, research centers and accommodations for doctors, specialists and staff. The Chief Minister pointed out that in the past 20 years, the Madhya Pradesh government has taken revolutionary steps in the field of medicine. He said that in the year 2004-05, there were only 5 medical colleges in the state, and currently 17 medical colleges are operating in the state and 8 are under construction. Dr Yadav said that during the Simhastha period, an estimated 15 crore people would visit Ujjain. He said that even in normal times, about 5 to 7 crore travelers visit Ujjain every year and so the formation of medicity in Ujjain would be extremely crucial and helpful. Ujjain is the hometown of the Chief Minister. Under the Patent Acquisition and Collaborative Research (PACE) programme, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) signed two separate Tripartite Agreements . The agreements were signed yesterday with M/s Devashish Polymers Private Ltd (DPPL), Mumbai and M/s GPS Renewables Pvt Ltd, Bangalore & Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune. Advertisement While the first one aims to develop compounded elastomers and evaluate their performance for diverse applications under this project, the second one seeks to scale up and conduct pilot trials for enhanced microbial methane production from agricultural residues using anaerobic fungi. Advertisement The PACE programme by the DSIR fosters collaborative research between Indian industries and R&D organizations, academic institutions, or universities. It emphasises innovative work and supports the development of new technologies focused on the commercialisation of products and processes addressing unmet industrial needs. Proposals targeting specific industrial sectors with practical applications are encouraged in this program. Projects demonstrating proof-of-concept with an aim to address significant unmet industrial needs are supported under this programme. It supports projects with a duration of 1 to 3 years. During the agreement signing ceremony, among those present included Dr N Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR; Dr Vipin Chandra Shukla, Scientist-G, & Head PACE; Commodore (Retd.) Amit Rastogi, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and Dr Prashant Dhakephalkar, Director, Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune. Dr Kalaiselvi, in her opening remarks emphasised that the PACE programme represents a cornerstone of DSIRs commitment to fostering innovation and collaborative research in India. Through this initiative, we aim to catalyze the development of new products, processes, and solutions that are not only technologically sound but also have a clear path leading to commercialization, she said. She congratulated both M/s Devashish Polymers Private Ltd. (DPPL), Mumbai and M/s GPS Renewables Pvt Ltd, Bangalore along with Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, for undertaking the project which is poised to address pressing national challenges and contribute significantly to Indias development goals. Dr Shukla mentioned that DSIR remains committed to nurturing ideas that transform into impactful solutions, and the PACE program is a testament to this mission. Together, we can drive sustainable industrial growth and technological self-reliance for India, he said. Rajasthan Housing and Urban Development Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra announced on Thursday that the state government will present its submission before the Patiala House Court during the next hearing on November 29. The submission aims to safeguard the status and ownership of Bikaner House, a prominent property in New Delhi. The Delhi District Court Judge Vidhya Prakash had recently issued an attachment warrant for the immovable properties of Bikaner House. This action followed the failure of its owner, Nokha Municipality (Bikaner), to comply with a 2020 court order. Advertisement In the January 21, 2020, ruling regarding a dispute between Nokha Municipality and Enviro Infra Engineers Private Limited, the court had directed the municipality to pay Rs 50.31 lakh to the firm as per their agreement. Advertisement However, the municipality neither complied with the order nor responded to repeated court notices. Consequently, the court issued an attachment warrant and scheduled the November 29 hearing to finalize procedural steps for enforcing the warrant. The Rajasthan High Court has quashed an FIR filed in 2017 at Churu Kotwali related to a 2013 television interview featuring Salman Khan and Shilpa Shetty. The FIR accused the actress of using the word Bhangi, allegedly offending the Valmiki community. The single-judge bench of Justice Arun Monga ruled earlier this week that there was no evidence suggesting that the actress intended to humiliate the Valmiki community. Additionally, the court noted that the FIR, filed under the SC-ST Act, was time-barred, exceeding the three-year limitation period. Advertisement Furthermore, the judge observed that the specific provisions of the SC-ST Act cited in the FIR were not in effect at the time of the alleged remarks during the interview. Consequently, the court quashed FIR No. 258/2017, registered on December 22, 2017, at Churu Kotwali. Advertisement By Akbar Novruz 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. A man is seen at a destroyed house in Gaza City, on Nov. 21, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 71 people and wounded 176 others, bringing the total death toll to 44,056 and injuries to 104,268 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) GAZA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has surpassed 44,000, the Gaza-based health authorities said on Thursday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 71 people and wounded 176 others, bringing the total death toll to 44,056 and injuries to 104,268 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, it said in a statement. Many victims remain trapped under rubble, with ambulance and civil defense teams unable to reach them. Also on Thursday, Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said on the social media platform X that 80 percent of the Gaza Strip is now high-risk areas where people are forced to flee in search for the basics, especially the nonexistent safety. "In northern Gaza, people remain under a tight siege. They run for their lives in vicious circles and have been deprived of humanitarian aid for more than 40 days now," Lazzarini said. "Across Gaza, the delivery of the little aid allowed in has become increasingly difficult due to insecure routes," he added, noting that civil order has been destroyed. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. People are seen among the rubble of a destroyed house in Gaza City, on Nov. 21, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 71 people and wounded 176 others, bringing the total death toll to 44,056 and injuries to 104,268 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) People search in the rubble of a destroyed house in Gaza City, on Nov. 21, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 71 people and wounded 176 others, bringing the total death toll to 44,056 and injuries to 104,268 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) People search in the rubble of a destroyed house in Gaza City, on Nov. 21, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 71 people and wounded 176 others, bringing the total death toll to 44,056 and injuries to 104,268 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) People search in the rubble of a destroyed house in Gaza City, on Nov. 21, 2024. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 71 people and wounded 176 others, bringing the total death toll to 44,056 and injuries to 104,268 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) A South Korean delegation led by Jung Won Joo, Chairman of Korea Herald, Daewoo Corporation, and the Korea Housing Builders Association, called on Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Gurugram on Thursday. During the interactive session, the Chief Minister emphasized the governments commitment to supporting the growth of Korean businesses in Haryana. He assured that the government would assist in identifying suitable land in areas adjacent to the National Capital Region to facilitate this growth. Advertisement Minister of Foreign Cooperation Department Rao Narbir Singh and Cooperation Minister Dr Arvind Sharma were also present on this occasion. Advertisement Chief Minister Saini highlighted that Haryana has identified key sectors for cooperation, including automotive, textiles, food processing, and real estate. He extended a warm invitation to South Korean partners to engage in the City-to-City project, emphasizing that the exchange of best practices through such collaboration would be mutually beneficial. He said that there are many similarities in the cultures of India and South Korea. Culturally and spiritually both the countries are connected to each other. South Korea and Haryana are made for each other, he said. The Chief Minister expressed his commitment to giving Haryana a new international identity, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Cooperation of Haryana. The Chief Minister said that the government in Haryana has been formed for the third consecutive time under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He assured the delegation that Haryana is open for business and that the state government will provide comprehensive support to Korean enterprises, ensuring that no issues will arise in this collaboration. Earlier, Jung Won Joo, Chairman of Korea Herald, Daewoo Corporation, and the Korea Housing Builders Association, expressed his gratitude to the Haryana Government and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation. He thanked the Chief Minister for inviting them to Haryana. Jung also congratulated the Chief Minister on the formation of the government in Haryana for the third consecutive term. He mentioned that the Korean delegation includes 21 regional heads, who collectively hold around 30 percent of the market share in Koreas housing industry. He shared that his association is currently developing the Star Lake City Project in Vietnam and expressed a keen interest in bringing this project to Haryana. Additionally, Jung informed that 70 delegates from 22 companies would be attending the Haryana-Korea Business Connect event, which promises to further strengthen the business ties between the two regions. Jung Won Joo invited the Chief Minister at the event, which the Chief Minister graciously accepted. With the DMK government coming under a cloud following the indictment of the Adani Group in the United States, Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji on Thursday strongly denied any direct or commercial ties between the state-owned power utility, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), and the conglomerate. Let me make it plain and clear that the TNEB board has had no direct or commercial relationship with the Adani Group in the last three years since the DMK came to power under MK Stalin. The Board had entered into an agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), an arm of the Union Energy Ministry, he told reporters in his native town of Karur. Advertisement This is the first reaction of the DMK government following the indictment of the Adani conglomerate in a US court. The US Justice Department had charged the Adani Group with bribing government officials between July 2021 and February 2022. Subsequently, state-owned power utilities in Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir signed contracts for purchasing electricity from the SECI. Advertisement Denying any illegality in TNEB entering into a long-term power purchase agreement with SECI, Balaji explained, We have signed a contract to buy 1,500 MW of electricity from SECI at 2.61 per unit for a period of 25 years. This is very very cheap. The previous AIADMK government had purchased solar power at an exorbitant rate of 7.01. It was SECI that had entered into agreements with private power producers to purchase electricity from them. Our contract is only with SECI, a public sector undertaking. As such, there is no question of TNEB having any sort of commercial relationship with the Adani conglomerate, he further clarified. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called for the arrest of Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani following the latters indictment by the United States in a massive bribery case. Addressing a press conference here, Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of shielding Adani and questioned the lack of action by Indian authorities despite mounting allegations against the businessman. Advertisement Adani, whose conglomerate spans sectors from ports to power, has been indicted in the US for allegedly orchestrating a USD 250 million bribery scheme and concealing it to raise funds in the American markets. Advertisement It is now pretty clear and established in America that Mr. Adani has broken both American and Indian laws. I am wondering why Mr. Adani is still roaming free in this country despite being accused of a Rs 2,000 crore scam and multiple others, Gandhi said. He wondered while chief ministers of Jharkhand and Delhi were arrested within minutes, there is no action against the business tycoon. I want to tell the publicplease take note. Adani has committed a scam of Rs 2,000 crore. But Adani will neither be arrested nor will there be any investigation agaisnt him because Prime Minister Narendra Modi is associated with him, he alleged. Doubling down on his charge, the Leader of Opposition remarked, Now the question is why will Mr Adani remain outside the jail? The PM says he will arrest anyone who commits a crime. This man has been accused of a crime in the US as well as in India by an American agency, but the PM is not doing anything. It is because Narendra Modi is under Adanis control. Gandhi also took a jibe at Modis leadership, Narendra Modi gave the slogan: If we are united, we are safe. In India, if Narendra Modi and Adani are together, then they are safe. Meanwhile, the saffron party came out strongly in defence of Adani, questioning the timing of his indictment by the US. In a strongly worded statement, BJP leader Amit Malviya accused the opposition Congress and its allies of leveraging the case to further their political narrative. The timing of the report, just before the Parliament session and Donald Trumps impending presidency, raises several questions. That the Congress is willing to be a prop in the hands of George Soros and his cabal speaks volumes, he remarked. The healthcare sector in India is witnessing a significant shift, with women increasingly in demand for critical jobs, according to a recent report by Apna (dot) co, one of the countrys leading job platforms. Over the past three months, 60% of the 40,000 healthcare job postings on the platform have specifically sought out women professionals. Advertisement This growing trend is reflective of the broader expansion in Indias healthcare industry, driven by increased government investment in public healthcare and the push by private players to build services in smaller cities. Advertisement The surge in healthcare jobs is particularly notable in Tier two and three cities, where job postings have jumped by 50%, compared to a 35% rise in Tier one cities. Cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, and Indore are emerging as new hubs for healthcare employment, with demand rising for roles such as nurses, attendants, medical representatives, and lab technicians. Meanwhile, in major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi, there has been an uptick in demand for pharmacists, optometrists, dental assistants, and operation theatre technicians. This geographic and sectoral expansion of healthcare services is helping create more jobs for women, particularly in areas that were once traditionally male-dominated. The influx of leading healthcare providers such as Medplus, Tata 1mg, Pharmeasy, and Apollo Pharmacy is accelerating this change, with many companies spearheading initiatives to hire more women in the workforce. Apna (dot) cos Founder and CEO, Nirmit Parikh, pointed out that the rise in womens participation in healthcare is crucial for the sectors evolution. He noted a 30% increase in the demand for women in critical care, diagnostics, and home healthcare roles. The growing demand for women across these essential areas is a testament to the integral role they play in transforming Indias healthcare system, Parikh said. He also highlighted that by 2030, Indias private healthcare sector is likely to add eight million jobs, creating vast opportunities for women, especially in leadership roles. The expansion in job opportunities is not just about filling positions but also about creating a more inclusive and diverse healthcare system. Apna(dot) co is actively contributing to this by launching Frontline, Indias largest virtual healthcare job fair. The platform aims to make the hiring process more efficient while providing greater accessibility to jobs for healthcare professionals across the country. Parikh emphasized that initiatives like Frontline are designed to support women in their careers, ensuring that they are equipped to take on leadership roles and contribute to the countrys growing healthcare needs. The outgoing Biden Administrations authorisation for Ukraine to carry out long-range missile strikes against Russian targets using US weaponry signals a significant escalation in the on-going conflict. However, this decision, while tactically impactful, raises questions about its timing and broader strategic relevance. The long delays in providing Ukraine with the authorisation it has sought may ultimately blunt their effectiveness in altering the course of the war. For Ukraine, the ability to strike deeper into Russian territory is both a tactical necessity and a psychological boost. By targeting military airbases and logistical hubs, Ukraine could disrupt Russian operations, particularly in regions like Kursk, where a Ukrainian foothold has proven critical. This could bolster Kyivs defences and provide leverage in future negotiations. However, the limited availability of advanced missiles, combined with Russias fortified defences, could minimise the long-term impact of this policy shift. Throughout the conflict, the hesitancy of Western nations to provide decisive support in a timely manner has been a recurring theme. Whether it was the delay in approving tanks, planes, or long-range missiles, these pauses have consistently allowed Russia to regroup and adapt. This pattern has left Ukraine playing catch-up, unable to seize opportunities to regain the strategic advantage. The authorisation of long-range strikes, while valuable, fits into this troubling trend. The potential impact of these weapons on the battlefield is constrained by logistical and political realities. Advertisement Russia has already moved key assets beyond the range of many Western-supplied missiles. Additionally, concerns about escalation have limited the scope and scale of these deliveries. These limitations mean that while Ukraine may see tactical gains, such as defending its position in Kursk, the strikes are unlikely to reverse Russias broader advances in eastern and southern Ukraine. Compounding these challenges is the looming political uncertainty in the United States. With a change in administration imminent, Ukraine faces the risk of a significant shift in US policy. A new administration less committed to supporting Kyiv could curtail the very aid that makes long-range strikes possible. Such uncertainty underscores the fragile nature of Ukraines position and the urgency of achieving tangible gains before the political winds change. The authorisation of long-range strikes represents a step forward but not a game changer. The effectiveness of these strikes will depend on Kyivs ability to execute them strategically, the availability of sufficient missile stockpiles, and continued Western support. Advertisement While the decision is welcome, its delayed implementation may have squandered its potential to be a decisive factor. Ultimately, the authorisation serves as a reminder that wars are not won by half measures or hesitant policies. Ukraines allies must recognise that timeliness and decisiveness are as crucial as the weapons themselves. If the West truly seeks to aid Ukraine, future decisions must prioritise urgency over caution, ensuring that support arrives not just in time to sustain the fight, but to shape its outcome Indias urbanisation is progressing at an unprecedented pace, with the number of statutory towns growing significantly in recent years. This rapid transformation presents immense opportunities but also challenges, particularly in governance, infrastructure, and planning. The proposed urban governance reforms by the Union government aim to address these challenges with a focus on structural changes, citizen participation, and the rural-urban transition. One of the most critical aspects of these reforms is the empowerment of mayors. Currently, mayors in most Indian cities have limited authority, with their tenure often lasting just a year. This short term not only undermines their ability to implement long-term policies but also disrupts continuity in governance. By extending mayoral tenure to five years and redefining their roles and responsibilities, the government plans to instil stability in city leadership. Such empowerment, coupled with clear authority to oversee urban development, could enable mayors to become central figures in shaping cities futures. Citizen participation is another vital component of the proposed reforms. Urban governance often feels distant to the average resident, with decisions made by bureaucrats or by multiple agencies without adequate public consultation. Strengthening mechanisms for citizen involvement in municipal budgets, area development, and planning can bridge this gap. Active citizen engagement not only ensures that policies are aligned with local needs but also fosters accountability and trust in governance. One persistent issue in urban governance is the multiplicity of agencies performing overlapping roles. Advertisement This fragmentation creates inefficiencies and delays, particularly in critical sectors such as public transport, water supply, and road maintenance. The proposed reforms aim to address this by streamlining responsibilities and reducing redundancies. By developing a clear framework for delineating powers between state governments, urban local bodies, and parastatal organisations, the reforms could establish a more coherent and accountable governance structure. The rural-urban continuum presents a unique challenge. Many areas transitioning from rural to urban status lack the necessary planning and infrastructure to support this shift. The absence of a defined framework often leads to unregulated development, as seen in peri-urban regions of major cities. By creating policies that proactively address the needs of these areas ~ such as infrastructure development and clear governance structures ~ the reforms can ensure sustainable and systematic urbanisation. However, successful implementation will require navigating significant obstacles. Resistance from state governments, funding constraints, and the need for capacity building at the municipal level are potential hurdles. Advertisement Overcoming these challenges demands political will, coordination across stakeholders, and investments in human resources and technology. If executed effectively, these reforms could revolutionise urban governance in India. Empowered local leaders, streamlined administration, and proactive planning for rural-urban transitions hold the potential to transform cities into hubs of efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainability. As India continues its urban journey, these initiatives could set the stage for a future where urban agglomerations are not only well-managed but also equitable spaces for all residents. It is better to plan for a future that seems inevitable than to present citizens with inhospitable living spaces. As is evidenced in his earlier books of poems, the poetry of Debashish Lahiri has consciously endeavored to bring together cultural traditions, historical monuments, art galleries and archives, not just from India, his place of origin, but from the entire world. Lahiris poetry spans the archives and the arcane to their presence in the present, reclaiming the significance of forgotten relics that assert their relevance in the second millennium. Increasingly in his books of poems that have been published to date, one cannot fail but notice the voice of the scholar-poet for whom the world is home. In his recently published book of poems, Legion of Lost Letters, subtitled Dramatic Monologues of Romans in Exile, Lahiris initiatory poem, Ovid Contemplates Writing his Fasti at Tomis is a direct reference to poet Ovids exile to Tomis, having earned the wrath of Emperor Augustus, as he exposed the covert immorality in the emperors own household, despite the emperor presenting himself as a stern advocate of morality and ethics. According to experts, Ovid could not complete his intended 12-part poem, Fasti, during his period of exile at Tomis. Just 6 parts of Fasti, which deal with each calendar month of a year, seem to have either survived, or Ovid could have left the long poem incomplete. The anguish and lament of the exiled poet resonate in Lahiris lines, My memories of Rome not near enough/for verse. / Caesar, the poets gold/is the pestilent dew in my ribs/My spittoon glows in the dark. Advertisement The narrative poem Sycamore Gap recreates youthful love and passion between the beautiful Celt Aella and the Roman soldier Quintus Flammius, their love facilitated by the gap in Hadrians wall. The despotic Celtic male parents barbarism is described vividly, as he ruthlessly murders his daughter Aella for falling in love with a Roman. Lahiris volume of 64 pages includes 12 narrative poems, most of them quite long. The poet defines these poems as dramatic monologues. A standard definition of a dramatic monologue states that it is a poem written in the form of a speech of an individual character; it compresses into a single vivid scene a narrative sense of the speakers history and psychological insight into his character. Advertisement In his introduction, Lahiri explains that while visiting the UK, he was deeply moved by the relics of Roman Britain, which stirred his imagination, and his time travel resulted in the creation of these poems of a forgotten past. He states, Moving through the puckered stone of Roman ruins in the present, the poet unearths rumpled vestments of the human heart buried there, making the ruins revenant.. Referring to the ordinary folks outside the elitist aristocracy, such as men, women, lovers, dreamers, and aesthetes, among others, the poet adds, These forgotten beings from beyond the millennial horizon ponder the second millennium. The light of these lives, effigies of breathing, made pale and frail by time, resonate in Legion of Lost Letters: a light that is not yet loud enough to be heard.. Meticulously the poet has inserted a date for each of his poems. This historical data and the historiographic recreation are the unique features of these poems that blend time and the timeless through re-memorializing processes. In the poem At Deva, the fortress at Chester, evidence of human migration and cultural transfer echoes in the rediscovery and renewal of the past, time and geography, compass and cutlass Roman-Parthian-Indian: an impossible survival, like a story that thrives in a crevice of history, along with the Hindu gods Pavana and Maruta. The poem, The Epistle of Martinus Hostilius, is a touching poem of love and longing for a home far away where the wife and daughter live. The poets postscript to the epistle suggests a dramatic immediacy despite the languorous romantic mood of the poem. There is occasional tongue-in-cheek humour and irony too in these rare and refreshing poems, as when the shopkeepers at Caerleon smile at the tourist-poet, smiled at a tourist/reeling from relics: Lahiris dramatic monologues are often reflective, pensive, and philosophic, though his adroit use of images, metaphors, and similes invests the storytelling with a depth of rumination, sometimes abstract, sometimes subjective, as in A Prayer for Nemesis, where the poets introspective search is arrested in this query whose answer is interiorized: Dear Nemesis, what is the calculus of change required to find what is lost in the sand, if what is lost is yourself?. The Colchester Sphinx is once again a monologue of unrequited love, an inexplicable longing for a question in stone/when there was no stone to carve for the Sphinx, darker than both day and night/a face without light or shadow, challenging the imagistic outline of a subtle chiaroscuro. The Cupid of Fishbourne is a monologue that juxtaposes a duality in terms of recreating ones identity as a young man, in the first person, I was Rufinius the beautiful, refracted into a strange deformity with the consciousness of being still young, I am still twenty-five and yet old/in my despair.. The informed poet himself introduces himself as a wondering, wandering tourist with a well-curated itinerary that opens the windows of perception and re-visions of Roman Britain in the poem, Walking with the Romans. The poet notices that in Colchester, City Centre, a family from Coimbatore tries on Roman togas, and the Welsh guide impersonates a Roman slave. Two other poems that conclude this fascinating foray into the archaeological signposts that script the presence of Roman Britain in twenty-first-century multicultural Britain are Wayside Notes: Peddars Way and York Upended. These poems are the poets responses to the unravelling of Roman Britain to those travellers who are keen to explore beyond the tourist guidebooks. After all, it is to be remembered that the Romans occupied Britain for about 370 years, from AD 43 to 410. This period was marked by frequent change, with more than 80 emperors ruling over Britain during this time. The Romans introduced many changes to Britain, including towns, roads, military garrisons, taxation, and a centralized government. These changes have left a rich archaeological legacy, including villas, towns, forts, and Hadrians Wall. The Romans first invaded Britain in 55 and 54 BC as part of Julius Caesars Gallic Wars. Christianity and the use of the classical language Latin were two other momentous contributions of the Roman administration of Britain. Unfurling a chapter of often forgotten early British history, Debasish Lahiris Legion of Lost Letters: Dramatic Monologues of Romans in Exile emerges as a fascinating cultural travelogue in poetic format, aesthetically crafted with nuanced use of images and wordplay. The poets role as a travel guide and his immersion into the lives, loves, and duties of the Romans in Britain recreate for the readers a chapter of the early history of Britain when the ordinary people of Rome were subjected to exile and forced migration from their native land, most often coerced to make a home away from home. Undoubtedly, readers of Anglophone poetry, as well as students and researchers of western political and social history and cultural anthropology, will find in Debasish Lahiris Legion of Lost Letters Dramatic Monologues of Romans in Exile a rich learning experience. The reviewer is former dean, faculty of Arts, University of Calcutta Spotlight Legion of Lost Letters: Dramatic Monologues of Romans in Exile By Debashish Lahiri London: The Black Spring Press Group, 2023 66 pages India looks for equity, balance and fair trade when negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with countries, the government said on Tuesday. Speaking at the 27th CITIC CLSA India Forum here, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said India enters into FTAs with countries which are transparent, open and where governments economic systems align with India. Advertisement Minister Goyal asserted that fulfilling basic amenities of citizens has been the governments priority for the last decade, empowering Indians to aspire big, ensuring that India uses the 4D advantage of Democracy, Demographic Dividend, Demand and Decisive Leadership led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Advertisement Urging participants at the forum to continue investing in the country, the minister spoke about the opportunities India provides as it grows towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, making it the best business destination for the world. On a question on skill development in the country, the minister stated that the PM Modi-led government has announced five schemes worth $30 billion in the Budget 2024. In the years to come, the governments focus will be on allowing youth to curate their formal education as per their desires and move into a vocation of their choice. CSR spending in skill development will also enhance the progress in the years to come, Goyal said. He further stated that in the last 10 years, the governments efforts have been towards a complete saturation of every person, every child, every family in the country, so that nobody is deprived of basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and education. Once you are confident that all of these are well taken care of, it empowers you to dream big, to dream big, to aspire for all the good things of life, the minister told the gathering. 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. Advertisement The campaign also aims to boost the well-being of Indias elderly population projected to rise to 347 million by 2050. Advertisement 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 todays 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. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Departments efforts to integrate AI technology into wildlife monitoring demonstrate a significant step forward in safeguarding both humans and elephants. NANJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Song Tao, the mainland's senior Taiwan affairs official, on Thursday encouraged Taiwan businesspeople and enterprises to seize the opportunities brought by the comprehensive advancement of Chinese modernization, and to pursue improved development on the mainland. 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 when he was visiting booths at an event aligning the industrial and supply chains of Taiwan-invested manufacturing enterprises, which was held in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province. The event established a platform for financing, investment and project alignment among enterprises in industries such as electronics, information technology and new energy vehicles. Over 120 companies from both sides of the Taiwan Strait operated fixed booths. Representatives of Taiwanese enterprises participating in the event said that the construction of a platform for industrial and supply chain alignment has enabled enterprises to truly benefit and solidified their confidence in developing on the mainland, as has the facilitation of direct communication between the supply and demand sides of their business. On Thursday afternoon, Song met with participants from Taiwan at a cross-Strait mechanical industry forum in Nantong, Jiangsu, pledging that the mainland will help its compatriots and enterprises from Taiwan to integrate into the modernization process, and to share the opportunities brought by the latest round of reform and opening-up with them. Leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) of nations have expressed their gratitude to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for becoming the voice of the Global South and putting the concerns of the Caribbean nations on the worlds agenda. Responding to them at the second India-CARICOM Summit on Wednesday, PM Modi assured them of continued help and cooperation when the region and the Global South have been hit hard by the new challenges the world is facing. Advertisement India has always responded to the concerns of the Global South, he said. Advertisement CARICOMs Chairman Dickon Mitchell said, I express on behalf of all of CARICOM citizens, our deep gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the government and great people of India for Indias proactive and influential role in championing the ideals and aspirations of the Global South. Mitchell, who is also the Prime Minister of Grenada, said, We commend Indias unwavering commitment to the sustainable development of our region, especially in this intricate and interconnected era of globalisation. He told the CARICOM leaders that PM Modis commitment to fostering international partnerships and his dedication to sustainable development has set a remarkable example for us all. He mentioned Indias donation of Covid vaccines to the CARICOM countries and said It demonstrated that at the time of its own great need, it cared enough about its brothers and sisters within CARICOM. He said that PM Modis visionary leadership has been instrumental in strengthening the ties between India and CARICOM. Mitchell added, His leadership has not only propelled India to new heights, but it has also opened new avenues for collaboration with our region and noted Indias emergence as the fastest-growing major economy. Our collaboration spans various sectors, including trade, technology, healthcare, education, and climate resilience, each contributing to the sustainable development and prosperity of our regions and Indias expertise in such key areas as agriculture, energy, health, human resource development, and information and communications technology can help the region, he said. CARICOM Summits host, Guyanas President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, told PM Modi that with his visionary leadership, India has become an influential voice in the international community, you are emerging as the voice of the Global South. Indias leadership of the G20 and its role in BRICS, the group of emerging major economies, and PM Modis steadfast advocacy for the developing world underscores your commitment to advancing the aspirations of the Global South, Ali said. These initiatives have elevated Indias stature and placed the concerns of developing nations, including the small island developing low-lying coastal states of the Caribbean, formally on the global agenda, he added. He said that PM Modis steadfast advocacy for the developing world and advancing aspirations and Global South have raised his stature. Ali told PM Modi that this was an occasion for the leaders of CARICOM to thank you and the people of India for your selfless attributes when you deliver to this region or a forest set of vaccines during the Covid pandemic. After being conferred the highest award for his contributions to the Caribbean nation during the Covid-19 pandemic and his dedication to enhancing the bilateral partnership between India and Dominica, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dedicated the honour to the 140 crore people living in India. Honoured to be conferred with the highest national award by Dominica. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India, Prime Minister Modi said in a post on social media platform X. Advertisement Prime Minister Modi also said that he dedicated the highest national award conferred by Dominica to the efforts, culture and traditions of the people of India. Advertisement He also thanked President Sylvanie Burton for giving him this special honour by coming to Guyana personally and hailed both India and Dominica not only as democratic nations but also as role models for the whole world to emulate regarding womens empowerment, adding that President Droupadi Murmu is the first Indian President to be elected from the tribal community whereas President of Dominica Sylvanie Burton is also the first President from the indigenous community. India and Dominica not only share centuries-old historical and civilisational ties, PM Modi added. The Prime Minister, who is in Guyana on the last leg of his three-nation visit, was conferred the Dominica Award of Honour by President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica during the India-CARICOM Summit here on Wednesday. The award is a recognition of PMs statesmanship and contribution to Dominica during the Covid-19 pandemic and his commitment to strengthening India-Dominica ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a post on X. President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica conferred on PM @narendramodi the Dominica Award of Honour, the highest National Award of the Commonwealth of Dominica. The award is a recognition of PMs statesmanship and contribution to during the Covid pandemic and his commitment to strengthening India-Dominica ties, said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a statement. Guyana and Barbados will also confer their top awards on Prime Minister Modi, bringing his tally of international honours to 19. Dominica announced its top award to PM Modi a few days ago. In February 2021, Prime Minister Modi supplied Dominica with 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine a generous gift which enabled Dominica to extend support to its Caribbean neighbours, said a statement by the office of the Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. The award also recognises Indias support for Dominica in healthcare, education and information technology under PM Modis leadership and his role in promoting climate resilience-building initiatives and sustainable development on a global level, it added. The statement quoted Prime Minister Skerrit as saying that the award is an expression of Dominicas gratitude for PM Modis solidarity with Dominica and the wider region. In accepting the offer of the award, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of collaboration in tackling global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical conflicts and affirmed Indias commitment to working alongside Dominica and the Caribbean in addressing these issues, the statement underlined. by Rania Aboelkheir The 19th G20 Leaders' Summit was just concluded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the title of "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet," with the participation of G20 members and invitees from some other countries. The G20 plays a significant role in today's world, as it represents more than 80 percent of global GDP, 75 percent of international trade, and around two-thirds of the world's population. Despite its political and economic weight, the group faces mounting challenges, including repercussions of the Ukrainian crisis and escalating regional crises, such as the ongoing Israel-Palestine and Israel-Lebanon conflicts. Therefore, global economic issues took center stage at the summit, which focused on implementing measures to ease the impact of successive international crises on developing countries. This summit marks the first gathering of G20 leaders since the African Union (AU) achieved full membership status at last year's summit in the Indian capital of New Delhi. This membership came as a result of years of persistent African diplomatic efforts to strengthen the continent's global role in line with its capabilities and potential, in order to promote a fairer governance system. This recognition underscores Africa's strength in shaping the features of the global future, as the continent represents an active part of the Global South, which will contribute to reforming the global economic system away from the dominance of international economic institutions that emerged after World War II. The AU's joining grants Africa a powerful status in formulating trade agreements with other G20 members, and enables it to attract more investments in priority areas aligned with the AU's Agenda 2063. It also enables African countries to participate more actively in decision-making on issues that directly affect Africa, including climate change, migration, food security and energy, as well as issues related to granting more loans to developing countries by multilateral institutions and reforming the international debt structure. However, the continent's success in gaining this membership remains subject to the ability of African countries to present a unified voice within the group. Global South countries often lack genuine platforms to voice their development needs and rights. This imbalance, driven by developed countries' dominance in financial institutions, hinders the progress of many development projects. To counter this, China has proposed a vision related to common development and a community with a shared future for mankind, which encourages G20 members to reconsider their orientations in line with the development requirements of the Global South. In fact, China has supported many Global South countries in searching for fair and equitable solutions to the debt crises that constrain their capabilities to develop. China has also established infrastructure projects that drive common development in many African countries, strengthening their negotiating positions within the G20 to ensure the establishment of a world with a shared future. The G20, with its economic status and political role in championing global economic governance, bears a major responsibility to address global challenges. Thus, it is necessary to listen to the voices of the wider world, including that of the Global South, that aspire for a more secure, stable, just, and fair future. Editor's note: Rania Aboelkheir is the secretary-general of the Global Forum for Future Studies, an Egyptian think tank. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency. After the United States's indictment of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, Kenya cancelled multimillion-dollar airport expansion and energy deals with the group. President William Ruto in a State of the Nation address said the decision was made based on new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations. ALSO READ | Bribery, lying to investors: Details of the US indictment against 'numero uno' Gautam Adani, associates Ruto also said he directed the cancellation of a 30-year, $736-million public-private partnership deal the energy ministry had signed with the Adani Group last month to construct power transmission lines. "I have directed agencies within the Ministry of Transport and within the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement," Ruto said. ALSO READ | Innocent unless and until proven guilty: Adani denies US allegations of bribery and fraud The Adani Group had been in the process of signing an agreement that would modernise Kenya's main airport in the capital, Nairobi, with an additional runway and terminal constructed, in exchange for the group running the airport for 30 years. The project was criticised and sparked anti-Adani protests in Kenya. Airport workers went on a strike saying it would lead to job losses and degraded working conditions. ALSO READ | Adani Group stocks get punished in Indian markets, Sensex and Nifty fall on bearish Thursday The US court on Wednesday charged Adani and others with allegedly tricking investors into securing a significant solar energy project from Adani Green Energy by bribing Indian officials. The nine members who were charged, including the two Adanis, allegedly agreed to pay about USD 265 million in bribes to government officials in India to bag contracts. US Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday announced that Adani and two co-defendants violated anti-fraud provisions of US securities laws as well. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who is in Nepal for a four-day visit during which he will seek to further ramp up the already close defence and strategic ties between the two countries, will be conferred with honorary rank of 'General of the Nepal Army' by Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel on Thursday. This is in continuation of an age-old tradition that first started in 1950, reflecting the strong ties between the two militaries. On Wednesday, General Dwivedi interacted with Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava and had an informal discussion with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army. ALSO READ: LCA Tejas Mk 1A export deal on cards? He will also be given a Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army on Thursday, following which he will hold a formal discussion with COAS Ashok Raj Sigdel. General Dwivedi will 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, Army officials said. On Friday, he will address the student officers of the Nepali Army Command and Staff Course, Shivapuri. On the last day of his visit, General Upendra Dwivedi will attend an Ex-Servicemen Rally at Pokhara. The visit aims at strengthening military cooperation between militaries of India and Nepal, besides exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two countries. India and Nepal share close defence ties with regular exchanges of military training, visits, and defence modernisation. The two countries are critical partners in enhancing mutual military capabilities, particularly through training programmes. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated that India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, while addressing the 11th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus forum at Vientiane, Lao PDR. Sharing his insights on the discussions on the Code of Conduct, the defence minister said India would like to see a code that does not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations which are not party to these deliberations. The code should be fully consistent with international law, in particular the UN Convention Law of Sea 1982, he added. ALSO READ: 'Make process of capacity building more efficient': Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's challenge to IAF commanders He said it is providential that the 11th ADMM-Plus is being held in Lao PDR, which has internalised the Buddhist principles of non-violence and peace. Observing that the world is increasingly getting polarised into blocks and camps, leading to increasing strain on the established world order, he urged that the Buddhist doctrines of peaceful co-existence be embraced more closely by all. India has always advocated and practiced dialogue for resolving complex international issues. This commitment to open communication and peaceful negotiation is evident in Indias approach to a wide range of international challenges, from border disputes to trade agreements. An open dialogue promotes trust, understanding, and cooperation, laying the foundation for sustainable partnerships....India believes that genuine, long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations engage constructively, respecting each others perspectives and working toward shared goals in the spirit of cooperation, he said. Describing 21st century as the Asian Century, Raksha Mantri said the ASEAN region, in particular, has always been economically dynamic and bustling with trade, commerce and cultural activities and added that through this transformational journey, India has remained a trusted friend of the region. ALSO READ: US moves to dominate Indo-Pacific region as USS Preble armed with laser tech leaves for Japan deployment Singh pointed out that the dividends of India's Act East policy are paying out in the strengthening of Indias ties with ASEAN and Indo-pacific nations. This vision re-emphasised the pivotal role of ASEAN as a cornerstone of the nations policy, he added. He complimented the chair for choosing the most relevant topic in todays scenario for the 11th ADMM-Plus Joint statement. Strengthening resilience to climate change in the defence domain requires multi-stakeholder engagement, from developing innovative solutions to managing the adverse impacts of climate change. This includes protecting vulnerable populations as well as safeguarding our defence installations, he added. Singh drew attention to the Global Commonsthe shared natural resources and ecosystems essential to sustaining life and bringing prosperity on the planet and underscored the need to safeguard these Global Commons in a just and balanced manner by not resorting to unilateral actions. These resources provide invaluable ecological, economic, and social benefits that extend beyond national boundaries, he said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)-Plus at Vientiane, Lao PDR, on Thursday. Both leaders welcomed ongoing efforts to deepen the military partnership and interoperability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, Lloyd Austin. He has been a great friend to India. His contribution towards strengthening India-US defence partnership has been exemplary. I wish him very best in all his future endeavours. @SecDef pic.twitter.com/J5PoPQnt95 Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 21, 2024 Singh and Austin hailed the progress made by the India-US defence partnership, based on increased operational coordination, information-sharing, and industrial innovation. Both sides recognised the remarkable progress made under the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, including ongoing collaboration to advance priority co-production arrangements for jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems. Defence Minister Singh recalled his recent visit to the US in August, during which two important documents were concluded the Security of Supplies Agreement, and the Memorandum of Agreement regarding the deployment of Liaison Officers. READ MORE: India bats for open seas and climate resilience at ASEAN meet Singh emphasised the need for India and US to work together on the agreed deliverables including the new regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), the first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, and the launch of a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project, to support civilian response to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides affirmed support to the growing defence innovation collaboration between the two governments, businesses, and academic institutions fostered by India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem, by providing them with more joint challenges, funding opportunities and visibility. The two leaders agreed to continue the momentum gained in the last two and a half years through growing convergence to strategic interests and enhanced India-US defence cooperation. In a post on X, Shri Rajnath Singh termed Secretary Lloyd Austin as a great friend to India, whose contribution towards strengthening the India-US defence partnership has been exemplary. HANGZHOU, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China has constructed almost ten thousand digitalized workshops and smart factories nationwide, according to a report released by the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies on Thursday. Among these, 421 have been cultivated as national-level smart manufacturing demonstration factories, 90 percent of which have applied technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital twins, said the China Internet Development Report 2024, which was released during the ongoing 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit, being held in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in east China's Zhejiang Province. The report also noted that by the end of 2023, the number of valid AI invention patents in China had reached 378,000, representing year-on-year growth of over 40 percent -- 1.4 times the global average growth rate. Also released at the summit, the World Internet Development Report 2024 said the promising outlook for future industries driven by AI has led to significant investment from the industrial circle in AI research. In 2023, the industrial circle produced 51 prominent machine learning models, compared to just 15 contributed by the academic circle. Limited access to funding, data and computational resources in academics has caused a talent shift toward industry, further solidifying its dominance in AI research and development. The two reports mentioned above have since 2017 been released for eight consecutive years as outcomes of the WIC. Themed "Embracing a People-centered and AI-for-good Digital Future -- Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the summit kicked off on Wednesday and is scheduled to conclude on Friday. AR Rahman and wife Saira Banu have parted ways after almost three decades of marriage. However, Rahman's bassist Mohini Dey has also announced her separation the same day. This sparked rumours suggesting links between the two incidents. However, the legal representative of Rahman and Saira have denied the rumours. Talking to Republic TV, their lawyer Vandana Shah said there is no connection at all. "Saira and Mr Rahman made this decision on their own," she said. Mohini, 29, shared her separation news in a joint post with her husband and music composer, Mark Hartsuch, on Instagram, saying their decision was mutual. Mohini, who is from Kolkata, said they are still great friends and that they decided that they want different things in life. "With a heavy heart, Mark and I announce that we have separated. First, as a commitment to our friends and family, this is a mutual understanding between us." Mohini, who is part of Gaan Bangla's Wind of Change, released her debut album in August 2023. She said she will continue to collaborate on projects with Hartsuch. 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 Earlier, Rahman posted on X that all things seem to carry an unseen end. He also requested everyone to respect the family's privacy. "Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts," he wrote, "Yet in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not find their place again." However, he used the hashtag, #arrsairabreakup, making his fans wonder why he used it while also requesting privacy. Some users asked whether he wants the hashtag to trend and requested the musician to remove it. "You don't need a # to ask people to respect your privacy," said one follower. A Delhi Court has attached the Bikaner House in the national capital, owned by the Nokha Municipal Council in Rajasthan, to settle dues of Rs 50.31 lakh it owes to a private firm. The Court directed that a representative of the Council should appear before it during the next hearing. The Patiala House Court has attached the Bikaner House owned by the municipal council after the Nokha civic body failed to settle arbitral award of Rs 50.31 lakh in favour of private company Enviro Infra Engineers Private Limited. District Judge Vidya Prakash ordered the attachment after the Nokha body failed to honour the arbitrary settlement ordered in 2020. "Keeping in view the fact that the Judgement Debtor (Nokha Municipality Council) had failed to comply with the direction for furnishing an affidavit of their assets despite grant of repeated opportunities, the Court, while agreeing with the submissions made on behalf of Decree Holder (DH), finds it a fit case for issuance of warrants of attachment against immovable property of JD namely Bikaner House, New Delhi," the judge ordered, PTI reported. The Patiala Court also restrained the Nokha Council from transferring or charging the property by sale, gift or otherwise. The Court will hear the case next on November 29. The Delhi Courts move comes after the Himachal Pradesh High Court recently attached the state governments Himachal House in Delhi, to settle its arbitrary dues of Rs 150 crore to a private firm. The Himachal Pradesh government said it will challenge the order legally. The High Court also directed the Himachals power secretary to conduct a fact-finding inquiry to identify the officers responsible for the lapse in payment and sought a report. The Kerala High Court has ordered further probe against Kerala Culture and Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian for his alleged controversial remarks against Indian Constitution. The minister, who had to resign from the post in 2022 following the controversy, was reinstated in the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet later. Hearing a plea challenging a lower courts order in the case, Kerala High Court Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas dismissed the polices probe report submitted in the case and ordered further investigation. The High Court directed the crime branch of Kerala police to conduct further probe into the matter. "This Court has already found that a further investigation is required and since the accused is a Minister of the State this Court is of the view that an investigation by the Station House Officer will not suffice. Further investigation, hence, ought to be conducted by the State Crime Branch, Bar and Bench reported quoting the bench. Addressing a party meeting in 2022, the Kerala minister allegedly said the Constitution of the country "condones exploitation" and is written in a way helping to "plunder" the people of the country. However, the minister claimed his words were distorted by media. A FIR was registered against the minister by Pathanamthitta police and Cherian resigned in July 2022. A Magistrate Court had accepted polices probe report in the case and gave a clean chit to the minister. Ordering further investigation on Thursday, the High Court directed the state police chief to issue orders for the transfer of the case immediately. The bench said an officer of integrity should lead the investigation and the probe should be completed without undue delay. Following the High Courts order, the Opposition demanded the ministers resignation. Opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan said Minister Cherian should resign immediately and face the probe. Satheeshan charged the left leaders words were from RSS ideologue M.S. Golwalkars Vichardhara. However, reacting on the High Courts orders, Saji Cherian told reporters that he would not resign. He said the High Court arrived at this judgment without hearing his arguments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed a special session of the Parliament of Guyana where he recalled the longstanding historical ties between the two countries. Calling for the Global South members to come together to create a new global order, Modi said space and sea should be subjects of universal cooperation, not universal conflict. Addressing the Special Session of the Parliament of Guyana. https://t.co/MKnfKTx1Xl Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2024 The prime minister also offered a mantra of 'Democracy First, Humanity First' for the world to move forward. "For the world to move forward, the biggest mantra is 'Democracy First, Humanity First'. The spirit of democracy first teaches us to take everyone along and participate in everyone's development. Humanity First guides our decision-making. When we make Humanity First the basis of our decision-making, the results are also ones which benefit humanity," he said. Modi noted that in spite of the geographical distance between India and Guyana, the shared heritage and democracy brought the two nations close together. The prime minister underlined that India sees the island nations not as small countries but as large ocean countries. India wants to serve humanity as Vishwabandhu, a friend to the world, and this seminal thought has shaped its approach towards the global community where it gives equal importance to all nations-big or small, he said. Modi called for giving primacy to women-led development to bring greater global progress and prosperity, and urged for greater exchanges between the two countries in the field of education and innovation. "We have to learn from the past and improve our present and prepare a strong foundation for the future, he said. The prime minister invited Guyanese Parliamentarians to visit India. The Supreme Court on Thursday remarked a makeshift courtroom could be set in prison to facilitate terror convict Yasin Maliks cross-examination in two terror cases as the Central Bureau of Investigation challenged a Jammu Courts order calling for his physical presence. Malik is currently imprisoned in Tihar prison and the central agency is opposing Maliks appearance in Jammu Special Court citing security reasons. Hearing CBIs plea challenging Jammu Courts order, a bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih directed authorities to find out the number of witnesses in the case. "In our country, a fair trial was given even to Ajmal Kasab... A courtroom can be set up in jail and it can be done there, just find out how many witnesses. Even witnesses will need security. We need to see how the judge will be posted in jail only for this court," Bar and Bench reported quoting the bench. The Jammu Special Court has ordered the physical appearance of Malik for his cross-examination in two cases the 1989 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti and the killing of four Indian Air Force personnel on the outskirts of Srinagar in 1990. The bench asked how cross-examination in a case can be conducted through video conferencing when the central agency informed the apex court that they did not wish to take Malik to Jammu and Kashmir for trial. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the government cannot go by books in such cases and if Malik is adamant that he will appear personally, then the trial can be shifted to Delhi. The Delhi High Court issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate on former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals petition challenging its charge-sheet against him in the liquor policy case. However, The Court refused to stay the trial proceedings against him. Delhi High Court Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri sought a response from the investigating agency by the next hearing on Kejriwal's plea challenging a trial court's order taking cognisance of a charge-sheet in the case. Kejriwal had sought the High Court to set aside the trial court's order. The HC will next hear the case on December 20. Kejriwal said the trial court took cognisance of ED's charge-sheet in the absence of any sanction for his prosecution as he was a public servant when the alleged offence was committed. However, appearing for ED, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said sanction was obtained to prosecute the former CM and he would file an affidavit. The Aam Aadmi Party leader is facing probe by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation over alleged irregularities in the implementation of now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. He was released from Tihar prison in September after the Supreme Court granted him bail in both cases. According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours were extended to the licence holders, PTI reported. The money laundering case stems from CBI's case over alleged irregularities in the excise policy. The National Peoples Party withdrew its support to the BJP government in Manipur on Sunday, accusing Chief Minister N. Biren Singh of failing to restore normalcy in the strife-torn state. The Conrad Sangma-led party, however, said on Thursday that it may reconsider its decision if the saffron party replaces the chief minister. "CM Biren Singh has totally failed to bring normalcy to Manipur. That is the main reason for our national president (Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma) to withdraw support for it. In case Biren is replaced, there is a possibility that a new government might take the steps required to restore normalcy. The NPP may reconsider its position at that time," NPP national vice-president Yumnam Joykumar Singh told news agency PTI. On Monday, a day after NPP announced its decision to withdraw support to the government, three MLAs of the party had attended a meeting of the ruling alliance chaired by the chief minister. Singh said the legislators might have attended the meeting because of confusion, adding that NPP is still part of the NDA. We have withdrawn support to the Biren Singh-led government but we are still NDA partners. However, we have cautioned our MLAs that attending such meetings without prior approval from the state or national president may lead to disciplinary actions," he said. On the Centres decision to send an additional 50 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to the state in the wake of fresh violence, Singh, a former director general of police, said the state is already over-saturated with security forces and it is a question of how to utilise them effectively. Fresh violence and protests rocked the northeastern state after bodies of six people, who were allegedly abducted and killed by militants in Jiribam district, were discovered. The northeastern state has been witnessing widespread violence and protests over the past few days after bodies of six people, who were allegedly abducted and killed by militants in Jiribam district, were discovered. In a letter to BJP national president J.P. Nadda on Sunday, the NPP alleged that the situation in Manipur further had deteriorated and many more innocent lives had been lost. "We strongly feel that the Manipur state government under the leadership of Shri Biren Singh has completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy, it said. The NPP has seven MLAs in the 60-member assembly. The partys withdrawal of support is unlikely to pose any immediate threat to the Biren Singh government as the ruling BJP has a comfortable majority in the house with 37 MLAs. With the US fraud and bribery indictment of Gautam Adani, Indias opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called for the immediate arrest of the Ahmedad-based Adani Groups chairman on Thursday. Gandhi, at a press conference hours after the SEC announcement of the US indictment charging Adani and eight others in a Rs 2,100-crore bribery scheme, said that the billionaire broke Indian and American laws. The top man at the Indian National Congress (INC) party also alleged that as long as PM Narendra Modi and Adani are together, they are safe in India. I can guarantee that Adani wont be arrested or investigated in India because the Modi government was protecting him, Gandhi levelled allegations at PM Modi. Gandhi also called for the immediate removal of SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch from her post, accusing her of protecting Adani. Gandhi added that he planned to raise the issue at the Winter session of Parliament commencing next week. He also said that the oppositions demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe is still in play. Shares of Adani Green Energy, which was named in the US indictment, fell 17 per cent by 1pm IST in the NSE. Other Adani group companies also fell between 15 per cent and 20 per cent, pulling major market indices down during the day. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at the INC over its attack on Gautam Adani and Adani's alleged ties to the ruling coalition. BJP leaders said that all the states mentioned in the US indictment against Adani Green Energy were ruled by opposition parties at that time. Amit Malviya, BJP's IT head, also cast his doubts on the timing of the indictment, that came just before the start of winter session of the Parliament and Trump's second term. Adanis plan to reduce debt burden in shambles The US action already hurt Adani Groups global financial instruments, including its dollar-denominated bonds that plunged on the announcement charges. Investors, such as GQG Partners, said they were monitoring the situation to review their exposure to the Adani companies. Adani Group, of late, has been trying to cut its debt burden. Earlier last year, the conglomerate paid around Rs 7,374 crore in share-backed financing and pledged to remove all similar loans by March-end of the same year. It was later followed by a billion-dollar fundraising placement by Adani Energy Solutions in August of this year, and USD 500 million was raised by selling shares in Adani Enterprises last month. The USD 1.5 billion that Adani looked to raise through bond issuances under Adani Green Energy and Adani Energy Solutions now looks doubtful, since the group announced the suspension of the USD 600 million bond offering in light of the indictment. The SEC did not shy away in its complaints filed in the US District Court in the East District of New York. Defendants had been personally and intimately involved in paying or promising bribes worth hundreds of millions of dollars to secure undue influence with Indian state government officials and procure contracts between Indian state governments and SECI that benefitted Adani Green, read one of the official SEC complaints filed with the US Department of Justice. The defendants here were Gautam Adani, founder and controlling shareholder of Adani Green Energy, and Sagar Adani, the companys executive director and nephew to Gautam Adani. Even as the AIADMK has ruled out a renewal of its alliance with the BJP for the 2026 assembly elections, reports said the saffron partys Tamil Nadu leadership has initiated discussions with the principal opposition party for a possible tie-up. The BJPs central leadership has reportedly given its nod for the alliance talks. The ruling party at the Centre is of the view that a strong Dravidian support base is essential for success in Tamil Nadu, especially in the 2026 assembly polls, reported IANS. Both the BJP and the AIADMK fought the 2021 assembly elections together and the saffron party managed to win four seats, including Coimbatore where Mahila Morcha National President Vanathi Srinivasan defeated Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan. >> Why calls for return of expelled AIADMK leaders are growing stronger However, the relationship between the two parties soured after K. Annamalai took charge as the BJP state president. Annamalais controversial remarks against Dravidian stalwarts such as C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa irked the AIADMK, which officially snapped the alliance with the BJP on September 25, 2023. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, both the BJP and the AIADMK came a cropper with the ruling DMK sweeping all the 39 seats in the state. The BJP leadership has claimed that the party has consistently increased its vote share in the state. In the Lok Sabha polls, they secured 19.6 per cent vote share. However, the inability to win seats seems to have prompted the party to explore options of an alliance. According to reports, senior BJP leaders Tamilisai Soundararajan and H. Raja are in favour of renewing the partys tie-up with the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 polls. >> How DMK, AIADMK reacted to Vijay's political debut Palaniswami had earlier said that the AIADMK was ready to ally with like-minded parties to defeat the DMK in the 2026 Assembly elections. He, however, also ruled out revival of its tie-up with the BJP. This was already clarified. During the Lok Sabha election, it was said at the party headquarters and in press bytes that the AIADMK will not have alliance with the BJP in the Assembly election. The aim is to dethrone the DMK. Our stand is: no alliance with the BJP, he was quoted as saying by The Hindu last week . The IANS report, however, claimed that behind-the-scenes discussions are still underway. With a day left for the Maharashtra Assembly election results to come out, exit polls are mostly in favour of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Six out of the 10 exit polls predict that the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP combine will retain power while the remaining predict either a hung Assembly. In this context, many speculate that the Maratha votes might be crucial, considering that the group that makes up 28 per cent of Maharashtra's population, did not vote in favour of the Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha elections. The agitation led by Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil seeking reservation for the Marathas under the OBC category snowballed into a major movement, influencing where the Maratha votes went. Jarange is said to have considerable influence in all the 43 assembly seats of Marathwada and some districts of Western Maharashtra. The ruling alliance did not shy away from courting Jarange in the months leading to the elections. Also read: Exit polls predict an edge to BJP-led Mahayuti in Maharashtra; close fight in Jharkhand Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil ends his indefinite fast; gives the government two months to resolve the issue. New politician in making. And you know whose follow steps.pic.twitter.com/aN3pKerGQi The Analyzer (News Updates) (@Indian_Analyzer) November 2, 2023 But Jarange Patil has made his distaste for BJP, particularly Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, clear. He solidly backed the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Lok Sabha elections, which worked in the opposition's favour, and will likely have done so in the Assembly elections too. Though Jarange Patil has not named any party to vote for, his earlier stance calling for the defeat of those responsible for not giving reservation to Marathas is widely viewed as a pro-MVA stance. According to the exit polls by Hyderabad-based SAS Group, Mahavikas Aghadi can win 147 to 155 seats while Mahayuti can get 127 to 135. This survey predicts that Mahayuti will win only 17-18 seats in Marathwada region, while MVA will win 27-28 seats. The fact that the Marathwada region recorded an average voter turnout of 60.63 per cent was recorded till 5 pm on Wednesday in all eight districts proves that the region may have voted for the MVA. However, six other exit polls predict an edge for Mahayuti, hinting that Maratha votes did not make much of a difference. Thanks to the BJP's strategy of consolidating OBC votes from Mali, Dhangar, and Vanjari communities, the ruling coalition may counter the dominance of the Maratha community. SYDNEY, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Australian police have arrested and charged 19 people after disrupting a major international cannabis operation. Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) on Thursday announced that a strike force established in December 2023 has seized cannabis worth more than 80 million Australian dollars (52.1 million U.S. dollars) and arrested 19 people connected to an international organized crime network. The strike force conducted a raid in April 2024 on a property in Kemps Creek, approximately 40 kilometers west of central Sydney, where police identified the property was being used as a purpose-built cannabis farm following the discovery of 16 commercial sized greenhouses and infrastructure designed to grow cannabis and refine it for distribution. Over 5,400 cannabis plants were found in the property. Further raids were carried out in May, June, September, October and November. Over 20,000 cannabis plants and over 586 kilograms of cannabis were seized during the raids. The 19 people who were arrested, ranging in age from 28 to 64, have been charged with offenses including drug cultivation, supply of prohibited drugs and participation in a criminal group. The United States on Wednesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution was proposed by 10 nonpermanent members of the Security Council: Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Switzerland. It was supported by 14 of 15 Security Council members. The resolution also called for the release of hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the facilitation of humanitarian aid. However, the United States blocked it, citing that the resolution failed to make the release of hostages a precondition for a truce. The US position, articulated by Deputy Ambassador Robert A. Wood, emphasised that it would only support a resolution that explicitly demanded the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas. Over 100 hostages remain in Gaza, and Washington has been negotiating their release. The United States argued that a ceasefire without securing the hostages' release could send a dangerous message to Hamas, potentially weakening the pressure to negotiate and resolve the hostage crisis. "A durable end to the war must come with the release of the hostages," Wood said. "These two urgent goals are inextricably linked. This resolution abandoned that necessity, and for that reason, the United States could not support it." The veto marks the fourth time the US has blocked a similar resolution, asserting that these two issuesthe end of hostilities and the release of hostagesare interlinked. The resolution also urged Israel to allow unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has deepened, with over 40,000 people reported dead and famine becoming a growing concern. Other members of the Security Council like France, China, and Malta criticised the decision, accusing the US of enabling further loss of life by insisting on preconditions for a ceasefire. Malta's ambassador Vanessa Frazier said the resolution was a minimal step, and France's Nicolas de Riviere lamented the lack of a strong stance on hostage release. Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said each time the US had exercised its veto to protect Israel, the number of people killed in Gaza had steadily risen. Israels Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, however, defended the US position, stating that the resolution was not aimed at peace, but at appeasing Hamas. He claimed that any ceasefire without addressing the hostage issue would encourage Hamas to continue its actions. Palestinian envoy, Majed Bamya, condemned the veto, calling it a justification for Israel's ongoing military actions, which he described as genocide. He argued that an unconditional ceasefire was crucial to ending the violence and saving lives, accusing the US of enabling Israel's destructive war strategy. This veto came against the backdrop of a rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza, where Israel's military actions, in response to a Hamas attack in October 2023, have displaced much of the population and triggered widespread condemnation for alleged human rights violations. The conflict has drawn international attention, with some organisations labelling Israels actions as genocide, leading to calls for accountability. The US veto also comes amidst an ongoing diplomatic struggle to secure a resolution, with outgoing President Joe Bidens administration attempting to broker a deal involving hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Despite these efforts, the United States has faced increasing criticism for its role in blocking a ceasefire resolution, with international figures urging Washington to reconsider its stance and prioritise humanitarian concerns alongside the hostages' release. North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has sent his close ally Kim Yong Bok, the deputy chief of Army General Staff, to lead its troops in Russia, according to a report. Colonel General Kim Yong Bok was a mystery figure even in North Korea until Pyongyang made him the decision-maker for its roughly 11,000 troops in Russia, according to The Wall Street Journal. His job is to oversee that the North Korean troops integrate with Russians, gain combat experience and establish a framework for future deployments. However, he is very unlikely to participate in combat operations and his presence in Russia signals Pyongyang's interest in assisting Moscow over the next year. Colonel Kim's earlier mission on the Korean Peninsula was a secret one and he was said to be commanding a special forces unit of some 200 000 soldiers. He was listed as the third most prominent figure in the Korean Peoples Army during Russian leader Vladimir Putins visit to Pyongyang in June. He emerged from the shadows after Putin's visit, elevating to one of the top military figures. He was seen alongside Kim Jong Un at a ceremony to honour military officials in 2020 but largely disappeared from public view until recently. It is expected that his successful work in Russia could propel him further up the ranks. Kim Yong Bok's appointment also comes as North Korea considers deploying up to 100,000 troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. Though not imminent, the deployment is said to happen in phases with soldiers rotating over time rather than being sent in a single wave. Surprisingly, North Koreas M1989 Koksan howitzer has also been spotted in Russia. The weapon was seen transported by rail though the exact location and date of the photographs remain unverified. However, there is little doubt that it is the howitzer, thanks to the distinctive five-wheel tracked chassis of the weapon. The 170mm self-propelled howitzer is capable of firing up to 60 kilometres with rocket-assisted rounds. Amid changing the Russia-Ukraine war situation, Kyiv claimed that the Kremlin launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight targeting Dnipro city in the central-east. If Ukraines claims are true, then it's the first time Russia has used such a missile in the war. Ukraines air force did not specify the exact type of missile in its released statement on Thursday. However, Ukrainian media have claimed to have identified the type of missile used as RS-26 Rubezh, with a range of 5,800 km. ALSO READ | Putin's revenge? Disruption of undersea cables in Baltic Sea linked to Russia's 'hybrid warfare' The missile was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, said the statement. That's how EW systems help our warriors. A russian drone exploded before reaching our tank. : 63rd Mechanized Brigade pic.twitter.com/zIp5cL7h33 Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) November 20, 2024 An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was fired at Dnipro city along with eight other missiles, it said. The military shot down six of them, it added. Two people were injured in the attack. According to officials, an industrial facility, and a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities were damaged. ALSO READ | Russia says no 'wonder-weapon' can stop it, slams US for allowing Kyiv to use ATACMS against it Meanwhile, western officials denied the Ukrainian claim that Russia fired an ICBM. Russia's attack comes two days after President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine that formally lowers the threshold for the country's use of nuclear weapons. After the US's nod, Ukraine on Tuesday fired several American-supplied longer-range missiles and reportedly fired UK-made Storm Shadows on Wednesday into Russia. The Russian Defence Ministry said that its air defence systems shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones. The new developments on the war front came with the arrival of North Korean troops to help Russia on the battlefield. Earlier, Putin warned the US and other NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons to hit Russian territory would mean that Russia and NATO are at war. ICBMs were developed in the 1950s during the Cold War, as a way for the Soviet Union and the US to threaten each other's populations directly with nuclear weapons. Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dimtry Peskov said that Russia is committed to avoiding nuclear war, but the West has a responsibility not to engage in "provocative actions. "We have emphasised in the context of our nuclear doctrine that Russia takes a responsible position in terms of making maximum efforts to prevent such a [nuclear] conflict. We expect that other countries will also take the same responsible position and not engage in provocative actions," he said. President-elect Donald Trump's defence secretary pick Pete Hegseth was accused of sexual assault in 2017 at a Republican women's conference in California. The police report, which was made public on Thursday, revealed that Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman, after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The 22-page police report was released in response to a public records request and offers the first detailed account of what the woman alleged to have transpired one that is at odds with Hegseth's version of events. Though the report does not say that the police found the allegations were false, the case was forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office for review. It was a nurse, who alerted the investigators after the patient requested a sexual assault exam. The patient told medical personnel that she believed she had been assaulted five days earlier but couldn't remember much about what had happened. She also reported that something may have been slipped into her drink before ending up in the hotel room. Police collected her dress and undergarments worn that night of the incident, the report said. The woman's partner, who was staying at the hotel with her, said that she did not come back to their room. He had gone to check for her at the hotel bar, but she wasnt there. A few hours later, she returned apologising that she must have fallen asleep. It was after a few days that she told him, she was sexually assaulted. The woman, who helped organise the California Federation of Republican women gathering at which Hegseth spoke, told police that she had witnessed the TV anchor acting inappropriately throughout the night and saw him stroking multiple women's thighs. She texted a friend that Hegseth was giving off a creeper vibe, according to the report. The report says that the woman and others attended an after-party after the event and she confronted Hegseth about the way he treated women. A group of people, including Hegseth and the woman, decamped for the hotel's bar. She remembered having a drink at the bar with Hegseth and others, says the report. She also told police that she argued with Hegseth near the hotel pool, an account that is supported by a hotel staffer who was sent to handle the disturbance and spoke to police. Soon, she told police, she was inside a hotel room with Hegseth, who took her phone and blocked the door with his body so that she could not leave, according to the report. She also told police she remembered saying 'no' a lot, the report said. Her next memory was laying on a couch or bed with Hegseth hovering over her bare-chested, his dog tags dangling over her, the report states. Hegseth served in the National Guard, rising to the rank of major. After Hegseth finished, she recalled him asking if she was OK, the report states. She told police she did not recall how she got back to her own hotel room and had since suffered from nightmares and memory loss. At the time of the alleged assault, Hegseth was going through a divorce with his second wife. His first marriage ended in 2009. Meanwhile, Hegseths version says that he attended an after-party and drank beer but did not consume liquor, and acknowledged being buzzed but not drunk. He said he met the woman at the hotel bar, and she led him by the arm back to his hotel room, which surprised him because he initially had no intention of having sex with her, the report said. Hegseth told investigators that the sexual encounter that followed was consensual, adding that he explicitly asked more than once if she was comfortable. Hegseth's attorney said a payment was made to the woman as part of a confidential settlement a few years after the police investigation because Hegseth was concerned that she was prepared to file a lawsuit that he feared could have resulted in him being fired from Fox News. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Al-Masri over alleged Gaza war crimes. According to ICC, the arrest warrants are issued in the interest of victims and their families. Also read | US vetoes UNSC resolution calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza On Thursday, the court said it had unanimously decided to reject Israel's appeal over ICC's jurisdiction. The recent development means that ICC's 124 member states would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu and others if they were to enter their territory. There are "reasonable" grounds to believe that Israeli PM Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Gallant "bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare". They had "intentionally and knowingly deprived" Gaza civilians of food, water, medicine, medical supplies, fuel and electricity. While Netanyahu's office described the ruling as "absurd" and "antisemitic". Israel will "not yield to pressure, will not be deterred, and will not retreat," it added. What happens after arrest warrants are issued? The arrest warrants make it harder for allies to continue lending military and diplomatic aid. Though warrants don't always result in arrests, they still matter. They hold a symbolic value, marking the accused as international pariahs and acknowledging the victim's suffering. Warrants also mean ICC members124 countrieshave a legal obligation to arrest suspects who enter their territory (per Article 59 of the Rome Statute) and to cooperate with court proceedings (per Article 86). But countries dont always comply. They should actually travel to any ICC member countries for the arrest to take place. In many cases, the chances of such a thing happening are quite low. A Chinese cargo vessel 'Yi Peng 3' is said to be "of interest" in connection with the alleged sabotage of two undersea communication cables in the Baltic Sea. The ship is said to have passed two cables on Sunday and Monday around the same time they were found to be severed, said reports. Though there is no official confirmation in this regard, the Danish Navy is said to have detained the Chinese-registered cargo ship, allegedly helmed by a Russian captain. The detention allegedly took place inside the Danish territorial waters by the Danish Navy patrol vessel P525. Soon another vessel HDMS Soeloeven, which specialises in underwater work, joined the P525. However, it is not clear whether the Danish Navy officials boarded the Chinese vessel which was said to be sailing from the Russian port of Ust-Luga. Besides Denmark, Sweden too is taking an active interest in the ship. Sweden's National Operative Department said it is "part of the sphere of interest, but there may be more." Two critical undersea fibre optic #cables in the #BalticSealinking Sweden to Lithuania and Finland to Germanywere severed on November 17th and 18th, raising serious security concerns. The Chinese-flagged bulk carrier YI PENG 3 is suspended for its potential involvement. pic.twitter.com/XRikzko8Pw MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) November 20, 2024 As per the data by Vesselfinder tracking data, Yi Peng 3's last port visit was on November 15 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 ship was then said to be moving along a strange route and stopped overnight on Tuesday to Wednesday in the Kattegat strait between Denmark and Sweden. The ship was travelling 78 km at an average speed of 10.4 km/h and the transponder, which relays the data of the ship, at the time was inactive. Though the vessel's AIS data shows that it circled just off Bornholm for about an hour, this is attributed to strong winds at that time and in that region. However, Russian maritime pilot Alexander Stechentsev, who boarded the ship to guide it out of port, told The Guardian that there "was nothing unusual about the vessel." He added that he took the ship to a receiving buoy located 11 miles offshore before disembarking. This isn't the first that a Chinese vessel is destroying an underwater asset in the Baltic Sea. In 2022, the Chinese container vessel, the 'New New Polar Bear' had damaged a gas pipeline after its anchor dragged it across the seabed. China acknowledged the incident but claimed that the vessel accidentally damaged the pipeline due to stormy conditions that were prevailing at the time. At least 50 people were killed and over 20 others were injured when gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in the Kurram tribal district of northwestern Pakistan on Thursday. The attack targeted two convoys of passenger vehicles travelling between Peshawar and Parachinar. TERROR ATTACK IN PAKISTAN'S LOWER KURRAM A civilian convoy traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar was ambushed by terrorists, at least 10 killed, dozens injured, media reports say@ghulamabbasshah pic.twitter.com/jYHP5FC020 Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) November 21, 2024 The chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, described the attack as a "major tragedy". The militants ambushed the vehicles in the Kurram district of restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. The vehicles were travelling in a convoy from Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when gunmen opened fire, the officials said. Reportedly, 50 people, including eight women and children, and 20 others were killed in the attack. Most of the victims belonged to the Shia community, said officials. According to eyewitnesses, around 10 gunmen opened fire from both sides of the road at the vehicles. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur strongly condemned the attack and directed a delegation comprising the provincial law minister, lawmakers from the region, and the chief secretary to immediately visit Kurram to assess the situation and submit a report. He also instructed relevant authorities to work on establishing a Provincial Highways Police unit to secure all roads in the province. Gandapur extended condolences to the bereaved families and announced financial assistance for the families of the victims. "Targeting innocent civilians is extremely tragic and condemnable. Those involved in this incident will not escape the grip of the law," he said. President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack. Zardari expressed strong disapproval of the violence targeting civilians. A day after Texas officials offered a 1,400-acre ranch for Donald Trump's mass deportation plan, the president-elect's "border czar" pick said the new administration will "absolutely" make use of it. "We absolutely will. When we find somebody, a targeted enforcement operation, when they get arrested, they'll be detained," Homan told Fox News in the show, The Ingraham Angle. ALSO READ: Who is Tom Homan? Trump picks former ICE chief as border czar to crack down on illegal immigrants Pointing out that the immigrants who are to be deported would have to be detained briefly while travel documents are to be obtained from the host country. It is estimated that there are 20 million illegal immigrants in the US. His remarks come after Texas General Land Office commissioner Dawn Buckingham offered 1,402-acre ranch from Starr County for the federal agencies in connection with the deportation. ALSO READ: Trump's trillion-dollar plan to deport 20 million illegal immigrants revealed Sheerin Ranch was acquired by the land office in October to build a border wall but after Trump won, the officials decided to help the federal authorities house the detained immigrants. Bucking pointed out that the land would be given on lease and not be relinquished to the federal authorities. Since 2021, Texas has shelled out over $11 million in taxpayer money to beef up border security under Operation Lone Star. Trump on Monday hinted that he would declare an immigration national emergency and utilise military assets for the deportation. Earlier in November, Homan said the Trump administration will carry out workplace raids and that they would have no issue finding a place to detain the immigrants. Regarding funds, he admitted that the plan would cost a lot and Trump would do everything to ensure that money is raised. In contrast to Texas, Democrat-ruled states have vowed to protect immigrants. The Los Angeles City Council voted to become a "sanctuary city". Trump said he will close the southern border temporarily to clear pending cases. He has already erected a round 700 miles of wall on the Mexican border during his first term and is set to resume work on the remaining 1,300 miles halted by Joe Biden. UNESCO has declared the week of November 19-25 as World Heritage Week. Every year during this time, various groups come together to celebrate our shared heritage. In an attempt to encourage greater visitor footfall at heritage sites, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared entry to monuments such as Taj Mahal and Red Fort gratis during this week. However, these are popular heritage sites receiving several visitors a day. In order to create a real impact, there needs to be community building and participation to serve the larger aim of heritage preservation and promotion. A sustainable practice many countries are advocating. Unfortunately, this comes with a set of challenges that range from funding to proper management and planning. So why are government entities such as regional organisations, state tourism boards as well as the ASI not allocating funds for celebrations such as these that have the ability to create a bigger impact? Community engagement, where heritage is concerned, has a cornucopia of benefits ranging from helping with loneliness to facilitating in building identity as well as providing people with a sense of belonging. The World Health Organisation has termed loneliness as a silent epidemic impacting mental and physical wellbeing. Investing in community activities at historic spaces has the power to inspire and connect societies for public prosperity. In an attempt to find a sense of belonging, people also travel near and far. Travel and tour operators have a new segment of heritage tourism gaining popularity where people are traveling to their place of origin to reconnect and in many cases connect with their roots and families. I still recall working on an archaeology excavation during my Masters programme at Durham University where skeletal remains were unearthed. After reconstructing these remains and using resources such as DNA ancestry testing, the remains were traced to the prisoners who were held captive in the historic town of Durham during the Battle of Dunbar in the 16th Century. After studying these remains, understanding the historic significance, the Universitys research team had an insightful exhibition. The present generation of people connected to those skeletal remains actually visited the exhibition and connected with their heritage. I do believe there is a sense of rootedness and security when there is a sense of belonging. Tools such as these can facilitate people having no direct knowledge of their genealogy to trace their family origin and have a sense of identity. There are countries who have understood this and are now monetising on this trend of roots travel providing the roots seeker a repository of information online and offline. The Italian Ministry of Tourism is also calling 2024 the Year of Italian Roots in the World. In a country as populated as India, having the worlds largest diaspora, it is time we tap into this growing heritage tourism sector. Promoting roots travel successfully can have a deep impact on people living outside of India. Some may feel incentivised to contribute to their hometowns economic and social development while others may also promote the region's heritage bringing in more visitors. There are also several not-for-profit organisations who are attempting to harness the power of the community to protect heritage, making citizens key decision makers in the preservation of historic sites and community spaces. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), the Aga Khan Trust for Culture are some of the entities doing this on a national level by creating community clusters where citizens are encouraged to document their own heritage and preserve their local monuments. While there is a sense of gratification while doing this, I do believe that a sense of responsibility also comes into account. Students part of Young INTACH for example, are more aware of their local history and culture. Information which is not taught to them in the confines of the school classroom. This leads to them being responsible and respectful citizens, keeping their surroundings clean and their heritage well-maintained. Integrating the community can also lead to better planned towns and cities as local municipalities as well as architects and town planners are more sensitive to the region's historic fabric. There are also individuals spearheading such initiatives and integrating the community. For example, Delhi based conservation architect Aishwarya Tipnis spent a considerable amount of time working in the colonial town of Chandernagore in West Bengal for which she has received several accolades. While discussing community participation and its benefits to a region, she says, Heritage conservation is a tool for us to find a sustainable future for our cities, built and natural environments. And sustainability can only be achieved with a genuine engagement with the custodian community. Our work is hinged on bringing about people-centric solutions, co-creation and ideation with local communities. From engaging communities for civic activation in Chandernagore, to working with school communities at The Doon School and Woodstock School we try to encourage all voices in developing design solutions that help make their lives better. It is important that global celebrations such as World Heritage Week offer more than free public access to nationally recognised heritage sites for there is more to heritage. Kolkata, Nov 21 (PTI) Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Israel is hoping that the number of Indian tourists will reach 10,000 in 2024 and is planning to launch an e-visa programme for the Indian market early next year to encourage travel to the West Asian country, an official said on Thursday. According to the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) India Director of Marketing, Amruta Bangera, around 8,500 Indian tourists visited the West Asian country till October this year. "In 2018, the country hosted 70,800 Indian visitors, marking a record, Although the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel, Indian arrivals began recovering in 2022, reaching 30,900 despite minimal promotional campaigns. The momentum continued in 2023 with 41,800 Indian visitors. In 2024, 8,500 Indians travelled to Israel during the January-October period," she told PTI. "We hope that by the end of this year, the number of Indian tourists travelling to Israel will reach around 10,000," she said. Speaking about the impact of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has kept West Asia on edge, Bangera claimed, "Israel is safe for tourists, and the conflict is confined to the bordering areas, where tourists are not allowed to venture." "Yes, the conflict and the news emanating from the region have impacted tourist inflow. But we hope the situation will improve next year, she said. The IMOT is optimistic about the Indian market's potential and is actively engaging with Indian travel agencies to promote Israel as a preferred tourist destination, she said. We are planning to launch an e-visa programme early next year to attract more tourists from India, she said. Bangera stated that despite ongoing geopolitical challenges in the Middle East, Israel has witnessed a steady recovery in global tourism. The country recorded a peak of 4.9 million international visitors in 2019. While the pandemic brought travel to a near halt, Israel welcomed over 2.6 million tourists in 2022 and 3.1 million in 2023. "In 2024, the number of international tourists to Israel was 920,000 between January and October," she said. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East intensified dramatically after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel from Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Hezbollah began attacking Israel from Lebanon on October 8 in solidarity with Hamas, prompting Israel to launch extensive military campaigns in both Gaza and southern Lebanon. Over 43,800 Palestinians, including many women and children, have reportedly been killed in Gaza, while more than 3,400 people have died in Lebanon due to Israeli bombardments, with 80 per cent of these casualties occurring in the past month. Israeli fatalities include 76 people, 31 of whom were soldiers. Israel has vowed to weaken Hezbollahs military capabilities in Lebanon, while its war in Gaza has led to devastating losses, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. TASHKENT, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan has designated 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy to address growing environmental challenges. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made the announcement while addressing the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (the lower house of parliament) on Wednesday. In his speech, Mirziyoyev emphasized that the adverse effects of climate change are being felt in Uzbekistan and globally. He recalled the nationwide "Green Space" initiative launched in 2021, noting that the Central Asian country is implementing a regional climate strategy in cooperation with neighboring countries in response to environmental challenges. He said green energy is a significant driver of Uzbekistan's economic growth and the government is developing a state program to address the most pressing issues outlined this year. Uzbekistan has set a goal to significantly increase its renewable energy capacity, with a goal of achieving a 40-percent share of renewables in the national energy mix by 2030. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday launched the Karnataka Milk Federation's (KMF) Nandini brand milk products in the Delhi-NCR market, pricing them marginally lower than competitors to gain a foothold in the region. The cooperative will retail four cow milk variants, curd, and buttermilk from Friday, with competitive pricing that undercuts established players like Mother Dairy and Amul. Cow milk will be sold at Rs 56 per litre, full Cream Milk at Rs 67 per litre, Standardised Milk at Rs 61 per litre, Toned Milk at Rs 55 per litre, and curd at Rs 74 per kg. "We have surplus milk in the state. KMF along with Mandya Milk Union will market surplus milk of 3-4 lakh litres per day in Delhi-NCR," Siddaramaiah told reporters after launching the products. The federation currently collects 100 lakh litres of milk daily, with local consumption at 60 lakh litres, leaving a surplus of 40 lakh litres for expansion into new markets. However, the Chief Minister acknowledged the challenges of transporting milk over 2,500 km, which takes 50-54 hours. There is a need to find new markets for surplus milk and gradually the KMF should be able to sell 5-6 lakh litres per day in Delhi-NCR, he added. KMF Chairman LBP Bheemanaik assured that milk quality would be maintained during transit. The federation has already partnered with 40 dealers in the Delhi-NCR region to facilitate sales, he added. With a robust infrastructure of 26.76 lakh milk producers, 15,737 dairy cooperative societies, and 15 district milk unions, KMF has a turnover of Rs 25,000 crore and exports dairy products to over 25 countries. State Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh and Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy were present at the product launch. HYDERABAD, India, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), the global infrastructure giant, organised flag-off ceremony for the inaugural dispatch of pressure vessel to Mongol Refinery, Mongolia. The event was held on 21st November 2024 at MEIL's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Jeedimetla, Hyderabad. Dr. Altantsetseg Dashdavaa, CEO, Mongol Refinery, graced the event along with Mongolia Refinery officials and also Mr. Vikalp Paliwal, General Manager, EIL and other officials. This inaugural dispatch denotes the commencement of a crucial phase in the project and symbolises the collaborative effort between the governments of India and Mongolia, reflecting the strength of their bilateral relations. The Government of India supports the project. This government-to-government initiative underscores the shared commitment to fostering economic development and advancing energy security in Mongolia. Speaking on the occasion, Mongol Refinery CEO, Ms Altantsetseg, said, "The governments of India and Mongolia are working together to strengthen bilateral relations. I am extremely pleased with the tremendous work accomplished by Megha Engineering Company. Participating in the flag-off ceremony for the inaugural dispatch of pressure vessel to Mongol Refinery is an honour. This refinery is Mongolia's first-ever oil refinery. MEIL is executing three of the four packages of the Mongol Refinery project, showcasing the company's deep expertise, dedication, and use of advanced technologies. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of India, Engineers India Limited (EIL) officials, and MEIL for their efforts in bringing this landmark project to fruition for Mongolia." MEIL Director P. Doraiah stated on this occasion, "We are delighted to commence the first dispatch of Refinery equipment to Mongolia. Our dedicated workforce is executing this critical refinery project with exceptional skill and commitment, overcoming challenges at Mongolia." About MEIL: MEIL, is a major a Global Conglomerate company headquartered in Hyderabad, India established in 1989. The company operates through its major business lines such as Water Management, Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, Hydrocarbons, Power, City gas distribution, Electric Mobility, Media, and Green Energy, etc., and now entering into Storage Solutions. MEIL is committed to deliver high quality projects ahead of the schedule by constantly evolving industry-leading technology, expertise, experience and employing innovative and impeachable process technology, technologies and management effectiveness. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2564468/DispatchofEquipmenttoMongol_Refinery.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 PWR New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) Markets regulator Sebi on Thursday abolished the requirement of a mandatory security deposit with the exchanges before a public issue in a bid to facilitate ease of doing business for issuer companies. The move will be applicable with immediate effect, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in a circular. Before this, any company that is looking to launch a public issue of equity shares has to deposit with the stock exchanges an amount equal to 1 per cent of the issue size. The deposit was returned to the company after the public issue. "In order to facilitate ease of doing business to issuer company, the requirement to deposit 1 per cent of the issue size available for subscription to the public with the designated stock exchange by the issuer company under... Sebi (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 (ICDR Regulations) has been dispensed with," Sebi said. In February, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) floated a consultation paper proposing that the requirement of 1 per cent security deposit for public or rights issues should be done away with. Explaining the rationale behind the move, the regulator had stated that the requirement of 1 per cent security deposit was put in place for public/rights issues so that an issuer resolves investor complaints relating to the transaction such as for refund of application money, allotment of securities and dispatch of certificates. However, considering various reforms and present framework for public or rights issues such as application through ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) UPI mode of payment, mandatory allotment in demat, among others, the concerns relating to post-issue investor complaints regarding refund of application money, non-dispatch of physical certificates does not arise, it had added. ~ With the Consumer Looking to Celebrate Their Most Precious Moments with Diamond Heirlooms, this Partnership will Establish Desire by Showcasing the Beauty of Design & Craftsmanship ~ Mumbai, November 21, 2024: The Natural Diamond Council (NDC), a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the natural diamond industry, has partnered with Jos Alukkas, a highly trusted name in the jewellery industry known for its heritage and commitment to quality. This collaboration aims to create an enriching experience for consumers, empowering them with knowledge and in-depth understanding on the inherent values of natural diamonds. Through this partnership, NDC and Jos Alukkas will highlight the unique attributes and qualities of natural diamonds that make them so valuable and precious from their incredible origin story, to their increasing rarity and enduring value as treasured heirlooms. Together, the two organizations are committed to fostering transparency and integrity in the diamond industry, helping consumers make well-informed choices about their most cherished diamond jewellery pieces. Natural diamond jewellery has held a longstanding cultural and emotional significance for us in India, the first source of diamonds in the world. These billion-year-old real and rare creations hold traces of the Earths history, and are reminiscent of beautiful memories of our lives, each as unique and one-of-a-kind as the people wearing them. Richa Singh, Managing Director, Natural Diamond Council, India & Middle East, stated, Diamonds are symbols of love, tradition, and meaningful connections. At NDC, our goal is to educate and inspire consumers, equipping them with the right knowledge to allow them to make an informed purchase decision. Through my interactions with the Jos Alukkas team over the last few years, I realized the synergy between us, especially with our common commitment to grow the legacy of natural diamonds, bring the best to the consumer and drive home the ethics and transparency of this sector. I would like to thank the Jos Alukkas team and Varghese, Paul and John for supporting us and believing in our vision to celebrate the essence of these ancient heirlooms and the authenticity they represent. We will kickstart our collaboration with exciting content, informative facts, showcase of the best design & craftsmanship and the positive impact of the natural diamond world. Together, we hope to grow the industry and build the diamond dream for multitudes of consumers around the country. Speaking on this collaboration, Mr. Jos Alukka, Chairman - Jos Alukkas Group said, NDCs association with Jos Alukkas will be a mutually beneficial partnership. While gold continues to be the mainstay of our business, we have recorded a notable year-on-year increase in diamond jewellery sales, and this growing demand amongst consumers illustrates the allure of natural diamonds. Over the last 60 years we have always aspired to offer the best to our customer, and so we chose to collaborate with NDC, an industry body which is known for supporting the transparency, integrity and ethics of the industry. We would like the Jos Alukkas consumer to be empowered with the right knowledge, and through this collaboration our team will be equipped to answer any questions that she may have. This partnership has the potential to reinforce customer loyalty, elevate brand credibility, showcase our design capabilities and exceptional service quality, enhance the teams knowledge and continue our customers love for natural diamonds. This partnership signifies a united effort to further reinforce the position of natural diamonds in the lives of consumers and to foster an appreciation for their authenticity and value. Through this collaboration, NDC and Jos Alukkas aim to inspire a new generation of diamond lovers, confirming why natural diamonds continue to be a valued choice for lifes most precious moments. About the Natural Diamond Council: Natural Diamond Council is a global not-for-profit organization which inspires and informs consumers about the incredible world of natural diamonds. NDC supports the integrity of the natural diamond industry by providing transparency and insight on the progress of this sector and its commitments to further betterment. NDC partners with industry stakeholders for the purpose of sharing best practices and driving trust, and works to educate and protect the consumer. The NDC operates in the US, China, India, UAE, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.onlynaturaldiamonds.in About Jos Alukkas: Jos Alukkas has been in the jewellery business for over six decades. It started as a small shop in Thrissur, a small city in Kerala. Today it has grown into a nationally known jewellery brand with 60+ showrooms across India. It was one of the first brands to introduce the concept of a full-fledged online store and even today, the Jos Alukkas online store has a steady and growing customer from across the globe. (Disclaimer: The above content is a press release and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) Insurtech platform Zopper on Thursday announced it has raised USD 25 million (around Rs 211 crore) in Series D funding round, co-led by Elevation Capital and Dharana Capital. The round also saw participation from existing investor Blume Ventures, said Zopper which is also backed by Creaegis, Bessemer Venture Partners and ICICI Venture. "Zopper will use this fresh funding to ramp up its digital technology infrastructure, by strengthening its insurance distribution platform. The company will also invest in its data science, data engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities," it said. The funds will also accelerate growth in the current bancassurance solutions and enhance the post-sales and servicing capabilities of the company's device and appliance protection businesses, Zopper said. "We take pride that we are the only insurtech company that works with insurance providers and creates byte-sized, personalised products that it then supplies to distribution partners," Surjendu Kuila, Co-founder and CEO, said. The company has currently partnered with 40 insurance companies and 2,500-plus ecosystem players. Zopper said its insurtech platform, equipped with over 1,000 APIs, aims to transform the insurtech ecosystem in India. "Zopper will continue its focus on new product development and enhanced customer experiences with an aim to augment the overall technology stack," it added. Currently, the company provides contextual products tailored for customers, across the insurance spectrum in India, embedding products into the existing digital platforms of the ecosystem players. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) Participants from over 80 countries are expected to attend the upcoming 2nd edition of Bihar Business Connect to be held from December 19-20, 2024 at the state capital Patna. The two-day event will be attended by Union ministers, secretaries of central ministries along with major industry associations, said a state government official. At a review meeting held on Thursday, the state chief secretary laid down the coordinated plan for all the departments of the state in order to make the event a successful one. This was the second review meeting with the chief secretary, said people aware of the development. The state industries secretary initially briefed about the preparations of the Bihar Business Connect (BBC) 2024. A website has already been launched for registrations, which began on November 12. Last year 3,000 people had registered on the BBC website and this year the target has been set at 5,000 and so far invitations to 82 countries' embassies have been sent, an official said. "Secretaries of central ministries will also be invited along with the central ministers. Besides, all the major industry associations of the country are being invited," the official added. The Bihar Business Connect 2024 first roadshow was held in Kolkata in early July this year. State Industries and Tourism Minister Nitish Mishra has held many roadshows across the country to promote this investors meet and attract investments in the state. Recently, Bihar wooed investments in the burgeoning leather industry in the state. The Bihar Leather Investors' Meet was hosted in Kanpur on November 18 together with industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to showcase Bihar's emerging role as a global leather industry hub. "Bihar will roll out the red carpet for both domestic and foreign investors," Mishra had said on July 1 in Kolkata. Through the BBC, the state seeks to attract investments in sectors such as textiles, food processing and EVs that will create jobs and boost business in the State. The last edition of the investor meeting in 2023 saw several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) being signed for proposed investment of Rs 50,500 crore by as many as 278 companies. JAIPUR, India, Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amity University Rajasthan celebrates its accomplishment of being ranked #278 in the prestigious QS Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia 2025 and being featured in the band of 851-900 in the Asian University Rankings. This outstanding achievement demonstrates Amity University Rajasthan's ongoing dedication to providing exceptional academics and fostering important research collaborations. The QS Asia University Rankings, a worldwide recognized benchmark for evaluating higher education institutions, assesses universities across several criteria. Established in 2004, the QS World University Rankings portfolio has become the leading source of comparative data on university excellence and performance. Speaking about the recognition, Prof. (Dr.) Amit Jain, Vice-Chancellor, Amity University Rajasthan, said, "We are pleased to have been recognized in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025: Southern Asia. This success illustrates our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality education and facilitating significant research collaborations. Amity University Rajasthan stays devoted to academic excellence and making significant contributions in the space of research, education and innovation." The university recently secured a spot in the 1001-1200 rank band Overall (World) in the Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings 2025. Despite stiff competition, the university attained the 46th rank Overall (India) and the 287th rank in the Quality Research (World) categories, demonstrating its commitment to providing top-notch education. Amity University Rajasthan provides students with a plethora of opportunities, enabling them to learn from industry experts and combine theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. With its numerous foreign partners and research collaborations, the university steams ahead, making waves in national and international domains. About QS World University Rankings The QS World University Rankings portfolio, established in 2004, stands as the world's foremost source of comparative data on university performance. Widely trusted in the educational landscape, it evaluates institutions across a multitude of parameters including Research & Discovery, Learning Experience, Global Engagement and Employability. About Amity University Rajasthan Amity University Rajasthan is a NAAC A+ accredited clean green 150-acre picturesque campus, situated amidst the oldest mountain ranges of the Aravali, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. courses across various disciplines. The university is a hi-tech institution with air-conditioned amphitheatre-style classrooms. The University offers students hi-tech labs for languages, media studies, education, pharmacy, biotechnology, engineering, hotel management, business management, and scientific research with modern facilities for various research ventures. The university nurtures student talent in a way that complements their academic pursuits. The university has a well-connected and established alumni network, with Amitians being placed in premier national and international companies such as Thomson Reuters, Wipro technologies and the Trident Group. The university has been awarded by ASSOCHAM for 'Best University Campus' and has been featured among the top universities in the world in THE IMPACT Rankings 2023 under sustainable development goals (clean water and sanitation (201-300), affordable and clean energy (401-600) and climate action (401-600)). Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563685/AmityUniversityRajasthanCampus.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2529600/5041202/AmityUniRajasthanLogo.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 PWR New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) Tata Power on Thursday said it has signed an initial pact with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to evaluate financing worth USD 4.25 billion for its several strategic projects. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with ADB at Baku, Azerbaijan, Tata Power said in a statement. "The MoU has been signed evaluate financing for its several strategic projects aimed at enhancing India's power infrastructure and promoting renewable and clean energy," it said. The total estimated project cost is about USD 4.25 billion, Tata Power said. The MoU outlines the evaluation of financing for several key ongoing projects such as the 966-MW solar wind hybrid project and pumped hydro storage project and other projects in the pipeline around energy transition, decarbonisation, and battery storage as well as ongoing financing for capex towards strengthening the distribution networks. Tata Power CEO and Managing Director Praveer Sinha said, "Collaboration with ADB is a crucial step as we explore innovative financing solutions to drive transformative power sector projects. The MoU reinforces our commitment to advancing India's clean and renewable energy capacity and modernising our power infrastructure, ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth." ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations Suzanne Gaboury said, "ADB is committed to fostering partnerships that promote sustainability and energy security across Asia and the Pacific." Tata Power has a diversified portfolio of 15,010 MW, spanning across the entire power value chain -- from renewable and conventional energy generation to transmission and distribution, trading, storage solutions and solar cells and module manufacturing. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has given a go-ahead to Hinduja Group firm IIHL for acquisition of debt-ridden Reliance Capital Ltd (RCAP), sources said. DPIIT approval was required as some of the shareholders of IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) are residents of Hong Kong, a special administrative region controlled by China. According to Press Note 3, if an entity from a nation sharing a land border with India (China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Afghanistan), or if a citizen or permanent resident of any such country is the beneficial owner of an investment in India, they are required to pursue investment through the government approval route. According to sources, the green signal from the DPIIT will help take forward the resolution plan submitted by Mauritius-based IIHL, which emerged as the successful bidder by submitting Rs 9,861-crore bid for the debt-ridden financial firm. The NCLT Mumbai on February 27, 2024, approved IIHL's resolution plan. DPIIT approval was part of the resolution plan which was put to vote and approved by 99.96 per cent of the Committee of Creditors (CoC). The approval was crucial as the Hinduja Group should close the transaction by the extended deadline of January 31, 2025. Failure to meet the deadline would require the group to return Rs 3,000 crore raised from high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), ultra-HNIs, and family offices for the deal. In November 2021, the Reserve bank of India (RBI) superseded the board of Reliance Capital on governance issues and payment defaults by the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group company. The central bank had appointed Nageswara Rao Y as the administrator, who invited bids in February 2022 to take over the company. Reliance Capital had a debt of over Rs 40,000 crore, and four applicants had initially bid with resolution plans. However, the committee of creditors rejected all four plans for lower bid values and a challenge mechanism was initiated in which IIHL and Torrent Investments participated. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia on Thursday said the government's focus on FDI liberalisation, smart industrial townships, and sector-specific parks, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities, is contributing to India's industrialisation. He was speaking at a panel discussion at the 97th AGM and annual convention of FICCI. He also emphasised that the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is creating a conducive ecosystem for industrial development, with support from various ministries. Initiatives like the National Industrial Corridor Program, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, and the ease of doing business reforms have facilitated industrial growth, Bhatia said. Kamran Rizvi, Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries, who also participated in the discussion, emphasised the rapid pace of change driven by electrification and the need for industries to adapt to this shift. He highlighted how the Ministry of Heavy Industries is playing an active role in India's growth with a focus on cost-effective manufacturing and increased domestic value addition, especially in the electric vehicle sector. Rizvi also said that India's strength lies in its robust industry, positioning the country on a path toward a resilient, sustainable and globally competitive future. Anant Goenka, Vice President of FICCI and Vice Chairman of RPG Group, stressed that private investment is aligning with the domestic demand and, he remains optimistic about its growth prospects. He also highlighted the transformative potential of sector-specific industrial parks, drawing lessons from SEZs in India and other countries, to enhance manufacturing competitiveness. Industry body FICCI also organised a panel discussion with top leaders in the industry during the session 'Women-led Growth'. The session emphasised the critical role of women in driving India's economic and social transformation. VIENTIANE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The "Peace Train-2024" China-Laos humanitarian and medical joint rescue exercise has been held at Phonhong Railway Station in Phonhong district of central Laos' Vientiane province. The exercise held on Wednesday highlighted the joint command and joint rescue of the Chinese and Lao militaries. The two sides jointly carried out courses such as the treatment of the wounded and sick, health and epidemic prevention, and psychological emergency intervention. Through multiple sub-item training and concentrated exercises, the medical teams of both sides were able to complete various divisions of labor and cooperation. During the exercise, on-site search and rescue forces quickly entered the disaster area to search for and rescue the injured in distress. The China-Laos joint medical rescue team organized the classification and emergency treatment of the injured and sick, carried out food and water source testing and environmental disinfection in the disaster area, and used rescue helicopters and field ambulances to send the injured to hospital. The accommodation and disposal team, the critical care team, and the surgical team quickly determined the medical treatment plan, carried out bedside electrocardiograms, ultrasound examinations and clinical tests, performed damage control operations, and organized joint consultations. The treatment of the wounded was orderly and effective. In this exercise, the Lao military mainly participated in disaster site search and rescue, hospital treatment, and evacuation of seriously injured patients. After the joint exercise, all participants carefully organized a review, summarized and commented on the deficiencies, further standardized joint rescue operations and professional support coordination, and improved the quality and effectiveness of joint exercises. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) Enviro Infra Engineers, which is involved in the development of turnkey projects of sewage treatment plants and sewerage system, on Thursday collected around Rs 195 crore from anchor investors, a day before its initial share sale opening for public subscription. Quant Mutual Fund, Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund, LIC Mutual Fund, Abakkus Diversified Alpha Fund-2, Singularity Equity Fund I and Meru Investment Fund PCC Cell 1 are among the anchor investors, according to a circular uploaded on BSE's website. As per the circular, Enviro Infra Engineers has allotted over 1.31 crore equity shares to 22 funds at Rs 148 apiece, which is also the upper end of the price band. This aggregates the transaction size to Rs 194.68 crore. The Rs 650-crore initial share sale will open for public subscription on November 22 and conclude on November 26. Shares will be available in the price range of Rs 140 to Rs 148 apiece. The city-based company's proposed IPO is a combination of a fresh issue of 3.87 crore equity shares and an offer for sale (OFS) component of 52.68 lakh shares by promoters. Currently, promoters hold over 93 per cent stake in Enviro Infra Engineers. At the higher end of the price band, the IPO is valued at Rs 650 crore, placing the company's market capitalisation at approximately Rs 2,600 crore. Proceeds from the fresh issue to the tune of Rs 181 crore will be used to meet the working capital requirements, Rs 100 crore will be used for payment of debt, Rs 30 crore will be infused into the company's subsidiary, EIEL Mathura Infra Engineers, to build 60 million litres per day Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Besides, a portion will be used for general corporate purposes. Half of the issue size has been reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 35 per cent for retail investors and the remaining 15 per cent for non-institutional investors. Enviro Infra Engineers is engaged in designing, construction, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment plants and water supply scheme projects for government authorities/bodies. The treatment process installed by the company at most of the STPs is zero liquid discharge-compliant and the treated water can be used for horticulture, washing, refrigeration and other process industries. Hem Securities is the sole book-running lead manager of the public issue. The equity shares of the company are expected to be listed on the BSE and NSE on November 29. Gurugram, Nov 21 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday highlighted the pivotal role of the cooperative movement in fostering economic growth and urged the people to actively engage with cooperatives to help realize the vision of Viksit Bharat - Viksit Haryana. The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at the concluding function of the 71st National Cooperative Week in Gurugram. He said a new state-of-the-art cooperative sugar mill will be established in Narayangarh soon. In addition, a modern sunflower oil crushing mill will be set up in Kurukshetra and the country's largest cooperative mustard oil mill will be established in Rewari, he added. According to an official statement, Saini outlined suggestions including bringing local products to both national and international markets, establishing facilities for crop storage, processing, and marketing to benefit local farmers, and training women's self-help groups in skill development, financial literacy, and leadership. He also called for the implementation of skill development and entrepreneurship programs tailored for the youth, as well as the adoption of digital payment systems and e-governance practices to enhance operational efficiency. He also urged to work under a public-private partnership model to maximize resources and expertise. He also suggested creating a unified brand for various products in Haryana, similar to AMUL and others. "By developing a comprehensive action plan for cooperatives, we can promote our local millets, such as Shri Anna, and take them to greater heights," he added. The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined a vision for India to become a developed nation by 2047. He expressed confidence that the mantra of "Prosperity through Cooperation" will play a significant role in achieving this goal. Current state government is dedicated to the welfare and upliftment of people associated with cooperatives, he said, adding that to support this commitment, numerous welfare schemes are being implemented to enhance the well-being of cooperative members and their families. All 19 District Central Cooperative Banks have issued Rupay Kisan Credit Cards to over 7 lakh farmers statewide. In addition, 11 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) centers have been selected for warehouse development", said Saini. He also shared details of a 50 per cent interest rebate under the interest relief scheme for timely loan repayments, which has already benefited many, totaling Rs 101 crore in interest relief. He highlighted the Kanyadan scheme, which provides Rs 1,100 for the marriage of daughters of Cooperative Milk Producer Committee members, alongside a scholarship program for their meritorious children, awarding Rs 2,100 for those scoring above 80 per cent in class 10 and Rs 5,100 for class 12. The Chief Minister said HAFED is receiving orders for Basmati rice exports from Dubai and other countries, having exported about 1 lakh metric tonnes valued at Rs 1,200 crore. HAFED has also established new oil mills in Rewari and Narnaul, as well as a turmeric plant in Radaur. A mega food park is being established in Rohtak at a cost of Rs 180 crore. The state's sugar mills are operating at full capacity, crushing 360 lakh quintals of sugarcane and producing 35 lakh quintals of sugar this season. Cooperative sugar mills in Panipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Shahabad, and Gohana earned Rs 63 crore by selling 13 crore units of electricity to the State Power Grid during the 2023-24 crushing season. Speaking on this occasion, Cooperation Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma said that the State government is actively working to promote the cooperative movement. He highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the department aimed at empowering cooperative societies across the state. Gurugram, Nov 21 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday met with a South Korean delegation led by Jung Won Joo, Chairman of Korea Herald, Daewoo Corporation, and the Korea Housing Builders Association. During the interactive session, the Chief Minister emphasized the government's commitment to support the growth of Korean businesses in Haryana. He assured that the government would assist in identifying suitable land in areas adjacent to the National Capital Region to facilitate this growth, he added. Minister of Foreign Cooperation Department Rao Narbir Singh and Cooperation Minister Arvind Sharma were also present on this occasion. According to an official statement, Saini highlighted that Haryana has identified key sectors for cooperation, including automotive, textiles, food processing, and real estate. He extended a warm invitation to South Korean partners to engage in the City-to-City project, emphasizing that the exchange of best practices through such collaboration would be mutually beneficial. He said that there are many similarities in the cultures of India and South Korea. Culturally and spiritually both the countries are connected to each other. "South Korea and Haryana are made for each other," he said. The Chief Minister expressed his commitment to giving Haryana a new international identity, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Cooperation of Haryana. He shared that every year, the International Gita Mahotsav is celebrated in Haryana, with one country serving as the partner nation. This year, Tanzania has been chosen as the partner country. The Chief Minister extended a special invitation to the Korean delegation, expressing a desire for South Korea to be the partner country at the next International Gita Mahotsav. Jung also congratulated the Chief Minister on the formation of the government in Haryana for the third consecutive term. The Korean delegation includes 21 regional heads, who collectively hold around 30 per cent of the market share in Korea's housing industry. He shared that his association is currently developing the Star Lake City Project in Vietnam and expressed a keen interest in bringing this project to Haryana. Additionally, Jung informed that 70 delegates from 22 companies would be attending the Haryana-Korea Business Connect event, which promises to further strengthen the business ties between the two regions. Guwahati, Nov 21 (PTI) The 9th edition of the Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF) will be held from December 5 to 8 in the state capital, the organisers said on Thursday. The festival, which will take place at Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio here, will showcase dozens of feature films, documentaries and short films from the over 220 entries received, Festival Director Tanushree Hazarika said at a press conference. "Our mission is to promote cinema that resonates, connects diverse talents, and showcases the rich culture and landscapes of Northeast India. We envision a future where the region becomes a thriving hub for filmmaking, contributing its unique stories to the global cinematic stage," she added. Special screenings will include 'Mithya' (Kannada) by Sumanth Bhat, 'Zende: The Supercop' by Tushar Haware, 'Chashma' by Nitin Baid, 'Angammal' (Tamil) by Vipin Radhakrishnan and 'Boong' by Lakshmipriya Devi. The festival will also be attended by renowned industry figures such as Tigmanshu Dhulia, known for 'Paan Singh Tomar' and 'Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster', and Sandeep Modi, the director of 'The Night Manager' and 'Aarya', Hazarika said. The festival's Technical Director Samujjal Kashyap said, "The BVFF will once again have an elevated experience through masterclasses and industry immersive discussions which truly bring the dream of careers in cinema to life." Los Angeles, Nov 21 (PTI) Hollywood star Robert Pattinson is set to reunite with Christopher Nolan for the filmmaker's new feature film. The untitled project is Nolan's next offering following the success of the multiple award-winning "Oppenheimer", which earned him his first Academy Award for best director. Pattinson, who played one of the lead roles in Nolan's 2020 sci-fi action thriller "Tenet", will star alongside Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway and Lupita Nyong'o in Nolan's film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, plot details are being kept under wraps, but sources say the setting is not contemporary. It is also unclear whether the currently untitled movie is set in the past or future. Nolan wrote the script and is directing the film, which will be distributed by Universal Pictures. The filmmaker is also backing the project alongside producing partner and wife, Emma Thomas, for their Syncopy banner. Universal Pictures has set a release date of July 17, 2026, for the movie. Pattinson is currently looking forward to the release of his upcoming "Mickey 17", directed by acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho. The actor will also reprise his role of Bruce Wayne aka The Batman in Matt Reeves' "The Batman Part II". Kozhikode/Palakkad, Nov 21 (PTI) Renowned Malayalam film and television actor Meghanadhan, known for his iconic villainous roles, passed away in a hospital in the early hours of Thursday, industry sources confirmed. He was 60. Meghanadhan succumbed to respiratory-related ailments at 2 am, while undergoing treatment, sources said. His funeral was held at his residence in Vandanamkurissi, near Shoranur, on Thursday evening. Relatives, friends, and admirers from various walks of life gathered to pay their respects. His mortal remains were kept at his home until the afternoon for the public to bid farewell. Meghanadhan is survived by his wife, Susmitha, and daughter, Parvathi. Son of acclaimed actor Balan K Nair, Meghanadhan appeared in over 50 films, including notable works like 'Chamayam', 'Chenkol', and 'Ee Puzhayum Kadannu'. He began his acting journey in 1983 with the film 'Astram', directed by P N Menon, and rose to prominence for his compelling portrayals of villains in Malayalam cinema. His most recent appearance was in the 2024 film 'Samadhana Pusthakam'. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended his condolences over Meghanadhans demise, acknowledging his contributions to the Malayalam film industry. Keralas General Education Minister, V Sivankutty, also mourned the loss, stating on Facebook, "A talent who gave a new dimension to villain characters." Tributes poured in from across the Malayalam film industry. Actors Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Union Minister Suresh Gopi led the condolences. Mohanlal described Meghanadhan as "a talented actor who brought a natural, spontaneous style to every role he portrayed." Sharing memories of working with him in films such as Panchagni, Chenkol, and Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol, Mohanlal posted on Facebook, "My heartfelt condolences on his passing." Mammootty paid tribute by sharing a photo of Meghanadhan on Facebook, while Union Minister Suresh Gopi expressed his grief, writing, "Tributes to my dear Meghanadhan." Actors including Dileep, M Mukesh, Manju Warrier, Biju Menon, Vinduja Menon, and Seema G Nair also paid homage by sharing Meghanadhans images on social media. United Nations, Nov 21 (AP) Russia and China on Wednesday opposed a US-led campaign to transform the Kenya-led multinational force in Haiti helping police to tackle escalating gang violence into a UN peacekeeping mission. The two allies called a UN Security Council meeting as gangs have intensified attacks, shooting at four aircraft which has shut the airport in the capital Port-au-Prince, and attacking its upscale neighbourhood Petionville on Tuesday. The UN estimates the gangs control 85 per cent of the capital and have spread into surrounding areas. The United States proposed a UN peacekeeping mission in early September as one way to secure regular financing for the UN-backed multinational force, which faces a serious funding crisis. The US tried to get the 15-member UN Security Council to sign off on a draft resolution last week to start the transformation. But Russia and China refused to discuss the resolution and instead called for Wednesday's council meeting where they made their opposition clear. China's Deputy UN Ambassador Geng Shuang said the council extended the mandate of the multinational force only a month ago, and discussing its transformation to a peacekeeping operation now will only interfere and make it harder to tackle its funding shortfall and get all the police pledged to Haiti. Peacekeepers should only be deployed when there is peace to keep, and there is no peace in Haiti, Geng stressed. Deploying a peacekeeping operation at this time is nothing more than putting peacekeepers into the front line of the battles with gangs. Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky, expressing shock and horror at what's happening on the streets of Port-au-Prince, accused the US and other countries that initially supported the multinational force of failing to fund it. Conditions on the ground in Haiti are not appropriate for UN peacekeepers, he said. Their role is to maintain peace and not to fight crime in urban areas or to save a dysfunctional state that has been plunged into domestic conflict. Whatever the future international presence in Haiti, Polyansky said Haitians need urgent assistance immediately which means providing the multinational force with the necessary materiel, funding and technical expertise. Otherwise, quite simply, there will be just nobody left to host any future peacekeepers, he said. Haiti's leaders have asked for a UN peacekeeping force, and the permanent council of the Organisation of American States adopted a resolution on November 13 entitled In Support of Haiti's Request for a United States Peacekeeping Operation. (AP) NPK NPK Kathmandu, Nov 21 (PTI) Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday held talks with his Nepalese counterpart General Ashok Sigdel here, focussing on collaboration between the two armies, officials said. Dwivedi, accompanied by his spouse Sunita Dwivedi, arrived in Nepal on Wednesday for a five-day official visit at the invitation of Sigdel. Dwivedi met Sigdel at Nepal Army Headquarters and discussed matters relating to the collaboration between the two armies, officials said. Earlier in the day, Dwivedi laid a wreath and paid homage at Bir Smarak (Martyrs Memorial) at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel, Kathmandu. He also received the Guard of Honour at the Army headquarters. President Ramchandra Paudel will confer upon Dwivedi the rank of Honorary General of the Nepal Army during a special ceremony at Rastrapati Bhawan, Sheetal Niwas. During his visit, Dwivedi is scheduled to visit Army Staff College in Shivapuri, located on the outskirts of Kathmandu. He also plans to have a mountain flight, officials said. By Diane-Laure Arjalies, Assistant Professor, Ivey Business School, Western University; and Tima Bansal, Canada Research Chair in Business Sustainability, Western University London, Nov 21 (The Conversation) As the world gathers in Azerbaijan for this years annual UN climate conference (COP29), the urgency to act on climate change has never been greater. The stakes in Baku are high with 2024 on track to be the hottest year recorded, the first to potentially break the 1.5 C Paris Agreement threshold, and Canada experiencing warming rates twice the global average. Most governments, including here in Canada, are looking to options to mitigate the effects of climate change through regulations or funding new technologies. To this end, nature-based solutions (NbS) offer the most promising path forward. There are three key strategies for governments to maximize the growth (and impact) of NbS. From removing harmful subsidies to integrating natural assets into financial systems and promoting biodiversity credits, policymakers have a number of tools at their disposal. World leaders in Baku should take notice. What is a nature-based solution? Nature-based solutions (NbS) use nature, rather than human-made infrastructure, to mitigate climate change. They can include wildlife corridors, cover cropping, natural water retention measures, wetland restoration and buffer strips. Such measures sequester carbon and foster biodiversity. They also enhance human health and well-being. Whats more, NbS can help protect human made infrastructure from the effects of climate change, such as floods, storm surges and erosion. And all these benefits can come at a fraction of the cost of traditional infrastructure. A recent meta-study of 155 peer-reviewed articles showed that NbS were more effective than engineering solutions in attenuating hazards in 65 per cent of studies and more cost-effective in 71 per cent. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the total global finance for NbS in 2022 reached USD $200 billion. Approximately USD $600 billion will be needed to reach climate, biodiversity and land degradation targets by 2030. Of that total investment, only 18 per cent or USD $35 billion is from the private sector. In addition to investing directly in nature-based solutions, governments can unlock private sector capital for nature-positive outcomes by providing incentives for private sector investment in NbS. Enabling nature-based solutions In 2022, the United Nations Environment Programme estimated that nearly USD $7 trillion was invested annually in activities that harm nature. Of that total, USD $5 trillion was from the private sector. Approximately 69 per cent of the public sector investments subsidise the fossil fuel industry and 20 per cent subsidise agriculture. Diverting even just a fraction of the public funds used to subsidise carbon-intensive industries to the USD $600 billion needed to fund NbS could help governments make real meaningful change. Such advances in funding NbS are, however, politically difficult for governments, as nature does not appear on national accounting ledgers. In contrast, the extraction of natural resources is included in the calculation of gross domestic product, which is an important indicator of the effectiveness of government. This must change. Conventional approaches to accounting do not allow nature-based assets to appear on government or corporate balance sheets because, unlike engineered assets, they are not bought or sold. This discrepancy disincentivises economic actors and governments from investing in forests, wetlands and watersheds because the investments cannot be capitalised, or yield measurable financial returns. It is critical, then, that governments enable accounting for natural assets. Frameworks exist for doing just that. Indeed, the Capital Coalition and the Natural Assets Initiative have developed excellent examples. In May 2022, the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board even released a consultation paper on natural resources reporting. Authorising the valuation of natural assets in conventional accounting would be a decision that could unlock significant investments in NbS, while still being light on public finances. Offer biodiversity credits Although imperfect, carbon markets have been helpful in attracting capital to fund low-carbon technologies. This capital is, however, often directed at human-made technologies, such as innovations in battery technologies needed for electrification rather than more cost- and carbon-effective NbS. Carbon credits motivate decarbonisation through human-made infrastructure, such as through energy systems. Biodiversity credits, on the other hand, serve to enhance biodiversity, which is more far-reaching and grounded in NbS. Such credits can work in several ways. First, companies that reduce biodiversity could offer payments to companies improving biodiversity, such as investments in nature-based infrastructure or landowners who manage their land responsibly. Alternatively, investing in certification bodies can create standards for responsibly produced products, such as wood, concrete or steel. On Oct 28, the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits (2024) introduced the Framework for High-Integrity Biodiversity Credit Markets to help guide the creation of a biodiversity credits market. The framework aims to attract significant investments to conserve and restore ecosystems and biodiversity by establishing standards and monitoring systems, which should have the added bonus of tackling greenwashing. Valuing nature Valuing nature is not straightforward. There are no clear measures of biodiversity. Any measure of biodiversity must be sensitive to local ecosystems and local communities. It needs to build on local knowledge, especially from people who live on the land in question, such as Indigenous Peoples. Yet, people with deep local knowledge are often excluded from such conversations, because corporations and governments generally favour Western science-based knowledge over community-based knowledge. It is critical to engage in inclusive multi-party dialogue for NbS to reach the ambition of sustainable development. Governments must build on the progress made on carbon markets in Baku and develop an international biodiversity credit system that is based on an inclusive approach before it is too late. As the world comes together to tackle climate change at the COP29 meeting, civil society, businesses and governments should be looking not for big solutions, but for the cheaper, quicker and often more effective nature-based alternatives. With just a few key measures, governments can lead the way. (The Conversation) SCY SCY Helsinki (Finland), Nov 21 (AP) Police in Finland said on Thursday they had detained five suspects in connection with deadly violence in southeastern Nigeria and were seeking a court extension of the detensions. The police did not identify the suspects, only saying that a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen, born in the 1980s, was under criminal investigation. However, Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian linked to the Biafran separatist movement, lives in Lahti, where the Paijat-Hame District Court will consider a request from the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation to keep the suspects in custody. Ekpa is one of the leaders of the Indigenous People of Biafra separatist group that is demanding the creation of an independent Biafra state from the troubled southeast region of Nigeria. The police suspect that the man (under investigation) has furthered his efforts from Finland in such a way that has resulted in violence against civilians and public authorities and in other crimes in South-East Nigeria, Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen said in a statement. The suspect carried out this activity by campaigning, for example, on his social media channels, Hiltunen said. The secessionist campaign in southeastern Nigeria dates back to the 1960s when the short-lived Republic of Biafra fought and lost a civil war from 1967 to 1970 to become independent from the West African country. An estimated 1 million people died in the conflict, many from starvation. Nigerian authorities have accused Ekpa of using social media to instigate violence by his followers in Nigeria, many of them young people. Police in Finland said the investigation involves international cooperation. Nigerian authorities have been contacted for comment. For many years Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, with at least 210 million people, has been wracked by violence related to the activities of armed extremist groups. Most recently, social protests were held over a worsening cost-of-living crisis and alleged bad governance. (AP) PY PY BRASILIA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to join hands with Brazil in a spirit of perseverance and dedication to build a China-Brazil community with a shared future and usher in the next "Golden 50 Years" of China-Brazil relations, said Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday. Addressing a grand welcome banquet hosted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Xi thanked him and the Brazilian people for their warm and friendly reception and congratulated Brazil on achieving remarkable development under President Lula's leadership. Noting that the vast oceans separating the two countries have never hindered their mutual understanding and friendship, Xi said that the two nations have distinctive characteristics while blending harmoniously with openness, innovation, diversity and unity as their shared traits and common aspirations. Xi added that he and President Lula had announced to elevate the bilateral relationship to the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with Brazil's development strategies. Looking back, the two sides have every reason to be proud of the achievements in their relations, and looking ahead, they are confident and full of anticipation for the bright future of their bilateral ties, he said. For his part, Lula said that President Xi and he lead the two largest developing countries in the Eastern and Western hemispheres respectively, noting that both are keenly aware of the people's struggles and are committed to improving livelihoods and eradicating poverty. Lula expressed deep admiration for China's development achievements under President Xi's leadership, particularly the accomplishment of lifting 100 million people out of poverty. He pointed out that President Xi has set an example for the world by working for people's well-being, upholding social fairness and justice, and advocating for peace over war, cooperation over confrontation, and creation over destruction. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties half a century ago, Brazil-China relations have become a model of solidarity, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win results among Global South countries, Lula said. The alignment of development strategies between Brazil and China will contribute to the common prosperity of both countries and demonstrate to the world that they can achieve development, revitalization, and justice through their own paths, he said. Both Brazil and China uphold multilateralism and advocate for the peaceful settlement of disputes, said Lula, adding that their cooperation will have a significant and far-reaching impact on the world. Brazil looks forward to working closely with China to build a Brazil-China community with a shared future, he said. Bamako (Mali), Nov 21 (AP) Mali's ruling junta on Thursday appointed a new prime minister from the ranks of the military generals, a day after firing his predecessor for criticising the military regime. The move effectively consolidates all power in the African country in the hands of military generals. Mali has been ruled by military leaders since the junta seized power in 2020 and staged another coup the following year. Choguel Maiga, who was a civilian and criticised the junta for postponing the presidential election scheduled for 2024, was removed on Wednesday, a move announced in a presidential decree issued by Gen. Assimi Goita, Mali's leader, and read on state television channel ORTM. Goita on Thursday appointed Gen. Abdoulaye Maiga as prime minister, according to an announcement on ORTM by Alfouseyni Diawara, secretary general of the Malian presidency. The two Maigas are not related. Abdoulaye Maiga's appointment effectively means that all three branches of the government the Malian presidency, the National Transitional Council, which is the transition's legislative body, and the post of prime minister are now in the hands of military officers. Maiga, 43, previously served as minister of territorial administration, government spokesman and deputy prime minister. The choice of the new prime minister shows that the military is tightening its grip on power. General Maiga is especially seen close to transition President Goita, who wanted someone loyal as the country is preparing for possible elections next year, said Ulf Laessing, head of Sahel program at Konrad Adenauer foundation in Mali. Chogoul provoked his sacking as he wants to present himself as possible elections candidate," Laessing added. Maiga was not among the five officers behind the 2020 coup but quickly became part of the group running the country. He is known for virulent rhetoric against France and MINUSMA, the former UN mission in Mali. During the UN General Assembly in September, he slammed Algerian diplomats for asserting that Malian civilians had been killed by the Malian army near the border between the two countries. Since coming to power in Mali, the military junta has severely restricted freedom of expression, arresting more than a dozen politicians and opinion leaders for criticizing the military regime. (AP) PY PY London, Nov 21 (PTI) An immersive new exhibition will open in Southall, west London, on Friday to showcase the lesser-known history of womens dissent in the British Indian diaspora and shine a spotlight on the communitys fight for equal rights. Taking Up Space: Women and Protest in the Indian Diaspora at OPEN Southall Arts Centre will explore the written and oral history of protests directly in the words of the inspiring women. Curated by Megan Drabble, the special three-day showcase will focus on four key periods in the history of womens dissent and feature the likes of freedom fighter Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, activist Sheila Sengupta and social reformer Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. I wanted to dedicate a space for guests to explore a history of protest unique to the Indian diaspora, said Drabble, who studied Dalit theatre and politics in India. This isnt taught in schools, colleges, or most degree courses. South Asian womens contributions remain largely untold. So, I feel it is important that this exhibition exists as an educational and explorative space for all ages to engage with this history, she said. She has curated the exhibition as a space for visitors to think about experiences and ideas as they explore key moments of history and build a collective memory of womens protests in the Indian diaspora. Each section of the exhibit at Southall, a heavily British Punjabi suburb of London, will be designed to immerse visitors into the stories and draw parallels between methods and music that lay at the heart of the dissent. Protest is integral to Indias history. From standing up to colonial oppression to establishing an independent India, built on the values of justice, liberty, equality and democracy, said Raul Lai, Coordinator of Platform for Indian Democracy, which is organising the initiative supported by the Monitoring Group. This legacy of protest and dissent followed our families as they left India, with the British Indian community fighting for these same values in the UK. Throughout our history, Indian and British Indian women have been at the forefront of pushing forward progressive change in many different ways. We at Platform for Indian Democracy wanted to celebrate this inspiring legacy and make us think about how we can take up space in our communities like those who came before us did, he said. The Platform for Indian Democracy was created recently to mobilise the British Indian community to advocate democratic values and ethical diplomacy within bilateral relations. Beijing, Nov 21 (PTI) Over 300 Chinese troops have arrived in Pakistan to take part in the joint China-Pakistan anti-terrorism exercise amid escalating militant attacks in the country, a Chinese Defence Ministry report said on Thursday. The opening ceremony for the drills was held on Wednesday, a report posted on the Chinese Defence Ministry's official website said adding that over 300 troops drawn from the special operations, army aviation and logistic support have arrived in Pakistan to take part in the exercise coded "Warrior-VIII". They were flown into Pakistan in batches by the Y-20 transport aircraft, the official media here reported without mentioning the location of the training. The"Warrior-VIII" joint exercise focuses on joint counter-terrorism clean-up and strike operations. The two sides will engage in mixed training across various specialities and organise joint planning and live drills. The Chinese participating troops and equipment were delivered to Pakistan in batches by air. Upon reaching the designated area, the Chinese participating troops started deployment, field survey, and command post-set-up, chinamil.com.cn, the official news portal of the PLA reported. The exercise from late November to mid-December is the eighth of the"Warrior-VIII" series between the Chinese and Pakistani militaries, the report said. Ahead of the drills, Pakistan announced a major military operation to target militants in the affected areas. Asked whether China will be involved in Pakistans military operations against the militants, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing here on Wednesday: 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." The anti-terror drills are taking place amid recurring attacks from the Islamic militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in northwest Pakistan and militants of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) who target Chinese personnel working in the USD 70 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The drills come as at least 50 persons were killed and 20 injured when militants ambushed three vehicles in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday. The attacks involving suicide bombers have been taking place despite Pakistan deploying over 30,000 security personnel to guard Chinese citizens in the country. Six people including two Chinese engineers and 17 others were injured in the last months suicide bomb attack near Karachi airport. Recent reports from Pakistan said that given the recurring attacks by militants, Beijing is reportedly pressing Islamabad to allow Chinese security personnel to guard its citizens. According to media reports, Pakistan is averse to having Chinese personnel on its soil apprehending political repercussions. Lahore, Nov 21 (PTI) A worker of jailed former premier Imran Khan's party died during a police raid in Pakistan's Punjab province as more than 300 supporters of the party have been arrested ahead of a protest march in Islamabad on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has called Pakistan Rangers in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Attock districts in the wake of the protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. A Punjab police senior officer said that a police team raided the residence of Khan's party worker and office-bearer Yasir Malhi in Narowal, some 130kms from Lahore, on Wednesday night. "While trying to evade arrest, Malhi fell from the roof and lost his life," he said. The local people held a protest against the Punjab police over the unlawful raid that resulted in the death of Malhi. In Multan city, some 350kms from Lahore, Punjab police raided the house of PTI leader Dr Riaz Hussain and allegedly tortured his family members. The police personnel broke the fingers of his daughter, a video of which went viral on social media. "In light of PTI's call for protests on November 24, the police conducted an illegal raid on the house of PTI worker Yasir Malhi. While trying to evade this unlawful arrest, Malhi fell from the roof and lost his life. I promise that if our government comes into power, revenge will be taken according to the law. All those involved will be held accountable for this," said Shahbaz Gill, a close aide to Khan. Law enforcement agencies have launched a massive crackdown on Khan's party ahead of its protest call in Islamabad on Sunday, arresting over 300 supporters in Lahore and other parts of Punjab. According to the party, the Punjab police have started raiding the houses of its legislators, leaders, office-bearers and workers and misbehaving with their families besides ransacking their household items. "So far, the police have detained over 300 PTI supporters during raids in Lahore and other parts of Punjab," Khan's party said. The party said its supporters will reach Islamabad on November 24 in large numbers and will continue the sit-in till party founder Imran Khan is set free, its stolen mandate is returned and the Constitution restored. On the other hand, the Punjab's Home Department has called in Rangers for Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Attock. "Two wings of Rangers have been requested for Rawalpindi and Attock. Deployment of one company of Rangers in Jhelum has been recommended. Rangers will be deployed in Rawalpindi and Attock from Friday, November 22, for an indefinite period," a notification says. In Jhelum, Rangers are recommended to be deployed from November 22 to November 27. The decision to deploy Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, and Jhelum was made based on the recommendation of the district administration. The Hague, Nov 21 (AP) The world's top war-crimes court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for the leaders of Israel and Hamas, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with their war that began more than a year ago. The warrants against Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant focus on allegations Israel has used food as a weapon in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza, a charge Israeli officials deny. Experts have warned that hunger has become widespread across Gaza and may have reached famine levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops. The action by the International Criminal Court came as the death toll from Israel's campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Netanyahu condemned the arrest warrant against him, saying Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions by the court. In a statement released by his office, he said: There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and could further isolate them, as well as complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court. Israeli leaders, politicians and officials across the spectrum denounced the warrants and the ICC. The new defence minister, Israel Katz, who replaced Gallant earlier this month, said Thursday's decision is a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low. Human rights groups applauded the move. The warrants against both sides break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law, the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. The decision came six months after ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the warrants. The court issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas' armed wing, over the October 7, 2023, attacks that triggered Israel's offensive in Gaza. It said it found reasonable grounds to believe Deif was involved in murder, rape, torture and the taking of hostages amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the Hamas-led attack, militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people mostly civilians and taking some 250 others hostage. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third of them believed to be dead. Khan withdrew his request for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, who have both since been killed. Israel says it also killed Deif in an airstrike, but Hamas has never confirmed his death. The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were issued by a three-judge panel in a unanimous decision. The panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe they intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICC's jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants. The ICC is a court of last resort that only prosecutes cases when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate. Israel is not a member state of the court. The country has struggled to investigate itself in the past, rights groups say. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague anytime soon. Member countries are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to enforce that. For example, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently visited Mongolia, a member state in the court but also a Russian ally. He was not arrested. Still, the threat of arrest now complicates any travel abroad by Netanyahu and Gallant including to close allies of Israel, such as France or Britain, said Yuval Shany, an international law expert at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. France signalled it could arrest Netanyahu if he came to its territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine called it a complex legal issue but said France supports the court's actions. Combating impunity is our priority, he said. Our response will align with these principles. Israel's opposition leaders fiercely criticised the ICC's move. Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, said it showed moral blindness and was a shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. Yair Lapid, another opposition leader, called it a prize for terror. Soon after Israel launched its campaign vowing to destroy Hamas after the October attacks, it announced a total seal on Gaza, vowing not to let in food, water or other supplies. Under US pressure, it began allowing a trickle of humanitarian aid to enter a few weeks later. The campaign has caused heavy destruction across Gaza and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on humanitarian aid to survive. Israel now says it puts no limit on the amount of supplies into Gaza. Still, the flow of food and other goods is at nearly the lowest levels of the war, and the UN and other groups have said Israeli military restrictions are largely to blame, along with widespread lawlessness that has led to theft of aid shipments. The case at the ICC is separate from another legal battle Israel is waging at the top UN court, the International Court of Justice, in which South Africa accuses Israel of genocide, an allegation Israeli leaders staunchly deny. Lawyers for Israel argued in court that the war in Gaza was a legitimate defense of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide. (AP) PY PY New York, Nov 21 (AP) Indian businessman Gautam Adani who is one of the world's richest people has been indicted in the US on charges he duped investors by concealing that his company's huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. Adani, 62, was charged in an indictment unsealed Wednesday with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The case involves a lucrative arrangement for Adani Green Energy Ltd. and another firm to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power to the Indian government enough to light millions of homes and businesses. The indictment paints Adani and his co-defendants as playing two sides of the deal. It accuses them of portraying it as rosy and above-board to Wall Street investors who poured several billion dollars into the project over the last five years while, back in India, they were paying or planning to pay about USD 265 million in bribes to government officials to help secure billions of dollars' worth of contracts and financing. Adani and his co-defendants sought to obtain and finance massive state energy supply contracts through corruption and fraud at the expense of US investors, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lisa Miller said. US Attorney Breon Peace said the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme and sought to "enrich themselves at the expense of the integrity of our financial markets. In a parallel civil action, the US Securities and Exchange Commission accused Adani and two co-defendants of violating antifraud provisions of US securities laws. The regulator is seeking monetary penalties and other sanctions. Both cases were filed in federal court in Brooklyn. Adani's co-defendants include his nephew Sagar Adani, the executive director of Adani Green Energy's board, and Vneet Jaain, who was the company's chief executive from 2020 to 2023 and remains managing director of its board. Online court records did not list a lawyer who could speak on Adani's behalf. An email message seeking comment was left with an arm of his conglomerate, the Adani Group. Emails were also sent to lawyers representing his co-defendants. Sagar Adani's lawyer, Sean Hecker, declined the comment. The others did not immediately respond. Sanjay Wadhwa, acting director of the SEC's Enforcement Division, said Gautam and Sagar Adani are accused of persuading investors to buy their company's bonds by misrepresenting "not only that Adani Green had a robust anti-bribery compliance programme but also that the company's senior management had not and would not pay or promise to pay bribes. Adani is a power player in the world's most populous nation. He built his fortune in the coal business in the 1990s. The Adani Group grew to involve many aspects of Indian life, from making defence equipment to building roads to selling cooking oil. In recent years, the Adani Group has made big moves into renewable energy, embracing a philosophy of sustainable growth reflected in its slogan: Growth with Goodness." The company has a clean energy portfolio of over 20 gigawatts, including one of the world's largest solar power plants in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Adani Group has stated its goal of becoming the country's biggest player in the space by 2030. In 2022, Gautam Adani said the company would invest USD 70 billion in clean energy projects by 2032. Last year, a US-based financial research firm accused Adani and his company of brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud. The Adani Group called the claims a malicious combination of selective misinformation and stale, baseless and discredited allegations. The firm in question is known as a short-seller, a Wall Street term for traders that essentially bet on the prices of certain stocks to fall, and it had made such investments in relation to the Adani Group. The company's stock plunged as a result and dipped again in August when the firm, Hindenburg Research, levied more corruption allegations. Jaain told The Associated Press last year that Hindenburg's allegations had little impact on its ongoing projects, including work building 20 gigawatts of a solar and wind energy project in the northwest Indian village of Khavda. Prosecutors allege that Adani and his co-defendants started plotting the bribery scheme in 2020 or 2021 to guarantee demand for the energy that Adani Green and another firm were under contract to produce for the national government's Solar Energy Corporation of India. Adani Green and the other firm's high prices turned off India's state-run electricity distributors, which buy power from the national government and provide it to homes and businesses. But the companies needed those deals to make the project worthwhile and keep revenues high, so they offered bribes to get them done, prosecutors said. After the defendants started promising bribes to government officials, in 2021 and 2022, electricity distributors in five Indian states or regions entered into agreements to purchase their energy, prosecutors said. Adani's company issued a statement in which he touted his deals as the world's largest power purchase agreement. At the same time, prosecutors said, the Adanis and Jaain were attesting to global investors that Adani Green was and would never be involved in bribery. Those claims enabled them to secure billions of dollars in financing for the project at terms that did not account for the true risk involved, prosecutors said. (AP) GRS GRS Washington, Nov 21 (PTI) Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's younger brother Anmol, wanted for the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique and firing outside actor Salman Khans Mumbai home, has been arrested by US law enforcement authorities and is currently lodged in a prison in Iowa. According to a recent update on the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement website, Anmol Bishnoi is lodged at Pottawattamie County Jail in Iowa. No other details were immediately available. Anmol, who was believed to be living in Canada and making regular travels to the US, is the younger brother of Lawrence, accused of running a global criminal syndicate despite being in jail. Lawrence is currently lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail, Ahmedabad. Anmol is wanted in connection with several criminal cases, including the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra minister Siddique last month in Mumbai's Bandra area. He was also allegedly behind the firing outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's home, located in the Bandra area, in April 14 this year. India has asked for the extradition of Anmol. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) also recently announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Anmol. Earlier this week, the US State Department had declined to comment on the possibility of deporting Anmol, saying the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. "...it would be appropriate - if anyone is going to comment on such a report, it would be the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, not the State Department... They may - and they - and I prefaced it that way because they may decline to comment. But I certainly am not going to comment on something that falls within their jurisdiction," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in response to a question on Anmol's possible deportation at a press meet on Nov 18. A lookout circular was issued in April against Anmol, who had claimed responsibility for the firing incident outside Salman Khans residence. An FIR was also registered by the NIA against nine accused, including the Bishnoi brothers, in August 2022 for being part of a conspiracy to raise funds, recruit youth to carry out terrorist acts in the Union Territory of Delhi and other parts of the country besides targeted killings of prominent persons. Seoul, Nov 21 (AP) North Korea and Russia reached a new agreement for expanding economic cooperation following high-level talks in Pyongyang this week, the North's state media said Thursday, as they continue to align in the face of their confrontations with Washington. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency didn't elaborate on the details of the agreement signed Wednesday between its senior trade officials and a Russian delegation led by Alexandr Kozlov, the country's minister of natural resources and ecology. The Russian news agency Tass on Tuesday said officials following an earlier round of talks agreed to increase the number of charter flights between the countries to promote tourism. Kozlov, who arrived in North Korea on Sunday, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his top economic official, Premier Kim Tok Hun, before returning home on Wednesday, KCNA said. During Kozlov's visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin's gifted Pyongyang's Central Zoo with more than 70 animals, including lions, bears and several species of birds, according to Tass, in another display of the countries' growing ties. Kim Jong Un in recent months has prioritized relations with Moscow as he attempts to break out of international isolation and strengthen his footing, actively supporting Putin's war on Ukraine while portraying the North as a player in a united front against Washington. Kim has yet to directly acknowledge that he has been providing military equipment and troops to Russia to support its fighting against Ukraine. South Korea's National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Wednesday that an estimated 11,000 North Korean soldiers in late October were moved to Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops seized parts of its territory this year, following their training in Russia's northeast. The spy agency believes the North Korean soldiers were assigned to Russia's marine and airborne forces units and some of them have already begun fighting alongside the Russians on the frontlines, said Lee Seong Kweun, a lawmaker who attended the meeting. US, South Korean and Ukrainian officials have claimed that the North has also been supplying Russia with artillery systems, missiles and other equipment. North Korea would be possibly getting anywhere between $320 million to $1.3 billion annually from Russia for sending its troops to Ukraine, considering the scale of the dispatch and the level of payments Russia has been providing to foreign mercenaries, according to a recent study by Lim Soo-ho, a South Korean analyst at an NIS-run think tank. While that would be meaningful income for North Korea's crippled and heavily sanctioned economy, it could be lower than the money the North earns from illicit coal exports or supplying military equipment to Russia, Lim said. This suggests that North Korea's troop dispatch is less about money than acquiring key Russian technologies to further advance its nuclear weapons and missile program, which is a major concern in Seoul, Lim said. Amid the stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations with Washington, Kim has been dialing up pressure on South Korea, abandoning his country's long-standing goal of inter-Korean reconciliation and verbally threatening to attack the South with nukes if provoked. He has used Russia's war on Ukraine as a distraction to accelerate the development of his nuclear-armed military, which now has various nuclear-capable systems targeting South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles that can potentially reach the US mainland. (AP) SCY SCY Grindavik (Iceland), Nov 21 (AP) A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland has erupted for the seventh time since December. The eruption started with little warning at 11:14 pm Wednesday and created a fissure around 3 kilometres long. The activity is estimated to be considerably smaller than the previous eruption in August, Iceland's meteorological office that monitors seismic activity said. In the big picture, this is a bit smaller than the last eruption, and the eruption that occurred in May, Magnus Tumi Guamundsson, a professor of geophysics who flew over the scene with the Civil Protection agency to monitor the event, told the national RUV broadcaster. While the eruption poses no threat to air travel, authorities warned of gas emissions across parts of the peninsula, including the nearby town of Grindavik. Around 50 houses were evacuated after the Civil Protection agency issued the alert, along with guests at the famous Blue Lagoon resort, according to RUV. The repeated volcanic eruptions close to Grindavik, which is about 50 kilometres southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, and has a population of 3,800 people, have damaged infrastructure and property and forced many residents to relocate to guarantee their safety. Grindavik is not in danger as it looks and it is unlikely that this crack will get any longer, although nothing can be ruled out, Magnus Tumi said. Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, averages one eruption every four to five years. The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and disrupted trans-Atlantic air travel for months. (AP) NPK NPK Kathmandu, Nov 21 (PTI) Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel on Thursday conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepal Army to Indian Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, in continuation of an age-old tradition that first started in 1950, reflecting the strong ties between the two militaries. Gen Dwivedi, who is leading a five-member delegation, arrived here on Wednesday for a five-day official visit at the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart Gen Ashok Sigdel. President Paudel conferred the honorary rank to Gen Dwivedi at his official residence Shital Niwas. Earlier in the day, Gen Dwivedi met Gen Sigdel at Nepal Army Headquarters here and discussed matters relating to the collaboration between the two armies, officials said. He also laid a wreath and paid homage at Bir Smarak (Martyrs Memorial) at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel, Kathmandu. He also received the Guard of Honour at the Army headquarters. During his visit, Gen Dwivedi is scheduled to visit Army Staff College in Shivapuri, located on the outskirts of Kathmandu. He also plans to have a mountain flight, officials said. There has been a long tradition of exchange of visits by the army chiefs of Nepal and India and to confer the title of honorary General to both the army chiefs. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Gen Dwivedi is accompanied by his spouse Sunita Dwivedi, chairperson of the Army Wives Welfare Association of the Indian Army. BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China will make greater efforts to accelerate negotiations on joining the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Thursday. A ministerial-level meeting between China and DEPA member countries took place on Nov. 14, during the ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, with all parties participating in in-depth discussions on the progress of negotiations and work to be done in the next stage of the accession process. China began negotiations to join DEPA -- a new trade partnership agreement initiated by New Zealand, Singapore and Chile -- in August 2022. The country has since held five ministerial-level meetings and several technical consultations with DEPA members, discussing topics related to the digital economy such as business and trade facilitation, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. China has also engaged actively in exchange seminars and promoted practical cooperation in specific areas with multiple DEPA members, including cooperation on electronic invoices and electronic bills of lading. China will work closely with DEPA member countries to explore the potential of digital economic cooperation and ensure the prompt implementation of specific collaborative projects, according to MOC spokesperson He Yongqian. Baku (Azerbaijan), Nov 21 (PTI) UN climate chief Simon Stiell on Thursday issued a strong call for global unity and ambition to secure a groundbreaking finance goal to support climate action in the developing world, saying, "Failure is not an option." As negotiators raced against time to resolve outstanding issues related to the critical objective of COP29, Stiell said a major push was needed to bring discussions to the finishing line. "It might jeopardise both near-term action, and ambition in the preparation of the new national climate action plans, with potential devastating impacts as irreversible tipping points are getting closer, he said. On draft climate finance text released earlier in the morning, the UN climate chief said that despite areas of convergence, significant differences remain. A surge in finance is essential: To ensure all parties can deliver new national plans aligned with 1.5 degrees as they must, he said. Stiell warned that delays at COP29 could complicate the road to COP30 in Brazil next year. This COP must deliver justice in the face of climate catastrophe, he urged. Stiell asked countries to come together, soften hard lines, and navigate a path through their differences. "Keep your eyes on the bigger picture. Never forget what is at stake," he said. The COP29 presidency issued a draft text on the new climate finance package for the developing world on Thursday morning. It has shrunk from 25 pages to 10, but the major sticking points remain. With less than one and a half days left for the UN climate conference to close, negotiators face a gargantuan task to hammer out a deal. The text shows developed countries are still dodging a key question: how much climate finance they are ready to provide developing countries every year starting in 2025. This has led to significant frustration among developing countries, who have repeatedly said they need at least USD 1.3 trillion to tackle the escalating challenges. Peshawar, Nov 21 (PTI) At least 33 people were killed and 14 others injured when three vehicles carrying passengers were targeted by militants in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, officials said. The militants ambushed the vehicles in the Kurram district of restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. The vehicles were travelling in a convoy from Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when gunmen opened fire, the officials said. District hospital authorities said 33 people, including six women and three children, and 14 others were killed in the attack. The vehicles were ambushed in areas dominated by the Taliban, a local journalist said. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur strongly condemned the attack and directed a delegation comprising the provincial law minister, lawmakers from the region, and the chief secretary to immediately visit Kurram to assess the situation and submit a report. He also instructed relevant authorities to work on establishing a Provincial Highways Police unit to secure all roads in the province. Gandapur extended condolences to the bereaved families and announced financial assistance for the families of the victims. "Targeting innocent civilians is extremely tragic and condemnable. Those involved in this incident will not escape the grip of the law," he said. Karachi, Nov 21 (PTI) Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir has said that "nothing, including politics," was above the country and urged people to prioritise the nation over "personal interests". "People must prioritise Pakistan over everything else, including politics and personal interests," he said while visiting an ongoing defence exhibition in Karachi on Wednesday. He also made it clear that "digital terrorism" was a real threat to the country and said social media was being used to spread anarchy and lies about the armed forces. "The protection of a country's digital borders and the digital security of its citizens is the responsibility of the state," he said. Gen Munir also warned that unrestricted freedom of speech was leading to the degradation of moral values in all societies. Earlier meeting with the business leaders in Karachi, he said everyone needed to understand the importance of putting the country above everything else. The public must prioritise Pakistan over personal interests. Remember, we have no identity apart from Pakistan," he said, noting that the state was like a mother and its value should be asked from the people of Libya, Iraq and Palestine. The army chief also spoke about Pakistan's economic situation, expressing complete faith in Pakistans bright and stable future. "Today, all indicators of Pakistans economy are positive, and by next year, God willing, they will further improve, he said. The Hague, Nov 21 (AP) The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel's offensive in the Palestinian territory. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. US President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request. The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, the three-judge panel wrote in its unanimous decision to issue warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant. The court also issued a warrant for the arrest of Mohammed Deif, one of the leaders of Hamas. The ICC chief prosecutor had also sought warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, but they were both killed in the conflict. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICC's jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants. No other democracy with an independent and respected legal system like that which exists in Israel has been treated in this prejudicial manner by the Prosecutor, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote on X. He said Israel remained steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and justice and would continue to protect its citizens against militancy. The ICC is a court of last resort that only prosecutes cases when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate. Israel is not a member state of the court. The country has struggled to investigate itself in the past, rights groups say. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague any time soon. The court itself has no police to enforce warrants, instead relying on cooperation from its member states. Even so, the threat of arrest could make it difficult for Netanyahu and Gallant to travel abroad, although Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently showed he could still visit an ally when he traveled to Mongolia, one of the court's member states, and was not arrested. Khan sought warrants in May, accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of crimes including murder, intentionally attacking civilians, and persecution. In a statement at the time, Khan alleged that Israel has intentionally and systematically deprived the civilian population in all parts of Gaza of objects indispensable to human survival by closing border crossings into the territory and restricting essential supplies including food and medicine. At the same time, he accused three Hamas leaders Sinwar, Deif and Haniyeh of crimes linked to the October 7, 2023 attacks, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and abducting another 250. The three leaders are accused of crimes including murder, extermination, taking hostages, rape and torture. The Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Deif, born in 1965, the highest commander of the military wing of Hamas (known as the al-Qassam Brigades) at the time of the alleged conduct, is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture,; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other forms of sexual violence, a statement says. Prosecutors withdrew their request for a warrant for Haniyeh, who was assassinated in what was believed to be an Israeli strike in Iran in July. Israel also claims to have killed Deif, but Hamas hasn't confirmed his death. Sinwar, who was promoted to succeed Haniyeh as Hamas' leader, was killed in a chance front-line encounter with Israeli troops in October. Human rights groups have applauded the decision, which came more than six months after Khan made his initial request. The ICC arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law," the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. Israel's opposition leaders fiercely criticised the ICC's move. Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, condemned the decision, saying it showed moral blindness and was a shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. Yair Lapid, another opposition leader, called it a prize for terror. (AP) PY PY Baku (Azerbaijan), Nov 21 (PTI) A draft text released early Thursday on a new climate finance package for the developing world was rejected by every single country signatory to the UN climate convention. The COP29 presidency, however, said the draft was far from final and invited countries to submit bridging proposals. The next version, due Thursday night, will be leaner and packed with numbers aimed at finding the sweet spot for consensus, it said in a statement. The text shows that developed countries are still dodging a key question: how much climate finance are they ready to provide developing countries every year starting in 2025? The developing world has repeatedly said it needs at least USD 1.3 trillion annually -- 13 times the USD 100 billion pledged in 2009 -- to meet the growing challenges. Although developed countries have yet to officially propose a figure, their negotiators indicated that European Union nations were discussing a global climate finance target of USD 200 billion to USD 300 billion per year. However, in the words of Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, the critical objective of this COP is, right now, an "empty placeholder". The problem is not that developed countries lack money; the problem is that they are playing geopolitics, she said in an impassioned speech, drawing applause from a plenary full of negotiators, observers, and journalists. The G77, the largest negotiating bloc at the UN climate talks with over 130 developing nations, said they have been very clear that "we should not leave Baku without a quantum". Adonia Ayebare, the G77 chair, denounced the developed countries' attempt to turn the climate finance package into a global investment goal that would draw funding from a variety of sources, including governments, private companies and investors. "We are disappointed that the draft text doesn't even specify a quantum for provisional mobilization," said Bolivias Diego Pacheco, on behalf of Like-Minded Developing Countries, which includes India. African Group of Negotiators chair Ali Mohamed said they were deeply concerned by the "lack of mention of quantum". "This quantum is the main mandate for which we are here at COP29." European Union's climate chief Wopke Hoekstra called the draft imbalanced, unworkable, and not acceptable". Panama's negotiator Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez said developed countries call developing countries' proposal for USD 1.3 trillion a year in climate finance "extreme and unreasonable". "Let me tell you what is extreme and unreasonable, spending USD 7 trillion on fossil fuel subsidies". "Developed countries must stop playing games with our life and put a serious quantified financial proposal on the table," he said. Pakistan, still reeling from the aftermath of the devastating 2022 floods, said an ambitious outcome on the climate finance package was particularly important for them, but the text lacked "concrete numbers on the quantum. At the heart of this years UN climate talks is the new climate finance goal or NCQG aimed at helping developing countries cut emissions and cope with the mounting impacts of climate change. Developing nations argue they need at least USD 1.3 trillion a year to keep up with the escalating challenges. But trust is in short supply. Developed nations only hit the USD 100 billion target in 2022 -- two years late -- and a hefty 70 per cent of those funds came as loans, further straining nations already reeling from climate disasters. Now, developing nations are demanding that most of the funding come straight from developed countries' public coffers. They reject the idea of leaning on the private sector, which they say is more interested in profit than accountability. Meanwhile, the US and EU are pushing for a more expansive global investment goal that draws from public, private, domestic, and international sources. They are also urging wealthier countries like China and Gulf states -- classified as developing in 1992 -- to chip in, pointing to their more prosperous status today. Developing nations see this as a clever move to avoid responsibility for past emissions by shifting the burden to those who industrialized more recently. Vientiane (Laos), Nov 21 (AP) Southeast Asian defence chiefs met on Thursday with their counterparts from China, the United States and other nations in Laos for security talks, which come as Beijing's increasingly assertive stance in its claim to most of the South China Sea is leading to more confrontations. The closed-door talks put US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun in the same room, a day after Dong refused a request to meet with Austin one-on-one on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit of defence ministers. The US and China have been working to improve frayed military-to-military communications and Austin said he regretted Dong's decision, calling it a setback for the whole region. A Chinese statement indicated that Beijing was unhappy with US actions related to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims. The US recently approved USD 2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including an advanced surface-to-air missile defence system. The US side cannot undermine China's core interests on the Taiwan issue while conducting exchanges with the Chinese military as if nothing had happened, Defence Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said in a statement posted online Thursday. The ASEAN meetings come as member nations are looking warily toward the change in American administrations at a time of increasing maritime disputes with China. The US has firmly pushed a free and open Indo-Pacific policy under outgoing President Joe Biden and it is not yet clear how the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump will address the South China Sea situation. Dong called for resolving issues through dialogue and not provoking disputes or introducing external forces, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported. Beijing believes that US backing has emboldened the Philippines to act more assertively in its South China Sea disputes with China. Other nations attending the ASEAN meeting from outside Southeast Asia include Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The meetings with the ASEAN dialogue partners were also expected address tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine war, and wars in the Middle East. Before heading to Laos, Austin concluded meetings in Australia with officials there and with Japan's defence minister. They pledged to support ASEAN and expressed 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. 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. As China has grown more assertive in pushing its territorial claims in recent years, it and ASEAN have been negotiating a code of conduct to govern behaviour 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. 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. 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. At the defence meetings, the country is represented by Zaw Naing Win, director of the Defence Ministry's International Affairs Department. Meetings on Wednesday also discussed military cooperation, transnational haze, disinformation, border security and transnational crimes such as drugs, cyberscams and human trafficking, Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Thanathip Sawangsang said. (AP) PY PY Athens (Greece), Nov 21 (AP) Greece's left-wing Syriza party has lost its position as the country's main opposition group in parliament during an intensifying leadership battle. Two members of parliament announced Thursday they were quitting the party, reducing Syriza's number of deputies to 29 fewer than the 31 seats held by the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, or Pasok. My decision to become an independent lawmaker is an act of self-respect and self-worth in my political journey so far, one of the deputies, Theodora Tzakri, said outside parliament after notifying the speaker of her decision. The actions and tactics of those who have proclaimed themselves the current owners and guardians of Syriza have already stripped the party of its role as the main opposition, she said. Syriza led the government from 2015 to 2019 but has since suffered disappointing election results and defections to splinter groups. Former leader Stefanos Kasselakis formally quit the party earlier this month and is expected to announce a breakaway party in the coming days. Pasok lost its status as a governing or main opposition party in 2015 during a wave of public anger over austerity measures imposed during Greece's financial crisis and international bailouts. (AP) PY PY Kathmandu, Nov 21 (PTI) Nepals president Rramchandra Paudel conferred the Honorary Rank of the General of Nepal Army to Indian Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi at a special ceremony at Rastrapati Bhawan, Sheetal Niwas, here on Thursday afternoon. There has been a tradition of conferring the title of Honorary General to each others army chief of Nepal and India as per the continued relations existing between the armies of the two countries since 1950, according to Nepal Army sources. Gen Dwivedi, who is leading a five-member delegation, arrived here on Wednesday for a five-day official visit at the invitation of his Nepalese counterpart Gen Ashok Sigdel. Gen. Dwivedi on the same day met Sigdel at Nepal Army Headquarters in Kathmandu and discussed matters relating to the collaboration between the two armies. The two discussed furthering military bilateral relations between Nepal and India, according to Indian Embassy sources. In a gesture of everlasting friendship between the two armies, Gen. Dwivedi also planted a Rudraksha sapling on the premises of Nepal Army headquarters in Kathmandu, the Indian Embassy said. Earlier in the morning, Gen. Dwivedi paid homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the Martyrs Memorial in the Army Pavilion, Tundikhel. He also received the Guard of Honour at the Army Headquarters. During his visit, Gen Dwivedi is scheduled to visit Army Staff College in Shivapuri, located on the outskirts of Kathmandu. He also plans to have a mountain flight, officials said. There has been a long tradition of exchange of visits by the army chiefs of Nepal and India and to confer the title of honorary General to both the army chiefs. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Gen Dwivedi is accompanied by his spouse Sunita Dwivedi, chairperson of the Army Wives Welfare Association of the Indian Army. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nov 21 (PTI) All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen candidate Imtiaz Jaleel on Thursday alleged bogus votes were cast in Aurangabad East seat during Maharashtra assembly polls held a day earlier. He showed a couple of videos to the press and sought action from poll authorities. Polls to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly were held on Wednesday, while votes will be counted on Saturday. Jaleel is pitted against BJP's Atul Save in the constituency, which is part of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. "The BJP indulged in bogus voting and also distributed money. If the CCTV of Jawaharnagar police station is checked, it will reveal how many Muslim women went to the party's office that day," he alleged in a press conference. The second video is from Bharatnagar area and people from there informed him that bogus voting was being facilitated by the BJP, Jaleel further claimed. "Some persons told me a woman who had come to vote had no identity documents. She was asked to leave by police when I was about to approach her," the former Lok Sabha MP claimed. Meanwhile, an offence was registered against Jaleel and some others at Pundalik Nagar police station for unauthorised assembly at a polling booth located in Nehru Vidyalaya in the constituency, an official said. Mumbai, Nov 21 (PTI) The Mumbai police have arrested a man for allegedly committing a fraud through one of the 35 accounts he opened in a single branch of a bank here, officials said on Thursday. The crime came to light at the Kurla branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB), a police official said, adding that the accused, identified as Amir Feroz Maniyar, is a resident of Karjat in Raigad district. "Maniyar used to frequently visit the bank with different people and sit there idly. Once, the bank manager asked him why he always comes there with different people. He said he helps others to open bank accounts. He also said that he runs an import-export business and has helped 10 of his relatives to open accounts in the bank," he said. The manager then asked him to provide the details of such accounts in writing, which he did. On Tuesday, this bank received an email stating that five of its accounts were found involved in cyber frauds and one of them was opened by Maniyar, he said. "The bank authorities then asked Maniyar to visit the branch. When he came there the next day, he was confronted over the cyber fraud being done from the account, he failed to give a satisfactory answer. After that, the bank manager informed the police and Maniyar was arrested," he said. During the probe, the police found that Maniyar had opened as many as 35 accounts at the bank. They suspect it to be a big racket, the official said, adding that further investigation is underway. BRASILIA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The following are some of the highlights of Xi's remarks. -- In recent years, under the joint strategic guidance of two heads of state, the two countries are increasingly becoming reliable friends with a shared future and positive forces for peace. -- The China-Brazil relationship is at its best in history, which has not only improved the well-being of the people of the two countries, but also defended the common interests of developing countries, enhanced the strength and voice of the Global South, and made outstanding contributions to world peace and stability. -- China is ready to work with Brazil to continually enrich China-Brazil relations in the new era, be "golden partners" who help each other succeed, and keep working toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind and creating a more just world and a more sustainable planet. -- The two countries should practice genuine multilateralism, make fair remarks and take fair actions, so as to make global governance more just and equitable. -- China stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Brazil at the United Nations, BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, support Brazil's presidency of BRICS next year, promote high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and make BRICS voice louder on upholding multilateralism and improving global governance. -- As major developing countries, China and Brazil should take the lead in conducting consultations, promoting global solidarity, jointly addressing global challenges concerning the future of mankind, and strengthening cooperation in such fields as green transformation, sustainable development, climate change, and artificial intelligence governance. -- China stands ready to work with Brazil to ensure the success of the China-CELAC Forum, better synergize the BRI with the development strengths and needs of the LAC region, and strive for more achievements in building a China-LAC community with a shared future. Mumbai, Nov 21 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Western Region at 1700 HRS. BOM9 MH-POLLS-FADNAVIS * Pro-incumbency led to rise in Maharashtra voter turnout; Mahayuti will form govt: Fadnavis Nagpur: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday attributed the rise in the voting percentage in the state assembly polls to "pro-incumbency" and the feeling of "affinity" the voters had towards the Mahayuti government. BOM11 MH-HC-SHIVAJI STATUE-BAIL Shivaji statue collapse case: HC grants bail to consultant Chetan Patil Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to consultant Chetan Patil arrested in connection with the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj''s statue at Rajkot fort in Malvan in August. BOM5 GJ-SABARMATI-FILM-TAX Gujarat 5th BJP-ruled state to make Hindi film 'The Sabaramati Report' tax-free Ahmedabad: The Gujarat BJP government has declared 'The Sabarmati Report' Hindi film, based on the Godhra train burning incident of 2002, as tax-free in the state, officials said on Thursday. BOM7 MH-POLLS-VANDALISM-CASE 40 booked for vandalising polling booths, EVMs during voting in Maharashtra's Beed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Police have registered a case against around 40 persons after they allegedly vandalised three polling booths at Ghatnandur in Maharashtra's Beed district and damaged some EVMs when voting for the assembly polls was underway a day ago, officials said. BOM3 MH-POLLS-RAUT Maharashtra polls: MVA will win 160-165 seats, says Sanjay Raut Mumbai: A day after the Maharashtra assembly polls, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will win 160 to 165 seats out of the total 288 and provide a stable government in the state. BOM8 MH-HC-LESBIAN COUPLE-BAIL Lesbian couple desiring child gets bail in kidnapping of minor girl Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has granted bail to a lesbian couple, arrested for allegedly kidnapping a five-year-old girl, noting that at worst it can be said they undertook an illegal approach to fulfil their desire to have a child. BOM6 MH-ACCIDENT-BUS * 14 injured as tempo hits bus on Mumbai-Pune Expressway Mumbai: Fourteen persons were injured after a tempo hit a private bus on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in Maharashtra's Raigad district in the early hours of Thursday, a police official said. ** Mumbai, Nov 21 (PTI) The turnout in Maharashtra assembly polls was 66 per cent as per EVM votes, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019, Election Commission officials said on Thursday. Polls to the 288-member state assembly were held on Wednesday, while votes will be counted on Saturday. "The official figures for each assembly constituency will depend on the count of postal ballots reported. The 66 per cent turnout figure refers specifically to the votes cast on electronic voting machines," the chief electoral officer said in a statement. The increase, excluding postal ballots, highlighted the EC's efforts to engage a broader electorate, the statement added. Kolhapur led with 76.63 per cent, followed by 75.26 per cent in Gadchiroli, which has some Left Wing Extremism affected pockets, while the lowest was in Mumbai island city at 52.07 per cent and 55.95 per cent in the metropolis' suburban district. More than 68,000 citizens aged over 85 and 12,000 individuals with disabilities cast their votes through home voting. "Additionally, 36,000 voters from essential services used postal voting. A total of 466,823 postal ballots were issued to voters on election duty, and around 16,000 Electronically Transmittable Postal Ballots (ETPB) were accepted for service voters," it said. The statement said the EC's second 'special summary survey revision' conducted in August and September added nearly 4 million new voters, with more than half of these registrations coming from the 18-19 age group. Special attention was given to enrolling electors from the third gender, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). "To improve the voting experience, efforts were made to rationalise polling stations and reduce voter congestion. This de-clustering initiative affected over 5,800 locations, establishing over 1,100 polling stations in high-rise buildings and housing societies, as well as an additional 200 in slum areas across the state," the EC said. A total of 288 counting centres have been set up, including one for the Nanded Lok Sabha bypoll that was also held on November 20. "A total of 288 counting observers will oversee each assembly constituency, with two observers assigned to monitor counting in Nanded (bypoll)," it informed. The high volume of postal ballots has led to the establishment of 1,732 tables for postal ballot counting and 592 tables for ETPBMS scanning to ensure a smooth counting process across all assembly constituencies, the EC said. Imphal, Nov 21 (PTI) The National People's Party (NPP), which recently withdrew support from Manipurs BJP-led government alleging that the administration failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy, on Thursday said the party may reconsider the decision if the saffron party replaces Chief Minister N Biren Singh. NPP national vice-president Yumnam Joykumar Singh also said that three of the partys seven MLAs attended a meeting convened by the CM, but they should not have done so since support was withdrawn from the government. The withdrawal of support on Sunday, however, did not have any impact on the BJP-led government, as the saffron party enjoys absolute majority with its 32 MLAs in the 60-member House. The Naga Peoples Front and the JD(U) are also in the ruling coalition. "CM Biren Singh has totally failed to bring normalcy to Manipur. That is the main reason for our national president (Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma) to withdraw support for it. In case Biren is replaced, there is a possibility that a new government might take the steps required to restore normalcy. The NPP may reconsider its position at that time," Joykumar Singh told PTI. He claimed that three NPP MLAs might have joined the November 18 meeting chaired by the CM because of confusion. The meeting was for NDA legislators. We have withdrawn support to the Biren Singh-led government but we are still NDA partners. However, we have cautioned our MLAs that attending such meetings without prior approval from the state or national president may lead to disciplinary actions," the NPP vice-president said. Asked about media reports on notices sent to the NDA MLAs who were absent at the November 18 meeting, he said he did not think anything like that was sent to NPP legislators. Three NPP MLAs were present at the meeting while four were not. We are not aware of any notifications sent by Biren Singh. He might have sent notices to the BJP MLAs but that is their internal matter. He has no mandate to send notices to NPP MLAs," Joykumar Singh said. On the Centre's decision to deploy an additional 50 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in the state because of escalated violence, he said, "My assessment is no further deployment of security forces is required. The state is already over-saturated with security forces and it is a question of how to utilise them effectively." Joykumar Singh, a former director general of police in Manipur, said that it appears from the current state of affairs that the additional companies of CAPF have been sent to protect the residences of MLAs and ministers. Protestors recently attacked the residences of several ministers and legislators in Manipur. Manipur has seen a fresh wave of protests after six people three Meitei women and three children - went missing from a camp for displaced persons in Jiribam last week, following a gunfight between armed men and security forces that resulted in the deaths of 10 Kuki youths. 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. Silchar (Assam), Nov 21 (PTI) Even after completion of the post-mortem of all the bodies of the six missing persons from Manipur's Jiribam district, the corpses remain at the morgue of the Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam as family members are unwilling to take them back for last rites, sources said on Thursday. The final body was discovered floating in Barak river in Assam's Cachar district on Monday, following which its autopsy was conducted at SMCH. "The autopsy of all the six bodies has been done in SMCH. Doctors concerned have also prepared the reports," a source privy to the development told PTI. The official, however, said there is no confirmation when the mortal remains will be taken to Manipur for handing them over to the respective families for last rites. "We do not know what is going on exactly. We have been told that the families are not ready yet to accept the bodies in view of the present scenario in Jiribam. Manipur Police is trying to convince them to accept the bodies and do the last rites," the source said. According to the source, Assam Police, which is guarding the hospital and the bodies at the morgue, has requested their Manipur counterparts to take the bodies as early as possible. The bodies of the six persons, who went missing from Jiribam after a gunfight between security forces and suspected Kuki-Zo militants that resulted in the deaths of 10 insurgents on November 11, were found in Jiri river in Jiribam and Barak river in Assam's Cachar over the last few days. They were brought to SMCH in a "highly decomposed state" for autopsy. Initially, the bodies of a woman and two children were found floating in Jiri river in Jiribam and were brought to SMCH on November 15. Two more bodies of a woman and a child were found floating in Barak river on November 17 morning in Cachar district. The six persons, including three women and children each from the Meitei community, went missing from a relief camp in Jiribam's Borobekra area and were allegedly abducted by Kuki-Zo militants. The six missing persons were identified as Yumrembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31) and her daughter Telem Thajamanbi Devi (8), Laishram Heithoibi Devi (25) and her two children Laishram Chingkheinganba Singh (two-and-a-half-years old) and Laishram Lamnganba Singh (10 months). Following escalation of violence in recent weeks in Jiribam, bordering Assam's Cachar district, an alert has been sounded in the district with round-the-clock patrolling initiated in the remote border areas. Special commando battalions were also deployed. Ethnically diverse Jiribam, which was largely untouched by the clashes in Imphal Valley and the adjoining hills, witnessed violence after the mutilated body of a farmer was found in a field in June this year. 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. It started after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI) The ED and the CBI on Wednesday ramped up their investigations against Bitcoin Ponzi 'scam' suspect Gaurav Mehta, a day after the BJP made public 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 investigating officer as soon as possible. The CBI has registered three cases related to Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scheme case last month on the orders of the Supreme Court issued in December, 2023. The ED questioned Mehta 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. 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. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) The Narendra Modi government "cannot hide behind smokescreen anymore", the CPI(M) said on Thursday and demanded a CBI probe into the bribery charges against Gautam Adani made by US prosecutors. The billionaire industrialist has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay over USD 250 million (about Rs 2,100 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange of favourable terms for solar power contracts. This was concealed from the US banks and investors from whom the Adani group raised billions of dollars for the project, the prosecutors have alleged. US law allows pursuing foreign corruption allegations if they involve certain links to American investors or markets. The Adani group, however, have denied the charges. The Left Party said it is shameful that such large-scale bribery of government officials had to be exposed not in India but in the United States. The Narendra Modi government "cannot hide behind smokescreen anymore", the CPI(M) said and demanded that the CBI be directed to immediately file a case based on the material provided by the prosecution in the United States. "Bribery of public servants comes under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which is under the remit of the CBI," the Left Party said. In a statement, the CPI(M) said the indictment filed in a United States court by the Department of Justice against Gautam Adani and six others contained serious charges of the industrialist and his nephew Sagar Adani being involved in paying bribes to Indian government officials at the Centre and states level. The indictment states that Rs 2,029 crore was offered or promised to Indian government officials to get state electricity distribution companies to execute power sale agreements for the supply of solar power, the party claimed. It also said that evidence was collected from Sagar Adani, which provides specific details of the bribes offered and promised to government officials. "It is shameful that such large-scale bribery and suborning of government officials by the Adanis had to be exposed not in India but in the United States through their criminal justice system," CPI(M) said. "Gautam Adani and his business empire have had the full protection of the Modi government to execute his unlawful and criminal activities. Prime Minister Modi himself had shielded Adani from any enquiry or prosecution on the charges emanating from the Hindenburg expose," it said. The CPI(M) said a full-fledged investigation by an independent agency is required "to unearth all other wrongdoings by the Adani group of companies". Reacting to the allegations, a spokesperson of the Adani Group said, "The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied." The spokesperson pointed to a US Department of Justice statement that said, "The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty". "The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," the spokesperson added. Muzaffarnagar (UP), Nov 21 (PTI) More than 100 people, including supporters of the Samajwadi Party and AIMIM, have been booked for violence and stone-pelting in Kakroli village during the Meerapur assembly bypoll here, police said on Thursday. Voting for bypolls in nine assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh was held on Wednesday. The FIR, lodged on Wednesday evening, names 15 Samajwadi Party supporters and 10 All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) supporters, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rural Aditya Bansal said. "They are accused of attempting to murder, obstructing police duty and engaging in violence during the clash with law enforcement personnel on the evening of November 20, he said, adding that a probe is on to determine the identities of the remaining suspects. According to the FIR, the incident occurred when police were dispersing a group of individuals who confronted them during the voting at Kakroli village on Wednesday. The situation escalated, leading to stone-pelting at the police, it said. Meanwhile, AIMIM district president Maulana Imran Qasmi alleged that the police had prevented voters with valid documents from exercising their franchise in the by-election. "Police have filed a false case against the workers for protesting against this. The allegation of stone-pelting on the police is false," he claimed. Chandigarh, Nov 21 (PTI) Haryana Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi on Thursday reviewed the progress of nine infrastructure projects currently underway in the state with an anticipated investment of Rs 58,274.05 crore. Reviewing the projects listed in the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) at a state-level meeting here, Joshi held detailed discussions with the concerned deputy commissioners via video conferencing along with senior officials of NHAI, power, public works, health, and medical education departments. Expressing satisfaction over the progress of work, the chief secretary directed the concerned deputy commissioners to resolve the pending issues within the stipulated time frame, an official statement said. Reviewing the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway project, Joshi directed the Kaithal district administration to complete the possession of a 30-metre strip at Kharak Pandwa village in Kalayat by December-end. The four-lane greenfield project is being implemented under the Bharatmala Pariyojana in Haryana, the statement said. Joshi also reviewed the construction of greenfield connectivity to the Jewar Airport from the DND-Faridabad-Ballabhgarh Bypass KMP Link and directed the district administration of Faridabad "to remove the bottlenecks" within a month so that the project is completed expeditiously. Travel time will be reduced significantly for the traffic originating from south Delhi, Faridabad and Gurugram to Agra and beyond on completion of the project, the statement said. On land allotment for a 150-bed ESIC Hospital in Sonipat, the chief secretary directed the district administration to hold discussions with the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) and find a suitable piece of land at the earliest. Regarding the construction of a 100-bed ESI Hospital in Hisar, officials informed Joshi that the letter for allotment of land for the hospital has been sent to the concerned authority. Citing encroachment on the land allotted for the construction an AIIMS at Majra in Rewari district, the concerned deputy commissioner informed the meeting that the Indian Railways has assured to clear the encroachment within 15 days. On the status of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, the Yamunanagar deputy commissioner assured that the issue of land compensation will be resolved at the earliest. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) The enforcement of Stage IV of GRAP, which bans BS-3 and BS-4 diesel vehicles, has disrupted travel and transportation, particularly for those engaged in the wedding business. The Central Pollution Control Board imposed GRAP-IV measures after Delhi's air quality index (AQI) entered the 'severe' category on Sunday. The restrictions, which came into effect at 8 AM Monday, aim to curb pollution caused by older diesel vehicles. However, the measure has had unintended consequences. Travel agencies report a sharp rise in demand for BS-6 and CNG vehicles, including cars like Ertiga, Innova, and traveller buses, as they scramble to meet commitments made before the ban. "The wedding season has added to the pressure. Many vehicles were pre-booked months in advance, and with this sudden ban, we had to scramble to adjust," said Sewak Tuar, a travel agency owner. "We are struggling to arrange new vehicles, the petrol, CNG, and BS-6 compliant ones, as weddings and transportation needs are being heavily affected," he added. Aryan Sinha, another travel agency owner, highlighted the growing challenges "We have vehicles available for nearby trips like Amritsar, but families booking vehicles for destinations such as Manali, Mussoorie, and Rishikesh, as well as for weddings, are facing difficulties," he said. According to Sinha, wedding bookings often require 10 to 15 vehicles for multiple days. Managing this demand is challenging because they now have to ensure vehicles meet the required standards, he said. "For large groups, CNG buses, traveller buses, and BS-6 compliant vehicles, especially newer models from 2020 onward, are in high demand," he told PTI. The restrictions have also impacted routine tourism as pollution prompts many families to plan trips to hill stations. Rajesh Kumar, another travel agency owner, said, "This is the peak wedding season, and many families plan destination weddings or large gatherings requiring bulk bookings. Rearranging these commitments has been costly and disruptive, as we now have to rent additional vehicles or upgrade our fleet to comply with the regulations." The shortage has also caused financial strain on agencies, with many reporting losses. "A large portion of our fleet comprises BS-3 and BS-4 vehicles, which are now off the roads. To accommodate the demand, we've had to rent compliant vehicles, which increases costs," Kumar added. Delhi's AQI worsened on Monday and Tuesday, crossing 450 and entering the 'severe-plus' range. While Wednesday saw slight improvement, the AQI remains in the 'severe' range. GRAP, or Graded Response Action Plan, for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality Stage 1 for "poor" AQI ranging between 201 and 300, Stage 2 for "very poor" AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for "severe" AQI of 401-450 and Stage 4 for "severe plus" AQI more than 450. With schools now closed due to pollution, many families are booking trips to hill stations. Dharamveer Singh from Kusha Travels, a travel agency based in Pushp Vihar, said three to four families are booking tour packages from Delhi every day, typically for trips lasting three to four days. "Many families are booking trips to Manali, Mussoorie, and Shimla. Vehicles are being reserved for three to four days at a time, further adding to the shortage," Singh said. At 9 am, the national capital recorded an AQI of 376, according to the CPCB. The weather department has predicted shallow fog during the day. Gonda (UP), Nov 21 (PTI) The killing of an Indian academic who had been living in the US for close to four decades has stunned the natives of Tulsipur Majha village, his birthplace. Dr Shriram Singh, 58, a native of Gonda was gunned down in Georgia capital Atlanta on Wednesday. He was going to attend a programme in Atlanta by car when some unknown people fired at his car indiscriminately, Tulsipur Majha village head Lalji Singh said. The news of his killing was borne by his son Amit Singh. Lalji Singh said Dr Singh joined as a professor at Atlanta Agricultural University in the US in 1990. He had started some business recently in the country which was his home for 37 years. Dr Singh's younger brother Shivaji Singh, who lives in the village, said his brother had done his postgraduate from Acharya Narendra Dev Agricultural University Kumarganj in Ayodhya before leaving for the US. After completing his doctorate there, he joined as a professor at Atlanta Agricultural University and since then, he had been living in the US with his family, he said. His elder son Amit Singh is an engineer in the FBI, while the younger son Ankur Singh is a cancer specialist in the US, his brother said. According to Shivaji Singh, Dr Singh had made a deep inroad in the US with his social skills. "Two years ago, he left his job and turned to business in partnership. His business was expanding rapidly in a short time. Along with a shopping mall, he ventured into the business of petrol pumps and hotels. He started many works in partnership with businessmen of Punjab and Gujarat origin," he said. "Some time ago, some businessmen of Pakistani origin also joined him. In a short time, the scope of his business spread all over the US. Due to this, some rivals started getting annoyed with him," he said. Lalji Singh said Dr Singh was very social and used to meet all the villagers whenever he would come here. He had last come to the village about two years ago and was scheduled to visit again in March next year. "The people of the village are saddened by his murder. They have demanded security for his family and strict punishment for the culprits by investigating the murder," he said. 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. This photo taken from Tyre shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Burj al-Shamali in southern Lebanon, on Nov. 21, 2024. Twenty people were killed and 50 others were injured on Thursday morning in Israeli airstrikes on several towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, according to official and military sources in Lebanon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Twenty people were killed and 50 others were injured on Thursday morning in Israeli airstrikes on several towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, according to official and military sources in Lebanon. Lebanese military sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes launched 19 airstrikes on 16 villages and towns in southern Lebanon and five raids on four villages and towns in eastern Lebanon, while Israeli artillery shelled 14 border towns and villages with about 75 shells. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a statement that its members carried out a drone attack on Israel's Haifa naval base. It also targeted the Israeli forces in southern Lebanon with missile barrages. The source added that Israeli forces recorded limited progress on the eastern and northern outskirts of the southeast town of Khiam, where the Israeli forces blew up dozens of "civilian homes" in the east part. 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. This photo taken from Tyre shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Burj al-Shamali in southern Lebanon, on Nov. 21, 2024. Twenty people were killed and 50 others were injured on Thursday morning in Israeli airstrikes on several towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, according to official and military sources in Lebanon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) This photo taken from Tyre shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in Burj al-Shamali in southern Lebanon, on Nov. 21, 2024. Twenty people were killed and 50 others were injured on Thursday morning in Israeli airstrikes on several towns and villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, according to official and military sources in Lebanon. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Thursday distributed appointment letters to 47 survivors of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. According to a statement, six additional letters will be issued to successors of beneficiaries who have exceeded the age of service. Speaking at an event in the Tilak Vihar area of west Delhi, Saxena announced that 437 pending applications for appointments are under verification. The locality primarily houses the 1984 riot victims. He also directed the Revenue department to organise special camps to expedite their resolution, the statement said. Saxena announced that the colony, commonly referred to as "Widows' Colony," would be renamed based on residents' recommendations. He also approved a proposal seeking relaxation in recruitment qualifications for the victims' kin, saying that the 1984 riots were a blot on Indian democracy. Last month, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee urged the LG to consider all eligible applicants, including those who had aged out or died, it added. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) About 89 per cent schoolchildren in Delhi-NCR have expressed varying levels of concern over the growing climate change with most rejecting token gestures such as celebration of World Environment Day, according to an NGO report. Conducted among 423 students aged 10 to 15 from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, the report by Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group underscored a critical gap in awareness and resources, disproportionately affecting low-income groups. The report has revealed widespread concern among schoolchildren in Delhi-NCR over climate change, with 89 per cent expressing varying levels of worry. The report, titled 'The Future We Want', highlights that while 87 per cent of students were aware of the term "climate change", knowledge disparities persist. Stronger and everyday action is needed, said 97 per cent of middle- and high-income students surveyed, rejecting token gestures like World Environment Day celebrations at institutions across the country. Nearly 26 per cent of the children from low-income households said they had never encountered the term, compared to just 2 per cent from middle- and high-income households. This asymmetry is reflected in their perceptions of climate change, with 95 per cent of wealthier students acknowledging its current impact, contrasted with 68 per cent of their lower-income peers. Access to information emerged as a significant divide. Wealthier students frequently cited schools, social media, and family as key sources, while 77 per cent of low-income children relied on NGOs for their climate education. The digital divide severely hampers these children's capacity to understand and act on climate issues, the report noted. The findings also shed light on the mental toll of climate change, with children reporting rising anxiety. While 83 per cent linked climate change to health impacts, including respiratory and heat-related illnesses, 71 per cent said it disrupted their parents' livelihoods. Recommendations by the NGO include introducing practice-based climate education in schools, equipping teachers with resources, and engaging parents in climate discussions. The report also called for greater mental health support for children grappling with climate anxiety and stressed the need for storytelling and competitions to inspire positive climate action. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) With Delhi Assembly polls round the corner, a video showing a scuffle at an AAP office is being shared by social media users as a recent incident claiming people are thrashing the party's leaders due to Muslim appeasement. The PTI Fact Check, however, found the social media posts to be misleading as the video dated back to November 2022 when AAP MLA Gulab Singh Yadav was attacked by his own workers. The unrelated video was shared by users with a false claim. The video shows a few people engaged in a ruckus exchanging blows. A user on social media platform 'X' shared the viral video on November 16 and wrote: "Good news. The people of Delhi have started thrashing the leaders of Aam Aadmi Party..." The user claimed a common man approached the AAP leader saying when people are paying taxes with great difficulty, the party was "ignoring Hindus due to Muslim appeasement". The user warned that AAP leaders should not try to come to Hindu localities from now on, otherwise they would be "worshipped with shoes", which the public have already started doing. This video has gone viral across social media platforms with similar claims. On reverse searching the keyframes of the viral video, the PTI Fact Check team found that BJP leader Tajinder Bagga had shared the same video on November 21, 2022 and wrote, "MLA Gulab Singh Yadav was attacked by his supporters on charges of selling tickets." According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, published two years ago, AAP MLA Gulab Singh Yadav was holding a meeting with party workers in Shyam Vihar area when this incident took place. The Delhi BJP had alleged the MLA was beaten up by the workers on charges of selling tickets. However, the AAP had rejected the charge. Therefore, it was clear from the PTI investigation that a two-year-old video was falsely shared as a recent incident. Read the full fact-check report here: https://bit.ly/3ZkwFnR For verification of any viral claims, you can contact the PTI Fact Check Desk via WhatsApp at +91-8130503759. Jaipur, Nov 21 (PTI) All preparations have been completed for counting of votes for byelections on seven assembly seats in Rajasthan, a senior official said. The counting of votes will start at 8 am on Saturday. Rajasthan Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan said counting of votes will be undertaken at seven centres. A three-tier security arrangement has been made for this, he said. He said the result of the byelections in the seven assembly constituencies of the state -- Jhunjhunu, Ramgarh, Dausa, Deoli-Uniara, Khinvsar, Salumbar and Chaurasi -- will be declared on November 23. Mahajan reviewed the preparations for counting of votes through video conference with election officers and returning officers of all seven districts on Thursday. He gave necessary instructions to the election, administration and police officials. He directed to make proper arrangements for EVM machines during counting, following the prescribed protocol and procedure, three-tier security system and operating media centre to share information about counting trends and results from time to time. Mahajan said counting of votes cast through postal ballots will start first at 8 am on November 23. Counting of votes from EVM machines will start from 8.30 am and 98 tables have been set up for the exercise. He said counting of votes from EVM machines will be done in a total of 141 rounds for all seven assembly constituencies. Counting of votes will be done in 18 to 22 rounds depending on the number of voters. Counting of EVM votes of Jhunjhunu and Salumbar assembly constituencies will be completed in 22 rounds each, Ramgarh in 21 rounds, Deoli-Uniara and Khinvsar assembly constituencies in 20 rounds each, and Dausa and Chaurasi in 18 rounds each. Mahajan said tight security arrangements have been made at all counting centres. District election officers and superintendents of police have been instructed to strictly follow the security norms at the counting centres. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would hear after eight weeks a plea seeking a direction to ban websites that display jokes on members of the Sikh community, projecting them in poor light. "It is an important matter," observed a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan. Petitioner-in-person Harvinder Chowdhury informed the bench she would consolidate her suggestions as well as the suggestions of other parties in the matter and file a short compilation. The bench granted her eight weeks and listed the matter thereafter. During the hearing, Chowdhury highlighted the grievances of women of Sikh community, who were ridiculed for their attire, besides showcasing the predicament faced by children bullied in schools. The petitioner, who cited an incident wherein a boy allegedly died by suicide owing to bullying in school, referred to act of virtual bullying. "You prepare a small compilation so that it becomes easier to go through it," remarked the bench, adding, "You have already got the suggestions. You can consolidate them." In October 2015, the apex court agreed to hear the plea following which more petitions raising similar grievances were filed in the top court. The petitioner previously referred to the presence of 5,000-odd websites displaying jokes on Sikhs and projecting the members of the community in poor light. The plea said such websites spreading jokes on sardars or Sikhs should be banned for violating the fundamental right to life and to live with dignity guaranteed under the Constitution. New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to stay for now the trial proceedings against former Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal who is an accused in a case of irregularities linked to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri further sought a response from the investigating agency Enforcement Directorate on Kejriwal's plea challenging a trial court's order taking cognisance of a chargesheet in the case. The matter will be heard on December 20. Kejriwal sought setting aside of the trial court order and argued cognisance of the chargesheet was taken by the special court in the absence of any sanction for his prosecution as he was a public servant when the alleged offence was committed. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, submitted a sanction was obtained to prosecute Kejriwal and he would be filing an affidavit. The former CM sought an early date of hearing when the court initially posted the hearing next year and his counsel insisted an order on his plea for a stay be passed during the day on account of urgency. Mehta sought to file a reply to the stay application, pointing out such an approach was unfair. On November 12, the high court sought ED's response on another plea filed by Kejriwal who challenged summons issued to him on the agency's complaint in the money laundering case. The high court refused to stay the trial court proceedings at the moment in the criminal case. While Kejriwal was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on July 12 in the money laundering case, the apex court released him on bail 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 case lodged after Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a probe into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the excise policy Kochi, Nov 21 (PTI) In a blow to state Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, the Kerala High Court on Thursday ordered further probe into the allegation that he "insulted" the Constitution in a speech at an event in July 2022. The High Court also set aside the final report of the police giving the minister a clean chit and the magisterial court's order accepting the same. It said that there were shortcomings in the initial investigation and directed that a further probe be carried out by the Crime Branch wing of the police. The High Court also noted that the initial investigation was completed in haste. The HC order came on a plea seeking further probe in the case. The speech had created a political storm in the state with the opposition demanding that Cherian resign or be sacked, which finally resulted in his resignation from his cabinet posts on July 6, 2022. He was later reinstated in the cabinet. Bengaluru, Nov 21 (PTI) Upping the ante following allegations by a section of farmers and others in certain parts of Karnataka that their lands were marked as Waqf properties, BJP on Thursday held protests in various districts targeting the Congress government. The demonstrations, held under the slogan Namma Bhoomi Namma Hakku' (Our land, Our Right), were organised to oppose the alleged encroachments by the Waqf Board in the state, BJP sources said. BJP workers, joined by a section of seers and farmers, took to the streets in Kalaburagi, Ballari, Haveri, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Udupi, among others. "We have two demands. We want Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to resign and the other demand is the withdrawal of a 1974 gazette notification related to Waqf properties. In fact, the recent withdrawal of notices to farmers by the state government was done because of elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand and also because of by-elections in Karnataka," a BJP functionary said. Earlier this month, Chairman of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Jagdambika Pal, along with the JPC member and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, had visited Hubballi, Vijayapura and Belagavi, during which Pal met farmers and members of various organisations who complained that their lands were being claimed by the State Waqf Board. Over 500 petitions were received by Pal from farmers in Karnatakas northern districts, who alleged that their lands were marked as Waqf properties, Surya had said. Alleging that the Karnataka Waqf Board has laid claim to at least 53 historic Archeological survey of India protected monuments across the state, Pal had asked: how is it a Waqf property? There were allegations by a section of farmers from Vijayapura district and a few other places and also by some organisations and religious institutions like Mutts that their lands were marked as Waqf properties. Bengaluru, Nov 21 (PTI) Karnataka Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday said 100 engineering colleges are set to be "adopted" by an equal number of corporates by next year, as the government makes efforts to rope in industries to boost the employment prospects of students. Citing an example, he quoted a big automobile company as saying that it is ready to provide jobs but students are not employable as they lack training. "So, we suggested to them to give training. We will create an environment for it. Taking a practical approach, they have asked us to provide a framework. So, 100 colleges will be adopted by 100 corporates or GCCs (Global Capability Centres) working in Karnataka as a start probably by next academic year. They have given a commitment," he said. He claimed that with the recently launched 'Nipuna Karnataka' initiative, Kannadigas will be the "most equipped, most well trained, with the best of skill sets, and the most employable youth in the world." "The launch of Nipuna saw collaborations with IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, BFSI Consortium and Accenture to drive skilling and workforce transformation. Through these MoUs, Karnataka will train 1 lakh trainees in a span of one year," Kharge said. Kharge said at the three-day Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), which concluded on Thursday, a Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) was signed between Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka and DRDO on co-operation and promotion of defence industrial ecosystem of Karnataka. MoUs were also signed with Finland and Switzerland, strengthening ties in innovation and technology, and ensuring that startups gain access to global markets and the ecosystems of these countries, the minister said. He said a new centre of excellence in AI would be established with IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru. "The centre will give incubation space to startups, skill and train in AI and ensure they get market access." "We will be tapping into the entire IIT alumni for artificial intelligence in the centre of excellence. It is one of the first of its kind in India and it is the first time that IIT is tying up with the state government for any centre of excellence of this kind," he said. The minister said BTS 2024 celebrated innovation with the launch of 50 groundbreaking products by startups spanning diverse sectors, including Clean-Tech, Med-Tech, Agri-Tech, AI, and Blockchain. "A majority of these products were developed at K-tech Innovation Hubs, Centres of Excellence (CoEs), and Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) supported by the Government of Karnataka," he said. He noted that many startups received seed funding through the flagship ELEVATE Idea2PoC (Proof of Concept) programme. Notably, 23 of the products launched were by women-led startups, emphasising Karnataka's commitment to inclusivity in innovation. Kharge also announced that from next year, the Karnataka government is going to award startups for their excellence. "Karnataka is going to be the first state to have its own startup award programme -- Karnataka Startup Awards - 2025, which will recognise excellence in innovation, scalability, and socio-economic impact across India's startup ecosystem," he said. "BTS continues to embody Karnataka's spirit of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, creating a global platform for dialogue, partnerships, and growth. Bengaluru, the tech capital of India, once again proves its leadership in shaping the future of technology and innovation," Kharge added. Puducherry Nov 21 (PTI) Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan on Thursday lauded the police force for their pivotal role in maintaining internal peace and enabling a harmonious society. Presenting the 'Knights in Khaki' awards, instituted by the Pondicherry Heritage Round Table 167, he praised the police for their efforts during critical situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. People place immense trust in the police, and they must honour this faith by delivering exemplary service and achieving greater heights, he said, appreciating the Round Table's initiative to honor police personnel, including women officers, for their contributions. Highlighting the police's impact, Kailashnathan remarked, A village, state, or nation progresses substantially when law and order are upheld. He also noted the distinct red headgear of Puducherry police, a French legacy, as a unique feature admired by visitors. Home Minister A Namasivayam emphasised the government's commitment to police welfare, announcing plans to approve special allowances for their work during the recent Parliamentary elections and fill vacant posts for Sub-Inspectors and Home Guards. He lauded the Round Table's initiatives, particularly their desilting of water bodies, and acknowledged past Area Two chairperson N Venkataramani for implementing welfare schemes. This is the second time the 'Knights in Khaki' awards have been presented, with the first ceremony held in November 2022. The event was attended by MLA L Sampath, DGP Shalini Singh, and Round Table chairperson V Balaji. 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) Kochi, Nov 21 (PTI) Two fishing boat owners in Kochi have been fined Rs 2.5 lakh each by the Fisheries Department for allowing a movie crew to use their vessels for an at-sea shoot without obtaining prior approval, officials said on Thursday. "During an inspection on Wednesday, after seizing the boats, it was found that the vessels had been operating without valid licenses for an extended period, and one of them was also out of fitness" the officials added. According to a press release issued by the Fisheries department, during an inspection conducted as part of the Indian Navy's ongoing Sea Vigil coastal security exercise, the Coastal Police informed the Vypin Fisheries Station about two boats engaged in unauthorized film shooting in the Chellanam area in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday. The Vypin Fisheries Marine Enforcement team inspected the boats, Bharat Ratna and Bharat Sagar, at 1.30 pm and found that they lacked the required special permits from the Fisheries Department to operate at sea and conduct film shooting, the release added. The department also said it found that the 33-member film crew aboard the boats were not wearing any safety equipment. Both the boats were subsequently taken to the Vypin Fisheries Marine Enforcement berth and placed under custody, the release stated. Special permission from the Fisheries Department is required to use a fishing vessel for non-fishing purposes, said an official. This permission is granted only after evaluating the vessel's operational efficiency, the condition of life-saving equipment, the permitted passenger capacity, and verifying all necessary legal documents, he added. 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 wasnt on hand for the womans 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. 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 as police investigate the circumstances around the womans 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 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 Willets detention, claiming there was now evidence of homicide. He denied the accusation. 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. 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. 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. 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. (AP) Everyone likes a good deal, and health insurance bargains abound this time of year. But buyers should look beyond price when searching for a plan. Shoppers also should consider doctor networks and coverage limits to avoid getting stuck with big bills after care. Millions of Americans are looking for 2025 coverage now during annual enrollment windows for Medicare Advantage plans and individual insurance. Plus, many employers are telling their workers about their coverage plans for next year too. Insurers selling Medicare Advantage plans are dangling coverage with $0 premiums, and individual insurance marketplaces created through the Affordable Care Act offer tax credits to help with the premium or cost of coverage. Here are other factors to consider beyond price. What is the deductible? This is the annual amount a patient pays for many covered services before the insurer starts paying a portion of the bill. Plans with low premiums can come with deductibles well over $1,000 for individuals and a few thousand dollars for families. Shoppers should look at the size of the individual deductible and understand where it applies. Regular visits to a specialist can lead to some hefty patient bills. Deductibles are different from copayments or copays. Those are flat amounts that a patient pays for a covered service or doctor visit. Copays typically do not count toward paying off a deductible. Are my doctors covered? Insurers form networks of covered doctors and health systems. Some plans may provide no coverage for care sought outside those networks. The federal governments website for finding insurance plans makes it easy to filter for covered doctors and hospitals when looking for plans, said Emily Bremer, president of a St. Louis-based independent insurance agency, The Bremer Group. Bremer says shoppers should think about more than whether their doctors are in the network. They also should also consider which hospital system they would want to visit if a big emergency happens. What about prescriptions? Insurance plans come with formularies, or lists of covered drugs, that vary by plan. Those lists often group drugs in tiers with different costs for the patient. Shoppers should check to see how a plan will cover the regular prescriptions they already take. Dont immediately rule out the plan if the bill would be too high. Help may be available. Drugmakers often have coupons or discount programs that can cover patient costs as long as the drug has coverage, Bremer said. Websites like GoodRx also may be an option for getting a price break. If you take a lot of stuff and see a lot of doctors it can be really hard to find one perfect plan thats going to cover everything, she said. Sometimes you have to make choices. Whats coinsurance? This is the portion of a bill the patient is responsible for after meeting the deductible. Its a percentage that can vary. Usually plans with lower premiums leave patients with bigger coinsurance. Coinsurance payments can hurt, so its important to know the percentage and the risk you face. For instance, a childbirth by cesarean section may generate a $25,000 bill. A patient responsible for a $1,000 deductible and then 20% of the remaining bill through coinsurance could pay $5,800 of that total. Most people will focus on the deductible and forget about the coinsurance, and they should not, Bremer said. (It) can really sneak up on you when you have a large claim. People with low incomes may qualify for help with some of these out-of-pocket expenses through cost-sharing reductions found in the ACA marketplaces. What are the limits? Health insurers will start handling all costs for covered, in-network care once you reach a plans out-of-pocket maximum for patient spending. That can vary by plan. For coverage sold on the ACA marketplace, that annual maximum cannot be more than $9,200 for individuals and $18,400 for families next year. Those who reach this level of spending may only see temporary relief. Patient spending totals that count toward that out-of-pocket maximum generally reset at the start of every calendar year or if you switch plans during the year. (AP) Gary Worthy, a career criminal with a history of violent offenses, was shot and killed in a confrontation with police Tuesday night in Queens, just months after a judge released him without bail despite multiple requests to detain him from prosecutors and his parole officer. The 57-year-old, who was on lifetime parole, had a criminal record spanning decades and had been arrested multiple times this year alone. On August 27, Queens Criminal Court Judge Edward Daniels ordered Worthys release during a hearing on assault and burglary charges, despite prosecutors asking for $120,000 bail and Worthys parole officer requesting that he be held without bail. Daniels ruled that non-monetary conditions would suffice to ensure Worthys appearance at future proceedings, despite evidence of his repeated violations of parole and his history of threats. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision had also initiated proceedings to revoke Worthys parole, citing his failure to meet with his parole officer since April and his arrests on multiple charges. In court, prosecutors detailed incidents where Worthy allegedly threatened to kill people with knives and throw someone off a balcony. Despite this, Daniels released him, allowing Worthy to remain on the streets. On Tuesday evening, Worthy allegedly attempted to rob two businesses in Jamaica, Queens. Security footage showed him entering Village Market & Grill, ordering food, and then pulling a gun from a plastic bag. After firing a shot at the cash register and failing to access the money, he fled the scene on a bicycle. An hour later, Worthy entered a smoke shop, demanded money, and fired a shot at the clerk, narrowly missing him. When confronted by NYPD officers outside the second location, Worthy opened fire, wounding veteran officer Rich Wong in the thigh. Wong and his partner returned fire, killing Worthy with a shot to the face. A bystander was also injured in the exchange but is expected to survive. The incident has reignited criticism of New Yorks bail reform laws and judicial discretion. NYPD PBA President Patrick Hendry condemned the system that allowed Worthy to remain free despite his history of violence. Somethings got to change, and it needs to change right away, Hendry said. Cops feel that the system doesnt have our back. We will always take the criminals off the streets, but we need the system to back us. Worthys criminal record dates back to 1994, when he was sentenced to 16 years for manslaughter. Since his release, he had been arrested at least seven times, including for gun possession, assault, burglary, and drug charges. In the weeks leading up to Tuesdays events, he had been arrested again for drug possession and resisting arrest but was released without bail. Officer Wong was discharged from Jamaica Hospital on Wednesday to cheers from over 200 fellow officers, including many from his 103rd Precinct. NYPD officials praised Wongs bravery and called for reforms to prevent similar incidents. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The leader of Canadas most populous province said Wednesday that all of the countrys provincial and territorial governments want Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus 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., Canadas top trading partner. The meeting and Fords comments come as provincial and federal governments in Canada prepare for the uncertainty of another Donald Trump presidency. 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 theyve asked for a meeting with Trudeaus 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. 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 Trudeaus 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. 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. 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 theyd 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. (AP) An Indian businessman who is one of the worlds richest people has been indicted in the U.S. on charges he duped investors by concealing that his companys huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. Gautam Adani, 62, was charged in an indictment unsealed Wednesday with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The case involves a lucrative arrangement for Adani Green Energy Ltd. and another firm to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power to the Indian government enough to light millions of homes and businesses. The indictment paints Adani and his co-defendants as playing two sides of the deal. It accuses them of portraying it as rosy and above-board to Wall Street investors who poured several billion dollars into the project over the last five years while, back in India, they were paying or planning to pay about $265 million in bribes to government officials to help secure billions of dollars worth of contracts and financing. Adani and his co-defendants sought to obtain and finance massive state energy supply contracts through corruption and fraud at the expense of U.S. investors, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lisa Miller said. U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme and sought to enrich themselves at the expense of the integrity of our financial markets. In a parallel civil action, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Adani and two co-defendants of violating antifraud provisions of U.S. securities laws. The regulator is seeking monetary penalties and other sanctions. Both cases were filed in federal court in Brooklyn. Adanis co-defendants include his nephew Sagar Adani, the executive director of Adani Green Energys board, and Vneet Jaain, who was the companys chief executive from 2020 to 2023 and remains managing director of its board. Online court records did not list a lawyer who could speak on Adanis behalf. An email message seeking comment was left with an arm of his conglomerate, the Adani Group. Emails were also sent to lawyers representing his co-defendants. Sagar Adanis lawyer, Sean Hecker, declined the comment. The others did not immediately respond. Sanjay Wadhwa, acting director of the SECs Enforcement Division, said Gautam and Sagar Adani are accused of persuading investors to buy their companys bonds by misrepresenting not only that Adani Green had a robust anti-bribery compliance program but also that the companys senior management had not and would not pay or promise to pay bribes. Adani is a power player in the worlds most populous nation. He built his fortune in the coal business in the 1990s. The Adani Group grew to involve many aspects of Indian life, from making defense equipment to building roads to selling cooking oil. In recent years, the Adani Group has made big moves into renewable energy, embracing a philosophy of sustainable growth reflected in its slogan: Growth with Goodness. The company has a clean energy portfolio of over 20 gigawatts, including one of the worlds largest solar power plants in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Adani Group has stated its goal of becoming the countrys biggest player in the space by 2030. In 2022, Gautam Adani said the company would invest $70 billion in clean energy projects by 2032. Last year, a U.S.-based financial research firm accused Adani and his company of brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud. The Adani Group called the claims a malicious combination of selective misinformation and stale, baseless and discredited allegations. The firm in question is known as a short-seller, a Wall Street term for traders that essentially bet on the prices of certain stocks to fall, and it had made such investments in relation to the Adani Group. The companys stock plunged as a result and dipped again in August when the firm, Hindenburg Research, levied more corruption allegations. Jaain told The Associated Press last year that Hindenburgs allegations had little impact on its ongoing projects, including work building 20 gigawatts of a solar and wind energy project in the northwest Indian village of Khavda. Prosecutors allege that Adani and his co-defendants started plotting the bribery scheme in 2020 or 2021 to guarantee demand for the energy that Adani Green and another firm were under contract to produce for the national governments Solar Energy Corporation of India. Adani Green and the other firms high prices turned off Indias state-run electricity distributors, which buy power from the national government and provide it to homes and businesses. But the companies needed those deals to make the project worthwhile and keep revenues high, so they offered bribes to get them done, prosecutors said. After the defendants started promising bribes to government officials, in 2021 and 2022, electricity distributors in five Indian states or regions entered into agreements to purchase their energy, prosecutors said. Adanis company issued a statement in which he touted his deals as the worlds largest power purchase agreement. At the same time, prosecutors said, the Adanis and Jaain were attesting to global investors that Adani Green was and would never be involved in bribery. Those claims enabled them to secure billions of dollars in financing for the project at terms that did not account for the true risk involved, prosecutors said. (AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman After having had three hospital stays at South Nassau hospital since mid-summer, and being duly impressed with the level of care, I interviewed Dr. Glatt, about the changes and the future. Dr. Glatt is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau. He also serves as the Chief of Infectious Diseases and is the Hospitals Epidemiologist, and is in charge of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Designated Center of Excellence in Antimicrobial Stewardship. Dr. Glatt is also a Rabbi. RYH: In the past ten years South Nassau has undergone some significant improvements in the quality of the healthcare that it delivers. How did that come about? DAG: Part of that has been our relationship with Mount Sinai in virtually every way..recruitment, academic appts, its a great 2 way relationship.. it has been a very positive relationship.. I was involved in the search we thought that Mount Sinai was the best RYH: I noticed, as a patient at the hospital that your nursing staff is particularly nice, friendly and capable. How do you manage that? Is there a particular thing that you do in hiring? Do you have something akin to continuous education in mentschlechkeit so to speak? DAG: Believe it or not, there is a magic secret. But it is called, Magnet. [Added later ACC Magnet Recognition] Only 3 or 4 percent of hospitals have it.. the nursing association developed it. We have received Magnet accreditation and various awards. We do a lot of their training and the like. They emphasize many things such as Exemplary Professional Practice, New Knowledge, Innovations, & Improvements; and studying Empirical Outcomes. RYH: In the past ten years South Nassau has undergone some significant improvements in the quality of the healthcare that it delivers. How did that come about? DAG: Part of that has been our relationship with Mount Sinai in virtually every way..recruitment, academic appts, its a great 2 way relationship.. it has been a very positive relationship.. I was involved in the search we thought that Mount Sinai was the best RYH: I noticed, as a patient at the hospital, that your nursing staff is particularly nice, friendly and capable. How do you manage that? Is there a particular thing that you do in hiring? Do you have something akin to continuous education in mentschlechkeit so to speak? DAG: Believe it or not, there is a magic secret. But it is called, Magnet. [Added later ACC Magnet Recognition] Only 3 or 4 percent of hospitals have it.. the nursing association developed it. We have received Magnet accreditation and various awards. We do a lot of their training and the like. They emphasize many things such as Exemplary Professional Practice, New Knowledge, Innovations, & Improvements; and studying Empirical Outcomes. RYH: A number of older people are moving into the Five Towns to be closer to their kids. How is the hospital preparing for the growing healthcare needs of an aging population? DAG: Yes, that is certainly a correct demographic point. Our hospital is fully geared to deal with the needs of an aging population as well. To keep things even closer, ee just put a new geriatrician in the Mount Sinai Hewlett practice to specifically deal with this RYH: What about strokes? The Joint Commissions has four levels: 1] Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certification 2] Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC) 3] Primary Stroke Center (PSC) And 4] Acute Stroke Ready Hospital (ASRH). My understanding is that near the Five Towns area Jamaica Hospital and Northshore are CSC. But for some reason, people dont go to Jamaica from the Five Towns/Far Rockaway area. Jamaica Hospital is 17 minutes away at 8.5 miles. Northshore is 26 minutes away at 15.7 miles and South Nassau is 14 minutes away at 6.5 miles. What is the status of the plans for South Nassau to become TSC? Are there any future plans for it to become even CSC? What is involved and how can the local community help? DAG: We are Thrombectomy Capable now.. We have everything in place.. We do it now, we just dont do it 24/7.. We are recruiting for addntal people. We have all the equipment.. We have a special stroke team with fellowship trained stroke neurologists in place. I project that we will be fully TSC withinin the next year or so. RYH: What are other areas are there in which the hospital has improved? DAG: Across the board. Full Cardiac surgery here. The Mount Sinai A team will be here at the end of 2025. We are not hiring a B team.. It will expand our interventional cardiac surgery.. In GI we have senior people in Dr. Stravopolis is nationally known personality.. We have an endo-bariatric specialist team, we have advanced in that area significantly. Our GI services are superb.. We have internationally recognized neurosurgeons Dr. Bullineis.. Dr. Hooten is a well known back surgeon.. Our Urology dept. is superb.. In Cancer and neck surgery our department is recognized and we have won awards. Our cancer program is also local. We are trying to make sure that we have those specialists in the city spending time here. We are recognized in Infectious Diseases. We have a great low score in hospital acquired infections. the intensive care unit is . We have expanded. We have 9 slots that are reserved for Shomer Shabbos.. We try to be attentive to the community many of the doctors in are in the 5 Towns. RYH: Regarding echocardiograms there is a new AI software called PANECHO that has been hailed as the next step in both catching things as well as increasing the speed of reading them. Is South Nassau looking at this yet? Are there alternatives to it that you are exploring? DAG: AI Mount Sinai has an entire dept of AI.. EMR electronic.. We are looking at many different AIs computer robotic surgeries..We have a whole dept that specializes in that. They are considering a number of the softwares. I am not aware of that specific product. RYH: What can you tell me about the Shabbos house? DAG: The hospital provides the Shabbos house we have the funding for i and we are remodeling to double the room capacity Achiezer helps stock it with food. The hospital owns the property and is kind enough to allow its use for family members of patients. RYH: Does it have mezuzos? DAG: I put them up myself.. RYH: Seforim? DAG: We have Seforim in the hospitality room where we daven Mincha. (1:35 PM) RYH: The hospital recently invested in a new biplane imaging system and two-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. DAG: The first is available for all the departments. We are trying to make sure that you dont have to leave and go to the city for advanced medical care. RYH: What other major technological investments are in the planning for the neurosciences program? DAG: We just hired several new surgeons.. We have muscularskeletal people.. We have stroke trained.. RYH: It seems that South Nassau has taken on several expansions in neurological services. What drove the decision to focus on growing this particular service line? DAG: We are growing everything that needs to be grown.. We hired 3 new endocrinologists where there is a huge need. We have 3 in oceanside and 2 in manhasset 5 or 6 that do outpatient because there is such a need.. RYH: Recently, a neighbor told me that her sister-in-law flew in from Canada to specifically use a back specialist at South Nassau. Can you discuss this particular area in which South Nassau is so advanced? DAG: Dr. John Houten.. Our chair of Orthopedics is also a well known specialist RYH: You recently added specialists like Dr. Stavropoulos and Dr. Advani to your staffing. Can you discuss their particular specialty and how they helped change things at the hospital. DAG: Dr. Stavropoulos who does procedures is the father of something called, 3rd space endoscopy. [Added later: third space, which is the potential space inside the wall of the GI tract. Most commonly, this means working in the submucosal layer of the organ wall.] This saves people from having more surgery he removes certain tumors POEMS it is a type of surgical procedure.. They remove things from the stomach and the esophagus.. Essentially, she does endo-bariatric procedures for weight loss through endoscopy. Also Dr. Frank Gress, who is the chief of the division is very much involved in this RYH: How do you go about recruiting personnel in these types of specialties? DAG: Being part of Mount Sinai is a boon for it their website has international hits and we take advantage of that. RYH: Are there head-hunters so to speak in this industry? DAG: Sure. However, that is usually not the best way to go. Yes, I do contact them when necessary. RYH: What specific improvements in specialty care are you still looking to fill? DAG: We look for quality staff in all areas.. We are looking at Hospitalists internists.. The private doctors are in the hospital they are in the hospital full time. It is a new emerging specialty that has vastly improved medical care in hospitals that do it and it is attracting top staff. RYH: Does being so connected to Mount Sinai systems limit the hospital in any way? DAG: I would say no, that it doesnt. Mount Sinai uses buying power to bring down prices. If the system uses product B we use that now.. Its a limitation but I dont think thats a concern.. The biggest advantage is the advanced cancer care and the heart surgery.. In GI you dont have to go into the city to receive top-notch treatment. You can do it right here. RYH: What are the biggest challenges you face in bringing advanced specialty services to the South Shore communities? DAG: It is always money, decisions about what to prioritize.. What we can do with the resources? Boruch hashem, funding is not lacking now. So these decisions are much easier. RYH: Do you have any educational initiatives in the works for the local community? How about for the local high schools? DAG: We do a lot of local programs we have a whole dept of community education.. local PTAs . I have spoken at the various JCCs. If any of the high schools want anything we would be happy to do that.. A woman by the name of Abbey From who is in charge of that. Any organization that is interested in developing programming should reach out to the hospital. RYH: Is the hospital doing any interesting research? DAG: There are numerous research projects going on. We did COVID research..As an example with one that we are working with the CDC we helped plan the Uman trip for Rosh Hashana to make it medically much safer. I do not go to Uman, but you have to improve the health of people wherever they are. We worked with the CDC and Chassidisha Rabbonim to make sure that it was as safe as possible. We actually received an award from the CDC for that published paper. RYH: Sometimes hospitals partner with groups or organizations to promote and improve public health. Does South Nassau do that? DAG: Yes, many. We work with Achiezer with Hatzolah we work closely with them. RYH: Who manages the kosher food? In general, if you are outsourcing the kosher catering places are not so health conscious. Is there any emphasis on trying to upgrade the health aspect of it? DAG: Our cafe just had a huge upgrade.. They constantly look for excellence in the quality and taste of the food while maintaining the highest standards of Kashrus I insist that they only have the top notch hashgacha we try to have everything Cholov Yisroel.. This is a business they have to be competitive.. They have to do what needs to be done.. RYH: What achievement at this hospital are you most proud of personally? DAG: Well aside for the improvement of healthcare, and the saving of lives for so many people I would say that we have worked to achieve 9 shomer Shabbos slots for observant doctors so that they do not have to deal with the challenges of not being there for their families. There are 9 people who for the 3 years of their residency will not have to work on Shabbos.. The author can be reached at [email protected] by Xinhua writers Yuan Quan and Gou Lifeng URUMQI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Farmers in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, an inland region in northwest China, have been busy harvesting salmon, lobsters and hairy crabs -- and now pearls. They are confident that people will soon be buying jewelry made with aquatic products grown in the deserts of their landlocked home. A video of a local farmer showcasing a handful of pearls has been circulating on Chinese media in recent weeks. The pearls were harvested from oysters cultivated on a seafood breeding base in Qiemo County, which is situated at the heart of the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang. Local agriculture technicians say that trial breeding has been successful, and they anticipate the market launch of the Xinjiang pearls next year. Pearls are the latest endeavor of Xinjiang's aquaculture sector. Locals say that the sparsely populated hinterland -- located far from industrial pollution -- provides an ideal environment for the cultivation of premium aquatic products, and that innovative local breeding techniques can enhance the desert aquaculture industry. Hailing from south China, Chen Jiazhen is an aquaculturist with over 20 years of experience and is currently the chief technical consultant of the seafood breeding base. During a trip to Xinjiang in 2021, he was intrigued by the natural environment and thought to establish an aquaculture business there. Xinjiang is home to numerous rivers, lakes and reservoirs. However, its long hours of sunlight, dry climate and extensive saline-alkali land pose challenges for plant growth and aquaculture. Since 2017, the Chinese government has been encouraging the exploration of saline-alkali aquaculture, and Chen saw an opportunity in this. He and his partners from China's southern provinces established their company, Shishixian, in Xinjiang's Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in July 2022. After numerous experiments, they used microorganisms to create circulation systems that transform local salt lake water into seawater suitable for marine fish farming. Their efforts to make artificial seawater have yielded numerous patented inventions and boosted the breeding of various species, including fish, shrimp, abalone and crab species. Like Chen, many of Xinjiang's aquaculture farmers have undertaken independent research and development, and sought scientific and technological assistance from universities and research institutions to simulate the ocean environment. Pacific white shrimp, Australian crayfish and African tilapia are among the seafood types that must be cultivated in high-quality breeding water with strict temperature and salinity requirements -- and they can be bred in many parts of Xinjiang. The region's aquatic industry has gradually gained popularity nationwide and become a new option to satisfy the increasing demand from China's growing middle-income group. Seafood labeled to show it was harvested in Xinjiang is now available in restaurants and supermarkets in Beijing and other major cities. The success of their fishery business soon motivated Chen and his partners to enter the high-end market, and they began focusing on pearl cultivation. Their microbial technology can transform the organic waste produced by fish into essential substances such as amino acids and nitrates, according to Chen. These compounds are crucial for the growth and health of aquatic plants, providing nutrient-rich food for pearl oysters. "No chemical additives are used in the farming cycle," Chen noted. "According to local environmental regulations, we are required to achieve zero emissions and zero pollution. We cannot simply add the missing elements to the water, as this would result in more sediment in the ponds." Chen's thriving business has also been supported by the continuous improvement of local infrastructure. Thanks to rapid progress in high-speed rail networks, civil aviation transport, power supply, and cold chain logistics, aquatic products from Xinjiang can now be delivered to coastal provinces such as Jiangsu and Zhejiang within a single day, making these destinations as convenient as almost anywhere else in China. Inland aquaculture is satisfying Chinese people's appetite for diverse aquatic products, and it is also contributing to local prosperity. According to local agriculture authorities, Xinjiang produced 184,000 tonnes of aquatic products in 2023, generating an output value of 3.86 billion yuan (about 537 million U.S. dollars) and providing jobs for 13,600 people. They predict that by 2025, Xinjiang's entire fishery industrial chain will generate an approximate output value of 20 billion yuan. Gong Yonghong, chairman of the Qiemo-based company behind the pearl cultivation, attributes the transparency and superior quality of the pearls in part to the significant temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang and to the region's long sunlight hours. Although Xinjiang's pearl farming is still in its infancy, the delicate products that have resulted from trial breeding have already captured the interest of buyers in various regions of China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. If the quality of his company's pearls remains high in subsequent experiments, Gong says that he plans to invite jewelry companies to open branches in Xinjiang, where they can develop a comprehensive industrial chain that would contribute significantly to local economic growth. Amnesty International revealed last week that at the same time that French President Emmanuel Macron is calling for an arms embargo on Israel due to harm to innocent people in Gaza, France is supplying weapon systems to rebels in Sudan who have committed unspeakable war crimes and massacres amid a civil war in the African country. Amnesty obtained evidence of French-manufactured military systems installed on armored vehicles supplied to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudans most notorious paramilitary group. Last month, the US sanctioned a senior RSF leader, stating: The US is today sanctioning a senior leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Algoney Hamdan Daglo Musa (Algoney), for his involvement in RSF efforts to procure weapons and other military material that have enabled the RSFs ongoing operations in Sudan, including its assault on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Algoneys actions have fueled the war and brutal RSF atrocities against civilians, which have included war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing. Rather than heed warnings from the United States and other partners, the RSF and its allied militia have continued to commit atrocities, including those involving sexual violence and ethnically targeted attacks on non-Arab groups. Also last month, Macron dared to falsely accuse Israel of unacceptable harm to civilians in the Gaza Strip and called on the world to impose a total arms embargo on Israel. The supply of the French army systems violates two separate UN embargo resolutions on Sudan as well as a European Union ban on the sale or supply of weapons to Sudan by member states. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Two months ago, the Chotam and Bochrim BMishpacha organizations submitted a petition to the Jerusalem District Court against Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Mirara and the Justice Ministry, demanding to reveal the number of times a government entity was forced to request alternative legal representation. The goal of the petition is to reveal how often Baharav-Miara, who was hired to represent the government, presented a stance contrary to that of the government forcing ministers to request private legal counsel. The petition was filed after the organizations requested the data several times under the Freedom of Information Law but did not receive a response. Michael Puah, the chairman of Bochrim BMishpacha, said: Attorney-General Baharav-Miara behaves in a confrontational way, not only towards the Israeli government but also toward Am Yisrael. Her contempt for the law, as is evident from her conduct, is disgraceful. It is time to dismiss her and appoint an attorney-general who has the interests of the state of Israel and Am Yisrael in mind. In the wake of the recent outcry against Baharav-Miara after she was forced to appear in the Knesset per the law, including a huge banner slamming her lack of action against the constant incitement against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and members of his government, some leftists paid for full-page ads in support of the attorney general. The ads, which appeared in Israels major newspapers on Wednesday morning, featured a photo of Baharav-Miara and stated: Continue to preserve the rule of law for all of us. Chareidi businessman Yaakov Halperin heaped scorn on the leftists who paid for the ads but hid their identities by signing Israels Business Forum. Speaking on Army Radio on Wednesday, Halperin said: The Business Forum doesnt exist. Its a few individuals who decided to take a crown for themselves. Whats the problem? Because I also have a business and others have businesses but they included us in [the forum]. What did they do in the newspaper ads? They established that the attorney-general represents the Business Forum. By what authority do you crown yourselves as a Business Forum? Army Radio: Or they could just put their business logos on it. Halperin (laughing): Of course, they wont do that because theyre afraid. These are people who took a scepter that doesnt belong to them and included all of us in it. Theres no such thing as the Business Forum check the Companies Registrar, check the Nonprofits Registrar. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana wrote: I have news for the Business Forum. She doesnt guard the rule of law, nor for the sake of all of us rather, it guards the rule of the jurists, and those who have not yet come to terms with the idea of democracy. The law is established by the legislative authority (the Knesset) through a decision made by the lawmakers (Knesset members) majority vote, who represent the sovereign (the people). It is possible to object to laws or lawmakers, and if the public wishes to replace its representatives, whether it is disgusted by their legislation, their actions, their behavior, or the color of their eyes it has the right and opportunity to do so periodically. The rule of the jurists, who have taken powers and authority that the legislator or the public has never granted them, cannot be replaced by the public. And therefore, democracy is: Yes to the rule of law. No to the rule of jurists. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Senate on Wednesday rejected three resolutions aimed at limiting the sale of offensive arms to Israel, underscoring growing dissent within the Democratic Party over the Biden administrations support for Israel during its war against Hamas in Gaza. Nineteen senators all Democrats supported the measures, a notable increase from the eleven who backed a similar initiative in January. The resolutions, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders and co-sponsored by Senators Peter Welch and Jeff Merkley, sought to block future transfers of tank rounds, mortar rounds, and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) to Israel. Sanders argued that Israels actions in Gaza violate international human rights laws. Because of its immoral actions, Israel is less secure and increasingly isolated, Sanders wrote in a Washington Post op-ed. He called for the U.S. to end its complicity in what he described as atrocities in Gaza. However, senior Democrats, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin, opposed the resolutions. Cardin argued that limiting arms sales to Israel would weaken its ability to defend itself against threats from Hamas and Iran. Our support for Israel does not diminish our commitment to humanitarian assistance for innocent Palestinians or our shared pursuit of peace, Cardin said. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also opposed the measures, warning they could embolden Hamas and Iran. Our security assistance to Israel transcends any one prime minister or any one government, Schumer said on the Senate floor. However, Schumer did not whip against approving the resolutions, meaning that he did not push for Democrats to vote them down another stunning betrayal of the Jewish State on the part of the former Shomer Yisroel and now Shomer Yishmoel. The resolutions defeat comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January, with expectations that his administration will take a more unreservedly pro-Israel stance. Wednesdays Senate vote followed a U.S. veto at the United Nations Security Council against a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, over the resolutions failure to demand the release of hostages. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi launched an investigation on Thursday following the severe incident in which 71-year-old Zeev Erlich, HYD, was killed by terrorists in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. A 20-year-old soldier was killed in the incident and two officers were wounded, one seriously and one moderately. The encounter with the terrorists occurred in an area under IDF control since earlier operations, an area 5-6 kilometers from the border, overlooking Tyre. Erlich, zl was armed and wearing protective gear but according to the IDF, he was classified as a civilian and his presence there violated military orders. The two fallen soldiers began to survey an ancient fortress near a mosque at a high point on a ridge, unaware that two terrorists were hiding there. The terrorists opened fire from close range, killing Erlich and another soldier. However, Erlichs family disputes the IDFs claim that he entered Lebanon as a civilian. Contrary to the IDF spokespersons claims, we clarify that he was enlisted and treated in the field as a soldier, his brother, Yigal Amitai, told Ynet. He was fully recognized as a soldier, entering Lebanon with the IDFs approval and accompaniment, albeit for archaeological research, as he always did in Yehudah and Shomron. Halevi appointed a team of experts following the incident to examine and strengthen operational discipline and military culture in combat, headed by Maj. Gen. (res.) Moti Baruch. The team will focus on forming a detailed situational evaluation regarding the enforcement of operational discipline, orders and military procedures, codes of conduct, and norms practiced in military units on the two main combat fronts north and south. Additionally, the team will assess how proper military culture is implemented within the combat units in these two sectors and will formulate practical recommendations for strengthening discipline and military culture in combat in general. In addition, another military investigation was launched, headed by the commander of the Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin as well as an investigation by the military police. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The International Criminal Court in The Hague on Thursday approved arrest warrants against Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on suspicion of war crimes. It also approved an arrest warrant against Muhammed Dief, who was eliminated by the IDF but his death was not confirmed by Hamas, equating a murderous terror psychopath with the elected leader of the only democracy in the Middle East. The announcement claims that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for crimes, including shared participation in acts committed with others war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. Netanyahu and Gallant each bear individual criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentional attack against a civilian population, it falsely states. The immediate implication is that Netanyahu and Gallant will not be able to fly to destinations that adhere to the courts instructions, including most Western countriesexcept for the United Statesor risk being arrested. If Netanyahu or Gallant fly to Europe for example, the police will be required to arrest them in compliance with the courts order, France has already announced that it will implement the ICCs decision if arrest warrants are issued against Israeli officials. US Senate Majority Leader-elect Senator John Thune (R-SD) said this week that the Senate will sanction the ICC at the Hague if it doesnt halt its twisted pursuit of arrest warrants In a poetic twist of justice, the morally depraved chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who issued the warrants, is now facing his own probe after a female aide accused him of inappropriate behavior and abuse over a prolonged period as well as coercive behavior and abuse of authority. Unsurprisingly, the courts watchdog closed the case within five days, but last week, the ICCs governing body said it would pursue an external investigation against Khan. However, since then, the ICC has become embroiled in a major scandal as serious concerns have arisen regarding the integrity of even the external probe due to Khans links to the investigative body, the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), a watchdog that oversees probes of UN agencies. According to a report by The Guardian, the concerns have been raised at the highest level of the court, with one concern relating to Khans wife, Shyamala Alagendra, who previously worked at OIOS, has deep connections there, and also allegedly acted highly inappropriately following the claims against her husband, including contacting the victim directly. Another conflict of interest is that the OIOSs director of its investigations unit previously worked closely with Khan at the UN, serving as one of his top officials for several years. The ICCs pursuit of an external probe is partially due to the pressure and scrutiny that the court has been under following Khans issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. Reuters reported in July that on May 20, the same day that Khan made a surprise request for warrants to arrest Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders, he suddenly canceled a scheduled trip to Israel to collect evidence on the decision. Reuters spoke to eight people with direct knowledge of the matter, who said that plans for the visit had been discussed for months with US officials. The trip was intended to allow Israeli officials to present their position regarding the allegation of war crimes and for Khan and his team to collect evidence. Apparently, Khan decided that he didnt need any evidence for his antisemitic claims. In August, the Daily Telegraph reported that the organization UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) threatened to charge Khan, a British lawyer, with professional misconduct. The organization sent a lengthy and detailed letter to Khan refuting all his accusations against Netanyahu and Gallant and wrote detailed evidence proving his allegations false. The letter stressed that if Khan does not retract his request for the arrest warrants, which contain false information, he will have violated professional codes for English barristers and it will report him. Khans lack of integrity knows no bounds. In the wake of the new allegations against him by his aide, he suggested that the claims are due to a campaign against him [i.e. by pro-Israel forums]. However, the allegations pre-date his case against Israel and according to The Guardian, officials who work with him do not believe the allegations are tied to any external plot. Since the ICCs chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who is under investigation himself for morally corrupt behavior, requested arrest warrants against the Israeli officials, Israel has been working diplomatically behind the scenes with the U.S. and other countries to overturn the ruling. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Dearborn, Michigan Mayor Abdullah Hammoud announced on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant would face arrest if they enter Dearborn, drawing sharp criticism and accusations of grandstanding. In a social media post, Hammoud declared his citys intent to enforce the controversial arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) last week. The ICC accused Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity, charges Israel has dismissed as antisemitic and absurd. Netanyahus office blasted the warrants as politically motivated and baseless. Hammouds statement goes far beyond the jurisdiction of a local mayor and is an explicit boast to break American law. The ICC has no enforcement power, relying instead on cooperation from member statesand neither the U.S. nor Israel is a member. Legal experts point out that Hammouds rhetoric is symbolic at best and inflammatory at worst, stirring division rather than fostering meaningful dialogue. Hammouds actions are a glaring example of antisemitic political theater, a legal expert told YWN. Hes exploiting international tensions to score points with a specific audience rather than addressing issues that actually impact Dearborn residents. While the ICC warrants may limit the travel of Netanyahu and Gallant within the 124 member states, Hammouds post is an overreach that ignores both international law and diplomacy. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Former minister Ayelet Shaked said on Thursday that Australia denied her a visa to enter the country. The reason? Shakeds opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, a fact that might incite discord. Shaked was invited to participate in a conference of the conference of the Australia Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) for a strategic dialogue between Israel and Australia. The head of the AIJAC, Colin Rubenstein, called the step disgraceful. It is extraordinary that a government that refuses to take any meaningful action against an Iranian ambassador who effectively calls for genocide would act so undiplomatically towards a friend, he said. Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler questioned: How is it conceivable that our government has granted a visa to a Palestinian man from Gaza who reportedly has had close family connections and personal interactions with terrorist organizations, yet refuses entry to a former government minister of a democratic nation and one of our Australias friends? Shaked said that the decision by the Labour Party is clear evidence of its hypocrisy and its hostile attitude towards Israel. The government claims to be democratic but acts to silence voices which oppose its extremist pro-Palestinian agenda. Refusing entry to a former minister in the Israeli government only because of my opposition to the creation of a Palestinian terror state reveals the true face of the current Australian government a government which chose to support Israels enemies and harm the historic relationship between the countries. This is an antisemitic decision and a black day for Australian democracy. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a fiery response Thursday evening following the International Criminal Courts (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant against him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. In his statement, Netanyahu condemned the move as a biased, antisemitic action, likening it to the infamous Dreyfus Affair. This antisemitic decision of the international court in The Hague is a modern Dreyfus trial, and it will end the same way, said Netanyahu. He drew parallels to the 1894 trial of Alfred Dreyfus, a French Jewish military officer falsely accused of treason, whose exoneration became a landmark in the fight against antisemitism. Netanyahu further invoked Emile Zolas historic JAccuse essay, criticizing judicial bias and false accusations. Netanyahu refuted allegations that he and Gallant deliberately targeted civilians during Israels military campaign in Gaza. He noted the IDFs extensive efforts to minimize civilian casualties, including issuing millions of warnings to Gaza residents through text messages, phone calls, and leaflets. He accused Hamas of forcing civilians into harms way by using them as human shields. The Prime Minister also addressed accusations of a deliberate policy of starvation in Gaza, pointing out that Israel had supplied 700,000 tons of food, ensuring sufficient caloric intake for the population. He accused Hamas of looting these supplies and depriving Gazans of necessities. Netanyahu further highlighted Israels facilitation of polio vaccinations for 97 percent of Gazas population, despite what he called baseless genocide accusations. Netanyahu questioned the ICCs priorities, asserting that while Israel faces allegations, the court has done little to address genuine atrocities committed in countries like Iran, Syria, and Yemen. He also criticized the court for issuing an arrest warrant against the late Hamas leader Muhammad Deif, calling it an absurdity. No biased anti-Israel decision in The Hague will prevent the State of Israel from defending its citizens, Netanyahu declared, pledging continued action against Iran and its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah. He framed Israels fight as part of a broader global struggle against terrorism and tyranny, asserting, Our enemies are your enemies, and our victory will be your victorythe victory of civilization over barbarism and tyranny. Netanyahu concluded by thanking international allies, particularly in the United States, who have condemned the ICCs decision and vowed consequences for those who cooperate with it. Israel, he affirmed, does not and will not recognize the courts authority in this matter. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Reader didn't know a refund could be sent back to a used-up voucher Early this year, I bought a coffee machine from Argos online. It was 60, and I paid 10 on my credit card and 50 on two Love2Shop vouchers I was given at Christmas. The machine was unfortunately faulty, and in July Argos issued me a refund. However, the 50 was issued back to the two Love2Shop cards, which I didn't keep. I hadn't even considered this, as I assumed it wasn't possible to refund money back on to a voucher. I have spoken to Love2Shop, which said it could re-issue the vouchers if I had the serial numbers, but I don't. I have the last four digits of the serial numbers from my receipt, but nothing else. I asked the person who gave me the Love2Shop cards if they had proof of purchase which might include the codes, but they didn't. Argos said it is up to me to track the old cards and there is nothing more it can do. S.M, Devon Bean and gone: This reader returned her coffee machine as it was faulty, but had thrown away the vouchers that she had used to pay for it - meaning she couldn't get the cash Helen Crane, This is Money's consumer champion replies: As voucher season is upon us once again, I thought it was a good time to share this cautionary tale. When we receive a voucher from a generous friend or family member, our instinct is to spend it as soon as possible. If we don't, we risk leaving it to languish in a wallet or a drawer for months, before unearthing it and realising it's past the expiry date. It is just one reason why I'm personally not a fan of giving vouchers as gifts. They may be more personal than cash, but they are also much more restrictive. Sometimes users are plagued by tech trouble, as in this Virgin Experience Days story I covered recently, and shops would love nothing more than for you to forget about them. Vouchers are a clever money maker for shops and brands that sell them, as some of the cash loaded on is inevitably never used - leaving them with a 100 per cent profit on that slice. I'd always suggest that, if you do gift a voucher, you make a note in the card of when it expires and encourage the recipient to put it in their diary, or even set a phone reminder. But you escaped that fate by heading out and treating yourself to a new Phillips coffee pod machine, using the entire 50 on your two vouchers and paying the extra 10 on your credit card. You chucked away the drained Love2Shop vouchers - as most of us would - and thought little more of it. That was, until the machine stopped working a few months later. Argos agreed to refund you for the coffee maker, but you were surprised when only 10 popped back in to your account. It was only when you checked your receipt that you remembered you'd paid the rest on your Love2Shop cards - and the money had been put straight back on to them. CRANE ON THE CASE Our weekly column sees This is Money consumer expert Helen Crane tackle reader problems and shine the light on companies doing both good and bad. Want her to investigate a problem, or do you want to praise a firm for going that extra mile? Get in touch: helen.crane@thisismoney.co.uk Why would Argos do this? It might seem absurd, but the reason is that Love2Shop cards are not technically vouchers. Instead they are pre-paid cash cards, which have been loaded with a set amount of money - though most people who are given them don't realise, or know the difference. Most people bin them after spending the balance, but the account remains open until the card expires - usually after a year - even though the balance cannot be topped up. It is a small distinction, but explains why the money is able to be sent back to the card as a refund. Argos simply followed the usual retailer policy of refunding money back to the card it came from. You told me you phoned Argos five times to ask for help, spending hours on hold. I do hope you replaced your coffee machine, as it'd be a struggle to get through that without a cup of the strong stuff in hand. 'I have two small children and have run out of options and time to keep pursuing this,' you said. 'I can't believe that we are expected to retain empty gift cards'. Argos said that if you had the full serial numbers for the vouchers it may have been able to help, but you didn't - and it would not, or could not, provide them to you. And Love2Shop also said it would only reissue the cards with the 50 back on them if you could provide the serial numbers. I felt you'd made an honest mistake, so I contacted both retailers to ask if they could help reunite you with your coffee machine cash. I am pleased to say that both firms came through with an offer of help. Pick a card: Lots of retailers sell them, but it's important to understand the small print First, Love2Shop said that while it had not been able to locate your serial numbers, it sent you a replacement 50 Love2Shop voucher. A spokesperson said: 'It is standard practice to issue refunds to the original mode of purchase and Argos followed the correct protocol by electronically refunding the 50 to the gift cards. 'We understand that sometimes the original cards go missing or get stolen. When this happens, we require evidence of purchase of the original gift card/s. 'We highly recommend that physical, credit card style gift cards are registered in order for them to be traced swiftly, should any issues arise.' Purchasers can register these on the Love2Shop website. But when I contacted you to tell you the good news, you had just received a call from Argos, which also issued a 50 gift card as a gesture of goodwill. An Argos spokesperson said: 'We have contacted [S.M] to explain that her refund was returned to her original Love2Shop vouchers in line with our terms and for anything further, it's best to contact them directly. 'However, on this occasion we have issued a gift card as a gesture of goodwill.' You've ended up with not only your money back, but also a 50 bonus - which should help make up for some of the gift card grief you've experienced. I hope it will encourage others to keep tabs on their gift cards, even after they have been spent. Taking a photo of the serial number on your phone is a good idea. Love2Shop isn't the only prepaid gift card. One4All is another popular brand, and many shopping centre gift cards also follow this pre-paid card model. It is also worth watching out for any money left on the card when it expires, as some of these providers charge annual fees for any money left on an expired card, or for taking out the money in cash. Love2Shop, for example, charges a maintenance fee of 11 per year for any card past its expiry date that continues to hold a balance. You can redeem unused money while the card is still valid, as well as up to six years after the card's expiry date. However, there is an 8.90 fee. Royal Mail has warned of more price hikes as a result of the Chancellors National Insurance raid. Martin Seidenberg, head of parent company International Distribution Services (IDS), said it would need to raise prices to offset a 120million hit from measures unveiled in the Budget last month. The 508-year-old postal service has already increased the cost of a first-class stamp three times in a year, from 1.10 to 1.65. Seidenberg said the rise in National Insurance effectively a tax on jobs would hit hard because it employs around 130,000 staff. Hikes: Royal Mail owner IDS said the delivery group would need to raise prices to offset a 120m hit to the business from measures unveiled in the Budget last month The cost environment is worsening just at the time when we need to invest, he said. As a major employer, the changes to National Insurance will disproportionately impact our business relative to competitors. He added that the company was considering all possible measures, including more automation in sorting offices, and refused to rule out job cuts. It is too early to say what we will do, he said. They will be about pricing, cost efficiencies and other ways we can move forward. Anything that would impact our people would be last resort. That provoked a rebuke from the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents around 100,000 Royal Mail staff. The union said IDS was trying to present Royal Mail as a basket case and create a false narrative as an excuse to reduce staff numbers. The clash comes at a critical time for Royal Mail, which faces an uncertain future after a takeover swoop this year from Czech tycoon Daniel Kretinsky. The energy baron, nicknamed the Czech Sphinx, controls nearly 28 per cent of IDS through his vehicle Vesa Equity. If a 3.6billion offer is approved by the Government, Royal Mail will fall under foreign ownership for the first time since it was established by Henry VIII in 1516. Royal Mail reported a loss of 67million for the six months to September, a substantial improvement from the 319million loss in the same period last year. IDS, which also owns profitable international delivery network GLS, reported an overall half-year profit of 61million, swinging from a 169million loss in 2023. Royal Mail was brought to its knees during a series of strikes in 2022 and 2023, which caused severe disruption to deliveries and left the company haemorrhaging money. While he expected Royal Mail to turn a profit for the full year, Seidenberg said price rises were being considered across the board, including parcels and business mail, to offset the massive tax increase announced in the Budget. He added that changes to Royal Mails universal service obligation were now even more urgent. The legal obligation requires Royal Mail to deliver letters across the UK six days a week at a single price. But the company has pushed for reform, arguing that a sharp decline in posted letters means the service is no longer fit for purpose and is costing it millions of pounds per day. Talk of price increases also threatens to intensify criticism of Royal Mails already high postage costs, with reports this week showing that it would be cheaper to fly to Europe and post Christmas cards to the UK from other countries rather than by domestic first-class mail. SHENZHEN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China unveiled further details of its future manned lunar mission in a video released Thursday. The animation in the video, released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) at the Human Space Symposium, demonstrates astronauts driving a lunar rover on the surface of the moon, and displays a three-day driving route with the landing area at the center. According to the video, China's manned lunar landing mission will focus on mastering critical technologies such as manned Earth-Moon round trips, short-term stays on the lunar surface, and human-robot collaborative exploration. The mission will encompass a range of tasks, including landing, roving, sampling, research and returning to Earth. China's first manned lunar mission will begin with the launch of the Lanyue lunar lander aboard the country's new heavy carrier rocket, and Lanyue will then await the subsequent arrival of the Mengzhou manned spacecraft in space. Mengzhou will be poised for its rendezvous with Lanyue in lunar orbit, at which time the astronauts will transfer into the lander. The lander will then separate and descend to the moon's surface. Upon the completion of their lunar exploration, the astronauts will return to lunar orbit in the lander's ascent stage. This stage will involve re-docking with the spacecraft, and will mark the beginning of the astronauts' journey back to Earth. China aims to achieve manned lunar landing by 2030. By utilizing pre-crewed flight tests and manned lunar missions, China plans to conduct large-scale space science experiments targeting three key areas, including lunar science, lunar-based science, and resource exploration and utilization. Production and ground tests of prototypes of the Long March-10 carrier rocket, Mengzhou, Lanyue, the spacesuit to be worn by astronauts, and the lunar rover are underway as planned, according to the CMSA. "The development of the Long March-10 rocket, Mengzhou, and Lanyue with its lunar rover is progressing intensively," Zhou Jianping, chief designer of China's manned space program, told Xinhua at the symposium. "Several of these initial prototypes have been completed and are now in their testing phase to ensure readiness for future lunar missions," he said. The CMSA video also showcased prototypes of the manned spacecraft, as well as the lunar lander on its testing pad. Ground facilities and equipment for the production and tests have been completed and are operational, and the construction of the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site is proceeding as planned. At the Human Space Symposium, held Nov. 21-22 in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, academicians, leading domestic experts and astronauts will address topics such as the scientific achievements of the space station and the construction and operation of the national space laboratory. Given the current UK cold spell, investors thoughts turned to hopes for trips to warmer climes. Holidays firm Jet 2 soared as it unveiled record results and passenger figures for the first half and said its full-year profit should beat expectations. Passenger numbers rose 11 per cent to 13.34million, up from 11.97million a year earlier, as package holidays and flight-only sales grew, helped by increased capacity after ten Airbus A321neo jets entered service. Profits up: Holidays firm Jet 2 soared as it unveiled record results and passenger figures for the first half and said its full-year profit should beat expectations Revenue was up 15 per cent to 5.09billion for the six months to September 30, aiding a 16 per cent increase in adjusted profit to 772.4million. Full-year adjusted profit is likely to beat its average market forecast of 541million. Shares roared up 5.8 per cent, or 82p, to 1500p. The FTSE 100 closed 0.8 per cent, or 64.20 points, higher at 8149.27, while the FTSE 250 added 0.5 per cent, or 105.16 points, to 20,349.92. Despite the price of gold rising, miner Endeavour Mining dipped 0.7 per cent, or 11p, to 1560p and Hochschild lost 0.4 per cent, or 1p, to 226p. Elsewhere among the blue-chips, Halma took on 5.7 per cent or 143p, to 2645p as the safety equipment and hazard detection products group raised its interim dividend 7 per cent after a record first-half when sales topped the 1billion mark. Among the mid-caps, Ithaca Energy jumped 9.2 per cent, or 9.2p, to 109p after announcing a $200million (158.8million) special dividend as the North Sea oil and gas company hailed its deal with Eni UK. Stock Watch - Shield Therapeutics Shield Therapeutics reported strong sales of its iron deficiency drug Accrufer in October, bolstered by an rise in the selling price to over 178 per prescription, up from 132 in the third quarter. The October performance keeps it on track to meet its full-year revenue target of 25million. It said that recruitment has been completed for the phase III confirmatory study of the drug in China. Shield rose 10.3 per cent, or 0.28p, to 2.95p. The big shareholder payout came as Ithacas net income in the nine months to September 30 dropped by 44 per cent, which reflected its performance before the Italian tie-up. Elsewhere, cement firm Breedon Group gained 2.8 per cent, or 12.5p, to 452p as it reported a resilient trading for the 10 months to October 31, driven by robust pricing despite a challenging UK construction market. And PZ Cussons moved 2.1 per cent, or 1.6p, higher to 78.5p after the maker of Imperial Leather soaps and Carex hand gels said it expected to report first-half revenue growth of 5 per cent. But CMC Markets fell 14.8 per cent, or 50p, to 288.5p as the trading and investment platform kept its full year guidance unchanged despite reporting strong first half results. Paypoint dropped 6 per cent, or 50p, to 785p as it highlighted challenges in the broader UK economy related to consumer confidence and spending. And Auction Technology Group lost 3.7 per cent, or 16.5p, to 428.5p as analysts at Jefferies started coverage on the firm with an underperform rating and a target price of just 380p. Among the small caps, Nostra Terra was the biggest loser, dropping 36.7 per cent, or 0.01p, to 0.02p as the explorer raised 500,000 through a subscription and placing, issuing 2.17billion shares at 0.023p each to bolster its coffers as it prepares to further lift production in Texas. However, Caspian Sunrise jumped 25 per cent, or 0.7p, higher to 3.5p as it unveiled a conditional agreement with Absolute Resources to sell Kazakhstan assets for 69million. HANOI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese consumers buy online products up to four times per month, which shows that Vietnam boasts huge potential for e-commerce development, said Tran Minh Tuan, director of the Department of Digital Economy and Digital Society under the Ministry of Information and Communications. Vietnam owns the potential thanks to a market of 100 million people, or 1.23 percent of the world's population, and its location next to large markets such as China, India, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, Tuan said at the Vietnam Digital Industry and Trade Summit 2024 on Thursday. He said Vietnam looked to transform wholesale and retail sale from physical stores to digital stores in order to earn higher values and increase efficiency. According to the latest e-Conomy SEA report released by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company, Vietnam's digital economy is projected to reach 36 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 16 percent from the previous year. The e-commerce market remains a key pillar of Vietnam's economy, contributing 22 billion dollars, up 18 percent year-on-year, and accounting for 61 percent of the total digital economy, said the report. BELGRADE, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Serbia's Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade, Tomislav Momirovic, has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Milos Vucevic on Wednesday, national public broadcaster RTS reported. Momirovic's resignation came after President Aleksandar Vucic said that additional government officials would bear political responsibility for the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad railway station on Nov. 1. That incident left 15 dead and two critically injured after the falling canopy trapped 17 people under rubble. Although the accident is not under Momirovic's current portfolio, he served as minister of construction, transport, and infrastructure from 2020 to 2022. Goran Vesic, the minister of construction at the time of the incident, resigned shortly after the tragedy. RTS also reported that Jelena Tanaskovic, acting director of the state enterprise Serbian Infrastructure Railways, has stepped down. The tragedy has sparked a public outcry, with opposition protests erupting in Novi Sad and Belgrade. On Wednesday, clashes took place between protesters and police in Novi Sad. This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2024 shows a head sculpture of Alexander the Great at the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2024 shows ancient Greek statues on display at the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2024 shows a scene at the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2024 shows a scene at the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) A visitor views a piece of relief from the Parthenon on display at the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 20, 2024. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) Overseas guests visit the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 20, 2024. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2024 shows a painted amphora on display at the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2024 shows a replica of the "Agamemnon gold mask" on display at the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) Visitors view exhibits at the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 20, 2024. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) Overseas guests visit the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 20, 2024. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2024 shows a scene at the exhibition "The Greeks: Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" at Capital Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring a total of 270 pieces or sets of exhibits from 14 museums across Greece, the exhibition will open to public on Nov. 21, 2024 and last till May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhonghao) This file photo taken on Oct. 31, 2024 shows Abdoulaye Maiga in Bamako, Mali. The Malian government on Thursday appointed Abdoulaye Maiga as prime minister to replace Choguel Kokalla Maiga, according to a decree issued by President Assimi Goita. (Photo by Habib Kouyate/Xinhua) BAMAKO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Malian government on Thursday appointed Abdoulaye Maiga as prime minister to replace Choguel Kokalla Maiga, according to a decree issued by President Assimi Goita. "Major General Abdoulaye Maiga is appointed prime minister," said the decree, which was read out by Alfousseyni Diawara, the secretary general of the presidency on state television station ORTM. Abdoulaye Maiga had until now served as government spokesman in the West African country, which is plagued by jihadist and separatist violence and has been led by the military since coups in 2020 and 2021. This file photo taken on Oct. 22, 2024 shows Abdoulaye Maiga in Bamako, Mali. The Malian government on Thursday appointed Abdoulaye Maiga as prime minister to replace Choguel Kokalla Maiga, according to a decree issued by President Assimi Goita. (Photo by Habib Kouyate/Xinhua) People comfort each other during the funeral of three Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Nov. 21, 2024. The West Bank has been witnessing an escalation of tension since Oct. 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. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli forces on Thursday killed a Palestinian man in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. The man has been transferred to Rafidia Governmental Hospital from al-Ain refugee camp, west of Nablus, the Ramallah-based Health Ministry said in a brief statement. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli forces stormed the refugee camp with live ammunition, critically wounding the young man, Jihad al-Qatouni, who later died of the injury. The sources and witnesses added that the Israeli forces arrested three other young men after raiding and searching their homes in Nablus. The Israeli army has not commented on the incident. Israel usually described these raids in the West Bank as "counter-terrorism operations" targeting "terrorists" linked to Palestinian armed groups. West Bank cities, camps and villages have been witnessing an escalation in tensions since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023. Since then, more than 770 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and bombing across the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. People carry bodies of three Palestinians killed by Israeli forces during a funeral in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Nov. 21, 2024. The West Bank has been witnessing an escalation of tension since Oct. 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. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) People mourn during the funeral of three Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Jenin, northern West Bank, on Nov. 21, 2024. The West Bank has been witnessing an escalation of tension since Oct. 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. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A civilian was killed on Thursday in northern Israel by a rocket attack from Lebanon, Israeli authorities said. Israel's Magen David Adom said a man in his 30s in the city of Nahariya sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The rocket fell near a playground in the northern city. The military released a statement saying about ten projectiles were identified crossing from Lebanon, targeting the Western Galilee. "Most of the projectiles were intercepted and the fallen projectiles were identified," it said. By Nazrin Abdul At the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan, discussions focused on the impact of climate change on vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth, and the role of green skills in combating these challenges. On November 20, the COP29 Blue Zone hosted an event dedicated to exploring climate change effects on these groups, alongside strategies for combating them and sharing international experiences. The event, organized by the Gender Hub Azerbaijan in partnership with the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry, the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations, and the United Nations, was titled Enhancing Green Capabilities: A Commonwealth Experience. It aimed to address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and their critical role in climate action. The event gathered 35 participants from 12 countries, including representatives from NGOs, international organizations, climate activists, and youth leaders, who contributed to discussions and shared local applications of global practices. High-level speeches were delivered by Patricia Janet Scotland, Secretary General of the United Nations Secretariat; Nigar Arpadarai, Deputy of the Azerbaijani National Assembly; Syed Navid Qamar, member of the Pakistani National Assembly; and Nick Baker, head of the COP29 department at the British Embassy in Azerbaijan. The event was moderated by Maryam Majidova, Chairperson of Gender Hub Azerbaijan. A panel discussion featured experts such as Giovanna Mingarelli, co-founder of M&C Consulting; Nafula Vafula-Gitonga, co-founder of Ushindi Empowerment Group; and Nasar Hayat, representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Azerbaijan. The panel addressed climate change's impact on women and youth in various countries and explored both local and international strategies to mitigate these effects. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A session, engaging participants in a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences. COP29, held at Baku Stadium until November 22, is Azerbaijan's largest-ever event and the first COP conference to be held in the region. A major expectation from the summit is the agreement on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Target (NCQG) for climate finance. The event also showcased 14 initiatives linking climate action with sustainable development goals, including green energy corridors, clean hydrogen, and methane reduction in organic waste, all aimed at advancing global climate goals. Guests take pictures of the Land of Legends Qatar model after the groundbreaking ceremony in Simaisma, Qatar on Nov. 20, 2024. The groundbreaking ceremony for Land of Legends Qatar took place on Wednesday, marking the launch of a landmark development set to become one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East and North Africa region. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua) DOHA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The groundbreaking ceremony for Land of Legends Qatar took place on Wednesday, marking the launch of a landmark development set to become one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East and North Africa region. "The Land of Legends project is a key component of Qatar's strategy to diversify its national economy, offering an exceptional experience that will contribute to attracting investments and advancing the tourism sector," said Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Qatar's Minister of Municipality and Chairman of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, at the ceremony. Land of Legends Qatar will span over 650,000 square meters and feature seven themed zones. It is expected to attract 2 million visitors annually, the statement said. The development is the first major project within the Simaisma Project, which covers over 8 million square meters and stretches along a 7-km beach 30 km north of Doha. The project is a partnership between the Turkiye-headquartered FTG Development and Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company was established in 2005 by the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. Guests take pictures of the Land of Legends Qatar model after the groundbreaking ceremony in Simaisma, Qatar on Nov. 20, 2024. The groundbreaking ceremony for Land of Legends Qatar took place on Wednesday, marking the launch of a landmark development set to become one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East and North Africa region. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua) DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has inspected the site of a four-story building that collapsed in the Kariakoo suburb in Dar es Salaam, the country's economic hub, where she announced that the death toll had climbed to 20. On arrival from Brazil, where she attended the G20 summit, Hassan also visited survivors of the tragedy in Muhimbili National Hospital and wished them a quick recovery. "The government will support you towards your full recovery and will protect your property at the fateful building," she told them Wednesday. More than 86 people were rescued as search operations entered the fifth day Wednesday. On Tuesday, Hassan ordered an additional 24 hours for operations to look for victims who might still be trapped under the rubble. The building accommodating shops and other businesses collapsed Sunday morning. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Jane Fraser, chief executive officer of Citigroup, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Jane Fraser, chief executive officer of Citigroup, on Thursday in Beijing. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that China is deepening the reform of its financial system and continuing to expand the high-level, two-way opening-up of its financial sector. China welcomes more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital, including Citigroup, to invest and do business in China, and to share opportunities and participate in the development of the country's financial market, He said. Fraser said that Citigroup is optimistic about the prospects of China's economy and financial market, and is willing to explore the Chinese market further, contributing to the promotion of U.S.-China economic and trade cooperation and maintaining the healthy development of the global economy. The dust is starting to settle and we're getting a glimpse of how the new administration will operate as they start another term. However . . . Here's what we don't know . . . HOW WILL MAYOR Q ADAPT TO MAGA SWEEPING WHITE HOUSE, CONGRESS & SENATE?!? We have a few things to consider in order to start the conversation . . . - Mayor Q is no longer a rising star on the national political stage. That might sound harsh but life has its ups & downs. Mayor Q moving past his upstart phase and on to a more long-term view of his career is probably beneficial for constituents and Mayor Q's future. But make no mistake . . . The Dems are in disarray and joining their ranks would be a mistake. Meanwhile the Biden/Harris/Obama coalition has been rendered obsolete so there is no riding their coattails. The Mayor will have to make his own path. - Will Missouri GOP use Mayor Q as a punching bag??? There is a real danger that the city's top elected leader will fall into a trap that helps social media and far-left progressives but won't benefit KC or future prospects for Mayor Q. Yes, there needs to be progressive mavericks in order to spar with Missouri GOP politicos and challenge the cause of vulnerable communities . . . But that "resistance" doesn't have to come from 12th & Oak. Leading chants, protests & marches is better left to full-time activists than KC's top elected official tasked with representing both Republicans & Democratic Party voters. It's hard to turn away from the spotlight but there's a chance to do much more important work in places that matter more than social media. And that brings us to the upside . . . - Leadership on stadiums offers opportunity for productive collab with Missouri Republicans?!? Missouri isn't giving up on the Chiefs & Royals without a fight . . . Mayor Q seems to be already leading the way in this effort . . . Working ACROSS THE AISLE has the greatest potential to advance Kansas City, Missouri biz and local job creation . . . Yes, this is an optimistic take but the alternative is an endless cycle of partisan bickering that won't help KC or Mayor Q advance . . . And we're starting to notice that so much trash talk against KCMO is obviously coming from Johnson County interests hoping to steal the teams without offering anything but corn field pipe dreams and unlikely sketches hinged on taxpayer debt . . . Along with an unstable water supply. Of course these are just ideas for our www.TonysKansasCity.com community to consider . . . You decide . . . A recent meetup in the nation's capital provides context and a worthwhile quote from this Kansas leader on the direction that Republicans are taking moving forward . . . Check-it: Lawmakers discussed the future of legislative action in Congress, such as bans on biological males competing in women's sports, restrictions on gender-related surgery on minors and cessation of taxpayer funding of these types of procedures for children, and expanding parental consent requirements. The discussion was hosted by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and was led by Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project (APP). Marshall, a former medical doctor, discussed his efforts to "shut down the gender industrial complex." "Here, today, we're protecting young ladies and men from genital mutilation, 'cause this is what this is," Marshall told the panel. "It's hard for me to believe we're doing irreversible damage to these young children." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Even more bad news . . . This probably emboldens the upcoming round of assessments. Accordingly . . . PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT LEGAL ACTION AGAINST JACKSON COUNTY STAYS LOSING!!! Here's the damage . . . "Jackson County no longer has to follow a ruling from the Missouri State Tax Commission that ordered officials to roll back its 2023 tax assessment, after a judge dismissed the states case . . "County officials had argued that retroactively rolling back its property assessments would hinder taxing jurisdictions that rely on revenue from property taxes, like local school districts and public libraries. "Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr., who previously vowed to challenge the commission's order, applauded the ruling on Wednesday . . . "This has been a long and challenging process for Jackson County and its residents," White said. "I want to thank the people of Jackson County for their patience and understanding as we've worked to address problems that have been decades in the making. Our goal remains ensuring that every property owner is treated fairly under the law." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com linkS . . . p> Developing . . . Sorry . . . But from our perspective . . . Even the most diehard Republicans have their doubts about Matt Gaetz for AG. Still . . . The latest word from the Missouri leader merely advocates a conversation on the topic and his statement is important to consider . . . Check-it: A reporter asked Hawley about Trumps nominee for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress last week. Gaetz had been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which reportedly heard sworn testimony stating he had sex with a 17-year-old girl at a party in 2017 when Gaetz was in his mid-thirties. Gaetz denies the charge. Hawley said the former congressman deserves a confirmation hearing and that Trump deserves the cabinet he wants. Listen, if you have concerns, its fine, but dont make up your mind yet. Let the guy testify first, Hawley said. I think that the president is entitled to his cabinet, entitled to his picks. My presumption is Ill vote for all the presidents nominees. But again, lets let him have his shot to answer all this. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Sen. Josh Hawley compares 'slander' of Matt Gaetz to Brett Kavanaugh: 'Let the guy speak!' | Fox News Video Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., discusses President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming Cabinet confirmations in the Senate on 'Jesse Watters Primetime.' Josh Hawley Says Trump 'Is Entitled to His Cabinet' Sen. Josh Hawley said he will likely vote for every appointee President-elect Donald Trump nominates because Trump "is entitled to his cabinet." That is a sentiment the senator has not afforded President Joe Biden. UPDATE . . . Gaetz withdraws as AG nominee "While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz said. Developing . . . JERUSALEM, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced as "antisemitic" the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants on Thursday for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza. The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, the former leader of Hamas's military wing. Israel announced it had killed Deif in a July airstrike in Gaza, but Hamas has not formally confirmed his death. Both Israel and Hamas denied ICC's allegations of crimes against humanity. Netanyahu and Gallant face accusations of accountability for attacks that caused widespread harm to Gaza's civilian population, preventing access to medical treatment, and employing starvation as a weapon of war. The ICC stated there are "reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare." It added that the alleged crimes included "a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza." The court further accused the two leaders of intentionally depriving Gaza's civilian population of essentials such as food, water, medicine, medical supplies, fuel, and electricity. Over the past months, Israel had sought to block the issuance of the arrest warrants, arguing that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the country, but the court dismissed Israel's challenge. Israel reacted with anger. Netanyahu's office released a statement, calling the ICC a "biased and discriminatory political body" and rejecting the accusations as "absurd and false." Netanyahu vowed to press forward with Israel's military campaign in Gaza, stating, "I will not succumb to pressure, will not be intimidated, and will not retreat" until Hamas is defeated and the hostages held in Gaza are freed. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar described the ICC's decision as "a dark moment" for the institution and called on allied nations to "unequivocally reject" the warrants. Defense Minister Israel Katz condemned the move as "shameful," insisting that it would not deter Israel from pursuing its war objectives. He accused the ICC of serving "Iran and its proxies" and vowed a strong response in "every arena -- military, political, and legal." The arrest warrants mean that if Netanyahu or Gallant travel to one of the 124 countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, they could face arrest. This includes many of Israel's allies, though not the United States. The decision is also expected to increase international pressure on Israel to agree to a ceasefire. The ICC's announcement coincided with Netanyahu's meeting in Jerusalem with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, part of U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Since early October 2023, Israel has conducted extensive military operations in Gaza. According to United Nations reports, the attacks have destroyed 60 percent of Gaza's buildings, nearly all hospitals, farmland, infrastructure, and universities, while inflicting widespread famine and hunger. Israel has also heavily restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza, cutting off supplies of electricity, gas, and medical resources, severely affecting water availability and hospital operations, according to UN reports. Gaza health officials report that over 44,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the Israeli attacks. The war began following a Hamas-led assault on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in the abduction of approximately 250 individuals. In January, the International Court of Justice in The Hague concluded it was "plausible" that Israel had committed acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close XIAMEN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- FedEx has enhanced its logistics capabilities in China by increasing the frequency of its Xiamen-U.S. cargo flights, the company announced on Thursday. The route, initially launched in June 2024 with a once-weekly service, now operates five times a week, from Tuesday to Saturday, using a Boeing 777 freighter. The flight departs from Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, stops in Incheon, the Republic of Korea, and connects to Anchorage, Alaska and Memphis, Tennessee. This service reduces transit time for parcels and heavy cargo from Fujian to North America by one to two days. "China is pivotal to FedEx's global strategy. From parcel transportation to freight delivery, we constantly drive greater value for Chinese customers," said Robert Chu, vice president of FedEx China. The expanded flight schedule also enhances the company's logistics network in Fujian, providing efficient, flexible and intelligent services that connect China to global markets, and extends the service network to more second- and third-tier cities in China, Chu added. On the same day, FedEx launched its Xiamen international gateway operation facility. Covering over 3,800 square meters, the facility primarily serves customers in Xiamen and the broader Fujian region, while also supporting export demands from Changsha in central China and Shantou in southern China. This year marks the 40th anniversary of FedEx operations in the Chinese mainland. With nearly 11,000 employees and almost 3,000 delivery vehicles, FedEx has established six international logistics hubs in China, located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Xiamen, while operating over 300 international flights weekly either arriving in or departing from the Chinese mainland. | By Lorri Angelloz The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) held its inaugural budget town hall on Monday, Nov. 11, bringing faculty, staff, and administrators together for an in-depth discussion on the Universitys fiscal health and planning. With a goal to enhance transparency, the event detailed UMBs financial framework, budget process, and challenges for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 and provided an early look at FY26. Leading the presentation was Dawn M. Rhodes, DBA, chief business and finance officer and senior vice president, who emphasized that UMB remains financially robust. She said that FY24 closed on a $15 million surplus, increasing the Universitys fund balance to $312 million. This fund serves as a reserve for strategic investments and emergencies. Rhodes pointed to metrics that consistently surpass University System of Maryland benchmarks, saying that UMB is a fiscally strong and healthy university. Please take that away from this discussion. We are extremely strong. However, she noted that FY25 has posed challenges. UMBs $1.7 billion all-funds budget includes a $16.9 million increase in assessments, driven by reduced state appropriations and rising operational costs. The assessment essentially a tax allocated to schools and administrative units funds strategic initiatives and offsets state funding cuts. During the event, Rhodes also explained key concepts including fund balances, one-time vs. permanent revenues and expenses, and the assessment process. She also outlined the annual budget timeline, which involves collaboration with deans, faculty, and staff senates through the Funding Model Work Group. Rhodes stressed proactive planning for FY26, citing the possibility of another cut in state appropriations. "We dont want to wait and have things happen to us. We want to be proactive," she said. Plans include improving operational efficiency, realigning resources, and exploring revenue-generating opportunities. A Q&A session followed the presentation, and audience questions reflected concerns about job security and compensation. While Rhodes acknowledged the potential for layoffs, she emphasized that FY25s budget cuts resulted in minimal staffing impacts: 34.2 vacant full-time equivalent positions were eliminated and the equivalent of 17.2 full-time staff members were laid off, representing less than 1 percent of the state-funded workforce. Regarding cost-of-living adjustments and merit increases, Rhodes noted uncertainty, as these decisions depend on state funding. She also addressed changes to Fair Labor Standards Act regulations, which will affect employee classifications and benefits starting January 2025. UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, joined Rhodes in answering questions. In remarks addressing uncertainty facing higher education in the wake of the 2024 presidential election, he stressed that UMBs mission improving the human condition through education, clinical care, and research remains paramount. We will continue to make that our highest priority, consistent with our core values, he said, adding, What we live with every day. The town hall closed with a call for community engagement. "Were all in this together, and we need to have your input in terms of what are the things that we can do better," said Rhodes, encouraging staff to share ideas for operational improvements. Scholars from various countries explored the ideas of human rights on the basis of Chinese classics, and promoted exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations at a conference in central China's Hunan. 11/20/2024 Home Base, a National Center of Excellence dedicated to providing lifesaving clinical care for the invisible wounds of war, has announced a partnership with UMass Lowell as its next location to expand its regional footprint. This new site, situated within the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINC), will offer critical resources to veterans and military families across northern and western Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. This collaboration which will also include LINC partner Mass General Brigham aims to expand access to essential services, address the unique needs of veterans and military families across the region, and contribute to ongoing efforts to improve care for those impacted by traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress and other unseen injuries. "UMass Lowell is deeply committed to supporting our veterans and advancing research that addresses their unique challenges, UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. Partnering with Home Base allows us to take our strengths in many areas such as psychology, physical therapy and kinesiology, nutrition, medical sensors/devices, and virtual and augmented reality, and apply them to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who have served our nation." Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond, Executive Director of Home Base, also praised the partnership. Home Base is broadening our mission to heal the invisible wounds of our Nations Heroes by addressing the wider range of challenges they face from their service, including blast injury, trauma, and a range of associated risks, said Hammond. Our new HealthSpan approach is designed to empower Veterans to lead healthy, productive lives, free from brain injury, mental health struggles, Pain, and chronic health issues and injuries. We are excited to collaborate with UMass Lowell and deeply value their expertise and resources, which will help us continue providing best-in-class care to the Veterans we serve. Hammond and Chen met Nov. 20 to sign a Memorandum of Agreement, formalizing the partnership. The UMass Lowell site will offer both in-person and telehealth services, expanding Home Bases reach to underserved areas. It will be located near the universitys ROTC program and HEROES (Harnessing Emerging Research Opportunities to Empower Soldiers), a collaborative center with U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) that focuses on advanced research to support military personnel. This strategic location will create a collaborative environment supporting future innovations in veterans' health and national security. The partnership will also scale up its efforts by engaging with Mass General Brigham, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) / BioFabUSA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other leading organizations. "This collaboration exemplifies how UMass Lowell and the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor can drive groundbreaking research and deliver critical care to our veterans, said UMass President Marty Meehan. The work happening at UMass Lowell will not only improve lives but also strengthen Massachusetts leadership in the life sciences." Home Base is a national nonprofit dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war for Veterans of all eras, Service Members, Military Families and Families of the Fallen through world-class, direct clinical care, wellness, education, and research all at no cost to them regardless of era of service, discharge status or geographical location. Founded by the Boston Red Sox organization and Massachusetts General Hospital in 2009, Home Base operates the first and largest private sector clinic in the United States out of Massachusetts, with locations in Florida, Arizona and soon expanding to Houston. Home Base has provided lifesaving care and support to over 40,000 Veterans and their Family across all 50 states, five territories and 13 countries and trained more than 85,000 clinicians nationwide. Officials Praise Partnership U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan: Our veterans deserve access to high-quality, compassionate care, and this collaboration between Home Base and UMass Lowell marks a significant step forward in supporting our local heroes. This partnership is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions, and I am proud to see it launch in the heart of my district. Together, Home Base and UMass Lowell will ensure that veterans and their families can access essential services close to home, reinforcing Massachusetts as a national leader in veteran care. Lowell City Manager Tom Golden: This partnership brings together two exceptional institutions committed to serving our veterans and advancing groundbreaking research. By establishing a Home Base site here, UMass Lowell and LINC are reinforcing Lowells role as a center for innovation and community impact. This initiative will provide crucial resources to our veterans and military families while enhancing Lowells position as a city dedicated to supporting those who have served. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey: The brave service members and veterans who have served our country deserve to get the groundbreaking, holistic care that Home Base provides. The collaboration between Home Base and UMass Lowell will provide critical services to veterans, service members, and their families to address both physical and mental health needs. This partnership represents a powerful commitment to those who have committed to serve us, and I am grateful to see Massachusetts leading the way with innovative and compassionate care. For more information on Home Base's programs or the UMass Lowell partnership, please visit Home Base or UMass Lowell. Media Contacts: Emily_GowdeyBackus@uml.edu, director of media relations Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu, assistant director of media relations Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Clamour for Gautam Adani's arrest after indictment in U.S. court Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded Gautam Adani's immediate arrest after the reports that the business tycoon has been indicted by a court in the United States Thursday November 21, 2024 3:26 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies New Delhi: Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded Gautam Adani's immediate arrest after the reports that the business tycoon has been indicted by a court in the United States. Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded Gautam Adani's immediate after the reports that the business tycoon has been indicted by a court in the United States. While demanding Adanis arrest, Rahul Gandhi also accused PM Modi of protecting the business tycoon. Chief ministers get arrested for allegations of few hundred crore rupees. But, Adani is roaming free even after facing charges of over 2000 crore rupees, Rahul said while addressing the media Thursday. Adani should be arrested now and today, he said. Charges against Adani Gautam Adani has been charged with fraud in the US, which has accused him of orchestrating a $250m (198m) bribery scheme and concealing it to raise money in the US. The criminal charges, filed on Wednesday in New York, are the latest blow to 62-year-old Mr Adani, one of India's richest men, whose business empire extends from ports and airports to renewable energy. In the indictment, prosecutors alleged the tycoon and other senior executives had agreed to the payments to Indian officials to win contracts for his renewable energy company expected to yield more than $2bn in profits over 20 years, according to BBC. Adani Group shares plunge Meanwhile, Adani group stocks faced heavy drubbing during the morning trade on Thursday, with the combined market valuation of all the listed firms getting eroded by Rs 2.45 lakh crore after the reports that Adani bribed to Indian government officials to win solar energy and power contracts, according to PTI. The stock of the groups flagship firm Adani Enterprises plunged 22.99 per cent, Adani Ports dived 20 per cent, Adani Energy Solutions tanked 20 per cent, Adani Green Energy plummeted 19.53 per cent and Adani Total Gas tumbled 18.14 per cent on the BSE. Shares of Adani Power slumped 17.79 per cent, Ambuja Cements cracked 17.59 per cent, ACC fell 14.54 per cent, NDTV dropped 14.37 per cent and Adani Wilmar declined 10 per cent. "Baseless" The Adani Group rejected as baseless the move by the US department to name the group in a case of alleged wrongdoing. The group asserted that these were mere allegations and must be seen only as that. "The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," the Adani Group said in a statement, emphasising it has steadfastly maintained the highest possible standards of governance and transparency. The group has also decided to examine a legal course of action. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Dubai Industrial City Turns 20 Dubai Industrial City Thursday November 21, 2024 celebrated its 20th anniversary as the Middle East's leading manufacturing and logistics hub demonstrating the collaborative power of the public and private sectors Thursday November 21, 2024 7:26 PM , ummid.com News Network Dubai: Dubai Industrial City Thursday November 21, 2024 celebrated its 20th anniversary as the Middle East's leading manufacturing and logistics hub demonstrating the collaborative power of the public and private sectors. One of TECOM Group PJSC's 10 vibrant business districts, Dubai Industrial City was unveiled in November 2004 to foster economic diversification and industrial innovation in Dubai and beyond. The 20th anniversary of the industrial city was celebrated organising an event at Jumeirah Emirates Towers attended by senior officials including Eng. Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), Ahmed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank (EDB), Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of TECOM Group PJSC, and Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of Industrial at TECOM Group, to chart a roadmap for the industry's future growth. For more than 20 years, Dubai Industrial City has nurtured a thriving ecosystem of globally renowned manufacturing giants, with its ecosystem expanding by 11.5% in the year to end-September 2024 to exceed 1,100 local, regional, and international businesses, including Unilever, A P Moeller Maersk, Patchi, and Al Barakah Dates. The district's workforce now exceeds 17,000 professionals, a year-on-year increase of 13% during the first nine months of this year, with its number of operational factories rising 16% during the same period to more than 350. "Dubai Industrial City was founded on a strategic vision to cement the UAE's and Dubai's position as a global manufacturing powerhouse, and over the past 20 years, we have delivered on that promise," said Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of Industrial at TECOM Group on behalf of Dubai Industrial City. "Our thriving ecosystem serves as a single-window gateway for global growth and sustainable development to nurture industrial excellence that elevates the 'Made in UAE' brandmark on the world stage", he added. "Dubai Industrial City's legacy is embodied by the success of more than 1,100 local, regional, and international customers and over 350 operational factories that, from our district, are directly contributing to a more resilient manufacturing sector", Alshawareb said. "We will continue to nurture advancements in the industrial sector and prime it for long-term growth in line with the vision of Operation 300bn, Make it in the Emirates, and Dubai Economic Agenda 'D33'", he added. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Jamia hosts gender critical analysis of India's Oscar pick 'Laapataa Ladies' The Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women's Studies (SNCWS) at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized an online film discussion analyzing noted film maker Kiran Raos directed and critically acclaimed Indian film and Indias Oscar entry 'Laapataa Ladies' through a gender-critical lens Thursday November 21, 2024 5:11 PM , ummid.com News Network Jamia Millia Islamia: The Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women's Studies (SNCWS) at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized an online film discussion analyzing noted film maker Kiran Raos directed and critically acclaimed Indian film and Indias Oscar entry 'Laapataa Ladies' through a gender-critical lens. The event brought together scholars and students to examine the film's portrayal of women's agency and identity in contemporary India. India's Oscar Entry 'Laapataa Ladies' has been nominated as India's entry for the Best Foreign Film Category at the 97th Academy Awards. Set in rural India of 2001, the film ingeniously uses the premise of two brides accidentally swapping places during a train journey to unravel deeper narratives about women's identity, autonomy, and resistance within patriarchal structures. What appears on the surface as a comedic tale of mistaken identities transforms into a nuanced exploration of how women navigate, resist, and sometimes subvert societal constraints. Jamia analysis of the film Poet, Author and Translator, Dr. Saba Bashir from the Department of English, JMI was the resource person while Prof. Bulbul Dhar James, Honorary Director of SNCWS and Head of the department of Political Science chaired the session. Dr. Adfer Shah from SNCWS coordinated the event, which was supported by student volunteers Shubhangi, Zoyba, and Vaibhav. What is particularly striking about 'Laapataa Ladies' is how it transforms specific cultural contexts into universal themes of identity, freedom, and self-discovery", Dr Saba Bashir said while lucidly dealing with all the aspects of the film from gender to social structure to language aspects. "This isn't about airing dirty laundry, it's about contributing to world cinema with stories that are authentically Indian yet universally human, she added. The true celebration here is of our cinema's evolution - its ability to be critically aware while being artistically compelling, to be locally rooted while being globally relevant", she said. Prof Bulbul Dhar James in her opening remarks argued about the relevance of such cinematic works. The international recognition of such narratives reflects not our shame but our courage as a society to confront our challenges through art. It's a testament to our ability to engage in self-reflection while maintaining our cultural dignity", Prof Bulbul said. "When we tell our stories with honesty and artistic integrity, we're not seeking validation but participating in a global dialogue about human experiences, Prof Bulbul addded. "Indian socio-cultural context" The discussion focused on the film's treatment of gender dynamics and social stereotypes in the Indian socio-cultural context. The discussion on the film also examined 'Laapataa Ladies' as a mirror to Indian society, where the seemingly simple story of mistaken identities opens deeper conversations about women's voices, choices, and visibility in contemporary India. The film's artistic treatment of serious social issues sparked meaningful dialogue between academics and audiences. The event was a testament to the role of media in driving conversations on critical societal issues and the importance of academic spaces in analyzing these narratives through a gender lens. The online format enabled wider participation, fostering an inclusive dialogue between the expert and the participants about the intersection of gender, media, and cultural narratives. The discussion generated by the participants critically analyzed the film's portrayal of gender issues, especially in the Indian socio-cultural context. The film, which delves into gender dynamics and social stereotypes, served as an engaging medium for exploring broader themes of patriarchy, identity and women's agency. The session reflected the universitys commitment to fostering conversations around gender equity and representation in media and culture. The engaging format, expert insights, and the interdisciplinary focus made it a valuable learning opportunity for students, academics, and the wider audience. Dr Adfer Shah, PR SNCWS and the coordinator of the film discussion introduced the theme and argued: "Lapataa Ladies skilfully subverts conventional narratives, showcasing women's agency through nuanced humor, intersecting gender with class and regional identities, and highlighting rural women's resistance strategies, ultimately offering a powerful critique of societal norms." The formal vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Adfer Shah and the Student Coordinator Zoyba. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Asif Shaikh to win Malegaon Central 2024 Elections by landslide: Exit Poll Asif Shaikh looks set to win the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections from Malegaon Central seat, defeating sitting MLA of the AIMIM Mufti Ismail by a huge margin, according to the exit polls conducted by Team ummid.com Friday November 22, 2024 10:47 AM , Team ummid.com Malegaon Central Elections 2024: Asif Shaikh looks set to win the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections from Malegaon Central seat, defeating sitting MLA of the AIMIM Mufti Ismail by a huge margin, according to the exit polls conducted by Team ummid.com. Polling for the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections was held on November 20, 2024. Counting of votes will be held on Saturday November 23, 2024. Total registered voters in the Malegaon Central assembly constituency are 342,713. According to the estimated figures released by the Election Commission of India, the voter turnout in Malegaon was 239,501 which is 69.88%. According to the Team ummid.com exit poll results, Asif Shaikh Rasheed is projected to get a huge 128,350 votes out of the total 239,501 polled votes. Malegaon Central 2024 Election: Exit Polls On the other hand, sitting MLA Mufti Ismail Qasmi, who represents the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), is estimated to get a total of 87,840 of the total polled votes. The Team ummid.com Exit Poll based on the analysis of each and every polling booth showed Asif Shaikh winning from the Malegaon Assembly constituency by landslide by over 40,000 votes. Malegaon seat 2019 results Mufti Ismail had defeated Asif Shaikh in the 2019 elections from Malegaon Central seat by 39,363 votes. Asif Shaikh had won the 2014 elections as Congress candidate. Mufti Ismail was in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He however joined Asaduddin Owaisis AIMIM a month before the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly Elections. Mufti Ismails victory in the 2019 election was the result of the wild campaigning by Asaduddin Owaisi who was hero among the voters, especially among the female voters, because of his fiery speeches against Triple Talaq Bill, and CAA/NRC. Team ummid.com in its survey however found a strong unrest against Mufti Ismail because of his lacklustre five years, and lack of any vision in AIMIM poll campaign . Shock awaits Congress, Samajwadi Party Team ummid.com exit poll also found that Congress candidate Ejaz Baig is likely to get less than 10,000 votes. This is in total contrast to the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections when Shobha Tai Bachchav of Congress had bagged close to 200,000 votes from the Malegaon Central assembly constituency which helped her in defeating two-time BJP MP from Dhule-Malegaon Lok Sabha seat , Dr Subhash Bhamre. The drubbing Congress candidate Ejaz Beg is facing in Malegaon is despite senior Congress leaders Kanhaiya Kumar, Imran Pratapgarhi and others campaigning for him. According to the Team ummid.com exit poll, Shan e Hind of Samajwadi Party (SP) is likely to get 10,816 votes in the 2024 state election. Shan e Hinds nomination for the 2024 election was announced by SP National President Akhilesh Singh Yadav during his maiden visit to the Textile City. Samajwadi Party Maharashtra Chief Abu Asim Azmi and the party MP Iqra Hasan were optimistic about Shan e Hind winning from Malegaon. Iqra Hasan, in fact especially visited Malegaon to campaign for Shan e Hind. Despite drawing good crowd in her rallies, Iqra however failed to garner votes in Shan e Hinds favour, the ummid.com survey has found. Massive support for Asif Shaikh The Team ummid.com survey found a strong wave in support of Asif Shaikh, who quit the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) , hobnobbed with the Congress and also Ajit Pawar for a ticket but later formed his own political party Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra in the midst of the 2024 elections. The Team ummid.com Exit Poll results showed Asif Shaikh - riding on the massive campaign built with the help of a determined and committed team of supporters, is set to win the 2024 assembly elections from Malegaon Central seat by over 40,000 votes. Meanwhile, local election officers are busy preparing for the counting of votes scheduled to be held on Saturday November 23, 2024. The counting process will begin at 08:00 am Saturday with counting of postal ballots. The final result is expected to be announced by the afternoon, poll officers told ummid.com. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. KABUL, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan's counter-narcotics police have seized 79 kg of methamphetamine and arrested 20 illicit drug smugglers across the country, the Ministry of Interior reported on Thursday. The contraband was confiscated during a counter-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Zaranj city, the capital of western Nimroz province. An individual who had the intention of smuggling the drug was arrested, the ministry said. In addition, Afghan security forces have arrested 20 suspects on the charge of involvement in illicit drug trafficking, selling and purchasing on the outskirts of the capital Kabul. Illicit drugs such as methamphetamine, opium, hashish, and stimulant tablets were found in the detainees, the source added. The Afghan caretaker government has banned the cultivation of illegal crops, such as poppy and hashish, drug processing and drug trafficking, as well as selling and purchasing them across the country. BEIRUT, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Thursday that the Lebanese army is "preparing to strengthen its military presence in the south," according to a statement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers. Mikati made the remarks as the country is marking its 81st Independence Day, which falls on Nov. 22 annually, saying, "The army is offering sacrifices with the lives of its officers and personnel in defense of the homeland, its sovereignty and independence." Meanwhile, Army Commander General Joseph Aoun assured that the Lebanese army would continue to work with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon under Resolution 1701. "Our forces stand alongside their people, fulfilling their national duty, and carry out their missions despite the challenges and dangers they face," he said. Lebanon's 81st Independence Day comes at a time amid the continued Hezbollah-Israel conflict. On Thursday morning, Israeli forces launched three airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, a few minutes after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings to specific areas, including the buildings in Haret Hreik and Hadath, the National News Agency (NNA) reported. According to the NNA, the airstrikes have targeted Sfeir, Bir al-Abed, and Kafa'at, with TV footage showing columns of smoke rising from targeted areas. It did not mention the casualties or the extent of damage. Until Wednesday, the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the war on Oct. 8, 2023 reached 3,558, while injuries went up to 15,123, said the Lebanese Health Ministry Around 1.3 million people have been displaced from their homes in the south, east, and Beirut's southern suburbs due to the clashes, according to the Disaster Management Unit at the Lebanese Council of Ministers. 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. Women dominate the education field this year after reports showed that about eight business schools reported record-high women enrollees, now they also surpass men when it comes to college degrees. Recently, research showed that young women receive college degrees more than young men do. This is true for all racial and ethnic groups. In fact, Pew Research shared that in 1995, men and women were approximately equally likely to have a college degree, at 25%. However, by 2023, women had increased by 22 points, whereas men grew by a mere 12 points. Now, only nearly half of Americans aged 25 to 34 have a bachelor's degree. Among these, slightly more are women than men, which is 47%t compared to 37%. This gap has opened massively over the decades, with women narrowly outpacing men in completing higher education. Degree Holder Women Across Racial and Ethnical Groups The college completion gap between the sexes exists across all major racial and ethnic groups, although size varies. For instance, White women are 10 points ahead of White men in obtaining a degree, whereas Black women are 12 points ahead of Black men. Hispanic women have also had improvement, with a 9-point advantage over Hispanic men. Among Asian adults, there's a smaller gap when it comes to college degree holders, with men making nearly similar progress at 71% and Asian women at 77%. To explain, a survey from 2021 shared by Brookings stated that most men reasoned that they are unable to continue with higher education. The results showed that men more readily say they simply do not want a degree, whereas women often cite financial constraints as the reason. This illustrates that personal choice and external factors both contribute to different ways among the gender divide in education. Furthermore, the steady rise in women with degrees proves that women are more and more joining the professional field, often requiring them to earn more than a secondary degree. Reaching a just, fair, and equal educational process for all remains a challenge to equal access. November 21 2024 Urban college campuses could transform the centres of Dundee and Arbroath under a 10-year vision by Dundee & Angus College to turn the presence of distressed malls into an opportunity to reorient academic life towards more central locations. The college is preparing for a new relationship with the region by setting its sights on the tired Wellgate Shopping Centre, one of seven key areas prioritised for development in Dundee's 2050 plan, which would form a new seat of learning to the east of the city centre. Born of a desire to pursue a more collaborative approach to learning the relocation would dovetail with a parallel approach in nearby Arbroath, where moves are also afoot to pull off a similar feat by relocating to a more central site at the exhausted Abbeygate Shopping Centre. Drawing inspiration from Scandinavia and Australia the inclusive learning model brings education, employment services and support together under one roof, broadening access to learning, skills and services. Dundee & Angus currently splits its Dundee accommodation between far-flung Kingsway and the parkland Gardyne, which would be expanded to incorporate a construction, engineering and science facility and innovation hub. Both the existing Kingsway and Arbroath campuses would close if the plans come to fruition, the latter including notable Victorian properties. Simon Hewitt, principal of Dundee & Angus College, commented: This is an amazing opportunity to build world-class facilities that are fit for the future and develop a transformational model for education and employment services located in the heart of each community we serve. Not only would each new campus be modern, sustainable, fully digital environments, but they would also be right at the core of each community helping to advise, educate and train the workers that the Dundee and Angus region will need to continue its economic regeneration. Provisionally budgeted at around 265m the plan has already seen indicative designs drawn up by BDP, illustrating how the project could catalyse additional urban renewal. (@ChaudhryMAli88) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Nov, 2024) Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, strongly condemned the attack on the passenger vehicles in Lower Kurram district on Thursday and expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of more than 30 precious lives. He prayed for the elevation of the deceased's ranks and offered his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the grieving families, wishing them patience and strength. Governor Kundi described the firing as an extremely heinous act and expressed grave concern over the incident, especially considering it occurred despite the presence of a convoy. He emphasized that the ruthless perpetrators, responsible for shedding the blood of innocent passengers, should receive no leniency. The Governor further said that the security situation in the province was worsening with each passing day, and such incidents are deeply alarming. He called for immediate measures to address the deteriorating law and order conditions in the region. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Nov, 2024) The district administration has launched a crackdown on professional beggars across the Federal capital, resulting in the arrest of 23 professional alms-seekers. The arrests were made as part of efforts to curb begging activities in the federal capital, said the spokesman of ICT administration on Thursday. In a recent move to address the growing issue of begging in Islamabad, the district administration, under the supervision of various Assistant Commissioners, has arrested 23 professional beggars. The arrests were carried out in the jurisdictions of F-6, F-7, and G-10 police stations. On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon urged the citizens to discourage professional beggars. He called on the public to avoid giving money to individuals begging at public places, as it could inadvertently support these networks. The district administration has also requested the cooperation of citizens in reporting professional beggars. (@FahadShabbir) , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Nov, 2024) Dozens were killed or unaccounted for in Gaza on Thursday after Israeli strikes, on the day the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the war. With warrants also issued for Netanyahu's former defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas's military chief, all three men face accusations of crimes against humanity and war crimes in the conflict sparked by the October 7 attack. One strike near the Kamal Adwan hospital in the north of the territory left "dozens of people" dead or missing, the facility's director Hossam Abu Safiya told AFP. Another strike was reported in a neighbourhood of Gaza City, with civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal saying 22 were dead. Seoul, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Nov, 2024) Deep in South Korea's hinterlands lies a perfect replica of 1900s Seoul: welcome to Sunshine Land, the latest K-drama theme park to cash in on booming K-culture tourism. Fans of K-pop mega group BTS have long flocked to the South to see sites associated with the boy band, from the dorms where they slept as trainees to recent music video shoot locations. But as the popularity of South Korean drama has soared overseas -- it is the most-viewed non-English content on Netflix, the platform's data shows -- more and more tourists are planning trips around their favourite shows. The idea that foreign tourists would pay good money and drive hundreds of miles out of the capital Seoul to see a K-drama set seemed "crazy" to tour guide Sophy Yoon -- until she saw one of her guests break down in tears at Sunshine Land. "At that moment, it hit me: For me, it was just a studio, but for them, it was something much more," she said. Preserved from the set of popular 2018 historical series "Mr Sunshine", the location in Nonsan, 170 kilometres (106 miles) from Seoul, is replete with painstaking replicas of everything from a turn-of-the-century tram to South Korea's most famous Buddhist bell. "It's like when we go to the Spanish steps in Rome where Audrey Hepburn had ice cream," Yoon said, referring to the 1953 classic movie "Roman Holiday". For South Korea's growing number of K-drama tourists, "every door, every wall has a meaning from a drama that impacted their lives". "I get a lot more requests for specific 'K-drama tours' now," she said. The rise of South Korea as a global cultural powerhouse "has contributed to the appeal of Korean tourism," said Kwak Jae-yeon, the Hallyu content team director at the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). South Korea welcomed 1.4 million tourists in September, up 33 percent year-on-year and the highest since the pandemic, with more than a third saying they had decided to come "after being exposed to Korean Wave content", according to a 2023 KTO poll. In Seoul's central Jongno district, tourists like Sookariyapa Kakij are typical. Wearing a hanbok, traditional Korean dress, the 40-year-old had travelled from Thailand specifically to see where her favourite dramas were filmed. "I want to find locations where 'Itaewon Class' was shot," she told AFP, referring to the popular 2020 drama, filmed largely on location in its namesake district of Seoul. Jennifer Zelinski told AFP she had never left the United States before, but after she discovered K-drama -- through the 2019 series "Crash Landing on You" -- while stuck at home during the pandemic, she decided to visit South Korea. "I binged the whole show in a week. I barely slept and went through two whole boxes of tissues," she said. This "snowballed" into her watching more and more K-drama, Korean variety shows and listening to K-pop, she said, until finally she "felt like I really wanted to see it in person". "My family and friends were shocked when I said I was travelling to Korea and on my own," said Zelinski, but for her "it just felt right." The travel industry is racing to catch up: one South Korean tour company on the travel platform Klook said interest in its BTS day tour has "skyrocketed" recently, and they were "completely booked until next February." "We are planning to add additional tours for other K-pop idol groups, including Seventeen and NCT 127," they said. But most of this new type of tourism is concentrated in Seoul, Jeong Ji-youn, a Kyungpook National University professor, told AFP. Tourism in rural areas has tended to focus on more traditional Korean experiences, which is not interesting to younger travellers eager to explore the land of K-pop and K-drama. "There is a need to develop more tourism resources related to contemporary culture that allow people to experience hallyu outside of Seoul," she said. The port city of Pohang is better known for shipbuilding and steel plants than tourism, but Emma Brown, 30, from Scotland, travelled more than 8,800 kilometres (5,468 miles) to see it because of "When the Camellia Blooms". The 2019 romance series "changed my life", she told AFP, adding that she felt she "had to feel the drama in person." "I just couldn't miss the opportunity to visit Pohang when I was already in South Korea," she added. TOKYO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet is set to approve a 39 trillion yen (about 252 billion U.S. dollars) economic package to support consumer spending, as a measure to tackle surging prices, local media reported Thursday. The package will include subsidies to cushion high electricity, gas and gasoline prices and deliver cash handouts to low-income households, Kyodo News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The Cabinet plans to formalize the stimulus measures on Friday, with a plan to compile a fiscal 2024 supplementary budget with around 13.9 trillion yen in general-account expenditure to fund its envisioned package. The package will also feature a plan to raise the tax-free income threshold, ceding to a demand from an opposition party, whose votes are needed for the ruling coalition to pass the measures, the report said. The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and its partner Komeito, which lost its majority in last month's general election, accepted a request from the Democratic Party for the People to raise the nontaxable income level from the current 1.03 million yen in order to win its backing for the budget bill passage. The opposition party seeks to lift the ceiling to 1.78 million yen to boost consumption, but the government estimates the proposal could reduce annual tax revenues by an estimated 7 trillion to 8 trillion yen. 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. Transcript: The Inside Story: Elections and Consequences Episode 171 November 21, 2024 Show Open: This week on The Inside Story U.S. President-elect Donald Trump begins to announce agency heads for his incoming administration... See what that could mean for the Trump agenda going forward. Now on The Inside Story: Elections and Consequences. The Inside Story: KATHERINE GYPSON, VOA Congressional Correspondent: Hello and welcome to the Inside Story. Im Katherine Gypson in Washington. The Republican party has won a legislative Trifecta and will control the White House, the House of Representatives and the US Senate come January... And that could help President Trump enact his expansive agenda, but if history is any guide, its no guarantee.... KATHERINE GYPSON: The new leader of the incoming Republican-majority U.S. Senate Senator John Thune, Republican: We have a mandate from the American people, a mandate not only to clean up the mess left by the Biden-Harris-Schumer agenda, but also to deliver on President Trump's priorities. KATHERINE GYPSON: Thune takes the top leadership role in the Senate after Mitch McConnell served in that position for 18 years, and he is already facing his first test. President-elect Donald Trump has proposed bypassing the Senates constitutional role of approving Cabinet nominees. Senator John Thune, Republican: The Senate has an advise-and-consent role in the Constitution, so we will do everything we can to process his noms [nominations] quickly and get them installed in their position so they can begin to implement his agenda. KATHERINE GYPSON: Democrats lost their majority and will hold at least 47 seats in the new Senate. Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader: The American people have presented us with a challenge. We must learn from it. KATHERINE GYPSON: Trump had unified control of government during the first two years of his first term. But one analyst says that does not always mean the White House will get what it wants on Capitol Hill. Casey Burgat, George Washington University: Mitch McConnell had said then that he supports the president's agenda, he'll work with them, but then we saw from nominations to policies that they will provide no votes if they think the president has gone too far. KATHERINE GYPSON: Republicans also secured a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, earning praise from Trump KATHERINE GYPSON: The president-elect endorsed Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to lead again. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House: I believe it will be the most consequential Congress in the modern era, most consequential administration of the modern era, because, frankly, we have to fix almost every area of public policy. KATHERINE GYPSON: But Republicans hold a much narrower majority in the House with only a handful more seats than Democrats, who vowed to keep fighting. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Democrat: The Congressional Progressive Caucus will continue to be ferocious defenders of the working class and poor people. KATHERINE GYPSON: President-elect Trump also has the task of naming new directors for the CIA and the Director of National Intelligence who oversees it. Hes turning to an old ally for the CIA and has nominated someone seen as an outsider and possible disrupter to oversee the agency when his second term begins in January. VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin has this story. JEFF SELDIN, National Security Correspondent: The one-time Democrat became a strong voice for Trumps campaign, rallying crowds behind his agenda. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump National Intelligence Director Pick: Its why Im proud to stand with President Trump and why we the people must vote to send him back to the White House and make America great again. JEFF SELDIN: In announcing Gabbards nomination, Trump praised her fearless spirit, saying shell bring that to the job. She also brings more than 20 years of experience serving with the U.S. Army National Guard. And she brings a degree of controversy irking Republican and Democratic lawmakers with this social media video, in which critics say she mirrored Russian propaganda about U.S.-funded bioweapons labs in Ukraine something U.S. intelligence officials say is not true. Gabbard has also been criticized for meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accused of war crimes. But she defended the trip by saying you cant be serious about peace unless you are willing to talk to your adversaries. Trumps choice of John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA is more conventional Ratcliffe having served as Trumps director of national intelligence at the end of Trumps first term. At times, Ratcliffe clashed with lawmakers over moves to declassify intelligence about alleged Russian election interference. He also pushed back against meddling by Iran, Russia and China. John Ratcliffe, Trump Pick to Lead CIA: There is nothing more sacred in our republic than the fundamental democratic principle of one person, one vote. JEFF SELDIN: Trump entrusting a familiar face And a rising star... to lead U.S. intelligence efforts for the next four years. KATHERINE GYPSON: For more on this story, I'm joined now by VOA NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT Jeff Selden, Jeff, what insights can you share about the future of the CIA under this new administration? Well, JEFF SELDIN: Donald Trump, as President Elect and as his previous president, has put a lot of emphasis on his global outlook, but he's also gone with unconventional choices at times for the intelligence agencies, especially this time around with the CIA, he's chosen John Ratcliffe, who served him, but in his previous administration as the Director of National Intelligence, the choice that is causing more controversy and more discussion and his choice is his choice for the Director of National Intelligence, the person who oversees 17 other of the US intelligence agencies, by choosing Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic Congresswoman who has experience as a National Guardsman serving overseas, but to the minds of many critics, does not have intelligence experience, right? KATHERINE GYPSON: So what exactly does the legislation creating that position say? JEFF SELDIN: What that position needs the legislation that created the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which was put into place after the 911 terror attacks in 2001 to make sure that the US intelligence agencies were all working on the same page and that information wasn't falling through the cracks that would allow a massive attack like the US saw 911 to occur. And it says that the Director of National Intelligence is somebody who needs to be very experienced. The legislation calls for extensive intelligence experience, not just in terms of understanding intelligence and practicing intelligence, but also in terms of managing intelligence agencies. Right? KATHERINE GYPSON: So how has that been interpreted in the past? Has that ever been a problem in the confirmation process? JEFF SELDIN: Well, in the past, many of the directors of National Intelligence have been old veterans of the US intelligence community, serving in intelligence agencies like the NSA, the National Security Agency, the CIA, the nation's premier intelligence spy agency. But at times, though, the definition of what extensive means has been pushed specifically in his last administration, President Trump nominated John Radcliffe, now nominated to head the CIA to be the Director of National Intelligence. When he first nominated him, there was controversy. He had some experience as a prosecutor working on terrorism related cases. Some lawmakers thought that that experience was overstated, and he also served on the House Intelligence Committee. But it wasn't enough. The first time he was nominated, he had to withdraw. He was nominated again later in the administration, and he survived confirmation by a narrow party line vote. But that establishes a precedent. KATHERINE GYPSON: The question now is, how will lawmakers who have to receive these confirmation hearings and who have an interest in seeing a strong US intelligence community. How are they going to look at Tulsi Gabbard nomination? How are they going to look at her experience and her views on various issues? Right? I remember she had a trip to Syria back when she was a member of Congress that was very, very controversial. Among other things she said about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, floated some conspiracy theories that the invasion was justified because of Bio Labs. Can you. Hack some of that for us and how that might get her into trouble now, right? JEFF SELDIN: Tulsi Gabbard has not been somebody who's been eyed favorably by people within the national security community. Traditionally, they look at her trip to Syria and her meeting with the Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, and that is something that they think was a mistake and upset them. They look at this take that she had on some of the fighting between Russia and Ukraine, and the statement that you alluded to, and it was mentioned in the piece about how she, according to many, mirrored Russian propaganda about US involvement in bio weapons labs, to the point where a Republican senator, Mitt Romney essentially accused her of being a puppet for the Russian regime, and she said that, and she's also upset people in the intelligence community, because years ago, she co sponsored legislation that would have issued that called for a pardon to Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor who leaked hundreds of 1000s of documents, which, according to intelligence officials in the US, put lives at risk, risk, the lives of assets, put other programs at risk, and then took refuge in Russia. So that's going to cause some consternation. But for the Trump team, in the people in Trump's camp, they see or as somebody who's a disrupter, somebody who's willing to tell truth to power and shake up what they see as an intelligence infrastructure that really needs some change, KATHERINE GYPSON: Right. So, you've talked about the way Gabbard is perceived by the incoming Trump administration. How is she going to be perceived worldwide? What are our allies going to think about someone who's facing these accusations? JEFF SELDIN: it's a good question. Look, there some allies will be concerned, because they know they look at the track record that Trump had from his first term in office, and some of the information that some allies felt that he leaked out, or the way he handled intelligence, which, again, from a traditional intelligence point of view, some former officials thought it was it was careless at times, or he played fast and loose with how intelligence was used. So they may not be very favorable in terms of looking at what's going to happen this time around, right? But they can look at his nomination for CIA Director John Ratcliffe. They have experience dealing with him from what his time at as Director of National Intelligence at the end of Trump's first term that may give them some comfort. Look. It's also important to remember that a lot of the interaction, the cooperation between the US and its allies when it comes to intelligence is not at the top most level. It's at levels lower down, where people have been working on these programs, working on getting intelligence, gathering information, where they work together. Some of it, at this point, is even automated. KATHERINE GYPSON: So how are those relationships going to be changing under a Trump term this time around? JEFF SELDIN: That remains to be seen. But some of this stuff, some of this cooperation, is not going to be able to be walked back, right? KATHERINE GYPSON: So that said, you did talk about the lower level cooperation, if she does go through, or if she does continue with this nomination, it could be a little bit dicey to get that through the US Senate. I know that from covering some of the more domestic nominees, what exactly, how could that shake out? What answers will she have to, you know, Faith give the US Congress when she's confirmed? JEFF SELDIN: Well, if she faces a confirmation hearing, there's a good chance at least Democratic lawmakers, and there's a good chance to lawmakers will question her on some of the stances that she's taking, some of her actions, about Bashar Al Assad, her trip to Syria, her stance on Edward Snowden and his leak of information, and why should she feels he should be pardoned, when within the intelligence community he's viewed as A traitor. They're going to ask her about why she's been willing to go public and echo sentiments expressed by Russia against against Ukraine and US involvement that lends to conspiracy theories. And she'll have to provide some answers. The thing that it's hard to say is, how will the law make How will she provide those answers? What exactly will she say? And then how will lawmakers react? Remember, part of the confirmation process is there is some deference to the president elect or the president by the time these hearings happen, as to who the President wants in office, who he feels he needs in his ear to give him the best advice and the best information. How are lawmakers going to parse this out? And that remains to be seen. KATHERINE GYPSON: We'll see how much the US Congress pushes back on all of that. It is a separate branch of the US government. View is NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT Jeff Selden, thank you so much for joining us today. JEFF SELDIN: My pleasure. KATHERINE GYPSON: As the Biden administration enters its final two months, President Biden is far from winding down. His administration has recently authorized Ukraine to utilize long-range weapons, allowing them to strike deeper into Russia, targeting the Kremlin's military infrastructure. This decision follows Russia's largest aerial assault on Ukraine in recent months. VOA's Arash Arabasadi reports on the developing situation. ARASH ARABASADI, VOA Correspondent: Missiles fly overhead as Russia launches its largest air assault against Ukraine in months. Ukraines air defenses intercepted some incoming fire over capital city Kyiv as air raid sirens bellowed below. And people huddled for safety in underground metro stations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched 120 missiles and 90 drones, including Iranian-made Shaheds. Kyivs air force says the military destroyed 104 missiles and 42 of the drones. Russia says it was targeting energy facilities that power Ukraines military-industrial complex. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring a speedy end to the conflict between the two nations. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and reiterated Europes support for Ukraine no matter what happens in Washington. Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor: Russia and the Russian president started this war and are prepared to risk a great deal of material and, above all, their own lives for the plan to conquer and deny Ukraine its sovereignty and democracy It would be an illusion on Russias part to believe that Ukraine cannot continue to count on our firm support in the future. ARASH ARABASADI: Zelenskyy, however, said he welcomes the prospect of this war coming to an end. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President: I dont think Putin wants peace at all. But that does not mean he doesnt want to sit down with world leaders. ... I think the war will end, and not in the abstract. There is no exact date, but with the policy of the incoming White House, the war will end faster. This is their promise to their country. And for them, it is also very important. ARASH ARABASADI: But for now, Ukrainian first responders have their hands full removing missile debris from blown out buildings. Ukrainian officials say at least seven people died in the attacks, which they say caused severe damage to the power system. The strikes prompted emergency power cuts through several regions with area residents waiting in line at water supply stations and so-called invincibility points. Marina Martynenko, Odesa Region State Emergency Service: We opened 45 invincibility points at fire stations in the Odesa region. People can charge electronic devices, drink hot tea, and receive basic food. There are also kids corners where children can draw and read. ARASH ARABASADI: Russias war on Ukraine will reach the one-thousand day mark this week. Arash Arabasadi, VOA News. KATHERINE GYPSON: The incoming Trump administration also appears to be taking a different approach to Israel and the Palestinians living in the West Bank. Trump named former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as U.S. Ambassador to Israel. And as VOAs Linda Gradstein reports from the West Bank, that could mark a major shift in U.S. policy for the region. LINDA GRADSTEIN, VOA Correspondent: Kedumim is a comfortable bedroom community in the northern West Bank built in the mid-1970s. Daniella Weiss, a fiery settler leader, and her children were one of the first Jewish families to settle here, living in tents with no running water. Today, she hopes President-elect Donald Trump will accept total sovereignty and annexation of the West Bank settlements, without provisions for a Palestinian state. Daniella Weiss, Jewish Settler Leader: The president of the United States who says Im going to give you a present. I will give you sovereignty, but youll have to leave something aside. No, its all ours. The ability to say it is all ours, why? Because it is the promise of God to Abraham. LINDA GRADSTEIN: Israels Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also lives here. He predicted that in 2025, Israel will annex whats known as Area C, the 60 percent of the West Bank that contains the Jewish settlements and is home to more than 500,000 settlers. The 2.5 million Palestinians live mostly in whats designated Areas A and B of the West Bank that are under the partial or full control of the Palestinian Authority. Israeli annexation of disputed territory was a feature of the first Trump administration's Middle East policy, which recognized Israeli control over the Golan Heights. Trump-appointed Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has long been a staunch proponent of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Like the Israeli settlers, he refers to the territories by their Biblical name Judea and Samaria. Mike Huckabee, US Ambassador to Israel Nominee: I recognize Judea and Samaria as part of Israel. And I believe that its most important that we realize that there are more Jews living in Judea and Samaria than most people ever realize, and that those numbers are significant. Its an important part of the security of Israel. LINDA GRADSTEIN: Some analysts, including those who live in the West Bank, say that Israel should be careful about annexing the lands unilaterally. Hodaya Karish-Hazony, Makor Rishon: If you really think that, and I think that, sovereignty is one of the things that can make Israel really safe and ensure her future, you have to do it wisely and you have to do it hand-in-hand with the American administration. LINDA GRADSTEIN: Other settlers worry that a decision to annex part of the West Bank could cause further unrest. Hanan Moses, Herzog College: I personally support annexation, but I just dont want it to tear the society apart again. There already is a strong settlement movement here. But the left is against it. The division among us weakens us. LINDA GRADSTEIN: Some settler leaders, including Daniella Weiss, want to go even further than annexing the West Bank. They say they are already preparing to re-build Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip which were evacuated in 2005. Linda Gradstein, VOA News, Kedumim in the West Bank. KATHERINE GYPSON: President Donald Trump carries with him the dubious distinction of being the only convicted felon ever to assume the Presidency. In fact, Trump has spent a good deal of time in courtrooms in the four years since his previous term. VOAs Tina Trinh examines how the status of those cases changed now that hes president elect. TINA TRINH, VOA Correspondent: Will President-elect Donald Trump be sentenced for his crimes? Its a question that remains to be answered, as New York state judge Juan Merchan considers the extraordinary circumstances of a former U.S. president and convicted felon who also happens to be the incoming president. In May, Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels to suppress a sex scandal ahead of his 2016 election. Trumps sentencing in the so-called hush money case has been delayed multiple times, and his election victory earlier this month casts further doubt on legal proceedings. Anna Cominsky, New York Law School: Really, the core of this is to find out whether or not Trump's sentencing is going to move forward at all. And that includes whether it will happen before he takes office, whether it will happen after he takes office, or whether his case will just be dismissed. TINA TRINH: Trumps defense team is arguing that a landmark Supreme Court ruling in July grants him presidential immunity and that the case should be dismissed entirely. But Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is arguing that the jury arrived at a guilty verdict prior to the Supreme Court ruling, and that Trump was not president at the time. In a letter to the judge, he indicated that prosecutors would oppose attempts to dismiss the case but were open to delaying sentencing until after Trumps term in office. Claire Finkelstein, University of Pennsylvania: If Juan Marshan decides that he agrees with the prosecutors suggestion as a possibility, then he would engage in what might be termed an equitable stay of proceedings in light of the extraordinary circumstances of the defendant becoming president of the United States, and he would effectively stay the case until 2029, after Donald Trump steps down from the presidency. TINA TRINH: The hush money case isnt the only one the president-elect must contend with. Two federal cases brought forth by special counsel Jack Smith, one alleging mishandling of classified documents and another election interference, are reportedly being brought to a close, as a long-standing Department of Justice policy cites that sitting presidents cannot be charged with a crime. However, an election interference case in Georgia does not fall under federal jurisdiction. Claire Finkelstein, University of Pennsylvania: Technically, the state of Georgia is free to proceed unencumbered by the DOJ policy. But can they? Is there, is it even possible to expect that they would be able to proceed and expect the cooperation of Donald Trump, which would really require the cooperation of the White House to proceed with a trial while the defendant is serving as president of the United States? TINA TRINH: Unprecedented circumstances have made for uncharted legal territory. Tina Trinh, VOA News, New York. KATHERINE GYPSON: Some State governors in the U.S. are already preparing for potential Trump administration policies that they anticipate may conflict with their state laws. Democratic governors, in particular, assert their readiness to defend their states' progressive policies. Matt Dibble reports from California, where the governor has called an emergency session of the state assembly. MATT DIBBLE, VOA Correspondent: As President-Elect Donald Trump prepares to take power with Republican majorities in both houses of Congress, some Democratic governors want to limit his impact on their states. Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York: If you try to harm New Yorkers, or roll back their rights, I will fight you every step of the way. MATT DIBBLE: New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, were quick to react. JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois: You come for my people, you come through me. Gavin Newsom, Governor of California: We are calling, and have called, for an emergency special session of our state legislature firmly focused on the values we hold dear that I think are universal values, that are American values. MATT DIBBLE: Thats California Governor Gavin Newsom calling a special session of the state assembly to prepare for what his office says is, quote, an incoming federal administration that has threatened the state on multiple fronts. Following his win, Trump posted on his Truth Social that Newsom is, quote, "trying to KILL our Nation's beautiful California. Donald Trump, President-Elect: The state of California is a mess. MATT DIBBLE: Trump frequently says the state's progressive policies contribute to crime, homelessness and unauthorized immigration. Unidentified: The great state of California will be filing a lawsuit... MATT DIBBLE: During the first Trump presidency, California sued the administration over 100 times, successfully defending state immigration policies, vehicle emission standards, and access to health care. Speaking last week near San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said his team plans to begin filing litigation as soon as Trump takes office. Rob Bonta, California Attorney General: Mr. Trump repeatedly overstepped his authority between 2016 and 2020. There's no reason to think he won't do it again. We checked him, and we stopped him, and we pushed him back into his box when he tried to step out of it. MATT DIBBLE: On a Los Angeles campaign stop in September, Trump bashed California's leaders and their management of state resources. Donald Trump, President-Elect: I'm going to give you safety. I'm going to give you a great border, and I'm going to give you more water than almost anybody has. MATT DIBBLE: California spent over $41 million defending laws and policies during the first Trump presidency, according to the nonprofit CalMatters. When state legislators convene in December, Democratic leaders say they will be voting on emergency funding to block the incoming Trump administration from deporting immigrants, limiting reproductive and civil rights, and rolling back environmental regulations in Americas most-populous state. Matt Dibble, VOA News, Oakland, California KATHERINE GYPSON: Im Katherine Gypson. We will see you next week, for The Inside Story. ### A senior U.N. official urged the international community on Wednesday to make good on its commitments to fund and equip a multinational security force in Haiti, which is struggling to help the Haitian National Police subdue armed gangs who are terrorizing the population, while some nations want to transform the multinational force into a U.N. peacekeeping force. Without a substantial and sustained increase in voluntary contributions from member states, there is a real risk that the MSS will never be fully equipped, fully deployed or able to sustain its support for the Haitian National Police, Miroslav Jenca, U.N. assistant secretary-general, told Security Council members, using the acronym for the Multinational Security Support mission. He said the mission requires a sizable increase in weapons, equipment and specialized expertise that the Haitian National Police lack. This must be accompanied by efforts to build up national police capabilities to support the government in sustainably delivering security, Jenca said. He said efforts must also be made to stem the illicit flow of drugs, weapons and ammunition and to curb corruption. He urged the council to utilize sanctions to their full potential to address the root causes of gang violence. Any further delays or operational gaps in providing international security support to the Haitian National Police, whether through the MSS or bilateral assistance, present a catastrophic risk of collapse of national security institutions, Jenca cautioned. This could lead to a complete breakdown of state authority, rendering international operations and the support to Haitians in need in the country untenable. Jenca acknowledged that there are no ideal options for addressing the spiraling situation in Haiti. But as time passes and the situation deteriorates, we are left with less options, and the Haitian people are left with less hope, he said. It is high time we turn commitments into action to prevent any further erosion of security and state authority in Haiti. The MSS is led by Kenya, which has contributed most of the 416 police officers who have deployed to Haiti since June. The missons full strength has been set at 2,500 police, but equipment and funding challenges have tempered contributions. So far, only Kenya, Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica have sent personnel. Monica Juma, Kenyan President William Rutos national security adviser, told the council in a remote briefing that her government has 617 more police who are trained and ready to deploy. She said they need equipment and logistics to support their rapid deployment. Calls for a UN force The United States and Ecuador, the co-leads on Haiti on the 15-nation Security Council, want the MSS to become a U.N. peacekeeping operation. The current mission is not a U.N. one, but it does have Security Council authorization. Haitis past experiences with U.N. peacekeeping missions have ended badly, and it was originally felt that a non-U.N. mission was a better idea. But a lack of funding, equipment and logistics has brought even Haitis struggling government around to the idea of a U.N. mission, which would benefit from sustainable funding and access to more resources. Haitian Ambassador Antonio Rodrigue expressed his governments support for a U.N. peacekeeping force, saying the armed gangs are becoming increasingly violent and fearless. They are committing terrifying abuse, murders, abductions, rapes and burning of homes, he said. Children, women and men are caught and entrapped in this indiscriminate violence. The United Nations says more than 700,000 people are displaced across Haiti, most from the capital, Port-au-Prince, where armed groups control 80% of neighborhoods. The International Organization for Migration said Monday that more than 20,000 people had been displaced across the capital area in just four days. This alarming situation really shows us that we need to call for the MSS to be transformed into a U.N. peacekeeping mission, Haitis ambassador said. We are not just talking about restoring public order, we are talking about preserving human lives, Rodrigue emphasized, adding that without security, there would be no economic, social or political progress. Haiti is at a crossroads either the international community lends significant support, or it leaves the country to plunge further into violence with consequences that are bound to spill over across our borders, he said. Washingtons envoy said the U.S. and Ecuador are ready to move forward to take the initial step and ask the U.N. secretary-general to prepare recommendations on a peacekeeping mission to follow the MSS. But not all council members have embraced the idea. Russia and China, which called for Wednesdays council meeting, both expressed serious reservations about sending peacekeepers to Haiti, where there is a lack of peace to keep. Deploying a peacekeeping operation at this time is nothing more than putting peacekeepers into the front lines of battles with gangs, said Chinas Deputy Ambassador Geng Shuang. This will expose peacekeepers to great security risks. The U.N. secretary-general has also not generally favored the idea, saying last year that it is an option of last resort. Regional support Several regional countries back the idea of a U.N. peacekeeping mission. The Organization of American States adopted its own resolution of support last week, while regional bloc CARICOM has also endorsed the idea. Canada, one of the largest financial donors to the MSS, urged the council to move to create a mission that could succeed. We must act now, Ambassador Bob Rae said. Time is not our friend. It is not our friend. There is not a moment to lose. Haiti is out of control, and it is a danger to the Haitian people and a constant threat to the Dominican Republic and the region, said Dominican Ambassador Jose Alfonso Blanco Conde. His country shares the island with Haiti and supports a U.N. deployment. Haiti has been rocked by instability since 2021, when President Jovenel Moise was assassinated. Prime Minister Ariel Henry then led the country until he announced his resignation in March. A transitional government is now in place with the goal of organizing free and fair elections, but it has been beset by internal and external challenges. Haiti has not held elections since 2016. Journalist Betlehem Isaak, the daughter of journalist Dawit Isaak a dual Eritrean-Swedish citizen imprisoned without trial in Eritrea since 2001 accepted the 2024 Edelstam Prize on her father's behalf Tuesday during a ceremony at the House of Nobility in Stockholm. The prize honors Dawit for his "outstanding courage" in championing freedom of expression. The judges noted his commitment to advocating for democracy in Eritrea despite harassment, threats and repeated interrogations. "His punishment, his perpetual unlawful detention, never charged with a crime, defenseless and deprived of his basic rights without a trial, his de facto status of civil death, is untenable," said Caroline Edelstam, chair of the Edelstam Prize jury and co-founder of the Edelstam Foundation. The loss of her father not only has brought pain but has also taught her resilience, Betlehem said. Speaking to VOA from Gothenburg, Sweden, ahead of the award ceremony, she said continuing her father's legacy is both a painful burden and a source of inspiration. "Losing a parent as a 7-year-old little girl is, of course, very traumatic," Betlehem said. "But it's also the strength I get from it today, and I really value it, even though I don't wish this on my worst enemies." Arrested during 2001 crackdown Dawit was arrested during a government crackdown on independent media in Eritrea in September 2001. Eritrea ranks among the most tightly controlled countries in the world. A country with no independent media, Eritrea subjects all citizens to indefinite national service and has never held national elections. Twenty-one journalists and politicians from the 2001 roundup remain in detention, according to Amnesty International. Betlehem said although her father's disappearance left a void in the family, she chose to follow in his footsteps and advocate for justice and freedom of expression. "Freedom, in general, is actually something that we have to fight for almost every day," she said. This personal battle has informed Betlehem's perspective as a journalist. In her work, she highlights the stories of those who face oppression. She said that her father's plight should not be taken "for granted, especially when it comes to freedom." 'I continue the work' In more than 23 years, Dawit's imprisonment has prompted international campaigns and requests from the Swedish government for his release. "My father is actually a symbol," Betlehem said, adding that his story and "his colleagues with him" are "a symbol of what's really happening and has happened in Eritrea for the last 25 years." For her, continuing his legacy is both a privilege and a responsibility. Though she was just a little girl when he was taken away, she follows his principles. "I continue the work that my father and his colleagues started," she said. The Eritrean government "will never silence their voice, because I am my father's voice, and I am also the voice of every Eritrean." Several attempts by VOA to reach out to the government on Dawit's status went unanswered. Daughter calls for father's release Betlehem's advocacy extends beyond journalism. She frequently engages in campaigns calling for her father's release and raises awareness about press freedom. Despite challenges, Betlehem remains hopeful. Without going into details, she said, she has proof of life to keep her going. "We know that my father is alive, and we know that that's the truth," she said. "We have sources that say that, and we believe those sources." Freedom isn't just about writing or speaking as a journalist where there's censorship, she said. "You cannot even exist as a free human being," she said. "You cannot even think." This story originated in VOA's Africa Division. The Southern African Development Community held an extraordinary summit of heads of state in Zimbabwe on Wednesday to discuss the post-election strife in Mozambique and the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mozambique has been rocked by violence since last months elections, with police accused of killing at least 30 protesters, according to civil society organizations there. The opposition accuses the FRELIMO government, which was represented by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, of stealing the October 9 elections. "Summit received an update of the Republic of Mozambique on the post-election political and security situation in the country and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to work with the Republic of Mozambique in ensuring peace, security and stability through the relevant structures of the SADC organ on politics, defense and security cooperation," said the group's executive secretary, Elias Magosi. "Summit extended condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Mozambique for the lives lost during the post-election violence. Earlier in the day, Magosi said those aggrieved in Mozambique should pursue legal solutions instead of resorting to violence. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who holds the rotating chairmanship of SADC, did not speak about the situation in Mozambique during his eight-minute closing remarks. He talked only about the conflict in eastern DRC. Since 2022, the Congolese army has been fighting a rebel army with the assistance of soldiers from some SADC countries. Speaking from Maputo via WhatsApp before Mnangagwas speech, Albino Forquilha of the Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS) which is protesting together with supporters of Venancio Mondlane, the runner-up in last month's disputed presidential election said they were not reading much into the SADC meeting. The PODEMOS party has mobilized people to protest the result that was announced by the electoral commission of Mozambique, which presented results which differ with those that were collected on the voting tables [polling stations]," Forquilha said. "So, we are requesting fair elections. The constitutional court, which is the last institution to give results in a transparent manner its important to call representatives of competing political parties when they validate the election. Everyone can accept them, because the [confirming] process of these two different numbers has been transparent. This is what we are requesting now. Opposition parties in Mozambique disagree that FRELIMOs candidate, Daniel Chapo, won the presidential election. In a state of the nation address on Tuesday, Nyusi invited the four presidential candidates for a dialogue as part of a bid to end post-election protests. In his first message aimed at Washington since the U.S. presidential election, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has expressed his unwavering determination to hold onto nuclear weapons, U.S. analysts say. At a conference with army officials last Friday, Kim vowed to bolster his country's nuclear capabilities "without limit," while condemning Washington for its nuclear deterrence strategies with Seoul. "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, according to the Korean Central News Agency. "The most important and critical task for our armed forces is preparations for a war." Nuclear rhetoric Evans Revere, former acting U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, interpreted Kim's remarks, which were made 10 days after the election, as a message directed to President-elect Donald Trump, whom he met with face-to-face three times from 2018 to 2019. "Kim Jong Un is making clear to President-elect Trump that everything has changed since their previous meetings," Revere told VOA Korean via email Tuesday. "Pyongyang has become a de facto nuclear weapons state and will not give up its treasured sword, as it once called its nuclear deterrent." Nuclear talks between then-President Trump and North Korea's supreme leader collapsed during their Hanoi summit in February 2019, after Trump rejected the lifting of sanctions in exchange for Kim's offer to dismantle one major nuclear facility. Since then, Pyongyang has not slowed the ramp-up of its nuclear capabilities. In one of its latest moves, just five days before the U.S. election, the regime tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile called Hwasong-19 that could potentially reach most of the United States mainland. "Having already developed a credible deterrent, complete with sophisticated medium- and long-range delivery systems, North Korea wants to be accepted, or at least acknowledged, as a nuclear power," Revere said. Kim is trying to remind the incoming U.S. president that "the door to denuclearization has now been firmly closed and he will be dealing with a DPRK that intends to keep its nuclear arsenal," said Revere. DPRK stands for Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the official name of North Korea. Joseph DeTrani, former U.S. special envoy for six-party denuclearization talks with North Korea, said Kim would still want to meet with Trump, but the terms this time would be drastically different. "I think Kim Jong Un is open to a dialogue with President-elect Trump's administration, once it is in place," DeTrani told VOA Korean via email Tuesday. DeTrani said Kim would come to another potential summit with Trump "from a position of strength," given his alliance and defense treaty with Russia. Russia and North Korea have committed to coming to the aid of the other if attacked. Other experts cautioned, however, against reading too deeply into what Kim said. New alliance Sydney Seiler, former national intelligence officer for North Korea on the U.S. National Intelligence Council, said that Kim's latest remarks provide little insight into how Kim may handle the incoming Trump administration. "Kim Jong Un is exploring the benefits available in being an active member of the axis of upheaval: states such as Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran who seek to overturn the existing rules-based order and justify using force to achieve their objectives," Seiler told VOA Korean via email Tuesday. Seiler said that Kim has begun to enjoy benefits in his cooperation with Russia cash, food and fuel aid, assistance with weapons of mass destruction, and conventional capabilities, and diplomatic recognition and acceptance of North Korea's nuclear status. "Why would he reach out to Donald Trump when he has friends like Vladimir Putin?" he asked. In June, Kim and Russia's President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, which calls for Russia and North Korea to immediately assist each other militarily if either of them is attacked by a third country. Russia and North Korea respectively ratified the treaty into law earlier this month. Gary Samore, former White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction, told VOA Korean via email Tuesday that Kim does not need Trump for assistance and sanctions relief as he used to because of his new alliance with Putin. Samore said another Trump-Kim meeting won't be very high on Trump's agenda. "Trump's top foreign policy issues will be ending the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and imposing tariffs on China," he said. "In contrast, the Korean situation is pretty stable and quiet, and nobody thinks another Trump-Kim summit will produce big results." VOA Korean Service asked the U.S. State Department about Kim's latest message toward the U.S. but did not receive a reply by the time this article was published. In a response to an inquiry made by VOA Korean earlier this month, the State Department spokesperson reiterated the U.S. commitment to protect South Korea from any North Korean nuclear attack. "President Biden reaffirmed the U.S. extended deterrence commitment to the ROK using the full range of U.S. defense capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities, and that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK will be met with a swift, overwhelming and decisive response," the spokesperson said. 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. Finland's 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. Police in Finland said Thursday they had detained five suspects in connection with deadly violence in southeastern Nigeria and were seeking a court extension of the detentions. The police did not identify the suspects, only saying that a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen, born in the 1980s, was under criminal investigation. However, Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian linked to the Biafran separatist movement, lives in Lahti, where the Paijat-Hame District Court will consider a request from the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation to keep the suspects in custody. Ekpa is one of the leaders of the Indigenous People of Biafra separatist group that is demanding the creation of an independent Biafra state from the troubled southeast region of Nigeria. "The police suspect that the man [under investigation] has furthered his efforts from Finland in such a way that has resulted in violence against civilians and public authorities and in other crimes in South-East Nigeria," Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen said in a statement. The suspect "carried out this activity by campaigning, for example, on his social media channels," Hiltunen said. The secessionist campaign in southeastern Nigeria dates to the 1960s when the short-lived Republic of Biafra fought and lost a civil war from 1967 to 1970 to become independent from the West African country. An estimated 1 million people died in the conflict, many from starvation. Nigerian authorities have accused Ekpa of using social media to instigate violence by his followers in Nigeria, many of them young people. Police in Finland said the investigation involves international cooperation. Nigerian authorities have been contacted for comment. For many years Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, with at least 210 million people, has been wracked by violence related to the activities of armed extremist groups. Most recently, social protests were held over a worsening cost-of-living crisis and alleged bad governance. BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China, Brazil, South Africa and the African Union have jointly launched an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science, with the goal of building an open, fair, impartial and non-discriminatory global environment for science and technology development, according to the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. The full text of the initiative was officially released on Thursday. The initiative also aims to promote global scientific and technological innovation to benefit the Global South. It notes that the open and sustainable sci-tech innovation is conducive to enhancing the strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the global economy. The initiative proposes that governments, scientific communities, enterprises, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders should support the free flow of sci-tech innovation personnel and resources on a global scale, and ensure that different stakeholders can equitably participate in and are treated fairly in the open science cause. Scientific knowledge should be publicly available, according to the initiative, which also states that scientific practices should be diverse, inclusive and sustainable. The initiative says that governments of all countries should increase investment in open science and encourage the cooperation, joint construction and sharing of major scientific research infrastructure. The Islamic State terror group's small but influential affiliate in Somalia is growing, thanks in part to what the United Nations describes as an "influx of foreign fighters." A new report this week by the U.N. Sanctions Monitoring Team for Somalia warns that fighters, including some from countries in the Middle East, have helped the Islamic State's Somali affiliate, also known as IS-Somalia, to more than double in size to between 600 and 700 fighters. "Foreign fighters arrive in Puntland [Somalia] using both maritime and overland routes," according to the report, which is based on intelligence estimates from U.N. member states. The foreign fighters "have expanded and enhanced the group's capabilities," the report said, strengthening IS's presence in Somalia's Puntland region while also helping it take territory from its key rival, al-Qaida-linked terror group al-Shabab. Intelligence sources described the IS-Somalia advance, especially in Puntland's Cal Miskaad mountains, as a "drastic change," crediting the foreign fighters for IS-Somalia's change in fortune. The U.N. report said the IS foreign fighters have come from at least six countries: Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, Sudan, Morocco and Tanzania. It also said some captured foreign fighters have reported working with trainers who have come from parts of the Middle East. The new report builds on previous warnings from U.S. and Somali officials, including the commander of U.S. Africa Command, who told VOA last month that IS-Somalia had grown "twofold" over the past year. Somali officials have likewise warned of hundreds of foreign fighters flocking to Somalia to join the ranks of the IS affiliate. "This reporting on an influx of foreign terrorist fighters in Africa is concerning," said Austin Doctor, the director of counterterrorism research initiatives at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education Center. And while the flow of foreign fighters to Somalia pales in comparison to the tens of thousands of fighters who flocked to join IS in Syria and Iraq during the height of the terror group's self-declared caliphate, Doctor told VOA the trend is likely to continue. "A number of factors present in the Horn [of Africa] and other Africa regions as well will likely appeal to aspiring travelers looking to join the rank and file of an extremist militant organization," he said. "Global and local security forces should prepare to see more of this in the near term." There are likewise concerns about IS-Somalia's growing prominence on the global stage. Since 2022, Somalia has been home to al-Karrar, one of nine regional Islamic State offices established to help sustain the terror group's global capabilities. The U.N. report cautions that despite some leadership losses, the al-Karrar office has become both more powerful and more decentralized, making it more difficult to disrupt its activities. And the report confirms that former IS-Somalia leader Abdulqadir Mumin, who escaped a U.S. airstrike this past June, has been elevated to head of the Islamic State's general directorate of provinces, "placing him in a leadership role over [IS] affiliates in Africa." IS-Somalia, according to the report, is now being led by Mumin's former deputy, Abdirahman Fahiye Isse, with Abdiwali Waran-Walac running IS-Somalia's finances. And the group's finances appear to be in good shape. "Given the relatively small size of [IS]-Somalia, the group can sustain itself and generate additional revenue for other [IS] affiliates through the al-Karrar office," the report said. Just hours after his first nominee withdrew, President-elect Donald Trump announced a new choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and one of the lawyers on Trumps legal team in his first impeachment trial. Bondi was a prosecutor for more than 18 years and was Floridas first female attorney general. She is also a longtime Trump ally and an official at the America First Policy Institute. In his statement, Trump praised Bondis work to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs, and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl Overdose Deaths. Trumps first choice, former Republican U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, withdrew his name Thursday from consideration as attorney general as he faced widespread scrutiny of his alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Gaetz, a four-term archconservative congressman from Florida, said in a social media statement that he felt he had strong momentum toward Senate confirmation as the country's top law enforcement officer. But, he said, "It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work" of Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance's taking the reins of running the U.S. government at their inauguration on January 20. Trump had maintained his support for Gaetz even as some Senate Republicans voiced doubt that he could win majority support for confirmation as attorney general. With Republicans holding at most a 53-47 edge in the Senate next year, and unified Democratic opposition to Gaetz, it would have taken only four Republicans to vote against Gaetz to doom his nomination. Trump said on his social media site that Gaetz "was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" His transition spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, said the president-elect "remains committed to choosing a leader for the Department of Justice who will strongly defend the Constitution and end the weaponization of our justice system." Gaetz's withdrawal capped a whirlwind eight-day period in which Trump shocked many of his own Republican colleagues in Congress by naming him to oversee the Justice Department, even though he has never been a prosecutor at any level of government and had drawn the ire of some House Republican congressional colleagues a year ago by spearheading the effort to oust former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Gaetz resigned his congressional seat within hours of Trump's naming him as his pick for attorney general, even though Gaetz had just been elected to a fifth two-year term. The Justice Department last year ended a three-year investigation of the sex and drug allegations against Gaetz without filing charges. The House Ethics Committee was also investigating him and had nearly finished its probe but abruptly ended it when Gaetz vacated his congressional seat. On Wednesday, the five Republicans on the House panel blocked its five Democrats from releasing the committee's findings on Gaetz. Numerous senators, Republicans and Democrats alike, had called for release of the report as they prepared to undertake their constitutionally mandated advice and consent role in reviewing Cabinet nominees offered by an incoming president. Several news outlets reported Wednesday that the House panel 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 age 18 at the time of the payments, told the panel that some of the money was for sex. The Washington Post reported earlier this week that one of the women told the House panel that she witnessed Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a drug-fueled party in 2017. A Trump transition spokesperson had defended Gaetz before he ended his uphill nomination fight on Thursday. "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 spokesperson said. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing throughout the Justice Department and House committee investigations. He began to meet with senators Wednesday to shore up his support but then quickly abandoned the effort. Gaetz fit the mold of several of Trump's appointments to his Cabinet outspokenly loyal to the president-elect, even if they lack the professional credentials suited to the high-level jobs to which he was naming them. Several other Trump appointees also are facing intense scrutiny, including defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth, a Fox News talk show host and decorated military veteran; Health and Human Services chief pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic; and director of national intelligence pick Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic-congresswoman-turned-Republican supporter of Trump. But recent U.S. political history stands in their favor. The Senate has not voted against a presidential Cabinet nominee since 1989, with members of both political parties giving wide deference to new presidents to fill top-level jobs with appointees of their choosing. Two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation judgment against Rudy Giuliani asked a judge Wednesday to penalize him even further for continuing to falsely accuse them of tampering with ballots during the 2020 presidential election. Attorneys for Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea "Shaye" Moss, argued in a filing in a Washington federal court that Giuliani has violated an agreement he signed to stop repeating the falsehoods. The alleged violations came in statements he made during two recent broadcasts of his nightly show on the social media platform X. "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," read the filing, which asked the judge to hold Giuliani in contempt and impose sanctions against him. A lawyer for Giuliani, Joseph M. Cammarata, said he had not seen the court filing and could not respond to its specific claims, but accused the women's attorneys of trying to intimidate the former New York City mayor. In a statement, Giuliani's spokesperson, Ted Goodman, called the new legal filing an attempt to "deprive Mayor Rudy Giuliani of his First Amendment right to freedom of speech." Giuliani is barred from accusing the women of election wrongdoing. The longtime Donald Trump ally was found liable last year for defaming Freeman and Moss by accusing them of ballot tampering as he pushed then-President Trump's lies about election fraud. The women said they faced death threats after Giuliani falsely claimed they sneaked in ballots in suitcases, counted ballots multiple times and tampered with voting machines. The $148 million judgment led to a failed bankruptcy attempt by Giuliani. He has since been ordered to turn over many of his assets to Freeman and Moss, including his $5 million Upper East Side apartment. In December, the women sued Giuliani again for continuing to repeat his ballot-tampering claims, resulting in the court issuing a permanent injunction in May that barred the former mayor from making any statements that suggest the women engaged in any wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 presidential election. Lawyers for the two plaintiffs argued in Wednesday's court filing that Giuliani broke that agreement when he referred to the pair again on his recent video broadcasts on November 12 and 14, including baselessly claiming that he was not allowed to show tapes of "quadruple counting" ballots during the trial. In his statement responding to the filing, Goodman argued that Giuliani "has every right to defend himself." Giuliani's lawyer says 90% to 95% of his possessions have been turned over to Freeman and Moss. Giuliani has been critical of a judge's ruling that ordered him to turn over many prized possessions, including the apartment, a Mercedes once owned by movie star Lauren Bacall and dozens of luxury watches. He said he should not have had to surrender his possessions until his appeal is decided. Authorities in Pakistan reported Thursday that terrorists sprayed multiple passenger vehicles with bullets in a turbulent northwestern district, killing at least 45 people and injuring 20 others. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed to reporters the casualties from the attack in Kurram, which borders Afghanistan. District police and hospital officials reported that among the dead were security personnel, women and children, and that they expect the death toll to rise. They also stated that the police had launched an operation in the area to track down the assailants. No group immediately took responsibility for the massacre in a Pakistani district known for sectarian violence between heavily armed Shiite and Sunni Muslim tribes. Officials in Kurram blame a land dispute for the latest round of sectarian tensions, which led to weeks of armed clashes and killed more than 100 people between August and October. The fighting compelled authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Kurram is situated, to halt all traffic to and from the district until earlier this month, when tribal leaders brokered a temporary cease-fire between the opposing factions. Thursday's violence occurred amid a series of militant attacks in several border districts of the province over the past week, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 Pakistani soldiers. More than 60 Pakistani security personnel have been killed by militant attacks nationwide this month alone, according to official data. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, commonly called TTP, has been blamed or claimed responsibility for much of the violence in recent years. The militant outfit is listed as a global terrorist organization by the United Nations, and Islamabad says TTP is orchestrating terrorism against the country from Afghan sanctuaries." Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch reiterated Thursday her governments long-running complaints, again emphasizing the urgency for Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to act against terror groups operating on their territory. We have, on several occasions, shared concrete evidence with the Afghan authorities with regards to these terror groups and their operations in Afghanistan, and their continued threat to the security of Pakistan, Baloch said at her weekly news conference in Islamabad. We hope that the Afghan authorities will consider terrorism to be a serious threat, not just to the region, but also to their own security, and fulfill their obligations under various international agreements, she said. Taliban leaders deny they harbor terrorist groups, including TTP, or allow anyone to threaten neighboring countries from Afghan soil. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israels war against Hamas militants in Gaza. In a statement on its website, the ICC said the warrants charge each man with the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, along with crimes against humanity that include murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The warrants cover acts committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024, the day the prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest. Israel is not a member of the ICC. The court does not try individuals in absentia, so Netanyahu and Gallant do not face immediate risk of prosecution. But the threat of arrest could create issues if either man travels abroad. Netanyahu condemned the ICC arrest warrant. A statement from his office said it is an antisemitic decision and Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions. In Washington, a National Security Council spokesperson said the United States fundamentally rejects the courts decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials and is discussing next steps. We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision, the spokesperson said in a statement. The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter. The Hague-based courts treaty was negotiated within the United Nations system, but the court is independent of the world body. The U.N. Security Council can refer situations to the prosecutor. Under U.N. guidelines, the secretary-general and other senior officials do not have contact with indicted individuals, unless necessary to carry out the organizations work. The U.N. is spearheading the humanitarian response in Gaza. So, contacts can be had. They need to be limited, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in response to a VOA question. And there is also a procedure through which we advise, in writing, the office of the ICC that these contacts are had. The court also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military chief Muhammad Deif for crimes against humanity, including murder, hostage taking and sexual violence. Those charges are drawn from Hamas October 7, 2023, terror attack, on Israel that killed some 1,200 people, including 46 U.S. citizens. Hamas also took about 250 hostages. Israel has said it killed Deif, but the court said it could not confirm that and issued the warrant. The prosecutors office also originally sought warrants for Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and Ismail Haniyeh, the groups political chief, but it withdrew them following evidence of their deaths. Following the October 7 attack, Israel began a campaign to eliminate Hamas that has killed about 44,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count but says more than half of those killed were women and children. When the original charges were brought to the court in May by ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan, Netanyahu issued a statement calling them a moral outrage of historic proportions. It will cast an everlasting mark of shame on the international court. Netanyahu maintained that Israel is waging a just war against Hamas, and that the absurd charges against him and Gallant are merely an attempt to deny Israel the basic right of self-defense. Netanyahu fired Gallant earlier this month, saying the trust between the two men had evaporated over the course of Israels war in Gaza. Hamas has been designated a terrorist group by the United States, Britain and other Western countries. Vietnamese journalist Pham Chi Dung marked a grim milestone this week: five years in a prison cell. The journalist, blogger and VOA contributor is now one-third of the way through a 15-year term after being convicted of propaganda against the state. He was arrested for promoting media freedom, for cooperating with foreign media to deliver distorted information, and for his criticism of the Communist Partys control of the media. The journalists lawyers and supporters are pushing the international community to help free him. For Pham, life in Xuan Loc Prison, in Vietnams Dong Nai province, is tough. Prison authorities allow a one-hour visit every month, when visitors can bring in essential food items that have to be screened. And he is allowed an unannounced 10-minute home phone call every month, according to a family member who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation. Despite his situation, Pham remains resolute, the family member said. Maybe because the time spent in prison was quite long, his spirit seemed full of endurance and acceptance of fate as he is going to mark five years in jail, out of 15 years of the difficult and challenging journey that he has to go through, the family member told VOA. Pham is experiencing health issues that are worsened by prison. He has insomnia, tinnitus and knee pain. The family asked for private medical care but prison authorities denied the request. Because he is classified as a political prisoner, Pham is restricted within the prison. Pham is not allowed to use common areas or write letters home. Any note he writes to family is screened by the prison authorities before being handed over to family during prison visits, the relative said. Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City arrested Pham on Nov. 21, 2019, days after he sent a petition to the European Union urging it to postpone a signed but not-yet-ratified EU-Vietnam free trade agreement. The petition recommended the deal be delayed until Vietnam improves its press freedom and human rights records. Grace Bui, an American activist in Thailand who met Pham before his arrest, remembers the journalist as a nice, placid and calm man. He was arrested just because he raised his voice over human rights violations and social issues, Bui told VOA. Bui was in Geneva lobbying the EU over the trade deal when Pham was detained. At the time, Pham was already under a travel ban so the petition was the only way he could raise his concerns, Bui said. Bui said she believes the case against him is ridiculous. Pham is a person who dares to stand up for press freedom and tell the truth. The government of Vietnam fears such a free press and they arrested him and his group members to shut down peoples voice and any independent outlets, Bui said. Pham is the founder and president of the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam, IJAVN. Established in July 2014, the group of independent bloggers, journalists and authors promotes a free press. Vietnams government has said that the organization is illegal and that Phams role in it was one of the reasons for his arrest. Two other members of the IJAVN Radio Free Asia contributor Nguyen Tuong Thuy and freelancer Le Huu Minh Tuan are also serving 11 years each on anti-state charges. All three are accused of creating the IJAVN to fight and change the current political institutions of Vietnam. Phams work with the association and his writing for foreign outlets including VOA were cited in the indictment. Pham also reported for independent websites including Dan Luan and Dan Lam Bao, covering economics, social stories, human rights violations, and government corruption. He promoted democracy, freedom of the press, political pluralism, the rule of law, and the development of an independent civil society. Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has accused Pham of dangerous anti-state actions, including fabricating, storing, and disseminating information, as well as other materials opposing the Vietnamese government. State media said that he carried out anti-regime activities such as producing anti-state articles [and] cooperating with foreign media. But others see the case as part of Vietnams control over media. There are three main reasons for Pham's arrest, Annie Nguyen, a member of the IJAVN who is based in the Netherlands, told VOA. His articles touched many people and many walks of life, including the articles he wrote on VOA Vietnamese; he is the president of a journalist association, a professional association, she said, and he wrote a letter to the EU to postpone the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Vietnams National Assembly ratified the deal on June 8, 2020, following ratification by the European Parliament on Feb. 12, 2020. The deal entered into force in August 2020. Manh Dinh Dang, a lawyer who represented Pham before going into exile in the United States, said the journalist decided not to appeal his prison term because he wouldnt believe in any positive change in his verdict. The authorities did not allow any visit to Pham during his long investigation period. They only gave me limited time to counsel my client because the authorities claimed this was a national security case, Manh said. Manh added that the journalist denied the charges and said he did not violate any laws. Vietnam has one of the worst records globally for jailing journalists. The country ranks 174th out of 180th on the World Press Freedom Index, where 1 signifies a good media environment. Refugees at Malawi's only refugee camp, Dzaleka, have started receiving their first-ever insurance payouts to mitigate the impact of the El Nino weather pattern, which has destroyed their crops. The payouts, amounting to nearly $408,000 in total, were facilitated by the African Risk Capacity Group and KfW Development Bank, after the U.N. refugee agency office in Malawi leveraged the group's innovative Replica program. This program enables humanitarian actors to purchase insurance on behalf of countries to address climate-related disasters. Officials of the U.N. refugee agency, the UNHCR, say the beneficiaries will receive approximately $33 per household per month for three months to enhance food security. The payout that has come from this is targeting those that are taking part in agricultural activities and have suffered effects of El Nino or drought that came last year, said Precious Mkoka, development officer for the UNHCR in Malawi. We have 4,000 households that are benefiting from this. Some of the money will go to refugee communities, with the rest going to Malawians that are hosting them. In August, the Malawi government received an insurance payout of $11.2 million to support the countrys recovery from a devastating drought largely blamed on El Nino. The African Risk Capacity Group said the Replica program ensures that more people in need, including refugees, can be reached with critical assistance. Evaristo Sikasunda, country engagement manager at African Risk Capacity Group, said the aim is to help countries prepare and respond to adverse conditions like El Nino. Some beneficiaries of the payouts say they will use the money to buy seeds. However, others say the payment is too little to compensate for crops they lost to the drought. The Dzaleka camp is home to refugees and asylum-seekers from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Somalia. The camp originally was intended to accommodate about 12,000 refugees, but is home to more than 50,000. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's use of a fast, powerful new missile to attack the city of Dnipro on Thursday, calling it a nuclear adventure and a stark escalation in the war. The attack has ignited fears of a dangerous new phase in the war. In a nationwide address, Russian President Vladimir Putin later confirmed the use of a medium-range ballistic missile in the strike. Zelenskyy pointed to the strike as a sign of Moscows broader strategy, stating, It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground for weapons that threaten the world. His remarks underscored the growing alarm in Kyiv over the deployment of advanced Russian missile systems against civilian targets. In his address, Putin framed the use of the nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile as a routine test within the conflict. The Russian Federation tested a medium-range ballistic missile, known as Oreshnik, during its operation in Ukraine, he said. While he offered few technical details, analysts said the use of the missile and Putins acknowledgment appears intended to showcase Russias military capabilities to NATO and the United States. Putins announcement marks the first time Russia has openly acknowledged using such a missile during the war. In Washington, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said the missile used was based on Russia's RS 26 rubes intercontinental ballistic missile model. In terms of notifications to the United States, the United States was pre notified briefly before the launch through Nuclear Risk Reduction channels, she said. Strategic escalation Valeriy Chaly, Ukraines former ambassador to the U.S., described the attack as a new stage in Russias aggression. Speaking to VOA, he emphasized that the strike was not just a challenge to Ukraine but also to its Western allies. This isnt just about Ukraine, Chaly said. Its a challenge to the European security system and the United States. Moscow is signaling its readiness to escalate dramatically to influence the West. He said that the response to the attack must be clear, united, and decisive anything less risks emboldening Russia and jeopardizing global security. Western leaders quickly condemned the strike. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled it reckless and dangerous, while EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano described it as a qualitative escalation in Russias tactics. Dnipro attack The missile targeted industrial facilities in Dnipro, injuring two people and causing significant damage. Ukrainian officials initially suggested the use of an ICBM, or intercontinental ballistic missile, citing the weapons speed and trajectory. Some analysts, including those in the U.S., believed it was more likely a medium- or intermediate-range ballistic missile, consistent with Putins confirmation. Dnipro residents, accustomed to regular air-raid sirens and missile attacks, reported that this strike felt uniquely different. Oleksiy Poltorazky, a local resident, recounted: Weve learned to recognize the sounds of different missile types. This one was different it hit almost immediately after the siren. Many here believe it was a ballistic missile because there was no usual warning sound. The speed and power of the strike left many shaken. Poltorazky, however, remained resolute. Theres no panic, no apocalypse as everyone says. We have to live through this, raise our kids, protect our families and work. We have to fight and do everything possible for our country, he told VOA. George Barros, an expert on the Russia team at the Institute for the Study of War, told VOA that Ukrainians should try not to overreact to the attack. It seems that the Russians targeted the city with an R-26 IRBM, Barros said, referring to a Soviet-era intermediate-range missile. The main thing is to not panic. There's no reason to think that Putins likelihood to use a nuclear weapon or a weapon of mass destruction is any higher than at other points in the war. This is not the first time that Russia has used nuclear-capable weapon systems against Ukraine, he said. Russia regularly uses Iskander nuclear-capable weapons, and this appears to be a signaling effort designed to deter further Western support for Ukraine. Strategic ambiguity While Putin confirmed the missile test, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova provided limited details about the strike. Zakharova was reportedly instructed not to address the attack at all during a Thursday press conference. The calculated reticence deepens global unease, as Moscow oscillates between overt warnings and veiled threats, said some analysts, suggesting the ambiguity is part of a broader strategy to keep Western nations uncertain about Russias next moves. Tensions heightened over Moscows war on Ukraine Thursday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying it had targeted the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with a new intermediate-range missile in response to the United States and Britain sending Kyiv its longer-range missiles for use against Russia. Ukraine claimed Russian forces targeted it with an intercontinental ballistic missile, but U.S. officials said their assessment was that it was an intermediate-range missile, which, hours later, Putin acknowledged. Putin warned during a nationwide address that Russia could use the weapon, which has a range of 800 kilometers, against countries that have allowed Kyiv to use their missiles to strike Russia. "A regional conflict in Ukraine previously provoked by the West has acquired elements of a global character," Putin said in the televised address. He said Russia would issue advance warnings if it launched more strikes with the intermediate-range missiles to allow civilians time to evacuate safely. He claimed that U.S. air defense systems would not be capable of intercepting the new missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a posting on X, following Putins address that Thursdays attack was "yet more proof that Russia has no interest in peace. ... The world must respond. ... A lack of tough reactions to Russias actions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable," he wrote. The most significant feature of the missile that Russia launched into Ukraine was its payload, Fabian Hoffmann, a doctoral research fellow at Oslo University told Reuters. The payload, a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle, "is exclusively associated with nuclear-capable missiles," he said. He said Russia used the weapon for "signaling purposes." The Ukrainian air force said the missile was launched from Russias Astrakhan region and was part of a wider set of attacks that included a hypersonic missile and seven cruise missiles. Ukrainian officials reported that the missile attacks wounded two people and damaged an industrial site in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak said the attacks hit the city of Dnipro and caused several fires. A U.S. official said the United States briefed Ukraine and close allies in recent days to help them prepare for the possible use of an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile, as was used in Thursdays attack. At the Pentagon, deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed Russias launch of an experimental intermediate range ballistic missile. "The United States was pre-notified briefly before the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels," she told reporters Thursday. Russia likely possesses only a handful of the experimental intermediate-range ballistic missiles, the official said. When asked by reporters Thursday about a potential escalation in the conflict, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre pointed to North Korean troops fighting for Russia against Ukraine. "When you are thinking about bringing in thousands of troops to the front lines to add to the war, right these are North Korean troops, as you know that is the aggression from Russias part. Thats their aggression," Jean-Pierre said. "We are going to continue to be there for Ukraine." Elsewhere, Volodymyr Artiukh, governor of Ukraines Sumy region, said on Telegram that Russian forces shelled areas along the border between the two countries and attacked with an aerial drone. Russias Defense Ministry said its air defenses destroyed two Ukrainian drones over the Rostov region and two drones over Volgograd. It also said it shot down two British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Yuri Slyusar, the acting governor of Rostov, said on Telegram that the Ukrainian attack caused no damage or casualties. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb contributed to this report. Some information was provided by Reuters and The Associated Press. Senegal's ruling party, PASTEF, secured a resounding victory in the country's legislative elections, winning 130 of 165 seats, according to provisional results announced Thursday by the national vote counting commission. The win grants newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye a clear mandate to carry out ambitious reforms promised during the campaign, which include fighting corruption, revamping the fishing industry and maximizing the country's natural resource benefits. The main opposition coalition led by former President Macky Sall won 16 seats. Sall congratulated PASTEF in a post on X on election day, and two other major opposition leaders conceded defeat hours after the polls closed on Sunday. The results will now have to be confirmed by the constitutional council, which is expected to do so in the coming week. Before Sunday's legislative election, PASTEF held 56 seats in the National Assembly while Sall's coalition had a slim majority of 83 seats. Faye, who was elected in March on an anti-establishment platform, said the lack of a majority had prevented him from executing reforms he pledged during his presidential campaign. In September, he dissolved the opposition-led parliament, paving the way for an early legislative election. Voting in the West African nation known for its stability was calm and peaceful despite an electoral campaign that was marked by sporadic clashes between rival groups of supporters. Observers from the international community, including the African Union and ECOWAS, praised the smooth voting process and the maturity of Senegalese democracy. Faye, 44, became Africa's youngest elected leader in March, less than two weeks after he was released from prison. The former tax inspector's rise has reflected widespread frustration among Senegal's youth with the country's direction a common sentiment across Africa, which has the world's youngest population and a number of leaders accused of clinging to power for decades. By Nazrin Abdul At the sidelines of COP29, James Leather, Director of the Emerging Areas Transport Sector Office at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), shared his insights to Azernews on global climate initiatives, the role of transport in sustainable development, and opportunities for green financing in Azerbaijan and beyond. When asked about the significance of COP29 initiatives, Leather emphasized its collaborative importance: "It's a great opportunity to bring all the world together to discuss a critical issue on climate issues, climate mitigation, climate adaptation. Today is Transport Day, which is my background. So it's been a very busy day, looking at all different forms of transport... it's very rare opportunities when all those experts come together, talk to the governments about what the future could look like. But we need to talk. Talk is one thing, but talk and then follow that up with actions. I'm from a bank, so we can help finance that as well." Discussing the climate finance gap, Leather underscored the need for innovation: "The infrastructure gap in Asia and the Pacific, the region that the Asian Development Bank looks at, is so large. And I don't think climate finance will be able to plug all of that. What I would say is that it can be used in a very catalytic way. We can prove concepts and invest in those early advantages until they become much more mainstream... The more research, the more investment, the lower the price, the more people demand those areas as well." Addressing Azerbaijan's climate finance initiatives, Leather highlighted ongoing collaboration: "We've been using ADB support on the railway here. So ADY, the Azerbaijan Railway, we've been providing support, and the latest collaborative work we're looking at is on decarbonisation for the organization. Not just in terms of the electrification of the railway and the net zero for the railway itself, but the land holdings and other aspects of rail that could potentially provide clean energy sources." On transforming the Middle Corridor into a green corridor, Leather noted the importance of long-term investments and multimodal transport solutions: "The growth in demand between Asia and Europe and within the region itself will continue to grow. One of the big concerns I have is that the demand for that movement of freight or even passengers is far outstripping any investments that are being made. What we do need to position ourselves is what it's likely, those demands, what will they be in 2050, and start the investments now, but at the scale required to serve those future demands. The Middle Corridor will provide connection from ports to rail to road networks, so we need to look at many different forms of transport... You're only as strong as your weakest link." Leathers insights underscore the importance of collaborative approaches, innovative financing, and strategic investments to drive the green transition in transport and beyond. HONG KONG, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has slammed certain U.S. and Canadian politicians over new visa restrictions vow following the HKSAR's lawful verdict of rioters. The irresponsible remarks were made by the spokesperson of the U.S. State Department, the relevant bodies and members of the U.S. Congress, and the Canadian foreign minister, and also came from a so-called report issued by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which denigrates Hong Kong's national security legislation, human rights and the rule of law, but glorifying and justifying criminals. Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law, and it is a basic principle that laws must be followed and violations must be prosecuted, the spokesperson said on Wednesday evening, noting "No one can engage in illegal activities under the banner of 'freedom' and attempt to escape justice." The relevant judgment of the HKSAR High Court on the crime of "conspiracy to subvert the state power" revealed that Benny Tai Yiu-ting and others conspired to seize control of the legislative council through the so-called "primary election," paralyze the HKSAR government, and undermine the constitutional order of the HKSAR established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, the spokesperson said. "The illegal nature of the acts by Benny Tai Yiu-ting and others is clear, and the criminal facts of those involved are conclusive." Jimmy Lai Chee-ying is the mastermind and participant of the anti-China riots in Hong Kong as well as the "agent" and "pawn" of the anti-China forces. It is legitimate and necessary for the HKSAR High Court to try the relevant case in by law, the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, the spokesperson pointed out that the United States, Canada and other Western countries have strict national security legislation and law enforcement, which seriously violates the basic spirit of human rights and the rule of law, but have instead made groundless accusations against Hong Kong's judiciary. "This act of double standards is a serious blasphemy against the spirit of the rule of law and a gross violation of the principles of international law such as non-interference in internal affairs," the spokesperson said. Since the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong, Hong Kong's political ecology has been purified, social order restored, the spirit of the rule of law demonstrated, the business environment improved. The HKSAR government has operated efficiently, a growing number of global investors have come to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong's status as an international financial center has been strengthened, the spokesperson said. "Any threats and intimidation will be rendered futile," the spokesperson said, urging the U.S. and Canadian politicians to stop their manipulation and meddling. Wearing a gray jacket and flanked by prison officers, pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai smiled and waved to supporters Wednesday as he entered the Hong Kong courtroom. For his son, Sebastien, Lai's testimony at his national security trial hearing was a chance to see from afar how his 77-year-old father is doing. Sebastien Lai followed the hearing from Washington, where he has been advocating for his father's release. Lai's international legal team says the publisher has been denied access to specialized medical care for diabetes. Based on Wednesday's court appearance, Sebastien said it's clear that his father's physical health has worsened. "It's incredibly heartbreaking that he spent the last almost four years in solitary confinement," he said Wednesday during a press conference. After the press conference, Lai told VOA that it was "bittersweet" to see that his father's mental health has remained strong, even as his physical health has worsened. "His spirit is holding strong. His mind is holding strong," Sebastien told VOA. Lai accused of sedition Jimmy Lai's court appearance on Wednesday marked the first time the former publisher provided testimony in a high-profile trial that started nearly one year ago. The case was initially expected to last about 80 days. His international legal team now expects the trial to continue into 2025. Lai is accused of collusion with foreign forces and sedition. The British national rejects the charges, but if convicted, he faces life in prison. Rights groups and foreign governments have condemned the case against Lai as politically motivated, which Hong Kong officials dispute. In a more than 700-word statement to VOA, a Hong Kong government spokesperson said it was "inappropriate" to comment on the case because legal proceedings are ongoing. The spokesperson said that Hong Kong "rejected any fact-twisting remarks and baseless smears against the legal system and safeguarding of rights and freedom in Hong Kong." Publisher strived to deliver 'freedom' A one-time billionaire, Lai founded the Apple Daily newspaper in 1995. The newspaper closed in 2021 after authorities jailed its staff, raided its office, and froze millions of its assets. In court, Lai said he decided to get into the media business "to participate in delivering information, which is delivering freedom." "The more information you have, the more you are in the know, the more you're free," Lai said. "The core values of Apple Daily are actually the core values of the people of Hong Kong," Lai added. These values, he said, include the "rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly." Lai told the court that he opposed violence and "never allowed" his newspaper's staff to advocate for Hong Kong independence, which he characterized as a "conspiracy" and "too crazy to think about." Earlier in the trial, prosecutors alleged that Lai had requested that foreign governments, including the United States, impose sanctions or "engage in other hostile activities" aimed at the Hong Kong or Chinese governments. In court, Lai testified that he had "never" used his foreign contacts to influence foreign policy on Hong Kong. Lai's plight illustrates how press freedom and broader civil liberties have declined in Hong Kong following the implementation of Beijing's national security law in 2020, according to Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, the head of Lai's international legal team. "Jimmy Lai is on trial in Hong Kong, but journalism is on trial in Hong Kong, too," Gallagher said Wednesday at the Washington press conference. Earlier this year, Hong Kong introduced a new law known as Article 23 that rights experts say will erode civil liberties even more. In September, two journalists from Hong Kong's now-shuttered Stand News were sentenced to jail for sedition. And this week, 45 pro-democracy activists were sentenced to prison under the national security law. Lai's case symbolizes the broader assault on freedoms taking place in Hong Kong, according to Gallagher. "His case was designed to send a chill down the spine of anyone who might want to wear a T-shirt or sing a song or post a Tweet or say anything which might stand up to Hong Kong or Beijing's leaders," Gallagher told VOA at the press conference. Lai's son 'cautiously optimisic' There are currently more than 1,900 political prisoners jailed in Hong Kong, according to the Washington-based nonprofit Hong Kong Democracy Council. Diplomatic pressure will be the key to securing Lai's release, Gallagher said. She cited this past August's historic prisoner swap between Russia and the United States, which included the release of American journalists Alsu Kurmasheva and Evan Gershkovich, as an example of the kind of creative thinking that is needed to help Lai. "With creativity and political will, you can do what might seem impossible," Gallagher said. Lai's son Sebastien said he remains "cautiously optimistic" about the prospect of his father's freedom. "I'm incredibly proud of what he's doing, and I think he knows that he's also doing the right thing," Sebastien said. Southeast Asian defense chiefs met Thursday with their counterparts from China, the United States and other nations in Laos for security talks, which come as Beijing's increasingly assertive stance in its claim to most of the South China Sea is leading to more confrontations. The closed-door talks put U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in the same room, a day after Dong refused a request to meet with Austin one-on-one on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit of defense ministers. The U.S. and China have been working to improve frayed military-to-military communications, and Austin said he regretted Dong's decision, calling it "a setback for the whole region." A Chinese statement indicated that Beijing was unhappy with U.S. actions related to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims. The U.S. recently approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system. "The U.S. side cannot undermine China's core interests on the Taiwan issue while conducting exchanges with the Chinese military as if nothing had happened," Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said in a statement posted online Thursday. The ASEAN meetings come as member nations are looking warily toward the change in American administrations at a time of increasing maritime disputes with China. The U.S. has firmly pushed a "free and open Indo-Pacific" policy under outgoing President Joe Biden, and it is not yet clear how the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump will address the South China Sea situation. Dong called for resolving issues through dialogue and not provoking disputes or introducing external forces, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported. South China Sea Beijing believes that U.S. backing has emboldened the Philippines to act more assertively in its South China Sea disputes with China. Other nations attending the ASEAN meeting from outside Southeast Asia include Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The meetings with the ASEAN dialogue partners were also expected to address tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine war and wars in the Middle East. Before heading to Laos, Austin concluded 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." 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 members of ASEAN, which stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations. As China has grown more assertive in pushing its territorial claims in recent years, it and ASEAN have been negotiating a code of conduct to govern behavior in the sea. 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. 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. Myanmar crisis 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. At the defense meetings, the country is represented by Zaw Naing Win, director of the Defense Ministry's International Affairs Department. British Defense Secretary John Healey is expected to face lawmakers questions Thursday on media reports Ukraine used British-donated Storm Shadow missiles on targets deep inside Russia for the first time Wednesday. Healey is to appear before the parliamentary Defense Committee Thursday morning. The hearing was scheduled before Wednesdays reported attack. Both the British and Ukrainian governments have refused to confirm or deny reports that Ukrainian forces fired up to 10 Storm Shadow missiles at targets in Maryino, a village in Russias Kursk border region. Social media images purport to show Storm Shadow missile fragments in the vicinity. The reports follow U.S. President Joe Bidens decision this week to approve the use of American ATACMS missiles on targets far inside Russia. Ukraine fired the American missiles into Russia within hours of Bidens decision. Moscow earlier warned Western nations that allowing Ukraine to attack its territory with long-range missiles would prompt a tangible response. Kyiv reported Thursday that Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) carrying a conventional warhead at the central city of Dnipro. Authorities said two people were injured. Russia did not immediately respond to the Ukraine statement. ICBMs are also capable of carrying nuclear warheads thousands of kilometers. The attack follows Moscows lowering of its threshold for the use of nuclear weapons earlier this week. The British Storm Shadow missiles have already been used against Russian forces in occupied Ukraine, including in a September 2023 attack that destroyed Russias former Black Sea fleet headquarters in Crimea. France has also supplied Ukraine with its version of the Storm Shadow missiles, known as Scalp. The European missiles differ from the American-supplied ATACMS, said Patrick Bury, a defense analyst at Britains University of Bath. They are air launch missiles. Generally, depending on the export variant, theyve usually got a range of 250 kilometers, or 155 miles. The ATACMS has a longer range than that and isn't air-launched - so therefore it's harder to intercept - in theory, at least, Bury told VOA. Both weapons systems will open a range of new targets, according to James Nixey, who leads the Russia-Eurasia program at Londons Chatham House. The range of both missiles is enough to get behind Russian lines and into Russian infrastructure targets so that will cut their supplies to their front line. So, the actual range of each missile is not as significant as the fact that Ukraine needs them in great quantity - and very fast indeed. The weapons are unlikely to change the course of the war, Nixey added. No single new innovation into the Ukrainian battlefield will do the trick, although they are hoping it will do. They're hoping that it will break the Russian spine and that the [Russian military] will fold, collapse and that will have a chain reaction back up into the Moscow. That seems relatively unlikely, I have to say. But the Ukrainians are desperate and they will do all that they possibly can with however little that they have, Nixey told Reuters. Ukraine will have to select its targets carefully, said Bury. It will slow down the rate of advance, but will it have a strategic impact? Would it change the course of the war? If you're giving them clearance to fire inside Russia, are you going to allow them to actually up the ante and start hitting energy infrastructure, you know, military infrastructure, oil refineries, etcetera, stuff that would really start to hurt the Russian economy? That's the question, Bury said. Meanwhile Germany, Ukraines second-biggest supplier of arms after the United States, this week again ruled out giving Kyiv its long-range Taurus cruise missiles, something Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long desired. Berlin fears being dragged into the war. Nothing has changed for us, the situation, the circumstances are the same. And Taurus is Taurus - and not ATACMS or Storm Shadow - so our perspective on that issue is the same, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters Tuesday. Germanys main opposition, the Christian Democrats, support giving Ukraine the Taurus missiles. The party is ahead in the polls, with a general election scheduled in February. However, the future of Western military aid to Kyiv remains uncertain following Donald Trumps victory in the U.S. presidential election. Trump has pledged to end the war on his first day in office, although he has not provided any details on how he would achieve that goal. Ukraine fears U.S. support may be cut under Donald Trump. Britain and France could opt to continue supplying Ukraine with missiles, Bury said. They're both nuclear powers, they can take that risk if they want to. I think you might find a divergence between European NATO and U.S. NATO on some policy issues around Ukraine, he told VOA. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Its reported that Ukraine has fired British-supplied Storm Shadow long-range missiles into Russia for the first time. It follows U.S. President Joe Bidens reported decision earlier this week to approve the use of American longer-range missiles on targets deep inside Russia. Henry Ridgwell reports from London. A new survey of public opinion in Ukraine indicates that for the first time a slight majority of Ukrainians say they are ready to concede their lands for peace; however, other recent polls indicate opinions may be more complicated. The Gallup polls released Tuesday, conducted in August and October, found that 52 percent of Ukrainians want their country to negotiate a quick end to the war, while 38 percent want to keep fighting until victory. Although media reports about the survey said it reflects a shift in popular opinion from the outset of the war, when most Ukrainians wanted to fight until victory, other surveys have reported less support for a quick resolution. In September and October of this year, the International Republican Institute's (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) found that "strong majorities believe that Ukraine will defeat Russia in the current war and support recapturing all lost territory." According to this survey, released November 12 and conducted by computer-assisted telephone interviews in the Kyiv-controlled territories in late September and early October, 88% of Ukrainians believe that Ukraine will win the war. This number is lower than 98% in June 2022 but has not changed since February 2024. Similar results came from surveys conducted by Ukrainian pollsters. A study from the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) conducted in September-October 2024 found that 81% of Ukrainians believe Ukraine can succeed if the West provides adequate support. Only 14% believe Russia is too strong (up from 7% in December 2023). Similarly, a national survey conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Foundation "Democratic Initiatives" with the sociological service of the Razumkov Center in August reported that Ukrainians are not ready to capitulate to Russia's territorial demands. Only 9% of Ukrainians said they would agree to recognize the occupied territories as part of the Russian Federation in exchange for peace (up from 5% in August 2023), and 81% consider it unacceptable (down from 90% in August 2023). Pollsters attribute the differences in their results to different methodologies. Benedict Vigers, the author of the Gallup report, says while they asked questions by phone, the Razumkov survey asked questions in person. There are also some differences in sample coverage. For instance, the IRI survey did not get data from in Donetsk or Kherson. In a written response to VOA, Vigers explained that a desire to end the war as soon as possible does not equal a willingness to give away territories. He points out that only half of those who want to negotiate peace are open to unspecified territorial concessions. "Of the 52% who think Ukraine should seek to negotiate an ending to the war as soon as possible, around half (52%) are open to making some territorial concessions to achieve peace with Russia. Another 38% are not open to these concessions," he wrote. That means that only a quarter of Ukraine's polled population is open to territorial concessions in exchange for peace. "There is still a significant chunk of society that wants to keep fighting until victory, and for most of these people, victory means taking back all land lost since 2014, including Crimea, Vigers said. Mykhailo Mishchenko, deputy director of the Ukrainian Razumkov Center Sociological Service, showed how a slight difference in the question's wording can alter the results. "When you ask the question, Do you agree that Ukraine should be open to making some territorial concessions as a part of a peace deal to end the war? you get a different answer. It does not mean that all 52% of those who said yes in the Gallup poll agree to the territorial concessions. They may be open to considering this question," Mishchenko told VOA. He said that Ukrainian society is tired of war after 2.5 years, and the number of people who support negotiations has grown. They also can observe the change of rhetoric from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said that Russia should be invited to the next peace summit. But Mishchenko cautions against interpreting the polls' results as a desire of Ukrainians to surrender. In one of his previous interviews, Mishchenko pointed out that many Ukrainians do not believe that territorial concessions would end the war. "Among those who are ready to make concessions, 26% answered that Russia's goal is genocide and the physical destruction of the majority of Ukrainians. Another 20% of this category indicated that Russia's goal is the destruction of the Ukrainian nation. In total, it is 46%. And only 15% of those who are ready to make concessions answered that Russia's goal is to keep the already occupied territory without claims to the rest of the territory of Ukraine, he said in an interview with an independent Russian newspaper. Mishchenko points out that Russian polls indicate a greater willingness of Russian society to return lands they occupied to Ukrainians in order to end the war. One such poll was conducted in September 2024 by the Levada Center, a Russian independent pollster. "They asked respondents if they thought it was necessary to continue military operations or start peace negotiations, " Michshenko said. The majority (54%) of the surveyed Russians were in favor of peace negotiations, and the minority (39%) were in favor of the continuation of hostilities. In September 2022, 48% of Russians supported negotiations, and 44% supported the continuation of hostilities, he said. An Indian businessman who is one of the world's richest people has been indicted in the United States on charges he duped investors by concealing that his company's huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. Gautam Adani, 62, was charged in an indictment unsealed Wednesday with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The case involves a lucrative arrangement for Adani Green Energy Ltd. and another firm to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power to the Indian government enough to light millions of homes and businesses. The indictment portrays Adani and his co-defendants as playing two sides of the deal. It accuses them of portraying the plan as rosy and aboveboard to Wall Street investors who poured several billion dollars into the project while, back in India, they were paying or planning to pay about $265 million in bribes to government officials in exchange for billions of dollars' worth of contracts and financing. Adani and his co-defendants allegedly sought to "obtain and finance massive state energy supply contracts through corruption and fraud at the expense of U.S. investors," Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lisa Miller said. In a parallel civil action, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Adani and two co-defendants of violating anti-fraud provisions of U.S. securities laws. The regulator is seeking monetary penalties and other sanctions. Both cases were filed in federal court in Brooklyn. Adani's co-defendants include his nephew, Sagar Adani, the executive director of Adani Green Energy's board, and Vneet Jaain, who was the company's chief executive from 2020 to 2023 and remains managing director of its board. Online court records did not list lawyers who could speak on the defendants' behalf. An email message seeking comment was left with an arm of Adani's company, the Adani Group. Sanjay Wadhwa, acting director of the SEC's Enforcement Division, said Gautam and Sagar Adani are accused of persuading investors to buy their company's bonds by misrepresenting "not only that Adani Green had a robust anti-bribery compliance program but also that the company's senior management had not and would not pay or promise to pay bribes." Adani is a power player in the world's most populous nation. He built his fortune in the coal business in the 1990s. The Adani Group grew to involve many aspects of Indian life, from making defense equipment to building roads to selling cooking oil. In recent years, Adani has made big moves into renewable energy, embracing a philosophy of sustainable growth reflected in its slogan: "Growth with Goodness." Last year, a U.S.-based financial research firm accused Adani and his company of "brazen stock manipulation" and "accounting fraud." The Adani Group called the claims "a malicious combination of selective misinformation and stale, baseless and discredited allegations." The firm in question is known as a short-seller, a Wall Street term for traders that essentially bet on the prices of certain stocks to fall, and it had made such investments in relation to the Adani Group. On November 16, during his final meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Chinese leader Xi Jinping voiced his willingness to work with the new administration, maintain cooperation and manage differences. Biden called the U.S.-China relationship the most important in the world and repeated his oft-stated remark that the United States and China "cannot let any of this competition veer into conflict." Pledges aside, when VOA took a closer look at what Biden and Xi had to say during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru, it found that there was a sharp contrast between what Xi says and China's actions and facts on the ground. Cyberthreats During his meeting with Xi, Biden raised deep concerns about Chinese state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting civilian critical infrastructure and threatening the safety and security of Americans. In response, Xi said there is no evidence supporting what he called the irrational claim that cyberattacks are being carried out from China. However, for years U.S. intelligence agencies and cybersecurity experts have routinely traced cyberattacks to Beijing. Many of the threat actors are not just affiliated with the Chinese state but controlled by it. China has also been compromising telecommunications firms and providers of managed information technology services. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence's 2024 Annual Threat Assessment report named China as the most active and persistent cyber threat to U.S. Government, private-sector, and critical infrastructure networks. That report referenced PRC operations that were likely intended to pre-position cyber-attacks against Guam, an island in the Western Pacific and closest U.S. territory to Taiwan. The 2024 Microsoft Digital Defense Report said that Beijings long-term focus on controlling Taiwan had spurred Chinese threat actors to carry out a high level of targeting against Taiwan-based enterprises. China has targeted military and IT entities in the South China Sea region. In July 2021, the U.S. and allies accused Beijing of facilitating the cyberattack on the Microsoft Exchange email server software and other ransomware attacks. Last week, the FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency revealed that Chinese state-affiliated actors were carrying out a broad and significant cyber espionage campaign targeting commercial telecommunications infrastructure in the U.S. Beijing has also become more aggressive in carrying out influence operations intended to sway U.S. elections. Ukraine More than 1,000 days into Russias invasion of Ukraine, Biden called out Beijings "continued support for Russias defense industrial base. Xi said China makes every effort for peace and claimed Beijings position and actions on the Ukraine issue have always been fair and square. However, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization views China as a "decisive enabler" of Russias war effort in Ukraine. China, through its "no limits friendship with Russia, has provided Moscow diplomatic cover for its war and is significantly supporting Russias ability to produce armaments. The U.S. says China has ramped up sales of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology used to produce weapons and weapons systems that Moscow is deploying in Ukraine. Declassified U.S. intelligence estimates that roughly 90% of Russias microelectronics used to make missiles, tanks and aircraft came from China in 2023. The report said China had provided Russia 70% of the machine tools likely used to manufacture ballistic missiles. China also ramped up trade with Russia, particularly oil and gas imports, to buoy Russias flagging economy and dampen the impact of Western sanctions. Taiwan Biden told Xi the U.S. opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side and called for any differences to be resolved peacefully, reflecting nearly half a century of U.S. policy. He further called on China to end its destabilizing military activity around Taiwan. Beijing has signaled its willingness to retake Taiwan by force. Drawing a red line around Taiwan, a democratically self-governing island which China claims as its territory, Xi called on the U.S. to unequivocally oppose Taiwan independence and support Chinas peaceful reunification. Beijing has often conflated its one China principle, which states there is only one China and Taiwan is a part of China, with the United States one China policy. While the U.S. acknowledges Chinas claim that Taiwan is part of China and recognizes Beijing as the sole legal government of China, the one-China policy does not take a position on Taiwans status. With China becoming increasingly belligerent toward Taiwan with ramped up air incursions, threatening propaganda and exercises simulating attacks on Taiwan, the U.S. has approved billions in arms sales to Taiwan. China says that undermines its sovereignty and threatens peace in the region, calling on the U.S. to clearly see "the true nature of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing regards as a separatist. Lai has said it is up to the people of Taiwan to decide their future. He has repeatedly offered to hold talks that Beijing has rejected. Human rights Chinas inclusion of democracy and human rights among its red lines is part of Beijings long-standing effort to redefine the popular understanding of those concepts and to stifle criticism of Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, rules and abuses. Beijing has both argued that human rights vary from one country to another, while also contending that China abides by the basic principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, or UDHR. However, the CCP systematically violates rights and freedoms set out by the UDHR, specifically freedom of thought, conscience and religion and the rights to free speech, free assembly and privacy. The UDHR also states that that no one shall be held in slavery or servitude. A body of evidence shows that China has subjected Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in its Northwestern Xinjiang region to mass surveillance, internment, forced sterilization, torture, sexual violence, forced labor, religious repression and other forms of cultural erasure. Beijing has similarly engaged in systematic repression and cultural erasure in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Dozens of people were reported killed in Israeli strikes in eastern Lebanon on Thursday. The governor of Baalbek-Hermel province said that at least 47 people were killed and 22 people were wounded in his region by the strikes. The strikes on Thursday came a day after U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein left Lebanon for Israel amid a push to secure a cease-fire in Israels war with the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah. Hochstein met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz but there were no immediate reports from the meeting. However, a senior Lebanese official told Reuters that his country sought changes in the proposal to ensure the quick withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon. Hochstein reported progress Wednesday in what he described as constructive talks this week with Lebanese officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally mediating for the militants. Israeli forces continued their military campaign that Netanyahu says is aimed at pushing Hezbollah back from border areas in southern Lebanon where the militants could pose a threat to northern Israel. Israels military issued new evacuation orders in southern Lebanon, in Beiruts southern suburbs and in the Tyre area. Such calls for people to flee have frequently been followed by Israeli strikes that the military says target Hezbollah fighters. Cease-fire resolution The United States blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution Wednesday, demanding a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, saying the proposed language would have sent the wrong message to Hamas. The United States worked for weeks in good faith to avoid this outcome, U.S. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Robert Wood said after the vote. We made clear throughout negotiations, we could not support an unconditional cease-fire 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. These two urgent goals are inextricably linked. The U.S. veto was its fourth on Gaza since the war between Israel and Hamas started 14 months ago. The Palestinian envoy to the U.N. said that while the proposed cease-fire would not solve everything, it would be a first step and vetoing it is unjustifiable when atrocities are taking place. I truly do not understand, you're saying we cannot be for an unconditional cease-fire, Majed Bamya said, emotion rising in his voice. What that means, in effect now, is that we are for a war. You're saying we cannot be for an unconditional cease-fire that does not release the hostages. Is this war releasing the hostages? Is it? Is it even trying to release the hostages? Israels ambassador said the proposed text would have sent the message that terrorists can act with impunity. The resolution brought before this chamber was not a path to peace, it was a road map to more terror, more suffering and more bloodshed, Danny Danon said. Many of you attempted to pass this injustice. We thank the United States for exercising its veto, for standing on the side of morality and justice, for refusing to abandon the hostages and their families. Council members expressed their disappointment that the resolution was not adopted, and Algeria, which represents the Arab group of nations on the 15-nation Security Council said it would return soon with an even stronger resolution. Hezbollah began its campaign after its ally Hamas launched its October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel. 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 that has killed about 44,000 people, according to the 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. Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terror groups by the United States, the U.K. and other Western countries. VOA United Nations Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. The U.S. Treasury Department announced Thursday a new set of sanctions targeting Russias financial sector and its ability to fund its war with Ukraine, hitting Gazprombank as well as many other internationally connected financial institutions, entities and individuals. In a statement posted to its website, the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control said the sanctions designate Gazprombank Russia's largest remaining unsanctioned bank plus more than 50 other Russian banks, more than 40 Russian securities registrars and 15 Russian finance officials. The Treasury department said Gazprombank is a conduit for Russia to purchase military equipment for its war against Ukraine and the Russian government also uses the bank to pay its soldiers. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain have previously sanctioned Gazprombank. The sanctions mean that all property and interests of the institutions, entities or individuals targeted by the sanctions are blocked. In the statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary said the sanctions will further diminish and degrade Russias war machine. This sweeping action will make it harder for the Kremlin to evade U.S. sanctions and fund and equip its military. In a statement posted to the White House website, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the new sanctions are part of a pledge made by President Joe Biden in September to provide additional assistance and actions to help Ukraine as it continues to resist Russias aggression. The Biden administration is expected to step up assistance to Ukraine before the president leaves office. President-elect Donald Trump and leading Republicans have suggested they will reduce funding for Ukraine once Trump takes office on January 20. U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade. The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice calls for sweeping punishments that would include a sale of Google's industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions to prevent Android from favoring its own search engine. A sale of Chrome "will permanently stop Google's control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet," Justice Department lawyers argued in their filing. Although regulators stopped short of demanding Google sell Android too, they asserted the judge should make it clear the company could still be required to divest its smartphone operating system if its oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct. The broad scope of the recommended penalties underscores how severely regulators operating under President Joe Biden's administration believe Google should be punished following an August ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta that branded the company as a monopolist. The Justice Department decision-makers who will inherit the case after President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year might not be as strident. The Washington, D.C., court hearings on Google's punishment are scheduled to begin in April and Mehta is aiming to issue his final decision before Labor Day. If Mehta embraces the government's recommendations, Google would be forced to sell its 16-year-old Chrome browser within six months of the final ruling. But the company certainly would appeal any punishment, potentially prolonging a legal tussle that has dragged on for more than four years. Besides seeking a Chrome spinoff and a corralling of the Android software, the Justice Department wants the judge to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple's iPhone and other devices. It would also ban Google from favoring its own services, such as YouTube or its recently launched artificial intelligence platform, Gemini. Regulators also want Google to license the search index data it collects from people's queries to its rivals, giving them a better chance at competing with the tech giant. On the commercial side of its search engine, Google would be required to provide more transparency into how it sets the prices that advertisers pay to be listed near the top of some targeted search results. Kent Walker, Google's chief legal officer, lashed out at the Justice Department for pursuing "a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and America's global technology." In a blog post, Walker warned the "overly broad proposal" would threaten personal privacy while undermining Google's early leadership in artificial intelligence, "perhaps the most important innovation of our time." Wary of Google's increasing use of artificial intelligence in its search results, regulators also advised Mehta to ensure websites will be able to shield their content from Google's AI training techniques. The measures, if they are ordered, threaten to upend a business expected to generate more than $300 billion in revenue this year. "The playing field is not level because of Google's conduct, and Google's quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired," the Justice Department asserted in its recommendations. "The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages." It's still possible that the Justice Department could ease off attempts to break up Google, especially if Trump takes the widely expected step of replacing Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, who was appointed by Biden to oversee the agency's antitrust division. Although the case targeting Google was originally filed during the final months of Trump's first term in office, Kanter oversaw the high-profile trial that culminated in Mehta's ruling against Google. Working in tandem with Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, Kanter took a get-tough stance against Big Tech that triggered other attempted crackdowns on industry powerhouses such as Apple and discouraged many business deals from getting done during the past four years. Trump recently expressed concerns that a breakup might destroy Google but didn't elaborate on alternative penalties he might have in mind. "What you can do without breaking it up is make sure it's more fair," Trump said last month. Matt Gaetz, the former Republican congressman that Trump nominated to be the next U.S. Attorney General, has previously called for the breakup of Big Tech companies. Gaetz faces a tough confirmation hearing. This latest filing gave Kanter and his team a final chance to spell out measures that they believe are needed to restore competition in search. It comes six weeks after Justice first floated the idea of a breakup in a preliminary outline of potential penalties. But Kanter's proposal is already raising questions about whether regulators seek to impose controls that extend beyond the issues covered in last year's trial, and by extension Mehta's ruling. Banning the default search deals that Google now pays more than $26 billion annually to maintain was one of the main practices that troubled Mehta in his ruling. It's less clear whether the judge will embrace the Justice Department's contention that Chrome needs to be spun out of Google and or Android should be completely walled off from its search engine. "It is probably going a little beyond," Syracuse University law professor Shubha Ghosh said of the Chrome breakup. "The remedies should match the harm, it should match the transgression. This does seem a little beyond that pale." Google rival DuckDuckGo, whose executives testified during last year's trial, asserted the Justice Department is simply doing what needs to be done to rein in a brazen monopolist. "Undoing Google's overlapping and widespread illegal conduct over more than a decade requires more than contract restrictions: it requires a range of remedies to create enduring competition," Kamyl Bazbaz, DuckDuckGo's senior vice president of public affairs, said in a statement. Trying to break up Google harks back to a similar punishment initially imposed on Microsoft a quarter century ago following another major antitrust trial that culminated in a federal judge deciding the software maker had illegally used his Windows operating system for PCs to stifle competition. However, an appeals court overturned an order that would have broken up Microsoft, a precedent many experts believe will make Mehta reluctant to go down a similar road with the Google case. TIANJIN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A ministerial declaration on the development of vocational education was adopted by 32 countries on Thursday at the 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference held in north China's Tianjin. The declaration, titled "Tianjian Consensus on World Vocational Education Development," was deliberated and adopted by senior officials in education and other related sectors from 32 countries at a roundtable of the conference. The conference opened on Thursday and was attended by more than 1,200 guests from over 100 countries and regions, including government officials, diplomatic envoys, international organizations and educational institute personnel, among others. It also featured parallel meetings on topics including the coordination between enterprises and colleges in vocational training, the role of vocational education in global sustainable development, and the occupation development of vocational education teachers. The conference, which will last until Friday, is jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Education, the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, and the Tianjin municipal government. The U.S. Senate on Wednesday blocked legislation that would have halted the sale of some U.S. weapons to Israel. The measures had been introduced out of concern about the human rights catastrophe Palestinians face in Gaza. Seventy-nine of the 100 senators opposed a resolution that would have blocked sales of tank rounds to Israel, while 18 approved it and one voted present. Seventy-eight opposed a second measure, which would have stopped the shipment of mortar rounds, while 19 supported it and one voted present. The Senate was to vote later Wednesday on a third resolution that would stop shipments of a GPS guidance system for bombs. All of the votes in favor of the measures came from the Democratic caucus. Those against came from both Democrats and Republicans. The "resolutions of disapproval" were filed by Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and co-sponsored by a handful of Democrats. Strong bipartisan support for Israel in Congress meant the resolutions were never likely to pass, but backers hoped significant support in the Senate would encourage Israel's government and President Joe Biden's administration to do more to protect civilians in Gaza. The Biden administration opposed the resolutions. Most of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people has been displaced and the enclave is at risk of famine, more than a year into Israel's war against Hamas in the Palestinian enclave. Gaza health officials say nearly 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's offensive. Sanders, accusing Israel of blocking aid shipments, said providing military aid to Israel violates U.S. law barring weapons sales to human rights abusers. "It is time to tell the [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu government that they cannot use U.S. taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of U.S. and international law and our moral values," Sanders said in a Senate speech before the vote. Opponents said the resolutions were inappropriate as Israel faces threats from designated terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and from archenemy Iran. "Israel is surrounded by enemies dedicated to its annihilation," the Senate's Democratic majority leader, Chuck Schumer, said in a Senate speech before the votes. Israel says that it has been working to address humanitarian needs and that the main problem with aid deliveries is U.N. distribution challenges. Its embassy in Washington did not respond this week to a request for comment on Sanders' resolutions. U.S. law gives Congress the right to stop major foreign weapons sales by passing resolutions of disapproval. Although no such resolution has passed Congress and survived a presidential veto, the law requires the Senate to vote if a resolution is filed. Such resolutions have at times led to angry debates embarrassing to past presidents. A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland has erupted for the seventh time since December. The eruption started with little warning at 11:14 p.m. Wednesday and created a fissure around 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long. The activity is estimated to be considerably smaller than the previous eruption in August, Iceland's meteorological office that monitors seismic activity said. "In the big picture, this is a bit smaller than the last eruption, and the eruption that occurred in May," Magnus Tumi Guomundsson, a professor of geophysics who flew over the scene with the Civil Protection agency to monitor the event, told the national RUV broadcaster. While the eruption poses no threat to air travel, authorities warned of gas emissions across parts of the peninsula, including the nearby town of Grindavik. Around 50 houses were evacuated after the Civil Protection agency issued the alert, along with guests at the famous Blue Lagoon resort, according to RUV. The repeated volcanic eruptions close to Grindavik, which is about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, and has a population of 3,800 people, have damaged infrastructure and property and forced many residents to relocate to guarantee their safety. "Grindavik is not in danger as it looks and it is unlikely that this crack will get any longer, although nothing can be ruled out," Magnus Tumi said. Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, averages one eruption every four to five years. The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and disrupted trans-Atlantic air travel for months. By Kathy Short LUSAKA, ZAMBIA 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. HANGZHOU, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is driving a new technological and industrial revolution. However, there is concern about its application. At a forum highlighting responsible AI development and applications held in Zhejiang Province of east China, experts and industry insiders from both home and abroad have called for a people-centered approach to harnessing AI technology for the benefit of humankind. Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Communications Teo Nie Ching shared a chatbot story, in which an AI technology firm in the United States was accused by a woman of causing her 14-year-old son's death. The teenager committed suicide in February after becoming obsessed with a chatbot on a platform developed by the company, the mother was quoted as saying. The case was deemed to be an illustration of the potential threat posed by AI technology, warranting the need for effective AI governance. "Digital transformation is not only about technology popularization but also the necessity to take a more careful look at the human society and ethical values," said Teo on the occasion of the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit that closes on Friday. Many speakers at the summit reached a consensus on promoting the development of AI to improve human well-being, while also stressing this effort should prioritize social security, respect human rights, share global values, and take a people-centered, ethical approach. They suggested AI governance featuring joint efforts by the government, companies and society as a whole, while promoting technological innovation and international cooperation. Zhou Hongyi, founder of 360 Group, believes a people-centered principle is essential for science and technology. "AI should have a positive influence on humans. It ought to serve as an assistant instead of a replacement," he said. China has taken action to seek the coordination of AI development with governance. In July 2023, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued interim guidelines on managing generative AI services, the first of their kind in the world. In September 2024, a regulation on identifying AI-generated or composed content was drafted and released for public opinion. Zhang Weimin, an engineer with the CAC, called for greater awareness of social responsibility and the prevention of improper usage. Under the theme of "Embracing a People-centered and AI-for-good Digital Future -- Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," participants at the summit also voiced support for the underdeveloped world to bridge the digital and AI divide. Nii Narku Quaynor, chairman of Ghana Dot Com, also known as the "father of the internet in Africa," shared his thought on the diversity and inclusiveness in the booming AI era. "The task facing Africa is how we are introducing AI and ensuring participation on the development side, as well as usage," noted Quaynor. He pointed out three areas that require attention: technical capacities and educational preparedness; the cost of equipment and infrastructure; and electrical power. "Cooperation is the answer," Quaynor said in an interview with Xinhua. He said he looks forward to deeper cooperation between Africa and China in cyberspace and expects that Africa can also contribute to this field. In China, AI is becoming an important engine for developing new quality productive forces. China is now home to more than 4,500 AI companies. Its core AI industry reached a size of more than 578 billion yuan (about 81.3 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, up 13.9 percent year on year, according to official data. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Courtesy of the publishers Its a truism that the Irish cast a long and influential shadow over English-language literature. James Joyce appears near the top of most lists of influential writers, and more recently, Sally Rooney discourse clogs our feeds every time she publishes a new novel. Last year, four of the five writers longlisted for the Booker Prize were Irish. Considering that heritage, we asked a small group of writers and editors to choose the best Irish novels of the past 15 years .Why 15? It seemed enough time to encompass Colm Toibins influential best seller Brooklyn; the postCeltic Tiger downturn, when Irelands economy cratered in the midst of a global recession and fueled the sardonic opuses of Paul Murray; and Anna Burnss surprising 2018 Booker win for her modernist retelling of the Troubles. Still, the time period is admittedly arbitrary. I think the creation of The Stinging Fly magazine in 1997 is significant as there is an identifiable cohort of writers associated with it, says Irish Times books editor Martin Doyle, referring to the influential magazine that published the early works of writers like Rooney and Kevin Barry and has a publishing arm as well. But success has many parents, failure is an orphan! The process was mostly democratic; the more appearances a book made on our critics lists, the higher it ranked. That also explains some entries by more than one author and the presence of one or two short-story collections. As the list developed, certain themes emerged: Irish emigration, the tension between cities and small towns, the recession of the mid-aughts, a playfulness with language and genre. And the breadth of talent. Happy reading. Tomi Obaro 25. A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa $16 $16 On paper, this book sounds impenetrable: Its an autofictive retelling of a centuries-old lovers lament, written in English and Irish Gaelic. Doireann Ni Ghriofa (the character but also the author) is absorbed by her work translating the poem Caoineadh Airt Ui Laoghaire (The Lament for Art OLeary), written by his wife, Eibhlin Dubh Ni Chonaill, from Irish to English. She becomes intertwined with the poem and its author, scrounging through libraries to put together a biography of Ni Chonaill, hoping to understand herself and her desires by getting under the skin of a poet who describes drinking handfuls of her murdered husbands blood. The novel, and I would argue its a novel, plays with form: Its also an academic text, a thriller, and a translation. Or rather, its about the act of translation understanding your life through someone elses. It has the skewy internal logic of something like Tom McCarthys Remainder and the feral, fecund bodily obsession of Miranda Julys All Fours. It cracks open the past like an egg, and something new slouches from out within. Ailbhe Malone $16 at Bookshop Buy 24. Days Without End by Sebastian Barry $26 $26 This novel deals with one of Irish literatures enduring preoccupations: the search for a better life in America. Were a long way from Colm Toibins Brooklyn, however, as we follow the life of Thomas McNulty. His mother and sister dead in the Famine, Thomas eventually finds himself on the Oregon Trail, caught up first in the Indian Wars in Wyoming and then in the Civil War in Georgia; in these fights, he encounters several of his countrymen, all of them escaping their hard origins. And yet Days Without End is also a beautiful and transgressive love story, of the romance between Thomas occasionally Thomasina and his companion John Cole as they endure all these hardships and together raise a Sioux girl named Winona. This barely believable family unit is at the heart of the novels greatness: its understanding of love, folly and the sacrifice at the heart of parenthood as McNulty calls it, that work, trying to earn the pennies to feed their families. Cameron Yule $26 at Amazon Buy $26 at Amazon Buy 23. My Fathers House by Joseph OConnor $30 $30 Based on the extraordinary true story of an Irish priest in the Vatican who helped save thousands of prisoners during the Nazi occupation of Rome, this book centers on Monsignor Hugh OFlaherty, who was responsible for saving 6,500 Allied soldiers and Jews during the Second World War. OConnor focuses on a mission on Christmas Eve 1943, where OFlaherty and a team of seven others drop money around the city to help evacuate prisoners from safehouses before an expected influx of Nazi soldiers early in the New Year. The setting and era is vibrantly depicted, as expected from this award-winning writer of historical fiction, but the real success of the book is the authors ventriloquistic way with voice, his ability to switch with ease between characters, perspectives, tenses, metafictional devices, without ever losing control of the story. Sarah Gilmartin $30 at Amazon Buy $30 at Amazon Buy 22. Academy Street by Mary Costello $19 $22 now 14% off $19 Costellos debut publication, the short-story collection The China Factory (2012), marked her as a fresh new voice in Irish fiction, unafraid of tackling difficult themes like parental loss, misogyny, and sexual abuse. The Galway writers style harks to an older tradition of Irish writers such as William Trevor, Mary Lavin, and, for a more contemporary comparison, Colm Toibin. Costellos evocative, wonderfully observed debut novel Academy Street has overtones of Toibins Brooklyn. Both tell stories of young women who emigrate from Ireland to New York, though Costellos protagonist, Tess Logan, arrives a decade later, in the 1960s, at a time of great change. Before this we see her formative years in rural Ireland. Costellos elegant prose and reflective tone allow space for the reader to fully envision the challenges faced by Tess in her adopted home. Sarah Gilmartin $19 at Amazon Buy $19 at Amazon Buy 21. Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney $16 $27 now 41% off $16 Poll your group chats, as I did, and you might find that opinions are divided about which Sally Rooney book reigns supreme. Normal People, Rooneys second novel, has the advantage of being a more straightforward love (and lust) story, tracking the anguished relationship between a lonely nerd and a maybe-even-lonelier jock over the course of five years (it also had the much better TV adaptation). But her first book remains the most purely Rooney. Published when she was 26, the novel follows Frances and Bobbi, two friends and ex-girlfriends at Dublins Trinity College, whose alternately prickly and affectionate conversations pinned something to the page that didnt seem to exist in literature before: a remarkably alive-seeming specimen of a rising generation preternaturally acquainted with the language needed to discuss leftist politics and sexuality but just as incapable of articulating their own feelings as any 20-something has ever been. Francess budding affair with the semi-famous actor Nick, an older man, is gloriously awkward and sexy, setting into motion a series of jealousies between herself, Bobbi, and Nicks wife and challenging her self-definition as someone who is anti love as such, as she puts it. Their bizarre love quadrangle is both genuinely moving and comic. Emma Alpern $16 at Amazon Buy $16 at Amazon Buy 20. City of Bohane by Kevin Barry $11 $18 now 39% off $11 In Barrys debut novel, he conjured up an entire city theres even a map to help you get your bearings with its own dialect, fashions, and feuds. Set in a futuristic Irish town called Bohane, Logan Hartnett is the dapper godfather of a gang called Hartnett Fancy, and hes dealing with stressors on all sides. His old rival is back in town, his henchmen are getting ambitious, his wife wants him to go straight, and his mother is ancient but dangerous. Barry delivers this story in short chapters, owing a debt to The Sopranos and Deadwood, West Side Story and Gangs of New York. Its hugely entertaining, fantastic yet believable, with cracking dialogue, intriguing characters, and thrilling set pieces. Martin Doyle $11 at Amazon Buy $11 at Amazon Buy 19. Solace by Belinda McKeon $24 $24 On a rare hot Saturday in a summer that is already halfway through, Mark, a Trinity student, finds himself torn between composing the second chapter of his Ph.D. (if he doesnt submit a successful draft soon, he will lose funding) and returning to the family farm to cut and bale hay (an unspoken imperative for farmerss sons since time immemorial). He chooses neither and ends up in the plastic bars and house parties of Dublin during the Celtic Tiger era, when Irelands economy was booming. There, he meets Joanne, a trainee solicitor who happens to be from his hometown and whose father is an old enemy of his fathers. Told from the alternating perspectives of Mark, Joanne, and Marks father, Tom, Solace is a love story sliced through by tragedy and a father-son story intensified by circumstance. It has an innate understanding of the society in which it is set the unspoken rules of rural and urban life; the shifting social mores of a newly monied land; the historical and generational influences that shape individual lives. Niamh Donnelly $24 at Amazon Buy $24 at Amazon Buy 18. The Searcher by Tana French $19 $27 now 30% off $19 You might not expect an offering from a crime-fiction series to be essential to the modern Irish literary canon, but Tana French doesnt write ordinary murder mysteries. The six books in her Dublin Murder Squad series capture the city in all of its current-day squalor and glory in poetic prose, brimming with rich portraits and colorful dialogue of an assortment of Dubliners. The Secret Place is set over the course of one action-packed day (with plenty of flashbacks) at St. Kildas, a boarding school for girls where Holly Mackey, daughter of Detective Frank Mackey, is a third year. When Holly discovers what she believes to be a clue to an unsolved murder of a boy who was found on the school grounds the previous year, she bypasses her dad and goes directly to his former protege for help. The characters in every Dublin Murder Squad book are masterfully developed, but what places The Secret Place over the top are Frenchs indelible depictions of teenage girls. The squabbles and obsessions of queen bees and lesser insects become downright menacing in her hands. Maris Kreizman $19 at Amazon Buy $19 at Amazon Buy 17. Hamnet by Maggie OFarrell $13 $13 That one of the best novels on Shakespeare never names Shakespeare and isnt really about Shakespeare is, well, quite Shakespearean. That it was written by an Irish woman speaks to the breadth and heft of Irish writing today. OFarrell, author of, among others, This Must Be the Place (2016) and I Am, I Am, I Am (2017), is one of many Irish people who have lived most of their lives elsewhere. (Born in Derry, she relocated to the U.K. at a young age.) Hamnet, undoubtedly her chef doeuvre, tells of a family in 1590s Stratford, England, during the bubonic plague. In clipped, haunting prose, OFarrell brings to life the other ghost of Hamlet (the spelling difference, a mere foible of 16th-century orthography) that of Shakespeares lost son, who died at 11 years old. And she does so by zeroing in on a mother and her grief. Those who have not yet read this powerful work should brace themselves for its perfect closing lines. N.D. $13 at Amazon Buy $13 at Amazon Buy 16. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin $10 $18 now 44% off $10 Toibin, a leading figure in Irish literature who has written 11 novels along with works of nonfiction and poetry, can do many things on the page. Hes inhabited the consciousness of Henry James (The Master, 2004) and examined the complexities of Thomas Mann (The Magician, 2021). But its the restraint and subtlety of Brooklyn that make it so exquisite. When Eilis Lacey, the central character, leaves the bleak economic landscape of 1950s Ireland and crosses the Atlantic in search of a better life in America, she is tracing a journey writ into our annals. But its her return, in tragic circumstances, to her hometown of Enniscorthy (the small Wexford town in which Toibin grew up and the setting for several of his novels) that lifts this story into a tense and powerful novel. N.D. $10 at Amazon Buy $10 at Amazon Buy 15. Solar Bones by Mike McCormack $29 $29 Since Molly Blooms monologue at the end of Ulysses, single-sentence narratives have been linked to Irish experimentalism. Solar Bones places itself in that tradition: One unspooling sentence covers the events of the life of McCormacks narrator, Marcus Conway. Throughout the novel, Marcus chronicles a dramatically changing Ireland, from his upbringing on a farm to his present, Skyping his son in Australia. This is a very beautiful novel, not only in its rendering of the West Irish Coast, but in its celebration of small-town life that it perceives as being lost. C.Y. $29 at Amazon Buy $29 at Amazon Buy 14. The Rachel Incident by Caroline ODonoghue $18 $28 now 36% off $18 From a cursory pluck through its first few pages, one might imagine this is another book about an English professor sleeping with a student, but thats merely the first of several misdirections that preface this funny and moving novel. Our titular heroine is Rachel Murray, a journalist now living in London, given to recalling her younger days as a student in Cork. There, she developed a close friendship with closeted co-worker James and an infatuation with her professor, Fred. What follows is a breezily original story about the pains and pleasure of friendship, coming out, youths spent preoccupied with idle romantic pining, and the drudgery of precarious work. Throughout, there is a sort of metatexual awareness of the type of book shes not writing. In one scene, Rachel observes that shes read umpteen novels about the bad things that happen when your English professor sleeps with you, but none about the bad things that happen when they refuse to. Its a winningly original dart of comic fiction that showcases ODonoghues skill. Seamas OReilly $18 at Amazon Buy $18 at Amazon Buy 13. Nothing Special by Nicole Flattery $18 $27 now 33% off $18 A teenage girl named Mae becomes subsumed into the strange and enchanting world of Andy Warhols Factory in this sublime debut novel from the author of the short-story collection Show Them a Good Time. It is 1960s New York, and like a modern Bartleby the Scrivener, Mae is tasked with transcribing what will become a, A Novel Warhols famously unreadable 1968 doorstopper, consisting of recordings of his eclectic New York clique. Were Nothing Special just another Andy Warhol book, it might feel cliched, but Flattery neatly swerves familiar territory. The notorious artist is a spectral presence the books beating heart is its narrator and her relationships with her mother, mothers boyfriend, and fellow typist Shelley, as well as her relationship with the culture around her. N.D. $18 at Amazon Buy $18 at Amazon Buy 12. Nora Webster by Colm Toibin $25 $27 now 7% off $25 In small-town 20th-century Ireland, the concept of boundaries only ever applied to the land. The titular protagonist finds this out for herself after her schoolteacher husband dies suddenly, leaving her alone to raise four children in the market town of Enniscorthy in the Irish Southeast. Her attempts to maintain her dignity and personhood in the face of prying neighbors amount to a studied, moving account of a grieving woman whose inner and outer selves are in constant tension. Like his American contemporary Elizabeth Strout, Toibin has set many of his novels in or around the town of Enniscorthy, and one of the pleasures of the book is the way he captures the atmosphere and mind-set of a close-knit community, the cadences of speech, the everyday life that continues on as normal, in bitter contrast to the Webster family, caught in the long moment of their grief. Cameos of familiar figures (the mother of Eilis Lacey from Brooklyn, for one) indulge the reader and give depth to the backdrop, but the chief success of this novel is the characterization of its heroine, who is based on Toibins mother. S.G. $25 at Amazon Buy $25 at Amazon Buy 11. Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan $15 $28 now 46% off $15 With her debut novel published when she was 27, Dolan arrived fully formed. An Irish woman teaching English as a foreign language in Hong Kong is the storys central fulcrum. The year is 2016. Ava, a directionless 22-year-old, has traversed continents because she was sad in Dublin, decided it was Dublins fault, and thought Hong Kong would help. By day, she teaches the Kings English to a group of rich Hong Kong children with western names. In her off-hours, she ends up in a complicated entanglement with Julian, an upper-class English banker, and Edith, a nouveau-riche Hong Kong lawyer. From this soup of clashing socioeconomics, Dolan, a comic writer, for whom language is both a central preoccupation, produces a fresh take on the novel of manners. N.D. $15 at Amazon Buy $15 at Amazon Buy 10. Actress by Anne Enright $12 $27 now 56% off $12 Enrights talent is her mastery of interior life. There is a casual brilliance to her descriptions of near-imperceptible emotions. In Actress, Norah is the daughter of Katherine ODell, the famous Irish actress of the novels title. She narrates her mothers life, and her own, braiding the two together in a voice that is occasionally awestruck, sometimes pitying, often cruel. The central plot threads numerous puzzles for the reader to track; Katherines own secret birth in London, the oblique nature of her relationships with the many male actors who pass through Norahs childhood home like an 18th-century salon, and the overarching mystery of who among them, if any, might be Norahs own father. This is a book about motherhood and daughterhood, albeit an unfussy one, filled with wit and warmth but utterly devoid of schmaltz. S.O. $12 at Amazon Buy $12 at Amazon Buy 9. The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan $14 $16 now 13% off $14 The major preoccupations of Irish fiction in the 20th century were disquiet at social and moral conventions amid Irelands treacle-slow march toward modernity. Novels in the post-2010 period are about the very same things, albeit shot through with the seismic shocks of the postCeltic Tiger financial crisis: economic turmoil, social upheaval, andworse, still, in an Irish context the feeling that one has been rendered a blundering fool. The Spinning Heart is an early, exquisite document of this genre. Its plot begins with the plight of Bobby Mahon, the kind-hearted foreman of a building crew thats been badly shafted by a debt-riddled boss whos fled the country owing vast amounts of money to the employees, creditors, and customers in their small town. From there, however, more strands emerge. Every character in this story gets their own voice the novels polyphonic structure comprises 21 first-person chapters, a daisy chain of regret, anger, humor and self-loathing. Written in the demotic style of his native Tipperary, Ryans characters sink you deep into the page, pulling you into their mundane lives. S.O. $14 at Amazon Buy $14 at Amazon Buy 8. A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride $17 $24 now 29% off $17 McBride wrote her debut novel at 27 and finally published it nearly a decade later, after toiling in a series of office jobs. She started reading James Joyces Ulysses on the train to one of these gigs, and her writing is deeply influenced by the author. The book, about a young girl growing up with a disabled brother and religious mother, is full of Joyces characteristic stream of consciousness: blunt, sensory, and immediate. A reader might be forgiven for hesitating at the prospect of inscrutable fragments and hypersubjectivity. But at a time when many writers have mined the Victorians to produce tidy love stories, McBride manages to recuperate the century-old pleasures of formal transgression. She brings a feminist perspective to this tradition, examining the Catholic Church and patriarchy with an unsentimental frankness. Brandon Sanchez $17 at Amazon Buy $17 at Amazon Buy 7. The Bee Sting by Paul Murray $17 $30 now 43% off $17 Murray manages to create a state-of-the-nation novel inside a family drama within a biting satire of post-crash Ireland. Clocking in at over 650 pages, the novel is split up among the four members of the Barnes family, who undergo a dramatic reversal of fortunes as their car dealership appears on the brink of insolvency. It opens with their teenage daughter, Cassie, and innocently adventurous young son, PJ, then pivots to their mother, Imelda, who is barely keeping it together, and her husband, Dickie, hell-bent on tearing himself apart over his financial ruin and buried secrets. This is a sad book that rewards the reader with laughter, all propelled by clever flourishes: PJs video game diction, or Imeldas breathless, punctuation-free prose that drops you immediately into the hypervigilance and self-awareness that plagues her every thought. Each character possesses that most relatable and undying of false convictions: that no one else can know their pain or feel another like it. S.O. $17 at Amazon Buy $17 at Amazon Buy 6. Skippy Dies by Paul Murray $19 $22 now 14% off $19 Murrays Booker Prizelonglisted sophomore novel set in a fictional Dublin boarding school took seven years the length of a secondary education to write. Skippy is 14-year-old Daniel Juster, nicknamed for his prominent teeth, one of many examples of teenage cruelty that give the book its dark, comic heart. After he dies in the opening chapter, the novel explores events in the months leading up to this tragedy. The structure is like a planetary system with its multiple characters and fascinating satellites: his best friend Ruprecht, a tubby genius; Lori, his unrequited love; Carl the psychopath; Howard the Coward; Father Green a.k.a. Pere Vert, the dodgy French teacher. It sprawls without becoming slack, akin to Bolanos 2666 or Pynchons Gravitys Rainbow. M.D. $19 at Amazon Buy $19 at Amazon Buy 5. Young Skins by Colin Barrett $10 $17 now 41% off $10 Long before Barrett wrote his first novel (the 2024 Booker-longlisted Wild Houses), he was already a household name in Irish literature for Young Skins, his collection of seven short stories about disaffected men, set mostly in the (fictional) backwater town of Glanbeigh. One character strikes out after discovering his on-again-off-again lover is engaged. An alcoholic service-station worker goes out on the town for the first time after an incident that left him disfigured. An ex-boxer balances his duties to his autistic son and his enforcement duties for the local drug dealer. Two men skive off the funeral of a woman they both loved. Violence simmers, then rises to the surface. An unlikely heat presses down. Barrett flexes his descriptive muscle in this richly atmospheric book. N.D. $10 at Amazon Buy $10 at Amazon Buy 4. Foster by Claire Keegan $13 $20 now 35% off $13 This novella-length story, first published in The New Yorker, combines the precision of the short-story form with the emotional heft of a novel. The generous, detailed opening line is indicative of Keegans style on the whole, sensual writing that invites the reader in and leaves plenty of room for them to draw their own conclusions: Early on a Sunday, after first Mass in Clonegal, my father, instead of taking me home, drives deep into Wexford towards the coast, where my mothers people came from. What follows is a bright, devastating tale of a young girl sent to stay with relations for the summer while her mother has another baby. Deposited at the farm by her selfish, careless father, the girls initial angst and timidity is teased out of her by a loving couples with losses and pains of their own. Foster is one of those books to lose an afternoon in, best read in a single sitting to feel the full impact of its brilliant ending. But as with all great stories, it is also one to go back to, to linger in, revealing something new with each reading. S.G. $13 at Amazon Buy $13 at Amazon Buy 3. The Green Road by Anne Enright $11 $16 now 31% off $11 Enright won the Booker Prize in 2007 for The Gathering, a defiant and probing novel on a large Irish familys dark past through the viewpoint of an adult daughter. The Green Road tells the story of another family, the Madigan clan, from multiple perspectives, showcasing Enrights skill with voice and her ability to tie the various narrative strands together in a shape-shifting novel loaded with insight and wit. The first half of the book follows the four Madigan siblings, Hanna, Dan, Constance, and Emmet, from childhood into adulthood, across small-town Ireland, the gay scene in 90s New York, impoverished Mali, and contemporary Dublin, before contracting again for a claustrophobic, dramatic Christmas under the roof and formidable gaze of the matriarch Rosaleen in Ardeevin, County Clare. Enrights portrait of the mother is terrific entitled, manipulative, addled, forlorn as is her characterisation of each of the siblings whose personalities are formed, or deformed, in their mothers shadow. When Rosaleen disappears suddenly after the inevitable post-turkey family fight, her adult children are left scrambling for her safe return. This novel was nominated for the Booker Prize the year it was published, not least because of the superb, first-person-plural section on Dans life as a closeted gay man in New York. An expansive, funny, shrewd story about family ties that both anchor and restrain. S.G. $11 at Amazon Buy $11 at Amazon Buy 2. Milkman by Anna Burns $10 $17 now 41% off $10 The 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland was long avoided by British publishers of Irish literary fiction, with only a handful of books by Deirdre Madden, Jennifer Johnston, Bernard MacLaverty, Eoin McNamee, and Brian Moore breaking the silence. The Booker Prizewinning success of Milkman was therefore game changing. The novel is set in an unnamed city that is recognizably the authors native Belfast. The 18-year-old protagonist, known only as middle sister, lives in an enclave under the coercive control of a militant faction opposed to the repressive, discriminatory state, its groupthink-prone inhabitants therefore doubly besieged and surveilled. The eponymous Milkman, a much older, predatory paramilitary, continually stalks her. She takes refuge in 19th-century literature: I did not like twentieth-century books, she explains, because I did not like the twentieth century, reading as she walks to navigate this hostile environment whose inhabitants are trapped by history, poverty, and paranoia. Burnss feisty, feminist narrative is circuitous rather than linear, its repetitiveness reflecting the entrapment of its characters, but it is surprisingly, surpassingly funny, with sly, sometimes absurdist humor. M.D. $10 at Amazon Buy $10 at Amazon Buy 1. Will he scoop up any more of these? Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Whos joining Tomdaya in the packed ensemble cast of Christopher Nolans next movie, The Odyssey? Reportedly, a bunch of actors who have already appeared in the Nolan-verse before, with the latest additions including Himesh Patel (Tenet), Elliot Page (Inception), and Bill Irwin (Interstellar). Robert Pattinson and several other stars who have previously worked with Nolan are also already rumored to play the main characters in his upcoming adaptation of the Greek epic. But the director is shooting this film in brand new IMAX film technology, so the project will quite literally be a massive reunion either way. Below, everything we know about The Odyssey, including what its about (sorry, not vampires), where its filming, and when its coming out. And now weve even got a first look at Matt Damon as Odysseus. Whats it about? Described as a mythic action epic shot across the world, The Odyssey is based on Homers ancient Greek poem about a kings long, perilous journey back home to his wife after the Trojan War. Universal announced the title of the film via a post on X in December 2024. We still havent gotten official plot details since then, but if the movie sticks to its source material, expect to see gods, goddesses, sirens, creatures, and a lot of death. Whos playing Odysseus? After rumors that lil Tom Holland would be leading the project, Universal released a first look image of Matt Damon as the clever Greek. Odysseus is like the Bugs Bunny of Greek myth, always tricking big galumphing foes and asking the gods if he is or is not a stinker. First look at Matt Damon as Odysseus in Christopher Nolans THE ODYSSEY In theaters on July 17, 2026. pic.twitter.com/6vCoGOiB44 DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 17, 2025 So its not a vampire movie? Nope, not unless Universal forgot to tell us that this is a vamped-up take on the original epic. There was rampant speculation about Nolans next movie before the title was announced, with THR noting at one point that it had been rumored to be either a period vampire thriller or a helicopter action thriller. But of course, it turned out to be a third, unrelated thing. Whos in the cast? We havent seen a triangle this powerful since Zendaya was with two other little white boys: Christopher Nolan got Tomdaya to star in his next film. This will be Tom Holland and Zendayas first movie together outside the Marvel universe. Whats going to happen when two of the biggest stars in the world separately, and are even more famous as a couple, are together in a movie thats certain to get the attention of film bros around the globe? If we had to guess, wed say lots of box-office success and lots of awards attention. Thats just how these guys roll. A good chunk of the reported cast are past Nolan collaborators, including Anne Hathaway, who was in The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar, and Matt Damon, who was in Interstellar and Oppenheimer. Robert Pattinson is also traveling back in time to reunite with his Tenet director, while THR reports that star Benny Safdie will go from a role in Oppenheimer to a role in The Odyssey. Deadline reported on January 31 that three more Nolan-verse alums Himesh Patel (Tenet), Elliot Page (Inception), and Bill Irwin (Interstellar) will also be embarking on this voyage. Still, dont go thinking that Nolan wont work with any new faces for The Odyssey. Samantha Norton, Charlize Theron, and Lupita Nyongo have all never starred in a Nolan film before, but are reportedly also on board. Thats a big cast. Who are the main characters? According to a November 2024 report from The Hollywood Reporter, the goss round the Universal canteen is that Damon, Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Robert Pattinson are the Core Four of the film. Since Damon is Odysseus, one can infer that Hathaway may play Penelope, ahd Holland their son Telemachus. Pattinson can be, uhhhhh, Zeus? Where and when is it filming? Per Variety, part of The Odyssey will film on the Sicilian island Favignana, known as goat island, which is believed to be one of the real-life locations that Homer imagined Odysseus traveling to. Filming in Favignana is reportedly expected to begin sometimes around late March. According to Variety, there are also plans to shoot in Sicilys Eolian islands, the United Kingdom, and Morocco. Does The Odyssey have a release date? Yup. Its currently set to sail into theaters on July 17, 2026 in IMAX. This post has been updated. Photo: Aviron Pictures Ask someone who has seen 2018s The Strangers: Prey at Night for their reaction, and you tend to get one of two responses: Its an underrated 80s-throwback slasher, and the pool scene is an all-timer; or, Its a forgettable sequel that could never live up to the first movie but that pool scene is undeniable. Reviews for the long-delayed sequel to 2008s The Strangers were mixed to negative, but even the pans frequently singled out the scene, in which terrorized teenager Luke (Lewis Pullman) tussles with the films slasher villain Man in the Mask (Damian Maffei) around and inside a swimming pool. The scene begins with Luke walking into the pool area and discovering that hes locked in. As he starts to panic, multicolored neon palm trees spring to life along with overhead lights that bathe the pool in an eerie glow. Bonnie Tylers Total Eclipse of the Heart plays softly. Theres a crash zoom to Pin-Up Girl, another of the masked killers, running out from the shadows, but Luke gets the upper hand and stabs her to death with her own knife. Then the Man in the Mask skulks out, dragging a heavy ax behind him. He advances on Luke, who manages to avoid his swings, until both men have fallen into the pool. They wrestle in the water, the camera following them under the surface, where the music is muffled. Luke nearly escapes, but while hes stumbling out of the pool, Man in the Mask catches up to him and stabs him in the back. The camera pulls up above them as the killer leaves Luke floating on his back, coughing up blood and treading water with the pool darkening around him. Nothing I can say, Bonnie Tyler sings, a total eclipse of the heart. The four-minute sequence is thrilling and operatic, the kind of instantly iconic set piece most slasher movies dream of. Pullman still hears from fans about the pool scene, even as hes gone on to roles in higher-profile fare like Top Gun: Maverick. He likens it to something he saw frequently growing up fans coming up to his dad, actor Bill Pullman, to tell him how much they loved his climactic speech in Independence Day. I was always like, Does that make you feel good or bad? Does it make you feel like, Hell yeah, I really landed a scene and did something memorable, or does it make you feel like the rest of the movie is for some reason all of a sudden a moot point? And he was like, No, if you can make a scene where somebody walks out of that theater and years later they still reference the scene, you did your job, Pullman recalled. So not that this at all compares to his epic, epic, timeless speech, but I did get a moment where I was like, Okay, Im proud to have made a mark in one way or another. And it means a lot when somebody comes up to me and they say, That pool scene in The Strangers: Prey at Night is killer. That warms my heart. To find out how it all came together, I spoke to Roberts, Pullman, and Maffei about filming a scene that the director called lightning in a bottle. Setting the Stage The Strangers: Prey at Night was shot on an abandoned trailer-park lot in Kentucky an ideal location for any number of horror films, and used to great effect in this one but there was no pool in the area. Roberts recalled producer James Harris finding a usable pool a fair old whack away, though the distance the crew had to travel to get there wasnt the only issue. That pool was insane, he said. It is so big. In the script it read like this little motel pool and thats what Id had in my mind then you looked at this place, and it was enormous. Still, they worked with what they had. The pool needed more lighting, so the crew hauled in neon palm trees that perfectly fit the films 80s aesthetic. The unwieldy size of the pool also helped Roberts lock in on a specific reference point. He recalled standing at one end of the pool and looking out to the other side in the distance, which made him think of the famous jump scare from The Exorcist III, in which the camera stays at one end of a hospital hallway until the killer emerges with a giant pair of shears, and we crash zoom in. In Prey at Night, Roberts uses a similar trick when Pin-Up Girl runs out behind Luke. Rather than filming the action up close, he decided it should be shot from across the pool with a William Peter Blattyinspired zoom to the killer. That zoom is still my favorite thing Ive ever done, Roberts said. The pool was too big, but that somehow photographed incredibly, cause youve got this incredible wide with the lights coming on and the zoom crashing in it just suddenly worked. Cranking the Tunes The soaring ballad Total Eclipse of the Heart heightens not only the tension and emotional stakes of the sequence but also the dark humor that distinguishes Prey at Night from its more earnest predecessor. The films soundtrack helps define its 80s feel, but Roberts revealed that early cuts used a mix of genres and artists throughout. That all changed when he was looking for a song to open the movie and stumbled on Kim Wildes 1981 debut single, Kids in America. I was like, God damn, Roberts continued. That suddenly opened up the rest of the movie for me. I was like, Okay, this is the vibe. With that in mind, Total Eclipse of the Heart was a natural choice for the pool scene. While the script simply said that there should be a music cue, there was never another option for Roberts. People were a bit amused to start with it, but I think its the most iconic of all the songs, he said. It ended up being a battle, however, given Prey at Nights tight budget. Bonnie Tyler was willing to hand over the rights for a really inexpensive fee, but Roberts explained that artists and songwriters need to be paid the same amount, and writer Jim Steinman proposed a figure that the films producers balked at. With the first-choice song off the table, Roberts tried Bryan Adamss Heaven and TPaus China in Your Hand, along with several other rock ballads. None of them worked nearly as well as the original cut of the pool scene with Total Eclipse of the Heart. In the end, the producers were like, Yeah, yeah, and they paid for Bonnie, Roberts said. It was always Bonnie. Getting in Fight Position At its core, the pool scene is a showdown between Luke and Man in the Mask one that ends more tragically than audiences might expect. (Pullman was quick to note that his character does survive, though hes sidelined for the rest of the film.) The actors worked with stunt coordinator Cal Johnson to make the sequence look believable, since Luke had to be able to evade the Mans ax, and both men had to fall into the pool. Damian and I worked really hard to try to sell that cause the moment that looks dumb, then its not scary anymore, Pullman said. For his part, Maffei shared, We knew each other so well and trusted each other, so it became second nature doing that choreography after about 15 minutes It was pretty natural, pretty easy stuff: I swing the ax, you try not to get hit. Once in the pool, however, the situation became more complicated. Maffei said that they alternated with stunt doubles so that he and Pullman were never underwater at the same time, but individually, both men got fully submerged. You get a little disoriented rolling around down there, so you kind of just hope that the camera is catching it, Pullman said, noting that Maffei had the more difficult challenge given his costuming, which Pullman described as 300 pounds of waterlogged burlap. Maffei remembers his mask spinning around on his head when he was in the pool. Everything was filled with water, he said. Its a corduroy suit so my pockets were filled, and the boots were like anvils, so as soon as the boots got in there and filled up, they just wanted to bring me down to the bottom. That made the final beat of the fight especially difficult to pull off: Pullman had to climb out of the water and try to run out of the pool, and Maffei had to catch up to him quickly enough to grab him from behind. By that point, Pullman was moving much faster in his T-shirt, hoodie, and pants than a soaked-through Maffei. That meant Pullman was able to make it to the edge of the pool while his pursuer was still struggling to get out of the water. Im like, Youve gotta slow down, man, just act like youre moving faster, Maffei recalled. Johannes is yelling and the suns coming up, so Im like, I gotta catch this bastard Eventually, I got him. It wasnt easy. Just too fast, that kid. Roberts spoke highly of the well-bonded crew who helped pull off the complicated sequence, including the underwater fight that required a camera to go into and out of the pool repeatedly. When Luke climbs out of the water, the camera also has to pull up high above the pool. Without the budget for more advanced equipment like a Technocrane (we had no money on this movie, Roberts repeatedly emphasized), the director credited key grip Jeff Fish Fisher with attaching an underwater camera to a jib system that made all the elaborate camerawork possible. In analyzing the success of the pool scene, Roberts offered, I think its just like a perfect peak of everybody working together But you know what, I think at its core, [it works because] Lewis and Damian are believing that shit. Making It Last Watching the scene now, its easy to see why it has become the most common point of reference for Prey at Night fans and detractors alike. During filming, Roberts and the actors all felt the shoot had gone well, but none of them imagined the enduring fixation on that one sequence. I didnt think the pool scene was going to take on a life of its own, Maffei said. Overall, my prediction for the movie was that it was gonna get torched critically and that, mostly, the sense would be that people absolutely hate the movie. After all, Prey at Night was a decade-later sequel to a beloved horror film and a massive box-office success. (The Strangers grossed over $80 million on a $9 million budget.) Maffei was largely right about the reaction, though there were certainly positive takes in 2018. Bloody Disgusting writer Patrick Bromley wrote a piece called Why the Pool Scene in The Strangers: Prey at Night Is an All-Time Great Horror Sequence, in which he predicted, Five or ten years from now when audiences have moved on and many of 2018s horror films have been forgotten, people are still going to be talking about Prey at Night specifically for the pool scene and possibly never hearing Total Eclipse of the Heart the same way again. The first time Maffei saw the finished sequence was in a Long Island theater opening weekend when his friends dragged him into a screening. It was very vocal, lots of yelling especially during the pool scene, people just shouting, he said. Seeing it for the first time in this movie theater with this crowd I forgot it was me up there. I was just like, Oh wow, its gorgeous. Its a beautiful movie overall, but the pool stuff is just artwork, and watching the whole thing come together, it was pretty surreal. In the six years since Prey at Nights release, he said that people have become kinder about the movie. When hes approached about it, the pool scene comes up regularly, but there are also admissions from people who either hated the film when it came out or refused to see it and have now come to appreciate it. At the time, the movie may have suffered a bit thanks to the sudden embrace of elevated horror that had begun dominating the cultural conversation. As a contemporary Time Out review put it, In the current horror climate, when movies like Get Out and the forthcoming Hereditary are earning praise for their adventurousness, these retro scares feel especially out of touch. Now, Prey at Nights throwback thrills seem precious and rare and the pool scene in particular serves as an essential reminder that a classic slasher can also elevate. Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images As I wait on line to enter Cipriani Wall Street, I have a goal in mind: Find out what Miranda July is wearing. July, whose second novel, All Fours, came out in the spring, is one of five authors nominated for a National Book Award for fiction this year; shes also a Prada collaborator and will presumably show up stylishly. The dress code tonight is formal, and guests at the National Book Foundations 75th awards ceremony have mostly complied, wearing tuxedos, ball gowns, and lots of sequins. For book people, though, black tie includes canvas tote bags. In 2023, the lead-up to the National Book Awards was fraught. Ahead of the event, rumors circulated about finalists planning a disruption to protest the war in Gaza; in pre-response, Zibby Media and Book of the Month both pulled out as sponsors. The actual gesture, a measured statement calling for a cease-fire given onstage by a group of 18 nominees and winners, was far from controversial and hardly disruptive. This year, despite an impending second Trump administration and a rash of book bans, the mood is looser. Thats reflected in the nominated books, too: Fiction front-runners James, by Percival Everett; Julys All Fours; and Martyr!, by Kaveh Akbar, are deeply funny as well as brilliant. Its all to a purpose: to unsettle, maybe, or stir something up in the reader by making them laugh. I dont know if its humor so much in James its irony. We need irony right now, Everett tells me later in the night. Inside what used to be the National City Bank Building, people are milling around under the 60-foot Greek Revival ceilings. Im obsessed with Colored Television, I hear someone say by the bar. I spot two women standing a few feet apart wearing the same burgundy gown a Rent the Runway disaster and overhear a few conversations about who might win the fiction award tonight. It seems like its Everetts prize to lose. The journalists head over to a set of bleacher seats to gaze onto the nominees eating dinner like visitors at a bookish human zoo. Halfway through the courses, the ceremony begins with a speech by host Kate McKinnon (shes got jokes: Books do so many things. They inspire, they transport, they kill spiders when you cant find a shoe). The lifetime-achievement awards go to Barbara Kingsolver and W. Paul Coates, who won the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. Coates (Ta-Nehisi Coatess father) has faced criticism since the announcement of the honor in September because his publishing house, Black Classic Press, reissued an antisemitic novel in 2022 called The Jewish Onslaught that was originally published in 1993. Despite that, he, like Kingsolver, receives a standing ovation. I am not an interpreter. I prefer to let these voices speak to new generations for themselves, Coates says in his speech. My mission is recovery. (The Jewish Onslaught was removed from Black Classic Presss site not long after the backlash.) A smaller standing ovation happens when Lena Khalaf Tuffaha wins for her book of poetry Something About Living, published by the University of Akron Press. We are now living in the second November of the American-funded genocide in Palestine, Tuffaha, whose father was born in Jerusalem, says. I hope that every one of us can love ourselves enough to stand up and to make it stop. Everyone sits up a little straighter when Lauren Groff, chair of the fiction judges, appears onstage. Along with Akbar, Everett, and July, the Nigerian author Pemi Aguda is nominated for Ghostroots, a collection of short stories, as is Hisham Matar for My Friends, his third novel, which won the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction this year. The winner and this feels right is Everett, who takes the stage with a small smile on his face. Everett, 67 years old, whos been publishing novels consistently since 1983, is brief but gracious in his speech, thanking his publishers and his wife, Danzy Senna, along with their two teenage sons, whose near-complete apathy about my career helps me keep things in perspective. During the after-party, I scan the crowd and spot Anne Carson in a sharp gray suit and wide red tie. No sign of July, but every time I see a woman with short, curly hair, I snap to attention. On the balcony upstairs where a DJ is stationed, everyone is doing the Electric Slide. The translator Lin King, who won the award for Translated Literature with Yang Shuang-zi, tells me shes dumbfounded at the win and a little thirsty: Ive been looking for water all night. Shes having a great time. I laughed so hard at Miranda Julys reading yesterday, she says, and Percival Everett gave me a hug. That was phenomenal. On his way out the door in a red scarf, under the roar of Must Be the Money, Everett tells me it feels great, of course, to be in conversation with these authors. I find the crew from Deep Vellum, a Dallas press that was nominated for its first National Book Award this year for Fiston Mwanza Mujilas The Villains Dance. Mujila and Roland Glasser, whos the books translator, and Deep Vellums publisher, Will Evans, are in matching bolo ties. New York is like Congo, Mujila says: Unlike Austria, where he lives now, The city lives all in the night a lot of things happen at night. A wave of younger publishing people, not yet powerful enough to get seats at the table but key for the late-night energy, has filtered in to party. Not long after the ceremony, most of the more distinguished nominees have left for quieter places, and July is nowhere in sight; someone tells me they heard she was wearing white briefs, which sounds interesting. But Barbara Kingsolver is still around, holding court on the upstairs balcony in a long-sleeved red sequin dress. I sidle up to her just after shes kicked off her heels. Whats going through her mind, I ask? I feel incredibly encouraged by the courage of the authors here tonight, she says, but she cant talk long shes about to go to the dance floor. When the Sugarhill Gangs Jump on It starts playing, she makes a beeline. Shes dancing! Shes dancing! I hear someone squeal to a friend. Shes still out there when 212, by Azealia Banks, starts up around midnight, and I decide to leave them to it. Photo: FX This article was featured in One Great Story, New Yorks reading recommendation newsletter. Sign up here to get it nightly. When Patrick Radden Keefe published Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland in 2018, he felt proud of what hed written, but as with any long-term project, he wasnt sure how it would be received or if anyone would like it. He certainly didnt expect the acclaim that followed, with the best-seller landing on multiple best-of-the-year lists and and winning the Orwell Prize for political writing. Nobody was more surprised than me that it found the audience it did, he said. The nonfiction books propulsive look at The Troubles, the decades-long sectarian conflict between Irish republican paramilitary groups and British unionists in Northern Ireland, also made it ripe for adaptation. Through the perspectives of several participants and victims Dolours and Marian Price, sisters who drew international attention to the cause with their hunger strikes; Brendan Hughes, a frontline leader for the Provisional Irish Republican Army; Gerry Adams, a PIRA strategist who later became the head of the Irish republican political party Sinn Fein and a key player in negotiating an end to the violence; and the McConvilles, a family torn apart by the violence Keefe brings the sprawling, contentious clash to street level. In Say Nothing, warfare is tangible and specific: gunshots whiz over hedges, and IRA members break themselves out of prison or hollow out their bodies going on hunger strike in protest. Keefe was wary about bringing Say Nothing to the screen, however. Some of the individuals he reported on are still alive, and the conflict remains a major point of sensitivity for many who live in its wake. Hed had other books and magazine articles optioned in the past, but when interest around adapting Say Nothing started to bubble up, none of those projects were actually made, and the ones that did go through development ended up far afield from his original intent. Yet Keefe has known producer Brad Simpson for years and admired how he and producing partner Nina Jacobson ushered Jeffrey Toobins The Run of His Life to FX as The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story and their work on Kevin Kwans Crazy Rich Asians, which became a 2018 movie for Warner Bros. Its a very different kind of thing, said Keefe, but the movie successfully distilled the books essence. Keefe, Simpson, and Jacobson found their distiller-in-chief in showrunner Joshua Zetumer, the screenwriter of 2014s RoboCop remake and Patriots Day who had developed The Infiltrator, a film script about The Troubles, as one of his earliest jobs in Hollywood. The story was about an individual who actually appears late in Keefes book, though his character was one of many scrapped for the FX series. Simpson had been a producer on The Infiltrator, and though that film went nowhere, he brought Keefe and Zetumer together for Say Nothing. Their writers room included Joe Murtagh (The Woman in the Wall); Clare Barron, a 2019 Pulitzer finalist for her play Dance Nation; and Kirsten Sheridan (In America), with Keefe routinely dropping by. The process sought to preserve the books balance between capturing the draw of political violence and reflecting on its costs, but the team also had to grapple with a sense of history passing in the present. Much of the writers room was conducted over Zoom during COVID-19 lockdowns, a period during which they watched the rise of American unrest following the murder of George Floyd. Some attended the marches that emerged in response, where they saw images that wouldnt have been out of place in Northern Ireland: armored vehicles in the streets, a young person with a bullhorn directing the protest. That was the thing that compelled us, says Zetumer, who, along with Keefe, spoke to Vulture in late October. What would it be like to be that kid? How did you approach the adaptation? What did you want to preserve from the book? Joshua Zetumer: We wanted to capture how it feels to be someone in their early 20s who wants to change the world, who gets caught up in a cause, and who believes that violence is the only way to do it. That idea informed everything: the scripts, the casting, the sets. The vibrant color is wildly different from what most people see when they think about The Troubles. It was a dark time because there was so much violence, but on the other hand, it was also a moment where many of these young people felt most alive this is what some people have said in interviews. We also wanted to focus on the cost of that violence for both the perpetrators and the victims. Patrick Radden Keefe: Which, in its way, is a radical thing to do. Its a strange aspect of our discourse, and you see this playing out in the context of other conflicts that its become hard to look seriously at a person who makes a different set of calculations than you would, to try to understand how they got from where you are to where they are but in a way that doesnt varnish away the horror. The sentence I just said would be anathema to some. For some people, the IRA were morally repugnant. They were evil psychopaths. In the context of these characters, they were also very much still kids. Im struck by how they were partying the night before the Old Bailey bombing. JZ: That detail came directly from the book. Dolours went to a play, where she saw Stephen Rea onstage; another member of her team went out and got drunk. Even Dolours was embarrassed about how they comported themselves during the mission and has been public about that. Some of the characters were indeed incredibly young when these things were happening. Marian Price was a teenager. We were interested in the spirit of, Okay, what would it be like if you went out and robbed a bank, then you went home and you were still living with your parents? That, combined with the fierce moralizing they were doing: They robbed banks, but they werent keeping the money because they were giving it to the cause. PRK: At times, Ive thought about the first half of Say Nothing being the night out and the second half of the book being the hangover. You needed to look at both because it would be irresponsible to tell one part of the story without the other. When I was writing the book, which is a long time ago now, you had young teenagers in European cities going off to Syria to join ISIS. That was part of what I was trying to understand: Why does somebody go off and engage in this way? Whats the appeal? For that matter, why does an 18-year-old American kid after 9/11 sign up to join the Marines and go to Afghanistan? What is it about that youth and fervor? What drove the choice to make Dolours Price the center of the adaptation? JZ: When you consider how much story there is the 40-year sweep of it we were trying to cram as much into one season that a typical television show would lay out in three. One of the biggest challenges adapting the book was not what to include but what not to include. For that, we needed a strong gravitational center. Otherwise, the episodes would become so diffuse. Dolours in particular has her politics and a very steely core where shes willing to push herself to extremes in service of a deeply felt belief. But she also had this twinkle in her eye. To quote people who knew her, she didnt come off as an ideologue but someone youd want to have a beer with. When men met her, they found her captivating. And on a psychological level, the thing that was always compelling about Dolours is that she felt her humanity at odds with her beliefs. By the end of the series, those things collide. PRK: In her life, Dolours was always the star of her own show. There was a sort of magnetism she had, a dynamism, a charisma. That made her naturally compelling to build a story around. When I first read her obituary in the New York Times, more than ten years ago now, there were a number of things that struck me. The first was that she was a woman in the IRA. I had thought about The Troubles and the IRA as a very male story. I also had not known there were women hunger strikers before Bobby Sands and the other strikers in the 80s. The second was that her involvement in the IRA was a thing shed done with her sister, and the idea that she had misgivings later in life was fascinating to me. All these young radicals in the IRA in the 70s, they had pictures of Che Guevara on the wall. I have a riff about this in the book: Che died young and beautiful. Theres also all this Catholic iconography with the IRA, again built on this idea of young, beautiful martyrs. To me, the question was: What happens if you dont die young? How do you make sense of it all as you get older? What were the trade-offs of streamlining the story around Dolours?PRK: The whole trick of the thing is distillation; adaptation is actually subtraction, right? What can I safely take out to find the story? This medium is character-driven, its emotional. The end of the book was very focused on the ticktock of the Belfast Project, which was very interesting to me and coheres in the book, but with the series, where youre drilling down on the Price Sisters, along with the McConville children, Gerry Adams, and Brendan Hughes, it wouldve be a huge distraction if we suddenly cut away to Boston College, the subpoenas, all the rest of it. You want the thing to come to a finer emotional point at the end. JZ: Figuring out the balance was one of the trickiest things about the show. As Patrick mentioned, the search for the Boston College tapes was something we ended up cutting. I actually wrote those scenes, and I liked it, but it didnt belong in the show. PRK: Its funny because I actually had this problem when I was writing the book. For one thing, in real life, there were too many prison breaks, and I remember thinking, God, can I just do one more? But theres some magical number of prison breaks that you can realistically have in a book, beyond which youre just getting greedy and it starts to feel deadening. There was a similar issue here. Like Dolours, Brendan also went on a hunger strike, and that experience absolutely shaped who he was. In those scenes, where we see Tom Vaughan-Lawlor brilliantly playing the older Brendan, who he is in those scenes is, in part, a function of his hunger strike. Josh and I talked about this to no end, but we ultimately concluded that all its gonna do is step on the power of the Price sisters hunger strike episode. By this point, Dolours has already done things for the cause that some people would find morally indefensible, and this was a moment where she was turning violence inside out and using it against herself. Photo: FX Tell me about how you handled that. In many ways, the series hinges on that episode. JZ: From the beginning, we wanted to avoid having a scene where you see British bureaucrats discussing Dolours and Marian while they were on hunger strike. We wanted to narrow the aperture very tightly on the sisters and get inside that experience particularly what it felt like to push your beliefs to the absolute limit. By this point, Dolours has already done things for the cause that some people would find morally indefensible, and this was a moment where she was turning violence inside out and using it against herself. Then we land at this idea, as Patrick said, where you were supposed to die but you didnt. Now youre a martyr who lived. Thats why the episode starts with Aunt Bridie because Aunt Bridie lives in a kind of half-life after she loses her hands and eyes to a bomb. That idea resonated for us: that Dolours would be entering a kind of half-life afterwards, which Patrick very rightly described as the hangover of what wed seen before. PRK: When these episodes were just bullet points on a whiteboard, we talked about the shape and feel of them, and there was always a sense that episode five, which depicts the Old Bailey bombing, was supposed to be big and expansive. These were parochial kids who grew up in a parochial time in a parochial place, and they get off the plane in London and see that its actually this big, dazzling city. Its this weird paradox: Youve come to destroy the city, but its kind of a good time which is the reason she goes to the play and they go out. The idea was that episode five would have this Michael Mann energy to it. Its like a procedural, a heist. Theyre there, theyre going to plant the bombs, and youre going to get caught up in it. Then you get the devastating moment when the bomb goes off. On some level, there was a kind of naivete they hadnt reckoned with: What if we get caught? But also, What are we doing here? Are you really gonna injure 200 people maim them, blind them? Then, after that expansive episode, the idea was to compress back down with episode six. Suddenly, youre in a tunnel, a cocoon. In the earliest days, what had been sketched out was driving towards having those two different feelings in those two episodes. One of the stickier things Say Nothing grapples with is this ambiguity around armed struggle. Patrick, you work through it more in the book but never land on a strong judgment around the efficacy and morality of political violence. How did you approach that tone in the adaptation? JZ: Patricks book tells a very emotional story while maintaining a journalistic neutrality. Obviously, a TV drama is very different than a book. Youre in the characters heads from moment to moment. Youre seeing events from their perspective, so one would think you would start to identify with them. Our idea was that sometimes you would identify with the characters and sometimes you wouldnt. We do hope that people would come away with mixed feelings about the question of whether you can have peace without armed conflict. We wanted to maintain, as best we could, that same sort of neutrality when it came to some of the bigger ethical questions. PRK: There is obviously a vast literature on The Troubles. When I was writing the book, a lot of what I had read and seen felt a little caricatured that the Troubles was a subject people disagreed very strongly on and where both sides seemed to be very convinced of their point of view whereas what I felt was this intense ambivalence. I find it really hard to subscribe to one point of view or another. So the approach in the book was: I want to get so close to these people that your nose is pressed right up against the human ambiguity of it. I would often hear from readers who describe a kind of uncomfortable experience where they find themselves rooting for Brendan Hughes and then they turn a page and he sets off 18 bombs in Belfast. You feel your stomach drop. I wanted that because I felt theres an honesty there. Youre not saying, Brendan Hughes is an evil guy who I would never relate to in any way. Nor are you saying, Hes such a charismatic guy that Ill co-sign anything he does. To me, that feels very true to life. This series is not a work of political science. Its not even an argument. What its trying to do is explore the lives of these characters, sort through them, look at the underlying issues. But listen, I suspect people who watch the series will sometimes really strongly disagree about their feelings about the different characters and what to make of the decisions they make at different times. I would welcome that. Id be horrified if people came out of it with a monochromatic view of any of those characters. Yet, there are some things both the book and the show are not ambiguous about, like whether Gerry Adams was in the IRA and that Marian Price was the person responsible for Jean McConvilles killing. My understanding is that theres still some public dispute around both those points, and its quite something to see the show make visually concrete what remains somewhat contested. JZ: The decision to name Marian Price as the shooter of Jean McConville was vetted carefully and fact-checked in the way that, as a journalist, you would fact-check anything you were publishing or make into a show. It had been confirmed by multiple sources. Patrick is someone with an incredible amount of journalistic integrity, so hes not going to write something like that unless he knows its true. And I would not put something of that magnitude in a script or on television without believing it to be true. PRK: Youre making such a nuanced point here, but I would quibble a tiny bit. From where I sit, there isnt any ambiguity about whether Gerry Adams was in the IRA. And I also dont think theres any ambiguity on whether Marian Price was the person who shot Jean McConville. But what I hear you saying, which is a slightly different point, is, its one thing to marshal the evidence and to have me be the journalistic interpolating voice who says, This is what I think, and heres why I think it. But its another thing to take me out of the equation. Thats exactly what I mean. Also, theyre both still very much alive. PRK: To me, the answer would be different for the two of them. In Marians case, when I was working on the book and came to this conclusion, I wrote to her and her lawyer saying, Hey, Im gonna publish a book in which I say that you killed Jean McConville. I really want to include a denial from you. And she didnt respond. I wrote back repeatedly. I wrote certified mail to the lawyer so I know he got it. There was actually a six-month period when they knew I was gonna say this and they didnt deny it. They did end up denying it after the book came out, and we included that denial at the end of the show. I have a very high level of certainty about this, and we wouldnt have done it if we all didnt collectively feel the same way. I think its actually the most sympathetic portrayal that Marian could possibly hope for. I think well get a critique from the other side saying, I know who Marian Price is and what she did, and you guys made too human a portrait of this person in light of what she did. With Adams, I dont know. In theory, he could take issue with any particular thing in the show. I mean, he takes issue with the whole premise of the project, right, because he still maintains he was never in the IRA in the first place. Did you make any contact with Adamss people? PRK: I did when I was working on the book. But we didnt reach back out while making the series. Well see how he responds to the show, but my hunch is that hell do what he did with the book which is to never speak of it. Its fitting in light of the title. The shows coming out during a sensitive time. Youve been working on this adaptation for five years, and questions around political violence are ever-present, but its hard not to feel a strong sense that the context around the show has shifted significantly with the Israel-Gaza conflict. How do you think about that change in the shows weight? JZ: We really wanted to ask questions about political violence rather than provide easy answers. People should draw their own conclusions if they feel there are parallels to whats happening now. But the idea that we could be on the edge of real political violence was ever-present throughout the writing and filming. There has been no shortage of unrest during the five years of putting the show together. When I was writing in Los Angeles, it was after some of the Black Lives Matter protests. Armored personnel car carriers drove down Melrose. There were protesters in the streets. Some of us were going to those protests, and wed see that the person holding the bullhorn would be 17 years old, and there would be tanks and men with riot shields and iconography that wouldnt have looked out of place in Northern Ireland. That was the thing that compelled us: What would it be like to be that kid? PRK: The book came out about five years ago, and as its been translated into other languages, Ive been fascinated by how people in different countries read it through the prism of their own history. Ive been to Colombia twice now. I was in Catalonia this summer. They all see it in a different way. As Josh is saying, there were all these experiences happening in the United States while the show was being written that refracted through this story in interesting ways. So in terms of Gaza, the student protests, the state of high anxiety the only certainty for the week after the election, when the show will be coming out, is that we dont really know what the world is going to look like. But I can tell you there will be a sense of a kind of intractable divide in the country. In all these ways, this series has something to say, but I feel, as we all feel pretty strongly, that we dont want to reduce it to a bumper sticker or a tweet. Theres no simple message. The hope is for it to be a prism that can give insight into some of these issues by looking at a different conflict in another place, in another time. Photo: Sinna Nasseri Before she even walked onstage, Aya Cash swore she was going to cry during Vulture Festivals ten-year-anniversary reunion panel for Youre the Worst. She kept that promise so did her two co-stars, Kether Donohue and Desmin Borges. Borges became so emotional while discussing his experience playing Edgar, an Iraq War veteran with PTSD, that he had to ask for Kleenex and a beer to be brought to the stage. (Chris Geere, a.k.a. insufferable novelist Jimmy Shive-Overly, was unable to attend at the last minute but recorded a video message that you can watch below.) Stephen Falk, the creator of Youre the Worst, was the only one who kept his emotions in check, mostly because hes not a crier. He is, however, a spectacular shit-talker. When asked about the running gags that played over five seasons of the FX/FXX comedy, including several jokes about Moby, he was blunt and honest: Mobys the No. 1 person Hollywood celebrity that girls I know have made out with and feel really shit about it. But gossip about the artist who gave us the song Porcelain was hardly the only thing on the agenda at this celebration of one of the best comedies of the 2010s. There was more discussion of running gags (leg-washing, Trash Juice, and Sunday Funday, which inspired a sing-along of the Sunday Funday theme song), how the cast members felt about where the characters landed in the series finale, and whether there could maybe be more Youre the Worst in the future. (Me: So even though we just said what a perfect ending this was, Im going to ask, would there ever be a possibility of Aya Cash, interrupting immediately: Yes.) Watch the Youre the Worst reunion in full below, or read on for a transcript of the conversation. What do you guys remember about auditioning? Chris said he flew from England to L.A. to read with potential Gretchens, and after doing a scene with Aya, he thought, This feels right, this feels amazing. Aya Cash: Okay, first of all, I was rejected by FX that day. Chris got the job, and I did not. So I have a less romantic version of that! Then I re-tested alone in the Orange Is the New Black offices with Stephen and a little camcorder, being like, Make her nicer. Stephen Falk: Yeah, thats true. FX said, No, we dont want that one! But she was so great I was like, You have to! I mean, its not like a hero story for me, but I went to John Landgraf, and I said, Please! I think youre wrong, dude! And hes like, the fucking head of FX, Fuck off! Kether Donohue: No one tells him hes wrong! Youre probably the first person who said hes wrong. S.F.: Probably! So then I flew to New York and re-taped her, and he was like, Okay, fine. Then he came to me at the first party and was like, Okay, you were right. Chris also mentioned that the four of you went for a drink after the pilot and said, This could be it. Is that how you remember it? A.C.: After the table read we did not all go get a drink and say this could be it. We went to In-N-Out Burger, so that if somebody got fired, at least wed be eating a burger during it. K.D.: Because everyone gets fired after table reads. Its like an actors worst nightmare. Youre on alert, like, Did they laugh at that joke? So then were all eating In-N-Out like, Did they laugh at all our jokes? It was really pathetic. Desmin Borges: Do you remember your audition? K.D.: I was actually filming an Audi car commercial that Jordan Vogt-Roberts directed he directed our pilot and he was like, She should audition for Youre the Worst. And it went well, so I got a test deal and I read with Aya. Me and Aya had met in 2000 were both from New York, and I remember Aya was famous in New York. Her headshot was on all the casting directors walls, and I was like, Oh, she always gets a pilot every season! So I was so intimidated to read with her. But we read together and we had good chemistry I guess. D.B.: When we went to In-N-Out Burger, there was a lot of talk of, Oh, Im getting fired. And I was quiet in the background because I knew I fucking killed that reading, man! I was like, Nah, man, they aint firing me! I can fucking tell you that! But during my audition, I started the self-tape thing early and I thought, Edgars a military man, so I dressed in my best and I was really buttoned-up. It was either a call or an email from Stephen after he saw the tape. He was like, Dude, get your worst fucking shirt, crumple it up, put it under your mattress for 24 hours, and tape it again. Do not shave. Look like you just fucking shot heroin all night long. I did that, and I was hoofing in Central Park and my phone started ringing and it was like, Hey, theyre offering you the part. S.F.: I didnt want him at all. [Laughs.] The year before, Id done a pilot for NBC with Jeffrey Tambor and Dane Cook, which was exactly as good as it sounds. Des was in the main cast, as well, and we got shut down in the middle of production. They were like Yeah, no, no. Were not going to air this on anything. You can go home. I was like, I moved to New York and you built a $2 million set! Anyway, I thought he was bad luck, but he wasnt. And it wasnt me. It was Dane Cook. D.B.: The dude who was two-and-a-half hours late to my read with him, because apparently one of the tires on his motorcycle blew out and he didnt have another mode of transportation to get there. Dick! So I know the basic premise of the show is two people who dont want to be committed eventually becoming committed. But I also feel like the show is about how not to be, to use a phrase from the show, a sweater person. Thats what everyone is trying to avoid. Do you think thats accurate? S.F.: Yeah, absolutely. But I think theres a level that the show plays with that is about the fallacy of worrying about becoming a sweater person. Its playing with the silliness of fighting the natural progression of getting older and falling in love and settling down. Theres an uncoolness that they are constantly fighting against while doing it and wanting it. Kether introduces the phrase sweater people in a scene with Aya, in which Lindsay is bemoaning the degradation of her boring, almost-over marriage, and Gretchen is complaining about being tired from all the partying she and Jimmy are doing, and how she just wants to drink tea and read in bed. Their conversation climaxes in Lindsay slapping Gretchen. Was that a real slap or a fake slap? A.C.: They were often real! K.D.: Were Method actors. S.F.: Kethers a very in-the-moment actor, I would say. Youre not exactly sure what youre going to get, but thats the beauty of it. A.C.: But also do you remember, those scenes were always the ones where afterward, youd be like, It was bad, it was bad, it was so bad. And I just remember being like, Youre the most brilliant actor Ive ever worked with. Theres no way that this didnt go well. K.D.: When I die Im gonna regret being insecure so much. A.C.: Arent we all? As funny as this show is, it also deals with some serious issues: Gretchens depression and Edgars PTSD. Im thinking particularly of a scene in which Edgar finally gets into a treatment program involving video games built around participants trauma but is rejected when the VA supervisor learns hes stopped taking the many, many pills he was prescribed, because he felt they were doing more harm than good. One of the things that strikes me about this scene are all the different tones, and how it goes from really funny moments to that really intense dramatic interaction at the end. Is it hard to manage all those different tones? D.B.: No. No, because at some point you just gotta give over to it [chokes up]. The greatest thing about what Stephen and the writers did with Edgar its just so easy to, like, get out of your own way and do it. S.F.: Des obviously is fucking brilliant. From a writing standpoint, the tonal stuff is very difficult because it can go so poorly. I imagine if I could cook anything, its not unlike going too far with one ingredient or the other, then everything tastes awful. We approached FX about getting serious in the second season. When you create a show, if you make it past the first season, you have to pitch the entire second season to the executives. By the third season we had gained their trust, but for the second season we were like, Hey, we want to make a season about clinical depression! They were like, What? Its a half-hour comedy, you guys! We were like, Yeah, we know, but we think we can do it and we think this cast is intelligent enough, and we think the writers are strong enough that we know how to make it funny. Jenji Kohan, whom I learned to write under on Weeds and Orange Is the New Black, always talks about how some of the biggest laughs youll have are in a hospital room. Tragedy and comedy are so close, and I think if you stay close to the truth of it, it works. Rather than just wildly throwing in a dick joke where it doesnt fit, you have someone like the VA woman. Shes the one kind of making the jokes, but its in service of her job, which is to keep veterans from trying to access treatment. Its not really her fault; they have such little resources, and so if they dealt with everyone on a human level, theyd be overwhelmed. That affords you the space to make jokes because its in service of her objective, which is just to get him to shut the fuck up and go away. Did you ever hear from veterans who were like, Hey, I really appreciate what youre doing on the show? S.F.: With the veterans we talked to, we would ask, What do you want us to do or avoid? And they were like, We find comedy in all of this. Thats the only way we can survive. Make us laugh. And so that was sort of a big challenge. D.B.: Stephen and I talked about that quite a bit, and the larger population of vets who have never seen themselves onscreen. So many of them talked about how most of the time you see vets and theyre just beating the shit out of somebody in Best Buy for no reason. I mean, that hits home. I dont come from that world one bit, but being broken and misunderstood and feeling like you havent been seen your entire life, its easy to find a common place. I still talk to quite a few of them. Via Instagram or email. As we kept on going with the show, I just kept on thinking, like, I just want to make them proud. I want them to feel seen and heard and understood. To honor the show and switch tones, I wanted to say that I watched the show when it was on I loved it, I wrote about it at the time but I went back to rewatch it recently and one of the things that stands out a little bit more when youre bingeing it in a condensed period of time is all the running gags. So I want to talk about a few of them, and this is the part where you start talking shit about people again. First, there are a number of jokes about Moby in the show. Jimmy at one point wants to give away a scarf because it looks too much like Mobys. Whats the deal with Moby? S.F.: The only thing I will say about Moby is Mobys the No. 1 person Hollywood celebrity that girls I know have made out with and feel really shitty about it. Thats all. K.D.: Why? S.F.: Why do they make out with him? Thats a good question! Next: Sufjan Stevenss broth restaurant. What is the deal with that? S.F.: We had a running joke about Sufjan Stevens trying to open a broth restaurant. We wanted to shoot a fake commercial with Sam and the guys because theyd invested in Sufjan Stevenss broth restaurant on Gretchens advice, and it didnt go well. We asked Sufjan to be in it. And Sufjan Stevens said no, he wouldnt do it. A.C.: Lets not pick on him now. I think were all grown-ups. S.F.: No, hes the best. A.C.: But that just reminded me, Travis Barker was supposed to be on the show. Do you remember this? He was there, then left before we shot. K.D.: He had to pick up his kids from school. A.C.: Then it was Henry Rollins instead. Just wanted to let that out of the bag. Trash Juice. Where did it come from? S.F.: My high school. Wed have a luau every year and theyd put Kool-Aid and fruit and vodka in a giant trash can, then you would drink it and youd wake up, and your moms picking you up, and youre like, Oh no, why is my shirt red? Did you guys ever drink any Trash Juice on set? [Aya and Kether laugh.] S.F.: I dont think they drank it. It was just red food coloring or whatever. But no, Kether would often we have a spit bucket, right? So thered be food or cigarettes in a scene, then wed stop rolling and say, Okay, you dont have to smoke anymore. Then shed light up a cigarette. Wed be like, Kether, you dont have to smoke right now! K.D.: And Id eat the Froyo. After each take they were like, You know its prop food, right? You dont have to finish it! And I was like, I know! And I finished it. At some point every one of the characters said she aight. What was the genesis of that? S.F.: It was a writers-room joke. We just liked the idea of it passing from one character to another. K.D.: I think the psychology behind that is Stephens not impressed by much. It takes a lot to impress him. So its like, Yeah, she aight. Thats the vibe. Washing your legs. What was the inspiration for that and how do each of you feel about washing your legs? A.C.: Can I just say, I was just asked about washing my legs in a press event for a different job, and they had no idea it came from Youre the Worst. They literally were like, So do you wash your legs? and I was like, Haha, Youre the Worst! And they were like, Sorry? S.F.: One of our writers, Eva Anderson, whos the weirdest person Ive ever met, one day announced that she doesnt wash her legs in the writers room. And we were aghast. K.D.: Does she rinse? S.F.: Well, I mean, shes in the shower, so theres rinsing happening. I think that was her point. K.D.: I definitely wash my legs. Because I like to go in chronology. I start up here [points to head], then go down here [points to feet]. Sunday Funday. Where did this come from? S.F.: I dont know where Sunday Funday came up. I do remember I had to leave the writers room and I said, Make a song for it and pitch me the song when I come back. And they pitched me that and I was like, I fucking hate that. Then I think they maybe went right to the cast and told them, and they were like, We love it! And I was like, Goddamn it! There was a Sunday Funday episode in every season with the exception of one. S.F.: Yeah we did. I mean, to me it felt really gimmicky to repeat it. It was sort of like Slapsgiving or whatever. Not that theres anything wrong with that! No, but just easy chum for the audience. A.C.: They are the audience, Stephen! [Gestures to the audience.] S.F.: Fuck you, guys! Chum for you! I want to talk a little about the series finale, which I think is one of the best series finales ever, and it doesnt get talked about nearly enough. I guess my first question is, Stephen, did you always know it would end that way? S.F.: I think the big lie of TV is that the writers always know how its gonna end and they know the exact right moment. Its bullshit. Anyone who tells you that is a liar. But I did know that I wanted the show to trace the very traditional steps of a relationship. If we had gotten a sixth season we didnt end it, they just canceled us they would have then had a kid and done that stuff, and eventually moved into an old-folks home, then died in season 39. I dont know when we decided they would not get married, but be together. That just felt fucking perfect for us. My wife, Christina, was the one who really pushed me to include the montage set to the Mountain Goats No Children, showing what happened after the show ended. John Darnielle had done a Weeds cover of Little Boxes for me, and so I had a bit of a relationship with him. So for each of you, how did you feel about where your character ended up in this finale? A.C.: I mean, I wanted it to go forever, so that was disappointing! I do remember shooting that last scene. I remember trying to improv. Stephen hates improv in general. I just remember Stephen being like stop it. And yeah, he was right! D.B.: I loved how it ended for Edgar. In the actual penultimate scene, when he told Jimmy that he didnt think that he should marry Gretchen, I felt like there was a brotherly bond that we had been building to. To get to that place where he could be that brutally honest with somebody meant more than him moving to New York and becoming a comedy writer. I feel like he finally found himself then. There was even this one moment that was in there. Chris and I didnt know the cameras were rolling and I think I put my head on Chriss shoulder and we both said at the same time, Love you, buddy. That was what I remember being the end of Edgar. Yes, it changed the dynamic between him and Jimmy. They were equals now. And Kether, how did you feel about getting married to Paul again? K.D.: Im not gonna lie, I forgot what happened! S.F.: I mean, you did stab him! Its a little weird that you got remarried to him. In the writers room, did you try out different scenarios for what might happen to them? S.F.: Yeah, you go through every scenario. But it always felt to me that they would end up together. She had matured. I dont know if Paul had. K.D.: Did she mature? S.F.: Yeah, I think so. And I think what Des said about his character is very astute. Thats what we wanted for him to become equals. Thats the thing about rom-coms in general, right? Theres a sidekick. And knowing that I was walking into writing a rom-com, I was like, I dont want fucking sidekicks, because no one is not the center of their own story. Isnt there a scene somewhere in the series where Lindsay and Edgar say, Were not the sidekick? S.F.: Yeah, they have self-awareness. K.D.: Beyonce! D.B.: Thats the Beyonce monologue. K.D.: When me and Des did scenes together, I had to look at the floor sometimes or Id laugh, because he was cracking me up. I was like, I cant look at you during your coverage because Im gonna laugh, so I would just stare at the floor. So even though we just said what a perfect ending this was, Im going to ask, would there ever be a possibility of A.C.: Yes. K.D.: We should do a limited series! Or like when Sex and the City does a movie. We should do a movie! S.F.: Youre the Worst in Dubai! I mean, we would love to do anything. The obvious answer is unless FX wants to do it, we cant do it. What if we crowdsource the funding? S.F.: Then we have, like, Zach Braffs movie that no one watched? No! FX has to fucking pay for it. Im not gonna make you guys do it. MOSCOW, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Ukraine conflict has obtained features of a global conflict after attacks by Western missiles on Russia's Kursk and Bryansk regions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on Thursday. "Since this moment, as we have underscored repeatedly, the conflict in Ukraine, provoked by the West, has obtained elements of global nature," he said. The Russian president vowed that Russia will respond decisively in case of escalation in Ukraine. He stressed that Russia has the right to use weapons against the military facilities of the countries that use their weapons against Russia. "I would like to stress once again that it is not Russia that is destroying the international security system, but the United States," Putin stressed in the speech. Meanwhile, he confirmed that Russia has successfully tested a new medium-range ballistic missile Oreshnik in response to enemy actions. State heads and representatives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) pose for a group photo during an extraordinary summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Nov. 20, 2024. The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc, has decided to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by one year amid continued hostilities in the country's eastern region. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua) HARARE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc, has decided to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by one year amid continued hostilities in the country's eastern region. The SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) was deployed in 2023 to support the DRC government's quest to restore peace and security in eastern DRC. A communique issued Wednesday at the end of an extraordinary summit of SADC heads of state and government held in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, noted an escalation of hostilities in eastern DRC despite a ceasefire agreement between the governments of the DRC and Rwanda in August. The communique said the extension of the peacekeeping mission continues "the regional response to address the prevailing unstable security situation in eastern DRC." Opening the summit, Zimbabwean President and current SADC Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa said the security and humanitarian situation in the DRC has deteriorated. "We have a duty to strengthen our resolve and chart a way forward that will see us win this fight for peace and the rights of the people in eastern DRC to a good life and well-being, development, justice as well as strong institutions," he said. Four other heads of state from Botswana, the DRC, Madagascar, and Mozambique attended the summit, while the majority of leaders from the 16-member regional group sent representatives. The communique also welcomed the continued efforts of the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council in exploring various options to support the SAMIDRC. Salvini's Highway Code reforms to become law. Italy has updated its Highway Code with new rules requiring electric scooter users to wear helmets, get licence plates and be insured, following final approval by the parliament. The bill, already approved by Italy's lower house in March, was passed by the senate on Wednesday with 83 votes in favour, 47 against and one abstention. The new legislation, part of a broader reform of the highway code or codice stradale, includes stiffer penalties for drink and drug driving, using phones at the wheel, and abandoning animals by the roadside. The bill was pushed through by transport minister and deputy premier Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing Lega party, in a bid to "reduce the massacres on Italian roads". Over the past few years the use of e-scooters in Italy has boomed, with Rome introducing measures recently to curb the number of rental monopattini elettrici in circulation on the city's streets from 14,500 to 9,000. In a recent report, Italy's national statistics institute ISTAT said that e-scooters were involved in 3,365 accidents last year, resulting in 3,195 people injured and 21 fatalities, an increase from the 2,929 accidents recorded in 2022, which left 2,787 injured and 16 dead. "No more wild scooters," Salvini wrote on social media, adding that e-scooter riders will be banned from cycle lanes, pedestrianised areas and non-urban roads. Il nuovo Codice della Strada e finalmente LEGGE. Piu sicurezza e prevenzione, contrasto ad abusi e comportamenti scorretti, norme aggiornate ed educazione stradale vera. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/k9guDsd8v5 Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) November 20, 2024 What else changes in Italy's updated Highway Code? Speeding fines Motorists who break the speed limit in urban areas twice a year or more face speeding fines of up to 880 and risk having their licence suspended for 15 to 30 days. Local authorities will not be permitted to issue motorists with more than one fine for repeated speeding violations that come within an hour of each other. If there is more than one speeding ticket, the motorist must pay only the biggest fine, increased by one third. Drink driving Motorists caught driving with a blood alcohol content of between 0.5 and 0.8 grams per litre face a fine of between 573 and 2,170 and a licence suspension of three to six months. The fine doubles for motorists caught driving with a blood alcohol level of between 0.8 and 1.5 grams per litre, with a driving ban of up to a year and a six-month jail term. The sanctions are even tougher for those caught driving with a blood alcohol level over 1.5 grams per litre: fines between 1,500 and 6,000, a driving ban of up to two years, and a one-year jail term. In addition, anyone found with a blood alcohol content of 0.8 grams or more will be obliged to install an "alcolock" breath alcohol ignition interlock device once they get their licence back. Motorists caught driving under the influence of drugs face bans of up to three years. Mobile phones The reforms hike the penalties for using cell phones at the wheel - between 250 and 1,000 - with maximum fines of 1,400 for repeat offenders plus a three-month driving ban. Penalties are more severe if phone use while driving results in an accident. Abandoning animals Drivers who abandon dogs by the roadside face losing their licences for between six months and a year and they risk seven years in jail if an accident is caused by the abandoned animal. There will also be higher fines for parking illegally in disabled parking spaces - from 330 to 990 - and in bus lanes or stops - from 165 to 660. The legislation is set to be signed into law by Italy's president Sergio Mattarella in the coming days and is expected to take effect by the end of this year. Photo Wanted in Rome Christmas tree will stay in place until 12 January. The Vatican's Christmas tree arrived in St Peter's Square on Thursday amid controversy, after an appeal to Pope Francis to spare the 200-year-old fir was ignored. More than 53,000 people signed an online petition calling for the 30m-high "Gigante verde" or green giant to be left standing in the forests of Val di Ledro, in Italy's northern Trentino region. Local residents and enviornmentalists had slammed the proposed tree felling as an "anachronistic outrage", urging the pontiff to give a clear signal towards respecting nature in the face of climate change. Noting that the Christmas tree is "a pagan tradition", the petition condemned "the purely consumerist practice of using living trees for ephemeral use, for mere advertising purposes and a few ridiculous selfies." However authorities went ahead and chopped down the majestic tree in Val di Ledro, along with a further 39 smaller trees destined to adorn various Vatican offices and buildings. In an attempt to quell the controversy, Cardinal Fernando Vergez Alzaga, president of the governorate of Vatican City State, this week defended the choice of the tree as "not only aesthetic but also ecologically responsible". The cardinal said that removing the tree would "ensure the natural renewal of the forest for the coming decades", adding that the Val di Ledro trees are managed in line with the PEFC sustainable forest management requirements. Nativity scene The Vatican's Nativity scene, from Grado in Italy's northern Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, will be installed beside the Christmas tree. This year the Christmas crib will have a maritime theme and will depict fishermen alongside traditional boats and thatched dwellings together with 3-D renderings of birds. The Vatican's Christmas tree and Nativity scene will both be illuminated during a ceremony on Saturday 7 December, at 18.30, and will remain in place until 12 January 2025. High Court reporters The High Court has sanctioned the transfer of a 60-year-old man to a nursing home against his wishes after hearing the space will be imminently lost if the move is delayed. The transfer orders come some five months after he became fit for discharge from an acute hospital. His case was before the courts inherent jurisdiction list on Thursday because he lacks mental capacity due to alcohol-related cognitive impairments and a dementia-like condition called Korsakoff syndrome. The court heard he needs 24-hour supervision due to his difficulties with daily living. A solicitor appointed by the court to advocate for the mans best interests expressed concern earlier this week about constitutional issues arising from the hospitals request for the transfer. Barrister Alan DP Brady, representing the mans advocate, David Hickey of Curry & Hickey solicitors, said on Tuesday that it is very clear the man does not want to go to a nursing home. The court must be satisfied before ordering such a limitation on the mans right to liberty, he said. Mr Justice David Nolan adjourned the hospitals application for the transfer orders until Thursday, so lawyers could ascertain the ramifications of further delaying a decision in the case. On Thursday, the judge was told that the nursing home space would be lost if it was not accepted by Friday. Mr Brady said the advocate understands this places the court and the hospital in a particular position, so he would neither consent nor object to the transfer orders. Mr Hickey has been making enquiries about possible alternative services for the man, such as Health Service Executive (HSE) disability services, and will continue to look into this after the making of the orders, said Mr Brady. The court heard previously that the HSE concluded the man does not meet the criteria for disability services due to having an alcohol-related brain condition. Mr Brady said the HSE is treating this as an older person case rather than a disability case. Mr Hickey will continue to make enquiries on this but acknowledges that this is now a more medium-term issue than short-term one. Mr Justice Nolan made the orders sought by barrister Ciara Dowd on behalf of the hospital. He adjourned the case to February but, noting the advocates position, said the door is always open in relation to this. There was a huge turn out for the launch of 'Bloodshed in the Comeraghs', a new book on the Irish Civil War. Written by David Prendergast and edited by Willie Whelan, the book goes into the story of Thomas Keatings death near Coolnasmear at the hands of the National Army during the Irish Civil War 1922-23. Cllr Conor McGuinness, Cllr Seanie Power, author David Prendergast, Cllr Liam Brazil, and Cllr Thomas Phelan (incidentally the Chairperson of Waterford County Museum) were in attencance. Comeragh Cathaoirleach Cllr. Seanie Power welcomed the large attendance at the book launch. It was an apt welcome, given that the Comeraghs were the birthplace, workplace, and final resting place of Thomas Keating. The Comeraghs Willie Whelan stated: "Thomas Keating, Commandant of the 2nd Waterford Battalion IRA, was shot and captured on April 11, 1923. Denied medical care, he was left to bleed to death by his captors. For the first time, this book by David Prendergast delves into the controversial circumstances surrounding Keating's death at the hands of the National Army. The book sheds light on one of our most significant yet regrettably overlooked local historical figures." 'Bloodshed in the Comeraghs' was written by David Prendergast and edited by Willie Whelan. He continued: "Thomas Keating's life story is inextricably linked with the Comeragh Mountains. Born and raised there, he worked as a shepherd, fought across the terrain, sought refuge in its rugged landscape, and ultimately died at its foothills. It was fitting that Cllr Seanie Power, as Chairperson of the Comeragh District Council, welcomed the large attendance at the launch of this important publication at Dungarvan Library." All proceeds from the sale of museum books will be donated to the operating costs of Waterford County Museum. 'Bloodshed in the Comeraghs' is part of the museums contribution to the Waterford City and County Council and Decade of Centenaries Programme. The book is available from Waterford County Museum, David Walsh Office Supplies, and Eason in Dungarvan, the Book Centre in Waterford City and on Amazon. BAMAKO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Mali's Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga and his government were dismissed on Wednesday, according to a decree issued by President Assimi Goita. "The duties of the prime minister and the members of the government are terminated," said the decree, which was read out by the secretary general of the presidency on state television station ORTM. The decision came after the head of government's "muscular outburst" against the transition at a meeting of the "Movement of June 5 - Rally of Patriotic Forces" (M5-RFP) last Saturday. On Tuesday, demonstrators in the capital and many cities in the country called for Maiga's resignation. Maiga, president of the strategic committee of the M5-RFP, was appointed Mali's prime minister in June 2021. The Labour Party last won a seat in Waterford in 2011. After two election cycles, Sadbh ONeill is asking voters to put their trust in Labour in Waterford once again. The environmental activist, lecturer and columnist believes that there is an appetite for a fresh voice in politics and says that there is a sense of Waterford needing stronger representation. There's definitely a clear sense at the doorstep that Waterford is being left behind, says ONeill, who cited a litany of examples where people are losing trust with the government parties. Basic things, she says show that Waterford is being left behind by the government, the lack of footpath repairs, inadequate appointments at GPs and dentists. The fact that Waterford airport hasn't been given what is really a very modest amount of state funding. She says that the government parties have promised, over the years, to deliver services and infrastructure to Waterford, but it hasnt materialised. The environmental activist unsurprisingly chose climate issues as one of her three top priorities, along with housing and childcare. Her track record on the issue goes back to her time in Trinity College Dublin in 1991 when she was elected as a Dublin City Councillor for the Green Party. A lot has changed since then, local authority members had a lot more power, more executive powers than councillors have now; they have very little power to change local authorities, she says, local representatives are not able to represent us properly. The way that local government and local democracy has been whittled away is really quite striking. Another thing which has changed is her party affiliation. ONeill explained that she recently found her way back to the Labour Party following a long detour! ONeill met the current party leader, Ivana Bacik MEP, in university and was inspired by her decision to publish abortion information in a student handbook in spite of legal restrictions. I can see Ivana becoming Taoiseach one day. Shes a great inspiration. While ONeill originally got involved with the Green Party due to their environmental policies, she says that the challenges facing our environment are absolutely catastrophic but they are not an issue for one party. The Labour Party has always been championing these issues as well. In fact, Ivana [Bacik) introduced a climate bill back in 2010, way before the Greens introduced their own legislation! The candidate equated environmental justice and social justice which she says go hand in hand and believes that the historical strength of her party on social issues bodes well for their handling of climate concerns. The Labour Party is the same party it always was, ONeill says, "I think its recovering its stride. Given her strong concerns for the environment, it might seem inevitable that ONeill would object to the development of Waterford Airport, however, she says she doesnt believe there is any argument against Waterford Airport on environmental grounds. She admitted that aviation is a small but very significant contributor to climate change but that the problem is Dublin Airport, not Waterford. As Dublin airport collides with the passenger cap which ONeill says is a really important rule now is the time to invest in the countrys regional airports. It makes sense to me that we look to develop our regional airport, she says, Why not redistribute [flights] to Waterford Airport? I did a small calculation! she said, arguing that the carbon contributions of Waterford Airport would be minimal. Even reaching the theoretical maximum passenger projections submitted by the airport in their business plan, she said that would amount to less than 7% of emissions at Dublin Airport. So, we dont see that there is any argument against Waterford Airport on environmental grounds. WATCH FULL INTERVIEW here The first-ever President of SETU Students Union for the Waterford Campus, Patrick Curtin is running in the General Election as a candidate for People Before Profit in the hopes of becoming the party's first ever Deise TD. "Waterford is meant to be one of the five major cities across the Republic of Ireland and it has just been put to the side," said Patrick. "We have no regional airport - that's been closed since 2016. We have no investment in the city. Yes, we have the Waterford Northeast development going ahead, but they're not putting any money into the current city with this[...] No investment put into the university. We have no investment going into Waterford University Hospital." Curtin believes that Waterford is stuck at the back of the line for the scraps of government money left over after our bulbous capital takes its share, "everything at the moment has been centralised in Dublin, then whatever is left over after Dublin's spare change has been sent down to Cork." "It has been like that for years upon years," he contends, "and as long as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are in, that's the way it's going to be." Fresh from the world of student politics, Curtin presents a different way of thinking, seeking to appeal to the younger generations of voters. "I know what they're looking for, I know their needs, I know their demands and I also listen to people as well. I don't make false promises, I believe people are powerful, and that's what our party is about - creating campaigns and getting people out onto the streets." "That's the only thing that is going to get things done these days." Representing People Before Profit, Curtin promises to "make sure Waterford is put back on the map again as one of the five major cities" in the country if elected, and wants to use his recent experience at SETU to make the case for the institution to get full university status. You can watch the full interview on www.waterford-news.com alongside interviews with all of the candidates running in Waterford The Irish People political party candidate in the upcoming General Election, John D Walsh spoke to Waterford News & Star Editor Mary Frances Ryan, in an interview during which he spoke of his party's policies, the label 'far right' and his desire to support family creation. This is part of a series of interviews with the General Election candidates in Waterford. You can watch the full interview with Mr Walsh below. Patrick Curtin is a General Election candidate for People Before Profit-Solidarity in Waterford. The former SETU Student Union President spoke to Waterford News & Star journalist Hugh Dooley about choosing to join the political party, understanding the needs of students, and his party's proposed solutions to the housing crisis. This is part of a series of interviews with the General Election candidates in Waterford. You can watch the full interview below. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have failed our generation. Many of those I know struggle to afford rent despite having good jobs. Others were pushed out of the country, away from their communities, friends and families, in order to be able to obtain a better quality of life in Sydney, Vancouver, or elsewhere in Europe. I always tell people that I am experiencing the Irish Dream of living with my parents in my late twenties; just like roughly2in3people my age (68% of those who are 25-29 years old). Everyone knows that these parties continue to ruin our chances of getting a home, and its easy to point out their economic illiteracy (or nefarious incompetence) in housing policy, but it is a much more challenging task to highlight a radical, positive, and tangible alternative vision for a better housing system. In this editorial, I will attempt to do so; in detailing this, I bring my experience in tenants unions in recent years, both as an active member of Living Rent Tenants Union in Scotland and as a founding member of CATU (Community Action Tenants Union) Waterford, in addition to my personal experience living and renting in various cities and countries throughout Europe. I have extensively researched the various housing models in existence across the world, and one stands out for its complete success in avoiding a Housing Crisis despite existing within an economy built on Western values and facing a large population increase in recent years; the Vienna Model. We know the ingredients which allow Viennas housing system to thrive; a mix of expansive near-universal public housing (80% of Viennas population qualifies based on income limits), support for housing co-ops, and stringent rent controls which set a maximum rent for each property based on a rent index designed by local government. Taken together, this represents a conscious and complete rejection of the financialisation of homes which Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have instead decided to embrace in recent decades. To be clear, progressive and left parties in Ireland have many good policies which I support; I read Sinn Feins recent 109-page A Home of Your Own plan and have followed extensively the great proposals put forward by People Before Profit and the Social Democrats. These all seek to move our concept of housing away from that of a property asset towards that of a universal right. I am impressed with Sinn Feins plan to use more-efficient direct labour and to introduce a new model of public housing which blurs the line between public and private ownership while removing profiteering, and I support the Soc Dems and PBPs proposals for a state construction company. My main concerns lie with Sinn Feins continued heavy reliance on private housing, and, in all parties plans, the conspicuous absence of cooperatives as a key part of the solution. There is also a distinct lack of focus on truly decarbonising housing by constructing new homes to the passivhaus standard. I hope that, if I am lucky enough to be trusted by voters on Friday 29th November, I can lend my support as a TD to a progressive government which, in contrast to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, actually seeks to end the Housing Crisis within a few years. In the weeks and months which follow the election, I promise to do what I can to ensure that co-ops are a major part of the solution. On top of a state construction company, we must support the creation of construction worker co-ops which are smaller, more agile, and less hierarchical than a larger public institution. On top of building public housing, we must empower credit unions to finance housing co-ops, allowing for the addition of a fully distinct and democratic form of housing which offers autonomy while building community in a way that neither private nor public housing can. These measures, alongside a more ambitious plan to decarbonise our homes, would be transformative for all of us. As I write this from my parents house while hearing about the latest eviction of a fellow CATU member, I can so clearly envision a better housing system beginning to take shape after the general election; one which is more democratic, more decentralised, and more decarbonised; one in which We All Thrive. If you believe in this vision, vote Killian Mangan #1 on Friday 29th November. Eva Osborne New research into attitudes, influence, and well-being among Irish men shows that two in five hold traditionalist views. This includes agreeing or being unsure on statements such as men who dont dominate in relationships arent real men (52 per cent), a mans worth is measured by power and control over others (54 per cent), and real men shouldnt have to care about womens opinions or feelings (46 per cent). Of these traditionalist men, 70 per cent believe that womens issues are exaggerated, according to Women's Aid. Compared to the moderate group (three in five men), traditionalists are more likely to be younger men, with 67 per cent of men aged 18-29 years old holding more traditional views, or less certain about more moderate views. This trend suggests that younger men may be more influenced by contemporary online figures who promote traditional masculinity. Womens Aid launched the new research in partnership with Core. It is titled 'Evolving Manhood: Attitudes, Influence, and Well-being Among Irish Men'. The main focus was to further understand mens attitudes to women and manhood, the researchers surveyed 1,000 adults, representative of the Irish adult population, who were asked several questions about perceptions of manhood and the attitudes men express. It found that 61 per cent of men in Ireland have low levels of agreement with more traditional views of manhood, such as Men should be the ones to bring money home to provide for their families, not women, Guys should act strong even if they feel scared or nervous inside, and A man who talks a lot about his worries, fears, and problems shouldnt really get respect. Women's Aid said this highlights the evolving views men have about male identity, a more moderate view of masculinity. However, 39 per cent of men agree or are uncertain about these perceptions of manhood and can be classified as traditionalists. In general, young men in Ireland are turning to digital forums, YouTube and podcasts to learn about topics, including their identity and role in society, Women's Aid said. Speaking about the findings, Finian Murphy, from Core Research, said: This research reveals how most men in Ireland have an evolved view of manhood, away from traditional attitudes of strength, stoicism and being the primary provider. "However, with two in five men holding these attitudes, particularly younger men, there is a link with attitudes that can be harmful towards women, children, and men themselves. "As we mark 50 years of Women's Aid's important work, there is an opportunity for more men to become advocates for change and encourage younger men to be more moderate in their views." Women's Aid On Thursday, Womens Aid, a national frontline organisation working to prevent and address domestic abuse including coercive control in Ireland, marked its 50th Anniversary with a one-day landmark conference in Dublin city centre. The organisation, which was founded in 1974 by the late Nuala Fennell, conservatively estimates that it has responded to at least 600,000 contacts from women across generations. Sarah Benson, chief executive of Womens Aid said: The 50th Anniversary of the foundation of Womens Aid truly is an opportune moment in time to reflect on where Ireland is at, in the continuing work to combat male violence against women and to achieve gender equality. "We have made much progress but there is so much more to do. Gender-based violence remains a scourge on Irish society and limits the potential of all women and girls affected. In Ireland, one in three women suffer psychological abuse (FRA, 2014) and one in four women have experienced sexual violence from a partner (CSO, 2023). "Womens Aid research found that one in five young women had experienced abuse by an intimate partner before the age of 25. Over half of these young women experienced the abuse under the age of 18. "This should not be a fact of life. We have, within our grasp, a unique opportunity to really create a zero tolerance of violence and create an equal society for women and girls. Crucially, we need more male leaders across all sectors and strata in society to step up and become a strong voice to call out everyday sexism, misogyny and gender inequality. 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. RABAT, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A Moroccan Royal Air Force DA 42 training aircraft crashed Thursday morning, killing two officers, said the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces in a statement. The deadly accident occurred at the Benslimane air base, which is located 60 kilometers east of the country's biggest city Casablanca, killing an instructor colonel and a trainee officer, the statement noted. The deceased were on a training and qualification mission, it said, noting a committee of inquiry was set up to determine the causes of the accident. The DA 42 is a twin-engine light aircraft primarily used for flight training, navigation, and general aviation purposes. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. With only a handful of ingredients and ready in less than 15 minutes, this spicy fish recipe is guaranteed to be on hot rotation all summer long. The team at Sydney Fish Market has just released its first cookbook, A Fish for All Seasons, which celebrates 35 seasonal, plentiful and affordable species, many of which are overlooked or under-loved. Heres a simple salmon recipe from the collection to try at home. Feel free to substitute with Australian sardine, tailor or albacore tuna for something slightly different. Give your salmon some Korean-inspired kick. Alan Benson Australian salmon with gochujang glaze INGREDIENTS 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? Two men wearing masks and hoodies have been captured on CCTV running from the scene of an eastern suburbs vandalism attack in which a ute was set on fire, multiple cars damaged and Matt Morans Chiswick restaurant graffitied with anti-Israel messages. Police estimate the damage bill from the incident in Woollahra overnight at $70,000 for the cars and between $20,000 and $30,000 for three buildings. Ten cars were vandalised in addition to the burnt ute, while another car was damaged by the fire. Fire and Rescue NSW were called just after midnight on Wednesday to Wellington Street, where they extinguished the burning ute. When police arrived, they discovered cars on Wellington, Ocean, Tara and Fullerton streets had been vandalised with spray paint. Multiple cars parked outside Chiswick restaurant were also targeted. Chiswick restaurant was vandalised with white graffiti reading f--- Israel sprayed on its windows. 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. The shipwreck-hunting adventure seeker who ejected a slithery stowaway on a Broome to Perth flight says he had never heard of the Samuel L. Jackson movie Snakes on a Plane before Thursday. A 10-centimetre snake caused chaos on Virgin Australia flight 1482 on Thursday morning delaying take off by 20 minutes as cabin crew and passengers scrambled to find it. Fortunately for them one of the stars of Disneys worldwide hit Shipwreck Hunters Australia, Andre Rerekura, was on board and he deployed some quick reflexes to remove the wayward Stimpson Python. Rerekura had just spent several days filming sea snakes near Scott Reef off the Kimberley coast and said he was a little dumbfounded when someone on the plan shouted theyd spotted a snake. PORT SUDAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's gold export revenues have reached 1.5 billion U.S. dollars from January to October this year, official SUNA news agency reported on Thursday, citing a government official. "The country's gold exports have continued to rise through official channels, where 1.5 billion dollars have been deposited in the Central Bank of Sudan as gold export revenues since the beginning of this year until October," SUNA quoted Mohamed Tahir Omar, director-general of the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company, as saying. He said that 26 tons of gold have been exported through official channels, while actual production is reported to exceed 50 tons. Authorities have adopted measures to encourage miners to export their production through official channels, he said, adding that those measures have contributed to a significant increase in revenue. Omar attributed the decline in gold production to the cessation of operations in mines in conflict-hit areas. "Mines in conflict zones like Darfur have fallen out of government control following the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) takeover of most of the region, making these resources out of the state's reach," he said. According to data released by the company, Sudan's gold production had peaked between 2017 and 2022, with an average of 107 tons per year. In 2022, gold constituted 46.3 percent of the country's non-oil exports, valued at 2.02 billion dollars out of a total of 4.36 billion dollars in exports, according to statistics from the Central Bank of Sudan. In September 2023, Sudanese authorities reported a significant decline in the country's gold production, which had dropped to just two tons between April 15 and the end of August of that year. Sudan relies heavily on gold exports to obtain foreign currency. According to earlier United Nations reports, the Sudanese economy has declined by up to 42 percent due to the ongoing conflict. Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary 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. The conflict has displaced over 14 million people, either inside or outside Sudan, according to the latest estimates by the International Organization for Migration. WELLINGTON, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government on Thursday proposed changes to the name suppression laws to put views of victims of sexual violence first and at the heart of the justice system. The first change will ensure the courts cannot issue a permanent name suppression order for an adult convicted of a sexual offense, unless the victim agrees to it, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith said in a statement on Thursday. "Currently victims' views only have to be taken into account by the courts. Long battles over name suppression retraumatizes victims, as does the inability to discuss what happened to them and to warn others," Goldsmith said. The second change will ensure victims of all sexual crimes, including intimate visual recording offenses, are automatically given name suppression, he said. He pointed out that some victims of sexual offenses currently receive automatic name suppression and others do not, which represents a legislative gap. New Zealand's name suppression laws need to better empower victims of sexual offenses, ensure openness of court proceedings, and that people convicted of serious sexual crimes are identified and held to account, the minister said. These changes will help ensure New Zealand to have 20,000 fewer victims of serious violent crimes by 2029, he said. TOKYO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A reactor at the Mihama nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, has resumed operations that had been suspended since October due to damage to a pipe, its operator said Thursday. The No. 3 reactor was restarted at 1 a.m. local time Thursday and reached criticality, or a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, three hours later, according to Kansai Electric Power Co., the plant's operator. Kansai Electric said the reactor is expected to start power generation at night on the same day. A routine inspection of the reactor last fiscal year found that the polyethylene coating protecting the inside of a pipe used in a cooling system of the reactor vessel had peeled off. After the problem was fixed with epoxy resin susceptible to erosion, a reduction in the wall thickness and holes were found, forcing Kansai Electric to suspend the reactor on Oct. 15. The damaged pipe was replaced with a pipe protected with polyethylene lining. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit By Laman Ismayilova Russian House in Baku will host an exhibition and concert dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the outstanding Soviet and Russian composer, musicologist, and educator Alfred Garrievich Schnittke on November 27. The the event is organized jointly by the Russian House in Baku, the Russian National Museum of Music, and the Baku Musical Academy with the support of the A.G. Schnittke Moscow State Institute of Music. Alfred Schnittke is one of the major Soviet composers of the second half of the 20th century, whose concert performances have always generated excitement. A pioneer of the technique of polystylistics, Schnittke could convincingly express himself in the musical languages of various genres and stylistic directions. His work is characterized by acute attention to contemporary issues, the fates of humanity, and human culture. The dilemmas of the world and culture, of good and evil, of faith and skepticism, of life and death that permeate his oeuvre make Schnittke's compositions an emotionally articulated philosophy. Specifically for the anniversary of the remarkable musician, the Russian National Museum of Music has prepared an exhibition, which will be accessible at the Russian House in Baku. The exhibition covers different spheres of Schnittke's creativity: film music, theater, and instrumental music. Among the exhibits are Schnittke's musical manuscripts, unique personal items, archival photographs, and scenes from famous films such as "The Tale of How Tsar Peter Took an Ethiopian Woman as His Wife," "Crew," "Tale of Wanderings," "Little Tragedies," "Agony," and others. The concert program of the evening will include works by Schnittke from various genres, as well as a piece by his younger contemporary, the outstanding Azerbaijani and Russian composer Farhad Rzayev, performed by laureates of international competitions: the People's Artist of Azerbaijan, professor at the Baku Musical Academy Ulvia Gadjibekova, soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theater Yulia Geidarova, soloist of the Azerbaijan State Symphony Orchestra named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli Sabina Guliyeva, associate professor at the Baku Musical Academy Nargiz Salmanly, Baku Musical Academy lecturer Nargiz Kengerli, and the choir of St. Michael's Cathedral in Baku conducted by Kristina Efendieva. Guests at the Russian House in Baku can expect a surprise- the Baku premiere of one of Schnittke's works. The host and curator of the event is Alena Inyakina, a Doctor of Philosophy in Art History and senior lecturer at the Baku Musical Academy. COLOMBO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Thursday that the government hopes to sign a new staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by Nov. 23. Delivering the new government's policy statement at the commencement of the 10th parliament, Dissanayake said breaking away from the IMF agreement is not an option for the country. The president said that there was a delay in the third review, initially scheduled for September, owing to the recent elections. He said that soon after the Nov. 14 parliamentary election, the IMF resumed discussions with the government and they are hopeful of finalizing the staff-level agreement within this week. James Cox Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Debate fallout With just over a week to go in the general election campaign, Monday's leaders debate was a bit of a non-event. With 10 party leaders taking part on RTE, moments of substance were limited. Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin cooled down the election warfare between their parties, as they attempted to present themselves as the best alternative to a left-wing government. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald was on the attack, although her performance wasn't as energetic as we have seen in past debates. Mr Harris and Mr Martin accused her party of intentionally scheduling their manifesto release for the morning after the debate. One standout moment saw Mr Harris looking to evade blame over issues with the National Children's Hospital. Host Katie Hannon pointed out that he "personally signed the contract that brought us the Children's Hospital saga" during his time as health minister. Mr Harris responded, "well of course I didn't, but continue". When Ms Hannon pointed out he was ultimately responsible for the contract, as health minister at the time, Mr Harris replied: "The Government of Ireland made a decision to build the National Childrens Hospital and I was a part of the Government. In response to criticism about the comments, Mr Harris told Newstalk that he was unnecessarily pedantic and semantic in his answer. He added: The buck stops with me in relation to the National Childrens Hospital, let me be very clear about that. The point I was trying to make is [that] there's sometimes comments that are a little flippant, like one person signed off on the contract. The point I'm making is these things go through a very deliberative process. Lots of departments look at them; lots of bean counters - and I don't mean that disrespectfully - in different departments. There's a board, a National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, and then the Minister of the day, in this case was me, would bring a proposal to cabinet rather than sign a contract. That kind of missed the point, though. Mary Lou goes on the attack against Fine Gael With the early stages of general election campaigning dominated by exchanges between former coaition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein seemed very quiet. However, Mary Lou McDonald is now firmly on the offensive. She defended her partys spending plans in the face of claims from Fine Gael that Sinn Fein was effectively proposing a heist on billions of euro set aside by the current Government in longer term rainy day funds. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has claimed the opposition partys manifesto lays out a damaging cocktail of tax and spend policies. Sinn Fein has denied it will use 16 billion set aside in the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund, and has insisted it will actually save a further 15 billion in rainy day funds by running budget surpluses across the five years of the next government term. Ms McDonald responded to the criticism of her rivals as she canvassed in west Dublin on Wednesday. Fine Gael have been in government and in alliance with the party that literally crashed the Irish economy, she said of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. They seem to have very short memories, and they seem to be unable to actually read accurately the Sinn Fein proposal. We are proposing ambitious and very necessary investment in fundamental infrastructure, including housing, that we need as a society and as an economy to build our prosperity. In the absence of the type of investment that we are proposing, there will be a social price to be paid, and there will be an economic price to be paid. Our plan will return surpluses year-on-year for the five years of government, amounting to 15 billion. Those will be set aside and invested in the funds for a rainy day, because that is an important thing to do. But Fine Gael need to wake up and smell the coffee. Its raining now for so many families and for so many communities, and they cannot tolerate or be asked to wait and wait and wait while so many of their basic needs arent being met. And, by the way, in terms of investment into Ireland, the most consistent issue that is raised by investors, large and small, is the question of accommodation and housing. Fine Gael should know that, if they are serious about growing investment and maintaining stability in our economy and then, crucially, across our society. Fianna Fail pledges safer Dublin as party targets justice portfolio Dublin would be safer with a Fianna Fail minister for justice, senior party figures have suggested. The partys justice spokesman Jim OCallaghan said work needed to be done to tackle the feeling that the capital is not safe at certain times. Mr OCallaghan said the party would introduce 1,000 more gardai in the city, adding: We want to make Dublin safer. Several Fianna Fail representatives, including deputy leader and Finance Minister Jack Chambers as well as Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, gathered at Sandymount Strand to launch the partys Dublin-centred policy document for the general election. Asked if Fianna Fail would be willing to sacrifice the housing portfolio for justice, Mr OBrien told reporters: We want both. He added: On justice, like Jim has outlined it here: People in many parts of Dublin, particularly at night, dont feel safe in the centre of our city. That needs to change and with Fianna Fail, that will change. Aontu launches manifesto Aontu leader Peader Toibin was one of the few leaders who received praise after Monday's debate. The former Sinn Fein member has now launched his party's manifesto. Cheaper pints, a new border agency and a junior minister for waste feature in Aontus election pledges. Aontu, which describes its document as a common-sense manifesto focused on accountability, would establish a new junior minister to tackle waste in public spending. Mr Toibin emphasised a series of controversies around public spending, including spiralling costs of the national childrens hospital, the 336,000 bike shed at Leinster House, and the 1.4 million security hut at Government Buildings. He said a Taoiseach who wasted so much money would have been fired if they were in the private sector. It said the new junior minister would have direct responsibility for eradicating waste in the public sector. Abroad In the UK, thousands of farmers have been protesting at the British Parliament over the Labour government's plans for inheritance tax reform. Meanwhile, Russias air defence systems have shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles. The Kremlin has claimed this represents UK involvement in the UK war. In the US, president-elect Donald Trump's controversial pick of Matt Gaetz as attorney general has been thwarted. Mr Gaetzs withdrawal is a blow to Mr Trumps push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that he could face resistance from members of his own party. Mr Gaetzs announcement came days after an attorney for two women said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that he paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Mr Gaetz was a Florida congressman. He resigned from the House after Mr Trump announced he would nominate him for the Cabinet. One of the women testified she saw Mr Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Eva Osborne Gardai investigating the 2022 Creeslough explosion have arrested a male, aged in his 60s. The man is currently detained at a Garda station in the Garda North Western Region. Gardai said the investigation into the fatal explosion at a building complex in Creeslough, Co Donegal is ongoing, co-ordinated from Milford Garda Station where an Incident Room is established under the direction of a Garda Senior Investigating Officer. The investigation continues to be led by local gardai in Donegal Division, supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and other agencies including the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) and the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Four men, three women and three children, ranging in age from five to 59, died in the blast that ripped through the Co Donegal villages Applegreen service station and a nearby apartment block on Friday, October 7th, 2022. Last month, the affected families met Helen McEntee at Government Buildings in Dublin as well as ministers Charlie McConalogue and Eamon Ryan. Eimear Dodd and Natasha Reid A man has been sentenced to three years in prison for the robbery of an American college student, who ended up injured on the ground after withdrawing money from an ATM. James Hawkins (24) of Ellis Quay Hostel, Ellis Quay, Dublin 7, had pleaded guilty to one count of robbery on February 21st, 2023, at College Green in Dublin. At his sentence hearing in July, Garda Robert Kennedy told Jane Murphy BL, prosecuting, that the young American woman was studying at Trinity College and had gone to an ATM at around 6.30pm. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the victim withdrew 200 and put it in her purse, which she placed in her pocket. She next remembered being on the ground with a man standing over her and his hand in her pocket. Hawkins pulled at the victim's pocket, ripped it and got her wallet. The woman didn't resist as she was scared that he might hurt her. Hawkins then ran off and was followed towards Grafton Street by some members of the public. The victim was left in a state of distress, with cuts to her knees and her tights torn. Along with the 200 cash, her wallet contained her Trinity College identification card, her American identification card, debit and credit cards and another small amount of cash. Members of the public assisted her until gardai arrived. She didn't require treatment at a hospital. CCTV Gda Kennedy told the court that CCTV was obtained from Grafton Street, showing the direction in which Hawkins ran after the robbery. He was identified from the footage and arrested. Hawkins made full admissions when interviewed and identified himself on CCTV. He said that while he was taking tablets at the time, he did recall taking the purse. He apologised and said it shouldn't have happened. The court heard no victim impact statement was available as gardai have been unable to contact the victim recently. It is believed she has returned to the United States. Hawkins has 76 previous convictions for all District Court matters, including theft and burglary. He has been on remand in recent months, having served a sentence on an unrelated matter. Gda Kennedy agreed with defence counsel that Hawkins was homeless at the time of the offence and is known to have addiction issues. It was further accepted that he co-operated with gardai and entered an early guilty plea. The court was told Hawkins is originally from Tipperary, and his parents are deceased. He had addiction issues to heroin and crack cocaine but is now clean. Apology letter Counsel said his client wished to apologise to the court, gardai and the victim, handing in a letter of apology. He said this is Hawkins's first conviction for robbery and his first for violent offending. Hawkins accepts he is facing a custodial sentence, but counsel asked the court for as much leniency as possible and to consider partly suspending any sentence imposed. Hawkins lost contact with his siblings due to his drug use but has reconnected with them while in custody. He has an offer of accommodation with one of them and wishes to move back to Tipperary, re-engage with sport and work with a drugs counsellor. Upon his release, his client also has an offer of work from another family member. Judge Orla Crowe noted from a urine analysis report that the former addict is now negative of all drugs and that this was "entirely to his credit". She described as an aggravating factor how frightening this must have been for a young woman standing at an ATM in the dark. Noting that the maximum sentence for robbery is life in prison, she imposed a three-year sentence. However, she suspended the final six months for two years, putting him under probation service supervision for 12 months to provide him with a structured return to society. The hope would be hed be in a position to lead a law-abiding life, she said. Hawkins stood to enter the bond before being led away. Independent Ireland candidate in Sligo Leitrim, Cllr Michael Clarke, has called for more funding for home help services. Cllr Clarke described the home help service as "a Godsend to many older people and their families". "The brilliant work the home help carers do and the quality of care is priceless. It is clear though that this service has not been sufficiently funded in recent years and there is a serious shortage of home help carers in the Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal constituency, meaning that our elderly and their families are not able to avail of this invaluable service when they need it and instead have to consider more expensive, private services and/or assume carer responsibilities." Cllr Clarke said older people had "worked all their lives to build the fifth richest economy in the world and deserved better". "We need proper home help services. This is something that I and my colleagues in Independent Ireland will address as a top priority when in Government. "With sufficient funding, the home help/support service helps our older people to remain in their own homes for longer, reducing and delaying the demand for expensive private care or nursing home care and/or reducing the risk of presenting at hospitals, which are already creaking at the seams. As importantly, this home service keeps our elderly as content and as comfortable in their own homes for as long as possible, reducing feelings of loneliness or isolation, and it really alleviates pressure on their younger family members who are already spread too thin. "Increasing the funding and resources for home help is a no-brainer for Independent Ireland. We want to ensure this unacceptable situation does not continue and that older people receive in a timely manner the home help care they so richly deserve." The Reynolds family, from Bunninadden and Ballymote, would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who aided in organising and participated in the charity event they held this time last year. The event raised a total of 17,025 which was divided equally between the three hospitals who all assisted in the recovery of their son. The three beneficiaries are the intensive care unit at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; Surgical Ward D at Mayo University Hospital, and Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, which is based in Sligo. The funds raised have greatly benefited these facilities in the ongoing care of their patients. The Reynolds family want to thank all those who bought tickets, donated online and the wonderful sponsors on the night. Thanks to the generous donations, these three wonderful facilities can further aid in patient care and rehabilitation while continuing to provide comfort for their patients and their families. The thought struck me that the General Election has got the lads and lassies up off their asses in the Dail and walking, in some cases running, to meet the electorate. Though they have not met with the voters often over the past five years, they will find the electorate, apart from the usual groan-a-lots, in the main to be courteous, polite and approachable. They will also find, and this applies mainly to the two main government parties of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, that people have questions that need answers. Questions about the high cost of living, the continued scraping to make ends meet, the deplorable lack of housing, the creaking health service which is saved only by the quality of the staff on the ground, including the much-maligned GPs, the greatly underfunded education system, the deplorable inequity in development funding as between Dublin and the rest of the country, the failure to fund and support a properly resourced Garda Siochana - a failure that has allowed criminal elements and drug suppliers to take over the streets of our cities and towns, the endemic poverty in certain sections of society, and on a more global level the failure to meet the Governments own targets on climate matters and the lack of action to secure humanitarian protection for the starving people of Gaza, the Lebanon and millions of climate change-effected people in much of Africa. Both Micheal and Simon have come out with radical manifestos that provide solutions to the housing crisis, to the cost of living crisis, to the problems of crime, education, health and infrastructure but they have yet to answer the critical question: why, if youre proposing solutions now, did you not implement these solutions over the past 15 years in government? It is an obvious question and it is a question that they do not seem to have a credible answer for. If history repeats itself then the Greens would appear to be in for a hiding. The tail that props up the big dogs is generally shunned. It happened to Labour and the Greens in the past. In the 33rd Dail, the Greens emerged with reputations enhanced. This was especially true of their leader Eamon Ryan who clearly fought his corner in Cabinet and delivered some astonishing achievements. Look at all the buses we now have running here, there and everywhere in Mayo and thank God for Eamon Ryan. He twisted the arms of the FG/FFers on the closure of the big operators on the bogs. He got the country onto bikes and out walking and created hundreds, perhaps thousands, of jobs in bike hire, sales and repairs and coffee shops as greenways sprung up all over the country. He is standing down now but his legacy is secure even if the cowardly FG/FFers are in retreat to those with an interest in destroying all that remains of our bogs. Perhaps the upcoming election will be kinder to the current crop of Greens. Having taken a reasonable degree of interest in the performance of the last Dail, I have to say the performance of the Opposition - Sinn Fein, Labour, Social Democrats, PBP/Solidarity, Independent Ireland and Aontu has been less than impressive. However, the job of Opposition is the most difficult job in the Dail. How do you impress when you dont have control over issues and dont have influence on the finances that might provide better solutions? One can keep whining about the poor job a Taoiseach or a Tanaiste is doing but whining grates on the nerves of all but the most committed adherents of the whiner. Mary Lou has wisely taken the advice offered here and has cut back on her whingefest. She has put her deputy, Pearse Doherty, out front more frequently in recent times. Pearse grates on the nerves even more than Mary Lou but that wont harm him in Donegal. Lesser lights like Labours Ivana Bacik and Holly Cairns of the Soc Dems give the impression of being more concerned about the non-issue of a bicycle shed in the Dail grounds and the cost overruns on the Childrens Hospital. There has never been a major infrastructure project that has not involved cost overruns, especially one that has been dogged by planning disputes, one that has been delayed by vested interests and one that should probably never have been built on a site that was less than ideal. Its a mystery to me why we have two parties of the Left with the munificent total of 12 seats between them and they cant find sufficient common ground to come together as one. A bit further left is the People Before Profit/Solidarity Party who could (at the moment, perhaps not for much longer) add five seats making 17 - lets call them working-class seats. Seventeen seats, give or take three, would provide the Left with considerable power in bargaining terms when the 34th Dail comes to be formed. Will it happen? No. Personal ambition and leadership lustre comes before the national interest. And what about the Independents? One expects Independents to be free. Free to make up their own minds about what is good for the country. Free to speak their minds, free to change their minds, free to support or oppose the government of the day. There were three groups of Independents in the last Dail that could not see their way to coming together under one umbrella. There were the Rural Independents, the Regional Independents and the Independent Group. Its a bit of a hodge podge, if you ask me. Id have sympathy for the party that finishes with the biggest number of seats in the 34th Dail. Trying to get a group of Independents on board would be as deadly as fighting 50 feral ferrets in a bag. And there is the Independent Ireland Party. It has three breakaway members from the Rural Independents group. They are now a party, with a leader who is the proud possessor of the name Michael Collins. Can they remain together? It is unlikely. Sure they are all Independents, they all have their own minds, they all have their own priorities and, no doubt their own red lines (someone might explain what red lines are or what they do). They also have their own MEP in Ciaran Mullooly. They have right-wing tendencies but may not all be Trumpians. I wonder can Ciaran survive as Independent Ireland. Dont be surprised if he jumps ship to become an Independent. There are a few truly independent Independents - people like Catherine Connolly, Thomas Pringle, Noel Grealish and Verona Murphy and then there are the Kerry Independents, the Healy-Raes who are independent in the sense that once Kerry is looked after they will unequivocally support the party leader who will do their bidding. Tony Gregory is alive and well and living under a tweed cap in Kilgarvan. The line-up for Mayo is now pretty much settled. We have a few independents, one of whom, Patsy OBrien, will be closely marked (I hope there is no blanket defence thrown on top of him!) by the three big parties. He is the one who might up skittle the ambitions of the big guns who have their eye on the double. Of that, more anon. Thought for the day G.B. Shaw (Again. Not very complimentary to either the electorate or the politicians!): Democracy substitutes the election by the incompetent many for appointment by the corrupt few. What kind of election will this be? Will it be an epic or a bit of a damp squib? The signs so far are that it will be pretty routine rather than seismic, but you never know what any election means until at least the votes are counted. Sometimes thats only the starting point; for many of our elections over the years, we only fully realised their significance long after they were over. Could that be on the cards this time? How can you tell the difference between an epic election, an important one, and a routine one? Is it because of a huge win or loss for one party or other? Or because the result brought some decisive shift to our direction as a country? Or does one of those need the other? What does our election history teach us about how to spot an actually epic election? Lets start with an easy one. The 1918 election was obviously epic both because it was a huge win for Sinn Fein at the expense of the Home Rule Party, and because it completely altered our direction as a country. No 1918 election, no independence. It also meant, of course, that partition was certain, because the result showed that a large block of the country wanted to get out of the UK. At the same time, it made it very clear that a sizable part did not. The next epic election was in 1922. Its significance rests in the fact that it decided the question of the Treaty. The pro-Treaty side won, and won well even if it took some a long time to understand what that meant. Some of those slow-learning people were the winners in the next undoubtedly seismic election in our history, in 1932. That brought Fianna Fail to power just about. The minority Fianna Fail government which resulted from that election was significant because of what it meant for our future. It meant that there was not going to be a broad alignment with Britain, and that we were going for a hard independence. It also meant that we were going to really go for an economic policy of protection to grow our economy. The result led to many former landlords and old vestiges and representatives of the British state giving up on Ireland. They understood what it meant, and many left the country. It was thus the real end of Anglo-Irish Ireland, at least in the 26 counties. It meant that the vast majority of the anti-Treaty Republicans would be reconciled to the state and indeed to democracy. That as de Valera intended brought about a stability to the state which even those who opposed him in 1922-23 had to accept, albeit with grumbles. It was why William T Cosgrave accepted the transfer of power and discouraged any attempt to resist the handover, choosing instead to play cards in Leinster House. Even though it happened before the rise of Hitler in Germany, we can see now that the result of the 1932 election also meant there was no doubt we would stay out of the Second World War. With all its major significance, 1932 was therefore an epic result by any standard. The next possibly epic candidate was in 1948. By proving that an alternative government to Fianna Fail was possible, the first inter-party government ensured that we would not become a one-party state. By proving that it was possible to govern with more than one party, the idea of coalition government survived its first test. The strange amalgam of parties, with Clann na Poblachta full of anti-Fianna Fail IRA men, aligned with hardline pro-Treaty Fine Gaelers, produced odd results: not least a Fine Gael Taoiseach declaring us a Republic. But was that epic? Perhaps important is a better word for it. Was the era of epic elections over? Most significant elections after that date are perhaps better called important rather than epic, but there are exceptions. The next election that might be one of those exceptions was in 1957. On the surface it seems like the opposite of epic and not even that important, returning a jaded Fianna Fail and de Valera to power. But it was much bigger than we appreciated. For this was the changing of the guard election. The government that was formed would ultimately be led by Sean Lemass, and it was a government that dumped protectionism and went for free trade. That changed the course of everything. The three general elections in 1981-82 were epic only if you mean that they were a dramatic and great battle, rather than that they were of real importance. They are of significance primarily in that they proved our political system could survive convulsions just about. The 1989 election was important because it led to Fianna Fail entering coalition for the first time. The principle of coalition became copper fastened and one-party rule ended in Ireland just as it was ending in Eastern Europe, albeit that was of a different type. Labours 19% of the vote in the 1992 election was significant in that it was an early indicator of the type of Ireland that was coming. It is worth remembering that it meant the party was still a clear third. But while its importance can be overstated, it was no small matter. The 1997 election was important in as much as it decided who got to spend the Celtic Tiger money. By winning it, Fianna Fail were able to win two more elections on the back of it. It delayed what would have been a likely decline of Fianna Fail as the country changed, but they paid the price for that when the music stopped. That led to the 2011 democratic revolution election, when Fianna Fail lost so much support that their percentage of the vote ever since has remained effectively halved. Our most recent elections are important in that 2016 produced a novel enough form of government for us, a minority government supported by an opposition party. We had something like it before Labour supporting Fianna Fail from 1932-33; the Tallaght Strategy of Alan Dukes from 1987-89 but not on the scale we saw during this time. 2020 had certainly something of the epic about it in that the Sinn Fein breakthrough was both huge for them and broke the stranglehold the two big parties have had since independence. Were all the other elections routine? At the time they didnt seem so, but looking back, you would have to conclude they were. What will this one be? Two things will decide that. First, the result. If there is a breakthrough and a new government of the left, that would be epic. If the current government is (mostly) returned, that will feel routine. If our politics becomes so fragmented that forming a government becomes near impossible, that will seem important. Second, and what will actually decide how this election is viewed, is what happens over time, in the years to come. For if the Corporation Tax bubble bursts, what we have spent the last few weeks talking about it will seem very odd, even surreal. If that happens, the reaction among the electorate will and this we can be sure of be epic indeed. Olivia Kelleher Taoiseach Simon Harris has admitted that he was "unnecessarily pedantic and semantic" during the RTE Leaders' Debate when speaking about his involvement in the National Childrens Hospital project. Plagued by delays and spiralling costs, the hospital project is set to cost more than 2 billion and has been a key focus of attacks on the Coalition parties from the Opposition during the election campaign. During the RTE Leaders Debate on Monday, journalist Katie Hannon put it to Mr Harris that during his time as Minister for Health he personally signed the contract that brought us the Childrens Hospital saga. The Fine Gael leader replied, well of course I didnt, but continue. When Ms Hannon said that as then minister for health he was responsible for signing the contract, he said: The Government of Ireland made a decision to build the National Childrens Hospital and I was a part of the Government. In an interview with Newstalk radio on Thursday, Mr Harris acknowledged that the buck stops with him in relation to the National Childrens Hospital. The point I was trying to make is [that] there's sometimes comments that are a little flippant, like one person signed off on the contract. The point I'm making is these things go through a very deliberative process. Lots of departments look at them; lots of bean counters and I don't mean that disrespectfully in different departments. There's a board, a National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, and then the Minister of the day, in this case was me, would bring a proposal to Cabinet rather than sign a contract. That kind of missed the point, though. Meanwhile, Mr Harris refuted suggestions that Ireland could find itself unprepared for a possible transatlantic trade shock when Donald Trump becomes President next January. Mr Harris said that work has begun in Government departments and at an EU level to address possible issues with the next US administration. The EU and the US depend on each other. Of course they do. They did before the presidential election and they will after. But there is a new reality in terms of the policy approach and that is why it is absolutely essential that in this election and the next Government prepares for those shocks by putting in place a buffer. By putting in place funds that can protect us from any changes in our economy and the European economy that might come. We are the only political party in this election who is keeping within the 5 per cent spending rule outlined by the Department of Finance. Quite frankly, it means around 27 billion less being spent and committed to by my party than Sinn Fein. While there are significant head winds our country is in a good shape to withstand it but only if we continue the policy direction in terms of setting aside money in funds. Mr Harris insisted that his party was making fewer commitments in relation to additional spending than all of the other parties. He said that a buffer was being put in place to ensure that Irish children never experience the austerity that our generation did. I am travelling right across the country. I am hearing from people about the cost of living. That is real too. A number of the decisions we are making in our manifesto are about investment. We are making spending commitments around lowering the VAT rate for small businesses. We are doing that to save jobs. For every three jobs in Ireland two of three are in small indigenous companies and we have to support them. Meanwhile, Mr Harris was asked about a story in the Irish Times on Thursday which details a private undisclosed dinner between Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Michael OLeary of Ryanair. Mr Harris said it was his understanding that this was entirely a social dinner. There is very clear rules around business engagements and those rules are always followed. This was entirely a social dinner. I dont have any further comment in relation to it. We dont regulate who you have dinner with in this country. But we do put very clear rules in relation to lobbying and the likes and this was not that. Mr Harris was also asked if recent criticism of deputy Fine Gael leader and Minister of Justice Helen McEntee had been sexist in nature. The Taoiseach said that some of the comments have been a bit inappropriate. Some people need to check some of the language they have used in recent days in relation to some of the criticism. I think there is an undertone there at times and it is not just confined to Minister McEntee. But also to many women in politics. We need to be aware of that and call it out. VIENTIANE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 14th China-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting was held in Vientiane, capital of Laos, on Thursday. The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Chansamone Chanyalath. Laos is the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2024. Dong stated that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both sides, China-ASEAN security cooperation has not only benefited each other but also contributed to the region and the world at large. Regardless of the changing international landscape, China will steadfastly work with ASEAN to enhance unity and mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, carry forward the Oriental wisdom, properly manage differences, and always be good partners who share weal and woe and support each other, the Chinese defense minister said. Noting that maritime issues concern the common interests of all parties, Dong said a long-term strategic vision should be established to steadily advance maritime security cooperation and strive to transform contradictions and difficulties into opportunities for cooperation. Leaders of defense departments from ASEAN countries spoke highly of the development of China-ASEAN relations, praised China's respect for ASEAN's centrality in regional cooperation, and expressed their willingness to further engage in more practical security cooperation with China to jointly maintain regional peace, stability, and sustainable development. Allentown, PA (18103) 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. JAKARTA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has frozen some 7,500 bank accounts reportedly linked to bookies and syndicates organizing gambling operations, a senior official of the country's central bank reported here on Thursday. At a press conference held at the Communications and Digital Ministry building, Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia (BI) Juda Agung told reporters that the central bank is taking active steps to ensure the payment system is not misused or used to facilitate illegal activities including online gambling. As Southeast Asia's largest economy, Indonesia is stepping up measures to combat online gambling as the number of transactions suspectedly related to gambling activities is increasing across the country. Gambling, both online and offline, is illegal in the archipelago. Participants and organizers of a gambling event can be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison and 25 million Indonesian rupiahs (about 1,575 U.S. dollars) fine. Last Saturday, the Jakarta police detained more than 20 suspects for their alleged involvement in online gambling. Cong Bolin, an associate researcher at the First Institute of Oceanography, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, speaks during an interview with Xinhua at Ao Phang-Nga National Park in Phang Nga province, Thailand, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong) Phang Nga, Thailand, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A series of activities on mangrove ecological protection between China and Thailand were held in Thailand's southern Phang Nga province, gathering more than 60 representatives from the natural resources and marine departments of the two countries. The China-Thailand Mangrove Collaborative Protection Demonstration Area was unveiled in Thailand's Ao Phang-Nga National Park during the two-day event which started on Wednesday. With an area of 311 hectares, the demonstration area is located along the coast of Phang Nga Bay. The Chinese and Thai marine departments will carry out mangrove vulnerability assessment, ecological restoration analysis, nature education, and mangrove planting as well as the establishment of a cooperation mechanism, aiming to have an in-depth collaboration and exchange. Growing in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical coasts, mangroves play an important role in purifying seawater, preventing wind and waves, sequestering and storing carbon, and maintaining biodiversity. Ao Phang-Nga National Park has one of the largest and best-preserved mangrove areas in Thailand. However, mangrove protection has been threatened by some challenges in recent years. Onnitcha, director of the Mangrove Resources Research and Development Center 3 under Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, said that Thailand can learn from China's rich experience in mangrove protection and restoration technology. She added that the local government and community expressed their sincere gratitude to China for the support and looked forward to cooperation in more areas in the future. Cong Bolin, an associate researcher at the First Institute of Oceanography, the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, said that as one of the few countries that has achieved an increase in mangrove areas in recent years, China has accumulated rich experience in restoration and technical standards. He believed that China and Thailand will strengthen cooperation at multiple levels such as policy formulation, technology research and development, and talent training, so as to jointly promote the protection and restoration of mangroves. The event was supported by the China-Thailand Joint Laboratory for Climate and Marine Ecosystems, established by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand. The event also includes academic exchanges, nature education, mangrove planting and mangrove science book donation, with the purpose of further enhancing the Thai people's understanding of mangrove protection and encouraging more to participate in mangrove conservation. Students plant mangroves during activities on mangrove ecological protection between China and Thailand at Ao Phang-Nga National Park in Phang Nga province, Thailand, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong) Onnitcha, director of the Mangrove Resources Research and Development Center 3 under Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, speaks in an interview with Xinhua at the Ao Phang-Nga National Park in Phang Nga province, Thailand, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong) Chinese and Thai representatives unveil the China-Thailand Mangrove Collaborative Protection Demonstration Area at the Ao Phang-Nga National Park in Phang Nga province, Thailand, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong) Students learn to plant mangroves at the Ao Phang-Nga National Park in Phang Nga province, Thailand, Nov. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong) Chinese and Thai scholars take part in an academic discussion in Phang Nga province, Thailand, Nov. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong) YANGON, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have seized large amounts of narcotic drugs in the regions of Mandalay and Sagaing, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) reported late Thursday. The confiscated narcotics included over 150 kg heroin, over 5 million stimulant tablets, 412 kg ICE (methamphetamine) and 3 tons of caffeine, the report said. On Nov. 5, authorities seized 51.03 kg heroin, 3 tons of caffeine, 5.51 million stimulant tablets and 412 kg ICE in Kale township of Sagaing region. On Nov. 6, another 13.2 kg heroin was seized in Kale township and 89.8 kg heroin was seized in Chanmyathazi township of Mandalay region, the CCDAC said. According to the investigation, the seized narcotics came from Shan state and 21 drug traffickers in connection with the case were arrested, it said. The suspects have been charged under the country's law, and further investigations were ongoing, it added. VILNIUS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, voted 88-34 with six abstentions on Thursday to appoint Gintautas Paluckas as the next prime minister, reported the Baltic News Service (BNS). Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda nominated Paluckas to lead Lithuania's 19th government after he was put forward by the new ruling coalition, which includes the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Dawn of Nemunas (PPNA) and the Democratic Union "For Lithuania" (DSVL). Paluckas would meet with the president on Thursday to discuss the formation of a new cabinet, said the BNS. He will have 15 days to form a new cabinet and present his government's program to the Seimas. Paluckas, a 45-year-old Social Democrat, was picked to lead the government after the LSDP's leader Vilija Blinkeviciute chose to keep her seat in the European Parliament and declined both the premiership and a seat in the Seimas. Following parliamentary elections on Oct. 13 and Oct. 27, the LSDP became the leading party, securing 52 of the 141 parliamentary seats, while the PPNA and the DSVL won 20 and 14 seats respectively. MOSCOW, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Russian State Duma, or the lower house of the parliament, approved the country's federal budget for 2025-2027 on Thursday. In 2025, Russia's budget revenues are projected to reach 40.296 trillion rubles (about 399 billion U.S. dollars), while expenditures will amount to 41.469 trillion rubles. Budget revenues are set to grow to 41.841 trillion rubles in 2026 and 43.154 trillion rubles in 2027, while expenditures will increase to 44.022 trillion rubles in 2026 and 45.915 trillion rubles in 2027. The federal budget deficit in 2025 is expected to reach 0.5 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), 0.9 percent of the GDP in 2026, and 1.1 percent of its GDP in 2027. The priorities of the federal budget within the 2025-2027 period will be meeting the state's social obligations to citizens, ensuring the security and defense of the country, achieving technological sovereignty, and advancing infrastructure. Xac minh 'than y' chua ung thu bang phuong phap 'truyen nang luong' "Than y" Nguyen Van Kien (trai) lam viec voi co quan chuc nang - Anh: Cong an cung cap Ngay 28-2, ong Nguyen Tuong Duy - chu tich UBND xa Hai Yang (huyen ak oa, Gia Lai) - cho hay ang phoi hop cac co quan chuc nang xac minh truong hop nguoi xung... An Giang lien tiep xuat hien mua trai mua Mua bat chot giua cao iem ma kh khien nguoi dn bat ngo. Theo ng Luu Van Ninh, Gim oc i Kh tuong Thuy van tinh An Giang, nguyn nhn cua hien tuong ny l do nhieu ong nhiet oi trn cao trong ieu kien La Nina ket hop cua ra pha Nam khoi khng kh lanh... A children's choir from Wuzhishan City performs during a Sino-French children's chorus festival held at Hainan Song and Dance Theater in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 25, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun] 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. A children's chorus from Wuzhishan City performs during a Sino-French children's chorus festival held at Hainan Song and Dance Theater in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 25, 2024. [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun] 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. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Teng Ge The national women's domestic service vocational skills competition was held from November 4 to 6, 2024, in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui Province. Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, also President of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), attended the opening ceremony held on November 4 and declared the competition open. Organizing the competition was a concrete measure to implement the guiding principles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping's important instructions, and an important part of the campaign to encourage women to make greater achievements. To promote high-quality development, efforts should be made to better support women, promote employment, serve families, and improve people's well-being, Shen stressed. She called for cultivating more capable women domestic-service workers and brands, and promoting the high-quality development of the domestic-service sector. Liang Yanshun, Secretary of the CPC Anhui Provincial Committee, Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of ACWF, Wu Xiuzhang, Vice-Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, Li Yongsha, deputy international trade negotiator of the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), and Zhang Shixin, Deputy Secretary General of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), delivered speeches during the opening ceremony. Huang noted General Secretary Xi has attached great attention and care to domestic services, and he has stressed the need for ensuring this work, which is beneficial to all, be done well. She added women's federations at all levels should act in accordance with Shen's requirements to upgrade women's domestic services and make them more accessible, to benefit more women, children and families. "This competition is of high value, and it covers many types of services. We should take this competition as an opportunity to enhance the competence of women working in the domestic-service sector, and guide them to make greater contributions to promoting high-quality development and creating better lives," Huang added. The competition was designed to select the best eldercare workers, maternal-child nursing workers, housekeepers, and professional organizers, and to provide a stage for domestic-service trainers and domestic-service managers to showcase their skills. More than 14,000 competitors, from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, participated in local preliminary contests. Of those competitors, 192 advanced to the national finals. The competition concluded on November 6. Huang presented awards to the winners, and she declared the competition closed. Of the 192 finalists, 54 received awards, including six first prizes, 18 second prizes and 30 third prizes, and 42 were awarded for excellence. Moreover, 10 local women's federations won awards for outstanding organization, and five agencies for making a special contribution. The competition, hosted by ACWF, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, NDRC, MOFCOM, and All-China Federation of Trade Unions, was listed as a national, first-class competition for the first time, and that listing indicated development of the domestic-service sector had advanced to a new level. In recent years, women's federations at all levels have promoted women's domestic services, to expand women's employment and increase their incomes, to provide services to the elderly and children, and to help families solve difficulties. The federations have supported a combined 6,250 enterprises (agencies) in the sector, ensured more than one million workers have received training annually, helped more than 900,000 women find jobs in the sector, and established around 14,000 women's domestic-service stations in communities. Photos from Yang Rui (Source: Women Voice) Editor: Cui Rui 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] *During his meeting with Scholz, Xi said that China and Germany need to consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership from a long-term and strategic perspective and continue to write cooperative stories of mutual achievement. *During his meeting with Macron, 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. *When meeting 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 said China always insists on resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. 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. 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] 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. People visit the pavilion of Chinese carmaker Leapmotor at the 2024 Paris Motor Show during the media day in Paris, France, Oct. 14, 2024. [Xinhua/Gao Jing] 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. (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Teng Ge ISTANBUL, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's decision to deny Israeli President Isaac Herzog's plane access to its airspace for a flight to the COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan has shown the country's longstanding tensions with Israel on the Palestine issue, Turkish analysts have said. On Sunday, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported that the Israeli government had requested permission for Herzog's plane to use Turkish airspace en route to the conference in Baku, but Turkish authorities rejected the request. According to a report by the Times of Israel, Herzog canceled his visit to Azerbaijan on Saturday due to "security considerations." Referring to the denial, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that "on certain issues, we must take a stand, and we will continue to do so." Calling Israel's military actions against Gaza and Lebanon as "nearing the scale of ethnic genocide and mass slaughter," Baris Doster, a scholar at Istanbul-based Marmara University, told Xinhua Turkiye's denial "is not surprising" as the country "has consistently issued strong statements, harsh condemnations, and criticisms regarding Israel's violent actions and atrocities in the region." Noting that the United States has not been pleased with Turkiye's stance on Israel, particularly its harsh criticisms, Doster believes that with a new U.S. administration "having very strong support for Israel," the expected pressure on Israel to end the crisis is unlikely to emerge in the foreseeable future. Relations between Turkiye and Israel have been strained since 2010, largely over the Palestinian issue, and it took more than a decade for the two countries to normalize ties. While political interactions had started to improve before the Gaza conflict, the ongoing crisis has reignited tensions, with both sides trading accusations. Turkiye has also suspended all trade with Israel amid the hostilities. During the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Erdogan reinforced Turkiye's stance on the ongoing crisis, stressing that "it is essential to apply coercive measures against Israel." He also called for widespread recognition of the State of Palestine. Gulru Gezer, a former Turkish diplomat and foreign policy analyst, told Xinhua the relationship between Turkiye and Israel has always been influenced by the latter's stance on the Palestinian issue. "When conflicts such as wars or intifadas erupted, relations would be severed and then reestablished when conditions improved," Gezer said. "However, the current state of relations is at an all-time low. There are no ties whatsoever between the two countries." As long as the Israeli "genocide" continues in Gaza, bilateral relations between Turkiye and Israel would be unlikely to improve, Gezer said. 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. (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/Shen Hong] It is hoped that Germany will continue to play an important role in resolving the issue of the EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Chinese President Xi Jinping told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday, noting China regards Europe as an important pole in a multi-polar world. 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. 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] 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. People visit the pavilion of Chinese carmaker Leapmotor at the 2024 Paris Motor Show during the media day in Paris, France, Oct. 14, 2024. [Xinhua/Gao Jing] 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. Workers operate on the production line at the BYD battery factory in Manaus, capital of Amazonas state, Brazil, March 12, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Tiancong] 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." (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Teng Ge ROME, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of prison guards were under investigation, and at least 11 of them under house arrest in Italy on Wednesday on suspicion of torture and abuse of power against prisoners, authorities said on Wednesday. The operation was ordered by prosecutors in Trapani, Sicily region, at the end of a 3-year probe triggered by inmates' reports about routine abuses and violence within the prison facility. Overall, 46 jail officers were being probed. Investigators obtained video footage that confirmed the prisoners' complaints, showing guards systematically beating and mistreating inmates in some isolated cells. Addressing a press conference, Trapani chief prosecutor Gabriele Paci said violence against inmates was not episodic, but "became a sort of method to ensure order within the prison." In early August, the Italian parliament passed a law to improve jail life conditions, allowing inmates to make more phone calls, and streamlining rules to obtain early release or alternative measures to the prison. By end of June, Italian jails hosted 61,480 prisoners out of a capacity of 51,234, the Justice Ministry said. No plan to build new facilities has been announced so far. Economie The European Central Bank shows growing concerns about an AI 'bubble' The European Central Bank (ECB) is sounding the alarm over a possible "bubble" in the artificial intelligence (AI)-related stock market. In its Financial Stability Report, the ECB points out that if the investors exaggerated expectations dont materialize, the entire global market could be affected. The main vulnerability point is presented by the intense investment in only a few US companies perceived as leaders in the field. An oversaturated market and unrealistic expectations The excessive concentration of capital in a small number of tech companies, such as Nvidia or Microsoft, has been identified as a key factor. The ECB warns that investors are motivated by assumptions about potential increases in profits due to AI, but these remain, in many cases, just hypotheses. "A sharp market correction could have significant global consequences," the report says, noting that integrated financial markets amplify the risks of such a crisis. Adjacent risks and possible domino effects The impact of a sharp fall in prices in this market segment could be felt throughout the global economy. The ECB points out that US stock markets, which are deeply interconnected with other economies, are very likely to generate a domino effect. In addition, a reduction in investment funds' cash reserves could amplify the decline through forced asset sales, destabilizing other sectors. Diversification as a solution for stability As a reaction to this scenario, the ECB strongly recommends diversifying investment portfolios. Strategies such as those proposed by Peter Oppenheimer, who suggests focusing on smaller technology companies and sectors that benefit from, but are outside the AI industry. Investors are advised to include traditional sectors such as energy or manufacturing in portfolios to reduce the risk of dependence on a narrow segment of the economy. Additional vulnerabilities in the global financial system Beyond AI, the ECB warns of other risk factors: geopolitical uncertainty, trade tensions, climate change and cyber threats. All of these can amplify the impact of a crisis on capital markets, increasing volatility and dampening investor confidence. The European Central Bank emphasizes that artificial intelligence, while promising enormous potential, also entails substantial risks through uncontrolled investor enthusiasm. The ECB's warnings are a reminder of the importance of prudence and strategic diversification, which are essential to maintain financial stability. The key question remains: will the market learn to moderate its optimism before the AI bubble bursts? Are you a striking postal worker? We want to hear about the issues youre fighting for and how you think you can win your struggle. Email us at canadapostworkersrfc@gmail.com or fill out the form at the end of this article. All comments will be kept anonymous. As the 55,000 Canada Post workers approach the end of their first week on strike, it is increasingly clear that their fight for real wage increases, job protections, and safe working conditions pits them in a political confrontation with the entire ruling class. The long-running discussions in the business elite about the need to eliminate thousands of full-time jobs, end daily delivery, and sell off post offices underscore that striking postal workers are not merely fighting for a new contract. Rather, they are embroiled in a political struggle that must become the spearhead of a working-class counter-offensive against capitalist austerity and the profit principle if they are to prevail. Striking postal workers in Oshawa, Ontario Media reports on bargaining between Canada Post and CUPW have been largely formulaic. A new federal mediator took over the leadership of talks Monday, prompting CUPW to declare in a bargaining update that movement from the employer was evident on the pressing issues. Whatever such vague statements may refer to, the fact of the matter is that what is taking place is not genuine bargaining, with CUPW fighting for workers interests in opposition to the employer. Rather, they are all conspiring to determine how best to impose a deal that will facilitate an unprecedented restructuring of Canada Post operations at the expense of all workers. As CUPW President Jan Simpson has candidly admitted, We recognize the challenges our employer is facing, and our goal is not to simply make demands, but to work together towards solutions. A sense of the kind of discussions going on behind the scenes is provided by a May 2024 op-ed column in the Globe and Mail, the Bay Street financial oligarchys mouthpiece, written by Ian Lee. Lee was a corporate finance director for the Crown corporation in the 1980s, and co-author of a 2015 report released by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute that advocated a massive onslaught on postal workers. Declaring that Canada Post is in an existential struggle, Lee demanded that the federal government legislate changes to mandate urgent structural reforms. These changes include ending the unsustainable decision to continue home delivery of mail and parcels, selling off its infrastructure of 3,000 post offices to property developers and adopting instead a franchise model with private businesses, and imposing so-called dynamic route schedulingacross every community in Canada. Under dynamic routing, postal workers no longer own a fixed mail route, but are assigned to a different route by AI each day based on mail volume and a vastly increased workload. After outlining the key legislative changes that he and his colleagues in the corporate and political establishment are demanding, Lee got to the heart of the matter, writing: Then there is the reduction of labour costs. While Canada Post mail volumes have declined 60 per cent since 2006, employee head count has only declined 5 per cent in that same period. Collective bargaining agreements and management compensation must use the number of pieces delivered per labour hour as a key metric for determining compensation. As volumes continuously decline, Canada Post must shed labour costs through attrition, retirements and buyouts. If Lees prescriptions are followed, reducing Canada Posts full-time workforce, which currently amounts to just over 40,000 workers, by the 55 percent that he argues is necessary to bring it into line with the 60 percent reduction in mail volumes would require the elimination of some 22,000 full-time jobs. Canada Post intends to work towards these goals by massively expanding the use of temporary and permanent part-time workers. CUPW has already collaborated in this process, with the 2018 contractimposed after the union top brass enforced the Trudeau governments strikebreaking legislationlaying the basis for a disproportionate increase in temporary workers, who are known as casuals. As the Globe and Mail noted in a November 19 article, the number of casuals rose from 8,605 in June 2018 to 12,778 in June 2022. Casuals, who have no pension and benefit rights, and are expected to take shifts at a moments notice, now make up over 20 percent of the Canada Post workforce. Two casuals reported to the Globe that they frequently work full-time hours, but after years at Canada Post have received no path to permanent employment. A major demand of Canada Post management in the ongoing talks is the creation of two new job classifications: permanent part-time flex and weekend permanent part-time flex. While these posts would nominally entitle workers to benefits, health care would only kick in after the worker has worked 1,000 hours, and workers would be enlisted in an inferior defined-contribution pension plan, according to a proposal cited by the Globe. Canada Post intends to use these new categories of low-paid Amazon-style workers to deliver parcels seven days a week while savagely cutting full-time jobs and costs. Underscoring that the proposal Lee outlined in his May 2024 commentary is by no means exceptional, Canada Post spokesman John Hamilton told the Globe Tuesday that the Crown corporation wants more part-time workers so it can slash costs and successfully compete with delivery companies like Amazon. Many young people are not looking for full-time, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. jobs, Hamilton asserted. They want flexibility. They could work for Canada Post part-time and have other part-time jobs during the week. The Trudeau Liberal government is heavily involved in working out the best means to impose this agenda on workers. Government-appointed mediators have participated in talks with both sides since August. With his banning of the rail workers strike that same month using anti-democratic powers contained in the Canada Labour Code, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon made clear that he is more than ready to use state coercion to enforce corporate Canadas dictates. Earlier this month, MacKinnon again resorted to Section 107 of the Labour Code to criminalize job action by, and impose binding arbitration on, close to 2,000 workers at the ports of Montreal and Vancouver. The creation of ever more tiers of employment, coupled with the gutting of worker rights, will sound familiar to workers throughout all economic sectors. This practice was used to devastating effect in the auto industry to boost corporate profits and impoverish autoworkers in the United States and Canada following the 2008 economic crisis. Part-time employment has also expanded in key public services, like education and healthcare, as governments slash budgets to redirect public funds to the waging of wars around the world, and the enrichment of the financial oligarchy through tax cuts and corporate handouts. In all cases, the relevant union bureaucracies, from the UAW and Unifor in the auto industry, to unions like CUPE, the UFCW, Teamsters, and USW in the public service, supermarket and manufacturing sectors, have connived with the employers and governments in a corporatist tripartite alliance to ensure that this massive restructuring at the expense of the working class has taken place without serious resistance. CUPW has blustered about its opposition to a two-tier system, but its protestations are not credible. The union apparatus has not only overseen the creation of two tiers with the expansion of casuals, but has long tolerated and even fostered the division between rural and suburban mail carriers (RSMCs) and urban postal workers. CUPW declared, in a bargaining update Wednesday, The Union will not take part in a race to the bottom with gig-economy platforms, whose business model depends on cheap labour with no rights. This is precisely what CUPW has been doing over recent years. It has not only allowed the expansion of temporary employment at Canada Post, but sought to reinforce the differences between postal workers and gig economy delivery workers by attempting to unionize the latter group in a separate CUPW subsidiary known as Gig Workers United. In so doing, it has consciously promoted the division of delivery workers at outfits like Amazon, UPS, and Fedex from their colleagues at Canada Post under conditions in which they are natural allies in a worker-led counter-offensive to put an end to corporate Canadas drive to boost profits throughout the logistics sector. The development of such a movement depends above all on the expansion of the Canada Post strike into a mass industrial and political mobilization of the working class in defence of good-paying, secure jobs and public services, and against the prioritization of corporate profit, austerity, and war. Canada Post workers will find support for this struggle if they appeal directly to logistics and other workers, since the issues they are fighting for are the same essential ones confronted by the working class as a whole. The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee was established in June 2024 by postal workers ready to seize control of their struggle from the CUPW apparatus and turn for support to broader layers of workers. The committee declared, in a resolution adopted at its November 10 public meeting, the urgent necessity to: 1. Achieve postal workers demands, including a 30 percent pay raise to make up for years of concessions and for workers control over the deployment of new technologies. 2. Broaden our struggle to other sections of workers across Canada in order to defy a back-to-work law or any other anti-democratic state-imposed strike ban. 3. Launch a political struggle that rejects Canada Post being run as a profit-making enterprise, and makes our contract fight the spearhead of a worker-led counteroffensive in defence of fully-funded public services and workers rights, and against austerity and war. All Canada Post strikers, delivery workers and workers throughout Canada ready to fight on this basis should contact the PWRFC at canadapostworkersrfc@gmail.com or fill out the form below. Mozambiques ruling party, the Frente de Libertacao de Mocambique (FRELIMO), has banned demonstrations after three weeks of nationwide protests escalated into the largest movement against it over its nearly half-century of rule since independence from Portugal. Protesters recover from tear gas fired by police in Maputo, Mozambique, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 [AP Photo/Carlos Uqueio] The protests have been met with a violent police response, leaving around 50 dead, hundreds more injured and thousands unlawfully detained. It also includes the apparent targeted killings of two leading members of the opposition party, the recently-formed PODEMOS party. This wave of unrest follows last months contentious presidential election, which saw FRELIMO claim victory amid widespread allegations of voting irregularities and fraud. Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda, who has overseen the savage repression, banned protests and shut down social media, denounced demonstrations as acts of terrorism. Neighboring South Africa, ruled by the African National Congress (ANC) for the past three decades, is terrified that protests might spill over its borders. It closed its main land border with Mozambique when protesters attempted to cross into South Africa, with South African police firing rubber bullets to stop them. Protests in Mozambique erupted after last months October 24 presidential election results declaring FRELIMO candidate Daniel Chapo had won. The leading opposition candidate, Venancio Mondlane of PODEMOS, denounced the results as fraudulent and called for protests. The official vote count has Chapo winning in a landslide with just over 70 percent of the vote, with Mondlane at 20 percent, amid 57 percent abstention. Election observers including the European Union and the International Republican Institute, linked to the US Republican party, alleged multiple voting irregularities: delays in disbursing election funds to opposition parties, obstructing vote observers, and unusually high numbers of registered voters in areas expected to vote for FRELIMO. The PODEMOS party claimed to have won the presidency and the legislature. There is immense social anger in Mozambique driven by persistent poverty, inequality, police violence and corruption. The number of people living below the poverty line has increased significantly over the past decade, to more than half the population. From 46 percent in 2015, the country now has more than 65 percent of the population unable to purchase food and non-food items that meet basic individual or family needs. These conditions facing workers and rural masses are compounded by frequent cyclones and droughts intensified by climate change, which disproportionately impact the rural masses. Mozambique is also a very young country, with a median age of 17.3 years. While FRELIMO is widely despised, Mondlane is a right-wing populist who offers no alternative. While campaigning this year, Mondlane toured Europe, meeting the far-right and viciously anti-immigrant CHEGA party in Portugal. CHEGA are the political heirs to the Salazar dictatorship which waged the brutal colonial war against Mozambiques fight for independence. Portugal, the former colonial power in Mozambique, waged a vicious, decade-long colonial war that left over 50,000 dead between 1964 and 1974. Nevertheless, Mondlane has called for Portugal to pass a message to Mozambique via the EU, demanding respect for human rights in a somewhat vigorous way. Mondlane also paid homage to former Brazilian fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro, and praised incoming President Donald Trump for protecting Americas moral values. Before the results were officially announced, Mondlane had fled to South Africa. He remains in hiding and is now issuing statements to European media indicating that he does not want a revolution or the overthrow of the FRELIMO regime. Mondlane told Agence France-Presse, I feel that there is a revolutionary atmosphere, an atmosphere that shows that we are on the verge of a unique historical and political transition in the country, while at the same time insisting that he was opposed to toppling the government. Our goal is not to attack the presidential palace, he added. We never said we wanted to attempt a coup detat. FRELIMO began as a nationalist movement for independence from the Portuguese and has held power ever since independence in 1975. Though it was heavily promoted by Stalinist and Pabloite parties as a revolutionary model, within a decade of taking power FRELIMO was imposing IMF austerity measures on the population. In the impoverished north of the country, it has fought an Islamist insurgency around the massive Cabo Delgado gas field that was discovered in 2010. US-based ExxonMobil and Frances TotalEnergies are the leading companies exploiting the Cabo Delgado fields. After local insurgents briefly seized the city of Palma that was central to TotalEnergies operations in 2021, the French energy giant halted operations as the Mozambican military carried out the torture and summary execution of local villagers to pacify the area. It eventually regained control of most of the region with the support of Rwandan troops. The question of these gas deposits has an increased urgency for Europe with the fall in Russian gas exports to Europe and the possibility that they will stop next January, as the contract governing their transport through Ukraine expires. A recent study of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Why Europe Needs Africa, stated: [T]he war in Ukraine has made Europe more dependent on the supply of coal, natural gas, and oil from AfricaAfricas gas supply to Europe is projected to double by 2050. Mondlane has appealed to European imperialism, notably arguing that he is better positioned to handle the Islamist insurgency in the north. He hailed a motion from Portugals right-wing Liberal Initiative party to not recognize the election results. Throughout his career, Mondlane has been an opportunist politician mainly concerned with convincing foreign capital that he is a safe pair of hands. He first ran for mayor of the capital, Maputo, in 2013, as part of the Movement for Democracy in Mozambique (MDM) party. That same year, he participated in the US State Departments International Visitor Leadership Program, where local figures are nominated by US embassies for further networking and development. By 2018, he had joined RENAMO, which was backed by the white-supremacist regimes of Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) and then apartheid South Africa during Mozambiques civil war. These regimes used RENAMO to destabilize the FRELIMO government. This year, after failing to secure RENAMOs nomination to run for president, Mondlane switched to PODEMOS, a FRELIMO splinter group. The imperialist powers are carefully watching the mass protests and preparing how they will intervene in the situation. As subservient as FRELIMO has been to international finance capital, the Mozambican government has cut across the agenda of US and European imperialism by maintaining neutrality in the NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. Similarly, Mozambique has supported UN resolutions calling for a ceasefire in the US-Israeli genocide in Palestine. The US State Department has issued only one carefully worded statement, condemning the murder of the two PODEMOS officials, while calling for election grievances to be settled in court, not via protests. In Europe, the small, right-wing Liberal Initiative in Portugal is one of the few to take a clear position, in this case coming out for Mondlane. Across Africa, mass protests and opposition to imperialism and existing capitalist regimes are erupting. While French imperialism was thrown out of Mali and other countries it occupied in the Sahel by mass protests over the last several years, hundreds of thousands of workers and youth have protested this year against longstanding ruling parties, notably in Kenya and Nigeria. The decisive issue in the struggle against poverty and for democratic rights is developing a movement in the African working class, allied to its class brothers and sisters internationally, against capitalism and for socialism. Storm Shadow missiles supplied by the UK were reported to have been used to target Russian territory for the first time on Wednesday. The first reported strike took place just 24 hours after President Joe Bidens freeing Ukraine to use US-supplied ATACMS led to an attack on a military base in Bryansk, 110 miles inside the Russian border. It extends the UKs role as Washingtons foremost ally in every act of anti-Russian aggression. Later reports spoke of numerous missile attacks, with no details provided. A Storm Shadow/SCALP EG missile [Photo by David Monniaux / CC BY-SA 3.0 Britains Labour government, like Ukraine, has made no official statement, maintaining its position that the use of missiles is an operational matter. But the green light for the use of Storm Shadows was given by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at a press conference on the fringes of the G20 meeting on November 18. Citing claims of a build-up of 5,000 North Korean troops in the Kursk region, Bidens announcement was designed to ensure that the US commitment to war in Ukraine continues under the incoming administration of Donald Trump on January 20. Neither the UK nor Ukraine can use British Storm Shadow cruise missiles without US navigation technology and data, unlike the dozen Scalp missiles donated by France or the still-withheld German Taurus missiles. Starmer sought US permission for their use on a trip to the US in September but was told to hold off until after the presidential election. Once Biden gave the go ahead, the use of British long-range missiles was only a matter of time. Starmer campaigned for election putting Labour forwards as the party of NATO and the most bloodthirsty opponent of Russia. He described President Vladimir Putins warning that the use of US and UK-made missiles inside Russias borders would be tantamount to NATO engaging in direct conflict with Moscow, and signing of a revised nuclear doctrine, as irresponsible rhetoric that will not affect UK support for Ukraine. Amid warnings from Russia that NATOs actions could result in World War III, Starmer declared on Tuesday that the UK would ensure Ukraine has what is needed for as long as needed. There is irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia and thats not going to deter our support for Ukraine, Starmer pontificated. There had already been 1,000 days of sacrifice and On day 1,000 of Russias illegal war in Ukraine, I say againend the war. Get out of Ukraine In this moment when global challenges are affecting us at home, I take the view that British leadership matters. A Downing Street spokesperson called Putins announcement the latest example of irresponsibility that we have seen from the depraved Russian government. At the United Nations that day, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced fresh sanctions on Iran Air and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines as a direct response to Irans ballistic missile deliveries to Russia and a new loan backed by profits from sanctioned Russian assets, part of a new G7 package of $50 billion in assistance. And a commitment to $3 billion in military aid, for as long as it takes we know that Putin only responds to strength. In parliament, Defence Secretary John Healey declared that our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute. We have stepped up with more military support, we have sped up deliveries, and we are now spending more on military aid as a country than ever before. He boasted that The UK has stood side by side with our Ukrainian allies since day one of Putins illegal, full-scale invasionleading international support, training 50,000 recruits and supplying weapons, drones and other crucial military kit. The next day the Ministry of Defence confirmed that the UK will contribute 7.5 million towards new attack and surveillance drones for Ukraine, alongside 16 million in contributions from other allies, including 10 million from Germany, bringing the total coalition fund to 67 million, with the UK providing 15 million overall. On November 19, Armed Forces minister Luke Pollard visited a British training site for Ukrainian troops, where he told the media that Putin had been making threats since the start of the war designed to put us off our support for Ukraine and weaken our resolve and we are showing strong resolve in return. Starmer that same day made a call to President Zelensky stating that he wanted the UK to double down on support for Ukraine. Coinciding with the reports of the first use of Storm Shadows to strike Russian territory, UK military advisor Nicholas Aucott at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) gloried in the heavy toll on Russias military and economy. He cited an average of 1,350 casualties a day in Octobera record highand insisted that ending the war could only mean Putin withdrawing all his forces from Ukraines internationally recognised sovereign territory. The UK, like the other European powers, faces uncertainty over the extent to which the US under Trump will continue backing Ukraine militarily, and how seriously to take Trumps declaration that he would quickly end the Ukraine war. Speculation is rife that Trump was not only informed of Bidens move but agreed it on the basis that he would come to power demanding concessions from Putin from a position of strength. But whatever discussions there are on such tactical considerations, the essential response of the major European powersFrance, Germany and the UK includedhas been to plan to step up their own military aggression against Russia and to consider what it will take to make this a European-led war. In the words of the European Unions head of foreign affairs and security, Josep Borrell, I have been saying, once and again, that Ukrainians should be able to use the arms we provide to them not only to stop the arrows, but also to be able to hit the archers. The political shift in the US has prompted endless discussion not only on using long-range missiles, but on ramping up military spending and even stationing European troops in Ukraine. The UK remains far-and-away the most strident and unambiguous anti-Russian power in Europe, insisting on its commitment to war whatever position is taken by the US. But Starmers government of war criminals and Gaza genocide backers clearly hopes it can help persuade Trump to continue the war with Russia. Lammy told Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel that during his and Starmers September 26 dinner with Trump in New York, We did discuss Ukraine and he was seized of the important issues. He continued, Theres a deep philosophical underpinning to friends in the Republican party that Ive known for many years, thinking back to people like [former US secretary of state] Condoleezza Rice. Donald Trump has some continuity with this position, which is peace through strength. What I do know about Donald Trump is that he doesnt like losers and he doesnt want to lose; he wants to get the right deal for the American people. And he knows that the right deal for the American people is peace in Europe and that means a sustainable peacenot Russia achieving its aims and coming back for more in the years ahead. Asked by Liberal Democrat defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire whether US wavering meant it was incumbent on the UK to lead within Europe now, he replied, This morning I was speaking to foreign ministers in a meeting; from France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain there is no sense of us wavering in our support for Ukraine. If anything there was a commitment to double down on that support, there was a determination to ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position in 2025 and a renewed effort to ensure that we coordinate even better in the coming months. The WSWS urges all its readers to sign the petition for the release of Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk. Last Sunday, a rally against the war in Ukraine and the dictatorship of the Zelensky regime took place in Berlin, organised by Ukrainians. The call for the rally read: We do not want men to be abducted, beaten and held in cellars in Ukraine. We demand open borders and respect for human rights. We also want to commemorate the men who died after being abducted by the Territorial Recruitment Centre (TCC). We invite everyone. Many of you still have relatives, fathers, brothers and sons in Ukraine who are in danger due to the arbitrary actions of the gangster authorities! The demonstration in Berlin against the Zelensky regime in Ukraine The rally was organised by the Alliance of the Post-Soviet Left (BPL), a group of mainly young exiles from Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics in Germany. In October this year, the group published a statement in defence of the Ukrainian socialist and anti-war activist Bogdan Syrotiuk, who has now been imprisoned by the Zelensky regime for more than six months. Reporters from the World Socialist Web Site were present at the demonstration, handing out leaflets about Bogdans imprisonment and talking to participants about the situation in Ukraine and the prospect of ending the war. Sheka, who is originally from Kharkiv and came to Germany just one day before the war began, reported on the situation in Ukraine: The Ukrainian men have to hide right now and stay at home because they are afraid of the TCK, the Ukrainian military. My brother also has to hide. Hes only 21 years old. He has no desire to go to war and lose his life. The Ukrainian government is very corrupt. Thats my opinion. I was lucky that I left Ukraine the day before the war. And I want all Ukrainian men who want to do so to be able to leave Ukraine. I wish them all peace and well-being. Whitewind One demonstrator who introduced himself under the name Whitewind originates from Siberia. He came to Germany from there to escape being conscripted in Russia. He said: I see a clear connection between the war in Ukraine and the wars in other countries, like now in Gaza. In every country, the capitalists are backing militarism, including here in Germany. Everywhere politicians say that the state needs more tax money for weapons, although there are enormous social problems for workers everywhere. He explained the connection between the war in Ukraine and capitalism: I have heard that there are plans for new factories here in Germany to produce weapons for Ukraine. Weapons companies like Rheinmetall can make huge profits from the war, but at the same time there are similar plans to make weapons in Poland, where workers can be employed for less pay and the costs of German manufacturers can be undercut. This is all part of the logic of the capitalist system. Speaking about the possible danger of the war escalating into a nuclear war he said: It is a very dangerous situation because several of the belligerent countries have nuclear weapons. The only solution is a movement from below, from workers in every country against capitalism. From this point of view, I see the need to support all victims like Bogdan Syrotiuk, who were imprisoned because of their opposition to the war. Andrej WSWS reporters had a long conversation with Andrej, who had started studying in Germany before the war began and thus escaped conscription in Ukraine. He described the situation in Ukraine in detail: Basically, most Ukrainians are locked up in their own country and unable to live properly. In many cases, they are unable to pursue their professions properly. People are being attacked and hunted on the streets. They are conscripted by force. Basically, everyone knows that. What is less well known are the numerous cases of torture and murder in Ukrainian police stations. We are here in part to report on these cases, to describe them, to say that these cases actually exist. They are not documented by Russian media or anything like that, but by Ukrainian media, including quite large ones, including those that previously supported President Zelensky. The mainstream media in Ukraine are therefore well informed about the cases of torture and murders in Ukrainian commissariats. Unfortunately, this is not the case here in Germany, here in the EU. We understand why, of course. We understand that this is seen as part of the Russian narrative. Nevertheless, we cannot simply ignore the widespread cases of torture. There was a big class difference between who got conscripted and who did not, Andrej said: Basically, the people who are conscripted are the people who couldnt afford to pay the bribes, who couldnt afford to bribe the doctors to issue the tickets to avoid military service. At the moment, we are living in a surreal state of affairs in which the Ukrainian state employs almost a million police officers. The task of these police officers is quite clear. They are there to enforce conscription and keep the increasingly less democratic government of Zelensky in power. They are not there to protect Ukraines democracy on the streets. There is a lot of discussion in Ukraine about why people are conscripted and forcibly recruited. For example, fifty-year-old people, people with a severe form of tuberculosis, people with some forms of cancer, but not the broad spectrum of police officers, who are numerous in Ukraine, almost as large as the Ukrainian army itself. This is a surreal situation. About the role of the German pseudo-left parties, all of which support the war in Ukraine, Andrej explained: The Left Party, maybe were old-school about it, but the way we see it, a left-wing party should stand for egalitarian transformations of societies, for the equalisation of rules and for a state where the rules apply equally to all peopleat the very least. And also for supporting those who are most at risk, those who are most vulnerable. And the most vulnerable in Ukraine are not the police or the Ukrainian state or anything else that is prioritised by the European parties, especially the left. The priority should be the Ukrainian citizens, their rights and so on. We see the transformation of the Greens into a pro-war party. We see the ignoring of the crimes against humanity in Ukraine, the crimes against large parts of the Ukrainian population, which are documented and are not being addressed by the German government. We see very clearly that the parties that present themselves as left-wing are not actually pursuing left-wing policies. We live in a surreal situation where both the left and the right agree that the fact that Russia is attacking Ukraine basically allows the Ukrainian government to use practically the same or even worse methods than the Russian government uses to conscript its people. In Russia, for example, people can leave the country. The Russians dont need to bribe their personnel to get out of Russia. Andrej knew about the arrest of Bogdan Syrotiuk and said: Bogdan is one of the many people who find themselves in the situation where spreading the word and talking about the methods of the Ukrainian government leads to being prosecuted in the form of a political trial. Of course, it is surreal that his case is not widely publicised here in the German media. Unfortunately, he is not the only one. This is a rather systematic way of dealing with opposition voices in Ukraine. One of the people we are more familiar with as an organisation is Sheliazhenko, the Ukrainian pacifist who basically just wrote a letter to Zelensky supporting unarmed resistance against the Russian invasion. As a result, an indictment was fabricated against him. On the question of how to end the war, Andrej said: It was clear to us from the beginning and now it is even more obvious to wider circles of European governments and parties: the war will eventually end in talks, in a peace agreement. We were stunned by the decision of the Ukrainian government, supported by Boris Johnson personally and by Western governments, and basically almost forced [to end the negotiations in March 2022]. The warmongering role of Boris Johnson personally and the unwillingness to compromise in Istanbul in March 2022 have partly led to the situation where Ukraine is at risk of losing even more land. It has already cost the lives of tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people. Millions are being driven out of the country, women, children. There are clear interests behind the war, said Andrej: There are obviously interest groups supporting further wars, finding arguments and lobbying for further militarisation. The NATO budget exceeds the Russian military budget tenfold. I dont really see how a further five to six-fold overrun would improve the situation. I personally and our organisation as a whole do not see a military end to this war or an improvement in the situation in Ukraine. When the WSWS reporters explained their perspective that the war could only be stopped through the mobilisation and unification of the Ukrainian, Russian and international working class, Andrej said: We had a meeting in Cologne of more than 70 anti-war activists from Ukraine and Russia. We came to the conclusion that peace must come from the ground, and basically sustainable peace and long-term peace in Europe can only be achieved through democratisation, only by creating opportunities for the state to democratise. The rally in Berlin against the dictatorial forms of rule of the Zelensky regime is of great significance. It illustrates the rapidly growing opposition of the Ukrainian working class to the war. But there should be no illusions. The war cannot be stopped by exerting pressure on the very governments waging the war. They represent the class interests of an obscenely rich ruling class that will not be swayed from its course by any pressure. What is needed is the building of a socialist anti-war movement that unites the Ukrainian, Russian and international working class and fights for the overthrow of capitalism. The WSWS received the following letter from a reader in the Netherlands. I am a worker at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). This is my first-hand report and interpretation of some of the events surrounding the banned protest that was planned for November 14 in Utrecht, Netherlands, against massive higher education cuts announced by the far-right government. A pro-Palestinian protester is arrested by police at a demonstration in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 [AP Photo/Bram Janssen] The demonstration planned for November 14 was organized by several unions (FNV and AOb) and WOinActie (a national movement of university staff and students) to protest recently announced higher education cuts of ~1 billion euro over a five-year period by the current far-right government. One day before the protest, which was expected to draw many thousands of university workers and students from around the country, the protest organizers announced that they were forced to cancel the demonstration because the mayor of Utrecht, Sharon Dijksma, could not guarantee the safety of members. The pretence for this is that there was information that pro-Palestinian groups would hijack (the English translation of the mayors suggestive choice of words) the protests, and that those groups do not shun violence. It was framed in such a way as to make it seem like the university protesters were in danger from violent pro-Palestinian protesters. This is an absurd conjecture and served two roles: shutting down the mass protest in Utrecht and further demonizing pro-Palestinian protesters as violent and destructive. It is an attempt to create a fissure between the linked struggles against the erosion of working conditions and education domestically and imperialism abroad. In truth, the struggles are related and the participants in solidarity. The unions capitulated to the mayors calls, cancelling the protest and sparing the mayor the political fallout of having officially banned the protest. As an alternative action, the unions live-streamed the speeches planned for Utrecht from a panel in The Hague. There were local actions organized at various universities across the Netherlands. The unions played some role in this, but individuals from various academic departments also took charge in mobilizing workers at the VU. During the live streaming of the speeches at the VU, there was a gathering of several hundred employees and students in the universitys main building for some local speeches, a large applause, and a photograph. Despite being a feeble alternative to the originally planned mass protest, the gathering was heavily guarded by security. Security guards were screening people as they walked into the congregation area to see if anyone was displaying Palestinian-related clothing or banners. A PhD student I was with was stopped for wearing a keffiyeh and a medical mask. I was stopped with them because I was carrying home-made signs connecting the domestic austerity policies and impending university layoffs with militarism, colonialism, and genocide, even without any explicit references to Palestine. The security guards did not even read the signs. We were obviously deemed outside agitators simply because of the student wearing a keffiyeh and a medical mask. The student was turned back because they would not remove their mask. My employee ID was taken and photographed. I was allowed to enter after leaving my signs outside the gathering area. The WSWS has reported several times on the recent events in Amsterdam, which have been ludicrously spun by politicians across Europe and media outlets. I hope that the WSWS can bring some attention to some of the ongoing workers struggles in the Netherlands. There are impending mass layoffs at universities across the country. The magnitude of the recently announced budget cuts is roughly equivalent to one of the 14 public research universities in the country being eliminated entirely. In fact, we at the VU were facing an austerity budget even before the election of the current far-right government. The board of the Faculty of Sciences announced last year that we were facing a severe budget deficit, and that difficult choices (a favourite euphemism of administrators) would need to be made. After a facade process giving individual departments the task of presenting plans to reduce their deficits, it was announced that the Earth Sciences department would be the first to be reorganized (the official euphemism for layoffs in the Netherlands). Many other reorganizations will inevitably follow. For some additional context: prior to the recent additional educational budget cuts, the 5-year deficit (from 2023 to 2028) at the VU was projected to be ~60 million euro. Under the rough assumption that each of the 14 public research universities in the Netherlands had the same projected deficit, this would amount to ~840 million euro over 5 years (~170 million EUR per year). In comparison, military spending in the Netherlands has increased by over 70% from ~14 billion euro in 2021 to 24 billion euro in 2025. According to a 2024 white paper published by the Ministry of Defence, not only is this drastic expansion aimed at preparing for war against the usual threats (Russia, China, Iran), but it also includes significant expansion of the military police. To quote the white paper: The two squadrons of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee for military police tasks, which are already being established, will be further strengthened. The squadrons will be organised identically to make them interchangeable. The units will be able to perform military policing tasks at the highest end of the spectrum of force, which means that they will be crucial in terms of preparation and deployment during large-scale conflicts. The units can also investigate potential war crimes in the area of operations. This contributes to the NATO priority target aimed at strengthening land operations. Given the severe crackdown on protests recently, it is clear that the tasks at the highest end of the spectrum of force will be used domestically against civilians in the Netherlands. The ballooning military spending is only one facet of the misuse of (in that case destruction of along with human life) value created by workers in society. The basis is an economy driven by profit. The GDP of the Netherlands is approximately 1.16 trillion euro. According to Statistics Netherlands (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek), the total remuneration of workers in the Netherlands in 2023 was 478 billion euro, while the gross corporate profit excluding financial institutions was 358 billion euro. With the generous assumptions that this profit was taxed at the full maximum corporate profit tax rate in the Netherlands (~26 percent) and that the tax revenue was used for constructive social purposes, this corresponds to a net profit of 265 billion euro, or ~23 percent of GDP. The anticipated annual university deficit for the entire country (based on the above assumption that each university has a similar deficit) including the additional five-year 1-billion-euro cutswhich will likely result in thousands of layoffs and further severe erosion of the higher education systemamounts to ~0.03 percent of GDP. Compare this to military spending of ~2.1 percent of GDP or to net corporate profits of ~23 percent of GDP. The premise that there are not enough economic resources to support higher education and that massive cuts are inevitable is absurd. There are vast resources and productive forces in society. The fundamental issue is that the capitalist economy is based on the privatization of wealth created by workers in society in the hands of a tiny fraction of the population. This inherently unstable system requires reinforcement by brute force (militarism abroad and domestically) and discipline of workers through the threat of unemployment. The alternative is a socialist society with an economy that is democratically and rationally planned to fulfil human need and preserve our environment for future generations. The 2024 municipal elections, held in the midst of an explosive and spiraling international political crisis, have exposed the rottenness and growing political reaction gripping the bourgeois order in Brazil. Teachers and public employees demonstrating outside Sao Paulo city hall on October 13, 2022. [source: WSWS Media] In the first nationwide electoral contests since the attempted coup by former fascistic president Jair Bolsonaro, far-right political forces have grown significantly. This includes Bolsonaros Liberal Party (PL), which registered the greatest increase in votes and elected the largest number of mayors in cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants. At the same time, the Workers Party (PT) and its allies, such as the Socialism and Freedom Party (PSOL), have suffered a major debacle. Having returned to presidential power with the election of Lula da Silva two years ago, the PT has proved incapable of reversing a process of political decline lasting more than a decade. These results, however, do not indicate a shift to the right by the Brazilian population as a whole. The most striking political feature of these elections was the massive rejection by the working class of the bankrupt political establishment, evidenced by a record number of abstentions and blank ballots. None of the established parties, including those of the supposed left, have answers to the crucial problems facing Brazilian workers, rooted in the crisis of the world capitalist system. The burning questionssuch as the rising new world war, the explosion of social inequality, the crumbling of democracy, increasingly extreme and frequent climatic events, the persistent evolution of COVID-19 and the threat of other pandemicswere completely absent from the official political debate. The chasm separating the objective concerns and interests of the working class from the established bourgeois political power is indicative of a developing revolutionary crisis. The PTs electoral debacle Two years after Lulas election for a third presidential term, the increase of around 30 percent in votes for its mayoral candidates in relation to the 2020 election and the winning of 252 municipalities is far from signaling a return by the PT to its position in 2012, when it elected 652 mayors, including in four capitals. Furthermore, unlike in previous elections, when the PT elected mayors in large cities with a high concentration of workers, 90 percent of the municipalities won by the party this year were in small towns, with 50,000 voters or less. Founded in the early 1980s in the midst of massive industrial strikes that brought down Brazils military dictatorship, promising a new path to socialism through bourgeois elections, the Workers Party has systematically betrayed the socialist and democratic aspirations of the Brazilian working class. By the early 2000s, the PT had established itself as the party of choice for the national and international financial elite, becoming the biggest beneficiary of major donations from large companies for its electoral campaigns. The imposition of austerity measures against workers and its involvement in corruption scandals deeply discredited the PT and precipitated the collapse of its electoral fortunes from 2012 onwards. No longer seeing the PT as an effective tool for politically suppressing the working class, the Brazilian ruling class pushed through the fraudulent impeachment process of President Dilma Rousseff in 2016, passively assisted by the PT. Lula was then sentenced to prison for corruption. The PTs historic crisisthe most concentrated manifestation of a crisis of Brazils post-dictatorial political regime as wholepaved the way for Bolsonaros rise to the presidency in 2018. In the following municipal elections, in 2020, the PT obtained the worst performance in its history. The deepening crisis of the bourgeois order, aggravated by Bolsonaros coup adventures and the growing social and economic contradictions since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, led the ruling class to politically rehabilitate Lula and rally around his presidential campaign in 2022. But, while the capitalists chose Lula as a figure more capable of covering up the instability of their failing political regime and evoking memories of a more prosperous economic past, the return of the PT to the presidency did not lead to a narrowing of its schism with the working class. The massive rejection of the PT among the working population was clearly evidenced in the countrys most industrialized state, Sao Paulo, where its performance plummeted from 895,347 votes in 2020 to 393,714 votes this year. Once nicknamed the red belt, in reference to the PTs enormous electoral influence, the industrial cities around Sao Paulos capital are the scene of the partys biggest defeats. Having once administered several of these cities for more than one term, the PT made it to the second round only in Diadema and Maua this year, being elected only in the latter. After having its worst result in an election in Sao Paulos capital in 2020, when candidate Jilmar Tatto came in a distant sixth place, for the first time the PT failed to present its own candidate for mayor. Instead, it supported Guilherme Boulos of the PSOL, while being responsible for nominating his running mate, Marta Suplicy. In Porto Alegre, capital of the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, which was hit hard by record floods in May, the abstention rate reached almost 35 percent. There, despite all the negligence of the current mayor, Sebastiao Melo (MDB), in relation to the citys flood-fighting infrastructure, he was re-elected by a wide margin against PT candidate Maria do Rosario (62 percent to 38 percent). The PT ruled Porto Alegre for four consecutive administrations, from 1989 to 2004. During this period, the city instituted initiatives such as the Participatory Budget which, according to the PT, were the first steps on its road to socialism through the bourgeois state. Porto Alegre was also chosen to host the first editions of the World Social Forum. Boulos defeat in Sao Paulo and the exposure of the pseudo-lefts fight against fascism The results obtained by the PT and PSOL in the elections were a devastating response to the bankrupt program of the pseudo-left based on the claim that the resurgence of fascism requires a broad front of the democratic parties of the bourgeois establishment. Not only does this false political narrative distort the true social origins of the encroachments against democracy, but it represents no barrier to the rise of fascism. Under Lulas broad front government, the PT and the pseudo-left have systematically promoted the military and fascistic political forces that plotted the January 8, 2023 coup detat. This fact was explicitly demonstrated in the elections, as the PT contested almost a hundred cities in coalition with Bolsonaros PL party and, as a result, will jointly administer 49 municipalities where they were elected. At the same time, by promoting the bourgeoisies common agenda of austerity and repression against the working class under the false flag of unity for democracy, the PT and the pseudo-lefts are opening up political avenues for the far right to exploit mass discontent with existing conditions. This was evidenced in the massive rejection of the PSOL-PT campaign of Boulos in Sao Paulo. Boulos was defeated by current mayor Ricardo Nunes of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), a fascist figure sponsored by Bolsonaro, by 59 percent to 41 percent. The number of abstentions and blank ballots reached a record 3.6 million, significantly higher than the 3.3 million votes cast for Nunes. Despite Boulos being heavily promoted by Lula, the votes obtained by the president in 2022 were not transferred to the PSOL candidate. While Lula received 3.7 million votes in 2022 in Sao Paulo, Boulos got 2.3 million votes. This is an indication of the dissatisfaction already built up under the Lula government, which has been unable to offer any prospect of improving living conditions after almost two years in power. Boulos defeat has once again demonstrated the complete bankruptcy of the left-wing populism, which has produced only disasters for the working class internationally, such as with Syriza in Greece and Podemos in Spain. In his second run for mayor of Sao Paulo, Boulos adopted increasingly right-wing positions and received astronomical financial resources that made his campaign the most expensive in Brazil, spending R$20 million (US$3.5 million) more than Nunes. Despite this, the PSOL candidate did not increase his overall votes and saw his support fall dramatically in the citys poorest peripheries. What Boulos pseudo-left campaign and promises to sweep Bolsonaroism out of Sao Paulo actually achieved was an even greater approximation to the fascists. In his quest for votes, Boulos accepted an invitation to participate in a live broadcast with Pablo Marcal, holding a friendly political get-together with the most openly fascist candidate in the Sao Paulo elections, who was defeated in the first round. A week before the second round, Boulos launched a Letter to the People of Sao Paulo, declaring that Our government will be one of dialogue and joint construction, without ties to any kind of sectarianism. On the same day, he met with evangelical leaders, affirming that, more than ideologies, what moved him to govern Sao Paulo is a question of humanity. There are things that dont matter if youre left or right, its [a question of] humanity. Morenoites cover their tracks and prepare new betrayals Four years ago, the Socialist Equality Groups (GSI) analysis of the growing adaptation of the pseudo-left to the military and fascist forces on the rise in Brazilian politics received a hysterical response from the Morenoite Revolutionary Workers Movement (MRT), which published the Esquerda Diario website. The Morenoites accused the GSI and the WSWS of slander for having correctly exposed the MRTs complicity in this process as it participated in PSOLs electoral campaign by running its own candidates on the partys slate. Like the different anti-Trotskyist Pabloite tendencies that historically backed Lula and, when the PTs betrayals got too exposed, fled the party like rats from a sinking ship to form the PSOL, the MRT Morenoites spent the last decade promoting illusions in this pseudo-left party of the upper middle class and absurdly claiming that it represented a necessary means for building a revolutionary party in Brazil. Today, as the reactionary political essence of the PSOL comes out in full force, the MRT and other groups seeking to maintain a radical veneer (such as the Revolutionary Communist OrganizationOCI, linked to Alan Woods Revolutionary Communist International, which disaffiliated from the PSOL a year ago) are engaged in an operation to cover their own tracks and create new political traps for the youth and workers in Brazil. The MRT launched candidates in this years elections through the Unified Socialist Workers Party (PSTU), as it had already done in the 2022 national elections. It presented itself as the Communist Caucus, choosing as its slogan: against the extreme right, reforms and class conciliation. Despite recognizing the nefarious results of the policies pursued by the PT and the PSOL, the Morenoites electoral statements draw completely false and disorienting political conclusions. The characterization of the policies of the PT and PSOL as class conciliation plays a particularly deceptive role. The clash between this terminology and reality is highlighted by a statement made by the MRT itself in its balance sheet of the elections. Recounting how the PSOL joined the government and the Broad Front, formed a federation with a bourgeois party like Rede, took on right-wing programs and discourses, it concludes that this has become a party driven largely by a membership paid for by the 126 million reais Electoral Fund and by parliamentary mandates. What is revealed by these objective considerations about the PSOL (whose analogies in relation to the PT are obvious) is a party formed by a middle-class bureaucracy materially tied to the national bourgeoisie and its state at every level. However, when the MRT presents the policies of these parties as ones of class conciliation, it is implying that they are essentially working class parties but politically oriented towards the bourgeois. This misleading characterization is not simply a theoretical error, but a definite orientation. Its aim is to imprison all left-wing opposition within the orbit of these capitalist parties and the corporatist trade unions they control, within which the Morenoites eagerly vie for positions. Such a bankrupt Pabloite perspective is the real content of what the MRT fraudulently presents as a position of class independence. In their words this would boil down to building the independent mobilization of workers by fighting in the unions for an effective plan of struggle against the attacks and in defense of our rights, as they wrote in their statement of support for trade unionist Altino Prazeres, the PSTU candidate in Sao Paulo. Like the PSTU, which called for a vote for Boulos in the second round, the MRT made clear the completely unserious character of its opposition to the PSOL and the PT, declaring at the end of the campaign: We understand that many workers and young people will cast a vote for Boulos in the hope of defeating Nunes electorally. Although we dont share this position, we in the MRT will be in the front ranks, as we always have been, in the fight against Nunes and Marcal and all shades of Bolsonarism. They could also have written: Sorry, we cant afford to get our hands dirty this time, but well soon be together in the coming union campaigns. Build the International Committee of the Fourth International in Brazil Contrary to what the Morenoites preach, a political alternative for the working class will come not from an amalgam of the nationalist pseudo-left groups subordinated to the bureaucratic apparatuses of the trade unions and the bourgeois state. A real alternative requires a fight to build a revolutionary leadership within the working class that is consciously opposed to the national bourgeoisie and its agents and guided by a genuinely internationalist and socialist program. That is the real meaning of class independence. Such a revolutionary socialist perspective in response to the explosive political crisis in Brazil is advanced only by the Socialist Equality Group. In response to the Brazilian municipal elections, the GSI issued the statement, No to fascism, war and capitalist barbarism! Break with the PT, PSOL and the pseudo-left! Build the ICFI in Brazil! The document warned that the fate of Brazilian workers and youth is deeply tied to the unfolding of a new Third World War and advocated the unification of the international working class to overthrow capitalism by building the necessary revolutionary leadership based on the internationalist strategy of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). On the eve of the second round of the Brazilian elections, the GSI held a video interview with Socialist Equality Party (US) presidential candidate Joseph Kishore. The discussion raised the deep connections and implications of the political crisis in the United States for Brazil and the ICFIs globally coordinated political intervention. We urge our readers in Brazil to study these perspectives and make the decision to join the GSI. On Wednesday, the US Senate affirmed its support for the Israeli genocide in Gaza, which has killed and injured over 300,000 people since October 7, 2023, and roundly rejected a series of resolutions aimed at blocking a fraction of a $20 billion war package the Biden administration approved for Israel in August. An Israeli soldier carries a howitzer shell near the border with Lebanon, in northern Israel, Thursday, January 11, 2024. [AP Photo/Leo Correa] The resolutions, spearheaded by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, are known as the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, or JRDs. Wednesdays vote, while a foregone conclusion, was the first time the US Senate has ever considered blocking arms transfers to Israel in over 76 years of political, military and economic support. Not a single one of the resolutions garnered more than 19 votes, with a majority of Democratic senators and every single Republican voting overwhelmingly against all of the resolutions presented. Underscoring the Democratic Partys resolute support for ethnic cleansing, the day before the votes were held the Biden administration sent out a memorandum urging senators not to block the weapons sales, with the implication that voting in favor of the resolutions was tantamount to supporting terrorists. 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 read, according to a report from the Huffington Post. Refuting months of lies from Biden, Harris and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that the Democratic administration was working tirelessly towards a ceasefire, the document continued, Now is the time to focus pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and stop the war. Cutting off arms from Israel would put this goal even further out of reach and prolong the war, not shorten it. Under the Arms Export Control Act, any US senator can submit a JRD to block the transfer of already approved weapons sales if the weapons are being sent to a country that is engaged in war crimes or blocking the transfer of US humanitarian aid to civilians. Earlier this year, in between campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris and defending President Joe Bidens record of war and austerity, Sanders began the process of issuing the JRDs. He was supported in these efforts by Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley (Oregon), Chris Van Hollen (Maryland) and Peter Welch (Vermont). Prior to the vote, all of the senators backing the JRDs, including Sanders, were very clear that the resolutions would not prevent the transfer of so-called defensive weapons systems to Israel, such as air-to-air missiles for the Iron Dome and Davids Sling missile systems. Similarly, all of the senators, including Sanders, who spoke in favor of the resolutions made clear their support for the Israeli government and its alleged right to defend itself from Hamas. As I have said many many times, Sanders stated, Israel had the absolute right to respond to that horrific Hamas attack as any other country would. I dont think anyone here in the United States Senate disagrees with that. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont., on Capitol Hill in Washington. [AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib] According to the United Nations, since 1947, Israel has illegally annexed and occupied Palestinian lands, forfeiting any right to self-defense. In his remarks Wednesday, Sanders never once referred to the Israelis military campaign as genocide or ethnic cleansing. Like the other senators who supported the measure, he exclusively blamed the Netanyahu government, while ignoring the Biden administration and his own role in perpetuating the slaughter. In an attempt to present the current Zionist regime as an aberration from previous Zionist leaders, Sanders declared, The Israel of today is not the Israel of Golda Meir Speaking as an agent of imperialism, the Vermont senator observed that US complicity in Israels military campaign undercut humanitarian arguments advanced by US politicians to justify military interventions around the globe. Ive heard well-founded concerns about Chinas brutal reception of the Uyghur ethnic minority, Sanders said. Ive heard rightful outrage about Putins brutal attacks against Ukraine and bombing of civilian installations. Ive heard genuine concerns about Irans outrageous crackdown on peaceful protesters. But what I want to say to all those folks, nobody is going to take anything you say with a grain of seriousness. You cannot condemn human rights around the world and then turn a blind eye to what the United States government is now funding in Israel. People will laugh in your face. They will say, You are concerned about China, you are concerned about Russia, you are concerned about Iran, well, why are you funding the starvation of children in Gaza right now? So, Sanders concluded, we must pass the resolutions from a legal perspective ... for our own best foreign policy interests. We will lose our credibility on the world stage. Senator Peter Welch also spoke in favor of the resolutions as a means of advancing US geopolitical interests in the region. He said that blocking them would harm our goals for the Jewish democratic state ... a secured democratic independent Israel and a disarmed Palestinian state. The three Senate resolutions, 111, 113 and 115, under consideration Wednesday would only block under $1.1 billion of the $20 billion package. Each of the resolutions focused on so-called offensive weapons. These include tens of thousands of tank rounds, mortar shells and joint direct attack munitions (JDAMs), which convert unguided dumb bombs into so-called precision munitions. Resolutions focused on blocking transfer of tactical vehicles ($583.1 million), F-15 fighter aircraft and upgrades ($18.82 billion) and anti-jamming technology for GPS receivers were not considered. During the debate session, several Democrats spoke in opposition to all of the resolutions. Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen (Democrat) claimed that if the US did not provide the GPS-guided bombs, more civilians would be killed. By providing Israel with these weapons which are more precise and more accurate, she claimed, you can reduce civilian casualties. The chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Ben Cardin (Democrat-Maryland), lamented, Why isnt there more focus on the terrorists? Republican warhawk and Trump ally, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, joined the majority in voting against the resolution and blamed Hamas for using their own people as human shields. The same day the Senate rejected any slowdown in weapons shipments to Israel, the US also vetoed a resolution at the UN calling for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. Both votes demonstrate that American imperialisms support for the ongoing genocide is absolute and unconditional. The Biden administration, with the support of both the Democrats and the Republicans, has armed and financed the genocide as part of an escalating global war, in the Middle East and beyond. Sanders shabby maneuver in the Senate was aimed at providing cover for this bipartisan ruling class policy. Ukraine is preparing to completely end the transit of Russian natural gas to Europe as of January 1, 2025. A previous agreement that had allowed for the movement of the energy resource, albeit at a drastically reduced volume, through Ukraines pipelines is coming to an end. Gas burns in front of a business centre damaged by a Russian attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, September 1, 2024 [AP Photo/Yevhen Titov] According to Energynews, Russian gas flows to Europe via its western neighbor had already dropped from 117 billion cubic meters in 2008 to just 14.65 billion in 2023, underscoring the decline of this historical corridor. Currently, the only active metering station of Russian gas to Ukrainian pipelines, which is located in Sudzha on Moscows side of the border, was taken by Kievs forces during Zelenskys incursion into Russias Kursk region in August. On November 10, Spains El Pais reported that Ukraines military is prioritizing holding onto the territory, where it stationed two of its best regiments, the 95th and 80th airborne assault brigades. They are outfitted with the high-tech equipment, including German Leopard and American Abrams tanks. Meanwhile, Russian forces are continuing to advance in the Donbass region, where the Ukrainian military is facing manpower and ammunition shortages, and also working to dislodge Zelenskys military from Kursk. Whatever the outcome at the Sudzha metering station, the official end of the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe underlines the fact that the war is part of a metastasizing global conflict. One of the goals of the USto weaken Russia as a major energy supplier to European markets through the complete decoupling of its infrastructure from Ukraineposes dangers to Europe and threatens the eruption of open conflict within the trans-Atlantic alliance. As a result of the ending of the gas deal, Russia stands to lose $6.5 billion unless it can redirect its exports to other markets. Ukraine could see .5 percent of its GDP shaved off by totally ending its role as a transit route. The European think-tank Bruegel also noted recently that the end of the contract would open Ukrainian pipelines to targeting by Moscows forces. They have thus far been left undamaged due to the flow of Russian gas through them. Much of Ukraines electrical and power infrastructure has been crippled by the war. Last week, Zelenskys government announced that it was imposing rolling blackouts throughout the country as winter approaches, in order to preserve what remains of the countrys power grid. Russia has offered to continue sending natural gas to Europe through Ukraine, provided a separate agreement is negotiated between Kiev and the destination countries. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on November 6 in Sochi, Of course, in my opinion, the European countries that currently receive gas through this corridor are interested in continuing such cooperation. We are ready to supply (gas), but not much depends on us, so probably this should be negotiated directly between the users and the country through which the transit is provided, Novak explained. Earlier in October, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal ruled out an extension of the current gas transit agreement during a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Western Ukraine. Ukraine once again says it will not continue the transit agreement with Russia after it expires, Shmyhal told reporters, adding, Ukraines strategic goal is to deprive the Kremlin of profits from the sale of hydrocarbons which the aggressor uses to finance the war. Despite the overall reduction in Russian gas to Europe since the start of the war, in 2023 shipments via the Ukrainian transit route met 65 percent of demand in Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, according to the European think tank, Bruegel. All of these countries supplies are now at risk, as events last week made clear. This past Friday, Russia informed Austria that it was suspending its gas deliveries the following day, a move for which Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer claimed it was fully prepared for. No home will go cold ... gas storage facilities are sufficiently full, he told reporters. Hungary no longer gets significant natural gas from Ukraine, having switched to receiving deliveries from Russia via the TurkStream pipeline that runs along the bed of the Black Sea. Slovakia continues to be dependent on Russian gas sent via Ukraine. The EU, which has been publicly dismissive of any possible continuation of the Ukraine-Russia gas transit deal, is continuing to maintain this stance following the news of the shutoff to Austria. Speaking with Reuters at a UN climate conference in Azerbaijan, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson told reporters that all EU countries receiving gas via the Ukraine route have access to other supply sources that could fill the gap. ... We have been very clear that an alternative supply is available, and there is no need for the continuation of Russian gas transiting via Ukraine to Europe. Regardless of the European powers efforts to project an image of confidence, underlying the situation are growing tensions with the United States, which has worked to ensure that Europe is ever-more dependent of American energy supplies. In September 2022, Kiev, with the aid of Washington, blew up the Nordstream 1 and 2 pipelines, which carried gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. In 2018, President Donald Trump, who will return to office next January, publicly attacked Germany at a NATO meeting in Brussels. Germany is totally controlled by Russia, he said. They will be getting between 60 and 70 percent of their energy from Russia and a new pipeline. The decoupling of Russian gas from Europe became a fundamental goal of the Trump administration, which sought to increase the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG). When Trump was first in office, the US was a relatively minor player in the global LNG industry but now occupies a leading role in the European market. As the Financial Times reported last Monday, As the EU faced dwindling pipeline gas supplies from Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the bloc stepped up imports of LNG from around the world to make up for the shortfall. The US was the primary supplier of LNG, and now accounts for about 40 percent of the EUs import of the super-chilled fuel, according to Kpler, a commodity data group. While Russian LNG is a major part of EU energy imports, second only to the US, on November 8 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed replacing Russian LNG with US LNG during a phone conversation with Trump. We are still receiving a lot of LNG from Russia. And why not replace it with American LNG, which is cheaper and lowers our energy prices, Von der Leyen said, according to Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Ukraine is reportedly in talks with Azerbaijan and the EU over substituting the Russian gas currently flowing through its pipelines with Azeri gas, which in reality would simply be Russian gas rebranded as Azeri. According to the Kyiv Independent, Azerbaijan supplied Europe with around 12 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas last year. Brussels and Bakus goal is to ramp this up to 20 bcm annually by 2030. However, questions remain on the ability of Azerbaijan to deliver the necessary quantities. As a result, conflicts are emerging within Europe about the viability of accepting the complete cut-off of Russian supplies. Some appear to be leaving the door open on another deal to keep Russian gas flowing, despite EU officials statements to the contrary. Montel News reported on Monday about the potential of a new gas deal with Moscow. A source close to a large central European energy firm remains convinced stakeholders will bash out a deal at the last minute, a source told the press outlet. The draft of that deal is already in the cupboards with the Russians, the person stated. The delivery point for that deal will not be the Ukrainian-Slovak or Ukrainian-Hungarian border, but will move 2,000km to the east. The plan would be for an EU company to accept delivery of the gas at the Russia-Ukraine border and pay Ukraine directly for use of its pipeline. The challenge is how to dress it up in such a way that the deal would be sold to the Ukrainian public, the EU and to Russia, so everybody at the end of the day will claim victory, the individual told Montel News. In the arena, its all the same. The anti-Azerbaijani propaganda, generously funded by global Armenians, is experiencing a serious crisis of genre. There are not enough new faces and, more importantly, new approaches. Everything is formulaic, predictable, and primitive. This is what happened this time when a video posted by The Armenian Report showed a troupe of sad clowns attempting to touch on the COP29 climate forum, which is taking place in Baku. The sad clowns "demand to put pressure on a country that has carried out ethnic cleansing and has political prisoners." Hmm, I was even surprised at how the Armenian-sponsored masters of the conversational genre decided to skirt around Armenia. It was Armenia that carried out ethnic cleansing and has political prisoners. There is simply no reason for discussioneverything is so obvious. Azerbaijanis were purposefully expelled and deported from the territory of present-day Armenia also in 1905-1906, 1918-1920, and 1948-1953. In 1948-1953 alone, more than 150,000 Azerbaijanis were forcibly expelled from historical lands in the Armenian SSR. Some of them, particularly the elderly and infants, died from the harsh conditions of resettlement, abrupt climate changes, physical shocks, and moral suffering. Later, in the late 1980s, about 300,000 more Azerbaijanis were expelled from the Armenian SSR. As a result of this policy, there are no Azerbaijanis living in Armenia today. Not a single one! Moreover, the Armenian occupiers carried out ethnic cleansing in the temporarily occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Yes, there have been no Azerbaijanis living in Shusha, Lachin, Khankendi, Fuzuli, and other Azerbaijani lands for more than a quarter of a century. At the same time, Armenian occupiers, including those who moved there from the Middle East, lived in the territories temporarily occupied by the enemy of our country. There are a lot of documents testifying to all this. But the sad clowns are not ready to admit the obvious. They simply enter the circus arena and perform a show that has been demonstrated many times before. That's their job. The main thing is not to acknowledge the obvious problems of Armenia, including political prisoners. For example, take Armen Ashotyan. The former Minister of Education of Armenia is being held behind bars for criticizing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. In this regard, it makes sense to quote the words of Armenian political strategist Tigran Kocharyan, who gave a clear description of what is happening in Armenia. "There has been no democracy in Armenia since 2018. Decisions in our country are made by one person, but these decisions are dictated to him from the outside," he said on the Fifth TV Channel. But, of course, the sad clowns did not mention this either. Who are they? All the familiar faces, so to speak. For example, Baroness Caroline Cox or former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Luis Moreno Ocampo. They have long since achieved automatism in voicing lies and nonsense about Azerbaijan. Ask them, for example, how things are going, and they will automatically give you a text about "the horrific crimes against Armenians committed by Azerbaijan." And so, today they do not hide their sadness and despair at the fact that COP29 is being successfully and effectively held in Baku, attended by presidents and prime ministers from over seventy countries, including many European ones. What else were the sad clowns upset about? Baroness Caroline Cox, for example, complained that "Azerbaijan illegally holds quite a lot of Armenians captive, and they have not committed any crime, and there are many well-known leaders from Karabakh." This lady is too old, and therefore she may have forgotten that the correct name of this territory is the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan. Those who are in Baku awaiting trial are correctly called the former leaders of the Karabakh junta. These are Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Araik Harutyunyan, David Babayan, David Ishkhanyan, Leva Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Ruben Vardanyan, and others. They were charged with terrorism, financing terrorism, creating armed formations and groups not provided for by law, and conducting exercises for the purpose of terrorism. The evidence base of the crimes they committed is huge. So, the demands of a lady who has long been supported by global Armenians sound absolutely ridiculous. Equally ridiculous are attempts to present as a "representative of academic circles" a professional scoundrel, a classic "Sharikov," who hangs out outside Azerbaijan, swearing no worse than Polygraph Polygraphovich. The only difference is that Bulgakov's Sharikov had the official position of head of the sub-department of cleaning the communkhoz of the city of Moscow from stray animals. Whereas the "Sharikov" that pleases the world Armenians is demonstrated for the amusement of the public, without any official position. At the same time, he is so detached from reality that he criticizes Ursula von der Leyen, who was not in Baku at COP29. Yes, I remember that Bulgakov's character liked to talk about Engels' correspondence with Kautsky. I also remember that he, in the process of turning from a mongrel into a human, ran around the room, pronouncing the word "abyrvalg," which meant "Glavryba." That's exactly how a new member of the troupe of sad clowns behaves, touring with an old, long-worn program. The whole troupe, having worked out their act and received a fee, will leave the stage to reappear in the arena when ordered by those who pay them to denigrate Azerbaijan, according to a long-agreed price list. It will be bland, sad, and predictable again. But sad clowns have not been able to squeeze anything else out of themselves for a long time. Apple has made a rare disclosure of the revenue generated from its App Store in China, as the US tech giant grapples with a controversy surrounding the so-called Apple Tax - commission fees that the company charges developers for using its app store and in-app payment system. Apple China on Monday published an article on its official website that cited a report by a Shanghai University of Finance and Economics researcher, saying that the local App Store paid over 95 per cent of the 3.76 trillion yuan (US$519 billion) in revenue it generated last year to Chinese developers and various companies. "We're proud that the investments we make in the App Store have helped it become a powerful growth engine for local businesses of all sizes," Apple chief executive Tim Cook wrote on Chinese microblogging platform Weibo. He said that the company is committed to the success of entrepreneurs across China. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. It is unclear whether the study was sponsored by Apple. The company and the report's author Ju Heng did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. A Huawei flagship store in Shanghai, China. Photo: Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images alt=A Huawei flagship store in Shanghai, China. Photo: Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images> Apple is under pressure to appease app developers in China, as local rival Huawei Technologies is aggressively pushing its iOS and Android alternative, HarmonyOS. In the first quarter, HarmonyOS overtook Apple's iOS to become the second-biggest mobile operating system in mainland China, according to Counterpoint Research. While strong iPhone 16 sales have lifted Apple back to second place in China's smartphone market in the third quarter, the company has yet to announce when it will bring its new in-app artificial intelligence function, Apple Intelligence, to users on the mainland, to the dismay of some local users. Apple's app-store business model has come under increasing scrutiny around the world, with European regulators reportedly considering a fine on the company for restricting app developers from pointing users to payment options outside the US company's ecosystem. In May, Apple won a landmark court case in Shanghai, filed by a local consumer who claimed that the company was abusing its market dominance by charging unfairly high commission fees. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its 2024 Emissions Gap Report earlier this month, the 15th edition of its kind. Emissions Gap Report 2024 [Photo: UN Environment Programme] The title refers to the gap between the current pledges of world leaders to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the measures needed to limit global warming to 1.5 compared to pre-industrial levels. The reports findings show that with the current levels of grossly inadequate climate action, the world is potentially on track for over 3 of warmingdouble the 1.5 target. More than a century of rampant capitalist-driven extraction and burning of fossil fuels, and the associated GHG emissions, have so far warmed the earth by at least 1.3 since pre-industrial times. This warming has exacerbated extreme weather events such as hurricanes and heatwaves that already have severely affected millions of people around the world. Limiting global warming to 1.5 would not eliminate climate impacts, but it would greatly increase the probability that far more devastating impacts can be avoided. Recent research also confirmed that it is crucial to avoid an overshoot of the 1.5 targetthat is, temperatures exceeding 1.5 before being reduced to meet the target in the long run. Staving off the worst impacts of climate change associated with increased warming requires that global temperatures not be allowed to exceed the 1.5 mark in the first place. To accomplish this goal, substantial and rapid reductions of GHG emissions are crucial. CO2 is the primary GHG responsible for global warming, but there are others, including methane. Because different gases have different effects on the climate, the term CO2 equivalent is used in climate science literature to describe for a given mixture and amount of GHGs, the amount of CO2 that would have the same global warming ability, the new UNEP report explains. But instead of reducing emissions of these gases to meet the 1.5 target, governments around the world are overseeing an increase. In 2023, global GHG emissions reached a record level of 57.1 gigatons of CO2 equivalent, according to the report. A press release video by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres indicated the consequences of such record-breaking emissions: Record emissions mean record sea temperatures supercharging monster hurricanes; record heat is turning forests into tinder boxes and cities into saunas; [and] record rains are resulting in biblical floods. Additionally, the increase in emissions from 2022 was 1.3 percent, half a percentage point higher than the average annual growth rate throughout the 2010s of 0.8 percent. In other words, not only are GHG emissions increasing, but the rate of increase is accelerating. This is the opposite of what is necessary for climate change mitigation. According to the new report, a reasonable (above 50 percent) chance for warming to be kept below 1.5C requires that GHG emissions relative to 2019 levels be cut by at least 42 percent annually by 2030, and 57 percent by 2035. Time is of the essence. If the necessary reductions are delayed from 2024 until 2030, it essentially doubles the annual GHG reductions necessary to reach 1.5. Continued inaction also further adds risks of temperature overshoot and compounds increasingly severe climate impacts, some of which are irreversible. These findings reaffirm the warnings made by the scientific community for decades. For instance, the sixth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report from 2022a synthesis of tens of thousands of research papers that represent the current state of climate sciencesaid any reasonable chance of keeping warming below 1.5C would involve rapid and deep and, in most cases, immediate greenhouse gas emissions reductions in all sectors this decade. The governments of the world have repeatedly ignored such warnings. The countries that signed on to the 2015 Paris Agreement are required to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years. The NDC of each country presents their self-determined national efforts to reach the long-term goal of limiting warming to well below 2. Based on both the current NDCs in place since 2020, as well as the actual political action taken to meet them, the report finds that the world is on track to reach temperature increases of between 2.6 and 3.1 this century. The lower figure of 2.6 comes from the estimated levels of warming to be expected if every country fully implemented its own NDCs, which is not currently taking place. The upper figure of 3.1 is an estimation from the policies that actually have been implemented. It therefore represents the amount of warming that will likely take place if no further action is taken. Both these scenarios would result in warming that continues to increase past the end of this century and well into the next. The 0.5 gap between the two scenarios further indicates that world governments have not even committed to acting on their own inadequate climate pledges. The estimations contain confidence intervals spanning from 1.9 to 3.8. But the report makes clear that in either case, the probability of keeping warming below 1.5 with the current levels of commitments is virtually zero. The catastrophic climate results will fall disproportionately onto the working class and the poorest sections of the population that bear no responsibility for climate change. The UNEP report was released shortly before the convening of the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), being held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The summit is being presided over by Mukhtar Babayev, a former oil executive. Last year, COP28 was presided over by Sultan al-Jaber, the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Also present at COP28 were at least 2,456 oil and gas lobbyists. These developments further expose the fraudulent nature of such global meetings, supposedly aimed at accelerating efforts to combat global warming. The root source of environmental destruction is the capitalist profit system. The World Socialist Web Site recently explained: That the UN climate conferences have taken the form of business mixers for the worlds fossil fuel magnates is not an aberration but the logical outcome of attempting to resolve the ecological crisis under capitalism. Coal, oil and natural gas have been and remain enormously profitable industries. During the first half of 2024, Shell reported a profit of $14 billion, despite a drop in global energy prices. In the third quarter of 2024 alone, Saudi Aramco reported $27 billion in profits. The International Energy Agency expects that investment in fossil fuels will exceed $1 trillion this year. It is scientifically and technically possible to meet the 1.5 target, even at this late hour. Monumental advancements in science and technology over several decades have made possible the rational planning of the worlds resources to both stave off climate disaster and provide every human being on earth with a decent standard of living. But these goals are impeded at every turn by capitalism, which prioritises the enrichment of the biggest polluting companies and their shareholders over the lives of billions of working-class people. By Luc Cohen and Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) -Gautam Adani, the billionaire chair of Indian conglomerate Adani Group and one of the world's richest people, has been indicted in New York over his role in an alleged multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme, U.S. prosecutors said on Wednesday. Authorities said Adani and seven other defendants, including his nephew Sagar Adani, agreed to pay about $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to obtain contracts expected to yield $2 billion of profit over 20 years, and develop India's largest solar power plant project. Prosecutors also said the Adanis and another executive at Adani Green Energy, former CEO Vneet Jaain, raised more than $3 billion in loans and bonds by hiding their corruption from lenders and investors. According to an indictment, some conspirators referred privately to Gautam Adani with the code names "Numero uno" and "the big man," while Sagar Adani allegedly used his cellphone to track specifics about the bribes. Adani Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours in India, where the charges were announced early Thursday morning. India's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lawyers for the defendants could not immediately be identified. Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Jaain were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, and the Adanis were also charged in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission civil case. The other five defendants were charged with conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a U.S. anti-bribery law, and four were charged with conspiring to obstruct justice. None of the defendants is in custody, a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn said. Gautam Adani is believed to be in India. BUILT EMPIRE The 62-year-old Adani is worth $69.8 billion according to Forbes magazine, and one of the few billionaires formally accused in the United States of criminal wrongdoing. His fortune makes him the world's 22nd-richest person, and second-richest in India behind Reliance Industries Chair Mukesh Ambani, Forbes said. Adani grew up in India's Gujarat state, and dropped out of school at age 16. He founded Adani Group in 1988 as a commodities trading firm, and built a business empire that has included airports, shipping ports, power generation, energy transmission and mining companies. The charges were announced hours after Adani on Wednesday raised $600 million by selling 20-year "green" bonds. By Arathy Somasekhar HOUSTON (Reuters) - Oil climbed nearly 2% on Thursday as tensions between Russia and Ukraine were rapidly rising as the countries launched missiles at each other, worrying markets about crude supply if the conflict widened. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia had launched a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile attack on a Ukrainian military facility, and warned the West that Moscow could strike the military installations of any country whose weapons were used against Russia. Putin said the West was escalating the conflict in Ukraine by allowing Kyiv to strike Russia with long-range missiles, and that the war was becoming a global conflict. Ukraine fired U.S. and British missiles at targets inside Russia this week despite warnings by Moscow that it would see such action as a major escalation. Brent crude futures rose $1.42, or 1.95%, to $74.23 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures increased $1.35, or 2%, to $70.10. "The market's focus has now shifted to heightened concerns about an escalation in the war in Ukraine," said Ole Hvalbye, commodities analyst at SEB. Russia is the world's second-largest crude oil exporter after Saudi Arabia, so major disruptions could impact global supplies. "For oil, the risk is if Ukraine targets Russian energy infrastructure, while the other risk is uncertainty over how Russia responds to these attacks," said ING analysts in a note. Weighing on the market was a rise in U.S. crude inventories of 545,000 barrels to 430.3 million barrels in the week ended Nov. 15, exceeding analysts' expectations. Gasoline inventories last week rose more than forecast, while distillate stockpiles posted a larger-than-expected draw, according to the Energy Information Administration data. China on Thursday announced policy measures to boost trade, including support for energy product imports, amid worries over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs. OPEC+ may push back output increases again when it meets on Dec. 1 due to weak global oil demand, said three OPEC+ sources familiar with the discussions. The group, which combines the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies like Russia, pumps around half the world's oil. It had initially planned to gradually reverse production cuts from late 2024 and through 2025. Meanwhile, Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee on Thursday reiterated his support for further interest rate cuts and his openness to doing them more slowly. Wherever C3.ai CEO Tom Siebel goes he fields the same question about the future of AI. Everybody's asking me about it, Is there a bubble here? Absolutely there's a bubble. It's huge, he tells Fortune in an exclusive interview at C3.ais New York offices in a Midtown WeWork. Over the last two years, analysts have pondered whether AI companies, both public and private, could possibly live up to their lofty valuations. Tom Siebel, who built his career in Silicon Valley as a sales executive at Oracle before leaving to start his own company that he eventually sold back to his former employer for $5.8 billion, the current state of AI reminded him of the dot-com bubble. Even then a great and wondrous technologythe internetcouldnt save a host of companies from coming crashing down. So we have this similar thing going on with generative AI that we've seen with previous technologies, Siebel said. The market is way, way overvaluing. Tech analysts that Fortune spoke to broadly agreed with Siebels point that valuations across the industry were inflated. For now, virtually every notable AI company enjoys a fair degree of investor hype, said Sandeep Rao, senior researcher at Leverage Shares, a provider of ETPs. C3.ai specializes in enterprise AI applications that help companies with various business functions like optimizing their supply chain, predictive maintenance, and tracking their sales process. It also has a spate of lucrative government contracts with the likes of the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force. Among its biggest private sector customers are oil and gas giant Shell and energy company Baker Hughes (whose contract is up for renewal soon). Earlier this week C3.ai added another blue chip partner to its ranks when it announced a partnership with Microsoft. Fortunes interview with Siebel was conducted before the partnership was publicly revealed. In particular, Siebel took aim at OpenAI, the startup with close ties to Microsoft and that is perhaps most closely associated with the AI revolution. OpenAI currently has a $157 billion valuation after an October funding round in which it raised $6 billion. Siebel wasnt impressed by that valuation. Nobody would be surprised if that company disappeared next Monday, he said. When Fortune ventured that industry observers would be surprised, Siebel responded that it had disappeared over Thanksgiving, a reference to the brief ouster of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in 2023. If it disappeared, it wouldn't make any difference in the world, Siebel said of OpenAI. Nothing would change. I mean, nobody's life would change. No company would change. Microsoft would find something else to power Copilot. There's like 10 other products available that would do it equally as good. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Pete Still/Redferns/Getty Images Whatever your thoughts on it - and Ed Sheerans have changed, it turns out - Band Aids Do They Know Its Christmas? represents a key moment in pop history. Released in 1984 to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia, It birthed the concept of the star-studded charity single and featured some of the biggest music stars of the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as the song gets set to mark its 40th anniversary, Band Aid ringmaster Bob Geldof, who wrote Do They Know It's Christmas? with Midge Ure, has been reflecting on the day it was recorded at Trevor Horns Sarm Studios in London. And, in his interview with the Radio Times, he touched on what has become one of the songs most controversial lines. The phrase "Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you" was sung by Bono, and has come to be viewed by some as condescending in tone, and to perpetuate the stereotype that the people of Africa are victims who deserve our pity. And it turns out that, even as he was about to record it, Bono wanted to double-check with Geldof that he definitely wanted to go with it. Bono took me aside and asked if I was sure I wanted him to sing this line about Tonight, thank God its them instead of you. remembers Geldof. I was able to say, this is not soggy liberalism; this is coded anger, like Michael Buerks [news] report. And because hes got a voice from God and he can absorb the sense of a song like few others, he nailed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For better or worse, Bonos line became one of Do They Know Its Christmass most iconic. So much so that, when a new Band Aid cast assembled in 2004 to re-record the song, there was a bunfight over who was going to sing it. Both Robbie Williams and The Darknesss Justin Hawkins were said to be keen, but the debate was ended by the arrival of a familiar face. "They were still arguing when the door swings open and in walks Bono, who says, 'Are we doing my line yet?' remembers Geldof. He came back and sang it again in 2014, when we were doing it for the Ebola crisis." (This time, the line was changed to "Well tonight we're reaching out and touching you.") This was the version that featured Ed Sheeran, and his vocals are also set to be included on the 2024 Ultimate Mix, which also fuses elements of the 1984 and 2004 recordings (Band Aid II, which was released in 1989 and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, seems to have been completely forgotten about). However, in a statement, Sheeran said that he wasnt consulted about this, and that, if he had been, he would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals. Sheeran cites a post by Fuse ODG, the British-Ghanian rapper who was also invited to appear on the 2014 Band Aid but turned it down. I recognised the harm initiatives like it inflict on Africa," he wrote. "While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa's economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geldof, though, recently defended Do They Know Its Christmass legacy and rejected the idea that it reinforces old Colonial tropes. In a response to an article written by British academic Colin Alexander for The Conversation, he said: "This little pop song has kept hundreds of thousands if not millions of people alive. "In fact just today Band Aid has given hundreds of thousands of pounds to help those running from the mass slaughter in Sudan and enough cash to feed a further 8,000 children in the same affected areas of Ethiopia as 1984. "Those exhausted women who werent raped and killed and their panicked children and any male over 10 who survived the massacres and those 8,000 Tigrayan children will sleep safer, warmer and cared for tonight because of that miraculous little record. We wish that it were other but it isnt. "Colonial tropes my arse. Do They Know Its Christmas? - 2024 Ultimate Mix will be released to digital platforms on 25 November. The Band Aid Compilation CD and 12-inch vinyl will be released on 29 November. All proceeds raised from physical and download sales will go to the Band Aid Trust. When we think of the chocolate center of the world, a country like Belgium may naturally spring to mind. But Belgium isn't actually the world's biggest chocolate maker it's not even the world's biggest chocolate consumer (that crown belongs to Switzerland). When it comes to cranking out chocolate for the masses to enjoy, the title of the world's biggest chocolate producer goes to (drumroll, please): Germany. As of 2022, Germany's annual chocolate exportation was valued at $5.61 billion, according to the UN Comtrade (via Statista). This was over $2 billion higher than Belgium, which ranked number two with $2.8 billion in annual chocolate exports. Within the country, Cologne is considered the chocolate capital, and the city boasts a museum dedicated to the sweet treat (with, of course, its own chocolate factory inside). If, right now, you're trying to think of German chocolate companies and are coming up short, it may surprise you that various familiar names in the chocolate world have factories there. And some of your favorite chocolate products just may come from Germany -- and not just things like Ritter Sport and Milka, either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 11 Ways You Never Thought To Cook With Honey Is Your Favorite Chocolate Product Made In Germany? A spoonful of Nutella sits next to its jar - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Some big international names in chocolate produce their goods in Germany, including the maker of one globally renowned product that is so popular that it has its own holiday (February 5, in case you were wondering). We're referring to the beloved chocolate-hazelnut spread Nutella. Yes, Nutella has German connections and was actually launched in Germany in 1965 (though Nutella has been around much longer than that, starting out life as a paste meant for toast made predominantly with hazelnuts to spread the then-scarce cocoa a bit further). Today, Nutella maker Ferrero has four facilities in Germany, and its Kinder chocolate products especially popular among, you guessed it, children are also manufactured there. Among other chocolate brands produced in Germany, familiar names like Lindt and Mars have factories there, as well. In June 2024, Mars announced it was investing more than $43 million in its Viersen, Germany factory, partially to bolster production of Twix candy bars, which are manufactured at the facility. Mars is targeting a staggering output of 70,000 tons of chocolate products per day at that location by 2026 or 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. Read the original article on Food Republic. The U.S. State Department rarely issues a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for destinations. Usually, a nation has to be involved in an active war for the U.S. government to tell citizens not to go there. Ukraine, for example, which is in an active war with Russia, has a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning. The level is also reserved for places like Iran, Iraq and North Korea, where Americans are generally not welcome in the first place. It's also not a shock that Americans are warned against traveling to Lebanon, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. Related: What the US governments Bahamas travel warning means for cruises But it may surprise at least some people that the State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for a Caribbean nation where cruise ships still regularly stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In general, a Level 4 travel advisory also involves U.S. airlines that no longer are traveling to that destination. That has not been the case for Haiti, which had regular service until the Federal Aviation Administration banned airlines from flying to Port au Prince, the capital, on Nov. 19. The ban, set for at least 30 days, was issued after a Spirit Airlines plane was shot at as it was landing about a week ago. The U.S. government has no jurisdiction over cruise lines, however, and Royal Caribbean continues to call on its Labadee, Haiti, private destination. A number of Carnival brands stop in Amber Cove, a Dominican Republic cruise port that's actually a bit closer to the Haitian capital than Labadee is. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Labadee is a fenced-off beach area with armed guards out of sight for visitors.Image source: Daniel Kline/ComeCruiseWith.com U.S. State Department updates its Haiti warning The U.S. State Department issued an "event" update for Haiti on Nov. 19: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Event: Incidents of armed violence and disruptions to ports and airports are widespread in Port-au-Prince. Barricades have been put up in many neighborhoods and normal traffic patterns are disrupted. "The suspension of operations at Port-au-Prince International Airport has been extended through November 25. The area around the airport remains unstable and outbreaks of violence near the airport could occur." The alert also said that the U.S. Embassy had essentially shut down. "Due to the continued violence throughout the city and near the U.S. Embassy, embassy operations are limited until further notice," the State Department wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All appointments for visas and American Citizen Services are canceled. U.S. citizens who need emergency services should email: acspap@state.gov; you must include your U.S. passport number and a description of the service you require." The update made clear that the situation in Haiti, specifically in Port au Prince, remained incredibly dangerous. "The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous," the deparment warned. "Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel. "You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti. Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so." Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Royal Caribbean is still visiting Labadee, Haiti While Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach destination in Haiti, would technically still be covered by the warning, the cruise line has resumed stopping there. Ships returned to Labadee in October, and no incidents have occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the cruise ship port is technically part of Haiti, it's far removed from any population center. Labadee is a fenced-off destination a six-hour drive from Port-au-Prince, and the cruise line would have ample notice to evacuate if any group of people started moving toward the space. "The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority," Royal Caribbean wrote in October. In reality, when the cruise line stopped sailing to Labadee last year, it was being overly cautious and looking to avoid bad publicity. There's no real danger in Labadee because it's simply not close to any of the fighting. ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise Americans should, however, avoid Haiti in all other circumstances. The State Department warning is explicit about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care," it posted on its website. "Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed." Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) With snow in the forecast for most of West Virginia, the Division of Highways is ready to roll. Statewide, the WVDOH has stockpiled more than 200,000 tons of salt to treat roads this winter and more than 1,000 snowplows are ready to go, according to a press release. In Districts 7, 8, and 9 have dozens of ploughs and are expected to get the most snow this week. Each district also has a stockpile of salt to use as needed throughout the winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 7 (Barbour, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Upshur, Webster) 11,000 tons District 8 (Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker) 9,410 tons District 9 (Nicholas, Fayette, Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers) 20,860 tons Snowbird School Closings West Virginia Once snow removal and ice control are needed, the WVDOH says crews will work 24/7 until all roads are addressed using its priority system. Each snowplow can hold up to 12 tons of salt, which can treat about 100 miles of single-lane road. Priority 1 routes interstate, expressway, national highway system, U.S. and W.Va. routes, some high-traffic county routes Priority 2 routes all other school bus routes that are not considered Priority 1 Priority 3 routes remaining routes, not including park and forest routes Priority 4 routes park and forest routes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our crews are ready to roll and meet the demand of this winter storm, District 9 Engineer Jim Moore said in the release. We conducted dry runs in our area in October. Parts of District 8 are under a Winter Storm Warning and could see up to 12 inches of snow. For a detailed forecast of possible snowfall across the state, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Nov. 20Police arrested Neh Ta Gay, 32, for auto theft after a traffic stop at 11:32 a.m. Tuesday on South Broadway. Identity theft reported Deputies received a report of identity theft at 7:48 a.m. Tuesday on 150th Street in Albert Lea. Windows reported broken Windows were reported broken at 9:12 a.m. Tuesday at 324 W. Main St. in Alden. 1 arrested on warrants Deputies arrested Edgar Wayne Gutierrez, 24, on warrants at 5:51 p.m. Tuesday at 75463 160th St. in Albert Lea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tools reported stolen Police received a report at 6:29 a.m. Monday of tools that were reported stolen out of a vehicle in the alley behind 208 S. Broadway. Broiler fire reported A broiler fire was reported at 12:45 p.m. Monday at 1147 S. Broadway. LE MARS, Iowa (KCAU) UPDATE (December 4, 2024): The man who was killed in a fiery crash in Plymouth County on November 20 has been identified. According to the Plymouth County Sheriffs Office, the man has been identified as David Raymond Ruben, 79, of Orange City. PREVIOUS (November 21, 2024) A person is dead after a fiery crash in rural Plymouth County Wednesday night. According to the Plymouth County Sheriffs Office, a call for a field fire in the area of 160th Street and Impala Avenue, about 3 miles northwest of Brunsville, came in at around 7:22 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release stated that when officials arrived at the scene, they discovered a pickup truck that was fully engulfed in flames. While conducting a recovery operation, officials discovered the body of a deceased person in the drivers seat of the truck. Sioux City police to begin removing abandoned vehicles from streets Officials believe that the truck had left the roadway and continued to travel for a distance before getting stuck on an embankment. At some point after the crash, the vehicle had started on fire. Officials are currently unaware of why the driver did not escape from the vehicle. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle at the time of the crash and the vehicle was a total loss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deceased individual has been transported to the State Medical Examiners Office in Ankeny and the crash is still being investigated. No other details were provided at this time. The Plymouth County Sheriffs Office was assisted by Le Mars Fire and Rescue and the Plymouth County Medical Examiner. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHEYENNE Approximately $13 million in public education funding was lost after a 4% property tax increase cap went into effect earlier this year, according to the Wyoming Department of Revenue. The Wyoming Legislature successfully passed four bills during the 2024 budget session that provide targeted property tax relief to property owners. House Bill 4 expanded Gov. Mark Gordons property tax relief program, and HB 45 provided the 4% cap both of these bills went into effect immediately. The two other bills go into effect at the beginning of the 2025 tax season. Senate File 89 doubles the veterans tax exemption from $3,000 to $6,000 of assessed value, and HB 3 gives qualified long-term homeowners a property tax exemption of 50% of the assessed value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Revenue Department Director Brenda Henson gave members of the Legislatures Joint Revenue Committee a property tax update during their Monday meeting at the state Capitol. She reminded lawmakers its important to focus on who the intended relief in property taxation is for as they continue to property tax relief efforts into the 2025 general session. Are these bills having the intended impact, and what truly was the result? Henson said. Double-digit tax increases Starting in 2021, counties across the state started to see double-digit percentage increases in residential property tax. Twenty of Wyomings 23 counties saw a double-digit rise in property taxes in 2022. By 2023, Sweetwater County was the only county that had a property tax increase below 11%. Lincoln and Crook County had the highest increase that year, at 28% and 27%, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was around this time that constituents began rallying their lawmakers for tax relief. But 2024 showed quite a different story, Henson said. For the first time in three years, residential property taxes in most counties increased by less than 6% and some counties saw a decrease. Oh, what a difference a year makes, Henson said. The 4% cap on property tax increases did contribute to this, but not by much. Without the cap, a majority of Wyoming counties still would have fallen back to a single-digit increase, with the exception of Fremont and Crook counties, according to the Department of Revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly $19 million in taxes was exempted in 2024 from the 4% cap on property taxes. Henson said about 40% of homeowners realized some reduction in their burden from the cap. However, almost 139,000 homeowners didnt realize any benefit, since their property didnt appreciate above 4% from 2023. When we look at the tax amount on that $19 million, obviously the lions share of that is education, Henson said. She said about $3.6 million was lost from the School Foundation Program account, $7.5 million was lost for school districts, and $1.8 million was lost from county school funds. A second provision in HB 45 that provides a property tax cap goes into effect next year. Henson hypothesized the states going to see a lot more exemptions on the land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its common to see a $60,000 residential lot go up in value to $65,000, which exceeds 4%, she said. Long-term homeowner exemption As of Friday, approximately 14,500 property owners had applied for the long-term homeowner tax exemption, Henson said. If all of these applicants qualified, this would equate to $16.5 million to $17 million in lost revenue from the tax exemptions so far, said Henson, who noted theres no funding from the state to cover that loss. The director said her department expects there will be more applications. Local municipalities, especially those with a majority senior population, will be impacted the most by this tax exemption, Henson said. Improvement districts with significant senior citizen populations may also be impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you exempt a significant amount of assessed value for anybody who has a bond they repay, now what youve done is increase the mill levy on those tax code assessed values, Henson said. Sen. Bob Ide, R-Casper, asked Henson about a provision in the bill that requires a qualified homeowner to live in Wyoming for at least eight months out of the year. I assume thats just on the honor system, Ide said. It seems like it would force people to be maybe less than honest, say they were there for seven months and 15 days? Do you police that? Henson noted this was a policy decision made by the Legislature, and a penalty is included for those who provide false information. She also said most of Wyomings tax exemption programs require a primary residence for a majority of the calendar year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taxation in Wyoming, everythings based on an honor system, Henson said. Property tax refunds The Property Tax Refund Program received over 5,000 more applicants for the 2023 tax year than it did in the previous year, Henson said. There were 13,485 applications that qualified for a refund, or 91% of total applicants. Refunds totaled around $14.2 million. The Legislature approved the governors request of $20 million to the Department of Revenue to run the expanded refund program. This year, Gordon requested an additional $10.5 million. We had more taxpayers take advantage of this program than weve ever had before, Henson said. And I did not envision that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, asked Henson if theres a statutory limit on the number of tax exemption programs a person could apply for. She replied there is not. There are no statutory provisions limiting the number of exemptions of taxpayers. None, Henson said. Sen. Stephan Pappas, R-Cheyenne, asked Henson what sequence tax exemptions are calculated in, for property owners who qualify for more than one program. She said this is a challenge administrators deal with. The current sequence, should a homeowner qualify, is calculating the 4% cap on the residential structure, then the 4% cap on residential land, followed by the long-term homeowner exemption, and then the veterans exemption is applied to whatever is left, Henson said. Im sure you can imagine how confusing this is starting to get, Henson said. The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act would allow the secretary of the treasury, a Cabinet position appointed by the president, to revoke a nonprofit organizations tax-exempt status by labeling it as terrorist-supporting. It passed by a vote of 219184, mostly along party lines. With the incoming Trump administration broadly vowing to take vengeance against enemies within, the successful passage of this bill would place a wide array of organizations vital to Democratic organizing and policymaking in the president-elects direct line of fire. It is supremely puzzling, then, that this bill received bipartisan support. Last week, the same bill failed to advance out of the House because it failed to garner the two-thirds majority needed to pass during a suspension of the lower chambers rules. It was subsequently sent back to committee and retooled for a simple majority vote. While 52 Democrats voted for the bill previously, enormous pressure was applied to get those who backed the bill last week to come out against it on Thursday. This time, 15 of them voted along with every single Republican for the bill, which would have a chilling effect on free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills original intention was to aid in the clamping down on pro-Palestinian protesters, particularly those on college campusesa dubious undertaking given both the First Amendment rights enjoyed by all under the Constitution as well as a slew of other statutes that already make it illegal to provide material support to terrorist organizations. However, the reelection of Trump casts this measure in a new light. His promise to turn the civil service into an engine of personal vengeance should be sufficient evidence that hed likely abuse the powers granted under H.R. 9495, potentially allowing the president to target fairly well-known liberal organizations, such as the Center for American Progress, with punishing sanctions that would prevent such outfits from raising or banking moneypenalties which, under the proposed law, such sanctioned organizations would be barred from pursuing legal recourse to plead their case. Moreover, in addition to activist groups, many universities and news outlets are nonprofit organizations. While significantly lower than the 52 members who joined in last weeks vote to advance the bill, 15 Democrats is still a surprising number of representatives who seem to care more about wanting to neutralize irksome protesters than a fascist, authoritarian president targeting any nonprofit he doesnt like. Heres a full list of Democrats who voted for the bill: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colin AllredTexas Yadira D. CaraveoColorado Ed CaseHawaii Henry CuellarTexas Don DavisNorth Carolina Jared GoldenMaine Vicente GonzalezTexas Suzanne Marie LeeNevada Jared MoskowitzFlorida Jimmy PanettaCalifornia Marie Gluesenkamp PerezWashington Brad SchneiderIllinois Tom SuozziNew York Norma TorresCalifornia Debbie Wasserman SchultzFlorida It is obviously unlikely that President Joe Biden will sign this bill into law. The same cannot be said for the president-elect, who will have majorities in both chambers sufficient to bring this bill to his desk, barring a willingness among Senate Democrats to filibuster the measure. Whether these 15 Democrats will join a later effort to give Trump the power to eliminate nonprofits critical to the electoral success of their own party remains to be seen. * This article originally identified Representative Ritchie Torres as one of the Democrats to vote yes on Thursdays vote. He was one of the 52 to vote yes on the November 12 vote under suspension. After Eniola Olafemi's death, police said "there is nothing that suggests foul play," and that his cause of death will be determined by a medical examiner GoFundMe Eniola Olafemi, the 16-year-old boy who was found dead in waters off of Florida causeway on Nov. 17, 2024. Eniola Olafemi, the 16-year-old boy who was found dead in waters off of Florida causeway on Nov. 17, 2024. A Florida teenager has been found dead days after he disappeared while on his way to school, and his family wants answers. Police recovered the body of a person believed to be in his mid-teens from the waters off the Courtney Campbell Causeway on Sunday, Nov. 17, according to a news release from the Tampa Police Department (TPD). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family members have identified the victim to local news outlets as 16-year-old Eniola Olafemi. His grandmother Cathy Jackson adopted Olafemi and his two siblings, who were living with their father in Brazil, in 2015, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Jackson told CBS affiliate WTSP that her grandson left for school on Tuesday, Nov. 12, but she later learned that he never arrived. Related: Missing Woman Seen on Video with Stranger After She Didnt Get on Connecting Flight, Family Says Jackson said police told her that Olafemi was identified through dental records, and that he had been face-down in the water for about two days, according to WTSP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also allegedly informed Jackson that there were no signs of cuts, stab wounds, gunshots, or strangulation on the body and the outlet reported that they've also ruled out drowning as well. They dont know how he died," she told WTSP. "They have no clue." Speaking with NBC affiliate WFLA-TV, Jackson said that police also couldn't tell her "how he ended up in the water for two days" or where he'd been for the rest of the time that he was missing. "They said we don't know yet," she added. Police said in a statement that the body found Sunday had no obvious signs of trauma and that there is nothing that suggests foul play. His cause of death will be determined by a medical examiner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tampa Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Related: Skydiver Found Dead Miles from Where He Hoped to Land After Parachute 'Failed to Deploy' Olafemi had a history of running away, but Jackson believes something nefarious may have happened, according to the Times. I think somebody kidnapped him, she told WFLA. I really do. 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. A second body was found in the waters off the Courtney Campbell Causeway two days after the first was found, according to the TPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second victim was believed to be an adult Hispanic male believed to be in his early-to-mid 30s, who police said also had no obvious signs of trauma to his body. Related: Teen Mom Heading to Pick Up 4-Month-Old Daughter Is Killed When 'Large Bird' Flies Into Windshield: Official The two incidents do not appear to be related to police, who are still investigating both cases. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Olafemis family following his disappearance and death. He was an awesome kid, Jackson told WTSP. He was wonderful, and I miss him. A teenager was arrested for stabbing a 16-year-old boy in the head at a Queens high school on Thursday, cops said. The victim was arguing with two boys his same age at Long Island City High School, on Broadway near 21st St. in Astoria, when one of his rivals stabbed him with an unknown object, police said. Medics rushed the victim to Elmhurst Hospital Center in stable condition, cops said. Investigators were questioning two 16-year-old boys following the stabbing. A 15-year-old suspect was charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon. 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: James E. Boles. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember James E. Boles, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) An investigation is underway and an employee suspected of theft has quit at a major retailer in Boardman. Read next: Over 83 tons of ground beef recalled nationwide, illnesses reported: USDA Officers were called Monday to the store on Boardman-Poland Road on reports of felony theft by an employee. A loss prevention representative told police the suspect stole over $16,000 from the store in a gift card scheme while she was working as a cashier. The employee worked at the store from Nov. 8-13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loss prevention said the employee manipulated the sale of gift cards with a cash payment and then would use the fraudulent gift cards without actually paying for them. This scheme happened over 30 times, according to the police report. The cashier quit before loss prevention finished its investigation. A police report was filed and the investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. An 18-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to charges connected to a crash that killed a Butler County high school student. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Rebecca Kumar pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide and three counts of vehicular assault, according to Butler County Common Pleas Court documents. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from a single-vehicle crash that happened in an area of N. Verity Parkway and Hughes Street in Middletown in March. When they got to the scene, Middletown police found a 2015 black Cadillac SUV carrying six people. It had gone off the road and overturned into a wooded area. Prosecutors said in court that Kumar had been driving nearly three times the speed limit before the crash, reaching speeds of 103 mph in a 35 mph zone, WXIX and WLWT reported. A crash report stated she failed to negotiate a curve. Laith Masri, 14, of Liberty Township, died from his injuries, News Center 7 previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Masri was a freshman at Lakota West High School. The other five people suffered injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Kumar faces 7.5 years in prison when shes sentenced in January. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] WASHINGTON 19 senators on Wednesday voted against sending Israel additional American military equipment the first-ever rebuke of its kind in Congress, and a signal of how frustration has grown in Washington as Israeli forces have pummeled Gaza with near-total support from President Joe Biden. That group of Democratic and independent senators voted against sending Israel $61 million worth of high explosive mortar rounds. All but one of them, Sen. George Helmy (D-N.J.), also voted to reject shipping Israel $774 million worth of tank rounds, which its military has used in attacks on children and aid groups. Both tranches of equipment are part of a package of American-Israeli arms deals Biden unveiled in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The overwhelming majority of the chamber, including all Republicans, still voted to allow the arms deals to proceed. Still, the number represented a significant stand against Biden and a challenge to the idea that support for Israel is beyond question. And notably, some centrist legislators and peers who have issued relatively little criticism of Israel backed the proposal, like Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.). Two previous efforts to publicly rally senators against Bidens policy proposals to require greater scrutiny of how foreign countries use U.S. weapons and to mandate a State Department report on Israels human rights record received the endorsement of 18 and 12 senators, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesdays votes on arms for Israel also included a motion to block $262 million in American bomb kits for the country. Those kits, known as Joint Direct Attack Munitions or JDAMS, have repeatedly been used in strikes that killed civilians. But some who defend exporting them claim they make airstrikes more precise an argument that appeared to have some purchase among legislators. 17 senators voted against the bomb kits. Critics of Israels U.S.-backed offensive in Gaza knew they were never going to actually secure a majority of votes. But while acknowledging the GOPs unwillingness to question Israel and the intensely pro-Israel views also held by a large proportion of Democrats, skeptics of the Israeli campaigns instead sought to demonstrate a sizeable degree of opposition to continued U.S. involvement in the wars. Following the vote, Scott Paul of the humanitarian group Oxfam America, which opposed the arms deals, called it noteworthy and a sign of progress. More Democratic senators, and more people across the U.S., are unwilling to be complicit in the atrocities that Israel is committing in Gaza, Paul wrote on X. Its excruciating that this change is happening too slowly to save lives today, but it points to a future in which the US is committed, in policy rather than only in rhetoric, to a dignified future for all Palestinians and Israelis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and others backing the bills sought to put senators on the record, given the huge moral and strategic toll of the fighting in Gaza and Lebanon which has killed tens of thousands since last October, when Hamas attacked Israel and touched off the latest round of fighting. The conflict has since extended into battles between Israel and the Hamas-aligned Lebanese militia Hezbollah. And those same critics argue that American support for the Israelis violates U.S. and international law, given Israels killing of civilians and its restrictions on humanitarian aid for Palestinians. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and allied senators, including moderates like Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), rallied votes against the weapons transfers. They said they acknowledge Israels right to self-defense but highlighted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus refusal to heed calls from humanitarian groups to let more aid reach civilians, and his defiance of U.S. requests to alter Israeli conduct. The Biden administration pushed hard to convince senators to keep endorsing arms deals for Israel. On Tuesday, the White House sent a document of talking points to Congress that claimed lawmakers who voted for the bills blocking the sales would be aiding Hamas, HuffPost revealed. The administration also dispatched Secretary of State Tony Blinken to Capitol Hill for a briefing with legislators prior to the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Hollen told HuffPost he did not believe Blinkens presence on Wednesday would sway senators, given the Biden administrations clear track record of enabling controversial Israeli practices. I cannot imagine it persuaded anybody, because a big part of the problem here is President Biden refuses to exercise American leverage to ensure compliance with our law and our values, the senator said ahead of the vote. Thats the fundamental issue. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) had also privately pushed his colleagues to vote against the bills, HuffPost first reported. The efforts by the administration and Schumer dovetailed with those from Israelis and ardently pro-Israel groups. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the nations largest pro-Israel lobby, called the legislation dangerous and urged constituents to contact their senators to oppose it; it ran ads with that message in 17 states. Israels ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, also visited Congress on Wednesday. Yair Lapid, a prominent Israeli legislator who has clashed with Netanyahu, wrote in a Tuesday X post: No friend of Israel should vote for an arms embargo while we are fighting on multiple fronts to protect our people from terrorism and to bring our hostages home. This has nothing to do with your opinion of the current government, it is about standing with the people of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The bills would not represent an arms embargo, as their proponents frequently note.) An AIPAC-aligned group focused on countering criticism of Israel among Democrats, Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), also sought to minimize how many votes the bills can win. The Biden Administration confirmed that Israel is adhering to the standards set by the United States for humanitarian aid into Gaza, DMFI argued. Aid organizations and experts including inside the U.S. government have repeatedly challenged the Biden administrations assessments of Israeli conduct, however, and say the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening rather than improving. In a scorecard issued last week, eight relief groups compared Israeli actions to steps the Biden administration advised Israel to take in October, and concluded: Israel not only failed to meet the U.S. criteria. but concurrently took actions that dramatically worsened the situation on the ground, particularly in Northern Gaza. That situation is in an even more dire state today than a month ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wednesday vote represented a big opportunity, argued Jeremy Ben-Ami, whose liberal pro-Israel group J Street was one of the broad coalition of advocacy organizations, from labor unions to Quakers, that supported the bills. Symbolism has meaning, Ben-Ami wrote in a Sunday statement. Senators who vote yes can send the important message that even strong friends of Israel disapprove of the way Prime Minister Netanyahu has conducted the Gaza war, of his far-right coalitions disrespect for the Biden administration and of the US administrations failure to use its leverage to change Netanyahus policies and actions. Ultimately, close to one-fifth of senators united behind that message. The coalition of yes votes included most Democrats on the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noted Yasmine Taeb, another activist in favor of the bills including Shaheen, who will soon be the committees top Democrat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawmakers who stood on the right side of history today will be remembered for their leadership and humanity, Matt Duss, the executive vice president of the Center for International Policy think tank, said in a Wednesday night statement. The same cannot be said about President Biden and those who help him abet starvation and slaughter in Gaza. Related... The Senate on Wednesday failed to pass three resolutions that would have limited offensive arms to Israel, but 19 senators supported the initiative, showing there is growing resistance to the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza. The 19 senators who voted to block some offensive arms sales was higher than the 11 who joined a similar effort in January that was focused on conditioning weapons to Israel. The resolutions Wednesday were introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has led calls on Capitol Hill to end unconditional arms support for Israel, along with Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides those lawmakers, several other Democrats, including Sens. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), were expected to vote for the resolutions. Though the resolutions were expected to fail, they also served as a symbolic message supporting restraining Israel in the Senate. The Wednesday vote comes as President-elect Trump is set to take office in January and is expected to more closely embrace Israel. Democrats, led by the Biden administration, have largely rallied around Israel throughout the war, although President Biden and the party have called for more aid to get into Gaza and for the Israeli military to limit civilian deaths throughout the 13-month war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House came out publicly against the resolutions before the vote. We strongly oppose this resolution and we have made our position clear to interested Senators, said a spokesperson with the White House National Security Council. The Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, Congress formal mechanism to limit arms transfers, would have prohibited the U.S. from providing future transfers of 120mm tank rounds, 120mm High Explosive mortar rounds and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), which are guidance kits attached to bombs. Both the House and Senate have to pass the resolutions to block a transfer. The resolution on tank rounds saw 18 votes in favor, the resolution on mortar rounds saw 19 votes in support and the resolution on JDAMs earned 17 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders in September also introduced three other joint resolutions that would block JDAM receivers, certain tactical vehicles and the sale of 50 new F-15IA aircraft and associated parts. Those did not come up for a vote on Wednesday. Sanders led a major public campaign ahead of the vote, writing a Washington Post opinion piece that said Israel has violated the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act because the Israeli military has violated international human rights. The senator also pointed to Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act, which prohibits the transfer of arms to a country inhibiting U.S. humanitarian assistance efforts. The U.S. has been working to get aid into Gaza, where Palestinians are struggling to access food and water. In his opinion piece, Sanders pointed to the widespread destruction in Gaza, including on housing and universities, and the roughly two million who have been displaced. Pushing back against critics who say restraining Israel would only bolster Iran, which backs Hamas, Sanders said, You do not effectively combat terrorism by starving thousands of innocent children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of its immoral actions, Israel is less secure and increasingly isolated, Sanders wrote. Israel, like any other nation, has a right to defend itself, and these resolutions will not endanger that defense. Instead, they specifically target offensive weapons that are responsible for thousands of civilian deaths. Sanders elaborated on his position in a press conference Tuesday, arguing that the U.S. is complicit in these atrocities in Gaza. That complicity must end, said Sanders, who has accused U.S. officials, senators and congressmembers of being hypocrites for speaking about human rights issues worldwide while ignoring the suffering in Gaza. Merkley told reporters Tuesday he has long supported Israel but raised concerns about indiscriminate bombing in Gaza that was out of sync with our values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even when we have an ally, even when there is a country that has been a close friend, [if that nation] engages in egregious, devastating practices that harm civilians in such a massive way, [then] we stand up and say this is wrong, he said. Van Hollen also spoke at the conference, arguing the war has created immense suffering in Gaza and that Israel should not have a blank check. Thats why we need to use the recourse we have to pause U.S. offensive military assistance, Van Hollen said, until Israel finally comes into compliance and begins to listen to the priorities of the United States. But many Democrats disagreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement before the vote that Israel continues to face active and deadly threats from adversaries who also threaten U.S. interests. Our support for Israel does not diminish our commitment to humanitarian assistance for innocent Palestinians or our shared pursuit of peace, Cardin said. While addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advocating for peace, we also must uphold our countrys longstanding bipartisan commitment to Israel. On the Senate floor, Cardin said the resolutions made little sense because they deal with arms transfers in the future and that limiting JDAMs, which offer precision strikes, would actually make Israels attacks more dangerous. Sanders has argued that Israel is using JDAMs to target densely populated areas. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) said the resolutions offered Wednesday would not only hurt Israels ability to defend itself against these attacks, they would embolden Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your decision whether or not to help Israel defend itself and cannot be a political one, she said on the Senate floor. Government leaders and politicians, well, they come and go, but our commitment to Israels security must be ironclad and unrestricted. Nationally, Democrats have fractured on supporting Israel, with many progressives, Arab-Americans and young voters in the party sympathizing with the plight of the Palestinian people, while center and traditional members back Israel. Many of the Arab-American and progressive community voted against Vice President Harris in a protest vote on Election Day. Democrats have mostly tailored their criticism. Biden has been critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without taking any concrete action against Israel. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also made a dramatic speech over the spring that largely focused on disparaging Netanyahu. On Wednesday, Schumer said he was against the resolution because it could embolden Hamas and Iran and endanger Israels security into the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive also made clear that Israel must do more to reduce the suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza and do much more to get humanitarian aid to where it is urgently needed, he said on the Senate floor. However, our security assistance to Israel transcends any one prime minister or any one government. The Wednesday Senate vote came on the same day that the U.S. vetoed a resolution in the United Nations Security Council that called for an unconditional and immediate end to the war in Gaza. Despite pressure from Biden, Israels operations have only grown deadlier and human rights groups and the United Nations say it is destructive and in potential violation of international humanitarian law. Over the spring, the State Department said in a report it was reasonable to assess Israel has violated international law. Earlier this month, the U.S. said it would not limit arms sales to Israel despite concerns that more could be done to get aid into Gaza. The Biden administration had previously set a deadline for Israel to improve the humanitarian situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 43,000 Palestinians have died in the war, of which the United Nations says nearly 70 percent are women and children. The war started when Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. But Netanyahu has remained adamant that the war must continue and that his nation should not give in to Hamas, which has been severely degraded in the war. Netanyahu has been accused of prolonging the war for his political survival instead of reaching a deal that would free the roughly 100 hostages still held in Gaza in return for a ceasefire. He fired his own defense minister earlier this month, Yoav Gallant, who claimed he was dismissed in part because he said Hamas was degraded and Israel could live with a hostage and ceasefire deal. The U.S. has primarily pointed the finger at Hamas, blaming the militant group for not reaching a ceasefire deal. Biden has only ever held up one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, out of concern for their use in densely populated areas in Gaza. Human rights groups have criticized Israel for using heavy bombs to target crowded locations in the besieged territory. A recent analysis found the U.S. has sent some $18 billion to support Israeli military operations in the war through September. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) Two people were arrested Wednesday in Knox County after alleged sodomy and sexual abuse against a minor. The Knox County Sheriffs Department said 44-year-old Gary Branson and 42-year-old Laci Brown, both of Bailey Switch, were arrested after a Kentucky State Police investigation. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said the two people were accused of engaging in sexual acts with an 11-year-old. 44-year-old Gary Branson (left) and 42-year-old Laci Brown (right), both of Bailey Switch. (Knox County Detention Center) Branson was charged with the following: First-degree sodomyvictim under 12 years of age First-degree sexual abusevictim under 12 years of age Use of a minor in a sexual performance Brown was charged with the following: First-degree sodomyvictim under 12 years of age First-degree sexual abusevictim under 12 years of age Use of a minor in a sexual performance First-degree possession of controlled substance Possession of drug paraphernalia First-degree promoting contraband LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both were lodged in the Knox County Detention Center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Two people were arrested in Clark County on Wednesday after being accused of robbing more than 10 banks in Oregon and Washington, authorities said. Andrew Bekman, 31, and Amira Askew, 28, were both charged with first-degree robbery after the Southwest Washington Regional SWAT Team executed a search warrant at their home in Battle Ground at about 9:30 a.m., the Clark County Sheriffs Office said. Portland marijuana market still facing oversupply Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the home, detectives seized clothes that matched suspect descriptions for multiple robberies, guns, bullet-proof vests, stolen vehicles and a note with the words: This is a robbery. I have a gun. Empty your till. The bank note uncovered as part of a robbery investigation. November 21, 2024 (courtesy Clark County Sheriffs Office). A gun uncovered as part of a robbery investigation. November 21, 2024 (courtesy Clark County Sheriffs Office). Ammo uncovered as part of a robbery investigation. November 21, 2024 (courtesy Clark County Sheriffs Office). A stolen car uncovered as part of a robbery investigation. November 21, 2024 (courtesy Clark County Sheriffs Office). A stolen pickup truck uncovered as part of a robbery investigation. November 21, 2024 (courtesy Clark County Sheriffs Office). A handband matching the description of a bank robbery suspect uncovered as part of an investigation. November 21, 2024 (courtesy Clark County Sheriffs Office). A jacket matching the description of a bank robbery suspect uncovered as part of an investigation. November 21, 2024 (courtesy Clark County Sheriffs Office). This comes after the sheriffs office asked the publics help identifying a man and a woman, both wearing medical masks, who allegedly robbed the Umpqua Bank on Northeast 134th Street in Vancouver on the afternoon of Nov. 6. Law enforcement agents collected video and other evidence from the scene, releasing a photo of the suspects to the public from surveillance footage. Eventually, a member of the community provided a tip that helped identify the suspects, officials said. From there, the Clark County Sheriffs Office Tactical Detective Unit was able to locate the home in Battle Ground where the arrests happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. (WEHT) Two people have been arrested after a search warrant was issued at a Gibson County home A press release obtained by Eyewitness News says deputies and ISP conducted a search of a home in the 1000 block of East 50 North near Oakland City. During the investigation, Petersburg native Theresa Wilkins was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant Identity Theft. Theresa Wilkins Theresa Wilkins (Courtesy of the Gibson County Sheriffs Office) Officials with the Gibson County Sheriffs Office say Oakland City native David Hughes was also arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon. Hughes was found to be in possession of multiple firearms. Wilkins warrant was issued from Saline County, Illinois. David Hughes David Hughes (Courtesy of the Gibson County Sheriffs Office) Wilkins and Hughes were taken to the Gibson County Jail. Hughes has a $100,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Four days after voters in Colorado and in four other states rejected ranked choice voting, Kent Thiry said he remains a true believer and he is not giving up his fight. Inside Susan Smiths car pulled from the bottom of a South Carolina lake in 1994 were the bodies of her two young boys, still strapped in their car seats, along with her wedding dress and photo album. Everything that symbolized Smiths life was in that car, investigators say, except for her husband who stood beside her on the national stage for nine days as she lied, describing a fictional carjacker and pleading for the return of her children Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months who were already dead. Over 30 years later, an emotional Smith, now 53 and eligible for parole, was heard on Wednesday pleading again, this time for her own mercy. Smith was unanimously denied parole by the board after her ex-husband David Smith and 14 other witnesses gave emotional statements opposing her release, making her chances for parole all but impossible, experts told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case set off a media firestorm and dayslong manhunt for a suspect after 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. The false accusation took flight as people across the country searched for the boys, setting up vigils, hanging flyers and calling police with tips. When that car is pulled out and in those two car seats are two precious boys who have been in the water for nine days I saw men and women in law enforcement just crying, said Tommy Pope, the lead prosecutor on the case who was there when the car was lifted from John D. Long Lake. The betrayal was worse than had there been a carjacker, and thats whats made it resonate through the decades now people were so drawn in to help and drawn in by Susan, Pope told CNN. The loss of Michael and Alex and the betrayal so deeply felt by all of those who clung to every hope that the boys would be found investigators and family alike still reverberates through the community. Smiths generic description of a Black man as the suspect fits into the racist phenomenon of White women falsely accusing Black men of being criminals, which has permeated society for decades, said Gloria Browne-Marshall, civil rights attorney and law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How many Black men were detained, beaten, arrested, accused of this crime based on the notion of her word alone? Browne-Marshall 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. At her 1995 murder trial, which was followed closely around the world, 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. Smiths attorneys argued she was suicidal and depressed and intended to stay in the car with her children, claiming it was a botched murder-suicide. That argument didnt add up, Pope said, when law enforcement tested the car to determine if Smith had a chance to change her mind or save her children after she rolled her car into the lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators determined the car floated for about six minutes before it sunk below the water surface and to the bottom of the lake with her boys inside. This wasnt a tragic mistake, David Smith said at Wednesdays hearing. She purposely meant to end their lives. I never have felt any remorse from her. She never expressed any to me. In an image taken from Court TV pool video, Susan Smith is seen testifying via video on Wednesday November 20, 2024, at a South Carolina parole hearing. - Walter Ratliff/AP I know that what I did was horrible Pope, a former 16th Judicial Circuit solicitor who worked in state law enforcement for years before becoming a prosecutor, believes Smith was trying to wipe away every trace of her life. Smith in the 90s worked at a local textile mill with a man believed to have been her lover, Pope said. But when Smith received his breakup letter, she took it to heart, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Susan Smith made a horrible decision that, somehow, if she didnt have kids, that she was going to somehow be with this guy that was really just blowing her off, Pope said. She had convinced herself, based on what he wrote, that somehow, she would be with him. She basically packed up that whole part of her life and put it in that lake, Pope said. Pope had sought the death penalty for Smith, he said, but the jury opted to give her a life sentence, believing the harsher punishment for her was serving a life sentence so she could reflect on her actions. But Pope said he doesnt believe this has been the case, pointing to her internal disciplinary charges during her three decades in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith testified on her own behalf Wednesday, pleading for her release via video before the South Carolina Board of Paroles and Pardons in Columbia and saying she had learned from her mistakes. I know that what I did was horrible, Smith tearfully told the board. At the hearing, David Smith pointed to his ex-wifes record as he told the parole board that 30 years is simply not enough time for Susan Smith to spend in prison. Im not here to speak about what shes done in prison Im just here to advocate on Michaels and Alexs behalf and as their father, he said. The father said he questioned whether he could go on after Susan Smith killed their sons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, David Smith said. Susan Smiths attorney, Tommy A. Thomas, did not respond to a request for comment before or after Wednesdays parole hearing. He told the board his client was truly remorseful. Visitors on July 9, 1995, walk down the ramp where Alex and Michael Smith were drowned in a car in 1994 in Union, South Carolina. - Lou Krasky/AP Hundreds opposed Smiths parole Smiths chances for parole were already unlikely, as research shows the main factor influencing parole decisions is the presence of a victim or the victims family, said Hayden Smith, professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of South Carolina. Her disciplinary record and the media attention involved also likely played a role in the outcome, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the presence of her former husband and 14 witnesses at the hearing who opposed Susan Smiths parole made her chances next to none, the professor said. Victims showing up, making statements thats the central part of this, the dynamic that happens in the room that relationship. The parole board really listens to that, said Hayden Smith, who conducts research for the states department of corrections and has interviewed Susan Smith while incarcerated. 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. Parole is granted only for violent offenders about 8% of the time, according to the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violent crime offenders who are released on parole put pressure on a system already strapped for resources, the professor said. In Susans case, she was incarcerated for a long period of time. You often have mental health issues, housing issues, victim notification and a whole range of sanctions, said Hayden Smith, describing the parole process after release. It goes back, he said, to the 1988 case of convicted murderer Willie Horton, who raped a woman and stabbed her partner while furloughed from prison under a Massachusetts program. Thats the Willie Horton rule, which is, can you give me some assurances as the parole board that this person is not going to hurt someone? said Hayden Smith. The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services Public Information Director Anita Dantzler speaks during a news conference after a parole hearing for Susan Smith on Wednesday. - David Yeazell/AP A history of Black men being falsely accused Susan Smiths case is the quintessential mix of southern ingredients, said professor Smith emphasizing the racial undertones of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What was the effect of some people in the community instantly assuming her story was correct and starting to pursue and look around for African Americans? the professor said. Professor Browne-Marshall says the case reflects an over 150-year history of White women making false accusations about Black men with the assumption society will buy into the notion of innate hostility that Black people have in their DNA, which is a myth, as well as the lust they supposedly have for White women. Browne-Marshall referenced the work of Black journalist Ida B. Wells, who investigated lynchings in Southern states, saying many lynchings involved White women making accusations against Black men, but some didnt even involve White women. That societal phenomenon, the professor said, is a demonstrated position of power that White women have. The very notion was enough to trigger someone to say that whoever has been accused must have done it. So, its not a question about whether or not this person is lying, its a question of which Black man did it, she continued. Its a historical power play that still works today. After Smiths confession, her family apologized to the Black community, with her brother issuing a statement saying it is really disturbing to think that this would be a racial issue, according to a November 1994 report in the Washington Post. Pope says hes still haunted by the thought that an innocent Black man could have ended up in jail because of the false accusation. If that happened, Pope said he would have quit his job. Susans description was so generic, if she had stuck with it and tried to identify somebody Its terrifying to think if she had really named somebody, the prosecutor said. Id have never gotten over it if that had occurred. In the nine days that Susan Smith repeated her lie again and again, often sobbing and appearing emotionally distraught on camera, Pope believes one media interview in retrospect revealed a likely truth. She talks about when the carjacker is driving away and her kids are crying for her. Im thinking, well, that part was probably true. Shes rolled them in the lake and theyre floating, screaming for their mama for six minutes, said Pope. Some of the best lies are wrapped in truth. CNNs Chris Boyette contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) Two people have been charged with murder in the death of a Muskegon man last month. Robert Pompey Jr., 44, of Lakewood Club, and Benjamin Fields, 36, of Muskegon Heights, have been charged with open murder in the death of Andres Garcia. Pompey was arraigned Nov. 7 and Fields on Wednesday. Garcia, 30, was shot in his home on Sophia Street near E Apple Avenue in the early hours of Oct. 28. Emergency responders tried to save him, but he died on the way to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Wednesday release from Muskegon police did not include any information about what led up to the shooting or a possible motive. Fields bond was set at $700,000. Hes expected back in court Dec. 3. Bond was denied for Pompey. He was in court Tuesday for a hearing. Both have long criminal histories that include assault and domestic violence, court records show. Police thanked everyone who assisted in the case and asked anyone with additional information to call them at 231.724.6750 or Silent Observer at 231.722.7463. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. "His hair was still on fire when he was out," an eyewitness said of the sole survivor KENS 5/CBS Ohio house explosion Ohio house explosion Authorities are investigating a home explosion in Bethel, Ohio that left two people dead. The fatal incident was captured by a neighbors doorbell camera in Tate Township. A press release shared by the Bethel-Tate Fire Department said first responders were dispatched to Vic Joy Drive just before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, for "a structure fire" with possible entrapment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once units were en route, they were advised it could have been an explosion. The first units on the scene confirmed a large debris field throughout the neighborhood as well as heavy fire at the residence, the release said. According to the department, crews eventually extinguished the flames. However, authorities confirmed two deceased victims were found amongst the debris. A third victim was able to make his way safely and was transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center with burns, the release said. Related: Dad Comforts Daughter Who Escaped Home Explosion Her Grandma Didn't: She 'Would've Wanted You to Get Out' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire department said there were no additional details about the survivors condition at the time, and offered condolences to the loved ones of the deceased. Residents shared their experiences with local news outlets, such as Derrick Gullett, who told WCPO that the blast abruptly woke him up. "Roughly 9 o'clock, I was sleeping, got woke by a huge explosion," the neighbor said. "Fell out of bed, come outside, seen a gentleman running from the residence that was currently working inside the residence. It's shocking. His hair was still on fire when he was out." 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. Gullett said the unidentified employee told him he was working on a furnace in the home when "all of a sudden it popped and exploded." He added that the couple who lived there were nice people, with several cats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Husband and Wife Dead After Minnesota Mobile Home Explosion, Which Also Killed Family Dog Cooper estimated that up to 30 cats were found dead at the scene, the news station reported. The State Fire Marshal's office is conducting an ongoing investigation into what led to the explosion, the fire department said in its release. LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (WFLA) Two Palm Beach County deputies were killed and a third was badly injured in a major crash near Loxahatchee on Thursday. The crash happened Thursday morning on Southern Boulevard, just west of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road near Lion Country Safari, according to reports from NBC affiliate WPTV. I think of life so differently: Clearwater detective thanks fire medics who saved him Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said all three deputies were riding their department-issued motorcycles when one of them appeared to have an issue with his bike and they all pulled over to the shoulder. A woman was driving a SUV down Southern Boulevard around that same time. After coming upon a vehicle that was driving slower than her, Bradshaw said the woman veered toward the shoulder to pass, but overcompensated and struck all three deputies. Corporal Luis Paez (Photo courtesy of Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office) Deputy Sheriff Ralph Butch Waller (Photo courtesy of Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office) Deputy Ignacio Dan Diaz (Credit: Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office) The force from the collision sent all three deputies airborne, the sheriff said. EMS quickly arrived on scene and the deputies were taken to St. Marys Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews at the scene reported that at least a dozen law enforcement vehicles were at the site of the crash, and at least one deputy was put on board a medical helicopter. A helicopter flying over the area captured video of the crash site. Three crushed motorcycles and a badly damaged SUV could be seen from above. Two of the three deputies were pronounced dead at the hospital. They were later identified as Corporal Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Ralph Butch Waller. They worked on them for as long as they could there, Bradshaw said. They were just injured so badly, they werent going to make it. The third deputy, identified as Deputy Ignacio Dan Diaz, went into surgery, and as of Thursday afternoon, was in critical but stable condition in the ICU. Hopefully he is going to make it, Bradshaw said during the press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motorcyclist killed in crash with Hillsborough County school bus Officials said the deputies were a part of the PBSOs traffic division, which frequently has three deputies patrolling together. Paez dedicated over 36 years of his life to law enforcement. He began his career at PBSO in January 1998 as a Corrections Deputy before moving to Road Patrol and ultimately serving as a motor deputy for more than 20 years. Waller served with distinction for over 18 years in the agencys motor unit, having started his career with the Royal Palm Beach Police Department before it merged with PBSO in October 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diaz joined the sheriffs office in 2004 and has been with their motor unit for over 10 years. The sheriffs office has since received several calls from fellow law enforcement and men and women across Florida saying theyre so sorry this happened, said Bradshaw, who called the crash horrific. When a deputy dies, a piece of the community dies with them, the sheriff added. A procession for the fallen deputies began around 2 p.m. A motorcycle escort led the way as the deputies bodies were taken from St. Marys Medical Center to the Palm Beah County Medical Examiners Office. The driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries from the collision, according to the sheriffs office. Investigators said she did not appear to be impaired, and as of Thursday afternoon, no charges had been filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said Southern Boulevard was closed to traffic due to the crash. The entrance to the nearby Lion Country Safari was also blocked. However, all east and westbound lanes eventually reopened just before 1:30 p.m. No further information was immediately available. This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEST DES MOINES, Iowa Police say two arrests have been made in the robbery of a West Des Moines bank Wednesday afternoon. The West Des Moines Police Department says its officers responded to the Freedom Financial Bank at 1255 Jordan Creek Parkway just before 4:00 p.m. on a robbery call. A news release from the department says police gathered information about a vehicle and suspect believed to be involved in the robbery and shared that with other law enforcement agencies. 1 dead after fiery rural Plymouth County crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The information shared led the Iowa State Patrol to stop the suspect vehicle a short time later on I-80 just west of Anita, Iowa. The traffic stop was made without incident. Daniel Mathes and Lisa Haire Daniel Mathes and Lisa Haire, both of Georgia, were arrested at the traffic stop. Mathes is charged with second-degree robbery and first-degree theft and Haire is charged with aiding and abetting second-degree robbery and aiding and abetting first-degree theft. They are being held in the Dallas County Jail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. ALTOONA, PA. (WTAJ) Continuing along with our Weathering Winter special, the Weather Authority Team wanted to educate everyone on the different types of Winter Storms and how they impact our temperatures and help/hurt the amount of snowfall we receive. For that, we bring in Chief Meteorologist Mark Mancuso for the details. When we talk about snow storms that could hit our area its important to know about the difference of storm types. Each storm type can produce huge or little amounts of snow, some storms have a higher percentage of being correct and other storms tend to be less predictable. If we know which type of storm pattern we are dealing with, we can tell what has to fall into place for a high-impact storm. A Miller A-type storm develops in the southeast US and consists of one well developed low pressure system. These storms usually travel close to the east coast or several hundred miles offshore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the winter months if a Miller A-type storm tracks to our east you can be pretty sure that it will be a snow event. Often these storms pass too far to our east and we normally miss out on the bigger snows. A Miller B-type storm is made up of two storm centers and it is called a complex low pressure. These storms form in The Midwest and head up to the Great Lakes area, they also can move up The Ohio Valley and into western Pennsylvania. Typically there is a high pressure to the north which blocks the storms progression and its energy is transferred to a developing low along The Mid-Atlantic coast. This set-up is very difficult to predict. A lot has to do with where the secondary low forms and how strong it is. All these factors make predicting precipitation types and amounts very difficult to pin down. Miller B-storms can bring us some of our heavier snows. An Alberta Clipper is a very common storm that forms in the province of Alberta in western Canada and deepens as it tracks through the midwest. The tracks are often near Pennsylvania before they head off the east coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These storms are moisture-starved but energetic and are known for their strong winds but they also produce narrow bands of heavy snow. Usually, the Appalachian Mountains begin to tear these storms apart so very little snow falls across Central PA. Occasionally there is the Clipper that maintains its strength and it can produce a narrow swath of 6 or more inches of snow. These storms are usually followed by very cold arctic air. From boom or bust type systems, there will still be some form of snow that will make its way to the surface, but did you know there are right and wrong ways to measure white precipitation? Meteorologist Kaitlyn Sheehan talked with The National Weather Service (NWS) out of State College and shared some tips and tricks to properly measure those snow totals. In order to measure how much snow we get, its important to use an accurate method. All you need is a ruler and a board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A snowboard gives us a flat base. This can be anything from a piece of wood painted white or even a white cutting board. Just make sure its a light color so it reflects any sunshine that could melt the snow. The next step is finding a good spot in your yard to place the board ahead of the storm. You want to have it away from houses, buildings, trees or anything that could block the snow. Taking measurements throughout the snowstorm is the best way to get accurate results. Aaron Tyburski, the Observation Program Leader at the National Weather Service says to go out every six hours during the storm. Youll take a measurement then wipe it clean. After six hours repeat the process. Once the storm is over you want to add your measurements up to get your storm total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a good idea to mark the spot in your yard with something like a flag so youll be able to find it after its covered by snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anytime you measure snow, feel free to email your location, a photo of the snow, and how much you received to WTAJWeather@nexstar.tv and we would be more than happy to share those numbers to the NWS. One caveat that we havent talked about that is a major player in the Wintertime forecasting realm, is how much water is available for precipitation. Zach Petey returns and talks about snow liquid ratios and how the column of air above our heads will also impact what type of precip we see at the surface. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (COLORADO) The warning period for crossing the solid lines of Colorados express lanes in the Central 70, I-25 South Gap and US 36 corridors will soon expire and drivers will instead receive fines, known as civil penalties beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). It comes as a new roadside detection system is rolled out, which identifies weaving vehicles using sensors, cameras, and software. It was first introduced in Colorado last year on the I-70 Mountain express lane corridor and has since been expanded to the C-470 and North I-25 express lanes. Beginning Dec. 1, the remainder of Colorados actively tolled express lanes will adopt the system, which includes I-70 between I-25 and Chambers Road, I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock, and US 36 between Federal Boulevard and Table Mesa Drive, according to CDOT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beginning Dec. 1, 2024 drivers in these areas will begin receiving a warning for entering or exiting the express lanes outside designated areas. The enforcement will begin with a 30-day grace period, during which warnings will be mailed to the registered address of the vehicle, CDOT explained. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the warning period will end, and violators will receive fines known as civil penalties. According to CDOT, drivers who weave in and out of express lanes and general purpose lanes cause crashes every year, and discussed the impact so far from the roadside technologys rollout. This technology has already reduced violations by 80% in the corridors where weve deployed it, said Tim Hoover, a CDOT spokesman. This means accidents avoided and lives saved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CDOT reminded drivers that they should only enter or exit express lanes at clearly marked points with signs and dashed lines. More than 90% of drivers using express lanes follow the rules and dont cross the solid lines. Unfortunately, the small percentage that do weave endanger themselves and everyone else, said Hoover. Starting Dec. 1, were giving these drivers 30 days notice to change their behavior. After that, if you cross the line, you pay the fine. Civil penalties, according to CDOT, start at $75 if they are paid within 20 days, after that, the fine increases to $150. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) The East Tennessee Foundation has awarded nearly $500,000 in grant money to 21 different non-profits to help people who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. The non-profits will distribute the funds in various ways for home repair, rebuild, farm recovery, business repairs and more. Tim Jaynes, the Executive Director of the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency, told News Channel 11 that they received $25,000 in funding. Region AHEAD announces $125k in flood recovery grants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can use that for gap assistance is what we call that, theres a lot of houses being built, but as they develop and as things happen, theres a lot of little things that people still need, said Jaynes. Maybe some furnishings, they may need some kitchen appliances, things for their cupboards, for the cabinet, for food. Were there to help fill those gaps. The grant money is specifically focused on helping people with long-term recovery. This is going to be a multi-year recovery, said Jaynes. This is so devastating to our region, were coming in, along with a lot of other agencies. Were not the only one. Theres a bunch of agencies that are coming together to help get the people reestablished. Another one of those non-profits that received grant funding was the First Tennessee Development District which works closely with Region AHEAD to provide funding for businesses that have been impacted by Helene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the grants that we submitted that was funded is going to support Region AHEAD, so thatll go right into the funds that have already begun to be distributed, said Director of Communication for First Tennessee Development District Mark Stevens. I think there was an announcement yesterday, maybe another hundred $25,000 had been distributed to businesses thatll be impacted by the storm. The money we received from East Tennessee Foundation will go right into that pot of money as well. Stevens said that funding will help businesses repair and rebuild their establishments and help their employees. This is to help them either address immediate concerns of their best positioned for recovery and growth, a lot of the industries that were hit were tourism industries, said Stevens. They need to be ready for the spring so that they can be back at full capacity and thats, I think, the best real encapsulation of how these early dollars are going to help long-term recovery. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) A Connecticut business that fell victim to a scam will get $3.5 million back, according to an announcement Thursday. The undisclosed business lost the money after receiving an email from a spoofed address that looked like it came from a real contractor. The business sent $5.4 million this summer to who they thought was the real contractor, according to a joint announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice and Homeland Security. The company then reported the scam to Westport police. From there, Homeland Security Investigations traced the money to nine bank accounts, which have since been seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business email compromise scams are sophisticated and difficult to detect, resulting in major losses for businesses, HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Krol said in a written announcement. It is essential that businesses that have been victimized by scammers reach out to law enforcement immediately for the best chance to recover their lost funds. Todays results are a best-case scenario because of the quick action of the business and the dedication of law enforcement working together to track the money, freeze accounts, and get the business their money back. HSI is using innovative investigative methods to pursue business email compromise cases to get victims their money back and gather evidence to bring scammers to justice. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Three men were arrested in connection to the shooting death of a southeast Shelby County homeowner who was killed while confronting suspected car burglars. Xavier King, Tedairious Willis, and Jakarius Ishmon were taken into custody on Wednesday and charged with Accessory After the Fact, Fabricating/Tampering With Evidence, and Arson after they were caught lighting a stolen car on fire. But, the Shelby County Sheriffs Office says more charges are to come in connection to a homicide that took place the same day the car was set ablaze. Left to right: Xavier King, Tredairious Willis, Jakarius Ishmon (Photos courtesy of the Shelby County Sheriffs Office) According to reports, deputies executed search warrants at homes in the 1700 block of Keltner and the 4200 block of Ceadertree. King, Willis, and Ishmon were found at one of the homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeowner shot to death after confronting suspected burglars: SCSO Detectives identified the three men from video footage from a BP Gas Station on Third Street. King and Willis were seen filling a gas can at the station on October 21 at around 7:45 p.m. Fifteen minutes later, they were seen in the 1900 block of Indian Village Road dropping off a stolen white Honda Accord and setting it on fire. They then fled the scene in a Hyundai Sonata. 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 sheriffs office says the three suspects were taken into custody and admitted to taking the stolen car to the park and setting it on fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives found that the car had been used by the suspects in the killing of Fernando Jones on the same day. Additional charges are expected for the homicide. This photo was released by police following the deadly shooting. A BOLO was issued for a white Honda Accord that detectives believed was near the scene at the time of the shooting. (Courtesy of the MPD) Jones was a homeowner in southeast Shelby County who was shot to death at his home after he opened his front door and yelled at suspects who were trying to break into his car. Bonds for King, Willis, and Ishmon have not been set. They are scheduled to appear in court on Friday morning. Ishmon has a lengthy criminal history. Records show he was: Arrested for reckless vehicular homicide, theft of property $10,000 $60,000, and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. The incidents happened in July 2021, but he wasnt indicted until May 2023. Charged with criminal trespassing and possession of a prohibited weapon in April 2023. Charged with burglary of a vehicle and evading arrest in April 2022. Arrested for aggravated assault and theft of property $2,500 $10,000 in April 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Colorado's Hispanic voters appear to be shifting right. Will it last? WARREN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Warren County officials confirmed the discovery of three bodies in the northern part of the county. Warren County District Attorney General Chris Stanford announced the deceased individuals were located in the Merry Oaks Road area northwest of McMinnville. On Thursday, the Warren County Sheriffs Department identified the deceased as William Piechocinski, Dana Ramsden and Otis Hawks, II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The DA said there did not appear to be any immediate threat of harm to anyone in the community based on the currently available information. The matter is in the preliminary investigation stages, per Stanford, meaning no further information will be released at this time. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) told News 2 special agents have joined the Warren County Sheriffs Department and investigators with the DAs office in relation to this discovery. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Further information may be released if and when it is deemed appropriate, according to the district attorney. Warren County Sheriff Jackie Matheny issued the following statement on the situation Thursday, Nov. 21: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, District Attorney Generals office, Homeland Security, McMinnville Police Department, and my office, are continuing to work together regarding the investigation into the deaths of the three individuals found in a residence located on Merry Oaks Road, discovered yesterday morning. Currently, investigators are utilizing all investigative tools to follow leads in this case. More information will be released to the public at the appropriate time. As always, if you have any information that you believe might be helpful to law enforcement, please contact investigators with the Warren County Sheriffs Department at (931) 473-7863. Warren County Sheriff Jackie Matheny Later that same day, the Warren County Sheriffs Office said they received information suggesting that suspects wanted in connection with this case were in DeKalb County. Investigators found Jessica Root and took her into custody without incident. Root was charged with three counts of criminal homicide and is being held without bond in the Warren County jail. RELATED: TBI investigating shooting involving a District Attorney General Hannah Rose was also identified as a suspect, the sheriffs office added, though she attempted to flee law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the process of attempting to evade law enforcement, a Homeland Security agent was struck by the fleeing vehicle, the Warren County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post. At this time, shots were fired, but no person was injured. Rose was charged with aggravated assault and felony evading arrest. Another suspect, Caleb Brookins, was also charged with three counts of criminal homicide. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating a shooting related to Brookins apprehension. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three Reading School District students were among 10 youngsters recognized for their award-winning entries in this years PennDOT-sponsored school bus safety poster contest. Noemi Barrettas first-place entry in PennDOTs annual school bus safety poster contest. Barretta is an eighth grader at Readings Southern Middle School. (COURTESY OF PENNDOT) Noemi Barretta, a Southern Middle School eighth grader, won first place in Division 3 (grades 6 through 8) in the contest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This poster by Southern Middle School seventh-grader Cathyanis Casianos garnered second place Division 3 (grades 6-8) in PennDOTs school bus safety poster contest. (COURTESY OF PENNDOT)Cathyanis Casianos Bonilla, a seventh grader at Readings Southern Middle School, holds her second-place trophy in PennDOTs school bus safety poster contest during a ceremony Oct. 23 in the State Museum of Pennsylvania. She is flanked by Kara Templeton, PennDOT deputy secretary of driver and vehicle services, left, and Cpl. Zeina Black, state school bus safety division supervisor. (COURTESY OF PENNDOT) Cathyanis Casiano Bonilla, a Southern Middle School seventh grader, won second place in the same division. Daniel Vega, also of Southern Middle School, won Division 4 (special education). Southern Middle School student Daniel Vegas winning entry in Division 4 of PennDOTs 2024 school bus safety poster contest. (COURTESY OF PENNDOT) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The youngsters were honored in a ceremony at the State Museum of Pennsylvania by PennDOT officials, members of the state police and school bus safety advocates. Vega was unable to attend. The theme for this years contest was Driving Safely into the Future. The contest was open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The ceremony highlighted efforts to enhance Pennsylvanians safety, including a proclamation by Gov. Josh Shapiro marking School Bus Safety Week, an October observance that focuses on saving young lives by raising awareness of the daily challenges faced by students being transported throughout the state. Three bus drivers were honored at the ceremony for their superior driving skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School Bus Safety Week gives everyone a reason to pause and realize just how much our own actions behind the wheel can affect innocent young lives, said Kara Templeton, PennDOT deputy secretary of driver and vehicle services. Templeton and state police Cpl. Zeina Black, state school bus safety division supervisor, presented the students with certificates and small gifts provided by the Pennsylvania School Bus Association in recognition of their efforts to help communicate the safety message. By using their talent and creativity, these young artists help us share important safety messages through their creations, Templeton said. This years entries reinforce the importance of school bus drivers in delivering students to and from school safely and the role they play in students well-being today, tomorrow and beyond. This years winners were chosen from 822 entries from schools across Pennsylvania. The first-place winners move on to the national competition. For more information about school bus safety, click the School Bus Safety tab under traffic safety and driver topics on the PennDOT website. Nov. 20The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Binghamton University Community Schools a five-year grant, totaling more than $4.5 million, to expand mental health services in Chenango County as part of its Mental Health Service Provider Demonstration Grant Program. The initiative, titled Empowering Rural Communities: Promoting Mental Health, Equity, and Wellbeing Through a University-assisted Community Schools Approach, will expand social work support to students and families in the Norwich and Oxford school districts with the ability to serve 2,310 students and their families, according to a news release from the university. Chenango County has been designated a Health Professional Shortage Area according to the Chenango County Community Health Assessment. The lack of primary care and mental health services "leaves families, school systems and community agencies with the task of addressing complex student needs with very limited resources," the release stated. "Connecting this need to the university-assisted community school approach that mobilizes higher education in partnership with schools, families and community members provided a strong foundation for this successful proposal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a leader in university-assisted community schools for small cities and rural communities, BUCS works with communities locally and beyond to support success for all students through out-of-classroom support in collaboration with institutions of higher education and community partners," said Laura Bronstein, founding director of BUCS and dean of Binghamton's College of Community and Public Affairs. "Increasingly, children are being left behind due to challenges that even the best teachers can't address on their own. "This includes issues like anxiety and depression, violence, poverty and many others that interfere with students' abilities to focus on learning in the classroom. This new grant allows us to expand our support for mental health challenges that have been skyrocketing among youth, especially since the pandemic, and to have Binghamton's community school faculty guide this work with evidence-based knowledge," she said. Empowering Rural Communities will fund a full-time project director and two full-time community schools coordinators, one for each district. The director will serve Chenango County, "working with partners to join current efforts to understand resources while exploring ways in which university-assisted community school strategies can support a regional approach to enhancing mental health and well-being," the release stated. Community school coordinators will be placed on-site with as many as four social work interns to work collaboratively with school staff to identify areas of strength and explore ways in which social work interns can fill unmet needs. BUCS staff and interns will be trained by SUNY Morrisville and Binghamton University Community Schools on topics relevant to working with children and their families in a school setting. The training provided to social work interns will be held on-site at SUNY Morrisville and leverage the expertise of their Human Services faculty, the release stated. The grant will also provide financial support to expand opportunities and create a pathway for SUNY Morrisville undergraduate students to enroll in Binghamton University's master's of social work program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luann Kida, executive director of BUCS and principal investigator on the project, will support the project director and ensure that the team has what it needs to be successful, according to the release. "As a resident of Chenango County and a social worker with more than 20 years of experience, I am beyond excited to bring these needed resources to my home community," Kida said. "I look forward to working with my neighbors to build on the expertise we have developed through our work in Broome and Tioga County while we leverage the power of partnerships to serve Chenango County." Kelley Cook, an assistant professor in Binghamton University's Department of Social Work and co-principal investigator on the project, will bring her social work clinical experience to the project and work with SUNY Morrisville to support the development of the training curriculum for social work interns, the release stated. Tara Edmunds, director of strategic partnerships at BUCS, will support intern recruitment and serve as a mentor to the two community school coordinators. Binghamton University Community Schools will launch the project in 2025, according to the release. Meetings with school and community partners will begin immediately to start planning, hiring staff and recruiting social work interns to ensure the project is ready to launch in the two districts at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. BUCS will also work with DCMO BOCES and Chenango County Behavioral Health Services to support mental health and well-being throughout Chenango County, the release stated. MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) A car attempting a turn resulted in a four-vehicle crash around 3 p.m., Wednesday. The collision happened on Front Street (Highway 6) and 34 Road in Palisade. When the eastbound-traveling vehicle attempted the turn, it was rear-ended by another car also heading east. Due to the collision, the lead vehicle was pushed into the westbound lane where it collided head-on with another car. A fourth car also traveling west sustained minor injuries, Colorado State Patrol Trooper Sam Goure told WesternSlopeNow. Both lanes on Highway 6 were closed temporarily due to the collision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One driver was transported to the hospital to be treated for injuries; the extent is unknown at this time. But Goure said this was done for precautionary reasons. Distracted driving is being investigated as the cause of the crash. CSP and the Mesa County Sheriffs Office responded to the scene. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds speaks during a fireside chat with former Gov. Dennis Daugaard at a Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary event on Oct. 28, 2024. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, is confident that bipartisan legislation to help low-income Native Americans obtain home mortgages on tribal land will win approval from Congress. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers low-interest housing loans to low-income rural Americans, often without private mortgage insurance or a down payment. But the department struggled for years to distribute its rural housing loans to Native Americans on tribal trust lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trust lands are held by the federal government for tribes and tribal members, making mortgages on trust land more complex and less appealing to traditional banks. Thats where Native Community Development Financial Institutions come in. The institutions represent rural reservation and urban Native communities, and are better able to navigate lending on trust land for the USDA program and other housing loans while also investing more time in their communities through financial and homebuyer education. The USDA expanded its rural housing relending program to include Native institutions in 2018, starting with a pilot program on the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River reservations. Since then, the program has expanded to 10 states with over $20.1 million loaned to Native organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, introduced by Minnesotas Democratic Sen. Tina Smith and cosponsored by Rounds, would set aside $50 million annually within the USDAs relending program for Native financial institutions and homebuyers. Rounds said Native institutions on Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River made the pilot program a real success. They knew the right people to go to, they knew how to have that happen, Rounds told South Dakota Searchlight after a recent appearance at the Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club. And what we found was that once it had occurred there, it was repeatable elsewhere. Nikki Gronli, state director of USDA Rural Development, said the bipartisan bill will solidify the program and support her offices mission to make thriving, economically sustainable communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all know that when it comes to economic development and generational wealth, owning a home is very important, Gronli said. Economically, we know over time this builds a stronger community. She added some homes purchased through the program are constructed through the Governors House program. Cheyenne Rivers Four Bands Community Fund and Pine Ridges Mazaska Owescaso Otipi Financial have received a combined $7.1 million from the program and have made a combined total of 24 loans. People want to get out of rentals, create assets, have something to pass down, said Lakota Vogel, executive director of Four Bands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vogel wants to buck the stereotype that low homeownership rates on reservations are because of poor credit scores or because community members dont make enough income to support a mortgage. Even people who who can afford private mortgages struggle to obtain them, she said, because of systemic problems that make it more complex and burdensome to leverage private wealth on trust land. Theres been misinformation in the financing world that you cant collateralize trust land. Ive seen it written in papers and listened to bankers say it, and its just not true, Vogel said. While Vogel sees a permanently funded program as a win-win for Native communities and the federal government, she said rising housing costs have made it more difficult for the program to help qualifying people. The legislation awaits action by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, which includes Rounds and Smith as members. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Cash rewards are being offered for information leading to the arrest of nine suspects wanted for various crimes in Abilene. Police are seeking these suspects for the following offenses: Victoria Valverde Possession of Methamphetamine Tisha Moeller Tamper with Government Record Kenneth Chavers Possession of Methamphetamine Johnnie Ruiz Driving While Intoxicated Marquis Owen Possession of Heroin with Intent to Deliver Joseph Gallentine-Beaver Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver Louis Robinson Assault Family Violence Karla Denise Brown Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver Adriana Jaramillo Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver Aaron Joel Esmerado (FEATURE FUGITIVE) Assault on a Peace Officer CrimeStoppers is offering $500 cash rewards for information that leads to the capture any of the suspects, and a $1000 cash reward for information that leads to the capture of the featured fugitive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cash rewards will only be given if the information is received during the week their mugshots are aired on Abilenes Wanted Criminals. Abilenes Wanted Criminals is a police-run social media segment that will highlight wanted suspects from around the City each week. Episodes will be posted to the Abilene Police Departments YouTube page or APDs PIO Youtube page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) announced on Tuesday that Investigators partnered with a forensic artist to create a clay facial reconstruction of a young, unidentified Black woman who was killed in the county more than 50 years ago. The woman, known only as Jane Doe, was discovered on May 28, 1973, on Foundry Road and Taylor Road in Lincoln, Va. She had been shot to death. Despite an extensive investigation, the sheriffs office said detectives at the time could not identify Doe or arrest any suspects, leaving her case open for over 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, forensic crews exhumed Does body from an unmarked grave at the Mount Olive Baptist Church Cemetery, transporting her to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) office in Manassas. The office obtained a DNA sample and created a DNA profile; however, investigators have been unable to link it to any closely related family members. The sheriffs office said possible relatives identified are too far removed from Doe to establish a close enough match to identify her. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Loudoun County eyes push for changes after exhumed Jane Doe cannot be reburied Investigators have also established several states where Doe might have lived, including Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan and Mississippi. Deputies said the surnames Booker, Shepherd and Loving are also potentially connected to Doe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs offices Cold Case Unit, in collaboration with forensic artist and George Mason adjunct professor Joe Mullins, created the clay reconstruction with the goal of identifying Doe. Officials hope to identify her so they can give her a proper burial. The clay sculpture depicts a Black woman in her late 20s to early 30s. Deputies said Doe had black hair and was approximately 5 feet and 7 inches tall, weighing around 145 lbs. When she was found, she was wearing an orange blouse and knit pants with a plaid orange, blue and white jacket, according to the LCSO. She also had a yellow gold ring on her finger with a blue square Swarovski stone and purple and red manicured nails. The facial clay reconstruction erected of Jane Doe. (Courtesy: The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office) The facial clay reconstruction erected of Jane Doe. (Courtesy: The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office) The sheriffs office also released images of what Jane Doe might have looked like, along with the outfit she was wearing. A constructed image of what Jane Doe might have looked like. (Courtesy: The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office) An image of the outfit Jane Doe was wearing when she was found. (Courtesy: The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office) This cold case illustrates law enforcement at its finest. Im so proud of the work the LCSO has done on this case, as well as our partnerships with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and with Professor Mullins, said sheriff Mike Chapman. I hope this relentless determination, combined with the renewed interest sparked by this incredible sculpture, not only leads to identifying the victim but also brings us closer to solving the murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators encourage anyone with information about Does identity to call the LCSO at 703-777-1021. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) A local non-profit will give over 400 Turkeys in their 5th annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. The Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service will be hosting the giveaway from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, said Cara Forbes, the Friendship Houses Marketing Director. Thanksgiving Day weather stats for Peoria Not only will they be giving away over 400 turkeys, but they are also giving stuffing, gravy, corn and other nonperishable Thanksgiving food items. They want to ensure every family can have a Thanksgiving meal, said Forbes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The giveaway is open to all who have a valid Illinois license and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each household is limited to one turkey, she said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Half a dozen agencies have joined the investigation into a burned Cobb County funeral home after a photographer from England found urns, bags of human ashes, and even human remains in what is left of the building. Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory caught fire earlier this year. Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell has learned six agencies are now involved in figuring out what was happening inside the funeral home, including Marietta police, Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Cobb County District Attorneys Office, the Cobb County Medical Examiners Office and the Georgia Secretary of States Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say they are looking for family members who used Norman Medford Peden Funeral Home and Crematory for their loved ones burial or cremation. If thats you, they ask you to contact them here. We are trying to find out where that money is, Noula Zaharia with the Georgia Secretary of States Office Cemeteries Divison said of the thousands of dollars many families pre-paid for funerals. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Newell first told you about what Ben James found in the building on Wednesday. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James said he found more than 30 urns and bags of human ashes. Some were labeled with names, others werent. TRENDING STORIES: He told Newell that there were family photos, death certificates, credit card information, and even hazardous chemicals. 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. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday it will review whether a juvenile defendant who was tried and convicted of murder as an adult was entitled to have the case dismissed because the government allegedly engaged in selective, race-based prosecution. AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP)- A local World War II Veteran is being remembered for his legacy. Round up purchases at Rockys Ace Hardware to benefit childrens hospitals Daily, WWII memories are fading as generations pass. At 18, Bernard Mel Crosby joined the Marines. He was born in Chicopee and raised in West Springfield. He passed away last week, leaving his legacy behind. His grandson shared a memory Crosby told him about a classified mission on the U.S.S. Augusta back in 1944. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He took President Truman across the Atlantic to the Potsdam Conference in Berlin and he was in charge of escorting the president throughout Europe. It was actually prom night and he couldnt tell my grandmother where he was going so she was all dolled up and ready for prom he never showed up because he was already on a boat halfway across the ocean and she still married him anyway says Steve Forni, Bernard Mel Crosbys grandson. A lot of Crosbys training was spent at Perris Island. During his time in the service, his mother passed away and he flew back to western Massachusetts, and Missed D-Day. To date, less than 1% of the more than 16 Million Americans who served during WWII are still with us. When somebody walks by in military gear and you thank them for their service, I think that really goes a long way. I dont think any of us are really here without that generation or those people. So we really owe them a great deed of gratitude and my grandpa was right at the front of that, says Steve Forni, Bernard Mel Crosbys grandson. According to Crosbys family, his key to a long happy life was his endless love for his wife and enjoying a lot of dessert when he could. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Abilene Chapter of Wreathes Across America is asking the public for help as they ensure that we honor our local fallen military members. This year, the Abilene Chapter plans to place 3,100 wreaths at the Texas State Veterans Cemetary in Abilene and asks Big Country citizens to help them achieve the goal. A ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 14, at the Veterans Cemetary to place these wreaths and honor those buried there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remember, Honor, Teach: Families in Abilene pay tribute to veterans with Wreaths Across America For more information on how to donate, you can visit the Texas State Veterans Cemetarys 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. 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) This story originally appeared on Stateline. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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%. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont want to encourage a child to be responsible for taking the life of her own unborn child, he said. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE 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 Advertisement 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%. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This report was first published by Stateline, part of the States Newsroom nonprofit news network. Its 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. Donald Trump spoke at the March for Life rally in January 2019 during his first term as president. Photo by Mark Wilson | Getty Images The 2024 election results created complicated new realities for reproductive rights in the U.S., with Americans even in a few red states overwhelmingly voting to protect the right to have an abortion while also overwhelmingly electing anti-abortion representatives in state houses, courts, Congress and the White House. With a Republican trifecta coming to the nations capital in January, anti-abortion activist groups are planning for the first potentially friendly presidential administration since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated a 50-year federal right to terminate a pregnancy. They aim to end other federal and state protections while vastly expanding restrictions on reproductive health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though many anti-abortion leaders are skeptical of President-elect Donald Trumps commitment to their cause, they say they are willing to compromise to maintain influence in his administration. Some groups are strategizing how to end-run Trumps campaign pledge not to enact any federal abortion bans by heavily restricting medication abortion or trying to ban a common abortion procedure. I dont think we have a champion here for pro-life causes, said longtime anti-abortion organizer Rev. Patrick Mahoney. What we have here is someone who will not work against us and try to crush us. We will not see pro-choice federal judges. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The director of the Christian Defense Coalition and the chief strategy officer of Stanton Public Policy Center told States Newsroom that he is not a supporter of Trump and disagrees with his rhetoric on immigrants. But Mahoney said he is happy Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris lost. The vice president had vowed to try to restore federal abortion rights and throughout her career has advocated for reproductive rights. As California attorney general, she prosecuted anti-abortion activists charged with illegally recording abortion providers about a decade ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can have an opportunity now to begin the second phase after Roe was overturned, Mahoney said. We knew overturning Roe was only a starting line, not a finishing line. Live Action president Lila Rose was one of the few prominent anti-abortion leaders who called out Trump before the election, after he criticized Floridas six-week abortion ban and vowed to veto a federal ban. In late August, Rose told Politico she would write in a presidential candidate and would encourage her millions of followers to do the same if Trump did not change course. On her podcast, the millennial activist recently revealed that she met with Trump and asked him to say he would vote against Floridas abortion-rights amendment, which he did. Days before the election, Rose endorsed Trump on X. Live Action did not respond to an interview request. Nationally, three out of 10 abortion-rights measures failed: Floridas proposed amendment had the highest threshold to clear, but got 57% out of the required 60% of the vote. It would have reversed the ban that reproductive rights advocates say has decimated abortion access in the Southeast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another anti-abortion leader willing to compromise with the incoming president and Congress is Steven Aden, general counsel at Americans United for Life, the policy shop behind many state and federal abortion restrictions. Aden said he was disappointed the Republican Party removed from its platform a previous commitment to a federal ban. However, he said his group was still able to inject critical language into the current platform that effectively supports states establishing fetal personhood through the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment, which grants equal protection under the law. The platform also says Republicans will oppose Late Term Abortion, a political term used to refer to abortions in the second and third trimesters, the rarest but most restricted types of abortions in the U.S. We had direct input into the Trump campaign and framing the pro-life language in the party platform, Aden told States Newsroom. The platform language was much pared down, but we believe that the pro-life language preserves the essence of the partys position on the pro-life issue, and were proud of that, and look forward to continuing to work with the incoming Trump administration. Federal reproductive rights protections in question Early into his term, Democratic President Joe Biden began reversing blocks on federal funding domestically and globally for reproductive health organizations that also provide or refer for abortions. Leading up to and following the Dobbs decision, the Biden administration loosened restrictions to the medication abortion regimen, a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, which has become the most common way of terminating pregnancy in the U.S. during the first trimester. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed abortion medication to be obtained via telemedicine and dispensed directly at pharmacies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly half the country has partially or fully banned abortions. But abortion numbers have risen since before Dobbs, researchers have reported, attributing the increase in part to expanded access to telemedicine abortion and to more people using online abortion clinics that mail abortion drugs from states with so-called shield laws to those with bans. Anti-abortion groups Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Students for Life of America recently unveiled memos asking the Trump administration to pull regulatory levers that especially target abortion drugs. Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, regulations could include: The FDA reinstating medication abortion restrictions, such as requiring multiple in-person appointments and revoking telemedicine. Or altogether revoking the 2000 approval of mifepristone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reversing guidelines that under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, emergency departments at hospitals enrolled in Medicare even in states with abortion bans must offer pregnant patients the medical treatment necessary to stabilize an emergency medical condition. This law is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit deferred by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. In sharp contrast to the mainstream medical community, anti-abortion advocates argue these guidelines are unnecessary and would allow doctors to broadly interpret a health emergency to mean anything. When asked about stories of alleged denied care, maternal deaths, and doctor confusion related to state abortion bans, Aden chalked up the problem to a misinterpretation of state laws, which he said should be clarified to address these problems, while noting several times, Im not a doctor. Americans United for Lifes recommended health-exception language in part says abortion should be allowed to preserve the life of a pregnant woman or to address a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Thats a health exception with teeth, Aden said. It doesnt allow for a free-ranging, quote unquote, mental health exception that would swallow the rule. Funding a study on the potential health effects of abortion pills in the water system from patients miscarrying in their toilets after taking medication abortion drugs. Anti-abortion leaders like Mahoney said they were disappointed with Trumps pick for HHS secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously said he supports abortion rights. But Mahoney said hes hoping to appeal to Kennedys skepticism of FDA drug approvals. How do chemical abortions being flushed down the drain affect our water supply? Were definitely going to push hard on that, Mahoney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Revoking a rule requiring health clinics that receive federal family planning Title X grants to offer referrals for abortion clinics, which is also the subject of an ongoing federal lawsuit. It is already prohibited to use federal funds for abortions unless the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or has become fatal. Activists also want to defund Planned Parenthood, the largest reproductive health center network, and extend tax credits to anti-abortion pregnancy centers. Trumps pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which manages the countrys largest health programs, is Dr. Mehmet Oz, who opposes abortion. The U.S. Department of Justice could: Enforce part of the 19th century Comstock Act to prohibit the mailing of abortion-inducing drugs. Aden said enforcing this law would likely mean cracking down on online abortion clinics like Aid Access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Revoke or refuse to enforce the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, enacted because of the sometimes-violent anti-abortion protests of the 1980s and 1990s. One of several activists sentenced to prison for staging a clinic blockade in Washington, D.C., Lauren Handy was also involved in obtaining aborted fetuses outside the same clinic. Trump had indicated he would potentially pardon Handy and fellow blockaders. Activists have said they will also ask the DOJ to investigate the doctor at the abortion clinic from where Handy obtained the fetuses, of whom she and other activists have accused, without evidence, of infanticide. The U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs could: Revoke policies that expanded abortion access for veterans and members of the Military. The U.S. Agency for International Development could: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reinstate the so-called Mexico City Policy, which barred federally funding international organizations that provide or refer for abortions. As they brace for the potential impact of Dobbs without a federal safety net, reproductive justice activists are working to expand access and fight anti-abortion laws, while also protecting new state wins. The election results did not change the fact that most people want abortion access, said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Womens Law Center, during a recent media press briefing organized by the progressive Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Donald Trump won the election, but so did abortion, and people need to hold this incoming administration to its word that it would not restrict abortion, Graves said. We have to square the idea that millions of people in the United States voted for reproductive freedom but they also will be experiencing a situation that will become even more dire, and that people will feel scared and hopeless in this period. Arguments for a national abortion ban Aden said AUL would support a federal dismemberment bill, referring to a proposed ban on a common second-trimester abortion procedure known as dilation and evacuation, or D&E. This procedure involves dilating the cervix and removing the contents of the uterus, typically performed beginning around 12 weeks. It would be a way to effectively get a 12- or 15-week ban without calling it that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite its safety and efficacy record, the D&E procedure has been banned in several states, over the objection of the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Its part of an old anti-abortion playbook, which under Republican President George W. Bush resulted in a federal ban on another later abortion procedure dilation and extraction, or D&X by reframing it as partial-birth abortion, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2007s Gonzales v. Carhart decision. Abortion foes describe D&Es as a gruesome procedure, or as Aden puts it, tearing 13-week-old humans apart limb from limb. Anti-abortion doctors recommend more risky and invasive procedures like C-sections, even when the abortion is medically indicated. If D&Es are banned, there would be fewer options for later abortions, which are sometimes necessary, said reproductive-health legal expert Rachel Rebouche, dean of Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia. She noted that some of the U.S. Supreme Court justices have indicated support for abortion restrictions for reasons of preserving fetal dignity rather than preserving maternal health. That litigation, from the anti-abortion perspective, depends on saying the fetus is a person with rights that attach at a certain point, if not from conception, Rebouche told States Newsroom. Dobbs opens the door wide open for those kinds of regulations. But the question is, is there a role for the federal government to enact a nationwide ban that would curtail the rights of states that have not gone the way of Idaho or Texas or others? Aden said that for now AUL will be more focused on the incremental approach to abortion restrictions, as well as calling for expanded child and prenatal tax credits and other social supports. The attorney, who was 11 when Roe was decided in 1973, is expecting another half-century of litigation over abortion with the hopes that one day the U.S. Constitution gives personhood rights to the unborn, regardless of the stage of that pregnancy. Aden said a so-called Human Life Amendment is likely impossible in the near term, needing approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress. He said U.S. culture is not there yet. It would require a cultural sea change in the way that the majority of Americans view human life in the womb, Aden said. Thats our second generational goal. Having won our first generational goal of overturning Roe, wed love to see the day when every life is welcomed and protected in law. And if thats through a constitutional amendment, then were here for that. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Chagos Archipelago is one of the most remote places on Earth. Smack dab in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the collection of more than five dozen tiny islands are mostly uninhabited, due in no small part to the United States and United Kingdom expelling the Indigenous Chagossians in an ethnic cleansing from 1967 to 1973. For decades only a single atoll, Diego Garcia, has had any inhabitants. Yet as coral reef ecologist Alexandra Dempsey explored the atolls beautiful coral reefs in 2015, she nevertheless found signs of human pollution. While we were there, we witnessed the very first stages of a bleaching event, Dempsey said, referring to when coral becomes dead and white due to stress. Dempsey recalled "the scale at which these 100-year-old corals were just stressed. They were paling. The cotton candy colors paling is definitely an indicator of an ecosystem that is extremely stressed. Even the supposed crown jewel of the reefs looked bleached because of temperatures upwards of 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. As CEO of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, Dempsey often thinks about how to protect coral reefs from human activity, yet is now presented with evidence that even the most remote locations cannot be entirely protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One big reason? Few things, if anything, will be unaffected by global heating. No matter how much protection and how much due diligence goes behind trying to keep humans and people away from the reefs, the effects of climate change are just absolutely devastating to these ecosystems, Dempsey said. Bleached Corals Indonesia Similarly, if coral reefs go extinct, it wont just be the diversity of the ocean that will suffer many people will too. Approximately 3.3 billion people rely on aquatic foods for nutrition, which accounts for almost 20% of the average per capita consumption of animal protein. If the reefs collapse, so will some bigger fish stocks, like tuna and groupers. Marine fisheries ecologist Khatija Alliji, from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, has personally seen humans tampering with coral reefs while exploring them, and from that observation points out that it is not merely our greenhouse gas emissions that harm coral reefs and underwater ecosystems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently coral reefs face many threats, including (but not limited to) biodiversity loss, water quality, climate change, disease, predation, coastal development, litter, marine traffic and pollution, Alliji explained. Because reefs are so complex, scientists still do not fully understand all the interlocking parts that make them work. Even the recent Red List assessment that found over two-fifths of coral reef species threatened with extinction added there are some species where data is so deficient that a risk category cannot be assigned. Advancements in coral taxonomy using DNA has led to the discovery of new species of coral and better taxonomic definition, Alliji said. But there is still lots to investigate and this is both exciting and terrifying given the many threats listed above. For all of the mysteries that remain about coral reefs, though, experts agree that climate change is an undisputed threat. Indeed, our planet is already in the middle of its fourth global coral bleaching event in 18 months largely due to climate change, which experts predict will worsen as we surpass 1.5 C of global temperature rise. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Locally, some reef regions surpassed 1.5 C in the last year, but it takes a global average over 20 years to calculate the threshold; it is highly likely temperature levels will exceed even 2 C globally before a turning point is reached, David Obura, chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, told Salon. Scientists recently shifted the estimated critical range for corals from 1.5 to 2 C warming to [between] 1 and 1.5 C warming. And as with many things with climate change and the Anthropocene, severe and compounding impacts are being observed earlier than predicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aldo Croquer, a marine conservation program manager for the Central Caribbean in Nature Conservancy, said that coral reefs have weathered many cataclysmic events in Earths history, but they may not survive humanity. Corals have evolved facing great challenges and they have managed to survive, even to massive global extinctions, Croquer said. Their capacity to adapt to environmental change and to come back from disturbances is indisputable, at least at evolutionary time scales. However, the changes that we are seeing today occurred at the scales of decades. This is unprecedented. Thus, we are clearly challenging corals natural capacity for adaptation. To protect coral reefs from rising temperatures and other human activity, it is critical for local communities to work together with global authorities so they can salvage what they can. Climate change is a global issue and will need both local and global management and solutions to ensure we protect our natural ecosystems and resources, Alliji said. The ocean has no boundaries and therefore a collaborative approach is required to ensure coral survival and guarantee their future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obura added, There is a localized commitment to enabling the sorts of changes that can reduce local pressures, which revolve around promoting circular economies, less destructive economic and development practices. To some extent the problem is these are pitched as local problems for local authorities to act on, but often the broader national and international contexts dont facilitate this by continually incentivising more growth, more resorts, more fishing, more goods and services, etc. Yet even if all of the necessary changes are made, scientists like Jason Spadaro from the Coral Reef Restoration Research Program in Florida's Mote Marine Laboratory still expect more depressing journeys like one he recently took to the Florida Keys. When I started my career back in 2006 or so, coral reefs in the Florida Keys in particular had about maybe a little better than 10% of their surface covered in live coral, Spadaro said. Today we've got somewhere less than 2%, as well as a fourfold decrease in the living tissue color cover of our coral reefs in the Keys. That's due almost entirely to things like climate change. CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's conviction for allegedly staging a hate crime against himself in Chicago in 2019. The state's highest court did not weigh in on the merits of the case against Smollett, ruling only that his constitutional rights were violated when he was prosecuted a second time, after the original charges against him were dropped in 2019. "This was not a decision on the merits of the case whether or not he's guilty or not guilty, or he did it or he didn't do it. This is strictly a constitutional decision saying his due process rights were violated by the way the system prosecuted him," CBS News Chicago legal analyst Irv Miller said. "There should not have been a trial before a jury. There should not have been a sentencing him to probation and time in the Cook County Jail." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smollett was convicted of five counts of disorderly conduct and sentenced to 150 days in jail in 2021, but was released after only six days behind bars while he appealed his case. Smollett has maintained his innocence from the beginning. How did the case against Smollett get to this point? Smollett claimed he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack near his Streeterville apartment in January 2019 after he walked several blocks for a Subway sandwich shop. After police investigated his claims, detectives later focused on Smollett himself, and he was charged with staging a fake hate crime against himself with brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo, who later testified he paid them to stage the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorneys had argued his trial violated his Fifth Amendment protections against double jeopardy, after Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's office agreed to drop the original charges against him. A special prosecutor, Dan Webb, was later assigned to reinvestigate the case, and brought a new indictment against him, but Smollett's attorneys have argued that Webb never should have been allowed to bring new charges. On Thursday, the state's highest court sided with Smollett's attorneys, reversing his conviction, and ordering the case against him dismissed. "Today we resolve a question about the State's responsibility to honor the agreements it makes with defendants. Specifically, we address whether a dismissal of a case by nolle prosequi allows the State to bring a second prosecution when the dismissal was entered as part of an agreement with the defendant and the defendant has performed his part of the bargain. We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendant's conviction," Justice Elizabeth Rochford wrote in the court's ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smollett's lead attorney, Nenye Uche, said Smollett was "relieved" with the decision, and looking forward to moving on with his life. Uche said the Supreme Court's ruling proves that it was unfair to prosecute Smollett a second time, calling the trial "a travesty of justice." "Prosecutions should be based on facts. Prosecutions should not be based on vindictiveness. This was a vindictive prosecution," Uche said. "The Supreme Court was clear the rule of law and due process have to remain the fundamental process for which the American jurisprudence is run. It is not run by public opinion." Uche claimed, if it had not been for Smollett's fame, he would never have been prosecuted in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If this was the regular Joe down the street, this case would never even have gone to trial. No prosecutor would have taken this case to trial. It was ridiculous. There was no direct evidence linking him to anything," he said. In a statement, special prosecutor Dan Webb said he was disappointed with the Illinois Supreme Court's ruling, and disagreed with the court's reasoning that dismissing the original charges precluded a new prosecution. "Make no mistaketoday's ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett's innocence. The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that Mr. Smollett orchestrated a fake hate crime and reported it to the Chicago Police Department as a real hate crime, or the jury's unanimous verdict that Mr. Smollett was guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct. In fact, Mr. Smollett did not even challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against him in his appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court," Webb said. But Uche said Smollett still maintains he is innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's innocent, and he's always maintained his innocence, and there have been a mountain of reasonable doubt and evidence pointing to his innocence in this case that nobody has bothered to take a look at," Uche said. Cook County prosecutors dropped the original charges against Smollett weeks after he was charged, in exchange for him forfeiting his $10,000 bond and performing 16 hours of community service, but a judge later ruled that Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's office mishandled the case and appointed Web as a special prosecutor to review it. Webb later brought a new grand jury indictment against Smollett, and he was convicted of five counts of disorderly conduct and sentenced to 150 days in jail. Smollett was also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine, and $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago. He served only six days of that sentence before he was released while he appealed his case. Last December, an Illinois Appellate Court panel upheld Smollett's conviction, siding with prosecutors who argued there was no evidence prosecutors had agreed not to prosecute Smollett further when the initial charges against him were dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Appellate Justice Freddrenna Lyle dissented in that ruling, arguing it was "fundamentally unfair" to appoint a special prosecutor to charge Smollett a second time after he'd entered an agreement he believed would end the case. In reversing Smollett's conviction, the Illinois Supreme Court agreed with defense attorneys that the special prosecutor's decision to file new charges violated Smollett's rights after the original case was dropped and Smollett agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond. "It defies credulity to believe that defendant would agree to forfeit $10,000 with the understanding that [prosecutors] could simply reindict him the following day," the court's ruling stated. The Illinois Supreme Court remanded Smollett's case back to the trial court to formally enter a dismissal of the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust," the opinion stated. "Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied." Legal analyst Miller, a former prosecutor, said the court's ruling is not surprising. "I have to totally agree with what the Illinois Supreme Court did today, saying that when a prosecutor makes a deal, makes a promise in exchange for the defendant doing something like Mr. Smollett did giving up his bond and doing community service a bargain is a bargain, and if the prosecutor doesn't keep that bargain, it violates a defendant's due process rights," Miller said. "The state's attorney's special prosecutor went back on that agreement. A prosecutor cannot go back on an agreement, period, end of case," Miller said. Foxx also was not surprised by the state Supreme Court's decision to reverse Smollett's conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I find it unfortunate that five years and millions of dollars later, we're back to where we were back in March of 2019," said State's Attorney Foxx. Foxx said her office's decision to drop the original charges against Smollett was not something out of the ordinary. "Mr. Smollett's guilt, in the minds of the Cook County State's Attorney's office, was not an issue we believed that we could meet our burden," Foxx said. "We offered him a disposition that we would offer anybody with the same offense." She also took Webb to task for leading a new prosecution against Smollett, saying the reindictment and new prosecution in the case went against "what we learn in the first year of law school." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He went along for the show," Foxx said, "and so while I appreciate that he is unwilling to accept what was a result that I predicted years ago, Mr. Webb should be ashamed of himself." What happens now that the criminal case is over? While the criminal case against Smollett is now over, a civil case remains in play between Smollett and the City of Chicago. Miller said the court's ruling is unlikely to have any effect on a lawsuit that the city of Chicago filed against Smollett in 2019, seeking to force Smollett to reimburse the city more than $130,000 for the cost of the investigation into his hate crime claims, after police determined it was a hoax. Smollett has countersued the city, accusing police of malicious prosecution. "Frankly, this decision today by the Illinois Supreme Court really doesn't affect that federal case whatsoever. It's still going to go on to determine if, in fact, he made a false police report, and the city of Chicago, because of that, spent thousands and thousands of dollars in police overtime and salary in investigating the case. In January 2019, the Smollett said he was beaten by two masked men who poured bleach on him, and hung a noose around his neck, while shouting homophobic and racist slurs, and told him "this is MAGA country." Chicago police have said, however, that Smollett paid the Osundairo brothers to stage the attack because he was upset with his salary on the Fox show "Empire." Smollett himself has also consistently maintained his innocence, notably during an outburst in court after he was sentenced. When Cook County Criminal Court Justice James Linn handed down Smollett's sentence on March 10, 2022, he ordered Smollett to be taken into custody on the spot. As he was escorted from the courtroom, Smollett raised his fist and yelled: "I am not suicidal! I am not suicidal, and I'm innocent! I could have said that I was guilty a long time ago!" A short time earlier, when given an opportunity to address the court that day, Smollett said: "If I did this, then it means that I stuck my fist in the fears of Black Americans in this country for over 400 years, and the fears of the LGBT community. Your honor, I respect you, and I respect the jury, but I did not do this. And I am not suicidal, and if anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself, and you must all know that." Smollett again maintained his innocence in an interview with "Entertainment Tonight" last month. "No matter how much people are yelling in my face, saying: 'You're a liar, you're a liar, you're a liar,' no, I'm not. No, I'm not," Smollett said in the ET interview. Foxx, however, said the State's Attorney's office believed Smollett was guilty. "When we offered Mr. Smollett the opportunity to pay his bond and do community service, we can only do that if we believe that Mr. Smollett was guilty of the crime," she said. New Jersey man on car-sized drone hovering near him What to know about Luigi Mangione's court hearing after outburst outside Trump FBI pick Kash Patel reacts to Wray's resignation announcement DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) The Danville Police Department and Danville School District 118 are investigating an incident where middle school students were threatened. In a letter sent out to parents and guardians, Danville Schools superintendent Alicia Geddis said students were threatened at a bus stop Wednesday morning. The letter said two adults approached a group of three students, flashed a weapon and fled before police arrived on scene. Two students arrested after cafeteria fight at Lanphier High School Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, the students are safe and no one was harmed, the letter reads. Supportive services will be offered to the students who were threatened. Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to call the Danville Police Department at 217-431-2250 or North Ridge Middle Schools main office at 217-444-3400. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Advance Auto Parts plans to close hundreds of stores, four distribution centers and slash jobs amid the sluggish demand for vehicle parts, the company said last week. WARN notices sent this week specify how many Texas employees will be affected by the layoffs. The announcement came with the release of the company's third-quarter report on Nov. 14, when it reported an adjusted loss of 4 cents per share, compared to a loss of $1.19 one year ago. The car part supplier's gross profit increased 11% in the third quarter this year compared to the nearly 37% increase in last year's third quarter. Executives said the drop in profits will force the closure of more than 700 locations by the middle of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a post-earnings call with analysts, Advance Auto Parts executives told analysts its quarterly results were also impacted by hurricanes and the CrowdStrike outage, Reuters reported. The company said fewer consumers are opting to repair their cars, so it will introduce a new three-year financial plan in an effort to revive its struggling business. How many Advance Auto Parts stores are in Texas? Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, Advance Auto Parts operates more than 4,700 stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to its website, the company also serves 1,125 independently owned Carquest-branded stores across these locations, in addition to Mexico and some Caribbean islands. There are currently 251 Advance Auto Parts locations in Texas, according to the company's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are pleased to have made progress on our strategic actions, including the completion of the sale of Worldpac and a comprehensive operational productivity review of our business," Shane OKelly, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement on Nov. 14. "We are charting a clear path forward and introducing a new three-year financial plan, with a focus on executing core retail fundamentals to improve the productivity of all our assets and to create shareholder value." On Nov. 1, 2024, the company completed its previously announced sale of Worldpac for nearly $1.5 billion. How many Texas jobs will be cut by Advance Auto Parts? In WARN notices sent Tuesday, Advance Auto Parts listed the number of employees affected by Texas closures along with the dates the layoffs will occur. Seven locations in the state will lay off 67 workers. Location Number of employees Layoff date Fort Worth - Camp Bowie 11 Feb. 9, 2025 Dallas - Carroll Avenue 8 Feb. 10, 2025 Dallas - Josey Lane 10 Feb. 10, 2025 Forest Hill 9 Feb. 11, 2025 Fort Worth - McCart Avenue 9 Feb. 11, 2025 Garland 10 Feb. 12, 2025 Grand Prairie 10 Feb. 14, 2025 Advance Auto Parts did not clarify which positions would be impacted. How many Advance Auto Parts stores are closing? In a regulatory filing, the company reported it plans to close 523 corporate stores, leave 204 independent locations, and shut down four distribution centers. The company did not provide specific locations. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Advance Auto Parts closing hundreds of stores, cutting Texas jobs CHICAGO (WGN) After two instances of domestic violence turned deadly under his watch in the past year, a local advocacy group is pushing for Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Nowinski to be re-assigned to a different division. You see that this judge has a history of not recognizing risk and not asking the right questions, not understanding the domestic violence and how that could impact someone in the future, said Amanda Pyron, President of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence. The two instances in question stem from a Portage Park murder-suicide on Monday, and the fatal stabbing of a pregnant woman back in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Portage Park, an off-duty police officer tried to intervene in a stabbing attack. The victim, 54-year-old Lacramioara Beldie, was killed by her 57-year-old husband Constantin Bedlie, who then took his own life. Court documents show he was charged in another attack against her last month. He was accused of approaching her in an alley, beating her and throwing her to the ground. He tried dragging her into his vehicle before she escaped. At the time, prosecutors asked for Constantin Beldie to be held on pretrial detention, but Nowinski denied it and released Beldie on electronic monitoring. Man wins $650K on lottery ticket sold at Chicago Marianos using numbers tied to late wife Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Nowinski made another critical decision in a high-profile domestic violence killing when he rejected an emergency protective order against Crosetti Brand back in March. Brand was released on parole and on the following day, prosecutors say he stabbed 11-year-old Jayden Perkins to death and critically injured his pregnant mom. She was the person who requested the order of protection. Two members of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board eventually resigned in the wake of Judge Nowinskis decision. [Judges] hear domestic violence cases all day and thats difficult. It means they have to be a little better, a little bit more sophisticated, a little bit more experienced, and have real working knowledge of the issue, Pyron said. In this case we believe the work effort merits reassignment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man convicted of killing nursing student Laken Riley sentenced to life in prison without parole Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza weighed in on the outcome of the two domestic violence cases on X Wednesday morning, calling Nowinski an incompetent judge. She went on to call his actions unforgivable and said he should not be on the bench. WGN News has reached out to the Office of Timothy C. Evans, Cook County Circuit Courts Chief Judge, for comment on this story. Evans office has not yet replied. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Here's the list of the 28 lawmakers who gained their seats through the vacancy process, the year in which they were selected, and vote totals for the vacancy committees. Leaders of nonprofits that have advocated for stronger polices to bolster diversity in the military and keep extremists out of the ranks are now concerned that President-elect Donald Trump and his pick for defense secretary will quickly work to undo those measures. Trump announced Nov. 12 he intended to nominate Army veteran and conservative commentator Pete Hegseth as his next secretary of defense. Hegseth has compared the Pentagons extremism policies to a purge, said he wants to fire woke military leaders and doesnt believe women should serve in combat roles. Members of Protect our Defenders and Human Rights First have advocated for stronger diversity and anti-extremism policies within the Defense Department, such as required training for troops about prohibited extremist activities and gender-affirming health care for service members. Now, they expect that Trump and Hegseth will work with their allies in Congress to roll back those policies and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individual who President-clect Trump has tapped to be the next Secretary of Defense it seems like hes very much trying to unwind those policies, said Josh Connolly, senior vice president of Protect Our Defenders. It seems like he has a very clear bias to dismantle efforts to address these issues. Women in combat proficient, SecDef says, dismissing calls for change Hegseth targets woke initiatives On a podcast interview that aired two days after the election, Hegseth said the Pentagons focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, erodes military values. The dumbest phrase on planet Earth in the military is Our diversity is our strength, Hegseth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth, if hes confirmed to lead the Pentagon, is likely to have allies in Congress in his effort to strip away those programs. Some GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, have vowed to expunge wokeism from the military, referring to what they see as a rise in radically progressive policies at the Pentagon. Opposition to the Pentagons diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, or DEI, has spiked among select conservative lawmakers since 2020, when Congress expanded such programs and mandated the Defense Departments hiring of a chief diversity officer, said Liz Yates, an associate director with Human Rights First. Since then, some lawmakers have attempted to dismantle the programs. Congress is currently considering the annual defense authorization bill for 2025, a large legislative package that determines military spending. Both the House and Senate versions of the bill contain several provisions that limit the Pentagons diversity initiatives, including one that would eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion offices. Nine veteran and military organizations wrote a letter to lawmakers opposing the measures. Congress considers very severe rollback of militarys DEI programs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents of the Pentagons DEI programs claim they harm recruitment efforts by deterring people with conservative views. Those who support the programs argue they can improve recruitment by showing would-be recruits that the military doesnt tolerate discrimination. According to a study published in 2021 by Blue Star Families, a nonprofit that supports military families and veterans, about 30% of service members identify as minorities. By 2027, most recruitable adults in the United States will be people of color, the study said. National security experts have increasingly viewed women, too, as having an important role to play in reversing the militarys recruitment woes. This is something that has just been incredibly politicized, when in reality these are the kinds of programs that have been supported by people throughout the services who see them as useful to the mission of trying to create a more lethal force and improve recruitment, Yates said. Little evidence exists, meanwhile, that DEI initiatives play much of a role in recruitment. The Pentagons Inspector General reported last year that the majority of would-be recruits are not enlisting because of fear of death in combat, having grown up hearing about casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is also increased competition between the military and the private sector for top talent, and private companies offer higher pay on average, the report states. Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC, on January 6, 2021. As of May 2024, 222 veterans and service members have been charged for their participation in the riot. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) A full-court press to undo extremism prevention In his book, War on Warriors, Hegseth downplayed the role of service members in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and he argued that military leaders remain distracted by efforts to root out extremism from the ranks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His opposition to the Pentagons anti-extremism efforts is partly personal, he revealed on the podcast interview Nov. 7. During the interview, he said he had been removed from National Guard duty at President Joe Bidens inauguration in 2021 because of a tattoo. The Associated Press reported that a fellow service member flagged Hegseth as an insider threat because one of his tattoos was associated with the white supremacist movement. If Hegseth becomes the Secretary of Defense, the agency will likely put their head in the sand on the issue of extremism, Connolly said. When it became known that some service members were part of the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a military-wide stand down against extremism. During the past four years, the Justice Department has charged 24 service members and 198 veterans for their participation in the riot, according to data from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, known as START. Recent research by START revealed that the number of violent extremists among the veteran and military population is small, but the group has an outsized impact once radicalized. From 1990 through 2022, 451 people with military backgrounds committed extremist offenses. Of those, 170, or nearly 38%, either plotted or followed through with a deadly terrorist attack, the research shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military service key factor in 3 decades of extremist attacks To address extremism in the ranks, the Pentagon updated its definition of prohibited extremist activities. This summer, each service branch adopted new rules to ensure troops are trained about those off-limits activities and require commanders to act when they spot extremism in their units. A law passed by Congress in 2021 mandates the services to report allegations of extremism to the Inspector Generals Office a process the Pentagon has been working to streamline over the past few years. U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said that extremist activities damage the nations trust and confidence in the Army as an institution, undermine morale and reduce combat readiness. Liz Yates, the associate director at Human Rights First, said she expected Trump to launch a full-court press to undo the new measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its taken a lot of advocacy and it had been a long road, but we had seen some progress, Yates said. Were concerned about that progress halting with this new administration. We expect this will be under attack. Connolly guessed the rollback of anti-extremism policies would have a negative effect on recruitment. The prevailing majority of individuals that serve in our military are not extremists, and if theres a complicity or acceptance of extremist attitudes and behaviors, that does not produce an environment people want to serve in, Connolly said. There are already efforts underway in Congress to end the Pentagons focus on extremism. The annual defense authorization bill for 2025 includes a measure that prohibits leaders from using defense dollars on extremism-prevention efforts that were recommended by the Countering Extremist Activity Working Group. Lawmakers are expected to work on the bill in December. This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Please send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com. The number of casualties following the Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih on 21 November has risen to 31. In Dnipro, three people were injured in the overnight attack. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Three casualties in Dnipro. And 31 in Kryvyi Rih. There [in Kryvyi Rih ed.], according to the latest information, nine apartment buildings, three administrative buildings, a post office, a shop and a power line were damaged. The aftermath of the missile strike on Dnipro on 21 November. Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram The aftermath of the missile strike on Dnipro on 21 November. Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cities continue to recover from the morning terror. The relevant services are working all day to deal with the aftermath of the attacks. Psychologists and charities are helping people." The aftermath of the missile strike on Dnipro on 21 November. Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aftermath of the missile strike on Dnipro on 21 November. Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram Details: The authorities also reported attacks on the Nikopol district, which was shelled by Russian tube artillery and attacked with a kamikaze drone. Background: On Thursday, 21 November, Russian forces launched a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih. Russian forces also attacked the city of Dnipro this morning, damaging an industrial facility, a rehabilitation centre, residential buildings and garages. Later, it became known that for the first time, Russian troops had fired a Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile a potential carrier of a nuclear warhead. Support UP or become our patron! NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) A Wewoka judge is behind bars after being held in direct contempt on Thursday for aggressive and disruptive conduct inside a Oklahoma courthouse. First reported by NonDoc, Wewoka Municipal Judge Kelly Lynn was arrested for aggressive and disruptive conduct. GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin: Letting Oklahoma public school educators teach the Bible is a slippery slope Judge Kelly Lynn, who served as a Norman City Councilman, was sentenced to five days in the Oklahoma County Jail by District Court Judge Sheila Stinson, according to Aaron Brilbeck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NonDoc says, the hearing came after Lynns behavior toward a public defender during a family court docket causing Judge James Siderias to have him arrested on a contempt allegation. Its not something that happens often. Judges are very reticent ever to find attorneys guilty of contempt, so this is a very, very, very rare occasion, said Oklahoma County Presiding Judge Richard Ogden, who was briefed on the mornings events. Ive been a judge for 10 years, and Im presiding judge now, but I cant recall another occasion similar to this. It doesnt happen often. Ogden said the allegations against Lynn included yelling, rage and cursing., says NonDoc. Aaron Brilbeck, the public information officer for the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office, confirmed to KFOR that Lynn was carrying a firearm when he was arrested in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NonDoc reported Brilbeck saying, We took him into custody,. We did find a weapon on him. Oklahoma statute allows municipal judges although they may also be practicing attorneys to carry on state property. That would include courthouses, Ogden said. That is a provision of the statute that I think surprised all of us. He did lawfully have a weapon on him, which he did surrender to the sheriffs office once he was taken into custody in Judge Siderias courtroom. Gaetz withdraws from attorney general consideration Judge Stinson has ordered Lynn back to her courtroom from jail for a follow-up hearing at 1:30 p.m. Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement *This story is developing Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Bossier Citys Airline High School has become the 25th school in Bossier Parish to earn a Purple Star School status. More education news The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is the national advocate for Purple Star schools and serves as support with guidance and consultations for schools nationwide. According to MCEC, military children move every two to three years. The Purple Star School Program is designed to help schools respond to the educational, social, and emotional challenges and transitions that military children may face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airline High School will be recognized tonight at the Bossier Parish School Board meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. at Bossier Instructional Center, 2719 Airline Drive in Bossier City. Airlines AFJROTC unit also recently completed its formal Unit Assessment and earned an overall Exceeds Standards rating by the Department of the Air Force, the highest possible designation. JROTC units throughout Bossier will be recognized later. Caddo Magnet High earns honor for supporting military families Airline High School becomes the 25th Purple Star School in Bossier Parish, an achievement no other school district in Louisiana has accomplished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. On October 12, 2023, the seven-member board that oversees public schools in Escambia County, Alabama, met to consider renewing Superintendent Michele McClung's employment contract. The board had narrowly rejected a motion to renew McClung's contract at a meeting the previous August, and it did not look like the members in the majority, who had concerns about her performance, were inclined to change their minds. Steve Billy urged them to reconsider, effusively praising McClung and arguing that board members who voted against the new contract would be violating state law by forsaking their oaths of office. That speech was pretty weird, especially because Billy was not just an ordinary citizen. He was (and is) Escambia County's district attorney, and he would later use the powers of that office to file patently frivolous criminal charges against two board members who voted against the new contract, along with a school board employee and a local newspaper reporter. Those charges and the ensuing arrests, Billy's targets argue in a federal lawsuit they filed on Wednesday, violated their First and Fourth Amendment rights. "Americans must be able to participate in their government without fear that they'll be labeled as political enemies, investigated, and punished for exposing corruption," says Institute for Justice attorney Jared McClain, who represents the plaintiffs. His clients "were just doing their jobs and what they knew was right," McClain adds. "But because that got in the way of what the district attorney and sheriff wanted, they ended up in jail. We need the courts to hold government officials accountable when they abuse their power." 'I Do Control the Grand Jury' Billy's office said he was in court on Thursday and unavailable for comment. But as he told it at the time, he also was just doing his job by intervening on McClung's behalf. "I would normally not get involved with things of this nature, as far as an employment situation," he told the school board. But he averred that "some board members" had launched "vicious personal attacks" against McClung, implying that "she was going to be indicted by a grand jury" as a result of a state audit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not so, Billy said: "I don't control much in Escambia County, Alabama, but I do control the grand jury of this county, and I can tell you this lady right here [McClung] is not going to be brought before a grand jury because there's nothing to bring before a grand jury." Then he added, "There are some other matters that will be brought before a grand jury that I'm not at liberty to discuss because by law that's a secret investigation." What did Billy mean by that? He and Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson had already provided some clues. At a local Republican Party meeting on September 18, 2023, according to the lawsuit, Jackson "said that he investigated the rumors about the audit and confirmed for himself that McClung had done nothing wrong." He "told the meeting that he would arrest McClung's detractors on a Friday so that they couldn't bail out until Monday and would have to 'eat his hotdogs all weekend.'" After that meeting, the complaint says, Jackson "confided in a community member that, if the vote for the superintendent did not 'go the way it should,' then 'the wrath would be coming down on some school board members.'" I called Sheriff Jackson's office to ask about that meeting and the other allegations in the lawsuit. I left a message and will update this article if and when I hear back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day after the GOP meeting, Billy issued a subpoena to school board CFO Rochelle Richardson "and/or" Ashley Fore, the school district's payroll supervisor and one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The subpoena sought "certified copies of any and all checks written to employees and labeled as 'COVID' payments or 'COVID BONUS' for the years 2020-23." According to the lawsuit, "the bonuses that the subpoena referenced were supplemental payments made with COVID-relief funds that the Board authorized under the prior administration. The payments went to seven Board employees from the prior administration who McClung had not yet managed to push out." The demand for those documents, labeled "DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S SUBPOENA," was signed by Billy himself and invoked his authority under Section 12-17-184 of the Alabama Code, which empowers a district attorney to issue subpoenas "at any time the grand jury is not in session." Nothing in the subpoena indicated that it was confidential. After Sheriff Jackson served Billy's subpoena on Fore, she shared it with Richardson, her boss, who in turn shared it with Cynthia Jackson, one of McClung's critics on the school board and another plaintiff in the lawsuit. Cynthia Jackson, who suspected that not everyone on the board knew what was going on, shared the subpoena with the other three members who had voted against renewing McClung's contract. Those board members included Sherry Digmon, who is co-owner of the Atmore News, a weekly newspaper in Escambia County, and the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit against Billy and Sheriff Jackson, which also names four sheriff's deputies. Digmon later forwarded a copy of the subpoena to Atmore News reporter Don Fletcher. Two days after Billy issued his subpoena, he sent the school board a letter that anticipated the comments he would make at the board meeting on October 12. He complained about "statements spread in the community" with "no basis whatsoever" that "are motivated by a personal agenda or some type of personal gain." Specifically, he claimed some board members "stated that money was misspent or misappropriated and that the matter would be presented to a Grand Jury and that the School Board Superintendent, Michele McClung, could be indicted and arrested." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billy said he had confirmed with the state auditors that "there was nothing that should be presented to a Grand Jury," adding that "I do have complete control of the Grand Jury in Escambia County, Alabama." Although there was no basis for charging McClung, he said, he might bring other issues before the grand jury that he was "not at liberty to discuss." He also averred, as he would again at the school board meeting, that members who voted against McClung would be breaking the law by violating their oaths of office. Unwarranted Warrants On October 20, about a week after the school board again voted against renewing McClung's contract, Deputy Arthur Odom obtained warrants authorizing the seizure of cellphones from Digmon and Cynthia Jackson. Odom said Billy had subpoenaed Digmon's phone records, which showed that the two board members had exchanged 40 calls between September 11 and September 28. It was not clear how many of those calls were actually completed or what the women might have discussed. But Odom claimed the calls were evidence that they had engaged in "private conversations" regarding the superintendent vote, which he claimed would violate Alabama's Open Meetings Act. That statute, the lawsuit notes, "does not apply to private conversations between two school board members." It "applies only when a quorum of a governmental body is present, and two school board members do not establish a quorum." The alleged violation, in short, was "unsubstantiated and factually impossible." Adding to the absurdity, there was no reason to think the cellphones would shed light on what the two board members had discussed. The warrants nevertheless authorized broad access to all sorts of personal and professional information, potentially including Digmon's work as a journalist. The complaint notes that "the officers enforcing the warrant were not required to limit which applications they checked, there was no temporal limit, and there was no keyword-search or 'preview search' limitation to ensure that officers viewed only responsive files." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those warrants were not based on anything resembling probable cause to believe evidence of a crime would be discovered. But at least the cops went through the motions of obtaining judicial permission. A week later, Odom and Deputy Kevin Durden seized Fore's cellphone without a warrant after bringing her to the sheriff's office for questioning. "The officers told [Fore] that they needed to take her cell phone as part of their investigation," the complaint says. Fore "asked whether the officers needed to get a warrant or a subpoena to take her phone, and they told her they did not need a warrant." Fore "believed the officers were telling her the truth. (They were not.)" The cops took Fore's cellphone the day after Fletcher published an Atmore News article about the October 12 school board meeting at which Billy had argued that declining to renew McClung's contract would be illegal. Fletcher quoted Billy's remarks and noted his subpoena for records regarding COVID-19 payments. According to Billy, Fletcher's reporting was illegal. Billy also thought (or claimed to think) that Fore, Digmon, and Cynthia Jackson had committed felonies by sharing the subpoena. Fore was arrested first, the day after her cellphone was seized. According to the criminal complaint, she violated Section 12-16-215 of the Alabama Code, which says "no past or present grand juror, past or present grand jury witness or grand jury reporter or stenographer shall willfullydisclose or divulge or cause to be revealed, disclosed or divulged, any knowledge or information pertaining to any grand juror's questions, considerations, debates, deliberations, opinions or votes on any case, evidence, or other matter taken within or occurring before any grand jury of this state." As the complaint notes, there were several obvious problems with that charge. First, "there was no grand-jury evidence for Ashley to reveal." Second, "there was no grand jury." Third, "Ashley was not a grand juror, grand-jury witness, or grand-jury reporter." Fourth, "Ashley was not sworn to secrecy and did not violate that oath." Fifth, "the September 19 'DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S SUBPOENA' that DA Billy issued was not grand-jury information and was not confidential. Nothing on the document indicated that DA Billy issued it as part of a grand-jury investigation or that it was otherwise confidential." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fore was arrested anyway on October 27, forcing her and her husband to cancel a nonrefundable "trip to Disney World followed by a cruise." She was "booked into jail" on a Friday afternoon, shackled, and strip-searched "in full view of anyone who walked by." Confounding Sheriff Jackson's plan to keep her in jail over the weekend, she managed to arrange a late-afternoon bail hearing. 'The Most Outlandish Situation' Billy's other targets suffered similar indignities, based on the same bogus charge. Fletcher was arrested the same afternoon as Fore, for the alleged crime of accurately reporting on Billy's investigation. Digmon joined him in jail shortly afterward. After Digmon and Fletcher were arrested, media lawyer Theodore J. Boutrous described the charges as "extraordinary, outrageous and flatly unconstitutional." Although "it's illegal for a grand juror, witness or court officer to disclose grand-jury proceedings," The Washington Post noted, "it's not a crime for a media outlet to publish such leaked material, provided the material was obtained by legal means." And in this case, which involved a district attorney's subpoena, the information did not even constitute a grand jury leak. The conditions imposed on Digmon and Fletcher when they were released on bail highlighted the First Amendment implications of the cases against them. The judge who approved their release told them they were to have "no communications about ongoing criminal investigations including schools and other." As a result of the charges, the complaint notes, Digmon and Fletcher "had to restrict their protected speech about McClung and about the Defendant law-enforcement officers." It adds that all of the plaintiffs "still restrict their public speech because Defendants still hold the very positions of power that they abused in this case." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cynthia Jackson's arrest was delayed until December 4. "On information and belief," the complaint says, "Cindy was not arrested at the same time as the other Plaintiffs because she had knee-replacement surgery that week and pushing a grandmother into jail in a wheelchair would have elicited too much sympathy." But "because she was still recovering from knee surgery, deputies had to help hold her upright as she stood on a small stool to have her mugshot taken." Digmon was arrested again on November 1. This time she was accused of violating the Alabama Ethics Act by selling ad space in her newspaper to the school board, a longstanding practice that had been approved by the assistant general counsel for the Alabama Ethics Commission. Billy also sought to remove Digmon from the school board by obtaining a grand jury impeachment (one of his more obscure powers as a district attorney), partly based on the same allegations of self-dealing. Further illustrating his "complete control of the Grand Jury," the impeachment also charged Digmon with "willful neglect of office" because she opposed renewal of McClung's contract and because she "refused to publish articles which promoted the school system and the Superintendent." Prior to this case, the complaint notes, "the district attorney in Escambia County [had] never impeached anyone," and "no county school board member in Alabama" had been impeached in the previous 18 years. The earlier case involved a Mobile school board member who "misused over $9,000 in school funds to purchase Mardi Gras trinkets and 7,000 Moon Pies without authorization and then, allegedly, drove drunk on Mardi Gras, ran over the foot of an eight-year-old child, and fled the scene of the accident." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as Digmon's lawyers can tell, "no county school board member in Alabama was ever impeached for her political opposition to a superintendent." Sally Smith, president of the Alabama Association of School Boards, called it "the most outlandish situation" involving outside influence on a school board that she had seen in 37 years with the organization. "As a matter of public policy," Smith said, she was concerned about "questionable criminal charges being used to intimidate school board members voting their conscience." Billy dropped the impeachment in February, saying "successful prosecution of [Digmon's] pending felony cases would have the same result." The day before, Billy had recused himself from those cases, suddenly acknowledging "a legal and a personal conflict." Both of those decisions came after the school board agreed to buy out the remainder of McClung's existing contract. 'A Convoluted Conspiracy of Retaliation' The Alabama Attorney General's Office took over the cases against Digmon and the others. Last April, a state judge granted Assistant Attorney General Thomas Govan Jr.'s motion to dismiss all of the charges. He dismissed them with prejudice, meaning they cannot be brought again. "The grand jury secrecy law [Digmon and Fletcher] were charged under was plainly inapplicable to journalists, as opposed to grand jurors and others with direct access to grand jury proceedings," Seth Stern, director of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, noted after the charges were dismissed. "Anyone who read the textlet alone an experienced attorney like Escambia County District Attorney Stephen Billy could have figured that out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case "shows Billy is both unqualified and unfit to hold his position as a district attorneyor any public office, for that matter," Stern added. "The dismissal of the charges against Digmon and Fletcher shouldn't be the end of this story. Real accountability is needed." Digmon, Fletcher, and the two other plaintiffs agree. Their lawsuit, which seeks compensation for the costs they suffered as a result of an unconstitutional vendetta, argues that Billy, Sheriff Jackson, and the deputies who did their bidding either knew or should have known that the warrants and arrests were legally invalid. It alleges that Billy and Jackson "planned and carried out a convoluted conspiracy of retaliation" aimed at punishing the plaintiffs for exercising their First Amendment rights and thereby also violated the Fourth Amendment's restrictions on searches and seizures. "Criticism isn't criminal," the complaint says. "Our Constitution ensures that government officials can't use their authority to punish people who disagree with them about who should hold local office." The post An Alabama D.A. Filed Legally Impossible Charges Against School Board Members Who Crossed Him appeared first on Reason.com. ATMORE, Ala. (AP) An Alabama man convicted in the 1994 killing of a hitchhiker cursed at the prison warden and made obscene gestures with his hands shortly before he was put to death Thursday evening in the nations third execution using nitrogen gas. Carey Dale Grayson, 50, was executed at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in southern Alabama. He was one of four teenagers convicted of killing Vickie DeBlieux, 37, as she hitchhiked through the state on the way to her mothers home in Louisiana. The woman was attacked, beaten and thrown off a cliff. Alabama began using nitrogen gas earlier this year to carry out some executions. The method involves placing a respirator gas mask over the face to replace breathable air with pure nitrogen gas, causing death by lack of oxygen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm said the nitrogen flowed for 15 minutes and an electrocardiogram showed Grayson no longer had a heartbeat about 10 minutes after the gas began flowing. Like two others previously executed by nitrogen, Grayson shook at times before taking a periodic series of gasping breaths. The victim's daughter told reporters afterward that her mother had her future stolen from her. But she also spoke out against the decision to execute Grayson and murdering inmates under the guise of justice. The curtains to the execution room were opened shortly after 6 p.m. Strapped to a gurney with a blue-rimmed gas mask on his face, Grayson responded with an obscenity when the warden asked if he had any final words. Prison officials turned off the microphone. Grayson appeared to speak toward the witness room where state officials were present, but his words could not be heard. He raised both middle fingers at the start of the execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear when the gas began flowing. Grayson rocked his head, shook and pulled against the gurney restraints. He clenched his fist and appeared to struggle to try to gesture again. His sheet-wrapped legs lifted off the gurney into the air at 6:14 p.m. He took a periodic series of more than a dozen gasping breaths for several minutes. He appeared to stop breathing at 6:21 p.m., and then the curtains to the viewing room were closed at 6:27 p.m. Grayson was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m. DeBlieuxs mutilated body was found at the bottom of a bluff near Odenville, Alabama, on Feb. 26, 1994. She was hitchhiking from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to her mothers home in West Monroe, Louisiana, when the four teens offered her a ride. Prosecutors said the teens took her to a wooded area and attacked and beat her. They returned to mutilate her body. A medical examiner testified that her face was so fractured that she was identified by an earlier X-ray of her spine. Investigators said the teens were identified as suspects after one of them showed a friend one of DeBlieuxs severed fingers and boasted about the killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeBlieuxs daughter Jodi Haley spoke with reporters at the media center on prison property after the execution. Haley was 12 when her mother was killed, She said her mother had her life and future stolen from her. "She was unique. She was spontaneous. She was wild. She was funny. She was gorgeous to boot, Haley said of her mother. She said Grayson was abused in every possible way in his youth but society failed this man as a child, and my family suffered because of it. Murdering inmates under the guise of justice needs to stop, she said, adding that "no one should have the right to take a person's possibilities, days, and life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Kay Ivey said afterward she was praying for the victims loved ones to find closure and healing. Some thirty years ago, Vicki DeBlieuxs journey to her mothers house and ultimately, her life, were horrifically cut short because of Carey Grayson and three other men," Ivey said in a statement. She sensed something was wrong, attempted to escape, but instead, was brutally tortured and murdered. Grayson's crimes "were heinous, unimaginable, without an ounce of regard for human life and just unexplainably mean. An execution by nitrogen hypoxia (bears) no comparison to the death and dismemberment Ms. DeBlieux experienced, she added. Grayson was the only one of the four teenagers who faced a death sentence since the other teens were under 18 at the time of the killing. Grayson was 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The execution was carried out hours after the U.S. Supreme Court turned down Graysons request for a stay. His final appeals had focused on a call for more scrutiny of the nitrogen gas method. His lawyers argued the execution method causes conscious suffocation and that the first two nitrogen executions did not result in swift unconsciousness and death as the state had promised. Hamm said he thought some of Grayson's initial movements were all show but maintained other movements exhibited by Grayson and the two others executed by nitrogen gas were expected involuntary movements, including the breathing at the end. No state other than Alabama has used nitrogen hypoxia to carry out a death sentence. In 2018, Alabama became the third state along with Oklahoma and Mississippi to authorize the use of nitrogen gas to execute prisoners. A jury convicted Carey Dale Grayson of the 1994 murder of Vickie Deblieux. Grayson is scheduled to be executed by nitrogen gas Thursday should The U.S. Supreme Court decline to review his appeal. (Alabama Department of Corrections) Barring intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court, Alabama will carry out its sixth execution of 2024 on Thursday evening. Carey Dale Grayson, sentenced to death for his role in the murder of Vickie Deblieux in 1994, lost an appeal to the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday. The nations high court had not issued a decision on the case as of Wednesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without further court rulings, the state will carry out his execution within a 30-hour window, beginning Thursday at midnight until 6 a.m. Friday, according to the warrant issued by Gov. Kay Ivey. Executions this year have typically taken place around 6 p.m. A jury convicted Grayson of two counts of capital murder for his role in the death of Vickie Deblieux and sentenced him to death in 1996. Grayson was part of a cadre of several teenagers who picked Deblieux up while she was hitchhiking along the interstate and transported her to a wooded area, where they beat her to death. Grayson state appeals were denied in 2006 and his federal appeals were exhausted in 2011. Gov. Kay Ivey scheduled Graysons Thursday execution by nitrogen gas in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The death row inmates recent appeals have focused on the nitrogen gas execution method. Alabama put two men to death through the procedure; witnesses reported both writhing and gasping during the execution, which was touted by supporters in 2018 as a more humane method of execution. Grayson alleged several problems with the protocol in a lawsuit filed June 28, from the lack of a medical exam prior to his execution to a lack of sedation to problems with the mask that included the lack of an airtight seal and improper monitoring using an EKG and pulse oximeter. He argued the method would subject him to a level of pain that would violate the Eighth Amendments protections against cruel and unusual punishment. Grayson proposed two alternatives to the current protocol: that the state use a sedative prior to executing him using nitrogen gas, or to put him to death with a lethal combination of ketamine and fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge R. Austin Huffaker rejected the arguments in a Nov. 8 ruling, stating that the problems that Grayson alleged were speculative, and the pain he would experience is mental. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other courts have held that psychological pain or mental suffering cannot by itself support an Eighth Amendment claim, Huffaker said in the opinion. A three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit upheld Huffakers ruling on Monday, writing that the district courts factual findings are not clearly erroneous. If Graysons execution goes forward, 2024 will have seen Alabama carry out the most executions in a single year since 2011. The state executed Smith in January, followed by Jamie Ray Mills in May. Keith Edmund Gavin was put to death in July, then Alan Eugene Miller in September, proceeded by Derrick Dearman last month. Mills, Gavin and Dearman were executed by lethal injection; Miller was put to death by nitrogen gas. Alaska Division of Elections program manager Brian Jackson answers questions from reporters shortly after completing the state's ranked choice voting tabulation. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaska Beacon) Alaskas open primary and ranked choice voting system survived, while Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich defeated Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, according to the unofficial results released on Wednesday. The Alaska Division of Elections completed the ranked choice tabulations for all nine races in which no candidate received more than 50% of first-preference ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The division is targeting Nov. 30 as the date by which it will certify the results. There will be another tabulation completed then. Until that is completed, the results are unofficial, although unlikely to change. Any group of 10 voters can ask for a recount on the ballot measure to repeal the ranked choice within five days of the results being certified. In legislative races, either a candidate or a group of voters can request a recount. The state will pay for the cost of a recount if the margin between the top two results is less than a half-percent of the votes cast. Recounts are only done by request, unless a vote is tied, in which case a recount is automatic. Begich had claimed victory earlier in the week, but Peltola had not conceded ahead of the tabulation. Peltola was the first Democrat to serve in the states sole House seat since 1972, when Begichs grandfather, a Democrat who was also named Nick Begich, served as Alaskas sole member of the House. He was elected in 1970 but was presumed to have died in a plane crash two years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The younger Begich had 164,117 votes in the final tabulation on Wednesday, more than 8,000 more than Peltola. Ranked choice measure The states voting system was passed through a ballot measure in 2020 and the state has used the system in the 2022 election and this year. The system has been controversial since the measure passed, with opponents arguing that ranked choice voting is unnecessarily complicated, while supporters highlighted how the open primary allows all voters to participate equally, regardless of their party affiliation. While the repeal measure, Ballot Measure 2, was leading in vote counts from Election Day until Monday, the lead evaporated as more early and absentee ballots were counted. The division faced a deadline to finish its count by Wednesday, which was the last day under state law that the division could accept postmarked ballots mailed from abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final count in the unofficial results had 159,955 in favor and 160,619 opposed, a 664-vote margin. The leaders of the opposition to the measure celebrated the results. Juli Lucky, executive director of the No on 2 campaign organization, and Lesil McGuire, its chair, released a joint statement: We are thrilled that Alaskans from all over the state with diverse views and different backgrounds came together to preserve the system that empowers voters to elect representatives that will put Alaska first, the statement said. Tabulation Along with the U.S. House race, ranked choice tabulations were done in eight legislative races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a quiet room in the divisions Juneau headquarters filled with news reporters and elections officials, state election program manager Brian Jackson read the results of each race in a measured tone. The process was streamed online by KTOOs Gavel Alaska. There were no changes in the lead to any races as the result of the tabulation. But there was one change in the count that did not go to tabulation: Republican former Rep. David Nelson overtook Democratic Rep. Cliff Groh to win the House district that includes Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. The reason that it did not go to ranked choice tabulation is that Nelson had more than 50% of first-preference votes. That change could complicate the organization of the House majority caucus, since Groh was expected to join the previously announced narrow majority, composed primarily of Democrats and independents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In state Senate races, three incumbents won: Nikiski Republican Sen. Jesse Bjorkman defeated Republican Rep. Ben Carpenter and Democrat Tina Wegener; Anchorage Republican Sen. James Kaufman defeated Democrat Janice Park and Republican Harold Borbridge; and Eagle River Republican Sen. Kelly Merrick defeated Republican Jared Goecker and Democrat Lee Hammermeister. The unofficial post-ranking results in state House races were: Homer Republican Rep. Sarah Vance defeated non-partisan candidate Brent Johnson and Republican Dawson Slaughter; Wasilla Republican Elexie Moore defeated fellow Republicans Steve Menard and Jessica Wright. With the margin of 13 votes, the race could be headed to a recount; In the Interior Alaska district covering most of the states Interior region, Republican Rebecca Schwanke defeated Democratic Brandon Putuuqti Kowalski, Republican Pamela Goode and Libertarian James Field; In the district that includes Bethel and most of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Democrat Nellie Unangik Jimmie is leading over Democratic Rep. CJ McCormick, Veterans Party of Alaska candidate Willy Keppel and Democrat Victoria Sosa; and In the district covering the North Slope and Northwest Arctic boroughs, Democrat Robyn Niayuq Burke defeated Democrat Saima Ikrik Chase and Thomas Ikaaq Baker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The division expects a small number of changes to the vote counts as ballots that were hand counted are scanned by vote counting machines, but that is unlikely to change any of the unofficial results when the final tallies are released. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Jose Martinez pleaded guilty to second degree murder and tampering with evidence for shooting and killing another man in a fight over air conditioner repairs in 2023. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say witnesses told them the two men were arguing when Martinez hit Russell Werner in the chest with an AR-style rifle and fired. Prosecutors said he shot Werner in the chest with a rifle inside an apartment near Second St. and Candelaria because of a fight over air conditioning repairs. They said Martinez tried to intimidate several people to help cover up the crime before transporting the body himself by wrapping it in carpet and taking it to the area of I-25 and Montgomery. Martinez left to Las Vegas, New Mexico where he ultimately arrested by police. Martinez pleaded guilty to second degree murder and tampering with evidence. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Graphic details of how a woman accused Donald Trumps Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth of sexually assaulting her have been revealed in a police report published hours before he meets key senators. The 22-page report contains graphic details about the allegations about Hegseth made by the woman after a night in a California hotel room in 2017 which he has acknowledged involved them having sex just two months after his mistress gave birth to their child. The alleged rape, as it was coded by police in the report, was first disclosed to Trump transition officials by a friend of the woman last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the report, released under freedom of information laws, the woman told an investigating officer she remembered saying no a lot after Hegseth allegedly blocked the door and suspected something may have been slipped into her drink earlier in the evening. Her next memory was of being on a bed or a couch with a shirtless Hegseth over her and his dog tags hovering over her face. She told an officer she recalled him ejaculating on her stomach and telling her to clean it up. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter was consensual and denied any wrongdoing. He was not charged. Hegseths lawyer previously said that his client paid the woman a settlement in order to ward off a baseless lawsuit that would have damaged his then-career as a Fox News host. The lawyer told Mediaite that the police report confirms what I have said all along that the incident was fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trumps transition team told the Associated Press that the report shows the incident was fully investigated and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false. The police reportwhich refers to interviews with the alleged victim, with a nurse who gave her a sexual assault exam, a hotel employee, and another womanreveals two conflicting versions of events. The woman said that from Oct. 7 to Oct. 8, 2017, she stayed at a Hyatt Hotel in Monterey for a meeting of the California Federation of Republican Women, which she helped organize. Hegseth spoke at the event. After the event, attendees, including the woman and Hegseth, went to an after-party in a hotel suite and later had drinks at a bar attached to the hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman told police she saw Hegseth behaving improperly throughout the event, rubbing multiple women on their legs. According to the report, she said some women found Hegseth dreamy while she texted a friend that he was giving off the vibe of a creeper. Two other women who spoke to police said Hegseth put his hand on their leg and asked if they would come back to his room. One of them said she told him the contact was not acceptable. She called over Hegseths alleged victim to act as a crotch blocker, basically a third wheel in the conversation whose presence would break up his sexual advances. The alleged victim told police she recalled confronting Hegseth over the fact that she did not appreciate how he treated women. Hegseth did not recall any such exchange, but a hotel staffer told police he was called to handle a loud disturbance between the two that happened after 1 a.m. near the hotel pool. The staffer said Hegseth, who he said seemed very intoxicated, began cursing and asserted that he had freedom of speech. The woman, he said, apologized and explained they were with the Republican event before escorting Hegseth away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman said her memory covering the time after they were at the bar was fuzzy, which made her believe something may have been slipped into her drink. She does not recall clearly how she ended up in a hotel room with Hegseth. Once there, she said, he took her phone and blocked her from leaving out the door and that she said no many times. She recalled him being on top of her on a bed or couch as his dog tags dangled over her. Hegseth served in the National Guard. According to the report, after Hegseth ejaculated on her stomach, she said he threw a towel at her and asked her are you ok? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman told an investigator she does not remember how she got back to her hotel room. Her partner, who was staying with her, went to the hotel bar at 2 a.m., but didnt find her there. She returned to their room hours later, apologizing for having fall asleep. Days later, she told him she had been sexually assaulted. Police were first made aware of the allegations when a nurse contacted them after the woman asked for a sexual assault exam. Law enforcement collected the unwashed dress and underwear she wore the night of the alleged incident, according to the report. Hegseths account tells a different story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told police he attended the after-party and drank enough beer to be buzzed but not intoxicated. He said he consumed no hard alcohol. Hegseth said he met the woman at the bar and that she led him back to his hotel room. He told police he initially did not intend to have sex with her and that their ensuing encounter was consensual. Hegseth said he asked the woman a couple of times if she was comfortable. When she asked if he had a condom, Hegseth said he informed her that he did not and said they could stop if it was an issue. She said it was not a problem, and Hegseth added he did not want to get anyone pregnant. (At the time, Hegseth was in divorce proceedings with his second wife after he fathered a child with his mistress, a Fox News producer to whom he is now married). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth said that, after their encounter, the woman showed early signs of regret and said she planned to tell her husband she fell asleep on a couch in someones room. He assured her that she did not have to worry about him saying anything. Hegseth was being guided round Capitol Hill Thursday by Vice-president Elect JD Vance in an effort to secure Republican votes for his confirmation. MP from the ruling party of Armenia Artur Hovhannisyan, speaking about Karabakh, said that "for 30 years, Armenians have been forced to love what belongs to others." "What do you want from the internationally recognized lands of another country? When you walk through the streets of Armenia, do you feel like you are in a bathtub or in Yerevan? We all live in the "real" Armenia, so let's focus on our country," Hovhannisyan said, without specifying who exactly forced the Armenians, as he says, to love foreign lands. I would like to believe, of course, in glimpses of the recovery of Armenians, but it is important not to forget: for 30 years the Armenians held Azerbaijani lands under occupation, committed monstrous crimes, and now everyone is so white and fluffy: "It's not our fault, we were forced!" These Armenians are such a cowardly people. Admitting their mistakes, apologizing and trying to atone for their guilt is the only thing that Armenians can do useful. Rather than trying to throw the responsibility on others. Donald Trumps presidential administration is poised to oversee major cuts to the powers of the federal agency that protects unions, as corporations including Elon Musks SpaceX barrage the National Labor Relations Board with lawsuits and Trump allies consider firing its Democratic members. This week, Amazon, the nations second-largest private employer, and rocket maker SpaceX, founded by Trump adviser Musk, argued in federal court that the structure of the NLRB is unconstitutional. Theirs are among more than two dozen cases working their way through the courts that seek to drastically rein in the boards power. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump advisers have separately discussed taking the exceptional step of firing Democratic members of the five-person labor board, according to two people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal discussions. Taken together, the moves threaten to weaken or even eliminate an agency that under the Biden administration has taken a more active role in safeguarding unions and expanding their opportunities, but has been criticized by corporations for bias in favor of unions and legal overreach. These companies are trying to get the act overruled, said Seth Goldstein, a labor lawyer who has represented Trader Joes and Amazon workers, referring to the 1935 law that established the NLRB. And labor better wake up, because its coming. Steven Swirsky, an attorney at Epstein Becker Green, a law firm representing employers, said there is a view among some challenging the NLRB that it exists to help unions and workers and to impose obligations on employers that go beyond what Congress intended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The future shape of workers rights in the United States may depend on who wins a legal debate about whether the NLRB can be insulated from direct political interference, said Sharon Block, a Harvard Law professor and former labor board member for the Democratic Party. The agencys independence is protected in part by norms, Block said, but certainly President Trump has said things that suggested he did not feel bound by those norms. The president-elect has indicated he plans to broadly rein in federal regulators and said last week that Musk will co-chair the Department of Government Efficiency, an outside body created to recommend deep cuts to federal agencies. Musk has previously said he disagrees with the concept of unions and joked this summer in a conversation with Trump on the social media platform X about firing striking workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SpaceX, Musk and a spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Amazon declined to comment. Its founder, Jeff Bezos, owns The Washington Post. The NLRB oversees unionization votes by workers and adjudicates allegations of illegal union busting. It has a staff of administrative law judges and regional directors that monitor and investigate activity in its purview, under the supervision of its five board members in D.C. Employers found to have illegally retaliated against workers can face consequences, including having to reinstate fired employees or provide backpay. President Joe Bidens pick for NLRB general counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, has frustrated companies by seeking to expand the types of damages paid by employers that break the law. About 15,000 claims were filed with the NLRB in the fiscal year that ended in September, including by unions and employers, agency data shows. About 40 percent resulted in settlements or board rulings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abruzzo said in an email that big companies have previously challenged its authority without success and noted that the Supreme Court upheld the boards constitutionality in 1937. The NLRB will continue to do what Congress has mandated it to do, despite the continued challenges, she said. Abruzzo is viewed as one of the most union-friendly people to serve in her role. Trump is widely expected to fire her, just as Biden fired Trumps previous pick on his first day in office. If the NLRB loses much or all its power, workers would be at higher risk for retaliation from employers, said attorney Dan Ocampo with the nonprofit National Employment Law Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We once existed in a regime where there was no labor law, and it wasnt good for workers, he said. It was the 19th century, and cops were called in to break up strikes. The flood of legal challenges against the NLRB began when SpaceX sued the board in January. The suit followed a board complaint alleging that SpaceX illegally retaliated against employees who claimed they had been wrongfully fired in 2022 for signing a letter accusing its chief executive, Musk, of bullying and intimidation. On Monday, Michael Kenneally, an attorney representing SpaceX, argued before a panel of three judges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans that the NLRBs actions against the company were unconstitutional. The company claims that the law that created the NLRB in 1935 improperly prevents the president from removing its staff, including board members and judges, and gives officials an unconstitutional mix of judicial, executive and legislative powers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trevor S. Cox, an attorney representing Amazon, on Monday echoed SpaceXs arguments and said Amazon would be irreparably harmed if the board was allowed to continue its unconstitutional proceedings. Amazons involvement stems from its attempts to stop the unionization of warehouse workers on Staten Island after they voted to do so in 2022. The federal judges who questioned the two companies on Monday appeared skeptical of the employers arguments, made after lower courts declined to stop the boards proceedings. The SpaceX and Amazon cases are among at least 26 federal court cases challenging the boards constitutionality. Trader Joes and Starbucks have also made similar arguments this year in NLRB proceedings. The Supreme Court will have the option of taking up the question of the boards constitutionality if circuit courts reach conflicting decisions on some of those lawsuits. Federal agencies structured similarly to the NLRB are increasingly being targeted by lawsuits, legal scholars say, because recent rulings by the conservative-dominated high court suggest it is willing to remove cornerstones of the administrative state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was successful in getting conservative judges who were willing to stick their necks out, said Nelson Lichtenstein, a labor historian at the University of California at Santa Barbara. One interpretation of the argument that the NLRB is unconstitutionally structured would point to abolishing the law that created it. But there are other ways to undermine unionism than completely striking down the entire power of the NLRB, said Diana Reddy, a legal scholar at the University of California at Berkeley. When Amazon attorney Amber Rogers was asked by a federal judge in a Sept. 24 hearing in Texas what the company envisioned would replace the NLRB if its case proved the agency unconstitutional, she initially said it was not clear. Rogers went on to say it would be up to Congress to rewrite underlying law. In the meantime, she said that while some workplace matters could still be handled by the agency, others should receive a conventional trial by jury, a potentially more expensive and time-consuming process for workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate Andrias, who teaches labor and constitutional law at Columbia Law School, said an overnight return to the days before federal workers rights is not the most likely outcome. More likely that well see that chipping away at the powers of the board than an immediate striking down of the board in its entirety, she said. Lichtenstein agreed, saying the boards slow pace already favors companies, and the law underpinning it prevents certain economically harmful tactics like secondary boycotts. One reason we havent had labor law reform for 60 years is labor laws that now exist work for companies, he said. Kara Deniz, a spokesperson for the Teamsters union, which represents 1.3 million U.S. workers, said in a statement that because existing regulation already favors bosses, workers are no longer relying solely on a governmental process. The union has since June led the effort to unionize Amazon and said it will rely on actions such as strikes and walkouts rather than filing charges or holding union elections under the jurisdiction of the NLRB. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the NLRB persists under the second Trump administration, lawyers and legal scholars agreed that unions are likely to bring fewer matters before the agency. Should Trump eradicate it, we would see some really big strikes, said Reddy, the Berkeley law professor. Randy Bryce, an ironworker in Wisconsin, agreed that in the absence of the board, workers would be forced to resolve conflicts the same way we got unions in the first place - by withholding our labor. Related Content How a change in rice farming unexpectedly made Indias air so much worse Trinity Rodman has learned how to fail. Shes better for it. RFK Jr. weighs major changes to how Medicare pays physicians PROVO, Utah (ABC4) Six people were taken to the hospital, including three EMTs and a patient, after an ambulance was struck at the intersection of Freedom Blvd. and Cougar Blvd. near Brigham Young University on Tuesday afternoon. The crash happened just before 3 p.m. on Nov. 19. According to Provo Fire and Rescue, an ambulance was traveling westbound on Cougar Blvd. while on its way to Utah Valley Hospital with a patient. A Toyota Tacoma pickup truck failed to yield to the ambulance, striking it. Former Aggies coach Blake Anderson files $15M wrongful termination lawsuit against USU Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the crash, the ambulance had its lights and sirens running, meaning that the ambulance was requesting the right of way to the intersection. All other vehicles, except for the Tacoma, gave the ambulance the right of way. The crash sent three EMTs from Provo Fire and Rescue, an EMT student on a ride-along, and the patient that was being transported to the hospital, along with the driver of the Tacoma. Provo Fire and Rescue said the driver of the Tacoma and the three EMTs were released, and the EMT student is undergoing further evaluation. Utah Highway Patrol was called in to investigate the crash, which is still under investigation at the time of writing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information is available. Sorina Trauntvein contributed to reporting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Credit - Carol YepesGetty Images This weeks news regarding the Biden Administrations effort to force Alphabet to divest Google Chrome is consistent with shared anti-big business sentiments in large parts of the Republican right. The attack on American pillars of U.S. prominence, including technology, the food industry, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and higher educationall the envy of the rest of the worldhints an anger that is now bringing together Americas political opposites. Todays self-styled MAGA followers and self-styled progressives are anchored in the common tradition of early 20th century agrarian populists like publisher politician Tom Watson on the right and urban populist union organizer Eugene V. Debs on the left. Despite the obvious partisan split in the nation revealed by Trumps close victory, which nonetheless swept him into office with a decisive electoral college win and popular vote win, we are witnessing an emerging bond between the political extremes. In fact, I talked often with Donald Trump in 2015 as he planned his first candidacy, and he confided in me that he considered going to the left of Bernie Sanders to tap into national outrage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, it was not surprising when MAGA enthusiast, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) endorsed Trumps selection of RFK Jr. as Secretary of Health & Human Services, proclaiming that He could not be happier with the choice despite RFK Jr.s insistence that drinking water determines peoples gender and that vaccines cause autism. What was surprising was last week when Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis exclaimed that he was excited to endorse Trumps anti-science HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. given shared anti-corporate perspectives suspicious of vaccines, weight-loss drugs, and other miraculous products from pioneering U.S. pharmaceutical companies. Democratic Senator Cory Booker stated he shared many of RFK Jr.s accusations over corporations feeding us unhealthy products while flooding us with dangerous chemicals. Similarly, the now-withdrawn attorney general nominee MAGA field marshal Matt Gaetz has been defended by Democratic firebrand Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez when he earlier faced possible expulsion from Congress. Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a deep state antagonist and a former progressive Democrat presidential primary candidate, was nominated to be Director of National Intelligence. GOP Senator Mitt Romney and former Democrat Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have labelled her a Russian asset. But progressive lightening rod Senator Bernie Sanders rushed to her defense saying, Tulsi Gabbard has put her life on the line to defend this country. People can disagree on issues, but it is outrageous for anyone to suggest that Tulsi is a foreign asset. This past weekend Bernie Sanders attacked Democrats for spurning the hugely popular libertarian, conspiracy promoting, podcaster Joe Rogan, a Trump supporter, who actually endorsed Sanders. Directly parallel to such cynicism, this weeks news on the left-leaning Biden antitrust policy is seen by many business leaders to be an attack on U.S. global competitiveness with companies such as Microsoft and Apple feeling the heat, while others see it as opening the door to new enterprise. The Department of Justices antitrust chief Jonathan Kantors potential forced divestiture of Google Chrome, which controls over 60% of online searches, would undermine this gateway to Alphabets portfolio of services such as Gemini, its promising AI chatbot. Both Matt Gaetz and Brendan Carr, who is to be nominated chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, have asserted they too would crack down on tech giants. Read More: Dont Give Trump Credit for the Success of the Biden Economy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related severe antitrust enforcement, spearheaded by FTC Chair Lina Khan, was the target of U.S. business leaders who persuaded Vice President Kamala Harris to throttle back on such perceived anti-business rhetoric. Ironically, J.D. Vance applauds these Biden antitrust moves this year. Vance declared: A lot of my Republican colleagues look at Lina Khan, and they say, well Lina Khan is sort of engaged in some sort of fundamental evil thing. And I look at Lina Khan as one of the few people in the Biden Administration that I think is doing a pretty good job. Vance this year partnered with progressive colleagues including Senator Elizabeth Warren to introduce bills ranging from the Stop Subsidizing Giant Mergers Act to efforts to break up big banks. Political leaders and journalists must acknowledge the deep history of populist anger embedded in American society. Some is anchored in a class identity battle resenting elitist institutions and income disparity leading to widespread feelings of injustice. Some is anchored in fear of technological change, as with the Luddites of the early 1800s, English workers who destroyed machines in revolt against industrialization. Some is anchored in fear of demographic shifts in the nations racial, ethnic, and religious mix. And some is the cultural resentment historian Richard Hofstadter in 1966 labelled the anti-intellectual" tradition in American life. Regardless of the legitimacy of the sources of this populist anger, it is real, and it is deep, not defined by political party let alone the language of left-wing or right-wing ideologiesdespite commentators' efforts to do so. We must know it is quite combustible, easily triggered by charismatic demagoguery as well as frightening global and domestic shocks. Contact us at letters@time.com. VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) An Australian teenager and a British woman have died after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos in what Australias prime minister on Thursday said was every parents nightmare. An American and two Danish tourists also died, officials said, following reports that several people had been sickened in a Laotian town popular with backpackers. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalized in neighboring Thailand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is every parents very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure, Albanese said. "We also take this moment to say that were thinking of Biancas friend Holly Bowles who is fighting for her life." Later Thursday, the British government confirmed that a U.K. national also died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos. The Foreign Office said we are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities. She was identified by British media outlets as 28-year-old Simone White, a lawyer with the firm Squire Patton Boggs. The victims are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes added to mixed-drinks at disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, but can cause severe poisoning or death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Telephone numbers listed for Laos Health Ministry did not work and police refused to comment on the incident. Australia said several foreign nationals had also been victims of methanol poisoning. The U.S. State Department confirmed that an American had also died in Vang Vieng, and Denmark's Foreign Ministry said two of its citizens had also died in the incident in Laos, but neither would comment directly on a link to the methanol poisoning that killed Jones. Shaun Bowles told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday that his daughter remained in critical condition and on life support. We just like to thank everyone from back home for all of the support and love that were receiving, he said. But wed also like the people to appreciate right now, we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to the Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper, Jones' family asked for privacy in their grief. She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us, the family wrote. We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers weve received from across Australia. The U.S. State Department said local authorities were investigating the case and were responsible for providing any details, and that the U.S. was providing consular assistance. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss, the State Department said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landlocked Laos is one of Southeast Asia's poorest nations and a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is particularly popular among backpackers seeking partying and adventure sports. Details on the alcohol poisoning began trickling out about a week after the two Australian women fell ill on Nov. 13 following a night out drinking with a group in the remote town. Thai authorities confirmed that Jones had died by brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system. Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are far too common in many parts of the world, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said after receiving news of Jones' death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At this time I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks, please inform yourselves, please lets work together to ensure this tragedy doesnt happen again. New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that one of its citizens was also unwell in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning. We have updated our travel advisory for Laos to note that there have been several cases of suspected methanol poisoning after consuming alcoholic drinks, New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said. Travelers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia also updated its travel advice, cautioning that several foreign nationals had been victims of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos this month. The U.S. did not immediately issue an updated travel advisory. On Tuesday, Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel where the two Australian women stayed in Vang Vieng, told the AP that staff were told by other guests that the two women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on Nov. 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them. The women were then taken to Thailand for emergency medical treatment and their parents flew in to be with them. All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak, Albanese said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biancas trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come, he said. It is beyond sad that this was not to be. ___ Rising reported from Bangkok. Associated Press reporters Jutarat Skulpichetrat in Bangkok; Rod McGuirk in Melbourne, Australia; Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) has awarded The Friends of the Grand Junction Union Depot a grant to bring men and women ages 18 to 24 to communities nationwide for a 10-month service program focusing on impactful local projects. Nine dedicated AmeriCorps NCCC volunteers arrived in Grand Junction on Nov.5 to begin a six-week assignment to assist with restoring the historic Union Depot. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. Leonard Peltier (Photo/File) Amnesty International is calling on President Biden to take decisive action to uphold human rights in the United States and globally before the conclusion of his term. In a letter sent today, the organization highlighted five critical areas requiring immediate attention during his remaining time in office. Amnesty International specifically urges President Biden to: Release Indigenous elder and activist Leonard Peltier, Commute the death sentences of Billie Allen and all others on federal and military death rows, Transfer cleared detainees from Guantanamo Bay and close the detention facilities, Restore access to asylum at the U.S. border and prevent mass deportations, and Halt arms transfers to the Israeli government while leveraging U.S. influence to achieve an immediate, permanent ceasefire, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and secure the safe return of all remaining hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. The letter reminds President Biden of the commitments he made upon taking office, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these pressing human rights issues before time runs out. With only weeks left in your term as President of the United States, we implore you to keep your word on pledges you have made, said Paul OBrien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA. This is a question of simple moral decency, Mr. President. The world is watching you and holding out hope that you will take bold action to protect and fulfill human rights while you and your administration still have the power to do so. As President-Elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office, Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over the rhetoric and policies that defined his first term, highlighting themes of bigotry, xenophobia, and white supremacy that contributed to widespread human rights violations. The organization has pledged that its members, supporters, and activists in the United States and around the world will remain vigilant in defending human rights and holding the Trump administration, along with all newly elected U.S. officials, accountable for their actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Biden can, and must, help people right now who are enduring human rights abuses, said OBrien. This is his final chance as president to take a concrete stand for human rights. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net By Eduardo Baptista and Lisandra Paraguassu RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA (Reuters) -In his first global meetings since Donald Trump was reelected to lead the U.S., Chinese President Xi Jinping went on a diplomatic offensive, hedging against expected new tariffs and preparing to exploit potential future rifts between Washington and its allies. At meeting after meeting, from APEC in Peru to G20 in Brazil over the last week, Xi sought to draw a contrast with Trump's "America First" message, presenting himself as a predictable defender of the multilateral global trade order. Summit organisers, diplomats and negotiators also describe a noticeable shift from previous summits in a more constructive posture by Chinese diplomats, who were less focused on their narrow interests and more involved in building a broader consensus. The outreach is urgent for Beijing. While better prepared for another Trump White House - with many tech companies far less reliant on U.S. imports - China is also more vulnerable after its economy was hit by a huge property crisis. Much of China's attention has focused on the Global South, with state news agency Xinhua praising the G20 for including the African Union as one of the members. The voice of the Global South needed to be "not merely heard but also translated into tangible influence," Xinhua said. During his G20 speech on Monday, Xi reiterated China's position on "unilaterally opening our doors wider to the least developed countries," touting China's move to give all such countries "zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines." By making such overtures, China wants to expand its leading position in parts of the developing world where the U.S. has long lagged due to its inability to match the billion-dollar investments that China's state-led economy has marshalled. To position China as a defender of globalisation and a critic of protectionism, this calculated messaging comes at a time when many countries in the Global South fear the potential return of indiscriminate trade and tariff policies from the U.S., particularly under Trumps influence, said Sunny Cheung, associate fellow for China Studies at Jamestown Foundation, a think tank based in Washington DC. "Xi's remarks aim to present China as a more stable and sensible and most importantly a reciprocal partner in contrast to perceived U.S. unpredictability." CONCILIATORY TONE Trump has pledged to impose tariffs on Chinese imports in excess of 60%, and a Reuters poll of economists found they expected the U.S. would impose tariffs of nearly 40%, potentially slicing growth in the world's second-biggest economy by up to 1 percentage point. By Padraic Halpin and Amanda Ferguson DUBLIN/BELFAST (Reuters) - Sinn Fein's polling collapse from government-in-waiting to likely also-rans at an Irish election next week looks set to rob Irish nationalists of a potentially transformative moment in their pursuit of a united Ireland. Earlier this year the party appeared on the brink of power in Dublin for the first time, placing it in government on both sides of the Irish border and ramping up preparations as it sought to force London to hold a referendum on a united Ireland within a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a fracturing of the party's electoral coalition - in large part due to anger among traditional working class voters at its relatively liberal attitude to immigration - appears to have closed the path to power at the Nov. 29 election. That could shelve - for the foreseeable future - Sinn Fein's plans for an Irish government minister for reunification, unity planning by both a parliamentary committee and a citizens' assembly and a "diplomatic offensive" to promote the goal at the United Nations and across the EU. "An Irish government led by Sinn Fein would change the dynamics of this quite dramatically ... Sinn Fein are an absolutely vital part," said Colin Harvey, a human rights law professor at Queen's University, Belfast, and board member of Ireland's Future, a group that promotes debate around unity. "But I think it's essential to underline that this won't be taken forward by any one political party. It needs to be a wide, broad and deep political and civic coalition." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In campaigning in Dublin, there were precious few signs of such a coalition being built south of the border. On a two-hour Sinn Fein canvass in one of its working class Dublin strongholds of Donaghmede - part of a constituency where it scored the highest vote of any party nationwide in the 2020 election - Reuters did not hear unity raised on one doorstep. Instead unaffordable housing costs and under-resourced state services dominated discussions. "It (Irish unity) has in the past been something me and my friends and people my age have spoken about, I don't think with everything else going on right now it's number one priority," said 30-year-old teacher Deirdre Ni Chloscai, walking by Dublin's main thoroughfare of O'Connell Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOW PRIORITY While a commitment to Irish unity is a historical touchstone of Sinn Fein's main rivals in the Republic, they have left the subject as little more than a footnote in their election manifestos. Prime Minister Simon Harris' Fine Gael devoted less than a page to Northern Ireland in its 124-page plan and favours a continuation of the outgoing coalition's much more gradual path to unity - in part by investing some of Ireland's huge budget surplus in Northern Ireland, where finances are more strained. Harris' main coalition partner, Fianna Fail, has gone a touch further, promising to engage with other parties on how potential proposals concerning unity could be developed and pledging to invest another 1 billion euros in cross-border projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An opinion poll on Sunday put Fine Gael and Fianna Fail on a combined 43%, suggesting they could again reach a majority with a third, smaller party. Both have ruled out governing with the left-wing Sinn Fein, who were on 18%. That is a sharp change from a year ago when Sinn Fein was on course to be by far the largest party at 35%, and either bypass their centre-right rivals or leave little choice but for one of them to act as a junior partner. UNDERLYING TRENDS Sinn Fein insists that the only poll that matters is that on election day - and that irrespective of the result, broad trends are set to deliver a united Ireland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have committed to putting the reunification question at the very heart of government," Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald told Reuters. "But this is the direction of travel quite irrespective of who is in government." Despite the relative lack of interest, a large majority of voters south of the border support the ending of British rule in Northern Ireland in polls. While polls show a comfortable majority in Northern Ireland favour remaining in the UK, the gap has narrowed slightly since Britain's departure from the European Union put unity higher on the agenda in a region where a clear majority voted to remain in the EU with the Republic of Ireland. Other trends have also steadily moved the dial in favour of unity, from Sinn Fein becoming the first nationalist party to lead the regional power-sharing government, to 2021 census data showing Catholics - who are more likely to support unity - outnumbered Protestants for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement, the British government is obliged call a referendum if it appears likely that a majority would back a united Ireland. "The scale of change has been so profound, especially north of the border, that the truth is the question is now live," McDonald said. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin and Amanda Ferguson; Editing by Alex Richardson) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Former delegate Tim Anderson announced Wednesday that he is running for the District 97 House of Delegates seat currently held by Democrat Michael Feggans. Anderson was elected in 2022 to serve as the 83rd District delegate before the seat was moved to northern Virginia and he had been drawn into 100th District. He said at that time he would not force a primary with another Republican who had already announced he was running for that seat. The seat is up for election in 2025. Previously: Del. Tim Anderson not seeking reelection Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Anderson ran for the 19th District seat in the state Senate, but he lost in a three-way Republican primary. Feggans announced Wednesday that he was running for reelection, with an official campaign kickoff Dec. 7. When I was elected last year, the people of Virginia Beach and House District 97 made it clear: they demand leadership that delivers real results, Feggans said in a statement. Its been an honor serving the 97th, and I am proud of the work weve accomplished. While weve made progress, theres still more to do. An attorney, Anderson described the 97th District as a purple district, meaning they typically switch hands between Republicans and Democrats. Feggans defeated Republican incumbent Karen Greenhalgh for the seat in 2023. Anderson said that with the seat held by a Democrat in Virginia Beach, it is most likely the majority maker for either party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, Vice President Kamala Harris earned more votes in Virginia Beach than President-elect Donald Trump, but Republican Jen Kiggans, who won re-election to her House of Representatives seat, also won Virginia Beach. He said that since Virginia Beach voters vote for the candidate over the party, he said voters want candidates to stop talking about abortion and to stop worrying about what happens in the bedroom. I intend to do both, he said. I pledge not to support any legislation that changes any existing law on abortion, and I will not vote for anything that infringes on the individual liberty of who they love. This is what the voters in my purple district expect. He said he would focus on two main issues: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finding ways to eliminate the car tax by reducing the size of government Fixing the environment disasters happening in the Chesapeake Bay Virginia has billions of surplus tax dollars, Anderson said. We must reduce taxes including the car tax and start finding ways to phase out state income tax like Tennessee has done. Reducing taxes means reducing government spending, and that requires accountability. Feggans, in his statement, also said his focus has not wavered. From growing small businesses and supporting our veterans and military families to tackling flooding, expanding access to affordable housing, and ensuring our public schools remain second to none, my focus has never wavered, Feggans said. Im here to deliver not with empty promises, but with action that strengthens our neighborhoods and builds a brighter future for all. Together, we will keep pushing forward and make sure that Virginia Beach continues to be a place where opportunity and innovation thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. By Sarah Marsh and Thomas Escritt BERLIN (Reuters) - Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel describes her dealings with world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during her 16 years in power in her new memoir, which comes as her legacy is under fire in light of today's crises. In excerpts released ahead of the book's publication on Nov. 26, Merkel justifies her decision to push back against offering Ukraine future membership of NATO at the defence alliance's 2008 summit in Bucharest - which her critics say may have dissuaded Russia from invading Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even the statement made at the summit that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join NATO was a "battle cry" to Putin, wrote Merkel, who served four terms in office. "He later said to me: You won't be Chancellor forever. And then they'll become a member of NATO. And I want to prevent that'," she wrote in the excerpts published late on Wednesday by German weekly Die Zeit. Merkel's memoir, entitled "Freedom: Memories 1954-2021", will be published in more than 30 countries on Nov. 26. She will launch the book in the United States a week later at a Washington event with former President Barack Obama, with whom she forged a close political relationship. Obama's successor Trump, who earlier this month won another term in office, is one of the men at whom Germany's first female leader takes aim in the book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merkel sought advice from the pope on dealing with Trump when he was first elected U.S. president, hoping to find ways of convincing a man she saw as having a property developer's winner-or-loser mentality not to quit the Paris climate accords, she writes. "He saw everything from the perspective of the property developer he was before entering politics," she wrote. "Each parcel of land could only be sold once, and if he didn't get it someone else did. That's how he saw the world." Pope Francis, when Merkel asked him, in general terms, for advice on dealing with people "with fundamentally different views", immediately understood she was referring to Trump and his desire to quit the climate accords, she wrote. "Bend, bend, bend, but make sure it doesn't break," he told Merkel, according to her account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trump's presidency, Merkel's frequent invocations of values like freedom and human rights led to some dubbing her the true "leader of the free world" - a moniker traditionally reserved for U.S. presidents. "She was a person with integrity and without vanity, which is unusual for a politician," said Torsten Oppelland, professor of political science at Jena University. Written before Trump's reelection, the book expresses the "heartfelt hope" that Vice President Kamala Harris would defeat her rival. LEGACY UNDER FIRE During her four consecutive terms in office, Merkel steered Germany and Europe through the global financial crisis, the euro zone debt crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she has since faced criticism for allowing Germany to become ever more dependent on cheap Russian gas and Chinese trade, even following Russia's forcible annexation of Crimea and industry warnings against over-reliance on China. Critics also blame the rise of the far right and high energy costs in part on her decisions to open Germany's borders to refugees and to phase out nuclear power. She lacked vision, failing to take the reforms necessary to ensure the future strength of Europe's largest economy which is now grappling with a crisis in its economic model, they say. "During her tenure, Merkel was widely seen as a highly effective politician and a safe pair of hands," said Marcel Dirsus of Kiel University's Institute for Security Policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since leaving power, many Germans view her legacy much more critically. Either because her policies are seen to have failed or because her inaction is perceived to have worked on many of Germany's existing problems." Still, he said, many of Merkel's positions like her stance on Russia were consensus German positions across the political spectrum - current Chancellor Olaf Scholz was her finance minister during her last four years in power. In recent years however her own conservative party has distanced itself from its former leader, who has herself expressed little regret about her actions and largely kept a low profile since leaving office. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh and Thomas Escritt; Editing by Jamie Freed and Angus MacSwan) Disputes in Baku are growing increasingly heated 24 hours before the UN Climate Change Conference is due to end, as developing countries demand industrialized nations drastically increase aid, while the EU, US and others refuse to offer specific sums. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday urged negotiating teams to take ambitious decisions to limit global warming to the 1.5-degree Celsius target, hours after a draft deal emerged that failed to resolve key issues. "Failure is not an option," said Guterres at the COP29 talks, after he returned to Azerbaijan ahead of the conference's final day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Financial pledges to poorer countries to help them cut greenhouse gas emissions have been at the centre of intense discussion in Baku, with conflict over which countries should pay and from what sources the money should be drawn. The conference had to "deliver justice," Guterres said, underlining the sums are not hand-outs but an investment against devastation that unchecked climate chaos would inflict on everyone. Draft deal leaves key issues open His comments came after the COP29 presidency unveiled a draft deal aimed at determining the financial contributions wealthier countries should make to help poorer nations combat climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10-page draft leaves unresolved issues, such as whether only traditional industrialized nations will be expected to contribute financially or if wealthier emerging economies such as China and the Gulf states will also be encouraged to contribute. However, the draft deal does specify that financial support for adapting to climate impacts and compensating for damage should primarily take the form of grants, rather than loans that could burden poorer countries with additional debt. Developing countries are pressing industrialized nations for more ambitious climate action and financial assistance in the trillions of dollars. The EU has been hesitant, stating it will only commit to specific funding figures once other critical matters are settled. The bloc insists that countries such as China and Gulf states, who have profited greatly from fossil fuels, should contribute financially. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they and India are still seen as developing nations under a 30-year-old UN classification, making them eligible to receive aid rather than provide it. An independent UN expert group estimates that external climate aid needs to reach $1 trillion annually by 2030, with that figure rising to $1.3 trillion by 2035 10 to 13 times higher than the current aid flow. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it," said EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra of the draft text. It is clearly unacceptable as it stands now. Addressing the hosts from Azerbaijan, Hoekstra asked them to show more leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sabine Minninger, a German climate expert, expressed disappointment with the draft, saying it was troubling that, just one day before the conference's conclusion, industrialized nations were still unwilling to discuss concrete grant amounts. A group of 77 developing countries and China said that at least $500 billion should come annually from the industrialized countries, as they historically contributed the most to climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions. Another group of the 45 least developed countries said they need $220 billion a year in aid. The representative of the group called on the world to think of the people suffering from the consequences of a hotter world in Zambia, Madagascar, Nepal, Bangladesh or Tuvalu. The conference, which has brought together tens of thousands of participants from nearly 200 countries since November 11, is set to conclude on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hosts are due to present revised drafts on Thursday evening. Tough route ahead says German minister As Germany's chief negotiator, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said there are still major obstacles ahead before COP29 can come to a successful conclusion. It is still an "extremely rocky road," she said during her first public appearance in Azerbaijan after a bout of illness. It is unacceptable that last year's climate protection decisions are now being "watered down or worsened," she said. "As Team Germany and as Team Europe, we will continue to fight hard for every millimetre of progress and every tiny improvement in the coming days." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her goal is to form a broad and strong climate coalition across continents, as she did in Dubai last year. Baerbock reached Baku on Tuesday but was unwell for almost two days. Of the financing dispute, she said that Germany and Europe remain reliable partners but as large sums are involved, more donors need to be brought on board; a global effort is needed. The two-week conference, involving nearly 200 countries, is set to wrap up on Friday evening. Martin Kaiser, managing director of Greenpeace Germany, stressed that the success of the conference depends on the willingness of wealthy nations to provide substantial financial support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that poorer countries have clear expectations for concrete funding commitments and that industrialized nations must demonstrate significant contributions to build trust and move negotiations forward. PARIS (Reuters) - A group of protesting farmers on Thursday sought to block operations at the port of Bordeaux in southwestern France, as a new bout of agricultural anger intensified in Europe's largest crop-producing country. Farmers in their tractors blocked all of the access roads to the port, which links the city to the Atlantic via the Garonne river, Jose Perez, a local labour representative from the Coordination Rurale union told Reuters. "We will stay here because we still don't have answers (from the government)", Perez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many farmers, the port, which also includes a grains terminal, stands for what they call unfair competition from foreign producers who aren't subject to the same regulation. A push by the European Union to wrap up long-running trade negotiations with Latin American countries has rekindled anger in France, where farmers were already frustrated by rain-hit harvests, livestock disease outbreaks and a snap election that delayed promised support measures. The port's operator did not immediately reply to a request for comment. A spokesperson from the local prefecture in charge of security said that the protests had not affected port operations so far, adding that she was unaware of any planned police intervention. "For now, we're just talking," she said. (Reporting by Sybille de la Hamaide, Forrest Crellin, and Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) KENTUCKY (FOX 56) Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) released its annual data book after months of going through the numbers. The 32-page report details 16 areas of concern when it comes to Kentuckys children, including economic and educational trends, plus healthcare access. To me, the most important indicator is really children in poverty, said Karena Cash, Data and Research Director, KYA. In 2022, one in five Kentucky kids was living in poverty. This is down 1.5% percent from 2017, yet still totaled more than 200,000 children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also that 44% of Kentuckians are living in a high rental cost burden. Those connect really nicely, and they really show like income is behind a lot of these, said Cash. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: After a decade of study, the report details that one in four children have experienced at least two adverse childhood experiences before turning 18. This can include physical and sexual abuse or a family member in prison. These experiences can lead to health and behavior issues. Also concerning, the report concludes fewer than half of kindergarteners are ready to enter the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its about kids going into kindergarten prepared, having the social, emotional, academic skills they need to learn, you know, that helps a child developmentally. It also helps the teacher when kids have those skills, said Cash. KYA also released an online dashboard to allow users to find data broken down by county. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Data doesnt tell us what needs to happen, but it does tell us, like, where the problems lie, said Cash. KYA said a blueprint is in the works that will explore ways the state legislature can help children and families work through the struggles and thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced the Opioid Abatement Board issued a second round of grants for opioid abuse education and recovery programs. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Fourteen counties, two cities and two school districts will split $2.5 million in grants meant to combat opioid addiction in Oklahoma and support recovery programs. The state Opioid Abatement Board awarded its second round of grants Wednesday out of the $1 billion the state received from pharmaceutical companies in lawsuit settlements over the past five years. The board gave out $11 million in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comanche and Osage counties received the largest sum of $300,000 each from the grants awarded this week, according to an announcement from Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who leads the Opioid Abatement Board. Im pleased we are able to provide resources for communities across our state to fight the crippling effects of fentanyl and other deadly opioids, Drummond said in a statement. These funds will help remove opioids from our streets and provide help for Oklahomans struggling with addiction. The money will support opioid abuse education, addiction treatment and strategies to decrease the supply of narcotics in Oklahoma, the Attorney Generals Office said. Comanche County will use the grant to provide housing for those recovering from opioid addiction, give transportation for drug court participants and finance an opioid task force. Osage County will partner with the Osage Nation to give treatment, prevention and counseling support services, according to Drummonds announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twelve other rural counties successfully applied for the grant, as did the city of Warr Acres and Ponca City. Lawton Public Schools and Owasso Public Schools also will receive funds. Lawton schools received $75,000, Superintendent Kevin Hime said. He said the district will use the grant to train teachers in the Good Behavior Game, which rewards students for limiting disruptive behaviors. A study of Baltimore first and second graders starting in 1985-86 found the students who participated in the Good Behavior Game had lower rates of substance abuse in adulthood. Owasso will use its $150,000 grant to hire a nurse at the districts alternative high school, Ram Academy, and for evidence-based prevention programs, communications director Jordan Korphage said. The school nurse will lead development of an opioid awareness curriculum for students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The safety and security of students and staff is the top priority of Owasso Public Schools, Korphage said. These funds will help us educate students on the dangers of opioid abuse and promote healthy lifestyles, which are foundational for academic success. When students are physically and emotionally well, they are better equipped to focus, engage, and excel in the classroom. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Another Georgian volunteer soldier, 24-year-old Levan Lokhishvili, has been killed in action in Ukraine. Source: Echo of the Caucasus, Radio Libertys regional project, with reference to Lokhishvilis friend Oleksandr Rohava Details: Rohava said that Lokhishvili was killed on 19 November in Ukraines Kherson Oblast, during the explosion of a Russian "homemade" drone. Quote from Rohava: "We were preparing reconnaissance and observation positions. We had been working for an hour and heard the sound of a drone, a so-called homemade drone. We waited for a while, but at some point the drone hit Levan. There were four of us. Levan was killed instantly. Another soldier was hit by a piece of the drone and sustained an injury. The other one got a concussion." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More details: Levan Lokhishvili was a soldier of the 3rd Company of the 220th Battalion of the 126th Brigade of Territorial Defence Forces, with the brigades HQ located in Odesa. This group consists mainly of volunteer soldiers. Lokhishvili arrived in Ukraine on 29 March 2022. Before coming to Ukraine, he worked as a cook. A year later, Lokhishvili went back to Georgia for a while, but in the spring of 2024, he decided to come back to Ukraine. "He was flexible, he completed all the tasks we gave him at the training ground in five minutes, like a professional soldier. He was a very intelligent and responsible person," Rohava said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: It was reported in October that a Georgian volunteer, Mamuka Kekelia, was killed in action in Ukraine. At the end of August, it was reported that Georgian soldier Viktor Kipritidi had been killed in action as well. In total, more than 60 volunteer soldiers from Georgia have been killed on the front line in Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Support UP or become our patron! CHICAGO (WGN) One of Michael Madigans most trusted foot soldiers took the witness stand Wednesday as the governments racketeering and bribery prosecution against the former Illinois Speaker of the House continues. The US Attorneys Office granted Ed Moody immunity to testify against his former boss, Madigan. According to the government, Madigan allegedly ran their political and private operations like a criminal enterprise. Were you appointed as a Cook County Commissioner? prosecutors asked Moody, referencing his 2016 appointment to the Cook County Board. (Center) Ed Moody (Photo: WGN) Ex-ComEd executives testimony in Madigan trial raises credibility questions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decisive vote came from the Democratic Committee of the 6th District after Madigan had provided vital support from the start. According to testimony, Marty Quinn, Madigans lieutenant, took Moodys initial call. Assistant US Attorney Diane MacArthur: Why did you feel the need to reach out to Marty Quinn? Moody: To get the approval of Mike Madigan. From Cook County Board Commissioner, Moody moved to become the Cook County Recorder of Deeds in 2018. Moody also previously worked at the Cook County Bridgeview Courthouse and the Cook County Highway Department. But the job that first put Moody on Madigans radar screen, he testifies, was as a door knocker on the Southwest Side of Chicago. He eventually rose through the ranks to become Madigans 13th Ward Precinct Captain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors allege Madigan and top political confidante McClain doled out no-work jobs to subcontractors like Moody. According to prosecutors, the no-work jobs freed up Moody and others to do political work. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Both Madigan and McClain deny any involvement in the alleged political corruption case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Half a dozen groups and employers who oppose abortion are suing Gov. JB Pritzker and other state officials, aiming to stop them from enforcing a law that requires health insurers in Illinois to cover abortions and abortion medications at no cost to patients. The groups sued Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Department of Insurance Acting Director Ann Gillespie on Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Theyre targeting provisions of Illinois law that require state-regulated health insurers to cover abortions and to cover medications used to terminate pregnancies without charging patients any money out-of-pocket for them. The organizations allege in their lawsuit that Illinois laws are forcing them, as employers, to buy health insurance plans for their employees that cover abortion and abortion medications despite the groups stances against abortion. They argue that because patients are provided abortion medications free, everyone elses premiums help pay for the drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those suing state officials include Students for Life of America, the Pro-Life Action League, Illinois Right to Life, the Midwest Bible Church, the Clapham School, DuPage Precision Products and six Illinois residents who work for the organizations. Attorneys with the Thomas More Society, a not-for-profit law firm, filed the lawsuit on the groups behalf. These compulsory abortion-coverage laws provide no exceptions or accommodations for employers or individuals who object to abortion on religious or moral grounds, not even for churches, the groups argue in the lawsuit. As a result, Illinois residents who oppose abortion have no way of obtaining state-regulated health insurance that excludes abortion coverage, forcing many of them to choose between paying for other peoples elective abortions with their premiums or forgoing health insurance entirely. Alex Gough, a spokesperson for Pritzker, said in an email Wednesday that the lawsuit is nothing but another extreme action that would put the safety of women seeking reproductive care in jeopardy. Raoul said in a statement Wednesday that abortion is health care and too many women around the nation have died or experienced near-fatal medical emergencies because they were deprived of access to lifesaving abortion care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am committed to continuing to protect reproductive rights and preventing Illinois patients from facing such a nightmare, Raoul said in the statement. I am equally committed to protecting access to coverage for reproductive health care that includes abortion, because cost should not stand in the way of patients receiving critical abortion care. The Department of Insurance did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon. The laws cited in the lawsuit apply only to state-regulated health plans. Many large employers offer self-funded insurance, which is not regulated by the state. But most of the organizations behind the lawsuit say in their complaint that they are too small to offer self-funded insurance. This is not the first lawsuit over Illinois abortion laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, a Sangamon County Circuit Court judge threw out a case brought by the Illinois Baptist State Association, which sought to prevent the state Department of Insurance from enforcing the law requiring health insurers to cover abortions. In his order, the judge wrote that the association could have purchased other health plans not regulated by the state that did not include abortion coverage. In recent years, Illinois has strengthened its laws supporting abortion access, as surrounding states have made it more difficult for their residents to get abortions following the fall of Roe v. Wade. In 2019, Pritzker signed the Illinois Reproductive Health Act, enshrining abortion as a fundamental right in the state. In 2023, Pritzker signed a bill into law shielding individuals from civil and criminal discovery from other states and from extraditions related to providing reproductive health care. That law also allowed more types of providers in Illinois to provide certain types of abortion care. _____ Nancy Maces thinly veiled transphobia is getting old fastjust ask Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. What Nancy Mace, and what Speaker Johnson are doing, [is] endangering all women and girls. Because if you ask them, What is your plan on how to enforce this? they wont come up with an answer, Ocasio-Cortez told reporters after being asked about Maces string of targeted anti-transgender resolutions against Delawares Representative-elect Sarah McBride, the first ever openly trans woman in Congress. The idea that Nancy Mace wants little girls and women to drop trow because she wants to suspect and point fingers at who she thinks is trans is disgusting, Ocasio-Cortez continued. Theyre doing this so that Nancy Mace can make a buck, and send a text, and fundraise off an email. Theyre not doing this to protect people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mace, a GOP representative from South Carolina, introduced a resolution on Tuesday that would forbid trans women from using the restroom that aligns with their gender identity in the U.S. Capitol Building. The only trans elected official in the Capitol Building is Representative-elect Sarah McBride. Sarah McBride doesnt get a say. I mean, this is a biological man, Mace said. She added that McBride does not belong in womens spaces, womens bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, period, full stop. Mace has continued to shame and harass McBride online. She posted a video of her taping a sign reading biological right over a mens bathroom sign in the Capitol building. Early Wednesday morning she posted a video stating that shed be filing another resolution to ban biological men from womens spaces on all federal property all across the country. Mace was thus empowered after House Speaker Mike Johnson officially stated that transgender women would be banned from womens restrooms throughout the Capitol complex. But as Representative Ocasio-Cortez noted, it is very unclear how Johnson plans to enforce this ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Representative Mark Pocan was also swift to react to Johnsons decision. As Chair of the Equality Caucus, I requested a meeting with Speaker Johnson to discuss his bathroom ban and open his eyes to the reality that this policy is cruel, completely unenforceable, and opens the door for abuse, harassment, and discrimination in the halls of Congress, he wrote on Bluesky. For her part, McBride has recognized that Mace is out for attention and endeavored to not feed her trollery. Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families, she said in a statement, I will follow the rules as outlined by speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them. Mace, who is no stranger to spectacle, has made a habit of doing weird, attention-seeking gender cosplay on Capitol Hill. Last October, she wore a shirt bearing a large scarlet letter A after she joined the infamous Matt Gaetz in voting to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy in a sort of MAGA House mutiny. It was not immediately apparent what the famous Nathaniel Hawthorne character had to do with the speakership fiasco. (Just as confusingly, Mace seems to not be worried about Gaetz lurking around Capitol Hills washrooms.) Suffice it to say, her most recent hateful charade, made under the guise of protecting women, will likely only result in more women getting hurt. A 71-year-old Israeli archaeologist has been killed in a Hezbollah ambush in Lebanon after he entered the country with Israeli troops to visit an ancient site. Zeev Erlich, a renowned historian, had reportedly made an unauthorised visit to the warzone with a senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer on Wednesday. According to the initial IDF investigation, Col Yoav Yarom, the chief of staff of the Golani Brigade, accompanied Mr Erlich on his trip inside southwest Lebanon to examine an ancient fortress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Erlich was armed and dressed in IDF uniform despite not being an active duty soldier or in the reserves, Israeli media reported. He was described as a former reservist major. The archaeological site was thought to have been cleared by the IDF before Mr Erlich, Col Yarom and two other soldiers accompanying them arrived. Credit: lelotsenzure/Telegram However, two Hezbollah fighters reportedly ambushed the group and opened fire. The IDF issued a statement saying Mr Erlich fell during combat inside Lebanon, recognising him as a fallen soldier. His entry into Lebanon, along with reports that it was not his first visit to the active warzone, are now under investigation by the military police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sgt Gur Kehati, 20, of the Golani Brigade was killed in the incident and a company commander of the 13th battalion was seriously wounded, the IDF said. Col Yarom was moderately wounded in the gun battle. Incident sparks investigation into rules of conduct Following the news of his death, Herzi Halevi, Israels military chief, ordered a team of experts to examine and strengthen operational discipline in combat. The probe will examine the rules of conduct and the norms used in army units on the two main combat fronts in the north and south. Mr Erlich, a resident of the West Bank settlement Ofra, was known for his archaeological work and had written several books about Jewish history in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bezalel Smotrich, teh Israeli finance Minister and leader of the far-Right Religious Zionism party, issued a statement praising Mr Erlich, saying that he contributed much to the security of the country. Senior officers helped him over the years in analysing and understanding the region and its importance for ongoing security and operations, he added. Amihai Eliyahu, the Israeli heritage minister from the far-Right Jewish Power party, also issued a statement praising Mr Erlich, saying he had the energy of a 17-year-old teenager. He had a story for every rock. History for every path. A bible in one pocket, a map in another. At an age when others are sitting in an armchair with grandchildren, he chose to be in Lebanon, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Erlich will be laid to rest at the cemetery in Ofra on Thursday. After a year of cross-border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel, a potential ceasefire appears to be getting closer after Lebanons government and the Iran-backed terror group agreed to a US proposal with some comments earlier this week. However, Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, said on Wednesday that any ceasefire deal with Lebanon must ensure Israel has the freedom to act against Hezbollah. US envoy Amos Hochstein, seeking to seal the deal, will meet Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, on Thursday. 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. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) From the Tampa Bay Rays unsolved future to a stadium ravaged by hurricane damage, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Tropicana Field. Employees livelihoods hang in the balance too. The team was always going to have to play somewhere else during the construction of the new stadium, but think about what St. Petersburg would be like with Tropicana Field or the Rays altogether. What does Fergs look like? What do all the other bars down there look like? What? An empty hole? said Michele Dyson. If the Rays dont want to stay, and you fix the stadium for them, what attendance will we have? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dyson has worked at Tropicana Field for the last 10 years. Not as a player, or someone in the front office, but she says she and others are the faces of the ballpark. Im creating the experience of why they come there. So does the kitchen, so are the housekeepers, so are the fan hosts, so are everybody. The fish tank people, the bucket guy, he depends on the Rays to be there, said Dyson. She is worried about the future. Dyson attended Tuesday nights county commission meeting, where the main topic was a letter sent by the Rays accusing the commission of ending the 2028 deal. The letter is not legally binding and does not override the current agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The St. Petersburg City Attorney said the city is contractually obligated to fix the Trop and get the Rays back there as soon as possible. Those against the deal argued wanting more for taxpayers, said it wasnt a good deal to begin with, and thought the county and city should focus on recovering from the hurricanes and restoring beaches. St. Pete Clearwater is still shining, said Brian Lowack, the President and CEO of Visit St. Pete Clearwater. The group was at the Sheraton Sand Key Wednesday night, hosting some of Brazils largest tour operators and travel agents. The goal was to show how the beaches have recovered and how the area is back open for business. In the wake of the storms, on media and international media is images with the Trop with the roof off, the cranes through buildings, and as you can see, that is totally not the truth here anymore, said Lowack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The roof is still off of Tropicana Field. The beaches have cleaned up significantly, but there is still more that needs to be done. 8 On Your Side asked the CEO his take on how this deal with the Rays impacts tourism. I would say that the board of county commissioners, they are the ones that are going to make those decisions, in conjunction with the city of St. Petersburg. And whatever the outcome is, were going to continue to highlight all the great things that make St. Pete Clearwater Americas Best Beaches, said Lowack. Money from the deal with the Rays cannot be used for other Pinellas County projects. Dyson said she hopes everyone involved in this deal considers everyone at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its more than just a stadium, its a home for a lot of us. Downtown is thriving because of it, said Dyson. What are we going to do? We arent million-dollar ballplayers, were hourly employees. Thats the truth of the matter. Dyson was under a concession company that contracted with Tropicana Field. She said the Yankees stadium uses a different company so she couldnt transfer. She also isnt getting a severance package. St. Petersburg city council is expected to meet Thursday to discuss the damage report on the Trop. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The city of Colorado Springs and its municipally-owned utility earned high marks in the annual Military Friendly ratings for hiring and supporting the careers of military spouses and veterans. An argument over beer money preceded the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man behind a Madison car dealership, a Nashville detective testified Thursday. Juan Ramirez-Guerra, 29, accused of fatally shooting Edin Delacruz-Reyes on Oct. 19, had his criminal homicide charge bound over to a grand jury Thursday morning. According to a witness who testified, Ramirez-Guerra and Delacruz-Reyes knew each other before the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Ramirez-Guerra got off a shift at a garage at the dealership on Gallatin Pike, he hung around and started drinking with a few other people. Attorney Cody Fisher talks to his co-counsel representing Juan Ramirez-Guerra during a preliminary hearing at the Justice A. A. Birch Building in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Ramirez-Guerra was charged with criminal homicide after the fatal shooting of Edin Delacruz-Reyes, 28, in Madison. At some point, he gave $100 to Delacruz-Reyes to purchase more beer, Metro Nashville Police Det. Kevin Guyton testified. Ramirez-Guerra got only $20 back from Delacruz-Reyes. The two got in an argument over the missing money, Guyton said. Ramirez-Guerra told Guyton during an interview that he tried to stop arguing, but the victim kept on and got aggressive. At some point, Delacruz-Reyes put his arm around Ramirez-Guerra, led him away and tried to swing at him, but did not hit him. Delacruz-Reyes did not have a weapon, Guyton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that point, Guyton said, Ramirez-Guerra fired on the victim at extremely close range. There was still soot around Delacruz-Reyes' entry wounds, indicating he was likely shot from about an inch away. He had two gunshot wounds one through the chest, puncturing his aorta and exiting his chest, and one through his left shoulder. Detective Kevin Guyton gives testimony against Juan Ramirez-Guerra during a preliminary hearing at the Justice A. A. Birch Building in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Ramirez-Guerra was charged with criminal homicide after the fatal shooting of Edin Delacruz-Reyes, 28, in Madison. The eyewitness who took the stand said, through an interpreter, It didnt seem like they were fighting, and then from one moment to the next a shot. Guyton said the weapon used was a black 9mm handgun that Ramirez-Guerra had seen at the garage and purchased from its owner. Several people came forward with information about the shooting after it occurred, Guyton said. Ramirez-Guerra chose to speak with police after he was arrested outside a family members home he was staying at. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that interview, Ramirez-Guerra said hed fired at Delacruz-Reyes in self-defense. Guyton said some of the witnesses who were at the scene said that Delacruz-Reyes liked to start fights when he was drunk. Judge Allegra Walker-Birdine listens to a witness give testimony against Juan Ramirez-Guerra during a preliminary hearing at the Justice A. A. Birch Building in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. Ramirez-Guerra was charged with criminal homicide after a fatal shooting of Edin Delacruz-Reyes, 28, in Madison. Guyton said Ramirez-Guerra considered going back to Mexico after but said he would ride it out, just see what happens." Judge Allegra Walker quickly chose to bind the case over to a grand jury, the next step in the criminal court process. Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @EvanMealins. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Argument over beer money led to Madison shooting, detective says Matt Gaetz might not have enough support to be confirmed as attorney general by his Republican colleagues in the Senate, MSNBCs Ari Melber said Wednesday, because the raw math of White House politics appears stacked against him. This is in large part, he explained, due to his own attacks on most Republicans who are now asked to endorse Trumps selection for attorney general. Gaetzs potential confirmation is causing waves throughout Washington D.C., Melber further explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans [are] struggling to face and release the facts that they gathered about one of their own, attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz, Melber said, referring to the findings of the House Ethics Committee investigation into sex trafficking and drug use allegations against the former Florida congressman. Republicans basically now trying to see if they can get away with hiding their report regarding allegations against him. Watch the full segment from MSNBCs The Beat below: Members of the GOP met in secret at the House Ethics Committee Wednesday, Melber added, but chairman Michael Guest then shared some details of the meeting with reporters something that apparently breaches the protocol where the process is supposed to be fully confidential until and unless these written materials about Gaetz are themselves released. The committee has jurisdiction over its own work and could send these findings confidentially to the Senate. The problem, Melber continued, is whether Republicans think these findings are so bad for Gaetz and Trump and for their own process that theyd actually rather take heat over being secretive than take heat over whatevers in there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Vice President-elect JD Vances attempts today to reach out to senators in hopes that they will confirm Gaetz, its becoming clear that the odds are against him. At least five senators lean against Gaetz, Melber said, and though they may not want to begin the new era crossing Trump on a high profile matter the objections are reportedly well even beyond the ethics issues I just told you about. Trump is said to be aware of the growing movement against Gaetz, the New York Times reported, and has made phone calls to hesitant senators in a bid to change their minds. The prevailing thought behind those calls appears to be that if Gaetz isnt confirmed, anyone else Trump recommends will be because the bar will have fallen so far. Trumps personal lawyer Todd Blanche, who is his choice for deputy attorney general, could be his back-up if Gaetzs appointment fails. You can watch the clip from The Beat in the video above. The post Ari Melber Breaks Down Why the Raw Math Stacks Against Matt Gaetz After His Attacks on Most Republicans | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders presents a balanced biennium budget in Little Rock on Nov. 21, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders proposed a $6.49 billion budget Thursday that raises spending by 2.89% and focuses on her priorities of education, maternal health, government efficiency and public safety. The budget Sanders presented to the Arkansas Legislative Councils Joint Budget Committee proposes a $182.5 million increase to the states general revenue budget in fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve kept up large budget surpluses and at the same time, weve continued our investments in needed priorities while delivering not one, not two, but three tax cuts, lowering Arkansas top line tax rate by a full percentage point, Sanders said. This years balanced budget continues that trend of fiscal responsibility. Education is again a major focus of the governors budget, which proposes $90 million in additional funding for the states school voucher program as well as an additional $90 million in set-aside funding to meet whats expected to be increased demand. Created through the LEARNS Act, a wide-ranging 2023 education law, the Education Freedom Account program provides up to 90% of the annual per-student public school funding rate for allowable expenses, including private school tuition. The program is being phased in over three years until its available to all students during the 2025-2026 school year. Governor Sanders FY26-27 Balanced Budget Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked by Rep. Jim Wooten, R-Beebe, if an increase in EFA funding will harm public school students, Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Jim Hudson noted the funding comes from different revenue streams. Per-pupil funding for public school students is provided through the adequacy fund, which Hudson said is more than adequate to cover the requirements to provide a constitutional standard of education in our public schools. What we do in terms of the EFAs, the freedom accounts, comes from a completely different funding stream, Hudson said. And so yes, we can do both at the same time, one without harming the other. Recommendations made by lawmakers for adequacy funding would provide for around $262 million over two years to public schools, assuming thats whats approved, State Budget Direct Robert Brech said. The adequacy fund is expected to grow more than that and currently has a balance of $600 million, he said. House Speaker-designate Rep. Brian Evans, R-Cabot, listens to a budget presentation from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Nov. 21, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) House Speaker-designate Rep. Brian Evans, R-Cabot, told the Advocate he was very comfortable with the budget and believes the governor has made a commitment to be the education state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are going to raise the standards of education and to do that you have to provide the proper funding for that, Evans said. She is committed to this, committed to the EFA program [and] wants to make sure that is stable within our budget. House Minority Leader Rep. Andrew Collins, D-Little Rock, in a phone interview said he thinks the proposed budget is a missed opportunity. We have a lot of needs in this state, areas that people agree need investment like maternal health, mental health, public education, Collins said. And instead of seeing the investments we need in those areas, were seeing continued prioritization of vouchers, prisons and tax cuts for the wealthy, and I think the people of Arkansas deserve better than this budget. Maternal health Sanders budget proposes $13 million for Medicaid to help support funding recommendations from the Strategic Committee for Maternal Health that the governor convened this year to address the states poor maternal health outcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas has among the nations highest maternal and infant mortality rates, according to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. Additionally, Arkansas is the only state that has taken no action to adopt the federal option of extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months after birth. Sanders has said this expansion would be redundant and duplicative, since the state has other insurance coverage options for postpartum low-income Arkansans. I know all of us want to find real solutions, not headline-grabbing programs that dont actually solve the problem, Sanders said Thursday. This budget puts money behind that goal. Sanders proposed budget also includes $100 million in set-aside funding for Medicaid sustainability. Brech noted that the total $190 million in set-aside funding for Medicaid and the EFA program will only be used if necessary and are not part of the Revenue Stabilization Act, the law that prioritizes state government spending. Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Jim Hudson (left) and State Budget Director Robert Brech answer questions about the 2025 state budget from lawmakers on Nov. 21, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Its not known at this time if those will be necessary, Brech said. In the event they are, those set-asides could be used and then built into the budget afterwards, but what we didnt want to do is put too much money in the RSA when it wasnt needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hudson said recent legislative budget hearings have included several conversations around fund balances and the expectation that agencies need to be looking at ways to bring those balances down, either through better spending or looking at reducing fees. Joint Budget Committee chair Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, told the Advocate having the set-aside funding available but not including it in the budget is the correct decision. I know theres some discussion about utilizing the adequacy trust fund and the Medicaid trust fund, both of those dollars are collected for a specific purpose, Dismang said. There is no other thing you can utilize them for, so I think drawing on those fund balances is the right thing to do, especially when theyre growing at the rate that they are. Collins said hes concerned about using one-time money to shore up the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That puts authority for spending in the executive [branch] and in a small group of legislators rather than the entire Legislature where spending authority is supposed to be vested, and I think thats a bit of a concern, he said. It really shouldnt be the way we do business in the ordinary course of things. House Minority Leader Rep. Andrew Collins, D-Little Rock, asks a question about the states biennium budget on Nov. 21, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Government efficiency Sanders last week announced a restructuring of the state employee pay plan thats expected to cost $102 million, with nearly $60 million coming from general revenue and $42 million from other sources, according to a press release from her office. The new plan will raise some salaries to labor market rates, clarify promotion ladders in each agency and consolidate about 2,200 job titles into just over 800 without reducing the number of jobs, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders told lawmakers Thursday that the pay plan will help recruit and retain workers, and be key to our larger goal of delivering better, more efficient government for the people of Arkansas. While the majority of the $102 million commitment comes from existing streams, the budget also proposes $3.15 million in new funding for pay raises, she said. State agency leaders should be able to accommodate the updated pay schedule within existing budgets, the governor said last week. The plan will go into effect in July as part of the fiscal year 2026 state budget if approved by the Legislature during the upcoming legislative session. Other needs Sanders Thursday presentation of her required balanced budget also featured support for our states other critical needs, she said, including about $50 million for corrections, $6 million for higher education, $4 million for the Division of Youth Services and $1 million for foster child placement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These numbers might seem small in a multimillion dollar budget, but their impact is enormous, she said. Sanders highlighted the states success with foster-care work, noting there are fewer than 200 kids waiting for adoption for the first time since the state started keeping track, but much of the public focus in recent weeks has been her work with building a new prison. Sanders announcement that the state had purchased 815 acres for $2.95 million in Franklin County with the intent of building a prison with up to 3,000 beds blindsided state officials and local residents. Despite community pushback, the Arkansas Board of Corrections approved the states land purchase. State officials have said the prisons cost will depend on what design is selected, but noted $330 million has been set aside by the Legislature and theres another $75 million in reserves. Reporter Mary Hennigan contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Retired Maj. Gen. Kendall Penn will resign as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs effective December 31. Retired Maj. Gen. Kendall Penn According to a press release, Penn was appointed the second ADVA Secretary on January 10, 2023. 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, said Penn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penn credits Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders for the ongoing cooperation between her office and ADVA. Secretary Penns life has been defined by service and his latest chapter serving our veterans has been no different, said Governor Sanders. Kendall leaves big shoes to fill, but I look forward to building on his accomplishments as we find new ways to attract veterans to our state, serve them while theyre here, and honor them for the sacrifices theyve made for our nation, said Sanders. Im proud of the progress we have made together. Our team has significantly improved veteran outreach, provided stellar nursing home care for our elderly veteran population, and significantly improved our cemetery operations, said Penn. The ADVA is a state agency created in 1923 by the Arkansas General Assembly to connect veterans and their dependents to state and federal services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release says it employs 300 personnel in support of Arkansas veterans and their families statewide. According to the release, Sanders has not yet named a replacement for Penn. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CABOT, Ark. Currently there is no college veterinary school, however, that is all about to change in the coming years as two colleges plan to make that opportunity available for students. Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and Lyon College in Batesville both plan to build a veterinary school in Arkansas. Cabot, Lyon College announce lease agreement for veterinary school In September, the ASU Board of Trusts approved nearly $48 million in capital projects, including its new College of Veterinary Medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a university press release, officials said the design and construction of the vet facility is estimated at $33.2 million, funding it through student fee revenue bonds and institutional reserves. Lyon College and the City of Cabot finalized a lease agreement for the new Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine set to be located in Cabot. In the citys press release, this week the city approved a resolution to sell 20 acres of property to a developer for $5.7 million for the development and construction for animal service facilities. The property will be used by Cabot Animal Support Services and Lyon Colleges vet school. What were doing is actually collaborating on developing a campus that will have Cabot animal support services and Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine on the same campus, Lyon College president Melissa Taverner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyon College Veterinary School announces partnership with Cabot Animal Support Services to offer hands-on learning Mike Wheeler, the director for Cabots community services, spoke on how the development will offer students a hands-on experience. The teaching vet hospital will also be there so they will be able to come in and help with our animals, Wheeler said. They would have done spays and neuters, they would have removed limbs, eyes and tumors. They would have done everything in a clinical setting. The two schools would come at a time when many officials say veterinarians around the state are needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have people who are really seeking to take care of their companion animals, farm animals and animals in the food production industry. Those needs are not just there but they are growing, Taverner said. Arkansas State University trustees authorize $30.6 million bond for new veterinary school Both colleges note the facilities could have an economic impact and hope to admit their first class of students in 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 KARK. Arkansas State Police make arrest in 2023 Mississippi County crash that left woman, child dead BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. Arkansas State Police said they made an arrest tied to a 2023 crash that left a woman and a child dead. ASP officials said they arrested 40-year-old Robert Charles Sena of Nebraska in connection with a crash that resulted in the deaths of 34-year-old Ramira Rogers and an 8-year-old passenger. Man convicted of killing nursing student Laken Riley sentenced to life in prison without parole Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 27, 2023, troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 18 west of Blytheville around 6:15 a.m. Investigators said Sena, who lived in Lake City at the time, crossed the center line and collided head-on with a car driven by Rogers. State police said Rogers and the child were killed in the wreck and another minor was injured. A witness, police said, reported that Sena was driving aggressively and erratically before the crash. According to state police, a blood sample taken from Sena tested positive for methamphetamine at the time of the crash. Arkansas State Police investigating Lake Village homicide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sena is being held at the Mississippi County Detention Facility and is facing two charges of negligent homicide as well as a charge of driving left of 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 KARK. LAKE VILLAGE, Ark. The Arkansas State Police are investigating after a man was found dead in Lake Village Wednesday morning. Authorities said deputies with the Chicot County Sheriffs Office received a report of an unidentified man lying in the street in the Lake Village Cemetery around 7:15 a.m. Pine Bluff police arrest woman accused of robbing bank Lake Village police responded and said when officers arrived, they found the body of 63-year-old James Haney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lake Village Police Department then requested assistance from ASPs Criminal Investigation Division. State police officials said Haneys body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine a cause and manner of death. North Little Rock police arrest second suspect in Riverfront Drive shooting No suspect information has been released at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch In postliberal America, you need to find happiness where you can. Something Ive been enjoying lately is watching critics declare Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth unfit for office because, allegedly, theyre sex pests. My friends: This country just made Donald Trump president. Again. After he was found liable in a civil trial for sexual abuse. Gaetz and Hegseth are unfit, certainly, but basing the case against them on their sexual behavior reminds me of Hollywoods double standard between sex and violence. Americans will happily consume the most luridly gory slasher flicks and shoot-em-ups without batting an eye; get a tiny bit too graphic in depicting coitus, though, and everyone coughs and straightens their ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its fair and fine to oppose Hegseth and Gaetz because their personal conduct has been dubious enough to have created legal complications for them. But if youre more outraged by that than by the possibility that theyll try to turn the military and federal law enforcement into revenge machines for their authoritarian patron, youve grown numb to the goriest stuff playing out in front of us. Violence against the constitutional order, not sex, is the primary reason to reject them. The fact that so many Trump critics have drilled down on these nominees sex-pest-ery rather than their postliberal toadyism seems significant to me. The same goes for conservative critics like Mike Pence who base their opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Cabinet nomination primarily on his pro-choice politics. Thats certainly a valid reason for a pro-lifer to dislike Trumps pickbut it feels trivial under the circumstances relative to the actual reason to oppose him. Kennedy isnt unfit because hes about to usher in abortion on-demand nationally over Trumps objections. He wont. Hes unfit because hes a conspiratorial crank of epic proportions. Lending the authority of the federal government to his ravings will lead millions of trusting Americans to make calamitous health decisions, starting of course with declining to vaccinate their children. I can only assume that critics like Pence are dancing around that argument because theyre convinced the right writ large is too immersed in crankery to care. Likewise, I can only assume that critics are dancing around the civic argument for opposing Gaetz and Hegseth because theyve lost all faith that Americans might respond to it. The publics tolerance for a fascist government was litigated on Election Day; they either dont believe itll happen or, as I suspect, dont care. Faced with that, Trumps opponents are forced to fall back on arguments for borking his nominees that are so outdated as to seem quaint. Theyre perverts! Kennedy is pro-choice! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe wed have more luck getting Americans to care if we eased off of the substantive case against Trumps nominees and pivoted to the procedural case instead. Namely: Whenever the party in charge abuses its power, it sets a precedent that can and will be used against it the next time the out-party is elected. Every Gaetz, Hegseth, and Kennedy has a counterpart somewhere on the left; lowering the bar for appointments so that the GOPs misfits can clear it ensures that the Democratic misfits of tomorrow will sail through as well. Thats especially so if Trump and House Republicans end up colluding in recess-appointment chicanery to let him install the Cabinet he likes without the Senates advice and consent. To my knowledge, no president has ever sought to dispense entirely with the upper chambers confirmation power, which is what Trumps scheme would amount to. It would be a meaningful step toward dictatorship if he succeeds, without hyperbole. And it too would set a precedent than can and will be used eventually by Democrats. Wont it? The end of precedent. Some very smart people have begun pressing the procedural case against recess appointments, including our own Sarah Isgur. Yall realize the Democrats will win another presidential election someday, and then under your new theory, they get to appoint whatever lunatics they find without the support of even their own party? she tweeted on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And SCOTUS has all but naw-dawg-ed this idea already, she continued. [In] 2014 they unanimously shot down [Barack] Obama when he tried to recess-appoint over a three-day intra-session recess. So your plan is to ignore the Supreme Court AND hand your opponents an enormous weapon in a few years all while gutting the constitutional function of the Senate? Cool, cool. The Republicans purported plan is even nuttier than that, Matt Glassman noted. A former congressional staffer and expert on House procedure, Glassman pointed out that the right has far more to potentially lose by normalizing presidential recess appointments than the left does given that the Senate map is trending red. 2026 will be another cycle in which Democrats face tougher races than Republicans and rising discontent with blue-state dysfunction risks putting even some safe-ish liberal seats in play. Senate Democrats now have a practical ceiling of 52 seats versus 62 for the GOP, a despondent Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut estimated earlier this month. That being so, Glassman argued, why on earth would Republicans want to mainstream a procedure by which a Democratic president and Democratic House could collude to force a Republican Senate into recess, allowing that president to fill his or her Cabinet with progressive weirdos? Every abuse of power is a precedent. Todays Secretary Pete Hegseth is tomorrows Secretary Rachel Maddow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nowhere is that better understood than in the United States Senate, where the filibuster endures despite efforts by everyone from Chuck Schumer to Donald Trump to get rid of it. Its survival is due to nothing more complicated than fear of what the other side might do with its next majority once the 60-vote threshold in the chamber is goneso much so that new Senate Republican leader John Thune was quick to promise last week that his party will protect Democrats right to filibuster. Imagine that: In an era of otherwise total Republican subservience to Trump, Thune is more anxious about what the left might pass in a post-filibuster Senate than he is about earning the wrath of the incoming White House. Thats how it should be in a liberal system. The rules are neutral, the voters are fickle, and theres always another election right around the corner. Institutionalists like Thune are obliged to worry about the precedents they set because they know the other side might get the opportunity to use those precedents against them much sooner than anyone thinks. What are we to make of the fact, then, that Donald Trump conspicuously does not seem worried as he goes about setting precedents that the American right would regardcorrectlyas nuclear strikes on the constitutional order if a Democrat had set them? Forced adjournment of Congress, purges of disloyal government officials, using the military to enforce the law domestically: All of it is on the table already, two weeks and a day since Trump was reelected. On Tuesday, the Washington Post threw another log on the fire when it reported that Trump has so far declined to let the Federal Bureau of Investigation check [his Cabinet nominees] for potential red flags and security threats to guard against espionageinstead relying on private campaign lawyers for some appointees and doing no vetting at all for others. He and his team might end up granting blanket security clearances to nominees like Tulsi Gabbard, per the Post, despite not knowing whether theyre compromised or how. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why doesnt Trump care about the horrendous precedents hes setting for future Democratic presidents by doing all of this? Hes an ignoramus, some might reply. Hes so narcissistic that he cant conceive of the consequences of his decisions except in terms of his own self-interest. And thats fair enough. Its surely true that Trump doesnt care how much his party suffers once hes done with politics. He probably relishes the prospect, not wanting to imagine that the GOP might thrive without him. But I suspect none of that explains why hes unconcerned about precedent. The likely truth is that he isnt worried about Democrats emulating his abuses of power because he doesnt believe Democrats will ever again wield power. The other party cant turn the tables if it never gets a chance to govern. Asymmetric power. Im going to spend the next four years warning people that Trumps party will resist handing over power if it loses the next presidential election and practically everyone will call me hysterical for saying so, as if it didnt already happen once before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Im as confident in that prediction as I was in assuming that Americans were going to reward Trumps previous coup attempt by handing him a second term. Partly its a matter of past is prologue (or character is destiny, if you prefer), partly its a reflection of the fact that J.D. Vancethe heir apparent and presumptive 2028 nomineeis an avowed coup enthusiast whos said, on the record, that he believes America is in a late republican period. Mainly, though, I think Ill be right because I can see the sort of government Trump is building. I cant imagine him hollowing out the Justice Department, the Pentagon, and the intelligence community and filling them up with toadies just to ensure that theres less friction in executing policy until 2029. Building a bureaucracy in his own image is an attempt to convert the executive branch into a kingdom. And kingdoms arent cheerfully transferred to enemies in neat little four-year terms. Nothing is sillier than the idea of President Trump fulfilling his fantasy of making the military and law enforcement loyal to him personally rather than to the Constitution and then graciously ceding their absolute obedience to President-elect Gretchen Whitmer. Ironically, in fact, the sheer ruthlessness of the postliberal precedents hes setting will eventually be cited as a justification for refusing to hand over power in four years. Itll be the Flight 93 logic of 2016 on steroids: Having successfully demolished all constraints on executive power, how could right-wing populists be so reckless as to hand that power to an evil left-winger? So when Sarah Isgur asks, rhetorically, whether the right realizes that the other party will regain the presidency someday and put Trumps recess-appointment precedent to use, I think the response from Trumpists is simple: Democrats wont regain it. Sarah doesnt know what time it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And when she wonders whether the plan is to ignore the Supreme Court if it deems Trumps recess appointments illegal, that answer is simple too: Yes, if it comes to that. That didnt happen during his first term, I realize, but as you may have noticed from the tenor of last weeks Cabinet nominations, this term will be different. Defying court rulings is another thing that our new soon-to-be vice president has explicitly condoned, in fact. That said, I concede that it might not come to that. It will be politically useful for Trump as he goes about implementing his will to maintain a patina of legal legitimacy for his actions, just in case there remains an inkling of civic conscience among Americans that might be inflamed by seeing him go fully rogue. If he tries to force Congress to adjourn in order to justify recess appointments and the courts say no, my guess is that hell dial up wary Senate Republicans and start tossing every threat he can think of at them to get them to voluntarily agree to a by-the-book recess. And if they still dont agree, I suspect hell withdraw Matt Gaetzs nomination, make him White House justice czar instead, and get some supplicant confirmed as attorney general whose duties will be to take dictation from Gaetz as he functionally runs the Justice Department instead. Theres only so much the Constitution can do to restrain a president whos determined to avoid its restraints and who has the support of half the population in doing so. Frankly, grossly repugnant to the spirit of the law yet technically within the letter is probably how most of his term will play out. But if Im wrong about the next coup and Republicans do make way for victorious Democrats in 2028, Trump and his party still have less to fear by setting dubious executive precedents right now than Democrats would in their place. Thats because, in the near term, Americas political zeitgeist appears to favor the right. Trump made gains on Election Day in nearly every demographic, triggering left-wing panic about being out of touch with the working class culturally and economically. The Supreme Court will have a right-wing majority for a generation that may or may not be more suspicious of left-wing power grabs by ideological nature. And radicals arent in charge of the Democratic Party, as they are in the GOP. You neednt worry about President Josh Shapiro being captured by the socialist equivalent of MAGA cranks once hes in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of that being so, Trump and his toadies can let their freak flag fly in using executive power to serve the far right without needing to worry much about setting precedents that a liberal successor will exploit to serve the far left. The next Democratic presidentif there is onewill run toward the center to win. There will be no Secretary Rachel Maddow in 2029 even if theres a Secretary Pete Hegseth in 2025. And if Democrats do moderate in pursuit of power, steering toward the center to shed their woke baggage, presumably that moderation will lead them to resist the sort of postliberalism thats turned the American right into a moral disaster. That too is an asymmetry that encourages Trump and his inner circle, I suspect: They can pursue dictatorship without worrying about the precedents theyll set by doing so because, when push comes to shove, they dont believe President Whitmer or President Shapiro would be comfortable emulating them. The spirit of cynicism. Theres one more reason Trump and his allies arent worried about creating pernicious precedents, I think. Even if Democrats regain power and do take advantage of some of those precedents, the right prefers to fight its political battles on postliberal terrain. Theyll accept having the tables turned on them occasionally as the price of vanquishing Americas liberal norms. On Wednesday, New York Times columnist Bret Stephens described Trumps interest in nominating unqualified people to his Cabinet as part of his endless campaign to perpetuate the spirit of cynicism, which is the core of Trumpism. If truth has no currency, you cannot use it. If power is the only coin of the realm, youd better be on the side of it. If the government is run by cads and lackeys, youll need to make your peace with them. I think thats right: If and when Democrats end up capitulating to the spirit of cynicism by embracing the precedents Trump is setting, the postliberal Republican Party may end up losing some battles going forward but itll have won the ideological war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An American right that despises classical liberals like Paul Ryan far more intensely than it does progressives like Bernie Sanders might even prefer an authoritarian left-wing government on balance to a traditional right-wing one. You dont need to believe in horseshoe theory to see that. Look no further than Kennedy and Gabbard, both of whom started off in politics as oddball leftists with a taste for illiberalism before finding community with the illiberal oddballs of the populist GOP. President Tulsi or President Mitt Romney: Is there any doubt which one the party of Trump would prefer to be governed by? Consider the horrible precedents Trump is setting in office less as a dare to the left, then, and more as an invitation. The sort of Democratic president whos most likely to try to forcibly adjourn Congress for the sake of recess-appointing an evil moron to their Cabinet is also the sort of Democratic president whom many MAGA types could plausibly take a shine to. And of course, that sort of Democrat is likely to set some novel, sinister precedents of their own in office that the next fascist Republican president can exploit to their advantage. Politics is the art of the possible, Otto von Bismarck said. Donald Trump believes that a lot more is possible under our constitutional system than most of us imagined. As new precedents are set and Americans on both sides grow comfortable with those possibilities, therell be no going back. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. An El Paso County judge found the man accused of stabbing and killing 65-year-old Frank Mason earlier this year incompetent to proceed in his case in what was described by the judge as a "very close call." Alexander Brown, 32, was arrested in April after allegedly fatally stabbing Mason in an incident on Colorado Springs east side. According to previous Gazette reporting, Brown was known to law enforcement databases as EDP, a designation meaning possible mental illness with symptoms, including paranoia and delusions. The Police Departments Community Response Team also had multiple previous contacts with Brown. Notes from those contacts mentioned in Browns arrest affidavit said he had previously made statements about experiencing homicidal ideation and that he had thoughts about hurting his neighbors, co-workers and strangers. Brown appeared in court on Wednesday afternoon for a competency hearing. Judge Chad Miller was tasked with determining competency because of conflicting competency reports filed to the court. Both evaluators testified on Wednesday and had seemingly very similar findings regarding Brown, both claiming Brown had a strong factual understanding of court procedure and process. The difference in the evaluations came with the finding from Dr. Joshua Hatfield, hired by the defense to conduct the second evaluation, who determined that Brown was incompetent to proceed because of "delusions" in the facts of his case. Hatfield explained that Brown adamantly believed he had been abducted, beaten, drugged, and assaulted by "racist White people and the police" numerous times, and that he believed Mason and his family were "in cahoots" with the police to conduct the abuse. Hatfield and Brown's attorneys described these claims as delusional with no evidence to support them. Brown had stated some of the accusations to the first evaluator, but the major difference between the two evaluations was that Brown did not discuss how he felt his claims against the police were the reason for his arrest and the reason he was being prosecuted for killing Mason. In the first competency evaluation, evaluator Colton McNutt testified that Brown refused to discuss anything involving his current criminal case. Featured Local Savings Both evaluators determined that Brown suffered from some form of a psychosis disorder, but McNutt testified that his evaluation determined that the psychosis diagnosis did not rise to the level of incompetence. However, during cross-examination, McNutt testified that he couldn't say for sure if any of the new information discussed in Hatfield's testimony would lead to a new finding on competence and that he would need to conduct an additional evaluation to be sure. After nearly two hours of testimony, Miller stated the decision he had to make on competency was more difficult than he would have liked. "Delusions alone do not make someone incompetent to proceed," Miller said. "The concern comes when the delusions are tied to the facts of the case." Ultimately, Miller found Brown incompetent to proceed in what he described as a "51-49 decision." Miller said that what swayed him to find Brown incompetent was that McNutt testified he was unsure if the new information provided by the second evaluation would change his evaluation. Due to the finding of incompetency, Brown's case will now be on hold until it's determined he has been restored to competency. Brown will be sent to the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo to begin mental health restoration treatment. Attorneys in the case will return to court on Feb. 12 for a review hearing to discuss Brown's status. Brown appeared to court in custody of the El Paso County jail on a $1 million bond. He faces one charge of first-degree murder. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The Panama City Music Association is hosting the Artrageous Show School program on Thursday and Friday. Artrageous is geared towards children and uses audience interaction. They perform live visual art, similar to the Blue Man group. The show was formed in 1980 and is based in New Mexico. The troupe travels around the world, with 10 multi-talented performers. Go picking for early Christmas gifts in Chipley Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our guitar player plays flute and he sings on some of our artists play instruments and dance and sing. So everybody where so many different hats, Artrageous Performer Lauri Francis said. Some Bay County students are going on a field trip to see the show. Students will be bussed to the Bay High School Fine Arts Center, and some may have the opportunity to be in the show, Artrageous uses student participation to feature local talent. One of their passions is sharing their art with students. Were going to get them involved. Were going to kind of tell them the importance of the arts and what good it does for your brain and your body and your heart and everything, Francis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The student shows are at 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Thursday and 9:30 a.m. on Friday. Jackson County held 51st Annual Farm City Banquet The public show is on Friday at 7 p.m., and tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Theres an added bonus for the first ones who arrive at the theater. Get your tickets. Dont delay, because the first hundred people who come into the theater are going to get some really fun adventure kits that you get to use to participate in the show, Francis added. The St. Joe Foundation is sponsoring the Artrageous show. They donated $10,000 to the program so students can attend the show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Astronomers in Chile say they have captured the first close-up image of a star outside our galaxy. For the first time, we have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in a galaxy outside our own Milky Way, Keiichi Ohnaka, an astrophysicist from Universidad Andres Bello in Chile, said in a statement Thursday. Located 160,000 light years away from Earth, the star WOH G64 was photographed by the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope Interferometer as it was puffing out gas and dust, known to be one of the last stages of a dying stars life before it becomes a supernova, Ohnaka said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We discovered an egg-shaped cocoon closely surrounding the star, Ohnaka said. We are excited because this may be related to the drastic ejection of material from the dying star before a supernova explosion. A corresponding study authored by Ohnaka was published Thursday in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. Astronomers have previously captured zoomed-in images of stars within the Milky Way, but Ohnakas image represents the first time a star beyond our galaxy has been photographed with a similar level of detail. Classified as a red supergiant, WOH G64 is about 2,000 times larger than the sun, and Ohnakas team had long been interested in this behemoth star, according to a press release announcing their findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2005 and 2007, they used the same telescope in Chiles Atacama Desert in an attempt to learn more about it, but an actual image of the star had remained elusive. Comparing the new image to previous attempts, researchers noticed that the star has become dimmer over the past decade. We have found that the star has been experiencing a significant change in the last 10 years, providing us with a rare opportunity to witness a stars life in real time, Gerd Weigelt, an astronomy professor at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany, and a co-author of the study, said in a statement. Ohnakas team hopes to capture more images of the dimming star for further study. ATLANTA The American Red Cross has expanded its Community Adaptation Program into Chatham County with support from a $1 million gift from the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation. A first for the state, CAP will partner with trusted, local organizations specializing in health, hunger and housing to enhance resources for families struggling with pre-existing social inequities. The Federal Emergency Management Agencys National Risk Index has identified Chatham County as more at risk of the adverse impacts of natural disasters than 99% of all U.S. counties, making it a prime candidate for this new initiative. Working on the front lines to respond to frequent and intense disasters, the Red Cross sees first-hand how chronic physical and mental health conditions, food insecurity and the availability of safe and affordable housing are worsened by these events. CAP is a multiyear effort designed to increase support for socially and geographically vulnerable communities while reducing disaster-caused displacement. Stronger and more frequent disasters are repeatedly striking communities across the country, creating incredible suffering for families, Cliff Holtz, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, said. Last month, I visited some of the communities hit hardest by recent disasters that will need support today, tomorrow and in the many months ahead. We are grateful for Atlanta Gas Light Foundations generosity and partnership as we work to expand the capacity of entire communities and adapt to help people in times of dire need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters have been felt by everyone across our service territory, but when conditions are at their worst, our employees at Atlanta Gas Light are at their best, Pedro Cherry, president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light, said. We believe in giving back to the communities where our employees live, work and serve. Supporting the Red Cross Community Adaptation Program allows us to extend our commitment to safety, resilience and well-being, ensuring that our neighbors receive the help they need in times of crisis. The Atlanta Gas Light Foundation is committed to supporting those who are transforming lives by addressing the complex challenges facing Georgias communities with revolutionary vision," Serena Levy, president of the Atlanta Gas Light Foundation, said. "The Community Adaptation Program is such an initiative because it combines long-term vision with local experts and community leaders to identify solutions that are targeted to meet the local community needs. "We are proud to champion efforts that drive meaningful and sustainable change across Georgia." CAP will build the capacity, capability and business continuity of Chatham County nonprofit organizations to help increase community resilience and lessen the impact of disaster-caused displacement on the most vulnerable in this area. In turn, CAP partners will commit to working with the Red Cross before, during and after disasters to help mitigate disaster-caused poverty. Through these partnerships, the Red Cross will help strengthen the resiliency of the entire frontline community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the organizations most recent fiscal year, the Red Cross Community Adaptation Program was operating in 17 other counties across the country, with more than 200 hyperlocal partners and more than $10 million in funds committed for hundreds of different resilience projects. The Red Cross estimates that this support has helped hyper-local partners serve some 100,000 households, impacting about 300,000 people. Building on lessons learned from the initial CAP communities, the Red Cross plans to expand to additional counties and parishes over the next several years. More importantly, the Red Cross is taking relevant learnings and integrating them across its entire disaster program. The Atlanta Gas Light Foundation supports nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Georgia. A subsidiary of the Southern Company Gas Foundation, its mission is to advance social justice, enable economic mobility, care for the environment and provide community assistance in the areas where Atlanta Gas Light employees live, work and serve. The foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization funded by an endowment from Southern Company Gas. To learn more, visit www.atlantagaslight.com/. ST. LOUIS (KTVI) Problematic trees in a Missouri neighborhood have left residents on edge, with falling limbs damaging property and city crews facing delays in cutting them down. It happens every day, Bob Jackson told Nexstars KTVI. The tree limbs are falling. It doesnt have to be windy; it doesnt have to be stormy. A fallen branch that totaled a car is just the beginning of the damage Jackson said he has seen around the St. Louis Hills neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just from here, he said, the houses you can see immediately around us; there are three homes that have been damaged. Peoples lives are in jeopardy, man. Crime ring may be behind home burglaries of Mahomes, Kelce, other athletes: police Some of the trees have been chopped down while others remain a risk. Were pretty concerned. Were thinking, Should we move before the trees destroy our home? resident Gary Carter said. The St. Louis Forestry Division said its aware of the situation and agreed to look at residents concerns. Forestry Commissioner Alan Jankowski also visited the neighborhood this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think you can pinpoint one thing thats killing them, Jankowski said of the trees. The commissioner explained that factors like lightning strikes, disease, or simply old age can take a toll on trees, citing one over a century old based on its rings. Weve done a lot of work in this neighborhood, Jankowski said, adding that nearly 30 trees have been cut down recently and other hazardous trees will be put on a six-month waiting list. Las Vegas man facing eviction tried to kill puppies, police say The city is responsible for maintaining 80,000 trees that line streets throughout the St. Louis area, including in the nearby Christy Park neighborhood, which also has an aging tree problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were worried about our families; were worried about our vehicles, said Christy Park resident Jon Overmann. Really, this has been a problem for years. Departments have been shorthanded. The forestry department said it is hiring to fill a shortage of about a dozen tree trimmers. Alderman Tom Oldenburg, whose ward includes St. Louis Hills, said hes on board with helping. We all know the citys Forestry Department is short on manpower, which is why we need more funding dedicated to hiring third-party tree removal companies and partners, Oldenburg said. This will be a priority of mine in the coming fiscal budget for the city. Also, the city needs an operational plan that prioritizes neighborhoods (for tree removal and trimming) that have an abundance of street-lined trees reaching the end of their life expectancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The Supreme Court of Illinois overturned Jussie Smollett's conviction on Thursday, Nov. 21 The attorney for actor Jussie Smollett has spoken out after his 2021 convictions for allegedly staging a hate crime were overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court this week. Smollett was convicted of five counts of disorderly conduct, each count representing an instance of reporting a false claim, for allegedly planning an elaborate fake hate-crime on himself in 2019, where two men reportedly attacked him with bleach, called him racial and homophobic slurs and put a noose around his neck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court of Illinois ruled on Thursday, Nov. 21, that the charges filed against Smollett by a special prosecutor after the Cook County State's Attorney dropped the charges represented a violation of his rights. In response, Smollett's attorney Nenye Uche said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE that he's pleased with the ruling. This was not a prosecution based on facts, rather it was a vindictive persecution and such a proceeding has no place in our criminal justice system, Uche said. The statement added that the rule of law was the big winner. Dan K. Webb, the special prosecutor who was appointed Smolletts case in 2019, said in a statement that he respectfully disagree[s] with Thursdays ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make no mistaketodays ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smolletts innocence, Webb said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. Prince Williams/ Getty Jussie Smollett Jussie Smollett The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that led to his guilty verdict, Webb said. In fact, Mr. Smollett did not even challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against him in his appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court, the special prosecutor added. Related: Empire Star Jussie Smollett Has Been Cleared: Everything We Know About His Alleged Hate Crime Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The Empire actor has maintained his innocence, and addressed the incident in an interview with PEOPLE in September. "I was numb," Smollett told PEOPLE. "I didn't know how to connect the dots. I really genuinely did not know. I couldn't make sense of what was going on, and I couldn't make sense of what people were actually thinking ... what exactly do they think happened? I couldn't put two and two together." AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin Energy is rolling out a new program that encourages commercial property owners to lease out large empty spaces like rooftops and parking lots for solar panels. The energy provider is rolling out the Solar Standard Offer program which allows commercial property owners to rent space to third-party solar developers or host solar panels on their property. The energy generated from the solar panels would then be sold back to Austin Energy, adding to Austins renewable energy supply. We have an incredible amount of rooftop solar potential here in Austin thousands of megawatts but most of it has been unutilized because of the financial barrier for actually getting that solar installed, said Kaiba White, a climate policy specialist at Public Citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of the property owner having to pay to install solar on their rooftop, [with this program] they can get paid for hosting a system, she said. Austin Energy hopes this new effort supercharges its Community Solar Program a program that started in 2018 to provide locally-generated solar energy to customers. Currently, all of that solar energy comes from three project sites. The idea behind this offering is that we will be able to expand the Community Solar Program, said Tim Harvey, Austin Energy solar program manager. [It] empowers property owners, solar developers and the Austin community to work together toward a carbon-free future. Its a major opportunity to meet our climate goals and create long-term value for everyone involved, Harvey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program will begin accepting applications in December. Harvey said any customer on the distribution grid who has available space is eligible to participate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (This article has been updated to add new information.) A Travis County judge on Thursday granted the release of a man who was convicted over 20 years ago of killing his middle school teacher while a state appeals court reviews what the district attorneys office called an unfair trial. Alvin Stewart will be released on a $1 bond while he waits for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' decision. It was not clear when he will be released. Stewart had previously appealed his conviction in 2003, but it was denied by the 3rd Court of Appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a rare move, 299th District Judge Karen Sage on Thursday apologized to Stewart, first from the bench and then at the defendants table. As Sage conferred his release, Stewart and his family members cried while his defense team offered him comfort. I think one thing that was clear is that all of the systems failed you. The educational system failed you, the justice system certainly failed you, and I know that what we do here today can't really make up for that, and I apologize, Sage said. Mr. Stewart, I am so sorry that we failed you so badly. Stewart did not respond in court, or later in a news conference following the hearing. Stewarts application for a writ of habeas corpus, which challenges his conviction, says his original defense attorney failed to investigate and disclose to the jury the grooming and sexual abuse that Stewart suffered at the hands of his seventh-grade teacher, Philip Randolph Thomas. Alvin Stewart gestures to loved ones as he enters court on Thursday. District Judge Karen Sage later ruled that he can be released on a $1 bond while the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals determines whether to retry or resentence him after the Travis County district attorney's office review his trial and determined it was 'unfair.' Over the course of four hearings this summer and fall, officials said, Stewart and multiple witnesses including the prosecutors who initially tried the case and Stewarts original defense lawyer, as well as the teachers former students and colleagues told Sage about Thomas abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart and Thomas' relationship began when Stewart was his student at the now-closed Pearce Middle School and continued until Stewart was 18, when he killed Thomas in August 2000 at his North Austin apartment and stole a VCR. Stewart was sentenced to 65 years for manslaughter and robbery. Robert Allen Daniel, Stewarts lead attorney, said he believes Stewart could have been found not guilty, or been given a lesser sentence, had the jury been properly informed of the abuse. The appeals court could order that Stewart be retried and potentially be re-sentenced; order him back to prison to finish out his sentence, projected to end in 2065; or request additional evidence be investigated by the Travis County district attorneys office. Prosecutor Holly Taylor gives a hug Thursday during a hearing to release Alvin Stewart. Taylor said Stewarts conviction had been flagged by Jim Young, one of the prosecutors in the 2003 trial, after Stewart had written to the district attorneys office and recounted the abuse he had suffered from his former teacher and expressed remorse killing him. An American-Statesman article from December 2000 on the slaying called Thomas a popular student mentor who had advised parents on how to manage their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the hearing Thursday, prosecutor Holly Taylor said Stewarts conviction had been flagged by Jim Young, one of the prosecutors who had tried the case in 2003, after Stewart had written to the district attorneys office about a decade ago and recounted the abuse he had suffered from Thomas and expressed remorse for killing him. She said Young thought no jury that heard Thomas sexually abused Stewart would have given him a 65-year sentence. Taylor called the case unique, and noted it was the first time a former Travis County prosecutor had requested the conviction integrity unit, which investigates wrongful convictions, challenge a judgment. Taylor said at the hearing Thursday that Young had told prosecutors he believed a serious miscarriage of justice may have occurred after he visited Stewart in prison and was impressed by his honesty and articulacy, requesting that then-District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg look into Stewarts conviction, though no action was taken. Interest in the case was reignited when Garza took office in 2021 and an investigation was launched, Taylor said. Stewart was then provided with extremely competent court-appointed attorneys, she said, setting him on the path to be granted his release on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the hearing, defense attorney Tara Lynn Witt said Stewart is most looking forward to being home with his family while he awaits the state appeals court's decision. I think Alvins incredibly grateful to be given a chance to have a life again but also recognizes that the victims family still lost somebody they loved, Witt said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin man convicted of slaying to be released over 'unfair trial' Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The Australian government on Thursday officially introduced legislation that would impose bans on social media use for children younger than 16. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the proposed law would target outlets like TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Reddit, and X, but would not apply to messaging services like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp or services like Kids Helpline. She said educational content on YouTube and Google Classroom would also not be affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rowland said earlier this month that the age of 16 was decided upon after consultation with experts, parents, organizations, advocacy groups, and academics. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised that his government's eSafety commission will be in charge of the proposed law's oversight and will be responsible for its guidance if it passes. He said there will be some exceptions worked out for parental consent and other limited circumstances. The Australian government said social media companies could face fines of more than $50 million for systemic breaches. Users and parents will not face fines, the government said. "We know social media is doing social harm," Albanese said in a statement. "We want Australian children to have a childhood, and we want parents to know the government is in their concern. This is a landmark reform. We know some kids will find workarounds, but we're sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Australian Human Rights Commission expressed doubt that the law can be put into place without harming the rights human rights of young people. "Such a social media ban is likely to also have negative human rights impact on children and young people," the commission said in a statement. "Where rights are limited to protect children from online harms, any limitation must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate. "If there is a restrictive option available to achieve the aim of protecting children from harm, they should be preferred over a blanket ban." Colorado Springs law enforcement saw more than 500 juvenile offender interactions per month in 2024, up from just over 400 per month in 2023, prompting officials to dig deeper for answers. A Public Safety Summit Wednesday brought community leaders and state legislators together to discuss the increase and possible solutions ahead of the upcoming legislative session. In recent years, law enforcement has reported a significant increase in juvenile crime, ranging from violent offenses to property crime, like the influx of smash-and-grabs Colorado Springs has seen this year. Since 2021, the Colorado Springs Police Department reports a 59% increase in juveniles suspected of violent crime compared to an overall 10% increase in violent offenses. In addition, there has been a 49% increase since 2021 in juveniles in possession of a firearm during these crimes. Across Colorado as a whole, since 2010 juvenile crime rates have decreased overall but have increased for crimes against person: murder increased 210%, aggravated assault 17% and robbery 12.3%. Common Sense Institute published a report in February estimating juvenile crime costs Colorado residents more than $3 billion annually. On a local level, many businesses in Colorado Springs have been impacted due to the smash-and-grabs, with over 40 reported for the year as of November. Michael Allen, the 4th Judicial District attorney, said the state has "eroded" the ability to hold juvenile offenders accountable. In 2019, Colorado had 380 bed spaces available to hold these offenders. That number has slowly gone down in the years since. That same year, the number of beds was reduced to 320. Once the COVID-19 pandemic struck the nation, that number decreased even more to 215 through legislation. "At the same time, we've had a population explosion, so we've got more people, more juveniles," Allen said. "There's a lack of accountability for them, and it empowers them to feel like there's no accountability." In 1993, former Gov. Roy Romer called a special session due to the "summer of violence" Denver saw. Legislation was passed that gave district attorneys discretion whether to criminally charge juveniles accused of crimes. Fast forward to 2013, when the Colorado General Assembly changed laws again due to an increased need for resources and juvenile justice reform. "We certainly did, but we made it much more difficult for district attorneys to charge juveniles who had committed very serious crimes," state Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, said. Still, Gardner does not believe the answer lies in simply locking all crime-committing juveniles up, due to the rising costs of incarceration. "You cannot simply throw money at it. Incarceration costs a lot, failure to hold people accountable costs the economy and people a lot," Gardner said. "We also know that if you put a juvenile in the system, they get harder, they criminalize more." Gardner continued, explaining there are many facets related to juvenile crime and one solution cannot solve the larger societal problem. He believes if lawmakers do not consider both law and order as well as reform and rehabilitation, no improvements will be seen. Featured Local Savings Colorado Springs Police Department Chief Adrian Vasquez agreed with Gardner, discussing how there must be an effort to prioritize programs that serve as an intervention of sorts, like diversion programs. "We can't focus on just one thing," Vasquez said "We must have an all-inclusive community solution here that doesn't leave behind one piece." Mental health plays a part in the overall issue, with many juvenile offenders awaiting competency evaluations, unable to move forward in their case. Diana May, a juvenile judge in the 4th Judicial District, said more than 130 juveniles are awaiting evaluations. But the state is not complying with laws that say those evaluations must be completed within a certain number of days. With only 27 juvenile beds available in El Paso County, many are being taken up by juveniles who May does not believe should be in custody. "For instance, we have one young lady that has 27 cases pending, that has competency issues, that's taking a bed because she's sitting there with nowhere else to go that should not be taking a bed because there should be a place for her to go, a place to get treatment," May said. Republican Rep. Jarvis Caldwell, representing House District 20 which includes Monument and Black Forest, was in attendance, and said he was gathering thoughts and opinions as he prepares to propose new bills at the next legislative session. New legislators, like Caldwell, have until Dec. 16 to get bill titles in so work can begin on drafting the language. "Some of these issues I'm hearing, some of this is simple legislation but a lot of it is long-term type issues like parenting, community involvement and rehabilitation," Caldwell said. "But there are some things that legislatively (we) can address right now." Based on the conversation on Wednesday, Caldwell immediately wants to address the bed space issue, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the issue despite budget constraints. Caldwell hopes to propose a compromise, acknowledging the unlikelihood the state will return to having the 380 beds it had in early 2019. If Caldwell could get 250 beds approved, he would "consider that a win." "That's going to give a little bit of relief in our juvenile court system," Caldwell said. "Then if we feel next year that that wasn't enough, then maybe we'll look to increase it." Despite the hopes of passing laws that would create more juvenile beds for the state, Caldwell acknowledged, like Gardner, that locking people up with no rehabilitation is not the answer. "When they get out and if they're not rehabilitated, they go right back into committing crimes," Caldwell said. "So, this is really a community effort, and that's what we have to focus on." Associated Press CANBERRA, Australia Australian senators on Monday voted to censure an Indigenous colleague who yelled at King Charles III during a reception in Parliament House last month. The censure of independent Sen. Lidia Thorpe is a symbolic gesture that records her colleagues disapproval of her conduct during the first visit to Australia by a British monarch in 13 years. The motion was carried 46 votes to 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government leader in the Senate Penny Wong said Thorpes outburst sought to incite outrage and grievance. This is part of a trend that we do see internationally which, quite frankly, we do not need here in Australia, Wong told the Senate. Thorpe launched an expletive-laden rant at Charles following his speech during his visit to Canberra and Sydney. You are not our king. You are not sovereign, Thorpe yelled at Charles as she was led by security guards from the reception. You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us: our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following her censure, Thorpe said she would repeat her rant if Charles returned. If the colonizing king were to come to my country again, our country, then Ill do it again, Thorpe told reporters. And I will keep doing it. I will resist colonization in this country. I swear my allegiance to the real sovereigns of these lands; First Peoples are the real sovereigns. You dont have some random king rock up and say hes sovereign, she added. Sen. Mehreen Faruqi, a member of the minor Greens party, opposed the censure motion. The bubble of white privilege that encapsulates this parliament is a systemic issue, Faruqi said. Thats why we are here today, debating a Black senator being censured for telling the truth of the British crowns genocide on First Nations people and telling it the way she wants to." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote took place before Thorpe arrived on a flight from Melbourne. Thorpe said she had wanted to be in Parliament for the vote but government senators refused to wait. Indigenous people account for fewer than 4 percent of Australia's population and are the nation's most disadvantaged ethnic group. By Alasdair Pal and Panarat Thepgumpanat SYDNEY/BANGKOK (Reuters) - An Australian teenager died on Thursday after drinking alcohol contaminated with methanol in Laos, Thai police and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, the fourth foreign national now suspected to have died in the incident. Bianca Jones, 19, fell ill last week in Vang Vieng, a town in the Southeast Asian nation popular with foreign backpackers that is about two hours north of the capital Vientiane by road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She died on Thursday after being taken to a hospital in neighbouring Thailand on November 13, police in the city of Udon Thani said. "The physician who examined her said the cause of death was a methanol poisoning, from fake liquor," Phattanawong Chanphon, a police official in the Thai city, told Reuters. "The amount of methanol in her body was high, leading to swelling of the brain." Australian media said Jones was the fourth foreign tourist to die after consuming the contaminated alcohol, following two Danes and an American. "This is every parent's worst fear and a nightmare no one should have to endure," Albanese told parliament on Thursday. "All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones' friend Holly Bowles, also 19, is in critical condition in hospital, Albanese said. Spurious liquor is a problem in Laos, with the governments of Australia and Britain warning citizens to be cautious when taking drinks there. Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel source, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its website. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney and Panarat Thepgumpanat in Bangkok; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Authorities in Wisconsin have confirmed they have been in contact with a kayaker who remains missing after being accused of faking his own death. In a Thursday morning press conference, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark A. Podoll gave updates on the case involving 44-year-old Ryan Borgwardt, of Watertown, who has not been seen since a kayaking trip to Green Lane on Aug. 12. After months of searching, including with the aid of volunteer organizations, the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office said on Nov. 8 that they have reason to believe he faked his death and fled to eastern Europe to be with another woman, abandoning his wife and their three children. Green Lake County Sheriff's Office Facebook Live After the Nov. 8 conference, police began trying to find ways to communicate with Borgwardt, first contacting a Russian-speaking woman before finally contacting Borgwardt through email on Nov. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To confirm he was safe; he sent police a video of what looked like his apartment, though police were still unsure what country he might be in. "The great news is that we know Ryan is alive and well," Sheriff Podoll said. "The bad news is that we do not know Ryans exact whereabouts, and he has not yet decided to return home." Borgwardt explained to police how he had left the country, saying he had stashed an e-bike near the boat launch before paddling his kayak and a child-size inflatable boat out into the lake. He then overturned the kayak, dumped his phone in the lake, paddled the inflatable boat to shore, and got on his e-bike, riding it through the night to Madison. In Madison, he boarded a bus to Detroit and the Canadian border before continuing on the bus to the airport and getting on a plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In our communication we are expressing the importance of his decision to return on his own to clean up the mess he created," Sheriff Podoll said. "Our primary criminal justice concern has been and will continue to be his safe return to U.S. soil. From a moral standpoint, he needs to return home for his children." Sheriff Podoll says the county is looking to charge him with obstruction and is seeking around $35,000 to $40,000 in restitution for wasted services. According to police, no warrants have been issued yet, saying they are confident he will decide to return home soon. "His biggest concern is how the community will react to him. And I can see that he staged his death," Sheriff Podoll said. "He didn't expect us to go more than two weeks in searching for him. I hate to tell you he picked the wrong Sheriff from the wrong department." Related: Missing Wisconsin kayaker suspected of faking death, fleeing country Car prices have inflated to WTF levels in recent years. The average transaction price for a new car neared $49,000 in October, but the situation is notably worse for electric vehicles (EVs), which marked an average transaction price of nearly $57,000 last month, according to Kelley Blue Book. With prices rising, the $7,500 federal EV tax credit can offer some much-needed relief for prospective buyers. Now, that credit is on the chopping block. Since the incoming Trump administration said that it intends to cut the credit, automakers have had mixed reactions to the news. Mazda EZ-6 EV Mazda While Hyundai announced major shifts in its top ranks in preparation, automakers like Lucid have said that they dont expect the credit going away to impact them significantly. Advertisement Advertisement It makes intuitive sense that credit-eligible cars would sell better than other models, but is that true? We crunched the numbers to figure out just how much of an impact the current credit has on electric vehicle sales. Related: Is the Volvo EX30s U.S. debut doomed? Tariffs and production woes explained Does the credit actually work? Some of the best-selling EVs on the market todaylike the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Hyundai IONIQ 5are ineligible for the federal tax credit. While $7,500 off the price tag is certainly an appealing prospect, many buyers are still willing to purchase a new car without it. That made us wonder: Does the credit actually impact sales? The answer is a pretty definitive Yes. View the original article to see embedded media. Across all of the electric vehicles sold in the United States, credit-eligible models sold at about 1.4 times the rate of ineligible vehicles. So far in 2024, that equates to about 14,400 vehicles sold for a credit-eligible model, on average. Ineligible models sold an average of 4,000 fewer vehicles in that same period. Underestimating the credits impact The difference between the two groups is likely even larger than the 1.4 times figure we found, due to a couple of factors in the data. Chevy Silverado EV Chevrolet For one thing, we included the Chevy Silverado EVwhich has reported below-average sales in 2024, its first full year on the marketin the credit-eligible group. The electric pickups lackluster sales are likely to pick up as Chevy continues to roll out more trim levels, but we decided to leave it in the group for the sake of including as many data points as possible. Advertisement Advertisement A second and even more significant factor is the exclusion of Tesla from our data. Because the industry-leading EV maker doesnt report U.S.-specific sales, we couldnt include it in our calculations. But, we can safely assume that the average number of credit-eligible sales would be much higher if we did since various trims of the Model 3, Y and X qualify for the federal credit. Related: GM doubles down on cutting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Who will, and wont, be impacted by the credit cut Auto industry executives arent exactly celebrating news of the EV credits forthcoming cut (maybe with the exception of Elon Musk), but the policy shift is sure to affect some automakers more than others. Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson said in an interview on Bloomberg Television last week that the luxury EV maker is essentially immune to the impacts of the credit cut. Even the base model Lucid Airs $69,900 price tag makes it ineligible for the current credit, which only applies to sedans priced up to $55,000. Its a similar situation for other luxury EV automakers like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5. Hyundai Its a slightly different story at Hyundai. Although the IONIQ 5 sits below the price cap, it is still ineligible due to being manufactured in South Korea. Hyundai recently began producing the 2025 model year IONIQ 5 at its newly-opened Georgia planta move that will make the newest IONIQ 5 credit-eligiblebut it's unclear if news of the credit going away will affect the companys strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Producing credit-eligible IONIQ 5s wont matter if theres no credit, but the Georgia plant may still be helpful to Hyundai in avoiding the higher tariffs that Trump has proposed. That said, numerous manufacturers still rely on the federal credit to boost their EV sales. A majority of electric vehicles produced by General Motors, for example, are eligible for the credit, making the impact of its loss far greater. Rivian is likely to be impacted as well. Although its R1T and R1S models only qualify for $3,750 in federal credits, the loss is still significant for any buyers considering a Rivian. Related: Mazda isn't ready to give up on combustion engines just yet An expensive confounding factor All that said, credit-eligibility isnt the only factor that may impact sales volume. Of all the EVs included in our data, ineligible vehicles tended to be higher-end, luxury models. Thats significant because a $100,000 Porsche Taycan is almost certainly going to have fewer buyers than a $45,000 Chevrolet Blazer EVwith or without a federal credit. View the original article to see embedded media. Looking at the base price of each model included in our dataset, we found that credit-eligible vehicles had an average MSRP of about $55,000nearly $9K less than the average base price for ineligible models. Final thoughts It has been a tricky year for EVs. Consumer enthusiasm for all-electric vehicles has waned in 2024 and a growing affordability crisis makes even interested buyers think twice before handing over the money for a new EV. Advertisement Advertisement Now, as federal EV creditsone of the industrys biggest adoption driversface the chopping block, automakers are preparing for an even tougher time selling their EVs. Based on our analysis, credit-eligible cars have seen a significant sales boost this year, compared to their ineligible peers. With the EV credit on the way out, itll be interesting to see if manufacturers like GM and Rivian can continue their current sales performance without the Feds financial incentive. Related: 2025 Mini Cooper S Review: Almost all grown up SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) On Wednesday, the Mid America Museum of Aviation & Transportation welcomed retired Major Bain Black, captain of the Huey helicopter during the Vietnam War. I received a call about 15 years ago from Matt Baughman, and he said I found your name out of a logbook on an aircraft Im working on, do you remember it? and I said I do remember it, in fact I have a painting of that aircraft in combat, Black said. Sioux City police to begin removing abandoned vehicles from streets Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Major Black logged 980 hours in the Huey helicopter (formally known as the Bell UH-1 Iroquois) during his time with the 281st Assault Helicopter Company. His time in the air was so impactful that he had one of his war experiences illustrated on canvas. This particular painting was in Laos, and as I was flying up the river the guy under the bridge stood up and fired at me, and I passed him and as I passed him he stood up and shot at me, and I went up and made a 370 degree turn, called my wingman and said I was breaking left and came around, and the first rocket that I fired went right on the boat and under the bridge, Black said. Now the painting will reside in the aviation museum next to the helicopter it was based on. I figured the best place in the world for it is right here with this aircraft, Black said. This aircraft (in the painting), is this aircraft, so that painting has this actual aircraft in it. Look at the tail number on it and its the same aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an honor, Kevin Blosch with the museum said. Part of our responsibility is to not only show the public these artifacts, but to tell the story as well. And one thing that that painting does, it helps us tell the entire story, and its an amazing story. Insurance premiums on the rise after natural disasters With Blacks donation, visitors of the Mid America Museum will get a deeper understanding of the importance of the Huey helicopter . (I) hope a lot of people get to see it and have an appreciation for what this aircraft did, Black said. It was a wonderful, wonderful aircraft. The oil painting and the Huey helicopter are available for viewing during museum hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Prepare yourselves. Winter weather has arrived in Cincinnati. Avoid the cold and cozy up to our collection of Jim Borgman cartoons in the gallery above. The Cincinnati native drew thousands of political cartoons in his long career at The Enquirer. Borgman, while appearing on the "That's So Cincinnati" podcast in July 2024, noted "Snow Day" as one of his favorites. 'That's So Cincinnati' podcast: Jim Borgman reflects on his 5 favorite cartoons Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'It's been a really magical ride': Jim Borgman talks 'Zits' comic strip, Cincinnati roots Go deeper: More than 30 years later, Jim Borgman's 'Next' retakes the spotlight Jim Borgman's favorite cold weather cartoon Jim Borgman cartoon. Published: Dec. 17, 1995. What Borgman had to say about the cartoon: "Less seriously was whenever it snows. I did a cartoon of a guy, he had hoarded away all kinds of beans and water and things, and he's in a storage room full of these things, and he's saying, 'We're all going to die!' My God, people, it just resonated. I think we all know that feeling. You run out and get your eggs and milk and hunker down, right?" Listen to Jim Borgman on The Enquirer's 'That's So Cincinnati' podcast This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Snow arrives in Cincinnati. Warm up with Jim Borgman cartoons LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) A man has been indicted in the death of Ella Goodie, authorities said. United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal grand jury in Lafayette has returned an indictment charging Brandon Francisco, 38, of Mansura, with carjacking resulting in the death of Ella Goodie. Goodie was reported missing after being last seen on March 9, 2022, when she was a contract driver and was picking up a passenger to be taken to Houston. Scott Police say her vehicle was seen on I-10 heading toward Texas. 12 hours later, traffic cameras show her vehicle coming back into Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francisco was arrested March 25, 2022 near St. Joseph, Missouri by U.S. Marshals on a warrant out of Rapides Parish for failing to appear in court the day that Goodie was last seen. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The indictment alleges that on or about March 9, 2022, Francisco took a 2012 Audi sport utility vehicle from Goodie by force, violence, and intimidation, resulting in her death. The indictment charges Francisco with one count of carjacking resulting in death, one count of using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of flight to avoid prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is also alleged that on or about March 9, 2022, Francisco fired a gun during and in relation to a crime of violence, which in this case is carjacking. It is further alleged that Francisco possessed the gun on or about March 25, 2022, knowing he had previously been convicted of a felony crime. Disappearance of Ella Goodie: A timeline of everything we know The indictment also alleges that from on or about March 9, 2022, until on or about March 25, 2022, Francisco crossed state lines with the intent to avoid prosecution for a crime punishable by death under the laws of the State of Louisiana. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Francisco faces a sentence of up to life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000, or both. An arraignment and initial appearance will be scheduled for Francisco at a later date, prosecutors said. Devon Norman, president and director of Village 337 said, Every time a new piece of information is shared about Ella, it does give a small sense of hope to the family that they can receive some answers that they seek. Unfortunately, we are not prepared to make a comment about the new information that you guys have received. However, we are prepared to continue to fight for Ella and with her family and we are asking the community to continue to lift her up and her family up in your prayers as they process what this new information means for her and for them, Norman continued. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Yes, the #MeToo movement launched a culture- and law-changing reckoning with sexual harassment, abuse, and power, first in the U.S., then across the globe. But in recent weeks it has become clear that the movement also, perversely, seems to have empowered right-wing men to act with even more impunity than before. Nowhere is this more apparent than in President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet and close staff picks, several of whom have been accused of sexual misconductnot to mention the president himself, who has not only been credibly accused but found liable for sexual abuse in court. Its like the dark inverse of this (lightly paraphrased) line from The Incredibles: If everyone is super, then no one will be. This appears to be the emerging conservative mentality. If everyone is a sexual predator, then no ones history of misdeeds matters (or, at least, no one needs to be held accountable). MAGA Republicans seem to be having their own #MeToo moment, except here, a growing cohort of men is essentially saying: Oh, another man accused of sexual predation? #MeTooand so what? Being accused of sexual harassment, abuse, or assault is no longer disqualifying; on the right, it has been normalized. It may even be an asset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The file of sexual misconduct allegations against Trumps Cabinet nominees is certainly robust. There is Matt Gaetz, Trumps pick for attorney general, who was investigated by the Justice Department he is now set to lead for sex trafficking involving sex with a minor, and by the House Ethics Committee for those same alleged crimes as well as using illicit drugs, showing photos and videos of women he was sexually involved with to colleagues on the House floor, and other improprieties. The committee has rules about not releasing damning reports around the time of a members election, and so its report on Gaetz remained unpublished through Nov. 5; as the group prepared to release it, he was nominated for AG and resigned from Congress. There is Fox News host Pete Hegseth, Trumps nominee for secretary of defense, who paid a woman off after she said he raped her at a California Federation of Republican Women conference, which she was attending along with her husband and their young children; Hegseth maintains that the encounter was consensual, and that the payout was only to protect his job. There is Elon Musk, tapped to co-run the yet-to-exist Department of Government Efficiency, who was sued for creating a sexually hostile workplaceaccording to the lawsuit, treating women as sexual objects to be evaluated on their bra size and bombarding the workplace with lewd sexual banter. There is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accused of groping the babysitter (not to mention a history of womanizing, wildly irresponsible drug use, and the abuse of more than one animal corpse). Even Trumps very few female nominees arent immune: There is Linda McMahon, just nominated to serve as secretary of education, who is currently being sued by victims who assert she knew about the abuse they were suffering at WWE, the company she co-founded and ran with her husband. And of course there is the president-elect himself. Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation by a Manhattan jury, and ordered to pay the woman the jury found he assaulted, the writer E. Jean Carroll, more than $80 million. Trump was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records for a bribe stemming from sex with Stormy Daniels, with whom he was cheating on his postpartum wife; Daniels version of the encounter also sounds not exactly consensual. And Trump has faced sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct accusations from more than a dozen women. All of these men deny the accusations against them. Of the more than two dozen Cabinet and staff members Trump has nominated, there are nearly as many accused sexual abusers as there are women. And that sends a pretty clear message about who Trump Term Two is for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it also demonstrates the efficacy with which conservatives have undercut #MeToo, and womens claims to bodily autonomy more broadly. The first election of Trump, after the publication of the Access Hollywood tape on which he bragged about sexually violating women by grabbing them by the genitals, was part of what fueled the Womens March and later #MeToo, both furious responses to the sexual impunity of powerful men. And while #MeToo managed to hold a handful of prominent men accountable and change laws across several states, many other men dodged accusations and either retained or ascended to important roles. The most notable among them is arguably Brett Kavanaugh, one of Trumps Supreme Court picks, who was accused of sexually assaulting Christine Blasey Ford while they were both in high school. Kavanaugh denied the accusations; Blasey Ford gave incredible and compelling testimony at his Senate confirmation hearing; and despite Kavanaughs angry and reactive testimony, he was confirmed to the benchthe highest court in the land. It was from that perch that he then went on to sign on to the opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the era of abortion rights across the United States. In the background of all this, reactionary conservative men are cheering the end of the anti-Trump feminist fight. The white supremacist Nick Fuentes started a social media trend when he posted what may be the tagline of this particular moment: Your Body, My Choice. Forever. The line is a reference to the longtime abortion rights slogan My Body, My Choice, but it also has an undeniably rapey ring. And that is not a coincidence: The power to legally force a woman to endure the permanent and sometimes dangerous full-body evolution of gestating a pregnancy for nine months, followed by the pain and risk of childbearing, is not so different from the power to force a woman into sex. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the same organs are generally involved; both acts force a woman to suffer a painful invasion of her most intimate body parts; both take what should be happy and pleasurable events (having a baby, sex) and turn them violent and violating; and both assume that a womans body may be used against her will, as a vessel for someone elses desiresa mans sexual ones, the states reproductive ones. Your Body, My Choice makes clear the relationship between the forced births and pregnancies of abortion bans and the forced sex of rapeand the desire for misogynistic humiliation and male dominance that underlies both. Trump is coming into his second term as the president who ended legal abortion in all 50 states. He is also the first convicted felon to hold the office, and the first to have been found liable for sexual abuse. He ran a campaign catering to disaffected and often misogynistic men (Get every man you know to the polls, Trump senior adviser Stephen Miller tweeted on Election Day) and saw a 12-point advantage among male voters under 30 compared with female voters the same age. It is hard to see this as anything other than an anti-feminist backlash. And at least on the right, it seems to be the case that so many men were accused of sexual predation that the impact of sexual assault and misconduct accusations has been drained of its potency. One of #MeToos revelations was just how many women had experienced abuse, and just how many men had behaved astonishingly badly. Sexual abuse, feminists have argued, is troublingly common. Trump and the conservatives who support him seem to have embraced a fun-house-mirror version of this ubiquity argument: Men accused of sexual abuse are everywhere. And so they should face consequences nowhere. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration as President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Justice on Thursday as details of a sexual misconduct report rattled members of his own party. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz posted to X on Thursday. I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1, Gaetz said, adding that he will forever be honored Trump picked him. Gaetz had spent Wednesday in talks with key GOP senators, seeking to reassure them not just over his alleged sexual misconduct but his perceived extreme agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, Im not going to go there and indict Liz Cheney, have stormtroopers bust through the studio door at MSNBC, and arrest Anthony Fauci in my first week, Gaetz told senators, per The Bulwark. According to the Bulwark report, senators left that meeting with a sense of unease. While Gaetz promised to break the cycle of weaponizing DOJ, some seemed sure he would do just that, especially given Trumps claimed mandate to gut the entire department. Other concerns about Gaetzs potential misconduct, including an alleged sexual encounter with a 17-year-old, also weighed down his AG bid. House Speaker Mike Johnson argued against releasing a House ethics report on the allegations against Gaetz, while high-ranking Texas Sen. John Cornyn demanded his chamber be allowed to read it before a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though it isnt clear whether Trump could have ultimately forced a recess appointment or strong-armed the GOP Senate delegation into clearing Gaetz, it would have, as the nominee pointed out, been an increasingly costly endeavor. The ex-Rep. already gave up his seat in the House, calling it quits just days before the House Ethics report into his alleged sexual misconduct and drug use was set to be released. Students at Clear Sky Elementary School in Castle Rock said their bus driver abandoned them on their way home, forcing students off the bus at East Wolfensberger Road and Auburn Drive. Students said their bus driver on Monday first wouldnt leave the parking lot until the kids stopped talking. Then, what was supposed to be their trip home got even worse. Now, parents are demanding answers and video evidence of what happened on the bus leading up to the incident. We got on the bus and there was a substitute, said Caitlyn Zavadil, a 10-year-old student at Clear Sky. He wouldnt let us leave the school until we stopped talking. The students said they left school later than they normally do. He finally left, and he was skipping all the kids stops, and when I say all the kids, I mean all the kids, Zavadil said. And we felt like when he was driving and missing our stops, like we were getting kidnapped. The kids said their bus driver ended up two miles away from the school at the corner of Wolfensberger and Auburn, with a bus full of about 40 kids. Featured Local Savings He stopped like right here at this intersection like about right here and said everybody get off my bus, Zavadil said. And then everybody was like stressing like crying. They said it was around 5 p.m. that evening, getting dark and cold. And then we forgot our jackets on the bus out of stress, yeah, we were shivering, the sisters agreed. The Douglas County School District released a 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. For more on this story, and others, visit The Denver Gazettes news partner, 9News. Nov. 21Republican Nick Begich III has won Alaska's sole U.S. House seat, flipping it from Democratic to Republican control. Results of the race posted Wednesday showed Begich defeating Democratic incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola, who first won the seat in a special election in 2022 after the death of Republican longtime Rep. Don Young. Peltola had been the first Alaska Native woman elected to Congress, and the first Democrat to hold the seat since Begich's grandfather, Nick Begich, won the seat in 1972. Begich captured 48.4% of first-choice votes in Alaska's congressional race, leading Peltola by 6,779 votes, after 340,510 ballots were counted. Peltola had 46.4% of first-choice votes. Because Begich did not have an outright majority in the race, the outcome was ultimately determined by a ranked choice tabulation, which placed Begich ahead of Peltola in a 51.3%-48.7% split. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other candidates in the race included Alaskan Independence Party leader John Wayne Howe, who received 3.9% of the vote after campaigning on a platform of eliminating most forms of federal taxation. Democrat Eric Hafner, who was allowed to run for the seat despite serving a federal prison sentence in New York and never stepping foot in Alaska, received 1% of the vote. [Ranked choice voting and open primaries retained in Alaska after final ballot count] In a prepared statement, Peltola said serving in Congress was the honor of her life. "I'll tell you, working for all of Alaska isn't easy," Peltola said. "The path ahead will not be built by one person or three people working for all of Alaska but by all Alaskans working together to build a future that works for all of us. No one in the Lower 48 is coming to save us. It's up to us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She thanked her congressional and campaign staffs for helping achieve "generational wins" for the state and for making "fish a national issue." She said she was rooting for Begich's success. "Please don't forget when DC people keep telling you that you are one of three, you are actually one of more than seven hundred thousand Alaskans who are ready to fight for our state, myself included," Peltola said. [Bipartisan coalition on track for slim margin in Alaska House after ranked choice tabulations] In a written statement, Begich said "much work remains for Alaskans to fully realize" the state's potential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am committed to fighting for our jobs and economy, protecting our unique way of life, and ensuring that our voices are heard loud and clear in Washington," Begich said. Begich thanked Peltola for her service "in what is an exceptionally challenging role during an exceptionally challenging moment in our national history." Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a statement that his administration "is eager to work with Congressman-elect Begich to incentivize private sector investment in Alaska." The results in Alaska's elections won't be finalized until the results are certified by the state's oversight board, which is expected to complete its review by the end of this month. Once the results are certified, candidates or voters have up to five days to request a recount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement table visualization Begich is a member of a prominent family of Democrats in Alaska. His uncle Mark Begich served in the U.S. Senate as a Democrat until 2015. Nick Begich III, who was born in Alaska, was raised by his maternal grandparents in Florida and returned to Alaska as an adult, amassing a personal fortune by founding companies that focused on offshoring information technology jobs to other countries and advising other startups. Begich worked for Young's 2020 reelection campaign, then in 2022 announced that he planned to run against him criticizing Young's willingness to work on bipartisan legislation and his adherence to coronavirus mitigation steps like mask-wearing shortly before Young's death. Subsequently, many of Young's longtime staffers and some of his family members endorsed Peltola. Peltola was back in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday with Congress back in session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peltola's tenure in Congress was marked by the Biden administration's approval of the Willow oil project. One year after she began serving in Congress, Peltola faced a personal tragedy when her husband, Eugene "Buzzy" Peltola, died in a plane crash. Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who endorsed Peltola ahead of the election, said in a statement that working with her had been a privilege. Murkowski said Peltola "represented Alaskans well throughout (her) short tenure, and navigated this journey while facing unimaginable personal tragedy with grace, humility, and determination." Murkowski congratulated Begich on his victory and said she looked forward to working with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaska's lone U.S. House seat made for one of the most expensive House races in the nation this year, as Republicans sought to protect their thin majority in the chamber, eyeing Alaska's seat as a likely flip. Peltola was one of a few Democrats who held seats in districts that Trump had carried in 2020. Ultimately, Trump again won Alaska decisively, carrying the state by a wider margin than he had in 2020. While Begich emerged victorious, he did so by a much slimmer margin than Trump's. Begich received 24,829 fewer votes than Trump in Alaska. This marks Begich's first time winning elected office. He first ran for Congress in 2022, finishing third behind both Peltola and Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin. Ahead of this year's primary, Begich promised he would drop out if he was not the top-finishing Republican. He then finished ahead of Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, who ultimately dropped out of the race after facing pressure to do so from leaders of the Alaska Republican Party, clearing the way for Begich to coalesce support from Republican donors and national backers. Early in his campaign, Begich was endorsed by the House Freedom Caucus, an ultraconservative group that played a key role in instigating a protracted fight last year over the U.S. House speakership. It was not immediately clear if Begich would join the caucus as a member of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Congress, Peltola co-chaired the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats from Republican-leaning districts. The coalition's other two co-chairs, Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and Jared Golden of Maine, both won reelection even as their districts continued to support Trump. Republicans are slated to retain control of the U.S. House, but with several seats across the country yet to be called, and Trump tapping several House Republicans to serve in his cabinet, the size of Republicans' margin remains up in the air. TALLINN, Estonia (AP) A Belarusian opposition figure was detained in Vietnam and extradited to Belarus, where he is facing charges of terrorism and possibly a death penalty, the opposition said Thursday. The arrest of Vasil Verameichyk, 34, is the latest in an unrelenting crackdown by Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko on dissent both at home and abroad since 2020, when his disputed re-election sparked unprecedented mass protests. Verameichyk was detained in Vietnam on the request of Belarusian authorities, according to Belarus' main security agency, the KGB. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is facing terrorism charges, authorities said, over his involvement in the Kalinouski Regiment, a formation of Belarusian volunteers fighting in the Ukraine war alongside Kyivs forces. In Belarus, the Kalinouski Regiment has been designated as a terrorist organization. A number of terrorism-related criminal charges in Belarus are punishable by lengthy prison terms up to life in prison or even death penalty. Verameichyk is the first member of the regiment in custody in Belarus. Belarusian state TV on Wednesday night showed footage of Verameichyk in handcuffs being escorted off a plane in Minsk, the Belarusian capital. Individuals who have taken the path of terrorism and extremism, those who are haunted by the existence of a peaceful and calm Belarus, must live with the thought that Belarusian justice will catch up with them anywhere in the world, KGB spokesman Konstantin Bychek was quoted as saying by the country's state television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 500,000 Belarusians have left the country of 9.5 million since 2020, when Lukashenko responded to protests with mass arrests and violence. In the last year, Lukashenko's administration has ramped up pressure on Belarusians critical of the government who live abroad, launching criminal cases against them and issuing extradition requests. Belarus also has been targeting those who opposed Russia's war in Ukraine. Moscow used its neighbor and ally's territory as a springboard to send its troops into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and has maintained its military bases and weapons there, although Belarusian troops have not taken part in the war. Last year, it also sent tactical nuclear weapons to be stationed in Belarus, although there are no details about how many. The Belarusian authorities have detained more than 1,500 people over their anti-war stance and solidarity with Ukraine since the war began, rights advocates say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Verameichyk is a member of the opposition's Coordination Council. In 2020, he took part in the anti-government protests and a year later fled to Ukraine to avoid prosecution. There he joined the Kalinouski Regiment when Russian invaded, and fought alongside Ukraine's forces until April 2022, when he was wounded and quit the formation. He moved to Vietnam after Lithuania refused to grant him residency because he once served in the Belarusian army, according to the opposition. The Coordination Council said in a statement Thursday that Verameichyk was detained in the city of Ho Chi Minh last week, on Nov. 13 and transported to Minsk the next day. Belarusian authorities also raided the homes of Verameichyk's relatives. Belarus opposition leader in exile Sviatlana Tsikhnaouskaya in comments to The Associated Press called the situation with Verameichyk both alarming and unbearable. Vasil faces more than 20 years in prison or the death penalty under Lukashenkos regime, she said and urged countries to stop extraditions to Belarus and help exiled Belarusians. Vasil Verameichyk, a former soldier of the Kalinouski Regiment fighting on Ukraine's side, was extradited from Vietnam to Belarus last week, the independent Belarusian outlet Zerkalo reported on Nov. 20. Verameichyk now faces imprisonment, as the Kalinouski Regiment was recently declared a terrorist organization by the Supreme Court of Belarus. The Belarusian regime under dictator Alexander Lukashenko has backed Russia in its aggression against Ukraine and cracked down on Belarusian citizens actively supporting Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Verameichyk supported the 2020 protests against the electoral fraud in Belarus and then fled to Ukraine. There he joined Kastus Kalinouski's regiment at the beginning of the full-scale war and fought on the Ukrainian side, according to Ukrainska Pravda. Verameichyk later moved from Ukraine to Lithuania, where he was allegedly denied a residence permit because of his past service in the Belarusian army. According to Belarusian media, he was arrested in Vietnam on Nov. 13 and extradited to Belarus the following day. The Kalinouski Regiment is a military formation within Ukrainian forces, created in March 2022 to protect Ukraine from Russian invasion. It is composed of Belarusian volunteers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, another fighter from the regiment who had been held in Russian captivity for two years was charged with mercenarism by Russian proxy authorities in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast. Following the Supreme Court's decision, Alexander Karpovich, head of the Belarusian Prosecutor General's Office, said that members of the regiment had allegedly recruited, armed, and trained "terrorists" and had been involved in financing "terrorist activities." "On the basis of the provided evidence, the involvement of extremist-minded citizens, who are part of this formation, in the organization, planning, preparation, and commission of acts of terrorism on the territory of the Republic of Belarus was established," he added. The Belarusian regime brutally suppresses dissent at home, using surveillance, violence, and trumped-up charges with lengthy sentences to intimidate any opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Belarus Weekly: Ukrainian, Russian ombudsmen meet in Minsk to discuss POWs exchange Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett speaks during the Colorado Democratic Party's watch party at Number 38 in Denver on Nov. 5, 2024. (Andrew Fraieli for Colorado Newsline) U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet will introduce a bipartisan bill Thursday that would establish a new tax credit intended to jumpstart the carbon dioxide removal industry. The tax credit would support carbon dioxide removal operations already in place as well as pathways still under development. Qualifying carbon dioxide removal projects would earn tax credits based on the volume in metric tons of net carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carbon dioxide removal can be achieved through nature-based strategies such as soil-based storage, wildland conservation and restoration, and forest management, or through technology-based strategies such as direct air capture. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Bennet, a Democrat, plans to introduce the Carbon Dioxide Removal Investment Act on Thursday alongside U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican. The tax credit would be a technology-neutral production tax credit, which means the credit will be available to a wide range of carbon dioxide removal methods. The bill establishes criteria that must be met for an approach to qualify, but doesnt outline specific types. Due to climate change, Coloradans are facing rising temperatures, increasingly destructive wildfires, and historic drought. In order to meet our climate goals, we need to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and scale up technologies to capture and remove carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, Bennet said in a statement. The Carbon Dioxide Removal Investment Act puts American innovation at the heart of our fight against climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An existing tax credit for carbon management, under a provision known as Section 45Q, is more structured than the tax credit the bill proposes, so many methods of carbon dioxide removal arent eligible. A 2023 Colorado law directed the Colorado Energy Office to develop a carbon management roadmap to guide the states carbon reduction goals, with a final version of the plan expected in early 2025. Part of that strategy includes carbon dioxide removal. Colorado is moving rapidly to reduce carbon pollution and expand clean energy, but we know that carbon dioxide removal will also be needed to achieve our climate goals, Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, said in a statement. While we have taken important steps at the state level to enable carbon removal, and are developing a comprehensive state carbon management roadmap, we know that federal policy support is essential. Patrick Barham, a spokesperson for Bennet, said Colorado is well-positioned to be a leader on carbon dioxide removal given its good geography for underground carbon storage, its world-leading infrastructure for innovation and emerging technologies, and its proven record of policy leadership on climate and clean energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has tweaked his greenhouse gas emissions goals as projections show the state is likely fall short of its 2019 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26% below 2005 levels by 2025. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County gave lawmakers an update on how opioid settlement dollars are being spent. To date, Albuquerque has received nearly $28 million from the settlement. Theyve used $1.5 million for opioid treatment at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC); $5 million on a micro-recovery community of 50 pallet homes; and approximately $1.2 million for support services for treatment and recovery, to name a few. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope that these problems, this emergency, wont exist in 18 years from now, said Stanford Kemp, deputy director of the Behavioral Health and Wellness Division for the City of Albuquerque, Were looking to go full on on these settlement funds as a city. The City of Albuquerque has $18.8 million still available. Bernalillo County has received nearly $25 million from the settlement, and has used roughly $1.5 million on the Keep New Mexico Alive campaign and on the Metropolitan Detention Centers opioid treatment program. It is expected that the distribution of these dollars will extend until 2038, said Dr. Wayne Lindstrom, Deputy County Manager of Behavioral Health for Bernalillo County, I want to stress that this is a bit of a moving target. We do have projections in terms of what the anticipated distribution of dollars will be each year over the course of that period of time. Bernalillo County has $23.4 million remaining from the settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. 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? FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Earlier this month, Gov. Andy Beshear announced $7.5 million in funding for eight railway projects across the state. The governor called this investment an opportunity to strengthen the states infrastructure and fuel economic growth. The funding is coming from the Kentucky Shortline Infrastructure Preservations (KSLIP) Program, something that was approved by the general assembly in the governors 2024 budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beshear said railways will play a vital role in Kentuckys future economic growth not only by creating new jobs but potentially attracting new businesses and future investments. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The grants will fund the construction of new tracks, replacement of cross ties, updates to communications equipment, clearing of railways, and much more. Five different companies will be receiving funding for various projects, which can be found below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024-10-16-KSLIP-Funds-AwardedDownload Some of those companies, including the R.J. Corman Railroad Group, are getting funding for multiple projects. This project will show great benefits not only to our customers and to our railroad but also to the community of Central Kentucky by diverting 130,000 heavy trucks off the roads over the next 20 to 30 years and ensuring that our short line, the RJC, will be able to continue to efficiently and safely operate our trains between Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, said R.J. Corman Director of Public Relations April Colyer. The Beshear Administration has been making several investments to improve the way freight is moved across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more of the latest Kentucky news In August, Beshear announced a $5.5 million investment for 16 riverport projects. From when railways were at their peak in the mid-20th century to today, there has been a sharp decline in the number of miles of railroads across the Commonwealth. In the 1930s, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) said the state had more than 4,000 miles of railroad tracks; today that number is around 2,700. While Kentuckians wont see these investments pay off for several years, the question that now remains is how these millions of dollars in funding will impact the day-to-day lives of Kentuckians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These investments dont mean Kentuckians will be taking the train to work anytime soon; KYTC officials said these investments will still have an immense impact on everyday life for Kentuckians as it will be better for businesses. In addition, these projects will improve the overall maintenance of the railway tracks themselves. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news When companies choose to haul heavy goods and large loads through the rail system instead of through trucks, then thats, not only helping with less wear and tear on our roads, explained Naitore Djigbenou from KYTC. Its helping minimize traffic congestion. So those are all things that can translate into real benefits for the average citizen, in that they can immediately see and benefit from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can learn more about these investments 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 56 News. HONOLULU (KHON2) Better Sour, a sour candy startup founded by lifelong best friends from Hawaii, announced its new Passion Fruit Sour Gummy Stars, a collaboration with Disney celebrating the release of Walt Disney Animation Studios Moana 2, the theatrical sequel to the original film, in theaters on November 27. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Launched in 2023 by Bella Hughes and Semira Nikou, who were born and raised in the Hawaiian Islands, Better Sours gummy candy features tart fruit flavors from around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Better Sour is currently available in more than 1,800 retail locations, and by the end of 2024 will be in more than 3,000. Hawaiian Airlines, 7-Eleven Hawaii, Foodland, KTA and Longs Drugs will begin selling the brand. As a WBENC certified women-owned business, and with us being from Hawaii, were particularly thrilled about this collaboration with Disney because Moana is such a great fit for us. Moana is an inspiring role model for girls and women everywhere, said Semira Nikou, CEO and co-founder. We love that she is a strong female lead, and her island roots, strength, and tenacity resonate with us. The timing of this launch is also perfect, given the excitement around the release of Moana 2, which coincides with the building momentum around our brand. Moana 2 rolls into theaters nationwide on November 27 and has already set a record as Disneys most-watched trailer for an animated film. Moana was the most streamed movie across all platforms in 2023, per Nielsen. Our new flavor come in tangy passion fruit, known as lilikoi in Hawaii and is one of our absolute favorite fruits of all time. For a startup thats less than two years old in retail, this is a huge win, and the timing is perfect as we ended 2023 in around only 100 doors and within 12 months have had a 30x growth in door count, with over 1,600 of these new doors in Q4 launching our new passion fruit SKU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to being available in select retailers, Better Sours new SKU will be available on Amazon. For more updates and to follow their journey see their Instagram (@eatbettersour) and check out their website Better Sour. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. An 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. Featured Local Savings 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. Biden administration officials on Wednesday announced several potential alternatives for the Colorado Rivers long-term management, as the expiration date for the current rules approaches. The five alternatives will be considered as possible replacements for the 2007 Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages, which are valid through the end of 2026. These rules will steer conservation policies for a 1,450-mile river that provides water to about 40 million people in the U.S. and Mexico. Were in a moment for solutions and leadership, Acting Deputy Interior Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis said on a Wednesday press call. Today, were putting forth alternatives that have established a robust and fair framework for a basin-wide agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Interior Departments Bureau of Reclamation, which is overseeing the revisions in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), had given Colorado River basin states an early March 2024 cutoff date for submitting a consensus-backed alternative themselves. The U.S. portion of the Colorado River region is split into a Lower and an Upper basin, which, respectively, include California, Arizona and Nevada, and Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico. Back in March, the two basins were unable to come to a unified agreement and ended up filing competing proposals for the rivers long-term management. The Lower Basin states had agreed to reductions of their own while also placing an emphasis on shared cuts across the whole watershed basing storage capacity totals not just on the massive Lake Powell and Lake Mead, but also on other smaller reservoirs in the Upper Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Upper Basin states, on the other hand, submitted a plan that they felt would better reflect changing hydrological conditions in a region where water supplies come from mountain snowpack. In the absence of a March consensus, the federal government on Wednesday released its own alternatives, which will undergo extensive analysis in a forthcoming draft environmental impact statement (EIS). Those alternatives, according to the Interior Department, reflect elements proposed by basin states, tribes, cooperating agencies and non-governmental organizations. We have laid the foundation to ensure that future guidelines and strategies will be sufficiently robust and adaptive to withstand the uncertainty of climate change impacts, Daniel-Davis said. The release of the proposed alternatives on Wednesday serves to facilitate a timely development of final operating guidelines that will need to be in place by August of 2026, explained Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton, on the same press call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Touton stressed that there are no preferred alternatives and that the options represent a wide range of actions that provide improved predictability of water availability, enhanced opportunities for conservation and respond to a broad spectrum of hydrology. The proposals include four viable alternatives as well as a fifth no action alternative, which Touton explained is simply a NEPA requirement but would involve reverting to guidelines in place prior to 2007. Alternative 4, a Basin Hybrid plan, attempts to include portions of the plans submitted by the Upper Basin, Lower Basin and tribal nations. That option, according to the Interior Department, could help facilitate collaborative action among stakeholders. In this proposal, Lake Powell releases would generally be based solely on the lakes elevation, but with some consideration of Lake Meads levels. New delivery and storage mechanisms would serve both reservoirs, including conservation incentivization for both tribal and non-tribal parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This option would also make basin-wide cuts more equitable by spreading the burden, which has long been a priority of the Lower Basin states. Specifically, a portion of the reductions that the Lower Basin must make amid shortages would be based on a seven-reservoir capacity, rather than just that of Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Alternative 3, called Cooperative Conservation, was informed by proposals from conservation organizations and would predicate Lake Powell releases upon total Upper Basin system storage and recent hydrological conditions, according to the Interior Department. Under this option, a large share of Lower Basin cutbacks would be based on the seven-reservoir storage capacity, recent hydrology and voluntary contributions from the two basins. In Alternative 2, called the Federal Authorities Hybrid, Lake Powell releases would be based on a combination of Lake Powell and Lake Mead elevations, hydrological records and Lower Basin deliveries. Shortage responsibilities under this plan would be triggered entirely by the combined seven-reservoir storage capacity and distributed proportionally among parties. A Federal Authorities option, Alternative 1, would provide robust protection of critical infrastructure within the federal governments current statutory authorities. Lake Powell released would be based on Lake Powells elevations, with Lower Basin shortages distributed based on the regions century-old water rights priority system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These alternatives represent a responsible range from which to build the best and most robust path forward for the basin, Touton said. There certainly are extremely difficult choices and tradeoffs to be made, but we believe that there are ample opportunities to create a fair path to solutions that work for the entire region. In addition to presenting the alternatives, the Biden administration officials also devoted ample time in the Wednesday press call commending the progress made under President Biden on Colorado River issues. Daniel-Davis recalled how in 2021, impacts of a historic drought in the West brought the Colorado River Basin and the communities it serves to a near crisis, stressing how Lake Mead and Lake Powell plunged to critically low elevations. But she touted the administrations all-of-government approach and really bold and decisive action for helping solve the crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Touton offered a similar perspective, adding, We were able to bring the Colorado River into the back in the break of the worst drought in 1,800 years. White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, credited not only the administration, but also the regions bipartisan partners for bringing the river back from the brink. He commended U.S. West governors by name, and from both sides of the aisle, for their work on natural resource conservation and for recognizing the strain on the Colorado River system. Zaidi described the alternatives as a playbook to come together once again, to meet the urgent need of stabilizing situation beyond 2026. In response to the Interior Departments publication of alternatives, JB Hamby, Colorado River commissioner for California, said in a statement that federal law requires the Colorado River Basins reservoirs be managed in accordance with the Colorado River Compact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most significant components of that 1922 water agreement, Hamby stated, are mandatory deliveries of water from the Upper Basin to the Lower Basin and Mexico. In order to be valid, any alternative considered must meet this requirement unless the states agree to a compromise otherwise, he said. Becky Mitchell, Colorado River commissioner for the state of Colorado, said in a statement her state did not have specific comments on the alternatives at this time. Colorado continues to stand firmly behind the Upper Division States Alternative, she said, noting that this proposal is supply-driven and aims to boost Lake Powell and Lake Mead while protecting Colorados significant rights and interests in the river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado remains committed to working collaboratively with the other Basin States, the federal government and tribal Nations towards a consensus approach and also stands ready to protect our States significant interests in the Colorado River, Mitchell added. In a separate press call following the Interior Departments announcement, Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, told reporters that he needed a lot more time to digest all this. While he noted some really positive elements to these alternatives, he also said that he was disappointed that Reclamation chose to create alternatives, rather than to model the Lower Basin state alternative in its entirety. It didnt start at one extreme or the other, and it showed unequivocally that the Lower Basin was willing to take the first tranche of cuts, Buschatzke added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- The Biden administration told Congress it plans to cancel $4.65 billion in debt owed by Ukraine, according to a letter obtained by Bloomberg News, the latest in a series of moves meant to bolster support for Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House will cancel half of a $9 billion loan delivered to Ukraine as part of a $60 billion supplemental package approved in April. The loan idea was first floated by Trump during the campaign and was a key tweak to the legislation made by House Republican leaders, though the administration had always signaled a part of it would be forgiven. Canceling the debt, thereby helping Ukraine prevail, is in the national interest of the United States and its EU, G7+, and NATO partners, the State Department said in a letter to Congress dated Nov. 18. Subscribe to the Bloomberg Daybreak podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. The move is part of a broader effort by President Joe Biden to rush more support to Kyiv before Trump returns to the White House in January. He has said his priority is pushing Russia and Ukraine toward peace negotiations, and Kyivs supporters fear he may cut off aid as part of that push. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days Biden agreed to allow Ukraine to use US-provided long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia. On Wednesday, the administration announced a new security assistance package worth $275 million, including anti-personnel land mines. The State Department confirmed the transmission of the letter and said the administrations actions were consistent with the authority provided by Congress in the legislation. QuickTake: Why US Now Lets Ukraine Hit Russia With Its Missiles: QuickTake The plan, however, drew objections from Republicans. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said in a post on X Wednesday that he would seek to force a vote on the Senate floor to stop the Biden Administration from making Ukraines debt the responsibility of the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both houses of Congress would need to approve Pauls resolution, something thats unlikely to happen given that Democrats control the Senate. Biden could also veto the resolution if it were to pass. A US official said Wednesday evening that Biden was within his rights to cancel 50% of the debt. In a trip to Brussels intended to reassure allies days after the election, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration was committed to ensuring every dollar we have at our disposal is pushed out to Ukraine. The loan is separate from the nearly $9 billion left in weapons assistance the administration has pledged to spend by the end of Bidens term. About $7 billion of that money must be spent primarily on arms supplies from US stocks, a challenging task as the Pentagons supplies of some key missiles and other systems are already running low. The rest of the funding is set to go toward defense production contracts that will ship supplies directly to Ukraine once theyre ready. The Trump administration could choose to cancel some of those contracts at a cost if they chose to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Viktoria Dendrinou and Courtney McBride. (Updates with State Department response, in sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The Biden administration is swimming against the current to get seven Western states to agree to divvy up the Colorado Rivers water in a way that would protect the river basin and the Wests largest single water source and do it before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. Its a Hail Mary to save the lifeblood of the West on President Joe Bidens watch and create a sustainable plan to provide drinking water for tens of millions of people, irrigate Americas crops and power homes and industry in the years to come. But getting all states and stakeholders to agree in just two months how much water they could be entitled to for decades is extremely doubtful, if not impossible, multiple sources involved in the negotiations told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administrations long-shot goal is the latest move in a water showdown that has simmered for years between states as the West becomes more arid and its water-guzzling population explodes. Recent winters have brought much-needed rain and snow, and states have conserved billions of gallons of water. Still, scientists warn the basin remains in a downward spiral; rising temperatures have sucked more than 10 trillion gallons of water out of the river system between 2000 and 2021, according to researchers at UCLA. If an agreement on these complex, territorial negotiations can be pulled off before January 20 (almost a year and a half before they were otherwise set to conclude) it would avoid the spectacle of a Supreme Court battle a possibility already being dangled by some basin stakeholders. But after months of disagreement, the seven states that surround the river plus the surrounding Tribal nations, remain far apart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are not enough drugs in the world for me to get to that position that a consensus could be reached by late January, one representative of river stakeholders said. Colorado River water flowing through an aqueduct next to a dry alfalfa field in September. - Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images/File The states are divided into two factions the upper-basin states Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming and lower-basin states Arizona, California and Nevada which do not agree on who should bear the brunt of future water cuts if reservoir levels drop. We have big issues between us, the upper- and lower-basin states, Arizonas top water official Tom Buschatzke told CNN. I think regardless of whether that can actually be achieved, I believe any progress we can make will carry forward into the next administration. A new operating plan for the river must be in place by August 2026, a few months before the current agreement expires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal Interior Departments Bureau of Reclamation is leading negotiations and has the authority to come to an agreement on behalf of the lower basin states if none can be reached by the deadline. On Wednesday, the Biden administration proposed five alternatives for post-2026 river use that would protect water levels and hydroelectricity at lakes Mead and Powell, which generate energy at the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams. Those options will be reviewed by federal officials as part of a formal process while state negotiations continue to play out. We continue to encourage all basin partners to find a consensus agreement that meets the needs of all the rivers users, White House national climate adviser Ali Zaidi said in a statement. Bike riders pedal past a section of the Colorado River east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in September. - J Sangosti/The Denver PostGetty Images/File The source familiar with negotiations told CNN the public release of these alternatives is intended to push the states directionally toward a deal as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Buschatzke, Arizonas top water official, said no one from the Biden administration has communicated directly to him they want to get a deal done by the end of Bidens term. We will try to make as much progress as we can in the days that remain in the Biden administration, he said. There are also unknowns in the incoming Trump administration. Trump recently named North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as his pick for Interior Secretary but has yet to name a pick for Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner a lesser-known but critical role that has jurisdiction over the fate of the Colorado River. The Biden administration can start that process, and it will be Trump to finish it, the stakeholder representative said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (NewsNation) President Joe Biden has reversed some of his own policy positions on Ukraine even as Russia has used new tactics in the conflict and warned of escalation. Ukraine says Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, one carrying a conventional warhead, toward it. ICBMs can also be used to launch nuclear weapons, and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently lowered the bar for using nuclear weapons in what appeared to be a threat to the U.S. and its NATO allies. Biden has remained relatively silent since the election and, until now, has been working behind the scenes to cement his foreign policy legacy and make sure Ukraine has what it needs, at least until President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Gaetz withdraws from nomination as attorney general In just the past 48 hours, Biden has reversed some of his own policy positions, allowing the use of nonpersistent antipersonnel land mines and the use of long-range missiles to strike within Russia. A U.S. official told NewsNation the land mines will significantly enhance Ukraines defensive capabilities, especially in the east. Nonpersistent land mines are designed to become inert after a period of time that generally ranges from four hours to two weeks. Biden also promised $7 billion in military assistance by the time he left office. His actions are not sitting well with the Kremlin. The U.S. has rejected the claim Russia used an ICBM, saying instead the weapon detected by Kyiv was a new medium-range missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin warned Russia could use that new missile to strike countries that allow Ukraine to use their missiles to fire at Russia, another threat toward the U.S. Thursday morning, the Biden administration also announced sanctions on Russias largest remaining bank that had not been sanctioned by the U.S. before. The goal is to stop Russia from funding its war machine. Biden has also announced he would be using drawdown authority to provide Ukraine with weapons from Americas own arsenal. The Biden administration has said it can support Ukraine and Israel and still defend the U.S., but a top U.S. commander thinks otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic chair blasts Mayorkas, Wray for failure to testify; threats hearing postponed The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has warned that providing billions of dollars worth of air defenses to Ukraine and Israel is now affecting our ability to respond in the Indo-Pacific region if China invades Taiwan. China has been ramping up its pressure against the island, doing massive military exercises, including one involving 125 warplanes in October. Adm. Samuel Paparo told a group in Washington this week that support is eating into stocks and saying otherwise would be dishonest. With some of the Patriots that have been employed, some of the surface-to-air missiles that have been employed, its now eating into the stocks, he 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 PRC is the most capable potential adversary in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon said the ability to send weapons is limited by what we have on the shelves, with Biden announcing another $275 million of weapons for Ukraine this week. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. By Mike Stone, Humeyra Pamuk and Matt Spetalnick WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden dropped his opposition to Ukraine firing U.S. missiles at targets deep inside Russia in response to North Korea's entry to the war, a shift in U.S. policy that took on added urgency following Donald Trump's Nov. 5 election win, sources familiar with the matter said. Biden for months resisted pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to ease limits on the use of U.S.-supplied ATACMs missiles, which can reach far into Russian territory, wary of potentially drawing NATO into a conflict with a nuclear-armed power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Moscow's decision to deploy North Korean soldiers to Russia's Kursk region represented a major escalation that demanded a response, a senior U.S. official and two other sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The election of Trump - who is deeply skeptical of U.S. support for Ukraine - added pressure on the administration to loosen the rules on the use of the weapons and take other steps to bolster Ukraine as it suffers repeated setbacks on the battlefield, said two other sources familiar with the matter. The decision could help to "Trump-proof" parts of Biden's Ukraine agenda by strengthening Ukraine's position in case they lose U.S. support, one of the sources said. Trump has repeatedly criticized U.S. military aid to Ukraine, raising fears that he might suspend weapons supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relaxation of the restrictions on U.S. weapons may have come too late to alter the course of the conflict but could help Ukraine defend the foothold it has in Kursk. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A State Department spokesperson declined to say whether Biden had authorized the longer-range strikes but said Russia was escalating the conflict by deploying North Korean troops. Moscow has vowed to respond to what it sees as an escalation by the West. A U.S. official said on Thursday that Russia may have fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile during an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, in a likely warning to NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STRENGTHENING KYIV'S HAND The relaxation of U.S. conditions was conveyed to Ukraine during a Nov. 12 call between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, said a source familiar with the discussions. A day later, Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and European officials of the decision as well as his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, during a trip to Brussels, a senior U.S. official said. Ukraine conducted its first long-range strike under the new policy on Tuesday, announcing it had fired U.S. ATACMS missiles on an arms depot about 110 km (70 miles) inside Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden's easing of weapons restrictions appeared to open the door for U.S. allies to allow their own weapons to be used in new ways. On Wednesday, Ukraine fired a volley of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia. Since the elections, the Biden administration has taken other actions to support Kyiv, approving the use of anti-personnel mines to slow Russia's advance in Ukraine's east and allowing U.S. defense contractors to work inside Ukraine to repair U.S.-supplied weapons, enabling the Ukrainians to keep more of the gear in active use. For months, Ukrainian officials pleaded with Americans to let them use the 190-mile range rockets for targets deeper inside Russian territory, arguing that their inability to hit air bases hosting warplanes involved in strikes on Ukraine was a major handicap. But the Biden administration declined to give a green light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. officials have been skeptical of the value of letting Ukraine use weapons such as the ATACMs, arguing that Moscow has already moved some bombing targets out of range, and that Ukraine already has domestically made rockets and kamikaze drones that can reach into Russian territory. They have also worried that such a move could risk a direct war between NATO and Russia, a possibility some experts and U.S. lawmakers have downplayed. Russia's decision to deploy thousands of North Korean troops to join the fighting changed the administration's thinking. The U.S. acknowledged in late October that it had seen evidence of North Korean troops in Russia for possible deployment in the Ukraine conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korean soldiers had docked in the eastern port city of Vladivostok, after boarding ships in early-to-mid October from North Korea's Wonsan region, and were taken to three military training sites in eastern Russia, White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. The following week Blinken said as many as 8,000 North Korean forces were in Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have controlled territory since August. Easing U.S. controls on the use of the missiles was intended to send a message to the North Koreans and Russians that the shift was unacceptable, as well as hamper their efforts to push Ukrainians out of Kursk, said a senior U.S. official familiar with the administration's thinking. The official acknowledged that relaxing the restrictions risked a further escalation of the conflict - but noted that Russia has so far taken no action against states other than Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a congressional aide said they believed the new policy only applied to the Kursk region. "Ukraine is only authorized to shoot deeper into Russia to constrain the Russian-North Korean effort to push Ukraine out of the Russian territory," the aide said. (Reporting by Mike Stone, Humeyra Pamuk and Matt Spetalnick, Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Don Durfee and Suzanne Goldenberg) A photo of an orphaned oil well in St. Martin Parish taken in 2010. (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources) For decades, Louisiana regulators and legislators have made it easy for oilfield operators to abandon their oilfield equipment and walk away from their duty to plug oil and gas wells and clean up the sites upon their departure. Louisiana hunters, fishers, and boaters know these abandoned, orphan oilfield sites all too well. The rusty tanks and waste pits are eyesores that insult our states Sportsmans Paradise banner and threaten our water. While other states protect their natural beauty by requiring proper cleanup, Louisianas governmental neglect is converting the state into a wasteland of former industrial sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office raid on an assistant commissioner in the Louisiana Office of Conservation highlights alleged corruption in manipulating public funds for private interest. Those public funds were intended to clean up oilfield sites. No one should be surprised. For decades the state has mismanaged public funds earmarked for oilfield site cleanup, warped law and policy to benefit out-of-state operators at the expense of Louisiana operators, and built into law conflicts of interest that will continue to worsen to orphan well problem. A recent Louisiana Legislative Auditor report shows serious problems at Louisianas Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR). It noted that the Office of Conservation does not even bother to consistently require operators to pay annual fees, that inactive wells can remain unplugged indefinitely, that not all wells are required to have financial security, and that the average financial security per well was only $3,248 despite that the average cost to plug a well is $113,449. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The audit noted a host of other serious problems, and it did not even look at two of the biggest: the Oilfield Site Restoration Commissions conflicts of interest and the Office of Conservations failure to require perfectly viable operators to clean up sites they are legally bound to clean up. First, the state Oilfield Site Restoration Commission is charged with oversight of public funds used to clean up orphan wells. The commission should be composed of independent experts, but instead it contains appointees from oil and gas lobbyists who have an inherent conflict of interest. Unsurprisingly, public funds are directed at sites in which powerful operators should instead be using their own private funds to clean up messes they themselves made. Oil and gas lobbyists should not have any power over public funds used in relation to those lobbyists clients. In recent years, two commissioners have resigned in protest. Second, the Office of Conservation has authority to demand that former operators plug deserted wells and clean up sites but chooses not to use it. These former operators often big, out-of-state corporations were the first to operate an oilfield site before they sold their interests down the food chain to smaller, local operators. Importantly, these former operators remain legally bound to restore the sites, even after transferring operations to a new operator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To paraphrase Navy Admiral Hyman Rickover, Responsibility is a unique concept. You may share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. It is the former oilfield operators who typically made the most money off wells and who typically caused the most damage at a site, operating in an early era with fewer technological safeguards. But, curiously, the Office of Conservation focuses its enforcement power against only the most recent operator. In contrast to former operators, who are often big, out-of-state operators, the recent operators are often relatively small, Louisiana mom-and-pop oil and gas companies. The focus on recent operators is bad policy because it favors big oil and gas companies and unfairly shifts the burden onto Louisianas small and independent oil and gas operators. There is nothing stopping the commissioner right now from issuing orders to each of these orphan wells former operators and working interest owners. There is also nothing stopping the commissioner right now from using the rulemaking authority to fix the problem. The law and regulations improperly exempt wells from financial security, maintain artificially low financial security amounts while allowing operators to dilute financial security in other ways, allow companies causing the problem to benefit from it and impede DENR from pursuing those who should pay to plug wells. Working interest owners are responsible to plug wells, too, but DENR does not even bother to maintain lists of working interest ownership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissioner could also issue a rule that no public funds be used to clean up a mess where there are viable former operators and working interest owners. If the economic cost of reform were high, the Louisiana Legislatures hesitancy would be understandable. But unlike a lot of problems facing our state, the solution to the abandoned oilfield problem is actually good for Louisianas economy. Contrary to oil and gas lobbyist hysterics, it would actually be good for the Louisiana economy and good for Louisiana oil and gas workers if we make big Texas oil companies take some of those big Texas corporate dollars they earned off Louisiana, and reinvest that money into Louisiana contractors, to hire Louisiana workers, to clean up Louisiana oilfield sites that those Texas companies walked away from. A recent study from True Transition, by Greg Cumpton and Megan Milliken Biven, noted that Louisiana lost over 20,000 oil and gas jobs in the past 10 years, and that plugging the wells would create between 20,429 and 49,138 direct job years. Creating Louisiana jobs with Texas money is a good thing. Texas has long used profits earned off Louisiana to build entire neighborhoods of gaudy mansions in Houston suburbs. Those Texas oil and gas companies are often the biggest players in the industry, and are best positioned to fix the problems that they caused and which they are already bound by law to fix. Its past time for Louisiana regulators to strictly enforce the law. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Former President Clinton said President-elect Trump has done everything he could to destroy confidence in government. He believes that his supporters have no confidence whatever in the federal government, and Lord knows hes done everything he could to destroy that confidence, Clinton told MSNBCs Jonathan Capehart in a Wednesday interview aired on Chris Hayess All In. Clinton campaigned for Vice President Harris in the 2024 presidential race. At the Democratic National Convention this summer, he slammed Trump multiple times, stressing the Republican nominees penchant for mentioning the fictional character Hannibal Lecter. The former Democratic president told Capehart the president-elect is interested in people who are loyal to him 100 percent of the time no matter what the issue, no matter what the facts, no matter who gets hurt, he wants people who just say yes and then get after it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Trumps Cabinet picks, including former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general and former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, have been criticized over a lack of experience with some viewing the choices coming as a result of the two mens loyalty to Trump. Trump has also implied the military should be used against Americans. In October, Trump suggested during an appearance on Fox News that the National Guard or military should be employed on Election Day to fight against possible disorder from the enemy from within, which he said included radical-left lunatics We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics, Trump said at the time, adding, And I think it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military, because they cant let that happen. The Hill has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A bill filed Wednesday in the Arkansas legislature would restore the right to abortion in the state. House Bill 1011 would repeal Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 61, Subchapter 3, called the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act, and replace it with the Restore Roe Act. Birth control and abortion pill requests have surged since Trump won the election The bill calls for the restoration of access to abortion allowed by the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision. The Supreme Court overturned that decision in the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dobbs decision triggered the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act to become law after it was passed by the Arkansas legislature in 2019, making abortion immediately illegal in Arkansas. Arkansas was one of 13 states with a so-called trigger law that banned abortion if the Supreme Court overturned Roe. HB 1011 was filed by Rep. Andrew Collins (D-Little Rock). Collins filed 39 bills on Wednesday, several regarding access to health care for expecting and postpartum mothers. Carry to Term: Woman shares story of having to carry unviable pregnancy to term due to Arkansas law Wednesday was the first day for legislators to file bills for the 2025 legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. The U.S. Department of the Interior's alternative proposals to guide the management of the Colorado River received mixed reactions from key negotiators and officials whose support is crucial in the river's successful operation in the years to come. Several reiterated they don't want litigation, which would tie up any plans in the court systems for years, but they also acknowledged or at least hinted that a legal battle is a plausible outcome. "We don't want a legal fight," said Tom Buschatzke, the Arizona Department of Water Resources director. "We want the process that we're currently involved in to be concluded" by all seven states, the 30 tribes, the nongovernmental organizations, recreationists, and others, much like what happened in 2019 with the drought contingency plan, said Buschatzke, who is his state's chief negotiator on matters related to the Colorado River. That contingency plan, he said, drew in broad support to get Congressional legislation approved in record time. "That's still my goal and still the goal of the state of Arizona," he said. On Wednesday, the Department of the Interior announced four alternatives plus one that won't be considered that will be analyzed next month as a foundation for the post-2026 operating guidelines for the Colorado River. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the river's reservoirs and dams, but operating guidelines that have been in place since 2007 are set to expire at the end of 2026. Since 2021, the bureau and the seven basin states have been devising short-term fixes with an eye on new guidelines for the beginning of 2027. U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Denver, who has sponsored legislation to fund the Upper Colorado River Commission's system conservation program, also recoiled at the possibility of litigation. (These) proposed alternatives underscore how serious a situation were facing on the Colorado River," he said. "The only path forward is a collaborative, seven-state plan to solve the Colorado River crisis without taking this to court. "Otherwise, well watch the river run dry while we sue each other, he continued. The river stretches from Colorado to Mexico, providing water to more than 40 million people and billions of dollars in economic activity, including agriculture and hydropower from two dams. But drought over the last 20 years has "stolen" 10 trillion gallons from the basin, according to Ali Zaidi, Joe Biden's assistant and the White House's climate advisor. That drought has caused critical water shortages at the nation's two largest reservoirs Lake Powell, which serves the Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, and Lake Mead, which serves Arizona, Nevada, and California. The Interior's announcement on Wednesday pointed to four main alternatives: A "federal authorities" alternative designed "to achieve robust protection of critical infrastructure within the Department and Reclamations current statutory authorities and absent new stakeholder agreements." Featured Local Savings Lake Powell releases would be determined based on elevations, ranging from 5 million acre-feet to 9.5 million acre-feet. Releases under 5 million acre-feet would protect Glen Canyon dam's infrastructure. The operations also incorporate basin-wide shared contributions to the system's sustainability, including Upper Basin conservation that would be stored in Lake Powell and Lower Basin shortages starting at 1.5 million acre-feet, which exceeds average annual evaporative and system losses at and below Lake Mead and which reaches a maximum of 3.5 million acre-feet. A "federal authorities hybrid" that incorporates proposals submitted by tribal nations, federal agencies, and other stakeholders "to achieve robust protection of critical infrastructure, while benefiting natural, hydropower and recreation. This would incorporate a new approach to distributing storage between Lake Powell and Lake Mead that enhances the reservoirs' ability to support the Basin, according to the bureau. It looks at the entire basin with increased cooperation among the states, said Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. A cooperative conservation proposal from non-governmental organizations and conservation groups they said would stabilize system storage, integrate stewardship and mitigation strategies of Lakes Powell and Mead, maintain opportunities for binational cooperative measures, incentivize water conservation, and design flexible water management strategies, the statement said. It looks at commonalities, Touton said. A "basin hybrid" that is based on the proposals submitted by the upper and Lower Basin states and tribal nations and which would "provide a basis for coordinated operations and may facilitate greater agreement across the Basin." Buschatzke, who talked to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, initially offered a positive take. But he also sharply criticized the alternatives, which he said ignored the proposal submitted by the Lower Basin states last March. The Arizona official said that since the proposals are very detailed they included specifics about how things might work regarding releases to Powell to Mead, reductions in the Lower Basin, and conservation in the Upper Basin he hadn't entirely digested them yet. He said these alternatives have some positive elements, such as moving water from the four major Upper Basin reservoirs to Lake Powell to protect the lake's infrastructure. But he is disappointed that the Bureau of Reclamation chose to create alternatives rather than model the Lower Basin state's plan in its entirety. Elements were removed from that Lower Basin proposal, but he said it was designed and submitted as a package. He argued that a reasonable alternative started in the "middle" regarding a potential upper and Lower Basin combined alternative. "And it showed unequivocally that the Lower Basin was willing to take the first tranche of cuts, asking the Upper Basin to participate if more cuts were needed," he said. As for a "compact" call, which would require more water to be sent down the river to the Lower Basin states, Buschatzke said there could be a situation where deliveries are not being met because of "bad hydrology" as soon as 2027. Buschatzke hopes that continued discussions with the federal team, state tribes, and stakeholders "can move the needle forward." He didn't want to speculate on why the bureau decided to release those alternatives now instead of waiting until December or later, but he also regarded that as a positive development. He said that litigation is not a desired outcome for Arizona, but that scenario was brought up in a meeting on Monday. And there's still a pretty wide gap between the two basins. The word "conservation" comes up when talking about the Upper Basin, he explained, and that often refers to reductions. The Lower Basin states put in their proposal cuts of 1.5 million acre-feet, but if more is needed, how will the Upper Basin states participate? "We're not asking that all to be done by the Upper Basin," he said. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) With 70% of high school teachers considering cell phone distractions a major problem, one Tennessee lawmaker is looking to address the issue. Representative Scott Cepicky introduced legislation that would require school boards across the state to adopt policies prohibiting students from using phones during instructional time. Former teacher Michelle Hoover agreed with the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS: Maury County lawmaker files bill to limit cellphone usage in classrooms As soon as those students walk in, you want to start your instructional time and I think cellphones are a distraction, I think the students should not bring them to class at all, Hoover said. I think the students should not bring them to class at all because its hindering the time that you have to do instruction when you are having to deal with students that are distracted because theyre pulling their cell phones out of their backpacks or out of their pockets. In Rutherford County, school board members already have a policy designating when personal devices can be used. If students are found using phones outside of those parameters, teachers have the right to take them and give them back to their parents or guardians. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts It becomes this tug of war of no, I want to keep the phone, no you cannot take it away from me, no its my property, and in actuality, it should have never been out in the first place, said Frances Rosales, vice chair of the Rutherford County School Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosales believes the legislation requiring school districts to enact policies limiting cell phone use in the classroom is a good idea, especially when considering teachers are evaluated by students performance on standardized testing. Youve got to have everyones individual attention so that when the teacher is sharing the information, everyone can hear it at the same time, she explained. Although you will find many who agree with having a cell phone policy, some dont see the need for the state to intervene. Its ridiculous to me and I feel its a waste of the legislators time to even be considering something like this. I mean, they really need to be focusing on more important things, Rutherford County parent Angela Wynn said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com However, Rep. Cepicky pointed out that at least eight states already have restrictions on phone use in schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be brought back to the parents and the children and the discussion there, and along with some rules at the school. but to have a bill for that I think thats taking it a little too far, Rutherford County Parent Candida Layne said. The Tennessee General Assembly is set to reconvene on January 14. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. (Bloomberg) -- Billionaire Ken Griffin cast doubt on two of President-elect Donald Trumps most loudly heralded economic policy plans: tax cuts and tariff hikes. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans should be mindful of the effect of tax cuts on the growing national debt and the impact of tariffs on the long-term competitiveness of American businesses, Griffin said in an interview with Bloomberg Televisions Sonali Basak at the Economic Club of New York. The big problem is weve got to get productivity growing, Griffin said. The Citadel founder on Thursday suggested the opposite course might be needed:Theres a real question about where do we need to raise taxes to start to put our house in order. He also said Republicans, who will control the White House and both chambers of Congress in January, will need to look at cutting spending as well. He acknowledged that doing so will be difficult, saying that these are really unpopular decisions for politicians to make. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has pledged to extend his 2017 tax cuts and eliminate other levies on tips for service workers and Social Security benefits. Hes also pledged to impose a 10% or 20% tariff on all imported goods with even higher duties on Chinese products and argues that they will increase revenues while bringing manufacturing operations back to the US. I am gravely concerned that that rise of tariffs puts us on a slippery slope towards crony capitalism, Griffin said. Tariffs give a short-term benefit for domestic companies that produce goods, but in the long term, they harm productivity, he added. Those same companies that enjoy that momentary sugar rush of having their competitors removed from the battlefield soon become complacent, Griffin said. Griffin said tariffs will ultimately hurt the US economy, which needs to rapidly increase productivity if it wants to meet all its obligations, including paying benefits promised to retiring Americans through programs like Social Security and Medicare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The avian flu virus isolated from a hospitalized teenager in Vancouver has mutations in key areas that could help the virus spread more easily in humans, scientists say. There is no indication that the mutated virus has traveled beyond this patient. After monitoring of dozens of potential contacts among the teens friends, family and health care providers, no further cases have been identified, Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer for British Columbia, said in a written statement. That means the mutated virus is not spreading or a threat to anyone else. But scientists say the genetic changes are a reminder of what the virus is capable of if it continues to spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certainly, this is one of the first times that weve really seen evidence of these sort of adaptation mutations in H5, said Dr. Jesse Bloom, a computational virologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. The H5N1 bird flu virus that infected the teen, who is in critical but stable condition, is not the same strain that is transmitting in dairy cattle in the United States. It is more closely related to an H5N1 strain that is circulating in wild birds such as geese in the Pacific Northwest. Although both strains are H5N1, they are distinct, the same way Delta and Omicron were different versions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19. Disease detectives who are investigating the case still dont know how the teen was infected, since they had no known contact with wild birds. The three mutations are at positions in the virus genome that Bloom and other scientists have determined would allow it to attach more easily to human cells. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its caught the attention of a lot of flu virologists, including myself, because some of the sequence has evidence of some of the types of mutations we worry about, he said. Flu viruses enter cells by attaching to sugars that stick up from their surfaces called sialic acids. Birds have an abundance of a kind of sialic acid called alpha 2,3, but humans primarily have alpha 2,6 sialic acids, particularly in the nose, throat and lungs. Dr. Scott Hensley, a microbiologist and immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania who specializes in the study of flu viruses, says decades of basic research have shown scientists which mutations to watch for. And Hensley said that on Saturday morning, when he looked up the sequence from the Canadian patient that had been newly uploaded to the international genome sharing database GISAID, he saw exactly the changes that would enable the virus to switch from preferring the alpha 2,3 receptor plentiful in birds to the alpha 2,6 sialic acids plentiful in the human nose, throat and lungs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One place in the human body where alpha 2,3 receptors are plentiful is the eye, he said. Most of the human H5N1 infections reported in the United States have had red, inflamed eyes as an early symptom, suggesting thats where the virus entered the body. The Canadian youth also had red eyes as one of their first symptoms, so Hensley thinks its possible thats how the virus got in. However, the patient developed severe breathing problems called acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, perhaps as a result of the mutations the virus began to acquire as it copied itself in the body, Hensley said. Still, this is not the beginning of a pandemic, he stressed. The virus becoming better adapted to the human cells is a start, but it wouldnt necessarily be enough on its own to ignite an outbreak. We need to do a lot of studies at this point. We have to try to understand if this particular virus does have properties of effective transmission, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each of the mutations is ambiguous, meaning when scientists read the sequence of letters that make up the virus genome, they werent able to determine which of two letters, or nucleotides, should be in that position. Bloom explains that this can happen when a virus is evolving in its host and present in the body in different forms. Its commonly observed, when you look at sort of this sequencing of how a virus is evolving within a single host, that after an infection is gone for a couple of weeks, youll see a mix of different mutations, he said. The Canadian teen began having symptoms a week before they were admitted to the hospital, which may have been enough time for the virus to grow better at infecting the cells it was trying to enter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ambiguous mutations can also be a result of the sequencing itself, but Bloom doesnt think thats likely since the mutations dont seem to be random and are instead at important positions where the virus would need to change to survive in its human host. He notes that a number of H5N1 viruses isolated from infected birds in British Columbia and in Washington are closely related to this virus, but none has these particular mutations. Although this seems to be a single dead-end infection meaning its not going to spread beyond this person its a good reminder that if the virus could do this once, it could do it again. In the United States, 53 bird flu cases have been identified in humans and there are ongoing outbreaks in dairy cattle, sporadic outbreaks in poultry and widespread infections in wild birds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of H5N1 influenza out there, Bloom said, And influenza has a high mutation rate, so if this virus is in the right evolutionary space to acquire these mutations once, its possible its not certain, but its possible it could acquire them again in other infections. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Customers of Birmingham Water Works can expect to pay more for their water in 2025. Wednesday morning, the board voted five-to-three to adopt the utilitys 2025 budgets, which includes an operations and maintenance budget of $142.5 million, a 7.9% increase over the current year. The capital budget is $115.6 million, a 37.5% increase over 2024. CBS 42 News stopped by a popular downtown diner in Birmingham to find out how Birmingham Water Works customers are reacting to the change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teds Restaurant owner Tasos Touloupis says running a restaurant requires a lot of water to cook. He runs a tight ship, even installing a waterless urinal in the mens restroom to try and save on his water bill. The boards decision to approve another rate increase does not surprise him, however. You cannot argue, you know, with the water works to get any break, he said. It is what it is. We have become immune to all these raises. Touloupis said the next step would be for them to pass the cost onto the customer, but then they lose customers. The 4.9% rate increase will result in an average monthly increase of $2.14 for customers who use six ccf (4,500 gallons) of water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt that I pay more at the house as a homeowner than I pay here because they use different rates, Touloupis added. We asked Birmingham Water Works Board Chair Tereshia Huffman why the increase is necessary. The cost of quality water is not cheap, Huffman said. When you look at factors such utility rates going up across the state, you look at factors such as EPA guidelines, you look at factors such as the cost of fuel, you look at factors such as chemical costs going up, all of those play a factor in treating water. Initially, the increase had been proposed at 5.8%, but the board and staff worked together to lower the increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this rate increase, Huffman said, we did all that we could to make sure that we gave them the lowest rate to make sure we did not compromise the quality of water that we provide. The 2024 rate increase was 4.8%, while the rate increase in 2023 and 2022 was 3.9% The only year customers did not have a rate increase over the past decade was in 2021. We asked patrons of Teds Restaurant who are Birmingham Water Works customers how they feel about another rate increase: They should be able to hold the rates where they are, said John Beauchamp. I want to keep our water safe, said Lisa Donnell. I think its ok, its worth $2.14 to have good healthy drinking water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not really sure, said Ann Rosenberger. I want safe water, but Im not ready for an increase. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Matt Gaetz is plunging the House into chaos, again. Members of the House Ethics Committee deadlocked over whether to release the findings of an investigation into the former Florida lawmaker, who is Donald Trumps pick for attorney general. The inaction is triggering outrage among Democrats, who argue the committee is dragging out the process, while Republicans remain furious that Gaetz put them in this position. In a bid to force the release of the Ethics report, which is expected to cover several allegations, including that Gaetz had sex with a minor, Democratic Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) are offering motions that would open up the decision to the full House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservative allies of Trump and Gaetz are threatening retribution over such a move, but several Republicans are still insisting they want the report to come out. In a manifestation of the tumult, expelled Rep. George Santos, the recent subject of another Ethics Committee report, stopped by the Capitol to get in on the action, threatening to yell at Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) in defense of Gaetz. If he runs away from me, I'll go stand in front of his office and scream at him, through his door, Santos said, standing outside the Capitol looking for Guest. The havoc is the latest illustration of how Trumps looming return to Washington is shaking the foundations of Capitol Hill and forcing Republican lawmakers to make a series of immediate, high-stakes calls about the integrity of the legislative branch. This is awful, said Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.). It's a black mark on the House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several House and Senate Republicans want to see the report, a demand some of them reiterated after a Wednesday Ethics Committee meeting on the subject resulted in no clear action. Another panel meeting on the matter is scheduled for Dec. 5. Asked if he would still want the report to be given to the Senate, even if Ethics Committee Republicans didnt support releasing it, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said: The Senate deserves to have it, so they can make a good decision. Meanwhile, Democrats do not plan to let the GOP bury the findings of the Gaetz investigation, and that strain could pose a serious threat to the Ethics Committee itself. Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, the panels top Democrat, accused Guest of having betrayed the process by suggesting to reporters that the panels decision not to release the report was final. Guest countered: Thats her choice, if thats what she feels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Internally, the panel doesnt even seem to agree whether the Gaetz report is complete or still in draft form. Republicans publicly insisted the report wasnt finished yet, though two people familiar with the process granted anonymity to speak about private deliberations countered that it was final. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. Even before Guest announced to a swarm of reporters that the committee hadnt reached an agreement on releasing the report, Casten vowed to leapfrog House leadership and force a vote on the floor. Cohen then called Casten, according to a person familiar with the matter granted anonymity, and said he wanted to work together. Casten rejected the offer, so Cohen introduced his own motion to force a vote, leading to a floor pileup. If Cohens and Castens efforts to force a vote are allowed to move forward which is still unclear, since they might not meet the rules of a so-called privileged motion they would either need support, or absences, from a handful of Republicans. While GOP members may want the report out, its unclear if they would back those efforts if they thought the Ethics panel was still working it out. I would hope that if you are at home and you are a Republican, a Democrat, an independent, that you would want to see the information on the nominee to become your attorney general or any other member of the Cabinet, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said, adding that it was not a good sign that there is information the committee apparently doesnt want released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And California Rep. Pete Aguilar, the No. 3 House Democrat, said Wednesday he would support ranking member Wild and her calls in recent days for the report to be public. Though at least one Democrat was hesitant to support a bid to force the committees hand. This committee will become partisan if we vote to release a report on any member. And so that's my concern, said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), who is friendly with Gaetz. The hourslong Ethics Committee meeting and subsequent fury happened a week after Gaetz was tapped to be attorney general and abruptly resigned from the House. Gaetz told leadership that his decision to step down was tied to wanting to be able to fill his seat quickly, but dozens of his colleagues speculated that it was actually to avoid the release of the Ethics Committees report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as some Republicans have clamored for the report to be made public, Gaetz allies argue many are seeking retribution against a former lawmaker one who made a lot of enemies in the chamber, most notably when he orchestrated the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and left the House without a speaker for three tumultuous weeks. The Ethics Committee is not a fair investigation, said Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), who attended a Freedom Caucus meeting this week where Gaetz made an appearance to thank his allies. I dont think anybody believes what happens in the Ethics Committee is actually unbiased. And conservatives are threatening retribution of their own if Democrats successfully force a vote on the House floor to release the report, warning that it could pave the way for them to try to get Ethics reports involving current or former Democratic members. Those threats are unlikely to deter Democrats, who have been largely unified in wanting the Gaetz report to be released. If you release this report, then you know, whats good for the goose is good for the gander. Lets start talking about releasing other reports, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said, adding that he would defer to the Ethics Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that would be a valid move, echoed Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.), when asked about the potential GOP countermove. I mean, if they're gonna try to dig up that sort of stuff, why not? Mia McCarthy contributed to this report. The police seem to have a problem of using the category of the Non-Crime Hate Incident (NCHI) to effectively harass Britons for saying and writing things that are perfectly legal. But the Orwellian category of the NCHI was never approved by Parliament, and is instead the creation of a mere quango. Dreamed up in 2014 by the College of Policing (CoP), NCHIs are defined as: any non-crime incident perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice. This means supposed prejudice towards anyone in possession of those protected characteristics sanctified by the legislative legacy of Blairism. Those characteristics, including race, sex, disability status and so on, emanate from the Equality Act, a piece of legislation that is now Marx-ifying British life. It has also been a gift to bureaucratic power. The CoP is simply a limited company, set up to give guidance to the police. But they then decided that we needed stricter limits on free speech than Parliament voted for, so invented them itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No democratic mandate, no legislation: this is state surveillance, courtesy of the blob. As we warned when we investigated in 2021, this is the clearest evidence yet that Britain is slipping into a hitherto unknown kind of bureaucratic dictatorship. NCHIs also imply the policing not only of speech, but implicitly of thought. People need only perceive hate: the CoP defines hostility as the existence of ill-will, ill-feeling, dislike, and even unfriendliness. That means certain thoughts, when accompanied by particular behaviours, are being policed. So the police have become judges of our day-to-day relationships, our thoughts about other people. This will steadily render normal life in a free society impossible. Predictably, our Left-wing academy has been pushing the creation of this new Stasi. One academic defended the Hate Crime Operational Guidance that created NCHIs, saying: recording, measuring and proportionate response is vital to mitigate hate speech and non-crime hate incidents, and that police have a role in solving societal problems rather than just responding to bring offenders to justice when they escalate to criminality. That is completely unheard of in British legal tradition. This is all fostering a culture of denunciation whereby the public are tacitly encouraged to report on each other for thought-crimes. As the posters on Sadiq Khans London Underground remind us, we are now actively encouraged to denounce each other for hate. NCHIs mean that many people are put on lists without their knowledge, ready to show up if a prospective employer does an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has been clear for some time that the levers of democratic power are broken in Britain: whoever we elect, the bureaucracy and its quangos remain in power. NCHIs now represent a permanent bureaucratic ruling-class using the apparatus of state for suppression. This abuse of power is at the root of the anti-Establishment rebellion that saw Trump elected in the US and will surely continue here. It seemed hyperbolic until recently, but a KGB-style knock on the door from the police is suddenly a ghastly feature of our national life. And lets be honest: this happens when people say things the bureaucratic Left doesnt like. Sir Roger Scruton observed that Left-wing politics has discarded the revolutionary paradigm advanced by the New Left, in favour of bureaucratic routines promoted by legislation, committees and government commissions. Or just quangos. The result is a country that increasingly resembles East Germany in its early stages: freedom of speech and association officially still exist, but it is increasingly impossible to get by without supporting state ideology. Like in East Germany, our Stasi-fied police are being watched too. If a police officer fails to record reported speech as an NCHI, they are also liable to be guilty of inflicting a hate-related harm. Friends across the Atlantic have been shocked at the lack of vigour with which conservatives in this country stand up for free speech. We warned a previous Conservative administration that NCHIs would soon be weaponised to suppress anyone holding conservative views. So the promise of review is well-meaning, but instead, officers should only record reported activity if it is a (real) crime, the whole category of NCHI should be abolished, and so should the College of Policing itself. 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 15-year-old Chihuahua named Lucy is safe and reunited with her family after spending three days trapped in a deep tortoise den in her owners' backyard. The blind and deaf senior dog fell into the den on Friday night and was finally rescued on Tuesday evening. The Arizona Humane Society and local fire department initially attempted to recover Lucy but were unable to navigate the den's depth and twists. Thats when Samsons K9 Search & Rescue stepped in, along with the help of 100% Plumbing from Glendale. "I saw a post from Jason, whose parents owned Lucy, on a Facebook group. He explained they were desperate for help with their dog stuck in a tortoise den and didnt know what to do," said Kim Powell from Samsons K9 Search & Rescue. Kim said they were about to give up on saving Lucy. Hearing this led to Kim heading out to rescue her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rescue was no ordinary effort. The den was over 9 feet deep with nearly 30 feet of horizontal tunnels, curving multiple times. "Opening the den was not an option. The risk of a collapse, especially near a tree, was too great," Powell explained. "We had to strategize with the tight space and fragile conditions, particularly for such a small dog." Using a custom snare designed by Powell, a camera, and specialized plumbing tools, the team carefully maneuvered through the tunnel. "Lucy was so light and fragile that she kept slipping out of the loop," Powell said. "We had to be extremely patient to get the equipment into position without hurting her." After six hours of delicate work and multiple attempts, Lucy was finally pulled to safety. Powell credited the successful rescue to the collaboration with 100% Plumbing, who provided essential tools and expertise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Lucy is being treated at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Peoria. Her family is encouraging the community to help with Lucys medical expenses. Donations can be made directly through BluePearls website. Powell emphasized that her organization is entirely self-funded, allowing her to offer assistance free of charge. She believes no one should hesitate to seek help in emergencies like this due to financial concerns. "These situations can be incredibly costly, but if you love your dog and it needs help, everyone deserves that chance," Powell said. To donate to Lucy, go to BluePearls website, select the Peoria location, and enter the patient's name as Lucy Montijo. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Blind, deaf dog rescued after 3 days in Peoria tortoise den EMPORIA (KSNT) A major railroad company is celebrating the completion of a large-scale project in Kansas which is expected to increase transportation efficiency. BNSF announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20 that it has wrapped up work on a new section of double-track by its Emporia subdivision. This is on BNSFs Southern Transcon super highway route which stretches 2,200 miles from southern California all the way up to Chicago, Illinois. Workers with the railroad company placed the final piece of double-track, allowing engines to move in both directions at the same time, between the towns of Rose Hill and Mulvane on Nov. 18. This last 3.5-mile stretch of track is part of 51 miles of the new double track for the Emporia subdivision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been working on the Emporia Sub project since 2019, said Craig Rasmussen, assistant vice president of engineering services and structures. This final segment will be blended into the doubletrack at Mulvane, making the entire subdivision at least two main lines. Keeping trains flowing smoothly was the goal, so it makes sense that the final cutover spot, known today as East Junction, will just become a spot where trains keep rolling along double track with no reason to stop. Is meat from a deer infected with zombie disease safe to eat? Kansas wildlife official weighs in BNSF expects this new track to help with its deliveries ahead of the holiday season in late 2024. Travel time for trains is expected to be cut down by around 90 minutes with the completion of this project. A big thanks to our engineering teams for putting this key capacity in service for the countrys domestic peak shipping season ahead of the holidays, said Jon Gabriel, group vice president of consumer products. Our Southern Transcon is now almost completely double-, triple- or quadruple-tracked. We can now run multiple priority intermodal trains in and out of Southern California daily between key markets, with no need to stop a train every 10 miles to meet another throughout the trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wild hybrid mystery plant found growing in Kansas farm fields 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. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. The Florida Board of Governors is taking a deep dive into universities that have partnerships and agreements with other countries and Florida State University is one of four. The boards Academic and Research Excellence Committee will meet 11 a.m. Wednesday via Zoom to consider approval of a 2024 Foreign Countries of Concern Report. Florida law identifies China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria as countries of concern, which is a term that describes any nation engaging in conduct that is detrimental to the national security or foreign policy of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, a bill was signed into law and modified state statutes governing how state universities can interact with other countries. The change required each board of trustees in the State University System to start submitting an annual report to the Board of Governors of all agreements, partnerships and contracts between the institution and foreign principals based in any of the concerning countries. Other news: FSU's Polysonic Wind Tunnel, 'a crown jewel,' tests aircraft from across the nation In the report, FSU, Florida International University, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida reported a total of 140 agreements, partnerships or contracts that were in place as of July 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out of the reported total, 16 are still active while 77 have been terminated and 47 have expired. Also, the universities agreements and contracts have only been with China, Russia and Venezuela. FSUs contribution to the overall report shows that it has 13 contracts with China, where three are still active and two were terminated in July. Florida State University Board of Trustees member Bob Sasser listens during a meeting of the board at FSU's Turnbull Conference Center. Its a lot smaller than what I thought it would be, considering how much our country imports from China, FSU trustee Bob Sasser said during an October Board of Trustees meeting, where members reviewed the universitys report before approving it and submitting it to the Board of Governors. At the same time, Sasser thinks the university should work on diversifying its suppliers in the future. I think its wise to look for other sources, by the way, Sasser said. I think most businesses are doing the same for things they really, really need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the FSU contracts with China are for copper chromium zirconium wiring used for magnet equipment at the High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and China is the only supplier that can provide the material to the universitys specifications as of now, according to FSUs Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer Robert Large. Were trying to develop a strategy for possibly going back out to the marketplace to see new suppliers for these items, Large said at the October meeting. They are not prohibited, but we do have to report whenever we have purchases in this nature. Its probably in our best interest to diversify our suppliers. As FSUs foreign contracts are strictly for purchases of goods, they do not have an impact on international students who attend the university. Some of the other SUS institutions have partnerships and agreements with countries of concern for research purposes, including a few of UFs agreements with China. If the Board of Governors Academic and Research Excellence committee approves the annual report on foreign principal activity Wednesday, the report will move on to the full board for a vote before being submitted to the Florida Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida board will review state universities' deals with China, others Democrat Bob Casey has conceded to Republican Dave McCormick in the race for one of Pennsylvanias seats in the US Senate. >> Dave McCormick defeats Bob Casey in Senate race, AP says The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, two days after Election Day. On Nov. 13, Pennsylvania election officials announced the race was within the percentage for a legally required recount. Thursday evening, Casey announced he called and congratulated McCormick on his victory after the first count of ballots was completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casey has been in the Senate since 2007. The Casey campaign shared the following statement with Channel 11: I just called Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate. As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last. This race was one of the closest in our Commonwealths history, decided by less than a quarter of a point. I am grateful to the thousands of people who worked to make sure every eligible vote cast could be counted, including election officials in all 67 counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a Pennsylvanian takes the time to cast a legal vote, often waiting in long lines and taking time away from their work and family, they deserve to know that their vote will count. Thats democracy. Im proud of the work weve done since Election Day to enfranchise voters across the state no matter whom they voted for and to ensure that the democratic process could unfold. In just a few days, we built an organization of 350 staff across the state, joined by more than a thousand volunteers, who helped more than 6,000 Pennsylvania voters make a plan to fix small issues with their ballot so their vote would be counted. From the 100-year-old woman in Butler County, who voted in every election since she was eligible, to the 19 year old in Montgomery County who cast her ballot for the very first time, we made sure those voices were heard. And we stood up against efforts to silence and disenfranchise voters in every corner of the Commonwealth. Thanks to our work in the courts, nearly a thousand eligible voters in Philadelphia will have their votes counted, despite efforts to throw them out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This work mattered. And I am grateful to the many people who helped with this effort. As you know, no public official serves alone, and I have been blessed by the love and support of my wife, Terese, and our daughters, Elyse, Caroline, Julia, and Marena, all these years. I especially want to thank my campaign manager, Tiernan Donohue, our campaign staff, and our supporters for all the work they did to help my 2024 campaign, and all those who have worked on and supported my previous campaigns over the years. I also want to thank my current Senate staff, led by my Chief of Staff, Kristen Gentile, for their exemplary public service to the people of our Commonwealth, and all the previous staff who served with me dating back to 2007. But most of all, I want to thank the people of Pennsylvania for granting me the privilege of serving them for 28 consecutive years in public office, as Auditor General, State Treasurer, and United States Senator. Every day I have served in public office, Ive fought for Pennsylvania workers, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and our veterans. During that time, Ive been guided by an inscription on the Finance Building in Harrisburg: All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for the trust you have placed in me for all these years. It has been the honor of my lifetime. McCormicks campaign shared a statement thanking Casey for his years in the Senate: Senator Bob Casey dedicated his career to bettering our commonwealth. Dina and I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Senator Casey, Terese, and their family for their decades of service, hard work, and personal sacrifice. I am so honored to represent every single citizen in Pennsylvania in the United States Senate and will fight for you every day. Thank you! Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Editor's note: This story has been updated with reaction from Arizona's negotiator on the Colorado River basin. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on Wednesday announced five proposals it would review to determine the post-2026 operating guidelines that would govern the Colorado River in the decades to come. Its analysis will be published next month, keeping the process on track to be completed by 2027. December was supposed to be the month that the bureau would issue its next draft of an environmental impact statement, presenting alternatives for how the Colorado River will operate in the decades to come. That December timeline was tied to the expiration of the interim operating guidelines approved in 2007 and set to expire at the beginning of 2027. A second governing document, the Drought Contingency Plan adopted in 2019, which resulted in water cuts in 2023, primarily in Arizona, is also set to expire at that time. The new guidelines would determine the management and facilities of the two reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, as well as the Hoover and Glen Canyon dams. The five alternatives to be considered by the bureau are: "No action." This alternative does not meet the purpose of and need for federal action, but it is included as a requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act. Under the "no action" alternative, Lake Powell releases would be 8.23 million acre-feet unless a higher release is required for equalization or a lower release result from Glen Canyon Dam infrastructure limitations. Shortages to the Lower Basin would be based on priority. The Interior Department's statement said "no action" would not represent a continuation of current operations but is generally based on the preexisting operating guidance that was in place before the adoption of the 2007 Interim Guidelines. A federal authorities alternative designed "to achieve robust protection of critical infrastructure within the Department and Reclamations current statutory authorities and absent new stakeholder agreements." Lake Powell releases would be determined based on elevations, ranging from 5 million acre-feet to 9.5 million acre-feet. Releases under 5 million acre-feet would protect Glen Canyon dam's infrastructure. The operations also incorporate Basin-wide shared contributions to the system's sustainability, including Upper Basin conservation that would be stored in Lake Powell and Lower Basin shortages starting at 1.5 million acre-feet, which exceeds average annual evaporative and system losses at and below Lake Mead and reaches a maximum of 3.5 million acre-feet. A federal authorities hybrid that incorporates proposals submitted by tribal nations, federal agencies, and other stakeholders "to achieve robust protection of critical infrastructure while benefiting natural, hydropower and recreation." This would incorporate a new approach to distributing storage between Lake Powell and Lake Mead that enhances the reservoirs' ability to support the Basin, the bureau's statement said. It looks at the entire basin with increased cooperation among the states, according to Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. A cooperative conservation proposal from non-governmental organizations and conservation groups they said would stabilize system storage, integrate stewardship and mitigation strategies of lakes Powell and Mead, maintain opportunities for binational cooperative measures, incentivize water conservation, and design flexible water management strategies, the statement said. It looks at commonalities, Touton said. The "basin hybrid" based on the proposals submitted by the upper and Lower Basin states and Tribal Nations, would "provide a basis for coordinated operations and may facilitate greater agreement across the Basin." In a statement on Wednesday, Touton said the agency has worked "tirelessly" over the past several years to bring stakeholders together, including getting tribal governments a seat at the table "for the first time in history." "Today, we show our collective work," she said. "These alternatives represent a responsible range from which to build the best and most robust path forward for the Basin. I have confidence in our partners and the Reclamation team in continuing this work to meet the needs of the river for the future." And in a press call, Touton added that "difficult choices and tradeoffs will be made" but that the process provides "ample opportunities for solutions that will work for the entire basin." White House Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi said 10 trillion gallons of water out of the Colorado River basin had been lost to drought in the last two decades, but that the work of the states and stakeholders has brought the river back from the brink. "We can 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. He added that the alternatives can fit together to provide a consensus path to success. Colorado commissioner says Upper Basin state's plan 'performs best' Unsurprisingly, some immediately insisted their plan offers the best course for the Colorado River. In a statement to Colorado Politics, Becky Mitchell, Colorado's commissioner on the Upper Colorado River Commission, said that the state "cannot speak directly to the contents of Reclamations matrix of potential alternatives at this time." But she said Colorado "continues to stand firmly behind the Upper Division States Alternative, which performs best according to Reclamations own modeling and directly meets the purpose and need of this federal action." Featured Local Savings "The Upper Division States Alternative is supply-driven and is designed to help rebuild storage at our nations two largest reservoirs," she said. "The Alternative protects Lake Powells continued ability to release water downstream into the future to continue to meet our obligations and protect our significant rights and interests in the Colorado River." Mitchell added that Colorado "remains committed to working collaboratively with the other Basin States, the federal government, and Tribal Nations towards a consensus approach and also stands ready to protect our States significant interests in the Colorado River." The Interior department's statement pointed out the two reservoirs are in better shape than they were in 2022, resulting from a short-term consensus agreement in 2023 and improved rain and snowfall in the 2022-23 winter. The department also said Lake Mead is replenished, up nearly 20 feet from two years ago, and Lake Powell has rebounded by 50 feet. Meanwhile, the Lower Basin states and Mexico are on track to save 1.6 million acre-feet by late 2024, "an unprecedented level of conservation for the Colorado River Basin." Wednesday's announcement came a little more than a month after a webinar by the reclamation bureau that discussed the development of alternatives that could influence the post-2026 operating guidelines. Carly Jerla, a senior water resources program manager with the bureau, said the agency would take four actions in developing the post-2026 guidelines. The first deals with guidelines for Lower Basin shortages. That's the circumstances in which the federal secretary would determine that less than 7.5 million acre-feet, the annual allocation to the lower states, would be available to Arizona, California and Nevada. The second emphasizes coordinated operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead, which are especially important for Lake Powell, the water "bank" for the Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The third continues and expands the "storage and delivery mechanism" for conserved and non-system water in the two reservoirs. That's tied to an "intentionally created surplus" program in the Lower Basin, developed as part of the 2007 guidelines. According to the Central Arizona Project, water savings in Lake Mead is intentionally created through investments in conservation. To qualify and protect existing users, rights and priorities, the intentionally created surplus must reduce an existing beneficial use, the canal authority said. That can be done by investing in higher-efficiency irrigation, paying water users to develop non-Colorado River supplies, such as desalination, or paying farmers who use Colorado River water to fallow fields. The last element focuses on surplus, a situation in which the Interior Secretary could order the delivery of more than 7.5 million acre-feet of water to the Lower Basin states. More opportunities for conservation, innovation, and flexibility are needed for the post-2026 operations, and the guidelines "should do just that," Jerla said. Part of the past year's work included developing a web tool, designed in part by the University of Colorado, that would allow stakeholders and the public to explore operational alternatives and scenarios, including the trade-offs for those scenarios. The bureau also developed its own alternatives using the same tool. As of October, Jerla said the bureau has received more than 300 proposed alternatives and developed others when there was overlap between alternatives. Both the Upper Basin and Lower Basin states had proposed alternatives, which were submitted last March. Alternatives were also submitted by 20 basin tribes, the Gila Indian River community, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Western Area Power Administration. Another alternative was submitted in March by a trio of academics: Eric Kuhn, formerly the general manager of the Colorado River District, John Fleck of the University of New Mexicol, and Jack Schmidt of the Getches-Wilkinson Center at the University of Colorado. Their proposal called for the Interior Secretary to be empowered "to employ an adaptive management approach allowing releases from Powell to Mead," one that would be "optimized to meet environmental, recreational, and cultural goals while retaining an interstate accounting system that still meets water-supply objectives. The Boeing Company announced plans to lay off 184 workers at its Mesa plant amid larger plans to cut 10% of its global workforce. The notice was published on Monday to the states Arizona Job Connection website to comply with federal law that requires employers to provide advice notice of mass layoffs. In a statement from the company, a spokesperson wrote the company is adjusting its workforce levels to align with its financial reality and a more focused set of priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are committed to ensuring our employees have support during this challenging time, according to the statement. Employees at the Mesa plant were notified of the layoffs and will leave the company in mid-January, according to the company. Eligible employees will receive severance pay, career transition services, and subsidized health care benefits up to three months after leaving Boeing, the company said. Boeing's operations in Arizona are focused on helicopter manufacturing, flight testing and satellite network support. Since 2017, Boeing has delivered 244 remanufactured Apache helicopters to the U.S. Army and 24 new-build aircraft to an international customer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mesa is home to the Advanced Composites Fabrication Center and Home to Centers of Excellence for Metals, Composites, and Electrical Fabrication not only for the Apache, but also for nearly every program in the Boeing portfolio, according to the company. Boeing is Mesas third-largest employer and is among the top 100 employers in Arizona. The company employs more than 4,800 people in engineering, manufacturing, finance, human resources and other roles. In October, Boeing announced its plan to lay off 17,000 workers or 10% of its total workforce, USA TODAY reported. The announcement comes after a year when safety concerns over its commercial airplanes and strikes have plagued the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More layoffs: Boeing set to lay off more than 2,000 workers amid plans to cut 10% of workforce Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mass layoffs announced at Boeing's Mesa plant. What to know Boeing's CEO Kelly Ortberg has a message for his staff: Stop fighting and get to work. Ortberg urged employees to "focus on the task at hand" instead of squabbling. The CEO also spoke with President-elect Donald Trump about the impact of his potential tariffs. Boeing's CEO Kelly Ortberg has a stern warning for his staff stop squabbling and get to work. The Wall Street Journal obtained and verified a recording of Ortberg's remarks at Boeing's hourlong town hall meeting on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We spend more time arguing amongst ourselves than thinking about how we're going to beat Airbus," he said at the all-hands meeting, The WSJ reported. "Everybody is tired of the drumbeat of what's wrong with Boeing. I'm tired of it and I haven't been here that long," Ortberg added. During the meeting, Ortberg also told staff not to "sit at the water cooler and bitch about people," per The WSJ's transcription of the recording. "Let's focus on the task at hand," Ortberg said. Representatives for Boeing did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular office hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortberg, who took over as chief of the beleaguered planemaker in August, has had to deal with many problems in his first months at the company, including a massive seven-week worker strike and multibillion-dollar losses. The WSJ also reported that Ortberg has spoken with President-elect Donald Trump about the impact of potential tariffs on Boeing. Trump has proposed broad tariffs on imports, including 60% tariffs on goods from China. Ortberg told staff that a potential trade war with China might impact the company's plane exports to Chinese airlines. Boeing has seen its stock price fall about 40% since the start of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The all-hands meeting also came amid a raft of layoffs being rolled out at Boeing. In October, Boeing said it would cut 10% of its 170,000-strong global workforce. The reduction plan will include 2,199 employees in Washington and another 50 in Oregon , according to the company's filings. As part of the cuts, Boeing is laying off more than 400 workers who are part of its professional aerospace labor union. The Seattle Times reported on Friday that 438 members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) received pink slips. In a note to employees on October 11, Ortberg said Boeing was in a "difficult position" and that "restoring our company requires tough decisions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are some bright spots: the company has resumed production of its 737 Max airplanes, and secured its first order since the strike. Aviation company Avia Solutions Group announced on November 12 that it had placed an order for 80 Boeing 737 Max planes. In the company's third-quarterly statement on October 23, Ortberg vowed to make the company "iconic" again. "It will take time to return Boeing to its former legacy, but with the right focus and culture, we can be an iconic company and aerospace leader once again," he said. Representatives for Trump did not respond to BI's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider 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 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. 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. The upper-level terminal drop-off zone at the Boise Airport. The move to powering its facilities by renewable energy represents Boise moving forward on policies to fight climate change, or global warming, at a time when the Idaho Legislature is actively pushing back against environmental and climate programs. While the Legislature has not established climate goals, the city of Boise has specific goals it bases climate policies around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Boise 1/4 way toward 2030 renewable-energy goal 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 Thursday. 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. An aerial view of Boises Lander Street water-renewal plant along the Boise River. 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, said Idaho Power Director of Economic Development and Innovation Megan Ronk. 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. Boise takes part in Idaho Power clean-energy program The Boise City Council approved participating in the Clean Energy Your Way program in October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 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 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 the Black Mesa Energy solar project in Elmore County. In addition to the normal 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 project. Excess energy generated but not used will be credited to the city. The Black Mesa Energy solar project in Elmore County southeast of Boise. The solar farm is contributing to the city of Boises effort to use only clean energy in city government by 2030. The Public Utilities Commission approved the application in August, which allowed the city to begin purchasing the solar energy Sept. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 citys contract is for 20 years. Hubble told the Idaho Capital Sun that 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. 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. Idaho Power offers program for residential customers 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. This is an abridged version. Read the original story at IdahoCapitalSun.com. Boise apartment-dwellers want to recycle. So why do many complexes lack services? Its just smarter: Solar advocates rally at Idaho Capitol, applaud federal climate law Our backs are against the wall: The solar development that divided a rural community Idaho Power warned customers of preventive outages during storms. Heres what happened (Bloomberg) -- A Bank of Korea survey shows US policy risks have emerged as a major concern for local financiers and experts, following the presidential election. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly 56% of respondents in the BOK survey released Thursday were worried about US policy changes following the election earlier this month, in which Donald Trump won by a landslide. The concern ranked second in the list of risks for South Korea, only trailing elevated household debt. Some 80 people, including risk officers, fund managers and financial researchers, took part in the annual BOK poll between Oct. 29 and Nov. 8, according to the central bank. Trump won the election on Nov. 5 with a platform that includes higher tariffs for trading partners. South Korea is heavily reliant on exports for economic growth and financial stability. Its also among nations with the highest trade surpluses against the US. Policy uncertainties may continue until Trump takes office in January and starts to implement his campaign pledges. Concerns may continue to weigh on monetary decision-making by the BOK and other global central banks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While worries about the possibility of systemic risk have eased from last year in the survey, the potential for external headwinds to weigh on South Koreas financial system has escalated, the BOK said in a statement. The BOK will hold its next interest-rate decision next week with more economists expecting a hold at 3.25% than a cut. The bank reduced its rate by a quarter-point last month, beginning to shift its policy focus to shoring up economic momentum from taming household debt. The outcome of the US election is a factor that adds to policy uncertainties, BOK board member Kim Jong Hwa told reporters Tuesday. Another member Shin Sung-hwan declined to speak on Thursday at a seminar with only days left until the next decision. Theres no question tariffs if implemented would have negative impact on a country like South Korea that exports a lot, Cho Dong Chul, president of the Korea Development Institute, said at the same event Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. STORY: :: Bolivian butchers march in the capital to protest against rising meat prices :: Some blame excessive exports for limiting local supplies :: November 20, 2024 :: La Paz, Bolivia :: Jorge Silva, Deputy Minister of User and Consumer Rights Defense The governments policy is to export. If we dont export, we dont get foreign currencies. If we dont get currencies, we cant import. That's why the president said we must boost production to meet the demand and generate a surplus which can be exported. But if production doesnt satisfy the demand, of course, exports must be cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Union members from Contracabol visited markets to pressure butchers to close their shops in solidarity with the strike. Many businesses displayed signs protesting the rising costs impacting basic household goods. Protesters accused ranchers of inflating cattle prices and blamed meat exports for reducing domestic supply. The government and Santa Cruzs ranchers federation have called Contracabol to a dialogue on Thursday in an attempt to end the strike, local media reported. Bolivia's economy has been struggling, with its foreign reserves nearly depleted and many people unable to get dollars. Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday was among 37 people indicted for allegedly attempting to coordinate a coup d'etat last year. Brazilian Federal Police announced the indictments against Bolsonaro, two retired generals and 34 others for allegedly attempting a coup following Bolsonaro's election loss to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, also known as Lula, in 2022. Brazilian police say the coup attempt occurred on Jan. 8, 2023, when thousands of Bolsonaro's supporters stormed government buildings and offices in Brasilia a week after Lula was sworn in as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said the coup failed because the leaders of Brazil's army and air force refused to support it, the Madrid newspaper El Pais reported. More than 200 of Bolsonaro's supporters who directly participated in the alleged coup attempt were convicted and sentenced to prison, but none of them were involved in its planning. Thursday's indictments address the 37 suspects who police investigators say organized the insurrection, including Bolsonaro himself. The planners allegedly intended to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. A Bolsonaro supporter is suspected of detonating an explosive device outside the Brazil's Supreme Court building last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolsonaro is accused of having full knowledge of the planned coup to overturn the results of the presidential election. He was Brazil's president from 2019 through 2022. Brazilian police said they investigated the alleged coup for two years and analyzed communications, financial and tax documents, whistleblower statements, searches and seizures of evidence. Bolsonaro's former personal secretary Mauro Cid cooperated with police investigators and provided them with information about the alleged coup attempt and those involved in it. Brazil's Supreme Court must review the police indictment and evidence against Bolsonaro and his alleged co-conspirators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court earlier this year disqualified Bolsonaro from running for president against until 2030 after concluding he engaged in an abuse of power by using his position as president to undermine the nation's system of voting. If convicted of plotting a coup, Bolsonaro and other co-defendants could be sentenced to up to 12 years in prison. Illustration by teddyandmia | iStock / Getty Images Plus Fortified Republican majorities in both chambers of the Arizona Legislature, coupled with a decisive win by Donald Trump at the top of the ticket, are likely to generate an atmospheric change at the Capitol. But, at least for the next two years, emboldened Republicans will still have to work with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs who has veto power if they want to see their proposals codified into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans can get around a veto by sending issues to the ballot like they did over the past two years, but thats not a viable solution for every proposal since each measure would lengthen the 2026 ballot and could contribute to voter fatigue. Legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle agreed that a GOP energized by wins up and down the ballot will make for a 2025 legislative session focused on many of the issues that Republicans put at the forefront of their campaigns. But it remains to be seen if the party will work alongside Democrats in the legislature and the Governors Office to pass legislation with bipartisan support, or if Hobbs will meet them with an onslaught of vetoes. I really think were going to see probably the most unified majority caucuses weve ever seen at the Arizona Legislature, Scott A. Smith, a lobbyist and former chief of staff for Republican Gov. Jan Brewer with more than 30 years of experience at the Capitol, told the Arizona Mirror. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forces driving that unification include Trumps win as well as the improvement from thin, one-seat majorities in both chambers, Smith said. Republicans gained one Senate seat and two in the House of Representatives. Top priorities for Republicans this session will include tax relief, immigration reform, ensuring that Arizonas election results are produced more quickly and securing the states future water supply, Senate President Pro Tem T.J. Shope told the Mirror. We ran on trying to bring costs down for everyday Arizonans, and thats something that were going to work on right away, he said. Shope is returning to the pro tem position that hes held for the past two legislative sessions, under Senate President Warren Petersen, a veteran legislator from Gilbert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While any lawmaker can propose statement bills that send a message to their constituency, but they know will never make it past a vote or Hobbs veto stamp Shope said he thinks Republicans showed more restraint in the types of bills they proposed in 2024, compared to the previous year. Hobbs vetoed a record 143 bills in her first year as governor and 73 in her second. I think that you saw a lot of caucus discipline last session, as opposed to possibly the first session of the Hobbs administration there were much, much fewer vetoes, Shope said. And I think that we have, as a unit, done a much better job of making sure that the bills that we send up can get signed. And if they arent signed, the governor will regret not signing them. As an example of that, he pointed to Proposition 314, approved by 61% of voters on Nov. 5, which would make it a state crime for migrants to cross Arizonas southern border and give local police officers the power to arrest migrants who they believe have violated that law. It will also give judges authority to issue deportation orders. The ballot measure was sent to voters by Republicans after various portions of it were either vetoed or failed to make it through the legislature. Its unclear when or if the measure will take effect, as the law it was based on in Texas is currently tied up in litigation, and it cant go into effect unless the Texas one is implemented. That laws fate is likely to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans sent 11 measures to the 2024 ballot to get past a Hobbs veto, and seven of those were rejected by the voters, including two that ironically would have made it more difficult for voters to change laws at the ballot box. Shope said he believes at least some of those rejections were caused by a lack of funds to get information out about the measures and complicated and confusing descriptions of the proposals. Katie Hobbs, Kris Mayes, Adrian Fontes, and Democrats from coast to coast were overwhelmingly repudiated by the American people this past election Sen. Jake Hoffman, leader of the Arizona Freedom Caucus Neither Smith nor Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan, of Tucson, are convinced that Republicans will show restraint in 2025 when it comes to proposing legislation they know has zero chance of being signed by the governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their Freedom Caucus has been re-empowered at the center of their leadership, Sundareshan told the Mirror. I do anticipate that they will be pushing some pretty extreme policies to the governor that will need to be met with a veto stamp. The far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus was created in 2022 and has pushed legislative Republicans to the right since then. When it comes to working with the federal government on immigration reform, Republicans will have to contend with Democratic leaders like Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Attorney General Kris Mayes and Hobbs, who have all said they will refuse to cooperate with Trumps deportation plans, or even fight them in court. Hobbs told reporters during a Monday press conference at the border in Nogales that she was willing to work with the Trump administration to stop the flow of fentanyl from Mexico into Arizona, but not on the mass deportations that hes called for that would break up mixed-status families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement following the Democrats failure to flip control of the legislature, an effort that Hobbs put more than $500,000 into, the governor called for both sides to seek common ground. She highlighted her previous efforts working across the aisle to repeal the states near-total abortion ban dating back to 1864 and on legislation aimed at bringing down housing costs. I remain ready and willing to work with anyone who is serious about taking on our states challenges and delivering for Arizonans, Hobbs said. But the loss of some more moderate Republican legislators, as well as the likelihood of increased influence from the Freedom Caucus, could make bipartisanship even more difficult than it was in the first two years of Hobbs governorship. Katie Hobbs, Kris Mayes, Adrian Fontes, and Democrats from coast to coast were overwhelmingly repudiated by the American people this past election, Arizona Freedom Caucus Chairman Jake Hoffman told the Mirror in a statement via text message. Voters made it clear that they want a better economy, safer communities, a secure border, and lower prices. The Freedom Caucus is focused on delivering on these priorities for the people of Arizona, while simultaneously defending against the Democrat attacks on their liberty, just as we have for the last four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since its inception, the Arizona Freedom Caucus has proposed numerous election reform bills based on conspiracy theories and controversial legislation like a bill that would have allowed the Ten Commandments to be posted in public school classrooms. But all of the caucuss most extreme proposals either failed to garner enough backing from other Republicans or were met with a veto from Hobbs. Smith said he expects that the motivation for GOP legislators to send bills to Hobbs that they know shell never sign will be their goal of taking back the Governors Office in 2026. Those bills are likely to focus on culture war issues like banning explicit books in schools, barring transgender students from using shower and bathroom facilities that align with their identities, the use of students preferred pronouns in schools and gender-confirming surgeries. I anticipate youre going to see the Republicans teeing up their culture items to position a Republican agenda versus the executive as it relates to positioning for the 2026 gubernatorial sequel, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hobbs, a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community, has not been shy about vetoing anti-drag and anti-trans legislation, and has promised to continue doing so. For Sundareshan, working to support vulnerable communities will be a top priority going forward. She was first elected to the Senate in 2022 and was one of the most vocal Democratic legislators over the following two years. We will be using our voices and our numbers to the best of our abilities, and doing so to protect our constituents from what we expect is going to be a lot of attacks, she said. We will be using our voices and our numbers to the best of our abilities, and doing so to protect our constituents from what we expect is going to be a lot of attacks Sen. Priya Sundareshan, incoming Senate Minority Leader In the days following a disappointing Nov. 5 election, Democrats were still licking their wounds and then were hit with the tragic news that Democratic Senate candidate and active member of the Tucson community John McLean had been killed when a drunk driver ran a stop sign and crashed into his vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now, the minority party is back to making plans for the upcoming legislative session. Were not giving up, because there is work that needs to be done, Oscar De Los Santos, the Democrats new House minority leader, told the Mirror. Top priorities for Democrats in the upcoming session will include maintaining or increasing school funding, bringing down housing costs and shoring up the states water future, he said. Leaders from both parties agree that the legislature should put a focus on water legislation in the upcoming session, with hopes of bipartisanship on an issue important to all Arizonans, regardless of party affiliation. Shope said he was hopeful that Republicans and Democrats could agree that the states election laws should be amended to ensure more timely reporting of results, an issue that has caused false allegations of election fraud, and frustration for many voters over the past several years as races in Arizona are decided by tighter margins. My goodness, it seems to be the one thing that, bipartisan-wise, everybody agrees on, Shope said. We need to get this stuff done a little bit quicker. But Sundareshan said she expects any bills that might suppress voter turnout will be vetoed. The dropping off of early ballots on Election Day, the primary driver of the many days it takes to tabulate votes, continues to be a popular practice for Arizona voters, with more than 300,000 late earlies dropped off in Maricopa and Pima counties on Election Day this year. Historically, Arizonans have supported the ability to drop off early ballots on election day, Smith said. But Ive got to believe the sentiment to do that has changed given the last couple of cycles. Petersen already has a plan to propose changes to Arizonas voting laws to mirror those in Florida, which counts its ballots rapidly, in part because the last day to drop off an early ballot at a polling place is the Friday prior to Election Day, allowing more time for ballot processing. Every bill has to get past Hobbs, and I think shes made clear that shes on the side of common sense, De Los Santos said, adding that the best way to ensure that Hobbs signs a bill is to work with Democrats on it. De Los Santos, Sundareshan and Smith all agreed that an important issue this year will be the continuation of Proposition 123, which provides about $300 million annually to K-12 schools from the states land trust and is set to expire in 2025. Republicans and Democrats have disagreed on how to make that work, and because the voters will ultimately have the final say, Republicans could bypass Democrats and send a continuation measure directly to the ballot. But their hopes to do so in 2024 stalled after House and Senate Republicans couldnt agree on how to structure such a proposal. State agency director nominations Hobbs will again face the challenge this year of getting her nominees for directors of state agencies approved, after she lost a lawsuit from Republican legislative leaders for circumventing the director nomination process. After Hobbs struggled to get many of her director nominees through a newly created Republican-led Senate approval committee last year, she went around the chamber and instead appointed deputy directors that essentially served as directors. Agency directors are subject to Senate approval, but deputy directors are not. After losing the lawsuit, Hobbs agreed to nominate new directors, who will have to be approved by the Senate. Hoffman, who leads the Freedom Caucus, will continue to chair the committee as hes done for the past two years, and that means Hobbs directors will face a tough approval process. When her illegal ploy didnt work, she spent millions of dollars trying to flip control of the Legislature to get her radical nominees approved by Democrats and failed miserably, Hoffman said in a written statement. The committee invites Katie Hobbs to come to the table with sane, nonpartisan, qualified nominees, and we will approve them. What we wont do is rubberstamp unqualified radicals. In response to the lawsuit, attorneys for Hobbs accused the Senate committee of engaging in bad faith conduct that blocked her ability to fulfill her statutory duties. They also pointed out that the committee grilled the nominees about hot-button issues like transgender athletes, white nationalism and border security, which had little to do with the jobs for which they were nominated. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A bomb cyclone slammed the Pacific Northwest and Canada's British Columbia on Tuesday night, killing at least two people and knocking out power to more than half-a-million homes and businesses. As the winds died down Wednesday morning, the storm joined forces with an atmospheric river that could flood parts of northern California through the weekend. Tuesday night's massive cyclone whipped up hurricane force winds to 77 mph, blowing down trees and power lines throughout Western Washington and into British Columbia. Bomb cyclones form when masses of warm and cool air collide to create strong winds, combined with a rapid pressure drop of more than 24 millibars in 24 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Here's an almost 48-hour infrared satellite loop showing the evolution of the deep low pressure that affected much of the Pacific Northwest. Early in the loop, you can see a huge amount of cold air pouring southward from Alaska into the North Pacific," the National Weather Service in Seattle revealed Wednesday in a post on X. Tuesday night's massive cyclone whipped up hurricane force winds to 77 mph, blowing down trees and power lines for hours throughout Western Washington and southern British Columbia. Photo courtesy of WSDOT Here's an almost 48 hour infrared satellite loop showing the evolution of the deep low pressure that affected much of the Pacific Northwest. Early in the loop, you can see a huge amount of cold air pouring southward from Alaska into the North Pacific. pic.twitter.com/Ay3RpPvDDk NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) November 20, 2024 "It's severe out there. Trees are coming down all over the city, with multiple falling onto homes," the Bellevue Fire Department in Washington warned Tuesday night. Washington State Department of Transportation cleared fallen trees from highways and roads after 77 mph winds from Tuesday night's bomb cyclone struck the Pacific Northwest. Two people were killed and more than half-a-million homes and businesses lost power. Photo courtesy of WSDOT One woman was killed when a tree fell onto her home in Bellevue, east of Seattle, while she was in the shower. The woman was declared dead at the scene. Her husband was escorted out of the home, where conditions were determined to be too dangerous. Another woman, in her 50s, was killed in Lynnwood, north of Seattle, after a tree fell on a homeless encampment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two people were injured when a tree fell on a trailer in Maple Valley, southeast of Seattle. Both were hospitalized, according to officials. While wind-related advisories have been canceled, a blizzard warning remains in effect for the Cascade mountains. Drivers are being warned to carry chains, as several tractor-trailers spun out of control at Snoqualmie Pass in Washington state. Our crews were busy last night and early this morning clearing spun out vehicles because those drivers decided to ignore the chain requirements. Good reminder the traction tire requirements are there for a reason - TO KEEP YOU & OTHERS AROUND YOU SAFE! pic.twitter.com/rRSZ4ES7i8 Snoqualmie Pass (@SnoqualmiePass) November 20, 2024 Crews continue their work to pull downed trees from crushed cars, roads, highways, homes and buildings. An Amtrak train collided with a fallen tree in Stanwood, north of Seattle, on Tuesday night. None of the 47 passengers suffered injuries, but the train was inoperable, according to KIRO7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Power crews were working Wednesday to repair downed power lines and to restore power throughout the region. Puget Sound Energy reported 650,000 outages, warning customers to expect a "multiple-day outage." A number of schools throughout the Pacific Northwest were closed Wednesday. "Crews are continuing to restore power from last night's windstorm," Seattle City Light told customers Wednesday in a post on X. "Stay back and do not touch any downed power lines, be mindful of falling trees and debris, and if you must travel, treat all dark traffic signals as all-way stops," Crews are continuing to restore power from last night's windstorm. If you see crews on the road, please give crews and first responders ample space to work, and avoid driving through active work areas. pic.twitter.com/WW7R4AXJ6x Seattle City Light (@SEACityLight) November 20, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While much of the Puget Sound region suffered heavy wind damage and rainfall, Tacoma and Pierce County to the south of Seattle were mostly spared thanks to Mount Rainier, which stands at 14,411-feet. Meteorologists say the mountain protected the city from stronger gusts. Vancouver Island was the hardest hit area in British Columbia, with 150,000 customers losing power during the cyclone. Most ferry routes, including major routes between Vancouver and the island, were canceled early Wednesday. While the bomb cyclone battered Washington and British Columbia through early Wednesday, meteorologists warn the storm will feed an atmospheric river through the weekend to unleash more than a month's worth of rain and snow to parts of the Pacific Northwest and northern California. Areas of northwestern California could experience significant flooding as 16 inches of rain is forecast to fall in a 48-hour period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One to 4 feet of snow is forecast to fall across the Washington Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada, making "travel very difficult to impossible." "Those blizzard conditions last night were no joke. We received over a foot of snow and fortunately, we are getting a break from this crazy weather," Snoqualmie Pass wrote Wednesday in a post on X, before the next blast was forecast to hit. "Our plows are out doing our part. Make sure to do yours by slowing down and following all traction tire requirements." This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Law enforcement officials have determined there was no credible threat at Olympus Junior High early Thursday morning, Nov. 21, following a bomb scare that delayed classes by nearly three hours. Details on the bomb threat have not been disclosed but it heavily affected the school day. Class start times were first delayed until 9:40 a.m. but were then pushed back again until 10:30 a.m. as law enforcement completed their investigation. In addition to the delay, an evacuation order was placed on the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 9:30 a.m., the evacuation order was lifted. Law enforcement has completed their investigation and have determined there was no credible threat and that school is safe to proceed for the day, the school district said in a statement. Granite School District officials said it did not believe the threat was credible but acted out of an abundance of caution as police continued their investigation. Any students who were picked up by Granite Transportation were kept safe and warm on their bus and will arrive at school on time for the late start. Lunch will still be provided to students at the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC4 has reached out to local law enforcement to learn more and will update this story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Students were advised to evacuate all buildings after a bomb threat was received Thursday morning at Kentucky State University. An emergency text was sent to students at 8:35 a.m. that read: Bomb threat issued at KSU. Keep phone nearby for updates. Report suspicious activity to campus police or call 911. Everyone clear buildings now. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faculty and staff at the university were told to go home as a result of the threat. Students were advised to go to areas that were being secured for their use, according to emergency texts. Around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Kentucky State University issued an alert that local and state law enforcement finished sweeping the campus and gave administrators an all-clear, indicating that the campus is secure and safe for operation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Colorado Springs Utilities is planning to direct more money toward its utility assistance program that has seen a large surge in demand this year. At the Utilities Board meeting Wednesday afternoon, Utilities staff told the board about the plan to transfer an additional $256,000 to the Colorado Springs Utilities Foundation to fund Project COPE. Project COPE is the year-round charitable program the utility offers to customers. The program offers support for people going through crises and sudden emergencies that keep them from being able to pay their bills for a short window of time. Utilities saw a record request for the aid two years ago, when the project topped $1 million in support. Interest in the program has grown even higher this year, with more than $1.7 million in assistance being provided between January and October. Featured Local Savings The number of households requesting support has also risen dramatically. Project COPE assisted 1,600 people between January and October last year. The project demand has jumped to 2,378 customers during the same span of months this year. Chief Planning and Financial Officer Tristan Gearhart told the Utilities Board Wednesday afternoon that the spike in demand likely had to do with the expiration of the COVID-era federal assistance that had gone out. "Customers are probably feeling the pinch a little more with less federal programs out there and more chance they would be in that disconnect situation," Gearhart said. The additional funding will come out of the utility's Community Focus Fund, which is used to support various nonprofits in the area. Gearhart said that instead of splitting the $256,000 available between multiple groups, all of the money would be sent to the Colorado Springs Utilities Foundation nonprofit in support of the assistance project. The aid through Project COPE largely comes from customer donations and charitable drives. The Utilities Board matches up to $500,000 in annual donations. ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A couple being held in jail for five years accused of killing five people, including two children, had their bond set this week. Areli Aguirre-Avilez and Heidi Wolfe had their bonds set at $2 million and $1 million in Alexander County Superior Court on Wednesday, according to the clerks office. Both had previously been held without bond in connection to the mass killings that happened in 2019. The two suspects are accused of killing two children who were found inside a burned home and taking the lives of three people found inside a burned vehicle in Virginia. Photos: Areli Aguirre-Avilez and Heidi Wolfe, 2019 According to investigators, law enforcement were called to a house along Pine Meadows Lane on June 15, 2019, where they discovered two children had been shot and killed before the home was set on fire. The two children were identified as America Pacheco, 12, and Angel Pacheco, 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been two years since Madalina Cojocari was last seen The childrens mother, Maria Calderon Martinez, was unaccounted for at that time but presumed dead. It was believed Martinezs body had been dumped in the Catawba River but several months later on Nov. 4, 2019, the Grayson County Sheriffs Office in Virginia found three bodies in a burned vehicle that had been reported missing from Alexander County. Authorities said the VIN number of the vehicle matched that of a vehicle stolen from the scene of the Alexander County homicide. The truck was found in a wooded area by a deer hunter. The vehicle had been burned and three sets of human skeletal remains were found in the truck bed. The Medical Examiners Office positively identified Maria Calderon Martinez, the mother of the slain two children, as one of the bodies inside the vehicle, alongside two men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huntersville student reportedly stabbed in eye during school argument The men, Jose Carlos Mendez-Pena and Luis Fernando Sanchez, were acquaintances of Martinez. Police said at the time of the murders, Martinez had filed for a protective order against her ex-husband, Aguirre-Avilez, who had reportedly threatened to burn the house down before. Aguirre-Avilez has been charged with first-degree murder, statutory rape of a child 15 years of age or younger, arson, and violation of a domestic violence order with a deadly weapon. Wolfe has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree arson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexander County court officials confirm with QCN both are due back in court on Jan. 6, 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 Queen City News. Nov. 20The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education had company on Wednesday night. A lot of it. The outside and inside of the front entrance of the school district's building in Uptown were packed with allies and detractors of John Amanchukwu, a pastor and national Christian activist who often draws attention to explicit content in school library books, oftentimes by reading passages aloud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Amanchukwu, a North Carolina resident known as "the book banning pastor," did not read passages from any books when it was his turn to speak during the public forum portion of the APS school board meeting. Instead, he read prepared remarks from his phone criticizing APS and LGBTQ+ people, who showed up in droves on Wednesday. "This district has become the P Diddy of the American education system," Amanchukwu said, referencing the music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is awaiting trial on alleged sex crimes. "It's disgusting what you all are allowing to happen to children and boys going to school wearing thongs and wearing crop tops. This is unnecessary and unacceptable," said Amanchukwu, who wore a red hat with white text saying "Make America Godly Again." He then stated "the nine realities of LGBTQ (people)," saying, in part, that disagreeing with their practices "doesn't equal hate" and that people in support of "perverted" books in schools means they're either perverted themselves or "an ally of perversion." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Amanchukwu was told by school officials to wrap up his remarks as his allotted one minute was up, he sighed and said, "If we're going to have diversity, equity and inclusion, we need to allow everyone to have it not just people who choose poor lifestyles. Maybe everyone else can have it like people who think otherwise." Amanchukwu's behavior at some school board meetings has led to confrontations with law enforcement or board members to cancel meetings. But that did not happen at the APS school board meeting on Wednesday. Proceedings were not paused or canceled, even though school officials planned for contingencies. Law enforcement was present inside the building and kept separated the people who had signed up to speak in person to the board and those who did not get a chance to speak. The public forum garnered 44 speakers, 31 of them in person and 13 appearing virtually, APS board member Janelle Astorga said during the meeting. If anyone who signed up to speak was unable, they could email the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have received many emails already," she said. Those who spoke during the public forum included people of all ages: students, parents, teachers and community members, including pastors. Those who considered themselves LGBTQ+ also spoke. Whittier Elementary School teacher Stephanie Walstrom was first to speak during the public forum, saying she came to "push back against the bigotry infiltrating our meeting tonight." APS parent Owen Brown told the board, "All students deserve to see themselves reflected in the books they read and the history they learn. "If we take those books away, we are depriving students of the ability to understand complex and challenging issues. Book-banning diminishes the professionalism of all librarians in APS." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amanchukwu left midway through the public forum and he was surrounded by protesters in the hallway. Sloan Adams, a leader with the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, spoke in his place. Adams said he did not attend the meeting to condemn or judge anyone. "I'm here to tell you that you're right; your identity is important. Struggling with this is actually a part of being human," Adams said. "But these issues go deeper than pronouns or gender selection." Adams railed against pornography and the ability for children to choose their gender without their parents' permission. On Wednesday, Amanchukwu, flanked by security personnel, was greeted like a rock star and a villain when he arrived at the APS Building on Uptown Boulevard. He was directed by officials not to stand in the long line to the entrance and instead to come inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Amanchukwu made his way to the entrance, he was cheered and jeered. Once inside the building, one supporter could be heard saying, "Thank you for coming," while a protester shouted, "Go home!" Amanchukwu took video with his phone of a protester wearing a rainbow shirt before entering the meeting room. He took more video as he left the APS building with protesters following him to his car. When asked by the Journal why he came to Albuquerque, Amanchukwu replied, "to speak at the school board meeting." But he didn't stand for questions and instead got in a car that drove him away. Board President Danielle Gonzales issued a statement following the meeting: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While we respect differing opinions on these kinds of topics, we need to be clear: For both the Board of Education and Superintendent Gabriella Blakey, our biggest challenge in Albuquerque Public Schools is improving student outcomes. Clearly, issues such as those brought up during public comment are important. That said, the board and the district are committed to following the law and ensuring the safety of our children." Gonzales said the board and district appreciates public debate on issues, "but we're also aware the overriding issue at APS is making certain our students are proficient in math and reading; are college and career ready; and have the skills needed to operate in the world long after they leave us. That's the mandate the community has given us, and it's one we will pursue with passion." Gonzales told the Journal prior to the meeting that she knew Amanchukwu was coming and what his message was likely to be. She said in the interview that the board and Superintendent Gabriella Blakey, who was not present at Wednesday's meeting, "value public input" and freedom of speech. She said they are focused on improving student outcomes. "I think as some of these controversial subjects come up, they can be a distraction, but I trust that the administration will be able to deal with them effectively," Gonzales said. A Boston man is facing multiple arson charges, accused of lighting a fire in a local neighborhood and pouring gasoline onto the sidewalk while holding a lighter in his hand, police said. Santos Mateo-Cruz, 32, is charged with negligent use of fire, attempted arson of a dwelling, defacing/damaging property, and receiving stolen property. His arrest came as nearly all of Massachusetts is in a critical drought and just one step away from an emergency declaration after three months of virtually no rainfall, state officials said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested Mateo-Cruz in South Boston just after 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, police said. He is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court. Early Wednesday morning, a woman approached an officer in the area of 255 Southampton St., and told the officer that a man was lighting a fire behind her, police said. The officer saw the fire and the suspect, later identified as Mateo-Cruz, pouring gasoline onto the sidewalk near the fence, police said. The officer also saw Mateo-Cruz holding a lighter in his hand. The officer arrested Mateo-Cruz, and called Boston Fire. Once the flame began to subside, officers could see a distinct charring mark on the pavement, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Botham Jean's mother, Allison Jean, cries on Oct. 1, 2019, while speaking about her son during sentencing testimony for former Dallas police Officer Amber Guyger. Guyger, who said she fatally shot her neighbor after mistaking his apartment for her own, was convicted of murder. Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News/Pool via Associated Press The family of Botham Jean, the Dallas man who was murdered in his apartment by a Dallas police officer in 2018, was awarded $98.6 million by a jury Wednesday. We are very happy that this jury has spoken, and we are going to continue to work, the familys attorney, Daryl K. Washington, said at a news conference Wednesday after the decision in the civil trial against the officer convicted in Jeans death, Amber Guyger. The city of Dallas hired Amber Guyger, Washington added. The city of Dallas was responsible for training Amber Guyger. On the night that Botham was killed, the city of Dallas and the police officers protected Amber Guyger. But yet, when you have a situation like this, they kick police officers under the bus and they run away from the liability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, a federal judge dismissed the city of Dallas from the lawsuit after the city argued the suit failed to state a claim against it. Guyger, who was fired from the Dallas Police Department shortly after she fatally shot Jean, was found guilty on Oct. 1, 2019, of murdering her neighbor. In Guygers testimony, she said she had mistakenly entered Jeans apartment on Sept. 6, 2018, thinking it was her own and shot him because she believed he was an intruder. Jean, a 26-year-old Black man, was sitting on his couch watching TV and eating ice cream when Guyger, a 30-year-old white officer, shot him. The civil trial against Guyger began Monday. Guyger did not have legal representation, and she did not appear in court, according to KDFW-TV in Dallas. In a statement Wednesday, the legal team for Jeans family said the verdict was a powerful testament to the profound injustice of his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sept. 6, 2018, Botham was doing nothing more than sitting in his own home, eating ice cream, when Amber Guyger an off-duty officer wrongly entered his apartment and fatally shot him, the statement says. This case laid bare critical issues of racial bias and police accountability that cannot be ignored. Todays verdict sends a clear message that law enforcement officers who commit crimes cannot be insulated from the consequences of their actions. The murder led to outrage as protesters pointed out Jeans race and said police officers too often use unnecessary force against Black people. In Guygers testimony, she said her actions had nothing to do with Jeans race. I was scared this person inside my apartment was going to hurt me, she said, adding, This is not about hate, its about being scared that night. Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Related... BOWIE (KFDX/KJTL) Just a year after opening its doors, the emergency room in Bowie has closed, and residents are leaping into action. According to the newly formed hospital steering committee, there are now three options: close the ER with no replacement, introduce a hospital district, which would lead to tax raises, or outsource from a larger hospital network like Baylor Scott and White. RELATED STORY: Bowie residents fighting to keep Faith Community ER Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Offering input based on Jack Countys hospital district, Jack County Judge Keith Umphress attended the meeting to encourage residents to contact their legislators before the 89th legislative session. As far as Im concerned, if you lose your hospital, the next thing thats going to happen is youre going to lose your school district. Your steering committee needs to schedule an appointment now with your legislative group, Umphress said. Representative David Spiller will attend the next meeting on December 17 to explain legislative issues and funding in greater detail. The steering committee has gathered data on the implications of establishing a hospital district. If Bowie residents were to consider one, what impact would it have on taxpayers? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED STORY: Bowie emergency room closing its doors in October Texas hospital districts cant tax more than 75 cents per $100; the average tax rate is 25 cents for a $260,000 home. The maximum rate would raise taxes to $162.50 per month, and the average rate would go up to $54 per month. The steering committee compared the potential hospital district to that in Nocona, which created a tax rate of about 17 cents. Committee members said the pros of a hospital district include quick lifesaving care, lowered ambulance costs, and new jobs. They highlighted the cons as increased taxes and the possibility of another hospital closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Shawano County Sheriff's Deputy Chase Mason wasn't too confident with his math skills, but he knew he wanted to "give it my best shot" Courtesy of the Shawano County Sheriff's Office Shawano County Sheriff's Deputy Chase Mason Shawano County Sheriff's Deputy Chase Mason The Shawano County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin was notified of a 911 call made by a 10-year-old boy who was having math trouble Deputy Chase Mason responded to the call and together they were able to solve a decimal related math problem" I am very proud to have officers like this in our office that will go above and beyond their duties," Shawano County Sheriff George Lenzner tells PEOPLE in a statement A 10-year-old boy in Wisconsin sought help for his math homework in a very unusual way by calling 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a statement posted on Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Shawano County Sheriff's Office said they got a 911 call from a boy asking for assistance with his class assignment last week. He stated his family wasn't very good at math either and he needed help," they added. According to the department, the responding officer, Deputy Chase Mason, wrote in his report that he wasn't "overly proficient when it comes to math" either but ""nonetheless, I responded to assist." Related: Officer Becomes Best Pals With Boy, 6, Who Called 911 Because He Was Lonely Fortunately, police said that Mason and the child were ultimately able to solve a decimal related math problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They added that afterwards, the deputy gave a business card to the child, encouraging him to call if he ever needed help but added that next time he should probably use the non-emergency line if it's not a life-threatening situation. Still, the sheriffs office said the incident provided a great teaching moment. Thank you, Deputy Mason, for taking time out of your day to be a friend to this young man! they wrote. Related: New York Boy 'Successfully Delivered' Aunts Baby with Help from 911 Dispatcher: 'Pretty Impressive' In an interview with ABC affiliate WBAY, Mason recalled meeting the child during his response to the 911 call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He came right to the door to meet me, then I walked into the house and sat down by the kitchen table, Mason told WBAY. He had his math out all ready for me. He pointed out exactly which ones he needed help with. 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. Kim Krause, the 911 dispatcher who received the call on Friday, Nov. 15, described the boys request as sincere. Related: Florida Boy Dials 911 to Give Police Officer a Hug: 'We Deeply Appreciate the Genuine Kindness' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Maam, I know Im not supposed to be calling 911 for this, but I really could use some help with my homework, Krause told the outlet, I asked, Well what can I help you with? and he said its math and Im like uhh. Ive been out of school for 40 years so Im like, I dont know if I can help you with this, but well find somebody.' In a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday, Nov. 21, Shawano County Sheriff George Lenzner praised his deputy, adding that Mason oversees the department's cadet program for young adults between the ages of 14 and 20 who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Chase is a great officer, Lenzner wrote. I am very proud to have officers like this in our office that will go above and beyond their duties. When we look for new officers we look for officers that will communicate well with the public. We like to do a lot of community activities within our County and have a very good relationship with our citizens of Shawano County. SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's federal police have formally accused 37 people for their alleged involvement in a coup attempt and other crimes, it said in a statement on Thursday, without naming those accused. Reuters reported earlier on Thrusday, citing sources, that police would present a formal accusation against former President Jair Bolsonaro in the investigation of an alleged coup attempt after he lost the 2022 presidential elections. (Reporting by Ricardo Brito in Brasilia and Andre Romani in Sao Paulo; Editing by Kylie Madry) (Bloomberg) -- Brazils federal police recommended criminal charges against Jair Bolsonaro after probing an alleged coup attempt following his 2022 election loss, the first time authorities have directly linked the right-wing former president to attempts to keep his successor from assuming power. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges are warranted against a total of 37 people, including Bolsonaro and high-ranking military members who served in his government, for plotting a coup and committing crimes against democracy, the federal police said in a Thursday statement. The recommendations came at the conclusion of an investigation into the insurrection attempt that took place on Jan. 8, 2023, when thousands of the former leaders supporters stormed the countrys capital after Bolsonaros narrow loss to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the October 2022 election. Authorities have also determined that Bolsonaro had full knowledge of a plot to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes in the wake of the election, CNN Brasil and other outlets reported Thursday, citing unidentified officials. The recommendation will be sent to Brazils prosecutor generals office to decide whether to file charges, request additional information or close the case, and threatens to deepen the legal woes facing the right-wing former leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former president told local news outlet Metropoles that he needed to wait and see what information is included in the police filing, and that his real legal battle begins at the prosecutor generals office. He also renewed his criticism of Moraes, who he has accused of overstepping legal bounds. Bolsonaro has previously denied wrongdoing related to the riots. Federal police previously recommended charges against Bolsonaro in another case involving the alleged illegal sale of gifts received from the governments of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Charges were also recommended against him in an inquiry into falsified vaccination records. The former president has also denied wrongdoing in those cases. Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet intends to unite the three recommendations into a single complaint, according to a person familiar with the situation who requested anonymity to discuss internal matters. By combining the three investigations, the complaint would be stronger, the person said. There is no deadline for the complaint to be filed. Last year, a congressional committee accused Bolsonaro of serving as the author of the attempt to overturn Lulas victory, and reported that its investigation had found that top members of his government and senior military officers contributed to the riots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple retired generals who served in Bolsonaros government, including former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto and Augusto Heleno, are among the officials included on the list of 37 people. So is Valdemar Costa Neto, the head of Bolsonaros Liberal Party. Spokespersons for Braga Netto, Heleno and Costa Neto did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In June 2023, the countrys electoral court barred Bolsonaro from seeking or holding public office until 2030 over his spreading of false claims about Brazils voting system during the election. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing in that instance as well. The federal police arrested five people on Tuesday, mainly military personnel, for allegedly plotting to kill Lula, Alckmin and Moraes in 2022, after the leftist leaders election victory. The suspects intended to prevent Lula from taking office and monitored their targets movements, considering methods such as poison, chemicals, and explosives to carry out the murders. The conspirators began tracking their apparent targets after a meeting at the home of Braga Netto, who was Bolsonaros running mate that year, police said after the arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brazilian authorities have also probed explosions that took place outside the Supreme Court last week. One man died after attempting to enter the court building with explosives strapped to his body, according to investigations. (Updates with official confirmation, Bolsonaro response and additional details throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Emmanuel Macron's visit to Latin American countries encountered with a serious failure. Macron is currently in Chile, where he spoke to the press following talks with local authorities. It's funny, but Chile is not Armenia, and here the French president loudly declared that "France always opposes double standards in politics." Really?! It's even funnier that Chile itself reacted in approximately the same way. The local press and diplomats laughed right on the sidelines of Macron's talks. "He's the one who shouldn't mention double standards," - these words sounded, literally, strange did not suit the character of the French president. Another sick fantasy of the modern Napoleon has failed. The El Paso County Coroner's Office has identified a man who died in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 in late October. Michael Lose, 25, was found dead on scene after his vehicle struck the back of a fuel truck around 10 a.m. A passenger was with non-life-threatening injuries, and the fuel truck driver was uninjured. Colorado Springs police in a news release Thursday said both vehicles were traveling southbound on I-25 south of exit 139. According to witnesses, police said Lose's vehicle "was weaving in and out of traffic lanes at a high rate of speed" before the crash. The fuel truck was merging onto I-25, entering the right thru lane. Impairment is not considered a factor in the crash, police said, while speed may be a factor. The death of Lose was the 44th traffic fatality in Colorado Springs this year. At this time last year, there were 44 traffic deaths. Lose is the 50th traffic fatality in Colorado Springs in the past 365 days, according to police. The News Brazils police have recommended criminal charges for former President Jair Bolsonaro and his aides over their alleged involvement in a suspected coup to overturn the result of the 2022 election, which he narrowly lost but refused to concede. The countrys federal police urged prosecutors to charge Bolsonaro for the crimes of violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, coup detat and criminal organization. The police alleged that Bolsonaro had full knowledge of a plan to prevent the winner of the election, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, from taking office, CNN reported. At the time, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters had stormed the countrys Congress, Supreme Court, and presidential offices in an effort to overturn the result. Brazils prosecutor-general will decide whether to try the former president, who has denied any wrongdoing, or toss the charges. SAO PAULO (AP) Brazils federal police on Thursday formally accused former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections. Police said their sealed findings were being delivered Thursday to Brazils Supreme Court, which will refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who decides either to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Bolsonaro told the website Metropoles that he was waiting for his lawyer to review the accusation, reportedly about 700 pages long. But he said he would fight the case and dismissed the investigation as being the result of creativity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former right-wing president has denied all claims he tried to stay in office after his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 to his rival, leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has faced a series of legal threats since then. Police said in a brief statement that the Supreme Court had agreed to reveal the names of all 37 people who were accused to avoid the dissemination of incorrect news. Dozens of former and current Bolsonaro aides also were accused, including Gen. Walter Braga Netto, who was his running mate in the 2022 campaign; former Army commander Gen. Paulo Sergio Nogueira de Oliveira; Valdemar Costa Neto, the chairman of Bolsonaros Liberal Party; and his veteran former adviser, Gen. Augusto Heleno. Other investigations produced formal accusations of Bolsonaros roles in smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and in directing a subordinate to falsify his and others COVID-19 vaccination statuses. Bolsonaro has denied any involvement in either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another probe found that he had abused his authority to cast doubt on the countrys voting system, and judges barred him from running again until 2030. Still, he has insisted that he will run in 2026, and many in his orbit were heartened by the recent U.S. election win of Donald Trump, despite his own swirling legal threats. But the far-reaching investigations already have weakened Bolsonaros status as a leader of Brazils right wing, said Carlos Melo, a political science professor at Insper University in Sao Paulo. Bolsonaro is already barred from running in the 2026 elections, Melo told the The Associated Press. And if he is convicted he could also be jailed by then. To avoid being behind bars, he will have to convince Supreme Court justices that he has nothing to do with a plot that involves dozens of his aides. Thats a very tall order, Melo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A formal accusation of an attempted coup means the investigation has gathered indications of a crime and its author, said Eloisa Machado de Almeida, a law professor at Getulio Vargas Foundation, a university in Sao Paulo. She said she believed there was enough legal grounds for the prosecutor-general to file charges. Bolsonaros allies in Congress have been negotiating a bill to pardon individuals who stormed the Brazilian capital and rioted on Jan. 8, 2023 in a failed attempt to keep the former president in power. Analysts have speculated that lawmakers want to extend the legislation to cover the former president himself. However, efforts to push a broad amnesty bill may be politically challenging given recent attacks on the judiciary and details emerging in investigations, Machado said. On Tuesday, Federal Police arrested four military and a Federal Police officer, accused of plotting to assassinate Lula and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes as a means to overthrow the government following the 2022 elections. And last week, a man carried out a bomb attack in the capital Brasilia. He attempted to enter the Supreme Court and threw explosives outside, killing himself. A British lawyer has died and several other UK tourists are in hospital after apparently being poisoned by a drink laced with methanol in Laos. Simone White, 28, is suspected to have unknowingly drunk methanol at a bar in Vang Vieng last week while on holiday. She is the fifth tourist to have died in a suspected mass drink-spiking case in the popular backpacking destination. At least seven others, including other British holidaymakers, have been taken to hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims, mostly guests at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, became ill after drinking alcohol on the night of Nov 12. The Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos. The manager has denied selling tainted alcohol to guests They are believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which is a cheaper alternative to the ethanol found in alcoholic drinks, but can cause severe poisoning or death. Ms White, from Orpington, in the London borough of Bromley, was taken to hospital following a night out with friend Bethany Clarke, a healthcare worker who is also from Orpington. It is not clear when Ms White died or her cause of death. Her family were unavailable for comment when approached by The Telegraph on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms White was an intellectual property and technology lawyer for Squire Patton Boggs, a US law firm, according to her LinkedIn profile. She attended St Olaves Grammar School in Orpington and studied law at Newcastle University before taking the fast-track course at the BPP law school. Please avoid all local spirits A Foreign Office spokesman said: We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities. Police in Laos have opened an investigation into the poisoning. Ms Clarke, who was also treated in hospital, said her liver started to shut down after drinking free shots offered by one of the bars in Vang Vieng. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She warned other travellers to avoid all local spirits on a Facebook group for backpackers in Laos. Urgent please avoid all local spirits, she wrote. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as [they are] so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning. She wrote that she was very fatigued and then fainted, then just felt nauseous and then my liver started to shut down. She added: I got to the private hospital in time but underwent many infusions and tablets and days of recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Australian teenager, two Danish women in their 20s, and an American man are also reported to have died in Laos. Bianca Jones, a 19-year-old from Melbourne, died in hospital on Thursday Bianca Jones, 19, from Melbourne, who had travelled to south-east Asia with a friend, was confirmed to have died by her parents in a statement to the Herald Sun newspaper. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away, Michelle and Mark Jones said. She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us. We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers weve received from across Australia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling. Ms Joness friend, Holly Bowles, 19, was also admitted to hospital after the pair went on a night out in Vang Vieng. They were found by staff at the Nana Backpackers Hostel when they failed to leave their room on time. Most of the victims had been guests at the Nana Backpacker hostel - AP Duong Duc Toan, the manager of the hostel, said he had served more than 100 guests on the night of Nov 12 with free shots of Lao Tiger vodka mixed with ice and Coke Zero. But he denied that the alcohol was tainted, and said the hostel had not sold or given away drinks which caused the travellers to fall ill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont do anything wrong, for sure, Mr Toan told ABC, the Australian network. I really take care of all of the customers [who] stay with our hotel and our hostel. He told the Herald Sun: Right now the police (are telling) every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng... not only our hostel, other hostel and hotel customers have the same problem. Landlocked Laos, one of south-east Asias poorest nations, is a popular tourist destination. Vang Vieng is popular among backpackers seeking parties and adventure sports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An Australian teenager has become the fourth person to die in a suspected mass drink-spiking case in Laos where British tourists have also suffered symptoms of methanol poisoning. Bianca Jones was surrounded by love in her final moments as her family gathered by her hospital bedside, days after the 19-year-old and her best friend became ill after a night out in Vang Vieng. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our beloved daughter and sister, Bianca Jones, has passed away, her parents, Michelle and Mark Jones, said in a statement to the Herald Sun newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was surrounded by love, and we are comforted by the knowledge that her incredible spirit touched so many lives during her time with us. We want to express our deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support, love, and prayers weve received from across Australia. The kindness shown to our family during this unimaginable time has been truly humbling. Ms Jones and Holly Bowles, also 19, had travelled from Melbourne for a dream getaway in south-east Asia and were found by staff at the Nana Backpackers Hostel when they failed to leave their room on time. Holly Bowles was in Laos on a dream trip with her best friend Bianca Jones It is suspected that they had unknowingly drank methanol, a cheap form of alcohol, while at a bar in the popular backpacking destination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, said on Thursday that Ms Jones death was every parents very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure. This trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come, memories that she should have carried with her, the long, bright future that lay ahead of her, Mr Albanese said. It is beyond sad that this was not to be. Penny Wong, the foreign minister, said: Drink spiking and methanol poisoning are far too common in too many parts of the world so at this time I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday night, Ms Bowles father, Shaun, told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital that his daughter remained in a critical condition. Right now our daughter remains in an intensive care unit, in critical condition, shes on life support, he said. We would just like to thank everyone from back home for all their support and love that we are receiving. Two Danish women in their 20s and an American man also died, and several other people have sought medical treatment including a group of Britons. Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from Kent, was among the British tourists taken to hospital. She had consumed drinks in Vang Vieng on Nov 12. Kent resident Simone White was holidaying in Laos when she and her friends became ill - Facebook Ms White, who is from Orpington, is an intellectual property and technology lawyer for American law firm Squire Patton Boggs, according to her LinkedIn profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bethany Clarke, a friend of Ms Whites, warned other travellers to avoid all local spirits on a Facebook group for backpackers in Laos and said she was among a group of six who had been taken to hospital with methanol poisoning. Urgent please avoid all local spirits, she wrote. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. Just avoid them as [they are] so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning. Duong Duc Toan, the manager of Nana Backpacker Hostel, said he had served more than 100 guests on the night of Nov 12 with free shots of Lao Tiger vodka mixed with ice and Coke Zero. Duong Duc Toan, the hostel manager, denied serving tainted alcohol - Anupam Nath/AP But he denied that the alcohol was tainted and said the hostel had not sold or given away drinks which caused the travellers to fall ill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont do anything wrong, for sure, Mr Toan told Australian broadcaster ABC. I really take care of all of the customers [who] stay with our hotel and our hostel. He told the Herald Sun: Right now the police (are telling) every hostel and hotel and bar to stop selling drinks in Vang Vieng... not only our hostel, other hostel and hotel customers have the same problem. Denmarks ministry of foreign affairs and the US State Department confirmed the three deaths to The Telegraph. In a statement, 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for Denmarks ministry of foreign affairs said: 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. 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 Bronx man who police say scammed two Long Island grandmothers out of more than $25,000 has been arrested, authorities in Nassau County announced Thursday. Jaime Castillo, 36, is accused of calling the two women claiming to be Raymond Allen, an attorney representing the victims grandchildren. Castillo allegedly told his victims their grandchild had been arrested and needed money for bail. He would then meet the victims to retrieve the cash, Nassau County police said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to investigators, the first victim was a 90-year-old woman of Port Washington, who gave Castillo a total of $17,600 which she gathered over two days on June 2, 2023. Nearly two months later, on July 24, Castillo allegedly targeted his second victim, an 89-year-old of Hewlett Harbor. She was defrauded out of $7,700, officials said. Both women believed they were giving the fake lawyer money that would be used to bail out their grandchildren, according to police. A joint investigation conducted by Nassau police and the Port Washington Police Department later found Castillo to be the person behind the scam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested without incident on Wednesday and is scheduled to be arraigned in Nassau District Court on Thursday. Castillo is charged with four counts of third-degree grand larceny and one count each of second-degree criminal impersonation and first-degree scheme to defraud, elderly person. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Cal Fire crews are fighting a brush fire that broke out along State Route 94 near Jamacha Wednesday afternoon. The fire, which has been named the Millar Fire, broke out in the area adjacent to the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge around 2 p.m. As of 3:30 p.m., it is estimated to have burned about 15 acres. Forward progress has been stopped and the fire is 5% contained, Cal Fire said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cal Fire unveiled a newly fire-resistant home in San Diego. Will more be retrofitted? Evacuation orders and warnings were briefly issued for areas south of SR-94, with the temporary evacuation point set up at the El Cajon Edwards Cinema at 2951 Jamacha Road. Both were lifted with the halting of forward progress. The area previously impacted by the evacuation warning can be found below. (County of San Diego Emergency Map) A SigAlert was issued by California Highway Patrol as they closed off parts of SR-94 for crews to battle the fire. This is a developing story. Check back 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley were found dead in a freezer two weeks after disappearing from an Oklahoma road GoFundMe (2) Veronica Butler (left); and Jilian Kelley. Veronica Butler (left); and Jilian Kelley. Two Kansas women who according to authorities were killed by members of a fringe anti-government group over a child custody dispute died brutal deaths, according to a new report. Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley were found dead in a freezer in Texas County, Okla., in April, nearly two weeks after they disappeared, with their car abandoned on a road in Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tifany Adams, 54, her boyfriend Tad Bert Cullum, 43, Cole Twombly, 50, Cora Twombly, 44, and Paul Grice were all arrested and charged with murder in connection with the investigation, police said. Butler, 27, and Kelley, 39, both died from multiple blunt force trauma, according to the Oklahoma Office of Chief Medical Examiners (OCME) summary report released in late October. Now, a full medical examiners report offers a glimpse into the last moments of the womens lives. Both Butler and Kelley were stabbed multiple times, each sustaining wounds on or near their heads and faces, according to OCMEs reports released on Thursday, Nov. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the attack, the women fought to save their lives, sustaining several defensive wounds, per the report. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Veronica Butler (left); and Jilian Kelley. Veronica Butler (left); and Jilian Kelley. Butlers fingers had been sliced multiple times as she tried to defend herself when she tried to grab hold of the knife with her bare hands, the report claims. Butler sustained several sharp wounds to her head, torso and legs, per the report. Kelley was stabbed in her cheek and had sharp force injuries to her jaw and temple. She was stabbed seven times and had two other sharp force injuries, per the OCME report. Owing to a devastating injury to her spine, Kelley likely lost the ability to move her body below her head and her ability to breathe on her own, the report stated, adding that her death was very rapid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both women displayed signs of stun gun injuries to the back of their necks, but the report did not indicate whether those were from an attempt to subdue the women prior to the attacks. Related: 4 Arrested After Bodies Found in Connection with Disappearance of 2 Women in Oklahoma 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. All five suspects charged in the women's murders were members of an anti-government religious group "God's Misfits" who all had their individual roles in the killings, prosecutors have previously alleged. (The "God's Misfits" group has denounced the crime). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The killings allegedly stemmed from a custody dispute between Butler and the paternal grandmother of her children, Adams, according to an affidavit previously cited by the Des Moines Register, FOX 25 and WRHN. Plea and attorney information for the suspects wasn't immediately available. The man who single-handedly built one of Colorado's most eclectic landmarks died early Thursday. A Bishop Castle Facebook post announced that builder Jim Bishop passed away "surrounded by loved ones" in Pueblo, where he was a lifelong resident. Services have yet to be announced. Bishop was 80. The castle has become a well-known tourist attraction southwest of Pueblo in the Wet Mountains. The eccentric Bishop was a fixture at the castle, which he began building by hand with nearby stones in 1969. He never stopped, despite the tragic death of his four-year-old son in 1988, a more recent cancer diagnosis, and years of disputes with authorities and a legal ownership challenge over the land. Featured Local Savings Brash and outspoken, Bishop was just as much a part of the tourist experience as the ascendant, 160-foot marvel he managed to build over the course of 50 years as a high school dropout. He was committed to keeping the attraction free for families who wanted to head into the mountains but would not be hitting the ski slopes. "When you don't have money for engineering, you need ingenious," Bishop told The Gazette in 2016, right after he had resumed work on the castle when his cancer went into remission. The ingenuity of Bishop Castle cannot be denied. Visitors over the decades have admired the elegant iron work and stained glass. This year again on Halloween, the castle's iron dragon figurehead let out a burst of fire, illuminating a structure right out of a Gothic fairy tale. The Bishop Castle Facebook page describes the castle build as "ongoing." Come back to gazette.com later for more on the life and times of Jim Bishop. Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, a judge has ruled. Ada County Judge Steven Hippler denied 12 defense motions in Tuesday's 55-page ruling after Kohberger's defense team tried to get the death penalty removed from sentencing in the event of a guilty verdict. Kohberger's lawyers argued that time spent waiting on death row and the choice of execution methods, which include lethal injection or firing squad, amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. The attorneys also claimed Idaho's death penalty laws violate an international treaty banning the torture of prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is no basis to depart from settled law upholding Idaho's death penalty statute as constitutional," Hippler wrote in his ruling. It is "consistent with contemporary standards of decency." Kohberger, 29, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and four counts of felony burglary in the stabbing deaths of Kaylee Gonclaves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. All four students were killed inside of an off-campus home on Nov. 13, 2022. Two other women inside the house were not harmed. Kohberger was arrested in Pennsylvania following a six-week manhunt and extradited back to Idaho in January 2023. Six months later, prosecutors announced plans to seek the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger, who is a former Washington State University criminology student, did not respond last year when he was asked to enter a plea in the case. A not guilty plea was entered for him by the judge. Kohberger's trial is scheduled to begin August 2025. The Gonclaves family -- whose daughter Kaylee was one of the four students murdered -- released a statement Wednesday, responding to the judge's ruling that leaves the death penalty sentencing option open in the event of a conviction. "When we learned today that the motions to challenge the death penalty were denied, we were overjoyed -- not just for our family, but for our friends, supporters and everyone who has shed a tear, made a donation or listened to the story of these beautiful children who were so senselessly taken from us," Kristi and Steve Gonclaves told NonStop Local. "Justice is moving forward, and we pray that one day, in the not-so-distant future, it will be served." ARLINGTON, Tenn. - An Arlington couple had a close encounter with a 100-pound deer that crashed into their home on Brunswick Road. Gary Fish was standing in his kitchen Wednesday afternoon when the buck jumped through a glass door on the side of his house. Fish said the next thing he knew, the dazed deer had knocked him to the floor. Deer crashes through door of Arlington home. Courtesy: Sharon Fish I didnt know what it was at first. It was like an explosion, he said. We went down, and his antlers got stuck in my shoes, and then he started running through the house from there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife Sharon was in another room at the time. She heard the commotion, saw the uninvited guest, and called 911. They told me to calm down, but they didnt understand a word I was saying, Sharon said. I was talking 90 to nothing and probably talking loud because the deer was in the house and tearing up everything. I was just thinking, come and get the deer out of the house! The couple said the deer was inside their kitchen and den for around 15 minutes, trying to find a way out. They said the wild animal damaged furniture, punched a hole in a wall, and jumped through another window when it made its escape. Gary had a few cuts on his arm from all the broken glass. He said they were just relieved the deer didnt run through the rest of the house and that no one was seriously hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said they see deer all the time but he never expected to have one inside his house. I dont know what would make the animal come through the glass door like that. I dont know if you saw a reflection or what I or was just running and didnt see the glass, Gary said. It was pretty wild. He said they had planned to host Thanksgiving, but because of the deer damage, the dinner has been moved to their daughters house. Now, he has a great story to tell at the table. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Nov. 20The Decatur City Council put a proposed zoning ordinance on hold until spring on Monday, but it will consider changes to the existing zoning code during the holiday season that restrict build-to-rent homes and revise the definition of "family." A unanimous council followed Councilman Billy Jackson's advice when it decided to table the zoning ordinance until March 3 while the city seeks to hire a planning director. The city has been working on replacing its zoning and land-use ordinance, some of which is almost 70 years old, for six years. Multiple changes in the Planning Department and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed completion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed ordinance was finally up for a vote Monday but, at Jackson's urging, the council tabled it. The City Council previously decided at the Nov. 4 meeting to hire a search firm for $40,000 to find candidates for the planning director position. Human Resources Director Richelle Sandlin said Tuesday that MGT, of Northbrook, Illinois, will conduct the search. She told the council that it's possible they could have a planning director hired by the end of January or the first of February. Jackson said he thinks hiring a planning director, which the city hasn't had since 2008, and allowing the person to start the new job before approving the new zoning ordinance is "the proper thing to do." He said the new director needs time to study the community and its growth patterns to make sure the proposed zoning ordinance fits the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A planner has the expertise to do those things," Jackson said. Council President Jacob Ladner suggested delaying the proposed zoning ordinance until March 3 and then reassessing the situation. "If we've gotten nowhere, I will definitely support going ahead and moving forward with approval," Ladner said. "If we have somebody on board, then we can have a discussion with them about moving forward." Councilman Kyle Pike said he thinks they need to set a date to revisit the proposed zoning ordinance, whether or not a planning director is in place. "I don't just love delaying it," Pike said. "I don't agree that this has been rushed through, but I will support tabling it until March." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilman Carlton McMasters said he would support the delay but insisted the council didn't need to wait on build-to-rent restrictions and defining "family" for zoning regulations such as those relating to single-family homes. "These two changes protect single family (zoning districts)," McMasters said. He presented what he called "tighter changes" to the current zoning ordinance on build-to-rent homes and the definition of family. "We've got a room full of folks adversely affected by something we've never seen in Decatur, and that's build to rent," McMasters said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Build-to-rent homes, or BTR, are particularly a concern because a council-imposed moratorium against the practice ends Jan. 1, and McMasters said he doesn't think the council should extend the moratorium for a third time. The ordinance proposed by McMasters reduces the number of allowed BTR homes in a subdivision from the previously proposed 20% to 10%. The proposal requires developers to declare the percentage when it submits a final plat for approval by the Planning Commission. Some Burningtree area residents want an outright ban. BTR became an issue in August 2022 when developer Prominence Homes bought the third addition of the planned Foxwood Farms subdivision. The Birmingham developer then advertised the homes for sale to investors as build-to-rent homes, and this upset residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City Council passed a moratorium against BTR homes, although officials said they could not stop Prominence's plans. However, Prominence filed for bankruptcy and never finished the development. Shells of unfinished homes still stand along the road connected to Foxwood Drive Southeast. Ruby Pointe Drive Southeast resident Erin Cossey told the council that residents would prefer creating separate zoning districts for BTR homes, so they can preserve and protect existing neighborhoods. "If these developments are needed, which we've all heard you say are needed, let's make an easy path for them," Cossey said. Cossey pointed out that she chose to live in the city instead of the county, so there's an expectation that city leaders protect homes in the city limits from issues like BTR homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, McMasters said he doesn't think the rest of the City Council would support banning BTRs. Ladner and Jackson said they have questions about how the city can enforce either the BTR restrictions or the limitations on what constitutes a family. Ladner said he knows they can only enforce the BTR restriction on the front end. "It seems very difficult to enforce after the homes are built," Ladner said. "If five or 10 people decide they want to rent their homes, I'm unclear how we can keep them from doing so even at the 10% requirement." Jackson said the city has a real problem with rental properties that needs examination by city officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think I hear people saying they don't want the problems that we're already experiencing with rental properties at their doorstep," Jackson said. "Rental properties is something we're going to have to deal with either now or in the future. It is taking a toll on our city." The second ordinance change McMasters presented creates a new definition of "family." He said he made the proposal because the current definition of family "is incredibly vague." "The current definition is so loose we have halfway houses popping up in my district and throughout the city, and there's nothing we can do about it," McMasters said. His proposal defines family as "one or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption, or by some other legal custodial relationship, living as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit, including persons who reside in the unit and are employed to care for a family member; or three unrelated individuals living as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A family can also include up to three unrelated persons occupying a unit and living as a single, non-profit housekeeping unit, if any one or more of the three unrelated occupants is handicapped." Jackson said he agrees with the proposed definition of family, "but how do you enforce it?" Councilman Hunter Pepper previously said he supports McMaster's proposed definition of family because he believes the city has an undocumented immigrant problem that leads to households being resided in by numerous unrelated people. City Attorney Herman Marks told the council that it needed to introduce both proposed ordinance changes at next week's Monday meeting so there's time to advertise the proposals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marks said state law requires that the city publish a legal notice of any proposed ordinance change at least 22 days before a public hearing and vote on Dec. 16, the last scheduled meeting of the year. bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432 DOGE details: After a week of speculation, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy wrote in The Wall Street Journal of their plans for what the Department of Government Efficiency will actually look like. "Most legal edicts aren't laws enacted by Congress but 'rules and regulations' promulgated by unelected bureaucratstens of thousands of them each year. Most government enforcement decisions and discretionary expenditures aren't made by the democratically elected president or even his political appointees but by millions of unelected, unappointed civil servants within government agencies who view themselves as immune from firing thanks to civil-service protections," they write. "This is antidemocratic and antithetical to the Founders' vision." Basically, it won't be a separate agency, but rather a collection of people who get put at each agency to identify what needs to be cut. "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," Ramaswamy and Musk write. "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'll identify the "minimum number of employees required" for each given agency to perform its "constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated" function. A massive reduction in headcount looks likely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Milei-core buddy duo slashing the size of government amounts to a libertarian fantasy come true. "When the president nullifies thousands of such regulations, critics will allege executive overreach," the two predict, having been around the block enough to know what the haters will say. "In fact, it will be correcting the executive overreach of thousands of regulations promulgated by administrative fiat that were never authorized by Congress." Godspeed, fair kings. Gaetzkeeping: Will we ever lay eyes on the House Ethics Committee's report into the many purported misdeeds (sexual and otherwise) of former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what happened. Gaetz attended a string of parties in 2017 in Orlando where there were drugs and escorts. He purportedly had sex with a 17-year-oldbelow Florida's age of consent, though all parties claim her age was not discussedwhich at least one witness saw. He also allegedly paid for sex, though he frequently used other people to cover for him, as one does when, as a sitting member of Congress with an IQ above 70, one is buying sex from teenage prostitutes. Naturally, President-elect Donald Trump saw the above laid outas well as Gaetz's loyal harassing of people like former Rep. Liz Cheney (RWyo.)and thought well, that man looks like a natural-born attorney general. So Gaetz will now be confirmed or rejected for that post, to lead the Department of Justice, and has accordingly resigned from the House in order to do so. Oh, and one very convenient side effect of resigning from the House: the Ethics Committee's report, which had beenfor various procedural reasonsrepeatedly stymied, will apparently no longer be released, per House Speaker Mike Johnson, as there is no reason to have an investigation on someone who is no longer a sitting representative. Now, "Senators from both parties who would vet Mr. Gaetz for the position have asked to see the report," reports The New York Times. "Vice President-elect JD Vance and Mr. Gaetz were on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with senators in hopes of smoothing his path to confirmation." Meanwhile, since information wants to be free, "an unidentified hacker has gained access to a computer file shared in a secure link among lawyers whose clients have given damaging testimony related to Matt Gaetz." Wholly sidestepping whether or not Gaetz is a libertarian hero for flouting age-of-consent laws, information about his possible lawbreaking seems relevant to the senators who will be asked to vote to confirm him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rand Paul against mass deportations: "I'm not for really most presidential emergencies because they smack of martial ruleI'm not for the Army marching up and down our streets [to deport people]," said Sen. Rand Paul (RKy.) to Newsmax of President-elect Donald Trump's immigration plan. "The American people will be behind him 100% if he goes immediately after the people that have committed crimeslet's go there and start there. There is to my mind some question of the housekeeper who's been here 30 years, and I don't see the military putting her in handcuffs and marching her down the street to an encampment.There might be an in-between solution where, if they're already working productively, that we allow them to have a work permit. So I would expand, actually, a lot of work permits for peopleI think us as conservatives who are supportive of Trump need to caution him about sending the Army into our cities." I wonder if more legislators on the right will come out of the woodwork and start cautioning Trump to be careful about his deportation approach. Libertarian-leaning Republicans who aren't totally captured by MAGA (like Paul) are an endangered species but surely some number of conservatives agree that industrious people not consuming welfare who have shown themselves to be no threat at all to the safety of their communities deserve leniency and an easier pathway to citizenship. Scenes from New York: A long read on the New York City Trump voter phenomenon. QUICK HITS "The US Transportation Security Administration, the federal government entity that oversees Clear, has enacted stricter rules on it after a series of high-profile security lapses," reports Bloomberg. "As a result, the experience has gotten worse for many customers, some of whom have taken to social media to gripe about how Clear often ends up being slower than TSA PreCheck, the agency's cheaper and less flashy service. Now the TSA is rolling out its own facial-recognition technology, which could make Clear redundant." (Great, TSA in charge of biometric data.) "The International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and the former Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Gaza Strip," reports The New York Times. "Karim Khan, the court's chief prosecutor, had requested the arrest warrants in May for the two Israelis, alongside three top Hamas officials. Israel has fiercely contested the court's allegations, which include the use of starvation as a weapon of war and 'intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population.'" Many Israeliseven those who oppose Netanyahu or believe he has erredare highly critical of the ICC's actions on this front. Matt Yglesias, on Slow Boring, writes about how "urbanists, including YIMBYs, spend too much time entranced by nostalgia and Europhilia and not really confronting the reality that the increasingly affluent American population wants to live in big homes." He offers up a concept (amusingly similar to Le Corbusier's failed "towers in the park") of how this could look, specifically talking about what building high-rises for families might look like. Interesting: From a piece I wrote on @PirateWires last month, super cool to see this actually starting to play out https://t.co/xQzloRgwF9 pic.twitter.com/7WtMfKwkD5 Bridget (@bridge__harris) November 19, 2024 A good point that we've oddly stopped talking about: Is there any particular reason to assume Biden is competent to be president right now? It's a very difficult job. It's a dangerous world. Extremely high-stakes decisions in Ukraine. He should resign and let Harris serve out the last 2 months.https://t.co/02huFqQT3W pic.twitter.com/ZLWqcbkAYW Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 20, 2024 The post Bullish on DOGE appeared first on Reason.com. Susan J. Demas In the lead up to Election Day on Nov. 5, following a report of a University of Michigan student from China casting a ballot at an Ann Arbor polling place, Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) submitted a letter to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson inquiring on the states safeguards to prevent ineligible individuals from voting. Johnson, who preceded Benson as secretary of state serving from 2011 through 2018, raised concerns about a mismatch between information about new voter registrations and information stored in federal Social Security records, facilitated through the Security Administrations Help America Vote Verification (HAVV) system, inquiring as to how many of these individuals had voted, and questioned the integrity of the states system for same-day voter registration and provisions allowing individuals to register to vote by signing an affidavit in place of showing photo ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Johnson pointed to 34,535 individuals whose name, date of birth and social security numbers did not match any record in the Social Security database, Jonathan Brater, director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections, wrote in his response Thursday that Johnsons letter contained misconceptions on the function of the HAVV system. Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) speaks at an election security event in Lansing, Michigan on June 5, 2024 (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) HAVV allows states to attempt to verify the last four digits of a social security number submitted by an applicant. HAVV cannot be used, is not used, and never has been used to verify the citizenship status of an applicant, Brater wrote. HAVV cannot be used for this purpose because it matches against the Social Security Administration database of social security numbers, and some non-citizens have social security numbers. While Johnson wrote in her letter that she was alarmed to learn recently of a dramatic increase in transactions submitted to the system which returned as non-matching to a known U.S. citizen, Brater responded that the system does not provide information on whether an individual is a known citizen and that this information does not appear on the HAVV system site. Brated noted an inquiry in the system provides the following results: no match, single match alive, multiple matches alive, single match deceased, multiple matches deceased, multiple matches alive/deceased, or invalid input data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also noted that the system matches information to a person, rather than a citizen. While Johnson inquired as to how many of the 34,535 non-matching transactions reported by the system represented new voter registrations, Brater said the number of HAVV transactions does not correspond to the number of voter registrations, making it impossible to determine that number. He further explained that the state uses the HAVV system to verify the last four digits of the social security numbers of voters with disabilities applying for an accessible absentee ballot. Because these individuals are less likely to have a Michigan drivers license, this application allows voters to apply for an accessible absent voter ballot by providing the last four digits of their social security number. Michigan uses HAVV to verify the social security number provided and verify that the applicant matches to a registered voter in Michigan, Brater said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the system shows a match, that person can apply for an accessible absentee ballot, Brater said. If it does not, the application is rejected and the clerk will not issue a ballot. Notably, an individual could submit an unlimited number of unsuccessful applications using the Omniballot application with non-matching data. None of these applications would result in an absent voter ballot being issued, but each would generate a non-match in HAVV. Alternatively, an eligible individual may also require multiple attempts to apply successfully, resulting in non-matches followed by a match, Brater said. Michigan Elections Director Jonathan Brater at the Michigan State Board of Canvassers meeting. May 31, 2024. Screenshot. Consequently, there is no reason to believe 34,545 non-matches submitted to the system means that 34,545 individuals registered to vote without providing a Social Security number, Brater said. While the vast majority of voters register online or automatically with their drivers license number, those without a license can register by mail or in person by providing the last four digits of their Social Security number, Brater said. If they do not, they must present a federally required ID before voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a voter registers in person, the federal ID requirement does not apply but the voter must present voter identification or sign an affidavit as required by Michigan election law, Brater said, noting individuals registering within 14 days of an election must provide proof of residency in order to vote. Therefore, no matter how a voter registers, they must provide verification of identity. In nearly all cases, this is in the form of a Michigan drivers license. In other cases, it is through the last four digits of a social security number, or other forms of identification as required by state and federal law, Brater said. Regardless, legal requirements and election procedures ensure that voters identify themselves when registering and voting. While your letter reflects concerns about verifying the eligibility of applicants, the purpose of HAVV is to verify the identity of the voter, Brater said. However, Johnson was not pleased with Braters response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The response we received did not answer any of the questions we asked. The number of non-matches has gone up significantly. We understand that the 35,000 non-matches were not all voter registrations thats why we asked how many were voter registrations and how many of these individuals voted, Johnson said in a response supplied by her office. We know this happens, it happened recently at UM. But it was only caught because this individual went back to the clerks office to ask for their ballot back. Whenever someone who is ineligible is allowed to vote this disenfranchises an eligible voter, so I think it is very important to get this information from the secretary of state, Johnson said. Election officials have continuously stressed that noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare, with a 2017 review from the Brennan Center for Justice of 42 jurisdictions in the 2016 general election finding election officials in those places, who oversaw the tabulation of 23.5 million votes, referred only an estimated 30 incidents of suspected noncitizen voting for further investigation or prosecution. In other words, even suspected not proven noncitizen votes accounted for just 0.0001 percent of the votes cast. The libertarian Cato Institute similarly wrote that noncitizens dont illegally vote in detectable numbers when examining claims about noncitizen voting in the 2020 election. (KRON) A man was arrested after he pretended to be a realtor and stole jewelry and cash from two open houses in the North Bay this fall, the Marin County Sheriffs Office said. The suspect has a history of committing similar crimes in other California cities, per the sheriffs office. The first theft happened in October in the Sleepy Hollow area of Marin County. The suspect used an alias, claimed to be working with another realtor, and said he was interested in the home, per MCSO. He took a self-guided tour and stole $15,000 worth of jewelry, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SF suspects steal nearly $9K worth of items from Lucky, Safeway in Livermore: police The suspect allegedly struck again in the Kent Woodlands neighborhood about three weeks later. He again pretended to be a realtor to get into an open house and took about $10,000 worth of jewelry and checks. The suspect was identified as Joshua Lamont, 50, of San Diego. He was determined to be staying at a hotel in Walnut Creek and was arrested on Wednesday. In his hotel room, deputies found evidence from the Kent Woodlands burglary and receipts from various Bay Area pawn shops. Detectives are still working to locate the stolen items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lamont had outstanding warrants for similar crimes in San Diego and Santa Barbara. He is being held in jail on a $400,000 bail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. A Burlington man has been sentenced to 230 months, or just over 19 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. According to public court documents, David Lee Davis, Jr., 38, distributed about two pounds of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer in October 2022. At the time, Davis was under federal supervised release for a 2012 conviction for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Daviss term of supervised release was revoked, and he was sentenced to 51 months, just over four years, consecutive to the 230-months sentence. This means he must serve the four-year sentence after the 19-year sentence. Davis will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release after his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement and the case was investigated by the Quad Cities Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Davenport Police Department, Scott County Special Operations Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) Castle Rock Police and the Douglas County School District continue to investigate after a school bus driver allegedly dropped off 40 kids in the wrong place, some miles from home. Students riding the bus home from Clear Sky Elementary School on Monday said the driver was a substitute bus driver who allegedly skipped stops before getting frustrated and forcing all the kids off the bus. Parents said many crying students were dropped off at Cedar Hill Cemetary off Auburn Drive in Castle Rock, far from home. Sorry will never be enough: School bus driver accused of stranding 40 children outside Castle Rock cemetery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesday, Douglas County School district sent an email to families on that bus route that said in part: On Monday, a relief driver was covering route #253. Relief drivers are full-time employees who step in as needed across our 850 square mile district. Your childs route consists of 12 stops. On the third stop on Monday afternoon, the bus stopped just short of the usual location, leading to some confusion. At that time, the remaining 40 students on the bus all exited, with many getting off at the wrong bus stop. Regrettably, the driver did not follow protocol when this happened. The driver should have immediately notified DCSD transportation dispatch. I want you to know that this driver is no longer employed by the Douglas County School District. The regular driver assigned to your childs route (#253) is currently out, but will return soon as your childs bus driver. Douglas County School District administration Theres no doubt that those kids were scared, said a former Douglas County School bus driver who did not want to be identified. Parents told FOX31s Rachel Saurer that they were not completely satisfied with what was stated in the letter, saying it failed to address important details about the bus ride. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre not giving up what was said on the bus, said Patricia Carrion, a parent of a Clear Creek Elementary School student. Theyre basically saying that all the kids chose to get off the bus which is not true. Some kids actually did choose to get off the bus, some kids did not. She said she hopes more comes out when they release the video footage of the bus. My fifth grader called me hysterically crying. Mind you, my fifth grader does not cry. Like he cries when hes angry but not like sad or freaked out, Carrion said. Theyre kind of like pushing it under the rug a little bit. The former Douglas County School District bus driver said there is a significant bus driver shortage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres not enough drivers there. They need to spend some time with those drivers training them, the person said. Jeffco EMT students help land Flight for Life helicopter in unique training They said the district should make sure substitute drivers are well informed on the routes and stops and how to interact with students. He needed to learn the routes, the former Douglas County bus driver said. The district website shows salaries for bus drivers start at $25.35 per hour for CDL drivers. No experience is needed. Drivers must have a high school diploma or equivalent, a clean driving record, and pass a physical, drug test and background check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Sanders with United States Truck Driving School said his company offers a six-day class for people wanting their CDL license to drive a school bus and he wishes more people would seize the opportunity. The need for school bus drivers is so huge right now that I mean we can put you in touch with any of the districts and get you working right out of school, Sanders said. The Douglas County School District issued a statement Tuesday that said, 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. The Douglas County School District Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district and Castle Rock Police are investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A Caddo school earns a special status for supporting military families. Caddo Magnet High School was awarded a distinguished Purple Star Status, making it the first school in the district to gain this distinction. Purple Star Status is given to schools for aiding students from military families. The announcement was celebrated during Tuesdays school board meeting, which was attended by the Commander of Barksdale Air Force Base, Colonel Michael Maginness, who spoke about his experience moving his family around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burtons accessibility via community meetings a positive start, attendees say Often, the first touch-point they have is with the schools. Thats true for us. Thats true for Colonel Pontius. Its true for anyone who moves in because our kids are important to us. So we go to the school first. Thats where we meet their friends. Thats where we meet our friends. That is our first impressions of the town is the schools, Col. Maginness said. Purple Star Distinction Caddo Magnet High with Col. Maginness with Barksdale (Caddo Parish Public School) Earlier this year, the school board made a special proclamation to focus on aiding military families as they transition through the school 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 KTALnews.com. A Bay Area barber has been charged with sexually assaulting at least two men but is suspected of assaulting as many as 20 who were severely intoxicated, according to authorities. Police say evidence shows Franklin Enrique Sarceno Orla, a 34-year-old Mountain View resident, may have assaulted 20 different men who were intoxicated or passed out at the time, according a Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office news release. One assault involved a kidnapping, authorities said, alleging that Sarceno Orla videotaped the assaults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarceno Orla has fled, authorities said, and law enforcement is seeking information about his whereabouts. If convicted, he could face life in prison. There was a sexual predator in our community, and we thank the Mountain View Police Department for identifying him, Santa Clara Dist. Atty. Jeff Rosen said in a release. With the help of courageous victims, investigators, and the public we will soon have him in custody to keep him from ever hurting anyone again. Read more: Multiple sexual assaults from spiked drinks reported to UC Berkeley The Mountain View Police Department launched an investigation in July after speaking with a man who said he woke up injured after having drinks with Sarceno Orla, officials said. Another victim said that Sarceno Orla was his barber and he passed out after having beers with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarceno Orla was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in August; he posted $250,000 bail after his arrest, authorities said, and his whereabouts are now unknown. According to the investigation's findings, the assaults date back to 2018, and in those incidents the victims were intoxicated at the time. Police are still working on identifying more alleged victims. Anyone who has been victimized has been asked to contact the Mountain View Police Department at (650) 903-6618. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A fire early Wednesday destroyed a gift shop and another building at Bishop Castle in Custer County, forcing the Bishop family to quickly find another way to make a living, a relative said. "The gift shop is our primary source of income," said Daniel Bishop, whose father, Jim Bishop, started building the castle about 50 years ago. Today, it remains free for all to see. "That's the biggest concern now, is trying to get it rebuilt, so we can have an income." The other building destroyed was a guesthouse. Both buildings reportedly were not insured. No injuries were reported, and Gazette news partner KKTV said arson investigators are looking into the fire -- though it's unclear if arson is suspected. "We're all still in kind of disbelief," Daniel Bishop said. He added that the fire started early Wednesday when no one was there to monitor the property. Featured Local Savings By phone, the gift shop owner, Shelly Beierle, declined to go into details about the fire but said, "I just lost everything I have, so I really don't have anything to say." In a Facebook post, the Custer County Office of Emergency Management said fire crews remained at the property Wednesday morning. Bishop Castle sits on Colorado 165 as traffic winds through the mountains of San Isabel National Forest. The stone and glass structure sits atop a hill in the Wet Mountains, attracting on summer weekends thousands of visitors. This story is developing. Check with gazette.com for updates. Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. A racist term for a Native American woman will be removed from nearly three dozen geographic features and place names on California lands, the state Natural Resources Agency announced Friday. California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022 signed a bill into law that bans use of the word squaw in future place names and ordered the agency rename all places that used the slur, including on streets, bridges, public buildings and cemeteries, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New names have been selected in consultation with Californias Native American tribes for over 30 locations in 15 counties. The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names will work to implement approved replacement names by Jan. 1. One example is in the city of West Sacramento, where local officials worked with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to develop two new street names to replace the slur. The name recommended by the Tribal Council of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is tebti, which is a word and blessing that translates to streams that flow together. With continued consultation, tribes can lead initiatives to eliminate such words from Californias public places, said Anthony Roberts, tribal chairman. A full list of new California names was not available Friday but will be made public shortly, the natural resources agency told The Associated Press in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assemblymember James C. Ramos, a Democrat from San Bernardino who became California's first Native American state lawmaker in 2018, authored the bill. He is a resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation and citizen of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe. In 2021, a popular Northern California ski resort changed its name to Palisades Tahoe as part of efforts nationally to address a history of colonialism and oppression against Native Americans and other people of color. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland also moved in 2021 to rename any geographic features or location names on federal lands that use the term, including dozens in California. Several Southern California teachers are facing disciplinary action after fervid anti-Trump outbursts made in the wake of the November election that rattled school communities and generated fierce debate over teachers' rights to share their political views. A Moreno Valley teacher was placed on leave this month after a racially charged, expletive-laden rant attacking Trump and his supporters. Meanwhile, two high school teachers, one in Chino and one in Cerritos, are under investigation for angry outbursts in response to students wearing MAGA gear in class. And a Beverly Hills High School substitute teacher said she was disciplined for her online posts criticizing President-elect Donald Trump and condemning the behavior of students at a MAGA rally on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each instance has its nuances, but they collectively raise the question: What are teachers' rights to express their political views? We went to 1st Amendment experts to find out. Generally speaking, K-12 teachers do not have a 1st Amendment right to share partisan speech in the classroom but are offered broad protections to do so online, said Peter Eliasberg, chief counsel for the ACLU of Southern California. If you add curse words and racially charged language on top of partisan classroom speech, teachers are even more likely to face discipline, he added. In the Moreno Valley incident, the high school teacher used the F-word, called Trump a rapist draft-dodging coward, blamed Black and brown men for Trump's victory and told students that a lot of Latino men including their fathers, uncles and grandfathers want to be white. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Moreno Valley Unified teacher's fate uncertain following anti-Trump rant in classroom "Clearly the teacher was acting inappropriately with respect to the students," said attorney Michael Overing, who teaches 1st Amendment rights at USC. "The language was inappropriate. The racist comments were inappropriate." At Chino High School, a teacher was recorded telling a student wearing a Trump hat that he was "voting for a freaking rapist" and calling Trump supporters "a bunch of losers" and "fake Christians." A spokesperson for the Chino Valley Unified School District said the matter was immediately investigated, but the district is unable to comment on potential discipline. Overing explained that there is a narrow set of circumstances in which teachers can express political opinions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, they are allowed to make an educational point by playing devil's advocate in a class debate on contemporary American politics. But, he said, if the political speech is not directly relevant to the subject at hand, or isn't expressed in a respectful, age-appropriate manner, schools probably have a right to restrict it. Talking politics is welcomed at Cerritos High School within certain parameters, according to a spokesperson for ABC Unified. Recently, a teacher at the school reportedly stormed out of a classroom because a student was wearing a Trump hat. The spokesperson said in a statement that the incident was under investigation but noted that teachers are encouraged to "use real-life issues, like the recent elections, to have meaningful and age-appropriate classroom discussions with students." The rules around political speech differ significantly when it comes to online posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eliasberg said public school teachers have strong 1st Amendment protections to share their political views online expletives and all. Private schools may have stricter requirements for teachers' off-campus conduct, but they are still subject to the California Labor Code, which states that it is illegal to fire an employee for their political behavior, he said. Problems, however, could arise if the online political posts call into question a teacher's ability to do their job, he said. "If they make certain statements that could have a very deleterious effect or be very disruptive in the class, then the district may have some ability to engage in discipline," Eliasberg said. "Part of a teacher's job is to be non-discriminatory on a variety of different bases: race, religion, sexual orientation and so on." In the case of Beverly Hills High School, the substitute teacher, who reported being disciplined and said she no longer works at the school, shared a wide variety of posts generally criticizing Trump. However, she also criticized students who participated in a MAGA rally and said they were harassing and intimidating minority students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Beverly Hills Unified Supt. Michael Bregy said the district could not comment on this specific incident but added that no employee was dismissed in the last month. He also said the district is committed to cultivating a culture of respect where differences are embraced, every perspective heard and all voices valued. About a dozen Black students expressed their concerns about the Beverly Hills High School MAGA rally, saying they were subjected to harassment and racial slurs at a recent school district Board of Trustees meeting. "If it's a general statement about something that happened at the school and the students' reaction, I think the district's on very shaky ground to have disciplined a teacher for doing that," Eliasberg said, referring to the Beverly Hills substitute's posts. Read more: No jumping. No shouting. Beverly Hills High issues new rules after students celebrate Trump win Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overing, on the other hand, said that because the Beverly Hills substitute teacher's online posts about the rally ignored the proper channels for disciplining students, she could have fallen afoul of district policy. "Schools have disciplinary boards to be consistent in punishment and to make sure the facts are investigated and that the true culprits are brought to answer," he said. "A teacher making comments 'out of school' is not following protocol." One area that's more clear-cut is the right to wear T-shirts or badges expressing political views in the classroom. Courts have upheld that schools have a right to ban teachers from engaging in such behavior, but they cannot extend this ban to students, according to the ACLU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Cerritos, the teacher who stormed out of the classroom criticized the school for allowing students, and not teachers, to wear political clothing in an email sent to students, Los Cerritos News reported. "It is not a neutral stance when one group is allowed to express their political views ... and the other side is silenced under threat of losing their job and/or being seriously reprimanded," she wrote. The teacher who had an angry outburst at Chino High School also shared frustrations about the differing rules for teacher versus student clothing. "If I can't wear a Harris [hat] you can't wear it," he said, referencing a student's Trump hat, according to a recording of the outburst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 1969 Supreme Court case Tinker vs. Des Moines, the court ruled in favor of students' 1st Amendment rights after students who planned to wear black armbands to protest the Vietnam War were threatened with suspension. This ruling established the precedent that public school officials can't censor student speech unless it substantially disrupts the educational process. Teachers remain under stricter standards, and courts have held that a school may discipline educators for wearing T-shirts or buttons with political messages or slogans, and for putting up political classroom decorations. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. (Reuters) - A court in Cambodia on Thursday sentenced activist Ny Nak to two years in prison for incitement and defamation, authorities and his lawyer said, the latest jailing of a dissident critical of the government. At least two dozen government critics, from environmental and labour activists to opposition politicians and journalists, were arrested in Cambodia in the first seven months of this year, a sharp increase on 2023, according to human rights monitor Licadho. Ny Nak was found guilty of criminal defamation and incitement to discriminate against the country's labour minister over a 2023 Facebook post in which he alleged the minister had unfairly been given forest land by the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister and government have both denied this. Ny Nak's lawyer, Chuong Chou Ngy, said his client would appeal the decision. "It's his expression of opinion, so the court conviction is not fair," he said. Ny Nak was jailed for 18 months in December 2020 on similar charges for a satirical video he posted on social media parodying a speech by former premier Hun Sen, whose son Hun Manet is now prime minister. Cambodia's government has been condemned by international human rights groups and the United States for imprisoning its detractors. It typically says it does not target its critics, only those who break the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about Ny Nak's conviction, government spokesman Pen Bonna said: "Expression of opinions are freedoms guaranteed by the constitution, but defamation and twisting the truth is illegal." (Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Christina Fincher) By Francesco Guarascio PHNOM PENH (Reuters) -At a ceremony in August, Cambodia's leader Hun Manet knelt to receive blessings from saffron-robed monks as fireworks and balloons heralded the breaking of ground for a canal he hopes will transform his country's economic fortunes. Addressing hundreds of people waving the Cambodian flag, Hun Manet said China would contribute 49% to the funding of the Funan Techo Canal that will link the Mekong River to the Gulf of Thailand and reduce Cambodia's shipping reliance on its neighbour Vietnam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cambodia's government estimates the strategic infrastructure project will cost $1.7 billion, nearly 4% of Cambodia's annual gross domestic product. But months later, China's financial contribution remains in doubt. Four people directly involved in the investment plans or briefed about them told Reuters Beijing has expressed misgivings about the project and has not made definitive commitments on its funding. "It is normal business practice for Chinese companies to assist Cambodia in exploring the construction of comprehensive water conservancy projects in accordance with market principles," China's foreign ministry said in an emailed statement to Reuters when asked about the canal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese ministry did not answer a direct question about the funding but said the two countries were "ironclad friends," a comment echoed by Hun Manet in late October. Cambodia's government declined requests for interviews, and its press officers did not reply in recent weeks to requests for comments about the canal's funding. After Reuters published this article, Cambodia's ministry for public works said late on Friday that the story and other media accounts of implementation problems with the canal were "not true" and were "without clear basis". "The working group on the project has been actively progressing by cooperating with national and international institutions, contrary to what is stated in the news," the ministry said in a statement. It did not mention China or say anything about funding for the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry and a government spokesperson did not immediately respond on Saturday to Reuters requests for clarification. China's lack of clear commitment could jeopardise the entire plan, given uncertainty over the project's costs, its environmental impact and financial viability, experts, officials and diplomats say. It also underscores how Beijing is drastically downsizing its overseas investments as its domestic economy struggles, even in countries it considers strategic partners, such as Cambodia. Once a prime example for Western-backed "nation-building" after the long civil war that followed the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime, Cambodia has in recent times been widely seen by diplomats and foreign policy experts as a Chinese client state, owing to Beijing more than one-third of its total state debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Chinese investment in the Southeast Asian nation is now plunging, after a series of unsuccessful infrastructure projects, amid concerns over criminal gangs targeting Chinese nationals, and dropping tourist numbers. DIFFERING NARRATIVES The 180-km (112-mile) canal would greatly expand an existing waterway and divert water from the fragile rice-growing Mekong Delta to the Gulf of Thailand, cutting Cambodian shipping through Vietnamese ports. In the months after the Cambodian government signed an "investment framework agreement" in October 2023 with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a state-owned construction company, Cambodian officials went public about China's financial involvement. The text of the deal is not public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Reuters in May, the minister in charge of the project, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, said CRBC would develop the canal and "totally" cover its costs, getting a multi-decade concession in return. But at the August groundbreaking, the prime minister put CRBC's share in the project at 49%, with the remainder covered by Cambodian companies. The same day, his father and Cambodia's decades-long leader Hun Sen posted a statement on Facebook calling on Japan to invest in the canal. China's official Xinhua News Agency did not mention any Chinese involvement in its report about the groundbreaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few days later, a communications officer for Sun Chanthol told Reuters that ownership for the canal's section to be developed together with CRBC remained "to be determined". When asked about Cambodian assertions that CRBC would have a 49% stake, an official for the company told Reuters in mid-October the figures circulating publicly were not definitive. "It's very complicated," said the official, who did not elaborate. CRBC and its parent company did not reply to requests for comment. One person directly involved in the investment plans told Reuters in early November there was no Chinese money on the table at that stage, confirming the account from another official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A source from one of the Cambodian investors in the project said it would not be a surprise if China did not invest in the canal at all. A fourth official briefed on the matter said China earlier this year had privately criticised Cambodian officials for announcing Chinese funding for the project that had not been decided. They all declined to be named because of the issue's sensitivity. More than three months after groundbreaking, the site of the ceremony on the bank of the Mekong laid abandoned, a Reuters reporter observed. CHINA INVESTMENT DOWN Dithering over the canal comes as Chinese official development assistance to Cambodia, including infrastructure funding, is falling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's disbursements to Cambodia are projected to drop to $35 million in 2026 from more than $420 million in 2021. There have been no new Chinese loans in the first half of this year, down from $567 million in 2022 and $302 million last year, according to Cambodian official data. Chinese funding for overseas projects is also falling elsewhere, but in Cambodia the impact "could be very pronounced," said Grace Stanhope of the Lowy Institute, a Sydney-based think tank. China is still building roads and other infrastructure but has pulled out from the construction of the new Phnom Penh airport, where it had initially committed $1.1 billion. That disengagement came as an expressway built by CRBC connecting Phnom Penh to the coastal city of Sihanoukville remained under-utilised by Cambodian motorists and truck drivers who to avoid tolls prefer the crowded but free old road, a Reuters reporter observed, confirming accounts from multiple Cambodia-based officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another recently completed Chinese-backed airport at Siem Reap to serve the UNESCO world heritage site of Angkor Wat "is very quiet," said Ou Virak, head of Cambodian think tank Future Forum, noting investors may face losses. Chinese private investment remains high, but multiple Phnom Penh-based diplomats and financial experts point to once large inflows of Chinese informal funds destined to the gambling industry and real estate sector having dried up. Chinese tourism, once a major source of income for Cambodia, has also struggled to recover from the COVID pandemic. That has coincided with a prolonged Chinese campaign warning tourists of risks linked to an online scams industry in Cambodia. As relations between China and Cambodia evolve, the canal project's fate and its sustainability remain uncertain. "With so many unknowns, it's no surprise to me that investors are getting cold feet on this project and have yet to show up with their money in hand," said Brian Eyler, an expert on the Mekong region at U.S.-based think tank Stimson Center. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio in Phnom Penh; Additional reporting by Liz Lee and Yukun Zhang in Beijing; Editing by David Crawshaw and Lincoln Feast.) CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) Although Thanksgiving is next week, its beginning to look a lot more like Christmas in Canfield. Workers have been preparing the Village Green with holiday decorations, including 65 Christmas trees. For the last 17 years, Canfield Rotary has sold sponsorships to cover the cost of the trees from Stepuc Tree Farm while also raising money for various projects the Rotary underwrites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, if we sell all our sponsorships, we can raise about, approximately $17,000. Over the years, weve raised approximately $300,000 for us to do different things, said Anthony Nacarato with the Canfield Rotary. Organizers plan to add lights to all the trees over the next week and to be finished before Thanksgiving. The community tree lighting is Saturday, Nov. 30. Its become a very popular event. It rivals the Youngstown lighting, Nacarato said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." When American troops withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, the world watched in horror as the Taliban swiftly issued an alarming series of decrees targeting the rights, autonomy, and general wellbeing of women and girls. Global outrage rightfully ensued, with news outlets, corporations, and outlets like this one drawing attention to the growing humanitarian crisis. Yet, as time passed, the media spotlight fadedand with it, much of the worlds attention. A new documentary, Bread & Roses, which premiers on Apple TV+ on November 22, seeks to reignite global awareness and outrage by offering a firsthand look at the daily realities of a network of Afghan women in Kabul who are fighting for basic freedoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the Taliban's return to power, more than 70 gender-specific decrees have been issued. Women have been barred from public spaces, prohibited from studying at universities, and working, while girls have been banned from attending secondary school or taking university entrance exams. Women and girls must be accompanied by a male relative if traveling more than 77 kilometers (roughly 50 miles) from home, although they still face harassment, interrogation, and worse at checkpoints that are well within that range. The most recent blow: Womens voices are not to be heard outside of the home, a literal silencing. Women have gone missing, been tortured, beaten in public, and brutally murdered for violating these decreesor sometimes for nothing at all. Courtesy of AppleTV+ Bread & Roses was directed by award-winning Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani, who left Kabul just weeks before it fell to the Taliban, and produced by Jennifer Lawrence and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai. It predominantly features footage from Zahra, a dentist who organizes activists from her office; Sharifa, a former government worker who cant bear the isolation of staying at home and decides to join the fight; and Taranom, who ultimately flees to a safe house in Pakistan, only for her location to be compromised. Together, the women protest in public spaces, demanding bread, education, and freedom, and meet behind closed doors to plan their next demonstration and retain some semblance of a social life. They endure verbal threats, physical attacks, and getting tear gassed in the face, and are left terrorized by the abduction and subsequent torture of one of their friends. Participating in the film isnt just a radical act of bravery for these women, but an urgent cry for their voices and stories to be heard. Harper's Bazaar spoke with Mani, Lawrence, and Yousafzai ahead of the film's release. Jennifer, I read that you were galvanized to set the documentary in motion after seeing on the news that Kabul had fallen to the Taliban. How did you know to call Sahra and how did you two work together to figure out the approach to the documentary? Jennifer Lawrence: I wanted to make a movie because I wanted to make something permanent. You watch these horrors on the news and know that it's just going to be a part of the 24-hour news cycle and that it's going to be so easy for people to move on with their lives and forget about what's happening in Afghanistan. We wanted to find an Afghan filmmaker, and Sahra's documentary A Thousand Girls Like Me led us to her. My producing partner [Justine Ciarrocchi] reached out to Sahra, who deleted her email a couple of times thinking it was spam. And then we finally made contact. And when we did, Sahra was already collecting footage from women in Kabul. Sahra, you left Kabul a little under a month before it fell. How were you able find a network of women there who were willing to film themselves? Sahra Mani: I already knew them. Some of them were very old friends and some of them I knew through working with charities there that provide women with urgent supplies. They had already started filming themselves; we didnt ask them to do it. These women went to Kabul Street on the very first day that the Taliban took power and started demonstrating against them, asking for their rights. They were filming themselves and each other and how they organized their demonstrations. They started sending me videos and I started making archives of them. When Jennifer expressed her willingness to support this project, we built a team on the ground [in Kabul], we found a cameraman and camerawoman, trained them how to film in a safe way, and then started working seriously on this project. Some of the situations in this film feel so fraught. How did those who were filming gain access to them? SM: If I wanted to make this film now, today, it would be impossible. The Taliban has [since] imposed more decrees against women, and being a filmmaker in Afghanistan is considered criminal. No artists are able to work, no musicians. Nobody can express any artistic view. I was very lucky that Jennifer reached me at the right time. Otherwise, we wouldn't have this movie right now. Courtesy of AppleTV+ A few things stick out to me about how the film was put together. One is that the story around Americas withdrawal isn't really centered. And, while violence is alluded to, and certainly some atrocious moments of violence are shown, that's not the main focus; the coming together of women is. Was that intentional? Malala Yousafzai: Its really important that we give women the camera and platform to tell their stories from their perspective. Afghan women's activists and human rights experts are calling the situation in Afghanistan a gender apartheid. In this documentary, I dont think the history and background [surrounding the fall of Kabul] could be covered, but all of us are capable of doing that research ourselves. We could look at the last four decades or the last four years regarding how different countries and different powers have played a role [in what happened]they should be held accountable for that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for me, the conversation now is more about the future. What can we do now? We have seen enough of what the Taliban are and how they treat women. There's no such thing as a better Taliban, a good Taliban. They [have become] even more extreme in their views. I think it's time that we do everything in our capacity to ensure that relationships with the Taliban are not normalized, that women are in conversations where decisions about their future are made, and that gender apartheid is [codified in the UNs proposed] Crimes Against Humanity Treaty in order to hopefully bring real accountability against the Taliban for the crimes that they're committing. Courtesy of AppleTV+ Amidst all the heartbreak and the horror that this film captures, there are many moments of levity and resilience. We see children, both boys and girls, holding up signs protesting the Taliban at home and singing and wanting to be part of the movement. We see women leading underground schools to keep girls educated. How important was it to also show their tenacity and moments of joy in this film? JL: Obviously, there is no shortage of barbaric footage in our movie. There's a woman being beaten on the street and nobody does anything. Sahra, who received an influx of footage, still had to pick and choose what went in and who to follow because some stories were just too hardpeople wouldn't want to watch the movie or talk about it. So that was a big part of why our protagonists are who they are. MY: Its really important to see that while the reality is really harsh for Afghan women, they remain resilient and brave and strong, and they keep fighting for their rights. Because for them, it is so difficult to imagine a life where, after working so hard to get an education, a job, they are suddenly sitting idle at home. And where every movement and everything they do, how they dress, how they speak is controlled by this extremist group of men who somehow believe that they are so virtuous that they can determine a woman's life. These women have no other choice but to go out on the streets and demonstrate or figure out ways in which they can keep themselves busy and hope that things will change for them. And if not for them, maybe things will change for the next generation of Afghan women and girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a spark of hope that maybe soon, maybe within months, maybe within years, the Taliban will no longer be in power. Women are working hard to learn in secret and to keep supporting each other so that they are ready to take their country forward. They will be the next leaders and active members of the Afghan society. Women have proven in the past, and will prove once again, that they are the hope for Afghanistan. It will not move forward if half the population is held back. You Might Also Like MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) A vehicle crashed into an Ascend Federal Credit Union Thursday morning in Murfreesboro, officials said. According to Murfreesboro Fire Rescue, crews were sent to the bank in the 3200 block of Memorial Boulevard on Thursday, Nov. 21 to respond to the crash. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County Although there were no injuries reported, the building did sustain damage, officials said. Courtesy: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Courtesy: Murfreesboro Fire Rescue On Thursday morning, crews worked to evaluate the structural integrity of the building. Murfreesboro building codes also responded to the scene to inspect the structure, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional details were released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Police have found a vehicle that was believed to be driven by a man wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a mother and her infant child in Hartford on Tuesday, but the armed and dangerous suspect remained on the loose as of Thursday. Authorities discovered the Infiniti Q70 unoccupied and canceled the be on the lookout that had been issued for it after investigators developed information suggesting 23-year-old Lance Morales could be driving it, according to Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police Department. Morales, who also goes by Macho, of Waterbury is wanted in connection with the killing of 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado of Springfield, Massachusetts, and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, according to Boisvert. The two were gunned down in a vehicle parked in the area of 380 New Britain Ave. around 2:47 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boisvert said investigators believe Morales, from his own vehicle, pulled alongside the victims and opened fire. The shooting is believed to have stemmed from a personal dispute over a vehicle that occurred partly in Waterbury and Hartford. The relationship between the shooter and the victims has been described as acquaintances. The driver of the victims vehicle was not hit by gunfire and immediately drove to Hartford Hospital afterward. Mercado and Diaz were pronounced dead at the hospital. A fourth person in the vehicle, a man in his 20s, suffered a gunshot wound that was not considered life-threatening. Hartford police on Wednesday obtained a warrant for Morales arrest on two counts of murder and a single count each of murder with special circumstances, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree assault and criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault. At an afternoon press briefing after securing the warrant, Boisvert said Morales is believed to have access to multiple vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boisvert also said Morales is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who spots him should not approach him and is urged to call 911. Morales will be held on a $3 million bond once he is apprehended. He is being sought by multiple law enforcement agencies in connection with the double homicide. Police are still investigating the shooting and have asked anyone with information to contact the Hartford Police Department Tip Line at 860-722-TIPS (8477). SAN DIEGO (Border Report) Two brothers died and their mother remains hospitalized as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning inside their apartment this week in Tijuana. Tijuanas Fire Department says the two boys, a 5-month-old and a 4-year-old were killed by a faulty water heater. People often have the water heaters inside their small homes and theres not enough ventilation, and when they start to release the carbon monoxide it cuts off the oxygen levels, said Jose Luis Jimenez Gonzalez, director of Tijuanas Civil Protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US ambassador to Mexico ponders borders economic future under Trump A day before the brothers died, a man, a woman and their dog were also killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in Tijuana. During the last 12 months, six people have died and 31 have been hospitalized due to carbon monoxide. Jimenez Gonzalez said water heaters have to be placed outside homes, something some residents and landlords ignore with lethal consequences. Some people also put them on their porch, but when they close the doors and windows for security reasons, it creates a lack of ventilation with no place for the gases and fumes to escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border The head of Tijuanas civil protection also says gas-wall heaters can also malfunction emitting carbon monoxide. He suggests people have their heaters serviced to insure the systems are working properly. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Colorado Springs Police Department is seeking information on a suspect it says hit an El Paso County sheriff's deputy with a stolen vehicle in September. The CSPD said in a statement that the deputy found a stolen vehicle near Brant Road and Expedition Drive in unincorporated El Paso County around 9 a.m. on Sept. 6. The driver of the car fled, and the deputy pursued. According to police, the deputy then tried to make contact with the vehicle again near Windmill Mesa Park. The vehicle fled again, hitting the deputy. Police said the deputy suffered "serious bodily injury" in the incident and fired at least one round from his firearm without appearing to hit the suspect. The vehicle, a 2015 blue Mazda CX5 with no license plates, was later found unoccupied. The suspect has not been identified. The CSPD has provided surveillance photos a person they say may be the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact the CSPD at 719-444-7000. People can call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line anonymously at 719-634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477. (Bloomberg) -- Muddy Waters Capitals Chief Executive Officer Carson Block expects more rhetoric against short sellers during Donald Trumps administration. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview Thursday with Bloomberg Televisions Francine Lacqua, Block said the populist playbooks of Elon Musk and Trump are now aligned, and both have blamed short sellers in the past for declines of Tesla Inc. and Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. shares. Weve already had some rhetoric, we might have some more anti-short seller rhetoric, he said, while noting that he doesnt think Trump and Musk believe short sellers are responsible for their company stocks falling. Block, 47, has built a formidable reputation betting against companies such as Sino-Forest Corp., which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2012 within months of his allegations of asset exaggeration. Back in July, he said that its easy to demonize short sellers as part of the populist message, despite the increasing market need for them. On Wednesday, he said hes shorting the shares of Oakland, California-based cosmetics brand Elf Beauty Inc., alleging that it overstated revenues in recent quarters and that a build-up in the companys inventory was due to lackluster sales. The company issued a statement Thursday saying Muddy Waters had made numerous inaccurate statements and it was confident in its financial results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Muddy Waters Carson Block Says Hes Short Elf Beauty Shares Muddy Waters has built up at least four new short positions in the past 12 months, according to publicly available statements and research on its website. Looking ahead, Block said Republican administrations generally tend to be lighter on enforcement, but expressed doubts about whether the next president will roll back a number of regulations. It is a question as to who is going to head the SEC, he said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. When a man who called himself Luis Miguel Martinez moved into a $1.2-million home in an exclusive Riverside neighborhood in 2023, he brought standard luxuries. Parked outside were luxury cars, including a BMW and another car with Mexican license plates. But after his arrest this week by federal authorities, neighbors learned that Martinez was allegedly an alias. His real name, investigators say, is Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa, and he is a son-in-law of the reputed Mexican drug lord known as El Mencho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutierrez-Ochoa, a high-ranking member of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, or CJNG, went missing in Mexico in December 2023, reportedly murdered for lying to his wife's father, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes. Federal authorities arrested the purported dead man in Riverside on Tuesday, charging Gutierrez-Ochoa with international drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. Court records do not indicate whether he has retained a lawyer or entered a plea in response to the charges. "The Jalisco Cartel one of the worlds most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations is weaker today because of the tenacious efforts of law enforcement to track down and arrest a cartel leader who allegedly faked his own death and assumed a false identity to evade justice and live a life of luxury in California," Deputy Atty. Gen. Lisa Monaco said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutierrez-Ochoa, 37, allegedly began working for the CJNG around 2014, and later married El Mencho's youngest daughter, identified in court records as a U.S. citizen who owns a coffee shop in Riverside. According to court documents, Gutierrez-Ochoa coordinated shipments of approximately 40 metric tons of meth and 2,000 kilograms of cocaine in Mexico, all destined for the United States. He also used violence to further drug trafficking and money laundering activities, prosecutors charge. Gutierrez-Ochoa allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy around November 2021 in an attempt to secure the release of his mother-in-law, El Menchos wife, who had been arrested by Mexican authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on an arrest warrant tied to that kidnapping, the Mexican government in September 2022 issued an Interpol Red Notice seeking the detention of Gutierrez-Ochoa. A DEA confidential source later reported that Gutierrez-Ochoa had gone missing, murdered by his father-in-law. Authorities suspect El Mencho assisted Gutierrez-Ochoa by spreading the rumor in the scheme to fake his own death. The Justice Department previously returned an indictment against El Mencho in April 2022, charging him with leading a continuing criminal enterprise to manufacture and distribute fentanyl for importation into the U.S., according to the Department of Justice. There's a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest. The cartel leader remains a fugitive. Read more: Trial of reputed Mexican cartel leader's son offers cautionary tale for 'narco juniors' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same year of Gutierrez-Ochoa's disapperance, a company named Pasion Azul, a purported tequila manufacturer and suspected money laundering front for the cartel, paid $1.2 million in cash for a luxury residence in an exclusive neighborhood of Riverside, according to an affidavit from Kyle Mori of the DEAs Los Angeles office. Mori said he interviewed the escrow agent, real estate agent and seller of the home, who called the circumstances of the purchase suspicious. The prior owner of the house said she believed the purchasers were "drug dealers" from Mexico. In October 2024, the DEA in L.A. learned of an Interpol notice seeking the detention of Gutierrez-Ochoa. The Department of Homeland Security compared known photographs of Gutierrez-Ochoa and found they matched that of Martinez, according to the affidavit. The department utilized facial recognition software and found that Gutierrez-Ochoa and Martinez were the same person, Mori stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As DEA agents attempted to conduct surveillance of Gutierrez-Ochoa, Mori said, he began employing counter-surveillance techniques and later began following an agent. Authorities arrested him Nov. 19. If convicted as charged, Gutierrez-Ochoa faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison on the drug distribution conspiracy charge. Prior to Gutierrez-Ochoa there has been a long history of Mexican kingpins faking death to avoid capture, with El Mencho himself rumored killed on several occasions. In 2020, amid reports that the CJNG boss had died or was suffering chronic kidney problems, Mexico's president and the DEA spoke out publicly to say he was still alive and on the run. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Nov. 20CARTHAGE, Mo. A Carthage physician who was inducted into the Hall of Carthage Heroes as a Citizen of Distinction played a role in American and Japanese military history as World War II ended in 1945. Dr. Charles Harlow Isbell was inducted during a ceremony Saturday at the Fair Acres Family Y, where the plaques for all inductees are displayed. His granddaughter, Amy Grimes, said the family still has heirlooms from the time in 1945 when Isbell, then a U.S. Army captain in the only American hospital in Japan immediately after the war, operated on and saved the live of the former Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, who was the leader of Japan when it attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isbell served in the Army for 39 months with the 98th Evacuation Hospital in the Pacific Theater. The last four of those months, the 98th was the only American hospital in Japan when Tojo shot himself Sept. 11, 1945, after Japan's formal surrender to the Allies. "Tojo was taken to the 98th for treatment," the biography on Isbell's plaque explains. "While there, Dr. Isbell was awoken from sleep to operate on Tojo. He was instrumental in saving the warlord to appear before the bar of justice." Isbell was given a sword from the Tojo family for saving his life. Tojo was later convicted of war crimes and hanged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biography continues with statements from Isbell's commanding officer and others. "Dr. Isbell's commanding officers have said, 'Captain Charles Isbell was one of the most competent and most dependable of the unit. Excellent judgment and he operated on more of our serious cases,'" the plaque says. "And 'This officer is an outstanding surgeon. The best-qualified man in general surgery in this unit.'" Isbell was discharged from the Army soon after the war ended and he returned home to take up his practice in Carthage where he stayed until his retirement. He died of a heart attack in 1979 and is buried in Park Cemetery. The biography notes a number of achievements during his career including serving as chief of staff at McCune-Brooks Hospital in Carthage and as a member of Grace Episcopal Church and a number of statewide and national medical associations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dr. Isbell was known for his quick wit, delightful sense of humor, gentle presence, and amazing bedside manner," the biography says. "He was available to his patients day or night. He was an advocate for mothers getting up to move around after childbirth rather than laying in bed and he was a huge proponent of car seats for children." Grimes, who accepted the plaque Saturday, said her grandfather was an amazing man. "I wish you all could have met my grandfather," she said. "He was a heck of a guy." Bren Flanigan, president of the Carthage Hall of Heroes oversight committee, said Isbell delivered him and his siblings as babies at McCune-Brooks Hospital. "If you look around, he probably delivered half a dozen other people in here," Flanigan said. "He was very well known, well respected, and this is well deserved." ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) With their push to end smoking in Atlantic City's casinos going nowhere fast in either the courts or the state Legislature, casino workers and supporters of smoke-free gambling halls demonstrated Thursday outside a hotel where New Jersey's governor was due to speak. The workers have been pushing for four years to end an exemption in New Jersey's clean air law that allows smoking inside the nine casinos. They say they or their co-workers are becoming ill with cancer, heart disease and other conditions related to exposure to second-hand smoke. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, has said he will sign a bill to end casino smoking once it reaches his desk. But he has invested little political capital in pushing for it to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His office referred a reporter to a statement he made in a call-in show in September on News 12 New Jersey in which the governor questioned why workers are blaming him for the impasse. I have an enormous amount of sympathy with them; theyre somehow blaming this on me, Murphy said on the show. I just want to repeat what I have been saying for about five years: If a bill comes to my desk that bans smoking in casinos in Atlantic City, I will sign it. Period. I am not equivocating, and I have not equivocated about that. The way to solve this is through legislation." A bill to end casino smoking has been stalled in the state Legislature for years without the state's Democratic leadership allowing it to progress to full votes in the Senate and Assembly. And a lawsuit brought by the worker s in April is working its way slowly through the legal system; a judge refused to grant an order in August that would have ended smoking in the gambling halls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stalemate added to the frustration of casino workers who say they want the same workplace protections that virtually every other worker in New Jersey receives. It's horrible when you have three, four, five people blowing smoke in your face, said Sandy Smolen, a dealer at the Borgata casino for the past five years and a 40-year veteran of the industry. You can't get away from it. You go home with a cough you didn't have that morning. Elaine Rose, a frequent casino patron, voiced similar sentiments. As a player, I've walked into a casino, played a couple hours, and walked out with a bad case of bronchitis, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether to ban smoking is one of the most controversial issues not only in Atlantic City casinos, but in other states where workers have expressed concern about secondhand smoke. They are waging similar campaigns in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Virginia. The Atlantic City casino industry opposes a ban, fearing the loss of significant revenue and jobs if smokers stop coming to Atlantic City and take their business elsewhere. But opponents say casinos in several parts of the country have successfully gone smoke-free without losing business. A competing bill that would keep the current 25% limit of the casino floor on which smoking can occur, but impose other limits is also bottled up in the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That measure would allow smoking in unenclosed areas of the casino floor that contain slot machines and are designated as smoking areas that are more than 15 feet (4.6 meters) away from table games staffed by live dealers. It also would allow the casinos to offer smoking in enclosed, separately ventilated smoking rooms with the proviso that no worker can be assigned to work in such a room against their will. Ricky Foster, a supervisor-dealer at the Borgata for 21 years, said the frustration among workers is palpable. We're tired of doing Go Fund Me accounts for people's cancer and heart conditions, and they never smoked a day in their life, he said. ___ Follow Wayne Parry on X at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC Nov. 20MORGANTOWN Catholic Charities West Virginia has been tapped to run a winter warming shelter in the former Hope Hill Sobering Center space on the ground floor of Hazel's House of Hope. Funding for the additional space will be provided in the form of $40, 000 each from Morgantown City Council and the Monongalia County Commission. Both bodies approved the funding during their respective meetings on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgantown issued a request for proposals for the operation of the shelter in June, but received no responses. Catholic Charities, which has since taken over operation of the former Bartlett House triage shelter in HHH, was the lone proposal this time around. The shelter will have two staff members on site per shift and operate daily from 8 p.m.-8 a.m. starting Dec. 15 and running through March 15. According to the stipulations set by the selection committee, priority will be given to unsheltered individuals from Monongalia County. Those using the shelter must already be registered with the Homeless Management Information System or get registered as a condition of entry. Shelter occupancy will be determined by the fire marshal's office though it's been indicated the shelter will be able to take in 22 people. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma CDL drivers with reported drug or alcohol violations will now face an automatic license downgrade under a new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule (FMCSA). According to FMCSA, the automatic drug rule is in effect starting November 18, 2024. If you have a prohibited status in the FMCSA CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, CDL holders will lose your commercial driving privileges. Under the new rule, commercial vehicle drivers with violations in the FMCSAs Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse will have their Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) downgraded by State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) as part of the Clearinghouse-II rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FMCSA says, drivers will be prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle until the return-to-duty (RTD) process is completed. According to a recent FMCSA reporting shows, 178,839 CDL/CLP holders are listed in Prohibited Status in the Clearinghouse as of October 1, 2024. Of these, 136,224 have not yet begun the RTD process. How Do I Check My Clearinghouse Status? Drivers may check their own status in the FMCSAs Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse to see if they are listed as Prohibited at no cost. The link to register or log in with a Login.gov account is here. If you do not have a Login.gov account, you can click here to view an FMCSA guide on how to create one. What Is The Return-To-Duty Process? For the drivers facing a downgrade, the RTD process must be completed in order to achieve the Not-Prohibited Status that will allow SLDAs to reinstate commercial driving privileges. See below for a guide from the FMCSA on the steps needed to complete the RTD process. Select a Substance Abuse Professional Your employer is required to provide you with a list of DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs). You select your SAP based on your own research. Your designated SAP will evaluate you and provide recommendations for education/treatment. Your SAP will determine if you have successfully completed the education/treatment, therefore making you eligible for your return-to-duty test. Take the return-to-duty test You must be sent by your employer; only DOT-regulated employers, and not the employee, request the return-to- duty test. If you are an owner-operator, your designated consortium/third-party administrator (C/TPA) must send you for this test. Once your Clearinghouse status is not prohibited, you are eligible to resume performing safety- sensitive functions. Your status will be updated when your employer enters your negative return-to-duty test result in the Clearinghouse. To remain in a not prohibited status, your employer must complete the follow-up testing plan with you as specified by the SAP, which must include a minimum of six unannounced follow-up tests in the first 12 months of returning to performing safety-sensitive functions. If you are an owner-operator, your designated C/TPA must complete your follow-up testing plan. Information about your drug and alcohol program violation is retained in the Clearinghouse for five years from the date of the violation determination or until the successful completion of the follow-up testing plan, whichever is later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To check your Clearinghouse record and, if needed, start the return-to-duty process, click here for more information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. (COLORADO SPRINGS) The Colorado Medical Board has ordered two clinics in town to shut down due to allegedly performing unlicensed medicine. The owner of Apex Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, Heather Copeland was served on Tuesday, Oct. 22 for practicing medicine without the required license, according to a cease-and-desist letter FOX21 News received from the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. The Medical Board found that Apex Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation was not owned by a licensed medical provider, and Copeland was never licensed to practice medicine in Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the letter, since around Jan. 1, Copeland engaged in the unlicensed practice of medicine and provided services such as pain management, including offering and providing ketamine and platelet-rich plasma, to the public. Apex had two clinics in the area, one in Fountain on Falling Star Road and another in Colorado Springs on Carefree Circle. According to the El Paso County Court Docket, Copeland is set to appear in court on Monday, Nov. 25 for a FED hearing on an eviction case according to the El Paso County Court. FOX21 News tried to reach out to Copeland, however, Apexs website was down and the phone number listed next to their Google profile is no longer in service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. New Delhi reported severe levels of air pollution this week. Smog has led to school closures, a ban on construction, and flight disruptions. Titus Koshy, CEO of United Consultancy Services Group, told BI his employees struggle to commute. Air pollution in India's capital, New Delhi, has become so severe that some people are struggling to commute to work. Titus Koshy, CEO of United Consultancy Services Group which has more than 150 employees, told Business Insider that the toxic smog engulfing the city had made it difficult for his staff to come into the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's so much confusion. People can't reach the office, public transport is not accessible, it's very disruptive and we've had to work from home," he said. Koshy added that some of his employees had complained about sore throats and viral infections over the past few weeks. On Monday, the Air Quality Index in New Delhi was over 1,500, the BBC said, or 15 times the level the World Health Organization (WHO) deems satisfactory for breathing. According to IQ Air, it improved to 186 on Thursday, a level still classed as "unhealthy." The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers anything over 300 as "hazardous" to health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Delhi's Chief Minister announced on X that schools would be shut and classes would be shifting online. Construction has also been banned in the city and some flights have been disrupted. "These construction laborers are not going to be paid by anybody," said Koshy. "They didn't even let someone come in and install a geyser in my house. These workers will be impacted more than anyone else, what do they do?" Delhi and the surrounding areas are home to offices of several multinational companies, including JP Morgan, KPMG, Cisco, and Mondelez International. Shubham Gupta, a consultant at KPMG, told BI that he tries to work from home as much as possible, but his company mandates in-office work at least two to three days a week. He wears an N-95 mask on those days, and relies on the office air purifier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sometimes it hits my mind that I should leave Delhi, but after all, our livelihood is there, so how can we leave?" he said. KPMG India said its teams can exercise the flexibility for remote working in consultation with their managers and based on their client commitments. "All have been advised to travel to/from NCR/Delhi only if it's business critical," a spokesperson said in a statement. "Employee well-being continues to be our topmost priority and we will adapt ourselves as the situation evolves." Smog in the city is worse during the post-monsoon winter months, especially when it is combined with the annual Diwali festival, dust storms, and mass burning of crop residue from neighboring states. A 2019 study by the World Bank estimated the global cost of health damages associated with exposure to air pollution to be $8.1 trillion. Read the original article on Business Insider Donald Trumps return to power is creating a reality television-like competition for attention among a group of black-robed candidates some of whom may hope to one day wind up on the Supreme Court. Several possible contenders for one of the coveted nine seats on the high court have been burnishing their conservative bona fides in public statements, combative court opinions and public champagne toasts an effort that could prove useful if an opening materializes during Trumps second term in office. For a president-elect who has named provocative fighters to Cabinet positions, appearing as an outspoken and punchy jurist is likely smart strategy, even though some of Trumps critics see it as an unseemly auditioning that breaks with tradition, especially without an actual vacancy to fill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Circuit Judge Andrew Oldham drew attention recently for condemning political prosecutions days after Trumps reelection. Oldham did not mention Trump by name nor special counsel Jack Smiths criminal cases against him but the context of the remarks was hard to miss. One thing that is beyond reasonable debate is that people should not be prosecuted on the basis of their politics or on their status as a political candidate, Oldham declared at a convention of lawyers in Washington, DC, organized by the conservative Federalist Society. Oldham, who Trump named to the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in 2018, slammed prosecutions lodged in the middle of political campaigns and told the conference that opposing such efforts demanded rock-ribbed defense. Early jockeying underscores the potential significance of a second Trump term on the federal judiciary, and the Supreme Court specifically. If Trump is able to name one or two younger justices in a second term, it would lock in for decades the conservative supermajority he built in his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the judges Trump put on the courts of appeals have been openly campaigning for the Supreme Court, said Jake Faleschini, justice program director at the liberal Alliance for Justice. This is not the sort of thing weve seen consistently in the past, Faleschini said, noting that past potential candidates sought to limit public stances to avoid giving critics something to use against them at confirmation hearings. Were in a different world. At the same Federalist Society convention where Oldham spoke earlier this month, US Circuit Judge Neomi Rao raised a glass of champagne along with others on her panel to celebrate the Supreme Courts rulings earlier this year weakening the power of federal agencies. Days earlier, US Circuit Judge James Ho another Trump 5th Circuit appointee appeared to qualify his position defending birthright citizenship a subtle turn that brought him more in line with Trumps own views on that issue. In an interview with a conservative law professor, Ho said the citizenship principle doesnt apply in cases of war or invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birthright citizenship obviously doesnt apply in case of war or invasion, Ho told the professor. No one to my knowledge has ever argued that the children of invading aliens are entitled to birthright citizenship. Ho who was an outspoken jurist long before Trumps reelection framed his remarks as consistent with his past positions. In an opinion this summer dealing with Texas construction of a floating barrier on the Rio Grande, Ho wrote that Texas should have prevailed in the case because the state was repelling an invasion of migrants. A sovereign isnt a sovereign if it cant defend itself against invasion, he wrote. Ho, Oldham and Rao are all in their late 40s to early 50s, meaning they could serve as justices for decades if chosen and confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After naming three justices to the Supreme Court Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett its not clear if Trump will have more opportunities to shape the bench in a second term. Retirement speculation has centered on two of the courts stalwart and veteran conservatives, Justice Clarence Thomas, 76, and Justice Samuel Alito, 74. People close to Alito recently told the Wall Street Journal he has no plans to step down. Multiple sources told CNN that Trumps transition is not actively vetting candidates for the Supreme Court, though they stressed that could change quickly. CNN has reached out to Oldham, Ho and Thapar for comment. A source close to Ho pushed back on the notion that the judge is gunning for a Supreme Court nomination, telling CNN that the judge may not want to move his family to the nations capital. Culture war judges If Trumps Cabinet picks are any indication, he may be looking for judicial candidates who are strident conservatives more in line with Thomas and Alito than his own first-term nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is going to be looking for what I think some people call fearless judges those who are not afraid to stake out their position and defend it and in theory take the criticism, said John P. Collins Jr., a professor at the George Washington University Law School. Trumps picks during his first term all fit the mold of establishment legal conservatives, Collins said. Now, theyre looking for more culture war-type conservatives. Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel at the conservative First Liberty Institute, pushed back on the notion that the judges themselves are seeking to gain Trumps attention. Instead, he said, influential judicial conservatives are likely being asked to appear more on podcasts and in forums rather than seeking the attention themselves. People want to hear from the most productive and influential voices in all professions, Sasser said. I predict that based on past statements from President Trump, he is looking for judicial courage someone who applies the law and even though the New York Times comes after them, that judge gets up the next morning and does it again, and again, and again. I doubt he or his team are looking for a schmoozer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the judges are engaged in a hand-raising effort, then there are signs it has paid off in the past. Then-Judge Gorsuch drew considerable attention in 2016 by writing a concurring opinion to his own majority opinion on the 10th Circuit in which he eviscerated the notion of giving federal agencies deference to approve regulations in the face of vague laws. The view aligned neatly with Trumps own position on limiting the power and size of government. Theres an elephant in the room with us today, Gorsuch wrote of so-called Chevron deference months before the 2016 election. Maybe the time has come to face the behemoth. The Supreme Court ultimately overturned Chevron deference with Gorsuch in the majority in a blockbuster decision earlier this year, leading to the Federalist Society toast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another jurist often mentioned as a possible Supreme Court candidate, US Circuit Judge Amul Thapar, recently used a Heritage Foundation event to rail against law schools for not teaching originalism, a legal doctrine favored by the conservative justices to decide everything from abortion to gun cases. Thapar, who Trump named to the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017, called American law schools amiss and accused them of malpractice for not more forcefully embracing the conservative doctrine, which relies on defining the words of the Constitution as the framers would have understood them. Thapar, 55, said that universities that failed on that front should face consequences in their funding. If that is not their priority, then taxpayers should take note and demand change, Thapar said. Every one of us, including the taxpayers, should be demanding that law schools hire professors who are committed to educating people about what the Constitution means, not what the professors wish it meant. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com HONOLULU (KHON2) For artist and illustrator Solomon Enos, a passion for community art projects is deeply rooted in his childhood. Growing up in Hawaii, Ive always been part of community-building projects, he said. Its in my DNA. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Now, with the State Capitol Pools art project, Enos is not just giving the people of Hawaii a chance to contribute to a grand artistic vision. Hes turning their participation into something permanent that will last for generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enos, who is currently serving as the artist in residence at the Hawaiis state art museum, is working on what will soon be one of the largest contemporary art installations in the history of Hawaii. The Capitol Pools project involves transforming the area behind the House and Senate chambers at the State Capitol, a space once occupied by deteriorating water features, into a walkable glass surface. This installation addresses both an environmental and aesthetic concern and will become a lasting monument to the collective contribution of the people of Hawaii. This project celebrates a little bit of individuality and our collective community, Enos said. Each mark that someone adds is like a drop of water to an ocean. Its small, but when you look at it as a whole, its something much larger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Capitol Pools art installation was inspired by an ongoing issue: the deteriorating state of the pools that were originally installed in 1969. What was once a freshwater feature has become increasingly brackish over the years, and its causing significant water damage to the State Capitol building. Rather than simply fill in the pools and forget about the space, Enos, in collaboration with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, has designed a solution that transforms the area into a massive, permanent art installation that tells the story of the people of Hawaii. The installation will feature large glass surfaces that will be laid out to form a unique and intricate design. Its a design that incorporates thousands of small contributions from individuals across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an opportunity for people to leave their mark, literally. What they paint today will be part of a larger design that will be on display for future generations, Enos explained. Since the project began in August 2024, Enos has worked tirelessly to involve the community. He has traveled across the islands, from Kona to Kahului, gathering marks from residents eager to participate. I want this project to feel inclusive, he said. Im here to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to contribute, whether theyre young or old, from urban Honolulu or the more rural parts of Hawaii. In a project as large as this, community engagement is key, Enos said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This project has made me like a conductor in an orchestra, but the community brings the music, he said, as he emphasized the collaborative nature of the project. While the design itself is the product of Enoss vision, the publics involvement is what will truly bring it to life. People can stop by the Capitol Modern to make their mark on the project. Enos has set up his space in the POD (Passion on Display) gallery or the Multi-Purpose Room on the ground floor of the Capitol Modern building. From Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., visitors are welcome to participate until Nov. 30. While some might think that a project of this scale would be a logistical nightmare, Enos has taken steps to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He acknowledges that this installation is no small feat. The glass will be fabricated in Germany, and the final installation of the project is not expected until the fall of 2027. Once this is all in place, its going to be permanent, Enos said. This will be a lasting legacy of the people who contributed their marks. The design will be scaled up and printed on glass panels to ensure that the artwork will withstand the test of time. These panels will last for thousands of years, he added. Whats more, the final design wont just be a static display of painted glass. Enos is working with lighting experts to add interactive elements to the installation. Elements such as projections and special effects that will make the installation a sight to behold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal is to create an immersive experience that engages visitors in a fun and dynamic way. There will be moments of light and play, but were also respecting the seriousness of the space. The State Capitol is the seat of government here in Hawaii, so this artwork needs to reflect that solemnity, while also celebrating community, he explained. In addition to its artistic significance, the Capitol Pools project also has cultural weight. Enos drew inspiration from the Native Hawaiian tradition of building loko ia, or fishponds, which were community-driven projects in which individuals came together to contribute small efforts toward a much larger collective goal. Its about creating something bigger than yourself, Enos said. Just like the loko ia, this project celebrates how the contributions of many individuals can come together to create something that benefits everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those interested in participating, the opportunity remains open until the end of the month. After Nov. 30, Enos will finalize the design and begin the process of scaling the art up for its permanent installation. The finished piece will be unveiled, and the Capitol Pools art installation will be fully integrated into the historic site. People and their families from across Hawaii will be able to return and reflect on the marks they made for generations to come. I want people to feel like theyve been part of something important, Enos said. This project is more than just art. Its about building community and creating something that will endure long after were gone. Enos is already thinking ahead as he imagines how the art installation could evolve into an augmented reality experience that will enhancing the interactive elements of the installation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its about future-proofing, he explained. We want this to be something that continues to grow and adapt as technology advances. As the public continues to contribute to the Capitol Pools project, they are helping to turn what was once an eyesore into a stunning and meaningful artwork that will be cherished for generations. The design that Enos is creating will stand as a testament to the power of community and the lasting impact of art. For Enos, this project is a culmination of his artistic journey and his commitment to giving back to the community. Ive always believed that art is a way to connect people, he said. This project is about bringing people together to create something beautiful, something that will endure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can click here to learn more. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 With just days left to participate, Enos invites everyone to stop by the Capitol Modern and leave their mark. It doesnt take long to add your touch to the mural, he said. But the impact will last forever. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Those hoping to get an early start on weekend travel, beware. The Colorado Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that northbound Interstate 25 will be closed overnight near the Southern Colorado city of Walsenburg, about 40 miles from the New Mexico border. CDOT officials say the closure will allow crews to shift traffic over the CO Highway 10 Bridge, under construction as part of the Walsenburg Bridge Replacement Project. The closure will be in affect from 5 p.m. Thursday through 11 a.m. Friday. Starting Friday, northbound traffic will be down to one lane from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, and during working hours the week of Nov. 24. The detour, estimated by CDOT at about 8 minutes, takes travelers through Walsenburg via Main Street. Officials encourage planning for delays and alternate routes. (WHTM) Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed a law that will update Pennsylvanias Lemon Law to cover motorcycles. Previously the Lemon Law was designed to protect consumers who purchased a defective car. Now the law covers motorcycles and dual sport motorcycles that are driven off-road. S.B. 155 had been introduced by State Senator Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Lawrence/Mercer). State Representative Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny), who had proposed similar legislation in the house, praised lawmakers who helped pass the updated law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consumers should never be left out to dry if they purchase a defective product whether its a car, motorcycle, or any other good on the market, said Pisciottano, D-Allegheny. Under this new law, motorcycle manufacturers will now be required to repair any major defects that occur within the first 12,000 miles or first year of ownership. Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here If the manufacturer fails to repair or correct the issue after a reasonable number of attempts then the owner can receive a replacement that is comparable and of equal value, or a refund. The updated law will take effect in six months. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Some local kids gain insight into how local news operates this week. Wednesday was National Teach-In Day, so Channel 9s Martha Sugalski and Tom Terry visited schools in Orlando to talk with students. It is all part of American Education Week, which is being observed all week long. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) Charges have been dismissed in a Boardman shooting case. The case against Edwin Garcia, 27, was dismissed in a Boardman court earlier this week. According to an entry filed in court, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the case as it was determined that Garcia fired the gun in self-defense. The dismissal comes after the man who was shot, 41-year-old Nathan Fair, was convicted of a charge in the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fair received a sentence of 12 months of reporting probation earlier this month after pleading guilty to a charge of attempted criminal damaging. The two men had been charged after an investigation of a shooting on Oakridge Drive on Oct. 11. The report states that Fair told investigators he was at the home of his girlfriend and that they had argued over breaking up when Garcia shot him in the leg and left in a vehicle before officers arrived. Police tried to view surveillance video of the incident but discovered that there were no recordings and that the cables to the camera at the home had been cut. Officers then found a pair of wirecutters, a screwdriver, a container of motor oil, and a funnel under a vehicle parked in the driveway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fairs ex-girlfriend told police that Fair had previously slashed her tires and had been stalking her so she got a protection order against him, the report stated. Police said Fair had not been served a copy of the protection order so it was not active. She told police that she and Garcia were inside when they noticed someone in the driveway behind Garcias vehicle. Garcia went outside to check, and Fair jumped out from behind the car, she told police. She said Fair started yelling at them, and that is when Garcia fired a shot at Fair and then drove away, according to the report. When questioned about what had happened at the home, police said Fair denied damaging vehicles but he said, I think I did that when asked about cutting a wire for the security cameras. He then told the officer that he was going there to do some dumb s**t, the report stated. Fair also told police that he parked his vehicle at an unknown apartment complex and walked about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the womans home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) A woman has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter for selling fentanyl-laced drugs which led to the death of 42-year-old April Raices. District Attorney Shalena Jones held a joint press conference Wednesday with the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) to send a message to drug dealers. We are coming after you. You will not traffic and distribute illegal drugs in this county, Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones and Michael Sarhatt, CNT director, say they are diligently working to investigate and prosecute fentanyl overdose deaths. We are actively bumping fentanyl investigations to the top of the list, Sarhatt said. Savannah Police releases now-viral body camera footage from 2022 murder response These strong statements follow the Nov. 15, 2024 conviction of Tracy Agin, who sold a controlled substance to Raices, who later died of an overdose in June 2021. Its the first conviction in Chatham County of someone who sold fentanyl-laced drugs to another and it led to their death. CNT currently has 86 open overdose death cases from 2023. There have been 46 so far this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarahatt and Jones say overdose deaths are the hardest cases to investigate and even harder to prosecute since they have so much data and technology to process. Another obstacle they have to follow the trail of distribution. We want to get the distributors and those people responsible for bringing these drugs into our community, Jones said. They say they learned from this trial and expect more convictions in the future. Their first fight, however, is making sure the community is educated about these deadly drugs. I would love to say that this conviction is a victory, but its not because it resulted in a homicide, Jones said. If anything, it is a lesson from our perspective that even one overdose death caused by fentanyl or any other kind of drug is one too many in this county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones said she believes there are more fentanyl overdose cases in the county than they are aware of they just arent reported. She asks anyone with knowledge of incidents like this to call her office or CNT. Tracy Agin will be sentenced on Dec. 6, 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Savannah Copeland was found dead in October, leading to the arrest of Malakiah Lamar Harris, per police GoFundMe; Powell MAC Cheerleading/Facebook Savannah Copeland Savannah Copeland Authorities in Tennessee are investigating the killing of a 13-year-old cheerleader who was found on a dirt road in October. Savannah Copeland was found slain on Oct. 22 on a dirt walking trail in Knox County, Tenn., the local sheriffs office said in a statement at the time. She was not named in the statement, but was identified in a GoFundMe set up by her family, her schools cheerleading team, an online obituary and several news outlets that spoke with her family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested 15-year-old Malakiah Lamar Harris in connection with her death, and charged him with second-degree murder, per the statement. Harris appeared in court this week as prosecutors announced they plan to try him as an adult, per 6 News and 10 News. A judge has set Jan. 14 as the date for that hearing, per 6 News. Powell MAC Cheerleading/Facebook Savannah Copeland Savannah Copeland The victims father, Michael Copeland, told 8 WVLT that Savannah had been missing for several hours before her body was found. He had grown concerned when she reportedly disappeared from her house overnight and was not in contact with him, he said. He then tracked her using cell phone information and found her body in the woods, per the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A petition released by a Knox County court on Oct. 24 alleges Harris met Savannah around midnight on Oct. 22 when he stabbed her multiple times using a pocketknife, per 6 News and 10 News. He then allegedly left the scene without notifying anyone, per the petition. It wasn't immediately clear how the two might have known each other. I think it was a lack of compassion and a lack of empathy that drove the hand that took my daughters life, Michael told 8 WVLT. He says he wants the juvenile suspect to be tried as an adult. GoFundMe Savannah Copeland Savannah Copeland 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. Savannah, a cheerleader with Powell MAC Cheerleading, is now being mourned by friends and family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was a talented student who loved scary movies and excelled in gymnastics, karate and cheerleading, part of her obituary reads. She aspired to study forensic anthropology in college. "Her beautiful smile lit up the room," read another part of the obituary. Her father described her to 8 WVLT as a teen with "spunkiness, eagerness, and kind of a go getter attitude," PEOPLE was not able to immediately reach Harris' attorney. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) As Thanksgiving approaches, the Chesapeake Health Department is informing residents of how to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy throughout this holiday season. While dishes like macaroni and cheese, yams and collard greens are being passed around the dinner table, no one will want any respiratory illnesses like the flu getting passed too. Health officials are urging everyone to get vaccinated against respiratory viruses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staying up to date on your vaccinations is one of the best ways to prevent severe respiratory illness, says Dr. Nancy Welch, Director, Chesapeake Health Department. If you havent already been vaccinated against respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV this season, do it as soon as possible ahead of the holidays. It is recommended anyone 6 months or older get vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu, according to health officials. If you are pregnant, a parent of a newborn or 60-74 years old with a health condition, it is advised to speak with your healthcare provider about whether the RSV vaccine is the right choice for you. Other prevention steps people can take to stay healthy include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staying home when sick Washing your hands frequently with soap and water Covering coughs and sneezes One of the most powerful things you can do if you become ill is to avoid public spaces, including your place of employment. Staying away from others when we are symptomatic will protect those around us, especially those who may be medically vulnerable. Dr. Welch said. Simple prevention steps like washing your hands frequently and covering coughs and sneezes can also go a long way. For more information on how to stay healthy during the holiday season, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. CHICAGO Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been trumpeting his police departments homicide clearance rate of nearly 54%, the highest level in recent years. But a deeper dive into the data shows only a fraction of those solved murder cases have resulted in an actual arrest or charges, WGN Investigates has found. Most notably, police closed 117 homicide cases this year due to whats called bar to prosecute. Simply put, it means police believe they identified the killer, but prosecutors would not approve charges. If police included only cases closed by arrest, this years homicide clearance rate would be 23 percent, according to police data, reviewed by WGN Investigates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our detectives job has always been difficult, said Antoinette Ursitti, Chicago Police Chief of Detectives. Its difficult work they do. The number of cases closed by bar to prosecute has steadily increased over the last decade, from a low of 23 in 2016. In recent years, the total annual number of bar to prosecute cases has consistently numbered more than 100, aside from when it dipped to 86 in 2022. Eugene Roy, retired Chicago Police Chief of Detectives, said he believes a main reason for the spike is that under Kim Foxx, the Cook County States Attorneys office has set an often-unreachable standard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud The detectives are going above and beyond, he said. Its the states attorneys office thats being reluctant to charge. But Ursitti didnt point the finger at prosecutors. And whats more, she said police are not closing cases too soon, or without doing all they can to solve them. Were going to do everything we can to go back until we either have gotten what they need or understand we have given all the information we can, she said. A spokeswoman for Foxx didnt respond to requests for comment. But in a recent interview with WGN, Foxx said, I think my critics are people who have been accustomed to doing things the same way and expect a different result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Nearly 300 thousand kids in the Chicago area rely on subsidized meal programs through school. That covers breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday. But its the weekend where many are forced to go without. But an organization is working to change that. Since the pandemic, the non-profit, Blessings in a Backpack has doubled down to help the 1 in 7 children who face food scarcity. They do it by packing up bags of food that are distributed to kids every Friday as they leave school for the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But pulling that off takes lots of donations and volunteers. More information at Blessings in a Backpacks website One such volunteer group is a gathering of students from Walter Payton Prep in Chicago. They call themselves Team Sweetness. The two dozen kids are on a mission to make sure other kids dont go hungry over the weekend. They raise the money to purchase and hand off enough food for 60 kids every Friday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. GENEVA (Reuters) - The head of the World Health Organization said on social media platform X on Thursday he had been discharged from a hospital in Rio de Janeiro after being admitted overnight. "I felt unwell yesterday afternoon and was admitted to Samaritano Barra Hospital in Rio, but I was discharged this morning and am back to work," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Tedros, 59, suffers from hypertension. He was in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 summit where he met with U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders, advocating for strengthened global cooperation in health emergencies. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Madeline Chambers) BEIJING (Reuters) - China's defence ministry blamed the United States' stance on Taiwan for its minister not meeting his U.S. counterpart during a gathering this week in Laos. Defence Minister Dong Jun turned down the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's request to meet during a gathering of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense ministers, U.S. officials said on Wednesday. "The U.S. side cannot undermine China's core interests on the Taiwan issue while engaging with the Chinese military as if nothing is wrong," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remarks raised questions over whether only a change in U.S. policy towards the island can restore military-to-military talks at the defense minister level between the two countries. The failure to meet is "entirely the responsibility" of the U.S., the Chinese spokesperson said. The spokesperson also urged the U.S. to "immediately correct its mistakes" and strive to create favourable conditions for high-level military exchanges between the two sides. China views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim that Taiwan's government rejects. The U.S. is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic recognition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin told reporters on Wednesday that the fact his Chinese counterpart declined to meet did not have any implications for the future. "I just think that it's something that they chose to do at this point in time and only they can explain why they chose to not take advantage of a good opportunity," he added. Austin met China's defense minister on the sidelines of a Singapore conference earlier this year, reiterating their differences on Taiwan and other issues but emphasizing the need to keep military-to-military communications open. (Reporting by Beijing Newsroom and Phil Stewart; Editing by Jan Harvey and Frances Kerry) BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Myanmar's law enforcement agencies have "wiped out" all large-scale telecom fraud centres operating in northern Myanmar, Chinese state media reported on Thursday, after an operation at the weekend saw more than 700 arrested. China launched a campaign last year to combat telecom fraud in Myanmar following a surge in crimes targeting Chinese citizens. Since then, more than 53,000 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in frauds have been arrested, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing China's Ministry of Public Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 17, authorities arrested 763 Chinese suspects in Tangyan, in northern Myanmar, including 69 fugitives, Xinhua reported, adding that the suspects and relevant evidence had been handed over to China. "Under the intensified crackdown and deterrence, fraud perpetrators have continuously relocated deeper into Myanmar, moving to areas such as Wan Hai, Tangyan, and Myawaddy," Xinhua said. "Public security authorities will continue to maintain a high-pressure crackdown on cross-border telecom fraud ... Intensify efforts to strengthen law enforcement collaboration, resolutely eradicating the 'cancer' of telecom fraud," the report cited an official from the ministry as saying. More than 100,000 people engaged in telecom fraud each day in at least 1,000 scam centres in Myanmar, Chinese state media reported last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's Premier Li Qiang, in a meeting with Myanmar junta leader earlier this month, called for joint efforts to combat cross-border crimes, including online gambling and telecom fraud. (Reporting by Ethan Wang and Liz Lee; Editing by Alex Richardson) BEIJING (Reuters) - China is willing to maintain communication with relevant parties and to jointly safeguard the security of international submarine infrastructure, its foreign ministry said on Thursday. Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked about a Chinese ship in Danish waters, and Finland and Sweden's investigation into the two severed fibre-optic data telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea. Lin said he was not aware of the details of the ship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Danish military said on Wednesday that it was staying close to Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 currently sitting idle in a strait between Denmark and Sweden, but did not mention the cable breaches or say why it was staying with the ship. (Reporting by Ethan Wang and Liz Lee; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) This is an adapted excerpt from the Nov. 20 episode of "All In with Chris Hayes." The Republican Party and the American political right have had, for multiple decades now, a project: make Americans hate and distrust their government. Republicans then use the hate and distrust they have sown as cover to break the government, wherever possible, and campaign on the failures of that broken system. Its been, unfortunately, a pretty successful project. So, on a certain level, it's no real surprise that Americans are skeptical of the federal government and its bureaucracies but, the thing is, our government actually really matters in so many ways, big and small. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It matters that we have scientists and researchers at the National Weather Service or the National Hurricane Center. It matters that we have people who are competent at modeling hurricanes and can actually alert people when to get out of the way of disaster and how to minimize their risks. It matters that we have sufficient food inspectors to ensure safety standards are being met in the plants that provide our meat, vegetables and fruits. It matters that we have inspectors who are able to track down a salmonella outbreak, isolate the source and oversee a recall whenever it is necessary. You need hundreds of thousands of professional civil servants to keep the country running, no matter who controls Congress or the Oval Office. The places where many Americans see this the most concretely and obviously are defense and intelligence. So, what could happen when this establishment is purged and taken over by a corrupt and feckless chief executive? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, we actually have a recent example of a Republican administration that came to power with an open contempt for federal civil servants in general, and for the national security apparatus in particular. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, George W. Bushs Cabinet, led by then-Vice President Dick Cheney and then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, politicized the U.S. intelligence apparatus and basically took it over with the goal of cooking up a pretext to go to war with Iraq. A big tool the Bush administration used is called stovepiping, which means creating new groups with names like the Office of Special Plans and filling them with political appointees who would directly contact intelligence officers. These appointees would press the officers for any raw information they could spin into a case for war and send up to the White House. It was something career intelligence officials knew was specious, even as it was presented to the international community by then-Secretary of State Colin Powell. And we all know how that turned out: The U.S. began its war with Iraq, one of the most colossal catastrophes in recent history. That was a product of a Republican administration that was hostile to the career civil servants in the security establishment and was determined to bring them to heel, to make them loyal to the president above all else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you look beyond the U.S., theres another recent example of why competence matters in intelligence affairs: Israel. Right now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a man who has been indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, is attempting to kick away the last remaining checks on his power in the liberal democracy through a judicial reform bill. In the meantime, he has committed, above all else, to an ideological project of military domination over the Palestinian territories. However, Netanyahu somehow managed not to see the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks coming, the worst attack on Israeli civilians in history. This is despite the fact army and intelligence officials flagged multiple warning signs of the plot, and despite the fact that Netanyahu and his far-right political allies have been running around for a generation saying that they are the only ones who can keep Israel safe. That is why it matters that elected officials do not politicize intelligence and do not work to deconstruct it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump has promised to target the U.S. national security establishment in his second term, people he calls the deep state operatives, and to do it, he is leaning on a group of appointees whom even Republicans are challenging as morally and professionally unfit for high office. Theres Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick for defense secretary, overseeing the largest organization in America, with nearly 3 million employees. Just a few weeks ago, Hegseth was a Fox News host and has no experience leading an organization anywhere near that big or complex. Hes a guy who admitted to paying off a woman who has accused him of sexual assault. (Hegseth, who was not charged, denies the allegation and says they had consensual sex.) Hes also a guy who as, a National Guard officer, was pulled from a detail protecting President Joe Bidens inauguration after a fellow soldier flagged Hegseth as a possible insider threat over a tattoo on his arm that is associated with white supremacist groups. Heidi Beirich, a co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, told The Associated Press that several of Hegseth's tattoos have symbols that have been adopted by some far-right groups and violent extremists but said their meaning depends on context. Hegseth has called the controversy over his tattoo an example of "anti-Christian bigotry." Then there is Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick to be director of national intelligence despite having a history of appearing to parrot the talking points of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. For example, Gabbard posted a video in 2022 claiming the existence of U.S.-funded biolabs across Ukraine. As NBC News reported, the Ukrainian government, the U.S. government and independent researchers have all said there is no evidence for the claim, which originated from Moscow. And in 2017, Gabbard said she was "skeptical" that Assad's regime was behind a deadly chemical weapons attack in Syria, contrary to U.S. intelligence findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These appointees are either of low character or unqualified to oversee the American national security apparatus or both. But they are loyal to Trump and thats what the president-elect cares about. So far, the Trump transition team has not signed the required agreements to allow the FBI to screen his nominees. Its a process put in place to avoid hiring government officials who are vulnerable to being blackmailed or enticed into working for foreign intelligence agents. Ive lived through two recent examples of right-wing governments that essentially were at war with their own civil service, particularly in the intelligence agencies, leading to genuine national security catastrophes as a result. That stuff matters a tremendous amount, as does whether our intelligence apparatus is functioning correctly. The MAGA party is announcing that it wants to break all these functions and go to war with the people who uphold them. And I dont know whats going to happen but, if recent history tells us anything, I dont think its going to be good. Allison Detzel contributed. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com WASHINGTON Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) reached a late-night deal with Republicans on Wednesday to speed up the process for voting on some of President Joe Bidens remaining judicial nominees, while agreeing not to hold votes on others. The agreement cut by Schumer, independent Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.), and some Republicans means Schumer is teeing up votes on nine of Bidens district court nominees and planning to confirm all of them when the Senate returns from Thanksgiving. GOP senators agreed not to impose delays on the process for these nine nominees. Schumer plans to hold votes on more of the presidents court picks, not part of this deal, once those nine are done. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday reported out five additional district court nominees, and another two are slated to get hearings in December. All will likely get confirmation votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If everything goes as planned, Schumer will push through as many as 16 of Bidens judges in the coming weeks. The president could then leave office having confirmed a total of 236 lifetime federal judges, surpassing former President Donald Trumps massive number of 234 lifetime federal judges in his first term. However, in exchange for the GOP clearing the path for nine district court nominees, Schumer agreed not to try to confirm any of Bidens remaining nominees to appeals courts, which are more powerful seats. There are four appeals court nominees ready for Senate votes, but they havent moved in months and face stronger opposition from Republicans. Schumers office said that Wednesdays bipartisan deal allowed Democrats to focus their energy on nominations where they were set up to win, and that the appeals court picks didnt have the votes to prevail anyway. The trade was four circuit nominees all lacking the votes to get confirmed for more than triple the number of additional judges moving forward, a Schumer spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens appeals court picks whose nominations are now officially dead because of this deal are Adeel Mangi, nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit; Karla Campbell, nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit; Julia Lipez, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit; and Ryan Park, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. This agreement is not sitting well with progressive judicial advocacy groups. Any deal that would result in President Bidens four remaining circuit court nominees being denied a vote is categorically unacceptable, Maggie Jo Buchanan, managing director of Demand Justice, said in a statement. These are critical seats that have real impacts on everyday Americans we cannot allow Trump to fill them with radical extremists. If Democratic Senators are already rolling over this easily while they still have power, we are in for trouble when Trump actually assumes office, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abandoning efforts to confirm pending Circuit Court nominees is unacceptable, Svante Myrick, president of People For the American Way, said in a statement. Each of these nominees will protect peoples fundamental rights exactly the opposite of Trumps present and future judges. And as appeals court judges, they would have significantly more impact on justice for all, compared with trial court judges. Lena Zwarensteyn, senior director of the fair courts program at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, also denounced the judge deal. When senators return from the holiday break, Leader Schumer and senators must do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to confirm every single pending judicial nominee, including all circuit court nominees, to provide an important guardrail for our democracy, Zwarensteyn said. A White House spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) cut a deal with Republicans to speed up votes on some of President Joe Biden's judicial nominees and to refrain from holding votes on others. AP Schumer has been aggressively confirming Bidens judges in the lame-duck period, to the point where Republicans are complaining about some of their GOP colleagues being absent for all these votes, thereby making it easier for Democrats to rack up wins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the Republican senators whos been missing for these votes is Vice President-elect JD Vance. Hes still an Ohio senator, but he tweeted on Tuesday that hes too busy to pitch in with Senate business because hes doing more important things, like helping Trump pick a new FBI director. As it turned out, Vance screwed up by revealing this, since he inadvertently confirmed that Trump is planning to fire current FBI Director Chris Wray when he takes office. Vance also seemed to incur Trumps indirect wrath for not being in the Senate to try to slow Democrats rapid-fire confirmations of Bidens judges. The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door, the president-elect bellowed on social media Tuesday. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day! Hours later, Vance was back in the Senate, voting against one of Bidens nominees to an Oregon federal court. And his tweet was deleted. Related... TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Circle K Fuel Day is back at all locations that sell gas in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 21. Customers can get 40 cents off every gallon of gas between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. According to Circle K, 97 gas stations in the Tampa Bay area are taking part in the event. Circle K has been in the convenience retailing industry for more than 60 years and has stores around the world. To find the closest Circle K, visit their website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. If your car is in need of gas before hitting the road for Thanksgiving this weekend, Circle K has a special deal that can help save some money. The convenience store chain's Fuel Day special on Thursday, Nov. 21 offers a discount of 40 cents per gallon from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The company stated in a press release that this discount applies to all types of gas and will be reflected directly at the pump. More than 5,000 Circle K locations across the U.S. are participating in the Fuel Day promotion. To see if your local Circle K location is offering this deal, check the website at circlek.com/fuelday. Customers in line before 7 p.m. will receive the 40 cents off discount while supplies last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are hundreds of Circle K convince stores in Texas. See our maps of major Texas cities below to find a Circle K near you. How many people are expected to travel this holiday season? According to AAA, more than 70 million people are driving to their holiday destinations. That's 1.3 million more than last year and more than 2019 pre-pandemic Thanksgiving travel numbers of 70.6 million, AAA says. Circle K locations in Austin Circle K locations in Dallas Circle K locations in Houston Circle K locations in El Paso Circle K locations in San Antonio -USA TODAY Network contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Circle K Fuel Day 2024: Get 40 cents off all types of gas in Texas UNION COUNTY Judge Wes Williams has retired from the bench early in Union and Wallowa counties in order to prepare for his return to private practice. Originally elected as a judge in the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in 2018, Williams began his term in January 2019. Following his bid for reelection in 2024 which he lost to La Grande attorney Jared Boyd during the May primary Williams announced his plan to return to private practice. Were hoping to have everything set up and ready to go by Jan. 1, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams explained that following his announcement, he had a number of private clients and legal firms reach out who wanted to retain his services. Some of these were time-sensitive matters, he said, which necessitated his early retirement. In his retirement letter to Gov. Tina Kotek, Williams indicated that he would not apply to be a senior judge, according to a press release from the 10th Judicial District. (Upon retiring from the bench, some judges choose to continue working as senior judges. For the next five years, they work 30 days annually to provide assistance where needed throughout the state. They do not receive a salary for this work, but gain additional retirement benefits.) Williams early retirement went into effect Oct. 31 coming just two months before his elected term was set to expire at the end of December. The Oregon Judicial Department has provided assistance with covering the docket in Williams former courtroom by scheduling visiting and senior judges until Boyd is sworn in at the beginning of 2025, according to Trial Court Administrator Michelle Leonard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that the advent of the holiday season typically means a lighter workload for the courts, but the 10th Judicial District still needs someone available in case of emergencies. Salem has generously provided us judges, Leonard said. Williams said that as a judge he enjoyed being a patient, calming presence in the courtroom. He recognized that being in court can be a stressful, sometimes even traumatic, experience for people, so he sought to be a judge who listened carefully and really understood what the litigants on both sides were going through. He added that he will miss listening to people share their stories in court as well as the great legal arguments presented by the lawyers on both sides of cases in Union and Wallowa counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he is excited to return to private practice and plans to give back to the community in that capacity. Its my true vocation. I just love it. Its not a job to me, Williams said. I think a lawyer, especially in a small community like ours, has an obligation to help the community. Workers remove a lead service line before its replaced by a brass one in Providence, R.I., last year. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. This story was originally published by Stateline, 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) From Winter Wonderland to summer travel, more than a million people pass through Falls Parks each year. Now, the popular park is part of a larger designated downtown area. Falls Park is the namesake of our city, and as it has changed over time, Falls Park has too, Sioux Falls Officer of Communications and Culture Allie Hartzler said. On Wednesday, the City of Sioux Falls announced the launch of The Falls, the new branding for a cluster of attractions in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the park, The Falls includes the Levitt Shell, the River Greenway, Lloyd Landing, and Jacobson Plaza. We want to make sure residents can easily find and discover all the awesome things our downtown parks have to offer, Hartzler said. Lawmakers expect another fight over CO2 pipelines The new branding comes with new signs and light pole banners. This logo embodies the heart of our city, our waterfalls, Hartzler said. The new branding comes as the city invites the public to an open house Thursday for the Falls Park Master Plan. The plan is aimed at guiding development in the area for the next 30-50 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to create a world-class signature park that attracts visitors from afar and remains a local beloved destination, Sioux Falls Park Development Manager Mike Patten said. The open house is Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Startup Sioux Falls. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. There are major changes on the way for the largest homeless shelter in Dayton. News Center 7s John Bedell spoke to St. Vincent de Paul leaders about the difficult decision it had to make about the Gettysburg Gateway for Men shelter, For as long as the St. Vincent de Paul Society has been in Dayton, nearly 100 years, theyve served the homeless. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They opened the Gettysburg shelter for men 15 years ago this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has always been room at the inn for anyone whos homeless. Always room for shelter, food, and clothing, Michael Vanderburgh, executive director, St. Vincent de Paul Society said. The view from Sky7 shows the largest homeless shelter in Dayton. TRENDING STORIES: Its the metaphorical inn where there will soon be major changes. Its tough. The difficult decision we had to make was to decide to cease operating the Gettysburg shelter for men on June 30 of 2025, Vanderburgh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision was financial. Weve experienced both great inflationary pressures and the disappearance of extraordinary government funding to help us through the pandemic, Vanderburgh said. He said the move directly impacts 30 employees and 250 men who are sheltered every night. The City of Dayton owns the building and St. Vincent de Paul said it will work with the city and Montgomery County to possibly find another provider for the facility. Over the next seven months, Vanderburgh said theyll have community meetings to talk about whats next. He said the St. Vincent de Paul Society will still be there for people in need in Dayton just in a different way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Vincent has always been there in everyones memory and we always will be there going forward. But we have to serve differently, Vanderburgh said. St. Vincent de Paul will still operate its women and families shelter in Dayton and continue serving homeless men at the DePaul Center downtown. The City of Dayton released a statement that said in part they will work diligently with all partners to make sure theres a seamless transition and uninterrupted services for the men who depend on this shelter. You can read the entire statement from the City of Dayton below. The City of Dayton was officially notified this week by St. Vincent de Paul that its board has decided to stop operating the Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men, effective June 30, 2025. The shelter is located at 1921 S. Gettysburg Ave. "I am deeply disappointed with St. Vincent de Pauls decision to no longer operate at the Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men," said Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims, Jr. "The City will work diligently with all partners to ensure a seamless transition and uninterrupted services for the men who depend on this shelter. Our commitment to supporting vulnerable populations remains steadfast, as ensuring the well-being and stability of our community is our top priority." Over the past several months, the City of Dayton has collaborated with Montgomery County and St. Vincent de Paul leadership to identify potential solutions to prevent this decision. Neither the City nor the County has reduced funding for shelter operations. From 2016-2024, the City provided over $3 million dollars of its emergency shelter grant to St. Vincent de Paul and an additional $3 million of its one time federal COVID relief fund for addressing homelessness. The City also offered to bring in independent consultants to review the current funding structure and program model to explore alternative options. "The City of Dayton is unwavering in its commitment to providing emergency shelter services 24/7, 365 days a year," said Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein. "We are working closely with Montgomery County and the Dayton-Kettering-Montgomery County Continuum of Care to ensure a smooth transition between providers at the Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men, with no interruption in services for those who depend on this critical support. Additionally, there will be no changes in services or providers at the Women and Families Shelter." The City owns the Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men property and has leased the facility to County Corp since 2009. County Corp subsequently subleases the space to St. Vincent de Paul for shelter operations. This leasing arrangement will continue with a new provider, to be selected through an open and competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montgomery County officials sent News Center 7 the following statement on Friday; Montgomery County is dedicated to ensuring emergency shelter services are available for single men in our community. St. Vincent de Paul leadership notified Montgomery County this week of their formal decision to discontinue operations of the Gettysburg Gateway Shelter for Men, effective June 30, 2025. Since 2020, Montgomery County has provided more than $20 million in funding for the operations of the two emergency shelters and capital improvements, this includes $12.8 million in COVID-relief funding to ensure the safety net of emergency shelters remained in place as we responded to the global pandemic. Annually, Montgomery Countys support of the St. Vincent de Paul shelter operations from the Human Services Levy totals over $1.3 million. Homelessness is not just a word; it's a stark reality that many in our community face every day. Today, we are deeply disappointed with St. Vincent de Pauls decision to close the Gateway Shelter, which has been a critical resource for men since 2009, said Montgomery County Commissioner and Homeless Solutions Policy Board Member Carolyn Rice. No one should have to sleep on the street. Montgomery County remains committed to ensuring emergency shelter services are available for single men. Montgomery County stands resolute in our collaboration with the city of Dayton to identify a new shelter operator to provide for a smooth transition for clients through an open Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Once a new shelter operator is identified, Montgomery Countys support for emergency shelter services will continue to protect the most vulnerable among us. These men are our fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, friends and neighbors, each with a unique story that deserves to be acknowledged and a chance to reclaim their dignity and stable housing through compassion, support and access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives, said Paul Dorsten, Homeless Solutions Policy Board, Co-Chair. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- City of Odessa Parks and Recreation Director, Max Reyes, was arrested on a warrant Thursday after an employee in his department made an outcry alleging sexual misconduct. Hes been charged with one count of Official Oppression. Last week, the City of Odessa confirmed that Reyes had been placed on administrative leave. This came after an employee of Reyes filed a complaint and asked the Odessa Police Department to look into the matter. The employee, whose name is being withheld for her own safety, said Reyes approached her earlier this year when she worked for another department within the City and asked her to transfer to his department because he needed a beautiful employee who would be good to him. The employee said Reyes asked her to come in for an interview around 6:30 a.m. when the rest of City Hall was empty and dark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employee spoke with Big 2 News and said she immediately felt uncomfortable and later decided she did not want to transfer but felt pressured to do so. Amid several uncomfortable conversations with Reyes, the young woman said that Reyes told her in no uncertain terms that he was friends with the City Manager and that any complaint she had would fall on deaf ears. The employee said during her time working with Reyes, he touched her inappropriately and told her she owed him a favor. The young lady filed a criminal complaint with OPD in October but was initially hesitant to file a complaint with the City for fear she would lose her job. After filing a complaint with human resources, the woman said she was placed on paid leave by former City Manager John Beckmeyer pending an investigation into Reyes actions. Shes not yet been permitted to return to work. Reyes was booked into the Ector County Law Enforcement Center early Thursday morning; his bond has been set at $1,500. Weve reached out to the City for more information and will update this story as more details become available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. (COLORADO SPRINGS) A significant increase in violent crimes committed by minors in Colorado Springs has elected officials looking for answers. They are looking toward legislative changes, or new laws as a possible solution. One thing city leaders can agree on is that its a complex issue that requires complex answers. The Colorado Springs Police Department says since 2021, theres been a 59% increase in young people suspected of violent crimes. On Wednesday, judges, law enforcement, political figures, and more all met to try and reduce that number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is alarming, said Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez, When you see [kids], [and] he or she looks like they should be eating ice cream or something like that, and they have a gun in their hand, and theyre committing these crimes, its just unfortunate. Its appalling that weve weve come to this. The police chief says that kids as young as 10 years old are suspected of committing violent crimes in Colorado Springs. City leaders call it a crisis and say something has to be done. Some point to criminal justice reforms as the problem, and say theres no more accountability or consequences for minors. Others point to the economy, and say these kids need money or a job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Either way, one report estimates that crimes committed by minors cost people in the state more than $3 billion yearly. I would say that the community solutions that were talked about in the room, are really critical. Its not just enforcement. Its not just diversion programs. Its not just bed space. We cant forget any one piece, said Chief Vasquez, Its going to take every single one of those pieces to make us successful. City officials say there have been 43 smash-and-grabs in Colorado Springs this year. While many of those cases are still under investigation, the Colorado Springs Police Department believes most of them have been committed by minors. The mayor says this is not the end of this conversation, but only the beginning. The city plans to continue working with community groups and politicians to address these numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. NEW YORK The City University of New York is convening a task force on free speech amid pushback over its response to protests critical of Israel, Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez announced during this years State of the University address Wednesday. The working group is tasked with developing a systemwide policy across its 25 campuses to submit to the CUNY board of trustees for approval. Spokespersons could not say when the recommendations are due or who will sit on the committee. What has also become clear over the past year is the tension that can sometimes arise between our zero tolerance for hate and bigotry of any kind, our need for safe and orderly operation of our campuses, and our commitment to the free exchange of ideas, Matos Rodriguez said at City Tech in Downtown Brooklyn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, I am announcing that we will be convening a Freedom of Expression Working Group, he continued, that reflects the purpose and nature of a university and considers the appropriate balance of interests recognized by the First Amendment and the principles of academic freedom. CUNY has faced criticism from students, faculty and civil liberties groups over the school systems use of police to quell campus protests and cooperation with a state-ordered probe into allegations of antisemitism. That review, led by former New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, ultimately directed CUNY to overhaul its policies to protect Jews from discrimination. Last spring, a group of CUNY School of Law students sued over the cancellation of student graduation speeches that, for the previous two graduations, had been used to advocate for the Palestinian cause, saying it infringed on their free-speech rights. The case was voluntarily dismissed over the weekend, according to court records. Attorneys for the students and spokespersons for CUNY Law did not immediately comment. In his speech, Matos Rodriguez said the working group and the message it sends about the importance of free speech on college campuses is something many people affiliated with CUNY, such as its faculty governance body, which provides input on university policy, have wanted to see for some time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task force follows other efforts by CUNY to respond to campus tensions over the Israel-Hamas War, including creating an advisory council on Jewish life and a forthcoming center focused on inclusion and belonging, whose interim leader will be announced in the near future, the chancellor added. I look forward to our collaborative work ahead, Matos Rodriguez said. _____ WICHITA, Kan. (KMUW) About one-third of the citys 352 single-family public housing units were still occupied as of last December. The city is offering housing vouchers to the tenants who have to move. On a lazy Sunday morning in July, the heat is creeping into the 90s before the clock hits noon. Danielle Lenz sits on her front porch in a lawn chair, keeping an eye on her mischievous six-year old, whos found a set of car keys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Avyon, you need to come here. Right now, Lenz said. He knows how I dont know if he knows how to unlock, but I know he knows how to get in the car. Two years ago, she didnt know that this sunflower yellow rental home near downtown was where her family would end up. Lenz and her four kids were living in public housing in west Wichita when the news hit in 2022 that the city planned to sell their home and the 351 other single-family public housing units scattered throughout town. Initially, she wanted to buy the house herself, but she says she later changed her mind due to its poor condition. Instead, last winter she found a private landlord to accept the housing voucher the city gave her as a form of rental assistance to replace public housing. Its probably a good thing that we moved from over there. Because they would only fix things if it had to be fixed, Lenz said. Other than that, they didnt fix it because they didnt have the funding to do so. Renting to a regular landlord I think is a little bit better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of last December, 110 of the citys single-family public housing units were occupied. By the end of June, about 60 of those households had been impacted by the citys sale of public housing, according to the city of Wichita. Each had the option to receive a voucher to help with rent , and a city contractor recommends an available housing unit to tenants and also pays for moving assistance. Our relocation coordinator is constantly working to reach out, stop by the house if they havent been able to make contact, Sarah Gooding, who oversees public housing for Wichita, said in a presentation about the citys Affordable Housing Fund. And so it is designed to be a very warm handoff process. Tenants have the right to not engage, but nobody should find themselves homeless, if they engage in the process. According to the city, about one-third of impacted tenants have taken vouchers commonly known as Section 8 and are in new housing. The rest moved into the private housing market without any government assistance, remain in limbo as they search for new housing, faced eviction or purchased a public housing unit. Edward Goetz, a professor of urban planning at the University of Minnesota, has studied how the sale or demolition of public housing impacts tenants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said some residents feel trapped in public housing. For them, the sale can be a great opportunity to move using a new housing voucher. But Goetz says that sentiment is not universal. For at least half if not most of the tenants of public housing, this is not a welcome move, Goetz said. And it ends up being a fairly significant disruption in their lives. They may lose connections with their community, or at least have those disrupted significantly. And it may disrupt job and educational opportunities as well. Most tenants move to private rental housing, some use vouchers Twenty-two tenants, like Lenz, have taken the rental voucher also known as Section 8 and are safely in new housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move was not easy for her four children, three of whom had to change schools. They switched homes in January, so the house and tree was packed up during Christmas. Lenz said other downsides of the new house are higher utility bills and less storage space. But Lenz said ultimately, her kids are adjusting to their new schools and the new neighborhood is satisfactory. Its very quiet at night, Lenz said. Our neighbors over here, theyve lived here for many years. Kassandra Lucero, another tenant, has also locked down a new place to live with her voucher. In early June, a paper sign hung from her living room wall: Two days left until MOVING DAY!! The family had plans to move from south Wichita to Park City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucero said the moving process was hasty and stressful. She said she reached out to a lot of housing options to find a place to use her voucher and got a lot of nos. But she finally connected on Facebook with a landlord who was touched to learn about Luceros small business working with kids with disabilities. I think I started crying a little bit, said Lucero, of the moment her landlord told her he would accept the voucher. It was a huge weight lifted because I definitely was at a point where time was ticking. And we had our little countdown on the wall and we were down to 20-some days left. And we had no plan. Thirteen public housing tenants moved to the private housing market without any government assistance, according to the city of Wichita. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gooding said theres several reasons why tenants may move without using rental assistance. They may have an income that is too high to qualify for a housing voucher. Others may have lease violations and choose to move to avoid eviction. Still others may purchase houses on the private market. A whiteboard on Luceros wall kept her children informed of moving day. (Celia Hack / KMUW) Some tenants stuck in limbo, while others buy houses or face eviction As of late June, nine tenants were not yet relocated and five had been transferred to different public housing units in South City. Many are stuck because they cant find a landlord who will accept their voucher. Landlords do not have to accept governmental rental assistance, and tenants across Kansas have complained for years about difficulties finding housing. Its particularly difficult for large families needing many bedrooms, Gooding said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the case for Abdul Satar. He and his wife have seven children and have lived in public housing for seven years. Satar said hes called more than 100 potential landlords since March, but its tough to find a large house in a safe part of town that also accepts his voucher. He even recruited his 13-year-old son to email potential landlords. Satar said he would prefer to stay put. This (is) very bad, Satar said. Its very difficult to find the schools and then change the address and move the stuff and well set up again. For everyone not only me, every single person if youre moving from one location to another location, especially the big families, it is very difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Satar said the city told him in June that his family could stay in public housing while he keeps looking for a place. Satar recruited his thirteen-year-old son to search for housing online and message landlords to ask if they would accept Section 8 housing vouchers. (Celia Hack / KMUW) Aziz Ahmadzai, another tenant, has a similar experience to Satar. With a full-time job and six kids, he hasnt had time to look for a new house. Last winter, the city began preparing to sell the north Wichita house where his family lived. Ahmadzai said the city relocated his family to another public housing unit in south Wichita since they didnt yet have a plan for where to go. He said he hasnt been given a deadline for how long his family can stay. Hes not ecstatic that his family had to move, after living in north Wichita for seven years. But he said the city has done a wonderful job accommodating the tenants. They did everything for me, Ahmadzai said. They did my move. They sent the semi-truck with a big container, and they loaded it by themselves. They helped us a lot. So, I am really appreciative to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city said it has evicted five tenants for lease violations. Public housing tenants also had the first option to buy the units they lived in. In 2022, housing director Sally Stang told the City Council that the department offered to connect tenants with financial literacy classes and programs that help with down payment savings. Wed like to see as many as possible actually be able to buy the home theyre in, Stang said. Satar said he wanted to buy the house he lives in, but he wasnt able to secure the loan or down payment necessary. So far, just five of the 59 impacted tenants have either bought their homes or have contracts pending. Shana Ramey is one of them. She closed on her house in April. When I closed, it was a different feeling when I walked in, Ramey said. It was no longer a house, it was my home. And it was like a whole new breath of air. No worries if we were going to be kicked out. It was were here forever. And next generations will be in this house. Celia Hack is a general assignment reporter for KMUW, where she covers everything from housing to environmental issues to Sedgwick County. Before KMUW, she worked at The Wichita Beacon covering local government and as a freelancer for The Shawnee Mission Post and the Kansas Leadership Centers The Journal. She is originally from Westwood, Kansas, but Wichita is her home now. This article was produced as part of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, which includes KMUW and 10 other organizations and community groups, including KSN-TV. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEST PALM BEACH A judge has placed a 25-year-old Palm Beach County man on 10 years of probation after the man pleaded guilty this month to manslaughter in the 2022 shooting death of his stepfather. Lawarren Meadows entered the plea during a hearing on Nov. 15 before Circuit Judge Howard Coates in the May 16, 2022, death of Jason Lafrance at the family's South Bay home. Meadows told investigators he had acted in self-defense when he shot Lafrance twice in the chest. He said he just witnessed a physical dispute between his mother, Suerena Lagrange, and Lafrance after returning home from college in Tallahassee. He described seeing Lafrance rush toward his mother and punch her in the back of the head, knocking her to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holiday homicide: Christmas Day 2020 saw a man shot to death in Delray Beach. Here's how the gunman will pay Judge Howard Coates at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach. Meadows' attorneys filed a motion seeking to have the charge dismissed under Florida's "stand your ground" statute. Coates denied it, ruling that state prosecutors had presented clear and convincing evidence that Meadows was not justified in the use of deadly force. Citing video collected at the crime scene, prosecutors said Lafrance backed away when Meadows displayed a firearm and did not pose a threat when the weapon was fired. Prior to the plea hearing, Coates denied a motion to change his "stand your ground" ruling but granted a defense motion to consider a sentence less than state guidelines recommend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coates withheld adjudication and credited Meadows with 24 days of time served in the Palm Beach County Jail. He ordered that Meadows undergo a mental health evaluation and complete any recommended treatment. He also ordered the Meadows complete 200 hours of community service. Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: He fatally shot his stepfather. Would the courts call it self-defense? PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Authorities are searching for a third suspect connected to a Clark County robbery in early November after a victim was robbed of a cell phone and pistol-whipped, the Clark County Sheriffs Office announced Wednesday. Just before 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, Clark County Sheriffs Office deputies were dispatched to a reported robbery that happened during the sale of a cell phone. The robbery victim told deputies he communicated with a buyer online and arranged to meet in person for the transaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ex-Portland police officer among dozens charged in human trafficking sting The sheriffs office said the three suspects arrived in a blue Dodge Durango and met the victim at an apartment complex in the Salmon Creek area. One of the suspects took a cell phone from the victim before pointing a gun at the victims head and pistol-whipping him, the sheriffs office said, noting the suspect was armed with a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine. Deputies later found and arrested two of the suspects, identified as 18-year-old Howard Osawa and 19-year-old VaZjahn Willis, who each face robbery and trafficking of stolen property charges. Investigators also recovered the suspects vehicle, and the gun used in the robbery. Deputies recovered a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine after three people allegedly robbed a victim of his cell phone in Washingtons Salmon Creek area on Nov. 6, 2024 (Courtesy Clark County Sheriffs Office.) The sheriffs office is asking for help identifying a third suspect, who is described as a Hispanic or Pacific Islander male with long hair in a ponytail. The suspect is about 510 to 62 tall with a large build and was wearing a light-colored Champion hooded sweatshirt at the time of the robbery, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives believe the group has committed similar robberies and thefts in the last month, in which they spoke with someone online, met the victims in person, and then robbed them. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Clark County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Mary Louis' excitement to move into an apartment in Massachusetts in the spring of 2021 turned to dismay when Louis, a Black woman, received an email saying that a third-party service had denied her tenancy. That third-party service included an algorithm designed to score rental applicants, which became the subject of a class action lawsuit, with Louis at the helm, alleging that the algorithm discriminated on the basis of race and income. A federal judge approved a settlement in the lawsuit, one of the first of it's kind, on Wednesday, with the company behind the algorithm agreeing to pay over $2.2 million and roll back certain parts of it's screening products that the lawsuit alleged were discriminatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlement does not include any admissions of fault by the company SafeRent Solutions, which said in a statement that while it continues to believe the SRS Scores comply with all applicable laws, litigation is time-consuming and expensive." While such lawsuits might be relatively new, the use of algorithms or artificial intelligence programs to screen or score Americans isn't. For years, AI has been furtively helping make consequential decisions for U.S. residents. When a person submits a job application, applies for a home loan or even seeks certain medical care, theres a chance that an AI system or algorithm is scoring or assessing them like it did Louis. Those AI systems, however, are largely unregulated, even though some have been found to discriminate. Management companies and landlords need to know that theyre now on notice, that these systems that they are assuming are reliable and good are going to be challenged, said Todd Kaplan, one of Louis attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleged SafeRent's algorithm didn't take into account the benefits of housing vouchers, which they said was an important detail for a renter's ability to pay the monthly bill, and it therefore discriminated against low-income applicants who qualified for the aid. The suit also accused SafeRent's algorithm of relying too much on credit information. They argued that it fails to give a full picture of an applicant's ability to pay rent on time and unfairly dings applicants with housing vouchers who are Black and Hispanic partly because they have lower median credit scores, attributable to historical inequities. Christine Webber, one of the plaintiff's attorneys, said that just because an algorithm or AI is not programmed to discriminate, the data an algorithm uses or weights could have "the same effect as if you told it to discriminate intentionally. When Louis' application was denied, she tried appealing the decision, sending two landlords' references to show shed paid rent early or on time for 16 years, even if she didn't have a strong credit history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louis, who had a housing voucher, was scrambling, having already given notice to her previous landlord that she was moving out, and she was charged with taking care of her granddaughter. The response from the management company, which used SafeRent's screening service, read, We do not accept appeals and cannot override the outcome of the Tenant Screening. Louis felt defeated; the algorithm didnt know her, she said. Everything is based on numbers. You dont get the individual empathy from them, said Louis. "There is no beating the system. The system is always going to beat us. While state lawmakers have proposed aggressive regulations for these types of AI systems, the proposals have largely failed to get enough support. That means lawsuits like Louis are starting to lay the groundwork for AI accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SafeRents defense attorneys argued in a motion to dismiss that the company shouldnt be held liable for discrimination because SafeRent wasnt making the final decision on whether to accept or deny a tenant. The service would screen applicants, score them and submit a report, but leave it to landlords or management companies to accept or deny a tenant. Louis attorneys, along with the U.S. Department of Justice, which submitted a statement of interest in the case, argued that SafeRents algorithm could be held accountable because it still plays a role in access to housing. The judge denied SafeRent's motion to dismiss on those counts. The settlement stipulates that SafeRent can't include its score feature on its tenant screening reports in certain cases, including if the applicant is using a housing voucher. It also requires that if SafeRent develops another screening score it plans to use, it must be validated by a third-party that the plaintiffs agree to. Louis' son found an affordable apartment for her on Facebook Marketplace that she has since moved into, though it was $200 more expensive and in a less desirable area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not optimistic that Im going to catch a break, but I have to keep on keeping, thats it, said Louis. I have too many people who rely on me. ___ Jesse Bedayn 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. BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A Claysburg man is facing serious charges months after it was revealed he may be responsible for the disappearance of a woman that he was previously accused of assaulting. William Dibert, 27 (Blair County Prison) William Dibert, 27, is now facing kidnapping, strangulation, unlawful restraint, possession of firearms, flight to avoid apprehension and simple assault charges months after he was caught by U.S. Marshals in Altoona following a manhunt that began back in Aug. 2023. Dibert was first accused of physically assaulting a woman who had to run to a strangers house to ask for help after multiple days of abuse, saying she was afraid for her life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unable to find Dibert, police sent a news release on the wanted fugitive. In Feb. 2024, however, it was reported by the family that the woman was missing and last seen in January and may be with Dibert. Police: Missing Blair County woman not seen for nearly a month According to the latest criminal complaint for Dibert, police spoke with numerous witnesses and another search was underway. On Feb. 27, with the use of a state police drone, someone was spotted fleeing from Diberts land. While the weather was unfavorable and he evaded police, the woman was ultimately found. The victim told police that Dibert kept her tied up to a pole in a barn-like building and physically assaulted her. According to her account to investigators, she would frequently pass out while Dibert strangled her. Investigators said that UPMC Altoona treated the woman for a broken nose, malnourishment, and impacted bowels. Police note that her injuries corroborate the story that the woman was tied up for weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A search of Diberts property uncovered numerous firearms. It was noted that Dibert has a felony drug conviction making it illegal for him to possess firearms. 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. In March, U.S. marshals from the Western District of Pennsylvania were able to find Dibert in Altoona. He was placed in Blair County Prison on $500,000 bail for the first set of charges. On Nov. 21, Dibert was arraigned for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping, and bail was again set at $500,000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. CLEVELAND (WJW) The citys first freestanding public restrooms are tentatively planned for four locations. The city plans to install the first three Portland Loos in three city-owned parks: two in Canal Basin Park along the Cuyahoga River and one in Perk Plaza at Chester Commons, according to a city spokesperson. Woman who escaped years of captivity says APL raided her animal rescue Cuyahoga County also plans to install one outside the Virgil E. Brown Building along Payne Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cleveland City Planning Commission approved the restrooms last month. Outside of the Metroparks, there are currently no public restroom facilities in the City of Cleveland, Jorge Ramos Pantoja wrote in an email to FOX 8 News. The need became apparent during the pandemic as people began spending more time outdoors and when restrooms in businesses, libraries, and public buildings were shuttered. The lack of public restrooms became a public health concern. The bathrooms were developed by Portland officials, when the citys homeless population was on the rise, according to the citys website. The restrooms are designed to deter criminal activity and meld into its surrounding environment, it reads. Theyre good for about 300 flushes per day about as much as an airport toilet, according to the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each cost about $145,000. The citys four loos were donated by Campus District Inc., which purchased them using a grant from The Cleveland Foundation, said Ramos Pantoja. The four locations are not yet finalized but were chosen based on the public needs, safety and nearby utilities, according to Ramos Pantoja. Centrally located, high visibility and well-lit areas were also important for safety purposes, he said. Local radio station flips to 24/7 Christmas music The project may be delayed for winter, he noted. Everyone deserves access to clean, safe, reliable, and accessible restroom options, Ramos Pantoja said. The Loos are easy to maintain, energy-efficient, adaptable to cold weather, allow for high volume of usage, and are utilized in multiple cities across the country including right here in Ohio, in both Columbus and Cincinnati. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Collins, a senior adviser to Mayor Justin Bibb, told FOX 8 News officials are still determining who will be responsible for maintaining them. Though theyre designed to be open 24 hours per day, Clevelands wont be, as Collins noted theres a learning curve. Theres no official timeline for installation. City council members still need to vote on the three restrooms planned for Cleveland, Collins 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 8 Cleveland WJW. (WJW) A Cleveland homicide suspect was arrested by the United States Marshals Service in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday in connection to a fatal shooting that happened in January. According to a press release from the U.S. Marshals, 29-year-old Daryl Patton was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for an aggravated murder that took place on Jan. 17 in the area of East 95th Street and Pratt Avenue. Two Cleveland residents killed in Virginia crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting, 27-year-old Martin Johnson was found shot, according to police. He was then taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to the release, Payton was later identified as a suspect in the fatal shooting and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force eventually suspected that Patton fled Ohio to live in Las Vegas. Anxiety drug recalled over life-threatening label mistake The Nevada Violent Offender Task Force arrested Patton at an apartment in the 3900 block of Cambridge St. in Las Vegas on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about any wanted fugitive is asked to contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. CLEVELAND (WJW) In May 2024, a Cleveland man risked his life to save a child trapped in a burning home. His selfless actions earned him the prestigious Cleveland Division of Fire Citizen Award. Mom and child dead in suspected murder-suicide after fire John Stickovich doesnt consider himself a hero, but the Cleveland community thinks otherwise. Despite his modesty, his bravery on the morning of May 6 is undeniable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That day, as he drove to work, John came across a scene of chaosa house engulfed in flames. I pulled up in front of the house, and Im like, Oh my god, this house is really going, John recalled. Outside the burning home, a frantic mother clutched her infant and shared the chilling news: her other child was still inside. The first thing she says is, My babys still in the house, John said. Without protective gear or hesitation, John entered the inferno, facing thick smoke and searing heat. He searched the house but initially found nothing. Determined to save the child, he returned outside to gather more information from the mother. Armed with her directions, John crawled back into the smoke-filled home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as the situation seemed bleak, he heard the sound he had been praying fora babys cry. The baby cried. I said, Okay, the baby is right here, John remembered. Following his instincts, John located the infant and carried the child to safety. For his heroic actions, the Cleveland Division of Fire recently honored John with the Citizen Award. When asked about the recognition, John responded with the humility that defines him. How Ohio officers are cracking down on driving while high While John remains in touch with the family through Facebook and looks forward to watching the child grow, he emphasizes that his motivation that day wasnt for accolades but out of compassion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When an emergency happens, try, John said. It could lead to good results. Like in this one, a little baby got saved, and she will probably live a long life. The Cleveland community continues to thank John for his courage and compassion, but he insists that anyone in his position could have done the same. Its clear, however, that John Stickovichs actions that day went above and beyondproving that true heroism lies in selfless acts of kindness when it matters most. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Clinton man was sentenced Wednesday to 97 months in federal prison for receipt of child pornography. According to public court documents, Brent Michael Fisher, 48, had 15 devices including cell phones and memory cards that contained child sexual-abuse material. Brent Fisher (Clinton County Jail) Fisher came to the attention of law enforcement after his then-wife found two memory cards with child sexual- abuse material of minor victims and reported it to law enforcement, according to a news release from the U. S. Attorneys Office Southern District of Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clinton Police obtained search warrants for the two memory cards, as well as Fishers house, car, and work trailer the same day they received the report. In total, Fisher possessed more than 36,000 images and nearly 10,000 videos containing child sexual-abuse material. After completing his term of imprisonment, Fisher will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Fisher was also ordered to pay $93,000 in restitution. Fisher is required to register as a sex offender. U. S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Clinton Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. FRUITA, Colo. (KREX) This week, Nov. 17 through 23 marks National Apprenticeship Week and Colorado Mesa University appeared alongside Family Health West to highlight its apprenticeship program. They are going to be ready with all of the technical knowledge and also on-the-job learning., said Mindy Gutierrez, CMUs apprenticeship coordinator. So, when they enter the workforce, they are ready to learn with experience and the related instruction. CMU student and member of the apprenticeship program Danessa Cordero said The program was really helpful to help me step into a good career path that I know that I want to be a part of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cordero is a member of the Information Technology apprenticeship at Family Health West. She started back in September and said the communication between CMU and the hospital when she first started made the process easy. The school is very helpful. The hospital, they came and contacted me super, super fast even though they are super busy. President and CEO of Family Health West Dr. Korrey Klein says the hospital has been working with students for a long time. Klein talked about what he hopes students leave with after their apprenticeship. One of the things I think they really gain is context for their learning so that they can really understand why they are learning the skills that they are learning inside of CMU Tech and be able to apply them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are interested in joining CMUs apprenticeship program, contact Mindy Gutierrez at mmgutierrez@coloradomesa.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 WesternSlopeNow.com. CNNs Abby Phillip on Wednesday night gave one of her male guests an on-air reprimand after he called a female panelist dear during a heated discussion. On CNN NewsNight, the panel was discussing investigations into alleged sexual misconduct by Matt Gaetz, the former Florida congressman whom President-elect Donald Trump has nominated for attorney general. The show also aired a leaked diagram reportedly prepared by federal investigators which allegedly shows payments between Gaetz and others, including women who testified that he hired them for sex. Gaetz denies all wrongdoing. The bottom line is the DOJ said theres nothing there, said Bruce LeVell, the former executive director of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No they didnt, Julie Roginsky, a Democratic strategist, interrupted. They said they didnt have enough to indictthat shouldnt be the standard. No, to charge, dear, LeVell responded, prompting an immediate protest from Roginsky. Dear? Excuse me? she said. Hold on, Im going to stop it right here, host Abby Phillip said. Because were not going to get off on a wrong foot. Please do not address a grown woman as dear in a condescending tone. Do not do that at my table. OK, LeVell said, looking down at the floor during the rebuke. Phillip then moved the discussion on by going to another guest for their thoughts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department told Gaetz last year that he would not be charged in connection with a yearslong sex trafficking investigation. A separate House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged wrongdoing effectively ended when Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump nominated him for attorney general, though the panel is currently facing calls from senators and others to share their findings anyway. This isnt LeVells first dressing-down on a CNN panel. In August, anchor Laura Coates admonished him for talking over her during a discussion about Trumps comments questioning Vice President Kamala Harris racial identity during an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention. Phillip is also no stranger to dealing with panelists controversial behavior. Last month, she was leading a roundtable discussion about the Israel-Hamas war when guest Ryan Girdusky said to Mehdi Hasan I hope your beeper doesnt go off, alluding to Israels attack in Lebanon in which pagers used by members of the militia Hezbollah exploded. Girdusky was removed from the show and CNN released a statement confirming he would be banned from the network because there was zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air. BAKU, Azerbaijan The European Union teamed up with 11 countries Thursday in announcing a commitment to ambitious new climate plans but the U.S., an architect of the initiative, did not join them. Each of the governments said they would soon set new targets to cut greenhouse gas pollution by 2035 that are aligned with stopping the climate from warming more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. Besides the EU, the coalition included Canada, Mexico, the U.K. and Norway. POLITICO reported last week that the United States had dropped its participation in the coalition, an action that appeared to reflect the new political realities in Washington given Donald Trumps victory in the presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior U.S. climate adviser John Podesta said the Biden administration welcomed the leadership displayed by the countries in the coalition, but did not respond to a question about why the United States was not included. We continue to work with countries to set ambitious climate targets with rapid emissions reductions that are required to secure a safer, cleaner planet for ourselves and our children, Podesta said in an email to POLITICO, adding that the U.S. is hard at work to set its own 2035 target. Asked at a press conference on Thursday why the U.S. was not part of the coalition, EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra said: There is a larger group of countries looking into joining us. Having said that, we would really plead particularly with the largest economies and those emitting the most to do something that is similar to what were doing. Setting a new round of pollution targets is a key requirement for all countries signed onto the Paris Agreement on climate change, a 2015 pact that Trump has said he will leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those goals will be the final barricade for every nation in its fight-to-the-death against climate impacts getting more brutal each year, U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell said in a speech that was unrelated to Thursday's announcement. Joining the pledge, Mexicos secretary of environment and natural resources, Alicia Barcena, lauded the countrys renewed commitment to ambitious climate action under President Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist. Of the 12 backers of the initiative, one the U.K. has already submitted a new target, while four said that they had reached net-zero already. The governments that pledged to come up with new targets were Canada, Chile, Georgia, Mexico, Norway and Switzerland plus the European Union. Switzerland said it would do so by February. The seven countries said they would ensure their upcoming climate plans included targets that covered all greenhouse gases and every sector of the economy. They also promised the targets would either be a straight line or steeper path between their emissions today and their ultimate goals to reach net zero by 2050 or slightly later in the case of some of the developing countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countries that claimed to have reached net zero emissions already, thanks to the forests that soak up the emissions from their small economies, are Bhutan, Madagascar, Panama and Suriname. In a joint statement, their leaders called on the rest of the world to rise to the occasion, match our ambition, and embrace transformational changes. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) A Muskegon man has been convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine and other drug charges after attorneys say he worked with a mail carrier, trafficking large quantities of drugs into Michigan. A jury found Srecko Darnell Walker, 35, of Muskegon, guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, distribution of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. Walker is scheduled for sentencing in April, where he could get anywhere from 15 years to life in prison, attorneys say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from 2021 and 2022, when Walker worked with a Mukegon-based U.S. Postal Service mail carrier to import cocaine from a supplier named Hugo Benavides in Texas, according to evidence submitted at trial. Walker was the one coordinating the shipments, attorneys say, which he had sent to vacant addresses on Rasics mail route. Deputies: 120 pounds of cocaine found in semi-truck Five kilograms of cocaine were seized from the mail that attorneys say Walker and his team intended to distribute in West Michigan. In March of 2022, 2 kilograms were seized by investigators. Afterward, Rasic tried to get the package back, falsely claiming he was acting on behalf of the U.S. Postal Service. Rasic texted Walker that the cocaine had been seized, attorneys said. Months later, investigators saw Walker sell cocaine to a Muskegon woman and found more cocaine and drug-selling supplies in his home. After his house was searched, Walker admitted he imported cocaine through the mail and would track some packages that had cocaine inside, including one containing over a kilogram, attorneys said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rasic and Benavides both previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and are awaiting sentencing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Cochise County judge has been publicly reprimanded after a man spent two days in jail for failing to appear in court after the court failed to tell him when to show up. The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct May 29 issued a public reprimand against Cochise County Superior Court Judge David Thorn for issuing a warrant for the arrest of William Pound. A public reprimand is a public sanction against a judge who has acted improperly, but not serious enough as to require discipline by the state Supreme Court. Pound was wanted in court about a case involving his deceased girlfriend's personal property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman's son, David Plummer, applied to be her personal representative. He requested a court order to demand Pound provide access to her items. As her personal representative, he had a duty to obtain and distribute her items and all other property in the estate, according to the minute entry of a hearing on April 9, 2023. Plummer alleged Pound repeatedly denied him access to her things, including two cats, jewelry and other items. He claimed Pound told him he wanted to keep her things, according to court records. Plummer also claimed that Pound contacted their mutual landscaper to remove and dispose of his mother's items following her death. He said Pound has multiple firearms and allegedly threatened to shoot him and his family, leading him to request an emergency order to secure the items as he was in fear for his safety. A court hearing was held about the request on June 7, 2023, but according to the commission's reprimand, Pound was not served with a notice to appear in court. He was also never issued a notice to appear for a subsequent hearing scheduled the following month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days before a second hearing, the court sent a minute entry to Pounds address. But it didn't indicate that he was expected to appear in court, nor explain the consequences if he failed to appear. At the second hearing on July 25, Thorn asked Plummer if Pound had been served with a notice of the hearing. He replied no, and Thorn issued a civil arrest warrant for Pound. A week later, Pound was arrested and jailed for 48 hours, according to Pound's complaint. I am filing this complaint as I feel that the Honorable David Thorn did not perform his duties as a judge of the Cochise County Court and had me arrested for contempt of court in spite of evidence that I had ever been informed of Court Hearings, Pound said in his complaint. The commission said Thorn violated three rules of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first rule he violated states: A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety. The second rule Thorn violated requires judges to perform judicial and administrative duties competently, diligently, and promptly. Last, the commission's reprimand said Thorn violated a rule requiring accord to every person who has a legal interest in a proceeding, or that persons lawyer, the right to be heard according to law." Thorn said he issued the warrant as a last resort after several attempts were made to contact the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I typically do not issue civil arrest warrant unless I am convinced that there are no other alternatives to get the litigant to comply with the courts orders, Thorn wrote. Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com. The Republics coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cochise County judge reprimanded for issuing improper arrest warrant MEMPHIS, Tenn. Congressman Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) is pushing the House Ethics Committee to preserve and release the findings from its investigation into Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz. Gaetz, a former congressman representing Florida, has been under investigation by the committee since 2021. Allegations against him include sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, sharing inappropriate videos on the House floor, and other violations of House rules, Cohen says. Cohen introduced a resolution Wednesday urging the Ethics Committee to preserve and make public the records from the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Ethics Committee Republicans voted Wednesday against releasing 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. The outcome, however, is only a temporary reprieve for Gaetz, who faces allegations of sexual misconduct, as he works to personally secure his embattled nomination to be the nations top law enforcement official. The House panel expects to meet again Dec. 5 to reconsider releasing its findings. I prepared a privileged resolution calling for the release of the Ethics Committee Report in the event that the Ethics Committee didnt act. Today, the Ethics Committee failed to act and I filed the Privileged Resolution, Cohen said in a statement Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz has said the departments investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, separate from the House committees probe, had ended with no federal charges against him. Cohen serves on the House Judiciary Committee and also served on the House Ethics Committee. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A large ceremonial coin from the tiny Italian town of Pignataro Interamna; two sheets of white copy paper, and a clean, black plastic rubbish bin helped determine who won the election tiebreaker for the last seat on the Mount Clemens Community Schools board. Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Anthony Forlini recalled the story of the gold coin, from his father's hometown and given to Forlini when he was a state representative, Wednesday for school board candidates Rashidah Hammond and Alex Bronson, who both won 3,496 votes in the Nov. 5 election. Rashidah Hammond, center, and Alex Bronson, right, watch a ceremonial coin toss by Macomb County Clerk Anthony G. Forlini to draw a slip of paper from a bucket to decide the winner for a seat on the Mount Clemens Community Schools school board after a tie during the November 2024 election on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at the Macomb County Elections Department in Mount Clemens. Hammond won the toss as well as picked the correct sheet of paper saying she was elected. They were vying for the last of four seats on the school board, which oversees a school district of just over 750 children, per state stats, in the county seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hammond, a program supervisor for Head Start in Macomb County, chose heads. That was fine with Bronson, a construction company owner, who wanted tails. Forlini flipped the coin onto the floor in a side room at the county elections department in Mount Clemens. Hammond won the toss. Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini shows a ceremonial coin he was given when he was a state representative from his father's hometown of Pignataro Interamna, Italy, to be used to decide who gets to draw a slip of paper from a bucket to decide the winner for a seat on the Mount Clemens Community Schools school board after a tie during the November 2024 election on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at the Macomb County Elections Department in Mount Clemens. Two pieces of paper, one stating "elected," the other stating "not elected" were prepared by the county's chief elections clerk, folded and dropped into the bin. Forlini repeatedly shook the bin "like they do on TV with the Lotto." Thanks to winning the coin toss, Hammond had first crack at reaching into the bin temporarily labeled "Mount Clemens Community Schools Tie-Breaker" grabbing one of the folded pieces of paper; followed by Bronson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All right guys, let's see what we got," Forlini said. "Oh, guys, I see the nerves." Hammond and Bronson unfolded the papers. Hammond smiled wide as she selected the "elected" paper, winning the school board seat. "Better luck next time," Bronson said after he shook Forlini's hand and then shook hands with Hammond after she received a handshake and congratulations from Forlini. Rashidah Hammond, left, shakes the hand of Alex Bronson, right, after she won a coin toss by Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini and picked a slip of paper from a bucket to decide she was the winner for a seat on the Mount Clemens Community Schools school board after a tie during the November 2024 election on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at the Macomb County Elections Department in Mount Clemens. The tiebreaker process, specifically the drawing of the slips of paper with "elected" and "not elected" is outlined in state law. Hammond, 48, a former Mount Clemens city commissioner, said she would like the process to be different, especially since it's 2024, but "I am thankful for the process. Of course, it worked out in my favor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the main issue facing the school board is increasing the student population because that brings in additional funding. Rashidah Hammond holds the piece of paper she pulled after winning a coin toss by Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini to decide the winner for a seat on the Mount Clemens Community Schools school board after a tie during the November 2024 election on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at the Macomb County Elections Department in Mount Clemens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bronson, a former city planning commission member, can request a recount. But the 34-year-old, who said he was "a little disappointed" for his loss, said a recount is "unnecessary," adding that doing so "puts just too much burden on the county clerk's office." Bronson said he believes Hammond, who he has known for years, "did good work on (the) City (Commission) and I think she'll continue to do good work on the school board, too. So, I'm not upset by it at all." The other three winners in the school board race were incumbents Jeanine Walker and Earl Rickman, and Paul Sheppard, per the official results that were certified Tuesday by the county's Board of Canvassers. The current terms of the school board seats expire Dec. 31. This isn't the first time there has been a tiebreaker for a race in Mount Clemens, specifically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Democrat Paul Gieleghem elected new Clinton Township supervisor, per unofficial results In November 2007, Gary Blash and Jack Johns tied for a seat on the City Commission, each garnering 806 votes, in what was believed to be a first for the city, officials told the Free Press at the time. Blash won a coin flip and picked first and ended up pulling the slip with the word "elected" out of a box. He won and took office. Later, Johns requested a recount. Johns ended up netting one more vote than Blash in the recount and won the race with 807 votes to Blash's 806 votes, forcing the seat to change hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: New Michigan laws target high-tech vehicle theft devices, aim to curb auto theft During the same 2007 election, there was a tie for a Grosse Pointe City Council seat in Wayne County, which was determined in the same fashion. The loser requested a recount, too, but withdrew after the recount revealed yet another tie in that case with one more vote for each candidate than the election showed. In August 2016, two votes separated the winner and second-place finisher for a partial term on the Mount Clemens City Commission. Bill Ford won the seat, with Laura Fournier coming in second. Fournier requested a recount, but Ford still ended up winning by two votes, though each candidate received one more vote than on Election Day, according to a prior Free Press article. According to the Macomb County Elections Department, there was a recount in the Mount Clemens mayor's race in 2013, too, though the vote separation was by more than 60 votes and the results did not change from Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forlini had to break another tie in his four years as county clerk. It was in the August primary this year for a Republican precinct delegate in Sterling Heights, with each candidate receiving 99 votes, according to county elections officials. The candidates didn't show up for that tiebreaker. Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Coin flip, slips of paper decide tied Mount Clemens school board race (Bloomberg) -- Colombian lawmakers have lifted some restrictions on government spending in a controversial decentralization bill thats already stoked concern among investors. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The constitutional committee of Colombias lower house removed a requirement that the bill, which aims to transfer as much as 39.5% of central government revenue to regional authorities by 2039, must align with the governments mid-term fiscal framework. Instead, lawmakers included a stipulation that the reform shouldnt compromise the principle of fiscal sustainability, according to a copy of the approved text seen by Bloomberg. The bill must still be approved by the full lower house. The committee, which unanimously backed the changes with 28 votes, also removed a section that explicitly tied additional transfers and responsibilities allocated to regional authorities to corresponding reductions in central government spending. Advisers to the interior minister will ask lawmakers to reintroduce proposals clarifying that the size of the central government will decrease as a result of the reform to avoid incurring additional fiscal costs, according to a person familiar with the discussions who requested anonymity because the new text of the bill hasnt been made public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that its been approved by the committee, the reform will return to the lower house to be debated in the first week of December. A final approval process will follow to reconcile any differences between the versions passed by the lower and the senate. Colombian assets, including the peso and government bonds, have been selling off in recent weeks as investors worry the decentralization bill could further jeopardize Colombias fiscal outlook. Central bank economists estimate that the reform would increase Colombias proportion of debt to gross domestic product to nearly 65% by 2038, or 10 percentage points more compared to a scenario without the bill. (Updates with details and context beginning in 4th paragraph.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (NewsNation) Victims of the 2022 Club Q mass shooting in Colorado Springs filed two lawsuits against the club and the El Paso Board of Commissioners Office two days before the second anniversary of the event that left five dead and 19 injured. Eleven plaintiffs, including surviving victims and family members of victims who died, are suing, alleging authorities could have enforced the red flag law against the gunman to prevent the shooting. The shooter had a history of violent threats and behavior that clearly warranted intervention, the suits say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Survivors of LGBTQ+ club shooting say the deaths and trauma couldve been avoided in lawsuits The red flag law, officially the Extreme Risk Protection Orders, was passed in 2019, three years before the Club Q shooting on Nov. 19, 2022. It allows law enforcement to request a temporary extreme risk protection order from the court against a person proved to be a significant risk to self or others by having a firearm in his or her custody, the bill says. The same year the law passed, the El Paso County Board of Commissioners designated the county a Second Amendment sanctuary city. The shooter, Anderson Aldrich, was arrested in 2021 on charges of kidnapping and threatening to kill their grandparents, reportedly saying they would become the next mass killer, according to the Associated Press. Aldrich, who uses they/them pronouns, was also accused of collecting ammunition, bomb-making materials, firearms and body armor, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities did not attempt to remove Aldrichs weapons using a red flag law, the lawsuits allege, and, This deliberate inaction allowed the shooter continued access to firearms, directly enabling the attack on Club Q. The FBI arrested a man whos been charged with planning an attack on the New York Stock Exchange The shooter was sentenced to life in prison in June. The 2022 mass shooting at Club Q is one of the most violent crimes against the LGBTQIA+ community in history, said FBI Director Christopher Wray in a news release in June. The FBI and our partners have worked tirelessly towards this sentencing, but the true heroes are the patrons of the Club who selflessly acted to subdue the defendant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also alleges the club did not have enough security and did not take the necessary steps to prepare. Club Q advertised itself as a safe place for LGBTQIA+ individuals, the suits say. But that was a facade. Deceased victims include Raymond Green Vance, Kelly Loving, Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump and Ashley Paugh. Survivor Barrett Hudson and Vances family members are some of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. DENVER (KDVR) The State of Colorado is set to cover the attorney fees for Alliance Defending Freedom in a settlement amounting to more than $1.5 million after an agreement was finally reached following the United States Supreme Court ruling in favor of 303 Creative on June 30, 2023, according to public court documents filed by the law firm. Denver submits plans for a pickleball court in the heart of downtown Lorie Smith, a Christian graphic and web designer, declined an inquiry by a same-sex couple considering using her services to create a wedding website due to her religious beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiths decision to decline the service and state her business stance on inquiries on designs for same-sex marriages was in violation of anti-discriminatory laws in place in Colorado. Smith turned to the services of faith-based law firm Alliance Defending Freedom which sued the state on her behalf in 2016. After years of deliberation, in 2021 the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit affirmed the decision made by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado that the Colorado law satisfied the Constitution and the states motion for summary judgment. Later that same year, 303 Creative appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which decided to hear the case in 2022. On June 30, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the judgment made by the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit and ruled in favor of 303 Creative after determining the incident violated the First Amendment rights of the design company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denver airport expecting increased Thanksgiving travel: Heres when it will be busiest Todays U.S. Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis will permit businesses to turn away LGBTQ customers just by claiming that they sell expressive or artistic services. This deeply concerning opinion is far out of step with the will of the American people and American values. The opinion represents a radical departure from decades of Court precedent and fails to uphold the principle of Equal Justice Under Law inscribed on the U.S. Supreme Court building, said Colorado Attorney General, Phil Weiser, on the day of the Supreme Courts ruling. The State of Colorado agreed to pay a settlement to cover legal fees at the conclusion of the case. Over a year later, a settlement has been agreed upon, with the state paying $1.5 million to Alliance Defending Freedom. The Colorado Attorney Generals Office has not released a statement on the settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. SPRINGVILLE, Utah (ABC4) A colt was captured and taken to an animal shelter on Wednesday after she was found running loose in Springville and Spanish Fork, according to authorities. Springville Police Department posted on social media Wednesday afternoon saying the officers played cowboy today as they attempted to capture a colt running through town and down U.S. Route 6. Officials said the horse was first spotted near Walmart in Springville before heading toward a construction area near 1600 South. They say the colt then ran along Spanish Fork Main Street and traveled down U.S. Route 6, ending up near Motor Sportsland in Spanish Fork where authorities were able to trap her in an enclosed area. Two residents assist Spanish Fork and Springville officers in capturing a horse on the loose. (Credit: Springville Police Department) Springville police said after hours of work, and help with roping and bridling from a couple of residents, the horse was finally captured in a Utah County Sheriffs Office trailer. The Spanish Fork Police Department said the horse was taken to South Utah County Animal Shelter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you to Sonya, and the good ol Spanish Fork cowboy who I forgot to grab the name of, who saved the day and helped us safely get this girl to safety! Springville police wrote regarding the residents who assisted officers. Officials did not release information on the colt or the circumstances leading to her running across the cities. It is not specified if she is a domestic or wild horse. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. When NBC launched MSNBC in 1996, the network was marketed with the slogan Its Time to Get Connected, a line that acknowledged the emergence of the internet as a game-changing force in the media. Microsoft, then a minority partner in the channel, made web culture part of its programming. Now, MSNBC is being upended by the very technology it first embraced, with streaming video now accounting for nearly half of all TV viewing, according to Nielsen. The decline of pay TV has culminated in Comcast placing MSNBC along with sister networks such as CNBC and E! in a spinoff company that will essentially be a repository for its cable outlets. The plan, formally announced Wednesday, means MSNBC will be owned by a separate entity from its parent NBC News, ending what has at times been a tense relationship. Read more: Comcast to spin off MSNBC, CNBC and other cable channels Nothing changes right away, however. The spinoff, valued at $7 billion, isn't expected to be completed for about a year. And NBC News will continue to provide news-gathering services to MSNBC after the spinoff. Nonetheless, the deal raises questions about the future of liberal-slanted MSNBC, which has at times beat its more down-the-middle rival CNN in ratings for major events such as election night. NBCUniversal Group Chairman Mark Lazarus, who will oversee the new spun-off company, told MSNBC staff Wednesday that he was unsure what the arrangement would mean for the channel's name and logo, which incorporates the recognizable multicolored NBC peacock. After all, NBC considered changing the MSNBC moniker after it bought out Microsofts share of the network in 2005. (Microsoft was the "MS" in MSNBC.) But the plan was rejected because the name was already part of TV news culture. Changing the name MSNBC now would require a massive promotional campaign. Its audience of habit-bound older viewers the median age is over 70 may be reluctant to trust a brand they dont recognize. The spinoff could also increase pressure on talent salaries, which are under scrutiny across all TV news organizations that are facing shrinking audiences. Read more: Behind Comcast's big TV deal: a bleak picture for once mighty cable industry In 2021, NBCUniversal signed its star host Rachel Maddow to a massive deal paying her a reported $30 million a year. Maddow reduced her MSNBC workload to one day a week in a deal that also has her working on film, documentary and podcast projects for the parent company. How that arrangement would work under the new structure is one of the issues the new company will face. The Lake County Board of Commissioners gave final approval to Health First Indiana funds and an updated tax sale ordinance in separate 3-0 votes Wednesday. The commissioners approved two contracts totaling more than $300,000 as part of the $4.87 million the county received in state funding for the health department as part of the Health First Indiana initiative, which was created in 2023 by the Indiana legislature. The goal is to improve the overall health of Hoosier, a metric where the state consistently ranks among the worst in the nation. The board approved contracts with The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana for $199,760 to expand pantry packs for mental health and maternal child health boxes and to install an overheard refrigerated locker system at the Lake County Health Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissioners also approved a contract with Indiana University School of Medicine for $102,710 to educate Lake County residents on chronic disease prevention and improve health through providing health screenings and referrals for care. The two contracts were approved by the Lake County Health Board in September, said Health First Indiana initiative manager for the Lake County Health Department Michelle Arnold. Under state law, contracts have to be approved by the commissioners 30 days after the health board approves the contracts, she said. The health board approved eight contracts, totaling more than $750,000 at its November meeting, Arnold said. The majority of the funds are for Gary Harm Reduction, which was approved to receive $261,800; Franciscan Health, which was approved to receive $128,000 for its Lake County Community Health Worker Program; and Geminus, which was approved to receive $125,000 for its crisis intervention team. The eight contracts will likely be added to the commissioners December agenda for final approval, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Repay said the commissioners will be approving future Health First Indiana contracts as the health board approves them. Were adding them incrementally, Repay said. I expect well continue to add different entities. In other moves, the county tax sale ordinance was amended to include a 25% penalty if a tax sale buyer doesnt file a court order to issue a tax deed signed by a judge within 150 days of the court order to the Lake County Auditors office. Auditors office attorney Randy Willey told the Lake County Council earlier this month that the office would like the 150-day deadline with the penalty put into the ordinance because currently not everyone comes to the office to file the signed tax deed. The council approved the ordinance at its Nov. 12 meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commissioner Michael Repay, D-3rd, said he voted in favor of the ordinance because it ensures a fair tax sale process. To the extent we can prevent people from gaming the system, were all for it, Repay said. akukulka@post-trib.com CHEYENNE The Wyoming Legislatures Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee voted Friday to sponsor a bill draft that would add citizenship/residency status to state-issued identification cards. If passed during the 2025 general session, the bill would require a complete redesign of ID cards issued by the Wyoming Department of Transportation in order to add a line reading, Not a United States citizen and colors that would indicate the citizenship status of a cardholder. The number of these types of cards needed and the cost are unknown at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills intent, according to Secretary of State Chuck Gray, is to take a step in the right direction by continuing to enforce voter security and make the jobs of county clerks easier when registering voters. While we do have safeguards in place to ensure that only United States citizens are registering to vote, which is called a HAVA check, there are a number of areas where there are weaknesses that can be exposed, Gray told the committee. Thats why we need to continue to shore up this front-end monitoring, which I think this bill draft does. Grays primary concern is addressing alleged instances of noncitizens registering to vote, even though there have been no recent reports of noncitizens voting. WYDOT Driver Services Program Manager Misty Zimmerman testified that there is already a nonresident designation on ID cards, marked by an NR for nonresident, but that doesnt indicate citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zimmerman testified that no matter the type of addition to the drivers license or ID card whether it be a symbol, a line of text or a color WYDOT would need to completely redesign the cards to accommodate the change. Gray was asked several times by Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, to clarify the need for the bill given existing identifications in place. Gray was unable to quantify a need beyond his own suspicions. Instead, Gray reiterated his concerns about being able to adequately record these suspected incidents of noncitizens registering to vote. I appreciate everything that you just mentioned there, Secretary Gray. Not once did you answer my question about the NR doing the designation and what more this is going to protect when we already have front-end discussions, Brown said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to concerns about need and cost, one issue with passing this draft bill is the limited information a physical ID provides. What were talking about is changing the look of the physical credential, and from a timing perspective, it may be a slightly antiquated way of dealing with the issue, WYDOT Deputy Director Taylor Rossetti said. That card, when its printed, its a snapshot in time. The status of that individual could change, they could become a citizen during that time period, and maybe didnt come back in and get a new credential. Rossetti testified that by the 2026 election cycle, there may be a more technologically advanced way to address the issue without spending the time and money redesigning ID cards. Zimmerman testified that by waiting on WYDOTs modernization project, which is expected to be launched next year, mobile ID could be used to show real-time status, as opposed to looking at a limited physical ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Lankford, representing the County Clerks Association of Wyoming, reiterated the benefit of waiting for the mobile IDs. Saying that while county clerks appreciate the support in clarifying the registration process, they also want to be clear that they very rarely have noncitizens attempt to register to vote. We understand the concern of noncitizens attempting to register to vote, after all, only Wyoming citizens should be voting in Wyoming elections, Lankford said. ... Proper participation in the WYDOT system modernization project would provide up-to-date citizenship and residency information without the redesign of the current card. Regardless, the committee voted 10-4 to sponsor the draft bill, with opposition coming from Brown; Sen. Evie Brennan, R-Cheyenne; Rep. Kevin OHearn, R-Mills; and Rep. Jerry Obermueller, R-Casper. In my opinion, this was not a request of the Management Council, this was not an interim topic assigned to us, this was not something that was brought to us, Brown said. This is well outside the wheelhouse, trying to fix something when it comes to voting. Were going to redesign and tell WYDOT to go fix something that we can do within our rules, and were already in that process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we have to have as much confidence in the system with the constituents, Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, said. Its not to say that I think this is a necessary thing at that level, but I believe thats irrelevant in this case. Whats relevant is what people think. I think whatever we can do to make them have confidence in our system is what we need to do. Should the amended draft bill pass, the change would take place Jan. 1, 2026, rather than the originally proposed date of July 1, 2025. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A local non-profit celebrated 27 years of operation with a fundraiser Wednesday evening. SMARTS is a community art school that teaches kids of all ages music, dance, theatre and more. Wednesdays event was held at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel banquet hall in Youngstown. Kids of all ages performed on stage for an audience of about 300 people. President and Founder Becky Keck says art education can really help a childs growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It helps them to learn discipline and focus. It makes them better citizens. It helps them to find themselves and to tell their own story, Keck said. SMARTS is located on East Boardman Street in downtown Youngstown. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Heated protests erupted outside of an Albuquerque Public Schools board meeting Wednesday evening. Social media posts from a local church and from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups spurred more than a hundred members of the community to show up in protest and to support a speaker that one board member called problematic. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you support perverted books being in schools, youre either a pervert or an ally of perversion, said Pastor John Amanchukwu. Amanchukwu, a pastor from North Carolina, is known for advocating for the removal of what he calls perverse books in schools. After news of his visit to Albuquerque circulated on social media, both those for and against the issue showed up at an APS school board meeting. Some residents outside shared why they showed up, to protect the right to literature and the right for children to be respected in schools, regardless of their identity, gender or sexuality, said Stephanie Garcia. Were not against, you know, the LGBTQ system or any of anybody elses beliefs. All were asking is that school would be focused on your education, said Arianna Escalante. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the building, board members heard from dozens who spoke during the meetings public forum who pushed back against book banning. Thats why I believe any ban on books involving LGBTQ+ content is not only misdirected, but harmful for our kids, said one speaker. Others argue that banning certain books protects children, After all, he was eight, how could I expect him to understand these ideas? I no longer viewed my relationship with the school as a partnership but as a threat to my familys religious beliefs. APS said in a statement: While we respect differing opinions on these kinds of topics, we need to be clear: For both the Board of Education and Superintendent Gabriella Blakey, our biggest challenge in Albuquerque Public Schools is improving student outcomes. Clearly, issues such as those brought up during public comment are important. That said, the board and the district are committed to following the law and ensuring the safety of our children. We appreciate robust public debate, but were also aware the overriding issue at APS is making certain our students are proficient in math and reading; are college and career ready; and have the skills needed to operate in the world long after they leave us. Thats the mandate the community has given us, and its one we will pursue with passion. APS Board President Danielle Gonzales There were no measures on the school board agenda Wednesday night regarding a book ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzales issued the following statement on Thursday: I want to be unequivocally clear, the APS Board is not banning books, is not repealing protections for LGBTQIA+ youth, and is not allowing out-of-state political extremists to drive our agenda. We remain committed to improving student outcomes, to fostering safe and supportive learning environments, and preparing all students for life success. When we ban books and restrict ideas, even in the name of safety, we arent protecting our kids. We are censoring free thought and discussion, preventing parents from making individual decisions about what children can learn, and harming our kids education. Wanting to make sure material is age-appropriate is a valid concern for many parents. Thats why teachers are trained to teach about difficult subjects in an age-appropriate way. Gradually introducing topics at a pace they can handle builds on childrens natural curiosity and empathy as they learn about their world. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. KINSHASA, Congo (AP) Congolese police have arrested six people over a break-in and vandalism earlier this week at the mausoleum of the country's assassinated independence leader Patrice Lumumba in Congos capital, Kinshasa. During the break-in on Monday, a case containing a single gold-capped tooth the only part of the former leader that remained after his assassination was broken by the vandals, according to authorities. It wasn't immediately clear what happened to the tooth. Police announced the six arrests late Wednesday and said they were still looking for two more suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jacquemin Shabani, the country's interior minister, told reporters that Lumumba's tooth was not damaged during the break-in. We assure that the relic is secure and it is protected, the minister said, without offering more information. The return of Lumumbas tooth from former colonizer Belgium in 2022 had been celebrated around Congo, with the tooth taken around the vast country so people could pay their respects. We are happy that the perpetrators of this act have been arrested, Jean-Jacques Lumumba, one of Lumumbas grandsons, told The Associated Press over the phone. But we regret that the mausoleum has been abandoned by the countrys authorities," he added. "What is certain is that the relic is in a very secure place that we cannot name at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lumumba is widely hailed as the nationalist activist who helped end colonial rule. He became Congos first prime minister and was seen as one of Africas most promising new leaders, but he was assassinated within a year in 1961. His body was dismembered and dissolved with acid in an apparent effort to keep any grave from becoming a pilgrimage site. For many in Congo, Lumumba is a symbol of the positive developments the country could have achieved after its independence. Instead, it became mired in decades of dictatorship that drained its vast mineral riches. A military coup toppled Lumumba, who was arrested, jailed and later killed. His assassination, blamed on separatists, cleared the way for the rise of Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled the country he later renamed Zaire for decades with support from Western powers until his death in 1997. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Lumumbas killers were Congolese, questions have persisted over the complicity of Belgium and the United States because of his perceived Communist ties. His one remaining tooth was kept by the Belgian police commissioner who oversaw the destruction of his body. In 2016, the tooth was seized by Belgian officials from the police commissioners daughter. The tooth was returned to Congo after the visit of Belgiums King Philippe, who expressed regrets for his nations abuses in Congo when it was a Belgian colony. Nov. 21CONNEAUT The Conneaut Area City School Board approved the district's fall five-year forecast at a Wednesday meeting. The forecast was presented by district treasurer Jackie Miranda. Miranda said she accounted for the end of federal COVID-19 funds, 2023 property value changes and increases in health insurance costs. Miranda said the forecast assumes the district's levies would not be renewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our current five-mill emergency levy generates about $1 million a year," she said. "In January [2028], we would need to have that approved" Miranda said the Community Eligibility Program, which provides free meals for students, was a big consideration. "It's a very good program for feeding all our students, but it increases our current funding formula about $800,000 for this year, based on the current budget," she said. Miranda said she anticipated the "one-time bump" of funding from the district's CEP participation will not be available in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miranda said the district is not running at a deficit right now. "We just need to be very circumspect with this financial forecast," she said. Miranda said the district's fiscal office is planning for deficit spending in 2027. "We're paying attention to what that looks like," she said. "It's a continual process." Miranda said plans account for changes at all levels of government and in the local community. Conneaut Superintendent Lori Riley said changes to the student population are minimal, with around 20 new students. Riley talked to the board about meeting with Norfolk Southern in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the city administration attended the meeting with Riley and board member Joan Norton. Riley said the meeting resolved misunderstandings. "One of the pieces of information I did share with them were the start and end times of the buildings," she said. "[Norfolk Southern] did not know we have breakfast at 7:05 [a.m.]." Riley said railroad safety education was left as the district's responsibility. "The last week of January, we have the railroad safety committee coming to all four of our buildings," she said. "It's not just an issue with the high school. We have tracks all over the city." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board approved the Ohio Public Education Appreciation Week Proclamation. Board member Penny Armeni said people should remember public schools' importance. "Watch the state [and] watch the federal [government]," she said. "Public schools they want to take them and change them. While I think some changes are necessary, we all believe in public education and public education is a right." CONNECTICUT (WTNH) The Connecticut Education Association (CEA) president released a statement on Wednesday, reacting to Linda McMahons nomination for education secretary. What to know about Linda McMahon, Trumps pick for Education secretary CEA President Katie Dias said that the nomination of McMahon who has no teaching experience represents a reckless shift in Americas education priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMahons objective will likely be to dismantle the very agency she has been tapped to oversee: the U.S. Department of Education, which takes a lead role in providing equal access to education, protecting the rights of students and educators, and ensuring American students particularly those with disabilities and those in high-poverty areas receive the support and resources they need, Dias said. These include students civil rights, special education services, reasonable class sizes, job training programs, and resources for our most vulnerable students. Dias closed the statement by urging the Senate to reject McMahons appointment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO A conservative legal organization is ratcheting up its opposition to the requirement in Illinois that mail-in ballots be counted for 14 days after Election Day by calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse federal court rulings that upheld the law because three Republican plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to challenge it. The appeal, filed Tuesday by the organization Judicial Watch, also asks the nations highest court to clarify rulings about who has the right to appeal post-Election Day challenges, after many lawsuits contesting individual state results of the 2020 election filed on behalf of Donald Trump were tossed for lack of standing. Judicial Watch was among several groups that assisted Trump in seeking to halt the counting of mail-in ballots after Election Day four years ago when Trump lost to President Joe Biden. The appeal to the Supreme Court comes less than a month after a federal appeals court in Louisiana sided with Republicans and ruled Mississippis law allowing mail-in ballot counting after Election Day violated federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At issue in the Illinois case is a 2015 state law that requires the counting of mail-in ballots that are postmarked or voter-signed and certified by Election Day and arrive within the following 14 days. In May 2022, Judicial Watch led the legal team that brought the suit on behalf of U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, now a five-term Republican congressman from Murphysboro, and two GOP Trump electors, alleging the post-Election Day ballot counting violated the federally established date for federal general elections. The lawsuit also maintained Bost suffered harm from the law by being forced to pay campaign poll watchers to monitor the post-Election Day counting. The suit also contended those mail-in ballots diluted votes that were timely cast up to and on Election Day. The U.S. Justice Department has supported upholding the Illinois law in part to ensure that military ballots cast overseas are counted. Bost is a Marine veteran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2023, U.S. District Judge John Kness dismissed the suit for lack of standing. Kness also rejected the suit based on the merits of the case, saying the Illinois law complied with the U.S. Constitution as well as federal election law. Kness, a Trump appointee, ruled the state law does not conflict with the federal mandate that Election Day be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November and that by counting only mail-in ballots postmarked on or before Election Day, the statute does not extend the day for casting votes in a federal election. Addressing an appeal of Kness ruling, a three judge panel for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Aug. 21 ruled 2-1 in siding with Kness that the challengers lacked standing to bring the lawsuit because they failed to allege an injury. The panels majority, which was made up of one justice appointed by Trump and the other appointed by President Barack Obama, said the alleged harms faced by Bost and the others were generalized and speculative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noting Bost won reelection in 2022 with 75% of the vote, the panel called the downstate congressmans claims he was harmed for having to hire poll watchers an attempt by Bost to manufacture standing by choosing to spend money to mitigate ... conjectural risks. Unofficial returns show Bost winning reelection this month with more than 74% of the vote. Mail-in voting has grown in popularity in recent years, with more than 1.2 million ballots being cast in the 2024 general election as lawmakers have encouraged the practice by allowing voters to permanently apply to vote by mail. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 general election saw more than one-third of the ballots in Illinois cast by mail. And in the 2022 general election about 18% of the votes statewide were cast by mail. Democrats in Illinois and nationally have traditionally mounted strong vote-by-mail programs a voting strategy Republicans adopted this year after Trump reversed his opposition to mail-in voting when he falsely claimed in his losing 2020 campaign that such ballots were rife with fraud. But the issue of post-Election Day ballot counting in Illinois, among about 20 states nationally that have such a provision, could face changes as a result of an Oct. 25 ruling on a Republican-backed lawsuit by the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which oversees Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That appeals court ruled Mississippis law allowing mail-in ballot counting five days after Election Day violated federal law. An appeal of the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court is likely and Justice Watch attorneys noted in their Illinois appeal to the high court that the strength of its case has improved as a result of the 5th Circuit ruling. By having the U.S. Supreme Court overturn the Illinois rulings and remand the case to the lower courts, it would allow them to consider the merits of the important questions raised by the petitioners claims, Justice Watch contended. _____ ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A new program launching at Rockfords University of Illinois College of Medicine will allow anyone with a bachelors degree to earn a masters in nursing. Theres a huge, huge demand for nursing, said Dr. Laura Monahan, director of UIC Rockford. The school is attempting to address the shortage in a unique way, by reaching out to those looking for a new career. We have a surrounding community of people who have a bachelors degree in another area who want to become nurses, Monahan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The college educates students pursuing a doctor or nursing practice degree. The new program will allow anyone with a bachelors degree in any field to earn a masters of science in nursing. Katelyn Osterbauer is one of the students in the program, a second-year student in the program at UIC Chicago. She served in the military for over a decade before transitioning to civilian life and said she chose nursing in part because of the program. What was so scary was starting a second career and saying, Oh geez, I have to go back to get a bachelors and hang around people that are much younger than me. And I was a little bit scared that I wouldnt relate to a lot of those people, she said. To be able to come back and get a new degree thats not going back. it really breaks that barrier and that disheartening feeling of starting over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rural communities are in dire need of nurses, with an average of 25% fewer nurses per 100,000 residents, compared to urban areas, according to the Rural Health Association. Monahan hopes that expanding the program to Rockford will help remedy that inequality. We want to encourage our nurses to stay here in the area because of the huge need that we have here, she said. And research tells us that nurses who tend to study in certain communities stay in those communities, which is really beneficial, especially in the rural areas where theres such a high need. UIC is holding two in-person informational sessions for interested students next month. More information can be found on their website by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. GETTYSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) A 55+ community in Gettysburg has broken ground on the next phase of residential development. According to Amblebrook, the new development currently under construction will be called Highland, which will join the companys other two completed neighboring developments dubbed the Parkview and Grandview. The new Highland section will soon become a 259-home neighborhood situated off Shrivers Corner Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once completed, it will become the third of five planned neighborhoods for Amblebrook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Local Business Beat Were excited to introduce the newest neighborhood at Amblebrook, Sara Carbonell, director of marketing and sales for Amblebrook at Gettysburg said. The start of construction on our Highland neighborhood is coming at the perfect time, as we have seen an increased demand for homes over the past year from prospective residents coming from all up and down the East Coast. Amblebrook says the lots are expected to be delivered in Q2 of 2025, with builders to be announced at a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While most of our buyers previously came mostly from the Baltimore/DC area, Northern Virginia, and Pennsylvania, were now seeing an influx of residents coming from states as far as New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida, Carbonell added. Were sensing that word is spreading about how ideal a place Gettysburg is to live, along with the high quality of life that Amblebrook residents enjoy. Our current residents are taking full advantage of the lifestyle offered to them by the town of Gettysburg and Amblebrooks amenities and look forward to seeing their community grow with this new neighborhood. To date, Amblebrook has sold 570 homes, which is more than one-quarter of the total homes planned to be built in the community. For more information on Amblebrook at Gettysburg, you can click here. According to Amblebrook, the community is being developed by CCD Rock Creek and managed by Crown Community Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. TUPELO The Major Thoroughfare Committee is pushing ahead with its project to change the landscape of Tupelo's Barnes Crossing area. Through unanimous vote among present members this week, the Major Thoroughfare Committee tasked its engineers to move forward with the engineering groundwork for a new street in the Barnes Crossing area where Target Corporation is preparing to build a store and multiple out-parcels. I think we are all excited about the possibility (of the new street), Major Thoroughfare Committee Chair Greg Pirkle said. We need it so badly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday, City Engineer Dennis Bonds said all but one landowner has approved of the project, and three landowners in the area have signed deeds granting right-of-way access to the city. He told the committee he believes the final deed will be signed by the next meeting in December. Once built, the road will run parallel to North Gloster, behind pre-existing developments that include Walmart and Sams Clubs and their respective plazas. The road will begin as an intersection with Gloster across Commonwealth Boulevard and end at Barnes Crossing Extended. Engineering Solutions Inc. engineer John White said the engineering for the project should be completed soon, but with the holiday season imminent, he, Bonds and the committee said it would be best to wait until the new year to bid the project out for contracts. Pirkle and the committee discussed cutting the project into multiple phases, but quickly dismissed the idea to avoid building the bridge to nowhere. While the street has an estimated $11 million price tag, Target's construction will front some of the cost, with the promise that the committee will reimburse the national company for the expense later when it relinquishes maintenance of it to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taxes used to fund the Major Thoroughfare Project were first self-imposed by voters in a 1991 election. The project and required taxes have been renewed via public votes six times since then. Performing the math with the committees monthly budget report, committee member George Jones said he believes the committee will have enough funding for the project by the end of the program's current phase. Pirkle said the committee will have to squeeze its budget to allow for the project. Members also floated the idea of taking the project to the city to request additional funding that exists outside of the millage it receives. Chief Financial Officer Kim Hanna said there is precedent to go to the council for additional funding. The committee functions in an advisory capacity, so most of its actions that involve the flow of funding must come before the council for final approval, though it has the power to request engineering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as the city preps for Target Corporation to move forward with construction of a proposed 148,721-square-foot store in the Barnes Crossing where the road will begin. The council previously approved tax incentives with for the company through a tax increment finance plan and regional economic development agreement as well as rezoned a little over 60 acres in the area for the storefront, its 775-space parking lot and multiple out-parcel lots. Plans for a vocational charter school in Hamilton County won't get out of the workshop. The charter operators who planned to partner with Hamilton Southeastern schools to bring a trades-centric school into the district have withdrawn their application. In a letter to HSE teachers and families, Superintendent Pat Mapes said Opportunity Education Foundation, a nonprofit founded by billionaire Ameritrade Founder and CEO Joe Ricketts, had pulled its charter application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this decision marks a missed opportunity to bring significant philanthropic resources and innovative learning options to our students, we remain committed to our top priority: engaging with our community and listening to its voice, Mapes said. The plan faced opposition from many parents and some HSE board members were non-committal about it. It was set for a board vote on Dec. 11. More: Homes planned at former Balmoral golf course in Fishers The HSE teachers union called the development a victory. We are proud of everyone who showed Opportunity Education there is no place for its charter school or any other charter school within HSEs boundaries, read a letter posted on social media by the Hamilton Southeastern Teachers Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A community forum scheduled Thursday was canceled. In its letter to HSE, Opportunity Education did not explicitly state why it was withdrawing but suggested that pushback played a part. While we believe this synergy still exists, we also understand that this may not be an optimal time for the community to undertake such an innovation effort, particularly one that challenges accepted assumptions about what schools can be, with a focus on putting student interests first, according to the letter. School officials said the charter, tentatively named Fishers Prep, would have centralized vocational training that is now dispersed to J. Everett Light Career Center at North Central High School or through the Pursuit Institute in Hamilton County. For students in those programs the travel can take time out of their day or can be a problem arranging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school would have been a career alternative for students who dont want to pursue a four-year college degree and would have provided a boost to the trades workforce, advocates said. About 7% of HSE students take courses to train as nurses, medical technicians and welders but a much greater number, perhaps more than 20%-30%, cant take the courses because of space and transportation constraints. The facility had been poised to serve 500 HSE students who cant get into CTE classes now because of space and travel limitations. It would have been an expanded version of the current program and a job incubator, with local companies providing job training, apprenticeships, internships and employee-paid college Critics claimed a subsidized private vocational school would suck money from HSE, which already offers career training. In Indiana, state education money follows the child, so if students leave HSE for a charter school HSE would lose money. They feared charter school advocates were using HSE to gain a toehold in high-performing school districts, decimating the public schools resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HSE said the need for vocational training is growing because the districts college enrollment rate has shrunk from 86% to 74% since 2012. In addition, the number of graduates leaving state colleges after one year or taking longer than four years to get their degree has increased. Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418. Email at john.tuohy@indystar.com and follow on X/Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Controversial Hamilton Southeastern charter school plan dropped Gintautas Paluckas was elected prime minister by the Lithuanian parliament in Vilnius on Thursday, with 88 members voting in favour, 36 opposed and six abstaining. Paluckas, the deputy leader of the Social Democratic Party (LSDP), had earlier been nominated by President Gitanas Nauseda after the LSDP won a clear victory in parliamentary elections held in October. Nauseda now has to formally nominate Nauseda, an IT specialist by profession, before the prime minister can present his cabinet and government programme to the parliament of the EU and NATO member for another vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The LSDP went into the election under its popular leader, Vilija Blinkeviciute, who stepped aside after the elections, citing declining health and her age of 64. She proposed Paluckas as prime minister in her stead. In a step that has provoked controversy in Lithuania and abroad, Paluckas has announced his intention to include Dawn of Nemunas in his government, despite minor objections from within the LSDP, which had declared during the campaign that it would not cooperate with the nationalist and populist party. Dawn of Nemunas leader, Remigijus Zemaitaitis, is currently on trial for allegedly making anti-Semitic comments. Nauseda has said he will not nominate any Dawn of Nemunas members to his cabinet. The third party in Nauseda's new government is the Democratic Union of Lithuania, bringing the coalition up to 86 of the 141 seats in parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Lithuania, government ministers are nominated and dismissed by the president, on the recommendation of the prime minister. Paluckas was to meet Nauseda on Thursday afternoon. Opponents of Dawn of Nemunas were to hold a protest against the party's inclusion during the evening. 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. 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. A robbery attempt inside a Lakewood convenience store escalated into a gunfight Wednesday morning that left the stores owner wounded. Officers were dispatched at 11:14 a.m. to a report of gunshots at McChord Mart in the 5000 block of Solberg Drive Southwest. The initial report said the stores owner had been shot, according to a Lakewood Police Department news release. The owner was in the parking lot when officers arrived. He had been shot in the leg, the release said. Officers provided medical aid until the man was taken to a local hospital. His wound is not thought to be life threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three males reportedly entered the store, while another one waited outside. One of the men tried to steal some items. The owner confronted them, which led to one of them striking him with a can, the release said. They left the store, and the owner followed them out. The incident escalated when the owner and men exchanged gunshots. The owner was struck, and the men ran off, the release said. Officers set up a containment area and a search began for the alleged shooters. The four suspects were found and detained within 40 minutes, the release said. They are two juveniles and two men. Detectives continue to investigate. We would like to thank our law enforcement partners from the Pierce County Sheriffs Office, Washington State Patrol and Steilacoom PD for their assistance, the release said. President Toni Preckwinkles 2025 budget soared through the Cook County Board Thursday with only minor tweaks that boost grant funding for abortion organizations, set aside $15 million for a future property tax relief fund, and kickstart the contentious process to shift arrestees on electronic monitoring from the sheriff to the chief judge. Commissioners swiftly approved technical amendments to the budget and took their final 17-0 vote in the span of about an hour. The roughly $9.94 billion good news budget closed an initial $218 million shortfall without raising any taxes or fees. It eliminated 56 vacant positions, refilled an emergency response fund, and dedicated nearly $30 million to climate resiliency and clean energy. Shortly after its unanimous passage, Preckwinkle ran a short victory lap, saying the county has weathered the pandemic, numerous economic risks and persistent budgeting challenges, but seen its bond rating upgraded, implemented a plan to fully fund its pensions and built up reserves. Were doing more than ever without asking more from our taxpayers, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursdays meetings were a milestone for some, including the last for Commissioner Monica Gordon, who will take over as the countys clerk in December, and the 30th for longtime Finance Chairman John Daley. Property tax relief, money for abortion providers Cook Countys financial stability and consistent surpluses in recent years allowed Preckwinkle and the board to spend its federal pandemic aid on a broad array of community projects rather than plugging budget holes. The county allocated $165.4 million for spending on American Rescue Plan Act-funded community programs next year, which range from anti-violence efforts to broadband expansion and roadwork. The county will not cut off that programming at the federal use it or lose it deadline of Dec. 31, 2026: Preckwinkle has set aside roughly $160 million in non-ARPA dollars to continue or slowly phase out existing programs through 2031. The county will collect about $825 million in property taxes next year, which is essentially a flat rate. The base property tax level has stayed the same for more than two decades, but the overall levy has risen slightly to tax new property and values that are newly released from expiring special taxing districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Brandon Johnsons planned record surplus from the citys tax increment financing districts known as TIFs will net the county just under $32 million in 2025, about $11.6 million more than initially anticipated. Commissioners voted to spend $3 million of that extra money to expand a modular home pilot program in Chicago and $8.6 million for a down payment assistance program throughout the county. Though the board isnt hiking its property taxes, commissioners quickly approved Commissioner Bridget Gainers property tax relief fund during the brief Finance Committee meeting before the full board vote. While they set aside $15 million in county surplus to offer relief to homeowners, they have not yet set qualifying criteria or amounts. Gainer said she hopes to have a program in place when the next bills land in February, and current plans are for one-time payments of $1,000. Eligibility will factor in both the ability to pay and the rate of the individuals bill increase, Gainer said. Its hopefully going to be a catalyst to help us also pass long-term reforms in Springfield, which she conceded is probably the most difficult thing to pull off in Springfield. The board similarly approved an amendment from Commissioner Bridget Degnen creating a $2 million grant for community groups that provide wraparound health services for those seeking reproductive health in Cook County. The grant would help cover abortion services, transportation, lodging and child care for county and noncounty residents alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chicago Abortion Funds Qudsiyyah Shariyf applauded the move in public testimony before the vote. Every investment in the abortion access ecosystem now is a life-changing and lifesaving one, she said, given the Supreme Courts decision striking down Roe v. Wade and uncertainty about whether the incoming Trump administration might curb abortion access. Theres so much uncertainty at this moment. We need to prepare everything that we can because theres so much that we dont know. I dont know how many people it will help. I think it depends on what the need is, Degnen told the Tribune Wednesday, but the demand is clear. Illinois has become an oasis, but its not going to be an oasis if we dont have any money to support it. These organizations are running out of money. Cook County Health has been an abortion provider since the early 90s. A spokesperson said on average 60% are medical induced by a pill and 40% are surgical. In 2023, the system performed 908 abortion procedures and expects to perform 1,200 by the end of this year. Preckwinkles team is only starting to plan for other potential budgetary impacts of the incoming Trump administration. She closely aligned herself with President Joe Biden and made regular trips to the White House in the past four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Ive said to my staff is this is a battle and not the war. And were born fighting, and we die fighting for the things we believe in and the people we love. So we just got a lot of work to do in the next two years, she told reporters after Thursdays vote. The budget also reflects an agreement reached earlier this month to cut down on the use of outside agency staffing at the countys hospital system, a longtime gripe of the union representing hospital workers and several commissioners. The countys health system has increasingly relied on outside agencies to fill staffing gaps, which the union said has created friction between workers being paid less and reduced the quality of care. Health system officials said theyd been working to cut down on the use of agency staff, holding job fairs, offering incentives to new hires and working to retain employees. The agreement with SEIU Local 73 which represents nearly 1,500 workers at Cook County Health hospitals and clinics creates 250 union positions and phases out those filled by temporary workers. Changes coming to countys electronic monitoring program Among other amendments approved Thursday was a shift of roughly $6.3 million out of Cook County Sheriff Tom Darts budget and into Chief Judge Timothy Evans adult probation department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lead sponsor of the amendment, Commissioner Stanley Moore, told the Tribune it represented the first step to help Dart shed management of the countys massive electronic monitoring program for pretrial detainees. The idea of transferring EM to Evans has been percolating for years. Darts team argued as far back as 2019 that the chief judge was better positioned to run it, since judges decide who is assigned to the monitoring and that it is common practice in other jurisdictions for the program to be handled by the judiciary. Dart has also previously pushed back against some EM assignments for arrestees he considered too high risk. Preckwinkle has supported the swap for years, but the issue had not come to a head until this budget, when Dart began a push to offload the program. Since 2022, my administration has advocated for a thoughtful, planned transition to a single, consolidated electronic monitoring system in Cook County, Preckwinkle said in an early October statement. I welcome the Sheriffs new shift towards this shared goal. It is essential that the transition is carefully coordinated to ensure the safety of our communities and the individuals under supervision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reform organizations applauded the start of the transition on Thursday as well. In a release, the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice said the program under Dart expanded mass incarceration, cost the county millions of dollars, and harmed tens of thousands of people subjected to pretrial surveillance as well as their families. For nearly two decades, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has overseen one of the nations largest and most restrictive pretrial electronic monitoring programs. Among the complications of making a full transition: union considerations. Concerned about their jobs, sheriffs employees working in electronic monitoring and represented by Teamsters Local 700 have sought clarity from Dart about the process. He pledged during budget hearings that electronic monitoring staff would be reassigned, not laid off. But the change might mean the loss of specialty pay for those workers, Darts staff acknowledged. Current plans are for Dart to stop managing any new detainees assigned to EM beginning on April 1, though representatives for both offices suggested Thursday that those timelines may shift. The Clermont County Coroner's Office has released the identities of the two victims killed in a house explosion Tuesday in Bethel. Officials identified the victims as 77-year-old Barry Stone and 52-year-old Helen Evans, according to Enquirer media partner Fox19. Firefighters were called to Vic Joy Drive just before 9 a.m. Tuesday and found the house blown apart and in flames, Bethel Tate Fire Chief Christopher Cooper said. Debris had been launched throughout the neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stone and Evans were found dead, and another man was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the blast. No update on his condition has been provided. According to records from the Clermont County Auditor, Stone owned the house where the explosion occurred. Chief Cooper said Tuesday that nothing had been ruled out. He did not indicate what caused the house to explode, but he did say that it was equipped with propane. 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. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bethel, Ohio, house explosion: Coroner IDs 2 people killed New development near Sloan Canyon National Recreation Area. (Photo: Kyle Roerink) Across the West, debates about federal land sales and ownership are coming into the foreground as the new administration prepares to come into office. While some folks would want you to believe that there are stark differences in the political parties attitudes toward federal land ownership, Nevada politicians betray the common sentiments that conservatives want public lands sold and liberals dont. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican officials from Utah are waging marketing and legal campaigns to challenge the federal governments ability to manage public land, calling open spaces unappropriated and pushing for fast-tracked privatization. Ironically, Silver State Democrats are actually getting it done pushing bills in Congress to expand long-standing, Nevada-centric policies that have legitimized the sale of federal lands that Utah politicians can merely dream of undertaking. This week, look no further than Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, whose legislation to sell off federal lands in Clark and Washoe counties passed in a U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources work session. While the bills still have to clear a full Senate vote, pass the House and get the Presidents signature to actually become law, the result in Tuesdays hearing is an indication that the bills may have legs in the next few months and definitely in the future. The bill for Clark County amends the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act to allow for more federal lands to go up for auction on the outskirts of Las Vegas where future concerns about the Colorado River raise questions about the water necessary to invite another 800,000 people to Clark County on lands that are currently inhabited by the desert tortoise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purported financial benefits give Nevada politicians at all levels a reason to support. The proceeds from land sales fill the coffers of the State of Nevada, counties, and other local government entities like the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Ask any blue-collared Nevadan living in Las Vegas if inviting hundreds of thousands of more people to Clark County is a good idea especially as Lake Mead hovers below 40 percent of its storage capacity, as utility bills rise, as air quality deteriorates, as the traffic increases, as the private equity firms buy up the middle-class housing. Nevada is the only state in the nation with enacted federal legislation that allows for large swaths of public land to be disposed and auctioned for private interests in Southern Nevada. Simultaneously, Rep. Mark Amodei is working on creating a bill that would allow for similar public land sale programs to be implemented in Northern Nevada. Senator Jacky Rosen has the companion bill in her chamber that Cortez-Masto co-sponsors. The move to push forward the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act and the Northern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act will be viewed as a model for public land sales across the West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Nevada Democrats are showing Utah Republicans how it is done. Drive around Salt Lake City right now and find billboards advancing the notion that federal lands actually belong to the state. This tactful marketing campaign is really a part of a strategy to warm the public up to land sell-offs that dovetail with legal challenges that imply federal land management undermines state sovereignty. In Nevada, at the least, the longstanding quid-pro-quo of public land sales comes with the promise of conservation designations that protect landscapes that are high in scenery but not always as high in biodiversity, and usually are under no particular threat at all. Politicians arent so quick to lock up threatened landscapes, as the threats are usually backed by moneyed interests. In Utah, offsetting land sales with conservation wouldnt be the case. The promise in the Beehive State is all about making money, and fast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public land sale proposals coming from Nevada raise a specter of dealmaking. The bills in play this week may or may not advance through Congress before the Trump inauguration. If they dont, Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, who could take control of the Senate committee overseeing western public lands in the next Congress, might want to ask the Nevada delegation how badly it wants SNEDCA and NNEDCA. Would Nevada lawmakers trade votes with Mike Lee on bills that would allow Utah to sell off its lands? What other states would be willing to engage? Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, and Wyoming have opinions too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The point here is that Nevada sets a dangerous tone. The state is limited in the availability of private lands. And its also limited in its availability of water. But thats not a problem for Cortez Masto and her staff all of whom believe that there is plenty of water available. And maybe today there is. But the best scientists in the nation are telling us that we are headed into a drier future that could have a cascading effect on southwestern water supplies. Cortez Masto has experience in long-term planning in water issues in Nevada. She was the Attorney General of Nevada when the state was actively supporting efforts ultimately deemed illegal to pump and pipe billions of gallons of groundwater from rural communities for sprawl in Vegas. It was her deputy AGs, alongside attorneys for the SNWA, that were saying plenty of water exists. Her staff was wrong. Nevada and Utah politicians seemingly take an oath to unending and unchecked growth if they want to assume their powerful seats in Washington, D.C. Of course, Sens. Lee and Cortez Masto are serving dutifully. And, of course, they have more in common than they want us to think. By Luiza Ilie BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanians vote in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, with worries about the cost of living likely to earn radical right leader George Simion, who opposes military aid to Ukraine, a shot at victory. European Union and NATO state Romania holds a run-off ballot on Dec. 8, to replace outgoing two-time president and staunch Ukraine ally Klaus Iohannis, with a parliamentary election sandwiched in between, on Dec. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion surveys show leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, 56, the leader of Romania's largest party the Social Democrats (PSD), will make it into the Dec. 8 run-off vote, with 38-year-old Simion of the Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR) the most likely runner-up. Analysts say Ciolacu would most likely win that second round match-up, appealing to moderates and touting his experience running Romania during a war next door, but do not rule out a Simion victory. The incoming president will face a slowing European economy, a pending fiscal correction to lower the EU's highest deficit, and pressure to uphold NATO spending goals during Donald Trump's second term as U.S. president. "Romania's next five years are not about us but ... about the international context," Ciolacu told television channel Antena 3. "It is unclear what turn the war in Ukraine will take. It is regional now, but we must be prepared for bad scenarios." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OUTSIDER PITCH Since Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, Romania has enabled the export of millions of tons of grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta and provided military aid, including the donation of a Patriot air defence battery. Simion has cast the election as a choice between an entrenched political class beholden to foreign interests and himself, an outsider who will defend Romania's economy and sovereignty. A supporter of Trump, he opposes military aid for Ukraine and has accused the coalition government of treating refugees better than domestic flood victims. Some political opponents accuse him of being a Russian agent, a charge he denies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I did not stick my hand in the jar to steal your money," Simion told supporters this month. "I am one of you, not one of them. I have always been among people, talking about closed factories, unemployment ... the poverty that is making young people leave the country." FAMILY VALUES Two centre-right candidates are also in the running: senate speaker Nicolae Ciuca, leader of the Liberal Party (PNL) that is currently in a strained ruling coalition with Ciolacu's PSD, and Elena Lasconi, the head of opposition Save Romania Union (USR). "The outcome is still very difficult to predict due to the high concentration of candidates and the splitting of the centre-right vote," said Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most candidates, he said, have campaigned on largely conservative messages such as protecting family values. "Mainstream party candidates have a very catch-all message, on the one hand the nation, the army, religion and so on. On the other hand, we see a commitment to Europe, although it is seen more as a revenue source than an inspiration for values." Romania's president, who is limited to two five-year terms, has a semi-executive role which includes heading the armed forces and chairing the supreme defence council that decides on military aid. The president represents the country at EU and NATO summits and appoints the prime minister, chief judges, prosecutors and secret service heads. Iohannis swept to power a decade ago on a promise to bolster the fight against endemic corruption. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Justyna Pawlak and Alex Richardson) Two decades ago, state Rep. Tom Craddick could ask a room of his West Texas constituents what illness they feared the most and the answer, unfailingly, was always cancer. A few weeks ago, about the time Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick contacted him about a new blockbuster medical research fund idea, Craddick asked a group of his constituents the question again and no one mentioned cancer. It was unanimous in the room, Craddick said. Alzheimers and dementia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craddick, R-Midland, told that story to a room full of rapt researchers gathered at the University of Texas at Austin this week, a day after Patrick made a stunning announcement that he wants lawmakers to approve a dementia research fund modeled after Texas successful $6 billion Cancer Prevention and Research Institute, known as CPRIT. A Texas-funded dementia research fund in the mold of its now successful 15-year-old cancer fund has the potential to pump hundreds of millions of dollars into a field still looking for better ways to slow symptoms as well as a cure. Since CPRIT began in 2007, it has become the countrys second largest funder of cancer research, and if as successful, the dementia counterpart could have global impacts on how to prevent and care for individuals with the disease. Like CPRIT, this investment will draw leading researchers and companies to Texas and require them to be based in Texas, leading to their further investment in our state, Patrick said in a Monday statement. Patrick added that Craddick along with Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman, R-Houston, will be working with him to get a bill through the Texas Legislature this year and then present the proposal before voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think theres a family in Texas who hasnt been personally touched by these diseases or doesnt have a close friend, Huffman said, noting that roughly 30% of those on Medicaid in Texas who are in nursing homes have dementia-related issues and dementia patients are more likely readmitted to hospitals. We're paying a lot on the back end for these diseases. Few details have surfaced since Patrick announced he was making a Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas a priority this session, which begins Jan. 14. Its not clear how much money such a fund would have or how it would be funded, either through bonds as CPRIT was, or whether the states enviable Economic Stabilization Fund, also known more commonly as its rainy day fund, would be tapped to get it started. Calls to Patricks office for more details were not immediately returned to The Texas Tribune. But Craddicks anecdote underscored what Patrick and other lawmakers are finding out in their own districts. Alzheimers disease and dementia are a real concern because of its devastating toll and cost. Patricks campaign for dementia research Patrick's announcement picks up from 2023, when a similar bill failed. That year state Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, together with Craddick and others authored House Bill 15, which would have created a Mental Health and Brain Institute of Texas that would have received $300 million in state grants each year. The House passed the measure but it died in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it was too broad, Craddick said of the 2023 attempt. Then a few months ago, Patrick began reaching out to Huffman and Craddick about making a fund based on the CPRIT model. We sort of had some ideas kind of floating around for several sessions, Huffman told the Tribune, adding that Patrick had been interested in dementia research for some time. He wanted to make that one of his priorities. By highlighting the proposal this early, Craddick, the former Texas House speaker, doesnt anticipate any roadblocks. I think the chances are excellent, he said of the proposals probability of passing. It already has the support, he said, of House Speaker Dade Phelan. What is the CPRIT model Texas voters approved the creation of CPRIT in 2007, financing $3 billion for it through the issue of bonds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters approved another $3 billion for it five years ago, even after it came under scrutiny in 2012 for awarding $56 million in grants to research that wasnt properly vetted. CPRITs director resigned and after a change in leadership, CPRIT has continued to thrive as a medical research engine, awarding more than $3.7 billion in grants so far. It is now the largest cancer research investment effort, second to the federal government. It has helped recruit 324 researchers to Texas and assisted in either the establishment, expansion or relocation of 74 companies to the state. The legislative decision to create this agency via constitutional amendment, and the overwhelming support of the people of Texas, provides CPRIT with the long-term stability needed to take on a task as big as conquering cancer, said CPRIT CEO Kristen Doyle this week, recognizing the organization's 15th anniversary. Growing Alzheimer risk in Texas Alzheimers, a degenerative brain disease, is the most common form of dementia, accounting for about 80% of cases, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Alzheimers symptoms memory loss and the inability to perform simple tasks tend to develop in the mid-to-late 60s and occur when clumps of abnormal proteins block the communication of brain cells. Symptoms can be mild at first and worsen over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimers, nearly two-thirds are women, and dementia care costs Americans more than $300 billion a year. While a 2023 study shows that the eastern and southeastern United States have the highest prevalence of Alzheimers, Texas is one of three states that has the highest estimated number of older residents who are at risk of Alzheimers. The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that 459,000 Texans have been diagnosed with Alzheimers, about 12% of the states population over the age of 65. In Texas, the Rio Grande Valley, where residents are almost as twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimers, has become a dementia research center. Paying for a "bold vision" News of a fund for dementia being made possible next year has been praised by health advocates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andy Keller, president and CEO of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, called it a bold vision for treating and ultimately curing dementia and related neurological disorders. Upon passage, the state that put a man on the moon and is leading the charge against cancer will hold the incredible potential to prevent, treat, and cure the neurological diseases that affect so many Texans, Keller said. The Alzheimers Association, which advocates for more research, also voiced their support of Patricks efforts. Our shared goal is to enhance the quality of life for those currently affected by Alzheimers while working toward a future with better treatment options and, ultimately, a cure," said Melissa Sanchez, Texas senior director of public policy for the association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the University of Texas Systemwide Brain Research Summit on Tuesday, Dr. John Zerwas, the vice chancellor for health affairs for the UT System, interviewed Huffman, Craddick and neurosurgeon and state Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood, about Patricks proposal, hitting on how research efforts like CPRIT have helped make Texas a better magnet for bioscience research. This has happened even while the state falls near the bottom in the amount of per-capita funding it receives for research from the National Institutes of Health. Because Texas is an exceptionally large state, well populated, we rank only 30th across the nation, said Zerwas, a former state lawmaker. Huffman replied that lawmakers are always looking for a way to draw down more federal dollars and if spending more state funds brings more federal cash to Texas, thats an opportunity worth considering. They always say Texas is a donor state, which means we, you know, we pay more federal income tax than what we get from the federal government, Huffman said. That's just the truth. And so when we see opportunities to make good investments that are sound investments that support Texas's values and our goals, then we take that opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for how it will be funded, none of the three lawmakers committed to one method. There's more than one way to do it, Bonnen said. Almost anything is going to move the ball forward. Disclosure: University of Texas System has 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. An Orlando father is demanding answers after he told Eyewitness News that his 3-year-old son was left in a daycare van by himself for about five hours. And to make matters worse, he claimed the facility checked the student off the drop off list, but never realized he remained in the vehicle. Thats scary. Imagine a call that I could have gotten instead? That is scary, said Jovonta Williams, the father of the 3-year-old, who spoke exclusively with Channel 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Seminole County Public Schools announces hurricane makeup day Williams said he was terrified on Monday when he learned when he learned his 3-year-old son was left alone in a daycare van at Apple Star Academy on Hastings Street, in Orlando. The school called and said it was an incident. So, Im like, Okay, whats going on? Its my son, said Williams. The 3-year-old fell asleep in the van on the ride to school around seven in the morning. The dad received that call just before one in the afternoon. Read: Family of Marion County woman shot and killed by neighbor releases statement ahead of sentencing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was left on the bus for five hours, and you went through, you didnt go through no protocol to make sure he was even in class? Williams said. You didnt even take attendance in the class, but we signed the paper saying that hes on the bus, and you signed him off of the bus, and you took his book bag off of the bus. Hows that possible? Apple Star Academy has two locations one on Kirkman Road and another on North Hastings Street. They take care of children as young as six weeks old. Channel 9 learned DCF is now investigating this case. Channel 9 also reviewed the last three years of records and found both Apple Star Academy sites have been cited by DCF for violations a total of eight times - twice for not keeping proper transportation log records, twice for being out of compliance with the required child to staff ratio, and once because it didnt have proper background records for an employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: $20 scratch-off lottery worth $1M purchased in Central Florida, was claimed by winner This couldve ended so badly, it could have gone so many different ways, said Williams. Its not just because its my son. It could have been anybodys kid. Thats crazy! A spokesperson for Apple Star Academy sent WFTV the following statement: We are simply horrified about the incident that happened Monday morning and so thankful that the child appears to have been unharmed. Were currently reviewing all of our procedures to see how this happened to ensure it never happens again. After this happened, we reported it immediately to the Department of Children and Family Services and we have no further information or comments to provide while their process is ongoing. Alan Byrd, spokesman, Apple Star Academy Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstown City Council voted on a moratorium Wednesday to prevent a pyrolysis process from being used a few blocks north of downtown. SOBE Energy Solutions which now runs the steam heat plant on North Avenue announced plans 2 years ago to use pyrolysis to generate the steam but it was met with skepticism from the community. The pyrolysis process if allowed would turn tire chips into synthetic gas and in turn, create steam used to heat and cool many of downtowns buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Krupa was one of four people asking city council to again approve a moratorium on the use of the pyrolysis process at Youngstowns SOBE plant. I ask that you as a city council renew this moratorium, said Krupa. I would like to see a forum with SOBE where a panel of carefully vetted scientists and experts in the field could ask questions. There was no sign of any major work being done at the plant Wednesday. Any expansion of the facilitys legacy use is impermissible under the law, said Ellie Buerk. Buerk works at the Kramer Environmental Law Clinic at Case Western Reserve which represents the Youngstown-based group SOBE Concerned Citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what the clinic and our clients have learned is concerning. It suggests the pyrolysis process is extremely dangerous and has a very real potential to harm Youngstowns residents and pollute this community, Buerk said. Buerk added that SOBE officials have not been part of any discussions. Notably over the past year, SOBE has made no effort to address public concerns regarding the safety of its plans and it has engaged no community outreach that we are aware of, Buerk said. Patricia Dunbar is retired from the Ohio EPA. She helped with the permitting process of what is now Hermitage Thermal Services in East Liverpool. Dunbar, too, was concerned about SOBE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent heard about any trial burns that are being planned. I havent heard of any kind of analysis thats being done of the waste materials, said Dunbar. No one on City Council commented but all voted to extend the SOBE pyrolysis moratorium for one more year. Also addressing the council Wednesday night was Barb Ewing the CEO of the Youngstown Business Incubator. Ewing asked council to commit to $1.35 million over the next four years to help create what will be called The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense Using Advanced Technologies. Part of the money will go toward renovating the former Vindicator Building downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youngstown contribution would be part of a $4.3 million local match to get a $26 million state grant. Were projecting 115 jobs in that facility with an average salary of $81,000, said Ewing. City council agreed, providing a letter supporting the Aerospace Hub. The council is expected to vote on the $1.35 million request at its next 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 WKBN.com. Election workers open 2024 election ballots at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Nov. 5. Maricopa's two-page ballot took longer than anticipated to remove from envelopes and prepare for counting. Photo by Courtney Pedroza | Votebeat The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors certified results of the general election Thursday afternoon, clearing the way for recounts to officially begin. Maricopa County Election officials and some members of the board stressed that the county tallied a record-breaking number of ballots in a shorter period of time than in previous elections, seemingly a response to calls for reforms to the counting process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county took 10 days to count 2,078,460 two-page ballots, which effectively was twice the work for election officials. The vote total is the second-highest in the countys history, only being surpassed by the 2020 election which took 10 days to count, as well. Maricopa County Elections Director Scott Jarrett also pointed out that the county surpassed similarly sized counties in voter turnout. The 80% turnout in Maricopa County was higher than Harris County (Texas), Miami-Dade (Florida) and Cook County (Illinois). The turnout was also higher than the countys presidential year average of 77%. Maricopa County has become the focus of national and international news agencies in the wake of the 2020 election, when the state flipped blue for President Joe Biden, sparking fabricated claims of widespread election fraud in the state. The county issued 686 media credentials to journalists from 17 different countries, Assistant County Manager Zach Shira said to the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election officials and the board also emphasized that their preparations ahead of the election to deal with the two-page ballot helped them count those more than 4 million pages of ballots. This year was the first time ballots have spilled onto a second sheet of paper since 2006. The average ballot in Maricopa County contained 79 races, and there were more than 13,000 different ballot styles due to the different local races, bond issues and propositions. When asked by the board how a one-page ballot would have changed the counting process, Jarrett said that he believes that 99% of the results would have been reported on election night. There is a lot of inaccurate information out about this, Jarrett said on the speed of counting ballots in Maricopa. We are counting ballots faster than we ever have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But at least one of the supervisors has voiced that he believes the county could count faster. Republican Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin has been calling for changes to early voting aimed at speeding up tabulation at the expense of limiting voters options for casting an early ballot. Galvin wants legislators to change state law to bar the practice of voters dropping off early ballots at polling sites on Election Day. Instead, he wants the deadline to do so set for the Friday before the election, similar to a deadline in Florida that Republicans routinely point to when they criticize Arizonas slower ballot counting process. Legislative Republicans and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer have backed similar proposals in the past, but Gov. Katie Hobbs has said she wont support any changes to early voting that take away options from voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Galvin also has suggested using more government buildings as polling places, similar to a recommendation made by Hobbs elections taskforce. However, some of Galvins fellow supervisors did not agree. Scott (Jarrett) is a gentleman, so he wont point the finger, but I will, Democratic Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo said. It is the legislatureI point the finger at the Capitol and the legislature for not listening to the election experts. Gallardo said that lawmakers sending nearly a dozen measures to the 20204 ballot to avoid Hobbs veto pen, and changing up election procedures in prior years, is the root cause of Maricopas counting problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Galvin said he has support from both sides of the aisle, citing a statement from Democratic Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott voicing support for his proposals. The board approved the canvass of the election and now the races in the county that triggered the states automatic recount law will be able to begin that process. There are three races in Maricopa County that will see automatic recounts: Maricopa County Board of Supervisors District 3: Kate Brophy McGee (R) and Daniel Valenzuela (D) are separated by 0.04% State Representative for Legislative District 2: Justin Wilmeth (R) and Ari Daniel Bradshaw (R) are separated by 0.08% Fountain Hills Town Council: Matthew Corrigan and Peggy McMahon are separated by 0.03% ***CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the Fountain Hills Town Council candidates whose elections will be recounted; the candidates are Matthew Corrigan and Peggy McMahon. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A couple is facing organized retail theft charges that allegedly led to upward of a $1 million loss to Lululemon through a multistate enterprise. Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested Nov. 14 in Roseville, Minn., and each was charged with one count of organized retail theft. They allegedly are connected to a nationwide organized theft ring that spans several states, including Minnesota, New York, Colorado, Utah and Connecticut. The incidents were said to have taken place between Sept. 1 and Nov. 14, according to a criminal complaint that was filed Nov. 15 in the Judicial District Courts Second District in Minnesota. The operation was said to have involved stealing leggings and other goods from one Lululemon store and returning them to another store for fraudulent refunds. More from WWD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richards and Lawes-Richards, who were represented by public defenders at their bail hearings, could not be reached for comment Thursday. A media request to the Second Districts public defenders management office was not immediately returned Thursday. Lululemon in Corte Madera, Calif. The investigation into the alleged thefts, which are believed to be part of a wider network, is ongoing, according to Ramsey County attorney John Choi, whose office brought forward the charges. It seems to be it was primarily focused on Lululemon, because of the nature of the high price of the products that are sold there. That probably makes for a much more appealing target for people, who are engaged in this type of operation, he said, meaning fewer items could be stolen due to the higher value. Lululemon, which generated $9.6 billion in sales for the fiscal year 2023, offers an array of activewear for working out or hanging out including a full range of leggings that retail from $88 to $128. Richards and Lawes-Richards are accused of either stealing or instructing another member of the enterprise to steal property amounting to nearly $5,000 from a Roseville, Minn., Lululemon store on Nov. 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following day, a Roseville police officer reported to the Lululemon store in Woodbury, Minn., after being notified by store employees about the couples potential shoplifting. The staffers had not seen the couple steal anything, but when they exited the store the security alarm went off, according to the probable cause statement in the criminal complaint. Richards, who was carrying a New York learners permit, claimed that he was being racially profiled, and that the employees set off the alarm on purpose, per the complaint. He and Lawes-Richards were allowed to leave the store, and the alarm did not go off, when they exited the store for a second time. The police officer that reported to the scene noted that he had received a text from a Lululemon employee on Nov. 13 about an in-store theft of 45 items valued at nearly $5,000 that involved the pair and a third unidentified man. An organized retail theft investigator for Lululemon told the officer that the couple were allegedly responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses to Lululemon via fraudulent returns of stolen goods. After reviewing surveillance video of the Nov. 13 incident theft, the officer confirmed the couples alleged involvement. When informed that Richards and Lawes-Richards were at the Lululemon store in Woodbury, Minn., they were arrested. Officers retrieved a wallet with different credit cards and debit cards that Richards had allegedly hidden in his buttocks, according to the probable cause statement. He also had a JW Marriott room key in his possession at the time of his arrest. In a statement issued Thursday night, Lululemons vice president of asset protection Tristen Shields, said, We are deeply committed to creating a safe and secure environment for our people and guests. This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable. We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide issue. Jia Ling in Lululemon Richards declined a custodial statement. Lawes-Richards, a Danbury, Conn., resident, agreed to speak with police and denied stealing from the store on Nov. 13 and claimed to be in Minnesota only for one day. On Nov. 14, after a search warrant was issued following confirmation from hotel staff investigators found 12 suitcases filled with Lululemon merchandise that still had the tags attached to them in a JW Marriott room that Richards had rented, per the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Choi said this is the first case in Ramsey County that employs tougher charges that Minnesota legislators passed in May and went into effect in August, following the support of the Minnesota Retailers Association and law enforcement agencies. Part of what this law encourages investigators to do is to dig deeper. If you find other stores that have been victimized, you can include all of that as part of your charges, Choi said. If convicted of this felony, Richards and Lawes-Richards could each face a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail, a $35,000 fine or both. As a sentencing guidelines state, Minnesota takes into consideration individuals criminal histories, Choi noted. Both individuals have posted bail but the parameters under which they were released were not known Thursday. The court ordered $30,000 bail for Lawes-Richards with conditional release including weekly check-ins as she has ties to Minnesota, or $200,000 bail with unconditional release. For Richards, the court ordered $100,000 bail with conditional release and weekly check-ins or an unconditional release with $600,000 bail. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. COVENTRY, Conn. (WTNH) Police officers were delivering pizzas on Wednesday night around Coventry to raise money for a good cause. Yale professors celebrate No Shave November while raising awareness for mens health The Coventry Police Department teamed up with Wicked Slice Pizza to raise money for No Shave November, an initiative that will help fund the Connecticut Cancer Foundation. All of the officers tips were donated to the cause, as well as 10% of Wickeds proceeds from the night. Together, they raised around $1,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. The majority of Americans intend to skip their next Covid-19 booster vaccine, a survey has found. Around 60 per cent of the population will reject another Covid-19 shot, according to a Pew Research Centre poll. The study found a stark divide in uptake between Democrats and Republicans, particularly among adults over the age of 65. Of those quizzed, around 60 per cent of Democrats said they probably will or have already received the updated vaccine, compared to just 18 per cent of Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The partisan disparity increased among the elderly, with just 30 per cent of Republicans over the age of 65 saying that they have received or likely would get the new vaccine, compared to 84 per cent of Democrat seniors. The gulf in vaccine uptake between Democrat and Republican seniors has nearly quadrupled since the first Covid jabs became available in 2021, when there was only a 15-point difference (95 per cent vs 78 per cent). Vaccine fatigue Mary Koslap-Petraco, a nurse practitioner and chair-elect of Vaccinate Your Family, said the decline in the number of people seeking out booster jabs is the result of vaccine fatigue. I dont think people were expecting to have to have Covid vaccines every year like they were for flu vaccines, she said. People have almost put the pandemic behind them so they dont have the same fear as they had before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspicion of doctors is also a factor, she said. Theres been a loss of basic trust in the medical community because of misinformation spread around vaccines, and we really do need to build up again. Ms Koslap-Petraco said that although the risk of Covid-19 is tapering down, Americans are still dying because of Covid every day. We cant let our guard down, she said. Americans worried about side effects It comes after Donald Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr, an outspoken vaccine sceptic, as his health secretary. In 2021, Mr Kennedy called the Covid-19 vaccine the deadliest vaccine ever made. The most common reason for people not getting a booster shot was that they did not think they needed it, with 61 per cent listing this as a major reason on the survey. Three fifths of Americans said they were not taking the vaccine because they were worried about side effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Common side effects to the vaccine include soreness, fatigue, headache, body aches and fever, while more severe reactions are rare. The survey, which quizzed nearly 10,000 US adults, also found differences in vaccine hesitancy between racial groups. The majority of white (62 per cent) and Hispanic (58 per cent) adults said they probably would not get a booster jab, compared to 50 per cent of Asian adults and 49 per cent of black adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in June recommended everyone over the age of six months get a fresh Covid-19 jab ahead of the coming flu season. 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. MACON COUNTY, Mo. Authorities in Macon County are seeking information after several reports of poaching near a local pasture, including a cow and its calf. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, local authorities received reports of the cow, calf, and several deer shot and left laid out on the pasture. Poaching is not only illegal but endangers the safety of other hunters and local farmers, said MDC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information should call Macon County Agent Corporal Jared Kelly 660-651-3196 or Operation Game Thief at 800-391-1111 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) According to a news release from the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office, two corrections officers at Caddo Correctional Center were arrested on Thursday morning. The two deputies, identified as Preston Eichelberger and Corey Steadman, were booked into CCC on November 21 and are accused of using excessive force against inmates while serving as members of CPSO. Preston Eichelberger - caddo deputy - aggravated batter - malfeasance Shreveport Police Department Corey Steadman - caddo deputy - aggravated battery - malfeasance in office - Shreveport Police Department Caddo Correctional Deputy arrested for allegedly smuggling contraband into jail Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eichelberger, hired in March 2022, faces two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of malfeasance in office. Steadman faces one count of aggravated battery, two counts of second-degree battery, and two counts of malfeasance in office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WDTN) Firefighters were dispatched Thursday evening to two reported fires in the same area of Dayton. According to Huber Heights Dispatch, fire crews were dispatched to the 4500 block of Bufort Boulevard at 3:15 p.m. Heavy smoke was scene coming from the structure as crews worked to knock down the fire. Around the same time, a fire occurred in a housing facility at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. This fire was reportedly located in a housing facility called The Properties at Wright Field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First responders from Riverside, Beavercreek and Huber Heights assisted on scene. The fire was quickly extinguished. WPAFB said the cause of the fire is under investigation, as the cause is not known. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) This week on Crime Stoppers, law enforcement needs your help identifying people involved in three crimes in Lansing. If you have information regarding the cases below, call Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at (517) 483-STOP. You can remain anonymous. Those who contact Crime Stoppers with information can receive up to a $1,000 award. Do you recognize this truck? The Lansing Police Department is asking for any information related to the theft of tools and equipment from the 4000 block of Grand Oak Drive on Oct. 28. The accused vehicle is described as a dark-colored pickup truck. Frandor Shopping Center retail fraud The Lansing Police Department is asking for any information related to the identification of a subject who committed retail fraud in the Frandor Shopping Center on Nov. 12. The suspect was wearing a black coat, red hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans, and black shoes. Pennsylvania Avenue Larceny The Lansing Police Department is asking for assistance with the identification of a subject who committed a larceny from a business on the 400 block of South Pennsylvania Avenue on Nov. 16. (WLNS) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hailey Hillier was pregnant with her first baby and a week overdue when she went to Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital on Sept. 4 to be induced. Hillier, who is 31 and lives in Detroit's East English Village neighborhood, was eager to see her daughter's face, to hold her for the first time and to have all the experiences most new parents long to have. It didn't go as planned, however, and two days after the induction began, Hillier and her baby were in distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors used a vacuum extraction device to speed along the delivery because they were concerned the baby was stuck in the birth canal. They tried once without success, and then a second time. The third attempt finally delivered 7-pound, 8-ounce Amelia Scheiderer into the world. Amelia Scheiderer in the Corewell Health Beaumont Grosse Pointe Hospital. Hillier expected to hear her newborn cry, but she was met with silence. Amelia was completely unresponsive. "I think initially, I was in shock because I was pushing for three hours and I had a fever, so I was a little delirious towards the end," Hillier said. "It was really intense. Just not hearing her cry, and not getting the expected Golden Hour, and all the things that you anticipate happening after you deliver a baby, obviously, did not happen." Instead, Amelia was whisked away so the medical team could resuscitate her and perform CPR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Then she had to be intubated immediately," Hillier said. She didn't even get to see her baby girl's face. Doctors determined that Amelia had gone for too long without oxygen while she was stuck in the birth canal. It caused a condition called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, also known as HIE, which can lead to neurological damage, seizures, difficulty breathing and feeding, a slow heart rate, hearing deficits, muscle and reflex problems, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, as well as organ failure. Facing the world again: Michigan man survives suicide attempt, undergoes face transplant More: In 'resounding victory,' 63% of metro Detroit's Corewell Health nurses vote to unionize Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research has shown that when full-term newborns with moderate or severe HIE are cooled through a medically induced therapeutic hypothermia within six hours of delivery, it can improve rates of survival and reduce the severity of disabilities and long-term health effects. Amelia needed cooling and intensive medical care for the next 72 hours, but the Grosse Pointe hospital where she was born doesn't have a neonatal intensive care unit. She would need to be transferred to Corewell Health Willam Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak to get the support she needed. "They were concerned about her liver, kidneys and brain because of the amount of lactic acid in her body caused by the lack of oxygen," Hillier said, adding that Amelia also was having seizures. The Corewell medical team tried something new. They called PANDA One, the Pediatric and Neonatal Dedicated Ambulance Service owned and operated by Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, to help. The Panda One ambulance for the Corewell Health Children's and Children's Hospital of Michigan is parked outside the Corewell Health Taylor Hospital during a press conference in Taylor on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. "We are essentially an ICU (intensive care unit) on wheels," said Sally Piwko, manager of patient care services for the PANDA One team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the only staffed and dedicated pediatric ambulance transport team in the state. It includes two ambulances brightly painted with a smiling panda on the sides, each with a crew of pediatric critical care nurses who can provide the most advanced level of care for infants and children while en route from one hospital to the next. PANDA One was an option in Amelia's case because of a new partnership between Corewell Health East and Children's Hospital of Michigan, which aims to provide a safer, smoother journey to babies and children in metro Detroit with life-threatening health conditions like Amelia's. The partnership allows critically ill children treated at five Corewell Health hospitals in metro Detroit that don't have on-site pediatric intensive specialty care Trenton, Taylor, Wayne, Farmington Hills and Grosse Pointe and at its three emergency centers in Lenox, Canton and Livonia to use PANDA One when they are transported to Corewell's pediatric hospitals in Royal Oak, Troy and Dearborn or to Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. That includes infants like Amelia who need treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have 1.2 million children in southeast Michigan, and they get hurt and injured and sick, and we need to make sure that we can very quickly get them to whatever hospital they need to get to whether it's within Corewell or the DMC (Detroit Medical Center) or wherever. And so that's what this is," said Dr. Matthew Denenberg, chief of pediatrics at the Royal Oak hospital, at a news conference Wednesday announcing the partnership. PANDA One is equipped to transfer the tiniest babies to older kids who need critical care whether they have been injured in a traumatic accident, have been severely burned or are in need of life support or resuscitation. Each of the ambulances is outfitted with an isolette, which gives the medical team the ability to warm or cool infants while they're being taken from one hospital to the other, said registered nurse Danielle Tupancy, who is part of the PANDA One intensive care transport team. When PANDA One arrived to pick up Amelia, Hillier said the nurses immediately started working to cool her body. They also made sure Hillier got to see her little girl before they took Amelia to Royal Oak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The team made it a point to bring her over once they had her all hooked up ... and I was able to see her," Hillier said. "They also gave me a really cute panda stuffed animal ... which was really sweet. An ambulance stretcher carrying a stuffed panda bear and an isolette unit sits outside the PANDA One ambulance for the Corewell Health Children's and Children's Hospital of Michigan at the Corewell Health Taylor Hospital in Taylor on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. "She was one of the first pediatric cases that had been transferred with this new program." Archie Drake, CEO of Children's Hospital of Michigan, said there was no exchange of money as part of the agreement between Corewell Health and Children's Hospital of Michigan, which is part of the for-profit Detroit Medical Center, owned by Texas-based Tenet Healthcare. "The whole benefit is care for children," Drake said. "Altruistically, that is the benefit. We have an asset that is in demand, and so it truly is about using that asset. And when you talk about the financial side, we have these ambulances, 24/7 fully staffed, times two crews around the clock. So there is no increased cost. There's nothing like that. Neither health system will get a benefit or disadvantage from this collaboration financially." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Corewell and the DMC are competitors within the same health care market, Drake said they are united in improving health outcomes for kids throughout the region. "There is enough work to do in this region for all the health systems," he said, "and that's a true statement. So it really was thinking about: How do we better the care of pediatric patients?" Before the partnership began, PANDA One was already handling ambulance transport for about 1,000 kids per year who needed a higher level of care from hospitals and doctor's offices in Michigan, northwest Ohio and Windsor, Ontario. With Corewell's hospitals added to its caseload, the team has transported about 50 patients since Sept. 1, Denenberg said. "A lot of them have been neonatal, which is great," he said. "Those are the riskiest transports." Aaron Hilborn, left, a contract emergency medical technician (EMT), listens to Sally Piwko, middle, manager of the PANDA One ICU and NICU transport team, explain the use of the isolette unit to Danielle Tupancy, an ICU transport nurse for the Children's Hospital of Michigan, outside the Corewell Health Taylor Hospital in Taylor on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The additon of Corewell's hospitals could drive the expansion of PANDA One services in the region, said Drake. "We've been thinking about that," Drake said. "I'm going to let the demand drive the supply. We pride ourselves on fast response because that's what really matters. ... We can track that every single day, every single month. If we start to see some elongating of our response times and transport times, we would then be ready to add additional assets to the program." Drake did not say specifically what those assets would be whether another PANDA One ambulance and crew would be the next addition or whether a helicopter and crew could be added. Eight days after little Amelia Scheiderer was born, she was discharged from the hospital, Hillier said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could be several years before doctors can fully assess the effects of HIE, but now, at 11 weeks old, she is so far hitting all the developmental milestones. "The results that followed the cooling treatment and NICU care are showing that it's looking very, very good," Hillier said. Amelia hasn't had any seizures since she left the hospital and is no longer taking anti-seizure medication. "It's looking like pretty much she's in the best-case scenario as of right now," Hillier said. "And the hospital set me up with resources. There's an Early On Program that she's been referred to and accepted in, so she'll have speech, occupational and physical therapy that will assess her closely, and obviously, if they notice anything, they will focus on that. "She's home with us, and is a very happy baby. Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press. This story was updated to correct the number of PANDA One ambulance transports that have been made since the program was expanded to add Corewell Health East. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Critically ill kids at Corewell now use PANDA One's 'ICU on wheels' Lowering performance expectations on Oklahoma state tests is a disservice to students and damages trust in the assessments, critics say. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Jennie Scott cried tears of joy when she saw her students latest state test scores. Her fifth graders seemed to have made leaps in progress on the statewide math and English language arts tests they took this spring. The public school where she works purchased more materials from learning programs it believed had been highly successful in driving up the test results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We celebrated at the school board meeting, Scott said. We made a whole bunch of assumptions and celebrations based on data that now seems like it doesnt mean what we thought. Scott said she and her colleagues still expect their newly purchased programs will be effective, but the 2024 test scores arent a firm foundation for that belief as she originally hoped. After parents and schools received students test results showing dramatic increases statewide, media reports revealed that Oklahoma had quietly lowered the bar for the performance needed to make a proficient score, a concept known as reducing cut scores. The Oklahoma State Department of Education had not publicly acknowledged the significant cut score change until news media, including Oklahoma Voice, uncovered it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the months since, educators and parents said the way the Education Department handled the test score rollout diminished their trust in the agency and in state tests themselves. States that similarly lowered cut scores have faced national criticism, too. The state Education Department has since provided more information further demonstrating the boost in test results are the product of diminishing expectations. In late October, the agency released records comparing 2024 scores to their equivalent scores in 2023. The comparisons, called concordance tables, show the minimum proficient score in 2024 would have been considered in 2023 to be below-grade-level performance. State Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks with news reporters after an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting April 25 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who leads the agency, has tried to distance his administration from the cut score reduction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walters spokesperson, Dan Isett, said resetting proficiency targets is routine for many states, including Oklahoma. That process hasnt changed, he said. The states high expectations of students are reflected in the Oklahoma academic standards, developed through a rigorous process that includes dozens of Oklahoma teachers across multiple disciplines, Isett said. Similarly, cut scores are meted out by Oklahoma teachers and ultimately approved by (the Commission of Educational Quality and Accountability), not (the Education Department). Education Department officials, with a hired testing vendor and assessment experts, convened and oversaw the groups of Oklahoma teachers who developed the new expectations. Agency officials then presented the resulting cut scores to the state Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, which approved them in July. The commission will conduct a study of the cut score setting process to compare Oklahomas performance expectations with other states, said Megan Oftedal, executive director of the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. The commissioners then could reset the cut scores if they wish, she said. Jeb Bush: Lowering expectations is just wrong Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, now an education policy advocate, said in Oklahoma City last week that public schools need to have high standards when defining math and reading proficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decreasing those standards through cut scores is a disservice to students and only masks a failing school system, Bush said at last weeks national summit for the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a think tank he established. When a state labels a majority of its students as proficient but national tests find only a minority are performing on grade level, Bush said youve got to call bullshit. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks with Indiana education secretary Katie Jenner at the national summit for the Foundation for Excellence in Education on Nov. 14 at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) Thats just wrong, Bush said in the summits keynote address. If everybodys above average, no one is. Thats kind of where we are in some of these states. Setting high standards for proficiency ensures students will be ready for college or a career, said Christy Hovanetz, a senior policy fellow at Bushs foundation, also known as ExcelinEd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scoring below a proficient level on state testing sends a clear signal to parents that their child needs more help and resources, even if the student has been bringing home As and Bs in classwork, Hovanetz told Oklahoma Voice. If were not being honest with kids in K-12 about how theyre performing, that will work its way into our economies later on, she said. State records show reduced cut scores boosted proficiency rates Oklahomas 2024 test results showed 51% of third graders made at least a proficient score in English language arts. Only 28% similar to the previous years performance would have been considered proficient or higher if cut scores had not changed, according to internal documents from the Education Department, which Oklahoma Voice obtained from a source involved in the testing process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comparisons of the 2024 and 2023 scoring scales show that students who met the minimum proficient metric in English this year would have been considered to be reading well below their grade level had performance expectations not changed. On third-grade English tests, the performance needed to make a proficient score of 300 would have earned a score of 283 the previous year, records show. That would have dropped a student far into the basic category, which is defined as showing only partial mastery of grade-level skills. English scores across all tested age groups, grades 3-8, showed similar discrepancies. Eighth-grade English scores had the largest gap, 18 points, between a proficient score in 2024 and what it would have taken to reach that same proficient benchmark in past years. The sixth-grade scale had the smallest gap for English with an 11-point difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proficiency target in math also decreased, but the year-to-year difference was much more limited than in English language arts. Scott, an Oklahoma teacher, said she believes changing the cut scores was appropriate but the lack of transparency from the state Education Department was a breach of trust. Oklahomas previous scoring system had some of the highest standards in the nation for students to achieve proficiency. Scott said some of her students would perform well on reading assessments throughout the school year but struggled to reach that high bar on spring exams. It did seem like our scores were too difficult so Im all about them being reevaluated, but to not tell us means that we are making comparisons that we cant make, Scott said. We would have not used this data in all the ways that we are currently using it if we had known that those changes had been made. Christy Hovanetz, a senior policy fellow at the Foundation for Excellence in Education, speaks at a panel about school accountability during the foundations national summit at the Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City on Nov. 14. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) States traditionally announce scoring changes far in advance so families and districts know the new scores arent comparable to those of past years, said Hovanetz, of ExcelinEd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once districts and families receive their scores, she said theres typically a definite demarcation line to show parents and the public that this is different. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said the Education Department failed to communicate the change, and it had a direct impact on her daughters school experience. Kirt always has been skeptical of state tests, she said, but she was shocked and pleased when her daughter made strong gains in her seventh-grade results. Her daughter, who attends Oklahoma City Public Schools, has dyslexia so standardized tests are a challenge. Weve always known she was brilliant, but we knew that multiple choice tests wouldnt show that, Kirt said. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said the state Education Department should have better communicated the changes to test scoring. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, her daughter would spend an elective class period in a study hall to give her more time to complete schoolwork and tests. This year, Kirt said the family chose to forgo the study hall period and enroll her child in a full slate of electives, believing she had made significant academic progress. Its hard to say if knowing about the lowered cut scores would have led to a different decision, Kirt said, but her family wouldnt have been as confident about making that change. She was critical of both the new scoring method and the states failure to announce it. Dont change things midstream on our kids when were trying to get a sense of where they are and how theyre doing, Kirt said. Dont tell us its a diagnostic tool and then change it in the middle of the diagnosis. Schools seek out more reliable testing Oklahoma school leaders say the scoring change further diminished the utility of state tests that they already found to be less useful than other assessments. Many districts purchase benchmark tests for students to take multiple times during the school year. More frequent testing gives an up-to-date look at students learning progress. These are more useful than a once-a-year state test whose results dont come out until the school year is long over, said Shannon Woodson, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at Moore Public Schools. It really gives us a more consistent look as to where our students are when they start school in August and where they are when they leave us at the end of May, Woodson said. So data is very, very important, but we dont put a lot of emphasis on the state test data. Indiana is piloting a new version of its state assessments to test students three times a year, said Katie Jenner, the states top education official. She said 1,700 schools in Indiana signed up for the pilot. Testing at the beginning, middle and end of the school year could better support teachers, track students progress and keep families totally in the know, Jenner said. In doing so, she said Indiana maintains high cut scores that are comparable to strict national expectations found on the Nations Report Card. Oklahomas previous cut scores also mirrored national testing standards, but the state departed from that this year. Were not so much talking about the high expectations, Jenner said. Were more talking about how do we best leverage assessment and accountability to not be (a) judgment zone, but to really inform the parent and the family and the school leaders on how do we better move the needle for kids. OSTP ELA and Math Concordance Tables (2) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The viral duct-taped banana art piece was sold at an auction on Wednesday in New York for $6.2 million. kena betancur / AFP A crypto investor bought the viral duct-taped banana art piece for $6.2 million at an auction on Wednesday. When it was first unveiled at Art Basel Miami 2019, Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian" stirred up debate in the art world. The buyer, Justin Sun, says he plans to "personally eat the banana" in the coming days. How much are you willing to pay for fruit? A crypto investor paid $6.2 million for a duct-taped banana art piece at a Sotheby's New York auction on Wednesday, the auction house confirmed. Arguably one of the most iconic pieces of art in the past decade, "Comedian" was first unveiled by Italian visual artist Maurizio Cattelan at the Art Basel Fair Miami in 2019. The work went viral instantly, drawing crowds and stirring up debate in the art world. It had even been eaten twice: Once by performance artist David Datuna in 2019, and then by a South Korean university student last year. The art piece sold for six times its initial estimate on Wednesday at an auction in New York. Courtesy Sotheby's. Seven bidders participated in the auction. A representative from Sotheby's confirmed to Business Insider that the buyer of the work will receive a certificate of authenticity, official instructions for the installation of the work, a roll of tape, and one banana. The winning bid which was over six times the artwork's pre-sale estimate of $1 million belonged to Justin Sun, a Chinese crypto investor who also founded the cryptocurrency platform TRON, Sotheby's confirmed in a statement. "This is not just an artwork; it represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community," Sun said in a statement, per Sotheby's. Sun is also "honored to be the proud owner of this iconic work" and hopes that the artwork "will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history." He added that he plans to "personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience" in the coming days. The actual banana that was taped to the wall during Wednesday's auction had been bought from a fruit stand in the Upper East Side for 35 cents, The New York Times reported. "Comedian" isn't the only piece of work by Cattelan that has made headlines. In 2016, his controversial wax figure of a kneeling Adolf Hitler, titled "Him" and featuring real human hair, sold for $17.2 million at a Christie's auction. A representative for Sun did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours. Read the original article on Business Insider KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) Volunteers helped organize and pack gifts, winter clothing and food items on Wednesday ahead of the annual CSX Santa Trains 82nd run this Saturday. The Santa Train has been providing Christmas presents to underserved children across Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee for nearly a century now. The train follows a 110-mile stretch of railroad from Kentucky through Virginia into Kingsport, Tennessee, making 13 stops to hand out gifts to children. Official White House Christmas Tree harvested from Avery Co., NC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The packing event took place at the Food City on North Eastman Road in Kingsport and consisted of community members filling large totes full of gifts that were donated and organized. The totes will then be driven to and loaded into the Santa Train early Saturday morning. Organizers told News Channel 11 that fifteen tons of toys and winter accessories are typically handed out each year. Food City Store Manager Raymond Stocker said the annual event helps unite the community even in the most dividing times. Well, I think in todays world, everybody talks about people being divided, he said. This event shows that people can come together, and we have people from Kingsport, but theres a gentleman here from Roanoke today and from all over that come from the coalfields and the Carolinas. So, its not just local people, the people in Kingsport. When we do this, they show up. Once the train arrives in Kingsport on Saturday, riders and volunteer workers will exit to find a Santas Depot holiday event hosted by the Kingsport Chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A corrections officer in Connecticut has been charged with assault on an elderly person for allegedly using excessive force during an incident with an inmate at the Corrigan Correctional Center in Montville. Todd Blevons, 42, turned himself in on Wednesday after state troopers obtained a warrant for his arrest, according to Connecticut State Police. He faces one count of third-degree assault on an elderly person. According to a spokesperson for the Department of Correction, Blevons has been on administrative leave since Nov. 11, 2023, and is the subject of a DPC Security Division investigation. He has been employed by the department since December 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the warrant affidavit, Blevons was involved in an incident with a 66-year-old inmate in November 2023, when he searched him as he was leaving the cafeteria of the correctional center. The victim alleged that Blevons had him put his hands up against a wall while he searched him, finding him with cookies in his pocket that he reportedly was not supposed to have. According to the victim, Blevons allegedly threw the cookies down and continued searching the man before he was thrown to the ground, the warrant affidavit said. Blevons then allegedly jumped on him and held him down with his knees as additional officers arrived to help get him into handcuffs. The man alleged that he was hit with pepper spray during the incident, according to the warrant affidavit. The inmate told investigators he suffered several injuries. He said he needed about eight stitches above his eye and had bruises on his face, torso, chest and back, the warrant affidavit said. He said he also suffered broken ribs that made it difficult to breathe for multiple weeks. The man claimed that he had ongoing issues with Blevons and that he allegedly appeared to single him out, according to the warrant affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the incident, Blevons gave DOC staff a different account of what happened. He alleged that the inmate was not compliant and tried walking away when he began to search him, the warrant affidavit said. He also alleged that the man threatened to kill him if he saw him outside of the prison, according to the warrant affidavit. Blevons alleged that the inmate turned around during the search at one point, facing him, and scratched his neck, the warrant affidavit said. He said he took the man down to the ground at that point and delivered several knee strikes before using pepper spray. According to the warrant affidavit, the warden of the correctional facility reportedly found that video surveillance footage of the incident was not in line with Blevons version of events. The warden also placed Blevons on administrative leave. State police investigators were able to review the surveillance as part of their investigation. Following his arrest, Blevons was released on a $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Norwich Superior Court on Dec. 5. A Bridgeport man has been arrested and accused of causing a crash on Route 8 in Trumbull last December that killed a father and injured his young daughter. Christopher Lazo, 27, turned himself in on Tuesday on charges of negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, failure to maintain proper lane on a limited access highway and improper passing/unsafe distance/cutting in, according to Connecticut State Police. The charges stem from a crash that occurred on Dec. 6, 2023, on Route 8 South shortly before 8:30 p.m., according to the warrant affidavit supporting Lazos arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation by the state police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad (C.A.R.S.) found that 34-year-old Daniel Demichael of Norwalk was driving a 2004 Jeep Wrangler south in the right lane when his vehicle was struck by a 2021 Toyota Supra being driven by Lazo, who was trying to merge onto Route 8 using the Exit 52 entrance ramp from Route 15 South, the warrant affidavit said. An analysis of the crash found that Lazo made the lane change without ensuring he would not strike the Wrangler, which was also carrying Demichaels 5-year-old daughter in a rear booster seat, according to the warrant affidavit. The rear portion of the Supras driver side struck the front passenger side of the Wrangler, causing the Jeep to go into a counterclockwise yaw before it struck a metal beam guardrail in the median, the warrant affidavit said. The Wrangler then rolled over, causing the detachable roof to come off. Demichael was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that Demichael died of blunt trauma of his head and torso. His death was ruled an accident. State police said Demichaels daughter suffered minor injuries and was taken to Bridgeport Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lazo did not report any injuries but was taken to St. Vincents Medical Center after suffering a panic attack, the warrant affidavit said. At the hospital, Lazo agreed to give investigators a statement about what happened during the crash. He said he was headed home from Hartford at the time and that he had put his left turn signal on, noticing that the sensor on his vehicle that alerts him of other motorists in his blind spots was not activated, according to the warrant affidavit. Before he could change lanes, Lazo said he felt the impact of a crash and saw multiple other drivers pass him, the warrant affidavit. At that time he said he thought he was involved in a hit-and-run. Lazo said he then pulled over and called his brother, who instructed him to take photos of the damage and contact his insurance company. While he was doing so another driver pulled over and told him that a nearby Wrangler may have been involved in the collision, the warrant affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lazo also told investigators he never saw the Jeep behind or next to him and that he was driving around the speed limit at the time of the crash, the warrant affidavit said. He denied being under the influence of any substances during the collision. During an inspection of both vehicles following the collision, state police found that the blind spot sensor on Lazos vehicle signaled an orange triangle on its driver side mirror when other vehicles were around, the warrant affidavit said. Investigators also found that the receiver on the seatbelt in Demichaels Jeep was defective. During an examination, police said they could not rule out the possibility that Demichael may have inadvertently unlatched his safety belt because of the defect, according to the warrant affidavit. Following his arrest, Lazo was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Dec. 23. CONNECTICUT (WTNH) CT Transit is looking to help residents searching for jobs by connecting businesses with job seekers in the central area of the state. CT Transit offering free rides to veterans on Veterans Day Officials and riders gathered for a breakfast and a bus ride event on Wednesday in Berlin so that community members could learn about the new route. The added route is arriving just in time for the holiday season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It provides an opportunity for those who dont have their own vehicles in Meriden and New Britain to have career opportunities, Chris Edge, director of economic development in the town of Berlin, said. It was a two and a half year effort, they reconfigured all the bus lines in Central Connecticut and really the goal is to be able to get people to not just viable employment but to help them and their families, potentially generationally. They said that ridership is growing among those who use the service. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 woman has been accused of operating a drug factory in a Waterbury residence where children live. Carmen Verouschka Morales, 30, was arrested Tuesday and charged with risk of injury to a minor, operation of a drug factory, possession of ounce or more of cocaine and possession of 1 ounce or more of heroin/fentanyl, according to Lt. Ryan Bessette of the Waterbury Police Department. Bessette said the charges arose after a search and seizure warrant was carried out at 22 Melrose Ave. The search was conducted by the police departments VICE and Intelligence Unit, Auto Theft Task Force and Gang Task Force as well as the Connecticut State Police Violent Crimes Task Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities allegedly found 481.4 grams of cocaine that was packaged for sale, 3,821 bags of fentanyl that was packaged for sale, a Glock handgun with ammunition, drug paraphernalia and $5,021, according to Bessette. Bessette also said officers found two childrens bedrooms in proximity to the narcotics and that the substances were easily accessible to children. Police are still investigating. Nov. 20CUMBERLAND A Cumberland man was awaiting extradition to Mineral County, West Virginia, after he was arrested on a fugitive warrant Tuesday, according to Cumberland Police. Michael Robert Caswell, 37, was ordered jailed at the Allegany County Detention Center by a court commissioner following his arrest on the fugitive warrant that stemmed from domestic battery charges, according to police. Caswell remained at the detention center Wednesday, pending court proceedings for his return to Mineral County. CURRITUCK COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) The Currituck County School District sent a letter to families Wednesday informing them of an incident on a school bus the same day. A knife was recovered from a W.T. Griggs Elementary School student following an investigation, the letter stated. The school received word that there was a student with a knife on a school bus. The school resource officer immediately looked into the report and ultimately confiscated the knife. The school system said there was no immediate threat to the safety of our school community and that appropriate disciplinary actions are being taken in accordance with district policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter encouraged parents and guardians to speak with their children about the consequences of bringing a weapon to school, even fake ones. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) The Tennessee Supreme Court has denied an application for an appeal to be heard by one of the six people sentenced in the 1997 Lillelid murder case. Third Judicial District Attorney General Dan Armstrong confirmed on Thursday that Karen Renae Howell had filed the application for her appeal to be heard by the state supreme court. The Tennessee Supreme Court denied that application on Nov. 14, reaffirming a previous ruling that dismissed Howells and other defendants appeals. The case was mandated back to trial court, upholding previous rulings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 of 6 convicted in brutal killing of 3 in 1997 file petition following new TN law Howell and other defendants had previously petitioned for fingerprint analysis to be conducted of the murder weapon used in the Lillelid killings. They claimed Jason Bryant, one of the other people convicted, was the only shooter in the case and argued they had lesser roles. Circuit Court Judge Alex E. Pearson previously dismissed their petition and affirmed previous rulings. He also ruled Howell was not eligible for a parole hearing. Howell was sentenced, along with five others, to life in prison without parole. Howell was 17 at the time of the murders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their sentences were the result of the April 6, 1997 killings of the Lillelid family at a Greene County rest stop. The Lillelid family of four was returning to Knoxville after a religious conference in Johnson City. Vidar Lillelid, the father, approached a group of six young people, who ultimately kidnapped the entire family and held them at gunpoint. The family was taken to Payne Hollow Lane, where they were shot and left on the side of the road. Tenn. Supreme Court clarification will not lead to parole for Lillelid murderers Vidar, his wife Delfina and their 6-year-old daughter Tabitha, all died as a result. Though shot and only 2 years old, Peter Lillelid alone survived the ordeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryant was the youngest suspect at the age of 14, and the oldest was Joseph Risner, who was 20 at the time. The six suspects attempted to flee the country after the murders but were caught and returned to Greene County, where they were tried as adults and convicted of the murders. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. One of the key figures of the New Labour government John Prescott, died this morning aged 86. Kamal and Tim Stanley reflect on their encounters with the former Deputy Prime Minister, and why Keir Starmers government could do with a Prescott figure that can connect with parts of the Labour party and the wider electorate others cant. Plus, former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith is in the studio after he grilled Keir Starmer on his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He criticises the government for its appeasement of Beijing and warns that a defeated Ukraine would embolden China. Watch episodes of the Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to The Daily T newsletter for updates. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Why spend the holidays alone when you can share it with a faithful companion? Meet Dakota, a 4-month-old terrier mix looking for their forever home. Dakota arrived at the shelter as an owner surrender earlier this month with his sister Delta. He has been adapting well, but he is ready to spend his puppy days snuggled next to a loving owner. Kitten brothers looking for home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes very sweet and calm, just a good-natured little puppy, says Adoption and Volunteer Coordinator Kim Freeman. Adopting from Caddo Parish Animal Services is simple, all you have to do is visit the shelter located at 1500 Monty Street, fill out some paperwork, pay the $50 adoption fee and youll be on your way. Dakota is already neutered so he is ready to go! For more information or to browse other pets available, visit Caddo Parish Animal Services. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) The Danish military confirmed Thursday it was monitoring a Chinese bulk carrier that was reportedly in the area where two undersea data cables ruptured in recent days in the Baltic Sea. Finnish, Swedish and German authorities have launched investigations into the rupture earlier this week of two undersea cables one between Finland and Germany, the other between Lithuania and Sweden. All are member countries of the NATO alliance. News reports said a Chinese-flagged vessel, the Yi Peng 3, had been in the area at the time of the ruptures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VesselFinder.com, which tracks marine ship movements, located the Danish patrol boat P525 at about one nautical mile away from the Chinese-flagged ship between Denmark and Sweden on Thursday morning Europe time. The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3, said Henrik Hall Mortensen, a Danish military spokesman, in an email. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular news briefing that Chinese authorities had no information about the ship but said China was ready to maintain communication with relevant parties. He called for the Chinese ships rights to normal navigation to be protected. The ruptures come more than a year after Sweden announced a purposeful rupture of an undersea cable to Estonia through the Black Sea, which was also not explained. A Davenport man was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for distribution and receipt of child pornography, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. According to public court documents, law enforcement received multiple CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2023, stating that child sexual abuse material had been uploaded and shared from an account on a digital storage platform. Officers determined that Bob Arthur Phillips, 37, uploaded the child sexual abuse material to the digital storage account. Officers seized numerous electronic devices belonging to Phillips after multiple residential search warrants as his home. The devices were found to contain evidence of distributing and receiving child sexual assault material. Phillips must serve an eight year term of supervised release after completing his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Phillips was ordered to pay $38,000 and must register as a sex offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement, and the Scott County Sheriffs Office investigated the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood gathers federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. Click here for more about Project Safe Childhood. Click here and click on the resources tab for more about internet safety education. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. COLUMBIA S.C. (WSPA) More than 30 years ago, Susan Smith killed her two sons in Union County. At the time, Smith claimed that a Black man stole her car and rolled her boys into a lake. But after nine long days, Smith confessed that she was responsible for Michael and Alexs deaths. Serving a life sentence, Smith became eligible for parole Wednesday. The board denied parole unanimously. Convicted murderer Susan Smith began her statement to the parole board crying, stating she loved her sons. Decades ago, her tears moved a community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smiths ex-husband, David, begged the parole board to keep her behind bars for killing his sons. She came pretty close to making me end my life because of the grief she brought upon me, David Smith said. He talked about how close he came to ending his life, consumed by grief over the death of his sons.. She made free choice to end their life that night, David Smith said. This wasnt a tragic mistake. It wasnt something that she didnt mean to do. David Smith stood by Susans side in 1994 while she lied to everyone she knew, including him. He said 30 years in prison for the murders is not nearly long enough, adding that the emotional damage she caused him, family & friends, the community and those around the country will never be forgotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, to me, thats only 15 years per child, David Smith said. Her own children. Thats just not enough. David Smith said he believes Susan is still the person she was 30 years ago, adding that she has never expressed any remorse. Susan told the board she knows what she did was horrible. I would give anything if I could go back and change it, Susan Smith said. I love Michael and Alex with all my heart. The board asked Smith about wasting the communities resources while authorities tirelessly searched for her two boys, and a Black man. Im sorry I put them through that I really really am, and Im especially sorry to the divers that had to find them, Susan Smith said. I wish I could take that back I really do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board asked Smith about getting in trouble several times while behind bars. They asked her if she is not following the rules inside their institution, why would she follow the rules in the outside world. I know I have made a lot of mistakes in here and I have learned from them, Susan Smith said. Before this last infraction it had been ten years, because I grew up and I knew that I needed to stop making dumb decisions. More than ten people stood in front of the board asking them not to fall for Susans lies. Now she wants a chance to be set free after only serving 30 years, said Rebecca Smith French, aunt to Alex and Michael. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Punishment has not been achieved yet, Tommy Pope, Former 16th Circuit Solicitor said. I would ask that you deny her parole. It would be best if Susan stayed behind bars and stay in prison for the rest of her life, said Tiffany Smith, wife of David Smith. She should never be released, Kevin Brackett, 16th Circuit Solicitor said. She should not be released now. His hopes and dreams were dashed. I hope you dash hers today and every two years here after. Smith was not granted parole, but she will have another chance to make her case in 2026. After serving 30 years of her sentence, Smith now has a chance of parole every two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith is currently being held at the Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Nov. 21MITCHELL The following cases were among those heard Tuesday, November 29, during a circuit court session at the Davison County Public Safety Center, with Judge Chris Giles presiding: * Matthew Sherman, 35, of Chamberlain, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony, and to unauthorized manufacturing/distribution of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. His request for a personal recognizance (PR) bond was granted. A jury trial is scheduled for February. * Alexandrea Gingrich, 30, of Baltic, pleaded guilty to impersonation to deceive a law enforcement officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor. As part of a plea agreement, two other charges were dismissed: use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony. Gingrich was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with 29 days suspended and credit given for one day already served. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $350. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Anna Gardner, 49, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to grand theft involving an amount greater than $100,000, a Class 3 felony. As part of a plea agreement, a charge of destroying, disabling or inhibiting access to a computer as part of deception, a Class 2 felony, was dismissed. A pre-sentencing report was ordered. Sentencing was scheduled for January. * Andrea Buchholz, 32, of Mitchell, admitted to a parole violation. As part of a plea agreement, multiple charges in a separate matter were dismissed, including domestic abuse, a Class 1 misdemeanor; a fourth offense domestic abuse simple assault and possession of a controlled substance, both Class 5 felonies. She received credit for 54 days previously served. She was ordered to restart a two-year probation sentence. * Trevin Gardner, 19, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including use or possession of drug paraphernalia and open alcoholic beverage container, both Class 2 misdemeanors; obstructing police, reckless driving, and eluding, Class 1 misdemeanors; and grand theft of a firearm valued at $2500 or less, a Class 6 felony. Gardner was granted a PR bond. A jury trial is scheduled for March. * Brandi Allen, 27, of Mitchell, appeared in court for a status hearing regarding multiple charges, including obstructing police and resisting arrest, both Class 1 misdemeanors, as well as simple assault against a law enforcement officer, a Class 6 felony. Allen currently faces additional pending charges. A jury trial was rescheduled for February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Dillon Phillips, 19 of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession/manufacturing/distribution of child pornography and to one count of possession of child pornography, both Class 4 felonies. As part of a plea agreement, nine additional counts of child pornography possession were dismissed. The court mandated that Phillips undergo a sexual psychological evaluation before sentencing. Both counts carry a minimum one-year sentence and require Phillips to register as a sex offender. A request for bond modification was denied. * Ryan Anderson, 45, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (cocaine, a Class 5 felony. As part of a plea agreement, three other charges were dismissed, including conspiracy to manufacture/distribute/possess drugs, a Class 4 felony, and unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance and maintaining a place for the use or sale of a controlled substance, both Class 5 felonies, were dismissed in the plea agreement. Anderson faces up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for January. * John Hofer, 53, of Sioux Falls, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony. As part of a plea agreement, charges for renewal registration during the assigned month and use/possession of drug paraphernalia, both Class 2 misdemeanors, were dismissed. The court ordered a presentencing report. Hofer's sentencing is scheduled for December. * Risa Sanborn, 43, of Lower Brule, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony, and unauthorized manufacturing/distribution/counterfeiting of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. A jury trial is scheduled for February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Teresa Chipps, 18, of Rapid City, pleaded guilty to grand theft involving an amount between $2,500-$5,000, a Class 4 felony. Chipps was sentenced to two years in prison, with all time suspended. She received credit for 28 days already served. Additionally, she was placed on two years of probation. * Gerald Chernotik, 55, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to entering or surreptitiously remaining in a building, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and petty theft valued at less than $400, a Class 2 misdemeanor. As part of a plea agreement, charges of second-degree petty theft, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and first-degree burglary, a Class 2 felony, were dismissed. Chernotik received a sentence of 180 days in jail, with 77 days suspended and credit for 103 days already served. He was ordered to pay a $300 fine and $400 in restitution. Additionally, he received a 30-day jail sentence, with all time suspended. * Larry Anderson, 30, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (meth). As part of a plea agreement a Class 2 misdemeanor charge for use/possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed. Anderson was sentenced to five years in prison, with credit for six days already served. All time was suspended. He was also ordered to pay a $750 fine and serve two years on probation. * Jordan Scheel, 33, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and third-degree burglary. As part of a plea agreement, charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree petty theft,both Class 2 misdemeanors, as well as a grand theft charge involving an amount between $2,500 and $5,000, a Class 5 felony, were dismissed. Judge Giles ordered a pre-sentence report. Scheel is scheduled to be sentenced in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Matthew Weddell, 44, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to a grand theft charge involving an amount between $2,500 and $5,000. The court upheld a $1,000 bond. A jury trial is scheduled for March. * Giovonna Abate, 33, of Northglenn, Colorado, pleaded not guilty to several charges, including domestic abuse simple assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor; possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and two counts of a controlled substance, one for Alprazolam, a Class 6 felony, and one for cocaine, a Class 5 felony. A jury trial is scheduled for March. * Brayan Duran-Escobar, 19, of Mitchell, failed to appear in court on a fourth-degree rape charge. A $5,000 bench warrant was issued. Court documents indicate that the alleged victim was 14-years-old. * Courtney Brown, 39, of Sioux Falls, appeared in court on charges of petty theft involving an amount greater than $400, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and identity theft, a Class 6 felony. Due to additional charges pending in Brule County, a jury trial originally scheduled for December has been rescheduled to February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Jarad McGhee, 24, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to eluding, a Class 1 misdemeanor. As part of a plea agreement, two Class 1 misdemeanor charges, driving with a revoked license and reckless driving, along with a Class 6 felony charge of aggravated eluding, were dismissed. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail, with all time suspended. He was also ordered to pay a $350 fine. * Patrick Ross, 51, of Canton, pleaded guilty to grand theft involving an amount between $5,000 and $100,000. Court documents reveal that Ross wrote a check for $68,150 to Goldie's Auto and Trailer for two trailers, but the check was returned due to insufficient funds. Sentencing was delayed for two weeks to determine the restitution amount. * Emily Ortiz, 22, of Sioux Falls, pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 4 felony. As part of a plea agreement, charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony, were dismissed. Ortiz was sentenced to ten years in prison, with six years suspended and credit for 158 days already served. She was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. * Jesse Puepke, 60, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony. As part of a plea agreement, charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor, possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a habitual offender charge were dismissed. Puepke was sentenced to five years in prison, with all time served and credit for nine days already served. He was also ordered to pay a $750 fine and serve two years on probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Tina Mann, 49, of Hammond, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), a Class 5 felony. As part of a plea agreement, charges for possession of meth, a Class 5 felony; possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, a Class 1 misdemeanor; possession of drug paraphernalia and an illegal lane change, both Class 2 misdemeanors, were dismissed. Mann was sentenced to six days in jail, with credit for one day already served. She was also ordered to pay a $750 fine and serve two years on probation. * Venessa Guevara, 32, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to a third-offense driving under the influence (DUI) charge, a Class 6 felony. As part of a plea agreement, two Class 2 misdemeanor charges, open alcoholic beverage container and driving without a license, were dismissed. Guevara was sentenced to two years in prison, with all time suspended, and 11 days in jail, with credit for one day already served. She was also ordered to pay a $600 fine. * Brooke Lyon, 44, of Sioux Falls, pleaded guilty to a third-offense DUI charge, a Class 6 felony. As part of a plea agreement, a class 2 misdemeanor charge of careless driving was dismissed. Lyon was sentenced to two years in prison, with all time suspended, and ordered to pay a $600 fine. She was also sentenced to two years on probation and had her driver's license revoked for one year. A request for a suspended imposition of sentence was denied. * Justine Keegel, 29, of Platte, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class5 felony. As part of a plea agreement, a Class 2 misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia, was dismissed. Keegel was sentenced to five years in prison, with all time suspended and credit for 28 days already served. She was also ordered to pay a $750 fine and serve two years on probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Majda Korkutovic, 32, of Letcher, failed to appear in court on charges of second-degree burglary, a Class 3 felony, and unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony. Korkutovic is currently undergoing treatment as part of a competency restoration program. The case was continued until January. * Joseph Moyer, 42, of Huron, had a status hearing regarding charges of possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor. The case was continued for two weeks. * Bobby Lunsford III, 24, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to simple assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor. As a part of a plea agreement, a Class 6 felony charge of simple assault on a law enforcement officer was dismissed. He was sentenced to 91 days in jail, with credit for one day already served and the remainder suspended. He was also ordered to pay a $350 fine. * Jami Fleury, 45, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony. As part of a plea agreement ,a Class 2 misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed. Fleury is scheduled to be sentenced in two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Wetu Kiyukan, 29, of Mitchell, appeared in court for a status hearing to request a new attorney. Kiyukan faces several drug-related charges, including manufacturing/distributing/possessing meth, as well as distributing/possessing drugs in a drug-free zone, both Class 4 felonies; and possession of methamphetamine, a Class 5 felony. Her jury trial has been rescheduled from December to February. * Elmer Navarro, 29, of Sioux Falls, failed to appear in court on a third-offense DUI charge, a Class 6 felony. He is also facing two Class 2 misdemeanors for running a red light and driving with a suspended license. A $2,000 bench warrant was issued for his arrest. * Dominic Northrup, 27, of Mitchell, appeared in court for a status hearing to request a new attorney. Northrup faces multiple charges, including resisting an officer, failure to maintain financial responsibility, and having an open alcoholic beverage container, all Class 2 misdemeanors; driving with a revoked license and obstructing police, both Class 1 misdemeanors; and a fourth-offense DUI charge, a Class 5 felony. His case was continued for two weeks. * Stephvon Bailey, 35, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to distributing/possessing drugs within a drug-free zone, a Class 4 felony . As part of a plea agreement, two other Class 4 felonies, manufacturing/distributing/possessing drugs and conspiracy to manufacture/distribute/possess drugs, along with two Class 5 felonies for possession of a controlled substance and keeping a place for drug use or sale were dismissed. The court ordered a pre-sentencing report. Bailey is scheduled to be sentenced in January. * Will-Anthony Owen Jellis, 46, of Sioux Falls, appeared in court for a bond hearing. Jellis faces charges for impersonating an officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor; two counts of domestic abuse aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated assault by strangulation, both Class 3 felonies; and violation of a protection order, a Class 6 felony. His bond was reduced to a PR bond. A jury trial is scheduled for February. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) On Nov. 20, 1866, members of the First Congregational Society of Washington, D.C. gathered for a meeting that would later lead to the establishment of Howard University. Members gathered at Deacon Henry Brewsters home and decided to establish a seminary to train Black clergymen. On This Day | 85 years since cornerstone ceremony for Jefferson Memorial Howard University was officially founded on March 2, 1867. It started as a one-building structure and had classes for law, theology and medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil War hero General Oliver O. Howard helped found the school and served as its president from 1869 to 1873. Under his leadership, the school ensured that no prospective student was rejected based on their race. Today, Howard University spans 256 acres in D.C. and Maryland. It has given over 120,000 degrees and certificates and has earned various titles and awards. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nov. 21 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1783, in Paris, Jean de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes made the first free-flight ascent in a balloon. In 1877, Thomas Edison announced his invention of the phonograph. In 1916, the HMHS Britannic, originally built as a passenger liner and later pressed into service as a hospital ship during World War I, was sunk by a naval mine. Thirty people died and 1,035 survived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1922, Rebecca Latimer Felton of Georgia takes the oath of office, becoming the first female United States senator. Her appointment was of a temporary nature, as she served just 24 hours. On November 21, 1916, the HMHS Britannic, built as a passenger liner and later pressed into service as a hospital ship during World War I, was sunk by a naval mine. File Photo by Allan Green/Wikimedia In 1938, Nazi forces occupied western Czechoslovakia and declared its people German citizens. In 1974, the U.S. Congress passed the Freedom of Information Act over President Gerald Ford's veto. On November 21, 2005, General Motors Corp., the world's biggest carmaker, announced it was cutting its payroll by 30,000 employees and would be shutting down all or parts of a dozen plants. File Photo by Scott R. Galvin/UPI In 1985, Jonathan Jay Pollard, a civilian U.S. Navy intelligence analyst and Jewish American, was arrested on charges of illegally passing classified U.S. security information about Arab nations to Israel. Pollard, sentenced to life in prison, was released on November 20, 2016. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI Palestinians celebrate the Israel-Hamas cease-fire in Gaza City on November 22, 2012, a day after it was declared. The Egypt-brokered truce took hold in the Gaza Strip after a week of bitter fighting between militant groups and Israel, with both sides claiming victory but remaining wary. File Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1991, U.S. President George H.W. Bush signed the Civil Rights Act of 1991, making it easier for workers to sue in job discrimination cases. In 2005, General Motors Corp., the world's biggest carmaker, announced it was cutting its payroll by 30,000 employees and would be shutting down all or parts of a dozen plants. On November 21, 1877, Thomas Edison announced his invention of the phonograph. UPI File Photo In 2006, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced a restoration of diplomatic ties with Syria after 24 years of strained relations. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI In 2012, a cease-fire was announced after eight days of fighting that officials said killed about 130 Palestinians and six Israelis. Hundreds of people were injured. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said he held Hamas responsible to keep the truce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, the U.S. Senate made a historic rules change that weakened the power of the filibuster, which opposition parties have used to slow or derail presidential nominations. The change cut the number of votes needed for approval of executive and most judicial nominees from 60 votes to 51. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said the action was taken because Americans "believe the Senate is broken -- and I believe they are right." In 2021, six people were killed and dozens others injured after a car plowed into the Waukesha Christmas Parade in Wisconsin. The driver, Darrell Brooks, received six consecutive life sentences. In 2022, a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck near Cianjur on the island of West Java, Indonesia, killing more than 325 people. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. The first day of bill filing for state lawmakers on Wednesday kicked off with a handful of bills from both parties that continued to grow throughout the day. State Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Knoxville) was the first to file, which he says would enroll pregnant women in a 12-month expansion to Medicaid if passed through either the ARHomes private Medicaid model or traditional fee-for-service. Bill filed in Arkansas legislature to restore abortion rights Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pilkington added that his hope with the second option of the traditional route is that it will cover any women who have not successfully transitioned to their new plan, as discovered by state officials in the last legislative session. There, legislators found that approximately 30% of women who did not have coverage needed it. On Tuesday, House Democrats held a press conference announcing their agenda for the 2025 legislative session, including plans to file a bill expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage to that 12-month mark. This has been a bill Ive been working on for the last two years since session, Pilkington said. First day of filing, I wanted to get in and be first and let people know the Republican supermajority this is a priority for us and were going to push this and take care of our moms. Arkansas State, Lyon College plan to open new veterinary schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Minority Leader Andrew Collins (D-Little Rock) also filed a bill to do this on Wednesday, similar to Pilkingtons. Collins said his bill leaves the Department of Human Service slightly more discretion, but both would apply to the same populations: traditional Medicaid and ARHome. In Tuesdays press conference, Collins invited state Republican lawmakers to work with Democrats on their priorities during this session, noting that he hoped to see a common interest and effort from both parties regarding major issues like this one. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders turned down expanding Medicaid to 12 months of postpartum coverage, making Arkansas the only state not to expand coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the 22 bills filed so far Wednesday evening, Collins submitted 15 of them, addressing issues ranging from the current abortion ban in Arkansas, the voucher program and the need for Medicaid expansion for new moms. Bills filed in Arkansas legislature to remove fluoride from drinking water The bill addressing the abortion ban is labeled Restore Roe Act. House Democrats said Tuesday in the press conference they plan to work to repeal the ban in defense of victims of rape and incest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A housing shelter for men in Dayton is reportedly set to change its operations provider, according to a release. The city of Dayton claims St. Vincent de Paul notified them regarding its upcoming departure at Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men on June 30, 2025. Dayton reportedly owns the property, but leases to County Corp and subleases to St. Vincent de Paul for shelter operations. According to the city, it is now looking for a new provider for shelter provider. The selection process will be conducted through an open and competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr. said he is very disappointed in the decision for St. Vincent de Paul to exit the site as provider. I am deeply disappointed with St. Vincent de Pauls decision to no longer operate at the Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men, said Mims. he City will work diligently with all partners to ensure a seamless transition and uninterrupted services for the men who depend on this shelter. Our commitment to supporting vulnerable populations remains steadfast, as ensuring the well-being and stability of our community is our top priority. Shelley Dickstein, city manager for Dayton, said the city is working to ensure a smooth transition occurs for people who utilize the facility to have no interruptions. The City of Dayton is unwavering in its commitment to providing emergency shelter services 24/7, 365 days a year. We are working closely with Montgomery County and the Dayton-Kettering-Montgomery County Continuum of Care to ensure a smooth transition between providers at the Gateway Homeless Shelter for Men, with no interruption in services for those who depend on this critical support. Additionally, there will be no changes in services or providers at the Women and Families Shelter. Shelley Dickstein Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story is breaking. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Brookland community is coming together to support a beloved teacher after she was hit by a vehicle over the weekend. In an email sent to parents of children who attend Petit Scholars, Director LaShada Ham-Campbell wrote, Ms. Irma is one of our beloved teachers at the South Campus and she was struck by a vehicle near her home in MD earlier this evening. Ms. Irma is a beloved member of the PS South Campus and she has been for over a decade. This is devastating for her family and our community. If you pray, please pray for her and all who love her, she continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerns rise as Trump pledges to dismantle the Department of Education According to the childcare centers website, Bonilla is an infant assistant teacher. Shes lovely, shes the baby whisper, shes been there for over a decade. Kids across the neighborhood know her, love her, said Jessica Hart, whose son was taught by Bonilla. Hart said she was immediately impacted by the news. Its her family, her friends, her co-workers, she said. The other teachers are really shaken by this horrible thing that happened. Hart, who is a member of Families for Safe Streets DC, created a GoFundMe to raise money to help cover medical expenses for Bonilla and her family. So far more than $38,000 has been collected as of Wednesday night. According to Hart, Bonilla is still in the ICU and is suffering from a traumatic brain injury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is on her feet all day, holding babies, loving babies and shes not going to be able to work. Shes in the ICU and thats expensive, Hart said. Anything we can do to make it so her family is not worried about the very immediate concerns of paying hospital bills, paying just regular expenses, it really makes a big difference for people in this traumatic time. According to preliminary data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 161 pedestrians were killed in Maryland in 2023. In the District, 20 pedestrians were killed and in Virginia, 133 pedestrians were killed. At a very basic level, make a complete stop [at a stop sign] Hart said, referring to how drivers can navigate the roads more safely. Hart has been advocating for safer streets since her 5-year-old daughter was hit and killed by a driver while riding her bike in a crosswalk in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC leaders, educators discuss chronic absenteeism during public hearing She said its paramount that drivers pay attention. Your couple seconds arent worth killing someone or severely injuring somebody and changing their life forever and your life forever, she said. In addition to raising money for Bonilla, she said families in the neighborhood are making lunches for teachers at Petit Scholars. As, well as picking their children up early this week and next week to ensure teachers are able to visit Bonilla at the hospital. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Emergency Rental Program (ERAP) portal opened for D.C. residents on Wednesday. Here are some things you should know when you go into the portal: The portal is moving from quarterly to continuously available: Officials with the Department of Human Services (DHS) said the ERAP portal will be open until they receive the number of applicants they project can be supported. Previously, the DHS would spread out applications by opening the portals quarterly. YMCA locks down after shooting broke out nearby in Hagerstown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be a waiting room feature: If there is a lot of traffic on the website, users will get a waiting room message that shows how long their wait time is to apply. You will be redirected to the application once theres less traffic on the portal. Heres what you need in order to submit an application: Proof of residency (lease, letter from landlord) Photo ID Proof of Income for the last 30 days Proof of resources or benefits (bank statement from the last 30 days for all accounts, SNAP) Proof of Emergency (job loss, income loss related to certain pandemics, lost or reduced employment, increased expenses or reduced income due to change in household composition) Click here to learn more about program eligibility and required documentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. are searching for two people who were allegedly involved in a robbery spree across the District on Wednesday afternoon. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said four armed robberies happened in span of two hours on Nov. 20. Detectives learned that in all the incidents the suspects got out of a silver Hyundai Sonata with Maryland tags, took out a gun and demanded personal clothing from the victims. According to the MPD, the first robbery happened on 4th and Sheridan Street around 3:41 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About four minutes later, a second robbery occurred in the 4500 block of Kansas Avenue NW. DC community rallies around daycare teacher hit by car As the spree continued, another person was robbed around 4:19 p.m. in the 2500 block of Georgia Avenue NW. Police said about eight minutes later, a fourth robbery took place on Eckington Place and Harry Thomas Way NE. As the investigation continued, officers located the Hyundai in the 1400 block of Bangor Street SE. Anyone with more information about the robberies and the suspects whereabouts, should call 202-727-9099 or text MPDs Text Tip Line at 50411. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Nov. 21Bryan Kohberger is still eligible for the death penalty if convicted, according to an order from Ada County District Judge Steven Hippler. In his written order signed Tuesday, Hippler denied all of Kohberger's motions to strike down the death penalty in a case where the suspect faces four counts of murder and one count of burglary for the Nov.13, 2022, deaths of four University of Idaho students. Kohberger's attorneys made 12 different motions to strike down the death penalty based on a variety of arguments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a Nov. 7 court hearing in Ada County, they questioned Idaho's ability to carry out lethal injection based on the recent failure to execute convicted Idaho murderer Thomas Creech. Kohberger's team also argued that the factors a jury has to consider when deciding on the death penalty are too broad and vague. They even argued the death penalty should be abolished in Idaho because it violates contemporary standards of decency, and that it violates international law. Hippler disagreed with the defense on all these motions in a 55-page written order. Hippler pushed back against their claims that the death penalty violates Kohberger's constitutional rights. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) The death toll in the Gaza Strip from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000, local health officials said Thursday. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Health Ministry said 44,056 people have been killed and 104,268 wounded since the start of the war. It has said the real toll is higher because thousands of bodies are buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year. In Lebanon, the death toll from Israeli strikes and combat has surpassed 3,580 people, with more than 15,000 wounded, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. At least 51 people were killed Thursday in Israeli strikes on towns and villages across Lebanon. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused heavy destruction across wide areas of the coastal territory, leading many to wonder when or how it will ever be rebuilt. Around 90% of the population of 2.3 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, and hundreds of thousands are living in squalid tent camps with little food, water or basic services. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames their deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in residential areas, where they have built tunnels, rocket launchers and other military infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian officials and rights groups accuse Israeli forces of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and the United Nations top court is considering allegations of genocide brought by South Africa. The Israeli government adamantly denies the allegations, accusing critics of being biased against it. In recent weeks, the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza has plummeted, prompting the United States to threaten to reduce its military support for Israel before backing down, citing limited progress. Experts have warned that isolated, war-ravaged northern Gaza could already be experiencing famine. The United States, Egypt and Qatar spent months trying to broker a cease-fire agreement in which Hamas would release the remaining hostages in exchange for an end to the war. Those talks ground to a halt over the summer, with Israel and Hamas each accusing the other of making unacceptable demands. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the wars in the Middle East without saying how. His previous administration gave unprecedented support to Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hard-line policies toward the Palestinians. ___ Khaled reported from Cairo. ___ Find more of APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war A minister in the government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed removing the green, white and red flame in her party's logo that recalls the fascism of wartime dictator Benito Mussolini, a press report said on Thursday. "If we want to look forward, then the time will come to douse the flame," Minister for Parliamentary Relations Luca Ciriani told the Il Foglio newspaper. The flame in Italy's national colours derives from the Italian Social Movement (MSI), a party founded by Mussolini's followers in 1946. It is seen as symbolic of the eternal flame burning on Mussolini's grave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1995, the MSI became the more moderate National Alliance (AN), which retained the symbol, and the AN evolved in 2012 into the Brothers of Italy, the party that Meloni leads. Ciriani, who leads Meloni's party in the Senate, stressed that the flame belonged to "past history" and added that the time would come for it to be removed from the party's logo. "It may not be soon, but it will come," he said. Senate President Ignazio La Russa, a member of the same party, was non-committal. "Remove the flame at some point? The world will also go under sooner or later," he said. Another senior party member, Fabio Rampelli, vice president of the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, rejected the idea. "Almost 30% of Italians placed their cross under our symbol. It does not seem to me that the people have a problem with it. On the contrary, perhaps they vote for us precisely because we have the flame," the Corriere della Sera newspaper quoted him saying. The Three Mile Bay Fire Department will host a turkey dinner on Sunday, December 15 at the fire hall located on 8581 State Route 12E in Three Mile Bay. The meal will go from noon until 4 p.m. and costs $9. Dinners can had via eat in or by takeout. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Deepening Israels international isolation in the starkest fashion since the start of the 13-month-old war in the Gaza Strip, the Hague-based International Criminal Court said Thursday that it had issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his recently dismissed defense minister, Yoav Gallant, over the conduct of the war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The warrants, for alleged criminal responsibility for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war, prompted fury in Israel, which like the United States does not recognize the courts jurisdiction. It also presented a dilemma for close U.S. allies in Europe, several of which declared that they would honor the warrants and the courts jurisdiction. The decision also underscores a growing rift between a traditionally U.S.-led Western order and the so-called Global South, which was far more welcoming of the courts move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Netanyahus office said Israel categorically rejects the absurd and false accusations and called the court a biased and discriminatory political body. Israeli President Isaac Herzog, posting on X, called it a dark day for justice. Israels main opposition leader, Yair Lapid, also denounced the courts move, calling it a reward for terrorism. Gallant, forced out of his post by Netanyahu earlier in November after repeatedly clashing with the prime minister over Gaza, did not specifically address the charges against him, but said in a statement that Israel had been fighting a war of self-defense. The Biden administration has staunchly supported Israel since the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023, in southern Israel, which triggered the war. About 1,200 people were killed and some 250 taken hostage in the assault. Six months ago, when the courts chief prosecutor said he had requested the warrants, the U.S. condemned the move. The White House did so again Thursday, but in somewhat more muted fashion than it had in May, when the warrants were first requested by the prosecutor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States fundamentally rejects the courts decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials," the National Security Council said in a statement, citing the "rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision." The court's action comes at a complicated moment for the Biden administration, less than two months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Despite continuing efforts to broker a cease-fire and hostage-release deal in Gaza, chances appear dim for securing an accord before the handover to Trump. In Congress, the ICC step drew denunciations from both sides of the aisle. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), Trumps choice for national security advisor, declared on X that the court had no credibility. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) called it a weaponization of international law at its most egregious. Back in May, the ICC's chief prosecutor also sought arrest warrants for three senior figures from Hamas, all of whom are now confirmed or believed dead. In its announcement Thursday, the court said it issued a warrant anyway for one of them, military chieftain Mohammed Deif, saying it could not confirm Israels assertion that it had killed him in a July airstrike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other two, Hamas military leader Yahya Sinwar and the groups political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, were both killed in the intervening months Sinwar in an encounter with Israeli troops in southern Gaza in October and Haniyeh in a July strike in Iran's capital, Tehran, which was widely attributed to Israel. Hamas welcomed the issuance of the warrants against the Israeli officials, without mentioning the one against Deif. In a statement posted on its Telegram channel, the group called it an "important historical precedent" and called for more such warrants to be issued. Palestinians welcomed the court's move, but said it had taken too long and did not go far enough. This should have come sooner, said Diana Buttu, a lawyer and former legal advisor to the Palestine Liberation Organization. Netanyahu is leading a government, so this makes the case for the ICC to place sanctions on Israel, and for companies to divest from Israel, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until now, Russian President Vladimir Putin had been the only major world leader for whom the court had issued an arrest warrant. That occurred in May, for war crimes in connection with Russias nearly 3-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin at the time derided the courts action. While symbolic in some important respects the court does not hold trials in absentia the issuance of the arrest warrants does have one practical effect: the threat of arrest if Netanyahu or Gallant travels to any countries that accept the courts jurisdiction, which includes most European states. It would not impede their ability to travel to the United States. The decision by a panel of judges cited what it said were reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallants acts encompassed a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza." Israel has insisted throughout the war that the Gaza offensive, which has killed about 44,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, has been conducted in line with international law. Palestinian casualty figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. But immense civilian suffering has prompted intense international criticism of Israel, pitting the Biden administration against European countries with whom it partners closely in other respects, including assisting Ukraine as it tries, with increasing difficulty, to fend off Russia's invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Netherlands, where the court is based, was the first to announce it would abide by the arrest warrants. Other European nations swiftly joined in, including Ireland and France, which issued a statement supporting the ICC. The European Unions top diplomat, Josep Borrell, told journalists in Jordan that the courts decision has to be respected and implemented. Times staff writers Nabih Bulos in Beirut and Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Officials are investigating the death of John Michael Olver, a machinist for Bay Valve in California who was contracted to work at Redhawk Power Plant in Arlington, Arizona, near Buckeye. The power plant is a subsidiary of Arizona Public Service Co. Olver, 50, was found unresponsive on-site on Nov. 7 during his 10-day contract at Redhawk. There were no other workers hurt in what appeared to be an accidental industrial death, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, which also confirmed Olver's identity. Advertisement Advertisement Olver leaves behind his wife, Jenny; two daughters, Brianna and Falon; his stepdaughters, Jaime and Lisa; and three grandchildren, according to an obituary published online. A celebration of life was held for Olver on Wednesday in Benicia, California. "We are deeply saddened by the death of a contractor at the Redhawk Power Plant last week. There were no impacts to other individuals at the plant, the public or plant operations due to the incident," APS said in a statement. "An investigation is underway. The safety of our crews and customers will always be a top priority for APS." The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the Sheriff's Office were investigating. Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Fulfilling what's needed: New APS power substation at the Grand Canyon to meet rising energy needs This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Death of worker at APS power plant near Buckeye investigated SAN DIEGO (Border Report) The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $1.4 million for 36 Mexican engineers employed by a subsidiary of General Dynamics, a defense contractor in San Diego. The company was found to be paying the engineers in Mexican pesos and below the federal minimum wage rate in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO), one of three shipyards in the Marine Systems group of General Dynamics that designs and builds ships for the U.S. Navy, was found to be in violation of the L-1B visa program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden admin to add almost 65K worker visas to remainder of fiscal year This program enables employers to transfer professional employees with specialized knowledge from affiliated foreign offices to U.S. work locations. The engineers were reportedly brought to San Diego from a General Dynamics branch in Mexicali, Mexico, to install power plants, engines and machinery in ships interiors. Labor Department investigators learned NASSCO paid the engineers in pesos, at Mexican pay rates, to work an average of 42 hours or more weekly. They also determined the employer wrongfully treated the traveling workers per diem and lodging costs as wages and did not maintain accurate time records for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NASSCO has been ordered to compensate the 36 engineers with $719,135 in unpaid minimum and overtime wages, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages, according to a Labor Department news release. General Dynamics NASSCO brought these specialized workers from Mexico to San Diego to build vessels for the U.S. Navy but failed to follow the federal wage regulations that protect anyone working in the U.S., explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Min Park-Chung in San Diego. The Wage and Hour Division works closely with the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego to educate Mexican nationals about their rights as workers in the U.S. and ensure those who employ them understand and comply with the law. Inspectors are supposed to visit all farmworker housing to ensure its safety, but some used FaceTime In addition to paying the engineers their back wages and damages, the Labor Department says NASSCO signed an enhanced compliance agreement that bars it from future federal labor law violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company also reportedly agreed to train employees who manage and supervise foreign workers with non-immigrant visas. NASSCO must also provide notice to employees of their rights under FLSA and the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border NASSCO is headquartered in San Diego and operates shipyards in Norfolk, Virginia; Bremerton, Washington; and near Jacksonville, Florida. Its parent company, General Dynamics, is an aerospace and defense contractor employing more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $42.3 billion in revenue in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston has announced indictments in two cases that took place inside the DeKalb County Jail. Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes was there as the announcement was made on Thursday afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In April, deputies began an investigation into where an inmate got a cell phone and cigarettes inside the jail. Investigators later learned that they had been given to him by Deputy Joann Marks, 27. She also admitted to having a sexual relationship with the inmate. She was arrested and fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston says that earlier this week, Marks was indicted. She turned herself in to the jail on Thursday morning. Her arraignment has been scheduled for Dec. 23. RELATED STORIES: The second case that Boston discussed involved the death of Christon Collins, a 27-year-old Army veteran, who died of a fentanyl overdose in March. Channel 2 Action News previously showed you exclusive surveillance video that showed Collins last moments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video shows Collins walk out of his cell before collapsing and hitting his head. Another inmate can be seen dragging him back into his cell. Boston says that inmate was 45-year-old Tobias Woods, who she says sold the drugs to Collins and another inmate. Since Collins death, Woods has bonded out of the jail on burglary charges. He was indicted on felony murder and drug charges on Tuesday, according to Boston, and was taken into custody once again on Wednesday afternoon. His arraignment has not yet been scheduled. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A DeKalb County senior citizen thought she was investing in a business but now believes it never actually existed. Colombian immigrant Luz Roman, 70, says she gave Erik Alberto Christopher Martinez nearly $93,000 to invest in a medical transportation company. She told Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray that Martinez kept coming to her to write checks for things like a Medicare license or to build a call center. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] But Roman now believes there was no business and that her money is gone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How did I allow this to happen to me? How did I allow this man to manipulate me in the way he did? Roman questioned. She first realized something was wrong when she went to what was supposed to be the company headquarters inside a Dunwoody office building. She discovered from the buildings management company that there was no office. That man was so convincing and came up with excuses, manipulating me and manipulating the situations over and over and over again, she said. Martinez goes by different versions of that name with different people. He is currently booked in the Gwinnett County Jail on an all cash $100,000 bond on theft by deception charges, according to the arrest warrant. MORE FROM 2 INVESTIGATES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He took her credit cards and manipulated the banking accounts and just really made her feel like theres some viable business that just did not exist at all, private investigator Robin Martinelli said. After filing complaints with Norcross police and the Federal Trade Commission, Roman hired Martinelli. Martinelli tracked Martinez to Miami, Florida last week where he was advertising a legal services fair that apparently never existed. When we got there, the mall where he was supposed to do this didnt even have flooring, Martinelli said. Roman says she feels relief knowing Martinez is now in jail. I am able to go to sleep now in peace, she said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Hundreds of Germans spent the night trapped in an underground car park after an avalanche of bird droppings short-circuited the exit gate. The corrosive pigeon droppings caused a malfunction in a control box at the car park in Stuttgart, which in turn triggered fire alarms and the closure of a security gate, Bild tabloid reported. Some 200 drivers were trapped in the car park for two hours as the fire alarm was not transmitted to firefighters, raising questions as to what might have happened if it had been a real blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should have received a smoke alarm. There was nothing there, we were only called by the police two hours later, a fire service spokesman said. The drivers were eventually freed at 3am, when firefighters arrived on the scene and forced open a security gate. Lifetime free parking Abdullah Koteiche, a car dealer who was among those trapped, said: I was in a bar with two friends. When we paid for our parking ticket, the alarm went off. The long delay in setting the drivers free was made worse by the fact the only key to open the gate was with an employee who could not be reached. One furious driver reportedly demanded that the car park offer her lifetime free parking to make amends for the stress and inconvenience she suffered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not the first bizarre fire alarm incident in Germany in recent months. In October, a brand new, state-of-the-art fire station burned down in western Germany because it did not have any fire alarms fitted. Alarms on site were not technically required by local planning procedures because the building was classified as an equipment centre instead of a fire station. It is a nightmare for a firefighter. No one wants to have to extinguish his own fire station, a firefighter chief told a local newspaper. 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. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) November is National Alzheimers Disease Awareness Month, and the Alzheimers Association wants to help caregivers prioritize their own mental and physical health as they care for someone else. Brenda Shuttlesworth is the Executive Director for the Dallas & Northeast Texas and North Central Texas chapters of the Alzheimers Association. She says that no caregiver should face this disease alone. The Alzheimers Association is here to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are more than one million caregivers in Texas alone and almost 460,000 people who suffer from Alzheimers. (Adobe Express) Alzheimers care poses special challenges for family caregivers. They experience increased emotional stress, depression, anxiety, and new or worsened health problems as dementia symptoms worsen in their loved ones. They also frequently experience financial strain due to disruptions in employment and the cost of health care services. Caring for a person with Alzheimers takes longer, lasts longer, is more personal and extensive than most other diseases, and takes a heavy toll on the health of the caregivers themselves, said Shuttlesworth. During the course of the disease, caregiving tasks escalate and become more intensive. Shuttlesworth said that dementia caregivers often neglect their own health needs. But she cautions that neglecting your own needs can lead to a crisis. Tips for caregivers: Know that its normal to need a break from caregiving duties. You cant do it all by yourself, so consider asking for help from family and friends. Its essential to do something you enjoy from time to time. Become educated on the disease and its progression, and understand the behavioral and physical changes that are coming. Develop your support group. Youll need to organize so friends and family who want to help will be able to help. Look for local caregiver support groups. Seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed. Eat well, get plenty of rest, and exercise. Healthy caregivers are better caregivers. Dont wait until you become physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. The Alzheimers Association offers Caregiver Stress Check to help caregivers avoid burnout. Research care options for the future because your loved one will eventually need intense care. Educate yourself now and prepare for future changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alzheimers Association provides programs for families dealing with forms of dementia. They have a 24-hour helpline, 7 days a week, where you can speak to masters-level clinicians and specialists. Call them at (800) 272-3900 or visit alz.org/crf or alz.org/training for more support. And know that more than 11 million Americans are caregivers to friends and family members with Alzheimers or dementia. Its believed that 2/3 of caregivers are women. 1/3 of caregivers are the daughters of people who have dementia, and 1/4 of caregivers are taking care of an aging parent and a child under age 18. Almost half of American caregivers earn less than $50,000 a year. Remember that the Alzheimers Association is here to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, as a statewide recount showed no signs of closing the gap and his campaign suffered blows in court in its effort to get favorable ballots counted. Caseys concession comes more than two weeks after Election Day, as a grindingly slow ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, social media outrage, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were openly flouting the law. Republicans had been claiming that Democrats were trying to steal McCormicks seat by counting illegal votes. Caseys campaign had accused of Republicans of trying to block enough legitimate votes to prevent him from pulling ahead and winning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Casey, a stalwart of Pennsylvanias Democratic establishment and the state's longest serving Democrat ever in the Senate, said he had just called McCormick to congratulate him. As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last," Casey said. Casey's campaign said the last of the ballots cast before polls closed on Nov. 5's Election Day had finally been counted Thursday. The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted in areas Casey was winning for him to take the lead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Thursday, McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted. That was well within the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. But no election official expected a recount to change more than a couple hundred votes or so, and Pennsylvania's highest court dealt Casey a blow when it refused entreaties to allow counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. Casey in the meantime had won efforts to get counties to tabulate thousands of provisional ballots that might otherwise have been thrown out because of an error by an election worker. That included voters whose registrations hadn't been properly processed, the campaign said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the campaign lost other efforts to get counties to count ballots that were disqualified over garden-variety errors that voters made, like not signing a provisional ballot in two places or not putting the ballot into an inner secrecy envelope. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate. McCormick, 59, recaptured a GOP seat in Pennsylvania after Republicans lost one in 2022, paying off a bet that party brass made when they urged McCormick to run and consolidated support behind him. It was McCormicks second time running, after he lost narrowly to Dr. Mehmet Oz in 2022s GOP primary. McCormick, the former CEO of the world's largest hedge fund, drew on tens of millions of dollars in campaign cash from allies from across the worlds of hedge funds and securities trading to help make the race the nation's second-most expensive in the campaign cycle. ___ Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter Its difficult to give up on ones dreams, no matter how destructive they turn out to be. But after Donald Trumps triumph in the 2024 election, some Democrats are finally coming to terms with the fact that they will never win some sort of final, dramatic victory over him that sees the former and future president permanently vanquished. Every incoming president must contend with an intransigent opposition party unwilling to grant him even the smallest of successes. Vast ideological differences, as well as the concentration of power in the executive branch, have raised the stakes too high for collegiality, much less bipartisanship. Yet the headwinds Trump faced from the moment he took the oath of office back in 2017 were of a different character. The progressive blob that makes up much of Washington, DC didnt just push back on his agenda, it declared total war on the man himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activists christened themselves The Resistance, as though they were an occupied people under the thumb of a foreign conqueror. Progressives sounded the alarm about Russian collusion and kompromat that they never had any evidence of. The media flooded the zone with negative and often misleading coverage of Trump. The effort to destroy Trump extended past his first term in office, when several rounds of criminal charges were brought against him, unwittingly reuniting the Republican Party around the now president-elect at his most vulnerable hour. Trumps return to the White House, though, has shattered the illusions of the less delusional wing of the Democratic Party. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, for example, has expressed not only his willingness, but his excitement to confirm Elise Stefanik as the next US ambassador to the United Nations. After having denounced the international bodys rank, pervasive anti-Semitism, Fetterman said that he was looking forward to voting for her. John Fetterman is among Democrats who have signalled they rare willing to have a constructive relationship with Donald Trump - Reuters/Quinn Glabicki Similarly, Fetterman has called Senator Marco Rubio a strong choice and a serious, qualified individual. Hes even expressed a willingness to confirm his former opponent, Dr Mehmet Oz, to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More dramatically, perhaps, MSNBCs Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough two of Trumps harshest critics for the better part of a decade kicked off Mondays edition of Morning Joe by announcing that they had met with the president-elect over the weekend and agreed to restart communications. Joe and I realised its time to do something different and that starts with, not only talking about Donald Trump, but also talking with him, said Brzezinski. Somebody close to Donald Trump told me this past weekend, this is a president who is not seeking re-election, so maybe, just maybe now could be time for both parties to get to work, added Scarborough. I will tell you a lot of Democratic leaders we have talked to this past week since the election have told Mika and me, its time for a new approach. Of course, not all of Trumps opponents agree with this assessment. Scarborough and Brzezinskis colleague Katie Phang reacted to the Morning Joe segment by declaring that Normalising Trump is a bad idea. Period. Democratic governors JB Pritzker and Jared Polis have already formed a resistance coalition under the haughty banner of Governors Safeguarding Democracy. And opportunistic operatives like The Lincoln Projects co-founder Rick Wilson are already hard at work constructing the track for their new anti-Trump gravy trains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collectively, Democrats now face a choice between the path of virtue-signalling, capital-R resistance championed by the hysterics and the more thoughtful, strategic form of opposition touted by the pragmatists. Four more years of strife on the scale that the country saw between 2017 and 2020 would take a potentially irreversible toll on American political culture. Moreover, theres little proof that histrionics redound to Democrats benefit. After all, Kamala Harris and her allies spent the final month of the campaign denouncing Trump as a fascist only to suffer the most embarrassing defeat for a Democratic standard bearer since 1984. Indeed, if they had any sense at all, they would pursue the course modelled by Fetterman. Obviously, that doesnt mean they should feel obliged to acquiesce to the president-elects every whim or offer him undue praise. But it does mean acknowledging when hes right and avoiding alarmism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Left was just rejected by the electorate because of its excesses. If its leaders have any hope of regaining the trust of the public, theyll have to finally accept that most voters chose to empower Trump. 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 News When Kamala Harris lost the presidency, peace activists had hoped that Democrats might revisit their no-strings support for Israels war in Gaza. On Wednesday two weeks after her concession speech they learned that it wasnt going to happen. In the Senate, efforts led by Sen. Bernie Sanders to block $20 billion in arms sales to Israel failed, with just 19 Democrats voting for at least one of his three resolutions. At the United Nations, the administration cast the only no vote a veto against a ceasefire resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in the House, Republicans moved toward passage of the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act. Progressive and anti-war groups warned it could empower the Trump administration to shut them down, by finding any tenuous connection to pro-Palestinian groups. Dozens of Democrats supported it anyway. I dont think Trump needs this to do that, said Ohio Rep. Greg Landsman, a Democrat supported the bill in a failed attempt to bring it up last week, and intended to support it again. The post-election debate between Democrats, searching for the reasons why Donald Trump was able to beat them again, has focused very little on Gaza. Activists whod advocated a protest vote against Harris claimed victory; those who had urged frustrated anti-war voters to stick with Harris said that she had lost them by not breaking with her administrations support for arms to Israel, and not putting a Palestinian-American speaker onstage at the Democratic National Convention. The Biden White House hasnt reacted as they hoped. It urged senators to oppose the Sanders resolution on Wednesday; James Zogby, the co-founder of the Arab American Institute, called that intervention disturbing and embarrassing, and harmful to Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polls show that when asked if we should continue to supply weapons to Israel unconditionally or should condition future weapons shipments based on Israels compliance with U.S. law, an overwhelming majority of Democrats say condition, weapons, and a plurality of Republicans agree, said Zogby, who is now running for vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. Not getting that is out of touch. But a majority of Senate Democrats did not support the Sanders effort, and other Democrats staked out clear positions against it. Shortly before the vote on the Sanders resolution, Arizona Rep.-elect Yassamin Ansari said in a statement that this resolution will attempt to deprive Israel of the materials needed for deterrence and defense while also accomplishing nothing to improve the situation in Gaza, Ansari, the first Iranian-American ever elected to Congress, won a close primary with the support of Democratic Majority for Israel. Less than two hours after her statement, Ansaris fellow Democratic freshmen elected her as president of their class. The View From Democrats Trumps sweep of the swing states this month deprived some activists of the story they were ready to tell: That Gaza cost Harris the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Michigan, Harris ran behind Joe Bidens 2020 vote total, and faltered in majority-Muslim and majority-Arab American cities Hamtramck, Dearborn, and Dearborn Heights. At a Tuesday press conference, Michigan Sen.-elect Elissa Slotkin pointed out that she won those cities after holding sympathetic conversations with residents, creating more distance with the Biden policy than Harris. The most important thing that I tried to do was keep lines of communication open with people, even when we didnt see eye to eye, said Slotkin. But obviously, the pain in the community was so deep that Trump was able to win some of those communities. But the election did not come down to Michigan, where supporters of Green Party candidate Jill Stein focused their energies. Had Harris won the state and flipped no other, she still would have lost the presidency. I think she would have won Michigan, but its broader than that, said California Rep. Ro Khanna, assessing what might have happened had Harris made a clean break with Biden on Gaza. The rural communities and small towns just dont feel like theyre coming back. Theres a sense of stagnation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pro-Israel Democrats saw another angle to the Michigan protest votes. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American member of Congress, pointedly declined to endorse Harris, and out-performed her in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel, which spent heavily to defeat Democratic critics of Israel across the country in this years primaries, could not find a credible challenger to Tlaib. They were more optimistic about finding one in the 2026 midterms. Refusing to endorse Hillary Clinton was a major problem for Nina Turner, said Mark Mellman, the president of DMFI, referring to an Ohio Democrat who pro-Israel groups helped beat in a 2021 primary. Democratic primary voters dont like folks who help Trump. The View From Voters There was a sizable constituency of progressive voters who had withheld votes from Harris, demanding change on Israel policy mostly in non-competitive states. On Election Day, shortly after noon, Daniel Denvir rode an electric scooter from his home in Providence to his polling place at a Jewish community center. The host of The Dig, a socialist interview podcast, skipped over the federal candidates on his ballot, writing four letters three times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For president and vice president: GAZA. For U.S. Senate: GAZA. For Congress: GAZA. Denvir voted for his local Democratic candidates. He also reckoned that his vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in a safely blue state wasnt necessary, and would have given him some amount of culpability in what he considered a genocide. I knew people who said, I would vote for Harris in a swing state, and I totally get why, Denvir told Semafor. In interviews since the election, people who said theyd voted Democratic but skipped the top of the ballot typically cited Gaza. They expressed a little more confidence in their decisions if they were voting in safe blue states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wrote in Joe Biden in D.C., because it didnt matter, said Hamid Bendaas, a progressive strategist at the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project, who spent months warning Democrats that Harris was losing votes she could win if she broke with the administration on Gaza. Joe Getzoff, who voted for the PSL in Massachusetts, said that Gaza was the key: He supported Sen. Elizabeth Warrens re-election, but declined to vote for Rep. Katherine Clark, who didnt stray from the administrations position. I would have voted for Harris if she called for an arms embargo on Israel and even if she specifically called for a conditioning of aid to Israel, he said. But I have to say, this election has pretty much destroyed any last vestige of maybe the Dems are the good guys I still had lodged in my lizard brain. Davids view Democrats are hitting every pressure point in their post-election analysis every decision Harris should have made but didnt, every policy choice she should have clarified before Republicans could define her. Ive been struck by how little theyve cited Gaza, and the demand that Harris break with her administration to end arms shipments to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The anti-war left wanted a change in policy; failing that, it wanted Democrats to look over the 2024 wreckage and realize that it could have been prevented had they forced an end to the war. That is not the lesson Democrats took away, and Trumps first foreign policy hires Marco Rubio at State, Mike Huckabee for ambassador to Israel emboldened angry liberals who wanted to tell protest voters that Trump had duped them. Room for Disagreement Some progressives pointed to the Senate action as a step in the right direction for their movement. Among the Democrats who defied the White House on one of the votes was Sen. Jon Ossoff, even as he faces a tough re-election in Georgia in 2026. Notable WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Democrats are pressuring President Joe Biden to grant thousands of non-violent inmates a get out of jail free card before he leaves office. They joined advocates on Capitol Hill to push for clemency. There are 61 days left in your presidency and the time to act is now, said Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.). Democrats are calling on President Biden to shorten the sentences of thousands of inmates serving time for non-violent drug offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neil Berry, an activist with the Center for Popular Democracy, is a former stockbroker who was wrongfully convicted on armed robbery charges. He served nine years behind bars. Theres a lot of us who could tell the same story there, but we never had the opportunity for a fair trial of anything. And we had sentences that were ridiculous, said Berry. In 1994 Congress passed a crime bill which increased mandatory minimum sentencing for some drug offenses. Maria Garza, a prison reform activist, faced 60-100 years for a drug trafficking conviction. Ultimately after a court fight, she served 12 years in state prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have everything in your power to right the wrong, said Garza. In 2018 Congress did attempt to rectify the law, passing the First Step Act which slashed sentencing guidelines for non-violent drug offenses. The law, signed by then-President Donald Trump, did not affect those already convicted for offenses, like marijuana possession. The White House says the president already granted 20 pardons and 122 commutations, including certain marijuana offenses. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. DENVER (KDVR) West Metro Fire Rescue crews were called to a building at the Denver Federal Center on Wednesday evening for a hazmat situation that the agency said would not be resolved until Thursday. The Denver Federal Center, located in Lakewood, is part of the U.S. General Services Administration and has offices for thousands of employees. It has several buildings throughout the complex that house various tenants, some of which are private market leases. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Metro Fire Rescue said that it was called to a building at the center because a chemical had crystalized in its container, leading to concerns that it could be explosive. The agency did not say which building it had responded to in the complex, nor shared what kind of chemical was under investigation. The building was evacuated, and investigators determined the chemical was stable in its container. However, the building will remain closed on Thursday for the Jefferson County Bomb Squad, which will remove the chemical. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) On Thursday night, the Denver Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to close or restructure 10 schools, the board announced in a press release. The decision that was made tonight was difficult for everyone involved, students, families, school staff and each and every member of the Board, said DPS Board of Education President Carrie A. Olson. During this process, we heard from our DPS community and took their comments into consideration as we made our decision. As the Board of Education for Colorados largest school district, we have a duty to not just all of the students and staff members, but the Denver community as a whole, to ensure the district stays financially viable, not just now, but into the future as well. That means hard decisions needed to be made and it was our duty to do so. Colfax Avenue to soon have a holiday tree bigger than the one at Rockefeller Center Elementary school closures Columbian Elementary Castro Elementary Schmitt Elementary International Academy of Denver at Harrington Palmer Elementary Secondary school closures West Middle School Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design Grade level restructures Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy becomes 6th to 12th grade only, removes 1st to 5th grades Dora Moore becomes ECE-5th grade only, removes 6th to 8th grades DCIS Baker 6th to 12th grades becomes DCIS Baker Middle School 6th to 8th grade, removes 9th to 12th grades Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those affected by the changes will receive assistance from the DPS SchoolChoice Team to help enroll students for the 2025-26 school year. The students will be provided with priority status when the process begins in January 2025. Staff affected by the change will have the collective bargaining agreement in place upheld and will be provided support through the Employee Assistance Program which includes resume writing and interview training. Students who reside in and attend schools in the newly created or existing enrollment zones are eligible for round-trip bus services. Transportation will be provided to kindergarten to fifth-grade students who live more than a mile from their school, and services will be provided to middle school students who live more than two-and-a-half miles from their school. Several buildings will be repurposed for community use after meetings are held to determine their use. DSISD, West Middle School, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, Dora Moore ECE-8 School and DCIS Baker will continue as school buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last time the Denver Public Schools Board of Education considered restructuring or closure occurred in October 2022. Back then, Denver Public Schools proposed the closure of 10 schools due to the same reasons cited now low enrollment, declining birth rates and high costs. Cant place a price on our community: Students, parents speak at DPS public comment session During a board meeting the following year in March, the board decided to close just three schools out of the 10. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. A California appeals court said Wednesday that the county watchdog cannot force Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies to reveal suspected deputy gang tattoos or to answer questions about the inked groups at least not until the county has bargained with the deputies labor unions. In a 28-page opinion , the Second Division of the California Court of Appeals said the public interest in ridding law enforcement agencies of deputy gangs is substantial, but that there was not any evidence to suggest labor negotiations would take so long as to meaningfully delay an investigation into the groups. The legal dispute that led to this weeks ruling started last year, after the county Office of Inspector General demanded that dozens of deputies show their tattoos and name other suspected deputy gang members. Employee unions promptly struck back with a May 2023 lawsuit as well as a formal labor complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union representing rank-and-file deputies the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs lauded Wednesdays decision. "As other courts and the county's labor board have previously ruled, the Court of Appeals today found that the inspector general is not above the law, union President Richard Pippin told The Times. All ALADS wanted was a voice in the process, to sit down with the county and negotiate over what the rules would be for investigations conducted by the inspector general. Inspector General Max Huntsman also framed the ruling as a positive. The court found that the publics interest in ridding law enforcement of gangs is 'substantial and that an inspector generals decision to investigate is nonnegotiable, he told The Times late Wednesday. As the court found, the OIG must consult with unions on the effects of an investigation but may reject their proposals. My offices investigations will continue after the expeditious bargaining described by the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriff's Department said in a statement that the ruling wouldnt affect its ongoing efforts to investigate allegations of law enforcement gang activity and that officials encourage deputies to engage with oversight bodies. It is not clear whether the county intends to appeal the decision to the California Supreme Court, and the county deferred comment to the Sheriff's Department. The department has long faced allegations about secretive deputy groups running amok in certain stations and jails, controlling command staff and promoting a culture of violence. A Loyola Marymount University report released in 2021 identified at least 18 such groups that have existed over the last five decades, including one known as the Executioners and another known as the Banditos . Members of the former are alleged to sport tattoos of a skull with Nazi imagery and an AK-47, while members of the latter are allegedly known for their matching tattoos of a skeleton outfitted with a sombrero, bandolier and pistol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January 2020, as part of an effort to improve oversight of the Sheriffs Department, the county adopted an ordinance that gave subpoena power to certain oversight officials. But a few months later, the deputies union filed a labor complaint arguing that the county needed to bargain over the effects of the new ordinance before forcing deputies to comply with it. In late 2022, the Los Angeles County Employee Relations Commission sided with the union, saying that deputies didnt have to obey subpoenas served under the new ordinance until the bargaining process was over. But then in May 2023 before bargaining concluded Huntsmans office sent letters to 35 deputies suspected of being members of either the Executioners or the Banditos. The OIG letters ordered the deputies whose names have not been publicly released to show their tattoos, provide names of any other deputies sporting similar ink and answer questions about whether theyd ever been invited to join a group related to their tattoos. Because the letters werent official subpoenas, it wasnt clear whether deputies would actually face any consequences for ignoring them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But less than a week later, Sheriff Robert Luna sent a department-wide email directing staff to comply with the OIG request. Any employees who obstructed or delayed an investigation, the email said, could be disciplined or fired under county policies. The unions took issue with that, filing the labor complaint and lawsuit that same month, accusing the county of violating deputies 4th and 5th Amendment rights as well as their privacy rights outlined in the California Constitution. The union also argued that planned interviews constituted significant and adverse changes to the terms and conditions of employment and thus required bargaining. Ultimately, the lower court rejected most of the unions issues but sided with them on the labor concerns, agreeing that the forced interviews were new conditions of employment that needed to be bargained and writing that there was no compelling need for immediate investigation before that. The county appealed the decision in September, and the appeals court issued its ruling this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interim, the two sides conferred and came to an agreement on a different policy but one that also mentions the need to cooperate with oversight investigations. In September, the department rolled out its long-awaited policy banning deputy gangs, which included a paragraph noting that the department would cooperate with inspector general investigations. Employees are required to participate in these investigations, the policy says , answer questions, and do so honestly. Its not clear how that policy could affect the ongoing dispute over whether deputies must reveal their tattoos. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) There is new information that connects a Texas man to a child pornography case in Shelby County. The details of this case have been called heinous, heartbreaking and egregious by the sheriff. In law enforcement, we are exposed to some really grim realities, Shelby County Sheriffs Office Chief Clay Hammac said. I have had the unfortunate opportunity to work a lot of child exploitation cases in my career, and I can say without hesitation that this is the most egregious crime that Ive seen of this nature. The Shelby County Sheriffs Office says the Shelby County Department of Human Resources received a tip from Texas in October, claiming a man named Wisam Sharieff was soliciting disturbing videos of a minor in Shelby County. The sheriffs office says the investigation revealed the videos originated from Blake Barakat, 50. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helena Police Department investigating comments made by Helena Middle School student This case originated because of a tip from a concerned citizen, and if it had not been for the proactive efforts of a concerned citizen, we would have a victim that continues to be victimized. We would have two offenders that remain free, Hammac said. I would urge and plead with our community to be vigilant, to look after each other, to look after your neighbors. If you see something that is suspicious, let us know. Barakat was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12, 10 counts of production of pornography with minors, 10 counts of disseminating child pornography and one count of sodomy. Hammac says after Barakats arrest, deputies reached out to the Birmingham FBI for help identifying and locating Sharieff. We were able to present that information to the US Attorney and the FBI, and then they were able to take that case and seek appropriate extradition and prosecution, Hammac said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to federal court documents filed on October 29, it was Sharieffs wife who tipped off Alabama DHR to videos of a child watching adult pornography while Barakat explained the sexual acts. The documents go on to describe some of the interviews between Barakat and law enforcement. Barakat told investigators Sharieff was teaching her about the Quran in an online school called the AlMaghrib Institute, where he supposedly told her a certain sexual act could help her spiritually and bring her closer to Allah. It is my sincere hope that both of these offenders spend the rest of their lives behind bars, Hammac said. The AlMaghrib Institute released a statement regarding the allegations against Sharieff. It reads: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AlMaghrib Institute is horrified at the news of the criminal allegation against Wisam Sharieff. The safety and protection of AlMaghrib Institutes students and community continues to be our top priority. This criminal allegation against Wisam Shariff is a jarring and sickening experience for his students as well as AlMaghrib Institutes staff and instructors who worked with him. At this time, AlMaghrib Institute is prioritizing the wellbeing of our community, so we encourage any students who are struggling due to this news to reach out to us at support@almaghrib.org. We understand that in situations like this, the wider public can have questions and rumors abound, so AlMaghrib Institute is issuing this second statement to correct some misinformation around the criminal allegations of Wisam Sharieff. 1.) The criminal allegations, as laid out by law enforcement investigators against Wisam Sharieff, were conducted outside AlMaghrib Institutes educational platform via private communication between the accused adult parties. The alleged minor-aged victim was not a student of AlMaghrib Institute. As such, no law enforcement authorities ever communicated with AlMaghrib Institute prior to filing their criminal complaint against Wisam Sharieff. 2.) AlMaghrib Institute continues to enforce its longstanding policy of zero tolerance for instructors having any romantic relationships with their students. Instructors are expected to abide by AlMaghrib Institutes strict code of conduct in both their public and private lives. As soon as AlMaghrib Institute was notified of a possible violation of its code of conduct by an instructor in his personal life, AlMaghrib Institute conducted its own investigation but did not have access to law enforcements investigation. However, AlMaghrib Institutes own investigation concluded there was sufficient evidence violating AlMaghrib Institutes code of conduct to terminate the instructors employment and immediately publicly disclosed it. AlMaghrib Institute has catered to the needs of 250,000+ students and will continue to provide a safe-space on its educational platform for all students by enforcing its strict code of conduct policies. We encourage any students who have further concerns due to this news to reach out to us at support@almaghrib.org. Our nations justice system will now deal with Wisam Sharieff, and we ask Allah to bring solace to the victims and to bring healing to our community. Allahs religion is not reliant on any one individual, and the Quran Revolution program will continue with our students as scheduled. The AlMaghrib Institute The Shelby County Sheriffs Office says it is seeking to have state and federal charges pressed against both Barakat and Sharieff. The federal affidavit requests all papers going forward to include the arrest warrant and be sealed to not jeopardize the investigation that is still 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 CBS 42. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The mayor of Nashville has released new details from the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and the Nashville Community Review Board (CRB), applauding the new agreement between the two entities. MNPD and the CRB announced earlier this week they had reached a new MOU after months of negotiating with the newly-formed review organization. Nashville voters approved civilian oversight of the police department in 2018. In 2023, the state legislature passed a bill removing some powers from civilian oversight boards and mandating its reconstitution as a civilian review board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per Mayor Freddie OConnells office, the MOU governs the collaboration between MNPD and the CRB on the CRBs civilian review of police activities. The full MOU was executed on Wednesday, Nov. 20, OConnell announced. Nashville man faces federal gun charges from 2023 Nissan Stadium shooting incident The MOU includes the following key tenants: It calls for quarterly meetings between MNPD Chief John Drake and CRB Director Jill Fitcheard; Creates an agreed upon process for MNPD to provide the CRB access to documents and video, including body cam and dash cam videos and for the CRB to review MNPD OPA investigations related to allegations of officer misconduct; Provides the opportunity for CRB members and staff to participate in MNPDs Citizen Police Academy; and Permits the CRB to request the Department of Emergency Communications to provide notification of critical incidents to the CRB Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor said he applauded the completion of the agreement that calls for a cooperative relationship between the board and the police department. Shortly after taking office, OConnell reconstituted the voter-approved Community Oversight Board into a civilian review board in compliance with state law. He also appointed Fitcheard to be the CRB director, keeping her in the same leadership position she held with the previous board. I maintained active dialogue with both our Community Review Board and the Metro Nashville Police Department, and I am pleased to see a Memorandum of Understanding come to fruition, the mayor said. I am encouraged by the prospects of a cooperative framework between the CRB and MNPD. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com I am thrilled about the outcome and the work that the Board members put in to get the MOU prepared for negotiation. We worked diligently to negotiate an agreement that gives us the ability to work alongside the police department to meet the expectations that are set before us, Fitcheard said. I am looking forward to our pathway forward and it is my hope that we work together to improve and enhance the communitys faith in public safety in our city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MNPD Assistant Chief Dwayne Greene and Deputy Chief Tommy Widener represented the police department in negotiation of the MOU, per Drake. According to the mayors office, the MOU also provides target deadlines for parties to complete their work in a timely manner. The MOU took effect upon receiving all necessary signatures Wednesday, the mayors office 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 WKRN News 2. The Fox News host and the woman who accused him of sexual assault were in Monterey for the 2017 California Federation of Republican Women biennial conference John Lamparski/Getty Pete Hegseth Pete Hegseth A California police report involving a sexual assault allegation against Pete Hegseth was released Wednesday, and contains new information about the incident. The Fox News host, 44, was involved in the October 2017 investigation of an alleged sexual assault that took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey, Calif, the city confirmed in a press release on Nov. 14. President-elect Donald Trump nominated Hegseth for defense secretary one day earlier, on Nov. 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police report, which was first obtained and made public by Mediaite.com on Wednesday, Nov. 20, reveals contrasting accounts of the actions of Hegseth and the woman involved in the incident. The report contains firsthand and witness accounts, as well as descriptions of surveillance footage. While portions of the report are redacted to protect the privacy of the woman, details from multiple sources in the report contradict Hegseth's account of the events. According to the document, both Hegseth and the woman were in Monterey for the 2017 California Federation of Republican Women biennial conference, where Hegseth was the keynote speaker. The woman helped organize the event, the report states. Related: Donald Trump's Cabinet Picks: Who He's Already Chosen and Who He Might Choose Next Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call Pete Hegseth Pete Hegseth Per the report, the woman had gaps in memory from that night. She recalled being "buzzed," but not drunk, and later told the nurse who did her sexual assault exam that something could have been slipped into her drink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth has never been charged in connection to the alleged assault. Per the report, he said he ensured the woman was comfortable with what was going on between the two of them, and that there was always conversation and always consensual contact. This police report confirms what Ive said all along, that the incident was fully investigated, and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed, Timothy Parlatore, Hegseths attorney, told CNN on Wednesday. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Matt Gaetz Bought Sex with His 'Son' Nestor's PayPal Account, Women Reportedly Told House Investigators Parlatore's comment comes days after he responded to Monterey city official's initial confirmation of the investigation. At the time, he said, An allegation was made and was fully investigated and he was cleared. This should have no effect whatsoever on the nomination process. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman on the president-elect's transition team, expressed similar sentiments on Thursday, telling CNN that the "police found the allegations to be false." The report, however, does not come to the conclusion that the accusation was false. Per CNN, Hegseth's attorney said the TV personality made a settlement agreement with the woman in 2020. The agreement reportedly included payment and a confidentiality clause. A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. Police Report Lands As Hegseth Heads To Hill Fox News host Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for secretary of defense, is on the Hill today meeting with senators (many of whom he has previously disparaged) after the city of Monterey, California released late yesterday the police report on the 2017 sexual assault complaint against Hegseth. The police report contains accounts given to officers from the alleged victim, who is referred to as Jane Doe, and from Hegseth himself. Hegseth denies a sexual assault took place and claims it was a consensual sexual encounter. He was never charged with a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documents offer the most detailed account yet of the steps police took to investigate Hegseth as part of an incident that has been roiling Trumps team since the former president announced the former Fox host was his pick to run the military.WaPo The woman, who helped organize the California Federation of Republican women gathering at which Hegseth spoke, told police that she had witnessed the TV anchor acting inappropriately throughout the night and saw him stroking multiple womens thighs. She texted a friend that Hegseth was giving off a creeper vibe, according to the report.Associated Press A California woman told police that Trump Cabinet pick Pete Hegseth physically blocked her from leaving a hotel room, took her phone, and then sexually assaulted her even though she remembered saying no a lot, a police report obtained by CNN shows.CNN The woman, referred to throughout the report as Jane Doe, said Mr. Hegseth took her phone, blocked his hotel room door when she tried to leave, and sexually assaulted her, ejaculating on her stomach. She said that her memory was hazy, and that she had drunk far more alcohol than usual throughout the day.NYT Gaetz Twists On The Vine The Gaetz nomination is probably the most imperiled of any of Trumps current nominees, which is saying a lot considering the Pete Hegseth revelations and the laughable Tulsi Gabbard nomination. But theres still no public opposition to Gaetz among GOP senators, so theres no predicting how this goes. With Vice President-elect JD Vance in tow, Gaetz made the rounds to Senate offices Wednesday. Among the days developments: On the evenly divided House Ethics Committee, the Republican members reportedly voted against releasing the committees report on Gaetzs ethical wrongdoing, including allegations of under-age sex and illicit drug use. Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-MS) incensed committee Democrats by suggesting publicly that they had somehow gone along with Republicans or had merely failed to reach an agreement. Federal investigators have established a web of payments among Matt Gaetz and dozens of friends and associates who are said to have taken part with him in drug-fueled sex parties, according to a document obtained by The New York Times.NYT [A] strategic divide has emerged between Trumps transition team and his biggest Senate boosters. Sources familiar with the process say the Trump team has yet to articulate a clear plan for winning the confirmation fight, as even some public Gaetz supporters in the Senate tell us theres no path to 50 votes.Punchbowl Absurdity Of The Day Politico paints this fantastical scene at the Capitol, featuring none other than ousted Rep. George Santos (R-NY) searching for the fading limelight: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a manifestation of the tumult, expelled Rep. George Santos, the recent subject of another Ethics Committee report, stopped by the Capitol to get in on the action, threatening to yell at Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) in defense of Gaetz. If he runs away from me, Ill go stand in front of his office and scream at him, through his door, Santos said, standing outside the Capitol looking for Guest. So Much For Trump Distancing Himself From Project 2025 Trump has picked or is leaning towards picking five people connected by name to the notorious Project 2025 that he spent the last stretch of the campaign disclaiming any knowledge of: former Trump OMB Director Russ Vought in a repeat performance as OMB director; former Trump DNI John Ratcliffe as CIA director; Tom Homan as White House border czar; Brendan Carr, as head of the FCC; former Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), as ambassador to Canada The Trump II Clown Show former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker: ambassador to NATO former ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra: ambassador to Canada Trump Transition Tidbits NYT: Trump Recruits His Season 2 Cast Straight From the Small Screen Dara Lind: What Mass Deportation Actually Means NYT: Dr. Oz, Tapped to Run Medicare, Has a Record of Promoting Health Misinformation The Faintest Murmur Of GOP Opposition To Trump GOP Sen. Rand Paul denounced President-elect Donald Trumps plan to deploy the military to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants upon his return to office, saying it would be a huge mistake and a misuse of military personnel.Politico 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.Bloomberg Nikki Haley has a blunt assessment of Donald Trumps choices of Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for high-profile roles in his administration.Politico Always Read Tressie Tressie Mcmillan Cottom explores how Donald Trump managed to assemble a constituency of overlapping online communities that, in particular, are listening for archetypes and aesthetics, not policy. TPM EXCLUSIVE A new piece from TPMs Josh Kovensky: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A feeding frenzy has broken out among Oath Keepers, Proud Boys and their lawyers over how to secure the long-promised clemency from Donald Trump. Even though Trump doesnt take office for another two months, theyre scrambling to flatter him, strategize over whom to contact, and generally push their way to the front of the line even though there may not formally be one to ensure that they receive pardons, and receive them as quickly as possible. Rudy G At Risk Of Contempt Of Court Georgia election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman have moved for a civil contempt of court finding against Rudy Giuliani in their defamation case, pointing out to the federal judge in DC that he has continued to defame them in violation of the permanent injunction he agreed to in order to resolve related claims against him. For The Record House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said Wednesday that transgender individuals would not be allowed into restroom facilities in the Capitol and House office buildings that do not correspond with their sex assigned at birth, announcing the rule change about two weeks after Democrat Sarah McBride of Delaware became the first openly transgender individual elected to Congress.WaPo The Election Revived The Anti-Abortion Movement Anti-abortion advocates are moving aggressively in the wake of the election to devise new measures to punish people and organizations that help women get abortions, feeling emboldened to crack down on the flow of abortion pills into states with bans and no longer burdened by fear of political backlash.WaPo ICC Issues Arrest Warrant for Netanyahu The International Criminal Court said Thursday it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging they committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the offensive in the Gaza Strip, including the use of starvation as a weapon and directing attacks against civilians.WSJ Just Preach Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) goes off on Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) after he used the word oppression during a committee hearing on the Dismantle DEI Act: Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! The News With just two days to go at COP29, a group of developing nations and China are pushing for rich countries to pledge at least $500 billion in annual climate financing by 2030 to fund their green transition. After nearly two weeks of negotiations, delegates are at a stalemate over how much and who should pay what, the Financial Times wrote. The onus is on developed, richer economies, which have historically contributed the most to climate change, while developing and small economies, especially island nations, are the most likely to feel the brunt of the effects of global warming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a finance COP and we have to go back home with a figure [that] small islands [vulnerable to climate change] find agreeable, a delegate from the Maldives said. SIGNALS COP29 deadline looms with no deal in sight Sources: The Guardian, Financial Times Hopes of a breakthrough seemed dashed Thursday morning after draft texts of a possible deal had an X in place of the monetary figure delegates and activists had hoped for, The Guardian reported. The stalemate leaves negotiators with a huge amount of progress to make over the next day or two, a development expert at climate think tank E3G told the Financial Times. There has been some movement: Developing nations originally asked for $1 trillion, however, people familiar with negotiations said the final figure will most likely be between $200 and $300 billion. This is the moment where [countries] need to put all [their] cards on the table, said a lead negotiator. Saudi Arabia acts as a wrecking ball in COP29 talks Source: The New York Times Beyond funding, also on the negotiating table is whether or not COP29 countries would reaffirm a commitment made at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels. Saudi Arabia the worlds top oil exporter signed the pledge last year, yet diplomats and climate experts told The New York Times that they have been working ever since to make sure the statement is not repeated. UN rules require any COP29 deal to be endorsed by all the participating nations, which means the kingdom could sink a deal acting unilaterally. Theyre just being a wrecking ball, a researcher at UK climate think tank E3G told the Times. AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) An 83-year-old man arrested for the robbery of a Mahoning Avenue bank Wednesday morning asked police how they found him so fast after he was caught, reports said. Read next: Over 83 tons of ground beef recalled nationwide, illnesses reported: USDA Forrest Lytell was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on a charge of robbery, a second-degree felony. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in Mahoning County Area Court in Austintown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said police answered a holdup alarm about 10:20 a.m. at a 4949 Mahoning Ave. bank where a teller said a man later identified as Lytell gave her a note saying, Give me all the money or else. The teller complied and slipped in some bills that had a tracking device, reports said. Reports said Lytell took the money and left out the front door. Police were able to track the money to an address in the double-digit block of South Anderson Avenue, near a wooded area. Police went there and an officer spotted Lytell near the wooded area, where he was taken into custody. Lytell told police the money was in a shed in a nearby yard, reports said. Police looked there and found the money, reports said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if had anything to say, reports said Lytell replied, How did you guys find me so fast? Lytell spoke with detectives before he was taken to the jail, reports said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Leigh Vogel/Getty Images In another concerning development for queer and trans people in the U.S., president-elect Donald Trump tapped television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz this week to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Trump noted in a statement on Tuesday that Oz would work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), if both are confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate next year. Trump claimed Oz has been at the forefront of healthy living for decades in his statement, as The 19th reported. But in fact, Oz built his TV career on false or misleading health claims, has made numerous graphic and degrading comments about women, and holds positions on abortion and trans rights that could seriously jeopardize the health of LGBTQ+ communities under his watch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oz obtained his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1986, and went on to work as a doctor at Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He co-founded the Cardiac Complementary Care Center in 1995 with his business partner Jerry Whitworth, where the two employed pseudoscientific methods like therapeutic touch to shift patients bioenergy, allegedly in service of faster recovery. But Oz quickly outgrew his own practice after performing a heart transplant on Frank Torre, the brother of then-New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, in 1996 a procedure that catapulted him into the media spotlight. In 2003, Oz briefly hosted his own show on the Discovery network, Second Opinion with Dr. Oz. Among his first guests was daytime TV icon Oprah Winfrey, who went on to hire Oz as a recurring health expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show for several seasons. Winfrey greenlit another Oz-hosted medical advice show in 2009, The Dr. Oz Show, which ran until 2022. Oz developed a reputation as a trusted voice in medicine through his shows, but in reality, he used his platform to spread numerous false or misleading medical claims: he has baselessly called the mineral selenium the holy grail of cancer prevention, promoted miracle weight loss supplements that could cause liver damage, and falsely pushed the drug hydroxychloroquine as a cure for COVID-19, among other statements. Trump's Staff and Cabinet Picks Are Shaping Up to Be a Who's Who of Anti-LGBTQ\+ Extremists From Matt Gaetz to Marco Rubio, here's a breakdown of their anti-LGBTQ\+ records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oz has also often made bizarre and inappropriate comments about and to women on his show, including one 2010 segment promoting a mattress cooler in which he got in bed with a guest, caressed her, and commented that her husband would be enjoying himself in Ozs position. In a 2009 Esquire column, Oz recommended that men should give chocolate to women to manipulate them into having sex, writing that chocolate contains phenylethylamine, tryptophan, and anandamide, which have been shown to elicit horniness. Regarding legal rights and protections for queer and trans people in the U.S., Oz has changed his tune significantly over the years. In 2010, when The Dr. Oz Show was still in its infancy, Oz hosted a segment about trans youth titled Trans Children: Too Young to Decide? The episode featured Oz in conversation with an eight-year-old trans girl, a 15-year-old trans boy, and their families, discussing their parents decision to support their identities. The episode was heralded by GLAAD at the time as groundbreaking and one of the best 15-minute segments on transgender children to ever appear on national television. Five years later, Oz featured trans activist and YouTuber Jazz Jennings, then 14 years old, in a discussion about trans identity and her medical transition. But Oz also gave equal time to anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy, or reparative therapy as its referred to on the show, in one 2012 episode (while stopping short of endorsing the practice himself). Another 2010 episode, Battle of the Sexes, featured a segment in which Oz claimed to reveal the science behind men versus women, with alarmingly bioessentialist statements like language centers in the female brain are bigger, which helps explain a womans Gift of Gab. Trump Selects Anti-Trans WWE Co-Founder Linda McMahon to Be Education Secretary McMahon is the chair of the board of America First Policy Institute, a loudly anti-trans right-wing nonprofit that says it opposes radical gender ideology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oz has only doubled down on proclamations like those since pivoting into electoral politics. In a 2022 Delaware Valley Journal interview, after receiving Trumps endorsement for his (ultimately unsuccessful) Senate campaign, Oz falsely claimed that 80 to 85 percent of gender-dysphoric youth will naturally, if theyre not influenced, go back to their biological gender. (Those numbers appear to be based on long-debunked data, with recent research indicating trans youth are highly unlikely to reidentify with their assigned sex.) Oz went on to accuse trans-affirming adults of mess[ing] with their mind[s], adding, Once in a while, Johnny walks in moms shoes. It doesnt mean anything. During a debate with Sen. John Fetterman, Oz also said that he believed abortion decisions should come down to women, doctors, [and] local political leaders, letting the democracy thats always allowed our nation to thrive, to put the best ideas forward so states not the people in need of abortions themselves can decide for themselves. Given his checkered history of headline-chasing, questionable medical endorsements and anti-LGBTQ+ positions, its alarming that Oz could soon control the U.S. Medicare, Medicaid, and Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) infrastructure if hes confirmed by the Senate next year. Instead of nominating someone with experience, Trump chose a dishonest, celebrity medical professional who is most known for promoting scams, wrote representatives of the healthcare advocacy group Protect Our Care in a statement on Wednesday. Between the nominations of Dr. Oz and RFK Jr., it is clear Donald Trump is building a cabinet that mirrors himself: incompetent, inexperienced, and unqualified. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Diocese of Youngstown shared its plan Wednesday to transform the campus of the old Saints Cyril and Methodius Church into the All Saints Archival Center. Since its records are currently being housed in multiple locations, including Kent State University libraries and basements of diocesan buildings, Bishop David Bonnar knew the project needed to be a priority. Were bringing our past with us into the future, said Bishop Bonnar. This is a huge undertaking and the beauty of it is right now is we are really embracing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The development of the archival center allows us to reflect not only on our rich history but remind each and every one of us that were at the heart and center of the church, said Monsignor John Zuraw, Vicar General. The project includes building a two-story, 4,900 square foot facility connected to the former church building. The new building will include a climate-controlled vault for records as well as office and work spaces. The church itself will become a place for exhibits such as artifacts from closed churches and public programming. This new facility is so exciting because it will enable us to collect, preserve and make accessible the records of the Diocese of Youngstown, its people, parish churches, institutions and organizations, said Chancellor and Diocesan archivist Joan Lawson. The site on East Wood Street was chosen because of its proximity to the seat of the Bishop, campus size, location within Youngstowns educational, museum, and library district, plus the historic church structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is eminently worthy of preservation from the inside with its magnificent windows, its dome, Lawson said. The estimated cost of the project is around $2.7 million. This campus is for our entire diocese and beyond and its my hope and prayer that it will be a place that will be visited often, said Bonnar. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Getty Images LGBTQ+ members of Congress are condemning measures by House Republicans this week to restrict Capitol Hill bathrooms by biological sex, accusing Republicans of spitefully targeting Representative-elect Sarah McBride to score more political points after the 2024 U.S. elections. McBride, who will become the first out trans person to serve in the House of Representatives when she is sworn in this January, is currently the target of two attempts to create a trans bathroom ban in the House. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace initiated the first salvo, introducing a resolution on Monday to restrict the use of all single-sex facilities on Capitol Hill including bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing facilities to only those of the corresponding biological sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restriction, which Mace said was absolutely aimed at McBride herself, would theoretically be enforced by the Houses Sergeant-at-Arms. On Wednesday, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced he would enforce a matching ban in the incoming Congressional rules package, asserting that a man cannot become a woman. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has a history of making extreme anti-trans statements, allegedly told Republican colleagues privately that she would physically fight McBride if the two were in a bathroom together, Politico reported this week. At least three out LGBTQ+ members of the House have since condemned Mace and Johnsons proposals, including Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan, chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC). In a CEC press release on Thursday, Pocan called Johnsons policy a holier-than-thou decree that was cruel and unnecessary. How will this even be enforced? Pocan wondered, rhetorically. Will the Sergeant at Arms post officers in bathrooms? Will everyone who works at the Capitol have to carry around their birth certificate or undergo a genetic test? This policy isnt going to protect anyone but it is going to open the door to rampant abuse, harassment, and discrimination in the Capitol. The attacks on McBride, Pocan added, are a ploy to distract from [Republicans] inability to govern and failure to deliver for the American people. In a pair of posts on X, as well as Bluesky, this week, Vermont Rep. Becca Balint echoed Pocans comments, calling Maces resolution a petty, hateful distraction from Maces failures as a lawmaker. There's no bottom to the cruelty. We have an obligation to push back. When we allow attacks on someones basic human dignity, we're all made more cruel, Balint said, adding in a subsequent post that Mace stokes fear and hatred to chase more media attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Rep. Robert Garcia also took Mace and Johnson to task in an appearance on MSNBC, telling host Nicole Wallace he was disgusted by Republicans vile attacks on McBride. Why were policing that person and where they use the restroom is shameful. We should push back on this disgusting rhetoric and actions, Garcia said, adding, Theyre not talking about lowering the cost of groceries; theyre not talking about making housing more affordable theyre policing where someone uses the restroom. Its not just out LGBTQ+ lawmakers who are pushing back on Mae and Johnsons bathroom bans, either. In remarks to Spectrum News this week, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez excoriated the proposals, calling them discriminatory and dangerous. What Nancy Mace and what Speaker Johnson are doing are endangering all women and girls, because [...] what it inevitably results in are women and girls who are primed for assault, Ocasio-Cortez told reporters, because people are going to want to check their private parts in suspecting who is trans and who assists and whos doing what. And so the idea that Nancy Mace wants little girls and women to drop trou in front of, who, an investigator? Ocasio-Cortez continued. Because she wants to suspect and point fingers at who she thinks is trans is disgusting. It is disgusting. And frankly, all it does is allow these Republicans to go around and bully any woman who isnt wearing a skirt because they think she might not look woman enough. She concluded her statement asserting that Maces anti-trans policies are merely to bolster email fundraising. Theyre not doing this to protect people. (Last November, former staffers alleged that Mace was primarily concerned with her image in the media, saying they were expected to book her on at least 15 news channels every week.) In a separate post on X, formerly Twitter, the representative added that the Republican boogeyman of sexual predators pretending to be trans is a fallacy: Women know that men dont scheme to dress like girls to assault them. They do it every day in broad daylight. And the ones in power protect each other to keep it quiet. Just ask the House Ethics Committee. Or the President-elect of the United States. Leave women alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curiously, the person with the most placid statements among the furor this week has been McBride herself, who reportedly told her Democratic colleagues simply to treat the GOP measures as distractions. McBride also declared she was not here to fight about bathrooms in a press release Wednesday, that the attacks on her equal access rights are an effort to distract from the real issues facing this country, and that she plans to follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them. 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, McBride wrote. Some trans advocates have already taken McBride to task for her response, criticizing the representative-elects apparent reticence to fight and observing that a bathroom ban would endanger trans Capitol Hill staffers more than McBride herself (who will enjoy a private office bathroom like all members of Congress). Others argued McBride needed to set a better example as a Democrat willing to fight for progress. How are you supposed to fight for your constituents when you won't even stand up for yourself?! asked attorney and Harvard Law Clinic instructor Alejandra Caraballo in a Bluesky post Wednesday. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. By Riham Alkousaa and Emilie Madi BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanese small business owner Ahmad Fahess thought nothing could be more devastating than his cancer diagnosis until suddenly, while he was at work one day, Israeli airstrikes started targeting his town of Nabatieh in south Lebanon. When he saw the tangled mess around him, he knew he had to grab his family and flee. "We want to go back to our homes, to our work," he said, breaking into tears as he received cancer treatment at the American University of Beirut's Medical Center (AUBMC), his sister sitting next to his bed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched a broad attack on southern Lebanon in September, almost a year after Iran-backed Hezbollah militants there stepped up their rocket fire on northern Israel as Israeli forces fought Hamas gunmen who had attacked Israel from Gaza. Washington is trying to broker a ceasefire but Israel says it must be able to continue defending itself. It says Hezbollah uses civilians as human shields, something the militants deny. A father of two teenagers who owned four welding shops in Nabatieh, Fahess is now not only unsure when he will be able to go home, but also how long he will be able to access treatment for the rare cancer, sarcoma, which affects the connective tissue in his left arm. "I used to come three days to Beirut for treatment and go back home," he said. "Now with the war, we were displaced, and the treatment struggle started." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of cancer patients are among more than a million people who have fled their homes. "It all happened very quickly. We were at work when the shelling started; we were surprised by it," he said. He fled with his family to Antelias in Mount Lebanon with only $4,500 that quickly dwindled. Fahess now depends on the hospital's Cancer Support Fund, a charity initiative launched in 2018 to assist cancer patients and now also giving extra support to displaced individuals. "The treatment is costly; if the hospital didn't help me, I couldn't have afforded it," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he is worried about funding drying up. "If we have to pay and we're back at our homes, it would be fine, but if we are still displaced, it'll be impossible," he said. Lebanon's health ministry said more than 2,500 displaced cancer patients have been forced to find new treatment centres, as at least eight hospitals in southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs were out of action due to Israeli shelling. Cancer was already expensive to treat under Lebanon's healthcare system, which in recent years has been battered further by economic crisis. It is now under severe strain, said Ali Taher, the director of the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute at AUBMC, adding that treating displaced patients has brought new complications, including finding their missing medical records and doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's also difficult to get cancer screening ahead of time because it's no longer a priority for people," Taher said. Ghazaleh Naddaf, 67, was displaced from the southern village of Debel. Now living with her brother in Beirut, the former pharmacist assistant lost her job and has been unable to afford her therapy for multiple myeloma for two months. "I am skipping treatment and medication," she said. "I used to come twice a week for treatment, paying over $1,000. I can't afford it anymore," adding that she also needs a bone marrow transplant costing $50,000, an expense far beyond her reach. "It's war, and there is no safety, and I still need to go through the treatment to get on with my life," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hala Dahdah Abou Jaber, co-founder of the Cancer Support Fund, said displaced cancer patients have to choose between basic necessities and life-threatening therapies and many can no longer co-pay for their treatment. "Cancer doesn't wait. Cancer is not a disease that gives you time; it's harsh," she said. (Writing by Riham Alkousaa; editing by Philippa Fletcher) Nov. 21DIXON The Dixon City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday to ban sleeping and camping in public spaces in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that now allows cities to do so. The U.S. Supreme Court, in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, on June 28 overturned a lower court's ruling that had prohibited cities from enforcing public camping ordinances by deeming it to be cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. Now, municipalities can create and enforce these ordinances, even if local shelters cannot accommodate the homeless population. The city of Dixon has done just that. At Monday's meeting, Mayor Glen Hughes noted that homelessness is the top third or forth complaint he hears from constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm looking at this [ordinance] as a way to reasonably deal with that and give our police department some teeth in which to work," Hughes said. Within the city limits of Dixon, individuals are now prohibited to sleep or engage in "public camping," defined as establishing a temporary place to live, on any public property. That includes those parking a vehicle overnight for the purposes of sleeping or otherwise using the vehicle for public camping, according to the ordinance. Enforcing the new regulation is "not just grabbing somebody out of a campsite and evicting them from the city," Hughes said. According to the ordinance, those in violation will receive a 24-hour vacancy notice before the site and any belongings are removed, unless immediate removal is necessary for reasons that include "posing a risk to the health and safety of the city." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After removal, law enforcement will inform the local social services agency of the situation and store any personal property collected from the site for a minimum of 30 days, according to the ordinance. As a penalty, "it has a graduated system starting at as little as $75 on the first incident," Hughes said. The second incident is $150, the third $350, the fourth $500 and, finally, $750 for the fifth. If someone were to be in violation for six or more times, the penalty could be a $750 fine or incarceration. If they're unable or choose not to pay those fines, the penalty could be completing community service hours or incarceration, according to the ordinance. At the meeting, council member Mary Oros pointed out that "the city has partnered with multiple organizations and agencies within our community to help address the needs of these people or individuals," using Sinnissippi Centers, the PADS Homeless Shelter and Sauk Valley Voices of Recovery as examples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's the first step, she said, but when those resources are "blatantly not taken, then we have to be responsive to the community as a whole." In August, the Sterling City Council debated implementing a similar ordinance but ultimately has remained undecided. Council members agreed with it being a public safety concern but felt the city should first ensure that the community has the resources available to make the need for public camping preventable. SAO PAULO (AP) Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro has been a target for investigations since his early days in office, and the swarm of cases since his failed reelection bid in 2022 has left him in ever-deeper legal jeopardy. In the latest development Thursday, he was formally accused of attempting a coup to keep himself in the presidency. In another case, the electoral court ruled the far-right leader ineligible to run for office until 2030. There are dozens of other probes that could produce criminal charges at low-level courts, where he could appeal any eventual conviction. But the country's Supreme Court will have the final say regarding more than five in-depth investigations, including into the alleged coup attempt, which could land the former president behind bars or under house arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing in all of the cases, and his allies have alleged they are political persecution, while recognizing the severity of the legal risks on multiple fronts. Here's a look at the biggest threats and where they stand: Coup Attempt Federal police on Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 others for allegedly attempting a coup to keep him in office after his defeat in the 2022 elections. The accusation is sealed, but among other things authorities had been investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in the capital of Brasilia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STATUS: Police sent their findings to Brazils Supreme Court, which will refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Electoral Misdeeds Brazils highest electoral court in June ruled that Bolsonaro used government communication channels in a meeting with diplomats to promote his reelection bid and sow distrust about the vote. The case focused on a meeting the prior year, during which Bolsonaro used government staffers, the state television channel and the presidential palace in Brasilia to tell foreign ambassadors that the countrys electronic voting system was rigged. The ruling rendered him ineligible for office until 2030, although he has insisted that he will run in the 2026 race. The court also found that Bolsonaro abused his power during Brazils Independence Day festivities, a month before the election. The ruling didnt add years to Bolsonaros ineligibility, but made any appeal less likely to succeed. A third case is also pending at the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STATUS: Bolsonaros appeal of the initial ruling was denied. Vaccination Fraud Bolsonaro has been formally accused of directing an official to tamper with a public health database to make it appear as though he and his 12-year-old daughter had received the COVID-19 vaccine in order to bypass U.S. entry requirements. During the pandemic, he railed against the vaccine, characterized the choice to receive a shot as a matter of personal freedom and has repeatedly said he never did so. The Federal Police accused Bolsonaro of criminal association and inserting false data into public records, which carry maximum penalties of 4 and 12 years in prison, respectively. It was the first formal accusation against him since he left office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STATUS: Brazil's Supreme Court sent the accusation to the prosecutor-general, who is weighing whether to use it to press charges. Local media reported that he was seeking to consult American authorities about whether Bolsonaro used the forged document to enter the country, and that having done so could result in U.S. legal action. Saudi Jewels Federal Police have probed whether Bolsonaro directed officials to smuggle luxury jewelry worth millions into Brazil from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, then acted to prevent them from being incorporated into the presidential collection and instead retain ownership for himself. Investigators summoned Bolsonaro for questioning in April and August of 2023. He has returned the jewelry in question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STATUS: The Federal Police formally accused Bolsonaro of money laundering and criminal association, according to a source with knowledge of the accusations. A second source confirmed the accusation, although not for which specific crimes. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly. Pandemic Sabotage Brazils Federal Police is investigating Bolsonaro for inciting crimes against public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, which include encouraging people not to wear masks and causing alarm about non-existent danger of vaccines accelerating development of AIDS. A Senate inquiry commission also spent months investigating his pandemic-era actions and decisions, and recommended nine criminal charges. Brazils former prosecutor-general Augusto Aras, widely seen as a Bolsonaro ally, decided not to file any charges based on the lawmakers' findings. They have urged Aras' successor to reopen the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STATUS: The investigation is ongoing. Fake News, Digital Militia Brazil's Supreme Court in 2020 ordered an investigation into a network allegedly spreading defamatory fake news and threats against Supreme Court justices. The probe has yielded the imprisonment of lawmakers from the former president's circle and raids of his supporters' homes. In 2021, Bolsonaro was included as a target. As an offshoot of that probe, the Federal Police is also investigating whether a group operating inside Bolsonaros presidential palace produced social media content aimed at undermining the rule of law. The group, allegedly comprised of aides and Bolsonaros politician son, has been widely referred to as a digital militia and the hate cabinet. STATUS: Both investigations are ongoing. ___ Biller reported from Rio de Janeiro A Miami County doctor charged in connection to a days-long FBI investigation near Troy and downtown Dayton earlier this year appeared in federal court on Wednesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Steven Werling, 54, pleaded guilty to one federal charge, according to U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio records. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charge he pleaded guilty to was filed under seal and was not immediately known. News Center 7 has reached out to the Department of Justice for information on the charge and plea agreement. According to a previous News Center 7 report, Werling was facing a federal weapons charge. The FBI and Miami County Sheriffs Office searched Werlings home on Barnhart Road in Concord Township in early April. The investigation shut down the neighborhood for two days. Court records indicate investigators found explosive components and devices inside. Prosecutors previously said that investigators found an unregistered silencer in Werlings home and claimed he had components to build more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Werling was released from federal custody on his own recognizance on April 17. As previously reported by News Center 7, Werlings charge of possession of a dangerous ordinance in Miami County Court was dismissed when his case was moved to federal court. We will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] KANSAS CITY, Kan. The change in weather means more people are getting sick. Thats common this time of year with the flu, COVID-19, and RSV going around. However, doctors at a Kansas City hospital say one illness is more prevalent than others right now. Its called mycoplasma pneumonia, better known as walking pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is a milder form of pneumonia, meaning you can go about your daily routine and not realize you have it. Unlike other illnesses, symptoms start out mild in the first week before getting progressively worse; they include a cough, sore throat, headache, and/or fever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, the CDC wrote that since late spring, the number of infections caused by walking pneumonia has been increasing, especially among young children. In fact, the CDC is seeing more cases nationally than it has since the pandemic began in early 2020. Billie Eilish sends love to family of Kearney teens killed in multi-state police chase We asked Dr. Shawn Sood, a pediatric intensivist at KU Health why that is. Every three to four years immunity to mycoplasma waxes and wanes. Now the immunity has waned and were seeing more kids clustered together, so were seeing a higher rate of walking pneumonia in children especially, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While anyone can get walking pneumonia, young kids are most at-risk. Last year I feel like RSV was higher, two years prior COVID, and now were facing more mycoplasma cases, Sood said. He explained that since symptoms start with a minor cough or sore throat, infected kids go to school and spread it, not realizing theyre sick. Since walking pneumonia is a bacterial infection and not a virus, theres no vaccine. If your childs having this lingering cough, sore throat, or fever have them checked out, Sood added. FOX4 also spoke with James Balmer, a music teacher whos recovering from a 10 to 12-day illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I still have a residual cough from it, he said. He went to his doctor in early November after getting sick at a choir event with his students. While they didnt officially diagnosis him with anything, he could feel whatever it was starting to go into his lungs. We managed to catch it before it did get into the chest, and they wouldve needed heavier antibiotics to get it out of me. So, I was lucky this time, he said. Balmer teaches music to all grade levels, and like Sood, he said hes noticed the age group most impacted is elementary-aged students. Theres a lot of it there just because of the age grouping, and youll see one or two [students] out for two or three days, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if he wished parents would keep sick kids at home, he quickly replied yes. Walking pneumonia needs to be caught within 72 hours for antibiotics to be effective. If left untreated for more than a week, it can lead to permanent lung damage, or in rare cases, neurological issues like seizures or a wobbly walk. Weve also seen kids who had untreated walking pneumonia with severe respiratory symptoms. A lot of these kids have asthma or are born prematurely, and some of these kids are requiring the ventilator, added Sood. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android While the situation changes on a weekly basis, he said three children are currently in the ICU at KU Health with respiratory illnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He expects cases to only increase as kids spend more time indoors during the winter months, especially with holiday break coming up and families traveling. If you think your child is sick, take them to their pediatrician 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is interviewed on Fox News on Sept. 25. (Jason Mendez/Getty Images) President-elect Donald Trumps incoming administration could try to remove fluoride from drinking water, according to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy, who was tapped last week by Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, called fluoride an industrial waste and linked it to cancer and other diseases and disorders while campaigning for Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water. Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease, Kennedy wrote Nov. 2 on X. Kennedy linked to a video from an attorney who recently successfully sued the Environmental Protection Agency to take additional measures to regulate fluoride in drinking water. Kennedy, who has long advocated ending water fluoridation, persisted with his pledge following Trumps election win. When asked before the election whether his administration would remove fluoride from drinking water, Trump said, Well, I havent talked to him about it yet, but it sounds OK to me. You know its possible. Kennedy is an influential vaccine skeptic whose campaign of conspiracy theories earned PolitiFacts 2023 Lie of the Year. Longtime research has found that adding fluoride to U.S. drinking water is a safe way to boost childrens oral health. Since 2015, the recommended level in the U.S. has been 0.7 milligrams per liter. Public health organizations, including the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, support the practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent studies, however, have shown possible links between fluoride and bone problems and childrens IQs, particularly when fluoride is above the U.S. recommended levels. There is evidence that fluoride exposure has been associated with the diseases [and] disorders that RFK listed, but with caveats, said Ashley Malin, who is an assistant professor in the University of Floridas Epidemiology Department and has studied fluorides effects in pregnant women. Malin referred to studies showing that higher fluoride exposure, particularly during pregnancy, is associated with reduced child IQ, and that prenatal exposure also is linked to decreased intellectual functioning and executive function. For high exposure in pregnancy, the studies showed symptoms associated with other neurobehavioral issues, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, many of these studies took place in countries other than the U.S. and looked at fluoride in drinking water at sometimes twice the United States recommended level. Also, some of the other ailments that Kennedy listed, such as an association with bone cancer, have less robust evidence and need more study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from fluorides impacts on neurodevelopment, I think that there is more that we dont know about health effects of low-level fluoride exposure than what we do know, particularly for adult health outcomes, Malin said. David Bellinger, a Harvard Medical School neurology professor and professor in Harvard School of Public Healths Environmental Health Department, said the risk-benefit calculation of added fluoride differs depending on whether typical fluoride exposure levels cause health problems, or if problems occur only when recommended levels are exceeded. In toxicology, the dose makes the poison is a long-standing principle, he said. So a general statement that fluoride is associated with diseases X, Y, and Z is not very helpful unless the dose that might be responsible is specified. PolitiFact contacted Kennedy through his Childrens Health Defense organization but received no reply. The organization sued PolitiFact and Meta related to a 2020 fact check. That lawsuit was dismissed by a federal court. The dismissal was upheld on appeal, and the case is pending a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. What Is Fluoride and What Are Its Benefits? Fluoride is a mineral naturally occurring in soil, water, and some foods that helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. It strengthens tooth enamel that acid from bacteria, plaque, and sugar can wear away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Water fluoridation has been happening in the U.S. since 1945. The federal Public Health Service first recommended fluoridation of tap water in 1962, but the decision still lies with states and municipalities. Around 72% of the U.S. population, or about 209 million people, had access to fluoridated water in 2022, the CDC reported. Fluoride also has been added to oral care products such as toothpaste and mouth rinse. In 2015, U.S. health officials lowered the recommended amount of fluoride in drinking water to 0.7 milligrams per liter, saying a higher level was less necessary given other sources of fluoride, and that the lowered amount would still help protect teeth without staining them. Pediatric dentists note that applying fluoride with toothpaste and rinses is beneficial, but small amounts circulating in the body via water consumption helps younger children who still have their baby teeth, because it can benefit the developing permanent teeth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Dental Association says studies have shown that fluoride in community water systems prevents at least 25% of tooth decay in children and adults and that for more than 75 years, the best scientific evidence has consistently shown that fluoridation is safe and effective. The association says on its website: Its similar to fortifying other foods and beverages for example, fortifying salt with iodine, milk with vitamin D, orange juice with calcium, and bread with folic acid. According to the CDC, health experts and scientists from the U.S. and other countries have so far not found convincing scientific evidence linking community water fluoridation with any potential adverse health effect or systemic disorder such as an increased risk for cancer, Down syndrome, heart disease, osteoporosis and bone fracture, immune disorders, low intelligence, renal disorders, Alzheimers disease, or allergic reactions. The agency says risks of water fluoridation are limited to dental fluorosis, which can alter dental enamel and cause white flecks, spots, lines, or brown stains on the teeth when too much fluoride is consumed. Do Studies Show Fluoride Posing Any Other Risks? Some studies have said that excess fluoride exposure, often at higher levels than the recommended U.S. limit, can harm infants and young childrens developing brains and that higher levels of fluoride exposure during pregnancy were associated with declines in childrens IQs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A study published in May that Malin led with University of Southern California and Indiana University researchers suggested that fluoride exposure during pregnancy was linked to an increased risk of childhood neurobehavioral problems and said more studies were urgently needed to understand and mitigate the impacts in the entire U.S. population. Experts noted prenatal fluoride exposure is most strongly linked to childrens IQ loss, and said timing of fluoride consumption might need to be considered when making recommendations. A federal review of dozens of studies published in August by the Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program concluded that higher levels of fluoride exposure were linked to lower IQs in children. But the report was based primarily on studies in countries such as Canada, China, India, Iran, Mexico, and Pakistan and involved fluoride levels at or above 1.5 milligrams per liter, twice the recommended U.S. limit. The authors said more research is needed to understand whether lower exposure has any adverse effects. In the report, researchers said they found no evidence that fluoride exposure adversely affected adult cognition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bellinger, of Harvard, pointed to the review as an example of how the amount of fluoride matters. He noted how researchers concluded that a very small percentage of people in the U.S. are exposed to levels that correlate with IQ loss. Second, the fact that there are now multiple pathways of exposure to fluoride besides fluoridated water (toothpaste and other dental products, etc.) makes it really difficult to attribute a particular adverse effect to the fluoride added to the water, he wrote via email. It is the cumulative exposure from all sources that contribute to any adverse health effects. In September, a federal judge ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because of the potential risk that higher levels could affect childrens intellectual development. U.S. District Judge Edward Chen wrote that the courts finding didnt conclude with certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health, saying its unclear whether the amount of fluoride typically added to water is causing childrens IQs to drop. But he wrote that there was enough risk to warrant investigation and that the EPA must act to further regulate it. The ruling did not specify what actions the agency should take, and the EPA is reviewing the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the ruling, the American Association of Pediatrics issued a statement that fluoride in drinking water is safe for children and said the policy is based on a robust foundation of evidence. Besides dental fluorosis, experts say that fluoride exposure over many years above the U.S. recommended amount can cause skeletal fluorosis, a rare condition that causes weaker bones, stiffness, and joint pain. Although the Public Health Service recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 milligrams per liter for community water systems, the EPA, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, sets enforceable standards for drinking-water quality. Currently, to prevent skeletal fluorosis, the EPA requires that water systems not exceed 4 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water. Malin said she and her research team are investigating a potential link between fluoride and bone fractures. She said that although several studies have found high fluoride exposure associated with increased risk of bone fractures, and some have linked fluoride with thyroid disease, rigorous, U.S.-based studies havent been done. The CDC concluded that recent research found no link between cancer risk and high levels of fluoride in drinking water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Cancer Society reviewed a possible link between water fluoridation and cancer risk. An organization spokesperson pointed PolitiFact to its review and said it has no data showing a definitive answer. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. Subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing. This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. A scene from quainter times, the Women's March in Portland, Maine on Jan. 21, 2017. (Photo by Lauren McCauley) Often these past few weeks I have found myself breathing a sigh of relief that I live in a state where certain protections are in place ahead of the next Trump presidency, and feeling both concern and guilt when thinking about the millions of people who live in states that have been, or are now, being run by extremists more focused on policing someones gender than corporations overtaking democracy, or polluting our air and water. But our borders are not impervious, and there are legitimate reasons Mainers are concerned. I spoke with advocates as well as Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey about what it means to be living in a blue-ish state during Trump 2.0. Where voters are at Republicans made significant gains across the country, not only winning control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, but also veto-proof supermajorities in several state legislatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resources that could help Mainers under a new Trump administration ACLU of Maine: Guides in multiple languages on immigrant rights ILAP: Provides legal help and guidance for low-income immigrants in Maine MaineTransNet: Provides peer-to-peer support groups, social and community events, resources and advocacy for Maines transgender community Equality Maine: Guide to statewide protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Mainers. In Maine, while Republicans gained a handful of seats in the Maine House and Senate, that red tide was not enough to wipe out the Democratic trifecta thats been in place since Gov. Janet Mills took the helm in 2018. Not only did Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris win the statewide popular vote, but a majority of voters in the 2nd Congressional District which did go to president-elect Donald Trump re-elected Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, despite a significant push from national Republicans to flip the seat. And though state Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart said the results show that Maine voters are not happy with the status quo and wanted change, Id argue that for the majority of Mainers, the mandate is not for any radical shake up, but rather for state government to stay the course and continue to stand up for individuals rights. Ensuring the safety of all Mainers Trump campaigned on a promise to execute mass deportations, slash regulations and significantly downsize the federal government. He bullied opponents, threatened critics and scapegoated the most vulnerable specifically targeting transgender people and immigrants while giving free reign to billionaires and white supremacists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the immediate aftermath of the election, Gia Drew, executive director of Equality Maine, said the organization was flooded with calls, emails, social media requests with a host of questions about what transgender people, or families with trans youth, should be doing to protect themselves. Should I be worried about identity documents, updating gender markers or names, stockpiling medicine? Drew rattled off. Questions about adoptions, marriages, estates, wills, health care proxies, it goes on and on and on and on and on. This included people in state, as well as those from away, wondering if they should come to Maine. We have some of the strongest policies that support LGBTQ people in the country, including transgender people, but we are still limited in terms of what we can offer, said Drew, pointing to the housing shortage, limited health care providers for transgender people, and the persistence of discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drew, who is openly transgender, said for the 25 years shes lived in Maine its always felt more live-and-let-live. Still, she said, rhetoric has gotten more heated in recent years. Right now, she said its important for allies to check in on an LGBTQ person or trans person in your life, check in and see if there is anything I can do for you and your community. Going forward, she said theres a role for allies to play at the local level to show up and speak out at a school board or town council meeting or in places where peoples rights are being threatened. It can be really scary for an LGBTQ or trans person to show up in these spaces and speak their truth, she said, noting that the opposition feels emboldened now more than ever because their leader just got re-elected. You can already sense that here in Maine and across the country. Trump vowed to cut Medicaid and Medicare funding to health providers offering gender-affirming health care on his first day in office, and Drew expressed concern about the loss of other federal health care resources, including for HIV and AIDS medication, that would impact the LGBTQ+ community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Equality Maine and other organizations are starting to discuss what other protections could be passed on the local level, and Drew said theres talk about formalizing some of the ad hoc mutual aid networks that have sprung up to support LGBTQ+ and transgender people in Maine. Equality Maine is also offering webinars for the next three Mondays with legal experts to address concerns about families and children, as well as individuals rights in employment and schools. I try to stay grounded and remember that LGBTQ people have been here forever, that trans people have existed for thousands of years, she said. The only way to do this is to learn and connect through communities, and ask allies to step up and help. Thats really important. Reminding Mainers to know their rights and make a plan is also a major focus of the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, which provides education and legal services to members of Maines immigrant communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa Parisio, the organizations policy director, said its important for immigrants to prepare themselves and their families for the possibility of enforcement this can include steps like reviewing Know Your Rights materials from credible sources, getting immigration and other key documents together, having a plan for who you would call in the event of enforcement, and having a plan for childcare. Parisio also noted that its important for community organizations that work with immigrants, like businesses, schools and places of worship, to also have a plan in place in case of enforcement or raid. We all need to be vigilant not to spread rumors and misinformation and to make sure we have good referral networks in place to help families and communities in crisis meet their basic human needs and access other services, Parisio said, noting that ILAP will be sharing relevant information for community members on social media and encourages others to keep them posted about any possible situation. As we recognize the threats from the incoming administration, we remind our communities that everyone in this country has rights regardless of immigration status and ILAP and other immigration advocates around the country will fiercely defend those rights for our clients and for immigrant communities, she said. The fight ahead As for the fight to protect Mainers rights, Frey, the state attorney general, said hes ready. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking from Philadelphia, where he was meeting with 19 other Democratic attorneys general to discuss ways to respond to another Trump presidency, Frey said he and the other AGs are preparing how to react in the event that Trump tries to execute some of his promises. Frey said he hopes the president of the United States would act lawfully, but we have been planning for months and months and months for how we would respond immediately once we understand what play is being called, whether thats mass deportation or gutting environmental regulations or dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Frey was elected to his post in 2018 and served two years under the previous Trump administration, which he said gave him and other AGs insight into the president-elects plans. In some ways, we had Trump 1.0 the first term and have a sense of what it is the president may try to do, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said hes prepared for conservative attorneys general, such as the group that threatened to sue over Maines proposed shield law last spring, to be encouraged to interfere in states like Maine. Frey noted that Maine is a state that has done a lot through its legislative process, through its lawmaking, to support individual rights and that part of his role is to make sure the rights afforded to Mainers are protected from interference from a Trump administration and conservative attorneys general. When asked what he would say to those who are feeling concerned about their safety or future, Frey said that if anyone is going to act unconstitutionally, or unlawfully, and target them for who they are or where they come from, he is ready to work with whoever, Democrat or Republican, to hold the line against discrimination, unlawful targeting, and violations of the rule of law. This editorial was updated to include comment from Lisa Parisio of ILAP. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The Department of Justice has asked a court to force Google to sell Chrome, after a judge ruled the company is a monopoly. In a new filing, the DOJ asked a judge to break up the massive tech company because of the monopoly. This is completely absurd, to be quite honest, said Amy Bos of NetChoice. A ruling from the judge said Google owns 89.2% of the market for search and that number grows to 94.9% on mobile devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bos represents members of the online business community. Even critics of Google acknowledge that Chrome dominates because its so good, said Bos. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) took Google to court when he worked as Missouris attorney general. Googles just gotten too big and should be busted up, said Schmitt. The Department of Justice also wants the judge to change the way Google handles Android and YouTube and how it makes deals with Apple for the iPhone. Weakening our top tech companies, it hands a huge advantage to rivals in China and Europe, who dont have the same privacy standards, said Bos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Justice criticized the multibillion dollar deals Google made with companies like Apple, to make Google the default search engine on iPhones. Theres a reckoning coming in the new administration, said Schmitt. With a new president and new administration on the horizon, the Missouri senator says he hopes prosecutors will keep trying to break up big tech companies. Bos doesnt see it that way. Trump is a businessman. He knows how these things work, Bos said. The judge is expected to rule by the end of next summer. Google has not filed a response to the Department of Justices request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The Department of Justice asked a federal judge Wednesday to force Google to sell off its popular Chrome browser and impose restrictions on how it uses artificial intelligence and its Android mobile operating system in a bid to break up the companys illegal monopoly over the search engine market. Antitrust experts have called the DOJs plan to break up Google historic. Efforts by Washington to require that companies divest major parts of their business in response to antitrust violations are rarely successful even after losing its competition case more than two decades ago, Microsoft was able to stave off a proposed breakup of the company on appeal. In a final proposal filed late on Wednesday, DOJ lawyers said the tech giants ownership of Chrome fortified [Googles] dominance in search, and that forcing a sale of the platform is necessary to remedy its illegal monopoly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency wrote essentially the same thing about Android it said Googles control of the operating system gives it myriad obvious and not-so-obvious ways to favor its own search products but stopped short of recommending a divestiture, which it called the most straightforward solution. It instead asked the judge to impose behavioral remedies that would blunt Googles ability to use its control of the Android ecosystem to favor its general search services and search text ad monopolies. And the government warned that if those remedies fail to achieve meaningful relief, the court could still require Google to sell off Android. The DOJ also took aim at Googles AI practices, warning that the fast-moving technology can affect market dynamics in search both now and in the future. It asked the judge to impose remedies that prevent Google from manipulating the development and deployment of query-based AI solutions and other technologies that provide the most likely long-term path for a new generation of search competitors. A forced sale of Chrome and changes to Googles Android and AI plans would send ripples across the tech economy. And while some observers say a breakup would boost competition and innovation, others believe it would negatively impact app developers, small tech firms and others reliant on the tech giants sprawling online infrastructure. Kent Walker, Googles chief legal officer and president of global affairs, said in a statement that the government chose to push a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and Americas global technology leadership. Walker said the DOJs wildly overbroad proposal goes miles beyond the Courts decision and would break a range of Google products even beyond Search that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives. He said Google would fight the proposal, and that the company is still at the early stages of a long process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The background: Google lost its antitrust case in August when Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled the company illegally monopolized the online search and advertising markets. The DOJ filed prospective remedies in October that raised the possibility of even more aggressive requirements, including the forced sale of Googles Android operating system. The backlash: In the wake of a Bloomberg News report on Monday that laid out the broad contours of the DOJs proposal, many tech lobbying groups rushed to condemn the plan and warn of its impact on small businesses. The extreme remedies recommended by the Department of Justice benefit no one other than Googles business competitors while harming both the consumers who really like Google services and the developers who benefit from the current ecosystem, Chris Mohr, president of the Software and Information Industry Association, said in a statement. Rob Retzlaff, executive director of the Connected Commerce Council, said the proposed remedies are a massive blunder that would severely harm small businesses that leverage Googles secure, cost-effective integrated tools to run and grow their businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Patrick Hedger, director of policy at NetChoice, said the proposal would subsidize Googles less-innovative competitors, while punishing Google for the crime of having the best product abandoning consumer welfare for crony welfare. All of the above tech lobbying groups either partner with Google or count the tech giant as a member. The cheerleaders: While advocacy groups were generally more circumspect ahead of the DOJs official filing, some urged the government to take aggressive measures against Googles expansive market power. Googles dominance in search and its aggressive leveraging of that power into emerging AI markets pose a clear danger to competition, innovation, and the integrity of our information ecosystem, Courtney Radsch, director of the Center for Journalism and Liberty at the progressive Open Markets Institute, said in a statement. The remedies outlined by the DOJ must not only address past harms but prevent future abuses that could further entrench Googles power over innovators, content creators, news publishers, and consumers worldwide. Next steps: Google is expected to file its counter to the DOJs proposed remedies on Dec. 20. A hearing on remedies is expected in April 2025, and Mehta is expected to issue a final ruling by August. Google has said it will appeal, likely dragging out a final resolution for years. Judge Amit Mehta found in August that Google holds an illegal monopoly in its search business. On Wednesday, DOJ officials in the antitrust division filed their proposal for remedies in the case. The DOJ wants Judge Mehta to force Google to sell its Chrome browser. Officials from the Department of Justice, in a Wednesday filing, urged District Judge Amit Mehta to force Google to sell its Chrome browser. The recommendations are the finalized proposal by the DOJ's antitrust division for remedies in Google's landmark antitrust case, in which Mehta ruled that the tech giant created an illegal monopoly with its search business by paying Apple and other smartphone makers billions to be the default search engine on their devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mehta will consider the DOJ's proposal before he makes a final ruling regarding remedies in this case. "The playing field is not level because of Google's conduct, and Google's quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired. The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages," the filing states. Representatives for Google and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider after the filing was made public. "The DOJ continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case," Lee-Anne Mulholland, the vice president of Google's regulatory affairs, previously told BI in a statement following a Bloomberg report on Monday that included limited details of the proposal. "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." What selling Chrome would look like for Google Because of Google's size, the popularity of Chrome, and the profits its search wing drives for the company, it would be a historic development if they were ultimately required to divest themselves of Chrome, Eric Chaffee, a business and tech law professor at Case Western Reserve University, told BI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a sale would be a multibillion-dollar proposal, and it's not immediately clear who a potential buyer would be. "Google could receive proceeds in the range of $15 billion to $20 billion," Peter Cohan, an associate professor of management practice at Babson College, told BI. "But if Google is able to control the company that buys Chrome, the impact of selling the business would be minimal. What matters most to Google is all the data Google collects and uses for advertising." Neil Chilson, a former acting chief technologist at the FTC, told BI that asking Mehta to force Google to sell Chrome is the DOJ's way of swinging for the fences but he expects the final remedies to land somewhere short of complete divestment. "It's a pretty fantastical ask," Chilson said. "I don't think that this remedy really tackles the area in which Judge Mehta found liability, which is for these exclusive contracts, and so this seems like a very aggressive ask one that doesn't really fix the problem that the judge said was creating the competitive problem in the first place." 'Google is a monopolist' The DOJ's proposal is meant to remedy antitrust violations stemming from Google's search business, which BI previously reported pulled in $279.8 billion of its nearly $400 billion annual revenue in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ's case was filed against the company in 2020, and the subsequent trial revealed Google paid smartphone developers $26 billion in 2021 to become the default search engine on their devices including $18 billion to Apple alone. "After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," Mehta wrote in his August decision ruling against the tech giant. Google has faced additional antitrust cases this year, including another loss in federal court after a judge found the company acted in anti-competitive ways through its Android Play Store by limiting the reach of competitors' apps and charging high fees for processing in-app purchases. Expect delays ahead Mehta has set a two-week hearing in April 2025 to hear arguments over what remedies Google must take to address the antitrust violations, with plans to make a final ruling by the following August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But multiple antitrust experts told BI to expect delays, especially as President Joe Biden's administration, and with it his DOJ officials, make way for the second Donald Trump administration. Biden's administration developed a reputation for strong antitrust enforcement. While this case was filed against Google by the first Trump administration, the President-elect is generally regarded as more friendly to big corporations than Biden is, so his DOJ may revisit the requests for remedies set forth in Wednesday's filing. Google can also appeal any ruling to try to delay the final outcome or request the case be dismissed, Cohan, the Babson College professor, said. Chilson, the former FTC technologist, agreed it's likely Google will try to delay the final ruling but added that antitrust cases have momentum, so he wouldn't expect things to change substantially for the tech giant as soon as Trump takes office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ultimately, in this case, it's going to be one of those things where Google ends up fighting and fighting very vociferously, fighting very strenuously to ultimately keep Chrome within its company," Chafee, the Case Western law professor, said. Read the original article on Business Insider Federal investigators found a trail of thousands of dollars in payments made by former Rep. Matt Gaetz to women who testified they were paid for sex, The New York Times reported Wednesday. The Justice Department spent three years investigating Gaetz. During the probe, the agency reportedly compiled a chart that showed thousands of dollars in Venmo payments sent between the then-lawmaker and his friends. Some of those payments were made to the women who testified to the department about him, according to the Times. Gaetz and his associates allegedly held drug-fueled sex parties for years between 2017 and 2020. But the Florida Republican who was recently selected by President-elect Donald Trump as his nominee for attorney general has rejected claims of impropriety. Both he and his allies point to the fact that the Justice Department closed its investigation last year without filing any charges against him, reportedly due to problems with the credibility of two witnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senators on both sides of the aisle have signaled Gaetz will have a fierce confirmation battle should Trump stick by him as his choice. Gaetz resigned his seat in the House last week. This purposeful leaking of classified investigative materials is the sort of politicized D.O.J. weaponization that Matt Gaetz will end, Steven Cheung, Trumps communications director, told the Times when asked about the payment chart. The Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years, failed to find a crime and are now leaking material with false information to smear the next attorney general. Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images Trump has remained steadfast behind Gaetz as his nominee and has been privately pressing lawmakers to confirm him. The House Ethics Committee had been conducting its own investigation into Gaetz over allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use until Gaetz resigned from Congress, abruptly ending the probe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawyer representing two women who testified before the committee claimed the women told lawmakers Gaetz paid them for sex using Venmo, and one testified she personally saw Gaetz having sex with an underage girl at a party in 2017. Reporting from the Washington Post added to those claims on Wednesday: Investigators on the House Ethics Committee obtained records showing Gaetz had paid more than $10,000 to two women who testified before the committee, the newspaper found. A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the Senate has called on the ethics panel to release its findings. But the committee which is split equally with five Republican and five Democratic members deadlocked along party lines in a vote Wednesday on whether to release their investigation. The panel is expected meet again on Dec. 5 to reconsider the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Times notes the Justice Department typically keeps documents it gathers during investigations secret if no charges are brought and the probe is closed. The House Ethics Committee was able to obtain the DOJs chart of payments, but other information lawmakers requested was not turned over. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee recently asked the Justice Department to turn over documents related to its investigation into Gaetz. Related... Nov. 21FAIRMONT 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 to officials in Marion County 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Imploring a Metro police dispatcher to hurry the [expletive] up, a 10-minute-long 911 call obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators captures the harrowing moments where a man calls in an urgent threat of people shooting at the house before police officers kicked in the door and shot and killed him. That caller, later identified as the homeowner, Brandon Durham, 43, of Las Vegas, died at the home on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Police said he was pronounced deceased at a hospital a short time thereafter. RELATED: Las Vegas police shoot, kill man who called 911 during home invasion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alejandra Boudreaux, 31, of Seattle, Washington, is accused of breaking into the home and attacking Durham, police said. In the seconds before the shooting, Durham and Boudreaux struggled over a knife, video from Metro police shows. Brandon Durham, 43, was shot and killed by a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer after calling 911 during a home invasion. (Durham family) Weve got to render aid to this person, a first responder tells another person on the call. But in the moments before police came, the dispatcher was obtaining as many details as possible from Durham, many of them delivered in a low whisper and in sheer terror while he and his daughter were hiding, fearing for their lives. Durham, while explaining the play-by-play of the home invasion, remarked to the dispatcher, who said police were on their way, I dont think Ill be alive by then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre trying to get in the house, Durham said shortly before saying, Theyre inside. Theyre coming. The recording appears to contain audible slamming and thumping. A moment later, Durham tells the dispatcher, Theyre trying to blow up the house with gas. Almost immediately after that, the audio recording captures a major commotion and Durham says little to nothing else before first responders can be heard speaking for the first time. Do you have gloves? one responder is heard asking several times. Another voice is heard screaming while the responders, presumably police, survey the aftermath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wheres the gun? One responder soon asks. That dispatcher, on the other end of Durhams call for the entire episode, is heard asking, Hello? Can anyone hear me? Another caller reported the initial incident in real time, saying someone was at her neighbors house attacking his home with bricks. She told a dispatcher one person had broken his windows and corroborated the victims description that the person was wearing a hoodie. Oh my gosh, he just got in the house, she said, adding that the person broke through the window. She also said they destroyed the top of his car, and that his windshield is a mess. A still frame from police body camera video shows the incident that left Brandon Durham dead. (LVMPD) 8 News Now originally reported a Metro police officer later identified as Alexander Bookman, 26 shot and killed Durham after he called 911. Durham told a dispatcher that he was inside the home with his 15-year-old daughter. He said he was locking himself in the bathroom as the two people entered his home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the shooting, Boudreaux told police she broke into the home in an attempt for police to shoot and kill her, according to documents 8 News Now first obtained Monday. RELATED: Las Vegas police officer who killed 911 caller was at same home hours earlier Records the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Tuesday reveal officers were called to Durhams home late on the evening of Nov. 10 about 24 hours before the fatal shooting for a disturbance. Durham, who was not home when he made the call around 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, told police his ex-friend named Marie refused to leave, according to documents. Marie is Boudreauxs middle name, according to records. Bookman arrived at the house around 12:11 a.m. At 12:40 a.m., police notes indicate Boudreaux agreed to leave and left for Harry Reid International Airport, records said. The officer who made the note that Boudreaux packed up and left was Bookman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. (NewsNation) President-elect Donald Trump is considering adding a new position to his administration: the nations first-ever crypto czar. The role would oversee cryptocurrency policy and regulation and act as a liaison between Congress and the White House. Trumps top team is meeting with bitcoin and crypto experts to discuss the role. Matt Gaetz withdraws from nomination as attorney general Trump has several crypto businesses himself and, during his campaign, had promised to make the United States the crypto capital of the world by creating a bitcoin strategic reserve. Best Prime Day Deals for 2024: Best early Black Friday deals currently live Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toys usually sell out fast, here are top options Here are the best gifts under $50 BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. The idea is in its early stages. Bloomberg reports that many of the conversations are in their initial processes, and there are still discussions about whether the role would be a specific White House administrative role or more of a czar position, which is more colloquial for someone being a point person to spearhead a certain topic. Whats clear is that Trump has spoken very positively about the issue of cryptocurrency on the campaign trail and even gave remarks at a bitcoin conference in Nashville, Tennessee, this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If crypto is going to define the future, I want to be mined, minted and made in the USA, Trump said. Its not going to be made anywhere else. Bitcoin is going to the moon, as we say. Its going to the moon. I want America to be the nation that leads the way, and thats whats going to happen. Youre going to be very happy with me. The price of bitcoin in just the past month has skyrocketed since the election. Thats largely because there are a lot of cryptocurrency investors who remain optimistic that this administration will be favorable to bitcoin and to cryptocurrency in the future. Sanctuary cities plan to resist Trumps mass deportation plans Sen. Debbie Stabenow from Michigan has been trying to push cryptocurrency legislation since this summer and has encountered some roadblocks both from within her own party as well as from across the aisle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes looking for ways to offer regulations and consumer protections, trying to make a push, according to Politico, before the new session comes into effect and Republicans take the majority in the Senate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donald Trump and Eddy Grant have settled a copyright infringement lawsuit over the use of the 1982 song "Electric Avenue" in a 2020 campaign video - Credit: Hayley Madden/Redferns; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images In 2020, Donald Trump shared a campaign video on Twitter that utilized Eddy Grants 1982 hit Electric Avenue. Shortly after, the musician filed a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement. Developments on the suit moved slowly, but the case has now been discontinued two months after it was ruled that Trump did, in fact, infringe on Grants copyright. According to Billboard, the suit was settled without a need for additional litigation. The official amount that Trump owes Grant in damages has not been disclosed. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, the official Eddy Grant website published a news release alleging that Trump was liable in excess of $100 million. The artists legal counsel, Wallace E.J. Collin, stated at the time: As a result of your wrongful unauthorized Infringing Use in connection with your controversial political campaign, substantial damage and irreparable harm has occurred and will continue to occur to my client and his reputation as an artist when affiliated in any way with your campaign. He added: We prefer to resolve this dispute expeditiously, in order to avoid time-consuming and costly litigation and the negative publicity that can surround the unauthorized use of such an iconic musical composition especially where the use indicates a fundamental misunderstanding of the very meaning of the underlying work. Grant included a brief statement at the time, writing: I call upon such arbiter, as is responsible for this sordid abuse, to come forward like a man and lets sort this thing out, in the way that America demands when such issues are to be sorted, especially when they are wrong. Mr Trump, I am calling on you. You are the final arbiter and I await the word from you. The video was swiftly removed from Twitter (now X), but Grant maintained that the damage had already been done. In September, Judge John G. Koeltl described the video as a wholesale copying of music to accompany a political campaign ad. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In the motley crew of Donald Trumps cabinet appointments, it would have been easy to miss the 45-year-old lawyer who is already part of the Washington establishment. Brendan Carr does not have the celebrity recognition of RFK Jr, Linda McMahon or Elon Musk, but Trumps pick for chairman of Americas airwaves regulator could prove to be one of his most consequential. On Sunday, Trump chose Carr to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), praising Carr as a warrior for free speech and a fighter against the regulatory lawfare that has stifled Americans freedoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr, who accompanied Trump and Musk to Texas as SpaceXs giant Starship blasted off from the companys Starbase on Tuesday night, has promised to use the role to crack down on big tech, scrap diversity targets and put an end to the perceived Left-wing bent of the US broadcast media. The FCC, the US equivalent of Britains Ofcom, is partly known for indecency penalties against broadcasters, fining CBS over Janet Jacksons notorious Superbowl wardrobe malfunction in 2004 and earning a call-out in Eminems Without Me after the rappers success led to a profanity crackdown. The regulator has broad licence for enforcing rules around media plurality and fairness, which Carr is likely to deploy. He criticised the US network NBC for hosting Kamala Harris on the comedy show Saturday Night Live, and has pledged to enforce a public interest obligation on TV stations. But his most eye-catching proposals surround his pledge to rein in big tech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr, first appointed as one of the FCCs five commissioners during Trumps first term, has made no secret of his plans to target Facebook, Google, Microsoft and Apple, which many Republicans consider beehives of liberal bias. Last Wednesday, days before his appointment, he accused the four companies of being part of a censorship cartel that silenced Americans for doing nothing more than exercising their first amendment rights, pressing the four giants over their work with the controversial fact-checking service NewsGuard. We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans, he wrote on X this week, interspersed with reaction GIFs and posts sparring with critics. Being heavy on rhetoric is par for the course in Trumps inner circle, but Carr is one of the few with an action plan. He wrote the chapter on the FCC in the infamous Project 2025 wish list put together by a group of Republicans, but which Trump had sought to distance himself from during the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the manifesto, Carr outlined plans to water down the Section 230 protections enjoyed by companies such as Meta and Google, which give the companies widespread licence to moderate their services as they see fit. While Section 230 is credited with allowing the commercial internet to thrive, many Republicans believe it has given the sites cover to censor conservatives, such as when Twitter blocked a damaging New York Post story regarding Hunter Biden in the weeks before the 2020 election. Carr says under him, the FCC would issue an order eliminating many of these immunities. Additionally, he has said big internet companies should be subject to transparency rules, requiring them to disclose when Google down-ranks a website in search results or when YouTube demonetises a user. If enforced, these rules would amount to an unprecedented regulatory crackdown on how social media polices itself, forcing big tech companies to continually defend and justify decisions. Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft & others have played central roles in the censorship cartel. The Orwellian named NewsGuard along with "fact checking" groups & ad agencies helped enforce one-sided narratives. The censorship cartel must be dismantled. pic.twitter.com/Xf0sEYOUfv Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) November 15, 2024 It is unlikely that Carr considers Musks own social network part of the censorship industrial complex. In 2022, Carr criticised a campaign to block Musk from buying Twitter, and he has backed Musks embrace of free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Musk is more likely to benefit from Carrs leadership in other ways. Starlink, the internet satellite network run by Musks SpaceX, is poised for a blitz of deregulation, with Carr pledging to rapidly approve new satellite launches. When the FCC overturned an $885m (700m) deal for Starlink to connect more than 600,000 homes two years ago, he attacked the reversal. Carr has also criticised the Biden administrations much-delayed $42bn programme to develop traditional broadband networks, which Musk has suggested should have been spent with Starlink. Carrs relationship with Elon Musk could be a sign of good things to come for the FCCs approach to satellite broadband providers, analysts at the political research firm Beacon Policy Advisors wrote. The appointee could be good news for Meta and Google in one way. Carr has taken a tough line on TikTok, the Chinese-owned viral video app seen as a major rival to Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. He has said the new administration must follow through on Bidens plans to ban TikTok, saying the app provides Beijing with the chance to run a foreign influence campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stance could set Carr up for a clash with Trump, who has vowed to save TikTok in an attempt to appeal to the apps giant fanbase. But even if Washingtons new free speech warrior does not get his way here, he is determined to shake up big tech. 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. President-elect Donald Trump began picking members of his Cabinet right after winning the election, and almost immediately his choices courted lots of criticism chief among them the fact that most of them dont seem to have any actual experience for the positions in which theyve been placed. Also, the irony isnt lost on folks that a man whose platform seems to be staunchly anti-DEI appointed a bunch of folks who feel pretty...DEI. From Fox News hosts to alleged sexual predators to a WWE executive, here are Trumps rather questionable Cabinet picks to date. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence Photo: Chris Unger (Getty Images) Trump selected former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who routinely amplifies Russian propaganda and conspiracy theories, as the Director of National Intelligence. In the position, her role would have her oversee 18 intelligence agencies, but folks in the House Intelligence Committee are worried about what shell do considering her affinity for foreign dictators like Russian President Vladimir Putin. Education Secretary, Linda McMahon Photo: Peter Casolino (Getty Images) Former wrestling executive Linda McMahon served as Trumps Small Business Administration head during his first presidential term. As one of his top allies, McMahon will run the Department of Education despite barely having any education experience: In 2009, she served on the Connecticut Board of Education for just one year. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth Photo: Roy Rochlin (Getty Images) The closest experience former Fox News host Pete Hegseth has in defending anything is shielding himself from sexual assault allegations yet Trump picked him as Secretary of Defense. In 2020, Hegseth reached a settlement agreement with the accuser to protect his job. He has also been involved in a far-right extremism scandal stemming from his tattoos that led to his removal from a National Guard assignment. The host claimed they were a symbol of Christianity. Federal Communications Commission Administrator, Brendan Carr Photo: Jabin Botsford (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump selected Brendan Carr to head the Federal Communications Commission. Carr, who is the senior Republican commissioner at the FCC, actually authored a chapter of Project 2025. In the document, he wrote that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Actwhich grants immunity to tech companies that moderate user-generated contentshould be stripped to end content moderation that some conservatives regard as censorship. Trump once called Carr a warrior for Free Speech. Administrator Of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz Photo: John Nacion (Getty Images) Dr. Mehmet Oz, former surgeon turned TV host, will lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). If his nomination is confirmed by the Senate, Oz would oversee Medicare, Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program. According to federal data, at least 145 million Americans are enrolled under one of the three programs. Oz has said he supports an option that could lead to more Medicare privatization. Administrator For Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk Photo: Andrew Harnik (Getty Images) X owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been tasked with overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency. Interestingly, Musk has a long history of problems with government regulatory agencies and outstanding unresolved investigations, including a Securities and Exchange Commission inquiry into inside stock trading. Administrator For Department of Government Efficiency, Vivek Ramaswamy Photo: Anna Moneymaker (Getty Images) Vivek Ramaswamy, who previously challenged Trump in the Republican presidential primary before endorsing him in January, made reducing waste in government spending a vital policy platform for his campaign. Now, he alongside Elon Musk will be heading the Department of Government Efficiency. U.S. Ambassador To Israel, Mike Huckabee Photo: Steven Ferdman (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has selected the former governor of Arkansas and right-wing Christian Zionist, Mike Huckabee, as his U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is also a conservative television personality who would become the first non-Jewish U.S. ambassador in 16 years. He will likely unconditionally support the Israeli government in expansionism. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy Photo: MANDEL NGAN (Getty Images) Former reality TV star and Fox Business host Sean Duffy was selected as Trumps Secretary of Transportation. Duffy was a notable loyalist in Congress during Trumps first term. Duffy first appeared on television in 1997 as a cast member on MTVs The Real World. He also served as a congressman from Wisconsins 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2019. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services Photo: Chris Unger (Getty Images) Robert F Kennedy Jr. has been nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services, despite saying that vaccines cause autism. He is a decades-long heroin addict and self-confessed sex addict who has been accused of numerous sexual assaults. He was also reportedly involved in an affair with Olivia Nuzzi, a writer for New York Magazine, which led to the loss of her fiancee and job. Secretary Of State, Marco Rubio Photo: Chip Somodevilla (Getty Images) Senator Marco Rubio being Trumps pick for Secretary of State seems like one of the President-elects more conventional choices. Rubio is a veteran politician who served on the foreign relations and intelligence committees for over a decade. However, when he ran against Trump in 2016, Rubio labeled his opponent as a con artist who possesses a dangerous leadership style. U.N. Ambassador, Elise Stefanik Photo: Kent Nishimura (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has offered the job of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations to Rep. Elise Stefanik, though she called the UN a den of antisemitism that she intends to confront in a recent speech posted on her website. Stefanik has also said that the UN has continuously betrayed Israel and betrayed America and acted as an apologist for Iran. U.S. Ambassador To NATO, Matthew Whitaker Photo: David Becker (Getty Images) Donald Trump has selected Matthew Whitaker, who literally has no foreign policy experience, to represent Americas best interests as his ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Whitaker served as acting attorney general during Trumps first term. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Editor's note: Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for attorney general of the Trump administration. It's been two weeks since Election Day, and President-elect Donald Trump is getting his administration together ahead of his inauguration. Two weeks into his first presidential transition, Trump had only named three key people to his administration: the chief of staff, the attorney general and the ambassador to the United Nations, according to a timeline by Politico. Within the same time frame since this Election Day, he has named more than 10 Cabinet positions and a slate of other key positions within his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what you need to know: Trump's Inauguration Day as the 47th President of the United States is slated for Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Before Trump is sworn in, there are other key dates and processes that need to happen, including the electoral vote count. Here are dates to keep in mind for the remainder of this election season: Dec. 11: Preparation of Certificates of Ascertainment Dec. 17: Electors vote in each state Dec. 25: Deadline for electoral votes to be received Jan. 3: Congress convenes Jan. 6: Electoral vote count Others are reading: Prosecutors ask to delay Donald Trump hush money sentencing, but oppose case dismissal Who has Trump chosen for his administration? Senior advisor Susie Wiles listens as Republican presidential nominee former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at his election night rally at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Trump named his senior campaign adviser Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff, the first woman in history to hold the title. The Florida political consultant largely stays out of the spotlight, but has been credited with helping Trump's political comeback. 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 Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida has been nominated as the next attorney general overseeing the Justice Department that he has long criticized. Florida Senator Marco Rubio and family celebrate his victory over Rep. Val Demings in Miami Florida on November 8, 2022. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida is nominated as the next secretary of state. He will bring foreign policy experience through his roles in the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A Cuban-American, he is set to be the first Latino person to be secretary of state. Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, on Nov. 4, 2024, campaigns in Pittsburgh for former President Donald Trump's reelection bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is nominated as the director of national intelligence. The former Democratic presidential candidate-turned Republican represented Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District from 2013-2021. Stephen Miller, Senior Advisor to Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald J. Trump and President, America First Legal speaks prior to Trump taking the stage at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27, 2024 in New York City. Trump closed out his weekend of campaigning in NYC with a guest list of speakers that includes his running mate Republican vice presidential nominee, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Tesla CEO Elon Musk, UFC CEO Dana White, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), among others, nine days before Election Day. Long-standing Trump adviser Stephen Miller has been tapped for deputy chief of staff for policy in Trump's next administration. The 39-year-old served as senior adviser to Trump and director of speechwriting during the Republican's first term in the White House and is credited with shaping Trumps immigration policies. Feb 23, 2024; National Harbor, MD, USA; Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), chair of the House Republican Conference, attends the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Trump nominated Elise Stefanik, a five-term Republican representing a northern New York district, as his pick for Ambassador to the United Nations. She is the House Republican Conference Chair and a former contender for Trump's running mate. 'Border czar': Trump has appointed Tom Homan to oversee deportation policy and aviation security. Homan was a Border Patrol agent for 34 years and served in Trump's first administration as acting ICE director. He drew controversy for strict immigration enforcement, including the "zero-tolerance" policy which separated families of undocumented immigrants. Trump has appointed Tom Homan to oversee deportation policy and aviation security. Homan was a Border Patrol agent for 34 years and served in Trump's first administration as acting ICE director. He drew controversy for strict immigration enforcement, including the "zero-tolerance" policy which separated families of undocumented immigrants. Congressman Lee Zeldin, Republican candidate for governor of New York, speaks during a press conference outside the Whitehall Terminal in New York on November 7, 2022. (Photo by Yuki IWAMURA / AFP) (Photo by YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has appointed Lee Zeldin as the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Zeldin was a Congressman for parts of Long Island, New York and ran but lost against Kathy Hochul in the 2022 gubernatorial race. Sep 26, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., speaks during a congressional task force hearing on the assassination attempt of now President-elect Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pa. on July 13, 2024. Trump has named Florida Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser. Waltz has held civilian positions at the Pentagon, was on the House Armed Services Committee and has supported Trump's isolationist view of foreign relations. President-elect Donald Trump nominates on Nov. 12, 2024, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be his U.S. ambassador to Israel, tapping a pro-Israel evangelical Christian. Trump announced he is nominating former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as his U.S. ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a Baptist minister and former Fox News host, who has run for the Republican presidential nomination twice, unsuccessfully. His daughter is Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as White House press secretary during Trump's first presidency. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-TX, testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington,DC on May 5, 2020. - The panel is considering Ratcliffes nomination for Director of National Intelligence. (Photo by Andrew Harnik / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW HARNIK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Trump designated his former director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Ratcliffe previously was a House member from Texas before serving as director of national intelligence at the end of Trump's first presidency. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump nominated Fox News host Pete Hegseth to Defense secretary. A Fox News commentator, Hegseth served in the U.S. Army National Guard and had led veteran's advocacy groups. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speaks during the CJ Schwan's announcement ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Marion Road & 259th Street in Sioux Falls. Trump announced his choice of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to be the secretary of Homeland Security. The pick puts the hardline conservative governor, who sent the state's National Guard to the southern border, in a key role on immigration. Trump tapped William McGinley to serve as his White House counsel. McGinley, a partner at the Washington-based law firm Holtzman Vogel, worked as White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first presidency. (FILES) In this file photo taken on December 13, 2019 ranking Member, Republican Representative Doug Collins, awaits the start of the House Judiciary Committee's vote on House Resolution 755, Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald Trump, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. - A US lawmaker announced March 9, 2020 that he was exposed to the new coronavirus at the CPAC conservative conference in late February, just days before he met with President Donald Trump. Republican Representative Doug Collins said he was photographed at the conference with a person who has tested positive for the new coronavirus. He added that while he himself has no symptoms, he has "decided to self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution." (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_1PQ8LG Trump named Doug Collins to be his secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, a former congressman from 2013 to 2021 and trusted Trump loyalist, is a chaplain of the United States Air Force Reserve Command. Governor of North Dakota Doug Burgum speaks during the final campaign rally for former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump before election day at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on November 4, 2024. Trump named North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as his nominee for secretary of Interior. Burgum, a 68-year-old wealthy software executive, ran against Trump in the 2020 election but dropped out in December. As secretary for the Interior, he would oversee federal land and run programs involving native tribes. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stumps for Donald Trump before he speaks at Macomb Community College on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his pick to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy ran as an independent before dropping out in August and endorsing Trump. He is known for his vaccine hesitancy and stance against fluoride in water, despite both being widely encouraged by medical professionals. President-elect Donald Trump sits ringside with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during Saturday's UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Trump namedElon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a newly created initiative to slash government spending. Trump's stated plan is for the department to advise from outside the government. Contributing: Greta Cross, Joey Garrison, Francesca Chambers This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: When is Trump's inauguration and who are his cabinet picks? What to know (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg Public companies whose executives donated to Republican candidates had a higher chance of winning exclusions from President-elect Donald Trumps first-term tariffs on China, while those that gave to Democrats saw their odds fall, according to a study into thousands of applications for relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Companies filed more than 50,000 applications for exemptions after Trump began announcing duties on imports from China in 2018 with the process requiring them to file separate requests for each individual product for review by officials at the Office of the US Trade Representative. The research was led by Veljko Fotak, a finance professor at the University of Buffalo School of Management. He and three co-authors pored through government records, campaign finance reports and corporate filings to study the more than 7,000 temporary tariff exclusion applications filed by public companies. And when they zeroed in on the 1,022 applications that succeeded, they found that companies which donated to Republican candidates had higher odds of winning exemptions. Overall, public companies applying for exemptions from Trumps first China tariffs had a 14.6% rate of success, the researchers found. But just $35,000 in donations to Republican candidates by a companys political action committee and executives boosted those odds by 3.9 percentage points, Fotak said. That effectively improved the odds of winning an exclusion from roughly one in seven to one in five. Success delivered a meaningful return. Altogether it meant an extra $57 billion in market capitalization for the firms that succeeded, the researchers calculated for the study, which was peer-reviewed and is due to be published in a forthcoming issue of The Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the research, donations to Democrats hurt the chances of firms applying for exemptions during the Trump administration. A contribution of just $4,000 reduced the likelihood of success by 3.4 percentage points, Fotak said. That worsened the odds of success down to just under one in 10. The study does not identify individual companies. It also does not allege any wrongdoing by either companies or US officials. Utterly False Stephen Vaughn, who oversaw the exclusion process as USTRs general counsel during the Trump administration, said any suggestion of partisan bias in the process was utterly false and that it was designed to be apolitical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Requests for exclusions were reviewed by career staff, and temporary exclusions were granted only in those limited situations where they would benefit the US economy as a whole, he said. The non-partisan validity of these exclusions is shown by the fact that in March 2022, most of the exclusions that were set to expire were reinstated or extended by the Biden administration. The research paper, a draft of which was released online in July, has added relevance as Trump prepares to return to the White House in January pledging to impose tariffs of 60% and possibly more on imports from China. Still unclear is just how he will deliver that campaign promise, and whether or not there will be an exclusion process. Theres a lot of uncertainties but the more I keep on seeing whats happening with the new administration the more I think its going to be more of the same, said Jesus Salas, a Lehigh University finance professor who collaborated with Fotak on the research. Lobbyist Ties Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fotak, Salas and their co-authors also looked at the role of lobbyists and particularly those lobbying firms that included former Trump administration officials. Hiring connected lobbyists helped, they found. So did donating to senators assigned to influential panels like the Senate Finance Committee. The Biden administration maintained the tariffs on Chinese imports and in October announced a similar exclusion process for new tariffs on Chinese electrical vehicles and other products it announced earlier this year. As of Wednesday, though, only 59 applications had been filed by companies and no decisions have been made, which makes it hard to examine any outcomes, Fotak said. There have been plenty of critics of the previous tariff exclusion process during the Trump administration, which drew complaints that it was slow and unpredictable. When Trump first imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, large companies in the US and small farmers alike were caught off guard and forced to navigate a new bureaucratic process. The criteria for exclusions were broad and included whether or not products were available in another country or were produced by an industrial sector prioritized for development by the Chinese leaderships Made in China 2025 program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps next round of tariffs, however, will encounter a well-oiled lobbying and legal machine in Washington that has plenty of practice with the tariff exclusion process. This time the lobbyists are ready, Fotak said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The same evening residents of northeast Oklahoma City were waiting in line to cast their votes for the presidential election, some of their children were listening to a martial artist with three decades of experience in the film industry relate his own journey to success. Actor and martial artist Michael Jai White recently visited the Bridge Impact Center, a brick-and-mortar extension of the Urban Bridge nonprofit mentoring disadvantaged young people at 1915 N Martin Luther King Ave. Famous for his leading roles in popular films like Spawn, Black Dynamite, and the Never Back Down franchise, White said his visit was motivated by his desire to let the teens know that they should not look at their underprivileged backgrounds as a hindrance in life. "Understand: This whole world is yours, not just the block you came from," White said. "All of this belongs to you. All of the knowledge in the world belongs to you. Don't limit yourself." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the visit, White reiterated themes of resilience and determination, lessons he learned from mentors in his own life as the son of a single mother. By age 14, White started earning money by teaching karate at his local YMCA and participating in tournaments. After graduating high school, he went off to college and pursued a career in education for a few years before he decided to "try to get acting out of my system." His breakout performance in the HBO television film "Tyson," however, assured he would continue as an actor full-time. White recounted how he came up on streets that were really rough in Brooklyn, New York, and Bridgeport, Connecticut, calling himself one of the luckiest people in the world for making it out of the harsh environments. He also said the youth should see hardships they were overcoming from their backgrounds as "street knowledge," which, when combined with academic knowledge, could make them unstoppable. Say youre in a race and you gotta run with a 50-pound backpack on your back, and other people dont have it, White said. But imagine you keep running and you get stronger. Imagine that 50-pound backpack becomes 40 pounds, becomes 30 pounds, then becomes 25. Whats going to happen? Youre gonna start passing folks, because youre used to running with a 50-pound backpack. When you shed all of that, youre going to shoot by everybody. Michael Jai White prepares to answer a question from a student during his conversation with youths at the Bridge Impact Center in northeast Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Whites recent visit with Urban Bridge was organized by community leader and Ward 7 City Council candidate Masood A. Haqq, who said he saw it as a perfect marriage of Whites vision, the nonprofits mission and his own hopes of facilitating healthier options for youth in northeast OKC. Michael Jai White talks with a young student about his hopes to become a creative writer during a Nov. 5 Q&A at the Urban Bridge Impact Center in northeast Oklahoma City. Weve been in that situation where weve been labeled or told that you cant do something, that you cant achieve, Haqq said. The road might be a little bit winding or it might be arduous and hard at different points, but it was people like Mr. White coming to speak to me when I was a young kid that enabled me to envision who I could possibly become and take the ceiling off of what my expectations of myself were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Bridge Impact Center provides east side youth mentorship, chance to explore passions Haqq also praised the Urban Bridges staff for the phenomenal job they do working as mentors for children at the center. For nearly 10 years, the nonprofit has worked in northeast Oklahoma City to provide holistic programs and resources such as mentorship, education, financial literacy and entrepreneurial training. Masood Abdul-Haqq and Michael Jai White pose together after White's Q&A at the Bridge Impact Center in northeast Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. I got the call that this is something hes looking to do, said Urban Bridge CEO Marcus Jackson said. While hes in town, he wanted to make sure he had some time to speak with young folks, so that means a lot. White was in Oklahoma working on a new film called Drive Through Fire, and said that just an hour before visiting Urban Bridge hed accepted another role in an action comedy, his favorite genre. He recalled how he would perform puppet shows in his youth before he ventured further into martial arts as a teen and his first few years as a schoolteacher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thing that I should have been doing all the while was already there, but I let society and everything else take me off my track, White said. Thats the thing: Deep down in your heart, you want to do something that doesnt feel like work something that you enjoy. And if you find that, that is the best thing in the world. Michael Jai White points at a teenager asking a question after his speech at the Bridge Impact Center in northeast Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Jackson, White's visit was an affirmation of the work he'd been doing in the area since he co-founded Urban Bridge in 2015. It was not something White had to do, said Jackson, but taking the time to speak with children in the program was a meaningful way of showing them what professional success and social responsibility looked like. Hopefully, when yall make it big in your businesses or your industries that you go into to work, that yall also remember the next generation, Jackson told the students listening while he introduced White. Just remember that its not just about what you can do for (yourself) in life. Your real legacy is about the time and attention that you put to others as well. More: What is fueling chronic absenteeism? Leaders met in downtown OKC to discuss solutions. More than a month ago, Urban Bridge staff members attended a "Peace Needs" conference in downtown OKC, with discussion heavily centered around violence intervention and how to apply the strategies to local schools and communities. Michael Jai White speaks with Bridge Impact Center site director Derrick Ward and other Urban Bridge staff members in northeast Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2024. Children growing up on the city's northeast side face challenges of disparities in outcomes ranging from education to physical and mental health, Jackson said, but he is hopeful more and more community partners can come together and help provide the types of holistic services that his nonprofit offers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As someone who's been doing this type of stuff for a while, honestly, it's time for us to really lay our pride aside, be more humble and say, how much have we got done by ourselves? And what all can we do if we join arms and tackle these issues together?" Jackson said. More: Parents are stressed and kids are depressed. Here's what the surgeon general prescribes. White also reminded the youth that, while they may have in some ways inherited the traumatic histories of their parents, they had a responsibility to themselves to self-improve. "In society, we've been taught that we can blame our parents or other people that that's enough and it's not," White said. "We have to be responsible for ourselves. Our parents are not perfect, and there's a lot of people around us that are not perfect, but the whole idea of just blaming somebody, as if we don't have work to do, I believe that has to stop." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Actor Michael Jai White talks to teens at Urban Bridge Impact Center UPDATE: The sheriffs office said the missing teen was located around 1 a.m. and is back with his family. His image has been removed from this story. DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) Dorchester County deputies are asking for the publics help in finding a missing and endangered 17-year-old male. James Terrance Maxwell II is autistic, according to Rick Carson, a spokesperson for the Dorchester County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxwell is reportedly 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs about 150 pounds. Law enforcement said he was last seen at his home on Buckingham Avenue, Ashborough East, in Summerville, wearing a dark-colored hoodie around 7 p.m. If you see Maxwell or have any information on his whereabouts, contact the sheriffs office at (843) 873-5111. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Nov. 20A tax abatement and redevelopment plan for a historic building that was originally a livery stable in downtown Joplin's early days received reapproval from the Joplin City Council. The city's planning development director, Troy Bolander, presented the request to the council Monday. It is for the Holcraft-Stults Building, 401-411 S. Virginia Ave. Jeff Neal, contractor for the project, said the building was constructed prior to 1890. It was originally called Southern Livery. Around 1906, it was converted into an auto garage. Neal said that business had a large elevator installed to transport and store cars on the second floor and at one time kept up to 60 cars on that floor in what was a wood building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, it was occupied by a Chevrolet car dealer that owns the building next door to it now, Neal said. He proposed the request for Chapter 353 abatement of real estate taxes about a year ago to the Joplin Redevelopment Corp., and it was approved. The abatement also is available because the property is blighted and is located in a blighted area as previously declared by city action. Neal made the request on behalf of building owners Systole Holding Co. and principals Ryan and Jennifer Longnecker. They are investing about $3.7 million to convert the building into 10 to 12 new market-rate apartments with indoor parking, according to city documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Savings from the tax abatement will be reinvested into the construction project. "If it is approved, what will happen is 100% of the increase in property taxes as the result of the improvements will be abated for 10 years," Bolander said. "Then the property will be reassessed and 50% is abated for the following 15 years for a 25-year tax abatement." The abatement over the years could amount to about $1.1 million. The current property taxes are $3,500 a year and would increase to $72,000 after construction is complete. The increase in property tax resulting from the improvements would be abated. The current tax rate would continue so that the taxing entities would continue to receive what they do now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council member Doris Carlin asked whether the abatement would follow a new owner if the building were sold. Bolander said a tax abatement would go to a new owner if that were the case. "Property tax abatement is meant to encourage (development) in our blighted downtown, and that's the purpose," Neal said. "Downtown was declared blighted. ... If the Longneckers had not decided to give the building another 100 years, it would have decreased in value" in future years, the contractor said. Bolander said the request had been approved last year by the council. However, because three new members had been elected to the council in April, Bolander said he thought the request should be resubmitted. The Chapter 353 abatement is named for the chapter of Missouri Law that gives cities the power to grant the tax reductions, Bolander said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neal told the council that the building was once a library as well and that its last use was as a Hertz car rental business. It had been vacant for several years since then. Councilman Josh Bard asked if the school district had been notified of the abatement request. Bolander said the city held a meeting with all taxing jurisdictions about the request. Neal said he believes work to remodel the building will be finished next summer. U.S. vetoes Security Council resolution demanding ceasefire in Gaza Xinhua) 08:05, November 21, 2024 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) The 15-member UN Security Council voted 14-1 in favor of the resolution, with the United States using its veto as a permanent member to block it. The U.S. move drew harsh criticism. 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. People wait to buy bread at a bakery in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 18, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) 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. People check houses destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in the al-Bureij refugee camp of the central Gaza Strip, on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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. 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. Nov. 20MITCHELL In a unique twist on traditional hiring methods, Short Staffed, a staffing agency dedicated to connecting businesses with potential employees, hosted a drive-thru job fair Wednesday afternoon. This innovative event, part of the agency's "One-Stop Job Shop" initiative, allowed job seekers to explore employment opportunities from the comfort of their cars. John Murad, CEO of Short Staffed, emphasized the necessity of adapting recruitment strategies in today's dynamic job market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want to try every approach that we can. We're finding a different audience by trying different methods," Murad said. This sentiment reflects a broader trend where organizations are increasingly exploring alternative formats for job fairs, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic which shifted many hiring practices toward remote and contactless solutions. The drive-thru job fair featured approximately 20 local employers from various sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, and office work. Job seekers received informational bags containing details about job openings and applications all without leaving their vehicles. "It does take more effort on their part to take those applications and go drop them off," Murad said. "But, you know, we want to try every approach that we can to reach people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murad pointed out that while the drive-thru format requires job seekers to put in some effort like dropping off completed applications at businesses it ultimately provides a more relaxed environment for exploring job opportunities. "Some people get nervous about talking to employers in person," Murad said. "The drive-thru gives them the space they need to explore job openings without the stress of a traditional interview setting." Johanna Allen from the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce echoed this sentiment, noting that the absence of face-to-face pressure can encourage more individuals to consider new employment options. "People often feel more comfortable attending because they don't even have to leave their car," Allen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond easing nerves, the drive-thru approach also appeals to individuals who have busy schedules, allowing them to engage with potential employers during brief windows of availability. Michele Duffy, a local job-seeker, values the convenience of the drive-thru format. "It only takes a minute or two to drive through and grab the bag," Duffy said. "It's faster than navigating a traditional job fair." For job seekers, the bags provided a convenient, no-pressure way to explore opportunities. "It's a great way for companies to get their job openings into people's hands," said Duffy. "I can review the materials at my own pace once I get home" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For employers, the drive-thru format simplifies the process of reaching potential employees. Instead of spending hours at an in-person fair, businesses can drop off flyers and other materials to be included in the bags distributed to job seekers. The drive-thru format is especially beneficial for small businesses that may not have dedicated human resources staff. Such events enable small businesses to reach candidates without extensive time commitments. "In the Midwest, 90, 95% of businesses are small businesses," Murad said. "They can lean on us, and places like Short Staffed can handle their payroll. Their people can be on our payroll forever if they want, or they can have us recruit and hire the people." While the attendance at the event was slightly impacted by the cold weather, with temperatures dipping into the low 30s on Wednesday, Murad was still happy with the turnout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The turnout was great despite the winter chill," said Murad. Any remaining bags were donated to the Department of Labor or handed out at the chamber's office to individuals seeking job leads. As for Short Staffed, the company's efforts to connect employers with talent are working well in this tight labor market, according to Murad. As of Oct. 30, 2024, Mitchell's unemployment rate stood at 1.40%, lower than the state average of 2.0% and consistently one of the lowest in South Dakota. "Sometimes, we find a perfect match right away, and other times we need to keep people on file until the right job comes in," Murad said. "Our goal is to help both businesses and job seekers, and the drive-thru job fair is just one more way we're doing that." SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A 21-year-old man was hospitalized Thursday morning after a crash in Logan Heights, officials with the San Diego Police Department confirmed. The incident occurred shortly before 1:40 a.m. on the 3100 block of Ocean View Boulevard. The driver, who was behind the wheel of a red 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, lost control of his vehicle while traveling westbound. Police said this caused a chain reaction that involved several parked cars and a power box. Built like a superyacht: A look inside a $75M oceanfront house for sale Del Mar Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The car collided with a 2012 Toyota Tacoma that was parked along the south curbline. The impact of the crash pushed the Tacoma into a 2017 Hyundai Elantra that was parked behind it. The Malibu then continued off the roadway, mounting the sidewalk and striking a San Diego Gas & Electric power box, knocking it from its base and exposing live wires, the department explained further. The driver of the Malibu was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with an open fracture to his lower right leg. His passenger was unharmed and no one else was involved in the collision. The Traffic Division is investigating the cause of the crash. Authorities suspect that alcohol may have played a role in the incident, though further details have yet to be released. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the collision is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. The crash caused temporary disruption to the area as SDG&E crews were called in to secure the exposed power box and repair any damage caused by the impact. There were no reported power outages as a result of the collision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. DENVER (KDVR) The driver accused of speeding through a Thornton intersection, striking a car and killing four members of a family inside, died on Nov. 7, according to police. The crash was reported just before 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. at the intersection of Thornton Parkway and Washington Street. Police said that a Subaru sedan was speeding north on Washington Street, as a Ford SUV with four occupants was stopped in the northbound lanes of Washington Street for a red light at the intersection. Previous coverage: 2 young brothers find themselves navigating how to bury their entire family Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Subaru hit the Ford, rupturing the gas tank and catching fire. All four people in the Ford SUV died at the scene. The driver of the Subaru was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. Adam and Daniel Diaz, brothers and surviving members of the family, told FOX31 they are struggling to deal with burying their mother, Beatriz Nunez; father, Francisco Diaz; and two younger sisters, Paula and Nataly. Now a fifth death has resulted from the high-speed crash. The hospitalized Subaru driver died of his injuries on Nov. 7. The drivers identity and cause of death will be managed by the Adams County Coroners Office. The drivers death was announced Wednesday, and the Thornton Police Department said it is unable to pursue criminal charges in the case due to the drivers death. The agency said portions of the case are still under investigation, but otherwise is considered closed and classified as exceptionally cleared due to the death of offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities have arrested a Murfreesboro man for his involvement in a deadly September crash that occurred along West Main Street in Wilson County. According to police, the crash, which involved multiple vehicles, happened on the night of Sept. 24 in front of Wilson Bank & Trust. Driver killed in crash on I-40E in Wilson County Due to the severity of the collision, an officer requested assistance from additional officers, the Lebanon Fire Department and Wilson County EMA (WEMA), police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two drivers involved in the crash identified as Terry Elmore and Juanita Birdsong reportedly sustained serious injuries. Lebanon police said Elmore was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to be treated. Meanwhile, Birdsong died at the scene from her injuries. Teen cyclist killed in Spring Hill crash involving a bus, according to police The police departments traffic unit were later called to the scene to investigate the crash. At some point during the investigation, evidence gathered by members of the traffic unit led officers to charge Elmore with aggravated vehicular homicide. According to authorities, 41-year-old Terry Elmore of Murfreesboro, was arrested by deputies with the Rutherford County Sheriffs Office on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Records show he was booked into the Wilson County Jail, which is where he is being held on a $400,000 bond. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Police added that an investigation into the deadly crash remains open, but details are very limited. No additional information was immediately released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A motorist died following a two-vehicle crash along Interstate 40 East in Wilson County Wednesday evening. At 6:37 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Mt. Juliet Police Department (MJPD) posted to X that the 226-B and 226-C exit ramps were blocked and would be for one hour due to a Serious Injury Crash. Then, at 7:47 p.m., authorities reported the exit ramp was back open. Our prayers are with the involved motorist and their loved ones, the MJPD added in the post. THP is handling the crash investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen cyclist killed in Spring Hill crash involving a bus, according to police According to Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), a 2017 Mercedes GL was traveling east on I-40 when it tried to exit at mile marker 226. The Mercedes reportedly sideswiped a 2023 Kia SPT, continued down an embankment, and hit the large exit sign. Officials said the driver of the Mercedes, identified as 62-year-old Michelle C. Johnson of Tennessee, was wearing a seatbelt but was killed in the collision. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old driver and the 28-year-old passenger in the Kia which pulled over on the shoulder after being hit by the Mercedes were not injured, THP said. They were also wearing their seatbelts. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Authorities said no charges are pending in connection with Wednesdays deadly incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A driver was killed and his passenger injured in a fiery crash into a light pole in Redondo Beach late Wednesday night. Emergency crews responded to reports of a solo-vehicle crash at Palos Verdes Boulevard and South Catalina Avenue shortly after 11:15 p.m., the City of Redondo Beach stated in a news release. Firefighters found the vehicle was engulfed in flames after the driver somehow lost control and hit a light pole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators learned the vehicles two occupants at the time of the crash were a man who was driving and a woman in the passenger seat. First responders douse a fire at the scene of a deadly crash in Redondo Beach on Nov. 20, 2024. (OnScene.TV) The unidentified driver was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the news release. No further details about the death were provided but freelance media firm OnScene.TV was at the scene and reported that the driver had been ejected from the vehicle and decapitated. The woman who was in the passenger seat sustained only minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash. There was no word on whether drugs or alcohol were factors or if the vehicle had been speeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Nov. 20Austin High School band director Christoph Dundas was in the middle of class on Wednesday afternoon, when his three children came running into the room, unannounced, with a very special surprise. Their dad was this year's Austin Public Schools Teacher of the Year. "Very surprising," Dundas said with a smile. "I wasn't expecting this at all. It's a big honor and I'm glad I can make a difference for students." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When they came in and ran up and said they knew about this all day and kept it a secret they did a great job," he added, referring to his children. Colleagues and APS administrators were also part of the Dundas family celebration as his students in the class he was teaching applauded the recognition. For Dundas, having that kind of support from students is a big reason he teaches. "Teaching for me is an opportunity maybe to connect with a student that maybe nobody else has connected with that day and that week," Dundas said. "Make sure students know that there are people that care about what happens with them and what they're doing in life on a day to day basis." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heather Ruzek, chair of the Teacher of the Year Committee and recipient of this same award in 2022, said that Dundas embodies the kind of teacher that works in the APS school system. One that cares about what's best for the student. "We just want to recognize that he understands what our district needs making connections with students and putting students and community No. 1," Ruzek said. "He knew it was making connections with these students and using the music as a great vehicle to connect with them." Dundas, who was one of 29 nominees for this year's award in Austin, will now have the chance to vie for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year award, which is announced in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nominees for the state award must go through a portfolio process and be selected to move forward. Over the more than 20-year life of the program, Austin has had two nominees make it to the semifinalist stage and one make it to the final 10. And while the award is nice, Dundas said it's just as much about his fellow teachers in the district. "I think we have a great teaching staff here in Austin," Dundas said. "A lot of students that really are impacted by their teachers and a lot of teachers that care about students in the schools and the district." "I don't think about it for myself," he continued. "It's just the teaching staff we have here in Austin and the difference we can make in a student's life." AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -The Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp's trip to Israel has been postponed, the ministry said on Thursday, confirming an earlier report by Dutch News Agency ANP. "Under the current circumstances it has been decided not to go to Israel now", it said in a statement, adding that this was decided in consultation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Earlier on Thursday, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants to, among others, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence minister Yoav Gallant, which the Netherlands has said it would comply with if they came to the country. (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Toby Sterling, Editing by Alexandra Hudson) A man in unincorporated Dyer is in jail on preliminary charges after law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and found more than two dozen animals in need of care. The 28-year-old man is currently in the Lake County Jail on preliminary charges, according to the Lake County Sheriffs Department. The Post-Tribune isnt naming him as the case hasnt been filed in the county court docket yet. Officers from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Lake County Sheriffs Department executed the search warrant Wednesday morning for suspected illegal hunting in the 8500 block of Sheffield Avenue, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they arrived, a number of animals were in distress, including 23 dogs, 5 cats, 3 Eastern box turtles which are considered endangered species, and 1 snapping turtle. Officers took them into custody and took them to Lake County Animal Control, the Hobart Humane Society and Humane Indiana in Munster for care, police said. Law enforcement also found at least 29 deer skulls, and a bobcat tail, according to the DNR. The DNR said the man faces preliminary charges, including 31 counts of illegal possession and taking of whitetail deer, 23 counts of neglect of animals, 3 counts of removing Eastern Box Turtles from the wild, and one count each of possession of an undersized snapping turtle, failure to purchase a hunting license, illegal possession of bobcat (tail), hunting deer with the aid of bait, false informing, and hindering a Conservation Officer, according to the DNR release. The investigation is ongoing. Barry Fagin is Senior Fellow at the Independence Institute in Denver. His views are his alone. He is a two-time Fulbright Scholar to the Russian Federation, and has traveled extensively in Ukraine. Most importantly, he is the father of two children. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Grand Rapids businesses are celebrating after an Eastown construction project has come to an end. In June, Eastowns Robinson Road was closed from Lake Drive to Woodmere Avenue for work that included installing a new water main and replacing lead water lines. From Woodmere Avenue to Plymouth Avenue, there was also work that included feature milling and resurfacing. The projects $3.5 million price tag was shared by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids. City officials encouraged the community to support local businesses, including Matchbox Diner, Argos Comics and Books and Fruition, through the closure. Still, Pursuit of Happiness, a champagne bar in the Kingsley Building at 1426 Robinson Road near Lake Drive, saw about half its normal traffic, owner Wendy Wassink said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Road construction project in Eastown starts Monday On Thursday at 3:30 p.m., Pursuit of Happiness is hosting a champagne toast and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the end of the construction project. Pursuit of Happiness in Grand Rapids. (Nov. 21, 2024) We are so excited, Wassink told News 8 Thursday morning. We have survived a nearly five-month road closure that was very expansive. It stretched a long way and it was quite the project. At times we werent sure if we were going to make it, but were through the finish line. The road is open, its been open for a couple weeks, so we are celebrating with a reopening ribbon-cutting and a champagne toast today. Pursuit of Happiness first opened in Eastown about a year and a half ago. Its focus is on champagne, but it also serves up sparkling cocktails, nonalcoholic cocktails and small plates. For those who arent a fan of bubbles, theres also a full menu of beer and wine and hard alcohol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors help out during Cesar E. Chavez Ave. construction But at its heart is its own brand of American Bubbly. I could just see a trend in the marketplace that there was a need for a lighter, brighter alcohol brand, Wassink, whose background is in product development, said. I trademarked the name Pursuit of Happiness over seven years ago, and its been that long of a journey bringing the product to life. Pursuit of Happiness in Grand Rapids. (Nov. 21, 2024) While weathering the road construction project was a challenge, she said her team got a lot of support from the community. Regulars made a conscious effort to stop in and other small businesses owners who knew the road closure would have an impact came by to show their support. Her employees stuck with the business through the construction project, Wassink said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They all stuck around through this road closure and (the communitys support) meant even more to them because theyre here day to day, she said. They have regulars that were coming in and just like sharing hugs and being like, How is it?' Pursuit of Happiness in Grand Rapids. (Nov. 21, 2024) Fulton/Division intersection reopens after months of construction Road construction is a necessary inconvenience, especially in Michigan. Businesses around Grand Rapids have struggled through closures this year, as projects included stretches along Cesar E. Chavez, South Division Avenue and the Fulton Street and Division Avenue intersection. Spots like Second Vibess on South Division and M&M Bakery on Cesar E. Chavez previously told News 8 the projects reduced the amount of customers walking through their doors, with M&M Bakery owner Ivette Reyes reporting an 80 to 90% decrease in costumers. More projects are planned for next year, including a $10 million reconstruction on Division Avenue between Fulton and Michigan Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wassink said its important for impacted business owners to hold on to their passion to get through those types of hardships and to rely on the community and other small business owners for support. Pursuit of Happiness in Grand Rapids. (Nov. 21, 2024) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside WOODTV.com: Building West Michigan You have your moments we all do where Im like, Why am I doing this again? And when you have people that are going out of their way to cheer you on, it just means everything, she said. At times the passion was probably just fueled during this road construction by fear of failure. It started as love. But when you have something I think just the commitment to see it through fuels you and when youre in it, youre just in it every day and ready to roll up your sleeves and tackle it. Her plea to the community is to watch out for small businesses that may be affected by construction projects and to support them, whether thats by stopping in, writing a post about it on social media or sharing the business news. Without (small businesses), the community isnt super interesting. Thats where a lot of the personality comes in. Most of the money stays in the community. Were all from the community, she said. I just would ask people to be conscious of supporting businesses like ours and our neighbors that have come through it, and also being conscious of when construction starts again, thinking of your favorite places that might need just a little boost from you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) Today at the Odessa Mariott hotel, Southwest Bank and Ray Perryman of the Perryman Group hosted an economic forecast conference for locals. Perryman has been on tour around Texas discussing the topic of how the future economics of Texas will look in the future. Local group provides solution to West Odessa residents without water What were going to see is continued use of oil and gas, said Perryman. In fact, I see increased oil and gas in the future but also moving into wind and solar and other types of energy where the region is also emerging as a leader right now. And so, I think youre going to see energy be a big part of the future of this region for a long time become and with that become substantial economic growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were many attendants at the economic conference to hear what Perryman had to say. One of those included State Representative Brooks Landgraf. He believes that these conferences are important to have so that those in the community can understand the landscape of local economics. These are a great service provided to the community, said Landgraf. I know I look forward to them every year. Its so important for us in the Permian Basin to understand what were looking at six, 12 months down the line and Dr. Perryman always has great insights. Perryman tells us that because of the amount of oil and gas that comes from west Texas. He sees the Permian basin playing a vital role in geo-politics, putting the Permian Basin on the world map. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. When "Sex and the City" debuted in 1998, the series captured public fascination for more reasons than what its title might imply. It wasn't just that the show's central foursome were women having lots of sex; they were women over 30 having lots of sex, and they were single. A "mid-30ish crowd of bed-hopping, hedonistic female night crawlers," a Los Angeles Times critic pointedly wrote. Their singlehood painted a picture of a titillating, and even threatening, new woman. Through the '90s and '00s, American women "pioneered an entirely new kind of adulthood, one that was not kicked off by marriage, but by years and, in many cases, whole lives, lived on their own outside matrimony," the journalist Rebecca Traister wrote in her 2016 book, "All the Single Ladies." Now, unmarried women are no longer part of an edgy cultural vanguard they're the official status quo. As of 2021, a record 52% of American women were either unmarried or separated, according to a report by Wells Fargo Economics. Single women also have single men outnumbered: A Census Bureau analysis of 2019 data found that for every 90 unmarried men in the US, there were 100 unmarried women. While some women feel cornered into being single, citing a lackluster dating pool or the demoralizing experience of trawling apps, a growing share, call them Samantha Nation, are happy being on their own. In a 2019 survey from the Pew Research Center, only 38% of single women reported looking for dates or a relationship, compared with 61% of single men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rise of happily unmarried women has steadily shifted standards for what American adulthood looks like. But it hasn't come without a fuss from people who hold to a specific vision of the family. When JD Vance, now the vice president-elect, drew ire this summer over a years-old remark about "childless cat ladies," he doubled down on his insinuation that single women were symptomatic of Democrats' "anti-family and anti-kid" platforms; they were opting into a lifestyle that was fueling the erosion of the nuclear family, making them deviant by association. But research suggests it's misguided to pin the trend on shifting social mores. Women's newfound freedom to choose not just whom they marry, but whether they marry at all is due less to a cultural shift and more to a shifting economy. As men drop out of the workforce, American women have hit a new milestone: In August, the share of prime-age (25 to 54) women in the labor force hit a record high of 78.4%. Meanwhile, the median age of American women's first marriage has crept steadily upward, from 20.8 in 1970 to 28.3 in 2023. The shift toward the single life has been a great development for women; for men, though, things aren't as peachy. The way people feel about women's relationship patterns has a lot to do with a false cultural memory of what was normal in the past. The Rockwellian poster family of mid-20th-century Americana, with its happily married husband and stay-at-home wife raising 2.5 children in the picket-fenced suburbs, sank its hooks so deeply into the American imagination that it's easy to forget it was a historical fluke. In the immediate aftermaths of World War I and World War II, the nation saw momentary spikes in the proportion of single-income, male-breadwinner US households. The booms were over nearly as soon as they began. By 1970, 40% of the nation's married women, and more than half of its unmarried women, had jobs outside the home, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Even before 1970, it was far from unusual to see American women working for a living. The economist Claudia Goldin, who won a 2023 Nobel Memorial Prize for her work unpacking gender differences in the labor market, has noted that the gender gap in US labor-force participation steadily shrunk between 1890 and 1990. As more and more women were working for pay, deindustrialization in the '80s and '90s drove scores of men out of the labor market, shrinking the pool of those who could support a family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jess Carbino, a relationships researcher who formerly worked as a sociologist for Tinder and Bumble, told me that many people ascribed to a model of the family popularized by the economist Gary Becker in the early '80s, which said that single people were looking for partners whose market strengths complemented their own. By applying economic theory to the prevailing cultural ideas of the time, he concluded that because men were good at earning money and women were good at having babies and raising them, it's only logical that the two should join forces in the household. The problem with that arrangement (besides its blatant sexism) is that men today are losing their economic footing. "We're seeing men's labor-force participation rates really plummet, since the 1990s especially," said Elizabeth Crofoot, a senior economist and principal researcher at the labor-market-analytics firm Lightcast. "That gives women greater impetus to actually work on their careers and put in more time and effort to make themselves financially stable and not have to rely on someone else." Of course, women's relative workforce gains have not translated into equal earning power; on average, US women still earn $0.84 per every $1 earned by men, according to the Census Bureau. However, a 2021 Pew survey found women were outpacing men in educational attainment. And a Pew analysis of government data found that in 2019, women began outnumbering men in the college-educated labor force. There's evidence that these shifts are fueling the move away from marriage. In a 2023 survey from the American Enterprise Institute's Survey Center on American Life, almost three-quarters of single, college-educated women cited "not being able to find someone who meets their expectations" as a reason they were romantically unattached. Only 54% of single women with no college degree said the same. Against this backdrop, it makes sense why a growing share of Americans are single simply because they enjoy being single. Carmindy Bowyer is one of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm very independent," Bowyer, a makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur in New York City, said. "I don't want to live with somebody. I don't want to have children. People out there don't realize that they have a choice." Bowyer, who is 53, didn't always feel this way. While she always knew she would never have children, she caved to social pressure to marry in her 30s. Even her parents who were happily married for over 50 years questioned whether she was cut out for married life. "We were walking down the aisle, and my dad was like, 'You can always get divorced.' And I was like, 'Thanks,'" she recalled. "Sure enough, marriage didn't work out for me. And I was happy about it." Bowyer said she realized that she felt truer to herself when she was making day-to-day decisions about how to live her life entirely on her own terms. She just needed to give herself permission to do it. If you are a man, you should probably get married; if you are a woman, don't bother. For other women, the dating market has become a major turnoff. "Single women that I work with can feel very compromised by the whole process of trying to find a partner," said Stephanie Manes, a licensed psychotherapist who works with individuals and couples in New York City. "It can mean being treated in ways that are totally at odds with how these women see themselves as smart, self-sufficient, empowered grown-ups. It can require them to lower their standards in pretty fundamental ways and force them to suffer through some really bad behavior." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cultural attitudes have been slow to catch up to the not-so-new normal of singlehood. Traister's book quotes a passage from 1997 in which the writer Katie Roiphe, then 28, described her cohort of unmarried 20-something professionals as evidence of Americans' widespread failure to achieve adulthood on schedule. And being single today still generates some social stigma. A 2020 analysis published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that prejudice toward singles was viewed as more acceptable than prejudice toward other groups. For women, however, the societal sense that they should be married has slowly but surely waned. In Pew's 2019 survey, just 35% of single women said they felt pressure from society to be in a relationship a slightly larger share of single men said they felt the same. Singledom also appears far more beneficial for women than men on average: Numerous studies have found that single women tend to be happier and healthier and live longer than married ones, while unmarried men have been found to experience markedly higher rates of depression, addiction, and loneliness than those with spouses. "If you are a man, you should probably get married; if you are a woman, don't bother," the author and behavioral scientist Paul Dolan quipped in a 2019 interview. There are many hypotheses on why single men fare so much worse. Theories put forward by economists such as Richard Reeves and Nicholas Eberstadt suggest that male gender roles have been slow to catch up to labor-market realities, perhaps at the expense of many men's ability to thrive in the soft-skills-based 21st-century knowledge economy. Others theorize that men's loneliness starts in childhood and stems from societal pressure to keep their feelings hidden. While there are likely many factors at play, a common thread lies in the asocial and infantilizing mores of a patriarchal society that, in some crucial respects, may harm men even more than women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women, meanwhile, are finding joy and purpose in discovering new ways of living outside the nuclear-family norm. Platonic coparenting and cohousing arrangements between friends and the return of the multigenerational family home are just two recent examples of the changing face of the American household. "In my book, I make the case that people who are single at heart are happy and flourishing because they are single, not in spite of it," Bella DePaulo, a social psychologist and the author of the 2023 book "Single at Heart," said. She has said that even within the past decade, there has been traction in what some call "a singles positivity movement." Now 71 (and still single), DePaulo said that current attitudes toward single professionals, in particular, are a far cry from her experience as a single 30-something woman in the workplace. "Single people are still stereotyped, for sure, but now there is a greater awareness that some single people choose to be single and are happily single," she said. Bowyer believes that social media plays a significant role in moving the needle. When she recently posted on TikTok about enjoying being single and child-free, the video attracted more than 4 million views and a flurry of positive feedback. It's a radical departure from the cultural feedback she and her Gen X peers received as young adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're so much more open and compassionate now a more elevated society in some ways," Bowyer said. "You can find your tribe and be inspired by people that came before you." Kelli Maria Korducki is a journalist whose work focuses on work, tech, and culture. She's based in New York City. Read the original article on Business Insider GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) One program in Eastern N.C. aims to provide better access to specialized care for older adults in the Greenville community. North Carolinas older adult population is comprised of people 65 and older and its the fastest growing part of the population in the state. East Carolina Universitys geriatric workforce is improving the health care, including through family caregivers of people who are aging and people who are living with dementia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program provides services East of Interstate-95 from Virginia to South Carolina. The College of Nursing is also expanding thanks to a $3 million grant from the state. Click the above video to see more. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. ST. PAUL, MN An Eden Prairie man was sentenced last week to 87 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for fraudulently applying for more than $2.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds and then spending those proceeds on himself, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. Following a ten-day trial in August, Harold Bennie Kaeding, 75, was convicted by a federal jury on three counts of wire fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of money laundering. Between March and May 2020, Kaeding applied for more than $2 million in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaeding used the name of his own close family members to submit the loan applications in the names of six different purported corporate entities, authorities said. However, these entities were either defunct or not even in existence when the pandemic began, trial evidence showed, according to investigators. None of the businesses had filed tax returns or reported the payment of wages to a single employee for calendar years 2019 and 2020, prosecutors said. Kaeding instead fabricated tax documents, manufactured bank statements, and submitted other records to ensure the applications appeared legitimate, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The false statements to lenders include the fake number of employees a given entity employed, the amount of average monthly payroll expenses, and false statements about the intended use of the loan proceeds. As a result of the fraudulent documents, Kaeding received $1,642,670 in relief funds. But banks detected irregularities and clawed back some of the money. This left Kaeding with $658,490 in fraud proceeds, which he transferred to bank accounts opened in the names of close family members that he controlled. Kaeding used the money to get his personal residence out of impending foreclosure, purchase an SUV, and stockpile more than $80,000 in cash, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early 2021, Kaeding fled to Colombia after learning he was under investigation. Law enforcement eventually located Kaeding and successfully deported him back to the United States to face prosecution. Eden Prairie Man Fled To Columbia After COVID Loan Fraud: Feds originally appeared on the Eden Prairie Patch EDWARDS, Miss. (WJTV) A boil water notice has been issued for the Town of Edwards. The notice affects all customers who receive their water from the water supply located in Hinds County. Court says its ending dispute over control of airport in Mississippis capital city According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), the notice was issued due to the result of equipment failure. Health officials strongly recommend that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents will be notified immediately when the advisory is lifted. For more information, customers may contact their water system at 601-852-5461. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. (NewsNation) A migrant woman with a history of mental illness spent a month in solitary confinement at a Florida detention center and experienced abuse and neglect, a civil rights complaint filed last week alleges. The woman, named only as Ana, suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression, yet her intake forms at the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny, Florida, categorized her as having no major mental illness such as . . . major depressive (disorder), the ACLU of Florida said in the complaint, co-filed with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization. Still, she was placed in isolation in a filthy and dark cell without a mattress, according to the complaint, which was submitted to the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps border crackdown: Law enforcement preps for changes Ana, a 33-year-old domestic violence and human trafficking survivor from an unspecified Spanish-speaking country, arrived at Baker in May 2023 under U.S. Immigrations and Enforcement custody. Her intake forms incorrectly identify English as her spoken language, the complaint says. The language barrier and lack of translation services exacerbated her abusive experience in the detention center. The jail operates in part as an immigration detention facility and has faced multiple civil rights suits since 2022. This year, a Baker officer was convicted of sexual battery on an inmate and sentenced to 25 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anas experiences at Baker illustrate many of the most egregious patterns of abuse at the facility, including sexual abuse in the form of voyeurism, abuse of solitary confinement, the complaint says, the improper use of force and restraints, denial of mental health care, denial of access to counsel, failure to provide language access services and incomplete and falsified records. Illegal crossings down 70% along US-Mexico border A Florida lawmaker wants the facility shut down. What I saw was horrible. I saw conditions that no human should have to live in, said Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., in an Instagram video call with the ACLU of Florida on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frost said he visited the ICE facility before. We are talking about the medical unit. The problem here too is a lot of that medical unit is being used to house people, or being used as a solitary confinement, Frost said. Do whats right shut down this facility. Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden praised the facilitys staff in a Facebook post Monday from the Baker County Sheriffs Office page, saying, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated Detention staff. They do an outstanding job, and I am incredibly proud of their unwavering commitment to the citizens of Baker County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Nearly eight weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged areas of western North Carolina, drinkable water is once again flowing from the taps in Asheville. Flooding crippled the citys water treatment plant, causing high turbidity in the reservoir. However, crews have made repairs and cleared the reservoir of heavy sediment, with samples taken Sunday showing the water is safe for consumption. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] At the Itto Ramen restaurant in downtown Asheville, employee Alexis Dossett filled glasses with tap water and ice from the bar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been funny to see everybodys reaction to bringing out a glass of cold iced water, she told Channel 2s Bryan Mims. Its almost like we forgot what thats like. Its like a luxury now. The restaurant paid to have drinkable water trucked in and stored in a 500-gallon tank. A few doors down, at The Noodle Shop, that was an expense the small restaurant could ill afford. So for all these weeks after the storm, it stayed closed. But with drinkable water back on tap, the restaurant will reopen Friday. Me and my husband popped a bottle of champagne, Taylor Loftin, a server at the restaurant said. Shes one of only a few employees returning. Weve definitely had over half of our staff move away, either back home with their families or just out of town where they were able to get more work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The return of drinkable water is also cause for celebration at the citys hotels. At the Kimpton Hotel Arras in downtown, less than half of the rooms are booked. The hotel has also relied on tanks of drinkable water to stay in operation. Its a huge deal, Jamie Tudico, spokeswoman for McKibbon Hospitality said. It was a big celebration when we all found out that were getting (water) on Monday. I mean, everybody was just texting each other and being so excited. Its gonna make operations so much easier. She hopes with drinkable water available from the faucet, people will be encouraged to visit Asheville and fill the hotels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can operate our dishwashers and we can produce ice again, she said. So things we have taken for granted in the past, were so thrilled to be able to offer again. The foot traffic is slowly returning to downtown Asheville, but two miles south in Biltmore Village, businesses are months away from reopening. The high-end shopping and dining district was devastated by the raging Swannanoa River. We were flooded up through the entire first floor of the building, Matthew Lehman, general manager of the Grand Bohemian Hotel said. So the recovery work is substantial, but were working quickly and hope to be open in the spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He expects to be checking guests in again by April or May. We have all sorts of great tradesmen here working on electrical and plumbing systems, rewiring and fixing, and getting ready to make us open better than ever, he said. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] (ALAMOSA, Colo.) Four Alamosa Elementary School students were injured during a crash involving a school bus. On Thursday, Nov. 21 at around 7:39 a.m., the Alamosa Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash involving a black Ford Edge and a school bus at West Avenue and 8th Street near Sunset Park in Alamosa. According to police, the school bus was carrying 14 students to Alamosa Elementary when the bus crashed into the SUV. Witnesses told police that the school bus failed to yield the right of way when it turned in front of the Ford Edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the crash, the intersection was closed and reopened at 8:24 a.m. Four students and the driver of the Ford Edge were treated for minor injuries. The bus driver, 69-year-old Dennis Pacheco, was cited for careless driving causing 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 FOX21 News Colorado. SYDNEY (Reuters) - U.S. billionaire Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X, has criticised Australia's proposed law to ban social media for children under 16 and fine social media platforms of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for companies for systemic breaches. Australia's centre-left government on Thursday introduced the bill in parliament. It plans to try an age-verification system to enforce a social media age cut-off, some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date. "Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians," Musk, who views himself as a champion of free speech, said in a reply late on Thursday to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's post on X about the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent with no exemption for parental consent and pre-existing accounts. France last year proposed a ban on social media for those under 15 but allowed parental consent, while the U.S. has for decades required technology companies to seek parental consent to access the data of children under 13. Musk has previously clashed with Australia's centre-left Labor government over its social media policies and had called it "fascists" over its misinformation law. In April, X went to an Australian court to challenge a cyber regulator's order for the removal of some posts about the stabbing of a bishop in Sydney, prompting Albanese to call Musk an "arrogant billionaire". ($1 = 1.5359 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by David Gregorio) George Brauchler is district attorney-elect for the 23rd Judicial District and former district attorney for the 18th Judicial District. He has served as an Owens Early Criminal Justice Fellow at the Common Sense Institute. Follow him on Twitter(X): @GeorgeBrauchler WASHINGTON Tech entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy outlined a plan Wednesday for President-elect Donald Trump to oversee a massive reduction in the federal workforce, arguing the employees won't be needed after Trump eliminates "thousands of regulations" in his next administration. Musk and Ramaswamy, who Trump last week named co-heads of a new Department of Government Efficiency, singled out in a Wall Street Journal op-ed federal employees "who view themselves as immune from firing thanks to civil-service protections." The duo pointed to recent Supreme Court decisions to argue the incoming president has the executive power to nullify many regulations unilaterally without Congress, pursue "large-scale firings" of federal workers and relocate some agencies outside of Washington. They said "a drastic reduction in federal regulations" would require vastly fewer federal employees. "DOGE intends to work with embedded appointees in agencies to identify the minimum number of employees required at an agency for it to perform its constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated functions," their op-ed reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk and Ramaswamy, two loyal Trump allies, were tapped to lead the effort to "dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies." Although dubbed a department, the Musk/Ramaswamy-led effort is effectively an outside advisory commission not a formal agency with no legal authority. The incoming Trump administration is expected to revive a plan to convert some employees to "Schedule F," status which strips them of job protections, among other efforts to cut the workforce. Elon Musk speaks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket on November 19, 2024 in Brownsville, Texas. Musk and Ramaswamy said the number of federal employees to cut "should be at least proportionate" to the number of regulations that are eliminated. "Not only are fewer employees required to enforce fewer regulations, but the agency would produce fewer regulations once its scope of authority is properly limited," they said. They did not specify how many workers could be downsized, or which agencies would be targeted, if their plan is carried out. They said "employees whose positions are eliminated deserve to be treated with respect, and DOGEs goal is to help support their transition into the private sector," without providing specifics on how such a transition would work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Trump taps Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy to lead new 'Department of Government Efficiency' Trump would be able to use existing laws to give targeted federal workers incentives for early retirement and provide voluntary severance payments "to facilitate a graceful exit," they added. Musk, the richest man in the world, has quickly turned into a leading voice in Trump's orbit. The president-elect joined Musk in Brownsville, Texas, on Tuesday for the launch of Musk's SpaceX Starship. In the WSJ op-ed, Musk and Ramaswamy cited the Supreme Court's 2022 West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency and 2024 Loper Bright v. Raimondo decisions to argue "a plethora of current federal regulations exceed the authority Congress has granted under the law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their group plans to install legal experts within federal agencies to review regulations before presenting a list of rules for Trump to consider halting through executive action and initiating a process for review and rescission. Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Presidential Candidate, speaks to a crowd at the Post-General Impact Ohio By Ohio Chamber of Commerce event at COSI on Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Musk and Ramaswamy acknowledged "conventional wisdom" might suggests civil-service protections prevent the president from firing federal workers. But they argued Trump has the broad power under the Supreme Court's 2021 Collins v. Yellen decision to pursue "reductions in force" that don't target specific employees. They also floated the possibility of requiring these workers to return to in-person work five days a week, predicting it "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 said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats and other Trump opponents have criticized the DOGE undertaking, arguing Trump and his allies aim to end government protections in a host of critical areas, from education to the environment to entitlement programs. They've also jabbed Trump for bringing in two individuals to fill the job of one, though Musk and Ramaswamy have said they won't take salaries for their positions. "We are entrepreneurs, not politicians," they wrote in the op-ed. "We will serve as outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees. Unlike government commissions or advisory committees, we wont just write reports or cut ribbons. Well cut costs." Contributing: Reuters Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Musk, Ramaswamy float 'large-scale firings' for federal workforce Elon Musks Montessori-style private preschool was given the green light last week to open in Bastrop, according to records obtained by Fortune through the Freedom of Information Act. With the permit, Musks school, Ad Astra, can begin teaching students 3 to 9 years old, focusing on a STEM-based curriculum. Ad Astra is the first in a series of schools Musk hopes to open, including several K-12 schools and a university in Texas. The Ad Astra website posted in August that it was accepting applications for the 2024-25 school year with the intention to open this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bastrop has become home to several of Musks companies since he decided to leave California. Musks SpaceX, Tesla, Boring Co. and Neuralink have some facilities in Bastrop. Musk has also signaled his intentions to relocate X, formerly known as Twitter, which he bought for $44 billion in 2022, to the town. According to Fortune, Ad Astra passed inspection earlier this month and is not considered a licensed childcare program by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The school can now enroll about two dozen children but will start with 16. Ad Astra will reportedly be run by CEO of Xplor Education Greg Marick, according to Fortunes reporting. Xplor Education partners with companies to provide early childhood education to its employees. The Xplor Education website currently lists job openings for assistant teachers in Bastrop. According to information from the school's website, its mission is to foster curiosity, creativity and critical thinking. The schools Montessori-style approach means the curriculum will likely focus on hands-on and project-based learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk previously opened a school designed for his own children and those of SpaceX employees in 2014. The school spun into a remote-only independent school in 2020 after Musks children graduated. It is unclear whether the youngest of Musks children will attend the school. Musk recently bought a compound in Austin to house X of his children along with three of their mothers. The Musk Foundation put aside about $100 million through another non-profit called the X Foundation to build the primary and secondary schools with later intents to open a university, according to the foundations non-profit filings. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Elon Musk's private preschool Ad Astra approved to open in Texas Silvery minnows are placed in an oxygenated tank for transport upstream after being rescued in the San Acacia reach in June 2022. Fish who are rescued from pools have a much lower survival rate that fish pulled from running water. (Photo by Diana Cervantes for Source NM) A big fight over a small, endangered fish that lives in the Rio Grande has come to a resolution, as a federal judge in New Mexico OKd a settlement Tuesday proposed by the parties. U.S. District of New Mexico Magistrate Judge Gregory Fouratt approved an agreement between WildEarth Guardians, an environmental and conservation nonprofit based in Santa Fe, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a middle Rio Grande irrigation district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deal ends a 2022 lawsuit brought by WildEarth Guardians alleging the federal government mismanaged the Rio Grande and promoted unsustainable water uses, which violated provisions of the Endangered Species Act to restore habitats for the silvery minnow and two other species. The dual strains of climate change and human diversions for irrigation are contributing to the Rio Grande drying more frequently, especially the crucial stretch of river between Cochiti Dam and Elephant Butte, where silvery minnow live. The 4-inch long minnow is unlike most freshwater fish. Silvery minnow directly spawn into the water in the spring, and the fertilized eggs slip downstream, a method more common to marine fish. When the river was slower and shallower, the minnow was prolific along Rio Grande from Espanola to Gulf of Mexico. Federal and local irrigation projects straightened the river, making it deeper and faster, and built dams that prevented fish from moving freely in the river. Now, the short-lived fish is limited to one reach,which dries almost completely each year. After years of population decline, the fish was named an endangered species in 1994. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minnow holds an important role as an indicator of the Rio Grandes health, said Daniel Timmons, the wild rivers program director for Wild Earth Guardians. The Rio Grande through Albuquerque used to support sturgeon and catfish that were 200 pounds. And today, the river is barely able to support a 4-inch minnow, he said. If its not able to support a minnow, its not able to support the entire web of life. The settlement makes some immediate changes, such as outlining specific provisions of the the Middle Rio Grande Water Conservancy District to fallow 2,500-3,500 acres farmland for the next four years or offer imported Colorado River water to keep in the riverbed. Other provisions, such as the agreement to start the process for new federal conservation measures called a Biological Opinion will take four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be driving the bus to produce a new Biological Opinion; there will be more opportunities for public comment as part of the agreement. Thats unusual, he said, adding that Biological Opinions are often made behind closed doors. Im hopeful the agencies will be more transparent throughout the process and will be engaging the public to make sure its more of a participatory process than it has been in the past, Timmons said. The federal government also agreed to pay $41,000 for WildEarth Guardians legal fees. Currently, federal wildlife officials are going to continue using conservation measures from the 2016 Biological Opinion in the interim, said Debra Hill, a supervisory biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rio Grande Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the goals is to make the 87 conservation measures from the 2016 opinion less vague and more focused, she said. The settlement shows that government agencies will have to work together to address creative solutions as the Rio Grande is expected to shrink further from climate change, she said. We are really going to have to figure out how to work with what is limited, and so its going to take working together as much as we can, Hill said. Hill called the minnow a canary in a coal mine, for life on the river. If were starting to see that a fish doesnt have what it needs to survive in the Middle Rio Grande, we need to, as a society, realize that water is the same water that we rely on, Hill said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Tom Mullikin. (Provided/SC Department of Natural Resources) COLUMBIA The board overseeing the states natural resources department has chosen an environmental attorney, research professor and retired military officer to lead the agency. Tom Mullikin is expected to take over from current director Robert Boyles, who is retiring in February after five years overseeing the agency in charge of hunting, fishing, boating and conservation efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He received unanimous approval Thursday from the agencys seven-member governing board. However, Mullikin still needs to be confirmed by the Senate. Tom Mullikin will lead our world-class staff to the next level as South Carolina continues to rise as a global leader in natural resources stewardship, Boyles said in a Thursday news release. I look forward to working together with him to ensure a successful transition. Mullikin works as a research professor for both Coastal Carolina University and the University of South Carolinas hospitality and tourism school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, Gov. Henry McMaster chose him to oversee a commission tasked with coming up with solutions to flooding, especially in cities along the coast and rivers. His extensive background in environmental law and policy will allow him to bring invaluable expertise to DNR, McMaster said in the Thursday news release. He has my full support. Mullikin has also publicly questioned international climate agreements and their impact on the economy, and he lobbied in Congress against a 2009 bill that would have reduced the countrys greenhouse gas emissions, The Post and Courier reported after his appointment to the flood commission. Mullikin led the State Guard, South Carolinas volunteer militia that aids in emergency response, from 2014 to 2018, after retiring as a legal officer for the U.S. Army Reserve. Hes an avid outdoorsman who has completed scuba dives in every ocean and climbed mountains on every continent, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He leads an annual 30-day trek across South Carolina for SC7, a partnership between two nonprofits that encourages people to get outside and appreciate their environment. Outside of his environmental work, his Camden law firm led an unsuccessful bid to rename the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling that outlawed school segregation after the earlier-filed Briggs v. Elliot case originating in Clarendon County. (Brown v. Board came from the Kansas lawsuit that was among five combined before the nations high court.) I am honored to be selected for appointment as director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and look forward to working with the amazing staff to continue and advance the important work of SCDNR, Mullikin said in the news release. Boyles salary is $187,000. (WJET/WFXP) A local organization is sharing their love for the community by giving out free Thanksgiving meals next week. The Erie City Mission (ECM) is handing out 1,000 boxes of love to community members starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 25, at their main campus located at 1017 French St. Boxes will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis until there are none left. Only one box will be given per person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will also be beverages and breakfast sandwiches served to those who attend. Thanksgiving is about family, and a lot of people who come to the mission, they dont have that. They dont have a place to call home, they dont have a family to gather with when we are all sitting at home at our dinners with their families, so the mission has become home for a lot of guests that we serve, said Erin Layden, Erie City Mission. If you have any questions, call 814-452-4421 or head to Erie City Missions website. And if you would like to contribute to ECMs goal, you can donate these items to their campus: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Financial donations to cover the cost of turkeys Coats Hats Gloves Hand and boot warmers Additionally, the mission will also hold a public lunch to give out Thanksgiving dinners on Wednesday, Nov. 27, to residents who stop by. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE (Nov. 21): A teenager who was last seen over the weekend has been found, according to officials with the Escambia County Sheriffs Office. The ECSO updated their Facebook post, saying, Haili Marie Hoedl has been safely located! ORIGINAL STORY: ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) Authorities in Northwest Florida are asking for help finding a teenager who was last seen over the weekend. Vibrant, colorful skies across the Gulf Coast heres what caused it Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Escambia County Sheriffs Office is searching for 15-year-old Haili Marie Hoedl. According to the ECSO Facebook post, she was last seen on Sunday, Nov. 17, on the 4500 block of Bancroft Drive. LAST SEEN LOCATION: Hoedl was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, a black hoodie, black pants and black Converse shoes. The sheriffs office provided the following photo of Hoedl: (Escambia County Sheriffs Office) Mobile PD partners with Winn Dixie to provide Thanksgiving meals to local families Anyone with information on Hoedls whereabouts can contact the ECSO at 850-436-9620. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The U.S. House Committee on Ethics is deadlocked on whether to release its report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose nomination to serve as President-elect Donald Trumps attorney general has been plagued by controversy. Gaetz spent the day meeting with senators weighing his nomination, and those meetings are expected to continue Thursday. There was not an agreement by the committee to release the report, said Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, the public will be kept in the dark about the findings on President-elect Trumps nominee. Theres certainly information in there Id think theyd want to see, said Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.). The committee investigated a number of allegations against Gaetz, including sexual misconduct. He has denied doing anything wrong or illegal. Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville is calling on his colleagues to support Gaetz. Ive known him a long time and Im fully supportive of him, said Tuberville. Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin sent a letter to the House committee requesting the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before a president puts a name out in public, they usually have at least a preliminary cursory FBI review to see if theres something that theyve missed that may be important in consideration of the nomination, said Durbin. The committee will meet again on December 5th. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A woman who claims she had sex with Matt Gaetz when she was a minor reportedly told the House Ethics Committee that she also had two sexual encounters with him at one party in 2017, and that one had involved another woman. The woman, who was 17 years old at the time, also testified to both sexual encounters in a civil deposition as part of a related lawsuit, sources familiar with the testimony said. After weeks of skepticism from both sides of the political aisle, the former Florida congressman announced on Thursday that he would be withdrawing his name for consideration as US Attorney General, having been nominated by Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, he wrote. Gaetz has previously denied all allegations of wrongdoing. However, according to CNN, the decision came 45 minutes after it had called to ask for comment on the second alleged sexual encounter with the minor. The other woman, who was an adult at the time, has denied participating in the alleged second encounter, multiple sources familiar with her ethics testimony told the outlet. Matt Gaetz dramatically withdrew his name for consideration for Attorney General amid claims of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old, which he has repeatedly denied (REUTERS) Announcing his withdrawal, Gaetz said: There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and Im certain he will Save America. It comes after members of the Republican-led House Ethics panel voted not to release the results of their investigation into Gaetz on Wednesday, despite mounting pressure. The committee will meet again on December 5 to vote on the final report. I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 Gaetz, 42, previously faced a Justice Departments investigation into allegations he sex trafficked a minor, but this has since been closed. He faced no criminal charges. However, the claims of Gaetzs alleged sexual encounters with the 17-year-old girl surfaced during a civil lawsuit, brought by a Florida businessman and friend of Gaetzs Christopher Dorworth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dorworth filed the suit against the woman who claims she had sex with Gaetz when she was 17, and Joel Greenberg, an ally of Gaetz who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to federal sex trafficking charges involving the same woman. In the suit, Dorworth has claimed that he was defamed by both Greenberg and the woman, who both told federal authorities that he hosted parties where he and multiple people including Gaetz took drugs and openly had sex. The EU has commented on reports suggesting that Russia has used an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its recent attack on Ukraine. Source: Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European Commission, at a briefing in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda Details: Stano noted that the EU has seen reports of Russia's use of such a weapon in Ukraine and is currently assessing the complete picture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's obvious that such attacks would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of Putin. And over the last period of time, we haven't been actually lacking signs of further escalation of the conflict by Putin," he said. The spokesperson emphasised that Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure do not indicate that the Kremlin leader is looking for de-escalation. "He [Putin] is playing yet again a nuclear gamble with the recently-updated nuclear doctrine of Russia, he enlisted North Korean soldiers to come to European soil, so these are all clear signs of will to escalate, not the will to find ways towards peace," the European Commission spokesman stressed. He added that if the reports of Russia's use of an ICBM are confirmed, "that would be another quantitative and qualitative change in this approach and a clear mark of escalation". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia had used an ICBM in its latest missile attack on the city of Dnipro. Ukrainska Pravda sources suggested that the weapon in question is likely a Rubezh missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. At the same time, as media reports indicated later, the West doubts that Russia used an ICBM. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Some European Union member states want the bloc to engage more urgently with Donald Trumps transition team as they hope to stave off disruption and worsening tensions with its largest trading partner. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of member states told the EUs executive arm Thursday that it should try to chart a positive agenda with Trump aides as soon as possible, even as it prepares potential retaliatory measures if the next administration pursues the tariffs he has threatened, according to EU diplomats. EU trade ministers discussed Thursday how to prepare for the protectionist agenda that Trump has promised to deliver following his victory, including possible across-the-board tariffs between 10% and 20%. The EU is exploring whether there are some areas where cooperation with the US could be deepened, such as increased liquefied natural gas imports from the US, or a closer alignment with Washington to address Chinas distortive trade practices. But the commission is also drawing up a list of potential targets that it could hit in retaliation if Trump moves ahead with tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we see certain new trade disputes or certain measures that are addressed against the European economy or European companies, we should be ready to react in a coordinated, precise and proportionate way, said the EUs trade chief, Valdis Dombrovskis. During Thursdays closed-door discussion, there was a strong consensus about the need to remain united in addressing the challenges posed by Trump, said EU diplomats, who were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The commission is already in touch with the Trump team, within the limits foreseen by the transition on the US side, said Eric Mamer, the commissions spokesperson. Poland, which will take over the EUs rotating presidency in January, stressed the need for strong transatlantic relations, particularly when it comes to security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU needs to remain united, but it also needs to remain proactive to propose solutions to the US administration, said Polish Deputy Minister of Development and Technology Ignacy Niemczycki. --With assistance from Katharina Rosskopf. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Europe is ramping up monitoring for human cases of H5N1 avian influenza ahead of the winter flu season over fears of virus reassortment, health officials have said. New guidelines from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) aim to ensure rapid detection of cases, including updates to testing protocols and symptom criteria. We are monitoring very closely because reassortment could occur, Dr Angeliki Melidou, principal expert in respiratory viruses at the ECDC, told The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reassortmentthe mixing of genetic material between seasonal flu and animal flu-like H5N1is more likely in winter, as flu cases surge. This raises the risk of poultry and farm workers contracting both viruses and creating a new, more transmissible strain. The 2009 swine flu pandemic resulted from the same process. Europe has seen hundreds of thousands of bird flu cases in animals since 2020 - The Image Bank RF/Peter Garrard Beck According to modelling by Airfinity, a health data analytics company, the risk of H5N1 reassorting this winter will increase by five-fold compared with the summer months. While no human cases of H5N1 have been reported in Europe, more than 50 have been detected in the US this year, raising concerns the virus may be better adapted to infecting humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2020, hundreds of thousands of H5N1 cases have been reported in animals - like poultry, foxes, mink, seals, and even dolphins, across Europe, providing ample opportunities for spillover into humans. As recently as September, thousands of wild and domestic birds located on the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, and Baltic Sea have tested positive for H5N1. The ECDCs updated guidance points to symptoms seen in recent North American cases, including milder cases where the only symptoms are conjunctivitis. Weve updated our guidance to include milder symptoms in individuals exposed to birds or other animals, Dr Melidou said. The priority is to strengthen surveillance and ensure we monitor and follow up with exposed individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healthcare workers across Europe are now advised to ask patients with flu-like symptoms about recent contact with birds or other animals a shift from standard influenza protocols. The threshold for H5N1 testing has also been lowered to include individuals without known animal exposure, following cases in the US and Canada where infections occurred with no clear link to farmed animals. More than 50 people have become infected in North America - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Samples of any suspected cases should also now be sent to national influenza labs for sequencing, and any positive cases will be told to self-isolate. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the agency responsible for managing pandemic risks in Britain, has not issued any new guidance on bird flu for clinicians over the winter season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last update for medical professionals in regards to identifying avian influenzas was published in February 2024, before the US reported its first case. We cannot exclude the possibility of H5N1 triggering a human pandemic, Dr Melidou said. It has many opportunities to adapt as it expands its host range, so vigilance is crucial. The ECDC still considers the risk of a member of the general public catching H5N1 bird flu to be low. For people who work with animals, the risk is low to moderate. The risk assessment could change if epidemiologists start to see clusters of human cases in the US, which would suggest the virus is now able to spread between humans, Dr Melidou said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that if the cases in the US become more severe - almost all of the 50 confirmed cases so far have had exceedingly mild illnesses - the ECDC might reconsider their assessment. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The European Commission is developing new tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU executive arm's trade commissioner, said on Thursday. Dombrovskis said the commission is committed to keeping the pressure on Russia for invading Ukraine and welcomed requests by some EU countries "to impose tariffs on the broadest possible range of Russian and Belarusian imports." Sweden, Finland, Poland, EU countries from the Baltics, and Ireland put forward the tariffs proposal ahead of a meeting of EU trade ministers in Brussels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU trade commissioner said the tariffs may also include fertilizers, without giving further details. In October, EU leaders reaffirmed their readiness to further restrict Russia's ability to wage war through sanctions and other punitive measures. Additional tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus are mentioned as an option in their resolution. 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 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. (This story was updated with new information.) WELLINGTON Two Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies died and a third sustained critical injuries when an SUV swerved into them as they prepared to jumpstart a stalled motorcycle along Southern Boulevard. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said the SUV was trying to avoid a car that had begun to slow in front of it. The driver swerved into the grassy area where the deputies stood with the department-issued motorcycle, waiting for another deputy to bring jumper cables. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff's office did not immediately release the names of the deputies. Teri Barbera, an agency spokesperson, said the two who died had been with PBSO for 36 and 18 years. The one who was injured had been with the agency for 20. The driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries. While an investigation is still underway, Bradshaw said the driver did not appear to be impaired or speeding at the time of the crash. Sheriff @RicBradshaw will be holding a press conference today at 4 PM to provide updates on the horrific crash that took the lives of two of our Deputies and leaving another in critical condition. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw will address the community as we navigate this heartbreaking pic.twitter.com/YgcHInC8hq PBSO (@PBCountySheriff) November 21, 2024 Related: PBSO deputy injured in incident at checkpoint near Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach Where did the crash occur? The crash occurred in the 18000 block of Southern Boulevard, just west of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, near the Lion Country Safari wildlife park and about 15 miles west of Palm Beach International Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emergency crews flew the deputies to St. Marys Medical Center in West Palm Beach, the closest Level 1 trauma center. First responders blocked traffic in both directions on Southern Boulevard, the county's main east-west highway. Their investigation is expected to continue into the evening. The county school district warned parents that buses may be delayed and encouraged families to pick their children up at their schools at their normal dismissal times. Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies man a roadblock at the intersection of Southern Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road November 21, 2024 in Palm Beach County. Several PBSO deputies were involved in an accident. Two were killed and another is in serious condition. Which agency is leading the investigation into Thursday's fatal crash? The Florida Highway Patrol will lead the investigation, as often happens when officers at a law-enforcement agency are involved in a crash or shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause and manner of death. In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, the Medical Examiners Office described the incident as an ongoing criminal investigation, but law-enforcement authorities said Thursday they were not aware of any pending criminal charges against the driver. When did the crash in Loxahatchee take place? Thursday morning's fatal crash came nearly 17 years to the day that sheriff's deputies Jonathan Wallace and Donta Manuel died while trying to stop a speeding driver in The Glades. On Nov. 28, 2007, several deputies were chasing a suspected car thief on State Road 715 near the Pahokee airport when Wallace and Manuel laid down 'stop stick' tire deflation devices designed to slow or stop a motorist. They are among five deputies in PBSO's history who were struck and killed by vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff writers Julius Whigham II, Holly Baltz and Hannah Phillips contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: PSBO to hold news conference on car crash that killed 2 deputies Nearly eight and a half years after being confronted by federal authorities about his own wrongdoing, former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis took the witness stand Thursday in the corruption trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan to testify about his unprecedented turn as an FBI mole. Solis is the 34th prosecution witness and arguably the most important to be called in Madigans trial, and his long-awaited testimony is expected to last well into December. Solis, 75, worked undercover for more than two years, making a series of video and audio recordings that prosecutors allege captured Madigan, his powerful Democratic counterpart, scheming to use his official duties to squeeze developers for tax appeal business for his private law firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dressed in a dark gray suit and blue-gray tie and looking thinner than he had in his last court appearance a year ago, Solis entered U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakeys 12th Floor courtroom shortly past 4 p.m., taking the longer path to the witness stand closest to the jury box, away from Madigans seat at the defense table. While Madigan appeared to watch Solis intently, the former alderman did not look in his direction as he took his seat and adjusted the microphone. Solis began his testimony in a slightly hoarse, subdued voice, describing the bribery charge hes facing, his decision to cooperate, and his deal with prosecutors that will see the case against him dropped as long as he testifies truthfully. Asked what he was accused of, Solis said in a rehearsed tone: Trying to solicit campaign contributions from a developer that had a pending application in my Zoning Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solis, who represented the citys 25th Ward and was the head of the City Councils influential Zoning Committee, also testified last year in the corruption trial of former Ald. Edward Burke. But in that case, Solis was called by Burkes lawyers in a Hail Mary attempt to win acquittal. This time, Solis is being called as a foundation of the prosecutions case, adding import to how he comes across to the jury and also exposing him to a much more wide-ranging cross-examination over his own alleged misdeeds. In his opening statement to the jury last month, Madigan attorney Tom Breen made clear there will be no kid-glove treatment of Solis, sarcastically calling him an absolute beaut and a morally bankrupt liar with a decrepit personal and professional life. Breen also called Solis a braggart and a BS-er. He told the jury Solis was given a script by the FBI and anything he said should be treated with suspicion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the jury heard that Solis only agreed to cooperate after being confronted by the FBI with wiretaps and other evidence, including surveillance photos of him and an associate going into a massage parlor. Because he was called so late in the day Thursday, Solis was still testifying about his background and time at City Hall when the trial recessed for the week. Hell be back on the stand on Monday morning, and will likely still be on direct examination when the trial recesses Wednesday for a long Thanksgiving weekend. Show Caption1 of 33 Former Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for his trial on Nov. 19, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expand Meanwhile, the real fireworks of the day came right before Solis took the stand, when FBI Special Agent Ryan McDonald testified about the origins of the Solis investigation and how it ultimately led to the states most powerful politician in Madigan. Most of those details are well-known by now, but in cross-examining McDonald, Madigan attorney Dan Collins took the opportunity to frame Solis as grimy and unreliable even before the former alderman took the stand. Collins also brought out for the first time publicly that the FBI had been investigating Solis sister, longtime Democratic political strategist Patti Solis Doyle, around the same time the alderman came under scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the things agents were looking at, McDonald said, was a $100,000 offer from a hotel developer that Doyle, a former campaign director for Hillary Clinton, discussed with her brother. In fact, McDonald verified that agents had twice sought and won permission to wiretap Doyles phone in 2014. That was a significant decision by the FBI, right? Collins asked. You were intercepting the relative of a public official? She was working closely with a Democratic candidate for president? McDonald agreed it was significant. But on redirect by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu, McDonald confirmed the wiretap on Doyles phone was not fruitful and was discontinued after several months. He also said they never told Daniel Solis about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patti Solis Doyle has not been accused of wrongdoing. Collins also used much of his cross-examination to call into question Solis close relationship with attorney Brian Hynes, who was the first person Solis contacted after the FBI confronted him at his home. Hynes, who grew up down the block from Madigan and served the speaker in various roles, went into business with Doyle in 2010 through a venture called Vendor Assistance Program, which made millions by buying up unpaid bills from the state, then collecting the late fees. An FBI search warrant affidavit painted Hynes as intricately involved in Solis business and personal affairs, arranging a loan from a mutual friend when Solis was hard up for cash, offering early advice on a development before the alderman met with the citys planning commissioner and providing counsel when Solis daughter was entangled in a legal dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury, however, did not hear those details. Instead, McDonald confirmed under questioning by Collins that two days after Solis was confronted by the FBI, he had a two-hour-long meeting with Hynes that he did not record. Collins also pointed out Hynes was an associate of convicted ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and that Madigan and Hynes had a falling-out in the 90s, implying that Hynes had motivation to urge Solis to cooperate against the speaker and the investigation could have been tainted from the start. Hynes also has not been charged with wrongdoing. McDonald testified that Solis first got on agents radar in 2014 after See Wong, a real estate developer who was cooperating in an attempt to get leniency in a fraud case, secretly recorded a meeting between Solis and Madigan. After that, the government got permission to wiretap Solis phone, McDonald said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By June 2016, they had gathered enough potentially incriminating material wiretapped calls, photos of Solis outside a massage parlor to confront him at his home, McDonald told the jury. After consulting with an attorney, Solis agreed to cooperate and have his cellphone conversations recorded. The focus of the investigation shifted in June 2017 when Madigan called Solis asking for an introduction to a developer in Solis ward, McDonald said. Agents started instructing Solis to tempt Madigan with fake stories about developers agreeing to give Madigans private tax firm their business if Madigan and Solis would help them out legislatively, McDonald said. Solis also falsely told Madigan he would bring tax work to Madigans firm if Madigan would help get him appointed to a board seat. In his preliminary testimony late Thursday, Solis took jurors through an abbreviated journey of his life story, from his immigration to the U.S. when he was a child to his time in the Marine Corps Reserve and his work with at-risk Latino youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He met Madigan while lobbying for a school reform bill in Springfield in the late 80s, he testified, but was much closer to former Mayor Richard M. Daley, who in 1996 appointed him to fill a vacant City Council seat. From 2009 to 2019, Solis chaired the powerful Zoning Committee, which could approve or kill development projects all over the city, he said. And no ward was hotter for real estate developers at that time than the 25th, which included the South Loop, West Loop and Chinatown. They were attracting a lot of people, Solis said. I guess you could say a lot of it was gentrifying they were increasing in size. As part of his deal with the U.S. attorneys office, Solis admitted to taking campaign cash from a real estate developer in exchange for official action as Zoning Committee chair. But instead of facing jail time, Solis will see all charges against him dropped next year, leaving him with a clean criminal record. Whats more, the deal could allow Solis to keep collecting his nearly $100,000 annual city pension, which could easily bring in a sizable sum from the taxpayer-funded system over the remainder of his lifetime. When the extraordinary leniency was made official in 2022, some in City Hall, including then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot, complained it was a travesty of justice. But Bhachu, the lead prosecutor in the investigation, told the judge overseeing Solis case that his cooperation was perhaps singular even in the citys long history of political corruption. Some may view (Solis deal) as being with little precedent, but what Mr. Solis did also was with little precedent, Bhachu said then. He didnt just talk. He took action. He worked with the federal government for six years to expose corruption. Solis had already agreed to go undercover for investigators in 2016 when he traveled to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia later that summer with the hopes of getting Madigan on tape, the Tribune has previously reported. Instead, Burke walked into the picture and the investigation took an abrupt turn. In testimony in Madigans trial last month, in fact, McDonald told the jury that Madigan didnt resume as a focus until more than a year later. Burke was convicted of an array of corruption schemes last year in large part because of Solis cooperation and is now serving two years in prison. In her opening statement to the jury in Madigans case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker outlined a series of schemes involving Solis, including one where Madigan allegedly pushed the governors office to place Solis on a six-figure state board position in exchange for the aldermans help in landing legal business. She showed jurors a copy of a note on Madigans law firm stationery that signaled Solis would be interested in sitting on a state labor relations board or on the Illinois Commerce Commission. Madigans moves demonstrated how he operated in a transactional way, Streicker said. When Madigan saw an opportunity to enrich himself, he took it, she said. In another episode, Streicker said, Madigan specifically requested Solis to help connect the longtime speaker with Harry Skydell, the New York-based developer of the sprawling Old Post Office. In 2017, Madigan prepared to exploit Solis power over a proposed project called Union West in the West Loop, Streicker said. With the project being considered in the City Council where Solis oversaw zoning matters, Solis let Madigan know that the developer understood there was a quid pro quo that Madigans law firm should get the property tax business, Streicker said. Later, Madigan was recorded using whisper tones to give a false explanation to Solis and told him to steer clear of using the phrase quid pro quo, Streicker said. Breen, meanwhile, countered by playing the exchange that was captured on a shaky video recording Solis made of Madigan explaining that Solis should not use the term quid pro quo because what Madigans property tax appeals firm was offering was high-quality work. 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. He is charged alongside Michael McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy. Both men have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. A former Republican congressman has shut down claims Robert F Kennedy Jr has diversity of thought, arguing thats like saying Jeffery Dahmer had cuisine differences. Denver Riggleman, the former Virginia Rep. who ran twice with Donald Trumps backing before throwing his support behind Kamala Harris in the 2024 race, joined the mounting criticism of some of the president-elects cabinet picks in an appearance on CNN on Wednesday. Pointing to RFK Jr who was tapped by Trump to be his Health and Human Services secretary, Riggleman made a bizarre comparison to cannibal serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saying RFK Jr has diversity of thought I think is like saying Jeffrey Dahmer had cuisine differences, the Air Force veteran told host Abby Phillip on Newsnight. I mean its ridiculous, right? He added: Insanity and diversity of thought are synonyms now, thats where were at. Riggleman went on to say that Trump had learnt from his first term which saw a historic rate of turnover, losing 34 percent of staff in his first year in office. Former Virginia Rep. Denver Riggleman said claiming RFK Jr has diversity of thought is like saying Jeffrey Dahmer had cuisine differences (CNN/ Newsnight/X) Past performance is indicative of future performance. Donald Trump ran all the competent people out of his last administration. I mean weve gone from [Jim] Mattis to [Pete] Hegseth, he said of the Fox News host-turned-defense secretary nominee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So to me this isnt really a surprise, these are loyalists. According to Riggleman, Trump has grown to fear people that say hey, this is the s***e thats going on right now and theres something weve gotta do about it. RFK Jr gives remarks at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel on August 23 in Phoenix, Arizona. His nomination has raised eyebrows among some Republicans (Getty Images) Riggleman who became the Virginia chair of Republicans for Harris during the 2024 election isnt the only Republican to criticize Trumps nomination of the vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist to lead Americas largest public health body. Nikki Haley also launched into a blistering critique on her SiriusXM show Nikki Haley Live on Wednesday. Hes a liberal Democrat, environmental attorney, trial lawyer who will now be overseeing 25 percent of our federal budget and has no background in health care, she said, questioning what decisions hes going to make behind the scenes. Meanwhile, South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds told the Washington Post: Look, I believe in vaccines. I think theyve saved millions of lives. If he has a different point of view, then hell have to explain them to us. A former Orange County sheriffs sergeant was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, a lieutenant with the agency who detectives initially believed killed herself. Anthony John Shea, 49, was arrested in October just days after the death of his wife, 39-year-old Lt. Eloilda Shea. The indictment charges him with one count of first-degree murder with a firearm and one count of tampering with evidence in a capital proceeding, according to a press release Thursday from the Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office. The release says investigators determined Anthony intentionally shot and killed Eloilda in their home and subsequently attempted to alter evidence. Deputies responded to their home in east Orange County on Oct. 14 and took Eloilda to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a partially redacted report released to news outlets, Anthony told detectives he left for Publix with his children after he was asked to leave following a text message supposedly from his wife: Tony I cant do this anymore please understand its too much what you did to me I cant anymore. Take the girls for a drive give me space please. An audio recording found on Eloildas cellphone where detectives say Anthonys voice was heard caused them to think otherwise. According to investigators, the recording began just after when the text message was sent and lasted about 54 minutes, with Anthony heard leaving the home and returning 40 minutes later. At no point was Eloilda heard on the recording nor did detectives hear a gunshot, leading them to believe she was killed by her husband, who then sent himself a message from her phone just before leaving home with their children. Hed worked at the sheriffs office since October 2006. He was forced to resign for having sex while on duty, a detail not shared in the agencys press release but mentioned in the affidavit about his arrest. According to the affidavit, he told detectives: I cheated on her, theres an investigation, I quit because it was too embarrassing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eloilda had worked at the agency since 2011. In a statement, Sheriff John Mina called her a rising star. Anthony initially had a public defender appointed but has retained a private attorney from the law firm of prominent Central Florida criminal defense attorney Jose Baez, according to court filings. He waived his arraignment and pleaded not guilty. No hearing dates in the case have been set. A fierce storm system classified as a "bomb cyclone" is currently battering Northern California and the Pacific Northwest with torrential rainfall and powerful winds. As the Associated Press reports, this rapidly intensified weather system, which merged with an atmospheric river over the Pacific Ocean, is unleashing excessive rainfall and threatening flash floods through Friday. What exactly is this "bomb cyclone" hitting the West Coast? Despite its explosive name, the term describes a precise meteorological event. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explains that these systems form when cold air masses collide with warm ones over ocean waters. The key characteristic, according to Stephen Baron, a forecaster with the weather service in Gray, Maine, is a rapid drop in pressure. "If a storm decreases 24 millibars or more in 24 hours or less, it can be considered a bomb cyclone," he tells the AP. "I would say rapid intensification of hurricanes is one of the more common times we see it. We do see it with Nor'easters occasionally." Related: How an ARkstorm Could Wreak Havoc on Los Angeles Why is it hitting our coast so hard? The current system has intensified dramatically as it's encountering an atmospheric rivera long plume of moistureover the Pacific Ocean. While these powerful storms can develop anywhere between tropical and polar regions, they're particularly intense along our coast when they combine with atmospheric rivers, a weather pattern Californians have become increasingly familiar with. View the original article to see embedded media. What are we experiencing right now? The Weather Prediction Center warns residents about current conditions including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winter storms at higher elevations Severe rainfall and active flash flooding High winds along the coast Dangerous travel conditions Ongoing power outages Active damage to trees and infrastructure Have we seen storms like this before? These systems are no strangers to the US. Recent examples include: Hurricane Milton - Made landfall in Florida last month as a Category 3 hurricane 2018 Bomb Cyclone - Brought snow to the Southeast and near-hurricane-force winds 2022 System - Delivered extreme weather and bitter cold across California and beyond CIRA/NOAA Read more on the topic on Weather.com here. By Laila Bassam BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon is seeking changes to a U.S. ceasefire proposal to ensure a speedier withdrawal of Israeli troops from south Lebanon and to give both parties the right to self-defence, a senior Lebanese official said on Thursday. Lebanese officials requested the changes during meetings in Beirut this week with U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein, who is working to strike a deal in the waning months of the Biden administration to end the war between Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendments sought by Lebanon, details of which have not previously been reported, indicate Hochstein still has work to do to seal a ceasefire agreement which he said was "within our grasp" during a visit to Beirut on Tuesday. The Lebanese official told Reuters that Lebanon wanted to see Israeli troops "withdraw immediately after the ceasefire is declared so the Lebanese army can deploy in all areas" and so displaced people could return to their homes. The official added that the Israeli position was a withdrawal within 60 days of the truce being announced. A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not immediately available to respond to Reuters questions about their stance on the language of the truce deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel sent ground forces into south Lebanon on Oct. 1 as part of its stepped-up offensive against Hezbollah. The official said the current draft deal referred to a pull-out from "Lebanese borders" while Lebanon wanted a specific referral to "the Lebanese border" to ensure that Israeli troops would withdraw from the frontier in full, not in part. Lebanon has also sought language in the proposal that would preserve the right of both sides "to self-defence", the Lebanese official said, without elaborating. Israel has insisted that, even if a truce is agreed, it will have the right to keep striking Hezbollah. Israel's foreign minister said on Wednesday his country wanted to "enforce" that Hezbollah would stay out of southern Lebanon and not bring in weapons into Lebanon by land or through sea and airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lebanese official said there was no language in the U.S. draft deal on Israel continuing its strikes against Hezbollah and that Lebanon rejected any breach of its sovereignty. (Reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Tom Perry and Alex Richardson) Connecticut Democratic Attorney General William Tong speaks at a public meeting in Stamford, Conn., after this months election. Tong and other officials in blue states are vowing to build a firewall of reproductive health protections as they anticipate federal and state attacks on abortion access under the Trump administration. (John Moore/Getty Images) Read more Stateline coverage on how states are either protecting or curbing access to abortion. Officials in blue states are vowing to build a firewall of reproductive health protections as they anticipate federal and state attacks on abortion access under the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going on offense, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, told Stateline. We are in an unprecedented war on American women and patients. State attorneys general, particularly my colleagues and I who support abortion rights and reproductive freedom, have been building this firewall for some time now. President-elect Donald Trump has said he would leave abortion access up to individual states in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and dismantled the federal right to abortion. But even in states with strong abortion protections, such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, lawmakers and other officials are already discussing ways to stave off legal challenges from various quarters, including federal agencies under a Trump administration and anti-abortion lawmakers in conservative states. What were watching is this interplay between protective states and the Trump-Vance administration, and what impact that administration will have on state laws and access to sexual and reproductive health care, said Candace Gibson, director of state policy at the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization focused on advancing reproductive rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be an interesting time. Targeting abortion pills Tong said one of his biggest concerns is that legislative efforts and legal challenges from anti-abortion lawmakers in red states could lead to nationwide restrictions on the medication mifepristone. Its one of two drugs most commonly used in medication abortion, which now accounts for nearly two-thirds of all abortions. If you ban that, it will be nothing if not a nationwide ban on abortion, he said. Conservative-led states could follow the example of Louisiana, which passed a law in its most recent legislative session to classify mifepristone and the drug misoprostol as controlled substances. Both are used in medication abortions as well as to treat other conditions, such as life-threatening postpartum hemorrhaging. Since Louisianas law took effect, hospitals in the state have pulled mifepristone and misoprostol from obstetric hemorrhage carts and instead stored them in passcode-protected cabinets outside of labor and delivery rooms. Its a move some physicians worry could waste precious time in emergency situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Republican state Rep.-elect Pat Curry filed a similar bill in Texas. Conservative lawmakers in North Carolina hastily passed a law in 2023, overriding Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto, that included additional restrictions on dispensing abortion medication. That law has been mired in lawsuits. But last month, Democratic attorneys general in 17 states and the District of Columbia asked a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling that North Carolina cant impose restrictions on mifepristone that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said are medically unnecessary. Meanwhile, anti-abortion groups released a Make America Pro-Life Again Roadmap last week, outlining their plans to hammer away at abortion access at federal and state levels, including an emphasis on challenging mifepristone access. We have a siege engine ready for these legal walls that well face at some state legislatures and legislative levels, and also at federal levels, said Kristan Hawkins, president of the anti-abortion organization Students for Life Action, on a media call last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawkins said legislators in nine states Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming would be filing bills targeting the sale or distribution of medications that can be used for abortions. Arizona state Rep. Rachel Jones, a Republican, said on a recent call with media that she plans to target abortion pills in her fight against Arizonas new constitutional amendment protecting abortion access, which voters approved earlier this month. There are other ways, at the front of this, to encourage women to make a different decision before they even go into that abortion clinic, before they order the pills, to stop the ability to be able to do that so easily through the mail, Jones said. She said she plans to educate her legislative colleagues on how to combat the big push for medication abortion. Bolstering shield laws A number of states have passed shield laws designed to minimize the legal risks for people who provide or access abortions. But just eight states California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington protect abortion providers from legal action regardless of where their patient is located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, telehealth providers in states including California, Massachusetts and New York prescribe abortion medication to patients in states where abortion is banned. Shield laws attempt to protect those providers from prosecution. State shield laws havent seen many challenges yet, but they could be coming, said Gibson, of the Guttmacher Institute. Attorneys in the reproductive justice division of the Massachusetts attorney generals office are looking at ways to further strengthen the states shield law. With the incoming Trump administration, they anticipate more efforts from conservative prosecutors and attorneys general to mount legal challenges with the expectation of a friendlier federal atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My office, including through our Reproductive Justice Unit, will continue to ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in advancing access to care, protecting our health care rights, and addressing disparities, while working in collaboration with my counterparts across the country, said Massachusetts Democratic Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell in a statement to Stateline. Regional impact Officials in blue states also are shoring up protections for contraceptive access, digital privacy and emergency abortion care in hospitals. For example, in Maryland, Democratic lawmakers passed a sweeping online data privacy law in April, in an attempt to limit how tech platforms and phone apps can gather and use consumers personal data, including reproductive health data. Policymakers understand these state bans on abortion access arent just state bans, that they have a regional impact as well. Candace Gibson, Guttmacher Institute Connecticut and Massachusetts are among the states looking at ways to strengthen their laws to protect reproductive emergency care if the Trump administration reverses current federal guidelines that say abortion is covered under the hospital emergency care law known as EMTALA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Trump administration says hospitals are no longer federally required to provide abortions as part of emergency reproductive care, Tong said, even patients in a state such as Connecticut could be affected. Without state requirements, religiously affiliated hospitals, for example, could refuse to terminate pregnancies in situations where a patients life or health could be at risk. Gibson said she expects to continue seeing more state lawmakers filing contraception protection bills in upcoming legislative sessions. In Virginias most recent session, Democratic lawmakers passed a bill to guarantee access to contraception, though it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Earlier this year, Campbell, of Massachusetts, organized a working group of Democratic state attorneys general and others to collaborate on how to use shield laws and other legal and legislative tools to protect abortion rights. Theres been an increase in collaboration conversations amongst different state policymakers, Gibson said in an interview with Stateline. I think policymakers understand these state bans on abortion access arent just state bans, that they have a regional impact as well. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE In states with strong abortion protections, lawmakers and others are discussing ways to stave off legal challenges from various quarters, including federal agencies under a Trump administration and anti-abortion lawmakers in conservative states. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Read more Stateline coverage on how states are either protecting or curbing access to abortion. Officials in blue states are vowing to build a firewall of reproductive health protections as they anticipate federal and state attacks on abortion access under the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going on offense, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, told Stateline. We are in an unprecedented war on American women and patients. State attorneys general, particularly my colleagues and I who support abortion rights and reproductive freedom, have been building this firewall for some time now. President-elect Donald Trump has said he would leave abortion access up to individual states in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and dismantled the federal right to abortion. But even in states with strong abortion protections, such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, lawmakers and other officials are already discussing ways to stave off legal challenges from various quarters, including federal agencies under a Trump administration and anti-abortion lawmakers in conservative states. What were watching is this interplay between protective states and the Trump-Vance administration, and what impact that administration will have on state laws and access to sexual and reproductive health care, said Candace Gibson, director of state policy at the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization focused on advancing reproductive rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be an interesting time. Targeting abortion pills Tong said one of his biggest concerns is that legislative efforts and legal challenges from anti-abortion lawmakers in red states could lead to nationwide restrictions on the medication mifepristone. Its one of two drugs most commonly used in medication abortion, which now accounts for nearly two-thirds of all abortions. If you ban that, it will be nothing if not a nationwide ban on abortion, he said. Conservative-led states could follow the example of Louisiana, which passed a law in its most recent legislative session to classify mifepristone and the drug misoprostol as controlled substances. Both are used in medication abortions as well as to treat other conditions, such as life-threatening postpartum hemorrhaging. Since Louisianas law took effect, hospitals in the state have pulled mifepristone and misoprostol from obstetric hemorrhage carts and instead stored them in passcode-protected cabinets outside of labor and delivery rooms. Its a move some physicians worry could waste precious time in emergency situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Republican state Rep.-elect Pat Curry filed a similar bill in Texas. Conservative lawmakers in North Carolina hastily passed a law in 2023, overriding Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto, that included additional restrictions on dispensing abortion medication. That law has been mired in lawsuits. But last month, Democratic attorneys general in 17 states and the District of Columbia asked a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling that North Carolina cant impose restrictions on mifepristone that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said are medically unnecessary. Meanwhile, anti-abortion groups released a Make America Pro-Life Again Roadmap last week, outlining their plans to hammer away at abortion access at federal and state levels, including an emphasis on challenging mifepristone access. We have a siege engine ready for these legal walls that well face at some state legislatures and legislative levels, and also at federal levels, said Kristan Hawkins, president of the anti-abortion organization Students for Life Action, on a media call last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawkins said legislators in nine states Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming would be filing bills targeting the sale or distribution of medications that can be used for abortions. Arizona state Rep. Rachel Jones, a Republican, said on a recent call with media that she plans to target abortion pills in her fight against Arizonas new constitutional amendment protecting abortion access, which voters approved earlier this month. There are other ways, at the front of this, to encourage women to make a different decision before they even go into that abortion clinic, before they order the pills, to stop the ability to be able to do that so easily through the mail, Jones said. She said she plans to educate her legislative colleagues on how to combat the big push for medication abortion. Bolstering shield laws A number of states have passed shield laws designed to minimize the legal risks for people who provide or access abortions. But just eight states California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington protect abortion providers from legal action regardless of where their patient is located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, telehealth providers in states including California, Massachusetts and New York prescribe abortion medication to patients in states where abortion is banned. Shield laws attempt to protect those providers from prosecution. State shield laws havent seen many challenges yet, but they could be coming, said Gibson, of the Guttmacher Institute. Attorneys in the reproductive justice division of the Massachusetts attorney generals office are looking at ways to further strengthen the states shield law. With the incoming Trump administration, they anticipate more efforts from conservative prosecutors and attorneys general to mount legal challenges with the expectation of a friendlier federal atmosphere. My office, including through our Reproductive Justice Unit, will continue to ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in advancing access to care, protecting our health care rights, and addressing disparities, while working in collaboration with my counterparts across the country, said Massachusetts Democratic Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell in a statement to Stateline. Regional impact Officials in blue states also are shoring up protections for contraceptive access, digital privacy and emergency abortion care in hospitals. For example, in Maryland, Democratic lawmakers passed a sweeping online data privacy law in April, in an attempt to limit how tech platforms and phone apps can gather and use consumers personal data, including reproductive health data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Policymakers understand these state bans on abortion access arent just state bans, that they have a regional impact as well. Candace Gibson, Guttmacher Institute Connecticut and Massachusetts are among the states looking at ways to strengthen their laws to protect reproductive emergency care if the Trump administration reverses current federal guidelines that say abortion is covered under the hospital emergency care law known as EMTALA. If the Trump administration says hospitals are no longer federally required to provide abortions as part of emergency reproductive care, Tong said, even patients in a state such as Connecticut could be affected. Without state requirements, religiously affiliated hospitals, for example, could refuse to terminate pregnancies in situations where a patients life or health could be at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson said she expects to continue seeing more state lawmakers filing contraception protection bills in upcoming legislative sessions. In Virginias most recent session, Democratic lawmakers passed a bill to guarantee access to contraception, though it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Earlier this year, Campbell, of Massachusetts, organized a working group of Democratic state attorneys general and others to collaborate on how to use shield laws and other legal and legislative tools to protect abortion rights. Theres been an increase in collaboration conversations amongst different state policymakers, Gibson said in an interview with Stateline. I think policymakers understand these state bans on abortion access arent just state bans, that they have a regional impact as well. 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. Connecticut Democratic Attorney General William Tong speaks at a public meeting in Stamford, Conn., after this months election. Tong and other officials in blue states are vowing to build a firewall of reproductive health protections as they anticipate federal and state attacks on abortion access under the Trump administration. (John Moore/Getty Images) Read more Stateline coverage on how states are either protecting or curbing access to abortion. Officials in blue states are vowing to build a firewall of reproductive health protections as they anticipate federal and state attacks on abortion access under the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going on offense, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, told Stateline. We are in an unprecedented war on American women and patients. State attorneys general, particularly my colleagues and I who support abortion rights and reproductive freedom, have been building this firewall for some time now. President-elect Donald Trump has said he would leave abortion access up to individual states in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and dismantled the federal right to abortion. But even in states with strong abortion protections, such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, lawmakers and other officials are already discussing ways to stave off legal challenges from various quarters, including federal agencies under a Trump administration and anti-abortion lawmakers in conservative states. What were watching is this interplay between protective states and the Trump-Vance administration, and what impact that administration will have on state laws and access to sexual and reproductive health care, said Candace Gibson, director of state policy at the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization focused on advancing reproductive rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be an interesting time. Targeting abortion pills Tong said one of his biggest concerns is that legislative efforts and legal challenges from anti-abortion lawmakers in red states could lead to nationwide restrictions on the medication mifepristone. Its one of two drugs most commonly used in medication abortion, which now accounts for nearly two-thirds of all abortions. If you ban that, it will be nothing if not a nationwide ban on abortion, he said. Conservative-led states could follow the example of Louisiana, which passed a law in its most recent legislative session to classify mifepristone and the drug misoprostol as controlled substances. Both are used in medication abortions as well as to treat other conditions, such as life-threatening postpartum hemorrhaging. Since Louisianas law took effect, hospitals in the state have pulled mifepristone and misoprostol from obstetric hemorrhage carts and instead stored them in passcode-protected cabinets outside of labor and delivery rooms. Its a move some physicians worry could waste precious time in emergency situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Republican state Rep.-elect Pat Curry filed a similar bill in Texas. Conservative lawmakers in North Carolina hastily passed a law in 2023, overriding Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto, that included additional restrictions on dispensing abortion medication. That law has been mired in lawsuits. But last month, Democratic attorneys general in 17 states, including Michigan, and the District of Columbia asked a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling that North Carolina cant impose restrictions on mifepristone that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said are medically unnecessary. Meanwhile, anti-abortion groups released a Make America Pro-Life Again Roadmap last week, outlining their plans to hammer away at abortion access at federal and state levels, including an emphasis on challenging mifepristone access. We have a siege engine ready for these legal walls that well face at some state legislatures and legislative levels, and also at federal levels, said Kristan Hawkins, president of the anti-abortion organization Students for Life Action, on a media call last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawkins said legislators in nine states Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming would be filing bills targeting the sale or distribution of medications that can be used for abortions. Arizona state Rep. Rachel Jones, a Republican, said on a recent call with media that she plans to target abortion pills in her fight against Arizonas new constitutional amendment protecting abortion access, which voters approved earlier this month. There are other ways, at the front of this, to encourage women to make a different decision before they even go into that abortion clinic, before they order the pills, to stop the ability to be able to do that so easily through the mail, Jones said. She said she plans to educate her legislative colleagues on how to combat the big push for medication abortion. Bolstering shield laws A number of states have passed shield laws designed to minimize the legal risks for people who provide or access abortions. But just eight states California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington protect abortion providers from legal action regardless of where their patient is located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, telehealth providers in states including California, Massachusetts and New York prescribe abortion medication to patients in states where abortion is banned. Shield laws attempt to protect those providers from prosecution. State shield laws havent seen many challenges yet, but they could be coming, said Gibson, of the Guttmacher Institute. Attorneys in the reproductive justice division of the Massachusetts attorney generals office are looking at ways to further strengthen the states shield law. With the incoming Trump administration, they anticipate more efforts from conservative prosecutors and attorneys general to mount legal challenges with the expectation of a friendlier federal atmosphere. My office, including through our Reproductive Justice Unit, will continue to ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in advancing access to care, protecting our health care rights, and addressing disparities, while working in collaboration with my counterparts across the country, said Massachusetts Democratic Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell in a statement to Stateline. Regional impact Officials in blue states also are shoring up protections for contraceptive access, digital privacy and emergency abortion care in hospitals. For example, in Maryland, Democratic lawmakers passed a sweeping online data privacy law in April, in an attempt to limit how tech platforms and phone apps can gather and use consumers personal data, including reproductive health data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Policymakers understand these state bans on abortion access arent just state bans, that they have a regional impact as well. Candace Gibson, Guttmacher Institute Connecticut and Massachusetts are among the states looking at ways to strengthen their laws to protect reproductive emergency care if the Trump administration reverses current federal guidelines that say abortion is covered under the hospital emergency care law known as EMTALA. If the Trump administration says hospitals are no longer federally required to provide abortions as part of emergency reproductive care, Tong said, even patients in a state such as Connecticut could be affected. Without state requirements, religiously affiliated hospitals, for example, could refuse to terminate pregnancies in situations where a patients life or health could be at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson said she expects to continue seeing more state lawmakers filing contraception protection bills in upcoming legislative sessions. In Virginias most recent session, Democratic lawmakers passed a bill to guarantee access to contraception, though it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Earlier this year, Campbell, of Massachusetts, organized a working group of Democratic state attorneys general and others to collaborate on how to use shield laws and other legal and legislative tools to protect abortion rights. Theres been an increase in collaboration conversations amongst different state policymakers, Gibson said in an interview with Stateline. I think policymakers understand these state bans on abortion access arent just state bans, that they have a regional impact as well. 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. By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief and a Hamas leader for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The move comes after the ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced on May 20 that he was seeking arrest warrants for alleged crimes connected to the Oct.7 attacks on Israel by Hamas and the Israeli military response in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is a look at what could happen next, and how the ICC prosecutor's move might affect diplomatic relations and other court cases focused on Gaza. WILL NETANYAHU AND THE HAMAS LEADER BE ARRESTED? All 124 member states of the ICC are obliged by the court's founding statute to arrest and hand over any individual subject to an ICC arrest warrant if they set foot on their territory. But the court has no means of enforcing such an arrest. It has no police force, so the arrest of suspects must be carried out by a member state or a cooperative state. Sanctions for not arresting someone despite a warrant are little more than a diplomatic slap on the wrist, such as the referral of a country to the ICC's governing body made up of member states and ultimately to the U.N. security council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICC members include all European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Brazil and Australia. In the Middle East region, the Palestinian territories and Jordan are ICC members. Israel is not a member state, nor is the United States. The court bases its jurisdiction over Israeli officials on the fact that the Palestinian territories were admitted as a member state in 2015. The court can prosecute alleged atrocity crimes committed by nationals of member states and crimes committed by anyone, regardless of their nationality, on the territory of member states. CAN AN ICC INVESTIGATION OR WARRANT BE PAUSED? The court's rules allow for the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution that would pause or defer an investigation or a prosecution for a year, with the possibility of renewing that annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a warrant is issued the country involved or a person named in an arrest warrant can also issue a challenge to the jurisdiction of the court or the admissibility of the case. A case can be deemed inadmissible at the ICC when it is already being investigated or prosecuted by a state with jurisdiction over the crimes alleged. But the court has made it clear in the past that this exemption could only apply when a state is investigating or prosecuting the same people for substantially the same alleged crimes. An investigation into corruption charges, for instance, would not meet that "same person, same conduct" rule. If there is a request to delay the investigation, the prosecutor will pause the case and review if the state which requested the deferral is indeed carrying out a genuine investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the prosecutor deems the national investigations are insufficient, he can apply for judges to reopen the investigation. CAN NETANYAHU AND OTHER ACCUSED STILL TRAVEL? Yes they can. The issuance of an ICC arrest warrant is not a formal travel ban. However, they do risk arrest if they travel to an ICC signatory state, which may influence indictees' decision-making. There are no restrictions on political leaders, lawmakers or diplomats from meeting individuals with an ICC arrest warrant against them. Politically, however, public perceptions of this may be bad. WILL THIS APPLICATION FOR WARRANTS INFLUENCE OTHER CASES? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not directly, but perhaps indirectly. The ICC application is a separate matter from, for example, court cases demanding an arms embargo against Israel or South Africa's case at the U.N.'s top court, the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of violating the Genocide Convention in Gaza. However a decision by ICC judges that there are reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant are committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, it could strengthen South Africa's ICJ case, as that court also looks at other courts' determinations. The decision to issue a warrant can also bolster legal challenges demanding an arms embargo elsewhere, as numerous states have provisions against selling arms to states which might use them in ways that violate international humanitarian law. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, Editing by William Maclean) LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Porch pirates are scamming people out of their packages even before reaching the porch. The BBB had reports of scammers posing as delivery services, texting consumers pretending that they were having issues delivering their packages. Chris Babin, Better Business Bureau of Acadiana, said the text asks for personal information or contains a link that infects your device to steal your personal information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no number to call. Theres nobody to contact, Babin said. They just say that they represent one of the large shipping services. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest There are different variations of the text message. In another version of the scam, they say the package was delivered but was stolen. They want you to provide financial information in order to get the package redelivered or redistributed to you again, Babin said. And in all of these instances, theyre just trying to steal money. Theyre also mimicking missed delivery notices in person. Actual notices are left on peoples doors, Babin said. So, getting away from sending a text message, same kind of concept, but leaving an actual message or a paper on somebodys door saying that they missed the delivery. Here are some ways to avoid delivery scams: Take precautions to ensure a safe delivery. Purchase shipping insurance, get tracking numbers for your order and check the shipping progress often. Watch out for texts about a missed delivery. Go directly to the delivery carriers website instead of clicking on links in messages. Request a signature when ordering. The package wont be left if you dont sign for it, ensuring thieves wont have the opportunity to take it. Dont leave packages sitting on your doorstep. If you arent home, have your package delivered to your workplace or have a trusted neighbor accept the delivery for you. Open your delivery upon arrival. Check for damage and signs of tampering, and contact the seller if there are any issues with your order. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand Boeings F-15 jet is undergoing a renaissance in Asia, as two countries implement modernization programs on legacy fleets, and another customer eyes the latest F-15EX version. South Korea is the second Asian nation to announce F-15 upgrades. On Nov. 19, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved a $6.2 billion upgrade for all 59 Korean F-15K fighters. The proposed package includes Advanced Display Core Processor II mission computers, AN/APG-82(v)1 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, AN/ALQ-250 electronic warfare suites and AN/AAR-57 missile warning systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Korean Air provides F-15K depot-level maintenance, so the airline may also be involved in this upgrade that will stretch from 2024-2034. Armed with weapons like Taurus KEPD 350 and AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER cruise missiles, F-15Ks are critical to Seouls so-called kill chain to deter North Korean aggression. Neighboring Japan was the first Asian nation to embark on F-15 upgrades. Boeing is under contract, via the U.S. Air Force, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to modernize 68 F-15Js. A Boeing spokesperson told Defense News: Boeing will provide our longstanding partner MHI with retrofit drawings, equipment and publications to perform the upgrades, and will support the integration of advanced mission systems through the U.S. Air Force Foreign Military Sales contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japans F-15Js are receiving the same radar, mission computer and BAE Systems AN/ALQ-250 electronic warfare suite as Korea, plus the ability to fire weapons like the JASSM-ER standoff missile. The DSCA first issued notification of this in October 2019. Boeing further noted, The F-15 upgrades are not just another upgrade program; its a total transformation of the jet, delivering contemporary capabilities to Japan at par with those in the current-production F-15, in other words, the F-15EX. Japans Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency said the program is on track, despite initial cost and schedule problems. On March 18, Japan signed a letter of acceptance for Lockheed Martins JASSM-ER, a weapon needed to strengthen standoff defense capabilities in order to intercept and eliminate invading forces against Japan at distance and at an early stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Singapore, the only other Asian F-15 user, has not announced any upgrade effort for its F-15SG fleet yet, but Boeing said Japans program is relevant to current and future F-15 users. Illustrating the perennial attraction of the F-15, which first entered service 48 years ago, Indonesia has expressed interest in buying new F-15EXs. Boeings representative told Defense News, Boeing continues to work closely with the U.S. and Indonesian governments to support this effort through the FMS process. Boeing revealed on Aug. 21, 2023, that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Jakarta regarding the sale of up to 24 F-15EXs. However, that announcement made no mention of price or schedule. Jakarta first needs to complete funding of 42 Rafale fighters it has bought from France. Cementing American confidence in the F-15, the Air Force revealed on July 3 that it would deploy 36 F-15EXs in Okinawa, Japan, to replace 48 F-15C/Ds already stationed there. Editors note: This story was updated after publication correct a technical reference to the Japanese electronic-warfare suite for the countrys F-15J. PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday modified a ban on U.S. airlines operating in the Caribbean nation of Haiti, issuing a notice which permits flights over northern parts of the country, including the city of Cap-Haitien. The FAA had barred flights over the entire Haitian territory last week after three commercial jetliners were struck by gunfire as armed gangs ramp up attacks in and around the capital Port-au-Prince. (Reporting by Harold Isaac and Sarah Morland; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle) Claim: Ku Klux Klan flyers were circulating in Indiana towns in November 2024. Rating: Rating: True In late November 2024, residents of several Indiana cities and towns reported the presence of recruitment flyers for a hate group calling itself the Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. The flyers reportedly urged self-deportation of immigrants before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. "Leave Now, Avoid Deportation" they read: These reports were true. Flyers advertising a recruitment phone number and mailing address belonging to the Trinity White Knights of the KKK were confirmed by local media and political leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As reported by South Bend's WSBT-TV on Nov. 18, 2024, the fliers first appeared in Goshen, and have since been spotted in other cities: Some Indiana neighborhoods were met with eye opening flyers Monday morning and Sunday night. Ku Klux Klan flyers were found in Goshen earlier Monday calling for the mass deportation of immigrants. [] People in several communities were startled to see the flyers, especially in a diverse community like Goshen. [] The cited cities that received the flyers were Valparaiso, Michigan City, South Bend, Elkhart, Goshen, Plymouth, Warsaw, Rochester, Westfield, Carmel, and Fishers. "WSBT 22 received an email from someone alleging the Trinity White Knights of the KKK are responsible for passing out thousands of flyers Sunday night," the outlet reported. Goshen's mayor, Gina Leichty, released a statement to the news station confirming the flyers' existence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trinity White Knights is a small hate group founded in 2012 and based in Kentucky. The group has been responsible for the distribution of similar flyers across the country, including anti-Haitian flyers that appeared in Springfield, Ohio, in September 2024. Because the reports have been confirmed by local media and leaders, and because the flyers fit within the modus operandi of a known hate group that has taken credit for their distribution, the claim is true. Sources: English, Sean. "Ku Klux Klan Flyers Found throughout Northern Indiana Communities." WKRC, WSBT 22, 18 Nov. 2024, https://local12.com/news/nation-world/ku-klux-klan-flyers-found-michiana-trinity-white-knights-kkk-mass-deportation-immigrants-neighborhoods-communities-goshen-south-bend-michiana-indiana. "Hate Groups Converge on Springfield after False Claims about Haitian Immigrants." Dayton-Daily-News, https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/hate-groups-converge-on-springfield-following-false-claims-about-haitian-immigrants/R6BSUOAMGZDNZNSV4PUTBDPOSY/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024. Trinity White Knights | Center on Extremism. https://extremismterms.adl.org/glossary/trinity-white-knights-0. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024. THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Here are some background facts on the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. * The court was established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression when member states are unwilling or unable to do so themselves. It can prosecute crimes committed by nationals of member states or on the territory of member states by other actors. It has 124 member states. Its budget for 2024 is about 187 million euros. * The ICC is conducting investigations, ranging from Ukraine and African states such as Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya to Venezuela in Latin America and Asian nations such as Myanmar and the Philippines, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Its website says there have so far been 32 cases before the court, with some cases having more than one suspect. ICC judges have issued at least 56 arrest warrants. * Twenty-one people have been held in the ICC detention centre and have appeared before the court. At least 20 people remain at large. Charges have been dropped against seven people due to their deaths. The judges have issued 11 convictions and four acquittals. * Of those 11 convictions only six have been for the court's core crimes of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the others were for crimes like witness tampering. The six convicted men were all African militia leaders from Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Uganda. Terms range from nine to 30 years in prison. The maximum possible term is life imprisonment. * A prominent fugitive is Russian President Vladimir Putin, accused of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023. The Kremlin said the move was meaningless. Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations that its forces have committed atrocities during its invasion of its neighbour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Although the court is supported by many United Nations members and the European Union, other powers such as the United States, China and Russia are not members, arguing the ICC could be used for politically motivated prosecutions. * Israel is not a member of the court and does not recognise its jurisdiction, but the Palestinian territories were admitted as a member state in 2015. In 2021 the ICC opened an official investigation into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the occupied Palestinian territories. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in October last year the court had jurisdiction over any potential war crimes carried out by Hamas fighters in Israel and by Israelis in the Gaza Strip. * In May, the ICC prosecutor's office requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and also for three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel and Palestinian leaders have dismissed allegations of war crimes, and representatives for both sides have criticised Khan's decision to seek warrants. (Writing by Mark Heinrich, Andrew Heavens and Stephanie van den Berg; editing by Philippa Fletcher and Angus MacSwan) By Jana Choukeir DUBAI (Reuters) - A United Nations resolution that ended the last round of deadly conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 is seen as the cornerstone of a new ceasefire being negotiated by the United States. Adopted in August 2006, the 19-paragraph resolution was key to ending the month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 and paving the way for long-term stability along the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution mandated an immediate cessation of hostilities, with both parties agreeing to stop fighting. While critical, the ceasefire faced challenges and violations over the years, but it laid the foundation for ending open conflict. Here are the resolution's main terms, and a note about subsequent violations and tensions. RESPECT OF BLUE LINE AND SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS Both parties must respect the Blue Line, the border between Lebanon and Israel. The resolution also creates a buffer zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River (some 30 km or about 20 miles north of the border), free of armed personnel, assets, and weapons, except those of the Lebanese authorities and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DISARMAMENT AND WEAPONS EMBARGO OF ARMED GROUPS The resolution calls for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon and mandates that no arms or related materiel can be sold or supplied to Lebanon unless authorized by the government. NO FOREIGN FORCES WITHOUT GOVERNMENT CONSENT The resolution demands that no foreign forces be present in Lebanon without the consent of the Lebanese government. This provision aims to safeguard Lebanon's independence and prevent external influence in its internal affairs. DEPLOYMENT OF UNIFIL AND LEBANESE TROOPS A key element of Resolution 1701 was the expanded mandate of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force, formed in 1978 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops that had invaded southern Lebanon early on in Lebanon's civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNIFIL was tasked in 2006 with monitoring the ceasefire, overseeing Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon, and ensuring the area remained free of armed groups except the Lebanese Army. In parallel, Lebanon's national army was called upon to take control of southern Lebanon. TENSIONS AND VIOLATIONS SINCE 2006 While the ceasefire largely held after the adoption of U.N. Resolution 1701, violations and tensions persisted over the years. Both sides have accused each other of provocations. Lebanon has filed dozens of complaints to the U.N., especially about Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty, including over 35,000 airspace violations since 2006, as stated by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Israel has long complained the resolution was not implemented and Hezbollah remained armed at the border. U.S.-led efforts for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah have underscored that the resolution remained key in mitigating or ending the latest rounds of conflict, but that it needed to be better implemented. (Reporting by Jana Choukeir, Editing by William Maclean) The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, officially opened Thursday for students seeking financial aid for college during the 2025-2026 school year. The form traditionally opens on October 1, but the Department of Education delayed the release in an effort to avoid a repeat of last years rocky rollout after making significant updates to the application. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed concern that the problems would prevent some low-income students from attending college at all. Submitting the form is required for students to access federal Pell grants, student loans and other kinds of financial aid and is filled out by millions of people annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department has been testing the 2025-26 form by allowing a limited number of students and families to submit the application since October 1. Officials had expected to officially release the form on December 1 but pushed up the opening date after conducting four testing phases. The results throughout the beta testing have been really encouraging, said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on a call with reporters. As of Tuesday morning, 167,000 applications had been successfully submitted. The 2025-26 FAFSA form is ready for prime time and is available both online and on paper, Cardona said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed a bill that, if signed into law, will legally require the Department of Education to open the FAFSA form on October 1 each year going forward. Updates to the FAFSA Late last December, a new version of the FAFSA form a culmination of changes approved by Congress in 2019 and 2020 was released. The changes make the FAFSA easier to fill out and deliver more financial aid to students and families, but the implementation was plagued with problems. The botched rollout resulted in significant delays for students, many of whom were still waiting for financial aid award letters which show how much they will have to pay for college when trying to decide where to enroll for the coming fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An earlier analysis from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office found that FAFSA submissions were down 3%, or by 432,000, compared with the year before as of late August when most college fall terms begin and that the drop in applications was the largest for low-income students. The Department of Education has said that the submissions gap fell to about 2% in September and that more students qualified for Pell grants, which are awarded to the lowest-income students. Many students whose parents do not have Social Security numbers experienced challenges submitting the 2024-25 form as they waited for the government to verify their identity through other means. Now, those students are allowed to submit the 2025-26 FAFSA even if their parents identity has yet to be verified. How to submit the FAFSA Before submitting the FAFSA through the Federal Student Aid website, a student must create a username and password with Federal Student Aid, known as an FSA ID. Parents of dependent students must also create an FSA ID and fill out a portion of the application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of questions on the FAFSA vary by applicant, based on his or her financial circumstance, but there are roughly two-thirds fewer questions as of last years form than in previous years. Its easier to fill out than in years past because some information is now directly taken from a filers tax return so that an applicant wont have to go hunting for information. Additionally, a handful of questions have been eliminated on the updated form. Its expected to take most people less than an hour to fill out the FAFSA form, including gathering any information needed to complete it. The Department of Education has added 700 agents to its contact center since January and will add 225 more over the next few weeks to help support students and families submit the form. It also added extended FAFSA-only weeknight and Saturday contact center hours. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) The suspect wanted in connection with a deadly shooting in Fall River last year is in custody, according to the Bristol County District Attorneys Office. Tajon J. Saxon, 26, was wanted on charges of murder, carrying a loaded illegal firearm, and carrying and illegal firearm. Mugshot from 2022 of Fall River murder suspect Tajon Saxon (Courtesy: Massachusetts State Police) He was apprehended in New Bedford on Wednesday after being at large for more than a year. On May 13, 2023, officers responded to County Street and found 23-year-old Diamonte Odom on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saxon was also wanted on a warrant in connection with a May 2021 double homicide, the DAs office said. He faces two counts of accessory to murder, after the fact. Massachusetts State Police also previously added Saxon to its most wanted list. Saxon faced a judge Thursday and was ordered held without bail. His next court date is slated for Jan. 13, 2025. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Nov. 20BUFFALO The first of three Falls residents convicted in a federal drug conspiracy case has been sentenced to spend 3 years in prison. During a hearing in U.S. District Court in Buffalo Tuesday, District Court Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo handed down the 36-month term to Michael Pryor, 27, of the Falls. Pryor, identified as a member of the violent Crips street gang, had previously been 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. He could have faced a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a fine of $2 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pryor was one of six Falls residents charged by a federal grand jury, in December 2022, in an 18-count indictment that alleged a conspiracy to "possess with intent to distribute, and distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine." The others charged in the indictment were Cameron Lee, Shawn Pryor a/k/a Ghost, Melanie Pryor, Thomas Pryor, and Ahmadja Green, all of the Falls. Shawn Pryor and Cameron Lee have also been convicted in the case. Agents with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) have said that in addition to Michael Pryor, Shawn Pryor, Cameron Lee and Ahmadja Green are also members of a Western New York-based set of the Crips street gang. Federal prosecutors said in January 2022, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Niagara Falls Police Narcotics Intelligence Division (NID) and Niagara County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force began investigating a Crips set known to be operating in and around the Falls and Rochester. Crips members Lee, Michael Pryor, Shawn Pryor, and Greene were identified as being involved in a conspiracy to sell crack cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin the Falls and Rochester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between March and July 2022, investigators said they conducted seven controlled purchases of narcotics from the defendants. The agents said between August and October 2022, they made six controlled purchases of narcotics from Michael Pryor and between August and September, they conducted three controlled purchases of drugs from Shawn Pryor. The investigation also revealed that during the course of the probe, Michael Pryor and Shawn Pryor pistol whipped and beat a person who agents believe is involved in drug trafficking. On Oct. 16, 2022, investigators said Michael Pryor, Shawn Pryor, and another individual drove to a convenience store at Ashland Avenue and 19th Street in the Falls and beat up a rival drug dealer, who was selling drugs on that corner. They later chased the victim into the convenience store before leaving the area. The victim suffered a laceration to his right hand and a chip fracture of a wrist bone. Three days earlier, on Oct. 13, 2022, a search warrant, executed at Lee's Orleans Avenue home in the Falls, led to the seizure of more than 70 grams of heroin and fentanyl, a quantity of buprenorphine, jewelry, three cellular telephones, and approximately $19,000 in cash. Scotlands new tourist tax could add 100 to the cost of a family holiday if given the green light. Highland Council, which is controlled by an SNP and Independent coalition, wants to charge overnight visitors a 5pc fee from autumn 2026. Hoteliers fearful of a drastic downturn in business have branded the plans insane following the launch of a public consultation. The council said it hoped the levy would raise 10m a year to boost infrastructure such as roads and public toilets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tax, which attracts VAT, would apply to all visits with no exemptions for local people, including reasons such as hospital visits. A family of four holidaying in Inverness in August would pay 1,473 for a seven-night Premier Inn stay. Add a 5pc levy, with VAT on top, and they would be forced to part with an extra 88 in tourist tax. Stay at a more upmarket hotel, and a booking totalling 1,700 would attract an additional 102 in tax. For a couple staying seven nights at the citys Marriott hotel in early August, an extra 156 would be added to the bill. Tony Story, owner of Kingsmills Hotel and Ness Walk Hotel in Inverness, said: Its insane. Normally, these taxes are introduced when youre trying to deter tourists coming, not the other way around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I suspect the number of tourists well lose will be directly in line with the level of the tax, so thats 5pc occupancy. Thats a major issue for the hotel sector, particularly when you have the level of seasonality like we do. If we dont make money during the summer, were absolutely goosed. Hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets in the area which lays claim to tourist hotspots such as Ben Nevis, Loch Ness and John o Groats will be responsible for collecting levies from visitors and paying the council. Holiday accommodation in areas such as Loch Ness will be charging guests an additional visitor fee - Izzet Keribar/Stone RF In its public survey, the local authority raised the possibility of setting an even higher charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It stated: The proposed rate of 5pc will clearly generate significant income, however, the council could set a higher rate to be able to deliver a more ambitious investment programme. Nagina Ishaq, general manager of the Loch Ness Centre, said the levy has the potential to bring about significant challenges to the tourism sector. Fiona Campbell, of the Association of Scotlands Self Caterers, said the council must tread carefully with its plans. She said: Small businesses now look set to become de-facto unpaid tax collectors. The accumulative regulatory impact could cripple businesses at a time when recovery is precarious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just operators or overseas visitors who will be impacted but ordinary Scots choosing to visit the Highlands will be hit in the pocket too. The council said the levy would not be imposed on people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness, anyone whose main residence is unfit for habitation, asylum seekers and refugees, or people who had arrived in the UK through other Home Office schemes. Cruise ship visitors and those travelling across the Highlands in motorhomes will also be immune from the tourist tax. The tax proposals come after the Scottish Parliament granted local authorities powers to introduce levies based on a fixed percentage of the cost of accommodation booking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ministers agreed on the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act in May despite opposition from 63pc of organisations that responded to a public survey. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are all moving forward with plans to bring in a tourist tax following in the footsteps of multiple European countries. Mr Story added: Its a bit of an assault on all fronts at the moment, were under the cosh. Im disappointed that the Scottish government has fired up this legislation and given it to local authorities to use as they please. It hasnt even been capped. Weve seen visitor numbers declining this summer. People wont take well to pushing up prices further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Explaining the reasons behind its levy plans, a statement on the councils survey said: The financial pressures facing the council means it is increasingly difficult to contribute to the visitor economy in a way that delivers positive outcomes for visitors, the environment, communities and businesses. It said the 10m raised from the tax would form an integral, long-term source of funding and help towards sustaining, supporting or developing the facilities and services used by visitors and communities in Highland. The public consultation lasts for another 11 weeks. Feedback will be presented to councillors ahead of a full council meeting next March. 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. Amber Guyger was convicted of murder in Botham Jean's 2018 killing and is currently serving a 10 year sentence AP/Shutterstock; Botham Shem Jean/Facebook Amber Guyger; Botham Jean Amber Guyger; Botham Jean The family of Botham Jean, the Texas man who was killed by an off-duty police officer in his own apartment in 2018, will be awarded nearly $100 million following a civil trial. On Nov. 20, a federal jury concluded that ex-Dallas police officer Amber Guyger used excessive force and violated Jeans constitutional rights when she shot him on Sept. 6, 2018, according to the filing obtained by PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guyger was ordered to pay about $60 million in punitive damages and $38.6 million in compensatory damages to the family of Jean, who was Black, resulting in a $98.65 million settlement in the wrongful death case, per the filing. According to reporting by NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, Guyger did not attend the civil trial or retain a lawyer for the case. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the Jean familys legal team, which includes civil rights attorney Ben Crump, called the verdict a powerful testament to Bothams life and the profound injustice of his death. Related: Tx. Cop Convicted of Murder for Shooting Neighbor in His Home, Claiming She Thought He Was Burglar Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case laid bare critical issues of racial bias and police accountability that cannot be ignored, the statement read. Todays verdict sends a clear message that law enforcement officers who commit crimes cannot be insulated from the consequences of their actions. Guyger was convicted of murder in 2019 after claiming that she mistakenly walked into 26-year-old Jeans apartment and believed it was her own apartment. The five-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department testified in court that she was scared whoever was inside of my apartment was going to kill me, The Dallas Morning News reported. According to testimony, Guyger had been exchanging sexual texts with her married police partner throughout the day and was on the phone with him as she drove into her apartments parking garage after working a 13-hour shift. Minutes later, Guyger, who is white, walked into Bothams apartment and shot twice, firing the fatal bullet that struck Jean in the chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An arrest affidavit previously obtained by PEOPLE stated that Guyger immediately called in the shooting. Botham was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Botham worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and was a native of Saint Lucia. Botham Shem Jean/Facebook Botham Jean Related: Family of Man Shot by Cop in His Apartment Rejects Notion He Left Door Unlocked: 'He Would Never' Guyger was arrested and initially charged with manslaughter, a lesser offense, before ultimately being found guilty of murder. Prosecutors argued Guyger had multiple options for confronting a burglar instead of shooting to kill. From the beginning of the trial, Guygers defense attorney claimed the tragedy resulted from a perfect storm of innocent circumstances, PEOPLE previously reported. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Guyger, now 36, is currently serving a 10-year sentence, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Inmate records show she became eligible for parole in September and news outlets including CBS News report she was denied. Her projected release date is listed as Sept. 29, 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To help combat systemic racism, consider learning from or donating to these organizations: On the 26th Transgender Day of Remembrance, friends and family are remembering a Mercer County teen who was murdered in June. Pauly was a beautiful, brave 14-year-old whose only crime was wanting to be herself, to be happy with who she was and live her best life, said Jen McClure, Paulys mother. The hate has got to stop. Laws need to change. Pauly Likens was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered. The family of the transgender teenager believes she was targeted because of her sexuality. Pieces of her body washed ashore on the banks of the Shenango River Lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >> Man charged with killing, dismembering missing 14-year-old in Mercer County There has been at least 27 murders of transgender people in the US just in the past year, said Jason Goodman, with the PA Youth Congress, an LGBTQ+ state advocacy group. Goodman spoke at a press conference Thursday acknowledging the great work police and the DA have done in Paulys case, but saying more needs to be done. The organization would like to see the suspect charged with a hate crime, but in Pennsylvania, anti-transgender violence isnt considered one. >> Lawmaker trying to close loophole that excludes LGBTQ+ community from ethnic intimidation law Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know from members of our local community in Mercer County that they alleged murderer was targeting trans women and femmes that day, to attack and kill, said Goodman. Some state lawmakers are urging the Senate to pass an Anti-Hate Crimes Bill that would include protection for gender and sexual orientation. State Rep. Dan Frankel of Pittsburgh sponsored House Bill 1027, which would include protection for gender and sexual orientation. Frankel tells Channel 11 he 100% plans to reintroduce it in the new session and will circulate a memo to begin getting cosponsors in December. Trans women continue to suffer as victims of violence, but Pennsylvania doesnt even acknowledge that crimes motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias exist. Today, I am thinking of all the people who love and miss Amariey and Pauly, and I renew my promise to them that I will keep up the fight in Harrisburg to pass my bills to track, prevent and address hate crimes, said Frankel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paulys mother encourages other families to speak up. Be supportive, be brave. Tell your story, she said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW The family of a Hawaii woman says she went missing after flying into Los Angeles earlier this month, with her loved ones receiving concerning text messages ahead of her disappearance, multiple outlets reported this week. Hannah Kobayashi, from Maui, is said to have landed in California on Nov. 8 while en route to New York. Kobayashis family told the media that the woman had only a short layover in LA, which apparently caused her to miss a connecting flight. The family said that Kobayashis ex-boyfriend had the same itinerary, as they had booked their tickets before breaking up. Since the two were unable to get refunds, they kept their flights but were planning to part ways upon landing in New York, Sister Sydni Kobayashi told CNN. The family said the ex-boyfriend made it to New York and has been cooperative since then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Hannah Kobayashi apparently left the Los Angeles airport and ended up at The Grove, a shopping mall in the Mid-City West neighborhood. A Nov. 10 post on Instagram from an account belonging to Kobayashi showed a sign from a Nike event at The Grove. According to her family, Kobayashi returned to the airport the following day but did not board a flight. The family said she was also seen on surveillance footage near a Metro station in downtown Los Angeles with an unknown individual. We try not to think the worst, Larie Pidgeon, Kobayashis aunt, told CNN on Tuesday. Were trying to keep hope alive, but it has now been basically a week and a day since November 11, when she was last spotted with this unknown person and didnt seem to be OK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her loved ones also said they received strange messages from Kobayashis phone. Hannahs last message to us was alarming she mentioned feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity, Pidgeon said Thursday on Facebook. She hasnt been heard from since, and we are gravely concerned for her safety. One of the messages reportedly said, Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday. I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds, another read, with a follow-up adding, For someone I thought I loved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Los Angeles Police Department told HuffPost that it did not have any updates and that the investigation into Kobayashis disappearance is ongoing. Related... PARIS (AP) When Jean-Charles de Castelbajac watched as Notre Dame cathedral burned in April 2019, he felt compelled to act somehow. Returning home, the French fashion designer began sketching ideas, imagining the monuments reconstruction. So, when the Paris Archbishops emissary approached him to design the liturgical garments for the cathedral's reopening next month, Castelbajac a believer with personal roots with the church felt the moment transcended mere coincidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its bigger than a job. Its a bit mysterious mysterious, Castelbajac said, his eyes brimming with wonder as he previewed some of the 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants at his Paris home. It's a calling. To be called like that is synchronicity. This duty, as he calls it, led to a collection of work crafted in collaboration with the esteemed artisans of 19M studio. The garments, often in thick off-white Scottish wool gabardine, blend his signature eye-popping pop-art aesthetic with a reverence for the cathedrals centuries-old legacy with medieval touches. The unorthodox designs are fun, modern and perhaps shockingly minimalist. They undoubtedly break with the richly embellished styles associated with the cathedral's near-900-year-old liturgical garb. At their center is a large gold cross, accented by debris fragments of vivid color-blocked red, blue, yellow, and green velvet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its something that is exploded that reconstructs itself, Castelbajac said, likening the dissipated shards coming together to the cathedrals own rebirth. The commission was not subject to an open call. Instead, Castelbajac was handpicked by the Catholic leadership, due to his history of designing for the church. In 1997, he created the rainbow-colored robes worn by Pope John Paul II for World Youth Day in Paris, garments later enshrined in Notre Dames treasury as a relic. That connection carried a special weight during the fire. As I watched the fire, I was thinking, Are the relics burning? Are the relics safe? So my link was not just material. Its really a strong spiritual link, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Castelbajac, 74, the memory of those two hours in 2019 spent watching the fire with his wife amid people praying on their knees still evokes both grief and determination. It was not Notre Dame burning. It was hope burning. It was spirituality burning. It was such an intense moment I was thinking, what can I do? he said. The vestments, which will be worn in liturgies permanently forever, as Castelbajac put it carry a sense of continuity with his past work. The designs are a variation on the pontiffs robes, infused with Castelbajacs signature aesthetic: bright, almost childlike hues that evoke optimism. Castelbajacs fascination with color began as a child in a military boarding school in Normandy, an experience he recalled as stifling and gray. It was the absolute loneliness. It was colorless, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the young boy, color became a lifeline. Color was like my teddy bear, my transitional element in a world of conflict. Each morning, there was the stained glass in the church and the coats of arms in the refectory that filled my world with primary colors, he explained. This obsession would define his career, earning him a reputation as a provocateur in the fashion world. Castelbajacs creations have dressed pop culture royalty for decades: Madonna in her teddy bear coat, Beyonce in sequins, Rihanna in a Donald Duck costume. Collaborating with Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, he fused art and fashion into a playground of exuberance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While his designs have graced runways and music icons, Castelbajacs work for Notre Dame strikes a different, more personal chord. The playful vestments might raise eyebrows among traditional Catholics, but he has no doubt about the faith Notre Dames leadership placed in him. Maybe I have the trust of the archbishop, he mused, reflecting on the carte blanche he said he received for his designs. This combination produced a modern-looking body of work that reflects the unity, hope, and rebirth symbolized by Notre Dame itselfjust like the phoenix-like rooster gleaming like fire atop the newly constructed spire. When the cathedral reopens on the weekend of Dec. 7-8, Castelbajac hopes the vestments will be viewed by the world as a testament to renewal and the power of color to heal and inspire. Colin Gray the father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray - Credit: Getty Images The father of a 14-year-old boy accused of killing four people in a mass school shooting pleaded not guilty to charges related to allegedly purchasing his son a weapon. Colin Gray entered a not-guilty plea on Thursday. He faces 29 counts, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and cruelty to children, for his alleged role in the deadly Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, shooting on Sept. 4. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray, 54, is accused of knowingly giving his troubled teenage son Colt Gray an AR-style rifle, which the 14-year-old allegedly used in the school shooting, killing two students and two adults and injuring nine more people. Colt, who will be tried as an adult, pleaded not guilty to 55 counts of felony murder, malice murder, and aggravated assault. Grays arrest marks the first time in Georgias state history where a parent of an alleged school shooter was charged for their childs alleged actions, Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith said. The first parents ever charged in connection to a school shooting were Ethan Crumbleys mother and father after the teen was accused of shooting and killing four students at Oxford High School in Michigan in 2021. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Colin Gray, the father of alleged Georgia school shooter Colt Gray, entered a not guilty plea Thursday morning to charges including two counts of second-degree murder alleging that he shares responsibility for the September shooting. Gray did not appear in court, and the plea was entered on his behalf by his attorney, Jimmy Berry, who waived a formal arraignment. Gray faces 29 charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. In the indictment, a grand jury said Gray gave his son access to a firearm and ammunition after receiving sufficient warning that Colt Gray would endanger the bodily safety of another, calling it a substantial and unjustifiable risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colin Gray is only the third person charged in the US in connection with a school shooting by their child. Jennifer and James Crumbley were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for allowing their son Ethan Crumbley to have a gun despite his declining mental health. Ethan was convicted of killing four classmates at Oxford High School in Michigan and sentenced to life in prison without parole last year. Investigators previously testified in court that Colin Gray bought the AR-15-style rifle allegedly used in the school shooting for Colt Gray as a Christmas present last year, only seven months after the family was questioned by law enforcement over online threats to commit a school shooting. Colt Gray, 14, is charged with killing two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, northeast of Atlanta, leaving nine others injured. He was indicted on 55 counts, including four counts each of malice murder and felony murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colt Gray will be tried as an adult. He entered a not guilty plea last month and also waived arraignment. People hold candles during a September 6 vigil at a park in Winder, Georgia, following the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School. - Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters Attorneys for the prosecution and defense declined to comment after Thursdays brief court hearing. The judge did not set a date for the next hearing, but defense attorney Berry said they plan to file more than two dozen new motions in the case in the next two weeks. Colin and Colt Gray have both been jailed since their arrests. Berry did not enter a request for bond Thursday. Earlier this month, prosecutors issued subpoenas to three local shooting ranges for information about the Grays use of their facilities. Amazon also received a subpoena for information about their purchase history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Barrow County Sheriffs Office said two of their deputies working as school resource officers rushed to the scene of the shooting, but were blocked by a haze of dust and smoke. Their speed, along with the activation of a new schoolwide incident alerting system, is credited with preventing more deaths. Whether or not we die is a coin flip, Deputy Chase Boyd told the Barrow News-Journal last month, but our job is to stop the shooter from taking more lives. The fast response of Boyd and fellow deputy Brandon King stood in contrast to the deadly elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022, when more than 300 officers responded to the scene but waited over an hour to confront the shooter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been at least 76 school shootings in the United States so far this year, as of November 11. Twenty-four were on college campuses, and 52 were on K-12 school grounds. The incidents left 36 people dead and at least 103 other victims injured, according to CNNs analysis of events reported by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Dakin Andone and Lauren del Valle contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WINDER, Ga. (AP) The father of a 14-year-old boy accused of carrying out a deadly mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia pleaded not guilty on Thursday to the charges against him. Colin Gray was not in court, but his lawyers told the judge during a brief hearing that their client pleads not guilty and waived formal arraignment. Its common in Georgia for defendants to enter a plea and waive arraignment. Gray and his son, Colt Gray, were both indicted in the Sept. 4 shooting that killed two students and two teachers and injured others. Colt Gray is charged as an adult and was indicted on 55 counts, including murder and 25 counts of aggravated assault at the high school. His father was indicted on 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Both also face multiple counts of cruelty to children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colt Gray entered a not guilty plea last month and also waived arraignment. Colt Gray is being held in a juvenile detention center in Gainesville, while Colin Gray, 54, is being held in the Barrow County jail. Neither has sought to be released on bail. The shooting killed teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, seven of them hit by gunfire. Colin Gray is the first adult known to be charged in a school shooting in Georgia. His indictment is the latest example of prosecutors holding parents responsible for their childrens actions in school shootings. Michigan parents Jennifer and James Crumbley, the first to be convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting, were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for not securing a firearm at home and acting indifferently to signs of their sons deteriorating mental health before he killed four students in 2021. Investigators have said Colt Gray carried a semiautomatic assault-style rifle onto a school bus, with the barrel sticking out of his book bag, wrapped up in a poster board. They say the boy carefully plotted the shooting at the 1,900-student high school northeast of Atlanta, drawing diagrams and listing potential body counts in a notebook. He left his second-period class and emerged from a bathroom with the rifle before shooting people in a classroom and hallways. A south Florida man has been arrested by the FBI on accusations of plotting to blow up the New York Stock Exchange, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Harun Abdul-Malik Yener was charged in Miami-Dade County with attempting to use an improvised explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate or foreign commerce, prosecutors wrote in the criminal complaint. Feds allege his target was the heart of Wall Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials describe Yener, 30, as a south Florida resident who was born in the U.S. and is currently homeless. Their investigation into Yener began in February after receiving a tip he was building a bomb inside an unlocked storage unit in Coral Springs, Fla. Upon searching the unit, FBI special agents discovered bomb-making sketches, numerous watches with timers, electronic circuit boards, and other electronics that could be used for constructing explosive devices, the feds said. An investigation of Yeners electronic devices also revealed he had repeatedly searched the internet for information about building bombs going back to 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a subsequent interview, Yener allegedly confessed that he had previously attempted to join domestic extremist groups and considered joining and fighting for ISIS in Iraq. Months later, while speaking to an undercover agent he believed was a member of an anti-government militia, he identified the Stock Exchange as the target of his bomb plot. He allegedly said he planned to travel to New York and carry out the attack during the week of Nov. 18, 2024. The goal of Yeners alleged terror campaign was to reset the United States government, according to the feds. He said he planned to publicly release a recorded message of his demands shortly after the bombing. Those demands included mass deportation of illegal immigrants and undocumented migrants, and the discontinuation of funding and housing for immigrants and migrants. Authorities said Yener compared the explosive he planned to use to a small nuke that would kill anyone inside the Stock Exchange and do considerable damage outside the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the attack was a success, he planned to next target oil rigs, investigators said. I have nothing to lose, like, I got no wife, kids, you know what I mean? Yener allegedly told one undercover agent who helped build the case against him. NEW YORK A Florida man has been arrested by the FBI on accusations of plotting to blow up the New York Stock Exchange, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Harun Abdul-Malik Yener was charged in Miami-Dade County with attempting to use an improvised explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate or foreign commerce, prosecutors wrote in the criminal complaint. Feds allege his target was the heart of Wall Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials describe Yener, 30, as a south Florida resident who was born in the U.S. and is currently homeless. Their investigation into Yener began in February after receiving a tip he was building a bomb inside an unlocked storage unit in Coral Springs, Florida. Upon searching the unit, FBI special agents discovered bomb-making sketches, numerous watches with timers, electronic circuit boards, and other electronics ... that could be used for constructing explosive devices, the feds said. An investigation of Yeners electronic devices also revealed he had repeatedly searched the internet for information about building bombs going back to 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a subsequent interview, Yener allegedly confessed that he had previously attempted to join domestic extremist groups and considered joining and fighting for ISIS in Iraq. Months later, while speaking to an undercover agent he believed was a member of an anti-government militia, he identified the Stock Exchange as the target of his bomb plot. He allegedly said he planned to travel to New York and carry out the attack during the week of Nov. 18, 2024. The goal of Yeners alleged terror campaign was to reset the United States government, according to the feds. He said he planned to publicly release a recorded message of his demands shortly after the bombing. Those demands included mass deportation of illegal immigrants and undocumented migrants, and the discontinuation of funding and housing for immigrants and migrants. Authorities said Yener compared the explosive he planned to use to a small nuke that would kill anyone inside the Stock Exchange and do considerable damage outside the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the attack was a success, he planned to next target oil rigs, investigators said. I have nothing to lose, like, I got no wife, kids, you know what I mean? Yener allegedly told one undercover agent who helped build the case against him. _____ FBI Director Christopher Wray and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have backed out of publicly testifying at a Senate hearing on worldwide threats. NBC News' Ken Dilanian reports on why they made their decision and how Congress could respond. Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will step down from the agency next year, with her fellow commissioner Brendan Carr set to become chairman when Donald Trump is sworn into office. Rosenworcel said in a statement Thursday that she will exit the Commission on Jan. 20, the same day as the presidential inauguration. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serving at the Federal Communications Commission has been the honor of a lifetime, especially my tenure as Chair and as the first woman in history to be confirmed to lead this agency, Rosenworcel wrote in a statement. I want to thank President Biden for entrusting me with the responsibility to guide the FCC during a time when communications technology is a part of every aspect of civic and commercial life. Taking the oath of office on the street outside of the agency during the height of the pandemic, when so much of our day to-day moved online, made clear how important the work of the FCC is and how essential it is for us to build a digital future that works for everyone. Rosenworcel made bridging the digital divide a top priority, including seeking to expand broadband access to rural America, and instituting a broadband affordability program. It was also under leadership that the FCC launched a space bureau as policy shifts toward space-based communications. Carr says that his top priorities at the FCC when he takes over will be fighting tech censorship, and enforcing the public interest rules for broadcasters that the FCC oversees. This week he said that a 60 Minutes interview controversy could come up in Skydances proposed takeover of Paramount, and he had called on other presidential candidates to issue complaints to the FCC over Harris appearance on Saturday Night Live, which he suggested may violate its equal time provisions. He may have to wait, however, until a new FCC commissioner has been approved by the Senate. When Rosenworcel steps down, the Commission will have two Democrats and two Republicans, leaving it deadlocked. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) A federal court dismissed the remaining claims brought by Retro Metro against the City of Jackson. In 2023, the City of Jackson vacated office space it had been using at the Metrocenter Mall due to deplorable conditions. Retro Metro, who owned the spaced, filed a lawsuit against the city for breach of lease, seeking an additional 10 years of payments, which would have totaled more than $4.5 million. Court says its ending dispute over control of airport in Mississippis capital city Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court previously dismissed the breach of lease claims. On Wednesday, the court dismissed the additional claims. Today, that same court dismissed the remaining claims brought by Retro Metro, which alleged the city had discriminated against Retro Metro because its owners are African-American, and because the city leased new space with majority-white companies. Retro Metro had sought damages exceeding $4.5 million. We are pleased that the court recognized that the citys motivation in moving out of the Metrocenter was to protect its employees and the public from the poor condition of the building and not because of race, and we will continue to fight for the city and our citizens. Mayor of Jacksons Office The city reported several issues for the move, including massive potholes in the parking lot, pests inside the building, mold and broken air conditioning units. Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said the move was not personally motivated, but it was an effort to do whats best for the city. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. The Biden administration on Wednesday previewed a set of options for fixing the Colorado Rivers supply-and-demand problem, providing a rough outline for proposals that it will hand off to the incoming Trump administration to finish. The ideas under consideration range from leaving the decisions strictly in the hands of federal officials to blending state and tribal proposals for sharing cuts, while another blends elements from each of those. Another option proposed by a coalition of conservation groups would reduce flows out of Lake Powell to a more natural run of river when the reservoir gets low, instead of the usual releases that fluctuate with hydroelectricity or downstream water demands. It also would give federal dam managers more flexibility in managing the reservoirs for the benefit of the Grand Canyon environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal officials described the options in a set of bullet points that outlined possible methods of allocating anticipated cuts, and said they would publish more details with a draft of the environmental study theyve worked on throughout this year. They have not anointed any of the options as their preference. New rules for sharing in the pain of worsening shortages are needed because a previous set that went into effect in 2007 will expire in 2026. Those rules proved insufficient to protect reservoir levels from dropping to critical levels, so the parties agreed to emergency conservation measures with the help of federal cash from the administrations infrastructure and climate legislation. The specter of an Interior secretary or judge determining how much water each state or user must give up has in the past forced the watersheds seven states to find consensus so they can avoid uncertainty. So far they have not been able to agree on their next path forward, but a White House official said he hopes and believes they will. We got there once and we can get there again, White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi said in a call with reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healthy river: To keep the Colorado River's heart beating, people step in to do what nature once did Reaching for a consensus by year's end The states appear headed toward next months annual Colorado River Water Users Association conference at an impasse. The Southwest, including Arizona, has borne the brunt of mandated cuts because the region uses most of the water. The Rocky Mountain states have argued their relatively small share of the river and reliance on fickle snowpack instead of the Southwests huge reservoirs means theyre already suffering without taking mandated cuts. They could still reach a consensus before the Trump administration chooses a path next year. Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado, released a statement on Wednesday urging that they keep working toward a deal. These proposed alternatives underscore how serious a situation were facing on the Colorado River, Hickenlooper said. The only path forward is a collaborative, seven-state plan to solve the Colorado River crisis without taking this to court. Otherwise, well watch the river run dry while we sue each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Pitt, the Audubon Societys Colorado River specialist and one of those who helped propose a conservationists proposal, agreed that consensus is necessary to provide certainty about how much water is available for environmental restoration. Without it, she said, there is really little opportunity to consider the river itself. The negotiations have divided the states of the rivers upper and lower basins, as designated under the century-old Colorado River Compact. That compact essentially split what the signers thought was the normal flow of the river in half, and required the Upper Basin Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming to leave the Lower Basins half to flow past the dividing line at Lees Ferry in northern Arizona. As the warming and drying climate reduced the rivers natural flow, Upper Basin officials have argued that they shouldnt have to send as much, especially since they arent using as much as the others. Meantime, the southwestern states have long since fully developed their shares and, as a result, have been forced to cut back to keep the river from running dry below Hoover Dam. Now they want the mountain states to commit to their own cutbacks in future drought years. While the outlined options will give water users and others some time to consider their positions ahead of the annual conference and continued negotiations, some observers criticized the information as too vague for meaningful review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Releasing bullet points on alternatives without the full analysis is like sharing a recipe that only lists a few of the ingredients, Great Basin Water Network Executive Director Kyle Roerink said in a news release. Administration officials said they will publish a fuller explanation of the alternatives in December. Brandon Loomis covers environmental and climate issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach him at brandon.loomis@arizonarepublic.com. Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for AZ Climate, our weekly environment newsletter, and follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Biden aides outline Colorado River options before handing off to Trump A Trenton police officer who suspected a 16-year-old boy had a gun grabbed the unarmed teenager by the neck and slammed him into the hood of a car, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey. (Screengrab courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey) Trenton police routinely brutalize and pepper-spray people and stop and search pedestrians and drivers without legal justification, resulting in unlawful arrests, upending prosecutions, and undermining public safety, federal prosecutors announced Thursday after a yearlong probe. The 260-officer force in New Jerseys capital city has a pattern and practice of unconstitutional policing that has left multiple people dead, maimed, or traumatized and cost the city $7 million in lawsuit settlements since 2021, officials said during a morning news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This unconstitutional conduct needs to stop, and it must stop now, said Philip Sellinger, U.S. attorney of New Jersey. We have found that after unconstitutional stops, searches and arrests, all too often, police rapidly escalate their interactions with Trenton residents without even providing people a chance to comply with orders. This unreasonable escalation, plus dangerous forms of physical force and the unreasonable use of pepper spray, have had deadly consequences. Investigators outlined their findings in a scorching, 45-page report that contained 26 recommendations for reform. The Justice Department could compel changes by suing and securing a court-ordered consent decree, as it did in Newark in 2016. But Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general in the Department of Justices civil rights division, said Trenton officials cooperated with the investigation and agreed to implement reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today marks a new chapter. We are making public the violations identified and look forward to working with the city to put the police department on a path to reform, Clarke said. Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora (Edwin J. Torres Governors Office) Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, a Democrat, said city officials plan to enact recommended changes as quickly as possible. All residents of the City of Trenton, and the thousands of people who come here to work and visit on a daily basis, want and deserve a police department which keeps them safe while upholding the rights afforded by the U.S. Constitution, Gusciora said in a statement. Trust within the community is absolutely critical to the mission of the TPD, and the members of the TPD must work at building and rebuilding that trust every day. The report comes just two months before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, giving federal prosecutors limited time to seek court-ordered remedies. Often, officials in federal departments, including prosecutors, get replaced as presidential administrations change, and Trump, in particular, has targeted the Justice Department for overhaul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sellinger declined to say whether he expects to be ushered out or how the Trump administration might regard their findings in Trenton and a handful of other cities around the country where investigations are underway or have uncovered problems. Our expectation is that the work on this investigation and promoting a remedy will continue under the next administration, Sellinger said. Insufficient training and oversight In Trenton, investigators reviewed police records and body-worn camera footage, interviewed city and police leaders, officers, and citizens, and tagged along with officers as they worked, identifying a slew of problems relating to the departments use of force and stops and seizures. Officers across the agency often use physical force and pepper spray even when theres little to no danger or resistance, racking up 815 use-of-force incidents between March 2020 and December 2023, investigators found. They also conduct stops and searches and arrest people without reasonable suspicion or probable cause, illegally entering their cars, prolonging traffic stops, and arresting them wrongfully, they found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This behavior not only violates the Constitution and inflicts serious injuries, but it also sows distrust and undermines law enforcements mission to keep the community safe, Clarke said. Both problems have festered because of deficiencies in training, supervision, and accountability and despite red flags dating back years that should have alerted bosses to the need for scrutiny and reform, the feds report says. Even a $1.9 million lawsuit settlement in the case of an unarmed 29-year-old man in mental crisis who suffocated after officers held him face down in the dirt, ignoring his pleas that he couldnt breathe did not trigger any review, the report says. Trentons police officers do not receive the training they need, including in crucial areas like use of force and the legal rules for stops and searches, Clarke said. Supervisors do not provide sufficient oversight of officers actions, and the police department does not conduct thorough investigations when people file complaints. When citizens report mistreatment, investigators typically dont try hard or even bother at all to interview the complainant, writing them off as uncooperative, investigators found. Internal affairs detectives often misclassify misconduct complaints, listing them simply as other rule violation, making it impossible to track trends, the report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers also routinely turn off their body-worn cameras in violation of policy and use boilerplate language on use-of-force reports that dont give a true picture of an incident or sometimes dont file reports at all, investigators found. Officers were almost never faulted or disciplined for misconduct, even when it was in plain sight, investigators said. The departments internal affairs investigators didnt sustain a single allegation of excessive force or illegal stop or arrest in the cases it closed from 2018 through 2023, according to the report. TPD officers stopped a group of men for loitering, even though merely loitering is not a crime in New Jersey. When one of the men filed a complaint, the IA investigator never considered whether the detention of this group was illegal, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey. (Screengrab courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey) A Trenton police officer pushed a man into the back of a car after illegally frisking him during a traffic stop for tinted windows, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey. (Screengrab courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TPD officers made a man stand with his hands on his head as they illegally prolonged the traffic stop and searched the car, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey. (Screengrab courtesy of the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey) Trenton police officers illegally prolonged a traffic stop for tinted windows and failing to maintain a traffic lane, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey. (Screengrab courtesy of U.S. Attorney of New Jersey) Trenton police officers stopped a man and one of the officers frisked him, merely because they said they saw him adjust his waistband, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey. (Screengrab courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey) A Trenton police officer kneeled on the mans head, in addition to stomping on his hand three times and kicking him in the shoulder, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey. (Screengrab courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Trenton police officer pepper-sprayed a man five times after the man made provocative remarks and hand gestures directed at the officer, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey. (Screengrab courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey) The report offered example after example of brutality and constitutional violations, many of which disproportionately impacted Black people and Latinos in this city of almost 90,000 residents: An officer arresting a man last year repeatedly stomped on his hand, kneeled on his head, and kicked his shoulder even though the man was on the ground. Officers pepper-spray people who criticize or insult the police even though such speech is protected under the First Amendment. In one incident, a cop pepper-sprayed a man who warned he would call a lawyer after seeing how the officer handled a car crash. In another, a cop turned off his body-worn camera and pepper-sprayed a man five times who had made provocative remarks and hand gestures at him. The officer then activated his camera and yelled, You want to make a threat at me? Im locking you the f*** up. Officers taunted an elderly man who refused to allow them inside his home without a warrant in 2020, threw him across the porch, pepper-sprayed him in the face while he was handcuffed, and later lied on paperwork that he had presented a threat to officers. The man, Joseph Ahr, died 18 days later in the hospital. Members of the departments street crimes unit approached a young Black man sitting in a parked car in 2022. When the driver, Jajuan Henderson, drove away because the cops refused to say why they approached, one opened fire, hitting Henderson four times and leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. Officers who spotted a Black man talking to a Black woman in a car in 2022 suspected a drug deal and sped the wrong way down a one-way street to arrest both. As two cops chased the man, a third dragged the woman from the car and handcuffed her, even though cops found no drugs in the car. When one asked another why he arrested her, the arresting cop replied: I dont know. One officer, speaking to a Black man while executing a search warrant at his home, called the man boy and dirty as sh** and said the family was living like animals here. An off-duty officer working at a soup kitchen hit a woman in the head more than a dozen times with her police radio, blows she later claimed were inadvertent. Such incidents decimate public trust, Sellinger said. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger (Photo courtesy of U.S. Attorneys Office) Community members have told us theyre afraid of the police, Sellinger said. They feel disrespected and degraded by officers, and they do not view the officers as their protectors. Road to reform After investigators began their probe in October 2023, the police department disbanded two street enforcement units deemed to be most problematic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the problems were more pervasive than that and require reforms that go beyond restructuring units, investigators wrote. Besides, officials reassigned the units officers to other patrol units where they continue to have daily opportunities to violate the Constitution, investigators added. The Justice Department recommended 26 reforms, mostly requiring closer supervision, expanded training, more accountability, and better recordkeeping. The department should review policies and procedures with an eye on expanding de-escalation techniques, examining use-of-force incidents and stops and searches to identify violations and take disciplinary action, and improving data collection to assess and address trends, investigators urged. Other recommendations include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers who deactivate their body-worn cameras should be disciplined. Officers should be required to attend in-person diversity, de-escalation, and cultural competency training. Supervisors should be held accountable for failing to report or address misconduct. Internal affairs should be overhauled to make it easier for the public to report misconduct, improve procedures for investigation interviews, and track disciplinary outcomes. The Justice Department plans to hold community meetings to brief the public on their findings and solicit input on remedies. People can also recommend remedies by email at USANJ.Community.Trenton@usdoj.gov or by phone at 973-645-2801. Gusciora said the department had begun changing policies even before the federal investigation. We believe that the safety of our residents and the protection of their constitutional rights is paramount, as is supporting those members of law enforcement who do their best every day, Gusciora said. Amol Sinha, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said the feds report confirms what city residents have been saying for decades that officers engage in rampant misconduct with impunity and at an immense human cost. It also shows the need for sweeping police reform statewide, Sinha added. For New Jersey to live up to its values, our state must reimagine policing as we know it, Sinha said. That means strengthening internal affairs and disciplinary systems, modernizing training to end unconstitutional stop-and-frisk practices, implementing comprehensive accountability measures, and empowering communities to engage in oversight of the law enforcement officers who are meant to protect them. Sophie Nieto-Munoz contributed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX An aerial view of farmland which is irrigated by the water from the long-depleted Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Amid stalled negotiations over how to manage the troubled Colorado River in the coming decades, the federal government offered clashing states four different management options for the river Wednesday. The highly anticipated proposals released by the Bureau of Reclamation will serve as the foundation of new water management rules to replace the current ones set to expire in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal officials did not provide many details in their announcement, but all options included steep water cuts in Nevada, Arizona, and California. Two options would require 3.5 million acre-feet of water cuts in Nevada, Arizona, and California annually, or enough water for about 6 million homes a year. One of the four options would impose as much as 4 million acres-feet of water conservation in the three states annually. Nevadas top water negotiator, John Entsminger, has long acknowledged that water use in the three lower basin states has outpaced the rivers supply and will need to be cut dramatically to ensure the long-term stability of the Colorado River and its reservoirs. In a joint statement Entsminger, and representatives for the other lower basin states, said they would need time to evaluate the broad range of management options released by the federal government before throwing their weight behind any of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lower Basin States of Arizona, California and Nevada remain committed to negotiating a path forward with all seven Colorado River states regarding the future operating guidelines for this critical river system, the statement continued. States along the Colorado River have been split into two camps for months over how to manage the river after 2026: Arizona, California, and Nevada in the lower basin; and Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming in the upper basin. Both camps submitted two competing plans to the federal government in March after states could not agree on how to share the rivers dwindling water supply after current rules expire. In an effort to spur compromise, federal water managers also included a management option that blends components from both state plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the compromise proposal, Lake Powell could be required to release as much as 12 million acre-feet of water depending on the lakes elevation. It would also require water cuts in both upper and lower basin states when reservoir storage falls to critically low levels, a suggestion in line with lower basin states proposal. The plan also requires the least water cuts for the lower basin states, a maximum of 2.1 million acre-feet. But upper basin states have repeatedly taken a hard stance against mandatory reductions, arguing they already use less than their full share of the river. Each basin is allocated 7.5 million acre-feet of water, for a total of 15 million acre-feet. However, lower basin states routinely use nearly all their 7.5 million acre-feet Colorado River allocation compared to the 4.5 million acres-feet used by the upper basin states. Today, officials acknowledge only 12.4 million acre-feet flows from the river each year, and flows continue to shrink due to climate change. In a joint statement, water managers for the lower basin states said it is imperative that the Upper and Lower Basin states continue working toward a negotiated solution that inherently requires the participation of all water users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becky Mitchell, Colorados top water negotiator, said in a statement that Colorado is committed to the upper basin states proposed plan, which is designed to rebuild storage in the nations two largest reservoirs Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Still, all seven Colorado River basin states did manage to agree on a short-term proposal last year to conserve at least 3 million acre-feet of water through the end of 2026, while a new long-term plan is developed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Those conservation measures have increased water elevation in Lake Mead by nearly 20 feet compared to two years ago, and have conserved more water in 2023 than any previous year since 1984. Lake Mead still has a long way to full recovery, sitting at 33% capacity as of Wednesday. In 2021 and 2022, Lake Powell and Lake Mead both fell below critical thresholds, triggering emergency water cuts in Nevada, Arizona, and California and federal action to protect the reservoirs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a press call Wednesday, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton said once the rivers short-term viability was settled by the short-term agreement her office turned their attention to the rivers long-term operations plan. Touton noted the proposals introduced by Reclamation are based on several different proposals submitted by states, Native American Tribes, cooperating agencies, and non government organizations. The proposals do not include a Reclamation preferred alternative. These alternatives represent a responsible range from which to build the best and most robust path forward for the basin, Touton said during a press call Wednesday. There certainly are extremely difficult choices and tradeoffs to be made, but we believe that there are ample opportunities to create a fair path to solutions that work for the entire region. Reclamation will now analyze these alternatives to develop a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Once published, the draft EIS will include a public comment period. This puts Reclamation on a path to publish a final EIS, which would then be followed by a Record of Decision in 2026. The election was tumultuous and left a heavy residue of anxiety for some. If you count among the 70 million Americans who voted in hopes of a different outcome, you may be shouldering some of this anxiousness. Anxiety is driven by uncertainty. This is not new; the future is always uncertain. What follows are perspectives about how to persevere amid not knowing what comes next: Refrain from blame, practice acceptance and be aware First, identify the problem. When we perceive a threat, fear sets in. Fear is dangerous. It compels reaction versus responsiveness because our decision making is less sound when we are afraid. If you harbor fear, okay. And, remember emotions while valid are rarely objectively accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Refrain from blame by acknowledging no one person or group of people is the problem. Thats unfair. More helpful is to regard behavior as the problem. Behavior can change. Start with yours to take back a sense of control. Next steps are about how to use your behavior to help your brain. Second, practice acceptance. The United States is a republic, the defining feature of which is power held by citizens, who in turn elect representatives. The Declaration of Independence is clear: Governments should be established deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. We had the opportunity to choose between two paths and one prevailed. This is the democratic process. It is foundational to the American identity. Kristin Brey: I was gutted when Trump won in 2016. This time I'm less distraught. Here's why. So, too, are civil liberties and civil rights. Steadfast adherence to both is key in the years ahead to ensure there are opportunities for continued political engagement. Bearing that in mind, the acceptance encouraged here is for the result not an agenda, nor degradation of constitutional norms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Third, pursue awareness. There is anxiety and there is disquiet. Maybe it is also despair, which includes helplessness. Whatsoever you feel, do not push it away or hide. It could also be surprise at what you feel. Take time to work through it. We have all survived a singular experience until now. Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood said the same: No one else can live the life you live. This means we are the experts of our own lives and emotional experiences. Avoid isolation, find common ground and move forward The fourth step is to seek belonging. Isolation only serves to embolden anxiety. For relief, share your concerns with someone you trust. Relief is learning you are not alone; it is the exhale and it is the shoulder-drop that follows. Conversely, invalidation and minimization are not appropriate. If your typical supports cannot show up in a healthy way, find different pillars to lean on who are able to hold all of you with empathy. If you are troubled by a sudden emotional absence from someone with whom you disagree, it does not mean they are a bad person. See it instead as an opportunity to show up more fully for yourself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifth, find common ground. While our passions and disappointments may catalyze feelings of defeat or bewilderment, we would do well to remember those feelings are in all of us, regardless of political preference. As much as we have the right to lament, those who voted differently have the right to celebrate. John Gurda: Only an apprentice tyrant in first term, Trump threatens to be the real thing Mutual respect is the expectation and the right thing to do. Respect for one another is an additional layer of what it means to be American. For 33 years, Fred Rogers taught children to Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered just one kind word to another person. And finally, decide to move forward. Anxiety is the cornerstone of change. We are in the throes of change. The easiest way out of any distress is through. Weather the uncertainty alongside those willing to walk with you and worthy of lifting your spirits. Be a helper: Get involved in organizations making a difference Use what you feel as the impetus to be kind in greater ways. The secondary beneficiary concept holds that to help others is to also help yourself. Join local initiatives, create robust communities. When Fred Rogers was young, his mother said to him, Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping. Be one of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil society is strong in the United States. The American Civil Liberties Union is an example. Its capacity to hold people and organizations accountable is mighty. Letters: Republicans can't have it both ways on election fairness. Please remember this. If you are concerned about conflict, exude equanimity. Those who pick fights with kindness are left with a poor reflection of themselves. This reflection is visible to the audience and public scrutiny is powerful. Freedom is what you do with what happened to you. Beginning with your behavior is the first and best way to communicate what you wish to see from others. It is the golden rule, really, and to practice it is to grow goodness wheresoever you walk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bethany Rentsch is from the Oshkosh-Rosendale area. Romana Ottolino, from Seattle, is also a contributor. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fear of unknown weighing on Harris voters. How to persevere. | Opinion MOUNTAIN CITY/ELIZABETHTON (WJHL) FEMA announced in a news release on Thursday that two of its Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) locations in the Tri-Cities are temporarily closed due to inclement weather. WATCH: Vehicle fire at Greeneville gas station The Mountain City DRC at the Tennessee National Guard Armory, 1923 S. Shady Street, and the Elizabethton DRC at the Betsytowne Center, 1745 Highway 19 East, are closed until Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA said in the release that both centers will reopen on Friday at 10 a.m., weather permitting. To view a complete FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers list, visit its website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Smoking has decreased more than 70% nationwide since 1965, according to a new report from the U.S. Surgeon General. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This all comes as the research shows cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke kills 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 theres 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This report also points to the targeted marketing by tobacco industry as another factor. It shows the tobacco industry outspends tobacco control groups annually with more than $8.5 billion dollars 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. The Altria Group, which is known for brands like Marlboro and Black & Mild, declined to comment about the findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juul Labs, which produces vapor products, said it never manufactured combustible cigarettes and manufactures 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also calls for solutions to help drive down the addictiveness and availability of commercial tobacco products. Some strategies including limiting 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A man is now facing charges, accused of killing four children in a crash at the Florida-Georgia state line. It took more than a year to make an arrest. Marvin Redondo-Funes faces multiple charges, including four counts of culpable negligence involving a death. Action News Jax first told you about the crash in July 2023. Investigators say Redondo-Funes came to nearly a complete stop on Interstate 95. According to an arrest report, the car was in Nassau County at the Florida-Georgia border heading south on I-95 Marvin Redondo-Funes slowed to one to two miles per hour. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] State troopers tell Action News Jax the car slowed so the passenger could take a picture of the Welcome to Florida sign. A man driving the speed limit behind them ended up rear-ending the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed four children died. They were 10, 12, and two 14-year-olds, according to the familys GoFundMe page. Were told they were the drivers nieces and nephews. All four children were in the backseat of the car and three were unbuckled, authorities say. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Redondo-Funes and his girlfriend survived the crash and FHP said the other driver wasnt seriously hurt. The suspect and victims all lived in New York. An FHP spokesperson said these cases can take a while to resolve because investigators have to wait for toxicology reports among other things, and its a complex investigation. 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. Nov. 21Final, official election results in Montgomery County show new Republican leadership in the county commission and recorder's office. The Montgomery County Board of Elections certified Nov. 5 election results at their meeting on Wednesday determining the winner of close local races after provisional and late-arriving mailed ballots were counted. Former Trotwood mayor and Republican Mary McDonald narrowly unseated longtime incumbent and Democrat Debbie Lieberman, with McDonald bringing in 50.42% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the residents of Montgomery County have placed in me," said McDonald in a statement. "This victory is not only a personal achievement but a meaningful step forward for our community. I look forward to working tirelessly to bring new opportunities to Montgomery County, ensuring that every resident, family, and business feels the positive impact of a government that is inclusive, responsive, and forward-thinking." McDonald will become the first Black candidate elected to the Montgomery County commission. McDonald said her win builds on the achievement of Sarah Harris, who served as the first African American appointed to the Montgomery County commission. "I want to recognize Dr. Harris for paving the way and setting a powerful example of leadership, integrity, and commitment," McDonald said. "Her work has opened doors for future leaders, including myself, and I am grateful for the path she charted." Lieberman was elected to the Montgomery County Commission in 2004 and is in her fifth term. Prior to then, she served on Clayton's city council and worked at the Montgomery County Auditor's Office as a director of real estate and later a chief deputy clerk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lieberman said she was disappointed in the results, but she has hope for the future of Montgomery County and thanked residents for supporting her over the past 20 years. "I don't look at it as a sunset on my career, I look at it as a sunrise," she said. "The outpouring of love and support over the past two weeks has just been overwhelming." Lieberman said she's planning her next steps, but she wants to continue engaging with the community in other ways. "I choose to see this as an opportunity. Public service has been the heart of my life," she said. McDonald was a longtime Democrat before switching parties this year. The pivot to the Republican party happened after McDonald did not receive the Democratic endorsement during her reelection bid for Trotwood mayor, where she was narrowly defeated by Yvette Page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald's candidacy was challenged before the spring primary election, when protesters argued she was not qualified to be on the Republican ballot because she was a Democrat. After a tied vote from the Montgomery County Board of Elections, the Ohio Secretary of State's Office ruled in favor of McDonald remaining on the ballot. McDonald told this news outlet on Wednesday that she will prioritize building relationships with the two other leaders on the commission Judy Dodge and Carolyn Rice. "I'm looking forward to the work we're going to do together," she said. Other races finalized Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montgomery County Recorder Stacey Benson-Taylor was also narrowly defeated by Republican challenger Lori Kennedy. Kennedy received roughly 50.8% of the vote. "I'm honored and humbled to be the next Montgomery County recorder and looking forward to leading the office and serving," said Kennedy. Benson-Taylor did not return requests for comment before the newspaper's print deadline. Other county races saw no change in leadership. Democratic incumbent Dodge received 50.5% of votes, while her Republican challenger, Kate Baker, had 49.5%. Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley, who was indicted a couple of months before the general election, received roughly 52.4% of votes, defeating Democratic challenger Lynn Cooper. Republican Montgomery County Treasurer John McManus won his reelection bid, taking home 56.8% of votes. His challenger, attorney and Montgomery County Democrat Party chair Mohamed Al-Hamdani, had 43.2% of votes. Egypt has begun the sale of a stake worth up to $104m in United Bank, said to be the country's first initial public offering (IPO) since 2021. This move is a key component of a privatisation programme supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). United Bank, which is predominantly owned by Egypt's central bank, is offering 330 million shares, equating to a 30% stake, at a maximum price of 15.6 Egyptian pounds per share, as per the announcement on the stock exchange's website on Wednesday. The IPO process will be initiated with a private placement of 313.5 million shares, available until 25 November, reported Bloomberg. The remaining 5% of shares are set to be offered to the general public from 27 November to 3 December. The sale of United Bank shares is a long-standing objective of the Egyptian authorities and is indicative of renewed efforts to reduce state involvement in the economy. The timing coincides with the IMF's review of Egypt's adherence to an expanded $8bn reform programme, which could lead to the release of a $1.3bn loan instalment. Earlier in 2023, Egypt's government disclosed plans to divest assets across various sectors, including banking, energy, and real estate, with over two dozen assets identified for potential investor acquisition. Despite the devaluation of the Egyptian pound by nearly 40% in March, which facilitated a series of funding commitments as part of a $57bn global bailout, significant asset sales had not materialised until now. Previously, Egyptian officials engaged in negotiations with Saudi Arabia regarding the sale of United Bank, but talks reached an impasse early in 2023 due to valuation differences. Additionally, the government is looking to offload its residual 20% stake in Alex Bank to Intesa Sanpaolo. "Egypt launches United Bank IPO in IMF-backed sale" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Sweco, a European engineering and architecture consultancy, has been entrusted with the design and planning of a new regional hospital in the Swedish city of Kiruna. Kiruna, located in the northernmost part of the country, is currently undergoing a significant urban transformation programme as it moves 3km east to accommodate the expansion of a vital iron ore mine. Sweco will be responsible for creating a hospital that meets the healthcare needs of the residents of Kiruna. It will involve the construction of the hospital on a former mining site, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. The project, commissioned by Region Norrbotten, is expected to be completed between 2029 and 2031. The new hospital aims to provide the same range of healthcare services as the existing facility but with enhanced and streamlined infrastructure. Sweco's role extends beyond planning and design; as the lead consultant, the firm will oversee the creation of programme documentation and leverage its broad expertise to ensure the project's success. The companys experience in healthcare projects spans across various European countries positions it to bring valuable insights and proven strategies to the Kiruna hospital relocation project. Sweco Sweden business area president Ann-Louise Lokholm Klasson said: Sweco has significant experience in planning, designing and managing construction projects for hospitals. We are supporting Region Norrbotten with a multidisciplinary team that combines local expertise, advanced engineering and architecture skills and that can manage the unique challenges of building north of the Arctic Circle. From Swecos side, we are ready to contribute our expertise to help create this important component of societal infrastructure that will benefit the citizens of Kiruna for many years to come. Our goal is not just to create a hospital that meets todays healthcare needs, but one that also is sustainable, robust and adapted for the future. "Sweco awarded Kirunas new hospital project in Sweden" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) The fire ban was lifted in all New Jersey counties on Thursday due to the rain, according to the states Forest Fire Service. A statewide restriction on outdoor fires was imposed back in late October as firefighters dealt with wildfires fueled by the drought. Bonfires, fireworks, fire pits that use wood or charcoal and general fires in wooded areas were all prohibited. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although restrictions have been lifted, the Forest Fire Service asks that New Jerseyans do not become complacent and continue to be careful when using fire, the Forest Fire Service wrote on X. The Forest Fire Service responded to over 500 fires just in October. There is still a drought warning in the state despite the wet weather. 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. PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WTAJ) A fire chief in Pennsylvania died Wednesday night after having a medical emergency at a house fire. Battalion Chief John P. Walsh was in command at a house fire Nov. 20 in Pittsburghs East Hills area when he had a medical emergency, WPXI reported. Pittsburgh Fire Fighters posted to social media to give their deepest sympathies to Walshs widow, family, friends and fellow firefighters. They said his unwavering passion for the job and his remarkable leadership over 37 years will never be forgotten. 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. Cheif Walsh embodied the very best of what it means to serve and protect, the post reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pittsburgh firefighters added that Walsh can rest easy and they have the watch from 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. JERSEY CITY, N.J. (PIX11) Several people had to be rescued by firefighters after a fire broke out at an apartment building early Wednesday. I was thinking about what to do on a Wednesday, a school day, said 16-year-old Abraham Lopez, I wake up around 5:40, and thats when panic sets in and Im just thinking the worst, thinking whats happening? you know, my worst nightmare. More Local News Lopez woke up to his mom frantically yelling and smoke filling the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was so much smoke everywhere, said Lopez. It was dark in the hallway, there were no lights. The Lincoln High School student, his family, and his two cats all made it out okay, but theyre among the 35 people searching for a place to live almost a week out from Thanksgiving. You normally see online stories about fires and you finally experience it for yourself, said Lopez. Jersey City Fire Department officials say a heavy fire was in the basement of the 4-story building in the 200 block of Monticello Avenue. As heavy smoke filled the hallways, 3 people had to be rescued by firefighters and taken to the hospital. Officials say everyone else used the fire escapes to get to safety. One firefighter was injured but is expected to be okay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Me and my friend [were] the first ones that saw the smoke, said Angel Alvarado, who lives in the unit right above the basement where flames broke out. I looked to my left and thats the door from the basement showing smoke coming out. A lot of fire damage, said resident Chad Robinson. Smoke, smoke damage, stuff like that, walls is black, my furniture is dark. Jennings Creek wildfire: Rain forecasted, what this means Residents spent most of the afternoon going in and out of the building, taking with them what they could salvage from their apartments. Many arent sure where theyre going to live next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just basically moved in here 2 months ago, said Robinson, so basically I have to start all over again. During the holidays, now I got to figure it out. The New Jersey chapter of the American Red Cross is aiding more than 30 of the fire victims. The Jersey City Fire Departments Arson Unit is investigating the cause. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. TOPEKA (KSNT) 27 News is investigating reports of a fire at the Goodyear Plant in Topeka Thursday morning. Dan Garrett with the City of Topeka told 27 News Soldier Township Fire was responding to reports of a fire at the Goodyear tire plant. Soldier Township Fire requested mutual aid from the Topeka Fire Department to deal with the situation. 27 News has reached out to Goodyear for a statement on the situation following reports of smoke coming from one of the plants buildings and dispatched a reporter to the scene. More information will be added here as it becomes available. (Photo Courtesy/Jeff Henry) New breakfast restaurant opens soon in west Topeka Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. 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. WEST PALM BEACH A man accused of accidentally shooting and killing a friend during a street fight near Lantana in 2022 will serve prison time after he pleaded guilty to two criminal charges. Circuit Judge Daliah Weiss sentenced Benjamin Coreas to 15 years on Nov. 13 after Coreas pleaded to one count of manslaughter in the Jan. 16, 2022, shooting death of 17-year-old Brian Guevara. Coreas, then 19 and now 21, also pleaded to one count of being a delinquent in possession of firearm. Weiss ordered that Coreas serve concurrent 15-year sentences for each count, crediting him 1,013 days, or nearly three years, of time served in the Palm Beach County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal fraud: He spent most of a Paycheck Protection Program loan on personal expenses. Now he'll pay. Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office investigators said Coreas and Guevara were among a group of teens brawling with at least one other person at the Lantana Cascades Mobile Park, off Congress Avenue near Lantana Road, when Coreas fired a shot that was intended for someone else. Instead, the gunshot struck Guevara in the back. His friends drove him to JFK Medical Center's Atlantis campus, where he died. Investigators arrested two other teens, including one who was a juvenile at the time, on charges of being accessories after the fact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge in October sentenced Javier Benitez, then 18 and now 21, to three years and six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to the accessory charge as well to one count of being a delinquent in possession of a firearm. Oliver Campos, then 17 and now 20, was placed on four years of probation after he pleaded to the same charges as Benitez. Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Gunshot fired during brawl sends man to prison for killing his friend Firefighters responded to a house fire in Miami County Wednesday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] West Milton Fire Department crews were called to the 6600 block of State Route 48 after 11 p.m. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An iWitness7 viewer sent a photo of a house on fire late Wednesday night. Initial reports indicate several departments were called for mutual aid. The dispatcher told News Center 7 that they have no reports of injuries at this time. We will update this story. Photo contributed by iWitness 7 Viewer [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. Astronomers have captured the first close-up image of a star beyond our galaxy, taken during a dramatic moment near the end of the stars life. In it, the behemoth star appears to puff out gas and dust, a critical final step before exploding in a supernova. The star, known as WOH G64, is 160,000 light-years from Earth in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small neighboring galaxy that orbits the Milky Way. Researchers took the picture using the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope Interferometer, located in Chiles Atacama Desert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unprecedented image, combined with observations of WOH G64 over the past decade, has provided astronomers with the opportunity to witness key moments during the violent life cycle of a star. A study describing a comparison of the observations published Thursday in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. For the first time, we have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in a galaxy outside our own Milky Way, said lead study author Keiichi Ohnaka, an astrophysicist from Andres Bello National University in Chile, in a statement. We discovered an egg-shaped cocoon closely surrounding the star. We are excited because this may be related to the drastic ejection of material from the dying star before a supernova explosion. A fading red giant WOH G64 is a red supergiant star 2,000 times larger than our sun, which has led astronomers to call it the behemoth star. During the final stages of their lives, red supergiants shed their outer gas and dust layers, a process that can last for thousands of years. Scientists first discovered the star in 1981, and observations by the InfraRed Astronomical Satellite later in the decade revealed WOH G64 was incredibly luminous and one of the most extreme examples of a red supergiant, said study coauthor Jacco van Loon, Keele Observatory director at the UKs Keele University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Loon has observed WOH G64 since the 1990s and studied it as a student at the European Southern Observatory. He was able to measure the rate at which the star was releasing material into space and realized it wouldnt be able to keep up the ejection rate for long before it had nothing more to shed. Over time, van Loon has watched the stars brightness vary, suggesting it was changing from a massive red supergiant to a smaller and hotter star. Ohnakas team used the Very Large Telescope Interferometer to study the star in 2005 and 2007, but the researchers waited years for one of the telescopes second-generation instruments, GRAVITY, to be developed before an image of the star was possible. The scientists compared the latest observations made via GRAVITY with previous ones, revealing the star has dimmed significantly over the past decade. An artists illustration of WOH G64 showcases the egg-shaped cocoon of dust surrounding the star and an outer ring, or torus, of dust. The existence and shape of the outer ring require more observations for confirmation. - L. Calcada/ESO We have found that the star has been experiencing a significant change in the last 10 years, providing us with a rare opportunity to witness a stars life in real time, said study coauthor Gerd Weigelt, an astronomy professor at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany, in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The astronomy team believes the gas and dust released by the star is responsible for how much it has dimmed in recent years as well as the unusual, stretched-out shape of the dust cocoon that has formed around WOH G64. Its also possible that an unseen companion star has influenced the shape of the cocoon, the study authors said. WOH G64 is one of the largest and most luminous stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud, and if it replaced our sun, it would extend well past the orbit of Jupiter, said Edward Guinan, professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Guinan was not involved in the new study. If the star does explode in the future, it would be visible to the naked eye. They captured an amazing image using the VLTI/Gravity instrument of the star and its complex huge, ejected gas/dust torus, Guinan said in an email, referring to the doughnut shape of the cloud around the star. Destined to explode It has taken the light from the moment of the stars life captured in the new image 160,000 years to reach Earth. WOH G64 was likely 25 to 40 times the mass of the sun when it was born, and such massive stars die when their cores collapse, leading to the creation of a black hole, van Loon said. While the star is likely to go supernova, its impossible to say when the explosion could occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have never been able to tell precisely when a red supergiant is going to explode, as we cant look inside it, van Loon said. What we do know, is that one such supernova seen in the same galaxy in 1987 to every astronomers surprise was a blue supergiant that had exploded. The Hubble Space Telescope soon revealed it had indeed been a red supergiant in the past, perhaps 20,000 years before the explosion. We could be seeing WOH G64 go through such (a) metamorphosis, in which case it might still take thousands of years before we would see it explode. Rare blue supergiant stars are some of the hottest, brightest stars in the universe. But other distant supernovas have shown that before they exploded, stars ejected dense clouds decades beforehand. If this is what we are seeing (WOH G64) doing, then a spectacle awaits us soon, van Loon said. In recent years, astronomers studying the red supergiant Betelgeuse, about 645 light-years away from Earth in the Milky Way, have seen that star unexpectedly dim, which led some to believe it was on the brink of exploding. Some astronomers believe it was just a dust cloud ejected by the star that caused the dimming. Its nowhere near as bright or variable as WOH G64, van Loon said, and only experienced a brief hiccup compared with what WOH G64 is undergoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Betelgeuse is unphased by its display, WOH G64 might have blown off its mantle, and have changed forever, he said in an email. Ohnakas team plans to capture more images of the star in the future, which will be challenging as it grows fainter. But planned updates to the telescopes instruments will help, Ohnaka said. Over the past decade, van Loon ventured into other fields of astrophysics. But WOH G64 pulled him back to studying these monster stars again, van Loon said. The detail we can now see is astonishing, comparable to seeing a person on the Moon, he said. But whats more, we caught it when it must have just done something dramatic. The elongated blob we see in our image is a dense cloud of dust. This makes it hard to see the star itself, but all indications are that it is indeed a much hotter star now. I feel very fortunate to witness this, as we could have been observing it for thousands of years without seeing much change. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. There was more disagreement at the Jackson County Courthouse on Wednesday, November 20, as a planned meeting on ways to spend American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, was essentially canceled. ARPA funds are federal monies given to local governments to help them recover from the pandemic. Five of the nine legislators were no-shows, denying the body a quorum to do business. Democratic County Executive Frank White said the way Democratic County Legislator Manny Abarca was trying to spend the ARPA money in the first place was illegal. White told FOX4 his office wasnt notified of how Abarca wanted to spend the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was Mannys process, and I warned against it, White said. No one listened, and we are where we are. Boeing to lay off nearly 700 Missouri employees in KC, STL and more If White and the legislature cant agree on the ways to spend this $70.4 million by the end of the year, it will go back to the federal government. We do not have a quorum, Chairwoman Jeanie Lauer said at the beginning of Wednesdays planned meeting. So we will not be able to conduct the business according to the agenda. Lauer and the other eight members of the legislature were supposed to be able to discuss ways to spend that money, but Republican Legislator Sean Smith and Democratic Legislators DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Venessa Huskey and Abarca didnt show up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We canceled the meeting because its important to remind the Chair that five members is a majority, not four, Abarca said when asked why he canceled it. The reality that they say compromise, but are unwilling to do it is the reality. Abarca is in favor of the money going to non-profits in the county that suffered during COVID-19. White, on the other hand, would like to see some of the $70 million spent at 1300 Washington where the Assessment Department is. The Public Information Officer in the office, Marshanna Smith, says several hundred county associates could move from the County Courthouse further west to the building at 1300 Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New hotel on Berkley Riverfront celebrates grand opening When it comes to non-profits in the county, White says there are great agencies. Being County Executive, I also have to look at the infrastructure of this county, he continued, talking about what he wants. I think that is what I would hope the legislature would take more of a keen interest in because we do have some very very significant issues that are percolating and some that we have identified that need to be taken care of. Abarca says Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver is disappointed the ARPA dispute hasnt been settled over the last two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It means that he may not bring other money down because what are we going to do with it? he asked, talking about Cleaver. A meeting of the Jackson County Legislature isnt scheduled again until Monday, December 2, but Abarca said a meeting could be set up in-between now and then if a legislator wants one. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30 was detained on Wednesday, Nov. 20 Getty A photo of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters. A photo of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Headquarters. A Florida resident has been arrested for allegedly planning to plant a bomb in New York City ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, 30, from Coral Springs, Fla. was detained and charged with attempting to use an explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce on Wednesday, Nov. 20, according to a release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI said in a criminal complaint that it began investigating Yener in February after receiving a tip that he had been storing bombmaking schematics in an unlocked storage unit, according to the release. Authorities subsequently found bombmaking sketches and items used to create bombs including electronic circuit boards, watches with timers and other items in his storage unit, the release stated. They also found multiple internet searches on bombmaking from Yener's Google account that dated back to 2017. Getty A photo of the New York Stock Exchange. A photo of the New York Stock Exchange. Yener further met up with an undercover FBI employees, whom he believed to be a part of an anti-government militia, and told one of them about his desire to join the militia and construct an explosive device in June. "After meeting an FBI undercover employee Yener indicated he wanted to target a business located in New York City the week before Thanksgiving, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida said in its release. His stated motivation for bombing the business was to attain a reboot and/or reset of the United States government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fla. resident constructed a remote trigger for the explosive device and conducted research on where to plant the bomb, officials said. He also tasked undercover FBI employees with obtaining the explosive element for the device, surveilling the business, and getting photos of the targeted building to identify the precise location for detonating the explosive device. 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. Getty An aerial view of the New York Stock Exchange's trading floor. An aerial view of the New York Stock Exchange's trading floor. According to charging documents obtained by the Associated Press, CBS News and BBC, Yener indicated that he intended to carry out his plot at the New York Stock Exchange. The Stock Exchange, we want to hit that, because it will wake people up, he told undercover agents, reported AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit added that he planned on wearing a disguise and indicated he wanted to plant the explosive outside the business," according to CBS News. Yener also recorded a message to be delivered to the press that outlined his reasons for the attack, reported the BBC. Yener anticipated the impact of the explosion 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, officials said in their release. Yener appeared in court on the day of his arrest and will remain detained while he awaits trial. The U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for a copy of the criminal complaint. Gov. Tony Evers ordered flags to fly at half-staff Thursday in recognition of the third anniversary of the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy and to honor those killed. On Nov. 21, 2021, Darrell Brooks plowed an SUV through Waukesha's annual Christmas parade, killing six people who ranged from 8 to 81 years old. More than 60 were injured. Brooks was sentenced to more than 1,200 years in prison, including six consecutive life sentences. "We honor Tamara, Wilhelm, Jane, Leanna, Virginia, Jackson, their loved ones, the dozens of people who were injured that day, and the many whose lives were forever changed by this senseless act of violence," Evers said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evers also ordered flags to fly at half-staff on Nov. 21 in 2022 and 2023. "Today, we also remember and recognize the strength and the spirit of the Waukesha community, their resilience, and their generosity and compassion in the wake of an unspeakable tragedy. Waukesha and Wisconsin remain Waukesha Strong,'" he said. After a more than two-year fundraising effort, a dedication ceremony will be held for the Parade Memorial at Grede Park on Thursday evening at 4:39 p.m. The memorial will include benches, a tile wall made up of tiles created by the community, plaques for the victims and sculptures, according to the city. More: Construction to start in May for Waukesha parade memorial after fundraising goal is met The American Flag flies at half staff at Milwaukee City Hall in Milwaukee on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. More: Two years after tragedy, Waukesha steps into safe and secure Christmas Parade weekend How long will flags be at half-staff on Thursday? The U.S. flag and the Wisconsin state flag will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday. Where will flags be at half-staff? According to Evers' order, the American flag and the Wisconsin state flag will fly at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations belonging to the state of Wisconsin. Why do flags fly at half-staff? U.S. flags typically fly at half-staff in the wake of national tragedies or after deaths of government officials, military members or first responders. They also fly at half-staff on Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance, including 9/11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The United States flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning," USA.gov says. "The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are flags flying at half-staff in Wisconsin on Thursday? Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses the press on May 28, 2021, at a warehouse operated by LifeSciences Logistics LLC to house imported Canadian pharmaceuticals. The imports still haven't begun. Source: Screenshot/Florida Channel Nearly a year after the Biden administration gave Florida the green light to become the first state to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada a longtime goal of politicians across the political spectrum, including President-elect Donald Trump the program has yet to begin. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hailed the FDAs approval of his plan in January, calling it a victory over the drug industry, which opposes importation on the grounds that it would lead to a surge in counterfeit medications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Florida health official familiar with the importation program told KFF Health News there was no planned date yet for the state to begin importing drugs. The official asked not to be identified because they werent authorized to speak publicly about the program. Florida applied to create an importation program in November 2020, just months after the Trump administration gave states the option. DeSantis, a Republican, complained publicly for years about the pace of the federal approval process under the Biden administration and in 2022 filed suit against the FDA for what he called a reckless delay. Trump touted his administrations move to bring medicines over the border in a preelection interview published last month by AARP, the advocacy group for older Americans, which supports allowing Americans to buy drugs from Canada. He vowed to continue my efforts to protect Americans from unaffordable drug prices in a second term. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear whether his second administration will or can do more to help Florida and other states set up programs, because its ultimately up to the states to act. Colorado is the only other state that has an importation plan pending with the FDA. DeSantis administration officials have refused for months to answer questions from KFF Health News about the program. Alecia Collins, deputy chief of staff for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, said in October that officials were traveling and unavailable. In mid-November, she said she still had no answers. DeSantis press secretary Jeremy Redfern said he had been slammed since the first week of November and could not answer questions. FDA spokesperson Cherie Duvall-Jones said she could not answer whether Florida had submitted documents the agency requires before the state can start importing medicines. She referred all questions to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After this article published and 14 weeks after KFF Health News first contacted Florida officials for comment Alecia Collins, deputy chief of staff for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, said the state is awaiting feedback from the FDA on the last of the [pharmaceutical] labels so we can move forward with the next steps for launching the program. The FDA did not immediately respond to a follow-up request for comment. Price controls Drug companies typically sell medications for far less in Canada than in the United States, as a result of Canadian government price controls. But because of safety and efficacy concerns, federal law prohibits consumers from buying drugs from outside U.S. borders except in rare cases. Politicians ranging from conservatives such as DeSantis to liberals such as Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont have long pushed for importing lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada. In 2000, Congress passed a law allowing states to import prescription drugs from north of the border, with the caveat that it could go forward only if the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services affirmed it was safe. That didnt happen until 2020, when Trumps HHS secretary, Alex Azar, made such a declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2022, Azar has been chairman of the board at LifeScience Logistics, a Dallas-based company that Florida is paying millions of dollars to set up its drug importation program, including warehousing its medicines. Azar on Nov. 13 refused to answer questions from KFF Health News about drug importation, saying he wasnt authorized to speak on the matter. Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a signing ceremony authorizing Canadian drug imports at the White House with President Trump on July 24, 2020. (Screen grab from White House feed) No benefit to consumers Floridas program would not directly assist consumers at the pharmacy. Its instead aimed at lowering costs for the state Medicaid program and for the corrections and health departments. Matthew Baxter, a senior director at Ontario-based Methapharm Specialty Pharmaceuticals, which has contracted with LifeScience to export drugs, would not say whether Methapharm has sent any medicines over the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pharmaceutical industry and the Canadian government oppose U.S. drug importation. Drug companies say importation would increase the risk of counterfeit drugs appearing on U.S. pharmacy shelves, while the government in Ottawa has warned it wont allow medicines to be exported if Canadians could experience shortages as a result. Floridas predicted savings would also be relatively minor. DeSantis estimated the program would save state agencies up to $180 million in its first year. Floridas annual Medicaid budget tops $30 billion. Florida identified 14 drugs, including for cancer and AIDS, that it would attempt to import from Canada for its state agencies. It riles up the crowd Camm Epstein, a health policy analyst in Saratoga Springs, New York, said drug importation is a seemingly simple concept that resonates with the public, which is why DeSantis and others have turned to the idea as a response to rising drug prices. It riles up the crowd, he said. Who doesnt want to pay lower drug costs? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was, at best, a boondoggle. Camm Epstein, health policy analyst But bringing drugs over the border is complicated because of the FDAs many requirements, including finding companies to work with a Canadian exporter and a U.S. importer and following a process that ensures the drugs are authentic, Epstein said. This was, at best, a boondoggle, he said. Florida has spent tens of millions of dollars to stand up its drug importation program. The state has already paid LifeScience Logistics $50 million to set up a warehouse to store the medicines. DeSantis noted the costs in his 2022 lawsuit against the FDA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiffs have paid their retained importer and distributor over $24 million thus far and increasing at the rate of $1.2 million every month even though not a single prescription pill has been imported, relabeled, or distributed, solely because of the FDAs idleness, the state said in its suit. Floridas delay may be due to operational challenges, Epstein said. Predictably, even if they turned on the spigot there would be no flow, because Canada was not going to permit for the supply, he said. Colorado and Florida are among at least nine states that have passed laws allowing for Canadian drug importation. Colorados 2022 application to the FDA is still pending. In December 2023, Colorado officials released a report noting the state was unable to find a drugmaker willing to sell it medicines from Canada. This story has been updated to add a comment from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story originally appeared on KFF. Subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Florida condo owners are facing a conundrum. Units for sale are sitting on the market longer and owners who want to stay are facing rising costs. At the state legislatures 2024 Organization Session, state leaders were asked about a possible special session to deal with the condo crisis. Governor Ron DeSantis seems to support this, but legislators at the capitol say this issue will have to wait. The concerns with condos have been a growing issue, especially after two back-to-back hurricanes. Lawmakers were questioned on the topic, with many asking the House Speaker Daniel Perez if we can expect a special session. The question shouldnt be when; the question should be what, Speaker Perez said. What is the solution that people are offering to the issue before condos? Its an issue well be discussing during session, were almost there. While committee week may still be months away, condo owners are stressing over the looming Dec. 31 inspection deadline. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo says he is sympathetic to those concerns and reminds Floridians the governor can take action on his own. The governor can call a special session, Leader Pizzo said. He indicated that he doesnt want us coming up here and not having a plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pizzo assures condo owners there will be movement on this issue next session, and for those who cant comply by the end of the year, you wont lose your unit. There may very well just be a large chunk of buildings that are not able, in a timely fashion, to comply with the end of the year requirements, certainly on inspections and studies, Pizzo said. Thats OK, and Im not saying that is permission and license to go procrastinate. Its just, theres a finite number of structural engineers of architects and availability to conduct these studies. Were not taking your unit away if you dont comply by the end of the year. Pizzo added that condo associations in his district, Miami-Dade County, have had a recertification process for years now, and said its important to note that every other component in Floridians lives has some maintenance cost associated with it. We are going to have another condo bill a very comprehensive one but now we are talking about some older buildings, where a number of owners have equity in their units, Pizzo said. Were not even looking to tap the equity, but there are a number of financing options that we need to do a better job messaging and conveying. Republican Representative Linda Chaney says there are 120 Representatives and 40 Senators continuing to work on this issue. Ive been around talking to my condos and a lot of times when we explain how the budgeting is done, it eases a lot of their concerns, Rep. Chaney said. A lot of their concerns may not be able to be handled legislatively. There may just be, you know, some things that need to be done to make those condos safer and that just may end up costing money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chaney added that she is not hearing of any special session or going to be taking action any sooner than when the session starts. Leader Pizzo added that he will be hosting a condo summit on Dec. 3 to meet with professional stakeholders as he has noticed inconsistencies with the current law. He wants to get an understanding of what the language is in Florida law. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. A Florida man was arrested on Wednesday over an alleged plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to reset the U.S. government, according to unsealed documents. Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, a South Florida resident, was charged with attempting to use an improvised explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate or foreign commerce, according to court documents. FBI agents started probing Yener in February after getting a tip that he was storing bomb schematics in an unlocked Coral Springs, Fla., storage unit. After getting a search warrant, FBI agents found bombmaking sketches, numerous watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics that could be utilized to make an explosive, the criminal complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yener told law enforcement officials in early March that he previously tried to join a domestic extremist group and had experience with making rockets and bombs. He also told agents that he considered joining ISIS and fighting for them in 2015 in Iraq but decided not to because he thought that ISIS would not end up achieving their objectives, according to the complaint. He told an FBI undercover employee that he wanted to deploy and detonate his improvised device on the New York Stock Exchange. The target date to carry out the bombing would be Nov. 18, wanting to attain a reboot and/or reset of the United States government. When planting the explosive device, Yener planned to wear a disguise and record a message to be sent to news media, saying the explosion like a small nuke went off and that [a]nything outside the building will be wiped out and anything inside there would be killed, the Florida resident said, according to the complaint. On Nov. 12, Yener made multiple audio recordings and allegedly discussed having them sent to NBC News the same day or a day after the bombing. At the time, he allegedly told an undercover agent, I feel like Bin Laden, according to investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Laura C. Morel is examining maternity homes as a part of The New York Times's Local Investigations Fellowship. For this article, she interviewed, among others, 48 current or former residents, employees and volunteers from homes across Florida. In Naples, Fla., Sunlight Home offered refuge and a fresh start for pregnant women on the brink of homelessness. It also required them to get permission before leaving the property and to download a tracking app on their phones, former residents said and its policies show. At Hannahs Home of South Florida, near West Palm Beach, women needed a pastors approval to have romantic relationships and were compelled to attend morning prayer, according to former residents, employees and volunteers. They also had to hand over their food stamps to pay for communal groceries, a practice that two government assistance experts said most likely violates the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In many parts of Florida, where housing costs are soaring and lawmakers have sharply curtailed abortion access, pregnant women and teens who need a safe, stable place to live are increasingly turning to one of their few options: charity-run maternity homes. The homes, most of which are affiliated with churches or Christian nonprofits, often help women and teens as they flee abuse, age out of foster care or leave drug rehabilitation. But Florida allows most homes to operate without state standards or state oversight. An examination by The New York Times and the investigative podcast and radio show Reveal found that many homes require residents to agree to strict conditions that limit their communications, their financial decisions and even their movements. Homes often disclose the rules to women before they move in and sometimes post them online. Codes of conduct are common in residential programs. Still, in interviews, women who lived in some maternity homes said they had not anticipated how burdensome the rules would be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt like Sunlight Home was dehumanizing, almost like we were criminals, not single mothers, said Kara Vanderhelm, 33, who lived at the home for about eight months until July. At several homes, residents faced serious consequences for violating rules. In some instances, employees called the police when women questioned their authority or left the property without permission. In others, women said they were expelled with little notice. After Kristina Atwood lit incense in her bedroom at Genesis House in Melbourne, Fla., one night in June 2021, she was told to wake her two children and leave immediately, she said. The homes director, Kristen Snyder, said employees had warned Ms. Atwood that fire of any kind was not allowed. Ms. Atwood, 35, said she did not recall any warnings. I had nowhere else to go, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, maternity homes were institutions where unmarried pregnant women could give birth in secret and put their babies up for adoption. Most shut down by the 1970s, when access to birth control had widened. More recently, however, the homes have experienced a nationwide renaissance. The number of homes has grown by nearly 40 percent in the past two years and now surpasses 450, according to Heartbeat International, a national anti-abortion group that supports maternity housing. Homes today typically focus on keeping mothers and babies together. Many let expectant mothers, and occasionally women with children, stay for free so they can save money and find a permanent place to live. Women often learn about them through social services providers or anti-abortion pregnancy centers, and move in voluntarily. In Florida, maternity homes that house pregnant teenagers are subject to oversight. Those that admit minors in the foster care system must obtain state licenses, which entails meeting qualification and training requirements for employees, among other standards, and allowing state inspections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other homes with teenagers can instead register with the nonprofit Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies, an alternative for voluntary, faith-based programs that forgo government funding. The association conducts its own inspections and requires less training and formal education for employees, a review of its standards shows. But about half of the maternity homes in Florida do not accept pregnant teenagers and can therefore develop their own standards and rules. Several of those homes are staffed by employees who lack relevant professional experience, people who worked in them said. The Times and Reveal identified 27 total homes in Florida. The news organizations examined 17 of them by touring some facilities, reviewing published policies, examining hundreds of pages of police reports and interviewing 48 current or former residents, employees and volunteers. The news organizations found that the homes with mandatory religious programs and restrictions on outings and communications tended to be unregulated or registered with the religious nonprofit. Many licensed homes did not have such rules, even though state standards do not explicitly prohibit them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some directors of homes with strict rules said that they were necessary to maintain order, and that they had limited residents movement to keep them away from drug users and abusive people. The Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies said the restrictions in its homes were meant to help each client break the cycles of poverty and addiction to find hope and healing in Christ. In a statement, Sunlight Home said that residents regularly leave the property for job interviews, work and appointments, but that employees provide some accountability to ensure their safety. In a separate statement, the chief executive of Hannahs Home, Karen Hilo, said that her homes food-stamp practices did not violate any laws and that its other rules were in place to curtail behaviors and attitudes which can undermine individuals and the entire groups success. Other home leaders said their programs were improving the lives of mothers and children. Some had helped residents get benefits like day care vouchers and food stamps. We have women who go to work every day, said Ms. Snyder, of Genesis House. Its not enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valerie Harkins, who oversees maternity housing for Heartbeat International, said more programs nationwide were embracing a more clinical approach by hiring social workers. We want women to have services, she said. We want women to have access to help. Social services experts agreed that maternity homes offer vital aid. But the inconsistencies in care and oversight are troubling, said Mike Carroll, a former secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families who now oversees a network of social services programs, including a licensed, faith-based maternity home. It can lead to some pretty abusive situations, Mr. Carroll said. Living under a microscope Rachel Hunt, 29, was six weeks pregnant, fresh out of detox and homeless at the start of 2022. Employees at the treatment program she had just completed helped her find Hannahs Home, which is registered with the Christian nonprofit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, Ms. Hunt found Hannahs Home charming: pale yellow with green front doors and located in a leafy, residential neighborhood in Tequesta. It could house up to eight women and their babies. But Ms. Hunt felt as if she were living under a microscope. There were security cameras in the living room and the entryway, a common feature at both regulated and unregulated homes. In interviews, 10 former residents, volunteers and employees described strict rules at Hannahs Home. For the first month, cellphones were prohibited and visitors were not allowed. Morning prayer, art therapy and nutrition classes were mandatory. Jadyn Merrill, who moved in during the summer of 2022, said she quit her job at a retail store and canceled medical appointments to avoid missing the required programs. With no income, she fell behind financially, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several women also said the air-conditioning system struggled to cool the womens bedrooms on hot summer days. The babies napped wearing only diapers, with fans trained on their cribs. Ms. Hilo, the chief executive, said in her statement that Hannahs Home is a voluntary program that requires a significant commitment from residents. We do not merely meet a housing need, Ms. Hilo wrote. We offer a comprehensive program which is available from the time a pregnant woman commits until her baby is 2 years old. Ultimately, their motivation needs to be intrinsic for the program to be successful. Ms. Hilo characterized the religious programming as optional. She said that an air-conditioning unit was replaced four months ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the Christian nonprofit said it does not oversee the care of adults who live in its registered homes. The group has denied requests for copies of its inspection reports, asserting that they are not subject to Florida open records laws. Last month, The Times filed a lawsuit against the group, seeking access to the reports. In some ways, Ms. Hunt said, Hannahs Home changed her life for the better: She found a sense of community, and stayed for months after her daughter was born in 2022. But many rules felt overly restrictive, she said. Last year, she missed several morning prayer sessions and let her mother into the homes private residential area, which was not allowed. Soon after, she was advised that any further violations would lead to her removal from the program, a warning letter shows. After returning late from an out-of-state trip this January, Ms. Hunt and her daughter were kicked out, she said and text messages between her and multiple employees show. Ms. Hilo said that Ms. Hunt was expelled because she consistently violated rules that are in place to ensure the safety of all residents. Ms. Hunt had wanted to build a life with her daughter in Florida, she said, but without Hannahs Home, she could not afford a place to live. She and her daughter moved in with her parents in North Carolina. I felt like a failure, she said. It isnt a correctional institute Many, though not all, unlicensed homes imposed similar restrictions as a condition of residency, policies and interviews show. Two required sexual abstinence. Three conducted random searches of rooms and belongings. At least six mandated attendance at morning prayer, church services, Bible study or a Christian 12-step program, activities that some former residents said felt like religious indoctrination. One of those homes, Divine Mercy House in Jacksonville, let residents choose a church and allowed for absences. Im very flexible, the executive director, Amy Woodward, said. Im not going to force anyone to go to church when their baby is sick. At Divine Mercy, outings longer than 30 minutes required written notice at least 24 hours in advance and were subject to approval. Ms. Woodward said the rule was intended to ensure the safety of residents who had fled abusive relationships. I have really tried my absolute hardest to create an environment that is just peaceful and uplifting, she said. Restrictions on cellphone use were also common. Residents of the Inn Ministry in Jacksonville had to leave their phones downstairs overnight a rule instituted to prevent disruptive conversations, the director, Judith Newberg, said. The house had a landline telephone upstairs for emergency use, she said. Melissa Radey, a professor of social work at Florida State University who has published research on licensed maternity homes in Florida, said employees sometimes believe that such rules protect residents from traffickers and other potential threats. There could be some very good intentions from providers, Dr. Radey said. Some home leaders said they were scaling back rules. Visitation House, an unregulated home in DeLand, Fla., stopped requiring residents to turn in cellphones at night because it deterred women from staying there, the board president, Erin Kappiris, said. We dont want these women to come and feel like theyre going into a penal system, she said. It isnt a correctional institute. Sunlight Home, which is registered with the Christian nonprofit and housed up to eight residents and their babies, had some of the strictest rules among the homes reviewed by The Times and Reveal. Beyond the tracking app requirement and needing permission to leave, women had to lock their phones in a safe overnight, former residents said. Not being able to just step outside and go for a walk was hard, said Emily Colts-Tegg, 24, who lived at the home this year from February to July. It did take a toll on me. Former residents and employees also said home leaders withheld access to donated clothing and accessories by requiring women to first earn Sunlight coins. The coins were awarded for meeting personal goals. Calls and messages to the chief executive, E.B. Yarnell, were not returned. In Sunlight Homes statement, a lawyer representing the facility, David C. Gibbs III, called it a voluntary rehabilitative program. He said that the home requires residents to agree to its rules before they move in. The coins were required only for luxury items like purses and jewelry, he added. Our program provides a safe, residential space for each client to begin getting quality rest and proper nutrition and feel safe and secure to start building their lives, Mr. Gibbs wrote. This atmosphere assists each client in creating new nondestructive habits that can help them towards a lifestyle that will allow them to survive and thrive. But Jessica Behringer, 38, who moved out in April after three months there, said the rules made life unbearable. Everyone is being controlled there, she said. Three other residents departed for similar reasons in the last year, they told The Times and Reveal. Recently, a complaint about the house led to litigation. This summer, a former director of operations, Jenna Randazzo, posted an online review urging women to avoid Sunlight Home. In the review, she wrote that the home had stopped providing mental health therapy and transportation and that Ms. Yarnell had turned the once nurturing environment into one resembling a strict boot camp. This month, Ms. Yarnell sued Ms. Randazzo over that review, asserting that it was false and defamatory. In the lawsuit, Ms. Yarnell denied that she had canceled mental health and transportation services or withheld residents access to donated items. Ms. Randazzo declined to comment on the suit. We werent prepared In interviews, some women recalled positive experiences at unlicensed homes. One said she had been raised in a religious family and did not mind the church requirements. Another, Alice Payne, who stayed with Brehon Family Services in Tallahassee, appreciated the help employees gave during her infant daughters bouts of colic in 2014. I dont know where I would have been without Brehon House, she said, adding that the home did not monitor residents or enforce rigid rules. But other women faced police visits or expulsion. Eight homes routinely called the police when residents defied rules or employees, a review of more than 500 pages of police records from the past six years found. Calls to law enforcement are common in group homes, said Shamra Boel-Studt, an associate professor of social work at Florida State University and co-author of the maternity housing research with Dr. Radey. But, she said, staff with proper training and resources should be able to manage some situations, and best practice is to call the police only when there is a safety risk. Employees at Mater Filius Miami, which was licensed until 2023 but then opted for the religious registration, frequently called the police, records show. On Aug. 26, 2021, an employee called to report that a 29-year-old resident had stopped eating, according to a police report. The employee wanted her detained under a state law that lets the police temporarily commit people in a mental health crisis. When officers arrived, employees said the woman had been disobedient and noncompliant, records show. Earlier that day, she had walked to a nearby Starbucks, which was not allowed at that time. In the end, the woman was not detained. Officers advised home employees not to call the police when they had a mom that did not want to follow house rules, records show. Mater Filius Miami closed this year. Blanca Salas, who ran the home with her husband, Juan C. Salas, said in a phone interview that the reason was a lack of funding. We worked on this pro bono, Ms. Salas said. We did it for the love of God. She said the home had needed the support of mental health professionals. We werent prepared, she said. For women at other homes, failing to follow house rules had different consequences. Several homes gave women 24 hours or less to pack up and leave, according to their policies, police records and interviews. When Genesis House expelled Ms. Atwood after she lit the incense, she initially refused to leave. After both she and staff members called the police, Genesis House agreed to cover a hotel room for Ms. Atwood and her children that night, she said. The next afternoon, she was homeless again. Cheryl Phillips contributed reporting. This article was reported in partnership with Big Local News at Stanford University. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida maternity homes offer sanctuary, but it can feel oppressive TALLAHASSEE One week after President-elect Donald Trump shocked Florida by naming then-U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general, Gaetz has withdrawn his nomination. The week since Gaetzs nomination has been dominated by talk of a House ethics investigation into allegations Gaetz had sex with a minor. It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, Gaetz wrote Thursday in a post on the social media site X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump nominated him, and a few people have already said they are interested in replacing him. Gaetzs withdrawal from the attorney general nomination raises questions about his next steps and the future of the northern Florida seat. Heres what Florida politicians and others are saying in response to Gaetzs withdrawal. President-elect Donald Trump Gaetz has long been one of Trumps most loyal allies. Trump said on social media Thursday that he appreciated Gaetzs efforts. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect, Trump said. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do! U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Luna, a Republican from St. Petersburg, has been one of Gaetzs strongest defenders and allies in Congress. She has called allegations against Gaetz a baseless smear campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Luna said something tells me we havent heard the last of Gaetz, and thanked him for his service to the country. State Rep. Michelle Salzman Salzman, a Republican from the Panhandle, announced her plan earlier this week to run for the seat in Congress vacated by Gaetz. On social media Thursday, she did not address whether she would end her candidacy, but said she would stand with Matt whenever and wherever his next fight may be. State Rep. Joel Rudman Rudman, also a Republican state representative from the Panhandle, is running for Congress to replace Gaetz against Salzman and other conservative competitors John Frankman and Keith Gross. Rudman said if Gaetz wants to come back to Congress, he will support him 100%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If not, I am ready to carry the torch and fight like hell to make him proud, Rudman said on social media. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott As a member of the Senate, Scott would have been one of the lawmakers to vote on Gaetzs appointment. Scott has previously said that he would fight to get all of Trumps nominees confirmed. Scott also faces a question of who will join him in representing Florida in the Senate. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has been tapped to join Trumps administration, leaving a vacancy for Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill. When asked Thursday whether Gaetz should fill the vacant Senate slot, Scott said, I think Lara Trump is a great pick. But Matt would be a great person. But I think Lara would do a great job, according to Politico. State Rep. Anna Eskamani Eskamani, an outspoken Democrat in the Florida Legislature, said Gaetz withdrawing is great news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she said the ethics report looking into allegations of sexual misconduct should still be released. She also questioned whether he would be able to return to Congress. Im sure Trump will just nominate him for something else, Eskamani said on X. State Rep. Alex Andrade Andrade, a Republican from Pensacola, said that the whole circumstance around Gaetzs nomination and withdrawal highlights the fact that Gaetz has this uncanny ability to make career politicians hang on to his every word. Countless people are waiting to see what he does next, Andrade said on X. Keith Gross Gross challenged Scott in the primary for U.S. Senate and recently announced his campaign to run for Gaetzs congressional seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gross said he was looking forward to seeing Gaetz crack heads at the Justice Dept. Now that he is free: Matt Gaetz for Senate! Gross said on Thursday. He did not address whether he would end his candidacy for Congress or not. Florida Democratic Party The Florida Democratic Party is headed by Nikki Fried, who used to work closely with Gaetz when she was a lobbyist. On social media, the party tweeted that Gaetz didnt even last a full Scaramucci. Anthony Scaramucci was a Trump communications director who served for 11 days. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google AI chatbot: You are a stain on the universe. Please die. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Nexstars WREG has reached out to 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 Queen City News. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) On the afternoon of day three of The State of Texas v. Ryan Joaquin Renfroe, three forensic scientists and three associates of Jakob Jones were called to the stand to give testimonies. Forensic Scientist The First witness to come to the stand was Jason White, a forensic scientist who works for the DPS labs in Lubbock, Texas, which did the DNA testing on the items sent to them from the San Angelo Police Department. The items that were submitted were a handgun, a bullet magazine, a gun holster, buccal swabs, and blood cards. Through testing, White found that Renfroes DNA was in the DNA profiles of the handgun and the gun holster. White pointed out that the amount of Renfroes DNA on the holster was very significant. White then was dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second forensic scientist who was called onto the stand was Sarah Hall. She works in the DPS labs in Austin, Texas. She did the testing on the GPR kits (gunpowder residue) and found that Renfroe had gunpowder residue on him and Chambers did not. Hall was then dismissed. The last forensic scientist to take the stand in todays session was Dr. Luisa Florez, a forensic pathologist. She performed the autopsy on Jones. She said Jones had gunshot wounds under the right eye, an entry wound on his ribs with an exit wound on his back, and an entry wound on his right arm. Florez said there was a piece of glass in Jones wound under his eye. Florez said that the gunshot to the chest broke some ribs exited through his back and into his right arm. Florez said that the chest and arm injuries would have kept Jones alive and mobile but the gunshot injury under the eye would have dropped him right away and left him unconscious. The toxicology report Florez did on Jones said that he only had alcohol in his system. Florez pointed out it was 1.5x higher than the legal driving limit. Florez was then dismissed. Witnesses of the events The first associate of Jones that was called up was Haylea Murrell. She is the younger sister of Jakob Jones. Murrell talked about how there was a road rage accident with Renfroe that occurred on Main Street. Murrell said her brother was driving close to Renfroe and then his truck stopped working. She then said that her brother pulled over to fix his truck. She then said Renfroe did a U-turn and started driving towards the parked car, so she, Wilson, and Chambers took off running. Said her brother fixed the truck and then picked them up. Murrell is then dismissed, and another witness is called up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next associate of Jones to take the stand was Hyven Laurance who was there at the shooting. Laurance claims to have met Jones on the day of his death. Laurance said Chambers, Wilson, and Jones picked her up from an Angelo State University parking lot to pop fireworks out in Grape Creek. Laurance said on the way back into town from popping fireworks, they stopped by the downtown bars so Chambers could get a drink. Laurance said Jones and Renfroe were texting back and forth about meeting up to fight. Then she said that Chambers came back into the truck, and they started driving around looking for Renfroe because Jones and Renfroe had agreed to fight each other with no weapons. Laurance said when they found Renfroe in the alleyway of a bar downtown, Jones got out of the truck ready to fight. She claimed Jones had no weapons on him and no one else got down from the truck. Laurance claims to have heard Jones yell NO NO, before getting shot for the first time. Laurance then testified that she saw Renfroe holding and aiming a gun at Jones. Laurance said Renfroe shot Jones again in the face because Jones tried to wrestle the gun away and he dropped unconscious, and then Wilson told Chambers to drive away. Chambers then dropped off Wilson and Laurance at a police car near Food King. The witness was then dismissed. The last witness to testify today was Cody Chambers, best friend of Jones. Chambers was with Jones during the road rage incident on Main Street and the New Years Eve shooting. Chambers remembers Renfroe driving in front of Jones and Jones was tailgating Renfroe because Renfroe was driving around 15 mph. Chambers claimed that Jones only tailgated Renfroe for a short amount of time before Jones truck broke down. Chambers said when they pulled over Renfroe made a U-turn and started driving at them. Chambers claims he has a bad past and wasnt going to stick around to see what that driver was going to do so he took off running. Chambers said when he got back to Jones fixing his truck they left. Chambers said that Jones made a joke about them running away and nothing happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chambers then testified that he knew of Renfroe because Jones told him about an incident that happened in Grape Creek between Jones and Renfroe. Chambers then said after finding out who Renfroe was, that he messaged Renfroe that messing with Jones is like messing with him. Chambers said I did this in hopes of him leaving my best friend alone. Chambers then started talking about the night of Jones death. Chambers, Wilson, and Jones went to Angelo State University to pick up a friend named Hevyn Lawrence. Chambers then said that the group went towards Grape Creek to pop fireworks. Chambers claimed he couldnt remember exactly when, but at some point in the night Renfroe was messaging Jones and Chambers about meeting up to fight. Chambers said when they got into town, he wanted to stop by a bar downtown, but they already had the final call and werent letting anyone in. Chambers claims he then went back into his truck and thats when the group started looking for Renfroe. Renfroe claimed to be in the alley of a downtown bar. When Chambers found where Renfroe was, Chambers testified that Jones got out of his truck, and then a few seconds later he heard a gunshot. Chambers then turned around and could not see either Renfroe or Jones. Chambers claimed Wilson yelled for them to leave. Chambers then dropped Laurence and Wilson at the police car near Food King. Chambers then said he drove back to the crime scene gun in hand ready to save his best friend or get himself hurt. Chambers then was dismissed. Court was also dismissed and will start again on Nov. 20 at 8:45 a.m. Previous Trial Coverage Pub manager, deceaseds friend testify in New Years Day murder trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement testifies in New Years Day murder trial Trial begins for man accused of New Years Day murder Pub manager, deceaseds friend testify in New Years Day murder trial Pre-Trial Coverage Grand jury indicts man for New Years killing 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. 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. 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. Jenny Kozak (left), a masters student at South Dakota Mines, pours Big Sioux River water into a collection bottle held by South Dakota Mines Associate Professor Lisa Kunza on Sept. 26 at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) SIOUX FALLS Preliminary sampling data identified forever chemicals in the Big Sioux River in eastern South Dakota, flagging water sampled at Falls Park in Sioux Falls as a hotspot. The study, conducted by East Dakota Water Development District and South Dakota Mines, tested water for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at 11 sites from northeast South Dakota to the Iowa border past Sioux Falls in September. The sampling is the first of five runs and more testing is required to draw conclusions of PFAS contamination levels in the river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chemicals have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s and dont break down easily in the environment or in the human body. Research indicates PFAS exposure may be linked to negative developmental and reproductive effects, and an increased risk of some cancers. The federal government finalized limits on some types of PFAS in drinking water earlier this year. Those limits apply specifically to treated drinking water and will be implemented in phases. Although the maximum contaminant levels dont apply to surface water, public drinking water systems located near the river should be aware of it, said Jay Gilbertson, district manager. An ongoing study indicates that, under the right conditions, Big Sioux River water can infiltrate wells near the river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers found 32 detections representing nine types of PFAS compounds. They detected one or more PFAS compounds at nine of the 11 sites, all below Watertown. At Falls Park, researchers found amounts of a PFAS tied most commonly to firefighting foams at 30 parts per trillion over seven times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limits for treated drinking water. Researchers found PFAS compounds at the site totaling more than 80 parts per trillion, which was the highest concentration detected. Jenny Kozak, a masters student at South Dakota Mines, draws a sample of Big Sioux River water on Sept. 23 along Highway 34 near Egan. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) PFAS was previously detected in wells near Ellsworth Air Force Base at Box Elder, as well as Sioux Falls Regional Airport and its co-located Air National Guard base, where the chemicals were used in firefighting foam. The forever chemical was also detected in wells at National Guard facilities near Custer and in Rapid City, and in three private wells in South Dakota. Sioux Falls suspended 21 of its wells suspected of PFAS contamination after those earlier detections. Since then, all raw water samples which can include the Big Sioux River at times have been tested for PFAS compounds. The city has not detected PFAS in those sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were accumulating PFAS from one source or another, said Lisa Kunza, associate professor in chemistry, biology and health sciences and director of the Center for Sustainable Solutions at South Dakota Mines in Rapid City. A bar chart shows the amount of PFAS concentration in parts per trillion by sampling site throughout the Big Sioux River within the East Dakota Water Development District. From left to right, the sites are near Summit, above Watertown near Sioux Conifer Road, below Watertown, above Brookings, below Brookings, near Egan, above Sioux Falls near Interstate 90, the diversion ditch through Sioux Falls near Riverside Avenue, Falls Park, below Sioux Falls at Timberline Road, and near the Iowa border over Highway 42. The highest concentration of PFAS was found at Falls Park, though the flow rate at that point in the river was significantly lower than other sampling sites. (Courtesy of School of Mines) The Big Sioux River is diverted above Sioux Falls, the main channel loops through the city before joining the diverted water again. Skunk Creek also pours into the Big Sioux River within the loop, which researchers didnt test. East Dakota board member Bob Kappel reminded the board of above-ground gasoline tank leaks in western Sioux Falls near Skunk Creek in 1986, which led to the closure of Hayward Elementary School and may have contaminated the creek with PFAS, he said. A testing site just below Watertown reported the second highest concentration of PFAS compounds at just under 40 parts per trillion. All other sites between Watertown and Sioux Falls reported less than 20 parts per trillion, according to the data. At the testing site below Falls Park, where the Big Sioux loop meets with water diverted around the city and water discharged from the citys wastewater treatment plant, concentrations of the two compounds dropped significantly due to dilution, Gilbertson said. Though, the levels were above the very modest amounts found at sites before running through Sioux Falls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Big Sioux River at the time of sampling was in the middle of a months-long drought, and its flow rate was significantly slower than normal likely making the levels of contamination more pronounced, Kappel said. He encouraged the board to consider testing at more normal flow rates in the future. (Right) Jenny Kozak, a masters student at South Dakota Mines, draws a sample of Big Sioux River water on Sept. 23 at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. The rivers flow rate is lower than normal at the time of sampling, due to a months-long drought. The sample will be tested for PFAS compounds. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Either way, something is contaminating the Big Sioux River in Sioux Falls, leading to elevated PFAS levels in the water even after dilution from diverted water, Gilbertson said. Gilbertson told the board he plans to conduct follow-up sampling around Sioux Falls in the coming weeks. He also wants to add two to four sampling sites around the Sioux Falls area for future sampling next year. That would allow the board to glean more information about where the contaminants come from. Our current detections tell us that South Dakota is no different than anywhere else, Gilbertson said in a memo to board members. PFAS compounds are being found in many, many places, and the sooner we look for them, the sooner we can start planning for how to deal with them. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) On November 20, the US Attorneys Office of the Western District of Virginia announced the indictment of the former Acting Director of Lynchburg Community Corrections and Pretrial Services of conspiracy and assisting a parolee in numerous illegal activities. 42-year-old Jennifer Leigh Peters, 42, of Madison Heights was charged with conspiracy against the US, accessing a protected computer without authorization, obstruction of a proceeding before a US Agency, destruction of evidence, and making false representations to an agency of the US. Whats the difference between being indicted and charged? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 27-year-old Brendon Cole Webber of Lynchburg has also been charged with two counts of conspiracy against the US and four counts of accessing a protected computer without authorization. Court records show that as a Lynchburg Community Corrections and Pretrial Services (LCCPS) employee, Peters supervised probation for pre- and post-trial criminal defendants charged in Lynchburg General District Court and in 2023, became the Acting Director. In 2022, Webber was on probation and occasionally supervised by Peters directly. According to US Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, a romantic relationship developed between Peters and Webber sometime in 2023. Peters did not report this relationship to her employer. The indictment filed on Wednesday accuses Peters and Webber of accessing the Lynchburg Police Departments Records Management System (RMS) to search for and review non-public, law enforcement records related to himself and his associates and then distributing the information to others in November 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Roanoke Valley men convicted to felonies in connection to Jan. 6 riots of US Capitol Peters is also accused of making entries in Webbers official probation case file indicating that he falsely completed certain probation milestones. She then instructed a subordinate to sign a letter terminating Webbers probation that was sent to the Lynchburg General District Court. On November 29, 2023, Lynchburg FD then responded to an overdose call at the Lynchburg Grand Hotel to find a man, later identified as Webber, lying face down in a hotel room bathroom. When Lynchburg PD arrived on the scene, Webber allegedly fled the scene, before being arrested. According to court records, drug paraphernalia, a bag with suspected methamphetamine, and a loaded Glock 38 handgun, were allegedly found the in the room. Court records state that after the events at the Lynchburg Grand Hotel, Peters allegedly gave false statements to a U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and then allegedly helped Webber flee Lynchburg by driving him out of state. During questioning, Peters allegedly gave more false statements to law enforcement about her relationship with Webber and her knowledge of his whereabouts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WFXR News will continue to update you with more information as it becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. After a more than five-hour hearing, Judge Henry Lee Moore, the magistrate judge in North Huntingdon, sent all seven charges against Brenda Sawyer to trial. She is the former regional director of the attorney generals office and president of the McKeesport chapter of the NAACP. >> Former supervisor arrested after more than $100,000 in drug money went missing from AGs office Sawyer had no comment as she was escorted out of a day-long hearing by her attorney Phil DiLucente. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is accused of stealing more than $121,000 from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office. >> 11 Investigates Exclusive: More than $100,000 in drug money missing from AGs office Detectives with the Westmoreland County District Attorneys Office estimate $75,000 of that is still missing. Some was repaid by Sawyer after she retired in February. Shes also accused of stealing more than $56,000 from the McKeesport NAACP. Detectives said there is evidence of Sawyer laundering money between two bank accounts with the Attorney Generals Office, and two accounts with the NAACP to fuel a gambling addiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detective Ron Dupilka of the DAs office testified over the years, Sawyer has gambled millions of dollars at Rivers Casino and more than $719,000 in 2023 alone. To go an extrapolate $100,000 of an alleged theft to millions of dollars in gambling is somewhat challengeable I think, DiLucente told Channel 11s Andrew Havranek after Thursdays hearing. DiLucente tried to get the court to drop a forgery charge against Sawyer. He said theres no proof she was the one who forged the signature of the NAACPs treasurer to open and use a PNC Bank account that was set up with Sawyers address, which was supposed to be used for a community violence prevention program. He also tried to get them to drop an obstruction of justice charge. The state said Sawyer denied giving money for drug buys to attorney general agents because there was no money to give because she had taken it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said he begrudgingly held all of the charges for trial, but said he could be wrong on the forgery and obstruction charges. He said he begrudgingly held them over. I was disappointed because I dont really think theres evidence of that, DiLucente said. But, this is the system and how it works, so were just going to have to respect the system and go through it. Sawyer is set for her formal arraignment on Dec. 23. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who took over the office to become the second female governor in state history, has died at age 78. Rell died Wednesday following a brief illness at a Florida hospital, her family said in a statement released Thursday morning. Reaction pours in following death of former Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell Rell, a Republican, served as the states 87th governor from 2004 to 2011. She took on the states top job during a challenging period with her former running mate, Gov. John G. Rowland, was under federal investigation and faced impeachment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before becoming governor, she served as lieutenant governor for ten years and as a state House of Representatives member, representing Brookfield and Bethel. From the News 8 archives: Gov. Ned Lamont and former Gov. Jodi Rell discuss civility in politics Rells family said funeral arrangements have not been made. Check back 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 WTNH.com. DALLAS Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer convicted of murdering 26-year-old accountant Botham Jean in his apartment six years ago, was ordered to pay the Jean family $98.6 million in a civil trial Wednesday. Guyger was convicted six years ago of shooting and killing Jean in his apartment, which she said she thought was her own. She's currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for murder. Guyger told authorities she confused Botham's apartment for her own. Her body-worn camera was not recording during the shooting because she was off duty. She appealed the conviction but lost her appeal two years ago. She became eligible for parole on Sept. 29 of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The civil lawsuit against her accuses the former police officer of using excessive force in Jean's death. Attorneys for the Jean family, which includes civil rights attorney Ben Crump, released the following statement after the verdict: "This verdict stands as a powerful testament to Botham's life and the profound injustice of his death. On September 6, 2018, Botham was doing nothing more than sitting in his own home, eating ice cream, when Amber Guyger an off-duty officer wrongly entered his apartment and fatally shot him. This case laid bare critical issues of racial bias and police accountability that cannot be ignored. Today's verdict sends a clear message that law enforcement officers who commit crimes cannot be insulated from the consequences of their actions." Attorneys for the Jean family say they most likely will not ever see any of the $98.6 million verdict and they insist they wanted to make sure that Guyger could never profit financially from having killed Botham Jean. They said they are exploring legal options to hold the city accountable and urging people in Dallas to demand change and more from city leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guyger chose not to attend the trial in Dallas. 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 CHEYENNE Nic Brayton worked for four weeks at the Dog Haus Biergarten location in Cheyenne shortly before it permanently closed in the beginning of November. He said he worked various jobs, serving as a cook, cashier and a dishwasher. Brayton said he was often asked to open the eatery at 5:30 in the morning, but never received formal training. Before joining the team at Dog Haus, he said he had heard rumors that they didnt always pay their employees, but he was willing to take the risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his four weeks working there, Brayton said he never saw a paycheck, and he left the job with a net loss after he had to pay for a background check out of his own pocket and was never reimbursed. I kind of saw the writing on the walls right when I got hired on, he said. One red flag was the fact that the business didnt receive many of its supplies through a food delivery service. Instead, he said they would often make trips to Colorado to pick up food and supplies from bulk stores. When he quit, he said his supervisor informed him he would only receive 50% of the pay he had earned for quitting without notice. Brayton told them he would be filing a petition with the U.S. Department of Labor. After he said this, he said his supervisor told him he was banned from the property, and they would call the police if he returned. At that point, they began ignoring his calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He estimates he is owed around $800 but fears he may never see the money if FAFO Restaurant Group LLC, which operated the Dog Haus location in Cheyenne, files for bankruptcy. Brayton isnt the only former employee who has testified that they didnt receive what they were owed. Jade Campbell-McNeill worked there part time in summer 2023 and said that, while she did receive paychecks, they were often late and short of what she was owed. Campbell-McNeill said it wasnt bad when she first started there, but there were a few instances in the beginning that led her to believe something wasnt right. When I got hired, they were in the process of switching payroll companies again. The catch-all when they were switching the payroll companies was that we had to wait longer for paychecks because they said there were technical difficulties of it being transferred over, she said. ... We got paid weekly. But we would wait maybe two to three weeks just to get a paycheck, because they said there was always a delay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she would receive what she believed to be excuses from Marlena Schultz, one of the owners of the FAFO Restaurant Group, citing the delayed checks as a result of accounting or banking delays. It just got really questionable after that, because it hit a point of ... Im a single parent, so I cant wait every couple of weeks for a paycheck, Campbell-McNeill said. She said she left before it got worse for her coworkers because she had a feeling the payroll issues would continue. When visiting with one of her former coworkers after leaving the job, she said he told her he believed he was short around $2,000 between checks below what he was owed and missing tips. I dont know what is being withheld and whats happening or why its happening, because it felt highly illegal, and it definitely felt sketchy and shady with what they were doing, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marlena and Charles Schultz presented their application for a bar and grill license to the Cheyenne City Council in April 2023, shortly before opening after the previous Dog Haus owners, Goalz LLC, had closed the franchise in March 2023. Were local, and we believe in giving back to our community, Marlena Schultz said to the governing body, stating the business would create 40 local jobs. Council member Bryan Cook asked what experience the pair had in the restaurant industry, stating he didnt want the business to close in the same way the previous owners had. I would just hate to see you folks go through this time and struggle and expense for a similar thing to happen, Cook said. I really want to see you be successful, and thats why Im asking this question to see, you know, hows it going to be different? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles Schultz said he had experience as a shift manager at a Hardees location in Torrington in the late 1980s for one year and worked as a chief operator for a railroad company for 25 years. Marlena Schultz said she had a background in education and had worked as a school principal. As a former principal, running cafeterias and signing off on really large purchases is extremely detail oriented, she said. Campbell-McNeill said her experience working at the Dog Haus wasnt bad overall. She said she doesnt believe the owners intended to take advantage of the workers, many of whom were high school-aged, but rather believed they just didnt have the proper business management skills to successfully run the franchise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like they didnt really have a set structure. So, from my experience, they hired a lot of younger people that really didnt have the experience to work in certain areas or in certain fields, and they kind of let those younger people take control of the business, which I dont think is the best way to handle having a business, she said. In September, the U.S. Department of Labor filed a petition in federal court against FAFO Restaurant Group LLC, doing business as Dog Haus Biergarten in Cheyenne, for failing to comply with a federal subpoena served earlier this year regarding potential violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition to Charles and Marlena Schultz, Morgan Amberson and Clifford Johnson are also listed as parties under FAFO Restaurant Group, according to the Wyoming Secretary of States Office, but their involvement with the Dog Haus in Cheyenne is unclear. Several former Dog Haus employees have made posts on social media stating that they were never paid by the owners, with some alleging that the owners were paying some employees using services like Venmo or CashApp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 7 of this year, Dog Haus in Cheyenne posted on Facebook, acknowledging some of the rumors that they were not paying their employees. While we cannot comment on particular former employees, we want to set the record straight on a few things, according to the post. It continued, noting that all employees are paid when they complete required paperwork and that they recently began requiring background checks on staff. FAFO Restaurant Group and the corporate Dog Haus company, based out of California, did not respond to requests for comment from the WTE prior to publication. The former Dog Haus location is listed for sale online by Century 21 Bell Real Estate for $2.4 million. FAFO Restaurant Group LLC is registered at a downtown Sheridan address where 53,267 businesses were represented as of 2021, several of which have been reported as scams, according to The Sheridan Press. A former East St. Louis city manager is facing theft and misconduct charges for alleged misuse of a city credit card. Carlos Mayfield, 60, was arrested and charged on Oct. 1 after an investigation by Illinois State Police determined he used the card to make personal purchases. Mayfield is accused of taking between $500-$10,000 of Government property, a class 2 felony. He is also accused of fraudulent use of a credit/debit card, a class 4 felony, according to charging documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged purchases happened between March 31, 2022 and April 3, 2022, the charges say. The charging documents do not specify what purchases Mayfield allegedly made with city funds. Mayfield appeared at a pretrial detention hearing on Nov. 15 and was released from custody. A preliminary hearing on the charges is set for Dec. 13. Mayfield was hired to replace Brooke Smith in the spring of 2021 at a salary of $100,000 per year. He left the job in late 2022 on a leave of absence due to an undisclosed illness and didnt return. He declined comment when a BND report contacted him Wednesday. Illinois State Police worked with the St. Clair County States Attorneys office in their investigation, a release stated. Former GOP Rep. Charlie Dent (Pa.), who led the House Ethics Committee from 2015-17, said he wouldnt be at all shocked if the report into former Rep. Matt Gaetzs (R-Fla.) misconduct was released, even after the panel voted Wednesday to keep it confidential. Dent joined CNNs Kasie Hunt on Thursday morning to discuss the ongoing dilemma about Gaetz, whom President-elect Trump has selected to be attorney general. The committee voted to not release Gaetzs report, though members are considering other avenues of making the information public. Some lawmakers are toying with the idea of making it public through a privileged resolution, which would trigger a vote in the House if the committee doesnt release the information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are plenty of House Republicans who are going to want to vote for this we all know that they have great disdain for Matt Gaetz, Dent said. So, I wouldnt be at all shocked if this is released one way or the other. The report, which some lawmakers argue is vital to the Senates process of deciding whether to confirm Gaetz as the Justice Departments leader, is expected to detail sexual misconduct claims against the Florida Republican. Dent, who said he has experienced several cases that were referred to the Justice Department, said he believes the report is pretty nasty. I dont know whats in this report. This is really messy, and Matt Gaetz did not resign because this report was going to be clean, Dent said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee could also vote to release the report at a later date, and has a meeting scheduled for Dec. 5. The panel has faced significant pressure to release its findings. There is a precedent for releasing investigations even after a member has resigned from Congress, as some lawmakers have noted. Dent highlighted the previous cases Thursday. Theres nothing shocking here in terms of what the committee could do, he told Hunt. So, whats unusual about this whole thing is, usually when a member of Congress resigns due to scandal, they go away quietly rebuilding their lives. They dont get elevated to the attorney general of the United States. Thats why this is so different, Dent said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dent said he believes the committee will get to it, or that the information will be made public one way or another. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker on Thursday said that he hopes for a return to a clearly pro-European course from the future German government. He also wished for the Franco-German relationship, which he said is vital for Europe, to improve in the first half of 2025. Speaking to dpa, Juncker said that people had become used to Germany being one of the strongest pro-European forces, but this is no longer the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, he said, Germany's position on specific issues had often been unclear, with the government abstaining from voting when coalition partners couldn't agree on a stance. Juncker also expressed frustration with Germany's occasional lack of clarity in Brussels, suggesting that this undermines the country's influence and respect in the European Union. He also said the ongoing lack of a government majority in France raises concerns about the country's ability to govern effectively, which impacts the ability of both Germany and France to collaborate. Juncker also pointed out that Germany's response to French President Emmanuel Macron's proposals for greater cooperation had often been lukewarm, a situation Juncker said is harmful to Europe's progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He emphasized the importance of improving the Franco-German relationship under the next German government, regardless of party affiliation and said that he would be satisfied if the next German chancellor follows a pro-European course. Germany is gearing up for early elections after the collapse of the current coalition. Former German chancellor Angela Merkel sought to slow Ukraine's push for swift NATO membership during her time in office, citing concerns over potential Russian military retaliation, according to an excerpt from her upcoming memoirs shared in advance by newspaper Die Zeit. The memoirs, titled "Freedom. Memories 1954 - 2021," are set to be released on Tuesday. In the book, the former leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union reflects on the key 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest, where Ukraine and Georgia's NATO bids were discussed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merkel acknowledges the strong desire of Central and Eastern European countries to join NATO quickly but explains that she believed adding new members should improve security not only for those countries but for NATO as a whole. Merkel expresses particular concern about Ukraine's ties to Russia in the book, specifically the presence of the Russian Black Sea fleet based in the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which Russia later illegally annexed in 2014. She writes that no previous NATO candidate had faced such a situation and that the complex military entanglements could have posed risks for the alliance. At the time, she also noted that only a minority of the Ukrainian population supported NATO membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merkel's approach to Ukraine still faces criticism in Kiev. Merkel also discusses the compromise that was eventually reached, but with significant costs. The former chancellor writes that the failure to offer Ukraine and Georgia a clear membership action plan was a setback for their aspirations, while NATO's broader promise of future membership for both countries represented a direct challenge to Russian interests, which she viewed as a provocation to President Vladimir Putin. The book will appear worldwide in over 30 countries, the publisher announced. Merkel was at the helm of Europe's biggest economy for 16 years between 2005 and 2021. She was also Germany's first female chancellor. For more than three decades, Mark Ridley-Thomas never lost an election, tapping a well-organized network of supporters to secure victory after victory. Now, the former Los Angeles City Council member and county supervisor is in a different sort of campaign with far greater stakes: a fight to clear his name and avoid prison. The 70-year-old was convicted last year of seven federal corruption charges stemming from a scheme to secure benefits for his son from a USC social work dean who sought his political support for L.A. County business. The jury acquitted him of 12 other charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer sentenced Ridley-Thomas in August 2023 to 42 months in prison. The veteran lawmaker has been free on bail while he presses to have the jury verdict overturned by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. On Thursday, Ridley-Thomas quest for vindication reaches a critical moment, with oral arguments scheduled before a three-judge panel at the Court of Appeals in Pasadena. Ridley-Thomas and his supporters have approached his defense with the vigor and strategy of a political movement. He has continued making public appearances, posing for photos alongside supporters and allies including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Mass emails keep supporters abreast of legal developments, with invitations to RSVP for hearings. Our presence is our voice, said one note calling for readers to pack the courtroom for Ridley-Thomas' sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ridley-Thomas has also turned to backers for financial help, writing in an April email, Weve got to be ready to turn this injustice around. He asked for donations of $250 or whatever you feel comfortable contributing. Read more: Mark Ridley-Thomas asks to remain free while appealing corruption conviction More than $100,000 flowed to his legal defense fund in the first half of 2024, according to a public filing. Among his donors are familiar names in L.A. civic life: $1,000 each from lobbyist Arnie Berghoff, public affairs consultant Kerman Maddox, radio host Tavis Smiley and prominent lawyer Patricia Glaser. Fabian Nunez, the former state Assembly speaker, chipped in $2,500, according to the filing. A slew of former Ridley-Thomas aides also donated, including former Times journalist and now Capital & Main Editor in Chief Peter Hong with $200. Evitarus, a public opinion research firm, gave $5,000, according to the filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I donated to the defense fund solely as an individual who once worked for Mr. Ridley-Thomas," Hong said. "In our legal system we are entitled to mount a defense. Also in our system, we are expected to pay for that defense. That can be very expensive." Supporters have held prayer services, and in January, longtime aide Vincent Harris kicked off a "teach-in" where he and several lawyers walked through, in their view, deficiencies in the prosecution's case. Read more: Mark Ridley-Thomas found guilty in corruption case At the teach-in, Areva Martin, an attorney and commentator, introduced the team of lawyers handling Ridley-Thomas' appeal, singling out UC Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and Paul Watford, a former 9th Circuit judge now in private practice. Ridley-Thomas' appellate case marks Watford's first time appearing as a litigant before his former colleagues since he left the bench in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Don't think that he's not been asked by lots of criminal defendants to take on their appeals," Martin said at the teach-in. "The fact that he decided to take this case speaks volumes about what he thought about how this case was concluded at the trial level." "This case is unlike any other," said Alyssa Bell, a former public defender who is leading the appeal team. "Our job is to retake the narrative, to retell the story from Dr. Ridley-Thomas' vantage point and to make the world see the many ways in which the government took laws that never should have applied to these facts and contorted them to come up with a theory of prosecution that is the first of its kind." For much of the last year, prosecutors and defense have traded arguments in court filings that they will present Thursday to the three-judge panel. The defense has claimed that prosecutors constructed a "novel" theory of honest services fraud built around the idea that what Ridley-Thomas secured from his dealings with the USC dean was protecting his "public image" and "family brand." The dean, Marilyn Flynn, was sentenced to 18 months of home confinement after pleading guilty to one count of bribery. Honest services fraud doesn't extend to quid pro quo exchanges where the "quid" is a perceived reputational benefit, defense attorneys argued in filings. They floated the idea that such a prosecution, if allowed to stand, would criminalize routine dealings between elected officials and constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: In a city rocked by corruption, Ridley-Thomas' conviction brings public tributes, not scorn But prosecutors said they identified to jurors specific items of value in the bribery scheme that Ridley-Thomas allegedly sought to secure from USC: admission for his son Sebastian, a scholarship to cover Sebastian's graduate studies, a teaching post for Sebastian and a $100,000 donation from USC to a nonprofit run by Sebastian, prosecutors wrote. "Reputational benefit was merely one of defendants motives in soliciting and demanding benefits for his son," prosecutors wrote, calling it "classic" corruption. Both the prosecutors and defense attorneys had filed their briefs before the 9th Circuit in June when the U.S. Supreme Court issued a potentially disruptive ruling. By a 6-3 vote, the conservative majority overturned the conviction of a former Indiana mayor who took a $13,000 payment from a truck dealership that had received $1.1 million in city contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the ruling penned by Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, the court found that officials could be prosecuted for bribery but not for accepting gratuities for past favors if there was no evidence of an illicit deal. Ridley-Thomas' lawyers had already accused prosecutors of conflating bribery and gratuities. The Supreme Court decision "makes clear" that the government's theory of the case "was legally invalid as to all counts," they argued. Prosecutors fired back in a September filing, arguing that their case was consistent with the newer Supreme Court ruling because the evidence showed a clear quid pro quo agreement between Ridley-Thomas and the USC dean, including a confidential letter memorializing the agreement that the dean had hand-delivered to the politician's downtown L.A. office. Further, prosecutors accused Ridley-Thomas and his defense of cherry-picking from evidence to suit a convenient, if inaccurate, point of view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Much like he did in his opening and reply briefs, defendant advances a factual narrative divorced from the trial record," prosecutors wrote. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. LIBERAL, Kan. (KSNW) The former city manager of Liberal is jailed and facing multiple charges connected to incidents that happened in March and August. Russell Rusty Varnados mugshot provided by the Seward County Sheriffs Office on Nov. 20, 2024. Court records show Russell Rusty Varnado is charged with one count of rape, one count of sexual battery, and one count of lewd or lascivious behavior. He made his first appearance in Seward County Court Wednesday. Varnado is accused of raping a woman in March. He is also accused of sexual battery for sexually touching another victim without her consent and exposing himself to her in an incident in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bond was reduced from $250,000 to $100,000. His next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2. What are the regulations for oversized loads in Kansas The City of Liberal provided KSN with the following statement: The City of Liberal terminated the employment contract with former City Manager, Rusty Varnado, on September 29, 2024. We are unaware of the specifics of charges for which he has been arrested. City of Liberal The case was investigated by the Kansas Bureau of 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 KSN-TV. NORFOLK A former nurse at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital pleaded guilty this week to stealing a wallet from a patient she was caring for, and using the credit cards to make purchases. Ciara Raven Jean, 29, pleaded guilty to felony credit card theft and misdemeanor credit card fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 14. The thefts occurred in December 2022. Jean took the wallet from the 69-year-old womans purse after helping her get up and leave the room, according to a release from prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman checked her bank accounts while she was in the hospital, noticed the fraudulent charges, and notified hospital staff after realizing her wallet was gone, the release said. Hospital staff then checked surveillance footage and saw Jean taking the wallet from the womans purse. Jean made several purchases with the cards, including things like an Uber ride and a purchase from QVC television network and shopping channel, prosecutors said. Nurses are among the most trusted professionals in America, and Ms. Jean abused that trust in so shamelessly stealing from a hospitalized victim in her care, Norfolk Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi said in a statement. I commend the staff of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for their quick action to uncover Ms. Jeans crime and their cooperation with the police. I also commend the hospital for having a surveillance system in place that allowed for a quick arrest and for a conviction in this case. Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com A former Ohio firefighter has pleaded guilty to a charge connected to possessing child pornography. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Mason Molina, 21, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of pandering sexual material involving a minor, WOIO, a CBS affiliate in Cleveland, reported. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plea came on the day his jury trial was set to begin. Summit County prosecutors said Molina had downloaded a dozen videos of child porn. The 21-year-old was sworn in with the Canton Fire Department in May 2021. Hes since been fired, WOIO reported. Molina will be sentenced in January. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A now-former Putnam County School District teacher is under arrest and accused of sending sexual text messages to a student. Robert Bush, 54, was arrested in Transylvania County, North Carolina on Tuesday. Bush was a teacher with the district for 15 years and most recently at Q.I. Roberts Jr.-Sr. High School since 2016. The Putnam County Sheriffs Office said Bush was teaching mostly high school grades and a variety of subjects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individual is looking at some serious time depending on the nature of what the text messages are, Dale Carson, a criminal defense attorney and former law enforcement officer, said. He added because the teacher is in a position of authority, the penalty could be higher in this case. The Putnam County School District said it got a tip back in October that included a screen shot which led to an investigation internally and with the sheriffs office. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The 54-year-old was placed on administrative leave immediately, the district said. But Bush resigned before the investigation was complete. Detectives said he left to go to North Carolina in the midst of the investigation and did not give a return date. Thats when a warrant was put out for his arrest Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When theres a text message, it memorializes the evidence in a way that can be used in a trial later. Thats really whats happened. The technology has changed so radically that now were seeing a great deal of activity, Carson explained. The district said there were no previous complaints against Bush during his time with Putnam County Schools. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] In a statement the district said in part, Putnam County School District is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our students. We take all allegations regarding employee conduct with the utmost seriousness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district said it has assigned a counselor for any students impacted. The sheriffs office said there could be more victims. Bush is being held in North Carolina on a $150,000 bond. Hes charged with engaging in lewd conduct with a student which is a second-degree felony. 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. A former clerk for the Richmond Sanitary District is facing charges after allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Jennifer Wilson, 47, of Richmond, was formally charged Wednesday with 16 felony counts, including theft and official misconduct, according to court records. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson is accused of skimming money from deposits collected from sanitary district customers over more than six years, according to our news partners at Kicks96. The district received more than $800,000 less than it should have for nearly 1,000 deposits, WXIN reported. Court documents obtained by the Palladium-Item allege that Wilson would routinely steal money when making bank deposits for the sanitary district. Police began their investigation into Wilson after police received an anonymous call about a sanitary district employee stealing public funds in May 2023, the Palladium-Item reported. Wilson was confronted about the missing money in 2023 and initially denied wrongdoing. She was later fired. Court records show that an arrest warrant has been filed for Wilson. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The state Capitol. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) Former UVA student pleads guilty in 2022 mass shooting that left 3 dead, 2 wounded.Associated Press Vaccine exemptions for Virginia kindergartners rise as vaccination rates decline.Axios Richmond School districts across Northern Virginia request delay of VDOEs new performance plan.DC News Now Former OEMS employee sentenced to 6 years in prison for embezzlement.WTVR Virginia Beach installs signs to recognize historic African American neighborhoods.WAVY SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Federal authorities have accused a former Wayne City police chief of public corruption. According to the United States Attorneys Office of the Southern District of Illinois, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging the former Wayne City police chief with selling forfeited items confiscated by the department for his personal benefit. Fairfield Community High School reports Friday morning bus accident Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say Anson Fenton, 46, of Belle Rive, is facing one count of misapplication of property from federally funded programs and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property. According to court documents, Fenton is accused of selling two motorcycles valued at more than $5,000 and trading one motorcycle for a 1991 Ford Mustang for his personal benefit. Officials in positions of power must be held to the highest ethical standard, and those accused of defrauding the public will be held accountable, said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. The attorneys office says asset forfeiture is a legal process to confiscate the means or proceeds of a crime and can apply to a range of property, including money, vehicles and real estate, among other assets. Wayne City stores forfeited items at the Wayne City Police Department until city officials pass an ordinance to authorize the sale of the property. Fall trout season opens October 19 in southeastern IL Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During our investigation, the ISP Special Investigations Unit found evidence of a public official trying to defraud Wayne City, said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. The public must be able to trust those who work in public service and ISP will continue to work with the U.S. Attorneys Office to investigate violations of the public trust. Officials say if convicted, Fenton could face up to 10 years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 per count. The Illinois State Police is leading the investigation with support from the FBI Springfield Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). HENDERSON, Ind. (WEHT) The Fort Wayne Police Department is asking the publics help in finding a woman accused of murder and attempted murder. Indiana State Police say 33-year-old Kirsten Sims should be considered armed and dangerous. The say she is wanted in connection to a stabbing investigation as well as a shooting investigation. Sims has a nationwide extraditable parole violation warrant. Kirsten Sims Kristen Sims (Courtesy of the Indiana State Police) Indiana State Police ask the public to call 911 or report any information to Fort Wayne Crime Stoppers at 660-436-STOP. Fort Wayne Crime Stoppers has offered a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The northwest corner of Sioux Falls has seen quite a bit of growth in recent years and a big reason for that is Foundation Park. Seven years ago, the land between North Marion Road, 260th Street and Interstate 29 in Sioux Falls was a blank canvas ready to be developed. Now, its home to large industries such as Amazon, FedEx and soon CJ Schwans. This is exactly what was envisioned creating what we called a mega park at the time that we could bring in large companies, large tracts of land and create large numbers of jobs and large tax bases, Bob Mundt, CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mundt says this area now employs over five thousand people, which is growth Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken likes to see. We need to continue to look at ways were bringing high-paying jobs, good-paying jobs to our community. Foundation Park has done that in recent years, TenHaken said. Even some of these jobs at CJ, thats a very high-end automated plant so its got technical engineering jobs and so forth. The big plan for Falls Park As Foundation Park continues to develop, the City is expecting the west side of Sioux Falls to boom. Were opening up a new wastewater basin, a huge basin, that will open up thousands of acres on the west side of Sioux Falls in anticipation for all the growth were going to see on the west side of Sioux Falls in the next 50 to 100 years, TenHaken said. So were literally planning out that far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now the question is what comes next. Less than 50 percent of that Foundation Park is now available to develop because its developing at such a rapid pace, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken said. Were to a point now where were about halfway through the land that we have and certainly we have to decide now whether we want to do a Foundation Park 2, if thats in the best interest for Sioux Falls or not, Mundt said. Mundt says Foundation Park has also helped bring more people and housing to neighboring communities like Hartford, Dell Rapids and Crooks. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) A fourth and final executive tied to the failed V.C. Summer nuclear facility in South Carolina has been sentenced for misconduct. Jeffrey Alan Benjamin, 62, will spend a year and one day in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to causing SCANA, who owned the former South Carolina Electric and Gas, to keep false records regarding the failed nuclear construction project. Benjamin was working as senior vice president for new plants and major projects at the Westinghouse Electric Company, and according to evidence presented in court, directly supervised all new nuclear projects worldwide including during the V.C. Summer project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina said evidence determined that Benjamins failures to provide truthful information to SCANA enabled SCANA executives to deceive shareholders, regulators, and ratepayers regarding the schedule of costs for the project. When confronted with information that the project was delayed in 2016, and that nearly $2.2 billion in federal tax credits were at risk, SCANA executives withheld that information from regulators to keep the project going. The U.S. Attorneys office said their false and misleading statements allowed the company to receive and retain rate increases that were imposed on its rate-paying customers. Benjamin is the fourth and latest to be sentenced as part of the years-long investigation. Previous convictions included Kevin B. Marsh, former SCANA Corporation chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors, Stephen Byrne, former executive vice president of SCANA and former chief operating officer of South Carolina Electric & Gas Company, and Carl Churchman, former Westinghouse Electric Corporation vice president and the project director of the V.C. Summer Nuclear project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An agreement was announced in 2021 securing Westinghouses cooperation in the V.C. Summer criminal investigation and payment of $21.25 million was issued for low-income ratepayer relief. The defendants in this case did not simply make a corporate error. They intentionally misled, and their dishonesty in the V.C. Summer project caused a great deal of harm to the people of South Carolina, said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. This sentence sends a clear message of deterrence to executives and corporations who believe they are above the law: deceit and fraud will be met with accountability and justice. U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger sentenced Benjamin to 12 months and one day in federal prison followed by a two-year term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. This case was investigated by U.S. Attorneys Office, the FBI Columbia Field Office, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. France currently has no evidence that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to attack Ukraine on 21 November, but it does talk of Moscow's "continued escalation". Source: Christophe Lemoine, spokesperson of the French Foreign Ministry, writes AFP, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to Lemoine, Paris "not yet had confirmation" that Russia used an ICBM to strike Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "It's clear that if this launch is confirmed, it would be an extremely serious event and it would above all be a continuation of Russia's escalatory attitude," he said, without saying how France would respond to this escalation. According to Ukraines Air Force, the Russian Federation employed an intercontinental ballistic missile in its most recent missile attack on Dnipro. According to sources of Ukrainska Pravda, it could be a missile known as Rubezh, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. At the same time, as reported by the media, the West doubts that Russia used an ICBM. The EU commented on the data, saying that if confirmed, "this will be another clear sign of escalation." Support UP or become our patron! PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) With legal and political pressure mounting, TikTok is attempting to prioritize safety for Portland students. At Franklin High School, the social media giant teamed up with the Parent Teacher Student Association for a panel on teen safety tools, called Create with Kindness. The initiative tackles cyberbullying, content overload, and setting strong online boundaries. Heaven spot turned deadly for teen tagger in PNW Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Truthfully, I have been one of those parents who needed this, because I dont understand social media, said Joy Poole, the president of the Franklin PTSA. Poole says the Oregon and national PTAs reached out about TikToks new initiatives. The company highlights safety tools and those PTA partnerships as steps toward a safer platform for teens. The goal ultimately is to help facilitate digital wellbeing in all of these conversations between parents and young people, said Youth Safety and Wellbeing Outreach and Partnerships Manager at TikTok Ron Taylor. The meeting comes as Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is suing TikTok over claims of the apps addictive algorithms, deceptive marketing and mental health harms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosenblum is not the only one taking legal action. Other states, including Washington, are watching closely as TikTok faces lawsuits across the nation. With a possible nationwide ban in January, TikTok says its tackling mental health concerns, especially with so many teens on the app. I mean, like every other teen, I think I use social media almost every day, said Yenni Chavez, Franklins senior class president. Over 60% of U.S. teens use TikTok every day, according to a Pew Research Center survey from last year. TikToks biggest advice: Limit sharing, boost account security and use parental controls to manage screen time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Franklin already bans phones during the school day, Poole says talking about healthy online relationships is key. We know the kids are gonna be using social media outside of school. So if theyre going to be using it, then we need to have the tools to help them be safe and work on their mental well-being, she said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. AUGUSTA (WJBF) Several local businesses have joined together to give back to the community. The event is happening TODAY, November 21st, beginning at 10 AM at: Julian Smith Casino 2200 Broad Street, Augusta GA 30901 The Augusta Common 836 Reynolds Street, Augusta, GA 30901 Its free and open to the public. 200 turkeys will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with 100 turkeys per location while supplies last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Must have ID and only one turkey per household. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- A gauge of French bond risk surged to its highest in a month as markets fret about the countrys budget negotiations and a looming review of its sovereign rating. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The premium investors demand to hold Frances debt over regional haven Germany has climbed every day this week and is set to close at the highest since early October. That puts it back near the 80 basis-point level breached when a snap election called in June sparked months of political uncertainty. The latest moves reflect worries over whether far-right leader Marine Le Pen could back a no-confidence motion that would topple Michel Barniers government and derail its 2025 budget plans. On top of that, the country sold more bonds on Thursday and its heavy debt burden will face scrutiny at the end of the month from S&P Global Ratings. It seems to me that supply, Le Pen headlines, S&P around the end of the month and risk-off is all a bit of a toxic mix for OATs, said Evelyne Gomez-Liechti, a strategist at Mizuho International Plc, referring to the market term for French government bonds. The selloff in French debt is being compounded by market-wide risk aversion as the war in Ukraine reaches a dangerous new phase. Thats also hurt other lower-rated euro-area peers such as Italy, though its debt-risk gauge remains near the narrowest this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For France, a vote of no confidence to block the budget and bring down Barniers government would be catastrophic for its public finances after efforts to contain the deficit already slipped off course this year. Last month, both Fitch Ratings and Moodys Ratings put a negative outlook on France, and Scope downgraded it. The current budget plans look set to win approval from the European Union, though the blocs executive arm is still seeking more clarity on certain reforms. The initial version presented last month to parliament promised 60 billion ($63.1 billion) of tax increases and spending cuts to bring the gap back to 5% of economic output from an expected 6.1% this year. Nicolas Forest, chief investment officer at Candriam, said the recent widening in French bond spreads, though modest, shows the market is doing its job as the process reaches its final stages. The water is simmering, not boiling, yet, he said in an interview. Theres a stage at which its normal for investors to take into account the possibility that the government wont make it til the end of the year, in which case the uncertainty would be total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10-year French spread over Germany was on course to jump by the most in three months on Thursday to around 79 basis points. Agents of Chaos Barnier, far short of a majority in parliament, will likely have to use a constitutional provision known as the 49.3 to adopt the budget without a vote when it returns to the National Assembly in December, after debate in the Senate. However, using that tool raises the likelihood that left-wing lawmakers will propose a no-confidence motion, which would crush the bill and topple the government if a majority backs it. Le Pens party would likely have the deciding votes in such a scenario. She and her lawmakers initially took a constructive position, saying they did not want to be the agents of chaos in Frances attempts to repair its finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Le Pen has repeated warnings in recent days, saying Barnier hasnt taken on board the National Rallys proposals during parliamentary debate. Speaking on French radio RTL on Wednesday, she said measures that would hurt consumer incomes are a red line for her party. If this red line is crossed, we will vote for a censure, she said. There is no difficulty on that, and Im saying that in the clearest way possible. --With assistance from Nayla Razzouk. (Updates level of risk premium.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. French President Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting several South American nations during his attendance at this weeks G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is castigating members of Haitis Transitional Presidential Council for ousting the countrys second prime minister, Garry Conille, this year the countrys third since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. In a video posted on social media and that French sources confirm to the Miami Herald was filmed on Tuesday while Macron was on the streets in Brazil, the French president calls the members of the council dumb for firing Conille. They are completely dumb, Macron said in French during an exchange with a passerby. Selon le president francais Emmanuel Macron, ce sont les Haitiens eux-memes qui ont detruit leur pays. Il a qualifie de completement idiots ceux qui ont evince Gary Conille de son poste. Dapres lui, lancien Premier ministre accomplissait un travail remarquable et naurait pic.twitter.com/swqARAgcgc Haiti24 (@Haiti24_) November 20, 2024 Macron defended Conille, who after weeks of an intense standoff with the ruling nine-member council was fired last weekend and replaced by Alix Didier Fils-Aime, a local entrepreneur. A new government was installed in Port-au-Prince days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former United Nations development expert, Conille had integrity and France wanted him to stay, the president said. The prime minister was superb, said Macron, whose views on the firing have been quietly expressed by others in the international community. Its terrible... They should never have removed him. Conille, he said, was formidable. The French president also said that Haitians bare the brunt of their current crisis, where armed gangs are gaining ground in the capital, and a French medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors Without Borders on Tuesday announced it was suspending its medical services due to attacks and threats from Haitian police against its staff and patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the Haitians who destroyed Haiti, Macron said. Leslie Voltaire, the current president of the presidential council, did not respond to a Herald request for comment. Macrons comments sparked controversy online with critics rehashing the countrys history. Macron isnt immune to criticism about Haiti, once Frances richest colony before the enslaved African population waged a 12-year revolution to win their freedom on January 1, 1804. The exchange with Macron took place on the 221st anniversary of the Nov. 18, 1803, Battle of Vertieres, the final confrontation between Napoleon Bonapartes army and Haitis revolutionary fighters that ultimately put an end to slavery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the new nation was declared free, it was renamed Ayiti, or Haiti, and France later demanded an exorbitant amount to compensate its former slave owners. The debt hobbled Haitis economy for generations. The history of the two nations has led to a fraught relationship. France has prefered to quietly lobbying behind the scenes on Haitis behalf while also being one of its most vocal supporters in forums like the U.N. On Wednesday, France was among the countries at the U.N. Security Council that expressed concerns about the intensified violence that has been gripping Haiti over the last two months. The expansion of armed gangs, which attempted to attack Haitis wealthy Petion-Ville suburb on Tuesday, is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis, Frances U.N. ambassador said. France takes notes of the appointment of Mr. Alix Didier Fils-Aime, as PM, said Jay Dharmadhikari, Frances new deputy permanent representative to the U.N. It calls upon all Haitian political actors to work together to make progress on organizing elections, on combating corruption and impunity and on respecting human rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The country joined in the call for the current Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti to be transformed into a formal U.N. peacekeeping mission to get the funding needed to help the Haiti National Police take on warring gangs. The last-minute Security Council meeting was called by China and Russia, and coincided with a new crisis in Haiti that has led to the closure of the capitals two airports and a Federal Aviation Administration 30-day ban on all flights to Haiti. Late Wednesday, the FAA issued a modified notice adjusting the area in Haiti where U.S. civilian aircraft and U.S. pilots can operate. The new notice prohibits operations below 10,000 feet in specified areas of Haiti until Dec. 12th. Prior to the changes, the FAA had prohibited operations in the entirety of the territory and airspace of Haiti below 10,000 feet for 30 days. The FAA ban had grounded U.N. humanitarian flights, which restarted on Wednesday after the organization received a waiver. The U.N.s human rights chief said that at least 150 people have been killed, 92 injured and about 20,000 forced to flee their homes over the past week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest upsurge in violence in Haitis capital is a harbinger of worse to come. The gang violence must be promptly halted. Haiti must not be allowed to descend further into chaos, Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said, noting that the verified casualty toll of the gang violence so far this year is a shocking 4,544 dead. During the Security Council discussions, both China and Russia acknowledged that the situation in Haiti is tragic. But they each reiterated that they do not favor the deployment of peacekeepers to the volatile country despite the support the measure has received from the U.S. and other nations, including those on the security council and in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Ultimately, it is up to the Haitian people themselves to get Haiti out of their predicament. No amount of external help can solve their fundamental problems, said Geng Shuang, Chinas deputy permanent representative on the council. No decision was made on the peacekeeping mission, which is being pushed by the United States and Ecuador. After more than two hours of debate, Security Council members went into closed-door consultations to discuss the U.S.s desire for an assessment by Secretary General Antonio Guterres on what a peacekeeping mission in Haiti would look like. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A growing encampment in Vancouver off of Mill Plain Boulevard is becoming a source of frustration for both nearby homeowners and campers who say they have nowhere else to go when their belongings get swept away during clean-up efforts. The encampment is located near a concrete wall known as the Sound Wall between Lincoln Avenue and Franklin Street. Mystery odor in WA may have come from paper mill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeowners who live next to the Sound Wall said theyre fed up with the trash, human feces, needles and loud noises that go on at all hours. Its a sanitation thing, its everything. Its a terrible situation, said homeowner Brian Amell. Its bad. Theyre out at night, looking for things. My outlets here on the ground, they come and charge their phones and their devices up at night, I had to turn those off. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Sound Wall, Arcasa Red Thunder lives at the encampment. Support your fellow man, is what I figure, you know. We already know its hard enough out here, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Red Thunder said he thinks its a mean thing for the city to subject people to sweeps and issue citations to those struggling with homelessness who cant afford them. Cleaning up peoples camps and then kind of like taking away their lives, just because, you know I got a ticket today, Red Thunder said. Oregon Dungeness crab season delayed An encampment at the Sound Wall in Vancouver, Washington. November 20, 2024 (KOIN). The issue reached a boiling point during a Vancouver City Council meeting Monday night. I do hope each and every one of you regularly walk along Mill Plain and go down by the Share House and take in what youve created, because its really very disgusting, testified a neighbor, Steve Herman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do have a plan for clearing the Sound Wall and then prohibiting camping along the Sound Wall, said City of Vancouver Homeless Response Manager Jamie Spinelli during the meeting. Red Thunder said he isnt sure where he would go if the encampment was cleared after KOIN 6 News witnessed active sweeps happening in the city on Wednesday. I dont know, across the street? Im just kidding. Im Native American, you know, where am I gonna go? Back to where I came from? Thats lame, he said. People who work closely with the homeless population have theories as to why there was such a sudden influx of tents at the Sound Wall. Among the many factors is the fact that the City of Portland, directly across the Columbia River, recently passed a camping ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honeybees thrive on 19th floor of KOIN Tower KOIN 6 spoke with outreach workers with the non-profit Recovery Cafe. They think the many tents at the Sound Wall are the result of a combination of the Portland camping ban, scarce available shelters in Vancouver and the clearing of other large campsites in the city. The Recovery Cafe workers said theyve seen 75 tents pop up at the site in just the last few weeks. KOIN 6 asked the City of Vancouver for comment on the tensions surrounding the Sound Wall encampment or potential solutions but they were unavailable. However, city officials said during Mondays council meeting that they have a list of nearly 50 campers they plan to use to get people into transitional housing, prioritizing shelter space for those currently staying at the Sound Wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was one thing almost everyone neighbors and campers alike agreed on about the issue: the need for more services and affordable housing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Impact on scientific publishing Tomasz Guzik, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Cardiovascular Research, looked at the challenges and opportunities of LLMs in scientific publishing. Noting that scientific research should be impactful, he explained that in order to be impactful, research needs to be visible. LLM and AI can help authors to achieve this. While highlighting a view that AI could foster integrity and help researchers navigate the digital age, he pointed to an alternative view that overuse of LLMs will lead to the destruction of current scientific process. Evidence suggests some researchers are using LLMs to prepare scientific literature and he felt this can improve grammar, consistency and formatting, streamline literature searches and reference management, and may also increase objectivity and reduce bias. Guzik, who is Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, added that it also facilitates continuous learning, data analysis and interpretation. But there are risks too, he pointed out. These include loss of originality and authenticity in content, misinterpretation of data visualisations, and overuse may remove need for collaboration. It may, he continued, also lead to the introduction and perpetuation of biases, and an over-reliance on AI may lead to an erosion of critical thinking. Profiles: Dr Robert van der Boon is a cardiologist at the Cardiovascular Institute at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. His research interests are in heart failure, telemonitoring and digital health. Dr Stephane Fournier is an Attending Physician at the Interventional Cardiology Unit, in the Department of Cardiology at CHUV in Lausanne, Switzerland. His research is primarily focused on coronary physiology but also includes the implementation of large language models (LLMs) in clinical practice. Prof Tomasz Guzik is a Regius Chair of Physiology and Cardiovascular Pathobiology of the University of Glasgow and a Professor of Medicine at Jagiellonian University, Poland. His research focuses on vascular biology, hypertension, and cardiovascular immunology. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat appeared before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners to request just over $2 million to pay overtime to jail staff. The commissioners were unable to render a full decision and pushed the discussion back to a planned meeting on Dec. 4. The overtime request was one of several budgeting items the Fulton County Sheriff has asked commissioners to approve throughout 2024, including a previous overtime need which was rejected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labat said issues with paying overtime due to budget constraints had caused multiple staff members and deputies to leave the department this year. The sheriff stepped up to the podium to address the commission regarding staffing concerns. I actually met with a lieutenant yesterday, and his exact words were to me Sheriff, I come to work for $30. Ive topped out as a lieutenant, and if theres anything be it retention bonuses, is there anything that we can do to make surebecause I want to stay. This is my livelihood, I want to stay, Labat told the commission members. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In March, Labat requested an increased overtime budget to pay jail staff as the number of employees remained a challenge, and wanted the additional funding to help address a difficulty in hiring and retaining employees for the Jail Unit. That vote was tabled for a future meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, at a later meeting in September, commissioners voted against a $6 million request to cover outstanding balances by the sheriffs office, including for overtime pay. On Wednesday, Labat asked for roughly $2.14 million to address and replenish overtime expenses incurred over the course of 2024. Commissioner Dana Barrett said the funds were in the budget, and that if the funds were available and specifically allocated for the sheriffs office use, but had not been approved to fund the overtime budget. FCSO Chief of Staff Michael Shoates told commissioners before Labat spoke that the sheriffs office had stopped offering overtime hours and pay to staff in October and that since doing so, 21 employees had resigned or retired, including a 15-year veteran of the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff also said theyd eliminated double overtime several months back, prompting about 60 employees to resign or retire rather than continue to work without the payment. Ultimately we continue to lose them because nobody wants to work in the jail, Labat said. We lose them to East Point, College Park, City of Atlanta, to again, part of the conversation we had two weeks ago was that the City of Atlanta has done a better job with their pension plan. Still, Labat said theyd hired more than 700 people since 2023. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labat said the budget was cut down from recommendations for overtime based on projections of spending and cost, and that had the money instead put into a non-agency account. Citing conversations about managing the budget, Labat said theyd begun decreasing overtime and instead offered comp time in October. In the request, the sheriffs office said the funds were crucial for covering any unforeseen emergency overtime needs at the jail as well as making payments related to the Public Safety Fair Labor Standards Act for employees who had already reached their maximum compensatory time. A sheriffs office official said there were more than 200 employees already at that maximum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also cited concerns detailed in the USDOJ report about the conditions of the jail, as far as staffing and its impact on operating the jail, including budget constraints and reductions. Labat said the report highlighted retention and recruitment as major challenges to keeping the jail operating as it needs to. We knew we were going to need it, Labat said about the funds. We started out, the conversation said we got rid of double overtime because as one of the commissioners pointed out, it could not be an emergent situation for that long. At the very base, the foundation, we will need $4 million. The day of the budget ratification, it was decreased by $2 million to add an additional $362,000 to that. We were short going into the budget, knowing we would not be able to make that in terms of overtime for the rest of the year. Fulton County CFO Sharon Whitmore confirmed the money was available in the non-agency budget to grant the sheriffs request, when asked by Commissioner Natalie Hall. Commissioner Bob Ellis asked about detention budgeting and Whitmore confirmed it was originally supposed to support double overtime. Ellis said there was supposed to be a plan to handle that request, but the double overtime was tabled and was not eventually adopted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ellis said the commission had not received the utilization data they requested, in full, and the lack of clarity had left him unwilling to grant his approval without additional information. The sheriff agreed to provide the information in full, but requested the particulars being requested be submitted in writing for specificity and to be properly provided. After a prolonged back and forth with members of the commission, the vote to approve the funding for overtime failed to pass. The Wednesday commission meeting came just a week since a report by the U.S. Department of Justice said the civil rights of inmates at the Fulton County Jail on Rice Street were being violated due to the conditions at the facility, and the actions, or lack thereof, of jail staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, both of Georgias U.S. senators, Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, had requested federal officials speed up their investigation of the Fulton County Jail, which started in July 2023. At the time the senators requested the process move faster, seven people had died in the jail since the investigation officially opened. In consideration of the recent USDOJ Civil Rights report on the Fulton County Jail, Channel 2 Action News has reached out to representatives of both the sheriffs office and county commission for comment on how the decision may impact efforts to fulfill the recommended changes from the federal government. A spokeswoman for the county commission said that since the vote only received three votes in favor, it was automatically held and will return to the commission agenda on Dec. 4. However, no comment was provided as it relates to the USDOJ report. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] When did it become OK to demonize a group of children that some perceive as "different?" Imagine if a group of children who had a specific disability, whether it be physical or developmental, were being mocked in public, including with over $100 million in political advertising telling them that they were not worthy and that they were somehow less than human. Then imagine that this resulted in a massive increase in attempted suicide in the past year among that group and that calls into suicide lines skyrocketed since that advertising. I hope everyone would say that this is a crisis and that we must urgently help these children. Well, that is exactly what is happening with transgender youth. Used by politicians to keep and expand their power, transgender youth attempted suicides are up 72% in the past year. And calls into suicide prevention lines are up 48% since the election. More: Cincinnati 'open to all': Council set to spend $500k to help transgender youth Sophia Matz, 29, of Newport, Kentucky, listens to speakers at the Cincinnati City Council budget committee meeting, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Matz, a transgender woman, spoke on the motion, put forth by Council members Mark Jeffreys and Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, on prioritizing health care funding for transgender youth. The motion passed. This issue is not about "being woke," pronouns, sports, or "identity politics." This is about our humanity. It is about our urgent call to help children, many of whom have concluded that they are not wanted in this world and as a result are attempting to end their lives. We have a mental health crisis among our youth overall, but it has elevated urgency with transgender kids. It is not hyperbolic to say that lives are at stake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To address this urgent need, I offered a motion last week to prioritize funding the mental health needs of these children. This is not "mandating inclusion" or saying that every agency needs to provide these services as was recently reported. It means that we need to fill the gaps in mental health care for these children so every child has access. The amount of money were talking about? About 0.01% of the citys overall budget 0.01% to help prevent children among us, whether ours or our neighbors', from taking their own lives. More: Hamilton County property owners could get more back from the stadium sales tax next year Supporters of transgender youth and the LGBTQ community, listen during the Cincinnati City Council budget meeting, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Members heard from the public on a motion, put forth by Council members Mark Jeffreys and Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, on prioritizing health care funding for transgender youth. The motion passed. As a parent of an adult trans child, I have become acutely aware of the pain and fear that the elevated political rhetoric has led to in the past few months among this community. In the few years since my child came out, it has been a journey of my own of empathy and understanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we cannot control when politicians use transgender children as political pawns, we can say that in our Queen City, we will embrace and accept every child for who they are. As a political leader, my job is to imagine the type of world I want to see in Cincinnati and pull as much of that world into our own. I imagine a city where everyone feels safe, has an opportunity for a good education and well-paying job, where everyone can build wealth and can live a healthy, fulfilled, good quality of life. The Cincinnati that I want to live in is also a city where we acknowledge everyone who lives among us as being a human being with dignity. More: Ohio Senate passes bill to restrict bathroom access for transgender students Regardless of ones political affiliation, I would hope that we can come together as a city to say that when a group of our children are demonized to the extent that they are attempting to take their own lives that we will have their backs and that we will make sure they have the mental health care they need. Thats the Cincinnati that reflects the decent people that we are as a city. Mark Jeffreys Cincinnati Councilman Mark Jeffreys is chairman of the Equitable Growth and Housing Committee and vice chair of the Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Committee. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati must make sure trans youth have mental health care | Opinion Participants walk in front of the main entrance during the United Nations climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Credit - Dominika Zarzycka/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images The United Nations climate conference, now in its final days in Baku, has exacerbated longstanding tensions between countries on the path to decarbonize the global economy. The role of fossil fuels, the financial obligations of wealthier countries, and geopolitical tensions have all contributed to a well-founded fear that this years talksknown as COP29could collapse. These hiccups are just the beginning. A COP29 delegate who blinked amid the chaos of this years talks might have missed the emerging vector for international climate collaboration and conflict: the linkage of climate and trade policy. In Baku, a dispute over tariff-like policies that target carbon tripped up negotiators before the conference officially startedand the rapidly evolving trade-climate nexus has hung over the talks ever since. With U.S. President-elect Donald Trump poised to take a hammer to the status quo, trade policy is destined to play an even larger role in climate discussions in the years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These issues are so controversial that many in the international climate policy world are quick to sweep them under the rug lest discussing them disrupts progress in other areas. But such an approach is short sighted: the climate-trade nexus is an important part of the future of climate action. There has to be a discussion of the rules, eventually, that will address how countries engage in trade, and its impact on climate, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, a trade attorney who serves as the head of the International Trade Centre, told me at the summit. Hiding from it is not going to resolve anything. For the first few decades of international climate policy discussions, trade policy lingered in the background. Many scholars suggested that penalizing imports for their carbon emissions could serve as an effective emissions reduction tool, but policymakers preferred to pursue a more cooperative approach. But, as climate policies diverged, linking emissions and trade policy became a bigger priority. Countries spending big to cut carbonnamely in the European Unionwanted to level the playing field as some of their trading partners dragged their feet. And so during the first Trump Administration the E.U. said it would move forward with a carbon fee charged on imports. The policy is currently in an implementation phase, and other jurisdictions are considering how they can follow. The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada all have similar policies in the works. Unsurprisingly, countries that export to these markets arent happy. In agenda-setting discussions ahead of the start of COP29, a group of the largest emerging market countries threatened to delay the opening of the talks if trade issues werent placed on the official agenda. Such measures increase the cost of worldwide climate action [and] hinder the efforts of developing countries to advance their climate commitments, China said in a statement to the COP leaders submitted on behalf of Brazil, South Africa, and India. There are elements of truth to this statement given that carbon tariffs inevitably raise costs and hit industry in developing economies, but how these dynamics would play out is hard to predict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, the group relented and allowed the issue to get kicked down the road. But, no matter what happens in the coming months, any observer should expect these issues to come up again, particularly as Brazil hosts next years U.N. climate talks. One of the biggest questions that will play out post-COP29 is what will happen in the U.S. While the U.S. has not put a price on carbon emissions like its other developed economy counterparts, the countrys patchwork of environmental regulations means that many of its products have a relatively low carbon content. In the view of some climate advocates, that reality creates an opening for policymakers to penalize imports from elsewhere with higher emissions. Democrats and Republicans alike have crafted legislation to enact a carbon border fee. And in April the Biden Administration announced a working group that would consider how such a policy might work. Most interestingly, Trumps reported appointee to run trade policyBob Lighthizerhas said he supports the U.S. pursuing such an approach. Supporters of linking climate and trade policy see an opportunity. I think that there's a very real prospect for something emerging, said Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democratic senator from Rhode Island, in Baku. Whitehouse cited a working group on Capitol Hill that is seeking bipartisan common ground on the issue. There are many reasons to be skeptical that the future Trump Administration would actually pursue such an approach. Trump, of course, loves restrictive trade measures, but he hasnt talked about a carbon-oriented tariff, instead promising to enact a blanket tariff on all importswith higher rates for China. And theres no reason to think his love of tariffs will be enough to overcome his rejection of all things climate related. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will the linkage of climate and trade actually help cut global emissions? The experts say it depends on how these policies are implemented. If done right, they can level the playing field, ensuring that global companies pay the cost of their emissions no matter the jurisdiction. But, if done wrong, loopholes can result in fractured global trade without fully realizing the benefits. The biggest concern for many is that the U.S. might impose a carbon tariff on imports without actually enacting a domestic carbon price, potentially giving some American firms a pass on paying the cost of their emissions. In any event, as the climate world is filled with uncertainty in the second iteration of the Trump Administration, the conversation is a reminder that the economic changes unleashed by the energy transition are movingand perhaps with trade playing a more significant role than we would have expected a decade ago. Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com. Crown Prince Haakon described the situation as "a serious accusation" Rune Hellestad/Getty; SplashNews.com (Left) Crown Prince Haakon of Norway on March, 7, 2024 in Oslo, Norway; (Right) Marius Borg Hoiby at an event for Princess Ingrid Alexandra's 18th birthday, June 16, 2022 (Left) Crown Prince Haakon of Norway on March, 7, 2024 in Oslo, Norway; (Right) Marius Borg Hoiby at an event for Princess Ingrid Alexandra's 18th birthday, June 16, 2022 Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is addressing the arrest of his stepson, Marius Borg Hiby, on suspicion of rape. On Nov. 19, Crown Prince Haakon spoke about the arrest of his stepson, 27, the day prior. Crown Prince Haakon is Marius' stepfather through his marriage to Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Mette-Marit welcomed her son Marius during a relationship that preceded her 2001 marriage to Haakon, and Marius does not have a royal role within the monarchy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to NRK during his working trip to Jamaica, Crown Prince Haakon, 51, described the situation as "a serious accusation." "It is a serious accusation that Marius faces. Today, of course, we are thinking of all those affected," Haakon said in a video translated into English by NBC News. "The police must also be allowed to do their job, and the judiciary must be allowed to do their job." "I have confidence that they will do that in a good way," he continued. "It is also true of course that this affects, to a large extent, all of us who are around." Lise Aserud/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock: HAKON MOSVOLD LARSEN/NTB/AFP/Getty Related: Meet Norway's Royal Family: All About the 1,000-Year-Old Monarchy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Perhaps I will be allowed to add that I would like to be at home with Mette today," Crown Prince Haakon said. "I miss her." Speaking to NRK from Jamaica again on Nov. 20, the outlet reported that Crown Prince Haakon said, "We as a family and as parents have, of course, been very concerned that Marius should get help." Crown Prince Haakon is the son of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway and follows his father in the line of succession to the throne. The royal was in Jamaica for a three-day trip in his longtime role as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme when he broke his silence about his stepson's arrest. The Royal House of Norway did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, the Oslo Police District announced that Marius was arrested on Nov. 18 on suspicion of rape, after expanding the charges against him. In a statement issued on Nov. 19, and translated into English, authorities said that Marius was arrested on suspicion of violating the criminal code "which concerns sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act." "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," it continued. The statement said that Marius was arrested in a car with "the victim from the Frogner incident," while police simultaneously searched and seized his home. He was detained in Greenland. LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP/Getty Marius Borg Hoiby and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway on June 16, 2022 in Oslo, Norway. Marius Borg Hoiby and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway on June 16, 2022 in Oslo, Norway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! On Nov. 20, NRK reported that Marius has been charged with two rapes, and that he denies criminal guilt for both. According to the outlet, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, he was remanded in custody for a week with a ban on letters and visits. PEOPLE has contacted the Norwegian Police Service for further comment. According to NRK, there are allegedly six victims involved in the criminal case against Marius. He was first reportedly arrested in early August after allegedly acting violent toward an ex-girlfriend at her apartment in Frogner. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. YORK, Maine The York Antiques Gallery, a familiar fixture on Route 1 since the late 1980s, is on the market for $1.4 million, and its current manager, John Zicari, has a heartfelt wish for its future. Zicari said he hopes whoever buys the place including a smaller shop and a home that are also part of the property will keep the site's tradition of hosting dozens of antique dealers for years to come. John Zicari, seen here on Nov. 18, 2024, is the manager of The York Antiques Gallery, a shop that has been open on Route 1 in York, Maine, since the late 1980s. While we have high hopes that it remains an antique shop, we wont know until things happen, Zicari said. Our fear is that someone will buy the property to knock it down and build more condos in its place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An LLC tied to Edgecomb Potters of Maine bought the property a few years ago and kept the place as it has been for close to 35 years now, according to Zicari. He added that keeping the old barn as the York Antiques Gallery was part of the sales pitch back then. According to broker Sam LeGeyt, a partner of The Dunham Group, which has listed the property, Zicari can keep hope history will repeat itself. The York Antiques Gallery has been a familiar sight on Route 1 in York, Maine, since the 1980s. The property is currently on the market, and the gallery's manager is hoping the site can continue its tradition of hosting dozens of antiques dealers from around the nation. Were looking for an experienced operator who could continue that business in that location, LeGeyt said on Nov. 19. Were certainly marketing it that way. LeGeyt said The Dunham Group believes someone from the field of antique sales, who knows the nuances of the business, can be successful at the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement York's viral Realtor: How Mitchell Tebo is shaking up southern Maine real estate York Antiques Gallery seeks new owner with vision Located at 746 Route 1, the gallery is filled with antiques that need all the former barns four floors to display them. The first floor is a converted shed that gives way to the barn which provides the upper floors. The structure was built as a dairy barn in the 1880s, according to Zicari. Zicari said more than 50 dealers rent space within the gallery to offer, for sale, the items they have collected from across the country and around the world. The York Antiques Gallery on Route 1 in York, Maine, is filled with four floors of historic items from here in the United States and from around the world. Some of them have been here for 30 years, he added. Walking around the gallery is like touring the world, as it has entire sections dedicated to artifacts from Africa to France to many places in between. Rugs are draped over railings, art work adorns the walls, dolls and figurines of all shapes and sizes stand sentry. Furniture adds cozy touches, and shelves are filled with china, masks, nautical items, pottery, and more. The York Antiques Gallery, located on Route 1 in York, Maine, is filled with historic goods from here in the United States and from around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gallery is ready for Christmas, with old-time decorations and crafts sure to bring back memories of childhood. Were one of the last real antique stores in southern Maine, Zicari said. A lot of places have either closed or have morphed into more vintage or garage sale-type stuff. We still have really good dealers. The York Antiques Gallery, located on Route 1 in York, Maine, is filled with historic goods from here in the United States and from around the world. A lot of the merchandise hails from the previous century, but some of it dates back even further, according to Zicari. Weve actually had 16th-century fabrics in here before, he said. Zicari said the gallery draws people from all over the world and is a stop for many who visit the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were part of the fabric of York, but also southern Maine because people have been coming here for so long, he added. They know the dealers. They know the kind of goods they can get here. The York Antiques Gallery on Route 1 in York, Maine, is filled with four floors of historic items from here in the United States and from around the world. Given the range and arrangement of the antiques, many people tell Zacari they feel like theyre in a museum as they make their way through the gallery. We try to tell them its not a museum, Zicari said with a smile. We want you to pick things up and take them home." Zicari, who has managed the gallery for five years, hopes the buyer of the property will be someone who appreciates the structures history and its legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a pretty special place, Zicari said. It is truly a unique antique shop. More: York Housing Authority declines courthouse for affordable housing This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Iconic York Antiques Gallery hits the market for $1.4M A 14-year-old girl is charged with murder after her mother was found dead in their Georgia home. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Tuesday, just after 8 a.m. Tifton police were called to a home on East 18th Street. This was after Crawford County deputies tried to get in contact with 51-year-old Rachel Wagner regarding her daughter being in an accident in Bibb County. Police said they tried knocking on the door several times, but no one answered. Officers said they tried calling a phone number several times but no one answered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A neighbor told authorities Wagner would leave her home every morning around 7:20 a.m. Officers contacted Wagners manager who said she had not shown up for work. TRENDING STORIES: Police got in contact with Wagners landlord and were able to enter the apartment. After entering the apartment, officers found Wagner in one of the back bedrooms with an apparent gunshot wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation later revealed that Wagners 14-year-old daughter was connected to her mothers death. The 14-year-olds identity was not released. She was charged with felony murder. Investigators are still working to learn a motive. The investigation is ongoing. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Savannah mother accused of killing her 20-month-old son and then dumping him a dumpster will spend the rest of her life behind bars. Leilani Simons sentencing comes a month after a jury found her guilty of malice murder and 18 other charges in the death of her son, Quinton Simon. Simon called 911 on the morning of Oct. 5, 2022, to report her son was missing from his indoor playpen at their home outside Savannah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After police spent days searching the home and surrounding neighborhood, Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said that investigators believed the child was dead. He also named Simon as the sole suspect. Police and FBI agents focused their investigation on a landfill two weeks after the boy was reported missing. They sifted through trash for more than a month before finding human bones, which DNA tests confirmed belonged to Quinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe Leilani Simon put Quintons body in a dumpster, which ultimately ended up in the landfill. His remains were found just before Thanksgiving in 2022. During the trial, Quintons babysitter, Michelle McCarta, took the stand. Quinton loved us. He was close to us. And I just felt like he would be better off at our house, she said. McCarta told the court that she kept Quinton overnight on a regular basis and said the child was in poor condition when he was dropped off. He would be in a long onesie, and he would have poop all over. I dont want to say a baby didnt smell good, but he smelled like rotten milk. He had rings around his neck. We would immediately bathe him, McCarta said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following her Leilani Simons conviction, Hadley released a statement, saying in part: Quinton Simon truly became Chatham Countys child during the weeks that our community was gripped by his disappearance. It is fitting that today, 12 men and women from our county delivered the final measure of justice for little Quinton with their guilty verdict. We hope this brings some measure of peace and comfort to everyone who loved Quinton. Murder carries an automatic life sentence under Georgia law. Because prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, the main decision for Judge Tammy Stokes was whether to grant Simon a chance of someday being released on parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge imposed another 10 years in prison for concealing the childs death. Simon did not testify at her sentencing hearing. She did speak to give consent for the judge to release her sons remains to her family. Authorities had kept them in case further forensic tests were ordered. My sons been through enough, Simon said. I want my baby home. The Associated Press contributed to this article. With his nomination to run the Department of Justice hanging in precarious balance, a timely news story finally proved to be the deal-killer for Trump loyalist Matt Gaetz. At issue was a second, unreported sexual encounter between Trumps attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz, and the underage girl he had sex with at a sex party in 2017to which the House Ethics Committee was alerted. This second encounter, reported on Thursday by CNN, may very well be the biggest reason that Gaetz withdrew his nomination. Gaetz and Vice Presidentelect JD Vance spent Wednesday lobbying Republican senators to overlook Gaetzs infamous allegations of sexual misconduct and trafficking. The way the CNN report is written points to an uncanny timing behind Gaetzs decision to pull out: The woman, who was 17 years old at the time, testified that the second sexual encounter, which has not previously been reported, included another adult woman. She also testified to both sexual encounters in a civil deposition as part of a related lawsuit, sources said. After being asked for comment for this story, Gaetz announced he was backing out as President-elect Donald Trumps attorney general nominee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz has since played things very close to the vest. I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedbackand the incredible support of so many, Gaetz wrote on X. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. President-elect Trump thanked Gaetz on Truth social and told him he had a wonderful future. The Florida lawmaker tried to rid himself of multiple investigations into his alleged pecadillos by resigning from Congress right before the House Ethics Committee was set to release its probe on him. This strategy has backfired tremendously, as he is now out of two jobs. The New York Times reported that four Republican senators were poised to oppose Gaetzs nomination: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, John Curtis of Utah, and Mitch McConnell. Gaetzs replacement for the nomination remains to be seen; its equally unclear where Gaetz goes from here. President-elect Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, appeared to close the door on the possibility of Gaetz serving in a meaningful role in his administration: Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do! But that future is looking pretty bleak. The swift sinking of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for attorney general showed Thursday that Republicans are still capable of finding fault with Trump's choices, and even pushing back. Whether they will flex that muscle often or again at all is anyone's guess. Heading into a second White House term with both chambers of Congress in his party's control, Trump nonetheless had to acknowledge defeat on Gaetz after Senate Republicans balked at the embattled MAGA firebrand becoming the nation's top law enforcement official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump quickly nominated former Florida Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi for the post. Bondi, a longtime Trump loyalist, served on Trump's defense team during his first impeachment trial. Both Trump and Gaetz, in separate statements, said Gaetz was withdrawing his name because he didn't want to be a "distraction" for the Trump transition. Gaetz said there "is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle." Such a scuffle would probably have been stacked heavily against Gaetz, amid blockbuster leaks from an ethics investigation into allegations that Gaetz paid for sex with a minor and used illicit drugs. Those reports increasingly raised alarm bells not just among Democratic detractors of Gaetz and the president-elect, but also among Senate Republicans who met his withdrawal with what appeared to be an intentionally understated shrug. After Gaetz announced his withdrawal, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the decision was "appropriate." Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) said he respected Gaetz's decision and looked forward to confirming "qualified" nominees moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ronna McDaniel, former Republican Party chair, told CNN that Gaetz's nomination had appeared doomed to fail. "It was hard for some of these senators and others," she said. "He trolled them. He went after them. He wasn't going to win a congeniality contest." Read more: Graphic details emerge in Monterey sex assault claim against Pete Hegseth, Trump's Cabinet pick Bob Shrum, director of the Center for the Political Future at USC, said "we don't know the final answer" yet as to whether Republican senators will continue to push back against Trump on other nominees. But clearly with Gaetz, Trump was given a clear if "back channel" message that the nomination was "not going to work." "Even though the Republicans want to be loyal to Trump," Shrum said, "you can push them too far." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norman J. Ornstein, a left-leaning emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute who has written extensively about the Senate's dysfunction, said Senate Republicans scuttled Gaetz's nomination because they anticipated more evidence of sexual misconduct by Gaetz coming out. But such a stand should hardly be viewed as an indicator of more robust pushback against Trump in the future, he said. "This does not mean that the Senate Republicans will now give the appropriate scrutiny and judgment to other ethically challenged or utterly unqualified nominees," he said before naming several of Trump's recent Cabinet picks, including Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and military veteran whom Trump has nominated for Defense secretary and who is facing fresh questions about a 2017 allegation of sexual assault. "They may reject one, but Trump knew that if he flooded the zone with deplorables, the Republican Senate would end up confirming most of them," Ornstein said. Democrats, meanwhile, cheered Gaetz's withdrawal. Sen.-elect Adam B. Schiff of California said Gaetz was a "terrible choice for the nations top law enforcement agency," a position that requires someone devoted to the rule of law, "not the person of the president or partisan agenda." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some also suggested it should not prevent the release of the House ethics report about Gaetz the same argument they made after Gaetz's decision to resign from the House after Trump nominated him last week. What will happen next not just for Gaetz but also for Trump's efforts to stand up a government of nontraditional appointees is unclear. Gaetz, who was previously the subject of a federal sex trafficking investigation, could still get a post in the Trump administration that does not require Senate confirmation, an action presidents of both parties have taken to retain loyalists who are too controversial to win jobs that require approval. Stephen Miller, the architect of some of Trump's harshest immigration enforcement tactics, including family separation during his first term, was chosen last week as his deputy chief of staff. Neera Tanden, who directs President Biden's domestic policy council, has held a number of jobs in his administration after withdrawing as nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some in Washington on Thursday wondered, too, if Gaetz might try to reclaim his seat in the House, to which he had just won reelection. Florida state Rep. Joel Rudman, a Republican who announced this week that he would run for Gaetz's House seat, said Thursday on X that if Gaetz "wants to come back to Congress, I will support him 100%." More broadly, Gaetz's withdrawal marks an important moment in defining the limits of Trumps power in a second term with a more pliant Congress and Supreme Court than during his first term when his takeover of the Republican Party was still in its early stages. Gaetz was the most objectionable among a group of nominees who would have faced immediate disqualification during an earlier era. The ethics investigation details of which have been leaking out in a steady drip since his nomination last week was only the most salacious aspect of his dossier. He also lacked significant management and criminal law experience and had repeated numerous false conspiracy theories. Still, the factor that may have been most harmful were his relationships with fellow Republican lawmakers, who regarded him as an empty showboat willing to hurt the party to gain attention. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the Bakersfield Republican, has made his ire for Gaetz clear since Gaetz played a central role in McCarthy's ouster last year. And many members of the Senate in recent days said they wanted to know more about his ethics investigation before casting votes, an objective that ensured a messy confirmation hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post illustrating the depth of contempt for Gaetz in GOP congressional circles, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) posted a photo of McCarthy lifting a wooden gavel, with the caption, "Justice has been served." By withdrawing, Gaetz may clear an easier path for Bondi's confirmation, given that many senators are wary of bucking the president-elect, who has threatened retaliation in his second term, while some allies have warned of primary challenges for even the slightest sign of disloyalty. Read more: Mexico's president on Trump deportation plans: Immigrants are not 'criminals' His withdrawal also raises uncomfortable questions for other Trump nominees who face Senate questioning, including Hegseth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late Wednesday, officials in Monterey released a police report from 2017 outlining a woman's claim that Hegseth took her phone, blocked her from leaving his hotel room and sexually assaulted her. Hegseth's attorneys have acknowledged he paid the woman as part of a settlement. Hegseth has vociferously denied the allegations, saying Thursday that "the matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared," and some Republicans appeared to be rallying to his side. After meeting with Hegseth, Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, described Hegseth on Thursday as "a strong nominee." "Pete pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power not the current administration's woke political agenda," Barrasso said in a statement. "National security nominations have a history of quick confirmations in the Senate. I look forward to Pete's hearing and a vote on the floor in January." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Influential right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, whose nonprofit Turning Point Action largely ran Trumps ground game in swing states such as Arizona and Wisconsin, had been rallying his millions of social media followers to support Gaetz's nomination. On Thursday, Kirk seemed to offer those senators who blocked it a warning saying his group would start a lobbying initiative in support of Trump's remaining Cabinet nominees, holding rallies in conservative states where senators might need extra "encouragement" to approve them. "We will bring this road show, on the ground by the way, potentially to Rapid City, South Dakota; to Sioux Falls, South Dakota; to Boise, Idaho; to Fayetteville, Arkansas; to Topeka, Kansas; to Tupelo, Mississippi," Kirk said. "You picking up what Im throwing down?" Only if senators expressed unwavering public support for Trump's picks, he said, would he consider standing down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Times staff writers Hailey Branson-Potts and Jenny Jarvie contributed to this report. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Thursday he was withdrawing from consideration as President-elect Trumps nominee to be attorney general. Gaetz announced the decision in a message on the social platform X, saying that while he had excellent meetings with senators Wednesday, it was clear his confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General, Gaetz wrote. Trumps DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and Im certain he will Save America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz, whom Trump just a week ago said he was nominating to lead the Department of Justice, was immediately the president-elects most controversial Cabinet pick. Gaetz was previously investigated by the Justice Department as part of a broader sex trafficking probe, including allegations involving an underage woman. The department ultimately decided not to pursue charges, and Gaetz has strongly denied any wrongdoing. His quick withdrawal suggests he had realized he was unlikely to win the votes necessary to be confirmed in the Senate. Gaetz could only have afforded three GOP defections assuming all Democrats in the upper chamber opposed his nomination, and several GOP senators had signaled their discomfort with the pick. He announced his withdrawal as it became increasingly apparent he would not be able to secure support from a simple majority of senators to be confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Republican senators expressed relief Thursday over the news that Gaetz had dropped his bid, praising it as the right decision given how tough the path he faced to confirmation. I think its a positive development, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) said he made the right decision, given the serious headwinds he faced on Capitol Hill. He must have gotten some signals yesterday during conversations he was having with senators that this was going to be a distraction, she said. Good on him to recognize that and be self-aware. She said Gaetzs decision would provide President Trump with an opportunity to choose someone whos equally tenacious about addressing the Department of Justice and its direction, which needs to be changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump in a statement said he appreciated Gaetzs efforts. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do! Trump wrote in a message on Truth Social. Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump will announce a new nomination once a decision is made. Gaetz had been a surprise pick to be the nations top law enforcement officer, suggesting the transition team may have weighed numerous options. Gaetz, who has been one of Trumps most vocal supporters in the House, had mirrored the president-elects claims about a deep state that had weaponized the Department of Justice, citing special counsel Jack Smiths prosecution of Trump as an example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetzs move comes a day after the House Ethics Committee declined to release the findings of a years-long report into him, but did not completely close the door on making such a move in the future. A source familiar with the panels deliberations said that while the panel voted on partisan lines against releasing the report as-is, it did vote to formally complete the report, and the prospect of its release could come up again. The committee is scheduled to next meet Dec. 5. The source said members left with the understanding the report would be ready by that gathering, suggesting another vote to release the body of work could take place then. The House as a whole was also poised to vote after the Thanksgiving holiday on whether to force the Ethics Committee to release its findings after two Democrats made moves to trigger such a vote. The panel has been investigating Gaetz on-and-off for the past 3 1/2 years, probing allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. He was also accused of accepting improper gifts, dispensing special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship and seeking to obstruct government investigations of his conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Republican senators had privately suggested Wednesday and Thursday morning that Gaetz withdraw his nomination to avoid a personal wrenching experience during his public confirmation hearing, warning that his nomination would likely fail in the end. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, warned that the details of the FBIs investigation of allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use against Gaetz would become public during the confirmation fight. Its going to come to us one way or the other. There are no secrets around here, Cornyn told reporters Wednesday. And he warned that Gaetzs confirmation hearing would be even messier than the brutal fight over conservative Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault during his Supreme Court confirmation process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if Gaetz is aware that a confirmation hearing would become very messy, Cornyn said it would be like Kavanaugh on steroids. Hes a smart guy, Im sure he realizes that, Cornyn said. Alexander Bolton, Emily Brooks, Rebecca Beitsch, Alex Gangitano and Mychael Schnell contributed. Updated at 1:14 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. Former congressman Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., will withdraw from his bid to be president-elect Donald Trumps attorney general, Gaetz announced in a social media post Thursday. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, Gaetz wrote. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. In the week since Trump said he would nominate Gaetz to his Cabinet, Gaetz faced sharp scrutiny from lawmakers and colleagues both Republican and Democrat for his checkered past. Gaetz was the subject of a federal sex trafficking investigation based on allegations that Gaetz paid underage girls for sex and transported them across state lines, although that investigation ended without Gaetz being charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, discussions over Gaetzs fitness for office overshadowed Trumps other Cabinet selections. On Wednesday, the Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted against releasing its investigation into Gaetz, which concluded after Gaetz abruptly resigned from his position to accept Trumps nomination. But details of the Ethics Committees report, and the separate Department of Justice investigation, have begun to leak. CNN reported that the Ethics Committee was informed of two alleged sexual encounters between Gaetz and a 17-year-old woman. The New York Times reported that federal investigators found a web of Venmo payments between Gaetz, associates and women who say Gaetz paid them for sex. The attorney general position, as with other Cabinet posts, requires Senate confirmation. On Wednesday, Gaetz and Sen. JD Vance, the vice president-elect, visited with Republican senators, lobbying them to back Gaetz. In his social media post Thursday, Gaetz called the meetings excellent, and thanked the senators for their thoughtful feedback and the incredible support of so many. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he greatly appreciate(d) Gaetzs efforts. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect, Trump said. TOPEKA (KSNT) A long-time Gage Park mini-train conductor passed away last weekend. Duane J. Brunkow, 95, of Duluth, passed away on Nov. 16, 2024, according to his obituary. He served as a conductor for Topekas unique mini-train Iron Horse, ferrying children and families around Gage Park. Brunkow enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War before being stationed in France where he married his wife on March 6, 1951. He finished his service with the Air Force with the rank of staff sergeant and moved to Topeka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brunkow then worked for the United States Post Office for 30 years delivering mail, according to his obituary. After retiring he worked as a conductor of the Gage Park mini-train. Duane was a creative handyman who was ready to fix everything around the home and for others who needed help, his obituary read. His family time was dedicated to activities that brought happiness, fun, and memories. Topeka leaders appoint new police chief 27 News spoke to Sean Zears with Shawnee County Parks and Recreation who said Brunkow was liked by everyone. [Brunkow was] one of the employees who oversaw the train said he would come up in his conductor outfit and say hi to everyone after he stopped conducting the train, Zears said. He was liked by everyone and brought a smile to peoples faces. Our thoughts are with the family as they celebrate a wonderful man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A U.S. District Court judge in Hammond sentenced a Gary man to 60 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Darrius L. Smith, 34, will follow his prison term with two years of supervised release, according to the sentence handed down by Judge Philip P. Simon. According to documents in the case, on January 11, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Smith. During a search of the vehicle, a loaded semi-automatic .40 caliber firearm was recovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firearm was previously reported stolen. Smiths criminal history revealed that he had prior felony convictions for burglary and auto theft, and as such, is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case, according to the release. The Federal Bureau of Investigation Gang Response Investigative Team investigated the case with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriffs Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Padilla prosecuted the case. TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) UPDATE: A gas leak at Temple Colleges Main Campus led to a road closure and a stay-in-place advisory on Thursday morning. The College said construction crews were investigating the leak on the east side of the Main Campus, west of the Dell Martin Nursing building. The Fire Department and gas company were on scene. The College said it was assured there was no danger, but the public was told to avoid the area out of an abundance of caution. Those inside of a campus building on the east side were told to stay in place until further instructions. Marvin Felder Drive was closed to all vehicle and foot traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The College released an all clear at 11:40 a.m., saying the gas leak was capped on the east side of the Main Campus. Students and staff were then able to move freely. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Gautam Adani was indicted in the US on bribery charges. Subhankar Chakraborty/Hindustan Times via Getty Images India's stock market fell after Gautam Adani faced US bribery charges. Adani and executives allegedly paid $250 million in bribes for solar contracts. One CIO told Bloomberg TV that the charges "dented sentiment" in Indian markets. India's stock market opened lower on Thursday after one of the country's richest men was charged by US prosecutors in a massive bribery scheme. New York prosecutors brought charges on Wednesday against Gautam Adani , one of the richest people in the world. They alleged the tycoon and seven of his senior executives paid hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes to the Indian government and hid them from US investors. Shares of companies related to Adani, including his flagship Adani Enterprises, Adani Green Energy, and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd., crashed 20% in under two hours of trade on Thursday. Prosecutors said in an indictment that Adani and his executives promised more than $250 million in bribes to win solar energy contracts from the Indian government between 2020 and 2024. In a statement on Thursday, an Adani Group spokesperson said the allegations are "baseless and denied." "The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations," said the spokesperson. The charges led to a sharp selloff in pre-market trading and hit the country's markets at open. Following the news, Adani Green Energy canceled plans to raise $600 million in US dollar-denominated bonds, the company said in a statement to the National Stock Exchange of India. The latest blow to Adani's companies came nearly two years after New York-based Hindenburg Research targeted the Adani Group in a January 2023 report, which at one point wiped out nearly $150 billion in market value from the associated companies. Shares of Adani's companies had largely recovered from that report, but have been under pressure after the Bharatiya Janata Party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi lost its majority in the lower house of India's parliament. A Modi ally, Adani is worth nearly $86 billion making him the eighteenth-richest person in the world, per Bloomberg's billionaires index. Stefanie Holtze-Jen, the Asia-Pacific chief investment officer for Deutsche International Private Bank, told Bloomberg TV on Thursday that the market's reaction was unsurprising. "It has been expected now given that the news has been front and center today. I think it's already dented sentiment in the region," she said. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Calvin Davis didnt always know hed want to be on his high school robotics team, much less an award-winning researcher or an aspiring environmental engineer. All it took was one field trip to Imagine RIT to light his fire. It felt inspirational, but also motivational. I was eager, very excited, Calvin says. He and his project partner won the Rising Prize for Vision and Inspiration Award at the Terra STEM Fair in spring. They were looking for a way to make solid oxide fuel cells more efficient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were all kind of just bouncing ideas off each other. I remember every Saturday, we went over to RIT and we just sat on our computer typing away, trying to figure out how these different molecular structures interact with each other and then we came up with our own equation to even make it a lot simpler for us, which was really cool! Calvin says excitedly. We were not expecting to get [the award] at all. Our jaws just dropped. Calvins opportunities come in large part through Rochester Preps partnership with RIT for the Science and Technology Entry Programor STEP. The goal is increasing the number of historically underrepresented and disenfranchised people engaging in STEM and going to college. When you have diverse backgrounds at the table, theyre providing unique problem-solving approaches that then create an environment thats inclusive, equitable, and so all voices feel heard and valued. Not only are we diversifying the STEM professions, but we are providing role models for our future generations, says Ashley Simmons, the STEP director at RITs K-12 University Center. Calvin is already on his way to being a role model himselftraveling to Zimbabwe to present his project at the Africa Science Buskers Festival in Harare over the summer. He says he loved hearing the ideas flowing freely from all over the world in one place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I found was that I actually had the opportunity to teach other people in Zimbabwe about our research and then they showed me some of their science projects and it was a whole influx of passions in science, where we just motivated each others ideas, which I really loved, he says. It is my motivation to hit those higher levels. That way once I am there, I can give back, he goes on to say. Calvin is also a finalist for a QuestBridge scholarship and says he hopes to research environmentally sustainable technology in his future career. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) Georgetown County will host a two-day job fair for paper mill workers expected to lose their jobs by the end of 2024. Internation Paper announced its decision to close the Georgetown Paper Mill on October 31, which will impact 600-700 workers. The job fair will take place on November 21 and 22 at the Howard Center on Hawkins Street. County officials say the job fairs goal is to keep the families of the displaced workers in Georgetown County and help them continue to be part of the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 75 employers and resource agencies from Georgetown and across the state are expected to attend. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Dr. Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health at a Sept. 2021 Capitol press conference. This month, Toomey sent a letter dismissing members of the states maternal mortality review committee. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Georgia officials have dismissed all members of a state committee charged with investigating deaths of pregnant women. The move came in response to ProPublica having obtained internal reports detailing two deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ProPublica reported in September on the deaths of Amber Thurman and Candi Miller, which the state maternal mortality review committee had determined were preventable. They were the first reported cases of women who died without access to care restricted by a state abortion ban, and they unleashed a torrent of outrage over the fatal consequences of such laws. The womens stories became a central discussion in the presidential campaign and ballot initiatives involving abortion access in 10 states. Confidential information provided to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee was inappropriately shared with outside individuals, Dr. Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the state Department of Public Health, wrote in a letter dated Nov. 8 and addressed to members of the committee. Even though this disclosure was investigated, the investigation was unable to uncover which individual(s) disclosed confidential information. Therefore, effective immediately the current MMRC is disbanded, and all member seats will be filled through a new application process. A health department spokesperson declined to comment on the decision to dismiss the committee, saying that the letter, which the department provided to ProPublica, speaks for itself. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps office also declined to comment, referring questions to the health department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Georgia law, the work of the maternal mortality review committee is confidential, and members must sign confidentiality agreements. Those members see only summaries of medical records stripped of personal details, and their findings on individual cases are not supposed to be shared with the public not even with hospitals or with family members of women who died. The health departments letter states that there could be new steps to keep the boards deliberations from public view. The letter said officials might change other procedures for on-boarding committee members better ensuring confidentiality, committee oversight and MMRC organizational structure. Maternal mortality review committees exist in every state. They are tasked with examining deaths of women during a pregnancy or up to a year after and determining whether they could have been prevented. Georgias had 32 standing members from a variety of backgrounds, including OB-GYNs, cardiologists, mental health care providers, a medical examiner, health policy experts and community advocates. They are volunteer positions that pay a small honorarium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their job is to collect data and make recommendations aimed at combatting systemic issues that could help reduce deaths and publish them in reports. The Georgia committees most recent report found that of 113 pregnancy-related deaths from 2018 through 2020, 101 had at least some chance of being prevented. Its recommendations have led to changes in hospital care to improve the response to emergencies during labor and delivery and to new programs to increase access to psychiatric treatment. The health departments letter states that the change to the current committee will not result in a delay in the MMRCs responsibilities. But at least one other state has experienced a lag as a result of reshaping its committee. Idaho let its maternal mortality review committee legislation expire in July 2023, effectively disbanding the committee after lobbyist groups attacked members for recommending that the state expand Medicaid for postpartum women. Earlier this year, Idahos Legislature reestablished the committee, but new members werent announced until Nov. 15. There is now more than a yearlong delay in the review process. Reproductive rights advocates say Georgias decision to dismiss and restructure its committee also could have a chilling effect on the committees work, potentially dissuading its members from delving as deeply as they have into the circumstances of pregnant womens deaths if it could be politically sensitive. They did what they were supposed to do. This is why we need them, said Monica Simpson, executive director of SisterSong, one of the groups challenging Georgias abortion ban in court. To have this abrupt disbandment, my concern is what we are going to lose in the process, in terms of time and data? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One objective of any maternal mortality review committee is to look at the circumstances of a death holistically to identify root causes that may be able to help other women in the future. In the case of Candi Miller, the most prominent detail in a state medical examiners report of her death was that she had a lethal combination of painkillers in her system, including fentanyl. It attributed the cause of death to drug intoxication. But the Georgia committee looked at the facts of the death with a different objective: to consider the broader context. A summary of Millers case prepared for the committee, drawn from hospital records and the medical examiners report, included that Miller had multiple health conditions that can be exacerbated by pregnancy, that she had ordered abortion pills from overseas and that she had unexpelled fetal tissue, which showed the abortion had not fully completed. It also stated that her family had told the coroner she didnt visit a doctor due to the current legislation on pregnancies and abortions. The committee found her death was preventable and blamed the states abortion ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that she felt that she had to make these decisions, that she didnt have adequate choices here in Georgia, we felt that definitely influenced her case, one committee member told ProPublica in September. Shes absolutely responding to this legislation. For Millers family, the committees findings were painful but wanted. It seems like that is essential information that you would share with the family, said Millers sister, Turiya Tomlin-Randall, who was not aware of the committees work until ProPublica contacted her. She also said its upsetting to hear that the committees members were dismissed partly as a result of her sisters case being disclosed to the public. I dont understand how this is even possible, she said. The committee also investigated the case of Amber Thurman, who died just one month after Georgias six-week abortion law went into effect. The medical examiners report stated that Thurman died of sepsis and retained products of conception and that she had received a dilation and curettage, or D&C, and a hysterectomy after an at-home abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the committee members received a summary of her hospital stay, they saw a timeline with additional factors: The hospital had delayed providing a D&C a routine procedure to clear fetal tissue from the uterus for 20 hours, which Thurman needed for rare complications shed developed after taking abortion medication. The state had recently attached criminal penalties to performing a D&C, with few exceptions. The summary showed doctors discussed providing the D&C twice, but by the time they performed the procedure it was too late. Committee members found that there was a good chance Thurmans death could have been prevented if she had received the D&C sooner. Doctors and a nurse involved in Thurmans care did not answer questions from ProPublica for its September story. The hospital also did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Thurmans family also told ProPublica they had wanted the information about her death disclosed. Some experts say that keeping the reports of maternal mortality review committees confidential is important for a committee to serve its purpose. They are set up not to assign blame but instead to create a space for clinicians to investigate broad causes of maternal health failures. But others say the lack of transparency can serve to obscure the biggest disruption to maternal health care in half a century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that the reports that have come out of that committee are anonymized and synthesized in order to provide a 50,000-foot view, said Kwajelyn Jackson, executive director of Feminist Womens Health Center in Atlanta, which provides abortion care. But my worry is that in an effort to protect the state, there will be less information that will be available to people who could shift their actions, shift their protocols, shift their strategies, shift their behaviors in order to make a difference in maternal health outcomes. Two states did make shifts to their committees Idaho, after members made a recommendation to expand Medicaid that Republicans opposed, and Texas, after a member publicly criticized the state. In 2022, Texas committee member Nakeenya Wilson, a community advocate, spoke out against the states decision to delay the release of its report during an election year. The following year, the Legislature passed a law that created a second community advocate position on the committee, redefined the position and had Wilson reapply. She was not reappointed. The state instead filled one of the slots with a prominent anti-abortion activist. Wilson said Georgias decision to dismiss its committee could cause greater harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What message is being said to the families who lost their loved ones? she said. Theres going to be even less accountability for this to not happen again. Ziva Branstetter, Kavitha Surana, Cassandra Jaramillo and Anna Barry-Jester contributed reporting. Doris Burke contributed research. The two Georgia election workers who won a $146 million defamation judgment against Rudy Giuliani over his baseless claims of mass election fraud in 2020 are accusing him of defaming them again on two of his recent nightly shows. Attorneys for Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss, the election workers, asked the judge who oversaw last years defamation trial to hold Giuliani in civil contempt and sanction him for the statements. The development comes after Giuliani on two episodes of his Americas Mayor Live show last week baselessly claimed the workers were quadruple counting ballots in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election workers attorneys said the former New York City mayor was brazenly violating a court injunction that blocks him from continuing to claim that Freeman and Moss engaged in wrongdoing. 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, the duos attorneys wrote in court filings. They constitute unambiguous violations of the Consent Injunction. The Court should hold Mr. Giuliani in civil contempt andfollowing a hearing, if necessaryimpose sanctions calculated to ensure Mr. Giulianis compliance with the Consent Injunction, they added. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, an appointee of former President Obama, ordered Giuliani to respond in writing by Dec. 2 and scheduled an in person hearing in Washington on Dec. 12. Giuliani is required to attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ted Goodman, Giulianis spokesperson, called the new effort a dishonest and duplicitous attack. Mayor Giuliani, under the First Amendment of the Constitution, has every right to defend himself, especially as the other side consistently leaks to the press, Goodman said. The ongoing lawfare against Mayor Giuliani must end. 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. Mayor Giuliani took down the Mafia, cleaned up New York City, and comforted the nation following September 11, he added The push for civil contempt comes after the election workers began receiving some of Giulianis assets following a months-long battle to collect on the $146 million judgment. They are expected to recover far less, given that President-elect Trumps former personal lawyer had disclosed only roughly $10 million in assets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Giulianis attorneys indicated in court filings that he has now turned over his Mercedes-Benz, watches, a ring and cash in his bank accounts. The parties are still battling over whether Giuliani must turn over other property, including his Florida condo. Freeman and Mosss attorneys signaled Giuliani has additional assets that he doesnt have to turn over to satisfy the defamation judgment that could newly be taken as punishment, if he is found in civil contempt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A mother in Georgia has sparked national debate about how much freedom a child should have when she was arrested after her 10-year-old son was found walking alone. Brittany Patterson was captured on police body cam video being handcuffed and taken into custody after her 10-year-old son left home alone and was found walking in their small town of Mineral Bluff. "I was shocked, surprised, disbelief," Patterson, 41, said. "Couldn't really understand what was going on or why. "They told me to put my hands behind my back and then I had to ask to tell my children goodbye." PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, a Georgia mother of four was arrested after her son walked a mile by himself. (Fannin County Sheriff's Office) Patterson was charged with reckless conduct, which ignited a nationwide debate about child independence. After her arrest, the Georgia mother of four made headlines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People everywhere, including on talk shows, social media and news networks, discussed the appropriate age for children to do things independently. "If any parent has read any of the Beverly Cleary books Ramona or Henry Huggins, those kids were roaming the neighborhood in a way that we would call free range now," parenting expert Dawn Friedman said. "We used to allow children some freedoms that we no longer allow them. And I don't think that's to their benefit or to ours." MORE: Parenting style can significantly influence a child's mental health, new study finds "The crime was that she didn't know where her kid was for a little while because she'd left them at home," blogger and co-founder of Let Grow Lenore Skenazy said. "And to her surprise, he didn't stay home. It's just so normal. And to make that into a crime is insane." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patterson's ordeal began when she left home in late October to take one of her older children to the doctor. Her younger son, Soren, who was nearly 11 at the time, stayed home. Later that day, the Fannin County Sheriff's Office reported that Soren, who is now 11, walked less than a mile into town to visit the local Dollar General store. Authorities found him walking alone after a concerned resident called police. Police took Soren, who was unharmed, home, but a few hours later they returned and arrested Patterson in front of her children. The warrant claims she "...willingly and knowingly endangered her juvenile son's bodily safety." David Delugas, Patterson's attorney, disputes this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children are typically ready to walk alone safely without adult supervision at age 10. Delugas says that Patterson did not engage in any illegal activities. Patterson has declined to sign a "safety plan" proposed by Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services, which included using a GPS tracking app on her son's phone. "If you call a document a safety plan, maybe what's in it ought to make the child more safe," Delugas said. "And by the way, that assumes he was unsafe in the first place, which he was not. Part of why Brittany declines to sign it is he wasn't unsafe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, the Surgeon General issued an advisory regarding the high levels of stress experienced by parents. The report highlights that 41% of parents feel so stressed on most days that they struggle to function, while 48% report their stress is overwhelming compared to other adults. It notes that the demands on their time and concerns about their children's safety can contribute to this stress. "I mean, parenting never had to be 24/7 until now," Skenazy said. "I don't blame the parents. I blame this culture that talks endlessly about the impact of every parenting decision in every atom of their kids being." Skenazy can relate to Patterson's story. Back in 2008, she also divided the country when she let her 9-year-old son take the subway by himself in New York City and published an article about it. She didn't expect the backlash that followed, but at times was labeled as "America's Worst Mom." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I finally realized that that was my real crime, was trusting my kid to do something without me," Skenazy said. "Being independent, being out in the world. That was the charge against me." Skenazy, 17 years later, says she stands by supporting anyone's choice to prioritize their children's independence, believing that independence fosters trust. "If you actually let your kid do something by themselves: you let them walk to the store, you let them walk the dog, you let them make the pancakes," Skenazy said. "You're allowed to be imperfect if that's what we're going to call it because perfection has never been a requirement for being a parent or a kid." Georgia mom's arrest puts free-range parenting back into spotlight originally appeared on abcnews.go.com SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) A Georgia woman convicted of killing her 20-month-old son and dumping his body in a trash bin was sentenced Thursday to life in prison. Leilani Simon was spared the maximum punishment of life without a chance of parole. Her sentencing hearing in Chatham County Superior Court came a month after a trial jury found Simon guilty of malice murder and 18 other charges in the death of her son, Quinton Simon. Simon called 911 the morning of Oct. 5, 2022, to report her son was missing from his indoor playpen at their home outside Savannah. After police spent days searching the home and surrounding neighborhood, Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said that investigators believed the child was dead. He also named Simon as the sole suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police and FBI agents focused their investigation on a landfill two weeks after the boy was reported missing. They sifted through trash for more than a month before finding human bones, which DNA tests confirmed belonged to Quinton. Murder carries an automatic life sentence under Georgia law. Because prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, the main decision for Judge Tammy Stokes was whether to grant Simon a chance of someday being released on parole. The judge imposed another 10 years in prison for concealing the child's death. Simon did not testify at her sentencing hearing. She did speak to give consent for the judge to release her son's remains to her family. Authorities had kept them in case further forensic tests were ordered. My son's been through enough, Simon said. I want my baby home. (Bloomberg) -- Georgias ruling party nominated the incumbent prime minister to retain his post as the Black Sea nations president and her supporters continue to challenge the results of last months election. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgian Dreams founder, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, backs Irakli Kobakhidze to continue as premier, party official Mamuka Mdinaradze told reporters in the capital, Tbilisi. Shalva Papuashvili is also to remain parliamentary speaker, with the party planning to confirm both positions in a new session starting Monday, he said Thursday. Still, while Georgian Dream officially secured 89 of 150 assembly seats in the October vote, a start to legislative work may prove difficult. President Salome Zourabichvili and a group of 30 opposition lawmakers have filed Constitutional Court motions to nullify the election results. Four opposition parties that back the pro-Europe head of state, whose position is largely ceremonial, have threatened not to take up their mandates in protest against alleged fraud and voter intimidation. Over the past three weeks, the opposition has organized rallies across the country, demanding a new election. Protesters have pledged to hold more demonstrations after police twice dismantled camps they set up outside Tbilisi State University this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Gerald Boyle gained fame as the serial killer's defense attorney during his 1992 murder trial in Milwaukee, Wisc. AP Photo/Morry Gash; EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty Gerald Boyle; Jeffrey Dahmer Gerald Boyle; Jeffrey Dahmer Gerald Boyle, the Wisconsin attorney known for defending serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, has died. Boyles daughter, Bridget Boyle, announced her fathers death in a Facebook post, confirming he died on Sunday, Nov. 17. Multiple news outlets, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Fox 6 and WTMJ, report Boyle was 88. A cause of death was not revealed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A distinguished attorney, he dedicated his life to the relentless pursuit of justice, Bridget wrote. Over a remarkable career spanning decades, he fearlessly championed countless high-profile cases, earning widespread respect for his sharp legal mind and compassionate heart. For those he represented, he was a beacon of hope and unwavering support. Boyle gained fame as Dahmers defense attorney during the serial killer's 1992 murder trial in Milwaukee. Related: 'It's the Victims Who Matter': What I Learned from Covering Jeffrey Dahmer in 1991 He was like Halleys comet, Boyle, who mounted an unsuccessful insanity defense, told PEOPLE in 1994. A criminal like him comes around every 75 years and, thankfully, isnt seen again for another 75. 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. Dahmer raped, murdered and dismembered at least 17 men and boys in in the city between 1978 and 1991. Curt Borgwardt/Sygma via Getty Jeffrey Dahmer Jeffrey Dahmer In 1991, Dahmer was arrested on charges involving decapitation, necrophilia and cannibalism. He confessed to the murders of the 11 victims whose severed heads were found in his Milwaukee apartment and later confessed to six others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story: How the Serial Killer Was Caught Boyle said Dahmer had told him, This is my fault. There is a time to be honest, per an August 1991 PEOPLE cover story. Dahmer entered prison in February 1992 at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage, Wisc., where he was ordered to serve 15 consecutive life terms for his crimes. He was beaten to death by fellow inmate Christopher Scarver in November 1994. He was 34. Boyle is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marna, and daughters Bridget and Ellen, per Bridget's Facebook post. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Geraline Stanford McKeever McDuffie peacefully departed this life at home on Thursday, November 14, 2024 with her family at her side. The eldest of two children, she was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Paul Stanford, Sr. and the late Alice Malone Stanford on July 11, 1933. Find obituaries from your high school Geraline, affectionately known as Tootie Nana, Grandma and Ma to many others, was a woman of great faith that she passed down to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her faith was exhibited in her gift of helping others who were in need, and even taking people into her home. Her motto in life, based on her faith in God was This too, shall pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From childhood, Geraline has served in some capacity in Gods Church, starting at Phillips Chapel at the age of nine, where she attended Sunday School and sang In the Junior Choir. At the age of 20 she united with The Mount Sinai Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. H. Kimberly where she served in several aspects of ministry. She was a charter member of the former Grace Baptist Church, founded 1961 (now The New Grace Missionary Church) where she served under two Pastors: The founder, the late Rev Chris London, Sr. (her uncle) and the late Rev. Albert Ross, Sr., as church secretary, Trustee, sang in the Mass and Senior Choirs, serving as president of the Senior Choir, taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday School, served on the Missionary Society, The Pastors Aide, The culinary Ministry and attended BTU, Sunday School and Bible Study. She united with the New Bethel Baptist Church in August of 1987, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Lonnie Kwadjo Asim Simon, where she served in the Deaconess, WEB Lewis/Stella Bailey Mission (participating as a delegate for many years in The Youngstown/Canton/Warren sub-district of the Northern Ohio Baptist District Association (NOBDA) where she served as President for many years, The monthly food giveaway, Grief Ministry, and Senior Ministry. She attended Sunday School and Bible Study, Church Conferences and Seminars. She continued to serve under the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, affectionately known as her son from another mother, fully supporting him in all aspects of his God-led mission in all aspects of the church and loved being a part of the New Bethel Church family. Even as her health prevented her from attending Church, Bible Study and Sunday School in person, she participated from home via phone and watched LIVE online. She leaves to mourn her loss, yet cherish her memory, four daughters, Alice McKeever of South Bend, Indiana, Lauren Richardson and Min Dr. FloEtta Jordan (her caregiver) of Youngstown, Ohio and Min. Stephanie McDuffie of Cleveland, Ohio; 21 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great-grandchildren; her brother, Paul Stanford, Jr. (Josephine) Newel, of New Jersey; her daughter-in-law, Mary McKeever; favorite cousin, Lawrence Brooks; her aunt, Elizabeth Malone of Cleveland, Ohio; good friend, Marjorie Jones and a great host of relatives. Preceding her in death to meet her at Heavens gates are her parents; her husband, Floyd McDuffie, Jr.; her sons, Marvin McDuffie, Floyd A. McDuffie, Sr. and Lawrence L. McKeever III; her grandsons, Antwan McKeever and Turhan Henderson, Jr. and her granddaughter, Andrea McDuffie Miller, whom she reared. Visitation will be 10:00 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman Street, Youngstown, OH 44507; funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Services of Dignity and Love entrusted to L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home. Dont cry for me, dont shed a tear The time Ive shared with you will always be And when Im gone, life carries on Dont cry for me Well always be Dont cry for me (CeCe Winans) To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Geraline Stanford McKeever McDuffie, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Friday, November 22 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized the human rights record of Azerbaijan during her first appearance at the UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP29, which is being hosted in the Azerbaijani capital Baku. "The arrests of media activists and members of the opposition are very worrying," Baerbock said. She specifically mentioned the Azerbaijani government's refusal to allow critic Gubad Ibadoghlu, who is being held under house arrest, to leave the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Entry bans for 76 members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe were also absolutely unacceptable, said Baerbock. "They also affect German members of the Bundestag and are incompatible with Azerbaijan's obligations in the Council of Europe," she said. She added that it was important for this climate conference to address the situation. At the same time, however, the summit must achieve a result in the fight against the climate crisis, which she called the greatest security policy issue of our time. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock remains unwell and unable to participate in negotiations at the UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku on Thursday morning. "The minister is still not feeling well," the German delegation said early on Thursday. Baerbock, who was already ill on Wednesday, was expected to attend her first appointments at the conference no earlier than Thursday afternoon, the delegation said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her absence, German Climate State Secretary Jennifer Morgan has been covering for her. German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke is expected to arrive in Azerbaijan later on Thursday. Lemke plans to underline the significance of nature and species conservation in tackling the climate crisis. The two-week conference, involving nearly 200 countries, is set to wrap up on Friday evening. The primary focus is on increasing financial aid to poorer nations to combat climate change. Despite more than 10 days of negotiations, key issues remain unresolved. Developing countries are pressing industrialized nations for more ambitious climate action and financial assistance in the trillions of dollars. The EU has been hesitant, stating it will only commit to specific funding figures once other critical matters are settled. (Bloomberg) -- Germanys strict borrowing rules, long championed by conservative politicians and fiscally hawkish economists, could soon be in for an overhaul that a growing chorus of critics argues is long overdue. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debate around loosening the framework thats helped keep Germanys budget deficit in check since 2009 has intensified as the country heads toward Februarys snap election. Even Friedrich Merz, the Christian Democrat chancellor candidate who is leading in opinion polls, has acknowledged the need for more flexibility to help fund the massive investments required in areas like infrastructure, energy and defense. Merz last week signaled a new openness to tweaking the mechanism known as the debt brake to give the government additional wiggle room. That marked a surprising departure from his partys long-held stance that the limit on net new borrowing, enshrined in the countrys basic law and introduced by an earlier conservative government, is sacrosanct. Merz knows that if his CDU/CSU bloc wins the election, he will almost certainly need to form a coalition with at least one other party to secure a Bundestag majority. His likely alliance partners, the Social Democrats and Greens, are proponents of increased borrowing and disagreement on the issue with the Free Democrats prompted the breakup of Chancellor Olaf Scholzs ruling alliance this month. Its very likely that the debt brake wont survive the next coalition negotiations in its current form, said Holger Schmieding, chief economist at Berenberg. After their experiences in the current coalition, the Social Democrats or Greens would be out of their minds to enter into another coalition without reforming the debt brake and the CDU knows this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The debt brake limits structural budget deficits to 0.35% of gross domestic product. And while it allows for exceptions during national emergencies or recessions, its increasingly seen as unfit for purpose given the countrys vast investment needs. According to estimates by Dezernat Zukunft, a Berlin-based think tank, some 800 billion ($844 billion) in additional spending is needed between 2025 and 2030 to update Germanys infrastructure, bolster its defense and increase growth potential. Nearly half of those investments fall within the responsibilities of regional and municipal administrations, who arent allowed to run deficits at all. What Bloomberg Economics Says... Raising public spending to tackle Germanys economic challenges will remain a hot potato for the next government. Its mainly what toppled the ruling coalition. But the path to relaxing the nations strict borrowing limits is far from straightforward, no matter who prevails in the Feb. 23 snap election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antonio Barroso and Martin Ademmer. For full note, click here Proposals on how to reform the debt brake, initially introduced after costly bank bailouts following the global financial crisis, have accumulated in recent years. They include linking borrowing limits to debt levels, expanding the use of special off-budget funds, so-called golden rules for certain kinds of spending, more room for regional governments and flexibility in interpreting the current rules. Many of these would require changes to Germanys constitution, which needs the backing of a two-thirds majority in parliament. Part of the discussion is about how much fiscal leeway Germany actually has. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some economists argue theres already plenty. The countrys debt-to-GDP ratio is around 64%, only slightly above the 60% reference value enshrined in the European Unions fiscal rules and much lower than Italys 140% or Frances 110%. The strong fiscal position of the German government would, in principle, allow an aggressive fiscal expansion, said Dirk Schumacher, head of European macro research at Natixis. Friedrich Heinemann, an economist at the Mannheim-based research institute ZEW, agrees that Germanys comparatively small debt load is a sign of strength. But he also warns of financial liabilities that are larger than official statistics suggest. Thats partly because the countrys share of EU debt doesnt appear in national data, and partly due to the unfunded pension entitlements of a rapidly aging population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such reservations suggest that Germany may continue to embrace fiscal conservatism even after reforming or loosening some of the rules. Heres a look at the options being discussed: Linking Borrowing Limits to Debt Levels EU rules allow governments to run structural deficits as high as 0.5% if their debt load is above 60% and twice as much if debt is below that threshold. The Bundesbank suggested as early as 2022 that Germany should adopt the more flexible EU rules. The countrys council of economic experts made a similar proposal this year that included a 0.35% cap on net new borrowing if debt levels climb above 90%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special Funds Germany created a 100 billion off-budget fund to upgrade its military after Russias invasion of Ukraine and that could serve as a blueprint for similarly earmarked investments that wouldnt count toward deficit rules. But this approach has also raised some legal doubts, with some critics saying such shadow budgets are designed to circumvent the debt brake and threaten Germanys fiscal stability. Golden Rules So-called golden rules exempting certain kinds of spending are another way to raise cash without running afoul of the debt brake. Some have suggested using the space between Germanys 0.35% of GDP deficit cap and the EUs 0.5% to support infrastructure projects. Prior to 2009, Germany had a version of such a rule in its constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Freedom for Regions While the federal government is allowed to run a small deficit, Germanys 16 federal states are required to balance their budgets. That rule is increasingly drawing criticism from regional leaders, who argue that a significant share of the countrys investment needs falls within their remit and they should be subject to the same fiscal rules as the government in Berlin. If states were allowed to act in the same way as the federal government, it would be possible for Germany to double its borrowing, said Roland Koch, who served as Hesse state premier for Merzs CDU party in the decade through 2010. Pressure will come from this direction. Cyclical Adjustment and Transition Phases Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some tweaks to existing rules are possible without changing the constitution, though the fiscal space theyd open up is limited. They include a gradual phasing in of existing rules after years when the debt brake was suspended as long as there are no slippages. Experts have also proposed ways of improving the process of factoring divergences of actual growth and tax revenue from projections into fiscal plans. Political Reservations Merz has argued that his willingness to reform Germanys debt brake hinges on where the extra money will be spent. If the result is that we spend even more money on consumption and social policy, then the answer is no, he said last week. If the result is that it is important for investment, it is important for progress, it is important for the livelihoods of our children, then the answer may be different. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz could face resistance from within his own conservative alliance. Markus Soeder, who leads the CDUs smaller Bavarian sister party, the CSU, has a long list of demands to be met before hed be willing to consider changing the rules. Some economists have argued that politicians are wasting valuable time and urged them to push ahead with reform before the Feb. 23 election. Then a government could get started right away, said Sebastian Dullien, director of the IMK economic research institute. Without such a reform, the new government risks failing because of the same obstacle as the old one because of the debt brake, which is not appropriate for todays times. --With assistance from Michael Nienaber and Kamil Kowalcze. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has told the Social Democrats (SPD) he is not available to replace Olaf Scholz as the party's candidate for chancellor in elections expected in February. Pistorius released a video message on Thursday in which he said he had "just" informed the centre-left SPD of his decision. The path is now clear for Scholz to run for chancellor again. Party sources told dpa his nomination could take place on Monday at a meeting of the SPD executive committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scholz has been in the job since 2021. He and the SPD are plagued by poor poll ratings, which prompted speculation that the party could ditch him in favour of another candidate. A growing number of SPD politicians at the local and national levels had openly spoke out in favour of a candidacy by Pistorius, who has consistently polled as the most popular minister in the government. Early nationwide elections were triggered after Scholz's three-party governing coalition collapsed earlier this month following Scholz's decision to sack former finance minister Christian Lindner. Voter surveys show Germany's main CDU/CSU conservative alliance continues to hold a comfortable lead in the polls. UPDATE: The suspect has been found and arrested. (KRON) The Gilroy Police Department is searching for a male suspect connected to a stabbing that happened at a tamale festival in September. Four suspects have already been arrested in connection with what police described as a gang-related stabbing. One more (pictured below) remains at large. Image from the Gilroy Police Department Image from the Gilroy Police Department Image from the Gilroy Police Department The stabbing happened on Sept. 28 on the 7500 block of Monterey Road. The victim was stabbed in the upper body their injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three of the four people arrested are juveniles. All of the suspects are males. Mountain View barber at large, charged with sexually assaulting unconscious victims Anyone with information is asked to email don.tong@cityofgilroy.org or call (408) 846-0357. Gilroys annual tamale festival includes food, music and a car show. The city describes it as having vibrant culture, flavor, and family fun. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Giraffe populations are in trouble and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday proposed listing three subspecies of the tall animals as endangered and two species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Their populations have been declining because of poaching, habitat loss and climate change, officials said. While giraffes are not native to the U.S., listing them under the act would still provide protections to giraffe populations. The Endangered Species Act, enacted in 1973, establishes protections for fish, wildlife and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered. Under the act, federal agencies are required to ensure their actions are unlikely to jeopardize listed species, according to the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Federal protections for giraffes will help protect a vulnerable species, foster biodiversity, support ecosystem health, combat wildlife trafficking, and promote sustainable economic practices," USFWS Director Martha Williams said in a press release. "This action supports giraffe conservation while ensuring the United States does not contribute further to their decline." Specifically, officials said the listing would help giraffes by reducing the illegal hunting and trade of giraffes by requiring permits for import into the U.S. Trade is not the primary factor behind population decline, but it is playing a role, USFWS said. Their hair and tails have long been used in traditional medicine, the agency added, and in recent years giraffes have also been targeted by hunters for bushmeat. Herd of reticulated giraffes in the Samburu National Reserve, Kenya on Nov. 23, 2023. / Credit: Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images Listing them under the Endangered Species Act would also increase funding for species conservation in range countries and for research efforts to address conservation. It would also provide some limited financial support for developing and managing programs to conserve giraffes, the USFWS said. Giraffe subspecies from across Africa are at risk, according to the agency. The service proposed listing West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes as endangered. It also proposed listing Masai and reticulated giraffes as threatened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The West African, Kordofan and Nubian all subspecies of the northern giraffe have seen their population fall around 77% since 1985, according to federal officials. There are around 5,900 left, including only about 690 West African giraffes remain. The vast majority of reticulated giraffes live in Kenya, and their population is estimated at 15,985, according to USFWS. There are around 45,400 Masai giraffes an amount roughly equivalent to 67% of their population in the 1970s. Giraffes feed on leaves, stems, flowers and fruits, so human population growth and habitat loss can hurt the species. Instances of drought have also led to increased human-wildlife conflicts. The proposed rule to list the giraffe species has a 90-day comment period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon investing more in Anthropic, ChatGPT's competitor Latest news on Trump's future after sentencing delay, Bondi attorney general pick Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe talk women's sports movement and their podcast The number of giraffes has decreased by nearly 30% since the 1980s, per the Giraffe Conservation Foundation Arthur Morris/Getty/Stock Image Stock photo of Giraffe Stock photo of Giraffe Giraffes need new protections under the United States Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials proposed on Wednesday, Nov. 20. West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes would be listed as endangered under the proposal. The Reticulated, Masai, Angolan and South African giraffes would be listed as threatened with a 4(d) rule, meaning the FWS would issue protective regulations deemed necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of threatened species, per the proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reticulated and Masai giraffes would be considered threatened. The Angolan and South African giraffes are not currently endangered like the other species, but they would be treated as if they are due to their similar appearance, which would limit law enforcement's ability to tell them apart. Related: Emperor Penguins in Antarctica Receive Endangered Species Protection as Climate Threat Looms The rule proposes reducing illegal hunting and trade of giraffes by requiring permits for import into the U.S., providing limited financial assistance for conservation, increasing funding for species conservation, increasing research efforts in conservation and increasing funding for U.S. and global awareness about the decline in giraffes. "This action supports giraffe conservation while ensuring the United States does not contribute further to their decline, Martha Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a statement. James Warwick/Getty/Stock Image Stock photo of reticulated giraffes in Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Stock photo of reticulated giraffes in Buffalo Springs National Reserve, There are approximately 117,000 wild giraffes around the world, per the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. This number has decreased by nearly 30% since the 1980s. Meanwhile, the population of northern giraffes has declined from 25,653 to 5,919, around a 77% decline. Additionally, some are completely gone from West African countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We actually realized that there are fewer giraffes in Africa than elephants, said Tanya Sanerib, international legal director with the Center for Biological Diversity, per The New York Times. The species had been undergoing a silent extinction. Related: Federal Judge Restores Endangered Species Act Protections Weakened by Trump Administration The decrease in population has been attributed to poaching, climate change drought and peoples seizing land for urbanization and agriculture. In 2022, the last year to capture international data on the animals, it was discovered that thousands of giraffe partstrophies, skins, feet, bones, bone carvings, and leather piecesentered the U.S. 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 International Union for Conservation of Natures Red List deemed that giraffes (considered a single species) were threatened with extinction in 2016. As a result, advocacy groups began to petition for federal protections in 2017. After the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register on Nov. 21, it will be open for public comment for 90 days, the FWS notes. It could be finalized within a year, per the Times. The girlfriend of the Burnsville gunman who fatally shot three first responders, who was federally indicted for straw purchasing the firearms used, will plead guilty in the case, according to a Wednesday court notice. Ashley Anne Dyrdahl, 36, pleaded not guilty in March to the 11 charges, on the day the indictment was unsealed. Wednesdays notice said there will be a change-of-plea hearing on Dec. 18, though it didnt indicate what she will plead guilty to. Dyrdahl was the longtime, live-in girlfriend of Shannon Gooden, 38. Authorities say he used two AR-15 style firearms on Feb. 18 to fatally ambush Burnsville police officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand and Burnsville firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth, and to injure Burnsville police Sgt. Adam Medlicott. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because Gooden pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in 2008, he had a lifetime ban on possessing firearms, according to a previous filing from the Dakota County Attorneys Office. The county attorneys office opposed Goodens petition to the court in 2020 to restore his firearms rights and a judge did not restore them. An investigation found that Dyrdahl went to two gun stores at Goodens direction and purchased or picked up five firearms in a five-month span, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office of Minnesota. Dyrdahl is charged with one count of conspiracy, five counts of straw purchasing and five counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Gooden died by suicide after shooting the first responders. Related Articles Tax forms. 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? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The News Welcome to the Global Hot List, our subjective, dynamic ranking of the races and political developments you should be paying attention to right now, compiled by world elections expert Brad Glasser. This week: Cultural exchange between the US, UK and Argentina. New power for new presidents in Sri Lanka and Senegal. Plus, Italys Meloni hits a rock in the road. The List 1. USA World shaker Trumps presidential Cabinet is beginning to take shape, following a victory that shook the world. RFK Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, Elon Musk, Matt Gaetz, Dr. Oz some of the most controversial names from Trumps weird coalition have seen their tickets punched to lead powerful agencies in government or new policy initiatives. While the confirmation process is nowhere near certain, given a thin margin of error in the Senate, predictions of a more radical Trump Term II are already coming to fruition. 2. Argentina Cultural exchange Argentinas president is a key player in the new Trumpworld, attempting to influence US policy with his anarcho-capitalist worldview. Despite reportedly worrying of a snub after a week without contact from the President-elect, Javier Milei has been embraced by the incoming administration, as Trump publicly describes Milei as his favorite president. Milei, for his part, was spotted at Mar-A-Lago with Trumps coterie, including Elon Musk, who he is said to be influencing through his new Department of Government Efficiency (yes, a reference to the meme-based cryptocurrency DOGE). 3. Senegal New power Senegals left-wing government is set to ratify their power with a landslide victory in legislative elections. With an agenda to reverse the bad choices and bad practices of elites since independence, the recently-elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will now have a strong hand to push forward his governing vision. While the full results are not yet known, opposition leaders have already conceded. 4. Sri Lanka Peoples Power Thousands of miles away, a similar situation has unfolded in Sri Lanka, as parliamentary elections will give a majority to a new president from a historically Marxist party. The National Peoples Power alliance, which includes the communist-rooted JVP party, swept to victory across Sri Lanka in snap legislative elections held following the victory of JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The NPP, which has campaigned against corruption and austerity in Sri Lanka, will now be expected to deliver on promises after years of political turmoil. 5. Ghana AI network A bot network has roiled Ghanas presidential election with an AI-powered influence campaign. 171 social media bots have been deployed using ChatGPT technology, promoting Ghanas ruling right-wing NPP party. The primary goal of the network appears to be to amplify pro-NPP messaging, said one researcher who helped uncover the findings. Ghanas presidential election is in December, featuring a hotly-contested matchup between a former president and the incumbent vice president. 6. Ireland Not immune Ireland is not immune to the far-right movement that has swept other European nations, writes one Irish affairs columnist. Far-right groups are no more or less prominent in Ireland than in many other countries, according to Global Project Against Hate and Extremism founder Wendy Via. Despite the failure of right-wing extremists to win office, their presence is still significant, and there are indications that a breakthrough for an anti-immigrant party could be on the horizon as soon as this election. 7. Japan Trumpian politics A Japanese regional governor accused of rampant power harassment won re-election in Trumpian fashion despite being ousted by the legislature. Motohiko Saito, governor of Hyogo until recently, secured a close victory to return to office following allegations of abusing employees and soliciting bribes. The allegations were revealed after the suicide of a former employee in Saitos administration, prompting an investigation and his eventual dismissal by the regional legislature. Saito won with help from a divided opposition and support from the controversial politician, conspiracy theorist and Youtuber Takashi Tachibana. 8. Italy Meloni problems Italys prime minister Meloni suffered a shock defeat in Umbrian regional elections, as her tenure looks increasingly rocky. Melonis honeymoon in office is long over since taking power in 2022, and her approval ratings are now those of a typical Italian politician. Defeat in Umbria is particularly stinging, given that the left has been shut out of power in the region since 2010. Anticipating Trumps re-election, Meloni has been angling to position herself as a bridge between the US and EU. Her recent conflict with Italys judiciary suggests she may see Trumps win as a green-light to turn right. 9. UK British Trump Former UK prime minister Liz Truss has called for a British Trump to lead the UK. Frankly, I think we need a British Trump. The only question is who that individual might be, Truss said at an event in New Delhi. Truss resigned as prime minister after falling to catastrophically low approval ratings, and lost her seat in parliament at the last election. The former PM elaborated that the UK was looking for a candidate to embody Trumps revolution, and that its the type of approach we now need to see change in the country. HONOLULU (KHON2) Beloved Hawaii chef and the godfather of poke, Sam Choy has released a new cookbook, Sam Choys in the Kitchen Family Recipes. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The unique collection of recipes includes the most loved dishes from the #1 local television series, Sam Choys in the Kitchen, which airs on KHON2. The celebrated show takes Chef Sam and co-host John Veneri across Hawaii, visiting families and transforming what they have in their kitchens into extraordinary meals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The likes of Kelly Slater, Frank DeLima, Tumua Tuinei, Jake Shimabukuro and Governor Josh Green are just a few of the guests who Chef Sam has welcomed on the show, which is now in its ninth season. With the cookbook, fans can recreate dishes such as the aloha shoyu poke tower, Korean chicken wings and kim chee fried rice. The 192-page Sam Choys in the Kitchen Family Recipes cookbook is available for pre-order on the Mutual Publishing website and on Amazon. Use code KHON2SAM for 20% off pre-orders. Enjoy Chef Sams favorite dishes, stories and cooking secrets around your ohanas holiday dinner table this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. NEW YORK (AP) New York City police are searching for a man accused of stealing a gold-plated rose from a Manhattan church memorial honoring the victims of 9/11. The metal flower had served as the centerpiece of a memorial at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, whose long-time pastor, Father Mychal Judge, was crushed by falling rubble while praying for victims and rescuers on the morning of the attack. On Wednesday afternoon, a man entered the historic Midtown church and removed the rose from the base of the memorial, according to a police spokesperson. Surveillance photographs show the suspect holding the tall and narrow piece of artwork on a sidewalk outside the church. He remained at large Thursday and was wanted for grand larceny, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Father Brian Jordan, who leads the Franciscan church, said the man in the photos had been removed from the building previously for bizarre behavior. Were grieved and saddened by this act of desecration, he added. We hope this troubled man turns himself to police and they in turn will send him to the nearest psychiatric facility so the healing process can begin. The memorial, which rests on a base of twisted steel leftover from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, arrived at the church 22 years ago, he said, through a donation coordinated by a local ironworkers union. It was dedicated to the former pastor, Judge, as well as a parishioner, Carole LaPlante, who was also killed in the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge, a chaplain for the New York Fire Department who founded one of the first Catholic ministries devoted to those with HIV/AIDS, had been praying in the north towers lobby for rescuers and victims when he was killed by debris from the falling south tower. Following his death, the priests admirers urged the Catholic Church to grant him sainthood, pointing to his efforts in pushing the church to be more welcoming to LGBTQ people. [Source] On this day in 1927, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Gong Lum v. Rice, upholding Mississippis authority to enforce racially segregated public schools under the separate but equal doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). The case arose when Martha Lum, a 9-year-old Chinese American girl, was barred from attending a white public school in Bolivar County, Mississippi, because she was classified as "colored" under state law. Her father, Gong Lum, filed suit, arguing that she should be allowed to attend the school for white children rather than being forced into a school for students of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court rejected the challenge, ruling that the state had the constitutional power to segregate public education based on race and that Lum's access to a "colored" school satisfied the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This landmark ruling reinforced segregationist policies and broadened their application beyond Black and white students to include other non-white groups, perpetuating systemic racial discrimination in American public education. Trending on NextShark: Gong Lum v. Rice: the ruling that solidified segregation for non-white students Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! President-elect Donald Trumps rapid-fire cabinet appointments have made clear what he values: loyalty to Donald Trump and a demonstrated ability to articulate that loyalty on television. The response to The Trump Shows casting call will be even more clarifying. In short: Will the Senate remain the Senate? While much of the GOP has become a Trump subsidiary, there are still some Senate Republicans who consider themselves members of a co-equal branch of government and take their Advise and Consent duty seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not that this is the Hollywood version of the Senate. Most of the 53 Republican lawmakers in the incoming Senate want to support their partys president, who just won a decisive victory and enjoys die-hard support from the bulk of their voters. Theyd much rather air their concerns about Trumps picks privately and avoid having to cast a vote in opposition to any of them. No need to do any Mr. Smith Goes to Washington impressions on the Senate floor when the oppo research can work its will. Yet its that lack of appetite for a public showdown with Trump that will make the first months of the new Congress so telling. The fates of the fringe appointees who come up for a confirmation vote will reveal one of the most important new power centers in Washington, and perhaps one of the few checks on Trump II: the lame duck caucus. Yes, its those senators who may never have to face Republican primary voters again and are therefore immune from Trumps greatest power his control of the GOP base. These are the lawmakers for which freedom to borrow from the great and recently departed Kris Kristofferson is just another word for nothing left to lose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not to say that every Republican senator who opposes a Trump appointment is headed for the exits. Some are independent minded, and their political strength flows partly from that identity (looking at you, senior senators from Maine and Alaska). However, to examine those GOP senators whose terms are up in 2026 and 2028 is to grasp how some of Trumps most provocative picks could be blocked, provided the 47 Democrats and independents vote in unified opposition. The challenge will not just be how willing they are to thwart Trump, but whether they will be willing to do so with more than one nominee. Its one thing to rise up with safety in numbers and block, say, Matt Gaetzs nomination as attorney general should it reach the floor. Its quite another to torpedo Gaetz and then take down another, let alone two or three, more Trump appointees. It's worth watching, though, because this same bloc of Republican lawmakers would also be the most likely to reemerge later in Trumps term to selectively challenge him on issues (tariffs or foreign policy come to mind) or an inevitable power grab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So whos in this latest Senate gang, one most would deny being part of? Lets begin with those senators who are up in 2026. Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.): The longest-serving Senate leader in American history tops the list because he is the most likely retiree. McConnell is the consummate partisan look no further than his return to Trump after prematurely consigning him to historys ash heap. Hes also a team player who will not want to make life unduly difficult for his successor as leader, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). However, McConnell has also made clear he wants to use the end of his 40-plus years in the Senate to steer his party away from isolationism. How committed he is to that task could be determined early next year should he have to consider Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary and Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. John Cornyn (Texas): Equally liberated could be the man who fell a few votes short of becoming McConnells successor. In the immediate wake of his defeat, Cornyn, who turns 73 in February, said he still planned to run for reelection. Yet after not realizing his yearslong goal of becoming Senate GOP leader, does Cornyn really want to spend the next 16 months racing between Texas and Washington to fend off a right-wing primary so he can serve in the rank-and-file until hes 80? If not, hes free to act, and vote, like the Bush Republican he is. Sen. Susan Collins (Maine): Finally poised to claim the Appropriations gavel shes long coveted, Collins has also indicated she intends to run for reelection in two years. I dont doubt it. But what sort of a primary and general election could loom in her bifurcated state? Theres a reason why the dexterous Collins is the last sitting GOP senator to carry a state that her partys presidential nominee lost. Striking that balance of keeping core Republicans from her native rural Maine happy without angering moderate Mainers closer to Portland will be on her mind with every contentious vote. Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.): Like Collins, Cassidy voted to convict Trump of impeachment charges nearly four years ago. Unlike Collins, Cassidy hails from a deeply pro-Trump state. Even more ominous for the Louisiana lawmaker, his states famous jungle primary in which all candidates for office appear on a single ballot open to all voters is no more for federal races. Now chairing the HELP Committee, Cassidy, a physician, may not want to walk away. But if he concludes he will lose a Republican primary, hell be free to vote as boldly as he did when he was one of only seven Senate Republicans to convict Trump. Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.): Tillis most vexing potential primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, is no more thanks to, well, you know what. But like Collins, Tillis is staring at the prospect of more conservative Republicans eager to pounce should he break from Trump. And Tillis could have one of the most hard-fought general elections in the country should outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper be tempted to run. (Expect Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to have memorized Coopers number by the first of the year.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than the hassle of an expensive primary and general election two years on may be the more immediate question of whether a dealmaker like Tillis can find satisfaction in the Senate during another time of Trump. Will he make his peace with MAGA, as he did under Trump I? Or will he follow the course of his neighbor to the west, former Sen. Bob Corker, and decide after two terms hes had quite enough of the adult day care center that is the Trump White House. Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa): Ernst has been sounding Trumpier lately. Perhaps shell be tapped for an administration post. Army Secretary or Defense Secretary, if Hegseth is derailed, could be alluring for a military veteran like Ernst. But, as with Cornyn, she lost a leadership race and is now something of a free agent. And like McConnell, she doesnt hide her more hawkish national security views. Im tempted to include Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a pre-Trump Republican if there ever was one. Capito turns 71 next week and may not want to spend most of her 70s in the Senate. Yet shell be mindful of voting in a way that, in a state where the primary is now tantamount to election, wont undermine her son or nephew from becoming the third generation of Moores elected statewide. Okay, onto those up in 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska): Murkowski is the other remaining GOP senator who voted to convict Trump of impeachment charges in the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol. She has already won one primary as a write-in candidate. And she may prevail again should she run again in four years if Alaskas ranked-choice system survives repeal efforts. But that Anchorage to D.C. commute doesnt get any shorter. Regardless of her ultimate plans, there may be no more liberated Republican senator in the body next year. Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa): Grassley has been in elected office since the Eisenhower administration and I'm reluctant to ever assume he's on the verge of retirement. But at 91, perhaps the Iowan will start considering his retirement years. Seriously, though, the Judiciary Committee chair has not shown much interest in challenging Trump previously. But if ever there was a GOP lawmaker without political considerations to weigh, it's the hog farmer and Twitter maven from New Hartford, Iowa. Sen. Todd Young (Ind.): It got remarkably little attention, but Young didnt endorse Trumps candidacy this year. Which puts him in league with Collins and Murkowski. Thats no small thing for a 52-year-old from deep-red (crimson?) Indiana with years ahead of him in elected office. If he wants as much. That may depend on the state of party. Regardless, Young, a Naval Academy graduate and Marine, is in the internationalist tradition of his long-ago boss, Sen. Richard Lugar. And his deafening silence this year toward Trumps candidacy suggests hes not afraid to go his own way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Jerry Moran (Kansas): The low-key former House member he and Thune arrived in the same class to that chamber has avoided tangling with Trump. But Moran is a Republican traditionalist who could be in his last term. Hes 70 and, like Cornyn, may not want to remain in the Senate until hes 80. Sen. To Be Named Later (Ohio): The successor to Vice President-elect JD Vance is a mystery but the person who will decide who fills the seat is not. Its Gov. Mike DeWine, an old school Republican nearing, presumably, his final two years in elected office. Will DeWine pick a placeholder in his image, somebody who may defy Trump, or a more MAGA-friendly figure who can survive a primary? Thats it for the 2028 class. Ill resist the temptation to scout those GOP senators up in 2030 except to note this may be Armed Services Chair and national security hawk Sen. Roger Wickers (R-Miss.) last term. Not that he or most any other GOP senator will want to break from Trump. But as the once and future president has proven for nearly a decade, and is proving anew since the election, the only thing more vexing than being a Trump critic is being a Trump ally. CORRECTION: Due to a production error, a previous version of this report misstated which state Lisa Murkowski represents. She is a senator for Alaska. Republican senators appear to be giving Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trumps pick to head the Pentagon, the benefit of the doubt after his lawyer confirmed he paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017 to avoid a lawsuit. Hegseth, a former Fox News commentator announced last week by Trump as his intended Defense secretary, has denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2017, claiming he was subject to blackmail. But GOP senators, many of whom have already responded to Hegseths nomination with surprise due to his lack of experience, are withholding their opinions until after a full background check and a public nomination hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to look at each [nominee] individually, Senate Armed Services Committee member Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told The Hill. The president, we give him the benefit of the doubt, but we do our due diligence, and I think an open hearings process is something that we all believe in. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told reporters that clearly were going to have to have a full background check and Senate committee investigation and public hearings, which is standard. And Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said shes going to do what everybody should do on all of these [nominations] is, lets see what the incoming brings. The incoming Senate Armed Services Committee chair, Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), who will oversee Hegseths confirmation process in January, wouldnt speak to reporters Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans over the past week have largely deflected or downplayed questions about the Fox News hosts ability to serve as civilian head of an agency that oversees nearly 3 million service members and more than 700,000 civilian workers. Hegseth, an Army veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has also drawn scrutiny from Democrats for saying women should not serve in combat roles and suggesting a purge of woke generals, including the sacking of Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. CQ Brown. The Trump transition team was reportedly caught off-guard by allegations, newly surfaced last week, that the Pentagon nominee sexually assaulted a woman, which he has denied. Police investigated the crime reported to have transpired at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey, Calif., in October 2017, though Hegseth was never charged. His lawyer acknowledged Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of assault to settle a threatened lawsuit. Hegseth asserts the encounter was consensual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just four Republicans would need to defect to torpedo Hegseths nomination. The Trump transition team is quietly preparing a list of alternative candidates for Defense secretary, Vanity Fair reported. Making matters more complicated is Hegseths past criticism of the senators who will be key to his confirmation. He bashed Collins and Murkowski, who he said call themselves Republicans and vote more often with the Democrats, after the two voted against the repeal of ObamaCare in 2017. He also has lambasted Wicker over defense spending, insisting Congress allocates the Pentagon far too many dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a funding issue. The Pentagon is not short on dollars. They have plenty of that, Hegseth said in June on Laura Ingrahams Fox show. Vice President-elect JD Vance, the junior senator from Ohio, is set to shepherd Hegseth to meetings with key GOP colleagues Thursday. Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa) is among the Republicans seeking more answers. Any time there are allegations, you want to make sure they are properly vetted, so well have that discussion, she told Politico, adding the new sexual assault allegations would require a discussion. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the next ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also held off Tuesday on offering any personal thoughts on Hegseth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that after the thorough background check conducted by the FBI, which is traditional for nominees of the position of secretary of Defense. And then those results will be very influential on, I think, everyones decision, he told The Hill. Updated: 12:43 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. Republican senators are worried about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s nomination to join President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet. Among their top concerns? His pro-choice record. Some senators who spoke to The Dispatch indicated they will take into account Kennedys views on abortion as they decide whether to confirm his nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among other responsibilities, HHS oversees the federal family planning program, including measures that withhold funding for states that refuse to give women information about abortions, and the Federal Drug Administrations regulation of access to abortion pills. Critics have voiced their objections to Kennedys nomination on several bases. Foremost among them are his past claims that vaccines cause autism, and he has espoused a number of dubious health-related theories. His record of support for abortion rights is yet another hazard that could be a barrier to his confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres lot of questions that he needs to be asked on that, Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma told The Dispatch. Its entirely appropriate when we walk through the nomination process. Ill have the opportunity to be able to ask him. The Trump administration was very solid, and HHS was a major part of that during the first Trump administration. I would expect that as a minimum standard for what would happen in a second Trump administration. Other senators, such as Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, said they wouldnt form an opinion before the confirmation process, which will occur under a new GOP-majority Senate and see Kennedy testify before the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). I cant be concerned about anything because they havent had the hearing yet, he told The Dispatch. And I generallyI hope almost unanimouslydont try to make a judgment until I hear what the committees done. Before dropping his presidential bid and endorsing Trump, Kennedys views on abortion varied and sometimes contradicted his campaigns official positions. His campaign website indicated that he supports codifying Roe v. Wade, but in August 2023, he said he would sign a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks or 21 weeks before his campaign backtracked. Today, Mr. Kennedy misunderstood a question posed to him by a NBC reporter in a crowded, noisy exhibit hall at the Iowa State Fair, his campaign said at the time. Mr. Kennedys position on abortion is that it is always the womans right to choose. He does not support legislation banning abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a May 2019 podcast episode, Kennedy said he believed abortion should be legal even if its full term. Days later, he posted on X that he had rethought his position and called purely elective cases of late-term abortion very upsetting, adding that once the baby is viable outside the womb, it should have rights and it deserves societys protection. Additionally, his campaign told the Washington Post he supports the FDAs approval of mifepristone, a pill that induces abortion early in a pregnancy. Use of such types of medication makes up more than 60 percent of abortions nationwide. Kennedys support for abortion has alarmed some in the pro-life movement. Most notably, former Vice President Mike Pence urged Senate Republicans not to confirm him, calling his HHS nomination an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration. But some Republican senators argued that fears Kennedy would bring his own opinions on abortion were unfounded. To them, Kennedy would be primarily serving at Trumps pleasure and carry out the incoming presidents orders. I assume that RFK at HHS will take the same positions that the president took in his first administration in terms of supporting life in the various relevant regulatory ways, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri told The Dispatch. Cabinet secretary is not an exercise in individuality. Youre serving a principal, which, in this case, the principal is the president, obviously, and Donald Trump has a long track record from his first term in office at HHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota gave a similar response. Obviously, Im pro-life, and so that is a concern, Hoeven said of Kennedys pro-abortion leanings. But I think hes in an administration that is pro-life, and I think the administration is going to take steps to make sure that life is protected. The president obviously has said its up to the states, but hes also indicated that hes pro-life, and so I think thats something the administration is going to keep an eye on. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who has disagreed with Trumps assertion that restricting abortion is exclusively a state issue, was more direct. I want to see what he has to say about abortion, he told The Dispatch. That will matter a lot to me. HELP Committee member Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who last year blocked hundreds of military promotions in an attempt to force Democrats to put forth a bill overturning a Pentagon abortion policy, said he had not heard much about Kennedys abortion record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well talk about it during the committee hearings, and hell come by and see me, being that Im on the committee. We just got to find out where hes at. Ive heard a lot about food. Ive heard a lot about vaccines. I hadnt heard a lot about abortion, Tuberville said. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper outlines the damages and relief money needed after Hurricane Helene at a press conference on Oct. 23, 2024 in Raleigh. (Photo: Galen Bacharier) State legislature has failed to approve meaningful funding, governors office says Gov. Roy Cooper is asking Congress to send more than $25 billion in aid to help western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene. Cooper is leading a delegation of state and local officials to Washington this week, urging an infusion of federal money as North Carolina lawmakers lay out far less state aid than Cooper had requested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurricane Helene was the deadliest and most damaging storm our state has ever faced, and western North Carolina needs our help to rebuild, Cooper said in a news release. There is a long, complex and expensive recovery ahead that will be difficult to accomplish without significant and immediate funding from federal and state governments. The trip to D.C., reported by NC Newsline last week, comes the same week that Republican state lawmakers overrode Coopers veto of a bill expanding the states private school voucher program and passed a wide-ranging package that was billed as hurricane aid, but most prominently makes major shifts to government power. The state legislature has failed to approve meaningful funding for western North Carolina while making plans to lock in billions of dollars for taxpayer-funded vouchers for unaccountable, unregulated private schools in the near future, Coopers office wrote in the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of North Carolinas delegation have for weeks urged Congress to approve new spending to aid the mountains, as well as other states impacted by Helene. Joining Cooper in Washington are a group of local officials in western North Carolina, including Esther Manheimer, the mayor of Asheville, and mayors and commissioners from several of the hardest-impacted counties. According to White House pool coverage, President Joe Biden met with Cooper and the delegation at the White House on Wednesday and reiterated his administrations support for North Carolina communities and commitment to ensuring the state has all the resources it needs to rebuild homes, businesses, and entire communities as quickly as possible. Heres whats included in Coopers request for federal aid: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $7.41 billion for transportation repairs, including interstates, highways, municipal roads and bridges, railroads and airports. Almost $6 billion for housing recovering, water quality and infrastructure repairs, economic revitalization and private road and bridge repairs. $1.75 billion for FEMAs Community Disaster Loan Program. $1.67 billion for crop and timber relief, watershed protections, forest restoration and water and waste disposal in rural areas. $1.23 billion for the Small Business Administrations disaster loan program, as well as loans covering physical damage and economic harm. We know from previous disasters that significant funding and quick action are necessary to ensure a successful, sustained recovery, Cooper wrote in a letter sent to congressional leaders and the White House. So, I ask that the federal government continue to stand with the people of North Carolina and provide substantial assistance. From left: Susan Beckwith, Lieutenant Governor-elect Micah Beckwith, Maureen Braun and Governor-elect Mike Braun in Indianapolis on Nov. 5, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indianas next governor has big plans for the executive office, as shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle on Thursday, a proposal that would trim his cabinet to include eight policy secretaries aligned with core governing areas. Governor-elect Mike Brauns new cabinet will seek to model efficiency, accountability and communication in state government, according to the release. Cabinet members will include Braun, incoming Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Brauns chief of staff, the superintendent of state police, the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard and secretaries over eight policy areas or verticals. Secretaries could also serve as agency heads, meaning not every role will need to be filled by a new hire, but each will be empower(ed) to drive progress within their vertical. Here is how the Braun cabinet will be organized. (Provided by transition team) Related agencies will be grouped together into their policy areas, which include topics such as commerce, education, and health and family services. Earlier this month, Braun tapped his transition team and announced he would have 12 councils evaluating key areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new cabinet model will allow us to be laser-focused on delivering results for Hoosiers, Braun said in the release. By aligning agencies and reorganizing the executive branch, we can drive accountability for leaders and agencies, promote better coordination and communication between our administration and the Indiana General Assembly, and create efficiency across state government. Cabinet positions will include: A Secretary of Management and Budget will be responsible for developing a budget aligned with the governors vision and serving as operational oversight for other secretaries. Eighteen agencies and departments will report to this person, including the Inspector General, the Public Retirement System and the State Budget Agency. A Secretary of Commerce will oversee the states economic development plan. Eight agencies and departments will report to this person, including the Indiana Economic Development Corp. the Department of Workforce Development, the Hoosier Lottery and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. A Secretary of Health and Family Services will coordinate constituent-facing health and well-being services and oversee public health programs. The four reporting agencies include the Department of Health, the Family and Social Services Administration, the Department of Child Services and the Department of Veteran Affairs. CONTACT US Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? A Secretary of Public Safety will oversee law enforcement, emergency preparedness and public safety. Eight agencies and departments will report to this role, including the Department of Correction, Homeland Security and the Office of School Safety. A Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources will be responsible for energy and recreation policy as well as sustainable economic development. Seven agencies and departments will report to this role, including the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Management and the Utility Regulatory Commission. A Secretary of Education will oversee programming from pre-K to college. The seven reporting agencies and departments include the Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education and the Charter School Board. A Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure, which also includes oversight of broadband and other quality of life measures. Four agencies will report to this role, including the Department of Transportation, the Northwest IN Regional Development Authority, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Broadband Office. A Secretary of Business Affairs who will manage Indianas regulatory framework to ensure businesses and industries operate safely, ethically and efficiently. Eleven agencies and departments will report to this position, including the Department of Insurance, the Department of Labor, the Professional Licensing Agency and the Gaming Commission. Both the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs will continue to be led by the lieutenant governor, as outlined by statute. Brauns chief of staff will set the agenda for the cabinet, which will meet frequently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Eric Holcombs Cabinet, in contrast, has more traditionally included major agency heads rather than policy-aligned verticals. A two-year-old post on the states website includes more than two dozen agencies, keeping departments like the Family and Social Services Administration separate from the Department of Health, for example. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gov. Gavin Newsom will travel to California counties that voted for President-elect Donald Trump during the election in hopes of connecting with residents who feel frustrated by the economy, the New York Times first reported. Newsoms Thursday schedule says that he will be in Fresno County to make announcements about job creation and bolstering Californias economy. The governor also has plans to visit Kern and Colusa counties, according to the Times. While most Californians voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, voting data by county shows that residents in Kern, Tulare, San Bernardino and more inland counties supported Trump more than Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A leading Democrat who has often been viewed as a potential 2028 presidential contender, Newsom has long criticized Trump. Shortly after the election, the governor called for a special legislative session to safeguard the Golden States policies ahead of Trumps return to the White House in January. He also visited Washington, D.C., where he met with members of Californias congressional delegation and key officials in the Biden-Harris administration. The actions were criticized by Trump and California Republican legislators. During an interview on Wednesday, Newsom acknowledged that his party needs to learn from the recent election loss and address the struggles of American workers. He noted that countering Republican claims that Democrats had failed working-class residents was critical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are being left behind; their regions are being left behind, Newsom told the Times. We as a party will be history if we dont heed the call to address the 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 KTLA. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Flags at Connecticut government buildings will be lowered to half staff indefinitely to honor former governor Jodi Rell. Rell died Wednesday following a brief illness. She was 78. Rell, a Republican, served as the states 87th governor from 2004 to 2011. She took on the role when her former running mate, John Rowland, was under federal investigation and faced impeachment. Before becoming governor, she served as lieutenant governor for ten years and as a state House of Representatives member, representing Brookfield and Bethel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Rell represented the very best of Connecticut values, expanding healthcare and childcare, and making Connecticut one of the first states in the country to recognize same-sex unions, Gov. Ned Lamont said in a written statement. Lamont ordered for flags to be lowered to half staff, effective immediately, and remain lowered until Rell is interred. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Her style of leadership was not fabricated or manipulated in any way, Lamont wrote. The Jodi Rell that the people of Connecticut saw in public was the Jodi Rell that she was in real life calm, rational, caring, approachable, and devoted to her family and to her state. During this time that Ive had the honor of serving as governor, she has become a very good friend. We had a great bipartisan conversation at the Rell Center last year and had a lot of fun at the annual holiday parties at the Residence. I will miss her at the door greeting Christmas well-wishers next month. We will all miss Governor Rell, who left the state a better place. Annie and I extend our condolences to the entire Rell family. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz called Rell a trailblazing leader and treasured public servant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She stepped up as Connecticuts second female governor in 2004, during a tumultuous time, and restored public trust in and brought stability back to state government, Bysiewicz said in a written announcement. A major part of that legacy was her support for the states landmark public financing program, an initiative that removed the power of special interests in our political system. I had the privilege of knowing Governor Rell since I was elected to the legislature in 1992. She was hardworking, smart, and well-liked by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. She brought integrity, compassion, and civility to public service, and she was truly a role model for many women in government. Lamonts order urges flags to be lowered throughout the state at city offices and schools, and encourages individuals to lower theirs, as well. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Daryl Bohac, former adjutant general for Nebraska, takes the podium with Gov. Jim Pillen, right, after being appointed director of the Nebraska State Historical Society. Nov. 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Gov. Jim Pillen has called upon Daryl Bohac to direct the embattled Nebraska State Historical Society, drawing Bohac back into public service after he retired 18 months ago from leading the Nebraska National Guard. Gov. Jim Pillen, right, shakes hands with Daryl Bohac, former adjutant general for Nebraska, after naming him as the next director of the Nebraska State Historical Society. Nov. 21, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Pillen said the decision to recruit and redeploy Bohac to fill a post that oversees collection, preservation and sharing of Nebraska history was based on his view of leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you spend 45 years of your life in public service, when youre the adjutant general of the Nebraska Air and Army National Guard, you develop extraordinary leadership characteristics and qualities, he said of the Nebraska native. Pillen said he needed someone to steer the 146-year-old historical agency he said had veered off the tracks. Scrutinized, restructured Renamed History Nebraska by the previous director, the agency has been scrutinized and restructured. It recently became part of the governors cabinet following the arrest two years ago of the former executive director, who faces theft charges for allegedly improperly handling a private donation to the state agency. Bohac will oversee more than 60 full-time employees, and start with a $175,000 salary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Questioned about Bohacs qualifications for the history-centric job, Pillen cited his track record in creating a culture of team. During the past two years, turnover at the society was 22% and 31%, respectively, among the highest of state agencies, according to state personnel figures. More than once, Pillen mentioned Bohacs work with the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward, which preserves state militia history and educates about the guards role during peace and war. The headquarters of Nebraska State Historical society (formerly called History Nebraska) is just north of downtown Lincoln. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) Introduced in his new role at a Thursday news conference, Bohac said he had received a phone call from someone outside of the Governors Office inquiring about his interest in taking over the agency, which also publishes a quarterly magazine and operates a state history museum in Lincoln and six other historic sites across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he talked to his wife and others and felt it was a good fit perhaps a good opportunity in that I could bring some leadership values to a complex organization. He said the past 18 months of retirement had been good for him and his family. But its time to go back to work for the people of Nebraska. Bohac goals Among top priorities, Bohac said, is improving financial accountability. He referred to the past executive director. Former director Trevor Jones is facing felony charges for allegedly misappropriating a private donation. He resigned in 2022, after serving six years as the top administrator, saying he planned to do some traveling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after Jones resigned, he was charged with theft by deception in connection with diverting two donations from a foundation that had been intended to over anticipated agency revenue losses due to COVID-19. He instead deposited the funds in a foundation he had set up. Jones recently asked the court to dismiss the felony charge, saying he has been denied his right to a speedy trial. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Tuesday. Pillen also pointed to the past. It takes a lifetime of having a culture and it got tore down in a few simple years and its gonna take a lot of work to rebuild it to what Nebraskans expect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor said he expects Bohac to lessen the societys reliance on taxpayer dollars and to build active public and private partnerships. Its a $9 million a year budget but it doesnt necessarily have to stand on the backs of taxpayers, Pillen said. Placing historical markets, like this one outside the Kennard House in Lincoln, is one of the many works of the states historical society. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) Bohac said he is excited to dive into his new mission noting what he described as one of the first decisions presented to him in 2013 when he became the states adjutant general. It had to do with relocation of the military museum from the old Nebraska State Fairgrounds. He said the operations model relied on a combination of private, state and federal funding, a mix he plans to build upon at the state historical society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other priorities in his new post, Bohac told reporters, include rebuilding core history museum exhibits to create a more alluring place for tourists and Nebraskans. He also wants to improve public access to archives. Nonpolitical, adept Bohacs hire follows the passage earlier this year of Legislative Bill 1169, which made the historical society a code agency and part of the governors cabinet. That shift from independence status, and governance by a citizen Board of Trustees, worried many society employees who feared politics might enter into decisions about subject matter in museum displays, research projects and magazine articles. State lawmakers who supported LB 1169 said it should increase financial oversight and restore trust in the agency. Others feared potential impact. He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics. State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln put forth an amendment intended to protect the academic freedom of choosing museum displays and public outreach. State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln. Aug. 8, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, upon hearing of Bohacs appointment, Conrad she welcomed the sound choice. She sees Bohac as an adept leader and a nonpolitical person. He has managed to adeptly thread the needle of keeping focused on mission and setting aside politics, she said. Conrad, a Democrat, said she believes Bohac will be supported across the political spectrum to stabilize the important work of this agency which has been mired in controversy for far too long. Hardcore reality Founded in 1878 by people who saw a need to record stories of both the states indigenous and immigrant populations, the historical society was designated a state institution and began receiving funds from the Legislature in 1883. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Pillen appointed Cindy Drake to be interim executive director. She had been at odds with the policies of the former director, Jones, and was dismissed after 45 years of serving as chief librarian at the society. Drake and Pillen moved swiftly to make changes at the agency, restoring the name to the Nebraska State Historical Society, rescinding a Jones decision to rebrand as History Nebraska in 2018. Employees also were reassigned. Public visiting hours were to be added at the societys research room. A diversity council established by Jones was disbanded. Back in May 2023, then-Nebraska Adj. Gen. Daryl Bohac spoke during a news conference that announced his successor. He was retired 18 months before he was recruited for his new post. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) During the media event Thursday, Bohac said he was eager to jump into his new job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Bohac was responsible for programs affecting more than 4,500 Army and Air National Guard personnel. He oversaw the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and served as the states official channel of communication with the National Guard Bureau to the Departments of the Army and Air Force. Said Pillen: The hardcore reality is Daryl and I see a lot of things alike. One is how important leadership is, how important culture is. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Dozens of water projects throughout Arkansas are set to receive financial assistance from the state. The governors office announced that $204 million in financial assistance will be given to 45 different water and wastewater projects in Arkansas. First phase of Arkansas Water Plan update completed According to the governors office, the projects serve 198,627 Arkansans throughout 28 counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My administration has prioritized investments in Arkansas water system and todays announcement adds another $204 million to that effort, Gov. Sanders Huckabee 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. Officials said more than $145 million of the funding will be provided through loans while more than $59 million be offered as grants and loans with principal forgiveness. Arkansas largest water plant set to be renovated; Central Arkansas Water customers paying for it A full list of the projects getting funding and how much they are receiving can be found at Governor.Arkansas.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order on Wednesday that he said will speed up permits for major economic development. According to the governor, the PA Permit Fast Track initiative will enhance coordination between projects and permitting agencies. Shapiro declares Crash Responder Safety Week stressing Move Over laws Led by the PA Office of Transportation and Opportunity, the program promises to create a faster and more customer-friendly service for infrastructure projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will also set up a public dashboard to serve as an accountability tool for state agencies and companies working on the projects. New Pennsylvania law will increase your cell phone bill The speed at which you get that permit or that license can mean the difference between opening up your new business on time and on budget or falling behind from the start, said Shapiro. Gov. Shapiro added the Permit Fast Track program will impact about a million Pennsylvanians who need a professional license to go to work. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order on Thursday in the hopes of protecting children from addictive social media platforms. Executive Order 43, also called Empowering and Supporting Parents to Protect Their Children from Addictive Social Media and Establishment of the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force, aims to tackle the youth mental health crisis in Virginia through providing resources to parents, educators and healthcare providers. Virginia and the nations children are facing a youth mental health crisis driven by the effects of unrestricted cell phone use and addictive social media platforms, Youngkin said. The scope of this challenge is going to require all of us, private sector, non-profit organizations and government can support parents as they work to improve their childrens mental health. Executive Order 43 will empower parents with the tools they need to protect their children and sets the stage for a statewide response to reclaim childhood and ensure the next generation can thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order will establish the use of a Social Media and Mental Health Toolkit, which will provide prevention strategies and regional training for behavioral health professionals through a partnership with health providers. One thing we have heard from mothers and fathers across the Commonwealth is that they are looking for information and guidance on how to make the best choices for their kids, First Lady Suzane S. Youngkin said. The Reclaiming Childhood Task Force will unite families, experts, and communities to create a healthier future for Virginias children. According to a release, the task force will help to identify solutions to improve youth mental health and build upon the efforts from Youngkins Executive Order 33, which introduced a cell phone-free policy for Virginia schools. Virginia Department of Education releases cell phone-free policy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government cannot be the sole solution to this social media crisis, but our schools are on the front lines of supporting students mental health and well-being, Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera said. Executive Order 43 directs our state agencies to provide research, tools, and resources that can support educators and parents as they create healthy, nurturing environments where students can focus on learning and growth. Youngkin held a summit in Richmond Thursday morning during Virginias Reclaiming Childhood Youth Mental Health Summit, where he discussed the executive order. 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. Photo illustration by Getty Images. With Judge Katherine Bidegaray heading to the Montana Supreme Court, Gov. Greg Gianforte is calling for applicants and nominations for the vacancy in the Seventh Judicial District. The judicial district is comprised of Dawson, Prairie, McCone, Richland and Wibaux counties. The Governors Office said any lawyer in good standing who has the qualifications for holding the office may apply or be nominated for the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16. Apply at nominatejudges.mt.gov. The Governors Office said the public will be given the opportunity to provide letters of support or other comments at the same link from Tuesday, Dec. 17, until Thursday, Jan. 16. Applicants must receive at least three letters of support to be considered for appointment by the governor, said a news release from the Governors Office. Bidegaray was elected this month to replace outgoing justice Dirk Sandefur on the states highest court. Judicial appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate. STRUM, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Governor Tony Evers dubbed 2024 the year of the worker. As this year ends, Wisconsin has reached a new record high for employment. Evers is traveling across the state this week to highlight businesses and industries that contribute to the states economy. The Governor visited the site of a new house development built through Western Dairylands Fresh Start Program Strum. Evers says projects like this one help future workers build skills, and provide affordable housing for Wisconsin families. The Governor adds that, with the results of the latest election, the budget debates in the coming session might be tenuous, I believe with the makeup of the legislature there will be some huffing and puffing from both sides but at the end of the day well have a good budget, and the makeup of the legislature will help us get there. Governor Evers also promised that his proposal to increase state funding for the UW System by $800 million in 2025 will pass the State Legislature. It would be the largest biennial increase in state funding for the UW System in state history Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. ORANGE CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Orange City Arts has announced Grammy Award-winning Mads Tolling and The Mads Men are coming to perform in January. This performance reimagines some of the iconic songs of the 1960s, spanning hits from TV, film, and radio, including Mission Impossible, Meet the Flintstones, Georgia on My Mind, and Good Vibrations, according to a press release. The performance will be held on Friday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Unity Knight Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mads Tolling, a classically trained violinist from Copenhagen, Denmark, is internationally acclaimed for his jazz artistry. His career includes two Grammy Awards in the Classical Crossover category with the Turtle Island Quarter. Liam Paynes One Direction bandmates among the mourners at singers funeral Since 2020, Mads has been a member of Bob Weir & Wolf Bros, touring venues such as Red Rocks, The Greek Theatre, and Radion City Music Hall. His contributions to the group include several arrangements of Grateful Dead songs. Recent highlights include performances at the Kennedy Center, Willie Nelsons Outlaw Festival, and as a headliner at the Farm Aid concert. Mads is also a dedicated educator. On Thursday, Jan. 16, he will visit Unity Christian High School to engage students with a presentation on global music styles and advanced violin techniques. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For tickets and more information, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Nov. 21ELKINS, W.Va. A Petersburg man is awaiting sentencing after having admitted to methamphetamine trafficking in Grant County, according to the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. James Jerome Curtis, 41, of Petersburg, pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine. According to court documents, Curtis was selling methamphetamine in Grant County. Curtis faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The Potomac Highlands Drug Task Force investigated. A woman told Monterey police that Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Defense secretary, took her phone, blocked her from leaving his hotel room and sexually assaulted her, according to a newly released police report. The Monterey Police Department on Wednesday night released a 22-page report revealing graphic details in the October 2017 assault allegation filed against Hegseth, which did not result in any charges. The report shows two starkly different narratives about what unfolded during a sexual encounter in his hotel room while the two were attending a Republican women's conference in the city. The woman, who is referred to as Jane Doe in the report, claimed that she repeatedly told Hegseth "no" during the alleged assault, and that he ejaculated on her stomach and told her to "clean it up" an incident she said left her with nightmares, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth told police that the pair had consensual intercourse and that he made multiple attempts to ensure she was comfortable during the encounter, according to the report. He has denied any wrongdoing, and the Trump transition team has continued to publicly support his nomination as Pentagon chief. Read more: Who is Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host Trump nominated for Defense secretary? Hegseth addressed the situation in a brief comment to reporters at the Capitol on Thursday: "The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared, and thats where Im going to leave it," he said. The police report raises more questions about what was already gearing up to be a controversial confirmation process for the Trump nominee. Hegseth, 44, is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and was a Fox News host since 2017 and a contributor since 2014. His employment with the network ended the day his nomination was announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged assault occurred at the California Federation of Republican Women's conference at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, where Hegseth was a keynote speaker. According to the police report, both Doe and Hegseth told officers that the two of them went with a group to the hotel bar after Hegseth's speech and an after-party in a hotel suite. While they were drinking at the bar, Hegseth allegedly put his hand on another woman's knee. She told police that she made it clear it was "not acceptable," but he still invited her to his room. She declined, according to the report. The woman tried to get Doe's attention so she could act as a "crotch blocker" to deter Hegseth's sexual advances, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doe told police that she observed Hegseth acting inappropriately toward women at the conference, rubbing their legs and giving off a "creeper" vibe. The police report contains conflicting information over how intoxicated Doe and Hegseth were that night. Doe had difficulty remembering some of the night's events and, during a sexual assault exam, later told a nurse that she believed something might have been slipped into her drink, according to the report. Doe told police that her memory "got fuzzy" while she was at the bar. After leaving the bar, Doe told police she confronted Hegseth near the hotel pool about his behavior with women at the conference. He responded that he was a "nice guy," according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An employee who had been working that night told an investigator that hotel guests had called to complain about two people causing a disturbance by the swimming pool about 1:30 a.m. The employee said when he approached Hegseth and a woman, Hegseth cursed at him and said that he "had freedom of speech." The woman intervened and said that "they were Republicans and apologized for Hegseth's actions," the report states. The staffer said the woman was "standing on her own and very coherent," while Hegseth was "very intoxicated," according to the report. Doe recalled being in a hotel room alone with Hegseth. She told police she tried to leave the room, but Hegseth blocked the door. She remembered saying "no" a lot, she told police. Her next memory, she told police, was of herself lying on a bed or couch with Hegseth's dog tags hovering over her face. She said he ejaculated on her stomach, threw a towel at her and said to "clean it up" before asking her whether she was OK, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth recalled a very different sequence of events. He told police that Doe led him to his hotel room, where things progressed between the two of them, according to the report. There was "always" conversation and "always" consensual contact between himself and Doe, he told police. Hegseth recalled Doe displaying "early signs of regret" after the incident and that she said she would tell her husband she fell asleep on a couch in another hotel room, according to the report. Four days after the encounter, on Oct. 12, Doe went to a hospital to request a sexual assault forensic exam and brought with her the unwashed dress and panties that she was wearing during the alleged assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doe reported experiencing memory loss and nightmares in the aftermath of the sexual encounter, according to the report. An associate of hers also told officers that she had very little energy and would burst into tears out of the blue after the incident, according to the report. The police document reinforces portions of a memo that a friend of Doe sent to Trump's transition team last week in which she alleged Hegseth raped the 30-year-old conservative group staffer during the conference, the Washington Post reported. The newspaper, which obtained a copy of the memo, reported that Doe had tried to step into the conversation between Hegseth and others after two other women attending the conference complained that he was being "pushy" about taking them back to his hotel room. Hegseth is a graduate of Princeton University and has a graduate degree from Harvard University. He was decorated with two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge for his military service. He left the military after President Biden was elected, saying he'd been ordered to stand down from guard duty at the inauguration after top brass dubbed him an extremist and "white nationalist." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nam-Yong Horn, former president of the California Federation of Republican Women, said in a statement on Facebook this week that she attended the 2017 event and described Hegseth's behavior as "professional." Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Town of Greece held a planning board meeting Wednesday night to discuss a recent proposal made by Penn Central Senior Apartments. Wednesday, the team presented their plan for the senior living facility, which consists of two buildings, each four stories high, and 332 units. There would be amenities too including parking, utilities and landscaping. Officials are looking to develop the location at 354 Island Cottage Road. Residents though have expressed concerns about this. Residents said they were worried that emergency services, like fire and EMS, would have difficulty arriving quickly. Community members also noted that a fire truck would need access to a ladder for the building. The problem is, according to residents, the nearest fire district doesnt have one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recall alert: Wegmans FYFGA Low Fat Fruit on the Bottom Pina Colada Yogurt Folks additionally brought up concerns over its environmental impact. The development would also be near a shooting range, something some residents said would be a concern for the elderly and possibly veterans who could be suffering from PTSD. To keep up to date with Greece town board meetings, you can find proposals and a full schedule 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 RochesterFirst. ATHENS, Greece (AP) Greeces left-wing Syriza party has lost its position as the countrys main opposition group in parliament during an intensifying leadership battle. Two members of parliament announced Thursday they were quitting the party, reducing Syrizas number of deputies to 29 fewer than the 31 seats held by the Panhellenic Socialist Movement, or Pasok. My decision to become an independent lawmaker is an act of self-respect and self-worth in my political journey so far, one of the deputies, Theodora Tzakri, said outside parliament after notifying the speaker of her decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actions and tactics of those who have proclaimed themselves the current owners and guardians of Syriza have already stripped the party of its role as the main opposition, she said. Syriza led the government from 2015 to 2019 but has since suffered disappointing election results and defections to splinter groups. Former leader Stefanos Kasselakis formally quit the party earlier this month and is expected to announce a breakaway party in the coming days. Pasok lost its status as a governing or main opposition party in 2015 during a wave of public anger over austerity measures imposed during Greeces financial crisis and international bailouts. ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece saw a change in its main opposition party on Thursday after a wave of defections from the leftist Syriza party opened the door for the centre-left PASOK to challenge the dominance of rightist Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The opposition shift will revive a more traditional battle for the political centre that dominated Greek politics before a 2009-18 debt crisis triggered years of social and political instability. Months of infighting and a leadership struggle have left Syriza with 29 lawmakers, two fewer than PASOK, in the 300-seat parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pivotal resignations came on Thursday when Syriza lawmaker Theodora Tzakri and another MP quit the party's parliamentary group. As the official opposition, PASOK will assume more benefits, including more time for speakers. It will aim to use the higher profile to win back voters from Mitsotakis' New Democracy party, which won elections in 2019 and 2023 but whose support has shown signs of waning in recent opinion polls. "Responsibility is high," PASOK spokesperson Costas Tsoukalas told Reuters, adding that an official announcement was pending. "We will meet our increased parliamentary duties. The country needs political change." PASOK dominated Greek politics for three decades but support evaporated after 2010 when it signed up to the country's first international bailout in exchange for harsh austerity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syriza was catapulted to power in January 2015 on promises to end the belt-tightening but made a U-turn months later, signing up to Greece's third international bailout. Its election defeat in 2023 prompted the resignation of leftist firebrand Alexis Tsipras, who was replaced by former Goldman Sachs associate and political novice Stefanos Kasselakis. His corporate-style leadership drew protests from traditional leftists and lawmakers who quit the party, some of them creating a new parliamentary group. Tension peaked at a party congress, when Kasselakis resigned from Syriza, announcing the launch of his own new party. (Reporting by Renee Maltezou; Editing by Ros Russell) GREEN LAKE, Wis. (WFRV) During a Thursday press conference, authorities in Green Lake County revealed new details about Ryan Borgwardt, confirming they have been in contact with him and he is safe. On November 11, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said deputies established contact with Borgwardt through a woman who speaks Russian. Borgwardt provided a video showing he is alive, safe, and secure in his apartment, though its location remains unknown. Preliminary snowfall totals from northeast Wisconsins first 2024 winter snowstorm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have developed a relationship with Borgwardt, maintaining daily communication. During these exchanges, Borgwardt explained how he staged his death and fled the country. According to investigators, Borgwardt researched Big Green Lake, selecting it as the deepest lake in Wisconsin. On August 12, 2024, he allegedly stashed an electric bicycle near the boat launch, paddled to the center of the lake in a kayak, overturned it, tossed his phone into the water, and used an inflatable device to return to shore. From there, he rode the e-bike to Madison, a nearly seven-hour trip, and took a bus to Detroit. He then crossed into Canada and boarded a flight to another destination. Five men arrested following undercover human trafficking investigation in Oshkosh The great news is that we know hes alive, Sheriff Podoll stated. The bad news is we do not know where [Borgwardt] exactly is, and he has not yet decided to return home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities are working to determine whether anyone assisted Borgwardt in his escape. Borgwardt could face an obstruction charge in Wisconsin and may be required to repay the $35,000$40,000 spent on search efforts. Federal charges are also possible, though no decisions have been made. While a warrant is not currently in place, authorities noted that could change as the investigation continues. The Green Lake County Sheriffs Office urged Borgwardt to return to the United States and clean up the mess hes made, emphasizing the importance of his return for his wife and, more importantly, his children. One person hurt following crash in Wisconsin, one man arrested for OWI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Podoll suggested Borgwardt may fear the communitys reaction to his actions. I can see that, Podoll said. He staged his death, and unfortunately, one of the things he did say is that he didnt expect us to go more than two weeks searching for him. I hate to tell him that he picked the wrong sheriff and the wrong department. Podoll also provided an update on Borgwardts family, noting their resilience throughout the ordeal. They continue to grow, he said. Theyve been very supportive, and theyll get through this. The sheriff concluded the press conference on an emotional note, choking up as he delivered a heartfelt message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christmas is coming, and what better gift he could give his kids than to be there for Christmas with them, Podoll said. Information meeting held for Green Bays new West Side Elementary School Borgwardt has not indicated whether he plans to return to the United States, but authorities remain hopeful as communication continues. Updates will be shared as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been picked to lead a subcommittee that will be formed under the new Department of Government Efficiency when the new administration takes office in January. President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head that agency. Greene tweeted out the news shortly after Fox News Digital posted an article about it. BIG NEWS Comer to create @GOPoversight DOGE subcommittee chaired by Marjorie Taylor Greene to work with @elonmusk, @VivekGRamaswamy https://t.co/b85arhjM5d Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) November 21, 2024 The subcommittee is expected to investigate wasteful spending, examine ways to reorganize federal agencies to improve efficiency, and identify solutions to eliminate bureaucratic red tape, the article said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. James Comer, head of the House Oversight Committee, is the person who is expected to create the committee. I look forward to working with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy to deliver on these goals to Make America Great Again, Comer told the news agency. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im excited to chair this new subcommittee designed to work hand in hand with President Trump, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy and the entire DOGE team, Greene told Fox News Digital. We will identify and investigate the waste, corruption, and absolutely useless parts of our federal government. Greene said the subcommittee will provide transparency and truth to the American people through hearings. No topic will be off the table, she said. The goal of DOGE is to bring accountability and GUT useless government agencies. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has threatened to air Republicans dirty laundry if they support releasing a House Ethics Committee report into Matt Gaetzs alleged sexual misconduct and other accusations. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida suggested the House should investigate the investment portfolios of Republicans who dont support Gaetz as President-elect Donald Trumps attorney general. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said any Republican who steps out of line on Trumps Cabinet picks will face efforts from him and a vaguely ominous we to try to get you out of the Senate. And right-wing influencers like Steve Bannon are getting in on the action, as well, demanding Republicans support Trumps picks despite their assorted controversies at the risk of being primaried. Some Senate Republicans have balked particularly at confirming Gaetz, who was investigated by the Justice Department over allegations of sex trafficking and obstruction of justice. The Justice Department ended its probe without bringing charges against Gaetz, and the House Ethics Committee investigation into related claims effectively ended when Gaetz resigned. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. Trump loyalists are behaving like MAGA mafiosi in their attempts to push his problematic Cabinet picks, arguing essentially that instead of advice and consent, Trump gave GOP senators an offer they cant refuse. What else should one expect from a party that includes members whove literally compared its factions to the Five Families in The Godfather? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps rise in the Republican Party has made the politics of fear more commonplace among conservatives, but after last year, when the race to replace House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was plagued by external death threats against members who refused to support Rep. Jim Jordans speaker bid, it at least appeared that the party was easing off the strong-arm tactics against its own. That evidently didnt last long. The MAGA mob is trying to flex its power. And right-wingers like Greene, Tuberville and Luna are using all sorts of bullying to bend fellow Republicans to the boss will. Trump diehards in Congress have been explicit in what kind of unthinking deference they expect from their fellow congresspeople. Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas summarized it best when he said, If Donald Trump says, Jump 3 feet high and scratch your head, we all jump 3 feet high and scratch our heads. Scholars and critics are suggesting that Trumps Cabinet nominees represent a test of Republicans fealty to him. In other words, its jumping time. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com With prices at grocery stores skyrocketing, Too Good to Go's affordable "surprise bags" have been a godsend for hungry, price-conscious people around the world. Now, the marketplace is set to connect even more consumers with surplus food at a low price after British supermarket giant Asda announced an expansion of its partnership with Too Good to Go to nearly 1,000 stores. According to a September news release, Asda supermarkets will offer 3.30 goodie bags (roughly $4 at the current exchange rate) containing at least 9 worth of items (around $11.50). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As with all bags, the contents will depend upon which food items are available, but people who reserve a bag through Too Good to Go's app can expect a range of treats and produce, including prepared fruits and salads, dairy, fish, meat, bakery products, and more. Perishable items nearing their use-by dates can be frozen until ready for consumption. The extended collaboration comes after Asda began introducing Too Good to Go at select supermarkets, convenience stores, and food service sites in 2021. The release reports the partnership has not only saved consumers money but also prevented more than 2 million kilograms (around 4.4 million pounds) of food from ending up in the trash and ultimately making its way to landfills where it would release methane a potent gas that is at least 28 times more powerful at warming the planet than carbon dioxide. With around one-third of food wasted globally every year, Asda is among a number of popular retailers doing their part to divert food from dumps and get it to people in need. The extension of its partnership with Too Good to Go will further support these aims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, it announced it would be working with food distribution charity FareShare and sharing app Olio to redistribute surplus food. On its website, Asda states that it has donated the equivalent of 5.1 million meals. "Alongside our existing food waste reduction partners, Too Good To Go will play an important role in continuing the progress we've made to date in minimising waste and supporting customers, communities and charities," Sam Dickson, Asda vice president for commercial strategy, operations, and own brand, said in the release. What's your biggest motivation in trying to reduce your personal food waste? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind "Our team is absolutely thrilled to be rolling out our partnership with Asda, helping to combat food waste and provide great value to customers," Too Good to Go U.K. and Ireland country director Sophie Trueman added. "At Too Good To Go we believe that saving food from going to waste is a win-win-win businesses can recover the sunk cost of would-be wasted food, consumers can get good food for less, and with one simple action, we're collectively doing something great for the planet by stopping that food from ending up in landfill." 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A new grocery gap report is shedding light on disparities in grocery store access across the District. Despite some improvements, D.C. Hunger Solutions found that fresh food and grocery stores are still much harder to access in areas east of the Anacostia River. It has been a long-standing issue in Wards 7 and 8. With prices at the grocery store on the rise, shoppers we talked to say its getting harder and harder to find fresh, affordable groceries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to survive out here. If Im in this neighborhood, its hard to buy a lot of the food I need. Ill have to go to another neighborhood, said John James, a Southeast D.C. grocery shopper. According to the report, there are only 3 full-service grocery stores in Wards 7 and 8, serving more than 150,000 people, compared to 71 full-service stores west of the Anacostia. When you get to areas of Ward 2 and 3, theres 14, 15 grocery stores there. There continues to be a disinvestment and a lack of grocery store access when it comes to our most vulnerable communities, said LaMonika Jones, director at D.C. Hunger Solutions, in an interview with DC News Now. DC Emergency Rental Assistance Program portal opens Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With prices on the rise, shoppers in Southeast D.C. have even fewer options. Some of us are low income. Its hard. The prices are high but its the only store we have around here, said Deniene Sanders, before shopping for groceries in Southeast early Wednesday. Across the District, but especially in Wards 7 and 8, many people are primarily relying on transit to get to and from the store. I dont drive, so I have to depend on public transportation. Youve got to carry it all, and you can only carry so much on the bus, so that limits you, said shopper Gloria Lewis. West of the river, many shoppers have a grocery store within short walking distance. Its something Jones hopes to see for shoppers in Southeast D.C. soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking at those intersectionalities of food and transportation is, arguably, one of the most important things to look at after food affordability, said Jones. As for what happens next, Jones said she hopes to see better transit access, increased benefits for people using SNAP and an investment in co-op style, community-focused grocery stores in communities east of the river. She also says sharing feedback with D.C. Hunger Solutions and the D.C. Council is important to making sure shoppers in these communities are heard. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) went after her colleague, Rep. Nancy Mace (S.C.), on Wednesday, accusing the Republican lawmaker of bullying the chambers first openly trans lawmaker to make a buck and fundraise off an email. Mace introduced a measure to ban transgender women from using the womens bathrooms at the Capitol earlier this week, using demeaning language about her new colleague, Delaware Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D). McBride made history earlier when she won the states lone seat in the House, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) confirmed Wednesday that he would follow through with the plans and ban transgender lawmakers and staff from using bathrooms that dont correspond to their biological sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women deserve womens only spaces, Johnson said. Rep. @AOC on Rep. Mace's transgender bathroom measure: "They're doing this so that Nancy Mace can ... fundraise off an email. They're not doing this to protect people. They're endangering women, they're endangering girls of all kinds. And everybody should reject it. It's gross." pic.twitter.com/qxenQsQpQs Kevin Frey (@KevinFreyTV) November 21, 2024 Ocasio-Cortez lambasted the effort in brief remarks to reporters, saying the move would only endanger girls and women around the country. What it inevitably results in are women and girls who are primed for assault because people are going to want to check their private parts in suspecting who is trans, and who is cis, and whos doing what, the New York Democrat said. And so the idea that Nancy Mace wants little girls and women to drop trou[sers] in front of who? An investigator? Who would that be? Because she wants to suspect and point fingers at who she thinks is trans? It is disgusting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McBride responded to the new rules on Wednesday, saying she would comply with them because she wasnt heading to Congress to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families, she said in a statement. 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 Ocasio-Cortez went on to say Republicans were leaning into culture wars to rile up their base, part of a larger movement by the GOP to go after trans Americans. People have a right to express themselves, to dress how they want and to be who they are, she said. Theyre doing this so that Nancy Mace can make a buck and send a text and fundraise off an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre not doing it to protect people, she went on. Theyre endangering women, theyre endangering girls of all kinds and everybody should reject it. Its gross. Related... 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. 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. Grover Cleveland (left); Donald Trump Credit - Cleveland: Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images; Trump: Chris UngerZuffa LLC/Getty Images On Nov. 5, 2024, Donald Trump won a second non-consecutive term in the White House. Trumps triumph drew comparisons to the 1892 reelection of Democrat Grover Cleveland the only President other than Trump to regain the White House after he previously lost re-election. Cleveland won in 1884, lost in 1888, and recaptured the presidency in 1892. Like Trump, he maintained popularity within his party despite losing. This support enabled Cleveland to cruise to the 1892 nomination, and he capitalized on Republican struggles to recapture the White House. Yet, while his second election was a triumph for the Democratic Party, it ended up demolishing the party for a generation. Clevelands example offers a cautionary tale for Republicans in 2024: a second Trump Administration involves as many risks as possible benefits. Grover Cleveland would have been an unlikely candidate for President in any period of American history other than the one in which he served. Born in 1837 in New York, he worked as a lawyer in Buffalo for much of the 1860s and the 1870s, a period during which the states Democratic Party became nationally renowned for corruption because of the rule of the Tammany Hall machine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleveland entered politics by winning election as sheriff of Erie County in 1870. His political career quickly soared because he avoided the taint of corruption that plagued many New York Democrats. By the beginning of the 1880s, he had cultivated an appreciative group of supporters who helped propel him to the governorship in 1882 on a platform of reforming the states civil service and combating corruption. Clevelands governorship got off to such a successful start that only two years later, Democrats made the New Yorker their presidential nominee. Once again, he ran as a reformer against the scandal-ridden Republican candidate James Blaine, and he became the first Democrat to win the presidency since 1856. Read More: Donald Trump, Grover Cleveland, and the History of Winning Back the White House President Clevelands first term was remarkably uneventful, and few major pieces of legislation passed Congress. He dithered over whether he would support a high or a low tariff on imported goods, which was the major economic issue of the day. Only in 1887 did Cleveland come out in support of a low tariff on imported goods. This policy outraged American manufacturers, as they believed that the proposed bill did not provide them with enough protection from foreign competition. The opposition of influential manufacturers and high-tariff supporters in both major parties doomed the bill in Congress. The bills defeat deprived Cleveland of an achievement to tout during his reelection campaign in 1888. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clevelands penchant for harsh rhetoric also alienated many constituencies. He owed his first election to Republican defectors often referred to as Mugwumps. However, Cleveland angered these supporters because he proved willing to replace Republicans with Democrats in positions throughout the federal civil service. Yet, this wasnt enough for many members of his own party, who complained that Cleveland did not appoint enough Democrats. The President didnt take their concerns seriously, often dismissing them with mockery and sarcasm. He responded to one patronage request by stating Ah, I suppose that you mean that I should appoint two horse thieves a day instead of one!" This posture soured his relationship with many Democrats. Cleveland also had a fraught relationship with the military. He became infamous by repeatedly vetoing pension requests by Union veterans as they suffered from numerous physical and psychological ailments tied to their service. He mocked the morphine addiction of one applicant, and he dismissed the idea that sore eyes were a side effect of the chronic diarrhea of another pension applicant. Cleveland also tried to return Confederate flags held in the North to white Southerners in an attempt to further the post-Civil War reconciliation between the North and South. Additionally, he appointed numerous Confederate veterans to his cabinet, and even one to the Supreme Court during his first term. These actions alienated many Union veterans. Clevelands divisiveness cost him reelection in 1888. While he won the popular vote, he fell to Republican Benjamin Harrison in the Electoral College. His popular vote victory enabled Cleveland to remain a front-runner for the 1892 Democratic nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And by 1890, his fortunes were looking up. Harrisons presidency had run aground after he and congressional Republicans passed a high tariff that led to defections from their ranks. Republican legislators also failed to pass a major civil rights act that could have provided federal marshals to guard polling places and protect African-American voters. This failure rendered Black voters unable to vote in a many places, depriving the GOP of support from the party's most loyal constituency. These mistakes helped put Cleveland back into the White House. Yet, the glow of 1892 was temporary for the new President and for his party. The Panic of 1893 began shortly after his reelection, and it would prove to be the worst economic crisis to plague the nation until the Great Depression. The panic led to widespread unemployment and even to starvation. Cleveland refused to provide federal aid to those in need during the crisis, despite marches designed to draw attention to the plight of unemployed workers. He also refrained from making adjustments to his economic platform to try to fix the struggling economy. Instead, he clung to support for a low tariff, and crucially, to a strong gold standard. This latter decision fatally fractured Clevelands party. Western Democrats in particular longed to have the price of silver be valued at 16-to-1 against gold rather than the standard 32-to-1 ratio which would have improved their local economies dramatically. The President, however, refused to compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: How Grover Clevelands Grandson Feels About Donald Trump Becoming the Second U.S. President to Serve Nonconsecutive Terms The low tariff that Democratic congressmen passed in 1894 did nothing to stop the damage caused by the Panic of 1893. The result was a wipeout of the Democratic Party in the 1894 midterms. The losses destroyed the party outside of the South for a generation. Democrats would not regain the House of Representatives until 1910 or the Senate until 1912. The miserliness of Clevelands first term had helped him to win a second term, but in his second term it destroyed his popularity. Even after his party's midterm wipeout, the president ignored continued pleas for either a high tariff or a high valuation of silver in relation to gold, which increasingly alienated him from his own party. By 1896, the relationship was so bad that Cleveland refused to back the Democratic nominee for president, William Jennings Bryan, because of his stance on silver. At his behest, even Confederate veterans in Clevelands cabinet who had supported Democratic candidates since the 1860s backed the third-party candidate John Palmer over Bryan. Cleveland simply didnt see intraparty harmony as a major goal for presidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even after he left the White House, Cleveland continued to actively oppose Bryans pro-silver views within the Democratic Party, which made him a pariah until his death in 1908. Trump shares many similarities with Cleveland and the parallels between the two men are not encouraging for Republicans. Both showed little interest in party unity or the broader success of their parties. They also both detested the media throughout their careers, dismissed the beliefs of the majority of economists on tariffs, and railed against establishment politicians within and outside of their parties. In the weeks since Election Day, Trump has given little indication that he has changed since his first term. This raises the specter of Cleveland: he, too, remained the same man as he returned to the White House. And as he demonstrated, comebacks can be temporary for someone who doesnt learn from the mistakes of his first term. Such a President can quickly remind voters of why they rejected him in the first place, with his party paying the price. No one knows how Trumps story ends, but the history of Cleveland suggests that it might not be good for Republicans. Luke Voyles is a Ph.D. student at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. He studies Confederate veterans and their role in U.S. politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Guardian bosses have been accused of inappropriate attempts to root out strikers after asking journalists to declare whether they will take part in industrial action next month. In an email to staff, Suzy Black, group HR director at Guardian Media Group (GMG), said the newspaper was drawing up emergency plans to avoid a temporary halt in its print operations. She said: Once we have more details on the planned action we will ask about your intention to work your scheduled shift so we can incorporate this information into our contingency plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the demand has prompted a backlash from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), which is coordinating next months walkouts in protest against the proposed sale of The Observer to Tortoise Media. Michelle Stanistreet, the NUJ general secretary, said: Journalists taking strike action are under no obligation to tell their management of their intentions. We are advising all NUJ members at The Guardian and Observer not to engage with such inappropriate requests from the company. The energy and engagement of senior executives at the company should be more squarely focused on avoiding strike action by ceasing exclusive talks with Tortoise Media and entering into meaningful discussion to resolve this dispute. One Guardian insider claims that Kath Viner, the editor-in-chief, had resorted to persuading individual members of staff not to strike. Guardian editor-in-Chief Kath Viner is reportedly attempting to convince individual members of staff not to strike - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images The source described the approach as coercion on an industrial scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Guardian spokesman said: We have stated that while we respect the right to strike, we dont believe a strike is the best course of action in this case and we will continue to regularly communicate with and support staff over the coming weeks. As per ACAS guidance, we will not be asking employees to contact the Guardian on strike days if they are taking part in the action. Meanwhile, The Observer has suffered its first major departure since the sale was announced as restaurant critic Jay Rayner has quit the newspaper. The Telegraph has learnt that Mr Rayner, a well-known figure who has been in the role for 25 years, is leaving to join the Financial Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Guardian said: Jay Rayner has entertained readers for 25 years with his restaurant reviews and we wish him all the best with his new role. The NUJ is plotting a series of two-day strikes, beginning on Dec 4, in protest against the planned sale of The Observer to media start-up Tortoise. Almost 93pc of union members voted in favour of the walkout in a ballot of more than 600 employees. Staff fear their future is at risk after moving from the ownership of the 1.3bn Scott Trust endowment to a start-up that has lost more than 16m since its launch in 2018. They have also raised concerns about how The Observer will be separated from The Guardian given the high levels of overlap between the two titles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Webster, who retired as editor of The Observer last weekend, on Thursday warned the sale would be a discreditable conclusion to a damaging episode in the companys history. He wrote on X: The Scott Trust boasts a proud record of defending liberal journalism, as represented by both the Guardian AND the Observer. It appears as if its about to betray that record by essentially gifting the Observer to a small, historically loss-making start-up. Ms Viner acknowledged to senior editors today that the company had not done enough to convince staff of the benefits of the takeover, adding that she will carve out time for meetings over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, James Harding, the former BBC News chief who runs Tortoise, has hit out at the striking journalists, saying they were wrong to defend the status quo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on Wednesday, Tortoise insisted it wanted to save The Observer, adding: Everyone can see it is heading down a path to irrelevance and, probably sooner rather than later, closure. Mr Harding has pledged to invest 25m in the title over the next five years and said all 70 Observer journalists will keep their jobs, although The Guardian is now considering a voluntary redundancy scheme. He has secured backing for the deal from a number of investors including Gary Lubner, the South African businessman and Labour donor. 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 woman and a child were among 38 people killed after gunmen opened fire on 200 passenger vehicles travelling through a remote area of Pakistan. The convoy was attacked by a group of gunmen hiding in surrounding hills as it made its way through the tribal district of Kurram, authorities said. Officials believe the gunmen targeted the convoys police escort, which had been put in place following months of sectarian violence in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This past week has been difficult and upsetting, now 38 people have been martyred in Kurram, Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistans interior minister, told journalists on Thursday. We see a new incident every day now. Eleven people, including three women, injured in the attack were rushed to nearby hospitals. Officials fear the death toll will rise as several people are in critical condition. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Local residents and volunteers gather and wait at the hospital following the attack - Dilawar Hussain Shortly after the gunmen opened fire, the regional government launched a search operation and sent additional police officers to the Ochut area. Details of the attack were not made immediately clear but Javed ullah Mehsud, a senior administration official, said around 10 attackers were involved, firing indiscriminately from both sides of the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Women and children fled the scene, hiding in nearby houses as police launched a hunt for the attackers. Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistans president, said the attack on innocent passengers was a cowardly and inhumane act and demanded that those responsible for the incident be punished. Shehbaz Sharif, the countrys prime minister, also condemned the attack, which he said was carried out by enemies of the peace and tantamount to brutality. All attempts of anti-national elements to destroy the peace of the beloved country will be thwarted, Mr Sharif said, adding that those involved in the incident will be identified and punished accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saboteurs cannot demoralise the brave Pakistani nation by such cowardly actions. The latest incident follows a sharp increase in the number of terrorist attacks in the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan. 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. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A young Shreveport man was sentenced for illegal possession of a machine gun; and firearms used in a 2023 quadruple homicide stated the United States Western District of Louisiana. According to the U.S. attorney, on June 21, 2023, troopers with the Louisiana State Police stopped a vehicle for speeding in Ouachita Parish. Pharaon L. Jackson was the passenger in the car; according to the trooper, he observed objects being thrown from the window where Jackson was sitting in the car. The trooper found and identified the thrown items as being a bag of marijuana and a Glock 17 9mm firearm with a conversion device installed. The U.S. Attorney detailed that the conversion device known as a Glock Switch altered the firearm to fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger, rendering it a machine gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson, 21, and other occupants were arrested for possessing an automatic weapon and later bonded out of jail. A Louisiana bill could send more minors to adult prisons ATF agents discovered that just five days before the traffic stop, Jackson posted a photo on social media holding two handguns, one of which had a Glock switch that matched the firearm seized from him on June 21, 2023. In July 2023, Shreveport police received reports of four to five males in a Dodge Charger wearing ski masks and brandishing assault rifles. They located the vehicle and went to the residence where it was parked. Inside, they found Jackson and three other males, along with three loaded AR-15-style rifles, hidden under a mattress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the males were taken to the Shreveport Police Station for questioning. Subsequent ballistic examinations revealed that two of the firearms found in the house had been used in a quadruple homicide that occurred on July 4, 2023, in Shreveport. ON NOW: Beyond the Headlines: Firearms Impact & Responsibility Jackson pleaded guilty to the federal charge of illegal possession of a machine gun on July 18, 2024. There is a zero tolerance for offenders in this district that possess firearms equipped with Glock switches, stated U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. This individual found himself around modified firearms in two parishes. He is dangerous, a threat to public safety, and has received a just sentence. Let this be a lesson and a deterrent for others considering installing conversion devices on Glock firearms. Offenders committing such crimes will be prosecuted and we will seek sentences of imprisonment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was investigated by the ATF, Louisiana State Police and Shreveport Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William C. Gaskins. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nov. 20NORWICH These Guys Brewing Co. plans to celebrate its 10th anniversary next summer at its new home at the Marina at American Wharf as the new year-round tenant in the newly renovated marina restaurant. Mayor Peter Nystrom and These Guys owners, Rebecca and Ray Alberts, announced recently that the downtown brew pub will move into the vacant marina with a goal to open as early as Feb. 1, 2025. The new oval-shaped logo places These Guys current hops illustration at the center in front of the new marina logo of three light blue wavy lines. Around the oval, the restaurant name, "These Guys Brewing at American Wharf," is printed. Fran Houle, owner of Prokop Sign Co. in Taftville, designed the logo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renovation plans were approved by the city to upgrade the vacant marina restaurant from a summertime seasonal venue to yearround. What is now an outdoor dining patio to the rear will be enclosed, connecting the restaurant to the now detached kitchen and restrooms building. These Guys had been seeking a new restaurant location in downtown Norwich after moving its entire brewing operation to the former Hebrew day school building on Church Street. Canning of beers for retail sales began last week, Rebecca Alberts, the head brewer said. These Guys now produce 278 barrels of beer per year, and she hopes to double that capacity by next spring. The Alberts hope eventually to open a casual bar in the upstairs of the Church Street location moving the existing bar they own from Franklin Street to the building. But for now, all public dining and bar service will be at the marina restaurant. The restaurant must vacate its Franklin Street location by Jan. 20, 2025, in the transition to the marina, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Ray Alberts, moving to the marina has been a dream since the time the couple opened These Guys in August 2015. "From day one, I was like, I always wanted this," Ray Alberts said at Friday's announcement. "Franklin got us there, but this is where we wanted to be." Rebecca Alberts, who will finish her term as chairwoman of the Norwich Community Development Corp. board of directors in December, called the partnership with new marina owners Brittany and Patrick Dwyer "an organic growth." The two entities started partnering several months ago with These Guys providing catering for marina events while the restaurant was shuttered. "We had a catering license, and we started working together at the marina," Rebecca Alberts said, "and it felt like a great fit. We've been wanting a space. The (Franklin Street location) kitchen is very small. The kitchen here is triple the size. We can expand the menu and do events all summer long." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brittany Dwyer said the marina will have an Eventbrite registration link soon on the marina website, americanwharf.com, for table reservations at the July 5 Norwich Harbor fireworks. The $350,000 marina restaurant renovation received a boost from the city this fall, when City Manager John Salomone proposed moving $250,000 from other recipients of the city's American Rescue Plan Act grants to the marina restaurant project. Initially, Patrick Dwyer said the restaurant would be able to remain open through most of the year, closing only in the dead of winter. But the Alberts said Friday the main glassed-in enclosure will remain open in winter, but there will be no seating in the area between the dining room and the kitchen and bathrooms. "In the dead of winter, nobody will sit in the area, but we can get hot food to patrons in the glass house," Rebecca Alberts said. "And you won't have to put your coat on to go to the bathroom." c.bessette@theday.com GUYTON, Ga. (WSAV) The Effingham County Sheriffs Office (ECSO) said that a Guyon Police lieutenant was arrested and booked into jail on Wednesday. Joseph Coppola, 32, has been charged with one count of felony false statements or writings in matters of government, the Effingham County Jail records said. The listed offense date is Sept. 3, 2024. The Effingham County Sheriffs Office Coppola was appointed as the Interim Police Chief of Guyton in January of this year following former Chief James Breletics resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an ongoing story. Stick with WSAV 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 WSAV-TV. PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) -Haiti's foreign minister met with the French ambassador to the nation on Thursday over what the ministry branded as "unfriendly and inappropriate" comments by French President Emmanuel Macron as he left the G20 summit in Brazil. Macron had on Wednesday described the decision of the Caribbean country's transitional presidential council to oust the prime minister earlier this month amid an escalation in gang warfare as "completely dumb." "Honestly, it is Haitians who killed Haiti by letting in drug trafficking," Macron was filmed saying in Brazil, before hailing ex-Prime Minister Garry Conille, who was ousted amid divisions with the council, as a great leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They are completely dumb, they should never have fired him," he said. His remarks sparked outrage in Haiti, a former French colony. After Haiti freed itself from slavery and declared independence in 1804, it paid France a "debt" for lost property - including slaves - over more than a century that some activists say amounted to over $100 billion. Activists are seeking French reparations for the debt, which many blame for Haiti's economic and political turmoil. Haiti's former Prime Minister Conille, who before taking the post earlier this year had been a top U.N. official, was replaced by entrepreneur and former senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime, a fresh blow to stability in a nation with a deeply fragmented political class while around half the population faces severe food insecurity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haiti's leadership has been wracked by infighting and three members of the transitional presidential council - tasked with restoring security and paving the way for elections - have been accused of corruption. They remain in their posts. Speaking in Chile on Thursday, Macron appeared to soften his tone, vowing that "France will never turn its face from a crisis ... There will never be a double standard in face of tragedy, be it in Haiti, Venezuela or at the gates of Europe." France has pledged 4 million euros ($4.2 million) to a U.N. fund financing a deeply under-resourced security mission mandated to help restore security in Haiti, as well as funding for French and Creole classes for its troops. Haiti's foreign ministry said that in the meeting French Ambassador Antoine Michon promised France would stay by Haiti's side to help restore security and carry out elections. (Reporting by Harold Isaac and Sarah Morland; Editing by Kylie Madry and Daniel Wallis) Killer. Robin Hood. Cannibal gang leader. Revolutionary. These are some of the conflicting labels that have been attached to Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier, the former police officer-turned-gang chieftain at the center of Haitis spiraling violence. Since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise plunged the country into anarchy, mainstream news outlets and social media have portrayed Cherizier as a kind of arch-villain. He and his supporters counter hes being targeted for daring to upend an entrenched political order in which armed gangs have done the bidding of moneyed elites. Haiti on Fire, a 27-minute film from Blackbeard Films, XTR, and Rolling Stone Films, attempts to cut through the hype surrounding Cherizier and offer a sober look at the man behind the myths. The film is available to stream today on rollingstone.com and the Documentary+ app. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I first met Cherizier four years ago, he was virtually unknown outside Haiti. He had just formed the largest gang alliance in the country, the G9 Family and Allies, and was dogged by allegations from the United Nations and United States that hed orchestrated a series of massacres in Port-au-Princes slums. Accompanied by a crew of masked gunmen, he led us on a motorbike tour where the killings took place to flex the extent of his power. In his Delmas 6 stronghold, he showed how he was defending the community against gangs allied with the rival Gpep coalition all while concealing his vast weapons arsenal from our cameras. Styling himself a freedom fighter in the spirit of Che Guevara, he said he was at war with oligarchs who have long dominated the Haitian economy and manipulated its politics. He foreshadowed greater instability and warned against another foreign intervention. All of which have come to pass. In the summer of 2023, my partner Mark Oltmanns and I returned to Port-au-Prince when street violence was at a fever pitch and international news coverage was nearly non-existent. Gangs controlled more than 80 percent of the capital, flush with high-powered assault rifles that largely came from the U.S. and had police on the defensive. Locals were fighting back with rocks and machetes as part of a vigilante movement known as Bwa Kale (crude slang for erection). The cycle of gang attacks and reprisals had left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more, with many fleeing abroad for the U.S. Conditions were the worst Id experienced since I began reporting in Haiti back in 2006. Working with Haitian producers Jeremy Dupin and Yvon Vilius, we navigated shifting gang fault lines, where gun battles routinely broke out, to meet with rival gangs and civilians caught in the crossfire. Among them: Lourdy Denis, the despondent father of two boys purportedly killed in an attack by G9 gunmen; teachers who had been kidnapped; and grandmothers struck by stray bullets. After several weeks of waiting, we became the first foreign journalists to gain access to Village de Dieu, the notorious seaside base of the GPep-allied 5 Segond gang, one of the countrys biggest cocaine traffickers. Haitian SWAT police have repeatedly tried to penetrate Village and failed, leaving a trail of tactical vehicles and dead officers. Locals regarded us with concern, unsure if we were guests or the gangs latest abductees. One of 5 Segonds leaders, a Fagin-like figure named Manno who is wanted by U.S. authorities for kidnapping, explained how dismal prospects have fueled a culture of nihilism and swollen his gangs ranks. He dismissed Cherizier as a gangster posturing as a reformer. Near the end of our shoot, a former Haitian police chief told me the only thing worse than the current scenario would be an alliance between G9 and Gpep, which has also come true. In the spring, Cherizier announced the Viv Ansamn (Live Together) coalition with a blitz of attacks on police and government buildings. In short order, the international airport and seaport were shut down, and more than 4,000 prisoners were freed. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, out of the country signing a deal to import a multinational security force, was forced to resign. The number of internally displaced people surged to more than 700,000 half of whom are children and the disruption of basic services and aid work has left some 2 million people critically hungry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, a transitional council was formed to re-establish democratic order, and over the summer Kenyan police began deploying as part of a U.N.-backed mission that has received more than $300 million from the U.S. Joint operations with Haitian police are ongoing in gang-controlled areas, but progress is scant. The gangs are armed with military grade weapons and know the capitals labyrinthine terrain better than anyone. They have opened fire on U.S. Embassy vehicles and U.N. helicopters, and used live drone feeds to coordinate attacks. Cherizier told us he will fight foreign forces to the death. He also intimated that he could be persuaded to one day enter politics, should he survive long enough. Whats certain is that, as a seasoned shot-caller with scores of well-armed soldiers and an exceptional level of discipline on the street, hes a force to be reckoned with. By the gun or at the negotiating table, any resolution to Haitis current gang takeover will have to run through him. Haiti on Fire was directed by Jason Motlagh and Mark Oltmanns, who also served as producers. The short film was produced by XTR and Rolling Stone Films, an Emmy award-winning arm of Rolling Stone. The film was additionally produced by Justin Lacob, Rolling Stone Films senior vice president Jason Fine, and Rolling Stone CEO Gus Wenner. Alexandra Dale, Bryn Mooser, Matthew Cherchio served as executive producers on the film. pmcCnx.cmd.push(function() { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 1, }, pmcCnx: { singleAutoPlay: 'auto' } } }, playerId: "d762a038-c1a2-4e6c-969e-b2f1c9ec6f8a", mediaId: "5417660b-c003-44c8-8db2-38d7c44c9b5f", }).render("connatix_player_5417660b-c003-44c8-8db2-38d7c44c9b5f_1"); }); Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Parkable may well be one of the best stories you have never heard of. Founded in 2015 in New Zealand, Parkable is a platform which takes unused parking spots and puts them in the hands of consumers. Need to find a regular parking spot the Parkable App will ensure you are allocated a spot at one of its participating car parks. It not only alleviates this major pain point for consumers in finding a parking spot but provides a regular income for the parking spot owner. Parkable also is a management software tool used for workplaces and commercial properties making parking admin, access, sharing and revenue simpler ensuring their car parks are fully utilised. The company is growing quickly not only in New Zealand but Australia and more recently the UK and US. Covid stymied growth and despite working from home becoming the norm, the business is growing at 20% year-on-year. Parkables Head of Sales Operations, Hamish Cadigan, told ITWire at the start of todays Salesforces Agentforce World Tour event in Melbourne that the company is entering a major growth phase. We have automated many disparate processes which is enabling our sales staff to increase our conversion rate by 38% and a 50% reduction in time to convert. We have Slack notifications that tell us when there is a potential new customer in the system and we know that if we answer within two hours our conversion rate is considerably higher, he said. Parkable has used Slack since its inception nine years ago and moved to Salesforces Sales Cloud and Service Cloud in 2022. As Cadigan explains, as the company expanded, particularly overseas, the sales process became increasingly laborious and time consuming. With Slack so ingrained into Parkable as our communications tool, the move to Salesforces Sales Cloud enabled employees to get a clearer picture of our sales pipeline. In fact, without it, growth would have been so much slower. And the benefit for us is the connectivity between the products. That was really important as we moved into the US and UK markets as it gives us a great opportunity to look at the referral process where we are constantly testing, learning and adapting. Cadigan said the company is now able to track a building like Google maps inside Salesforce. We can click on a building/site and see who manages it, who owns it and how many parking space there are. I can also search how many assets are owned by a certain business and go through and see where they are in the sales process. Asset mapping has opened a huge road to success for us. Cadigan admitted that he was excited by the opportunity to access Salesforces AI capabilities and that is one of the main reasons why I am here. We really want to automate some basic processes so there is a no human touch approach. For example, we have three sites on St Kilda Road and all will be at 100% capacity. But what if someone has parked in your spot, we need to find them another parking space. This is currently done manually but to have it automated would save us many hours a week. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley raised major concerns with President-elect Trumps decision to appoint former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to his Cabinet. Haley criticized both picks on her SiriusXM show, Nikki Haley Live. She condemned Gabbards comments on Russias war on Ukraine and her support of a pardon for Edward Snowden, who leaked U.S. intelligence. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Tulsi Gabbard literally blamed NATO, our Western alliance thats responsible for countering Russia, Haley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She blamed NATO for the attack on Ukraine, and the Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her interviews on Russian and Chinese television. Haley noted that Gabbard hasnt changed her stances on foreign affairs and warned that her rhetoric could be dangerous if she is leading the countrys intelligence efforts. So now shes defended Russia, shes defended Syria, shes defended Iran, and shes defended China. No, she has not denounced any of these views. None of them. She hasnt taken one of them back, Haley added. This is not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer, she said, referring to the position of director of national intelligence, which has to analyze real threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Kennedy, she said not enough was known about what he could offer to the Department of Health and Human Services. Hes a liberal Democrat, environmental attorney, trial lawyer who will now be overseeing 25 percent of our federal budget and has no background in health care, Haley stated. So some of you may think RFK is cool, some of you may like that he questions whats in our food and whats in our vaccines, but we dont know, when he is given reins to an agency, what decisions hes going to make behind the scenes. She instead suggested he serve as a health adviser and urged the Senate to ask the hard questions to him before we go and approve him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Trump has proposed using recess appointments for his Cabinet members instead of the traditional Senate confirmations, if necessary. Many of his picks have sparked controversy, but he has maintained the support of House Speaker Mike Johnson and has scheduled the candidates for private meetings with senators alongside Vice-President elect JD Vance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Half of repeat knife offenders have avoided jail amid a prison overcrowding crisis, Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures show. The data show the proportion of repeat offenders avoiding jail has risen to a record high of 47.5 per cent in the latest quarter, despite a 2015 law that they should be immediately imprisoned. The proportion has increased by more than a third, from a low of 31.5 per cent in 2021, despite knife crime returning to near-record highs following the Covid pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest data cover the three months to June when prisons were close to running out of spaces owing to the overcrowding crisis and judges had been advised to consider alternative punishments to ease pressure on jails. As the prison overcrowding crisis peaked over the spring and summer, the proportion of repeat offenders handed immediate prison terms fell from 59.6 per cent in the three months to April, to 52.5 per cent in the three months to June. The MoJ data showed that overall the proportion of all knife offenders being sent to jail fell to a 10-year low, with just 29.3 per cent being imprisoned by judges. The proportion of repeat offenders spared jail in the year to June 2024 was 42 per cent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ian Acheson, a former governor and senior adviser for the Counter Extremism Project, said: We cannot have a criminal justice system where punishment and deterrence is subverted by logistics. The 2015 legislation was brought in for a reason to make carrying or using a bladed weapon a high-risk/low-gain activity with the certainty of severe consequences. Mismanagement of prison space, itself, criminally irresponsible, has meant that the law is an ass. Government must now stop listening to activist professionals endlessly contextualising and excusing the knife crime emergency. It must also build its way out of this appalling situation and empty jails of people who dont pose a threat to make room for those who do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new MoJ data show the overall proportion of knife offenders jailed has fallen from a pre-Covid high of 38.1 per cent to 33.5 per cent in the year to June 2023 and now to 29.3 per cent in the year to June 2024. This compares with the previous low of 29.2 per cent in the year ending June 2014. The number of repeat knife crime offenders being jailed has steadily dropped since the end of 2022. In February last year, Dominic Raab, then justice secretary, wrote to the Lord Chief Justice suggesting judges should take prison overcrowding into account when passing sentences or deciding whether to remand people into custody. After the letter was received, the Senior Presiding Judge of England and Wales issued guidance suggesting that judges should jail fewer people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courts have turned to suspended prison sentences as an alternative to immediate custody with the number of knife offences resulting in a suspended term doubling since 2014. The figures come two days after The Telegraph revealed findings from a survey by the Youth Endowment Fund which revealed that one in five 13- to 17-year-olds had been victims of violence in the past 12 months, up a quarter in just a year. One in 20 said they had carried a weapon in the past year. Knife crime in London has hit a record high. Across England and Wales, the number of offences has passed 50,000 for only the second time since records began. Nationally the number of police-recorded knife crime offences, which include the use of the weapon in murder, rape, robbery and threats to kill, has risen 3.6 per cent from 49, 187 to 50,973. The only previous time the annual figures passed 50,000 was in 2020 when it reached 51,982. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of knife offences had also increased to a high of 19,914 in the year to June, up 0.3 per cent year on year but an increase of 22 per cent over the last decade. 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 Palestinian Hamas militia hailed the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant as a historic step. Hamas described the decision as "a significant historical precedent" that rectifies a long-standing injustice against Palestinians. The US had spent months trying to prevent the move against the two "terrorists" Netanyahu and Gallant by "terrorizing" the court and its judge, Hamas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian militia did not comment on the arrest warrant also issued against its military leader Mohammed Deif, who is believed to have masterminded the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Israel said it killed Deif in a Gaza airstrike in July. Hamas also called on the ICC to expand its investigation against "all criminal leaders of the occupation" to include ministers and officers who "have shed the blood of our Palestinian people." Hamas triggered the Gaza war with its brutal assault in southern Israel on October 7 last year. In response, Israel launched a military campaign that has caused widespread devastation across the coastal strip. The new bullying numbers come from an annual report by the New Hampshire Department of Education presented to the State Board of Education this month. (Getty Images) The number of reported bullying incidents among New Hampshire public middle school students ticked up 12.5 percent this past school year, state data shows, after it had appeared to plateau since the pandemic. But other metrics have been more steady. The number of reported public high school bullying incidents has decreased slightly from last year, and public elementary school numbers have stayed about the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new numbers come from an annual report by the New Hampshire Department of Education presented to the State Board of Education this month. But the chairman of the board, Drew Cline, argues they might not tell the full story. In total, there were 805 reports of bullying incidents among the states 82,714 elementary school students; 684 reports among 30,097 middle school students; and 376 incidents among 52,124 high school students, according to the department numbers. The report suggests cyberbullying incidents are easier to prove than in-person incidents. Of the total 805 elementary school bullying reports, about 2 in 5 321 were substantiated by the school. Among middle schools, just under half 328 were confirmed; high schools substantiated exactly half, or 188. But for each age group, cyberbullying incidents specifically had a higher than 50 percent chance of being substantiated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rich Farrell, the state Department of Educations investigator, argued the rise in middle school bullying is not particularly significant. Im a little jaded, I think, because I think middle school is where youre going to find the majority of your bullying, Farrell told the board. So although it might jump off the page a 12.5 percent increase in middle school I personally dont see it as a big outlier. And he noted that the Department of Education was contacted 92 times last school year by parents who had complaints about alleged bullying and cyberbullying cases in their schools, a 16 percent decrease. The department followed up in five of those cases to determine whether schools followed the law, and in all five determined the schools had done so, Farrell added. But Cline has taken issue with the overall numbers being reported, and said the final numbers are likely a drastic undercount. And he said a state law could be impeding schools ability to fully report and take action against bullying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statistically, I dont think its possible that we had 328 middle school bullying cases last year. We might have had 328 a day last year. But this is just simply not believable, these numbers. The states report indicates that while all school bullying reports plummeted to near zero levels in the 2020-2021 school year when most public schools were conducting remote learning they have begun to creep back to pre-pandemic levels. Adjusted for school enrollment changes, the number of elementary school reports is about at the level it was in the 2015-2016 school year, while the number of middle school reports is higher and the number of high school reports is lower. In middle schools last school year, bullying incidents related to physical characteristics made up 16 percent of all substantiated reports; incidents based on race made up 11 percent; incidents based on disability made up 8 percent; incidents based on sexual orientation made up 7 percent, and incidents based on gender made up 4 percent. The remaining reports were not categorized. Cyberbullying made up 21 percent of all substantiated bullying incidents in middle schools, 16 percent in elementary schools, and 35 percent in high schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut suggested at the board meeting the low numbers could be explained in part by a fear of speaking up. Theres sometimes just a reluctance for somebody to report bullying, because then that exacerbates bullying that actually takes place, he said. But in an interview, Cline argued it is also because schools are restrained by state statute. RSA 193-F lays out New Hampshires anti-bullying laws. It requires that school districts must take action against bullying, communicate any investigations and discipline proceedings to parents of victims and perpetrators, and annually report all bullying incidents to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law also includes a definition of bullying, which counts it as a single significant incident or a pattern of incidents directed at a pupil, where one pupil physically harms another pupil, causes them emotional distress, interferes with their educational opportunities, creates a hostile educational environment, or disrupts orderly school operations. To Cline, that first part of the definition is fine. The second part causes problems. The statute continues to state that: Bullying shall include actions motivated by an imbalance of power based on a pupils actual or perceived personal characteristics, behaviors, or beliefs, or motivated by the pupils association with another person and based on the other persons characteristics, behaviors, or beliefs. The provision is vague, Cline argues, and can be interpreted in different ways. One interpretation is that the second part is an optional addition to the first but not necessary to prove bullying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the other reading is that the states anti-bullying statute applies only to situations in which the alleged bully was motivated by an imbalance of power, and that if a school district cannot prove that motivation, it cant take action. Cline says that latter interpretation has been used before the State Board of Education during recent bullying appeals processes. Attorneys have quarreled over the law. Most school districts have procedures that allow parents to appeal school principals decisions to the superintendent and school board whether they believe their child was falsely accused or that their child was bullied but the district did not take action. Parents can eventually appeal all the way up to the State Board, which determines whether the school principal was justified. In one case the board heard recently, a student was appealing because the school had not taken action against another student for bullying, Cline said. But attorneys argued the student had not sufficiently shown that the alleged bullying was motivated by an imbalance of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bullying appeals before the State Board are held behind closed doors, and Cline said he could not name the school district involved. According to Cline, the board ultimately sided with the school district, determining that the statute should be interpreted strictly and because motivation was not proven, the lack of action was justified. But Cline says the decision doesnt sit well. Im really uncomfortable with that interpretation, he said. I dont like it. But the board was torn, and I think still is torn, on whether that is the actual interpretation of this. But because its so badly worded we dont have a Supreme Court case telling us what the guidance is on it its a problem. HARLAN, Ky. (FOX 56) A joint investigation by the Kentucky State Police Department (KSP) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has led to a Harlan County man being sentenced to over a decade in prison on drug trafficking charges. KSP said that Steven Wayne Williams, 41, of Lynch, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Lexington police searching for stolen eight-ball headstone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams was reportedly part of a criminal conspiracy that imported multiple kilograms of methamphetamine from Georgia to Harlan County, per a news release. Williams was the point man for his contacts in Georgia, troopers said. He arranged for his co-conspirator, Lawrence Lucas, to travel to Georgia and return to Kentucky with several kilos of methamphetamine to distribute in the region. Lucas was previously sentenced to 80 months in federal prison, according to law enforcement. Williams is required to serve 85% of his 15-year sentence, per KSP. Read more of the latest Kentucky news This investigation represents a significant victory in our fight against illegal drugs, KSP Sergeant Jeremy Lee said about the sentencing. This multi-agency investigation disrupted a dangerous supply chain, removed harmful substances from our streets, and sent a clear message to those who profit from illicit activities: we will hold you accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police said confidential crime tips can be reported via this form on the KSP website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The transgender legacy flag was raised on Wednesday in Hartford at the corner of Main and Gold Streets to celebrate the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Rain doesnt stop New Haven Pride from celebrating for a 28th year Vigils and other events are being held to draw attention to transgender people who have lost their lives due to violence the past year. 25 years ago, a Black trans woman from Hartford was murdered in Massachusetts, Ephraim Adamz said. Over time, the history and connection to Hartford was lost. And because Rita Hester is a Black trans woman from Hartford, I created the transgender legacy flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Human Rights Campaign has reported that at least 36 transgender people have been killed by violence over the past year. The number is likely higher because of deaths not being reported, being misreported or because the victims are misgendered. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A colleague said that 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado was an advocate at ROCA, an organization aimed at assisting young people who have been exposed to street violence. Mercado and her infant son were killed on Tuesday in Hartford after being shot through a car window. ROCA Executive Vice President Sunindiya Bhalla said that Mercados life was plagued by street violence. Hartford police identify man accused of killing mother, baby Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was very hopeful for a different life for herself for her children, she was working towards getting a job and extricating her self from violence, Bhalla said. Police are searching for the suspect in this double homicide, 23-year-old Lance Morales who is facing firearms and assault charges as well as two counts of murder. Police say that Morales and Mercado were in an argument about a car at the time of the shooting. Springfield baby shot in Hartford was in foster care Jessiah was very warm exuberant, if you asked any of the young people we work with here, she gave them a lot of hope, that they could overcome things and that they could be strong for themselves and their kids, Bhalla said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the full video in the player above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Almost 250 years of history was nearly destroyed when an HVAC issue at Hartfords downtown library flooded the building. The library, which was shut down for almost two years, has now reopened. We are able to open repaired and also renewed, because of the support the state has provided to this project, said Bridget Quinn, the president and CEO of the library system. The extensive repair project took place in two phases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to thank the governor, because I can be a real pain for him at times, Connecticut Speaker of the House Matt Ritter (D-District 1) said. But, we have now provided $8.3 million in two tranches to restore the downtown library branch. City leaders cut the ribbon on the project Wednesday, and supporters got their first glimpse at the space. The look was courtesy of the Margaret Sullivan design team. It is incredible, Quinn said. It is based on the feedback that we got from all of you when we asked what do you need? What do you want in your library? In addition to being a home for books and a place to use computers for business and job opportunities, the mayor described the library as an open door to Hartford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Its] for new arrivals to the city, for immigrants trying to navigate both legal barriers and language barriers in their society, Mayor Arunan Arulampalam 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 WTNH.com. Nov. 20A Hartselle man was killed in a single-vehicle crash south of Priceville on Tuesday evening, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Hunter P. Tapscott, 26, was fatally injured when the 2010 Honda Civic he was driving left the roadway and struck a ditch and a utility pole, ALEA said. The crash occurred on Natural Bridge Road, near Peek Road. Troopers said Tapscott, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt, was partially ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. ALEA's Highway Patrol Division is continuing to investigate the crash. david.gambino@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438. COMPANY NEWS: Atturra [ASX:ATA] today announced that it has received two awards - ANZ Partner of the Year and APJ Services Partner of the Year - from Boomi, the intelligent connectivity and automation leader, at Boomis 2024 APJ Partner Summit in Sydney, Australia. Earlier this year, Atturra bagged the APJ Boomi Partner of the Year award at Boomis 2024 Partner Summit in Denver. A Boomi partner program member since 2016, Atturra has helped mutual customers optimise critical business processes to unlock the power of intelligent connectivity and automation. Through its Data and Integration business, Atturra maintains the largest onshore Boomi partner team in ANZ and has enabled over 400 customers in the region. Commenting on the award, Jason Frost, Executive General Manager at Atturra Data and Integration said, These awards demonstrate our commitment to value creation and innovation. As a strategic partner of Boomi, were always looking for new ways to enable our clients to find moments that matter with data. Not just the automation story, but every step of their data journey. Speaking of Atturra Data and Integrations success in the region, Frost further added, From new clients and project to headcount and expansion, our Boomi practice has grown steadily year on year. Our approach of big enough to deliver and small enough to care resonates strongly with Australian business values. Atturra was awarded the recognition during the 2024 Boomi APJ Partner Summit, which brought together Boomi partners from across the region to learn and share practical expertise on integration, automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and API management, as well as network and exchange best practices for helping organisations build integrations faster and accelerate digital modernisation. "Our partners across the APJ region bring unparalleled skills and resources that are essential for the success of our diverse Boomi customers," said Jim Fisher, Vice President of Alliances and Channels, APJ at Boomi. "In their roles as trusted advisors and strategic consultants, in IT and digital transformation, they address challenges and effectively integrate Boomis technology everyday. We are excited to honour their remarkable contributions from the past year." About Atturra Atturra is an ASX-listed technology business providing a range of enterprise advisory, consulting, IT managed services and solutions with a focus on local government, utilities, education, defence, federal government, financial services, and manufacturing. Atturra has partnerships with leading global providers including Microsoft, Boomi, OpenText, Smartsheet, QAD, Infor and Solace and its clients are some of the largest public and private-sector organisations in Australia. For more information visit: atturra.com. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochesters president and CEO Meredith Dragon is responding to the first court appearance for the four suspects charged after wanted posters reportedly targeting Jewish faculty were found around campus. Dragon previously called for the vandalism reported across the U of Rs campus to be investigated as a hate crime. She said the agency, and the Jewish community at large, will need to look closely at how the legal system processes the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dragon also said shes grateful to the university and law enforcement for taking swift action to arrest the suspects allegedly responsible. After hundreds of these wanted posters were found across the U of Rs campus, Dragon said it sparked outrage and fear for the Jewish community nationwide. Officials called the posters antisemitic in nature. As the case unfolds in the weeks and months to come, Dragon backs the stance that this incident was a hateful act. She also reacted to the charge delivered for the suspects. Felony criminal mischief is a serious charge, and frankly, the prosecutors have used that charge because they feel like thats whats most relevant in this case. While this may not be treated as a hate crime, I think what was done was a hateful act and it caused unnecessary upset, panic, and danger in a sense through the university system and thats serious, said Dragon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of a statement released Tuesday evening by U of R president Sarah Mangelsdorf, she said, I am certain that as we move forward, we will all find ways to recommit ourselves to demonstrating the values that make our university the true community that we aspire it to 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 RochesterFirst. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) A New Haven man arrested as part of an FBI sting will spend three years in prison, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, Connecticuts United States Attorney. Jaquet Jacobs, 33, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substance. He was arrested in October 2023 alongside 10 other people after investigators seized more than 650 grams of fentanyl, 160 grams of heroin, more than 1,000 oxycodone pills and seven guns. The group was accused of dealing drugs in the Fair Haven neighborhood. Jacobs was heard on a wiretap attempting to buy a firearm that hed use to settle a personal dispute, according to Avery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has previously been convicted for assault, violating a protective order, among other crimes. Jacobs will follow his sentence with three years of supervised release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) New Havens Fantasy of Lights, presented by Goodwill of Southern New England, returns to Lighthouse Point Park for its 30th year. The drive-through lights display is a holiday tradition thousands of Connecticut families enjoy each season. News 8 co-chief meteorologist Joe Furey will emcee the event, which News 8 is a proud media sponsor of. LIST: 2024 holiday light displays across Connecticut Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fantasy of Lights display is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is $10 per car/family, $25 for a minibus and $50 for a full-size bus. Ticket proceeds benefit Goodwill of Southern New England and support their mission to strengthen communities by supporting individuals of all abilities through person-centered employment, training and services. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. AUSTIN (KXAN) Hawaiian Airlines will no longer fly directly between Austin and Honolulu in March 2025, an airline spokesperson told KXAN Thursday. As of March 27, passengers will have to make a connection in San Diego, Seattle or another airport, the spokesperson said. The change will allow Hawaiian to redeploy planes elsewhere in their network. Alaska Airlines purchased Hawaiian in a deal that completed in September. While operating as one company, the two brands will be kept separate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we begin the exciting work to integrate our combined networks to offer our guests more flights and connections to more cities, we are making some initial adjustments to a few routes, the spokesperson told KXAN. Nonstop flights between Austin and Honolulu began in April 2021. Since then, more than 235,000 passengers have flown on the route. Earlier this year, the airline increased frequency of the route over the summer, with flights operating four times a week. Since welcoming Hawaiian Airlines to Texas in 2021 we have been proud to support this route, AUS said in a statement posted to social media. AUS leadership remains committed to partnering with airlines to attract new nonstop services for our travelers and community. AUS Data Hub: Passenger totals, busiest months and new flights in 2024 and 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three other route cancellations have already been announced for 2025. American Airlines will end nonstop service to Santa Ana, California, on Jan. 5, and Allegiant Air will end flights to Bozeman, Montana, and Louisville, Kentucky, on Jan. 7. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. HONOLULU (KHON2) As the holiday season kicks off, Hawaiian Electric is warning customers about an increase in scams targeting unsuspecting residents. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The utility company said that while scams can take many forms, the most common one involves scammers threatening to disconnect power unless an immediate payment is made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darren Pai, a spokesperson for Hawaiian Electric, highlighted a troubling trend that emerged over the summer. HFD battling fast spreading brush fire in Kapolei Scammers posed as Hawaiian Electric employees, providing fake work order numbers and claiming that a field technician would be in contact with the customer via an 800 number. They then demanded immediate payment to avoid disconnection. Hawaiian Electric will never call customers to threaten disconnection for non-payment, nor will we send disconnection messages by text or request payment information via email, Pai said. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company urges customers to be cautious and report any suspicious calls or messages. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. The leader of the Central Council of Jews in Germany denounced the International Criminal Court in The Hauge on Thursday over arrest warrants issues for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the former defence minister. "This arrest warrant against a prime minister of a democratic state and his former defence minister is an absurdity," said Central Council President Josef Schuster in Berlin. The ICC on Thursday ordered the arrest of Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as the leader of the Palestinian militant Islamist group Hamas, Mohammad Diab Ibrahim Al-Masrias well as the leader of the Palestinian militant Islamist group Hamas, also known as Mohammad Deif. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC's Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the arrest warrants in May. Schuster reacted indignantly and demanded that the "German government must not accept this perpetrator-victim reversal." "Israel is defending itself against Islamist terror in Gaza and Lebanon after the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023," he said. "The semantic dualism alone, putting Israel on the same level as Hamas, borders on impudence and a completely misguided understanding of the office of an international criminal court as a result of anti-Israel propaganda." National Child Research Center head James Stewart Carroll was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Nov. 19 Carbonero Stock/Getty A stock photo of a classroom A stock photo of a classroom James Stewart Carroll, head of a preschool in Washington D.C., has been arrested on child abuse charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia Carroll communicated with an undercover officer posing as the father of a young child on messaging app Discord and directed him to abuse them, which eventually led to his arrest The National Child Research Center said Carroll has since been placed on administrative leave, according to a letter published by multiple outlets The director of an elite preschool in Washington, D.C. has been arrested on child abuse charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Stewart Carroll, the head of school at an early education center in Northwest Washington D.C., was arrested and charged in connection with attempted enticement and coercion of a minor on Tuesday, Nov. 19, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. Per the release, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Carroll used the messaging app Discord to "communicate with an undercover officer who posed as the father of a young child" between Nov. 5-14. Carroll directed the undercover officer to abuse his child over a period of approximately two weeks. Law enforcement agents identified Carroll as the Discord user based on IP addresses that traced back to both his residence and workplace, the release added. The undercover agent pretended to be a separated father with a 9-year-old son, whom he sexually abused on a regular basis while he had custody of him every other weekend, The Independent reported, citing the complaint. The outlet reported Carroll had "encouraged the undercover agent to abuse his fictitious son," per the documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NBC4 Washington, citing federal court documents, also reported that the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. confirmed that agents had discovered the 55-year-old, who worked for the National Child Research Center (NCRC), "had engaged in conversations with other users about explicit child content" on the app. Per The Independent and The Washington Post, the complaint included details of conversations Carroll allegedly had about child sexual exploitation, circumcision of teenage boys, [and] urinating on teenage boys and adults. J. David Ake/Getty A photo of the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. A photo of the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. Local media outlet Fox 5 D.C. reported that the investigation began when a Discord employee reported that a suspected file containing alleged child sexual abuse material had been uploaded to the company's servers on Sept. 11. Investigators managed to link the upload to Carroll, the outlet stated. Citing an affidavit, the outlet added that Carroll said he had an interest in "boy pics" on the app, adding that his age preference was "8-12." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Independent, Carroll also communicated with the undercover agent using the messaging app Telegram. Before his arrest, Carroll had been head of NCRC since 2018, per NBC4 Washington. According to the letter sent to parents of children at the preschool by NCRC Board Chair, Megan Ortiz, on Tuesday, Carroll has now been placed on administrative leave, The Independent and Fox 5 D.C. reported. Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty A photo of the Discord app logo A photo of the Discord app logo The letter included, "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," per the outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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. His access to his email, the schools networks, and all school owned technology has been cut off," the letter added. Ortiz wrote, "Like you, my Board colleagues and I are shocked and deeply unsettled by this news," according to the outlets. Caroll made his first court appearance on Nov. 19, according to the release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. Per NBC4 Washington, Carroll's next hearing is on Monday, Nov. 25. 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. According to the NCRC website, the organization is "an independent preschool serving children in the Washington, D.C., area since 1928," and teaches kids between ages 2-5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuition at the preschool can cost as much as $42,000 per year, per the website. The FBI and NCRC did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE. It's not clear if Carroll has obtained an attorney. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. BROOKLYN, Conn. (WTNH) State police say an anonymous donor replaced a familys gravestone after it disappeared in June. Thanks to the donor, the Benard Family was able to place a new gravestone at their family members South Cemetery gravesite earlier this week. Brooklyn family offers reward after gravestone robbery, called terrible crime According to state police, the original gravestone was removed on June 27. It has yet to be found or returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police said the family is still offering a $2,5000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. News 8 spoke with the family in July. Its very hurtful, Mark Benard said at the time. Its my mother [and] my brother, you can see we made his footstone. CSP: Montville corrections officer assaulted inmate Benard said he did not know why anyone would want to target his family and, more specifically, him by stealing their mothers headstone. The twilight red headstone read the name of his mother Gloria, his brother Michael, and his own. It had been vandalized several times before disappearing, according to the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benard said the vandalism started after he received confusing and, sometimes threatening, text messages from burner phones. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Brooklyn Resident Troopers Office at 860-234-1051 or kyle.ambrose@ct.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Gov. Maura Healey has nominated three women to serve as associate justices of the Probate and Family Court, the governor announced Wednesday. Attorneys Jennifer Bingham, Colleen Carroll and Caryn Mitchell-Munevar will now continue forward to the Governors Council for confirmation. The people of Massachusetts deserve judges who will safeguard our rights and values and uphold the rule of law, Healey said in a statement. Attorneys Bingham, Carroll and Mitchell Munevar are all uniquely equipped to serve the bench, and we thank the Governors Council for considering their nominations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Probate and Family Court division handles court matters involving families and children, like divorce, child support, and wills. Earlier this term, Healey appointed Manisha Bhatt, Bernadette Stark, Michelle Yee, Jessica Dubin, Alexandra Flanders, Mikalen Howe, and Carla Salvucci to serve as associate justices of the Probate and Family Court. Healey also appointed Stephanie L. Everett to serve as the Suffolk Register of Probate, and Mark Ames to serve as Hampshire Register of Probate. Attorneys Jennifer Bingham, left, Colleen Carroll, center, and Caryn Mitchell-Munevar have been nominated by Gov. Maura Healey to serve as associate justices of the Probate and Family Court. Bingham is a domestic relations attorney in private practice who has represented clients in all aspects of divorce, including complex property division, business valuation, alimony, child support, child custody and antenuptial agreements, according to biographical information provided by Healeys office. In addition to other firm experience, Bingham founded and led a small firm and solo practice. Since 2022, she has focused on delivering alternative dispute resolution services in the family law context at Bingham Dispute Resolution. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and an adjunct professor and lecturer in the Accounting and Law departments of Babson College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bingham is a frequent lecturer on issues in the family law practice area. Bingham also founded and leads the Team Owen Fund, a public charity focused on youth leadership and service. She holds a Bachelor of Art from the University of Rhode Island and Juris Doctor from New England Law Boston. Carroll is the Assistant Judicial Case Manager at the Plymouth Probate & Family Court, where she manages the Pathways Program, according to biographical information provided by Healeys office. In her role, she conducts virtual case management conferences on complaints for modification of child support, custody, parenting time and alimony, and drafts stipulations, temporary orders and judgments. Prior to her court position, Carroll led a solo practice focused on domestic relations and criminal defense for over 20 years. Carroll, an avid rower, has a Bachelor of Art from Assumption College and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University School of Law. Mitchell-Munevar is currently the Senior Supervising Attorney at the Northeast Legal Aid in Lowell, where she litigates and executes all aspects of case development pertaining to divorce, custody, visitation, separate support, child support and Hague international custody disputes, according to biographical information provided by Healeys office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to this, for over 20 years, Mitchell-Munevar served as the Clinical Law Professor & Attorney at Law at New England Law. Mitchell-Munevar has also been active in a wide variety of pro bono projects and serves on the Family Law Curriculum Advisory Committee of the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education. She holds a Bachelor of Art from New England College and a Juris Doctor from New England School of Law. For more information about the Probate and Family Court, visit its homepage. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW NAIROBI (Reuters) -Heavy gunfire erupted in South Sudan's capital Juba on Thursday evening after security forces moved to arrest the former head of the intelligence service, according to Reuters reporters and an alert sent to United Nations staff. The gunfire began around 7 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) and continued sporadically for more than an hour before dying down, Reuters reporters said. A U.N. safety alert to staff members in Juba, seen by Reuters, said the shooting was related to the arrest of the former head of the National Security Service (NSS). It urged U.N. staff to shelter in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early October, President Salva Kiir dismissed Akol Koor Kuc, who had led the NSS since the country's independence from Sudan in 2011, and appointed a close ally to replace him. Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang said Akol Kuur had not been arrested and had stayed in his house throughout the shooting. Koang said he would address reporters later on Friday after a meeting with other security officials. Analysts said the sacking of Akol Koor reflected a power struggle at the highest levels of government. It came weeks after the transitional government that Kiir leads announced that elections expected in December would be postponed for a second time. Rival factions loyal to Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar fought a civil war from 2013 to 2018 that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two have governed together since then as part of a transitional government. There has been relative peace, but the opposing forces clash periodically in addition to frequent fighting among a patchwork of armed groups in rural areas. (Reporting by Aaron Ross; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Alexandra Hudson, Andrew Heavens and Michael Perry) Trevor Gruenewald, chief executive officer, ECI Software Solutions, said, "Celebrating 25 years is a significant milestone, but the true heroes of our journey are our customers and colleagues. Their trust, faith, and partnership have been the driving force behind our success. At ECI, we've always believed that our role is to empower SMBs with the technology tools and industry solutions they need to grow, and our customers achievements are the greatest testament to that mission. Were also grateful for our colleagues, who are passionate and dedicated to their work inside and outside the office. As we look to the future, we all remain committed to supporting the success of SMBs worldwide." Founded 25 years ago, ECI began as an e-commerce company selling office supplies to online buyers but identified the opportunity to better serve its customers by expanding into business management technology. From the onset, the focus had been on building solutions to enable small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to improve workflows and streamline operations. Over time, the company has expanded its offerings, evolving into a global leader in cloud-based business management software provider, delivering industry-specific solutions and expertise to SMBs in manufacturing, residential construction, building supply, office technology, and wholesale/retail distribution industries. Jason Kim-Rastello, vice president of operations, California Custom Fruits & Flavors, said, ECI Software Solutions has proven time and again that they are more than just a vendor and have provided consistent support and reliable solutions that empower our team to focus on what we do best. They are trusted allies who have and continue to enable our business to thrive for many, many years. Luke Pickerill, MonteVista Homes, said, "I would encourage everyone to look at a platform rather than an individual solution. That's what you get with ECI Software Solutions. You get a platform of products that integrate and talk to each other, a support system that cares about the customer, and they care about home builders and the home building industry." Today, ECI serves more than 25,000 customers in over 90 countries and employs more than 2,000 employees and contractors. The companys dedication to technology innovation and customer success has driven its expansion, including 53 strategic acquisitions designed to strengthen its ability to offer industry-specific, comprehensive solutions that empower its SMB customers to remain competitive and thrive in their respective markets. Additionally, ECI has created a positive environment for employees by listening to feedback, making impactful changes and creating various programs to support wellness, growth and community. Led by a set of organisational core values - CODE (crave greatness, own the outcome, deliver awesome, embrace community) - ECI is dedicated to celebrating and supporting its employees. For more information about ECIs news and milestones, visit the companys website. About ECI Software Solutions ECI Software Solutions provides cloud-based business software for running small and mid-sized businesses end to end. Built by experts in manufacturing, residential construction, building supply, office technology, and wholesale/retail distribution industries, ECIs industry-specific software connects businesses and customers, improving visibility, operational efficiency, and profitability. With ECI, businesses seamlessly integrate sales and marketing, business intelligence, CRM, data and analytics, ecommerce, mobile apps, and payment processing. With more than 30 years of industry leadership, ECI is trusted by 25,000 customers in more than 90 countries globally. Headquartered in Westlake, Texas, it has offices in the US, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, and Australia. For more information, visit www.ECIsolutions.com. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) A heavy police presence has been reported near I-69 in Oakland City Wednesday afternoon. Gibson County Sheriff Bruce Vanoven says his office is serving a search warrant at home. Despite rumors online, Vanoven says that the search warrant is not connected to the Andi Wagner case. The Indiana State Police are assisting in the investigation. Vanoven says that one person has been arrested. He went on to say more information will be released soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary, on Thursday said he was completely cleared by police after being accused of sexual assault seven years ago, his first comments on the matter since a police report was released. As far as the media is concerned, I'll keep this very simple. The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared, and that's where I'm going to leave it," Hegseth told reporters at the Capitol on Thursday. Hegseth and Vice President-elect JD Vance were meeting with Republican senators as controversy mounts about misconduct allegations and his hardline positions on personnel policy. Instead of engaging with senators who might be wavering and could upend his confirmation, Hegseth met with some of Trump and Vances closest allies, several of whom offered the strongest defense of Hegseth so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A police report revealed Thursday contained claims that Hegseth had physically blocked a woman in Monterey, California, from leaving her hotel room and took her phone before sexually assaulting her. Hegseth was not charged for the incident, which occurred seven years ago, and Hegseth later reached a settlement agreement with the accuser. Whether the allegations are enough to derail his confirmation is unclear. The GOPs 53-seat majority will allow much of Trumps Cabinet to be confirmed even with some dissension. Hegseths Capitol Hill meetings were overshadowed by the withdrawal of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as Trumps pick for attorney general. The exit of Gaetz, who faced his own sexual misconduct allegations and was seen as a far more contentious nominee, could mean a greater spotlight on Hegseth and his personal issues. It removes the distraction that maybe Trump world thought he would provide for some of the other nominees, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a senior Senate Armed Services member, said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, several Republicans leaving the meetings mostly waved off the accusations to reporters crowded in the hallways outside. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), who was one of the first senators to meet with Hegseth, compared the accusations to confirmation hurdles for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which also concerned alleged sexual misconduct. I shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way, Hagerty said. Its a shame to see a case that was investigated and put aside now turned into some he said, she said thing occupying the media. Hegseth, Hagerty said, is exactly the guy to rebuild morale at the Pentagon. Pete is going to be a shining star, inspiring young men and women to stay in the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said he read the 22-page police report and strenuously dismissed the allegation, noting that Hegseth wasn't charged. He also sidestepped questions about Hegseth paying his accuser. "I don't think there's any way in the world you can say that this was a sexual assault," Mullin told reporters. Mullin argued the report shows "two people flirting with each other," though Hegseth's accuser told police he blocked a door as she tried to leave, among other details. Outside the misconduct allegations, the former Fox News host and Army veteran is facing criticism for his lack of experience running a large organization, for opposing women in combat roles, and promises to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the Pentagon. His nomination is stoking fears about Trumps broader agenda to reshape the Pentagon, including plans to purge senior military officers and prioritize loyalty over expertise and the impact it would have on national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who will hand Hegseths confirmation process off to the panels top Republican, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), when the Republican majority is seated, said there are unanswered questions about the Trump teams vetting process. Responding to reports that the transition was blindsided by the allegation, Reed said they should have known about it. I havent read the [police] report, but what Ive seen in news reports is very concerning, Reed told reporters. It has to be looked at and I think this emphasizes or puts more need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees. Its something we have to pursue and we will in the [confirmation] hearing. Wicker, who met with Hegseth Thursday, voiced cautious willingness to support him and pledged to discuss Hegseths qualifications and the allegations. Asked afterward whether Hegseth was qualified given his thin resume, Wicker said, I think hes up for the job. Thats what I came to talk about today, defense policy and making our country stronger so that we can stay out of wars, Wicker added. I can assure you that what is paramount in my mind is readiness and rebuilding of our neglected military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) said, Thats what the process is for. We're going to have an open committee hearing, Im sure hes going to be asked those questions and he deserves a right to answer. Hegseth, he said, will bring a needed outsider perspective to the Defense Department. Our procurement has been messed up for a very long time, I dont think were being innovative enough, he told reporters. I think ridding our military of this divisive DEI would go a long way in recruiting Im excited about the opportunity. Nov. 20SCHWEITZER VILLAGE, Idaho With fresh snow this week from a bomb cyclone, the ski season at Schweitzer will be off to a good start when it begins Friday. But besides the weather, a lot of changes are happening lately near Idaho's largest ski resort: A new ski-in subdivision. Plans to build a new base for daytime users. And a controversial request to rezone hundreds of acres of property. All this the year after Schweitzer's owner, MKM Trust, sold the mountain resort operation to Alterra Mountain Company, which owns 19 ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada, including Winter Park in Colorado and Crystal Mountain in Western Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MKM Trust meanwhile retained Schweitzer's real estate development arm, now called Schweitzer Mountain Properties. The split has caused some confusion among the public as both companies pursue separate projects. (Schweitzer Mountain Resort rebranded to simply Schweitzer in 2021.) Schweitzer Mountain Properties' newest development is Crystal View, a neighborhood of 21 lots on the west edge of the ski area near the terrain park. The quarter- to half-acre homesites overlook the village at the end of a winding road that crosses two ski runs through an underpass and an overpass. The road was recently paved, and welders were sealing up finishing touches on the bridge as snow began to fall at the beginning of this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Development Officer Lance Badger said it might be the last good opportunity for ski-in/ski-out homes with direct access to the mountain. The build-it-yourself lots start at $750,000. Owners could begin building as soon as spring 2025, Badger said. Crystal View is merely the newest development project in recent years. The Humbird, a 31-room boutique hotel and spa at the center of Schweitzer Village, opened in 2022. Next door, a 26-unit expansion to White Pine Lodge condominiums called 5 Needles was finished in 2023. Badger said there is one unit left for sale. Looking forward, Schweitzer Mountain Properties is asking Bonner County to amend the comprehensive plan map and zoning for about 1,500 acres on several parcels south and east of the resort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a small piece of Alterra property is included in the area, the request was initiated by Schweitzer Mountain Properties, Badger said. The requested changes from agriculture/forestry to alpine designations would allow higher-density development. Theoretically, it could allow up to 5,681 residential and commercial units, according to Project 7B, a nonprofit that advocates for responsible land use planning in Bonner County. Badger said public pushback against the request is overblown. It is mostly an administrative effort to clean up outdated and inconsistent map boundaries to align with a large-scale planned unit development, first approved in the 1980s, that designated the area for future expansion. It is not an attempt to increase density, Badger said. "This is an effort to correct the comp plan to match the existing entitlement documents for Schweitzer Mountain," Badger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that PUD has expired for unbuilt phases, according to a letter to county commissioners from Project 7B and the Idaho Conservation League that cites Bonner County code. Susan Drumheller, a Project 7B board member, said the commissioners should wait to consider the request until after the county finishes updating the entire comprehensive plan in the next few months. Besides concerns about the process, Drumheller said there are questions about environmental impacts and whether there is adequate water supply to support "a small city." "This is more than just a paperwork exercise," Drumheller said, referring to the large scale of the request. "It is hard to believe they don't intend to build a lot more residential units." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney for Schweitzer Mountain Properties declined to specify to the commissioners the long-term vision for the property. Badger said it is important to have flexibility for long-term development planning to respond to the market trends and needs. Development isn't necessarily housing, he said. Development could be for recreation like bike trails and Nordic trails, or simple infrastructure like a utility line or a road. The Bonner County Commissioners tabled the issue after a hearing last month and asked for more documentation. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for Dec. 12. New ski base Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alterra is not planning any new real estate, it is entirely focused on mountain recreation, Schweitzer spokeswoman Taylor Prather said. Schweitzer's master plan envisions a new base camp southwest of Schweitzer Village, called Schweitzer Creek Village. The new area will make the mountain more accessible for daytime users, while lessening congestion for overnight guests. A road turning off from the roundabout south of Schweitzer will lead to a 1,400-space parking lot, effectively doubling parking capacity at the resort. Creekside Quad chairlift, which recently replaced the two-seat lift Musical Chairs, was expanded to connect to the parking lot. The day base will eventually get in chairlifts, including another connection point to the North Bowl portion of the ski area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New ski runs will add green circles and blue squares to the map. "Currently, we only have two beginner trails, so it will add more of a beginner experience for the resort, which we haven't had before," Prather said. Eventually, the base could have a day lodge and other amenities like ski rentals. Preliminary work has been done to cut the new road and parking lot, but there isn't a timeline for when the project will be finished. Prather said he hopes the lot will be open in the next couple of years. Workforce housing Before the company split, Schweitzer embarked on an ambitious project to provide its employees with affordable housing amid an increasingly expensive market in the Sandpoint area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It began with remodeling an assisted living facility into eight shared bedrooms that became known as the Hemlock House. The next project was to build Schralpenhaus, an 84-unit apartment complex in Ponderay that opened a year ago. After the split, Schweitzer Mountain Properties kept Schralpenhaus but continued a deal with Alterra for employee housing. Badger said they have opened it up to housing for other companies and the general public. Schralpenhaus has two more phases planned. The next is a 118-unit addition. The third is an employee day care. Badger said the housing market has cooled somewhat since the COVID-19 pandemic, so the need for the next phase is less urgent. James Hanlon's reporting for The Spokesman-Review is funded in part by Report for America and by members of the Spokane community. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor. Some Trump family members may serve as unofficial White House advisors in his second term. After serving as a senior advisor during Trump's first term, Ivanka Trump will not reenter politics. Charles Kushner and Massad Boulos, Trump relatives by marriage, will have formal White House roles. President-elect Donald Trump's family members may not hold as many formal White House roles in his next presidency as they did during his first term, but they'll still remain important parts of his political operation. Melania Trump will return as first lady. Charles Kushner and Massad Boulos, both fathers of Donald Trump's sons-in-law, will also serve in the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has begun venturing into politics and advising his father on appealing to young voters. Other Trump family members like Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump will remain out of the spotlight. Here's a rundown of how Donald Trump's relatives will or won't be involved in his administration. Melania Trump will serve as first lady, but it's unclear how present she'll be at the White House. Melania Trump. Tom Williams/Getty Images During Donald Trump's first term, Melania Trump fulfilled first lady duties such as planning state dinners, promoting children's well-being with her "Be Best" campaign, and decorating the White House for Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, she was also known to break White House tradition and defy expectations of the role. She made infrequent appearances with her husband on the 2024 campaign trail and declined Jill Biden's invitation to meet at the White House after the election, indicating that she will likely play by her own rules during Trump's second term. CNN reported that Melania Trump is "unlikely" to live at the White House full-time. The Office of Melania Trump did not respond to a request for comment. Donald Trump Jr. will forego a White House role and work for a venture capital firm with ties to Tucker Carlson. Donald Trump Jr. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images Cofounded by former Bank of America executive Omeed Malik, 1789 Capital defines itself as "anti-ESG," which stands for environmental, social, and governance. Instead, it focuses on "EIG," or entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The VC firm has funded former Fox News host Tucker Carlson's independent media company, among other ventures, Business Insider previously reported. Trump Jr. is joining the firm as a partner. Representatives for Trump Jr. did not respond to a request for comment. Trump Jr.'s reported ex-fiancee, Kimberly Guilfoyle, will serve as Donald Trump's ambassador to Greece. Kimberly Guilfoyle. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Guilfoyle advised Donald Trump's 2020 campaign and made numerous appearances at rallies and events in support of his 2024 run. She also served on the 2024 RNC platform committee. Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle have reportedly broken off their engagement after six years of dating, but Guilfoyle will remain in the Trump orbit as ambassador to Greece in Donald Trump's second White House administration . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For many years, Kimberly has been a close friend and ally," Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad." Representatives for Guilfoyle did not respond to a request for comment. Ivanka Trump will not serve as a senior White House advisor as she did during Donald Trump's first term. Ivanka Trump. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Donald Trump launched his 2024 campaign, Ivanka Trump announced that she was stepping back from politics. "I love my father very much," she said in a statement shared on social media. "This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics. While I will always love and support my father, going forward, I will do so outside the political arena." She made a few appearances with her father during the campaign but largely returned to her life as a socialite. In a July interview on the "Lex Fridman Podcast," Ivanka Trump reiterated that she did not plan to return to politics, calling it "a rough, rough business" that is "at odds with what feels good for me as a human being." Representatives for the Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her husband, Jared Kushner, will reportedly unofficially advise Donald Trump on the Middle East. Jared Kushner. Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Concordia Summit Kushner told Axios in February that he would not rejoin the Trump administration as a senior advisor for a second term, but CNN and the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that he would serve as an unofficial advisor, building on the relationships he formed with leaders in the Middle East while brokering the Abraham Accords. Representatives for Kushner did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Jared Kushner's father, Charles Kushner, will serve as ambassador to France. Charles Kushner and Jared Kushner in 2012. Patrick McMullan/Getty In a Truth Social post, Donald Trump called Charles Kushner "a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & interests." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump pardoned Kushner, a billionaire real-estate developer who pleaded guilty to tax evasion and witness tampering in 2004, during his first term. Kushner donated $1 million to Donald Trump's super PAC in 2023. Eric Trump will likely continue leading the Trump Organization. Eric Trump. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Eric Trump has served as an advisor throughout Donald Trump's presidential runs, frequently appearing at rallies and on cable news. He remains the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, overseeing the Trump family's luxury real-estate portfolio as he did during Donald Trump's first term. New York Attorney General Letitia James led a yearslong investigation into allegations of fraud at the Trump Organization. In February, the civil fraud case resulted in a $364 million penalty against Donald Trump and other company leaders. The Trump Organization denied any wrongdoing and appealed the verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His wife, Lara Trump, stepped down as RNC cochair and withdrew from consideration as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's replacement. Lara Trump. Bryan Dozier/Variety via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lara Trump was voted cochair of the Republican National Committee in March after receiving Donald Trump's endorsement. She shared the job with Michael Whatley, a Trump loyalist and former North Carolina's GOP chair. Together, Lara Trump and Whatley oversaw the RNC's platform and funds, further cementing Donald Trump's hold over the Republican Party. Some GOP members, including Alabama Sen. Katie Britt , Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, and Florida Sen. Rick Scott, called on DeSantis to appoint Lara Trump to the Senate seat that Sen. Marco Rubio will vacate if he is confirmed as secretary of state. In December, Lara Trump stepped down as RNC cochair and wrote on X that she'd decided to withdraw her name from consideration for the US Senate, but teased a forthcoming "big announcement." Representatives for the Republican National Committee and Lara Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tiffany Trump only makes occasional public appearances with her father and is expected to remain distanced from politics. Tiffany Trump. Leon Neal/Getty Images Tiffany Trump, a Georgetown Law School graduate, has attended a few campaign events and shared occasional supportive messages and videos on social media but has never been active in politics. Unlike in 2016 and 2020, she did not speak at the 2024 Republican National Convention. She and her husband, Michael Boulos, are expecting their first baby. Representatives for the Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Aside from a few appearances with his wife, Michael Boulos has also not been involved in Donald Trump's political ventures. Michael Boulos and Tiffany Trump. CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images Boulos joined Tiffany Trump at the Republican National Convention and a few Trump campaign rallies in the days leading up to the election, but has not otherwise been involved in politics. Michael Boulos' father, Massad Boulos, will serve as a senior advisor on Middle Eastern affairs in the Trump administration. Massad Boulos. Jeenah Moon for The Washington Post via Getty Images Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman who owns an automotive company in Nigeria, campaigned with Donald Trump in Michigan ahead of the 2024 election in an effort to reach Arab-American voters. In a Truth Social post, Donald Trump called Boulos "an accomplished lawyer and a highly respected leader in the business world" and said he was "instrumental in building tremendous new coalitions with the Arab American Community" during the campaign. While Boulos was widely reported to be the billionaire owner of the Nigerian company Boulos Enterprises, it is owned by a different Boulos family. Boulos previously told The New York Times that his company, SCOA Nigeria, was worth billions. It's actually worth about $865,000, the Times reported. Boulos later said that he was referring to his father-in-law's business ventures his wife's father, Michel Zouhair Fadoul, is a wealthy Lebanese businessman who runs The Fadoul Group. There's also no proof that Boulos is an "accomplished lawyer" as Donald Trump described him. A Business Insider investigation found that while Boulos listed a law degree on his LinkedIn profile, he does not appear to be licensed to practice law in any of the countries where he's lived. "The truth is Mr. Boulos is a highly respected businessman who has proudly served as the CEO of some of his family's group of companies based in West Africa for more than 27 years, and his family has employed tens of thousands of people around the globe," Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt previously told Business Insider in an email, adding that media reports questioning Boulos' credentials were "fake news." Barron Trump could continue serving as Donald Trump's unofficial Gen Z advisor. Barron Trump with Melania Trump and Donald Trump. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Ahead of the 2024 election, Barron Trump began venturing into politics after turning 18, serving as an at-large Florida delegate at the Republican National Convention. In an August interview with streamer Adin Ross, Donald Trump shared that Barron Trump had told him to appear on the show, saying, "Dad, he's really big." While Barron Trump will be busy with his studies at New York University during his father's second term, he may continue offering advice to appeal to young citizens. Representatives for the Trump transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider HONOLULU (KHON2) The Honolulu Fire Department battled a wildland fire Wednesday afternoon that was seen moving quickly along the Leeward side of Oahu. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Motorists reported seeing the fires smoke fill the sky, heading towards Waianae. HFD deployed 17 HFD companies, air assets, and support from Fed Fire and State Crash. The fire was 90% contained just after 6 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews continue putting out hotspots. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (Nexstar) After years of backlogs that have delayed hundreds of thousands of applications for healthcare and food assistance, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is requesting urgent resources from the state to increase efficiency and avoid federal penalties. Nearly 233,000 applications for Medicaid are overdue and out of compliance with federal timeliness standards, HHSC told Nexstar on Thursday. The average wait time for Texas Works Medicaid and the Childrens Health Insurance Program is 71 days nearly a month longer than the federal requirement. It means kids are waiting three to four months before they can go see a doctor, get on medication that would help them, so they can focus and get back at school, said Diana Forester, Director of Health Policy at the nonpartisan advocacy group Texans Care for Children. It creates more emergencies, which is more costly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their biannual legislative appropriations request, HHSC requested more than $391 million for additional staff and technology improvements they say will streamline their processing of applications for programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Childrens Health Insurance Program, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. HHSC whistleblowers on Medicaid, SNAP delays: We need resources | 100K dropped from Medicaid improperly To address the current and ongoing challenges, a series of process, workforce allocation, and systems/technology improvements are needed to effectively manage workload needs and maintain a consistent workforce, the agency wrote in their budget request to the legislature. Without additional funding to come into compliance with federal timeliness standards, HHSC anticipates wait times for clients will continue to fluctuate, and Texas will only meet the federal standards between 60 and 90 percent of the time, which could subject Texas to federal financial penalties. Federal law requires the state to determine eligibility for assistance programs within strict timeframes 30 days for SNAP, and 45 days for Medicaid and TANF. Between 2019 and 2023, HHSC was rarely able to comply with those timeliness requirements. SNAP applications were processed on time in only 5 of those 60 months, and applications for Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities in just one month. Some applicants waited at least 160 days, HHSC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas is failing the most needy Texas families. We need to improve this, State Rep. John Bucy, D-Austin, said. This impacts everyone. Ultimately, when we have a needy family struggling, thats going to impact the workforce, thats going to impact you and me when a huge chunk of us is struggling to get the needs from the government because the governments not fulfilling their obligations, then we have a problem, and it will have ripple effects. Texas Medicaid, SNAP delays could cost state millions in federal funding HHSC has been under a Corrective Action Plan from the federal government since 2020, and they risk financial penalties if they do not come into compliance. The nearly $400 million ask will allow the agency to hire nearly 1,800 additional full-time equivalent positions and overhaul IT systems to speed up eligibility determinations. HHSC: Time to start processing Medicaid applications trimmed amid OT push Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency has already implemented new strategies to reduce the backlogs. Last year, the legislature gave the agency enough funding to hire 642 temporary workers and increase salaries. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is taking all possible actions to provide benefits to eligible Texans as quickly as possible. HHSC has made significant investments in our eligibility workforce to meet workload demands, thanks to funds appropriated by the 88th Legislature, HHSC Press Officer Jennifer Ruffcorn told Nexstar. This funding has been a huge success for recruitment and retention. Ruffcorn said more than 96% of eligibility worker positions are filled, and they have cut vacancies from more than 12% to just 3.5% over the last year. Bucy hopes the legislature gives the agency what they need to succeed, and further implements measures to streamline the benefit application process when lawmakers reconvene in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we cant fulfill this obligation, then were not fulfilling our role as government. And so I would hope that this should be a priority, he said. We spend money on so many other things. Taking care of needy families that are Texas citizens should be at the top of that list. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Researchers at the Zayed National Museum (ZNM) in Abu Dhabi have uncovered hidden text beneath intricate gold leaf patterns on a page of the Blue Quran. This ninth-century manuscript is famed for its indigo-dyed sheepskin pages, gold Kufic calligraphy, and silver embellishments. Nurul Iman Bint Rusli, the curator at ZNM, highlighted the importance of technology in uncovering these hidden layers of history. Only one copy of the Blue Quran is thought to exist and the 100 or so of its known pages have fascinated scholars for many decades." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The advanced technology used to shed new light on this page of the manuscript is helping to provide additional perspectives on the production of this rare copy of the Quran." Technology meets art for revealing Blue Quran's secret Using advanced multispectral imaging, the team revealed verses from Surah al-Nisa that had been obscured for centuries, offering new insights into Islamic manuscript production and the artistry of early calligraphers. The Blue Quran, which dates back to 800900 CE, originally comprised 600 pages. Today, only about 100 are known to survive, scattered across private collections and museums worldwide. The exact origins of the manuscript is debated, with North Africa, Iraq, or Andalusia proposed as possible production sites. What makes this discovery significant is the method used to uncover it. Multispectral imaging, a cutting-edge technology, allowed researchers to detect text and images that are invisible to the naked eye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The analysis revealed that the intricate gold patterns were not purely decorative but served a functional purposeto conceal a mistake by the calligrapher. The error, possibly a duplicated verse, was masked rather than corrected on a new page. Given the high cost of indigo-dyed sheepskin, starting afresh would have been impractical. This method of correcting errors provides a rare glimpse into the decision-making processes of early manuscript producers, a topic seldom explored in Islamic art history. A challenging script Mai Al Mansouri, Associate Curator at ZNM, explained the broader impact of these findings: Zayed National Museums groundbreaking research on the Blue Quran sheds new light on the origins and production of this important manuscript. It underlines the museums role in the cultural and academic life of the UAE and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She emphasized that the discoveries illustrate the manuscripts importance not only as a religious text but also as an artistic and historical artifact, reflecting the interconnectedness of Islamic civilizations. The Blue Qurans Kufic script, one of the oldest styles of Arabic calligraphy, further underscores its historical significance. Characterized by angular, geometric shapes, Kufic lacks the dots and diacritical marks that aid modern readers. Despite its aesthetic beauty, the scripts complexity makes it challenging to interpret today. The museums research into the manuscript contributes to a deeper understanding of early Islamic art and the dissemination of knowledge across cultures. Five pages are set to be displayed in the Zayed National Museums Through Our Connections gallery, which highlights the UAEs role as a center of cultural exchange. The Through Our Connections gallery will explore themes such as the spread of Islam, advancements in materials and technologies, and the development of the Arabic language. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued warnings Tuesday about elevated bacteria levels at seven area beaches, advising visitors to avoid swimming, surfing, or playing in ocean waters at these locations. The affected areas span from Malibu to San Pedro, with warnings covering popular destinations like Venice Beach's Windward storm drain and the Santa Monica Pier. At each location, bacterial levels have exceeded health standards in recent testing. Specifically, the warnings apply to: Big Rock Beach in Malibu (100 yards in each direction from the public access steps) Venice Beach's Windward storm drain area (100 yards up and down the coast) Santa Monica Pier (100 yards in either direction) Ashland Avenue storm drain at Santa Monica South Tower 28 (100 yards in each direction) Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey (full recreational swimming zone) Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro (full recreational swimming zone) Herondo Street storm drain in Hermosa Beach (100 yards up and down the coast) Related: Beach Advisory: Local Sea Lions Are Facing an Epidemic There is some good news for beachgoers: officials have lifted a previous warning for the waters at the Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, near South Tower 20, where water quality has returned to acceptable levels. For those planning beach visits, the county maintains a 24-hour beach closure hotline at 1-800-525-5662. Detailed information and a map of affected locations can be found at PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/. A stunning fossilized world containing remnants of amphibians, skin prints, plants, and seeds was discovered in the melting glacier ice of the Italian Alps. Experts date the now-exposed lost world to about 280 million years ago. The site was found by a hiker over 5,500 feet above sea level. An individual plant or animal fossil is, even by itself, a massive chance to look into the history of our world and its living creatures. So how significant is a whole fossilized ecosystem? Spoiler alert: very. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists are learning that in real time after discovering an entire Paleozoic-era ecosystem, which had previously been hidden under snow and glacier. The paleontological sitelocated in the Orobie Valtellinesi Park in the Italian Alpsis so well-preserved that researchers discovered everything from footprints of amphibians and reptiles and fossilized plants and seeds to skin prints and fossilized raindrops. The very fine grain of the sediments, now petrified, has allowed the preservation of sometimes impressive details, such as the imprints of the fingertips and the belly skin of some animals, Lorenzo Marchetti, sedimentology specialist at the Leibniz Institute for Research on Evolution and Biodiversity in Berlin, said in a translated statement. The shape and size of the traces indicate a quality of preservation and a remarkable paleo-biodiversity, probably even higher than that observed in other deposits of the same geological age. Paleontologists discovered imprints of thin fingers, trails of long and curvy tails, and even ripples of waves on the shores of ancient lakes. The site remained completely concealed (and well-preserved) for millenniauntil, that is, the current rapidly warming climate caused snow and ice to melt away. By 2023, enough of that cover had melted away for hiker Claudia Steffensen to notice some odd marks on the rocks. It was a very hot day last summer, Steffensen told the Guardian, and we wanted to escape the heat, so we went to the mountains. On our way back down, we had to walk very carefully along the path. It was then she saw a rock that struck her has odd, as it seemed more like a slab of cement. I then noticed these strange circular designs with wavy lines. I took a closer look and realized they were footprints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She snapped photos and sent them to Elio Della Ferrera, a nature photographer friend of hers who passed the images along to the Natural History Museum of Milan. From there, a team of researchers photographed and mapped hundreds of fossil traces at the site. they are still emerging on the vertical walls of the area and in the landslide accumulations below, sometimes as high as nearly 10,000 feet above sea level. Dinosaurs did not yet exist at that time, but the authors of the largest footprints found here must have been still considerable in size, Cristiano Dal Sasso, paleontologist at the Natural History Museum of Milan, said in a statement. He added that he believes the site contains examples of footprints from at least five difference animal species. The imprinted steps happened when the sandstones and clays were still soaked in water, Ausonio Ronchi, specialists in sedimentology at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Pavia, said in a statement. The summer sun, drying those surfaces, hardened them to the point that the return of new water did not erase the footprints but, on the contrary, covered them with new clay forming a protective layer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The animal traces are joined by fossilized foliage, stem fragments, and seeds. The Orobic territory is proving to be a large open-air laboratory, Massimo Merati, director of the park, said in a statement. Teams are now using drones and a helicopter to map the fossils on vertical walls and recover certain finds in the unstable landscape, respectivelyespecially as transporting boulders is impossible without the aircraft. The first stone that Steffensen stepped on, which contained the footprints of a prehistoric reptile, was part of the first recovery by air in October. Stefano Rossi, official of the Superintendence of Archeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the region, said in a statement that the fossil deposit could become an important case of study and transform itself into a training ground for researchers and students. You Might Also Like GUEST OPINION: In today's data-driven world, organizations rely heavily on secure, efficient, and user-friendly file management solutions. Beyond storing and sharing files, businesses increasingly demand robust analytics and reporting tools to gain insights, optimize operations, and ensure compliance. Among the leading platforms in this space are Egnyte and Box. While both offer comprehensive solutions, their advanced analytics and reporting features cater to slightly different needs. Lets dive into the details and compare Egnyte vs. Box to help you decide which might be best suited for your organization. Understanding Egnytes Approach to Analytics and Reporting Egnyte is renowned for its hybrid cloud storage solutions, seamlessly integrating on-premises and cloud environments. A standout feature of Egnyte is its focus on data governance and compliance, reflected in its advanced analytics capabilities. The platform's reporting tools provide in-depth visibility into file usage, user activity, and access trends. One of Egnytes most praised analytics features is its ability to integrate with third-party tools such as Splunk and Microsoft Power BI. This flexibility enables businesses to create custom analytics workflows tailored to their unique needs. For companies focused on maintaining regulatory compliance, Egnytes data lifecycle reports and automated compliance monitoring are invaluable. Boxs Strength in Advanced Data Insights Box has built its reputation as a cloud content management leader, focusing heavily on collaboration and integrations. Boxs analytics and reporting features emphasize content usage and collaboration trends, making it an excellent choice for organizations prioritizing team productivity and cross-functional collaboration. Boxs Admin Console provides a centralized view of file activity, sharing patterns, and user behavior. The platforms reporting capabilities shine in their ability to break down activity data by specific users, groups, or departments. For businesses managing remote teams, this feature is particularly beneficial in monitoring how employees interact with shared content. Comparing Customization and Integration Capabilities When it comes to customization and integrations, both Egnyte and Box offer compelling options, but their focus areas differ. Egnytes open API and integrations with tools like Splunk, Tableau, and Power BI make it a strong contender for enterprises seeking highly customized analytics solutions. This is particularly advantageous for industries like healthcare and finance, where regulatory reporting is complex and non-negotiable. Box, on the other hand, excels in its seamless integrations with productivity and collaboration suites like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Salesforce. These integrations allow Box to pull in additional data points for more comprehensive reporting on collaboration and workflow efficiency. Its pre-built templates for common use cases, such as compliance reporting or project tracking, make it user-friendly for organizations without dedicated analytics teams. Both platforms allow extensive API access, but Egnyte's tools lean more toward governance and compliance, whereas Box emphasizes user-centric and collaborative analytics. Security and Compliance Analytics: A Key Differentiator Security and compliance are critical considerations for any organization managing sensitive data. Egnyte places significant emphasis on these aspects, offering tools like content classification, data residency tracking, and automated compliance checks. Its advanced analytics highlight areas of risk, such as overly permissive file-sharing permissions or unencrypted data. Box, while strong in security, focuses more on collaboration-centric analytics, often tied to its advanced security offering, Box Shield. This feature provides insights into security events and user activities while suggesting preventive measures. However, Box does not offer the same depth of compliance reporting as Egnyte, making the latter a better choice for highly regulated industries. Usability and User Experience For users unfamiliar with advanced analytics tools, both Egnyte and Box offer accessible dashboards and reporting templates. However, Egnytes dashboards are often favored by IT professionals for their clean design and drill-down capabilities. Users can easily move from high-level insights to granular details without feeling overwhelmed. Box, on the other hand, is known for its simplicity, particularly for non-technical users. The platform provides contextual recommendations and insights that help users understand trends without requiring extensive configuration. This user-friendly approach is ideal for organizations where employees need quick, actionable insights without diving deep into data. Cost Considerations and Value for Money Analytics and reporting capabilities often come as part of premium plans or add-ons for both platforms. Egnytes pricing is competitive, especially given its strong emphasis on compliance and hybrid deployment. The platforms value increases for organizations that require advanced governance tools, as these are included without the need for extensive third-party add-ons. Box tends to be priced slightly higher, particularly when additional features like Box Shield are included. However, its value lies in its collaborative focus and ease of use. For companies that rely heavily on cross-functional collaboration or operate within creative industries, Boxs reporting features may justify the investment. Which Platform Should You Choose? Egnyte and Box each bring distinct strengths to the table. Egnyte is ideal for organizations that prioritize security, compliance, and data governance, offering robust analytics and customizable integrations that meet the needs of highly regulated industries. Box, on the other hand, is better suited for companies that value collaboration and user-centric analytics. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your organizations priorities. By evaluating your specific needswhether its compliance, security, collaboration, or usabilityyou can confidently choose the platform that delivers the most value. Hopi Chairman Timothy L. Nuvangyaoma breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday as Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, a significant step that sends the measure on to Congress. It's poised to become the largest Indian water rights settlement in history. Nuvangyaoma said Vice Chairman Craig Andrews family is among the many Hopi people who rely on hauling water as their primary source. He noted that this burden would be eased once Congress approves the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act and it is signed into law by President Joe Biden. This is a historic moment for the state of Arizona, tribal nations, and all parties to these agreements. They create a consequential and lasting impact by securing a sustainable water supply for tens of thousands of Arizonans and helping local economies thrive, Hobbs said. Im proud to be a part of this solution that many Arizona families have fought to get for generations. Its a testament to their strength and determination, as well as my commitment to collaborate with Arizonas tribal nations and protect water supplies for all Arizonans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlement act resolves long-standing tribal water rights claims to the Colorado River, the Little Colorado River and groundwater sources in northeastern Arizona. The water infrastructure funded by the settlement will address the critical need for safe and reliable water supplies for members of three tribes Navajo, Hopi and San Juan Southern Paiute ensuring access to clean running water, a necessity all Arizonans deserve. It's been 34-plus years of adjudication in trying to even get it close to where we are at right now, Nuvangyaoma told The Republic. In thinking of our past leaders, our elders have put in the effort also, and it's something we know they are here with us when it comes to finally getting some justice for the Hopi tribe as well as the Navajo and San Juan Southern Paiute tribes. Congress must ratify the settlement before it adjourns at the end of the year. If the measure fails to pass, supporters will have to reintroduce it when the new Congress convenes in January. In July, the bipartisan legislation was introduced by Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., along with other co-sponsors. The settlement, 60 years in the making, began gaining significant momentum in March as the Navajo Nation approached the final stages of resolving its water claims with negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the $5 billion settlement, the Hopi Tribe will gain access to 2,300 acre-feet of water from the Upper Basin and 5,900 acre-feet from the Lower Basin of the Colorado Rivers mainstem, as well as groundwater from the Coconino and Navajo aquifers. Additionally, the tribe will share five washes with the Navajo Nation, subject to an intertribal agreement. From groundwater, the Hopi Tribe will have exclusive rights to all water from the Coconino Aquifer beneath the Hopi Reservation, with pumping limitations at Hart Ranch. On the Navajo Aquifer, the Hopi Tribe will have rights to all water beneath their reservation, subject to an agreement with the Navajo Nation that limits pumping to 5,600 acre-feet per year. We are optimistic and hopeful, said Nuvangyaoma about the settlement as it heads to Congress. Its our future. Its water security. When we were working on this we weren't thinking of ourselves, we were thinking hundreds of years in the future for the generations that havent even come yet. The Navajo Nation is set to receive 44,700 acre-feet from the Upper Basin and 3,600 acre-feet of fourth priority Lower Basin of the mainstem Colorado River, as well as all the Little Colorado River water that reaches the Navajo Nation, all the wash water that reaches the Navajo Nation, subject to shared management with the Hopi Tribe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For groundwater, the Navajo Nation will have exclusive rights to all water from the Coconino Aquifer beneath its lands, and on the Navajo Aquifer, the nation will control all water beneath its territory, subject to an agreement with the Hopi Tribe that limits Navajo pumping to 8,400 acre-feet per year. I want to thank Governor Hobbs for her leadership in helping us reach this historic agreement. I also want to thank the team at the Arizona Department of Water Resources for all of their work, said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren. With their help, I'm confident we can build a consensus with the seven basin states to get this through Congress. Long wait: For Southern Paiute Tribe, water settlement will bring land for a permanent home Not only water, but land The settlement act also ratifies a treaty that grants the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe 5,400 acres of land, ending over 160 years of shared territory with the Navajo Nation. It's a historic milestone, ensuring a lasting homeland for the Paiute Tribe for generations to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnny Lehi Jr., the current vice chairman and former chairman of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, has continued the work his late father, Johnny Lehi Sr., began, securing the ratification of this treaty. Lehi Sr. served as chairman when the treaty between the Paiute Tribe and the Navajo Nation was signed nearly 25 years ago. Its good that Gov. Hobbs will be signing the settlement for us, Lehi told The Republic. Shes been a champion for the Arizona tribes since she came into office. An example is her willingness to work with tribal communities in Arizona to ensure both tribes and the state benefit from these water settlements. I dont think we ever had a governor that was in for that. Lehi said the elders are excited to see this settlement move along because they will be able to witness getting their own tribal lands for the first time, which will improve the tribes self governance. Its going to be a challenge to start from the bottom but this is going to be the foundation for the tribe to rise up, Lehi said. We know this is going to be a sturdy foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two parcels of land for the new San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe Reservation are located around Willow Springs, west of Tuba City, and the Northern Area, approximately 300 acres in Utah near Navajo Mountain, according to the treaty. The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe gained federal recognition in 1989. Lehi noted that the recent media attention to their story has given the community more of a recognition outside of Arizona, and has strengthened and enhanced their relationships with other tribes. The relationship has gotten stronger. With all three tribes in there together, it's creating a different environment, said Lehi. It felt like we were left out for so long and now people are contacting us and wanting to find out more about our tribe. Colorado River: Navajo, Hopi leaders hope Congress acts quickly on water settlement Other water settlements Hobbs also signed the Yavapai Apache Nation Water Rights Settlement Act, which secures safe and sustainable water supplies for the Yavapai Apache Nation, while also preserving and protecting the Verde River. It includes building a 60-mile water pipeline from C.C. Cragin Reservoir on the Mogollon Rim to deliver water to the Yavapai-Apache Nation, providing water certainty to the nation and neighboring non-tribal communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlements will end decades of conflict and litigation for Tribes, cities, towns, farmers, companies, and others that have sought a water rights solution in Arizona state court since 1974," Hobbs said. "To become effective, Congress will need to pass legislation to approve the settlements and provide funding for water projects. After the election, Nygren and Navajo Speaker Crystalyne Curley led a unified call for congressional support of the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, the Rio San Jose Stream System Water Rights Settlement Act and the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments Act of 2023. In addition to Colorado River settlement, the Navajo Nation continues to seek approval for S. 4998, a settlement agreement to quantify the nations water rights in the Rio San Jose Basin, ending four decades of litigation over that basin, and recognize the nation's water rights in the Rio Puerco Basin as well. Both settlements were approved by the Navajo Nation Council in May. The three tribes and other parties within Arizona are unified in support of the Settlement Agreement. For the Navajo Nation, these settlements are about securing the basic water needs of our people and our communities which are long overdue, Curley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arlyssa D. Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs Navajo-Hopi-Paiute water settlement Nov. 20Gov. Kathy Hochul is voicing her opposition to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to reduce hours of operation at 38 points of entry along the U.S. northern border, including four crossings in New York. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced Tuesday that hours will be reduced at the 38 sites beginning Jan. 6 in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency. They say it will allow for customs officers to be shifted to busier ports of entry. Locally, hours will remain the same at area bridges. Impacted border crossings along northern New York include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chateauguay which will reduce its operating hours from 24 hours to 6 a.m.to 6 p.m. Overton Corners will see its operating hours go from 24 hours to 6 a.m to 10 p.m. Rouses Point will reduce its operating hours from 24 hours to 8 a.m.to 8 p.m. Trout River will reduce its operating hours from 24 hours to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. "These adjustments formalize current operating hours that have been in effect for more than four years at 13 ports of entry across the northern border, with eight ports of entry expanding hours," CBP officials wrote on the changes. "A small number of ports will see reduced hours in an effort to continually align resources to operational realities. Travelers who use these affected crossing locations will have other options within a reasonable driving distance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The adjustments were made in close coordination with Canadian Border Security Agency officials, a CBP release noted. The move was apparently not coordinated with the governor's office which is calling on the CBP to reverse its decision. "I strongly oppose the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's decision to reduce operating hours at four crossings on New York's border with Canada," Hochul said in a release. "While the Biden-Harris Administration has achieved measurable success in enhancing southern border security, New York is experiencing a dramatic increase in irregular crossings along our northern border." Hochul noted that New York has already redirected $5 million in federal State Homeland Security Program funding to enhance security efforts along the state's border with Canada, including by purchasing additional tools to support investigations into transnational criminal organizations. Staffing and technological capacity for the New York State Police have also been increased, which includes a comprehensive drone management system and handheld X-ray machines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While these important resources will help keep New Yorkers safe and manage the spike in illegal border crossings, greater federal support is crucial to meet the magnitude of migration we are seeing," Hochul said. CBP officials noted that they continually monitor operations, traffic patterns and volume, and analyze the best use of resources to better serve travelers. CBP officials noted they will be in contact with local and regional officials as well as impacted communities to address concerns. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) A man was arrested in Holyoke on Wednesday in connection with an attempted murder. Holyoke police arrest two in heroin, fentanyl distribution investigation In January 2022, 48-year-old Wilfredo Dejesus Jr. was named as the suspected gunman in connection with shooting a man in the abdomen area on Elting Circle in Holyoke. An arrest warrant was issued for attempted murder, possession of a firearm without an FID, possession of ammunition without an FID, and was considered armed and dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assisted Holyoke police in arresting Dejesus. He was taken into custody on a Fugitive from Justice warrant and faces charges including attempted murder and firearm-related offenses. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Two individuals are facing drug charges following a collaborative investigation into heroin and fentanyl distribution in Holyoke. Holyoke police investigate reported shooting incident, victim identified On Wednesday, the Holyoke Police Department Narcotics Unit, working alongside the Chicopee Police Department and the Western Massachusetts FBI Gang Task Force, executed a search warrant at 170 Hampshire Street. Courtesy of Holyoke Police Department Courtesy of Holyoke Police Department During the search, law enforcement uncovered a significant amount of heroin and fentanyl. As a result of the operation, Yashira Perez, 31, and Jarileemari Opio Bonilla, 23, were arrested and charged with the following offenses: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Possession of a Class A Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute Holyoke Police expressed their gratitude to the Chicopee Police Department and the Western Massachusetts FBI Gang Task Force for their assistance in this investigation. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Homeless shelters in Peoria are preparing for a potential influx of people looking for help with housing. On Tuesday, Peoria City Council voted to ban public camping within city limits in a 6-5 vote. The new ordinance could potentially impact unhoused Peorians, as they would have thirty days to find housing resources. Phoenix Community Development Services is just one option for people facing homelessness. As the deadline approaches right before the holiday season, many people could potentially turn to the organization for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who choose to transition from an encampment to one of its shelters, COO Molly Pilgreen said they need to assess what situations people are in and their eligibility. We know that the folks who are in the encampments are largely folks who either cannot or choose not to go to our shelters for one reason or another. Pilgreen continued, Were looking at who is in the encampments, what their position is on our continuum to master waitlist so we can ascertain who maybe we can swiftly move into housing, who have opportunities, who we can work with to get to a shelter where they may feel safe and secure if theyre willing. Some people face barriers when applying to shelters for the unhoused. Many shelters have requirements about drug use, for example. New Hope Apartments are one of the low-barrier options the organization offers. It mainly targets those who have been unhoused for over a year or are facing severe mental health challenges; regardless of substance abuse, a persons criminal background, any outstanding fines, or their compliance with mental health treatment. As this ordinance takes effect, this complex is currently full. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These low-barrier options can make a huge difference to some, but for others, homeless shelters may not be the right answer. Pilgreen expects people who are not willing or able to go to a shelter will move to more hidden places bouncing around from location to location as they are found. She said, It is, unfortunately, a traumatizing and inhumane process regardless of how you try to make it less inhumane, it just simply does not work. For those who choose to move to a shelter, Pilgreen said, The need is far greater than the amount of resources that our community has. The demand is great, but due to this lack of resources, only 8% of those on the organizations coordinated entry waitlist ever receive help through its continuum of care. According to Pilgreen, the organization relies on funding from home Illinois Funds, and funds that were made available by a bill signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, as well as federal HUD grants. For those facing housing insecurity, or are on the verge of homelessness, Molly Pilgreen suggested reaching out to 211. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have the most up-to-date resources in our area. They can get you connected with agencies that have homeless prevention funding and various other mechanisms to, hopefully, maintaining that housing before they enter our homeless system, Pilgreen 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 CIProud.com. Bruce Seamans got a letter in the mail saying his homeowners insurance policy was being canceled. The letter from Travelers Insurance said the trees around his Sandy Springs home were the reason for the cancelation but gave no option to fix anything. We live in Atlanta. I dont think theres a house in Atlanta that doesnt have a tree hanging over it, Seamans said. They didnt even say, if you take these trees down, were going to renew your policy? Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray asked Seamans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They didnt give me an option. They just said youre done, Seamans said. Lillie Echols received a letter in the mail from Nationwide Insurance. Her letter told her the roof, chimney and driveway of her Southwest Atlanta home needed to be replaced or risk her policy being canceled. They are talking about $30,000 and they wanted it done within a three to four-week timeframe, Echols said. The warning letter from Nationwide contained no pictures or any other kind of evidence of the damage it alleged with the home. I wanted to cry, but I knew if I cried, it wasnt going to help, Echols said. MORE STORIES FROM 2 INVESTIGATES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King told Gray that his office is seeing an increase in cancelation letters to Georgia homeowners. When Im having these negotiations with the insurance companies, they feel that theyre overextended and theyre trying to pull back, King said. But King said insurance companies need to give homeowners the opportunity to make repairs. Were putting notices out to insurance companies that you have to let the consumer take action to deal with the risk mitigation, King said. Even though Travelers gave Bruce Seamans no option in writing or on the phone to keep his coverage, he spent $3,000 to prune and trim trees anyway and sent the evidence to Travelers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is when he also reached out to Channel 2 Action News through the Consumer Action Center. I told them that you were coming out to do this. And about two hours later, they sent me an email saying they had reinstated my policy, Seamans told Gray. Seamans showed us the message Travelers sent him by email agreeing to reinstate the policy. A Travelers spokesperson told Channel 2 Action News that the renewal decision was based solely on the customers remediation of the risk exposure that was identified during our underwriting review. The reinstatement came just days before his policy was set to expire. Now Seamans said he expects to be canceled again next year or the year after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im just waiting for the next shoe to drop, he said. The Travelers spokesperson says We remain committed to the Georgia insurance market. Retention is always our goal, but its balanced with thoughtful and disciplined underwriting. We routinely evaluate our risk exposure and make adjustments as necessary. As for Lillie Echols, roofers had recently inspected her roof and said it did not need replacing. But Nationwide said otherwise. So, the retired senior citizen is cobbling together money for repairs. It puts you in a bind, especially as a retiree, because you cant make up for that bill thats going to be coming. But you got to do something, Echols said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide told Channel 2 Action News that this letter came after an in-person inspection. A Nationwide spokesperson said they continually assess and balance our portfolio based on the level of risk in our books of business. Channel 2 consumer adviser Clark Howard said homeowners need to shop around. Not every company evaluates you the same, Howard said. He said if you have received one of the warning or cancellation letters, you will probably need to make the repairs even if you switch insurers. If theyve said there is something wrong at your house, you fix it before you shop around because other companies may object the same way. But its always a good idea to re-shop your homeowners insurance even if your company hasnt put you on the chopping block, Howard said. AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- It has gone through 10 name changes since it was chartered, but we all know it as MCG. In Novembers edition of Hometown History- Kim Vickers dives into the history of the Medical College of Georgia. For nearly 200 years, MCG has been at the front of education and medical research. It has produced some of the best doctors in the nation but can also claim impressive accomplishments, some of which were ahead of the times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats because it was not regulated by state or national standards or anything, there was a need for a formal medical education for these doctors. Those who wanted to be doctors, explained Renee Sharrock, Curator Historical Collections & Archives at MCG. Dr. Milton Antony Senior, considered the founding father of the Medical College of Georgia, was born in 1789. Dr. Milton Antony. Courtesy of Wellstar MCG. Sharrock said he started his medical education as an apprentice at 16-year-old, moving on to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School three years later. That was the first medical school in the nation. Unfortunately, he cannot complete in time, because it took money and time. But he came back, completed his apprenticeship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Antony practiced medicine in Monticello and New Orleans before coming to Augusta. In 1821, he performed the worlds first successful thoracotomy, a procedure where an incision is made in the chest to access the lungs, heart and other organs. He did it on a 17-year-old boy who may have had a heart tumor. The boy survived the surgery only to die of measles four months later. Hometown History: The Silver Bluffs In 1822, Antony began arguing that medical students werent getting enough medical training, both in the length of their education and the diversity of medicine they were studying. In 1825, he requested that the Georgia state legislature appoint a State Board of Medical Examiners. The request was granted and he became the boards first president. Then he turned his attention to starting a medical school in Augusta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He went to the city council. He made this, you know, we will provide hospital care in the city hospital if you let us have some land where we can establish this medical academy. The old MCG Building. Courtesy: Wellstar MCG. In 1828, Dr. Antony along with Dr. Joseph Adams Eve and several others, began teaching classes at the newly chartered Medical Academy of Georgia at the First City Hospital of Augusta. Seven years later, the school moved into what is now known as the Old MCG Building on Telfair Street. Not much is known about Dr. Joseph Eve. He studied under Dr. Antony, getting his formal degree from the Medical College of South Carolina. Dr. Joseph Eve. Courtesy: Wellstar MCG. He was one, again one of the founding faculty members. He never served as the dean of the school, but he taught obstetrics and diseases of women and children. But he taught up until the 1880s, and he only died like a few months after his retirement, explained Sharrock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Lewis Ford was named the schools first dean and it began with three faculty members and seven students. At the time the Medical Academy only offered a bachelors degree. It was only to receive a medical degree. You only had to have two courses. Two terms of courses, which only lasted from November to February. And they were didactic lectures repeated twice each year. Dr. Antony strongly advocated for lengthening the amount of time medical students should stay in school to 6 month terms, but Sharrock said it didnt go over well. MCG tried to push for that, they tried it for having it extended to six months, but most of the students went to other schools where it only took them four months. And finally the University of Pennsylvania finally set the standard for six months, and MCG kind of gloated to say, Yeah, we told you really should be six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hometown History: The Augusta Canal A year after the start of the school, the charter was changed to expand the curriculum to two years, allowing students to graduate with a doctorate in medicine. The name was also changed to the Medical Institute of Georgia. Old MCG Building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1933, the first 4 students graduated and the state legislature changed the colleges name once again to the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Antony and his colleagues believed that there should be guidelines and a standard of medical education across the nations medical schools. Dr. Robert Nesbit, a professor Emeritus of Surgery at MCG, explained that the schools early faculty was a driving force in the start of the American Medical Association. The American Medical Association originally was involved a good deal in trying to raise the standard of care in the country and involved in medical education, said Dr. Nesbitt. But, that was one of the motives of the AMA and people getting together. And we did have people from here who were involved in that were nationally recognized at the time. Cover of the Southern Medical and Surgical Journal. Courtesy: Wellstar MCG. One other major contribution Dr. Antony made to medicine was starting the Southern Medical and Surgical Journal, the first medical journal to be published in the south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The whole purpose of the Journal was to document cases that would be relevant to all doctors in the practice of medicine, surgeries, any kind of treatments. And most of the articles in this journal were written by faculty members of MCG, said Sharrock. And if your discoveries werent published first- you could lose credit for them. One Georgia doctor lost out on credit for a major medical discovery because the Southern Journal was forced to pause publication because of the Civil War. The use of ether. Dr. Crawford Long, he had used it in his practice outside of Athens, but he did document that he had used it. And a dentist in a northern state, he documented that he had been using it, Sharrock explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Milton Antony died in September of 1839 during an outbreak of yellow fever in Augusta. He is buried on the Old MCG property. After his death, the other faculty worked to continue the Southern Journal and MCG. The Journal was published from June 1836 to July 1867, with pauses after Dr. Antonys death and the duration of the Civil War. Hometown History: Ghost stories and legends Something else that made MCG unique was how well trained its students were in anatomy. The method the faculty used to teach them is a dark part of the schools history. As anyone can tell you, the best way to learn is through a cadaver. And it was a frustration because there was no anatomical board at that time. It was against the law to use cadavers to teach medicine. But you had to. That was the best way, said Sharrock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1852, the faculty bought an enslaved man, named Grandison Harris, to obtain these cadavers for their classes. He was tall, he was strong, but he could also read. And it was his duty- his formal title was Janitor to keep the MCG building clean and in order, explained Sharrock. But he would also, he would read the obituary in the newspapers, and at night he would go out and dig up graves, cadavers, and bring them back to the school for the students to use. Grandison Harris, an enslaved man, was included in many MCG class photographs. Sharrock said they dont know if any of the bodies were returned to their graves, but during a renovation, tens of thousands of human bones and vats with whiskey and formaldehyde were found in the basement of the old MCG building. Hometown History: Dr. Kings final visit to Augusta At one point a lot of items from the old MCG building were stored, including one of those vats. Around the time of World War I the storage facility was cleaned out. And there they found George. When they moved from the old MCG building to this campus, theyd already settled in, the movers were cleaning out things, they found in a vat, this mummified body, said Sharrock. They named the body George. Testing proved that George was a black man around 50 years old, though no cause of death was determined. There has been some controversy over whether George should be buried or preserved. For now he remains at MCG. Hometown History: The Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club Despite some questionable early practices, the faculty at the Medical College of Georgia has produced many incredible doctors and made groundbreaking discoveries over the last 200 years. Dr. Paul F. Eve, cousin to founding member Dr. Joseph Eve, was a highly regarded and accomplished man. Some historians say that Dr. Eve performed the first successful hysterectomy in the United States. Dr. Louis Alexander Dugas. Courtesy: Wellstar MCG. And while he made contributions to education and research- Dr. Louis Dugas also is the reason for the medical library in MCGs earliest Days. Dr. Antony, the rest of the faculty sent Dr. Louie Alexander Dugas, who was one of the faculty members, sent him to Europe to purchase books for the library, equipment for the chemical laboratory and anatomical pieces for the anatomical museum, said Sharrock, The founders sent Dr. Dugas with $6,000 of their own money to buy these books, the equivalent of nearly $200,000 today. The majority of these books were saved over the decades. And the majority of the books in this room, this historical collection archives room, are part of the original library that Dr. Dugas established, she added. Of course, you cant have a group of people working closely without some drama. Sharrock has a favorite story. The drama between Dr. Paul F. Eve and Dr. Louis Dugas about the use of hypnotism or ether as an anesthesia for surgery, because that was a pretty big medical trauma in the 1850s, 1840s, going back and forth about this as to which is the best to use for surgery. Hometown History: Burke Countys two battles of the American Revolution Another MCG doctor who made major contributions to the medical community was Dr. Virgil Sydenstricker, who served as Chairman of the Department of Medicine from 1922 to 1957. The first was regarding sickle cell disease. Dr. Virgil Sydenstricker. Courtesy Wellstar MCG. Sickle cell disease had been described. The sickle cells had been seen under the microscope. But what Sydenstricker described was a complete case report with autopsy findings. And that was the first one of those for sickle cell disease. And he did say that he thought it was an inherited disease, explained Dr. Nesbit. Dr. Sydenstricker also changed how blood transfusions were done, discovering how to store blood rather than a direct transfusion from donor to patient. But the problem was that if you store blood it clots. And the number of things, there werent very many good things you could put in it to prevent clotting that you could then give it back. So, citrate was a very good preservative that allowed you to store blood for a while and give it back and it didnt affect the clotting of the patient you gave it back to, Dr. Nesbit added. Another doctor who was both a student and a professor at MCG who made major contributions to medicine was Dr. Paul McDonough. Dr. Paul McDonough. Courtesy: Dr. Michel McDonough. Dr. McDonough got his education in medicine in Pennsylvania and California before he landed at MCG for his fellowship in reproductive endocrinology. Dr. Nesbit knew him and said that he came here specifically to study under a world renowned doctor. But the reason he was here was Dr. Robert Greenblatt, who is one of the great figures in this school and who was here for a long time and was indeed an internationally recognized expert in in reproductive endocrinology. Both of Dr. McDonoughs sons, J.P. and Miche, became OBGYNs. Dr. Miche McDonough said his fathers fellowship was the turning point in his early career. The formative years were the fellowship, because thats really what sort of navigated himself into, not just doing reproductive endocrinology, which is really the the study of reproduction and the endocrine system, which is kind of all your hormones. He actually took a little bit further and did genetics. Hometown History: Augusta National Golf Clubs African American caddies Dr. McDonough was the first physician in Georgia to perform a procedure that would allow doctors to diagnose babies with conditions before they were born. Because during that time, you know, with babies with Downs syndrome or different kind of chromosome problems, they really had a hard time diagnosing those prenatally. And so he was one of the first to ever do amniocentesis, which is where the physician would take a needle to the fluid around the baby and that fluid can determine the chromosomes, explained Dr. Miche McDonough. He said that Dr. McDonough eventually stepped into Dr. Greenblatts shoes at MCG. Hometown History: Trailblazers C.T. Walker and R.A. Dent Became a professor, ended up becoming head of the Reproductive Endocrinology Department. And from there he taught fellows and he taught probably, I think, over 30 fellows. And that program became sort of the Harvard of reproductive endocrinology. And almost all of his fellows now are either heads of their departments, chairman of OBGYN departments, or have gone on to do very successful things. Left to Right: Dr. Miche McDonough, Dr. Paul McDonough and Dr. J.P. McDonough. Courtesy: Dr. Michel McDonough. Dr. Miche McDonough added that his father led by example, which inspired him and his brother to go into medicine too. To be honest, he did not push medicine on us. I mean, it was really more we watched him by example. He worked hard. Very hard. I think it was more just I saw how people responded to him and that sort of resonated with me. And I said, you know, I can do medicine. You know, hes helping people, you know, so itd be a great opportunity. So I wanted to do that early. MCG has had its roots in excellence from the start. But after the Civil War, medical schools across the country began to decline. Hometown History: The Ridge Peach Festival When Johns Hopkins was founded it raised the bar for medical schools. People were sent out to survey schools to see if they were up to those standards. And Simon Flexner went around to every medical school in the country. Some of them had already closed because he was coming, I think. But he had standards. He used Hopkins as a model, and he had standards and he surveyed each one of them in detail. And he came out with a list of what ones were good, which ones had promise, and which ones ought to be closed. And we were on the list of those to be closed, explained Dr. Nesbit. The Newton Building. Courtesy: Wellstar MCG. Fueled by a desire to continue on, classes at MCG were taken over by the University of Georgia and moved to the Newton building. Over the decades MCG continued to grow and flourish both in the size of the campus and the size of the student body. Now the school, known as Wellstar MCG, is renowned for the doctors educated and the important research done. Its a legacy school leaders hope to continue well into the future. In the modern era, there are all sorts of advancements being made in all sorts of places all the time. I mean, thats the nature of medical research these days. But we have managed to stay at the forefront and up to date, said Dr. Nesbit. There is so much amazing history in MCGs past, we didnt even begin to get to all of it. For example, integration, the College of Nursing and the School of Dentistry. For a full history of the school, go to the Augusta University website. Thats just part of your Hometown History. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Honda has taken a significant step toward advancing electric vehicle (EV) technology with its latest announcement. The company revealed its first demonstration production line for all-solid-state batteries, a key component in its push for carbon neutrality by 2050. This marks a pivotal moment in Hondas efforts to make EVs more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. Carbon neutrality and Honda's battery vision Hondas goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 encompasses all its products and corporate activities. To meet this ambitious target, the automaker is doubling down on electric vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Honda acknowledges that current battery technology must improve to support this transition. According to Honda, EV batteries are the backbone of next-generation mobility. With this in mind, the company is focusing on developing all-solid-state batteries to provide greater driving range at reduced costs. These batteries promise to revolutionize EV performance by addressing critical limitations of existing lithium-ion batteries, such as energy density and safety concerns. Honda is not merely trying to establish a lab-level technology, the company stated. Instead, it aims for mass production of all-solid-state batteries in the near future. Roll-pressing process. The demonstration Line: A glimpse into the future On Wednesday, Honda offered a glimpse into its progress by unveiling a demonstration production line at its R&D facility in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. This facility will serve as a testing ground for the processes required for large-scale battery production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demo line, spanning approximately 295,000 square feet (27,400 square meters), is equipped with advanced tools to replicate mass production workflows. These include weighing and mixing electrode materials, coating and roll pressing electrode assemblies, cell formation, and module assembly. After completing construction earlier this year, Honda has now installed all the equipment needed to verify production processes. Operations on the demo line are set to begin in January 2025. By refining these processes, Honda aims to develop a highly efficient production system that can lower battery costs while ensuring broad applicability for automobiles, motorcycles, and even aircraft. Cell assembly process. Roadmap to mass production Honda plans to launch EVs equipped with all-solid-state batteries in the second half of the 2020s. This milestone aligns with the companys broader strategy to transition 100% of its global vehicle sales to EVs or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by 2040. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To expedite development, Honda is conducting intensive research in two key areas: material specifications and manufacturing techniques. The company believes its cutting-edge battery technology will set it apart in the rapidly evolving EV market. By embracing this innovation, Honda is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable transportation, paving the way for a cleaner, greener future. The demonstration line brings Honda closer to mass production and is an important step toward creating advanced, affordable, and eco-friendly electric vehicles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_laWbMJUfOo&t=1s HONG KONG (AP) Former publisher Jimmy Lai denied that he asked a colleague to draft a list of potential sanction targets in his second day of testimony Thursday at his landmark national security trial in Hong Kong. The 77-year-old founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily pro-democracy newspaper is being tried on charges of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to issue seditious publications. He was arrested in 2020 in a political crackdown following massive anti-government protests in 2019. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. The testimony highlighted WhatsApp conversations between Lai and Apple Dailys ex-associate publisher Chan Pui-man. She was one of six former Apple Daily executives who pleaded guilty to conspiring with Lai to call for sanctions or a blockade or to engage in other hostile activities against Hong Kong or China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lai's lawyer Steven Kwan showed the messages in court after Chan earlier in the trial said that Lai had suggested the newspaper prepare a sanction list after then-President Donald Trump signed a directive seeking to punish those the U.S. government determines have helped to curtail Hong Kongs civil liberties. Lai said Thursday he did not write that message and had just copied and pasted the text he received from a person he suspected was connected with the White House. He said he did not read the full text thoroughly before forwarding it. He said the text "sounds so foreign to me." Kwan said Lai sent the same message to several pro-democracy politicians, including Lee Wing-tat. Asked whether he intended to ask Lee to work up such a list, Lai answered that would be ridiculous. After the security law was enacted in June 2020, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Hong Kong officials, accusing them of cooperating with Beijings effort to undermine autonomy and crack down on freedom in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have used the law to prosecute Lai and other leading activists. Under the threat of the law, dozens of civil society groups disbanded and some other activists were forced into self-exile. Apple Daily closed in 2021 following the arrests of some of its senior managers. Critics say the drastic political changes reflect the freedoms promised to be kept intact in the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997 were shrinking. But Beijing and Hong Kong governments said the law restored the city's stability following the 2019 protests. The court also heard Lai had reminded his staff working on international news not to go against Trump in 2020 when they were hoping Trump would do something to stop the national security law. Lai said he did not interfere with the way those journalists worked until the law loomed. On Wednesday, asked how he thought Trump could help, Lai said a call to China, a call to Xi Jinping, whatever, referring to the Chinese president. He said his newspaper would not be able to survive under the law but he never communicated with Trump. The trial will continue on Friday. By James Pomfret and Jessie Pang HONG KONG (Reuters) - Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai said on Thursday he was against violence and had not sought to incite hatred against China and Hong Kong authorities by calling for protests to defend basic rights, speaking in his second day of testimony in a landmark national security trial. 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 prisoners under a national security law imposed by China in June 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lai is testifying in the same week a Hong Kong court sentenced 45 leading democracy activists to jail terms of up to 10 years under the same law. Under questioning, Lai was asked about three articles, including one he wrote in 2019 in which he warned that if an extradition law was passed, another "June 4th massacre" could happen in Hong Kong -- referring to the killings by Chinese soldiers of demonstrators in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989. Lai told the court he had feared Hong Kong's rule of law would be compromised if a proposed law allowing extraditions to mainland China were enacted, and so called on people to come out and protest. Lai denied seeking to incite hatred against the Chinese government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just convinced them to come out and demonstrate," he told the court. "No, I didn't ask them to, you know, there's no hate here, no hatred here." Earlier, Lai sought to counter allegations that he colluded with foreign forces -- chiefly the United States -- "to impose sanctions or blockade, or engage in other hostile activities" against the Hong Kong and Chinese governments. Lai has pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and a charge of conspiracy to publish seditious material. If convicted, he could face up to life imprisonment under the national security law. He has been detained in solitary confinement since December 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lai was also asked on Thursday about a series of WhatsApp messages he wrote in 2020 in the run-up to the national security law. The messages regarded an executive order by then U.S. President Donald Trump to eliminate special treatment for Hong Kong given moves by authorities to smother the city's autonomy. Lai admitted sending to his colleague and friends via WhatsApp a copy of the executive order. At the time, Trump also said he would impose sanctions on people behind the crack-down. Lai denied asking Apple Dailys ex-associate publisher Chan Pui-man to compile a "shitlist" of Hong Kong officials who should be sanctioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That would be ridiculous," he told the court, when asked whether he asked former Democratic Party chairman Lee Wing-tat to make such list. On the first day of his testimony, Lai denied seeking to use his international connections to influence the policies of other governments, including the U.S., towards China and Hong Kong. Lai also told the court that while he supported peaceful protests, he was against violence of any kind. He also said he went into the newspaper business given his belief in the core values of Hong Kong, namely the rule of law and desire for freedom. "The more information you have, the more you are in the know, the more you are free," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. government has condemned Lai's prosecution and called for his release, with his case shaping up as a possible point of friction between the United States and China when Trump returns to office in January. (This story has been refiled to remove the reference to Signal in paragraph 11) (Reporting by James Pomfret; Editing by Frances Kerry) GUEST RESEARCH : Organisations are reassessing their cybersecurity budget allocations after taking 5.9 months to recover from incidents in 2024 - over a month longer than expected Fastly, Inc. (NYSE: FSLY), a leader in global edge cloud platforms, has launched its latest annual Global Security Research Report, revealing a rise in the time it takes Australian and New Zealand businesses to recover from cyber incidents. In 2024, businesses reported taking an average of seven months to recover from cybersecurity breaches - 19% longer than expected and over a month past the anticipated timeline of 5.9 months. Recovery times were even worse for companies that planned on cutting back cybersecurity spending. They faced an average of 31 incidents each and their recovery times stretched to seven months, more than five months longer than those maintaining or increasing their budgets. With attacks becoming more prevalent and taking longer to recover from, not surprisingly, the report found that 88% of businesses do plan to increase investment in security tools over the next 12 months, a 12% year-on-year rise. However, despite the additional spending, half of the surveyed cybersecurity decision makers (51%) feel that an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape has still left them unprepared to deal with future attacks. Marshall Erwin, CISO at Fastly, commented on the findings, Full recovery from breaches is not getting any faster. The revenue, reputation and time lost damages business relationships permanently and drains resources from other areas of the business. With attacks not diminishing and the possibility of further high-profile slip-ups always present, its crucial that any changes businesses are now making to cybersecurity strategies fit within a holistic plan and arent knee-jerk reactions. Recent global IT outages have also been a wake-up call for security professionals with many now scrutinising their vendor choices and the value of cybersecurity investments more closely. In 2024, 49% of businesses expressed concerns about the reliability and software quality across their security stack and about one quarter (26%) considered changing vendors. In addition, the vast majority of businesses (86%) have changed their approach to testing and rolling out updates in response to major reliability incidents. When it comes to software security, Fastly found that organisations are also re-evaluating how security integrates across their operations. Increasingly, key stakeholders outside traditional security teams, including Platform Engineering teams, are having a say in which app security solutions are being adopted, with more than one in five (22%) saying their organisation's priority was to adopt a platform engineering approach to software security. This is also reflected in a change in culpability, with Platform Engineering teams held responsible for 7% of cybersecurity incidents, only slightly down from CISOs at 12% and CIOs at 8%. Erwin added, Cybersecurity spending is under the microscope as businesses continue to feel unprepared dealing with an evolving threat landscape. We are seeing a shift towards a shared responsibility for security across organisations, with increased focus on embedding security measures throughout all projects. Companies that bake in security and establish strong partnerships with security organisations early in a product development process are in a better position to deal with emerging threats and recover more quickly from attacks. About the research As part of a global survey with 1,800 participants in total, this research surveyed 200 key IT decision makers with an influence in cybersecurity in Australia and New Zealand in large organisations spanning multiple industries. The interviews were conducted online by Sapio Research in September 2024 using an email invitation and an online survey. To access the full report and understand how businesses are consolidating tools and changing their spending habits in the wake of high-profile cybersecurity incidents, visit here. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) An extension of New Hope Drive officially opened Wednesday afternoon allowing Williamson County drivers an alternate way to get home. The City of Cedar Park and Williamson County officials held a ribbon cutting to commemorate the roads opening. The City of Cedar Park said the extension of New Hope Drive is just about two miles long and connects Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Sam Bass Road. The road is located just north of FM 1431. An extension of New Hope Drive officially opened Wednesday afternoon allowing Williamson County drivers an alternate way to get home. (KXAN News/Ed Zavala) An extension of New Hope Drive officially opened Wednesday afternoon allowing Williamson County drivers an alternate way to get home. (KXAN News/Ed Zavala) An extension of New Hope Drive officially opened Wednesday afternoon allowing Williamson County drivers an alternate way to get home. (KXAN News/Ed Zavala) Officials said the completed project was aimed at easing traffic in the area, improving safety and opening up further opportunities for economic growth. They also said that there was more work being done beneath the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are bringing water and sewer service to this area. Theres also, traffic lights, [and] the roadway lighting. So theres a lot that you dont see under the ground, and wastewater service is going to encourage that economic development, Cedar Park Assistant Director of Public Utilities Michael Huber said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. NEWBURGH, Ind. (WEHT) A Tri-State church is planning another trip to help with hurricane relief and even launched a new ministry to widen the impact. Maranatha Baptist Church in Newburgh plans to leave for Ashville, North Carolina on Friday. Until then, it asks for donations for its new disaster relief ministry, Theres Hope. I have seen a lot of disaster relief stuff going down the highway, and I have always wanted to do it, says Robert Brabon, a truck driver and member of the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brabon says the idea came to mind nearly 4 weeks ago. In October, the church packed a school bus and truck full of supplies and drove it through the night to Ashville, North Carolina to help with Hurricane Helene. On the way back, he says he began thinking of ways to widen the impact and keep help coming to those dealing with the aftermath. I was just thinking about it and praying about it and the Holy Spirit laid it on my heart, and I asked to make it a ministry, he says. Theres Hope started collecting donations at the church two weeks ago. His goal is to buy a truck and fill it every other month, before taking it to a place dealing with a natural disaster within 48 hours of it striking. He says he wants to give to anyone displaced or in need during the aftermath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can see it in the news, that there are more disasters. More tornadoes. More wildfires. I dont really have a radius set up yet of how far I will go. If the truck can be loaded, we will go all the way to the east or west coast, wherever the relief is needed, Brabon says. Brabon says they are already answering a call for help. he says they are loading up a bus with supplies this Friday, and making another trip to North Carolina. I cant fill my truck myself, so I need the community to continue to back this and make this ministry grow. I know that with God being in control, he can make this happen, Brabon says. Donations are accepted from 8 to 11 am at the barn next to Maranatha Baptist Church and can be dropped off at the bus anytime next to it. Monetary donations can also be made and earmarked with Theres Hope Disaster Relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updates will be posted on the ministrys Facebook page. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) When a man donning a mask shot and killed another man at the Vancouver Mall last month, it transformed a family-friendly Halloween event into the stuff of nightmares for shoppers. Now, newly-surfaced 911 calls from that night are painting the picture of a chaotic and frantic scene. Tornado warning issued for Washington Coast Gunshots at Vancouver Mall, the first panicked caller says at 7:27 p.m., one of over six dozen 911 calls that would flood dispatchers within thirty minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How many gunshots? A succession of a few. Like 7, 8, the caller says. Multiple callers say the shots originated from the food court, describing a terrifying scene that sends families into hiding in the mall. People running away from the danger would ironically seek sanctuary inside the Twisted Escape Room, where a 16-year-old employee unlocked her doors to let in a distressed family, then locked the doors once again, shortly after shots were fired. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video. Other workers were forced to abandon their posts when the bullets started flying. Everyone in the Jimmy Johns evacuated with everyone else in the mall, one worker says in a 911 call. Everything is open in there, the doors are unlocked and everything, me and my employees are here in my car in the parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heaven spot turned deadly for teen tagger in PNW One woman says her family members were hurt in the shooting. We are in the cafeteria on the second floor of Vancouver Mall. There is a person lying dead on the floor. There are multiple people with gunshot wounds. We need medicine, police immediately, she says. My ex-husband was wounded, hes holding our children. My boyfriends got a shot in his chest. My ex-husband has a shot in the foot and there are casings on the ground. Vancouver police called the shooting, in which one person was killed and two other men were injured, a targeted attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One callers description of the suspect sounds like a horror film. He was wearing a clown mask, yes, with gnarled teeth, a white mask with red on it, the caller says. He pulled a revolver and shot the guy 7, 6 times. Travis Ward, 32, was arrested days after the Halloween night shooting at his apartment. Hes accused of shooting James Perez point-blank, killing him. Oregonians could see a bigger kicker in 2025: Report Police said Ward was with his family before separating, putting on a Halloween mask and following Perez to the food court. Ward is now facing charges of first-degree murder and assault. He will be back in court on Dec. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Iowa Workforce Development manages unemployment claims filed on behalf of Iowans. (Photo by Getty Images, logo courtesy the State of Iowa) A public-hospital employee from central Iowa has been fired after being accused of flipping off and deadnaming a transgender patient. State records indicate Tanya Y. Daniels was working as a patient-access representative at Des Moines Broadlawns Medical Center on Sept. 23, 2024, when a clinic manager fielded a complaint from a transgender patient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to testimony by hospital officials at a recent hearing, the patient alleged that while Daniels was checking her in for an appointment at Broadlawns, Daniels repeatedly used the wrong pronouns and referred to the patient by her previous name a practice typically described as deadnaming. Hospital officials testified the patient reported that she repeatedly told Daniels her correct name and preferred pronouns, but Daniels continued to misidentify the patient by name and gender. The patient eventually became upset and sought help from another employee, at which point the patient looked back and allegedly saw Daniels flip her off by gesturing toward her with an upraised middle finger, hospital officials testified. State records indicate the hospitals clinic manager, Krissy Harlow, informed Daniels of the complaint and asked her what had transpired. According to the hospital, Daniels told Harlow the patient had been mumbling, was difficult to hear, and that the patients behavior was ping her off. Daniels allegedly acknowledged using the patients previous name and incorrect pronouns, stating, I dont know what to call those people. Daniels also is alleged to have told Harlow she did, in fact, flip off the patient but argued she didnt think there was any way the patient could have seen her do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A human resources representative at Broadlawns then reviewed surveillance footage of the incident, which allegedly showed Daniels flipping off the patient off in a manner the patient could see. On Sept. 25, 2024, Broadlawns fired Daniels for violating the organizations code-of-conduct policies. She had worked for the hospital since November 2021. Daniels subsequently filed for unemployment insurance and collected $1,812 in benefits before the case went before Administrative Law Judge Patrick B. Thomas. After a hearing on the matter, Thomas ruled Daniels was not entitled to unemployment benefits due to workplace misconduct. Thomas ruled Daniels had intentionally, repeatedly misgendered a patient who was checking in for an appointment. Moreover, when the patient became upset with (Daniels) and sought help from another employee, (Daniels) made an offensive gesture directed at the patient which was visible to the patient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas found that Daniels conduct in this instance was an intentional and substantial disregard for the emotional wellbeing of the patient and of the employers interests, which disqualified her from collecting unemployment benefits. Because Broadlawns did not participate in the initial fact-finding hearing related to Daniels unemployment claim, Daniels will not be required to pay back the benefits already collected, Thomas ruled. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was unable to reach Daniels for comment. Some hospitals in the U.S. are seeing an increase in RSV and higher levels of "walking pneumonia" among young children despite overall respiratory illness activity remaining low nationally. Cook Children's Medical Centers in Texas reported a "steep increase" in children visiting the emergency room due to respiratory-related illnesses. On Tuesday, at the health system's Fort Worth location alone, there were 572 patients -- a near-record-high number -- in the emergency department. Officials said the increase in hospital visits is due to a spread of RSV and walking pneumonia in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Researchers investigate potential link between RSV and sudden unexpected infant deaths Additionally, University of North Carolina hospitals reported 40 walking pneumonia cases in the last week of October compared to no cases the same time last year. Infectious disease specialists say that although parents should stay alert when it comes to respiratory illnesses spreading, this season also may also be marking a return to typical seasons seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's the calm before the storm," Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, told ABC News. "It feels that there's so much going on that we almost forget about respiratory viruses, but they're very regular. They're kind of falling back into normal pre-pandemic cadence." Pneumonia-associated Emergency Department visits with M. pneumoniae diagnosis graph (CDC) Walking pneumonia seeing cyclical increase So-called "walking pneumonia" is a respiratory tract bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infections are generally mild, and people may seem better than expected for those with a lung infection, hence the term walking pneumonia, the CDC said. Sometimes serious complications, however, emerge requiring hospitalization. For the week ending Nov. 2, the latest for which CDC data is available, 2.8% of all pneumonia-associated ED visits led to an M. pneumoniae diagnosis, up from just 2% at the end of September. Rates were highest among those ages 1 and younger, making up 7.8% of all pneumonia-associated ED visits with an M. pneumoniae diagnosis for the week ending Nov. 2. MORE: COVID-19 infections during 1st wave linked to higher risk of heart attack and stroke: Study Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say mycoplasma infections have a cyclical nature and tend to surge every three to seven years. "Just like other respiratory viruses, there was not a lot of exposure during the pandemic years because of social distancing and people staying away from each other, and so we're catching up to that," Chin-Hong said. "Mycoplasma may also be one of these things where you're kind of seeing the perfect storm. So, it comes back every four or five years and people are getting back to their normal lives." RSV activity returning to pre-pandemic levels Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus with most children affected by their second birthday, according to the CDC. Although it typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms and most people recover in one to two weeks, it can be a serious infection for infants and older adults, resulting in hospitalization, the CDC said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current levels remain lower than those seen at the same time during the past few seasons. PHOTO: A mother holds a coughing child baby in undated stock photo. (Adobe Stock) "While RSV activity is increasing in certain regions, particularly among young children, it's important to remember that we're seeing a return to more typical pre-pandemic patterns," said Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital and an ABC News contributor. "This year's season is starting later and progressing more slowly compared to the past few years, which were marked by earlier and more severe outbreaks," he added. Brownstein pointed out that while national levels remain low, certain regions in the southern U.S. and eastern U.S. are seeing localized surges, especially among young children. When to go to the emergency room Chin-Hong said if symptoms are mild, including low-grade fever, dry cough, sore throat, headaches and mild aches and pains, parents can keep their children home and contact their primary care provider with any questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, when symptoms become more severe including difficulty breathing, a long-lasting fever or lethargy, then it might be time to visit the emergency room. MORE: Pediatric pneumonia cases are on the rise. Heres what parents should know If you have "a child who's having a cough for more than seven days and maybe they're not shaking that off, then you worry about something like walking pneumonia," Chin-Hong said. How to prevent RSV and walking pneumonia To prevent RSV, there are three vaccines approved for adults ages 60 and older as well as some adults between the ages 50 and 59 who are at higher risk. There is also a vaccine available for pregnant women between 32 weeks and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For babies under eight months, there are two monoclonal antibody products available. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins manufactured in a lab that mimic the antibodies the body naturally creates when fighting an infection. "For walking pneumonia. or mycoplasma, there's no vaccine for that, but by getting vaccines for RSV, COVID [and] influenza, you reduce the probability of co-infections that can make things worse," Chin-Hong said. PHOTO: A box of RSV vaccine is displayed at a pharmacy in New York, Sept. 24, 2024. (Mary Conlon/AP) Experts also recommended applying lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as wearing a mask in spaces with poor ventilation. "Practicing good hygiene, like frequent hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes, remains essential in preventing the spread of respiratory infections," Brownstein said. Some hospitals seeing increase in RSV, 'walking pneumonia.' Here's what to know originally appeared on abcnews.go.com DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local nonprofit organization is asking the public for donations for visiting guests. House of Bread is looking for donations of blankets to distribute to those in need. We currently have a good supply of gloves and socks, thanks to generous donations, but the people we serve need Blankets, said House of Bread. To drop off donations, please visit 9 Orth Ave. in Dayton. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (WCBD)- A group of House Democrats and multiple nationwide advocacy groups are urging President Biden to grant clemency to potentially thousands of incarcerated people as the final months of his presidency wind down. Reps. Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Jim Clyburn (S.C.), and Mary Gay Scanlon (Penn.) asked Biden in a Nov. 20 letter to use his clemency authority to rectify unjust and unnecessary criminal laws passed by Congress and draconian sentences given by judges. The letter was signed by more than 60 House members. Specifically, the letter requests pardons and commutations to help broad classes of people, and cases including those who are elderly and chronically ill, on federal death row, and women who were incarcerated for defending themselves against abusers or coerced into crimes while in abusive relationships, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mass incarceration crisis is one of our countrys greatest failures, Pressley said during a Wednesday afternoon press conference outside the Capitol. President Biden can use clemency as a tool to put thousands of people on a pathway to healing and reunification with their families. Trumps pardon power looms over judges in Jan. 6 rioter cases There are almost two million people currently incarcerated in prisons and jails across the country and nearly three-fourths of federal prisoners are serving time for a non-violent offense, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. Those housed within in the prison system are disproportionately people of color, poor, identify as LGBTQ, or have disabilities, the lawmakers noted in their letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mass incarceration attacks the most vulnerable Americans, thereby destabilizing families and inflicting intergenerational trauma, they wrote. Biden has granted 25 pardons and commuted more than 130 sentences since assuming office in 2021, data from the Justice Department shows. Last December, he pardoned thousands of individuals who were convicted of use and simple possession of marijuana on federal lands. In June, he pardoned former U.S. service members convicted of violating a now-repealed military ban on gay sex. Were here today to ask him to take another step in that direction and to demonstrate, once again, the very positive consequence of his having been elected our 46th president, Clyburn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawmakers said they have not yet received a response from the White House. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. WASHINGTON (AP) The U.S. House passed legislation Thursday that would give the Treasury Department unilateral authority to strip the tax-exempt status of nonprofits it claims support terrorism, alarming civil liberties groups about how a second Trump presidency could invoke it to punish political opponents. The bill passed 219-184, with the majority of the support coming from Republicans who accused Democrats of reversing course in their support for the common sense proposal only after Donald Trump was elected to a second term earlier this month. Speaking on the House floor ahead of the vote, Rep. Jason Smith, GOP chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said his colleagues across the aisle would still be supporting the bill had Vice President Kamala Harris won the presidential election. And we, as members of Congress, have the duty to make sure that taxpayers are not subsidizing terrorism, the Missouri lawmaker said. Its very, very simple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the proposal has drawn concern from a range of nonprofits who say it could be used to target organizations, including news outlets, universities, and civil society groups, that a future presidential administration disagrees with. They say it does not offer groups enough due process. This bill is an authoritarian play by Republicans to expand the sweeping powers of the executive branch, to go after political enemies and stifle political dissent," Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said on the House floor ahead of the vote. Critics also see it as redundant as it is already against U.S. law to support designated terrorist groups. The proposal, which now goes to the Democratic-controlled Senate where its fate is uncertain, would also postpone tax filing deadlines for Americans held hostage or unlawfully detained abroad. The bill would create a new category of terrorist supporting organizations, according to an analysis by the Congressional Research Service of a previous version of the legislation. This category is defined as any organization the Treasury Secretary designates as having provided material support to a terrorist organization in the past three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We think this legislation is an overreach, said Jenn Holcomb, vice president of government affairs at the Council on Foundations. It would allow the Secretary of the Treasury to designate a 501c nonprofit as a terrorist organization at their discretion. And our concern is it doesnt have enough in there to really ensure that a nonprofit understands the reasoning that a secretary designated as such. The bill would give a nonprofit designated as a terror-supporting 90 days to appeal that designation. Nonprofits like the American Civil Liberties Union have said that the bill does not require that the Secretary of Treasury disclose all the evidence that was used to make the designation. The bill text outlines how the Treasury must send a description of such material support or resources to the extent consistent with national security and law enforcement interests. In a joint statement with the Independent Sector, National Council of Nonprofits, and United Philanthropy Forum, the Council on Foundations also said the bill would shift the burden of proof to the nonprofit, and even if an organization was eventually cleared, the nonprofit would risk irreparable damage to their operations and reputation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it were to become law, the bill could apply to a range of nonprofits, including membership organizations, unions and private foundations. A version of the bill was first introduced after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the House passed a previous version of the bill in April, including with the support of some Democrats. The bill was also brought up for a vote last week but failed to garner a two-thirds majority required under the suspension of the rules. Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American representative in Congress, said Thursday before the vote it would be her third time voting against the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont care who the president of the United States is, she said. "This is a dangerous and unconstitutional bill that would allow unchecked power to target nonprofit organizations as political enemies and shut them down without due process. ___ Thalia Beaty reported from New York. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and non-profits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. Getty Images On the same day that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) officially banned trans women from bathrooms in parts of the U.S. Capitol, people gathered across the world to mark Trans Day of Remembrance, including several dozen people who turned out Wednesday for an event held at the Howell Carnegie District Library. The vigil was among at least half-a-dozen held across Michigan, to honor the memory of those transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. According to the Human Rights Campaign, at least 28 transgender or gender expansive people have been victims of a violent death in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pictures and biographies of each of those victims hung along one wall of the librarys meeting room, an ever present-reminder of the humanity behind the statistics. Pictures of trans individuals who were killed by acts of violence in 2024 at a Trans Day of Remembrance vigil held at the Howell Carnegie District Library. Nov. 20, 2024. Photo by Jon King Organized by Queer Families of Livingston, the event was kicked off by Howell Mayor Bob Ellis, who greeted those in attendance. I think its tragic that weve lost so many people this year, but its also a time that we can get together as a community and show our love and support and provide some amount of hope that things will get better. I think things have improved to some extent. Things may look dark right now, but Im optimistic that this is a temporary reversal and things will continue to get better, said Ellis. One of those speaking was Daily Andrews, the director of clinical services for Stand with Trans, who acknowledged that the group gathered at a time of rising anxiety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know that theres a lot of fear, a lot of stress, a lot of worry. I know, personally, as a trans, non-binary, queer person thats gay married, they said. I also am very stressed, but I also have had a lot of hope and care from a lot of people in the community, because weve been resilient, weve overcome a lot, and our existence is joy and our joy is resistance. Andrews, who noted that over 41% of transgender Americans have also attempted suicide in their lifetime, a rate thats nine times higher than their cisgender peers, spoke about legislation across the country that targeted trans individuals and made them vulnerable, including bathroom bans, but more importantly bills to ban gender affirming care. They continue to just put these bills up and just kind of throw them at the wall and hope that one sticks, said Andrews. And its really discouraging, and its really scary. But again, were still here. Daily Andrews with Stand with Trans at a Trans Day of Remembrance vigil held at the Howell Carnegie District Library. Nov. 20, 2024. Photo by Jon King They encouraged the audience that as they entered the holiday season to, when possible, push back against the misinformation they might hear from their own family members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It can be really hard to sit next to your transphobic aunt, but I think that it is an opportunity to challenge, when they start saying, Oh, you know, those trans people, they just go to the hospital and leave the same day with hormones and surgery and youre like, Thats not real. That doesnt happen. Some people will listen, some people wont, but I think challenging some of that rhetoric and challenging peoples perspective is important, said Andrews. Picking up on that theme was 18-year-old Jamey Farmer, a freshman at the University of Michigan, who spoke about his journey toward fully realizing who he is authentically and not letting others, including family members, define who they are. I didnt even fully identify with being a man, which led to me realizing that I could still use he/him pronouns and still present, not just stereotypically masculinely, but however I wanted, and present not just stereotypically masculinely, but however I wanted, and it didnt mean anything, said Farmer. It didnt make me one way or another. It just made me me. Now I dont even use labels outside of queer spaces. Now Im just me. Im Jamey, and I think it suits me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Afterward, Farmer told Michigan Advance that he somewhat struggled with telling his personal story at an event focused on loss and remembrance. The hard part was trying to find the balance between telling my own story and uplifting the voices of the people that I was there to celebrate and to look back upon and support, he said. I think that I was really scared about talking too much about myself and taking the attention away from the reason why were here, which are the trans folks and trans youth that weve lost. But at the same time, I thought that it was important that these perspectives be heard. Farmer also felt it was important to talk about the personal struggle that often comes with one finding their identity, and not as is often presented, something that is decided on a whim. Jamey Farmer speaking at a Trans Day of Remembrance vigil held at the Howell Carnegie District Library. Nov. 20, 2024. Photo by Jon King It was an identity that formed over years of my life. And even in the beginning when I first started to come out, it wasnt just, Oh, I think I want to be a boy. Hi, guys. Im a boy. It was something that I had been ruminating on and agonizing over for months, about if I knew how I truly wanted to present. So then, oftentimes from the outside, it can seem like such a sudden switch, but you dont know about the internal battle that happens and the internal work that has to happen in order to get to a place where you can confidently say that you have a different identity than what everyone else around you perceives you as happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trans Day of Remembrance, held annually on Nov. 20, began in 1999 to honor the life of Rita Hester, a transgender African American woman who was murdered the year before in Allston, Massachusetts. In the intervening two-and-a-half decades, the day has since become an international observance. In 2012, Barack Obama became the first president to officially acknowledge the day, and while that did not continue during the Trump administration, it returned under President Joe Biden, who again issued a statement Wednesday marking the occasion. There should be no place for hate in America and yet too many transgender Americans, including young people, are cruelly targeted and face harassment simply for being themselves. Its wrong, said Biden. My Administration has taken significant action to strengthen the rights and protect the safety of all Americans, including working across the federal government to combat violence against transgender Americans. Hows mom?: Trump, a longtime acquaintance of the Marcos family, asked, How is Imelda? prompting Marcos to relay her regards. The exchange highlighted Trumps familiarity with the Philippines, where the former first lady remains a polarizing figure. Imelda, now 95, was sentenced in 2018 to at least 42 years in prison for diverting government funds into private Swiss foundations during her tenure as Metro Manila governor and minister of human settlements under martial law, a period marked by her husband Ferdinand Marcos Sr.s authoritarian rule. Despite the conviction, her advanced age and health have kept her from serving jail time. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) gave an update on police shootings at a Police Commission meeting today, revealing that there have been seven police shooting incidents so far this year, four of which were fatal. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The commission raised concerns about the lack of information provided to the public following such incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carrie Okinaga, a member of the Honolulu Police Commission, expressed frustration over the standard response of under investigation when details are sought. Unearthed, Honolulus streetcar history: Preserve or pave a link to Hawaiis past? Its like, Oh great, how long is that going to be?' Okinaga said. Is there anything that can be disclosed along the way to help the public understand? Lieutenant Brandon Nakasone of HPD responded, explaining that initial information shared with the public is typically based on what is known at the time. As the investigation unfolds, things might develop, but in most cases, its pretty much what were given at the outset, Nakasone said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news HPD also outlined the procedures that follow a police shooting, including actions taken at the scene, the ongoing investigation, and the administrative review process. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Days after a human skull and bones washed ashore on a beach in Palos Verdes Estates, authorities are still trying to identify the decedent and the cause of death, officials said. A passerby found the skull and a bone in the low-tide shoreline at Rat Beach in the 300 block of Paseo Del Mar sometime around 3 p.m. on Saturday, the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department announced in a news release. When police arrived on scene, they found more bones in the area and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office was called to assist in the investigation. The Medical Examiner's office confirmed the bones were human but have not determined the identity of the person or cause of death, according to acting Cpt. Aaron Belda with the Palos Verdes Estates police. There is no additional information regarding the discovery, but Belda added there is no threat to the general public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials are not ruling out homicide, but the investigation is ongoing. "The course of the investigation could change depending on the coroner's report," Belda said Thursday. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Thirty Chihuahuas have been taken in by the Humane Society of Cambria County after their owners sudden death in Johnstown. The dogs added to the already overcrowded conditions at the animal shelter. Their intake required the shelter to be temporarily closed to the public Tuesday. The shelter at 743 Galleria Drive Extension in Richland Township reopened Wednesday with all 30 dogs, including many puppies, appearing healthy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnstown Police Capt. Chad Miller said police were dispatched to a Kernville residence Tuesday afternoon for a welfare check and found a man who had died unexpectedly from a medical issue, he said. It was an unfortunate situation, he said. Humane Society of Cambria County Executive Director Kelli Ruiz said Johnstown police called the humane society at 2 p.m. Tuesday upon finding the Chihuahuas in the basement of the home. The humane societys headquarters were closed to the public as all of its 17 staff members worked to prepare for the intake of the 30 Chihuahuas. Ruizs personal office hosts the mother and several of her week-old puppies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres not an office in the building that isnt filled with animals, she said. The humane society now houses 180 animals, including the 30 Chihuahuas and about 30 others rescued within the past week. We should have 76 animals, she said. There is a crisis of people abandoning their animals and neglecting them. The crisis is the reason why, for the past two years, the Humane Society of Cambria Countys animal control contract with the city of Johnstown has been dissolved. We couldnt keep the contract where animals would be brought in, Ruiz said. In addition, because of the overcrowded conditions, the humane society has set a policy that all visitors from the public must fill out an application online in order to visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the amount of animals, we dont want them to be stressed out by seeing too many visitors at once, she said. The application takes five minutes to fill out, and is good for six months. The intake process for the Chihuahuas includes vaccinations, flea and tick medications and a full examination by humane society staff or a veterinarian. After the intake process is complete, the dogs will be up for adoption or transferred to another shelter. But every rescue shelter in the state is up to capacity, Ruiz said. Ruiz said she believes the owner was illegally breeding the dogs and selling the puppies. They all seem to be healthy at this point, but we are not done with the intake process and getting them vetted, she said. Hungarian Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky has ordered the deployment of air defence in the areas of Hungary closest to the border with Ukraine, citing fears of escalation after Ukraine was authorised to use Western-supplied weapons to strike deep into Russian territory. Source: Hungarian news website Telex, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Hungarian defence minister said on Facebook that he had ordered the deployment of air defence systems in the northeast of the country, explaining that the scale of the Russo-Ukrainian war is "larger than ever, and the war has entered the most dangerous phase". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He attributed this, in particular, to the lifting of long-range restrictions for Ukraine and linked it to Putin's approval of an updated nuclear doctrine, in which Russia expanded the possible conditions for the use of nuclear weapons (Putin announced this step in late September). Background: Last weekend, when several Russian missiles were shot down near the border with Hungary in the Carpathian Mountains, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reacted by saying that it was necessary to step up efforts to bring peace. Following the news of the lifting of long-range missile use restrictions for Ukraine, Szijjarto accused the current US administration of attacking the new reality that has emerged after Donald Trump's election victory and threatening to expand the war. After Ukraine's first strikes, supposedly with Western-supplied missiles deep into Russian territory, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban convened a meeting of the Defence Council to discuss the threat of war escalation. Support UP or become our patron! Hungary is deploying air defense systems near the Ukrainian border, citing increased risks after the West allowed the use of long-range weapons inside Russian territory, Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Nov. 20. The minister ordered the deployment of air defense systems in the country's northeastern regions, saying that "the war has entered its most dangerous phase." Szalay-Bobrovniczky attributed this escalation namely to the easing of restrictions on Ukrainian strikes with Western arms and linked it to Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval of an updated nuclear doctrine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This decision comes after two Russian missiles were shot down on Nov. 17 in Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine's westernmost region bordering Hungary and home to an estimated 75,000 ethnic Hungarians. On that occasion, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that it was necessary to "strengthen efforts to bring peace" as "each day brings with it the risk of escalating war." Budapest has consistently criticized and obstructed Western military support for Ukraine, claiming it would lead to an escalation, and has maintained warm ties with Moscow throughout the full-scale war. Previously, Russian drones and missiles launched during strikes on Ukraine have crossed into the airspace of other countries, namely Poland, Latvia, Romania, Moldova, and Belarus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest development in Hungary follows a series of increasingly strong resolutions by Ukraine's Western allies. After U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged that the Biden administration would bolster support for Kyiv before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden on Nov. 17 allowed Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles to strike deep inside Russian territory. Ukraine reportedly used ATACMS missiles to strike a Russian military arsenal in Bryansk Oblast on Nov. 19 and allegedly also used U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow on Nov. 20, marking the first instance of these weapons being used on Russian soil. Other Western allies have expressed their position on their own supplied weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Nov. 18 that Paris "remained open" to allowing Ukraine to use French long-range missiles to strike military targets inside Russia, reported Le Monde. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that she "understands" the U.S. response to Russia, but Rome makes a "different choice" and focuses on air defenses for Ukraine. Read also: Polish FM criticizes Hungary for supporting Russian aggression Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Huntersville student is recovering after police say he was stabbed in the eye with a comb pick at J.M. Alexander Middle School by another student. Police say what a student brought to school wasnt anything out of the ordinary, but what shes accused of doing with it was. It was not (considered) a weapon on campus, said Brian Vaughan, assistant police chief of the Huntersville Police Department. Its not a normal thing to happen at school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say two students got into an argument in the hallway at J.M Alexander Middle School on Tuesday. Students evacuated from Rowan County high school after gas leak No one else was involved. It was only the boy and girl. Police say the girl grabbed the comb pick and jabbed it in the boys eye. No different than an adult, that if you need help, we would expect that you call the police for the help that you need and not try to take matters into your own hands, said Vaughan. The boy was rushed to the hospital. Officials say his injuries are not life-threatening. The girl was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was taken to the Cabarrus Juvenile Detention Center in Concord. Police say this is a rare, isolated situation and parents shouldnt worry about safety. The Huntersville schools that are specific to us are very safe schools and we have a great working relationship with the staff at those schools and its important that we maintain that, said Vaughan. Police say the school resource officer investigated some social media rumors of possible threats of retaliation related to the stabbing, but none of them were credible. Investigators encourage people to always report those concerns so authorities can check them out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Police in Hutchinson are continuing to search for two missing 17-year-olds last seen earlier this year. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released missing person reports for Luciano Ruiz and Tyrone Robinson, both age 17. Ruiz was last seen on Aug. 28 as he was leaving the 1300 block of Jefferson Street Southeast in Hutchinson on foot. He is described as 56 and weighing 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson was last seen on April 27 leaving the 800 block of Dale Street Southeast in Hutchinson on foot. He was reportedly wearing a colorful coat, red hat, black pants and white shoes at the time. Robinson is 511 and weighs 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the location of either teen is encouraged to call the Hutchinson Police Department at (320) 587-2242. This is the proof, if one were needed, that our great international institutions have been perverted beyond comprehension. The International Criminal Courts decision to issue an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, discredits the entire concept of international courts and international justice. The moral inversion is staggering. The Israeli leadership is being pursued for crimes against humanity and war crimes a preposterous claim given that they had to launch a war in self-defence against the worst anti-Jewish pogrom since the 1940s. Hamas are the war criminals. A system of international law set up to ensure that the Holocaust could never happen again has been weaponised to delegitimise the worlds only Jewish state and seek the arrest of its prime minister for the crime of seeking to prevent another shoah. A Hamas leader was similarly arraigned, but there is no moral or legal equivalence between a democracy seeking to protect its citizens and armed groups whose aim is the eradication of a country and its people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels necessary invasion of Gaza has tragically led to civilian casualties. All of these deaths are heartbreaking, though the civilian to combatant ratio which is hard to gauge accurately given the propaganda and the need to strip out terrorist deaths is dramatically lower than in other modern urban conflicts, including those involving the West. Hamas wants civilians to die: it uses them as human shields. The terror group is morally responsible for all of the death and destruction in Gaza. We are fast moving to a world where the right to self-defence is robbed of any meaning, where it is only tolerated if zero civilians are harmed, which of course is impossible. To Left-wing international lawyers, the casualties caused by the Allied advance across Europe in 1944/5 would surely now count as a war crime. D-Day led to the deaths of many French civilians it too would have been deemed unlawful by these delusional, moral arbiters. Mr Netanyahu will now be unable to travel to countries that are ICC signatories, including the UK. In the Commons Sir Keir Starmer repeated his view that Israel had a right to self-defence and yet the British Government has egged on the ICC. In one of his first acts as Foreign Secretary, David Lammy announced that the UK would no longer oppose the ICCs initial move against Israel. The British Government has behaved disgracefully. Doubtless the mullahs in Iran will be delighted. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Bloomberg) -- The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip, adding to pressure on the countrys leadership over the conduct of its military campaign against Hamas. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hague-based courts announcement on Thursday followed a request by the ICCs chief prosecutor to judges in May, and relates to Israels ongoing war against the Iran-backed militant group. The court also issued warrants for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, who Israel says was killed in Gaza months ago. The Israeli government has repeatedly denied the allegations and said its operations against Hamas designated a terrorist organization by the US comply with international laws. Israel rejects the absurd and false actions and accusations, Netanyahus office said in a statement after the warrants were issued. No anti-Israel decision will prevent Israel from protecting its citizens. Many of Israels Western allies, including the UK, France, Germany and Canada, are ICC signatories. That means theyre obligated to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they visit but theres nothing that would force such a move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dutch and Canadian leaders signaled they would respect the warrants. At the same time, Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the ICC decision was shameful and Argentinas President Javier Milei expressed profound disagreement. But both the Netanyahu allies stopped short of saying they would ignore the warrants. The US, Israels main backer, isnt a signatory and has rejected the courts authority. The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous, President Joe Biden said. Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence none between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the prosecutor failed to give Israel a meaningful opportunity to engage and cited troubling process errors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel wants the Biden administration to take a tough line on the ICC and impose sanctions that would ban its personnel from the US, among other steps, according to an Israeli official who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. If Biden doesnt act, Israel hopes President-elect Donald Trump will. Other ideas being discussed include sanctioning countries that accede to the ICCs arrest warrant, the official said. Representative Michael Waltz, who Trump has chosen as his national security adviser, responded to the ICCs announcement by saying the court had no credibility. You can expect a strong response to the anti-Semitic bias of the ICC in January, when Trump enters office, Waltz said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel went to war with Hamas after the militant group raided the south of the country on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 hostage. Around 44,000 people have been killed in Israels subsequent offensive in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health authority in the Palestinian territory, which doesnt distinguish between combatants and civilians. The warrants were for crimes against humanity and war crimes, the court said. Those include starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. Much of Gaza has been destroyed and the conflict has triggered protests in the US, Europe and Arab world. The United Nations says theres a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, adding that aid organizations are struggling to provide enough assistance. The US and other countries have urged Israel to allow in more food, medicine and fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right to Defend Israels President Isaac Herzog said the ICC decision failed to account for the plight of the roughly 100 hostages still held by Hamas and the groups use of civilians as human shields. It ignores the basic fact that Israel was barbarically attacked and has the duty and right to defend its people, Herzog said on X. It ignores the fact that Israel is a vibrant democracy, acting under international humanitarian law, and going to great lengths to provide for the humanitarian needs of the civilian population. The ICC has jurisdiction over only those states that are signatories to its founding treaty. Israel, like China, the US and Russia, are among countries that are not signatories, while the State of Palestine comprising Gaza and the West Bank is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court rarely issues warrants against sitting leaders. Last year, it issued one for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes related to the alleged deportation of children from Ukraine. While it has made Putin wary of traveling to signatory countries, in September he did visit Mongolia, which faced international criticism for failing to enforce the warrant. Earlier this year, the ICC prosecutors office ordered an end to attempts to threaten court officials, without specifying who is trying to interfere in its investigations. --With assistance from Alisa Odenheimer, Marissa Newman, Zoltan Simon, Greg Sullivan, Dan Williams and Romy Varghese. (Updates with Biden statement in eighth and ninth paragraphs.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The News The International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Israeli military claimed to have killed Deif during an air strike in Gaza in July but the ICC said it could not confirm reports of the commanders death. The court unanimously rejected attempts by Israel to appeal its jurisdiction, saying that there were reasonable grounds to believe the Israeli politicians were co-perpetrators of the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also found reasonable grounds to allege that Deif was responsible for various crimes against humanity and war crimes, including torture, extermination, and sexual violence. Netanyahus office condemned the courts ruling as antisemitic, while Hamas said the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant set an important historical precedent. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan first sought arrest warrants in May against Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Deif. Sinwar was killed last month. The View From Israel Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute and has long accused the International Criminal Court of antisemitism. In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said that Israel utterly rejects the charges against the prime minister and former defense minister, adding that its war against Hamas in Gaza was just, and Israel would continue fighting until its objectives were achieved. The View From The Middle East Hamas called on the court to expand the scope of accountability to all criminal occupation leaders, while not acknowledging the warrant against one of its leaders, Mohammed Deif. A senior Hamas official called on other countries to respect the warrants; signatories of the Rome Statute are technically obliged to act on arrest warrants from the court and send wanted individuals to the Hague for trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordans foreign minister said the ICCs rulings should be respected and implemented, adding that Palestinians deserve justice. The View From The US The US is not a party to the Rome Statute, so it is not under any obligation to comply with the arrest warrants, particularly those targeting its long-standing ally, Israel. In a statement Thursday, the White House said the US fundamentally rejects the courts decision. We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision. The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter, a National Security Council spokesperson said. Meanwhile, a top foreign policy adviser to President-elect Donald Trump suggested the US should impose sanctions on the ICC officials involved. The View from Europe European Union The European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrel said the courts binding decision should be respected and implemented, a view that was echoed by some member states, but not all. France France declined to confirm whether it would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he entered the country, saying it was legally complex, but said it would act in line with ICC statutes. Germany Germany, Israels biggest ally within in the European Union, has not yet commented on the decision, but a spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in May that the country would detain both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense chief Yoav Gallant if arrest warrants were issued. Ireland Ireland which said it would join South Africas case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in early November reaffirmed its strong support of the ICC and called on all countries to respect its independence and impartiality in a statement issued by the foreign ministry. Support for Palestinians is particularly strong in Ireland, with parallels often drawn between the Israel-Palestine conflict and the Irish experience of colonial rule under the British. The UK A UK government spokesperson told Semafor that the UK respects the independence of the ICC, and is firm in its stance that Israel has a right to defend itself and that there is no moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas. A 2001 law states that the UK would comply with the court, but whether or not the UK would endorse the ICCs warrants would depend on a separate domestic legal process. In July, Prime Minister Keir Starmer had dropped his predecessors plan to challenge the ICCs application for an arrest warrant, with a spokesperson saying at the time that it was a matter for the court to decide. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, over alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes. The ICC accused Netanyahu and Gallant of a string of human rights abuses in the Gaza Strip, where local health officials said the death toll from the Israeli military's yearlong assault on the Palestinian enclave had now passed 44,000. Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel responded furiously to the warrants, with Netanyahu's office branding the decision "antisemitic," rejecting the charges as "absurd and false" and condemning the ICC as a "biased and discriminatory political body." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas welcomed the warrants as an "important step towards justice" but senior political official Basem Naim said the court's decision "remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world to implement it." A spokesperson for the National Security Council said that the U.S. fundamentally rejects the Courts decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials" and that it was "deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision." Both Israel and the U.S. do not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC, which has no police to enforce its warrants. But the warrants do put the Israeli officials at risk of arrest in other countries, including much of Europe. In its announcement Thursday the ICC rejected challenges from Israel to its jurisdiction. It said the warrants issued for Netanyahu and Gallant were related to "crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October, 2023 until at least 20 May, 2024," including "the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also said reasonable grounds were found to believe they bore criminal responsibility as "civilian superiors" for the war crime of "intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population." Netanyahu and Gallant were accused of having "intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity." The ICC said it further found that their conduct had hampered the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide food and other essential items to those in desperate need in the enclave. NBC News has reached out to Gallants office and the State Department for comment. Children stare at the destruction following an Israeli strike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Nov. 7. ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan said in May that he was filing applications for the arrest of Netanyahu, Gallant and other senior Israeli officials. He had also sought arrest warrants for Hamas figures who have played key roles in the ongoing war, including leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in Gaza in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the court issued a separate arrest warrant for Deif, an alleged architect of the Oct. 7 terror attack, whom Israel said it killed earlier this year. Deif was accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including for his role in the Oct. 7 attack in which Israeli officials said some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage, a major escalation in the decadeslong conflict. The ICC noted that Khan had initially filed applications for arrest warrants for Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas who was assassinated by Israel in July. But it said the applications were withdrawn following confirmation of their deaths. The court launched an investigation three years ago into possible war crimes committed by both Israel and Palestinian militants going back to the Israel-Hamas war in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu has labeled Khan a rogue prosecutor whos out to demonize the one and only Jewish state. And Thursday's development drew swift condemnation from Israeli officials, with President Isaac Herzog saying the arrest warrants marked a "dark day for justice" and "a dark day for humanity." "Taken in bad faith, the outrageous decision at the ICC has turned universal justice into a universal laughing stock," he said. Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be national security adviser, condemned the ICC, which he said has "no credibility." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Israel has lawfully defended its people & borders from genocidal terrorists. You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January," he said in a post on X. President Joe Biden has previously condemned the ICC's efforts to issue the arrest warrants as outrageous," suggesting they imply a false equivalence between Israel and Hamas. Some leading human rights advocates welcomed the decision. "The courts issuance of arrest warrants is an important step forward for justice for the Palestinian civilians of Gaza, who so far have known mainly injustice," Kenneth Roth, the former executive director of Human Rights Watch, told NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of the International Criminal Courts 125 members are now obliged to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant should they dare to step foot no their territory," he said Thursday, adding: "The world has suddenly become a lot smaller for Netanyahu and Gallant." Roth said governments providing military support to Israel, including the U.S. the country's biggest arms supplier should also take heed. "Any government that continues to provide weapons to Israel while these crimes continue, which they do, is on notice that they could be charged with aiding and abetting these crimes," he said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The International Criminal Courts arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza stem from anti-Israel bias, the Prime Ministers Office said on Thursday. Netanyahus office called the warrants a modern Dreyfus trial that will end in the same way. Israel vigorously rejects the absurd and false actions and accusations against it by the ICC, which is a biased and discriminatory political body. The International Criminal Courts pre-trial chamber issued the arrest warrants earlier Thursday for the arrests of Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of crimes related to the war in Gaza. Under their terms of the warrants, Netanyahu and Gallant risk arrest if they travel to any of the 124 countries that are members of the court. No anti-Israel decision will stop Israel from defending its citizens, Netanyahus spokesperson said. The prime ministers spokesperson also accused Khan, who has been accused by a former colleague of sexual misconduct, of trying to distract from the allegations. Gallant said that the decision to issue warrants is outrageous and will live in infamy, saying that it equates Israel and Hamas, and legitimizes terrorism. It also sets a dangerous precedent for democracies around the world in their fight against terrorism, Gallant wrote in a post on X. The former defense minister said that Israel will not be deterred from defending itself and fighting the war in Gaza and Lebanon. I am proud of the extraordinary privilege I had in leading Israels defense establishment during our hardest hour fighting a war on seven fronts, Gallant wrote. I stand by our troops who will continue to operate at the highest professional and moral levels while defending the State of Israel. Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid condemned the issuance of the warrants, saying that Israel is defending itself against terrorist organizations that attacked, murdered and raped our citizens. These warrants are a prize for terrorism. While the court is keeping the full warrants confidential, a statement from the ICC pretrial chamber says that it found reasonable grounds to believe that from Oct. 8, 2023 until May 20, 2024, at least, Netanyahu and Gallant each bear criminal responsibility for the following crimes as co-perpetrators for committing the acts jointly with others: the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts as well as the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population. Among the accusations the chamber made was that only minimal humanitarian assistance was authorized, and that increases in humanitarian aid were not made to fulfill Israels obligations under international humanitarian law, but rather, they were a response to the pressure of the international community or requests by the [U.S.]. The ICC pretrial chamber also claimed that Israel prevented anesthetics from being brought into Gaza, forcing doctors to use inadequate and unsafe means to sedate patients, causing these persons extreme pain and suffering, which the chamber viewed as a crime against humanity. The chamber also claimed that it has material showing that there were two incidents of attacks intentionally directed against civilians, without providing details. The chamber rejected Israels petition against the warrants, which argued that the ICC does not have jurisdiction because Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute establishing the court. The pretrial chamber ruled that the court can exercise its jurisdiction on the basis of territorial jurisdiction of Palestine, which it recognizes as a state and considers to include Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Karim Khan, the ICCs chief prosecutor, first applied for the warrants in May, six years after a request from the Palestinians to investigate Israel. In November 2023, after Hamas massive Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel and the ensuing war against Hamas in Gaza, South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros and Djibouti submitted referrals against Israel to the ICC prosecutor. Two months later, Chile and Mexico submitted their own referrals against Israel. Sources close to Netanyahu have said that the issuance of the warrants during President Joe Bidens final months in office has been a chief concern for the prime minister. Soon after Khan asked for the warrants, the House passed legislation sanctioning him and other ICC employees. That legislation, which the Biden administration opposes, has been held up in the Senate since June. The U.S. is one of several dozen countries, including India, China and Russia, that are not parties to the ICC. The pretrial chamber also issued an arrest warrant against senior Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, after dropping the warrants against Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, who have since been confirmed to be killed. While there have been reports of Deifs death, the chamber said it could not determine their veracity. The chamber said there are reasonable grounds to believe that Deif is responsible for the crimes of murder, extermination, torture, rape and taking hostages, among other crimes committed on Oct. 7. This article was updated at 9:52 a.m. on 11/21/2024. The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes relating to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The warrants, approved by judges in The Hague on Thursday, followed a motion filed by Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan in May. According to the motion, Netanyahu and Gallant are suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to actions in the Gaza since October 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khan has been investigating alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict for several months. Israel had challenged the warrants but the ICC judges dismissed the objections. Hamas leader Deif has been sought for war crimes and crimes against humanity since October 7 last year, following the unprecedented massacre by Hamas and other groups on southern Israel. There have been reports that Deif was killed earlier this year in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. However, there has not been an official confirmation of his death. Israel began its military campaign in Gaza to eliminate Hamas following the attacks on October 7. The court statement issued on Thursday said that Netanyahu and Gallant "intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival" including food, water and medicine." The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and the Hamas military leader for alleged war crimes relating to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The warrants, approved by a pre-trial chamber in The Hague, followed applications filed by Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan in May. The court said on Thursday that there were grounds to believe that Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant "intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The period in question is October 8, 2023 to May 20, 2024. Khan has been investigating alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict for months. Israel had challenged the warrants but the ICC judges dismissed the objections. An arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, who is believed to have masterminded the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel in which some 1,200 were killed and 250 abducted. In response, Israel launched a military campaign that has caused widespread devastation and deprivation across the coastal strip. Israel said it killed Deif in a Gaza airstrike in July, but Hamas has never confirmed the claim. What are the charges? In its decision, the ICC chamber stated there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that both Israeli officials were criminally responsible for allegedly committing acts including "the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chamer said there were "reasonable grounds" to belief Deif was responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other form of sexual violence. What is the reaction? Following the ICC announcement, Netanyahu condemned the international arrest warrants against him in a post on X. "The anti-Semitic decision" was made by a "biased and discriminatory political body," he wrote. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also reacted with outrage, writing on X: "This is a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Hamas militia issued a statement hailing the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. It did not comment on the arrest warrant also issued against Deif. Hamas described the decision as "a significant historical precedent" that rectifies a long-standing injustice against Palestinians. Hamas also called on the ICC to expand its investigation against "all criminal leaders of the occupation" to include ministers and officers who "have shed the blood of our Palestinian people." The ICC does not recognize the immunity of heads of state or government. In 2023, it issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over possible war crimes in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court lacks the means to enforce arrest warrants on its own. However, its 124 member states are legally obliged to arrest individuals sought by the ICC as soon as they enter their territory, significantly limiting the travel options for those wanted. Following the news from The Hague, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said all EU countries must carry out arrest warrants issued by the ICC. "It is not a political decision. It's a decision of a court, of a court of justice," Borrell said while in Amman. "This decision is a binding decision," he added. Neither the United States nor Israel recognizes the ICC. However, the Palestinian territories are member states. In 2021, the court affirmed its jurisdiction over the territories occupied by Israel since 1967. The International Criminal Court said Thursday that it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military leader Mohammad Deif, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The courts pretrial chamber accused the Israeli PM and Gallant whom Netanyahu fired two weeks ago of multiple crimes in Gaza from at least Oct. 8, 2023, until at least May 20, the day that the ICCs chief prosecutor announced that he was seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. In its announcement, the ICC wrote: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With regard to the crimes, the Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu, born on 21 October 1949, Prime Minister of Israel at the time of the relevant conduct, and Mr Gallant, born on 8 November 1958, Minister of Defence of Israel at the time of the alleged conduct, each bear criminal responsibility for the following crimes as co-perpetrators for committing the acts jointly with others: the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The court said it has reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, by allegedly impeding the flow of aid into Gaza. The ICC said their conduct hampered the ability of humanitarian groups to provide food and other supplies to the people in Gaza and had a severe impact on hospitals ability to provide adequate care. The court said that the lack of essential supplies created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, resulting in civilian deaths, including children dying from malnutrition and dehydration. Israeli politicians swiftly condemned the ICC, accusing the court of antisemitism. Netanyahus office said Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and charges leveled against it by the ICC. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the court has chosen the side of terror and evil over democracy and freedom, and turned the very system of justice into a human shield for Hamas crimes against humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel and the United States do not recognize the ICCs jurisdiction, and the court has no police body to enforce its warrants. But Netanyahu and Gallant could be arrested in the courts member nations, including much of Europe. The State Department did not immediately respond to NBC News request for comment. The Israeli military said Aug. 1 that it had killed Deif, who is believed to be one of the architects of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel; Hamas has not confirmed his death. The ICCs arrest warrant for the Qassam Brigades leader accuses him of crimes including murder, extermination, torture and sexual violence: The Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Deif bears criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes for (i) having committed the acts jointly and through others and (ii) having ordered or induced the commission of the crimes, and (iii) for his failure to exercise proper control over forces under his effective command and control. The ICCs chief prosecutor had also filed applications for arrest warrants for Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, but withdrew them after their deaths were confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some human rights organizations said they welcomed the arrest warrants as a step toward justice in the ongoing war. Amnesty Internationals secretary general, Agnes Callamard, called it a historic breakthrough for justice and must signal the beginning of the end of the persistent and pervasive impunity at the heart of the human rights crisis in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director for Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that the warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official break through the perception that some are beyond the reach of the law. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and the Hamas military leader for alleged war crimes relating to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The warrants, approved by a pre-trial chamber in The Hague, followed applications filed by Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan in May. The court said on Thursday that there were grounds to believe that Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant "intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The period in question is October 8, 2023 to May 20, 2024. Khan has been investigating alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict for months. Israel had challenged the warrants but the ICC judges dismissed the objections. An arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, who is believed to have masterminded the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel in which some 1,200 were killed and 250 abducted. In response, Israel launched a military campaign that has caused widespread devastation and deprivation across the coastal strip. Israel said it killed Deif in a Gaza airstrike in July, but Hamas has never confirmed the claim. What are the charges? In its decision, the ICC chamber stated there are "reasonable grounds" to believe that both Israeli officials were criminally responsible for allegedly committing acts including "the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chamber said there were "reasonable grounds" to belief Deif was responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other form of sexual violence. What is the reaction? Following the ICC announcement, Netanyahu condemned the international arrest warrants against him in a post on X. "The anti-Semitic decision" was made by a "biased and discriminatory political body," he wrote. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also reacted with outrage, writing on X: "This is a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Hamas militia issued a statement hailing the arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. It did not comment on the arrest warrant also issued against Deif. Hamas described the decision as "a significant historical precedent" that rectifies a long-standing injustice against Palestinians. Hamas also called on the ICC to expand its investigation against "all criminal leaders of the occupation" to include ministers and officers who "have shed the blood of our Palestinian people." The ICC does not recognize the immunity of heads of state or government. In 2023, it issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over possible war crimes in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court lacks the means to enforce arrest warrants on its own. However, its 124 member states are legally obliged to arrest individuals sought by the ICC as soon as they enter their territory, significantly limiting the travel options for those wanted. Following the news from The Hague, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said all EU countries must carry out arrest warrants issued by the ICC. "It is not a political decision. It's a decision of a court, of a court of justice," Borrell said while in Amman. "This decision is a binding decision," he added. In the Netherlands, Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told parliament that Dutch authorities will arrest Netanyahu and other wanted men if he enters the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither the United States nor Israel recognizes the ICC. However, the Palestinian territories are member states. In 2021, the court affirmed its jurisdiction over the territories occupied by Israel since 1967. Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The International Criminal Court Thursday issued war crimes arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. A warrant was also issued for the Hamas commander Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, known as Deif. The court said the Israeli leaders committed war crimes by intentionally directing military attacks against civilians in Gaza, using starvation as a method of war against Gazans and committed crimes against humanity in a widespread, systematic assault on Gaza's civilian population. Deif and Hamas, the ICC said, committed war crimes for mass killings of Israeli civilians Oct. 7, 2023, hostage-taking, torture and rape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC said in a statement that it "issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least Oct. 8, 2023 until at least May 20, 2024, the day the Prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest." The ICC said there are reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant bear criminal responsibility for "the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts." Palestinians inspect destroyed residential buildings, after the Israeli military withdrew most of its ground troops from the southern Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian fighters, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, April 7, 2024. Israel attacked Gaza following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack from Gaza that killed 1200 Israelis. File Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI The court said there are reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant "bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza." The ICC added that it believes "both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least 8 October 2023 to 20 May 2024." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes against humanity that "were part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza." The court said they "bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare." In a separate statement Thursday the ICC said an arrest warrant was issued for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, commonly known as 'Deif', "for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on the territory of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine from at least Oct. 7, 2023." The arrest warrants, issued by Chamber I of the International Criminal Court, are classified as "secret" to protect witnesses and safeguard the conduct of investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC said 'Deif' committed the war crimes of " intentionally directing attacks against civilians" in Israel Oct. 7, 2023, and taking hostages. "In light of the coordinated killings of members of civilians at several separate locations, the Chamber also found that the conduct took place as part of a mass killing of members of the civilian population, and it, therefore, concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of extermination was committed," the ICC said. The ICC said 'Deif' and Hamas committed "the crimes of torture as a crime against humanity and war crime, rape and other forms of sexual violence as crimes against humanity and war crimes, cruel treatment as a war crime, and outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime were committed against these persons during the relevant period." "Mr Deif, in his role as the commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, and through his actions prior to, during and after the 7 October Operation, is responsible for the commission of these crimes," the ICC statement said. "In addition, the Chamber considered that Mr Deif ordered or induced the crimes or is responsible as a military commander for the criminal conduct of his subordinates." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICC prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan applied for the warrants May 20. He sought warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, 'Deif' as well as for Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas in Gaza and Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political bureau. The requests for warrants against Sinwar and Haniyeh were withdrawn after they were confirmed killed by Israel. The decision of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is risky. At stake is not just the fate of the two defendants but the reputation and relevance of the court itself. Founded in 2002, it is the first time the ICC has issued warrants for the arrest of democratically elected leaders. It is also the first time it has pursued individuals whose enterprise has been substantially supported by the West. Of the 124 member states of the ICC on whom responsibility for enforcement of the warrants now falls, a good number - including the UK and much of Western Europe - provide arms and other military assistance to Israel. This clash of interests will prove a major test of the court and the independence of its members own judicial systems. Few of the arrest warrants the ICC issues - including an outstanding one for Vladimir Putin - are quickly enforced, but generally not for want of trying. Of the 25 fugitives it lists as being currently at large, the great bulk are in countries outside its jurisdiction, many holed up in the lawless deserts of north Africa and the Sahel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant could also just sit tight. Israel is not a member of the ICC and neither is the US, the countrys most powerful ally. But their prominence and proximity to the Western interests is likely to draw greater attention and with it questions about the power and relevance of the court. Some may start to ask: whats the point of the ICC if it cant even reach our allies, those we do business with daily? Caspar Veldkamp, Dutch minister of foreign affairs said on Thursday the Netherlands will execute an arrest warrant of the ICC against Mr Netanyahu - REMKO DE WAAL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock After the warrants were issued on Thursday, Israelis accused the ICC of corruption, incompetence and more. Mr Netanyahus office characterised the anti-Semitic decision as something akin to a modern Dreyfus trial. Isaac Herzog, the countrys president, said the ICCs decision marked a dark day for justice [and] humanity. It had chosen terror and evil over democracy and freedom, and turned the very system of justice into a human shield for Hamas, he added. A more powerful challenge to the courts legitimacy may come from the US. We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision, the White House said. The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter. But for President Joe Biden, theres an issue of consistency. In March, he publicly welcomed the ICCs decision to issue an arrest warrant for Mr Putin. The court held no sway in the US but the move made a very strong point, he told reporters. The Russian leader had clearly committed war crimes, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trumps views on the matter may not carry much clout amongst scholars of jurisprudence but could pack a serious political punch. At the time of writing, the president-elect had yet to comment on the ICC warrants but he is likely to be weighing his response carefully. He has a horrendously complex situation in the Middle East to manage when he takes office in January. And in this context, Mr Trump is likely to see ICC warrants as important transactional cards. On instinct, too, Mr Trump may be torn. At war with the judiciary at home, and a long-time critic of transnational institutions, it is hard to imagine he has much love for the ICC. Indeed, his administration imposed sanctions on it during his last term. And Mike Waltz, his pick for national security advisor, said on Thursday the court should expect a strong response to the anti-Semitic bias of the ICC and United Nations come January. On the other hand, the president-elect has called on Israel to end the war in Gaza and stop killing people several times over in the last year to no avail. That positioning is credited with winning votes from Arab Americans in November - voters he will want to reward, or at least not immediately alienate. It also seems heartfelt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Israel made a very big mistake, Mr Trump told an Israeli newspaper in April, describing the bombing of civilian apartment blocks in Gaza. I wanted to call and say dont do it. These photos and shots. I mean, moving shots of bombs being dropped into buildings in Gaza. And I said, oh, thats a terrible portrait. Its a very bad picture for the world. The world is seeing this every night, I would watch buildings pour down on people. In Europe, politicians were also treading carefully. The EUs top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said the ICCs decision should be respected and implemented, while a spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer said: We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court. Unfortunately for Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant, that sort of political ambivalence may be all that is needed to keep them grounded, or at least on flight paths that avoid the airspace and runways of all 124 ICC member states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the UK, Canada, much of Asia and most of Western Europe, the courts are still independent of government, and they play a very long game. In all these jurisdictions, eagle-eyed magistrates will be watching flight schedules, waiting for the opportunity to strike - as Chiles general Augusto Pinochet found out on a brief trip to London back in 1998. 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. AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Judges at the International Criminal Court have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief Yoav Gallant, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri - commonly known as Mohammed Deif - for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel has rejected the jurisdiction of the Hague-based court and denies war crimes in Gaza. Israel has said it killed Deif in an airstrike but Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied this. The prosecution indicated it would continue to gather information with respect to his reported death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below are key quotes from the ICC's statements announcing the arrest warrants. ON ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU AND FORMER DEFENCE CHIEF GALLANT: - "The Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu ... and Mr Gallant ... each bear criminal responsibility for the following crimes as co-perpetrators for committing the acts jointly with others: the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts." - "The Chamber also found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - "The Chamber found that the alleged conduct of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant concerned the activities of Israeli government bodies and the armed forces against the civilian population in Palestine, more specifically civilians in Gaza." - "The alleged crimes against humanity were part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza." - "There are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least 8 October 2023 to 20 May 2024." - There are "reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant bear criminal responsibility for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - "By intentionally limiting or preventing medical supplies and medicine from getting into Gaza ... the two individuals are also responsible for inflicting great suffering by means of inhumane acts on persons in need of treatment." - There are "reasonable grounds to believe that (their) conduct deprived a significant portion of the civilian population in Gaza of their fundamental rights, including the rights to life and health, and that the population was targeted based on political and/or national grounds". - Full statement here. ON HAMAS LEADER DEIF: - Judges of the ICC "issued a warrant of arrest for Mr Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, commonly known as Deif, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on the territory of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine from at least 7 October 2023". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - "The Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that (Deif), the highest commander of the military wing of Hamas (known as the al-Qassam Brigades) at the time of the alleged conduct, is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder; extermination; torture; and rape and other form of sexual violence; as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture; taking hostages; outrages upon personal dignity; and rape and other form of sexual violence." - There are "reasonable grounds to believe that on 7 October 2023, shortly after a large number of rockets triggered the Tzeva Adom alarm in several communities in Israel around 6:20-6:30 am, armed men entered these communities, as well as the site of the Supernova festival, a music event with a few thousand participants ... . Members of Hamas, notably fighters of the al-Qassam Brigades, carried out mass killings at and/or around the communities of Kfar Aza, Holit, Nir Oz, Beeri, and Nahal Oz, as well as at the Supernova festival ... These killings qualify as the crime against humanity and the war crime of murder". - "In light of the coordinated killings ... of civilians at several separate locations, the Chamber also found that the conduct took place as part of a mass killing of members of the civilian population, and it therefore concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of extermination was committed." - "Hostage taking in the context of the 7 October Operation was conducted with the aim to negotiate their release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - "While they were held captive in Gaza, some hostages, predominantly women, were subjected to sexual and gender based violence, including forced penetration, forced nudity, and humiliating and degrading treatment. On the basis of the material presented, the Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that the crimes of torture as a crime against humanity and war crime, rape and other forms of sexual violence as crimes against humanity and war crimes, cruel treatment as a war crime, and outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime were committed." - Full statement here. (Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Andrew Heavens) GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. (WWLP) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston has arrested a 21-year-old Guatemalan national accused of multiple child sex crimes in Massachusetts. ICE makes arrest in Northampton, officials say its not part of mass deportation Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz, who was unlawfully present in the U.S., was taken into custody on November 12 in Great Barrington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Paz-Munoz faces charges including rape of a child by force, rape of a child, and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older. Acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde of ERO Boston condemned the alleged crimes, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing public safety. Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz stands accused of horrifically victimizing a Massachusetts child and represents a significant threat to our neighborhoods, said Hyde. ERO Boston remains committed to arresting and removing egregious noncitizen threats from the community. Courtesy of U.S. Department of Homeland Security De Paz-Munoz entered the United States unlawfully on September 24, 2020, near Eagle Pass, Texas, without inspection or admission by an immigration official. He was released by U.S. Border Patrol with a notice to appear before an immigration judge. On February 29, 2024, the Great Barrington Police Department arrested De Paz-Munoz on the aforementioned charges. ICE lodged an immigration detainer following his arrest; however, the detainer was ignored, and De Paz-Munoz was released on bail before ERO officers could take him into custody. The Berkshire County Superior Court is pursuing charges against De Paz-Munoz, which remain pending. He is currently in ERO custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the public are encouraged to report crimes or suspicious activity to ICE by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submitting an online tip form. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. A volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland flared again late Wednesday night, marking the region's seventh eruption in just one year. Lava burst from a crack in the ground before midnight local time, originating in a spot where there has been a resurgence of volcanic activity. It happened quickly and sent a molten stream traveling toward the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's most famous tourist attraction. It's a geothermal spa set in a lava field just outside the town of Grindavik that draws nearly a million visitors each year. Tourists were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's national broadcaster RUV reported. Some can be seen venturing startlingly close to the magma, in an apparent effort to capture the eruption on their phones, in a video published by the broadcaster. Response crews ushered them to safety before the magma roiled farther over the area, covering a section of the parking lot adjacent to the Blue Lagoon as well as a critical pipeline that funnels hot water from a geothermal power station, called Svartsengi, into the spa and around the peninsula. This photograph provided by Civil Protection in Iceland shows a new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland as seen on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. / Credit: Civil Protection in Iceland via AP Striking aerial footage of the situation also published by RUV showed the expanse of the eruption. Fiery magma blankets the ground in the video, and thick smoke rises from it into the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People were evacuated from about 50 homes Wednesday in Grindavik, a small fishing town on Iceland's southern peninsula, according to the country's Civil Protection Agency. The agency said it was unclear exactly which volcano was erupting, but noted the lava came from the same area experiencing volcanic activity. Grindavik is some 30 miles south of Reykjavik, Iceland's capital city. Icelandic officials have not reported issues in the capital caused by the eruption. Officials said Thursday that volcanic activity was ongoing, with seismic monitors indicating the magma had spread over at least 7 square kilometers of land, slightly less than 4 1/2 square miles. The Njarvik pipeline could still function Thursday beneath the magma, said the Icelandic Meteorological Office. Magma had crossed the road into Grindavik when the office shared its most recent update, but the eruption's peak had seemingly passed by then and the fissure from which it originated had shortened, according to measurements taken by the National Police Commissioner's special forces unit. Earthquakes in the area caused the ground to split and triggered the volcano, the office said. Iceland is situated on top of a rift between two tectonic plates, which makes the island nation vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which have rocked portions of the country and displaced residents in recent years. A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland as seen on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. / Credit: Marco di Marco / AP It was the seventh time Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula experienced a volcanic eruption since December 2023, with multiple previous flares breaking out over the summer. Officials said the latest eruption was less severe than the last one, which happened in August and resulted in multiple ground fissures as well as a subsequent 4.1-magnitude earthquake. The August incident came just two months after an eruption continued spewing lava for more than three weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, a regional police chief told Icelandic media that most of Grindavik's 4,000 residents had evacuated from their homes the prior November when the spell of volcanic activity started to kick up. While some had returned part-time to the town, few were comfortable staying overnight, the police chief said. Those who had returned were successfully evacuated. Before the Mount Fagradalsfjall eruption in March 2021, the Reykjanes peninsula had not seen volcanic activity in roughly 800 years. Since then, seismologists have carefully observed the reawakening of a long-dormant fault line running under the landscape. Amazon investing more in Anthropic, ChatGPT's competitor Latest news on Trump's future after sentencing delay, Bondi attorney general pick Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe talk women's sports movement and their podcast Nov. 21It is unclear how a proposed state policy regarding diversity, equity and inclusion may affect University of Idaho offices and student programs. The Idaho State Board of Education today is reviewing a number of proposed directives that the state claims "aim to better support all students regardless of their identifying characteristics." Among them, institutions must ensure that "no central offices, policies, procedures, or initiatives are dedicated to DEI activities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear how this may affect the University of Idaho, as the school has an Office of Equity and Diversity. This office oversees a number of organizations that promote diversity including an Office of Multicultural Affairs, an LGBTQA Office, a Women's Center, the Black/African American Cultural Center and the College Assistance Migrant Program. UI spokesperson Jodi Walker would not comment on the future of these programs until after today's meeting, according to a report from the Spokesman-Review. Under the new directives, institutions must also ensure that student success centers are dedicated to all students, that no employee or student is required to declare gender identity or preferred pronouns, and that institutions "shall establish and maintain equality of opportunity for all students regardless of personal identity characteristics." Another resolution the SBOE is reviewing relates to academic freedom on campuses. It states that schools should "maintain institutional neutrality, protect speakers' rights to free expression, protect the safety of those participating in constitutionally protected speech, introduce campus communities to diverse viewpoints, and establish programs designed to educate students and faculty about the institutions' role as the marketplace of ideas." The SBOE is not scheduled to vote on this matter today. (NewsNation) Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of killing four University of Idaho students in 2022, can face the death penalty if convicted, a judge has ruled. Kohbergers defense team sought to remove the death penalty as a possible punishment, but Ada County Judge Steven Hippler denied its request. The trial for Kohberger is set to begin in August. Susan Smith up for parole 30 years after killing her sons Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger, 29, is charged in the deaths of four University of Idaho students who were found stabbed to death in an off-campus house in November of 2022. The deaths of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, shocked the small town of Moscow, Idaho. Initially, investigators had few leads and spent considerable time tracing the activities of the four students in the hours prior to their deaths. This journey for justice for Kaylee, Maddie, Xana, and Ethan has been filled with highs and lows. Some days, we are hopeful that justice will be served; other days, we are overwhelmed with hopelessness and sadness. Today is a day for hope! The past two years in front of Judge Judge have been marked by frustration and disappointmentwhether it was failing to pronounce the victims names correctly, laughing in the courtroom, or entertaining every absurd motion or argument the defense could muster. That has been our reality. But now, we feel hopeful once again. We finally have a judge who appears prepared, thoughtful, and well-versed in the legal process. There is a newfound level of seriousness that has been absent for far too long. So, when we learned today that the motions to challenge the death penalty were denied, we were overjoyednot just for our family, but for our friends, supporters, and everyone who has shed a tear, made a donation, or listened to the story of these beautiful children who were so senselessly taken from us. Justice is moving forward, and we pray that one day, in the not-so-distant future, it will be served. Thank you once again to everyone for your unwavering support and prayers, and a special thank you to the people of Boise, who have welcomed us with open arms. Family of Kaylee Goncalves responds to death penalty update At the time of the killings, Kohberger was a graduate student at nearby Washington State University, where he was working toward a Ph.D. in criminology. This July 2022 photo provided by Jazzmin Kernodle shows University of Idaho students Xana Kernodle, right, and Ethan Chapin on a boat on Priest Lake, in Idaho. Both students were among four found stabbed to death in an off-campus rental home on Nov. 13. (Jazzmin Kernodle via AP) Credit: @kayleegoncalves Instagram FILE Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students, is escorted into court for a hearing in Latah County District Court, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, Pool, File) Fotografia proporcionada por la prision del condado Monroe, Pensilvania, de Bryan Kohberger. (Monroe County (Pa.) Correctional Facility via AP) Kohberger was arrested at his parents home in Pennsylvania weeks after the killings. The court filings describe the scene that night, alleging that law enforcement shattered a sliding glass door to the home and held the entire family at gunpoint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NewsNations Stephanie Whiteside 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. The judge overseeing Bryan Kohberger's murder case has ruled the death penalty will remain on the table as the case moves forward, rejecting a request from Kohberger's defense attorneys. In June 2023, prosecutors announced they intended to seek the death penalty against the onetime Ph.D. student accused of fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students -- Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20 -- in November 2022. PHOTO: Bryan Kohberger, accused of murder, arrives for a hearing on cameras in the courtroom in Latah County District Court, Sept. 13, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (Ted S. Warren/Pool/Getty Images) MORE: Parents of Idaho college murder victims speak out on 2-year mark of gruesome crime Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This September, lawyers for Kohberger made a sweeping play to get capital punishment tossed out, arguing -- in hundreds of pages of court filings -- that Kohberger's life should not be on the line because, among other things, the death penalty would violate his constitutional rights as well as contemporary standards of decency. However, in a lengthy filing Wednesday, Judge Steven Hippler ruled against all twelve of Kohberger's motions challenging various aspects of Idaho's capital punishment scheme. In his 55-page decision Judge Hippler "concludes relief in [Kohberger's] favor is not warranted on any of the motions." Among other things, defense attorneys had argued that the death penalty is out of step with current social mores. However, the judge ruled "there is no basis to depart from settled law upholding Idaho's death penalty statute as constitutional," and it remains "consistent with contemporary standards of decency." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorneys also argued that capital punishment should be stricken in this case on the basis of execution methods specifically, citing the shortage of lethal injection drugs, and arguing that firing squad executions which, last year, became legal in Idaho are "cruel and unusual." And, they argued, letting their client wait on death row without knowing "how he will be executed" is itself an "unconstitutional" form of torment. But the judge again disagreed siding with prosecutors that that argument "is not ripe" for discussion, because Kohberger hasn't been convicted yet. And, the judge continued, even if it were appropriate to address now, both the firing squad and lethal injection have been found constitutional and are allowed in the state. The judge also ruled against each of the defense's attempts to strike the aggravating factors prosecutors had found, which made Kohberger eligible for the death penalty. Kohberger was arrested following a six-week manhunt in December 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Judge delays University of Idaho murder trial, sets August start date A criminology student at nearby Washington State University at the time of the crime, Kohberger was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. The trial is scheduled for August 2025. Idaho college killings to remain a death penalty case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Nov. 20University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted in the four students' deaths, an Ada County judge ruled Wednesday. Kohberger, a former Washington State University student, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in the stabbing deaths of students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in November 2022. His attorneys previously filed multiple motions attempting to take the death penalty off the table provided Kohberger is found guilty of the homicides. Ada County Judge Steven Hippler, who oversees the case since it was moved from Moscow to Boise to quell concerns of jury bias, rejected all 12 attempts from the defense to strike the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 55-page decision, Hippler laid out the defense's arguments, which included how the death penalty is used in various places in the state. The defense also claimed that geography has a say in who gets the death penalty and who does not. Attorneys Anne Taylor, Jay Logsdon and Elisa Massoth cited a national treaty from 1992 barring undue punishment, arguing that the law is unconstitutionally vague and provides no clarity on a lesser penalty, among other arguments. Hippler said their argument "defies logic." Idaho passed a law in 2023 to allow death by firing squad if lethal injection is unavailable, which the defense also claimed was cruel and unusual. Hippler ruled against the defense arguments, saying the prosecution has a legal basis to ask for the death penalty under the law. The law is clear, Hippler explained, even when barred in other states: The death penalty has been declared constitutional in Idaho. "It is difficult to conclude the death penalty contravenes evolving standards of decency when a majority of the states of this nation continues to provide for it as a punishment," he wrote in the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To sentence Kohberger to death, prosecutors must prove to a jury at least one "aggravating factor," or factor that makes the crime more heinous in nature, existed during the time of the killings. Latah County prosecutors listed five factors in their intent to seek death, including that Kohberger exhibited utter disregard for human life, is a continuing threat to society, and one murder was committed at the time of another murder. The defense also took aim at these factors, but Hippler noted case law that narrows the reasoning of why those factors could be applied; that "depravity" in such a crime can "offend all standards of morality" and that propensity to commit murder applies to a "willing, predisposed killer" who "tends toward destroying the life of another." And because the defense also took to challenge the Eighth Amendment on the basis of the death penalty being cruel and unusual, it's also their job to provide for a more humane alternative. The defense did not do this, Hippler wrote. He also implied the defense's motions were not timely or in the midst of controversy since the case hasn't gone to trial and there is no verdict, so deciding on a method of death just based on the "defendant's distress" is essentially pointless. "Assuming the defendant is convicted, and the death penalty imposed, it would likely be at least a decade before he is executed," Hippler wrote. "To decide now as to the constitutionality to any given method would amount to an advisory opinion." Kohberger's trial is set for next summer. The man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students two years ago may be punished with the death penalty if he is convicted, the trial judge has ruled. At a hearing this month in Boise, Idaho, suspect Bryan Kohberger's defense team had tried to persuade District Court Judge Steven Hippler to block his trial, scheduled for August, from becoming a capital murder case. But Hippler found Kohberger's defense had failed in providing an alternative method of execution in Idaho to death by lethal injection or firing squad that is not "unduly painful," Hippler said in his order Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Defendant must come forward with an alternative method," he concluded. "He has not done so, thus foreclosing his claim." Idaho's alternative to the death penalty for a first-degree murder conviction is life in prison with at least 10 years served before a subject becomes eligible for parole. Prosecutors had said in court filings that there are four aggravating factors in the case against Kohberger, who turns 30 on Thursday, making the crime more severe and meriting the death penalty. They are that there are multiple victims; that the murders were "especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel"; that the suspect exhibited "utter disregard for human life"; and that the suspect has "a propensity to commit murder which will probably constitute a continuing threat to society," according to the filing. A jury must concur that at least one aggravating factor pertains for a defendant to be sentenced to death. The jury must also unanimously agree to impose a death sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the hearing, Idaho Deputy Attorney General Jeff Nye argued against the defense's claims that the death penalty is unconstitutional because it would be "dehumanizing" to have Kohberger sit on death row "for years and years and years" if the state does not have a viable method to administer an execution. "You don't get to short-circuit the whole thing that death is off the table," Nye said, adding, "That's not to say decades from now there's not going to be a method to put him to death." From top left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle. Idaho has not executed anyone since 2012 because it, like many other states, has had trouble procuring lethal injection drugs. However, Hippler noted at the hearing that the state did get the necessary drugs as it awaits to execute inmate Thomas Creech, who was convicted of five murders in three states and sentenced to death in 1983. His execution remains halted as he appeals after the state's attempt to execute him in February was abandoned when prison staff members failed to establish an IV line in the death chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An alternative method to lethal injection death by firing squad was signed into law last year, but a revamped chamber to allow for it has yet to be constructed. Anne Taylor, Kohberger's public defender, had also challenged the prosecution's claim that her client deserves the death penalty because he could pose a future danger to society which, she contended, is vague because defendants are routinely accused of being dangerous. "That can't be true when you sit in court day after day after day and you hear that about person after person after person," Taylor said. "This statute doesn't do anything to help a jury decide who is the worst of the worst." A motive remains unclear in the killings of housemates Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20, in November 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger was a resident of nearby Pullman, Washington, and then a doctoral student at Washington State University. While a gag order has prevented many involved in the case from speaking publicly, the prosecution has said it expects to present at trial DNA evidence, details about Kohberger's cellphone use and security videos to connect him to the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger's defense has maintained that he often went on late-night drives and that cellphone tower data would show that he was doing so miles away when the four students were killed. In a filing this month, the defense asked the court to suppress evidence at trial, including DNA samples, it believes were improperly obtained by law enforcement and violated his constitutional rights. The trial has been moved to Boise from Latah County after the defense successfully argued there would be a strong possibility of bias among potential jurors and that the community does not have the resources for such highly anticipated proceedings. Steve Goncalves, Kaylee Goncalves father, supported moving the trial and told NBC News before the judge's death penalty decision that he wanted to see Kohberger "locked away and no longer influencing society." He said Kaylee was a "very loving girl" whose spirit has been missed. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Members of the Idaho Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee and their staff tour Southwest Idaho Treatment Center in Nampa on Nov. 20, 2024. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun) Several Idaho legislators began pushing for state officials to prioritize treating more Idahoans with developmental or intellectual disabilities in residential treatment facilities instead of hospitalizing them after the budget committee toured the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center on Wednesday. Located in Nampa, the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center is a residential treatment facility for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The center is serving 18 clients, including one minor. Southwest Idaho Treatment Center clients have complex therapeutic needs that could not be met in the community, or who have been placed in the custody of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare by the courts, staff told legislators. SWITC clients may be a danger to themselves or others, staff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Southwest Idaho Treatment Center was the subject of a critical 2019 Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations report after findings of abuse and neglect were documented, a client died by suicide and the facility failed inspections. But staff at the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center told legislators they bought into the recommendations from the 2019 report, made staffing changes, changed the culture and have had three consecutive years of successful survey and audit findings. After hearing that some Idahoans with disabilities had been physically restrained at hospitals for weeks or even months before being admitted to a treatment center like SWITC, Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, asked Idaho Department of Health and Welfare officials if they could hire more staff and traveling nurses to treat people at treatment centers, not hospitals. Cook said it would be less expensive than round-the-clock hospitalization, and patients could have better outcomes receiving therapy and supervision than being physically restrained to a hospital bed because there was nowhere else to send people. The Southwest Idaho Treatment Center is already undergoing improvements, as crews will soon break ground on constructing residential duplex units for residents at the facility that are designed to be more similar to a traditional apartment than an institution with the goal of helping residents receive treatment and then return to the community, said Cameron Gilliland, a deputy division administrator with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Gilliland said the amount of clients SWITC can serve is affected by staffing limitations and safety concerns for staff and residents alike since SWITC is not a secure facility like a prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are still some questions I would like to get answers to about where the money is going and why, Cook said. Its been great (on the SWITC tour) to be able to talk to them face-to-face. Idaho Legislatures budget committee visited several state facilities to see the impact of budget decisions Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, is a powerful legislative committee that sets the budget for all state agencies and departments. Although the Idaho Legislature is not in session, JFACs fall interim meetings are designed to help legislators serving on the committee gear up to start setting the fiscal year 2026 budget. It gives me a head start to look at the budgets, Cook said. Now Ill already know kind of whats going on, because that is a huge amount of work, and so be able to get a little bit of a head start Im excited about what Ive seen and it gives me some ideas where I need to dig a little bit deeper and get ready for our session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook said the ability to tour state facilities, meet with staff and clients and ask questions helps him really understand the impact of budget decisions. I love to see where the moneys going and seeing how its spent, Cook said in an interview Wednesday. I guess Im kind of a visual person. I like to see what my money has been going through. The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee wraps up its fall interim meetings Thursday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise and the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine in Meridian. Thursdays agenda includes a presentation of the Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations report on the Luma system that has been blamed for reporting and reconciliation errors since its rollout in July 2023. Thursdays agenda also includes a discussion on performance budgeting, an update on the vocational rehabilitation budget. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Originally appeared on E! Online An Idaho judge has made a decision for the potential fate of Bryan Kohberger. Kohberger, who was charged for the brutal murders of University of Idaho students Kaylee Gonclaves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle in November 2022, could face the death penalty if found guilty of his four counts of first degree murder, as well as one count of burglary, a trial judge ruled Nov. 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Steven Hippler explained that Kohbergers defense teamwho had sought to prevent the case from becoming a capital murder trial citing that the current administrations of the death penalty cannot be carried out without providing undue painhad failed in providing an alternative method of execution that was not unduly painful, he said in his ruling document, as viewed by E! News. Indeed, Kohbergers defense team argued at a Nov. 7 hearing that Idaho had no real means of carrying out the death penalty under the confines of the 8th amendment, which prohibits the government from punishing a defendant with cruel and unusual punishment. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, the death penalty in Idaho is carried out by lethal injection or firing squad, and Hippler ruled that the defendant was expected to come forth with an alternative method. He has not done so, the judge wrote in his ruling, thus foreclosing his claim. According to Title 18 code 4004 of the Idaho legislature, an alternative for the death penalty would be life in prison, serving at least 10 years before the consideration of parolebut death penalty may be sought if the prosecution filed a written notice of intent. The prosecution for the case cited four aggravating factors that warrant the death penalty as a punishment, if Kohberger is convicted, in the Nov. 20 filing: 1) There are multiple victims, 2) The murders were especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, 3) The suspect exhibited utter disregard for human life, and 4) The suspect has a propensity to commit murder which will probably constitute a continuing threat to society. Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty Images Kohberger was arrested in December 2022 for the murders that took place on Nov. 13, 2022, during which Gonclaves, Mogen, Chapin and Kernodle were brutally stabbed to death in their home, located just off-campus at the University of Idaho in Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Autopsies confirmed that all four deaths of the college studentswho had been residing in the house with surviving students Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen the night of the killingswere indeed homicides, and defensive wounds indicated they had fought for their lives. Kohberger, 30, has remained in custody since his arrest, entering a plea of not guilty in May 2023. Nearly a year later, the former Washington State University student submitted an alibi claim, with his defense arguing that his interest in stargazing placed him near the location of the students home on the night of the murders. Mr. Kohberger was out driving in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022; as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars," the filing, obtained by E! News at the time, read. "He drove throughout the area south of Pullman, Washington, west of Moscow, Idaho including Wawawai Park. The first day of the upcoming trial has been set for Aug. 11, 2025. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App A judge has decided on whether the man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students can face the death penalty. Today Judge Steven Hippler says Bryan Kohberger can, in fact, face the death penalty if he is charged. Kohbergers defense team tried to toss it out as an option, pleading their case on Nov. 7. The Court concludes relief in Defendants favor is not warranted on any of the motions, the memorandum decision states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohbergers defense attorneys filed multiple briefs ahead of that hearing, arguing everything from the availability of chemicals for lethal injection chemicals to what they call the cruel and unusual method of using the firing squad. The memorandum states that the team failed to prove their arguments, and that some of the material they used to back up their claims was irrelevant. You can read the full memorandum decision here. Kohberger will head to trial in Aug. of 2025. Hes accused of killing Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves in Nov. of 2022 at an off-campus home. Four University of Idaho students are discovered stabbed to death on Nov. 13, 2022. What led officials to an arrest in the case? See key dates in the investigation. Police responded to a report of an unconscious person that they received around 11:58 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. There, members of the Moscow Police Department found four University of Idaho students dead on the second and third floors of the home. Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, and Xana Kernodle were roommates who lived in the home while the fourth victim, Ethan Chapin, did not live there but was dating Kernodle. Two other roommates lived in the home, but were not attacked and police said they believe they slept through the killings / Credit: Ted S. Warren/AP Nov. 13, 2022: Off-campus murders Four University of Idaho students are found dead in the off-campus home where three of the victims lived in Moscow, Idaho. They had been brutally stabbed to death. The victims are identified as Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho. The off-campus residence where the four students were found dead on Nov. 13. Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves shared the residence with two other roommates, who were unharmed. / Credit: AP Images Nov. 15, 2022: The murder weapon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Moscow Police Department issues a statement saying an "edged weapon such as a knife" was used in the killings. No murder weapon has been found. On Nov. 16, three days after the murders, the Moscow police held their first press conference. Police chief James Fry says the killing of the four University of Idaho students was a targeted attack. / Credit: Moscow Police Department YouTube Nov. 16, 2022: Police press conference The Moscow Police Department holds a press conference about the murders. Police Chief James Fry says it was a targeted attack. "We do not have a suspect at this time and that individual is still out there." Nov. 17, 2022: Cause of death The Latah County Coroner's Office reports the victims were likely asleep when they were stabbed with a large knife. Some even had defensive wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nov. 18, 2022: Tracing the victims' final steps / Credit: Moscow Police Department Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police release an aerial map showing the times and locations where the victims were on the night of Nov. 12, 2022, and in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022. Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen were at the Corner Club between 10 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. and then headed to a food truck at 1:40 a.m. Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle attended a Sigma Chi party between 8 to 9 p.m. and were home at 1:45 a.m. Nov. 19, 2022: The hunt for a suspect Investigators say they do not believe the driver who brought two of the victims Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen home on the night of the murders is involved in the crime. Nov. 20, 2022: Others cleared Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives say they do not believe the surviving roommates or friends visiting the house at the time of the murders are involved. Investigators have pursued Nov. 22, 2022: Possible stalker? Investigators looked extensively at information received about one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, having a stalker. They have not been able to verify or identify a stalker. Nov. 25, 2022: Physical evidence To this date, investigators collected 113 pieces of physical evidence and sent it to the Idaho State Police crime lab. Idaho Governor Brad Little has directed up to $1 million in funds for the ongoing investigation. Nov. 30, 2022: Vigil for the students Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University of Idaho holds a vigil in honor of the murdered students. "The most important message that we have for you and your families is to spend as much time as possible with those people," Stacy Chapin, the mother of victim Ethan Chapin, tells those who gathered. Dec. 7, 2022: A potential clue Police announce they are interested in speaking with the driver of a white 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra spotted near the crime scene at the time of the murders. At a later date, the search was expanded to include Elantras from 2011 to 2016. Police released new body cam video of Bryan Kohberger and his father being pulled over twice in Indiana on a December road trip home to Pennsylvania. The video was taken more than two weeks before Kohberger's arrest at his family's home. / Credit: Indiana State Police Dec. 15, 2022: Traffic stop A trooper's body cam captures a white Hyundai Elantra being stopped twice in Indiana for driving violations. The driver is 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger, who is accompanied by his father. They were driving home from Washington State University for winter break to the family's home in Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dec. 18, 2022: Footage released Surveillance footage emerges of victims Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen hours before the killings walking through downtown discussing a man named Adam. He is not considered a suspect. Dec. 20, 2022: The search for vehicle of interest Investigators speak to an owner of a Hyundai Elantra located in Eugene, Oregon. The vehicle was involved in a collision and was impounded. The owner is believed to not have any connection to Moscow, Idaho. On Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, Bryan Kohberger, 28, was being held for extradition in a criminal homicide investigation in the killings of four University of Idaho students. / Credit: AP Dec. 30, 2022: An arrest Police announce Bryan Kohberger's arrest in Albrightsville, Pa., for the murders of the University of Idaho students He is being charged with burglary and four counts of first-degree murder. Kohberger was a Ph.D. student at Washington State University, which is located roughly 8 miles from the murder scene in Moscow, Idaho. Law enforcement say they were able to use forensic analysis to connect Kohberger to the crime scene. Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, is escorted to an extradition hearing at the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, Pa., on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. / Credit: AP Photos Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan. 3, 2023: Extradition hearing At a hearing in Pennsylvania, Kohberger waives his extradition to Moscow, Idaho. Jan. 4, 2023: Suspect arrives in Idaho Bryan Kohberger is escorted by law enforcement after arriving at Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. Kohberger was extradited from Pennsylvania earlier Thursday, for the alleged murder of four University of Idaho students on Nov. 13, 2022. / Credit: Austin Johnson/AP Bryan Kohberger is brought to Idaho. The judge issues a gag order, which prohibits officials and others involved in the case from speaking about it. Jan. 5, 2023: Court documents released Public officials release an affidavit in the case against Bryan Kohberger. Among the findings: A witness claims she saw a figure of "5'10 or taller, male, not very muscular" dressed in black clothing and a mask on the night of the murders. She said the masked figure walked toward the black sliding glass door and she locked herself in her room.The DNA found on the button snap of a leather knife sheath at the crime scene appears to be a strong match with the DNA found in the trash at the Kohberger family residence in Albrightsville, Pa. Investigators believe the homicides occurred between 4 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. Kohberger applied for an internship with the Pullman Police Department and in his application essay he said he had an interest in assisting in rural law enforcement agencies with how to better collect and analyze technological data.Investigators checked the movements of Kohberger's phone and it stops reporting a signal at 2:47 a.m. and appears to turn back on at 4:48 a.m. This means the phone may have been in area without cell coverage or the phone was turned off.Jan. 12, 2023: Kohberger appears in court Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary hearing for Bryan Kohberger was set for June 26. He waived his right to a speedy preliminary hearing, with his defense team asking the court for time to prepare for the case. May 5, 2023: Kohberger stopped by police a month before killings Newly-released body camera video shows Bryan Kohberger being pulled over for allegedly running a red light about a month before the killings. The video shows campus police at Washington State University stopping Kohberger on Oct. 14, 2022, in Pullman, the Idaho Statesman reported. The officer eventually lets him go with a warning. May 17, 2023: Kohberger indicted Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A grand jury indicted Bryan Kohberger on four counts of first-degree murder and felony burglary for his alleged involvement in the killings the same four murder charges he was already facing. May 22, 2023: Judge enters not guilty pleas on Kohberger's behalf At his arraignment, a judge entered a not guilty plea on Bryan Kohberger's behalf after Kohberger did not respond in court when the judge asked him how he pleaded to the charges brought against him. June 21, 2023: A DNA match A DNA sample taken from Bryan Kohberger revealed a near-exact match to the DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene of the quadruple murder in Idaho last November, according to new court documents. DNA found on the sheath was initially compared to DNA from trash recovered outside the Kohberger family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, last year. A cheek swab taken from Kohberger allowed for another, more direct DNA comparison. June 26, 2023: Prosecutors to pursue the death penalty Prosecutors have decided to pursue the death penalty for Bryan Kohberger, the man accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November. Aug. 3, 2023: Alibi claim revealed Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger claim he was going for a routine drive when the killings took place, according to new court filings. On Aug. 3, Kohberger's attorneys objected to the state's request for an alibi of his whereabouts on the night of the murders. In the documents, his attorneys claim "Mr. Kohberger has long had a habit of going for drives alone," and that he did so on the night and morning of the brutal killings." Kohberger's attorneys said in the documents that witnesses may be able to testify he wasn't at the scene of the crime. State law requires defendants to declare if they will present an alibi. Aug. 18, 2023: Defense questions validity of knife sheath DNA At a court hearing, Bryan Kohberger's defense questioned the validity of DNA found on a knife sheath at the crime scene that authorities allege connected him to the four murders. Defense attorneys demanded more information from prosecutors about the DNA. Prosecutors countered that they have handed over what they have. The judge denied a request by Kohberger's defense to delay the trial, which remains slated to begin as scheduled in October. Aug. 23, 2023: Trial postponed Bryan Kohberger's trial will not happen as scheduled on Oct. 2. Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial during an appearance in Latah County Court, CBS affiliate KBOI-TV reported. His attorney, Anne Taylor, spoke on his behalf, and said she may not be ready for the trial by October. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson has said he intends to seek the death penalty. During the court appearance, Taylor said her team will file a motion to strike the death penalty, and will file another motion seeking to ban cameras in the courtroom. June 27, 2024: Trial date set for Kohberger A district court judge has set a June 2025 start date for the Bryan Kohberger's criminal trial.. Both the defense and prosecuting attorneys agreed to the court's proposed trial schedule during a hearing in Latah County, where the killings happened. Kohberger appeared at the hearing. Latah County District Judge John Judge said he anticipates the trial will last three months. That would account for two weeks of jury selection, eight weeks of the trial itself, and another two weeks for the verdict, sentencing and anything else remaining, he said. Oct. 10, 2024: Trial date delayed until 2025 Kohberger's trial will begin on Aug. 11, 2025, and continue through Nov. 7, 2025, according to a scheduling order issued by the state of Idaho. It had been scheduled to start in June 2025. Nov. 19, 2024: Kohberger can face the death penalty if convicted 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. 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 As Republicans on the House Ethics Committee are blocking the release of the panels report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), two House Democrats are spearheading an end-around strategy in a bid to make the findings public. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) on Wednesday each moved to force votes on resolutions calling on the Ethics panel to release its report into Gaetz. Each of them noticed their intent to force action on the measures, which, if determined to pass parliamentary muster, must occur within two legislative days. The House is scheduled to break for Thanksgiving recess on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is important to the integrity of this body, Cohen said on the floor. Leadership could stage a vote on the resolution or move to table it. It remains unclear how they plan to handle the measures. 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. The move by Casten, a three-term lawmaker, came hours after the House Ethics Committee wrapped up a meeting without releasing its report into Gaetz. The panel took multiple votes, a source familiar with the situation told The Hill, including one to release the report as-is, which failed along party lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Committee met amid mounting pressure to publish its body of work regarding Gaetz, whom President-elect Trump nominated to be attorney general. Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly after his nomination. The push to release the report, however, has been opposed by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who wants the panels work to remain private. The debate has electrified Capitol Hill since Trump nominated Gaetz to lead the Justice Department in the second Trump administration. The report holds the Ethics Committees findings after a years-long investigation into allegations that Gaetz used illicit drugs and had sexual relations with a minor while he was a sitting member of Congress charges he has vehemently denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Gaetz resigned from Congress last week which ended the investigative part of the Ethics Committees duties his nomination to be U.S. attorney general in the second Trump administration has created enormous interest in the panels findings. Even a number of Senate Republicans say the contents of the report are relevant to Gaetzs nomination process in the upper chamber. But Johnson and other Republicans have rejected that argument, saying the Ethics Committees jurisdiction over the Gaetz case ended with Gaetzs resignation from the House, and releasing the report after-the-fact would set a bad precedent for a panel known for its bipartisan cooperation. On Wednesday, the members of the Ethics panel met behind closed doors for roughly two hours to discuss the question of whether to release the report. That meeting ended in a vote that split the parties right down the middle: All Republicans voted to keep the report under wraps, while all the Democrats voted for its release, according to Rep. Susan Wild (Pa.), the senior Democrat on the panel. There was no consensus, Wild said afterwards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castens procedural gambit is a long shot. With Republicans controlling the House, GOP lawmakers have the power to table the resolution if Johnson can keep his slim majority together. But Gaetz has made many enemies on both sides of the aisle over his eight years on Capitol Hill, including a number of GOP lawmakers who are still furious that he led the effort to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from power last year. The lingering resentment raises questions about whether any of McCarthys remaining allies would risk Trumps ire to cross the aisle and join Democrats in voting to release the report. There is precedent for such a vote. In 1996, the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) introduced a resolution to force a vote on the release of an Ethics report surrounding allegations that former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) committed financial crimes for political gain. Republicans, who controlled the House at the time, tabled the resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story was updated at 7:25 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. CHICAGO In a stunning move, the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned the convictions for former Empire actor Jussie Smollett, finding that a special prosecutors decision to retry him violated his rights after the Cook County states attorneys office previously dropped all charges against him. The high courts decision turns another page in perhaps the most controversial and closely-watched low-level felony case in Illinois in recent years. We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust, the opinion said. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court remanded the case to the trial court to enter a dismissal. Smollett was convicted by a jury of five of six counts of disorderly conduct in December of 2021 for lying to the police on Jan. 29, 2019, when he reported that two men attacked him in the Loop, hitting him, yelling homophobic slurs and placing a noose around his neck. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and $130,160 in restitution. But he has yet to serve the sentence, as a lengthy appeal has wound its way through the system. A lower court previously affirmed the convictions in a split 2-1 decision, but the Supreme Court agreed to hear the actors appeal. Central to his appeal was a decision by the Cook County states attorneys office to drop charges against Smollett, a move that at the time embroiled States Attorney Kim Foxx and her office in controversy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook County prosecutors had charged Smollett with disorderly conduct for concocting the hoax with brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who testified that he paid them to perpetrate the attack, but about a month later prosecutors dropped all counts against him, noting that he forfeited his $10,000 bond and had done community service. Foxx previously handed the case to deputies, saying she had recused herself. Finally, it defies credulity to believe that defendant would agree to forfeit $10,000 with the understanding that CCSAO could simply reindict him the following day, the court wrote in the opinion. The initial hate crime report as well as the subsequent hoax allegations against Smollett generated fevered, international attention, as did the abruptness of the dropped charges. The offices move to dismiss the case drew questions and criticism in part because of the opacity behind the surprising decision. Former Cook County Judge Michael Toomin appointed Dan Webb, a former U.S. attorney, as special prosecutor amid scrutiny around the decision, finding, among other things, that Foxx had improperly recused herself. Webb eventually refiled charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smolletts attorneys have argued that the dropped charges amounted to an agreement between prosecutors and the actor particularly pointing out that the state kept his $10,000 bond. They argued that double jeopardy had attached when Smollett forfeited the bail money. Attorneys for the state, though, contended that prosecutors who drop charges are not precluded from refiling charges in the same case. Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and $130,160 in restitution. ____ CHICAGO In a stunning move, the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned the convictions of former Empire actor Jussie Smollett, finding that a special prosecutors decision to retry him for allegedly staging a hate crime against himself violated his rights after the Cook County states attorneys office previously dropped all charges. The high courts decision, which found that the prosecutors office entered into an agreement with Smollett when it dismissed the case, closes a chapter in perhaps the most controversial and closely-watched low-level felony case in Illinois in recent years. We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust, the opinion said. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court sent the case back to the trial court and ordered that it enter a dismissal. In January 2019, Smollett told police that two men attacked him in the citys Streeterville neighborhood, hitting him, yelling homophobic slurs and placing a noose around his neck. His story quickly unraveled, though, according to police, and Cook County prosecutors charged Smollett with disorderly conduct for allegedly concocting the hoax with brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who testified that he paid them to perpetrate the attack. But weeks after indicting him, prosecutors dropped all counts against him, noting that he forfeited his $10,000 bond and had done community service. Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx previously handed the case to deputies, saying she had recused herself. The initial hate crime report as well as the subsequent hoax allegations against Smollett generated fevered, international attention, as did the abruptness of the dropped charges. The offices move to dismiss the case drew questions and criticism in part because of the opacity behind the surprising decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Cook County judge Michael Toomin appointed special prosecutor Dan Webb, a former U.S. attorney, to investigate, and he eventually filed new charges. Smollett was convicted by a jury of five of six counts of disorderly conduct in December of 2021 and was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and $130,160 in restitution, which he will no longer need to serve. Speaking to the Tribune shortly after the Supreme Court opinion was released, though, Cook County Assistant States Attorney Kim Foxx said the justices decision supports her previous statements that her office entered into a normal, non-prosecution agreement with Smollett that allowed the charges to be dismissed. Nothing about todays decision surprises me, she said. Though she generally declined to answer specific questions about the decision-making in the case, saying she would not re-litigate it, Foxx said she regrets not appealing Toomins appointment of a special prosecutor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt want it to look like I was hiding something, she said of that decision. Foxx called the ensuing investigation and re-prosecution by Webb a circus, and said the experience has been eye-poppingly frustrating. It took going all the way up the Supreme Court five years and millions of dollars later to get to the same result, she said. In a statement, Webb said he is disappointed in the opinion and respectfully disagrees with its reasoning. Make no mistaketodays ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smolletts innocence. The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that Mr. Smollett orchestrated a fake hate crime and reported it to the Chicago Police Department as a real hate crime, or the jurys unanimous verdict that Mr. Smollett was guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct, the statement said. In fact, Mr. Smollett did not even challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against him in his appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smolletts attorney, Nenye Uche, did not immediately responded to a request for comment from the Tribune. The opinion was delivered by Justice Elizabeth Rochford and unanimously signed on by Justices P. Scott Neville, David Overstreet, Lisa Holder White and Mary Kay OBrien. Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and Justice Joy Cunningham did not take part. During a lengthy appeal process, Uche argued that the dropped charges amounted to an agreement between prosecutors and Smollett particularly pointing out that the state kept his $10,000 bond. He argued that double jeopardy had attached when Smollett forfeited the bail money. Attorneys for the state, though, contended that prosecutors who drop charges are not precluded from refiling charges in the same case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lower court previously affirmed the convictions in a split 2-1 decision. The Supreme Court opinion noted that the state had argued that Smolletts forfeiture of the bond was voluntary, as was in community service, but the justices wrote that it defies credulity to believe that defendant would agree to forfeit $10,000 with the understanding that CCSAO could simply reindict him the following day. The justices said it was clear in the record that the states attorneys office considered the dismissal to be a final resolution to the case. The only other interpretation of the prosecutors words is that defendant charitably agreed to give up his $10,000 bail bond at the exact moment that the prosecutor coincidentally dismissed the case, the opinion said. This is obviously not what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judges further said that adopting the states position that Smollett could be re-prosecuted would have terrible policy consequences. Because the charges were dismissed in exchange for defendants community service and forfeiture of his bail bond and because defendant fully performed his end of the agreement, the State is bound by the agreement, the opinion said. ____ The Illinois Supreme Court has thrown out former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's conviction for lying about a 2019 hate crime. Smollett was found guilty in 2021 of faking a racist and homophobic attack and lying to the police. His lawyers said this violated his Fifth Amendment rights because, in 2019, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx had already agreed to drop the charges if Smollett paid $10,000 and did community service. A special prosecutor later charged him again, leading to his trial and conviction. In its decision, filed on Thursday, the court stated they are resolving a "question about the State's responsibility to honor the agreements it makes with defendants." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: The Jussie Smollett trial: Timeline of how this case ended up in court The court stated it did not find that the state could bring a second prosecution against Smollett after the initial charges were dismissed as part of an agreement and the actor performed the terms of the agreement, noting that Illinois case law establishes that it is "fundamentally unfair to allow the prosecution to renege on a deal with a defendant when the defendant has relied on the agreement to his detriment." "We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied," it said. PHOTO: Jussie Smollett attends the Point Honors New York Gala celebrating the accomplishments of LGBTQ Students at The Plaza Hotel on April 9, 2018 in New York City. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) Among the cases cited in the court's decision is Bill Cosby's, whose conviction on sexual assault charges was overturned in 2021 by Pennsylvania's highest court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cosby was sentenced in 2018 to three to 10 years in state prison for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004. After hearing Cosby's appeal, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court concluded that his prosecution should never have occurred due to a deal the comedian cut with former Montgomery County prosecutor Bruce Castor, who agreed not to criminally prosecute Cosby if he gave a deposition in a civil case brought against him by Constand. While citing the Cosby case, the Illinois Supreme Court said the state "reneging on a fully executed agreement" after Smollett forfeited a $10,000 bond "would be arbitrary, unreasonable, fundamentally unfair, and a violation of the defendant's due process rights." MORE: Former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail in hoax attack The Illinois Supreme Court's decision cancels earlier rulings by Cook County and appellate courts. The court has now sent the case back to the lower court to officially dismiss the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smolletts legal team hailed the Illinois Supreme Courts decision to overturn his convictions as a victory for justice and fairness. "This was a vindictive persecution, not a prosecution," lead attorney Nenye Uche said during a press conference in Chicago Thursday afternoon. "The Supreme Court made it clear: prosecutions must be based on facts, not public opinion." "If this had been a regular citizen, this case would never have gone to trial," he added. Smollett's legal team said the decision means the actor owes no further fines or service. While the city of Chicago's civil case against Smollett for reimbursement of investigation costs remains unresolved, Uche said their "focus today is on the criminal appeal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This case has wasted enough taxpayer money," Shay Allen, another attorney on Smollett's legal team, said during the press briefing. "It's time to move forward." PHOTO: Jussie Smollett attends 'The Lost Holliday' New York screening on Sept. 25, 2024 in New York City. (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images, FILE) Dan Webb, who was appointed by a Cook County judge to continue looking into the case after the Cook County State's Attorney's Office dropped all charges against the actor, said he was "disappointed" in the court's decision. "We respectfully disagree with the Courts factual and legal reasoning which upends long-standing Illinois precedent," he said in a lengthy statement. Webb noted that the ruling "has nothing to do with Mr. Smolletts innocence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that Mr. Smollett orchestrated a fake hate crime and reported it to the Chicago Police Department as a real hate crime, or the jurys unanimous verdict that Mr. Smollett was guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct," he said. He also said the decision is "not the result of any error or conduct by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the trial court, or the Chicago Police Department," but is "only possible because of the unprecedented resolution" of the initial case by the Cook County States Attorney's Office. "Despite todays ruling, the City of Chicago remains able to pursue its pending civil lawsuit against Mr. Smollett in order to recoup the over $120,000 in overtime expenses the Chicago Police Department incurred for investigating Mr. Smolletts fake hate crime," Webb said. MORE: Wisconsin kayaker who faked death says he is 'safe' but won't reveal his location, won't come home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury convicted Smollett in December 2021 on five of six felony counts of disorderly conduct stemming from him filing a false police report and lying to police, who spent more than $130,000 investigating his allegations. He was sentenced to 150 days in county jail, ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution to the city of Chicago, fined $25,000 and ordered to serve 30 months of felony probation. The case began after the openly gay actor told police that he was set upon by two men while walking on a street near his Chicago apartment early on Jan. 29, 2019. The attackers allegedly shouted racist and homophobic slurs before hitting him, pouring "an unknown chemical substance" on him and wrapping a rope around his neck. Chicago police said Smollett's story of being the victim of an attack began to unravel when investigators tracked down two men, brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who they said were seen in a security video near where Smollett claimed he was assaulted and around the same time it supposedly occurred. The Osundairo brothers told police the actor paid them $3,500 to help him orchestrate and stage the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2019, a grand jury indicted Smollett on 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. In a stunning move, Foxx's office dropped the charges later that month despite acknowledging Smollett fabricated the street attack on himself in an attempt to get a pay raise for his role on "Empire." As part of an agreement with prosecutors, Smollett forfeited 10% of a $100,000 bond and preemptively completed community service prior to the charges being dropped. In June 2019, Webb was appointed to investigate the decision to dismiss all charges against Smollett. The actor was subsequently indicted again in February 2020 on six felony counts of disorderly conduct for making false reports to police. Jussie Smollett's conviction in hoax attack overturned by state supreme court originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Alimat Aliyeva Turkish archaeologists from Karabuk University (KBU) have discovered a 5th-century AD bronze Christian pendant in Anatolia. The pendant is decorated with an image of the legendary King Solomon riding a horse and piercing the Devil with a spear, Azernews reports. Inscriptions in ancient Greek were also found on both sides of the artifact. The text on the front surface translates to "Our Lord has defeated evil," and on the back, four archangels are named: Azrael, Gabriel, Michael, and Israfil. According to scientists, this is the only pendant of its kind ever discovered in Anatolia. Archaeologists found the object during excavations in the Byzantine city of Adrianople. According to experts, the pendant could have belonged to a serviceman, likely a mounted warrior. Researchers are not certain about the purpose of the artifact but suggest that it may symbolize the strength and faith of its owner, as well as serve as an amulet. The scientists also noted that a similar pendant had previously been found in Jerusalem, suggesting that Adrianople was an important religious center in ancient times. The post Illinois Supreme Court Overturns Jussie Smolletts Conviction appeared first on Consequence. The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of former Empire actor Jussie Smollett. Smollett, who was found guilty of five counts of disorderly conduct for falsely reporting a hate crime against himself, has been appealing his case since his 2021 conviction. While the Appellate Court of Illinois denied Smolletts request last year, the Illinois Supreme Court has now ruled in his favor, citing due process violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, we resolve a question about the States responsibility to honor the agreements it makes with defendants, the court wrote in a statement. Specifically, we address whether a dismissal of a case by nolle prosequi allows the State to bring a second prosecution when the dismissal was entered as part of an agreement with the defendant and the defendant has performed his part of the bargain. We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendants conviction. In the ruling, the Illinois Supreme Court referenced Bill Cosbys trial as another case that generated significant public interest. It also acknowledged that many people were dissatisfied with the initial dismissal of Smolletts charges, but ultimately argued that more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people detrimentally relied. Smolletts case originates from a 2019 incident where two men seemingly attacked the actor for being homosexual. As police investigated, they discovered evidence that suggested Smollett had organized the attack himself, paying two brothers he met through the production of Empire $3,500 to play the part of the aggressors. Despite initially facing 16 felony counts, prosecutors dropped all charges in March of 2019. In early 2020, he faced new charges, eventually leading to his 2021 conviction. Its this sequence of events the dropping of the initial charges and the subsequent second round of charges that ultimately led to the Illinois Supreme Courts decision. Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, and was ordered to pay more than $130,000. Prior to the reversal, he had served six days of that sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, after being released from jail due to his pending appeal, Smollett released an R&B song addressing his case, Thank You God. Illinois Supreme Court Overturns Jussie Smolletts Conviction Jonah Krueger Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's conviction on charges he falsely reported a hoax hate crime to Chicago police in 2019 has been overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court, which ruled Thursday that he should not have been charged after he entered a non-prosecution agreement with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. In 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months probation after being found guilty. His attorney, Mark Geragos, applauded the high court's ruling, saying, "Political prosecutions have no place in the criminal law." [Geragos is co-owner of Engine Vision Media, the parent company of Los Angeles.] Related: Illinois Supreme Court Set to Hear Jussie Smollett Appeal The court found that Smollett's case was subject to the double jeopardy clause in the U.S. Constitution, as his lawyers have argued in his long-fought appeal, and that his agreement with the State's Attorney's Office should have been honored. The high court cited "terrible policy consequences" of adopting prosecutors' stance on filing the charges again and that overturning non-prosecution agreements would "comport neither with ordinary contract principles nor with the more expansive notions of fundamental fairness that control the relations between a state and its citizens." Related: Jussie Smollett Accuses Chicago Judge of "Explicit Bias" in Hate Crimes Hoax Case "We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendant's conviction," Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford wrote in the high court's opinion. Smollett's case stemmed from a report he filed with Chicago Police while he was a main character on the hit show "Empire" that claimed that he was attacked by two men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs during the assault, with one of them yelling, "This is MAGA country." The apparently bigoted attack against a Black and gay actor sparked outrage. But Chicago police later determined that Smollett had orchestrated the attack himself and charged him with staging a felonious hoax. But after an outcry, the case was revived by a special prosecutor, and Smollett was then convicted of felony disorderly conduct, which is the charge reversed by the Supreme Court. Geragos said that the ruling upheld the "responsibility" prosecutors have nationally to "honor the agreements it makes with defendants." Never Miss a Beat! Subscribe to Los Angeles Magazines The Daily Brief for daily updates delivered straight to your inbox. Join below or by clicking here. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology is warning residents to use extra caution while holiday shopping to avoid scams. According to a news release from the department, scammers are more active this time of year to take advantage of the increase in online activity. This ranges from deceiving buyers to stealing personal information. During the holidays, its important to be extra vigilant online. A few simple precautions can make all the difference in keeping your personal information safe, Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology Statewide Chief Information Security Officer Jason Bowen said. We aim to help Illinois residents safeguard themselves from malicious hackers by providing best practices to ensure they stay cyber secure this holiday season and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bloomington police warn of new scam Some tips to keep in mind when shopping from the National Cyber Security Alliance include: Beware when clicking on ads or links, try and determine if they are ligament before you click on them. Check reviews about the merchants on e-commerce sites to make sure they are legitimate. Use a credit card instead of a debit card when possible to take advantage of consumer protections for credit cards if something goes wrong. Be alert if a site asks for information you feel uncomfortable going out. Always keep regular tabs on your bank and credit card statements to keep an eye out for unauthorized activity. More information on cyber scams is available here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. MADISON COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) New information is available in connection to the 2016 case of a child known as Baby Madison. The Madison County Sheriffs Office and the FBI Bryan Resident Agency released a new facial reconstruction image on Thursday morning. Investigators are asking anyone who might know the childs identity to please contact law enforcement. The skeletal remains of an unidentified child were originally found of Interstate 45, near Madison, on September 17, 2016. They were found about 38 miles northeast of Bryan and 95 miles north of Houston. The remains were wrapped in a white trash bag and placed inside a black suitcase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriffs Office says forensic tests later confirmed the remains belonged to that of a little girl between two and five years old. She was wearing a size 4T long-sleeved pink dress from the Mon Petit brand with butterflies that read Follow Your Dreams. She was also wearing a size four diaper. Baby Madison was also found with a feeding tube and likely required specialized medical care during her short life. It was originally believed Baby Madisons lower jaw was smaller than normal, a medical condition known as micrognathia. However, the facial reconstruction image generated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has been updated after additional forensic professionals examined the remains. Based on the new forensic assessments and additional investigative efforts which have been completed over the years, it is now believed the child did not suffer from micrognathia. Baby Madison may have ancestral ties to El Salvador and Nuevo Leon, Mexico, according to genetic testing results. She also had long, thick black hair. If you have any information about who Baby Madison is or who might have disposed of her body along I-45 around the summer of 2016, The Sheriffs Office and FBI Bryan are asking the public to call 936-348-2755, Ext. #322. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI Bryan RA is assisting in this case by providing investigative and analytical assets and resources to the Madison County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Outgoing Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Braun who will take office as Indiana's next governor in January has been admonished by GOP colleagues after he missed multiple key congressional votes. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indiana U.S. Sen. Mike Braun is facing criticism from Republican colleagues and President-elect Donald Trump after his recent absences from Capitol Hill helped Democrats secure their picks for multiple lifetime federal judges. The outgoing senator won his bid to be Indianas next governor earlier this month. For now, however, hes still an active member of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator Braun returned to D.C. yesterday and is there today, his office said in a statement. He continues to balance his Senate responsibilities with his Transition responsibilities. GOP senators from other states now fuming on social media and in the halls of the capitol building maintain that Brauns work in Washington, D.C. should be prioritized until his tenure there is officially complete. They said the same applies to a handful of other outgoing senators who havent shown up for key votes, as well. Although Republicans in the U.S. Senate have tried to delay the confirmation process by slow-rolling procedural votes, they havent been able to block the nominees outright due to missing caucus members. Senate Republicans gained enough seats during the 2024 elections to win a majority, but Democrats still control the chamber until Januarys swearing-in ceremony for new members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Braun was absent from key Senate floor votes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, according to voting records, though a spokesperson for his office said he made it to some votes late Wednesday after attending the Republican Governors Associations annual conference in Florida. Brauns absence from the Senate, for example, helped Amir Ali, a Democrat-supported judicial nominee for the District of Columbia, get confirmed on Wednesday by a 50-49 margin, largely along party lines. Before that, on Monday, senators 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 tally was missing votes from five Republicans, including Braun. Other caucus members not present for that vote were Vice President-elect JD Vance a senator from Ohio and Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, full Republican attendance on Monday might not have guaranteed blocked confirmations. Vice President Kamala Harris could have cast a tie-breaking vote in Democrats favor. Democrats separately had the option to reschedule votes until next week to ensure all members of their caucus were present. On Tuesday, the Senate additionally approved two district court nominees who faced united Republican opposition. One of those, Sarah Russell, was selected for Connecticuts federal trial court with just 50 votes. Had the six absent Republicans including Braun been present and voted no, the nomination would have likely failed. Hours before the vote, Harris departed Washington, D.C. for a weeklong trip to Hawaii, leaving Democrats without a tiebreaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the other missing Republicans, Sens. Hagerty and Ted Cruz of Texas, were with Trump and Elon Musk in Texas to watch a SpaceX rocket launch. Senate records show Indiana U.S. Sen. Todd Young voted against all four judges that were ultimately confirmed this week. Senate Republicans have since lashed out at their missing colleagues and emphasized that perfect attendance will be needed moving forward in order to block additional nominees. Trump who earlier this month urged GOP senators not to allow any judicial confirmations in the final weeks of President Joe Bidens administration called on absent officials to show up. 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! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2024 The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door, Trump said in a Wednesday post on X, formerly Twitter. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line No more judges confirmed before Inauguration Day! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a member of Republican leadership, further said that under full attendance, we would be able to at least make a shot at preventing some of the pending Democrat picks from getting confirmed. If we dont show up, we lose, added North Carolina GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, speaking to national reporters on 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. When asked about obligations that senators like Braun have had outside Capitol Hill Tillis said, I dont care. Theyre U.S. senators today, Tillis continued, adding that hes very angry about the latest votes. I dont think its unreasonable to make damn sure were all there at the strike of the gavel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Axios reported Wednesday that Republican senators have discussed whether Braun should resign, allowing someone else to fill his seat. Indiana GOP U.S. Rep. Jim Banks is on deck, elected earlier this month to take Brauns place. Its unclear whether that will actually happen. Currently, Banks swearing in is set for January. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Sakshi Dayal and Shilpa Jamkhandikar NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian opposition parties demanded a probe on Thursday into allegations of wrongdoing by the Adani Group and said they would raise the issue in parliament after its chair Gautam Adani was charged in the U.S. over an alleged bribery scheme. Billionaire Adani was indicted by U.S. prosecutors for his alleged role in a $265 million bribery and fraud scheme and arrest warrants were issued for him and his nephew, plunging his conglomerate deep into crisis for the second time in two years. The Adani Group rejected the allegations as baseless and said it complied fully with all laws. Adani has been the target of Indian opposition parties who say that he and his conglomerate have been protected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, charges both deny. Modis opponents say he has longstanding ties with Adani, going back nearly two decades to when Modi was chief minister of the western state of Gujarat, to which Adani also belongs. They accuse the government of favouring the group in business deals, charges the government has rejected as "wild allegations". "We are raising this issue, it is my responsibility to raise this issue as leader of opposition," Rahul Gandhi, leader of the main opposition Congress party, told reporters when asked if he would bring it up in parliament next week. Gandhi has led the opposition attack against Modi for what he says are Modi's links to Adani since U.S. short-seller Hindenburg Research issued a report last year accusing the Adani group of using offshore tax havens improperly - which the company has denied. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a comprehensive parliamentary probe into "every aspect of the working of the Adani Group". Sanjay Singh, a lawmaker from the opposition Aam Aadmi Party, said the indictment was a serious matter. "All pending matters against Adani should be probed by an investigation agency and monitored by the Supreme Court," Singh said. There was no immediate response to the indictment from the Indian government. However, Amit Malviya, a leader of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and its IT cell head, said Congress should not get "needlessly excited". "The document you quote says, 'The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty'," he said in response to a post by Congress spokesman Jairam Ramesh seeking a parliamentary probe. "The timing of the report, just before the parliament session and Donal(d) Trump's impending presidency raises several questions," he said, without elaborating. (Reporting by Sakshi Dayal and Shilpa Jamkhandikar. Writing by YP Rajesh. Editing by Mark Potter) DYER, Ind. A Dyer, Indiana man faces criminal charges after authorities discovered more than two dozen animals in distress Wednesday morning. Lake County Sheriffs Department and Indiana Department of Natural Resources personnel removed 23 dogs, five cats, three eastern box turtles (an endangered species) and one snapping turtle. Officials also recovered at least 29 deer skulls. Authorities discovered the animals in need while executing a search warrant for suspected illegal hunting at a home in the 8500 block of Sheffield Ave. The Lake County Sheriffs Department did not elaborate further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lake County Animal Control, the Hobart Humane Society and the Humane Indiana are caring for the rescued animals. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriffs Department (Photo: Lake County Sheriffs Department) Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriffs Department (Photo: Lake County Sheriffs Department) Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriffs Department (Photo: Lake County Sheriffs Department) Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriffs Department (Photo: Lake County Sheriffs Department) Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriffs Department (Photo: Lake County Sheriffs Department) Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Indianas Department of Resources is investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) Timothy M. OShea, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin announced that a 21-year-old man from Indianapolis was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for owning a firearm as a convicted felon. Damarion Jackson was a passenger in a high-speed car chase in Monona, Wisconsin on Nov. 4 last year. Police officers disabled the car, and Jackson fled on foot with a small bag. Multiple agencies respond to deadly 2-vehicle crash on WIS 42 in Door County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bag contained a loaded handgun with a machinegun conversion device, which is an illegal after-market item that converts semi-automatic handguns into a fully functional machine gun. Jackson is a previously convicted felon, which makes it illegal for him to own any type of firearm or ammunition. California man arrested in Wisconsin after breaking into strangers house, thought it was a relatives U.S. District Judge William Conley noted that Jacksons criminal lifestyle started at a young age while expressing hope that this moment would be a turning point for him. No more details are available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. You can read the full text of this article if you: Select an option Log In Buy Article Content & Permissions Access through Ovid SCRANTON Lackawanna Countys Democratic majority commissioners approved a nearly 33% property tax hike Wednesday, adopting a 2025 budget their chief financial officer described as a practice in inevitability. The precipitous hike was made inevitable by a structural deficit that ballooned in recent years as expenditure growth outpaced that of revenues. And it was made inevitable by prior administrations that depleted the countys accumulated fund balance and relied on one-time revenue sources to balance budgets as the structural deficit grew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The result, unpleasant to those who approved it and those who implored them not to, is tough medicine: a significant hike the likes of which county taxpayers havent seen since 2012s 37.5% increase. The coming hike increases the countys overall property tax rate from 67.67 to 89.98 mills, a mill being a $1 tax on every $1,000 of assessed property value, and will cost a typical residential property owner in Scranton about $201 more next year. Democratic majority Commissioners Bill Gaughan and Matt McGloin approved the increase Wednesday by adopting their $167 million 2025 spending plan over Republican minority Commissioner Chris Chermaks objections. The vote followed a lengthy public comment period rife with taxpayer pushback. Many of those speakers voiced sincere fear about what the hike will mean for vulnerable residents, including the elderly, those on fixed incomes and those grappling with high consumer prices and other economic anxieties. Some were encouraged by an alternative budget proposal put forward by Chermak that carried a far smaller tax hike of just 6.3%, though that plan was marred by inaccuracies and other issues. Gaughan and McGloin again excoriated Chermaks proposal as deeply flawed and dishonest; Chief Financial Officer David Bulzoni acknowledged its not viable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The passion many public speakers exhibited in opposing the tax hike was sometimes undercut by an apparent lack of understanding of the countys underlying financial problems, their causes and the function of county government more broadly. The county entered 2024 with more than $18 million in unpaid bills and just about $6 million in its general fund. Officials faced the very real threat of running out of money this year, an outcome they were able to avoid. They also faced the prospect of a roughly $37 million structural deficit next year, an amount officials curtailed to about $29 million through cuts and other corrective action. The nearly 33% hike will help eliminate that projected $29 million structural deficit and, according to Bulzoni and others, end the practice of relying on one-time revenue sources and a diminishing fund balance to close operational shortfalls. Chermak, who tried in vain to table Wednesdays budget vote, argued it amounts to an abdication of the commissioners responsibility to protect taxpayers financial wellbeing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This tax increase comes at a time when our constituents are already struggling to make ends meet, he said. Over the past few years the cost of living has soared. Food, fuel, utilities are more expensive than ever. School districts and municipalities are raising taxes, some of them already have. This is just compounding the burden on our taxpayers. Alternatively, Gaughan described the tax-hike budget as the product of a perfect storm through the years of incompetence and willful neglect that preceded he and McGloins time in office. Gaughan grouped Chermak, a second-term commissioner, in with prior officials he contends share the blame for the present financial predicament. No one had the courage to address the problems head-on and be honest with the public, because in doing so that may have damaged them politically, Gaughan said. And we all know, whether we want to admit it or not, that here in Lackawanna County and in Pennsylvania and around the country, sometimes politicians are more worried about their chances of reelection than they are with the truth and the stone-cold facts. He described Wednesdays decision as painful but necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numbers do not lie, Gaughan said. When they are accurate, they speak the truth. Numbers also do not run for public office. Numbers themselves do not favor any political constituency. The truths that they tell cannot be altered by political preferences. Its my true belief that this budget honestly and accurately assesses the financial condition of Lackawanna Countys government and addresses it honestly and accurately. Among other features, the adopted budget eliminates about 90 unfilled positions and freezes salaries for nonunion employees who will pay increased health insurance copays and deductibles next year. It also allocates about $7.9 million to fund county pensions and significantly reduces budgeted overtime in certain departments. While he maintains the tax hike is unavoidable, McGloin stressed that he understands taxpayers frustrations. Outside of Scranton, the hike will increase tax bills for a typical property owner in Jessup by about $179, in Moscow by about $324 and in Clarks Summit by about $380, among other examples. Those calculations are based on the median residential assessed values in those municipalities; actual increases will vary based on a property owners individual assessment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not want to make anybodys life harder, and as much as I truly do not like this, please believe me when I say there is no other way, McGloin told the crowd. When I took office on Jan. 2, the last thing that I thought we were going to have to do was raise taxes like this, but the fact of the matter is there is no way any one of us could have known the position this county was in. And how could we? We were lied to, you were lied to, we have all been lied to for years lied to tremendously, he continued. But this is the administration that stops all of that. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Two spending bills are one step closer to passing the Ohio Statehouse. Infrastructure Spending Bill House Joint Resolution 8 and Senate Joint Resolution 4 are identical bills. Only one of them will ultimately pass but are both moving through the statehouse fast. If passed, it will ask voters to authorize $2.5 billion in spending for infrastructure. In terms of contributing to a healthier Ohio economy, renewal of this program results in thousands of good paying jobs to do the construction work on the projects that this program will finance, Ohio Rep. Dan Troy (D-Willowick). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $2.5 billion would be allocated over 10 years and is an increase from the current $2 billion, which is expiring on July 1, 2025. Labor and material costs have increased substantially, Troy said. So, the $200 million a year for ten years, $2 billion total, provided in the existing program doesnt cover as much as it previously did. The resolutions are a bi-partisan effort to renew the grant loan program that was first created in 1987. The money goes to local governments for projects on things like roads, bridges and water supplies. The projects are decided by local officials, Troy said. These are not promulgated and sent down from Columbus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution already passed the Senate and had no opposers in the House Finance Committee. If it passes the statehouse, it will be on ballots in May for voters to decide if they want the government to spend the money. The money is technically borrowed from the state, but the General Assembly has to provide sufficient funds like taxes, to pay for the service. Farmer Spending Bill The Ohio House Finance Committee passed House Bill 683, a $10 million spending bill to help farmers get through the states historic drought. Its a slowly evolving crisis, Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport), the bills sponsor, said. This is going to help fill the gap. Its not going to fix any long-term problem because we dont know what the long-term effects are going to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones said federal programs have been helpful in the meantime, but it is not enough. He called it a little bit of a band-aid. And [this bill] will be a bigger Band-Aid, Jones said. Were not going to completely heal the wound until we know exactly where we end up. Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Brian Baldridge agreed that relief comes down to how much rainfall and snow we get these next few months and how much farmers can recover from the drought. We know that theres more moisture in our winter months and our spring months, but if this drought cycle continues, we could really go in the spring at the same level we are, Baldridge said. We depend a lot on Mother Nature to give us that rain so we can grow those crops and, in this case, bring those pastures back to life this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones said not only does this bill help farmers, but also everyday Ohioans through a trickle-down effect if Ohio farmers have to keep selling their cattle and downsizing because of the drought. That steak or pack of hamburger that was $4.99 might be $5 or $6.99 next year because theres simply the cattle wasnt there, Jones said. And this is not something thats just going to be short term. Itll be long term. There was no opposition in committee, just a concern that the legislation is not going far enough. Large farms can suffer as acutely, or even more so than smaller farms and yet were not reaching out to help them, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) said. We should look at, at least for next year, what it would take to make everybody more whole in a drought situation like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate the folks that said, Hey, why dont we put more towards it, but I dont want to ask for too much now and not be able to come back if we need to or ask for more later, Jones said. The bill now awaits a House floor vote before it will be considered in the Senate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On Thursday, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a former inmate had been indicted in the death of a 27-year-old U.S. Army veteran inside the jail. Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes has been following the case since Christon Collins died back in March. She was there as Boston announced that Tobias Woods, 45, was responsible for giving Collins drugs laced with fentanyl while both of them were inmates at the DeKalb County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance camera video aired exclusively by Channel 2 Action News in July shows the final hours leading up to Collins life. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The veteran, who suffered from PTSD, can be seen walking out of his cell and into the common area. Moments later, he collapses and hits his head. Another inmate drags Collins back into his cell where hes not checked on for three hours. He died in the hospital two days later. Boston said on Thursday that Woods was the inmate who dragged Collins into his cell and also provided him with the drugs that investigators say led to his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Collins death, Woods had been released on bond for his initial charges of burglary. On Tuesday, a DeKalb County grand jury indicted Woods on charges of felony murder, two counts of distribution of controlled substances and items prohibited for possession by inmates. He was arrested again on Wednesday and is currently being held in the DeKalb County Jail. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Collins death, Fernandes spoke with his mother, Jonia Milburn, who said she tried to get her son help, but since last year, police had kept arresting him for petty crimes like trespassing and damaging property. Milburn said that every time police arrested Collins, they sent him to jail instead of the VA hospital. He went through a lot, and the last thing I wanted to do is have his integrity, his character blemished, Milburn said. Were demanding preventative measures and systemic change with the VA and the Dekalb County prison system. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] When Boston announced Woods indictment on Wednesday, she also announced the indictment of a former deputy, Joann Marks, who was arrested in April for having a sexual relationship with an inmate and smuggling a cell phone and cigarettes into the jail for him. President-elect Donald Trump and fellow billionaire Elon Musk are having a blast together as they prepare to take the levers of the federal government come January. Musk has taken part in calls with world leaders, hes had meals with the Trump family and he has been a constant presence during the last two weeks as Trump begins to put together his next administration. Others close to the incoming president have been surprised at the close relationship that appears to have developed between Trump and the worlds richest person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Trump accompanied Musk to a SpaceX launch in Brownsville, Texas. Also in attendance was Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty, a possible pick to be Trumps Treasury secretary, according to Politico. But Musks influence appears to have its limits. He pushed for transition co-chair Howard Lutnick to head Treasury, but Lutnick was nominated to lead the Commerce Department. Musk also advocated for Florida Senator Rick Scott to be the new Senate Republican Leader, but the Senate GOP chose South Dakotas John Thune instead. But the nomination of Brendan Carr to chair the Federal Communications Commission appears to be in line with Musks wishes. Carr and Musk have boosted each other on social media and Carrs beliefs seem to match Musks. 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. The two have grown increasingly close over the last couple of weeks (Getty Images) Carr could now affect Trump administration policy in a way that may benefit Musk, with his satellite broadband service Starlink possibly being handed further contracts and subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attending a UFC fight last weekend, Musk spoke to Donald Trump Jr. and others during the flight there. I got off the plane, and I was like, I wish we were going 20 times further, Trump Jr. told Charlie Kirk on Real Americas Voice. 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. Trump has ignored complaints from aides about Musks presence and he has accepted behavior by the billionaire that he may not have with others, Politico noted. In just the last week, Trump and Musk were together in Texas, Washington, D.C., and they sang together at Mar-a-Lago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk and his son joined a Trump family photo on election night, and Trumps granddaughter has said that Musk has achieved uncle status. The president-elect has joked about not knowing when Musk is going to depart. Elon, like President Trump, doesnt give a s*** about what people think about him, and President Trump finds that refreshing, a person who has seen them together told Politico. Elon is probably the only other man in the world who can truly relate to President Trump. One person close to the president-elect said of Musk: There arent any larger problems than being the President of the United States. And so I think hes fascinated with solving problems, and this gives him a front-row seat in helping solve problems that you otherwise would never be faced with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, it was announced that Musk would be leading the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, alongside 2024 GOP primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The department name is a reference to a cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, previously pushed by Musk. A Mar-a-Lago member told Politico: Its a bromance and they are having a blast. Musk has grown in stature in Trumps inner circle to becoming Trumps closest confidant, according to the New York Post. Trump has been speaking to Musk about close to every cabinet pick, the paper reported. 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, one source told the Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, they said. Theres not even a close second, the source added. 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, Musk wrote on X. 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. Massachusetts State Police have captured a fugitive wanted in connection with the deaths of three people following an intensive manhunt, authorities said. The Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section nabbed 26-year-old Tajon Saxon in New Bedford on Wednesday after he spent nearly a year evading arrest, according to the Bristol District Attorneys Office. Saxon was previously indicted on charges of murder, carrying a loaded illegal firearm, and carrying an illegal firearm in connection with a shooting in Fall River that claimed the life of 23-year-old Diamonte Odom on May 13, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saxon was also wanted on a default warrant charging him with two counts of accessory to murder in the deaths of Jovaughn Mills and Miguel Sanjurjo in Fall River in May 2021, the DAs office said. He is slated to face a judge in Fall River Superior Court on Thursday morning. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israels prime minister and former defense minister, as well as the military chief for Hamas, accusing the three men of crimes against humanity. The charges stem from the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which has led to around 45,000 deaths, according to The Associated Press. The warrants put Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and Mohammed Deif at risk of being arrested if they enter one of the International Criminal Courts member nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deif is believed by many to have been killed in July, but the ICC has said it was unable to confirm that and therefore issued the warrant against him, The Washington Post reported. President Joe Biden issued a statement on the warrants Thursday, calling the International Criminal Courts decision outrageous. The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence none between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security, he said. Although the warrants are a blow to Israels global reputation, they likely wont have an impact on the war in Gaza or on Netanyahus career. Heres why. What is the International Criminal Court? The International Criminal Court was established after the United Nations recognized a need for an international body that could prosecute crimes like genocide, according to the United Nations website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plans for the ICC were finalized in the late 1990s. It began its work in 2002 after those plans were ratified by 60 countries, according to an ICC fact sheet. As of 2024, 124 countries have ratified the ICCs founding statute and agreed to act on its warrants. The International Criminal Court operates independently of the United Nations. Its founding treaty gives it jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. A crime of aggression is the use of armed force by a State against the sovereignty, integrity or independence of another State, according to the ICC website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC, which is based in The Hague in the Netherlands, issues warrants based on investigations by its prosecutor. The Office of the Prosecutor conducts investigations after its notified of potential crimes by member nations, when the UN Security Council requests an investigation or after the office hears of potential issues from its own sources, the fact sheet explains. The International Criminal Courts power is limited, in part because it cant enforce its warrants, even in member countries. It has to rely on the member countries to carry them out. None of the three men charged Thursday is likely to face judges in The Hague anytime soon, The Associated Press reported. Who is Benjamin Netanyahu? Netanyahu is the prime minister of Israel. Hes held the post multiple times over the past three decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahus office has spoken out against the warrants from the International Criminal Court. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not surrender to the pressures, the office said in a statement to The New York Times. He will not recoil or withdraw until all of the wars goals that were set at the start of the battle are achieved. Who is Yoav Gallant? Gallant is Israels former defense minister. Netanyahu fired him two weeks ago over differences on strategy in the Gaza war, The New York Times reported. The two also clashed over domestic issues, particularly the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Israelis, the article said. Who is Mohammed Deif? Deif previously led Hamas military wing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel believes it killed Deif in late July, but the International Criminal Court was unable to confirm that claim. As head of the Qassam Brigades, Deif was believed to have been one of the masterminds of Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack on southern Israel, which triggered the war in the Gaza Strip, NBC News reported in August. In a statement, Hamas commended the ICC for its warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant but did not comment on Deif, per the AP. How did the U.S. respond? Like Biden, other top U.S. officials have criticized the ICCs warrants, questioning whether the court has jurisdiction. The United States fundamentally rejects the courts decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council said in a statement to The New York Times. We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S., like Israel, is not a member of the International Criminal Court. How did other world leaders respond? Several world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Minister Casper Veldkamp of The Netherlands, have said they plan to arrest the men if they have the opportunity. We are one of the founding members of the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, Trudeau said, per The Washington Post. We stand up for international law and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts. Who has the ICC charged in the past? This week is not the first time the International Criminal Court has charged sitting leaders with war crimes, according to The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just last year, it issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, which stemmed from Russias invasion of Ukraine. The International Criminal Court has also previously issued warrants against Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan and Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya, among others, The New York Times reported. The warrant against Putin and whats happened since it was announced illustrate the limits of the ICCs power. Countries that belong to the court are supposed to arrest people subject to outstanding warrants when they visit, but Putin visited Mongolia is September and received a red-carpet welcome, per The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the new warrants will complicate Netanyahus work, in particular. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has announced that he expects EU member countries to respect the warrants. The world will be a smaller place for Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant, who will have to plan their trips very carefully, The New York Times reported. THE HAGUE (AP) The worlds top war-crimes court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 13-month war in Gaza. The warrants said there was reason to believe Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have used starvation as a method of warfare by restricting humanitarian aid and have intentionally targeted civilians in Israels campaign against Hamas in Gaza charges Israeli officials deny. The action by the International Criminal Court came as the death toll from Israels campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say hunger has become widespread across Gaza and may have reached famine levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops. Israel says it has been working hard to improve entry of aid, though the trickle of supplies into Gaza remains near the lowest levels of the war. Netanyahu condemned the warrant against him, saying Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions by the court. In a statement released by his office, he said: There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza. Gallant, in a statement, said the decision "sets a dangerous precedent against the right to self-defense and moral warfare and encourages murderous terrorism. The warrant marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects, putting them at risk of arrest when they travel abroad and potentially further isolating them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel and its top ally, the United States, are not members of the court. But others of Israel's allies, including some of its close European friends, are put in an awkward position. Several, including France, welcomed the court's decision and signaled they might arrest Netanyahu if he visited. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden's administration was deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision. The warrants represent "the most dramatic step yet in the courts involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas," said Anthony Dworkin, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Israeli leaders, politicians and officials across the spectrum denounced the warrants and the ICC. The new defense minister, Israel Katz, who replaced Gallant earlier this month, said Thursdays decision is a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human rights groups applauded the move. The warrants against both sides break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law, the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. The decision came six months after ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the warrants. The court issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas armed wing, over the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that triggered Israels offensive in Gaza. It said it found reasonable grounds to believe Deif was involved in murder, rape, torture and the taking of hostages amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Hamas-led attack, militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people mostly civilians and taking some 250 others hostage. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third of them believed to be dead. Khan withdrew requests for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, who have both since been killed. Israel says it also killed Deif in an airstrike, but Hamas has never confirmed his death. The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were issued by a three-judge panel in a unanimous decision. The panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both men bear responsibility for the war crime of starvation and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The judges said the lack of food, water, electricity, fuel and specific medical supplies created conditions calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, including the deaths of children due to malnutrition and dehydration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also found that by preventing hospital supplies and medicine from getting into Gaza, doctors were forced to operate, including performing amputations, without anesthesia or with unsafe means of sedation that led to great suffering. Israeli diplomatic officials said the government is lobbying the international community to speak out against the warrants and is considering an appeal to the court. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal decision on how the government will proceed. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague anytime soon. Member countries are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to enforce that. For example, Russian President Vladimir Putin, wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently visited Mongolia, a member state in the court but also a Russian ally. He was not arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the threat of arrest now complicates any travel abroad by Netanyahu and Gallant. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the warrants are binding on all 27 members countries of the European Union. France signaled it could arrest Netanyahu if he came to its territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine called it a complex legal issue but said France supports the courts actions. Combating impunity is our priority, he said. Our response will align with these principles. Hamas in a statement welcomed the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant but made no mention of the one against Deif. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels opposition leaders fiercely criticized the ICCs move. Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, said it showed moral blindness and was a shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. Israels campaign has caused heavy destruction across Gaza and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on aid to survive. Two days after Hamas attack on southern Israel, Gallant announced a total seal on Gaza, vowing not to let in food, fuel or other supplies. Under U.S. pressure, Israel began allowing a trickle of humanitarian aid to enter a few weeks later. Israel now says it puts no limit on the supplies permitted into Gaza, and it blames the U.N. distribution system. But Israel's official figures show the amount of aid it has let in has plunged since the beginning of October. The U.N has blamed Israeli military restrictions, along with widespread lawlessness that has led to theft of aid shipments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case at the ICC is separate from another legal battle Israel is waging at the top U.N. court, the International Court of Justice, in which South Africa accuses Israel of genocide, an allegation Israeli leaders staunchly deny. Lawyers for Israel argued in court that the war in Gaza was a legitimate defense of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide. ___ Associated Press journalists Raf Casert in Brussels, Mike Corder in The Hague and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, a Hamas leader commonly known as Mohammed Deif who is presumed dead, according to separate press releases. Ex-Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was ousted by Netanyahu earlier this month, also was the subject of an arrest warrant, the ICC said. The warrants accuse the leaders of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the more than yearlong war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have pushed back on the claims, accusing the ICC prosecutor of antisemitism. The ICC warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, which were first filed by prosecutors seeking their arrest in May, accuse the Israeli officials of using starvation as a method of warfare and committing crimes against humanity, including murder and persecution. They also accuse them of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population in Gaza. The judges focused on efforts to block humanitarian aid in violation of international humanitarian law. They said Israel has insufficiently allowed aid into Gaza, where many Palestinians are struggling to access necessities like food and water, and has often only eased up after pressure from the international community. The ICC pre-trial chamber ruled there were reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity at least through May, when the arrest warrants were filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chamber found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and specific medical supplies, created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza, which resulted in the death of civilians, including children due to malnutrition and dehydration, the judges said in the release. More than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza throughout the 13-month war, and despite U.S. pressure, aid has continued to struggle to get into the besieged territory. The ICC also accused Israel of limiting medical supplies from entering Gaza, which inflicted great suffering by means of inhumane acts on persons in need of treatment, and said Palestinians in Gaza were targeted based on their political and national affiliations, which judges said was a crime of persecution. The arrest warrants will make it much more difficult for Netanyahu to travel; 124 countries have signed the Rome Statute to join the ICC and would be obligated to arrest the Israeli prime minister if he travels to their nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S., which under the Biden administration has strongly supported Israel throughout the war, is not a party to the ICC and has accused the court of lacking jurisdiction in the case. But the ICC pretrial chamber said that it had jurisdiction in the case because, although Israel is not a party to the court, Palestine is, and the legal jurisdiction extends to Gaza and the West Bank. The arrest warrants are likely to draw backlash in Washington, where the Senate on Wednesday easily defeated resolutions brought by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to block some offensive arms sales to Israel over concerns about the humanitarian situation and civilian deaths in Gaza. The U.S. on Wednesday also vetoed a resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would have called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. The ICC on Thursday also said its warrants targeting Deif, the military wing commander responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel in which nearly 1,200 people were killed and around 250 hostages were kidnapped, are still active because prosecutors are unsure of whether Deif is alive or dead. Israel has claimed he died in a July strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC had previously targeted Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader in Gaza, and Ismail Haniyeh, the top Hamas political leader. But both of them have since been killed by Israel. The ICC says Deif committed several crimes, including crimes against humanity of murder, extermination; torture, rape and taking hostages, and that he was responsible for carrying them out and issuing orders for those crimes. The Chamber also found that the conduct took place as part of a mass killing of members of the civilian population, and it therefore concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the crime against humanity of extermination was committed, the ICC said in its release. Tara Suter contributed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 10:25 a.m. EST Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a senior Hamas official, accusing them of war crimes during and after the October 7 attacks on Israel last year. In a statement on Thursday, the Netherlands-based court said it found reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu bears criminal responsibility for war crimes including starvation as a method of warfare and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. The warrants mark a historic first, making Netanyahu the first Israeli leader summoned by an international court for alleged actions against Palestinians in the 76-year conflict. While ICC warrants dont guarantee arrests, they could significantly restrict Netanyahus ability to travel to ICC member states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prime ministers office dismissed the warrants as absurd and antisemitic. Israel utterly rejects the absurd and false actions and accusations against it by the International Criminal Court, which is a politically biased and discriminatory body, his office said, adding that there is no war more just after the Hamas terrorist organization launched a murderous attack against it, carrying out the largest massacre against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Netanyahu will not yield to pressure, will not back down, and will not retreat until all the goals of the war set by Israel at the start of the campaign are achieved, it said. Israel, like the United States, is not a member of the ICC and has challenged the courts jurisdiction over its actions in the conflict a challenge the court rejected on Thursday. The ICC claims jurisdiction over territories Israel occupies, including Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, following the Palestinian leaderships formal agreement to be bound by the courts founding principles in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court on Thursday also issued a warrant for Hamas official Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, who Israel says was one of the masterminds of the October 7 attack. Israel said it killed him in an airstrike in July but Hamas hasnt confirmed his death. An undated photo of Mohammad al-Deif. - Handout/Reuters The ICC said it found reasonable grounds to believe that Deif was responsible for crimes against humanity, including murder, extermination, torture, and rape and other form of sexual violence, as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture, taking hostages, outrages upon personal dignity, and rape and other form of sexual violence. Deif bears criminal responsibility for these crimes, the court said, having committed the acts jointly and through others having ordered or induced the commission of the crimes, and for failing to exercise proper control over forces under his effective command and control. The court added that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the crimes against humanity were part of a widespread and systematic attack directed by Hamas and other armed groups against the civilian population of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC prosecutor had initially sought warrants for Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, both of whom have since been killed by Israel. The court said applications for their warrants were withdrawn as a result. Hamas welcomed the warrants against Israeli officials in a statement, but made no mention of the warrant issued for Deif. This represents a significant historical precedent. It rectifies a longstanding course of historical injustice against our people and the suspicious negligence of the horrific violations they have endured over 76 years of fascist occupation, it said, calling for all nations to cooperate in bringing the Israeli leaders to justice and take immediate action to halt the genocide in Gaza. Hamas had condemned the ICC prosecutors decision to seek warrants against its leaders in May, saying it was an attempt to equate victims with aggressors. US opposes ICC action against Israel The Biden administration has in the past come out strongly against the involvement of the ICC in investigating Israels war in Gaza, but said in the past it did not support sanctions against the international court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement in May, President Joe Biden said the ICC prosecutors application for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. And let me be clear: whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence none between Israel and Hamas, he said. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security. Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli airstrike the previous night in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip on October 20. - Islam Ahmed/AFP/Getty Images In early June, the House of Representatives passed a bill to sanction anyone involved with the ICC efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any protected person of the United States and its allies. It has not been brought to a vote in the Senate. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Sunday threatened to pursue sanctions against the ICC if the international court and and its prosecutor do not reverse their outrageous and unlawful actions to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Majority Leader Schumer does not act, the Senate Republican majority will stand with our key ally Israel and make this and other supportive legislation a top priority in the next Congress, he wrote in a post on X. President-elect Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the former ICC chief prosecutor during his first term in office. CNN has asked the State Department and NSC for comment on the ICCs issuance of the arrest warrants Thursday. Israeli condemnation Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the warrants as a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity. He said in a statement on X that the outrageous decision at the ICC has turned universal justice into a universal laughing stock. It makes a mockery of the sacrifice of all those who fight for justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision, he added, ignores the basic fact that Israel was barbarically attacked and has the duty and right to defend its people. It ignores the fact that Israel is a vibrant democracy, acting under international humanitarian law, and going to great lengths to provide for the humanitarian needs of the civilian population. Recently appointed Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the ICC acted as a political tool serving the most extreme elements working to undermine peace, security, and stability in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a ceremony for the 70th cohort of military combat officers, at an army base near Mitzpe Ramon, Israel, October 31. - Amir Cohen/Reuters From an ethical perspective, this is a moral aberration that turns good into evil and serves the forces of evil, he said. From a diplomatic perspective, issuing orders against a country acting according to international law is a reward and encouragement for the axis of evil (of Iran-led groups), which flagrantly and consistently violates it. Far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir condemned the ICC as antisemitic from start to finish, adding that Israel should respond by applying sovereignty to the occupied West Bank and building Jewish settlements in all the territories under Israels control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallant served as defense minister until this month, when Netanyahu fired him after months of clashes over domestic politics and Israels war effort. The prime minister said at the time that trust between me and the minister of defense has cracked. Israel Katz, who served as foreign minister until then, became defense minister. What happens next? Eliav Lieblich, a professor of international law at Tel Aviv University, described the ICCs decision as the most dramatic legal development in Israels history. Its immediate meaning is that the 124 state parties to the ICC, which include most of Israels closest allies, would be legally obligated to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant should they be present in their territories, Lieblich told CNN. There may also be wider implications, he added, which could limit the ability of third parties to cooperate with the Israeli military. The International Criminal Court building is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, January 16, 2019. - Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an arrest warrant has been issued, the ICC sends requests for cooperation to member states. The court does not have a police force of its own to make the arrests, but relies on member states to execute them, which state parties are legally obliged to do. Previous leaders who have been faced with ICC arrest warrants have experienced limitations on their ability to travel, unable to pass through countries legally obliged to arrest them. ICC judges have issued 56 arrest warrants, resulting in 21 detentions and appearances before the court. Another 27 people remain at large and charges have been dropped against 7 people due to their deaths. CNNs Jennifer Hansler, Samantha Waldenberg and Kareem Khadder contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An earlier version of this story was corrected to say that the warrants were issued on Thursday, not Wednesday. It was also corrected to say that Israel claimed to have killed Deif in July, not September. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An American-made HIMARS artillery system races down a Ukrainian road as a kamikaze drone hunts it down. The drone flies into the vehicle, followed by an explosion. The scene was caught on video by a Russian reconnaissance drone in mid-November. The drone that hit the HIMARS was a Lancet one of Russias most used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Russia has used thousands of them against Ukraine. The weapons are produced by Zala Aero Group, a privately-owned group of Russian companies, with the state holding a minority stake in one of its entities. It is one of the largest manufacturers of Russian combat drones attacking Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like other Russian defense producers, the group has been targeted by Western sanctions and export restrictions that seek to undercut the Russian war effort by prohibiting the sale of defense-related parts and tech to Russia. In theory, the sanctions are supposed to be effective against the production of drones, which are highly dependent on imported parts. In reality, the use of Zala Aeros drones in the Russian war against Ukraine has been growing. Over the past year, it tripled. An investigation by the Kyiv Independent has found that Zala Aero has managed to continue to grow, despite sanctions, by feeding its production through a reliable system of Chinese suppliers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation started when the Kyiv Independent obtained emails of Zala Aero Group employees that were hacked by Ukrainian intelligence. The emails illustrate how much Zala Aero's drone production depends on imported components. The Kyiv Independent tracked down Russian tax data on the suppliers of the Zala Aero Group and Russian customs records on the imported goods it was purchasing. This revealed the ecosystem of suppliers foreign and domestic that feed Zala Aeros drone production. Having read through thousands of lines of Zala Group business transactions and hundreds of work papers, the Kyiv Independent can now show how China came to the aid of this part of the Russian military machine, likely supplying it with more than just Chinese components. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also looked into what can be done to close the loopholes and stop Russia's deadly drone production, which is still dependent on imports. Zala, a private company behind Russias close-range drones The most well-known military products of the Russian Zala Group are the Lancet attack drones and Zala reconnaissance UAVs. The Lancet kamikaze drones attack Ukrainian infantry and military vehicles, while the reconnaissance drones work alongside them, serving as the eyes of the Russian army to help identify targets. L: Russian Lancet attack drone. R: Zala reconnaissance drone. (Zala Aero) Lancet kamikaze drones cant fly as far as Iranian Shaheds and their Russian-made versions, the Geran, which attack Ukrainian cities far from the battlefield every night. Instead, Lancet drones are used on the battlefield, targeting the Ukrainian military along the entire front line. Lancets can carry 3-5 kilograms of explosives and fly 20-40 miles enough to damage, and sometimes destroy, large military vehicles, including tanks, artillery systems, and planes on the ground. Russia first used them in Syria. Since mid-2022, Lancets have been a mainstay of the Russian drone arsenal in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zala doesnt just supply the Russian war it appears to fully align itself with it. Zala Aero Group publicly brags about fresh Lancet attacks on equipment provided to Ukraine by its partners. The group claims Lancets have hit German Leopard and American Abrams tanks, American Paladin, British M777, and French Caesar howitzers, as well as Ukrainian-made vehicles. Targets are being hit round-the-clock, one of the companys social media posts boasted of the use of Lancets in October 2024. The work is carried out along the entire front line and in the rear. Among the hacked emails obtained by the Kyiv Independent, there is a letter by a Russian army commander, dated April 2023. In the letter, he addresses the CEO of Zala Aero, commending the companys instructors who help in training the Russian military to operate their drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I look forward to further cooperation, the letter concludes, and increasing the production and supply of unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions. Thats exactly what happened next Zala began producing more drones. Read also: Investigation: Shattering the secrecy of Putins top spy chief Lancets on the rise Russia has used around 7,000 Lancet drones against Ukraine as of early November 2024, the Ukrainian Air Force told the Kyiv Independent. There is a steady increase in the use of these munitions, they added. A Russian site monitoring military equipment losses, Lostarmour, lists over 2,500 Lancet drone attacks against Ukraine, confirmed by video evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even this limited data is enough to spot a clear trend: The confirmed use of Lancet drones in Russia's war against Ukraine in the first 10 months of 2024 increased almost threefold compared to the same period in 2023: 1,654 cases versus 629, according to Lostarmour. Up to eight Lancets can fly over us per day, and they always work in tandem with Zala drones that guide attack drones, a Ukrainian soldier currently participating in the operation in Russias Kursk Region told the Kyiv Independent. The soldier is not publicly identified due to security restrictions. Besides the effect on the battlefield, there is another indicator that Zala is growing its output: The group has been investing in production. Since mid-2022, they started building new production facilities and buying equipment, according to Agiya Zagrebelska, a Ukrainian expert on sanctions policy who has been closely watching Zala. The internal documents obtained by the Kyiv Independent also show that, after the start of the full-scale war, the company has bought new equipment. In September 2022, one of the Zala Aero Group's key companies, Aeroscan, ordered seven milling machines for a total of nearly $800,000. These machines, manufactured by the Chinese company YangSen, are used in drone production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There wouldnt be anything odd about a military manufacturer growing in the time of war except that this manufacturer cant work without imported parts, which international sanctions have cut off in theory. Sign up for our newsletter WTF is wrong with Russia? Sign up Import dependence Like all kamikaze drones, Lancets self-destruct when they attack, making it difficult to analyze their hardware. One thing is certain: A lot of their parts arent of Russian origin. The internal correspondence contains an audio recording of a meeting between representatives of the Russian government and drone manufacturers that offers a glimpse into just how concerned they were with the industrys dependence on imports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting most likely took place in Moscow in February 2023. At one point, Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putins special representative for technological development, and a namesake of the Russian presidents notorious spokesman, appears to pop up into the room the meetings chairman notes his brief appearance, but Peskov isnt heard talking. The meeting focused on the upcoming Unmanned Aircraft Systems project a Russian state program that aims to support and grow the Russian drone industry from 2024 to 2030. The project has since been approved and launched. Almost every person speaking at the meeting raised the problem of drone manufacturers' dependence on imported electronic components and engines. I'm very much concerned about components, I'm very much concerned about onboard electronic equipment, the meetings chairman, whom we identified as Vasilii Shpak, deputy industry and trade minister of Russia, said at the beginning of the meeting, setting the tone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the conversation, Shpak noted he had a wealth of experience in delivering components from anywhere in the world to meet the needs of Russias war against Ukraine. The more serious difficulties we face are the lack of domestic motors for our heavy machines that we want to launch and the fact that some of the components we want to replace are not always available in Russia, said Nickolay Burdin, commercial director of the Russian private company Aeromax. We cant do without imports for now, the chairman summarized. Another document the Kyiv Independent found in the correspondence also illustrates Zala Group's dependence on imports. The document is a 2019 Microsoft Word file titled List of electronic components. It apparently refers to the electronic components that Zala Aero Group was using or was going to use in the production of its drones back then. The document lists 24 components manufactured by Keysight Technologies, a U.S. company. Five years later, the Lancet drones still use foreign parts of mixed origin. Ukraines military intelligence agency, known in Ukraine as HUR, maintains a public register of foreign components discovered in captured Russian weapons and military equipment. It includes a list of components found in three Lancet models that were downed in Ukraine. Among them, there are no components from Keysight Technologies. But there are products from many others. The Lancets had components from a number of American companies: Nvidia, National Semiconductor, Microchip Technology, Micron Technology, Xilinx, Texas Instruments, Atmel Corporation, Analog Devices, Qorvo, Maxim Integrated Products, Bel Fuse, and Semtech Corporation. There were also components from other countries: Swiss companies STMicroelectronics, U-blox, and TE Connectivity; the German company Infineon Technologies; Dutch companies NXP Semiconductors and Skoopia; and South Koreas Ricci Microwave and SK Hynix, and others. Some of the components remained unidentified, their origin unknown. Among the imported components required by Zala Aero, one will find chips, microprocessors, cameras, video encoders and decoders, microcontrollers, transceivers, resistors, transistors, and batteries. A screenshot from the website, run by Ukraine's military intelligence, that lists some of the components found in a Russian Lancet drone in Ukraine. (War-sanctions.gur.gov.ua) So the question is: How did Zala Aero Group, so dependent on imported components, manage to increase drone production despite the sanctions and export restrictions that were meant to stop the flow of microelectronics and machine tools into Russia? Tracing foreign components path to Russian drones Following the start of Russias full-scale war, a number of countries imposed export controls, prohibiting the sale of microelectronics, motors, and machine tools to Russia. Instead of getting the necessary supplies from America or Europe, Russian producers now buy them from third countries. Russias biggest helper here is China. This country makes up for Russia's deficit both with its own production and as a distributor of foreign manufacturers. China has become the lifeline of the Zala Aero Group. We have studied the import data of several Zala Aero Group companies in 2022-2024, received with the help of OCCRP, an international investigative journalism group. We identified the two companies that imported foreign parts for Zala Aeros drone production OMP and Spetstechnotrade. The two companies have different owners than the rest of the group. One was founded by a Zala Aero employee and another by an employees father. The ownership structure appears to be an attempt to safeguard the companies from a direct association with military production, which could have complicated foreign trade for them. These two companies are suppliers to Zala Aeros two main drone manufacturers Aeroscan and CST, according to Russian Tax Service data. The import records indicate they have purchased goods from a number of Chinese and Hong Kong suppliers: Jiangxi Xintuo Enterprise, Bestop Globle MFG, Star Rapid Manufacturing, Microblock technology, Gpcomm technology, and M-Function investment management. Chinese and Hong Kong partners supplied Zala Aeros companies with motors, electrical conductors, carbon fiber products, aluminum alloy frames, and aluminum products worth millions of dollars. These components are used in drone production. Some of these Chinese and Hong Kong entities are listed in customs databases not only as sellers but also as manufacturers of the sold products, including motors. The Kyiv Independent sent out inquiries to several Chinese and Hong Kong companies selling components to Zala Aero Group, asking about the products they sell ending up in Russian drone production during the war. Other companies from the list of suppliers have no public representation or contact details. One of the suppliers, Star Rapid Manufacturing, responded. According to their reply, the Russian company OMP misinformed the company, claiming its business activities were not related to military production. At the time of our dealings, OMP presented itself as an independent entity, and OMP confirmed that the parts were not related to military equipment, wrote the company. Upon becoming aware of OMPs association with Zala Aero Group, which we were previously not aware of, and their inclusion in sanctions, we promptly ended our business relationship with OMP. Sanctions against the Zakharov family and Zala Aero Group companies. (The Kyiv Independent) But the two affiliated companies, OMP and Spetstechnotrade, dont cover all of Zala Aeros needs for imported components. Zala Aero also uses other, unaffiliated external Russian suppliers. These Russian intermediaries import and resell components, both Western and Asian-made. One of them is a Moscow-based supplier named Online Trade. In 2024, this company repeatedly sold goods to several entities of Zala Aero Group: CST, Aeroscan, and Spetstechnotrade. Evidence of these deals is found in the leaked data of the Russian Tax Office. The data doesnt specify which items Online Trade supplies to Zala Aero, but the import database shows that Online Trade has been bringing large volumes of video cameras and lenses, as well as microelectronics, to Russia. The Russian company bought the cameras from a number of companies, including the Hong Kong-based companies Angco International Trading and Union Camera Hong Kong. They are distributors, not producers: They resell cameras, including Western-made ones. Its chains like that a Hong Kong reseller, a Russian broker, and finally a Russian drone manufacturer that put a Western-made camera inside a drone that hunts down Western-donated equipment on the battlefield in Ukraine. Online Trade is not the only Russian intermediary reselling imported components to Zala Aero Group. Other Russian companies also supplied it with items in 2024: Chip and Dip, Hartis DV, Raidecs, San Susi, Fotopark, and others. Among the Hartis DV suppliers was a Hong Kong company Izzition E-Technology which calls itself a distributor of Western brands like NXP, Altera, and Xilinx. The NXP and Xilinx products were found in Russian Lancets downed in Ukraine. For details about the import procurement of Zala Aeros Russian suppliers, see the following chart: The China problem China has become a convenient back door for Russian companies in need of the goods that fall under export restrictions, imposed by a number of countries to deprive Russian military production of key components. Before selling sensitive goods to China, companies from those countries have to check that they will not be heading to Russia. In reality, often, only the first-tier buyer ends up checked, and not the end consumer to whom goods will be resold. In an effort to publicly distance itself from Russias, China promised to tighten restrictions on the supply of drones and components to Russia. But experts are somewhat skeptical about the actual impact of these statements, given previous experience. China has proven itself unwilling to strictly enforce export restrictions on electronic goods, especially those produced by Western firms, from going to Russia, Spencer Faragasso, a senior research fellow with the Institute for Science and International Security (U.S.), told the Kyiv Independent. China has positioned itself as neutral in the ongoing war but has been supplying Russia with materials that directly boost its war machine, receiving military technology support from Russia in return, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said recently. The sanctions coalition countries have three options for responding to China's role in supporting Russia's military machine, says Agiya Zagrebelska, the Ukrainian sanctions expert. The first is to escalate economic restrictions with China. But let's be honest, no one is ready to take this step, because China is too big a market. The second option is to leave everything as it is. And the third is what we are proposing: the implementation of real penalties against component and machine tool manufacturers (in the form of) investigations and fines. Zagrebelska says that manufacturers pay attention only to the first buyer in the chain because no one punishes them for turning a blind eye to where the goods end up. We call it willful blindness. We are convinced that with all the modern capabilities of big data and artificial intelligence, a manufacturer is able to identify risky buyers by their typical characteristics, says Zagrebelska. A similar idea of fines for Western producers combined with government support to move their plants outside of China has also been proposed by the American Institute for Science and International Security. The unfortunate reality is that Western electronics companies, particularly those based in the U.S., have not done enough. They can legitimately be accused of helping to arm Russia in its bloody attacks on Ukraine, the Institute writes in a recent report. Western countries are supplying Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars worth of military equipment to defend Ukraine from Russian weapons that could not function without Western electronic goods. Halting the flow of these items can have a meaningful impact on Russias ability to field its weapons against Ukraine. Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter News from Ukraine in your inbox Subscribe The family behind the drones The owners of Zala Aero Group, Aleksandr Zakharov and his family, are among the main beneficiaries of the Russian wars insatiable hunger for drones. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, Aeroscan, a company part of the Zala Aero Group, earned nearly $90 million by supplying the Russian Defense Ministry, military units, and the logistics center of Russias National Guard with products, according to Russian Tax Service leaked data. The leaked emails of Zala Aero's employees allow us to map out the roles that members of the Zakharov family play in the business. The elder Zakharov is the main owner and chief designer of Zala Aero. His son Nikita Zakharov is the founder of several Zala Aero Group companies, mostly involved in software development. Recently, the Russian tax authorities closed public access to the data on the founders and managers of the companies created by Nikita Zakharov in the Russian company register. This is done for companies that perform state defense contracts or are under international sanctions. The father and the son appear to be the brains behind Zala Aero Group. In the email leak available to us, there is a document called Structure. It contains a list of employees of the entire group as of February 2021. Some of the employees are marked as supervised by Aleksandr Zakharov, others are supervised by his son Nikita. It marks employees as subordinated to AV, which it explains stands for Aleksandr Vladislavovich Zakharov, or NZ, for Nikita Zakharov. Zakharov's wife Svetlana is in charge of the administrative side of the business, including renting production facilities. Their daughter Maria is the founder of several software development and research companies that until recently were part of the group, but that are now being dissolved. Until recently, Zakharov's younger son Lavrentii was not publicly listed among the founders of any Russian companies. He resided in Europe and attended a London university, occasionally visiting Russia. However, our documents show that he was involved in his Russian familys business even while studying in London. The leaked correspondence contains his reports on the flaws in the TiEn unmanned flight simulator, another development of the Zala Aero Group, which he apparently tested. The reports date back to July 2019, when Lavrentii Zakharov was 20 years old. At the time, he was studying at University College London and was a member of the UCL Eurasian Business Society, an organization that unites the Russian-speaking community in London. At the same time, he managed to test a drone simulator developed by his familys company. Lavrentii Zakharov seen in a group photo posted by the Instagram account of the UCL Eurasian Business Society on Nov. 22, 2018. (UCLEBS/Instagram) Lavrentiis European life was marred in the summer of 2023, when independent Russian investigative outlet iStories revealed that the son of the Russian drone tycoon had interned at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Affairs in Geneva. The story also found that the Zakharov family owned an apartment in central London worth 1.5 million pounds. The investigation also revealed that none of the family members were under personal international sanctions at the time, despite their businesss role in Russias war effort. After the story ran, the Zakharovs were sanctioned by the U.K. and the U.S., which means that their assets in these countries should be frozen. The UN Institute has removed the page that mentioned Lavrentii Zakharov's internship. He has the internship marked as completed in September 2023 on his LinkedIn page. The EU and other Western and non-Western countries havent imposed personal sanctions on the Zakharovs yet. Our investigation shows that after the scandal, the youngest Zakharov apparently returned to Russia. In December 2023, Lavrentii Zakharov founded his own company in Moscow called Zakharov and Grek Technical Bureau, a technology consulting firm. And in 2024, we spotted him in a photo with Russian model Natalia Kozyreva, taken in Moscow, apparently on her birthday. The sanctions seem to have brought the entire Zakharov family to Russia. This is where their effect has been exhausted, for now. But this does not mean that the channels that feed the Russian military machine cant be cut off. Western suppliers could stop selling critical components to Chinese intermediaries that resell them to Russia. Chinese companies could also adhere to their government's stated policy of not selling drones and components to the aggressor. Together, these steps would deprive Russia of some of the key weapons it uses to wage its war in Ukraine. Note from the author: Hey! This is Alisa Yurchenko, I wrote this story. Thank you for reading this far, it was a long one to get through. Its upsetting that the Russian manufacturer at the center of the story can still produce weapons that attack Ukraine, even though Russia doesnt make critical components for them domestically. But I'm glad that I was able to demonstrate how the manufacturer imports the components from abroad. I hope this will draw attention to the problem, which is actually much broader than a single drone manufacturer. This by no means signals that sanctions are useless. On the opposite: The story shows how dependent Russian manufacturers are on imported components, and how vulnerable they really are to trade limitations. It means that if sanctions and exports controls are improved, and enforced, they have real potential of severely undermining Russias war effort. If you find this issue important, as I do, please support our work by becoming a member of the Kyiv Independent. Our readers support allows us to produce investigations like this. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Thursday! Chinese President Xi Jinping isnt the only dictator who can do zoo-animal diplomacy. Russian President Vladimir Putin got in on the action recently, sending 70 animals to a zoo in North Korea, apparently as a gesture of friendship. With friends like that, the pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo have got to be counting their blessings we dont owe any favors to Pyongyang. Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Maximum Pressure Redux International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Muhammad Islami hold a joint press conference in Tehran on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images) When CNNs Becky Anderson accused former Iran envoy Brian Hook of swerving her questions about President-elect Donald Trumps Middle East policy following this months presidential election, Hook pushed back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps foreign policy is hiding in plain sight, Hookwhos reportedly leading the Trump transition at the State Departmenttold her. Its fairly obvious what he did in the first term, and its obvious that he isolated Iran and he weakened Iran economically. And indeed, of all the policy areas likely to experience a shift at noon on January 20, the policy change on Iran, in particular, seems the most obvious in light of Trumps first term. As Iran now sends mixed signals on its attempts to develop a nuclear bomb, Trump seems poised to reinstate his maximum pressure campaign at an uncertain time for the region. Since 2021, Iran has consistently grown its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. Weapons-grade uranium is concentrated to 90 percentan easy technical step from 60 percent enrichment. In recent months, members of the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)the U.N.s nuclear watchdoghave voted to censure Tehran for its failure to comply with the IAEAs oversight efforts and continuing to enrich uranium, though the effort was not legally binding on any of the boards members or on Iran. That pattern of bad behavior and censure looked set to repeat itself this week, after IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and other representatives visited Tehran last week to discover yet more uranium enriched to 60 percent. A report from the agency viewed by several news outlets this week estimated that as of mid-October, Iran had increased its supply of 60 percent uranium by almost 40 pounds since the last report in August. Iran is now estimated to have about 400 pounds of uranium enriched to near-weapons grade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That amount of atomic material, if enriched further, is sufficient to fuel several nuclear bombs, according to IAEAs estimates. About 92 pounds of 60-percent-enriched uranium could create one nuclear bomb if enriched to 90 percent. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has suggested in recent months that Irans breakout timethe time needed to achieve a nuclear warheadis somewhere between one and two weeks. Breakout time is virtually zero at the moment, Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran, told TMD. Chart by Joe Schueller. Data via the Associated Press. Grossi returned to Vienna apparently having extracted a promise from Irans leaders to cap the amount of uranium it had enriched to 60 percent at roughly current levels. But later reporting suggested that the promise was actually contingent on the board of the IAEA not censuring Iran once again. France, the United Kingdom, and Germanythe so-called E3 countries in the 2015 Iran nuclear dealand the United States have pushed for the move in recent days. The E3s posture toward Iran has changed in recent years. Its not 2017, when the Trump administration came in during its first term, and the E3 was wedded to the Iran nuclear deal, Brodsky said. The E3 recognize that the Iran nuclear deal of 2015 is dead. Their threat perception with respect to Iran has changed after Irans arming of Russia against an EU candidate country, Ukraine. The U.S. support for the censure is also a departure from the Biden administrations previous policies. A 60 percent enrichment cap was also reportedly part of the backroom deal the Biden administration struck in the summer of 2023, though the agreement was obviously short-lived. Now, though, the U.S. is on board with a European attempt to drop the hammer. We remain tightly coordinated with our E3 partners in advance of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting, and we strongly support efforts to hold Iran accountable, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote to censure could take place as soon as today, though this time the measure may actually have some teeth, as European powers try to signal to the incoming Trump administration theyre willing to exact costs on Iran. The E3 is rightly pressing ahead with the censure resolution, which would, for the first time, request a comprehensive report from the IAEA on Irans nuclear program and its interactions with the agency, Brodsky told TMD. And that is setting the table for the invocation of the snap-back sanctions mechanism, which is due to expire in October 2025. Those severe sanctions on Iran would snap back into place on the 10-year anniversary of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, though then-President Donald Trumps decision to remove the U.S. from the deal in 2018 effectively reinstated those sanctions on the U.S. side. Trump pursued a maximum pressure campaign on Iran, which included significant sanctions and an oil embargo in an attempt to weaken the Iranian economy and isolate it diplomatically. Republicans have accused the Biden White House of failing to fully enforce many of those sanctions that are still on the books. As weve previously reported, Iran has also managed to evade sanctions, with Chinas help. The first Trump administration was also willing to take military action against Iran, including assassinating Qassem Suleimani, the commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responsible for attacks by Iranian proxies in December 2019 that injured several American forces and killed a U.S. contractor. Striking [Suleimani] showed Iran a kind of resolve that had long been absent from U.S. policy, the former leader of U.S. Central Command who coordinated the strike, Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., wrote in May for The Atlantic. If we plan to remain in the Middle East, we must be prepared to show that same resolve. The risk of escalation is inevitable but manageable; it is the refusal to accept this risk that has hobbled our policy for so long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the Biden administration, Iran has pushed the envelope in more ways than just its nuclear program. Its proxies have waged brutal and relentless war on Israel, struck U.S. targets in Iraq and Syria, and threatened global shipping in the Red Sea, all with Tehrans support. Iran itself has twice in the last year launched attacks on the Jewish statethe first direct confrontations between the countries to date. In response, Israel in October struck Irans missile production facilities and air defense systems, leaving its nuclear assets undefended against any potential future strike for a time. The Biden administration urged Israel not to strike Irans nuclear or energy sites ahead of its counterattack. Iran has also threatened American political figures and dissidents living in the U.S.including Trump himself. The Justice Department earlier this month detailed a plot by Iranian operatives to assassinate Trump and Masih Alinejad, a prominent Iranian dissident and U.S. citizen. So far, the Biden administration has mainly responded with indictments against the accused perpetrators of these attempts, many of whom are in Iran. You can imagine that theres likely no love lost when a president-elect has actually almost been killed by a would-be assassins bullet and has been briefed on multiple assassination plots unfolding against him by a state actor, Rich Goldberg, who worked on the National Security Council during Trumps first administration, told Jamie on the Dispatch Podcast this month. You cannot allow that sort of open season on Americans like that from a state actor, he said, describing plots to assassinate and kidnap Americans. There has to be a very clear message that if you are thinking about touchingif you try to kill an American like that, its an act of war. The incoming Trump administration seems poised to go right back to its maximum pressure campaign of old, enforcing fully the sanctions and the oil embargo, including by potentially punishing Chinese ports that accept Iranian oil. It remains to be seen whether or how Iran will respond, especially if a second Trump administration also applies military pressure. I think Israel has shown the world that if you undertake a strike on Iranian soil, World War III will not necessarily break out, said Brodsky. So I think that we need to learn some lessons from these experiences on how to appropriately and adequately deter the Islamic Republic from Israels experience over the last few months. Worth Your Time Why is modern American architecture so ugly? Artist Megan Gafford argues in her Fashionably Late Takes Substack that its because we abandoned our home-grown modern tradition: Art Deco. If America was supposed to be Art Deco, then what happened to that muscular aesthetic decked out with delicate details? It was the last ornamental architectural style before an infestation of austere cubes degraded the New York City skylineand that of metropolises the world over, she said, before delving into the artistic, cultural, and economic trends that created glass boxes everywhere. Unlike the Modernist buildings that always seem in need of a pressure wash, which sooner or later become fixtures of urban blight, ornamental architecture benefits from the patina of time. Or in the extreme, entropy and tragedy transform beautiful architecture into romantic ruins like Heidelberg Castle. Ornamental architecture is like an old growth forest. Democrats are already deep into debates about how to regain Congress and the White House, and Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut has been one of the loudest voices arguing for a major ideological shift. In an interview with New York magazine, he makes his case for a rejection of neoliberalism and globalization: People want to feel power over the arc of their lives, and the concentration of corporate power has eroded peoples personal economic agency, he said. And then people want to feel like theyre part of something unique. They want to have a unique national identity or a unique local identity. Our borders started to get erased and our culture started to become flattened, and we all belong to the exact same transnational economy. Life began to feel very empty and hollow and far too homogenous for a lot of Americans. Presented Without Comment USA Today: Thieves Steal More Than $1 Million Worth of Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagars Santo Tequila In the Zeitgeist Bud Light got into some trouble last year over its marketing strategy. But the beer company is really shifting gears with its new series of commercials featuring comedian Shane Gillis. (If you dont know who he is, ask your brother.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toeing the Company Line In the newsletters: Scott examined () Trumps likely tariff policies, and Nick argued () that every Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, or RFK Jr. has a mirror on the left and that their nominations set a precedentnot that Trump cares. On the site: Charlotte profiles former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Trumps nominee for U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jessica Gavora argues the Biden administration flipped Title IX on its head to justify biological boys competing in girls sports, Charles reports on how RFKs nomination is being received by pro-life senators, and Kevin says there are problems with the phrase credibly accused as Trump has nominated so many men with sexual misconduct allegations in their past. Let Us Know What do you want to see from a Trump administration policy toward Iran? Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) Mental health resources are being made more accessible for first responders on the Isle of Palms. The Isle of Palms Police Department has received federal funding to be divided into three projects meant to help officers and the community. If first responders are not taking care of themselves it may be challenging for them to care of others said Dr. Elaine Chavez Swain, an associate professor and trauma informed education director for the Institute for Building Resilience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first part of the federal grant will be used to purchase a wellness app for first responders and their families. The app allows crisis support, peer support, self-assessments, and more to help employees and their loved ones. Mental health is very important in this profession for all first responders. Youre exposed to a lot of trauma in this profession, and its not just affecting us, but it affects all the family members, Isle of Palms Sgt. Matt Storen. For the second project, Isle of Palms officers will be the first in the state to receive special training at Columbia Colleges Institute for Building Resilience. They will learn to understand the long-term impacts of trauma and build resilience through trauma-informed practices. Building community networks focused on the mental wellbeing, not only on officers and first responders but also of their community so really building that strong network between the two, said Dr. Chavez Swain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers will be trained to better deal with trauma by hosting a symposium with law enforcement across the state. They want to give back to the law enforcement in the state through this grant. What we want to do is bring in experts that deal specifically with law enforcement bring them to Isle of Palms or Charleston County, host that training for free to all South Carolina law enforcement that want to come learn about this issue thats our way of giving back to the law enforcement community in this state through this grant, said Storen. The grant is 100% federally funded and runs through September 30, 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 WCBD News 2. By Laila Bassam and Crispian Balmer BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli strikes killed at least 47 people in eastern Lebanon on Thursday, a Lebanese official said, pressing the campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group as a U.S. mediator sought to advance ceasefire talks in Israel. U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein, who said a ceasefire was "within our grasp" during a visit to Lebanon on Tuesday, met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. There were no immediate statements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indicating there were still gaps to close, a senior Lebanese official told Reuters that Beirut had sought changes to the U.S. ceasefire proposal, to include ensuring a speedier withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon. The diplomacy marks the most serious attempt yet to end the conflict between Israel and the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah, part of the regional spillover of the Gaza war that erupted more than a year ago. Bachir Khodr, governor of Lebanon's Baalbek-Hermel province, said at least 47 were killed and 22 wounded in Israeli strikes in the Baalbek region. Posting on X, he said rescue operations were underway. The region bordering Syria is an area of Lebanon where Shi'ite Islamist Hezbollah holds sway. Beirut shook as Israeli airstrikes hit the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs about a dozen times, sending up clouds of debris, in some of the most intense airstrikes yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents have largely fled the area since Israel went on the offensive against Hezbollah in September. The Israeli army said its strikes were against Hezbollah infrastructure and that it had mitigated civilian harm through advance warnings and other steps. In Israel, a 30-year-old man was killed when shrapnel from a rocket struck a playground in the northern town of Nahariya, Israel's MDA medical service said. "The Israeli government is not safeguarding my security, my residents or the residents of the north (of Israel). It is not possible to live in such a situation like this," Nahariya Mayor Ronen Marelly told public broadcaster Kan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military said about 10 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards Nahariya. "Most of the projectiles were intercepted and fallen projectiles were identified," the military said in a statement. Channel 12 said three rockets hit the coastal town. Hezbollah's al-Manar television station, citing its correspondent, confirmed rocket fire towards Nahariya and the surrounding area. White House envoy Hochstein left for Israel after declaring progress in two days of talks in Lebanon with officials including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, endorsed to negotiate by Hezbollah. Speaking before he left Beirut, Hochstein said he was going to Israel to try to close an agreement if possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BATTLE OF KHIYAM The diplomacy aims to end a conflict that has inflicted massive devastation in Lebanon since Israel began its offensive, mounting airstrikes across wide parts of the country and sending troops into the south. Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera showed thick smoke rising from the town of Khiyam in southern Lebanon, some 6 km (4 miles) from the border, a focal point of ground battles between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah, which has suffered major blows since Israel began its offensive in September, has kept up rocket fire into Israel, attacking Tel Aviv this week. Its fighters are battling Israeli troops on the ground in the south. The casualty toll since Oct. 2023 stands at 3,583 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 25 fatalities were reported on Wednesday. Hezbollah strikes have killed more than 100 people in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. They include more than 70 soldiers killed in strikes in northern Israel and the Golan Heights and in combat in southern Lebanon, according to Israel. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Saul in Jerusalem; Tom Perry in Beirut; Clauda Tanios and Jana Choukeir in Dubai; Enas Alashray and Yomna Ehab; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by William Maclean, Alexandra Hudson) Israeli strikes on northern and central Gaza killed at least 87 Palestinians in 24 hours, local health authorities said, as the death toll in the enclave surpassed 44,000. At least 65 people were killed in Israeli strikes on northern Gaza overnight, a medical official in the enclave told CNN on Thursday, adding that the toll expected to rise. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, told CNN on Thursday morning that casualties were still being brought to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Hamas Al-Aqsa TV, he said about 200 people were believed to have been at the site when the Israeli military struck. The hospital medical team retrieved 65 martyrs from under the rubble, Abu Safiya said, adding that medical staff were recovering bodies from under the rubble using their hands due to the absence of rescue teams. Safiya warned that the hospital will turn into a mass grave if urgent intervention from international organizations does not occur and medical supplies are not brought in, adding that not a single ambulance was available in northern Gaza. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut's southern suburbs on Thursday. - Ibrahim Amro/AFP/Getty Images In a separate strike on Wednesday, at least 22 people were killed, including 10 children, north of Gaza City in the center of the enclave, according to Dr. Muneer Alboursh, director general of the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airstrike hit a family home in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, Alboursh said in a statement on Thursday. Gazas civil defense said that rescue teams were working to recover people from the rubble and that the death toll was expected to rise. CNN has reached out to the Israeli military for comment on both strikes. The strikes come as the death toll in Gaza climbs after Israels renewed offensive in the north of the territory. At least 44,056 people have been killed and more than 104,000 injured in the enclave since the war began last year, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. Meanwhile in Lebanon, Israel launched airstrikes on the southern suburb of Beirut early Thursday, according to Lebanons state-run National News Agency (NNA). The strikes were accompanied by low-altitude flights of hostile drones over the area, NNA said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airstrikes, targeting the Hezbollah stronghold of Haret Hreik, destroyed several buildings, NNA said. Earlier on Thursday, Avichay Adraee, the Israel militarys spokesperson to Arabic media, posted evacuation warnings on X mapping three buildings in the area Haret Hreik, saying they were potential targets. He issued a similar evacuation warning for seven buildings in the historic southern city of Tyre. Israels strikes came as US envoy Amos Hochstein engages in ceasefire negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. He arrived in Israel on Wednesday. While in Lebanon on Tuesday, Hochstein said that a ceasefire deal is within our grasp, but added it was ultimately the decision of the parties. CNNs Nadeen Ebrahim contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israeli President Isaac Herzog reacted with outrage on Thursday to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issuing international arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. "This is a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity," he wrote on X, adding that the "outrageous decision" was made by the court in "bad faith." According to the indictment, Netanyahu and Gallant are suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity relating to the actions taken during the conflict in the Gaza Strip since October 8 last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court has issued arrest warrants for Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity since October 7 last year, following the unprecedented massacre by Hamas and other groups in southern Israel. There are unconfirmed reports that Deif was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in July. The warrants, approved by judges in The Hague on Thursday, followed a motion filed by Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan in May. Israel has never joined the ICC's Rome Statute and does not recognize the court. By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - The Israeli military bombed at least five crowded homes in northern Gaza early on Thursday with many casualties buried beneath the rubble, Palestinian health officials said, as troops deepened an incursion along the territory's northern edge. Rescue operations were under way in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, medics said. Hamas media put the number of fatalities at 66, most of whom it said had not been recovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no comment by the Israeli military, which has been operating in Beit Lahiya and the nearby Jabalia and Beit Hanoun since early last month in a campaign it said was aimed at preventing Hamas fighters from regrouping and waging attacks. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, one of three medical facilities barely operational in the besieged northern area, said at least 200 people lived in the residential district that was bombed in Beit Lahiya and that many people remained missing. Abu Safiya said medics were recovering injured people and treating them on-site because they had no ambulance vehicles to move them to hospitals. Even if the injured make it to hospital, many then die because of a lack of medical supplies and specialized surgeons after Israel detained or expelled most of the medical staff, Abu Safiya said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli operations in Gaza have focused for weeks on the northern edge of the territory, where the military has laid siege to three major towns and ordered residents to flee. Residents in the three towns - Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun - said Israeli forces had destroyed hundreds of houses in since they began the latest offensive on Oct. 5. MOST OF GAZA NOW 'HIGH RISK', UNRWA SAYS Palestinians say Israel appears determined to depopulate the area permanently to create a buffer zone along the northern edge of Gaza, which Israel denies. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), said on Thursday that 80 percent of the Gaza Strip is now high-risk, with many people increasingly desperate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They are trapped with no safe place to go. In northern Gaza, people remain under a tight siege. They run for their lives in vicious circles and have been deprived of humanitarian aid for more than 40 days now," he said in a post on X. "Across Gaza, the delivery of the little aid allowed in has become overly complex including because of insecure routes," he added. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden last month told Israel it had 30 days to improve the flow of aid to Gaza or risk consequences to U.S. military assistance. On Nov. 12, Washington said it had concluded that Israel had made progress and was not impeding aid to Gaza. Many aid groups disagreed. Adding to the challenges, armed gangs have stepped up looting of aid trucks, contributing to spiralling prices of essential food items such as flour. The price of a 25kg sack of flour, if available, has risen to 700 shekels ($186) from 50 shekels ($13) over the past week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Code-word today is hunger everywhere in Gaza. Looters are sharing the occupation's war against the displaced," said Tamer, a Gaza City man now living alongside hundreds of thousands of people who have crowded into Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza. Most of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people has been displaced and the enclave is at risk of famine, more than a year into Israel's war against its former Hamas rulers. Gaza health officials say more than 43,922 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's offensive. The war was launched in response to an attack by Hamas-led fighters who killed 1,200 people and captured more than 250 hostages in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has said. Months of attempts to negotiate a ceasefire have yielded scant progress and negotiations are now on hold, with mediator Qatar having suspended its efforts until the sides are prepared to make concessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Israel's assaults have been focused on Gaza's north since last month, its strikes have continued across the territory. In Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, an Israeli strike killed two people, while another strike killed three others in Rafah, in the south near the border with Egypt. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; editing by Philippa Fletcher) Issaquah police arrested a man accused of assaulting a woman inside her apartment. It happened at a complex on Southwest Clark Street. Officers say the woman knew the man and let him into her apartment, but when she came out of the bathroom, he assaulted her. The woman is expected to be okay. Officers arrested the man outside of the apartment. Military analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that Maryino in Russia's Kursk region, which was targeted by a missile strike on Wednesday, is located at a distance suitable for the establishment of an operational headquarters for Russian troops conducting an offensive along the line of contact. Source: ISW Details: Ukraine carried out a coordinated attack on Russian military assets in the rear during the night of 1920 November, using drones and Western-supplied long-range weaponry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geolocated footage released on 20 November shows the aftermath of what appears to be a Storm Shadow strike near Maryino, Kursk Oblast. Several Russian milbloggers reported that Ukrainian forces launched up to 12 Storm Shadow missiles at Kursk Oblast, with the wreckage impacting Maryino. The geolocated footage indicates the target might have been the historic Baryatinsky Estate in Maryino, which, according to the Ukrainian defence-focused outlet Defense Express, may have housed a command post for Russian and North Korean forces stationed in Kursk Oblast. While ISW cannot confirm this claim, Maryino's location about 30 km from the Kursk Oblast salient makes it an appropriate site for an operational headquarters supporting offensives in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: The Guardian and Bloomberg reported on 20 November, citing unnamed sources, that Ukrainian troops had launched the first strikes on military targets in Russia using Storm Shadow missiles provided by the UK. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 20 November: Ukraine conducted a successful combined strike against military assets in the Russian rear on the night of 19-20 November using drones and Western-provided long-range weapons. The 19-20 November strike series indicates that Ukraine has already begun leveraging Western-provided long-range weapons systems to assemble more complex and effective strike packages. Neither Russian nor Ukrainian forces have been able to conduct optimised operational manoeuvres since Winter 20222023 due to legacy doctrinal and resource limitations, but both are learning, innovating, and adapting their respective tactics on the battlefield, emphasising the dynamic nature of the current war. The US and Germany announced additional military assistance for Ukraine on 20 November. Ukrainian officials continue to launch investigations into Russian executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and provide statistics on Ukrainians living under Russian captivity. Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions near Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk, Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar and in Kursk Oblast. The Russian military command's lack of proper treatment of Russian soldiers and continued reliance on "meat assaults" is likely contributing to mass desertions. Support UP or become our patron! By Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) - Italy's right-wing coalition has passed rules to change the courts responsible for validating the detention of migrants, in what the opposition said was a vendetta against judges who recently blocked a plan to send asylum seekers to Albania. The Albanian facilities are a key pillar of the government's policy to crack down on illegal arrivals and speed up repatriations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move comes against a backdrop of tensions between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government and the judiciary, after migration judges issued orders to bring to Italy people being held in the Albanian camps. Under a proposal approved by a parliamentary committee late on Wednesday, future rulings on migrant detentions would pass from the migrant judges to Italy's regular appeal courts. The plan still requires final approval in parliament, where the government has a comfortable majority. "It is a clear (act of) revenge against those who ... refused to bend to requests that violate the principles of law," lawmakers from the opposition Democratic Party (PD) said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meloni's Brothers of Italy party said the aim of the shift was to promote efficiency, while transferring to a higher court an issue related to human rights. Italy believes holding migrants from a list of countries deemed as safe in camps outside the European Union will act as a deterrent to others considering making the dangerous sea crossing to reach the continent. However the Italian judges - basing their decision on an October ruling by the European Union's Court of Justice (ECJ) under which no nation of origin could be considered safe if even part of its territory is dangerous - said the migrants held in Albania had to be brought to Italy. The issue not only enraged Meloni but also sparked tension between Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Elon Musk. Mattarella told the U.S. billionaire to quit meddling in Italian affairs after he said judges who questioned the government's plan needed "to go". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PD lawmakers called the new rules a "Musk amendment" aimed at disempowering judges and said that was a "dark page" for the Italian parliament. (Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Gavin Jones and and Toby Chopra) European nations have promised to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for the two Israeli politicians. The ICC accused Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant of crimes against humanity and war crimes for their role in Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. The ICCs decision to issue the arrest warrants means the two Israeli politicians risk being arrested in any of the 124 countries that are party to the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC has no power to enforce its warrants but technically, any country that has signed the courts Rome Statue would be obliged to arrest Mr Netanyahu or Mr Gallant. Several nations, including Italy and the Netherlands, said on Thursday that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant would be arrested if they entered their countries. Guido Crosetto, Italys defence minister, told RAI television: We would have to arrest them. He added that it was not a political choice but that Italy was bound as a member of the ICC to act on the courts warrants. The Netherlands also said it would comply with the arrest warrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It followed a call by the European Union on its member states to respect and comply with the arrest warrants following the ICCs landmark decision. The EUs foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also disputed Israels claim that the courts decision was political. Not political It is not a political decision. It is a decision of a court, of a court of justice, of an international court of justice. And the decision of the court has to be respected and implemented, Mr Borrell said, adding that the courts decision is binding on all EU member states. Other European countries expressed their support for the ICC decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simon Harris, Irelands prime minister, called the decision an extremely significant step. These charges could not be more serious. Ireland respects the role of the International Criminal Court. Anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its vital work must now do so with urgency, added Mr Harris. But Frances foreign ministry stopped short of saying that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant would be arrested if they set foot on French soil. Its a point that is legally complex so Im not going to comment on it today, a spokesman said. Beyond Europe, Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, said his government will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the International Criminal Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: Its really important that everyone abides by international law. We stand up for international law, and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts. Ayman Safadi, Jordans foreign minister, also said the ICCs ruling must be respected by its member states. 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. Its curious that Indiana University President Pamela Whitten can zigzag across Indiana, tasting fried chicken and steak, without noticing the elephant in the room: Indiana women arent exactly full citizens in their own state. With some of the countrys most restrictive reproductive laws, Indiana limits womens control over their own bodies a slight inconvenience if were talking about elevating communities. Opinion: Mike Braun's new team gives appearance of impropriety Perhaps instead of simply supporting economic vitality, IU could advocate for basic bodily autonomy for half the population? Its one thing to say that attraction and retention of talent are crucial for business when restrictive laws keep IU medical students from adequate medical education, and the state has trouble attracting medical residents and physicians due to laws that threaten their profession. Advertisement Advertisement Its tough to talk about talent pipelines when the state legislature sidelines the very people who could bring talent to the state if only they had the right to make their own healthcare choices. With Indiana having one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the U.S., increasing prenatal care and maternal health support in both rural and urban areas would help more women and families to experience that sense of Hoosier Hospitality. Heres a thought: If IU is really committed to Hoosiers success, why not start by treating women like equal participants in the economy and the state? Indiana has no right to claim Hoosier hospitality while telling women theyre welcome as long as they dont expect full rights. Indiana University President Pamela Whitten listens during the university's trustee meeting at Henke Hall at Memorial Stadium at Indiana University Bloomington Campus on Friday, June 14, 2024. Kathy Keenan lives in Indianapolis. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU President Pamela Whitten's tour ignores anti-women laws | Letters (NewsNation) British luxury car brand Jaguar says it is launching a new era next month but people online are not happy with the rebrand. In particular, an ad put out by Jaguar is getting backlash for not showing any vehicles only models posing in front of colorful backgrounds. This will go down as one of the worst marketing decisions in history, one person commented on Jaguars YouTube video. Another said that if it wasnt on the official channel, Id assume this was a parody. Best Prime Day Deals for 2024: Best early Black Friday deals currently live Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toys usually sell out fast, here are top options Here are the best gifts under $50 BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. On X, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk asked Jaguar: Do you sell cars? to which they replied: Yes. Wed love to show you. Jaguar announced in a news release that it will present Copy Nothing, a public installation for its new brand, on Dec. 2 at Miami Art Week in Florida. Jaguar is officially launching its rebrand, Copy Nothing, on Dec. 2. (Jaguar) Were here to delete ordinary. To go bold, Jaguar says on a webpage dedicated to the rebranding. Gerry McGovern, Jaguars Chief Creative Officer, said in a statement that the vision for the companys rebranding is informed by the words of its founder, William Lyons, who once said A Jaguar should be a copy of nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jaguar is a brand built around Exuberant Modernism, McGovern said. It is imaginative, bold and artistic at every touchpoint. It is unique and fearless. This is a reimagining that recaptures the essence of Jaguar, returning it to the values that once made it so loved, but making it relevant for a contemporary audience. Included in Jaguars rebrand is a new device mark and the use of exuberant colors. Jaguar is planning to go fully electric by 2025 as well, the Associated Press reported. When asked about the criticism the ad campaign has gotten, a Jaguar spokesperson told NewsNation that, 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, the spokesperson said. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. The United States is experiencing a longstanding and worsening shortage of primary care providers (PCPs).1-4 This shortage is reducing access to care, causing longer wait times for patients to be seen, and resulting in poorer quality of care because of increased clinician workload and/or time constraints during patient visits.5 According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, primary care is the only medical specialty in which greater supply is associated with improved population health, which is why the persistent and growing shortage is so concerning to US policymakers.6 Although there are well-founded concerns about shortage of PCPs, there is increasing scrutiny of the clinical roles of physician associates/assistants (PAs) and NPs. The PA and NP professions are two of the fastest-growing healthcare professions in the United States.7 These professions both began in the mid-1960s as an effort to reduce the shortage of primary care physicians in the United States.8 Between 2012 and 2016, the proportion of primary care clinic visits provided by PAs and NPs increased 129%; visits to primary care physicians declined 18% in that time period.9 This mirrors the growth that the PA and NP professions are experiencing compared with physicians. Reasons for the proliferation of PAs and NPs compared with physicians could include shorter training times, no required residency, and growing PA and NP enrollment compared with the stagnant number of physician residency slots.10 Furthermore, 58% of medical students and 62% of nursing students plan to pursue careers outside patient care, including medical research or consulting, significantly increasing the PCP shortage.11 Because of the increasing presence of PAs and NPs in primary care settings, many patients see not only a physician, but also a PA and/or NP, known as primary care team interdependence.12,13 Team interdependence is expanding access to care for millions in the United States.14 Primary care team interdependence might be highly structured, such as in collaborative practice approaches, or might be more loosely structured, such as team members providing patient coverage in the event of an absence or full schedule.15 Although previous research shows that healthcare teams are associated with improved patient safety, quality of care, and satisfaction compared with single-clinician care, patients might experience confusion about the different types of PCPs they might encounter during clinic visits.16 Almost all direct patient care healthcare professions (for example, medicine and pharmacy) now or soon will start conferring entry-level doctorates, leaving the PA profession as the only healthcare profession that confers a master's degree as the entry-level degree. However, many PAs are advancing their education by obtaining research doctorates or PA-focused doctorates such as the doctor of medical science (DMSc) degree.17 Many physicians have voiced their concern in peer-reviewed and popular media about PAs and NPs identifying themselves using the honorific doctor.16 A common argument against PAs and NPs identifying themselves as doctor is that it would cause role confusion for patients and the public about who is allowed to do what in healthcare settings.16,18,19 As a result, many PAs and NPs have been fined or disciplined because they used the title doctor. Despite the concerns from physicians about PAs and NPs calling themselves doctor, to our knowledge, there has yet to be an investigation that has specifically sought to understand patients' perceptions of the title. This study sought to evaluate public perceptions about various types of clinicians in primary care settings, identify public preferences for a PCP in relation to experience and training, and examine public preferences for PCP credentials. METHODS This study was approved by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine institutional review board. We conducted semistructured interviews to accomplish the study's objectives. Participants were eligible to be included in the study if they were at least age 18 years; had been seen by a physician, PA, and/or NP in the past; and could read and speak at least some English. Participants were recruited from two general internal medicine clinics affiliated with an academic medical center in the Southeast United States. These clinics use a mixture of attending physicians, PAs, NPs, and medical residents. Participants also were recruited from the general public through a public-facing website. We recruited participants until thematic saturation was achieved. Previous research suggests that data saturation can occur with as few as nine interviews.20,21 Individual interviews were conducted over the phone by one author (AAA), who is an expert in interview methodology and qualitative research. The interviews lasted 14 to 30 minutes, with an average length of 20 minutes (Supplemental Table 1,https://links.lww.com/JAAPA/A22). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed via a transcription service. Transcripts were reviewed and compared with the audio files by the study team and the qualitative researcher to ensure accurate transcription. One Spanish interview was audio-recorded and transcribed in Spanish. The Spanish transcript was then translated into English and the translation was reviewed for accuracy by an experienced qualitative researcher. Two experienced qualitative researchers (AAA and KLR) reviewed the transcripts and developed a codebook to capture concepts found in the data. Deductive and inductive coding strategies were used to develop the codebook, using concepts from the interview guide and research questions as well as ideas that emerged from the participant discussions. Interview transcripts were imported and coded in ATLAS.ti version 23 software. Two qualitative researchers independently coded the textual data and met weekly to compare coding. Discrepancies in coding were discussed and resolved iteratively. The codebook was adjusted as needed based on discussions of code meanings and application. Text segments were reviewed by code and summarized. Code summaries were synthesized into themes and organized using principles of reflexive thematic analysis. FINDINGS We recruited 12 participants; 11 interviews were conducted in English and one in Spanish. Twelve participants were sufficient to reach thematic saturation. Most participants identified as female (75%, n = 9), White (67%, n = 8), and non-Hispanic/Latino (83%, n = 10). Two-thirds (67%, n = 8) of participants identified their PCP as a physician. Participants shared perspectives on PCPs' credentials, experience, and training, offering a more comprehensive understanding of how the professional background of their PCP influences the quality and perception of care received. Exploring the significance attributed to credentials, the effect of extensive experience, and the role of ongoing training and specialization, the interviews illuminated the complex interaction between healthcare qualifications, patient satisfaction, and experience (Table 1). TABLE 1. - Thematic findings and representative quotes for PCP professional background Thematic findings and representative quotes for PCP professional background Credential preferences Those who preferred physicians cited perceptions of higher training and authority, particularly for making medical decisions. Some participants held no strong preference for a specific type of PCP, valuing competence and quality over credentials. Those who preferred PAs or NPs based responses on associations with compassion, patience, and more time spent with patients. Representative quotes For me, it's definitely something I consider if I'm choosing a primary care provider, I would [want] someone to have the highest level possible [credentials] because they're the doctor that's seeing me, and I want what's best for my health. In terms of an emergency situation or an urgent care situation, I'm willing to take whoever will see me, for the most part. [Having a physician PCP is] very important, and the reason why that's important is because there's certain levels to that. For example, a nurse practitioner, they have to receive permission from a physician to do something. [...] I just feel like it's very important because some patients may not want a nurse practitioner as a PCP. They may actually want an MD because it means they can make decisions and not have to go through anyone. Yeah, so I wouldn't not have a primary care provider because they were an MD, but my experience has been with nurse practitioners, that the things that are important to me, which is really having someone take time with me, and listen to me, and feel like I relate to them, or they're understanding me, I've had those better experiences with nurse practitioners, versus the MD. Yeah, I think they have a little bit more of a hands-on, proactive approach, PAs do. Some nurse practitioners seem to have a more hands-on proactive approach when they talk to the patient, whereas I find that physicians are a little bit hurried, rushed, and more apt to be dismissive. Just like before, it's important for my PCP to be competent, but whether it's a doctor or NP or a PA, that doesn't matter. I don't really see a consistent trend with any of the credentials. If someone's gonna be a good PCP, I don't think their having MD next to their name automatically makes them a better PCP. Lack of clarity with roles Some participants expressed a lack of clarity regarding the roles and distinctions between various healthcare provider types (MDs, DOs, PAs, and NPs). Findings underscore the need for improved patient education regarding healthcare provider distinctions. Well, for instance, right now we have family medicine doctors, internists, and then you just have somebody labeled as a PCP. I think that we should be informed as a society on a general basis, what is the difference in those physicians and how they target. They all seem to do the same thing. Training and education About half of participants favored PCPs with more years of experience, believing these PCPs' expertise and lived experience would better address their medical needs. The other half of participants considered years of experience as either irrelevant or expressed a preference for early-career PCPs, citing qualities such as compassion and being up to date with the latest medical knowledge. Well, when I hear the name doctor, I just know that they've allthey've probably been through all the training, they're notthey're no longer a resident, an intern. They may have some level of authority or leadership. I've had a couple friends go through PA school as well, and I know they have to go through a lot of training. I know they're not doctors, but I would still trust my care to someone like that as well. [Years of training] doesn't really factor in for me at all. I do go to the Piedmont Plaza Clinic here in the hospital system and usually my PCP rotates through one of the fellows. I would like at least 3 years of training because the first year I feel you're still learning, and then the second year you kinda got it. Then the third year you're like able to do it on your own and understand a lot more. Honestly, I've had experiences with older doctors, and they come off as more condescending, so always happy to work with younger doctors, I think. I feel like there's more compassion there. Credentials Participants discussed their perceptions and preferences of various types of clinicians (medical doctor [MD] compared with doctor of osteopathy [DO] compared with PA compared with NP, as well as family medicine physicians compared with internal medicine physicians). Three participants noted distinctions in these clinician roles; others commented on their experiences with certain clinician types. Four participants identified a preference for one type over the other (mainly physicians versus PAs or NPs), which are detailed below. Two participants were either unfamiliar or unclear about the differences between clinician types. Some expressed confusion about what PAs and NPs do, at times describing these roles with more administrative denotations than clinical. One participant simply could not tell the difference between clinician types, expressing that they all seem to do the same thing; another suggested that more information should be made available to the public about the various roles. Physician preference Three participants preferred having a physician, specifically someone with an MD, as their PCP for reasons related to their level of training or experience, ability to make decisions (for example, prescribe medications or order examinations), and other hierarchical considerations. One participant desired a PCP with an MD degree (either a resident or attending) because the participant perceived this clinician to be the highest level PCP. However, the participant also noted that in an urgent situation, credentials mattered less. Two participants said that they don't mind going to the PA or NP for urgent care needs such as sick visits, but that they prefer a clinician with a 4-year and plus degree for their PCP. Two participants provided observations of the hierarchy in a PCP clinic. They preferred having a physician as their PCP for reasons related to this hierarchy, focusing on the physicians' ability to make medical decisions for a patient, compared with other clinicians who must go through the supervising physician. Another participant expressed the importance of having someone who is more established in their career, comparing residents who are in training with clinicians who are in full practice. Participants also were asked to elaborate on their perceptions of the term doctor and what value it carries for them in seeking primary care. Participant responses varied as to whether the term had importance. The four participants who stated the term doctor was important highlighted a doctor's increased authority, scientific background, and extensive educational pathway and training opportunities. Three participants did not put as much weight on this term because they trusted that PAs and NPs were experienced and credentialed to practice. One participant said friends had gone through PA training, and the participant trusted that training, so the term doctor was not as important to the participant for this reason. PA or NP preference Three participants preferred PAs or NPs as PCPs, comparing their aptitude for more compassion and patience with physicians' tendencies to be dismissive, patronizing, and rushed. PAs and NPs also were thought to have more time to spend with patients and to be more hands-on. No preference Four participants had no preference with respect to credentials. They discussed a lack of perceived differences in experiences with different types of clinicians and a lack of observable differences between different clinician types. Experience and training Five participants preferred a PCP who had more years of experience in their field and more lived experience. These participants explained how they thought someone with more experience could treat their medical needs better than someone just out of medical school or residency. For instance, older patients with more medical needs may require more experienced clinicians compared with patients with less-complex medical needs. Three participants wanted more tailored care, opting to see clinicians with a lot of experience in their area of expertise. Not all participants expressed a preference for an experienced PCP. Six participants explained that years of experience were either irrelevant to them, or that they preferred early-career PCPs. For example, one participant elected to attend a resident- and fellow-run clinic that focuses on training early-career clinicians. Others preferred early-career PCPs because they believed younger clinicians to be more compassionate and up-to-date in their patient care. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the public's attitudes and perceptions about the term doctor and their preferences for their PCP. We found a lack of understanding about types of HCPs and their roles in clinical decision-making in the primary care setting. We also found that preferences varied, with about half of participants voicing a preference for more experienced clinicians versus those who are newer to healthcare, such as residents. Although most members of the public are aware of and have experiences with physicians in the primary care setting, there is at least some confusion, especially among patients who do not have previous experience with a PA or NP, about the training and qualifications of these clinicians. This confusion about PA and NP training and capabilities exists despite the fact that PAs and NPs have been integrated into patient care for more than half a century, and the acceptance of the professions has been studied from the very beginning.22 PA and NP professional organizations need to take the lead and provide the public with more education to reduce that confusion. Our findings are similar to a previous study using data from the Association of American Medical Colleges' (AAMC) 2014 Consumer Survey of Health Care Access.23 That study found that members of the public who preferred physicians cited higher qualifications and trust as more important in their clinician compared with those who preferred PAs and NPs. Those who preferred PAs and NPs were more likely to cite bedside manner and convenience than those who preferred physicians. Our findings elaborate on that study by specifically identifying the aspects of bedside manner that participants valued, including compassion, patience, and longer consultation times. Participants also identified a hierarchy in terms of qualifications in healthcare and, interestingly, that the hierarchy influenced them in how they chose their PCP. Previous findings have identified that more formal hierarchies in healthcare are associated with poorer patient satisfaction, lower-quality healthcare, and less-safe care.24-27 Primary care is unique in that team-based care is very common compared with other specialties; physicians, PAs, and NPs often share patient panels.12 Our results indicate that at least some members of the public are confused about the different types of HCPs they might see, their medical training, credentialing, and clinical decision-making authority. A coordinated marketing effort by physicians, PAs, NPs, and healthcare systems is needed so that the public is aware of who they are seeing and what their role is when it comes to healthcare. The findings of this study also have important implications for the PA and NP professions. Participants noted that the term doctor conveys a specific definition in their minds, identifying that doctors typically have more training and have done an extra step beyond PA or NP training. To increase the public's acceptance of PAs and NPs in the clinical setting, PA and NP leaders need to emphasize the quality of training and other educational pathways to improve competency. Further, variation in the scope of practice for PAs and NPs that is mandated at the state level also might contribute to confusion for the public and other healthcare professionals. Our findings show that previous reports of confusion by members of the public and healthcare professionals themselves about who is a doctor is a valid concern.16 More public education is needed to reduce confusion about the different types of clinicians one might encounter in a primary care visit and how they contribute to safe, high-quality patient care. LIMITATIONS Because only one participant spoke Spanish, insights specific to Spanish-speaking populations are limited. Second, the sample size was small; however, saturation was thought to be reached by the data collectors and study team. Third, the study was conducted in one geographic area in the southeastern United States and in one healthcare specialty (internal medicine); thus, the findings may not be generalizable to other specialties or to family medicine. Finally, participants were not required to have a PCP whom they saw on a regular basis, so some participants reflected on experiences from years ago, and others spoke more broadly about clinicians in general, noting that they saw whichever clinician in their PCP office was available. CONCLUSIONS Despite the limitations, our study provides important and innovative insights into how the public views different types of clinicians in primary care settings. We found variability in the importance of the term doctor, with some patients preferring physicians for their longer time spent in training and others preferring PAs or NPs for aspects of their communication and visit length. Coordinated, intentional public education campaigns are needed so that the public knows about the different types of clinicians, their training, and their scope of practice. Education also can reassure patients about the quality and safety of the healthcare they are receiving. Educating the public about the complementary roles of different types of PCPs also will ensure preference-concordant care. Future research needs to identify whether patients' preferences for their PCP's title and credentials are more or less important than other clinician attributes, such as location, affiliations, or insurance coverage. A Tennessee man found guilty of assaulting a police officer during the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack was convicted in a separate case on Wednesday for conspiring to murder FBI agents involved in the investigation into his role in the assault on the Capitol, according to the Justice Department. Edward Kelley, 35, was found guilty in US District Court in Tennessee of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation of violent crime and threatening a federal official, the department said in a press release. Kelley created a kill list targeting 37 agents and others involved in the investigation, which he shared with a co-conspirator, Austin Carter, along with videos identifying the agents, according to an affidavit. Carter pleaded guilty in connection with the plot in November 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cooperating defendant testified about plans to attack the local FBI office in Knoxville, Tennessee about 180 miles east of Nashville using car bombs and drones, the press release said. The witness also described discussions about assassinating FBI agents both at home and in public spaces, such as movie theaters. During the trial, prosecutors presented recordings of Kelley instructing his co-conspirators on a course of action for the assassination plot, the press release said. In one recording, he urged them to start it, attack, and take out their office if he was arrested. If Im extradited to DC or you dont hear about my status within 24 or 48 hours if they are coming to arrest me again, start it, Kelley said in a recorded call, according to the earlier affidavit. You guys are taking them out at their office. What you and [Carter] need to do is recruit as many as you can and youre going to attack their office. Every hit has to hurt. Every hit has to hurt, Kelley stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelley faces a possible life term in prison at sentencing scheduled for May 7. In May 2022, Kelley faced charges for assaulting a police officer during the Capitol riot. In November, Kelley was convicted of three felonies and eight misdemeanors for his role in the Capitol breach. Evidence showed him assaulting law enforcement, breaking a Capitol window and entering the building during the riot. Kelley is set to be sentenced on those charges on April 7. More than 1,561 individuals have been charged in connection with the Capitol breach since that day. CNNs Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Out of the more than 1,500 criminal defendants charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, David Dempsey is among the most notorious. The Van Nuys man was accused by federal prosecutors of being "one of the most violent rioters" that day. He was sentenced in August to 20 years in prison one of the stiffest penalties to date after pleading guilty to assaulting a law enforcement officer with a dangerous weapon and breaching the seat of Congress. Now Dempsey is among a large number of Jan. 6 defendants who are anxiously awaiting news from President-elect Donald Trump on whether and how he will make good on a sometimes muddled campaign promise to pardon them. Annotated video from the Justice Department shows David Dempsey of Van Nuys stomping on police officers in the Lower West Terrace Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Associated Press) "We're all on our heels and preparing for anything whether that is nothing happening, or more individualized relief, or a blanket pardon," said Amy Collins, a Washington-based attorney who represents several Jan. 6 defendants, including Dempsey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We really just don't know how to expect this process to go, because of how unconventional Trump is. He's full of surprises," Collins said. "We have to be ready for anything, and for any guidance that may come in a formal or informal way." Read more: California man given one of the longest Jan. 6 sentences for violence during insurrection Trump supporters stormed the Capitol after his rally on the National Mall, in an effort to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election. Federal authorities have said 140 police officers were assaulted many were seriously injured, and several died and millions of dollars in damage was incurred. Trump, who was federally indicted for his actions that day, has called Jan. 6 defendants "hostages" and "patriots" who had "love in their heart" when they stormed Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a CNN town hall in May 2023, Trump said he was "inclined to pardon many of them," but couldn't "say for every single one because a couple of them, probably, they got out of control." In an April interview with Time magazine, Trump said he would "absolutely" consider pardoning all Jan. 6 defendants. At a July gathering of Black journalists, he suggested those defendants were the victims of a "very tough system" that treated them more severely than racial justice demonstrators who had caused damage in other cities. Since Trump's election, his team has said he intends to follow through with his promises to help Jan. 6 defendants. Mark Paoletta, an attorney on the transition team, wrote on X this month that Trump was elected back into office to carry out an agenda that included "granting pardons or commutations to January 6th defendants and other defendants who have been subjected to politically-driven lawfare prosecutions and sentences." Conservative activist Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, walks with her lawyer, Mark Paoletta, to an interview in 2022 with the House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) However, Paoletta did not offer details. Trump's team did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts said the path forward is largely up to Trump. In terms of pardons and commutations for federal crimes, he has pretty much unlimited authority to do whatever he wants once he takes office," said Kim Wehle, a professor at the University of Baltimore Law School and the author of "Pardon Power: How The Pardon System Works." According to a Times review of federal court filings, Jan. 6 defendants with pending cases or appeals have sought delays as they await word from Trump; some delays have been granted, and others denied. Attorneys for Jan. 6 offenders already in prison said they are gathering documentation so they can quickly apply for pardons once the process becomes clear. "There's an expectation that Trump is going to do it. He himself said so. But I'm not sure how this is going to play out, or when this is going to take place," said Nicolai Cocis, an attorney for Derek Kinnison, a Lake Elsinore man who was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison in April after being convicted with a group of other California men of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and other related charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men were all accused of being part of the Three Percenters militia group, and of coordinating travel from California to D.C. to block Biden's win. Among the group known as the "DC Brigade" was Alan Hostetter, a former La Habra police chief. Alan Hostetter speaks during a pro-Trump rally he organized at the Orange County Registrar of Voters office in Santa Ana in 2020. (Paul Bersebach / Associated Press) Cocis argued that Kinnison would be a good candidate for a pardon because he didn't have a criminal record before Jan. 6, was not accused of committing any serious violence and did not enter the Capitol. Another member of the DC Brigade was Russell Taylor of Ladera Ranch, who was sentenced to six months of home detention after pleading guilty. Taylor, who prosecutors said wore body armor and carried a knife and a hatchet as he helped others overrun police lines, initially faced a much stiffer sentence but received leniency after agreeing to testify against Hostetter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Jan. 6 insurrectionist from O.C. worked to create hatchet-wielding band of fighters, faces 20 years Dyke Huish, an attorney for Taylor, said they were "looking forward" to Trump making his plan for pardons clear. Huish noted that pardon applications traditionally are reviewed by the Office of the Pardon Attorney, though Trump may wish to sidestep that process given its eligibility restrictions. He said he has studied President Carter's use of an executive order shortly after taking office in 1977 to pardon thousands of men who evaded Vietnam War drafts. Either way, Huish said, he expects Trump's transition team to issue guidance soon for the attorneys working Jan. 6 cases, because even if Trump's intention is to grant "mass pardons," many attorneys expect there to be some nuances or exceptions. Rioters, fueled by President Trump's false claims of election fraud, charged the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election of Joe Biden. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Not every Jan. 6 case is the same," Huish said. "There's a handful where they are going to have to take a close look, because there was violence and people were hurt." Collins, Dempsey's attorney, declined to discuss his client's case in detail, citing his pending appeal. However, she did address the potential for a pardon in a recent request for an extension in his case. She gave various reasons for seeking the extension, including her own busy schedule, but she also cited Trump's election just days prior and his repeated promises to pardon Jan. 6 defendants. Collins wrote that given "the high-profile nature" of Dempsey's case and the severity of his sentence, which she said was the second-longest of all Jan. 6 defendants, her client "might be viewed as one of the more appropriate candidates for such relief." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dempsey was accused of being front and center in the insurrection. Federal prosecutors alleged that he had used other insurrectionists as "human scaffolding" to climb to the front of the crowd, had fashioned a flagpole and pieces of furniture into weapons, and had "viciously assaulted and injured police officers" for over an hour during the siege. They said he pepper-sprayed one police officer and bashed another so violently with a metal crutch that it cracked the officer's gas mask and caused him to fall backward. Video from the Justice Department shows David Dempsey throwing a pole at police in the Lower West Terrace Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Associated Press) The extension was granted, pushing the deadline for arguments on an appeal Dempsey has filed in the case to March, two months after Trump takes office. Joe Allen, an attorney who has represented several Jan. 6 defendants, said that many of the people who were at the Capitol were enamored of Trump and convinced they were carrying out justice on his behalf, and that Trump "took advantage" of them. Many still hang on Trump's every word, Allen said, and "have some pretty high expectations of what Donald Trump should be doing for them now, [thinking], 'We were in your army. Now we're prisoners of war. So what are you going to do to save us?'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He suggested Trump appoint a bipartisan committee to review all Jan. 6 cases and look for those where a pardon may be justified, because some of the people there "just kind of got caught up in the crowd." The Justice Department estimates it has charged 1,561 Jan. 6 defendants. Of those, 590 were charged with assaulting, resisting, impeding or obstructing law enforcement officers, and 645 have been sentenced to some period of incarceration, the department said. Nearly 980 defendants had pleaded guilty, and 210 others have been found guilty at trial. The department is still pursuing other cases. Wehle, the Baltimore law professor, said Trump could issue a stark order declaring pardons for a list of named individuals, a cohort of defendants or everyone charged that day. Regardless, individual defendants and their attorneys will have work to do, Wehle said, including filing motions for dismissal of their cases or for release that cite Trump's pardon declaration as the legal grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Trump pardons Bannon, dozens more on final full day as president Jeffrey Crouch, a law professor at American University and an expert on the pardon process, said that while presidents have often relied on the Office of the Pardon Attorney, Trump is clearly willing to take a different approach having relied on that office for only 25 of his 238 clemency grants while in office. "He opted to have requests evaluated by his own people most of the time," Crouch said, and granted clemency "to his political allies, celebrities, military figures and others." Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Edward Kelley, 35, convicted earlier this month of assaulting police at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, has been found guilty again, this time for plotting to kill FBI agents who were investigating him. Kelley, of Maryville, Tennessee, was found guilty in federal court on Wednesday of three counts including conspiracy to murder employees of the United States, solicitation to commit a crime of violence and influencing or retaliating against federal officials by threat. Kelley was indicted alongside co-defendant and fellow Tennessean Austin Carter. According to a plea agreement, Carter admitted last year that he and Kelley planned on attacking an FBI field office in Knoxville and, later, created a list of 37 agents they wanted to murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence at Kelleys trial revealed the men discussed how they wanted to target their victims, including by using car bombs and by attaching explosives to drones. The Justice Department noted in a statement Wednesday that both Kelley and Carter discussed how they could get to the FBI agents. The men discussed ambushing them at home or attacking them in public including at movie theaters. In a transcript of a phone call Kelley made in December 2022 to an acquaintance who eventually became a witness for the FBI, Kelley described plans to start taking FBI agents out of their offices. Kelley described how he and Carter were coordinating and how they may need help to recruit other people to swarm and take out offices or agents. Every hit has to hurt, Kelley said in the call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI first opened a probe into Kelley for his role in the Capitol attack in December 2021. He was arrested on those charges in May 2022. Prosecutors said Kelley was the fourth rioter who breached the Capitol. Video footage of him at the Capitols west front showed him getting into an altercation with a Capitol Police officer before he and two other men threw the officer into the ground. He was also seen yanking a metal barricade back and forth with an officer grabbing onto one end. When he breached the Capitol, he came in through a window he smashed apart with a piece of wood. Once inside, he kicked open a Senate wing door, switched from wearing a gas mask to a red, white and blue medical mask, and confronted police including U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman. Goodman was responsible for leading rioters away from lawmakers who were in the Senate chamber on Jan. 6 Jan. 6 rioter Edward Kelley, indicated in a court exhibit by a yellow arrow, confronts U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. U.S. Justice Department Kelley was inside the Capitol for roughly 40 minutes. According to NBC News reporter Ryan Reilly, at Kelleys bench trial for the Jan. 6 assault charges, evidence showed he may have been armed with a gun when he stormed the Capitol. The Tennessee man had a holster hidden in his pants that appeared to show a printing of a gun but that was not proven conclusively at trial. It also was not necessary to prove in order to convict him of the assault charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Jan. 6 indictment, Kelley was also convicted of felony civil disorder and felony destruction of government property and eight misdemeanors. For the plot to kill FBI agents, Kelley will be sentenced on May 7. He faces up to life in prison. He will be sentenced on April 7 for the Jan. 6 charges. Prosecutors have not yet submitted a recommendation for the length of that sentence. He will remain in custody until sentencing. An attorney for Kelley did not immediately return a request for comment. Jan. 6 rioter Edward Kelley of Tennessee, pictured here with helmet and gas mask and standing on scaffolding at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. U.S. Justice Department As Donald Trump prepares to take the White House in January, hundreds of Jan. 6 cases are still active and more than 1,000 people have been prosecuted. Trump has dangled the idea of pardoning Jan. 6 offenders, but it is unclear whether that will mean blanket pardons or if each case will be weighed differently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Trumps election win in November, more Jan. 6 defendants have raised his promises of clemency to the judges overseeing their cases. As HuffPost reported, Jan. 6 defendant Chris Carnell told a judge he expected to be relieved of his charges when the new administration takes office. The judge overseeing Carnells case denied that request. Just this week, during a hearing for a different Jan. 6 defendant in Washington, D.C., Politico reported that a Trump-appointed judge was outwardly dismayed at the idea of the president-elect issuing blanket pardons or anything close to it once in office, calling it beyond frustrating and disappointing. Related... It is one tech uber-billionaires word against another. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on Thursday pushed back on Elon Musks claim he anticipated Donald Trump would lose the election and that his investors should sell their stock in SpaceX and Tesla, two of the companies he runs. Nope. 100% not true, Bezos posted on X, in response to Musks late Wednesday post. Nope. 100% not true. Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) November 21, 2024 Musk said hed learned Bezos was telling everyone to sell their shares and that Trump would lose to the presidential race to Kamala Harris. That, of course, turned out to not be the case, with Trump winning the electoral college 312 to 226 earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teslas share price has rocketed higher since then, increasing 40.3% since Election Day. Musk was Trumps biggest public supporter and spent more than $100 million via his America PAC to help him return to the White House. Wall Street is betting on Trump being better for Musks electric car company than if Democrats had won even with Trumps team aiming to kill the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit. SpaceX recently sued a California commission, claiming its political bias against Musk blocked the company from launching more rockets. Shortly after, Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said he was with Elon and that state officials were wrong to consider Musks politics when considering rocket launches. In other recent political news, Bezos thwarted the Washington Post editorial boards plan to endorse Harris for president. Musks net worth has climbed alongside Teslas share price recently and helped solidify him as the worlds richest person. Hes worth $314.5 billion on Thursday, according to Forbes billionaire tracker. Bezos is the worlds third-richest person, per Forbes, with a net worth of $215.2 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the first time Musk and Bezos have disagreed publicly. Both men have their own rocket companies SpaceX for Musk and Blue Origin for Bezos. In 2021, Musk mocked Bezos after Blue Origin protested NASA awarding SpaceX a contract, posting he Cant get it up (to orbit) lol. The post Jeff Bezos Fires Back at Elon Musks Claim He Thought Trump Would Lose: 100% Not True appeared first on TheWrap. Fresnos mayor is out of town and off hunting for big game. To pursue his quarry, Jerry Dyer (accompanied by wife Diane) traveled 8,100 miles across the globe to reach a tiny nation on the Arabian Peninsula. But dont fret. No rifles, or taxpayer dollars, are involved. The purpose of Dyers visit to Qatar is the recruitment of foreign capital investment in Californias fifth-largest city. Which is a more graceful way of saying Fresno wants some of that Qatari money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion Im honored to join mayors from across the country on a visit to Qatar, where Im meeting with investors and promoting Fresno as a premium investment opportunity, Dyer posted on the social media hellscape formerly known as Twitter. Dyers post was accompanied by photographs of he and his wife posing alongside their Qatari hosts with the mayors of Atlanta; Montgomery, Alabama; Columbia, South Carolina; and Rochester Hills, Michigan. Alas, Dyer didnt wear a turban in any of the photos. Depriving folks back home of the opportunity to make Jerry of Arabia jokes. Qatar is focused on building subnational relationships with mayors and learning about direct foreign investment opportunities in U.S. cities especially in healthcare, tech, real estate, and infrastructure, Dyer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve already invested over $70 billion in the U.S., and Im here to ensure they see Fresno as an excellent opportunity. I'm honored to join mayors from across the country on a visit to Qatar, where I'm meeting with investors and promoting Fresno as a premium investment opportunity. pic.twitter.com/3UeESyhOGK Mayor Jerry Dyer (@MayorJerryDyer) November 18, 2024 The weeklong trip is completely funded by the Qatar Embassy, Dyers post added. Gosh, thats awfully nice of the Qatari to pay for the excursions of a bunch of U.S. mayors who are only after their dough. Like its larger neighbor Saudi Arabia, Qatar ranks among the worlds richest countries based on per capita gross domestic product thanks to its vast oil fields and natural gas reserves. And like Saudi Arabia, Qatar (which remained a British colony until 1971) is ruled by a hereditary monarch who holds nearly all the countrys executive, legislative, and judicial authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How wealthy is Qatar? In 2023, the state-founded Qatar Investment Authority controlled $475 billion worth of assets. Thats more than two Jeff Bezoses and at least 1.5 Elon Musks, for perspectives sake. Qatar is a young destination with a rich heritage, that will leave you wanting more, reads the About Qatar section on visitqatar.com. Fresno mayor Jerry Dyer, his wife Diane and other U.S. mayors listen to their Arabic hosts during their November 2024 visit to Qatar. Not entirely rosy in Qatar In addition to those atrocities involving the use of commas, Qatar has been routinely criticized for human rights violations that occur within its borders. According to the U.S. Department of States 2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices, Qatar experienced significant human rights issues based on credible reports of enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrests, extreme restrictions on free expression, substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly, extensive gender-based violence and existence of laws criminalizing consensual homosexuality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amnesty International had a similar take. Authorities continued to restrict the right to freedom of expression and silence critical voices, the global nonprofit stated in its Qatar 2023 report. Migrant workers continued to face a range of abuses, including wage theft, forced labor and exploitation, and had inadequate access to grievance and redress mechanisms. Women continued to face discrimination in law and practice. Discriminatory laws put LGBTQ people at risk of detention. Not being a part of Dyers inner circle, I cant be certain how much the mayor knew about Qatar (besides its oil money) before agreeing to the trip. Lets hope none of this is news to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fresno could certainly use another hospital or a technology park. No argument there. But should city officials be courting investment from a foreign country that exploits its imported laborers, discriminates against women and the LBGTQ community and silences every dissenting voice? If that question doesnt give Dyer a moment of pause, it certainly should. NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) Thanksgiving is the time of year when families gather around the table, and its also a tradition of the Jessamine County Homeless Coalition. The free community Thanksgiving dinner will be Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jessamine County Public Library. Right now, turkey and dressing donations are needed to help the team meet the goal of serving 750 meals. These items can be dropped off at 218 E Maple Street. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone is asked to reach out to the coalition before donating. Additionally, the team is also looking for cooks and volunteers. More information on how to contact the team and to volunteer for the dinner can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. CHICAGO One of the Jewish students who was targeted in an attack on DePauls Lincoln Park Campus two weeks ago is speaking out. Just before 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, Max Long was outside the student center on DePauls Lincoln Park campus with another student, holding a sign and a t-shirt standing against antisemitism, when he said a masked individual came up and started talking to him. According to Long, while one of the individuals distracted him, a second person came up and knocked him unconscious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines At this point, mid-conversation, I, someone had snuck up from behind me and, also wearing a ski mask from my understanding, and struck me in the back of the head and on the side of the face, and at this point, I hit the ground, or I fell forward and hit the ground, and was knocked out cold, Long said. According to Long, at the time of the incident, a group of pro-Palestinian protestors had gathered across the street. Following the incident, Long went to the hospital with severe bruising and a concussion. The second student involved suffered a broken wrist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Long, who served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) prior to becoming a student at DePaul, said he had been harassed online and in person, but reported the threats to university staff. Police are investigating the attack as a hate crime. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland About a week after the attack, Chicago police released photos of the people who are believed to have been responsible. Photos provided by Chicago police show two persons of interest wanted in connection with the attack of two DePaul students on the universitys Lincoln Park campus. Photos provided by Chicago police show two persons of interest wanted in connection with the attack of two DePaul students on the universitys Lincoln Park campus. Photos provided by Chicago police show a person of interest wanted in connection with the attack of two DePaul students on the universitys Lincoln Park campus. Officers provided the following descriptions of the two individuals: A male, approximately 20 years of age, who is believed to stand between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-11 and weigh between 150 and 170 pounds. He has a full beard and short dark hair with shaved sides. At the time of the attack, he was spotted wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and black shoes. A male, approximately 20 years of age, who is believed to stand between 5-foot-10 and 6 feet tall and weigh between 150 and 170 pounds. At the time of the attack, he was spotted wearing a black balaclava that covered his face, a white t-shirt and khaki pants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lawfare Project, a national legal organization protecting the civil rights of Jewish people, is now representing the victims. It is our paramount goal that the perpetrators are held accountable and also that the school is held accountable for what seems to be total negligence in failing to protect Max and failing to protect Michael. The school has a duty to maintain a safe campus environment, Brooke Goldstein from the Lawfare Project said. The Lawfare Project is holding a rally in Lincoln Park on Thursday evening as they call on the school to create a safe space for students to protest and have open dialogue. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jimmy Lai was the chief of the now-defunct Hong Kong tabloid Apple Daily. Now 77, he's facing a life sentence in a national security trial in Hong Kong. He was arrested in August 2020 after the intense anti-China government protests of 2019. Jimmy Lai, once one of Hong Kong's most outspoken media tycoons, has been silent for more than four years since his arrest in 2020. But on Wednesday, Lai was seen in a Hong Kong courtroom, where he spoke in his own defense in a national security trial that could well end in him being sent to prison for life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lai was charged under Hong Kong's far-reaching national security law, legislation introduced in 2020 that has had a chilling effect on protests and dissent on the island. The national security law was enacted after the city erupted in grassroots-led protests against China in 2019. Lai, who has been accused of sedition and foreign collusion, downplayed his ties to the West during his testimony on Wednesday. The former media mogul had met then-Vice President Mike Pence during a visit to the US in July 2019 amid the protests in Hong Kong. "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 said in court, per Reuters. Jimmy Lai is a Champion of Freedom & I was honored to welcome him to the White House in 2019. Today, he sits in prison for his support of Democracy in Hong Kong & @VoCommunism rightly awarded him their Highest Honor for his Courageous Commitment to Freedom. God Bless Jimmy Lai. pic.twitter.com/oU69TSkex2 Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) June 11, 2021 After the protests were quelled, a raft of arrests followed, including Lai's. Other symbols of the pro-democracy movement fled the city. Some were jailed, including student leader Joshua Wong and activist Agnes Chow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wong was one of the 45 influential pro-democracy protesters who, on Tuesday, were handed sentences of up to 10 years. This mass sentencing of Hong Kong's activists was also based on charges under Hong Kong's national security law. Lai's position in Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests In 2019, student leaders like Wong raged against the Chinese government for months. They were among the hundreds of thousands of people who marched in protest of a bill that allowed Hong Kong residents to be extradited to China for trial. The protests turned violent, with people saying they were prepared to fight to the death for democracy. In the maelstrom of Hong Kong's protest movement, Apple Daily, Lai's now-shuttered media outlet, drew the Chinese government's ire for its critical coverage and pro-democracy stance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 2020, 200 police officers were sent to Apple Daily's offices to arrest Lai. A second raid involving about 500 police officers took place in June 2021. This time, five executives, including the paper's editor in chief and CEO, were arrested. Apple Daily ceased publication a week later. "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," Lin Jian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday. Lai now faces three charges two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and a separate sedition charge. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lai is expected to continue testifying in the coming weeks. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. Lai played his Trump card In May 2020, weeks before his arrest, Lai said in a CNN interview that then-President Donald Trump was the only person who could save Hong Kong. "If you save us, you can stop China's aggressions. You can also save the world," Lai told CNN. In October, President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on Lai's case during an interview with podcast host Hugh Hewitt. When asked about Lai, Trump said he would be able to free the former media mogul. "That's going to be so easy. I'll get him out," Trump said without providing further details. A different Hong Kong As he prepares to take office four years after leaving it, Trump is dealing with a different Beijing and a different Hong Kong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The imposition of the national security law marked the effective end of Hong Kong's political autonomy from China. The sweeping set of legislation now criminalizes what China deems as subversion, terrorism, and collusion with a foreign country. Those charged with the most severe offenses, like undermining the Chinese government, can face a maximum penalty of life in prison. Samuel Woodhams, a security researcher, told Business Insider in July 2020 that the law would allow the government to block content, intercept private messages, and seize electronic devices. "Above all else, the implementation rules have the potential to radically criminalize online speech in Hong Kong," Woodhams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2020, during his first term, Trump signed an executive order ending Hong Kong's preferential trade status. When announcing the move in 2020, Trump said, "No administration has been tougher on China than this administration." In February, Trump said he plans to introduce 60% tariffs on Chinese goods. Read the original article on Business Insider WEST DES MOINES, Iowa The Jingle in the Junction holiday event starts Thursday night in West Des Moines Historic Valley Junction. Jingle in the Junction takes place four Thursdays over the holiday season from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. November 21st is the first night in the series with others taking place December 5th, 12th, and 19th. Gabe on the Go: Dancing through time at Lake Robbins Ballroom Steve Frevert, the Executive Director of the Historic Valley Junction Foundation, said the event goes a long way to supporting local businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They know this is the most important time of the year for them. Were super fortunate to have so many small, locally owned, independent businesses that come here, you know, dozens and dozens of shops, restaurants, eateries, places that people want to come and be either with their family, with their friends, with their neighbors. So it really is a kind of a community aspect to it, Frevert said. November 21sts event will feature a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Learn more about Jingle in the Junction by visiting the events 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 who13.com. In the dynamic landscape of US healthcare, physician associates/assistants (PAs) have emerged as crucial players in expanding access to quality healthcare. One aspect of their role that is growing significantly is their authority to prescribe medications. This commentary delves into the beneficial evidence surrounding PA prescribing in the United States, comparing it with physician prescribing and highlighting its potential to address healthcare access disparities and optimize healthcare delivery. However, more research is needed on how PA prescribing affects specific patient populations and healthcare settings so that the profession can optimize practice models and address potential challenges. A GROWING LANDSCAPE Since the inception of the PA profession in the 1960s, its scope of practice has steadily evolved, and a uniform national standard has emerged. All PAs in the United States graduate with a master's degree, undergo a national certification examination, obtain a state-based medical license, and continue their medical education.1 By accepting their comprehensive education and clinical experience, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and most US territories grant PAs prescriptive authority to some degree.2 As of 2024, full prescribing authority exists in 45 states, the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Less than full prescribing authority exists in Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, and Puerto Rico. This widespread recognition of PA prescribing reflects a growing appreciation for their ability to contribute effectively to medication management. Ninety-five percent of the 178,000 certified PAs who responded to the 2023 National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants annual survey reported providing at least 30 prescriptions weekly.3 Confirmation is by identifying all three major prescriber types (MD/DO, PA, NP) in the Medicare Part D population.4 To support this observation, a 10-year prescribing trend analysis was undertaken. In this analysis, the number of broad categories of prescriptions filed by PAs and NPs trended upward; that of family medicine physicians generally was static (Figure 1). FIGURE 1.: Drug categories by type of prescriberReproduced with permission from Hooker RS, Zobitz JM. Prescribing by physician associates and nurse practitioners in older adults is outpacing traditional prescribers: implications for practice in American medicine. Med Care Res Rev. 2024;81(2):156-163. EVIDENCE FOR BENEFIT Evidence supports the positive effect of PA prescribing on several healthcare domains: Increased access to care . PA prescribing addresses physician shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas. 5 Studies have shown that clinics employing PAs with prescribing authority exhibit significantly higher visit volumes and prescription rates than those without. 6 This enhanced capacity to manage medication directly translates to improved access to essential primary care, particularly for patients in communities facing physician scarcity. 7 . PA prescribing addresses physician shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Studies have shown that clinics employing PAs with prescribing authority exhibit significantly higher visit volumes and prescription rates than those without. This enhanced capacity to manage medication directly translates to improved access to essential primary care, particularly for patients in communities facing physician scarcity. Efficient healthcare delivery . PAs collaborate with physicians, functioning as key clinicians on healthcare teams. This collective approach, facilitated by physician oversight and PA prescribing autonomy, promotes efficient workflow and patient navigation through the healthcare system. 8 For patients requiring routine medication management, visits with PAs can alleviate pressure on clinic schedules and improve access to care. . PAs collaborate with physicians, functioning as key clinicians on healthcare teams. This collective approach, facilitated by physician oversight and PA prescribing autonomy, promotes efficient workflow and patient navigation through the healthcare system. For patients requiring routine medication management, visits with PAs can alleviate pressure on clinic schedules and improve access to care. Quality of care and patient outcomes . One study revealed no significant differences in quality of care or patient outcomes, whether PAs or physicians prescribed medications. 6 These findings suggest that PAs, armed with their extensive training, experience, and collaborative partnerships with physicians, deliver medication management at a level comparable to their physician counterparts. 9 Some studies have indicated that PA-managed medication regimens may be associated with higher adherence rates, potentially because of enhanced patient interaction and communication. 10 . One study revealed no significant differences in quality of care or patient outcomes, whether PAs or physicians prescribed medications. These findings suggest that PAs, armed with their extensive training, experience, and collaborative partnerships with physicians, deliver medication management at a level comparable to their physician counterparts. Some studies have indicated that PA-managed medication regimens may be associated with higher adherence rates, potentially because of enhanced patient interaction and communication. Cost-effectiveness of healthcare. PAs significantly improve cost-effective healthcare delivery.8 Compared with physicians, PAs typically are compensated at a lower rate, reducing overall healthcare expenditures.11 PAs' ability to prescribe medications further increases their cost effectiveness by enabling them to manage a broader range of patient needs, optimizing resource allocation. COMPARING PRESCRIBERS Although significant similarities exist between PA and physician prescribing, key differences warrant consideration: Scope of practice . PAs and physicians possess broad medical knowledge, but their areas of expertise may differ. Physicians specialize in 120 or more specific medical domains; PAs practice in 70 specialty areas, often teamed with physicians and NPs. This difference suggests variations in their prescribing patterns, with physicians potentially focusing on complex diagnoses and medications and PAs managing more routine medication needs. . PAs and physicians possess broad medical knowledge, but their areas of expertise may differ. Physicians specialize in 120 or more specific medical domains; PAs practice in 70 specialty areas, often teamed with physicians and NPs. This difference suggests variations in their prescribing patterns, with physicians potentially focusing on complex diagnoses and medications and PAs managing more routine medication needs. Collaborative models. PA prescribing inherently operates within a shared framework involving physician oversight and communication.12 This collaborative approach ensures patient safety and medication management consistent with physician guidelines. In contrast, physician prescribing may not always involve direct collaboration with other healthcare providers, potentially leading to independent decision-making. THE ROAD AHEAD The growing evidence demonstrates the positive effect of PA prescribing on healthcare access, delivery, and cost-effectiveness. Looking ahead, several factors will optimize the potential of PA prescribing: Continued regulatory support . Maintaining state-level recognition of PA prescribing authority is essential for expanding healthcare access and efficient healthcare delivery. Streamlining regulations for PA prescribing of controlled substances can further enhance PA practice capabilities. . Maintaining state-level recognition of PA prescribing authority is essential for expanding healthcare access and efficient healthcare delivery. Streamlining regulations for PA prescribing of controlled substances can further enhance PA practice capabilities. Fostering collaborative practice . Cultivating strong collaborative models between PAs and physicians is key to ensuring patient safety and maximizing the benefits of PAs' skills. Clear communication channels are a requirement for continuity of care, and defined roles in the healthcare team are essential for optimal collaboration. . Cultivating strong collaborative models between PAs and physicians is key to ensuring patient safety and maximizing the benefits of PAs' skills. Clear communication channels are a requirement for continuity of care, and defined roles in the healthcare team are essential for optimal collaboration. Investing in research and education. Ongoing research exploring the effect of PA prescribing on specific patient populations and healthcare settings is needed. Outcomes of care analyses should include prescribing effects. CONCLUSION The evidence supports that PAs are well-partnered with physicians across medical and surgical settings and disciplines. They are growing as medication managers for various diseases in this collaborative role. Comparing each prescriber's effect on population-based care outcomes is a topic of healthcare system science waiting for further examination. Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died at the age of 86, his family has announced. The former trade union activist and Labour veteran died peacefully at his care home following a battle with Alzheimers, his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said in a statement. He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery, they said. The family said Lord Prescott had spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour, they said. We would like to thank the amazing NHS doctors and nurses who cared for him after his stroke in 2019 and the dedicated staff at the care home where he passed away after latterly living with Alzheimers. John and Pauline Prescott, right, at the 1996 Labour Party Conference with Tony and Cherie Blair - Fiona Hanson Sir Keir Starmer led tributes on Thursday, saying he was deeply saddened to hear of Lord Prescotts death. John was a true giant of the Labour movement, Sir Keir said in a statement. He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. During a decade as deputy prime minister, he was one of the key architects of a Labour government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So much of Johns work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow. From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime. Sir Keir added that Lord Prescott would be remembered for his conviction, courage and strength of character, noting he was respected across the political divide. On behalf of the Labour Party, I send my condolences to Pauline and all his family, to the city of Hull which he served as an MP for 40 years, and to all those who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace. Lord Prescott and wife Pauline - Prescott Family In a statement, Sir Tony said: Although we all knew that the end was approaching and was inevitable, I am devastated by Johns passing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics; one of the most committed and loyal; and definitely the most unusual. There was nothing about John which fitted conventional wisdom. He was from proud traditional working-class stock yet understood instinctively and completely the aspirations of that class and their desire to better themselves. Sir Tony added: It is no exaggeration to say the Labour Party could never have won three consecutive full terms without John. He was a commanding presence. He will deservedly occupy a special place in the pantheon of the Labour leadership; he will be mourned by his many friends and fans around the world and for me personally, today is a day of profound sadness but also immense pride in having known him and worked with him: a great man and great servant of country and party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lord Prescott served as MP for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years and was a key figure of Sir Tony Blairs New Labour project, seen by many as custodian of the partys traditional values in the face of a modernising leadership. He was ennobled in 2010 and introduced to the upper chamber as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull. Tony Blair, John Prescott and Gordon Brown at the Labour conference in 1998 - Owen Humphreys Lord Prescott ceased to be a member of the upper House in July this year after facing health difficulties. He had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019, official records show, and had not voted since February 2023. Over a parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Lord Prescott served for 10 years as deputy prime minister after Labours 1997 general election landslide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At times short-tempered, he once famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit to North Wales in 2001. The famous punch was captured on camera - Rex Features Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But during much of his time in office, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown. He also oversaw the environment, transport and the regions, a brief which included helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Lord Prescott was a loyal supporter of Sir Tony in office but subsequently critical of parts of New Labours legacy, denouncing Britains involvement in the Iraq War. He also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn during his time as party leader in the face of fierce criticism. Born in Prestatyn in Wales on May 31 1938 the son of a railwayman, Lord Prescott left school at the age of 15 to work as a trainee chef and then as a steward on the Cunard Line before entering politics. Lord Prescott served as deputy prime minister from 1997 until 2007 - Michael Crabtree In a private letter in 2007, Sir Tony said his former deputys role smoothing out problems, sorting out colleagues and trouble-shooting had been an integral part of getting things done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former prime minister said: The completely unique Prescott blend of charm and brutality - made always more effective by the unpredictability of which would be predominant - got you through the decade, kept the government together and above all, gave me a lot of fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy. After announcing the death, the Prescott family requested that in lieu of flowers mourners donate to Alzheimers Research UK. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. SAN MARCOS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Dozens of local families are settling into their new homes at Estrella, the latest affordable housing development in San Marcos, officials with the County of San Diego announced Wednesday. The complex provides much-needed housing for families with incomes up to 80% of the area median, offering them a stable, affordable living option in North County. The development of Estrella, a joint effort between the City of San Marcos, Affirmed Housing Group and other partners, was made possible by a $2.64 million investment from the County of San Diegos HOME program. These federal funds, allocated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, support affordable housing projects throughout the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Encinitas task force report recommends four new locations for low-income housing The county is all in on increasing affordable housing across our region said David Estrella, director of the countys Housing and Community Development Services. Having an affordable place to live in all parts of the region gives families the opportunity to live near their kids school and recreation areas, helping these families and North County thrive. Estrella is situated on land that was formerly home to the Mariposa Apartments, an aging 70-unit complex. In partnership with Affirmed Housing, the county oversaw the demolition of the old buildings and redeveloped the site into two new complexes: Alora and Estrella, which together offer a total of 196 affordable units. Breaking ground in April 2023, the Estrella development has already begun welcoming new residents. For those interested in applying or getting on the waitlist, more information is available by calling 1-800-801-8440, Ext. 7151. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the officials with the county, the project continues their commitment to affordable housing, with plans for more homes on the horizon. Since 2017, the county has invested over $314 million into affordable housing initiatives. This investment has helped create nearly 2,500 new homes, with an additional 3,100 units in development. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Originally appeared on E! Online JonBenet Ramseys family remains desperate for answers. Almost 30 years after JonBenet was killed at the age of 6, her father John Ramsey is pleading with police to follow a DNA lead he thinks could be the key to solving her murder. According to John, police arent proceeding with the testing of genetic material he says was found on the handmade garrote used to strangle JonBenet and on other evidence found at the scene in 1996. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We're begging the police to engage, the 80-year-old told People. There are cutting-edge DNA labs that want to help and who believe they can move the case forward. The chief of police is in charge, he explained of Boulder law enforcement. Nobody can come in and help him with solving a crime unless he asks for help. For John, he feels its a simple thing the family is asking for. We're not asking them to do anything weird, he added. Just do your job. Test the DNA. In response to John's claims, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said in a statement to E! News, The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts." More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved," the statement continued. "This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department. This is not the first time Johnwho is JonBenets only surviving parent, as his wife Patsy Ramsey died in 2006has addressed this allegedly untested evidence. Donna Svennevik/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images As he told True Crime News in September, I don't know why they didn't test it in the beginning. To my knowledge it still hasnt been tested. If they're testing it and just not telling me, thats great, but I have no reason to believe that. E! News reached out to the Boulder Police Department for comment on Johns claims at the time, but due to the fact that JonBenets case is an active and ongoing investigation, the department said it is unable to answer specific questions about actions taken or not taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the almost three decades since JonBenet was found sexually assaulted, beaten and strangled with a garrote in her familys home the day after Christmashours after her mother had called police to report her daughter had been kidnappedthe case has captivated the nation, spawning multiple TV specials hoping to uncover the truth. And in Netflixs upcoming three-part docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, the way law enforcement and the media handled the case will be at the forefront of the investigation. Mark Fix/ZUMApress.com The Boulder, Colorado police, who had little practical experience in homicide investigations, reads a press release from Netflix, quickly cast suspicion on JonBenet's family as the most likely suspects, fanning the flames of media scrutiny and largely one-sided reporting, turning the case into a national obsession. 28 years later, that obsessionand finger-pointinghasnt gone away, and the murder of JonBenet Ramsey remains unsolved. Among the areas promised to be looked at within the series is the mishandling of the case by law enforcement and the media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After E! News reached out to Boulder police regarding the docuseries, the department declined to comment as JonBenets case remains an open and active homicide investigation. Last year, Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold emphasized the department's commitment to the case, writing in a December press release, "We will continue to pursue all leads and explore technology advancements to identify JonBenets killer." Despite the public attention on the case, no one was ever charged in connection with her death. And in the years since, JonBenets family continues to mourn. I think about her every day, John told True Crime News. I have her picture on my cellphone to remind him that shes with me in some way that I dont understand or cant comprehend. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App JonBenet Ramsey's father still clings to the hope that his daughter's killer can be caught, saying Thursday he welcomes new pop culture attention on the nearly 28-year-old slaying. John Ramsey, 80, said advances in DNA technology can help police in Boulder, Colorado, take a fresh look at the murder of the 6-year-old girl that garnered international attention around Christmas 1996. "So we want to keep the case alive and in front of people," he told NBC's 'TODAY" show. "I believe it can be solved if the police accept help from outside their system. That's been the flaw for 25 years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramsey spoke on "TODAY" along with Joe Berlinger, the director of the upcoming Netflix docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, which comes out next week. While the JonBenet murder case is seared into the minds of Gen X and Baby Boomers, Gen Z and younger millennials might not be as aware, Berlinger said. "There's a whole new generation of true-crime fans that have rediscovered the story, going down these rabbit holes on Reddit and message boards, continuing to blame the family, continuing to spin conspiracy theories," he said. "So I really wanted to set the record straight. It's a very clear-eyed examination of how it's so obvious that this was an intruder." While renewed attention on his child's killing can also spawn conspiracy theories, Ramsey said, there's a net benefit of new eyes on this unsolved murder that has captivated much of the nation for nearly three decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a double-edged sword," he said. "We're grateful that the public, and frankly the world, cares about the murder of our child." Memories can still be jogged, even 28 years later, to create a case-cracking tip, according to Ramsey. "Hopefully there's someone who knows something that would come forward," he said. JonBenet, who had competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the early hours of Dec. 26, 1996, in the basement of her family's home in Boulder. The mystery of who strangled the child has remained unsolved. Ramsey has long blamed Boulder police for failing to accept the help of outside law enforcement agencies. But the father said he's met with recently appointed Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn and is confident the department will be open to any outside assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts, Redfearn said in a statement. We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department. John Ramsey, whose wife, Patsy Ramsey, died of ovarian cancer in 2006, said members of his family have been wrongly blamed for nearly three decades. "I'm doing this for the sake of my children and my grandchildren. This cloud over our familys name needs to be lifted," he said. "They need to be able to go on and close this chapter and go on with their lives." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Jordans Furniture Charitable Foundation delivered frozen turkeys on Wednesday to the New Haven YMCA. New Haven Board of Alders to vote on donation of Narcan pouches The turkeys will go to families in need this Thanksgiving. We established the Jordans foundation a couple years ago and it was really to give back to families and children in need, and during this time of Thanksgiving is our more appropriate time to be able to give back and were so fortunate that were able to partner with the YMCA and give back to the community, Co-CEO of Jordans Furniture Josh Tatelman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 300 frozen turkeys were delivered. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) - A journalist was seized by security forces in Turkmenistan as she was due to travel to Switzerland for an international human rights award ceremony, a group of NGOs said on Thursday, calling for her immediate release. Turkmenistan's diplomatic mission in Geneva did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Authorities in Turkmenistan could not immediately be reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soltan Achilova, a journalist and photographer, was set to be presented with a Martin Ennals Award, a high-profile human rights award at a ceremony in Geneva this week. Achilova was awarded the prize in 2021 but could not claim it as the ceremony was held virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. But on Nov. 20 ahead of her scheduled departure, security forces pushed her and two family members into an ambulance and took her to a hospital for infectious diseases where she is being held under guard, the group of 11 NGOs including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said in a statement. "(We) once again condemn Turkmen authorities for their continued harassment of woman human rights defender and photojournalist Soltan Achilova and her family members and call for their immediate release," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are very worried for her life," Manon Karatas, director of the Martin Ennals Foundation, which is one of the statement's signatories, told Reuters. She added that Achilova is diabetic. Last year, during an initial attempt to travel to Switzerland to claim the prize, she was blocked at the airport in Turkmenistan by officials who alleged her passport was not valid, Karatas said. The Martin Ennals award, named for a former secretary-general of Amnesty International, has been awarded annually since 1994 based on a jury of 10 global rights groups. This year's prize went to an Afghan activist Zholia Parsi and Manuchehr Kholiknazarov from Tajikistan, a lawyer currently being detained. Past recipients include jailed Chinese lawyer Yu Wensheng. (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) The judge in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-trafficking case has questions about the rap mogul's notepads. Someone wrote "Legal" on the pads in the days after prison officials took evidence photos of them. The judge is asking if the word was added retroactively to implicate prosecutors. The judge in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex-trafficking case is demanding answers for an apparent discrepancy concerning handwritten notes from the rap mogul's Brooklyn jail cell. The jailhouse notes which prosecutors allege show Combs attempted to pay witnesses have been a point of heated contention this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a hearing in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday, defense lawyers argued that Combs' white, cardboard-bound legal pads, photographed last month during a Bureau of Prisons raid, had the word "Legal" clearly handwritten on their top binders. Prosecutors' possession of these photographs despite this clear warning may warrant dismissal of the entire case due to attorney-client privilege violations, Combs lawyer Marc Agnifilo had argued, gesturing to the actual notepads on the defense table before him. In response, assistant US attorney Christy Slavik said the material is not privileged, adding, "It's not clear when that 'Legal' label was attached." District Court Judge Arun Subramanian, who's overseeing the case and has done some sleuthing into the matter on his own, has also weighed in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At the November 19, 2024 hearing, defense counsel presented the Court with an intact legal pad with "Legal" written on the binding, stating that the "Legal" label on this and the other pads showed that they were clearly protected by attorney-client privilege and should not be in the Government's possession," the judge wrote in an order late Wednesday night. "The Court notes that the sealed exhibit to the Government's brief at Dkt. 72-1 includes photographs of two intact legal pads taken at the time of the BOP sweep. There is no writing on the binding of either pad," the judge wrote. The parties have a bail hearing scheduled for Friday, where the defense "should be prepared to give the Court further context on the "Legal" label that the Court was presented with at the November 19, 2024 hearing." The defense must also "address why this label doesn't appear on the photographs in the Court's possession, and why it wasn't addressed in defendant's submission to the Court made a few hours before the November 19, 2024 hearing," the judge wrote. A lawyer for Combs declined to comment Thursday morning. Combs has pleaded not guilty to a federal indictment alleging he engaged in a decadeslong pattern of sexual and physical violence against women, including during elaborate, dayslong sex parties known as "freak offs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has insisted through his lawyers that the sexual conduct in the indictment was consensual and that his accusers have financial incentive to implicate him. A spokesperson for the US Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Tuesday, Slavik said Combs' jailhouse notes are evidence in an ongoing grand jury investigation into potential obstruction of justice charges. The notes, part of a "to-do" list, include references to "the defendant paying a potential witness to, quote, 'find dirt' on a potential victim," Slavik told the judge. The notes also include Combs' alleged plan for "following up with a paralegal to determine if a witness was paid off or not," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks to reporters outside the Capitol near the end of the 2024 General Assembly session. Photo by Graham Moomaw/Virginia Mercury. A Virginia circuit court judge ruled Wednesday Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) acted unlawfully by withdrawing the commonwealth from the multistate Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a program aimed at reducing climate-changing emissions that has funneled hundreds of millions to the state to deal with the impacts of extreme weather events. Eleven states, from Maryland north to Maine, are currently part of RGGI, which requires electricity producers to buy allowances for the emissions they produce. Virginia joined the program in 2021, but Youngkin pulled the commonwealth out in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his five-page opinion, Floyd County Circuit Judge C. Randall 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. 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 control of state government the year prior, passed the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act what Lowe, in his opinion, called the RGGI Act. Proceeds from emission allowances that electricity producers in the RGGI states are required to purchase are returned to the states. In Virginia, about $830 million had been generated for programs to increase flood resiliency and for energy-efficiency efforts prior to the states withdrawal at the end of last year. The 2020 law dedicated 50% of the funds to energy-efficiency programs that reduce electricity needs; 45% go to the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, or the flood fund for community-scale flood protection projects; and 5% to administrative functions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Youngkin called the fee a hidden tax when he proposed a regulation in fall 2022 to repeal the existing regulation requiring Virginias participation in RGGI. The State Air Pollution Control Board approved the repeal regulation in August 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four groups immediately challenged the Youngkin administration in Fairfax County Circuit Court. The judge found only one group, the Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, had standing to sue, and transferred the matter to Floyd County Circuit Court, where AECP is headquartered. 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. In the Cahoon case, the court ruled that where there is 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RGGI Act, Lowe wrote, includes in the first substantive provision that participation in RGGI shall be incorporated by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality without further action by the air board. The 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 respondents 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. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE 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. Environmental advocates, lawmakers react Environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers had said repeatedly that the RGGI withdrawal was unlawful and hurt Virginians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 passage and pushed for a budget amendment this past session to reinstate Virginia in RGGI, said the decision was a resounding victory for Virginias families. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Youngkin spokesperson 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, told Richmond television station WTVR on Wednesday that, 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 explaining his decision 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, said Nate Benforado, senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, which represented the AECP. The timing of that order is yet to be determined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the old regulation is back in effect, DEQ will then need to take steps to resume participation in RGGI, Benforado said. While the Youngkin administration has said it will appeal the decision, it will also need to also ask for a stay, or a pause, if it wants to delay rejoining RGGI while Lowes decision is appealed. Calling the ruling validating, Benforado said, It is up to the administration on what they want to do next. He said the RGGI program 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 Co. RGGI is really the key, if not the only tool, Virginia has, Benforado said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and X. One of the most common chronic bacterial infections in the world, Helicobacter pylori most often is acquired in childhood, but may go undiagnosed until adulthood.1 The H. pylori organism is transmitted via the fecal-oral or oral-oral route, with intrafamilial spread and ingestion of contaminated water being the most common routes of acquisition.2 Risk factors for acquiring H. pylori include low socioeconomic status, increasing number of household members, and having an infected parent. Higher prevalence also exists in early-generation immigrants from areas where H. pylori is endemic.2 The global prevalence of H. pylori infection from 2015 through 2022 was 43.9% in adults and 35.1% in children and adolescents.3 Although prevalence of H. pylori infection generally is lower in the United States than in other parts of the world, prevalence remains substantial at 30% to 40%.2 The H. pylori bacterium evades the acidic environment and immune destruction by burrowing into the mucous layer of the stomach and locally neutralizing gastric acid.1 The role of H. pylori in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease was identified by Australians J. Robin Warren, MBBS, and Barry Marshall, MBBS, in 1982; they won the Nobel Prize for this work in 2005.4H. pylori infection also has been identified as a risk factor for gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and in 1994 was designated as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization.5 Treatment to eradicate H. pylori infection is recommended for all patients who are found to be infected.2 Unfortunately, rates of eradication are less than 80%, indicating a need for improved treatment regimens.6,7H. pylori treatment regimens may fail for a number of reasons. One possible cause is poor patient adherence to treatment regimens because of complex dosing or adverse reactions. Another cause is antimicrobial resistance and poor selection of antimicrobial regimens. Acid suppression also is a crucial component of treatment regimens.7 DIAGNOSIS Patients with H. pylori infection can be asymptomatic or present with symptoms of dyspepsia, with the most common symptom being gnawing epigastric pain.2 Thus, patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia should be evaluated for H. pylori with fecal antigen testing, urea breath testing, or endoscopic-based testing.2 The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommends that patients under age 60 years who have dyspeptic symptoms and no alarm features (vomiting, hematemesis, melena, iron-deficiency anemia, or unintentional weight loss) be considered for nonendoscopic diagnosis of H. pylori with either fecal antigen testing or urea breath testing.2 Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is preferred for patients with alarm features and in those older than age 60 years because of the increased incidence of gastric cancer in that demographic group.2 Patients with active peptic ulcer disease (gastric or duodenal), confirmed history of peptic ulcer disease, or gastric cancer should undergo diagnostic testing for H. pylori.2 When EGD is performed for patients with dyspepsia, gastric biopsies for evaluation of H. pylori should be collected.8 The ACG also recommends testing for H. pylori infection in patients with unexplained iron deficiency, patients with idiopathic or autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, and those taking long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or starting daily aspirin.2 Although no evidence supports global or population-based screening for H. pylori infections, recommendations exist for individual households.9 When a patient is diagnosed with H. pylori, members of the same household should undergo H. pylori testing because of the known risk of intrafamilial spread.2,9,10 BARRIERS TO SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT All patients who test positive for H. pylori should be offered eradication therapy, which is supported by the link between prolonged infection and carcinogenic effects.2 First-line treatments for H. pylori eradication have historically included bismuth-based quadruple therapy (usually consisting of a proton pump inhibitor [PPI], bismuth, tetracycline, and metronidazole) for 14 days; or triple therapy consisting of a PPI, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin for 14 days.2 However, rates of treatment success with these regimens, especially triple therapy, are suboptimal.11 Bismuth quadruple therapy is not approved by the FDA when prescribed as separate components. The preparation Pylera, containing bismuth subcitrate, metronidazole, and tetracycline, is FDA-approved when combined with omeprazole. Unfortunately, this often is not prescribed because of cost or the fact that it is only dispensed as a 10-day regimen.2,12 The main limitations to treatment success with these first-line regimens are nonadherence and antibacterial resistance. Another limitation is inadequate acid suppression. Nocturnal acid breakthrough is a particular concern, and research has found that the duration of nocturnal acid breakthrough can significantly influence H. pylori eradication rates.13 Treatment for many infectious diseases is guided by culture and sensitivity testing, but H. pylori treatment has remained largely empiric. H. pylori susceptibility can be determined by culture and/or molecular testing, but these tests are not widely available in the United States and are not common in clinical practice.14 Therefore, clinicians must be aware of locoregional resistance patterns when prescribing H. pylori treatment regimens. A systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed antibiotic susceptibility testing on 2,669 H. pylori strains in the United States from 2011 to 2021 and found that resistance to clarithromycin (31.5%), metronidazole (42.1%), and levofloxacin (37.6%) were all increased compared with previous reports.2,15 However, only the presence of clarithromycin resistance was significantly associated with failure of clarithromycin-containing regimens.16 The failure of clarithromycin-containing regimens to eradicate H. pylori is particularly notable because this is the most commonly prescribed treatment in the world.2 Another barrier to successful treatment of H. pylori is nonadherence to treatment. Adherence can be affected by regimen complexity, pill burden, treatment-related adverse reactions, and cost of medications. Most regimens consist of 14-day courses of three or four drugs dosed several times per day. PPIs must be timed appropriately, 30 minutes before meals, to adequately suppress gastric acid.14 NEW MEDICATION SPOTLIGHT: VONOPRAZAN Vonoprazan is first-in-class of medications called potassium-competitive acid blockers, or P-CABs. Vonoprazan has been studied as part of combination regimens to treat H. pylori infection, gaining its first approval in Japan in 2014.17 Based on the findings of the randomized, active-controlled, phase III trial PHALCON-HP conducted in the United States and Europe, vonoprazan is now approved in the United States for use in combination with amoxicillin, or amoxicillin and clarithromycin, for the treatment of H. pylori infection in adults.11,18 Vonoprazan suppresses release of gastric acid into the gastric lumen by binding competitively with potassium receptors on the adenosine triphosphatase pump. Unlike a PPI, vonoprazan may be administered with or without food.18,19 Vonoprazan also has a longer duration of action, with a half-life of 7 hours, compared with 1.5 hours for PPIs (Figure 1).16 FIGURE 1.: PPI vs. vonoprazanReproduced with permission from Oshima T, Miwa H. Potent potassium-competitive acid blockers: a new era for the treatment of acid-related diseases. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;24(3):334-344. PPIs are metabolized by CYP2C19, which has several genetic polymorphisms resulting in variations in PPI metabolism. Metabolism-enhancing phenotypes of CYP2C19 are associated with higher rates of H. pylori treatment failure with a PPI-based regimen.20 Vonoprazan is metabolized by CYP3A4, so the presence of CYP2C19 polymorphisms does not have a significant effect on its pharmacokinetics.18 Vonoprazan has been investigated in the treatment of H. pylori in multiple different regimens, including dual therapy with amoxicillin, dual therapy with high-dose vonoprazan and amoxicillin, and triple therapy with clarithromycin and amoxicillin.6,21 Vonoprazan dual therapy was noninferior to bismuth quadruple therapy as first-line treatment of H. pylori with vonoprazan 20 mg twice daily.21 In a randomized controlled phase III trial of treatment-naive adults with H. pylori infection, high-dose vonoprazan dual therapy and vonoprazan triple therapy were both superior to PPI triple therapy in the eradication of clarithromycin-susceptible strains of H. pylori.6 Vonoprazan triple therapy also was superior to PPI triple therapy in the eradication of clarithromycin-resistant strains, although quadruple therapy would still be favored in patients with clarithromycin resistance.6 Therefore, vonoprazan dual and vonoprazan triple therapy regimens offer an excellent second-line treatment regimen for patients who do not respond to bismuth quadruple therapy. PRESCRIBER PEARLS Before prescribing vonoprazan, clinicians must know that the drug can be prescribed alone as a part of an H. pylori treatment regimen, or as a part of a co-packaged product. Voquezna Dual Pak is vonoprazan packaged with amoxicillin, and Voquezna Triple Pak is vonoprazan packaged with amoxicillin and clarithromycin.16 Although co-packaged products generally are more costly, savings cards are available on the company's website.22 To increase likelihood of H. pylori eradication, counsel patients about the importance of adherence to the treatment plan and offer advice to overcome common challenges in adhering the treatment. According to the prescribing information, the most common adverse reactions with the Voquezna Triple Pak are dysgeusia, diarrhea, vulvovaginal candidiasis, headache, abdominal pain, and hypertension.18 With the Voquezna Dual Pak, the most common adverse reactions were diarrhea, abdominal pain, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and nasopharyngitis. Serious adverse reactions have been reported, including acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and severe cutaneous adverse reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.18 Frequency or severity of adverse reactions do not appear to be dose-dependent. In a phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the safety and efficacy of vonoprazan in patients with nonerosive reflux disease, rates of adverse reactions were similar between the vonoprazan groups (28% in the 10-mg group, 28% in the 20-mg group) compared with 33% in the placebo group.23 Diverticulitis was the only serious adverse reaction potentially associated with vonoprazan use, and occurred in 1 patient out of 278.23 When considering the adverse reactions to PPIs compared with vonoprazan, a 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis found that rates of serious adverse reactions to P-CABs and PPIs were similar.24 Clostridioides difficile has been documented in patients taking vonoprazan in conjunction with antibiotics for the treatment of H. pylori, so clinicians should be cautious if patients develop new-onset diarrhea that does not resolve after treatment cessation.18,25 Current evidence is insufficient to determine whether patients are at increased risk for C. difficile infection after a course of vonoprazan alone. Vonoprazan use is not recommended in patients who are breastfeeding, who have severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min), or who have moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh classes B and C). Clinicians should avoid prescribing vonoprazan when a patient is taking drugs dependent on gastric pH for absorption, such as atazanavir or nelfinavir for HIV treatment; vonoprazan is contraindicated in patients taking rilpivirine.18 If vonoprazan is prescribed for longer than the recommended treatment duration, counsel patients on the lack of research evaluating its long-term safety. BEST PRACTICES The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and ACG have released updated clinical practice guidelines on the management of H. pylori infection. Both guidelines incorporate the role of vonoprazan-containing regimens as well as antimicrobial resistance when selecting treatment regimens.2,14 Before selecting a treatment regimen, ask about recent antibiotic treatment that might affect current therapy. In a national survey of gastroenterologists, only 38% of clinicians inquired about previous antibiotic exposure before selecting therapy.26 The AGA recommends that patients who have been treated with a macrolide or fluoroquinolone should not undergo treatment with a clarithromycin- or levofloxacin-based regimen because of the high likelihood of resistance.14 Clinicians also should ask patients about drug allergies and sensitivities, including those involving antibacterial agents. Reports of penicillin allergies are common, although true anaphylaxis is rare.14 Regimens containing amoxicillin should not be used in patients with a history of anaphylactic reactions to penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics. Consider penicillin allergy testing in those who have a listed nonanaphylactic allergy to potentially enable the use of amoxicillin.2,14 Patient education is critical and should include the rationale for treatment; importance of regimen adherence; importance of completing therapy; and medication dosing, timing, and potential adverse reactions.14 Clinicians also should explore barriers to therapy and address these barriers directly to improve treatment success. Most patients will not undergo H. pylori culture and sensitivity testing at the time of initial diagnosis. Therefore, treatment decisions should be made based on clinician knowledge of locoregional clarithromycin resistance (Figure 2). Vonoprazan triple therapy is preferred when the population has low levels of clarithromycin resistance (less than 15%).6 When the population has high (15% or higher) or unknown clarithromycin resistance, bismuth quadruple therapy remains the preferred treatment regimen.2 FIGURE 2.: 6,22 Data-driven approach to the treatment of initial H. pylori infection If susceptibility testing is feasible (such as when patients are managed by infectious disease or gastroenterology specialties) and H. pylori is clarithromycin-sensitive, either PPI or vonoprazan triple therapy can be used. Bismuth quadruple therapy remains the preferred treatment for clarithromycin-resistant strains of H. pylori.2,6,14 All patients who undergo treatment of H. pylori should undergo testing for eradication with either fecal antigen or urea breath testing 4 weeks after discontinuing antibiotics and acid suppression.2,14 Refer patients with persistent infection to gastroenterology or infectious disease for consultation and further therapy using an alternative antibiotic regimen. If H. pylori is not eradicated despite two different regimens with good patient adherence, the patient should undergo EGD with biopsies for culture and sensitivity testing to guide further therapy.14 CONCLUSION Given the widespread morbidity associated with H. pylori infections, clinicians must use evidence-based strategies to appropriately diagnose, treat, and confirm eradication in those who test positive for H. pylori. Every patient with H. pylori infection should undergo treatment with a combination regimen of acid suppression and antibacterial therapy because of the known carcinogenic effects of prolonged infection.2,5,14 All patients with unexplained dyspepsia, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, or newly diagnosed gastric malignancy should undergo testing for H. pylori infection. Others who should be tested include those with unexplained iron deficiency, idiopathic or autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, long-term NSAID or aspirin use, and those who share a household with someone who is H. pylori positive.2,14 After a patient has been diagnosed, clinicians can use strategies to improve rates of eradication, such as selecting the most appropriate antimicrobial regimen and counseling patients on the importance of treatment adherence. Most patients should be treated with bismuth quadruple therapy as a first-line agent based on widespread clarithromycin resistance. For those who do not respond to bismuth quadruple therapy, novel regimens such as vonoprazan dual or vonoprazan triple therapy offer superior treatment compared with PPI triple therapy.2,14 Patients who have completed H. pylori treatment should undergo testing for eradication with H. pylori stool antigen or H. pylori urea breath testing 4 weeks after treatment completion. Posttreatment testing provides the opportunity to identify treatment nonresponse and continue attempts at successful eradication. PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) An Escambia County judge has granted the defense teams motion for a mistrial in the Sheila Agee principal to murder case. After hours of jury deliberation, the judge called in every juror and asked if they had concerns about their physical safety moving forward with deliberations. A particular juror has not treated this case during the evidence with the seriousness that they should have, that has apparently continued during deliberations, Judge Coleman Robinson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University of Mobile mens basketball player collapses on campus, pronounced dead Two jurors said they were concerned for their safety, with one saying they felt threatened and another saying they had an increased heart rate adding that they have a pacemaker. I could hear and I was listening, juror Sally Sue Smith said. Thats just the way I do I just do that. And I had no idea. And then when they told me I wasnt supposed to do it I stopped. And then today when we went in the jury room I had another crossword puzzle. But we were in the jury room and youre not arguing the whole time. 51-year-old Agee was charged with principal to first-degree premeditated murder after text messages were discovered where she encouraged her son, Keith Agee, to kill the mother of his child, 18-year-old Brooklyn Sims, who was also Sheilas co-worker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deadly shooting happened inside the Home Depot on Davis Highway in Pensacola on Aug. 11, 2023. At one point, Sheila texted her son, If you dont come kill her you an [expletive], before giving him the address of the Home Depot. Jury selection for the trial began on Monday and testimony started on Tuesday. During testimony, more than a dozen witnesses took the stand. The jury also watched surveillance footage from the store and saw text messages between Sheila and Keith. Both the state and the defense rested their cases Tuesday. Sheila did not take the stand. Disabled retired veteran of Theodore warns of stolen SNAP benefit money Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Closing arguments were given on Wednesday morning before the jury deliberation began. Keith Agee was convicted last December of murder and sentenced to life in prison. The court will resume with what to do next on the trials docket day, which is set for Feb. 5, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Another jury will have to come back and listen to the evidence in front of another jury where hopefully those certain members will follow common sense, will follow the law, will treat their fellow jurors with decency and appropriateness. And will reach a verdict, whatever that may be, that is a fair and just verdict for both sides, Robinson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. BOISE, Idaho (AP) The death penalty will remain a possibility for a man charged with murder in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, a judge ruled Wednesday. Judge Steven Hippler was not swayed by legal arguments made by Bryan Kohbergers defense team to remove it as an option if he is convicted in the case, KBOI-TV reported. Kohbergers attorneys had argued in part that the death penalty does not fit todays standards of decency, that it is cruel to make condemned inmates sit for decades awaiting execution and that it violates an international treaty prohibiting the torture of prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Idaho Supreme Court has already considered many of those arguments in other capital cases and allowed the death penalty to stand, prosecutors noted. Kohberger is accused of the Nov. 13, 2022, killings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves. Investigators said they have linked Kohberger then a graduate student at nearby Washington State University to the crime from DNA found on a knife sheath at the scene, surveillance videos and cellphone data. Kohbergers attorneys have said he was out for a drive the night of the killings, something he often did to look at the sky. When asked to enter a plea last year, Kohberger stood silent, prompting a judge to enter a not-guilty plea on his behalf. His trial is scheduled to begin next August and is expected to last up to three months. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if Kohberger is convicted. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in New York, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. via Associated Press A civil contempt hearing is now on the books in Washington, D.C., for Rudy Giuliani just a day after two election workers he defamed, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, notified a judge that they believed the former New York City mayor has continued to smear them publicly. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ordered Giuliani on Thursday to respond to the motion for civil contempt by Dec. 2. The former election workers will then have until Dec. 6 to file their response to Giuliani. The first hearing in the case will be held on Dec. 12 at the federal courthouse near the U.S. Capitol. During that hearing, Moss and Freemans lawyers will ask the court to hold Giuliani in civil contempt for violating terms of an injunction placed on him last year, after a jury found him liable for defaming the women to the tune of $148 million. That verdict and the injunction that followed which Giuliani agreed to barred him from making any more defamatory remarks about the women going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The women say that lasted only months. In recent comments on his podcast, Americas Mayor Live, Giuliani repeated his lie that the mother-daughter duo passed a USB drive to each other containing votes for Joe Biden when they were working the polls at an arena in Atlanta in Nov. 2020. Giuliani has long claimed the women somehow planned to upload phony vote records from the USB drive and tamper with the election results. Giulianis statements aired on Nov. 12 and Nov. 14, and according to the womens lawyer, Aaron Nathan, they resemble the same lies he told about them in 2020. In one of the podcasts this month, Giuliani claimed the women were quadruple-counting votes. He also seemed to criticize Howell, who will oversee the civil contempt hearing, by calling her bloodthirsty. An extensive investigation of the vote count at the arena in Fulton County in 2020 determined that no fraud occurred. Giuliani said the women were passing the USB port between each other, like vials of heroin or cocaine, when in fact, surveillance footage showed they had actually passed a ginger mint to each other. Giuliani was ordered to pay Moss and Freeman $148 million last December for defaming them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the judgments wake, he tried to file for bankruptcy, but that effort was dismissed after he failed to produce records necessary to assess all of his finances. That dismissal opened the door for Moss and Freeman and any other creditors to start collecting. A trial on how to enforce the debt he owes the women is set in New York for Jan. 16. Giulianis remaining assets will be sorted so the women can start collecting in earnest. The trial will attempt to resolve what will become of the former mayors Palm Beach condo. Giuliani lived in the roughly $3 million unit in Florida at least part-time, while not in New York, and he is trying to keep that property under his control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under homestead laws in Florida, according to Giulianis lawyer, Joseph Cammarata, personal domiciles can be exempted from collection. So far, Giuliani has surrendered some of his assets, but only after much prodding. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in New York warned Giuliani earlier this month that if he didnt comply with the surrender order handed down in October, he and his attorneys could be held in contempt. Civil contempt usually comes with fines, jail time or both, and is the direct result of a persons disobedience of court orders. Limans warning seemed to prompt Giuliani to finally turn over the keys and title to his vintage Mercedes Benz convertible, as well as his watch collection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giuliani was ordered to surrender his luxury New York apartment and the valuables inside it in October, but Moss and Freeman have said this collection effort has been nothing short of a wild goose chase. Save for some rugs, a dining room stable, some stray pieces of small furniture and inexpensive wall art, and a handful of smaller items like dishes and stereo equipment, the apartment has been emptied of all its contents, Moss and Freemans lawyer Aaron Nathan wrote in a letter to the court on Nov. 4. They claim Giuliani and his associates often ignored requests to coordinate receivership of the apartment or its contents. Two lawyers representing Giuliani, Kenneth Caruso and David Labowsky, quit on the former mayor on Nov. 14, just a day before the asset surrender deadline. Cammarata has since stepped in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Caruso and Labowsky quit on Giuliani is unclear. The reasons for their departure are redacted throughout related court records. Nathan objected to their quitting Giuliani, arguing that the move was just another attempt to slow down proceedings ahead of the trial in January. On Wednesday, Nathan also asked the judge to expedite the pretrial briefing schedule and to cut Giulianis deadlines to submit records and documents from 30 days to just two weeks. Amid all of this, Freeman and Moss have also sought financial records and documents from some of Giulianis close associates, including his spokesman, Ted Goodman; his former girlfriend, Maria Ryan; and his onetime bookkeeper, Ryan Medrano. Freeman and Moss say they initially served the trio with subpoenas in August, but those went unanswered. Liman set a deadline of Nov. 21 for all parties to respond to the subpoenas. A hearing on this matter will be held in New York City on Nov. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nathan argues that Goodmans records are necessary to review because he plays a central role in Mr. Giulianis business, legal and personal affairs since he works for Giuliani Communications and also produces the former mayors podcast. Ryan, meanwhile, is still highly involved in Giulianis affairs, Nathan said: Giuliani has referred to her as the president of Giuliani Communications in the past, for example. Moss and Freemans lawyer believe she has keen insights on the state and location of his assets, too. In a motion filed on Nov. 14, the poll workers lawyer claimed they had only recently learned that Giuliani was hiding some of his property at a storage facility under Ryans name. Medrano has not been successfully served, according to court records. Traditional subpoenas sent to Medrano at his home have failed six times, Nathan claimed in a motion filed Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in yet another request filed Thursday, Nathan asked the court to compel a response to a subpoena sent to Standard USA LLC, a company Ryan founded with Giuliani and Goodman. (The business is registered to Giulianis Palm Beach condo.) Late Thursday afternoon, Cammarata filed a letter with the court notifying the judge that Standard USA LLC had filed its responses to the subpoena. Medrano signed the response and it is dated Nov. 15. In a section asking the company to identify any cash, including salaries and consulting fees, that flowed between Giuliani and any of his entities and Standard LLC, the letter notes that Giuliani received a payment of $50,000 on Oct. 24. But it does not provide more information required in the subpoena, including what account that $50,000 was transferred to or from. Giuliani has been angling to delay the trial in New York until after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office, even though the trial has been on the schedule since mid-October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney for the former mayor did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Related... LE MARS, Iowa (KCAU) A judge will take another look at a former Plymouth County deputys prison sentence on burglary and theft charges. According to court documents, the attorney for Aaron Leusink, 45, requested that the court reconsider his 15-year prison sentence, which was given to him on Nov. 8. Several factors, including his lack of a criminal history, his sincere remorse and his good behavior as an inmate were cited as reasons. Woman federally sentenced for deadly motorcycle crash on Winnebago Indian Reservation Aaron Leusink in 2020 (Courtesy: Plymouth County Sheriffs Office) A hearing on the motion to reconsider was scheduled for Dec. 13, 2024 at 3 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leusink pleaded guilty in June 2024 to 10 counts, including two counts of second-degree burglary. He was originally sentenced in June 2022 to 40 years in prison as the result of 11 different charges connected to burglaries and thefts at places such as homes and pharmacies during Leusinks time as a deputy. He was first arrested and accused of these crimes in 2020 following five pharmacy burglaries in Plymouth County between 2017 and 2020. After an investigation, the Iowa DCI linked Leusink to the crimes. Leusink appealed his conviction in August 2022. The court ruled that his counsel was ineffective and granted a retrial. This second trial would result in the most recent 15-year sentence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Jussie Smollett, June 2024 (John Parra/Getty Images for GLAAD) Jussie Smollett, the former Empire actor who was convicted, in 2021, of staging a hate crime on himself in 2019, has had that conviction overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court. The court ruled that, since Smollett had negotiated an agreement when similar charges were filed in 2019, prosecutors violated due process by trying him again two years later. The case began in January 2019, when Smollett reported to the Chicago Police Department that he had been targeted in a racist and homophobic attack. Two suspects were released from custody after telling police that Smollett had paid them to stage the attack, leading to a 16-count grand jury indictment against Smollett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors dropped the case when Smollett agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond and perform community service, but, in 2021, the case was revived amid public outcry. The second time around, he was convicted on six counts and handed a 150-day jail sentence. Six days in, he was released again so he could take the case to the Illinois Appeals Court. That court upheld the conviction before the case was escalated to the Illinois Supreme Court, where Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford reversed the conviction. Smollett pleaded not guilty to the charges in both cases. Nenye Uche, a lawyer for Smollett, said in a statement reported by The New York Times, We are thankful to the Illinois Supreme Court for restoring order to Illinois criminal law jurisprudence. Originally Appeared on Pitchfork Actor Jussie Smollett's conviction in a case that accused him of falsely reporting a hate crime to Chicago police in 2019 has been overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court over prosecutorial issues. Smollett's case was reviewed by the state high court, which ruled Thursday that the former "Empire" actor should not have been charged after he entered a nonprosecution agreement with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. The judges noted that the case generated "significant public interest" and many felt the case's original resolution was unjust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied," the ruling said. Dan Webb, the special prosecutor who brought the second case against Smollett, said he respectfully disagrees with the Courts factual and legal reasoning. He noted that precedents in Illinois case law did not explicitly preclude a new prosecution after a dismissal without prejudice. Make no mistake todays ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smolletts innocence, Webb said, noting that his team spent two years developing the case. Nenye Uche, an attorney for Smollett, called Webb's statement "completely wrong," saying that the entire proceedings were unfair and that Smollett is innocent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uche told reporters Thursday that it was "disgraceful" that the case went so far without "direct evidence" linking Smollett to the crime. "Prosecutions should not be based on vindictiveness," he said. "This was a vindictive persecution, not a prosecution." He said Smollett was relieved and grateful following the court's ruling. He just wants to move on with his life, Uche added. "It's unfortunate what happened to him. He was railroaded," he said. "This was a travesty, and I think the truth eventually comes out." Smollett was sentenced in 2022 to 150 days in jail and 30 months probation after being found guilty on five counts of felony disorderly conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actor told police in January 2019 that he was the victim of a hate crime, having been brutally attacked in Chicagos Streeterville neighborhood because he is Black and gay. Two men brothers Ola and Abimbola Osundairo were arrested in the investigation. But the Chicago Police Department later said that Smollett recruited the brothers to help him stage the attack. Smollett was arrested in February 2019 and indicted that March on 16 felony counts over allegedly filing a false police report. The charges were later dropped, however, by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. The prosecutor's office said at the time that Smollett was willing to turn his bond over to the city and engage in community service. Because of that, the office said it believed this outcome is a just disposition and appropriate resolution to this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Police Department leadership and then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel criticized States Attorney Kimberly Foxx over the decision. Emanuel described it as a "whitewash of justice" and a moment of special treatment for Smollett's celebrity. A special prosecutor revived the case following the original deal and charged Smollett again in the case, ultimately leading to trial despite objections from the actor's attorneys. Smollett has repeatedly denied the claims that he staged the attack, testifying during his trial that there was no hoax and that he was truly attacked that night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He testified that he developed a friendship with Abimbola Osundairo during the man's time on the set of "Empire" as a background actor. Smollett also said that the friendship included doing drugs, going to strip clubs and engaging in sexual activity. Both brothers said during the trial that Smollett hired them to stage an attack as a ploy for public attention, noting a $3,500 check Smollett paid them. Smollett's defense said that the brothers had been taking advantage of Smollett for financial gain and that the check was written to them for personal training services. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Jussie Smolletts conviction for allegedly staging a racist and homophobic attack on himself was overturned Thursday. The Illinois Supreme Court reversed the Empire actors 2021 conviction on five counts of disorderly conduct related to the strange incident in Chicago two years earlier. Smollett had argued that a special prosecutor should not have been allowed to intervene after the Cook County states attorney initially dismissed the case, and the states highest court concurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling did not, however, address Smolletts longstanding claim of innocence in faking the attack. In 2019, Smollett stoked public outcry when he said that two men assaulted him in Chicago, hurling homophobic and racist slurs and tying a noose around his neck. He reported the incident to police, and two men, brothers Olabingo and Abimbola Osundairo, were arrested in the course of the investigation. But the men, who worked as extras on Empire, said that Smollett had staged the attack and paid them to carry it out. Smolletts argument was initially rejected by an appellate court, but Illinois top court has now overruled that decision. Smollett was arrested in February 2019 and soon indicted on 16 felony counts of filing a false police report. But prosecutors dropped the charges after the actor relinquished his $10,000 bond to the city and agreed to perform community service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move shocked the public and sparked criticism. Then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called it a whitewash of justice. After further investigation by a special prosecutor, Smollett was indicted in 2020 on six count of disorderly conduct related to the false police report. He was convicted in 2021 and sentenced to 150 days in the county jail. He appealed the decision, but in 2023 a state court rejected his argument. Now, though, the states supreme court has overruled that decision and vacated Smolletts conviction. It determined that Smolletts conviction was unfair given a prior agreement with prosecutors stemming from his first criminal case. We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust, the ruling read. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied. Jussie Smolletts conviction in an alleged hate crime hoax was overturned on Thursday by the Illinois Supreme Court. The Empire actor was convicted in December 2021 of five felony counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly staging a hate crime against himself in 2019 and was sentenced to 150 days in county jail, plus 30 months of probation and $130,000 in restitution. This came after the original charges against him were dropped in March 2019, but the case was picked back up when the Cook County states attorney asked the state to conduct an independent inquiry with a special prosecutor. In December 2023, a state appellate court rejected his bid for an appeal and it was ruled that he would have to complete his full sentence, six days of which he served before being freed pending appeal. Earlier this year, the Illinois Supreme Court agreed to hear his appeal. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an opinion released on Thursday (via the Chicago Tribune), the Illinois Supreme Court found that a special prosecutors decision to retry Smollett violated his rights. We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust, the courts opinion reads, according to the Chicago Tribune. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied. In January 2019, Smollett told police he was attacked outside of his Chicago apartment building by two men who called him racist and homophobic slurs and placed a noose around his neck. After an investigation, the police alleged that Smollett had paid two acquaintances to stage the assault and a grand jury charged him with a Class 4 felony for filing a false police report. In March 2019, all charges were dropped after the Cook County states attorney reached a deal with his defense team that included Smollett taking part in community service and forfeiting a $10,000 bond. However, following controversy over dropping the charges, the state of Illinois conducted a separate inquiry into the matter with a special prosecutor, who then indicted Smollett again in February 2020. In November 2021, the trial against Smollett began and he was found guilty the next month. Besides Empire, Smollett is known for starring in The Mighty Ducks as a child and had roles in the films Alien: Covenant and Marshall and series The Mindy Project and Revenge. Despite his legal issues, this year Smollett directed, co-wrote and starred in drama The Lost Holliday alongside Vivica A. Fox. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Illinois Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of Jussie Smollett, who was found guilty of making false police reports over a 2019 hate crime that he was found to have staged. Smollett was convicted of five felony counts of disorderly conduct in 2021, and later sentenced to 150 days in county jail. According to TMZ, the state's high court found that when prosecutors initially dropped the case against Smollett over a plea deal he struck to perform 16 hours of community service and forfeit his $10,000 bond, it had to be honored. However, months later, amid allegations of favoritism and leniency made against State Attorney Kim Fox, the 42-year-old was indicted a second time, despite having completed his community service. As such, the court ruled that because Smollett did as he was ordered, he should not have been subject to the second prosecution. In addition to the felony conviction and jail time, the Empire actor was also sentenced to 30 months probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today we resolve a question about the State's responsibility to honor the agreements it makes with defendants," the Illinois Supreme Court said in the ruling, adding: "The State is bound by the agreement." Smollett's attorney Nenye Uche added: "This was not a prosecution based on facts, rather it was a vindictive persecution and such a proceeding has no place in our criminal justice system. Ultimately, we are pleased that the rule of the law was the big winner today." While the ruling had less to do with the actual merits of the case as opposed to the deal he made with prosecutors, in either case, Smollett is free of the charges and cannot be prosecuted again. Related: Fisherman Uncovers Evidence in Decade-Old Murders, Leading To Conviction The Illinois Supreme Court overturned actor Jussie Smolletts conviction Thursday on charges that he staged an attack against himself in Chicago in 2019 and then lied about it. Smollett appealed his conviction, arguing a special prosecutor in Cook County should not have intervened after his charges were initially dropped. The actor, who is Black and gay, claimed in 2019 that two men assaulted him in an attack he described as racist and homophobic. The claim led to a search for suspects and international concern for the Empire actor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was convicted of lying in 2021 but maintained his innocence. Smollett appealed his conviction last year, but an Illinois appeals court upheld the verdict, siding with Cook County. His lawyers then appealed that decision higher, bringing it to the state Supreme Court. In their ruling Thursday, the justices said they were aware Smolletts case has generated significant public interest and many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case, calling it unjust. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied, they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Smolletts trial, testimony indicated the star paid two men he knew $3,500 to carry out the attack. He testified he was the victim of a hate crime. In 2022, he was sentenced to 150 days in jail but served only six days before getting out to appeal. The actor was also given 30 months of probation and ordered to pay $130,000 in restitution. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jussie Smolletts conviction relating to charges claiming that he staged an alleged racist and homophobic hate crime in 2019 has been overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court. According to CNN, on Thursday (Nov. 21), the court ruled without addressing Smolletts claims of innocence that a special prosecutor should not have been allowed to bring charges against the actor after the Cook County states attorney initially dropped charges in exchange for forfeiting his $10,000 bond and community service. We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust, Justice Elizabeth Rochfordd detailed in the 5-0 decision, per CNN. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the state was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied. ussie Smollett attends Dinner with Taraji P. Henson hosted by the BET Awards at Citizen News Hollywood on June 25, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The Empire actor was found guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct for making false reports to police in December 2021. The following March, he was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months probation, and ordered to pay restitution of more than $120,000 and a $25,000 fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2023, an Illinois Appeals Court upheld his disorderly conduct conviction, affirmed by a 2-1 vote from a panel of three judges. From there, the appeal was taken to the states highest court. Throughout the entire ordeal, Smollett has maintained his innocence. Smollett performed his end of the agreement and forfeited $10,000, Thursdays ruling stated, per USA Today. If the previous proceeding is null and void, (he) could rightly wonder what happened to his $10,000. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Jussie Smollett in 2024. - Credit: Steven Ferdman/Getty Images Jussie Smolletts conviction for lying to the police about a hate crime he was accused of staging against himself was overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court. The ruling was made on procedural grounds, going back to a decision by the Cook County State Attorneys Office to drop the case against Smollett a few weeks after his original indictment, with the actor agreeing, in turn, to forfeit his $10,000 bail to the city. That decision, however, caused an uproar amongst city officials, which ultimately led to the appointment of a special prosecutor and the revival of the case. Smollett was eventually convicted on five charges of lying to the police in Dec. 2021 and sentenced to 150 days in prison the following March. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the special prosecutors case against Smollett shouldnt have gone forward because of that original no-prosecution agreement. The judges described their ruling as one based around a question about the States responsibility to honor the agreements it makes with defendants specifically if the State should be allowed to bring a second prosecution when the dismissal was entered as part of an agreement with the defendant and the defendant has performed his part of the bargain. They ultimately ruled: We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendants conviction. Smolletts lawyer, Nene E. Euche, told Rolling Stone, This was not a prosecution based on facts, rather it was a vindictive persecution and such a proceeding has no place in our criminal justice system. Ultimately, we are pleased that the rule of law was the big winner today. We are thankful to the Illinois Supreme Court for restoring order to Illinois criminal law jurisprudence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dan K. Webb, the special prosecutor who helmed the case against Smollett, said he was disappointed with the ruling, and argued there was plenty of Illinois case law that would not preclude a second, new prosecution following a dismissal without prejudice. His statement also noted the evidence he and his team uncovered of substantial abuses of discretion and operational failures by the Cook County State Attorneys Office during the initial phase of Smolletts case, which led to his appointment as special prosecutor in the first place. Webb further stressed: Make no mistaketodays ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smolletts innocence. The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that Mr. Smollett orchestrated a fake hate crime and reported it to the Chicago Police Department as a real hate crime, or the jurys unanimous verdict that Mr. Smollett was guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct. In fact, Mr. Smollett did not even challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against him in his appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. Smollett ended up serving less than a week of his five-month sentence, with an appeals court agreeing that he should be released on bond pending the outcome of his appeal. The former Empire actors first appeal, however, did not go his way, with two of three Appeals Court judges ruling to uphold the conviction last December. (That decision prompted Smollett and his legal team to appeal again to the state Supreme Court.) Smolletts case dates back to 2019 when he went to police in Chicago claiming that two men assaulted him outside his apartment, put a noose around his neck, and called him racial slurs. The initial incident garnered a slew of media attention, as did the revelations over the next few weeks as Smolletts story crumbled. Authorities eventually accused him of staging the attack with the help of brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who later testified that Smollett paid them to attack him as a publicity stunt. (Smollett, for his part, has long maintained his innocence.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of its ruling, the Illinois Supreme Court notably cited the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts controversial decision to throw out Bill Cobsys sexual assault conviction, also because of a previous agreement with prosecutors. [W]hat would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied, the Illinois Court wrote. This story was updated with a statement from special prosecutor Dan K. Webb. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Updated with Special Prosecutor statement) Jussie Smolletts 2021 conviction over his alleged fake assault on the streets of Chicago is now behind the Empire actor. However, the former U.S. Attorney appointed to the case insists this decision doesnt mean Smollett is innocent of falsely reporting a MAGA connected hate crime in early 2019. In a somewhat surprising ruling, the Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned the legal consequences Smollett suffered due to the high profile incident.In the courts opinion, the Illinois Supreme Court found that special prosecutors Dan Webbs decision to retry Smollett violated his rights. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust, the courts opinion reads, according to the Chicago Tribune. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied. A Chicago jury found Smollett guilty in December 2021 on five felony charges, including lying to the police about the alleged hate crime attack on the former Empire actor in 2019. Smollett claimed he was the victim of an assault in the early hours of January 29, 2019 by two men chanting MAGA Country (who later turned out to be personal trainers hired by the actor), spouting racial and homophobic slurs and tossing a noose around his neck. In the initial outpoar of support for Smollett in the hours and days after the supposed attack, even then president Donald Trump had some kind words for the actor. Law enforcement officials later determined Smollett had orchestrated the attack himself and charged him with a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, special prosecutor Webb blasted the court ruling, diplomatically. We are disappointed in the Illinois Supreme Courts decision today to overturn Jussie Smolletts convictions and sentence, including the award of over $120,000 in restitution to the City of Chicago for its overtime expenses in investigating Mr. Smolletts fake hate crime, Webb said. We respectfully disagree with the Courts factual and legal reasoning which upends long-standing Illinois precedent. Make no mistaketodays ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smolletts innocence, the ex-Iran Contra scandal lawyer went on to say. The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that Mr. Smollett orchestrated a fake hate crime and reported it to the Chicago Police Department as a real hate crime, or the jurys unanimous verdict that Mr. Smollett was guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct. Todays ruling does not change how deeply proud I am of the work my Special Prosecutors office accomplished; nor does it undermine the jurys verdict, and most importantly, it does not clear Jussie Smolletts namehe is not innocent. Read the full statement below from the special prosecutor on Jussie Smolletts conviction being overturned. Prosecutors had agreed to drop the charges against the actor as part of an agreement that he would forfeit his $10,000 bond and perform community service. The case was later revived by a special prosecutor and Smollett was convicted of felony disorderly conduct for falsely reporting to the police that he had been the victim of a hate crime attack. Jussie Smollett He was sentenced to 150 days in jail and 30 months probation and ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago for the overtime police spent on his initial case and a further $25,000 fine. In December 2023, his bid for an appeal was denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time his legal troubles began, Smollett had been portraying middle son Jamal Lyon for five seasons on the Lee Daniels- and Danny Strong-created primetime soap Empire. As his legal woes grew, Smollett was dropped from the Fox shows sixth and final season. Here is Special Prosecutor Dan Webbs full statement on Jussie Smolletts conviction being overturned: We are disappointed in the Illinois Supreme Courts decision today to overturn Jussie Smolletts convictions and sentence, including the award of over $120,000 in restitution to the City of Chicago for its overtime expenses in investigating Mr. Smolletts fake hate crime. We respectfully disagree with the Courts factual and legal reasoning which upends long-standing Illinois precedent. Indeed, the Special Prosecutors brief to the Illinois Supreme Court was replete with Illinois case law that would not preclude a second, new prosecution following a dismissal without prejudice via nolle prosequi. Even the Illinois Supreme Court agreed in its opinion that its holding today was not explicit in earlier Illinois decisions. Make no mistaketodays ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smolletts innocence. The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that Mr. Smollett orchestrated a fake hate crime and reported it to the Chicago Police Department as a real hate crime, or the jurys unanimous verdict that Mr. Smollett was guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct. In fact, Mr. Smollett did not even challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against him in his appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My office spent nearly two years developing evidence and working closely with the Chicago Police Department to prepare that case for trial. It is very important I point out that todays decision is also not the result of any error or conduct by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the trial court, or the Chicago Police Department. In fact, the events that led to the Illinois Supreme Court to reverse Mr. Smolletts conviction occurred 5 months before I was appointed as Special Prosecutor. Rather, todays decision is only possible because of the unprecedented resolution of Mr. Smolletts initial case by the Cook County States Attorneys Office (CCSAO) in March 2019, which the Illinois Supreme Court determined barred Mr. Smollett from any further prosecution. The Illinois Supreme Court reached this decision notwithstanding the fact that the CCSAO dismissed the initial Smollett case via a nolle prosequi, which does not bar re-prosecution under Illinois law, and Mr. Smolletts own lawyers told the public immediately following the dismissal of his initial case in March 2019 that there was no deal with the CCSAO. As previously set forth in my 63-page, very detailed Special Prosecutors Public Summary Report, my office developed evidence of substantial abuses of discretion and operational failures by the CCSAO in prosecuting and resolving the initial 2019 Smollett case, and also found that States Attorney Kimberly Foxx and other CCSAO prosecutors made multiple false and/or misleading statements to the public. Those significant failures and false and/or misleading statements by States Attorney Foxxs office led Cook County Judge Michael B. Toomin to appoint me as Special Prosecutor in order to restore the publics faith in Illinois criminal justice system. In fact, there was a public clamor to have a well-respected trial lawyer and law firm agree to become a special prosecutor in order to help restore the publics confidence in the Cook County judicial system. My law firm, Winston & Strawn LLP, accepted the appointment pro bono with no compensation to the firm in order to give back to the City of Chicago. Our Winston & Strawn lawyers fulfilled this mandate by devoting over 5 years and more than 15,000 hours in examining the original Smollett investigation and bringing new charges, which yielded a unanimous jury conviction of Mr. Smollett in 2021 on five felony counts of wrongful misconduct. Nothing about todays decision upsets the work undertaken by the Special Prosecutors office, or the overwhelming evidence underlying the jurys verdict that Mr. Smollett faked a hate crime and reported it as a real hate crime to the Chicago Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite todays ruling, the City of Chicago remains able to pursue its pending civil lawsuit against Mr. Smollett in order to recoup the over $120,000 in overtime expenses the Chicago Police Department incurred for investigating Mr. Smolletts fake hate crime. I want to provide a special thanks to Deputy Special Prosecutors Sean G. Wieber, Samuel Mendenhall, and the entire team at Winston & Strawn who assisted in this matter, for all of their dedication and efforts over the years. Todays ruling does not change how deeply proud I am of the work my Special Prosecutors office accomplished; nor does it undermine the jurys verdict, and most importantly, it does not clear Jussie Smolletts namehe is not innocent. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned Jussie Smolletts conviction on charges of staging a hate crime and lying to police, bringing a new chapter to a case that had sparked intense national debate. Smollett, a Black gay actor best known for his role on Empire, claimed he was attacked in downtown Chicago in January 2019 by two men who used racist and homophobic slurs, poured bleach on him, and placed a noose around his neck. Police later accused him of orchestrating the incident, alleging he paid $3,500 to two brothers he knew from the Empire set to stage the attack. Prosecutors argued that Smolletts motive was to gain public sympathy and attention after receiving hate mail on set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, a jury convicted Smollett on five counts of disorderly conduct, and he was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, and ordered to pay $130,000 in restitution for the cost of the police investigation. He served six days in jail before being released pending appeal. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that a special prosecutor should not have been appointed after the Cook County states attorneys office initially dropped charges in 2019, the Associated Press reports . At that time, Smollett completed community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond in what his legal team called a resolution to the case. The courts decision nullifies his conviction and restitution order. The case has been a flashpoint for discussions about race, LGBTQ + justice, and the role of the media in shaping public perception. Initially viewed as a victim of a hate crime, Smollett faced swift backlash when authorities accused him of fabricating the incident. Smollett has consistently denied staging the attack, testifying during his trial that he was the victim of an actual hate crime. Jurors, however, found the testimony of siblings Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who claimed Smollett planned the hoax, more convincing. Despite the overturned conviction, Smolletts legal battles are not over. The city of Chicago is pursuing a civil suit seeking reimbursement for the resources spent investigating the case. The Osundairo brothers also sued Smolletts legal team for defamation, alleging their reputations were harmed during the trial. Originally appeared on E! Online Jussie Smolletts legal battle has reached a turning point. Five years after the Empire actor was accused of falsely reporting a hate crimefor which he was sentenced to 150 daysin jail in 2022, serving only six, after being convicted of five counts of disorderly conductthe Illinois Supreme Court has overturned his criminal conviction. "Today we resolve a question about the State's responsibility to honor the agreements it makes with defendants, the court wrote in its decision, as seen in documents obtained by E! News. We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendant's conviction." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the state high court ruled that Smollett should not have been charged after he entered a non-prosecution agreement with the State Attorneys Office in Cook County. The court also noted it has remanded the case back to the circuit court to enter a judgement of dismissal. In the decision, the Supreme Court acknowledged the public interest Smolletts case garnered, referencing a recent decision out of Pennsylvania which discussed the legal balance between public scrutiny and upholding a defendants rights. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'It cannot be gainsaid that society holds a strong interest in the prosecution of crimes,' the Illinois courts decision quoted from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. 'It is also true that no such interest, however important, ever can eclipse society's interest in ensuring that the constitutional rights of the people are vindicated. Society's interest in prosecution does not displace the remedy due to constitutionally aggrieved persons.' Steven Ferdman/Getty Images The overturned conviction comes after an Illinois appellate court ruled against Smolletts appeal in a 2-1 decision in Dec. 2023, at which time his legal team turned to the states Supreme Court. At the time, Smolletts legal team argued the actor was improperly charged with the same crime twice, and that the trial court was also "influenced by improper aggravating factors" when he received his sentence, ABC Chicago reported, citing Capitol News Illinois. Additionally, his attorney Nunye Uche argued that Smolletts previous agreement with the States Attorney Officewhich would have seen the actor surrender his $10,000 bond and perform community service in return for not being prosecutedshould have prevented a trial in the first place, per NBC Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the controversywhich saw the 42-year-old accused of paying two brothers $3,500 to stage the hate crime, which hes continuously deniedSmolletts character was written off Empire, and he remained largely off of viewers screens until the release of The Lost Holliday in 2024 which he starred in alongside Vivica A. Fox. Scott Olson/Getty Images And while hes maintained a relatively low profile, Smollett did recently reflect on how the events have transpiredincluding the fallout from his arrest. "That was a pretty dark day because that's when everything clicked to me of what was happening," he told People in September. "A lot of things tested my strength, a lot of things tested my mental, but the one thing I never lostI never started thinking that I am somebody that I'm not." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App The court remanded the case back to district court with instructions for dismissal The Supreme Court of Illinois overturned the convictions of Jussie Smollett, the actor who was previously found guilty of falsely reporting a hate crime following a high-profile 2019 incident. The state's highest court ruled on Thursday, Nov. 21, that Smollett's rights were violated when a special prosecutor pursued charges after the Cook County State's Attorney previously dropped them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors previously alleged that Smollett, who formerly starred on the show Empire, staged a hate crime in Chicago after the actor said he had been the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in January 2019. Smollett, who is Black and openly gay, was accused of paying two brothers, Abimbola "Bola" and Olabinjo "Ola" Osundairo, $3,500 each to help him stage the attack. Smollett was indicted on 16 counts of disorderly conduct that March, but the Cook County State's Attorney's Office later dropped the charges, saying that Smollett had forfeited his bond and done work in the community. Related: Inside Jussie Smollett's 'Darkest Day' and How the Alleged 2019 Hoax 'Tested My Strength': 'I Was Numb' (Exclusive) Prince Williams/ Getty Jussie Smollett Jussie Smollett But in 2020 a special prosecutor re-filed charges and Smollett was tried on six counts of disorderly conduct. He was convicted on five counts in 2021. He was sentenced to 150 days in jail but was released as he filed his appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case generated nationwide controversy, particularly after the charges were initially dropped. In its decision, the Illinois Supreme Court acknowledged the high-profile nature of the proceedings. We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest and that many people were dissatisfied with the resolution of the original case and believed it to be unjust, the court said in its opinion, which was obtained by PEOPLE. Nevertheless, what would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the State was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied. Special prosecutor Dan Webb says in a statement that he is "disappointed" in the court's decision. Make no mistaketodays ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smolletts innocence," Webb says. "The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that Mr. Smollett orchestrated a fake hate crime and reported it to the Chicago Police Department as a real hate crime, or the jurys unanimous verdict that Mr. Smollett was guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct." Smollett's attorney, Nenye Uche, however, celebrated the decision in a statement exclusive to PEOPLE. "This was not a prosecution based on facts, rather it was a vindictive persecution and such a proceeding has no place in our criminal justice system," the statement says. "Ultimately, we are pleased that the rule of law was the big winner today. We are thankful to the Illinois Supreme Court for restoring order to Illinois criminal law jurisprudence." Smollett has consistently denied the charges. In September, he spoke to PEOPLE and addressed the incident. "I was numb," Smollett told PEOPLE. "I didn't know how to connect the dots. I really genuinely did not know. I couldn't make sense of what was going on, and I couldn't make sense of what people were actually thinking ... what exactly do they think happened? I couldn't put two and two together." ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. The St. Louis County Family Court has certified an East St. Louis teen can stand trial as an adult for a murder in Jennings back in January. According to the St. Louis County Police Department, the murder happened in the early morning hours of Jan. 6, near Emma and Apricot avenues, located along the northeastern edge of Memorial Park Cemetery. Police found Jaimarcus McDaniel lying face down in the snow in an open field. McDaniel had been shot several times and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homicide detectives said McDaniel was shot twice in the head, once to the left chest, twice in the right shoulder, once to the left shoulder, once to the left thigh, and once to the right forearm. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Investigators learned McDaniel, an East St. Louis resident, was driven across the river and killed. Police reviewed license plate recognition cameras and discovered a vehicle with five individuals in it going from Illinois to Missouri, and that same vehicle returning to Illinois approximately 35 minutes later with four individuals in it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One juvenile suspect, Corey Brinkley, was certified to stand trial as an adult in August and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. MarKevion Lemons, 17, accompanied Brinkley and two other juveniles in the car as they picked McDaniel up from his home, drove him to Jennings, and killed him. On Wednesday, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Lemons with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Brinkley and Lemons both remain jailed on a $1 million cash-only bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. GOSHEN Two juveniles are suspected of robbing a gas station at gunpoint Friday. Police arrested a 16-year-old on a charge of armed robbery as a Level 3 felony following the incident at a downtown Goshen gas station. Police believe he and a 14-year-old boy came into the store and pointed a handgun at the clerk, but fled empty-handed after she retreated into a locked office. The 16-year-old was booked in the Elkhart County Correctional Facility on $75,000 bond. He is awaiting an initial hearing Thursday in Elkhart County Circuit Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents: Goshen police responded to an attempted robbery at a gas station at 112 W. Pike St. at around 6:41 p.m. The clerk said two subjects came into the store, one wearing a red facemask and one dressed all in black, and approached the counter. She said the masked one pulled a handgun out of his pocket and pointed it at her, according to police. She ran into the office and locked the door, and the two left after they were unable to open it. Investigators observed security footage of the robbery, which showed the subject in black handing a gun to the one in the red mask before he aims it at the clerk. Police made note of what the men were wearing and shared their images with all officers in the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They matched the appearance of two of the four juveniles suspected of shooting BB guns at another juvenile in downtown Goshen on Saturday afternoon, according to police. Officers detained them after searching the area where the victim reported being shot at, with one BB striking his hip, at around 2:20 p.m. The 16-year-old was wearing the same shoes and pants and the 14-year-old was wearing the same shoes as the subjects in the video, according to police. The parents of both subjects later identified them based on their shoes, police say. The older boy chose not to answer questions without speaking with a lawyer. The 14-year-old allegedly told police how the robbery unfolded, and claimed that they were told to get money by an anonymous phone call from a gang member. The 14-year-olds parents handed over a backpack which contained a BB gun, a black facemask and gloves, according to police. [Source] Despite losing the election, Vice President Kamala Harris may yet play a pivotal role in defying President-elect Donald Trump as Democrats push to confirm judicial nominees in the waning days of the Biden administration. With Senate Republicans employing procedural roadblocks to delay confirmations, Harris constitutional power to break Senate ties could prove decisive in overcoming GOP obstruction. This is something they want to clear the decks on, a senior Harris aide told NBC News, underscoring the administrations urgency to surpass Trumps first-term record of 234 judicial confirmations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Trumps demand on Truth Social for Republicans to hold the line and block confirmations, Democrats are determined to maximize the lame-duck session. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has vowed to continue pushing through nominees, despite procedural delays that forced nearly midnight sessions. Well keep going, Schumer declared on Monday, as Democrats teed up votes on 12 judicial nominees. While Republicans, including incoming Vice President J.D. Vance, scramble to unify their ranks, Harris has delayed personal travel to ensure she is available for tie-breaking votes. The effort mirrors Trumps own success in securing judges after losing the 2020 election, leaving Democrats confident they can achieve similar results before the GOP takes control of Congress. Trending on NextShark: Chinese Gen Zer works 4 jobs to achieve financial freedom Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Kansas Sen. Michale Fagg, R-El Dorado, urged peers on the joint House and Senate pensions committee to endorse a proposal to invest $1 billion in surplus state revenue in lowering the $9.7 billion unfunded liability of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. The committee agreed to ask the 2025 Legislature to consider the concept, but didn't back his call for a $1 billion investment. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Republican Sen. Michael Fagg wants to persuade the 2025 Kansas Legislature to allocate $1 billion of the states revenue surplus to shrinking the $9.7 billion long-term unfunded liability in the states pension system. The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, which serves more than 300,000 Kansans and possesses $27 billion in assets, years ago received legislative authorization to issue bonds so proceeds could be invested in the market to bolster the systems bottom line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KPERS made use of $500 million bond issues in 2004 and 2021, and a $1 billion offering in 2015. On Wednesday, Fagg couldnt convince the Legislatures joint committee on pensions to get behind his idea of dedicating another $1 billion to address the systems 30-year liability. Losses in 2022 the return on investment was a negative 9.7% compared to a positive 15.7% in 2021 deepened the challenge at KPERS in terms of meeting obligations on the pension-benefit horizon. Im really focused on unfunded liabilities, Fagg said. Folks, very seldom have we had this kind of money sitting around. Im letting you know I know the spot it ought to go. Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat from Kansas City, Kansas, said she was more interested in making use of available state revenue to enhance benefits under the modest KPERS 3 retirement plan offered to public employees since 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cannot support this recommendation because I think we have to look at the whole picture, she said. We cant underestimate the senior tsunami that is facing us. House and Senate members on the joint pension committee voted to encourage the 2025 Legislature to study the potential of a fourth infusion of cash to lower the unfunded liability. They decided to ask the Legislature to give thought to altering KPERS 3. The committee agreed to recommend the Legislature once again think about giving KPERS retirees a cost-of-living adjustment. The panel said the Legislature ought to research expansion to other KPERS members the deferred retirement program incentivizing fire and law enforcement personnel to stay on the job rather than retire. It might be helpful, for example, in diverting the wave of teacher retirements in Kansas. I strongly encourage you to keep in mind any increase in benefits that is not paid for upfront hurts the fund, said Sen. Jeff Longbine, an Emporia Republican who didnt seek reelection in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tier 3, well, sucks There is growing concern among public employees and legislators about the KPERS 3 retirement plan signed into law by GOP Gov. Sam Brownback nearly a decade ago. In an attempt to lower the burden on Kansas taxpayers, the Brownback administration settled on KPERS 3 to substantially lower financial benefits compared to KPERS 1 and KPERS 2. A report produced this year by the Legislatures auditing unit said KPERS 3 had higher worker contribution requirements, a longer vesting period and lower financial rewards than public retirement plans offered in comparable states. Auditors said a survey of current and former Kansas public employees showed people in KPERS 3 were more likely to leave their job than participants in KPERS 1 or KPERS 2. In 2023, Rep. Sean Tarwater, R-Stilwell, put it this way: I dont think you need to do an audit to find out Tier 3 sucks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public employees in KPERS 3 were guaranteed 4% annual earnings on their personal account balances, but additional benefits to these city, county or state employees was dependent on performance of the pension systems investment portfolio. Neither KPERS 1 nor KPERS 2 deposited the investment-return risk directly on the back of public employees in Kansas. Dissatisfaction has prompted proposals to move all KPERS 3 members to KPERS 2, which would transfer financial risk of retirement investments to the state. $75 million IT overhaul Meanwhile, the executive director of KPERS said the pension system was undergoing a five-year transition to a new information technology system estimated to cost $75 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a massive undertaking, said Alan Conroy, executive director at KPERS. Weve tried to do the prep work cleaning data, backfilling staff so we arent having staff trying to work full time on the project and doing their full-time, day-to-day jobs. Rep. Cindy Neighbor, a Shawnee Democrat on the joint committee, said she hoped KPERS secures a modern IT platform without the spider web of problems encountered by the Kansas Department of Labor while reforming the states unemployment insurance system. So far, I think weve done the right steps mechanically to have a successful project, Conroy said. The ultimate goal, as I tell the staff, is to keep us out of the ditch. We would not want 116,000 retired KPERS members marching on the statehouse because they didnt get a retirement benefit check because of a failure in the IT system. Divestment mandate Bruce Fink, chief investment officer at KPERS, said the retirement system was in compliance with a new state law mandating divestiture from countries that posed unusual investment risks. The countries targeted by the Legislature were Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela and China, including Hong Kong. The law compelled state agencies to complete divestiture transactions by Jan. 1, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve not identified any trade violations since the act became effective, Fink said. Weve augmented our due-diligence process for new and future investments to confirm that the countries in which potential future managers may invest in will not be organized in countries of concern. In response to enactment of the law on July 1, he said KPERS terminated investments in China and Hong Kong. That involved divesting 12 securities in 10 companies valued at $294 million, he said. Fink said KPERS retained 300,000 shares of Norilsk Nickel, Russias leading metals mining company. He said trading of the stock was halted in conjunction with Russias invasion of Ukraine. There were sanctions put in place, he told legislators. We continue to hold those shares in our accounts, but they are currently valued at zero market value. PRATT, Kan. (KSNW) New school restrooms for preschoolers are creating backlash over what some parents say is a lack of privacy for their children. Christina and Kyle Howell have two children who attend Southwest Elementary in Pratt. We actually experienced it with our son. He does have anxiety already, and we noticed when school started, he wasnt going to sleep very well, Christina Howel, a mom of two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bathrooms have a boys side and a girls side. As you come around the sinks, there are three toilets with short dividers. The superintendent says it was designed this way intentionally. Probably 70% of our kids at this stage still have some personal care needs to help them out, and you just wanna being in a place where youre snapping buttons and pulling up pants, youre right there, Superintendent Tony Helfrich. Parents who dont like the new design, like the Howells, say they are speaking up for their children. New institute at WSU hopes to better the lives of individuals with disabilities Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These children dont always have a voice. It is our job as parents to advocate for them, and I feel like we should be able to have an open conversation with our school systems, said Howell. The superintendent says teachers gave input on the open layout of the bathroom and supported the plan. Christina Howell created an online petition to change the bathrooms. Over 1,000 people have signed it so far. For now, the superintendent says there are no plans to change the layout. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. KANSAS CITY, Mo. During a city-wide sweep last week, KCPD arrested dozens of people with outstanding warrants. KCPD worked with the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service on the sweep of high-priority suspects all around the city with outstanding warrants. So far, 38 arrests have been made. We had higher than usual (number of) cases come to a closure, said Major James Buck with KCPDs Special Investigations Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So in reaction to that, it was decided we would organize kind of a sweep because, obviously, you want to bring as many of these people to adjudication as fast as possible. Police may have suspects in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce burglaries Buck said of the 38 people arrested, five of them were members of a gang involved in violent crime. That group has been on KCPDs radar for several months. A lot of their violent activity is more related to shootings, drive-bys, the stolen autos, that kind of activity, Buck continued. The week-long effort resulted in 69 total warrants cleared. Officers also seized one rifle, six handguns, more than 4 kilos of meth, fentanyl pills and other drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal every single day is for people to feel safe, said Buck. The hope is that this kind of large-scale disruption will kind of calm things down and make people feel a little safer in the city. KCPD and the Jackson County Prosecutors Office partnered on the outstanding warrant sweep. A Jackson County Prosecuters Office news release said: These arrests are expected to significantly impact and disrupt the gangs activities. This partnership between the prosecutors office and KCPD is part of a wider effort to disrupt violence through enforcement measures while working with the community to intervene in other ways, such as providing needed social services. This effort represents the collective work of Kansas Citys focused deterrence effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you identify these different groups that are out causing a lot of your violent crime issues. The idea is that you bring them in, and you try to give them alternatives, and if they dont take the alternatives, then if they continue their activity, then theyre brought into justice, Buck explained. KCPD officers said the number of arrests and items seized could change as more data comes from state and federal partners assisting them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. KANSAS CITY, Mo. On Wednesday night, the Kansas City Public School Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the districts updated bond plan recommendations. The decision lays out how KCPS would use the $424 million bond funding if a vote in April passes. The board approved the updated recommendations and the ballot language for the upcoming April vote on the bond. Right now, the plan is to use the money for a new middle school, maintenance of other buildings, updated learning spaces and a new empowerment center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android If the bond issue is approved in April, it would be the first in nearly 60 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A man from Kentucky who jumped bail after he was convicted of sexually abusing a child on the Mississippi Coast has been captured and will now spend life in prison, the Harrison County District Attorney said. Jimmy Joe Davis, 55, of of Munfordville, Kentucky, was sentenced on charges of sexual battery and touching of a child for lustful purposes. A jury found Davis guilty in May. But Davis was on bond while the jury deliberated and left the courtroom, got in his car and fled. His escape began a nationwide manhunt that ended in June when U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force members found Davis hiding in woods behind a dollar store in Saline County, Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was extradited back to Mississippi, despite his protests, in October, the district attorneys office said in a news release. Circuit Court Judge Randi P. Mueller sentenced Davis this month to the maximum of life in prison for the sexual battery charge and a maximum of 15 years for touching a child for lustful purposes. He also must pay extradition costs and has no chance at parole or early release, the district attorneys office said. Trial testimony showed Davis sexually abused the child at a home off Vidalia Road in Pass Christian, according to the news release. Davis was charged after the victim told a Child Protective Services worker she had a secret with Jimmy about something that kids were not supposed to do, according to Assistant District Attorney Ian Baker. In a statement, District Attorney Crosby Parker said Davis robbed the child of innocence to satisfy his own depraved and immoral sexual desires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jurys verdict and the life sentenced imposed by the Court will ensure that no other child will fall victim to this predator, he said. Baker and Assistant District Attorney Haley Broom prosecuted the case. Kentucky Senate Majority took to social media to congratulate its newly elected leaders. Earlier this year I wrote about the shameless sexism and rampant racism I witnessed in Frankfort, about how it often seems that leadership whether through encouragement or choosing to ignore shenanigans runs our taxpayer-funded statehouse like a marble-floored frat house of older, white men. To prove me wrong insert laughing emoji here the Kentucky Senate filled all of its leadership positions for 2025 with older, white men, including replacing Majority Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams with Sen. Robby Mills and outgoing floor leader Damon Thayer with Sen. Max Wise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked who he might recommend as his replacement, Thayer repeatedly gave Raque Adams name. And yet, she also lost her seat as majority caucus chair. Did she not want either job, did her fellow male senators not want her, or both? And arent these the same legislators and leaders vigorously leading the fight to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on Kentuckys college campuses? Somebody quick, hand our frat house of good ol boys a mirror. I was in the room for the September hearing on DEI in the Capitol Annex, and the only thing more despicable than watching powerful university presidents grovel to the systemic racism was watching helplessly in the audience as not a single lawmaker had the courage to voice the obvious. When I stepped out into the hall for a break, I overheard a Black man who had also stepped out say loudly, This is bull***! Is it always like this?! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes it is, I said. Yes it is. And stuff rolls downhill, does it not? In national Republican politics, the man who built his political capital by demanding that our first Black president show his birth certificate racism and white supremacy on national display has nabbed the presidency for the second time, easily winning Kentucky with 64.5% of the vote. Shocking no one, it appears hes filling his cabinet with mostly unqualified, camera-ready, white men. While Democrats nationally and here in Kentucky do the required post-election-loss autopsy to point fingers and determine what could have been done differently, I will posit that there is nothing that could have been done. Harris never had a chance running against a happily hateful old white man who made his political bones being a proud white supremacist. Senate Republican Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams, giving a thumbs up to a bill in March, will no longer be in leadership when the legislature convenes in January. (LRC Public Information) Here in Kentucky last week, 14 white GOP legislators and incoming lawmakers signed a public statement calling for the resignation or ouster of Jefferson County Public Schools Chief Equity Officer John Marshall for posts he made on X about conversations with Black students and young professionals. The Republicans denunciation of Marshall read, in part, In the current heated political climate of America, it is absolutely unacceptable for a senior JCPS leader to stoke the fires of hatred and division rather than set an example of bringing students together in peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wait a minute, whos stoking the fires? When our Senate and House leaders are finished with the mirror I offered above, maybe they could loan it to those 14 colleagues. By the current heated political climate of America, they are pointing to the presidential reelection of their partys leader who was so accurately described by Ta-Nehisi Coates in The Atlantic as follows: His political career began in advocacy of birtherism, that modern recasting of the old American precept that black people are not fit to be citizens of the country they built. But long before birtherism, Trump had made his worldview clear. He fought to keep blacks out of his buildings, according to the U.S. government; called for the death penalty for the eventually exonerated Central Park Five; and railed against lazy black employees and insisting that Obama was not intelligent enough to have gone to an Ivy League school, and that his acclaimed memoir, Dreams From My Father, had been ghostwritten by a white man, Bill Ayers. Remember that the same lawmakers who signed their big, chest-thumping statement about John Marshall, in conjunction with long-serving Senate President Robert Stivers and House Speaker David Osborne (both white men), serve in a legislature where not even the Crown Act a fundamental bill allowing Black people to wear their own hair at work can make it to the floor for a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But dont call them racists. Or white supremacists. Come January, Donald J. Trump will be inaugurated for the second time, and the Kentucky General Assembly will convene again in the marble-floored frat house dominated by older white men in the GOP supermajority. Heres a thought. If you dont want activists, voters, professors, community leaders and newspaper columnists to call you racists and/or white supremacists, take a minute for some self-reflection. Stop putting out cowardly, written statements denigrating revered Black leaders. Expand your caucus to include women and people of color. Distance yourself from the proud racist entering the White House. Think about what diversity, equity and inclusion mean to real people instead of flailing absurdly at an acronym. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consider the anti-discriminatory bills, like the Crown Act, that you have continually and proudly ignored through your actions or lack thereof. Do better. Be better. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The News Kenyas government has canceled all public-private partnership contracts signed with subsidiaries of Indias Adani Group. It follows the indictment of billionaire Gautam Adani in New York on Wednesday. President William Ruto announced controversial multimillion-dollar deals in the energy, transport and health sectors would be scrapped during his state of the nation address to parliament on Thursday. He cited the emergence of credible information on corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US Department of Justice has accused Adani of scheming to pay more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy supply contracts, and lying to US investors to finance the project. Adani Group has denied the allegations. Kenyas public-private partnerships act bars the government from working with corrupt entities, including in privately initiated proposals by those sued or convicted for acts of corruption in different jurisdictions. Know More Adani Energy Solutions last month signed a $736 million deal with the Kenyas electricity transmission company to build and operate power transmission lines and substations, but its implementation was halted by a Nairobi court until a case challenging the agreement is heard. An Adani Group subsidiary this year also secured a $1.85 billion lease to upgrade and operate Kenyas largest airport in a 30-year concession, in a privately initiated proposal (PIP). But a Nairobi court in September also halted implementation of the deal as it faced legal challenges over alleged lack of transparency and value for money. By Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA (Reuters) -Kenya's government said it was investigating how a prominent Ugandan opposition leader was spirited out of Nairobi this week, amid growing criticism that it had failed to protect foreign dissidents on its soil. Kizza Besigye, a longtime rival of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, disappeared in the Kenyan capital on Saturday. He reappeared on Wednesday at a military court in neighbouring Uganda, where he was charged with offences including the illegal possession of firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uganda's government spokesperson said on Wednesday it did not carry out abductions and that arrests abroad were done in collaboration with host countries. However in a television interview, Korir Sing'oei, principal secretary at Kenya's foreign ministry, said Besigye's detention - which he referred to as an abduction - was "not the act of the Kenyan government" and was being investigated by the interior ministry. The Ugandan court's charge sheet alleges Besigye was found with a pistol and eight rounds of ammunition in the Riverside neighbourhood of Nairobi, where it claimed he had been seeking support to undermine the security of Uganda's military. Besigye's wife Winnie Byanyima, who heads the United Nations HIV/AIDS agency UNAIDS, said he has not owned a gun in the last 20 years and should be tried in a civilian, not military, court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Turk, called for Besigye's release. "Such abductions of Ugandan opposition leaders and supporters must stop, as must the deeply concerning practice in Uganda of prosecuting civilians in military courts," he said in a statement. The affair has fuelled renewed criticism of Kenya's record on human rights and international law. In July, Kenyan authorities deported 36 members of Besigye's political party to Uganda, where they were charged with terrorism-related offences. Last month, Kenya deported four Turkish refugees to Ankara, drawing criticism from the United Nations. James Risch, ranking member on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on X that Besigye's abduction "raises serious questions about important U.S. partners violating (international) norms". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besigye, who was Museveni's physician during the guerrilla war of the 1980s but later became an outspoken critic and has stood against him in four elections, had travelled to Kenya to attend a book launch, said his wife Byanyima. His transfer to Uganda was "reminiscent of a terrible period in East Africa's history when state-sponsored kidnappings and cross-border renditions were the order of the day," the International Commission of Jurists said in a statement. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Editing by Hereward Holland, Aaron Ross and Ros Russell) (Bloomberg) -- Kenyan President William Ruto canceled two deals with Adani Group worth about $2.6 billion over alleged corruption, hours after the companys billionaire founder was charged by the US authorities in a separate bribery scheme. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruto ordered his ministers to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adanis companies to manage the nations biggest airport and build high-voltage power-transmission lines. I have stated in the past, and I reiterate today, that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action, Ruto told lawmakers in a state-of-the-nation address in the capital, Nairobi, on Thursday. The decision was based on new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations, he said. Adani Group wasnt immediately available for comment. Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. earlier this year sought a 30-year concession worth $1.85 billion to operate Nairobis main airport, while another unit in the vast conglomerate secured a $736 million contract to construct and operate power lines in the East African nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fighting Corruption While Ruto previously endorsed the transmission pact, saying Kenya urgently needs private investment for capital-intensive projects, his government faced public criticism that the awards of the contracts was opaque. The president had no choice but to abandon the deals after the US indictment of Adani, according to Kenyan lawmaker John Kaguchia. With Adani having been indicted in the USA, it technically becomes impossible for Kenya to continue dealing with Adani, Kaguchia said on Citizen TV, a Nairobi-based broadcaster. If it continues, then the USA will discontinue all support, any financial partnership weve had with them, including the IMF and World Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his speech, Ruto reiterated a previous pledge to fight graft and wastage of public resources in the country that ranks 126th out of 180 on Transparency Internationals corruption perceptions index. Of the many difficult assignments I have undertaken, this fight against corruption is one I now take on with resolve going forward, Ruto said. Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets earlier this year to protest against government mismanagement and excessive taxation. More than 60 people died in the demonstrations. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) A Triad father faced a judge on Wednesday. He is facing multiple charges after his 1-year-old daughter was shot and killed. While prosecutors say Julian Helbert, 26, of Kernersville, didnt pull the trigger, they say his actions contributed to her death. It happened on Nov. 10 at a High Point apartment. High Point police announced charges against Helbert on Tuesday. It was a very emotional first appearance. Helbert is facing six charges in connection to his 13-month-old daughters shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His charges include involuntary manslaughter, felony child abuse and unsafe storage of a firearm to protect minors. His mother and other family members were also in the courtroom. Mr. Helbert was determined to have multiple firearms in the reach of children, knowing that at least one of the children actually got into them before. Easily accessible, able to be discharged and was discharged on this case, a prosecutor said. High Point police say a child younger than ten years old got ahold of the gun and accidentally shot and killed the 1-year-old. It happened at an apartment on Abberton Way. There were three children in the home, too There was an 8-year-old who has autism and is not his biological child but for whom he had been caring, said Stephanie Goldsborough, Julian Helberts attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors and Helberts attorney said he was the only adult in the home at the time of the shooting. Prosecutors said police found at least three guns in the home. During Helberts first appearance, he was being held in the Guilford County jail under a $250,000 bond. $250,000 is just an emotional response to a very sad situation, Goldsborough said. In court on Wednesday, his attorney asked for it to be lowered to $80,000. He has lost his daughter. DSS is involved. The children are currently in foster care. He knows what the situation presents in that case, Goldsborough said. Prosecutors asked for bond to be set at $100,000 secured. The judge decided to lower his bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2023, North Carolina has had the statewide initiative NC S.A.F.E. Its led by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to address the increase in firearm-related deaths in the state. Deputy Secretary for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention William Lassiter is leading that initiative. He says securing guns in homes with children is crucial. Over the last six years, weve seen over 600 kids die by firearms, Lassiter said. While youre encouraged to educate your kids about them, keeping the gun out of their sight and reach is key. For parents concerned a traditional gunlock may delay your having access to your firearm in case of an emergency, Lassiter said there are new options that address this concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot of new technology thats out there that makes it very easy to lock up your gun safely and have emergency access to that firearm, Lassiter said. While Helberts bond was lowered to $100,000, the judge gave him some conditions. He cannot have any guns or deadly weapons or dwell anywhere that has any firearms. His next court date is Feb. 21. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Major retailers, including Walmart and Lowes, have warned that President-elect Trumps plan to raise tariffs on imports could drive U.S. retail giants to increase the price of items. Kevin OLeary joins Elizabeth Vargas Reports to discuss why he backs Trumps China tariff plan, despite hesitancy from large corporations. #KevinOLeary #DonaldTrump #Tariffs JAMESVILLE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) A Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School teacher made her voice heard at a Board of Education meeting earlier this week after a written and illustrated threat was turned in to her. Teacher Denise Stillitano made her concerns about returning to work public at the Nov. 18 meeting. She explained that a 12-year-old student of hers submitted a direct threat to me in writing, which I take very seriously. In this writing, he stated that he would kill me, hunt me, and dont kill anyone but me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat also included hand-drawn pictures of a torture center, a hanging plot, and a shooting range. Furthermore, this is not the first instance in which the student has threatened a staff member, claimed Stillitano. According to DeWitt Police, the report on this incident came in around 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, three days before the meeting. District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick confirmed to NewsChannel 9 that the father of the student turned over the guns last week when police visited the home, adding that the father has been cooperative. With the full cooperation of the students family, the DeWitt Police Department investigated and confirmed that the student does not have access to firearms, said DeWitt Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Stillitano continued to express her discontent, and the possibility of a biased outcome from the situation. I understand that there will be an upcoming superintendents hearing regarding this incident this week. And while I have full confidence in the process as it has been outlined by the district, I am troubled by the potential for bias for preferential treatment due to the familys connection to the district, she said. Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District came forward with their statement. We want to assure you that the district is actively handling this situation. The Board of Education, administrators, and building leaders are taking it seriously and will follow safety and Code of Conduct protocols to ensure the continued safety of all students and staff. We understand that news like this is unsettling, and we are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive environment for all students and staff, the district wrote in part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, due to the protections of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and New York Education Law Section 2-d the district is unable to share further details regarding the student involved in this incident. J-D Superintendent Peter Smith gave the following statement to NewsChannel 9 regarding the situation: The Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District follows protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and New York Education Law Section 2-d, and we cannot provide information about the student involved in the current incident you are asking about. Please refer to this letter which was sent to the J-D community on Tuesday for more information. The Board of Education, administrators, and building leaders take safety and security concerns seriously and will follow protocols such as the District Safety Plan and the Code of Conduct to ensure the wellbeing of all students and staff. We have a number of resources in place to support students social, emotional, and mental health as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We strive to make our schools places where everyone feels welcome, safe, and affirmed. We encourage any member of the community to reach out to their building leader or district administrators when they have concerns so that they can be addressed. Latest local news Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. (Photo illustration by Iowa Capital Dispatch via Canva with official White House photo; Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt and Supreme Court photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) It is always a good day when you start to write, and you know that history is holding your pen. There may be a revolution coming to America. If it arrives, this will be the third time we have experienced this event, the first two being the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The purpose of this column is not to sound a domestic alarm that President-elect Donald Trump is about to take office nor to engage in the almost daily liberal complaint of did you see what he did today. Rather, the proposed or discussed changes his supporters have announced in the way our government has worked need to be examined dispassionately and without fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, history gives us some comparisons of successful revolutions and revolutions that are not so good. The first is the English Revolution of 1688 (also called the Glorious Revolution) contrasted with the French Revolution of 1789 to 1799. In England, James II was a Catholic, which was all right until he had a son, who also was of that religion and would succeed to the throne upon his death. With minimum effort, James was persuaded to flee to France and his daughter and her husband, Mary II and William III, who were Protestant, took the throne jointly. In exchange for the throne, the new king and queen agreed to limiting royal powers and enhanced Parliaments role in governing. The revolution was hailed because it took place within the existing structure of government and society. France was a different and tragic story. As historian Edmund Burke and others observed, all the major elements of society were in extreme dissatisfaction with the king and queen, who ultimately lost their heads, as did tens of thousands of others. Different factions came to power only to be dissolved and replaced by another. Ultimately, a strong man, Napoleon, came to leadership and, at least, restored order. What fueled the anarchy was that not one group reflected a majority of the citizenship, and each faction tried to set up a new and different form of government. There was literally no path forward. From those days of long ago, we now confront a very similar issue: How will we be governed and by whom? The question is before us because of the Supreme Courts decision in Trump v. the United States, where the court granted the president absolute immunity from any action taken that could be determined as an official act, which includes pardons, command of the military, execution of laws. We have had since the formation of our government implemented the concept of the separation of powers, separate but equal: The Congress to make the laws and control the power of the purse; the president to both administer and enforce the actions Congress takes and a judiciary to interpret and apply the laws to the matters that come before it. Everyone since the adoption of the Constitution has lived with this legal concept. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first test of the power of Congress is almost right before us. Congress passed in 1974 what is known as the Impoundment Act. The law holds that what Congress appropriates must be spent by the president. It was brought about by President Richard Nixons threat to not allow Congress to spend more than so much annually, in that year $250 billion. This question will soon be right before the nation. Conservatives in Congress are going to seek to repeal the Impoundment Act, which very well may not succeed. If it fails, the new presidents allies will commence an action in court to have the legislation declared unconstitutional, because it invades the presidential rights granted him as the chief executive of the country. The implications of the success of either this legislation or the court case are profound. If the president doesnt like any government agency, like the Department of Education or the EPA, he could simply defund it, and as a practical matter they would cease to exist. But beyond congressional legislation, does the grant of immunity empower the president to ignore constitutional rights of citizens, like free speech or prohibitions against illegal search and seizure? Whether we like it or not, these points of difference are going to confront our elected officials and our citizens as well. In my judgment, the Supreme Courts ruling has already started what could be a revolution. Since the discussions are within the framework of existing government structure, it is unlikely that the revolution will be by military means, with cannons and bottles filled with gasoline. What we do know is that when the dust clears, history will have to determine whether it was glorious or not. LONDON (Reuters) - Last year's coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla cost 72 million pounds and showcased Britain to millions around the world, a government report said on Thursday, with the event costing less than half that of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth. Charles and Camilla were crowned on May 6, 2023, in Britain's biggest ceremonial event for seven decades with a lavish display of pomp and pageantry in front of 100 world leaders and a global TV audience of millions. In its annual report, the culture department (DCMS) which had responsibility for organising the coronation, said it had cost 50.3 million pounds ($63.6 million) to stage, with another 21.7 million pounds for policing costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That compared to an estimated 162 million pounds which was spent on the funeral of the last queen and related events in 2022. Charles' coronation was smaller than those of his predecessors including his mother's, to reflect a more modern era and to acknowledge it was taking place at a time of financial difficulty for many people. At the time, critics said it was wrong to spend large sums when the public was facing a cost of living crisis, but Buckingham Palace and organisers forecast it would provide an economic boost for Britain. The DCMS said it was a "a once-in-a-generation moment which provided an occasion for the entire country to come together in celebration, and offered a unique opportunity to celebrate and strengthen our national identity and showcase the UK to the world". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said the event had generated more than 100,000 news stories and reached an estimated global audience of 2 billion people in 125 countries. ($1 = 0.7909 pounds) (Reporting by Michael Holden, editing by Elizabeth Piper) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The Kingsbury County Sheriffs Office is asking for your help in find the owners of a dog. Authorities say a dog was found shot in an area north of Manchester. The big plan for Falls Park The dog is believed to be a female Husky Shepard mix. If you have any information, you are asked to contact the Kingsbury County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Nov. 20In December 1952, a group of delighted islanders from Kapingamarangi an atoll 3,500 miles west of Hawaii saw a B-29 Superfortress fly overhead. In the spirit of the holidays, the aircrew had gathered supplies and placed them into boxes before attaching them to a parachute and dropping them to the islanders. Now dubbed Operation Christmas Drop, the tradition has become the Department of Defense's longest-running humanitarian airlift operation, bringing in participating airmen from Air Force bases around the world. And, this year, Kirtland Air Force Base is participating for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I know the holidays are a hard season for some people, and having this operation makes a difference," said Senior Airman Kiersten Fausto, organizer of the event. "The military as a whole comes together to be able to help one another and take care of one another." Originally from Guam, Fausto understands the importance Operation Christmas Drop has on the islanders and knows the challenges and joys of living on a remote island. "The other islands that surround Guam, a lot of them are not as fortunate as we are in the states to have those resources on hand," Fausto said. "So to be able to help and bring all of these resources, school supplies and day-to-day needs, it makes a difference." Fausto organized the donation drop, spending three weeks gathering supplies. People donated items including nonperishable foods, toys, school supplies and hygiene products. For Fausto, the hardest part was trying to communicate with people stationed on Guam, where the time is 17 hours ahead of New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The saying in Guam is 'Where America's day begins' because Guam is the first American territory to experience the day," Fausto said. "As far as getting involved with it, I would say they were very opening and welcoming having me as an airman out here in Albuquerque reach out wanting to do this." Fausto will take all of the donations and load them Saturday on to a commercial flight traveling from Kirtland to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. While on the West Pacific island, Fausto will meet with other airmen to prepare distribution. All supplies donated from across the world will be loaded on to C-130J Super Hercules planes before the supplies are parachuted to remote islands scattered around the U.S. territory such as the Carolinian island of Satawal, Ngeaur Island and others. "It's very honoring," he said. "At one point, I was the civilian on the island, and I had friends that were part of the mission that were prior service members. So being able to now not only be from the island but also be that service member, it's not just representing myself, it's representing the island as a whole. The purpose of this, long term, is to make a tradition where we can all come together as a community and give back." SAN FRANCISCO (AP) One of the strongest storms on the West Coast in decades knocked out power for thousands of people, unleashed strong winds that toppled trees and left two dead in Washington before making its way through Oregon to Northern California where on Thursday it dropped heavy snow and record amounts of rain. The National Weather Service extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by the strongest atmospheric river a long and wide plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows over land so far this season. The storm system roared ashore Tuesday as a bomb cyclone, which occurs when a cyclone intensifies rapidly, and it's expected to bring moderate to heavy rain through Saturday, increasing the risk of flash flooding and rockslides, forecasters said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some things to know about the storm: Strong winds bring power outages and topple trees About 285,000 homes and businesses remain without power Thursday in Washington, where falling trees struck homes and littered roads across the western portion of the state, killing at least two people. One woman in Lynnwood died when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment, while another woman in Bellevue was killed when a tree fell on a home. Cities began opening warming centers offering free internet and device charging. In the hardest hit areas east of Seattle, power wasnt expected to be fully restored until midday Saturday, Puget Sound Energy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least a dozen schools were closed in the Seattle area Wednesday and some opted to extend those closures through Thursday. In Enumclaw, east of Seattle, residents were cleaning up after their town clocked the highest winds in the state on Tuesday night: 74 mph (119 kph). Meanwhile, in Northern California, there were reports of power outages Thursday affecting more than 20,000 customers. Several districts in Sonoma County closed their schools Thursday due to the storm, county officials said. Officials warn of hazardous travel conditions About 150 flights were delayed and another two dozen were canceled Thursday at San Francisco International Airport, after hundreds were delayed and dozens were canceled on Wednesday, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transportation officials shut down a 2-mile (3.2 kilometer) stretch of Northern Californias famed Avenue of the Giants, a scenic drive named for the towering coast redwoods along the route, due to flooding. The National Weather Service warned road travel conditions would be hazardous in the Sierra Nevada. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening and Monday morning commutes as roads become slick and snow covered, the service said. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. A winter storm watch was in place for the northern Sierra Nevada above 3,500 feet (1,100 meters), where 15 inches (38 cm) of snow was possible over two days. Wind gusts could top 75 mph (120 kph) in mountain areas, forecasters said. Maggie Eshbaugh, marketing manager at Sugar Bowl Resort, northwest of Lake Tahoe, said about a foot (30 centimeters) of snow fell there Wednesday night. She said theyre excited to welcome customers Friday, which is the earliest the ski resort has opened in 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interstate 5 was closed for an 11-mile (18-kilometer) stretch from Ashland, Oregon, to the California border on Wednesday morning due to extreme winter weather conditions in Northern California, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. It was reopened by Wednesday night. The storm also caused some damage on State Highway 6 near Oregon's coast but it seemed to largely spare the state where no major damage was reported as of Thursday. Rain and snow could linger into next week A second, lighter wave of the storm is expected Saturday through Tuesday in Northern California, said meteorologist Courtney Carpenter, with the National Weather Service Sacramento. It will bring lighter rain in the lower elevations, but heavier mountain snow that will reach lower levels than the first wave, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dangerous flash flooding, rockslides and debris flows were possible, especially where hillsides were loosened by recent wildfires, officials warned. Scott Rowe, a hydrologist with the weather service in Sacramento, said so far the ground has been able to absorb the rain in Californias Butte and Tehama counties where the Park Fire burned over the summer. Its not necessarily how much rain falls; its how fast the rain falls, Rowe said Thursday. WASHINGTON (WJTV) A Mississippi man pled guilty in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors said Donald Walker, 48, of Kosciusko, pled guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder. He is expected to be sentenced on March 10, 2025. According to court documents, body-worn camera footage from Metropolitan Police Department showed officers struggling against a mob of rioters near erected barricades on the West Plaza of the Capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump-nominated judge says blanket pardons for Capitol rioters would be beyond frustrating As the struggle ensued, officials said Walker approached the police line and bike rack barricades, locked his arm through the bike rack, and pulled the barricade towards himself as officers on the other side attempted to defend the police line and establish control. Seconds later, Walker appeared to be sprayed with a chemical irritant, which caused him to move away from the police line. At 1:37 p.m., prosecutors said Walker re-approached the police line, grabbed onto a bike rack with his right hand, and pulled on it. Walker then released his hand and grabbed the bike rack again, this time placing his hand over the hand of an officer who was attempting to retain control of the bike rack. Seconds later, an officer deployed chemical spray in Walkers direction, causing him to retreat back from the line. According to court documents, Walker entered the U.S. Capitol through the Parliamentarian Door at 2:54 p.m. and exited at about 2:57 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI arrested Walker on March 25, 2024, in Mississippi. This case is being investigated by the FBIs Jackson and Washington Field Offices. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Russian so-called journalists and bloggers approved by the Kremlin have arrived in temporarily occupied Donetsk to produce propaganda stories about Ukrainians whose lives are now under the influence of the "Russian world". Source: National Resistance Center Details: Local "authorities" brought together doctors and teachers, as well as "war heroes" for a meeting with representatives of 20 fake media outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The enemy tried to create a picture of an idyllic life under Russian control, where everyone who works or serves the occupiers is a hero. This visit was the next stage of the Kremlins campaign to create a fictional image of the "Russian world" in which propagandists are trying to present the inhumane conditions of life under occupation as a new "normal"." Support UP or become our patron! The orders for Togg's new color option Ayder, which was introduced to the public at the beginning of this month, have been produced and shipped. Ayder Green, which is the latest color option among the domestic and national Togg T10X and represents the Black Sea Region, was made upon the request of Togg CEO Gurcan Karaka? at the ceremony where the first vehicle landed in Gemlik by President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an. The colors include Anatolian Red, Gemlik Blue, Cappadocia Beige, Oltu Black, Pamukkale White and Kula Gray. On the other hand, Ayder Green is being promoted all over Turkey with shopping malls and mobile stands. Togg ranked first in the brand rankings in the Turkish electric car market with 20,140 sales and a 31 percent market share in the 10-month period of the year. With this figure, Togg outpaced its closest competitor by 12,773 units. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, has claimed that Russia is making every effort to prevent a nuclear conflict and accused the administration of US President Joe Biden of "irresponsibility" for allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles against targets inside Russia. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti; Russian Telegram channel, which publishes Peskov's audio comments Quote: "We've emphasised in the context of our nuclear doctrine that Russia takes a responsible stance in terms of making every effort to prevent such a conflict. We expect other nations to take the same responsible position. Russia does not engage in provocative actions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Peskov also accused the administration of US President Joe Biden of "irresponsibility" for allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles to strike targets inside Russia, calling it a "new escalation". "A new escalation is taking place. That's a very irresponsible position that the outgoing US administration is taking. They are continuing to add fuel to the fire of this conflict, in every possible way preventing any momentum towards its conclusion, while using Ukraine as a tool in their hands in their war with Russia," Peskov said. At the same time, the Kremlin spokesperson deferred comment on Ukraine's use of Western-supplied Storm Shadow long-range missiles to the Russian military, stating, "I wouldn't want to say anything additional on this topic, which is the prerogative of our military and the defence ministry". Background: Bloomberg reported that on 20 November, Ukrainian forces used UK-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles against military targets on the territory of Russia, the aggressor state, for the first time. On 17 November, The New York Times reported that current US President Joe Biden had, for the first time, allowed the Ukrainian military to use long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory. On 19 November, Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin issued a decree approving Russia's updated nuclear doctrine. One of the conditions for the use of atomic weapons is the "launch of ballistic missiles". Notably, Putin announced the expansion of Russia's nuclear deterrence doctrine on 25 September. At the time, the Kremlin leader said that a nuclear response would follow in the event of "reliable information about the launch of air and space attack capabilities towards Russia". Putin clarified that he meant "strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic and other aircraft". After that, Ukrainian drones attacked Russia at least several times. After one of the largest attacks, Russian media asked Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, whether Russia would respond with nuclear weapons to these attacks (in particular, amid talk of changing Russia's nuclear doctrine). Peskov replied that "theres no need to overly refer to this document". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why this is important: Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has repeatedly announced various "red lines", violations of which are said to lead to a nuclear response. These "red lines" have, at different times, concerned supplies of Leopard tanks, Western missiles, F-16 fighter jets, and more. Ukraine has crossed these so-called "red lines" set by the Kremlin multiple times. However, even the advance of Ukrainian troops into Russian territory and the control of hundreds of Russian settlements by the Armed Forces of Ukraine has not prompted any fundamentally new response from Russia. Russian leader Vladimir Putin initially chose to pursue a strategy of ignoring what was happening, later attempting to downplay the significance of the Ukrainian army's capture of Russian territories. Russian authorities and state-controlled media have also opted to overlook Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian airfields and ammunition depots. After each new attack, they merely report that their air defence systems supposedly shot down dozens of drones and make no comment on the destruction or losses. Support UP or become our patron! Thursdays Top Stories Thursdays Five Facts [1] APD holds press conference for October officer-involved shooting On October 18, APD was conducting a code enforcement cleanup at the Tewa Lodge on Central and Alvarado. 39-year-old Matthew Garcia was staying there and when police questioned him he gave a false name. Garcia was placed in the back of a patrol car. Garcia told officers he had a gun and a struggle ensued. Garcia was shot multiple times and died on scene. Police say the gun Garcia had was stolen. [2] Community protests ignite heated debate over book bans at school board meeting John Amanchukwu, a pastor from North Carolina, is known for advocating for the removal of what he calls perverse books in schools. After news of his visit to Albuquerque circulated on social media, both those for and against book banning showed up at an APS school board meeting to protest. APS said in a statement, While we respect differing opinions on these kinds of topics, the board of education and superintendent Gabriella Blakeys biggest challenge is improving student outcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [3] Dry, warmer weather, & less windy for now Afternoon temperatures will be on the rebound even more today. With mostly sunny skies throughout the day. Temperatures will continue to rebound throughout the remainder of the workweek and into the weekend with drier air as winds will mostly be calmer in the short term before picking up a bit by the weekend [4] Valencia County begins construction of new hospital in Los Lunas Construction on a Valencia County hospital is now underway. The new facility, run by Lovelace and the Community Hospital Corporation, will be located off I-25 near the Los Lunas exit. Construction is being paid for with $50 million dollars from the state legislature. The county also has roughly $28 million saved up to help operate the facility. The hospital will have its own emergency department and two operating rooms along with 11 in-patient rooms for overnight stays. Patients will have access to MRIs, X-rays and a pharmacy, [5] PNM workers learn to make fry bread To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, PNM workers had lessons on how to make frybread. Although frybread is not a traditional dish, it was created in the long walk to Bosque Redondo in the 1800s, where the U.S. Government forced Navajo people to relocate. Frybread has since evolved over generations to become the delicacy it is today. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Several years ago, investors bought the Koreatown fourplex where Mary Carmen Martinez had lived for nearly two decades and tried to push the tenants out. Martinez, a restaurant worker, and her neighbors decided that they would fight to stay, hanging signs on the windows that said "No cash for keys" and going to court together to successfully challenge one neighbor's eviction. She knew how critical rent-controlled apartments were for working people, how her modest-sized unit helped her make a life in Los Angeles. When her children were babies, they could crawl around safely and not be cramped like they had been before. And her mother was able to come live with her, helping care for her kids while she made ends meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The apartment, she says, "is a whole life. A life of struggle, of scarcity, of living, of working." Through persistence and a bit of good timing, she and her neighbors emerged successful after working with a nonprofit group that bought the building. Now, they're on the cusp of owning the property themselves with a promise to keep it affordable and never make a significant profit from it. If it works, Martinez, 56, said, "I'll feel like I've accomplished my goals just by having a secure home. A place where, if my kids need somewhere to stay, they can feel safe, they can come here. For me, that's more important than making money." "As a single mom, I never dreamed of being able to own anything like this," said Mary Carmen Martinez. "With three kids and my salary, it felt impossible for me." (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) For so many Angelenos, it's a dream to own a single-family home and build wealth through equity. But having watched for years as housing costs put ownership increasingly out of reach while the cost of rent keeps tenants struggling, advocates say it's time to take a different approach to home ownership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They want working-class tenants to own their buildings, so that they have stability and are the ones making decisions about how they are run, what repairs are made, how much to pay in monthly costs, and anything else that comes up. But they also want to keep them permanently affordable, which means letting go of the possibility of making a massive profit in a sale. Up until now, efforts to get these ideas off the ground have been limited by money buying one small building in L.A. can cost millions. But the citys "mansion tax" is expected to change that, bringing in hundreds of millions per year, about a third of which could be allocated to support "social housing." Such projects require that tenants play a meaningful role in running their properties, encourage tenant ownership and include covenants that keep buildings permanently affordable. Often the hardest part of making it a reality is finding the funds to make it happen. We have the vision, we have the programs and, now, we have the funding to make social housing a reality, said Joe Donlin, director of the United to House LA coalition, which brought Measure ULA to the ballot. The initiative drafted by renters' rights groups, homeless service providers, affordable housing nonprofits and labor unions was designed to bolster social housing across the city, allocating 22.5% of its funding to "alternative housing models" in which "residents shall have the right to participate directly and meaningfully in decision-making concerning the operation and management of the project." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Where feasible and desirable," the law says, "the project shall include resident ownership." Another source of funding for such projects would be part of the law that supports tenant ownership for projects that buy and rehabilitate older buildings for affordable housing, like in Martinez' case. The law allocates an additional 10% of funds to such efforts. Yet another funding pot would allocate millions to create training, education and other support to get projects off the ground. Since it was implemented last year, the tax has raised nearly $440 million, according to city data. The amount is less than backers expected, and the law still faces challenges in court, but it has created a significant new funding pool for projects across the city that housing advocates hope to start tapping soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the projects take a novel approach, experts say they can also have a difficult time securing the types of federal and state funding that traditionally provide the bulk of support for affordable housing development. "If youre trying to develop a model, and all of the federal and state resources are aligned to support a different model, that can be very challenging," said Sarah Karlinsky, research director at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley. In L.A., she said, the city will probably have to invest a significant amount of money per unit to make projects work. "That can be just very challenging in an era of limited resources," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates say the social housing models they're trying to bring to the city aren't anything new they point to similar programs in places such as New York City, Singapore and Vienna they've just never had much support in L.A. But efforts have been gaining in popularity across the country. Earlier this year, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) introduced a federal bill to promote social housing, arguing that "we cant wait for the private market alone to solve the housing crisis." A state law approved last year commissioned a study to analyze opportunities for and obstacles to increasing social housing in California. As of yet, there is no single, agreed-upon definition of social housing nor is there a single model for how it would work. In Los Angeles, however, advocates say social housing should be permanently affordable and tenants should have a meaningful say in governance or the chance to own their properties. They also want to see new projects built on public land. Backers have been looking to community land trusts to help guide the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community land trusts, or CLTs as they're sometimes known, are nonprofit groups that buy properties with the intent of keeping them affordable. The trust maintains ownership of the land while selling or leasing the property itself to low-income tenants. Tenants might own their apartment or a share of the building. Often equity is capped so that if a person leaves, the building remains affordable for the next resident. Across California, land trusts remain a small part of the affordable housing landscape though they have grown in number since 2000. In 2022, the state had 29 community land trusts with about 1,600 units, according to the California Community Land Trust Network. In L.A. there have only been a few such projects. But they received a boost in 2020, when Los Angeles County approved a $14-million pilot program for land trusts to buy and rehabilitate properties across the county. That program led to the preservation of eight properties across the county with a total of 43 residential units, according to a report commissioned by the progressive nonprofit Liberty Hill Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those buildings was a small Craftsman-style home, not far from USC, where Noe Herrera and his siblings have lived since July 2018, paying about $500 a month in rent. A few years ago, Herrera approached the owner about possibly buying the property, knowing the cost would probably be out of reach. He was surprised to learn that the owner was interested in selling the home to Herrera and the other tenants of the building. But he wanted to do so in a way that would ensure that it remained affordable. In 2021, the community land trust organization TRUST South LA worked out a deal to buy it for the below-market price of $475,000 using funds from the county's pilot project. They plan to eventually transfer ownership of the property to Herrera and the others through an ownership model that the residents will decide on, such as the limited equity housing co-op. "These cases are rare," said Oscar Monge, the group's interim executive director. "But its important for us to highlight that there are property owners that are trying to create affordability for their tenants." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herrera, who works as a bartender, said he would have liked to have been able to own the home outright and eventually profit from it. That's the dream, he said. But he also knows he could not afford to pay market rate. An injury a few years ago made it so that he is only able to work part time. Having a low rent allows him to keep a roof over his head. So, he said, he understands the urgent need to keep homes affordable. The rent-controlled apartment helped Mary Carmen Martinez make a life in Los Angeles as a single mom, she says. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) In Koreatown, Martinez and her neighbors were skeptical at first when they were approached by the Beverly-Vermont Community Land Trust. They had grown close as they organized together to oppose their landlord's efforts to get them to leave with cash-for-keys offers. And they were unsure about an organization that said it wanted to help them by buying the building and then returning ownership to them. But over weeks of meetings, they grew to trust in their work. In 2021, the organization bought the property with $1.6 million in county funds. Since then, the group has worked to remodel the aging building while Martinez and her neighbors worked to create a nonprofit co-op that will allow them to take ownership of the property. They named it Senoras for Housing almost every tenant in the building is a single mom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They've written bylaws for themselves, including rules for how to decide things such as how much residents would contribute to a repair fund for the property, which repairs to prioritize, and how to deal with disagreements. By next year, Martinez said, they could have the title to the building. The land trust will continue to own the land. Martinez says she feels now like she has a place to live for the rest of her life. "In my old age, I know I won't end up on the street," she said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The 14-year-old student from La Cueva High School accused of bringing a gun to campus will be detained for now. The student is accused of bringing a semi-automatic handgun to school that investigators believe was loaded. Mother seeks justice for daughter killed in hit-and-run over the summer The Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office said the judge ruled that the student might be released when an ankle monitor becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Some roads connecting La Jolla Village Drive to Interstate 5 will be closed for pavement work this weekend until early Monday morning, Caltrans stated in a news release Wednesday. Get 40 cents off gas Thursday at these Circle K locations in San Diego The closures will affect the eastbound and westbound La Jolla Village Drive on-ramps to southbound I-5 from 9 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Monday. The far right southbound lane of the interstate from La Jolla Village Drive to Nobel Drive will also be closed for pavement work. Map of closures from Friday, Nov. 22 to Monday, Nov. 25. (Caltrans) Drivers are asked to use northbound I-5 and exit at Genesee Avenue, turn left and then take the southbound I-5 on-ramp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Real-time traffic information can be found on the Caltrans QuickMap. The construction work schedule could change depend on weather, traffic conditions and other factors. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Named after famed Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, La Sorted pizzerias new location in Chinatown reflects a fierce fandom for L.A.s boys in blue. Adorned with team memorabilia belonging to owner Tommy Brockert posters, mugs, even a Cabbage Patch Kids doll from the eight-time national champions, the place obviously had a lot to be happy about when the Dodgers served up a World Series win last month. And theyre still celebrating. "I wanted this place to feel like it had been here since the 60's or the 50's," Brockert tells Los Angeles. "There's not many, but there's a few left of these classic, old-school pizzerias no frills, just good food and comfortable vibes. And I want people to feel at home here." A menu that knocks it out of the park. Tommy Brockert Serving its own L.A. style pizza, the place is not trying to imitate Naples, New York, Chicago or Detroit. The crust is a sourdough hybrid, the olive oil is Californian and the slices are huge. They also offer all-beef hot dogs, of course, with hot mustard, wings and a tasty sandwich special: a fried mortadella-and-provolone creation thats a tribute to Anthony Bourdain and Little Joes Italian American Restaurant, the historic Chinatown eatery that closed in 1998. Theres also an extensive list of beer and wine. The new location, on Broadway in Chinatown, soft-opened on Oct. 5 the first day of the National League playoffs and celebrated its grand opening a week later. Owner Tommy Brockert Bethany Reed Brockert first opened as a front porch popup in 2020, followed by a walk-up location in Silver Lake in March 2021. The Chinatown joint marks La Sorteds first full restaurant with a 30-seat full-service space. Its also less than a mile, or a little over a 15-minute walk, from Dodger Stadium. Brockerts personal collection of Dodgers souvenirs, including pictures he used to make centerpieces for his bar mitzvah when he was a kid, also includes a map of the area from 1960 alongside a sketch from Don Rickles office. Theres even a nod to L.A.s other winning team, the Lakers guests can eat from a bar made from a section of the Lakers court when it was at the Great Western Forum (now the Kia Forum), which La Sorteds calls its floor seats. La Sorteds Pizzeria, 984 N Broadway, Chinatown. lasorteds.com Savor L.A., One Bite at a Time! Stay updated on the citys top dining spots, new openings, and food events. Subscribe to LAMags Food Newsletter below or click here. Labour is facing mounting backlash for its failure to assess how many pensioners would die as a result of its winter fuel raid. Ministers revealed this week that up to 100,000 additional elderly people could be pushed into poverty by the removal of the payment, worth up to 300 per year, in a long-awaited impact assessment. However, campaigners today said the figures were an underestimate, and criticised the report for failing to say what impact the policy would have on the NHS or how many people could die as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labours own analysis during the 2017 election campaign under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn found that 4,000 pensioners would lose their lives if the winter fuel allowance were means-tested. The party cited research which found half of the almost 10,000 decrease in excess winter deaths resulting from cold weather between 2000 and 2012 was because of the winter fuel allowances introduction. Dennis Reed, of campaigning body Silver Voices, said There is no doubt that the impact of this policy will cause extra deaths from cold-related conditions and put more stress on emergency NHS care this winter. Because of the refusal to conduct a full impact assessment before railroading this policy through, Labour has cooked up a winter NHS crisis entirely of its own making. The Government had come under repeated fire for its failure to carry out a full impact assessment before announcing that winter fuel payments would be stripped from 10 million pensioners. Only those eligible for pension credit will receive the benefit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the Department for Work and Pensions finally bowed to pressure as it published a report claiming 100,000 more pensioners face relative poverty by 2027 due to the policy. The Department denies the modelling was an official impact assessment. Relative poverty was defined by officials as a pensioner who is living off 60pc of the UKs median income after the impact of housing costs. Charities said their own internal modelling suggests the actual figures will be much higher. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: The Governments modelling suggests some 50,000 to 100,000 older people will fall into poverty each year as a result of their decision to brutally ration winter fuel payment. Thats bad enough, we may all feel, but really looking at the effect in this way understates its impact on pensioners on low and modest incomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Age UKs own impact assessment found that as many as two and a half million older people who can ill-afford to lose the payment will do so because they dont claim pension credit, arent eligible, or have especially high energy needs due to ill health or disability. Joanna Elson, chief executive at charity Independent Age, said: Recent polling we commissioned showed that 44pc of people aged over 65 in England think losing the winter fuel payment will negatively impact their physical health. Combined with the Governments own prediction that around 100,000 older people will be pushed into poverty as a result of the change, it is very worrying that they are choosing to continue with this policy. Ms Elson said that pensioners have been telling the charity that they arent turning the heating on. She said: Losing the winter fuel payment will only lead to even more people in later life feeling they have no choice but to jeopardise their health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A DWP source said that the way the numbers were calculated means that small differences in the base numbers can dramatically affect the final prediction. The Government has faced similar criticism for underestimating the impact of its VAT raid on private schools after Telegraph analysis found 3,000 pupils had been forced out of private schools. A government spokesman said: Internal modelling on poverty estimates was produced as part of routine policy advice. The modelling is subject to a range of uncertainties and does not take into account the significant work we are doing to encourage pension credit take-up. The modelling also doesnt reflect that we have put in place extra support for those who need it most, such as our extension of the Household Support Fund. 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. Originally appeared on E! Online Laken Rileys mind was set on her future, just before her tragic death. As the Georgia nursing students February murder reached its conclusion in the courtswith Venezuelan citizen Jose Antonio Ibarra sentenced to life in prison on Nov. 20 after being convicted on 10 counts, including murder and aggravated assault with intent to rapeRileys loved ones mourned the life she could have led. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in a heartbreaking moment during the hearingwhich was streamed on Court TVher stepfather John Phillips read Rileys final journal entry aloud, dated December 2023, noting how her life was abundantly and exceptionally full of promise. To my future husband, Phillips read. As silly as I feel writing this, my old small group leader once recommended it so here I am. To my future husband, I want you to know that I'm thinking about you. I'm working every day to become the best wife I can be by working through my current relationships to best prepare me for our and our kids one day. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in addition to sharing her hopes that her future partner would share her Christian faith, Riley wrote, I can't wait to love you in the best way I know how for the rest of our lives I pray you know and feel the importance of my love and hopes for our relationship no matter what challenges we face. After reading the entry aloud, Phillips addressed the judge, Your Honor, that was our beautiful Laken. That is just a glimpse of what was tragically and brutally taken from her and us that day: the best daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, overall person that you could ever hope to meet. Facebook/Laken Riley While it's true that none of our lives will ever be the same, he continued, we refuse to let this person rob Laken of the hope she gave to her family, loved ones, friends and the world as a whole. We will proudly carry this hope on in her name in the days ahead, and for the rest of our lives. Phillips words were one of multiple victim impact statements that were shared by Rileys loved ones during the Nov. 20 court date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the day in court, Ibarra was convicted 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," as NBC News reported. Following his conviction, the presiding judge sentenced Ibarra to two life sentences and 49 years in prison, all to be served consecutively. Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire The conviction and sentencing come nine months after Riley was killed at the age of 22 while running on University of Georgias Athens campus. She was found dead in a forested area after her roommates called the police when she did not return home. Ibarras DNA was discovered under Rileys fingernails, according to evidence presented by the prosecution, and his thumb print was found on her iPhone. While he initially pleaded not guilty to his charges, 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rileys mother Allyson Phillips also shared an impact statement in court, mourning the loss of her daughter, who is survived by her parents, two sisters and a brother. Facebook "This monster took away our chances to see Laken graduate from nursing school," Allyson 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 continued, 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.) For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Many students have been glued to the Laken Riley murder trial and were not surprised by Wednesdays verdict or sentencing. People in Athens told Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes that hearing the guilty verdict felt like a formality to many people in the community because they knew Jose Ibarra killed an innocent student and it was confirmation for them when Ibarra took a bench trial over a jury. But they were surprised by one thing Wednesday, how Ibarra showed no emotion or remorse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had no emotion. Its like, is that a demon? Carlin Swartz said. Swartz said she couldnt believe Ibarra could just sit in court never changing his facial expression even after a judge found him guilty of murdering Riley. She works near the courthouse where the trial ended Wednesday afternoon. When I parked this morning, it just hit me. Its like her parents, her family are in there, Swartz said. Taylor Williams has been following the trial as well. Shes a freshman who started at the University of Georgia after the murder. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think typically UGA is a safer place, so to know that it happened was very scary for me William said. My mom told me to make sure youre moving with groups of people, dont go out late at night and everything. Williams said she feels safer when shes with friends. Its very frightening to be a young woman and being alone. I try not to be alone. Thats my biggest thing. Thats what that has taught me, that case, Williams said. Many students believe there are more monsters out there capable of what Ibarra did. Dandre Smith is glad Ibarra will never be able to terrorize Athens again. Im actually pretty glad that he did because if it was somebody in my family, I know I would want justice served for that person as well, Smith said. Itll take some time for people to get over the shock of what happened in Athens. People who Fernandes spoke with said the guilty verdict does bring some closure to the community. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, Riley's friends and family gave witness statements to the judge shortly before Jose Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison Laken Riley/Facebook; Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Laken Riley and Jose Ibarra Laken Riley and Jose Ibarra Friends of slain Georgia college student Laken Riley gave emotional witness statements in court on the last day of the four-day-long murder trial, shortly after the judge rendered a guilty verdict upon Jose Ibarra. "Laken Riley was my best friend, the person I told everything to and the person I trusted with anything. The pain of the last nine months has been indescribable," Riley's friend Sophia Palomino, 22, said at the beginning of her statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Laken Riley's Last Ever Journal Entry Read Aloud in Court: 'I'm Thinking About You' After noting all the things she wouldn't be able to share with Riley, she tearfully explained how her best friend's death has impacted her life: "I get to tell you that I can't do anything by myself anymore, even in broad daylight. I get to tell you that a town I used to love being in just fills me with dread." "I tell you the weight of emptiness I feel when I still go to text her sometimes," Palomino added. "This wasn't just a life taken; it was a future stolen ... The death of my best friend has changed my life forever." Connolly Huth, another friend of Riley's who was among those who notified police of her disappearance, wore one of the late nursing student's shirts while giving her witness statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As I stand up here today, I am wearing one of Laken's shirts. This shirt has sat in my closet for months, not because I'm saving it for an occasion, but because I cannot afford not to remember these things like this about her," Huth said while fighting back tears. Laken Riley/Facebook; Robin Rayne/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Laken Riley and Jose Ibarra Laken Riley and Jose Ibarra On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Jose Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student on Feb. 22 while she was out for a jog. 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. Riley's mother, Allyson Phillips, also shared a heart-wrenching statement after the verdict. "Jose took no pity on my scared, panicked and struggling child." "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. "This sick, twisted, evil coward showed no respect of Laken's life." LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Pequea Township man will spend 33 to 66 months in state prison for nearly hitting a Caervarvon Township Fire Police Lieutenant with a tractor-trailer in 2023. According to the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office, Craig Robert Godfrey, 65, was sentenced to prison for using his truck as a weapon against a fire police lieutenant who was directing traffic at the intersection of Conestoga Creek and South Red School roads in Caernarvon Township on June 3, 2023. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lancaster man convicted after threatening to run over Fire Police Lieutenant Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2023 incident, Godfrey attempted to drive his vehicle through a closed section of the roadway while near a barn fire. The DAs office confirms he repeatedly lurched his truck toward the officer before driving at them. Dashcam footage from the scene showed the driver narrowly avoiding the vehicle. While speaking to the court, Godfrey questioned whether the victim used proper judgment during the altercation, saying that the victim escalated the situation by trying to stop him. Judge Dennis Reinaker, who delivered the sentence, told Godfrey that he found his statements offensive. We dont get to override the instructions of someone in (the victims) position, Judge Reinaker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Nov. 20AUSTIN State Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) has introduced House Joint Resolution 47 and House Bill 188, collectively known as Texas STRONG, to be considered in the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature. This initiative proposes the creation of the Texas Severance Tax Revenue and Oil and Natural Gas (STRONG) Defense Fund, designed to modernize the distribution of severance tax revenues to address critical infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public safety needs in major energy-producing communities like those in the Permian Basin. Since 2014, severance taxes have funneled over $35 billion to key state priorities, contributing $9 billion to public education, $13.3 billion to the state highway fund, and $13.3 billion to the rainy day fund. Of that total, nearly 80% of these funds around $40 billion originated from just 32 Texas counties, many located in the Permian Basin. "The Permian Basin has fueled America for decades, powering homes and industries, generating billions in tax revenue, and driving Texas forward," Landgraf said in a news release. "Our region deserves a reinvestment that reflects its contributions to our state." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Texas STRONG, severance tax revenue that would typically flow into the state's "rainy day fund" which is projected to hit its constitutional cap in 2025 would be redirected to dedicated accounts benefiting energy-producing communities. These funds will support long-term investments in infrastructure, public services, and environmental cleanup efforts, such as orphaned well plugging and groundwater protection. Additionally, the initiative would contribute to statewide property tax relief, benefiting all Texans. "The Permian Basin is the backbone of Texas' energy sector, yet it faces ongoing infrastructure and public service demands," Landgraf added. "Texas STRONG is the practical solution to ensure our community has the resources it needs to meet these demands and ultimately thrive." The Texas legislature will convene at the Capitol for the 89th Legislative Session on January 14, 2025. Representative Landgraf is set to work closely with lawmakers across the aisle to advance Texas STRONG, which enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support in the previous legislative session, passing the Texas House with a decisive 144-1 vote. He hasnt quite shifted from Winston Churchills We shall fight them on the beaches to Neville Chamberlains Peace in our time, but Volodymyr Zelensky has toned down his war rhetoric. Since Donald Trump won the US presidential election just over a fortnight ago, the Ukrainian president appears to have quietly dropped his maximalist ambition of defeating Russia on the battlefield. Perhaps his most startling statement so far was made on Wednesday evening during an interview with Fox News, when he admitted that occupied Crimea, touted as the target of Ukraines failed 2023 counter-offensive, cannot be retaken through force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot spend dozens of thousands of our people so that they perish for the sake of Crimea coming back, he said. We understand that Crimea can be brought back diplomatically. This was caveated with a promise not to legally acknowledge any occupied territory of Ukraine as Russian but the underlying shift in tone was clear. This wasnt his first change of course. Last week, Mr Zelensky hinted that he knew time was running out on his ambitions to defeat Vladimir Putin because Mr Trump would push him into negotiations. It is certain that the war will end sooner with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Zelensky had previously waved away talk of a peace deal with Russia and vowed he would not give up any Ukrainian territory. Take his New Year 2022-23 speech when he said: We fight and will continue to fight. For the sake of the main word: Victory. More recently, in a speech to the UN General Assembly in September, Mr Zelensky had said: War cant simply fade away. Thats why this war cant be calmed by talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the same message in October, in a speech in Ukraines parliament when he said that Russia must lose the war and that he would refuse to trade any of Ukraines territory. But the US election changed all that. Mr Trump has said that he wants a swift end to the war in Ukraine, which means that Mr Zelensky will likely have to make a deal with Putin. It also means the Ukraine president has effectively lost his strongest ally for continuing the war. His room for manoeuvring has shrunk, dramatically. John Foreman, the former British defence attache in Kyiv and Moscow, said that Mr Zelensky was adjusting to a new reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian situation is precarious. This is a new burst of realism following Trumps win, he told The Telegraph. Mr Zelensky also appears to be reflecting the will of most Ukrainians. In a poll for The Economist, 52 per cent of respondents said that they wanted to negotiate an end to the war. Last year only 27 per cent had said they wanted to negotiate with Russia. Moscow controls most of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and large chunks of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south. It also annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014. This is roughly about 20 per cent of Ukraines 1991 borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Zelensky, a professional comedian who became Ukraines president and then wartime leader, had wanted to push Russia out of Ukraine entirely. Now, instead, he appears ready to settle for less, even if the change in messaging is subtle. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A federal grand jury has indicted a Lansing man for being caught with almost half a million dollars in cash, a gun he was not allowed to own, and bags of cocaine and meth. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Mark Totten, announced the action Wednesday. Officials arrested Kevin Dunson, 43, Lansing, on Nov. 1 after law enforcement executed a search warrant on his home, a stash house and two storage units in Lansing the day before. The searches resulted in officials finding more than four kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately two kilograms of cocaine, four firearms, and $544,697 in cash. The U.S. Attorneys office also said Dunson has multiple prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trafficking of illegal drugs is a scourge that destroys lives and harms communities, said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. Addressing this problem requires an all-hands-on-deck approach that includes not just enforcement, but prevention and treatment, as well. While law enforcement alone will not solve this problem, we remain committed to disrupting the supply lines that bring these poisons into our communities. According to the U.S. Attorneys office, the searches and arrest were the result of months of surveillance, source information, analysis of subpoenaed records, and other investigative work that identified Dunson as a trafficker in large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine. If a judge or jury convicts Dunson, he will face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and up to life on the drug charges and up to 15 years in prison on the firearms charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illicit drug distribution erodes communities and destroys lives, said Orville Green, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of DEA. This indictment should serve as an example to those who distribute poisons like methamphetamine and cocaine, that DEA will aggressively pursue and hold you accountable. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners here in Michigan. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A Mid-Michigan non-profit is expanding opportunities for Lansing high school students preparing for college. The Lansing Promise held an event Wednesday afternoon to add upgrades to their student scholarships. According to the promise, theyre introducing The Lansing Promise Guarantee Scholarship. The grant supports students who live in and attend at least one full academic year and graduate from a school within the Lansing School Districtrendering them eligible for up to $10,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abel Travis, Board Chair for the Lansing Promise, says hes excited for the expansion. We want to make sure that if youre breathing and if you have a pulse, doesnt matter how long its going to take you, said Travis. For us, it doesnt matter how long it may take you to get through university, that you will have access to Promise Fund in order to close the gap to education. He says one of the new upgrades is to help fund students in their 3rd and 4th academic years of college. To be able to get funding through the additional time and bring down that general of the student loans that they may be taking on in order to fund those years, said Travis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says now theyre adding a 6-year window to complete a degree. Up to a maximum of $20,000 because we know that students dont necessarily graduate university within 4 years, right within that 4-year period, said Travis. According to the promise, it will cover a total of $20,000 to complete a bachelors degree at Michigan State University, The University of Olivert, or Davenport University, and also offers a $10,000 scholarship for the completion of an associate degree at Lansing Community College. The funding will cover credits, books, and administration/course fees. Aurora Lemieux-McKissic, a college student, says the scholarship money helped plan her future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was really clear that I did not want to graduate college with a lot of debt, said Lemieux-McKissic. She says if it wasnt for the promise, she wouldnt get her degree. Federal aid covers all my Northwood classes and then the Lansing Promise covers all of LCC classes, said Lemieux-McKissic. So, as of now, Im heading into my junior year and I havent incurred any debt so far. The Lansing Promise will also offer additional support for up to $10,000 for students to complete a trade within the state of Michigan. For more information on the Lansing Promise, 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 WLNS 6 News. LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) Largo police arrested a man Tuesday after they said he swindled a client out of thousands of dollars from an estate sale in September. According to the Largo Police Department, Erik Sanudo, owner of Tebo Estate Sales, worked with someone to conduct an estate sale under the agreement that he would get 25% of the sales. At least 3 Florida deputies injured in major crash Detectives said that after Sanudo had completed the estate sale, he told his client that the proceeds were $28,203. However, he only sent the victim $5,000 in Zelle payments before ending communications with the client. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanudo had an outstanding balance with the victim and still owes them $15,652.25, the department said in a release. Once the suspect learned the victim was pursuing legal action, Sanudo sent an email to the victim saying the business was closed and declared bankruptcy. Detectives said they learned Sanudo was still looking for clients and opened a new estate sales business under the name Florida Certified Estate Sales LLC, just days before he told the victim was out of business. Authorities also learned the suspect had a warrant for grand theft out of Sarasota for a similar case, the release said. Sanudo was arrested on Nov. 19 on charges of scheme to defraud and grand theft. An arrest affidavit said Sanudo admitted to detectives that he used the money from the estate sales for personal expenses and had no money left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Largo police said Sanudo could have other victims across the state of Florida. Yelp reviews for Tebo Estates showed numerous complaints accusing Sanudo of not paying his clients what they were owed from the estate sales. Those who believed they were victimized by Sanudo were asked to call Sergeant Carvella with the Largo Police Department at 727-586-7464. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The family of a 17-year-old who was shot and killed in Las Vegas is voicing their frustration over the prosecution of their loved ones killer. Keanu Enright died last month on Oct. 16 at a home at the intersection of Bramble Court and Greenhurst Road near Alta Drive and Rainbow Boulevard. Pretty tragic, Teen shot, killed while playing with gun in northwest Las Vegas valley The Clark County Coroner ruled his death a homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is murder. This isnt involuntary manslaughter. He should be tried as an adult. My son deserves justice, Thomas John Enright said on Wednesday. The 15-year-old boy who pulled the trigger was sentenced to a youth prison on Wednesday, despite the pleas of family to move the case to adult court. Keanu Enrights family and friends held a protest outside family court hours before. The family of a 17-year-old who was shot and killed in Las Vegas is voicing their frustration over the prosecution of their loved ones killer. (Thomas Enright) I was told by the [district attorney] that kids point guns at other kids all the time. Im sorry, I dont think thats true. You point a gun at someone, you plan on killing them, Thomas John Enright said. He was about to graduate high school. He was going to join the United States Navy, and all these people here were touched by him. Inside the courthouse, Keanus family and friends faced the 15-year-old who admitted to firing a ghost gun. Prosecutors and defense attorneys said four teens were in a house playing video games when the gun used to kill Keanu was pulled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made the decision to rack the gun to check while the gun was pointed at Keanu. His finger was on the trigger, Chief Deputy Clark County District Attorney Christina Calderon said. 8 News Now is not identifying the 15-year-old boy since hes a minor. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter before Wednesdays sentencing. The family of a 17-year-old who was shot and killed in Las Vegas is voicing their frustration over the prosecution of their loved ones killer. (Thomas Enright) It was a complete accident. In fact, a tragic accident that is going to follow him for the rest of his life, Mandy McKellar the teens attorney said. Keanus family disputed any notion the shooting was an accident. Go to a friends house and then kill your supposed friend. Let him bleed out on the floor, not caring. Thats not a friend, thats a monster, Jamie Marcelo, his cousin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark County Family Court Judge Dee Smart Butler was sympathetic to Keanus family but said on Wednesday her hands were tied with moving the case to adult court since another judge accepted the teens plea deal. I know that theres no legal consequence that I can give here in juvenile court that will ever make you whole, Judge Butler said. The time the 15-year-old will serve in youth prison isnt a public record since hes a juvenile. Once he is released, his records will be sealed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Metro police arrested the man they say is responsible for a deadly stabbing in the east valley earlier in the week. On Tuesday, Nov. 19 at around 11:45 a.m., officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 6800 block of East Lake Mead Boulevard near North Hollywood Boulevard after a report of a stabbing. Arriving officers 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 staff pronounced him dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through the investigation, detectives determined the victim was involved in a fight with a man who was later identified as Jose Escamilla, 33. During the fight, Escamilla allegedly took out a knife and stabbed the victim before running away from the scene, police said. On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Criminal Apprehension Team located and arrested Escamilla. Police then booked him into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of open murder and battery with a deadly weapon. The identification of the victim, as well as the cause and manner of death, will be released by the Clark County Coroners Office. Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on their website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) With the Formula 1 race taking place this week, many rideshare drivers in the Las Vegas valley are hitting the brakes on their usual business. If you pick up a passenger from the airport and theyre going to Planet Hollywood, [you] have to drop them off in a far place and they have to drag their suitcases to the hotels, Frank Holganza said. Its not worth it. Frank Holganza, a rideshare driver with nearly 9 years of experience, explained that the incentives simply arent enough to make it worthwhile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know last year, our income dropped to 50% for 7 months because they started doing the track in April and finished in November. This week, Holganza plans to work outside of the strip. Monday I had 2 trips, yesterday was two again, Holganza said. Its the first time I experienced that this year so at this time my boundary is just $200 a day. Meanwhile, Dan Jordan said he hasnt seen any incentive from Lyft or Uber. Theyre talking about the incentives at night but with all the road closures, we dont drive at night, Jordan said. With all the roads open during the day its not as bad. While Jordan was away during last years F1 event, hes now facing the challenge of navigating road closures and detours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like right now you can not cross Las Vegas Boulevard at Harmon and you cant make a left-hand turn from northbound/southbound Las Vegas Boulevard at the wall now so we just have to take the long route to the Harmon exit through the Cosmo just to get to Bellagio, Jordan said. Jordan explained that it has been a slow week and is uncertain whether the F1 event will attract any customers, but hes hopeful that this year could bring in more earnings. UBER provided 8 News Now with a statement that reads in part: Given the massive size of the event area, anticipated high attendance, and safety restrictions that will limit vehicle access within the track boundaries during activation hours, guests should expect higher-than-normal prices and wait times, and plan for pickups and drop-offs to take place as special areas designated by the event organizers. It should be anticipated that dynamic pricing may go into effect, helping to attract more vehicles to the area during peak times in order to provide greater reliability to riders. For local drivers on the Uber platform, this creates a greater earning opportunity to account for the time and distance they will travel to pick up riders around the area. As a proactive measure, Uber has implemented a $15 event surcharge for pickups in the F1 pickup zones and at select properties within and around the track footprint. These will be enabled beginning at 5 pm on Thursday, 11/21 through 5 am on Sunday, 11/24. 100% of these fees will go to drivers. For fans leaving the area, increased rates will appear in the up-front prices they see before making a request in the Uber app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LYFT provided 8 News Now with a statement that reads in part: The F1 race provides a great opportunity for drivers to earn. In addition to the large number of rides we are expecting, were also planning increased incentives for all drivers this week. This should help ensure there are enough drivers to meet demand and that its worth it for them to be on the platform. Its all part of our effort to ensure both riders and drivers have a positive experience for the race. For more on the F1 road closure schedule, click here. Commuters are encouraged to opt-in to a free service by texting f1lv to 31996 to receive traffic notifications and related 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 KLAS. Charles B. Warren, 1924 Credit - Library of Congress While President-elect Donald Trump has begun to announce his Cabinet appointees, many of his picks still need to be confirmed by the Senate. But Trumps controversial and unconventional choices will test the Republican-led Senates loyalty, and could potentially lead to a situation that hasnt happened in 100 years. In U.S. history, only twelve Cabinet nominations have been rejectedand rarely has a Presidents Cabinet pick been denied by his own party. The last time it occurred was in 1925, when the Republican-controlled Senate rejected President Calvin Coolidges attempts to nominate Charles B. Warren as Attorney General. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TIME put Warren on its cover in January 1925 after Coolidge announced the nomination. It is said that the President wanted Mr. Warren as someone to whom he was close, someone he could rely on, TIME wrote. Intellectually he is probably the ablest man whom Mr. Coolidge has added to the Cabinet, the story continued, describing Warren as suave of face, almost good looking. January 26, 1925 TIME cover TIME further described Warren as "a capable strategist, hard to trick, always ready for sortie or counter-attack, complete and instant master of the forces of his mind." But issues soon arose with the nomination. Warren had been involved in a Sugar Trust scandal involving the Michigan Sugar Company, where he had recently resigned from his position as president. The Michigan Sugar Company was one of seventeen companies charged by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for engaging in a wrongful combination and conspiracy to suppress competition in the distribution and sale of beet pulp in interstate commerce, according to a statement published in New York Times on Feb. 10, 1925. Warren was named as a defendant in the suit. The evidence presented demonstrated clearly that Mr. Warren was the agent and instrument of the sugar trust in acquiring control of the Michigan beet sugar industry and suppressing competition from that source, according to the Times statement, which also claimed that any alleged conspiracy committed by the companies were sanctioned by Warren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senators feared that his connection would leave him unable to impartially enforce anti-trust laws. One Congressman, Missouri Senator James Reed, argued, I trust that a sufficient number of Senators who have not been seduced to political apostasy by the family sap bucket, or gorged into stupefaction by buckwheat cakes and Vermont maple syrup, or lulled to moral insensibility by the melody of waves breaking against the prow of the Mayflower I trust there are enough left to vote against delivering the Department of Justice into the hands of the Sugar Trust. The first confirmation vote resulted in a 40-40 tie, which could have been broken by Vice President Charles Dawesif he hadnt at the time been taking a nap at the nearby Willard Hotel. A group of Republicans warned Coolidge against resubmitting the nomination, but the President still nominated him a second time. The White House released a statement saying, The President is making every effort to secure the confirmation of Mr. Warren. . . . He has decided on no other appointment. [In case Mr. Warren is not confirmed] he will offer him a recess appointment. He hopes, however, that the unbroken practice of three generations of permitting the President to choose his own cabinet will not be changed. The Senate again rejected Warren, 46-39. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, only two nominations have been rejected Lewis Strauss for Secretary of Commerce in 1959 and John Tower for Secretary of Defense in 1989, both of whom were Republican nominees rejected by a Democrat-controlled Senate. Write to Simmone Shah at simmone.shah@time.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan It was the most trumpeted achievement of last years climate conference. One year later, its nowhere to be found. The call to transition away from coal, oil and gas that came out of Decembers COP28 summit in Dubai was historic the first time 200 countries, including major oil and gas producers such as Saudi Arabia and the United States, had explicitly agreed on the need to wind down fossil fuels. But in Baku, Azerbaijan, COP29 is taking place after a U.S. election that handed the presidency back to Donald Trump, who has vowed to massively expand oil and gas production. And the host countrys president, Ilham Aliyev, used his keynote address to call fossil fuel resources a gift of the God. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Against that backdrop, even getting this summit to reiterate last years nonbinding agreement has faced pushback, Lars Aagaard, Denmarks climate minister, told reporters on Thursday. And some advocates for strong climate action appeared to be accepting defeat. Money is still the most contentious issue at the Azerbaijan summit: Less than 24 hours before talks were scheduled to conclude on Friday, negotiators were still battling behind closed doors about how many hundreds of billions of dollars in climate aid for poorer nations should come from wealthy governments such as the U.S. and the European Union. But the question of how to handle the 2023 fossil fuel pledge is a symbol of how far global climate politics have shifted. A group of 22 Arab countries has refused to accept any mention of the fossil fuel language, according to three European negotiators, who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record. During a public meeting on Thursday, Saudi Arabian negotiator Albara Tawfiq, speaking on behalf of the Arab group, said any reference to fossil fuels would be unacceptable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arab group will not accept any text that targets any specific sectors, including fossil fuels, and no proposal on economic policies in developing countries even on an encouragement basis, he said. Ugandan Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa told POLITICO the country wanted the freedom to exploit its own energy resources: Any statement which would be towards phasing out completely of fossil fuel, that Uganda does not support. It is not just. It is not just. Failing to repeat the fossil fuel language from COP28 would be disappointing, said Colombias minister of environment and sustainable development, Susana Muhamad. What is the point of having an agreement and a convention if we cannot deal with the issue that creates the problem? she asked. An early draft of the final deal for the COP29 talks, released early Thursday, contained no mention of fossil fuels and no commitment to the broader Dubai agreement. G20 leaders who met this week in Rio de Janeiro said they welcome and fully subscribe to last years agreement, but declined to repeat its contents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a press conference on Thursday in Baku, Aagaard would say only that the fossil fuels pledge was close to a red line for Denmark. Everybodys going to go away somewhat unhappy tomorrow, said Irelands climate minister, Eamon Ryan. Theres going to be red lines crossed. And while rich countries and those nations vulnerable to climate change insist that the talks must also send a clear signal on cutting greenhouse gas pollution, Ryan suggested that the talks on delivering a new finance goal should not collapse over it. Failure to get a deal would be unforgivable, would be historically shameful, he said. And we cant do that, we have to reach compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European Union has insisted that the final agreement in Baku needs a strong component on cutting emissions, describing any backtracking as a red line. But senior European negotiators appeared open to not repeating the fossil fuel language this week. What we would like to avoid thats a red line is watering down the agreed text, said Attila Steiner, co-leader of the EUs COP29 team, in an interview on Wednesday. The EU could live with just restating last years language, he added. When asked whether there needs to be an explicit reference to fossil fuels again, Steiner said: What we agreed in Dubai its a package. The exact wording is a different question. Instead, Europeans appeared keen to focus their attention on a deal that describes how countries will move away from fossil fuels. In a statement to reporters Wednesday, German climate envoy Jen Morgan said COP29 needs to speed up the implementation of the energy goals agreed in Dubai, but did not mention the fossil fuel transition call when enumerating what that means. Concretely, we are looking for a decision on the need to cooperate on the expansion of electricity grids and energy storage, as well as the promotion of green skills, the tackling of all fossil fuel subsidies [and] agreeing no new coal, she said. "Theyre popping champagne corks for the last two weeks because they think their stocks are going up," Democratic Rep. John Ray Clemmons said Wednesday of private prison company CoreCivic. (Photo: John Partipilo) Tennessees correction commissioner continued to defend the states private-prison operator as a good partner Wednesday while one lawmaker blasted him for whitewashing CoreCivic amid reports of deaths, drug use and a federal civil rights investigation. What have they done about it? Nothing, Democratic state Rep. John Ray Clemmons said to Correction Commissioner Frank Strada. Theyre popping champagne corks for the last two weeks because they think their stocks are going up because of an influx in the prison population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Publicly-traded stock in Brentwood-based CoreCivic rose 31.6% following the presidential election win by Donald Trump, who is promising to detain and deport millions of immigrants. Tennessees truth-in-sentencing law combined with the end of sentence reduction credits, parole board changes and a pending constitutional amendment giving judges authority to decline bail for a litany of crimes are expected to make prison populations grow as well. CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger, who is making overtures toward a gubernatorial run in two years, has detailed how those policy changes strengthen the companys financial standing. In back-and-forth questioning Wednesday of Strada at a Government Operations subcommittee meeting, Clemmons said it is crazy for the state to keep shoveling hundreds of millions of dollars into a private corporation thats forced to pay Tennessee millions of dollars in civil penalties for failing to meet contractual requirements. Clemmons said he believes the state is dumping its problems on CoreCivic and that the Correction Department and private company are violating the spirit of a state law that prohibits Tennessee from having more than one privately-run prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state uses a loophole in the law to contract with CoreCivic to operate Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility in Trousdale County while three other privately-run prisons are handled through contracts with Hardeman County and Wayne County. Correction officials said such a setup is allowed under state law, and Strada responded to Clemmons by saying he doesnt believe the state is putting its problems on CoreCivic. Strada said the state has monitors who check CoreCivic facilities to see whether they have enough officers to oversee inmates. If they fall short, the state penalizes the company with liquidated damages. The company has foregone $29.5 million since 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trousdale Turner is under a federal civil rights probe for assaults, murders and understaffing at the facility since it opened in 2016. It has been fined for improper prison counts, problems with solitary confinement, poor staffing and accusations that guards used excessive force. The company sustained a 146% turnover rate in 2023 because of difficulty hiring correctional officers, which made it harder to monitor prisoners and avert safety risks. The state, though, increased its payout to CoreCivic by $7 million last year and is requesting $6.8 million more for next fiscal year, which would drive its annual payout to $244.5 million. Strada discounted the complaints about CoreCivic and Trousdale Turner by saying the turnover rate is inflated because the company sends teams from across the nation to handle security during staffing shortages. Frank Strada, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Correction. Photo: John Partipilo) I stand by my comments about the partnership, Strada said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissioner also touted a computer tablet program for inmates that allows them to send email to family members, watch movies, listen to music and log in to job training programs. Correction officials said the program is not connected to the Internet but is contained within the prison, even though the tablets have cellular connections that enable them to send email to certain phone numbers. Strada did not immediately have information on the contract for the tablets but said the program is revenue-based. Inmates pay a provider to use the tablets. The department was required to come back before the Legislatures Government Operations subcommittee because of a poor audit it received in 2023. Strada told lawmakers the states vacancy rate fell to 26% from 47%, in part because of aggressive advertising campaigns designed to attract officers. He also said the state spent $12 million more for body armor, metal detectors and other methods to stop drugs and weapons from being smuggled into prisons. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The closure of the Star-Ledger and other papers will leave some towns and counties without a suitable official newspaper to print legally required public notices. (Getty Images) New Jersey lawmakers are exploring how to disseminate legal and other public notices as print newspapers that have carried them for decades begin to go out of circulation. Though the issue has long simmered as online outlets displaced print circulation, it boiled over in late October when the owners of the Star-Ledger said it would cease printing physical copies of the paper and other newspapers beginning early next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can tell you, for the past couple of years, every county really has struggled with the notice requirements as the traditional press has shed some of its staff and its been difficult to reach someone there and go through the machinations and operations of having a legal notice published, said John Donnadio, executive director of the New Jersey Association of Counties. Lawmakers dont have much time to act on the issue. Local governments must designate their official newspapers when they reorganize in January, and those with no options could face fines for failing to properly notice meetings. Any action a governing body takes at a meeting that was not properly noticed could also be overturned through the courts for noncompliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) on Wednesday said he believed legislators must enact changes in the coming weeks before the start of the new year. We kind of saw this coming, and its just too bad that we had to wait until the 11th hour to fix it, Donnadio said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some rules vary depending on the nature of the notice, notices of public meetings, auctions, and other proceedings must be printed in newspapers that are published or circulated in their county and printed within the state. But the winnowing of print outlets will soon leave some counties without a newspaper of record. Warren County on Monday filed a suit asking a Superior Court judge to overturn a 2010 ruling that affirmed public notices must be published in print newspapers and not in online outlets. In filings first reported by the New Jersey Globe, the county argued keeping the decision in place would leave it in a gravely unfortunate position of having to publish notices in a newspaper that virtually no person in the County reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Record, a Morristown-based outlet that carries Warren Countys legal notices in addition to the Star-Ledger, has only 1,345 subscribers in the county, which has more than 45,000 households. Legislative leaders have hinted at changes but have not yet said how they plan to move public notices into the digital era. I am committed to finding ways of modernizing the process of disseminating legal notices in a way that maintains the same level of transparency and accessibility, said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex). As we explore different avenues, we will be mindful of the importance of treating all publications fairly, ensuring the public continues to have access to the information they need. Richard McGrath, a spokesperson for Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), said the upper chamber is reviewing a number of proposals but had not made any decisions about which to pursue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Changes to how New Jersey regulates public notices appear to have bipartisan support. Sen. Tony Bucco (R-Morris), his chambers minority leader, said he had reached out to Scutari in hopes of shepherding a bipartisan bill through the Legislature by the end of the year. As long as we can continue to have transparency and protect the transparency, I think were going to have to shift to some sort of online notification, he told municipal officials Wednesday at their annual conference in Atlantic City. Because public notices generate revenue for newspapers, the industry is poised to oppose any plan that would put their publication fully into government hands, and skepticism of government could put the public at their backs as it did when Gov. Chris Christie pushed to end public notices publication requirements in 2016. At the time, Christie argued the move would save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. His critics claimed his push was a vendetta against a press corps that had covered his administration aggressively. The New Jersey Press Association is backing a proposal that would require outlets that carry public notices to post them to an online clearinghouse, arguing government websites arent a suitable replacement because they are often innavigable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know this because we have reporters. We do it all the time when we cover multiple meetings you try to find an agenda, you try to find minutes, its a crapshoot. It takes work, said Brett Ainsworth, president of the New Jersey Press Association. You really need somewhere that is where youre looking for information about government. Officials have acknowledged expanding public notices to online outlets as a possible solution, but they have urged allowing local governments to post the notices on their own websites or on a state-created database. Doing so would save money, they said, and save staffing time by removing the need to place ads in newspapers. It would be easier for local governments and staff, our purchasing officials, and our public information officers and clerks to post it directly to their website, Donnadio said. Money is not the reason, although it would save money if counties and towns could post on their own website. Thats not our overreaching concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple legislators who spoke at the Atlantic City confab cited costs as one of the reasons to move notifications online, and while there was no clear consensus, some backed cutting newspapers out of the notice process. We do need to invest in journalism, but I dont think we need to prop it up through some artificial means by these notifications, said Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), his chambers majority leader. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX More than six years after he was exonerated based on insufficient evidence, a man who was charged as an 11-year-old with shooting his father's pregnant fiancee to death wants a federal jury to make the Pennsylvania State Police pay for the years he spent in juvenile detention. Jordan Brown's federal civil rights case is expected to get underway in Pittsburgh early next month, nearly 16 years after he was first accused of the February 2009 death of Kenzie Marie Houk inside their rented farmhouse in Wampum, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is among about a dozen states that do not have wrongful conviction compensation laws, leaving a lawsuit as Brown's legal option to seek compensation for claims that four former troopers fabricated reports and manufactured evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown, now 27, was adjudicated delinquent in juvenile court of first-degree murder and the homicide of an unborn child. He had been released from custody at age 18 before the state Supreme Court in July 2018 reversed his conviction. The four former troopers one now deceased that were named in the lawsuit had leading roles in the murder investigation, conducting interviews and drafting the affidavit of probable cause used to charge Brown. They are being sued over allegations they violated his federal civil rights by filing charges that lacked probable cause and fabricating evidence. State police spokesperson Myles Snyder said the agency, following policy on pending litigation, would not comment on the lawsuit. The troopers have argued they did not fabricate or conceal any evidence, nor did they violate Browns constitutional rights. They've said they had probable cause to arrest him, given what they see as his ability and opportunity to commit the crime and that he possessed a 20-gauge shotgun. Brown is seeking damages for emotional and mental harm, lost wages, legal costs and the time he spent in custody. His attorney, Alec Wright, said Brown had been in juvenile facilities for three or four years before he was old enough to comprehend his predicament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that point Jordan has two options, Wright said. Succumb to the pain of not seeing your family, not celebrating birthdays, not being free, or do your best to get through this situation that your family says has a finite end. He chose the latter. The National Registry of Exonerations says about 800 civil awards since 1989 to exonerees have amounted to about $3.3 billion, or roughly $325,000 for each year of wrongful incarceration. For Pennsylvania, the registry lists 32 civil awards that were worth a collective $110 million. Jordan Brown is not among those listed on the National Registry of Exonerations because the registry requires there be some evidence favorable to the defendant that was not presented at trial. In his case, his juvenile adjudication was vacated on grounds of insufficient evidence. It's hard to imagine a more horrifying experience than having been convicted of a crime you didn't commit, said George Washington University law professor Jeffrey Gutman, who maintains the exoneration compensation database. You've lost your liberty, your livelihood, your family connections, potentially your health, often for decades, for something you didn't do. So society owes people who have had a terrible roll of the dice a remedy for that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan and his father, Chris Brown, were living with the 26-year-old Houk and her two girls, aged 4 and 7, when Houk was shot to death in her bed. Chris Brown had left for work and was eliminated as a suspect. Police and prosecutors pursued a theory that Jordan Brown, then a fifth-grader, used a youth model, 20-gauge shotgun to kill Houk in the minutes before he and Houk's 7-year-old daughter went down their snow-covered driveway to meet the morning school bus. The shooting came to light when a crew picking up firewood realized Houk's 4-year-old daughter was crying at the front door at about 9 a.m. on Feb. 20, 2009. By 3 a.m. the next day Brown had been charged as an adult, although his case was later sent to juvenile court. In 2012, Brown was adjudicated delinquent, which in Pennsylvania is the juvenile equivalent to being found guilty. Houks sister, Jennifer Kraner, said she was inside the juvenile courtroom for proceedings against Brown and believes he did it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously, theres never justice, to bring her back, Kraner said. But its not something were comfortable with, him becoming a millionaire upon it. It seems absolutely ludicrous. A key piece of prosecution evidence came from interviews investigators had with the 7-year-old. The girl said, according to the lawsuit, that she saw Jordan Brown with two guns and that she heard a big boom before Jordan came out and they went to the bus. Brown argued in the lawsuit that the interviews contained numerous inconsistencies and contradictions and were not reliable. The state Supreme Court freed Brown, saying in a unanimous opinion that investigators produced no eyewitnesses, no DNA or fingerprint evidence, and no blood or biological material on the boys clothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police investigated Houk's ex-boyfriend, who had just moved 10 miles (16 kilometers) from her home, but eliminated him as a suspect. Houk had told him a paternity test showed that Houk's 4-year-old daughter was not his child, and the night before Houk was killed, he had confronted Houk's parents at a bar, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges the ex-boyfriend had made death threats against Houk and several of her relatives, although he denied doing so in testimony at Brown's juvenile court hearing. A 2014 state Supreme Court summary of the case said the ex-boyfriend told police in a voluntary interview that he had been in the basement of his parents' home after 10 p.m. the night before Houk was killed. At Brown's hearing, he said he left the next morning at about 9 a.m. to return an auto part to a store. A test of his hands showed no gunshot residue and there was still snow on his truck that investigators said would not have survived the drive to the house where Houk was killed, according to the court summary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown told police he saw a black pickup truck on the property the morning of the killing, a description that matched the ex-boyfriend's Ford F-150. Wright believes no investigation into the killing has occurred since the state Supreme Court freed his client. Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa did not return a message seeking comment. When the lawsuit was filed four years ago, Brown told The Associated Press he hoped a favorable verdict might dispel any lingering doubts about his innocence. You don't just win a lawsuit over injustice for no reason, he said. These days Brown is running a western Pennsylvania beer distributorship with his father and has plans to finish his college degree, Wright said. Leaders of the International House of Prayer-Kansas City failed to take action when a minor boy was sexually harassed, abused and bullied at a youth retreat in Oklahoma last fall, a new lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court by an adult on behalf of the minor, names as defendants IHOPKC and its umbrella organization, the International House of Prayer-Forerunner Christian Fellowship. Its the first case filed against IHOPKC since a sex abuse scandal involving founder Mike Bickle erupted in October 2023. The suit comes as a third-party investigation is underway into allegations of sexual misconduct at IHOPKC and coverup by its leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the same weekend when allegations of Mike Bickles abuses were coming to light, our minor client attended a youth retreat hosted by IHOPKC, said Boz Tchividjian, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiff. While at the retreat, our client was victimized by another student and immediately reported the abuse to church leaders. Tragically, the church leaders failed to take action, allowing the same student to victimize our client a second time. This incident highlights IHOPKCs systemic failures in preventing and addressing abuse, causing profound harm to untold numbers of victims while empowering untold numbers of offenders. IHOPKC leaders did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment. According to the lawsuit, the minor, a Missouri resident, attended a fall youth retreat sponsored by IHOPKC-Forerunner Christian Fellowship at Sky Ranch in Quapaw, Oklahoma, between Oct. 27 and Oct. 29, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The retreat, the suit says, was advertised as a weekend where our teens can have fun, encounter the Lord, and connect with their friends and leaders. At the retreat, the lawsuit says, the minor was subjected to sexual harassment and abuse by another minor who also was attending the event. It said the perpetrator: tried multiple times to enter the bathroom stall while the plaintiff was using it yelled the plaintiffs name in a taunting tone whenever he saw the plaintiff and rubbed his hands together while giving a disturbing smile walked up behind the plaintiff and gently stroked his arm, back and neck, making the plaintiff feel incredibly uncomfortable Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement while shirtless, laid on plaintiffs bed next to him and refused to leave despite repeated protests announced to other minors in the dorm room that plaintiff was having wet dreams, which was both untrue and extremely embarrassing and humiliating for plaintiff stalked plaintiff around the ranch in a manner that made him very uncomfortable walked up behind plaintiff during a worship event and caressed his buttocks, then proceeded to stick his finger in between Minor Plaintiffs butt cheeks through his pants, causing plaintiff emotional distress IHOPKC/FCF leaders were aware that Minor Perpetrator had a history of concerning sexual and abusing behavior towards other minors prior to allowing Minor Perpetrator to go on this trip, the lawsuit says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the bullying and abuse grew more brazen and severe, the suit alleges, the plaintiff repeatedly reported the conduct to the leaders. IHOPKC/FCF leaders witnessed several Minor Perpetrators acts of bullying and abuse towards Minor Plaintiff and did not intervene, the lawsuit says. Though repeatedly promising Minor Plaintiff that they would address the matter, IHOPKC/FCF leaders failed (to) respond to Minor Plaintiffs repeated reports of bullying and abuse from Minor Perpetrator. As a direct result of the leaders failure to act, the lawsuit says, the plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer significant diagnosable injuries and damages including, but not limited to emotional distress, pain and suffering, economic damages, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of his personal sense of security, and other psychological and emotional injuries. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages. A case management conference is scheduled for March 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sexual abuse allegations against Bickle were made public last October, leading IHOPKC to immediately, formally and permanently separate from him and causing upheaval in the charismatic prayer movement. Bickle is accused of using prophecies to groom, sexually abuse and manipulate women over multiple decades, one starting when she was just 14. The youth retreat in Oklahoma was held the same weekend that IHOPKC leaders announced the allegations against Bickle. Bickle, 69, issued his only public statement on Dec. 12, admitting that he had sinned and my moral failures were real. But he was vague on details. In a lengthy note posted on X, Bickle said his inappropriate behavior occurred more than 20 years ago, but he did not admit to engaging in any sexual misconduct. A Charlotte man mangling during the 2020 George Floyd protest has dropped a lawsuit against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Kyre Mitchell sued the department after a police flashbang grenade thrown by officers detonated in his hand. It resulted in Mitchell losing two of his fingers. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man sues CMPD, says flashbang exploded in his hand during 2020 protest According to the Charlotte Observer, that lawsuit has now been dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A CMPD spokesperson said the case was not settled. In the dismissal document, no reason was given for why the lawsuit was dropped, according to the Observer. VIDEO: Man sues CMPD after flashbang explodes in his hand during 2020 protest EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A lawsuit has been filed against the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) on Wednesday, Nov. 20, regarding arsenic in drinking water, according to court documents obtained by KTSM. Three law firms will be hosting a town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Dona Ana Community College Sunland Park Center, 3365 McNutt Rd. about this legal action. Law firms to discuss legal action on CRRUA water Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several plaintiffs, all Dona Ana County residents, allege that they have suffered and continue to endure the consequences of having been exposed to arsenic and other hazards from water provided by CRRUA. CRRUA, 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. Dona Ana County and Sunland Park oversee CRRUA and manage it as a joint venture. They also share in profits and losses and have mutual control over the subject matter of the joint venture, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit was also filed against Dona Ana County, the City of Sunland Park, and CRRUAs former executive director, Brent Westmoreland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of this complaint, the lawsuit claims Westmoreland was responsible for operating and managing CRRUA, including implementing and enforcing appropriate policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and protocols for the safe operation of the communitys water system. On December 2023, Westmoreland abruptly resigned as CRRUAs executive director, the lawsuit claims. Arsenic is a highly toxic chemical that can be found in groundwater. Exposure to arsenic can cause severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, numbness, tingling, high blood pressure, muscle cramping, hair loss, and skin disorders, according to the lawsuit. Exposure to arsenic can also increase the risk of diabetes, pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, cancer, and death, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for arsenic of 0.010 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Providing water with more than 0.010 mg/L violates EPA and New Mexico regulations. CRRUA: 3 arsenic treatment facilities achieve NMED compliance CRRUA records show concentrations of arsenic that are higher than the EPA limits, with the utilitys arsenic sampling records showing a total of over 0.02 mg/L dating back from 2012 to 2024, according to the lawsuit. EPA records show other and continuous arsenic violations not shown by CRRUAs records from 2014 to 2024. The lawsuit claims the EPA cited the utility for arsenic violations every quarter for over ten years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims the CRRUA failed to correct violations, notify the plaintiffs of their violations, or provide plaintiffs with appropriate actions to take to protect themselves against any waterborne hazards. However, the CRRUA has continuously released press releases on passing multiple arsenic tests since Jan. 24, including three NMED quarterly tests. The test results provided by the utility show that the arsenic has been below the federal maximum contaminate level of 10 parts per billion and that its system is in compliance. The lawsuit claims the utility has repeatedly denied that the water in Dona Ana County was unsafe or unclean. CRRUA says it has passed November arsenic tests In May 2008, the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) issued an Administrative Compliance order for CRRUA for exceeding the arsenic MCL. The utility agreed to comply with the arsenic MCL but ended up not complying in July 2016, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar situations continued throughout the years, and after 15 years of violations, some Dona Ana County residents received confirmation for the first time that their water was unsafe and unclean due to many operational failures from CRRUA, according to the lawsuit. CRRUA under scrutiny again for water quality issues On Dec. 2023, NMED conducted a two-day field survey at CRRUAs water facilities, including its arsenic treatment plants. During the survey, NMED officials noticed negative PH levels for treated water while untreated water was reading normal PH levels at one of the utilitys facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These negative PH levels confirmed that the PH sensor had malfunctioned. It was discovered that CRRUA staff had not calibrated this PH sensor, according to the lawsuit. During the survey, NMED officials also learned that the utilitys arsenic treatment plants had been offline and intentionally bypassed for a year. The lawsuit claims CRRUA failed to inform state officials and its customers that the utility was not treating residents water for arsenic for a year. Upon information and belief, Dona Ana County residents within CRRUAs service area have been exposed to arsenic for decades, according to court documents. CRRUAs public response to these notifications have been false, misleading and incomplete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs said that because the utility did not inform them about the dangerous conditions of the water until early December, they unknowingly used the unsafe water to shower, brush their teeth, and wash dishes, according to the lawsuit. Plaintiffs also allege that they have lost the enjoyment of using the water from their own home due to the fear that the water will place their health at risk and from the uneasy feelings of uncleanliness that come with using the water and loss of use of their property. The plaintiffs are asking for a jury trial as well as monetary compensation for damages in this case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) and other law enforcement agencies have made over 300 arrests and 1,200 citations during Operation Not in Vain, a crime reduction project. According to LCPD, the operation is a three-month crime reduction project that targets violent and property crimes, persons with outstanding warrants, repeat offenders, traffic enforcement, and quality-of-life crimes. The project was made in memory of fallen LCPD Officer Jonah Hernandez, an El Paso native, who died in the line of duty on Feb. 11. Hernandez served two years with LCPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LCPD conducts months-long reduction operation in memory of fallen officer The success of this operation underscores the importance of collaboration among state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department Jeremy Story said. By combining resources and expertise, we have positively impacted the safety of our community. While this is an important step forward, we recognize there is still much work to be done. Together with our partners, we remain committed to pressing on and addressing the challenges ahead and ensuring justice and safety for all Las Cruces. LCPD: Operation Not in Vain made over 120 arrests in Aug. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Operation Not in Vain began on Aug. 5 and ended on Nov. 8. LCPD has reported the following arrests and citations for the operation: 1284 Traffic citations 291 Reports taken 209 Trespass warnings 127 Arrests (felony) 119 Field interviews 114 Arrests (misdemeanor) 89 Criminal citations issued 29 Warrants (search/arrest) completed 25 Stolen vehicles seized/recovered 24 Separate narcotics seizures 12 Firearms seized/recovered 15 DWI arrests This operation is a testament to the power of collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, Chief of New Mexico State Police Troy Weisler said. By working together, weve successfully taken dangerous criminals, illegal firearms, and narcotics off the streets of our communities, making New Mexico safer for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our commitment to keeping these threats off the streets remains steadfast. We will ensure that Officer Jonah Hernandezs sacrifice was not in vain and continue to stand united in our fight against crime to protect the safety of our citizens. According to LCPD, law enforcement seized over 3,200 fentanyl pills and roughly 54 pounds of methamphetamine during the operation. In addition, agents tallied 607 consensual contacts with members of the community and 539 meetings with local businesses, LCPD said. The operation included law enforcement personnel from LCPD, New Mexico State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency, representatives from the Third Judicial District Attorneys Office, the U.S. Attorneys Office, and other federal task force agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. A bombshell leaked document from the Justice Department investigation into Matt Gaetz alleged there was a web of payments between the former congressman and friends and associates said to have been with him at drug-fueled sex parties. The meticulously detailed diagram, obtained by the New York Times, was assembled by federal investigators during the sex-trafficking investigation into Donald Trumps pick for attorney general. It charts how Gaetz and associates, including convicted sex trafficker Joel Greenberg, allegedly sent thousands of dollars via Venmo to dozens of people who were reportedly involved in the sex parties between 2017 and 2020, according to testimony to federal and congressional investigators, the Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A copy of the chart was also provided to the House Ethics Committee, according to the paper. Gaetz has vehemently denied all accusations, and the Justice Department ultimately never charged him with a crime or alleged any wrongdoing. The House Ethics Committee also launched an investigation and was due to release a highly damaging report of its findings last week, before Gaetzs attorney general nomination and subsequent resignation from the House derailed its publication. The complex diagram alleges Greenberg was at the center of a string of payments. The Times redacted all the individuals named in the graphic other than Gaetz and his former ally Greenberg, who 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The paper reported that among those who received payment from Gaetzs associates per the diagram was a woman who was 17 when she attended one of the parties. However, the chart does not specify what the payments were for nor does it show that Gaetz made a payment to the teenager. Gaetz faces an uphill battle to get confirmed as Trumps attorney general following the serious sexual allegations (AP) The diagram does show payments investigators reportedly believe Gaetz and his allies made to two women who testified to the House Ethics Committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, according to their lawyer Joel Leppard. One of Leppards clients received $4,025.27, the diagram allegedly shows, and the other received $3,500. There is a line from Gaetz to two redacted people for these amounts on the diagram. Gaetz would allegedly typically pay the women between $200 and $500 for each encounter. The Times reported that the larger amounts combine several payments the women received from Gaetz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent has contacted the Trump transition team and the Justice Department for comment. In a statement to the Times, Trumps communications director Steven Cheung claimed the Justice Department leaked the document and said it was classified. But the paper noted the diagram has no classified markings, nor does it relate to national security. JD Vance supported Gaetz on Wednesday at the Capitol, meeting with Republican senators to try to get them on side (Getty Images) This purposeful leaking of classified investigative materials is the sort of politicized D.O.J. weaponization that Matt Gaetz will end, Cheung said. The Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years, failed to find a crime and are now leaking material with false information to smear the next attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other records obtained by ABC News found that Gaetz allegedly made 27 Venmo and PayPal payments with descriptive memos like being awesome and being my friend, some of which were allegedly payments for sex. In total, he allegedly paid more than $10,000 to the two women who became witnesses in the sexual misconduct investigations, according to the report. The receipts, which were said to have been displayed during closed-door testimony in the House Ethics Committee probe, reflect transactions between July 2017 and January 2019, when Gaetz was a newly elected representative. On Wednesday, the House Ethics Committee was deadlocked over whether to release the report into Gaetz. There was no consensus on this issue, Democratic Representative Susan Wild said, adding that the committee will meet again on December 5. At least 22 people were killed on Thursday in Israeli airstrikes in different parts of Lebanon's eastern city of Baalbek, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said. The highest fatalities were reported in the eastern town of Nabha where the ministry said at least eight were killed in a strike. Elsewhere in Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut, a stronghold of Hezbollah, were the focus of 12 airstrikes on Thursday, according to the state news agency NNA. No casualties were reported. At least 32 Detroit police officers have been illegally working without active law enforcement licenses, the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards confirmed on Thursday. The officers were hired between November 2019 and August 2024. The state agency said the Detroit Police Department failed to request activation of these officers' licenses when they were hired or rehired. If an officer leaves his or her employer for any reason, their license becomes inactive. To reactivate it, the hiring agency has to submit a request to MCOLES that includes an "executed oath of office and an attestation by the agency that the individual meets the Commission's licensing standards," MCOLES wrote in a news release issued to the Free Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's against the law for an officer to exercise law enforcement authority without an active license, MCOLES said. The Detroit Police Department said in a statement that it was not aware of the issue. The oversight is not "indicative of the quality of work each member performs on a day-to-day basis," Detroit police said in its statement provided to the Free Press by department spokesperson Dayna Clark. More: Todd Bettison sworn in as Detroit's interim police chief amid national search More: Detroit police oversight board launches dashboard tracking complaints against officers The affected officers had all undergone appropriate training, the statement said. They'll be placed on administrative duties until the issue is resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MCOLES will review the status of every affected officer and will determine if they are eligible for reactivation of their law enforcement licenses, the state agency said, and it will collaborate with Detroit police "to audit its entire roster and ensure all officers are actively licensed." It's unclear how this will affect criminal cases that involved the affected officers, however MCOLES and Detroit police said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has been notified. Worthy was informed of the issue on Thursday, said Maria Miller, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office. "Until we know more about the issue we will reserve comment," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story was updated to add new information. Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at asahouri@freepress.com or on X: @andreamsahouri. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: At least 32 Detroit cops working without active law enforcement licenses Gunmen opened fire on vehicles carrying Shiite Muslims in Pakistans restive northwest on Thursday, killing at least 42 people, including six women, and wounding 20 others in one of the regions deadliest such attacks in recent years, police said. The attack happened in Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where sectarian clashes between majority Sunni Muslims and minority Shiites have killed dozens of people in recent months. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the latest attack. It came a week after authorities reopened a key highway in the region that had been closed for weeks following deadly clashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local police official Azmat Ali said several vehicles were traveling in a convoy from the city of Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when gunmen opened fire. He said at least 10 passengers were in critical condition at a hospital. Aftab Alam, a provincial minister, said 42 people were killed in the attack, and that officers were investigating to determine who was behind it. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the shootings a terrorist attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack, and Sharif said those behind the killing of innocent civilians will not go unpunished. Kurram resident Mir Hussain, 35, said he saw four gunmen emerge from a vehicle and open fire on buses and cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think other people were also firing at the convoy of vehicles from nearby open farm field, he said. The firing continued for about 40 minutes. He said he hid until the attackers fled. I heard cries of women, and people were shouting for the help, he said. Ibne Ali Bangash, a relative of one of the victims, described the convoy attack as the saddest day in Kurrams history. More than 40 people from our community have been martyred, he said. Its a shameful matter for the government. An injured victim, right, is treated at a hospital in Parachinar, in Kurram district of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday. - Dilawar Hussain/AP Baqir Haideri, a local Shiite leader, denounced the assault and said the death toll was likely to rise. He accused local authorities of not providing adequate security for the convoy of more than 100 vehicles despite fears of possible attacks by militants who had recently threatened to target Shiites in Kurram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shop owners in Parachinar announced a strike on Friday to protest the attack. Shiite Muslims make up about 15% of the 240 million population of Sunni-majority Pakistan, which has a history of sectarian animosity between the communities. Although the two groups generally live together peacefully, tensions have existed for decades in some areas, especially in parts of Kurram, where Shiites are the majority. Dozens of people from both sides have been killed since July when a land dispute erupted in Kurram that later turned into general sectarian violence. Pakistan is tackling violence in the northwest and southwest, where militants and separatists often target police, troops and civilians. Violence in the northwest has been blamed on the Pakistani Taliban, a militant group that is separate from Afghanistans Taliban but linked to them. Violence in southwestern Balochistan province has been blamed on members of the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LEEDS, Ala. (TRIBUNE) City officials and members of the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce joined families and local business owners in cutting the ribbon at the newly upgraded playground at Leeds Memorial Park on Nov. 4. According to Nathan Prewett of The Trussville Tribune, the project to replace the outdated equipment kicked off in September and cost approximately $750,000. Children present at the grand opening reportedly began having fun on the new implements immediately after the ribbon cutting. Alabama doctors warn against rise of whooping cough Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The playground and the park is one of the jewels of the city, gets a lot of use and we really love having it, said Mayor David Miller. Our old playground was long of tooth, not ADA compliant, we had shavings and stuff that we had put down, NOW, we are state of the art! This is as good as it is anywhere and I think the kids are going to love it. Not only do we have new surface for them to bounce on, weve got all new facilities as far as the features go and this is going to be a wonderful thing for our city going forward! The park is located at 1159 Montevallo Road. Additionally, it includes a walking tract, pavilion and a Blue Cross Blue Shield outdoor fitness center, all of which is free to the public. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Leesburg Town Council approved a program on Wednesday to enhance public safety and community engagement. The program, called the Leesburg Police Department Auxiliary Police Officer (APO) Program, will help with events, traffic and other needs during emergencies. Those who participate must undergo a thorough application process, specialized training and background checks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While APOs will play an important role in keeping the community safe, they will not be able to detain, summon or arrest. They will wear special uniforms and drive cars that state they are auxiliary to differentiate them from Leesburg officers. PHOTOS: Annandale man arrested after causing crash in Stafford County, deputies say Officials said the program shows the towns dedication to fostering partnerships between police and the community. We are grateful to the Town Council for their unanimous support of this important initiative, said Chief Thea Pirnat of the Leesburg Police Department. This program will allow community members to play an active role in supporting our department, and we look forward to working alongside these dedicated volunteers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department will initially accept applications from fully certified former or retired Virginia Law Enforcement Officers and people APO-certified through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Applications are expected to open soon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President-elect Donald Trumps surprise selection of Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary is raising big questions about the influence of one of Trumps most loyal economic hands former trade chief Robert Lighthizer and his disruptive trade agenda. Lighthizer, the architect of much of Trumps first-term tariff policy, has been under serious consideration for a number of economic posts in the Trump Cabinet including the Commerce post as well as a possible trade czar role in the White House or an encore performance as U.S. trade representative. Hes also still considered a long-shot candidate for treasury secretary, a role that has been pursued by Lutnick and a number of other top Wall Street executives. But in announcing Lutnick for Commerce, Trump said that his transition co-chair and billionaire financier will also be overseeing the president-elects Tariff and Trade agenda, and will have direct responsibility for the Office of the United States Trade Representative, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats left trade policy watchers in Washington and foreign capitals wondering what role, if any, Lighthizer will play in trade and economic policy for the Trump administration, after serving as a driving force throughout the campaign. And its raising some doubts about just how aggressively the president-elect will pursue the dramatic, Lighthizer-backed tariff increases he promised incessantly before the election. I was assuming that if [Lighthizer] didnt go back to USTR, hed end up in the White House as some kind of trade czar, but this sounds as though Lutnick is going to be that, said Bill Reinsch, a former Clinton-era Commerce official whos now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. So, whats left for Bob?" The possibility of a Lighthizer snub on Wednesday restarted a pressure campaign from figures across the political spectrum, who have been critical of the consensus around free trade in Washington for decades. Matthew Schmitz, founder of the populist right magazine Compact, penned a New York Times op-ed pleading with Trump to bring back the former trade chief to a Cabinet role. And Peter Harrell, President Joe Bidens former international trade adviser, also endorsed a Lighthizer return, writing on X that Lighthizer has vision, is skilled at managing government, gets negotiations, and knows how to use things like exclusions to mitigate some unintended harms. Not picking Lighthizer for a top economic role would be a signal that Trump may not follow through on the aggressive trade proposals he made a centerpiece of his campaign like a 20 percent across-the-board tariff and duties at least three times higher on China. Lighthizer and his team were instrumental in crafting those ideas and have been working behind the scenes to prepare executive orders to carry out such tariff increases, as well as the economic justification for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lighthizer did not respond to a request for comment, and his allies note that hes not out of contention for a top job yet. Lighthizer was a critical figure to the first administration and the president knows that, said one person close to Lighthizer, granted anonymity to discuss delicate personnel issues. Its not like hes forgotten all the work Bob has done or how much theyve talked over the last few years. Trump has grown frustrated with the constant jockeying among Wall Street figures competing for the Treasury secretary nod, and is wary of their past statements denigrating tariffs and promoting free trade. That could open up a lane for a more protectionist alternative like Lighthizer, though other alternatives like financier Marc Rowan, or Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) are seen as more likely. If not Treasury secretary, he could still be named as Trumps trade representative or a non-confirmable White House adviser post, although, at least in theory, such roles would report to Lutnick. But as USTR veterans point out, Trump and previous presidents have also sought to elevate the Commerce Department over USTR on trade issues. In 2017, Trumps transition said that then-Commerce Secretary pick Wilbur Ross would oversee the trade portfolio, and even represent the U.S. in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement a role that would typically fall to the trade chief. None of that ultimately happened; Lighthizer emerged as the more influential adviser on trade policy, not only renegotiating NAFTA with Canada and Mexico, but leading the high-stakes talks on the deal in Congress. A similar scenario could happen this time around, they say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I went through this in 2015. I was working in the Senate, and I recall that President Obama then put forward a reorganization plan where he wanted to fold USTR into Commerce, Everett Eissenstat, former deputy assistant to President Trump for international economic affairs, said on a Wednesday webinar. [Capitol] Hill was very, very ... adamantly against it. ... Clinton tried it. Reagan tried it." Already, some senior trade lawmakers are saying they will fight any effort from Trump to relegate USTR to a role below Commerce something they say can only be done by Congress, not the president himself. "I think keeping the independence of USTR is very important, but also it is an offshoot of congressional authority," said Rep. Richard Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees trade. USTR, he added was constructed by Congress, and the only way it can be deconstructed is by Congress. Doug Palmer and Ari Hawkins contributed reporting. Legislative leaders were able to flip three GOP votes in the House a trio of members from western North Carolina who initially objected to the bill's branding as Hurricane Helene relief. North Carolina voters just elected Gov.-elect Josh Stein by an overwhelming margin but the vast majority of them did not vote for Senate leader Phil Berger or House Speaker Tim Moore. Unfortunately, that hasnt stopped Berger and Moore from hatching a truly outrageous scheme to grab powers from the governors office and other statewide offices to which voters recently elected Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The power grab came packaged in a secretly written and unamendable 131-page bill that was unveiled and passed in just hours this week. And it sets a new low in a longstanding pattern of irresponsible governance at the General Assembly. But wait it gets worse. Not only was this treacherous assault on the constitution and the will of voters rammed through in a few hours, Republican leaders also made new hurricane relief funding for western North Carolina contingent on its passage. The bottom line: The past 14 years have produced a long list of cynical and underhanded maneuvers at the state legislature, but this new power grab may just top them all. For NC Newsline, Im Rob Schofield. Nov. 20SANTA FE New Mexico's crime problem might also be, in large part, a crime-solving problem. A legislative report released Wednesday found that while the state's violent crime rate has persisted well above the national average in recent years, the rate of clearing such crimes has steadily dropped over the last decade. Specifically, the clearance rate for solving violent crimes has gone from about 1 in 4 cases a decade ago to about 1 in 7 cases currently, according to the Legislative Finance Committee report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could be due to a mix of low conviction rates, evidence collection issues and depleted law enforcement ranks though the number of certified officers has increased over the last four years after lawmakers approved $150 million for recruitment and retention efforts. "The swiftness and certainty of justice is a really core piece" in the state's effort to address crime issues, Rep. Meredith Dixon, D-Albuquerque, told the Journal after Wednesday's hearing at the Roundhouse. Crime is expected to be a top issue during the 60-day legislative session that starts in January, and top-ranking Democratic lawmakers have indicated they plan a package of proposals on the issue. Tougher criminal penalties are also expected to be proposed, and Senate Minority Leader William Sharer, R-Farmington, attributed at least some of New Mexico's violent crime to drug cartel activity in the Albuquerque metro area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Texas law enforcement officials told him during a visit to the border city of Eagle Pass that much of the criminal activity involving cartels had shifted to New Mexico after a Lone Star State border crackdown. "We have a cartel problem in Albuquerque," Sharer said during Wednesday's hearing. "It's not Albuquerque people killing Albuquerque people." Meanwhile, several other legislators cited personal experiences with crime, with Rep. Jack Chatfield, R-Mosquero, saying his car was broken into near the Capitol building in Santa Fe. He expressed unease with data showing New Mexico property crime rates have declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, "That crime is down is hard for me to believe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces, the LFC's vice chairman, cautioned fellow lawmakers against relying on personal experiences when it comes to making decisions on public safety policy issues. "We darn sure can't reject data because we don't like it," Small said. Lawmakers seek return on spending increases State lawmakers have increased spending on law enforcement, district attorneys and the state's judicial branch by about 31% over the last four years in an attempt to reduce crime rates. But a previous legislative report concluded that only about 56% of the roughly $424 million appropriated over the past five years for public safety initiatives had been spent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration disputed that report, saying about 72% of such one-time funding had been spent or was in the process of being spent, lawmakers expressed frustration that the increased spending hasn't had the hoped-for impact. "We're throwing money at stuff, but we don't seem to be getting a whole lot of results," said Senate Minority Whip Pat Woods, R-Broadview. Lawmakers have also expressed concern about the state's mental health and drug abuse system, which many legislators see as having a connection to state crime rates. The state's Behavioral Health Collaborative has been without a chief executive officer since March 2023 and has not met for more than a year, according to testimony at a legislative hearing this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's getting worse, and it needs to get better," said Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, the LFC's chairman. He said the Legislature has spent about $1 billion already on such programs and has "nothing to show" for it. "We as a Legislature have determined this is the year that we're going to really work on mental health issues and crime," Munoz added. During Wednesday's hearing, Munoz said legislators can only do so much by passing new laws, adding it's up to the executive branch, judges and law enforcement agencies to actually enforce them. What comes next? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislative report recommended steps that include increased data sharing between law enforcement agencies, more support programs for recently released inmates and expanded mental health and drug abuse treatment programs. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman told lawmakers Wednesday his office has secured about 250 murder convictions since he took office in January 2023. He attributed the high number of convictions to an increase in funding that allowed his office to hire more prosecutors. But Bregman said an abundance of cheap and easily accessible fentanyl is contributing significantly to high crime rates, saying, "We cannot prosecute ourselves out of the fentanyl issue." Meanwhile, Legislative Finance Committee analyst Scott Sanchez said there have been positive steps, including the opening of a new Department of Public Safety forensic crime lab in Santa Fe. But he suggested increased spending on services will only be efficient if state agencies have the manpower to carry them out. "You can offer people those services, but if there's no one to deliver it, you can't mandate it," Sanchez said. Nov. 20The owner of a former Albert Lea construction company pleaded guilty in Freeborn County District Court on Monday to theft of money that had been paid to him for real estate improvements. Douglas Lyle Lembke, 70, initially faced three counts of theft of payment for real estate improvement but pleaded guilty to one count as part of a plea agreement. Court documents state police began investigating Lembke in May 2023 after receiving a report of a couple who had signed a contract for a new deck with Lembke Construction and had paid their bill to the company totaling almost $70,000, but were later served with a lien by Arrow Building for the materials that were used in the project. Lembke had reportedly taken in the total payment for the project but had not paid Arrow Building for the supplies that were used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon investigation, police learned there were two other people who had a similar problem with the company. The second victim told police they had hired Lembke Construction for a project on their front steps and sidewalk and was billed about $24,000. The project was complete and the victim paid the bill but later received a lien from Arrow Building Center for about $4,000. They paid off the lien and then sued the construction company and won. The third victim reportedly had some house remodeling done by the construction company, and when the project was complete, the victim paid the total amount of the bill, about $22,000. Arrow Building Center later filed a lien against the property for about $4,500. The detective found during the investigation that employees of Lembke Construction would receive checks for work done on projects and then would turn them into the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lembke was in charge of paying the bills. An employee told police that Lembke came in one Friday and told the employees that they wouldn't have jobs the following Monday and that Lembke failed to pay their wages toward the end of the business. There were no books or paperwork left because Lembke had reportedly cleared out everything when he left. He now lives in Katy, Texas, where he reportedly has a construction business with the same name. In the plea agreement, Lembke agreed to pay restitution for the three victims in the case, totaling over $28,000. The agreement called for no executed jail time, and states if the restitution is paid by his sentencing on Jan. 30, he could avoid a conviction and the charge would be dismissed when terms of the stay are met. If the restitution is not paid in full by sentencing, both the defense and prosecution agree the court shall order a stay of imposition. LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WATE) A Lenoir City woman is dismayed with the new skirting around her mobile home. She chose cinder blocks to cover the space, but now, she said the workmanship can be summed up in one word: awful. The new skirting around Lucille Campbells home looks okay at a distance from the street, but up close its a different story. The look is way different. Its just very poor workmanship, very unprofessional, Campbell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laying cinder blocks, also called concrete blocks, involves applying scientific principles for the structure to be stable and straight. Campbell wonders if the people she hired had any experience building a block wall before coming to her home. It breaks my heart: Knoxville homeless shelters closed for code violations That is supposed to be closed. There is no venting and every where there are cracks. All of it is like a five year old done it, spaces between the blocks, she explained. I wanted it properly enclosed and vented to keep animals from getting up under my house. That was the main thing I wanted to keep animals from getting under my house. (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) (WATE) Campbell hired Bucket Brothers Excavation out of Harriman in June. Anthony Vise left his phone number with Campbell, but he did not provide a contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to applying the mortar between the blocks an artists touch is required and a joining tool is used to smooth the fresh joints and remove any excess mortar. The walls at Campbells home show excess mortar everywhere and there was little attempt to smooth the joints And for what they charged me I would expect a whole lot better, Campbell said. She continued to explain that she was charged $9,000. Campbell wrote two check to the Bucket Brothers one in June, the other in July. At the end of July, Anthony Vise sent a text updating his progress, saying there were just a few steps left. Thats when Campbell questioned Vise about the quality of their work. They said this is the way it is supposed to look, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home destroyed after explosion in West Knox County 6 News Don Dare called Anthony Vise of the Bucket Brothers, however, the call couldnt go through. Unable to reach him, Dare sent him a text message, but theres been no response. Campbell wants her money back and does not want Bucket Brothers Excavation to return. I dont think they can improve on it. I really dont. I think this is the best they can do. Campbell said if she were ever to hire a contractor to build a wall again, she would insist on seeing pictures of their work before paying them. She also said her next step is to file a complaint about the company with the Department of Commerce and Insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We checked the Bucket Brothers business license with the Tennessee Secretary of Sates website. It stated that Bucket Brothers excavations license is inactive and has been since August of 2022. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. The US Drug Enforcement Administration says that less fentanyl is present in the nations illicit pill supply and that is helping drive down overdose deaths in the United States. But experts say that there are limitations to this claim and that many other factors are probably playing a role. About 5 out of every 10 fentanyl pills that the agency tested this year had lethal doses of the synthetic opioid painkiller fentanyl, down from about 7 in 10 last year, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said last week at a summit for families who have lost a loved one to a fentanyl overdose. Federal data also shows that overdose deaths dropped nearly 15% between this June and last. There were about 16,000 fewer lives lost in the most recent 12-month period, according to estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the vast majority of the decrease was in deaths involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decreases in drug related deaths and the lethality of pills equals lives saved, Milgram said in a statement. The cartels have reduced the amount of fentanyl they put into pills because of the pressure we are putting on them. In May, the DEA released a report outlining the illicit drug threats facing the US. The agencys top operational priority is to relentlessly pursue and defeat the two Mexican drug cartels the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel that are primarily responsible for driving the current fentanyl poisoning epidemic in the United States, the report said. The DEA did not respond to CNNs requests for more information about its fentanyl pill testing, including the number of pills that were tested for this analysis and their source. Experts say there are some other critical gaps in the DEA analysis that weaken the potential link between the amount of fentanyl present in the drug supply and the drop in overdose deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, the DEA tested pills, but experts say illicit fentanyl is more commonly found and used in powder form. The latest testing data from the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education shows a slight downward trend in the average purity of fentanyl powder in a drug supply thats highly variable, said Dr. Alex Krotulski, director of toxicology and chemistry at the organization, which partners with groups across the US to test and analyze drug samples. Changes in the drug supply can have immediate impacts on fatalities, but it would be my hypothesis that those changes would have to be very abrupt and very significant changes, he said. The small dip in the amount of fentanyl in the drug supply in the data from his lab would be far from enough to explain thousands of fewer deaths. The measurement that the DEA uses to define a deadly dose of fentanyl 2 milligrams is also subjective. Individual responses to fentanyl can vary based on the persons tolerance to the drug, as well as physical and genetic characteristics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There just is so much variability and no set way to put a number on that, Krotulski said. And broader variability in routes of administration and the mix of other contaminants in the drug supply makes it hard to tie drops in overdose deaths directly to the changes in fentanyl that the DEA found. Its certainly not just the decrease slightly in the amount of fentanyl in pills, in my opinion, he said. It really is likely a collective effort of whats going on in the public health and public safety realm. In a statement last week, Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, highlighted efforts that the Biden administration has made to help reduce drug overdoses. Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, says the Biden administration has "removed decades-long barriers to treatment for millions of Americans." - Juancho Torres/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Over the past four years, we have removed decades-long barriers to treatment for millions of Americans, we have made life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone more accessible and affordable across the country, and we have invested historic levels of funding to crack down on the supply of illicit fentanyl at the border, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milgram also said that many factors have contributed to the decrease in overdose deaths. Much work remains, and one death is too many, but today we can find some comfort in the fact that the work we are all doing together to enforce our laws, to educate Americans on the dangers of fentanyl, to increase access to naloxone and [medications for opioid use disorder] is saving lives, she said last week. Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco whose research has focused on illicit drug trends in the US, agrees that there are limitations to the DEAs analysis of the amount of fentanyl found in pills, but he says its one metric that can serve as a helpful starting point. Anything that reduces fentanyl exposure is going to lead to a decline in deaths, because thats the most powerful deadly agent out there right now, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent anecdotes from his work align in ways that suggest there has been a supply shock that would indicate less fentanyl in the market: People in both San Francisco and Ohio have told him that the drug is getting weaker, more expensive and harder to find, he said. The sharp decline in overdose deaths also makes this a likely theory contrary to other explanations that would lead to more gradual change, he said. The sudden decline of double digits reminds me of historic supply shocks, Ciccarone said, substantial changes that are similar to the way the Covid-19 pandemic affected the supply chain. People are sensitive to price, whether youre a legitimate consumer or consuming an illegitimate drug, and those translate relatively quickly, he said. So if the supply shock is meaningful and it changes the street price or purity in a meaningful way, consumption goes down. And when consumption goes down on a population level, youre going to see benefit. Youre going to see overdoses go down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Ciccarone has a few other theories to explain the drop in overdose death, including two that he favors more strongly than the idea of a supply shock. First, he theorizes that the size of the at-risk population is decreasing; younger people who use illicit drugs are not seeking out fentanyl to the same degree as the older cohort who were exposed to fentanyl when it adulterated the heroin supply. And second, he suggests that the decreases may simply be a return to average after a significant spike during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. In any case, he says, theres no way to pinpoint a single factor driving overdose deaths down, and the trend may not stick. The illicit drug market is incredibly flexible and resilient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not 100% convinced that this phenomenon, whatever it is and whatevers causing it, lasts another year, Ciccarone said. We have to expect the unexpected moving forward. If it happens unexpectedly, to me that this persists, then hallelujah. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com How did the Bills beat the Chiefs this time? Buffalo Kickoff Live co-hosts Thad Brown and Carl Jones point to high level contributions from unsung heroes and a significant advantage in pass blocking. They lavish the Bills offense in praise for all the success on third downs, especially regarding OCyrus Torrence. Carl dives deep into the unusual method Sean McDermott employed to shut down Travis Kelce. Thad and Carl also look ahead to a possible playoff rematch that could include injured key players on both sides. The Bills might have trouble repeating this performance, but not as much trouble as the Chiefs will have against one rapidly ascending Bills star. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. To the editor: Columnist Mark Z. Barabak dispenses pablum from people with critiques of Democratic messaging in 2024. ("She's won twice in Trump country. What can this Democrat teach her party?" column, Nov. 19) Washington state's Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez told Barabak, "It's the wrong idea to take away from this that I've got some 10-point plan." But the next piece of advice from Gluesenkamp Perez, as summarized by Barabak, is incoherent: "Perhaps above all, run more candidates who've gotten dirt under their fingernails." She says, "The track record of success is not whether you went to an Ivy League institution." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This analysis ignores the non-Ivy League presidential candidate with french-fry grease on her hands who ran against a University of Pennsylvania alumnus with bone spurs during the Vietnam War. Barabak would do well to remember that Kamala Harris would be the president-elect if 237,000 swing-state voters had not chosen Donald Trump, Jill Stein or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Among the 7 million voters in Pennsylvania, Harris lost by only 1.7 percentage points. Based on the actual results, I'd say the Democrats' messaging needs minor tweaking, not wholesale revision. Kathi Smith, Ojai .. To the editor: In writing about Gluesenkamp Perez's victory in Washington's 3rd Congressional District, Barabak missed something. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While receiving more votes county-by-county (there are seven in her congressional district) than Vice President Kamala Harris, she decisively lost the five "rural" counties, including Skamania County, where she resides. The only county she won by a wide margin was Clark County, the only truly urban county in her district, and only a bridge away from Portland, Ore. The election result clearly demonstrated that Gluesenkamp Perez's political fortunes don't lie in the rural counties of the 3rd District, but in Vancouver, Wash. An economics graduate of the elite Reed College, she certainly knows this. Gluesenkamp Perez's cowboy boots schtick likely will have to be abandoned sooner rather than later. I happen to like a lot of what she says she stands for and gave her my vote. John McDonald, Vancouver, Wash. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. To the editor: I applaud political scientist Seth Masket's insightful analysis of the election. It should be required reading by all who want to bring our nation back from the brink of destruction. ("Democrats are finger-pointing. Does the evidence support them?" Nov. 17) But in downplaying the role that gender played in voters' assessment of Vice President Kamala Harris, Masket overlooked one compelling consideration: Her perceived suitability to serve as the nation's commander in chief. It's not just that Harris lacked military experience. With wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and with saber-rattling by China and North Korea on the rise I believe many voters shuddered at the prospect of having a militarily inexperienced woman guide U. S. armed forces in time of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump surely sensed that he could exploit residual misogyny as the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip continued. M. Edward Alston, Santa Monica .. To the editor: Since the election, The Times has been publishing articles regarding the reasons for Harris' loss to Trump. Some blame the Democrats' messaging to voters, but they avoid the most important reason. Probably half of those who voted for Trump did not actually vote for him as much as they voted against Harris and the Democratic administration. Had the Biden administration done a good job of governing, Trump would not have won. But the administration did not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From overseeing a border crisis (while lying to the American people about it) to the badly flawed withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration failed to deliver, and it has been punished for this. Gordon Hodge, Goleta .. To the editor: A great deal of verifiable, factual information on the elections shows that the race between Trump and Harris was close. Yet headlines make it sound as if the Democrats lost in a huge landslide. Please stop framing this election as if the Democrats lost by double digits. There is no massive consensus that authoritarianism is a good thing. Judith Martin-Straw, Culver City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement .. To the editor: It appears that many voters wore rose-colored glasses about Trump's first term. For them, he was the better choice on the competence issue. Yet when he was confronted with one truly big crisis the COVID-19 pandemic his performance was clownish. Think ingesting disinfectant. The country would have suffered economic catastrophe without federal intervention. For many years, the Democrats' messaging has been totally inadequate against the best propagandists since the Bolsheviks. William L. Winslow, Santa Monica This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. To the editor: British physician Edward Jenner invented the first vaccine against smallpox in 1796. It was introduced in the United States in 1800. Thomas Jefferson promptly had his family and others around him vaccinated. It is terrifying to realize that with the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of Health and Human Services, "Make America Great Again" apparently includes re-creating public health conditions predating this discovery. Is this the greatness that President-elect Donald Trump wants? I hope not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rachel Green, Los Angeles .. To the editor: As a physician with a public health background, I was stunned to learn that Trump plans to nominate Kennedy for secretary of Health and Human Services. Not only has he never administered any government entity, he also has no experience in healthcare, other than promoting beliefs considered crackpot by the broad consensus of American medicine. Perhaps it's best that Dr. Jack Kevorkian is no longer with us. He might have been a candidate for surgeon general in the Trump administration. Daniel Stone, M.D., Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Starting next school year, Florida school districts will be required to offer annual training for parents to educate them on how to use the Fortify Florida app. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The FortifyFL app is a tool implemented in the wake of the Parkland school shooting, intended to make it easier for students and parents alike to report suspicious activity and school threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, according to Floridas Office of Safe Schools, the start of this school year saw the safety tool abused. We have seen a tremendous uptick in the number of tips at FortifyFL. Predominately false tips, said Vice Chancellor Darren Norris with the Office of Safe Schools during a Board of Education meeting Wednesday. During that meeting, board members approved the new requirement for school districts to offer training on the app. The training will have to include information about the penalties for making false reports. Students are already required to undergo training on the app at the start of each school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those trainings will also now have to emphasize the consequences of false reports. In Duval, police made at least 38 arrests related to school threats between August 1st and October 25th of this year. Its not clear how many of those arrests were due to false reports through the FortifyFL app, but both St. Johns and Duval County Public Schools sent emails to parents this school year emphasizing the dangers and consequences of making false reports. During the board meeting Wednesday, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. encouraged parents to talk with their children and discourage them from abusing the app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I urge parents and guardians to discuss the issue with their students and take this training that is now provided by their school district, said Diaz. False threats, even if intended as a joke, can result in life-altering consequences. For those who do make false threats of violence against schools, the penalties are stiff. Violations constitute a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine." [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. GREENACRES Rivka Morales always fantasized with her classmates of having a quinceanera where they would waltz in flowy ballgowns. The cost scared them away. It's a fantasy no more. Rivka and nine other Hispanic students at John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres this month got to enjoy the ceremony that they had dreamed about since they were toddlers. And they did it together on Nov. 7, in the first communal quinceanera the school that so many Hispanics call home has thrown for students whose families could otherwise not afford the ceremony and the elaborate parties they entail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rivka's fantasy came true first. She led the others on stage at the school with a sparkly, light blue dress on the night that celebrates the day a girl of Latin American heritage turns 15 and becomes an adult. The American Dream is alive: Hispanic businesses in Greenacres, Palm Springs prove it. The others from Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Cuba followed her onto the stage at the schools amphitheater, each getting their moment in their gown and their crown. Our parents get to see what they fought so hard for when they migrated here to give us what they couldn't have, said Morales, the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants who is now 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a special moment for everybody, where the family of the quinceanera gets recognition as well. Why a 'communal quinceanera'? A Palm Beach County teacher listened to her students. Paula Acosta is escorted by Dayron Cardenas Cardoso during the Quinceanera Showcase at John I. Leonard High School on November 7, 2024, in Greenacres, Florida. Carla Rodas-Pina, a teacher at the school who oversees its Latinos in Action class, said she came up with the idea after listening to her students talk of their dreams of dresses and dances and their worries about the cost. A quinceanera, Rodas said, is an important tradition in Hispanic culture because it is meant to celebrate all the accomplishments of a girl's life and to remind her there is a village of people who believe in her. It's not only a coming of age. It created a sense of belonging, Rodas said. It's about bringing her gathering her community together and make her feel proud of her roots. Latinos in Action teacher Carla Rodas-Pina, left, hugs Oriana Gutierrez Echeverria after the Quinceanera Showcase at John I. Leonard High School on November 7, 2024, in Greenacres, Florida. Living in Greenacres, Palm Springs: What drew Hispanics to these cities? Three share their stories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So teachers, parents and siblings filled the amphitheater at the school, 70% of whose population is Hispanic. One by one, each girl stepped on stage, prancing a colorful, puffy dress while being escorted by a "chambelan," one of their male classmates. Each twirled for the crowd, bowed to fix her crown and waved with excitement when she caught the eyes of her loved ones in the crowd. Then, their parents took turns waltzing with them as they danced to "No crezcas mas," a song by the Dominican band Tercer Cielo. Its English translation? "Don't grow any more." Cheyla Del-Solar performs with the Latinos a Bailar dancers at the Quinceanera Showcase at John I. Leonard High School on November 7, 2024, in Greenacres, Florida. Latinos A Bailar, a group founded by student Angelica Lopez Reyes, closed the ceremony with a dance performance that immersed the audience in the rhythm of tambores, bachata, zapateo and reggaeton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to keep our traditions, and this (quinceanera) will start a new one, Lopez Reyes said. 'Honrado': Joel Flores becomes first Hispanic elected to Palm Beach County Commission Rivka Morales: She'll never forget the pride in her father's eyes Rivka Morales dances with her mother during the Quinceanera Showcase at John I. Leonard High School on November 7, 2024, in Greenacres, Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morales wasn't just the first girl on stage. She was the first in her family to celebrate a quinceanera. She still remembers the first one she attended as a child in Greenacres. She was amazed by the girls puffy purple dress and how she danced with her parents. She didn't know when her moment would come. The tradition of hosting pompous parties is not popular in Guatemala. Her bat mitzvah happened during the pandemic and was limited to an online party. And then she took the stage. National Adoption Day: 10 kids find forever families in 'happiest day in the courthouse.' It was my first time being in a dress, Morales said. I felt like a princess going out there, and when the crowd cheered for me when I put my crown on, I just felt really happy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rivka said she will never forget how her father looked at her with proud eyes before holding her hand to spin her into a waltz. 'I am proud of you. You are so beautiful. I am here for you,' Morales recalls her father's whisper in her ear and her flush of pride at her Hispanic heritage. They don't say it often, so whenever they say it in a special moment, it stays. Oriana Gutierrez: Quinceanera 'gave me the opportunity I never had' Oriana Gutierrez Echeverria claps for performers onstage during the Quinceanera Showcase at John I. Leonard High School on November 7, 2024, in Greenacres, Florida. In her native Venezuela, big quinceanera parties are the norm, but Oriana Gutierrez knew her family couldn't afford one. She was 6 when they fled to seek asylum in the U.S. and settled in Greenacres. Gutierrez began school without knowing how to speak English and struggled to make friends until she arrived at Rodas' class at John I. Leonard. Rodas also encouraged her to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse and helped her look for science classes and college scholarships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unsure if she should join the communal quinceanera, Rodas gave her a red dress to try on. Once it fitted around her body, Gutierrez began to cry. She found the dress she wanted to wear for her quinceanera. Everyone gathered in the amphitheater saw her in that dress that night. "Me dieron la oportunidad que nunca tuve," Gutierrez said in Spanish. It gave me the opportunity I never had. Emotion overwhelmed Gutierrez when she saw her mother, father and two younger siblings cheering for her from the second row. She said the celebration gave her the chance to show her parents she is maturing and that she appreciates everything they have sacrificed to give her a life in the U.S. I am aware my parents came here to give me a better life and education so I need to do my best, she said. This is definitely the start of a new life stage." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'A dream come true': Single mom hopes her Habitat home inspires other young parents to try Jasmine DeLeon: Quinceanera 'was a dream come true' Jasmine DeLeon waits to go on stage at the Quinceanera Showcase at John I. Leonard High School on November 7, 2024, in, Greenacres, Florida. Minutes before the ceremony, Jasmine DeLeon and her friends helped each other get ready inside a classroom. Some of the girls had never worn makeup before. Others were trying on their first pair of heels, while each took turns to flatten and curl their hair. They held each other's hand as they lined up behind the black curtain. This is once in a lifetime, DeLeon, whose family is from Guatemala, thought before walking on stage. And all my nervousness left, I smiled and I just enjoyed the moment. DeLeons older sister had a quinceanera, but she saw how expensive it was for her parents. So when she turned 15, she kindly declined their offer to host a party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didn't want to make my parents go through that again, DeLeon said. DeLeon's favorite color is green and Rodas put aside for her an emerald green dress for the ceremony. On the day of the event, her mother couldn't attend but sent her best friend, who surprised her on stage to say: "I'm here for your mom." It was a dream come true, DeLeon said. I just didnt want it to end. Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Palm Springs and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @ValenPalmB. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County school hosts quinceanera for local Hispanic students Evelyn Gandy was a woman who shattered just about every glass ceiling within her reach. To honor her legacy and inspire today's young women to reach for the stars, on Monday the Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art unveiled a mural dedicated to Gandy, appropriately titled, "Glass Ceiling." The idea for the mural began in 2020, when Hattiesburg's 19th Amendment Committee had leftover funds from its yearlong awareness campaign. Many planned events had to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote for the first time in 1920. A mural dedicated to the late Evelyn Gandy, Mississippi's first female lieutenant governor and first woman elected to a statewide office, was unveiled Monday on Batson Street in downtown Hattiesburg. It took years of campaigning by women and the vote of men in Congress to bring the amendment from a dream to reality, and many of the women who fought for the right to vote never lived to vote themselves, 19th Amendment Committee chair Mary Dryden said. But it was because of their efforts, women today can do so much more than their predecessors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Women now have a voice in government," said committee chair Mary Dryden. "We can own property. We can have a profession. Sometimes we take these things for granted." The 2024 Gandy Leadership Academy, led by state Rep. Missy McGee, also participated in the project. The academy features Hattiesburg-area ninth-graders. McGee said she hopes the mural is an inspiration to young women for many generations, but that it also is a tribute to Gandy and the many other women who have made their mark in the world. "This mural represents all women who have been brave and believe, rightfully so, that they have something important to give back and nothing would stop them from doing it," she said. "So, this mural is dedicated to the trailblazing women who have led and inspired and empowered. Their courage has sparked pathways for future generations and their voices have shaped history." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local artist Kym Garraway was chosen to create the work. She said Gandy was a special inspiration to her. "She promoted what she believed in and look what she accomplished," Garraway said of Gandy. Included in the mural is a quote from Gandy, who was honored in 1997 by the American Bar Association for her pioneering role as a woman lawyer: "Our civilization will truly never be refined until men and women work together in every phase of our society in full equality, equal partnership, and mutual respect." Gandy graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi before attending the University of Mississippi School of Law. She was the only woman in the Class of 1943. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hattiesburg native embraced public service, joining the political realm while still in her 20s. Evelyn Gandy She was an early female politician in the Mississippi state legislature, first elected in 1948. She was also the first woman elected to statewide office, elected to serve as state treasurer, commissioner of insurance and lieutenant governor. She also was the first woman to be appointed to assistant attorney general and commissioner of public welfare. The office of governor, however, eluded her despite seeking the office twice in 1979 and 1983, when the Democratic party chose male candidates over her. Although she never sought another elected office and joined a private law practice, Gandy remained politically active in the Democratic party and with various women's organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gandy died in 2007. The Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art, under the guidance of VisitHattiesburg, has installed 58 murals, painted dozens of utility boxes and accumulated numerous sculptures for public viewing. For more information, visit hburgart.com. Do you have an inspirational woman in your life? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge. This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Mural dedicated to Evelyn Gandy unveiled in Hattiesburg KANSAS CITY, Mo. Holiday Reflections, inside Union Stations Grand Plaza, opened for a sneak peek event Wednesday attended by media and about 200 sponsors. The event culminated with the lighting of the 30-foot tree. It takes us 10,000 man-hours. It takes almost two consecutive months, almost seven days a week to build, George Guastello, President and CEO of Union Station, said. New hotel on Berkley Riverfront celebrates grand opening Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Created during the pandemic and now in its fifth year, Holiday Reflections welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors in 2023. New this year, you can stroll down Kansas Citys original Petticoat Lane with storefronts some may remember as they looked in the 1920s through the 1940s. You can watch the children when they come in and their eyes light up, but you can also see grandparents eyes light up, Guastello said. Im overwhelmed, excited Im walking around with a smile on my face, April Fonseca said. Theyve also created Kansas Citys historic crowns, which hang near where the original Jones Store train, available to ride for $5. And theres 8,000 square feet of trains in Santas Village zooming around too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its kind of edutainment so its great history and great fun, Guastello said. Children can press a button and hear reindeer and penguins belt out holiday favorites. Its awesome this is super cool, one child said. Im a busy man but I always have time for Union Station, Santa said making an early appearance at the event. Tickets are $10, staff recommends buying in advance. It opens Friday, November 22, and will be open until 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Americans who are unhappy with the 2024 election results and have fantasized about leaving the country could turn that dream into a reality thanks to a recent offer from an Italian village. Ollolai, a pretty mountain village on the island of Sardinia, offers Americans the chance to buy a house for as little as 1 or $1.05. Are you [worn] out by global politics? Looking to embrace a new lifestyle while securing new opportunities? Its time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia, asks the villages new website, launched with U.S. voters in mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The towns push to attract more residents isnt just a reaction to the election but is part of Italys broader effort to fight population decline. A 2016 study from Italys Ministry of Environment found that about 2,500 towns were so depopulated that they wouldnt survive more than 25 years. In 2022, the island of Sardinia offered new residents around $15,000 to move there, while Tuscany offered to pay people $32,000 to move to some of its villages. Ollolai also offered a similar deal in 2018. Americans interested in making the move should note that the village has three tiers of accommodation: free temporary homes for certain digital nomads, one-euro homes needing renovations, and ready-to-occupy houses for prices up to 100,000 euros or $105,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Forbes, buyers who purchase the cheaper homes are expected to commit to the renovation within three years and may need to pay a guarantee fee to prove their dedication. Other reports have indicated that the true cost of renovating one of these $1 homes in Italy can range from around $35,000 to $446,000. The median price of a home in the U.S. is $424,950, according to an October report from Redfin. Americans looking to make the move to Italy can find more information 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 KTLA. This week's inaugural Latino Connect event, organized by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and members of the Latino business community, was part of a new effort by the chamber to help Latino-owned businesses grow. (Courtesy of the Lincoln chamber) LINCOLN The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce has formed a Latino business advisory group and this week held its first Latino Connect gathering, which organizers said drew more than 150 people. Jason Ball, chamber president and CEO, said the focus is on connecting Latino-owned businesses in the Capital City with resources so they can grow. Jason Ball, president and CEO, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy of Lincoln Chamber of Commerce) He said the chamber has hired a bilingual staff member who will help the effort, but he said the program and gatherings are to be shaped by leaders of the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ball, a guest speaker at a Las Voces Nebraska meeting this week, told those attending that representatives of the Lincoln chamber had visited other Latino-focused business groups in Nebraska, including Fremont, to gather insight. This is an important demographic group we need to engage with, he said in an interview. We are super excited. The chambers efforts will include podcasts and several meetings and events throughout the year, which will be open to all. During the Las Voces meeting, Ball was asked about the chambers position related to the immigrant workforce. Las Voces, a Latino advocacy group, has organized meetings recently to help the immigrant and Hispanic community prepare for immigration-related crackdowns or possible mass deportations under an administration led by President-elect Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ball said the chambers positions and policy objectives are stated on its website, and havent wavered. Up to 80,000 jobs are open across the state, Ball said. International migration, he said, has got to play a part in filling jobs, along with talent recruitment from other states and growth within Nebraska. If were going to see the kind of economic growth that we know Nebraska can achieve, part of that is going to have to be bringing in workforce from other nations, Ball said. That is not a political statement, that is more of a mathematical consideration. Ball said he has relayed the chambers position to Nebraskas congressional delegation, which he said is focused on controlling the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent kickoff of the chambers Latino Connect events drew a diverse and larger than anticipated group that included people and entrepreneurs from various demographic groups, said Raul Sarmiento, a Colombian-born banker assisting with the effort. Sarmiento said meetings will feature a translation app that allows participation from both Spanish and English speakers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (FOX40.COM) Lincoln Police announced that officers will conduct a DUI checkpoint before the Thanksgiving holiday. Officers will conduct the checkpoint on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 23, between 7 p.m. and midnight. Massive sideshow bust: More than 70 vehicles still in San Joaquin County custody Police did not specify where the checkpoint will be, but said that it was chosen based on a history of DUI-related crashes and arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California law specifies that law enforcement agencies must announce a checkpoint beforehand, but they do not have to name the exact location. More Sacramento area places drop Native American slur from name At the checkpoint, officers will check for drivers who may be impaired by alcohol, recreational drugs or medication. Police said the checkpoint is funded by a grant from the California Highway Patrols Cannabis Tax Fund. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Now-former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Vice President-elect JD Vance were making the rounds on Capitol Hill Wednesday, meeting with Senate Republicans who, understandably, seem to be struggling to suppress their gag reflex when considering Gaetzs attorney general nomination. Their meeting with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was (it appears) a particular success for the incoming Trump administration. The longtime Donald Trump defender and South Carolina senator came out of that meeting with a new talking point for his colleagues to latch onto, if they so choose: the allegations against Gaetz are unproven, regardless of what is in the House Ethics Committees report. 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. I have seen this movie before, Graham, who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement following the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After years of being investigated by the Department of Justice, no charges were brought against Matt Gaetz. This is something we should all remember, Graham said. I would also urge my colleagues to go back to a time-tested process, receive relevant information, and give the nominee a chance to make their case as to why they should be confirmed. This standard which I have long adhered to has served the Senate and country well. This process will not be a rubber stamp nor will it be driven by a lynch mob, he concluded. Some of Grahams colleagues, who have hesitations about said rubber stamp on Gaetz in the face of the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use surrounding Trumps attorney general pick, have been pushing the idea to reporters that they want to see the House Ethics panels report on its years-long inquiry into Gaetz before making any decisions. The House Ethics Committee today made it known that its members are still split on releasing the report publicly, after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) warned members of his conference against such a move. The panel is reportedly evenly split among Democrats and Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The waiting game around the report is largely giving Senate Republicans something to hide behind as they wrestle with their own consciences and contemplate and/or avoid contemplating the allegations against Gaetz which have been public for years at this point, and which are daily inflamed by new details about such things as Venmo payments. The new talking point from Graham just gives them further cover to do the same. In an echo of the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Graham is seemingly advising his colleagues to follow a familiar playbook: no matter what is in the House Ethics panels report, the allegations of sexual misconduct in Gaetzs case, sex with a 17-year-old girl, among other heinous accusations are still unverified. The Best Of TPM Today What More Do GOP Senators Really Need To Know About Matt Gaetz? Inside The Frenzy Among Jan. 6 Plotters To Snag A Trump Pardon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Ethics Republicans Vote To Bury Gaetz Report As Senate Gears Up For Kavanaugh On Steroids Yesterdays Most Read Story Miscellaneous Thoughts on a Democratic Path Forward What We Are Reading In stunning turnaround, Democrat takes lead in North Carolina Supreme Court race Senate Democrats ask FBI for files on Gaetz sex trafficking probe Court extends hold on Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms The vote before the Senate on Wednesday was simple: Should the United States give Israel another $20 billion in weapons, largely paid for by the American taxpayer? (The Senate voted overwhelmingly to continue the arms transfer.) But Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) had something quite different in mind. He took the opportunity to promote the "historic opportunity" to "change the region and change the world" by permanently committing U.S. troops to Saudi Arabia. That vision is bipartisan, at least as far as Graham is concerned. The Republican senator bragged about his work with the Biden administration over the past two years "to try and build out the Abraham Accords," the agreements between Israel and several Arab states. "What I would like to do with President [Joe] Biden before he leaves office is to work with President [Donald] Trump, the incoming president, and President Biden, the outgoing president, to find a solution," Graham said. "Can we lock down a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel that protects Saudi Arabiaa defense agreement with Saudi Arabia so they're in our column and they have an antidote to Iranian aggression?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabia has been demanding a defense pact modeled on the U.S. treaties with Japan and South Korea, which compel American troops to fight and die in those countries' defense. And the Biden administration has been eager to provide that guarantee. According to investigative journalist Bob Woodward's recent book, Graham told Biden in private that he wanted to work together "to convince Democrats to vote to go to war for Saudi Arabia." Graham took Wednesday's debate on Israel as an opportunity to sell a U.S.-Saudi military alliance as a way to lighten Israel's burden. "Somebody other than Israel has to come in and take over Gaza and reform the West Bank to give the Palestinians a better life. It will not be the United States. We can't do that. It's certainly not going to be Israel. Well, who will it be? It would be the Arab world," Graham said. However, he immediately made it clear that he also considered propping up the Saudi government a goal in its own right. "The crown prince of Saudi Arabia has a vision for his country and the region that I buy into," Graham said, noting that Saudi women have been allowed to drive since 2018 and leave the house without a male guardian since 2019. Both of these things have been legal in the rest of the Middle East, including Iran and the Palestinian territories, for decades. Graham compared his vision to the "generation-plus" struggle to reshape Germany and Japan after World War II. He held up photos of atomic bombings in Japan as an example of what victory took back then, and insinuated that Nazi Germany was not as bad as Hamas. In the process, Graham appeared to declare holy war on Shiism, the denomination that 10 percent of Muslims around the world belong to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The religious doctrines of the Shiites in charge [of Iran] compel them to kill all the Jews," he claimed. "That's not what Islam teaches most Muslims, but they believe it." Graham's office did not immediately respond to an email asking to clarify whether he was talking about all Shiites. Perhaps the long trips to Saudi Arabia have rubbed off on him; Saudi school textbooks have come under fire for denigrating Shiites (as well as Jews and Christians) as enemies of pure Sunni Islam. Taking sides in Middle Eastern religious struggles is necessary because Iran and its allies "want to control the region and remake it in their own image," Graham warned. Therefore, America has to control the region and remake it in Saudi Arabia's image. Graham was not the only senator to use Wednesday's Senate debate on Israel to make a case for permanent U.S. military presence elsewhere in the world. Sen. John Kennedy (RLa.) accused Biden of "giving away" Diego Garcia, an uninhabited island in the Indian Ocean home to a U.S. bomber base, in order to "curry favor with the people at the United Nations who walk around with their NPR tote bags and their organic broccoli." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britain, which controls Diego Garcia and the other Chagos Islands, has been locked in decades-long legal disputes with the nearby nation of Mauritius. In order to resolve those cases, Britain agreed to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritian control and Mauritius agreed to lease Diego Garcia to the U.S. for 99 years. Kennedy wasn't satisfied with 99 years, and enraged with the idea that Washington now has to pay rent. "They're giving it away!" he complained, his voice wavering, while gesturing at a Google Maps printout of the Indian Ocean. That's the mood in some quarters of Washington nowshock and horror at the idea that America would ever give up trying to control and reshape the world. The post Lindsey Graham's Bipartisan Vision To Keep America In the Middle East Forever appeared first on Reason.com. St. Petersburg City Council members were in for a heated discussion Thursday evening: What was once seen as a routine vote on financing the citys portion of a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and the surrounding redevelopment, known as the Historic Gas Plant District, has become more complicated. City Council voted Thursday night to delay bonds that would have financed the citys portion of a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and the surrounding redevelopment, known as the Historic Gas Plant District. They also originally voted 4-3 to approve spending $23.7 million to repair the roof of Tropicana Field, only to later in the meeting pull funding for any reconstruction. On Tuesday, Pinellas County commissioners decided for a second time to delay a vote on financing their contribution to the $1.3 billion stadium project until Dec. 17. The election of two new commissioners, both stadium critics, mean the county likely lacks the votes to approve the bonds and would leave a $312.5 million hole in the plan for a ballpark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uncertainty remains about what would happen to the 65 acres of land surrounding the stadium site, which is slated to be sold to the Rays and Hines at a steep discount for redevelopment as the Historic Gas Plant District, should the stadium deal fall apart. Read on for updates from Tampa Bay Times reporters at Thursdays City Council meeting: 6:10 p.m.: Council reneges on roof repair funding Moments after delaying their vote on financing for the stadium deal, council members also voted to reverse course on the funding theyd approved hours earlier for repairs on Tropicana Fields roof. Brandi Gabbard proposed revisiting the funding, saying that the vote to delay bond financing made the future of the stadium saga even cloudier. This time, the seven council members voted unanimously against spending $23.7 million on a new stadium roof. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the meeting went into a recess, the mood was dark: The future embraced as reality just months ago will not, it seems, come to pass. This is a sad place, said Deborah Figgs-Sanders, a longtime supporter of the project. Im really disappointed. Jack Evans 6:01 p.m.: Council delays bond vote, but deal looks dead A few council members remained optimistic as they voted 5-2 to delay a vote on financing for a new ballpark and the Historic Gas Plant District, but others acknowledged what Rays president Brian Auld made clear: The deal as it stands as it was celebrated less than four months ago is dead in all but name. We would appreciate a deferral too, City Administrator Rob Gerdes said. Based on the comments that were made by Mr. Auld tonight, I think the respectable thing (for the Rays) to do would be to deliver us a written notice of termination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gina Driscoll proposed the delay, saying that she still has hope that the city, county and Rays can find a way to move forward, but that with uncertainty around both the deals future and how the city will fix the infrastructural problems laid bare by this years hurricanes, everyone needs more time. She was joined by Lisset Hanewicz, Deborah Figgs-Sanders, John Muhammad and Richie Floyd. Brandi Gabbard and Copley Gerdes voted against the delay. Hanewicz pressed Auld on whether his statements about the deal being kaput constituted official notice that the Rays were backing out. Auld said he couldnt say definitively. The city had found itself in a pickle, Floyd said, with the Rays saying the deal isnt going forward but not delivering a legal notice of termination. If council members voted in favor of the bonds, they would be holding up their end of a hopeless bargain. If they voted no, he said, they could give the Rays an out they get to keep the land, and we are left with potentially no baseball team but a baseball team owns a big chunk of our downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It sucks to be in that situation, he added, endorsing the delay. Weve put ourselves in not a good position. Driscolls motion delayed the bond issue to no later than Jan. 9, 2025, meaning that council members could take it up again in a month and a half if the deal is still technically alive. Jack Evans 4:40 p.m.: Welch urges approval of bonds The bond-approval portion of the meeting has arrived, with an introduction by Mayor Ken Welch urging council members to approve the financing plan. It would allow the city to pay its share, $287.5 million for the stadium plus $142 million for the Gas Plants infrastructure. For close observers, the speech wouldve sounded familiar: It was the same one Welch gave this morning at a council subcommittee meeting. He again argued that approving the bonds meets our obligations in the stadium deal, though as City Attorney Jackie Kovilaritch noted this morning, the city is not legally obligated to approve any bonds as a condition of the agreement reached in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jack Evans 4:15 p.m.: Council approves Trop roof spending Council members in a 4-3 vote approved spending $23.7 million to repair the roof of Tropicana Field. Copley Gerdes, Brandi Gabbard, Gina Driscoll and Deborah Figgs-Sanders voted for the spending; Lisset Hanewicz, John Muhammad and Richie Floyd voted against it.The four members who favored the spending argued that, based on the citys landlord-tenant agreement with the Rays, they had no choice but to move forward. They also cited a desire to get the stadiums 4,000 full- and part-time employees back to work. Their decision came despite an effort put forth by Hanewicz to postpone the decision, which Floyd and Muhammad said they agreed with. Floyd said he believed the city could fulfill its obligations by beginning plans for a new roof without approving spending on materials, and Muhammad argued that it was bass-ackwards for the city to agree to spend tens of millions now even as the Rays signal a willingness to renegotiate the contract. All wanted to wait for more information on how much insurance and FEMA would reimburse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im voting based on what I have before me, and before me, I dont have enough information, Hanewicz said. The two sides agreed on one thing: The future is uncertain whether the Trop will be torn down in three years, whether the Rays will continue to play in St. Petersburg, what will happen in the rest of todays meeting. If anyone can tell me whats going to happen in the next two hours, Figgs-Sanders said, I need a lotto ticket. Jack Evans 3:45 p.m.: Talk of Trop repairs turns existential Discussions and votes explicitly concerning bond financing are still to come, but the Council is already getting to the heart of the matter: Is the deal for a new stadium dead? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats where attention turned amid a conversation about whether council members should approve $23.7 million in city funding for a new roof on Tropicana Field. The citys administration says its obligated to begin working on repairs under the terms of its stadium-use agreement with the Rays. But there are sore spots for commissioners: Its unclear what insurance and FEMA reimbursements would look like, and there are still questions about how long and how expensive the total repair process would be. Council member Richie Floyd asked about alternative paths and what the Rays want, and City Administrator Rob Gerdes alluded to negotiations between the city and team but said he wouldnt go into details or negotiate in public. Then theres the issue of whether the Rays, given the instability of this summers deal, will even stay in town long term. I feel like were judges, and here you are in divorce court, council member Lisset Hanewicz told city officials. We have no clarity from the parties, none whatsoever, on these issues The bonds that were going to talk about later, this issue, its all intermingled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Hanewiczs request, Rays president Brian Auld spoke, saying he was sorry that the teams letter all but announcing the death of the deal was taken as a threat. Our intention was never to threaten, he said. It was, in a straightforward way, to be the bearer of bad news. After Hurricane Milton, the team believed it could push through the damage to the Trop and keep on the path to inhabiting its dream stadium beginning in 2028, he said. But that changed when voters elected two new county commissioners critical of the stadium. And the process of repairing the Trop would likely be costlier and more time consuming than the citys projections suggest, he added. Im very sorry. I wish things were fine, Auld said. I dont believe those county funds are coming, and thats pretty clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jack Evans 1:30 p.m.: Meeting underway The City Council meeting has begun. The eight-member Council is down one. Not in attendance is Ed Montanari, who represented District 3. He resigned earlier this month as part of his bid for a state House seat. Montanari was a yes vote in the Councils 5-3 approval of the stadium and redevelopment deal earlier this year. All seven sitting members are here, including John Muhammad, who had been scheduled to speak at a food bank opening this afternoon but clarified this morning that he wouldnt miss the Council meeting.Among those in the crowd is Rays President Brian Auld. The teams other president, Matt Silverman, isnt in attendance. Jack Evans Noon: Group opposed to stadium plan urges delay on bond vote About 10 members of No Home Run, an organized group fighting for better terms of the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal, held a press conference on the steps of St. Petersburg City Hall. Speaking to the Rays presidents letter saying they cannot absorb the costs of opening a ballpark a year later in 2029, they urged the City Council to vote Thursday to delay issuing bonds that would help pay for a $1.3 billion stadium and roads and sewers for the planned Historic Gas Plant District. If it is true that the Rays wont pay the cost overruns, how can the City Council today go out and borrow money for a contract when we dont have a deal? asked Ron Diner, a retired Raymond James executive who leads No Home Run. This is no ones fault. Weve had two hurricanes that have caused the delays that are going to cause the cost to go up, he said. We need to stop, step back and start over. And when that happens, we need a fair deal. Colleen Wright 9:30 a.m.: City Council members have questions going into Rays stadium vote ST. PETERSBURG A Thursday morning discussion on the citys pending bonds to finance a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and infrastructure in the surrounding Historic Gas Plant Development set the table for a likely heated debate when the full City Council holds a vote on the matter later in the afternoon. Council member Lisset Hanewicz, who is against the deal, slid back into her role as a former federal prosecutor. She confirmed with City Attorney Jackie Kovilaritch that the city is not legally obligated to approve any bonds, as they are not a condition to the agreements approved in July, and there is no deadline for either the city or the county to approve bonds by a certain date. Hanewicz asked if the Rays wanted a penalty provision in the contract and what that wouldve looked like. Kovilaritch said there was discussion that the team could seek monetary damages in the event that the City Council did not approve the bonds, but that never made it into the contract. So I just want to make sure that whatever they said in their letter in terms of commitment and all that, the reality is we dont have to approve bonds, Hanewicz said. Council members also had questions about what happens if they vote against the financing plan on Thursday. Read more here. Colleen Wright ST. LOUIS A federal grand jury indicted the owner of Touch of the Heart Home Health Care on Wednesday for allegedly defrauding the Missouri Medicaid Program and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs out of more than $800,000 combined. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Natavia Boyd-Wells, 40, enrolled her business in both the state Medicaid program and the VAs Community Care Network in 2020 and subsequently submitted hundreds of fraudulent claims for services she knew were never rendered. Missouri Medicaid and the VA fund home healthcare services so patients can stay in their homes rather than endure long hospital stays or long-term care at nursing homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eureka family loses home in fire, dog alerts them to flames Many of the veteran patients named in Boyd-Wells claims were in the hospital and thus could not have received home healthcare service. The indictment alleges that Boyd-Wells received $197,022 and more than $600,000 in reimbursement payments from Missouri Medicaid and the Department of Veterans Affairs, respectively. Boyd-Wells was charged with four counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false statements related to a healthcare matter. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) Local government officials have added their voices to the growing number of people raising concerns about CSX Transportations emergency rail repairs in the Nolichucky River gorge. Erwin Alderman Michael Baker and Washington County Commissioner Jodi Jones both told News Channel 11 Wednesday they agree the railroad section destroyed by the remnants of Hurricane Helene needs to be rebuilt. Both, though, said regulatory agencies must be up to the task of ensuring the emergency repairs create minimal environmental damage and that theyre not sure oversight has been sufficient so far. Theres not much that I can do except just being an advocate, Baker said Wednesday as he stood at the flood-ravaged Chestoa Recreation Area with the scoured, widened riverbed behind him. Helenes floods had done much of that damage on Sept. 27, but Baker said CSXs contractor, Mississippi-based ZA, had followed that by mining significant amounts of rock from the river area. An excavator loads rock from the Nolichucky Rivers banks into a truck Nov. 20, 2024 as work progresses on CSXs rebuild of destroyed rail line in the rivers gorge that runs from Poplar, N.C. to Erwin, Tenn. (Photo: WJHL) Kayakers first alerted Baker to the work. Theyve also filed complaints with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and bent the ear of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and other federal agencies charged with overseeing work along the seven-plus mile gorge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of the river community and people that are concerned about the river and their water quality have reached out to me asking what I can do, Baker said. And unfortunately, theres nothing much that the city of Erwin can do per se, except just being that voice and bringing those concerns to our elected officials higher up. TDEC emails highlight CSX repair work in river gorge He said his primary concerns center around the possibility that mining rock to use as fill in its rebuild could increase flood risk downstream, including in Erwin. CSX estimates the project will cost at least $200 million. I was anticipating seeing more things brought in from quarries and maybe brought in from elsewhere but not necessarily mined on site, Baker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The section behind him was nearly bare except for topsoil he said ZA brought in after removing rock. Whenever we do have a high water event, which is natural that we have, especially in the springtime, all of this topsoil is just going to be washed downstream, which is really concerning, obviously, for us in Erwin, because theres no rocks thats going to slow the water down, Baker said. He also said increased siltation would be likely without the natural rocks filtering effects, which he believes could impact water quality in Jonesborough and other communities that get drinking water from the Nolichucky. As Baker spoke, two workers in waders who identified themselves as being with TDEC stood in waders in the river channel, inspecting rocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its great to see state and federal agencies on the ground here in Unicoi County, Baker said. Its extremely concerning seeing the damage that has been done and hopefully having the state and federal agencies on site and monitoring, things are done correctly. Erwin, Tenn. alderman Michael Baker says hes concerned about mining of rock from the riverbed. (Photo: WJHL) Jones said TDECs presence was really important as the work continues in the remote gorge. We need all the regulatory bodies to sort of help us feel more confident that what work is being done is being done according to what we know is the most appropriate for keeping our river safe, keeping our water safe, keeping our communities safe, Jones said. 3 federal agencies sued over CSX rail repair work in Nolichucky Gorge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she consulted with scientists at East Tennessee State University after hearing about the whitewater communitys concerns. They told her rock removal can increase turbidity in the water, which can make it more difficult and expensive to clean for drinking purposes. It also allows the river to flow faster, making flood situations potentially more destructive. Will that happen this case? I dont know, Jones said. And they have a lot more miles to fix. So how is that work being done? I just want someone to go in there and answer those questions. What shes heard and read so far about the largely verbal nature of permissions granted, with the exception of a USACE email and a temporary TDEC permit, has left Jones in a trust but verify mode at the very least. I think people are broadly supportive of the railroad and understand its important function in our region, and its been there a long time, Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The railroad and all of the other work that goes on in the Nolichucky has coexisted with recreation. I just kind of want to make sure that this really impactful project theyre doing, which is a big project, has been vetted. Baker agreed and said he doesnt think whitewater enthusiasts early concerns were overblown in the least. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation staff assess the Nolichucky River on Nov. 20, 2024 in the area where CSX has a permit to do rail repair work. (Photo: WJHL) Without people raising the red flags and being concerned, we may not be here today knowing about it, so I commend those whitewater rafters and paddlers going down the river and documenting it, he said. This river is on natural land, on the peoples land. Its on the national forest. So we all need to be advocating for the railroad to be built back correctly, but also maintaining the river correctly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CSX Nolichucky repairs concern whitewater community Baker also noted river recreations multimillion-dollar impact on Unicoi Countys economy, including a per-head rafting tax that benefits Unicoi Countys government every time someone goes down the gorge. Its extremely important to our community and to our economy that this happens, that this river is maintained in a responsible way, that we can continue to use it and make sure that its here for generations and generations to come. Jones said she welcomes the increasing scrutiny the project is drawing. Ive learned from other elected officials that some questions are being asked, but I will continue to make phone calls to some of those regulatory boards and just ask questions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Local shelters and soup kitchens are gearing up to meet the increased demand for support this winter from people experiencing homelessness. The effort comes at a critical time, with the first snowfall potentially arriving in the Miami Valley as early as Thursday. This year, Montgomery County reported an 11 percent decrease in homelessness compared to last year. Black Friday 2024: Shopping around Dayton and the Miami Valley Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even with this decrease, one local soup kitchen says they still see a heightened need for support during the winter time. Unfortunately for the next several months, what we see is more people are seeking shelter, are needing spaces to get warm, said Melodie Bennett, executive director of House of Bread. And at House of Bread, that means more resources and manpower are needed. So when we open our doors at 10, we can often have a line of people who have been outside in the elements, said Bennett. They need to stay warm so youre going to consume more food because your body needs it. And the holiday season brings unique needs with it, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When children are on breaks from school, like the Thanksgiving break thats coming up, were experiencing, you know, families coming to us, not asking for just lunch, but also asking for diapers, also asking for snacks for kids after school, in some cases asking for dinner, said Bennett. The same need applies for shelters across the Miami Valley. In Greene County, Bridges of Hope is preparing for a full house based on their experience last winter. So last year we actually got emergency occupancy, basically to where we were able to house extra above what were approved for through the city, said Stephen Taylor, executive director of Bridges of Hope Shelter. And well be doing that again this week. Well be applying for that emergency occupancy. Beyond food and shelter, people experiencing homelessness have greater health risks, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So when youre out and exposed in the cold, certainly frostbite is one of the main concerns, initially because that can happen very quickly when it gets down to certain temperatures. said Dan Suffoletto with Dayton & Montgomery County Public Health. Thats the difference with these temperatures changing when we say, you know, well put out a call and say, oh my goodness, were out of gloves, said Bennett. Thats critical for the people we serve. It may be optional for someone getting into their car, but its critical for someone in a homeless situation. Outreach centers like House of Bread and Bridges of Hope are teaming up with housing organizations to find long-term solutions for those in need of housing. This winter, they are asking for more food and warm clothing donations to help meet the increased demand theyre expecting. To learn more about how you can help, visit the House of Bread and Bridges of Hope websites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. LIBERTY, Ohio (WKBN) Police are trying to identify a woman who reports say threw items at a local pizza shop employee. Police were called to the business on Belmont Avenue around 11:30 p.m. Friday for reports of an irate customer who had injured an employee. According to a police report, the employee told police that the customer was not happy with her food order and had asked for a refund. The employee said when the woman was told that they could only give a store credit, the woman then grabbed items from the counter and began throwing them at her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employee had a cut and bruise on her head from being hit by a tip jar, and she said the customer threw a stapler at her stomach after she told her she was pregnant. Before leaving, the customer left with three bottles of pop from the store. Police have surveillance video of the suspect and the vehicle involved and are working to identify her. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) A new state law takes effect in January, aimed at keeping non-FDA-regulated vape products off store shelves. House Bill 11 cracks down on the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and keeping unauthorized vaping products off the shelves. Sexual harassment, retaliation lawsuit filed against Lexington rental property owner However, Oops Smoke Shop owner Joe Samaan said this bill could demolish his business and worries one day the doors to his store may never open again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 80% of what I sell is disposable nicotine vapes, said Samaan. Its going to wipe me out. Im worried, and a lot of store owners are worried because were small business owners at the end of the day. We pay our bills this way; we work every day; we get up and we work just like everybody else, and we want to provide a safe alternative for other people. Samaan smoked cigarettes for five years before starting the journey to kick the habit with the help of e-cigarettes. The way vaping works is they come in nicotine percentages, and you can lean your way down from 5%, 4%, 3%, and then down to 0%, added Samaan. And then you can eventually quit cold turkey. However, the e-cigarette alternative may not be something others will have starting in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not going to have what they like, what theyve been doing to safely stop smoking, said Samaan. Theyre going to come here, and were not going to have it, and theres a possibility they might go back to smoking cigarettes. Samaan said he doesnt feel the bill was talked about enough. I feel like theres more that we can do to benefit both people in Kentucky that want a safer alternative than smoking cigarettes, and they also get to smoke what they want at the same time. I feel like we could have done something different instead of rushing it so much and not giving people the right to what they want. Although he understands prioritizing the health and safety of Kentuckians, he also believes his and many others voices werent heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had a lot of citizens send emails to their legislators, and I feel like we sent over 5, or 6,000 emails, said Samaan. And I feel like they just blew past it almost in a way that were not heard enough. He added that he and other business owners want to do the right thing; they understand the need for more regulation, but they dont want their doors to close in the process. Read more of the latest Kentucky news I think we can work together to come to an agreement, said Samaan. Its the peoples choice at the end of the day. Thats why we live in this country. My parents are immigrants, and they come to this country because its a free country. We should have the right to choose what we want to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law will go into effect in the new year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Nov. 20Police in Portland, Maine, are looking for a Londonderry man in connection to the murder of a 54-year-old woman in July. Five arrests were made in connection to the July 30 shooting on Forest Avenue over the past several days, but police are still searching for Kristofer Haken, 45, of Londonderry, who is believed to be associated with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, according to a news release. "He is considered dangerous and may be armed, so please do not approach him if you see him," the release says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haken is listed at 5-feet 9-inches, 220 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. The five men were arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to commit elevated aggravated assault and two counts of elevated aggravated assault. Aaron Karp, 47, of Naples, Maine, was arrested on Aug. 8 and charged with the murder of Susan McHugh, 54, of Gray. He is currently being held at the Cumberland County Jail without bail. Investigators are urging anyone who has any information that might assist in locating Mr. Haken to please call them at (207) 874-8575. You may also text keyword PPDME and your message to 847411. A solitary dolphin swimming off Denmarks frigid coast is chirping and yelling into the vast nothingness, and no one is responding. The 17-year-old bottlenose Dolphin, which locals named Delle, was first spotted roaming the Svendborgsund channel around five years ago. Thats odd because the area is far outside the region dolphins normally traverse. Odder still, Delle appeared all on his own, a rarity for a highly social species that almost always travels in pods. Marine biologists from the University of Southern Denmark heard about Delle and noticed a unique opportunity to listen to sounds made by an isolated dolphin in the wild. When they dropped a microphone in the area where Delle traveled for several months, they expected to hear few, if any sounds. They were shocked by what they found. Contrary to our expectations, we found that the solitary dolphin was highly vocal, the researchers wrote in a paper published in the journal Bioacoustics last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers believe the surprising findings suggest Delle, starved for social interaction, might be talking to himself. Delle even created multiple signature whistles, which pods of dolphins ordinarily use to identify each other. [Related: Male dolphins form alliances to help each other pick up mates] Delle emitted 10,833 sounds over the course of three months The researchers listened in on Delle with an underwater microphone for 69 days, between December 8, 2022, and February 14, 2023. Though they initially werent expecting much, the researchers say they detected communicative sounds in 35 out of the 69 days. Delle was quite vocal during those days. In total, researchers say they detected 2,239 whistles, 5,487 low-frequency tonal sounds, 767 percussive sounds, and 2,288 burst pulses. Those burst pulses, which sound like a rapid series of clicks, were particularly interesting because dolphins often emit those sounds as a sign of aggression towards others in their pod. But Delle was all alone. Delle also produced three separate signature whistles. Bottlenose dolphins ordinarily have one unique whistle, which functions akin to a name they use to identify themselves to others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought we might pick up a few distant whistles or something along those lines, University of Southern Denmark cetacean biologist and paper lead author Olga Filatova said in a recent interview with Live Science. I certainly didnt anticipate recording thousands of different sounds. Delle, starved of friends, might be engaging in self-talk The researchers could not say for certain just why Delle was so vocal. At first, they thought he may have been trying to communicate with a nearby paddle boarder but that theory fell apart after Delle was heard vocalizing even during times when the water was free of people. Researchers also thought Delle may have simply been calling out in an effort to grab the attention of other dolphins. That too seems unlikely, however, considering the length of time he has been spotted isolated in the area. Maybe a more likely answer, Filatova told Live Science, is that Delle might be making involuntary sounds triggered by emotion, similar to how we may laugh to ourselves if we hear something funny. It is highly unusual that the dolphin produced these sounds without any conspecifics present, the researchers wrote in the paper. This indicates that dolphin communicative sounds may be produced unintentionally as emotional signals or serve functions other than communication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But theres another, more speculative answer. Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself. In humans, this phenomenon is referred to as self-talk. Research has shown humans who are isolated for prolonged periods of time tend to engage in higher levels of self-talk. Still, the researchers cautioned against drawing too many conclusions, especially since self-talk in humans isnt all that well understood. Theres one other maybe deeper mystery though that the study does not fully answer. Why did Delle decide to go it alone in the cold Baltic Sea in the first place? Was he ostracized from his pod? Did he somehow get lost and diverted off course? Is he a misanthrope writing his first novel in icy isolation? We will likely never know for sure. A Longmont man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of possession of child sexual abuse material. Miguel Alberto Aranda, 45, was arrested on suspicion of sexual exploitation of a child possession of a video and sexual exploitation of a child possession of an image. Miguel Alberto Aranda (courtesy of the Boulder County Sheriffs Office) According to a release, the investigation began after the Colorado Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received information about the suspected child sex abuse material from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After learning the suspect was likely in the Boulder County area, a tip was sent to the Boulder County Forensics Lab for investigation, according to the release. After investigators reviewed multiple tips, they obtained a search warrant for Arandas residence in the 600 block of Quebec Avenue in Longmont. According to the release, in April, numerous electronic devices were seized from Arandas residence and after analyzing the devices, investigators found evidence of child sex abuse material leading to Arandas arrest. Aranda was then booked into the Boulder County Jail around 9:07 a.m. Thursday on an arrest warrant with no bond, according to jail records. Agencies who assisted with this investigation include the Boulder County Digital Forensics LAb, Longmont Department of Public Safety, the Boulder County Sheriffs Office, Boulder County District Attorneys Office and the Boulder Police Department. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The source of the mysterious odor that took over parts of Southwest Washington remains unknown, but its possible some of the smell may have come from a Longview paper mill. Suspicions of the stink coming from WestRock Mill started shortly after reports of a rotten smell began in late September. Months later, The Oregonian reported the pulp mill could have been a contributing factor. Bomb cyclone kills at least 2 people in Washington Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Spokesperson Brittny Goodsell from the Washington State Department of Ecology independently confirmed to KOIN 6 News that the facility may have caused an increase in odors within the area. We dont have the data to confirm if the facility was the sole source for the odor, just that it likely caused an increase in odors that day in the Longview area which is an important distinction to keep in mind here, Goodsell told KOIN 6 News. Cowlitz County Emergency Management officials initially said the smell had affected people along the I-5 corridor from South Kelso to Vancouver, but a number of calls were also recorded as far south as Portland. Ex-Portland police officer among dozens charged in human trafficking sting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the complaints included reports of a rotten smell that led to headaches, eye irritation, sore throats and people having difficulty falling asleep including small children. However, Goodsell clarified the facility likely caused an increase in odors in the Longview area that day, but we dont have data that can confirm if it is/was the same odor in the Portland/Vancouver area, adding, that geographical detail is important. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Police and members of the public came together in Utah to rescue an escaped horse that went running on a busy highway. The Springville Police Department said the filly was first spotted near the Walmart store in Springville before making her way down Spanish Fork Main Street. "She then 'stirruped' some trouble and wanted a butter burger at Culver's, then [traveled] down US-6 where unsuspecting drivers saw a full siren police chase with her," the department said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were able to corner the horse at Motor Sportsland. "We had a couple of awesome citizens who our girl took a liking to and assisted officers with roping, bridling, and after hours of work, were able to get her in the [Utah County Sheriff's Office] trailer," the post said. Daria Dawson was raised in Florida by two educators. From a young age, they made sure she and her brother understood that voting was their voice and their voice had power. My parents were taking us with them when we were children to watch them vote, Dawson, executive director of the progressive nonprofit America Votes, told The Hill. My mom stood in line with me on her hip when she voted for Jimmy Carter against Ronald Reagan in 1980. It was instilled in me: It doesnt matter if its the dogcatcher or the president of the United States, you always vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That message not only stuck, but it also became the foundation of Dawsons career. Today, her work with America Votes is focused on increasing voter turnout and creating a more diverse representation of government. But Dawson doesnt consider herself a voting-rights advocate. Instead, she sees herself as someone who helps provide context around the power of voting. She works to educate Black voters especially. Black voters are not encouraged to vote, are not taught history and the Civil Rights Movement and how people fought and died for them to vote, she said. Dawson is outspoken about uplifting Black women and creating a political world that values voters and candidates of color. She speaks from the heart and has no issue offering corrections when needed such as how to correctly pronounce her name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its Dare-ia. As in, I dare you to mispronounce my name, shes fond of saying. Though she joined America Votes in 2020, Dawsons time in politics spans two decades, including serving as the director of strategic engagement for then-Sen. Kamala Harriss (D-Calif.) 2020 presidential campaign and as deputy national political director at the Service Employees International Union. Dawson also remembers casting her very first ballot in the 1998 Florida gubernatorial election between Jeb Bush and Kenneth Buddy McKay. Two years later, she was able to cast her ballot from her home state in the Al Gore vs. George Bush presidential battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That election in particular, Dawson said, demonstrated why voting is so important, and it shined a light on why so many voters feel that if theyre not in a battleground state their vote doesnt really count. We have basically told this entire country that your vote doesnt matter unless you live in these seven states, Dawson said. Thats a problem, and weve got to do something about that. Thats honestly what the next phase should be: letting everybody know that you have a voice, regardless of what part of this country you live in. Dawson is also passionate about ending voter suppression around the nation, particularly in a time when political divisions are high. When people dont vote, the minority is able to stay in control, Dawson said. We are very much at the precipice in this country of becoming an apartheid nation because the minority is deciding what the majority of us do with our everyday lives, and that is by voter suppression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voter suppression has become a major concern among Democrats around the country. Ahead of Novembers election, the Brennan Center for Justice reported that at least nine states enacted 18 restrictive voting laws. Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 16, at least 30 states enacted 78 such laws, at least 63 of which were set to be in effect in 29 states this fall. You are restricting access to the ballot in ways that are so close to the days of when people had to go into a county clerks office and count the marble in a jar in order to vote, when people had to show evidence that their grandfather was a free man in order to have the right to vote, Dawson said. That is where we are heading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what kind of country would this be if everyone who was legally able to vote was actually allowed to vote and encouraged to vote? she asked. Dawson was disappointed in this years voter turnout, despite all the work organizations like America Votes did. She said American Votes knocked on doors and made phone calls to more than 30 million voters. From September through October, the group said it engaged in more than 456,000 door-to-door conversations or interactions with Black women and 344,000 conversations with Black men. I think whats devastating is you have to be content with the fact that the American people made a choice, and that hurts, that it really was about for a lot of people, one or two issues, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, two weeks after the election, Dawson admits she is exhausted but prepared to carry on with a mission for 2026 midterms. I hear my dads voice in my head saying, one monkey dont stop no show, Dawson said. The show must go on. We dust ourselves off and take the time to pull ourselves up, but eventually we will get off the ground and we will keep going and keep running this race. Updated at 12:35 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. Thursday the 21st marks World Pancreatic Cancer Day. Currently, the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, pancreatic cancer is expected to rise to second by 2030. Boston 25 News sat down with an oncologist from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to discuss the ongoing battle against the disease. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A public lottery will decide who gets access to Mondays highly anticipated courtroom hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez, convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. To address the high public interest, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County announced Thursday that 16 seats inside the courtroom will be made available to the public via a lottery that will take place outside the Van Nuys Courthouse on the morning of the hearing. Those who are awarded to seats for the historic hearing will receive non-transferable badges for the day; two standby tickets will be also issued for possible openings. Erik and Lyle Menendez appear in court in Los Angeles on March 9, 1994. (Getty Images) The Menendez brothers have spent nearly 35 years in prison for the shotgun killings of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two have admitted to the killings, but recent evidence of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of their father has led to an avalanche of support for the brothers to be re-sentenced. Last month, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said his office would reevaluate the brothers convictions. Prosecutors later submitted a recommendation for resentencing with Gascon calling for a judge to impose a new sentence of 50 years to life in prison. If approved, the brothers could immediately become eligible for parole. Erik and Lyle Menendez in front of their Beverly Hills home in November 1989. (Getty Images) California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has the authority to grant the pair clemency, said he would wait for newly elected Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to review the matter before making any decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Menendez brothers case became one of the most infamous American crimes of the 20th century and is being revisited amid changing societal attitudes and legal perspectives regarding sexual abuse. The case has gained renewed national attention due to the recent release of a dramatized miniseries and a pair of documentaries that looked at the case through a modern lens. The Monday hearing will be held at the Van Nuys Courthouse West with proceedings starting at 10:30 a.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced that the Louisiana Department of Health completed testing of ICE detainees who were potentially exposed to a rare form of tuberculosis from a woman who illegally came into the country from China. Murrill said LDH confirmed they no longer pose a public health threat to Louisiana and the woman remains quarantined. In October, Gov. Jeff Landry and Murrill announced they were suing the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. Louisiana dropped the case Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claimed the woman, who was transported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in Monroe, Basile and Lafayette, came into contact with more than 200 detainees and an unknown number of employees in those facilities. Murrill secured an extended temporary restraining order, preventing the release of the detainees from ICE custody into Louisiana. According to court documents, they were to remain in quarantine until medically cleared by LDH. Read Murrills full statement. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! In October, Louisiana officials became aware that an illegal Chinese national was in Louisiana with a deadly and drug resistant form of tuberculosis. I immediately sued the Biden administration to prevent ICE from releasing detainees potentially infected into Louisiana. I obtained three separate temporary restraining orders against ICE. As of today, the Louisiana Department of Health has completed medical testing of all affected detainees and confirmed they no longer pose a public health threat to Louisiana. The Chinese national remains quarantined. Louisiana AG Liz Murrill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 83 tons of ground beef recalled nationwide, illnesses reported: USDA Latest News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. Gov. Jeff Landry holds a copy of the Louisiana tax code during his speech to the Legislature at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, the opening day of a special session in which he is asking lawmakers to overhaul the state's tax structure. (Hilary Scheinuk/The Advocate, Pool) Gov. Jeff Landrys ambitious plan to overhaul Louisianas tax structure has largely been pared down to a more modest goal cutting state income taxes. Lawmakers are working on a way to make sure the state can pay for that desired tax reduction while not having to make damaging cuts to areas such as health care and higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Options include raising the state sales tax rate higher than it is now, retaining a higher corporate income tax rate than proposed or settling on an income tax cut that is smaller than Landry originally pitched weeks ago. The governor wanted to move to a flat personal income tax rate of 3% the highest rate currently is 4.25% but it will cost the state more than $1 billion annually. Landrys income tax plan also leaves the state approximately $700 million short of what is needed to cover the costs of government, according to senators. Through his Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson, the governor had originally crafted a proposal that would exchange a broader base of tax collections for lower personal income and corporate taxes. Nelson said Louisiana would be able to pay for across-the-board personal income and corporate tax rate cuts totaling billions of dollars as long as the state scrapped generous business tax breaks and applied the sales tax to a greater range of products. The governor has struggled to get lawmakers to fully embrace the trade off, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislators have eagerly voted for bills to cut corporate and personal income taxes but stalled on proposals to help make up for that lost revenue. Landrys tax package started to unravel last week when the Louisiana House of Representatives refused to vote for legislation that would extend the sales tax to more services, such as lawn care, home repair and dog grooming. Obviously, the services bill in its original form was a little over $500 million, which would equate to about a half a point on the personal income tax, House Speaker Phillip Devillier, R-Eunice, said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This week, the Senate declined to fully roll back some of the states expensive business incentive programs, such as its movie and television tax credits and historic preservation tax breaks that collectively cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A plan to eliminate a state inventory tax credit, which covers taxes businesses pay to local governments, has been delayed until 2026, and a proposal to increase a tax on heavy machinery and equipment used by industrial employers has also been scrapped. If he doesnt find a way to make up for that money, Landry runs the risk of revisiting the same political problems that plagued former Gov. Bobby Jindal. Jindal also cut income taxes without replacing the lost revenue or finding a permanent way to cut government spending. His policy led to chronic budget problems for years and made the former governor deeply unpopular when he left office. Senate leaders appear to be pushing for a higher state sales tax rate to help fill the hole left by the personal income tax cut. It was scheduled to automatically drop from 4.45% to 4% in July, though Landry had already pitched keeping the extra 0.45% permanently as a way to cover the corporate and personal income tax reductions. Now, lawmakers are considering an even higher rate to cover the states expenses; 5% has been floated for a few days. This isnt a tax-lowering session. This is a tax-reorganization session, Rep. Michael Echols, R-Monroe, said Wednesday. Louisiana already has one of the highest average sales tax rates in the country, and that levy is a larger burden on poor people who have to pay the same rate as the wealthy. Very low-income households dont pay income tax and wont necessarily see benefits from cuts Landry and lawmakers make in that arena. As soon as you start to increase the sales tax more, the plan becomes more regressive, said Rep. Matthew Willard, D-New Orleans, leader of the House Democratic Caucus. Several Republicans and Democrats in the House also werent enthusiastic about the sales tax portion of the original tax plan and might not want to vote for a 5% rate. A bill to keep the state sales tax at 4.4% barely passed the House, with just two votes to spare last week. That would be the top number we need for sales, Sen. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge said Wednesday morning. We dont necessarily have the votes to do that yet. We need to get a tally of where things stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lafayette Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, head of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said his party doesnt want a higher sales tax rate, but Democrats also fear government programs they champion, like social services, will be targeted if they dont support the proposal. We want to make sure the things that are important to us will be funded, right? Boudreaux said Wednesday before he and other Democratic senators headed off to a meeting with Landry. Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, was bullish on the legislators willingness to raise the sales tax to 5%. I think it can get there. Its an easier path for that than it is for broadening the base, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If lawmakers arent willing to raise the sales tax more, legislators could look to retain more of the current corporate income tax rate, but theyve already pulled back on an original plan to cut that tax dramatically. Landry initially pitched replacing the graduated corporate tax rate that tops out at 7.5% with a flat 3%. But the senators moved that levy back up to 6% earlier this week to claw back some revenue. A further increase might be unlikely given pressure from business lobbyists. Corporate taxes are also a notoriously unstable source of tax revenue. In part because sizable tax credits can be applied in any budget cycle, corporate tax collections have ranged from $193 million to $1.6 billion annually over the past 10 years, according to the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana. Legislators could also increase the personal income tax rate from 3% but seem very reluctant to do so. If it does go up, they would try to keep it to a small adjustment, like up to 3.1% or 3.2%. My belief is the personal income tax will, probably will, stay at 3(%), said Foil, who heads the Senate committee that oversees tax policy. The Dow Chemical plastics plan in Plaquemine was among the top sources of wastewater pollutants, according to an Environmental Integrity Project report. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) A new report from a government accountability group alleges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasnt regulated key pollutants in wastewater from plastics plants across the country including 22 in Louisiana. The Environmental Integrity Project, a nonprofit group that presses for stronger enforcement of environmental laws, found the facilities allow nitrogen, phosphorus and dioxins to seep into waterways such as the Mississippi River. All pose environmental and health risks, but they are legally allowed to be released because of outdated federal regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report analyzed the permits and records of 70 U.S. facilities that make plastics or the main chemical components in plastics. It cited a lack of oversight and failure to update industry operating permits as reasons why wastewater pollution takes place without repercussions. The current federal regulations are outdated and have left downstream communities vulnerable to harmful and poorly controlled pollution released by the plastics industry, said Kira Dunham, research manager at the Environmental Integrity Project and lead author of the report, during a Nov. 14 online news conference. The report also highlights the lack of accountability when even lax regulations are violated. Nearly 83% of all the plants examined in the report violated permitted pollution limits at least once from 2021 to 2023, according to self-reported company data in EPA records. Only 14% of these plants faced financial penalties. James Hiatt, executive director of the environmental group For a Better Bayou, took part in the news conference and spoke on the state advisories not to eat fish and crabs caught from the Calcasieu River, where the Westlake Eagle US 2 Lake Charles plastics plant sends its wastewater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By consuming so much or any of this fish you're exposing yourselves to known industrial pollution that causes cancer and disease, Hiatt said. Five different plastics facilities send wastewater directly into the Calcasieu, according to data included in the report. The report also says the river contains unsafe levels of known cancer-causing materials such as dioxins, and the Westlake Eagle plant on the Calcasieu released the third most dioxin compounds into water bodies of any U.S. facility in 2022, according to the most recent EPA data. The Illuminator made multiple attempts to contact Westlake by phone and email with no response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A regional spokesperson for the EPA said the agency was reviewing the report and would "respond appropriately." Its unacceptable that these plastics plants, profiting from our natural resources, are allowed to continue to release carcinogens like dioxins into our waterways, Hiatt said. The study goes on to cite how communities of color and low-income areas are disproportionately affected by these pollutants. One of the more acute areas highlighted is the west bank of Iberville Parish. The majority of people living near the Dow Plaquemine plastics plant are people of color, and one-third are noted in the report as low-income. More than 75% of communities around the Shintech Plaquemine plant and the Westlake Chemical & Vinyls Plaquemine facility are made up of people of color, and almost half are from low-income households, according to figures from the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dumping materials such as phosphorus, nitrogen, dioxins and other pollutants is allowed in Louisiana and across the country, but the EPA has an obligation under the Clean Water Act to update federal pollution control technology standards as new technology to prevent pollution advances, the reports authors said. Updates to standards for organic chemicals the plastics industry produces havent happened since 1993, according to the Environmental Integrity Project. The federal regulations meant to cut wastewater pollution from the sector are outdated and incomplete, allowing companies to legally dump harmful pollution into our rivers, lakes and other water bodies, Dunham said. The Dow Plaquemine plant ranked as the top polluter in 2023 for total dissolved solids among the plastics plants studied. It released 2.8 billion pounds of materials, including chlorides and sulfates, which are dangerous to aquatic life and corrosive to plumbing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dow plant also ranks second worst in the U.S. for nitrogen pollution, with 2 million pounds of total nitrogen dumped into the Mississippi River. Its also the third worst for phosphorus. The EPA has neither nitrogen nor phosphorus dumping limits for this permit, legally allowing the Dow plant to release unlimited amounts of both into the river. Dow did not respond to multiple attempts The Illuminator made to contact its media representatives by phone and email. Nitrogen and phosphorus are among the main causes of dead-zones, areas of low or no oxygen found in bodies of water with too much nutrient pollution. Often found in fertilizers, nitrogen and phosphorus accelerate the growth of algal blooms, which deplete the water of oxygen and kill aquatic life. The Gulf of Mexico has a dead-zone that appears past Louisianas coast seasonally with the flow of fertilizer runoff from upper basin states along the Mississippi River. In 2024, the Gulf dead zone grew much more than scientists predicted, The Lens reported, measuring in at an area about the size of New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While plastics isnt the only sector with outdated pollution regulation, the Environmental Integrity Project chose to focus on it because of the industrys growth in recent years. Two dozen plastics plant expansions are underway in the United States, with 10 new plants proposed, Duggan said. Hiatt called for action to come from the reports release. We need to hold these polluters accountable, and make them clean up the damage they've caused, Hiatt said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) The Louisiana State Fire Marshals Office arrested a woman accused of setting her house on fire with her daughter inside. According to the Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office, 36-year-old Lucille Holloway was arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Jail on charges of aggravated arson, cruelty to a juvenile, insurance fraud and misdemeanor theft. LPSO said on Oct. 19, firefighters were responding to a house fire in the 36000 block of Nicholas Drive in Walker. Investigators learned Holloway and her 11-year-old daughter were inside the home at the time of the fire but were able to get out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, officials learned the fire was intentionally set. Investigators also learned the home was in foreclosure and Holloway accepted financial assistance from a disaster relief organization. Baton Rouge police arrest man, say speeding, drunk driving killed 2 people in wreck After confirming Holloway filed an insurance claim, a warrant for her arrest was granted. She was taken into custody on Nov. 12, deputies say. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. Family members are disturbed after they say mice have been repeatedly spotted inside a San Fernando Valley nursing home. Cell phone video captured a mouse running inside a bedroom and darting behind furniture at the Sherman Village Healthcare Center in Valley Village. On Sunday night, family members claimed they spotted at least four mice inside the facility. Leticia Sahagun said shes horrified that her mother and other elderly patients are living under such conditions. She said she managed to trap at least four mice inside a bathroom that night. She also found mouse droppings behind furniture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was dinner time and I think the smell of the food just ignited mice coming out of the cupboards and behind furniture, in and out of the bathroom, Sahagun said. Im just concerned about my mother and her roommate. They are fall risks so their beds are down on the floor. Just the thought of having mice run on them throughout the night when Im not there, it just makes me so sad and it breaks my heart. Elaine Barringer, the daughter of another patient, was also there Sunday night when she witnessed the mice scurrying across the room. A mouse seen running inside a patients room at Sherman Village Healthcare Center in Valley Village on Nov. 10, 2024. A mouse seen running inside a patients room at Sherman Village Healthcare Center in Valley Village on Nov. 10, 2024. A mouse seen running inside a patients room at Sherman Village Healthcare Center in Valley Village on Nov. 10, 2024. The Sherman Village Healthcare Center in Valley Village. (KTLA) The nurses screamed, I screamed, the other patients loved ones screamed, Barringer recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barringer said its difficult enough to be away from her mother when shes at the facility and this incident is only making matters worse. I was so sick and up all night that I couldnt even even go to work today, she said. Im just sick. Barringers mother has dementia so she was unable to recall how long the mice may have been present. Barringer decided to ask another patient who reportedly confirmed the mice had been inside the nursing home for some time. And that patient does not have dementia and he said, Yeah, theyve been crawling all over the place, she said. Facility officials, however, told KTLA there is no infestation at the nursing home. They claim only one mouse that may have entered through a sliding glass door was spotted and removed. They are now working with an exterminator and health department officials to address the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sahagun confirmed mouse traps have been placed around the facility. The two concerned daughters said theyre grateful for the professional care their mothers receive, but said they also want to ensure theyre living in a safe and healthy environment. Honestly, Im pretty happy with the staff here and I come two to three times a week and never has there been an issue, but this is concerning, Sahagun said. This put me over the edge. KTLA has reached out to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for a statement and is awaiting 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 KTLA. Jeriline Brady-McGinnis's children described her as a "loving and caring mother" Jeriline Brady/Facebook Jeriline Brady-McGinnis Jeriline Brady-McGinnis A Massachusetts woman was attacked and killed by her dog on Monday. The three children of Jeriline Brady-McGinnis, of Boston, released a statement following her death. "Our mother was a loving and caring mother," the statement said. "The heart and soul of our family is gone." According to the statement, Brady-McGinnis cooked dinner for her dogs every night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Monday, Nov. 18, at around 4:30 p.m., one of her dogs attacked her and her husband. When two police officers arrived, that dog wasn't on the property. Officers immediately administered first aid to Brady-McGinnis and her husband. While they were there, the dog returned and attacked the two officers," Deputy Superintendent Paul McLaughlin told reporters at a press conference on Monday, adding that the dog was subsequently shot dead. "Given what he had done to the two victims," McLaughlin said, "The officers made the decision to discharge and to put the dog down." The couple were rushed to the hospital. Brady-McGinnis had "life-threatening" injuries and died. Her husband had "very serious" injuries, according to McLaughlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two officers were both transported by Boston EMS to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. Police declined to confirm the dog's breed, but CBS reports that the dog was a pit bull named Buddha. "She's very close to her animals, almost like children, I think. She took good care of them. She walked them every day," her friend Jean McGuire, 93, told CBS. "She's a wonderful person, very generous, very loving person, loved animals." 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 analysed satellite images that showed how the colour of the sea in that area had changed over the years. Phytoplankton (microscopic algae found in the oceans) affect the colour of the water when they grow rapidly in response to higher levels of nutrients including iron thats found in dust. The researchers found that drought in southern Africas 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 system phytoplankton are estimated to produce about 50% of Earths oxygen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Read more: As the oceans warm, deep-living algae are thriving with major potential effects for the marine ecosystem 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phytoplankton cells contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that affects the colour of oceanic surface waters. This can be detected from space using specialised satellite ocean colour 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. What were the causes of this? To determine the cause, we conducted an in-depth analysis of whats 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 youre watching a leaf floating on a river: instead of just looking at the rivers flow, you focus on the leafs journey, tracking where it goes and how it moves over time. We analysed 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 fertilised the ocean. Read more: Earth's oldest, tiniest creatures are poised to be climate change winners and the repercussions could be huge 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Read more: Inside the world of tiny phytoplankton microscopic algae that provide most of our oxygen Phytoplankton blooms like this one are uncommon. This one was the first of its kind since the beginning of the satellite ocean colour data record in other words, the first in about 27 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 fertilisation by drought-induced megafires in Australia, our results point towards a potential link between global warming, drought, aerosol emissions and ocean blooms. Dust that fertilises 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, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: John A Gittings, University of Athens Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This project was funded by the European Space Agency. A K9 with the Madera County Sheriffs Office was wounded in the line of duty Wednesday afternoon. Deputies responded to the location at Highways 49 and 41 in Oakhurst after receiving reports of multiple hit and runs with a vehicle. Deputies said the suspect was driving a stolen vehicle and the owner recognized his vehicle and called 911. As the victim was on the phone with a dispatcher, the suspect rammed the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies set up a perimeter, but the suspect drove the vehicle off the road and ran. Deputies gave chase down a long driveway and during the foot chase, the suspect shot K9 Obie with a shotgun and an exchange of gunfire occurred. K9 Obie and the suspect were both struck. The 41-year-old suspect identified as 41-year-old Allen Scott Williams of Mariposa is expected to make a full recovery, deputies said. K9 Obie was taken to a nearby emergency veterinary clinic where X-ray images show his body is riddled with shotgun pellets. Deputies said he is expected to remain at the veterinary hospital for at least several days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to doctors, he will live the rest of his life with the numerous pellets, but is expected to make a recovery following an extensive rehabilitation period. Our thoughts and prayers remain with our beloved K9 Obie as he recovers, Madera Sheriff Tyson Pogue said. Obies bravery and selfless service may very well have saved a deputys life, and we are profoundly grateful for his sacrifice and courage. Williams is on probation out of Mariposa County, and has several active felony warrants for his arrest for charges including felon in possession of ammunition, and felony assault with a deadly weapon. He will be booked into the Madera County Jail for multiple felony charges, deputies said. The deputy-involved shooting has been turned over to the Madera Police Department. MADISON, Miss. (WJTV) A new fast food restaurant will soon open in the City of Madison. The Madison County Journal reported Whataburger, a Texas-based burger chain, will open on December 2. The restaurant is located on Grandview Boulevard at Main Street. JSU will host 2024 SWAC Football Championship game The building was previously occupied by Back Yard Burger and has undergone renovations to prepare for the new Whataburger location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Whataburger will be different than other locations. Instead of the restaurants iconic orange sign, the Madison Whataburger will have all-white outdoor signage. The Madison location will be the 13th Whataburger in Mississippi. Click here for job information. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Left-wing users of Bluesky, a rival to Elon Musks X, are urging their followers to block pro-Donald Trump accounts as part of a protest against the US election result. The social media platform which recently hit 20m users has been gaining traction ever since Mr Trumps victory, as liberal voters seek an alternative to X. However, the shift has led to accusations of Bluesky becoming an echo chamber, as users promote so-called block lists to hide Republican-leaning accounts from their timeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the lists in question is called MAGA cockroaches. More than 5m new users, including liberal influencers, politicians and media outlets, have joined Bluesky since Mr Trumps triumph on Nov 5. This has been fuelled by a Left-wing exodus from X, as thousands of Kamala Harris supporters quit in response to Mr Musks vociferous support for the president-elect. According to media analysts at Similarweb, account deactivations on X hit a record 281,600 on Nov 6. In a blog post, Similarweb said Blueskys sudden growth was linked to users either leaving X or investing more time in exploring a promising alternative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Similarweb said Bluesky app usage had surged 500pc in the US since election day, while it was 350pc higher in the UK. However, the influx of Left-leaning users and influencers has led some commentators, such as Free Speech Union founder Toby Young, to label Bluesky an echo chamber. Mr Young said: One of the ironies of people on the Left deserting X for Bluesky is that they are often the very same people who complain about how politics has become too polarised. On Bluesky, some users have revelled in the echo chamber criticism. One post shared more than 4,000 times said: Echo chamber? Nah, we prefer to call it surround sound for facts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Bluesky is an echo chamber!"Our Reply: Echo chamber? Nah, we prefer to call it surround sound for facts. Alt National Park Service (@altnps.bsky.social) 19 November 2024 at 01:53 Bluesky, which began as a spin-off of Twitter in 2019, launched publicly last year as a form of decentralised social media that is not controlled by any one company. X severed all ties with the service after Mr Musks Twitter takeover in 2022. Matt Navarra, a social media consultant and industry analyst, said: Bluesky feels very similar to the early years of Twitter it has a journalist and tech dominance. He said there appeared to be more liberal and Left-leaning accounts which is in stark contrast to where X has been taken by Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no platform that is truly balanced, said Mr Navarra. X is a more extreme version of that and maybe Bluesky will be the contrast and opposing platform. Last week, The Telegraph revealed The Guardian would stop posting on X, as it accused Mr Musk of failing to stop disturbing content including far-right conspiracy theories and racism. This week, the Left-leaning newspaper launched an account on Bluesky, while dozens of its reporters have joined the app. The BBCs Newsnight programme has also set up an official account. Yesterday, Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, joined the site, adding to a growing number of Labour politicians using the app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir Starmer told journalists on Tuesday he had no plans to join Bluesky at the moment and said the Government was obviously still using X. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. When Donald Trump enters the White House on Jan 20 next year, many of the people around him will have something in common. Its not that they all served in his first administration, or worked on this years campaign, although many of them did. As Mr Trump comes to sign his first executive orders and set out the domestic programme that will define the next four years in the US, it is the America First Policy Institute that will have his ear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Formed by Mr Trumps allies following the final days of his first administration in 2021, the AFPI has risen from relative obscurity to become the beating heart of the president-elects operation. It has conveniently taken the place of Project 2025 the controversial proposed platform for Mr Trumps second term set up by the Heritage Foundation, a 51-year-old Right-wing think tank. As the Projects 920-page document became a talking point on the campaign trail, Mr Trump was forced to distance himself from its more outlandish ideas and declare in July: I have no idea who is behind it. In its place, the fledgling AFPI was working quietly to prepare for team Trumps transition to power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Washington circles, the AFPI, which has drafted policy on the border wall and excising wokeness from school curriculums, was described as a White House in waiting. At its helm was Linda McMahon, who co-founded the pro-wrestling empire WWE with her husband, Vince. Linda McMahon, Mr Trumps nomination for education secretary, pictured with husband Vince, has been a big figure in the AFPI - Ethan Miller/Getty Images The pair, who have now reportedly split, have both been longtime allies of Mr Trump, and part of the unexpected crossover between wrestling and his political world. Ms McMahon was appointed co-chairman of Mr Trumps transition team, responsible for vetting appointments and policies he would carry into his second administration and on Tuesday, she was nominated to be education secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was one of several AFPI officials, some of whom had been recruited from the first Trump administration, who have since been given government jobs. Robert Lighthizer, who chaired the AFPIs Center for American Trade, is expected to be appointed the US governments trade representative, reprising his role held between 2017 and 2021. Lee Zeldin, a former Trump loyalist in the House of Representatives who also worked as the AFPIs China Policy Initiative, has been chosen to run the Environmental Protection Agency. John Ratcliffe, Mr Trumps former national security adviser, has been nominated to head the CIA after his inauguration. Before the election, he served as co-chairman at the AFPIs Center for American Security. Insight into Trumps ideas The influence of AFPI figures in Mr Trumps plans for a second term is an interesting insight into the way the president-elect works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has long spurned the traditional route of forming policy within his campaign or the Republican Party HQ where he has not always been welcome and preferred to consult with outside bodies. In effect, the AFPI became an outsourced ideas machine. Quietly, since 2021, the think tank has been working up a series of policy actions to be presented to Mr Trump during this transition period. Brooke Rollins, an AFPI official who served as acting director of the US Domestic Policy Council during Mr Trumps first term, has said the organisation has drafted more than 300 executive orders to be signed as soon as he takes office. The conversations between Mr Trump, the AFPI and an archipelago of other groups (including the Heritage Foundation) have been taking place in private in Mar-a-Lago since Nov 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the AFPIs America First Agenda document, which is available online, gives some clue of its priorities and therefore Mr Trumps. Many of the hundreds of proposed policies are now familiar, and were adopted by the Trump campaign before election day. The organisations suggestions on immigration reform, Mr Trumps most potent campaign issue, include that the federal government should finish constructing the border wall system and fully fund the Border Patrol agents needed to secure the border. Both of these policies were key elements of the Trump playbook on the campaign trail. Antifa terror The proposal to declare Antifa a domestic terrorist organisation is taken from the 2020 Trump campaign, which he was unable to implement after losing the election to Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On foreign policy, it suggests the president should oppose provision of US assistance to the Palestinian Authority until it ceases support for terrorism suggesting a policy to implement Mr Trumps public declaration that he will step up support for Israel. It also calls for him to prioritise working with nations that contribute their fair share to our alliances, in line with his suggestion that Nato members should increase defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP. In coded terms, it sets out some of the most dramatic policies Mr Trump is expected to implement in his first 100 days in the White House. The plan to eliminate market distortions by ending inefficient subsidies in the energy market corresponds with Mr Trumps declaration that he will end all Biden-era clean power funding immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On education, the topic where the AFPI may have the most influence if Ms McMahons nomination is confirmed by the Senate, the document calls for the federal government to ensure no current or future policies link federal education funding to the teaching of revisionist history, bigotry, or any other dishonest teaching. In common parlance, that suggestion amounts to an end to woke history and LGBT+ sex education for children. There are many members of Mr Trumps team that do not have a direct connection to the AFPI especially those who are not involved in forming policy and, unusually for a group so enmeshed in the Trump orbit, it has not appointed members of his family. Susie Wiles, Mr Trumps campaign director and White House chief of staff, is not listed in its documentation, and nor is the campaigns director of communications, Steven Cheung. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That may have been a deliberate decision after the debacle of Project 2025, to avoid the AFPIs work becoming too high-profile ahead of election day. But since Americans went to the polls, the group has emerged into the open making the scale of its influence clear. Last Thursday, in the midst of his transition discussions, Mr Trump himself gave a keynote speech at an AFPI gala he hosted at Mar-a-Lago. Around the top tables were most members of Trumps family and other figures from his inner circle, including Elon Musk and Robert F Kennedy Jr. But it was Ms McMahon and her colleagues he thanked first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Linda has been a great friend of mine for a long time, right Linda? he called across the ballroom. The America First Policy Institute what a job theyve done. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. On Thursday, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Jussie Smollett one of the stars from the popular television series Empire would have his 2019 hate crime hoax conviction overturned. Now, conservatives are going in on X (formerly Twitter) about how Smolletts race played a major role in this decision. Smollett was initially charged with staging a fake hate crime against himself. He was ultimately convicted on five counts of disorderly conduct and lying to the police for the scheme, per court documents. The Illinois Supreme Court has undone Jussie Smollett's conviction for orchestrating and reporting a phony hate crime. Democrats get away with anything. pic.twitter.com/gIZGnlfnYl Sara Rose (@saras76) November 21, 2024 However, the court found that special prosecutors violated Smolletts constitutional rights in bringing a new indictment against him after his original charge was dropped and he agreed to forfeit his $10,000 bond. The actor will appear in court next to hear the formal dismissal of the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case caught national attention. Although the conviction being overturned stemmed from prosecutorial error, MAGA supporters on X have a different interpretation of what happened. Democrats get away with anything, one user wrote. Another user, @JuevosBanchero, took things a step further by insisting that being Black is the reason Smolletts conviction was vacated. Jussie Smollett is above the law largely because of his connections, but also because of his race. He belongs to a privileged class in this age of activist justice, when a man like Daniel Penny must stand trial before a kangaroo court because of his race. Juevos Banchero (@JuevosBanchero) November 21, 2024 Jussie Smollett is above the law largely because of his connections, but also because of his race. He belongs to a privileged class in this age of activist justice, when a man like Daniel Penny must stand trial before a kangaroo court because of his race, they stated. Another conservative X personality, @DogRightGirl, actually used the term Black privilege to describe the so-called injustice she feels that was carried out. Heres that black privilege people keep saying doesnt exist. Illinois Supreme Court overturns actor Jussie Smollett's 2019 conviction on allegations of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself. pic.twitter.com/9DFOB2uhHw Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) November 21, 2024 Another user, @Slayteens, quickly followed suit and repeated the phrase to insist Smolletts Blackness worked in his favor regarding his legal woeswhich is just untrue. Exactly Jussie Smollett black privilege https://t.co/uUUJKIK4yy code Red (@Slayteens) November 21, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Smolletts attorney Nenye E. Uche thanked the Illinois Supreme Court for restoring order to Illinois criminal law jurisprudence. This was not a prosecution based on facts, rather it was a vindictive persecution and such a proceeding has no place in our criminal justice system, Uche said per USA Today. Ultimately, we are pleased that the rule of law was the big winner today. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Murrells Inlet residents are speaking out as state Department of Transportation crews finish up improvements along a busy McDowell Shortcut Road and Tournament Boulevard intersection. The area is currently a four-way stop, where traffic frequently backs up blocking Highway 17 bypass. Since 2020, state officials have looked at various ways to reduce congestion at McDowell Shortcut and Tournament Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ideally, they say a roundabout would have been the best solution. But when that didnt work, turn lanes and a stoplight were plan B. You know, its not ever going to be perfect, but the engineers are telling us its going to work, state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch said. Goldfinch, who helped push the project along, said state engineers told him years ago if they wanted to build a roundabout, two lanes would have to be installed to move that much traffic through. But with that means needing much more room for rights-of-way and taking out surrounding homes. Those folks had given the state a hard time over right away for many, many years, Goldfinch said. And so its very difficult for the state to acquire the right of way to do that piece of property. And we werent going to get any more than we got. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states solution was to install left turn lanes, a traffic signal and a dedicated right turn lane at the 17 Bypass and Tournament Boulevard. Crews began clearing trees last September and kept the intersection open with temporary lane closures. State transportation officials recently told News13 drainage work is complete and installing concrete curbs is underway. Then theyll finish up asphalt work. Resident Mike Samra says he cant wait to see the project done. It took 20 minutes to get through that four-way stop sign in the past, Samra said. Now, and hopefully after they have all these right turns put in, its going to be a blessing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another resident Lee Ann Darrone says shes seen traffic grow in the last four to five years as she takes McDowell and Tournament to go to work. She calls the intersection closer to the bypass dangerous but agrees with Samra, it will be better than what it was before. And I cant wait because it will make getting home a lot faster and it will make the traffic in and out of the Walmart shopping area much easier, Darrone said. SCDOT says because of impacts from hurricane Helene, it expects the project to finish by the end of this month. * * * 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. This article was originally published in Ohio Capital Journal. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Put Students First: Support Journalism That Exposes Truth and Inspires Action. Donate to The 74 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe that in a country as wealthy as we are, we should not have hungry children, said Lisa Quigley, director of Solving Hunger. 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%). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Universal school meals would eliminate the stigma of categorizing students who receive free and reduced meals and those that dont, Rees said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Ohio Capital Journal maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor David Dewitt for questions: info@ohiocapitaljournal.com. Follow Ohio Capital Journal on Facebook and X. KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - A 42-year-old father of five faces a public caning at a mosque in Malaysia after being convicted of the Islamic crime of 'khalwat', or close proximity between unmarried couples, for the third time, a state official and media reports said. A sharia court judge in the conservative northeastern state of Terengganu on Wednesday sentenced the man, a construction worker, to six strokes of the cane and a fine after he pleaded guilty to the offence, state news agency Bernama reported. Terengganu state executive councillor Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi said the caning would take place at a mosque on Dec. 6 following Friday prayers, if the man did not file an appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This punishment involves caning, but what makes it unusual this time is the judge's decision for it to be conducted publicly," he said in a video posted on Facebook. "This is a new development in Terengganu. Previously, such sentences were executed in closed settings." The man became the first person in the state to be caned for 'khalwat' after he was sentenced in February in a separate case, following amendments to Terengganu's Islamic laws that took effect this year, according to Bernama. Malaysia practices a dual-track legal system, with Islamic criminal and family laws applicable to Muslims running alongside secular laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The criminal law allows caning for a range of offences, including rape and drug trafficking. Women, men aged over 50, and men sentenced to death are exempt, but sharia courts can order whipping for Muslim men and women in some states. Terengganu is governed by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), which has advocated for a stricter interpretation of Islamic law. In 2018, the state caned two women in a courtroom watched by dozens of people after they were convicted of attempting lesbian sex, prompting an outcry from human rights groups. (Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by John Mair) BAMAKO (Reuters) -Mali's ruling junta on Thursday appointed its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as prime minister a day after firing Choguel Maiga who had criticised the administration, state television ORTM reported. Choguel Maiga was quoted over the weekend condemning the junta's failure to organise elections within a promised 24-month transition back to democracy - a statement that angered the ruling generals, a source close to Maiga told Reuters. The military rulers, who seized power in successive coups in 2020 and 2021, had promised to hold elections in February but have postponed the vote indefinitely, blaming technical issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their dismissal of Choguel Maiga comes amid signs of deepening frustration and division among Malian politicians, even those who had initially backed the coup and worked with the junta. Choguel Maiga - a civilian appointed prime minister by the military junta in 2021 - is the latest of several to have lost favour as the wait for elections drags on. On Saturday, he was quoted as saying there had been no debate on the elections' postponement within the government and that he had found out about the junta's decision from the media. "It's all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister's knowledge," Choguel Maiga told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before that, he had regularly defended Mali's junta in the face of criticism from West African neighbours and international allies who condemned its military cooperation with Russian mercenaries and repeated election delays. The new prime minister, Abdoulaye Maiga, has also made strong public statements as government spokesman against former colonial ruler France, including telling French President Emmanuel Macron to abandon his "neocolonial" and "condescending" attitude. In a statement read on state television ORTM, junta leader Assimi Goita and Abdoulaye Maiga said they had retained all key cabinet ministers in their portfolios in the new government. Abdoulaye Maiga will also continue to serve as minister of territorial administration, the statement also said. (Reporting by Fadimata Kontao; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Andrew Heavens, Alexandra Hudson) Mali's military leader Assimi Goita appointed Major General Abdoulaye Maiga as the country's new prime minister on Thursday, after dismissing his predecessor Choguel Kokalla Maiga. The secretary general of the presidential office, Alfousseyni Diawara, announced the dismissal of the former prime minister and his government on national television on Wednesday evening, stating that "the duties of the prime minister and the members of the government are terminated." The move came after Choguel Kokalla Maiga's remarks at a rally in Bamako on Saturday, in which he accused the junta of unilaterally and indefinitely postponing the transition process that was initially set to begin on March 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former prime minister had also expressed frustration over the lack of debate on the issue, claiming he has been left to rely on media reports for updates. Goita was among the rebels to overthrow the government in 2020 and then became interim president after another coup in 2021. He then announced a 24-month transition timetable starting in March 2022 to return Mali to civilian rule. While Goita had previously promised elections would be held in February, those plans have since been delayed "for technical reasons" with no new timeline provided. A new government is expected to be formed in the next few days. BAMAKO, Mali (AP) Mali's ruling junta on Thursday appointed a new prime minister from the ranks of the military generals, a day after firing his predecessor for criticizing the military regime. The move effectively consolidates all power in the African country in the hands of military generals. Mali has been ruled by military leaders since the junta seized power in 2020 and staged another coup the following year. Choguel Maiga, who was a civilian and who criticized the junta for postponing the presidential election scheduled for 2024, was removed on Wednesday, a move announced in a presidential decree issued by Gen. Assimi Goita, Malis leader, and read on state television channel ORTM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goita on Thursday appointed Gen. Abdoulaye Maiga as prime minister, according to an announcement on ORTM by Alfouseyni Diawara, secretary general of the Malian presidency. The two Maigas are not related. Abdoulaye Maigas appointment effectively means that all three branches of the government the Malian presidency, the National Transitional Council, which is the transitions legislative body, and the post of prime minister are now in the hands of military officers. Maiga, 43, previously served as minister of territorial administration, government spokesman and deputy prime minister. The choice of the new prime minister shows that the military is tightening its grip on power. General Maiga is especially seen close to transition President Goita, who wanted someone loyal as the country is preparing for possible elections next year, said Ulf Laessing, head of Sahel program at Konrad Adenauer foundation in Mali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chogoul provoked his sacking as he wants to present himself as possible elections candidate," Laessing added. Maiga was not among the five officers behind the 2020 coup but quickly became part of the group running the country. He is known for virulent rhetoric against France and MINUSMA, the former U.N. mission in Mali. During the U.N. General Assembly in September, he slammed Algerian diplomats for asserting that Malian civilians had been killed by the Malian army near the border between the two countries. Since coming to power in Mali, the military junta has severely restricted freedom of expression, arresting more than a dozen politicians and opinion leaders for criticizing the military regime. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man facing several attempted murder, stalking, and endangerment charges was arraigned on Wednesday after allegedly setting fire to a Portland home in early November, authorities announced. The charges against 42-year-old Eric Alexander come after prolonged harassment against ex-girlfriend and after he allegedly set fire to the home of her employers, according to Multnomah County District Attorneys Office. The charges come after Alexanders friend reported his extremely concerning threats against to law enforcement in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heaven spot turned deadly for teen tagger in PNW According to the district attorneys office, Alexanders former partner recently moved to Portland from out of state and reported that Alexander followed her to Oregon. Alexander made several social media posts threatening violence towards her, those around her, and to women in general, officials said, noting he continued to threaten and harass her after she stopped communicating with him. Shortly after midnight on Nov. 7, Portland Police Bureau officers responded to a reported house fire at the home of the victims employer, the district attorneys office said. Alexander allegedly tossed a Molotov cocktail-like device on the front porch of the home on Southeast Salmon Street as two adults and two children were asleep inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ex-Portland police officer among dozens charged in human trafficking sting One resident tried to put the flames out with a fire extinguisher before the fire spread to other parts of the home as fire crews arrived. Everyone managed to get out safely, but the house suffered about $50,000 damage, according to the probable cause arrest document obtained by KOIN 6 News. A 42-year-old man faces 5 counts of attempted murder related to this arson in the 2200 block of SE Salmon in Portland, November 7, 2024 (PFR) A 42-year-old man faces 5 counts of attempted murder related to this arson in the 2200 block of SE Salmon in Portland, November 7, 2024 (PFR) Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, and later that morning, Alexander sent an email taking credit for the fire and warned the violence would not stop. Tips and leads led detectives to Alexander, who was arrested Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Wednesdays arraignment, Alexander entered a not guilty plea to all charges including attempted murder in the second degree constituting domestic violence, four counts of attempted murder in the second degree, four counts of first-degree arson, four counts of recklessly endangering another person, two counts of telephonic harassment, two counts of stalking, first-degree criminal mischief, and menacing constituting domestic violence. Frustrations rise amid growing Vancouver encampment off Mill Plain Boulevard Anytime we have a targeted attack like that in general, something that involves an incendiary device, but let alone when its targeted, that is something that, we want to get that resolution to that as quickly as possible, PF&R Senior Investigator Lt. Jason Andersen previously told KOIN 6 News. The woman who was allegedly stalked and harassed by Alexander told KOIN 6 News she knew him for 15 years and briefly dated him, noting the threats and harassment began after she ended their relationship over the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman, who asked to remain anonymous for safety, said Alexander was hurt by the end of the relationship, noting, hes a musician and he would tour and felt like I had sabotaged his work, basically. And then what really kicked it off in October was that I refused to see him. When the kind of stalking and harassing behaviors started, I didnt really know how seriously to take a lot of the threats, she said. If you or someone you know needs help, the Oregon Department of Human Services offers resources for domestic violence shelters and legal support. The National Domestic Violence Hotline also provides support for victims of domestic violence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nov. 20An Albuquerque man was arrested after the shooting death of a 23-year-old man outside Las Vegas, New Mexico, on Friday. Jeremiah Salazar, 18, is charged with an open count of murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a handgun and negligent use of a deadly weapon in the fatal shooting of Gabriel Rivera. According to an online obituary, Rivera was an "amazing cook" who loved to barbecue, camp, sing and dance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He protected everyone around him and brought joy to many lives," according to the obituary. Salazar is being held at the San Miguel County Detention Center. His attorney could not be reached for comment. A witness identified Salazar in a photo lineup, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed at San Miguel County Magistrate Court. Around 11:30 p.m. Friday, New Mexico State Police responded to a call of multiple people being shot at a house party in the 1000 block of San Miguel County Road B27 in Myers. When they arrived, they found a man later identified as Rivera dead with a gunshot wound to the chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A witness told police they heard Rivera and another man later identified as Salazar get into a fight. After Salazar brandished a pistol, she said she heard shots, then saw Salazar run out of the house. She then learned she had been shot in the wrist, the affidavit states. Salazar called Rivera an expletive before hearing shots, according to a witness cited in the affidavit. An officer later saw Salazar walking a mile from the house carrying a pistol. Salazar did not want to speak to police, according to the affidavit. Salazar was placed on probation in July after a March incident where he was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and battery on a household member, according to a pretrial motion filed in San Miguel Magistrate Court. He had been prohibited from using or possessing any weapons. "As a state, we are seeing the harmful and devastating impact of gun violence, particularly among our youth," State Police Chief Troy Weisler said in a statement. "This is not just a law enforcement issue, this is a society issue, a community issue that requires intervention from all corners of the community, the safety of our state depends on it." BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) A man is accused of stealing from Buncombe County homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Deputies with the Buncombe County Sheriffs Office said on November 12, they received a complaint regarding stolen property in the Lakey Gap Acres area, which was heavily impacted by Helene. Victims also told deputies that they noticed fraudulent charges on their credit cards and were unable to locate their identifying documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said Tyson Emrys Neal Pike was seen looting from the destroyed homes. On Monday, deputies searched Pikes home where they recovered stolen items including four firearms, IDs and credit cards. Deputies also said they found what is believed to be methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Pike has been charged with the following: Financial card theft Financial card fraud Trespassing/looting during an emergency Possession of schedule II CS Possession of drug paraphernalia Possession of stolen goods Child abuse Larceny of a firearm Pike was booked into the Buncombe County jail and was released on bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. By Alimat Aliyeva Starting in December 2024, the North Atlantic Alliance will begin monitoring the underwater infrastructure of the Baltic Sea from the alliance's maritime center established in Finland, Azernews reports. The article notes that the Norwegian commander presented a model of how the NATO maritime center will ensure the security of critical underwater infrastructure to international media. According to him, the center is still in its initial stages, having only begun operations in May. The publication highlights that the monitoring will be conducted using software that integrates data from multiple sources, including the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which records information about the location of ships, satellite imagery, and pipeline sensors. This effort is part of NATO's broader strategy to enhance the security of underwater infrastructure, which is increasingly seen as vulnerable to sabotage and cyberattacks, particularly given the geopolitical tensions in the region. As underwater pipelines, cables, and other infrastructure play a crucial role in the energy supply and communication networks of many countries, ensuring their protection has become a priority for NATO. The monitoring system aims to create a comprehensive approach to detecting potential threats in real-time, improving situational awareness, and facilitating a faster response to any incidents involving these critical structures. LIBERTY TWP., Ohio (WKBN) A Youngstown man is facing charges after reports that he posed as a police officer to receive a discount on his food and then paid for the meal using counterfeit bills. Police received the report that the suspect had ordered food at Dennys on Belmont Avenue, and employees later found that the food had been paid for with counterfeit money. According to a police report, an employee said the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Jermaine Young, asked about the law enforcement discount and then showed a detective badge from the Struthers Police Department. The employee said she discounted Youngs bill and stepped away to help other customers. When she returned, she discovered that Young and the people he was with had left and two $20 bills were left under Youngs plate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees later found that the money was fake. The employee was able to identify the suspect, who she recognized, the report stated. A Liberty officer spoke with a Struthers officer, who confirmed Young was not employed at the Struthers Police Department and should not be in possession of a badge. Young is facing charges of impersonating a police officer, criminal simulation and theft. Court records state that a warrant was issued for his arrest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A judge deemed a Boston man dangerous after he allegedly assaulted a transgender woman on an MBTA train on Halloween. 53-year-old Gregory Burnett was charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), and a civil rights violation with injury. According to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, on November 1, Transit Police met with the 41-year-old victim who told them she had been assaulted by another passenger at Maverick Station the previous night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim says she was on a Blue Line train which was stopped with the doors open when Burnett boarded the train and immediately confronted her, shouting derogatory terms at her. According to authorities, the victim claimed Burnett made statements such as, Youre not a woman, youre a man, and then began punching and kicking her. The victim also reported being kicked in the crotch area. Burnett then allegedly grabbed the victims foot as she attempted to defend herself, causing her to fall to the ground, and fracturing her wrist. Officials say other passengers then intervened and helped the victim fight off Burnett, removing him from the train. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim told police she felt targeted due to her gender identity based on Burnetts remarks during the attack. After reviewing surveillance video and speaking with witnesses, Burnett was identified as the suspect by Transit Police. He was subsequently arrested on November 12 at Maverick Station. On Friday, Judge Debra Del Vecchio found Burnett dangerous and ordered him to home confinement with GPS monitoring except for employment. He is due back in court on January 21 for a probable cause hearing. We will never tolerate anyone being subjected to abusemuch less physical attackfor their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, Hayden said. I thank the transit police for their diligent work in identifying and arresting a suspect in this frightening assault. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (ABC4) A man has been arrested and charged in connection to an October shooting that involved police in Saratoga Springs. Fernando Valenzuela-Limon also known as Santiago Rodarte Jr. was formally charged last Friday in Utah County on the following charges: Failure to respond to officers signal to stop False personal information to peace officer West High School shooter arrested, faces felony firearm, assault charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to charging documents, the suspect was stopped by police near Redwood Road and Harvest Hills Blvd. Police said that he was not cooperative during the stop. At the time of the stop, police said that he did not have an ID on him and gave a name that the officer could not locate. The officer received information that he was a suspect in other investigations and was known to possibly carry firearms. The officer got out of his car and commanded the suspect to show his hands, it was at this time the suspect sped off. The suspect took off down Harvest Hill Blvd. and onto Redwood Road. While fleeing from police, the vehicle was driven into a canal, the suspect attempted to flee on foot. A woman was in the car with him and she was detained for questioning. Valenzuela-Limon was caught and taken into custody for unknown injuries and transported to an area hospital to be treated. Valenzuela-Limon was arrested and booked on the prior charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was arrested on Wednesday in connection to a series of sexual abuse cases in Washington, D.C. During a press conference on Nov. 21, the police department announced that detectives arrested 33-year-old Uwana Ubom, of Northwest D.C. Investigators believed that Ubom was allegedly connected to 12 sexual abuse investigations. Police said their extensive investigation led MPDs Sexual Assault Unit to connect Ubom to the following cases: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 3, 2021, around 2:30 a.m., in the 4500 block of Georgia Avenue Northwest, the suspect forced his way into the victims apartment and forced sexual contact with the victim. On June 10, 2021, around 4:15 a.m., in the 400 block of Irving Street in Northwest, a man approached the victim, pushed her to the ground and had forced sexual contact with the victim before leaving the area. On April 2, around 1:30 a.m., in the 1600 block of 14 th Street, Northwest, the man approached the victim, shoved her to the ground, and tried to kiss her before leaving. On May 21, around 2:20 a.m., in the 1600 block of Fuller Street, Northwest, the man approached the victim, shoved her to the ground, and forced sexual contact before leaving. On May 27, around 4:30 a.m., in the 1300 block of Montello Avenue, Northeast, the suspect approached the victim, insinuated he had a gun and forced the victim to abide before forcing sexual assault and leaving the area soon after. On June 24, at about 6:30 a.m., in the 1400 block of Spring Road, Northwest, a man approached the victim and pointed a gun at her before forcing sexual contact on the victim and leaving. Police: Thief takes multiple coats from Pentagon City On July 29, around 2:10 a.m., at the intersection of 14 th and Belmont Street, Northwest, a man drove up to the victim and offered her a ride. Once they arrived at the destination, the man pulled out a gun and forced sexual contact with the victim before letting the victim leave the car. On August 11, around 2 a.m., in the 1600 block of Columbia Road, Northwest, a man approached the victim in the elevator and made forced sexual contact with the victim before leaving. On Oct. 13, around 4:15 a.m., in the 1600 block of Lanier Place, Northwest, a man approached the victim in her apartment lobby, pulled out a gun and forced sexual contact on the victim before leaving the scene. On Oct. 28, in the early morning between 3:40 a.m. and 3:55 a.m., in the 1700 block of 17th Street, Northwest, a man approached the victim, put a gun against the victim and forced her into an alley. The victim pleaded with the suspect which caused the suspect to leave the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 1, around 5 a.m., in the 1400 block of Ogden Street, Northwest, a man approached the victim, pulled out a gun and forced sexual contact with the victim. The victim fought and screamed which caused the man to leave the area. On Nov. 3, between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., in the 4500 block of 15th Street, Northwest, a man approached the victim, pulled out a gun and performed a sexual act on the victim before leaving the area. Ubom was charged with multiple counts of Third Degree Sex Abuse, Third Degree Sex Abuse while Armed, as well as Simple Assault, Assault with Intent to Commit First Degree Sex Abuse while Armed, Misdemeanor Sexual Abuse, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) and First Degree Sexual Abuse while Armed. Police released a picture of Ubom because they believe he could be behind additional offenses: 33-year-old Uwana Ubom (Credit: MPD) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish police investigating a 2022 explosion at a petrol station that killed 10 people have arrested a man who voluntarily presented himself at a police station in relation to the incident, the law firm representing the man said on Thursday. An Irish police spokesperson declined immediate comment. Ten people, including two teenagers and a younger girl, were killed in the explosion in the Irish county of Donegal, which police at the time said appeared to be "a tragic accident". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man in his 60s voluntarily presented himself at Dundalk police station on Thursday morning and was arrested, said a spokesperson for John J Rice & Company solicitors, which said it was representing the man. (Writing by Conor Humphries; Editing by Peter Graff) Officers with the Seattle Police Department arrested a man for multiple charges after they responded to reports of him sleeping inside a vacant University District apartment Tuesday night. According to an incident report from the Seattle Police Department, just before 10:50 Tuesday night, patrol officers with the department went to reports of a 38-year-old man sleeping inside a vacant apartment surrounded by what police said was drug paraphernalia on 9th Avenue Northeast in the citys University District. Responding officers went into the apartment and found the man inside one of the bedrooms. When officers engaged with the man, he fought them, disobeyed commands, resisted arrest and assaulted them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers then tased the man and took him into custody. Officers arrested him for criminal trespass, resisting arrest and assault. The man also had two arrest warrants for reckless burning and criminal trespass. He was booked into King County Jail. AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man wanted on warrants for abuse of a corpse and failure to report a death was taken into custody Wednesday. Read next: Youngstown group home stabbing suspect indicted by grand jury Jamey Neeld, 44, was booked into the Mahoning County Jail on the charges, a fifth-degree felony and fourth-degree misdemeanor, respectively. He is expected to be arraigned Monday. Warrants were issued Oct. 8 through Mahoning County Area Court in Austintown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neeld was arrested after police were called about 8:35 a.m. to an apartment building at 850 N. Meridan Road for a report of a woman lying in a stairway unresponsive. Reports said when police arrived, the woman was cold to the touch and not breathing and an ambulance crew said she was dead. A witness told police they were walking down the stairway and saw Neeld drag the woman out of an apartment by her feet into the hallway. The witness said he helped Neeld move the womans body and then call police. Police reports do not list the cause of death for the woman but foul play is not suspected. Reports said Neeld told police he and the woman had dated on and off, reports said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Winnebago County Sheriffs Deputies arrested Andrew Leutik, 32, for his connection to a shooting near CherryVale Mall in October. On October 7, around 3:30 p.m., deputies were told by dispatchers to look for a white Chevrolet Impala that was fleeing from gunshots coming from a dark-colored sedan in the area of South Perryville Road and South Mall Street. A witness told a deputy he saw the Impala going southbound on Charles Street. Officials eventually saw the vehicle turning and parking in the 2000 block of Wilcox Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police attempted to take the suspect into custody while he was outside the car, but he entered the vehicle again and fled, according to court records. The driver sped off on Cleveland Avenue going 66 mph in a 30 mph and ran multiple stop signs, police reported. Authorities stopped the pursuit near Florida Drive after losing the vehicle. Officials called the owner of the car the next day. She told deputies she was having Leutik work on her car for two weeks. After further investigation, authorities found the suspect was on probation and identified him through a police database. Leutik is charged with aggravated fleeing police going 21 mph over the limit, aggravated fleeing along with driving on a revoked license and suspended registration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Lewis Randolph Randy Williamson has been named as Esther Gonzalez's likely killer more than 45 years after her body was found Riverside County District Attorney's Office Esther Gonzalez Esther Gonzalez A man who passed a polygraph test over the 1979 murder of a 17-year-old girl in California has now been identified as her suspected killer. On Wednesday, Nov. 20, the Riverside County District Attorneys (DA) Office confirmed in a release that Lewis Randolph Randy Williamson had been identified as teenager Esther Gonzalez's rapist and killer more than 45 years after her body was found dumped in a snowpack off Highway 243 near Banning on Feb. 10, 1979. She was killed the previous day, per the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Authorities determined she had been raped and bludgeoned to death," the DA's office said in the statement, adding that "forensic genealogy" had helped them confirm the identify of the suspect decades after the killing. The release stated that the victim had been murdered while "walking from her parents house in Beaumont to her sisters house in Banning." Riverside County District Attorney's Office Esther Gonzalez Esther Gonzalez "Esthers body was found after an unidentified man, described by deputies as argumentative, called the Riverside County Sheriffs Station in Banning to report finding a body, saying he didnt know if it was a male or female," authorities said. "Five days later, sheriffs investigators were able to identify the caller as Lewis Randolph 'Randy' Williamson and asked him to take a polygraph. He agreed and passed which, at the time, cleared him of any wrongdoing," they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through the years, investigators have continued to work on the case, and "eventually uploaded a semen sample from the crime scene into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)," the DA's office said. Getty A stock photo of a scientist pipetting a sample into a vial for DNA testing A stock photo of a scientist pipetting a sample into a vial for DNA testing "In 2023, members of the cold case homicide team sent various items of evidence to Othram, Inc. in Texas, initiating a Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy investigation, in hopes of developing additional leads," authorities continued in the release. "Earlier this year, a crime analyst assigned to the cold case team determined that, although Williamson was seemingly cleared by the polygraph in 1979, he was never cleared through DNA because the technology had not yet been developed," the DA's office added. Williamson died in 2014 and a blood sample was collected during his autopsy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With the assistance of the Broward County Sheriffs Office, the sample was sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ recently confirmed that Williamsons DNA matches the DNA recovered from Esthers body," the release concluded. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The investigation continues, and the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team is now seeking information from anyone who knew the suspect. The Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional updates. BURKE COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A man lost his life in a crash Wednesday afternoon, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Around 3:30 p.m., on Nov. 30, troopers were called to a crash on NC 183 near Parkway Road. Troopers believe a 2005 Dodge Dakota was driven east on NC 183 when the driver, 61-year-old Ricky Lynn Buchanan, lost control, crossed over the center of the road, went off the left side and crashed into a tree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juvenile charged, others arrested in September fatal hit and run in Mooresville Buchanan was pronounced dead due to his injuries from the crash. Speed or impairment did not cause the crash, troopers say. NC 183 was closed for about two hours during the on-scene 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 Queen City News. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A man is facing prison time after a New York Supreme Court jury convicted him of Manslaughter (2nd) for the vehicular homicide of Alivia Curl in 2022. On November 26, 2022, officials say 31-year-old Chace Smith and Timothy Tabron were involved in an illegal street race on Broad Street, approaching speeds as fast as 88 miles per hour in a residential area. The posted speed limit in that area was 30 miles per hour. Woman killed in 3-car crash in Rochester Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this illegal race, Smith hit another vehicle driven by 30-year-old Alivia Curl who died at the scene of the crash. Both Smith and Tabron were arrested at the time for homicide. Tabron previously pled guilty to Manslaughter (2nd) and is expected to be sentenced three to six years in the New York State Department of Corrections. Inmate accused of street race that killed woman on Brown St. in 2022 Smith was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of 5 to 15 years in the New York State Department of Corrections which is the maximum sentence allowed by law. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A man who followed a victim from a Charlotte arcade and then stole their car at gunpoint received a lengthy prison sentence on Thursday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced. 26-year-old Charlotte resident Johnvonta Dixon will serve eight years after pleading guilty in April to brandishing a gun during a violent crime. Court records stated that in September of 2022 at around 9:20 p.m., Dixon stole a car from a man and held him at gunpoint inside the parking lot of a Charlotte AutoZone. I will [expletive] kill you if you dont give me your keys, he told the victim, records showed. The victim told detectives two guns were in the vehicle at the time of the robbery and when the vehicle was later located and abandoned, the guns along with other items were missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dixon followed the victim after spotting him inside a Charlotte gaming arcade, records stated. Dixon was arrested in October of 2022 after initially attempting to flee CMPD officers who attempted to serve an arrest warrant at his townhome. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A Mounds View man was sentenced Wednesday to just under a year in jail and five years of probation for shooting a 15-year-old girl in the foot during a fight at a St. Paul park last summer. Arlanders Marshall, 25, pleaded guilty in September to second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person prohibited because of a violent crime conviction. The victims mother told police the 11 a.m. July 13 shooting at Roy Wilkins Park stemmed from the mothers cooperation with prosecutors against Marshalls girlfriend in a Washington County robbery case. The mother said Marshalls girlfriend had recently gone to court on a robbery charge and learned from police reports that the mother had talked to police; the mother also was charged in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the girlfriend was upset and gave pepper spray to some girls, who used it on the mothers children the night before. The mother and the woman had words on Snapchat after that. The mother told police that she, along with her 15-year-old daughter and other family members, were at Roy Wilkins Park, formerly known as Lewis Park, on the citys North End. While they were near their vehicle, she said, a car pulled up and Marshall and two women got out, yelling about the previous robbery. The girlfriend pulled her from a vehicle and punched her with a hard-covered lighter, then pepper-sprayed both her and her daughter. She said she saw the girlfriend hand a gun to Marshall, who shot at them multiple times. The teen then yelled shed been shot, and the group drove away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found 14 shell casings at the scene, and the teens family vehicle had four bullet holes in the hood. A search of Marshalls apartment turned up ammunition with the same headstamp as the spent casings collected at the scene; police did not find a gun. Location data from a cellphone connected to Marshall placed the phone in the area of the shooting. Marshalls girlfriend faced the same charges he did, but they were dismissed in August, with an attorneys office spokesman explaining prosecutors believed they could not prove the case against her based on the evidence. At Marshalls sentencing, Ramsey County District Judge DeAnne Hilgers granted downward departures from state sentencing guidelines on both counts. She stayed a five-year prison term on the assault and a three-year sentence on the gun charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge imposed a 360-day jail sentence on both counts and gave Marshall credit for the 128 days hed already spent in custody. Related Articles NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio (WJW) A man is now recovering after being shot by a stray bullet that went through his home on Sunday. According to the New Franklin Police Department, the man was hit by a bullet that was fired from an unknown location on Nov. 17 at 3:30 p.m. The bullet came from the west side of his home on Farview Drive and hit his leg. Woman who escaped years of captivity says APL raided her animal rescue According to police, the shooting appears to be accidental by someone shooting in the area, but it is still unknown where the shot came from or who fired it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These incidents are 100% avoidable if proper safety measures are taken when shooting, police said on Facebook. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you have a proper backstop when shooting. This incident was tragic for the individual and his family and could have been much worse. International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas officials Police ask that anyone with information about this shooting call the New Franklin Police Department at 330-882-3281. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) A man has been hospitalized following a shooting that happened in the New Orleans East on Wednesday evening, Nov. 20. According to the New Orleans Police Department, the shooting, which happened in the 4900 block of Knight Drive, was reported at 7:03 p.m. Tangipahoa Parish Jail escapee arrested after six months The initial investigation reportedly shows that one man was shot at least one time. He was taken by emergency services to a local hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information was provided. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WPRI) Troopers arrested a man in Springfield earlier this week after he threw a hatchet at their cruiser, according to Massachusetts State Police. The troopers were on patrol Monday night and had just pulled over to enter information from a traffic stop into the system when police said a man in his 30s approached the passengers side of the cruiser with a hatchet, several knives and a machete. Police said the man tried to coax the troopers out of the cruiser, repeatedly asking them why they werent arresting him for possessing the weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The troopers told the man that he was free to leave, but he instead remained next to the cruiser shaking his head. Police said the troopers attempted to create distance from the man by backing the cruiser up slowly. But that instead prompted the man to hit the cruiser with the hatchet several times before throwing it toward them. The troopers called for backup as the man picked the hatchet back up and continued to follow their cruiser down the street. He surrendered and was taken into custody shortly after the troopers got out of the cruiser and drew their weapons. The man kept shouting that he wanted to kill corrections officers and later first responders broadly as he was being arrested, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident was caught on body-worn camera footage, in which the troopers can be heard telling the man to put the weapons down. Despite the grave danger posed by an armed, volatile individual, these troopers used their training and composure to achieve a safe resolution for the suspect, bystanders and first responders, Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble said. The man has not been identified and its unclear exactly what charges hes facing. Watch: Bodycam footage shows man throwing hatchet at cruiser Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. NAHARIYA, Israel (Reuters) - A 30-year-old man was killed by rocket shrapnel next to a playground in the northern Israeli town of Nahariya on Thursday, Israel's MDA medical service said. The Israeli military said about 10 rockets had been launched from Lebanon towards Nahariya. "Most of the projectiles were intercepted and fallen projectiles were identified," the IDF said in a statement. Channel 12 said three rockets hit the coastal town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air sirens went off in a number of locations across northern Israel during the morning, but it was not immediately clear how many missiles had been launched from Lebanon. "The Israeli government is not safeguarding my security, my residents or the residents of the north (of Israel). It is not possible to live in such a situation like this," Nahariya Mayor Ronen Marelly told public broadcaster Kan. "We are being attacked (by Hezbollah) in a massive way with great force," he said. The Israeli military has inflicted huge devastation in Lebanon since it went on the offensive against Hezbollah in September, mounting airstrikes across wide parts of the country and sending in troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday's attacks came as U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who is trying to broker a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah, was due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the outcome of his latest talks in Beirut. Hochstein said on Tuesday he had made progress towards clinching a deal, but there was still no indication of when it might be finalised. Some locals in Nahariya were not confident peace was at hand. "No one is optimistic about anything," resident Iris Hazan told Kan. "I want to leave this area ... We cannot live like this," she said. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer and Jonathan Saul, Editing by William Maclean) BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A 55-year-old man has pleaded guilty to charges in connection to stealing nearly $13,000 in merchandise during a five-week crime spree in early 2023, the Erie County District Attorneys Office said Thursday. Jordan Ellison, of Rochester, admitted to nine different retail crimes between Jan. 4 and Feb. 4, 2023. The crimes took place at six different retailers in four jurisdictions in Erie County. Ellison was apprehended once, which allowed the merchandise to be recovered and returned. In total, he stole property with a total combined value of $12,902. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to eight counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and one count of third-degree robbery. He faces a maximum of four years in prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 22, 2025. As part of the sentencing process, prosecutors said they will request that the court signs confessions of judgement and trespass notices for each retailer, barring him from entering the stores in the future. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. LIBERTY TWP., Ohio (WKBN) A man told police that he was mugged by two unknown men while walking in Liberty Township early Friday morning. Officers were sent to a business in the 2700 block of Belmont Ave. around 5 a.m. Friday. The man went there to report the attack and was bleeding when officers arrived, according to a police report. Police said the victim, who was not from the area, couldnt tell officers exactly where he was when he was attacked. He said he remembered seeing a Walmart and Taco Bell across the street, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man told police that he was walking on Belmont Avenue when he was approached by two men who asked him for a cigarette. He said he told them that he did not have one, at which time the men then asked him for money. He said he did not have money either, so he offered his phone to the men. He said they then grabbed the phone and threw it on the ground, breaking it, and began beating him before leaving the area. An ambulance transported the man to the hospital. Police searched the area but did not see anyone matching the description of the reported attackers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) All of the men involved in a deadly shooting outside an Albuquerque smoke shop more than two years ago have now been sentenced. The men shot Raymond Sedillo while he was driving near the In and Out shop at Central Ave. and Pennsylvania St. in 2022. Albuquerque Crime Stoppers looking for trio accused of robbing PetSmart Anthony McCrady was sentenced to eleven years in prison on Wednesday as laid out in his plea deal. Tyrell Burr and Curtis Taylor III were both given 11 years behind bars for voluntary manslaughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A 33-year-old man is headed to prison for 80 years following the cold-blooded killing of an autistic man, according to a Tuesday news release from Pennington County. On the morning of Aug. 13, 2021, Austin Freeman, 20, was walking to his grandmothers house when he was approached by then 31-year-old William Daly. Daly beckoned Freeman toward a vehicle, Freeman complied and was shot in the stomach by Daly. Daly left Freeman to die according to the release. Harrisburg couple identified in fatal weekend crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The killing was captured on video and Freemans cries were recorded during a 911 call. Daly pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in July. He was sentenced to 80 years on Tuesday. At Tuesdays sentencing hearing, Freemans family shared Victim Impact Statements. Everything in our family has changed. Things feel tense. Everyone gets angry faster and stays sad more often, said Austins brother in a statement. Major Crimes Unit Prosecutor Roxanne Hammond emphasized Freemans vulnerability and the calculated nature of Dalys actions. There was no excuse for what happened here. This case is truly, in the deepest sense of the word, a senseless tragedy, Hammond said in court, according t to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release said Judge Matthew Brown described the killing as grotesque and one of the most cold-blooded acts Ive ever seen. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Columbus man will spend at least the next three and a half decades in prison after being found guilty of murder for a fatal 2022 shooting in east Columbus. Keith Z. Coleman, 27, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 35 years. Coleman was found guilty in September of one aggravated murder and two murder charges, all three carrying firearm specifications. Coleman is guilty of killing Henry B. Moore Jr., 32, on July 3, 2022, in a shooting on the 3100 block of Sterling Lane. Coleman was arrested the following October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley while she was out for a run earlier this year was found guilty Wednesday and sentenced to life without parole in a case that reignited the national debate over immigration and crime. Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old undocumented migrant from Venezuela, was convicted on a total of 10 charges, including murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and tampering with evidence. Athens-Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard reached the verdict after hearing evidence and testimony from dozens of experts and law enforcement officers as well as both Ibarra and Rileys roommates since last week. The defense and prosecution agreed to a bench trial, in which the judge alone decides the facts of the case and application of the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riley, a student at Augusta Universitys Athens campus, was found dead February 22 in a wooded area near the University of Georgia trail she often visited. She was struck in the head with a rock several times and asphyxiated, according to court documents. Rileys family cried and multiple gasps and sobs were heard in the courtroom when the first guilty decision was announced. Her mother and sister described the heartbreaking impact of Rileys death when they delivered their victim impact statements before the judge handed down the sentencing. 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, Rileys mother, Allyson Phillips, said Wednesday in court. He ripped away every beautiful memory we will ever be able to make with her again, she added while sobbing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phillips described her daughter as smart, hard-working, kind, thoughtful, and most importantly, she was a child of God. Rileys roommate Connolly Huth told Judge Haggard she lost the joy of running and is afraid to resume it. I no longer run every day, Huth said. I cannot imagine running when I constantly am looking over my shoulder in public, wondering if I am next. As the sentence was read, Ibarra was mostly seen looking down. He had shown little emotion throughout the trial. Defendant Jose Ibarra, right, listens to Judge H. Patrick Haggard during his trial. - Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP Prosecutors presented DNA evidence and defense raised alternate theory Over four days of testimony, Georgia prosecutors presented an array of digital and physical evidence, including DNA, digital data and surveillance to connect Ibarra to Rileys killing. Meanwhile, the defense focused on casting doubt on the states evidence and offered an alternate theory of the case, saying one of Ibarras brothers was responsible for the killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence that is subject to more than one interpretation is not proof beyond reasonable doubt, defense attorney Kaitlyn Beck said in her closing arguments Wednesday. I would remind your honor that even if you think the alternative theories of the evidence are less likely, but they present any reasonable doubt, you would still be required to find Mr. Ibarra not guilty, she added. Prosecutors said genetic testing of Rileys fingernail clippings showed a link to the genetic profile of Ibarra. Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab scientist Ashley Hinkle testified Tuesday that generally someone either has to have some sort of scratching or contact with the inside of the nail to get another persons DNA under their fingernails. In separate testimony, UGA police Sgt. Joshua Epps said he noticed what looked like fingernail scratches on Ibarras arms and left wrist when he met him the day after Rileys killing. The defense questioned the quality of that DNA evidence and its analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, a blood-like stain on a navy blue jacket found in a dumpster contained the DNA of Riley and Ibarra, Hinkle testified. A witness also spoke about spotting a person wearing a navy blue jacket on the morning of Rileys murder. Surveillance video showed an unknown person wearing a black Adidas hat stuffing the jacket in the dumpster. Prosecutors said the next day, police spotted Ibarras brother wearing that hat, which led them to question Ibarra. Investigators also presented a series of selfies they say Ibarra took of himself with his own phone. In those photos, he appears to wear clothes that match those seen in the surveillance video. Prosecutor Sheila Ross presents her closing arguments before Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard on Wednesday. - Hyosub Shin/Pool/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP Republican leaders react to guilty verdict Several Republican leaders reacted to Wednesdays verdict and sentencing, with many of them having previously highlighted the case to support their calls for tighter border security. Data reviewed by CNN suggests no significant connection between illegal immigration and violent crime. President-elect Donald Trump said in a statement he hoped the guilty verdict can bring Rileys family some peace and closure and said, It is time to secure our Border, and remove these criminals and thugs from our Country, so nothing like this can happen again! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp called Rileys death senseless and applauded the bravery shown by her family during the murder trial. He slammed current immigration policy, saying Ibarra should have not been allowed to enter the United States. 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 a statement. After Rileys killing, Georgia officials signed into law immigration enforcement legislation. The law requires local and state law enforcement officials to verify the immigration status of those older than 18 who have been arrested, those in detention or those who an officer has probable cause to believe have committed a crime. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BUTLER CO., Pa. (WKBN) The man who investigators say stole a car from an airport and caused a crash during a chase through Ohio and Pennsylvania was sentenced Thursday. Makele Scruggs, 23, was sentenced in Butler County Common Pleas Court to 6 to 12 months in jail. He will also have to serve 36 months probation when he gets out, according to court records. Scruggs pleaded guilty to felony charges of criminal mischief, including damaging property, and fleeing or attempting to elude officers. Various other charges were dismissed, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scruggs still faces additional charges of failure to comply, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and felonious assault for the Ohio portion of the chase, and that case remains pending. The Ohio State Highway Patrol named Scruggs as the man who stole a car from the Cleveland Hopkins Airport and led police on a chase that spanned two states and caused a cruiser-involved crash in Boardman about three months ago. Laurel Stone contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) An Irondale man who pleaded guilty to setting off an explosive device outside the Alabama Attorney Generals Office earlier this year has been sentenced to nearly a decade in prison. Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27, was sentenced to 108 months in prison after pleading guilty to malicious use of an explosive back in August. Originally, Calvert had planned to plead not guilty in the case, but subsequently pleaded guilty and accepting his prison term without the possibility of parole. Kyle Calvert attacked the Alabama Attorney Generals Office with a shrapnel-filled explosive and then fled the scene, but this sentence ensures he will not escape accountability for his crime, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. Acts of violence like this one against our public institutions endanger public servants and entire communities, and they must not be tolerated. I am grateful to the FBI, ATF, and our state and local law enforcement partners for ensuring accountability for this attack, and for the work they do every day to protect our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Future of Eds Pet World in question as longtime Homewood business puts building up for sale On Feb. 26, a suspicious package was located near the intersection of Washington Avenue and South Bainbridge Street in downtown Montgomery. Following an investigation, it was determined that the package had been set off in the early morning hours that previous Saturday when no one was near the building. On April 10, Calvert was developed as a suspect after footage of him walking near the building at the time of the explosion was captured and he was subsequently arrested. According to his plea agreement filed Aug. 23, Calvert made the explosive device himself using nails, screws and shrapnel. He also admitted that prior to setting off the device, he had placed stickers on different governmental buildings in the area, some including the phrase Support your local Antifa, despite claiming to not be involved with any antifascist groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI investigated the case with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MONTOGMERY, Ala. (AP) An Alabama man who detonated a homemade explosive device outside the state attorney general's office was sentenced to nine years in federal prison on Thursday. Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27, plead guilty in August to the charge of malicious use of an explosive device. Calvert admitted to constructing the bomb out of nails, firecrackers and screws, and then blowing it up outside Republican Attorney General Steve Marshalls office in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 24, prosecutors said. No people were hurt, and nearby buildings in downtown Montgomery were not damaged. Remnants of the bomb were not discovered until the following Monday, according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Law enforcement arrested Calvert two weeks later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acts of violence like this one against our public institutions endanger public servants and entire communities, and they must not be tolerated, said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Calvert's attorneys did not respond to an emailed request for comment on Thursday. Prosecutors said that Calvert had placed stickers reflecting a wide range of political ideologies around the area, some of which included the phrase, Support your local antifa. But Calvert said he does not have any affiliation with antifa" in his plea deal. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) The man who led authorities on a manhunt after a shooting from an attempted carjacking on Interstate 83 pled guilty to his charges on Wednesday. Online court records show Jajyevoune Lee, 24, of Maryland, pled guilty to aggravated assault, robbery, flight to avoid apprehension, recklessly endangering another person, firearm, and drug charges. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter An attempted murder charge was withdrawn, records show. He will be sentenced on Dec. 23. According to State Police in York, who filed charges, Troopers were told about an armed robbery in Springettsbury Township and also learned about a woman driving a vehicle that was southbound on I-83 at Exit 10. PRIOR COVERAGE -> Woman shot during attempted carjacking on I-83 in York County, man charged After the vehicle was found, Troopers pulled it over, and Lee then jumped from the vehicle and ran into the woods, leading PA State Game Warden, Southern Regional Police, PSP K9s, and the York County Sheriffs Office K9s to look for him. A woman in the vehicle was taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, State Police found Lee in Springfield Township and responded to the area, finding him, but he was able to run away toward I-83. This was when he tried to carjack a 53-year-old woman and shot her in the chest, State Police said. The woman was able to receive aid from Troopers before being taken to the hospital. Part of I-83 in York County was shut down for most of the day due to the incident. Lee previously had felony warrants for violent crimes in Maryland. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Weeks before a man allegedly fatally stabbed his estranged wife in a Portage Park attack that also injured a police officer, he appeared before a Cook County judge on accusations that he threw her to the ground and held her in his car, records show. During a detention hearing, Cook County prosecutors argued for detention as the public defender for Constantin Beldie, 57, hit back against the states evidence. Judge Thomas Nowinski ordered him released on electronic monitoring, finding that prosecutors did not meet their burden for detention. He criticized the case work, calling it a little sloppy, according to a court transcript of the Oct. 9 proceeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judges decision to release Beldie just six weeks before he is suspected to have killed Lacramioara Beldie, 54, set off an outcry on Wednesday from domestic violence advocates asking for Nowinski to be reassigned, noting that he also denied an emergency protective order for the mother of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins against Crosetti Brand, who is accused of stabbing Jayden to death in an attack on his mother. In a news release, Chicago police said a detective, who works in the Harrison Area on the West Side, saw Beldie being stabbed in the 5600 block of West Leland Avenue around 2:20 p.m. Tuesday. Constantin Beldie was later found dead in a vehicle nearby, authorities said. As outrage over the handling of the matter grew, a source familiar with the proceedings and the judges decision said the risk assessment metrics presented to the court were low, and that the prosecutors petition for detention did not include details that met the bar for detention. Neither the chief judges office nor the states attorneys office responded to requests for comment on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court records, including an order of protection, Constantin Beldie had a history of accusations by his wife that he attacked and threatened her. Lacramioara Beldie filed for an order of protection against her husband in January 2024, a few months after the two separated. They were married in 1992 and had two children, both now in their 20s, according to court records. In that petition, she said she was at her estranged husbands home on Jan. 6 where Constantin was drinking and the two were arguing. He asked her to leave, and after she picked up her purse to go, Constantin then grabbed my arm and dragged me into the bathroom. It was then, she said, that Constantin attacked her and threatened to kill her. She said the abuse lasted for eight hours before she was able to escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then punched me, slapped me, and kicked me, Lacramioara Beldie wrote. He called me a slut, stupid, and bitch. He then said I can kill you now and put you in a bag and take you to the lake and I can get a gun and kill all of you and you dont know and I dont care if the police take me because you left me.' In her affidavit, Lacramioara said her husband verbally abused her 10 times during their relationship. On one occasion, Constantin Beldie said, I am going to be like your grandfather. I took this as a threat from (him) because my grandfather killed my grandmother and then himself, Lacramioara Beldie said in the filing. Judge Torrie Corbin granted an emergency order of protection on Jan. 8, records show. The order granted Lacramioara Beldie exclusive possession of her Northwest Side home. It also ordered Constantin Beldie to surrender his guns, firearm owners identification card and concealed carry license to the Chicago Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order was extended twice before the two reached an agreement on a no-contact order in late March, records show. On Oct. 7, Lacramioara Beldie filed a new petition for an order of protection. In her petition, she said she was walking to the bus stop and looking at her phone when Constantin Beldie got out, grabbed her and tried to drag her into his car, covering her mouth to stop her from screaming. Lacramioara Beldie said he tried to throw her to the ground and knock her unconscious but ended up driving away. As he was driving off, he threatened me saying Ill do it, you dont believe that I will do it as he was pointing a black object, the petition read. The attack left Lacramioara Beldie with several injuries, including cuts that required stitches, according to the petition. Judge Hilda Bahena granted the order of protection the next day, records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 9, prosecutors asked Nowinski to order Constantin Beldie held pending trial, alleging that hed driven up to Lacramioara Beldie and one of their children in an alleyway, accused her of poisoning him and attacked her. Prosecutors alleged Constantin Beldie threw Lacramioara Beldie to the ground using her backpack and pulled her into the back seat of the car, though she was able to get out after about 10 seconds. Nowinski denied the petition and ordered Constantin Beldie released on electronic monitoring the same day, records show. In a transcript of the Oct. 9 hearing, an assistant states attorney, in relaying Beldies background, told the judge that Beldie had one year of supervision for a 2006 driving offense. Thats all by way of publishable background, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transcript did contain references to the January incident and past order of protection, though it did not go into detail. Nowinski criticized the case work after a back-and-forth between prosecutors and Beldies public defender over what the evidence showed and what had been turned over. Seems like there was some pretty sloppy work by either the police or felony review, but go on, he said. In delivering his decision ordering Beldie to electronic monitoring, Nowinski said there is no history of domestic violence. I do not believe the states met their burden that theres no condition or combination of conditions that can mitigate the threat this defendant poses, he said, according to the transcript. So the states petition is denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A grand jury accused him of aggravated domestic battery and strangulation, attempted kidnapping and unlawful restraint, court records show. Constantin Beldie pleaded not guilty to all charges the day before the alleged stabbing. Lacramioara Beldie worked as a nanny a few blocks from where she was killed, court records show. Carson Mumma said shed been a stay-at-home mom for her two young daughters until they met Beldie, whom they called Mirela, and felt that they were in good hands. Our girls adored her, she said. She was the reason I felt comfortable going back to work at all. Mumma, 37, described Beldie as so playful, and so kind, and so gentle and calm and a huge part of her familys life. Beldie took Mummas daughters all over the neighborhood. Theyd go to playgrounds or the library or to Park District classes, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt so good having my kids with her, she said. Not just like theyre safe, but like theyre safe, theyre well cared for, theyre growing, theyre nurtured. Mumma often came home from work finding Beldie and her oldest daughter immersed in an art project. Sometimes it was finger painting, but others, she would take our paper towel tubes and make little flowers or caterpillars or things out of them. Mumma later said in a text message that she did not know that Beldie had begun to fear for her safety in recent months. We had no idea about any of it, she said. It was a complete shock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates against domestic violence on Wednesday called on Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans to reassign Nowinski, saying his decisions had resulted in two tragic, preventable murders. Amanda Pyron, the president and CEO of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, said Nowinski has repeatedly shown he does not have the judgment necessary to keep survivors safe and called on the Cook County states attorneys office to review its domestic violence screening policies. State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, a Chicago Democrat whose district covers the site of the fatal stabbing on the Northwest Side, said the killing highlighted gaps in the court system, adding that a criminal justice reform law in 2021 that eliminated cash bail was supposed to give judges more information than before in weighing detention for people arrested for violent felonies, such as domestic battery. The Portage Park community and the far Northwest Side is rocked by having this event and Im hurting for the family, for the victim. Shes got adult children, said LaPointe. These are very important decisions that need to be given time and judges should be looking at much better data. So the system is supposed to result in better decisions, and clearly that did not happen in this instance. Chicago Tribunes Jeremy Gorner contributed. CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Clarksville authorities are turning to the community for help finding a Kentucky man facing multiple charges in connection with a deadly crash from September. According to the Clarksville Police Department, 65-year-old Daryl Ingram of Oak Grove, Kentucky, has several warrants out for his arrest including a warrant for vehicular homicide after he was involved in a head-on collision on Ashland City Road (41A Bypass) near Riverwood Place on Sept. 5. Driver killed in crash on I-40E in Wilson County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other driver identified by officials as Matthew Bouslog died from his injuries shortly after being brought to Tennova Healthcare. Daryl Ingram (Courtesy: Clarksville Police Department) In addition to vehicular homicide, Ingram faces charges for driving under the influence, driving on the wrong side of the road, violating light laws, and failing to provide proof of insurance, authorities said. Even though he is still wanted, police added that Ingrams total bond is set at $550,000. Driver charged weeks after woman killed in Lebanon crash If you have any information regarding Ingrams whereabouts, youre asked to call 911 or contact FACT Investigator Crosby at 931-896-3958. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, call the Clarksville Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Tipsline at 931-645-8477, or submit a tip online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional details have been released about this 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 WKRN News 2. MANOR, Texas (KXAN) On Wednesday, the Manor Independent School District held a meeting for the community to voice safety needs at its campuses. 18-year-old charged with murder after fellow Manor student dies in stabbing This comes less than a month after police arrested a student and charged them for stabbing and killing another student on a high school campus. Manor mourns loss of student, cancels classes at high school where student died until Monday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really about talking and listening to the community and hearing what we can do together as one group moving forward, said Manor ISD Superintendent Dr. Robert Sormani. Dozens of parents and staff attended Manor ISDs community safety meeting. (Photo: KXAN) Dozens of parents and staff attended Manor ISDs community safety meeting. (Photo: KXAN) Dozens of parents and staff attended Manor ISDs community safety meeting. (Photo: KXAN) Dozens of parents and staff attended Manor ISDs community safety meeting. (Photo: KXAN) Safety changes Since the stabbing, Sormani said the district reduced the number of entry points and added metal-detecting wands at district high schools. It also contracted with a law firm to do an independent review of safety protocols before and after the stabbing. New safety procedures in place following fatal stabbing at Manor Senior High School At the meeting, staff and families discussed how they feel about current and potential future protocols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not going to fix anything overnight, but if we can really come together, truly as a community, instead of it just being something that we say in a newsletter that goes home, it makes a difference, said Manor ISD parent Nealy Guidry. Some said theyre encouraged by the physical safety enhancements but also support other initiatives, like a character education program focused on conflict resolution for both students and staff. Change the way that theyre thinking and the way that theyre moving around the world that creates a safer environment as well, said Manor ISD High School Principal Brandon Powell. Sormani said hell take this feedback and use it as building blocks for a bigger safety plan in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approach our Board of Trustees, Sormani said. Heres what I think our community is saying, and here are the ideas that we can start doing and tackling long term together. The district emailed a survey to parents to learn what they want to see in terms of safety. The superintendent said Manor ISD already received 1,400 responses. The survey will stay open until Friday. The district will have another community meeting on Dec. 4 at Decker Middle School. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Tulsi Gabbards pro-Russia political bent has been the cause of much alarm in the intelligence community ever since President-elect Donald Trump chose her to be his director of national intelligence. Because, sure, she lacks any relevant experience whatsoever for the job, a gargantuan responsibility that requires oversight of 18 intelligence agencies. But she also takes positions that make her seem, well, compromised by foreign governments. For example, she has a tendency to espouse foreign-policy talking points that very much align with Kremlin propaganda, often with the help of her pal Tucker Carlson. She has blamed the U.S. for supposedly provoking Russias invasion of Ukraine and posited that the Biden administration is developing biolabs in the invaded territory. She is weirdly into Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, having once held a private meeting with the strongman and refusing to ever admit that he did, in fact, repeatedly attack and kill his own people with assistance from the Russians. (Rossiya-1, a Russian state television channel, recently called her a comrade.) She even spreads conspiracy theories about herself, claiming earlier this year that shed been placed on a Transportation Security Administration terror watchlist for criticizing Kamala Harris. Those examples are sufficient for understanding why intelligence officials, Democrats, and even some conservatives are panicked about her nomination. But there is another incredibly compromising geopolitical stance, more buried in Gabbards past, thats been overlooked in the many arguments to keep her far, far away from the top levers of American power: her deep ties to Hindu nationalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since her entry into national politics, Tulsi Gabbard has cultivated and benefited from ties to United States chapters of the Sangh Parivar, an India-based network of Hindu nationalist advocacy organizations that attempt to influence policy in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the U.S. This ideological web is centered around the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, an almost century-old collective inspired by European-style fascism. The collective is devoted to the idea of establishing India as a Hindu-supremacist ethnostate, instead of as secular nation home to people of all faiths; Indias autocratic prime minister, Narendra Modi, and many of his partisan acolytes got their start as RSS volunteers. In furtherance of their goals, RSS affiliates have not only stoked violence against Muslims, Christians, and other religious minorities in India, but have used their global outposts to persuade foreign governments to ignore Indias human rights abusesand to dismiss any critiques of Hindu nationalism as Hinduphobic bigotry. But the attempts to silence detractors is not limited to Indias borders: The Indian government has been credibly accused of orchestrating plots to kill citizens of other countries who are opposed to Modis government. Gabbard is not of South Asian descent herselfher parents are from American Samoabut shed been steeped in certain tenets of Hinduism while growing up in Hawaii, because her family members were enthusiastic devotees of a local spiritual sect, the Science of Identity Foundation, that splintered off from the Hare Krishna movement in the 1970s and got involved in Honolulu politics. (Gabbards first name is the Sanskrit word for a sacred plant considered to be the terrestrial incarnation of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Science of Identity Foundation has a cultlike and bigoted history; Gabbard had disavowed its homophobic stances, which shed once championed as a Hawaii state representative, by the time she began running for Congress. But beyond the community she grew up in, Gabbard has a long history of appearing at events for, and courting support from, Hindu-fundamentalist groups. After her general-election victory in 2012, which made her the first Hindu American member of Congress, Gabbard continued to show up at fundraisers hosted by Sangh Parivaraffiliated organizations and by the Hindu American Foundation, a nonprofit that has explicitly lobbied American politicians on behalf of Modis partys interests. Gabbard heeded these groups foreign-policy asks in Congress even before shed ever made a trip to India, or met Modi for herself: She opposed a 2013 bipartisan congressional resolution that recognized Hindu nationalisms violent impacts on Indias religious minorities and spoke out against a congressional hearing about the persecution of Indian Muslims. At her 2015 wedding, a spokesman for Modis party delivered personal greetings and gifts from the prime minister. (By then, the Indian newspaper the Telegraph had already deemed Gabbard the RSS fraternitys newest mascot.) Throughout her congressional tenure, Gabbard continued parroting Hindu nationalist talking points about the threat of Islamic extremists and the complex history behind the Modi governments brutal military crackdown on the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir. When she ran in the Democratic presidential primary in 2019, these concerns were resurfaced, and Gabbard reacted by accusing her critics of Hinduphobia, the common (and unfounded) defensive crouch from Hindu nationalists. Gabbards political history with Hindu nationalism could make her just as vulnerable to manipulation by the Indian government as her Russian sympathies could make her vulnerable to manipulation by Putin. Late last year, the Justice Department revealed that it had arrested and charged an Indian citizen for attempting to carry out murder-for-hire plots against at least two American Sikhs; a new filing in the case, unsealed just last month, directly accuses an Indian government official of giving the orders for those plots to advance. The monitoring of such plots necessitates international coordination. The U.S. investigated these efforts on its own soil after getting intelligence from Canada, whose prime minister, Justin Trudeau, alleged last year that a Sikh Canadian was successfully assassinated by a lackey of the Indian government. How can Canadaor any other country where Indias wannabe assassins hatch their schemestrust such information with the likes of Gabbard? What if there are other compromising details about her that the Indian government is hip toand can exploit to its advantage? Imagine that this conundrum becomes relevant to any country or dictator willing to help Modi manipulate the American government. Where does that leave the U.S. in the grand scheme of things? The governments controversial decision to extend inheritance tax to farm properties could put a fifth of Labours seats at risk, analysis from the Independent reveals. At least 81 of Labours seats in England, Scotland and Wales are in areas with a significant rural population, where more constituents are likely to be affected by farm taxes, which have prompted fury. In 54 of these constituencies, Labour won by less than 15 per cent, with the Conservatives, Reform or the SNP hot on their heels. The so-called tractor tax has been seized upon by the rural community as an example of Labour betrayal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tories are in prime position to take advantage of Labours declining popularity among rural voters, with the party likely eyeing up the chance to claw back 48 seats where they were less than 15 per cent behind Labour in the recent election. The rural/urban classification was drawn up by Defra in 2011. For Wales, areas with over 200 farms are included. There is no rural/urban classification data available for Northern Ireland. Where is Labour at risk? On Tuesday more than 10,000 farmers protested against the tax changes, which mean that from April next year inherited agricultural assets worth more than 1 million, which were previously exempt, will be liable to the tax at 20 per cent half the usual rate. Leaders from major parties have challenged the governments decision, with Kemi Badenoch calling the tax cruel and and Ed Davey saying it does not make sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rural vote is a point of insecurity for Labour; in fact, the vast majority of these seats were formerly held by the Conservatives until this year. It is safe to say that Labour cannot take these votes for granted. Meanwhile, the Conservatives are waiting in the wings. In Wednesdays PMQs, Tory MPs took the opportunity to attack Angela Rayner on the policy decision, with Saqib Bhatti asking: Why has this Labour Government declared war on British farmers? Tractors drove through central London as part of the protest (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire) The Conservatives lost the Forest of Dean constituency by just 278 votes at the election. There are 751 farms (agricultural holdings) registered in this constituency alone, according to 2021 figures from Defra. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MP Matt Bishop told the Independent that he wants to reassure my constituents that my focus on farming and rural issues remains unwavering. The Derbyshire Dales has one of the highest numbers of farms in the UK, with 1,275 registered in the constituency. Labour won the seat by just 350 votes, with the Tories close behind. Some Labour MPs in these at-risk seats have already started to question their partys policy decision, following pressure mounting from the farmers protests. The Labour MP for South Norfolk, Terry Jermy, called for reassurance on the scale of the impact and confirmation that the figures are accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Jermy is facing pressure from constituents in South Norfolk, a predominantly rural constituency with 408 farm holdings, where the Tories came in just 5.7 per cent behind Labour. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage arrives to attend a farmers' protest against changes to inheritance tax rules for land ownership, outside of Downing Street, on Whitehall, in central London, on November 19, 2024. (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) Meanwhile in Wales, hundreds of farmers joined the protests outside Parliament and at home. Local MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr Steve Witherden questioned the Treasurys modelling of the policy and suggested that future changes may be necessary. There are around 4,766 farms in the Powys area, which includes Mr Witherdens seat, according to 2017 figures from the Welsh government. Reform came 3,815 votes (8.8 per cent) behind Labour in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, which was only won from the Conservatives this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Llanelli on the South West coast, Reform were just 1,504 votes behind Labour. Its position within Carmarthenshire, home to around 4,000 farms, could pose a threat in light of the farmers protests. Reform MPs Nigel Farage, Richard Tice, and Lee Anderson joined the picket line on Tuesday and have been vocal against the IHT changes. Their constituencies have approximately 760 agricultural holdings between them. Marines recently carried out the services first combat strikes using the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter during air missions against Houthi targets near the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Launching from the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln on Nov. 9 and 10, the Black Knights of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing conducted multiple strikes on Houthi locations being used to target military and civilian vessels in the strategic waterway. The F-35C demonstrated its warfighting advantage by transiting contested airspace and striking targets in the heart of Houthi territory over multiple days, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Wiki Davis, squadron commander, said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marines score aviation firsts with F-35 squadron, drone test and more The F-35C is a fifth-generation, long range stealth fighter built by Lockheed Martin and used by the Marines, Navy and Air Force. It handles a variety of missions, from air combat and air-to-ground strikes to reconnaissance and electronic warfare. The Marine Corps long-term aviation plan seeks to fully field all variants of the F-35 by 2030, phasing out aircraft such as the AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18C/D Hornet. The offensive and defensive capabilities of the F-35C absolutely enhance our air wings striking arm, Capt. Gerald Dutch Tritz, Abraham Lincoln commander, said in the release. The now battle-tested Air Wing of the Future has proven itself a game changer across all carrier air wing missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The F-35C is engineered for carrier-based operations, with landing gear suited for catapult launches and arrested landings, and foldable wings that allow for easier storage on the carrier deck. The C variant holds more fuel than other versions of the single-seat jet, providing nearly 20,000 pounds of internal fuel capacity for long-range flights. Before the F-35C, the U.S. military fielded the F-35A and F-35B. The B variant saw its first combat while carrying out airstrikes in 2018 against the Taliban in Afghanistan and Islamic State in Syria, according to the release. The A variant was first used in combat in 2019 against ISIS targets in Iraq. As of July, the Corps had eight operational F-35B squadrons and two training squadrons, totaling over 100 F-35B aircraft globally, Marine officials said. The Miramar, California-based VMFA-314 transitioned from the F/A-18 to the F-35C in 2020, making it the first fleet squadron in both the Marine Corps and Navy to fly the aircraft. The unit achieved initial operational capability that same year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VMFA 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was the second F-35C squadron to achieve that mark. The Tomcats of VMFA 311 flew more than 900 sorties, totaling nearly 1,700 flight hours, and carried out another 800 simulator hours and 2,400 maintenance actions to reach initial operational capability, Marine Corps Times previously reported. Earlier this year the Marines hit another F-35 milestone, when they flew their still-developing XQ-58A Valkyrie drone alongside four F-35Bs and other joint aircraft. The flight focused on the use of tactical data links to enable digital communication between the XQ-58A and an airborne four-ship of F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 and other joint aircraft, said Col. Derek Brannon, branch head for the Cunningham Group, deputy commandant for aviation. In February the Corps saw its first F-35 squadron on the East Coast reach initial operational capability, when VMFA 542, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, achieved that status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once at full operational capability, each wing will have six squadrons comprising 10 jets each. The most recently available figures from the 2022 Marine Corps Aviation Plan listed a procurement goal of 353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs, for a total of 420 aircraft. Those acquisitions will fill out 18 active component squadrons in the Corps, according to the plan. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is set to chair a new subcommittee that works with Elon Musk's DOGE. The panel will be tasked with investigating "wasteful" government spending. Greene said it would also "expose people who need to be fired." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is set to get a plum new role next year: chairing a new House panel that will work with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's Department of Government Efficiency. The Georgia Republican is expected to chair the new Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, which will be housed under the House Oversight Committee, a person familiar with the matter told Business Insider on Thursday. Fox News first reported on the creation of the panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOGE subcommittee will be tasked with investigating "wasteful" spending, examining ways to reorganize federal agencies and supporting the work of the DOGE commission. Greene and Rep. James Comer, the chair of the oversight committee, have already met with Ramaswamy and intend to work together, this person said. BIG NEWS Comer to create @GOPoversight DOGE subcommittee chaired by Marjorie Taylor Greene to work with @elonmusk, @VivekGRamaswamy https://t.co/b85arhjM5d Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) November 21, 2024 "Wasteful government spending must end, and taxpayers deserve to see their money used effectively and efficiently," Comer told Fox News. "I look forward to working with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy to deliver on these goals to make America great again." Greene told Fox News that the subcommittee "will expose people who need to be fired." She added: "Bureaucrats who don't do their job, fail audits like in the Pentagon, and don't know where billions of dollars are going will be getting a pink slip." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump announced the creation of DOGE earlier this month, naming Musk and Ramaswamy as the co-leads of the new extragovernmental organization. In a joint op-ed on Wednesday, the duo laid out their vision for DOGE in greater detail. They signaled that they would rely heavily on executive actions to carry out their recommended cuts to government spending. That could include "impoundment," in which Trump could simply refuse to spend congressionally approved funds. Impoundment has been largely illegal since 1974, but Trump and his allies view the law as unconstitutional and have pledged to challenge it in court. Read the original article on Business Insider Far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene will lead a new congressional panel to work with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on their plans to slash the federal budget and fire workers across the government. Greene has been tapped to chair a House subcommittee that will work in tandem with Donald Trumps newly created Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory board that the president-elect appointed the billionaire and wealthy entrepreneur to lead. The Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency is designed to work hand in hand with President Trump, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and the entire DOGE team, the congresswoman from Georgia said in a statement to CNBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel, first reported by Fox News Digital, will recommend firing government bureaucrats and will provide transparency and truth to the American people through hearings, according to Greene. No topic will be off the table, she said. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene will chair a new congressional panel designed to work with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on sweeping government cuts (Getty Images) The panel will operate under the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Republican congressman James Comer of Kentucky. The congressman told Fox News Digital that the new panel will align with the Trump administrations priorities to eliminate government waste, streamline the federal governments operations and cut red tape thats stifling jobs and increasing costs for the American people. Looking forward to working together with Congress. Proper oversight of agencies & public transparency are critical. https://t.co/K5ZoGLcdb8 Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 21, 2024 In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Musk and Ramaswamy broadly outlined their ambitions for DOGE, which expects to rely on a pair of recent Supreme Court rulings they argue give Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress unilateral authority to gut federal agencies and make drastic cuts in spending. Trump appointed Musk and Ramaswamy to lead an outside advisory group to recommend drastic cuts to the federal budget (Getty Images) They want to reduce annual federal spending by at least $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 another $300 million for progressive groups like Planned Parenthood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has said he would recommend cutting the nations budget by at least $2 trillion or roughly one-third. The men also argued that civil service protections wont stop them from recommending mass firings of federal workers, and that Trump can make large-scale firings and move federal agencies out of Washington DC, which could result in the loss of hundreds of jobs. A key step to driving greater efficiency in government is exposing the problem to the public we are grateful that the House Oversight Committee has created a subcommittee to focus on this work, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital. Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin, ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, fired back at the news, stressing that Democrats on the committee will stay focused on waste, fraud, abuse and corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to keep track of all the new departments and bureaucracies the Republicans are setting up to study the size and efficiency of government. But isnt that what Chairman Comer and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability actually said they were doing over the last two years? he said in a statement shared with The Independent. Wheres their report and recommendations? Perhaps the impeachment flop derailed them a bit, he added. So now a noted student of American government, [Greene], will chair a subcommittee to work with two unvetted billionaires who stand to receive billions more in government contracts and subsidies from the government under Trump. ... The government belongs to the people, not the billionaire oligarchs. (Bloomberg) -- Surgeon and author Marty Makary is seen as the leading candidate to run the US Food and Drug Administration under President-elect Donald Trump, people familiar with the matter said. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Makary, a pancreatic surgeon at Johns Hopkins Medicine, is a health researcher whose latest book focuses on questioning medical orthodoxy on topics from peanut allergies to antibiotics. The decision isnt final and Trump could select another candidate, said the people, who werent authorized to speak publicly. Makary didnt respond to a request for comment. President-elect Trump is making decisions on who will serve in his second administration, said Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump transition team. Those decisions will continue to be announced by him when they are made. The head of the FDA has oversight of the nations drug approval process, along with regulation of medical devices, food, and cosmetics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Makary has a long career as a health researcher, writing on hospital safety and quality and health-care prices. In recent public appearances hes drawn attention to rising rates of chronic disease and the role of ultraprocessed foods and environmental exposures, issues that have been been high on the agenda for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trumps choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Makary recently appeared on Fox News praising Kennedy, who has a history of promoting debunked theories that vaccines cause autism, and Makary urged the audience to disregard Kennedys earlier comments. Hes saying very clearly hes not anti-vax, hes not going to remove or take away anyones vaccines, he said on the show. Makary criticized the FDAs approval of Covid-19 vaccine boosters following the pandemic. In a 2023 Wall Street Journal op-ed he wrote that vaccines shouldnt be universally recommended for younger, lower-risk patients without more data from human trials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Undermining the normal scientific and regulatory process erodes public trust, he wrote. If he gets the FDA role, Makary could make the agency more suspicious of, rather than collaborative with, drugmakers, analysts from RBC Capital Markets led by Brian Abrahams wrote in a Nov. 20 note. Trump appointments including Kennedy and Mehmet Oz, who was tapped to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, raise uncertainty for investors, Jefferies analysts wrote in a Nov. 19 note. Makarys views on the drug industry and overhauling the FDA seem to align with Kennedys, but we do not see fundamental impacts to the agencys position on most biotech innovation, they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mizuhos Jared Holz wrote that Makary, if nominated, may be viewed positively by Wall Street. His stances on modern medicine including but not limited to new therapies and Covid-19 vaccine adoption look to be very pragmatic, Holz wrote in a note published Nov. 20. --With assistance from Stephanie Lai, Riley Griffin and Tonya Garcia. (Updates with analyst comments in last four paragraphs) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) Washington County Delegate Brooke Grossman (D 2B), whose district comprises Hagerstown, is behind a bill in the Maryland state legislature that will change the names of highways referencing soldiers of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Grossman says the federal government has renamed military bases to honor prominent African Americans in U.S. history. She would like to see, for instance, renaming streets like Robert E. Lee Drive in Sharpsburg. YMCA locks down after shooting broke out nearby in Hagerstown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt who we are, said Grossman. That is not who we are as a country. It is not the sentiment I think people want to feel when they are coming into those institutions or onto those campuses. We want to be welcoming for everyone. Grossman said she will introduce her bill in the upcoming session of the Maryland General Assembly. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said Thursday that the man who was wanted for the murder of 27-year-old Jessica Somerville was arrested. Police said 23-year-old Raheen Hawkins-Boseman, of Silver Spring, was taken into custody in North Carolina. This arrest comes after investigators searched for Hawkins-Boseman for more than seven months. Marylands months-long drought impacts Christmas tree farms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawkins-Boseman was wanted for murder in connection to a shooting that happened on March 17 in the 5800 block of Silver Hill Road in District Heights. Thats where police found Somerville suffering from a gunshot wound in a parking lot. She died at the scene. Just days later police released surveillance video that showed two men who were believed to be involved in the shooting. As the investigation developed, Hawkins-Boseman was identified as one of the suspects. Prince Georges County police issued an arrest warrant charging him with first-degree murder and related charges. Details surrounding Hawkins-Bosemans arrest remain limited as of Thursday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Dreamland Christmas Tree Farm in Jefferson is considered a small operation with about 15,000 Christmas trees. Those numbers are dwindling, however, due to dry conditions this year. Owner Brian Riesett said because of the drought, theyve lost around 1,100 trees. Its tough, Riesett said. Weve had two tough years. Riesett said the lack of rain between last year and this year has caused his Christmas tree farm to suffer immensely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year we lost about 900 to heat and drought, and this year, probably 1,100. So, 2,000 trees in two years, thats a big hit for a farm our size, he said. Capitol Christmas Tree makes stop in Western Maryland Weve probably lost 100 trees of saleable size and those trees this year are selling for $85-95. Yeah, thats $10,000 right there, Riesett explained. Riesett said some larger Christmas tree farms have irrigation systems to compensate for the lack of rainfall. Unfortunately, Dreamland Christmas Tree Farm does not. Our watering system is prayers and cross your fingers hope that it rains, he said. Thats typically our watering system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riesett said despite the challenges posed by the drought, hes looking forward to a joyous holiday season when his farm opens to the public this Saturday, Nov. 23. We installed some fake snow machines this year, he said. We tried one last year and the kids loved it, so we put four snow machines in here this year. Were going to blow snow on the pre-cut section. I mean the smiles is what it is all about. It just warms your heart. Riesett says some Christmas tree farms may raise prices to make up for the trees theyve lost. He says he will not increase his prices because he wants them to remain affordable for families. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. An American citizen has died at a popular adventure spot in Laos where alcohol tainted with methanol has been blamed for a spate of poisonings in recent days. The State Department said the U.S. citizen died in Vang Vieng, a town popular with backpackers to the north of the Southeast Asian countrys capital, Vientiane. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss, a spokesperson told NBC News on Thursday. The spokesperson did not reveal the victims identity or the cause of death out of respect for the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute on Thursday to Bianca Jones, 19, who died in Thailand after she was evacuated from Vang Vieng for treatment, along with her friend Holly Bowles, also 19. Our first thoughts in this moment are with her family and friends who are grieving a terrible and cruel loss, Albanese said in an address to Australias Parliament. This is every parents very worst fear and a nightmare that no one should have to endure. Thai authorities confirmed to The Associated Press that Jones had died by brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system. Australian officials said Friday that Bowles had also died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Australian government will continue to support Holly and Biancas families, just as we will continue our efforts with local authorities on investigations into this tragedy, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. Denmarks Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement Thursday that two of its citizens had also died in Laos. Citing confidentiality, it would not comment when asked whether they died of methanol poisoning. Duong Duc Toan, the manager of the Nana Backpacker hostel, displays a bottle of vodka at his bar in Vang Vieng, Laos, on Tuesday. Britains Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said Thursday that it was supporting the family of a British woman who had died in Laos, though it did not say whether methanol was involved. New Zealands foreign ministry also said its embassy in Bangkok, which also manages Laos, had been contacted by one of its citizens who was unwell and may be a victim of methanol poisoning in Laos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.K. issued a travel advisory for Laos on Wednesday. You should take care if offered, particularly for free, or when buying spirit-based drinks. If labels, smell or taste seem wrong then do not drink, it said. Authorities in Laos, one of Southeast Asias poorest countries, have long cautioned foreign travelers about tainted drinks at nightclubs and bars. Several travelers have died from methanol poisoning in the past after having consumed drinks mixed with the liquid, which unscrupulous bar owners use to increase their volume. Reports about the mass poisoning in Vang Vieng began to emerge last week after Jones and Bowles fell ill on Nov. 13 after a night out drinking with a group in the remote town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were staying at one of the most popular hostels in the area, the Nana Backpacker hostel, whose manager, Duong Duc Toan, told the AP that the teenagers were unwell after they failed to check out on their planned date of Nov. 13. He said he arranged transportation to the hospital for them. The hostel had offered free shots of Lao vodka as a hospitality gesture to nearly 100 guests, including the two teenagers, he said, adding that no other guests have reported any issues. Bowles and Jones then went out and returned early that morning. Jones remained in critical condition for several days after she was evacuated to Thailand, where her parents flew in from Australia. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed her sorrow over the tragedy, saying in a statement on Instagram, I strongly urge parents and young people to please have a conversation about the risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia and New Zealand are advising citizens to exercise caution when they consume alcoholic drinks in their updated travel advisories about Laos. The U.S. State Department has not followed suit. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com BOSTON (WPRI) Starting on Jan. 1, 2026, health insurers in Massachusetts will be required to cover additional screenings for patients who have abnormal mammograms or dense breast tissue. On Monday, Governor Maura Healey signed the bill that will require the additional coverage into law. BACKGROUND: Mass. lawmakers OK bill requiring insurers to cover breast cancer screenings According to the National Cancer Institute, dense breast tissue can make mammograms more difficult to interpret. As a result, mammographers are more likely to miss cancer in women with dense breasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Cancer Institute also reports that nearly half of all women who are 40 or older have dense breast tissue. Under the new law, additional diagnostic exams, MRIs and ultrasounds will all be covered by insurance if a patient has dense breast tissue. We know that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. This legislation will help ensure that cost is not a barrier for women to get the screenings and care they need, Healey said in a press release. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute praised Healey for signing the bill into law. We are so grateful to Governor Healey and the Legislature for supporting this critical legislation that will make cancer care more equitable and help save more lives from breast cancer, said Dr. Craig Bunnell, the institutes Chief Medical Officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. PEPPERELL, Mass. (WWLP) A bow hunter illegally shot and killed a trophy class buck in Pepperell, the Massachusetts Environmental Police reported. The environmental police received an online complaint on November 7th which alleged someone had illegally taken a trophy class buck in Pepperell. An officer contacted the hunter who they believed was responsible for shooting the deer. They told the officer that they had killed the deer with a crossbow and provided information on where it was shot. Heres when to take your turkey out of the freezer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, the environmental police used their tracking skills to locate the gut pile of the deer. The police say that due to the location, the hunter discharged/released the crossbow bolt from well within 500 feet of numerous houses, which is against the states regulations. They called the hunter to meet them at the location where he was presented with the facts and he ultimately admitted to illegally shooting the deer there. He was issued a citation for five counts of hunting within 500 of a dwelling in use. The man surrendered the 18-point antlers which will be used for educational purposes to show the cost of poaching a trophy animal, the environmental police said. The venison was donated to fish and game clubs. Archery season in Massachusetts Hunters who are licensed and have a stamp are allowed to use archery equipment from Oct. 7 to Nov. 30, 2024. Crossbows may only be used by certain permanently disabled persons with a permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When hunting with archery equipment, you must be 150 feet from a roadway and 500 feet from any dwelling or building in use, according to state regulations. The shotgun season begins Dec. 2 and is through Dec. 14, 2024. Hunters cannot possess or discharge a loaded rifle or shotgun within 500 feet of a building or dwelling in use without the owner or occupants permission. Also, you cannot discharge a rifle or shotgun upon or across any state or hard-surfaced highway or within 150 feet of a highway. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Back to the drawing board. Matt Gaetzs announcement Thursday that he was withdrawing his name from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump's pick as attorney general set off immediate jockeying to find his replacement. Before the shocking Gaetz pick last week, Trump had mulled a long list of other potential nominees. Now, some of those names plus some new ones may be back under consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whomever Trump chooses to lead the Justice Department will have to defend controversial Trump policies including immigration crackdowns and anti-abortion initiatives, as well as help Trump wield the department against his political enemies. Trumps pick will also be expected to help end the two federal criminal cases against the president-elect if special counsel Jack Smith doesnt wind them down first. Here are some of the names believed to be under consideration: Todd Blanche Blanche, one of Trumps top criminal defense lawyers, is an obvious candidate to fill the hole left by Gaetz. Trump has already announced his intent to nominate Blanche for deputy attorney general, the departments No. 2 spot, so it would be a natural move to elevate him to the top job. Blanche is a longtime former federal prosecutor and an experienced criminal defense attorney whose qualifications and reputation would likely mean hed receive swift confirmation for the job. But he isnt an ideologue or an overtly political operator, so Trump may not see him as someone who would be willing to use the department to carry out Trumps long-promised retribution tour. Andrew Bailey Missouris attorney general had been on Trumps short list for the job before he chose Gaetz. Bailey is an Army veteran and an unwavering Trump crusader. As Missouris top prosecutor, he led a barrage of litigation against Biden administration policies, said the 2020 presidential election was absolutely stolen and even launched a long-shot bid to get the Supreme Court to help Trump in his hush money case. The Supreme Court rejected Baileys bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, shortly after Gaetz withdrew his name, conservative lawyer Mike Davis, a prominent Trump ally, posted about Bailey, writing hes great. Robert Giuffra Another pre-Gaetz attorney general contender, Giuffra is co-chair of the prominent white-shoe law firm Sullivan & Cromwell. While working as a litigator representing companies like Volkswagen AG and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Giuffra has held a handful of New York state government appointed positions, including on several ethics boards. During Trumps original round of interviews for the attorney general job, Giuffra was said to have had the backing of Boris Epshteyn, an influential Trump legal adviser. Jay Clayton Trump could turn to Clayton, a longtime corporate lawyer whom the president-elect nominated last week to lead the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office. Clayton has been a favorite of Trumps since Trump tried, unsuccessfully, to install him in that office during Trumps first term. Clayton also served as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trumps first term. Clayton has never worked as a prosecutor, a fact that would make him an unorthodox choice for the nations top law enforcement post. But coming in the wake of Gaetz, Clayton would hardly be seen as a controversial selection. Matt Whitaker The president-elect picked Whitaker on Wednesday to serve as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. But Whitaker has led a Trump Justice Department before: For a three-month period during Trumps first term, Whitaker was the acting attorney general. He is a fierce Trump loyalist who defended Trump during his first impeachment and campaigned with him during the 2024 presidential race. Before becoming acting attorney general, Whitaker had been chief of staff to Trumps first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, and prior to that, worked as U.S. attorney in Iowa. Sen. Mike Lee The Utah Republican turned from Trump skeptic to staunch Trump defender and was on Trumps original short list for attorney general. Lee tried to keep Trump in power following the 2020 election, and Trump has considered elevating Lee before, interviewing him in 2018 about a Supreme Court seat. Lee is a former federal prosecutor who twice clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, once before Alito was on the high court. And as a sitting senator, Lee could likely easily win confirmation to the post. Matt Gaetz spent the best part of Wednesday meeting with Republican senators to try and earn their support to become attorney general in a second Trump administration. Then, in the late evening, he and his entourage entered the House of Representatives. Its unclear why he was there. There was no reason for the former congressman who had so recently resigned his post to be in the House. Neither he nor anyone he was with would explain it. But, considering Gaetz is the man who broke the House, it felt a bit like watching a thief coming back to the scene of the crime. When Trump announced his nomination of Gaetz to be the top law enforcement officer, he sent the Senate Republican conference into a miasma. Gaetz is not a popular man in Congress, among his own party or among Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, it looked for a while like Trump and Gaetz might get away with it. Gaetz, for his part, has proven himself to be a master of obstruction. He successfully led a charge in the first week of 2023 to block Kevin McCarthy from being speaker of the House a charge that almost turned into a fistfight on the floor of the House. He then called his shot when McCarthy had angered just enough Republicans and every Democrat to the point that Democrats would side with someone they find as repulsive as Gaetz to take out a speaker. He mapped out a long-game strategy to install a Trump loyalist like Mike Johnson, and he succeeded. Now, it looked like he and Trump would try to bend the Senate to their will, too. Trump loves to make former heretics take loyalty tests. Look no further than him making JD Vance, who once compared the president-elect to Hitler, his fawning vice president. Or nominating Marco Rubio to be secretary of state. Time and time again, Trump demands that people grovel and convert. And when they do so, he hands them a reward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What better loyalty test for the stodgiest and most institutional bodies than making a member of the lower chamber, let alone one under investigation for having sex with a teenager, attorney general? But it turned out that it wasnt to be. Even though Vance paraded Gaetz around the Senate and desperately tried to sell him to the Republicans there, uneasiness remained. Senators like Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who sits on the Judiciary Committee and is up for re-election, tried to shift the conversation when reporters asked about Gaetz. Nobody spoke positively about him on the record. Then Susan Collins, the moderate Republican from Maine, told The Independent that the president-elects team hadnt even bothered setting her up for a meeting with Gaetz. That either signaled a major oversight on behalf of Team Trump or a recognition nothing could make Collins vote for someone she finds as vile as Gaetz. If they werent bothering to chase Collins tie-breaking vote, its likely they had already given up after a bruising ordeal. It turns out the Senate takes its advise and consent role seriously. And while Trump might want to put in as many loyalists who will advance his agenda, the Senate is not a body that can be brought to heel. More than any body in Washington, it does not like being told what to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump never truly understood the Senate. After the failure to repeal Obamacare, he tried to get Mitch McConnell to get rid of the filibuster, which McConnell refused. And in the depths of Covid-19, Trump threatened to adjourn the chamber to make recess appointments. But McConnell, again, refused to relent. Even Trumps major accomplishments in his first term in the White House were not his. McConnell and the Senate majority rammed through his judicial nominations and it doesnt take too much to convince Republicans to sign a major tax cut. McConnells decision to acquit Trump after the January 6 riot was not made out of fear of Trump, but rather out of fear other Republican senators would boot him. And the House GOPs attempts to conceal the Ethics Committees findings on Gaetz from Johnsons advising the committee not to release the report, to the committee chairman and the top Democrat on the committee feuding with one another came off like the House preventing the Senate from doing its job to advise and consent. It all finally proved too much, which is probably why Gaetz decided to pull out of the running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though many of Trumps most famous critics from the Senate Republicans like Jeff Flake, John McCain and Mitt Romney wont be in the upper chamber when the president-elect returns to the White House, and many of his acolytes like Josh Hawley, Tommy Tuberville and Ted Budd will rubber-stamp whatever he wants, Trump learned this week that the Senate will still maintain its rules. As for Gaetz, there is little reason to feel sorry for him. He has a litany of options. He could return to the House, boring as that may be (though he resigned from this current Congress, another one begins in January and although he did say in his resignation letter that he doesnt intend to rejoin in January, things change.) He might go for his initial goal of running for governor of Florida, which has become the MAGA Mecca in the Trump era. Or he could simply be a right-wing gadfly who makes money off his podcast, arguing that the Swamp topped him because he would fight for Trump. But in the end, Gaetz learned that the Senate decrepit as it may be, with its norms barely hanging on their bones can still muster enough opposition from the rabble. It might the final bomb that Gaetz threw that simply wouldnt detonate. Matt Gaetz rescinded his nomination to become Donald Trumps attorney general on Thursday, writing in a statement that he believed his confirmation would become a distraction from Trumps second administration. I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday, Gaetz wrote on X. I appreciate their thoughtful feedbackand the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trumps DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1, Gaetz continued. I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and Im certain he will Save America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump nominated the remarkably unpopular Florida politico to become the countrys attorney general last week, a decision that would have effectively handed the keys to the Justice Department to a man facing sex trafficking allegations. But Gaetzs confirmation seemed increasingly unlikely in the days since his nomination. He faced immense opposition from inside his own party at a time when any of Trumps nominees for his upcoming Cabinet can only afford to lose three Republican votes during their Senate confirmation process. By Friday, estimates from inside the upper chamber predicted that Gaetz could face anywhere from 12 Republican no votes to upward of 30, reported The Wall Street Journal. Gaetz resigned from Congress last week after his nomination was announced, abruptly crushing a House Ethics Committee probe investigating reports that Gaetz had sex with an underage girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reportedly pulled his nomination Thursday just minutes after CNN reached out to the ex-lawmaker for comment on a bombshell revelation that the Ethics Committee had been notified of a second sexual encounter between Gaetz and the same 17-year-old. In a statement following Gaetzs withdrawal, Trump said he had much respect for the Florida politician for minimizing the distraction and predicted Gaetz would have a wonderful future. Gaetzs withdrawal from consideration for attorney general now leaves him completely out of power. He could attempt to run in his districts special election to recoup his lost seat in the House, though its unclear if doing so would reignite the Ethics investigation into his alleged misconduct. This story has been updated. The House Ethics Committee met Wednesday but did not release its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, resisting significant pressure to release its findings after President-elect Trump selected the controversial Florida Republican to be his attorney general. Joining NewsNations On Balance, California MAGA Pastor Rob McCoy weighs in on the political circus surrounding Gaetzs nomination. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Matt Gaetz shocked Washington on Thursday with his announcement he was dropping out of consideration to be Donald Trumps Attorney General, as the recently resigned Florida congressmans bid for confirmation faced serious questions amid sexual misconduct allegations. Gaetz said in a Thursday statement on X his nomination had become a needlessly protacted Washington scuffle. I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history, he wrote. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and Im certain he will Save America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision may eliminate one big question mark hanging over Gaetz would he get confirmed in the Senate but it triggers a whole host of other uncertainties. Namely, can he, and will he, return to Congress? When Gaetz resigned from his seat last week, he specified he was resigning from his term in the current Congress, the 118th, while announcing he did not intend to assume a seat in January in the 119th, even though he had just won re-election to it earlier this month. If Gaetz decides he wants to return to Congress, House rules may bar him from retaking his seat, and he may instead have to compete for it again in a special election in Florida, as the U.S. Constitution calls for special elections to fill House vacancies. Gaetz might have to face special election to return to Congress (AFP via Getty Images) One way or another, if Gaetz makes it back to Congress, a cloud of allegations will remain over the Florida attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican left Congress two days before an explosive House Ethics Committee report was slated to be released about him, in which a witness reportedly claimed Gaetz paid her for sex. Gaetz has denied the allegations at issue in the ethics committee inquiry, as well as those related to a Department of Justice sex trafficking probe into Gaetz and his associates. The DOJ did not charge Gaetz with any crimes. In the wake of the resignation, the ethics panels jurisdiction functionally ended, and House members continue to debate whether to release their findings. If Gaetz returns to the House, the ethics inquiry would regain its jurisdiction, potentially clearing the way for the findings to go public once again. Neither the Trump administration nor Gaetz have said publicly what future plans might be in store for the Florida Republican, though Gaetz could still serve as a non-cabinet adviser in the Trump administration without going through the full Senate confirmation process. I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect, Trump said in a statement today. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do! Matt Gaetz is trying to reassure senators anxious about the prospect of him becoming attorney general by telling them he wont use the Justice Department to immediately seek revenge against Donald Trumps enemies, according to a report. The former Florida congressman, who requires Senate approval to join Trumps Cabinet, has been making his case to senators in one-on-one meetings. Look, Im not going to go there and indict Liz Cheney, have storm troopers bust through the studio door at MSNBC, and arrest Anthony Fauci in my first week, he told some senators, sources told The Bulwark . The reference to refraining from seeking retribution only in his first week as attorney general was interpreted as an ominous disclaimer by some, according to the report. Others reportedly asked what would happen after his first week in office, to which sources said he answered: Were not doing that, adding: Were breaking the cycle of weaponizing DOJ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from concerns about retribution, Gaetzs confirmation is also being complicated by allegations of wrongdoingincluding that he had sex with a 17-year-old girlwhich were the subject of a yearslong investigation by the department that hes now hoping to lead. The DOJs sex trafficking probe ended without charges being filed, and Gaetz has always denied wrongdoing. Theres no there, there, Gaetz told Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), a member of the Senates Judiciary Committee, Lee told The Bulwark. A separate House Ethics Committee investigation into the allegations against Gaetz has also overshadowed his nomination, with Republicans on the panel on Wednesday voting against releasing their findings. The panel could yet vote to make its findings public before Gaetzs confirmation hearing early next year when they meet again on Dec. 5. On Wednesday, The New York Times published a chart made by federal investigators purportedly showing payments made between Gaetz and others, including two women who testified that hed hired them for sex. A lawyer representing the women who spoke to the House Ethics Committee said one his clients told the panel that shed seen her friend having sex with Gaetz at a 2017 party, and her friend at that time was 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz has denied the accusation. The chart did not show that Gaetz made a payment to the 17-year-old girl. Steven Cheung, Trumps communication director, said the purposeful leaking of classified investigative materials is the sort of politicized DOJ weaponization that Matt Gaetz will end. Cheung also noted that Gaetz was not charged with a crime as a result of the DOJ investigation and called the document leak an attempt to smear the next attorney general. Nov. 21 (UPI) -- President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi for U.S. Attorney General late on Thursday after his first pick, former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration. Bondi, currently a lawyer in private practice, served as Florida's attorney general from 2011 to 2019. Her nomination would have to be approved by the Senate. "For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans -- Not anymore," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi, 59, is a longtime Trump ally who acted as one of his defense attorneys during his first impeachment trial in 2019. "She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General," the president-elect said. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for attorney general, announced Thursday he is withdrawing his name from consideration for the post. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Bondi's nomination came only hours after Gaetz announced he had withdrawn from consideration for the job. Trump's initial pick of the right-wing GOP firebrand had generated displeasure from several Republican lawmakers due to the controversy over Gaetz's connection to a federal sex trafficking investigation. His withdrawal announcement comes a day after he met with Republican senators on Capitol Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many," Gaetz wrote in a post on X. "While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance... Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1." His withdrawal from consideration happened just a day after the House Ethics Committee decided not to release the report produced during a years-long investigation into alleged ethics violations. The committee voted along partisan lines to not release the report now, but it also voted to formally "complete" the report, so it's possible it could be released when complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House is also poised for a post-Thanksgiving vote to decide whether to force the ethics report to be made public. Two Democrat House members moved to set up that vote. President-elect Donald Trump praised Gaetz in a social media post and said he withdrew so as not to be a distraction for the incoming administration. Gaetz resigned from the House last week, effectively ending the ethics probe. Several senators had expressed doubt Gaetz could win a confirmation vote to become attorney general, in part because of both the House ethics investigation and a Department of Justice investigation into sex trafficking allegations against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ declined to prosecute Gaetz last year. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, met with Gaetz Wednesday along with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. "He was very forthcoming, but that's all I'm going to say because he will go through a very fair confirmation process with Senator Grassley, and I think a lot of this will get flushed out then," Ernst said. "I'm just reserving judgment." Cornyn said he told Gaetz that there wouldn't be any secrets about the allegations during any confirmation process. "Everything's eventually going to come out," Cornyn said. The House Ethics Committee meets again Dec. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., the ranking Democrat on the committee, told reporters the committee planned "to further consider this matter" of the Gaetz ethics report at that meeting. According to the New York Times, two people with direct knowledge said Gaetz decided to withdraw from consideration after realizing he would not have enough senate votes to be confirmed. Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, has a past sexual assault allegation that could impact his confirmation. Republican senators appeared to be rallying behind him as he met with them Thursday. Ginger Gaetz called it the end of an era after her husband Matt withdrew his name to be Donald Trumps next attorney general. In the moments after he made his announcement, the 30-year-old, self-described wifey of the former Florida congressman posted a photo of the pair walking on the steps of the Capitol building on Instagram writing: The end of an era. No one loves America more than this guy. It is yet not clear whether the enigmatic end of an era remark refers to Gaetzs bid to become AG, or his wider political career as his withdrawal immediately sparked questions of what he will do next. Ginger continues to be a cheerleader for Gaetz, calling it the end of an era after he withdrew his name as Trumps AG pick (@gingergaetz/Instagram) The 42-year-old Florida Republican resigned from the House last week after Trump tapped him to lead the Justice Department the very department that had been investigating him over sex trafficking allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ginger has signaled her support for her husband, despite the mounting backlash in the one week since he was nominated. After Gaetz was first tapped for the powerful role, his wife wrote: Attorney General will look great on you my love. When he resigned from the House, she wrote that Floridas 1st congressional district is truly blessed to have you representing us. The former Congressman wrote on X on Thursday: I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. Ginger and Matt Gaetz at MSG (gingergaetz/Instagram) Trump responded to Gaetzs withdrawal in a Truth Social post: I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The probe led to no charges against Gaetz, but his associate Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes in 2021. He is serving an 11-year prison sentence. The House Ethics Committee also investigated claims that Gaetz had engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and other activity. A debate among Congress members has ensued over whether to release a report of the committees findings. But leaks in the media have suggested that Gaetz paid $10,000 in Venmo and PayPal payments from 2017 through 2019 to two women who later testified before the committee. Some of those payments were allegedly used in transactions for sex, according to ABC News, which obtained records of the transactions. The system worked. Donald Trump and his loyalists huffed and puffed about breaking the US Senates role as a check on bad appointments by the president, but in the end Matt Gaetz withdrew his name with shocking speed from consideration to be Trumps attorney general. This makes it less likely that Trump will force a showdown with Senate Republicans over his harebrained scheme to have the Senate declare itself in recess so that he can fill his Cabinet with temporary appointees. That avoids starting his term with an immediate constitutional crisis. Yet, it may also be good news for Trump, and perhaps even for Gaetz himself. The Gaetz nomination was intended to signal Trumps seriousness about shaking up the Department of Justice by picking a bomb-thrower who has been caustically critical of everything from the investigations and prosecutions of Trump to the prosecution of January 6 rioters and protesters. But it put Trump in the immediate and unnecessary position of having to push for an unprecedented recess, because Gaetz is neither liked nor respected on Capitol Hill and faced implacable opposition from enough Republican senators to sink the nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump may have a strong hand right now, but he will need to pressure senators on many more votes over the next four years. He can save his political capital, and can roll into the holiday season with more post-victory goodwill among his party intact. While Republican senators may be alarmed at choices such as ex-Democrats Robert F Kennedy Jr and Tulsi Gabbard, at least the nomination of converts who helped in an electoral victory is more explicable and less of a finger in the eye to Congressional allies than picking the rebel who overthrew the last Republican speaker of the House. More importantly, if Trump takes the opportunity to pick a more serious, competent candidate, he stands a better chance of employing an AG who will actually carry out his agenda at Justice. Bending a large bureaucracy full of lawyers and investigators to your will isnt easy. Its doubly difficult if, like Gaetz, you have been repeatedly investigated for sordid matters such as allegedly paying a 17-year-old for sex things that can and would be leaked to the press at times least favourable to Gaetz. Recall that the anonymous Deep Throat source whose leaks to the Washington Post drove the Watergate scandal was a deputy director of the FBI. A candidate who enters the office with a weak public reputation and a ton of messy private baggage could be eaten alive by leaks. There are many other candidates better prepared for the job. That includes a number of Republican state attorneys general and former United States attorneys, as well as governors and senators who have held those positions in the past. Moreover, if Trump replaces Gaetz with an attorney general who gets confirmed by the Senate, he need not worry about a temporary appointment that might be challenged in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Gaetz, assuming that he doesnt reverse course and return to the House of Representatives in January, he can for now permanently bury what was apparently a damning House Ethics Committee report on his personal scandals. He can avoid a bruising Senate hearing that would have given a national platform to his accusers to stage a nasty public airing of his sexual past. If he leaves government, he can cash in as a media star a role for which he clearly has the flair and a fan base. Of course, Gaetz will be dogged by the same rumours if he ever again seeks higher office, but he at least would be able to fight them under more favourable conditions on the campaign trail than in a Senate hearing room where his own answers are under oath and under hostile questioning. Wrapping this whole thing up in mid-November ensures, for both Trump and Gaetz, that this nomination will be far from the front pages come January. That is best for all concerned. Dan McLaughlin is a senior writer at National Review Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his nomination to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. Gaetz made the announcement via his X account on Thursday morning after spending Wednesday meeting with Senators on Capitol Hill. "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday," Gaetz said. "I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America." I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 Trump praised Gaetz on his Truth Social account shortly after Gaetz's announcement. "I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General," Trump wrote. "He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" Gaetz's father, Florida Sen. Don Gaetz, said he had not yet spoken in any real detail to his son and wouldn't before his son was back in Northwest Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's on an airplane headed back to Northwest Florida," Don Gaetz said. "I suspect that for Thanksgiving, we'll not only have turkey drumsticks to fight over, but we can talk about our plans going forward." When asked about his son's decision to withdraw, he replied, "I'm very proud of Matt's service, and I'm confident he has a very fulfilling future in front of him." Gaetz's nomination was plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. A House Ethics Committee was investigating the allegations, but that investigation was thrown into disarray when Gaetz resigned from Congress after being nominated. The allegations center around Gaetz allegedly paying women for sex and having sex with a 17-year-old in 2017, attorneys representing the women have told multiple media outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz has vehemently denied the allegations, and the Department of Justice declined to bring any charges against Gaetz after a three-year investigation. Prosecutors reportedly had credibility concerns with two witnesses. Documents from the House Ethics Committee were leaked on Thursday that detailed $10,000 in payments Gaetz made to two women who testified to the committee, according to multiple media reports. Joel Leppard, the attorney for the two women told ABC News that Gaetz paid them for sex. Both women were over the age of 18, but one of his clients witnessed Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl at a party. Leppard released a statement Thursday reacting to the news of Gaetz's announcement. "My clients are relieved to have this chapter behind them and eager to move forward with their lives. Were hopeful this brings final closure for all parties involved," Leppard said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Ethics Committee was set to release a report days before Gaetz resigned, but with his resignation, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he thought the committee should not release the report because Gaetz was no longer a member of Congress. The committee has released a report before on an ex-member of Congress, but the committee, which is equally split between Republicans and Democrats, deadlocked on whether to release the Gaetz report. The committee was supposed to meet again on Dec. 5 to discuss the issue. The USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida has reached out to DeSantis and the Secretary of State's office for an update on when and if a special election will be called. Can Matt Gaetz un-resign and take his seat back in the U.S. House of Representatives? Gaetz resigned from Congress to be Trump's Attorney General, two days before the release of a report from the House Ethics Committee on allegations of Gaetz's sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. According to the U.S. Constitution, "When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies." Vacancies occur when "an incumbent Member dies, resigns, or leaves office for any reason before the end of their term," according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don Gaetz said he did not know if there was anything preventing his son from jumping into the special election race for the seat he resigned or if he would even have interest in doing so. "I have not spoke to Matt about anything like that," he said. Don Gaetz said the race for Florida's First District Congressional seat looks to be shaping up as a competitive one, with presumably at least two members of the state House of Representatives (Michelle Salzman and Joel Rudman) and the state's chief financial officer (Jimmy Patronis) among those who have expressed interest in running. He recalled that there were seven candidates in the field in 2016 when Matt Gaetz ran for the first time. "It wouldn't surprise me if there were multiple candidates," Don Gaetz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said neither he nor Matt plan on endorsing anyone. "I believe the people of Northwest Florida can make their decision without me telling them who to vote for," he said. DeSantis, now back from a trade mission to Italy, had instructed Secretary of State Cord Byrd to quickly schedule special elections for Gaetz and U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, who was nominated to be Trump's next national security advisor, but that hasn't happened yet. Some political watchers have noted that Gaetz was elected to serve in the 2025 Congress and resigned from the 118th Congress, which ends on Jan. 3, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz's wife Ginger posted a picture of the couple on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, saying, "The end of an era." Could Gaetz run for U.S. House of Representatives again? There is nothing stopping Gaetz from running for his old job in the special election. He won another term in November with over 66% of the vote, although as more leaks from the ethics report come out he may not enjoy the same level of support. Can't Gaetz just go back to Congress in January? That's unclear. He won re-election in November, his election was certified by the state's Elections Canvassing Commission on Tuesday, and Gov. Ron DeSantis has not yet called a special election. Gaetz said he did not intend to take the oath of office for the 119th U.S. Congress in January. And his return may mean he's back under the cloud caused by the ethics committee's investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, under the U.S. Constitution, ultimately the House "shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members...." Could DeSantis make him Senator Gaetz? A trend is building for DeSantis to place Gaetz in the Senate seat that opened up when Trump tapped Sen. Marco Rubio to be his Secretary of State. If he did, Gaetz would serve until 2026 when a special election would be held to serve out the remaining two years of Rubios term. However, there is already a long line of people angling or rumored for the job, including Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez, Attorney General Ashley Moody, former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva, DeSantis' wife Casey, Trumps daughter-in-law Lara Trump, or possibly even DeSantis himself. Could Gaetz run for governor? Both Gaetz and Waltz were considered as potential candidates for the 2026 gubernatorial, race to replace DeSantis, who is term-limited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, NBC News reported Gaetz was considering a run for governor, but Gaetz has repeatedly said he doesn't want the job and his father told the Pensacola News-Journal his son had no plans to run for the office. Still, at this point anything can happen. USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida reporter C.A Bridges contributed to this report. This story has been updated to add video. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Matt Gaetz withdrawing as Donald Trump's pick for Attorney General Matt Gaetz announced Thursday his withdrawal from consideration to be US attorney general. He said his confirmation was "unfairly becoming a distraction" to Trump's team. It's the first major defeat that Trump has faced in staffing his new administration. Matt Gaetz has withdrawn himself from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for US attorney general, the former Florida congressman announced on Thursday afternoon. In a post on X, Gaetz said that the "momentum" behind his nomination was strong, but that his "confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction" for the Trump-Vance transition team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after Gaetz began meeting with senators on Wednesday, accompanied by Vice President-elect Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 "I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General," Trump wrote on Truth Social after Gaetz announced his withdrawal. "He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told The Washington Post that Gaetz's decision to withdraw "was appropriate." While Gaetz's nomination had excited Trump's most ardent supporters, the Florida Republican faced an uphill battle for confirmation in the Senate, where lawmakers had questions about sex-trafficking allegations that have long dogged him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Justice declined to pursue charges against Gaetz in 2023, but the House Ethics Committee continued a probe into the allegations, including speaking with witnesses. The panel met on Wednesday to determine whether it would release a long-awaited report on its investigation but ultimately deadlocked. CNN reported that Gaetz withdrew from consideration shortly after it reached out to him for comment regarding accusations of a second sexual encounter with a 17-year-old at a party in 2017. Meanwhile, Gaetz had taken the extraordinary step of resigning from the House after his nomination was announced, ostensibly to allow Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to quickly fill his House seat via a special election. He had also said that he would not take the oath of office in January, despite being elected to serve another full two-year term through 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear now whether Gaetz will follow through with that plan, and a spokesman did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. Gaetz's withdrawal represents Trump's first major loss in staffing up his incoming administration, though other nominees face confirmation challenges in the Senate. Read the original article on Business Insider TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz said he is no longer seeking the position of U.S. attorney general Thursday. In a post on social media, Gaetz said he came to the decision after meeting with senators Wednesday. Florida Bar permanently revokes law license of jailed Polk County attorney, Jason Penrod I appreciate their thoughtful feedback and the incredible support of so many, Gaetz said. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump announced that Matt Gaetz would be his nomination for attorney general. However, Gaetzs appointment was likely in danger as several Republican senators expressed reservations about the controversial congressman serving as AG. Ethics committee deadlocked on Gaetz report I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history, Gaetz said. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and Im certain he will Save America. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., announced Thursday that he would withdraw his name from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. Gaetz's path was mired by a series of allegations of sexual misconduct, including sex with a minor at a 2017 party. On Thursday, NBC News learned from a source familiar with the discussions that the House Ethics Committee, which had been investigating Gaetz, was told that a 17-year-old girl had two sexual encounters with the then-congressman at the party. The description of the second encounter was included in her testimony to the House Ethics Committee as well as a deposition in a related civil lawsuit. The second sexual encounter included another adult woman, a source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN was the first to report on the new allegations. Gaetz has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual misconduct. "It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz wrote Thursday on X. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trumps DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Trump praised Gaetz on Truth Social and said he had been doing "very well" in the confirmation process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" Trump wrote. At the Justice Department, there was a general sense of relief after Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration, with an official telling NBC News, Certain events, like the sun chasing away the dark of night, are not surprising, theyre expected. But that doesnt stop me from being grateful for each sunrise. The office added, "I now know what is going to be the first feather on my gratitude handprint turkey this Thanksgiving. Another Justice Department official called the move such a relief before adding that its hard to imagine [Trump] appointing someone worse. But we will see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after Gaetz's announcement, the president-elect named former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi a longtime Trump ally as his new pick for attorney general. Two Trump transition sources with direct knowledge of Gaetzs decision told NBC News that Gaetz notified Trump about his decision Thursday morning. It was Gaetz's decision to opt to withdraw. One of the sources acknowledged that Gaetz's confirmation was always going to be an uphill battle and said Trump is expected to meet very soon with a new round of attorney general contenders, with no particular person at the top of the list. Its unclear what that means for Todd Blanche, whom Trump had tapped to be Gaetzs deputy. A third source close to Trump told NBC News that the transition team welcomed Gaetzs withdrawal, adding that the [House Ethics] report started to leak out and there was no way for Matt to make it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz, whom Trump named last week as his pick for attorney general, was also investigated by the Justice Department the department he would have led had he been confirmed related to allegations of sex trafficking and sex with a minor. Gaetz has vehemently denied those allegations, and the investigation ended with the Justice Department electing not to charge him. He resigned from the House last week, effectively ending the Ethics Committee investigation. The committee had been looking into the allegations against him on and off since 2021. Earlier this week, a lawyer for two women who allege that Gaetz paid them for sex detailed some of the testimony they gave to the Ethics Committee this year, including one who said she witnessed Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old. My clients are relieved to have this chapter behind them and eager to move forward with their lives," the lawyer, Joel Leppard, said Thursday after Gaetz's announcement. "Were hopeful this brings final closure for all parties involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Committee members met Wednesday to discuss whether to release the report but did not come to an agreement. Its unclear what the Ethics Committee will do now that Gaetz has withdrawn. Its members are meeting again on Dec. 5, when they will further discuss the matter. At the Ethics Committees closed-door July 23 meeting, staffers told Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., that a draft report on its investigation was far enough along that it could be circulated to all committee members, according to meeting transcripts obtained by NBC News. Members and staffers had gathered that day to depose Gaetz himself, but he never showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guest told reporters that Gaetzs withdrawal should end the discussion for committee members about how they move forward. "He is no longer a member of Congress, and so I think that this settles any involvement that the ethics committee should have in any matters involving Mr. Gaetz," Guest said. Several House Democrats had called for the report to be released publicly. Some Senate Republicans, who would have had to vote on Gaetzs confirmation, publicly expressed their interest in viewing the report as part of the confirmation process. Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance maintained their firm support of Gaetz, with Trump even "heavily working the phones" to drum up support for Gaetz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance had been on Capitol Hill on Thursday morning setting up meetings between senators and another controversial pick, Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, but he left the Capitol shortly before Gaetz made his announcement. Hegseth also faces misconduct allegations, which he has denied. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who has opposed publicly releasing the ethics report, also left the building before Gaetzs news broke; he and the House wont return until after the Thanksgiving recess. Senators from both sides of the aisle have expressed skepticism that he would get enough votes to be confirmed. At least five Senate Republicans Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Sen.-elect John Curtis of Utah were "noes" on Gaetz and had communicated to other senators and those close to Trump that they were unlikely to be swayed, according to five people with direct knowledge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the sources said at least 20, and as many as 30, Senate Republicans were very uncomfortable about having to vote for Gaetz on the floor. Gaetz could afford to lose only three Republicans in a floor vote if Vance cast a tiebreaking vote. After having met with Gaetz on Wednesday, Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and John Cornyn, R-Texas, told NBC News that the subject of the allegations arose. Ernst said Gaetz brought up the allegations himself during their conversation. He was very forthcoming, but thats all Im going to say, because he will go through a very fair confirmation process with Senator Grassley, and I think a lot of this will get flushed out then, Ernst added. "Im just reserving judgment. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is the incoming chair of the Judiciary Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Gaetz's announcement Thursday, Collins told reporters that there were a lot of red flags around Gaetz and that withdrawing was the best decision he could have made. What I think it probably reflects is the meetings that he had yesterday with senators as they started going through the Judiciary Committee members. I dont know that for a fact, but I think that he has put country first, and Im pleased with his decision, she added. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who was publicly supportive of Gaetzs being nominated, wrote Thursday on X that I respect former Representative Matt Gaetzs decision to withdraw his name from consideration and appreciate his willingness to serve at the highest level of our government. Mullin told NBC News on Thursday that "I think its a good thing" that Gaetz dropped out. "There was no way, no path forward for him," he said. Gaetz said in his resignation that he wouldnt take the oath in new Congress. I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress to pursue the position of Attorney General in the Trump administration, he said. Its unclear what his decision means for his congressional seat. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Matt Gaetz has withdrawn from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump's pick to serve as U.S. attorney general in his incoming administration. In a post on X on Thursday, Gaetz said that he had excellent meetings with senators who had given their feedback and support, but it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General, the former Florida congressman said. I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 Trump said in a post on Truth Social shortly after Gaetzs announcement that the former congressman had been doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz's path to confirmation was imperiled from the start. He has faced intense scrutiny over a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use. A separate Justice Department investigation into allegations Gaetz engaged in sex trafficking ended last year without bringing any charges. He has denied any wrongdoing. Hours after Trump announced that he would pick the Florida Republican as attorney general last week, Gaetz resigned from the House, effectively ending the committees jurisdiction over him. And although there is precedent for releasing ethics reports after a lawmaker has resigned from Congress, the committee faced immense pressure from Gaetz's allies not to do so. Still, multiple senators, including Republicans, had expressed skepticism at his selection for AG and said they were interested in the committee's findings. Details about two womens testimony to the committee had also begun to emerge, including that he was accused of having sex with a 17-year-old in 2017, further endangering Gaetzs chances at confirmation and threatening his reputation. (A friend of the 17-year-old testified that she did not think Gaetz knew her friend was a minor at the time, her lawyer told NBC News.) Gaetz met with Senate Republicans on Wednesday in an effort to win their support. But he and Trump may have ultimately decided that there was no easy or realistic path to Gaetzs confirmation without risking the committee's report or at least some of its findings being made public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz, who won re-election on Nov. 5, has not elaborated on his plans for the future. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called on the states secretary of state to schedule a special election to fill Gaetzs congressional seat, but that hasnt happened yet as of Thursday afternoon. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com "It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," he wrote on social media Alex Wong/Getty U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz at the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz at the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee Matt Gaetz is withdrawing from his attorney general nomination amid an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations relating to sex trafficking, sexual misconduct with minors and illicit drug use, which he has denied. On Thursday, Nov. 21, the former Florida representative, 42, announced on social media that he is withdrawing his nomination after "unfairly becoming a distraction" to the transition of power to the President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback and the incredible support of so many," he wrote in a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter). "While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition." Gaetz went on to write that he is stepping down from the nomination as he will not be prepared in time to take on the responsibilities given his ongoing scandal. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Related: Matt Gaetz Bought Sex with His 'Son' Nestor's PayPal Account, Women Reportedly Told House Investigators SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Matt Gaetz outside the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 2, 2023 Matt Gaetz outside the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 2, 2023 The politician further aligned himself with Trump, writing, "I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history." He added, "I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, 78, issued a response on Truth Social, in which he claimed that Gaetz was "doing very well" in his run to be attorney general. "Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" he added. Gaetz was nominated for attorney general by Trump on Nov. 13. The following day, House Speaker and Republican representative from Louisiana Mike Johnson announced that Gaetz had resigned from Congress. "I think out of deference to us, he issued his resignation letter effective immediately," Johnson said at a press conference. "That caught us by surprise a little bit. But I asked him what the reasoning was, and he said, Well, you can't have too many absences. " Gaetz was previously investigated by the Justice Department in a sex trafficking probe, though investigators declined to bring charges. He remains under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over similar allegations. SMG/Shutterstock Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz during an campaign event on Nov. 26, 2019 Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz during an campaign event on Nov. 26, 2019 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. Attorney Joel Leppard told The Washington Post on Nov. 19 that two of his female clients had testified to the House Ethics Committee about Gaetz allegedly buying "sexual favors" and having sex with a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney further said that the women testified that they received payment from a PayPal account owned by the politicians "son" Nestor Galban. Galban, who is in his 20s, has been described by Gaetz as an "adopted son," although they are not formally linked. In a 2020 interview with PEOPLE, the former congressman described their relationship as one that is "defined by our love for each other, not by any paperwork." According to records obtained by the House Ethics Committee and reported by ABC News, Gaetz allegedly paid over $10,000 to two women, who later became witnesses into the Justice Department and House sexual misconduct investigations. Per the documents, the payments were allegedly traced back to Venmo accounts, with records reporting showing that Gaetz made 27 payments to the two women between July 2017 and January 2019. Gaetz has continuously denied wrongdoing and seemingly referred to them as "years-old allegations of a sexual / salacious nature from sources DOJ previously deemed not credible assembled by people with a political motive" on social media prior to stepping down from the coveted position in Trump's administration. On Nov. 20, Republicans members of the House Ethics Committee voted to block the release of the report detailing their investigation into the politician, The Associated Press and USA Today reported. (NewsNation) Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has withdrawn his name from the running for attorney general following controversy over his nomination. Gaetz announced on X he had made the decision to withdraw after meeting with senators for feedback. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trumps DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps border crackdown: Law enforcement preps for changes Gaetz resigned from his seat in the current Congress once he was nominated and said at the time he would not be sworn into his seat in the upcoming Congress on Jan. 3, 2025. Best Prime Day Deals for 2024: Best early Black Friday deals currently live Toys usually sell out fast, here are top options Here are the best gifts under $50 BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. However, now that he has backed out of the nomination, it is technically possible he could choose to take up the seat again. President-elect Donald Trump called Gaetz on Thursday morning to inform him the Senate lacked the votes to confirm him, according to a source familiar with the matter, as first reported by CNN and confirmed by NewsNation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps team was informed that Gaetzs meetings with Republican senators did not go well, according to a source. Several GOP senators reportedly told the team they would not support Gaetzs nomination. Based on this feedback, the transition team advised Trump there were not enough votes for confirmation, the source told NewsNation. NewsNation has reached out to the transition team for comment. If Gaetz does not return to the House, Florida will hold a special election to fill the vacant seat. Many had expressed doubts over Gaetzs nomination due to an ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee and the fact that hes faced allegations of sex trafficking and soliciting a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department declined to charge Gaetz after investigating him for sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. The Ethics Committee had been getting close to releasing the report on Gaetz when he resigned, halting the process because the committee doesnt typically release reports on former lawmakers. There has been mounting public pressure for the committee to break with that precedent, however, in the face of Gaetzs nomination. Speaker Johnson: Capitol bathrooms restricted by biological sex On Wednesday, the committee met to discuss the issue but failed to reach a consensus. A hacker released documents purportedly from the investigation to The New York Times, which included testimony from a woman who said she had sex with Gaetz when she was 17 and he was an adult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another document allegedly from the investigation appeared to show Gaetz paying money for sex. If Gaetz were to take his seat again, the Ethics Committees jurisdiction over him would resume along with the investigation and possible consequences based on the findings. This is a developing story. Check back 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 NewsNation. Former Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination as attorney general on Thursday as new allegations about sexual relationships he had with a minor emerged. Gaetz had already announced his immediate resignation from Congress, but its possible he could take his seat in the next Congress in January. How would this work? First, Gaetz would have to rescind his intention to not take the seat that he won in November in the Congress that begins in January 2025. He officially resigned from Congress on Nov. 13 when he submitted a letter declaring his resignation effective immediately. Adding, I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress. There is no existing precedent for a member of Congress resigning from one session of Congress, but then taking the same seat they were elected to in the next. That makes this a bit murky and there are competinglegal analyses for the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Gaetz claimed that he now intends to take his seat in January, someone could sue to prevent him from doing so. That could be the Florida Secretary of State, who could claim that his resignation was official and the special election to fill his seat was already under way. Its unclear how courts would rule in such a situation because its unprecedented. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew his nomination to be Donald Trump's attorney general on Nov. 21, 2024. Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images Alternatively, the House could refuse to seat him. But the Supreme Court ruled in the 1969 case of Powell v. McCormack that Congress cannot use criteria outside of the Constitutions qualifications for office to refuse to seat a duly elected member. Again, courts have not adjudicated the question of a member rescinding their intention to not take their seat. If this were to happen, Gaetz could theoretically sue to claim his seat. The other option would be to let Gaetz take his seat and then expel him. Expulsion, however, requires a two-thirds vote of the House and is a step rarely taken. Only six members have ever been expelled from the House, with three of those expelled for siding with the Confederacy in the Civil War. This could all be moot if Gaetz decides not to go back on his resignation. And he has every incentive to do that. Among the aftereffects of his resignation is the fact it stopped the release of a report by the House Ethics Committee detailing allegations that he had sex with a 17-year old girl. Gaetz has denied the allegations. The committee voted against releasing the report on Wednesday since he was no longer a member of Congress. Were he to take his seat, the ethics investigation would remain live and the report would likely be released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Secretary of States office has already been tasked with setting a date for a special election to fill Gaetzs seat. If he honors his resignation decision, that special election will go forward. So far, Gaetz has given no indication on his political future after pulling his attorney general nomination. Related... Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., right, nominee to be attorney general, and Vice President-elect JD Vance leave the U.S. Capitol after meetings with Senators on Nov. 20, 2024. Credit - Tom WilliamsCQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. For almost two years, J.D. Vances arrival at the Capitol was an unremarkable affair. A first-term Senator from Ohio, the Republican finance bro-turned-best-selling author-turned-NeverTrumper-turned-ForeverTrumper typically drew few looks and little attention. But this week, his trips to the Hill have cast a bright, harsh spotlight on the 40-year-old Vice President-elect, as he spent Wednesday trying to convince Senators to look past the very serious concerns about one of Trumps embattled Cabinet picks, and then returned Thursday to make the same arguments for a different contender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vances mission of necessity was to save the nominations of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as Trumps Attorney General and Fox and Friends weekend host Pete Hegseth to take over the Pentagon. Both choices were among multiple picks for Trump Cabinet-in-waiting who are beset with allegations of sexual misconduct and then some, as well as backgrounds that, in the pre-Trump era, would have made their nominations dead-on-arrival. So far, Vance is 1-for-2. Despite what Trumps team described as productive and encouraging meetings with Senators, the headwinds facing Gaetz proved too strong. On Thursday, Gaetz announced he was withdrawing his nominationa sign that Trumps resolve may have a limit, and that perhaps Senators will only bend so far in service of the President-elects aggressive embrace of unfit nominees. Gaetzs failure to even get a hearing signals that he may be just the first of Trumps initial slate to fall short, as Senators make clear their humoring of Trumpism is not without bounds. The Gaetz nomination to be the nations top law enforcement official was as obviously doomed as it was Trump blessed. Gaetz remains under investigation by his former House colleagues for allegations that involve sex, drugs, money, and minors. In an apparent effort to shut down that ethics panel probe, the Florida congressman resigned his office days before an expected release of a report. Lawmakers are still debating how to handle their findings. (The ethics panel met on Wednesday as Gaetz was afoot but failed to reach a final decision on what to do with what they knew; theyll try again in December, although the matter may have less urgency now that his nomination is tanked.) The Department of Justice, which he could have helmed, also investigated Gaetz on similar grounds but did not charge him. Separately, even some of his fellow Republicans in Congress questioned if Gaetz, with his reputation as a pro-Trump troll with seemingly zero experience running a massive organization, might have been a disaster as the nations top cop. Still, that thumb-in-the-eye posture seems to be part of Trumps checklist for picks to run his second administration. Long a critic of traditional credentials, Trump is using his return to power to thrash norms and prove he will not be constrained. For Trump, nothing is disqualifying, at least until it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To wit: Hegseth, who served almost two decades as an Army National Guard in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gitmo, has acknowledged paying a woman who accused of sexual assaultspecifically rapeduring a 2017 meeting of the California Federation of Republican Women in Monterey, Calif. A police report reveals the accuser feared she might have been drugged, according to The Washington Post. Hegseth has denied the allegations and was never criminally charged. Separately, the retired Major faces severe skepticism that he can command the largest institution in the world with 3 million military and civilian employees. Oh, and then there are tattoos that critics say suggest he has ties to white Christian nationalism and his successful advocacy for the pardoning of service members accused of war crimes. Those are not helping, either. Former professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon, Trumps pick for Education Secretary, is part of a civil lawsuit brought against her and husband Vince McMahon that their WWE machine did not do enough to protect teenaged ring boys from sexual abuse. The charges, which the McMahons have denied, date back to the 1970s and into the early 1990s. Linda McMahon, who is separated from her husband, is not implicated in a separate criminal investigation about allegations that he used the ring to commit and cover-up sexual abuse and trafficking. Yet lawmakers have plenty of questions for her about what qualifies her to lead the U.S. Department of Education, which Trump has vowed to shut down. Of note: McMahon in 2009 incorrectly claimed to have a degree in education; she does not but rather has a teaching certificate. Political scion Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on deck to head the Department of Health and Human services, a position that gives him tremendous power over public health despite a long history of undermining the proven science behind vaccines, endorsing a wide range of conspiracy theories and fringe beliefs that put him more aligned with the manosphere than the Mayo Clinic. Kennedy was also accused of sexually assaulting the family nanny in the 1990s. Kennedy told the nanny he had no recollection of that, but apologized in a text message. I said in my announcement speech that I have so many skeletons in my closet that if they could all vote, I could run for king of the world, Kennedy said over the summer. He also is said to have more recently carried on an affair with a journalist. Then theres the last, most complicated one: the worlds richest man, Elon Musk, the subject of our latest TIME cover story. Although he has no official role inside the government teed up to take power on Jan. 20 of next year, he seems to be an omnipresent figure in Trumps ever-changing orbit of loyalists. Still, he has a trail of his own allegations, from wrongful terminations over alleged hostile work environments to offering a horse in exchange for an erotic massage. Reports of sexual interactions between Musk and his subordinates are plentiful. Thats not to say the rest of the Cabinet-in-waiting is significantly more qualified; theyre just less mired in personal thicket. For instance, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Army Reservist, has left intelligence professionals stunned that Trump wants her to serve as his top spy adviser. Her record of sympathetic statements about Russia and Syria have raised questions about her judgment, and even Hillary Clinton and her orbit previously accused her of being a Moscow puppet. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, a Republican who served in Trumps first administration, on Wednesday called her a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Dr. Mehmet Oz is on deck to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a massive bureaucracy that handles not just the costly entitlement programs but also tasks like nursing home inspections, disease prevention, and childrens health programs. The former TV doc and personality, Mehmet unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2022 but has zero experience managing a huge operation like CMS. Hes also seen a once-sterling medical reputation decimated after years of pushing products and advice that critics repeatedly argued was not backed by evidence. But, like every other personality on this list can sell a product when put in front of a camera. Just go back and watch his made-for-TV physical of Trump in 2016. As a raft, this crew seems uniquely ill-suited to help Trump keep focus on a narrow governing majority in Washington. The GOP-controlled House may come down to a handful of seats. The Senate looks like Republicans have just four votes to spare on any given nominations; on major legislation requiring 60 votes, GOP lawmakers will have to peel off seven lawmakers who caucus with Democrats under normal procedures. Sending an accused sexual assault perpetrator, alleged rapist, perceived predator, or indifferent ideologue is not exactly a recipe for winning over stubborn lawmakerswhether it be a President or his lieutenants. All of which feels familiar. In 2018, Trump successfully nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and set in motion an all-consuming fight in Washington in the immediate wake of the #MeToo Movement. Faced with allegations of high school sexual assault, the Senate by a 50-48 margin still gave him to a lifetime appointment. The conflict laid bare just how little had changed in the country in that time, and how small of a price some men paid for allegations of mistreating women. Yet, it could be lost on no one that the President who set in motion Kavanaughs nomination, and refused to back down from it, was the same man who was elected to the office on the heels of a published tape where he bragged about sexual assaults of his own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, six years later, Trump is again set to return to power, this time as the first inbound White House chief with criminal felony convictions, found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case, and under indictment in other cases. And alongside him, he wants to see a little bit of himself: great on TV, iffy on facts, at ease with dismissing their own checked histories. In that, Vances pals at the Capitol these days might be great proxies for Trumps desires. They may just not be whats best for fellow Republicans, and the end of Gaetzs nomination shows they might be getting wise to that reality. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. NEW YORK (PIX11) Mayor Eric Adams has released an updated fiscal plan to make New York safer and more affordable. Some of the changes include hundreds of new police officers and adding funds to the cash assistance program, which helps families with things like rent, utilities and food. City Councilmember Justin Brannan, who is the chair of the finance committee, talks about it on PIX11 Morning News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the video player for the full interview. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO A group of restaurant and tavern owners on Wednesday came together to urge City Council to reject a proposal that would hike the citys tax on liquor for the first time in nearly two decades, arguing it would be detrimental to small businesses. Under Mayor Brandon Johnsons proposal, the tax on sale of liquor that is 20 percent or more alcohol by the volume would increase to $3.62 cents a gallon, up from $2.68. The tax on beer sales would climb ten cents to 39 cents. The proposed hike comes as Johnson and alders work to balance a staggering deficit in the 2025 budget. Refusing to order layoffs and furloughs, the mayor has proposed a series of tax increases and fee hikes. But bar and restaurant groups say theyre barely getting by post-COVID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like City Council doesnt understand the real world, said Mark Robertson with 2Bears Tavern Group. Every time prices go up, fewer consumers go through the door. Customers who do come in are spending less. Chicago mayor proposes lower property tax hike after first effort killed by City Council Pat Doerr with the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago argued his industry is already disproportionately taxed when compared to the rest of the country and state. Weve done our part and our lift, he said. We dont need any more on us. Finding City Council members to support the increase has been difficult. Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) attended a budget briefing with Johnsons team last week and said he needs the administration to find more savings before he votes for a budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need better management. We need better leadership in this city, he said. Its got to start with you, and its got to come with cuts and efficiencies that the rating agencies and every taxpayer is looking for. The alderman brushed off Johnsons Tuesday comments that some alders were having tantrums and only want to obstruct. Hogwash, Waguespack said. Look, a lot of us, were producing ideas and were saying this is what you need to do to run better government. Those of us with experience are saying this is how it should be done based on good government practices. Thats not something he can ignore. As city leaders battle over the budget, S&P Global Ratings warned that its watching and may downgrade the citys credit rating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Top officials from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security on Thursday drew bipartisan fire for declining to testify in public at a Senate hearing on "worldwide threats" and instead offering to testify in a classified setting. Both Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security Committee expressed anger at what they called Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray's "refusal" to testify in public. "In a shocking departure from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's longstanding tradition of transparency and oversight of the threats facing our nation, for the first time in more than 15 years, the Homeland Security and FBI Director have refused to appear before the Committee to provide public testimony at our annual hearing on Threats to the Homeland," Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peters said it was "their choice" to not provide public testimony for the American people. PHOTO: FBI Director Christopher Wray delivers opening remarks at a meeting of the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force in Washington D.C., on Sept. 4, 2024. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images, FILE) "Americans deserve transparency, public answers about the threats we face," Peters said. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, went a step further and said he "looked forward to Director Wray's resignation." "This is Mayorkas & Wray giving the middle finger to the American people," he tweeted. While it wasn't immediately clear specifically why they declined to testify in public, a Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement that Mayorkas has appeared before Congress more than 30 times. PHOTO: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, center at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP, FILE) "DHS and the FBI have offered to the Committee a classified briefing to discuss the threats to the Homeland in detail, providing the Committee with the information it needs to conduct its work in the months ahead," a the spokesperson said in a statement. "DHS and the FBI already have shared with the Committee and other Committees, and with the American public, extensive unclassified information about the current threat environment, including the recently published Homeland Threat Assessment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI said in a statement they've "repeatedly" showed their commitment to being transparent with the American people. "We remain committed to sharing information about the continuously evolving threat environment facing our nation and the extraordinary work the men and women of the FBI are doing -- here at home and around the world -- to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States," according to an FBI statement. "FBI leaders have testified extensively in public settings about the current threat environment and believe the Committee would benefit most from further substantive discussions and additional information that can only be provided in a classified setting." Mayorkas, Wray draw bipartisan fire for declining to testify in public at threats hearing originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Nov. 20The Manchester School District's plan to move ahead with demolishing the Beech Street Elementary School and building a new school on land currently occupied by Sheridan-Emmett Park is on hold after aldermen voted at a Tuesday night meeting against giving the proposal their blessing. Mayor Jay Ruais was the deciding vote, breaking a 7-7 tie by voting against the request from the district, saying he and aldermen need more information on financial matters and parks in the area. "I'd like the opportunity to come back and revisit with the district and the city and have further conversations on this," Ruais said. "I think there's a great deal of uncertainty left from the conversations that I've had with members on the board, and what we've heard this evening from people in the audience." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School officials had hoped aldermen would accept and recommend approval of the partial release of the Amoskeag Trust deed for Sheridan-Emmett Park, located near Stanton Park, Valley Street Cemetery and the JFK Coliseum, and authorize a change in use for the land from park use to school use. The planned abatement, demolition, and site restoration will be funded from the school district's $306 million Priority One long-term facilities project budget. Jim O'Connell, vice chair of the Board of School Committee, said he was "very disappointed" with the vote. "Contrary to previous statements and promises, Mayor Ruais cast the deciding vote to stop the project from moving forward," O'Connell said in a statement. "This is a sad day for the children of Manchester's inner city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This decision will result in significant additional costs to taxpayers because much of the design is already complete and paid for. The delay from tonight will cause a knock-on effect of delaying the building of this school, which is needed to re-place Henry Wilson students as well as the current Beech Street kids." Ruais disputed O'Connell's comments, saying when addressing issues with significant costs, "There ought to be broad consensus from the community and its elected officials" before moving forward. "As we heard (Tuesday) night, concerns and questions remain about the impact this project will have on taxpayers, residents, and our students," Ruais said. "The work of Phase 1 continues ... We can find a fair balance between the needs of the school district and our taxpayers." O'Connell said the vote puts "hundreds and hundreds of high-paying jobs" in the city at risk over the next three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This project had the support of the business community of Manchester including entrepreneur Dean Kamen," O'Connell said. "Once again the Board of Mayor and Aldermen fails the students and families of Manchester. This retrograde decision will have a chilling effect on the reputation of our city as a place that is ready to invest in its future." While the board is officially nonpartisan, the 7-7 vote was split along party lines, with aldermen Chris Morgan, Norman Vincent, Ross Terrio, Ed Sapienza, Crissy Kantor, Kelly Thomas and Joe Kelly Levasseur (all Republicans) opposed. In favor were Pat Long, Dan Goonan, Christine Fajardo, Tony Sapienza, Jim Burkush, Bill Barry and Dan O'Neil (all Democrats). Prior to the vote, Alderman Terrio made a motion to table the matter, but that failed on a 12-2 vote, with only Thomas joining Terrio in support of the motion. Part of bigger project Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal is part of the $306 million first phase of the school district's long-term facilities planning project, which includes the closure of Henry Wilson Elementary School, construction of a new elementary school near the current Beech Street School, shifting Hillside and McLaughlin middle schools to the grade 5-8 model, and additions and renovations at all four middle schools to accommodate fifth-grade students. Officials previously approved School Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel's "3-4-12 model" which calls for three high schools, four middle schools and 12 elementary schools. Manchester currently has four public high schools, including Manchester School of Technology. Chmiel's plan did not include recommendations for specific school closures. Alderman Ed Sapienza said he is "losing patience" with the school board and school district. "We were told at joint board meetings about a year ago we would find out about Phase 2 in March of '24, and that still hasn't happened," Sapienza said. "I want the school district to show their hand; I want to know what the whole plan is." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chmiel said school administrators plan on discussing Phase 2 with the school board on Dec. 9, with a possible presentation to city aldermen after that. "How about tonight? Just lay it out," Sapienza asked. "We don't have clarity yet from the Board of School Committee, so I would be out of step if I did that," answered Chmiel. The superintendent did address rumors that a high school would be built at the Beech Street site instead of an elementary school. "There will not be a high school built on the Beech property," Chmiel said. More than an hour of public comment at Tuesday's meeting centered around concerns over how the project could impact local tax rates, and over the potential loss of park space during construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alderman Levasseur said the city is "spending all this money on schools" but missing the main goal, "getting our education out of the cellar." "You're using the money that was given to you for hard bricks instead of giving them better books, better computers, better teachers, better help after school," he said. "There was so much you could have done." Levasseur said when bills associated with the facilities plan "come home to roost," people in their 50s, 60s and 70s are not going to be able to afford to live in Manchester. "You guys are putting this city at great financial risk." pfeely@unionleader.com Nov. 21OKLAHOMA CITY House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, released the following statement expressing his gratitude and reflecting on legislative accomplishments during his eight years as Speaker of the House, and twelve years in the House of Representatives: "First and foremost, I would like to thank my wife and children for their support these last twelve years. Without them, I would never have been able to effectively serve the citizens of our state. Next, I want to thank the citizens of District 22 for electing me twelve years ago and allowing me to serve them for over a decade. It has been the honor of a lifetime. I would also be remiss if I did not extend a sincere thank you to my fellow House members, and the citizens they represent throughout our great state, for putting their trust in me to lead as Speaker of the House. Finally, I would like to thank the staff of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for their hard work and dedication. Together, we have accomplished meaningful changes for the people of Oklahoma. We right sized Oklahoma's budget, moving from deficits to billions in surplus. This allowed us to cut taxes, protect core services and invest in the future of our state. We invested more in education over the past eight years than in the previous 27 years combined. We lowered taxes on citizens and businesses, creating an economic environment that attracts new investment and encourages growth. We protected constitutional rights, defended the lives of the unborn and fought back against the Leftist agenda that has swept across our nation over the past four years, which led to Oklahoma being ranked as the second most conservative Legislature in the country. Last, but not least, we created more parental choice in education, allowing parents, and students, to determine their own educational pathway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, there are countless other accomplishments that could be included in this list, and I truly feel that as my time as Speaker comes to a close, Oklahoma is in a better place than it was twelve years ago. I would like to congratulate my successor in House District 22, Ryan Eaves, and wish him well as he embarks on his own legislative journey. I hope that he feels the joy of service as deeply as I have these past twelve years. I want to leave you with a quote from President Ronald Reagan who said, 'The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.' I hope I have been a leader worthy of my station, and I am forever grateful for your faith in me. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. God bless the Great State of Oklahoma." Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the outgoing chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, offered advice to his successor, who faces enormous global challenges and the unpredictability of the Trump administration: God help you. McCaul, speaking in a panel discussion at the Atlantic Council, drew a laugh with his response, but said that his exit from atop the committee is likely to give him more freedom to speak his mind surrounding the Trump administrations foreign policy. The president-elect has criticized U.S. support for Ukraine, raised doubt about helping defend Taiwan against aggression from China, criticized NATO members as freeloaders and deepened anxieties among American partners and allies over blowback from tariffs and McCaul has straddled a fine line in supporting Trump while being outspoken on areas that go against the president-elects positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the chair is going to be bound by whatever comes out of the White House, and while I certainly support most of those ideas, I will have some freedom and flexibility to speak my own mind and try to influence and persuade people, he said. McCaul withdrew a waiver to the House GOP to serve as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee beyond the term limits imposed, setting off a race for the chair among his colleagues Reps. Ann Wagner (R-Mo), Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.). I think Ill be given a role. I never thought of myself as an older person, but as a sort of not senior statesman, but maybe older statesman, that my colleagues will listen to and that I can provide leadership, he said. The Texas Republican describes himself as center-right. He has been critical of far-right members of his party who reject U.S. assistance for Ukraine, and of the Biden administration for being too slow in making decisions on assistance for Kyiv that has handicapped their fight against Russias offensive war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now we have these pro-Putin, Russia-loving people, and I dont understand that, he said, referring to critics of Bidens decision to green-light Ukraine using Western-provided weapons to strike deep into Russian territory. We cant afford to lose this fight, and its vital to our national interests, because if Ukraine falls, Taiwan is next. And that will be World War III. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will likely be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services. He has said things that are not true about vaccines, autism, raw milk, and more that we do not have to list here. Furthermore, I do not want to waste time with facts about his opinions. The health professionals who are reading this essay already know that RFK Jr.s opinions are not supported by facts. If there is one thing that we learned during the pandemic, citing facts did not help us when we were talking to folks who did not believe in facts. Our problem today is to decide how we are going to deal with the damage that RFK Jr. is likely to cause. During the pandemic, I thought that if each of us talked to our patients with our practiced ability to communicate, we would be able to counter the misinformation that they were hearing. It turned out to be harder than I thought because the misinformation was being spread by top officials and by the president of the United States. The authority that their status afforded them suggested that their lies were believable. We learned that lies spread faster than the truth. We were overwhelmed by the lies then, and they continue to this day. If RFK Jr. becomes a cabinet member, his misinformation and his lies will have the seal of the U.S. government affixed to it. While this is not a political essay, there are other political events occurring that we health professionals should be watching. The appointment of RFK Jr. is not the only appointment that is astoundingly worrisome: a Fox News host to be the secretary of defense; a congressman who is being investigated for ethics to be attorney general; a congresswoman with no experience to be the head of the CIA. These appointments fit a pattern that suggests that Donald Trump has poor judgmentor worse. Political experts suggest that there are other explanations for these appointments, but I suggest that those of us who are used to evaluating patients with cognitive deficits see something more worrisome. At this point, I have to step back and address the Goldwater Rule from 1973: [I]t is unethical for a psychiatrist to offer a professional opinion unless he or she has conducted an examination and has been granted proper authorization for such a statement. The Goldwater Rule says that if you are not the doctor treating the public figure, you are not allowed to suggest a diagnosis. The Goldwater Rule has stifled doctors from describing what they see. It made sense in 1973 when we had a general consensus about facts. We believed that the news media was truthfully reporting facts. We thought that the reforms after the Nixon Watergate years guaranteed that government officials would not lie to us again. A lot has happened in the last fifty years that has splintered the framework that supports those beliefs. That is why it is now more important than ever for health professionals to speak out about what they are observing in plain sight. I have never formally evaluated Donald Trump. I know that he reported achieving a perfect score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) six years ago. It is a screening test for dementia. It does not evaluate a person for delusions or judgment or executive function or any other quality whose derangement could put this country at risk. It is a score at one point in time and does not indicate anything that happened to him in the last six years. It certainly does not indicate cognitive excellence. The fact that he repeatedly cites his MOCA score from 2018 is an indication of his limited understanding. I have listened to his public comments. When hearing him free associate for extended periods of time at his rallies, I have heard him lose his train of thought, divert into non sequiturs, use malapropisms, confuse dates and names, and most alarmingly, tell stories about events that never happened. His confusions have charitably been called lies, but I think that it would be more accurate to call them delusions and evidence of cognitive decline. He has repeated them as if he really believes them. Since the election, he has started to appoint people to high positions in the government who I feel should never be given access to that level of power. The appointment of RFK Jr. to a position in which he is likely to cause harm to the health of our country is a call to us to be ready to speak out forcefully about RFK Jr.s unfounded and dangerous opinions. We also have an obligation to speak out about the poor judgment of the president who is making these appointments that may be harmful to our country. You cannot shout Fire! in a crowded theater. But colleagues, the president-elect has shown us that he is willing to set the country on fire with his choices for his cabinet. We cannot let the Goldwater Rule of 1973 keep us from sounding the alarm now. RFK Jr. is a threat to everything we have learned about science, health care, and the practice of medicine. A rule from fifty years ago should not stop us from calling out the insanity of letting someone like RFK Jr. have anything to do with the health of our country. David Galinsky is an internal medicine physician and emeritus staff, Lankenau Medical Center. MCCOMB, Miss. (WJTV) McComb Police Chief Juan Cloy has been placed on administrative leave after a fatal officer-involved shooting. The shooting occurred near the 200 block of 25th Street in McComb on November 14. According to authorities, McComb police received calls about a suspicious vehicle in the area. They said four young men were inside the car. They were riding through the neighborhood with hoodies on and flashing rifles out of the vehicle. They had the community a little disturbed, a little upset, and they wanted the police department to be aware of what was going on, said McComb Mayor Quordiniah Lockley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspects wanted after deadly officer-involved shooting in McComb Officials with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) said when police arrived, two suspects exited the car and presented a gun at the officers. Lockley said Cloy fired a shot, killing 16-year-old Jamorian Seiber. The mayor believes Cloy followed protocol. The police chief will remain on leave as the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) completes their investigation. Im not going to second guess what the report will say. Im going to say let MBI complete their report, and we will respond to the information they share with us in their report, Lockley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tommy Walters lives in the neighborhood where the shooting occurred. He said crime has gotten out of hand in the area. They need to do something about this. Its too much killing going on. All these little kids running around, all these little 16-year-olds and 12-year-olds running around with guns in their pockets. And the police are looking at these people, theyre seeing the kids with the guns, with the clips sticking out, and theyre not doing nothing. They just take the guns away from them, said Walters. Family of Dexter Wade rallies outside JPD nearly two years after his death Lockley said violent crime has been on the rise in the city in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is disturbing. Its alarming that here in McComb, Mississippi, that we have such gun violence here. Ive had approximately five community meetings throughout the city to address gun violence, our youth violence in our city, trying to come up with some idea as to how we can reduce the gun violence, he said. Lockley also asked the community to be patient while MBI conducts their investigation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Nov. 20SAVANNA State Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, honored a local business this month through her new program to acknowledge excellent businesses throughout northwest Illinois. This month, McCombie visited Beach's Supper Club in Lena and presented the business with a special certificate of achievement to recognize and celebrate the commitment and hard work that have contributed to the restaurant's success. The local spot is the longest-operating supper club in Stephenson County and is known for outstanding food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Beach's has been operating since 1975, and will celebrate its 50th anniversary Feb. 17. The current owners, Michael and Anita Parkinson, have passionately run Beach's since 2007 and together handle the cooking and management of the northwest Illinois staple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beach's has endured challenges throughout the past few years, especially those presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes it even more beloved by the community, including the original owner's wife, who still visits Beach's occasionally and keeps the spirit of its early days alive. "This is a fantastic supper club, and I am proud to recognize the owners for their unwavering dedication to maintaining this long-standing business, which continues to feed our corner of the state exceptionally well," McCombie said. "The food and atmosphere are simply outstanding, and Michael and Anita Parkinson have created more than just a dining experience this is a true labor of love. Their commitment to the community shines through, making Beach's Supper Club not just a place to eat but a cherished gathering spot for friends and neighbors." McCombie welcomes area residents to suggest local businesses that deserve recognition by using the nomination form at repmccombie.com. The 89th Congressional District includes all of Carroll and Jo Daviess counties, as well as parts of Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, Ogle and DeKalb counties. Constituents can call McCombie's office at 815-291-8989. The Telegraph/Sterling Gazette is committed to keeping readers up to date with business happenings in the area. Much of our reporting relies on what we see and hear, but we're also reaching out to readers for tips on business items. If you have a tip to share for Eyes on Enterprise, email news@saukvalley.com. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Gov. Dan McKee has nominated Deborah Goddard to be the states new housing secretary. Deborah Goddard is a deeply committed and accomplished housing professional whose work has benefitted people from all backgrounds, McKee said. Housing affordability and availability in Rhode Island have never been more important than they are right now. Goddard, if confirmed, would replace former R.I. Senate Majority Leader Daniel Connors, who was serving in an interim capacity after Stefan Pryor stepped down earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connors had no intention of serving as the permanent secretary and didnt apply for the job. BACKGROUND: Stefan Pryor to step down as RI housing secretary Goddard currently leads a consulting firm, DJ Goddard Consulting, based out of Massachusetts. Before being selected, she also was the New York City Housing Authoritys executive vice president for capital projects for three years. Secure, safe, and affordable housing creates the foundation for positive outcomes in education, health, and economic prosperity, Goddard said. With this principle in mind, my career has been dedicated to creating and preserving housing opportunities across the income spectrum, for the unhoused, for renters and homeowners, alike, with attention to equity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to advance a housing agenda for Rhode Island that is inclusive, comprehensive, and transparent, she continued. TARGET 12: More coverage of RIs housing crisis Goddard was also general counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, who has made building more housing a priority of his, said he met with Goddard for the first time yesterday and that she was very impressive. Housing remains a critical issue to me, as well as the members of the House of Representatives and the people of Rhode Island, Shekarchi added. We have made great progress in addressing the housing crisis, including the passage of an historic housing bond earlier this month, and we must keep our feet on the gas pedal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nomination now heads to the Rhode Island Senate for approval. A Senate spokesperson said there isnt a timeline yet for a confirmation vote. NEXT: Gaetz withdraws as Trumps pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the Senate Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. The Rhode Island State House (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Gov. Dan McKee on Thursday named Massachusetts housing veteran Deborah Goddard as his pick for Rhode Island housing secretary, filling the vacancy created after Stefan Pryor resigned in June. If approved by the Rhode Island Senate, Goddard will be the departments fourth leader third on a permanent basis in its three-year existence. Dan Connors, the interim secretary who has headed the department since July, was never a contender for the permanent position, something both he and McKee have made clear. Deborah J. Goddard (courtesy photo) Deborah Goddard is a deeply committed and accomplished housing professional whose work has benefited people from all backgrounds, McKee said in a statement Thursday. Housing affordability and availability in Rhode Island have never been more important than they are right now. I am confident Deborahs knowledge and experience will guide the Department to achieving our housing goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As housing secretary, Goddard will oversee a $36 million state budget and 38-person team, with the gargantuan task of tackling the state housing crisis through housing construction and preservation, and emergency shelter aid. The housing department is also responsible for distributing much of the $322 million in federal pandemic aid set aside for housing in Rhode Island, along with a new $120 million housing bond, which passed on Nov. 5. Goddards salary will be $238,597, the same amount paid to Pryor before he stepped down. Lawmakers and housing advocates have pushed for a permanent housing secretary for months, insisting the role is crucial to stabilize a department rocked by a revolving door of leaders, scrutiny over program management and allegations of state purchasing rules violations. House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, who has led the charge for housing reform at the State Housel, signaled his support for Goddard in a statement Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I met with Deborah Goddard for the first time yesterday and she was very impressive, Shekarchi said. Housing remains a critical issue to me, as well as the members of the House of Representatives and the people of Rhode Island. We have made great progress in addressing the housing crisis, including the passage of an historic housing bond earlier this month, and we must keep our feet on the gas pedal. At an unrelated media event in Warwick on Wednesday, McKee said his pick for housing secretary was coming very soon, chalking up the five-month wait to difficulty in filling the position. Goddard was plucked from a pool of four applicants, Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKees office, said in an email Thursday. A national search, initially pitched as an option, was never conducted, DaRocha said. Two other women leaders in Rhode Islands housing space previously signaled their interest in the job, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goddard brings more than 40 years of private and public-sector housing experience to Rhode Island. She currently leads her own consulting firm, based out of Massachusetts, but has previously led public housing initiatives in Massachusetts and New York. She served as executive vice president for capital projects at the New York City Housing Authority from 2016 to 2019, overseeing $3 billion in construction and helping advance energy and sustainability programs. Prior to that, she was managing director for policy and program development at MassHousing, helping prop up stronger utility rebates for multifamily houses and new cost-saving programs for energy and water conservation. She has also worked as general counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. In a statement, Goddard pledged to advance an inclusive, comprehensive, and transparent housing agenda in Rhode Island. Secure, safe, and affordable housing creates the foundation for positive outcomes in education, health, and economic prosperity, Goddard said With this principle in mind, my career has been dedicated to creating and preserving housing opportunities across the income spectrum, for the unhoused, for renters and homeowners, alike, with attention to equity. She also acknowledged the persistent headwinds facing housing development, but said they are not unique to Rhode Island nor are they new. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Department of Housing and sister agencies, with elected officials and partners throughout the public and private sectors to achieve success despite the challenges, Goddard said. Goddard has a bachelors degree from Wheaton College and a law degree from Boston College. Her start date is Dec. 2. Like other cabinet-level positions, Goddard must be confirmed by the Rhode Island Senate, which is scheduled to reconvene on Jan. 7. I appreciate the Governors work to fill this extremely important position, and I look forward to the Senates thorough review of Ms. Goddards appointment through the advice and consent process, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said in a statement on Thursday. A date for the Senates confirmation vote on Goddard has not been scheduled as of Thursday, said Greg Pare, a Senate spokesperson. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is warning residents of several phone scams invading the area. The fraudulent calls see the caller pose as an employee of the sheriffs office and proceed to tell residents that they have not appeared for a scheduled court appearance or that there is a legal situation that needs to be discussed. The caller then threatens the resident with arrest unless immediate payment through PayPal, ApplePay, money orders or other payments are made. The scam caller uses a spoofed caller ID to make it seem as if they are calling from the county sheriffs office and they also use the actual names of employees there as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tis the season: packages reported stolen recovered by Kettering Police These scammers can be extremely convincing. They exploit fear and confusion to pressure people into compliance. Let me be clear: the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office will never call residents to demand payment or threaten arrest for unpaid fines, warrants, or missed court dates Sheriff Rob Streck Streck further called out the tactics, labeling them as deliberate ways to make the scams more believable. Always verify the authenticity of any call, and dont hesitate to reach out to your local police department to report suspicious activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. TOPEKA (KSNT) State and federal health officials are monitoring the spread of a zombie deer disease as hunters across Kansas look to hit their bag limit. Chronic wasting disease (CWD), also popularly known as zombie deer disease, is a recurring issue for the states hunters. Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) encourage people to avoid eating meat taken from animals exhibiting the signs and symptoms of this disease even though there have been no confirmed cases of CWD in humans. CWD is part of a family of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), also known as prion diseases, that lead to degenerative brain disorders, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The CDC said on its website that CWD, while it hasnt been detected in people yet, poses the greatest risk to hunters who regularly kill and harvest wild deer in the event the disease makes the jump to humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 27 News reached out to Wildlife Disease Program Coordinator Shane Hesting about the possible dangers associated with CWD and asked if hunters should be worried about contracting it. He said the KDWP generally does not encourage people to eat wildlife that appear sick but that, at the end of the day, it is the hunters decision whether or not to eat meat from a deer. Where are the best places to go shed hunting in Kansas? No person on Earth has been diagnosed with CWD to date, Hesting said. Thats the good news. However, due to long incubation times and unknowns about CWD and TSEs in general, KDWP, CDC, and most other natural resource agencies do not recommend eating deer or elk that have tested positive for CWD. Hesting, who spoke with 27 News in August about the spread of CWD in Kansas, said Lincoln and Riley Counties were added to the list of counties being monitored by the KDWP. Both had a single case of positive CWD from the previous hunting season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most professionals agree it will reduce the number of older deer on the landscape over time, i.e., fewer trophy animals, Hesting said. This will manifest over a period of decades. Wyoming is reporting deer population declines in areas with the highest prevalence, and Wyoming has had CWD for 30+ years longer than Kansas. The KDWP has started to release its testing results for chronic wasting disease CWD as the 2024-2025 deer season gets underway. Hunters can use the website to check if their deer have tested positive or negative for CWD. Kansas deer hunters experience increase in success rate Hesting said the KDWPs website displays deer killed by hunters along with those that are roadkill and which are suspected to be infected. Out of the 90 tests conducted so far, 23 are positive for CWD while the rest have tested negative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My wish is for everyone to have a safe and enjoyable hunting season this year, Hesting said. Regulated hunting is the only way we can keep deer and other populations of game animals at biologically and socially acceptable densities and help keep diseases in check. If you know someone (young or older) who may have an interest in hunting, take them hunting. Teach them about safety and ethics. Show them how much enjoyment, peace, and wildlife viewing hunting brings and how one can put naturally sourced food on the table. Remember: Its never too late to learn how to hunt and experience what the Kansas landscape has to offer. You can learn more about hunting applications and fees on the KDWPs website by clicking here. For more information on CWD monitoring efforts being conducted in Kansas, click here. Great Value breakfast food products recalled due to plastic contamination For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Significant cuts to Medicaid could be on the table next Congress as President-elect Trump and Republicans look for ways to offset tax cuts and streamline government spending. Republicans on Capitol Hill dont seem thrilled with the idea but arent rejecting it outright. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said it was too soon to be sure whether Medicaid cuts were coming. But with this effort to reform everything, programs, I think its something that you can expect. I wouldnt be surprised if we were going to be looking, he said. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), more than 88 million people, including almost 40 million children, were enrolled in Medicaid as of September 2023. It remains the largest source of federal funding for states. Trump has vowed to not to touch entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, but has made no such promise when it comes to Medicaid, making it a more likely target for budgetary trims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has said Medicare, Social Security and Defense cuts are off the table. With Republicans looking for spending reductions to help pay for tax cuts, the math is inescapable. The Medicaid and ACA cuts will then be on the table, Larry Levitt, KFF executive vice president for health policy, said in a briefing days after Trump won the election. And Trump seemed to send similar signals in his announcement of surgeon, television celebrity and former Senate candidate Mehmet Oz as his nominee to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). Trump said Oz would cut waste and fraud within our Countrys most expensive Government Agency. Where Republicans stand Medicaid cuts would require an act of Congress, and with the GOP set to hold a trifecta, Trump would be well positioned to reduce Medicaid spending should he pursue it. But most Republicans in Congress werent ready to embrace the idea this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said, I have not heard anyone talk about that, when asked by The Hill about potential Medicaid cuts, while Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said she was under the impression Trump had deemed Medicaid an untouchable thing. Im not saying it couldnt be reformed or other things moved around. But, you know, I dont know. Ill have to look more deeply into what he said, Capito added. I think its way too early to start talking about Medicaid cuts for next Congress, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said. I cant answer that. I think well wait until he gets into office, Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas) said. Im not going to comment on his policies until then, but I will say going through the appropriations process, theres plenty of waste, fraud, abuse in all these agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas congressman suggested removing employees who arent providing a benefit for the American people would be a good place to start. How it could be done One idea, pushed during the first Trump administration, is imposing work requirements for Medicaid eligibility. The Trump White House opened a pathway for states to seek work requirements for Medicaid enrollees. Arkansas was the first state to enact work requirements in 2018, but a federal appeals court ultimately struck down the move in 2020, finding that HHS had acted unlawfully. As The Washington Post reported, House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) backs a responsible and reasonable work requirement and has suggested reviewing Medicaid eligibility more than once a year, calling these actions common-sense, reasonable things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated in 2023 that adding work requirements to Medicaid eligibility would reduce federal spending by roughly $109 billion over a 10-year period. If this provision was enacted in all states, the CBO projected that an average of 1.5 million adults would lose federal funding for Medicaid coverage, which it said could mean 600,000 or more losing insurance coverage, depending on how much states can make up the cost. The number of uninsured Americans is already at record lows. Another potential method of paring down Medicaid spending could be altering how funds are distributed. Federal Medicaid dollars are currently distributed through a matching program with no cap, meaning the federal government pays a fixed percentage of states Medicaid costs. Republicans have proposed saving costs by instead providing block grants, which could cap per-person spending, give states more flexibility in operating their programs and would potentially leave millions of people uninsured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CBO and the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimated in 2017 that a GOP bill to replace federal health subsidies with block grants would reduce the federal deficit by $133 billion over nine years. The analysis also found that millions of additional people would be uninsured if the bill was enacted. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) hinted at Medicaid block grants earlier this month, as reported by Politico. Im not advocating for Social Security or Medicare in the absence of a bipartisan consensus, because we know that will be a futile effort, Cornyn said. Theres a lot of other spending we should consider. We ought to look at whether were doing [Medicaid] the right way. Block grants make a lot of sense. Impact on states Health policy experts say broad efforts to rein in spending through Medicare cuts would just move costs onto states, and in different ways, depending on how theyve utilized the funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Levitt, block grants would place much more financial pressure on states, and with big spending reductions lead to reductions in coverage and benefits. Many states that are most reliant on Medicaid funding are politically red. According to The Pew Charitable Trusts, New Mexico, Mississippi, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona are among the top states in which federal funds covered the highest portion of state Medicaid costs. Apart from the impact on coverage, state health officials note these funds have recently been used in ways to benefit overall health outside of health care services. A lot of states have increasingly sought to use Medicaid to do more and better expansive things, looking at a bigger definition of what is health, addressing some of the social, political, economic drivers of poor health, said Sejal Hathi, Oregon Health Authority director and former White House senior policy adviser under the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hathi pointed to North Carolina, where it was found that using Medicaid dollars to address issues such as food and housing insecurity actually pays financial and health dividends down the road. It cuts costs, reduces emergency department visits. It improves health outcomes for our most vulnerable members, and yet we are hearing from the Trump administration that theyre not big fans of those models. And well see if that comes to pass, Hathi said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Fort Monroe Authority on Thursday unanimously selected Scott Martin to be its new chief executive officer ending a nationwide search that has been underway since the spring. Martin currently serves as the administrator of Chattanooga Tennessee Parks & Outdoors and was previously the executive director of the River Heritage Conservancy in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He was voted in during a Board of Trustees meeting and will begin work in the new role in January. Martin thanked the board for the opportunity and pledged to do his best. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have no idea where the Lords going to take you, but everything happens for a reason, and I just feel overwhelmingly blessed and honored, he said. And Id be lying if I didnt say a little scared and intimidated by the awesome responsibility as well. Martin is replacing previous CEO Glenn Oder, who retired on Oct. 1. The Fort Monroe Authority is a political subdivision that oversees development on the states property at the fort, which ceased to operate as an Army base in 2011. Martin has more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across various agencies. In Chattanooga, he led a team that launched a collaborative master plan process for the citys largest urban park and a refresh of the Chattanooga Riverfront, and completed the citys first comprehensive Parks & Outdoors plan in more than 25 years. According to a news release, he served on a collaborative private/public partnership team that brought $8.4 million in philanthropic gifts and public grants to the park system and system reinvestments. He also served as the parks director for 21st Century Parks, Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky, where he helped plan and program a new 4,000-acre, $130 million nonprofit-run public park system that hosts more than 3 million annual visitors. He earned a Bachelors degree in political science and a Masters degree in public administration from Boise State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salary information for Martin was not immediately available Thursday. After Oder announced his plans to retire in late March, the authority formed a CEO Search Committee to find a new, permanent CEO and hired search firm Korn Ferry to assist in the process. Chief Operating Officer John K. Hutcheson is serving as CEO in an interim capacity until Martin takes over. Authority board member John Reynolds said Korn Ferry contacted more than 250 people for the position in a nationwide search and did an in-depth screening of 23 people. The firm presented a list of 12 candidates to the search committee, which conducted interviews and selected Martin. He understands the power of a wonderful, internationally significant place to affect how a city can improve itself with the right partnerships, Reynolds said. He understands people, and hes got a reputation as a good manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin said hes following a legend, and his first priority is to learn from people who have been working at the Fort Monroe site, learn more about its history, and to try to assess what its future should look like. I think Im going to listen to the board and look for their guidance, and the folks that have been around a lot longer than me, and say, What part of the 2012 plan still works? What part of the 2012 plan needs to change? COVID changed everything, what did it change here for how the community wants to live and breathe and deal with it? How does climate change impact this? How does science? All that sort of stuff has to enter the mix, and Im there to learn initially and help the team. Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com Megyn Kelly is all for Rep. Nancy Maces push to block newly elected trans congresswoman Sarah McBride from using the womens restroom on Capitol Hill. On Wednesdays episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, the host applauded Maces attempts to stop McBride from using the same womens room as her. Kelly supported the hope for blocked access. Im sorry, but theres a place for you, sir, its the mens bathroom, she said. Get out. Get out of the womens bathroom and the womens spaces. You want to do your thing and put on a costume that makes you look like me. I dont love it. Im going to be honest. I dont. Im not 100% with the live and let live crowd. Im really kind of not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly went on saying that trans means fake and you substitute fake, and youll understand what everybody is saying, doesnt change that. She added that trans issue was their delusion. Its not mine. Your delusion is not my problem, she said, speaking directly to McBride. I dont have to participate in it. I dont have to pretend that you are, in fact, a woman. Im sorry youre going through this. I dont think this should be celebrated when he declared that he was female, he got congratulatory calls from people like Beau Biden in Delaware Congratulations on what? Watch the full segment below: Kelly continued, I just I have empathy for these folks. It must be very, very difficult. And as Ive told you, I have trans people in my extended family. It must be very, very difficult, and thats what Ive been told, that it is. I get it. Its just not my problem, and I refuse to make it my problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McBride was elected to serve as a congresswoman for Delaware. On Monday, Mace introduced a resolution to prohibit House employees from using bathrooms that dont correspond with their biological sex. She later confirmed the resolution was absolutely and then some in response to McBrides election. Representatives who stood in support of McBride include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Becca Balint, and Joe Morelle. Watch the full Megyn Kelly Show clip above. The post Megyn Kelly Applauds Republican Bathroom Bill Targeting the First Trans Member of Congress | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Donald Trump as "fascinated by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin" and "by other authoritarian leaders," with a "winner-or-loser mentality" in excerpts from her new memoir published by Die Zeit on Nov. 21. Trump's relationship with Putin is coming into the spotlight as the former U.S. president is set to return to the White House in January, with far-ranging implications for Russia's war in Ukraine. "(Trump) saw everything from the point of view of a property developer, which is what he was before he came into politics. Every plot of land could only be sold once, and if he didn't get it, someone else would. That's how he saw the world," writes the former German politician in the book titled "Freedom: Memories 1954-2021." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Donald Trump asked me a series of questions, including about my East German origins and my relationship with Putin," she said. "He was clearly fascinated by the Russian president." These assertions seem to align with what the U.S. president-elect, who had already sat in the Oval Office between 2017 and 2021, has shown so far. At the Helsinki summit in 2018, Trump went so far as to say publicly that he was prepared to trust the word of this dictator over his own intelligence services. During his time out of office, after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Trump again praised Putin for his audacity, and he told a fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, that "Putin is pretty smart," calling him a "genius" and "savvy," as reported by Bloomberg. Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward reported that Trump spoke to Putin "as many as seven times" after he left the presidency and that at one point in 2024, Trump told a senior aide to leave the room at his mansion in Mar-a-Lago so "he could have what he said was a private phone call" with the Russian leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also said he could end the war in a day, something widely taken to mean he would force President Volodymyr Zelensky to make painful territorial concessions. Similarly, Putin has made positive comments about Trump recently. Commenting on the attempted assassination of Trump while he was speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July, Reuters reported Putin saying: "He behaved, in my opinion, in a very correct way, courageously, like a real man." After his election, the Washington Post reported on Nov. 10 that Trump had a direct phone call with Putin, in which Trump allegedly advised Putin not to escalate the situation in Ukraine. The Kremlin denied that the call ever took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 20, Reuters reported that Putin was willing to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine with Donald Trump, citing five former and current Russian officials. Trump is a person "under the spell of politicians with autocratic and dictatorial tendencies," Merkel described. Read also: What Putin hopes to achieve in Ukraine before Trump enters the White House Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The withdrawal of Oxbryta (voxelotor) from global markets, announced by Pfizer after a recent data review revealed a rise in deaths and complications, has left sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in a precarious situation. The sudden nature of the announcement caught the patient and physician community off guard, as there was no prewarning. For an already narrow world of options available to people with sickle cell disease, this came as a devastating blow. Oxbryta, a hemoglobin oxygen affinity modifier, was purported to reduce the sickling of red blood cells and had been in use since FDA approval in 2019. Health care providers now face the challenge of transitioning patients to other therapiessuch as hydroxyurea, blood transfusions, or emerging treatmentsmany of which may not offer the same level of efficacy or convenience. Unique therapeutic challenges include concerns over a sudden rebound in vaso-occlusive crises if patients, concerned by the announcement, abruptly stop taking the drug. Additionally, maintaining patient trust as they transition to alternative treatments has been and will continue to be key through this difficult transition. Furthermore, identifying candidates for clinical trials of new therapies could be one avenue to explore for those patients who were benefiting from Oxbryta. Rebuilding trust in biologics: a strained relationship The decision to pull Oxbryta from the market has shaken the confidence of many patients and caregivers, not just in the drug itself but in the broader medical establishment, including the approval process of biologics. Oxbryta, approved by the FDA in 2019, represented hope for a disease that disproportionately affects marginalized populations. Now, with the revelation that the drug may be linked to higher incidences of death and complications, many patients are left wondering: can they trust new biologic therapies currently in development? This event further strains an already tenuous relationship between patients with sickle cell disease and the health care system. These patients have long faced health care inequities and systemic gaps in the availability of comprehensive care. The Oxbryta withdrawal risks reinforcing a narrative of distrustwhere drugs seen as breakthroughs ultimately fail them. For future biologics and gene therapies in the pipeline, restoring this trust will require a commitment to transparency and patient engagement at every level of the drug development and regulatory process. Awaiting data: Avoiding speculation until full findings are shared While Pfizer has cited increased risks of death and complications as the basis for withdrawing Oxbryta, the full data that led to this decision has not yet been shared with the scientific community. Without these details, it is crucial to avoid speculation or misinterpretation of the situation. What we do know is that an imbalance in deaths and severe complicationsconditions already prevalent in sickle cell diseaseprompted this urgent decision. However, until the comprehensive analysis is made public, assumptions about the exact nature and extent of these risks should be withheld. It is vital for Pfizer and regulatory bodies to release the data behind their decision as soon as possible, enabling independent experts to scrutinize the findings and provide more informed guidance. The scientific community must prioritize transparency, especially when the stakes are so high for vulnerable patient populations. In the meantime, patients and providers must collaborate to devise evidence-based practices for this significant transition of care. The withdrawal of Oxbryta is a significant setback, but it should not deter the ongoing pursuit of safer and more effective therapies for sickle cell disease. Akshat Jain is a pediatric hematology-oncology physician. In her memoirs, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel explains her actions to slow down Ukraine's movement on the path to join NATO. Source: Die Zeit, publishing an excerpt from Merkel's memoirs, as reported by European Pravda Details: Merkel wrote that she had tried to slow down Ukraine's desire to join NATO as soon as possible, as she already feared a military response from Russia. In the book, she recalled the decisive NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008, when a plan to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Georgia was discussed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I understood the desire of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to become NATO members as soon as possible, but the accession of a new member was supposed to bring more security not only to them but also to NATO," Merkel said in the book. The then Chancellor also saw risks in the treaty-based presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. "None of the candidates for NATO membership had ever had such a close relationship with Russian military structures before," she said. For reference: Angela Merkel first became a member of the Bundestag in 1990, and from 2000 to 2018, she was the leader of the right-wing conservative Christian Democratic Union. For 16 years, up until the 2021 elections, she was the permanent Chancellor of Germany, but decided not to run again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her tenure, Angela Merkel was considered one of the most influential politicians in Europe and the world. However, after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Merkel was sharply criticised for her policy of appeasement of Russia, her increasing dependence on Russian gas and her refusal to admit her mistakes in office. Support UP or become our patron! LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Metroplan was awarded a grant of more than $900,000 to help improve road safety in central Arkansas. Officials said a $913,690 grant will go towards the Streets and Roads for All Program. The funds will be used to address safety concerns in the Safety Action plan, including enhancements at high-speed signalized intersections, technology for EMS vehicles and high visibility crossing for the regional trail system. MEMS is committed to providing high-quality emergency medical services to our community, MEMS executive director Greg Thompson said. These funds secured by Metroplan will improve safety for our crews and community while we are en route to or on the scene of emergencies by providing automated messages to nearby motorists alerting them to our presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metroplan is an organization that works with local governments to determine transportation needs and funding for investments, according to its website. Little Rock awarded $25 million by USDOT for road safety improvements Faulkner County Judge and Metroplan vice president Allen Dodson said data shows that rural high-speed signalized intersections are a challenge in the region and officials are looking to implement technology to address it. Metroplan officials said the award was a collaboration with Metropolitan Emergency Medical Systems (MEMS), Arkansas Department of Transportation, Faulkner County Government and Pulaski County Government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metroplan grants $17.35 million for central Arkansas transportation improvements For more information on Metroplan, visit Metroplan.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. WASHINGTON (AP) A high-ranking leader of a Mexican drug cartel who lived in the U.S. under a phony identity after faking his own death has been arrested on federal charges, the Justice Department said Thursday. Cristian Fernando Gutierrez Ochoa the son-in-law of the fugitive Jalisco New Generation cartel boss known as El Mencho was arrested this week on drug trafficking and money laundering offenses in Riverside, California, where he had been living using a fake name after fleeing Mexico, prosecutors said. Prosecutors say Gutierrez Ochoa, 37, faked his own death and fled to the U.S. to avoid Mexican authorities after kidnapping two members of the Mexican Navy in 2021. His father-in-law, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes or El Mencho, told associates he killed Gutierrez Ochoa for lying, helping the man escape to the U.S. to be with El Mencho's daughter, the Justice Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutierrez Ochoa is accused of conspiring to import thousands of kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine into the U.S., and using violence to further the cartel's illegal activities. He's accused of kidnapping the two Mexican Navy members in 2021 in the hopes of securing the release of El Mencho's wife after she had been arrested by Mexican authorities, according to the Justice Department. "The Jalisco Cartel one of the worlds most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations is weaker today because of the tenacious efforts of law enforcement to track down and arrest a cartel leader who allegedly faked his own death and assumed a false identity to evade justice and live a life of luxury in California, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. An email seeking comment was sent to an attorney appointed to represent Gutierrez Ochoa. The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho," an alias that is a play on his first name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El Mencho's son was convicted in a U.S. federal court in September of charges that he used violence, including the deadly downing of a military helicopter, to help his father operate one of the countrys largest and most dangerous narcotics trafficking organizations. Ruben Oseguera, known as El Menchito, was convicted after a trial in Washington's federal court of conspiring to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine for U.S. importation and using a firearm in a drug conspiracy. A high-ranking Mexican cartel leader who faked his own death to "live a life of luxury" in California has been arrested and charged with drug trafficking, U.S. officials said Thursday. Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa was arrested in Riverside, California, on Tuesday, the Justice Department said in a statement. Gutierrez-Ochoa is the son-in-law of Nemesio Oseguera-Cervantes, 58, also known as "El Mencho," the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, which the officials described as "one of the world's most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicole Argentieri, a senior Justice Department official, said Gutierrez-Ochoa "allegedly directed the importation of tons of methamphetamine and cocaine into the United States and engaged in violence to aid the cartel's criminal activities." Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said Gutierrez-Ochoa "allegedly faked his own death and assumed a false identity to evade justice and live a life of luxury in California." According to court documents, Gutierrez-Ochoa began working for the Jalisco cartel in 2014 and coordinated the shipment of 40,000 kilograms (88,000 pounds) of methamphetamine and 2,000 kilograms of cocaine from Mexico to the United States. In 2021, he allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican navy in an attempt to secure the release of Oseguera-Cervantes's wife, who had been arrested by the Mexican authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oseguera-Cervantes, the Jalisco cartel founder, has also been indicted in the United States and the State Department has offered a $10 million reward for his capture. "He is the number one priority for DEA and frankly for federal law enforcement in the United States," DEA agent Matthew Donahue told CBS News in 2019. "El Mencho's" son was convicted in a U.S. federal court in September of charges that he used violence, including the deadly downing of a military helicopter, to help his father operate one of the country's largest and most dangerous narcotics trafficking organizations. Ruben Oseguera, known as "El Menchito," was convicted after a trial in Washington's federal court of conspiring to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine for U.S. importation and using a firearm in a drug conspiracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2022, the Mexican army captured Antonio Oseguera, the brother of "El Mencho." He allegedly oversaw violent actions and logistics, and bought weapons and laundered money for the Jalisco cartel. The U.S. Treasury Department listed Antonio Oseguera's alias as "El Tony Montana," an apparent reference to the fictional protagonist of the 1983 gangster film "Scarface." The Jalisco cartel is better known for producing millions of doses of deadly fentanyl and smuggling them into the United States disguised to look like Xanax, Percocet or oxycodone. Such pills cause about 70,000 overdose deaths per year in the United States. "Defeating the two cartels responsible for the deadly drug crisis in the United States is the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)'s top operational priority, and with the arrest of Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa, we are much closer," DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in a statement Thursday. Earlier this year, the U.S. imposed sanctions on a group of Mexican accountants and firms allegedly linked to a timeshare fraud ring run by the Jalisco cartel in a multi-million dollar scheme targeting Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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 Melissa Etheridge on performing national anthem at NWSL Championship CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) A Mexican man was sentenced for a federal immigration crime in West Virginia. Mexican man pleads guilty to federal immigration crime in West Virginia According to a press release, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, 45-year-old David Cuevas, a Mexican national, was sentenced to time served for fraud and misuse of a lawful Permanent Resident Card and remanded to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuevas pleaded guilty to the offense in October 2024, and was in custody for the crime since May 30, 2024. The press release stated that according to court documents, Cuevas had and used false information from a Permanent Resident Card in another persons name to apply for an explosives license from the West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal. Cuevas revealed that he knew the information he used was incorrect, as well as using information from the other persons Permanent Resident Card for the explosives application. He further acknowledged that he wanted the explosives license to help with his job for a construction company that involved laying a pipeline in Fayette, Greenbrier, and Nicholas counties. Man found guilty of felony drug crime in Fayette County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson who thanked the United States Department of State-Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the West Virginia Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the West Virginia Fusion Center for their work on 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 WVNS. MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexicos president acknowledged Thursday that Canada is concerned about reports of a Chinese companys plan to build an auto plant in Mexico, but she said it does not currently exist. President Claudia Sheinbaum said she talked recently to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and that he assured her he did not support excluding Mexico from the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. But Trudeau said later Thursday that while having Mexico in the agreement is my first choice, he is leaving all doors open on the future of the trilateral trade pact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pending decisions and choices that Mexico has made, we may have to look at other options, Trudeau said at an appearance in Canada. On Wednesday, provincial leaders in Canada called on Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that would exclude Mexico. The prime minister does not agree with taking Mexico out of the treaty, he told me so clearly, Sheinbaum said following the bilateral meeting the two leaders held during this week's G20 summit. He asked me about a Chinese company's auto plant, and if there was a plant in Mexico, she said, and responded that the company's only North American plant was in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was an apparent reference to Chinese carmaker BYD, which had reportedly been planning to build a plant in Mexico but hasn't done so yet. Trudeau said there have been real and genuine concerns raised about Chinese investment into Mexico." Politicians in the United States and Canada have expressed concerns that under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, Chinese companies could assemble autos in Mexico and ship them north, avoiding tariffs. On Wednesday, Doug Ford, the premier of Canada's most populous province, 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., Canadas top trading partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Mexico 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. Sheinbaum attributed that call to domestic political jockeying in Canada, saying they use these issues as part of an electoral campaign. There is a Chinese vehicle assembly plant in Mexico, operated by Giant Motors, which assembles JAC brand vehicles, largely from imported parts. But there is no evidence it exports any significant part of its production to the United States or Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Canada's 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 ahead of a review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2026. 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. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Patrick Allen resigns from his position after nearly two years. (Photo provided by the New Mexico Department of Health) New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Patrick Allen will step down from his position Wednesday after leading the department for just shy of two years, according to the governors office. A reason for Allens departure was not given in the news release provided by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams office. The governor appointed Allen to the position in December 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen could not be reached for comment. Allen succeeded David Scrase, who stepped in as acting secretary when Kathy Kunkel retired in 2020. Robert Nott, DOH director of communications, said he doesnt know the reason for his resignation, but was surprised by the announcement from the governors office. Lujan Grishams health policy advisor, Gina DeBlassie, will take over as interim cabinet secretary, according to the news release. DeBlassie has worked as Lujan Grishams health policy advisor for two-and-a-half years. According to her LinkedIn account, DeBlassie previously worked as chief operating officer for InnovAge, a health care delivery company offering PACE or Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in Colorado, California, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Virginia. She left in January 2022, after nearly 12 years with the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement InnovAge is currently a defendant in a federal class action civil lawsuit in which the company and several former executives are accused of securities fraud. The lawsuit was filed in October 2021 and is pending in the Colorado District Court. DeBlassie earned a bachelors in business administration from the University of Phoenix. This is the third change in Lujan Grishams cabinet leadership in as many months the Public Education and Aging and Long-Term Services departments received new leadership in September. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Bloomberg) -- The Mexican government has a plan to receive Mexicans living in the US if Donald Trump makes good on his promise of mass deportations, according to President Claudia Sheinbaum. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In case there are deportations, we are going to receive Mexicans and we have a plan for that, Sheinbaum said Thursday during her daily press conference, raising the tone against the US president-elects claims. We dont agree that migrants should be treated as criminals. Sheinbaum added that her government will show Trumps team a presentation on the importance of Mexicans work in the US, which includes the big resources they pay in taxes. During his presidential campaign, Trump has threatened to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants, accusing them of increasing crime in the country. Trade Deal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheinbaum also said that Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told her that he doesnt want Mexico removed from the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, known as USMCA, even though some Canadian officials have called for the Latin American country to be removed from the pact. Trudeau has said before his government has concerns about Mexicos trade with China amid the review of the USMCA scheduled for 2026, but he said he was hopeful the three countries are going to be able to work constructively on the issues over the coming months. Some Canadian provincial leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, have said Canada should pursue a bilateral trade deal with the US due to Mexicos more open trade with China. Sheinbaum noted that the only plant making vehicles of a Chinese brand in North America referring to BYD, but without naming it directly is in Pasadena, California, and not in Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also presented on Thursday her government water plan, which seeks to review water concessions and increase agricultural productivity. The plan, which includes the construction of several dams, aqueducts and flood protection works, also seeks to clean up the countrys three most polluted rivers, said Efrain Morales, head of the national water commission known as Conagua, during the press conference. Sheinbaum also added that her government is analyzing invitations to visit foreign countries such as China, France and South Korea but that her focus remains Mexico. --With assistance from Amy Stillman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's lower house of Congress proposed adjustments on Thursday to the details of a contentious reform that abolishes several regulatory bodies, aiming to ensure compliance with the USMCA trade agreement. The ruling majority, led by the MORENA party, on Wednesday approved the general text of the constitutional amendment to abolish seven autonomous watchdogs including the transparency institute, antitrust body and the telecoms regulator. The scrapping of the telecoms regulator IFT in particular has stirred concerns among investors and analysts, who had warned it appeared to breach the USMCA agreement and could result in disputes with the United States and Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislators from the ruling MORENA party proposed, during Thursday's detailed discussion of individual articles of the bill, merging the IFT with the antitrust watchdog Cofece, creating an autonomous body under the Economy Ministry, while preserving its technical and operational independence. "The idea is that there should be a competition body that corresponds to the agreement (USMCA), that is similar to that of the United States and that, above all, guarantees good competition," Vidal Llerenas, deputy economy minister for industry and trade, told reporters on Thursday. The change to the reform, Llerenas added, makes a potential complaint from one of Mexico's commercial partners unlikely. "We do not think it will be a controversial issue," he said. Analysts reacted positively to the adjustment, but remained cautious about the implementation of the reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The fact that MORENA is taking a more cautious approach with two of the most important regulators, antitrust and telecoms, is a positive sign," said Rodolfo Ramos, of the Brazilian bank Bradesco BBI. However, the constitutional reforms have sparked concern of potential credit ratings downgrades for Mexico, which currently enjoys investment-grade ratings from Fitch, Moody's and S&P. Ratings agency Moody's recently downgraded Mexico's outlook to negative from stable, citing institutional and policy weakening that threatens the economy and government accounts after a contentious judicial overhaul. (Reporting by Diego Ore; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Andrea Ricci) Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Join us in this episode as we explore the story of a medical student who redefined her career path after a pivotal moment of self-discovery and patient insight. Our guest, Janet A. Jokela, an infectious disease physician, delves into the lessons learned about career alignment, mentorship, and the vital role of compassion in medicine. Together, we discuss the power of patient interactions, the courage to pivot, and the importance of finding ones true calling in a demanding field. Janet A. Jokela, MD, MPH, ACPs Treasurer 2022-2025, served as the Regional Dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Urbana, and currently serves as Professor and Senior Associate Dean of Engagement at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, IL. She discusses the KevinMD article, How one medical students life-changing conversation reshaped her career. Our presenting sponsor is DAX Copilot by Microsoft. Do you spend more time on administrative tasks like clinical documentation than you do with patients? Youre not alone. Clinicians report spending up to two hours on administrative tasks for each hour of patient care. Microsoft is committed to helping clinicians restore the balance with DAX Copilot, an AI-powered, voice-enabled solution that automates clinical documentation and workflows. 70 percent of physicians who use DAX Copilot say it improves their work-life balance while reducing feelings of burnout and fatigue. Patients love it too! 93 percent of patients say their physician is more personable and conversational, and 75 percent of physicians say it improves patient experiences. Help restore your work-life balance with DAX Copilot, your AI assistant for automated clinical documentation and workflows. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE https://www.kevinmd.com/cme Im partnering with Learner+ to offer clinicians access to an AI-powered reflective portfolio that rewards CME/CE credits from meaningful reflections. Find out more: https://www.kevinmd.com/learnerplus Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today, we welcome back Janet Jokela. Shes an infectious disease physician and the treasurer of the American College of Physicians. Todays KevinMD article is How one medical students life-changing conversation reshaped her career. Janet Jokela: Thank you so much, Kevin. Kevin Pho: So, lets start by jumping right into this recent article. Tell us what its about for those that didnt get a chance to read it. Janet Jokela: Sure, sure. Now, my pleasure. This was a situation that occurred a few years ago, but a student appeared in my office, you know, desperately and eagerly wanting to speak with me. They seemed kind of distracted and almost, in retrospect, like the blood had drained out of their face. So, they urgently wanted to meet with me. They had just returned from an away rotation where they did a pathology rotation. They were a fourth-year student, and it was a great rotation. They really enjoyed it. One of their responsibilities was to meet with patients who were participating in a longitudinal study where they had to give blood samples periodically. So, at any rate, the students job was to meet with these patients, talk with them, and all of that. And this one patient asked Megan, and its Megan, you know, Megan, can I be honest with you? And of course, she said, Sure. And the patient said, Megan, youre not a pathologist. And she was so taken aback. But he said, Look, you know, you have wonderful interpersonal skills. Youre so good at what you do, and you really need to put those to good use in a field that offers more opportunities for interpersonal interactions than what pathology does. So, that was the situation. Her pathology application was all ready to go and all of this, but she felt like her boat had been rocked. Clearly, she listened to her patient and was taking it to heart, and she was really struggling with, Well, now what do I do? So that was the impetus for that. Kevin Pho: So, when she came to you telling you about the story, how did you react and what did you say to her? Janet Jokela: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, we had a really interesting conversation, and she was a strong, talented student who could have gone in any direction she wanted to. But clearly, I could tell that her boat was rocked, and what the patient said to her had a profound impact. We talked about how the patient had the courage, the willingness, and the honesty to be kind and compassionate with her. On some level, she knew the patient was right. She and I had talked many times before about her career direction, and she liked what she perceived as the certainty of pathology. It was perhaps less messymeaning she wouldnt have to work so hard with patients and navigate all the gray areas of medicine, which isnt black and white. But at the same time, she knew she loved the patient interactions that the patient had identified and accepted that insight. So, we talked through it, and she realized she had to make a change. And she did, and the rest is history. Kevin Pho: Now, you work with medical students all the time. How often do they change their career plans? Do you find that a lot of them come into medical school with a set path, and if so, do you see that path change as they go through different rotations? How malleable is their career path? Janet Jokela: Thats an important question, and it varies. I think for most students, their ideas become more solidified as they get into their third-year clerkships, especially during clinical rotations. Some students come in knowing what they want and stay on that path, but others are open-minded and explore during their clerkships, solidifying a path at that time. Some, like Megan, change their mind abruptly during clinical rotations. Others change after they match into residency, sometimes a year or two into it. And some change even after completing residency. The majority of students stay on a straightforward path, but there are those who change, and thats a good thing. Kevin Pho: Can I ask what career path this medical student eventually chose? Janet Jokela: Yeah, she ended up going into dermatology. She would have made a wonderful internal medicine physician, and she knows that. But she chose dermatology, where she had done some research, and it all fit together and made sense. Megan has done incredibly well in that field. Kevin Pho: How do you advise medical students to regularly assess whether their career alignment matches their skills, values, and long-term goals? Do they have check-ins with mentors like you to see if theyre on the right path? Janet Jokela: A lot of it is personal regarding what they aspire to and value, and where they see themselves. I advise students to consider how they feel during clinical rotations. When working with residents and attendings, I ask them to think: Do you want what they have? Do you want to be the kind of physician they are? That reflection can help guide them. For students stuck between specialties, I recommend writing a personal statement for each option. Which one flows easier? Which one feels like a better fit? That can be eye-opening. Kevin Pho: Sometimes, medical students have to make career decisions without fully knowing what a specialty is like, right? Does that happen often when you teach them, where theyre making significant choices based on limited data? Janet Jokela: Absolutely. I encourage students, if their circumstances allow, to do an away rotation at a place where they may want to do residency. It provides insight and a different perspective. Just because a student had a certain experience in one setting doesnt mean its the same everywhere. Away rotations can inform students and help them understand whats out there. Kevin Pho: In the story, a patient gave Megan that light bulb moment. Did she have doubts before, or did the patient solely convince her? Janet Jokela: She had heard from others, including me, that she had many talents that would be an asset to different specialties. But hearing it from a well-educated, savvy patient made her realize, Oh my goodness, what am I doing? The patients words carried weight and gravitas. Megan was willing to listen and consider the patients input, which speaks to her character. Im grateful the patient had the courage to speak up. Kevin Pho: You mentioned earlier that medicine can be messy. Talk about the times when interns or residents changed their career path and found success in a different area. Janet Jokela: Its so important to remember that we always have options. We dont have to stick with something that isnt fulfilling. Starting medical school, I thought some things would be straightforward, but they werent. Patients may not be ready for certain treatments, or insurance issues may limit options. Theres a lot of ambiguity and soft edges in medicine, and that can be challenging for students. Supporting patients through those challenges is essential. Kevin Pho: There are factors outside clinical medicine, like reimbursement and private equity. Are medical students considering these when choosing their career path? Janet Jokela: Absolutely, and it saddens me, especially for primary care. Primary care physicians bear many burdens. Students see this; theyre bright and aware of these issues. Thats why some students are drawn to specialties where these burdens arent as significant. For students who remain committed to primary care despite these challenges, it warms my heart. Kevin Pho: As a mentor, how do you discuss these realities with students? Janet Jokela: Thats where specialty societies like the American College of Physicians can help. They support students decision-making and exploration. Specialty societies offer valuable resources and insights that can guide students as they decide on their path. Kevin Pho: Were talking to Janet Jokela, an infectious disease physician and treasurer of the American College of Physicians. Todays KevinMD article is How one medical students life-changing conversation reshaped her career. Janet Jokela: Thank you, Kevin. The biggest takeaway is that we can change our mind and have options. We dont have to stay in a position or field that isnt fulfilling. Its also essential for students to remember, during residency interviews, that they are interviewing the program too. Its a two-way street. Kevin Pho: Janet, thank you for sharing your story and perspective. Thanks again for coming back on the show. Janet Jokela: Thank you, Kevin. So appreciated. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's first round of elections of judges by popular vote, the product of a contentious constitutional overhaul passed in September, could be pushed back by around three months if the Senate accepts a request by the electoral authority to postpone them, the electoral body's head said on Thursday. The country's first judicial elections have been scheduled for June 1 of next year, but the National Electoral Institute (INE) is asking for more funds to hold them and the government is still urging candidates to register to run ahead of the Sunday deadline. INE head Guadalupe Taddei sad in an interview with local station Radio Formula on Thursday that the electoral authority was requesting a 90-day delay in the elections because legal appeals against the reform had eaten up that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judicial reform, pushed through Congress in September by the ruling Morena party and its allies, has raised concern from investors and neighboring countries such as the U.S. and Canada. The government claims popular election will eliminate corruption in the judiciary. If the Senate does not accept the INE's petition to delay the elections, the INE will need to "tighten its timeline," Taddei said. The Senate is set to consider the request later on Thursday, the chamber's leader, Gerardo Fernandez Norona, said, though he cautioned that "the ideal" would be to hold the elections next June. If that is not possible, another constitutional reform could be necessary, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government is hoping that around 5,400 people register to run in the elections ahead of the looming deadline, said presidential adviser Arturo Zaldivar, a former Supreme Court justice. As of Tuesday afternoon, 3,145 had signed up. Of those who throw their hat into the ring, just 1,793 will be chosen by lottery to run for the nearly 900 posts coming open, according to Zaldivar. (Reporting by Raul Cortes; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Sandra Maler) By Diego Ore MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's lower house of Congress approved on Wednesday a measure to abolish most of the autonomous bodies that regulate some economic sectors and ensure government transparency, a reform that could worsen tension with the U.S. and hit credit ratings. The measure is among the constitutional reforms presented in February by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and backed by current President Claudia Sheinbaum, aimed at cutting public spending by centralizing the state apparatus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies voted 347 in favor with 128 against, and no abstentions, after hours of occasionally heated debate, with some jeers and personal insults exchanged. A final vote on objections to details of the measure is expected on Thursday before it moves to the Senate, where ruling party Morena holds a large majority. The reform proposes scrapping autonomous agencies such as antitrust watchdog Cofece, telecoms regulator IFT, energy regulator CRE, hydrocarbon regulator CNH and public information and data protection office INAI. Their functions would be taken over by other government bodies, including the official statistics office, the electoral authority and government ministries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts warn the reform could potentially lead to conflicts with the United States and Canada, as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) mandates a telecoms regulator, particularly as the pact is due for review in mid-2026. Sheinbaum has said the "technical independence" of the autonomous bodies would be maintained and special provisions would ensure compliance with USMCA requirements. While advocates said more streamlined governance would save some $5 billion annually and reduce graft, critics argued it would strip funding from important projects, reduce transparency and oversight and concentrate power with the executive. Some analysts have also warned the measure could trigger potential credit rating downgrades for Mexico, which now has investment-grade ratings from Fitch, Moody's, and S&P. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reform "implies a further deterioration of Mexico's institutional framework, which increases the likelihood of credit rating downgrades," said Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Grupo Financiero BASE. Ratings agency Moody's recently downgraded Mexico's outlook to negative from stable, citing institutional and policy weakening that threatens the economy and government accounts after a contentious judicial overhaul. (Reporting by Diego Ore; Additional reporting by Raul Cortes and Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Sarah Morland and Clarence Fernandez) By David Alire Garcia MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's new president outlined a delicate balancing act on Wednesday, stressing the need to work constructively with President-elect Donald Trump and his promise to deport millions of migrants while insisting she will urge "humanitarian" policies. President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office last month, told a press conference that she expects to present the incoming U.S. leader with a proposal that will match his goal of reducing migration while stressing her support for migrants and their human rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexico's first woman president, the leftist Sheinbaum follows in the footsteps of her likeminded predecessor who also emphasized pro-migrant rhetoric but nevertheless worked closely with Trump, as well as outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, to beef up measures aimed at stopping migrants from reaching the two nations' border. "We're going to at some point present to President Trump a humanistic proposal," said Sheinbaum, stressing that it will "reduce immigration (and) attend to the root causes" of why people leave their home countries. Sheinbaum suggested that initial calls with Trump, which she has repeatedly described as cordial, or those close to him, may indicate a lack of opposition to her ideas. "They haven't (said) anything negative related to the proposal we're making," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his campaign, Trump stressed his plan for mass deportations, often deriding migrants as criminals. He also threatened to slap steep tariffs on Mexican goods, including from the Latin American country's massive automaking sector, to leverage cooperation on border enforcement. Political analysts have said that among the stiffest tests set to face Sheinbaum once Trump takes office in late January is the health of U.S.-Mexico trade ties. The United States is by far Mexico's most important foreign market, while Mexico last year overtook China to become the top destination for U.S. exports. Without tipping her hand on details, Sheinbaum vowed that the relationship with Mexico's northern neighbor will be strong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everyone who says that we're taking the arrival of President Trump lightly, we're always going to be positive with the idea that there will be a good relationship," she said. But she did suggest that the biggest negative impact of Trump's proposed deportations will not be felt in Mexico. "Regarding what's been said about deportations -- who will have the biggest problems?" she asked rhetorically. "Well, the United States," she said. (Reporting by David Alire Garcia; Additional reporting by Lizbeth Diaz; Editing by Laura Gottesdiener and Sandra Maler) The U.S. Capitol. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom) Michigan House Democrats railed against a bill Thursday several of them supported in the past that would allow for the revocation of tax exempt statuses for nonprofits President-elect Donald Trumps administration deems to be terrorism groups. The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, H.R. 9495, passed 219-184, almost entirely along party lines Thursday, with only 15 Democrats in the U.S. House supporting the bill. All of Michigans Democrats in the U.S. House voted against the bill while all the states Republicans voted in favor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill has been dubbed by opponents as the Nonprofit Killer as it would allow Trumps Secretary of Defense to label nonprofits as engaging in terrorist actions without having to provide evidence to such labeled groups before stripping them of their tax exempt statuses. Democrats argued on the floor Thursday that the bill will give Trump the freedom to attack his personal political enemies without checks and balances while Republicans argued that all but 10 Democrats supported an almost identical bill in April and are only changing their minds now that Trump is heading back to the White House. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) who has been vocal in her support of the Palestinian people amid the war in Gaza, spoke against the bill on the floor calling it dangerous and unconstitutional that would allow unchecked power to target nonprofit organizations as political enemies and shut them down without due process. This legislation is part of a broader assault on our civil liberties, including our right to dissent in our country. It aims to criminalize the very social justice movements fighting for justice and peace here at home, as well as abroad, said Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American member of Congress. Make no mistakethis is not just about Palestinian human rights advocacy organizations. This is about the NAACP, the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, folks that have been trying to make it safe for our kids to go to school away from the gun crisis and violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Democrats from Michigan voiced their intention to vote no on the bill on social media, with U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) addressing Republican criticism that Democrats like her voted yes on the same bill last week. Along with the nonprofit status measure, the other half of the bill would allow leniency in tax deadlines for citizens and their families that have been detained or held hostage abroad. This hits home for Dingell, as Paul Whelan, who was released from a Russian prison in a prisoner swap earlier this year after being imprisoned for more than 5 years, is one of her constituents. Last week, I voted yes on this bill in defense of American citizens who have been wrongfully detained, like my constituent Paul Whelan. We will work to pass that provision separately, Dingell said. At the same time, I understand the real fears about allowing the Treasury to target and terminate the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations based on a subjective declaration, and the dangerous possibility the Trump Administration could weaponize this power to destroy organizations that it disagrees with. But Republicans arent impressed with the change in heart some Democrats have had on the bill, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) said on the floor. He further added that Democrats voting against the bill are demonstrating election denialism as they were ready to pass the bill for a presidency under Vice President Kamala Harris, but not Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So youre saying, folks, this would have been okay if [Vice] President [Kamala] Harris had been elected, but not with Donald Trump, Smucker said. [Trump] won the popular vote The American people believe that Donald Trump will save this country They dont believe that hes a fascist. They dont believe that hes the kind of dictator that you think he will be. Talk about election denialism, when are you going to accept that President Trump won this election and that President Trump will do what is right for the American people. A coalition of Michigan nonprofits issued a statement in opposition to the bill Wednesday saying that Trump uniquely and routinely lashes out at groups and individuals that he deems disloyal and lambasts journalists who accurately report his actions. The coalition of nonprofits include progressive policy seeking organizations like Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Clean Water Action, Equality Michigan and Progress Michigan. Effectively, this bill would give the president carte blanche to directly attack any nonprofits he perceives as enemies. With someone as reckless and vindictive as Trump in office, that could include any number of social justice and advocacy organizations, including those who work on reproductive health, LGBTQ+ advocacy, or racial justice, the statement said. Every social justice and human service group and all the services and protections they provide to Michiganders would be in jeopardy. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and a Hamas military leader, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The announcement came as health officials in the Gaza Strip said the death toll from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000. The warrant marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice. The ICC panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both Netanyahu and his ex-defense minister bear responsibility for the war crime of starvation and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. Israels war has caused heavy destruction across Gaza, decimated parts of the territory and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on aid to survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel launched its war in Gaza after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. ___ Heres the Latest: UN official warns that increasing airstrikes in Syria, particularly by Israel, are ratcheting up violence UNITED NATIONS -- Syria is being battered by regional conflicts and increasing attacks within the country which will likely make 2024 its most violent year since 2020, the U.N. deputy special envoy says. At the the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, Najat Rochdi urged all countries and parties with influence to prevent Syria being further swept into a broader conflagration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the current escalating climate, Rochdi said, Once again, Israeli airstrikes on Syria have increased significantly, both in frequency and scope. He pointed to Wednesdays strike near Palmyra that killed dozens, which was likely the deadliest Israeli strike in Syria to date. Israel says its targets are linked to militants from Lebanons Hezbollah or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, but Rochdi said there have been civilian casualties. He said Israeli strikes on residential areas in the capital Damascus as well as on bridges, roads and border crossings have further hindered civilians fleeing the war in Lebanon and disrupted essential imports and exports. Edem Wosornu, the U.N. humanitarian offices operations director, said that since late September 540,000 people have arrived in Syria from Lebanon, an estimated two-thirds of them Syrians. In parallel, Rochdi said, the United States struck what it said were Iran-backed militias in response to armed drone attacks on its bases in northeast Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said northeast Syria has also seen its most serious escalation during 2024 from Turkish airstrike against what Ankara said were Kurdish militant targets which resulted in civilian casualties. They followed an Oct. 23 terrorist attack in Ankara. In rebel-controlled northwest Syria, Rochdi said there has been a worrying uptick in pro-government drone and artillery attacks alongside attacks involving the main insurgent group in the region, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Najat said fighters from the Islamic State extremist group have also been increasing attacks in the central desert region. Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill more than 50 people nationwide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BEIRUT Israeli strikes killed at least 51 people on Thursday in towns and villages across Lebanon, according to the country's Health Ministry. In eastern Lebanon, intensified Israeli airstrikes killed 40 people in 10 different towns in Baalbek province, the ministry said. Rescuers were searching under the rubble of destroyed buildings, said Gov. Bachir Khodr, calling it a very violent day in his province. In southern Lebanon, five people were killed by an Israeli strike in Tyre province, and seven others were killed by a strike in Nabatiyeh province, the Health Ministry said. As of Thursday, the Health Ministry has recorded at least 3,583 people killed and 15,244 wounded in Lebanon during the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel, with the majority of casualties taking place after Israels escalation and ground offensive in late September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Food deliveries across Gaza are grinding to a halt, UN warns UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. humanitarian chief for Gaza is warning that the delivery of critical food, water, fuel and medical supplies is grinding to a halt throughout the territory and the survival of two million people hangs in the balance. Muhannad Hadi said in a statement Thursday that Israeli authorities have been banning commercial imports for more than six weeks and at the same time thefts from humanitarian convoys by armed individuals have surged. In 2024, U.N. trucks have been looted 75 times - including 15 such attacks since Nov. 4 alone - and armed people have broken into U.N. facilities on 34 occasions, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, one driver was shot in the head and hospitalized along with another truck driver, Hadi said. And on Saturday 98 trucks were looted in a single attack which saw the vehicles damaged or stolen. The Gaza humanitarian coordinator said bakeries are closing because of lack of flour or fuel to operate generators. Palestinian civilians are struggling to survive under unlivable conditions, amid relentless hostilities, Hadi said. He demanded the immediate improvement of security and conditions throughout Gaza to allow the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid through lawful means. Israel says it puts no limit on the supplies permitted into Gaza, and it blames the U.N. distribution system. But Israels official figures show the amount of aid it has let in has plunged since the beginning of October. The U.N has blamed Israeli military restrictions, along with widespread lawlessness that has led to theft of aid shipments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden administration rejects ICC arrest warrants for top Israeli leaders WASHINGTON The White House fundamentally rejects the International Criminal Courts decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday. She said the Biden administration was deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision. The Biden administration has increased its warnings and appeals to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to spare civilians in airstrikes and other attacks, and to allow more aid to reach Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, a 30-day Biden administration deadline came and went earlier this month for Israel 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. Israeli strike in Gaza kills 9 people, including 3 kids playing outside KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip The three children were playing outside a cluster of tents housing displaced people in the Gaza Strip when an Israeli airstrike killed them, along with six other people. Its become a grim, near-daily ritual more than 13 months into the Israel-Hamas war, which local health authorities said Thursday has killed over 44,000 Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel carries out frequent strikes against what it says are militants hiding in civilian areas, and women and children are nearly always among the dead. Wednesdays strike killed Hamza al-Qadi, 7, his brother Abdulaziz, 5, and their sister Laila, 4, in a tent camp in the southern city of Khan Younis. Areej al-Qadi, their mother, says they were playing outside when they were killed. All thats left of them are their notebooks, their books and a blood-stained jacket, she said as she broke into tears. They were children who did nothing. The Israeli military did not comment on the specific strike, saying it follows international law and tries to avoid harming civilians. Gazas Health Ministry said Thursday that 44,056 Palestinians have been killed and 104,268 wounded since the start of the war, which was ignited by Hamas Oct. 7 attack into Israel. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 people. The Health Ministry does not say how many of those killed in Gaza were fighters but says women and children make up more than half the fatalities. Israel, which rarely comments on individual strikes, says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Hours after the ministry announced the latest toll, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and a Hamas military leader. Mahmoud bin Hassan, the childrens father, said he buried them on Thursday. He asked when the international community would take action to stop the war. When the entire Palestinian population has been killed? he said. Rights group applauds ICC arrest warrants NEW YORK Human Rights Watch applauded the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants issued Thursday against both Israeli and Hamas officials. The warrants break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law, the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. The New York-based rights group earlier this month released a report saying Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, including massive forced displacements that amount to ethnic cleansing. Israeli prosecutors charge a former Netanyahu aid of leaking classified documents JERUSALEM Israeli prosecutors have charged a former aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with leaking classified documents to international media, apparently to protect the Israeli leader from criticism as a hostage deal was collapsing. Eli Feldstein, a former media adviser to Netanyahu, was charged Thursday with leaking classified information with the intent of harming state security and obstruction of justice. The leaked documents are said to have formed the basis of a widely discredited article in the London-based Jewish Chronicle which was later withdrawn suggesting Hamas planned to spirit hostages out of Gaza through Egypt, and an article in Germanys Bild newspaper that said Hamas was drawing out the hostage talks as a form of psychological warfare on Israel. Critics say the leaks were aimed at giving Netanyahu political cover as the case-fire talks ground to a halt. Some have accused Netanyahu of resisting a deal in to preserve his governing coalition, which includes hard-line members who have threatened to bring down the government if he makes concessions to Hamas. The leaks came at a time of public uproar over the deaths of six hostages who were killed by their Hamas captors as Israeli soldiers were closing in. The indictment said the leaks were meant to create media influence on the public discourse in Israel in regards to the handling of the hostage situation, after the news of the murder of six hostages. The indictment identified two other Netanyahu aides as being connected to the scheme, but only Feldstein and an unidentified reservist in Israeli military intelligence were charged. Netanyahu, who denies the accusations, has not been identified as a suspect in the burgeoning investigation. Israeli media say if convicted, Feldstein could potentially face life in prison. Israeli military opens probe into death of a man in Hezbollah ambush JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military has launched an investigation into the death of a 70-year-old Israeli man who entered Lebanon with Israeli forces and was killed in a Hezbollah ambush. Investigators are trying to determine, among other things, who allowed Zeev Erlich into the combat zone with the forces and why he was permitted to enter. According to Israeli media reports, Erlich was not on active duty when he was shot, but was wearing a military uniform and had a weapon. The army said he was a reservist with the rank of major and identified him as a fallen soldier when it announced his death. Erlich was a well-known West Bank settler and researcher of Jewish history. Media reports said Erlich was permitted to enter Lebanon to explore a local archaeological site. The army said a 20-year-old soldier was killed in the same incident, while an officer was badly wounded. The army announced Thursday that the chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, has appointed a team of experts to examine and strengthen operational discipline and military culture following the incident. It said its commander for northern Israel, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, would launch a separate command inquiry, while Israeli military police conduct a separate probe. Such investigations can lead to criminal charges. At least 29 killed by Israeli strikes across Lebanon, state media reports BEIRUT At least 29 people were killed Thursday in Israeli strikes on different towns and villages across Lebanon, according to Lebanons Health Ministry and state-run media. In eastern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes killed 26 people in six different towns in Baalbek province, the health ministry and the National News Agency said. In Tyre province, southern Lebanon, three people were killed in an Israeli strike, the health ministry said. The health ministry Wednesday said that over 3,550 people have been killed in the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel, the majority following Israels escalation in late September. EU foreign policy chief says ICC arrest warrants are binding on all bloc members The European Union's foreign policy chief has underlined that the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas officials are a legal and not political matter, and that they are binding on all 27 EU member countries and other signatories to the ICC to implement. The tragedy in Gaza has to stop," Josep Borrell told reporters during a visit to Jordan. It is not a political decision. It is the decision of an international court of justice, and the decision of the court has to be respected, and implemented. This decision is a binding decision on all state parties of the court, which include all members of the European Union," he added. Turkey's ruling party welcomes warrant against Netanyahu ANKARA Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans ruling partyhas welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamn Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, calling it a judgement made for the sake of humanity. Omer Celik, spokesman for the Erdogans party, said on the social media platform X that Netanyahu and Gallant would eventually be held accountable for genocide. Celik also criticised Israeli officials who described the ICC decision as antisemitic. Turkey is among the most vocal critics of Israels military actions in Gaza and has submitted a formal request to join a genocide case that South Africa has filed against Israel at the U.N.s International Court of Justice. Dutch minister says his country would arrest Netanyahu if he visits Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp, whose country hosts the International Criminal Court, has confirmed The Netherlands would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he arrived on Dutch soil. The line from the government is clear. We are obliged to cooperate with the ICC ... we abide 100% by the Rome Statute, he said in response to a question in parliament Thursday. Other European officials were more cautious. In France, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said he supported the International Criminal Court's prosecutor but declined to comment when asked more specifically if France would arrest Netanyahu if he were to step on French soil. Today, combating impunity is our priority. We ratified the ICC Statute in 2000 and have consistently supported the courts actions. Our response will align with these principles, Christophe Lemoine told reporters at a press conference. Lemoine added that the warrants were a complex legal issue ... Its a situation that requires a lot of legal precautions. In Italy, the foreign and justice ministries didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment about whether Italy, an ICC member which hosted the Rome conference that gave birth to the court, would honor the arrest warrant. Premier Giorgia Meloni hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March 2023 and has strongly supported Israel since Oct. 7, while providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli president says arrest warrants signal dark day for justice JERUSALEM Israels mostly ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, has called the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity. In a post on X, he said the international court has chosen the side of terror and evil over democracy and freedom, and turned the very system of justice into a human shield for Hamas crimes against humanity." Israel Katz, Israels new defense minister, said the decision was a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low. He said it serves Iran, the head of the snake, and its proxies. Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, also condemned the decision, saying it showed moral blindness and was a shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. Hamas welcomes warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant Hamas has welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue warrants against Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, calling it an important and historic precedent after what it said was decades of injustice at the hands of a fascist occupation. The statement did not refer to the warrants issued for the militant groups own leaders. Hamas called on all nations to cooperate with the court in bringing the Zionist war criminals, Netanyahu and Gallant, to justice, and to work immediately to stop the crimes of genocide against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip. Bakeries reopen in central Gaza after flour shortages DEIR AL-BALAH, The Gaza Strip Bakeries have reopened in the central Gaza Strip after being closed for several days because of flour shortages. The shortages appear to have been linked to the looting of nearly 100 truckloads of aid by armed men in southern Gaza last weekend. Associated Press footage showed a crowd of hundreds pushing and shouting outside a bakery in the central city of Deir al-Balah on Thursday. The day before the reopening, the price of a bag of 15 loaves of pita bread had climbed above $13. In my house, there is not a morsel of bread, and the children are hungry, said Sultan Abu Sultan, who was displaced from northern Gaza during the war. The amount of aid entering Gaza plunged in October as Israel launched a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say famine may be underway. Hunger is widespread across the territory, even in central Gaza where aid groups have more access. Humanitarian organizations say Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and order make it difficult to deliver assistance. Israels offensive, launched after Hamas October 2023 attack, has displaced around 90% of Gazas population of 2.3 million people. Hundreds of thousands are crammed into tent camps with little in the way of public services and are reliant on international food aid. Cyprus says EU must no longer stand by as an observer to the MidEast NICOSIA The president of Cyprus says the European Union must play a bigger role in the Middle East as it can no longer stand by as an observer. President Nikos Christodoulides said the 27-member bloc needs to establish closer ties with countries that bolster regional stability like Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf states. The conflict in the Middle East is taking place on the EUs doorstep, in an area of vital interest to the blocs interests, where any escalation or regional spillover will have significant consequences on its security and stability, Christodoulides told an Economist conference in the Cypriot capital. Christodoulides said EU member Cyprus for years has tried to get this message across to Brussels. The island nation earlier this year was the staging ground for a maritime corridor delivering some 20,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The EU is wracked by members divisions over how peace should come about in the Middle East International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas officials THE HAGUE The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israels offensive in the Palestinian territory. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have previously condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khans request for the warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. U.S. President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israels right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request. Death toll in Gaza surpasses 44,000, local officials say The death toll in the Gaza Strip from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000, local health officials said Thursday. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Health Ministry said 44,056 people have been killed and 104,268 wounded since the start of the war. It has said the real toll is higher because thousands of bodies are buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year. Around 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, and hundreds of thousands are living in squalid tent camps with little food, water or basic services. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames their deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in residential areas, where they have built tunnels, rocket launchers and other military infrastructure. Rocket from Lebanon kills 1, wounds 2 others in northern Israel JERUSALEM A rocket fired from Lebanon killed a man and wounded two others in northern Israel on Thursday, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service. The service said paramedics found the body of the man in his 30s near a playground in the town of Nahariya, near the border with Lebanon, after a rocket attack on Thursday. Israel meanwhile struck targets in southern Lebanon and several buildings south of Beirut, the Lebanese capital, after warning people to evacuate. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) A Midland man was arrested last weekend after allegedly injuring a two-month-old child at a local hospital. According to a release from MCSO, on Sunday, November 17, deputies and Criminal Investigation Division investigators responded to the Midland Memorial Hospital, referencing a report of child abuse. Midland man arrested after shooting alleged shoplifter in back Investigators learned the victim, a two-month-old child was transported to Covenant Childrens Hospital in Lubbock with life-threatening injuries. Further investigation revealed Malachi James Kendrick was in possession of the child and caused the injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An arrest warrant was issue for Kendrick for Injury to a Child, Causing Serious Bodily Injury. Kendrick was arrested and booked into the Midland County Central Detention Center. Malachi James Kendrick Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. When former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee first traveled to Israel as a teenager in 1973, on the eve of the Yom Kippur War, he felt immediately at home. And let me be very clear, it wasnt because at that time Israel was a wonderfully developed and progressive nation. It was a sleepy little country with horrible roads and bad cars and not much industry, Huckabee told Bishop Paul Lanier on the Nourish Your Biblical Roots podcast earlier this year. But it wasnt about the landscape. It was about the spirit of the people. During his trips to Israel in the 50 years since, he added, Ive seen Scripture come to life. The desert has bloomed before my eyes, and the dry bones have taken on flesh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A devout Southern Baptist and conservative TV personality, Huckabee is poised to become the first non-Jewish U.S. ambassador to Israel in 16 years after President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination last week. If confirmed by the Senate, Huckabee will be tasked with easing tensions in a Middle East on the brink of a wider war and building on the diplomatic successes of Trumps first term, including a series of normalization treaties between Israel and neighboring Arab countries known as the Abraham Accords. Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years, Trump said in a statement. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East! For most of his life, Huckabees evangelical Christian beliefs have shaped his view of Israel as a state given by God to the Jewish people. As a minister in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Huckabee began bringing small groups of congregants to the country in the early 1980s. Over the next four decades, the Christian pilgrimages grew along with Huckabees name recognition, as he became involved in broadcasting and eventually politics, serving as governor of Arkansas for two-plus terms and launching two unsuccessful bids for the Republican presidential ticket, in 2008 and 2016. Hundreds of devotees from across the U.S. now join the Huckabee host on near-annual treks to the Holy Land, which include stops at biblical sites like the Sea of Galilee and the Mount of Beatitudes. In the aftermath of Hamas October 7 attack last year, Huckabee visited wartime Israel with other evangelical political figures to tour the destroyed kibbutzim. The experience, he later recalled, strengthened his conviction that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one rooted in worldview, not land. Thats when it really hit me that were not dealing with an issue that is political, social, economic, or geographical, he said. Were dealing with an issue that is spiritual. This is evilthe worst level of evil that exists on our planet today, we saw on October 7th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trumps decision to nominate Huckabee as ambassador to Israel has raised concerns among even the countrys most ardent supporters, who view the former governors rejection of Palestinian self-governance as a potential impediment to future peace talks. Huckabee openly opposes a two-state solutiona stance that runs contrary to the official U.S. positionand backs further Israeli settlement of the West Bank, though he wouldnt refer to it as such. There are certain words I refuse to use. There is no such thing as a West BankIts Judea and Samaria, Huckabee said during a 2017 visit to an Israeli neighborhood in the Palestinian territory, using the biblical names for the area. Theres no such thing as a settlementTheyre communities, theyre neighborhoods, theyre cities. Theres no such thing as an occupation. He has also been quoted as saying, Theres really no such thing as a Palestinian and describing the identity as a political tool to force land away from Israel. Huckabee indicated his views havent changed since his nomination, telling Israels Army Radio last week that of course Israeli annexation of the West Bank or parts of it was possible during a second Trump term. Huckabees views on West Bank settlements and his ties to settler groups have likewise sparked controversy over his nomination in Israel and beyond. Like Huckabee, many proponents of constructing and expanding Israeli communities in the territory point to the Jewish peoples historic and religious ties to the land known as Judea and Samaria. But clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians have occurred for decades, and renewed tensions have made the enterprise more controversial than ever. The Biden administration on Monday announced a tranche of sanctions targeting Israeli individuals and entities it accused of helping to perpetrate violence against Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaders of the settlement movement were among the first to congratulate Huckabee on his nomination. Samaria Regional Council Mayor Yossi Dagan, a friend of the former governor, described him as a true leader, a wise man, a great fan of the Israeli nation. Bezalel Smotrich, Israels finance minister and head of the far-right Religious Zionism party, applauded Huckabees support for Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. For Israelis opposed to a pro-settlement policy in the West Bank, Huckabees selection represents a gift to what they view as an extremist government led by far-right figures such as Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the Jewish Power party. The nomination nicely fits the agenda of our messianic government, said Uriel Abulof, a political scientist at Tel Aviv University, adding: One small step for Trump, one giant leap for Armageddon. Some analysts also worry Huckabees vocal support for the settlement movement could disrupt the incoming administrations efforts to expand the Abraham Accords. The initial series of normalization agreements in 2020 included an Israeli promise to halt the annexation of West Bank settlements. Now, as the Trump team tries to pull in Saudi Arabia, an influential leader in the Muslim and Arab world, Huckabees hard-line approach to the future of Palestinian governance risks spooking potential regional partners. But Jason Greenblatt, who played an instrumental role in securing the first wave of peace pacts as Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, described Huckabee as an excellent pick. The former governor speaks truth and reality about Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he told The Dispatch. I think he will effectively execute the policies of President Trump and will be an important member on President Trumps team to fully support Israel while seeking to bring stability to the region at this very challenging time, including trying to expand the Abraham Accords. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huckabee told Fox News last week that bringing more Arab nations into the fold will be one of the major goals of the new administration. The shifting regional order is thanks in no small part to Iranian aggression, of which Huckabee has long been critical. As a presidential hopeful in 2015, he accused former President Barack Obama of putting more pressure on our ally Israel to cease building bedrooms for their families in Judea and Samaria than we do on Iran for building a bomb. More recently, he chided President Joe Biden for pursuing what he called a schizophrenic policy toward Israel and emboldening Hamas, Hezbollah, and most importantly, the people who write those checks: the Iranians. The television talk show hostwho has described his connection to Israel as not so much political as it is visceral, personalviews the countrys modern history through the lens of a biblical prophecy that foretold the revival of a Jewish homeland. And as an evangelical, he has particular appeal among Israels biggest support base in the U.S.: the Christian right. Much of that backing stems from the belief among many Christian Zionists that a mass Jewish return to the Holy Land will bring about the second coming of Jesus Christa concept that raises eyebrows among Israelis and their American allies. [Huckabee is] a Christian fundamentalist, and I suspect his support for Israel is largely based on his belief in the Rapture, Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York said last week. So, as a secular Zionist, I find nothing remotely appealing about the fundamentalism of Mike Huckabee. But other supporters of Israel care less about the ideology undergirding Huckabees Zionism and more about its practical implications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Mike Huckabee has actually been to Israel more than me, more than most American Jews. This is someone who recognizes the Jewish peoples historic ties to their ancestral homeland, Shabbos Kestenbaum, a registered Democrat-turned-Trump supporter after his encounters with antisemitism at Harvard University, told The Dispatch. I am not too concerned about his eschatological or theological worldview. I am more concerned that he recognizes the political reality, namely, that Jewish people are on the map and theyre staying on the map. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. (Bloomberg) -- Argentine President Javier Milei lambasted his vice president one year after they won a historic election, exposing a deep fracture inside the executive branch and apparently settling a heated power struggle between his influential sister and second-in-command. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President Victoria Villarruel no longer participates in cabinet meetings, has no influence whatsoever in decision-making and only speaks with the president over whats institutionally necessary to carry out our roles, Milei told local TV channel LN+ on Wednesday night. Shes a lot closer to what she calls high politics, which is what we call the political caste, Milei added in a dig at his No. 2, who also presides over the Senate. Mileis campaign platform revolved around taking down the caste, his term for political corruption and elitism. Villarruel has spent the last year embroiled in a fierce battle with Karina Milei, the presidents sister who holds a top government role, for influence over the libertarian leaders efforts to drastically overhaul Argentinas economy. In a March interview, Villarruel claimed that Milei was a poor little ham sandwiched between herself and his sister. Mileis frigid relationship with Villarruel has been an open secret in Buenos Aires government circles for months. But the president hadnt openly acknowledged just how much her role had diminished until now, and he used the interview to make clear whos boss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My sister, the so-called pastry chef or whatever they called her as if that were a crime who doesnt know anything about politics, in six months created a political party, he said in the Wednesday interview. Look at where the pastry chef got us. Disputes between Argentine presidents and their VPs arent new. Mileis predecessor, Alberto Fernandez, often sparred publicly with Vice President Cristina Kirchner, and the political infighting only worsened as the countrys economic crisis deepened. Whats different this time is that Milei is freezing Villarruel out so early into his term, and at a time when hes enjoying a string of economic and political victories. Villarruel, a polished lawyer and activist, made a name for herself denouncing the crimes of leftist guerrilla groups during the right-wing dictatorship that seized power in 1976. She often focuses on more traditional priorities of the Argentine right, championing cases against abortion, LGBTQ education in schools and prison terms she regards as too lax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Villarruel drew Mileis ire recently when she met in Madrid with Maria Estela Martinez de Peron, who was president of Argentina from 1974 to 1976 and succeeded Juan Domingo Peron the founding father of Argentinas Peronist movement. After the trip, Villarruel unveiled a statue in her honor in the Senate, which Milei criticized. Its her house, Milei said, referring to the Senate. You surely wont find that in mine. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Sarah Marsh BERLIN (Reuters) - Taiwan is not involved in military assistance for Ukraine as it is "too sensitive" but would like to establish a representative office in the country, Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu said. Taiwan has offered strong moral support to Ukraine since Russia's invasion two years ago, seeing parallels with the threat Taipei says it faces from its neighbour China, which views the democratically governed island as its own territory, a claim Taiwan's government rejects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan has provided millions in dollars of humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees and joined in Western-led sanctions on Russia. While senior Taiwan officials have spoken directly with some city mayors, there has been no acknowledged direct contact between the two governments. Speaking to Reuters on Wednesday during a visit to Berlin, Wu, who until August was Taiwan's high-profile de facto ambassador in Paris, said Taiwan's goal was to win as many friends as possible. "Ukraine, even while receiving Taiwan's support and sensing hostility from China - since China collaborates with Russia, which continues its war against Ukraine - is very careful about its relationship with Taiwan," he said. "There is a fear within Ukraine that angering China could lead to closer China-Russia collaboration, intensifying military pressure." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, China, which has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, put forward a 12-point paper that set out general principles for ending the war, but did not get into specifics. China did not attend a Swiss peace conference on the war earlier this year. Wu said Taiwan is focusing on developing relationships with Ukraine through its neighbours and providing humanitarian aid. "However, military assistance is still too sensitive, so I don't think we're working on security equipment with Ukraine just yet." Taiwan's defence minister said last week it was up to the United States to decide what to do with Taiwan's decommissioned HAWK anti-aircraft missiles, when asked if they would be transferred to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Europe, Taiwan only maintains formal diplomatic relations with the Vatican. But it has de facto embassies in many European countries, including Russia, though not in Ukraine. There is no Ukraine representative office in Taipei either. China regularly denounces any kind of interaction between Taiwan and other countries, and in 2021 Lithuania infuriated Beijing by allowing Taiwan to open a representative office in its capital Vilnius. "We are also doing our utmost to develop relations with Ukraine. But for now, we haven't gone as far as establishing a representative office. Perhaps in the future - it's certainly Taiwan's wish - but for now, I don't think we are there yet," Wu said. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Ros Russell) Prologue: a life forged in resilience If you had asked me in the early days of my life where I thought I would end up, my answer would have been straightforwarda career in medicine like my mother, a family of my own, and perhaps a path well-traveled. But life rarely follows the lines we draw for it. Instead, it takes unpredictable turns, tests our strength in ways we never expect, and reshapes our sense of who we are. My journey is not a story of someone who had everything fall into place. It is a story of facing down doubt, not only from others but from within. Its a story of familyof growing up in a large, blended household where identity was complex and love was often intertwined with sacrifice. Its about learning that success is not defined by the absence of struggle but by the ability to keep moving forward when struggle seems insurmountable. From engineering to medicine, from general surgery to critical care, and eventually anesthesiology, Ive learned that the path forward is not always linear. I have navigated systemic challenges in residency, personal attacks on my character, and the physical and emotional tolls that come with balancing motherhood, career shifts, and health setbacks. But each time life forced me to pause or change direction, I learned something new about myself and what it means to persevere. This is not just about the twists and turns of a career in medicine; its about resiliencethe kind that keeps you grounded when everything around you feels unstable. Its about trusting yourself, even when others doubt you, and knowing that every obstacle is an opportunity to rebuild stronger. Through all the challenges, one thing remains constant: the quiet, relentless determination to carve out a life that is meaningful, even when the odds are stacked against you. This is my story. A life built on resilience, shaped by unexpected detours, and defined by an unwavering commitment to keep moving forward. A family of many layers I grew up in a house filled with voices. With nine children, six from my fathers first marriage and three that my mother and father had together, our home was always chaotic. My father, a proud Sri Lankan man, had met my mother, an Italian-Puerto Rican force of nature, in New York City. They blended two worlds together, and from that union, I was born into a family that felt like a world of its own. My fathers layoff in 1986 marked a pivotal change for us. Before that, I dont remember him being home much, but after he stopped working, his absence felt more profound. He became a ghost in our lives, not from overwork but from retreating into himself. We were left to depend entirely on my mother, who worked tirelessly as a physician to support us. She had always been the one to carry the weight of our family, both financially and emotionally, but now her role expanded to the point where it seemed like she was never around. The house became a landscape of benign neglect, as we learned to fend for ourselves in the heart of New York City. In a family that large, survival wasnt just about navigating the outside worldit was about holding your own inside the house. My older siblings had a knack for asserting their dominance in ways that felt relentless. I was often on the receiving end of their frustration, which manifested in beatings and teasing. Yet, looking back, I see these moments as formative. I learned early on how to be resilient, how to find my strength amidst the chaos, and how to be resourceful when the people who were supposed to protect me werent around. That sense of resilience became my guide through the layers of my family dynamic. My father was rarely present, absorbed in his own world, and my mother, for all her love and dedication, was constantly working. There were days when I wondered what it would have been like to have a father who was engaged or a mother who was available. But those days of wondering were fleeting, replaced by the pressing need to navigate life with the tools I had been given. New York City can be unforgiving, but it is also a place that teaches you to survive, to adapt, and to thrive even when the odds are stacked against you. In that bustling, crowded household, I learned that family is not always a source of comfortits often a source of challenge. But in those challenges, I found my resilience. That resilience would serve me well as I embarked on the next chapter of my life, determined to forge my own path and rise above the limitations of my circumstances. The ambition to succeed As a child, I knew that education would be my escape. I was ambitious, driven, and perhaps a little defiantqualities I knew I inherited from my mother. While she was constantly busy with work, she made it clear that education was the foundation of everything. I took that to heart. After high school, I attended New York University, where I earned my first undergraduate degree in biology. But my ambition pushed me further, so I pursued a second degree in chemical engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. The sciences fascinated me, and I had visions of making a name for myself in a field where women like me were few and far between. I accepted a job with a large oil company after graduation, eager to apply my skills in the real world. But it didnt take long for me to realize that engineering wasnt what I had envisioned. My work took me to places like cement mills, chemical plants, and quarriesplaces where I was often the only woman, navigating environments that felt both foreign and isolating. In one particularly surreal moment, I found myself standing on a massive CAT haul truck in a quarry. As I looked up, I saw vultures circling overhead, as if waiting for me to slip and plummet to my death. I remember thinking, This isnt for me. That moment crystallized what I had been feeling for months. I didnt belong here. I knew I needed to make a change, so I moved back home. I wasnt sure what my next step would be, but I was determined to figure it out. In the meantime, I took a job as a sales rep for a pet food company. It was a far cry from chemical engineering, but it gave me time to regroup and plan my next move. One day, while I was on the job, I walked into a veterinary office on Fifth Avenue in New York City. As I chatted with the veterinarian, he was impressed by how much I knew about the science behind the products I was selling. He even suggested that I consider veterinary school. I felt a surge of pride at his suggestion, but my confidence was quickly undercut by the female consultant veterinarian who had accompanied me that day. She was furious that I had garnered the attention of the male veterinarian and clearly didnt think much of my intelligence. She laid into me, accusing me of being unprofessional for engaging in the conversation. Her comments stung, and my anger flared. You know what? I said. Im not going to veterinary school. Im applying to medical school. She sneered. Who would let you in? That was the last straw. I shot back, No, the question is, which one will I choose to go to? Her disbelief only fueled my determination. That moment, while difficult, was a turning point. I knew then that medicine was where I belonged. And not just anywhereI would choose the path, and I would make my own way, no matter who doubted me. That fire led me to apply to medical school and, eventually, to confront challenges that would require every ounce of resilience I had developed over the years. Medical school and uncertainty Getting into medical school felt like a dream finally coming true, but the reality of the journey ahead was much more complicated. I had applied to multiple schools and received several acceptances. In the end, I chose my mothers alma mater, a decision that seemed both fitting and daunting. There was comfort in following her path but also a weight that came with itthe pressure of expectations, both from myself and from those around me. My mother had paved the way for me, but I knew I wanted to carve out my own place in medicine, distinct from the sacrifices she had made and the long hours that had often kept her away from home. As medical school progressed, I began to consider my specialty. I didnt want to choose the same path as my mother, who had spent so much of her time working. Yet, I was drawn to surgeryits precision, the ability to fix problems with my hands, the immediacy of the results. Surgery seemed like a field where I could make a tangible difference, so I committed to pursuing it. I matched into a general surgery residency and began my training with excitement. But it didnt take long before that excitement began to unravel. I was one of three categorical surgical residents in the program, surrounded by five preliminary residents. Almost from the start, I felt the tensiona constant undercurrent of competition. It often felt like the preliminary residents were trying to sabotage me, jostling for the positions we held. The environment was intense, but I was prepared for that; what I wasnt prepared for were the people I would encounter along the way. There was one resident in particular who stood out, though not for the right reasons. From the moment I met him, I had doubts about whether he even belonged in the program. He didnt seem to grasp the basics of medicine. I remember a moment that stood outhe couldnt even manage a basic insulin regimen for a diabetic patient, something we had all mastered in medical school. I was frustrated, not only because of his incompetence but because I was told by the senior residents to teach him. I had joined the residency to learn, not to become a tutor for someone who, in my mind, shouldnt have been there in the first place. As it turned out, my instincts were right. Not long after, immigration officers arrived at the hospital and took him away in handcuffs. The man had falsified his documents. He wasnt even a physician. The fact that I had been expected to teach someone who wasnt legitimately qualified to be there was the final straw. It became clear to me within three months that this program, this specialty, was not the right fit for me. I had tried to find my place in surgery, but the environment was toxic, and I felt like I was constantly defending my position rather than growing as a physician. It was time for a change, and I knew I had to move quickly if I wanted to salvage my residency experience and my career. Shifting gears The decision to leave surgery was both a relief and a source of uncertainty. I knew I couldnt stay in that environment, but I didnt yet know what my next step would be. Thats when my mother, always attuned to my struggles, stepped in once again. She had been working with a family medicine resident who mentioned an open position in an OB/GYN residency program in South Jersey. My mother, sensing my turmoil, urged me to apply before she did. This could be your chance to reset, she said. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I reached out and was soon scheduled for an interview with the chair of the department. He was a kind, approachable man, the polar opposite of the surgical residency environment I had just left. During the interview, I felt a sense of calm for the first time in months. He listened to my story, my reasons for leaving surgery, and didnt judge. He simply welcomed me and assured me that I would be supported if I joined their program. After such a difficult start to my residency journey, this felt like a fresh beginning. But not everything was as it seemed. While the chair was supportive, the program director was another story. From our very first interactionan interview over the phoneI sensed a coldness in her tone, a terse nature that put me on edge. There was no warmth, no encouragement, just a series of pointed questions that left me feeling uneasy. Looking back, I wish I had paid more attention to that red flag, but at the time, I was so eager to move forward that I pushed my reservations aside. I began my OB/GYN residency, and for a while, things seemed to be improving. But then, life threw me another curveballI found out I was pregnant. My mother, always straightforward, had told me in no uncertain terms that she wanted a grandchild. She wasnt well and had told me that she felt like she didnt have much time left. I wanted to give her that joy, but I also knew that being pregnant during residency would be difficult. At first, I thought I could keep the pregnancy private, at least until I was ready to share the news. But that was quickly taken out of my hands. One of my colleagues, another resident, saw my name on an ultrasound list and decided to spread the word. In an instant, what should have been my private decision became fodder for gossip. I was humiliated. Not only did I have to navigate the physical demands of pregnancy during an already grueling residency, but now everyone knew my business, and it felt like my personal life was being scrutinized by the entire program. Things only got worse when I went on maternity leave. On the first day of my leave, I received a call from the residency program asking when I would be back. I was barely through the door with my newborn, and already they were pressuring me to return. It was clear that my needsphysical, emotional, and personalwere secondary to the needs of the program. I ended up taking ten weeks of maternity leave, not only because I needed time with my baby but because I had suffered a breakdown of my episiotomy, which became infected and needed time to heal. When I returned, things were different. During my annual review with the program director, she asked me pointed, personal questions about my classmatesquestions that were inappropriate and invasive. I knew something wasnt right. These werent just casual questions; they were invasive, and they made me deeply uncomfortable. I refused to answer, explaining that it wasnt appropriate or professional to discuss my colleagues in such a way. The shift in her demeanor was immediate. Her eyes hardened, her tone sharpened, and she made it clear that she held the power to fire not only me but all of the residents if she saw fit. It was a threat, plain and simple, and I realized in that moment that staying in this program wasnt just untenableit was dangerous for my future. I couldnt thrive in an environment ruled by fear and manipulation. I knew I had to leave, but leaving wasnt as simple as walking away. My program directors grip on the residency was tight, and I wasnt sure how to extract myself without her sabotaging my career. Thats when I heard about an open senior position at another hospital. The new program director, aware of the situation I was coming from, guided me through the delicate process of securing permission to leave. She told me exactly what to say, giving me the leverage I needed to make a clean exit. But my old program director wasnt going to let me go without a fight. Sensing that I was serious about leaving, she tried to manipulate me into staying. She offered me the role of academic chief, a position that wouldve seemed like an honor in any other circumstance. I knew better. This was no rewardit was a bribe, a way to keep me under her control. I couldnt trust her, and I knew I couldnt stay in a place that had already caused me so much harm. I knew I had to go, and so I made the leap, hoping that this new program would finally provide the stability and support I so desperately needed. I left the program and started at the new hospital, determined to regain my footing. It wasnt easy, balancing the demands of long hours with raising a family, but I felt a sense of freedom I hadnt experienced in years. The environment was differentless toxic, more supportiveand I began to rediscover the passion I had for medicine. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could breathe. I worked hard, determined to prove that the struggles I had faced in my previous program hadnt broken me. I had survived, and now I was ready to move forward. The pursuit of critical care As I settled into my new residency, I began to think more deeply about the kind of doctor I wanted to be. The years I had spent in Ob/Gyn had exposed me to a critical gap in carethere were few doctors equipped to handle the complexities of critically ill obstetric patients. This became especially clear during the H1N1 epidemic. We had pregnant women coming into the hospital, their bodies ravaged by the virus, and there was a palpable sense of uncertainty among the staff about how to manage their care. These women were in critical condition, and yet the intersection of obstetrics and critical care felt like uncharted territory for many of us. Thats when it clicked for me. I wanted to be the doctor who could fill that gap. I wanted to combine my skills in OB/GYN with a deep understanding of critical care so that I could provide the kind of care these women desperately needed. It was a bold decision, but I knew it was the right one. I applied for a surgical critical care fellowship, eager to expand my knowledge and skill set. The fellowship was intense, but I thrived in it. I found a deep sense of purpose in managing critically ill patients, and I knew that this was where I belonged. By the time I finished my fellowship, I felt prepared to step into a role that combined both of my passionsOB/GYN and critical care. I was offered a job at the hospital where I had trained, and everything seemed to be falling into place. But just as quickly as the offer had come, it was rescinded. No explanation was given, but I had my suspicions. It wasnt the first time I had encountered obstacles that seemed to come out of nowhere, and I couldnt shake the feeling that my old program director had something to do with it. Her influence still loomed over my career, and it was clear that someone had poisoned the well. I felt devastatedafter all the hard work, all the sacrifices, I was once again left scrambling for a foothold. Despite the setback, I refused to give up. I began searching for other job opportunities, hoping to find a position that would allow me to combine my expertise in both OB/GYN and critical care. But it wasnt easy. There werent many jobs that fit my unique skill set, and the shadow of my former program director seemed to follow me wherever I went. Doors that had once been open were now firmly shut, and I found myself wondering if I would ever be able to escape her reach. Still, I pressed on, determined to carve out a place for myself in this field. I called an FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) near me, hoping to find a position that would allow me to continue practicing while admitting patients to the hospital. But there was one problemthe hospital was the same one where my old program director, now chair of the department, held sway. I explained my fears to the director at the FQHC, worried that she would continue to make my life difficult. He reassured me, telling me that he would be my boss and that she would have no say in my career. It wasnt the perfect solution, but it was a step forward. I had come too far to let anyone stand in my way now. I had a family to support and school loans to pay backand ultimately it was about providing the care that too many women had been denied. It was about filling a void in the medical field and standing up for what I believed in, no matter who tried to stop me. Facing adversity Working at the FQHC was supposed to be a fresh start, but it was impossible to shake the lingering anxiety that my former program directors shadow would follow me. The director at the FQHC had been reassuringhe promised that he would be my boss and that she would have no influence over my career. But I knew better than to believe that the past wouldnt find a way to intrude. The early days at the FQHC were busy but fulfilling. I was serving an underserved population, providing essential care to those who needed it most. It was rewarding work, yet I couldnt fully relax. The hospital where I admitted patients was the same one where my old program director was now the chair of the department, and her presence loomed over every shift I worked there. I knew she hadnt forgotten about me, and I was right. It wasnt long before I started hearing whispersstories circulating among staff about my wrongdoings. It was subtle at first, but the tension grew. Then, I was brought before a hospital review panel. The experience felt like a witch hunt from the start. The panel had compiled a list of supposed mistakes I had made, small details blown out of proportion, all designed to paint me in the worst possible light. I was furious but also deeply anxious. My hospital privileges were at stake, and without them, my career could be over. One particular case, they honed in on a C-section I had offered a patient, a decision that was completely appropriate under the circumstances. Yet here I was, sitting in front of a group of doctors who seemed determined to undermine my clinical judgment. As they drilled me with questions, one doctor finally stood up, visibly frustrated. This is a witch hunt, he said, slamming his papers on the table before storming out. In that moment, I felt a flicker of validationsomeone else saw what was happening. But that didnt change the fact that I was being targeted. My former program director was behind this, of that I had no doubt. She was building a case to have my hospital privileges revoked, and if she succeeded, it would be the end of my practice. I hired an attorney, determined to fight back. My career and livelihood were on the line, and I wasnt about to let her win. But even with legal support, the situation was bleak. Chairs wield power that goes way beyond normal legal boundaries. My lawyer advised me to start looking for a new job, somewhere far from the reach of my former program director. He knew, as I did, that staying in the same system would only bring more of the same problems. I asked for an out from my restrictive covenant, hoping to escape the suffocating environment. Fortunately, I was able to find a job in the same city at a Catholic hospital. Unlike my previous experience, the physicians there didnt buy into the rumors. They knew my former program director, and they didnt trust her vendetta against me. Still, it was a tenuous time. Everywhere else I applied, someone was calling ahead and warning them about me. Each rejection felt like another door closing in my face, and the reality of how deeply she had damaged my reputation weighed heavily on me. Despite all of this, I kept going. I wasnt about to let her destroy what I had worked so hard to build. But it was clear that I needed to find a new pathone where she couldnt touch me anymore. That path was about to appear in the most unexpected way. An unexpected opportunity One afternoon, while working a per diem shift at the hospital where I had completed my OB/GYN residency, I ran into an old anesthesiologist friend. We hadnt seen each other in years. As we caught up, she asked me how my work in critical care was going. I hesitated for a moment before telling her the truthhow I had struggled to find a job, how the program director from my past had poisoned the waters for me, and how I was still navigating the fallout. She listened carefully, and then she said something I hadnt expected: Why dont you apply for anesthesiology? Im the program director now, and I think youd be great at it. The suggestion caught me off guard. Anesthesiology? I had never considered it before, but the more she talked, the more it made sense. Anesthesia was a specialty that blended hands-on patient care with critical thinking, and it offered the kind of stability that I needed. Plus, it would take me out of the direct line of fire from my former program directors reach. I felt a glimmer of hope, but I was also cautious. Switching specialties would mean starting overagain. It would be a financial hit, a major shift in my career trajectory, and it would affect my family. I had to think carefully. That evening, I talked with my husband about the opportunity. I was worried about taking such a big riskespecially the salary cut I would face as a resident again. But my husband, as always, was supportive. If it will make you happy and take you away from all this stress, well make it work, he said. His words reassured me, and I knew that with his support, I could make the leap. I applied to the program, but there was still one catchI had to go through the Match. Even though my friend was the program director, she couldnt guarantee me a spot. I would have to compete like any other candidate. It was a humbling experience, but I trusted that if it was meant to be, it would work out. When Match Day came, I was thrilled to find out that I had secured a spot in anesthesiology. It was the beginning of a new chapterone where I could finally move forward without the constant threat of my past hanging over me. I knew that starting over wouldnt be easy, but for the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful. My first day in the anesthesiology residency, however, didnt go as planned. I tripped over a chair in the resident call room and injured my knee. It was a painful reminder that life never unfolds the way you expect. At first, I tried to push through the pain, telling myself it was just a small setback. But the pain persisted, and over the next few weeks, it became clear that this was more than just a minor injury. I finally went to see a doctor, and the news wasnt good. The MRI revealed a torn ACL and medial meniscus, and I would need surgery to repair it. As the doctor delivered the diagnosis, I broke down in tears. I had only just started this new chapter of my career, and already I was facing a significant obstacle. Surgery would take me out of work for months, and I couldnt help but feel like I was once again falling behind. This wasnt in my plan, but I had no choice but to deal with it. The injury sidelined me, but the pain and exhaustion made it difficult to focus, and I fell behind in my studies. The demands of residency, combined with the physical pain and the responsibilities of raising three children, left me feeling overwhelmed. When the time came to take my in-service exam, I knew I wasnt prepared, but I did the best I could. The results were devastatingI had bombed the exam, and soon after, I was placed on academic probation. It felt like a personal failure, like all the setbacks I had faced were finally catching up to me. Being on probation was a heavy burden. I felt like I had let everyone downmy family, my colleagues, and most of all, myself. But instead of giving in to the despair, I used it as motivation. I didnt give up. During my three months of medical leave, I threw myself into studying, determined to pass the first part of my anesthesiology boards. When I finally sat for the exam, I passed. It was a victory, a reminder that despite the setbacks, I could still succeed. Eventually, I came off probation, and as my residency progressed, I found my rhythm again. Anesthesiology was challenging but rewarding. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was on a path that made sense for me, and I had the support of my family and colleagues to help me along the way. Through it all, I learned that resilience isnt about never falling downits about getting back up, again and again, no matter how hard the fall. The experience taught me not only the importance of persistence but also the value of accepting help when its needed. I couldnt have made it through those difficult months without the support of my family and colleagues, who reminded me that I wasnt alone on this journey. Thriving through the pandemic Just as I was finding my footing again, the world changed. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and suddenly, the final year of my anesthesiology residency looked very different than what I had imagined. Hospitals were overwhelmed, and anesthesiologists, like so many other health care professionals, were thrust into the frontlines of a global crisis. The pressure was immense. Each day felt like walking into a war zonepatients were critically ill, ventilators were in short supply, and the fear of contracting the virus ourselves was always present. Despite the chaos, I found purpose in the work. The skills I had honed throughout my residency were now being put to the ultimate test, and I knew that what we were doing mattered. We were saving lives, even if it didnt always feel that way in the moment. But the pandemic also brought new challenges. My career prospects shifted dramatically. I had secured a job offer, but due to the economic strain brought on by the pandemic, the offer was rescinded. Once again, I found myself facing uncertainty about the future. After everything I had overcome, it felt like another cruel twist of fate. But in the midst of that uncertainty, an unexpected opportunity arose. Luckily, the chair of my department, at the hospital where I was training heard about my situation and reached out to me. He asked if I would be interested in staying on as a generalist, helping to manage the influx of patients. While I hadnt initially planned to stay, the offer came at the perfect time. It wasnt the role I had envisioned for myself, but it was a lifeline in a time of crisis. What I didnt realize at the time was that behind the scenes, several female physicians had advocated for me to stay. There were male doctors who had initially opposed my hiring, but these women stood up for me, using their voices to ensure that I had the opportunity to continue my work at the hospital. Their support was a powerful reminder of the strength of community and the importance of standing together in solidarity. Throughout the pandemic, I found new strength in resilience and in the relationships I had built along the way. The women who had supported me reminded me that none of us navigate this world alonewe rely on each other to lift us up, especially in the most challenging times. The pandemic tested us all in ways we couldnt have imagined, but it also revealed the importance of compassion, both for ourselves and for those around us. As the world slowly began to recover, so did I. My career had taken twists and turns I hadnt expected, but through it all, I had found a renewed sense of purpose. I had learned that setbacks, no matter how daunting, are not the end of the story. They are simply part of the journey. And with each challenge, I had grown stronger, more determined, and more certain of who I was as both a doctor and a person. The strength in perseverance As I look back on the journey that brought me to where I am today, I see a story not defined by the challenges I faced but by the perseverance that carried me through them. The path I traveled was far from easyfull of unexpected twists, daunting obstacles, and moments of deep uncertainty. But with each setback, I found new strength, and with each challenge, I became more certain of who I was and what I was capable of. Balancing a demanding career in medicine with the responsibilities of raising a family was never simple. There were days when the weight of it all felt overwhelming, and there were times when I questioned whether I could continue. But through it all, my family stood by me, and their support became the foundation that allowed me to keep moving forward. My children, my husbandthey are the reason I fought so hard to succeed, and their love gave me the resilience to face every challenge. Now, as an academic anesthesiologist, I have found a place where I can not only thrive but also give back. I mentor residents and students, helping them navigate their own journeys through medicine, just as I once did. Every day, I am reminded of how far Ive comefrom the struggles of my early residency years to the triumph of overcoming adversity. My work is fulfilling, my family is my greatest joy, and my life in the suburbs provides a sense of peace and balance that I once thought was out of reach. Theres a certain irony in knowing that my success is the greatest retribution I could have ever achieved against my first program director. She tried to tear me down, to sabotage my career at every turn, but in the end, I rose above it. I didnt need to fight her with bitterness or resentment. Instead, I chose to channel my energy into becoming the best physician and individual I could be. And that, in itself, is the sweetest victory. Perseverance isnt about never encountering hardshipits about learning to rise after every fall, to keep going when the path ahead is unclear, and to trust that with enough determination, you will find your way. Every challenge I faced along the way has shaped me into the physician I am todaystronger, wiser, and more compassionate. I now understand that those challenges were not just obstacles; they were opportunities for growth. As I move forward in my career and my life, I carry with me the lessons of resilience and the unwavering belief that success is not measured by the absence of failure but by the courage to keep going, no matter what. And now, I stand in a place of fulfillment, knowing that I have created a life and career that I am proud of, surrounded by the people who matter most. This journey was never easy, but it was always worth it. And for that, I am deeply grateful. Adrienne Ligouri is an obstetrician-gynecologist. A British tourist who vanished from his family holiday on a party hotspot in Thailand has been found dead in a storm drain. Fraser Wright, 37, from Swindon was pulled from the open sewer on Wednesday morning, hours after reportedly going out to drink alone on the island of Phuket. His family sparked a missing persons search when he didnt return to the Seaview Hotel after leaving at 10pm on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His body wasnt discovered until 9.30am the next morning when emergency services were called to the scene outside Tawan Bike Shop in Patong. The open sewer outside the motorbike rental store where Mr Wrights body was found (Google) Local media reports suggest that Mr Wright was caught on CCTV peering into the drain, which carries rainwater from storms into the sea, before climbing over the one-metre-high barrier and falling in. He is believed to have been dead for five or six hours before he was found. According to local news outlet Khasod, an autopsy carried out at Vachira Phuket Hospital didnt identify any further wounds and there is no suggestion of any foul play. The UK Foreign Office said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities. Patong Beach close to where the body of Mr Wright was found (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Mr Wright is the latest in a string of tragic cases involving Britons dying in Thailand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, Ryan Ralph, 24, fell from an overnight train as he backpacked through the country with his girlfriend, Shona Morgan, 22. The tragedy happened when Mr Ralph went to have a cigarette, leaving Ms Morgan asleep. Its believed that as he stood between carriages, he lost his footing and fell onto the tracks. A major hunt for him was carried out before his body was found. More than 28 million foreign tourists visited Thailand last year, spending 1.2 trillion baht ($33.71 billion) in the country, where other key sectors of the economy have been slow in recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. HARRISON COUNTY, TX. (KTAL/KMSS) Authorities in Harrison County are searching for a missing family with two children. Harrison County Marshall, Texas Sheriffs Office posted on social media that the family was last seen at their residence as late as Sunday, November 17, in the afternoon. The four individuals are Gerardo Roman, 27; Alondra Rodriguez, 26; their son and daughter, Giselle Roman, who is eight and five years old; and Gerardo Roman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Chief Deputy Hall Reavis with the Harrison County Sheriffs Office, Alondra is a teacher aide at Trinity Episcopal School in Marshall, Texas, where her children also attend school. The deputy details that they were last seen leaving Trinity Episcopal School in Marshall, Texas. Courtesy of Harrison County Marshall Texas Sheriffs Office. Chief Deputy Reavis states all three did not show up to school on Monday causing the school to contact her family, who contacted authorities. When authorities went to the couples home all their cars were there. If you or anyone else knows where the family may be, contact Lt. Mack Fuller or Inv. Z. Campbell at the Harrison County Sheriffs Office at 903-923-4000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If individuals would like to remain anonymous, contact 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 KTALnews.com. STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) Mississippi State University (MSU) and the University of Mississippis (UM) School of Law signed an agreement that allows qualified MSU students to enter UMs Juris Doctor program before fully completing an MSU bachelors degree. MSU has a similar agreement with the School of Law at Mississippi College. MSU President Mark E. Keenum and UM Chancellor Glenn Boyce signed the Memorandum of Understanding along with MSU Executive Vice President David Shaw, UM Provost Noel Wilkin, UM School of Law Dean Frederick G. Slabach, and UM School of Law Asst. Dean Joseph Tucker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mississippi State, Brazilian university to collaborate on programs, research According to officials, MSU students must meet all academic and application requirements for the School of Law and complete three-fourths of their undergraduate coursework before admission to the law program to be eligible. As part of the agreement, UM will waive application fees and other costs for MSU students applying to law school. The program will also kick-start a joint lecture series hosted by Mississippi State that features faculty and alumni from the law school. The accelerated MSU-UM program meets requirements of the American Bar Association and will launch in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through this partnership, students have the unique opportunity of receiving a joint education from two of Mississippis universities, said Tucker, assistant dean in the UM School of Law. Each year, the law school receives a number of students from Mississippi State University, so we are excited to formalize a partnership. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, right, testifies to the House Budget Committee in February. Bailey sued Jackson County over its property assessment process but had the case dismissed. Now a court has also dismissed the State Tax Commission's attempt to enforce its order against Jackson County. (Rudi Keller/MIssouri Independent). State officials hopes of rolling back Jackson County property assessment increases are floundering after a circuit court judge dismissed a lawsuit by the State Tax Commission on Wednesday. The commission in August ordered Jackson County to reverse most of its 2023 property valuations, arguing they had been performed illegally and resulted in huge increases in property values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the county didnt comply. Jackson County officials called the State Tax Commissions August order unconstitutional and unprecedented and said it only took action to cover for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys failures in his own efforts to undo the property assessments. The State Tax Commission then sought a court order to force the county to cap property assessments to a 15% increase since the last assessment unless new construction or building improvements increased the value. That effort was dismissed Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. thanked county residents in a statement Wednesday for their patience and understanding as weve worked to address problems that have been decades in the making. Our goal remains ensuring that every property owner is treated fairly under the law, White said. Gregory Allsberry, chief counsel for the State Tax Commission, said in an email that the judge did not find the commissions order invalid. The commissions order is still a valid order, despite Jackson Countys refusal to comply, and the Commission will continue to do all within its power to enforce the order, Allsberry said. It will also do everything within its power to ensure that Jackson countys assessing officials dont commit the violations of state law in 2025 that they did during the 2023 reassessment cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Baileys office nor the State Tax Commission immediately returned requests for comment. Jackson Countys property valuation process has been in near-constant litigation since Bailey and the State Tax Commission first sued the county in December. According to that lawsuit, the countys 2023 reassessment process resulted in an average 30% increase in value across hundreds of thousands of properties in the county. The lawsuit says more than 90% of residential properties saw an increase in value, and values increased by at least 15% for three-quarters of properties in the county. The increase in property values means an increase in property taxes for some owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bailey and the State Tax Commission accused Jackson County of failing to follow proper procedures in the valuation process, including performing physical inspections, before increasing property values by more than 15%. During the litigation, Bailey and a deputy came under fire for meeting with a Jackson County official without notifying the countys attorneys. Under Missouri Supreme Court rules, attorneys are not to communicate about a lawsuit with individuals represented in the case by another lawyer without the consent of the other lawyer. Bailey maintained that his meeting with the official, Sean Smith, was nothing more than a campaign meeting. At the time, Smith, a member of the Jackson County Legislature, was running for the U.S. House of Representatives against incumbent U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II, who won with 60% of the vote earlier this month. Jackson Countys attorneys were granted permission by the judge in the case to question Bailey under oath about his meetings with Smith. But in August, a day before Bailey was scheduled to sit for the deposition, the State Tax Commission issued its order and Baileys office had the case dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Baileys spokeswoman, Madeline Sieren, said the state dismissed the lawsuit because of the State Tax Commissions order. Pushing the lawsuit forward could have jeopardized the much needed relief offered in the Tax Commissions order and would be counterproductive for Jackson County taxpayers, Sieren said in an August email. The county said at the time that the State Tax Commission was being used as a shield forBailey, who is trying to escape accountability after lying and realizing he was losing the case. When the county didnt comply with the August order, the State Tax Commission sought a court order to force the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, the county said in a filing that the State Tax Commission was attempting to bring the same legal claims a second time. That was impermissible, the county argued, because the original lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the case couldnt be brought again. Senior Judge Jacqueline Cook, who handled the case because the circuit judges in Jackson County recused themselves, dismissed the case with prejudice Wednesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KANSAS CITY, Mo. On Thursday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced via X that he plans to sue Jackson County over what he calls an illegal attempt to violate Missourians right to keep and bear arms. Earlier this month, Jackson County legislators passed a new gun ordinance that bans anyone 18-21 from owning handguns and semi-automatic rifles, with some specific exceptions. Legislator Manny Abarca, the ordinances sponsor, said the idea stemmed from the Chiefs rally shooting on February 14, where juveniles had high-powered firearms and used them in a way that was damaging to so many people. Everyone gets to claim they were defending themselves. And no one is providing the justice needed for those kids who pulled those triggers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that the current law is restricting for law enforcement officers. You stop a car full of kids, theres a gun, everyones a teenager, law enforcement cannot take that weapon from them right now in the state of Missouri, they cant even talk about it, he said. That is ridiculous. Additionally, the ordinance was vetoed by Jackson County Executive Frank White. However, legislators doubled down, overriding Whites veto. Police may have suspects in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce burglaries Now, Missouri AG Bailey will sue the county, something White says comes as no surprise. A statement released from Whites office on Thursday reads: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This announcement comes as no surprise. From the start, I made it clear that this ordinance violated Missouri law. While I strongly disagree with the states preemption of local gun regulationsbecause I believe communities should have the ability to protect themselvesignoring the law doesnt lead to progress. It leads to predictable legal challenges and wasted resources, and unfortunately, this ordinance will do more harm to gun safety advocacy than doing nothing at all. White also went on to argue that passing ordinances like this is highly unproductive and even wasteful. When leaders pass laws that they know wont hold up in court, they dont just waste taxpayer moneythey erode the trust people place in government, his statement reads. They create frustration and cynicism, making it harder to build the kind of consensus we need to take meaningful action. Progress on gun safety isnt achieved through political theater or performative gestures; its achieved through thoughtful, lawful, and sustained efforts to bring people together around real solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Bailey clearly agrees, saying explicitly in his release that he has reason to believe that the Jackson County Legislatures recent override of Frank Whites veto of Ordinance 5865 violated Missouri law. Arbaca, on the other hand, thinks the ordinance makes perfect sense, even if the lawsuit is inevitable. In a state where were placing guns over peoples lives? Unfortunately, theres some ramifications for taking an approach of drawing back some common sense gun reforms, Abarca said. We care enough about the people that we will put the guns aside and say that juveniles should not possess firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abarca claims the only way to prevent juveniles from carrying firearms is to enact policy and hes willing to work with those on the other side of the aisle to make it happen. Im more than willing to go back to the drawing board and look at how we can better the preemption laws, protect the rights of second amendment providers that are common sense and using them the right way, he said. But we also have some issues that we need to address. It is our gun laws and our failure to address the reality that we need to fix these laws or were going to continue this violence and there is no solution until theres a solution policy-wise. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MISSOURI Radiation exposure advocate groups and Missouri lawmakers are hoping a $5 billion cap on a RECA bill will help nuclear waste victims get compensation. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley announced Wednesday changes to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The bill is currently sitting in the House after passing the Senate twice. In 1990, the RECA program first passed, bringing compensation to victims of radiation exposure from the uranium industry. The latest version of the bill would cover Missouri victims exposed to nuclear waste from the Manhattan Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police confirm Clayton woman killed after kidnapping The program expired in June after congressional members said at the time the price tag was too high. It is time to act. Speaker Johnson told me personally that he wants to move a RECA reauthorization bill in this congress. I know he has said the same thing to advocates, including to those who are on this call. So we invite him now to put this text on the floor, Hawley said. If the bill does not pass in this Congressional session, it will need to be reintroduced and voted on again. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. WASHINGTON Eight Missouri Republicans, all representing a state U.S. Congress seat, sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Wednesday seeking answers about Venezuelan-based gang members and urging stronger immigration enforcement measures. Missouri U.S. Rep. Sam Graves led the letter, which also included signatures from Missouri U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, among others. The letter highlights the groups concerns over the Biden administrations handling of immigration enforcement. It references a traffic stop on Oct. 25, 2024 in Clinton County, Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eureka family loses home in fire, dog alerts them to flames The letter, along with a news release from Graves, indicates that two people involved in that traffic stop were identified as Venezuelan nationals with alleged ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, but they were later released. The Clinton County Sheriffs Office tells FOX 2 that when deputies initially stopped the vehicle and identified the individuals, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had placed detainers on the two. About half an hour later, Clinton County authorities received a call informing them that the individuals could not be deported because Venezuela refused to accept them, thus the two individuals were released from custody. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Treasury has identified Tren de Aragua as a transitional criminal organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter questions the release of the two individuals with alleged gang ties in the Missouri traffic stop. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News We write to you today to express our deep and growing concern regarding your administrations refusal to hold Venezuela accountable for unacceptable delays in the removal process for illegal immigrants. These delays, sometimes indefinite, not only give the appearance that a foreign nation is being allowed to dictate the enforcement of U.S. immigration law, but also put our communities at risk, the letter reads in part. The letter further urges the Biden Administration to resume the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy, which required asylum seekers to wait outside the United States while their immigration cases were pending. That policy ended in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter was signed by Graves, Hawley and Schmitt, along with Missouri U.S. Reps. Mark Alford, Eric Burlison, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Jason Smith and Ann Wagner. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 entrance to the Missouri State Employees' Retirement System building in Jefferson City. (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). The trustees of Missouris largest state employee retirement system voted Thursday to prohibit the use of pension funds for political contributions. The Missouri State Employees Retirement System board, responding to donations made this year by two smaller systems, made it the responsibility of the executive director to make sure money doesnt flow into campaigns for ballot measures or candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri pension systems funds should never be used to make contributions to political campaigns, said state Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Republican from Noel who is one of four legislators on the 11-member board. Deaton also said he intends to introduce legislation for the upcoming session to ban political contributions by all pension systems. The legislation, he said, will mirror the policy adopted Thursday by the trustees and be similar to the law barring political subdivisions from using public money for political purposes. In the policy change, the trustees made it the responsibility of the system executive director to ensure no contribution or expenditure of system funds shall be made by MOSERS to advocate, support, or oppose the passage or defeat of any ballot measure or the nomination or election of any candidate for public office, or to direct any System funds to, or pay any debts or obligations of, any committee supporting or opposing such ballot measures or candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MOSERS fund pays pension benefits to 56,205 retirees and beneficiaries and covers state employees in most agencies and state universities. It receives approximately $700 million in contributions annually from the state and employees to support those benefits. At the end of fiscal 2023, the system had $8.7 billion in net assets. The fund has never made political contributions and the policy means it wont in the future, Deaton said. State employees covered by MOSERS can be confident their retirement funds will be used solely for their benefit and meeting their pension obligations, he said. The vote is a reaction to contributions made this year by the Missouri Sheriffs Retirement System and Prosecuting Attorneys and Circuit Attorneys Retirement System. On Oct. 2, the sheriffs system gave $30,000 to support passage of Amendment 6, which would have imposed fees on criminal cases to fund pensions for sheriffs and prosecutors. The prosecutors system on Oct. 8 gave $50,000 to the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters rejected Amendment 6 by a margin of 61% to 39%. If retirement funds became involved regularly in politics, the donations could be larger than any seen in state history. MOSERS covers most state employees but it is not the only system for state workers nor is it the largest retirement fund operated by the state. The fund for Missouri Department of Transportation workers and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers has $3.7 billion in assets. Education employees are covered by a fund, known as PSRS/PEERS, which held $55 billion in assets on June 30, 2023. And many local government employees are enrolled in LAGERS, which has about $11 billion in assets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent sought reaction to the MOSERS action and the plans for legislation from executive staff at all three funds but did not receive an immediate response. Amendment 6 would have allowed collection of a $3 fee per case where a guilty verdict or plea is reached in criminal cases to fund sheriffs pensions and $4 per case to fund the pensions for prosecutors. The fees had been in place for years but in 2021, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that they were an unconstitutional bar to the courts, which are to be open to all and where justice shall be administered without sale, denial or delay. During calendar year 2023, without the fees, the sheriffs fund received $89,502 in contributions, had $38.4 million in assets and had lost $15 million in value over the previous two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To shore up its finances, lawmakers this year appropriated $5 million in general revenue to the sheriffs fund The prosecutors fund does not have a website where its financial statements can be found. Melissa Lorts, the treasurer of the Amendment 6 campaign committee, is also executive director of the sheriffs retirement system. She did not respond to a request for comment. During the campaign, she said the donations were a responsible use of the pension funds. I have a legal opinion and these are not public dollars, Lorts said. Im not a political subdivision and theyre not public dollars. Other lawmakers also raised questions about the donations. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX () When traveling between cities in Korea, trains are a popular choice. However, taking an express bus is also a convenient and affordable alternative. Depending on the departure and arrival locations, express buses can sometimes be even more efficient than trains. Thanks to bus lanes, express buses can promise you almost consistent arrival times, regardless of traffic. Finding a seat is usually easier on buses than on trains, making it convenient to purchase tickets on the same day of the trip. Its recommended to book a ticket in advance, especially on weekends and holidays. There are two types of express buses, each operated by different companies. One is called Express Bus (Gosok Bus-) and the other one is called Intercity Bus (Sioe Bus-). It's important to note that depending on the company, they use different terminals and websites. Due to this reason, there are often two express bus terminals in the same area within a few minutes distance from each other. So, be sure not to get confused about which terminal to head to depending on the destination. () - Intercity Bus (Sioe Bus-) Intercity Buses may make stops at various points between the departure and destination, which could make the travel time longer compared to Express Buses. Both the website and mobile app provide English services. However, reservations are currently only available in Korean. You can still check bus schedules and the number of available seats. - Express Bus (Gosok Bus-) The website offers English services, and booking with a foreign credit card is available. Express Buses provide a direct journey without intermediate stopes while traveling from the departure point to the destination. () Gunsan to Seoul by express bus Gunsan is a place where express buses can be a more convenient option than trains when heading to Seoul. Compared to the train, an express bus is cheaper and can be quicker. There is an Intercity Bus terminal right next to Express Bus terminal, so please make sure youre using Express Bus Terminal when traveling Seoul. Express bus: Gunsan Express Bus Terminal a Central City Terminal (Line3,7,9. Express Bus Terminal Station) Duration: 2 hrs 25 mins Price: 22,000 won Address: Gunsan Express Bus Terminal, 30 Haemang-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Naver Map Regular train (Mugunghwa, ITX): Gunsan Station to Yongsan Station Duration: 3.5 hrs Price: 14,500 won to 21,600 won KTX: Iksan Station to Yongsan Station Duration: 1 hr 25 mins Price: 32,000 won This option may seem the fastest trip but Iksan station is about 37 km (35 minutes) way from Kunsan Airbase. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A Mobile man is behind bars after police said they found him in the area of a gas station robbery near Old Shell Road on Wednesday. Gulfport man arrested, charged with child sex abuse: Baldwin County Sheriffs Office The Mobile Police Department identified the man as Sharref Warris Jr. Iddeen, 49. According to a department news release, Iddeen was arrested after officers responded to the Texaco at 3000 Old Shell Road for a robbery. INCIDENT LOCATION: Officers said they arrived and found that a male suspect had entered the business and stolen merchandise from the store before leaving the area on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A short time later, officers identified and located the subject who was still in the area, according to the MPD news release. Judge grants mistrial in Sheila Agee trial due to unhinged juror Iddeen was charged with third-degree robbery and taken to the Mobile Metro Jail, police 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 WKRG News 5. HONOLULU (KHON2) This laulima family is a family of two that recently had a great loss. Twelve years ago, Mom had a son born with Down Syndrome and other medical diagnoses. They struggled financially and were homeless within two years. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Three years ago, their son collapsed with rheumatic fever, damaging his heart and kidneys and making him extremely susceptible to illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August of 2023, they found permanent housing and earlier this year, Mom enrolled at Kapiolani Community College and signed up for parenting classes. Just last month, her partner died. In addition to her immense grief, she and her son may now face eviction as she cannot afford the rent on her own. Although they could use a bed for her son since they share one right now, shes not sure theyll have a place for it. Mom said her son could use a backpack and school supplies. He loves music and hands-on musical instruments such as the ukulele. He enjoys easy reader books and superhero books like Spiderman and he loves to swim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For mom, she would appreciate groceries. In the spirit of laulima, our many hands working together, lets help mom and her son through this difficult time and bring some light to their holidays. 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 H240080-2. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) A man is accused of slashing a Danish tourist in the face on the Upper West Side Wednesday, police said. Joshua Zinberg, 25, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the NYPD. The 55-year-old man was slashed on the ear and face near 86th Street and Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side at around 10:23 a.m., police said. The victim needed several surgeries after a knife wound cut the muscle in his face, dislocating his jaw, sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Denmark native is expected to fly home tomorrow. More Local News Its very disheartening, its very upsetting, a woman who lives nearby told PIX11 News. Sources said Zinbergs mom went to the precinct and gave detectives his name after seeing a video of him on the news. She told officers he suffers from mental illness, sources said. Zinberg lives a block away from where the incident happened and was in his car outside his home when he was picked up at around 2 a.m. Thursday, according to sources. The suspect was walked out of the 20th Precinct in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon. He spat at the media during the walk and said, Youre just doing it for the clicks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His arraignment was pending. Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Parade.com has an extensive editorial partnership with Cleveland Clinic, consistently named as one of the nation's best hospitals in U.S. News & World Report's annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Click here to learn more about our health reporting policies. Youve likely been hearing a lot of talk recently about something called monkeypoxand it may be making you a bit nervous. Given that so many of us are still dealing with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is understandable that hearing about the outbreak of yet another virus would make many people uneasy. Thankfully, experts are saying that while it is wise to be concerned and stay informed about any needed precautions, there is no need to panic about monkeypox, also called Mpox. Here's everything you need to know about it. Related: Power Up! 17 Simple Health Habits That Can Boost Your Immunity What is Monkeypox? Monkeypox is a contagious viral illness. According to the CDC, its name stems from the fact that the first documented cases involved two outbreaks discovered in 1958 among colonies of monkeys kept for research. Monkeypox is related to smallpox but with two important differences: it spreads between people much less easily than smallpox, and it generally causes much milder illness, says Jonathan D. Grein, MD, director of Hospital Epidemiology at Cedars-Sinai. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many people outside of the medical or scientific fields may not be familiar with it, monkeypox isn't new. We have known about monkeypox for decades, and it regularly causes infections in parts of Central and West Africa. Most infections in these areas are acquired from close contact with animals such as rodents. SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week How Monkeypox is Spread People become infected with monkeypox through direct contact with infected animals, humans or materials that are contaminated with the virus, Dr. Grein says. The good news: it spreads much more slowly and in far fewer numbers than COVID-19. Monkeypox is not spread easily between people, says Dr. Grein. For example, 47 people in the U.S. acquired monkeypox in 2003 from exposure to infected animals imported from Africa. During that outbreak, no cases of person-to-person spread were identified. Last year, two monkeypox cases were identified in the U.S. from recent travelers to Nigeria; in both cases, no additional cases were identified among close contacts. Related: Here's What You Need to Know About the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 Symptoms of Monkeypox Dr. Grein says illness caused by monkeypox usually begins with flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and fever, and some people may also experience swollen glands around the neck, armpits, or groin. Within three days of initial symptoms, people infected with monkeypox typically develop a distinctive rash involving small bumps that gradually fill with fluid, then drain and eventually form scabs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The good news is that the majority of cases of monkeypox are mild in people who have a healthy immune system, says Dr. Leo Nissola, MD, chief scientific officer of FirstBio Research and an immunologist who developed COVID-19 epidemiological models. In my clinical experience, monkeypox is mild in most people; however, pregnant individuals, those with autoimmune conditions, or anyone taking daily medications that modulate immune response should take extra precautions. Related: What COVID Symptoms Look Like Day by Day Prevention and Treatment of Monkeypox Vaccines for smallpox can provide significant protection against monkeypox, says Dr. Grein. The CDC and FDA are currently evaluating how these vaccines might be used in this current outbreak. There are no proven treatments for monkeypox, but certain antiviral medications are expected to be active against the virus. Most patients will recover without the need for specific treatment. How to Protect Yourself Against Monkeypox Following basic principles of hygiene and illness preventionpractices that have become daily routine for many of us at this pointwill be the most effective way to help reduce your chances of being infected with monkeypox. Measures taken to prevent COVID infection also work for monkeypox, which includes avoiding close contact with people who are sick and practicing good hand hygiene, says Dr. Grein, who also advises avoiding sick animals that could be carrying the virus, along with the bedding they use. If you develop a rash, discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social distancingwhich, again, is also standard practice for many people at this pointis another good way to reduce the risk of infection. Large gatherings that encourage close contact make it easier for the kinds of contacts that can lead to the formation of new transmission clusters, says Dr. Nissola. Related: Here's What Happens When You Don't Get Some Vaccines Every Year, According to Infectious Disease Experts Why You Shouldn't Panic About Monkeypox While any outbreak of a major illness or disease should be taken seriously, experts offer some reassuring words about why theres no need to become overly anxious about monkeypox. Its important for people to be aware of monkeypox, but also remember that this virus is very different from COVID-19, says Dr. Grein. We have known about monkeypox for decades and understand how it is spread. We have encountered monkeypox outbreaks before and have the tools to control them. Compared to COVID-19, monkeypox is much more difficult to spread between people. Because it causes a characteristic rash, it is much easier to recognize, as well. We also have vaccines available to use when needed. Up Next: Related: 15 Foods That Will Give Your Immune System a Boost Sources: MONTVILLE, Conn. (WTNH) A corrections officer is facing an assault charge after state police said he used excessive force against an inmate who had taken cookies from a cafeteria. Todd Blevons, 43, of Uncasville, has been charged with third-degree assault on an elderly person. He turned himself in on Wednesday after an arrest warrant was issued. He has been released on a $25,000 bond. In November 2023, Blevons was working at the Corrigan Correctional Center in Montville when he was patting down a 66-year-old inmate. The man was on probation this April when he told state police that he was thrown to the ground and injured for no reason, according to police documents. The man also said that Blevons would insult him and search him more than other inmates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man said hed taken cookies from the cafeteria when Blevons stopped to search him, according to police documents. Blevons found the cookies, which werent supposed to leave the cafeteria, and threw them on the ground. The man, thinking the search was over, took his hands off a wall, and was then ordered to put them back up. Blevons then allegedly got aggressive, threw the man to the ground, jumped on him and held him down. Other officers then showed up and jumped on him, and Blevons sprayed him with pepper spray. The man told state police that he had to receive eight stitches over his eye and had broken ribs, according to the report. However, state police said that photographs show a superficial injury near his eye that was treated with strips. Blevons told state police that the man took his hands off the wall and scratched Blevons neck, threatened him and said hed kill him according to the report. Video of the incident shows Blevons taking the man to the ground, hitting him in the back twice with his knee, punching the man and then pepper spraying him in the face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blevons was placed on administrative leave in November 2023, according to the Connecticut Department of Correction. He was hired in December 2018. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 20MORGANTOWN More than 100 people including teachers, state and local public employees and retirees turned out Tuesday evening at WVU's Erickson Alumni Center to make their views known about the proposed PEAI premium hikes and benefit cuts. It was the fifth of six public hearings the PEIA Finance Board staged around the state, with the final hearing set for Thursday, Nov. 21, in Charleston. West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee addressed the board first, and reflected the general consensus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm angry and I'm frustrated, " he said. But not at the Finance Board, which is obliged to keep the health insurance plan solvent. "My anger is really at the governor and the Legislature. They have the power to devise a solution, he said. Back in 2018-2019, the PEIA Task Force crafted a bill to solve the many problems, which has never seen a committee. Lee believes that is retaliation for the teacher strikes in 2018 and 2019 that flooded the Capitol halls with red shirts. PEIA Director Brian Cunningham reviewed the proposed changes to the program. Among them, state employees will see a 14 % premium hike ; local employees, 16 %. Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum costs will rise 40 %. Hospital inpatient copays will go from $100 to $250. Generic prescription drug copays will double from $10 to $20 and brand name copays will double from $25 to $50. And the spousal surcharge, for employed spouses offered other insurance, will go from $147 to $350. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the factors driving PEIA costs up, he said, are mandated increased provider and hospital payments, increased drug costs and the 80 /20 mandate that requires premium hikes whenever the state increases funding for PEIA's share. Lee pointed out that the 14 % state employee premium hike is the third in three years, the previous hikes being 24.5 % and 10.5 %. "Folks, this has to change, and it's unacceptable. Our educators, and more importantly, our retirees simply cannot endure this." Devan Smith, chief financial officer of the Monongalia County Health Department, described the local effects. It's already difficult to hire people, he said. "This is another nail in the coffin to staff our organization." Premium hikes are becoming unsustainable, he said, and MCHD is passing costs to employees while salaries remain flat. He suggested offering some a la carte benefit offerings to suit employees' differing needs. And don't double prescription copays. Increasing copays will decrease compliance, which will increase healthcare costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carol Roskos, American Federation of Teachers-Monongalia County president, said, "I believe the ultimate outcome of this is the privatization of PEIA." She was among those who referred to years of state budget surpluses. "The money was there to stabilize PEIA and they chose not to do it." Employees will be looking at what amounts to a pay cut, and decide, "Hey you know what, it's cheaper for me to leave the state." Mary Ann Ferris, who serves on the WVEA retiree executive board, said, "We were promised our good insurance benefits in lieu of pay raises, and like idiots we agreed to it. ... We've got to stand up for what we deserve, and we deserve better than what we have. We do not deserve these draconian increases." In March, PEIA stopped covering GLP-1 drugs, to treat diabetes and obesity, because of the high costs, amounting to 43.6 % of per-member-per-month drug costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lory Osborn, a WVU employee, told a personal story of losing 75 pounds on a GLP-1, which helped her reduce her overall reduced medication usage creating a savings to PEIA. "Odds are 70 % of us will regain our weight, and what effect will that have on our health ?" And costs to PEIA. She understands it's a business decision, she said, but it will backfire. "It's awful having a disease, knowing there is a cure and you can't afford it." Lindsay Stepanek, a Mon County teacher. Said, "The proposed plan increases ... are going to be debilitating to our state's public employees. We are already struggling to make ends meet. ... Please find some reasonable solutions to fully fund PEIA." And Charles Staggs, a Mineral County commissioner, said Mineral competes with neighboring Allegany County, Md., for employees because Allegany can pay more. As an incentive, Mineral County pays PEIA premiums and deductibles. But under the proposal the county will spend another $120, 000 on premiums and $100, 000 for deductibles. "We're going to have to rob from other services to continue to pay these premiums." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WVEA's Lee offered some suggestions to fix some problems and spare the employees some hardship. One is keep the generic prescription copay at $10, but raise the brand name copay. Another is to increase administrative service fee a state pass-through cost to employers. It's been $50 for decades and the plan proposes to raise it $2.50 per yer for four years. That will raise only $164, 000, he said. The legislature can find money to raise it to $100 without trigger the 80 /20 mandate and net $3.4 million. Use the Task Force proposal, Lee said, to change the 80 /20 mandate that triggers automatic premium hikes, to say no less than 80 % for the state and no more than 20 % for plan members. Tat will give PEIA flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and consider various options. And don't privatize PEIA, he said. PEIA has far lower administrative overhead than private insurers. PEIA has salary tiers that adjust premiums based on ability to pay and don't reduce the tiers from 10 to five as the plan proposes, a proposal that will harm lower-income employees. Finally, unlike private insurers, PEIA has balance billing that absolves employees of any payments not covered by PEIA beyond their deductibles and copays. More than 165,000 pounds of ground beef has been recalled due to potential E. coli contamination. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Wednesday that the Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. had recalled approximately 167,277 pounds of ground beef products -- both fresh and frozen -- that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. "The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture of a group of ill persons who had reported that they consumed ground beef prior to their illness," the FSIS stated. Details of ground beef recall The recalled beef has a "use by" date of Nov. 14, 2024, and the frozen products are labeled with a production date of Oct. 22, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The products bear the establishment number "EST. 2574B" inside the USDA mark of inspection. Click here to see the full product images and details. PHOTO: ground beef (Stock Photo/Getty Images) All of the items impacted by the recall were shipped to restaurant locations nationwide. The FSIS said it was first notified of illnesses on Nov. 13, and "working in conjunction with Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health, FSIS determined that there was a link between the ground beef products from Wolverine Packing Co. and this illness cluster." "On November 20, 2024, a ground beef sample collected by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as part of an outbreak investigation tested positive for E. coli O157," the agency stated. "To date, 15 case-patients have been identified in one state with illness onset dates ranging from November 2, 2024, to November 10, 2024." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said it is continuing to work with the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture and Health in an ongoing investigation. The FSIS has urged restaurants not to serve these products and highlighted a concern "that some product may be in restaurant refrigerators or freezers." "These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase," the recall notice stated. The agency added that "anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider." Symptoms of E. coli According to the Minnesota Department of Health, E. coli O157 "is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Most strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. However, the O157 strain produces a powerful toxin that can cause severe illness," the department states. "Symptoms of E. coli O157 infection include severe diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps. Most people infected with E. coli O157 do not have a fever or vomiting." According to the department, symptoms of E. coli O157 infection typically begin two to five days after exposure to the bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that most people recover from their infection without treatment after five to seven days. However, the agency states, "some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized." "The best ways to prevent infection are by keeping your hands clean, preparing food safely, and drinking safe water," the CDC states. More than 165K pounds of ground beef recalled due to possible E. coli contamination originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness [Matthew 6:22-23] The challenge of information overload is familiar to everybody an endless stream of content and news that obscures what truly matters. A similar issue arises in modern warfare. In the past, militaries had to operate with scarce intelligence about enemies positioned even kilometres away. Nowadays, drones, advanced communication systems, radars and satellites flood headquarters with vast amounts of data. This deluge of data presents a new challenge: what to do with it? A small team at headquarters must analyse terabytes of intelligence about the enemy within hours. It is difficult not to go crazy in the process, because the data obtained may be false or useless. In modern warfare, militaries have two options: either to tame information flows and become more effective or to drown in a sea of Excel spreadsheets, screenshots, labels and decryptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To pursue the first path, Ukrainian commanders across various fronts began setting up specialised units designed to collect and analyse all battlefield data using cutting-edge technology. Such units are called ISTAR centres, a practice that has been adopted by NATO countries. In the 13th Khartiia Brigade, ISTAR centre operators work around the clock, monitoring multiple drone feeds and staying in constant contact with troops on the battlefield. They log everything they hear and see: the routes Russian forces are using, what kind of equipment is located nearby, and the frequencies on which drones operate. Analysts then piece this data together to provide headquarters with a comprehensive picture of the battlefield. Suppose they need to respond to Russian movements immediately. In that case, operators can call in First-Person View (FPV) drones or artillery in minutes and watch in real-time as the Russians are obliterated. Not all units have a fully operational ISTAR system yet. However, its implementation is a real opportunity for Ukraine to boost battlefield efficiency, deliver more blows to Russian forces with fewer resources, and protect the lives of its soldiers. The price of information Any modern military needs a network of units gathering and analysing information from the battlefield. While this seems obvious today, it wasnt always so clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Armies used to fight by sending infantry against infantry and tanks against tanks. Everything hinged on numbers, but things changed with the advent of modern communications and intelligence technologies. It was only after suffering a defeat in Vietnam that the Americans started considering a unified network to collect and process battlefield information, finalising its principles only after the arrival of GPS technology. A striking example of ISTAR in action was during the Iraq War, when 250,000 Americans took out 1.4 million Iraqi troops in 21 days. The operation went like clockwork. The US used its technical superiority to the full, having all the information needed about the enemy. After that, its allies began to adopt this approach. Ukraine lagged behind the Western world for decades, but now it's catching up as it has no other choice," Yaroslav Honchar, co-founder of Aerorozvidka (Aerial Intelligence), a non-governmental organisation that helps develop ISTAR in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, told EP. An increasing number of units in Ukraine's defence forces are independently studying NATO standards and setting up ISTAR systems at their headquarters. One of them is the 13th Khartiia Brigade of the NGU, which operates on the Kharkiv front. Founded in 2022 as a small volunteer unit of just a few dozen people, in two years it has grown into a full brigade with thousands of soldiers. An ISTAR operator Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Khartiia Brigade "Our brigade's principle is that infantry should not engage in combat. If the infantry starts shooting, it means we've done something wrong. Our goal is to deliver pre-emptive strikes, keep the enemy on edge, stop them from massing, and mine their movement routes. For this, we need to know exactly whats happening around us," a soldier, who goes by the alias Bit, from Khartiia's headquarters told Ekonomichna Pravda. The newly introduced ISTAR system helps the brigade create a comprehensive picture of the battlefield. ISTAR stands for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance. But what does this mean in practice? First, the military deploys dozens of technological resources to collect intelligence. These consist, for example, of reconnaissance drones that take turns monitoring a specific area and recording Russian troop movements, a sniper observing a cluster of vehicles through a thermal imager, and electronic intelligence systems, radars, satellites and cameras. Surveillance priorities are set by the unit commander. Delta system Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Innovation Centre of Ukraine's Defence Ministry The military inputs the coordinates of Russian forces into the Delta system, a digital map that updates in real-time and records the history of changes. If a soldier is unable to enter the data personally, an ISTAR operator who remains in constant communication and monitors drone feeds and other sources will do it for them. Ukrainian troops have automated tools for marking targets in the Delta system. For instance, a special counter-battery radar can quickly determine the location from which a Russian munition was fired and place the coordinates on the map within seconds. Delta also incorporates radio intercepts, information from chatbots and open sources, and reports from intelligence agents. This results in a massive volume of data being marked on the map, making it nearly impossible to understand. At this stage, analysts step in. Their role is to extract meaning from the collected information, identify patterns, visualise them, and quickly relay the findings to the units headquarters. There, commanders use this analysis to determine how best to disrupt Russias plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Recently, our ISTAR team gathered aggregate data showing how the Russians have been moving along this road for several days," Bit notes, showing a graph on his laptop. "The guys discovered that the Russians regularly march several kilometres on foot to rotate here. We draw conclusions from this and use the information against them. We also track the most frequent times when they rotate, then send out FPV drones to target them in advance. Additionally, we monitor their artillery patterns to identify the safest windows for planning our actions. There are many such examples," he explains. Bit says the goal of their ISTAR unit is now to gather even more critical information that can be valuable in combat. For instance, analysts track the effectiveness of drones. If the equipment is not delivering the desired results, the command assesses how to address the issue. Ultimately, managing a brigade becomes similar to managing a large business, where the success of operations depends on the availability of information and on drawing the correct conclusions from it. Even the tools used are similar: Khartiia's headquarters use a well-known programme designed for business analytics. The commander of Khartiia Brigade shows the data analysis system to the Dutch defence minister Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Khartiia ISTAR centres can operate at various levels of command: battalion, brigade, or operational and tactical groups. Each level has its own degree of autonomy, area of responsibility, and priorities. Ideally, the centres should communicate with each other, coordinate actions, share data from their sources and use their own means to help deliver strikes on the Russians. That being said, each unit can technically build its ISTAR system differently. The most proactive brigades even develop their own analytical software. "ISTAR is like a religion. Theres one Bible, but everyone interprets it in their own way," explains Bit. The NATO document AJP-2.7 can be considered the ISTAR "Bible". It outlines the general principles and recommendations for building the system. According to this document, the key task for the military is to establish a single, synchronised network of centres for data collection and processing. All units must communicate with each other, understand both the enemys and their own strengths and weaknesses, and make the right, timely decisions based on this information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, each unit decides what technical tools to use to achieve this. For instance, Canada, the US and the UK each have different ISTAR systems. Ukraines system also has its own peculiarities. "Compared to Western nations, ISTAR in Ukraine is characterised by strong tactical awareness due to the extensive use of various types of drones and other sensors, as well as weaker strategic awareness, as our military lags far behind its Western partners in operating satellites or specific high-cost electronic equipment," Maryna Tsirkun, Head of ISTAR Support at Aerorozvidka, told Ekonomichna Pravda. The military and analysts interviewed by Ekonomichna Pravda believe that the introduction of ISTAR in Ukraine was made possible thanks to Starlink satellite communications, reconnaissance drones, and the domestic Delta situational awareness system. At the same time, alternatives for all of these technologies are being sought in advance to prevent operations from being paralysed in case one of them is lost. System stability and the interchangeability of its elements are fundamental principles of ISTAR. ISTAR in action If videos of Russian soldiers being killed could be called a film, then the ISTAR control room is a director's room. Coordinating units in combat is another critical function of these centres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Khartiia Brigade, ISTAR operators are the first to respond to Russian movements. Several people are on duty in one room at the same time. Each of them has a small area of responsibility, such as an important road, a village or windbreaks in what is known as the grey zone [an area not controlled by either the Ukrainian or Russian troops]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISTAR control room Photo: Khartiia Brigade Each operator monitors multiple screens that display drone feeds simultaneously. If Russian troops gather under the camera and present a viable target, the operator knows exactly what to do. They maintain constant contact with FPV drone pilots or artillery units, who can strike within minutes. If there is no opportunity or order to attack, the operator simply logs the data into Delta and continues monitoring the screens. A battle captain is on duty behind the operators in the room. This experienced officer manages the battle and, according to the rules, is responsible for making decisions to strike when operators spot Russian forces on camera. However, seasoned operators often know precisely whom to contact within their area of responsibility and sometimes act at their own discretion to expedite actions. A battle captain and his assistant in the ISTAR control room Photo: Khartiia Brigade An ISTAR operator can also take proactive measures, such as directing a reconnaissance drone operator to gather additional intelligence or assisting in planning local operations. Ekonomichna Pravda spoke with Dmytro, an ISTAR operator from the Khartiia Brigade, who shared examples from real-life combat situations. First, an FPV drone was launched on a mission but lost its target. Meanwhile, an ISTAR operator spotted a Russian motorcycle with a sidecar in a nearby area. The operator calculated its movement direction and quickly relayed the data to the drone pilot. As a result, the pilot adjusted the route and successfully struck the motorcycle. In the second case, an ISTAR operator spotted Russian soldiers hiding in the basement of a house behind a closed wooden door. The operator swiftly directed two FPV drones: the first drone destroyed the door, and the second flew inside to target the soldiers. On the third occasion, a Russian FPV drone approached a Ukrainian position, prompting a response from Ukrainian electronic warfare to bring it down. An ISTAR operator then halted the planned launch of Ukrainian drones in the area to avoid jamming them with the same electronic countermeasures. Operators are a crucial part of the ISTAR process at the Khartiia Brigade. The brigade is currently expanding its system and is actively seeking individuals to fill these positions. Not everyone uses it "All these hundreds of people processing vast amounts of information appeared only in 2022. None of this existed before the full-scale war. No one cared that battalions were operating with maps that were at least 72 hours out of date. To gather information about the situation on the ground, the brigade's intelligence officers had to travel 200 km to attend group meetings and redraw the maps. Afterwards, theyd return to headquarters, receive reports from battalion reconnaissance, and redraw those as well. This was the routine until 24 February 2022 [the start of the full-scale Russian invasion]," Honchar said. He noted that things are gradually improving now. Many brigades within the Ukrainian defence forces are making progress in implementing the ISTAR system. ISTAR analysts Photo: Khartiia Brigade "Sometimes officers from a neighbouring unit arrive at the headquarters of a more advanced brigade with a paper map and outdated management approaches. They are then told that this is not the way to go and are taught how to use Delta and other tools to gather intelligence. After that, these commanders often become 'ISTAR witnesses' or at least adopt some of the processes for themselves," said Tsirkun. Ukraine even has a department that deals with implementing ISTAR at all management levels. It is a separate military unit. However, the implementation of ISTAR standards is progressing slower than it could, particularly as the Ukrainian military faces setbacks under the pressure of larger Russian forces. According to Tsirkun, three key factors are hindering the process. The first factor is outdated legislation. Ukrainian documents almost entirely fail to regulate the use of modern situational awareness systems and do not specify the data exchange processes within these systems. Commanders may fear making mistakes or acting outside the regulations and then being held accountable. The second is human error. Few commanders understand the principle of mission command, which stipulates that each unit is intelligent and can make decisions independently within its area of responsibility. Therefore, they are reluctant to change their approaches to information management and continue to fight using old and ineffective methods. The third is training. Educational programmes at officer training institutions are evolving, but they still have work to do to meet NATO standards in inter-unit interaction and modern battlefield challenges. "Those commanders who find the right people to develop the system, give them some freedom of action and have the ability to provide these people with a workplace with advanced computers, communications, headsets and additional screens, and they will be able to adopt ISTAR principles. Canada's Roshel company to produce armoured vehicles in Ukraine "The average time for setting up ISTAR processes in the brigade and its battalions is a month and a half, but it will depend on the extent to which the commanders accept this process and want to make changes," Tsirkun said. She noted that some units are building ISTAR systems organically, tailoring them to their specific needs, even without relying on Western methodologies. However, other units are still struggling in this area and have yet to establish these processes effectively. The sooner the Ukrainian military approaches NATO standards, the less the Ukrainian defence forces will resemble a "small Soviet army" that will inevitably lose to a "big" one due to limited resources. Ineffective unit management leads to the deaths of Ukrainian defenders, so a technological system for interaction should be built as soon as possible. Moreover, Ukraine has the qualified people and the technology to accomplish this goal. Translation: Artem Yakymyshyn Editing: Monica Sandor NEW MEXICO (KRQE) More teachers are now getting help paying down their student loans thanks to the states Teacher Loan Repayment Program. This year, the New Mexico Higher Education Department increased the number of teachers receiving loan forgiveness, awarding funding to 537 new applicants and renewing funding for 357 applicants. Through the program, licensed New Mexico teachers can get up to $6,000 per year for two years to go toward outstanding federal student loan debt and interest. Since 2020, the program has helped 2,533 New Mexico teachers pay down their debt. Valencia County begins construction of new hospital in Los Lunas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Teacher Loan Repayment Program is a vital investment in our educators and their future, said Public Education Secretary-Designate Mariana Padilla. By alleviating the burden of student loan debt, we are showing our hardworking teachers that we value their dedication to New Mexicos students and communities. This program not only supports our educators but also strengthens the foundation of our schools and helps build a brighter future for our state. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. JAMM AQUINO / 2017 A City Council resolution aims to have surveillance cameras installed in West Oahu. A signpost is mounted with a camera pod in Waikiki. 1 /3 JAMM AQUINO / 2017 A City Council resolution aims to have surveillance cameras installed in West Oahu. A signpost is mounted with a camera pod in Waikiki. STAR-ADVERTISER / MAY 7 Honolulu police are in support of Resolution 248 for overt video monitoring of West Oahu locations. A mobile video surveillance camera is shown stationed at the Moiliili Longs Drugs parking lot near University Avenue in Honolulu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 /3 STAR-ADVERTISER / MAY 7 Honolulu police are in support of Resolution 248 for overt video monitoring of West Oahu locations. A mobile video surveillance camera is shown stationed at the Moiliili Longs Drugs parking lot near University Avenue in Honolulu. STAR-ADVERTISER Andria Tupola 3 /3 STAR-ADVERTISER Andria Tupola JAMM AQUINO / 2017 A City Council resolution aims to have surveillance cameras installed in West Oahu. A signpost is mounted with a camera pod in Waikiki. STAR-ADVERTISER / MAY 7 Honolulu police are in support of Resolution 248 for overt video monitoring of West Oahu locations. A mobile video surveillance camera is shown stationed at the Moiliili Longs Drugs parking lot near University Avenue in Honolulu. STAR-ADVERTISER Andria Tupola The Honolulu Police Department plans to install overt video surveillance cameras at fixed locations in West Oahu, an area thats experienced increased, often violent crimes in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To do so, Honolulu City Council member Andria Tupola, whose district encompasses the Waianae Coast, has introduced Resolution 248, which, if approved, will authorize HPDs use of such devices at certain beachside sites. Several tragic and violent events have occurred recently in West Oahu, causing fear among residents and visitors in the area, Tupolas resolution states. The violent events included an attempted murder during the early morning hours of Sept. 6, 2024, at the north end of Maili Beach Park. The resolution also states that although HPDs Waianae Substation at 85-939 Farrington Highway opened in 2016, the facility remains unfinished and underutilized, often with only one HPD officer available at the substation to receive walk-ins. The resolution also notes HPDs vacancy of 400 police officer positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The HPD is currently dealing with a staffing shortage that impacts the departments ability to have ongoing physical presence of officers at crime hot spots to deter crime, the legislation states. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. It adds HPD and other city departments are currently utilizing video surveillance cameras and installing additional video surveillance cameras at various locations within the city, including but not limited to Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, and East Oahu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the resolution, HPD would be authorized to use overt video monitoring at Maili Beach Park and the Waianae Substation. If adopted, the legislation would require HPD to submit a report to the Council (for ) the time period during which overt video monitoring is occurring at the beach park and Waianae substation, describing the condition of the video monitoring equipment and reporting the latest available statistical data as to criminal activities. The provisions of this resolution will take effect upon the Councils adoption. It will remain in effect until Jan. 1, 2030, or three years after HPD or its designees begin overt video monitoring, whichever comes first. At the Councils Public Safety Committee Tuesday, Tupola said she wanted to support HPDs efforts to fight crime in West Oahu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And this was requested through them, she said of the resolution, and were grateful that this overt monitoring device is available and ready to go. HPD Capt. Brandon Yamamoto told the committee that police were in support of Resolution 248. And grateful that its going through, he added. No one from the public spoke for or against the surveillance program. The committee ultimately recommended Resolution 248 for full Council adoption. Meanwhile, Tupolas legislation cited a similar police surveillance effort on the opposite side of the island. But that $65, 000 pilot projectto mount video cameras on at least four mobile security trailers to avert auto burglaries, thefts, vandalism and other crimes at popular scenic points in East Oahuhas stalled, HPD confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no cameras or trailers at this time, HPD spokesperson Michelle Yu told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Vendor issues, according to Yu, hampered the use of mobile security trailers. In June, the Council adopted Chair Tommy Waters Resolution 64. As part of a multiyear project that began July 1, HPD rolled mobile video platformsreplete with flashing blue lightsto parking lots close to the Makapuu Point Lighthouse lookout, Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline trails, Halona Blowhole lookout and Lanai lookout, near the Koko Head Shooting Complex. The lookout sites are commonly visited by tourists and are highly prone to property crimes, according to HPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although auto burglaries are seasonalwith more incidents occurring during the summer as visitors arrive to the islandon average, police receive about 50 car break-in reports monthly, HPD says. HPDs cameras did not roll for long, however. Still, Yu noted HPD is working with the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services on the project to select a vendor for the trailers. That search included a formal request for quotes that has gone out for offers. The RFQs deadline for offers was Nov. 6. A vendor has not been selected yet, Yu said. In the meantime, patrol officers will continue to conduct checks of the parking lots, and other units will continue to conduct operations based on known criminal activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, HPD Maj. Brian Lynch briefed the Councils Committee on Public Safety over the East Oahu mobile surveillance program. He claimed the projects main benefit is that HPD would not use city-owned equipment. Were going to lease them, Lynch said previously. And so, if they get damaged or stolen or whatever its on the leasing company. If its broken or damaged, they pull the old one out, and they bring us a new one thats ready to go. So we dont have to deal with the maintenance or the fixing or the repairing or any of that. Recorded video footage would cover only daylight hours, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the lease is actually somebody sitting there watching (the footage ), not one of us, Lynch said, alluding to HPDs ongoing staffing shortage. Its somebody with this leasing company that we would be dealing with. Thats another attractive grab for us in the sense that its cheaper to have this person do that than it would (be for the police ). And then theres rules about us watching and stuff like that. HPDs mobile camera program could eventually be applied to other spots around Oahu, he said. Resolution 64 states the end date for the pilot project was set for June 30, 2028, or 18 months after HPD or its designees begin overt video monitoring, whichever comes first. AUSTIN (KXAN) On Jan. 8, homicide detectives with the Austin Police Department began investigating the shooting death of a 21-year-old man in the parking lot of a north Austin apartment complex, which police believed to be a random act of violence. Nearly 3 months later, APDs investigation led to the arrest of the person who allegedly committed the murder. The person APD arrested was only 13 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since this arrest, five additional juveniles have been arrested and accused of being involved in homicides in Austin and Travis County this year. KXAN analyzed various crime data specific to juveniles in Travis County to learn more about whether theres a recent trend in Central Texas of younger people being accused of certain types of violent crimes. Its very sad when a child as young as 13 is accused of a terrible crime. Because the question becomes, how did this child get in a situation in which theyre making the kinds of decisions that result in life or death for the community? said Claire Carter, an attorney with Claire Carter Legal Services, who KXAN interviewed in April after the teens arrest. According to an APD news release about the 13-year-olds arrest, police executed a residential search warrant and found multiple extended-capacity pistol magazines linked to the murder weapon in the Jan. 8 case as well as several other shootings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those other cases was a December 2023 drive-by shooting at a north Austin convenience that had nine victims ranging from 4 to 15 years old who were inside, according to APD. The 13-year-old juvenile was arrested and charged with murder, as well as five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. APD said a second juvenile was also arrested in connection with the drive-by shooting. DATA: Juvenile violent offense arrests in Travis County Each year from 2019 to 2023, there wasnt more than one arrest of a juvenile aged 13-14 in Travis County on a homicide charge, according to data from the Texas Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Reporting, or UCR, system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus far in 2024, the UCR data shows three of the six juveniles facing homicide charges in Travis County were 13-14 years old. In addition to an increase in younger teens being accused of homicides this year, juveniles aged 13-14 were arrested in Travis County more than any other age group among other types of offenses where there was a victim of violence, a weapon was used or a there was a victim in the course of a robbery. Chart showing the breakdown of juvenile arrests by age and offense in Travis County thus far in 2024. Source: Texas Department of Public Safetys Uniform Crime Reporting system (KXAN Interactive/Dalton Huey) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KXAN spoke with Melanie Soderstrom, an expert in the juvenile justice system and an assistant professor and pre-law advisor with the Texas State University School of Criminal Justice and Criminology about juvenile crime trends. Soderstrom explained one theory for why Travis County is seeing a rise in younger people being accused of assault-related offenses could be due to a new Texas law enacted in 2023 that requires an officer or armed guard be placed in all public schools, which for the first time included elementary schools. Florida did something similar, and we saw an increase in referrals to police in schools, which of course lots of time will lead to formal arrests in students, Soderstrom stated. However, Soderstrom also acknowledged that her theory for why we may be seeing an increase in younger people committing violent crimes wouldnt typically apply to homicide or robbery-related offenses as those types of crimes dont usually occur in school settings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KXAN reached out to the Travis County District Attorneys Office, which oversees juvenile courts, and asked whether the cases being filed in the office show similar trends related to younger people being arrested on violent offenses and what its office is doing to work with juveniles in the community and schools to prevent further juvenile crime. KXAN will update this story once we receive a response. Statewide numbers in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department Alex Piquero, a criminologist and professor at the University of Miami, explained that crime in general across the country among both juveniles and adults for most offenses is at or below pre-pandemic levels and still remains much lower than the peaks of the early 90s. While this may be the case for most crimes in general across the country, according to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, there has been a major shift in the profile of youth committed and admitted to TJJD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shift in youth committed to TJJD specifically referred to juveniles in the system for homicides and crimes involving firearms. From 2018 to 2023, TJJD data shows homicide referrals doubled and firearms offenses increased by 50%. Charts showing the number of juvenile referrals sent to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for homicides and for offenses involving firearms for each fiscal year from 2018 2023. Source: Texas Juvenile Justice Department. (KXAN Interactive/Dalton Huey) In FY 2023 an unprecedented 8% (1 in 12) of admitted youth committed murder, according to TJJD. In response to the TJJD numbers specific to firearm-related offenses, Piquero stated I think that the firearm issue is still a real problem for juveniles/young adults AND it is heightened by race/ethnic differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KXAN spoke with Soderstrom about possible solutions to combat the firearm issue among juveniles. Nationwide we are seeing some trends as to trying to pass more laws to address parental responsibility when it comes to child access to firearms, Soderstrom said. Soderstrom references recent school shootings in the U.S. where the parents were charged with crimes as well as the child, indicating the parents are now being held to a certain degree of responsibility for their childrens acts and access to firearms. The law Soderstrom is referencing is the Child-Access Prevention & Safe Storage law, or CAP law, something that Texas implemented in 1999. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Texas Penal Code, it is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. An offense under this law is Class A misdemeanor only if a child under the age of 17 discharges the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury to himself or another person. According to RAND, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization, Texas is among the 37 states that have implemented CAP laws. However, whether the criminal offense is classified as a misdemeanor or felony varies by state. Due to strict juvenile confidentiality laws in Texas, its often difficult, if not impossible, to obtain details surrounding crimes involving juveniles, how and where a firearm was obtained and the outcome of criminal cases brought against them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. MORGANTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Morganton man caught with drugs and guns while violating a parole order was sentenced to nearly two decades behind bars on Thursday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of North Carolina announced. 27-year-old Morganton resident Scottie Frady will serve 17 years behind bars after pleading guilty in December of 2023 to gun and drug-related charges. Court records stated that in May of 2023, Frady violated a post-release supervision agreement and when a warrant was served at his home law enforcement found meth and two loaded guns. A machine gun and an AR-style pistol belonging to Frady were seized from another residence, records showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Members of Morgantown City Council (from left) Jennifer Selin, Mayor Joe Abu-Ghannam and Danielle Trumble, discuss a camping ban that council passed in September. The council voted Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, not to repeal it, opting to put the measure on the ballot during the April city election. (City of Morgantown Youtube) Voters in Morgantown will decide the future of a law that would impose fines and jail time on homeless people sleeping on its streets and in public places. Morgantown City Council on Wednesday voted four to three not to repeal its camping ban, opting instead to put the measure on the ballot for the next city election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After city council passed the camping ban in September, the Morgantown Coalition for Housing Action successfully petitioned to have it repealed or put it on the ballot during a city election. The ordinance which is not in effect prohibits camping on any public property including streets, parks and trails and also prohibits storing personal property in public areas. Second and third violations of the law are punishable by fines of $200 and $300 and/or 30 days in jail, respectively. When she proposed the ban, Councilwoman Louise Michael argued that homelessness has become an immediate and serious safety and health issue in the city. During Wednesday evenings meeting, several opponents of the ban spoke against it, asking council members to repeal the ordinance, and promising to vote against it if they didnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgantown resident Stephanie Hunt said her own neighborhood has been affected by homelessness, and while people agree that it should be addressed, they disagree about how. Criminalizing those who are homeless doesnt solve the problem, it punishes people for their circumstances, Hunt said. Homelessness is driven by factors like poverty, mental illness, drug addiction and lack of affordable housing. We should be addressing these issues and causes, not targeting people experiencing homelessness. Councilwoman Danielle Trumble moved to repeal the ordinance. She said shed recently attended information sessions about homelessness at a National League of Cities conference. It has been really hammered into me, especially at that conference, that homelessness is a housing problem, Trumble said. Its not a substance abuse problem. Its not a mental health problem. Its not a poverty problem. Those things exacerbate and are factors that definitely play into that, but at the end of the day, we dont have places for people to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgantown has a 28-bed shelter. Trumble said officials are working on plans for a warming shelter that would have 22 more beds. The city has about 150 homeless people, she said. Councilwoman Jennifer Selin, who voted for the camping ban in September, said officials have compassion for people who are homeless but are balancing concerns about sharing the use of the citys downtown and trail system and having clean recreational spaces for people. I believe in having a viable community where our space is shared and clean and usable, she said. In an email to West Virginia Watch Thursday, Michael wrote that it will be up to the voters and community to decide how to move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anna Saab, a representative of Morgantown Coalition for Housing Action, wrote in an email to West Virginia Watch Friday that they are disappointed with that council continues to ignore the will of the community, but said theyre prepared to recruit and support new leaders who are responsive to constituents. Well support and work alongside candidates for wards 2, 4, and 6, as all three of the incumbents were instrumental in the passage of this ordinance and refused to repeal this cruel and expensive ordinance, she wrote. Councilors declined to repeal the camping ban ordinance even after more than 3,000 residents signed the referendum petition asking that they do sonearly double the number of residents who voted for ANY of the current councilors. As before, well continue to provide direct aid to everyone who needs it, support the monthly mutual aid fairs, and work together with other community stakeholders to improve our housing systems for ALL, she said. Morgantown is one of at least four cities in West Virginia that have passed camping bans in the months since the United States Supreme Court ruled in late June that a similar ban in Grants Pass, Oregon does not violate the Constitutions ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Bluefield, Clarksburg and Princeton have also passed camping bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgantowns next city election is planned for April 2025. This story has been updated with comments from Anna Saab, a representative from Morgantown Coalition for Housing Action. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MSNBCs Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski recently took a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, billing it as regular, run-of-the-mill journalism. But behind the scenes, some say the Morning Joe co-hosts are petrified of retribution, as Puck reporter Dylan Byers sources put it. Thats general retributionfor things like comparing Trump to Hitlerand targeted retribution, for a conspiracy theory, which Trumps attorney general pick, Matt Gaetz, believes: that two-plus decades ago, Scarborough murdered one of his congressional interns, 28-year-old Lori Klausutis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klausutis worked for the anchor when he served as the representative for Floridas 1st Congressional District (incidentally, Gaetzs old seat). She died in Scarboroughs office after passing out and hitting her head, the result of what the coroner determined was an undiagnosed heart condition. Scarborough wasnt even in the state when Klausutis died, and her death was ruled an accident. Nonetheless, the conspiracy may have come to Trumps attention thanks to Gaetz, who once showed up at the Oval Office with a folder full of printouts framing Scarborough. After that meeting, Trump started tweeting with abandon about the alleged murder, posts Twitter eventually removed under pressure from Klausutis' widower. Late last month, Scarborough brought up the conspiracy on Morning Joe when he spoke out against Trump, saying: When Donald Trump decided to attack me because he didnt like my COVID coverage and he lied about a woman who worked in my office and claimed that we were involved and that I had her killed, and her husband, the widowed husband, begged him to stop lying because of the excruciating pain that it put her parents through and put him throughthe fact that he had not been able to move on for 25 years because of the lies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They could not find rest or peace, he added, and Donald Trump didnt care. He just kept doing it because he didnt care what the family thought. He didnt care what the husband thought. He didnt care [about] the people whose grief he was only making worse. Even though theres no truth to the allegation, Brzezinski and Scarborough are worried that in a new Trump administration, Gaetz will make their lives a living hell, Puck reports, just because he can. (An MSNBC spokesperson denied to Puck that any fear of retribution motivated the hosts trip to Mar-a-Lago.) CNNs Brian Stelter notes that Trump and his lieutenants have repeatedly threatened revenge against their enemies and opponents, members of the press included. Just last week, former White House adviser Steve Bannon advised MSNBC specifically, Preserve your documents. He also mentioned several employees by name, warning producers they should lawyer up. Threats aside, MSNBC viewers and staffers alike have trashed the couples decision to meet with Trump, one network regular reportedly telling Stelter: Not since Bezos refused to endorse did a news outlet so betray and misread its audience. MSNBCs Morning Joe on Thursday aired a supercut of President-elect Donald Trumps attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz insulting some of the very senators whose votes he will now depend on to confirm him in his new job. The former Florida congressmans confirmation prospects have been hurt by lingering questions around allegations of wrongdoing including having sex with a minorclaims which Gaetz has always denied. Trump said this week that he is not reconsidering Gaetz as his choice for AG but he may have trouble convincing even loyal lawmakers to support the move, particularly given some of the personal attacks Gaetz has launched against his colleagues in the past. Introducing the montage of Gaetzs insults, which first aired on The Beat on Wednesday night, Morning Joe co-host Willie Geist noted that Gaetz is not popular among his colleagues on Capitol Hill given his history of insulting lawmakers including those who will vote on his nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The supercut opened with Gaetz speaking to Tucker Carlson on Fox News about Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME). We have Murkowski and Collins rejecting the duties that they have as senators, Gaetz says in the footage. And if they do that, their voters should reject them. It then showed Gaetz mentioning Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) after saying speaking of fools, and claiming that Sen. Mitch McConnells (R-KY) 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 also threw barbs at others, including Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Cornyn (R-TX), in the clips. I counted eight, Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough said after the supercut ended, holding up eight fingers. Thats eight right there! And those are recent insults. Yeah, eight senators that hes trashed, Geist replied. And those are just the ones in that moment, hes done a lot more of that. A woman identified as Jane Doe told police that she was assaulted by Pete Hegseth, a Fox News anchor nominated by Donald Trump to serve as secretary of defense, at a Republican womens conference in 2017. News of the accusations first surfaced last week, but the full 22-page police report was obtained by Mediaite on Wednesday, revealing the horrific extent of Hegseths alleged actions. Police were only made aware of the assault after Doe, 30, submitted herself to a hospital for a rape exam some four days after the alleged attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doe told police that she first spoke with Hegseth, a speaker at the convention in Monterey, California, on the final night of the conference, when she said she saw him flirting with and placing his hand on the legs of women who were drinking in a suite. She said that witnessing this compelled her to tell Hegseth that she did not appreciate how he treated women, according to the report. Two different women reported the same eyewitness accounts to police, claiming they also saw Hegseth placing his hands on women. One woman who worked at the conference said she called Doe over to act as a buffer between Hegseth and the other women. After the bar closed, Doe and Hegseth had an argument outside by the hotel pool, in which Doe reprimanded Hegseth for being loud and belligerent, according to the report. A staffer reported that around 1:30 a.m., the hotel received multiple complaints about a couple fighting by the pool. When he attempted to speak with them, Hegseth began to curse and complained that he had freedom of speech, according to the report. The report notes that Doe explained they were Republicans and apologized for Hegseths behavior to the staff member. The staff member believed that Hegseth was very drunk, though Hegseth denied that in his interview with police, insisting that he was instead buzzed. After the pool, Doe said her memory became fuzzy. She had been drinking and believed that someone had slipped something in her drink, according to the report. The next thing she remembered, she told police, was being in an unknown room, where Hegseth took her phone and used his body to block the door to the exit when she tried to leave. She told police she said no a lot, but in the next moment, she was on a bed or a couch with Hegseth above her. She recalled his dog tags hovering over her face. He ejaculated on her stomach, threw her a towel, and told Doe to clean it up, according to her recollection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doe did not remember how she got back to her own room that night. In a second call with police, she told them that she has suffered from nightmares and memory loss since that night. Another person told police Doe would cry secretly and out of the blue. Hegseth, through his attorney, repeatedly denied the accusations, claiming that the sex was consensual. This police report confirms what I have said all along that the incident was fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed, Tim Parlatore, Hegseths attorney, told Mediaite in a statement. In a statement to The Washington Post on Saturday, Parlatore said that Hegseth had paid his accuser in exchange for her signing a nondisclosure agreement in order to stop her from filing a lawsuit and to protect his position at Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A friend of Does reportedly shared details of the attack to Trumps transition team in a memo last week. In a statement, Trump Communications Director Steven Cheung told NPR that Trump had every intention of keeping Hegseth on board for the upcoming administration. Mr. Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed, Cheung told 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. Rhode Island Hospital receives a B grade in the Leapfrog Groups biannual hospital safety grades. The grade is an improvement after a series of C's from the nonprofit. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Four Rhode Island hospitals Newport, Miriam, South County and Westerly received top marks in the fall report from Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit that grades hospitals on safety. The Washington, D.C.-based Leapfrog assigns hospitals letter grades based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as well as Leapfrogs own surveys. Rhode Islands hospitals didnt perform much differently than they did in spring 2024 (The Miriam and Newport have consistently earned As the past two years), with two notable exceptions. Westerlys A is its first since 2022. Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, which has received nine consecutive A grades, dropped to a B. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kent Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital also received B grades. The embattled Our Lady of Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center both earned C grades. Rhode Islands hospitals collectively ranked seventh nationwide. South County Hospitals good report card was a boon to Dr. Kevin Charpentier, the vice president and chief medical officer at South County Health, the hospitals parent company. Its more than a score its a promise to our community of prioritizing the highest level of patient care, Charpentier wrote in an email. The score was also a bit of good news amid an ongoing dispute between the hospitals administration and its staff. A September letter sent by doctors and nurses to the South County Healths board of trustees detailed escalating tensions between providers and management, with doctor resignations, service cuts and growing patient backlogs among the signatories concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landmarks B left its CEO Mike Souza disappointed. We take quality very seriously and our team has already put plans in place to address the areas needing improvement, Souza said in an emailed response to Rhode Island Current. Our community will continue to receive great care and our expectation is that we will return to an A grade in the near future. Leapfrog aggregates 30 metrics to assess how well hospitals care for patients as well as prevent bad outcomes, like infections and falls. The grades are given to roughly 3,000 hospitals, not including VA hospitals or childrens hospitals. Hospitals that lack enough data for multiple metrics are also excluded. Lisa P. Tomasso, senior vice president of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island, said via email that the trade group was pleased with the states performance. But she added that the grades, while insightful, are not comprehensive, as they exclude factors like social determinants of health, community-level health challenges, and systemic issues like Medicaid reimbursement rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But grades still hold value. Robert Hackey, a professor of health sciences at Providence College, said that hospitals that dont do well tend to poke holes in whatever rating methodology thats used. If you look at the hospitals in Rhode Island, for the most part, were performing very well, Hackey said. Yeah, we obviously have two low performers. Its Fatima and Roger Williams. And theres a common thread there. Theyre both owned by Prospect and theyre both for-profit institutions, yeah. And they both struggle. A representative for CharterCARE Health Partners, the Rhode Island subsidiary for Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, did not respond to requests for comment. Facing growing debt, Prospect has sought to unload many of the hospitals in its portfolio, including the two safety net hospitals in Rhode Island. A proposal to sell Roger Williams and Fatima to a new, nonprofit owner, received conditional approval from state regulators in June, but the status of financing required to complete the transaction is unclear. Hackey said its a bad sign when hospitals ignore questions on Leapfrogs survey something both Fatima and Roger Williams Medical Center did when it came to inquiries about nursing and leadership. Our Lady of Fatima Hospitals C grade is indicative of ongoing quality issues at Prospect Medical Holdings hospitals in Rhode Island, says Providence College Professor Robert Hackey. (Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) Meanwhile hospitals owned by the states largest health care system Brown University Health, formerly Lifespan Corporation all performed well. Rhode Island Hospital, the states flagship hospital, received a B grade despite demonstrating below-average prevention rates of blood and urinary tract infections and falls causing broken hips, as well as less-than-stellar marks for hospital leadership and communication about medicines with patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2021, Rhode Island Hospital has received C grades more often than not. The B is evidence that things are improving, said Dr. Dean Roye, senior vice president for medical affairs and chief medical officer at the hospital. The Leapfrog grades help us pinpoint areas to work on, Roye said. He added that a reorganization of quality and safety departments across Brown Healths properties was another factor in Rhode Island Hospitals improved grade. But Hackey is eyeing another Brown property, the A-graded Miriam, for a surgery he has scheduled for December. He explained with a laugh that checking the Leapfrog ratings was one of the first things he did when deciding where to have his surgery. The goal of this is to have a more educated healthcare consumer, he said. Above average results Leapfrog uses the percentage of A grade hospitals in a state to determine a states national ranking. Almost 61% of Utahs hospitals received A grades, giving it the top slot nationwide. The top 10 states all sported at least 40% A grade hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An A grade indicates hospitals that prioritize safety, said Alex Campione, program analyst for the Leapfrog Group, who noted that about 32% of hospitals nationwide achieved this grade. Rhode Island was over the national average with 44% of its hospitals receiving an A grade. Each year more than 250,000 people will die in hospitals due to preventable errors, injuries, accidents, and infections, Campione said. We estimate that, at the very least, 50,000 of those lives could be saved if all hospitals performed like A hospitals. Rhode Island placed fourth nationwide in Leapfrogs spring 2024 scores, also with 44% at an A grade, but it was pushed out of the top five this time around by three states that rose with higher grades: California, North Carolina and Connecticut. Connecticut was the only other New England state to crack the top 10. Vermont fared worst of all, and was ranked 48th nationwide, tying for last place with North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa. There was not a single A grade hospital in any of these states. Grading the graders But a bad report card might not be the final word on a hospitals quality. A 2019 article in New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst graded the graders, and gave Leapfrog a C-, the second lowest of the four systems reviewed. The study noted that Leapfrog had a detailed framework for measurement, with a unique focus on the hospitals culture of safety. But it also relied on its proprietary survey for a good chunk of its data a problem, the authors thought, since Leapfrog grades hospitals the same regardless of whether they complete the survey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Karl Bilimoria of the Indiana University School of Medicine, who chairs the schools surgery department and leads its Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, led the 2019 study. He wrote in an email Tuesday to Rhode Island Current that Leapfrogs efforts still leave something to be desired. Leapfrog has many issues with their methodology and their general approach that persist and they have been the least receptive to improvement suggestions and the least adaptive to changes in the science of quality measurement, Bilimoria wrote. Asked about Bilimorias idea that Leapfrog is not responsive to suggestions, spokesperson Lula Hailesilassie said by email that the public is regularly invited to submit feedback on proposed changes to its surveys. Comments on the 2025 survey are open through Dec. 13, 2024. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Months after a woman was hit and killed on an Albuquerque street, the victims family is still looking for justice. The Albuquerque Police Department is also renewing its call for help, trying to track down whoever was behind the wheel. The body of 35-year-old Jeneva Salazar was found near Harper Drive and San Mateo Boulevard on Sunday, June 16. According to a witness, Salazar was hit by a dark, two-door vehicle with a front license plate that fled the scene. Police have not yet identified the driver. Cynthia Madrid, Salazars mother, is hoping she may finally get answers. Just come forward. Please, just come forward, said Madrid. She was an amazing person. She was funny. She was smart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man arrested for deadly shooting at northern New Mexico house party, state police say Madrid remembers her daughter as someone who was always looking out for others and who loved tattoos and music. Its just been really hard. Hard to get through, said Madrid. The Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of $2,500 for any tips that can help solve the case. We know somebody knows something, and we just want them to come forward. You dont have to say who you are. You can do it anonymously, said Madrid. Madrid says she has a message for those responsible for her daughters death: I need to see you, and I need to forgive you. If it was an accident, whatever the circumstances are, said Madrid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information about this case, contact Crime Stoppers at 505-843-7867 or online at this 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) A teenager has been found guilty of first-degree murder after a three-day bench trial. In 2022, Tyjohn Williams shot Kristian Philpotts after he picked the Urbana teenager up for a Lyft ride. It took three years for Philpotts mother to see a guilty verdict for his death. READ MORE: Teenager found guilty in 2022 murder of Urbana Lyft driver It was tough, you know, reliving the last day of his life, his last moments, Philpotts mother Marla Rice said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams was 16 years old when he and two other teens got a Lyft ride from Philpotts. He shot the driver, and then ran off after the car crashed. Philpotts drove for the ride sharing company to help pay his way through school. Rice said she had never seen her sons killer in person before Wednesdays court decision. When I got in there, I just, you know, I sat down and I just listened because (there were) some answers that I needed, Rice said. PREVIOUSLY: Champaign Co. judge awards $44M to family of slain Lyft driver But there is one answer she still doesnt have why her son was shot. This was one of the most kindhearted, hardworking, determined people, smartest (people) that you would ever know, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rice never got a reason from her sons killer. Shes thankful for Wednesdays verdict, but challenges are still ahead. Now, I have to learn how to live without my oldest child, she said, learn how to adjust my other children without their older sibling. Williams was charged as an adult when he was 16 and is now 19. Rice said her son wouldve been done with veterinary school at the University of Illinois within that time. Would he be a father by now? she said. You know, we were robbed. Williams fled to Georgia after the shooting where police found him two months later. The two other teens involved made a plea deal to testify against Williams. They both got probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas (KETK) The Mount Pleasant City Council voted to cut longevity pay in half on Tuesday night, a bonus many city employees receive during the holiday season. EXCLUSIVE: Texas woman falsely accused for death of Peanut the Squirrel breaks her silence According to the citys website, each full-time employee should have received ten dollars for every month employed. For example, if an employee has worked for 12 months, they would receive a 120-dollar bonus at the end of the year however council members voted Tuesday night to cut it in half from 10 dollars to five. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Full-time employees receive $120 per year longevity pay [that is] paid at the end of the year, the City of Mount Pleasants website said. Longevity pay begins after completion of one year of service to the City. The Mount Pleasant Law Enforcement Association and the Professional Firefighters of Mount Pleasant Local 5069 posted statements expressing their disappointment with the city councils decision. The Professional Firefighters of Mount Pleasant express deep disappointment in the city councils decision tonight regarding longevity pay. This decision is particularly troubling given that the funding for longevity pay had already been allocated in this years budget. This does not only affect our members, but employees city wide. Our department is already operating with inadequate staffing, has not received a cost-of-living adjustment, and is now facing reductions in longevity pay. These challenges raise serious concerns about the future. Professional Firefighters of Mount Pleasant Local 5069 The Mount Pleasant Law Enforcement Association is deeply disappointed by the City Councils recent decision regarding longevity pay. The funding for this benefit was already allocated in the budget, and as stated on the City of Mount Pleasant website, Full-time employees receive $120 per year in longevity pay, paid at the end of the year. This year has already posed significant financial challenges for everyone, especially with the absence of cost-of-living adjustments. The City of Mount Pleasant must rectify this decision for the dedicated employees who have faithfully served this community. Legal representation has been consulted. Mount Pleasant Law Enforcement Association Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking for a Thanksgiving meal? Heres where to find food distributions in East Texas The post quickly sparked frustration within the community and people outside the city. Members of the Mount Pleasant Police Department said they were expecting the checks to go out this week and claim the money had already been allocated in the citys budget, adding many employees use it to pay for Christmas for their family. The police and fire departments met with the city manager who told them the city council were reconsidering their decision and would be fixing the longevity pay cut during their meeting on Tuesday. Officials with the departments said if the issue was not resolved, they would move forward with legal action. KETK reached out to the city for a comment who declined, saying no one was available to speak. For now, all city employees can do is hope the council will go through with giving them their full longevity checks, but until then, they are expecting to receive half of what they were already promised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. I've had to adjust to cultural differences between Italy and the US. Miranda Mullings I grew up in the US but moved to Italy in my 20s. I now split my time between the two. There are pros and cons to living in Italy. I don't love the slower pace of life. I'm also a homebody and haven't adjusted to many Italians' active social lives. I moved to Italy in my 20s after a summer study abroad in Rome during my senior year of college. What I thought would be a few months of living "la dolce vita" in the historic city turned into much more after I met my husband and my internship turned into a full-time job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven years later, I split my time between my first home, the US, and my second, Italy. Despite calling the US my real home, living overseas has changed my mindset, and I experience culture shock every time I transition between countries. The biggest cultural differences are in everyday life A big part of the "la dolce vita" concept is that life moves slower. Who doesn't love the idea of unlimited coffee breaks, shorter working hours, and August spent beachside? In reality, it's not so pleasant at times. I'm lucky if I can finish a task in a day. Italy isn't as "online" as the US, so you're better off going to a place in person rather than trying to call or email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I was trying to sign up for the national healthcare system, I went to the address listed on Google Maps, only to find an unmarked building with a locked door. I waited for someone to come out so I could sneak in, and thankfully, I was able to find the registration office. But contrary to Google Maps, it was only open from 10 a.m. to noon three days a week, so I was out of luck and had to return another day. Even after living in Italy for years, it's difficult for me to settle into this slower pace, especially in the weeks after returning from the US. Daily life back in the US is much more convenient and it requires less energy to get things done. I'll take the DMV over an Italian post office any day. It's difficult to adjust to what's socially acceptable in each country Despite being a city of more than 2.5 million people, Rome feels like a cluster of small villages. Locals tend to live, work, eat, and shop in their neighborhoods, and everyone knows everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The close-knit community made it hard for me, as an outsider, to fit in at first. This was even more difficult because I wasn't used to some of the social norms in Italy, where asking personal questions and openly staring at others aren't considered rude like in the US. People would probe me in the beginning, asking about how my family accepted me living so far from home. I remember calling my mom one day crying after walking through the neighborhood and feeling like all eyes were on me. I've become more comfortable in Italy over the years, especially after I became fluent in Italian, which significantly boosted my self-confidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italian culture has also changed my perspective on what's socially acceptable in the US. If Italian society is overbearing, American society can feel a bit isolating. In the US, I sometimes find myself accidentally overstaying my welcome or oversharing. I've also come to find it odd how easy it is to break a social bond. It only takes one wrong move to be ghosted, even by a friend. This starkly contrasts the "village" mentality in Italy, where most relationships are long-lasting. Friends can yell at each other in the street one second and then make up and go for gelato the next. It's hard to get used to the different living spaces in Italy and the US After all these years, I still haven't adjusted to how little time Italians spend in their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The traditional Italian home, which is pretty tiny, isn't designed for people to spend a lot of time in. As a result, people spend most of their free time socializing outdoors. In the mornings, everyone has coffee at the bar. At lunch, colleagues go out. After work, most people have an aperitivo at their favorite watering hole. Since food and wine are relatively inexpensive, people often eat dinner out. By the time that wraps up, it's time for bed. By contrast, I've always been a homebody, which makes me the oddball out when I'm in Italy. Seeing the way Italians live, though, has left me in awe of the typical American home, which is designed to personal taste and often has private green space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I drive home from the airport in Missouri, I'm always amazed at how much wide-open green space there is. Italy can be challenging, and I know I'll never stop being surprised by the cultural quirks, but I feel fortunate to have the best of both in my life. Read the original article on Business Insider The Republican-led House Oversight Committee announced plans Thursday to form a new subcommittee to work alongside the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, the meme-based advisory group led by right-wing propaganda czar Elon Musk and failed presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The subcommittee will be headed by the person least interested in actually governing in all of Congress: Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a source familiar told Fox News Digital. The proposed House subcommittee is expected to investigate government spending and organization in federal agencies, posturing as if it will slash bureaucratic red tape while actually making it much harder for the government to get anything done at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramaswamy confirmed to Fox News Digital that he had met with House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer and Greene to discuss the new subcommittee. Looking forward to working together with Congress, Ramaswamy wrote in a post on X Wednesday. Proper oversight of agencies & public transparency are critical. Musk and Ramaswamy published an op-ed about their plans for the department on Wednesday, outlining their scheme to slash the federal budget and the essential services it providessuch as public broadcasting, Planned Parenthood, and Medicare and Medicaidwith the hopes of cutting government spending by $2 trillion by July 2026 to make life more expensive and miserable for every single U.S. citizen, while private companies and billionaires get rich selling those products that were once provided by the government. During his first term as president, Donald Trump took a bold if controversial approach to the Middle East. He moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, forged landmark deals between Israel and some Arab states and tore up the international nuclear deal with Iran. He imposed his will using a transactional style of diplomacy and the muscle of American power, even when it meant defying international consensus and brushing aside Palestinian concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But experts say that blunt strategy may not work this time around, particularly as international attention has refocused on the plight of Palestinians and criticism of Israel is rising. Read more: What war? For some in Beirut, blocking out the Israel-Hezbollah conflict is just survival The Middle East is a vastly different place since Trump left office in 2021. Wars are now raging in Gaza and Lebanon as Israel presses on with its attempts to destroy Hamas and Hezbollah. Those conflicts are threatening to trigger a wider war that would pit the United States and Israel against Iran and its proxies. Israel and Iran have fired rockets into each other's territory in recent months amid a buildup of U.S. troops in the region. Israeli military vehicles pass a cartoon sign of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in northern Israel on Wednesday. (Ohad Zwigenberg / Associated Press) The multitude of crises proved too thorny for President Biden to resolve. His diplomatic ineffectiveness has led some Middle East countries to find room for solace in a Trump Presidency 2.0. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the Gulf, everybody is saying Welcome back, Trump. Weve been waiting for you for the past four years, said Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a political scientist from the United Arab Emirates. He added that Bidens inability to contain and stop the war in Gaza and now Lebanon made Gulf governments see him as weak. They want a strong president in Washington whom they can trust, and who can deliver," he said. "The feeling here is We know who Trump is, we know how to deal with him. And he knows us.'" U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 23. (Nathan Howard / Associated Press) As president the first time, Trump found common cause with many Middle Eastern potentates, forgoing criticism of their human rights records. He and his family members have also deepened business ties with the Gulf, sometimes through real estate deals. Saudi Arabia has invested $2 billion into Affinity Partners, a private equity firm run by Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. The centerpiece of Trump's foreign policy achievements in the Middle East is the Abraham Accords, the historic agreement he brokered in 2020 that established diplomatic relations between Israel and the Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan without conditioning them on Palestinian statehood or Israeli concessions to the Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has said he intends to expand the accords, and the main prize would be Saudi Arabia, which at one time appeared open to a deal with Israel that would also include a defense pact with the U.S. and support for the oil-rich kingdom to build a civilian-use nuclear reactor. But then on Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and spurring an Israeli invasion of Gaza that authorities there say has killed nearly 44,000 people. The war has made the prospect of a deal considerably harder. Though Saudi Arabia is not a democracy, its leaders cannot afford to ignore public sentiment, which has turned sharply against Israel. "The horror of Gaza and Lebanon has inflamed public opinion, and made any normalization much more difficult," said Ali Shihabi, a Saudi commentator close to the royal court. Saudi Arabia now insists that any agreement would be contingent on "an irreversible track" toward the creation of a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The kingdom will not cease its tireless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without one," Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is viewed as the country's de facto ruler, said in an address to his advisory council in September. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Wasil, permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at U.N. headquarters on Tuesday. (Yuki Iwamura / Associated Press) In a speech during a summit of Arab and Islamic nations this month in Riyadh, Bin Salman delivered his harshest remarks yet about the Gaza war, castigating Israel for what he described as its "collective genocide" against "the brotherly Palestinian people." At the same time, Israel may be less willing to bargain, especially with Trump in the White House, if his first time is any indication. Besides moving the U.S. Embassy and recognizing Israels sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, he pushed for the so-called Deal of the Century, a peace plan that would have left the Palestinians without a state and allowed Israel to annex wide swaths of the occupied West Bank. He also took a more belligerent tack with Israels regional nemesis Iran, pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal, levying wide-ranging sanctions and assassinating the country's top general, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Israeli leaders appeared jubilant when Trump won the U.S. election this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Quiet dismay, open glee: U.S. adversaries, allies around world react to historic Trump win Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who dismisses the notion of a Palestinian state, now appears poised to consolidate control over Palestinian territory. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich celebrated Trump's win and ordered preparations for the annexation of the West Bank, declaring on X that 2025 would be "the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria the biblical name Israel uses for the occupied territory. Meanwhile, Trump has chosen hard-line pro-Israel figures to key diplomatic posts that would deal with the Middle East. His pick for ambassador to Israel, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, rejects Palestinian claims to land and sovereignty. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump talks with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee during a roundtable Oct. 29 in Drexel Hill, Pa. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Associated Press) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, Palestinians may have room for hope compared with Biden, said Mouin Rabbani, an analyst and fellow at the Doha, Qatar-based Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies. He pointed out that Biden didnt reverse any of Trumps Israel policies or manage to bring about a lasting cease-fire and that Trump might try to wield his leverage with Netanyahu in a more forceful fashion to bring an end to the fighting. A peace deal with the Palestinians would go some way in undercutting the influence of Iran, which has funded and armed groups in Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen while competing for regional supremacy with Saudi Arabia. Read more: This Lebanese American billionaire and Trump are in-laws. Will that help bring peace to Lebanon? The equation, however, has changed in another important way. Arab leaders once welcomed Trump's more aggressive stance toward Iran. But China recently brokered detente between Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Iran. Bin Salman in the same speech in which he condemned Israel's war on Gaza called on the international community to compel Israel to respect Irans sovereignty and not to attack [Iranian] territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gulf leaders are also wary of relying too much on the U.S. to defend against any Iranian attack. Paramount in their thinking is Iran's 2019 drone and missile attack on Abqaiq, the Saudi oil refinery complex. The Trump administration responded by increasing economic sanctions on Iran but did little else. In this Sept. 18, 2019 photo, journalists film what Col. Turki al-Malki, a Saudi military spokesman, said was evidence of Iranian weaponry used in the attack that targeted Saudi Aramco's facilities in Abqaiq and Khurais, during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Amr Nabil / Associated Press) "Nobody minds American pressure to make Iran give up its nuclear weapons," Shihabi said. "But they dont want America to provoke Iran and then lose interest." Trump has repeatedly expressed his aversion to foreign adventures, claiming that his first administration did not embroil the U.S. in conflicts abroad and that neither the war in Ukraine nor Gaza would have started under his watch. Experts said he will be reluctant to enter an all-out conflagration in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, he has donors from Israel and an evangelical constituency, Rabbani said. But he doesnt want to be the president who after Iraq and Afghanistan is the one who gets the U.S. involved in another land war in the Middle East with Iran. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis say more snow flurries are soon headed for Central Indiana Thursday thanks to a cold front that's already blanketed some areas with up to 1.5 inches of snowfall. By late Thursday evening, local meteorologists believe the Indianapolis metro area could see an additional 1-2 inches of snow, the heaviest of which could fall right as Hoosiers leave work and drive into rush hour traffic, possibly impacting their commute. Forecasters have urged motorists to drive cautiously, as some roadways and overpasses could become slick. Here's what Hoosiers living in Central Indiana can expect. How much snow could Indianapolis, Indiana get? Meteorologist Mike Ryan said forecasters believe it's possible some parts of Central Indiana could see up to three inches of snow by Thursday's end, which includes the Indianapolis metro area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Most of Central Indiana will probably see 1-2 inches of snow in addition to what we already had earlier," Ryan told IndyStar. "If you combine what fell Thursday morning with what we're expecting, some areas will probably end up with close to three inches of snow when it's all said and done." Ryan added the majority of snow will likely accumulate on grassy or elevated surfaces, but couldn't rule out slush building up along some roadways. Snow is now overspreading much of central Indiana with additional snowfall accumulations of 1-2 inches expected through this evening. Locally higher amounts cannot be ruled out. Some slick spots on roads are possible, especially on bridges and less traveled roads. #INwx pic.twitter.com/37ouLHn6qG NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) November 21, 2024 Will the next round of snow be light or heavy? Early Thursday afternoon saw light flurries across most of Central Indiana. Forecasters say Indy's metro area could see heavier flakes later in the afternoon and into the early evening. "There's going to be about a 2-3 hour window where the heaviest of the snow will fall," Ryan said. "For the metro area, we think that's going to be in the 5-8 p.m. range, which unfortunately coincides with rush hour." Live weather radar for Central Indiana 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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 on Wednesday, 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." Snow is visible Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in downtown Indianapolis. When will the snow melt? Soon. Temperatures later into the week are expected to remain cold, with highs predicted to be in the mid 40s to mid 50s Friday into Sunday. Warmer temperatures on Friday, Ryan said, will turn any lingering precipitation into rainfall. "By late Saturday, we'll see diminishing cloud cover and temperatures will return to slightly above normal by Sunday and Monday, with highs in the upper 50s," Ryan told IndyStar. "We're just going to kind of go up and down here over the next several days leading up toward Thanksgiving." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday: Snow showers, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 33. West-southwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1-3 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 13-20 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 8 a.m., then scattered rain showers between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 43. West-northwest wind 9-14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Friday night: Cloudy, with a low around 37. West-northwest wind 7-11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. West wind around 7 mph. Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. West-southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Light south wind increasing to 5-9 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Sunday night: A 50% chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South-southwest wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Monday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. South-southwest wind 7-11 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday night: A 30% chance of rain before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West-northwest wind 8-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. 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: How much snow could Indianapolis, Indiana get this week? What NWS says Credit - Sarker Protick for TIME Dhaka looks reborn after a fresh lick of paint. Though this is not your typical municipal spruce-up. The sprawling Bangladeshi capital has been festooned with garish political murals celebrating Augusts student-led ouster of reviled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed. Mile upon mile of concrete balustrades are daubed with caricatures of the deposed autocrat with fangs and devil horns, slogans extolling Gen-Z, the real heroes, and vows to flush sh-ts from our society. Its not language that sits easily with 84-year-old Muhammad Yunus, though the Nobel laureate says he can forgive the students salty exuberance. The words are very explosive, Yunus tells TIME with a chuckle. These young minds are full of ideas and ambitions and aspirations. They depicted their future in those murals and its something much greater than Bangladesh has ever seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task of turning those aspirations into reality now falls to Yunus, who was tapped to serve as chief adviser to the interim government though for all intents and purposes is Bangladeshs new leader. His job is to piece back together South Asias second biggest economy of over 170 million people and shepherd the motley band of student leaders, military generals, Islamists, and opposition politicians who forced Hasinas departure toward fresh elections. A six-pronged reform process is underway, focusing on the election system, police administration, judiciary, anti-corruption commission, public administration, and national constitution. The previous government created this environment of total oppression, denial of everything, killing at random, disappearance of people, destroying every single institution, he says. It was a fascist regime. Indeed, more than 1,500 people were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces during July and August and many more wounded. (In addition, Yunus claims 3,500 people were extrajudicially disappeared during the last 15 years of Hasinas reign.) The uprising began with peaceful demonstrations against employment quotas for regime loyalists, but a heavy-handed crackdown ignited a powderkeg of rage against inequality and political repression that brought tens of thousands of mothers and daughters, bankers and beggars, united onto the street. As protesters encircled her official residence in Dhaka, Hasina fled in a military helicopter to India, where she and her cabal of key advisers continue to rail against her ouster. Yunus revealed that he would be seeking Hasinas extradition after prosecutors issued a warrant for her part in the violence, though few believe Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would comply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only is she being hosted by India, the worst part is that shes talking, which causes a lot of problems for us, says Yunus. It makes people very unhappy to hear that voice. So this is something that we have to resolve. Yunus grew to global renown in the 1970s for pioneering poverty-reducing microcredit. What began with a single $5 loan to a woman weaving bamboo stools in his home city of Chittagong has since spread to over 100 countries. Over four decades, Yunuss Grameen Bank disbursed some $37 billion in collateral-free loans to over 10 million of the worlds poorest people. More than 94% of loans worldwide have gone to women, who suffer disproportionately from poverty and are more likely to use earnings to help their families than men. Its a lifes work that won Yunus the sobriquet banker to the poor as well as the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009, and the Congressional Gold Medal a year later. But Yunuss global fame rankled Hasina, who derided him as a bloodsucker, and her government launched over 200 legal casesincluding over alleged forgery, money laundering, and embezzlementagainst him in a bitter and bizarre vendetta. When TIME last spoke with Yunus in June, he was facing six months in prison on a sham conviction for violating Bangladeshs labor laws. But Hasinas ouster both expunged his legal travails and presented a late career change as his tormentors successor. At first, I tried to skip the responsibility, he says. I said, Find someone else. But later I said, OK, you have given your lives, your friends have given their lives, so I will do the best I can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, the octogenarian cuts a cheerful and sprightly figure despite swapping the international lecture circuit for dawn to dusk meetings. Still, its been a chaotic transition. Hasinas sudden flight left a political and security vacuum as her party, the Awami League, was purged at all levels of government and its members arrested. Practically every government institution had been politicized, engendering deep distrust of the military, courts, civil service, and especially security services. Thousands of police deserted lest they be targeted in reprisals (at least 44 officers were killed.) The basic instruments of state ground to a halt. Instead, private citizens from the opposition and Bangladeshi diaspora were summarily drafted into key roles, prompting accusations of nepotism, as the anti-establishment agitators became the new ruling class overnight. These new officials struggled to navigate a bureaucratic quagmire that often requires half-a-dozen signatures simply to send an email. For days Bangladeshs new rulers lacked the most basic facilities. Yunuss first speech to the nation was drafted on an aides iPhone. The interim governments ambiguous legality has also meant that U.S. backingas demonstrated by Yunuss meeting with President Joe Biden in Septemberhas been key to retaining the engagement of institutions such as the IMF and World Bank. But Donald Trumps impending return to the White House in January has spurred a sense of deep anxiety. In the wake of Hasinas ouster, there were sporadic attacks on Hindus and other minorities that were spun and amplified by the Awami League as evidence that radical Islamists had seized control. On Oct. 31, Trump posted on X to condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the Awami League and influential Indian Americans are understood to be lobbying Trump to impose sanctions on Bangladesh, for which the U.S. is top export destination. Compounding matters, Yunus has his own baggage with Trump, owing to his close friendship with Hillary Clinton, publicly lamenting her 2016 election defeat: Trumps win has hit us so hard that this morning I could hardly speak. I lost all strength. Still, Yunus is confident that he can find common ground with the President-elect despite their divergent worldviews. Trump is a businessman; we are in business, he says. We are not asking for free money to help us out of some crisis; we want a business partner. Reassuring global firms that Bangladesh remains open for business is a top priority. Still, the glacial pace of reform means doubts fester. A new constitution is being drawn up, yet whether Bangladesh adopts a more presidential or parliamentary system, unicameral or bicameral, is still to be thrashed out. Smaller parties are pushing for proportional representation, though secularists fear that may boost the clout of fringe religious hardliners. Then theres a question of whether the new constitution needs to be ratified by a referendum to be truly legitimate. Not to mention the fact that none of Bangladeshs existing politicians have been involved in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They formed six reform commissions without discussion with any of the political parties, says A K M Wahiduzzaman, information and technology affairs secretary of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). This is not a good sign. This is a sign of an autocratic government. Wahiduzzaman wants a timeline and roadmap to elections to be unveiled as soon as possible. Yunus wont be rushed, though. I dont have a date, he says. First we have to fix the rails so that the train goes in the right direction. But true national reconciliation may not be possible without the participation of Bangladeshs oldest political party that, at one time at least, enjoyed tremendous popular support. Today, Awami League members that remain in Bangladesh say they are being subjected to collective punishment. Zahid Maleque, who served as health minister until January, says he dares not surrender to court to answer conspiracy charges as he suffers from a heart condition and believes hed be refused bail. My passport has been canceled, my family bank account has been frozen, he tells TIME from hiding. Im a sick man. Ive not seen my family for four months. The purge has spread beyond party bigwigs. Across Dhaka, influential citizens who once flaunted their connections to the Awami League are now minimizing any ties, fearful they could be weaponized by business rivals. Human-rights groups have also raised alarm that journalists perceived as sympathetic to Hasina have been stripped of their press credentials and at least 25 charged with crimes against humanity related to the violence. Media professionals are bearing the brunt of the need for vengeance, Antoine Bernard, director of advocacy and assistance for Reporters Without Borders, said in a statement. The interim authorities must do everything in their power to end this vicious process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yunus insists everyone will receive a fair trial and that the Awami League will be welcome to contest elections once those responsible for killings and abuses are held accountable. They are as free as anybody else to participate, he says. Well fight them on political grounds. Yunus is also determined to recapture some of the reported billions of dollars that the Awami League has siphoned out of the country. He says that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has offered to share the blocs mechanisms for rooting out corruption in aspirant members. Every country that we talk to has offered support to get the money back, says Yunus. They have done it before in other situations. Yet human-rights advocates believe that the incorporation of Islamist elements into the interim administration augurs diminishing space for minorities. For all its legion of faults, the Hasina regime kept a lid on extremism and had even tabled a transgender protection law. But one of the first actions the interim government took was to rescind a ban on Bangladeshs main Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami. Ho Chi Minh Islam, a Dhaka-based nurse and transgender rights activist, says that religious hardliners within the student movement have made LGBTQ+ people fear for their safety. Senior figures in the interim government have spoken out against our community, she tells TIME. All we want is safety and security. Women were at the forefront of the uprising yet are sparsely represented in the interim government, whose six reform commissions are all led by men. Im disappointed, Im enraged, says Samantha Sharmin, a graduate of Dhaka Universitys Fine Arts Department who was a prominent figure in the protests. I dont know what happened. Women were the main force turning this protest into an uprising. We want women and young people to be central in politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a race to enact meaningful reforms before the clamor for elections reaches fever pitch. In September, the Asian Development Bank lowered its growth forecast for Bangladesh from 6.6% to 5.1% due to the political tumult as well as recent catastrophic flooding. The BNP appears the government-in-waiting though has a reputation for graft and retributive politics to rival the Awami League. (Wahiduzzaman insists any corruption within his party is limited to a tiny minority and offenders are brought to book.) If unrest and paralysis continue, a beleaguered populace may even look more fondly at Hasinas record. Bangladesh was the Asia-Pacifics fastest growing economy over the past decade, with GDP rising from $71 billion in 2006 to $460 billion in 2022. Yunus knows that improving livelihoods is the only sure way to buy the necessary time to rebuild state institutions, so autocracy can never returna new Bangladesh that prospers long after those murals have sun-bleached and blistered. Reform is the core of the whole revolution, says Yunus. Thats why we call it Bangladesh 2.0. Write to Charlie Campbell at charlie.campbell@time.com. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy has appealed a controversial decision by a judge to release a suspect charged with violent crimes out of jail. Thursday, the Shelby County District Attorneys Office filed a writ of certiorari, an emergency appeal, in response to Shelby County General Sessions Judge Bill Andersons decision Tuesday to release Christopher Smith to the VA Hospital for mental evaluation without bond. Smith is charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder after a 12-hour standoff with police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man facing 3 counts of attempted murder released without bond Multiple officers were shot at during the overnight standoff, which caused $60,000 in damage. Mulroy says his office argued against the release because of public safety concerns. This is a man who shot at three police officers and did a 12-hour standoff. We respect the courts decision but strongly disagree with it. And were appealing that decision, as is our right to do so, Mulroy said. Christopher Smith (SCSO) Suspect allegedly shoots at police, destroys $60K MPD equipment during barricade Mulroy said this is the third time recently that his office has filed a writ after the release of a suspect by Judge Anderson. He said the practice is rare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous cases were for Tyreese Earnest, the alleged shooter in an ambush against FedEx co-workers, and Detawn Gunn, who is accused of a shooting that injured several people at Railgarten. We have serious concerns about public safety in these cases and believe its important that these defendants be held in custody until their case resolves, said DA Mulroy. We respect the authority of the court and appreciate that this appeal procedure is not to be used routinely every time we disagree with a courts bail decision. But in my view, these two cases are exceptional and warrant an appeal. We talked to Mulroy at Frayser Exchange Clubs weekly community meeting, where a room packed with residents was waiting to hear from Mulroy as this weeks special guest. I want to hear the concerns of the community, you know, wherever they are, and also get my message out so that we understand exactly what it is that the DAs office does and doesnt do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mulroy was clear: His office does not set bail. This is a decision made by the judges, not us. So thats part of the problem, he said. County leader blasts judge after shooting suspects release from jail; judge responds In Smiths case, Mulroy clarified that his office filed the appeal before backlash from state Sen. Brent Taylor. Mulroy said hes not going to respond to any and every politician on this issue. The decisions that I make and my office makes on cases like Christopher Smith are made on the facts and the law, and they are made independent of any political pressure. So its not the politicians out there who are talking. Its our office thats doing and were the ones that are making those decisions based on the facts and the law, Mulroy said. Thats what weve been doing since day one, and thats what well continue to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for what is next, Mulroy said they are appealing the judges decision up to the criminal court. Anderson spoke with WREG following Gunns ROR release in September, saying local courts are under a bail agreement with the ACLU and advocacy group Just City. Ive been doing this job for almost 15 years. I know what Im doing and I follow the law, Anderson said at the 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. Multiple people were taken to the hospital following a house fire in Stafford early Thursday. Emergency crews responded to a home on Bellrose Street just after 2:15 a.m. on the report of a structure fire, according to Connecticut State Police. Firefighters were able to make a quick stop to the blaze before extensive overhaul efforts, according to Stafford Fire Department No. 1. State police said all the occupants made it out of the home safely and were taken to an area hospital for what was believed to be minor injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire officials said they received mutual aid from the West Stafford, Willington, Crystal Lake, Somers, Monson and Wales Fire Departments. Stafford Ambulance crews also responded. The Tolland and Union Fire Departments provided station coverage while crews were at the scene. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Its Wednesday, November 20. Take a look at our top stories in news and weather with KELOLAND On The GO First@4. Authorities in South Carolina have shared how they captured a murder suspect wanted by the Sioux Falls Police Department. South Carolina authorities arrest murder suspect The Kingsbury County Sheriffs Office is asking for your help in find the owners of a dog. Kingsbury authorities search for dog killer A winter storm is forecast to move across South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winter weather impacting roads in eastern KELOLAND Light snow showers and flurries will slowly come to an end this evening and tonight. Snow ends tonight, cold remains Download the KELOLAND Storm Tracker app for fast, accurate local and national weather at your fingertips. With its personal alert notifications, youll know when significant weather is heading your way and when to take cover. KELOLAND Storm Tracker App Download the KELOLAND News app to find the latest headlines while on the go. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The federal government is "anti-democratic and antithetical to the founders' vision," Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy said Wednesday in a joint op-ed on Wednesday. The nation was founded on the notion that citizens elect people to run the government, but that's not how it works now, Musk and Ramaswamy said in the op-ed that was published by the Wall Street Journal. Instead, most legal regulations are not those passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. Instead, they are tens of thousands "legal edicts" created annually by millions of unelected bureaucrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Most government enforcement decisions and discretionary expenditures aren't made by the democratically elected president or even his political appointees but by millions of unelected, unappointed civil servants within government agencies," Musk and Ramaswamy said. The bureaucrats consider themselves "immune from firing" due to civil service protections and impose "massive direct and indirect costs on taxpayers," they said. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at the 2024 Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 16 and in a joint op-ed with Elon Musk and published Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal said the pair will advise President-elect Donald Trump on which federal agencies require mass firings and relocation to make the U.S. federal government more efficient and less costly. File Photo by Matt Marton/UPI President-elect Donald Trump's election victory gives them a "historic opportunity to solve the problem" of a large and bureaucratic federal government through the proposed creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, they said. The DOGE, led by Musk and Ramaswamy, will be tasked with reducing the size of the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The entrenched and ever-growing bureaucracy represents an existential threat to our republic," Musk and Ramaswamy said, "and politicians have abetted it for too long." The pair described themselves "entrepreneurs, not politicians" who will "serve as outside volunteers" who will cut costs. They said they will help the incoming Trump administration to identify and hire a small team of "small-government crusaders"that includes "some of the sharpest technical and legal minds in America." The DOGE team will work with the White House Office of Management and Budget to promote governmental reforms that include regulatory rescissions, administrative reductions and cost savings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Executive action will be the prime driver of their reform efforts, Musk and Ramaswamy said. They intend to advise Trump on executive actions that legally can impose "reductions in force" instead of targeting specific employees to reduce the size of federal agencies and departments without violating civil-service protections. "Mr. Trump can implement any number of 'rules governing the competitive service' that would curtail administrative overgrowth," the pair said. After being sworn in, Musk and Ramaswamy said President-elect Trump can impose firings of federal workers on a large scale and relocated federal agencies out of Washington, D.C., to make the federal government more efficient and less costly for taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOGE and its leaders in Musk and Ramaswamy only can act in an advisory capacity and cannot make any legally binding changes to the federal government. Any advice provided by the DOGE will require executive or congressional actions to carry the weight of law. Video Credit: Dedham Firefighters Local 1735 via Storyful In the Must See video above, 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Pinpoint Weather 12 Alerts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. A New York City local news broadcast inadvertently aired footage of what appears to be a mysterious blue orb floating over the Hudson River this week and no one is exactly sure what to make of it. While some are convinced that the object appears to be an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP), some more earthly explanations seem more plausible. The object made its appearance during an otherwise uneventful Good Day New York segment about congestion pricing plans. At approximately two minutes and 45 seconds into the clip, the broadcast cut to footage over the Hudson taken by helicopter. Suddenly, the blue orb can be seen crossing in front of a building on the Hoboken side of the river. It then zooms out toward the bank of the lower Manhattan shoreline and within seconds makes its way out of frame. The New York Post estimates that if the orb was in fact a UAP, for it to travel the approximately three-mile distance in four seconds, it would have be moving at a speed of about 2,700 miles per houror more than double the speed of an F18 fighter jet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The object was noticeable enough that Good Day New York anchor Dan Bowens, who was on the news desk when the segment aired, later posted a clip to his Instagram story asking: "Anyone else see this on Good Day? What is that? A balloon?" However, the Post spoke with Harvard professor and theoretical physicist Avi Loeb, who thinks the orb is an artifact of the video. "This is most likely an optical artifact from the helicopter glass in front of the camera, namely a bright spot from the reflection of sunlight as the camera gradually changes its orientation relative to the sun and the ground," Loeb theorized. "But even if it was a real object, the apparent speed is of an order the speed of sound and not extraordinary." Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, who currently serves as CEO of Ocean STL Consulting, agreed with Loeb. "For several reasons, looks like an artifact and not an actually UAP," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In either case, a representative for Good Day New York couldn't confirm when the footage was filmed but believes it to have been within the last calendar year. The rep also stated that the footage had not been tampered with by Good Day digital editors. An anonymous source within the station believes that it was indeed a physical object, but likely a drone that appeared to be moving at a rapid speed due to an optical illusion with the movement of the helicopter and camera. Ultimately, given that it's unclear when exactly the footage was taken and it ostensibly hasn't been spotted again, it seems unlikely that we'll ever know what the object is. But with the recent congressional testimony about UAPs, they're clearly top of mind for many people. MYSTIC, Conn. (WTNH) Nov. 30 is Small Business Saturday. In Mystic, the event promotes shopping local, with Santa arriving by tugboat, the tree being lit and the Holiday Boat Parade. Its really crucial that we help out these merchants and bring some foot traffic into downtown, said Megan Yardis, the member manager with the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. State Sen. Heather Somers (R-District 18) hopes shops like Portside on Holmes Street will be among those that get a boost from the events that are expected to bring thousands to downtown Mystic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very important, Portside owner Wendy Hille said. Everybody has their own niche little thing going on here, and the more we can get the word out for each other, the better. Shes teaming up with nearby restaurant Engine Room and Lis Bakery for their own events and giveaway that same Saturday after Thanksgiving. This small business world is really the economic engine of the state of Connecticut, Somers said. Connecticut unveils the nations first Christmas Movie Trail Somers also toured the River Lane, where she found gold pants and gold shoes. She also visited Spencer & Lynn Wine and Spirit Merchants, and Adore which has clothes, home decor and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have taper candles that are shaped like a Christmas tree, Somers said. These are really amazing. Adore just celebrated its seventh anniversary and also introduced some of its own fragrances in candles and perfumes. A lot of the small businesses said having events like Small Business Saturday brings customers through the door, and that is helpful, because some of those people then come back later on. April Smith, who lives in Simsbury, spent the day shopping in Mystic and said shopping local is important. Cause otherwise everything goes to Amazon and everything folds up and you need toyou need to feel the textures of things and the size, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with Mystic, Niantic and other towns throughout the state are holding holiday events, and Small Business Saturday events hoping to bring in visitors some who might not otherwise have come. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. A former aide for Rep. Nancy Mace has accused the congresswoman of introducing a resolution to ban transgender women from using womens bathrooms at the Capitol as a craven attempt to get on Fox News. If you think this bill is about protecting women and not simply a ploy to get on Fox News, youve been fooled, Maces former communications director Natalie Johnson wrote in a post on X. If you think this bill is about protecting women and not simply a ploy to get on Fox News, you've been fooled. pic.twitter.com/RWvAS2DsmE Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) November 20, 2024 On Monday, Mace introduced a resolution aimed at preventing incoming Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), who earlier this month made history as the first openly transgender woman elected to Congress, from using the womens bathrooms at the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days later, House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a statement saying single-sex facilities would be reserved for members of that biological sex but said unisex bathrooms are available through the Capitol. That didnt end Maces bathroom fixation, though; Now shes introducing a bill to ban all biological men from using any womens restroom on federal property. Critics noted Mace had posted about bathrooms 262 times in 36 hours on the social media platform X. Tweeting 262 times about a bill that applies to like .00000001% of Congress in 36 hours is definitely about protecting women. Its certainly not just a ploy for media attention, wrote Natalie Johnson, who now works in marketing in Wyoming, according to her LinkedIn profile. The Daily Beast has reached out to Maces team for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McBride said in a statement shes not here to fight about bathrooms and would respect congressional rules, even if she disagreed with them. 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, she said soon after Mace introduced her original resolution. We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars. 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 Maces former aide doesnt seem to have abandoned her conservative beliefs. She recently posted that she finds white liberal women insufferable and that the newly elected Senate GOP leader John Thune is bringing sexy back to the Senate. But even she agreed with McBride that women were facing more pressing issues than bathrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protecting women in Congress would be introducing a bill to bar Matt Gaetz, a sexual predator with an affinity for underage girls, from ever walking the halls again, rather than dropping a messaging bill thats sole goal is getting on TV, Johnson added. Gaetz, 42, stepped down from Congress last week just days before the House Ethics Committee was set to decide whether to release a report on allegations the former Florida representative had paid for sex, abused illegal drugs, and had underage sex. Gaetz has denied the allegations. He is now president-elect Donald Trumps nomination for attorney general. Last week, when Speaker Johnson called for the Ethics Committee report to remain confidential, Natalie Johnson weighed in: I like Speaker Johnson, but this aint it. A former aide to anti-trans lawmaker Nancy Mace has ripped the South Carolina congresswoman over her bill that would ban trans women from womens restrooms, calling it nothing more than a ploy to get on TV, a claim that Mace has faced before. If you think this bill is about protecting women and not simply a ploy to get on Fox News, youve been fooled, Natalie Johnson, who served as Maces director of communications in 2021, posted on X in response to Maces bill which targets restrooms solely in the U.S. Capitol. Her bill was introduced two weeks after Sarah McBride (D-Del.) became the first openly trans person elected to Congress. Maces legislation is a clear reversal of prior pro-LGBTQ comments shes made while in office, though it falls in line with current rhetoric that has been credited in part with helping fuel President-elect Donald Trumps reelection campaign. If you think this bill is about protecting women and not simply a ploy to get on Fox News, you've been fooled. pic.twitter.com/RWvAS2DsmE Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) November 20, 2024 I strongly support LGBTQ rights. No one should be discriminated against, Mace told the Washington Examiner shortly after taking office as a freshman lawmaker in 2021. Having been around gay, lesbian, and transgender people has informed my opinion over my lifetime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsweek on Thursday said it counted 326 instances within the last 72 hours where Mace posted, reposted or responded to posts on social media about bathrooms. Her posts include her repeatedly and intentionally identifying transgender women, like McBride, as men. Its offensive that a man in a skirt thinks that hes my equal, Mace said in an interview with Newsmax Wednesday. Rep. Nancy Mace speaks during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July. via Associated Press A representative with Maces office did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment on Johnsons criticism or on why Maces support of the LGBTQ community has changed. Mace, who ran her own PR firm before seeking office, has previously been accused by former staffers of not being a real legislator and primarily using her office to get on TV. Earlier this year, she was also accused by staffers of wanting to get punched in the face by rioters during the 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol so that shed get media attention for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transgender rights ended up playing a major role in the 2024 presidential election, with Republicans gaining ground by painting Democrats as being too far to the left on social issues like transgender rights. One particular pro-Trump ad that criticized Kamala Harris support of trans rights was deemed the most impactful commercial of his campaign and even suggested as having won Donald Trump the election. Related... Nancy Maces former communications director Natalie Johnson had a snappy reply to the Congresswomans text about the trans mob that wants to k*ll me. Johnson shared a screenshot of the text on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote, I dont want to see your botched, cheap hooker-inspired boob job on my television. Can we introduce a bill to bar that? Maces auto text read in full, I dont want to see your junk in my bathroom. Its Rep. Mace. The Trans Mob wants to k*ll me. But I FOUGHT BACK and WON. I dont want to see your botched, cheap hooker-inspired boob job on my television. Can we introduce a bill to bar that? pic.twitter.com/azBOJ4Nmpf Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) November 20, 2024 Johnson also shared a 2021 tweet from Mace in which the Congresswoman had insisted, I strongly support LGBTQ rights. No one should be discriminated against. If you think this bill is about protecting women and not simply a ploy to get on Fox News, you've been fooled. pic.twitter.com/RWvAS2DsmE Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) November 20, 2024 If you think this bill is about protecting women and not simply a ploy to get on Fox News, youve been fooled, Johnson wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mace introduced a bill Monday that she said was absolutely a response to the election of Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress. As NBC News reported, the resolution will prohibit House lawmakers and employees from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex. 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. I will be there fighting you every step of the way, Mace also said. On Monday McBride responded to the resolution on X, where she wrote, 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. 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 added. Delawareans sent me here to make the American dream more affordable and accessible and thats what Im focused on. The post Nancy Maces Former Comms Director Calls Out Her Botched, Cheap Hooker-Inspired Boob Job After Anti-Trans Bathroom Rule appeared first on TheWrap. South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace insisted on calling transgender congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride a man during a contentious interview Wednesday, and even said that anyone who cross-dresses has a mental illness. The attention-hungry congresswoman took exception to Scripps anchor Liz Landers reminding her that McBride identifies as a woman. Shes not a woman. Its a man. She was born a man. Shes a man. She is biologically a male. That is science, Mace said on Morning Rush, two days after she introduced a bill to ban transgender women from using womens bathrooms in the Capitol and in House offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You guys on the left in the mainstream media want to say Follow the science. Lets follow the science, OK? He is a man. He can wear a dress, she continued. His pronouns can be she or her. But he doesnt belong in a womens restroom. Period! Landers then asked if McBride poses some kind of danger to you and other women in Congress. Mace agreed. Absolutely! 100 percent. This is an assault on women. A man being a biological mana man with a penis, male genitalia being in a womens locker room is an assault on women, Mace said, even though McBride underwent what is colloquially known as bottom surgery in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so the question is: Do I have rights as a woman or not? And Im not going to allow the media or Congress to strip away womens rights for one half of one percent of people out there that, more than likely, hes got a mentalmental illness and this is why hes doing this. When asked about that last point, Mace explained: I am absolutely diagnosing anyone who cross-dresses with a mental illness. Mace then claimed shes been receiving death threats from men dressed up as women. When Mace first introduced the House resolution, McBride quickly responded that it 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She followed that up with a similar message Wednesday. Im not here to fight about bathrooms. Im here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families, she wrote in a statement on X. A NASAMS air defence system purchased by Canada is currently in Poland and will soon be delivered to Ukraine. Source: Ukrinform with reference to a statement by Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair in Ottawa, as reported by European Pravda Details: Blair noted that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, informing him of the imminent arrival of the NASAMS system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We have been working closely with the Americans and Raytheon, the manufacturer, to assemble and deliver this system. It is currently in Poland and will soon cross the border." Background: It became known on 20 November that the Canadian government had allocated CAD 763 million (more than US$545 million) for military support to Ukraine in the draft budget for 2025. Canada also supports allowing long-range strikes by US-supplied ATACMS missiles on Russian territory. Support UP or become our patron! Students at UW-La Crosse turned out in a new fashion for the 2024 election. In the two wards of student housing on campus, total voter turnout was down and the victor was Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Republican voters had a huge day on campus, gaining 67% more votes than in the 2020 election to cast a total of 1,065 votes for Donald Trump. The Democratic base collapsed, bringing in 732 votes less than 2020s 1,774 turnout. The swing flipped the UW campus red in 2024, with Republican voters edging out Democratic votes by just 23 votes. In 2020, Biden voters accounted for 72% of the overall vote, making it basically no contest. The two wards primarily consist of freshmen students living in dormitories, and only make up about 3,000 of the 10,500 students who attend UW-L. Adjacent wards with a mix of student housing and full-time residents were all taken by the Democrats. The election result shows a clear change in affiliation among new college students. The result came despite the fact college Republicans had no organized presence on campus leading up to election day. Republican reform Carter Tomlin transferred to UW-L this fall after completing two years of working on a bachelors of business administration at UW-Platteville. Born in Madison, Tomlin quickly found more comfort in La Crosse than the smaller Platteville campus. He even sought a job 30 minutes away in Dubuque, Iowa, as he sought a more familiar urban landscape. While at UW-Platteville, Tomlin started a College Republicans chapter for the first but not last time. In his first year, he became the vice president of the club. He was later elected president, but left Platteville before he could take the position. Instead, he forged his own president position at UW-L. After a Kamala Harris rally on campus in mid-October, Tomlin started filling out the papers to officially reform the campus College Republicans group. When Kamala was here on our campus and there was just so much going on, I felt like theres not really you know, a different option, if you were maybe in-between or right-leaning, Tomlin said. I know that there was kind of a demand for it. The final spark for Tomlin came in the middle of the rally as he stood behind Harris. About 18 minutes into her speech, a group of students heckled Harris. In response, she told them they should go to a different rally down the street. This drove home Tomlins idea that a political group outside of the College Democrats needed to establish themselves on campus. The first official meeting wouldnt be held until Nov. 7, two days after the general election. By that time, the group already had a lot to celebrate. We all know that neither of them are perfect, and hes definitely not perfect. For a lot of people, hes probably not the ideal Republican candidate, Tomlin said about Trump. Its just kind of going back to basics, I think, and having a strong country, strong border, strong economy. I think people know that Trump would be a better candidate for that. On Tuesday, the group held another official meeting to take the club public. Students were invited to learn about the group, its executive board and why each member got into activism. New voices For most of the College Republicans executive board, the club is about working to help raise conservative voices and opinions in the classroom. A lot of students around here that I know who are Republican dont really like talking about their opinion, said John Gaynor, communications director for the club. They feel this pressure, if they want to get a certain grade, they have to kind of conform to their professors ideals or things like that. As the club grows, the board hopes to attract more members by discussing issues that affect students. The economy tops the list for many. Tomlin believes economic troubles for students gave way for the Republican flip in 2024. For the College Democrats, the energy comes more from a wish to see their post-graduate lives end up more ideologically in line with their views. Student loan forgiveness, access to contraceptives, the education system, job security and housing were all common themes for their members. Kamala obviously wasnt a perfect candidate. Theres not going to be a perfect candidate. But out of the two, it was, for me, it was who has the better morals, said Brianna Martin, communications director for the College Democrats. Her work with wanting to help our generation become successful once were out of college in the real world was a very big thing for me. College Democrats regroup Four doors down from the College Republicans meeting Tuesday night, the College Democrats settled into their agenda for their second post-election meeting. While the College Republicans left their meeting, some peered through the door windows and taunted the College Democrats inside, waving arms and making faces. The students within made a note of the jeer and continued with their discussion about what the club can do in the face of a presidential defeat. The Democrat vote on UW-Ls campus took a major hit between the past two elections. About 41% fewer votes were cast for Kamala Harris in 2024 than for Joe Biden in 2020. We sat here afterwards all kind of bummed, and the general consensus was we did everything we possibly could have done, said Hannah Bauknecht, vice chair for the College Democrats. We spent every weekend knocking doors, we brought our membership to every event, everybody who possibly wanted to engage did. Sometimes, thats just how it happens. It wasnt a lack of us trying. The rules for canvassing on campus have changed a lot since the 2020 election. Doorknocking at the campus dormitories is no longer allowed, political posters are limited to one per main entryway, and writing on sidewalks with chalk, a common mode of campus demonstration, was heavily restricted. Some of the chalking crackdown was the administrations response to a former College Republicans 2022 event which saw anti-Semitic and violent catchphrases scrawled in chalk below Hoeschler Tower at the center of campus. The then-College Republicans chair resigned the same day and the club dissolved shortly after adviser Anthony Chergosky cut ties with the group. He also declined advising the newly-reformed College Republicans. The College Democrats are hopeful they can expand political speech on campus in the wake of heavier rules. They are eager to engage with students they believe have arrived on campus with political ideas instilled in them from parents and high school figures. Now, the College Democrats are already organizing responses to Trump administration decisions and gearing up for spring local elections. Eyes on new prizes With spring elections coming up, a vacant La Crosse city council seat will be of interest for students. The District 5 council seat is typically filled by a UW-L student and filing deadlines are at the end of the year. The seat is a chaotic one, as the student elected to the seat rarely finishes out their four-year term in the position before graduating and moving away. The La Crosse city council voted to keep the seat vacant when the previous council member, Jenasea Hameister, graduated and left the council in May. The council seat will hold a special election April 1 alongside other council positions and the citys mayor. In the meantime, both the College Republicans and College Democrats have signaled interest in hosting debates between the two clubs on issues students have on their minds. Members of both clubs agree that being civil is more beneficial than being at arms. National Geographic spotlighted its Pictures of the Year in its December 2024 issue. The photos include captivating images of animals, nature, scientific innovation, and landscapes. Photo editors at the magazine chose the top 20 photos from a selection of 2.3 million images. Every year, photographers at National Geographic travel around the world to share stories through their lenses. Then, at the end of the year, the magazine's photo editors select "the most stunning photos" taken by its photographers for its annual Pictures of the Year issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, 20 pictures were selected from a pool of 2.3 million photographs. National Geographic said these images "capture a thought-provoking glimpse at the wonders of the world around us, which serve as a refreshing break from the hectic fall we've all had." Take a look at seven of the best wildlife photos from the collection: The December National Geographic cover. National Geographic undefined Ingo Arndt captured an image of a wood-ant hatchling breaking out of its cocoon. A wood-ant hatchling breaks out of the cocoon with its mandibles. Ingo Arndt Arndt and researchers at the University of Konstanz in Germany built a see-through ant home that mimicked the insect's natural surroundings to observe how wood ants reproduce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through the nest, the photographer watched female colony workers clean eggs, larvae spin cocoons, and hatchlings open cocoons with their mandibles to capture this moment. Christie Hemm Klok photographed a flock of macaws at The Oasis Sanctuary in southern Arizona. Janet Trumbule, the director of The Oasis Sanctuary in Benson, Arizona, tries to coax the macaws a species of highly social birds with their favorite food: walnuts. Christie Hemm Klok/National Geographic Macaws are social birds with a lifespan of 40 to 60 years. They often struggle in captivity, displaying stressed behaviors that make them tough pets. Many are cared for at The Oasis Sanctuary in Benson, Arizona, which is home to about 800 parrots, cockatoos, macaws, and other bird species. When Hemm Klok, the photographer, visited, the birds' loud noises proved challenging for her work until the sanctuary's director, Janet Trumbule, soothed them with their favorite treat: walnuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Stanmeyer captured a rare moment: the emergence of brood XIX and brood XIII of cicadas. Periodical cicadas, which spend years underground, emerged in Springfield to call out their mates. John Stanmeyer/National Geographic Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time in 221 years, brood XIII, with a 17-year cycle, and brood XIX, with a 13-year cycle, emerged simultaneously in the Midwest and southeastern United States, respectively, in May and June. The cicadas only emerge from the ground to reproduce. Here, Stanmeyer managed to capture the rare moment in Springfield, Illinois. In this photo by Ami Vitale, a scientist holds a 70-day-old rhino fetus. A scientist holds the 70-day-old fetus of a rhino conceived through in vitro fertilization. Ami Vitale/National Geographic With only two northern white rhinoceroses left in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, scientists from an international project called BioRescue proposed a new solution: using in vitro fertilization to transfer a southern-white-rhino embryo into a southern-white-rhino surrogate. While the pregnancy was a success, the moment was bittersweet the surrogate mother had died from an unrelated bacterial infection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the project was an overall win since it meant the in vitro technique worked on rhinos and could be replicated to save the northern-white species from extinction. Bertie Gregory photographed a young emperor penguin leaping off a 50-foot cliff in Atka Bay, Antarctica. A young emperor penguin jumps off a 50-foot cliff for its first swim in Atka Bay, Antarctica. Bertie Gregory/National Geographic In 2024, Gregory who's been documenting penguins in Antarctica for eight years witnessed a rarely seen spectacle: a line of young emperor penguins leaping off a tall ice shelf in Atka Iceport, otherwise known as Atka Bay. Usually, the youngsters' first swim is on low-lying sea ice, where they normally breed. But Gregory used a drone to follow the penguins when he saw what was happening. He watched as they successfully jumped off the cliff, an occurrence that scientists say could become a common sight as the ice melts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caught in flight: The photojournalist Babak Tafreshi captured Mexican free-tailed bats as they flew out of Frio Cave in Texas. Mexican free-tailed bats fly out of Frio Cave, Texas, on April 6, 2024. Babak Tafreshi/National Geographic Frio Bat Cave in southern Texas is the spring and summer home of about 10 million Mexican free-tailed bats. Most nights around sunset, bats fly out in a coordinated stream to feed on moths. "You think maybe it'll finish in 10 minutes," Tafreshi said, but their takeoff "continues for two hours." Tafreshi used a fish-eye lens and soft flashes to document the moment, creating this 30-second single-exposure image. Prasenjeet Yadav photographed this rarely seen black tiger at the Similipal Tiger Reserve in India. A black tiger known for its merged stripes patrols the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha, India. Prasenjeet Yadav/National Geographic Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About half of the 27 tigers in Similipal Tiger Reserve have black stripes. Still, they've rarely been spotted, even by longtime residents of the village. Still, Yadav was determined to photograph them. To get them in the frame, he set up camera traps with infrared triggers on 24 trails, three of which ultimately saw regular tiger activity. After spending 60 days inside the reserve, Yadav finally got this image of a young female tiger, one of just a few photos captured of the black tigers. To see all 20 of National Geographic's Pictures of the Year, visit NatGeo.com/Photos. Read the original article on Business Insider For the first time since 2016, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed a warranty deed today to place land into trust along U.S. Highway 89 near Flagstaff. The Navajo Nation appreciates the BIA's efforts to work with us to get this application approved, the President said at a signing ceremony here. These lands that are taken into trust for the Navajo Nation are part of the federal government's obligations to provide support for Navajos in Arizona who were forcibly relocated by the federal government through the 1974 Settlement Act. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last time the Navajo Nation acquired land through the fee-to-trust process was in September 2016, when 85.68 acres in Tse Bonito, New Mexico, were placed into trust. President Nygren also announced plans to collaborate with the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (NNGE) to develop a gaming facility on the newly acquired land. The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits and create around 100 new jobs. NNGE's employees are 85% Navajo and 5% other tribal members, President Nygren said. Rents collected by the Navajo Nation through leasing to NNGE will go directly to the Dine Relocatee Fund to support relocated Navajos under the Settlement Act. President Nygren was joined at the signing ceremony by Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland (Bay Mills Indian Community), BIA Director Bryan Mercier, BIA Navajo Regional Director Deborah Shirley, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley, Delegates Nathan Notah and Eugenia Charles-Newton, and Navajo Nation Washington Office Executive Director Justin Ahasteen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other attendees included BIA Deputy Director Bart Stevens, BIA Director Bryan Mercier, and BIA Staff Assistant Dan Galvan. Assistant Secretary Newland and other federal officials reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Navajo Nation in improving economic opportunities and honoring the federal trust responsibility. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Legislation that both funds hurricane relief and strips power from two high-ranking statewide offices is headed to the governors desk. SB 382 provides hundreds of millions of dollars in relief money for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, but it also changes powers reserved for the governor and attorney general. It passed the House on Tuesday and the Senate on Wednesday afternoon. The aid package includes money for local government loans and water infrastructure repair. Republicans argued Tuesday that relief is needed now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NC House votes to override governor veto on private school vouchers, undocumented immigration bill We are drinking from the firehose as they say, we have so many requests and we need to continue to work on particularly the disaster component here, said Rep. Donny Lambeth, a Republican from Forsyth County. But Democrats, including representatives from western NC, argued the majority tied too much else to the bill. Rep. Caleb Rudow from Buncombe County debated against the bill in the House. Weve talked about how proud we are in this body about not making this recovery a political issue, but this is wrapping recovery funding in a lot of partisan, political issues, she said. Rep. Grey Mills argued the state auditor needs to take on the duties currently held by the governor. SB 382 contains language limiting the powers of the attorney general and the governor, two seats set to stay in Democratic control come next year with newly elected Josh Stein and Jeff Jackson, respectively. According to the bill, the AG would not be able to take a legal position for the state that is in opposition to the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor would also lose his power to appoint members of the State Board of Elections. Republicans contend the state auditor which will be held by a Republican come January is better suited to handle appointments. Like the Board of Elections, the state auditor has a history of performing very important audits and investigations, just like our state board is charged with doing after every election, argued Rep. Grey Mills (R-Iredell County). Why NC voted for Trump, then elected several Democrats for top state races Democrats accused Republicans of overstepping. None of us do well with unfettered power, and it gets worse when we pretend like its not happening, and today is the biggest abuse I have seen since Ive been here, and that is saying a lot, said Democratic House Leader Robert Reives (D Chatham County). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 382 passed the House with a vote of 63-46. It cleared the Senate 30-19. If Gov. Roy Cooper were to veto the legislation, lawmakers would need to convene again before the end of the year to override him, since the supermajority will likely end from the results of the November election. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. To Our Relatives, These are prophetic times. Our cultural teachings and stories speak of challenging days ahead where we have to gather strength to move forward together and ensure the future of our People, our lands, and our cherished lifeways. This is where many of us find ourselves today. As many of us process the election results, we recognize the overwhelming emotions that so many of us are feeling. From rage and disappointment, to fear and uncertainty, it is all valid. Weve been here before. Weve experienced a similar shock to the election results of 2016. We were challenged, we endured those four years after, and were still here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. We also survived life-changing events like the COVID-19 pandemic which still lingers with us, the war in Ukraine, a slew of natural disasters, a warming climate, ongoing extraction and destruction of our lands, and the genocide in Gaza, which is worsening by the day. We lived through over 500 years of colonization, and were still here. Because we carry the strength of our Ancestors, we always live to fight another day. Our opponent for the next four years has been chosen, and we know their playbook all 887 pages of Project 2025. Weve seen the damage they are capable of. But we lean into what we also know to be even more true, and that is what our People and our movements are capable of. While we grapple with the very real heaviness that comes with the threats posed by a Trump presidency or the frustrations with this so-called democracy, we never forget that this system was not made for us. The United States would not even exist as a country without centuries of genocide and lies, slavery and racism, oppression and exploitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is for all of these reasons that we know that no American President can ever truly represent us nor our best interests. Regardless of who is in office, the settler colonial project will continue to deny its own violent past, silence Indigenous Peoples, and target Indigenous lands and resources worldwide, because this is exactly who the United States is. Even still, we cannot let fear or anger immobilize us as we imagine what the next four years may bring. But we can give space to feel, to process, and be human. Amidst all of this, our resilience, our strategizing, and organizing cannot and will not stop because a new administration is coming in. As Indigenous Peoples, we are indebted to our Ancestors, our children, and the generations who will come after us. So we must stay grounded. We must continue to survive, organize, and fight. Over the years our movements have grown as the People have risen up. We have to keep that momentum and strategize, strategize, strategize! Now is the time for us to play out all scenarios, hone in on our targets, and identify our tactics. We have so much to fight for and protect. We also find solace in the resounding truth that the movement is powerful, and our fight for the liberation of ALL people continues. We stay committed to protecting our People, defending the land and water, and organizing to change the conditions for a better world and a future that we all deserve. This includes building and growing our own regenerative economies on our own lands for the livelihood of our People, building authentic coalitions that dont just seek out a partisan vote for status quo business as usual, but coalitions that fortify real change in our own communities while building up a true multi-racial democracy. This includes restoring and protecting womens reproductive rights, migrant rights, and the human rights of our LGBTQ+ Two Spirit relatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take courage, Relatives. Our People, children, grandchildren, and future generations depend on us. As organizers, practitioners, and every day relatives who love our People, the land, and our way of life, we are all in the places were supposed to be, doing the best we can for today and for the future. Never forget our Ancestors have given us the skills and knowledge to stand strong and face challenges like this. Keep doing the work! Continue leaning in to our teachings and our love for each other. When hateful rhetoric heightens with the new presidency, let our love and collective resolve be louder. In the coming days, weeks, and months, its going to be critical that we take the time to check in with one another. Strengthen and deepen our relationships with each other. Theres no better time than now to stay grounded in community and our cultural values. In moments of stress and trauma, its not uncommon to feel alone or to feel isolated. If this is you, you are not alone. Make that phone call, check in with your people. We must take radically good care of ourselves and each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must also be in the space of these questions: What does collective care look like for your community? How can we lean into mutual aid, capacity building, and skill-sharing within our shared communities? If theres a gap, what organizing can take place to create the collective networks of support that are needed? These are the reflections that will keep us moving forward and sustaining our movements and our communities. Today and all days, we hold the strength of our Ancestors close those who endured unimaginable conditions with a resolve and tenacity to protect future generations and ensure that we would all still be here today. They struggled and yet still built a future for us. Remember them as you press forward. Their blood is our blood. Breathe in their strength and carry it with you. From the Lakota translation of a song shared with us by Jonathon Old Horse, I am a warrior. Whatever is difficult, that is mine to do. As we all do our best in the days ahead, remember that we are our Ancestors answered prayers. Remember that we are Warriors! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In deep solidarity, NDN Collective About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net (KRON) Two people were arrested earlier this month after nearly $4,000 worth of merchandise was allegedly stolen from Petaluma retail stores, the Petaluma Police Department announced Wednesday. On Nov. 7, police responded to a report of shoplifting at Petaluma Village Premium Outlets. Officers contacted two suspects, identified as Tracy Blanchard, 48, of San Francisco, and Nichole Borquez, 34, of San Jose. An investigation determined that Borquez stole approximately $200 worth of merchandise from the shopping center, Petaluma PD said. 2 teens arrested after North Bay school alerted to photos of student with guns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a search of the two suspects vehicle, officers uncovered suspected methamphetamine, a meth pipe, the stolen merchandise from Petaluma Village Premium Outlets as well as additional suspected stolen property from Staples, police said. Blanchard was allegedly in possession of brass knuckles and a concealed switchblade. The Staples merchandise, valued at over $3,500, was later confirmed by police to have been shoplifted. Borquez and Blanchard were arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail for grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Nearly half of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' record $1.3-billion homelessness budget for fiscal 2023-24 went unspent, an analysis by the city controller found. Controller Kenneth Mejia found that only $599 million had actually been spent. An additional $195 million was encumbered, leaving at least $513 million unspent. Mejia blamed "a sluggish, inefficient approach" for the underspending, listing lack of staff and resources, programs spread over multiple city departments and council offices, obsolete technology and absence of real-time data as contributing factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Mejia, the city spent or encumbered only about 30% of its $262 million in grants from the state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program and 58% of its $267-million budget for Bass' Inside Safe encampment reduction program. The encumbered amount will probably, but not necessarily, be spent eventually. The city also spent or encumbered less than half of the $150 million it received from Measure ULA, the so-called "mansion tax" on real estate sales of $5.15 million or more, and also failed to spend $30 million from other federal, state and local grants and $16 million for substance use disorder treatment beds. The City Administrative Office questioned some of Mejia's findings. It said $100 million of the "unspent" Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention funds included multiyear grants not intended to be spent in one budget year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The analysis of the unspent Inside Safe funds did not account for more than $42 million used to expedite purchase of the Mayfair Hotel to get people off the street and later reimbursed to Inside Safe. A spokesman for Bass issued a statement defending her record on spending. "While the Controller is saying theres too much money being spent one day, and not enough being spent the next, Mayor Bass has been executing a prudent and comprehensive strategy that brought down homelessness overall for the first time in years and reduced street homelessness by 10%," Deputy Mayor of Communications Zach Seidl said. "Even before taking office, she warned that the citys antiquated systems would get in the way, but while others ponder reports about the decades-long problems, she has been leading the charge to fix the issues head on." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mejia acknowledged that overall homelessness declined by 2% in 2024 but said the city had lost an opportunity to do more. "Imagine how much bigger the drop would have been had the city utilized the full potential of its homelessness budget," he said. The report indicates the city moderately overspent on several categories, including a family source center expansion, short-term housing assistance and a fast response vehicle. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Nearly half of Muslim students surveyed at California colleges and universities say they have been targets of anti-Islamic harassment or discrimination in the last school year as pro-Palestinian protests erupted on campuses, a sharp increase from four years ago, the Council on American Islamic Relations said in a new report. The study, which surveyed hundreds of Muslim students attending a cross-section of about 87 California public and private campuses, found that 49% of students, or 352 of 720 respondents, said they had experienced anti-Muslim acts by students, staff or administrators at school. CAIR and the Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bullying, a CAIR-affiliated group that jointly published the study, attributed the rise to widespread pro-Palestinian protests, which in the past year led to hundreds of arrests and multiple lawsuits against universities, including UCLA and USC, over accusations of unjustified police use of force, free speech and equal access violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: UCLA slammed for 'chaotic' response to protest melee in UC independent review Pro-Palestinian campus protests tended to include a diversity of students, including many Muslims and Jews, and demonstrators were often accused of using antisemitic language or symbolism as they pushed for universities to divest from Israel. In many cases, encampments attracted counterprotesters, including a violent confrontation at UCLA. "Instead of feeling safe and supported on their own campuses ... many universities, administrators, and law enforcement have failed to offer the necessary support, leaving students feeling threatened, targeted, and isolated," said Bayanne Kanawati, program manager for the center, which surveyed students at campuses including UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC Berkeley and Cal State Fullerton. "College administrators must create a safe and inclusive environment for all, particularly those from marginalized communities. Students should be able to express their identities and political views freely, without fear of discrimination," Kanawati said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The survey was conducted online between March and July, a period that covered the height of campus protests in April, May and June. Read more: UCLA aims to rebuild trust after protests with new 'free speech' zones, more security, dialogue The CAIR report, released this week, came out as UCLA's response to protests have come under scrutiny. Multiple campus groups have released findings about discrimination on campus, while the University of California system this month also published an external report that criticized UCLA's handling of the encampment. This fall, UCLA initiated new protest restrictions, increased security patrols and launched dialogue programs on campus to bring together groups that were on opposite sides in the spring. CAIR's study echoed findings of the UCLA Task Force on Anti-Palestinian, Anti-Muslim, and Anti-Arab Racism, which released a report in April and June that decried a campus thats "less safe than ever" for those groups and criticized "increased harassment, violence, and targeting" of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another report last month from the UCLA Task Force to Combat Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias, which surveyed more than 428 Jewish or Israeli students, faculty, staff and administrators, also found 84% believed that antisemitism had "worsened or significantly worsened" since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. CAIR also reported students were generally reluctant to tell administrators about their experiences or seek help from university leadership. About half of all surveyed students 47% said they felt either neutral or unsafe about their safety on their campus. "Islamophobia is not just a political issue. It has deeply personal consequences for students navigating their education under constant fear and scrutiny, Osman Khan, Director of the Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bullying, said in a prepared statement. Read more: Two major reports slam UCLA over policing, violence at pro-Palestinian protest Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the report found negative trends in Muslim students' perceptions of their place on campuses, its data are limited. Most of the schools surveyed were in the San Francisco Bay Area or Southern California, where the bulk of the state's Muslim students are located. Only a handful of colleges in Central and Northern California, including UC Merced and Cal Poly Humboldt, were included. Several campuses where there were major pro-Palestinian protests involving Muslim students, such as Pomona College, were not surveyed. The numbers of survey respondents at individual campuses were also small. At UCLA, where more than 46,000 graduate and undergraduate students are enrolled, the survey logged responses from 26 Muslims. At USC, the number was 21. The most represented university in the study, UC Irvine, had 43 people participate. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Elected officials, Jewish advocacy groups and civil rights leaders are vowing to push back against the message of a White nationalist group that staged a march last week near downtown Columbus, Ohio, calling the demonstration an act of hate unwelcome in their community and across the United States. Hate Club, a newly formed White supremacist organization tracked by the Anti-Defamation League, may have been engaging in a turf war when about a dozen members paraded Saturday through the Short North neighborhood wearing all black with red face masks, an executive of the anti-hate group told CNN. Some marchers carried black flags emblazoned with red swastikas, a notorious symbol of hate, antisemitism and White supremacy tracing to the murderous legacy of Germanys Nazi Party and the Holocaust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least one marcher yelled, n***er, again and again, according to a video of the march given to CNN affiliate WBNS thats garnered online attention far beyond Ohios capital. The neo-Nazis deployed pepper spray, Columbus police said, citing video evidence and adding, To date, probable cause has not been established to make any arrests. Several concerned residents called police to report the demonstration, and anyone is invited to share videos or photos of it with investigators, police said. The daytime march past a clothing boutique, a salon and a cookie bakery erupted as events organized or attended by White supremacists in the United States hit a new high in 2023, the Anti-Defamation League reported. Public gatherings of White nationalists or people with Nazi flags have unfolded in recent years in Nashville, New Hampshire, Boston, Virginia, Michigan and Washington, DC. Hate Club was created just last month, the Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremisms vice president, Oren Segal, told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Columbus march was Hate Clubs first official event and appears to have been part of a turf war with the White nationalist supremacist Blood Tribe, Segal said. Typically, the ultimate goal of groups like Hate Club is to turn America into a white ethnostate where white men are in power, Segal told CNN via email They consider themselves as both the last remaining bulwark against enemies of the white race and the only path to a white ethnostate. Blood Tribe views itself as the main white supremacist group in Ohio, so (the) Hate Club march appears to have been an intentional effort to antagonize them, he said. When white supremacists start competing for turf or visibility, the losers are the communities that are impacted. And while the US Constitution protects First Amendment activity, no matter how hateful, Columbus Police Chief Elaine R. Bryant acknowledged Monday in a statement, 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. Hate doesnt get to have the last word Some Columbus community leaders marched Sunday in unity against the prior days neo-Nazi demonstration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was outraged, and I felt disrespected, the Rev. Derrick Holmes, senior pastor at Union Grove Baptist Church, told CNN affiliate WSYX of the White nationalist event. I really want a counterweight to what happened yesterday and really of just the mind that hate doesnt get to have the last word, that injustice doesnt get the last word, that bigotry doesnt get to have the last word. Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin laid blame for the White nationalist activity, at least in part, on President-elect Donald Trump, who has been reluctant to condemn White supremacists in the past and notably said both sides were to blame for racial violence in 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Trump was re-elected the week before the Ohio march. Im sorry the President-elect has emboldened these creeps, Hardin said on X. This community rejects their pathetic efforts to promote fear and hate. Columbus will always stand with those they seek to intimidate. The presence of White supremacist groups in Ohio is not new. In the early 20th century, the Ku Klux Klan bombed the University of Dayton, held rallies in the state and assembled in towns such as Westerville, where the group established a stronghold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump-Vance transition team did not immediately respond to CNNs request for comment about Hardins remarks. Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin denounced the neo-Nazi march. - Courtney Hergesheimer/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network/Imagn Images The outgoing administration said of Saturdays march in Columbus: President (Joe) Biden abhors the hateful poison of Nazism, Antisemitism, and racism which are hostile to everything the United States stands for, including protecting the dignity of all our citizens and the freedom to worship, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement. Hate directed against any of us is a threat to every single one of us. Theyre not welcome here Events like Saturdays march in Ohio are designed to create fear and anxiety in communities, Segal told CNNs Jim Acosta this week, but also to act as almost like a photo opportunity to signal back to their online community to try to get people to embrace their hatred and potentially to act on it. Segal expects White nationalist groups will continue to surface, he said, adding elected officials should immediately reject their actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This White supremacist activity never went away, he said. The reality is the book on White supremacy, antisemitism and hatred is not closed. In fact, there are more chapters being written every single day. Indeed, amid the years incredible surge of antisemitism, we cannot allow ourselves nor society to normalize these behaviors, said Justin Kirschner, Cincinnati regional director for the American Jewish Committee. Overall threats to Jews in the United States tripled in the year after the deadly October 7 terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas, preliminary data from the Anti-Defamation League shows, while the Council on American-Islamic Relations got 8,061 reports of anti-Muslim bias incidents in 2023, the highest number in the 28 years the group has tracked hate, it said in April. Following the neo-Nazi march in Columbus, Kirschner said, political leaders must continue condemning the acts of White nationalist groups that are not in line with the values of our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We, as a society, must push back against this, he said. Our response to their hate and the rise of antisemitism is to strengthen our resolve, deepen our community bonds, and continue our education and advocacy work, said the advocacy and charity group JewishColumbus, calling the marchers cowards scared to show their faces and their demonstration an assault on the values that define our diverse and inclusive community. And the NAACP Columbus called Saturdays neo-Nazi march a stark reminder that White supremacy remains a serious threat in our society. This hatred is not just an attack on Black people it is an assault on the very principles of democracy and equality, NAACP Columbus Branch President Nana Watson said in a statement. We cannot allow these forces of division and bigotry to gain ground. It is our duty to confront this hatred head-on, to organize, to legislate, and to educate until such ideologies are left powerless and irrelevant in our society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein was disgusted and angry when he heard about the march, he told CNNs Brianna Keilar on Monday, noting Columbus is a community that celebrates culture and diversity. When you have these outside groups come in masked and parade up and down one of our most celebrated touristy areas of town carrying Nazi flags, its disgusting, Klein said. Its vile and they need to go back to where they came from and not come back to the city of Columbus because theyre not welcome here. CNNs Hanna Park contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Crispian Balmer and Emily Rose JERUSALEM (Reuters) - An Israeli state attorney on Thursday indicted an aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of passing on classified documents with an intent to harm the state in a case that has rattled the country as it wages war on multiple fronts. Eli Feldstein was accused of illegally obtaining and releasing sensitive military information, hoping to sway public opinion and alleviate pressure on Netanyahu to make major concessions to secure the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Israeli soldier was separately charged with handing Feldstein the documents, which were allegedly retrieved from Gaza and suggested that Hamas militants wanted to sow discord in Israeli society to help it win a favourable hostage deal. Both men deny the charges, which carry lengthy prison terms. Netanyahu himself has not been charged but his supporters have accused prosecutors of leading a politically motivated witch hunt against the backdrop of a national emergency. "They're trying to keep people's mouths shut. And we are not accepting it. Enough is enough," said Shoshana Edasis, one of dozens of pro-government protesters who demonstrated in front of the court on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People have started to rise up and understand that we are losing our democracy." A copy of the indictment seen by Reuters said the two suspects had created a mechanism for passing on information that bypassed accepted protocols for sharing such documents. "The two charged suspects acted in order to extract information that was classified to the most confidential level, while taking the concrete risk of causing serious harm to critical national security interests," it said. Rather than leak the information to Israeli media, Feldstein is accused of handing it to German magazine Bild to bypass local censors who would have banned its publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The magazine published its article in September, quoting the document, allegedly written by a Hamas official, which called for the group to exert "psychological pressure" on the hostages' families in an effort to squeeze concessions from Netanyahu. Netanyahu later pointed to the article, saying it vindicated his hardline position on a hostage deal. The case has come at a time of growing tension within Israeli society, even as its army remains locked in war both in Gaza on its southern border and Lebanon, to the north. Government allies have been accused by critics of plotting to oust the attorney general and the head of the Shin Bet internal security service, while hostage families have faced abuse by people who think they want to sell out Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an unusually impassioned speech on Thursday, President Isaac Herzog warned that Israel risked tearing itself apart. "What the hell is happening to us? Is this logical? Haven't we suffered enough?" he said. "This is absolute madness. This is madness that needs to be stopped." (Additional reporting by Jonathan Saul and Jill Gralow, Editing by William Maclean) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, saying he rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions. There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza, a reported statement from his office reads. Netanyahus words come after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant. It also submitted warrants for the arrest of Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif for crimes against humanity, including sexual violence, murder and taking hostages. So far, an estimated 44,056 people have been killed and 104,268 have been injured in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war on the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an appearance on CNN, Luis Moreno Ocampo, a lawyer who served as ICCs first prosecutor from 2003 to 2012, weighed in with his thoughts on the matter. Ocampo says Israels proven use of starvation considered a war crime by the ICC is where the country slipped up. Lets start with the crimes, because its very limited to the starvation part of the campaign. The ICC is not making findings, or bombing, or genocide, its just a very limited charge: Starvation. And everyone knows starvation happened because Mr. Gallant openly said from the beginning they would do it, Ocampo explained, adding that he believes Israel has the power to end the tactic. And President [Joe] Biden spent one year begging to Israel to let food and water to go. So the facts are non-controversial, and the legal characterization that war crime or starvation. And the judges said you cannot use starvation to attack civilians to combat Hamas. And thats very clear. Israel can stop it tomorrow, Becky. Israel can stop this tomorrow. How? If Israel starts today. The Israel-Hamas war has been going on for a over a year since Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people. Per AP News, there are still about 100 hostages being held captive in Gaza. Ocampo went on to say that any participation from the U.S. would complicate matters further and shared that President-elect Donald Trump will likely find new ways to tackle the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, President Biden was begging Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu not to commit crimes, and now, he says, OK, but I dont care what that he says. I think it was a mistake, Ocampo said. But I think President Trump is a very smart person. So he will find alternatives, because its ridiculous that (the) U.S. go against the world, expose itself, protecting crimes ,when Israel can stop this tomorrow. He continued: Prime Minister Netanyahu knows very well that he can stop this tomorrow just alone in (a) national investigation in Israel. So why the U.S. would go ballistic against the world when its an easy solution for these open investigation The U.S. leadership will be seriously compromised here if U.S. tried to attack the ICC, because the world is with the ICC in this case. The post Netanyahu Rejects International Arrest Warrant With Disgust, Former ICC Prosecutor Reveals Whats Next | Video appeared first on TheWrap. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The three new members of the City were sworn in on Tuesday and are now looking to the future for Odessa residents. Theres a lot of things to tackle. We in fact I met today with the city secretary and legal and said heres some program I want, said Mayor Cal Hendrick. I want to be able to all of us who are new we dont know the people we dont know the the departments in workshop. Im gonna start three to four come every workshop. I want to meet the people. I want to hear what they do. I want to hear if they have problems. What can we do to make their jobs better? Do you need more equipment? Do you need more people? Do you need rates? I dont know but were going to find out and were going to start three or four every week until weve done everyone and then were going to come back in maybe January hopefully maybe February. Were going to have what I call a town hall meeting where were going to sit down. Were about all the departments. Were going to learn about what we can do to do better. Odessa welcomes new mayor, city council as former leadership says goodbye Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, At-Large Councilmember Craig Stoker and Councilman Eddie Mitchell said all eyes are on the City Manager position. City Council is tasked with appointing four positions in the city and first and foremost I know my concern is going to be replacing the city manager. We need to hire an interim city manager to handle the day-to-day operations of the city. The problems that youre seeing are a pretty big result of some members of the last council trying to get involved in the day-to-day operations of the city, said Stoker. First plan actions we got to get somebody to run the city. We have no city manager at the time so we have got to get somebody in there. You know thats not a 24-hour process and may good take three months maybe four months so thats the first process, said Mitchell. Hendrick added that he plans to provide public weekly updates on ongoing projects throughout the City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. Former Rep. Matt Gaetzs (R-Fla.) political future is up in the air following his announcement that he is taking his name out of the running to be attorney general in the Trump administration. Gaetz was under intense scrutiny over past investigations by the Justice Department (DOJ) and the House Ethics Committee. The DOJ was investigating Gaetz as a part of a broad sex trafficking probe, including allegations involving underage women, though it declined to file charges. Gaetz has vigorously denied those accusations. The former congressman was also the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and drug use. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, Gaetz wrote on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are five possibilities for what could come next for Gaetz. Another role in Trump administration While Gaetz took himself out of the running to be attorney general, President-elect Trump still could appoint him to an administration post, in the White House or elsewhere, that would not require a Senate confirmation hearing. By choosing Gaetz, Trump would have a high-profile defender in his administration without having to go through a messy confirmation process. Senate Republicans were warning confirmation hearings on Gaetz would be like Kavanaugh on steroids, referring to the 2018 process confirming now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. If Gaetz were to take on another role in the Trump administration, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) would have to set a date for a special election for Gaetzs seat in the states 1st Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis has already instructed the Florida secretary of state to set a schedule for the special election, but a date has not yet been determined. The 1st District is a red seat and would likely see a competitive Republican primary; a number of Republicans have already lined up to run in the special election for Gaetzs seat. Gubernatorial run Gaetz has been among the Republicans floated to run for governor once DeSantiss term ends in 2026. But a gubernatorial run for Gaetz would come with baggage. Gaetz is damaged goods, and donors should line up behind someone else, said Dan Eberhart, a Florida-based Republican donor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its time for Gaetz to practice law, he added. A gubernatorial run, however, could still prompt problems for Gaetz up on Capitol Hill. One House Republican, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic, said there would likely still be a push for more information regarding the allegations against Gaetz, including the Ethics Committees report. If he puts himself out there to run for governor, which is kind of the one everyone seems to think hes going to run for, I do think that if not this report, at least some information needs to come out, because people need to know who theyre electing, the lawmaker said. Reps. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) were also floated for the position, but with Waltz being appointed to serve as Trumps national security adviser, Gaetz would likely face off against Donalds in a primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, the best-positioned person to be the next governor of Florida is Byron Donalds, said Ford OConnell, a Florida-based GOP strategist. Return to House of Representatives Gaetz resigned his seat for the current 118th Congress, but his resignation letter left some wiggle room to return for the 119th Congress that starts Jan. 3, 2025, since he was reelected to the seat. I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress to pursue the position of Attorney General in the Trump Administration, Gaetz wrote in his letter. Now that he is no longer pursuing the attorney general position, his intentions may change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear whether Gaetz could return unilaterally, but some congressional sources believe he can. If not, Gaetz has easily won reelection, and he could likely win a special election. Of course, Gaetz may not even want to return to the House. His wife, Ginger Gaetz, reposted his statement on X about withdrawing from attorney general consideration with a photo of the two on the Capitol steps captioned: The end of an era. Returning to the House would also mean the House Ethics Committee would again have jurisdiction over him nullifying the thorny questions it currently faces about whether it is appropriate to release a report on a former member. The panel investigated Gaetz on and off for years over allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and other matters. Gaetz has vigorously denied the allegations, and the Department of Justice declined to charge him after investigating related matters. Several House Republicans do not want to see Gaetz, who threw the House into chaos when he voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last year, back in the halls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one wants him back, one House Republican told The Hill with a chuckle. I think that he can get sworn in I mean he was elected by his district, he has every right. So, I dont think we could stop him. But hes not loved, thats for sure. A collective good riddance from many right-of-center members! another House Republican told The Hill in reaction to Gaetzs withdrawal. Media career While there are several paths Gaetz could pursue in government and politics, the Florida Republican could also take a stab at a career in media an industry in which he already has experience. Gaetz has been a regular presence on TV and other media for years, vigorously defending Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, Gaetz started his own podcast, Firebrand with Matt Gaetz, on which he gives a behind-the-scenes look into the Swamp of Washington without the spin of Fake News and Deep State influence, according to the shows description. According to YouTube, he just published his 173rd episode. Gaetz has also occasionally found himself sitting at the anchor desk at other conservative outlets. He has guest-hosted former Trump adviser Steve Bannons War Room podcast, and been a fill-in host on Newsmax. When discussing his appointment to be attorney general, Newsmax host Greg Kelly referenced the Florida Republicans time holding the fort for shows on the network. Matt Gaetz is a special guy. Hes incredibly smart, eloquent, bold, unafraid. Hes also the occasional fill-in host on this program. No kidding, Kelly said, adding: I am so honored that we gave him his start, didnt we? No. Matt Gaetz flattered us with his services here at Newsmax, and he is unafraid. And he knows his stuff when he takes on the swamp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One media watcher is predicting Gaetz will land at a Newsmax anchor desk when all is said and done. Im guessing Matt Gaetz ends up as a Newsmax host, Aaron Rupar wrote on X. Appointment to Senate Shortly after Gaetz took his name out of the ring to be attorney general, some floated the possibility he could fill Sen. Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) seat in the Senate after Rubio is confirmed as secretary of State. Gaetz and DeSantis, who will make the decision on whom to appoint to serve the remainder of Rubios term, are former colleagues in the House. Gaetz helped prepare DeSantis in debate preparation when he first ran for governor in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the two were on different sides in the 2024 primary. Gaetz backed Trump last year, shortly before DeSantis challenged Trump. Gaetz has not been among the names floated for the position. DeSantis is said to be considering his chief of staff James Uthmeier, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez and state Attorney General Ashley Moody. Lara Trump, the president-elects daughter-in-law, has been floated by a number of prominent lawmakers and has expressed interest in the position. A scenario in which DeSantis appoints her to the Senate could be viewed as an olive branch to the president-elect. There would be another chance at the Senate in 2026, when the special election for Rubios seat is held, but that scenario seems like it would present Gaetz the same challenges that a run for governor would. Hes toxic for the same reasons, Eberhart said when asked about the possibility of Gaetz going for the Senate seat. If he wants back in, hes going to need to run on his own. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEXICO CITY (AP) Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega on Wednesday proposed a constitutional reform that would officially make him and his wife, current Vice President Rosario Murillo, copresidents of the Central American nation. While the initiative has to pass through the country's legislature, Ortega and Murillo's Sandinista party control the congress and all government institutions, so it is likely to be approved. The proposal also looks to expand the presidential term to six years from five. Ortega put forward another bill Wednesday that would make it illegal for anyone to enforce sanctions from the United States or other foreign bodies within Nicaraguan territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Organization of American States general secretary's office condemned the proposed constitutional reforms Wednesday. The reform document is illegitimate in form and content, it merely constitutes an aberrant form of institutionalization of the matrimonial dictatorship in the Central American country and is a definitive attack on the democratic rule of law, it said in a statement. The proposals come amid an ongoing crackdown by the Ortega government since mass social protests in 2018 that the government violently repressed. Nicaragua's government has imprisoned adversaries, religious leaders, journalists and more, then exiled them, stripping hundreds of their Nicaraguan citizenship and possessions. Since 2018, it has shuttered more than 5,000 organizations, largely religious, and forced thousands to flee the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dissident groups including the Nicaraguan University Alliance quickly railed against the measures, calling them an extension of that clampdown. They are institutionalizing nepotism and repression, destroying the rule of law. Democracy faces its greatest threat, the organization wrote on the social media platform X on Wednesday. Manuel Orozco, director of the migration, remittances, and development program at the Inter-American Dialogue, called Ortega's proposed reforms nothing but a rubber stamping formalization of a decision to guarantee presidential succession for Murillo and their family. Ortega has referred to Murillo previously in recent years as his copresident. While rejection of international sanctions would have no immediate impact, Orozco said it could put the country at high financial risk and risk further penalties from the U.S. Treasury Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orozco said the constitutional reform to the presidency is part of a long-term plan for the administration to stay in power, and was pushed forward Wednesday as a way to avoid provoking the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. The analyst said Trump may not prioritize crackdowns on democratic freedoms in places like Nicaragua, but also isn't likely to tolerate provocations. The procedure, apart from circumventing the popular will, the rule of law, creates the pathway to give Ortega extra time to stay in power, Orozco said. Ortega was reelected to a fourth consecutive five-year term in November 2021. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Nikki Haley has launched into a blistering critique of Donald Trumps cabinet picks Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F Kennedy Jr, slamming the former as a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer. The former United Nations Ambassador in Trumps first administration raised major concerns about Gabbard, who was picked as director of national security, and RFK Jr, who was nominated Health and Human Services secretary, during her SiriusXM show Nikki Haley Live on Wednesday. Haley first torched the one-time Democratic congresswomans stance on foreign policy, including her favorable positions of Russian and Syrian dictators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran. She opposed designating the Iran military as terrorists who say death to America every single day, the former South Carolina governor said. She said that Donald Trump turned the US into Saudi Arabias prostitute. This is going to be the future head of our national intelligence. The former GOP presidential contender then took a swipe at Gabbards stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, after the military veteran posted on X in February 2022 about Russias legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraines becoming a member of NATO. Nikki Haley slammed Gabbard and RFK Jrs nominations to Trumps cabinet (SiriusXM/Nikki Haley/X) Haley continued: After Russia invaded Ukraine, Tulsi Gabbard literally blamed NATO, our Western alliance thats responsible for countering Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She blamed NATO for the attack on Ukraine, and the Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her interviews on Russian and Chinese television. She also shared her disdain over Gabbards trip to Syria in January 2017 where she met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, branding it disgusting that the former Hawaii representative went to Syria for a photo op. Haley, who Trump confirmed would not be rehired to his administration earlier this month, concluded: So now shes defended Russia, shes defended Syria, shes defended Iran, and shes defended China. No, she has not denounced any of these views. None of them. She hasnt taken one of them back. She warned: This is not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turning her attention towards RFK Jr, Haley branded the Kennedy family scion a liberal whose healthcare inexperience may be costly to the nation. RFK Jr and Gabbard behind Trump at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York, on November 16. The duo are among several controversial cabinet picks (AFP via Getty Images) Hes a liberal Democrat, environmental attorney, trial lawyer who will now be overseeing 25 percent of our federal budget and has no background in health care, she said. So some of you may think RFK is cool, some of you may like that he questions whats in our food and whats in our vaccines, but we dont know, when he is given reins to an agency, what decisions hes going to make behind the scenes. Neither Gabbard nor RFK Jr have responded to the criticism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haleys comments comes as Trump has made a string of controversial choices for the top jobs in his future administration. The New York Posts editorial board, a Rupert Murdoch-owned, conservative paper, has also implored the president-elect to rethink some of his choices in an op-ed on Wednesday, calling Gabbard and Trumps attorney general pick Matt Gaetz dreadful. The conservative tabloid newspaper wrote: Theyre distracting chaos agents who wont accomplish what Trump wants them to, and will most likely backfire on his agenda. Like Haley, the Post raised concerns that Gabbard could downplay global threats to Trump because she is too emotionally invested in foreign entities citing her cozying up to Russian state media. Nikki Haley on Wednesday slammed former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard President-elect Donald Trumps pick to be director of national intelligence over her 2017 photo-op with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He was massacring his own people. She said she was skeptical that he was behind the chemical weapons attacks, said Haley of Gabbard on her SiriusXM show. Now, this to me, is disgusting. Haley, who served as United Nations ambassador under Trump, pointed to a 2017 speech she gave where she held up pictures of Syrian children who were victims of a chemical weapons attack in the town of Khan Shaykhun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard, just months before the attack, met with Assad during a secret trip to Syria and, in 2019, would declare that the Syrian president was not an enemy to the United States. For her to say that Assad was not behind that, literally, everything she said about that were Russian talking points, every bit of that, that was Russian propaganda, said Haley before adding that the Democrat-turned-Republican also blamed NATO for Russias invasion of Ukraine. She continued, And the Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her interviews on Russian and Chinese television. Elsewhere in her SiriusXM show, Haley a harsh Trump critic amid her 2024 bid before eventually endorsing his campaign noted that the president-elects pick also once opposed his withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and opposed sanctions on the country, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So now shes defended Russia, shes defended Syria, shes defended Iran and shes defended China. Now she has not denounced any of these views, none of them. She hasnt taken one of them back, Haley said. She later added, DNI ... This is not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer. Related... U.S. Republican politician Nikki Haley on Nov. 20 criticized Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump's nominee for the director of national intelligence, for her foreign policy stances, including her favorable positions towards Russia and other authoritarian regimes. Gabbards nomination comes as part of Trumps proposed cabinet, a choice that has sparked concern in Kyiv due to the former Hawaii congresswoman's Ukraine-skeptic views. Speaking on her podcast Nikki Haley Live, the ex-South South Carolina governor slammed Gabbards past statements and actions, particularly her criticism of NATO and her remarks about Russias "legitimate security concerns" regarding Ukraines potential NATO membership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After Russia invaded Ukraine, Tulsi Gabbard literally blamed NATO, our Western alliance thats responsible for countering Russia," said Haley, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination before conceding to Trump. "She blamed NATO for the attack on Ukraine, and the Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her interviews on Russian and Chinese television." When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Gabbard posted the video of her Fox News comments about U.S. sanctions against Russia on Twitter (now X) and suggested that "doing anything to press Putin to stop the invasion of Ukraine could lead to a nuclear war." Gabbard also argued that the eastward expansion of NATO had provoked Moscow and claimed that the U.S. was fueling a proxy war with Russia that could lead to a "forever war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A former congresswoman from Hawaii and Iraq War veteran, Gabbard has faced longstanding scrutiny for her foreign policy views. Haley also criticized Gabbards broader foreign policy record, highlighting her 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which she called disgusting." She also questioned Gabbards ability to handle national security responsibilities, accusing her of being "overly sympathetic" to authoritarian regimes. "This is not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, or Chinese sympathizer," Haley said. She also added that Gabbard has consistently failed to denounce her controversial positions. Neither Gabbard nor her team has responded to Haleys comments. Read also: What do Trumps first team picks mean for Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Nikki Haley is no fan of Tulsi Gabbard being President-elect Donald Trumps pick for director of national intelligence, or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. potentially leading the Department of Health and Human Services, she made clear on her podcast Wednesday. Haley, a Trump endorser who touted his policies over his personality, seems to have a problem with just that. The DNI role is not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer, she began. [Gabbard] opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran. She opposed designating the Iran military as terrorists who say death to America every single day, Trumps former United Nations ambassador said on SiriusXMs Nikki Haley Live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said that Donald Trump turned the U.S. into Saudi Arabias prostitute. This is going to be the future head of our national intelligence. Haley criticized Gabbards disgusting 2017 trip to Syria for a photo op with Bashar al-Assad. Gabbard has cast doubt on reports that the dictator attacked his own people with chemical gas. Gabbards comments after Russia invaded Ukraine were concerning as well, Haley said. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Tulsi Gabbard literally blamed NATO, our Western alliance thats responsible for countering Russia, Haley said. She blamed NATO for the attack on Ukraine, and the Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her interviews on Russian and Chinese television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haley then took issue with vaccine skeptic Kennedy being Trumps pick to lead the nations heath department. Hes a liberal Democrat, environmental attorney trial lawyer who will now be overseeing 25 percent of our federal budget and has no background in health care, Haley said. So some of you may think RFK is cool, some of you may like that he questions whats in our food and whats in our vaccines, but we dont know when he is given reins to an agency what decisions hes going to make behind the scenes. The Israeli military killed nine "terrorists" during a two-day operation in the northern West Bank, aided by the air force, according to a statement on Thursday. Together, the two forces arrested wanted persons, confiscated weapons and uncovered four explosives laboratories during fighting in Jenin and the surrounding area on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Israeli military said. They also defused dozens of explosive devices under roads, it said. To do this, bulldozers usually rip open the entire lane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah confirmed the number of people killed, though it was unclear whether all were members of militant groups. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) said that three of its fighters had been killed. The Islamist Hamas movement said that one of its fighters was among the dead. Palestinian sources say more than 750 Palestinians have died in the West Bank since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023. A 46-year-old Riverside County man ambushed by vigilante teens after he allegedly provided a girl with nude photos of himself and tried to arrange a sexual encounter with her is, so far, not facing charges. Prosecutors with the Riverside County District Attorneys Office said they would not be filing charges against William Vandenbush, a resident of Homeland, and sent the case back to the sheriffs department for further investigation. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities told KTLAs Shelby Nelson that deputies were tipped off that the suspect was allegedly meeting a minor at the park for sexual purposes. William Vandenbush, 46, a resident of Homeland is shown in this undated mug shot. (Riverside County Sheriffs Department) When deputies arrived at 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 park. Human skull found on L.A. County beach prompts investigation The investigation revealed that Vandenbush sent nude photographs and agreed to meet a minor for sexual purposes, the release detailed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Vandenbush was arrested and booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta for sending harmful matter to a minor, contacting a minor for sexual purposes and arranging to meet with a minor for sexual purposes. Prosecutors did not explain why they have declined the case thus far. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KTLA) A 46-year-old California man ambushed by vigilante teens after he allegedly provided a girl with nude photos of himself and tried to arrange a sexual encounter with her is, so far, not facing charges. Prosecutors with the Riverside County District Attorneys Office said they would not be filing charges against William Vandenbush, a resident of Homeland, California, and sent the case back to the sheriffs department for further investigation. 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, California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities told Nexstars KTLA that deputies were tipped off that the suspect was allegedly meeting a minor at the park for sexual purposes. William Vandenbush, 46, a resident of Homeland is shown in this undated mug shot. (Riverside County Sheriffs Department) When deputies arrived at 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 park. Human skull found on L.A. County beach prompts investigation The investigation revealed that Vandenbush sent nude photographs and agreed to meet a minor for sexual purposes, the release detailed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Vandenbush was arrested and booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, California, for allegedly sending harmful matter to a minor, contacting a minor for sexual purposes and arranging to meet with a minor for sexual purposes. Prosecutors did not explain why they have declined the case thus far. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On top of everything thats gone wrong for Democrats in November, Anthony Weiner is mulling making a political comeback. The New York Times is reporting that the registered sex offender and repeatedly-shamed former New York congressman has floated a return to his once thriving political career, despite the known existence of an incalculable number of New Yorkers who might currently be better suited to hold literally any elected office. Weiner used a recent barbershop interview with failed Republican state comptroller candidate Jonathan Trichter to test these waters. I got removed from society. That happened. I was removed from society for 18 months and five days, and for years I have lived as a civilian in this neighborhood, Weiner said, strategically deploying the passive voice as he discussed the matter during his haircut. Maybe this campaign will be an opportunity for me to engage those people, even if they do not like what I did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A reminder: That whole what Weiner did thing was getting caught for sexting lewd images to women and an underage girl over and over again. In 2011 he accidentally posted his bulge showing through his underwear publicly on his Twitter timeline, and then denied doing that for days before finally resigning from Congress. More sexual messages to a 22-year-old woman were exposed during his New York City mayoral campaign in 2013. He was caught sexting another woman and a 15-year-old girl in 2016. Weiner surrendered to the FBI in 2017 and was found guilty of transferring obscene materials to a minor. He spent almost two years in prison. Weiners inability to keep his rampaging libido in check may have world-historical ramifications, as many argue that his sexting scandal was a critical domino to fall in Hillary Clintons 2016 email-server fallout. Emails regarding Hillary Clintons controversy were found on Weiners laptop that he used for sexting. Weiners wife, Huma Abedin, was vice chair of Clintons campaign, leading former FBI Director James Comey to reopen investigations into Clinton just days before the 2016 election. Many within the party blame Comeys decision, initiated by Weiners own vile desires, for Clintons loss to Donald Trump. Today, Weiner is eyeing a seat back at where it all startedthe New York City Council. But other candidates in his district, which covers Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side, arent exactly enthusiastic about Weiners triumphant return to politics. Everyone deserves a second chance, but this guy has had third, fourth and fifth chances, council candidate Sarah Batchu said. Another candidate, Andrea Gordillo, offered scathing remarks of her own. Families in Lower Manhattan deserve better than failed New York and Washington politicians using our moment of need for their own political comeback. The way police are recording non-crime incidents threatens to undermine public confidence in officers, the head of the police standards body has warned. Lord Herbert, the chairman of the College of Policing, which sets standards for the police, said trust was being damaged by the perception that forces were getting involved in mere disputes at the expense of tackling crimes such as shoplifting and anti-social behaviour (ASB). He called for a more common sense approach to ensure non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) were being recorded in the way that they were originally designed to prevent crime and to stop community tensions escalating into violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments came as Essex Police announced that it was dropping its investigation into the Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson who had been accused of inciting racial hatred in a tweet a year ago. It was not an NCHI but sparked a debate over policing of hate crime. Last week it emerged that children are among thousands of people being investigated by police for non-crime hate incidents. Police forces recorded incidents against a nine-year-old who called a primary school classmate a retard and against two secondary school girls who said that another pupil smelt like fish. Lord Herbert, a former Conservative policing minister, said the NCHIs stemmed from the Macpherson inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence as a means to provide police with intelligence on race-hate incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that was a quarter of a century ago and since then, we have had the expansion of hate-crime laws, the explosion of social media and the very heavily contested space of online comment, he told the Lords. Is it not right for the Home Secretary to call for a common-sense approach to this? We may need a rebalancing so that the police can focus on the job they are meant to do and not be drawn into the policing of mere disputes, which is bad for public confidence in the service. Lord Herbert wants to see a common sense approach to ensure NCHIs are being recorded in the way originally designed - Heathcliff O'Malley for The Telegraph Speaking to The Telegraph, he said he was very worried over the perception that police were focusing on the wrong issues. In particular, this relates to how they deal with crimes such as ASB, shoplifting, the kinds of crimes that are affecting people in their day-to-day lives and where people perceive that police are overstretched in those areas, Lord Herbert said. If it then seems that police are drawn into areas that are highly controversial where theres a general perception that police should not be, that is an extremely unfortunate contrast and does undermine confidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lord Herbert said that the College, working with the previous Tory Government, had sought to rebalance the system which set a higher test for recording NCHIs. This meant that personal information could only be included in an NCHI record if the incident presented a real risk of significant harm to individuals or groups with a particular characteristic(s) and/or a real risk that a future criminal offence may be committed. He added that the College needed to look at how this was being implemented, saying: We need to look again at our training and make sure that the guidance is being followed. Forces are supposed to weed out complaints that are trivial, irrational or malicious or relating to the expression of lawfully held views. But a September report by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary found that many forces failed to correctly apply the guidance. It uncovered evidence that confusion over the rules meant officers were taking a risk-averse approach summed up as if in doubt, record. As a result, NCHIs were too often being logged for complaints that amounted to little more than peoples hurt feelings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it is necessary to revisit the guidance we should, but first of all we need to ensure that it is being implemented properly, Lord Herbert said. This is a matter of forces following it properly, applying the test and making sure common sense is exercised and officers are not drawn into the wrong areas. He warned, however, against throwing the baby out with the bathwater by banning police from recording NCHIs. It is recorded because police need to assess every report put to them and see whether it reaches the right threshold and that information will be very important intelligence about things like community tensions and to prevent crime. 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. Non-profit creates opt out forms against State Superintendent Ryan Walters OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The controversy continues over State Superintendent Ryan Walters and his directives involving religion in the classroom. A non-profit called Defense of Democracy has created opt-out forms for parents who want their child to have no interaction with Ryan Walters in any capacity, which includes the recent prayer video. I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions, I pray in particular for President Donald Trump, said Walters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Walters directed a prayer video to be played in all Oklahoma classrooms, a move still sparking backlash. Many, many parents and many of the administrators within the public school system in Oklahoma dont agree with this, said Karen Svoboda, Executive Director for Defense of Democracy. Those parents can now say no to Walters by using the opt-out forms. One form specifically targets Walters prayer video, while another addresses his push to incorporate the Bible into classroom instruction. We have seen a flood of interest from the state of Oklahoma, specifically from parents who are panicked, who are devastated that Ryan Walters is requiring this and so relieved that there is at least an option that they can use to protect their kids, said Svoboda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal experts, superintendents, legislators say Walters mandate schools show politically-charged video crosses numerous lines While most Oklahoma school districts tell News 4 they will not be sharing the video of Walters praying, Defense of Democracy believes the forms will help even more with schools wanting to push back. Schools can actually say, Well, its not just this superintendent or this board of directors thats saying were not going to show this video. Its this 240 parents that we got this email about that dont want their kids to show it,' said Erica Watkins, State Director for Defense of Democracy. Watkins helped create the opt-out forms, she has two children in Oklahoma schools and says she is worried about their future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not focusing on education. Were focusing on culture, war and ideological fights that its harming our kids, said Watkins. While Ryan Walters did not respond to News 4s request for an interview, he talked to News Nation on why he is requiring Bibles and the video in classrooms. We wanted to make sure it was crystal clear to parents, teachers and kids, we will not allow any more state-sponsored atheism going on in our schools, which is the targeting of any expressions of religious beliefs, which is absurd, said Walters. News 4 asked the Oklahoma State Department of Education specifically if Walters wanted to comment on the forms, but we did not receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forms can be viewed here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Gov. Mike Parson speaks at his last Governor's Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). The not-for-profit group originally set up to pay for Gov. Mike Parsons 2021 inauguration gave $150,000 this week to the political action committee that helped get him elected. Parson is leaving office due to term limits and has said repeatedly that he does not intend to be a candidate for public office again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PAC, Uniting Missouri, received the donation on Monday from Moving Missouri Forward Inc., which also paid the expenses to write and publish a biography of Parson called No Turnin Back that the governor has promoted extensively since its publication in February. The origin of the $150,000 is unclear, since Moving Missouri Forward is not required to disclose its donors. But none of the money donated Monday was generated by sales of the Parson book, attorney Marc Ellinger said in an interview with The Independent. A different not-for-profit called Moving Missouri Forward Foundation receives all proceeds from book sales, he said, and is headed by First Lady Teresa Parson as president and Claudia Kehoe, wife Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe, as vice president. It paid for the book and contributed the entire cost of it and everything to the foundation as a charitable contribution, so that the foundation would have an ability to raise money through the book, Ellinger said. Ellinger is the registered agent for both Moving Missouri Forward Inc. and Moving Missouri Forward Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uniting Missouri PAC had about $93,000 on hand at the end of October. Reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission show it raised about $1.3 million since the start of 2023 and spent about $775,000 this year helping two officeholders Parson appointed, Kehoe and Attorney General Andrew Bailey, win hotly contested Republican primaries. Uniting Missouri has also spent about $120,000 for Parsons trips to watch the Kansas City Chiefs win the two most recent Super Bowls. Tom Burcham a former Republican state lawmaker from Farmington with close ties to Parsons longtime friend and fundraiser, lobbyist Steve Tilley is in charge of Uniting Missouri. It is unclear why the PAC needs to keep raising money to support a candidate who is no longer running for public office, and Burcham did not respond to a request for comment. Burcham is also the registered agent for a not-for-profit created in September called 57 Foundation Inc., in reference to Parsons position as the 57th governor of the state. The nonprofit held a fundraiser Nov. 14 in Kansas City where donors paid as much as $10,000 for a table and pre-event reception with the Parsons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purpose of 57 Foundation, according to its incorporation papers, includes providing essential resources and support to needful and vulnerable Missourians who cannot adequately help themselves. The foundations activities are inspired by and aligned with the legacy of public service and contributions of Missouris 57th Governor, Michael L. Parson. The Moving Missouri Forward Inc. donation to Uniting Missouri is roughly equal to the remaining funds raised on behalf of Parson, Ellinger said. It will now transition to become a vehicle for funding Kehoes inauguration, he said. Soon after Parsons 2021 inauguration, Moving Missouri Forward Inc. released a list of donors who contributed $500 or more to the $369,115 raised for the festivities. The list did not include the specific amounts donated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a not-for-profit 501(c)(4) entity, it is not required to reveal its donors. It is required to file a statement of revenues and expenses annually with the IRS. The most recent report, filed in November 2023 and covering 2022, shows $3,000 in contributions in 2022 and $40,563 in cash on hand at the end of the year. The filing also showed a $25,000 contribution to the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) entity and contributions are tax deductible. The purpose of the Moving Missouri Forward Foundation, according to its creation filing, is to aid, assist, or help Missouris children, including but not limited to Jobs for Americas Graduates-Missouri and children with autism and special needs. Mike and Teresa Parson have been co-chairs of Jobs for Americas Graduates-Missouri since 2016, when he was elected lieutenant governor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The North Carolina State Board of Elections' top administrator asked a powerful legislator on Thursday to retract a comment that he made suggesting this month's results were being manipulated, saying it could lead to threats against local election workers. You are a top leader of our state government. What you say matters, Karen Brinson Bell, the boards executive director, wrote state Senate leader Phil Berger in response to his words from Wednesday. When you tell your fellow citizens that an election is being conducted fraudulently, they listen. Berger, a Republican, was speaking to reporters following the final passage of a bill that in part would shift next year the authority to appoint the State Board of Elections from the governor to the state auditor. The new governor in 2025 will remain a Democrat in Josh Stein, while the next auditor will be a Republican. Changes also would likely filter down to county elections boards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have expressed frustration about a state Supreme Court race where GOP candidate Jefferson Griffin was leading on election night. But a 10,000-vote deficit for Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs was eliminated as county boards added qualifying provisional and absentee ballots to the totals. Griffin, now trailing, asked for a recount now underway and has filed protests. Without mentioning the court race by name or specifics of electoral influence, Berger told reporters that we're seeing played out at this point another episode of Count Until Somebody You Want to Win Wins." In the letter, first reported by North Carolina Public Radio, Brinson Bell wrote that Berger's accusation has absolutely no basis in fact, and that county boards, where hundreds of Democrats and Republicans serve, "were duty-bound to count eligible provisional and absentee ballots" before last Friday's canvass. Some did not finish their work until this week. The legislation also would move up the deadlines so that election officials finish counting outstanding ballots more quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bergers office didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Brinson Bells letter an unusual communication by an agency head to one of the states most influential politicians. Brinson Bell told Berger that baseless accusations of wrongdoing over the 2020 elections led election administrators to leave their profession and bring emotional stress, too. I fear for the people running elections in this state, including in your own community, that some misguided people will conclude from your statements that actions must be taken, perhaps through the use of threats or violence, Brinson Bell said. The state board and county boards, while bipartisan, are controlled by Democrats. A Democratic state board first hired Brinson Bell for the job in 2019. Her future at the post may be jeopardized should the bill moving state board appointing power to Republican Auditor Dave Boliek be enacted and avoids being struck down by courts. Republican legislators have previously expressed displeasure at some of Brinson Bell's actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berger said Wednesday that he wants a board that functionally operates in a way that is just counting the votes, not pulling for one side or the other. Logistically, elections went relatively well in the battleground state won by Republican Donald Trump, despite disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene's historic flooding. The General Assembly passed legislation providing flexibility to 25 western counties affected most by the storm, leading to altered early-vote sites and schedules. A handful of Election Day precincts set up shop in tents. North Carolina Republican lawmakers voted to strip the states incoming Democratic governor and attorney general of key powers, passing a sweeping bill before the GOP most likely loses its veto-proof supermajority in the Legislature next year. The legislation would grant the authority to appoint members to the state's election board, which oversees the voting process in North Carolina, to the state auditor, an office that will be held by Republican Dave Boliek after he defeated incumbent Democrat Jessica Holmes in the Nov. 5 election. That power currently lies with the governor's office, which will remain in Democratic hands after Attorney General Josh Stein defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Republicans have long sought control of the State Board of Elections, which is historically controlled by the same party as the governor, but the courts have foiled their past efforts. The legislation would also shorten the time for voters to fix ballot errors and require counties to count ballots more rapidly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes are just one part of a massive, 131-page bill that includes hurricane relief funding and would advance a spate of other Republican legislative priorities. The law was written behind closed doors and introduced as a committee substitute Tuesday morning, replacing a long-discarded bill about dental practices. Both GOP-controlled chambers passed it over just two days, though three Republicans opposed the measure in the House on Tuesday. After the Senate passed the bill Wednesday, it heads to the desk of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has criticized the measure as a "power grab." State Board staff were not consulted about this significant piece of legislation that transfers authority of the State Board of Elections and makes substantial administrative changes that may make it impossible for the county boards of elections to adequately ensure every eligible ballot cast is counted, especially in high turnout elections, Karen Brinson Bell, the executive director of the State Board of Elections, said in a statement. After Wednesday's vote, Senate Republican Phil Berger defended the bill, saying it was all within the rules that we have," according to the Raleigh News & Observer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve expressed concerns for a number of years about how the Board of Elections has been operating under the appointees of Roy Cooper," Berger said. "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. North Carolina's elections board is currently split 3-2 in favor of Democrats. The legislation also proposes prohibiting the attorney general, an office Democrats also kept control of in this month's election, from taking legal positions contrary to those of the Legislature. That would prevent the states incoming attorney general, Jeff Jackson, from refusing to defend laws the Legislature has passed, as Stein did with the state's new abortion law last year. The new bill would also strip the governor of some of his power in filling judicial vacancies and creating new Superior Court positions nominated by legislative leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans are on track to lose their supermajority in the Legislature pending the result of a recount in a state House race, in which the Democrat currently leads in the GOP-held district. That means they would be unable to override any future vetoes from Stein without Democratic support. Stein is succeeding Cooper, whose administration repeatedly clashed with the Republican-led Legislature in the battleground state. "Many people and communities are hurting and need our help," Stein said in a post on X on Tuesday. "But instead of stepping up, the Republicans in the General Assembly are grabbing power and exacting political retribution." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A man who was shot in north Columbus and hospitalized with life-threatening injuries died Wednesday night and police have amended charges for a suspect in custody. According to Columbus police, 24-year-old Darreion Davis died Wednesday at 6:43 p.m., three days after he was found shot in the 1900 block of Deborah Court in the Forest Park East neighborhood. Davis was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, though investigators did not believe he would survive. Unsolved Ohio: Columbus woman missing for nearly seven years Due to the severity of the victims injuries, homicide detectives arrived at the scene to investigate and Columbus police arrested 20-year-old Alise Schlaegel. She was taken to Franklin County Jail and charged with felonious assault. Thursday morning, police said an additional murder charge was filed against Schlaegel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schlaegel was issued a $500,000 bond in Franklin County Municipal Court Wednesday after she was charged with felonious assault. An arraignment date for the murder charge has not yet been set. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea and Russia reached a new agreement for expanding economic cooperation following high-level talks in Pyongyang this week, the Norths state media said Thursday, as they continue to align in the face of their confrontations with Washington. North Koreas official Korean Central News Agency didnt elaborate on the details of the agreement signed Wednesday between its senior trade officials and a Russian delegation led by Alexandr Kozlov, the countrys minister of natural resources and ecology. The Russian news agency Tass on Tuesday said officials following an earlier round of talks agreed to increase the number of charter flights between the countries to promote tourism. Kozlov, who arrived in North Korea on Sunday, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his top economic official, Premier Kim Tok Hun, before returning home on Wednesday, KCNA said. During Kozlovs visit, Russian President Vladimir Putins gifted Pyongyangs Central Zoo with more than 70 animals, including lions, bears and several species of birds, according to Tass, in another display of the countries growing ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim Jong Un in recent months has prioritized relations with Moscow as he attempts to break out of international isolation and strengthen his footing, actively supporting Putins war on Ukraine while portraying the North as a player in a united front against Washington. Kim has yet to directly acknowledge that he has been providing military equipment and troops to Russia to support its fighting against Ukraine. South Koreas National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Wednesday 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 Russias northeast. The spy agency believes 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, said Lee Seong Kweun, a lawmaker who attended the meeting. U.S., South Korean and Ukrainian officials have claimed that the North has also been supplying Russia with artillery systems, missiles and other equipment. North Korea would be possibly getting anywhere between $320 million to $1.3 billion annually from Russia for sending its troops to Ukraine, considering the scale of the dispatch and the level of payments Russia has been providing to foreign mercenaries, according to a recent study by Lim Soo-ho, a South Korean analyst at an NIS-run think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While that would be meaningful income for North Koreas crippled and heavily sanctioned economy, it could be lower than the money the North earns from illicit coal exports or supplying military equipment to Russia, Lim said. This suggests that North Koreas troop dispatch is less about money than acquiring key Russian technologies to further advance its nuclear weapons and missile program, which is a major concern in Seoul, Lim said. Amid the stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations with Washington, Kim has been dialing up pressure on South Korea, abandoning his countrys long-standing goal of inter-Korean reconciliation and verbally threatening to attack the South with nukes if provoked. He has used Russias war on Ukraine as a distraction to accelerate the development of his nuclear-armed military, which now has various nuclear-capable systems targeting South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missiles that can potentially reach the U.S. mainland. A high-ranking North Korean general has been wounded as a result of Ukrainian missile strikes on the territory of Russias Kursk Oblast. For the first time, the West confirms the injury of a high-ranking North Korean military officer. Source: The Wall Street Journal, citing an anonymous Western official, as reported by European Pravda Details: The WSJ source revealed that the North Korean general was injured during a recent Ukrainian strike in Kursk Oblast. The source did not provide details on how the general was injured and did not identify the North Korean high-ranking military officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wall Street Journal notes this is the first time the West has confirmed an injury to a high-ranking North Korean military figure. Earlier, WSJ reported that North Korea had sent Colonel General Kim Yong Bok to Russia to oversee North Korean troops. Kim is considered one of North Koreas ten most prominent military leaders and a frequent aide to Kim Jong Un. Western media recently confirmed that Ukraine targeted a military facility in Kursk Oblast using Storm Shadow missiles. Reports suggested the strike may have hit the Bariatinsky estate in Maryino, suspected of housing a command post for Russian and North Korean forces operating in Kursk Oblast. Ukraines Unmanned Systems Forces shared footage showing the destruction of a Russian command post near Maryino in Kursk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) In North Myrtle Beachs tourism-driven economy, short-term rentals play an outsized role. There are more than 5,400 known to city officials, but virtually no regulations around parking, noise and safety standards though thats likely to be changing soon. Its a disruption for people that are already established in these neighborhoods, so we have to get some kind of order to kind of keep some of this stuff under control and to make our residents be able to live in peace, city council member Nikki Fontana said at a Wednesday workshop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Manager Ryan Fabbri said it could cost up to $1 million to partner with a compliance firm and create a short-term rental enforcement unit paid for by a $250 annual permit fee for property owners. Thats the cost of doing business, and its to generate revenue so we can put in place to make sure its properly regulated, he said. Officials said Wednesday when and if an ordinance is approved, it will include parking restrictions. I will tell you, my quality of life has changed and so has my neighbors because of short-term rentals, Mayor Marilyn Hatley said. My next-door neighbors, theyve already bought another house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Myrtle Beach isnt the only Grand Strand community grappling with short-term rentals. Last week, Myrtle Beachs city council gave early support to extending a six-month moratorium that bars conversion of long-term rentals. No action was taken Wednesday. * * * 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. This is an article about Donald Trumps Cabinet nominee who faces accusations of sexual misconduct. No, not Pete Hegseth, the pick to lead the Department of Defense who a woman accuses of raping her at a conference in 2017; no, not Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the serial adulterer whose former live-in nanny says she was groped by the anti-vaccine activist; and no, not Linda McMahon, the former WWE executive accused, per CNN, of knowingly allowing an employee to use his position as ringside announce to sexually exploit children. No, this is an article about Matt Gaetz, Trumps pick for attorney general who stands accused of having sex with a minor at drug-fueled parties while serving as a member of the U.S. Congress. The evidence against Gaetz made public so far is mounting: multiple women have now come forward to claim not only that the former Florida lawmaker paid them for sex, but that they personally witnessed him having sex with a 17-year-old girl. Venmo transactions show he paid those women thousands of dollars, and wrote one a check for tuition reimbursement; Gaetz also reimbursed them over PayPal, relying on an account registered to Nestor Galban, a man who he claimed in 2020 was his adopted son (that claim came days after Gaetzs friend, Joel Greenberg, was arrested on charges including child sex trafficking). What else could be in the House Ethics Committees report on Gaetz is anyones guess. On Wednesday, the panels Republican majority blocked a Democratic effort to make its findings public, a move that came after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., threatened to reveal which of her GOP colleagues had also been accused of sexual wrongdoing and which had relied on taxpayer money to pay off their accusers (an admission of her own complicity, really). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would hope that if you are at home and you are a Republican, a Democrat, an independent, that you would want to see the information on the nominee to become your attorney general or any other member of the Cabinet, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said after the committees Republicans voted to cover for their former colleague. Its not a good sign, she added, that the GOP does not want it released; it certainly does not suggest the report is exonerating. Its not a great sign for Democratic resistance, either, that not all Democrats agree. This committee will become partisan if we vote to release a report on any member, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., told Politico, which described the lawmaker as being friendly with Gaetz. What, though, is there left to say a man who has already been credibly and publicly accused of sex crimes while being nominated by a man from whom he previously sought a pardon for sex trafficking? Republicans in the Senate, who have access to the same information as any member of the public, have already signaled that nothing they have learned so far is worth blocking an appointment over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wasnt prosecuted for having sex with an underage girl, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Wednesday. That tells me something. But Graham also warned that the confirmation hearings could be a spectacle that Trump may wish to avoid, even as he threatens to bypass the Senate altogether if he doesnt get his way (his allies may not wish to test that proposition, however questionable the legal theory). Still, how much of a concern is a few days of a bad look in a post-Access Hollywood tape world? The president-elect was found liable by a jury for sexual assault and was just this year convicted of fraud over hush payments he made to a porn star. Just over two weeks ago, he won an election. Indeed, while The New York Times reported that Trump himself is seemingly open to considering alternative candidates for attorney general if Gaetz goes down, he also deployed Vice President-elect J.D. Vance on Wednesday to make the case for his first choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, the pitch is that the allegations against Gaetz were already investigated and he was never charged with a crime, whether theres enough evidence to convince a jury conflated with actual innocence. Speaking with GOP senators on Wednesday, Gaetz talked about the unfairness and the lack of truth of the allegations being pursued by the committee, and the fact that the DOJ did decline to prosecute, Lee told reporters. That is part of the appeal here: Gaetz, like Trump, can claim hes a victim of a Biden-run defamation campaign. Who better to weaponize the Department of Justice and pursue Trumps vows of retribution than someone who has experienced that themselves? Lawrence Jones, a co-host of Fox & Friends, made that argument Thursday morning, noting that Trump was well aware that Gaetz had been investigated for sex trafficking and sleeping with a minor. It didnt bother him, Jones said; in fact, it was an asset. Trump, he said, was aware of this investigation before. And the position of the former president is that theres a Department of Justice that went after me, and it was unfair, and they didn't find anything with me. And the same thing with Matt Gaetz. Hes actually doubled down. He wants him to be the person. If Gaetz makes it to confirmation hearings next year, its certainly possible that members of Trumps party decide they just cant do it (that many Republicans loathe Gaetz, as a man, is no secret); perhaps, even before then, Trump will abandon his ally for the likes of Ken Paxton, Texas far-right attorney general and, as far as we know, a guy who merely cheated on his wife. But the rationalizations are already out there for public consumption Gaetz was never charged; women lie so no one should be surprised if Republican senators ultimately decide that their moral objections should, like the House ethics report, remain private. Palm Bay Police Chief Mario Auguello has a stern warning for drug dealers. Palm Bay is by no means a safe haven for drug dealers, Auguello said. They feel like they can just come here and its a sanctuary city for them to just hang out and not have any consequences to their actions. And were coming for them. On Wednesday, Palm Bay Police arrested 59-year-old Bernard Hardy. Read: Former deputy indicted for first-degree murder of his deputy wife Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Hardy was responsible for two opioid overdose deaths that occurred at the same home in the 600 block of Eldron Boulevard, NE back in July of last year. Earlier this week, Hardy was indicted by a grand jury in connection to the 2023 overdose deaths of 22-year-old Julianna Junz, and 37-year-old Stephen Defuria. Read: Downtown Orlando shooting suspect indicted for murder And so were not done. You know, we know theres still several out there that are dealing drugs within our city, within the county, Brevard, with no regard for human life, Auguello said. Auguello added that the police department is partnering with some organizations that provide resources for people in the community struggling with substance abuse and addiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Osceola County deputy accused of sparking a fire during an arrest takes the stand in his own defense Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. When Deborah Gonzalez ran to be elected District Attorney of Georgias Western Judicial Circuit in 2020, she made no bones about her position on capital punishment. I do not support the death penalty, Gonzalez wrote on Twitter, now X, in September 2020. It is cruel & inhumane. As DA of Athens, GA, I will not seek it in any prosecution. The eye for an eye argument does not make our community whole. Restorative justice does that. She has stayed true to that position in her four-year term as district attorney including in the recent murder trial of Jose Ibarra, the 26-year-old migrant convicted of killing nursing student Laken Riley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution in court recommended Ibarra be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, as did members of Rileys family. Your Honor, Im 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. He showed no mercy on Laken when she was begging for her life, her mother Allyson Phillips said in court. Im 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. Judge H. Patrick Haggard agreed and delivered the sentence Wednesday afternoon. That was no surprise for those in the courtroom. In May, three months after the killing, the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office said it would not pursue the death penalty in Ibarras case. The decision was made after careful deliberation with the senior prosecutor and the support of (Rileys) family and underscores our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for the most heinous crimes, according to a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The punishment stopping short of the death penalty, though, earned criticism from some right-wing firebrands like US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Jose Ibarra deserves the death penalty, the Republican from Georgia wrote on X. Just as Lakens mother Allyson asked the judge, Lakens evil murderer deserves exactly what he gave to Laken. A spokesperson for the DAs office defended the decision to seek a life sentence in an email statement Thursday. Life without parole is an appropriately serious sentence and is a decision supported by the family, as heard in the impact statements during yesterdays sentencing, spokesperson Dawn Brinkley said. I am a progressive prosecutor Gonzalezs positions against the death penalty and for criminal justice reform fit her among a wave of progressive prosecutors elected across the country in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the final days of the Donald Trumps first administration, Gonzalez co-wrote an opinion for USA Today criticizing the administrations disregard for human life and use of the death penalty. The death penalty represents the worst of us revenge and cruelty and does nothing to deter crime or make our communities safer, Gonzalez and two others wrote. It is long past time to abolish capital punishment, once and for all. And Americans as well as states are increasingly embracing this reform and aligning with other Western democracies. Gonzalez laid out her views further in a January 2022 interview with the magazine VoyageATL. I am a progressive prosecutor which means I understand my power and have committed to use it to address the injustices of the criminal legal system to reduce mass incarceration, reduce the harm to the community because of the prison industrial complex, to hold people accountable for what they have done through restorative measures and diversion programs, to assist in the healing of my community by every single decision I make, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those views were put to the test in February, when Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student was killed while out for a run on the University of Georgia campus. The suspect in the killing was Ibarra, a migrant from Venezuela who entered the country illegally. Four days after the killing, Gonzalez brought in Sheila Ross from the Prosecuting Attorneys Council to join a task force in the murder case. We welcome her back as a knowledgeable and well-respected trial attorney with the expertise ready to bring justice on behalf of Laken Riley, Gonzalez said in the statement. Three months later, Gonzalez released the statement announcing prosecutors would not seek the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our utmost duty is to ensure that justice is served and that the victims family is an integral part of the deliberation process, Gonzalez said. We understand that there will be those outside of this office who will disagree with our decision and seek to exploit this case for political gain. However, the integrity of our judicial process and the pursuit of justice must always transcend political considerations. Four years since the 2020 election, that wave of progressive prosecutors has crashed ashore. Across the country, a sharp rise in murders from 2020 to 2022 helped spur a backlash against officials like Gonzalez. Earlier this month, she was booted from office. She garnered just 41% of the vote in a loss to independent Kalki Yalamanchili, who had criticized her leadership of the office and her opposition to the death penalty. I dont think that you should categorically rule out the death penalty, and if I saw a case where I thought it was appropriate, our office would seek it, he said in an interview with Athens Politics Nerd. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A CNN panel over Donald Trumps since-withdrawn attorney general pick Matt Gaetzs sordid history of sexual misconduct investigations got heated on Wednesday night when a Trump surrogate hurled a condescending dismissal. In a segment discussing a web of former Florida Rep. Gaetzs Venmo transactions leaked to the New York Times, host Abby Phillip had to shut down MAGA surrogate and ex-director of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump, Bruce LeVell. Is this really the best we can do? Somebody who has real allegations wait a second, Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky said as LeVell tried to cut her off. He has real allegations of having underage sex, according to people who are Republicans on the House floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz was the subject of a Department of Justice probe and a House Ethics inquiry over alleged sexual misconduct, including allegations he had sex with a 17-year-old girl. Senate Republicans have largely refused to comment on the allegations, as House GOP leadership seeks to bury the report. Philip chimed in, noting that Gaetz more closely fit the profile of the type of person the Department of Justice would investigate. The DOJ investigates the Merrick Garland DOJ they investigated this, LeVell said before Philip clarified that the investigation began during the first Trump administration. Okay, and all during the bottom line is the DOJ said theres nothing there, LeVell claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roginsky interjected, disputing the claim and adding the DOJ only said they didn't have enough to indict. Its a charge, dear, LeVell said, triggering an impassioned response at the misogynistic slight from Roginsky. Dear? Excuse me, the Democratic strategist responded before Philip intervened. Im just gonna stop it right here because were not gonna get off on a wrong foot. Please do not address a grown woman as dear in a condescending tone. Do not do that at my table, the host said. Philip had to shut down a fiery panel discussion earlier this month when a different Trump-backing pundit turned to transphobia to explain why Democrats lost the White House, prompting a reaction from commentator Jay Michaelson. Another panel last month devolved into chaos when Trump surrogate Ryan Girdusky hurled an anti-Muslim joke at journalist Medhi Hasan. Girdusky was banned from future CNN appearances. The notorious German Holocaust denier Ursula Haverbeck, a well-known figure on the extremist far-right fringes of German politics who was repeatedly convicted in court for her comments, is dead. She was 96 years old. Her attorney, Wolfram Nahrath, confirmed to dpa that she died on Wednesday. At the time of her death, Haverbeck was appealing her most recent conviction for incitement to hatred for her comments denying the genocidal crimes of Germany's Nazi regime during World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A court in Hamburg sentenced her to 16 months in prison, but her lawyer had filed an appeal against the verdict. She previously served two years in prison for Holocaust denial, and had also been convicted and fined by German courts dating back to 2004. Haverbeck repeatedly claimed, including a television interview and in courtrooms, that the Auschwitz concentration camp was not an extermination camp and that mass murder did not take place there. According to estimates by historians and German government records, the Nazis murdered at least 1.1 million people at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp complex alone. The prosecutions helped propel Haverbeck to notoriety in Germany's neo-Nazi scene, and she ran for the European Parliament in 2019 as the top candidate for the neo-Nazi extremist party Die Rechte ("The Right"). WASHINGTON (KLFY) The National Transportation Safety Board has released the initial findings in its investigation of a helicopter crash that killed a Kinder family Nov. 1. The crash near Iowa killed the pilot, Jared Savant, 50, his wife Tanya Savant, 35, and their 2-year-old child. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. According to the preliminary report, the Robinson R-44 II helicopter was destroyed when it crashed near Iowa at 9:06 p.m. Nov. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said the helicopter crashed onto a two-lane asphalt road bordered by 40- to 50-foot-tall trees on both sides. The fuselage was consumed by a post-impact fire. Some debris, unaffected by the fire, extended about 25 feet from the main wreckage. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest A set of power lines, about 30 feet high, ran along the west side of the road, but no evidence of a power line strike by the helicopter was observed. Position data indicated that the pilot initially departed from private property near Kinder at about 6:13 p.m. and climbed to an altitude of about 800 feet. About 13 minutes later he landed in a field near a restaurant in Lake Charles. The pilot departed from that field at about 8:54 p.m. and headed back the way he came. The helicopter reached an altitude of about 1,300 feet, investigators said. An initial review by the Federal Aviation Administration showed the pilot held a student pilot certificate. Preliminary review of the pilots logbook revealed that he had logged about 139 hours total time, all of which were in R-44 helicopters, authorities said. Of that flight time, about 15 hours were at night. On the day of the accident, sunset was at 6:23 p.m. and civil twilight ended at 6:49 p.m., authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the NTSBs entire preliminary report below. Report_CEN25FA034_195427_11_21_2024-2_52_51-PMDownload Latest news Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. COVERT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A public meeting was held Wednesday to hear the communitys input on whether the Palisades power plant should reopen. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission held the meeting, focusing heavily on emergency preparedness and the plants plan to operate safely in emergency situations. This is such an important opportunity for the NRC to communicate with the public, NRC Co-Chair of the Palisades Restart Panel Jamie Pelton told News 8. What we are doing to ensure that any potential restart is safe. We want to hear the public concerns, we want to answer questions and be transparent in what we are doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plant closed operations in May of 2022. Ever since, Holtec International has filed several requests for licensing which, if approved, would return the plant back to operational status. The environmental review and the public meeting are just part of the requirements. $1.5B loan approved to restart Palisades plant Emergency planning is one of our NRC requirements to ensure that if the plant is authorized to restart, it can only be done if its safe and if the appropriate emergency plans and process are in place, Pelton added. The NRC was joined by representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to outline their emergency preparedness plans. The NRC is in charge of onsite regulation and FEMA is in charge of offsite management, both of whom requiring their own plan for emergency readiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any nuclear reactor, one of our requirements is to prepare for a disaster that will never happen or potentially never happen, but its part of their license requirements to have the plans in place in case something does happen, Philip McKenna with the NRC told News 8. FEMA representatives told News 8 their goal is to ensure that emergency plans outside of the plant are met, and that comes with working with local leaders and law enforcement to ensure everyone is aware of the plan and requirements. They have to establish an offsite emergency preparedness program, which means that the state and local governments put together the plans in preparedness that can demonstrate that they have the capability to respond to commercial nuclear power plant accidents, Sean OLeary with FEMA Region 5 told News 8. Federal regulators talk environmental impacts of possible Palisades reopening Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting brought out community members who both agreed and disagreed with the restart plans. Bette Pierman is a Benton Harbor resident who said she is not in favor of the plant reopening. Im not happy about being here, Im tired of this after 20 years I am tired of this. The plant should be shut down for our safety, for the safety of the environment and for the protection of lake Michigan, Pierman told News 8. Members of the public can still continue to submit their feedback online and the NRC said it is planning to host another public meeting in the next few months. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 (PIX11) Lawmakers continue to wrestle with how to deal with New York Citys mental health crisis. There has been a call to action since the horrific triple murder earlier this week, when police say a homeless man randomly attacked three people, after years of not getting the help he needed. More Local News The latest proposed response is a push to expand the number of people who can force people to get psychiatric help. The focus is on who can go into the subway system or be the person at the hospital making the decision to hold someone because they are experiencing a mental health crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new proposal called the H.E.L.P. Act would allow not just doctors to make these difficult decisions, but also psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists and even some social workers. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal proposed the legislation with incoming Assemblyman-elect Micah Lasher. The Manhattan Democrat wants more trained professionals to be allowed to make the difficult and delicate decision of involuntarily committing someone. We need an expansion because there is a shortage of psychiatrists and other physicians to make a determination, Hoylman-Sigal said. The expanded workforce could do more than just go into the field. The senator said by empowering more medical professionals in this way, hospitals would have the staffing to open up more desperately needed psychiatric beds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now the beds are tied to the psychiatrist, Hoylman-Sigal explained. We expand the pool, and we can have greater capacity to treat individuals. A City Hall spokesman said Mayor Eric Adams supports the goals of the bill, but he feels it does not go far enough. The mayor wants medical professionals to have more power to involuntarily commit people, even if they are not necessarily posing an immediate physical risk to themselves or others the current standard. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state senator said there really is just not the political willpower to change that standard to make it easier. He said there is too much concern from state lawmakers that this would be infringing on individual liberties. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- New York Republican Mike Lawler, who was just re-elected to Congress, said hes weighing challenging the states Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in 2026. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The congressman, who represents the 17th District in parts of the Hudson Valley, said he would look to capitalize on a shift in the electorate away from Democrats, who have lost support over undocumented immigration and criminal justice. He also blasted Hochul for reintroducing congestion pricing so soon after the election. Well take a look at it and at some point in the next year well make a determination, Lawler said in an interview on Bloomberg Televisions Balance of Power. Youre seeing New Yorkers make a rightward shift because theyre tired of the woke, radical policies that have really crippled New York. Lawler, 38, beat Democrat Mondaire Jones by 52% versus 46% earlier this month after flipping the seat in 2022 from Democrats by less than a percentage point. During this years election, Lawler distanced himself from his partys stances on abortion and capitalized on Jones missteps that led him to alienate some of his progressive base by shifting to moderate positions. New York will choose its governor in 2026 following a mixed picture for Democrats in the state. The party flipped three House seats, but saw President-elect Donald Trump make inroads with traditional Democratic constituencies, narrowing his margin of defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Kailey Leinz and Joe Mathieu. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. NEW YORK (PIX11) A new audit released by the New York City comptroller shows nearly half of the purchase orders of NYCHA repairs lacked proof that work was even done. Thats just one of the problems New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said the new report exposes. Lander said he wants a Yelp for repairs in NYCHA. Its just one of the recommendations he is giving to make repairs happen faster in homes. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aixa Torres has been the tenant president of the Smith Houses for 13 years on the Lower East Side. Torres is one of 20 NYCHA residents part of a resident audit committee assembled by Lander. Lander said that 46% of the time the purchase orders in NYCHA lacked proof that work was even performed. For eight years, PIX11 News has told the stories of NYCHA residents dealing with no heat and the frustration of closed repair tickets with no action. Taft Houses Tenant President Beverly MacFarlane has reached out to PIX11 many times to help shed a light on problems at her East Harlem development. MacFarlane is on the comptrollers committee and said the system has to change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lander said 93% of the residents surveyed said they do not have the opportunity to give feedback about whether their units are repaired. Lander proposes a new resident feedback tool called Repairs, Reviews, and Resident Voices. He calls it a Yelp for repairs in NYCHA that would generate vendor scorecards to hold contractors accountable. A NYCHA spokesperson told PIX11 News: Since the 2019 HUD Agreement, NYCHA has worked tirelessly to transform its compliance, management, and operations infrastructure, and has made significant progress in the face of an unprecedented $80 billion capital need. Through NYCHAs Transformation Plan and ongoing work with our federal and local government partners, the Authority is diligently reforming its procurement, contract administration, and vendor management processes. NYCHA has already implemented or is currently implementing many of the recommendations made in this report. While we do not agree with some of the Audits analysis and findings and take issue with its numerous unsubstantiated claims, we appreciate Comptroller Landers commitment to improving NYCHA and quality of life for public housing residents. NYCHA spokesperson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comptrollers next audit will be about evictions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- New York City expects to save nearly $500 million in the current and next fiscal year thanks to a sharp decrease in the number of migrants arriving since the summer. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In budget documents published Wednesday, the city said it would save $436 million in the fiscal year ending June 2025, and $59 million the following year on expenses related to caring for the citys newcomers. More than 223,000 people have arrived in the city since early 2022, when Texas governor Greg Abbott began busing migrants to New York en masse from border towns. The savings, along with better-than-expected tax revenues, will allow the city to hire 1,600 more police officers and spend almost $600 million on cash and rental assistance for low-income families across the city, according to Mayor Eric Adams. The citys budget grew to $115 billion, up from the $112.4 billion spending plan Adams signed in June. The number of migrants arriving in New York City has declined significantly since early June, when the Biden administration issued executive orders restricting the amount of asylum-seekers permitted to cross the border with Mexico. In late July, the number of weekly arrivals to New York City dipped below 1,000 for the first time since October 2022. The city has regularly seen more than 3,000 people arrive each week, a crisis that Adams warned would upend the citys coffers with billions of dollars in costs associated with caring for tens of thousands of people, and threatened cuts to city services like library hours. Instead, the city ended up spending about $1 billion less than expected in the fiscal year 2024, due in part to new policies limiting migrants time in city shelters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city is spending $373 a day on each migrant household, down from $395 about a year ago. At that time, there were almost 70,000 migrants living in more than 200 shelters across New York City, compared to less than 60,000 in the citys care now. Some City Council members and advocates for the homeless say the shelter limits, which require some families to ask for extensions after 60 days, are causing long-term harm to the children in the citys care, disrupting their education and causing some to drop out entirely after theyre moved to a new shelter. Data released this week by the citys Office of Asylum Seekers Operations showed about one out of every six of the 7,600 migrant children living in city shelters have since left the citys public school system after receiving eviction notices. On Monday, Adams said the city would allow families with children in kindergarten through sixth grade to remain in their same shelter for longer than 60 days after their second eviction notice, making it easier for those children to continue attending their same schools, Adams said. At a City Council hearing Tuesday on the impact of shelter stay limits, Christine Quinn, president of homeless services provider Women in Need, said the shelter limits leave countless families in a perpetual state of limbo, creating unnecessary instability while inflicting lasting trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A New York urologist convicted of sexually abusing numerous men and boys over more than a decade was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison. Darius Paduch, 57, lured his victims while working at Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan from 2007 to 2019 and Northwell Health on Long Island from 2019 to 2023, investigators said. He used his position as a renowned urologist at prestigious hospitals to sexually assault vulnerable patients, including children, to gratify his own sexual desires, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paduch specialized in the treatment of Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic condition that can cause infertility in men. During treatment sessions, Paduch would masturbate his patients, force them to masturbate while he watched and press his own erect penis against patients bodies, according to federal investigators. More than 160 former patients sued Paduch in civil court under New Yorks Adult Survivors Act. Eleven testified at his trial, while dozens more submitted statements to the court. The damage that Dr. Paduch has done through his abuse and gaslighting is irreparable, District Judge Ronnie Abrams said at sentencing, according to Newsday. I am of the view that he will always pose a danger to the community and everyone in it. Paduch continued practicing until he was arrested on Long Island in April 2023. He was convicted in May 2024 on six counts of inducing a person to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five counts of inducing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. With News Wire Services A New York City urologist was sentenced to life Wednesday after he was convicted of years of sexual abuse of patients, some of whom were minors. Darius Paduch, 57, of North Bergen, New Jersey, worked as a urologist at two prominent New York medical institutions. He was convicted in May of six counts of inducing a person to travel to engage in unlawful sexual activity and five counts of inducing a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Paduch worked as a urologist in New York City from 2003 through 2023 with a specialization in male infertility and male reproductive health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He enticed and induced multiple victims to travel to his practicing office in Manhattan from at least 2007 to 2019, where he would sexually abuse them, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York said in a news release. Paduch would also persuade victims to visit other locations in New Jersey to commit sexual abuse, and he continued doing so when he moved his practice to a Long Island hospital in 2019, according to federal prosecutors. Darius Paduch. Prosecutors said that during medical appointments, Paduch would masturbate patients, expose himself to them and grope them and that he would exchange texts and emails including with minors in which he made inappropriate and sexual comments. In one instance, prosecutors said, Paduch invited a patient onto his boat, where he provided the patient with sedatives and masturbated them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paduch used his position to make or attempt to make victims believe that the sexual abuse he was inflicting was medically necessary when, in fact, it was not, prosecutors said. He would often direct victims to make follow-up appointments, leading to years of abuse for some, prosecutors said. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams called Paduchs actions perverse and pervasive. Darius Paduch was a sexual predator who preyed on patients seeking treatment for sensitive medical issues," Williams said in a statement. "He used his position as a renowned urologist at prestigious hospitals to sexually assault vulnerable patients, including children, to gratify his own sexual desires." Paduch was also ordered to pay restitution to be determined later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paduchs attorney, Michael Baldassare, said in a statement reported by The Associated Press that he would file an appeal in the coming days. Doctor Paduch maintains his innocence and we are confident that someday he will be vindicated, Baldassare said. Baldassare did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. If you are a child being abused, or know a child who may be facing abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 422-4453, or go to www.childhelphotline.org. States often have child abuse hotlines, but if you suspect a childs life is in imminent danger, call 911. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com For years, an Orange County Sheriffs Department employee was living large, spending lavishly on Santa Ana dinners, West Hollywood bars and a nightclub in Las Vegas. But it wasn't the department's payroll footing the bill it was her unsuspecting grandmother, authorities said. Roxana C. Laub, 33, of Santa Ana, recently pleaded guilty to two felony charges for forging checks and fraudulently using credit cards in her grandmothers name, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release. She faces up to 30 years in federal prison for the bank fraud count and up to 15 years in federal prison for the identity theft count, according to the DOJ. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 9, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laub, whose employment with the department has included a stint as a uniformed correctional officer at the Orange County jail, is accused of stealing her grandmother's identity and savings for more than five years, prosecutors said. From 2015 to 2017, she forged her grandmother's signature on more than 20 checks in order to fraudulently deposit some $45,000 from her grandmother's bank account into her own, prosecutors said. Read more: While an Orange County supervisor was under scrutiny, his daughter interned with county prosecutors Her 75-year-old grandmother had no clue what was going on, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this time, Laub attempted to pose as her grandmother on the phone with the bank to extract personal information about her grandmother's account. After admitting she wasn't the grandmother, she put her actual grandmother on the phone who told the bank employee she had no knowledge of the checks made payable to Laub, prosecutors said. Laub then took the phone away from her grandmother and told the bank employee that her grandmother was feeling ill and unable to talk any further, even though the employee requested that the grandmother be put back on the line, prosecutors said. Then from March 2020 to September 2022, Laub used her grandmothers credit card to charge thousands of dollars for personal expenses such as meals at restaurants in Santa Ana and West Hollywood, bars in West Hollywood and a night club in Las Vegas, prosecutors said. She used her grandmother's bank account to make more than $14,000 in payments for those credit card charges without her grandmother's knowledge, prosecutors said. Laub has shown some remorse for her acts and, in a text thread uncovered by government agents, told a family member "I know what I did is unforgivable, prosecutors said. Laub has also agreed to pay back all the money she stole from her grandmother, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crimes were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of the Inspector General with assistance from the Long Beach Police Department. Help for financial fraud victims age 60 and over is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday denounced efforts by House Republicans to bar transgender people from restrooms in the Capitol that match their gender identity, calling policies put forward this week by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) disgusting. Mace on Monday filed a resolution to prohibit transgender House members and staffers from using single-sex facilities that correspond to their gender identity, a move she later said was absolutely driven by the election of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.), who is set to be the nations first openly transgender member of Congress when she takes office in January. On Wednesday, Johnson, facing mounting pressure from his conference to act on the issue, announced a policy barring transgender people from restrooms and changing rooms that align with their gender identity in the Capitol and House office buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He made the announcement on Transgender Day of Remembrance, recognized annually to memorialize those who lost their lives to anti-trans violence. A separate proposal filed by Mace later Wednesday would extend the restrictions outlined in her original resolution to all federal buildings. What Nancy Mace and what Speaker Johnson are doing are endangering all women and girls, Ocasio-Cortez told reporters late Wednesday. Because if you ask them, What is your plan on how to enforce this? they wont come up with an answer. And what it inevitably results in are women and girls who are primed for assault because people are gonna want to check their private parts in suspecting who is trans and who is cis and whos doing what. The idea that Nancy Mace wants little girls and women to drop trou in front of who an investigator? Who would that be? because she wants to suspect and point fingers at who she thinks is trans is disgusting. It is disgusting, Ocasio-Cortez said. And frankly, all it does is allow these Republicans to go around and bully any woman who isnt wearing a skirt because they think she might not look woman enough, she said. People have a right to express themselves, to dress how they want and to be who they are. And if a woman doesnt look woman enough to a Republican, they want to be able to inspect her genitals to be able to use the bathroom? Its disgusting. And everybody, no matter how you feel on this issue, should reject it completely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson told reporters Wednesday that the new policy, like all House policies, is enforceable, though he did not specify what enforcement will look like. Maces resolution charges the House sergeant-at-arms with enforcing its restrictions but does not say how the Houses chief law enforcement officer will determine who is eligible to use the Capitols facilities. Democrats have slammed Johnsons new policy and Maces proposal as unnecessary and unfairly targeted at McBride. This policy isnt going to protect anyone but it is going to open the door to rampant abuse, harassment, and discrimination in the Capitol, said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, which promotes LGBTQ equality in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on social media Wednesday, Pocan said he requested a meeting with Johnson to discuss the Houses new bathroom policy. This is the typical House Republicans playbook: to distract, deflect, confuse, and scare instead of govern, Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), whose brother is transgender, said in an emailed statement. I will keep working to ensure the safety and dignity of every trans person who works on Capitol Hill. McBride on Wednesday said she will comply with Johnsons new policy. Im not here to fight about bathrooms, she said in a statement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) said a New York man was arrested for allegedly targeting an elderly woman and her daughter in a fraudulent gold bar scheme. MCPD said 26-year-old Yash Shah targeted an 88-year-old woman and her 61-year-old daughter through a government-imposter related fraudulent gold bar scheme. Last year in February, MCPD said someone claiming to be from the Department of Justice contacted the victims and told them that their bank accounts had been used in illegal activities that included child pornography, human trafficking and illegal gambling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gold Bar Scheme targeting people across Montgomery County The victims were told to transfer their assets into gold bars and cryptocurrency, which they did over the course of five months. They also completed several gold bar deliveries, which were estimated to be worth over $2.3 million. MCPD said Shah was identified as one of the couriers who received over $83,000 in gold bar deliveries. He was arrested in New York and is being held in Nassau County before being extradited to Maryland. MCPD said this case was the first fraudulent gold bar scheme that was reported in the county. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Nov. 21BRIDGEPORT Fifteen months after the state legislature allocated $25 million for a new aviation maintenance training facility for Pierpont Community and Technical College at North Central West Virginia Airport, the project remains idle. "There is absolutely no reason in the world why we haven't had a ribbon cutting and a celebration and dirt being moved," Tracy Miller, president of the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex, said. "We have a win for two schools that can make their enrollments higher. I do not want to quote the employer, but it is not only one of our major employers, but is a world renowned employer. That said, they are turning away work because construction on this new school hasn't started." Miller made her brief plea for movement on the project at Tuesday's meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority, owner and governing body of the North Central West Virginia Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 1029 on Aug. 17 during a ceremony at the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center. The bill provided $25 million for a new 70,000 square foot building for Pierpont to use for its aviation maintenance program. The school is currently capped out on the number of students it can hold for its program. Miller said the FAA sets limits on how many students can enroll in the program based on how much capacity the school has for them. The new building would allow the school to increase from 130 students to 200 students per year. However, since the fanfare, no forward movement has been made on the building. Miller said at this point she would even take progress over an explanation. Miller said during the meeting she has people ask her everyday when construction will begin, but she has no answer for them. "It's surprising," she said. "And unnecessary." Officials at Pierpont Community and Technical College could not be reached before press time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other Authority business: Joel Dugan, associate professor of art and chair of the Department of Art, Architecture and Design at Fairmont State University pitched the university's art rental program to the airport board of directors. Art made by students gets a chance to be displayed professionally, and rental fees go toward funding art students. "All students, as you know, they get halfway through the semester, they're out of funds," Dugan said. "So they always look for opportunities that create an advantage." Dugan said displaying art can develop a sense of place. With the new terminal around the corner from opening, board members expressed interest in the idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shawn Long, deputy airport director, invited Dugan on a walkaround tour of the new terminal to discuss where proposed art pieces can go. Long also announced terminal construction was complete, making now a good time to start planning decoration. "Adding art to the new terminal will just add to the passenger experience," Long said. "As passengers come in for their flights, it gives them a nice environment to be in and just adds to the overall experience." Reach Esteban at efernandez@timeswv.com NEWLAND, N.C. (WJHL) The 2024 official White House Christmas tree, which will be displayed in the Blue Room, was harvested from Cartners Christmas Tree Farm in Newland, North Carolina. The three Cartner brothers, David, Jim and Sam, Jr., maintain the farms legacy their parents began 65 years ago when the first of whats now nearly 500 acres of Christmas trees was planted in Avery County. Area Christmas tree farm loses 80,000 trees to floodwaters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jim Cartner told News Channel 11 it was always a dream of his dad Sam to have one of their trees selected as the official White House Christmas tree. When my father was alive, we used to walk all over this farm trying to select a winning tree, and we never did, Cartner said. He would be honored that we had the quality of tree to win the competition. This is the 16th time a tree from North Carolina has been chosen for the White House since the national competition began 59 years ago. As Tony Haywood with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture explained, winning the competition is a huge honor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a very intense contest to win this, Haywood said. This is not just somebody picked out of a hat. Youre competing against every state that grows trees. Haywood said the selection for this years tree started more than two years ago. To qualify for the national contest, growers must first win their state or regional competitions. Winning this year means more to the area, as nearly 7,000 trees on the Cartner farm were lost to mudslides from Hurricane Helene. Other farms suffered damage as well, and Jim Cartner considers this a win for all of Western North Carolina. Especially where Helene hit so hard and did so much devastation that, you know, this represents the whole Western North Carolina Christmas Tree Association and growers, Carter said. So we hope that theyre happy too. Were very pleased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winning tree is a Fraser fir, which Cartner said he considers the premium of the Christmas tree species. Its 25 years old, stands 20 feet tall and is 12 feet around. The tree will be presented to the First Lady by the Cartner family on Nov. 25. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Panama City, Bay County, and state officials are partnering up to address a dangerous section of roadway. The plan involves closing the current intersection of Star Avenue and Highway 231. Star would be realigned to intersect with 231 a little further south at the Titus Road intersection. For a number of years, Titus and 231 was our crash site recently. FDOT put a signal there, but now you have two signals back-to-back, which is problematic for traffic flow. So, this will do away with the signal Star and 231 improve safety for the entire area, also improve, greatly improve the congestion for that area, Bay County Chief Infrastructure officer Keith Bryant said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ECP airport prepares to maximize efficiency this holiday season The plan also includes a round-a-bout. John Pitts Road will curve into the traffic circle, allowing a direct connection to Titus Road. Additional improvements will include a bridge over Dry Branch Creek and a new signal and rail crossing at the realigned intersection. Panama City officials made their $2 million contribution last Tuesday. But Bay County officials fronted their $2 million share several years ago. Its been a problem for many, many years since Ive been here, and Ive been here 29 years. So, the intersection kind of operated in a strange way. Traffic would stop on Star Avenue to allow someone to make a left onto John Pitts. It was kind of my turn. Your turn. It was just an odd situation. So, this will provide for a more consistent flow with the roundabout, Bryant said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many residents, this has been a long time coming. I think improving this intersection is such a great thing. Its so frustrating going to and from work every day. Its a nightmare. So, I think that theres definitely some stuff that can be done, so Im super excited about it, resident Ashley Leniart said. But some are questioning how much the plan will help. Theyre still going to fly up and down the road, youre just adding fuel to the fire, Southern Outfitters Trading Post owner David Barnett said. Hes also worried about accessibility to his business. Toucans on the Beach announces re-opening Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its probably going to shut me down because theyre supposed to close the road off right there and cut that light off so when my 18-wheelers wont be able to get in here to unload, Barnett said. Officials say they hope to begin working on the project by the middle of next year. The Florida Department of Transportation will manage the entire project from planning, design, and bidding, to construction and pay the remaining estimated $12-to-20 million cost. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. The members of the Board of Public Works -- left to right, Treasurer Dereck Davis, Gov. Wes Moore and Comptroller Brooke Lierman -- listen Wednesday to Attorney General Anthony Brown, who was speaking by video, describe a settlement with the ex-developer of a state property in Baltimore. Photo by Josh Kurtz. Political leaders said the steep settlement payment the Board of Public Works authorized Wednesday to the former developer of the abandoned State Center redevelopment project in Baltimore is a worthwhile investment and an opportunity to protect the state from potentially greater damages. The board, consisting of Gov. Wes Moore (D), State Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) and state Treasurer Dereck Davis (D), voted unanimously to pay $58.5 million to State Center LLC, ending a complicated and years-long dispute over the fate of the 25-acre state-owned office complex in Midtown Baltimore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials described the settlement as a chance to take a fresh approach to redeveloping the strategically located property and putting to rest a controversy over a stalled project that has vexed four governors. This was not simple, Moore said. This has been a long-term challenge. Im excited about what its going to mean for the future of Baltimore City. Im excited about what its going to mean for state residents. Im excited about what its going to mean for Maryland. The payment with $40 million to be delivered to the developer next month and another $18.5 million to be doled out by July 1, 2025 will settle all claims from a 2016 lawsuit against the Board of Public Works (BPW) and several state agencies. The suit was filed when then-Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in 2016 announced the state would go to court to terminate the proposed $1.5 billion redevelopment project. State Center LLC then counter-sued. The redevelopment plan had been floated and debated since 2005, during the administration of then-Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R), and the BPW first approved the project in 2009, under Gov. Martin OMalley (D). State Center, which runs parallel to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard through the spine of the city, consists of five ugly high-rise office buildings built in the middle of the last century that housed several state agencies. The long-stalled State Center complex in Baltimore has been the subject of false starts, lawsuits and a $58.5 million settlement Wednesday. Photo by Bruce DePuyt. Addressing the BPW by video Wednesday, Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) said the state could have been on the hook for more than $200 million in damages if the developers case against the government had gone to trial due in part to changed circumstances from recent court decisions on other property disputes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is really a risk-benefit assessment, as are all settlements, of course, Lierman said. This could be a much, much higher number if we were to litigate and potentially lose even partially lose. Lierman also took a swipe at Hogan, saying the high-dollar amount [of the settlement] illustrates the wrong-headedness of the previous administrations approach. Davis, the state treasurer, who routinely asks sharp questions about proposed state settlement payments, said he had no hesitation supporting this one, in part because of the states potential legal exposure. I think Ive been a pain about most settlements, but in this case, Im in favor of whats been done here, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mostly, though, officials sought to emphasize how the settlement now frees the city and state to begin shaping a new vision for the parcel, which Lierman, a Baltimore City resident, repeatedly called prime real estate, near academic institutions, cultural centers, medical facilities and residential neighborhoods. Moore said several state and city agencies will begin meeting regularly, to come up with a plan for the property. Hogan originally envisioned turning the land over to the city government, but that transfer was halted by the litigation. Even so, city officials have hired a planning consulting firm to help them develop a mixed-use plan for the land. Today is simply just not about a legal matter, Marvin James, chief of staff to Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D), told the BPW members. Today is about your commitment to investing in Baltimore City. Due to the decaying conditions at the State Center buildings and the expectation that the property would eventually be redeveloped, at least 3,300 state workers have already been moved to offices in downtown Baltimore over the past three years. Fewer than 5,000 government employees remain, spread out over seven state agencies, though they, too, will eventually relocate. Earlier this month, four State Center office buildings were closed for a few days, and workers told to telework, after elevated levels of legionella, a highly contagious strain of pneumonia, were found in one of the buildings, WBAL-TV reported. Getty Images. While a police officer shortage is plaguing departments across the state, an Ohio bill is headed to the House floor that aims to solve the problem. The legislation could fix understaffing, but at what cost? There are fewer boots on the ground, longer working hours, and delays for residents who need emergency services. It takes hours for an officer to show up because its so understaffed, Mike Weinman, a retired Columbus police officer, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This problem could be exacerbated by the pension fund troubles. Right now, The Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund (OP&F) needs to get more money, or it will need to cut benefits. Weinman, who is the spokesperson for the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, said a bill passed out of the Pensions Committee would help fix both issues. If you have a good, strong pension, it attracts people to the career field, the retired officer said. Republican state Reps. Cindy Abrams (Harrison) and Thomas Hall (Madison Twp.) introduced House Bill 296. It would increase employer contributions to the OP&F, raising city input from 19.5% to 24% for police in a span of six years. It would also raise employee contributions from 12.25% to 12.5% in 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The required employer contribution is an amount equal to a percentage of each employees salary. Right now, cities pay 24% into the fund for full-time professional firefighters, so H.B. 296 would just make the cities pay an equitable amount for the full-time municipal police officers. Not only is that fair, but it helps the solvency of the fund, Weinman said. But the price of fund solvency may bankrupt cities. Were concerned about the long-term cost implications that this unfunded mandate would have in our cities, said Keary McCarthy with the Ohio Mayors Alliance. The 30 biggest cities would bear the brunt of these costs. According to McCarthy, they pay $300 million into the pension fund. With H.B. 296, a total of more than $80 million would be imposed across all cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats $80 million less that were going to have for our cities to pay higher wages and benefits for our first responders, McCarthy said. Its going to prevent us from hiring new officers and increasing our staffing levels. According to Kearys research, this means that Columbus would pay an additional $15 million, Cleveland with $5.5 million and Cincinnati with $4.6 million. To pay the increased contribution, McCarthy said cities may have to raise taxes on residents. But, he added, if the bill isnt passed, this could encourage cities to raise wages in order to recruit. If we can increase payroll to bring in more officers, to hire more officers and put more payers into the system thats going to have the best, most positive impact on the funds long-term fiscal health, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not unique to OP&F, the fund has more retirees and beneficiaries than active members who are paying in. Thus, intergenerational equity could be off. Simplified, this means that there may not be equal treatment in pension financing between generations. However, there were massive benefit changes in 2012, when the retirement age for first responders was raised from 48 to 52, cost of living adjustments (COLAs) were eliminated until members turned 55 and said COLAs were capped at 3%. According to the bill sponsors, this led to a $3.2 billion decrease in unfunded liabilities. Weinman points out that employer contributions havent been raised since the 1980s, so this is long overdue for helping the people who risk their lives daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governments number one priority is the safety of its citizens, the retired officer said. Thats where the investment should be going. The bill passed out of the Pensions Committee 12-3 and will be on the House floor in December. Only state Reps. Angie King (R-Celina), Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) and Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus) voted against it. Money, money, money Its not just OP&F that wants more money. The retired teachers pension fund, the one that we have been covering constantly for a year, is making moves to ask employers to pay more to their fund. State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) plans to ask lawmakers to increase their employer contributions which also havent been updated in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike police and fire, though, STRS members dont have as much of a COLA. OP&F also has some drama with STRS, as do the other four pension funds in Ohio. Ohio police officers are urging lawmakers not to punish them and the rest of the retirees for the controversy going on inside STRS. Statehouse Republicans proposed combining all five public systems to cut costs and stop alleged corruption. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ohio state Sen. William DeMora, D-Columbus, speaks at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.) In 2021, Ohio lawmakers decided to tack on partisan labels for state supreme court and appeals court races. In the past two cycles, Democratic nominees for the high court had done surprisingly well amid Republican dominance up and down the ticket. In 2018, Democrats both seats up for election and in 2020 the party picked up one more. Following those races, Republicans still controlled the court, but with just a single vote majority. State Republican supermajority lawmakers then converted judicial races to partisan contests. Republicans have fared far better since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022 Republicans swept all three races on the ballot. This year they did so again. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX State Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, wants to go back to the earlier system in which judicial races were a nonpartisan affair. Given the Republican partys firm grip on every lever of state government and their recent electoral successes hes unlikely to get many takers something DeMora himself alluded to in his testimony. Thank you for allowing me to provide testimony of Senate Bill 201, DeMora told the committee, the third bill today, which Im assuming has no chance of getting anything other than a perfunctory three minutes in the limelight. DeMoras case & Republican pushback The reason this years Ohio Supreme Court elections were the most expensive in state history, DeMora argued, is that theyve been reduced to proxy battles between the Democrats and Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State supreme court races drew in hundreds of thousands of dollars from out of state donors to support candidates on both sides of the aisle. Those donations were made to secure partisan gains, DeMora argued, rather than support an individual judge. It used to be that our judicial races were contests between individuals who had differences in opinion on interpretation of the law, he said, and now it is just a big money slugfest just like any other partisan race. DeMora added the inclusion of partisan identifiers has done more than change the complexion of supreme court races. It has also discouraged participation in judicial races one rung down. There were also 25 court of appeal seats up for election two weeks ago, DeMora said. Only four of those races were contested across the state. Senate Majority Floor Leader Rob McColley, R-Napoleon. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) Despite DeMoras complaints, state Sen. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, argued the change has led to greater participation in those judicial races. Prior to the inclusion of partisan labels, he explained, many voters just didnt vote in the supreme court races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018 the drop off would be 79% of those that cast at the top of the ticket cast it in Supreme Court races, he said. In 2022 after this change, that number went up to almost 98% of the voters who cast a ballot at the top of the ticket cast it in the Supreme Court races. DeMora pushed back, arguing that increase in participation has at least as much to do with ballot positioning (the partisan labels bill also pushed judicial races near the top of the ticket) as it does with party designation. McColley added that in a 2014 study by the Bliss Institute, 63% of respondents pointed lack of information about the candidate as the primary reason they didnt vote in judicial elections. When they dug deeper, the top response to what information would you like to have was party affiliation, McColley claimed. And so I think we gave voters more information, and as a result, millions more cast their ballots in these elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is McColleys recollection was incorrect. The biggest thing voters said they wanted was information about the candidates professional background and views on crime. Of the six kinds of information pollsters asked about, partisan affiliation came in dead last. State Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, argued the way to take partisanship out of the picture is for judges to run as independents something that to her knowledge none had done. We have a partisan primary, and then to turn around and pretend that were not partisan in the general seems to be disingenuous, she said. It clouds transparency, and it is information that voters want to know, Gavarone continued. Are you proposing that we go back and just suddenly pretend were not partisan when you come to the general election, when people already have a choice, they can run as an independent right now? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeMora said hed be happy to do away with partisan primaries as well as general election party designations, not to mention an even broader overhaul aimed at reducing partisanship. I wouldnt mind having all the judges have no partisan races, he said. Have them be appointed for certain amount of terms, and like other states, if they do a good job, theyre reappointed by an entity, whether its a board of judges, other judges, or a nonpartisan or non-judicial board, or the governor. How states stack up Even if the DeMoras proposal is unlikely to gain traction, hes not wrong that Ohio is an outlier. According to a Brennan Center Review of state policies, only seven rely on partisan elections to pick their state supreme court justices and appeals court judges. Twice that many fill the high court bench with non-partisan elections, but most states use an appointment process. While states fit into a couple broad categories, their processes offer a real laboratory of democracy a rats nest of subtle variations in selection, confirmation or retention that amount to nearly as many different approaches as there are states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those jurisdictions relying on appointments, most give that job to the governor, but Virginia and South Carolina let state lawmakers decide. In states where the governor has the honor, they cant just pick whoever they want. Most states use a nominating commission to draft a short list of candidates, and several of them require the governors selection to face a confirmation vote in the state legislature, too. When it comes to additional terms, most states require sitting judges to run if they want to keep their seat, but again partisan elections are rare only five states use them. The biggest share are 18 states that use unopposed retention elections. Kind of like Ohios referendum, under that model, an incumbent judge appears on the ballot and voters decide whether to retain them or not. Another 13 states use nonpartisan elections. And researchers have found attaching party labels on the ballot isnt just a question of partisan advantage. In a 2011 study, law professors Michael Kang and Joanna Shepherd showed that elected judges were more likely to rule in favor of a particular business interest as that industrys contributions to their campaigns increase. But importantly, when they untangled their data to compare partisan elections to nonpartisan ones, they found a sharp divide. Campaign contributions from business groups are associated at statistically significant levels with judicial decisions for business interests only under partisan elections, but not under nonpartisan ones, they wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They argued the role of parties in judicial elections is critical to understanding the link between contributions and decisions. In other words, they wrote, what matters is not simply the amount of campaign money at issue, but the level of party involvement in judicial elections. Follow OCJ Reporter Nick Evans on Twitter. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ohio House Republicans unanimously selected state Senate President Matt Huffman to lead them for at least the next two years, ending a contentious fight for the gavel that drove out current Speaker Jason Stephens. Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, dropped out of the speaker's race Monday, leaving Huffman, R-Lima, with an 11th-hour challenge from Fort Loramie Rep. Tim Barhorst. Barhorst won the support of groups like anti-vaccine Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom, Ohio Gun Owners and End Abortion Ohio, which advocates for prosecuting women who have abortions. Barhorst initially tried to rally lawmakers who were worried about Huffman, 64, leading the chamber for eight years or frustrated with how the Senate handled House bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the end, Huffman won support from House Republicans in a closed-door meeting Wednesday. He was elected unanimously after Barhorst didn't put his name forward. "I do think that there's some reconciliation that needs to happen," Huffman told reporters after the vote. "Starting Jan. 6, this will be a forward-looking Republican caucus. This group of 65 will be setting, I hope, an aggressive, conservative agenda." Huffman pitched his experience leading a legislative body and raising money for candidates. U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan, Mike Carey, Troy Balderson and Warren Davidson backed his speakership. "There's a presumption that I would be an eight-year speaker," he told reporters Wednesday, adding that his father worked as an attorney until age 89. "I don't know if that's likely but it's certainly possible. When is the official speaker's vote? Huffman won't be named speaker officially until January when the 99-member Ohio House of Representatives votes on its next leader. Historically, the majority party has picked its preferred candidate and the minority party has signed off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that wasn't the case for two recent House speakers. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, won the gavel in 2019 with votes from 26 Republicans and 26 Democrats. He was later convicted of participating in a pay-to-play scandal to win the speakership and pass a nuclear bailout. In 2023, Stephens won the job with the support of 22 Republicans and 32 Democrats. The majority of Republicans backed Toledo-area Rep. Derek Merrin instead. His ouster led to a divisive two-year session marked by infighting and gridlock. The state GOP and multiple county Republican parties censured GOP lawmakers who backed Stephens. Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, withdrew his name from consideration for another term as speaker. But House Republicans, who will hold a 65-34 advantage in the House next year, expect a return to Republicans picking their own GOP leaders. Huffman said it was "very, very unlikely" that Republicans would side with Democrats to pick a speaker again. "I don't think it will come to that." Huffman said he's had frank conversations with House Democrats about the speaker's vote. "My expectation is that if the minority party would like us to respect their wishes regarding their leadership team then certainly that would be something that we would expect them to do also." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Huffman is selected as speaker, he will be the first person to lead both chambers in recent history. Early Ohio leaders Abraham Shepherd and Thomas Kirker served in both roles in the early 1800s. (Kirker was also Ohio's second governor.) Who is Matt Huffman? Huffman served in the Ohio House between 2007 and 2014. He won a Senate seat in 2016 and has served as Senate president since 2021, replacing Sen. Larry Obhof. Before working in the Legislature, Huffman served on Lima City Council, including as its president for seven years. More: Who's Matt Huffman? The Lima man running the show at the Ohio Statehouse On policy, Huffman backs private school vouchers, higher education reforms, tax cuts, Second Amendment protections, professional licensure reforms and abortion restrictions. He was instrumental in passing redistricting reform in 2014 and in approving the current maps, which a divided Ohio Supreme Court rejected seven times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huffman is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Cincinnati School of Law. He lives in Lima with his wife, Sheryl; they have four children. House GOP expands leadership team Huffman said House Republicans expanded their leadership team to improve communication: "That's one of the things that helps eliminate upset stomachs." The House Republican leadership team includes: Rep. Gayle Manning, speaker pro tempore. Rep. Phil Plummer, assistant speaker pro tempore. Rep. Marilyn Johns, majority leader. Rep. Adam Bird, assistant majority leader. Reps. Riordan McClain, Nick Santucci, Steve Demetriou and Josh Williams, majority whips. Senate Republicans, legislative Democrats pick leaders Earlier in the day, Senate Republicans selected Rob McColley, of Napoleon, as the next Senate president. McColley is on Huffman's leadership team and was expected to take over the top role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats reelected their current leaders, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, and House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington. Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio House GOP taps Senate President Matt Huffman as next speaker Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, during the Ohio Senate session, February 28, 2024, at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) Ohio House Republicans have selected state Rep-Elect Matt Huffman, the current Senate president, as their new leader, but theres still one more vote ahead. During the House GOP caucus vote on Wednesday night, Huffman (R-Lima) was unopposed and thus got unanimous support from his members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speaker-elect came down to speak with reporters after the vote, sharing his enthusiasm for the next General Assembly. The one thing that I see with this group of 65 is really some incredible talent and real-world skills in terms of businesses I think that were going to cultivate that and really do some good things, Huffman said. He had been the leader of the Senate for four years ruling effectively before he hit his term limit. Huffman also announced his leadership slate: Speaker: Matt Huffman (R-Lima) Speaker Pro Tempore: Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore: Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) Majority Floor Leader: Marilyn John (R-Richland County) Assistant Majority Floor Leader: Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) Majority Whips: Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky), Nick Santucci (R- Howland Twp.), Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huffman will be a very different leader than Stephens. He is very focused on legislation around the private school voucher system. Also, he would likely eliminate the income tax, which could double the sales tax he has support from big businesses. He wants to crack down on unions. Huffman wants to change universities to prevent so-called liberal bias and supported the August special election from the beginning, even suggesting that an amendment to raise the threshold to pass constitutional amendments could be made on a future ballot. His leadership team has said that voters didnt actually know what they were voting for when they legalized marijuana, so lawmakers should be able to change the policy. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX I certainly have my own issues or things that Id like to do you all know what those are: school choice, reform of higher education, professional licensure reform, a whole number of tax reform items, the speaker-elect said. Its going to be an exciting, exciting time for me in the House. Huffman also wants to change marijuana policy in the state to drastically limit THC. This doesnt sit right with state Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think marijuana policy for the most part has been decided by the voters I support what they decided, Ferguson said. Ill probably be a leading voice on that going into the next General Assembly. Several members told us that just because the vote was unanimous, doesnt mean everyone is happy. There are a lot of people behind me that continue to be behind me, Ferguson said. And those people are still behind President Huffman for the floor vote. Ferguson didnt want Huffman as speaker, and was set to root for state Rep. Tim Barhorst, R-Fort Loramie. However, some lawmakers report major confusion in how to nominate for speaker, and Barhorsts team either didnt do it correctly or backed out of nominating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have congratulated President/Speaker-Elect Huffman. Clearly, this is not the outcome I was hoping for, Barhorst said. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the next GA to deliver a conservative agenda for Ohio. But the story may not end there. The final vote will be in early January, when Democrats get to weigh in on the speaker. Democratic support is how Stephens became speaker. I do think that theres some reconciliation that needs to happen, Huffman said. Earlier today, we asked Huffman whether the members who dont vote for him should be worried about retribution. He said that wouldnt happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not logical when you have a group of 65 people, in a greater body of 99, but with 65 Republicans who of course dont agree on everything but agree on many things, Huffman said. You cant set people aside because of those issues. He then referenced how state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, didnt support him for Senate president, yet Huffman still appointed him as the chair of the Finance Committee. Were going to start fresh in January of 25, Huffman said. There are several things I want to present to the caucus as changes as to how the House would operate and we need a whole number of things, basically things that Ive done here in the Senate. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Oklahomans living in areas with limited internet access soon will be able to receive help with virtual doctor's appointments at their local library. An initiative from Arkansas-based Heartland Forward, a "policy think-and-do tank," and a grant from the James M. Cox Foundation is making this possible. Here's what we know. Librarians receiving training on supporting telehealth visits With the help of a $25,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation, the nonprofit and philanthropic arm of Cox Enterprises, Oklahoma librarians will be trained on accessing and preparing for a telehealth appointment using the Telehealth DigitalLearn module, according to a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Librarians can then use the module, which was funded by the Ford Foundation, to help community members learn more about telehealth. Why Heartland Forward is targeting Oklahoma, Arkansas for telehealth access According to the latest benchmark from the Federal Communications Commission, broadband or high-speed internet is defined as receiving 100/20 mbps download and upload speeds. The latest FCC broadband map shows just over 91% of Oklahoma homes and businesses are covered by broadband, not including satellite technology, which Engagement Director Nicholas Camper, with the Oklahoma Broadband Office, said amounts to about 450,000 Oklahomans without high-speed internet access. According to the Oklahoma Broadband Office's interactive map, there are more than 100,000 locations in Oklahoma that could receive broadband that have not, and more than 80,000 locations that are underserved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, a Heartland Forward study found that 25% of counties surveyed in the region had a population-to-primary care physician ratio more than double the U.S. average. Telehealth can help bridge this gap, but only for those with access to the internet. The new initiative will allow libraries to connect Oklahomans to "critical health services," Education Secretary Nellie Sanders said in the news release. "Libraries are often the first place community members turn to for resources and support, especially in areas where healthcare access can be limited," Natalie Currie, director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, said in the release. "By training librarians to help Oklahomans navigate telehealth technology, were opening doors to essential healthcare services and enhancing the well-being of our communities." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Initiative aims to bring telehealth access to Oklahoma libraries Oklahoma United Founder Margaret Kobos speaks Nov. 19 at a press conference supporting State Question 835 that would let voters decide if the state's primary system should be open. (Photo by Barbara Hoberock/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY A proposal to open Oklahoma primaries is drawing criticism. Earlier this week, supporters announced State Question 835 that seeks to obtain 172,993 signatures to get the issue on the November 2026 ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposal, Oklahoma primaries would be open to all voters with the top two vote getters advancing to the general election. Supporters said they expect a challenge to the measure. Gov. Kevin Stitt on social media voiced his opposition. Oklahomans made decisions at the polls that these third party groups dont like so now they want to upend the way we run our elections, Stitt said. Open primaries are a hard no in Oklahoma. Likewise, Lt. Gov Matt Pinnell, former Oklahoma Republican Party chairman, opposes the proposal. At best, the push to mandate open primaries is a solution in search of a problem, and at worst, it is a thinly veiled attempt to weaken Republican voters in choosing the nominees to represent our party, Pinnell said. 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 state voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not all Republicans have panned the idea. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, a former Republican state senator, embraced it. He said the system in which a mayor is elected allows all residents to vote. Our voters get to see all the candidates and our candidates have to face all voters, Holt said. As a result, our leadership delivers unity and consensus outcomes that are clearly moving us forward. The state question is being backed by Oklahoma United, a nonpartisan organization that says the change will increase voter participation, reduce polarization and force candidates to be responsive to all voters. It will also benefit independent voters, who cant vote in Republican or Libertarian primaries. Democrats currently allow independents to vote in their primaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea is not new. In 2017, the Oklahoma Academy recommended a top-two election system. Its report said a top-two system could increase turnout, reduce partisanship and eliminate fringe special interest involvement in campaigns because candidates would be forced to respond to more moderate, general voters rather than play to the extremes of either party. The Oklahoma Academy is a nonpartisan group that works to educate Oklahomans about public policy. Republican political consultant Fount Holland said he doubted Oklahoma voters would approve the proposal should it make the ballot. At the end of the day, it is about moderating the Republican primary, Holland said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the Republican Party takes things to the extreme, which is not the best way to govern. Holland said no one enters the Republican primary as a moderate or very few can survive campaigning as a moderate. They might be moderate, but they dont campaign that way, Holland said. He said he tells his clients to run to win. If approved, the measure would be advantageous to Democrats or people who want a more moderate group of elected officials, Holland said. Republican Superintendent Ryan Walters is considered by many to be ultra-conservative, while his predecessor Joy Hofmeister was considered a moderate member of the GOP, said Holland, who worked on her two successful races for superintendent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walters has focussed on putting Bibles in the classroom and removing some books from schools, while Hofmeister prioritized across-the-board teacher pay increases and boosting counseling services in schools. Hofmeister ultimately switched parties and made an unsuccessful run as a Democrat for governor. If you hate politics the way they are, then you need to be on our team, because we want to change it and we want to make it better, said Margaret Kobos, Oklahoma United CEO and Founder. She was asked about the partisan reaction to the proposal. She said it misses the point because the issue is about people and not political parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, supports the measure, saying it takes power away from the political parties and gives it to the people. Every voter. Every election, he said. That is the way democracy is supposed to work. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Donald Trump's repeated threats to shut down the U.S. Department of Education have raised questions about the agency's purpose. What does the agency really do, and how essential, really, is it? Oklahomans are raising similar questions about the Oklahoma State Department of Education under the administration of state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. Oklahoma's public schools have remained at the bottom of national rankings of student performance on math and reading tests despite big increases in funding from the Legislature. Legislators are hearing more and more criticism from taxpayers and voters about failing to get a good return on that investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, said criticism of the Education Department under Walters was "across the board." "In my district they feel his decisions and words are not helping with the situation," Pae said. "They're particularly discouraging to teachers, and that's a big problem because we're trying to recruit and retain professionals to the field. So, I think that there's a broad consensus that we need a different approach." Since taking office in 2023, Walters has talked little about a plan to improve math and reading test scores and better equip students with the skills needed to move on with their education or enter a highly competitive workforce. A well-educated workforce is cited over and over as a prime incentive for business location and expansion. "If a company wants to expand or relocate, it will often require access to workers with specific skills. Some of the things businesses look at when evaluating a potential location include the quality of local school districts and proximity to top universities and community colleges that are supported by ongoing workforce training programs," said a report from one economic development consulting firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, however, Walters has been focused on the purchase of Bibles for state schools and Christian prayer in schools. Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters stands for a prayer July 30 during a special meeting of the new statewide Charter School Board at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. Last week he announced the formation within the Education Department of a new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism. Then he sent all the school districts in the state a video of himself praying for Trump and ordered that it be shown to all students and parents. Some local superintendents said they wouldn't show the video, and Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office issued a statement saying they were under no obligation to do so. Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights, that statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is it unreasonable to think that Walters should have been announcing a new Education Department office focused on improving math and reading scores? "What do you do when a guy simply refuses to do his job?" That was the question posed by Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City, at an August rally at the Capitol calling for Walters' impeachment, an idea that found little support in the state's heavily Republican Legislature. It remains to be seen whether backing for the superintendent will be so strong in the next legislative session, which will have new leadership and an influx of new members. By all accounts, helping public school students improve their performance is a difficult and complex undertaking. Giving schools a bigger chunk of state appropriations for new programs and higher teacher pay is a step forward, but not enough to move the needle, as Oklahomans are discovering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A report this month from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which issues an annual "report card" on school performance, said one factor was of fundamental importance "Accountability, accountability, accountability: what gets measured, gets done." Standardized tests are one visible measure of performance accountability for the state Education Department, although when the results of those tests were announced in August and appeared to show strong improvement, it turned out that Walters and the department had just lowered the bar for students to receive a proficient score on English and math tests. Some might argue that's a dumbing down of Oklahoma's education standards. Where's the accountability? It's impossible to know whether the Education Department is working with local school districts on other performance improvement initiatives because Walters has muzzled department employees, barring them from talking to the media at the risk of dismissal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Rigorous school accountability must be reinstituted," says the NAEP report. "It is undeniable that the most robust decade of school improvement occurred when states were required to hold schools accountable for students meeting proficiency on state standards. Not only did scores improve, but achievement gaps narrowed from 1999 to 2012. Loosening accountability standards resulted in a decade of slow decline leading up to COVID." It falls on the state Legislature to hold Walters and the Education Department accountable. Action likely would be quicker to come if Walters was not a member of the dominant Republican Party, but a tipping point may be only a few more legally questionable actions away. School improvement requires voters holding school boards and state officials accountable, superintendents holding principals and teachers accountable, and a system that makes accountability a priority. Without change, no matter how many videos Walters sends around or TV appearances to raise his national profile, Oklahoma students won't have a prayer. William C. Wertz William C. Wertz is deputy Viewpoints editor. You can reach him with comments and story ideas at wwertz@oklahoman.com. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Walters', OSDE focus needs to turn to performance improvement | Opinion BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) One person was killed in a house fire that happened in the 200 block of Margaret Street, according to the Baton Rouge Fire Department. Firefighters responded to the fire at 4:07 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. BRFD said they found that an elderly woman was unable to make it out of the home. They said a juvenile was able to make it out. Red tape was observed at the scene along with firefighters who were putting the fire out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EMS confirmed that three patients refused transport to the hospital. BRFD said they are still working to determine what started the fire and whether the home is a total loss. Louisiana woman accused of setting house on fire with daughter inside arrested They said the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, Baton Rouge Police Department, and EMS also responded to the scene. This is a developing story and more information will be shared as it becomes available. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. The Western Carolina Farmers Market is normally bustling with people buying whats in season, but the cars were wrapped around the block for a different reason on Thursday: the spirit of Thanksgiving. As far as the eye could see, people lined up to receive some of the 1,500 Thanksgiving meals being distributed by Manna Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank. Channel 9s Erica Bryant and Scott Wickersham were there to help distribute meals and hear from those impacted by Hurricane Helene ahead of the holiday season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside one of those cars was Jeri Meadows, who was thrilled by the turnout. ALSO READ >> Many are still in need of homes in Asheville I think its great that people come together today for all these blessings, and lets let it continue throughout the year, Meadows said. Like so many in this area, the past two months have been difficult, but Thursday brought some much-needed joy. Andre LaSalle told Bryant that seeing all of the people helping people is some of the best therapy around. We love you and were really grateful for the help that youre giving, because we know its unconditional, LaSalle said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryant met Susan Whiteside and asked her how things have been since Helene hit in September. Its been trying. My husband was out of work for a while, he was actually on the river, so they pretty much got wiped out, Whiteside said. But hes been able to get back to work, so were making it. CHECK IT OUT >> Charlotte woman helps Helene victims through self-initiated drive When it was her turn, the long wait paid off, and she felt the cloud lift a little, knowing Thanksgiving dinner was taken care of. Thank you so much, yall have a great day, thank you, she told the volunteers. A feeling of hope After what people in western North Carolina have been through the past two months, a couple of hours in line to make sure theyd have Thanksgiving dinner was nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going through trying times, but my pastor teaches me God will provide all our needs, Joseph Whiteside told Wickersham. (No relation to Susan.) Its been a terrible time, but people have really come together? we asked. Theyve come together as one family in Christ, Joseph said. Volunteers loaded his vehicle with everything hell need next week, including fresh eggs and that all-important Thanksgiving turkey. Back in line, Meelo Lopez said hes feeling grateful that people across the Carolinas havent forgotten this community. To have something like this for those of us in need, its just really wonderful, Lopez told Wickersham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SPECIAL SECTION >> Hurricane Helene stories It was also wonderful to be able to help give out some of this food on Thursday, and we wanted viewers to see the effort in part because weve been asking all of you to donate. With thousands of people lined up, you can see first-hand how your donations are making a difference here. While one holiday meal cant erase the uphill challenges for this community, it does provide some hope and a glimpse that better days are ahead. You can donate to help feed those in need across western North Carolina by clicking this link. (VIDEO: The Great Toy Convoy is bringing gifts to western North Carolinas kids after Helene) Police are asking witnesses to come forward following a deadly crash on Wednesday night. Troopers responding to a crash on I-93 near mile marker 32.4 in Bow around 5:41 p.m. for a report of a two-car crash found a white sedan and a blue SUV on fire in the woods off to the right side of the road, according to New Hampshire State Police. An adult male who was driving the sedan was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity is not being released at this time pending next of kin notifications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the SUV, an adult female, sustained serious injuries that arent believed to be life-threatening. She was transported to an area hospital. Authorities closed Two lanes of I-93 southbound near the crash scene and they say drivers should seek alternate routes. Investigators say there were multiple vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the crash. Anyone with information about what happened is asked to contact the Troop D barracks. Members of the New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction (C.A.R.) Unit and the New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office are investigating the cause of the crash. The Bow Fire Department and Concord Fire Department assisted at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy on the deceased victim Thursday. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW LEHI, Utah (ABC4) Train horns across the Wasatch Front are one step to closer to being silenced and the designated Quiet Zone reinstated nearly two months after being lifted, according to an update from Lehi City. Trains with the Utah Transit Authority and Union Pacific were ordered to sound their horns through all grade crossings from Ogden to Provo in early October as part of a safety measure by the Federal Railroad Administration. The order came as many crossings did not meet the FRA quiet zone safety standards. Utah is home to the Best Ski Resort in US and Canada, says report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an update to the quiet zones, Lehi City confirmed the FRA had made inspections of the corrections made to railroad crossings, and all but one crossing on the Wasatch Front had passed the inspection. Lehi City said in order for the Quiet Zone to be reinstated, all of the railroad crossings within the zone must be inspected and meet FRA safety standards. It was the public crossing at 1700 South in Salt Lake City that failed to meet the FRAs safety requirements. According to Lehi City officials, the FRA requires adjustments to be made at a commercial driveway in order to help the crossing meet gate arm standards. Salt Lake City is reportedly waiting for the property owners of the driveway to select one of four proposed options to fix the issue. While the repairs continue at the 1700 South crossing, trains will still be required to sound their horns for a minimum of 15 seconds and a maximum of 20 seconds ahead of any public crossing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The I can do whatever the f--k I want to phase of Donald Trumps second term as president ended on Thursday, just over two weeks after his election win. Matt Gaetzs withdrawal from consideration to be Trumps Attorney Generaljust before a fresh CNN story around his alleged sexual misconduct brokeshowed that Trumps power is not limitless. If you remember back as far as Nov. 5 or in the days immediately following, Trump stood astride American politics like a colossus. He won, according to him, with an unprecedented and powerful mandate. He was swept back into power with Republicans in control of all the branches of the government. He could dispense with usual niceties like vetting nominees for top jobs or performing background checks on them. He would demand his picks be approved without Senate scrutiny. He would choose whomever he wanted for top jobs in the administration no matter how unqualified they may be, no matter how ludicrous their views, no matter how repugnant or, alternatively, how laughable their records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, none of that seems quite what it did at the time. As it turns out, Trump won nothing like a mandate. His margin of victory now stands at 1.6 percent, smaller than that in all but five elections in the countrys history. Whats more, it continues to shrink as more votes come in. In fact, Trump did not even win a majority of the votes cast. Which is a clear reminder that he has never, not in any of his three elections, not in any major credible opinion poll, been supported by a majority of Americans. While Republicans did win control of the Senate, their majority in the House has appeared to shrink by at least one vote. It was paper thin before. And we have seen what happens when controversial proposals that demand the support of all Republicans appear before the House. Often, they produce fragmentation and strife between Republicans. Further, with such a thin margin, the retirement or death or resignation of members of Congress, the margin could shifteven before the 2026 elections in which Democrats will have a big chance to make gains because of Americas regular preference to vote in midterms against the party in the White House. Matt Gaetz, July 17, 2024. Senators being Senators, they have made it clear that they do not wish to be considered a rubber stamp for Trumpat least not always, at least not on everything. They rejected Trumps preferred candidate to be the Republican Senate Leader, Rick Scott of Florida, and went instead with a Senate institutionalist and close ally of Trump-hater Mitch McConnell, John Thune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, McConnell made it clear that they would not simply provide wholesale cabinet approvals to Trump via recess appointment. Then, they expressed their concerns about the most extreme of Trumps nominees: Gaetz to be attorney general, Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense, anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theory proponent Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services and Putin and Assad fangirl Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence. While some Senators did fall into line behind all Trumps choices, the new GOP margin is so slim that any time four Republicans appear to oppose or question a nominee, their future is in doubt. Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he departs a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 21, 2024. The resistance was greatest to Gaetz, and on Thursday it took his toll. Gaetz became the first Trump pick to withdraw his nomination. He did it because more revelations about his allegedly having sex with underage girls and him paying them for sex came outand, with a House ethics report being almost sure to leak, it became clear that no matter how strong Trump may be Gaetz was too heavy a lift for him and his minions in the Senate. While one theory is that Gaetz was intended as a sacrificial lamb to help make other extreme choices seem more palatable, it is not clear that his dropping out will have that effect. It could in fact make it easier for Senators with some vestigial amount of spine left to mount an opposition to Gabbard, RFK, Jr. or Hegseth. The cases against each of them, strong to begin with, are mounting daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ugly police report regarding sex abuse allegations against Hegseth has been released. New stories have appeared about RFK, Jr. saying that he could believe the chemtrails conspiracy theory (almost a litmus test for proving whether someone is a nut or not) and that Kennedy, like J.D. Vance, compared Trump to Hitler. And I can only imagine what reports are likely to come from within the intelligence community about Gabbard and her foreign sympathies and ties should she appear to move any closer to confirmation. JD Vance, left, and Donald Trump, July 20, 2024. None of this, of course, diminishes the fact that Trump won a solid victory on November 5th. Reclaiming control of the Senate was a big deal. Having the Supreme Court in the presidents pocket is a big deal. Even slim control of the House will be important to get some of Trumps bigger measures through. There are big Trump ideas out therefrom rounding up millions of undocumented immigrants to imposing big tariffs on imports to seeking retribution against his enemies to withdrawing support for Ukrainethat will turn into actions that can be very damaging to the country. But, much like Trump the colossus, these plans are likely to become smaller when exposed to the air and to the realities of Washington, the country and the world. While Trump wants to dismantle guard rails constraining his power some will remain. Tariffs would be an economic disaster and big ones will produce a harsh reaction from markets and businesses. Markets and businesses will likely also begin to howl if immigration round ups create instability in the U.S. or hurt the ability of businesses to find help or service their customers. Similarly, such unrest and business pushback is likely to make some of the representatives of impacted states and congressional districts really unhappy. And some of them will be Republicans who can use their leverage with Trumps thin majorities to alter the scope and structure of proposals. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Nov. 19, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courts also will remain an obstacle for some Trump ideas. Only 150 cases a year make it to the Supreme Court. So most will go to courts on which many non-Trump appointed judgesor responsible judges appointed by Trumpsit. Many in the military will not follow illegal orders and efforts to decapitate the military and replace the leadership with political yes men are likely to produce both visible and invisible resistance. (The invisible kind is very powerful in Washingtonthe type by which people say yes with a smile and then slow walk or never act on that which they are expected to follow through on.) In addition, Trump, as president, may be one of the most powerful men in the world. But international issues are shaped by other leaders, other sovereign states and as we regularly learn, the U.S. does not always get its way. Finally, there are the voters. If actions of the new administration alienate them, that will show up in interim elections and then, in just over 23 months in the mid-terms. It will be nearly impossible for Trump and his allies to so pervert our democracy in that time that those elections will not occur as planned. The prospect of Speaker of the House Hakeem Jeffries is a real one that could emerge soon as a big check on Trump and his agenda. 2028 is also out there, and if Americans remain as fickle as they have been in the recent past, the odds will be against a Trump successor winning reelection. (Trump will not run again. The Constitution and Father Time are allied against that outcome. My money is on them.) As a result, the events of the past two weeks should help put Trumps win in better perspective. It should also help make clear what kinds of limitations on his power may exist and, over time, that kind of knowledge will almost certainly be used to limit, at least somewhat the damage Trump can do. As a consequence, Gaetz withdrawing his nomination ought to be seen not just as a positive in its own right, but it should be seen as one of many signs that at least some norms and some common sense may prevail in the United States. Until recently, Iran has been the distant third among disinformation superpowers, with Russia and China ahead in spreading false claims attacking the U.S. and sowing divisions in the country. With the election of Donald Trump, Tehran has accelerated its efforts, putting disinformation just behind assassination as a malign state strategy. Consider how the mullahs responded on Nov. 6, the day after Trump was elected: They used social media to reissue their threat to kill Trump and launched a disinformation campaign falsely claiming that Trump views Iran as a powerful country. Hours after Trump was declared the victor, the social media account on Telegram used by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps posted a video showing Trump in a snipers crosshairs, ending with the crack of a gunshot and Trump spitting up blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video voiceover is a speech from 2018 by the terrorist mastermind who ran that paramilitary organizations Quds-Force, Qassem Soleimani, who was killed by U.S. forces in 2020 on Trumps orders. The audio says, Oh Mr. Trump, the gambler! I tell you that the Quds Force is your opponent! The video ends with the warning that unfinished work will be finished soon! The Iranian death threat seems real. Days after the election, the Department of Justice filed criminal complaints against kill-for-pay assassins allegedly tasked by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in September to murder Trump. This election-day-after assassination video was posted on the social media platform Telegram by Bisimchi Media. This is significant because Bisimchi Media reports directly to top mullah Ali Khamenei as part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which conducts Irans terrorism around the world, separate from the countrys conventional armed forces. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps then deployed disinformation alongside its Trump death threat and plot. Later the same day, Farsi-speaking NewsGuard analyst McKenzie Sadeghi spotted another Trump-related post on Bisimchi Medias Telegram account. This one claimed that Trump praised Iran and its mullahs in his 2015 book Crippled America. The social media channel posted a screenshot from the book with a passage purporting to show that Trump wrote, Iran is a powerful nation as long as religious hardliners govern it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not what Trump wrote. This section of Crippled America says the opposite. Trump wrote, Iran was a powerful nation until religious fanatics took over. As long as those people remain in power, Iran will be our enemy and a threat to Israels existence. The fake quote from the book, however, was spread widely by Irans Fars news agency and on social media platforms, including X. This is not the first time Iran has used the internet to make false claims for its domestic audience and to exert malign foreign influence on Americans and our allies. In August, the U.S. intelligence community issued a warning that Iran had an increased intent to exploit our online platforms in support of their objectives, especially in the runup to the election. NewsGuard analysts have identified 19 websites secretly operated by Iran but posing as independent news sites in the West. These included Savannah Time, which described itself as a conservative site, Nio Thinker, which claimed to be liberal, and Afro Majority, which claimed to be a legitimate publication aimed at Black readers. They had in common that they spread pro-Iran, anti-American claims. Nio Thinker, for example, called Trump an opioid-pilled elephant in the MAGA china shop. This Iran network of fake news sites uses AI to spread its disinformation. Its Afro Majority website was caught using AI to craft a divisive narrative, with the prompt for a story: Delve into the pivotal role of the Black Lives Matter movement in shaping the discourse and dynamics of the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Explore how [Black Lives Matters] mobilization efforts, advocacy campaigns, and challenges intersect to influence the pursuit of racial justice and social change in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several of Irans 19 fake news sites also used AI to write political commentaries, then falsely credit them to leading figures in the U.S. These include commentaries falsely attributed to WNBA star Brittney Griner, attorney Alan Dershowitz and former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.). In the weeks before the U.S. election, NewsGuard analysts identified 90 significant provably false claims related to the U.S. election. Of these, we found that 35 came from or were spread by hostile foreign governments, including Russia and Iran. This 39 percent of false election claims is a measure of how much effort our adversaries put into undermining U.S. information sources and claims. Securing Americans from hostile government false claims takes more than identifying and debunking the claims and their foreign sources. This also requires more effort by the social media platforms to inform their users by labeling disinformation and calling out falsehoods. Defending the U.S. will likely also require more direct action by Washington against countries like Iran that increasingly use the internet as a weapon against us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gordon Crovitz is co-CEO of NewsGuard and a former publisher of The Wall Street Journal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The quality of life and future of our communities, state and nation depend on wise energy policies that balance innovation, economic growth and environmental stewardship. Utah has long been a leader in energy development, and we must continue working together to maintain and build upon that legacy. Leaders at every level in our state have a role to play, and we must work together to preserve and propel forward this amazing place we call home. Rep. John Curtis has been a true champion for real solutions that cut red tape and let the energy market work. The recently passed Geothermal Energy Opportunity (GEO) Act, which received bipartisan support, ensures that bureaucratic red tape wont stop progress on clean energy projects. This legislation simplifies the approval process for geothermal projects, helping to unlock Utahs potential. Projects like Fervo Energys geothermal development in Beaver County demonstrate how geothermal energy can create meaningful opportunities Fervo alone is projected to generate 6,600 new jobs while contributing to the energy grid. Having grown up in Wasatch County and now raising my family here, I know how much we take pride in our clean air and natural beauty. We also cherish our heritage of being pioneer-tough, innovative and entrepreneurially inspired. These qualities will enable us to provide the energy we need to live in such a beautiful place for generations to come. Starting with our first hydroelectric plant in 1909, our community has been building and balancing energy resources to keep up with the needs of our people. Supporting policies like the GEO Act helps us preserve these values while meeting our growing energy needs. Even if some areas of Utah arent major energy producers, every community plays a role in the market. Utilities across Utah depend on a diverse grid combining renewables like geothermal and important traditional resources like natural gas from regions such as the Uintah Basin. This diversity keeps energy reliable, affordable and sustainable for families across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An all-types-of-energy approach is key to building a resilient energy future. Traditional resources remain critical to our economy and energy stability, while clean energy technologies like geothermal ensure we leave behind the beautiful Utah we know and love for future generations. Rep. Curtis leadership in advancing real, forward-thinking solutions like the GEO Act shows that energy innovation and collaboration can go hand in hand. Energy policies today will shape the Utah of tomorrow, in every community in our state. By supporting permitting reforms and a balanced energy mix, we can protect the states natural beauty, ensure reliable energy and secure long-term economic benefits for all Utahns. (This op-ed piece was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) One in three girls and one in five boys will experience sexual abuse before turning 18. These statistics alone are reason enough to listen when children disclose that they have been abused. Recently, it was brought to light that a Sunset Palms Elementary School physical education teacher in Boynton Beach was accused of grooming and raping a young child at school. As detailed by The Palm Beach Post, the credibly alleged abuser continued to have direct access to vulnerable children for far too long removed after the victims family pursued legal action through a civil lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case highlights systemic failures by both the school and the Palm Beach County School District. Their handling or mishandling of the allegations underscores a disturbing lack of urgency and accountability in protecting children. This kind of institutional neglect is not just an oversight; it is a moral failure with potentially devastating consequences. Sen. Lauren Book Our view: Editorial: Amendment 4 defeat should prompt changes to Florida's abortion ban As a former classroom teacher, child advocate and child sexual abuse survivor, I am uniquely qualified to share this message: When children report abuse, we must believe them do everything in our power to stop the abuser and hold them accountable. Failing to do so not only puts children in danger but signals other abusers that their actions will be met with indifference and inaction. As a society, this cannot be tolerated or ignored. While this case is heartbreaking for the brave victim who came forward and deeply troubling for the hundreds of parents who are horrified to learn about the inaction that may have put their own children at risk, we must all recognize that further abuse is preventable through education and awareness. We cannot let despair deter us from taking action to prevent the horrendous headlines we are reading today. Studies show that 95% of child sexual abuse can be prevented through education and awareness heres how: Know how to spot abuse. With 42 million survivors of sexual abuse in America from every zip code, race, religion, and socioeconomic status, abuse does not discriminate and is everyones responsibility to report. There are many signs a child may be suffering abuse, including sudden emotional withdrawal, sexualized behavior, displays of irrational fears, overly compliant behavior, and more. Educate so you can advocate. Reporting known or suspected abuse is our moral and legal obligation in Florida, with felony penalties for failure to report. Learn more at DontMisstheSigns.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hiding the truth: Transparency in Florida government requires public fight for its rights | Opinion Talk to your kids. As parents, we must do everything we can to help keep our children safe. That includes having regular, ongoing, age-appropriate discussions about personal safety. Whether you have a toddler or a teen, there are plenty of online resources to help you navigate these conversations from a place of fun, not fear. I encourage parents to learn more at SaferSmarterFamilies.org. Learn more about how your childs school is teaching abuse prevention. The Florida Board of Education created a rule mandating developmentally appropriate mental health curriculum and human trafficking prevention lessons for children in grades K-12. By having conversations with teachers and your child about these lessons, you can stay informed about what your child is learning about body boundaries, how to recognize grooming, what is an unsafe touch, how to disclose unsafe situations, and more. Safety education is key for childrens well-being in more ways than one: potential abusers whether School District employees or other community members will be deterred from children who know how to spot unsafe behaviors and touches. If youre a parent, make these conversations with your child a top priority. If you are a District employee, its time to reexamine your policies and procedures for reporting, investigating and preventing child abuse. Children everywhere are counting on us to step up and be their voice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lauren Book, M.S. Ed, is a child advocate, former classroom teacher, best-selling author, former Florida State Senator, and the Founder and CEO of Laurens Kids. As a victim of childhood sexual abuse for six years at the hands of a trusted caretaker, Lauren founded Laurens Kids as a vehicle to prevent childhood sexual abuse and help other survivors heal. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Sexual abuse of children is rampant. Be alert to the signals | Opinion If the Democratic National Committee is trying to find a new leader proficient at alienating Black voters, it couldnt do better than Rahm Emanuel. Emanuel has indicated in recent days that hes interested in the job. If he goes for it at the partys upcoming meeting, much of the old Democratic guard is likely to back him, setting up an intra-party brawl. Last week, David Axelrod served as a digital advance man for his former Obama White House colleague, posting that Dems need a strong and strategic party leader, with broad experience in comms; fundraising and winning elections, while touting Emanuel as just the man for the job: Dude knows how to fight and win! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of well-connected power-brokering, Emanuels ties with Democratic elites and corporate donors have been second to none. And he can boast an impressive political resume senior advisor to President Bill Clinton, congressman from Illinois, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Democrats 2006 sweep, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and White House chief of staff for Barack Obama, before becoming mayor of Chicago in 2011. But his eight-year record as mayor could trip up Emanuel if he runs for DNC chair. Long before leaving office in 2019, Emanuel had fallen into disrepute. By the end of 2015, a poll found that his approval rating among Chicago residents had sunk to 18 percent. No wonder he decided not to run for a third term. Emanuel stands out at provoking bitter enmity from Black people, crucial voters in the Democratic Party base. He earned notoriety for the cover-up of a video showing how Chicago police killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald one night in October 2014. For 13 months, during Emanuels campaign for reelection, his administration suppressed a ghastly dashboard-camera video showing the death of McDonald, an African American who was shot 16 times by a police officer while walking away from the officer. (A jury later convicted the officer of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memories of Emanuels malfeasance have remained vivid. In 2020, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) expressed a widely held view when she tweeted: Rahm Emanuel helped cover up the murder of Laquan McDonald. Covering up a murder is disqualifying for public leadership. Last weekend, amid reports that Emanuel was weighing a bid for DNC chair, Ocasio-Cortez denounced him as a symptom of what ails the party: 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. Longtime Chicago journalist and activist Delmarie Cobb wrote a scathing assessment of his mayoral record in 2021. While mentioning that Emanuel closed 50 public schools in predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods, Cobb also pointed out that he closed six of 12 mental health clinics in these communities. She added: Now, who needs access to mental health care more than Chicagos Black and brown residents who are underserved, underemployed and under constant threat of violence? Emanuels response to the McDonald killing was emblematic of his arrogant leadership method, routinely clashing with the basic interests of racial minorities and the non-affluent. When Emanuel was nearing the end of his last term, The Nation magazine summed up his term this way: The outgoing mayors legacy will be defined by austerity, privatization, displacement, gun violence, and police brutality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its fitting that Axelrod is leading the charge for Emanuel to win the top post at the DNC. Both of them were well-compensated for providing services to the giant Exelon Corporation, a public utility with the nations largest set of nuclear power reactors. In fact, Emanuel helped create the company through a corporate merger in 2000 while working as an investment banker, the New York Times reported. During that stint as an investment bank director after leaving the Clinton White House and before entering Congress Emanuel used his connections to make $18 million in just two-and-a-half years. Its that kind of coziness with economic elites that has caused Democrats appeals for working-class votes to ring hollow. A frequent refrain at Vice President Kamala Harriss campaign rallies was We wont go back! But if Emanuel ends up as the DNC chair, the message will be quite the opposite signaling that wealthy power brokers have fully recaptured the party. As Emanuels days are numbered in his position as ambassador to Japan, the chance to become chair of the DNC might be too tempting to pass up. Shortly after President Biden nominated him for the diplomatic role, Chicago Tribune columnist Rex Huppke wrote that the idea was laughably absurd. As mayor, Huppke recalled, Emanuel was, as he always has been in public life, a pugnacious bully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic National Committee should not choose for its chair a pugnacious bully who relishes fighting with the partys most loyal constituencies and committed activists. Norman Solomon is cofounder of RootsAction.org and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy. His book War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine was published in 2023. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 the wake of Donald Trumps recent re-election and the revelation of an Iranian plot to assassinate him on the campaign trail, there is much speculation around what the new U.S. administration will mean for the Middle East. This is of particular concern to Israel, where continued Iranian aggression through terror proxies in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, as well as its advancement toward obtaining nuclear weapons remain an albatross around the neck of the regions only democracy. Whatever one thinks of Trump, my hope is that his administration will release Israel from what my former boss at the United Nations, Ambassador Ron Prosor, called the triple standard. A veteran of Israeli diplomacy, Prosor observed that while all other democracies are given carte blanche in defending themselves (and their interests) at home and abroad, Israel is expected to show extreme restraint. Meanwhile, so little is expected from dictatorships that they are praised for showing even a modicum of moderation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take, for example, Israeli military action against Tehran last month. Its targeted and precise measures were part of a strategy that seeks to decimate terrorist infrastructure across the Shia Crescent an absolute pre-condition to the regional stability we all hope for. Irans muted response to these measures was nothing more than a face-saving PR exercise. And yet, much of the global and press narrative has portrayed Israel as a regional destabilizer and praised Iran for its tempered response to military humiliation. This is the triple standard in action. Or take the narrative around the wider war against terror across the Shia Crescent. Since Oct. 8 of last year, Hezbollah has launched over 12,000 rockets at Israeli civilian centers, displacing tens of thousands of civilians indefinitely. Nevertheless, the U.N. still refuses to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization or enforce Resolution 1701, an 18-year-old measure that was supposed to require the group to withdraw north of the Litani River, a full 20 miles from the Israeli border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last few months, Israel has obliterated Hezbollahs military leadership and capabilities in Lebanon, again through precise and targeted measures. But these actions have drawn little more than hand-wringing ire from Western leaders and media outlets, who have no point of comparison within their own national security contexts. What do you think the U.S. would do if Mexico launched thousands of rockets at Texas? But what about Gaza? No one can deny the humanitarian crisis unfolding there. At the same time, from millions of text messages to loudspeakers deployed on drones, Israel has taken extraordinary measures to warn civilians, even as doing so often warns enemy fighters and endangers Israeli soldiers. The result of these policies has been one of the lowest combatant-to-civilian death toll ratios in the modern history of warfare. According to Hamas, nearly 43,000 people have died in Gaza, a figure that is likely inflated and which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel claimed in mid-August to have killed at least 17,000 Hamas fighters. Combining these two figures yields a combatant-to-civilian death toll ratio of, at most, 1 to 1.5. According to John Spencer, chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, the average ratio in modern wars is one combatant for every 1.9 civilians. When the U.S. liberated Mosul in Iraq in 2017, the ratio was one to 2.75. These figures are nothing to boast about. And they are little consolation to the people of Gaza who have lost loved ones. A civilian death rate of zero is what every civilized nation should aspire to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, it is not Israel that is endangering civilians by hiding terrorists in schools, homes and hospitals. It is Hamas. The triple standard obscures this reality. And yet, the terrorist organization is treated as a state actor at the U.N., an ally in Qatar and Iran, and as a heroic freedom movement by a small rabble of college students wearing Amazon-bought keffiyehs. Meanwhile, when Israel acts to neutralize terrorist threats, it is invariably accused of targeting civilians or, worse, genocide. The West must stop taking a sanctimonious posture whenever Israel refuses to commit suicide in the name of a sentimental and sanitized version of democratic liberalism that its allies never apply to themselves. Instead, we must together uphold a single standard that recognizes terrorism as unequivocally beyond the pale and empowers democracies like Israel to defend themselves. If Trump is serious about bringing an end to the current crisis in the Middle East, the triple standard needs to be retired once and for all. Not only is it hypocritical, it is demoralizing to the Wests only democratic ally in the region and sets a dangerous precedent for how we deal with authoritarianism and terrorism across the globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aviva Klompas is the former director of speechwriting at the Israeli Mission to the United Nations and co-founder of Boundless Israel, a nonprofit organization that partners with community leaders in the U.S. to support Israel education and combat hatred of Jews. She is co-host of the Boundless Insights podcast. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President-elect Donald Trump has picked former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel. While this doesnt mean Huckabee will be determining the Trump administrations official policy on Israel, Trumps selection of a hard-line evangelical activist to the role is a signal to the world that hell likely be pursuing ultra-hawkish policy when it comes to his approach to the country. Huckabee has already made it clear that he sees allies in the most radically conservative members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, and that he has a similar disregard for international law. Ive never been willing to use the term West Bank. There is no such thing. I speak of Judea and Samaria. I tell people there is no occupation, Huckabee said in a recent interview with the right-wing Israeli media outlet Arutz Sheva. It is a land that is occupied by the people who have had a rightful deed to the place for 3,500 years, since the time of Abraham. He added, I want to use terms that live from time immemorial, and those are terms like promised land. In case it wasnt obvious, Huckabee is a right-wing Christian Zionist. That means hes part of an ideological camp that believes that unconditionally supporting the Israeli government and aiding it in its project of territorial expansion is not just a geopolitical imperative, but also a spiritual duty. This does not bode well for anyone hoping for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, or anything resembling a just solution to the decades-long occupation and displacement of Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As MSNBC columnist Sarah Posner has explained, for many Christian Zionists, support for Israel is rooted in its role in the supposed end times: Jesus return to Earth, a bloody final battle at Armageddon, and Jesus ruling the world from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. In this scenario, war is not something to be avoided, but something inevitable, desired by God, and celebratory. That appetite for war means that what happens to the Jews and Palestinians is, to put it very mildly, collateral damage, and that settlers further control of the occupied West Bank, which they call by its biblical names Judea and Samaria, is a fulfillment of Gods plan. That helps explain why Huckabee refuses to use the term West Bank and denies Israels occupation of the territory, in violation of international law. In fact, Huckabees denialism of oppression of Palestinians extends to their very existence: He opposes a two-state solution and once said, during his 2008 presidential campaign, Theres really no such thing as a Palestinian. The Netanyahu administration will likely see Huckabees ambassadorship as a green light from the Trump administration to carry on with regional domination in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Lebanon. In fact, in his interview with Arutz Sheva, Huckabee appeared to align himself with Israeli politicians to the right of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. When asked about Israels far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrichs call for Israels annexation of territory in the West Bank, Huckabee responded, Thats a decision for Israel to make. Trump selecting Huckabee suggests that the policy agenda Trump set in motion during his first term will resume without interruption. Trump broke with U.S. tradition and international norms in moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing the Golan Heights as part of Israel. He has also cast doubt on his commitment to a two-state solution and encouraged Israeli settlements. Its hard to imagine someone more congenial to this spirit of Israeli expansionism and impunity than Huckabee. Now, as Trumps emissary, he may help turbocharge that process. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com When the founders added the recess appointments clause to the Constitution, it generated little discussion. Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist Paper No. 67, said it was just a supplement for the purpose of establishing an auxiliary method of appointment, in cases to which the general method was inadequate. Nothing more. It was adopted unanimously and without debate. Makes you wonder what they would say today. I hope it would be something to the effect that the use of this clause in the 21st century violates the spirit of the Constitution. Or, as The Wall Street Journal editorial board said recently, it would be anti-constitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Times have changed, of course, since the 18th century. The Journal editorial board added that the Constitution included the recess clause because the founders had to travel to and from the national capital by horse, and because The point was to prevent the president from being left short-handed. What the Constitution says And so, Article 2, Section 2 of the Constitution grants presidents 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. But this is the age of swift travel and instant communication. Presidents are never left short-handed. During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the House of Representatives were allowed to vote remotely, using proxies to physically cast votes in the chamber under strict instructions. As modern office workers with smart phones have learned, its impossible ever to be truly absent from work, and so it is with lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remote voting in the House was a temporary privilege, but it illustrates the point. The need for a president to retain the power of a recess appointment has gone the way of buggy whips and Morse code, except for its use as a political loophole. Trumps appointments President-elect Donald Trump has announced two appointments that bring this clause to the fore. He has named Matt Gaetz, who until recently was a representative from Florida, as his pick for attorney general. Gaetz was being investigated by the Justice Department in connection with the alleged sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl allegations he has consistently denied and for which he never has been formally charged. That investigation ended upon his resignation from Congress, but some senators, including some Republicans, have asked to see the ethics report associated with it. The other appointee is Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and former Army National Guard officer. He is Trumps nominee for defense secretary, but he, too, is connected to allegations of sexual assault. His attorney has admitted Hegseth paid a woman to prevent her from filing a lawsuit, although he has denied any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, for whom subtlety was never a strength, posted on Truth Social, Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments. Recess appointments do not require confirmation hearings, at which senators sometimes ask probing (and embarrassing) questions. But in order to make such an appointment, both chambers of Congress must agree that the Senate is in recess, and it must be in recess for at least 10 days. Senate always in session For its part in this loophole charade, the Senate has made a practice of perpetually being in session, even when its members are far away. This is done by having one senator gavel the empty chamber into session, and then into adjournment, every few days. In 2014, the Supreme Court approved of this tactic. In the long history of the republic, the Senate has rejected only nine cabinet appointments outright, according to constitutioncenter.org. Others have voluntarily withdrawn when, for whatever reason, they have become political liabilities. For the rest, the Senate has usually granted leeway for presidents to appoint whom they want to fill cabinet posts. The founders intent But the founders gave the Senate the power of advice and consent to all presidential appointments for a reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Getting back to Hamilton, he addressed this power in Federalist Paper No. 76: It would be an excellent check upon a spirit of favoritism in the president, and would tend greatly to prevent the appointment of unfit characters from state prejudice, from family connection, from personal attachment, or from a view to popularity, he wrote. Doing away with the power of recess appointments would require a constitutional amendment, which isnt likely. Other presidents have misused this power. That doesnt make it right. Using it purely for political purposes and to bypass politically messy hearings makes a mockery of the spirit of the Constitution. The Climate Protection Program will regulate the emissions of fossil fuel suppliers, including natural gas companies and companies heavily reliant on natural gas. (Anton Petrus/Getty Images) Oregons keystone plan to regulate fossil fuel companies and reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas pollution will be reinstated in early 2025 after being derailed for nearly a year by a gas industry lawsuit. The Environmental Quality Commission, which oversees the Department of Environmental Quality, voted unanimously on Thursday to approve the program, which sets emission targets and will serve as a foundation for Oregons drive to reduce harmful emissions driving climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote comes 11 months after a court invalidated the original 2021 program over a technicality, sending the DEQ back to the drawing board. Little has changed from the original standards, which were passed three years ago by the commission, with the mandated targets for reducing greenhouse gas pollution remaining the same: a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas pollution by 2035 and a 90% reduction by 2050 to confront the growing threat of climate change. Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement that the standards represent Oregons determination to address climate change. The Climate Protection Program will keep polluters accountable and fund community investments that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon, Kotek said. To achieve the targets, fossil fuel companies in Oregon will have to gradually decarbonize their energy supply, largely by shifting away from petroleum and natural gas and while incorporating renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and so-called biofuels made from captured gas and decomposing matter into their energy offerings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natural gas is almost entirely methane gas, among the most potent climate-warming greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. One-third of global warming is due to human-caused emissions of methane, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In redoing the plan, the Department of Environmental Quality collected more than 10,000 comments over the summer. Most of them called for DEQ to keep the emissions targets and key components of the original program. But a number of commenters expressed concerns that the program could lead to high natural gas prices, said Nicole Singh, DEQs climate change manager and co-presenter of the plan during Thursdays hearing. In response, officials included in the rules that the state is obligated to collaborate with the Oregon Public Utilities Commission to ensure the natural gas companies arent passing all the costs of decarbonization on to their customers. We kind of are stepping on the shoulders of CPP 2021, and really taking a hard look at things that we could improve in the program potentially going forward, Singh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmentalists welcomed approval of the plan. Angus Duncan, Northwest consultant for the Natural Resources Defense Council and chair emeritus of Oregons Global Warming Commission, said that programs like this one are needed now more than ever. With federal climate action hanging in the balance, Oregon is rightfully doubling down on its commitment to slash harmful climate pollution through a strong Climate Protection Program, Duncan said in a statement. Addressing the climate crisis demands an all-hands-on-deck effort. On the other hand, NW Natural, which was part of the suit that blocked the first Climate Protection Program, had a mixed reaction to the approval. While the most recent rule changes provide relief for about two dozen natural gas customers, the remaining residential and commercial customers including hospitals, schools and restaurants to name a few are still stuck with most expensive cost of carbon of any program in North America, David Roy, NW Naturals communication director, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the new rules, some heavy energy users in the state who previously did not have to comply with the climate program will be required to meet emissions reduction targets, and companies will need to show compliance with the program every two years starting in 2028, as opposed to every three years in the original plan. The rules include penalties for noncompliance that vary depending on the severity of the violations. They include daily fines calculated to ensure the costs of avoiding or delaying compliance with the program exceed the costs of following the rules, said Lauren Wirtis, a spokesperson for the environmental quality department. Whats new in the program The adopted program applies to companies beyond fuel suppliers. For the first time, the state will regulate the emissions of companies that are heavy natural gas users, and not just natural gas suppliers whose emissions are monitored now. These new companies include some cement, fertilizer and gypsum producers. Gypsum is in plaster, drywall and some cement. Companies operating in Oregon, including cement maker Ash Grove and paper products company Georgia Pacific, will need to meet new emissions standards, Singh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy users will have three years to collect data and devise plans for meeting the targets. Theyll be required to begin complying with the Climate Protection Program in 2028. They have to prove that theyre complying with the targets every two years at the end of the compliance period. Singh said during the meeting. The updated program also includes changes to the investment portion of the previous Climate Protection Program. It provides for a system that essentially give Oregon a carbon crediting market, allowing companies to buy credits to offset their emissions, with the proceeds going to a nonprofit that will invest in climate work, with an eye towards helping impacting communities. One credit will be equal to 1 metric ton of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, and companies will be able to buy them for $129 per credit. That price is higher than the oer-ton cost of carbon credits in most carbon markets, but significantly less than the true social cost of carbon the financial costs to taxpayers from natural disasters, paying for climate adaptation and the cost of losses and damages to natural resources and ecosystems resulting from each ton of planet-warming carbon released into the atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2022 study published in the journal Nature by a consortium of scientists and the D.C.-based, nonprofit research institute Resources for the Future found that $185 per ton reflects the true social cost of each metric ton of carbon dioxide sent up into the atmosphere. Oregons carbon credits, called Community Climate Investments, were set to begin generating revenue for community-based climate projects this year before the program was derailed. They were projected to bring in $150 million a year for community decarbonization and renewable energy projects, according to the Portland-based nonprofit Seeding Justice, which had previously been tasked with overseeing the investments. Credit recipients, largely nonprofits working on community-based projects, will be able to use the grants to help people and businesses reduce greenhouse gases by installing solar panels and heat pumps, for example, or to purchase electric vehicles and chargers and help weatherize homes and buildings. Singh said the focus will be on helping groups that have been heavily impacted by climate change. Matt Donegan, commission chair, said the program will help the state economy remain competitive while investing in communities that have been the most impacted by climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEQ will take about 4.5% from the money generated through the sale of the credits to pay for its oversight of community investment grants and to undertake internal and external auditing to ensure money is being spent appropriately and that projects reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions required. Under the new rules, companies can offset 15% of their emissions through the purchase of these credits during the first two years of the Climate Protection Program and step that up to 20% during each two-year compliance period thereafter. Previously, companies could only offset 10% of their emissions through the credits in the first two years. Gas company lawsuit The 2021 Climate Protection Program was approved by the Environmental Quality Commission after more than a year of meetings, presentations from the environmental quality department and public comment. But in 2023, NW Natural, Avista Corporation and Cascade Natural Gas Corporation sued to block the plan, saying that in the process of imposing state regulations to cap and reduce emissions, the commission failed to submit required disclosures to the companies and to other entities that hold federal industrial air pollution permits. The department was required to issue a written statement about why the state was adopting emission limits that exceeded federal rules, disclose a list of alternatives that were considered and explain why they were not adopted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judges on the Oregon Court of Appeals agreed with lawyers representing the gas companies, and in December 2023, ruled the program invalid on those technicalities. Rather than appealing the decision to the Oregon Supreme Court, which would likely not hear the case until mid-2025, state environmental regulators announced in January that they would start over. It was a difficult decision to accept, but not a difficult choice to make, Singh said. There was so much progress being made, it was hard to see that progress stop. But we have been able, I think, to create a better CPP for the future. Editor-in-chief Lynne Terry contributed to this story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregonians could see a higher state revenue and kicker in the next budget cycle, according to a new forecast from Oregons Office of Economic Analysis. According to the office, this forecast took a different analytical approach compared to past reports after Carl Riccadonna took over as State Chief Economist in September. The economic office explained that past forecasts deviated significantly from actual tax collections, but after adjusting the personal income tax model and showing a tighter alignment between the Oregon revenue forecast with national economic trends, the latest forecast shows a heftier state revenue and kicker for Oregonians. Ex-Portland police officer among dozens charged in human trafficking sting The December 2024 Oregon Economic and Revenue forecast, released Wednesday, shows the General Fund reaching $37.8 billion in the 2025-27 biennium increasing by $2.27 billion. The personal kicker is expected to reach $1.79 billion, which will be included as a credit on Oregonians 2025 tax returns. The corporate kicker is expected to reach $1,024.5 million and will be retained in the General Fund and spent on education in the next biennium, the economic office found, noting Oregons economy is demonstrating moderate health. While Oregon is projected to see revenue growth, the economic office said projections on how policy under the incoming Trump administration will impact the states economy is unclear. Mount Hood sees snowiest early season start in decades Until the timing and details of the next administrations priorities are more clearly defined, it is prudent to say that medium-term economic tail risks have increased; or put another way, the potential distribution of outcomes relative to pre-election projections has widened, the forecast said. The report adds that tariffs will be extremely consequential to key industrial pillars of the Oregon economy, including timber, agriculture, tech/semiconductors and apparel. While showing optimism for the state of Oregons economy, Governor Tina Kotek is also warning about potential revenue changes at the federal level, presenting unknown impacts to the state. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest This forecast calls for state leaders to stay the course on core programs and act strategically on issues of top concern for Oregonians. While Oregons economy is strong, unknown federal impacts are on the horizon. We must build on the progress weve made on housing and homelessness, behavioral health and education while fighting to protect Oregon values. These challenges dont lend themselves to quick fixes or shortcuts, and real progress requires persistence and focus, Kotek said. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The commercial Dungeness crab season is getting a late start this year, Oregon officials announced. The delay is effective coastwide and lasts until at least Dec. 16, two weeks later than an original target of Dec. 1, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Wednesday. Bomb cyclone kills 2 people in Washington Pre-season testing shows Dungeness crabs are too low in meat yield in some ocean areas and have elevated domoic acid in crab viscera (guts) in two areas on the south coast, ODF&W said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said delays are sometimes authorized in order to ensure consumers get a high-quality product and crabs are not wasted. The 2023-24 commercial Dungeness crab season was also delayed last year also by two weeks for similar low meat yields. Due to the ocean commercial Dungeness crab season delay, the commercial bay crab fishery currently open from Cape Blanco to the Washington border will close on Dec. 1. The commercial bay crab fishery season only lasts through the end of December. However, it will only reopen if the ocean commercial season does on Dec. 16 as planned, pending further meat yield and biotoxin tests. Ex-Portland officer among arrests in trafficking sting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another round of crab meat testing is slated to take place in the coming weeks, officials said, which will inform whether the ocean commercial Dungeness crab season will meet its new Dec. 16 target for reopening. The recreational Dungeness crab season is still on track to reopen on Dec. 1 in the areas where no elevated biotoxin levels were detected, officials said. More information about current closures for the recreational crab season can be found on the Oregon Department of Agricultures website or by calling the Shellfish Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-448-2474. KOIN 6 News asked ODF&W whether the commercial Dungeness crab season delay may be related to climate change. In response, an ODF&W spokesperson said commercial crab season delays were common and that they dont have any evidence low meat yields are related to climate change. However, they said climate change may be related to an increase in harmful algal blooms. Climate change likely increases the frequency and intensity of Harmful Algal Blooms, which can produce biotoxins such as domoic acid, but the environmental conditions that lead to biotoxin production are not well understood, said ODF&W Marine Resources Program Manager Justin Ainsworth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weekly updates on the commercial crab fishing season in Oregon can be found on ODF&Ws 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 KOIN.com. School attendance rates were up last year, but still not at pre-pandemic levels. (Getty Images) Following steep declines in school attendance in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, Oregon students are slowly beginning to show up more regularly to class and a growing number of ninth graders are on track to graduate on time. The number of Oregon kids regularly attending classes is not back to pre-pandemic levels yet, but new data from the Oregon Department of Education shows that during the 2023-24 school year, regular attendance increased by nearly 4 percentage points from the previous year. For elementary school students, regular attendance increased by almost 7 percentage points. About 76% of the 197 school districts in Oregon saw higher attendance last year from the previous year, according to the data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marginal gains have also been made in the rate of ninth graders who are on track to graduate within four years. Nearly 85% of last years ninth graders are on track to graduate by 2027, about 1 point above pre-pandemic rates and the second highest rate ever recorded in the state. That represents about 500 more freshmen this year who are on track to graduate. Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education, said the data is a good sign but that more improvements are needed. We must continue our focus on maintaining high expectations, providing opportunities for our students to succeed, and supporting our schools and educators, Williams said in a statement. More than 550,000 students attend kindergarten through 12th grade in Oregon. Overall, about 66% of Oregon students had at least a 90% attendance rate during the 2023-24 school year while an average of about one-third missed at least 16 days out of 160 or more days. During the 2018-19 pre-pandemic school year, about 80% of students attended class at least 90% of the year. Students who attend at least 90% of the time are considered to have regular attendance. The data was released as part of the Oregon Department of Educations At-A-Glance Profiles of districts, which combine state assessment test scores with other district and school health measures, such as the number of experienced teachers, school mental health staff and librarians in buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest results from statewide assessment tests in English language arts, math and science show that across subjects, grades and districts, students are still about 10 percentage points behind pre-pandemic achievement levels. In the states 10 largest districts responsible for educating about 40% of Oregons K-12 student body students have slipped further behind in English language arts and science, partly because of missed classes. Absenteeism rates in Oregon are highest in kindergarten, early elementary grades and among high school seniors, according to the state data and school districts. Education experts say absences in the younger grades can have the most impact, and research shows students who are chronically absent in preschool, kindergarten and first grade are much less likely to read at grade level by third grade, making them four times more likely to drop out of high school than proficient readers. The gains in attendance last year follow a concerted effort by schools and the state to get students back into classrooms full time. Some districts have conducted public information campaigns over the last year, rewarding students for getting to class with gift cards and meals, collecting better data on absenteeism and deploying school staff to visit students and their families at home to make the point that school attendance should be taken seriously, according to state education officials. During the 2023 legislative session, an 18-member task force was created to submit ideas for boosting student attendance that would not require legal enforcement, and Gov. Tina Kotek declared that September was Attendance Awareness Month. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX As the holiday season quickly draws near, the Orlando Police Department wants to remind the public its ongoing commitment to public safety. With the holiday shopping season ready to be in full swing, this time of year is particularly busy for local businesses, bringing with it unique challenges, including an uptick in theft. Around this time of year, the Orlando Police Department steps up its patrols in and around popular shopping areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Transgender Day of Remembrance: Honoring those killed in anti-transgender violence This initiative provides additional police visibility to deter potential criminal activity and ensure a secure environment for shoppers and retailers, OPD officials stated. Orlando police also want to remind residents of the vital role the community plays in combating crimes like theft. Shoppers are encouraged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity to 911, and take simple precautions like locking up their personal belongings and purchases. Read: $20 scratch-off lottery worth $1M purchased in Central Florida, was claimed by winner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OPD shared these holiday shopping safety suggestions: Stay Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If something feels off or if you notice someone following you, seek assistance immediately. Limit Distractions: Avoid using your phone while walking to and from your vehicle. Consider Personal Safety Devices: Carry items such as pepper spray or a loud alarm for added security. Shop Smart: Whenever possible, avoid shopping during the dark hours of early morning or late evening. If you must shop at those times, park in well-lit areas with plenty of pedestrian traffic. Secure Your Belongings: Lock up personal items and purchases in your vehicle and keep them out of sight. Be Mindful of Cash: Carrying large amounts of cash can make you a target for thieves. Monitor Online Deliveries: If you shop online, avoid leaving deliveries outside and unattended for extended periods. Read: Seminole County Public Schools announces hurricane makeup day Residents can report a non-violent crime by calling OPDs 24-hour non-emergency line at (321) 235-5300. Watch OPD Officers Share Tips in English and Spanish: Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Nov. 21ORWELL Village council tabled legislation regarding a contract with an environmental company, allowing village manager Tami Pentek to use her emergency authority to hire workers as-needed through the end of the year. The village was recently able to hire a full-time wastewater superintendent after finding themselves with one employee between the wastewater and water departments. Hiring a superintendent provided the village with a little breathing room to ensure all Ohio Environmental Protection Agency mandates are met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council discussed various options with Pentek and Orwell Village Solicitor Chris Newcomb regarding potential emergency needs. After the discussion tabling the legislation, Pentek said she would work to develop a contract for next year that allows her to call in workers from B and J Environmental Solutions as needed. Pentek is allowed to spend up to $5,000 for emergency hiring through the company, but she and council members thought it would be a good idea to stipulate a specific amount for the new year before she would need to return to council for approval. The emergency operators will be paid $50 and hour as needed, in the interim, and the tabled legislation will be amended and reviewed again in the new year, officials said. "When it [the legislation] comes off the table, it goes to a first reading," Newcomb said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council passed an ordinance amending a section of the codified ordinances that tweaks the language regarding peddlers and solicitors in the village. Council approved a health insurance agreement for the new year for village employees. The village administration spent $62,596 for a police cruiser in October. The majority of transgender employees, 82%, reported experiencing workplace discrimination or harassment because of their gender identity or sexual orientation at some point in their lives, according to a new survey. The survey, conducted by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, an LGBTQ research think tank, defined discrimination and harassment as being fired, not hired, not promoted, or verbally, sexually or physically harassed. Trans employees were more likely to report such experiences than cisgender lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer employees, at 45%, and nonbinary employees, at 59%. Transgender people are a particularly vulnerable and marginalized group in the workplace, Brad Sears, lead author of the report and founding executive director at the Williams Institute, said in a statement. Many are not bringing their full selves to work and face unsupportive workplace environments, which makes them less likely to fully invest in their current employer and job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous research from the Williams Institute has estimated that there are about 1.3 million trans adults in the U.S. The new report surveyed 1,902 LGBTQ adults in the workforce, including 86 trans adults, in the summer of 2023, and compared the experiences of trans adults to their cisgender lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer peers. Half of the trans adults surveyed were people of color and 6 in 10 were making less than $50,000 a year. Of the trans respondents who reported having experienced workplace discrimination or harassment at some point in their lives, 65% reported experiencing verbal harassment, 34% reported experiencing physical harassment and 42% reported experiencing sexual harassment. Many of the trans respondents provided examples of being persistently misgendered or deadnamed, referring to someone intentionally using the incorrect pronouns or their previous name, and reported that colleagues asked invasive questions about their body or transition, among other types of verbal harassment. Related stories: Speaker Mike Johnson says he supports banning transgender women from using women's bathrooms New Jersey school district hit with multiple lawsuits after firing gay superintendent Liberty University sued by former IT staffer fired after disclosing shes a trans woman Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report includes quotes from respondents who described some of their experiences. For example, one trans employee from Massachusetts said their boss, supervisor and co-workers all asked them too many personal questions about how I do things as a trans person, including how they get dressed and wear a binder to flatten their chest and how their sexuality changed when they transitioned. Trans employees who reported experiencing discrimination were two to four times more likely than cisgender LGBQ employees to report being fired (12% vs. 5%), not being hired (20% vs 5%) or not being given career advancement opportunities (15% vs 5%), based on their gender identity or sexual orientation in the past year. Trans people attempted to mitigate workplace discrimination and harassment by concealing their gender identity at work or by looking for another job, according to the report. More than 1 in 3 trans respondents, or 36%, said they are not out as trans to their current supervisor; 13% said they are not out as trans to any of their co-workers; 71% said theyve engaged in behaviors to cover up their gender identity, such as changing their voice or mannerisms while at work; and 67% said they had left a job because of how they were treated based on their gender identity or sexual orientation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Over $9 million in taxpayer money was approved Wednesday to settle three significant lawsuits against the City of Buffalo. The first is a $500,000 settlement going to Jyirah Bailey, who in 2020 was driving on Main Street when she was struck and severely injured in a crash involving Buffalo police officer Brandon Lowe. Lowe was traveling over 80 miles per hour going to a domestic call that turned out to be false. Chelsea Ellis was also injured she was paralyzed and awarded a $43 million settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City lawmakers also approved $8.6 million to Darryl Boyd and John Walker Jr., two members of the Buffalo Five, who were convicted in the 1976 murder of a man on the citys East Side. There was no physical or forensic evidence linking them to the case. Years later, witness testimony was recanted and claims were made that police didnt share information crucial to the murder. Charges were eventually dismissed. As a municipality, we are open to exposure and these are a lot of funds that the City of Buffalo has to shell out for various claims and some are very justified and warranted, but when were in tough fiscal times, I want it to be known that we also face very significant claims against the City of Buffalo, said Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski. While lawmakers are concerned that the city is frequently sued, they said the payments will be made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city continues to run into problems with these large settlements and in some cases, they relate to some questionable police misconduct and those are things that we talked a great deal about that were concerned about. We know that this is a challenge throughout our country, said Buffalo Common Council Member Rasheed Wyatt. I know the city is going to find that money, I dont know exactly where it is, they didnt tell us, but there are some areas they may have it, but again, these are real issues for us, as we look at the deficit, the looming deficit thats coming forth and we have to pay these things these are obligations that we must pay. Latest Local News Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. (WFRV) The owner of a swimming pool service and retail company in southern Wisconsin pleaded guilty to a federal charge in relation to employment taxes. According to the United States Department of Justice, William Gallagher pleaded guilty to not one count of failure to account for and pay over employment taxes. On October 22 a federal grand jury returned an indictment that charged Gallagher with 12 counts of what he pled guilty to. The charges for each quarter in the tax years 2018 through 2020. The release says that Gallagher was the owner and manager of a swimming pool service and retail company in Lake Geneva. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple agencies respond to deadly 2-vehicle crash on WIS 42 in Door County The company, H2O Wisconsin, LLC, or Poolblu, reportedly had an estimated 15 workers. Officials say that dating back to 2014, the loss to the IRS totaled over $606,000. Sentencing is scheduled for January 30 at 10 a.m. Gallagher faces up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. No additional information was provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Transgender Day of Remembrance was marked at the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex Nov. 20, 2024 (Commonwealth Media Services photo) 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. Press 3 after calling for LGBTQ+ support, or text PRIDE. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org Pennsylvania officials gathered at the Capitol in Harrisburg on Wednesday to mark the Transgender Day of Remembrance. It was a means of memorializing transgender Americans and Pennsylvanians who died by violence or suicide in the past year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a trans and non-binary person, Im always sad to be a part of these events, said Ashleigh Strange, the executive director for the governors advisory commission on LGBTQ affairs, but Im always proud to be part of this community and it gives me hope to know there are people at every level of government standing up for my community. President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on restricting rights for transgender people and rolling back civil rights protections for trans youth specifically. He often used inflammatory rhetoric when discussing transgender issues during his campaign, flooding the airwaves with anti-transgender advertisements in the last weeks of the race. Just after Wednesdays event, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced a ban on transgender people using bathrooms for the gender they identify with. It was a move apparently targeted at the first openly transgender congressperson, Rep-elect Sarah McBride of Delaware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from the Shapiro administration and the Pennsylvania state legislature urged their constituents to maintain courage and resolve, and promised to protect transgender Pennsylvanians, regardless of the posture of the federal government. I know this community knows more than most what it means to be resolute in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles, said Val Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Please know I stand with you. I am committed to working with you to create a more equitable commonwealth. Officials and legislators were joined by Malinda Clatterbuck, a Lancaster County resident whose son, Ashton Clatterbuck, took his own life earlier this year. Malinda Clatterbuck said her son was a big hearted, compassionate, empathetic, get-things-done, goofy, fun loving human being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was an active advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, climate issues, and more. He had even volunteered on Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-Els (D-Lancaster) campaign. Smith-Wade-El is a member of the LGBTQ+ equality caucus, and one of few openly queer lawmakers. Im certain that this incredible human being is no longer with us because our society failed him, Malinda Clatterbuck said. She said her son was alarmed by anti-trans policies springing up in schools and legislatures around the country. He so clearly saw and felt that these bully policies were born out of bigotry and inevitably lead to the marginalization, dehumanization, violence and even death of trans people, she added. According to Strange, 371 transgender and gender nonconforming people lost their lives to violence globally in the last year. Sixty-three were in the United States, and four were in Pennsylvania. Strange said that figure was based only on the data available, and likely misses those who were not open, or had their identities hidden by their families after their deaths. Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, member of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus speaks at a Transgender Day of Remembrance event in Harrisburg, Nov. 20, 2024 (Commonwealth Media Services photo) Smith-Wade-El pointed to the need for lawmakers to act to protect Pennsylvanias transgender community. In particular, he urged lawmakers to pass the Fairness Act, which would codify protections for LGBTQ+ people in the states anti-discrimination laws. The bill passed the Democrat-controlled House in May, but was not taken up in the Republican-controlled Senate. Smith-Wade-El said he hopes it will pass the House again in the next legislative session Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkoosh pointed out that the current Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission already acts on this interpretation of the law, but that could be changed with a different board. Members are appointed by the governor and approved in the Senate. Smith-Wade-El acknowledged it may be difficult to get some bills aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ people specifically through the Republican-controlled Senate. But he said there are other, more generalized policies that could help. That includes passing bills to protect homeless youth. According to the Trevor Project,38% of transgender women and 39% of transgender boys will experience homelessness. Smith-Wade-El also urged adequate funding for the Dept. of Health and Human Services. We can protect people just by making sure that the resources are there, and theyre not politicized, he told the Capital-Star. Smith-Wade-El also pointed to a bill he has sponsored ensuring transgender and non-binary students have access to inclusive bathrooms and locker rooms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transgender people have always been here, will always be here and deserve to live and thrive as their authentic selves, Strange said. To connect to a crisis counselor at the Trevor Project call 1-866-488-7386 to talk or text START to 678-678. Trans Lifeline provides support to trans people in crisis. Call 1-877-565-8860. I get monthly professional manicures and have tried everything from Russian to Japanese techniques. On a recent trip to Paris, I decided to spring for a $160 French manicure. Although the technique wasn't as unique as other manicures I've tried, I was happy with the results. In preparation for my first trip to Paris, I did the usual itinerary prep museums, restaurants, and boutiques. However, I also realized this would be the perfect opportunity to experience a French manicure, both in the sense of style and technique. Unlike the Japanese gel and Russian manicures I've tried recently, French manicures (a solid-colored base with a crescent tip in a different color) aren't necessarily French. They're a US invention coined in the 1970s inspired by French fashion and beauty aesthetics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, as a nail buff who gets monthly manicures, I'm always curious to see what they're like in other countries. I also personally think it's fun to say I got a French mani in France. From finding a salon in a foreign country to the actual manicure process, here's what it was like. I chose Nail Club Paris based on online research. Nail Club is located in Paris. Gia Yetikyel After scouring online sources, from Instagram to Vogue articles, I came across Nail Club Paris, a New York-inspired salon that offers services including Gel-X and nail art. Of all the ones I clicked through, I thought this salon's website was the easiest to navigate, and I particularly liked the aesthetic based on the photos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I made my appointment online two weeks ahead of time. With the help of Google Translate (my grade-school French is quite rusty), I booked a spot for gel extensions and gel polish with a tortoiseshell French-manicure design. Unfortunately, I broke two cardinal nail rules. I didn't book a removal, but my nails needed it. Gia Yetikyel Before getting into the review, I must admit to committing multiple nail offensives before and during this appointment. I can blame my cold, the stress of traveling, or the confusion of acclimating to a new area, but I definitely should've known better. My first sin was being about 15 minutes late. Usually, salons offer a grace period for tardiness, but I wasn't sure what timeframe applied to this salon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I arrived with "Je suis desole" ("I'm sorry") bubbling up my throat and explained, in English, how the traffic delayed me. Maelle, my nail tech and the only employee in the salon when I arrived, reassured me and guided me to my seat. The second sin was not booking a nail removal with my appointment. At the time, I was wearing professional press-on nails and assumed they would pop or fall off easily like the store-bought ones I'm used to. Not booking the appropriate services can throw off a nail tech's entire schedule and create delays for future appointments. Maelle gave my press-ons a small tug and immediately reached for her nail drill. Though she was impressed by how sturdy they were, she was worried about how long the removal process would take because she had another appointment after mine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with the language barrier, the anxiety was evident. I felt guilty for putting her in this position. My mistakes aside, the salon had a comforting aesthetic. Nail Club is New York-themed. Gia Yetikyel Maelle's English was far better than my French, so we intermittently spoke about the politics in our respective countries and our admiration for nail art. She proudly talked about the salon's New York loft theme, and I agreed that I saw the vision. The exposed brick and funky color palette felt like a subtle love letter to my home state. As we settled in, Maelle put on a Kali Uchis playlist and fell into a deep focus as she sang along to the Colombian artist's lyrics. Her hypnotic trance signaled to me that she was about to lock in, and I was prepared to witness absolute magic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We did Apres Nail extensions, which aren't new to me. I went with almond-shaped nails. Gia Yetikyel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The manicure technique felt no different than the ones I've gotten in the US. After filing and soaking off my press-on nails, Maelle prepped my nails and cuticles. We settled on Apres gel as a base, a softer extension that covers the entire nail bed. Compared to acrylics, it's supposed to cause less damage to the natural nail as it grows out. The durable gel should last anywhere from three to six weeks, depending on your nail care. I'm used to getting Apres in the US, and the process didn't differ just because I was overseas. After nail prep, Maelle found the best-fitting extensions for each finger and applied an adhesive before curing them onto my natural nails. She then shaped them into pointed almonds and tested out the best base color to match my nail tone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was beyond impressed with my nail techs efficiency. I decided to get a tortoiseshell pattern on my French manicure. Gia Yetikyel Though the manicure process wasn't unique, I was so impressed with Maelle's prowess. She told me she had eight years of experience under her belt and her expertise was evident in her light touch and speed. Though my tardiness and nail removal set us back, Maelle's ability to breeze through the manicure was borderline mind-blowing. Instead of applying extensions and art one nail at a time and switching between hands, Maelle did the process one hand at a time. This meant she didn't cure the gel polish until she was done with the entire hand, which can be risky as she could accidentally smudge a previous nail along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much to my surprise, no nails were smudged, nicked, or impacted by the technique. I opted for tortoiseshell crescents on every nail. The design had to be done in layers, starting with a base of very light brown and eventually creating a pattern with darker shades of brown and black on top. Maelle meticulously followed the reference picture I showed her right down to the charms that she miraculously had in stock. I'm convinced that nail art is a universal language. With tip, I paid a little under $200. Gia Yetikyel Most of the manicure was filled with Maelle quietly singing and me silently holding my breath, hoping I wouldn't delay the next appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the conversations we were able to have were fun and lighthearted. We bonded over our love for certain manicure techniques and preferences for almond and stiletto shapes. Even with a limited shared language, our passion for nails bridged the gap. At the end, I paid 150 euros, about $162. My original appointment was listed as 125 euros, but the nail removal cost an additional 25 euros. I also left a cash tip of 30 euros because of how incredible and accommodating Maelle was. This appointment was in the same time and price range that I'm used to in the US, so I was interested to see how the manicure would hold up. My usual sets sometimes lift by the third week. After four weeks, I was still receiving compliments. I didn't experience any chipping or lifting with this manicure. Gia Yetikyel In the days following my manicure, I noticed a few air bubbles under the extensions, which can be caused by a number of things. Since the bubbles were toward the center of the nail and not the sides, they were sealed in and didn't affect the set's longevity. Over the next few weeks, I was definitely more rough than I usually am with my manicures. After Paris, I was on a quick trip to Maine, where I hiked and climbed rocky terrain at Acadia National Park. The fact that no nails broke or even loosened was incredible, and I could only hope they'd fair just as well for the rest of the month. After four weeks, I was still receiving compliments about how fresh the design looked. Because of the simple and elegant French tip, I could barely see my natural nails growing under the nude base. Despite the initial bubbles, I also didn't experience any chipping or lifting. It was beyond evident that this manicure could last both physically and aesthetically, and that's always worth the money for me. Read the original article on Business Insider Nov. 20A pair of Mower communities were among those in southern Minnesota to receive a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation's (SMIF) Small Town Grant Program. LeRoy received $10,000 to construct the LeRoy Main Street Pocket Park, an accessible and inclusive space designed with the input of residents to create a sense of community. Meanwhile, $10,000 was granted to the Adams Town and Country Recreation Pool Corporation to host a Day of Caring where community members will come together to build a pickle ball court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, $200,000 of grant money was given out to 25 different communities in SMIF's 20-county range. Each grant seeks to impact the culture, education, economy, and/or social aspects of a town by investing in collaborative initiatives that help make the community more welcoming. Launched in 2017 to support smaller communities, the Small Town Grant program is designed to help these locations grow and address challenges. This year alone, SMIF has invested $1,172,490 in small communities. "We knew when we started this program that it could have a huge impact on the smallest communities in our region," said Tim Penny, president and CEO of SMIF. "Now, 138 projects later, we have invested more than $1 million into southern Minnesota through this grant. This is an investment that will last for generations. We are once again grateful to Paul Johnson's family for continuing his legacy and giving SMIF an opportunity to leverage additional funding for small town support. Without them, we would not have been able to reach this milestone so soon." The Small Town Grant program is supported, in part, by a generous donation in memory of Paul O. Johnson who wanted southern Minnesota's smallest communities to thrive. Paul's legacy is being continued by his family, Amy De Jong, Paula Rehder and Scott Johnson. As Jahan fled toward the Pakistani border in the middle of the night, he wondered if his career defending human rights would help protect him now that he was a refugee himself. A 28-year-old Afghan journalist and women's rights advocate, Jahan said he was attacked by a Taliban fighter while covering a women's rights protest just after the fall of Kabul in August 2021. If he didn't make it across the border, he said, he knew he would likely be killed. Jahan asked ABC News not to use his full name for safety reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We worked for 20 years for a better future for Afghanistan," he recalled thinking. "Why did we lose everything?" But arriving in a new country brought no sense of safety. PHOTO: Afghan men leave after watching the public execution of a man, by the Taliban at a football stadium in Gardez, in Paktia province on Nov. 13, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images) Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, some Afghan journalists said they have been in limbo waiting for humanitarian visas while living in exile in Pakistan, where they fled across the shared border when Kabul fell. The Taliban's violent suppression of criticism, along with draconian crackdowns on women's rights, meant journalists who stayed in Afghanistan were at constant risk of being detained, tortured, disappeared or killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: US threatens Taliban with 'costs' after ban on Afghan women and girls from school In Pakistan, unable to legally work and threatened with deportation through government ultimatums and face-to-face interactions, some Afghan journalists applied for visas from countries that promised to help Afghan refugees. Almost three years later, many said they still have not received a decision. In the meantime, their prospects in Pakistan are dire, several told ABC News. Life in Pakistan Several Afghan journalists living in Pakistan told ABC News that their fear of deportation is omnipresent. Khatera, a journalist from northern Afghanistan who asked ABC News not to publish her last name for her safety, fled to Pakistan in April 2022 after the Taliban raided her newsroom, destroying radios and TVs. PHOTO: A signboard with the warning 'Photography and Video recording forbidden' is displayed along a street in Kabul on Oct. 22, 2024. (Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images) "After that," she said, "everything was a nightmare." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many Afghan journalists in Pakistan, Khatera arrived on a tourist visa she had to renew every six months through a private travel agent. Visa renewals were sometimes denied without reason, and officials often asked for bribes, she said. The Pakistani government did not reply to a request for comment. Housing, health care and transportation in Pakistan can be prohibitively expensive for Afghans, whose tourist visas don't allow them to work. Many rely on depleting savings, support from family members, or under-the-table jobs, according to those who spoke to ABC News. Given the economic strain, the biannual visa fee and the corresponding bribes present significant burdens, they said. But not having proper documentation can bring serious consequences. "Anywhere you're going, the police are asking about your valid documents," said Khatera. They sometimes conduct nighttime home check-ins and try to deport those who can't provide valid papers, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those disruptions to daily life don't appear to be unique to journalists. A 2023 Human Rights Watch report declared a "humanitarian crisis" of Pakistani authorities committing widespread abuses, including mass detentions and property seizures, against Afghans in Pakistan. Over a month and a half, the report said, Pakistani authorities deported 20,000 Afghans and coerced over 350,000 more to leave on their own. Afghan journalists regularly receive death threats from the regime at home over social media, Jahan said. "If I'm deported to Afghanistan," he said, "the Taliban is waiting for me." "No journalist has been condemned to torture, disappearance, or death by the government of Afghanistan," said a spokesperson for the Taliban-run Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that "all citizens of the country are equal in the eyes of the law regardless of their position and profession." Some journalists said they also face a widespread mental health crisis. Rahman, an Afghan journalist who asked ABC News to use his middle name due to what he described as ongoing threats from the Taliban, struggles with worsening depression and anxiety. He said he fears for himself and his family, still in Kabul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's daily mental torture," he said. An endless wait The conditions in Pakistan have spurred many Afghan journalists to apply for humanitarian visas from the U.S., Australia, the U.K. and other European countries. Yet, some have not heard back for about three years. Jahan applied for an Australian humanitarian visa on Jan. 4, 2022, six months after he arrived in Pakistan. He supplemented his application with support letters from Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International and other nongovernmental organizations stating his life was at risk, he told ABC News. More than two years after filing his initial application, he has received a confirmation of receipt but no further updates, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A departmental spokesperson from the Australian Department of Home Affairs said they "expect it will take at least 6 years from the date of receipt for processing to commence on [the applications] lodged in 2022, 2023, or 2024." "We will wait there is no other way," Jahan said in response. "I hope they help us as soon as possible." "Day by day, I'm faced with depression and health issues," he said. "My only hope is that Australia will save my life." Rahman, who reported on women's rights in Afghanistan, is saving up to apply for a family visa from Australia, where his fiancee lives. The process costs over $9,000. He said he believes a humanitarian visa application will not receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: UN leader Amina Mohamed: Taliban's restrictions on Afghan women 'have to be reversed' Requests for help from the French embassy and the U.N. have also yielded no results, he said. "I believe these countries have always been for freedom and for democracy. They can help out," he said. "I just wonder why it takes such a long time." Khatera applied for a visa from the Swiss embassy. It took a year and a half to receive the file number, she said. She was told she needed close relatives in the country, but otherwise, they would likely not be able to help. "I'm getting depression," she said. "I'm just trying to fight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every Afghan journalist in exile interviewed by ABC News said they continue to receive threats from the Taliban over social media and fear for their lives every day. PHOTO: Taliban forces patrol at a runway a day after U.S troops withdrawal from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 31, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters) The Taliban denied sending the threats, saying "the government and officials of Afghanistan have not threatened any journalists." Broken promises Afghan journalists waiting in worsening conditions for responses to their visa applications said they feel that Western countries have broken their promises to help Afghan refugees. The United States expanded a resettlement program for Afghan refugees in 2021 to include journalists and humanitarian workers who had helped the United States. However, as of 2023, The Associated Press reported that only a small portion of applicants had been resettled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment. The Afghan Pro Bono Initiative, a partnership providing free legal representation to Afghan refugees, published a 2023 report entitled "Two Years of Empty Promises." The report found that the U.K. resettlement programs for Afghan refugees were fraught with delays, understaffing, administrative hurdles, narrow eligibility and technical issues. Earlier this year, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other NGOs called on Western countries to adopt prima facie refugee status for Afghan women and girls, which would grant refugee status without the need for individual assessments, potentially streamlining the application process and decreasing lengthy wait times. Despite the dragging wait times and the pervasive hopelessness, many of the 170 Afghan journalists in exile in Pakistan continue to speak out against the Taliban. Jahan's X account includes frequent posts about Afghanistan -- legal updates, protest videos and women singing to resist what they describe as draconian Taliban policies. "In any country, I will stand for Afghan women," he said. "I will risk my life for them." In Pakistan, Afghan journalists face deportation and yearslong waits for humanitarian visas originally appeared on abcnews.go.com PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) Pakistani police say gunmen opened fire on vehicles in restive northwest, killing at least 8 Shiites. An Israeli attack on a residential area in the north of the Gaza Strip killed 66 people, most of them women and children, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. More than 100 others had been injured, the report said. WAFA reported that the attack had taken place early on Thursday morning. It said that rescue workers were digging with their bare hands to find the victims, citing medical sources from the nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that infrastructure belonging to the Palestinian militant organization Hamas had been struck in the Beit Lahia area. Terrorists who had participated in the October 7 attack on Israel last year had been active there, the IDF said. The region was an active combat zone, and the local population had been warned in advance, the IDF said. It added that the casualty report was being investigated. The information could not be independently verified. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A Panama City woman is facing child sex charges for an incident that supposedly occurred over 16 years ago. 44-year-old Sonya Lowe is currently being charged with sexual battery on a child under 18 years old by a custodial figure. Bay County Sheriffs investigators say the alleged incident occurred in April 2008, while Lowe was working at a local educational facility. Motorcyclist killed after collision on Highway 231 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrest report states the girl, who was 15 years old student at the time was romantically involved with Lowe. When deputies questioned Lowe last month, they said she never denied the allegation, adding nothing was forced and authorities wouldnt find another one. Lowe was booked into the Bay County Jail on Tuesday. A judge set her bond at $50,000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) On Wednesday, sentencing has been set in the case involving a Panama City woman stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer. According to a news release, 66-year-old Pamela Lynn Wilson of Panama City pled No Contest Monday to Grand Theft over $100,000 and Organized Scheme to Defraud (more than $50,000). Judge Shonna Young Gay set sentencing for February 7. Officials said the crime is a First-Degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington County man on the run arrested in Georgia Prosecutor Peter Overstreet was prepared to present witnesses and evidence that proved Wilson orchestrated false payouts. For years, that is believed to be between $800,000 and $1 million, officials wrote. Basford said the evidence would have shown two business owners went to PCPD in 2022 to report a theft by their bookkeeper. The two described the defendant as a trusted employee, however, they found about nine checks totaling more than $20,000 written to another business. An investigation would show hundreds of suspicious payouts, almost always $2,500 to the same business. Based on business records, going back to 2018, showed it had received no payments from the victim, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims books showed $400,000 in payments from that same period. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. DES MOINES, Iowa Habitat for Humanity hosted the final Panel Build of 2024, creating panels which will be used in 15 homes being built in northeast Des Moines. The build was hosted outside of the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity ReStore, where employees of the store and volunteers built 26 exterior wall panels that will be turned into homes. Its always a nice change of pace to do something a little bit different. I think we have some folks that have chilly hands but really warm and fuzzy hearts today, said Danny Akright the Director of Communications for the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crews work in three and a half hour shifts over the course of the day. A small group helps set up and cleanup but most of the workers focus on wall building. In total, three to four dozen people will help during Panel Building events. EPA adds segments of Des Moines, Raccoon Rivers to state impaired bodies of water list Last week a Panel Build was hosted at the Urbandale Restore where over 20 interior panels were built. The panels are being constructed for the Carter Court homes a new development located on the northeast side of Des Moines which will have 15 homes ready for people at the beginning of the year. Sixteen Panel Builds were hosted this year, contributing to homes being built around the metro. The Panel Builds are expected to start again in April of 2025. However, there are other volunteer opportunities available all year long. Check out the Habitat for Humanity website to learn more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every day that we are selling donated and new merchandise here at the ReStores we are able to take those profits and reinvest them right back into our mission, said Akright. Anytime somebody makes a purchase here at the ReStore, they are helping fund homes that we are building, homes that we are repairing, and people that we are helping council on their way to home ownership. So far this year the ReStore locations have given $2 million to Habitat for Humanity which is being used to build 36 homes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AP) On the southeastern coast of the city of Jayapura, Petronela Merauje walked from house to house in her floating village inviting women to join her the next morning in the surrounding mangrove forests. Merauje and the women of her village, Enggros, practice the tradition of Tonotwiyat, which literally means "working in the forest." For six generations, women from the 700-strong Papuan population there have worked among the mangroves collecting clams, fishing and gathering firewood. The customs and culture of Papuans, especially those of us in Enggros village, is that women are not given space and place to speak in traditional meetings, so the tribal elders provide the mangrove forest as our land," Merauje said. It's a place to find food, a place for women to tell stories, and women are active every day and earn a living every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forest is a short 13 kilometers (8 miles) away from downtown Jayapura, the capital city of Papua, Indonesias easternmost province. It's been known as the women's forest since 2016, when Enggros' leader officially changed its name. Long before that, it had already been a space just for women. But as pollution, development and biodiversity loss shrink the forest and stunt plant and animal life, those in the village fear an important part of their traditions and livelihoods will be lost. Efforts to shield it from devastation have begun, but are still relatively small. Women have their own space but it's shrinking One early morning, Merauje and her 15-year-old daughter took a small motor boat toward the forest. Stepping off on Youtefa Bay, mangrove trees all around, they stood chest-deep in the water with buckets in hand, wiggling their feet in the mud to find bia noor, or soft-shell clams. The women collect these for food, along with other fish. The womens forest is our kitchen, said Berta Sanyi, another woman from Enggros village. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That morning, another woman joined the group looking for firewood, hauling dry logs onto her boat. And three other women joined on a rowboat. Women from the next village, Tobati, also have a women's forest nearby. The two Indigenous villages are only 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) apart, and they're culturally similar, with Enggros growing out of Tobati's population decades ago. In the safety of the forest, women of both villages talk about issues at home with one another and share grievances away from the ears of the rest of the village. ______ EDITORS NOTE: This is part of a series of on how tribes and Indigenous communities are coping with and combating climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ______ Alfred Drunyi, the leader of Drunyi tribe in Enggros, said that having dedicated spaces for women and men is a big part of the village's culture. There are tribal fines if a man trespasses and enters the forest, and the amount is based on how guilty the community judges the person to be. They should pay it with our main treasure, the traditional beads, maybe with some money. But the fines should be given to the women, Drunyi said. But Sanyi, 65, who's been working in the forest since she was just 17, notes that threats to the space come from elsewhere. Development on the bay has turned acres of forest into large roads, including a 700-meter (2,300-foot) bridge into Jayapura that passes through Enggros' pier. Jayapura's population has exploded in recent decades, and around 400,000 people live in the city the largest on the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In turn, the forest has shrunk. Nearly six decades ago, the mangrove forest in Youtefa Bay was about 514 hectares (1,270 acres). Estimates say its now less than half that. I am so sad when I see the current situation of the forest," Sanyi said, "because this is where we live. She said many residents, including her own children, are turning to work in Jayapura instead of maintaining traditions. Pollution puts traditions and health at risk Youtefa Bay, where the sea's brackish water and five rivers in Papua meet, serves as the gathering bowl for the waste that runs through the rivers as they cross through Jayapura. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plastic bottles, tarpaulin sheets and pieces of wood are seen stuck between the mangrove roots. The water around the mangrove forest is polluted and dark. After dozens of years being able to feel the clams on the bay with her feet, Sanyi said she now often has to feel through trash first. And once she removes the trash and gets to the muddy ground where the clams live, there are many fewer than there used to be. Paula Hamadi, 53, said that she never saw the mangrove forest as bad as it is now. For years, she's been going to the forest almost every day during the low tide in the morning to search for clams. It used to be different," Hamadi said. From 8.00 a.m. to 8:30 in the morning, I could get one can. But now, I only get trash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The women used to be able to gather enough clams to sell some at the nearest village, but now their small hauls are reserved for eating with their families. A study in 2020 found that high concentrations of lead from waste from homes and businesses were found at several points in the bay. Lead can be toxic to humans and aquatic organisms, and the study suggests its contaminated several species that are often consumed by the people of Youtefa Bay. Other studies also showed that populations of shellfish and crab in the bay were declining, said John Dominggus Kalor, a lecturer on fisheries and marine sciences at Cenderawasih University. The threats related to heavy metal contamination, microplastics, and public health are high," Kalor said. In the future, it will have an impact on health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some are trying to save the land Some of the mangrove areas have been destroyed for development, leading to degradation throughout the forest. Mangroves can absorb the shocks of extreme weather events, like tsunamis, and provide ecosystems with the needed environment to thrive. They also serve social and cultural functions for the women, whose work is mostly done between the mangroves. In the future people will say that there used to be a womens forest here" that disappeared because of development and pollution, said Kalor. Various efforts to preserve it have been made, including the residents of Enggros village themselves. Merauje and other women from Enggros are trying to start mangrove tree nurseries and, where possible, plant new mangrove trees in the forest area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We plant new trees, replace the dead ones, and we also clean up the trash around Youtefa Bay," Merauje said. I do that with my friends to conserve, to maintain this forest. Beyond efforts to reforest it, Kalor said there also needs to be guarantees that more of the forest won't be flattened for development in the future. There is no regional regulation to protect Youtefa Bay and specifically the women's forests, but Kalor thinks it would help prevent deforestation in the future. That should no longer be done in our bay, he said. __ 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. (File/Getty Images) COLUMBIA High school students in South Carolina should be allowed to continue checking out a novel about a woman addicted to meth from their public school libraries, as long as their parents agree, a state committee decided Thursday. The review of three other books on the panels agenda Thursday stemmed from the complaints of one parent in Fort Mill. Responding to her objections, the State Board of Education committee voted to keep an eighth grade English textbook in classrooms but postponed decisions on two novels: Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full board will take up the committees recommendations on Crank and the textbook at its Dec. 3 meeting. Crank was a holdover from a list of books the five-person committee decided to preemptively review Oct. 31 under a new regulation prohibiting books with sexual conduct from public K-12 schools. Days later, the full Board of Education voted unanimously to require the removal of seven books from public schools for what board members decided were explicit descriptions of sex. Three classic novels can stay, board members determined. Decisions on the first 11 books were meant to help clear up confusion about the rule, committee members said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some teachers have criticized the regulation for not defining sexual conduct, instead referencing a portion of the states obscenity law. Thursday was the first time the committee heard actual challenges from a parent under the new regulation. Crank When Crank came up for review in October, committee members faced a conundrum. Department of Education staff who reviewed the book found descriptions of sexual activity, which seemed to violate the regulation. But committee Chairman Christian Hanley received a letter ahead of the meeting from someone saying the book was helpful in dealing with drug use in their own family, giving him and other committee members pause, he said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sex is not the only factor in whether a book can be banned under the regulation, department policy and legal advisor Robert Cathcart told the committee Thursday. Committee members can decide to remove a book from the shelves for anything they deem to not be age appropriate. Crank would qualify for that, department staff wrote in a report provided to the committee. While the book does not intentionally glorify drug use, in the 544 pages of poetry, drugs are omnipresent, and getting high is often seen as either pleasurable or an escape from the drudgery of life, the department report reads. Drugs, sex, rape, pregnancy, and depression pervade the book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee decided the descriptions of sex were not graphic enough to remove the book completely. Because of its heavy themes, the committee instead decided to require parental permission to check out the book from school libraries. Parents whose children want to read the book should receive the entire five-page list of problematic excerpts the committee reviewed before signing off, Hanley said. The book is available in high schools only, department staff wrote in a memo. This is a poor compromise, author Ellen Hopkins wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. She added that she would have preferred the board allow parents to opt out of having their children read the book instead of opting in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But at least its still there and semi-available, Hopkins continued. Hopkins loosely based the book on her own daughters experience with methamphetamine addiction, she said in a statement provided by the states American Civil Liberties Union chapter. The novel follows a straight-A, high-achieving high schooler who gets addicted to the drug and watches her life fall apart as a result. I was determined to turn other teens away from that path if I could, Hopkins wrote in the statement. I also wanted those whod already chosen that direction to believe there was a way out, support, someone who cared, and urge them to speak up sooner rather than later. And I wanted people whod never made that choice to develop understanding and empathy for those who had. Parent complaints One parent requested reviews for all three new books the committee considered Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Clement, who said she has two children in the Fort Mill School District, contested an eighth-grade literature textbook, along with two novels that English teachers in the York County district either assign or recommend to students. Because all three books were part of school curriculums as opposed to simply being available in the school library, the committee allowed them to skip the normal appeals process. The complaint came to the state directly, bypassing the Fort Mill school board, Cathcart said. Clement pointed to short stories in the textbook that deal with themes of violence, sexuality, racism and other heavy topics as reasons she believed the book should be removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parents of this school district should be very concerned about what their childs hearts and minds are being filled with every day in school, Clement wrote in her complaint. Parents put their trust in this school board, the administrators, and the teachers of Fort Mill schools to protect their children from evil, not to encourage them to follow the darkness. The textbook already went through a state vetting process before it was approved for classrooms statewide, committee members said. For that reason, they unanimously agreed to allow it to remain. I have no objection to some of the materials, the ones that I have taught, that did not contain anything that justifies going against our regulation, said Board Member Joyce Crimminger, who taught English in Lancaster County. Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, the two novels Clements raised for review, included scenes discussing sex, domestic violence, guns, suicide and drug use, she told committee members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her complaints did not include quotes from specific scenes, so board members voted unanimously to defer any decision until they have more information. The exact quotes could make or break whether a book is banned or not. Books in which characters kiss or have romantic relationships are fine under the regulation. As are mentions of sex and sexual assault that happened off the page, or on-page sex scenes that dont give details, board members have said in previously discussing books. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Let us know what you think... Ukraine's parliament passed a bill on Nov. 21 that will enable soldiers who deserted or were absent without leave (AWOL) for the first time to return and continue serving in the military. The contracts of these soldiers will continue to be valid if they voluntarily decide to return to their units. The bill comes amid broader legislative changes pertaining to draft and military service as Ukraine's Armed Forces seek to replenish their ranks amid a grueling war with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation, supported by 253 lawmakers, will also ensure that the provision of relevant payments, social security, and other benefits to the soldiers resumes. The parliament previously decriminalized the first instances of desertion or going AWOL in August, provided the soldiers returned to their units. Earlier this month, the 53rd and the 57th mechanized brigades called on soldiers who left their units to return, saying that the "door is open." "We can all make mistakes - it's part of life. It's important to remember that one mistake does not define us completely," the statement of the 53rd Brigade read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have one country, one goal, and we can only win together." Although Ukraine adopted a major bill reforming the draft in April, the mobilization draft slowed down in autumn, leaving many front-line units undermanned in the face of more numerous Russian troops. A further 160,000 people are to be drafted into the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which will raise the manning of units to 85%, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko said on Oct. 29. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth and Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson spoke at a press conference shortly after the legislative session ended on May 20, 2024. The GOP leaders denounced the 1,400 page omnibus bill, which they displayed on the podium and was passed by the Democratic majority in the closing moments of the 2024 legislative session. Photo by Michelle Griffith/Minnesota. Reformer. Republican and Democratic-Farmer-Labor legislative leaders convened with Gov. Tim Walz Thursday morning to set the table for power-sharing negotiations that will shape the course of the 2025-26 legislative session. The meeting was cordial and professional, though little progress was made on the specifics of how the parties will work together next year, said House GOP Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring, during a media availability following the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her own news conference Thursday, DFL House Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park referenced the acrimonious partisanship of the past few years: I think everybody deserves a chance to have a fresh start. With the House likely tied 67-67 pending recounts in Sherburne and Scott counties, both of which are expected to confirm the preliminary results the two parties must negotiate a power-sharing agreement. At stake: Who will hold the gavel and when, and which bills will be heard in committee and on the House floor. Leaders have already announced that committees will be led by two co-chairs, one from each party, and membership will be evenly split along party lines. Partisan research staff will be adjusted to reflect the increase in Republican members and the decrease in DFL members, Demuth said Thursday, which means the House DFL will have to cut staff. The meeting among legislative leaders and Walz occurred just weeks after Walz and Vice President Kamala Harris lost in the general election and Republicans won half of the seats in the Minnesota House, ending the DFL trifecta. After months in the national spotlight, Walz returned to Minnesota still smarting from attacks from local and national Republicans over his exaggerated statements and his role in spending a nearly $18 billion surplus on a laundry list of DFL priorities during the 2023 legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Walz and other DFL leaders will need at least one Republican vote in the House to pass anything including a balanced two-year budget, which lawmakers must approve by June 30 to avoid a government shutdown. For Republican leaders, memories of the chaotic end to the 2024 session are still fresh. After Republicans spent days protracting debate, DFL leaders used a rare procedural rule to shut down debate and push through a 1,400-page bill in the final hour of the session as Republicans in both chambers shouted in protest. At post-session press conferences, the parties blamed each other for the chaos. And still hanging over the DFL is a felony burglary charge against Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, who allegedly broke into her stepmothers Detroit Lakes home in April. Mitchell pleaded not guilty in August and the case has not yet been resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have only a one-seat majority in the Senate, so if Mitchell were to resign or miss time as she did immediately following her arrest in the spring the Senate, too, would be tied. Republicans protested Mitchells return to the Senate after her arrest, as she was the critical 34th vote on several bills passed along party lines. Republicans unsuccessfully attempted to block Mitchell from voting; Mitchell cast the deciding vote allowing her continued participation. Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, said Thursday that if the DFL had worked more closely with Republicans last session i.e. not passed bills along strict party lines Mitchells participation in the Senate would not have been as big of an issue. Moving forward, he suggested, Democrats could avoid a dust-up over Mitchells role in the Senate if the party works to secure Republican votes. There was a lot of discussion of how we can work more bipartisanly, Johnson said. It takes that issue more off the table. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A woman who shot and killed a man while he was driving her and several other people on a Las Vegas freeway pleaded guilty Thursday to a lesser charge. Bernice Bohler, 42, killed Frank Williams, 43, as Williams was driving Bohler and several other people after a night out on June 2. Around 3 a.m. that morning, Nevada Highway Patrol responded to a single-vehicle crash on a ramp from Interstate 15 northbound to U.S. 95 northbound. The car hit a barrier with witnesses reporting two women walking away from the car afterward, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver, Frank Williams, was shot and killed, police said, adding he suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was not injured in the actual crash. A witness later told police Williams, Bohler and several other people were at a nightclub before getting into the car together, documents said. While in the car, Bohler and Williams started fighting, leading to Bohler, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, shooting Williams several times while he was driving. A witness later told police Williams said to Bohler, [Expletive], this is my [expletive], youre in my car, before she allegedly shot and killed him. Near the crash site, police found a handgun covered in blood, they said. A phone police found in the car had an unread text message from Bohler. Police arrested Bohler about a week after the murder on June 9 when she surrendered at Metro Headquarters, documents said. Prosecutors initially charged her with murder with the use of a deadly weapon, records said. In court Thursday, Bohler agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People in the courtroom connected to Williams let out gasps and shrieks as the deal was announced. It stipulates Bohler will serve prison time, though she did not agree to serve a specific amount, Clark County District Court Judge Tierra Jones said from the bench. The voluntary manslaughter charge and an enhancement to the charge would charge a consecutive sentence of 2-20 years, Jones said. Jones was scheduled to sentence Bohler on Jan. 9. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Canadian man on an American Airlines flight from Milwaukee to Dallas-Fort Worth attempted to open a cabin door while in mid-air. Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Department of Public Safety said the incident took place on American Airlines flight 1915 on Tuesday. The department responded to a report of a "disruptive passenger on board" and took one person into custody. According to reporting from FOX 4 Dallas, a flight attendant told police that the man got up in the middle of the flight and told her he needed to exit the plane immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then began to get rowdier before rushing the 79-year-old attendant trying to reach the plane's cabin door. Three fellow passengers helped the flight attendant and pinned down the man. Reports say the man's legs and wrists were taped in order to restrain him. The plane subsequently landed at Dallas-Fort Worth around 10 a.m. local time. The FBI Dallas Field Office told USA Today that its agents responded to the flight as well. Reports say the flight attendant had her wrist and neck injured due to the altercation and had to be taken to the hospital but has since been released. Passengers on the flight told WITI-TV in Milwaukee that others helped subdue the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He says, Im getting off this plane, I gotta get off," Doug McCright said. "Were 30,000 feet in the air, going 300-plus mph nobodys getting off this plane right now." McCright said a flight attendant signaled that she needed help. "The guy's like 6-3, probably 6-4, so I was behind him then, and I grab him, pulled him back, so he couldnt reach the handle on the door," he said. McCright said for a little more than a minute "it was just chaos." "I must have caught an elbow in the mouth there at one point in it," he said, "but all you're concerned about is, You got to stop this. You have to stop this." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlie Boris also told WITI-TV that he saw the commotion and ran to help. "The flight attendant that was heading back told that he was trying to open the door, and thats when I kind of went all in," he said. "Initially just saw a commotion and thought it was possibly medical or something, and pretty quickly realized that it wasnt, and just ran up there. There was a gentleman that was being restrained and kind of fought with to get on the ground. "It was kind of a fight-or-flight situation, and everyone just really helped and put together effort, and we all get to go to Thanksgiving." American Airlines said in a statement: "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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USA Today and Claire Reid from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Passenger on American Airlines flight attempts to open cabin door Donald Trumps plans to remake American society is not incremental or gradual. Trump, his advisors and agents are attempting to impose a revolutionary project on the whole of American life that will, in various ways, likely impact every person in the country. Trump, however, is not a political ideologue. He is obsessed with expanding the realm of his own self-interest and getting and exercising more corrupt power; politics, however defined and understood, is just a means to an end for Trump. By comparison, the people (and organizations) in Trumps closest orbit such as JD Vance, Stephen Miller, the Heritage Foundation and the many White Christian nationalists and gangster capitalists (to the degree they are distinct from one another) are actual ideologues who possess a coherent theory of society (and human nature) and how to advance and achieve their desired outcomes. Because they fundamentally misunderstand the nature of the threat and struggle, the combination of these forces will be very difficult if not impossible for the institutionalists and mainstream members of the political class, news media and other elites to stop. On this, historian Timothy Snyder warns: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was wrong to treat Donald Trump as a series of absences. The standard critique has always been that he lacks something that we imagine to be a prerequisite for high office: breeding, or grammar, or diplomacy, or business acumen, or love of country. And he does lack all those things, as well as pretty much any conventional bourgeois virtue you can name. Trumps skills and talents go unrecognized when we see him as a conventional candidate a person who seeks to explain policies that might improve lives, or who works to create the appearance of empathy. Yet this is our shortcoming more than his. Trump has always been a presence, not an absence: the presence of fascism. What does this mean?.... A liberal has to tell a hundred stories, or a thousand. A communist has one story, which might not turn out to be true. A fascist just has to be a storyteller. Because words do not attach to meanings, the stories dont need to be consistent. They dont need to accord with external reality. A fascist storyteller just has to find a pulse and hold it. That requires presence, which Trump has always had. His charisma need not resonate with you: probably, Hitlers and Mussolinis would not have reached you, either. But it is nevertheless a talent. To be a fascist and to call someone else a fascist requires a cunning that is natural to Trump. And in that naming of the enemy, absurd as it is, we see the second major element of fascism. A Leader (Duce and Fuhrer mean just that) initiates politics by choosing an enemy. As the Nazi legal thinker Carl Schmitt maintained, the choice is arbitrary. It has little or no basis in reality. It takes its force from the decisive will of the Leader. The people who watched Trumps television ads during sporting events had not been harmed by a transgender person, or by an immigrant, or by a woman of color. The magic lies in the daring it takes to declare a weaker group to be part of an overwhelming conspiracy. The one thing that is not arbitrary about the choice of an enemy is that it must exploit vulnerabilities. Throughout the Age of Trump and the democracy crisis, Masha Gessen has repeatedly counseled that we should take his threats seriously. In a new essay at the Times, Gessen continues with their warnings which are now even more critical given Trumps imminent return to power: For those bewildered by why so many Americans apparently voted against the values of liberal democracy, Balint Magyar has a useful formulation. Liberal democracy, he says, offers moral constraints without problem-solving a lot of rules, not a lot of change while populism offers problem-solving without moral constraints. Magyar, a scholar of autocracy, isnt interested in calling Donald Trump a fascist. He sees the president-elects appeal in terms of something more primal: Trump promises that you dont have to think about other people. Around the world, populist autocrats have leveraged the thrilling power of that promise to transform their countries into vehicles for their own singular will. Trump and his supporters have shown tremendous hostility to civic institutions the judiciary, the media, universities, many nonprofits, some religious groups that seek to define and enforce our obligations to one another. On Monday, Trump confirmed that he will declare a state of national emergency as part of his plans to use the military and other forces as part of his mass deportation program targeting nonwhite migrants, refugees and other illegal aliens. This could potentially lead to the forced removal of more than 10 million people from the country including American citizens who are caught up in the dragnet. Beyond the collective psychic, physical and emotional trauma, economists and other experts are warning that Trumps deportation plan will also cause great financial and economic harm to the American people. On this, historian Heather Cox Richardson notes in her newsletter that, "While the Congressional Budget Office estimates this mass deportation will cost at least $88 billion a year, another cost that is rarely mentioned is that according to Bloomberg, undocumented immigrants currently pay about $100 billion a year in taxes. Losing that income, too, will likely have to be made up with cuts from elsewhere." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all, to navigate (and survive) the next four years of Trumps MAGA America, the American people and their leaders will need to internalize and act upon the wisdom of Snyder, Gessen, Richardson and other leading pro-democracy voices. M. Steven Fish is one such voice. He is a professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley. He has appeared on BBC, CNN and other major networks and has published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Foreign Policy and elsewhere. His new book is Comeback: Routing Trumpism, Reclaiming the Nationand Restoring Democracy's Edge. In this conversation, Fish explains that it was not racism nor sexism that doomed Harris political campaign (and by extension dealt a severe blow to American democracy) but instead a combination of failed messaging, virtue signaling and purity tests that pushed away potential voters from the metaphorical and literal big tent that the Democrats should have been creating. Fish counsels that the Democrats and other pro-democracy Americans need to quickly get past the mourning stage and learned helplessness and other forms of inaction to shift towards an action phase of planning how best to protect and resuscitate American democracy from the assaults of Trump and his MAGA movement. To that end, Fish outlines how the Democratic Party needs to engage in a very critical self-assessment to recalibrate itself accordingly around a high-dominance and combative style of leadership and politics that directly confronts Trumpism and its allied forces. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Considering the realpolitik and what many people are likely thinking do you believe that if the Democrats had nominated a white man instead of Kamala Harris, would they have had a better chance of victory? Of course, theres no shortage of racists and sexists and Trumps campaign emboldened them. But in the bigger picture, the data show a steady decline in prejudice and intolerance. Furthermore, you cant look at the numbers on Trumps spectacular gains with Hispanics and milder but still appreciable gains with Blacks and Asian Americans and then blame Harriss defeat on racism. Harris actually outperformed Biden among whites both those with and without college degrees. If were look at voting by racial demographics, Trump won entirely on the strength of gains among nonwhites. And its hard to examine voting by gender and blame Harriss performance on sexism since she lost more support among women than men compared to Biden in 2020. The gender gap was smaller this time than it was in 2020 and smaller still than it was in 2016. If Harris had done as well as Biden with women and Hispanics, she might be on her way to the White House. Trump made a big play for young men, especially in the closing stages of the campaign. In our last conversation, you said she should blunt his offensive by going on Joe Rogan and other podcasts with large male audiences and the manosphere more broadly. Harris didnt end up doing that and Rogan endorsed Trump. She seemed to cede that whole realm to Trump. Absolutely and its time to have a more serious conversation about how the Democrats messaging lands with men. Lets take abortion. Why were her supporters pro-choice, Harris asked in her stock speech? Because she roared, We trust women! Fair enough, but did the Democrats trust the other half of the electorate, too? Most men, like most women, are pro-choice. So instead of treating them as bystanders or even would-be adversaries on this issue, why not include them in the project by treating abortion as a freedom issue that was vital to all Americans? During the DNC, the Harris campaign seemed interested in shifting to a freedom frame that could appeal to all Americans. Unfortunately, that didnt last and the Democrats ran the latter stages of their campaign as if girl power alone would win the day. They openly admitted as much. The results suggest that approach didnt work, even with women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some leaders tried to make sure the Democrats aggressively included men. Pete Buttigieg pressed the point that men are also freer in a country where women have the right to choose. Walrus NYC, filmmaker Andrew Jarecki and Greencard Pictures teamed up to make engaging videos for social media that used comedy to get young men to appreciate the stake they have in policies on reproductive rights. Ross Morales Rocketto, the guy who founded White Dudes for Harris, warned: What we are really trying to do is engage a group of people that the left has ignored...Theres a silent majority of white men who arent MAGA Republicans." We havent done anything to try to capture those votes. For voices like those, however, it was an uphill climb. In the closing weeks of the campaign and in her only major statement after the DNC, heres how Michelle Obama addressed men: Your rage does not exist in a vacuum. If we dont get this election right, your wife, your daughter, your mother we as women will become collateral damage to your rage. Now theres a way to bring the guys around: Tell them that the reason they might hesitate to support Harris is their rage. Then let them know that you care more about their wives, daughters and mothers than they do and that youre stepping in to shield them from all that rage. I have other concerns as well. During Barack Obamas presidency, he often argued that girls should not be expected to act a certain way, look a certain way and be a certain way. Thats of course true and a very important message. But Ive also heard young men who wholeheartedly embrace gender equality and despise the likes of Andrew Tate say they think liberals are telling them that they should act in a certain way, look a certain way and be a certain way. These guys arent filled with rage. Instead, theyre filled with irritation at being told that embracing any traditional notions of masculinity and femininity marks them as insecure, infuriated misogynists. Its also important to recognize that many women are also turned off by the protection from their mens rage that well-heeled progressives like the Obamas claim to offer. Many such women also dont appreciate being educated by progressive elites on the supposed benightedness of traditional gender identities and roles. If were to have a shot at the hearts and votes of these men and women, its important that we try to understand what so many of them hear in progressive messaging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Men as protectors? Thats just patronizing. Chivalry? Thats dead and its a good thing it is. Guys who spend time at the gym bulking up? They must want to look like a fascist street thug and they fail to understand that modern women value sensitivity, not pecs. Men as primary breadwinners? They must just want to keep women down and out of the workplace. Women who want to stay at home with the kids while their men bring home the bacon? Well, isnt that quaint. Arguing that athletes who were born male should not compete with women and girls? Thats just transphobia. If we cant make the silent majority of white men who arent MAGA and traditionally-minded non-MAGA women feel welcome and respected in the Democratic Party, we are not only blowing it politically, but we are dishonoring the liberal values we are fighting for. Trump is filling out his Cabinet and other high-ranking positions. He is following the autocrats playbook by instituting personalist rule where loyalty to him is more important than loyalty to the Constitution, the rule of law, or the American people and the nation. How is this related to Trump's version of high-dominance leadership? Trumps appointments are definitely manifestations of his own warped version of high-dominance leadership. Responsible high-dominance leaders such as FDR, JFK and LBJ filled positions in their administrations with highly competent figures whose primary loyalty was to the Constitution and the country. Trump not only places personal loyalty first but demands adoration and self-abasement from his subordinates. Beyond that, however, Trumps appointments are designed to force congressional Republicans to engage in groveling rituals. Trumps choice of Matt Gaetz as attorney general is Exhibit A. Gaetz isnt just utterly unqualified but also appears to be grossly morally compromised, which is why Democrats hate him. He is also despised by most Republicans on Capitol Hill for his single-minded devotion to turning the Republican-controlled House into an ungovernable, pitiable food fight for his own amusement and self-gratification. Hes also the subject of a House investigation into his use of illegal drugs and his sexual activities with underage girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now consider what Trump is doing by nominating Gaetz. First, Trump has forced Speaker Mike Johnson either to defy him by releasing the findings of the House Ethics Committees investigation into Gaetzs illegal behavior or to serve him (Trump) by blocking their release. Johnson has already passed Trumps test: This paragon of pseudo-Christian prudery and self-righteousness is now suppressing a report on the sexual and drug offenses of Trumps pick to be the countrys chief law enforcement officer. This episode shows beyond all doubt that Johnsons moral posing is a joke and that his loyalty to Trump outweighs all else precisely the spectacle Trump intended. Now to the Senate Republicans, who must confirm Gaetzs appointment. Gaetz has publicly derided more of them than I can count and the mainstays of their donor base must be alarmed at Gaetzs nomination. The same corporate executives who are licking their chops at the prospects of a fat tax cut and environmental deregulation still rely on a rule-of-law state to ensure a smoothly functioning market system and they know that Gaetz wants to burn it all down. Now Trump is telling Republican senators: either stand up to the miscreant who has ridiculed you and endangers your own and the countrys vital interests or confirm him and show the world that you bow down to my every whim and lack even a shred of self-respect. If Trump wins this one, he will have the show of total congressional Republican self-abasement he seeks. To borrow from Masha Gessen when an autocrat-authoritarian speaks, believe him. They are not kidding. In that vein, Trump is one of the most honest politicians in American history. He tells you what he thinks and is going to do. Why then, as I watch certain cable news networks and their guests, do they seem so shocked and surprised by what Trump has announced and is already putting in motion? Trump's plans are public. Where was the urgency earlier? I agree with you on Trump and what matters most now is whether we effectively leverage his actions for political advantage. If we remain stuck in shocked-and-awed mode and critique Trumps appointments strictly along progressive ideological lines, we will be taking Trumps bait. Lets return to the Gaetz appointment. Some of the focus in the liberal media has been on Gaetzs praise of El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele for his hard-edged approach to law enforcement. Horrified descriptions of mass incarceration and harsh prison conditions in El Salvador abound. What often gets less attention is that prior to Bukeles presidency, El Salvador was effectively owned by gangs of narcoterrorists who brutalized and extorted the civilian population and generated the worlds highest murder rate. Bukeles measures have drastically reduced homicide and other crime rates and enabled people to resume normal lives. His approval rating runs at 90 percent, making him the worlds most popular chief executive. If liberals want to leverage Gaetzs appointment for political gain, theyll stress his criminality and threat to law and order rather than attacking his endorsement of hard-on-crime tactics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On this score, theres a broader point that we need to internalize as we brace ourselves to resist Trumps attacks on the law. Voters in Oakland, one of the countrys most progressive cities, just voted by ridiculous margins to recall (that is expel from office) the mayor and the DA, who treated abiding crime as some kind of social justice imperative. Of course, liberals must always work to ensure that the rights of the accused are respected and that undocumented migrants are not subjected to inhumane treatment. But if Trump comes out as looking like the scourge of the lawless and we as their defenders, we might as well start preparing for a JD Vance presidency starting in 2029 if not a Trump third term. Lets keep asking ourselves how we can take political advantage of Trumps abominable appointments. If the Senate approves Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, we will know for sure that the Republicans have become the party of treason. Unfortunately, the Democrats have never even begun to leverage Trumps apparent and slavering loyalty to Americas greatest sworn enemy for political advantage. There have been exceptions, including Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Eric Swalwell, but for the most part the party seems to have been characteristically driven by inane issue polls which, after all, show that foreign policy doesnt top voters concerns. As Trump plots selling out Ukraine and undertaking a bevy of other measures that will please his Kremlin idol, now is the time to attack Trumps appointment of Gabbard as what it is and to call Republicans who intend to confirm her as what they are. For the sake of eliminating the Republicans absurd edge in public perceptions of which party is more patriotic, not to mention guarding Americas armed forces, spies and nuclear secrets from betrayal, the Democrats have got to act. If you were to build a Democrat or other pro-democracy candidate in a laboratory who could defeat Trump and the MAGA movement and his successors, what attributes would he or she have? Above all, she or he would own the flag and be very confident and bold in how they present themselves and live. They would project sincerity and confidence in their beliefs and values. Everything grows from there. If you cant even offer straight answers to straightforward questions and Harris, as it turned out, refused to do so many voters will perceive you as a poll-driven, craven, conniving politician who isnt up to the job of protecting them and their interests. And most people also gravitate toward leaders who seem to love the country best and associate themselves with its exceptional attributes and boundless promise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats should also embrace charisma and search for a leader whos got it. Liberals dislike personalism, preferring to place policies before personalities. To some extent, thats healthy. But weve got to recognize that Obama had a lot more to do with Obamas election and reelection than Obamacare did. In fact, even liberals like having a main man or woman most people naturally seek the person in charge. His or her personal appeal and mode of messaging has an enormous bearing on the morale of the party and shapes how the party and its causes are perceived by the electorate. That decidedly does not mean turning the party into a personality cult. Thats what the Republicans have done with Trump and what Indias Hindu-chauvinist BJP party has done with Narendra Modi. Nor does it mean that the leader has to be intolerant of differences within the party. FDR, JFK and Bill Clinton had enormous authority in the party and in America as a whole, but they didnt seek to monopolize power and glory and their party wouldnt have stood for it if they did. The same is true for Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky, as it was for Margaret Thatcher in the UK in the 1980s and Jawaharlal Nehru in India during the 1940s-1960s. What do you want to prepare the American people for in the upcoming months and then during Trumps regime? Lets move, right away, from mourning Trumps return to gearing up for the next election. To that end, we need to understand why the Democrats lost and that starts with putting aside all the bogus explanations for the debacle. It wasnt the economy, stupid! The dunces who ran the partys messaging on the economy were the problem. Nor did the Democrats abandon the working person in favor of greedy corporate interests. Thats what Trump did and will do again; Biden did just the opposite. Nor is the electorate raring to revive patriarchal domination and racial oligarchy. Americans have grown more, not less, tolerant over time and the raging bigots we see on social media are mostly a despised fringe. Structural conditions, cultural conditions, and our policy record dont account for our failure; the Democrats amateurish messaging does. That means that everything that sabotaged us this time and has held us back for so long, we can fix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To do so, weve got to adopt a new messaging strategy that reestablishes our reputations as strong leaders, fearless fighters, and hardcore patriots. It also means addressing people as individuals and as Americans, not as members of identity groups. How much more evidence do we need that women and people of color want to be treated like makers, not casualties, of the American story? Treating them like oppressed groups in need of rescue has bombed. Running our campaigns on the assumption that we can win with their votes alone has failed as well. Finally, for the sake of keeping our spirits up and landing punches against our political foes, lets remember the power of humor and ridicule. Andy Borowitzs post today, Dont Say Gaetz: Law Protects Floridas Kids from Matt Gaetz, is a great example of what I have in mind. When I despair, I think of Ukrainian fighters down in the trenches, American soldiers mowed down on the beaches of Normandy, and Freedom Riders risking it all on back roads across the South all fighting for freedom under conditions far more dire than what we face today. Defeating authoritarianism is the political combat task of our time, and we all owe our magnificent country everything weve got to put into the fight. We can do this, starting now. NEW YORK (AP) For roughly six minutes, Jordan Neely was pinned to a subway floor in a chokehold that ended with him lying still. But that's not what killed him, a forensic pathologist testified Thursday in defense of the military-trained commuter charged with killing Neely. Dr. Satish Chundru disputed a New York City medical examiner's determination that Daniel Pennys chokehold killed Neely, who was behaving erratically on a subway the two men were riding. Penny's defense says that he acted to protect frightened passengers and was trying only to restrain Neely, not to kill him. The white Marine veteran's reaction to Neely, who was Black, homeless and mentally ill, has become a flashpoint in national divides over race, urban life and the boundary between self-defense and vigilantism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penny's lawyers have argued throughout the trial that his pressure on Neely's neck wasn't sufficient and consistent enough to be lethal. The attorneys brought Chundru to the witness stand to shed light on their argument. He told jurors that Neely's medical records and bystander video don't show telltale signs of known types of fatal chokeholds. Among the discrepancies, he said: the location and extent of bruising on Neely's neck, and the small amount of petechiae small red spots caused by subsurface bleeding on his eyelids. In your opinion, did Mr. Penny choke Mr. Neely to death?" defense lawyer Steven Raiser asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, replied Chundru, who has worked as a medical examiner for county governments in Florida and Texas. He said Neely died from "the combined effects of synthetic marijuana, schizophrenia, his struggle and restraint, and a blood condition that can lead to fatal complications during exertion. The chokehold did not cause death, the pathologist said. Prosecutor Dafna Yoran later sought to show that some aspects of Chundru's testimony, including about petechiae, departed from some medical literature and even his own opinion in other cases. He responded that the comparisons weren't comparable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His testimony starkly contrasted with the findings of Dr. Cynthia Harris, the city medical examiner who performed Neely's autopsy. She told jurors earlier in the trial that Neely suffered an asphyxial death as a result of the chokehold. She called it profoundly improbable that Neelys death was due to synthetic marijuana use and sickle cell condition, which is related but not equivalent to sickle cell disease. Within the medical examiners office, the consensus was unanimous that Neely had died from the chokehold, Harris said, adding: There are no alternative reasonable explanations. A Marine Corps combat instructor who trained Penny testified earlier that the veteran didn't use the chokehold properly when he restrained Neely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penny, 26, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. His defense says the Marine veteran and architecture student was defending himself and a car full of subway riders. Neely, 30, sometimes entertained subway riders as a Michael Jackson impersonator. But he also had a history of psychiatric and drug problems and a criminal record that included assaulting a woman at a subway station. When they crossed paths in a subway car on May 1, 2023, Neely was begging for money, shouting about being willing to die or go to jail, and making sudden movements, according to witnesses. Penny's lawyers have said Neely lurched toward a woman with a small child and said, I will kill. Penny put his arm around Neely's neck, took him to the floor and held Neely there, with Pennys legs around him, for close to six minutes, bystander videos show. Neely had stopped moving during roughly the last minute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penny's attorneys have said he continued to hold on, while urging onlookers to call police, because Neely had tried at points to break free. Prosecutors maintain he applied too much force for too long. ___ Associated Press writer Jake Offenhartz contributed. Update 7:51 a.m.: As of 7:51 a.m., PayPal has removed the incident alert from its website and says the incident is resolved. KANSAS (KSNT) The online financial service PayPal issued a warning for various products on Thursday morning. At 6:15 a.m. on Nov. 21, PayPal issued a global alert after a system issue was reported to have caused issues. PayPal said merchants may see an elevated number of the following error: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HTTP 500 error for REST API calls Avoid the area: TPD investigate car-and-pedestrian fatal crash PayPal said the following services are being impacted: Account withdrawals Online checkout express checkout Crypto Xoom Receiving money Venmo Credit Card, Crypto, payment requests, receiving money, sending money and instant transfers Our technical teams are actively working towards resolving the issue, PayPal said in the incident alert. The company said the incident is ongoing and didnt immediately say when it would be resolved. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Nov. 21A pedestrian died Wednesday after being hit by an Amtrak Downeaster in New Hampshire. The accident occurred at about 1:20 p.m. in a wooded area in Exeter between Front Street and Powder Mill Road. The person was walking along the tracks and was unaware of the approaching southbound train, the Exeter Police Department said. Amtrak train 684 was traveling from Brunswick to Boston Wednesday when the pedestrian was hit, Amtrak said. The train was delayed for just under three hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim has not yet been identified by police. The Downeaster makes five daily trips between Brunswick and Boston. In August, another Amtrak crash hit and killed a Portland man who was walking on the tracks near Morrill's Corner. A few months later, two men were hit and seriously injured by a freight train in Old Orchard Beach on the same track the Downeaster uses. One of the men died at the scene. Two weeks ago, another Portland man died in a train crash behind Gilman Electrical Supply on Saint James Street. Copy the Story Link SPRING VALLEY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A 70-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Spring Valley Tuesday evening, said California Highway Patrol. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m. when the man, using a walker, attempted to cross Jamacha Boulevard near Pointe Parkway while jaywalking, authorities explained. At the same time, a dark-colored SUV was traveling westbound on Jamacha Boulevard and reportedly ran through a green light, in turn, striking the pedestrian. CHP said the impact caused significant damage to the vehicle, including damage to the windshield and the drivers side mirror. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the crash, the driver of the SUV was reported to have made a U-turn before fleeing the scene eastbound on Jamacha Boulevard. Witnesses saw sparks were coming from underneath the vehicle as it sped away. Authorities later discovered that the walker, which had been used by the pedestrian, was missing from the scene. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the crash but despite their efforts, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released at this time. The dark-colored SUV involved in the crash has been identified as a 2018-2024 Chevy Traverse, based on vehicle parts found at the scene. CHP is actively investigating the incident and is asking anyone with information to come forward by calling 619-219-6900. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) Penn Highlands DuBois joined a small group of hospitals in the nation to receive the Pathway to Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. We are one of fewer than 250 organizations that have achieved the prestigious Pathway to Excellence status from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in the nation, and theres less than 25 in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Chief Nursing Officer Jill Muir said. It is an award that highlights the hard work the nurses show to provide patients with the best care they can. The nurses say getting this award wasnt an easy task and are thankful for the trust leaders at Penn Highlands DuBois have in their work. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Jill took a chance on us as a council and group of nurses here at Penn Highlands Dubois, that we could achieve the Pathway to Excellence designation. She knew that the nurses at Penn Highlands, Dubois throughout the facility, were already doing the projects related to quality improvement, patient safety and moving the organization in the right direction to support nursing excellence, Nurse Bernie Adamson 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. The Democratic chair of a key Pennsylvania countys elections board apologized on Wednesday for saying precedent by a court doesnt matter anymore when she voted to count hundreds of deficient mail and provisional ballots. I wanted to start by apologizing for the upset and confusion that I have caused the citizens of Bucks County and the hardworking employees of this county and my family and those who share my last name, Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia said at a Wednesday meeting. Anyone who knows me knows that I care a lot about elections and I have been involved in them all my life, virtually. And like all of you and all Americans, I want this election and every election to be fair, to be honest, to be just and one we can have confidence in, she continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ellis-Marseglia gained national attention when she voted last week to count hundreds of undated and misdated mail ballots as well as provisional ballots with errors. I think we all know that precedent by a court doesnt matter anymore in this country and people violate laws any time they want. So for me, if I violate this law, its because I want a court to pay attention to it, Ellis-Marseglia said. The comment sparked widespread criticism, given that state elections law prohibits counting ballots that fail to meet the technical requirements. Voting rights groups and Democrats have mounted various challenges, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court before the election ruled that the date requirement must be enforced this cycle. On Monday, the court reiterated its position that officials cannot flout provisions of the elections code, with multiple justices rebuking Ellis-Marseglia and other officials for defying the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At issue are roughly 600 ballots in Bucks County as well as hundreds of others in places like Philadelphia and Montgomery counties. As the controversy gained steam, Bucks County officials reported receiving threats. The dispute has gotten attention particularly as Pennsylvanias Senate race heads to an automatic recount. Decision Desk HQ, The Hills partner, has projected Republican Dave McCormick as the winner. But incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), who trails by roughly 16,000 votes, has not yet conceded. Both campaigns are continuing to battle in state trial courts over the validity of various batches of ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WHTM) A Pennsylvania fire chief passed away while in command of a structure fire on Wednesday evening after 37 years of service. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire says Battalion Chief John P. Walsh experienced a medical emergency while on duty in the East Hills area. Firefighters, police, and medics responded, however, Walsh died at the hospital at the age of 60. John Walsh was a stabilizing force in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire. He was a master tactician on the fire ground and possessed a commanding presence, which generated confidence and respect from all those under his command. I would like to thank the members of C-Line, the Fire Investigation Unit, Pittsburgh EMS, and UPMC Presbyterian Hospital ER for their heroic efforts to save our Brother. He will be greatly missed, said Fire Chief Darryl Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with deep sorrow that I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, fellow firefighters, and public safety colleagues of Battalion Chief John Walsh. Chief Walsh dedicated nearly three decades of service to the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, where his leadership, commitment, and unwavering courage made a profound impact on the safety of our city. His loss is not only a tragedy for his loved ones, but for our entire community, said Pittsburgh Public Safety Department Director Lee Schmidt. Details on service arrangements will be announced at a later 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 ABC27. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A Pennsylvania man who has served 43 years of a life sentence for murder based on the shifting stories of four jailhouse informants has lost another appeal for a new trial. A three-judge Superior Court panel last week turned down Steve Szarewicz's request. The 66-year-old has maintained his innocence for decades and based his latest appeal on two arguments: First, that one of the witnesses against him recanted to a private investigator in 2016; and second, that testimony by another accuser in an unrelated murder case had what the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called problematic inconsistencies." Szarewicz was convicted of the 1981 shooting death of Billy Merriwether in a rural area of Allegheny County. The jailhouse informants all testified that Szarewicz confessed to them, but three of them recanted at one time or another. Another inmate testified that the fourth witness against Szarewicz fabricated his story to settle a score. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no fingerprints, no eyewitness testimony and no DNA evidence linking Szarewicz to the scene of the murder, and during deliberations jurors expressed qualms to the judge about the lack of physical evidence. In the latest ruling, the Superior Court judges said there's a well-established rule that without a clear abuse of discretion, appeals courts can't grant a new trial solely on the basis of recantations by prosecution witnesses. Szarewicz, currently acting as his own attorney, said in an email sent from inside the State Correctional Institution-Houtzdale on Thursday that he plans to appeal the latest adverse decision to the state Supreme Court. I am batting 1000 in the wrong direction. Story of my life, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala's office declined to comment. The facts Szarewicz offered about the credibility of the jailhouse informants were a long shot as the basis for an appeal, according to Bruce Antkowiak, a law professor at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. Anytime a recanted statement is offered, the trial court has to make a credibility determination and that determination is seldom overturned on appeal, Antkowiak wrote in an email. In addition to seeking a new trial, Szarewicz also argued that the trial judge erred in how he instructed jurors about a defendant's intent to kill and that the error meant his first-degree murder conviction should be modified to third-degree murder. Such a decision would have meant Szarewicz could have been resentenced to 10 to 20 years rather than life. The appeals court said Szarewicz was free to return to county court and seek to argue that question. Avery Hamill's jacket with a message on gun violence at the Moms Demand Action rally on gun safety Monday, May 22, 2023, at the Pennsylvania Capitol. (Capital-Star photo by DaniRae Renno) Pennsylvanias Supreme Court upheld the state laws that prevent municipalities from enacting their own laws to regulate firearms, saying in a unanimous decision Wednesday that the city of Philadelphia and advocates against gun violence failed to show the laws are unconstitutional. The ruling ends a lawsuit by Philadelphia, anti-gun violence group CeaseFirePA and Black and Hispanic residents of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh who have been directly impacted by the deaths of family members and others by gunfire. It named as defendants the former Republican speaker and majority leaders in the General Assembly. Current Republican leaders in the Senate and leaders in the now-Democratic majority in the House have been substituted as defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit challenged the constitutionality of Pennsylvanias 50-year-old firearms preemption laws which give the General Assembly sole authority to regulate the sale, possession and use of guns throughout Pennsylvania. There is also no doubt that a serious problem exists in this Commonwealth relative to gun violence and its impacts on our citizenry, Justice Kevin Brobson wrote in the courts 55-page opinion. Brobson said that municipalities and their residents may justifiably believe that the state is not doing enough to remedy the problem and that local laws are needed but preempted by the state, the adequacy or wisdom of the legislatures response is not the courts to determine. Adam Garber, executive director of CeaseFirePA, said gun violence remains the leading cause of death among Black men and youth in Pennsylvania. The plaintiffs are deeply disappointed in the Supreme Courts decision to leave municipalities unable to enforce proven policies to save the lives of their residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garber urged the court to consider other pathways to provide local governments with the ability to prevent gun violence, such as Philadelphias enforcement of a law requiring gun owners to report lost and stolen firearms within 24 hours. It is clear the Pennsylvania General Assemblys refusal to act and tying the hands of local officials has exacerbated this public health crisis. Its past time for the General Assembly to change course, before more lives are lost, Garber said. House Judiciary Chairperson Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery) called on fellow lawmakers to take action. We respect the courts authority to decide this question and now its up to the legislature to keep up the fight and once again advance real gun violence prevention and safety measures supported by a vast majority of Pennsylvanians and deliver results meeting constitutional muster, Briggs said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) said in a statement that the ruling reaffirms the legislatures exclusive authority over gun regulations. First enacted in 1974, the preemption provision of Pennsylvanias Uniform Firearms Act has been expanded several times over the decades to make it more encompassing of firearms regulation. In 2013, the General Assembly, then controlled by Republicans, amended it again to allow any person adversely affected by a local gun control law to sue. As a result, many municipalities repealed their local gun ordinances while some, including Harrisburg, Lancaster, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia decided to keep their firearm ordinances in place, knowing they would have to defend them in court. The plaintiffs in the case decided Wednesday argued that the preemption law violates their constitutional rights to life, liberty, property and happiness under the legal doctrine that the states actions increase the danger to residents. They also argued that the law infringes upon those constitutional rights without a valid reason or due process of law. And the city of Philadelphia argued that the preemption law interferes with its duties to administer public health laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upholding an earlier decision by the Commonwealth Court, the Supreme Court found the plaintiffs had failed to state a claim that the court could decide. Decisions about how to cope with problems facing the commonwealth are solely for the legislature to determine, the opinion states. . Upon their province we must not encroach, Brobson wrote. Stated another way, there is nothing for us to do in the absence of a constitutional violation or other infirmity in the [preemption laws] SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The United States has officially confirmed that Russia struck Dnipro on the morning of 21 November with a ballistic missile derived from a RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Source: Sabrina Singh, Pentagon spokesperson, during a briefing, reported by European Pravda Details: Singh stated that, according to US intelligence, Russia launched an experimental medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) at the city of Dnipro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "This IRBM was based on Russias RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile model. The US was prenotified briefly before the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels." Ukrainian sources had previously also indicated that Russia used the Rubezh ICBM in the Dnipro strike. The Pentagon spokesperson reiterated that the US has frequently observed "dangerous and reckless rhetoric from President Putin" and that President Joe Biden's administration remains focused on "continuing to provide Ukraine with what it needs". Quote: "Ukraine, as you know, has been successful and continuing to push back against Russia and aggression. We just rolled out another 275 million-dollar package yesterday. Youre going to see more packages continue in the weeks and months ahead left of this administration." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She emphasised that while the US "takes seriously the rhetoric coming out of Russia", it will persist in supporting Ukraine with the resources it most urgently needs on the battlefield. Background: Russian leader Vladimir Putin stated that the Russians used an Oreshnik medium-range missile during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November. He also threatened Western nations with strikes following their authorisation for Ukraine to use their missiles to target Russian territory. Support UP or become our patron! A California woman accused defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth of sexually assaulting her in his hotel room in 2017 after taking her phone and refusing to let her leave, according to a just-released police report. The woman told cops that President-elect Trumps pick to lead the Pentagon blocked her from leaving the room before forcing himself on her in a boozy encounter at a Republican event in Monterey. The alleged victim said she believes she was drugged and remembered saying no a lot, police wrote in the 22-page report released late Wednesday night after a public information request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth, a Fox News weekend host and decorated veteran, headed to Capitol Hill Thursday to pitch his controversial nomination to senators. He denied the charges and told police the encounter was consensual. He admits paying an undisclosed amount to the woman last year to head off a lawsuit. The police report offers the first detailed account of the allegations against Hegseth, who faces what could be a tricky confirmation battle in the Republican-held Senate. The name of the accuser, an organizer of the California Federation of Republican Womens event, has not been released. The Trump transition team Thursday claimed the report backs up Hegseths account of the troubling incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident was fully investigated and no charges were filed, a Trump spokesperson said. Police recommended the case be forwarded to prosecutors for review. Its unclear why they didnt proceed. The alleged victim, who reported the incident a few days after the alleged attack, told police that Hegseth had been acting inappropriately throughout the night and that she saw him feeling up womens thighs. She texted a friend that Hegseth was giving her creeper vibes, according to the report. She argued with Hegseth by the hotel pool, an account that is supported by a hotel staffer, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After feeling hazy, the woman said she wound up inside Hegseths hotel room. She told police that he took her phone and blocked the door with his body so that she could not leave before raping her, according to the report Hegseth, now 44, was going through a divorce at the time of the alleged attack. He acknowledged being buzzed but not drunk when he met the woman, whom he told police willingly went with him to his room for sex. He said the woman showed early signs of regret the morning after the encounter, the report says. _____ Graphic details about a sexual assault allegation against Donald Trumps defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth have come to light in a newly-released police report. The woman at the center of the allegation told police that Hegseth physically blocked the door to stop her from leaving his hotel room and took her phone away, before sexually assaulting her, according to the police report, seen by The Independent. The woman, referred to throughout the 22-page report as Jane Doe, also told police she remembered saying no a lot to Hegseth during the alleged assault which took place after a Republican womens conference at the Hyatt Hotel in Monterey, California, on October 8 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police report released on Wednesday night by the citys attorney office of Monterey sheds new light on the alleged details of the incident, including how Hegseth was very intoxicated and was giving off a creeper vibe. Hegseth has maintained that the encounter was consensual and, in the police report, he stated there was always conversation and always consensual contact between the two of them. His lawyer said Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump is standing by Hegseth, his team confirmed. This report corroborates what Mr. Hegseths attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated, and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pete Hegseth is a highly-respected Combat Veteran who will honorably serve our country when he is confirmed as the next Secretary of Defense, just like he honorably served our country on the battlefield in uniform, Leavitt added. New graphic details about the sexual assault allegation against Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick for defense secretary, have been revealed in the police report (AP) The report does not say that police found the allegations were false. The case was recommend to be forwarded to the Monterey County district attorneys office for review. No charges were brought against Hegseth. The new details could further harm Hegseths chances of confirmation by the Senate to head up the Pentagon, with Trumps inner circle reportedly quietly preparing a list of alternative candidates after the allegation took them by surprise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators were first alerted to the alleged assault, the report said, by a nurse who called them after a patient requested a sexual assault exam. The patient told medical personnel she believed she was assaulted five days earlier but couldnt remember much about what had happened. She told authorities that something may have been slipped into her drink that night, before ending up in the hotel room where she said the assault occurred. On the night in question, the Fox News host was a speaker at the California Federation of Republican women gathering and Doe stated to police that she observed Hegseth acting inappropriately with the women at the conference. She noticed him stroking several womens thighs, the report said. Doe noted that women thought Hegseth was dreamy, and asked for photos with him, whereas she thought he was giving off a creeper vibe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the event, the woman, whose husband was at the event, and others attended an afterparty in a hotel suite where she said she confronted Hegseth, telling him that she did not appreciate how he treated women, the police report states. A group of people, including Hegseth and the woman, decamped for the hotels bar. Thats when things got fuzzy, the woman told police. The new details could further harm Hegseths chances of being confirmed by the Senate to head up the Pentagon (AP) She remembered having a drink at the bar with Hegseth and others, the police report states. She also told police that she argued with Hegseth near the hotel pool, an account that is supported by a hotel staffer who was sent to handle the disturbance and spoke to police, according to the report. Doe recalled Hegseth telling her that he was a nice guy during the exchange. In his statement to police, Hegseth had no recollection of the altercation by the pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next memory Doe had, the report said, was being in an unknown room with Hegseth. Doe remembered having her phone and Hegseth inquired to whom Doe was texting, the report said. Hegseth took her phone from her hands. Doe stated she got up and tried to leave the room, but Hegseth blocked the door with his body. Doe remembered saying no a lot. Her next memory was when she was on the bed or couch and Hegseth was over her, barechested, his dog tags hovering over her face, the report said. After ejaculating on her stomach, Hegseth threw a towel at her and asked her are you ok? the police eport said. Her last memory was getting back to her room where she got into bed with her husband. Hegseths account said that Doe led him by the arm back to his hotel room, which surprised him because he initially had no intention of having sex with her, the report said. He said he found it odd that Doe did not leave his room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth, according to the report, continuously asked Doe if she was okay because he did not want Doe to get in trouble. Hegseth also told police that the woman showed early signs of regret the next morning, but did not elaborate further. Hegseths attorney said a payment was made to the woman as part of a confidential settlement a few years after the police investigation because Hegseth was concerned that she was prepared to file a lawsuit that he feared could have resulted in him being fired from Fox News, where he was a popular host. The attorney would not reveal the amount of the payment. The Associated Press contributed reporting Donald Trumps nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, addressed the sexual assault accusation against him head on Thursday. Asked by a reporter if he did what a woman has accused him doing in Monterey, California, Hegseth said, Its very simple, the matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared. It was the first time Hegseth has addressed the matter that threatens to upend his Senate confirmation. Hegseth was attending meetings on Capitol Hill to rally GOP senators to his side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats where Im gonna leave it, he added. Hegseths comment came after news broke of a police report filed around the alleged 2017 incident. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is charged with vetting the secretary of defense nomination, was upbeat after his meeting with Hegseth Thursday. Wicker said Hegseth would be in pretty good shape during his confirmation process, according to ABC News. Wicker also declined to say if the assault allegations came up in their meeting. We werent specific, but, ya know, since no charges were brought by the authorities, we have only press reports, Wicker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth won over at least a few fans on Thursday, with multiple Republicans suggesting the interactions went well and that he would be confirmed. Today I had an outstanding meeting with Pete Hegseth, a decorated combat veteran who put his own life on the line for America. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/nmVNlwte6g Senator Bill Hagerty (@SenatorHagerty) November 21, 2024 I look forward to supporting his confirmation, Sen. Bill Hagerty added. According to the police report, Hegseths accuser told police that he blocked her into his hotel room, took her phone, and assaulted her as she repeatedly told him no. She told a nurse she thought her drink may have been drugged. The alleged incident occurred in 2017, when Hegseth spoke at a convention of the California Federation of Republican Women in Monterey. The former Fox News star has said he and his accuser had consensual intercourse. He paid her as part of a settlement agreement, but was never charged with a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth spent Thursday courting senators as vice president-elect JD Vance shepherded him around. Tennessees other U.S. senator, Republican Marsha Blackburn, also signaled her support of Hegseth. I just met with Vice President-Elect Vance and Secretary of Defense Nominee Pete Hegseth. Pete is a warrior, an advocate for veterans, and a well qualified nominee. He will put our enemies on notice and make our military great again. pic.twitter.com/T0SOe7AKzi Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) November 21, 2024 He will put our enemies on notice and make our military great again, she said. But Republican Sen. Joni Ernst reportedly said an FBI background check into Hegseth would be helpful for her and fellow Armed Services Committee members to review. Ernst said theres a lot floating around out there, we need to actually be able to visit with him face to face, and I know the committee will do a thorough vetting. Just as his client said Thursday, Hegseths lawyer on Wednesday said the police report was evidence the matter was fully investigated. The police report of a 2017 sexual assault allegation in Monterey, California, against former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth released on Wednesday night. Obtained by Mediaite, the report details graphic allegations against President-elect Donald Trumps choice for defense secretary. According to the report, the accuser, a woman identified as Jane Doe, told police that she was sexually assaulted by Hegseth after he spoke at a October 2017 conference hosted by the California Federation of Republican Women at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa. Two different women told police that Hegseth put his hand on their legs and asked them to come back to his hotel room. One of the women said she called Doe over to act as a buffer between her and the Fox News host. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After midnight, Hegseth and Doe had an argument outside by the hotel pool, which Doe said was over his treatment of women. A hotel worker told police that he received complaints about a couple by the pool around 1:30 a.m. and that he found Doe and Hegseth, who began to curse when he approached them. Video footage taken at the hotel showed the pair leaving the bar with their arms locked together, per the report. The woman said that she had been drinking and that her next memory was of a hotel room. She alleged Hegseth took her phone, blocked the door to prevent her from leaving, sexually assaulted her despite her saying no repeatedly, and ejaculated on her stomach. Per the report, Doe, who was 30 at the time of the alleged assault, later went to a local hospital and was submitted for a rape-kit exam. A hospital nurse called the Monterey Police Department and reported the alleged assault. Police spoke with Doe as part of their investigation into the incident. Per the report, Hegseth told the police that he asked for the womans consent for sex. He claimed that Doe led him from the bar to his hotel room and that she would not leave. Hegseth alleged that they had consensual sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps communications director Steven Cheung previously told Vanity Fair that Hegseth has vigorously denied any and all accusations, and no charges were filed. Trumps Pentagon pick has not been charged in any criminal case in connection with the 2017 incident. Earlier this week, CNN reported that according to Hegseths attorney, Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in a settlement agreement that included a confidentiality clause. His lawyer said Hegseth denied the assault and called the 2017 incident a consensual sexual encounter. . More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. President-elect Donald Trump's controversial pick to be secretary of the Department of Defense, Pete Hegseth, met with Republican senators on Capitol Hill on Thursday amid new details about allegations of sexual assault from a 2017 incident -- coming the same day former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, facing his own sexual misconduct allegations, withdrew his name from consideration to be Trump's attorney general. The woman who accused Hegseth, a former Fox News host, of sexual assault in 2017 told police at the time that he took her phone and blocked her from leaving the room the night of the incident, according to a 22-page police report obtained by ABC News. Hegseth told police at the time the encounter was consensual. MORE: New details of Hegseth sexual assault claim documented in police report PHOTO: Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he departs a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 21, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) On Thursday, Hegseth responded to a question about the sexual assault claim, saying "the matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared and that's where I am going to leave it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it is true that Hegseth never faced charges in the matter, investigators found the alleged victim's version of events compelling enough to refer the matter to prosecutors. Hegseth later paid the woman who accused him of sexual assault as part of a settlement agreement without admitting any wrongdoing. MORE: Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration as Donald Trump's attorney general Hegseth's comment came after Karoline Leavitt, the spokesperson for the Trump transition, said the "report corroborates what Mr. Hegseths attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated, and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false." Nowhere in the report does it say the allegations were found to be false. Hegseth, an Army veteran, could face a challenging road to confirmation and spoke with Republican senators in hopes of helping his nomination process. Hegseth met with several Republican senators Thursday morning including Sens. John Barrasso, Roger Wicker, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if the Hegseth allegations and police report came up in their conversation, Wicker said they didn't get into specifics. "We weren't specific, but, ya know, since no charges were brought by the authorities, we have only press reports," Wicker said. PHOTO: Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth departs following a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 21, 2024. (Nathan Howard/Reuters) Wicker, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee -- which will manage the secretary of defense nomination and eventual hearing, said Hegseth would be in "pretty good shape" during his confirmation process. Barrasso called the former Fox News host a "strong nominee" after their meeting. "Pete pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power -- not the current administration's woke political agenda," Barrasso said. PHOTO: Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he departs a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 21, 2024. (Nathan Howard/Reuters) Republican Sen. Joni Ernst said she believes an FBI background check into Hegseth would be "helpful" in knowing more about Trump's pick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ernst, a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services committee, also said "there's a lot floating around out there, we need to actually be able to visit with him face to face, and I know the committee will do a thorough vetting." MORE: Trump defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth was flagged as potential military 'insider threat' because of 'Deus Vult' tattoo Hegseth has been involved in other controversies as well. He has said in interviews before being named that he advocated a "frontal assault" on the DOD, including firing what he called "woke" generals and eliminating the Pentagon's diversity goals. He also argued that women shouldn't be allowed in ground combat. although he's okay with their serving as pilots or in other military roles, because he claims that has led to the military's physical standards being lowered and changed capabilities of combat units. Hegseth's Capitol Hill visit comes just one day after Vice President-elect JD Vance and former Rep. Matt Gaetz met with senators to make his case for the attorney general role. Gaetz announced Thursday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz's meetings with senators took place the same day the House Ethics Committee decided against releasing the report into him over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. -ABC News' Arthur Jones and Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this report. Hegseth says he's 'completely cleared' in sex assault case. The police report doesn't say that. originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (COLORADO SPRINGS) A petition on Change.org is asking Academy School District 20 (D20) to return to traditional snow days rather than e-learning days, and has garnered over 2,000 signatures. The petition, which as of Wednesday, Nov. 20, had 2,109 signatures, implores D20 to revert from e-learning days to the beloved American tradition of having a day off when snow prevents students and faculty from attending school in person. The petition asks that the first six snow days of the year, which the petition says are built in to the D20 calendar, be made into traditional snow days and allow kids to be kids on these days. The petition said any snow days after those first six could then be e-learning days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The petition also asks that the district close if the Air Force Academy closes for inclement weather. The petition argued that when the base closes but the district does not, it puts a strain on Air Force Academy staffing at the gates. If conditions on base are not safe for the military to report, D20 should trust their judgement, the petition argues. D20 responded to FOX21 News request for comment, and said the yearly calendars are approved by the Board of Education with a flexible end date and two traditional snow days built in. The use of e-learning after two traditional snow days allows the district to predict the last day of school sooner, as using traditional snow days during all inclement weather events would extend the school year, D20 said. Currently, after two traditional snow days, staff work remotely, and secondary students participate in synchronous e-learning. We are committed to regularly reviewing feedback and adapting to meet the needs of our students, staff, and community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The Stafford County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) said deputies arrested a man after he caused a crash while allegedly being intoxicated behind the wheel on Sunday. On Nov. 17 at around 3:30 a.m., deputies responded to the Austin Park Drive and Richmond Highway area for a two-vehicle car crash. PHOTOS: Stafford County deputies bust illegal cockfighting ring, rescues 80 chickens Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When deputies arrived, one car was on its side and the driver was trapped in it. Deputies helped the driver out of the Chevy and she was taken to the hospital for treatment. Deputies then went up to the other driver of a Honda, identified as 24-year-old Walter Sanchez Amaya of Annandale, who told deputies that he was a passenger of the car and that the real driver had run from the scene. SCSO said witnesses to the crash refuted Sanchezs story and told deputies that Sanchez was, in fact, the driver who caused the crash. The sheriffs office said Sanchez was also showing signs of intoxication, and he admitted to drinking three beers. A broken beer bottle was also found inside his car. (Photo courtesy of the Stafford County Sheriffs Office) (Photo courtesy of the Stafford County Sheriffs Office) He was also wanted out of Maryland for an outstanding bench warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through investigating, SCSO said it was discovered that the Chevy driver was driving southbound on Richmond Highway when she saw Sanchezs Honda stopped halfway on the shoulder and halfway in the right lane. SCSO said before the victim was able to react, Sanchez accelerated and merged into her, causing the crash. Driver charged in wrong-way crash on 1-95 that left 1 dead, 2 hurt in Stafford County The victim received minor injuries and Sanchez did not get hurt. Authorities charged Sanchez with driving under the influence and fugitive from justice. He is being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Pickens County School Board rejected a proposal to adopt a new cellphone policy regarding phones in schools. Board members voted 3 to 3 on a proposed rule that would require students to turn their cellphones off during instructional hours, and store them in lockers or backpacks until the school day ends. At the heart of it, I think they just felt that they needed more time, Darian Byrd, Chief Communications Officer for Pickens County School District said. The problem is the timeline is January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Carolina Board of Education is requiring all school districts to adopt a policy that bans students from using their cellphones during the school day. If school districts do not have a policy in place by January, they could lose their state funding. I know upwards of 70% of our overall budget is provided from the state department, Byrd said. I dont know if its a full portion of that. Thats a question that hasnt been clarified. We need every dollar tied to our students to be here. The board members who voted against the policy on Monday said they want students to be allowed to use their cellphones when they are not in the classroom, such as during lunch, so they can contact their families in case of emergencies. I cannot support this, Dr. Betty Bagley, the school boards District 1 representative, said. The reason I cannot is that it is going to be a nightmare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just think this is causing unnecessary discipline issues that we dont need, Bagley added. We already have enough. We dont have enough personnel to deal with this. There are parents who are going to feel like, I bought that phone. I want to know about my childs safety.' I do want to express some disappointment in the law itself that theres no opportunity for at least a shortened period, whether it be during study hall or lunch time, for students who work to check work schedules or for students who want to stay in touch with family, Amy Williams, the school boards District 7 representative, said. The school board plans to have a virtual meeting at 2 p.m. on Friday to revisit the cell phone policy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) After multiple school systems in north central West Virginia voted to close some of their schools, residents in Randolph County are trying to prevent the same thing from happening to them. In Randolph County, Harman School and Pickens School are facing closures with the Randolph County Board of Education set to take those votes on Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 respectively. Ahead of the scheduled Board of Education (BOE) meeting on Tuesday, dozens of Harman community members picketed outside of the BOE building, garnering support from those who drove by. Harman community outside of the Randolph County BOE on Nov. 19 (WBOY image). The school is actually the heart of our community, if the hearts gone, the towns gone, said Ellen White, who is a Harman graduate and who hopes her grandchild currently in Harman will graduate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the meeting, community members spoke on the closures for an hour and a half. For these close-knit communities, school closures not only mean a loss of tradition but also safety concerns when it comes to buses traveling over mountains with many rides estimated to be more than an hour long each way, above the limit of state recommendations. Total time over three mountainsRich, Middle and Shafferis dangerous. Sometimes they shut it down in the winter. And whats going to happen when these kids are bussed over to Elkins? A snowstorm hits, they shut these mountains down, they cant get home. How are they going to take care of these kids overnight if they cant get them home, Harman School parent Jessica Pennington said. Preston County superintendent speaks after board votes to close 2 rural schools 12 News sat down with Randolph County Superintendent Shawn Dilly who detailed his experience riding a nearly 80-minute bus ride for Pickens School. He said that although he is submitting a request for a waiver to allow a long ride, he has plans in mind to shorten the current ride by 15 to 20 minutes, hoping to get it closer to an hour. Pickens community members, and BOE officials including the superintendent riding proposed bus route. Courtesy Coat of Arms LLC. Part of the choice of living in remote areas means that you commute and you have to drive and I dont want to sound unsympathetic cause Im not, but I think there are some things that we can do to reduce that route to make it a little more timely. Again, that was a lengthy route but again theres some routes and aspects of that route that I questioned why were choosing to do right now, said Dilly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Dilly declined to go into specifics on how a shorter ride would work, he said that it would be presented to the community soon. Dilly has presented other options to families who do not wish to send their child to a new school, like virtual learning, charter schools, homeschooling, or neighboring counties. But some parents said even with these alternatives, it will still be a burden. Ill homeschool my kids, four of them. Next year Ill have one in seventh grade, third grade, second grade and kindergarten. And Im going to have to quit my job to do it and we cant just live on my husbands income along with the rising price of groceries and everything else, is just not feasible, said Pennington. The person giving the presentation himself said If your school is not financially viable as a public school, its not going to be financially viable as a charter school. Ultimately what I think the charter school is doing is passing the buck to citizens essentially, which I think is unfair, Pickens parent Jonathan LaCocque said. If the public school system is having trouble, its gonna be difficult for us to make up the difference as citizens. After the meeting when 12 News asked the BOE members for comment, Board President Rachel Anger said the communitys comments throughout the process have been helpful in the decision-making process for a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. A judge made an unexpected announcement during an otherwise routine hearing ahead of the murder trial for the final person accused of being involved in the Pike County massacre. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] George Billy Wagner III appeared in court on Wednesday. There, retired Darke County Common Pleas Court Judge Jonathan Hein surprised prosecutors and defense attorneys by saying he intends to dismiss the death penalty specification in Billys case, our news partners at WCPO reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution and defense had been working toward an agreement regarding the death penalty he was facing. As previously reported, a plea agreement in Billys son, Jake Wagners case stated the death penalty would dropped for himself, his mother, and his father if he testified truthfully in trial. That agreement was in play as well during Billys other son, George Wagner IVs trial in 2022. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As both the prosecutors and defense attorneys tried to speak, the judge dropped a second bombshell. Will I now tell you that Im going to proceed to sentencing in advance of trial? On the other cases. So Im proceeding to sentencing. Im going to ask the court staff to have Angela Wagner, the other Wagner case, set for sentencing, Hein said. WCPO reported that if Jake or Billys wife, Angela, were sentenced, they would no longer be obligated to testify at Billys trial. Prosecutor Angela Canepa said she would be objecting to everything Hein announced, specifically since the state had not made any requests involving the death penalty specification. She even went as far as to ask why he was trying to sabotage the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After tensions rose, Hein relented and agreed to give both sides until Monday to submit their agreement on how the death penalty specification will be handled. As WCPO reported, if an agreement is not reached and submitted, Hein said he will file the dismissal and schedule the sentencing for at least Angela. Billy, his wife, and two sons are accused of shooting and killing eight members of the Rhoden and Gilley families execution-style in 2016. Those who were found dead in their four homes or nearby on April 22, 2016, include: Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40, Dana Rhoden, 37, Hannah Hazel Gilley, 20, Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16, Clarence Frankie Rhoden, 20, Gary Rhoden, 37, Hanna May Rhoden, 19, and Kenneth Rhoden, 44. Billy has been in jail since his familys arrest for the murders in November of 2018. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A Pike High School student was taken into custody on Thursday morning after a gun was found in their backpack. Pike Township School District said in a statement that during an unrelated investigation, school administration found a handgun in a student's backpack. No threats were made, according to the district. Pike police were then notified and retrieved the weapon and the student was placed under arrest where they currently remain, according to the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident was handled entirely by Pike Township School police and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department was not involved, a spokesperson said. Recent Pike School news: 'My story is their story': Pike teacher Graciela Miranda wins Indiana Teacher of the year This isn't the first gun that's been found at a central Indiana school this school year. A fifth-grade student at Avon Intermediate East was found with a gun in their backpack at the beginning of this school year after another student reported it to a teacher. Students bringing guns to campus has been a rising trend in recent years for Indianapolis students. The students who have brought guns to school have also ranged vastly in age from first graders to high schoolers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More on gun violence towards youth: 21 Indianapolis kids shot. Few adults held accountable While students are rarely hurt by guns while at school, Indianapolis has seen a rise in the number of children being shot or killed by guns in recent years. Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pike High School student arrested after bringing gun to school JOHNSTOWN, Pa. University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Joan Gabel visited the universitys Johnstown campus Tuesday for the first time since she stepped into the role about a year and a half ago. The 19th chancellor in Pitts 237-year history, Gabel oversees more than 34,000 students and 16,000 faculty and staff members across five campuses. Gabel spent the morning talking with students and meeting with faculty of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar accompanied her. He laughed when he said he had to pull her away from conversations with students to keep on schedule. She was just immersed, he said. Seeing her with the students, how she connected with them, how she is interested in what they are going to do with their lives, where they are going, thats really what great leadership is about. First and foremost, it is about the students. Spectar was a member of the search committee that recommended the hiring of Gabel. Pitts trustees unanimously elected her April 3, 2023, and she officially stepped into the role July 17 of that year. Gabel said she visited the Johnstown campus to see firsthand what she has heard Spectar talk about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My familiarity of the campus and his advocacy for the campus is from the earliest days (of her hiring process), but nothing substitutes for being here, she said. Im delighted to see everything in person. This campus is swinging around on a hundred-year anniversary, and Jem Spectar is only the fifth president, and so that alone signals a kind of legacy that is very rare and has a result that is hard to quantify, but you see it indicated in the consistency, in the look and feel of the campus, and in the relationships the president has with the faculty and the community. After a tour of the campus, Spectar and the Pitt-Johnstown advisory board brought a group of more than 20 Johnstown leaders together for a lunch with Gabel at the campus Living Learning Center, followed by a reception at Spectars home. The luncheon was attended by Johnstown government, education and nonprofit representatives including Greater Johnstown School District Superintendent Amy Arcurio, former state Sen. John Wozniak, Vision Together 2025 President and CEO Rob Forcey, Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky, Johnstown Mayor Frank Janakovic and 1889 Foundation President Susan Mann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Kurtz, a 1977 Pitt-Johnstown alumnus who is president and CEO of Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber and Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine at Windber, is the president of the Pitt-Johnstown advisory board. Having the chancellor here today is a good chance for us to show off the campus, he said. People talk about the natural beauty and the buildings, but the faculty and staff are what make this place special. Gabel would agree. There is high-touch leadership here, she said. She said the Pitt-Johnstown campus is a classic example of the universitys mission to serve western Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are faculty here who are now working with their former students you dont see that anymore, she said. That kind of integration is the way in which a community is a partner to the institution and the institution is a partner to the community. Gabel previously was the president of the University of Minnesota System and Twin Cities campus. Spectar said he and the Pitt-Johnstown advisory board have been impressed by Gabels commitment to the success of Pitts regional campuses. Shes met many students and faculty, and we have all been impressed by her strong commitment to the success of the regional campuses, to Pitts role in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in particular her strong focus on student success, he said. If there is one big thing in the plan for Pitt that she gets us to think about, really, its making sure every student goes on to success and a life of impact for the benefit of the commonwealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the search committee that recommended Gabel, Spectar said, he was glad to have played a tiny part in making sure that we attract such an extraordinary leader for these times. During Gables tenure so far, Pitt has achieved record new student applications, graduation rates, post-graduation placement and research expenditures, according to the universitys website. Gabel also led the creation of the universitys first metrics-driven strategic plan, the Plan for Pitt 2028. To ensure a Pitt education remains accessible and affordable, she launched the innovative Pitt Finish Line Grant to provide just-in-time financial support for students nearing graduation. The mission of higher education is under a lot of pressure right now, and Pitt and all of the campuses are not immune from that, she said, indicating declining state funding and enrollment. Our goal as all of the leadership of the university is to ensure that our students educational experience is top-notch, that every student who comes here, that every investment made by our communities and the commonwealth in us is choice. We want all that investment of time and resources to yield for the students as they go about their lives and the state as it makes the difficult choices it has to make. The passenger allegedly told a flight attendant he needed to exit the aircraft now during the incident, according to a report filed by authorities on Nov. 19 Getty Multiple passengers traveling on an American Airlines flight helped to restrain a passenger after he allegedly tried to open the cabin door mid-flight. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, AA Flight 1915 was heading to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport from Milwaukee when the disruptive passenger approached a flight attendant on board, according to a DFW Department of Public Safety report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man walked towards the attendant who was standing in the front galley of the aircraft, and the crew member initially thought he wanted to throw out his cup, per the report. He then allegedly made a comment to her about wanting and needing to exit the aircraft now. According to the attendants statement, the passenger started raising his voice as he became more agitated, so she called for help from the flight attendants at the rear of the aircraft. Related: Plane Passenger Opens Emergency Door Midway Through Flight to South Korea Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/Shutterstock American Airlines plane American Airlines plane The crew member placed herself between the passenger and the door he allegedly wanted to open, and thats when he turned towards her and rushed her and the door, per the document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attendant reported to authorities that she was hit hard by the passenger but she braced her arms out sideways to keep blocking the door. Another passenger then jumped in to help and he bear hugged the disruptive traveler. Another flight attendant said other passengers then rushed to help restrain the passenger who allegedly kept repeating that he needed to get off the flight. One of the passengers who jumped in to assist told authorities that he heard a flight attendant "screaming for help, and that he then used tape to help restrain the passengers wrists and legs. Once they got the disruptive passenger on his stomach and on the floor, it reportedly took 3 people to keep him down, per the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Southwest Passenger Hospitalized After Opening Emergency Exit and Climbing onto Plane Wing ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Dallas Fort Worth International Airport The flight arrived safely at Terminal C where police officers were waiting to meet the aircraft. When the door was opened, authorities reported that they observed the restrained passenger lying on his stomach with his hands behind his back bound with duct tape, per the report. 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 passenger was then transferred to a wheelchair and transported off the aircraft. The flight attendant who was injured while blocking the cabin door was taken to Medical City Las Colinas Hospital in Irving, Texas. PEOPLE reached out to American Airlines for comment but did not receive an immediate reply. PLEASANT VALLEY, W.Va. (WBOY) A Marion County school can now call itself a National Blue Ribbon School. Pleasant Valley Elementary School held a ceremony Wednesday morning to celebrate the honor. Elected officials, Marion County Board of Education members, the East Fairmont High School Busy Bee marching band, and even the West Virginia University Mountaineer stopped by the school to mark the occasion. Pleasant Valley was one of only three schools in West Virginia to be named a National Blue Ribbon School this year. The awards were announced back in September, but Pleasant Valley was officially recognized on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nation Blue Ribbons are awarded to schools that achieve sustained academic success, high standardized test scores, and positive school culture and climate. Company featured on Shark Tank will now open facility in Fairmont instead of Buckhannon It really comes down to a positive climate and culture that has been established at this school for a long time, Principal Christopher Binotto told 12 News. With passionate teachers, motivated students and dedicated parents, it really is all three of those aspects coming together to have a school achieve such high academic success. Also this year, Pleasant Valley Elementary teacher Krista Blankenship was a finalist for the West Virginia Teacher of the Year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. South Carolina Representative Nancy Maces bathroom crusade is nothing more than a shallow stunt for attention, at least according to the lawmakers former communications director. Mace has spent the majority of her week advancing a bill with the aim of banning one person from using toilets on Capitol HillRepresentative-elect Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person to be elected to Congress. Hill alum Natalie Johnson torched her old boss for what she saw as a transparent media grab, posting on X that the attacks on McBride were little more than Maces ploy to get on Fox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to a Mace team message that read, I dont want to see your junk in my bathroom, Johnson said, I dont want to see your botched, cheap hooker-inspired boob job on my television. Can we introduce a bill to bar that? Tweeting 262 times about a bill that applies to like .00000001% of Congress in 36 hours is definitely about protecting women. Its certainly not just a ploy for media attention, Johnson posted in a separate tweet. The Republican communications strategist then argued that a real effort to protect women would involve preventing Matt Gaetzwho up until last week was being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct with a minorfrom being confirmed as Donald Trumps attorney general. Protecting women in Congress would be introducing a bill to bar Matt Gaetz, a sexual predator with an affinity for underage girls, from ever walking those halls again, rather than dropping a messaging bill thats sole goal is getting on TV, Johnson wrote. Screenshot of a tweet The attention-seeking congresswoman openly acknowledged that the stunt was a direct attack on McBride, telling reporters on Monday that it was that and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. In another interview, Mace claimed that the mere thought of a trans woman walking into a womens locker room feels like assault. But the whole charade appears especially hollow in light of the fact that Mace and McBride both have private bathrooms in their offices. The only people that the bill will actually hurt will be the nonelected trans employees of the U.S. Capitol complex, who apparently haveuntil nowbeen using the bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity with no issue. Chris Lindsey, director of state advocacy and public policy for the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, holds up a bag of Delta-9 THC smashers as part of proponent testimony for Senate Bill 326 during the Senate General Government Committee on Nov. 19, 2024. (Screenshot courtesy of The Ohio Channel). Health care workers and some folks in the hemp and cannabis industry spoke at the Statehouse in favor of a bill that would ban intoxicating hemp products in Ohio. Nearly 20 people submitted proponent testimony for Senate Bill 326 during Tuesdays Senate General Government Committee meeting. State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, introduced the bill earlier this month after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called on lawmakers earlier this year to regulate or ban delta-8 THC products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently in Ohio, delta-8 and other intoxicating hemp products are frequently sold in places where young people have easy access such as convenience stores, gas stations, and online marketplaces without any age limits, said Maggie Lutterus, the advocacy and public policy coordinator of Prevention Action Alliance. These products are often in the form of gummies, cookies, vapor products, even breakfast cereals, and other consumables that are particularly appealing to younger individuals. SB 326 is necessary for the health and safety of consumers, she said. Unlike traditional cannabis, hemp products often marketed as natural or wellness products, are not manufactured or packaged consistently, Lutterus said. Eleven percent of high school seniors nationwide and 15% of high school seniors from the Midwest reported using delta-8 products in the last year, according to a study published earlier this year by the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill defines intoxicating hemp products as containing more than 0.5 of a milligram of delta-9 THC per serving, two milligrams of delta-9 THC per package, or 0.5 of a milligram of total non-delta-9 THC per package, according to the bills language. Marijuana is not considered an intoxicating hemp product and is legal in Ohio. The 2018 Farm Bill says hemp can be grown legally if it contains less than 0.3% THC. The problem is that the Farm Bill was never intended to set up a system for consumer products, said Chris Lindsey, director of state advocacy and public policy for the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An adult serving of marijuana is generally considered to be about 10 milligrams of delta-9 THC, he said. You buy a gummy in a licensed dispensary in Ohio, and theres a limit to how potent that gummy can be, Lindsey said. Thats to protect consumers so they dont consume too much. He went to a Columbus convenience store before the committee meeting and bought some intoxicating hemp products, including a bag of Delta-9 smashers that says it has 500 milligrams of THC per piece of candy and 10,000 milligrams in one package. This would cause an overdose in any adult, he said, holding up the product. How you can get a product like this out to the market, I dont understand. The good news is this is almost certainly not accurate, thats the best version of this, this is simply lying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not having clear labeling leaves customers in the dark about what they are buying and the potential dangers involved, Lutterus said. If we are to allow them to continue selling THC, they would need the same oversight as our adult-use marijuana facilities, said Mike Getlin, director of licensing & public Affairs, of Nectar Markets of Ohio. We must have extensive camera coverage of every square foot of every gas station, convenience store, and vape shop in the state. There must be state sanctioned and regulated labs testing all products throughout the supply chain and product tracking systems capable of tracing back to origin sources. Accidental poisonings reported to the Ohio Poison Center have increased 280% since 2021, around the time when hemp products containing delta-8 THC became more accessible, said Dr. Hannah Hays, medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center and Chief of Toxicology at Nationwide Childrens Hospital. When children access these products, they can experience severe symptoms including hallucinations, confusion, loss of consciousness, and respiratory failure, she said. We currently receive several calls each day for exposures to cannabinoids, including intoxicating hemp products, in children under 6 years. A quarter of children who consume intoxicating hemp products require admission to the hospital, and more than a third of those admitted require ICU level care. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Poland scrambled its military aircraft in response to Russia's missile attack on Ukraine on the morning of 21 November. Source: RMF24, citing Polish Armed Forces Operational Command, as reported by European Pravda Upon learning about the launch of Russian missiles, the Polish command ordered preparations for a potential incursion of aerial targets into Polish airspace. Quote: "The Operational Command activated all available forces and resources in line with established procedures. On-duty fighter jets were scrambled, while ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance assets were placed on the highest level of readiness," the statement said. Background: Russias airstrike on the morning of 21 November was concentrated on Ukraines left bank. During the previous attack on 17 November, missiles reached Ukraines westernmost regions. In Lviv Oblast, a woman lost her life after being struck by falling wreckage. Meanwhile, Hungary announced plans to deploy air defence systems near its border with Ukraine, citing fears of escalation following the decision to allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory using Western missiles. Support UP or become our patron! PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) The Palestine Police Department said a man is behind bars after causing crash that killed an 85-year-old woman on Tuesday. The police department said at around 4:17 p.m. officials were dispatched to the intersection of N. Loop 256 and Palestine Avenue due to a two-vehicle crash. A Toyota Tacoma, driven by Mark Thomas, 65 of Palestine, allegedly collided into a Ford Fusion, driven by Laura Braisher, 54 of Palestine. Harrison County authorities searching for missing family last seen on Friday at a school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ford had two additional passengers, 85-year-old Dorothy Sims and a child. The driver and passengers of the Ford were taken to a local hospital where Sims later died, officials said. The child was taken to a Dallas hospital with serious injuries. Mugshot of Mark Thomas, courtesy of the Anderson County Jail. Witness stated that the Ford was traveling north on the loop when the Toyota failed to yield the right of way and turned onto Palestine Ave. in front of the Ford, causing the collision, The Palestine Police Department said. Following the crash, officials received a call from a neighboring business, stating that Thomas was in the restroom possibly attempting to destroy narcotics. When officers arrived, they arrested Thomas and allegedly found marijuana in the restroom. Thomas was taken to the Anderson County Jail and officials said he was booked for intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury, tampering physical evidence with intent to impair and fail to yield right of way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. MANHATTAN (KSNT) Police in Manhattan have arrested an Ellsworth man Wednesday in connection to a drug-related death. The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) announced on Nov. 21 in a press release that it arrested Caziah Self, 23, around noon on Nov. 20 in the 1000 block of South Seth Child Road. The man was charged with distribution of a controlled substance causing death, use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation and distribution of opiate/opium/stimulant/heroin dosage < 10 units. Police arrested Self in connection to an incident in June 2023 where law enforcement investigated the death of a 25-year-old Manhattan individual. The death was allegedly caused by an overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrest 4 Fort Riley men in Manhattan Law enforcement is still investigating this incident. People with information related to this incident are asked to come forward and speak with police. You can call the RCPD at 785-537-2112 or reach out to Crime Stoppers by calling 785-539-7777 or clicking here. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Police in Connecticut have located a car that belongs to an armed and dangerous man who is wanted in connection with the horrific drive-by killings of a Massachusetts mother and her infant son, officials announced Thursday. Hartford Police Department Lt. Aaron Boisvert confirmed that 23-year-old Lance Morales white Infiniti Q70 with Massachusetts plate 3NE-B35 has been found by investigators. Despite the discovery, the manhunt for Morales remains ongoing. Officers responded to Hartford Hospital after a vehicle with multiple gunshot victims pulled up to the emergency area just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, according to Boisvert. Two of the victims in that vehicle, 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her 4-month-old boy Messiah 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hartford Interim Police Chief Kenny Howell announced Wednesday that his department had secured an arrest warrant charging Morales, of Waterbury, Connecticut, with two counts of murder, criminal possession of a firearm, first-degree assault, and criminal attempt to commit assault. His bond was set at $3 million. 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. Boisvert said the incident stemmed from a personal dispute over a vehicle and that Morales and Mercado were acquaintances. Howell asked the public to be on the lookout for Morales, but warned he is to be considered armed and dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Howell also vowed to use all resources at his disposal, including state and federal agencies, in the hunt for Morales. 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. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Essex Police has dropped its investigation into Allison Pearson, the Telegraph journalist, for an alleged hate crime. Pearson, an award-winning writer, was being investigated for allegedly stirring up racial hatred with a social media post made in November last year. Two police officers called at her home at 9.40am on Remembrance Sunday to tell her she was under investigation and invited her to a voluntary interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers refused to tell her any details about which post on X, formerly Twitter, was being investigated, or who made the complaint against her. After a major backlash, including from Boris Johnson who called the inquiry an appalling attack on free speech, Essex Police announced on Thursday that it had closed its investigation. Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, the National Police Chiefs Council hate crimes lead, will now conduct an independent review of the forces handling of the case. Reacting to the decision, Ms Pearson said that she was vindicated. Allison Pearson speaks at an event on Thursday, an hour after receiving the news that her case would be dropped - ELLIOTT FRANKS She said: I am relieved but also it has been a dreadful experience, waking up, and going to sleep with dread. Waking up in the small hours thinking I am under police investigation, thats not nice for anyone let alone a law-abiding citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel angry with Essex Police, I do not believe there was ever any case to answer, I was expressing my opinion in what I thought was a free society. She added: It is a win for The Telegraph. I hope it is a win for common sense. I am vindicated personally but I have become far more concerned about how widespread this is and how it is casting a chilling effect on free speech. I would like to sincerely thank all the Telegraph readers, their support has meant the absolute world. The Crown Prosecution Service advised that no charges should be brought against Ms Pearson after reviewing the case. Essex Police said it would therefore take no further action and dropped the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pearson initially believed that the matter was being treated as a non-crime hate incident (NCHI) rather than a criminal investigation. The force responded that this was wholly inaccurate and said that as the public would expect it had body-worn video of the encounter, which it claimed entirely supports our position. However, it prompted criticism of the incidents, which do not meet the criminal threshold but are recorded by police regardless. Ms Pearsons treatment was attacked by MPs, a leading barrister and Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, amid claims it was an Orwellian over-reaction and a potential threat to free speech. This needs to stop https://t.co/wvwxkHvVMT Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024 Graham Stringer, the Labour MP, who accused the police of Stasi-like behaviour over Pearson in the Commons, said: I am pleased to see that the exposure to discussion in the Commons seems to have helped persuade the police to withdraw their action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Writing in The Telegraph he added: The police have enthusiastically embraced the recording of non-crime hate incidents. Non-crime incidents have never been required by parliament in legislation and it is certainly not a crime to make somebody feel uncomfortable. In this category, the police have interviewed people for tweeting feminist songs and not allowing a guide dog into a shop. If only Orwell was alive today. Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, said the decision was an embarrassment for the police and demonstrated why the recording of non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) needed to be scrapped. What a waste of vital police time and resources. This is an embarrassment for the police and the government and questions need to be asked about how this matter got so out of hand in the first place, she told The Telegraph. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: It should never have come to this. The police should not be policing thought or speech. Police time should only be spent on criminality or behaviour likely to lead imminently to criminality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I urge the Government to urgently change the guidelines on NCHIs to stop it happening again. An Essex Police spokesman said: We investigate crimes reported to us without fear or favour. Were sometimes faced with allegations of crime where people have strong opposing views. Thats why we work so hard to remain impartial and to investigate allegations, regardless of where they might lead. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former Tory leader, said: Hallelujah!! Common sense at last. However I still think that serious questions need to be asked about the leadership of the police which seems to have been sold out to the malicious protesters who represent a tiny proportion of the electorate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get back on the streets where shoplifting is rife and gang violence ever present. The scale of the investigation was revealed by The Telegraph, with officers from the Metropolitan Police, Sussex Police and Essex Police all handling the complaint over the past year. The Telegraph understands that the post was reported to the Metropolitan Police as a potential breach of the Malicious Communications Act in November last year. The case was then passed to Sussex Police, which marked it as a possible non-crime hate incident. Sussex Police passed it to Essex, where Pearson lives. It is understood Essex made two assessments of the complaint before opening an investigation under section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986, relating to material allegedly likely or intended to cause racial hatred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toby Young, director of the Free Speech Union that provided legal support for Pearson, said Essex Police should now return to policing our streets, not our tweets. He said: Essex Police should never have investigated this tweet in the first place. It didnt come close to being a criminal offence, which theyve now effectively acknowledged. I hope the public outcry over this huge waste of time and resources means Essex Police will go back to policing our streets, not our tweets. Its not their job to investigate newspaper columnists for wrongthink. Roger Hirst, police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex, said he would closely scrutinise Essex Polices approach to this case on behalf of the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: Having discussed this with the Chief Constable I have agreed that he should commission NPCC national hate crime lead, Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, to undertake an independent review. This will support my scrutiny of the forces approach. It is important the public have confidence in their police service. This investigation has caused significant distress for Ms Pearson and a large amount of public concern. It has raised a number of important questions that need to be addressed so all of us can be confident the police are acting properly. My role as the police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex is to ensure the police exercise their powers effectively, without fear or favour, and that is what I will continue to do. 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. 25 Investigates has uncovered the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission had no record of disciplinary action the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Police Department took against 2 of its officers, as required by the police reform act of 2021. UMass Dartmouth is located on the south coast and is the southernmost campus of the UMass system. 25 Investigates received a thumb drive in the mail with no name or return address. The drive contains copies of internal affairs reports, transcripts of interviews an outside investigator conducted with officers, and emails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The records show former UMass Police Chief Haydee Martinez hired Al Donovan from Tewksbury-based APD Management to probe the accidental discharge of a firearm in a police station bathroom on August 31, 2021. According to Donovans report, Officer Keith DePaco removed his gun from his holster and hung the loaded firearm on a coat hook inside a bathroom stall. When he reached for his firearm when he was leaving, the firearm discharged several times, upwards toward the ceiling, striking an overhead water pipe and causing flooding of the bathroom area, the report states. When asked how the gun went off, DePaco said, I just, I cant explain it. I dont know, according to an interview transcript. Donovan noted that then Lt. John Souza was initially assigned to probe the accidental gunfire but Donovan found Souzas investigation to be incomplete, ineffective, and incompetent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A University plumber brought in to fix the pipe discovered shell casings left in the bathroom, according to the documents. Souza has since been promoted to police chief. Several files on the USB stick are from a separate investigation Donovan conducted into Lt. Damon Gomes who was an overnight supervisor. One report said the department received an anonymous email alleging that Gomes patrol car was seen parked for the majority of the night at the New Bedford home of a female co-worker. The home is a 16-minute drive from the campus and 6 miles away. Donovan found Lt. Gomes left campus during, 8-10 separate shifts without notifying the dispatch center or his subordinates that he would be out of service and out of the area, according to an investigative report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A UMass Dartmouth spokesperson told 25 Investigates Gomes received a 4-day suspension and 6-month demotion and DePaco was terminated, but later reinstated through a police union arbitration process. Police departments are required to notify POST when officers are investigated and disciplined for serious matters. POST certifies police officers and maintains a public database of disciplinary decisions searchable by department and officer name. Neither Gomes nor DePacos names appear in the database because the UMass Police Department failed to report their discipline. A UMass Dartmouth spokesperson said the school submitted initial records about Gomes and DePacos conduct in a spreadsheet in 2022. Enrique Zuniga, Executive Director of The Post Commission, told investigative reporter Ted Daniel, that most of the states 430 police departments are making a good faith effort to comply with reporting requirements but there are outliers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is absolutely critical that all departments read the regulations, understand them, and apply them as intended because we rely on all of the work that they do, Zuniga said. We spend a fair amount of time educating and communicating what those rules are. The anonymous tipster provided one email former Chief Martinez sent to University Vice Chancellors Kimberly Scott and Deborah Majewski in July 2022 about POST reporting. Martinez stated she could not attest to the good moral character of Gomes and DePaco. The University placed Martinez on leave the following day and she never returned. A University spokesperson said Martinezs departure was the result of personnel issues and is not connected to POST reporting. The union representing UMass Dartmouth police officers had previously accused Martinez of creating a hostile work environment and called for her resignation. The union said Martinez was unqualified and unable to effectively perform her duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A UMass Dartmouth spokesperson said representatives met with POST in late October about the missing disciplinary records and the police department is making good faith efforts to provide the necessary documentation. POST has announced plans to audit police departments across the state to verify disciplinary reporting compliance. Theres a big incentive, I would argue, for people to be in compliance at a personal level because their certification could be suspended, Zuniga said. Neither Martinez nor the UMass Dartmouth police union responded to multiple requests for comment. An earlier version of this story used a photo that was misidentified to 25 Investigates as Keith DePaco. We regret the misidentification. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW HELSINKI, Finland (AP) Police in Finland said Thursday they had detained five suspects in connection with deadly violence in southeastern Nigeria and were seeking a court extension of the detentions. The police did not identify the suspects, only saying that a dual Finnish-Nigerian citizen, born in the 1980s, was under criminal investigation. However, Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian linked to the Biafran separatist movement, lives in Lahti, where the Paijat-Hame District Court will consider a request from the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation to keep the suspects in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ekpa is one of the leaders of the Indigenous People of Biafra separatist group that is demanding the creation of an independent Biafra state from the troubled southeast region of Nigeria. The police suspect that the man (under investigation) has furthered his efforts from Finland in such a way that has resulted in violence against civilians and public authorities and in other crimes in South-East Nigeria, Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen said in a statement. The suspect carried out this activity by campaigning, for example, on his social media channels, Hiltunen said. The secessionist campaign in southeastern Nigeria dates back to the 1960s when the short-lived Republic of Biafra fought and lost a civil war from 1967 to 1970 to become independent from the West African country. An estimated 1 million people died in the conflict, many from starvation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigerian authorities have accused Ekpa of using social media to instigate violence by his followers in Nigeria, many of them young people. Police in Finland said the investigation involves international cooperation. Nigerian authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment. For many years Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, with at least 210 million people, has been wracked by violence related to the activities of armed extremist groups. Most recently, social protests were held over a worsening cost-of-living crisis and alleged bad governance. FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Tysons Urban Team (TUT) detectives said they arrested four suspects following a robbery in Dunn Loring on Saturday. Shortly before 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, police were told a store in the 2900 block of District Avenue had been robbed. The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said four people went into the store, stole merchandise and threatened an employee with pepper spray before fleeing in a car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JFKs grandson Jack Schlossberg look-alike contest to take place in DC Officers were able to stop their car after a short pursuit and arrested the four suspects: 30-year-old Miesha Davis of Maryland was charged with Felony Eluding and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny; 23-year-old Chakeitha Seltzer of Washington, D.C. was charged with Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny and Larceny with Intent to Sell; 25-year-old Dashawn Jackson was charged with two counts of Robbery, three counts of Grand Larceny, four counts of Larceny with Intent to Sell and other related charges; 25-year-old Larry Johnson was charged with Grand Larceny, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny, Larceny with Intent to Sell and Destruction of Property. All four suspects are being held at the Fairfax County Detention Center without bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FCPD said investigators later learned the suspects were connected to five crimes that all happened in the 2900 block of District Avenue between Oct. 26 and Nov. 16: Oct. 26: Grand Larceny $10,000 worth of merchandise stolen; Oct. 30: Grand Larceny $6,000 worth of merchandise stolen; Nov. 2: Robbery $1,500 worth of merchandise stolen; Nov. 12: Robbery $3,000 worth of merchandise stolen; Nov. 16: Robbery $11,000 worth of merchandise stolen. Anyone with information is asked to contact the TUT at (703) 556-7750. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) Gunmen opened fire on vehicles carrying Shiite Muslims in Pakistan's restive northwest on Thursday, killing at least 42 people, including six women, and wounding 20 others in one of the region's deadliest such attacks in recent years, police said. The attack happened in Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where sectarian clashes between majority Sunni Muslims and minority Shiites have killed dozens of people in recent months. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the latest attack. It came a week after authorities reopened a key highway in the region that had been closed for weeks following deadly clashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local police official Azmat Ali said several vehicles were traveling in a convoy from the city of Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when gunmen opened fire. He said at least 10 passengers were in critical condition at a hospital. Aftab Alam, a provincial minister, said 42 people were killed in the attack, and that officers were investigating to determine who was behind it. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the shootings a terrorist attack." Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack, and Sharif said those behind the killing of innocent civilians will not go unpunished. Kurram resident Mir Hussain, 35, said he saw four gunmen emerge from a vehicle and open fire on buses and cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think other people were also firing at the convoy of vehicles from nearby open farm field, he said. The firing continued for about 40 minutes. He said he hid until the attackers fled. I heard cries of women, and people were shouting for the help, he said. Ibne Ali Bangash, a relative of one of the victims, described the convoy attack as the saddest day in Kurram's history. More than 40 people from our community have been martyred, he said. Its a shameful matter for the government." Baqir Haideri, a local Shiite leader, denounced the assault and said the death toll was likely to rise. He accused local authorities of not providing adequate security for the convoy of more than 100 vehicles despite fears of possible attacks by militants who had recently threatened to target Shiites in Kurram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shop owners in Parachinar announced a strike on Friday to protest the attack. Shiite Muslims make up about 15% of the 240 million population of Sunni-majority Pakistan, which has a history of sectarian animosity between the communities. Although the two groups generally live together peacefully, tensions have existed for decades in some areas, especially in parts of Kurram, where Shiites are the majority. Dozens of people from both sides have been killed since July when a land dispute erupted in Kurram that later turned into general sectarian violence. Pakistan is tackling violence in the northwest and southwest, where militants and separatists often target police, troops and civilians. Violence in the northwest has been blamed on the Pakistani Taliban, a militant group that is separate from Afghanistan's Taliban but linked to them. Violence in southwestern Balochistan province has been blamed on members of the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army. ___ Associated Press writers Asim Tanveer, Rasool Dawar and Ishtiaq Mahsud in Multan, Peshawar, and Dera Ismail Khan in Pakistan contributed to this report. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) An investigation is underway after officers and the Warren Fire Department were called to a house Sunday in Warren. The fire department was called first in the early morning hours of Nov. 17 to a house in the 1200 block of Main Ave. SW on reports of someone dumping gas on the house. A short time later, police officers were called. Police noted there was a strong smell of gasoline around the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman at the house said that security cameras alerted to activity outside and showed three people dressed in black walking around the house with gas cans and dumping gas on the house. Police said when they asked if a family member at the house had any issues with anyone, a person yelled from a nearby car, Dont even look at me, bro. Police took a report and requested the video recorded by the security cameras be sent to them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) Police in Asheville are asking for information involving a Wednesday night shooting that put one person in the hospital. According to the Asheville Police Department, officers arrived at the 100 block of Cherry Street North around 5:56 p.m., after reports of a gun discharge. The area of the Wednesday evening shooting in Asheville. At the scene, police found blood on the sidewalk, three empty shell casings and one live round of ammunition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No suspect was found in the area. Officials were then made aware of a victim arriving at Mission Hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Investigators suspect that three men were involved in the shooting. One suspect is believed to have blonde hair and is in his early 20s. Police described the suspect as wearing a blue sweatshirt or jacket and driving a black sedan, possibly a Lexus. Anyone with information is asked to call APD at (828) 252-1110. Tips can be sent anonymously online, or by texting TIP2APD to 847411. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Nov. 20A man remains at large after police say he got away with an undisclosed amount of money after robbing a Bank of America on Storrs Street in Concord Wednesday morning. Police were called to the bank at 118 Storrs St. around 9:30 a.m. to investigate the bank robbery, according to a news release. "Witnesses reported that a subject entered the bank and demanded money from an employee. The subject exited the bank with an undisclosed amount of money," the release reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police released a surveillance photo of the man wearing a tan hooded sweatshirt with his face covered with a mask and ski goggles. He is described as being white, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and wearing tan pants and black gloves. Police cordoned off the front of the bank and searched nearby train tracks for evidence. Police from Pembroke and other departments brought in dogs to assist in the search. Several Concord schools, Abbot-Downing and Christa McAuliffe elementary schools, the Rundlett Middle School, and Concord High School, were placed on "secure campus" status for a short time. Superintendent Kathleen Murphy said the measure was done as precaution and that there was no perceived threat to any of the schools. The release does not say if they believe the man had a weapon or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is no current threat to the community related to this incident," the release read. Concord police are asking for help in identifying the individual involved in the robbery. Contact the Concord Police Department at 603-225-8600 with any information. A California woman told police that Trump Cabinet pick Pete Hegseth physically blocked her from leaving a hotel room, took her phone, and then sexually assaulted her even though she remembered saying no a lot, a police report obtained by CNN shows. The 22-page report, released by the city attorneys office of Monterey, California, on Wednesday night in response to a public records request, lays out the competing narratives of what happened in new detail including conflicting accounts of how intoxicated Hegseth and the woman were, and descriptions of video surveillance showing some of their movements that night. Hegseth, who President-elect Donald Trump has named as his pick for secretary of defense, told police that their encounter was consensual, and that he had repeatedly made sure the woman was comfortable with what was going on between the two of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven years after the alleged assault, questions over what happened that night could jeopardize Hegseths nomination and seem likely to be central in his upcoming confirmation hearing. Hegseth was not charged with a crime in connection with the allegation. His attorney has acknowledged that Hegseth later entered into a settlement agreement with his accuser that included an undisclosed monetary payment and a confidentiality clause. Though Hegseth insisted the encounter was consensual, the lawyer said he was fearful that the woman was poised to make an allegation against him during the #MeToo movement that might have cost him his job as a Fox News host. This police report confirms what Ive said all along, that the incident was fully investigated, and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed, Timothy Parlatore, Hegseths attorney, told CNN on Wednesday night although the report does not say that police found the allegations to be false. Parlatore is a CNN legal commentator. In a statement, Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Trumps transition team, also claimed that police found the allegations to be false and called Hegseth a highly-respected Combat Veteran who will honorably serve our country when he is confirmed as the next Secretary of Defense, just like he honorably served our country on the battlefield in uniform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman who accused Hegseth of assault broke into tears when asked about the matter by CNN reporters last week and declined to comment. According to the newly released police report, the alleged assault took place in the early morning hours of October 8, 2017, after Hegseth spoke at a convention of the California Federation of Republican Women at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa the night before. An attorney for the city of Monterey, which had previously shared only cursory details about its investigation, wrote that the city was releasing a redacted version of the police report because it had previously released a copy to Hegseth in 2021. The report, which identifies the accuser as Jane Doe, summarizes police interviews with Doe, Hegseth, conference attendees and a hotel employee, and includes descriptions of video footage from the hotel viewed by police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The records released do not include copies of the video footage, or a memorandum from the Monterey County district attorneys office that could explain in more detail why Hegseth was never charged. In a statement released Thursday, Monterey County DA Jeannine Pacioni said that her office declined to file charges against Hegseth in January 2018 because no charges were supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. She declined to comment further. The police reports description of Does account of the night mirrors some of the details laid out in a memo written by a friend of Doe and delivered to the Trump transition team last week, which sparked consternation among Trumps advisers, who were caught off guard by the allegation. Both Doe and Hegseth, as well as several attendees interviewed by police, told officers that the two of them went with a group to the hotel bar, Knuckles, after the speech and an afterparty in a hotel suite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, a conference attendee told police that Hegseth had touched her knee and invited her to come to his hotel room. The attendee said she declined the invitation and gained the attention of Doe and had her become what the report describes as a crotch blocker hoping that Does presence would detour Hegseths attempt to have sex with her. That attendee later left the bar and said Doe didnt appear intoxicated when she last had contact with her. Another conference attendee told police that she saw what she described as Doe and another woman flirting with Hegseth at the bar. At the time, Doe was coherent and did not seem intoxicated to a point where she would not be able to care for her own safety, the attendee said. Pete Hegseth speaking at a Republican conference at the Hyatt Regency Monterrey Hotel and Spa on October 2017. - California Federation of Republican Women/Facebook Doe told officers that she believed Hegseth was acting inappropriately with the other women during the conference, and texted someone that he was giving off a creeper vibe, according to the report. Doe later told a hospital nurse that she was not sure, but believes that something may have been slipped into her drink, as she cannot remember most of the nights events, and the nurse passed that on to police, the report states. The report also notes Doe said she had been drinking much more than normal that day. Officers reviewed surveillance video from the hotel timestamped about 1:15 a.m. that showed Doe and Hegseth walking together, with arms locked together leaving the bar and heading toward the hotel pool, with Doe smiling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doe told police she remembered walking out of the bar and arguing with Hegseth by the pool, where the two argued about his treatment of women at the conference and Hegseth told her he was a nice guy. Police also interviewed a hotel employee, who responded to guest complaints about the argument around 1:30 a.m. Hegseth told the employee that he had freedom of speech, before he and Doe left, the employee remembered. The employee said that Hegseth appeared to be heavily intoxicated, while Doe did not, according to the report. Doe told police that her next memory after the argument was being in a hotel room with Hegseth. She told officers that Hegseth took her phone from her hands. Then, she said, she tried to leave the room, but Hegseth blocked the door with his body. She said she remembered saying no a lot, but did not remember much else, according to the report. Next, she said, she remembered Hegseth over her on a bed or couch, with his dog tags hovering over her face. She later told the hospital nurse that she could not remember whether or not any sexual penetration occurred, but believes that she was sexually assaulted at that time, the nurse told police. Doe told police that she remembered Hegseth ejaculating onto her stomach before throwing a towel at her and asking if she was OK. Doe told police she did not remember how she got back to her own hotel room, but remembered walking into her room and getting in bed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does husband, who attended the conference with her, told police that he was worried when she didnt come back to their hotel room earlier that night, and that she didnt return until about 4 a.m. Doe told officers that the incident involving Hegseth did not dawn on her until after she returned home. She went to a hospital and reported a sexual assault on October 12, where she underwent a rape kit exam and gave the clothes she was wearing on the night of the alleged assault to police. A nurse at the hospital first reported the alleged assault to authorities. Hegseth, in contrast, told police that the encounter with Doe was consensual. He said that he was buzzed that night after drinking beer and remembered going back to his hotel room with Doe. Hegseth said that Doe sat down in the room and did not leave, and that he thought it was odd that she stayed in his room, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the night progressed, Hegseth said he made sure Doe was comfortable with what was going on between the two of them, and that there was always conversation and always consensual contact. The two of them had sexual intercourse, he said. Hegseth said that Doe asked him if he had a condom, and he didnt. He said he asked her if that was a problem, and she said it wasnt, and he ejaculated on her body. After they had sex, Hegseth said, he had a very clear conversation with Doe, who told him she would tell her husband she had fallen asleep on a couch in someone elses room. He told police that she showed early signs of regret, but did not elaborate. This story has been updated with additional reaction. CNNs Yahya Abou-Ghazala contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (NewsNation) Several police officers have been wounded and some killed after a series of unrelated shootings across the country. In the past week work or so, a string of confrontations have happened in various locations. In New York, an NYPD officer was shot in the leg in Jamaica, Queens, on Tuesday by a suspect who had 17 prior arrests for murder, robbery and drugs and was on parole. Susan Smith denied parole after serving 30 years for sons murders Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had committed two robberies and opened fire when officers confronted him, hitting the 36-year-old officer in the leg. He returned fire, killing the suspect and is now in stable condition. In Chicago, an off-duty detective intervened to stop a stabbing that happened in a park and was grazed by a bullet in the process. The stabbing victim died at the scene. Also in Chicago, a retired police sergeant was critically injured after being shot multiple times Monday, with police still searching for the suspects involved. On the West Coast, in Long Beach, California, a tense standoff near a church ended in gunfire despite hours of deescalation attempts, the suspect and police exchanged fire. The suspect was killed, and an officer was hit in the arm but is expected to recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last, in Kentucky, a traffic stop involving a stolen car escalated into a violent struggle when the 19-year-old suspect resisted arrest. Two officers were shot, both hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and the suspect was arrested. Jose Ibarra gets life without parole in the death of Laken Riley In New York, people are concerned that there arent enough police officers on the streets. The NYPD and Mayor Eric Adams announced there will be more than 1,000 new officers hitting the streets after recent graduations. The holidays usually come with an uptick in time as well as an increase in officers on the street after new classes of police graduate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been a unified call from leaders for stricter measures against gun violence and more appreciation for law enforcement as well as reminders for people to be aware of their surroundings and speak up if they see something. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Monterey Police Department released a report Wednesday evening unearthing details about a sexual assault allegation Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Defense, faced in 2017, which could derail his intended nomination. The document, reported by multiplenews outlets, was released following public record requests by news organizations. Hegseth has said the encounter was consensual and was never charged with a crime. He entered into a nondisclosure agreement with the woman in 2020. According to the report, the woman involved in the alleged incident went to the hospital days after attending a GOP political conference at a hotel in Monterey, California, to ask for a sexual assault examination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman, identified as Jane Doe in the documents, told the attending nurse something may have been slipped into her drink, as she cannot remember most of the nights events, according to the report. Doe told the nurse she couldnt recall if sexual penetration had occurred but said she thought she had been sexually assaulted. The nurse reported Does account to the police. Based on the information in the report, the alleged incident occurred in October 2017 when both attended the conference organized by the California Federation of Republican Women at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa. Both went to the hotel bar. Doe, who told police she consumed much more alcohol than normal that day, said she approached Hegseth to speak to him after noticing he was behaving inappropriately toward other women, prompting an argument between the two. Doe said Hegseth told her he was a nice guy. Video footage from the hotel, described in the report but not released as part of the public records request, showed Doe and Hegseth later leaving the bar with arms locked together as they made their way to the pool of the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later that evening, hotel guests complained about noise coming from the pool, prompting a hotel employee to speak to Doe and Hegseth. The employee told police Hegseth, who he described as very intoxicated, told him he had freedom of speech, and the two walked out. Doe, according to the employee, did not seem drunk. When they went back to his room, Doe told police Hegseth took her phone from her hands. Doe recalled that she tried to exit the room, but Hegseth stood in the way, blocking the door. Doe said she remembered saying no a lot but couldnt recall much further. Doe said Hegseth laid over her and later ejaculated on her stomach. She returned to her room but told police she did not remember how she made her way there. Hegseth has offered police his own version of that nights events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth told police he was buzzed and confirmed the two ended up in his room but claimed Doe sat down in the room and did not leave, which he said he found odd. Hegseth claimed the two had sex but said their sexual encounter was consensual. He said he made sure to check she was comfortable with what was going on between them. Hegseth said he told Doe he didnt have a condom, and she didnt mind and said he ejaculated on her body. The now-former Fox News host told police he had a talk with Doe after their sexual encounter, claiming that Doe said she would tell her husband she fell asleep on someone elses couch. Hegseth claimed Doe displayed early signs of regret. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth was not charged as a result of the investigation but entered into a nondisclosure agreement with Doe in 2020. Timothy Parlatore, Hegseths lawyer, claimed that the report exonerated his client. This police report confirms what Ive said all along, that the incident was fully investigated, and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed, he told CNN. However, the documents do not describe Does allegation as false and do not explain why no charges were filed against Hegseth. Related... DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A 911 call led police to investigate a shooting at a gas station in Dayton. According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch, a shooting was reported just before 8:30 p.m. Officers were dispatched to a gas station located in the 1900 block of Stanley Avenue. A 911 call obtained by dispatch says that the shooting originated as a robbery at a different location. Theres no word on the status of suspect or victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 NEWS is working to learn more. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. TARRANT, Ala. (WIAT) Police are searching for a suspect after a pickup truck with two children inside was stolen Thursday morning. According to Truman Fitzgerald with the Birmingham Police Department, the vehicle theft occurred on Clifford Circle outside of the New Season Tri County Treatment Center around 10:00 a.m. A 2-year-old boy and 4-year-old girl were inside the vehicle at the time of the theft. Officer Fitzgerald said the search for suspects led authorities to the 1700 block of Burgin Avenue in Tarrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt. Jimmy Hill with Tarrant Police Department confirmed one suspect was located and detained around 12:00 p.m. Information led police to the location of the second suspect, who disclosed the location of the children and the stolen vehicle. Police recovered the stolen vehicle, and both of the children were found unharmed. Both initial suspects were detained, interviewed and later released by police. Officers are now searching for a third suspect who they believe is the sole suspect. While police would not comment on motive, they said one of the parents had left the two children in the pickup truck with the keys inside the vehicle before the theft occurred. Interim Police Chief Michael Pickett said having surveillance video at the business where the theft took place was key: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a business here that had very good surveillance that we were able to utilize and quickly ascertain suspects and be able to start that investigation very quickly. Birmingham Police, Tarrant Police, Irondale Police, and the United States Marshals assisted with the search with help from the FBI and ALEA. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROXANA, Ill. The search for a missing Edwardsville man came to a tragic end last month, and now authorities are asking the public for help in solving the potential hit-and-run that killed him. 43-year-old Pablo Puente was reported missing to the Madison County Sheriffs Department on Oct. 3. Family members say they last saw him the day before, leaving home on his 29-inch Giordano Intrepid Carbon Aluminum Frame Mountain Bike. The search for Puente ended on Oct. 4, when Roxana police officers responded to a call just after 2:30 p.m. for a man down along Illinois Route 143 near Kendall Drive. Upon arriving at the scene, officers immediately determined the man was deceased, and Puente was positively identified as the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Louis-area accountant busted in $40K shopping spree while on vacation Roxana Police Chief Will Cunningham reminded citizens, That area of the road obviously from dusk until dawn is a very dark road; its poorly lit along that stretch from the subdivision towards the intersection of Wanda Road. As far as bicyclists, joggers, recreational walkers thats not a normal route of travel for anyone like that. Preliminary investigations determine Puente was struck by a vehicle in what authorities are calling a hit-and-run. His bike was not found at the scene by police. The Illinois State Police are leading the investigation, but as of now, no further updates have been provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about the person responsible for this vehicular homicide is urged to contact Crimestoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). Calls can remain anonymous. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The Los Angeles Police Department is looking for a man who shot a woman during an argument in Hollywood last month. At a few minutes after noon on Oct. 15, a woman was trying to rent a scooter at Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue when a man approached her, police said in a news release. That man initiated an argument, and then used a semi-automatic handgun to fire multiple shots at the woman, the release added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was struck multiple times and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds. Suspect arrested in Hollywood shooting that left man dead near Walk of Fame The shooter ran south on Western Avenue, but not before a witness captured photos of him. He has black hair and brown eyes, is between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-8, weighs between 130 and 160 pounds, and appears to be between 20 and 25 years old. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Greg Papik at 213-972-2971. During non-business hours, call 877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. UPDATE // At 10:03 a.m. on Friday, the Springfield police said Chelsea had been located safe. The original story is posted below. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Youth Aid Bureau is seeking the publics help in locating a 13-year-old girl who ran away. The Springfield Police Department says that Chelsea Torres is approximately 51 tall, weighs 130 pounds and was last seen wearing a pink camouflage hoodie, khaki pants and purple and white Nike sneakers, carrying an Astronaut backpack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springfield man died after officer-involved shooting They believe she may be in the area of Nursery Street or Van Horn Park. If you have seen Chelsea or know of her whereabouts, call Springfield Police Detectives at 413-787-6360. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Child care is the weakest link in the care economy, a Tripp Umbach analysis found. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent) Boosting Nevadas beleaguered child care and elder care industries makes economic sense for the state, a trio of reports argues, and recommendations on how to do just that have already been laid out for policymakers to consider. A new policy brief by The Lincy Institute at UNLV and national consulting firm Tripp Umbach reports that the Las Vegas metropolitan area is short approximately 46,100 direct care workers, which they define as people who provide hands-on assistance to the elderly, young, or disabled. Direct care workers include daycare providers and home care workers. Currently, about 102,300 are employed in these types of jobs, compared to the 148,400 that would be expected given the regions population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Put another way, the direct care workforce is 69% of what it should be. Unless addressed, that deficit of workers is expected to worsen as the overall population ages and the demand for elder care services rises. The new analysis builds off a report released early last year by a workforce development group that argued addressing child care needs would be good for businesses and the economy at large. The renewed focus comes less than three months out from the Nevada State Legislatures 2025 session. Advocates had hoped that the covid-19 pandemic would spark greater interest in addressing the already well documented shortage of child care and elder care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childcare workers were deemed essential workers, recalled Jenna Weglarz-Ward, a UNLV associate professor and research coordinator at the universitys early childhood education center, during a panel event on the issue Monday. I was, like, Weve done it. We are essential, important. She continued, That was a time where it really demonstrated that we do need care for everything else in our society to work. You need doctors to have child care for their children so they can provide you care. We need bus drivers to have care so you can get where you want to go. All of those things. I was really optimistic. But much of that optimism has since faded, she acknowledged. Even though we havent kept that momentum going, Weglarz-Ward said, we are still in a better place where people are at least having the conversations and figuring out how we better support that sector in our society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Covid relief dollars gave a boost to the industry, providing both immediate assistance to those who need it and funding for infrastructure improvements designed to help long term, but that support is ending. Policy recommendations Child care is the weakest link in the care economy, the Tripp Umbach analysis found, with an estimated 5,330 workers needed in Southern Nevada but only 3,305 currently employed. Previous research has found that 74% of Nevada children ages 0 to 5 lack access to licensed child care. Most families generally will pick a program that is most convenient in location, said Weglarz-Ward. Is it closest to my house or closest to my work? And can I afford it? Quality is not the primary decision factor, because well take whatever we can get that works with our budget and our lives. If its high quality, thats a bonus. Low wages and a general lack of respect for such jobs both need to be addressed in order to improve the industry, the panelists agreed, but those must be balanced with the need to keep the cost of care down for families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tripp Umbachs analysis found that the cost of child care as a percentage of income is already higher in Las Vegas than anywhere else in the country nearly 20%. The percentage of family income directed to childcare in peer cities were noticeably lower: Phoenix (14.4% for center-based infant care), Denver (14%) and Kansas City (9.9%). The Governors Workforce Development Board, which is housed under the states Office of Workforce Innovation (OWINN), last year created a working group to study child care from a business perspective and make policy recommendations to the governor and Legislature. Hugh Anderson, the outgoing chair of the board, said one recurring theme heard was that existing regulations can be cumbersome to individuals who would like to offer in-home care and organizations like churches that would like to use existing spaces to provide child care. Anderson emphasized that the safety of children or adults in elder care should always be the top priority but argued that some requirements could be tweaked without compromising safety. He pointed to a state requirement that licensed facilities have 37.5 square feet of outdoor space per child. Larger, more urban cities often allow nearby parks to meet outdoor space requirements, he noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If theres a park two blocks away, can (an in-home child care provider) take the children to the park every day? he asked rhetorically. Those are the kinds of things that we want to really clear the decks with and make it practical to get to solutions. The workforce development board also recommended the state encourage businesses to use 45F, a federal tax credit program for employers who invest in child care by offering on-side daycare options or contracting with third-party providers. Anderson said the board was astounded by the lack of knowledge about the federal program, which he described as a very, very significant benefit for businesses. A survey of Nevada business owners found only about a fifth knew such a program existed. The board also recommended the state consider property tax abatements for employers who offer on-site child care facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One bigger-picture goal should be to restructure the child care and elder care industries to allow clearer paths for upward mobility of workers. Anderson pointed to nursing as an example. People can enter that health care field with a certificate requiring only a few weeks of study, then work their way up with additional education and experience. On the elder care side, home care workers have benefitted from the efforts of organized labor, which has successfully lobbied for increased Medicaid reimbursement rates tied to better wages and working conditions. But the industry is still replete with labor issues, such as wage theft and a lack of benefits, and is playing catch-up after two decades of stagnant reimbursement rates. And more could be done to support people providing unpaid elder care, said Ji Won Yoo, director of the geriatric fellowship program at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. Broad support An estimated 630,000 workers in Southern Nevada are responsible for someone needing care, according to Tripp Umbach. Fewer than half 280,000 pay for care. Most 350,000 rely on unpaid care, such as family or friends, or they juggle providing care while working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If those workers were to drop out of the labor force because of their care responsibilities, the negative economic impact would be an estimated $34.5 billion annually. Many workers, particularly working-age women, have already left careers and jobs. Nationally, a quarter of young parents leave the workforce because of a lack of affordable childcare, and Tripp Umbach estimates 46,200 people in Southern Nevada are unemployed due to their unpaid care responsibilities. Weglarz-Ward, who started her career providing direct care before eventually moving into academia, said her paramedic husband worked night shifts for a decade in order for them to balance care for their four children. (That) means he was very tired for 10 years, she added. Or he worked 24 hours. Weve been really good at balancing. Like, what are our schedules? Like, literally handing off children in a parking lot That affects the family system as well because youre not spending time as a family together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some middle-aged workers find themselves burdened with caring for both their children and their aging parents. This sandwich generation is at particular risk economically and emotionally. Paul Umbach, the president and founder of Tripp Umbach, pointed to a September survey conducted by Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland showing broad support in Nevada and other swing states for federal policies addressing child care and elder care. The survey found that 73% of Nevadans 64% of Republicans and 82% of Democrats supported reinstating the pandemic-era higher child tax credit to a fully refundable $3,600 per child. Majorities in both parties also supported federal funding for universal preschool and subsidized childcare for low- and middle-income families. While that survey focused on federal policies, policy solutions at the state level already exist, Umbach argued, they just need to be brought to policymakers. Somebody just has to find the product to sell, he said. The ice cream that were selling, you should have a long line wanting to eat it. Yet were not selling it because were not good at selling it. But we have to work on that. Find a way from the peer best practices, something that you can find a way to sell to the Legislature and get moving on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waiting for the federal government to fix it isnt a viable option, Umbach added, because we know what will happen there. Nothing, responded the moderator of the panel. Less than nothing, countered Umbach. UPDATE: The Polk County Sheriffs Office says Kaden Sergio has been located and is safe. He is being reunited with his family. ORIGINAL STORY: POLK COUNTY, Iowa The Polk County Sheriffs Office is asking the public for help to find a 13-year-old boy who left his home in Saylor Township just before midnight on Wednesday. The sheriffs office was called to a home in the 5700 block of NW 3rd Court at 4:30 a.m. Thursday on a report of a missing juvenile. The parents of Kaden Sergio said he was last seen at the residence around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaden is 5 tall and weighs 95 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was believed to be wearing a light-colored sweatshirt with a Sebolts wrestling logo and had a backpack. Kaden Sergio The PCSO says they dont have any indication of foul play but there is concern for Kadens welfare because of the colder temperatures and his lack of warm clothing. If you have any information about his location, call the PCSO at (515)286-3333 or 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 who13.com. A survey conducted shortly after the 2024 presidential election indicates most Democratic voters would support Vice President Kamala Harris in 2028 as the partys nominee if she were to run for president again. Its only been two weeks since Democrats lost the presidency to Republicans but some are looking to the future, hopeful that a potential new, or familiar, pool of candidates will reinvigorate voters. Though names like California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg have emerged, Harriss campaign seems to have made a lasting impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 41 percent of likely Democratic voters said they would vote for Harris to represent the Democratic Party in the 2028 presidential election, a survey from Echelon Insights and Puck News found. The results are purely preliminary and given Harriss recency, her policies and stance on issues are fresh in voters minds. The vice president ran a short, but aggressive, campaign. Having only entered the race in July, Harris was forced to rely on celebrities, surrogates and massive ad blitzes to reach voters. Harris entered the presidential race in July after President Joe Biden dropped out - but, despite the initial momentum, still lost to Donald Trump (REUTERS) So, for now, Democratic voters would still support the vice president in the primaries. But a bevy of other potential candidates could take over their enthusiasm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar situation emerged before the Republican presidential primaries when conservative voters rallied behind Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the Republican nominee before Trump overtook him. California Governor Gavin Newsom is a longtime political figure. About eight percent of survey respondents said they would vote for him in Democratic primaries (AP) About 16 percent of survey respondents said they were unsure who they would support as the next Democratic nominee and likely it will remain that way for at least two years. Other Democratic primary candidates could be California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocascio-Cortez, and more. Eight percent of survey respondents said theyd support Newsom in primaries. Seven percent indicated theyd vote for Shapiro and six percent said would support Buttigieg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One to four percent of respondents said theyd support other options like Ocasio-Cortez, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. It is far too early to tell who could emerge as the frontrunner, though Harris has the momentum and backing to run another potentially successful campaign. Pollster Nate Silver wants President Joe Biden to resign from office immediately and make VP Kamala Harris the nations first female president, albeit briefly. Is there any particular reason to assume Biden is competent to be president right now? the FiveThirtyEight founder posted on social media Wednesday. Its a very difficult job. Silvers comment included a link to a Washington Post story about the 82-year-old president avoiding reporters as his time in office comes to an end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race in July so his vice president could run instead. Pressure for him to step aside mounted in the wake of a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in which the president appeared disoriented and incoherent. Its a dangerous world, Silver continued on Wednesday. Extremely high-stakes decisions in Ukraine. He should resign and let Harris serve out the last 2 months. Ukraines war with Russia escalated in recent days when the Biden White House granted its blessing for the U.S. ally to fire long-range missiles into Russia. Russian leader Vladimir Putin responded by indicating he wont rule out a nuclear retaliation. Following Trumps victory in the election earlier this month, the VPs former communications director suggested to CNN that Biden handing the reins to Harris in his final months as president would make him the transitional figure he sought to be. _____ By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Thursday the Vatican's pension fund is facing a "serious imbalance" that may require changes to its operating structure, and appointed a senior cardinal to take over the fund's administration. In an unusual letter sent to all the world's cardinals and to the leaders of the Vatican's various offices, the pope did not quantify the scope of the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the changes would include "making difficult decisions that will require particular sensitivity, generosity, and willingness to sacrifice on the part of everyone". Francis appointed Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an Irish-American prelate who has led the Vatican's office for family issues since 2016, to take over as the fund's administrator. The pope has expressed uncommon concern about the Vatican's budget several times in recent months. In October, he ordered the third reduction in three years for the pay packages of the cardinals who lead the Vatican. He has also asked them to pursue a "zero deficit" agenda. The Vatican has not released a full budget statement in several years but is known to be facing a serious budget deficit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican's finance czar estimated in 2022 that the net liability of the pension fund for post-employment benefits amounted to some 631 million euros ($664 million). The headquarters of the Catholic Church comprises two entities: the internationally recognised sovereign entity of the Holy See and the Vatican, a 108-acre city-state within Rome. They maintain separate budgets, and Vatican City income, including from the popular Vatican Museums, has often been used to plug the Holy See's deficit, which according to Italian media stood at around 83 million euros ($87 million) last year. ($1 = 0.9505 euros) (Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Ros Russell) Nov. 20A Portland man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for having sexually explicit conversations online with a minor with whom 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. He was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Portland on Tuesday, and he will also be on probation for life. 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, whom prosecutors did not identify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Attorney's 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. Copy the Story Link SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) The U.S. Postal Services announcement this week that some mail processing operations will remain in Sioux Falls is getting met with skepticism from the postal union. The president of the South Dakota Postal Workers Union says the announcement is mostly just window-dressing and will not improve local mail delivery. Earlier this year, the U.S. Postal Service announced it would be shifting local mail processing operations to Omaha, Nebraska, as part of a cost-saving plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now the postal service says some mail processing operations will remain in Sioux Falls and that the downtown facility will undergo nearly $13 million in upgrades. Local postal customers are encouraged by the decision. But the union representing South Dakota postal workers says much of our local mail will still find its way to Omaha. Mitchell slashes fees for special events Lance Baker of Hartford is mailing model railroad parts to his nephew, impressed by the speed in which his mail is delivered. The service, as of late, has been phenomenal with the USPS. I mail model railroad parts out and the turnaround time across the nation has been fabulous, Baker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker says keeping some mail processing operations in Sioux Falls is good news for customers like him. Whatever they can leave in locally and keep the jobs local, we gotta do it. So, Im saying leave it here, Baker said. But the president of the South Dakota Postal Workers Union says delivery times will slow down because any mail processed in Sioux Falls will still go to Omaha and back again. You mail a letter from the station there, two blocks down the road, thats going to get processed there locally, but its going to Omaha to get sorted out to come back to Sioux Falls first, South Dakota Postal Workers President Todd West said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Postal Service says upgrades to the downtown post office will include a $1.25 million package sorter, plus electric vehicle charging stations and renovated bathrooms and break rooms. But West says those improvements have been long overdue. The people of Sioux Falls will hear that and theyll say oh, well, everythings going to be fine. No, its not. Its going to delay your mail, West said. The Postal Service says the decision to leave processing operations in Sioux Falls is part of an overall national strategy to save $3 billion a year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Nov. 20A former Preble County sheriff's deputy and school resource officer was found guilty of having an inappropriate relationship with a student. Mason Williams, 26, of Eaton, was convicted of two counts of sexual battery and one count of tampering with evidence, according to the Ohio Attorney General's Office. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 16. Williams was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an 18-year-old National Trail High School student, where he was working as an SRO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Parents shouldn't have to worry about predators when they send their kids to school," Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. "There is no age or no so-called consent that makes a school employee having sex with a student appropriate." The investigation began in March after school officials notified the sheriff's office of alleged unprofessional conduct by Williams, Preble County Sheriff Michael Simpson said earlier this year. "It was learned that a school resource officer assigned to the National Trail Local Schools was alleged to be involved in a consensual relationship with an 18-year-old student outside of the school setting," he said. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office conducted a third-party investigation and the Ohio Attorney General's Office prosecuted the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation determined Williams deleted electronic correspondence with the victim, resulting in the tampering with evidence charge, according to the Ohio Attorney General's Office. The incident took place on or about Oct. 1, 2023, through March 20, according to Preble County Common Pleas Court records. No other students were believed to be involved. Williams was placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation and he resigned on April 1. He started with the sheriff's office in 2019. Staff writer Aimee Hancock contributed to this report. A Florida man who police say has ahistory of domestic violence stands accused of killing the pregnant mother of his two children before attempting to kill himself. Relatives identified 41-year-old Delfina Perez Chilel in a GoFundMe as the four-month pregnant woman who was found dead on Nov. 12 inside her Hallandale Beach home. Her childrens father, Victor Chavez Sanchez Sr., 38, was arrested on Saturday and charged with two counts of second-degree murder. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by HuffPost, Chavez Sanchez admitted to police that he had killed Perez Chilel after they argued because he believed she had put pills into a glass of milk for him. A relative told police that Chavez Sanchez has schizophrenia and had not been taking his medication, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney representing Chavez Sanchez didnt immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. A judge has ordered that he undergo a mental health screening and receive all appropriate medications. On Nov. 12, Hallandale Beach police were initially called to the school that the couples children attend after a staff member, who is also Perez Chilels relative, reported that she had missed pick-up, according to the probable cause affidavit. The relative told police that Perez Chilel was never late to pick up her kids. The relative further stated that the childrens father, Chavez Sanchez, was no longer allowed to pick up the kids from the school and had been known to be violent toward the childrens mother. Court records reviewed by HuffPost show that Chavez Sanchez was charged in a 2015 domestic violence case with aggravated battery of a pregnant woman. The case was disposed of for unclear reasons. Police also noted in the affidavit that Chavez Sanchez has a documented history of domestic violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, an estimated 20% of women experience violence during pregnancy. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that 45.3% of homicides of female victims who were pregnant or had been pregnant within a year of their deaths involved intimate partner violence. Delfina Perez Chilel, 41, was four months pregnant when she was killed. GoFundMe Perez Chilels relative told detectives that Chavez Sanchez had threatened to kill his childrens mother and then himself on multiple occasions because he did not want her to live or exist without him, according to the affidavit. She said Perez Chilel and her children were afraid of Chavez Sanchez, and that the mother slept in a separate bedroom and hid all the knives in their home. The affidavit describes police officers accompanying the relative to Perez Chilels home to check on her. When authorities forced their way into the house, they found Perez Chilel dead in one of the bathrooms. Police described finding her on the floor in a pool of blood. She had multiple defensive wounds, heavy bruises and stab wounds, according to the affidavit. Though she did not sustain any direct injuries to her uterus, the killing ended her pregnancy at 20 weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Luminol light revealed blood speckles throughout the kitchen that could not be seen with the naked eye, as well as blood streaks on the floor from apparent mopping and a trail of blood dripping to a container of Clorox wipes in the living room, according to the affidavit. Notes were also found around the house that appeared to be written by Chavez Sanchez, letting family members know he loved them, police said. Chavez Sanchez was found in a nearby bedroom in a deep and heavy sleep, according to the affidavit. He eventually woke up after officers made multiple attempts to rouse him, and police noted he had four long scratches on his back. Detectives determined that Chavez Sanchez had taken several pills in an attempt to kill himself, police said in the affidavit. Authorities added that there was an empty prescription bottle of lamotrigine, an anti-seizure/anti-epilepsy drug with his name on it. The relative told police that Chavez Sanchez was prescribed the drug to treat his schizophrenia but had stopped taking it last year, the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chavez Sanchez was taken to a hospital, where he spoke to detectives several days later on Nov. 15, according to the affidavit. He allegedly told detectives that he could not remember every detail from the day Perez Chilel was found dead because his mind had been so tormented. When detectives asked if he could remember the last image he had of Perez Chilel, he began to cry, according to the affidavit. He reportedly said Perez Chilel had been provoking him that day and that he had witnessed her going into the bathroom with a cup of milk. Chavez Sanchez said she might have had pills in there to give him, and the two started arguing, according to the affidavit. Chavez Sanchez told detectives he had approached Perez Chilel with a knife in his hand and told her she was not going to use him again, the affidavit said. He reportedly told detectives that Perez Chilel has threatened him in the past, adding, I think shes been trying to kill me for a while. He then confessed to killing her, the affidavit said. As part of the investigation, Perez Chilel and Chavez Sanchezs children spoke to a child forensic interviewer and said that their father was very strict and that they had been scared that he might do something to their mother, according to the affidavit. On the GoFundMe page, Perez Chilels sister said the family is raising money to bring her body home to Guatemala for burial. The sister added that she is now raising her niece and nephew along with her own kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their lives will not be easy. They are the true victims of this tragedy. I pray we as a family are enough and that we do right by them, she wrote. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Related... In the Senate on Wednesday evening, three resolutions to block arms sales to Israel were defeated on the floor one sponsored by Bernie Sanders, the chambers only avowed socialist member, and two others were sponsored by Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch. The outcome was all but preordained. What was notable instead was the number of members from Bidens party who joined them in direct defiance of both Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the White House, which lobbied against the resolution and accused its supporters of aiding Hamas. Nineteen senators in the Democratic caucus voted in support of ending or halting aid to Israel, a number that represents nearly a third of the caucus. Many were outspoken in their rebukes of both Israeli policy and US complicity in the tactics utilized by Israeli forces on the ground, as well as the conditions perpetuated by the war. The message was clear: Joe Bidens hold on his party is gone, and there is significant doubt among elected Democrats about his handling of the US-Israeli relationship since October 7, 2023. President Joe Biden participated in the G20 summit in Brazil over the weekend as a contingent of Democrats prepared to rebuke him on Gaza (Getty Images) On Thursday, The Independent caught up with some senators on both sides of the vote, the same day that the International Criminal Court formally issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the carnage in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These senators showed a lot of courage. They took on AIPAC, they took on the Democratic leadership here, they took on the president of the United States, Sanders said. I think its a strong step forward showing that the American people are sick and tired of policies which allow Israel to break the law. Chris Van Hollen, a senator from Maryland who has been one of the chambers most vocal critics of the Israeli siege of Gaza, was icy in a statement to Politicos NatSec Daily newsletter after the vote: The presidents Middle East policy has failed. And I think that the carnage and destruction of Gaza will forever be a stain on this record. He elaborated further in an interview after the fact. Look, I think it was a clear sign that a significant number of senators want the president to implement US law, Van Hollen told The Independent. ...[I]ts not about support for Israel, its about making sure the Netanyahu government uses that support in compliance with American law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collection of senators who rebuked the departing president on Wednesday was far from just a collection of backbenchers. It included Dick Durbin, the longest-serving party whip in Senate history. Speaking with The Independent, he explained that the growing resistance to military support for Israel in the Senate was due in part to a base understanding among the Democratic Senate caucus regarding Israels right to defend itself. Look, I think theres a genuine concern, said Durbin on Thursday. All of the Democrats that I spoke to are committed to Israel existing and defending itself in a very dangerous part of the world. But were concerned with the strategy and tactics which Netanyahu has used to execute this war. This was likely to be one of the last impactful votes the Senate took in the 118th Congress, and probably represented Bidens last pitch to his party to trust his judgment on support for the Israeli offensive against Hamas. It seems that trust has frayed considerably. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Police in Prince Georges County said a man was shot while driving Wednesday afternoon. The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said a man was shot in his car while he was driving on Martin Luther King Jr. Highway and Sheriff Road. PGPD said the man is in stable condition. Police identify man killed in Upper Marlboro shooting; officers investigating Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oscar, an employee who works as a mechanic at the nearby Shell gas station said he heard the gunshots while he was working on a car. We were working on cars, then all a sudden we heard about five shots going off and then a crash and thats about all we heard then the police started arriving. Its scary man you never know, some other people could have gotten shot and you never know what can happen, he said. Joseph Pochini works down the road from where the shooting happened. He said he is concerned about the violence happening in a busy area. For someone like me who come this way for work every day, this is certainly something that is concerning that you could be at risk coming to and from work, Pochini said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PGPD said it is still investigating the shooting and looking for a motive. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. The Prince of Wales comments on Nov. 20 follow a brutal year that saw his own father and partner both diagnosed with cancer Chris Jackson/Getty Prince William, Prince of Wales is seen at the 2024 United for Wildlife Global Showcase on Nov. 5, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Prince William, Prince of Wales is seen at the 2024 United for Wildlife Global Showcase on Nov. 5, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. The After his own father and partner received cancer diagnoses this year, Prince William told a young woman who lost her father and partner that he would not have coped as well as she had. The Prince of Wales, 42, was in Newport, Wales on Nov. 20 to hear about Newports efforts to tackle homelessness, particularly for women. While there, The Telegraph reported, he met a woman named Rebecca, who William said had been through more than most people in their entire lifetime. Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images Prince William, Prince of Wales during a visit to meet seaweed businesses from the region to celebrate local innovation and to learn about the potential for it to repair and regenerate the planet at Portside Tower on Nov. 7, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa Prince William, Prince of Wales during a visit to meet seaweed businesses from the region to celebrate local innovation and to learn about the potential for it to repair and regenerate the planet at Portside Tower on Nov. 7, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa While at support service The Nelson Trust, Rebecca told William that she had been in foster care and was living on the streets at 16 before attempting suicide following the deaths of both her father and her partner. Rebecca, now 32, told William that she wanted to use her own life experiences to help other lost teenagers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You seem like a force of nature, Rebecca, William told her, adding that she should be so proud of herself. We need more Rebeccas in the world. You have been through more things than most people go through in their entire lifetime. Im not sure I would have come out the other side like you. Prince Williams comments come amid a year that saw both his father, King Charles, and his wife, Kate Middleton, each be diagnosed with cancer following a procedure in January the Kings for a benign enlarged prostate, and the Princess of Wales for a planned abdominal surgery. Buckingham Palace announced Charles cancer diagnosis on Feb. 5, the same day he began treatment, which continues. Kate announced her diagnosis on March 22, and, nearly six months later, said that she completed chemotherapy on Sept. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While neither Charles, 76, nor Kate, 42, have received the type or stage of their cancer, the palace clarified earlier this year that the King does not have prostate cancer, following his procedure in January. Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales at the Clore Drawing Studio where they meet students who practise life-drawing during their visit to The Prince's Foundation training site for arts and culture with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Trinity Buoy Wharf on Feb. 3, 2022 in London, England Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales at the Clore Drawing Studio where they meet students who practise life-drawing during their visit to The Prince's Foundation training site for arts and culture with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at Trinity Buoy Wharf on Feb. 3, 2022 in London, England Related: Prince William Breaks Silence on 'Brutal' 2024 amid Kate Middleton and King Charles' Cancer Diagnoses: 'Hardest Year in My Life' In an interview earlier this month at the close of his Earthshot Prizes trip to Cape Town, South Africa, William called 2024 brutal and the hardest year of his life. Its been dreadful, he said on Nov. 7, adding, But I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newport one of six locations that Prince William chose to launch his Homewards initiative, aimed at making homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated has identified womens homelessness as a key issue because of rising numbers, specifically among those who face multiple issues like trauma, poverty and domestic abuse. 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 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While meeting with business leaders and charity representatives, The Telegraph reported that William said he wanted them to throw off the shackles of their experience and take a different approach. I say that not to belittle you, the future king said. But it, how do we break it down, gives 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 youre doing lets be really ambitious and almost throw the paperwork up in the air and see how it lands. 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 Related: Prince Williams Work with the Unhoused Reinforces the Need to Humanize People Who Are Experiencing Homelessness Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, a fire chief who was once homeless as a teen, met up with William on Nov. 20 in Newport and introduced him to several unhoused women at a private meeting in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a really powerful visit. We visited a provision that is really focused on womens experience of homelessness, she said. As we know, womens experience of homelessness is very different to mens thats not to diminish mens experience in any way, shape or form. For example, unhoused women 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. We present differently, so figures are skewed and access to support are skewed, Cohen-Hatton said. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) Private school parents in New York City are calling for a significant change to a local law amid security concerns. Theyre urging the City Council to fund security guards for smaller private and religious schools, arguing that safety and education must go hand in hand. More Local News However, a legal loophole has left approximately 70,000 private school children vulnerable. At Our Lady of Lourdes School in Hamilton Heights, office secretaries double as security officers, monitoring cameras and controlling entry into the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You just never know whos coming in, noted one parent at pickup. Principal Suzanne Kaczynski explained that when her schools student enrollment dipped below 300 during the pandemic, it lost critical city funding for security guards. We felt safer knowing there was someone at the door watching, Kaczynski said. A proposed bill is now on the verge of a critical vote. The City Council is debating whether to allocate an additional $20 million annually to reimburse smaller private schools for security services. Local Law 2 is deficient because only schools with 300 or more students can be part of the initiative, said Joseph Rosenberg of the Catholic Community Relations Council, explaining in a city council hearing in September, Enrollments of 299 are not eligible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 146,000 NYC public school students were homeless last year: Record highs At the City Hall testimony leaders from various religious private schools argued about the inequity, emphasizing the heightened vulnerabilities after October 7. Certainly since then, I have worried incredibly about my students, said Bracha Rutner of Yeshiva University High School for Girls in Queens. Islamic schools are feeling the void too. Several of our students were accosted outside the school, added Imani Moore of the Razi School in Woodside. An estimated 548 security guards would be required to staff these smaller private schools. Parents remain optimistic about the potential benefits of the proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal appeals court upholds New Yorks ban on guns in sensitive places Somebody can have a job theyre proud of because theyre protecting children all aroundits a win, said parent Joe Gentile. We live in New York City. Things happen anywhere, noted Julie Lawrence. The Archdiocese of NY is hopeful for divine intervention, saying in a statement, This legislation is an important step in securing the well-being of all our children. We commend the council for its leadership in prioritizing safety and community well-being. To have a security guard cost reimbursed would really be a blessing, Principal Kaczynski added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources within the City Council indicate that members are finalizing the bills provisional language, aiming for a resolution that could bring funding to private schools by early next year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Pro-Ukraine lawmakers in both parties are working to get key provisions surrounding U.S. support for Kyiv passed into law by January, an effort to safeguard assistance that is under threat in a transition to a Trump administration and full GOP control of Congress. If passed into law, the Stand With Ukraine Act would compel the president to request ongoing military and economic support for Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia. The bills goal is to help overcome increasing partisanship around the passage of supplemental aid packages. The legislation is bipartisan and bicameral, sponsored in the House by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.). Its sponsored by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some lawmakers are working to transform the bills provisions to amendments for the National Defense Authorization Act, a House aide told The Hill. The NDAA is considered must-pass, end-of-year legislation that authorizes appropriations for the Pentagon and other defense-related activities. Its not yet clear if lawmakers would seek to put most of the Stand with Ukraine Act provisions into one amendment or file a few separate amendments. Other supporters of the bill said it should be brought up for a standalone floor vote. Just have [Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer (D-N.Y.) bring it up and lets vote, Graham told The Hill. Either way, time is running out to secure passage of the bill before President-elect Trump who is openly critical of how much aid the U.S. has provided to Ukraine comes into office. The House and Senate have three more working weeks in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has pledged to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, saying hell bring together Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make a peace deal. While support for Ukraine in the Senate remains fairly robust, Trumps skepticism is shared by many Republicans in the House. Its not clear if House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) would support putting stand-alone legislation on the floor, given that approximately half of the conference voted against a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine that passed in April. Also, passage of the bill could be viewed as constraining Trumps future moves on Ukraine and Russia. I dont expect well see anything before the end of the year, said Quigley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson also said its better to wait for Trumps return before moving on the legislation, but added he will push hard for the bill to be considered in the next Congress. Its not that the bill is not good, it is just that, there is a deferral when you have a new Congress elected, a new president, elected a new majority in the U.S. Senate, he said. I think its more crucial and more obvious than ever that war-criminal Putin is not to be trusted. But Republican attitudes are trending away from Ukraine, and thats unlikely to change in the next Congress. In April, 112 Republicans voted against the Ukraine supplemental aid package more than half the conference. On Wednesday, 37 Republican senators voted in favor of a joint resolution of disapproval, sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky), that aimed to force Ukraine to pay back loans provided by the U.S. Blumenthal said passage of the bill could help put Ukraine in a better negotiating position with Russia, demonstrating bipartisan backing from the U.S. Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If there are negotiations, as President-elect Trump has said there should be, then Ukraines position at the bargaining table should be one of strength as a result of gains on the battlefield and also support in Congress, so I think that kind of measure from Congress could be very important, he said. Ill take any course, he said of his preference for how it gets passed. The bill itself doesnt authorize new funding for Ukraine. But it directs the president to submit budget requests to Congress on what amount is needed to execute the provisions of the bill. Some of the topline provisions of the Stand with Ukraine Act include prioritizing sending air defense, artillery and long-range missiles, armored vehicles, among other fighting systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The text of the bill also commits the U.S. to help in modernizing Ukraines security capabilities, strengthening joint military relationships, prioritizing excess U.S. defense article transfers to Ukraine and fast-tracking foreign military financing sales to Ukraine. The bills drafting is an attempt by Congress to codify the 10-year bilateral security agreement that President Biden signed with Zelensky in June safeguarding the agreement from any effort by a potential Trump administration to retreat from the commitments. Other provisions include treating Ukraine as a major non-NATO ally for the purpose of transferring defense assistance; reauthorizing the Lend-Lease for Ukraine, which would allow the transfer of U.S. weapons to Ukraine and allow payback at a later date; and supporting Ukraine in its reconstruction and recovery efforts. U.S. support for Ukraine is seen by its backers as indispensable in the countrys efforts to push back against Russias nearly three-year invasion. Zelensky has warned against a disruption of the US-Europe alliance that has held firm under Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This period, this moment depends, I think, on our unity in Ukraine, Zelensky said in an interview Wednesday with Fox News. And I think that what is very dangerous if we will lose unity in Europe and what is most important, unity between Ukraine and the United States. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. I think it is likely that Matt Gaetz is guilty of everything of which he is accused and more. But I do not know what to do with that opinion. The accusations against Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings seemed to me absurdout of character for the man, based on supposed wrongdoing when he was a teenager, and obviously timed for a specific political purpose, i.e., to prevent his confirmation to the Supreme Court. The accusations against Gaetz are perfectly in character for the man, they preceded his nomination but are based on relatively recent events, they are attested to by more than one person, etc. But they are only accusations. There is a kind of no-mans-land between the sort of proof that will suffice to send somebody to prison and the kind of proof that will suffice to convince us that a man should not be attorney general or hold some other high office and the kind of proof that just makes us recoil from a man on grounds of general ick. The legal and ethical accusations Gaetz faces are both tawdry and seriousthe most serious of them involve an underage prostituteand, if they are substantiated, losing the AG spot would be the least of his worries. In the case of Gaetz, senatorsand the publicare spared the necessity of diving too deeply into that to resolve this issue, inasmuch as there are perfectly adequate reasons to reject the Gaetz nomination that do not require any further proof at all: Gaetz is a cretin and a flunky, his low character is attested to publicly by members of his own party in Congress, he lacks any relevant preparation for the job at hand, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But we will need to think about the question, nonetheless. Impossible-to-prove allegations of tawdry conduct years in the past are, when weaponized, a fearsome force, one that most notably has been part of the 33-year-long campaign to discredit Clarence Thomas. As with Kavanaugh, the accusations against Thomas struck me as implausible and as a transparent political ploy. But one cannot say the same about the allegations of misconductranging from drunken boorishness to sexual assaultagainst Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality who is Donald Trumps choice for secretary of defense, a position for which he is utterly unqualified, his military service having been honorable but irrelevant to the secretarys job. (Hegseth might have been more plausibly offered the post of secretary of veterans affairs, a position that instead has been offered to failed Senate candidate Doug Collins of Georgia, an election-conspiracy crank and, in the estimation of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a liar and a charlatan, and therefore eminently qualified to take over for Hegseth at Fox News, should it come to that.) At the time of the Kavanaugh hearings, opportunistic Democratic partisans said he should withdraw from consideration because he had beennote these wordscredibly accused. One sees that formulation for many public figures of late, from Trump on down to the obscure. The phrase credibly accused entered general circulation through discussions of procedures for dealing with Catholic clergy accused of sexual abuse, and then spread to similar discussions involving other clergy, educators, etc. It retains its sexual characterone does not hear about someone credibly accused of shoplifting or embezzlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the problems with the credibly accused standard is that it is not a standard in any meaningful sense. Kavanaugh was not credibly accused of sexual wrongdoinghe was preposterously accused of misdeeds that almost certainly were invented, and his accusers were not credible inasmuch as their accounts ranged from the vague and inconsistent to the demonstrably untrue. But a credible accusation is, in the partisan mind, any accusation that is useful. Treating unproven allegations as disqualifying in and of themselveseven in the case of such an obvious miscreant as Matt Gaetzestablishes or, rather, deepens, the corrosive precedent set in the Thomas and Kavanaugh cases. If we reward people for lies, or for claims irresponsibly made, then we can expect more dishonesty and more irresponsibility. Because we live in debased times, the normal defense against such public misbehaviorthe shame and infamy of being exposed as a fraud and a toolno longer apply. One can make a sort of career out of having credibly accused the right target, even if the claim was transparently false. As Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York put it in a different context, it is more important to be on the right team than to stick to the facts. At the same time, there are matters of character that sometimes will need to be litigated in public life even in circumstances in which we do not have access to the kind of evidentiary standards and procedural protections that would be appropriate in a court of law. If we could rely on people in positions of trust to be sensible about the credibly part, that would be less of a problem. But think of all the preposterous things Donald Trump has accused people of, and of the sometimes preposterous things that Trump has been accused of beyond all of the literal felonies and noncriminal misbehavior of which he is demonstrably guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who do you imagine is the wisest man or woman in the Senate? To think about that question, even for a minute, is to understand why credibly accused cannot be a working standard in our time. Editors Note, November 22, 2024: Fox News has asked us to remind our readers that Pete Hegseth is a former Fox News personality, having left his position there when Trump nominated him for defense secretary. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Mayor Stephanie Terry announced the launch of the Fight Blight program, aimed at identifying and rehabilitating blighted properties throughout Evansville and asked for the publics help in the programs first phase. We have a number of properties across Evansville that are vacant, abandoned, or in other ways beyond repair, Mayor Terry said. Fight Blight is aimed at identifying those properties and either rehabilitating or re-developing as many as possible, so that we remove these hazardous eyesores from our neighborhoods and bring them back as safe, stable homes or businesses that residents are proud to have in their neighborhoods. Officials say earlier this year, during the budget process, Mayor Terry announced plans to allocate $550,000 in American Rescue Plan Act interest funds to blight removal. The first phase of Fight Blight will utilize some of those funds to raze 23 properties that the Building Commission already has slated for demolition, but ran out of funding to take down in 2024. Over the course of 2025, city officials expect to be able to use those funds to raze at least 150 structures nearly three times as many as will be razed in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Otters announce youngest General Manager in team history At the same time, Mayor Terry is asking residents to help create a database of blighted properties in the community. If there is a property in a neighborhood that is vacant, abandoned, boarded up or that otherwise exhibits objectively determinable signs of deterioration sufficient to constitute a threat to human health, safety and public welfare, residents are asked to email the propertys address along with the condition of the house and, if the resident is able, a photograph to blight@evansville.in.gov. This will get the property into the citys database, and begin the process of inspecting it and determining if it meets the qualifications of a blighted property. Free citizenship prep class to begin in January at Ivy Tech The first step in solving any problem is having a thorough understanding of the problem, Mayor Terry said. Were asking the public to help us identify as many blighted properties as possible to help ensure we have a full grasp of the scope of this issue, which will allow us to move forward with a strategic and intentional effort to remediate the blight in our community which is a critical element in our neighborhood revitalization efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, once city officials have had the opportunity to inspect the identified properties, those properties that meet the qualifications for either demolition or rehabilitation through Fight Blight will be prioritized based on their condition, as well as by their location. Properties in the worst condition, as well as clusters of properties that, when added together, can make a significant impact on a neighborhood, will be first in line for possible remediation. So while not all properties identified will be able to see immediate cleanup, city officials will use the ARPA interest funds, as well as additional funds budgeted in 2025 for the Land Bank and for land acquisition, to make as large an impact as possible. This isnt a problem well solve in one year, or even two or three, Mayor Terry said. But we are committed to neighborhood revitalization, and these properties along with being a drain on their neighborhoods are dangers to anyone who enters, including police who may have enter due to criminal activity or firefighters battling a structure fire. They also represent uncollected property tax dollars, which could be invested back into our 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Ending chronic disease. Restoring the nations farmland. Protecting the environment. Curbing corporate power. Taking on Big Pharma. These are goals straight out of a progressive policy playbook. Theyre also Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s. But some of the most withering criticism Kennedy has faced since President-elect Donald Trump named him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services has come from activists on the left even though having an ally at HHS could be one of progressives only opportunities to advance their agenda next year. With few exceptions, progressive groups interested in food and drug policy say they put little faith in Kennedy given his penchant for anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and alliance with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy is not remotely qualified, said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a group that, like Kennedy, has long pushed for greater regulation of unhealthy foods. Nominating an anti-vaxxer like Kennedy to HHS is like putting a Flat Earther at the head of NASA, Lurie added in a statement. The vociferousness of the opposition from the left suggests Kennedy wont be able to rely on Democratic votes in the Senate to get his nomination over the line. He could need some, given Republicans narrow majority and concern in the GOP caucus about Kennedys support for more environmental and agricultural regulation and for abortion rights. Some, like Angela Huffman, president of Farm Action, a group that shares Kennedys views linking corporate food production practices to disease, hope for a productive relationship. She sees great areas of opportunity with Kennedy at HHS. But most activists dont share her optimism. They are worried that Kennedy could severely damage public health if he follows through on his pledge to fire hundreds of civil servants or uses his platform to spread misinformation about vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You need to build a civil service thats further immune from corporate influence but also political influence. RFK Jr.s antipathy toward the medical and scientific establishment will put him in an adversarial relationship with the scientists who work at HHS, said Jeff Hauser, executive director of the Revolving Door Project, a government watchdog group that shares Kennedys goal of rooting out corporate influence. Protect Our Care, a left-of-center group that lobbies to protect Obamacare, which Kennedy would manage if hes confirmed, is already moving to press senators to block him. The organization recently launched a Stop RFK War Room aimed at mobilizing grassroots opposition. This is someone whose views are so anathema to public health, said Brad Woodhouse, the groups executive director. We want to create enough noise around why we think he shouldnt be the HHS secretary that we either force Trump to withdraw him or defeat him. Public Citizen, the consumer advocacy group founded by Ralph Nader that has long decried pharma influence over drug approvals, as Kennedy has, called him a clear and present danger to the nations health who shouldnt be allowed in the HHS building, let alone placed in charge in a statement after Trump nominated him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups co-president, Robert Weissman, told POLITICO he simply doesnt believe Trump would allow Kennedy to crack down on corporate influence over the regulators. Whether its going to be overt or not, the deal for getting the nomination is not doing anything in [a progressive] direction, he said. Kennedy once had many allies on the left. A scion of one of Americas most famous Democratic families, groups he led helped clean up the Hudson River and protect it from pollution. Time magazine called him a hero of the planet in a 1999 cover story. But his shift into anti-vaccine advocacy in more recent years, pushing the discredited claim that vaccines are dangerous and cause autism, had made him a pariah among establishment Democrats even before he sought the partys nomination for president last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That distaste grew stronger this year when he decided to instead launch an independent presidential bid, and still more when he threw his support to Trump in August. Kennedy also made enemies on the left in 2021 when he published a best-selling book painting the Biden administrations response to the Covid pandemic as a conspiracy to enrich pharmaceutical companies. You have to worry that hes not going to make good decisions, said Dr. Ashish Jha, who led the Covid response for President Joe Biden and now heads the Brown University School of Public Health. No Democratic senators have said theyll vote to confirm Kennedy. If he gets the HHS job, Democratic lawmakers aligned with him on issues like regulatory capture and environmental regulation suggested they would work with him toward common goals while also voicing concerns. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), for instance, said she would do what I need to do to advance her constituents interests, while also saying Kennedy would be a real threat to public health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) posted a video to X this week in which he delivered a script that sounded like something Kennedy would say, decrying unhealthy food. Kennedy thanked him. But Booker told POLITICO hes skeptical that a Trump administration would work toward progressive goals around regulation of food ingredients and promotion of good nutrition. That was a common concern among groups that share Kennedys views on food and its connection to disease that Kennedy would not be able to overcome objections within his own party to policies advancing their shared goals, or navigate HHS massive bureaucracy given his lack of managerial experience. Oh my God, has he ever seen a Federal Register notice? Does he know what you have to do to write one of those? wondered Marion Nestle, a professor at New York University and longtime critic of the nations food system who nonetheless hopes Kennedy can make some headway. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is a rare exception in his enthusiasm for Kennedy. He wrote on the social media platform X shortly after Trump named Kennedy that he was excited by the pick and that he was looking forward to partnering with him to truly make America healthy again. Polis was roundly condemned by fellow Democrats. Chelsea Cirruzzo contributed to this report. Donald Trumps transition team has rejected a push to install a prominent Project 2025 author in a senior role at the Department of Health and Human Services over concerns that his strident anti-abortion views would prove too controversial. Anti-abortion groups had been lobbying Trumps HHS secretary nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to select Roger Severino, a longtime anti-abortion stalwart, as the departments deputy secretary. The installation of Severino, director of HHS Office for Civil Rights during the first Trump administration, was aimed at allaying some of the groups concerns about Kennedys abortion record. But senior Trump officials rejected Severino because of the anti-abortion policies he outlined in the health care section of Project 2025 the Heritage Foundations roadmap for a second Trump presidency that became a lightning rod on the campaign trail according to six people familiar with the situation, granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. Some of them worried Severino's nomination would further inflame fears among voters and moderate Republican lawmakers that Trump might widely restrict abortion access, distracting from the rest of the president-elect's agenda, though they added that Trump officials remain open to appointing other anti-abortion officials at HHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project 2025s health care section, among other things, detailed creative ways to curtail abortion access short of Congress passing a national abortion ban. Abortion was a thorn in Trumps side on the campaign trail but ultimately was eclipsed by Americans broader frustrations about the economy and the state of the nation. Heritage was lobbying hard, one of the people said. But the internal feeling was that [Trump campaign manager Chris] LaCivita and that crew had spent a lot of political capital trying to kill Project 2025 and they didnt want to do this because that would be going backwards. Its the first major rejection of a Trump administration hopeful involved in Project 2025, which Democrats used to bludgeon the president-elect during the campaign even going so far as to have a giant sized version printed and bound to use as a prop during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this summer. And it comes amid criticism from some Trump allies that Kennedy who has said every abortion is a tragedy but that he identifies as pro-choice and supports a womans right to choose is not sufficiently anti-abortion. Severino could still find a spot elsewhere in the administration, some of the people cautioned, and Trump is always a threat to reverse his own advisers' decisions and install him at HHS or elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the apparent rejection deals a major blow to the anti-abortion movement and social conservatives, who have been pressing Kennedy and the Trump transition team for assurances that they will install an anti-abortion advocate to a high-level health post and establish a baseline level of anti-abortion policies. Severinos rejection underscores the sensitivity of the abortion issue, even after Trumps sweeping electoral victory. Anti-abortion groups had even enlisted several prominent conservatives in their lobbying effort, including conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, conservative attorney Harmeet Dhillon and Mollie Hemingway, editor-in-chief at the Federalist. Severino is one of the smartest people and best tacticians I've met in DC and he's been a stalwart on the Trump agenda even under intense pressure, Hemingway wrote on the social media site X. Also Trump could use a bona fide social conservative in a high level position. He'd be the right pick for that. Severino referred questions to the Trump transition team, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a string of tweets Thursday morning, he thanked Shapiro, Dhillon and Hemingway for their support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are folks in the transition team that want him, and everyone in the pro-life movement thinks hes terrific, a second person said. Severinos rejection stands out in a sea of other confirmed or potential Trump administration appointees. Trump on Monday picked Brendan Carr, who wrote Project 2025s chapter on the Federal Communications Commission, to helm that agency, and last week picked Heritage Foundation fellow and Project 2025 contributor Tom Homan as his so-called border czar. And Russ Vought, who wrote Project 2025s chapter on the Executive Office of the President, is thought to be in the running to again run the Office of Management and Budget. In addition to an anti-abortion appointee, social conservatives are pushing for the return of several Trump-era abortion rules, including the so-called Mexico City policy that blocked federal funding for international non-governmental organizations that provide or offer counseling on abortions. Theyre also seeking abortion restrictions on federal family-planning clinics and a federal ban on discriminating against health care entities that refuse to cover abortion services or refer patients for the procedure when taxpayer dollars are involved. They also want to see the Trump administration rescind the policies President Joe Biden implemented that expanded abortion access, such as the update to HIPAA privacy rules to cover abortions, as well as FDA rules making abortion pills available by mail and at retail pharmacies. HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) Maryland state lawmakers are anticipating their upcoming session of the General Assembly with major concerns about the budget. The Washington County Chamber of Commerce hosted a briefing from the western Maryland legislative delegation Wednesday during which leaders of the regions business community were informed that a $2.3 billion deficit confronts senators and delegates when they convene in Annapolis this January. Delegate William Wivell (R Washington & Frederick counties) fears that the deficit could actually be twice as high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police identify man killed in Upper Marlboro shooting; officers investigating The largest projected deficit in the history of the state, he explained. Even greater than during the recession we experienced back in 2008. To try and avoid raising taxes, Maryland raised some fees but that also placed burdens on families, explained William Valentine (R), another delegate from Washington and Frederick counties. Youre now paying $350 for a registered vehicle for two years in the State of Maryland, Valentine told the chamber briefing. Budget cuts also concern Senator Paul Corderman (R Washington County) who said there is an urgent need to fund the widening of the congested Interstate 81 in his district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers also pondered the possibility that the incoming Trump administration will gut the federal workforce, 160,000 of whom call Maryland their home. Western Maryland Senator Mike McKay (R Washington, Garrett & Allegany counties) said if something along those lines is planned, he would advise relocating many of them from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to western Maryland. Id love to be able to host some of those jobs, said McKay. There is no doubt about it. They can come work and play and live in western Maryland. The 2025 General Assembly session will conclude in April. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Prolec GE Shreveport held an event to showcase the facilitys expanded manufacturing capacity. The event celebrated a new production line to increase productivity for electricity generation, transmission and distribution. The event was called Transform Together: Facility Expansion Unveiling. The celebration included key speakers and a tour of the new production line of 3-phase pad-mounted transformers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana, upgrade to REAL ID or risk not flying The CEO of Prolec GE, Ricardo Suarez, said, this new line will lets say Aim to support mainly the industrial but more likely the renewable kind of segment of the electrical grid. Suarez says Prolec GE is a strong partnership between two world-class organizations, Xignux, a privately owned Mexican company, and GE Vernova. Were scaling up capabilities to meet the unprecedented demand for transformers. this expansion increases our production capacity by 20% positioning us to better serve the U.S. in support of its early transition goals, said Juan Ignacio Garza Herrera, CEO of Xignux. Prolec GE Shreveport expands with commitment to innovation, sustainability - xignux (1) Ceo of GE Vernova, Scott Strazik, said the next 20 years will bring an economic cycle requiring investment in energy transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When done right, those investments into the electric power system, are investments in jobs, theyre investments in manufacturing, it creates U.S. energy security which relates to just national security, said Strazik. Prolec GE has made a $34 million investment in expansion with new technology and reformatting the layout to create space for the line- a line that will increase jobs and economic growth. Mayor Tom Arceneaux said, Prolec GE isnt just building transformers, theyre building bridges to a sustainable future, connecting renewable energy resources to the grid safely and reliably. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. A Mexican cartel leader, who peddled thousands of kilograms of illegal drugs to the U.S., was killed by a business associate for lying or at least thats what the public was told. According to prosecutors, Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa, a 37-year-old high-ranking official in the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, faked his own death to avoid Mexican authorities and lived a life of luxury in California. He was arrested on Tuesday in Riverside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutierrez-Ochoa and the son-in-law of the CJNGs leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, are now facing international drug trafficking and money laundering charges in federal court. Americans urged to be cautious in Mexico after arrest of El Mayo Court documents state that Gutierrez-Ochoa began working for CJNG, which prosecutors called one of the most violent of Mexicos cartels, in 2014. Starting then, he coordinated the transportation and distribution of about 40,000 kilograms of methamphetamine and approximately 2,000 kilograms of cocaine in Mexico. All of those illegal drugs were destined for the U.S., prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say that Gutierrez-Ochoa allegedly used violence to further his drug trafficking. In November 2021, he allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy after the wife of El Mencho was arrested by authorities. He was sought out by authorities and eventually fled to California and purchased a luxury home in Riverside under a fake name. The funds used to purchase that Riverside house were proceeds from CJNGs drug trafficking operations, prosecutors say. Court documents say El Mencho may have helped Gutierrez-Ochoa in his scheme by helping him fake his own death. El Mencho allegedly told associates he killed Gutierrez-Ochoa for lying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutierrez-Ochoa fled to the U.S. to be with El Menchos daughter, prosecutors say. As of Thursday, El Mencho remains at-large as a fugitive and faces several high-level charges from U.S. prosecutors. The U.S. Department of State is offering up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. Prosecutors say Gutierrez-Ochoa is being charged with conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, knowing, intending, and having reasonable cause to believe that those controlled substances would be unlawfully imported into the United States, as well as conspiracy to launder CJNGs drug trafficking proceeds. If convicted, he can face life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jalisco Cartel one of the worlds most violent and prolific drug trafficking organizations is weaker today because of the tenacious efforts of law enforcement to track down and arrest a cartel leader who allegedly faked his own death and assumed a false identity to evade justice and live a life of luxury in California, said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. As these charges allege, Gutierrez-Ochoa directed the trafficking of lethal narcotics, causing untold destruction in our communities. To those seeking to harm Americans and to profit from their pain, this arrest should serve as a reminder we will find you and bring you to justice. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. HONOLULU (KHON2) Hawaiis sharks are a bit of both legend and mystery. From Kamohoalii, the Hawaiian god with a sharks head, to the modern-day research that uncovers their crucial role in ocean ecosystems, sharks have long been woven into the fabric of Native Hawaiian culture and scientific inquiry. Revered as sacred protectors and feared as predators, these creatures continue to capture our imaginations while also playing a vital part in maintaining the balance of marine life. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You As part of the Friends of the Waikiki Aquariums Tim Guard Distinguished Lecture Series, Dr. Meyer will delve into the fascinating discoveries his research has uncovered about sharks and their critical role in ocean ecosystems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Meyers journey into marine biology was sparked by a childhood fascination with the ocean. I grew up on a small island, and Ive never lived more than a mile from the ocean, he explained. His early love for fishing and fish naturally led him to his career as a marine biologist. Even when I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a marine biologist, Dr. Meyer said. That dream stayed with me as I pursued it all the way through to where I am today. However, he acknowledged with a chuckle that his career path didnt unfold exactly as he had imagined. Sadly, I didnt realize I was going to become a desk-bound bureaucrat when I was having those childhood dreams, he joked. Despite the occasional detour into administrative work, Dr. Meyers research has focused on some of the most important aspects of marine biology today with a specific emphasis on sharks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharks, often misunderstood as mindless predators due to sensationalized portrayals in media, are vital to the health of ocean ecosystems. Sharks are apex predators, Dr. Meyer explained, and they play an important role in food web dynamics. He elaborated, saying that sharks presence in the ocean helps regulate other species, ensuring a balanced and healthy marine environment. Because of their activities, the rest of the food chain is healthier, he added Sharks importance is not just biological, but also tied to their survival in a rapidly changing environment. Dr. Meyer has pointed out that sharks are facing unprecedented challenges due to human activities, particularly overfishing and bycatch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our modern age, sharks actually face more threats than at any other time in history, he said. Industrial fishing has put them in a perilous position. If shark populations are overexploited and their numbers dwindle, it could have cascading negative effects on the entire marine ecosystem. Thats why its so important to conserve these predators, Dr. Meyer stressed. Dr. Meyer is offering a free lecture that will highlight some of his groundbreaking research on shark survival strategies which provide key insights into how sharks adapt to the challenges of their environment. Weve uncovered some really unexpected findings in our studies, Dr. Meyer shared. Were learning more and more about how sharks survive in this challenging ocean environment, and what role they play in maintaining balance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These discoveries have become an important tool in advancing conservation efforts aimed at protecting shark populations and reducing human-shark conflicts. Dr. Meyers research also explores practical solutions for mitigating shark-human conflicts, such as shark bites and the accidental capture of sharks in commercial fishing nets. One of the things Ill be discussing is how we can reduce the number of shark bites on people, he said. Its also crucial to address issues like shark bycatch, where sharks are accidentally caught during fishing operations, and catch depredation, where sharks damage fish catches. These problems not only harm sharks but also threaten the livelihoods of fishermen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Meyer emphasized the importance of making these issues accessible to the general public and stressed that the lecture would be engaging for everyone from keiki to professionals. This lecture is really tailored to engage the general public, he said. Anybody with an interest in sharks, ocean activities, or fishing can come and learn something new. He assured that the content would avoid getting bogged down in overly technical details in order to make it accessible to a wide range of audiences. For those considering a career in marine biology, Dr. Meyer offered advice on how to stand out in a highly competitive field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to work hard in school and focus on subjects like science and math, he said. But its also really important to gain practical experience in marine activities. Dr. Meyer encourages students to seek out opportunities to volunteer at local aquariums or for agencies involved in marine research. When youre looking for a job or applying to grad school, its important to have that practical experience on your resume. It helps set you apart, he explained. Dr. Meyer himself receives hundreds of inquiries each year from aspiring marine biologists hoping to join his lab. He said this underscores the competition in the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking back at his own journey, Dr. Meyer reflected on how his deep connection with the ocean and his scientific education have shaped his career. Its a combination of working hard in school and gaining life experience in the marine world that helps you succeed, he said. The more you understand the science, the more you can appreciate what youre seeing out there in the ocean. Dr. Meyers lecture on Nov. 21 will offer a rare opportunity to hear firsthand about the latest advancements in shark research and their implications for conservation. With sharks facing threats from all directions overfishing, habitat loss and negative public perceptions Dr. Meyers work has never been more relevant. His insights will provide a deeper understanding of these misunderstood creatures and the critical role they play in maintaining the health of our oceans. The lecture is an important step in fostering a more sustainable coexistence between sharks and humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event is free to the public, and those interested in learning more can visit the Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium website for further details. Dr. Meyers lecture will offer an engaging and informative look at the secret lives of sharks in order to shed light on these fascinating creatures that play such an important role in the natural world. The lecture, titled Science Reveals the Secret Lives of Sharks, will take place at the University of Hawaiis Art Building in Honolulu on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. As Dr. Meyer aptly put it, We live in an exciting time of discovery when it comes to understanding sharks, and its an exciting opportunity for everyone to be a part of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 This lecture promises to deepen our understanding of sharks and inspire a greater respect for these apex predators who help maintain the balance of life in our oceans. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Protesters gathered outside Rockfords second abortion clinic on its opening day. Midwest Reproductive Health opened its location at the former Animal Emergency Clinic, at 4236 Maray Drive, on Wednesday. The clinic offers medication-based abortions, free emergency contraception, counseling, and education. Members of the pro-life Rockford Family Initiative lined the sidewalk with signs condemning abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers of the protest said they want expectant mothers to know there are alternatives to abortion available. We are here to offer moms love and support and help, resources they need to choose life. But, also, to pray for our community that we as a people love each other and dont look at the ending of a human life, the killing of a baby in the womb, as an answer to difficult situations, Rockford Family Initiative president Kevin Rilott said. Midwest Reproductive Health is the citys second clinic to offer abortion services. The Rockford Family Planning Center offers medication abortions at 611 Auburn Street. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Randy Christmann, center, chair of the Public Service Commission, delivers remarks prior to a panel discussion on data centers next to other members of the commission, Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, left, and Julie Fedorchak, right, in the Pioneer Room at the Capitol on Aug. 1, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Wednesday approved a proposed power line over the objection of one commissioner who questioned the need for the project. The $440 million, 85-mile transmission line from Jamestown to Ellendale would be paid for in part by customers of Otter Tail Power and Montana-Dakota Utilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent heard the justification yet, Commission Chair Randy Christman said before the 2-1 vote to approve the project. He called concerns about yet-to-be-built power generation in the area needing more transmission capacity premature. My understanding here is these problems dont really exist, Christmann said. Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, participating from Washington, D.C., as she prepares to start her term representing North Dakota in Congress, argued that there were some immediate benefits to the area in relieving power congestion. Christmann said the Applied Digital data center at Ellendale, which is expanding, was already providing demand to help relieve the congestion, but that the companys power needs were not being considered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By approving the 345-kilovolt line, MDU customers will pay an additional 12.3 cents per month and Otter Tail customers about 17.7 cents per month. These are costs that rate payers are going to be paying for 40 years, Christmann said. Since it is part of a regional effort to improve power line capacity, utility customers in other states will also help pay for the project. North Dakota will be expected to help pay for projects in other states, too, Christmann said after the meeting. If all the projects in the 14-state region were approved, MDU customers would pay an additional $3.15 per month and Otter Tail customers about $5.75 per month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart voted for the project and said the cost allocations among the states are not finalized. This story has been updated to correct the costs per customer. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE EDITORS NOTE: This story includes vulgarity quoted from a witness. Reader discretion is advised. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Day three of The State of Texas v. Ryan Joaquin Renfroe saw employees of the pub a man was fatally shot next to and a close friend of the deceased take the stand. San Angelo Police Department detective testifies The first individual called to testify on day three was San Angelo Police Department detective Jason Chegwidden. Chegwidden was dispatched to an alley north of Fat Boss Pub on Jan. 1 to aid in law enforcements investigation of a shooting incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chegwidden stated that he applied for a search warrant for Renfroes truck, which was located in the alley where Jakob Jones died. The search warrant authorized him to search for a gun capable of causing death, spent bullet casings, human tissues, clothes that bore gunshot residue and gunshot residue in the vehicle. Chegwidden said that after obtaining the search warrant, he searched the vehicle alongside another SAPD detective. A gun, a gun holster and a black wallet were uncovered during the search. Three clips of body camera footage filmed by Chegwidden while he searched the vehicle were then played. During questioning from the State and defense regarding the footage, Chegwidden stated that the vehicle was running, its keys were in the ignition and the drivers side window was rolled partially down prior to the search. Pub manager takes the stand Bianca Rodriguez, the manager of Fat Boss Pub during the time of the shooting incident, testified following Chegwidden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez told the jury upon questioning from the State that Renfroe, despite not being scheduled to work during the pubs New Years Eve hours, clocked in and began to work. She said that Renfroe was permitted to continue working provided he clocked out once Christopher Torson, the doorman scheduled to work, arrived for his shift. She said that Renfroe obliged. Rodriguez stated that following the pubs closure at 2 a.m. on New Years Day, she heard pops from outside the business. Believing them to be gunshots, she warned those inside the pub about the noise. She said that a pub employee then entered the pub and stated that Renfroe had shot someone. Rodriguez exited the pub from its back door and saw an individual deceased on the ground approximately 10 steps away from the doorstep. Rodriguez stated that she stayed near the man, identified as Jones, until law enforcement arrived. She testified that she did not know Jones personally and that she did not witness any individuals attempt to tamper with the body while she awaited the arrival of law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When questioned by the State, Rodriguez stated that there were no cameras in the alley nor were there external lights on the outside of the building during the time of the shooting. She also said that Renfroe had asked her earlier in the month of December 2023 whether there were any cameras located in the alley after her car had been keyed, a question that she said she answered truthfully and believed to be innocent at the time it was asked. Friend of deceased testifies Later in the trial, 18-year-old Jase Wilson, a friend of Jones who was present during the road rage incident and the shooting incident, was called to testify. Wilson told the jury that the road rage incident that sparked the arguments that would lead to the death of Jones occurred after Renfroe allegedly ran a red light while crossing over an overpass and through the intersection of Main Street and East 6th Street. Wilson stated that Jones vehicle, which was driven by Jones and occupied by himself and other people, was almost struck by Renfroe as a result. Wilson stated that Renfroe then rolled down his window, put his hand outside of it and made an obscene gesture. He said that Jones began to tailgate Renfroe 3 to 5 feet behind his vehicle for a time. He stated that the road rage incident ended when Jones vehicle shut off for an unknown reason on East Harris Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Facebook messages sent between Renfroe and Wilson were later displayed for the jury during the trial. Wilson stated that he initiated an online messaging conversation with Renfroe after discovering that Jones had reposted a Facebook post made by Renfroe that targeted Jones. Multiple of these messages were sent on Dec. 31. Upon questioning from the defense, Wilson stated that many of the messages he sent could be perceived as threatening in nature. Both Wilson and Renfroe sent at least one message each regarding meeting each other at specific locations. In regard to the shooting, Wilson stated that he, Jones, Cody Chambers and Hyven Laurance met at Chambers home on New Years Eve to purchase and set off fireworks. He stated that the group, traveling in Chambers pickup, would at one point go to downtown San Angelo to allow Chambers to purchase a drink from a bar. he stated that this bar would be closed. Wilson said that the group would then go to the alley north of Fat Boss Pub, stating upon questioning that the group knew of the location due to Renfroe inviting them to it. He also stated that Jones desired to go to the location to fight Renfroe and that Jones had begun to find the arguments tiring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He didnt want the drama anymore, Wilson said. Wilson stated that the group arrived at the alleyway in Chambers truck at 2:57 a.m. on New Years Day. He said that their vehicle drove past Renfroes and that Renfroe could be heard saying, Im right here, motherfer, as they drove past, adding that he was able to hear this statement due to his and Renfroes windows being rolled down at the time. Wilson said that Jones exited their truck unarmed before the vehicle had stopped and began to approach Renfroe, stating lets fight. The defense later stated that Wilsons hearing of this statement was not recorded in Wilsons written statement taken following the shooting incident. He stated none of the other occupants of Chambers pickup left the vehicle, adding that he observed what transpired in the alley by watching it with his head outside of a window of the truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson stated that Jones observed that Renfroe was wielding a firearm and attempted to wrestle it away from him, repeatedly saying no, stop, in the process. He said that Renfroe then shot Jones, after which Jones began grabbing his abdomen from the front side of his body. He said Renfroe then shot Jones again and that Jones fell to the ground afterward. Wilson said that the occupants of Chambers vehicle then left the alley and drove to the police station. He said that he called 911 during this drive. Security camera footage taken from the time of the shooting incident was played during Wilsons time on the stand. Footage with no audio taken from a Chadbourne Tavern camera mounted to observe the taverns front patio showed Chambers pickup entering the alley, after which an individual can be seen exiting the vehicle. Wilson identified this person as Jones. Later in the footage, two flashes of light can be seen emitting from the alley. The man Wilson identified as Jones then could be seen falling to the ground, after which Chambers vehicle could be observed driving away from the alley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage pulled from a separate camera that recorded audio recorded the sound of two banging noises emanating near a road in downtown San Angelo. Following the noises, Chambers vehicle could be seen driving down this road while an individual shouts. Wilson identified this voice as his own, stating that he was urging Chambers to drive following 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 Law enforcement testifies in New Years Day murder trial Trial begins for man accused of New Years Day murder Pre-Trial Coverage Grand jury indicts man for New Years killing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has stated that following Ukraines use of Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike Russian territory, the conflict has acquired "elements of a global nature". Source: Putin, in a statement broadcast by Russian media Details: Putin claimed that Ukraine cannot operate Western-supplied long-range weapons independently and requires "the direct involvement of military specialists from the countries that manufacture such weapons". According to him, the use of US- and UK-produced missiles against Russia has turned "a regional conflict into one with global elements". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin also remarked that Russias future deployment of intermediate- and short-range missiles (such as the Oreshnik missile he mentioned during his speech) would depend on the actions of the US and "its satellites". Quote: "The targets for future tests of our latest missile systems will be determined by us based on threats to the Russian Federation. We believe we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities in countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities. In the event of an escalation in hostilities, we will respond decisively and reciprocally". Background: Putin stated that the Russians used an Oreshnik medium-range missile during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November. On 17 November, US media reported that Ukrainian authorities had received US authorisation to use long-range missiles against military targets located in the Russian rear. Support UP or become our patron! Russian leader Vladimir Putin has claimed that in the future, Ukrainian civilians will supposedly be warned about the use of Oreshnik medium-range missiles, one of which struck a facility in Dnipro on the night of 20-21 November. Source: an address by Putin on 21 November Details: Putin said Russia may continue using Oreshnik missiles, and that in future, when "selecting targets on Ukrainian territory if necessary", the Russians will "advise civilians and urge citizens of friendly countries in Ukraine in advance to leave the danger zones". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin leader stated that the Russians would give such warnings openly and without fear, claiming that there are no countermeasures against this weapon. Background: Ukraines Air Force reported that Russia used an ICBM during the morning missile attack on Dnipro on 21 November. Putin claims that Russia used an Oreshnik non-nuclear hypersonic ballistic missile to strike a defence industry facility in Dnipro. Support UP or become our patron! President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Thursday evening that Russia used an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile in a strike on Ukraine and threatened to use the new weapon in more attacks. The Ukrainian Air Force reported the use of the missile in a Russian attack on the industrial city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine on Thursday morning, believing it to be an intercontinental ballistic missile. "All the characteristics - speed, altitude - are those of an intercontinental missile," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video statement. "It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground." According to official reports, there were no injuries in the attack. SEOUL, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a North Korean zoo more than 70 animals including an African lion, two brown bears and two yaks, Russia's environment ministry reported, amid growing military ties between the two countries. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov delivered over 70 animals to the Pyongyang Zoo, the ministry said in a press release Wednesday. The menagerie was flown to North Korea on a Russian government plane and escorted by veterinarians from the Moscow Zoo. The collection of animals also included five cockatoos, 25 pheasants and 40 mandarin ducks, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Cooperation between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is not only about economics, trade and industry," Kozlov said, using the official name of North Korea. "There is also a long list of environmental projects. Now, the friendship between the Moscow and Pyongyang Zoos has been added." Kozlov led a delegation to Pyongyang this week and had a one-on-one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who called for a closer scientific and economic relationship between the isolated regimes. The two sides reached a new economic cooperation agreement, North Korean state media reported Thursday, although details of the arrangement were sparse. Russia's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov (C) oversaw the delivery of the animals while leading a delegation to Pyongyang. Kozlov and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met for a one-on-one meeting on Monday. Photo courtesy of Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Pyongyang has been assisting Moscow in its war against Ukraine by sending munitions and, more recently, troops to Russia. Washington has estimated that roughly 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have occupied hundreds of square miles since a surprise incursion in August. The U.S. State Department last week confirmed that the North's troops had begun combat operations, a conclusion echoed by Seoul's spy agency. In addition to an African lion, Putin also provided cockatoos, pheasants and mandarin ducks amid growing military ties between the two countries. Photo courtesy of Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment In an address to the European parliament Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the North Korean troop contingent could swell to 100,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Korea's National Intelligence Service told lawmakers this week that North Korea has also begun sending long-range artillery systems to Russia, including 170mm self-propelled howitzers and 240mm multiple rocket launchers. Both Russia and North Korea are under heavy international sanctions, but the military cooperation is believed to be delivering much-needed funding to Pyongyang via weapons sales and payments for troops. South Korean officials have raised concerns over Moscow sharing missile and nuclear technology with Pyongyang as well. The NIS said last week that North Korea's new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile, test-fired on Oct. 31, could have been developed with Russian technical assistance. Moscow and Pyongyang have grown closer since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The two sides signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June, which includes a defense clause that calls for mutual military assistance in the event either country is attacked. The zoo animals were not the first gift from Putin to North Korea amid warming relations. In August, the Russian president reportedly sent Kim two dozen purebred horses as thanks for supplying artillery shells. He also gave the North Korean leader, known to love luxury cars, a Russian-made Aurus limousine on two separate occasions. Russias unprecedented use of a massive ballistic missile against a city in central Ukraine is a message to Kyiv and its allies, and shows the war is escalating in unpredictable ways with just two months left in the Biden administration. In the early morning on Thursday, Russia struck Dnipro, an industrial city on the Dnieper River, with a weapon that has not previously been seen in nearly three years of war. Incoming President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end Russias war in Ukraine, and members of his team have said they are willing to force Kyiv to cede occupied land to Moscow and cut off military support to reach a deal. The attack signals an effort by the Kremlin to limit room for maneuver by President Joe Biden, who has authorized the use of key U.S. weapons systems by Ukraine including tactical missiles and anti-personnel mines in the hope of shoring up its defensive capabilities ahead of Trumps inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia struck the Yuzhmash plant [a munitions manufacturer] in Dnipro city with a non-nuclear hypersonic ballistic missile, Oreshnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address. He also left the door open for strikes outside Ukraine: Russia considers itself entitled to use weapons against facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against Russian facilities. While Putins statement is ambiguous, his message is clear: If allies continue to arm Ukraine, the conflict involving a nuclear power could spin out of control, and Russia might feel compelled to attack the U.S. or a NATO member. Videos of the strike in Dnipro show a series of six clusters of munitions breaking through the clouds over Dnipro on a rapid ballistic trajectory. Today, there was a new Russian rocket, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address from his official account on the messaging service Telegram. Today, our crazy neighbor once again showed what he really is and how he despises dignity, freedom, and peoples lives in general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said that the militarys analysis of the characteristics of the weapon, including its speed and the altitude it reached on its trajectory, indicated it was an intercontinental ballistic missile. There is no previous record of a Russian missile dubbed Oreshnik, and it is common for the Kremlin to intentionally muddy the waters over its weapons systems and capabilities. According to initial analysis by military analysts who spoke to Rolling Stone, the weapon used appears to have been some version of an RS-26 Rubezh ballistic missile a 40-ton solid-fuel multi-stage missile carrying multiple re-entry vehicles, which reaches velocities in excess of 20 times the speed of sound and is capable of striking thousands of miles from its launch point. The RS-26 is designed to carry out nuclear attacks. The weapon used against Dnipro appears to have carried multiple warheads with conventional explosives. While it may seem like splitting hairs to worry about which specific type of missile was used against a civilian population center, it can be important both for understanding capabilities and also in terms of messaging. Because of some uncertainty about the RS-26 and its derivatives, experts debate whether it should be classified as an intermediate-range or intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). This technical debate is based on the range of the weapon there is data that the RS-26 is capable of reaching up to 5,800 kilometers (3,600 miles), which surpasses the 5,500-kilometer range used to define an ICBM in some international nuclear disarmament treaties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has relevance to the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, an anti-proliferation agreement from which the U.S. withdrew in 2019 over allegations Russia was not complying with a prohibition of developing missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 km including the RS-26. In response, Russia also withdrew from the treaty. A correspondent for Reuters reported that U.S. officials believe the weapon was an intermediate-range missile, and not an ICBM. If Russia had used an ICBM, the Kremlin would have been required to notify Washington of the launch in advance, under a treaty governing strategic nuclear weapons, known as New START. As a general principle, most national security professionals agree it is suboptimal for the leaders of nuclear powers to be surprised and uncertain whether a missile launched by an adversary carries a nuclear warhead or not. The White House also has cause to downplay the issue. The strike comes after it was reported earlier this week that Biden had authorized Ukraine to use American-supplied tactical missiles, known as ATACMS, against targets inside Russia for the first time since the start of the conflict in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin addressed the decision obliquely: The conflict in Ukraine has signs of a global war after attacks with long-range Western-made missiles on Russia, because they cannot be launched without the help of manufacturers. But there are indeed undisputed signs of a global war. Bidens ATACMS move was said to be made in response to the deployment of around 10,000 North Korean soldiers to Russia, where they have joined a counteroffensive aimed at ejecting Ukrainian forces from the border province of Kursk. Ukraine had long sought authorization to use these missiles, with a range of 200 miles, against targets in Russia to support their offensive in Kursk, and by Tuesday, it was already using them. Although many of Ukraines supporters celebrated Bidens decision, ATACMS are not seen as a game-changer by military professionals, although they do add a useful offensive capability. ATACMS can create favorable military conditions. We disrupted logistics by destroying ammo dumps and bridges in Kursk, destroyed C2 [command and control] nodes, hit a couple battalions that created an operational window. Okay, whats next? Who is going to exploit it? one Ukrainian military source tells Rolling Stone. The setbacks that Ukraine has arent caused by targets which can be neutralized with ATACMS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the ATACMS authorization, Putin on Tuesday announced a change to his countrys nuclear doctrine, saying a conventional attack by a non-nuclear power with the participation or support of a nuclear power would be seen as a joint attack, and that Russia reserved the right to a nuclear response. While Putin has long made a point of highlighting Russias nuclear capabilities in response to military aid supplied to Ukraine by the United States and its NATO allies, Moscow is ratcheting up its rhetoric about nuclear war. Russias new nuclear doctrine means NATO missiles fired against our country could be deemed an attack by the bloc on Russia, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Tuesday. Russia could retaliate with WMD against [Kyiv] and key NATO facilities, wherever theyre located. That means World War III. That nuclear saber rattling was accompanied by a flood of messages on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, which has become a clearinghouse for Russian talking points. It was also echoed by Republican lawmakers, who criticized Bidens decision to authorize ATACMS as counterproductive to Trumps stated goal towards a negotiated peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your recent actions seem to be pushing the world closer to the brink of nuclear war, Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) wrote in a letter to the president. Americans do not want World War III. Analysts note that the strike on Dnipro with the missile, whatever type it may have been, was telegraphed well in advance. Foreign embassies across Kyiv shuttered their doors and halted operations on Wednesday, with the U.S. embassy issuing a statement that it expected a significant air attack. Dont ignore the air alarm. Especially today, warned Boryslav Bereza, a former parliamentarian from the far-right party Right Sector, ahead of the strike. The enemy plans to launch an attack from the Kapustin Yar range (Astrakhan region) with an experimental medium-range ballistic missile, probably the RS-26 Rubezh missile, at an unspecified target on the territory of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack, while unprecedented and escalatory, does not necessarily indicate a new capability. Strategic missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads are not especially accurate, and can only be used against large-area targets like population centers. Notably, officials in Dnipro report no one was killed in the missile strike earlier today. Compare that to a large, widespread strike of more than 200 missiles and drones launched against Ukrainian cities that happened early on Monday, killing and wounding dozens, and inflicting such heavy damage on energy infrastructure that rolling blackouts were implemented across the country. Putin, in his televised address, promised to notify civilians in advance when weapons like the Oreshnik will be launched again. The real reason for the use of the missile was to reinforce brink of nuclear war psychological operations (psyops), a U.S. military source with expertise in the region tells Rolling Stone: If youre so short of capability that you have to waste a strategic resource on a tactical psyop, it seems kinda desperate. The source continues: If the message is, Were running so short of conventional IRBMs [intermediate-range ballistic missiles] that were buying knock-offs from Iran and retro-Frankensteining our top-of-the-line ICBMs to deliver a conventional payload at one-tenth their max range, then cool? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military analysts also question whether the strike indicates we are on a march to nuclear war. There arent that many benefits for Russia to use nuclear weapons. We dont have any concentration of forces that would result in catastrophic damage to units. Killing one battalion with a nuke is irrational from a military standpoint, one Ukrainian analyst, who asked not to be named because of their role handling sensitive information, tells Rolling Stone. They wont use strategic weapons either, because thats a whole different can of worms The risks are too high while the benefits are dubious. I disagree with the assessment that Putin is an irrational actor, says the analyst. He is rational, its just that his rationale is built on incorrect assessments of Ukraine prior to invasion. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Credit: Telegram / dnepr_operativ Vladimir Putin has tested a new hypersonic missile by firing it at Ukraine as he identified Britain as a legitimate target for the Russian military. The weapon, called the Oreshnik, meaning hazelnut, was launched for the first time in response to strikes using British and American-supplied weapons, Putin said on Thursday. We are entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities, Putin said in a surprise televised address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the event of an aggressive escalation, we will respond just as decisively. His threat came after British Storm Shadow cruise missiles were fired into Russia for the first time by Ukraine on Wednesday. Earlier this week, Joe Biden, the US president, also authorised the use of American long-range ATACMS weapons, which were initially used to Russias Bryansk region. Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he intends to fire all the ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles at Russia that the US and Britain have given him. Putin immediately responded to Mr Biden by lowering the threshold of his nuclear doctrine to allow a nuclear response after a conventional missile attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin followed up this move with a series of heavy missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. A salvo fired at the southern city of Dnipro included the Oreshnik. At least two people were injured in the attack. Putin added: In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons, on Nov 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine. In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested, among other things. In this case, with a ballistic missile in a nuclear-free hypersonic equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Zelensky called Russia an insane neighbour for using Ukraine as a missile test site. He said that a new Russian missile with all the parameters, speed and altitude, to match those of an intercontinental ballistic missile had been fired at Ukraine and that his weapons experts were investigating. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing - ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP A Downing Street spokesman called the attack depraved, reckless and escalatory. Putin has been under pressure from hawks in the Kremlin and the Russian media to respond in force to Ukraines attacks on Russia with US and British missiles. On Telegram, these commentators said that Putin had shown restraint but that his warning should be taken seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sergey Markov, a former Kremlin speech writer and pro-war commentator, said that the world could breathe a sigh of relief that Putin had this time not ordered a nuclear strike. But in a super-diplomatic manner, Putin said that Russia now has the right to launch a missile strike on US (and British) targets, Mr Markov said. Ukrainian officials had been briefing through the day that Russia had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time called the RS-26 Rubezh from a launch site in Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea. A boy with dog walks past a memorial at the Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv - GLOBAL IMAGES UKRAINE VIA GETTY/YAN DOBRONOSOV Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But UN weapons inspectors cast doubt on the claims. They said that under an international treaty, the Kremlin was supposed to give the US a 24-hour warning before firing an intercontinental ballistic missile and the RS-26 Rubezh was an unlikely choice of weapon because it had been mothballed in 2018. Andrey Baklitskiy, a weapons of mass destruction senior researcher for the UN, said allegations that Russia had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine dont make a lot of sense given their price and precision and that analysis of the wreckage would reveal the exact type of missile. Russia also declared a Nato missile defence base in Poland as one of its long-term priority targets for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nato opened its missile defence base in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast last week. It fits into an extended missile defence system installed across Europe. It is manned by the US Army although other Nato troops, including British soldiers, may rotate through the facility. Men hold flowers at a memorial on the Day of Dignity and Freedom in Kyiv - GLOBAL IMAGES UKRAINE VIA GETTY/DANYLO ANTONIUK Although construction work started at the base in 2016, six years before the Kremlins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and despite its defensive missile system, Russian foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said that the Kremlin saw it as a threat. The missile defence base in Poland has long been included among the priority targets for potential neutralisation, she said. This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and its allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the frontline running through eastern Ukraine, Russian soldiers continued to take ground using their swarm infantry tactics that overwhelmed Ukrainian defenders. John Healy, the Defence Secretary, told a committee meeting in parliament that the frontline was now more unstable than at any time since 2022. This is a serious moment that I come before the committee, he said in the hearing to mark 1,000 days of war in Ukraine. Defence intelligence will reveal today that the frontline is now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. Putin has ordered his forces to step up attacks along the frontline to capture as much territory as possible before US President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump has said that he wants to impose a peace deal on Ukraine along the frontlines. 08:03 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage. 08:00 PM GMT Putin to blame for escalation, says US The White House has said that Russia has been to blame for escalating at every turn in Ukraine, including by bringing in North Korean troops to join its war effort. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre added that the United States had warned Moscow against involving another country in another part of the world. Ms Jean-Pierre said the US saw no reason to modify its nuclear doctrine in reaction to changes announced by Russia and condemned irresponsible rhetoric from Moscow. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing - BEN CURTIS/AP 07:29 PM GMT Russia gave US thirty minutes warning Russia informed the US that it was going to launch a new hypersonic missile 30 minutes before firing it at Ukraine, state media cited the Kremlins spokesman as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian side warned the Americans about the launch of Oreshnik through an automatic nuclear de-escalation hotline, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the TASS news agency. Vladimir Putin addressing the nation - VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK 06:51 PM GMT US was notified by Russia before strike The US was notified by Russia through nuclear risk reduction channels shortly before its strike with an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile on Ukraines city of Dnipro, a US official has said. The official said: The US was pre-notified briefly before the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels. They added that the US had also briefed Ukraine and close allies in recent days about possible use of the experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile. 06:22 PM GMT War going in the wrong direction, says UN Russias use of a new medium-range ballistic missile to strike Ukraine has been described as a worrying development by the UN. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said: This is yet another concerning and worrying development. All of this (is) going in the wrong direction. Mr Dujarric called on all parties to de-escalate the conflict. 06:06 PM GMT Russia entitled to hit countries supplying weapons to Ukraine, says Putin Vladimir Putin has declared that Moscow has the right to strike military targets of countries whose weapons are used by Ukraine to hit Russian territory. The Russian president said in a televised address: We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities. In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond just as decisively. He added: We have always preferred to, and now are ready to resolve all disputed questions with peaceful means but we are also ready for any development of events. Vladimir Putin makes a televised address - REUTERS 05:55 PM GMT Putin claims Storm Shadow and ATACMs attacks have been thwarted Vladimir Putin has claimed that Ukrainian missile strikes on Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons in recent days have failed. Our air-defence systems repelled these attacks, Putin said in an address to the nation broadcast on state TV, adding: The goals that the enemy obviously set were not achieved. 05:50 PM GMT Russia tested new missile in response to Western intervention, says Putin Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Russia tested a new hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile in response to Ukraines use of American and British weapons. In an surprise address to the nation on Thursday evening, the Russian president said: In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons, on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine. In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested, among other things. In this case, with a ballistic missile in a nuclear-free hypersonic equipment. Ukraine had accused Russia of firing an RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in the war before US officials cast doubts on the claim. Putin added that engineers had named the new missile Oreshnik. 05:20 PM GMT Amnesty International criticises Biden over landmines The human rights organisation has described Joe Bidens decision to send antipersonnel mines to Ukraine as reckless and urged the US president to reconsider. Ben Linden, advocacy director for Europe and Central Asia for Amnesty International USA: This is a reckless decision and a deeply disappointing setback for a President who once agreed that landmines put more civilians at increased risk of harm. 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 US has provided Ukraine with anti-tank mines throughout the war, while Russia has used antipersonnel mines liberally on the front lines. An official said the US mines differ from Russias as they are non-persistent, and become inert after days or weeks. 04:56 PM GMT Todays Ukraine: The Latest podcast Amid reports of Russia using intercontinental ballistic missiles against Ukraine for the first time, Ukraine: The Latest looks at the impact of Kyiv firing British-made Storm Shadow missiles and hears from a Ukrainian MP about why Kyivs use of long-range weapons is well within international law. 04:43 PM GMT Pictured: Day of Dignity and Freedom in Kyiv A man with flowers pays his respect at a memorial to the Heavenly Hundred in Kyiv - DANYLO ANTONIUK/GLOBAL IMAGES UKRAINE VIA GETTY A boy with dog walks past a memorial at the Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv - GLOBAL IMAGES UKRAINE VIA GETTY/YAN DOBRONOSOV The date marks the beginning of the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2013 - GLOBAL IMAGES UKRAINE VIA GETTY/DANYLO ANTONIUK 04:02 PM GMT US sanctions Gazprombank The US has unveiled fresh sanctions on dozens of Russian banks, with the scope widened to include Gazprombank - the largest remaining bank yet to face such action. The move has effectively kicked Gazprombank out of the US banking system by banning its trade with Americans and freezing its US assets. The Treasury described Gazprombank as a conduit for Russia to purchase military equipment, pay its soldiers and compensate families of soldiers killed. The sanctions, which were imposed under an executive order from Joe Biden, also targeted 50 small-to-medium Russian banks. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said sanctions would further diminish and degrade Russias war machine and make it harder for the Kremlin to evade US sanctions. 03:32 PM GMT Putin using Ukraine as a testing ground, says Zelensky Voldymyr Zelensky has accused Ukraines insane neighbour of testing out a new missile which appeared to have had intercontinental ballistic capabilities. In a video post to X, the Ukrainian president accused Vladimir Putin of using Ukraine as a testing ground. Today, our insane neighbor has once again revealed its true natureits disdain for dignity, freedom, and human life itself. And, most of all, its fear. Fear so overwhelming that it unleashes missile after missile, scouring the globe for more weaponswhether from Iran or North pic.twitter.com/tEsZ0Uu1bt Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2024 03:16 PM GMT Britain now directly involved in Ukraine war, says Russian ambassador Britain has become directly involved in the Ukraine war after its Storm Shadow missiles were used to strike inside Russia, according to Moscows ambassador. Andrei Kelin, Russian ambassador to the UK, told Sky News: Britain and UK is now directly involved in this war, because this firing cannot happen without NATO staff, British staff as well. When asked how Russias use of Chinese, Iranian and North Korean resources differed, Mr Kelin instead accused Ukraine of using mercenaries. He said: I can say easily that we have plenty of mercenaries from different countries that are fighting right now on the side of Ukraine. We just have seen in the Kursk area of the Polish unit, which has a special uniform worn by Polish soldiers. So whats the matter? 02:34 PM GMT Russia declares US missile base in Poland a target Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated during a briefing that the US missile defence base in Poland has long been considered a priority target for potential neutralisation. The diplomat said: Given the level of threats posed by such Western military facilities, the missile defence base in Poland has long been included among the priority targets for potential neutralisation. If necessary, this can be achieved using a wide range of advanced weaponry. The ballistic missile defence base in Redzikowo near the Baltic coast was opened on Nov 13 and forms part of the broader Nato missile shield, which the alliance says can intercept short to intermediate range ballistic missiles. This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies in the North Atlantic Alliance in the strategic sphere, Ms Zakharova added. There is no indication that Russia has any immediate plans to strike the base. 02:02 PM GMT Readers react to Russias potential use of ICBM 01:46 PM GMT UK sanctions corrupt Ukrainian oligarch The UK Government has sanctioned Dmitry Firtash, accusing the Ukrainian oligarch of extracting hundreds of millions of pounds from Ukraine through corruption and hiding ill-gotten gains in the UK property market. The Foreign Secretary has imposed new travel bans and asset freezes on the oligarch and his wife, Lada Firtash, who is accused of holding UK assets on her husbands behalf such as the site of the old Brompton Road tube station. David Lammy said: I committed to taking on kleptocrats and the dirty money that empowers them when I became Foreign Secretary and these sanctions mark the first step in delivering this ambition. The tide is turning. The golden age of money laundering is over. Firtash is wanted by Ukrainian and U.S. authorities on suspicion of embezzling nearly $500 million involving Ukraines gas transit system. He says the charges are without legal foundation. Dmitry Firtash during an interview in 2014 - BLOOMBERG/SIMON DAWSON 01:22 PM GMT Starmer warns Putin that UK will not be deterred or distracted by nuclear threats The Prime Minister has warned Russia that the UK will not be cowed by nuclear sabre-rattling. Sir Keir Starmer said: After 1000 Days of War, 1000 days of Ukrainian bravery and sacrifice, I am clear that we must double down in our support. We will not be deterred or distracted by reckless threats. The Prime Minister said support for Ukraine would remain steadfast until Russia rolled back its forces. The UK support for Ukraine is always for self defence, he said, adding: It is proportionate, coordinated and agile, and a response to Russias own actions. And it is in accordance with international law under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine has a clear right of self defence against Russias illegal attacks. The Prime Ministers official spokesman later added: Putin is a man who wants destruction, not peace, and we will not be deterred we are standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes. 01:07 PM GMT Analysis: Biden calls Putins nuclear bluff As fig leaves go, Russias RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile is an odd one but this is what Vladimir Putin appears to have reached for to cover his empty nuclear threat. He has postured and threatened a nuclear response for Ukraine firing British and US-made missiles into Russia but instead of pressing the red button, he reportedly fired a RS-26 with a conventional warhead. The RS-26 is a terrible weapon and is said to have been part of a bigger attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Dnipro that injured two people but it was not nuclear. Joe Biden called Putins bluff this week and found, once again, that the nuclear threat was empty. 12:45 PM GMT UK is stepping up support for Ukraine, says Defence Secretary Defence Secretary John Healey has described the UK Government as doubling down on its support for Ukraine but refused to confirm whether Storm Shadow had been used. Mr Healey told the Commons Defence Committee: While the Ukrainian actions on the battlefield speak for themselves, be in no doubt that the UK Government is stepping up our support for Ukraine, determined to continue doubling down our support for Ukraine. Battle lines in Ukraine are now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full scale Russian invasion, Mr Healey added, citing British intelligence. The Defence Secretary refused to confirm reports that Ukraine launched British-supplied long-range missiles. He said: I wont be drawn on the operational details of the conflict. It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin. John Healey appearing before the Defence Select Committee - HOUSE OF COMMONS/UK PARLIAMENT/PA 12:26 PM GMT ICBM attack would be more depraved, reckless and escalatory behaviour, No 10 says A spokesman for Sir Keir Starmer has said that if reports of an ICBM strike are true, it would be another example of depraved, reckless and escalatory behaviour from Russia. If an ICBM has been used it would take the conflict to another level, the spokesman added. He went on to say that reports of the extreme long range weapons being used were extremely concerning. ICBMs, or intercontinental ballistic missiles, are designed to strike targets between 6,000 to 9,000 miles away. They can usually carry either conventional or nuclear warheads and have never been used in a conflict before. US media said that Russia did not fire an ICBM at Ukraine on Thursday, citing an unnamed Western official. 12:09 PM GMT Kremlin spokeswoman ordered not to talk about missile strike live on air Russias foreign ministry spokeswoman received a phone call during a live press briefing on Thursday ordering her not to comment on reports of a ballistic missile strike on Ukraine. Masha, an unknown male voice said on the phone, addressing spokeswoman Maria Zakharova using an intimate nickname for Maria. On the Yuzhmash ballistic missile strike that the Westerners have started talking about, we are not commenting at all, the man told Ms Zakharova. Yuzhmash refers to a Ukrainian rocket manufacturer headquartered in Dnipro, the city that Russia attacked with missiles on Thursday morning. Credit: Russian Foreign Ministry 11:55 AM GMT EU: Russian ICBM attack would be clear escalation The EU has said that if Russia has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine, it would be a clear escalation by Vladimir Putin. While were assessing the full facts its obvious that such [an] attack would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of Putin, Peter Stano, the blocs foreign affairs spokesman, said. An ICBM attack would represent a quantitative and qualitative change in the war, Mr Stano added. Ukraine has said that Russia fired an ICBM at the city of Dnipro on Thursday morning. An unnamed Western official however said that Russia had not fired an ICBM, according to US media reports. 11:20 AM GMT Pictured: Buildings burn in Dnipro after Russian attack A fire in a two-story residential building after a Russian attack on Dnipro on Thursday Emergency workers put out flames in Dnipro after Russian attack Emergency workers put out a fire after a Russian attack on Dnipro 10:47 AM GMT Western official denies that Russia has used ICBM, US media reports A Western official has said Russia did not attack Ukraine with an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday morning, US media has reported. The unnamed official told ABC news that Russia had in fact used a shorter range ballistic missile. Ukraine earlier said that Russia had attacked Dnipro with one ICBM, several cruise missiles and one Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile. Russia has refused to deny that it fired an ICBM. Asked whether Moscow fired the missile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he had nothing to say on this topic. 10:36 AM GMT Watch: Russian missiles rain down on Dnipro Russian missiles are shown raining down on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday morning. Ukraines air force said Russia attacked the city with six cruise missiles and one intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It is not clear if the footage shows cruise missile attacks or the ICBM, which can fire multiple warheads. Credit: Telegram / dnepr_operativ 10:31 AM GMT Kremlin: US missile defence base in Poland is a priority target The Kremlin said on Thursday that it considers a US missile defence base in Poland a priority target. Given the level of threats posed by such Western military facilities, the missile defence base in Poland has long been included amongst the priority targets for potential neutralisation, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. The facility is located in Redzikowo near Polands Baltic coast and was opened on November 13. Nato said the site is part of larger missile shield and is designed to detect, track and intercept ballistic missiles. 10:19 AM GMT Russia shoots down two Storm Shadow missiles Russia has shot down two Storm Shadow missiles that the UK has given to Ukraine, its defence ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The statement came in the ministrys daily roundup of military activity in Ukraine, but it did not specify when the reported downing of the missiles happened. Ukraine was reported to have fired Storm Shadow missiles at a target in Russia for the first time on Wednesday. The UK has provided Kyiv with Storm Shadow missiles since early 2023, but they were initially not allowed to be used against targets inside Russia. 10:11 AM GMT Russia raises flag in key Donetsk town Russian troops raised their national flag in central Kurakhove on Thursday amid fierce fighting for the key Donetsk town, according to Russian state media. Our troops have raised the first Russian flag in the central part of Kurakhove, the state-run Tass news agency quoted Russian-installed local politician Vladimir Rogov as saying. In Kurakhove, the main offensive operations are ongoing along Zaporizhzhia Avenue, Mr Rogov added. Citing a defence source, Tass earlier reported that Russian troops had pushed Ukrainian forces out of half of their positions in the town. Moscows defence ministry also said on Thursday that Russian forces had taken the small village of Dalne, which is three miles south of Kurakhove. 09:22 AM GMT Pictured: Zelensky pays tribute to Euromaidan victims 11 years on Volodymyr Zelensky visits a memorial to those killed during the mass Euromaidan protests in 2013/2014, Nov 21 2024 - AFP 09:15 AM GMT Industrial facility damaged in Dnipro, local officials say A large-scale Russian attack on the central city of Dnipro on Thursday caused two fires and damaged an industrial facility, local officials said. It comes as Ukraines air force said that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and six smaller cruise missiles at the city. The aggressor launched a large-scale attack on the oblast early in the morning. The aftermath is still being determined, Serhii Lysak, head of the Dnipro regional military administration, said. It is known as of now that an industrial facility in Dnipro was damaged. Additionally, two fires occurred in the city, he added. The officials did not specify if the damage was caused by the larger ICBM or the cruise missiles. 08:40 AM GMT Zelensky suggests Ukraine will not take Crimea back by force Voldymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine will not attempt to retake Crimea by force, suggesting that the occupied territory can only be brought back via diplomatic means We cannot spend dozens of thousands of our people so that they perish for the sake of Crimea coming back, the Ukrainian president said in an interview with Fox News. And still its not a fact that we can bring it back with the arms in our hands. We understand that Crimea can be brought back diplomatically, he added. Russia seized and annexed Crimea in 2014 after the Euromaidan revolution that forced Ukraines then pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych to flee the country. 08:34 AM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian soldier fires mortar at Russian positions near Chasiv Yar A Ukranian soldier of the 24th Mechanized Brigade firing a 120mm mortar toward Russian positions near Chasiv Yar, Nov 19 - Press service of 24 Mechanized brigade/Shutterstock 08:30 AM GMT Welcome to our live coverage Hello and welcome to our live coverage. Well be keeping you up to date with the days events as they happen. 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. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia fired a new, nonnuclear intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine, part of a wide-ranging TV address that sharply criticized the U.S. for escalating the war. Putin said Russia had refrained from firing intermediate-range missiles but decided to carry out the test on Thursday after the U.S. allowed Ukraine to fire long-range missiles at targets inside his country. And further actions will be considered and decided based on what we see from them, Putin said. It is not Russia but the United States who have decided to destroy a system of international security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian forces had earlier claimed that Russia fired at Ukraine an intercontinental ballistic missile, which is designed to hit targets thousands of miles away. It did not say what the impact of the launch was. But Putin said Russia fired an experimental intermediate ballistic missile that can reach speeds of Mach 10, or more than 7,000 mph. Intermediate-range ballistic missiles can hit targets up to 3,500 miles away. The missile, which was equipped with a nonnuclear hypersonic warhead, struck a military command center in Ukraine, Putin claimed. Russias ballistic missile test still raises the stakes in the war as Putin has vowed to respond to the U.S. authorizing Ukraine to launch the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) in Russia, something he has referred to as a red line for months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin earlier this week lowered the nuclear threshold in response to the Biden administration authorizing ATACMS, renewing fears that he could deploy a nuclear weapon against Ukraine. The Kremlin said conventional missiles from a nuclear-armed nation being fired into Russia by Ukraine could trigger a nuclear response. The White House has yet to publicly confirm that it has approved Ukraines use of ATACMS, but U.S. officials have pointed to Russia deploying thousands of North Korean troops against Ukraine as the escalation, not the long-range missile authorization. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday that the escalation at every turn, at every step, is coming from Russia. Theyre the ones that are escalating this, she said. This is an aggression from their side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jean-Pierre said the U.S. was aware of the ballistic missile launch and reiterated that the White House views Putins saber-rattling as irresponsible rhetoric. Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said at a briefing the U.S, was pre-notified of the ballistic missile launch through nuclear risk reduction channels. She added that Putin had made dangerous, reckless rhetoric in his Thursday speech. Putin on Thursday said the ATACMS missiles have already been used in the Russian regions of Kursk and Bryansk, confirming earlier reports from officials in Russia. He claimed that the ATACMS were largely countered by Russia but still wounded and killed Russian officials. Putin also expressed confidence in his forces, saying they were advancing along the entire line of contact in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian troops are defending against a larger Russian army. Russia, however, has taken heavy losses in the advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin said that because of the complexity involving ATACMS, the U.S. is directly involved in the firing of the systems at Russia and threatened that Russia was prepared for a response. The ruling elites of the countries that are nurturing plans to use their military contingents against Russia should be warned, Putin said. Updated at 2:47 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. Russian President Vladimir Putin has quietly expressed openness to discussing a Ukraine ceasefire deal with US President-elect Donald Trump. Putins purported position was divulged to Reuters by five Kremlin insiders and added ammunition to Trumps plans to freeze the Ukraine War at the start of his presidency. These are promising signs for Trumps agenda, but is Russia ready to negotiate? The Kremlins rhetoric suggests that the answer to this question is an emphatic no. On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared that Putin has repeatedly said that any option of freezing the conflict wont work for us. Russia also rejected Turkeys peace plan for Ukraine. This proposal called for a freeze of current battlelines, no Ukrainian Nato accession for at least ten years and the deployment of international troops to a demilitarised borderline in eastern Ukraine. These terms closely mirror the peace plan that Trump will outline to Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless the US accedes to Putins maximalist vision, which includes occupying Ukrainian-held areas of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Donetsk and permanently ruling out Ukraines Nato membership, Russias short-term calculus on negotiations is unlikely to change. And it is equally improbable that Trump will accede to Putins far-fetched demands. Even the Russia-friendly Chinese and Brazilian peace plans do not go beyond freezing the conflict at current borders. Abandoning Natos open-door policy under Russian pressure would deal a long-term blow to its credibility as an alliance bloc. While Russia is unlikely to negotiate in good faith, it still sees tactical value in diplomacy. As Russian fighter jets and Wagner Group mercenaries aided Syrian President Bashar al-Assads brutal reconquest of Aleppo, Russia participated actively in the Astana Peace Process. While Russian forces perpetrated the Bucha Massacre, Putins chief diplomats toyed with the idea of ending the Ukraine War at the March 2022 Istanbul talks. Putins phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and openness to ceasefire talks with Trump are the latest manifestation of this playbook. For the Kremlin, diplomacy is a tool of psychological warfare and a stalling tactic that facilities military breakthroughs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once negotiations begin, Russia will almost certainly cite Ukraines use of ATACM long-range missiles on its territory and occupation of Kursk as irrevocable sticking points. Russia wants Ukraine to make unilateral concessions on both fronts. To stop Ukrainian ATACM attacks, Russia could play to the sensibilities of Trump and his inner circle. As national security advisor Mike Waltz has highlighted escalation risks associated with Ukraines ATACM use and Trump warns regularly about World War III, Russia will ratchet up its nuclear brinkmanship. Prominent Russian commentators like former Kremlin advisor Sergey Markov argue that Biden approved Ukraines use of ATACMs to sabotage Trumps presidency. Russian diplomats will use negotiations to convey this narrative to Trump, as it plays into the President-elects mistrust of the US foreign policy establishment. On Kursk, Russia will have more difficulty achieving its preferred outcome. Ukraine is determined to hold onto territory in Kursk, as it wants to secure a land swap deal for Russian-occupied parts of Kharkiv or the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Russia will likely continue its war of attrition in Kursk as negotiations commence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if these issues are resolved, Russian obstructionism is unlikely to end. Putin sees the wars continuation as vital for regime stability in Russia. The military-industrial boom continues to prevent socioeconomic unrest. Led by fascist philosopher Alexander Dugin, many Russian ultranationalists see Putins acquiescence to the 2015 Minsk II Accords with Ukraine as a naive act of betrayal. By authorising a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin struck a Faustian bargain with Russian ultranationalists. The June 2023 Wagner Group mutiny underscored the threat of ultranationalist dissent and Putin sees continued war as the ideal way to appease this militarised faction. The most effective way to change Putins calculus is to further steepen the costs of Russian aggression. Tighter sanctions could eventually pop Russias wartime economic bubble and degrade its military supply chains. Long-range Ukrainian strikes could disrupt Russian energy production and thwart the entry of more North Korean forces onto the frontlines. Facing a sagging economy and diminishing returns on the battlefield, Putin could be compelled to negotiate in a serious way. Russia is determined to outlast the Wests support for Ukraine and sees diplomacy as a tactic to achieve that goal. When negotiating with Putin, Trump must remain attuned to this reality. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Editor's note: The article was updated with the English translation of President Zelensky's statement, which was published on his official X account. Russia's apparent deployment of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) against Dnipro on Nov. 21 shows that Russian President Vladimir Putin "is using Ukraine as a testing ground," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "Today (on Nov. 21), it was a new Russian missile. Its speed and altitude suggest intercontinental ballistic capabilities. Investigations are ongoing," Zelensky said in a statement on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces launched the conventional ICBM, along with seven cruise missiles and a Kinzhal ballistic missile, against the central-eastern city of Dnipro on the morning of Nov. 21, the Air Force reported earlier. At least two people were injured, and several buildings, including a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities, were damaged. The Air Force reported downing six of the cruise missiles. This would mark the first occasion of Russia deploying an ICBM in the war against Ukraine, coming shortly after the U.S. permitted Ukraine to carry out strikes in Russia with Western long-range missiles and Russia updated its nuclear deterrence policy. It remains unclear what type of ICBM was launched. The missile was launched from Astrakhan Oblast in southern Russia, over 700 kilometers (435 miles) east of Dnipro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's clear that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground. Its also clear that he is terrified of normal life next to him. A life where people live with dignity," Zelensky said on the occasion of Ukraine's Day of Dignity and Freedom, commemorating the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the EuroMaidan Revolution in 2013-14. Ukraine's head of state reminded that Moscow seeks to obtain new missiles around the world, namely from North Korea and Iran. "Putin will do anything to keep his neighbor from slipping out of his grasp. And I thank every Ukrainianmen and women alikewho defend Ukraine from this evil with resilience, bravery, and strength," Zelensky said. Read also: Russia reportedly launches intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine what we know so far Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The Putting the Ozarks First food drive is returning with the goal of providing food for thousands across the Ozarks. From November 18 through December 31, blue barrels will be placed near the entrance of local Hy-Vee locations where food donations can be placed. The food will go to local food banks and pantries across the Ozarks. Jordan Browning with Ozarks Food Harvest says the holidays can really add to how much they are needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our holiday food ordering, thats on top of our normal distribution. So just on a regular monthly basis, were distributing anywhere between one and a half to two and a half million meals, Browning said. Putting the Ozarks First returns to help feed families in need In the past year, Ozarks Food Harvest has seen a dramatic increase in the need for holiday supplies. Last year we purchased about 6,000 turkeys for families. Due to demand this year weve had to purchase about 8,500 turkeys. So across the board, were seeing just an increased demand for food across our 28 county service area, said Browning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Least of These Food Pantry in Christian County is one of the organizations Ozarks Food Harvest distributes to. Executive Director Kristy Carter says they have already seen the impact of the holiday season. I think we served 140 just today, said Carter. And so those are families. 140 families just today, in three hours. City Utilities answers questions about boil advisory over weekend Carter also explained that the pantry is seeing more dual-income families than ever before and that they have plans to feed more through the holidays. Were serving 1,400 families and were prepared for 1,600 families through November and December as we ramp up for the holidays, said Carter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ozarks Food Harvest distributes about 100,000 pounds of food a week, and the people who come in and donate their time make all the difference. Just making sure that we are sending out food continually to be able to meet that demand because, without those volunteers, wed probably have to hire an additional 15 full-time employees, says Browning. If you are interested in donating to the organizations that feed thousands in need you can do that at ozarksfoodharvest.org Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. A new program is taking a page from teacher residencies to improve mental health outcomes for Californias most vulnerable students, recruiting and mentoring school counselors in the states rural Central Valley. In partnership with Fresno Pacific University and six school districts throughout Tulare County, the year-long program housed within the countys California Center on Teaching Careers hopes to curb shortages that have left schools throughout the state with student to counselor ratios at 1:461, nearly double the recommended 1:250. Since its launch at the start of this school year, the School Counselor Residency project has provided one on one support to a small pilot cohort of twelve counselors and looks to expand statewide. Counselors in training earn a masters of arts in school counseling and a $45,000 living stipend while being mentored by experienced counselors in their region. Put Students First: Support Journalism That Exposes Truth and Inspires Action. Donate to The 74 Through this pathway, were truly able to grow our own, which means preparing individuals of our own communities who grew up here, who know parents students of our own schools, to then be part of our system, said Marvin Lopez, the Centers executive director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is hands-on, requiring 1,200 hours of clinical training and field experience, 400 hours beyond the required amount to obtain a credential. Like other residencies to boost teacher pipelines, the model aims to recruit a more representative pool by eliminating the financial barriers and loans professionals often take on to enter the field. Related Breaking Down the Walls to Teaching: Alternative Pipelines Boom Graduates of teacher residencies, which the SCR program has been modeled after, stay in their school districts at much higher rates than those who have entered through traditional or other alternative pathways, stabilizing the force, according to the Learning Policy Institute. The pools they recruit are also more racially diverse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Why launch this residency now, and whats at stake without it? Marvin Lopez: Im going to take you back a decade. In 2012, we began looking at residency models, specifically for teachers, across the nation. We spent six years looking at models in California, Chicago, New York City, to see what are best practices and spend time with some universities that have been running teacher residencies for some time. We realized we needed to bring a pathway like that to our area were in this central region of the state in California, near Sequoia, Yosemite, Fresno, Bakersfield. Its very agricultural, rural, low-income with many high needs schools. We realized that not only do we need a model like this for preparing teachers, but also mental health professionals school-based social workers and school counselors. We tackled the entire ecosystem of our school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through this pathway, were truly able to grow our own, which means preparing individuals of our own communities who grew up here, who know their communities, who know parents. The students who were students of our own schools to then be part of our system. To your question of why, when you look at the student ratio of school counselors and students in our area, its 1 to 460+, which is double what is recommended nationally. Theres a gap that were trying to close and bridge. By having this pathway in place, its allowing us to not only recruit from local talents, but also prepare them in a way that gives them a full year of clinical experience. The data doesnt lie. What challenges did you all come up against before launching, and what did you do to overcome them? As a new pathway, [it required] a lot of informing and educating school leaders about the benefits, and sharing retention data about residencies. I wouldnt call it a challenge, it was a learning experience. How might this residency impact what you all are seeing with regards to the youth mental health crisis, particularly as you mentioned that this county youre serving is predominantly high needs, schools that, as you mentioned, have large shortages of mental health support staff? Were looking at the entire ecosystem of our schools and the workload that teachers have, specifically after the pandemic. The silver lining is that a lot of mental wellness issues came to light and the public are more open to conversation. Its now more important and obvious that we do need more services; school counselors play a big role in that ecosystem as well as social workers. Providing another part of the support that our students need in the classroom, thats the impact that we see. Were providing more wrap-around support to our schools and students by preparing teachers, social workers, and school counselors through our residency model. Im wondering about the scale of this, whats interest been like since you launched in September and how large of a cohort do you hope to recruit this first year? Initially our plan was to have a small pilot cohort of 8. We launched with 12, and now were getting requests from districts for next year already. It looks like that might double, and its because of the needs of our districts and the value they see added by having residents at their sites and the impact theyre already having with their students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal is to actually scale up and expand our program throughout the state. Were working closely with a couple of county offices around this work, and we are always willing to share best practices as well as guide and provide support to any other regions that are looking to implement a similar program. Related Mental Health Counselors in South Carolina Schools Doubled Since 2022 If you had to boil it down, what are three things that you think that folks who are taking on this kind of work should keep in mind? First, having a vision thats student centered. Second, building and nurturing partnerships with your districts and universities. And ultimately, providing quality mentorship for the residents, working alongside district leadership to make sure that those individuals are the right fit for a school. Is there anything I havent asked you but thats on your mind or just that you want me to know? Beyond the living stipend for residents, we also provide a stipend for the mentors thats $4,000. Thats unique because theyre spending quite a bit of time throughout the year. Its important to recognize the efforts that not only the residents are putting into this, but the mentors who play a huge component in this process. A month and a half after Hurricane Helene devastated the eastern coast of the United States families are still struggling to find food, water and a place to stay. By chance, a couple in Atkinson found a way to bring some much needed aid. I saw a TikTok where a gentlemen said that its been over a month and there are still people sleeping in tents and theyre freezing, its getting cold and they desperately, desperately need campers, said Lola Rahn. I heard the word camper and that is my love language, we love campers. Its something we know a lot about, we go camping, we know the needs, the items needed in a camper. The couple decided to purchase a camper and fill it with supplies to give to a family in need in North Carolina. The couple wasnt sure how they would make it work, but the community came in to help. (Gavin Waidelich, OurQuadCities.com) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We took a leap of faith, and we purchased the camper, hoping that we would have support, not knowing for sure, but people came alongside of us and they supported us, said Rahn. Two weeks after delivering one camper to a family, the couple is heading back with another camper for a struggling family. There is a family there, a mother with five children and they are anxiously awaiting, they pretty much have nothing but toiletries right now and a little bit of clothing, said Rahn. So weve taken up donations, just like we did with the first camper. The community, has been super, super generous. Rahn and her husband are hoping to give this family a second chance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the second trip, we actually knew the family and the ages of the kids, and then people chose a child and got the necessary items for them, said Rahn. So its a little more, I would say, more personal. In addition to food and water, the couple is giving the family new clothes, bedding and toys for the holidays. They are leaving for Clyde, North Carolina Thursday morning. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. NEW YORK (PIX11) Rain is coming down across the tri-state area on Thursday as the drought continues to persist. A drought warning was declared in New York City on Monday, the first one in over 20 years. Its the second of three levels, with the final being a drought emergency which would enforce mandatory water conservation efforts for homes and businesses. More Local News But will the wet weather alleviate the drought? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rain may not be enough to replenish reservoirs or even saturate the ground, officials said. During wildfires, burning can continue a foot below brush where its extremely dry or smolder inside tree trunks, according to the FDNY. NYC forecast and PIX11s Weather Center It could be several days before those types of fires can be put out. The terrain weve encountered in over 300 brush fires this month has been treacherous. This is not an open field in the parks that people are used to walking around and also its thick forestry, theres no hydrants in this area, said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker. This is real, dangerous fire fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New Jersey, the Manasquan Reservoir sits at 49.16% capacity the lowest it has been since the early 90s, when it was constructed and filled for the first time. Its responsible for delivering 30 million gallons of water a day to Monmouth County, providing 60% of the drinking water for towns including Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights and Wall. A burn ban is still in effect in both New York and New Jersey. 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. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The region finally saw its first meaningful rainfall on Thursday after nearly two months of severe drought conditions. While Thursday was a soggy, gloomy day in Rhode Island, many found the rainy weather to be a welcome relief. For Smithfield Deputy Fire Chief Steven Quattrini, it was a breath of fresh air, with the last real downpour occurring on Oct. 7. I loved it. I think all the members loved it too, Quattrini said. It brought us a little bit of ease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters across Rhode Island and Massachusetts have been battling fires fueled by the drought. Earlier this week, the Smithfield Fire Department was called to Burlingame Road, where crews spent seven hours extinguishing a fire that scorched two acres. Its so dry, any little spark, ember at all will take off fairly quick, Quattrini explained, noting that these are the worst conditions hes seen in his 31 years of service. Massachusetts surpasses 400 brush fires in November as dry spell continues While Thursdays rain offered some temporary relief, Quattrini remains cautious, predicting that dry conditions will return by next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its probably not going to be enough. Even though the surface is going to be wet, within a couple of days the wind will dry us out, Quattrini said. He added that snow is what will truly ease the conditions. In the meantime, Quattrini urges the public to cooperate with officials by avoiding outdoor fires and being mindful when disposing of smoking materials. Dont burn let Mother Nature take over. Give us some rain, and well be good to go, he said. Beyond the Forecast: How much snow do we need to make up for the lack of rain? Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Pinpoint Weather 12 Alerts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BROCKTON A Randolph man accused in a double stabbing in Brockton in June that left a 59-year-old man dead and a 61-year-old man injured, was indicted on multiple charges on Tuesday, Nov. 19, prosecutors said. Kevin DiGregorio, 33, of Randolph, was indicted by the Plymouth County grand jury on one count each of murder, armed assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and assault and battery, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced in a written statement. DiGregorio is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in Brockton Superior Court on Nov. 27. Brockton and State Police investigate a double stabbing at 23 Melrose Ave. on Monday, June 10, 2024. The arrest Randolph man, 33, arrested in Vermont after deadly stabbing of 59-year-old man in Brockton What happened on day of killing On June 10, at approximately 7:40 p.m., the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office was notified by Brockton police of a double stabbing at 23 Melrose Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The two male victims were transported to area hospitals," the DA's office said. "One male victim was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead of his injuries." He was identified as 59-year-old William Hewlett, the DA's office said. The second victim, a 61-year-old man, was treated and released from South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, the office said. As a result of the active and ongoing investigation, Massachusetts State Police sought and obtained an arrest warrant for DiGregorio," the statement said. Brockton and State Police investigate a double stabbing at 23 Melrose Ave. on Monday, June 10, 2024. 'She didn't lie' Brockton grandmother accuses daughter of GoFundMe theft on national TV DiGregorio arrested in Vermont On June 12, Vermont State Police and U.S. Marshals located DiGregorio sleeping inside a motor vehicle along a roadway in Lunenberg, Vermont, and he was placed under arrest, the DA's office said. He was later transported from Vermont by Massachusetts State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant district attorneys Vanessa Madge and Molly MacKinnon are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by Massachusetts State Police and the Brockton Police Department. Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton murder: Randolph man indicted in fatal double stabbing OXFORD A federal judge has denied a request for early release by a man convicted of robbing a rural Pontotoc post office and shooting the female postmaster. Thomas Scott, 46, was convicted of robbing the Randolph post office in 2016 and shooting postmaster Virginia Duff in the process. Scott filed a motion in June 2023 arguing that poor health five heart attacks, including one while in federal custody that required the installation of a pacemaker were grounds for compassionate release. On Monday, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Mike Mills denied that request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scotts severe health issues have not stopped him from committing criminal or disciplinary conduct. As a result, maintaining his sentence is necessary to protect the public, Mills wrote in the order. Second, while he was only convicted of robbery, the evidence suggests he attempted to murder the post office employee. Scott will have to serve the full 195-month (16.25 years) sentence. He is currently incarcerated at a high-security federal penitentiary in Sumterville, Florida, and is scheduled to be released in March 2031. Scotts cohort in crime, Angela Roy, 43, has also asked the court to reduce her 22.5-year sentence. She is currently being held at a federal medical center and minimum security camp at Fort Worth, Texas. Her scheduled release date is December 2035. Roy called the Randolph post office in rural Pontotoc County on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, to make sure that it was open just minutes before she and Scott went to the building. Scott then entered the post office, pulled a gun and shot the postmaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he intended to kill any witnesses to the robbery, the employee escaped with a superficial gunshot wound and an injury from a fall because Scotts gun jammed, Mills said. Roy waited outside at the vehicle, but Scott testified in court that the robbery was Roys idea. Following the robbery, the couple fled first to south Alabama but were captured four days later in Louisiana. Scott was charged with assault and armed robbery of a postal employee. He pleaded guilty to both charges, and he was sentenced to 195 months. Roy did not accept a plea agreement, choosing to go to trial. She was found guilty, and she was sentenced to serve 270 months for aiding and abetting in the armed robbery and with discharging a firearm during that robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott filed a handwritten motion for compassionate release last summer. Besides his heart condition, Scott has said he used marijuana daily for the 10 years and used methamphetamine daily for three years prior to his arrest. The governments response in opposition was sealed by Mills the following month and remains shielded from the public. Since her sentencing in early 2018, Roy has twice filed handwritten motions for compassionate relief. The first was denied in 2020. She filed a motion to vacate the conviction in the summer of 2020. That was denied in August 2023. In May 2023, she filed a handwritten motion for compassionate release. That motion, along with the governments response, is also sealed from public view. In January, Roy filed a different motion, asking that her prison term be shortened under new sentencing guidelines. The governments response was that Roy was not eligible for the reduction. Roys last two motions are still awaiting a ruling from Mills. Nov. 21Hundreds of people gathered in the Western Alaska village of Kwethluk on Saturday to witness the exhumation of Matushka Olga, who will become the first Yup'ik saint of the Russian Orthodox Church next year. Olinka Arrsamquq Michael, known as Matushka Olga or "Mother Olga," was born in 1916 and lived in Kwethluk and other Kuskokwim River villages. During her lifetime, she was a midwife, a mother and the wife of an Russian Orthodox priest, and was known as humble, compassionate and generous. After her death in 1979, she became a spiritual touchstone to people not only in Western Alaska but beyond, known especially as a healer to abused women. Last year, the Orthodox Church in America's national leadership voted to make Matushka Olga a saint, a process known as "glorification." Alaska has the highest percentage of Orthodox Christians of any state, with Western Alaska among the most deeply Russian Orthodox regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Matushka Olga took one step closer to sainthood when her grave was unburied and her remains transferred to a church in Kwethluk. In the Russian Orthodox Church, the remains of saints are considered to be holy relics, and are always exhumed so people can have direct physical access, said the Right Rev. Alexei, bishop of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sitka and Alaska, in an interview this week. An exhumation, called an "uncovering" in the church, is like a funeral in reverse, he said taking buried remains out of the ground and placing them in a specially prepared casket in a church. Such exhumations are extremely rare, the bishop said: The last one in the state would have been when St. Herman of Alaska was canonized in 1970. For Matushka Olga's exhumation, Russian Orthodox clergy from all over the state gathered in Kwethluk, with about 40 chartered flights landing Monday, he said. The visitors arriving by plane were joined by faithful from the region, many of whom arrived by snowmachine. First, there was a procession to the gravesite, and a memorial service of sorts, the bishop said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then came the hard work of actually exhuming a more-than-50-year-old grave from the ground. Priests in black cassocks and parkas spent nearly six hours digging with pickaxes and shovels. Only the top 6 inches of the ground was frozen, the bishop said. A crowd of more than a hundred looked on, praying in Yup'ik and English as the Bible was read aloud. A livestream on Facebook captured the proceedings for viewers around the world. "There was a whole crowd that was immovable, for five hours, watching," the bishop said. Finally, diggers hit the casket, which had decayed over the years but was intact enough to be lifted by a group of clergy and taken to Kwethluk's church, the bishop said. There, Olga's remains were transferred to a new casket, built by nuns in California and decorated with salmonberries. The relics will stay at the church in Kwethluk, the bishop said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Olga was recommended for canonization, there was a discussion about where the future saint's remains should permanently be: Should the remains be kept in Western Alaska or be moved to a larger population center where it would be easier for pilgrims to visit them? Because of the deep significance of Matushka Olga to the spiritual life of the region and the wishes of elders, the church decided that her remains should stay in her home community of Kwethluk, the bishop said. Eventually the church wants to renovate the village's humble church into a "cathedral on the Kuskokwim," he said. "Having someone inside the church permanently, there's no greater honor," he said. The exhumation is the last major step before Matushka Olga officially becomes a saint in a canonization expected to be held in June 2025 in Kwethluk. SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The buffet with the low score is located in Sevier County. The inspector marked down nearly a dozen critical violations. The grade is 72 at Sakura Japanese Super Buffet on the Parkway in Sevierville. A score of 72 is a passing grade as any grade of 69 and below is considered failing. Sakura Japanese Super Buffet, 624 Parkway, Sevierville Grade: 72, Follow-up: 83 To begin with, an employee entered the kitchen from the back door and immediately started preparing food, but he forgot to wash his hands and put on gloves as required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow possible Friday morning: Heres where The inspector found raw fish, which is filled with bacteria, stored directly over cut lettuce, pineapples, and cooked noodles creating the potential for cross-contamination. The raw fish should have been stored under the ready-to-eat food. This next violation is unusual. Salmon, tightly wrapped in saran wrap, was found at 58 degrees in the cooler. 41 degrees and below is the correct cool temperature. The inspector suggested removing a corner of the saran wrap to allow the salmon to cool. An employee beverage was found on the cook line. Its okay for employees to sip drinks in the kitchen, but the drinks must be stored far away from food to prevent any potential spills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several wiping clothes that are used to clean tables were found lying around. Theyre supposed to be stored in a container filled with sanitizer. Finally, when the inspector checked a food cutting board, he wrote it was excessively dirty. In a follow-up, the inspector returned to Sakura Japanese Buffet in Sevierville. He checked the critical violations, they had all been corrected. The new grade is an 83. Food-For-Thought-11-21Download Top Scores of the Week Chesapeakes, 500 Henley St, Knoxville 100 Macos Tacos, 4221 Western Ave, Knoxville 100 Island Fin Poke, 11615 Parkside Dr, Knoxville 100 Heidis Home Cooking, 4505 Greenway Dr, Knoxville 100 Hexagon Brewing Company, 1002 Dutch Valley Dr, Knoxville 99 Country Burrito Mexican Grill, 2052 Town Center Blvd, Knoxville 99 Charleys Philly Steaks, West Town Mall, Knoxville 99 French Market 2, 161 Brooklawn St, Knoxville 99 Kaizen, 127 S. Central St, Knoxville 99 Michaels Pizza Cottage, 7248 Andrew Johnson Hwy, Talbott 99 Zaxbys, 2540 N. Main St, Crossville 99 Cowgirl Cafe, 16115 Scott Hwy, Oneida 99 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SECOND HELPING: Miss a Food for Thought segment? See them all here. Inspectors check restaurants every six months, the visits are unannounced. If you have a legitimate complaint mention it politely to the manager, or call your local health department, and an inspector will conduct a surprise visit. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ray Dalio said Trump's approach to governance was tried by hard-right states in the 1930s. The billionaire said he isn't labeling Trump or his government as fascist. But he said Trump's "America First" policies share similarities to how those regimes operated. Billionaire investor Ray Dalio said studying hard-right countries from the 1930s can shed light on how President-elect Donald Trump would reshape the US government under the banner of efficiency. Dalio, who often publishes personal remarks on the global economy, wrote a LinkedIn commentary on Wednesday with his predictions for a second Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is now clear that Donald Trump and those he is choosing will reform government and the country like a corporate raider engaging in a hostile takeover of an inefficient company," wrote Dalio, who founded the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates. The billionaire said Trump's push for a remade government includes "huge reforms" that would replace key staff, slash costs, and introduce new technologies. Among those recent efforts, Trump has announced Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as the heads of a new Department of Government Efficiency. They've so far signaled plans to reduce head count and eliminate certain federal agencies. "Think of Gordon Gekko and the perspective he conveyed in his 'greed is good' speech," Dalio wrote of Trump's approach, referring to Michael Douglas' character from "Wall Street," the 1987 film. "While recognizing that this is coming from the president of the United States, who is going to take that approach to the central government and the entire country." "As mentioned, the most recent analogous historical cases were the hard-rightist states in the 1930s," Dalio added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dalio wrote that he isn't saying Trump's administration would be fascist or that Trump would behave like fascist leaders. But he said a "government renovation" with an "America First" foreign policy were approaches tried by those governments. "What I am saying is that, in order to understand those who are now taking control with nationalistic, protectionist, top-down, government-led economic and social policies, and who have little tolerance for internal opposition and are embroiled in international great powers conflicts, it is worth understanding how those states with analogous policies in the 1930s behaved," Dalio wrote. Dalio: Trump fielding 'win-at-all-cost loyalists' The billionaire described Trump as surrounding himself with "win-at-all-cost loyalists," including Musk, Ramaswamy, Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, and potential advisors such as Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon. In the weeks since winning the election, Trump has often been seen with Elon Musk, including when they attended a SpaceX launch together. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Their mission, Dalio wrote, is to "create maximum economic strength and fight foreign enemies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Once these people are in place, the same appointment approach will likely be used to purge the government of those accused of being part of the 'deep state,' who are not aligned with and loyal to the mission," Dalio wrote. Dalio has long been vocal about his philosophy that the world cycles through multigenerational periods where one power dictates the tenor of global society, economy, and politics. The billionaire has often said that a post-World War II order led by Washington is ebbing. He wrote on Wednesday that Trump's "America First" foreign policy pushes the world toward a situation where nations are split between the US and China in a "law-of-the-jungle" style. Ray Dalio often publishes philosophical remarks on the global economy and geopolitics. YouTube / Rich Talk "In other words, we are now coming to the end of an era led by the United States, in which countries tried to work out together how to be with each other through multinational organizations with guiding principles and rules," Dalio wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dalio has regularly warned that he believes internal strife within the US could escalate into a civil war, estimating in May that the risk of such a conflict was as high as 40%. As for Trump, the president-elect has already announced the majority of his Cabinet and staff nominations, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and New York Rep. Elise Stefanik for the US representative to the United Nations. The US Senate, which now has a Republican majority, still has to confirm the Cabinet picks. A Trump spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The last item on the agenda for a three-hour Rochester Board of Education meeting Thursday was the superintendent profile. Results from an online survey revealed the ideal candidate will commit to equity and strengthen community partnership. The Board of Education is working to create a leadership profile for its superintendent search. The profile is being developed in collaboration with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, an executive search firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This profile is meant to highlight what the district is looking for in a superintendent they say the ideal candidate fosters high expectations, commits to equity, manages finances responsibly, engages with stakeholders, and strengthens community partnerships. When the profile was presented, members of the board pointed out the superintendent should also have a background with students who need special education as well as experience in urban education and systemic change. There have been three different leaders in the past four years. Demario Strickland is currently the interim superintendent of RCSD. He took over after Dr. Carmine Peluso stepped down this year to take over the superintendent role at the Churchville-Chili Central School District. He was appointed to the role at RCSD in 2022. Dr. Strickland did express interest in filling the superintendent position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elliot said in her nearly twenty years serving on the board, the superintendent position has seen high turnover and says hiring for the role is a two-year process. The key right now is finding someone willing to commit. Weve had a lot of change over the 20 years that Ive been almost 20 years, so we need some stability, and we need to have the leader who is going to ensure with our staff that theyre willing to stay, that theyre going to stay and have confidence that to be able to ensure our staff that weve got someone thats going to be able to stay for at least five years, that is the longevity of the board goals, as well as the longevity of strategic of the strategic plan, Elliot said. The district says the last day for applicants to apply for the position is December 15, and hope to start interviews in January. They are expecting to finalize the search next March. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell died Wednesday following a brief illness, according to her family. She was 78. Rell, a Republican, served as the states 87th governor from 2004 to 2011. Before becoming the second female governor in state history, she served as lieutenant governor for ten years and as a member of the state House of Representatives, representing Brookfield and Bethel. Former Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell dies at 78 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current and former leaders from across the state expressed their condolences. Governor Rell represented the very best of Connecticut values, expanding healthcare and childcare, and making Connecticut one of the first states in the country to recognize same-sex unions, Gov. Ned Lamont (D-CT) said. She became governor almost reluctantly and at a time of great turmoil, and she used her newly acquired authority to bring stability to state government in a way that was very much needed at the time, focusing on strengthening state ethics laws and rebuilding the trust of the residents of our state. Her style of leadership was not fabricated or manipulated in any way. The Jodi Rell that the people of Connecticut saw in public was the Jodi Rell that she was in real life calm, rational, caring, approachable, and devoted to her family and to her state. During this time that Ive had the honor of serving as governor, she has become a very good friend. Former governor Dannel Molloy (D-CT), Rells successor, spoke highly of her. The Governor was just a wonderful human being, Molloy said. Very kind. Very calming. She was an exceptional individual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Rowland, the former governor who chose Rell to be his number two and whose resignation amid an investigation led to Rell assuming the position as governor, said that she was an indispensable partner. Jodi was really a partner, Rowland said. I mean, it may be Governor and Lieutenant Governor but she participated in everything our budget discussions, we went through 9/11 together. We had a lot of issues. In a small state like ours, we could cover a lot of territory. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz (D-CT) said, Connecticut has lost a trailblazing political leader and treasured public servant who served our state with dedication and distinction for nearly three decades. She stepped up as Connecticuts second female governor in 2004, during a tumultuous time, and restored public trust in and brought stability back to state government, Bysiewicz said. She was hardworking, smart, and well-liked by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. She brought integrity, compassion, and civility to public service, and she was truly a role model for many women in government. She was a strong advocate for our veterans, military men and women, and members of our National Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican State Chairman Ben Proto said Rell was exactly what the state of Connecticut and, more importantly, the people of Connecticut needed in 2004 when she assumed the office of governor. Governor Rell may have ascended to the office of Governor during a tumultuous time, but her calm demeanor, her knowledge of state government, her political acumen and her southern charm, won over many critics and helped put Connecticut back on track, Proto said. Governor M. Jodi Rell was the exact right person to lead our state at that time. Jodi Rell loved Connecticut, she loved public service, and she served our state with dignity and grace, the Connecticut Senate Republican Caucus said in a statement. As our 87th Governor, she had an incredible connection with Connecticut residents that helped her lead us through some very difficult days. She was the genuine article. She emphasized transparency in government. She was a leader and a role model for all our citizens. Connecticut House Republicans shared on X that House Republicans join our state in mourning the passing of Connecticuts 87th Governor, Jodi Rell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff issued a joint statement. Governor Rell was a gracious, compassionate and intelligent leader for many years, guiding Connecticut and reassuring its citizens after the resignation of John Rowland, they said. We always found her to be thoughtful, bipartisan, hardworking, and dedicated to improving the lives of Connecticut citizens. We extend our sympathies to her family and friends and encourage them to take comfort in the shining legacy that she has left the people of Connecticut. Former Republican State Senate Leader Leonard Fasano said she will forever be known for uniting Connecticut and bringing comfort to the residents of the State of Connecticut. Her tireless work and strong leadership moved Connecticut in the right direction, Fasano said. Her influence in politics continues to permeate the building and the State of Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement. Working very personally with Jodi Rell as state Attorney General over many years, I deeply admired her dedication to seeking bipartisan consensus and putting public interest over politics, Blumenthal said. She was unceasingly gracious and unequivocally caring in dealing with colleagues. She respected the rule of law in spirit as well as letter as I saw first-hand and continually valued. I was constantly grateful to her and her family for their public service, and their friendship. She had a magnificent life, and gave so much to the people of Connecticut. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said Rell was a public servant who could never be defined by traditional party lines. She led by example and helped restore trust in government, leaving behind a legacy guided by the values of integrity, responsibility, and civility in politics, Murphy said. Whether it be Connecticuts landmark clean elections system or our work to find breakthrough stem cell cures, so many great things about Connecticut have Governor Rells fingerprints all over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield) called it a sad day for Brookfield and for the state of Connecticut. She put public service and people above politics, Harding said. She was principled in her Republican beliefs, but did everything she could to not make decisions based on politics. Thats the reason why she was so beloved as a governor and why she had such skyrocketing popularity. Thats the reason she won the 2006 gubernatorial election by such a large margin. I have greatly admired her for many years and always will. Sen. Kevin Kelly (R) said she epitomized public service and restored trust in state government at a time when Connecticut desperately needed it. She was a straight shooter whose word was her bond, Kelly said. That integrity earned her universal respect from Republicans and Democrats alike. Her principled leadership has inspired many including myself to serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) said Rell led with grace and dignity and was widely respected by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and the entire State of Connecticut. She was the personification of class and leadership, Larson said. She rose above party politics to bring our state together and restore the peoples faith in government during troubling times. It was an honor to serve alongside her in the Connecticut General Assembly, and work with her as a Member of Congress when she served as Governor. Our state was well-served by her principled leadership. Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), who served with Rell in the Connecticut General Assembly from 1987 to 1994, issued the following statement. I served in the General Assembly for eight years with her on committees and had an opportunity to see up close her principled, civil approach to public office. During her time as governor, she succeeded by using the same approach to deal with difficult issues on a bipartisan basis, which explained her immense popularity both before and after her time as governor. That civility, comity, and adherence to her oath of office are in many ways her enduring legacy which is greatly needed at a time of great division in our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) called Rell a principled leader who guided Connecticut through a challenging time with grace, openness, and authenticity. Her love for our state shone bright throughout a long career in public office, and Connecticut is better off for her leadership, Himes said. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-03) said Rells leadership exemplified integrity, bipartisanship, and dedication to the well-being of Connecticuts residents. She was the second woman to lead the state of Connecticut. Her tenure is remembered for its emphasis on ethical reform, fiscal responsibility, and civil rights initiatives, DeLauro said. Her career in public service was one of tireless service, steady leadership, and a trailblazing spirit. As the state reflects on her impactful career, Governor Rells commitment to public service continues to inspire leaders and citizens alike. Her legacy remains a cornerstone of Connecticuts political history, reminding us of the power of leadership rooted in compassion and accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General William Tong said it was a great honor to serve with her. After the tumult and uncertainty of her predecessors tenure, she was a model of grace and stability, Tong said. The Governor was incredibly kind and gracious to me whenever I had the chance to engage with her. Her brand of thoughtful politics and leadership is sorely missed, and my hope is that elected leaders here and across the country will do better to follow her lead and example. Comptroller Sean Scanlon said Rell will forever be remembered as the leader who stepped up and restored peoples faith in honest government. She dedicated her life to public service, and her unwavering commitment as Governor to ethics reform, transparency, and improving healthcare access and education made Connecticut a better state, Scanlon said. State Sen. Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) issued the following statement regarding Rells death. Connecticuts second female Governor, Jodi Rell, took the reins of our state during a fraught time. We needed a leader who could keep our state moving forward and retain trust in governance; she succeeded. She expressed kindness and welcoming to countless people across our state and long had a reputation for effective leadership across the aisle. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) called Rell a friend, a mentor, and steadfast believer in the promise of Connecticut. Governor Rell took a chance on me at 19 years old and drastically shaped the woman and leader Ive became, Stewart said. She will be missed by all, but especially by me and the countless others who were influenced by her enduring legacy. Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam (D) said he was deeply saddened by Rells death, calling her a dedicated public servant who made significant contributions to our state. Her leadership during challenging times showcased her ability to unite people across party lines, reminding us that civility and cooperation are essential in public service, Arulampalam said. As we reflect on her legacy, we must honor her commitment to Connecticut residents and the virtue of leading with integrity. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. To know Trumps real support, follow the money Manhattan: Last Friday, I had the experience of spending time with a millennial Donald Trump supporter. It felt like I was listening to a YouTube conspiracy video. I listened to them ramble on with RFK Jr.s rants that HIV doesnt cause AIDS, and that somehow circled back to fluoride in the water poisoning our brains. Then the CIA came into the conversation as having murdered RFKs uncle or dad, something like that, right before we are witnessing the systematic destruction of the two-party system because voting is an illusion and Trump is going to show us all, including the Epstein list (verbatim). There was more in the same vein, and this leads me to one thing about what this poor, brainwashed soul said: Voting is not an illusion, its just all about the money. There has to be an extraordinary financial benefit for the wealthy not for Trumps average supporters, who seem to think theyre going to get checks in the mail from that man becoming president. Ive been watching that buffoon for the last three decades and this is literally a joke. His crimes are proven. His racism is proven. His incompetence is proven. Yet, here we stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a firm believer that when there is a mystery, follow the money. Im interested to see who profits from this farce, perhaps billionaire Peter Thiel. Im sure the influx of replies are inbound, but please reread that I never said the election was stolen. You guys are a little predictable. T.S. Fallani Unworthy options Liberty, N.Y.: I agree with Voicer Joan Kraft. I did not vote. The choices were very poor. America has to have better candidates. I wonder how many more bowed out. No one earned my vote. Loretta Guido Pro-choice Belvidere, N.J.: I take issue with Voicer Joan Krafts logic. If a registered Republican or Democrat is ashamed of their candidate, thats no reason for sitting out this monumental presidential election. Even if Kraft is a registered Independent, she reveals a bigger disdain for Kamala Harris when she labels her a progressive feminist baby-killer. Personally, Trump is a moral mess, but he will uphold the Republican Party platform of protecting our religious freedom in all aspects of society. If elected president, Harris would have had pro-life medical doctors perform abortions against their conscience and their religious beliefs. Kraft could have included Communist in her description of Harris. Dan Arthur Pryor Birthright citizenship Olivebridge, N.Y.: A womans right to her own body moves into the Trump-era crosshairs. Two considerations: In what trimester does a fetus become an American citizen? If the answer to that is a fetus is not an American citizen, then there is only one citizen to consider when an American woman is pregnant. My conclusion is that the government (federal, state) needs to absolutely respect the decision of the American citizen. Second consideration: For those who refer to a fetus as an unborn child: We will each die at some point thats one of the few certainties these days. Therefore, using the same verbal gymnastics, are we all then undead corpses? Warren Davis Esteemed stature St. James, L.I.: The election decided the next president and the vitriol continues between the respective camps. The infantile besmirching of President-elect Trump must cease. I have abhorred the references to Hitler, fascism, dictator, orange man and many other labels thrown his way. The office of president must be respected. You may not respect the occupant of the Oval Office, but the office itself must be respected. The occupant of this sacred office is the constitutional leader of our country and is considered the leader of the Free World. I do not respect the person named Donald J. Trump. I do, however, respect the president of the United States, duly elected by the people of this great country. Carmine E. Esposito Beholden to Big Oil Brooklyn: Every time I open my mail, there is a plea from some environmental group to save the wolves or the Arctic wilderness or some other truly worthy cause. Now that Trump is going to be president, I anticipate a total war on the environment. There may soon be oil rigs in our national parks. The oil industry funded his campaign and it will expect to reap the benefits. His administration will vindictively dismantle every regulation that stands in the way of big business. The electric and hybrid car innovations the Biden administration fostered may soon be rescinded along with the jobs they created. This may not be what voters wanted, but its what theyll get. Ed Temple Stand against a roundup Roosevelt, L.I.: Let us protest President-elect Trumps mass deportation plan. It is senseless family separation on steroids. It must not be tolerated no matter how popular Trump is. The mass deportation of 11 million immigrants is extremely harmful. All immigrants are not criminals and must not be discriminated against with Trump back in the White House. Hard-working immigrants must be celebrated and appreciated, not eliminated to keep Trumps campaign promise, built on lies. Yes, those who have committed crimes must pay the time. That includes Trump. You reap what you sow, and what happens in the darkness will come to light. Dangerous double standards of mass deportation could backfire on America. It creates devastating costs to American citizens in terms of our economy, national debt and budget. Arthur L. Mackey Jr. Stripped of scapegoats Sebastian, Fla.: After all the immigrants are deported, who will you blame for all the crime? Kevin Keppenheimer Out-of-place emotion Monroe, N.Y.: Re Jimmy Kimmel gets choked up reflecting on Trump win (Nov. 7): Im sorry, I must have missed the tears Jimmy Kimmel shed for our wonderful, loyal troops who lost their lives evacuating our citizens from Afghanistan during President Bidens tail-between-his-legs blunder of an evacuation. Mike Ryan Overqualified Brooklyn: Reading about the proposal by Councilmember Pierina Ana Sanchez to require using a licensed plumber to install some appliances that right now come from the store ready to plug into the outlet (Repairing what isnt broken, editorial, Nov. 17), I would like to know if that proposal includes the task to put a new roll of toilet paper into the holder, or do we have to call a plumber or a councilmember to do it? Francisco J. Castillo Join the fight Chirnside Park, Victoria, Australia: If Israeli Muslims can join the Israel Defense Forces voluntarily and fight and die bravely alongside their Sabra and other Jewish brothers and sisters in arms when defending Israel, Im sure there must be close to 250,000 Haredi Jewish men out of the worlds almost 2 million Haredim who could fight for Israels and ultimately, the rest of Judean-Christian-based Western societys very existence! And any we do not fight Haredim having doubts should lock onto the fact that apart from Israels hundreds of millions of traditional Middle Eastern enemies, it faces the combined might of ever-tentacle-spreading, totalitarian Red China, despotic Putin-led Russia and third-generation-crazy-coot-led North Korea; all so very greatly aiding and abetting said hundreds of millions of traditional enemies of tiny Israel. Howard Hutchins Asking too much Milford, Pa.: Gov. Hochul wants to unpause congestion pricing. No surprise there. Shes now proposing a $9 fee instead of $15. Thats supposed to make people feel better? All this to fund the black hole, aka the MTA. The agency has already requested $63 billion for its capital plan $63 billion? The mere request is the height of hubris. They shouldnt get a dime of drivers money until the books are audited and we see where all that money is really going. The MTA wants more money? Raise the fare and stop fare-beating, then well talk. Until then, not a cent! Robert K. Greco Licensed liabilities Staten Island: I have one question we could all agree upon: When is the NYPD going to start to patrol the citys highways and pull over and ticket these reckless drivers? Along with insurance companies gouging consumers when it comes to insurance premiums, these are the clowns that also push the premiums higher. Enough is enough. Dennis Pascale Laura Hogshead (left), the director of ReBuild NC, and Pryor Gibson, advisor to Gov. Roy Cooper, are sworn in to testify in front of lawmakers about the state's hurricane recovery housebuilding program on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Laura Hogshead, director of ReBuild NC, which mismanaged millions of dollars in hurricane recovery spending, is no longer employed with the agency, Inside Climate News has confirmed. Eddie Buffaloe Jr., secretary of the Department of Public Safety, announced Hogsheads departure in a memo Wednesday afternoon. ReBuild NC, also known as the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency, is under DPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pryor Gibson, a senior adviser to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, will lead the agency in the interim, according to an internal memo sent to ReBuild NC staff. Hogshead appeared before a legislative oversight committee on Monday, where she revealed that the agency had incurred a $221 million shortfall in Hurricane Matthew and Florence recovery programs. As a result, the agency was not paying contractors on time; stipends for displaced homeowners who are living in temporary housing have also been late. ReBuild NC had received nearly a billion dollars from the federal government for multiple hurricane recovery initiatives, including reconstruction and repair of storm-damaged homes. We werent watching [the budget] carefully enough, Hogshead testified. We took for granted that we could move money around within the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The oversight committee had summoned Hogshead and Gibson, who had been dispatched by the governors office to assist ReBuild NC, to testify about the agencys financial straits after an Inside Climate News report last month. Hogshead had led ReBuild NC since 2019. During that time, the agency mismanaged several aspects of its programs, state records show. ReBuild NC has spent $76 million housing hurricane survivors in motels or apartments, some for as long as four years, while their houses were rebuilt or rehabbed; at least a dozen people died before returning home. Some contractors ignored construction deadlines, creating backlogs of thousands of homes. Slipshod workmanship resulted in more than 830 warranty claims homeowners filed against construction companies. The timing of the hearing dovetailed with state and federal funding decisions for western North Carolina, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene in late September. Several lawmakers said at Mondays hearing that, given ReBuild NCs record of mismanagement, they could not entrust the agency with managing disaster recovery in western North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, Gov. Cooper is leading a delegation of state and local leaders and officials to Washington to present a request for $25.57 billion in federal aid to support the recovery process from Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, according to a press release from the governors office. While in Washington, the governor will meet with President Biden, Senator Thom Tillis, Senator Ted Budd, Congressman Chuck Edwards and other federal officials. Tillis, Budd and Edwards were among eight members of North Carolinas congressional delegation who, after learning of ReBuilds overspending, recently asked the Department of Housing and Urban Developments inspector general to investigate the agency. In the summer of 2022, legislative leadership formed the oversight committee to investigate problems at the agency. Since then, Hogshead and other top agency officials have appeared before the committee five times to explain the reasons for construction delays and other programmatic problems. Displaced homeowners also testified at some of the hearings and told lawmakers of long delays in returning home. Geraldine Williams family had lived in a motel without a kitchen for four years. She told lawmakers that she had been self-administering kidney dialysis in the motel all of that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early 2023, Richard Trumper, a general contractor who had led a successful state-funded recovery program at a different agency, began advising ReBuild NC. The pace of home repairs and construction picked up, from roughly a dozen per month to 115. While those numbers were an improvement, the agency failed to manage the costs associated with the construction, Gibson told the legislative committee. At Mondays hearing, Rep. Brenden Jones, a Columbus County Republican, asked Hogshead, Will you resign? No sir, I will not, she replied. This report was first published by Inside Climate News. BOWIE COUNTY, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) Red River Army Depot is celebrating 20 years of working with defense contractor BAE Systems to rebuild and remanufacture Bradley Fighting Vehicles. So technology has changed quite a bit over the last 20 years since the Bradleys first variants up to the variant 4 that we have now, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle A4, says Red River Army Depot Commander Colonel Dennis Fajardo. The partnership is seen as a win-win for both parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For BAE Systems having the Red River Army Depot skilled workforce here, its a vital piece of what we do. Having the activity that goes on here with the depot for their own overhaul, for the US Army, we just leverage that same skill set for our program as well, says Aaron Bandow, the Bradley Program Director for BAE Systems. The army says what makes this vehicle so uniquely important is its survivability. Military historian shares Vietnam War insight and impact in American culture There are many protections that allow the soldiers to stay safe on the battlefield. Not only the firepower and mobility, but the communications aspects and electronics are all geared towards making the soldier safer while conducting their missions and having greater lethality on the battlefield, says Colonel Fajardo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those qualities can be seen on full display even now. So the Bradley is a pretty famous fighting vehicle today given every effort thats going on in the Ukraine, says Bandow. This illustrates why its so important that partnerships like this continue so that America and its allies have the means to keep these vehicles battle-ready. So the capability and the things that are necessary to do those jobs, if theyre not done, there are skill sets that fade away, says Colonel Fajardo. The event also acknowledged the milestone of their delivery of 500 Bradley A4s to the US Army. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) Users reported issues with Reddits app and website Thursday for the second day in a row. Over 70,000 users reported the website was not working Thursday morning, according to Downdetector. Reddit resolved the issues by 11:20 a.m., representatives of the company said in a post to X. More Local News An error message is displayed on Reddit as users report a website outage. (PIX11 News) The reports of issues with Reddits app and website started pouring in after 9 a.m., according to Downdetector. Around 11 a.m., Reddit said it was working on the issue as reports of issues dropped to around 9,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are currently investigating a problem with our site, representatives of Reddit posted to X. Reddit also faced issues with its website Wednesday afternoon around 3:40 p.m. and resolved the problem within about 8 hours. 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. Santa will be making his rounds a bit early this year for some people in Millcreeks Township with the help of their fire department. Santa will be going to homes throughout Millcreek on a fire engine accompanied by members of the Millcreek Fire Department delivering presents to kids ages 10 and under. Donate to a child in need during Operation Christmas Childs National Collection Week Those gifts are provided by parents and guardians and handed over to the fire department to help deliver with Santa on Sunday, December 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are here when theres an emergency, but we also want to be available and accessible to the community for some of these public outreach programs. Just like for Halloween when were out, we want to be out in the community for Christmas as well. This is an opportunity for us to partner with Santa and make sure that we can make good visits to residents in Millcreek, said Michael Cliff, chief of the Millcreek Township Fire Department. Christmas trees flourish despite stretch of dry weather Parents do have to register for a spot on the fire departments route, and theyre encouraging people to gather as many kids interested in one spot as possible. The deadline to register is November 27, and you can find a link here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. It has been more than two weeks since Donald Trump won his second term in office, promising to bring with him a flurry of policies aimed at reducing the size of the federal government. In the aftermath of the loss, Democrats have been soul-searchingresulting in all sorts of postmortems on what went wrongand casting about for some new way of doing politics. In an op-ed for The New York Times, Adam Jentleson, former chief of staff for John Fetterman, said (among other things) that Democrats should embrace what he called supply side progressivism, achieving limited deregulation for liberal policy goals. One example cited by Jentleson involved Representative Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez, who recently made a video explaining her opposition to regulations that seemingly prevent daycare workers from peeling fruit for children, because it counts as food preparation and therefore would require an establishment to have more sinks. She presented this regulation as a part of a pattern that shes seen before in Washington, D.C.part of a ingrained disregard for working people by policymakers in DC. Representative Gluesenkamp-Perez is not wrong to point out that such a regulation may create unintended consequences; her call for ordinary Americans to have more input in how regulations are formed is a noble one. Theres just one problem: As pointed out on X, this was a state law crafted in Olympia, Washington, not a federal rule drafted in Congress. Indeed the Banana Act merely regulates that states that require childcare block grants not prohibit licensed child care providers from performing simple food preparation of fruits and vegetables. While Representative Glusenkamp-Perezs video does not explicitly claim its a federal regulation, its presented in such a way that might make one think its origins were in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This type of flattened rhetoric, obscuring actual dynamics in levels of regulation and policy, is not only a lazy political choice on the part of Democrats but a dangerous contribution in an environment ripe for deregulation. Empowered by Supreme Court decisions (such as Loper Bright, which overturned the doctrine of Chevron deference), the incoming Trump administration is set to roll back hundreds of regulations and attack the agencies that oversee them. Regulation broadly serves the average Americanregulating their rights as workers and as consumers, as well as protecting food, water, and air. Any politician fighting for the working class would be wise to defend these regulations, by pointing out numerous recent wins for workers achieved through them. For instance, the Federal Trade Commission banning noncompete clauses freed workers to obtain employment and start businesses in the same field as their previous place of employment. Just recently, the National Labor Relations Board issued a rule that companies cannot force workers to attend meetings about unionization. (This rule will likely be overturned by the next administration.) It would also be wise to point to the adverse impacts of rolling back regulations. In 2019, the Trump administration allowed pork processing plants to have fewer USDA inspectorsallowing for faster processing lines. Science magazine also found that year that in the two years after Trump took office, Food and Drug Administration enforcement actions dropped dramatically. We only need to look to recent headlines to see the perils of such an approach: a listeria outbreak tied to a Boars Head processing plant that killed 10 people and made 59 ill, possible listeria contamination tied to poultry and other meats from BrucePac, and an E. coli outbreak at a Montana-based meat processing company. With the Boars Head outbreak, we know that USDA inspectors flagged problems with the now closed plant in 2022 but that the agency failed to take action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Representative Gluesenkamp-Perez said, workers should have a say in what regulations are enacted, and politicians can and should take the time to educate people about upcoming rules on which federal agencies are seeking comment. While agencies are not permitted to make judgments on rules solely on comments (whether in support or against), they are included as part of the calculus. How many Americans know right now that the Occupational Health and Safety Administration is seeking public comment in support of a heat standard that would require employers to protect their workers from the heat? Such a rule would ensure workers get things like water and rest breaks, at a time when such things have come under attack from state governments like Texas and Florida. Of course, the anger people feel at institutions is realpeople do feel like government is not working for them. But this anger cannot be allowed to cannibalize the interests of the working class. Any politician truly interested in the welfare of this group would divert this ire toward the parts of the government that truly impede peoples ability to live a good life. Its time to take aim at the mountain of requirements and bureaucratic hurdles people must overcome in order to access government services and benefits. The journalist Annie Lowrey referred to this as the time taxthe amount of extra time that people have to spend navigating a complex bureaucratic system in order to access health care, unemployment, financial assistance, and other services. Take SNAP (commonly known as food stamps) as an example: With this program, applicants not only have to meet work requirements and stay under a certain income to qualify, but they also may have to recertify their eligibility through in-person interviews, which can cause them to miss work. Qualifying for these programs often requires navigating multiple pages of forms; there is often a backlog that results in people experiencing long wait times to have their applications processed. If an error is made in the process, these add to the wait. These barriers are what professors Pamela Herd and Donald P. Moynihan refer to as administrative burdens. As Voxs Abdallah Fayyad points out, simple changes can be made to these programs to prevent people from going through needless hardship. During the early stages of the pandemic, the federal government provided enhanced federal funding to states to keep people continuously enrolled in Medicaidthis skipped the annual reenrollment process that required states to reverify eligibility. This lasted until March of last year, when people began to be disenrolled. While Medicaid enrollments remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, 25 million people ended up losing coverage because of the renewal processmore than 70 percent of the disenrollments were due to procedural reasons, according to data collected by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Survey data shows that most Americans support reducing these administrative burdens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naturally, frustration with bureaucracy extends beyond benefits. Many people can relate to having a tough time with navigating the tax system, often forced to rely on paid services to get the job done. For years, companies like Intuit lobbied to keep the government from offering free filing tools, while they made millions as people used their software to file their taxes. Intuit was recently charged by the Federal Trade Commission for using deceptive marketing tactics, allegedly advertising free services that most people would not end up qualifying for. Finally, in 2024, the Internal Revenue Service introduced and piloted its own free file system in 12 states: DirectFile. The IRS says that this upcoming tax year, the service will be made available to people in 24 states. When the IRS decided to make DirectFile permanent in 2024, Intuits stock fell. Here, the government did not just leave and acquiesce to the demands of industry, as those who want deregulation would argue is necessaryhelping the working person looked like the government intervening to compete with industry. (Writing for The New Republic, Bryce Covert reported that those who were eligible to participate in the DirectFile pilot program gave it rave reviews.) When people try to access benefits and other government services, they are seen as a burden to the state and so they must prove their worthiness by jumping through endless hoops. Meanwhile, deregulation is being laundered as a tool to help average people trying to get by, when in reality it is merely a conduit to allow for greater exploitation. It is quite possible that as a Republican trifecta is sworn in, regular people will be asked to jump even higher, while the bar for regulatory compliance is lowered for corporations. Politicians who want to uplift the working class should run on a platform that promises to make government work for the people. That means using regulatory powers to protect individuals, encouraging and supporting direct worker input into those regulations, while, at the same time, decreasing the amount of paperwork and strain they have to go through to access government services and benefits. The election results have brought a period of reflection as people ask what went wrong. Especially as a challenging political landscape looms on the horizon, its important to be clear on how the government can best work for peoplerather than just how it can get out of the way. LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) As the 2025 session draws closer, Kentuckys League of Women Voters has released a new report critical of Frankforts legislative transparency. We know that these practices are often aimed at efficiency, but they unintentionally exclude the voices of everyday Kentuckians, LWVKY President Jennifer Jackson told a gathering of reporters on Wednesday. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time last year, the League released a report pointing out flaws theyve observed in Kentuckys lawmaking process, naming 4 fast-track maneuvers that pushed a percentage of bills through the process. Readings before committee action Last-minute committee substitutes Floor votes immediately after committee action Floor votes immediately after free conference committee action Now the organization is expanding the report with more findings for 2024, such as an increase in filing shell bills. Our research shows a sharp increase in the use of shell bills from just 15 filed in 2010 to 140 filed in 2024, Jackson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shell bills, placeholder legislation that is rewritten by a committee substitute after the filing deadline, was one challenge the group reported. Other challenges detailed in the report: The loss of pre-filed bills following 2022s House Bill 10 Some irregular committee schedules, including ones that never even met (namely budget review subcommittees in the House and Senate) Inconsistent access to past legislative records. University of Kentucky political science Prof. Stephen Voss told FOX 56 that, as valid as some of the Leagues concerns may be, theyre not necessarily out of the ordinary. For sure, what the Kentucky General Assembly does is not the democratic procedures that used to be the ideal for how a legislature ought to operate. Now, before somebody gets too critical of the Kentucky General Assembly, though, theres two things they need to understand. One is that this trend towards centralized decision-making is happening all across the country. Its the future of politics today, not so much something unique to Kentucky. And the second thing people need to understand when thinking about the way the Kentucky General Assembly handles itself is that we have very short sessions in national terms, and therefore the pressure to get things done, get things passed quickly, is very high here, Voss told FOX 56 News. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He explained that changes in the process typically happen when members in the majority start getting unhappy and leadership has to balance competing interests. Additionally, he said the League itself may hold less sway over Kentuckys Republican leadership because the group, which bills itself as non-partisan, may be viewed as left-leaning. Not only is it a distortion, its intellectually bankrupt, and it is statistically unsound, KY House Speaker David Osborne said, responding to the Leagues prior report on the first day of the 2024 session. We stand by the results of our report. The information thats contained therein and our job is not to make predictions about how people respond or react to it, but to report on whats happening, LVWKY VP Becky Jones said. Read more of the latest news in politics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leadership from both chambers had no comment on Wednesdays 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 FOX 56 News. LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) With millions of people catching a flight over the busy Thanksgiving travel weekend, crowded terminals and overbooked flights might lead to delays. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it is expecting to screen more than 18 million people over the Thanksgiving travel period. TSA leaders prepare for Thanksgiving airport rush A new report by Local Insider dived into flight punctuality across the United States, specifically focusing on departures during the holiday season. The study analyzed data from the Bureau of Transportation to determine which airport was the best to travel from over the holidays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Claiming its place at the No. 1 spot for the best airport in the nation for on-time departure flights during the holidays was the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Loudoun County, Va., according to Local Insider. The report noted that last holiday season, 88.6% of flights scheduled to depart from IAD left on time, the highest percentage among the nations 50 busiest airports. Royal Jordanian to start nonstop flights from Dulles International Airport in 2025 During Thanksgiving and the winter holidays combined, 6,271 flights left from the IAD, according to Local Insider. Not too far from the top was the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) located in Arlingtons Crystal City. DCA made the list at No. 5 for the best airport for on-time departures during the holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report showed that 11,439 flights were scheduled to depart during the holidays and nearly 86% of those left on time. City, town, County, State Airport Total Scheduled flight On-Time Flight Percent On-Time 1 Loudoun County, Va. Washington Dulles International Airport 6,271 5,558 88.6% 2 Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis-St Paul International 10,615 9,278 87.4% 3 Salt Lake City, UT Salt Lake City International 10,053 8,667 86.2% 4 Houston, TX George Bush Intercontinental/Houston 13,921 11,945 85.8% 5 Arlington, Va. Ronald Reagan Washington National 11,439 9,804 85.7% 6 Atlanta, GA Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International 29,732 25,481 85.7% 7 Newark, NJ Newark Liberty International 12,082 10,351 85.7% 8 Detroit, MI Detroit Metro Wayne County 10,711 9,131 85.3% 9 Chicago, IL Chicago OHare International 25,032 21,186 84.6% 10 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Douglas International 20,716 17,533 84.6% The study also examined the worst airports for holiday travel. According to the report, the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) ranked No. 7 due to long delays and flight cancellations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. There are nearly three times as many children as there are child care slots in Missouri, according to a report released Wednesday. As families struggle to find affordable child care, businesses wrestle with trying to find workers, and providers scramble to meet ever-changing regulations and requirements. Whats at stake is Missouris economy. Many hope that these new findings will help alleviate the cost and time child care facilities spend to run their businesses. There is just a lot from efficiency and administrative work that I think we can do to streamline and make it easier to do business in Missouri as a child care provider, United Womens Empowerment President and CEO Wendy Doyle said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Womens Empowerment (United WE), a research evidence-based organization, in part with the University of Missouri, interviewed dozens of providers and state inspectors for The Child Care in Missouri report. The group released its new findings Wednesday about the barriers providers face at a time when there are three times as many children as there are available spots. More than 75 percent of the state is in a child care desert, and according to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, its costing the states economy $1.3 billion. If we can get women fully participating in the labor force, we can grow Missouris by as much as 10 to 15 percent, Doyle said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report shows that in 2020, more than 2,000 child care programs closed. Though many reopened by 2022, there were still nearly 400 fewer licensed centers. Doyle said on average, state inspectors oversee about 77 programs each. One example Ill share is a provider had to devote six hours out of the day for an inspection, Doyle said. How can a provider do that when you have a workforce shortage and devote almost a full day of work to getting the inspector what they need to do their job? For the second year in a row, the General Assembly failed to pass tax credits to help businesses, families, and child care providers. Many blame it on the infighting in the Senate, but Governor-elect Mike Kehoe said its important to him to expand access to affordable child care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I tell people its a personal issue to me, Kehoe said earlier this month. My mother is a single mother, and I can tell you firsthand what it means when a mom has to decide whether to stay home and not make enough money to buy groceries or go to the store and leave her child at home. Lawmakers said they want to see what his administration will propose in the coming session. I would love to see us do something, Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, D-Affton, said. Im not sure but I would love to see us do that to give our working families a break. In addition to the child care tax credits, when we were working on that, we also came up with quite a list of things that are impediments for child care centers, Senate President Pro Tem Cindy OLaughlin, R-Shelbina, said. Basically overregulating them. I would be willing to help push the one thing through as long as we get the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doyle said United WE is not recommending that regulations and licensing go away; instead, it should be streamlined for providers. Another concern from United WE is the draining of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In 2023, Missouri distributed more than $39 million in federal funds to start 308 child care programs. Were coming to the very end of those federal investment funds in the state of Missouri and were holding our breath that child care providers can hang on, Doyle said. But, its also kind of a question mark and a worrisome point of will there be more closures as a result of federal funding drying up. I think a big concern for us is knowing that the American Rescue Plan Act funding is finally cycled through the system and were coming to the very end of those federal investment funds in the state of Missouri. Were all holding our breath that child care providers can hand on, but it is also kind of a question mark and a worrisome point of will there be more closures as a result of federal funding fully drying up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jamie Birch from Kehoes office was on the call when the report was released Wednesday and said streaming the process is achievable. Birch also said the incoming governor is considering proposing tax credits again. As for providers, within the budget this year, there is money to $54.8 million for child care subsidy rates and $26 million for private child care providers to offer prekindergarten programs to students qualifying for free and reduced lunch. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) A new report shows mixed results when it comes to the state of child poverty in New Mexico. The study from the child advocacy group New Mexico Voices for Children examined two different metrics from the U.S. Census Bureau. New Mexico Department of Cultural affairs proposes budget increase It found New Mexico is worst in the the nation under the official poverty measure which is based solely on household earnings. But the supplemental poverty measure incorporates other sources of income like housing subsidies, SNAP benefits, utility assistance, and school meal programs as well as additional expenses like child care, medical costs, and income taxes. Under that metric, New Mexicos child poverty rate is just under 9% which is better than the national average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates said the discrepancy shows that many families arent making enough money but also how much the state benefits from assistance programs and tax credits. We know that poverty is an incredibly complex problem. Its not just a matter of you dont make enough money.' Its Incredibly complex. It has to do with various factors, said Sharon Kayne, New Mexico Voices for Children. New Mexico Voices for Children said this report is the first in a series of reports on poverty. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Democratic incumbent Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs and her Republican challenger, Judge Jefferson Griffin. (Courtesy photos) Trailing incumbent Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs by 625 votes, Republican Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin wants to have batches of votes discounted. Griffin has challenged ballots of more than 60,000 voters, according to a NC Republican Party press release. He has filed protests in every county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferson has also requested a recount, which is ongoing. It appears that a majority of the challenges are based on voters who may not have provided a drivers license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number on their voter registration applications. A federal court judge partially dismissed a case brought by the Republican National Committee and the state Republican Party this year based on the same premise. The lawyer representing Republicans maintained in court that those voters are not properly registered. As part of that lawsuit, Republicans wanted the state Board of Elections to make a plan to purge 225,000 voters before Election Day or require them to cast provisional ballots. Voters who appear to have been convicted of felonies and voters who died before Election Day are on Griffins protest lists, though the campaigns data analyst did not know whether county elections boards had removed those ballots on their own. People who are on parole, probation, or are under post-release supervision for felony convictions are barred from voting. Griffin is also challenging overseas voters who voted using an online portal and checked a box saying they never lived in the United States. A U.S. citizen who has never lived in the country but who has a parent who last lived in North Carolina is eligible to vote here, according to the Federal Voting Assistance Program. The Republican National Committee and the state Republican Party sued over this issue too, asking ballots from those voters be set aside. The state Court of Appeals rejected their attempt last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Board of Elections on Wednesday ordered county boards of election to research and hold hearings on whether votes were counted from people who died, people serving felony sentences, or people who were not registered. The state Board will consider the protests over incomplete registrations, overseas voters, and military and overseas voters who sent ballots without photo ID or an exception form. The elections board set deadlines for county reports and lawyers briefs. Ashlee Adams, the Republican candidate in state Senate District 18, Rep. Frank Sossamon, the incumbent Republican in House District 32, and Stacie McGinn, the Republican candidate in Senate District 42 have also filed protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams was trailing Democrat Terence Everitt in the Senate district that includes Granville and the northern edge of Wake by 134 votes. Everitt is a member of the state House who switched to run for a seat in the Senate. Sossamon trails Democrat Bryan Cohn by 233 votes in the House district that includes Granville and part of Vance. McGinn is trailing Woodson Bradley in the Mecklenburg County Senate district. Those legislative races have also gone to recounts. Meanwhile over on Jones Street As the state Board of Elections was considering these challenges, the North Carolina Senate was moving forward with a sweeping bill to transfer the authority of the elections board to the state auditors office. The administration and the appointment of its members would fall under GOP purview starting May 1, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 382 also shortens the time voters can request absentee ballots, provides less time to correct mistakes on those absentee ballots, and gives county boards of election less time to count them. The staff at the State Board of Elections was not consulted on the changes and only received the proposed legislation Tuesday morning. The 131-page bill passed the House that evening with Senate approval coming Wednesday afternoon. A Republican senator who is a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump has falsely accused President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris of being behind the British governments decision to turn over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands including the location of a key military base to Mauritius despite the deals origins under the previous Conservative-led government. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana used time for debate over a trio of Democratic-authored resolutions to cut off certain kinds of arms to Israel to rail against the agreement that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers government reached with Mauritius over the status of the archipelago in October. In remarks delivered from the Senate floor, Kennedy who is not related to the famous family that has produced multiple Democratic officeholders since the 1960s described the pending agreement as a crisis that he was only recently alerted to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy accused Biden and Harris of giving away the important British-American military base on Diego Garcia, one of the islands that will be turned over to Mauritian authorities once the agreement is completed, albeit with a 99-year lease that guarantees continued American control of the island. Heres what President Biden is doing and Vice President Harris, they say, we need to ... grant independence to the Chagos islands, but not let the people of the Chagos islands run their country. We need to give the Chagos islands back to Mauritius, he said. A US Air Force B-1B bomber takes off from the Diego Garcia military base on a strike mission against Afghanistan in Diego Garcia in 2001 (DoD/AFP via Getty Images) He also claimed the agreement reached by the British government to hand over the Chagos Islands is cell-deep stupid because the Chagos Islands and Mauritius dont have a relationship anymore and accused both the Labour-led UK government and Biden and Harris of supporting the agreement to satisfy bureaucrats at the United Nations. The United Nations is saying: United Kingdom, you bad people, give back give the Chagos Islands back, but not let the Chagos Islands be free. They want to give the Chagos islands back to Mauritius, and President Biden could stop it, and so could Vice President Harris, but theyre for it, all in an effort to curry favor with the people at the United Nations who walk around with their NPR tote bags and their organic broccoli and have great relationships with media, members of media ... who they think write history, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Louisiana Senator failed to mention that the Chagos deal, to which the United States is not a party, is the end result of negotiations which started two years ago under then-foreign secretary James Cleverly. The talks stalled under Cleverlys replacement, Lord Cameron, but were revived after Labour took power in the July 2024 general election. Despite the public record showing the lack of American involvement in the talks, Kennedy claimed that the foreign policy crisis caused by the deal was all because President Biden and Vice President Harris want to appease the United Nations and urged the incoming Trump administration to call a halt to the process. President Trump: Please, pretty please with sugar on top, pick up the phone and call the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and say dont sign that treaty, he said. Dont give away the Chagos islands. Dont give away Americas military base. UK prime minister Keir Starmer at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (PA Wire) The deal with Mauritius is not due to come into place until next year but has been backed by the outgoing Biden administration. It could be an early flashpoint between Sir Keirs government and the incoming Trump administration, as US government sources say Mr Trump is looking to veto the deal, which is set to come into force after his inauguration in January, over global security fears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent has reported that Mr Trumps transition team has requested legal advice from the Pentagon over the agreement after allies of Nigel Farage had pushed Mr Trumps team to investigate the consequences of the Chagos Islands deal ahead of the US election. Ahead of an urgent question in the Commons last week, Mr Farage told The Independent that Mr Trump would be attempting to veto the deal. He said: Its happening! The controversy adds to tensions between the Labour-led government and Mr Trumps team over issues including continued support for Ukraine, tackling climate change and a row over alleged election interference in America by the Labour Party. Past tweets by foreign secretary David Lammy calling the president-elect a neo-Nazi have also caused issues. A US government official source told The Independent: Trump has received a UK-sourced briefing on Chagos and has asked the presidential transition team to work with the Pentagon to get legal advice. He has expressed a stance in principle to object to the deal if elected on the advice of the Department of Defense based on their global security posture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trumps incoming national security adviser, Florida Representative Mike Waltz, has been highly critical of the deal as well. Recently, Mr Waltz said: Should the UK cede control of the Chagos to Mauritius, I have no doubt that China will take advantage of the resulting vacuum. Meanwhile, Mr Trumps nominee for secretary of state, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, has described the deal as concerning as it would provide an opportunity for communist China to gain valuable intelligence on our naval support facility in Mauritius. WASHINGTON Republican senators were shocked last week when President-elect Donald Trump announced Matt Gaetz would be his nominee for attorney general. Republicans seemed far less shocked Thursday by news Gaetz had withdrawn himself from consideration. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said he was grateful because the Senate could move on. And Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said he was not surprised. I think the decision to withdraw the nomination is the right decision, Rounds told reporters. I thought it was problematic, and I think, as some of our members have expressed, as theyve learned more about it, there was perhaps some information out there that the president was not aware of when he made the original recommendation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before Trump chose Gaetz, it was widely known the then-congressman had been under investigation by the Justice Department for alleged sex trafficking in a case involving a 17-year-old. The department didnt press charges, but the House Ethics Committee was still investigating the matter until Gaetz resigned from Congress last week. After Trump said he wanted Gaetz as his top cop, further details leaked. On Thursday, CNN reported that Gaetz was accused of having not just one, but two sexual encounters with the 17-year-old. Several Republicans publicly questioned the nomination, and several more reported privately they would vote against Gaetz and that he had little chance of being confirmed by the Senate. Gaetz was going to fail in a floor vote, withdraw himself from consideration, or else Trump would have to bypass Congress, triggering a constitutional crisis, to install Gaetz at the top of the Justice Department. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said that with Gaetz dropping out, the process played out faster than we thought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the process included Gaetz making the rounds on Capitol Hill, meeting with senators in an effort to win them over. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-S.C.) met with Gaetz on Wednesday and suggested he might have seen the writing on the wall. I had several discussions with him. Hes very methodical, and I think he was going through a process himself, Tillis told HuffPost. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said perhaps Gaetz came up here and just didnt get a good feel to get confirmed. As he made his way among offices on Wednesday, Gaetz told reporters his meetings were going great. Senators have been giving me a lot of good advice, Gaetz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The long odds facing Gaetzs nomination set off speculation that Trump would try to circumvent the Senate and staff his administration with an unprecedented slate of recess appointments, triggering a major court battle over the separation of powers between the presidency and Congress. Republicans told HuffPost this week they didnt much like the prospect of recess appointments. Not everyone was relieved by Gaetz dropping out. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), an outspoken Trump ally, told HuffPost he felt disappointed. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who said last week Gaetz was not a serious nomination, indicated Thursday she was pleased. I think it was the right decision, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz was one of the least-liked members of Congress. Many House Republicans revile the former Florida congressman for his leading role in the ouster of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the speakers office. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said on social media along with a picture of McCarthy wielding a gavel with blazing red eyes that justice had been served. Justice has been served. pic.twitter.com/b5Aq5yQZfz Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) November 21, 2024 Democrats are happy, too. Now the question is, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said, how many others are going to have to withdraw as well? Donald Trump is asking Republicans in the Senate to squash a bill that would protect journalists from being forced to reveal their sources. The Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act would make a current Department of Justice rule barring prosecutors from compelling the release of journalists' sources into federal law. The bill passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives with unanimous support in January. Currently held up in the Senate, the bill came to Trump's attention after a segment on the act aired on "PBS NewsHour." He shared that clip along with an all-caps order on Truth Social Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL!" he wrote. Railing against the freedom of the press is nothing new for Trump. He spent a significant chunk of his time on the campaign trail, griping about perceived unfair coverage from media outlets and threatening the press. The president-elect filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS last month, taking issue with the way that the network edited portions of a "60 Minutes" interview with Kamala Harris. In the lead-up to that litigation, Trump called for the network's broadcast license to be revoked. "CBS should lose its license, and it should be bid out to the Highest Bidder, as should all other Broadcast Licenses, because they are just as corrupt as CBS and maybe even WORSE! he wrote on Truth Social in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, he called journalists the "enemy of the people" and gleefully imagined someone shooting through the press area of his campaign rally to get to him. All we really have over here is the fake news, right? And to get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news, Trump said. And I dont mind that so much. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Ohio House Republicans have chosen their speaker-elect for the 136th General Assembly: current Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) is now Ohio House Speaker-elect. House Republicans took the vote behind closed doors on Wednesday evening. What was really neat was just seeing the unity in the caucus, Rep. Jim Hoops (R- Napoleon) said. This was a highly anticipated race that came after two years of Republican infighting but the race for speakership ended up being uncontested. Current House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) dropped out of the race 48 hours before Wednesdays vote, giving up the chance of keeping his seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Tim Barhorst (R-Fort Loramie) was also eyeing the position but did not get nominated during the vote on Wednesday evening. In a statement, Barhorst said there was confusion around how the nominators were to get recognized, but said he still looks forward to the next general assembly. I have congratulated President/Speaker-Elect Huffman, Barhorst wrote in a statement. Clearly this is not the outcome I was hoping for. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the next GA to deliver a conservative MAGA agenda for Ohio. Huffman has been Senate President for the past four years, where he has a fraction of the members he will have in the House. He said when he is sworn in at the start of the year, it is his job to represent all 65 Republican members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not just in legislation or not just whos going first here, but also to defend them when somebody takes a crack at them, he said. We have to be brothers and sisters here, the 65 people, and thats my expectation. As you all heard me say more times than you want to hear, I cant tell anybody what to do. I can only ask them and that will be my ask and my expectation. Huffman said he thinks the Republican infighting will not be as big of an issue in the next General Assembly. People are going to get along a lot better, and theyre going to get the things to get done because thats the way it is with everything in life, Huffman said. If youre not making people angry, theyre more likely to do what you want to do, whether its the governor, the Senate, your fellow members of the House. As far as priorities go, Huffman said those come from the caucus and if a significant majority want to do something, it will get done. Huffman also listed some of the things he wants to get through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School choice, reform of higher education, professional licensure reform, a whole number of tax reform items, he said. And I see that weve got a lot of experts in the House already who can help with that. So, its going to be an exciting, exciting time for me in the House to come over and work with all these folks. Huffman, for example, is a big proponent of Senate Bill 83, a massive higher education reform bill that Stephens has held up during his time as speaker, and as of Tuesday, still has no intent of moving it forward. Huffman has also pushed for major reforms to the states adult-use marijuana program, which Stephens also stalled in the House. Huffman also supported several bills that opponents call anti-trans, like the bathroom bill and ban on gender-affirming care for minors (Stephens also supported those). Huffman is also expanding his leadership team, adding three positions. Huffman said that is to garner better communication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being able to communicate, especially on increasingly complex issues, making sure that people get feedback or at least know whats going on, thats one of the things that helps eliminate upset stomachs, Huffman said. If you keep people waiting and if you dont tell them whats going on, youre going to have more problems with a large group of people. So, I think we need more communicators. All the positions are still not technically officially; there will be floor votes in each chamber at the start of the new year. Typically, it is a given that whoever is elected behind closed doors will win the House floor vote at the start of the year as well, but that did not happen at the start of this general assembly, though several members said they are confident there will not be a repeat of that. Here are the other positions in both chambers, all elected behind closed doors this week: Ohio House Majority: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Pro Tempore-elect is Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) Assistant House Speaker Pro Tempore-elect is Rep. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) House Majority Floor Leader- elect is Marilyn John (R-Richland County) Assistant House Majority Floor Leader-elect is Rep. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) There are four Ohio House Majority Whips: Rep. Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky), Rep. Nick Santucci (R- Howland Twp.), Rep. Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.), Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) Ohio House Minority: All Ohio House minority positions remain the same for the next GA as they are currently. House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) Assistant House Minority Leader Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) House Minority Whip Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) Assistant House Minority Whip Michele Grim (D-Toledo) Ohio Senate Majority: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President-elect is Sen. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) Senate President Pro-Tempore-elect is Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) Senate Majority Floor Leader-elect is Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) Senate Majority Whip-elect is Sen. George Lang (R-West Chester) Ohio Senate Minority: Ohio Senate Minority leadership remains nearly the same for the next GA. Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) Assistant Senate Minority Leader Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) Senate Minority Whip Kent Smith (D-Euclid) Senate Assistant Minority Whip-elect Beth Liston (D-Dublin) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Some Republicans might actually support a House resolution to release the Ethics report on Matt Gaetzs alleged sexual misconduct. After the House Ethics Committee did not agree to release the report Wednesday, Democratic Representatives Steve Cohen and Sean Casten both introduced motions to force a House vote on releasing the report. It seems that some Republicans actually are in favor of releasing the report, which details a yearslong investigation into Gaetz for alleged sexual misconduct, even though doing so could sink his nomination to be the next attorney general and possibly go against Donald Trumps wishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNNs Manu Raju asked Wisconsin Representative Derrick Van Orden, a Republican, whether he would vote to release the report. I think its very important that everybody has as much knowledge as possible so they can make an informed decision, Van Orden said. That sounds like yes, Raju responded. Thats a yes, Van Orden said. So if the rumors are true about Gaetzs conduct then there should be referrals to other agencies. And if theyre not true then theres a whole lotta people who owe him an apology. Nebraska Representative Don Bacon, also a Republican, said he thought the report should at the very least be passed on to the Senate, even if the House Ethics Committee did not vote to release it. The Senate deserves to have it, so they can make a good decision, he told Politico. The House will have to vote on the motions within two days of their being introduced. Nov. 20POJOAQUE PUEBLO A crowd that included tribal leaders from across the continent gathered outside of Santa Fe on Wednesday to hear new research on the problem of missing and murdered Native American people in New Mexico and the Navajo Nation. The annual Government-to-Government Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation, now in its 19th year, gathers leaders from tribal nations to solicit recommendations to the U.S. Department of Justice relating to public safety, including the administration of federal funds and federal law enforcement response on tribal lands. FBI intelligence analyst Don Metzmeier told the crowd of hundreds at Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder that he set out several years ago to find an answer to the question of how many missing Native American people there were in New Mexico, and for the past several years he has worked to make the agency's list as accurate as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'll often say, [missing and murdered Indigenous people] is not a problem, it is an indication of problems complex problems," Metzmeier said. "How do we know if the problem is getting better or worse if we don't have good data?" The most recent list provided by the FBI shows 197 missing Native American people throughout the state and the Navajo Nation. The list was last updated on Oct. 21, when eight people were added and 11 were removed. For more than two years the FBI has been publicizing its list of missing Indigenous people, working to confirm resolved cases and cross off the names of people who have been found. Since July 2022, Metzmeier said, 744 unique names of Native American people have appeared on his monthly lists, but about 75% of those missing persons cases have been resolved. Researchers funded by the National Institute of Justice also presented their findings on missing Indigenous people in New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In monthly counts taken from May 2023 to April 2024, a study undertaken by University of Nebraska at Omaha researchers combined missing persons lists from sources including the FBI, the Navajo Nation, the state Missing Persons Clearinghouse and open-source data such as posts on social media sites. Dr. Emily Wright and Dr. Tara Richards said their research found that, on average, more than 90% of names of missing Indigenous people they compiled each month were on Metzmeier's FBI lists. Richards said the real percentage could be higher, since the two teams did not perform their counts on the same days each month. There are several challenges to studying the numbers of missing Indigenous people, the researchers said, including racial misclassification, jurisdictional issues and the fact that it's not necessarily against the law for an adult to go missing. "Measuring 'hidden populations' like missing persons, or similarly, if we try to count the number of homeless people in a given place, is inherently difficult," Wright said. "There is no standard methodology by which we should collect data to accurately understand the number of missing persons in a given jurisdiction." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Native American people went missing in New Mexico at a rate more than double the state's average 9.1 people per 10,000 according to Wright's and Richards' data. The case resolution rate from month to month was also lower for missing Native Americans, Richards said. While about 19.4% of cases were resolved on average, the rate was 13.8% for Indigenous peoples. About 70% of missing Indigenous peoples are adults, she said. More Native American men go missing than women, but for children, she said more girls go missing than boys. Several tribal leaders spoke on the importance of federal agencies addressing the issues of missing and murdered Indigenous people and domestic violence in their tribes, as well as allocating more funding and other resources to tribal law enforcement agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santa Clara Pueblo Gov. J. Michael Chavarria gave testimony Wednesday one of dozens to do so over the course of the dayslong conference asking the agency to lobby Congress for more funding for public safety for tribal nations. "We must address the lack of equality in constructing educational infrastructure in many tribal communities, and the high rates of substance abuse for our Native youth," Chavarria said. "We need to suggest underscoring the law enforcement and the rise of major crimes across Indian country. Each of these issues influences the others and shapes the public safety landscape of our tribal communities." The researchers pointed out the disproportionate rates of homicide and domestic violence faced by Native Americans as well as historical trauma that informed their research of the issue. "It is not an FBI problem, it is not a tribal problem, and it is absolutely not a families of the missing persons problem," Metzmeier said. "It is a problem." The cleanup from one of the most powerful storms to hit western Washington began hours after the worst of the wind subsided Wednesday morning. While nearly impossible to count, trees of all sizes and species fell across the region, including several onto local homes. We heard the crack from the tree, we both came into the living room and watched this tree come down into our kitchen, Michael Edmison, a Granite Falls homeowner, said. He and his wife have a camping stove they will use for cooking. The homes insulation is scattered through Edmisons home, peaking through the gaps in the tree branches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was very scary, very traumatic, Michael said. The tree was suspended on power lines above the ground when KIRO 7 crews went to the home. Edmison said the Public Utility District said to leave branches and trees alone until they inspect them. In Lake Stevens, Terri Wrights neighborhood is littered with downed trees, with the background noise of chainsaws and generators rippling through the streets. That was the only tree that could have hit us and it did, Wright said, looking at the Sitka Spruce she and her family planted in the 70s as a Christmas tree. The tree broke through the dining room window, missing her bedroom window by a few feet. Her nephew was sitting just a couple of feet from the window that was now broken. Wright noticed several transformers blowing and sparking up, and then the sound of the tree came. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sound of broken glass is just scary, Wright said. I have never seen people and two dogs move that quickly. Wrights nephew came by Wednesday night to start the process of cleaning up the spruce. Helping out was exactly what Luke Dequilettes and Marco Mediate planned to do Tuesday night. Fresh off a shift and excited about the wild weather to come, the two and their friend, Ben, took to the streets to clear debris where they could. We were just kind of driving around and whenever we would encounter a tree blocking the road, we would check for power lines and if it was safe to do so wed cut the tree and move the debris, Dequilettes, a former arborist, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id say this is one of the wrost [storms] Ive seen. It was really gnarly, it was pretty scary being out there, Dequilettes said, Be safe about it but, help the community around you. Thats important. The three estimate they cleared close to a dozen trees over a couple of hours. They hoped they made life a little easier for the first responders grueling through the storm. Its the first [storm] we felt compelled to do something, Mediate said. SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (KRQE) Residents in a southern New Mexico town are taking the city, county, and water utility to court after they say theyve dropped the ball on giving them safe drinking water for years. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The water problems in Sunland Park have been known to many for years, it just seems like no one was willing to do anything about them, said Israel Chavez, co-counsel representing plaintiffs in the lawsuit. A group of Dona Ana County residents are suing the county, City of Sunland Park, and Camino Real Regional Utility Authority saying theyve failed to give residents safe water for years. Folks in Sunland Park just want water they can drink, water they can bathe their children in, that they can wash their dishes with and cook with, and they have not had that not just for the last year but for decades, said Chavez. According to the lawsuit, for years the arsenic levels were above the EPA legally allowed limit. Increased exposure to the chemical can lead to a number of health issues including cancer. The suit also says the EPA notified the utility of arsenic violations every quarter for over ten years with no corrections made. A friend of mine, Jesus Baquera, said it best: the communitys just looking for justice. Communities looking for water that they can rely on and confidence in their water systems, said Chavez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys are holding a town hall on Thursday at the Dona Ana Community Colleges Sunland Park Center, where people can learn more about the effort and potentially join the lawsuit. The town hall will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. KRQE News 13 reached out to Dona Ana County. It said it does not comment on pending litigation. KRQE News 13 also reached out to the City of Sunland Park and CRRUA but did not hear back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Retired Milwaukee auxiliary bishop Richard J. Sklba has died at age 89. Sklba was a biblical scholar who taught scripture to seminarians and worked to build connections across religious faiths. But like so many Catholic leaders of his era, his reputation was tainted by the clergy sex abuse scandal. A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said Thursday afternoon that Sklba died overnight. He always had a love for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and generously spent his life in service, Archbishop Jerome Listecki said in a statement. Bishop Sklba was a gentleman, a scholar and always a true Christian. Bishop was known as scriptural scholar Sklba retired in 2010, shortly after turning 75, when all Catholic bishops are required to submit their resignations. He filled in at parishes on weekends after retirement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Listecki just in his second year leading the archdiocese called Sklba selfless and a faithful servant, who combined an extraordinary pastoral approach with the keen sense of a teacher." Retired auxiliary bishop Richard Sklba has died at age 89. Born in Racine and educated in Rome, Sklba was one of the nation's youngest bishops when he was installed as auxiliary bishop in Milwaukee in 1979. He served in that role under archbishops Rembert Weakland, Timothy Dolan now cardinal of New York and Listecki. Sklba gained a national reputation as a proponent of ecumenical relations. He was active in the U.S. Conference of Bishops and the Catholic Bible Association of America, and was known for building bridges in particular with the Jewish community and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He co-chaired the national Lutheran/Catholic Dialogue organization for years and chaired the U.S. bishops' committee on interreligious affairs in the mid-2000s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also was considered a scriptural scholar, with degrees in theology and philosophy. He taught scripture at both the Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis and later, at the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners. And he was rector of the seminary in the 1970s. Lasting legacy for role in clergy abuse scandal But for some, he will be best remembered as Weakland's "go-to guy" for dealing with clergy sex abuse cases. Victims of abuse accused him of collaborating with the now-disgraced Weakland in covering up numerous cases of abuse by Milwaukee priests. In a 2002 letter to an abusive priests parish, he wrote that he accepted "my own share in responsibility for the culture of silence in the church." And ahead of a bankruptcy deposition, he wrote that over 40 years, "society's general attitude toward perpetrators of sexual abuse moved in a trajectory from understanding abuse as sin with the possibility of forgiveness, to psychological flaw with hope of treatment, to deeper issues of addiction and finally to criminal activity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weakland admitted in 2008 in a state court deposition that he shredded copies of sex abuse documents, failed to notify law enforcement officials and moved sexually abusive priests from parish to parish without warning members of their histories. Sklba also signed off on Weakland's $450,000 payment in hush money to Paul Marcoux, a former seminarian who had accused Weakland of sexual abuse. Sklba led the archdiocese in the months after Weakland's retirement amid that sex scandal, turning over the reins to Archbishop Timothy Dolan in August 2002. More: At funeral Mass for former Archbishop Weakland, some pray for forgiveness while others slam legacy of abuse coverup Sklba's priesthood shaped by Vatican II modernization His perspective was shaped by Vatican II, the watershed opening-up of the Church that is still the subject of debate today. He was present at the opening session of the landmark council in 1962, according to his online biography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weakland told the story of Sklba's elevation to bishop being in jeopardy because of his perspective on the ordination of women. Weakland and Sklba flew to the Vatican to speak with Pope John Paul II, who finally withdrew his objection, according to Weakland. Weakland wrote of Sklba: "His knowledge of scripture and his personal sanctity were always evident. In this selection as auxiliary bishop, God was indeed good to me and to the people of Milwaukee." Sklba also was known for writing columns for the Catholic Herald newspaper in which he mixed history, philosophy and an almost folksy understanding of daily life. One column, from the close of 2023, closed with a particularly apt paragraph. Our world seems to be in a mess these days. Bitter division and violence mark every part of our globe. Here at home in the United States, the political parties seem driven by mutual distrust and disagreement. The poor folks left in the political turmoil are so often no longer served. Every part of our world seems wounded. The gift of this New Year offers yet another opportunity for healing and a possible occasion for a fresh start for all of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Annysa Johnson, formerly of the Journal Sentinel, contributed to this report. This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Retired Milwaukee Auxiliary Bishop Richard Sklba has died at 89 German businesses are being advised by the army on how to cope in the event of war breaking out with Russia. A secretive 1,000-page document, named Operations Plan Germany, contains tips for businesses on how to keep operations running smoothly in wartime, such as preparing replacement staff for migrant workers who leave the country. It also lists key commercial buildings and other infrastructure that would need to be protected by the German army and broad logistical plans for hosting tens of thousands of allied Nato troops on German soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document has been kept under wraps but a rough outline of its contents was disclosed to the German news outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. The plan is considered a living document with new information added on a regular basis - Bundeswehr The plan reportedly advises businesses to train an additional five truck drivers per 100 employees to avoid staff shortages in the event of war. Around 70 per cent of German truck drivers are from Eastern Europe, many of whom would be expected to flee during conflict. Businesses have also been advised to make self-sufficiency plans that would account for shortages in supplies or power, such as installing a backup diesel generator. Another broader element is making businesses more aware of the risks surrounding drone surveillance, cyber-attacks and other forms of espionage in their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One suggestion for businesses was taking note of any employees with a background in firefighting, national security or civil defence as they may become a valuable source of expertise. The armys chief of defence warned that all of Europe was under threat - Mindaugas Kulbis/AP The planning document is still not finished and largely contains fragments of advice. But it is considered a living document with new information being added on a regular basis, the German newspaper said. It comes after Carsten Breuer, the German armys chief of defence, warned that all of Europe was under threat in an address to the Berlin Security Conference. Europe is under threat and this affects us all the situation is as serious and precarious as I have ever experienced in my life as a soldier, he said. Carsten Breuer, the German armys chief of defence, and Boris Pistorius, the defence minister, arrive to lay a wreath on Remembrance Day on Nov 17 - Axel Schmidt/Getty Images German ministers have also warned that the country may have to fight in a Russia-Nato war within the next five to seven years, citing Moscows attempts to massively ramp up arms production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boris Pistorius, Germanys defence minister, has said his country must become kriegstuchtig, or war-ready, in the face of increased threats from Russia, such as by bringing back conscription. But the announcement of snap elections this February has raised questions as to whether those reforms will continue. German army chiefs hope that whoever replaces the current government, led by Olaf Scholz, will stay on the same course. Speaking at the Berlin Security Conference this week, Lt Gen Alfons Mais said he expected that we will have the [next government] very quickly. He added that my wish would be that the chapter [of the current government] of defence politics would not be the last. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In the 1950s, workmen digging up the south side of Trafalgar Square, in the heart of London, unearthed the bones of extinct mammals that roamed Britain 120,000 years ago. They included cave lions, straight-tusked elephants and a giant herbivore known as an aurochs, which is regarded as the wild ancestor of todays domestic cattle. Prized by our distant forebears who depicted its muscular physique and magnificent horns in prehistoric cave paintings it was hunted relentlessly. The aurochs fell extinct on these shores some 3,000 years ago and the last recorded aurochs died in Poland in 1627. Yet aurochs-like herbivores will soon be back in Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trees for Life, a conservation charity, announced recently that it plans to introduce a social herd of 15 to an enclosure on its Dundreggan Estate, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, in the spring of 2026. Known as tauros, the cattle in question are not genetically identical to the aurochs but have been back-bred in the Netherlands from ancient cattle breeds to replicate its characteristics as closely as possible. These aurochs-proxies are expected to crash around their new Highland home in the way that their iconic ancestors once did across Britain rootling in the earth, de-barking trees and generally roughing things up and thats the whole point. A paleolithic cave painting of aurochs from Altamira, Spain - Getty I cant wait to see them here, says Steve Micklewright, the CEO of Trees for Life, because they are brilliant animals, very imposing, but also because they will wake up the landscape, bring back processes that are missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The introduction of the tauros to the Highlands will mark a new chapter in a process known as rewilding, which has been gathering pace in Britain over the past decade. The most high-profile example is the Knepp Estate in West Sussex, where large grazing animals such as longhorn cattle are transforming hundreds of hectares of poor-quality farmland, and the majestic white stork is breeding again in Britain after 600 years. Meanwhile, a herd of European bison are kicking up a storm in a corner of Kent, white-tailed eagles are riding the thermals above the south coast of England for the first time since the late 18th century and the industrious beaver is once again damming Britains rivers. But these initiatives do not herald a new golden age of natural abundance. On the contrary, they are taking place against the background of and in response to a biodiversity crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the latest State of Nature report, which collates data from a wide range of environmental, academic and governmental bodies, Britains wildlife species have declined by an average of 19 per cent since 1970, with one in six now at risk of disappearing altogether. Our wildflower meadows have been wiped out almost completely. Every independent index of study shows you that what life is left is declining very fast, says Derek Gow, a farmer, author and passionate advocate of rewilding. What does rock bottom actually look like? In some parts of the country were in it already. Longhorn cattle on the 3,500 acre Knepp Estate in West Sussex - Andrew Crowley Britain has become one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world because of a variety of factors. Proponents of rewilding believe that conventional methods of nature conservation have been too localised and timid to stop the rot and, in some cases, counterproductive. In 2010, the Lawton Review, an independent report led by Prof Sir John Lawton, a distinguished ecologist, pointed the way. It said that the system we had of a large number of very small, unconnected, areas [to protect a certain set of species] was failing as our conservation strategy, says Prof Bob Smith, the director of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent, which is part of the Wilder Blean Bison project in Kent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lawton Reviews recommendations were distilled into a few key ideas: create more sites; make them bigger; manage them better; and join them up. The rewilding movement has taken this on board and taken it a step further. Rewilding doesnt seek to conserve specific species but, rather, to restore ecological processes to the point where nature is allowed to take care of itself, in the words of Alastair Driver, the director of the charity Rewilding Britain. Rewilding involves (but is not confined to) the reintroduction of so-called keystone species on land that is not productive for farming or forestry keystone species being animals that have a disproportionately significant effect on their environment in relation to their numbers. Big herbivores such as bison or aurochs-proxies are one example but the rewilders real poster boy is the beaver. Gow likens this semi-aquatic rodent to a pilot light in a boiler. He says: Because if that pilot light is not burning, none of the rest of your apparatus will work. Beavers had been hunted (for their fur and for a secretion called castoreum, used in perfume) to near-extinction in Britain by the Middle Ages, though there is evidence that they may have survived in isolated pockets into the 18th century. Reintroduction began in Scotland in 2009 and there are now more than 20 locations, both wild and enclosed, across Britain where you can see them including the London Borough of Ealing. The beaver is the poster boy of the rewilding movement - Getty Images In the autumn of 2023, a family of beavers was relocated, under licence, from Scotland to an eight-hectare (20-acre) enclosure in a wood and wetland site called Paradise Fields in west London. This community-led project breaks new ground on two fronts, says Elliot Newton, the project leader. Its the only one in the UK where beavers are being reintroduced into an urban environment, and the only one where the site is freely accessible so anybody can come in here at any time of day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surrounded by the hum of traffic as well as 1.2km (three quarters of a mile) of fencing and self-closing gates the beavers have re-landscaped their new back yard and had several kits (young). Though shy and nocturnal, they leave plenty of evidence of their industry in the form of felled and gnawed trees and the dams they build from the timber. On a tour of the site Newton points out a dam of typically ramshackle yet intricate construction. The reason beavers build dams and create these complex wetlands is primarily because theyre petrified of being attacked and eaten by a wolf, he says. Damming the brook here, between sections of raised ground, has resulted in a 60cm (2ft) difference in water level and created an escape hatch a pool of deep water that they can plunge into if they feel threatened while crossing the land. The happy by-product of all this landscape disruption is the creation of habitats for all sorts of mammals, birds, insects and plants that hitherto have been scarce or locally extinct as recent sightings at Paradise Fields have borne out. The reshaped land and new growth also lock up carbon and provide resilience against the increased likelihood of both flooding and drought, which are a result of climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is why the beaver is feted by rewilders as the ultimate ecosystem-engineer and the symbol of a new way of doing things that, they say, is just a revival of the old. One of the countrys most important rewilding sites is a 160-hectare (400-acre) farm called Rewilding Coombeshead on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon. At its Species Recovery Centre, Gow and his team are breeding species in captivity for release into designated areas across Britain. These include: beavers, white storks, turtle doves (once the sound of summer, now almost vanished), wildcats (currently confined to a tiny population in the far north of Scotland) and water voles. Water voles (the inspiration for Ratty in The Wind in the Willows) are our fastest declining mammal, having disappeared from over 90 per cent of the places where they once thrived. They make a really good meal for birds, fish and mammals, so the fact theyre not there in the British landscape now is a huge gap, says the manager Nick Viney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a few years at Rewilding Coombeshead Gow kept another aurochs-proxy, known as Heck cattle or, more rudely, as Nazi cows. They originated in Germany in the pre-war years when brothers Heinz and Lutz Heck the latter a committed Nazi and friend of Hermann Goring attempted to back-breed a cattle of supposed Aryan purity to resemble the aurochs. The experiment to introduce them to Devon didnt work. Derek Gow with his Heck cattle in West Devon - Steven Haywood Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest mistake we made was pushing them into a forest environment where we lost all control of them, explains Gow. And all of a sudden, you get these animals that dont want to come through your yard to be TB-tested. They became more and more difficult, more and more aggressive. Eventually one attacked another so severely that it had to be put down, at which point Gow admitted defeat and had the entire herd destroyed. He believes that there are lessons there for the Highlands tauros project. There are going to be challenges, which Im sure the guys at Trees For Life are aware of, he says. Steve Micklewright agrees that huge animals like the tauros need to be treated with respect, but points out that they are being bred from different, less aggressive cattle types than the Heck. As the rewilding movement attempts to shake up long-held views of land use and management, there are edges of conflict and inevitable pushback. Tim Bonner, the CEO of the Countryside Alliance, which promotes the rural way of life and field sports, talks of a lunatic fringe with messianic attitudes and objects to giant herbivores being brought in. There seems to be an obsession with charismatic megafauna, much of which doesnt work in modern Britain, and a new trend for releasing things that werent here in the first place, he says. If they wish to enhance the ecology, there are domestic breeds that do the job just fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This latter point is contested by rewilders. Theres a real lack of understanding about these kinds of animals in the landscape in the UK context, which were battling against, says Paul Hadaway of Kent Wildlife Trust, which introduced bison to Blean and Thornden Woods in Kent in 2022. Unlike the tauros, the bison are classified as dangerous wild animals and the eight-strong herd has to be kept behind both an electric fence and a people fence. Our aspiration is to be able to demonstrate that you dont need that second fence, says Hadaway. The European bison, the continents largest land mammal, is not native to Britain - Paul Grover Even the word rewilding is a problem for some. If you start by telling farmers that they have no future, which is essentially what rewilding says, youre not going to engage them, says Bonner. Gow admits that the word has become a toxic term while Hadaway says he prefers to stick to wilding. I find that re- prefix so unhelpful because it takes you down all sorts of rabbit holes, he says. One of those rabbit holes concerns the state of nature we should be trying to hark back to. The megafauna, whose remains lie under Trafalgar Square, arrived on these shores via the land bridge known as Doggerland, which connected Britain to mainland Europe before the last Ice Age. But trying to return us to the Pleistocene is absurd, says Prof Smith of DICE, and working out what the baseline should be is often arbitrary. The European bison now in Kent are almost certainly not native to Britain unlike the beaver or aurochs so they cannot be re-introduced. Its about finding the best species to create the natural processes rather than saying, thousands of years ago we had these really big, cool cattle, it would be nice to have them back, says Smith. The most contentious issue of all and the logical end point of the rewilding process is the idea of reintroducing the apex predators of wolves and lynx to reassert the natural hierarchy of the wild. They would certainly alleviate the problem of the deer population, which is now running out of control in parts of Britain. But they also kill livestock, and wolves in particular pose a threat to humans though many believe that threat is exaggerated. The wolf was heavily persecuted here and had probably fallen extinct by the Middle Ages, but in the 21st century, its numbers are on the rise across Europe. Under the Bern Convention of 1982 the wolf is classified as a strictly protected species and in the past decade its population is estimated to have nearly doubled, to around 20,000. According to EU figures, wolves are now killing up to 65,000 head of livestock, mostly sheep, a year (there have been no human fatalities attributed to wolf attacks in the past quarter-century) and in September the European Commission proposed downgrading its protected status. Some people suspect that this may not be unrelated to the fact that a pet pony called Dolly belonging to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was killed by a wolf in Lower Saxony in 2022. Gow is a vocal advocate of the reintroduction of wolves under the right circumstances he wrote Hunt for the Shadow Wolf: The Lost History of Wolves in Britain and certainly believes that Dollys fate has had something to do with it. The change of policy in Europe is not being driven by economics because the impact of wolf predation on domestic livestock is still very low and certainly well out of kilter with the impact of domestic dogs, he claims. Whatever the merits of wolf reintroduction, the idea provokes atavistic fears and its unlikely to happen here in the short or medium term. The Eurasian lynx a medium-sized wildcat with distinctive ear tufts that fell extinct in Britain 1,300 years ago is a different matter. Lynx would have a much, much lower impact than wolves and people would very rarely see them, says Prof Smith. He cites the case of Germany, where tolerance for lynx is generally high because of farming practices and strong support from the government, which includes a compensation scheme [for lost livestock]. Lynx and wolves are also back in the Netherlands, a country both smaller and more densely populated than Britain, which has a system of fences, guard dogs and wildlife corridors in place to manage them. Though their presence there is not without controversy, it seems fair to say that European countries are far more sanguine than Britain about living alongside potentially dangerous wild animals. Lynx were once native to the UK, but were driven to extinction between 500 and 1,000 years ago due to hunting and loss of habitats - Moment RF One of the reasons for this is that these animals either never went away or have already walked back in. Therefore, as Alastair Driver of Rewilding Britain points out, the authorities dont have to go through the angst of deciding whether to reintroduce them or not. There is also the advantage that vast tracts of wild land still exist, allowing herds of bison to roam free in Eastern Europe, while golden jackals are flourishing from Finland to Spain. Britains scope for rewilding is modest by comparison. Driver points out that Rewilding Britain is advising on projects covering 200,000 hectares (500,000 acres) of England and Wales, which he says he is proud of. But it is just 1.3 per cent of the land surface. These sites are providing cores of biodiversity that could then spill out into the surrounding countryside if the government was brave enough to start implementing significant policies and funding to back them up, he says. Meanwhile the overall trend in Britains stock of natural riches continues downwards. One key to reversing it, say rewilders, is for our national parks and government-owned land to be managed much more for biodiversity (one described the likes of Dartmoor and the Lake District as places where nature goes to die). They also believe that farmers should be incentivised through ELMs (Environmental Land Management schemes) to be part of local nature recovery strategies, and that agriculture needs to move to more sustainable and regenerative methods a tricky sell to many farmers given the multiple challenges and uncertainties that they have faced recently. The position of the National Farmers Union (NFU) on rewilding is hedged with concerns for the potential impacts on current farming practices and farmland. It said it was unable to provide a comment for this article but suggested that I look at previous statements it has made. Last year, in written evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committees inquiry into species reintroduction, the NFU said it believes species recovery efforts and management should focus on species already present in England before undertaking reintroductions. Rewildings proponents reckon our sanitised culture has lost touch with what reintroductions can do not just clearing the way to a more abundant future, but re-connecting us with a shared past. People are astounded that in Britain these creatures can exist, says Gow, but so many of these species that we think of as being unfamiliar, un-British, and too spectacular to be true, are just things that we extinguished 500 or a thousand years ago. 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 incoming Trump administrations pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has a history of scathing criticisms against the president-elect, including comparing him to Hitler and branding his supporters belligerent idiots and outright Nazis. The remarks, many of which were made on Kennedys Ring of Fire radio show in 2016, were uncovered by CNN. They mark the latest issue surrounding the Trump transition process, after Attorney General pick Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration, amid allegations of past sexual misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During one broadcast, Kennedy read approvingly from an article that claimed the Trump coalition was made of a group of genuine Nazis bouyed by a much larger group of opportunists and spineless fellow travelers whose primary function is to turn a blind eye to things. And, you know, hes not like Hitler, Kennedy added, arguing, Hitler had like a plan, you know, Hitler was interested in policy ... I dont think Trump has any of that. Hes like non compos mentis. Hell get in there and who knows what will happen. Elsewhere, Kennedy claimed that Trump was exploiting fear to gain political power during a time of national anxiety, comparing the Republican to dictators like Hitler and Mussolini, as well as Father Coughlin, a pro-Nazi U.S. radio host from the 1930s who commanded a large following. Kennedy said he regrets his past comments and had a false impression of Trump (Getty Images) And you can see that every statement that Donald Trump makes is fear-based, Kennedy said in December of 2016, according to the report. Every statement he makes. You know, we have to be fear of the Muslims. We have to be fear of the Black people, and particularly the big Black guy Obama, whos destroying this country, whos making everybody miserable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other comments, Kennedy, a longtime environmental lawyer, claimed Trumps EPA leader was one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and accused Trump of pursuing a pollution-based prosperity that took aim at landmark environmental laws and climate accords like the Paris Agreement. Like many Americans, I allowed myself to believe the mainstream medias distorted, dystopian portrait of President Trump, Kennedy said in a statement. I no longer hold this belief and now regret having made those statements. Kennedy isnt the only member of the Trump inner circle who previously criticized the president-elect. JD Vance, prior to being chosen as Trumps vice-president, called his fellow Republican a cynical a**hole, a moral disaster, a total fraud, an idiot, and suggested he might be Americas Hitler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance later explained that he was wrong about the guy and said he voted for Trump in 2020. I was certainly skeptical of Donald Trump in 2016, but President Trump was a great president, and he changed my mind, Vance said in July, explaining the shift. I bought into the medias lies and distortions. In private messages in early 2020, Vance reportedly still thought Trump thoroughly failed to deliver on his economic populism, according to The Washington Post. Former Florida senator Marco Rubio, whom Trump has chosen to nominate for Secretary of State, also has a history of making barbed comments about Trump. He frequently branded his 2016 GOP rival an untrustworthy con man during the presidential primary campaign that year. While Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s public health views are being scrutinized after Donald Trump tapped him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, the Supreme Court just rejected an appeal he pressed on the subject. On Wednesday, Justice Elena Kagan turned aside a bid from Kennedy and his Childrens Health Defense group to halt investigations of doctors in Washington state over Covid-19 misinformation. Kagan denied the application without seeking a response from state officials or referring the matter to her colleagues, suggesting she thought it didnt warrant further consideration. (Justice Samuel Alito took similar solo action last month when he rejected an appeal from independent presidential candidate Cornel West ahead of the election.) The Court should speak clearly and decisively to state actors, professional organizations, other non-state actors, and the national media: Public speech does not lose its constitutional protection from government action simply because it is uttered by a healthcare professional, even if it is at odds with medical orthodoxy, Kennedy and his colleagues wrote in their injunction application to Kagan, who fields emergency requests from the Washington region.Lower federal courts had refused to side with Kennedy, with a federal trial court rejecting his constitutional claims as meritless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without immediate relief, the applicants wrote to Kagan, this national misconception of the governments power to suppress dissenting views will continue unchecked, harming both speakers and the public, undermining the marketplace of ideas, and chilling vital public discourse at a time when it is most needed. The rejection is Kennedys latest from the high court, which previously blocked the former independent presidential candidate from getting off swing-state ballots and on New Yorks ballot after he suspended his campaign and announced his support for Trump. If Kennedy becomes Trumps HHS secretary, the justices could be seeing more appeals featuring his name in an official capacity as head of the department. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in Donald Trumps legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Wilma Smith of Pawtucket talks about past her struggles with homelessness on Nov. 19, 2024. Smith told her story as part of the State of Homelessness presentation by the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) Wilma Smith of Pawtucket stood before a crowd of nearly 200 people at CIC Providence this week and told her story. She talked about aging out of foster care at 18 with a baby to care for. She explained how they went from shelter to shelter until one day she finally was able to get an apartment in Massachusetts. Things were better for a while, she told the crowd, until the building was sold and the family was back on the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you encounter a person who is homeless, dont look at them as a problem to deal with rather than a person you can help, she told the crowd. No one asked to be put in the position of being homeless and we need to stop the blame game. Smith, now a grandmother who has since moved into permanent housing, told her story as part of the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness third annual State of Homelessness presentation on Tuesday. Kimberly Simmons, the coalitions executive director, presented data from the organizations 2024 Point in Time Count initially released in late June. At least 2,442 unhoused people across Rhode Island were counted when coalition volunteers conducted the annual survey for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024 representing a 35% increase from 2023s count. The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness plans to conduct its next count Jan. 28, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main reason for the increase in the number of homeless people according to the coalition: wages have not kept pace with rising rents. A person making the state minimum wage of $14 an hour would have to work 78 hours per week to afford a fair market one-bedroom apartment, according to the 2024 HousingWorks RI Fact Book. There also isnt enough shelter space. The state has added 600 shelter beds to its emergency response system since 2023, but only an average of seven spots are open on any given day, according to the coalition Shelters are overcrowded, advocates are overwhelmed, Smith said. One person unsheltered is too many. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state has sought to bolster its emergency shelter system, including constructing 45 one-room cabins within the on-ramp to Route 146 South in Providence this spring. The $3.3 million project was supposed to open in late March, but has faced multiple delays due to confusion over how the state building and fire codes applied to the pallet shelter community, along with supply chain snarls. ECHO Village is now scheduled to open some time this winter, said Emily Marshall, a spokesperson for the state housing department. Simmons also highlighted other statewide efforts such as the $120 million state housing bond approved by voters on Nov. 5. The borrowing plan covers six housing initiatives, including construction and renovation. In addition, a law passed in June doubles the length of time when landlords must notify tenants of rent hikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there is still much more work to be done, Simmons said. We cannot do this in little fiefdoms anymore, she said. We have silos of people, some of which are crossing over and doing the same kind of business, same kind of work we should be putting all of our strengths together. Rep. David Morales, a Providence Democrat who was at the event, said more clarity in the states building code would allow pallet shelter communities to be built across Rhode Island. Morales also called for more affordable homes to be constructed and for the state to prohibit the police from clearing out homeless encampments. Raids can be a harrowing experience, Providence-based advocacy journalist Steve Ahlquist, who emceed the presentation, told the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its like having a fire, he said. But this is worse. West Warwicks Town Council on Tuesday voted 3-2 to approve an ordinance to eliminate all encampments in the town by Dec. 2, despite outcry from the little over half-dozen service providers and unhoused residents who spoke before the panel that evening. But Providence, which saw police close down two encampments this spring, could soon end the practice. City Councilors on Thursday are scheduled to introduce an ordinance that would prohibit fines for camping on public property. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Some Rhode Island small businesses impacted by the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge will start to receive additional financial help from the state as soon as Friday, nearly a year after the bridges abrupt closure. Rhode Island Commerce began to process the first round of awards from the Washington Bridge Small Business Grant Program on Wednesday afternoon, according to spokesperson Matthew Touchette. The $2.6 million in grants was funded using federal State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF) money from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. It includes $1.2 million for East Providence businesses, $800,000 for Providence businesses, and $600,000 for businesses in other municipalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state received 338 applications, according to Touchette. So far, he said, 20 businesses are set to share $46,500 in grant awards by sometime on Friday. Grants are in the amount of $500, $1,000, and $2,500. Eligible businesses must have experienced at least a $500 revenue loss, representing a minimum of 10% of revenues between December 2023 and February 2024. Grants for businesses in Providence and East Providence are being administered and distributed separately by each respective city. The two municipalities are working directly with the nonprofit organization Skills for Rhode Islands Future to process their grant applications. Providence received 698 applications and East Providence received 253 applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Touchette said grant applications continue to be processed and that once an application has been approved, it takes up to 30 days to go through billing. Grant applications first opened on Sep. 10 and closed throughout October. 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. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) R.I. General Treasurer James Diossa announced a new program aimed at helping private-sector employees save for their retirement. His office said its partnering with Connecticut for the new RISavers program, which will create a Roth individual retirement account (IRA) for those who dont have a retirement savings plan from their employer. Through this interstate agreement, we gain an experienced partner that will help Rhode Island implement RISavers quickly and administer the program efficiently, Diossa said on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Diossa: New URL for RI unclaimed property website Joining Diossa and other state leaders at the announcement was Connecticuts State Comptroller Sean Scanlon. Since the launch of Connecticuts program in 2022, we have helped tens of thousands of residents begin saving, and I look forward to Rhode Islanders having the same opportunity, Scanlon said. Diossas office said the plan also follows employees in the event they switch jobs. The program, which will be administered with Vestwell State Savings, starts as a pilot in spring 2025 before the full rollout. NEXT: Judge allows RI troopers to continue court fight over 2011 pension overhaul Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. OWENSBORO, Ky. (WEHT) In Owensboro, Wednesday marked a late Veterans Day celebration for The Green River Area Development District. The board meetings agenda included hearing from a World War II veteran ahead of his 100th birthday. 99-year-old World War II Veteran, Richard Kolodey spoke about his time flying over the Pacific Ocean in the Marine Corp. The Chairman of the Green River Area Development District, Steve Henry, also serves as the Webster County Judge. He says its a town where everyone pretty much knows everyoneespecially when youre nearing a century on earth and survived one of the deadliest wars in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just happened to see Mr. Kolodey coming into the Courthouse in Dixon to pay his taxes. We had a conversation, and I thought you know what? This would just be a wonderful speaker for us, says Henry. Local leaders look to improve mental health resources in 3-year plan I was classified a radio turret gunner and a dive bombera Grumman TBF Avenger dive bomber. We used it to carry a 500 pound or 2000 pound bombs to drop bombs on [the Japanese] in the Solomon Islands. I just got interested in flying, and when I was in high school, there was a little airport in Dallas that I went out to. They took me up a few times, says Kolodey. Kolodey says one of his most prized possessions is a Presidential citation he received from Former President Franklin Roosevelt. The award was given to the Veteran for his extraordinary heroism in action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took more than passion to serve the country during that time period. At 17-years-old, and under the legal age to join the Marine, it was his parents that had to sign off for the final decision. Hell turn 100 on Valentines Day of next year. Just thinking about his life and what hes donethe things that hes seen at such an early age. With Mr. Kolodey, its always a smilehow humbled that I am just to know him, to have someone at 99 and have his ability to express and communicate; The thing that he has its a gift, says Henry. Officials say theyll celebrate the big day at the Webster County Senior Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) CEO Christopher Durand after the agency's Nov. 21, 2024 board of directors meeting. The board Thursday voted 7-0 during pending contract negations. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has its pick for permanent CEO the same man who has led the statewide bus agency on an interim basis for the past seven months. RIPTAs board of directors voted 7-0 at its monthly meeting Thursday to enter contract negotiations with Christopher Durand to lead agency operations. Board member Heather Schey was not present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durand, who was the agencys chief financial officer before being tapped for the interim position, thanked the board members for their unanimous backing. RIPTAs my home, Durand told the board. Its something special. Durand has led the agency since then-CEO Scott Avedisian resigned in April after being accused of leaving the scene of an accident. Avedisian pleaded no contest to the charge in May. RIPTAs board of directors in June awarded a $60,000 contract to Florida-based Merraine Group to conduct a national search for a permanent CEO. Three finalists including Durand were selected and interviewed, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti, Jr. told reporters after Thursdays meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He did not disclose the names nor where the other finalists worked, aside that they were from large municipal kinds of agencies from across the country. The folks we interviewed all showed a great range as potential candidates, but Chris has the potential kind of skills that are necessary I think at this point in the success of RIPTA, Alviti said. Alviti pointed to Durands ability to collaborate with RIPTAs board of directors and his positive relationship with riders and staff. Randall Rose, a member of the Kennedy Plaza Resilience Coalition and RI Transit Riders, told Rhode Island Current he believes Durand will make choices that will improve the statewide transit system and be smart with the agencys finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bus riders and advocacy groups were calling for a long time for him to be chosen as the current CEO and I think our voices made a difference and an improvement here, he said. And Durand is banking on those connections as he steers the agency into an uncertain future. The agency faces a $30 million budget shortfall heading into fiscal year 2026, Durand said in an interview. RIPTAs fiscal year 2025 budget included $143.7 million in state and federal funding, including money for 873 full-time employees. The spending package initially saw a $18.1 million budget deficit that was mostly plugged by state leaders reallocating $15 million in unspent COVID aid. Weve got some things to figure out, Durand said in an interview. But we can make the most of our resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency is also finalizing plans to construct its new downtown transit hub to replace Kennedy Plaza. As of October, the agency has redirected its attention to two locations close to the Providence Amtrak train station next to the State House. Last January, the board approved a nearly $16.9 million contract with Next Wave Partners to start design work for a mixed-use bus hub. The new building would offer a number of amenities not offered where buses pick up and drop off passengers at Kennedy Plaza such as larger indoor waiting areas, expanded restrooms, digital screens to track bus arrivals and departures, and WiFi. A final recommendation is expected to be made to the board of directors some time in December, Durand told Rhode Island Current. RIPTAs board will next negotiate Durands contract, which Alviti said he expects will be finalized by the panels Dec. 19 meeting. Before he resigned from RIPTA, Avedisians salary was $181,795. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rochester, N.Y. Rochester prep charter school released a statement Thursday addressing a scary incident in which a 14-year-old passed out in school Wednesday. Rochester police say that girl collapsed and became unresponsive during a sporting event inside the school at 14 Mark Street in Rochester. They say another student alerted staff who then performed CPR on the student before medics arrived. At last check, the student was in the hospital in serious, but stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, Rochester Prep declined any interviews, but released a statement that said, Our hearts and thoughts are with our student and her family during this incredibly difficult time. We are focused on providing every possible support to them and the entire Rochester Prep community as we navigate this challenging moment. We appreciate the rapid response of everyone involved to the medical emergency. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Luiza Ilie BUCHAREST (Reuters) - George Simion, Romania's youngest presidential candidate, admires U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and would stop military aid to Ukraine, while his vocal anti-Brussels rhetoric chimes with that of Hungary's Viktor Orban. Simion, who opposes Holocaust education and gay marriage, and wants to reunite Romania with its pre-World War Two territories, leads the hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians party and could make it to the run-off in a presidential election that starts on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has cast the two-round vote as a choice between entrenched politicians beholden to foreign interests and himself, an outsider, who will revive Romania's economy. "I have been called a spy, a traitor, pro-Russian, just like U.S. President Donald Trump," Simion told supporters waving AUR's yellow flags in the central Romanian town of Targoviste on Tuesday. "These are labels that a desperate political class has stuck on me. They want to distract from the real issues, the missing roads, the lost jobs, the poverty they have created." Simion, who is only 38, has seen his five-year old party go from a fringe anti-vaccination group during the Covid-19 pandemic into Romania's leading opposition force, appealing to the working class diaspora, young voters and building on popular discontent with mainstream politicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An adept user of social media, his TikTok channel has 10 million likes. He says he is not pro-Russian, calling President Vladimir Putin a war criminal, and supports Romania's European Union member status, though he condemns what he called a "greedy, corrupt bubble" in Brussels. "We won't be sending military aid to Ukraine, and this doesn't make us pro-Russian," Simion told foreign media in capital Bucharest on Wednesday. "We are for peace, and we are hoping that peace will be found through the efforts of President-elect Trump." FOREIGN POLICY Opinion polls show leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in first place ahead of Sunday's vote, with Simion the most likely to join him in the run-off on Dec. 8. Analysts say Ciolacu is the most likely winner of such a contest, banking on his pro-Western approach and appealing to moderates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they do not discount Simion, victory for whom could result in a sharp shift in Romania's foreign policy, over which the semi-executive president has oversight, pushing it in the direction followed by Hungary or Poland's former nationalist government, which frequently clashed with Brussels. Though Simion's hostile stance regarding a large ethnic Hungarian minority in Romania sets him apart from Orban, his policy agenda emphasising traditional Christian "family values" often resembles that of Hungary's nationalist leader. Simion dreams of restoring Romania's pre-World War Two borders, which include areas now in Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine and has been declared persona non grata in the latter two. Romania has been a strong ally to neighbouring Ukraine, helping export millions of tons of grain, training Ukrainian fighter pilots and donating a Patriot air defence battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simion has vowed to stop further military aid, though he backs continued humanitarian and logistical support. "I strongly condemn the Russian aggression," he said. "I believe that Romania, being at the border with this war, should carefully retain for itself all the weapons systems which cost a lot of money and which are the unique guarantee for us for deterrence against the Kremlin. We are for peace." (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Krisztina Than and Alex Richardson) By David Shepardson (Reuters) - Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said on Wednesday she will step down from the agency that oversees U.S. telecommunications companies on Jan. 20 when Donald Trump assumes the presidency. Rosenworcel, who joined the FCC in 2012 and is the first female permanent chair, oversaw a dramatic expansion of commission work on space policy including the establishment of a Space Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was also behind efforts to help more students get internet access, oversaw a government subsidy program to help 23 million households get broadband access and led an agency crackdown on the proliferation of Chinese telecoms equipment and other national security issues. Rosenworcel said the job had been the honor of a lifetime, guiding "the FCC during a time when communications technology is a part of every aspect of civic and commercial life." She led efforts to restore landmark net neutrality rules that were reversed by the FCC under then President Donald Trump and have since been put on hold by a court. Net neutrality rules require internet service providers to treat internet data and users equally rather than restricting access, slowing speeds or blocking content for certain users. A federal appeals court in August blocked the FCC from enforcing the rules while an industry legal challenge plays out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosenworcel is following long-standing commission precedent by stepping down when a new president takes office, which will leave the commission divided 2-2 between Democratic and Republican appointees. This week, Trump named FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a critic of the Biden administration's telecom policies and Big Tech, as new chair effective Jan. 20. Trump will need to nominate a replacement for Rosenworcel and win Senate confirmation before Republicans can take full control of the agency. Rosenworcel was hampered by the fact that the U.S. Senate did not confirm a third Democratic FCC commissioner until September 2023, which prevented the commission from moving ahead on many fronts. She clashed with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk when the FCC in 2022 rescinded $885.5 million in rural broadband subsidies for SpaceX's internet satellite constellation Starlink. In September, Rosenworcel said the United States needs more competition for space-based internet. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Christopher Cushing) A defence company that makes sonar for the Royal Navy and missiles supplied by Britain to Ukraine is being investigated over serious allegations of bribery and corruption. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) on Thursday announced an investigation into Frances Thales, which is one of the Governments key defence contractors and employs more than 7,000 UK staff. It comes after police in France, the Netherlands and Spain searched the companys offices in June, over suspicions of corruption linked to arms sales abroad, according to reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SFO said it would rigorously pursue every avenue in our investigation, which is taking place in conjunction with the SFOs counterpart in France, the Parquet National Financier (PNF). A Thales spokesman said: Thales is co-operating with the PNF in France and the SFO in the UK. The group complies with all national and international regulations. As the investigation is ongoing, Thales will not comment further. Thales, which generates over 1.1bn in revenue a year in the UK, specialises in defence electronics and won a fresh 1.8bn UK defence contract in February, which will see it help maintain the Royal Navys fleet of ships and submarines for the next 15 years. The company has provided the sonar navigation technology on Britains nuclear deterrent for over 50 years. Thales renewed its deal with the Government in a 330m contract in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, the Government placed a 162m order with Thales to build 650 so-called lightweight multi-role missiles to supply to Ukraine. The lightweight weapons, manufactured at one of Thaless plants in Belfast, are designed for short-range fire and can hit targets up to about 6km away, either in the air or on the ground. The company, which is more than a quarter owned by the French state, built scale in the UK through takeovers of British firms including Racal, the defence electronics giant, and Barr and Stroud, the optical engineering firm. Nick Ephgrave, director of the SFO, said: Working collaboratively with our international partners is a crucial factor in the fight against international corruption and, with this case, I hope to reinforce the SFO and PNFs long-standing relationship, built on mutual co-operation and shared success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will together rigorously pursue every avenue in our investigation into these serious allegations. Mr Ephgrave, a former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, is the first non-lawyer to run the SFO since it was established in 1987. He took over the running of the SFO in September 2023. 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. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Controversy surrounds the Memphis City Councils rejection of a proposed Cordova high school, a decision that upset some school board members. Memphis Shelby County Schools board member Michelle Robinson McKissack calls the city councils vote a mistake, driven by misplaced concerns over traffic and business impacts. It royally ticked me off, that vote, she said. For just a couple of businessmen to come up and say, Thats not good for me, that impacts an entire community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The site of MSCSs new Cordova High School was supposed to be along Fischer Steel Road. But ground wont be broken there after Memphis City Council last week voted down a special use permit for the project. After city rejects new Cordova high school, whats next? Neighbors and business owners voiced opposition, highlighting safety risks for students due to heavy traffic and potential disruption to businesses. Board member Sable Otey says shes also a resident and business owner near the projected site and she suggests looking at other options. Superintendent Marie Feagins admits the district lacks funds for the land purchase, with the high schools price tag at $212 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think about 77 million was allocated, far short of the 212 million, so the funding never existed, and the body of the city council has always known that, Feagins said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. (Getty Images) Necessary improvements to rural water systems are difficult to make without funding from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, a mayor of a small mountain town told members Wednesday. More than 8,400 feet of asbestos cement water lines in Marshall need to be replaced, and the Department of Agricultures Natural Resources Commission on Wednesday approved funding for the project as part of $204 million in allocations to water system improvements around the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marshall will receive a $1.9 million loan with principal forgiveness and a $640,000 loan to be repaid. Marshall Mayor Kevin Elliott (Courtesy photo) The principal forgiveness is huge in the rural areas, Mayor Kevin Elliott said. Im sure the city is really going to be looking in because they need these lines replaced, but when they see theyre another $600,000 in debt were going to have to do a rate increase to cover that. Elliott said his town is similar to a lot of other rural communities that have a large senior population who live on a fixed income. Elliott said he receives complaints daily about the price of water, and he thinks there will come a point when the older adults in Marshall wont be able to afford the cost. As a former water superintendent, Elliott said, Ive seen people that walk in that office and I would grab their bill and I would pay it, because I know their lifestyles. When youve got 1,355 people, you know everybody by first name basis, just about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rate increases for upgrades arent the only reason cities will be pushed to charge more for water. Act 605 of 2021 implemented standards for how water providers in Arkansas regulate their systems. Per the law, a rate study case must be done every five years or before any major development project. Failure to complete a rate study or implement a required rate increase will result in a determination that the water provider is in fiscal distress, according to the states Department of Agriculture website. Many of Arkansas water systems are using aging infrastructure that is in disrepair. Elliott said he hoped replacing Marshalls water lines would help lower the amount of water lost. During a previous project, Elliott said the system had a 65% water loss and seven leaks were releasing water straight into the ground. The $204 million in funding is the latest in a string of allocations the state has dedicated to improve water systems over the last few years. Using a mix of state and federal funds, more than $2.5 billion has been allocated in Arkansas 75 counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has frequently highlighted the funding allocations. In a press release Wednesday, she said she was proud to work with our local communities and the Department of Agriculture to ensure every Arkansan has access to safe drinking water. Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward thanked Sanders for her leadership and said, Reliable water and wastewater infrastructure is essential for the sustainability of communities and industries throughout our state as well as the quality of life for every Arkansan. Wednesdays funding allocations will affect more than 198,000 residents in 28 counties. Some of the funded projects include high loan amounts for a low number of affected people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elkins, a town of about 3,800 in Washington County, was approved for the highest loan amount Wednesday at $32.6 million. The commission also approved the town for a $2.3 million loan with principal forgiveness. Mayor Troy Reed was unavailable for an interview Wednesday. Debby Dickson, water development section manager, assured commissioners that staff alerted city officials about the amount. We called and spoke to them before we made the recommendation, and they said they were aware it was going to be a big loan and they were prepared for it, Dickson said. Wabbaseka, a small town in Jefferson County, will receive a $7.9 million loan with principal forgiveness and a $1.9 million loan to be repaid. The project will serve a current customer base of 180 residents, and it will regionalize the water system with the nearby Grand Prairie Regional Water Distribution District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We struggle with the water most of all, Mayor Andrew Goodloe told commissioners on Wednesday. Thats the biggest problem, an age-old problem in these small communities. You just cant afford to operate with such a small [number] of people. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Goodloe extended his gratitude to the commission for approving the towns funding request and said the area needs forgiveness loans. Its going to be tough either way, but we definitely appreciate it, he said. Theres one hurdle, and its a big hurdle because we were in bad shape. Principal forgiveness is considered using what Dickson said is a rate burden factor calculation. At the Department Agriculture, water project funding requests are analyzed as if the requester received 100% of the funds it asked for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depending on their specifics, but in general, if [the water rate is] 1.5% of their median household income or higher, then theyre eligible to receive principal forgiveness, Dickson said. After the principal forgiveness is calculated, a project priority list is then referenced to determine if principal forgiveness will be offered, she said. Ethan Barnes, mayor of Hardy in northern Arkansas, commended commissioners approval of Hardy Water Works funding request. Serving a customer base of about 750 people, Hardy officials were approved for a $334,000 loan with principal forgiveness and a $1 million loan to be repaid. The funding is expected to be used to upgrade the wastewater treatment facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnes also challenged commissioners to revise the ratio being used to calculate principal forgiveness to help rural communities. Maybe some of these small towns wouldnt have to take on the debts and raise the water prices for these elderly folks, Barnes said of a reconsidered ratio. Ive got 65% elderly folks in my city, and they cant afford it. Rep. Sean Tarwater, R-Stilwell, is the chairman of the 2024 special committee on available and affordable housing, which met Nov. 20, 2024. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Rural Kansas needs around 4,000 new homes per year to meet a growing populations housing needs and address the states housing crisis. From legislation enabling zoning reform at the local level to boosted tax credits for developers, Kansas legislators heard about a myriad of options this week to increase the states housing supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A major focus for state lawmakers is finding ways to increase the availability of affordable housing because a majority of low-income Kansans and about 27% of all Kansas residents are spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs such as rent payments, mortgages and utilities. Erin Beckerman with Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, which administers housing-related programs for the state, told legislators Tuesday that an estimated 3,800-4,800 homes need to be built each year in rural Kansas to meet demand. Thats based on a 2021 statewide housing needs analysis, but it doesnt include metro areas. Topeka conducted its own analysis, which found it needed about 720 new homes annually, which includes affordable and workforce housing along with market-rate and special housing types. About 8,200 new housing units were created in Kansas in 2023, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Federal funding sources, which are administered through the corporation, only stretch so far in Kansas. At the same time, relatively new state programs are filling gaps. They include housing investor tax credits, affordable housing tax credits and Reinvestment Housing Incentive Districts, which helps fund public infrastructure improvements through developers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Sean Tarwater, a Stilwell Republican and chair of the 2024 special committee on available and affordable housing, said legislators have taken significant steps to address housing affordability and availability. Weve got to be cognizant of the programs that we currently have before we start piling on new programs, and we got to make sure the ones we have work also, he said Tuesday. Analysts nationwide point to a lack of affordable and available homes as cause for the housing crisis across the country, and, according to Stan Longhofer, professor and founding director of Wichita State Universitys Center for Real Estate, that lack is largely the result of a steady and prolonged decline in home construction after the 2008 financial crisis. Developers, too, have been plagued by rising construction costs, permitting delays and shifting markets. Longhofer predicted a worsening of the housing crisis because of what wasnt built in the 2010s, he told legislators Tuesday. Less housing is available to Kansans now than before the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Rethinking paths to housing development Jamie Sauder, the 2025 president of the Kansas Association of Realtors and an Emporia city commissioner, on Tuesday proposed that legislators reexamine a state statute that he said prevented an earlier effort from Emporia and Lyon County to change their zoning laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To Sauder, modifying a piece of a state law that ties property use to zoning could have great effect. Emporia needs about 250 new homes to be built annually to address the areas housing needs, but the reality has turned out to be about 13 new units annually. What weve seen in rural areas is an erosion of profitability, and when you dont have profitability, youre not going to have development, he said. Emporias initial goal was to shift from a Euclidean zoning model, a customary type of zoning in the United States and one that typically ties one land use, such as single family residential development, to a single zone. It wanted to adopt form-based zoning codes, which regulate land development based on appearance instead of property use. Such a move could free up local governments to streamline and simplify land use, Sauder said. In turn, building housing, particularly in rural areas, can be approached differently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislators ultimately agreed to take a look at state laws on the books that may restrict local governments ability to change their own zoning laws. What I would suggest is if there are things that we have in statute at the state level that make it difficult for local municipalities to have the flexibility regarding their zoning laws that we take a look at those, said Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican, on Wednesday. Sen. Tim Shallenburger, a Republican from Baxter Springs near the borders of Oklahoma and Missouri, voiced concerns over builders who arent attracted to build in small towns like his own. Small-town workers are forced to live outside of their communities because developers favor building in more profitable and populated areas, he said. On Wednesday, Shallenburger proposed to recommend to the 2025 legislature an idea from the city of Pittsburg to allow homebuilders in cities smaller than 60,000 people to recoup certain costs from a single project through the increase in value that development spurs. It was met with unanimous agreement. Legislators also recommended reviewing state law to examine barriers to local solutions to affordable housing, examining permit processes and exploring an appraisal process for community land trusts, which are nonprofits that can hold land and facilitate affordable housing development. Some attempted to recommend eviction law reforms and a review of the states Landlord Tenant Act, but they were met with pushback, particularly from Tarwater, who said he is a landlord. He warned that any addition of mandatory inspections wouldnt be likely to reduce rental costs. Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz signs on neighboring lots in Wisconsin. (Wisconsin Examiner photo) Is Wisconsin or the country really as divided as the maps make it look? On the spreadsheet of unofficial election totals posted by each of Wisconsins 72 counties following the election Nov. 5, a handful showed a clear majority for the Democratic presidential ticket of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Many more counties were won by the winning Republican ticket of former President Donald Trump and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance. Trump garnered enough votes to carry Wisconsin and enough states to return to the Oval Office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of those Trump-voting counties were rural ones, contributing to longstanding stereotypes about a monolithic body politic of deep blue cities and a bright red countryside. But months before Election Day, on a mild August evening in a quaint round barn north of Spring Green, the writer Sarah Smarsh cautioned against oversimplifying the politics of rural voters and against turning a blind eye to a part of the country that, she said, has too often been written off. Sarah Smarsh speaks during a presentation in August near Spring Green, Wisconsin. (Wisconsin Examiner photo) I grew up on a fifth-generation wheat farm in south central Kansas, Smarsh said that evening. Its a place of tall grass prairie, which happens to be the most endangered ecosystem and simultaneously the least discussed or cared about or protected. And I dont think its a coincidence that thats the ecosystem of the place and people that I also happen to believe have not been given fair attention and due consideration. Smarsh made her mark with the book Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth. As a journalist and author she has straddled the community of her upbringing and the urbane, academic world that she entered when she became the first in her family to pursue higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child of a carpenter and a teen mom, Smarsh has explored the socioeconomic divide in the U.S., mapping it to the destruction of the working class, the demise of family farms and the dismantling of public services from health care to public schools. I write about socioeconomic class and I write about rural issues, but thats because I grew up in working poverty, and thats because I grew up on a farm, Smarsh said. And while those identities are enormously consequential, she added, she seeks to break down the assumptions that people carry about them. Her message: You dont know who my family is, and especially if what we assume is that theyre white trash, worthless. Its a story that gives new context to the election results from 2016 on, and takes on new importance after the election of 2024. The residents of those places dismissed as flyover country, Smarsh said back in August, have many of the same concerns of urban and suburban voters, including reproductive rights, public schools, gun violence and other subjects. And understanding them in their diversity and complexity casts politics, especially national politics, in a more diffuse and complicated light. Where people dont care about political affiliations Concern about climate change and a desire to live more sustainably led Tamara Dean and her partner to move to western Wisconsins Vernon County in the early 2000s, where they built a homestead, grew their own food and became part of the local agricultural community. Tamara Dean Climate change followed them. In their county, extreme weather events became almost the norm, with a 500-year flood happening every few years or every year, Dean said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A rural community really coalesces when extreme situations happen and they help each other out, Dean said. And when we were cleaning up after a flood, helping our neighbors salvage their possessions or even getting people to safety, no ones going to ask who you voted for, and people dont care about political affiliations. Dean has written a collection of essays on the couples time in the Driftless region of Wisconsin, Shelter and Storm, to be published in April 2025 by the University of Minnesota Press. Distrust of the federal government Residents, she found, had something of an ambivalent relationship with the federal government. For all the complexity of agricultural economics, the U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that provide financial farm support were familiar and well-understood by longtime farmers and easily accessible to them, she said. But when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) promised recovery assistance for flooding in 2018, it just took forever to come, and it took a lot of bureaucracy to try to get it, Dean said. For individual applicants, getting any kind of assistance might be so daunting that they just wouldnt think its worth it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Dale Schultz, a former Republican state senator who has been thinking at length about politics and government in recent years, the election outcome has prompted contemplation. Schultz left the Legislature a decade ago after splitting with Republican then-Gov. Scott Walker over legislation stripping public employees union rights and weakening Wisconsins mining laws. Since then he has campaigned for redistricting reform and supported the overturning of Wisconsin Republicans gerrymandered legislative maps. In October he went public as a Republican supporting the Harris campaign for president. In his part of the state, he saw a distinct contrast between the Democratic campaign and the Republican one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I saw an extremely good Democratic effort to talk to people face-to-face, Schultz said in an interview. The GOP campaign along with allied outside groups such as American for Prosperity, however, appeared to him to focus almost entirely on mailings, phone calls and media. It became clear to me that politics is changing from the time I spent in office, being less people powered and more media powered, Schultz said. Ignored by both parties Schultz said hes observed a level of anger among some of his one-time constituents that has alarmed and surprised him, a product, he suggests, of having been ignored by both parties. Dale Schultz One target has been regulation, to the point where theyve lost track of why regulations are important and why they should support them, he said. Yet he sees the direct answer to that question where he lives in Southwest Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last 20 years there has been a renaissance in trout fishing, like I could not even have imagined 20 years ago, Shultz said. He credits the Department of Natural Resources and its personnel for working with local communities to ensure conditions that would turn trout streams into suitable habitat to support a burgeoning population of fish. That doesnt happen without water quality and water quality regulations, and land use and land use regulations. Schultz has been spending time in conversation with friends who are like-minded and similarly curious, he said. And then you just watch and wait and see what happens, and try to voice concerns that are real and that need to be dealt with, and [that] were not going to be able to hide from as a country. He hopes for the return of a time when people like him, who consider themselves just to the right of center, can again talk to everyone and possibly craft a solution. Back in August, Sarah Smarsh offered a gentle warning about the coming election to her audience in the round barn north of Spring Green. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever happens in November, everybody else is still here the other side is still here, Smarsh said. And so theres going to be some caring to do, and thats probably going to be for generations, because we didnt arrive at this moment overnight. Photo by Gregory Conniff for Wisconsin Examiner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Kremlin fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine on Thursday in response to Kyivs use this week of American and British missiles capable of striking deeper into Russia, President Vladimir Putin said. In a televised address to the country, the Russian president warned that U.S. air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile, which he said flies at ten times the speed of sound and which he called the Oreshnik Russian for hazelnut tree. He also said it could be used to attack any Ukrainian ally whose missiles are used to attack Russia. We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities, Putin said in his first comments since President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light this month to use U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike at limited targets inside Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pentagon to send Ukraine anti-personnel mines soon, US says Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed that Russias missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. This was [a] new type of lethal capability that was deployed on the battlefield, so that was certainly of concern, Singh said, noting that the missile could carry either conventional or nuclear warheads. The U.S. was notified ahead of the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels, she said. The attack on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro came in response to Kyivs use of longer-range U.S. and British missiles in strikes Tuesday and Wednesday on southern Russia, Putin said. Those strikes caused a fire at an ammunition depot in Russias Bryansk region and killed and wounded some security services personnel in the Kursk region, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and in kind, the Russian president said, adding that Western leaders who are hatching plans to use their forces against Moscow should seriously think about this. Putin said the Oreshnik fired Thursday struck a well-known missile factory in Dnipro. He also said Russia would issue advance warnings if it launches more strikes with the Oreshnik against Ukraine to allow civilians to evacuate to safety something Moscow hasnt done before previous aerial attacks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov initially said Russia hadnt warned the U.S. about the coming launch of the new missile, noting that it wasnt obligated to do so. But he later changed tack and said Moscow did issue a warning 30 minutes before the launch. Putins announcement came hours after Ukraine claimed that Russia had used an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Dnipro attack, which wounded two people and damaged an industrial facility and rehabilitation center for people with disabilities, according to local officials. But American officials said an initial U.S. assessment indicated the strike was carried out with an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack comes during a week of escalating tensions, as the U.S. eased restrictions on Ukraines use of American-made longer-range missiles inside Russia and Putin lowered the threshold for launching nuclear weapons. The Ukrainian air force said in a statement that the Dnipro attack was launched from Russias Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea. Today, our crazy neighbor once again showed what he really is, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said hours before Putins address. And how afraid he is. Russia was sending a message by attacking Ukraine with an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of releasing multiple warheads at extremely high speeds, even if they are less accurate than cruise missiles or short-range ballistic missiles, said Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why might you use it therefore? Savill said. Signaling signaling to the Ukrainians. Weve got stuff that outrages you. But really signaling to the West, Were happy to enter into a competition around intermediate-range ballistic missiles. P.S. These could be nuclear tipped. Do you really want to take that risk? Military experts say that modern ICBMs and IRBMs are extremely difficult to intercept, although Ukraine has previously claimed to have stopped some other weapons that Russia described as unstoppable, including the air-launched Kinzhal hypersonic missile. David Albright, of the Washington-based think tank the Institute for Science and International Security, said he was skeptical of Putins claim, adding that Russian technology sometimes falls short. He suggested Putin was taunting the West to try to shoot it down like a braggart boasting, taunting his enemy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, the Biden administration authorized Ukraine to use the U.S.-supplied, longer-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia a move that drew an angry response from Moscow. Days later, Ukraine fired several of the missiles into Russia, according to the Kremlin. The same day, Putin signed a new doctrine that allows for a potential nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. The doctrine is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons. In response, Western countries, including the U.S., said Russia has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behavior throughout the war to intimidate Ukraine and other nations. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that Russias formal lowering of the threshold for nuclear weapons use did not prompt any changes in U.S. doctrine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She pushed back on concerns that the decision to allow Ukraine to use Western missiles to strike deeper inside Russia might escalate the war. Theyre the ones who are escalating this, she said of the Kremlin in part because of a flood of North Korean troops sent to the region. More than 1,000 days into war, Russia has the upper hand, with its larger army advancing in Donetsk and Ukrainian civilians suffering from relentless drone and missile strikes. Analysts and observers say the loosening of restrictions on Ukraines use of Western missiles is unlikely to change the course of the war, but it puts the Russian army in a more vulnerable position and could complicate the logistics that are crucial in warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin has also warned that the move would mean that Russia and NATO are at war. It is an important move and it pulls against, undermines the narrative that Putin had been trying to establish that it was fine for Russia to rain down Iranian drones and North Korean missiles on Ukraine but a reckless escalation for Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons at legitimate targets in Russia, said Peter Ricketts, a former U.K. national security adviser who now sits in the House of Lords. Associated Press writers Jill Lawless and Emma Burrows in London, and Zeke Miller and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. We are now getting details about the weapon used in the unprecedented attack on Ukraine earlier today, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying his countrys forces fired a previously unknown medium-range hypersonic missile called Oreshnik. The new design is based on the previous RS-26 Rubezh ballistic missile, according to the Pentagon. Readers can get up to speed on what else is already known about the missile strike on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro in The War Zones initial reporting here. Ukrainain authorities had initially claimed that the weapon Russia fired today was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Subsequent reports citing anonymous U.S. government officials have said that it was actually a medium or intermediate-range ballistic missile (MRBM/IRBM). The RS-26 is officially categorized as an ICBM, but experts have long assessed that it is more likely an IRBM. MRBMs, IRBMs, and ICBMs are categorized by their maximum ranges between 620 and 1,860 miles (1,000 and 3,000 kilometers), between 1,864 and 3,418 miles (3,000 to 5,500 kilometers), and greater than 3,418 miles (5,500 kilometers), respectively. In response to the use of American and British weaponry on November 21 this year, Russian armed forces conducted a combined strike on one of Ukraines defense-industrial complex facilities, Putin said in a televised address. This included testing one of Russias latest medium-range missile systems in combat conditions. In this case, a ballistic missile equipped with non-nuclear hypersonic technology, referred to as Oreshnik by our missile forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statement by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin Watch herein in full (dubbed in English) pic.twitter.com/mF5SCJdlq1 MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) November 21, 2024 Targets for engagement during further testing of our newest missile complexes will be determined based on threats to the security of the Russian Federation, he added. When selecting targets for such systems as Oreshnik on Ukrainian territory, we will ensure that civilians, as well as citizens of friendly nations present in those areas, are advised to leave potential danger zones in advance. This will be done openly, publicly, and out of humanitarian considerations, without fear of opposition from the enemy. In his remarks, Putin said that Oreshnik (which means hazel in Russian, keeping with the countrys tradition of naming ballistic missiles after trees) had a peak speed of Mach 10, but provided no other details about the weapon. He also made no mention of any connection to the RS-26, work on which was publicly shelved in 2018. Imagery from todays attack on Ukraine looks to show six warheads descending on the target and multiple resulting impacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Better footage of the alleged impacts of multiple warheads separated from a Russian ICBM in Dnipro earlier today. Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@archer83able.bsky.social) 2024-11-21T10:10:24.907Z I can confirm that Russia did launch an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said at a routine press conference today. This IRBM was based on Russias RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile model Pentagon:- Russia's experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile launched at Ukraine was based on the RS-26 Rubezh ICBM model;- The US was notified by Russia about the launch briefly before it occurred through nuclear risk reduction channels. Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@archer83able.bsky.social) 2024-11-21T19:57:18.465Z Singh added that the U.S. government had been notified about the launch beforehand through Nuclear Risk Reduction channels. We raised this very real possibility in our initial report. This contradicts separate remarks from Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Putin, who said today that Russia has no obligation to make such notification for launches of medium-range weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia did not send advance notifications to the United States or other countries about the use of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile on a Ukrainian military-industrial facility as there are no such obligations, Dmitry Peskov told TASS:https://t.co/98zuuM1D6e pic.twitter.com/ieldbKB8hM TASS (@tassagency_en) November 21, 2024 Russia launched an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine, another U.S. government official also told The War Zone directly. While we take all threats against Ukraine seriously, it is important to keep a few key facts in mind. Russia likely possesses only a handful of these experimental missiles. The RS-26 is itself reportedly a smaller derivative of the RS-24 Yars ICBM. Rubezh is also understood to have a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) configuration and was associated in the past with the development of the Avangard hypersonic boost-glide vehicle. Russia has publicly fielded Avangard in a silo-based configuration using a repurposed ICBM rocketed booster. Hypersonic boost-glide vehicles offer capabilities that are particularly hard to defend against, as you can read more about here. The video below shows an Avangard test in 2018. Whether Oreshnik carries standard re-entry vehicles, maneuvering ones, or true hypersonic boost-glide vehicles remains unknown. Larger ballistic missiles and their payloads, in general, typically reach hypersonic speeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A picture said to show a piece of the Oreshnik after the attack looks to be a part that is also found in the Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile and that is linked to the production of components for other Russian strategic ballistic missiles. 1/2 Just a small bit of OSINT on Russia's new 'Oreshnik' MRBM, allegedly used to strike Dnipro (per Putin): I found the exactly the same part on the Russian govt procurement site. Docs from 2013 show it's also used for the S-30 'Bulava' SLBM. https://t.co/QCS2R8FNAZ pic.twitter.com/Dome4heoWO Mark Krutov (@kromark) November 21, 2024 Bonus post: Of course, this specific part for both old and "new" Russian strategic missiles (I doubt "Oreshnik" is truly "new") was made on a Swiss high-precision drilling and milling machine, the Fehlmann Picomax 54. https://t.co/uvAdm7pbC3 pic.twitter.com/6EHNHAmdJw Mark Krutov (@kromark) November 21, 2024 This is what the fragments of the new Russian ballistic missile "Oreshnik" found today in the Dnieper look like. From them, we can already understand something about the new missile. For example, from the serial number of the product in the first photo, we can establish that the pic.twitter.com/oBqnNqhLYy Malinda (@TreasChest) November 21, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of its exact configuration and capabilities, Russias use of Oreshnik is also just the latest example of the country using the conflict in Ukraine as an opportunity to demonstrate new and advanced weapon systems. The war has already seen the first operational use of the Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile and the sea-launched Zircon air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile In addition, the introduction of a new ostensibly hypersonic weapon comes amid continued efforts to bolster Ukraines air and missile defenses. Western-supplied Patriot surface-to-air missile systems have been notably effective against Kinzhal, as well as ground-launched ballistic missiles. At a peak speed of Mach 10, Oreshnik would be moving faster than a system like Patriot can reliably intercept. Existing modern air defense systems worldwide, including the missile defense systems created by Americans in Europe, cannot intercept such missiles. Its impossible, Putin explicitly boasted in his announcement about Oreshnik today. Using an experimental and expensive capability like Oreshnik, which also likely has lower accuracy in its conventional mode than existing long-range munitions that Russia has been using on Ukraine, is also clearly intended to send broader messages to Ukraines foreign benefactors. Putin has not explicitly said it was in retaliation for Ukraine getting approval to employ U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles and British-supplied Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles against targets in Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has withstood countless attacks from Russia, including from missiles with significantly larger warheads than this weapon. Let me be clear: Russia may be seeking to use this capability to try to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters, or generate attention in the information space, but it will not be a game-changer in this conflict, the aforementioned U.S. government official told The War Zone. We briefed Ukraine and close allies/partners in recent days about Russias possible use of this weapon to help them prepare. As the President announced earlier this year, the United States is providing Ukraine with hundreds of additional Patriot and AMRAAM missiles to strengthen its air defenses. Many of these air defense missiles have been delivered already, as a consequence of the Presidents decision to divert air defense exports to Ukraine, and deliveries of additional air defense missiles to Ukraine are ongoing, they continued. And, as the President directed in September, the United States will continue to surge security assistance to Ukraine to strengthen capabilities, including air defense, and put Ukraine in the best possible position on the battlefield. Just yesterday, we announced another security assistance package and those efforts will continue until the end of the Presidents term. With Putins threat to continue employing Oreshniks, more information about the missile and its RS-26 predecessor may now start to emerge. UPDATE: 7:45 PM EST The War Zone has now published a deeper dive into the story of the RS-26, which you can read here. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Russian forces launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Ukraine, according to Ukrainian officials in the military. The Ukrainian Air Force Command said in a post on Facebook that the ICBM was fired from the Astrakhan region of southern Russia, which is about 500 miles away from eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials did not elaborate on whether the ICBM struck its target in Ukraine or if it was shot down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia also fired a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, six of which were shot down, according to Air Force Command. Russia has fired the Kinzhal, which can fly at Mach 5 or greater, several times into Ukraine. This appears to be the first time that Russia fired an ICBM at Ukraine, though its unclear what the strategy was in using it. ICBMs, typically launched from a ground-based station, are meant for long-range attacks over thousands of miles. They can be equipped with nuclear warheads but also do not have to carry nuclear arms. The incident follows nuclear saber-rattling from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who updated his nuclear doctrine Tuesday to say an attack from a nonnuclear armed state on Russia but with the support of a nuclear-armed state would be considered a joint attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A conventional missile attack could trigger a nuclear response from Russia, according to the Kremlin. Putins threats came just two days after the U.S. lifted its restriction on Ukraine using long-range American-made missiles to strike into Russia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 21 (UPI) -- President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia hit a Ukrainian aerospace plant with an experimental hypersonic missile in the first use of a nuclear-capable weapon against Ukraine. Speaking in an unscheduled television address, Putin said, "we are conducting combat tests of the Oreshnik missile system in response to NATO's aggressive actions against Russia," according to a translation from the Kremlin. Russia's use of the missile follows Ukraine having fired both U.S. and British long-range missiles this week after U.S. President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light to use Army Tactical Missile Systems to attack deeper within Russian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed to reporters that Russia had launched an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile. She said the United States was notified "briefly" before the launch via nuclear-risk reduction channels. In his address, Putin said Russia attacked the Ukrainian aerospace facility in response to Kyiv's use of U.S.- and British-made long-range weapons. Ukrainian Air Force jet prepares for a dawn take off Thursday after Russia launched a major airborne assault against Ukraine's industrial heartland with unconfirmed reports it had used an intercontinental ballistic missile --but armed with a conventional warhead. Photo Courtesy of Ukrainian Air Force/X He called the test of the non-nuclear hypersonic ballistic missile a success. He warned that Russia will determine targets for future tests "based on the threat to the security of the Russian federation." "We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities, and in case of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and in mirror-like manner," he said. A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired as part of Russia's nuclear drills from a launch site on Oct. 26, 2022, in Plesetsk, northwestern Russia. On Thursday, Ukraine said Russia fired the first ICBM amid the 1,000-day-old war. Image by Russian Defense Ministry Press Office/UPI He claimed no countermeasures exist for the Oreshnik missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin also asserted a right to attack western countries that give Ukraine long-range defense weapons to counter Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He said Russia would respond to further "escalation." At least two people were injured in the central-eastern city of Dnipro on Thursday morning after the Ukrainian Air Force said the city had been attacked with a Russian IRBM. The industrial enterprise was damaged and two fires broke out in the city, said Dnipro Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak while city mayor Boris Filatov said in a social media update that a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities had been struck. "The boiler room was destroyed and the windows were blown out. Information about people is being clarified," said Filatov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IRBM was launched from Russia's southeastern Astrakhan region as part of an airborne assault between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time comprising seven cruise missiles launched from Tu-95 strategic bombers and an aeroballistic missile fired from a MiG-31k fighter jet, Ukraine's Air Force said in a statement on social media. Six cruise missiles were downed by air defenses, according to the air force which did not state whether the injuries or damage were caused by the IRBM. Singh told reporters the use the Oreshnik missile is of concern to the Pentagon. "I don't have an assessment of its impacts right now, but it's something that, of course, we're concerned by," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine described Russia's use of the Oreshnik system in his nightly address Thursday as evidence of Putin having no interest in peace. On X, he also characterized its use as another step taken by Putin this year to escalate and expand the war after enlisting the support of North Korea, which has deployed some 11,000 troops into the theater. "The world must respond. Right now, there is no strong reaction from the world. Putin is very sensitive to this. He is testing you, dear partners," Zelensky said. "He must be stopped. A lack of tough reactions to Russia's actions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable. This is what Putin is doing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traveling at up to 17,000 mph and with a range of at least 3,400 miles during which they go sub-orbital, ICBMs can be configured to deliver nuclear or conventional warheads. Like ICBMs, IRBMs, can also be configured to carry nuclear warheads, but fly between 1,800 and 3,400 miles. At least 15 people, including two boys aged 16 and 17, were injured in Russian missile strikes on Kryvyi Rih, 90 miles to the southwest of Dnipro. Nine people were hospitalized including the 17-year-old boy, Lysak said in an update on his social media account. Among those injured were a 32-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman who were being treated in the hospital where they were reported to be in moderate condition, according to Lysak. "The attack partially destroyed an administration building. Two two-story residential buildings were damaged. We are clarifying the details," wrote Lysak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden had been reluctant to sign off on Ukraine using ATACMS to attack deeper into Russian territory over fears of escalating the war. ATACMS missiles were first used in the theater Tuesday, according to Russia. Ukraine this week also fired British-made Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for the first time, The Guardian reported, citing unnamed sources. The report cited unconfirmed photos circulating on social media purportedly showing Storm Shadow missile fragments in Russia's Kursk region. As of early 2024, Russia had 521 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), both land-based and sea-based. Source: Defense Express with reference to The Military Balance 2024; Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on the Russian nuclear arsenal; and SIPRI Yearbook 2024, World nuclear forces 2023 Details: As noted by the publication, the numbers in all three instances are as of the beginning of 2024; hence, these estimates do not include information on the possibility of the Russians having RS-26 Rubezh missiles at their disposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Therefore, we can record that at the beginning of this year, Russia had at its disposal a total of 521 land-based and sea-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, and that it took more than two decades of work of the Russian defence industrial base to accumulate such an arsenal." Details: At the start of the year, Russia's strategic missile forces included: 34 ICBMs of the RS-20 Voyevoda type (deployed in 1988); 60 ICBMs of the RS-12M Topol-M type (deployed in 1997); 18 ICBMs of the RS-12M1 Topol-M type (deployed in 2006); 180 ICBMs of the underground-type RS-24 Yars (deployed in 2010); 24 ICBMs of the mobile-type RS-24 Yars (deployed in 2014); approximately 8 Avangard missiles. The number of Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles remains unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of naval capabilities, Russia has 192 ballistic missiles that can be deployed from 12 nuclear submarines. According to the newspaper, 112 RSM-56 (or R-30) Bulava missiles have been deployed since 2012, while 80 RSM-54 Sineva missiles have been deployed since 2007. The Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in turn, stated that Ukraine was the first country in the world to be hit with an intercontinental ballistic missile. "" pic.twitter.com/Cfx4ZlXhvA (@ukrpravda_news) November 21, 2024 Background: On the morning of 21 November, Russian forces attacked the city of Dnipro, damaging an industrial facility, a rehabilitation centre, houses and garages. Two people were injured in the strike. Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia had used an intercontinental ballistic missile in its latest missile attack on Dnipro. Ukrainska Pravda sources suggested that the weapon in question is likely a Rubezh missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Support UP or become our patron! Russia launched a barrage of missiles at Ukraine Thursday in its first major retaliation for Ukraine's attack earlier in the week on a military facility in the Russian region of Bryansk. That strike saw the Ukrainians use American-made and supplied long-range missiles known as ATACMS, which President Biden had given the Ukrainian forces permission to fire deeper into Russian territory only two days earlier. Moscow had warned the U.S. and its NATO allies for months against granting Ukraine permission to fire Western missiles into Russia, and Mr. Biden's weekend decision to permit such strikes drew stark new warnings from lawmakers and Russian media close to President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. was escalating the nearly three-year conflict at the risk of sparking a new world war. The U.S. and its allies have argued that it's Putin escalating the war he started by ordering the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, including by deploying more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers to bolster his own forces in recent weeks. But there was little doubt that Moscow would respond to the Ukrainians' first use of the American ATACMS to strike inside Russia somehow, and air raid sirens blared across the country Wednesday as the U.S. closed its embassy in Kyiv and warned of a possible imminent "significant air attack." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack didn't come on Wednesday, but rather overnight, with Russian missiles targeting several cities but hitting central-eastern Dnipro the hardest. The Ukrainian Air Force claimed that Russia's assault on the city included its first use during the war of an intercontinental ballistic missile, though a Western official told CBS News on Thursday that an ICBM was not used in the strike. Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, Nov. 21, 2024. / Credit: State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk Region/Anadolu/Getty Two U.S. officials also told CBS News that Russia had fired a ballistic missile, not an ICBM on Thursday, with one saying it appeared to have been an intermediate range ballistic missile launched from just east of Volgograd, Russia, to target Dnipro. If accurate, that would be a flight path of about 500 miles. Despite the denials from U.S. officials, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on social media that "all the characteristics" of a Russian missile used in the strike on Dnipro "corresponds to an intercontinental ballistic missile," though he said an investigation was underway to confirm exactly what had been fired at the city. Zelenskyy accused "our crazy neighbor" Russia of using his country "as a testing ground" for its new weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. official told CBS News later Thursday that Russia was believed to have launched an experimental intermediate range ballistic missile based on the country's RS-26 Rubezh missile. The U.S. was notified prior to the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels, the official said, adding that the U.S. had briefed Ukraine and close allies and partners in recent days about the possibility that Russia could use such a weapon in order to help them prepare. Russia is likely to only possess a handful of the experimental weapons, the official said, noting that Ukraine has withstood countless Russian attacks with missiles that had significantly larger warheads that this experimental IRBM. The official also added that President Biden earlier this year said the U.S. was providing Ukraine with hundreds of additional Patriot and AMRAAM missiles to strengthen its air defenses, many of which have already been delivered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a live televised news conference in Moscow on Thursday, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova received a phone call and a man identified only as "Masha" could be heard ordering her not to make any comment on the "ballistic missile strike that the Westerners have started talking about" in Dnipro. The Ukrainian air force did not say what the purported Russian ICBM had targeted or whether it had caused any damage, but the Dnipro regional governor, Serhiy Lysak, said the strike damaged an industrial enterprise and ignited fires in the city, wounding 15 people. The Ukrainian Air Force said the Russian attack also included a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven cruise missiles all weapons used many times previously by Russia during the war. Six of the Russian missiles were shot down, the air force said. The strike came hours after the CBS News team in Kyiv, along with hundreds of thousands of residents of the Ukrainian capital, were forced to scramble for cover in underground parking lots, metro stations and basements on Wednesday as air raid alarms sounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, no missiles landed on Wednesday, leaving Ukraine to accuse Russia of a psychological attack. "We are very worried," one young Kyiv resident told CBS News. "We want to keep our country. We want to live in peace." After more than two and a half years of war in Ukraine, the scars and the anxiety run deep. "It could happen any minute, any hour," Major Taras Berezovets, of Ukraine's Territorial Defense force, told CBS News, arguing that Russia and Putin are blackmailing his country, trying to frighten Ukrainians into surrendering "trying to make the conclusion that any sort of opposition to Russian invasion is absolutely useless." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some believe both Russia and Ukraine are trying to maximize their gains and with them, their leverage for any future cease-fire talks before President-elect Donald Trump comes back into office in January. There's significant fear in Ukraine and in European capitals that Trump could cut U.S. support for Kyiv, forcing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's government to accept a negotiated truce with Russia that sees Ukraine give up land occupied by Putin's forces. 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 Russia has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine for the first time since the war began in February 2022. Ukrainian city of Dnipro was targeted on the morning of November 21, according to the country's air force. Moscow launched the powerful missile from the Astrakhan region. "Russian troops attacked the city of Dnipro (enterprises and critical infrastructure) with missiles of various types," said the Ukrainian Air Force in a statement. ICBM, 'Kinzhal' aeroballistic missile, 7 Kh-101 cruise missiles launched The intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, a Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missile from a MiG-31K fighter jet was launched from the Tambov region, seven Kh-101 cruise missiles were fired from Tu-95MS strategic bombers. Ukrainian Air Force maintained that as a result of anti-aircraft combat, six Kh-101 missiles were destroyed by units of anti-aircraft missile forces. "Information about victims and victims has not been received so far. Once again, we ask citizens not to delay with air warning signals," added the air force. The Kremlin has refused to make any statement on the incident. It's claimed to be the first military use of ICBM, which can carry nuclear warheads, in an active war. However, Ukraine neither specified what type of ICBM it was and what kind of warhead it carried. Russia likely used RS-26 Rubezh missile The missile in question is expected to be RS-26 Rubezh, according to a report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 20 November, there was widespread speculation in the media about the possibility of Russia testing the RS-26 Rubezh ballistic missile. Reports suggested it could either be a test launch from the Kapustin Yar range in Astrakhan Oblast or a combat launch, reported Ukrainian Pravda. Classified as a medium-range ballistic missile, RS-26 "Rubezh" is designed for carrying nuclear warheads. Believed to be based on two Topol-M stages, the missile is reportedly developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, and the manufacturer is the Votkinsk Plant. RS-26 "Rubezh" could have a range of up to 3728 miles Although, the exact specifications of the weapon is currently not known. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But reports suggest that it could have a range of up to 3728 miles (6,000 kilometres) with a launch weight of 40-50 tonnes. It can also carry four separate type of warheads similar to those used in the Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles. The weapon can also be equipped with a hypersonic Avangard-type glide unit, according to reports. Attack took place after Putin changed nuclear doctrine Recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin changed the countrys nuclear doctrine. He has expanded the conditions under which Russia can use nuclear weapons. As per the changes made, Moscow can now use nuclear weapons in instances when a non-nuclear state supported by nuclear power attacks its area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document states that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to any weapons of mass destruction used against it or its allies, or in the event of aggression using conventional weapons that threaten the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Russia or Belarus. The recent attack came after U.S. President Joe Biden last weekend authorized the use of American-supplied long-range missiles by Kyiv to strike targets inside Russia, finally responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys demands that Western allies loosen restrictions on donated weapons, reported Politico. The Scoop Russia warned the US of an incoming ballistic missile strike on Ukraine shortly before Thursdays attack, a US administration official told Semafor. The United States was pre-notified briefly before the launch, the official said. The US also briefed Ukraine and other allies in the days leading up to the attack about Russias possible use of an experimental medium-range ballistic missile to help them prepare, the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia and the US typically inform each other if they plan to launch ballistic missiles, however it was unclear whether or not Moscow had done so this time. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said Russia warned the US 30 minutes before launching the missile, the Russian news agency TASS reported. On Thursday, Russia struck the Ukrainian city of Dnipro; while Ukrainian officials initially accused Russia of using an intercontinental ballistic missile, Western officials have disputed that, saying it was an intermediate-range missile. Russias President Vladimir Putin said it was a new medium-range ballistic missile called Oreshnik, adding that the attack was in response to Kyivs use of US and UK weapons to strike Russian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are carefully analyzing the missile and the implications for Russias arms control obligations and for NATOs deterrence and deference posture, the US official said, adding that Russia likely only possesses a handful of this kind of missile. Know More The US and Russia typically notify each other when either partys plans to fire intercontinental ballistic missiles or intermediate range ballistic missiles, communication aimed at avoiding any opportunity for misunderstandings that could lead to an accidental conflict or escalation between the two superpowers. While Russia has withdrawn from or suspended many of its existing arms control agreements with the US, Russian officials said last year they would continue to notify Washington of ballistic missile launches. Even so, nuclear experts were unsure if Russia had chosen to notify Washington about the strike that targeted Dnipro in Ukraine last night. I doubt the sides ever had an understanding about whether launch notifications would apply in a war between one of them and a third party, James Acton, the co-director of the Carnegie Endowments Nuclear Policy Program wrote on X. By Anastasiia Malenko, Tom Balmforth and Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) -Russia fired a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday in response to the U.S. and UK's allowing Kyiv to strike Russian territory with advanced Western weapons, in a further escalation of the 33-month-old war. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address, said Moscow struck a Ukrainian military facility with a new medium-range, hypersonic ballistic missile known as "Oreshnik" (the hazel) and warned that more could follow. He said civilians would be warned ahead of further strikes with such weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After approval from the administration of President Joe Biden, Ukraine struck Russia with six U.S.-made ATACMS on Nov. 19 and with British Storm Shadow missiles and U.S.-made HIMARS on Nov. 21, Putin said. "From that moment, a regional conflict in Ukraine previously provoked by the West has acquired elements of a global character," Putin said in an address to the nation carried by state television after 8 p.m. in Moscow (1700 GMT). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said use of the new missile amounted to "a clear and severe escalation" in the war and called for strong worldwide condemnation. A U.S. official said Russia notified Washington shortly before its strike, while another official said the U.S. had briefed Kyiv and allies to prepare for the possible use of such a weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv initially suggested Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, a weapon designed for long-distance nuclear strikes and never before used in war. But U.S. officials and NATO echoed Putin's description of the weapon as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, which has a shorter range of 3,0005,500 km (1,860-3,415 miles). Tensions have spiked in the past several days. Ukraine fired U.S. and British missiles at targets inside Russia this week despite Moscow's warnings that it would see such action as a major escalation. Zelenskiy, writing on X after Putin's television appearance, said Russia's acknowledgement it used the new weapon was another escalation after deployment of North Korean troops on Russian soil. Thursday's attack, Zelenskiy said, was "yet more proof that Russia has no interest in peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The world must respond. Right now, there is no strong reaction from the world. ... A lack of tough reactions to Russias actions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable." A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russia likely possesses a handful of the "experimental" missiles used in Thursday's strike. Ukraine's air force said the missile targeted Dnipro in central-eastern Ukraine and was fired from the Russian region of Astrakhan, more than 700 km (435 miles) away. Fabian Hoffmann, a doctoral research fellow at Oslo University who specializes in missile technology and nuclear strategy, said the most significant aspect of the weapon was that it carried a MIRVed (multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle) payload. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia chose the weapon "for signaling purposes," he said. "This payload is exclusively associated with nuclear-capable missiles." Russia also fired a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, six of which were shot down, the Ukrainian air force said. The attack targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in Dnipro, the air force said. Dnipro was a missile-making centre in the Soviet era. Ukraine has expanded its military industry during the war but keeps its whereabouts secret. Regional Governor Serhiy Lysak said the attack damaged an industrial enterprise and set off fires in Dnipro. Two people were hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public broadcaster Suspilne said a Ukrainian parliamentary sitting scheduled for Friday had been postponed due to security concerns with no more sittings planned until December. JOCKEYING FOR POSITION AHEAD OF TRUMP Glowing projectiles could be seen plummeting to the ground from the night sky in a video published by Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian military charity. It said the video was of Dnipro overnight. NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah said Russia was seeking to "terrorise" civilians and intimidate Ukraine's allies. "Deploying this capability will neither change the course of the conflict nor deter NATO allies from supporting Ukraine, Dakhlallah said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some military experts said the missile launch could be seen as an act of deterrence by Moscow following Kyiv's strikes into Russia with Western weapons this week, after restrictions on such strikes were lifted. Russian war correspondents on Telegram and an official speaking on condition of anonymity said Kyiv fired British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia's Kursk region bordering Ukraine on Wednesday. Russia's defence ministry, in its daily report of events over the previous 24 hours on Thursday, said air defences had shot down two British Storm Shadow cruise missiles but did not say where. Britain had previously let Ukraine use Storm Shadows only within Ukrainian territory. The firing of the U.S. ATACMS missiles comes just two months before Biden leaves office and President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington sources familiar with the matter said the deployment of North Korean troops to aid Russia prompted Biden's decision ahead of Trump's second presidency. Trump has said he will end the war, without saying how, and has criticised billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine under Biden. The warring sides believe Trump is likely to push for peace talks and are trying to attain strong positions before negotiations. (Additional reporting by Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, Sabine Siebold in Brussels, Mark Trevelyan and Pavel Polityuk; Writing by Tom Balmforth and Diane CraftEditing by Bernadette Baum, Timothy Heritage, Michael Collett-White, Frances Kerry, Angus MacSwan, Ron Popeski, Cynthia Osterman and Leslie Adler) North Korea and Russia have signed a protocol on cooperation following discussions on trade, the economy, science, and technology, North Korean state media KCNA reported on Nov. 21. While the KCNA report provided few specifics, Russias state-owned TASS news agency reported that the two countries had agreed to boost charter flights. The agreement was confirmed by Russias Ministry of Natural Resources, which noted that between January and September, over 5,000 tourists traveled between the two countries, with more than 70% of them flying. North Korea and Russia have significantly strengthened their relations over the past two years, particularly in the context of mutual military support and geopolitical alignment against Western nations, posing significant challenges to international stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The increased charter flights will operate not only from Russias eastern regions near North Korea but also from major cities across the country, Russia's TASS added. The Russian delegation, led by Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Nov. 18. During the visit, the Russian government also presented zoo animals, including an African lion and two brown bears, sent from Russia's President Vladimir Putin as gifts to North Korea. In April, Russia donated eagles, cranes, and parrots to the Pyongyang Central Zoo, according to Reuters. During Putins visit to North Korea in June, the leaders agreed on a mutual defense pact. The strengthening of defense relations has raised concerns internationally, with Washington, Kyiv, and Seoul condemning North Korea for supplying military equipment and sending over 10,000 troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: North Korea receiving cash, food, space technology from Russia in return for soldiers, South Korean lawmaker says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia launched a new type of intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) against Dnipro, east Ukraine on the morning of Nov. 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. Initially, Ukraine's Air Force reported the attack had been carried out by an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), though some Western officials later cast doubt on the claim and said it was an IRBM, not an ICBM, Reuters reported. Late on Nov. 21, Putin said in a televised address that the attack was a test of Russia's "newest missile," an IRBM called "Oreshnik." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In combat conditions, a test was carried out of one of the latest Russian intermediate-range missile systems. In this case, with a non-nuclear hypersonic version of a ballistic missile," he said. A U.S. official speaking on condition on anonymity later confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that Russia launched "an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine." What happened during the attack? In the early hours of Nov. 21, a country-wide air raid alert sounded due to the threat of ballistic missiles, and later, the launch of several Russian Tu-95MS bomber aircraft. According to Ukraine's Air Force, the attack targeted the city of Dnipro using a number of different missile types. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, an Kh-47M2 'Kinzhal' aeroballistic missile from a MiG-31K fighter jet was launched from the Tambov region, and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles were fired from Tu-95MS strategic bombers," the report said. The report did not specify what type of ICBM was launched. Astrakhan Oblast is located in southern Russia, over 700 kilometers (435 miles) east of Dnipro. The region borders Kazakhstan, Russias Kalmykia Republic, Volgograd Oblast, and the Caspian Sea. An industrial enterprise was damaged, and two fires broke out in the city, Governor Serhii Lysak said. A rehabilitation center for people with disabilities was damaged in the attack, Mayor Borys Filatov said. At least two people are reported to have been injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's Air Force said six of the Kh-101 missiles were reportedly shot down, but did not say if the reported missile had caused any of the damage in Dnipro. The aftermath of a Russian missile attack against Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine, on Nov. 21, 2024. (State Emergency Service/Telegram) What is an intermediate-range ballistic missile? Russia regularly uses close, and short range ballistic missiles in aerial attacks against Ukraine, but IRBMs and ICBMs are far larger, can be equipped with nuclear payloads, and are designed to hit targets at far longer ranges. Ballistic missiles are rocket-powered and are launched high into the atmosphere before arcing back down onto their target. They're only guided during the initial stages of launch, so they can be less accurate than cruise missiles, but have the advantage of reaching incredibly high speeds sometimes more than 3,200 kilometers per hour as they approach their targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crucially, ballistic missiles also have a very long range anything from around 1,000 kilometers, to 3,000-5,500 kilometers, in the case of IRBMs. Until now, Russia has used several models of shorter-range ballistic missiles, including the Iskander and the Kinzhal. Due to their high speed, only certain air defense systems are capable of shooting them down, the U.S.-made Patriot system being one of them. What sort of missile did Russia launch? Little is known about the "Oreshnik" missile referred to by Putin, but military expert Yan Matveev told IStories that it could be a modified version of the Rubezh. The RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile is reported to have a range of up to 6,000 kilometers, can carry four warheads each with an estimated payload of 0.3 megatons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fabian Hoffmann, a defense expert and doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo, told the Kyiv Independent that Rubezh is equipped with a MIRV payload, which stands for Multiple Independent Reentry Vehicles. Purported footage of the attack shows multiple projectiles hitting the ground, but without the large explosions normally associated with conventional missiles or payloads. "So this strike is not for military value, this is purely, purely for political purposes," he added. Read also: Russian ICBM strike would be clear escalation, EU says What are those political purposes? The attack 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After depicting such a move as crossing another "red line" the Kremlin had drawn, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country would respond. "They probably considered testing a nuclear warhead, which was also rumored to happen soon, but decided that's too intense, and that could invite too much backlash, especially from partners, such as China and India," Hoffman said. "And then they probably thought that this is the next best option, because it sends a clear signal to the West, while potentially not antagonizing critical international partners." The U.S. official told the Kyiv Independent that "Russia likely possesses only a handful of these experimental missiles." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Better late than never: Israeli companies finally reach out to Ukraine to help fight Iranian drones What has Kyiv, Moscow said? As well as the original Air Force statement, in the early afternoon of Nov. 21, President Volodymyr Zelensky said an examination was taking place to determine the exact type of missile, but "all characteristics" of the strike had "intercontinental ballistic capabilities." "We can see that Putin is using Ukraine as a training ground," he added. Initially, Russia said very little about the attack. When asked if Moscow had fired an ICBM, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters he had "nothing to say on this topic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video clip widely shared in the media, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova received a phone call during a press conference apparently asking her not to comment on reports about "ballistic missile strikes." Zakharova later claimed she was merely asking "experts whether this was our topic," and the "answer came during the briefing: the Foreign Ministry does not comment. There is no conspiracy." Referencing Ukrainian strikes inside Russia using Western-supplied ATACMS and Storm Shadows, Putin later said the attack was "in response to the use of American and British long-range weaponry on Nov. 21 this year." He said the test "was successful" and that "one of the largest industrial complexes known since the Soviet era has been hit on Ukraines territory." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are currently no ways of countering this weapon. The missiles attack targets at a speed of 10 Mach, thats 2.5-3 km per second," he said. "We are ready for any developments. If anyone still doubts this, they shouldnt. There will always be a response." What has the international community said? Russia using an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) against Ukraine would be a "clear escalation" by Moscow, EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano told reporters on Nov. 21. "While we're assessing the full facts, it's obvious that such (an) attack would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Stano said, according to AFP. The U.S. official told the Kyiv Independent that while "we take all threats against Ukraine seriously, it is important to keep a few key facts in mind." "Ukraine has withstood countless attacks from Russia, including from missiles with significantly larger warheads than this weapon. "Let me be clear: Russia may be seeking to use this capability to try to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters, or generate attention in the information space, but it will not be a game changer in this conflict." Later on Nov. 21, Defense Department Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh, said Russia gave the U.S. a brief advance warning of the strike. The United States was pre-notified briefly before the launch, through nuclear risk reduction channels," Singh said. The warning, sent 30 minutes before the launch, was also confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Read also: ATACMS, Trump, and the increasing importance of Kursk Oblast for Ukraine How can Ukraine intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles? Ukraine's U.S.-supplied Patriots have been effective at intercepting the ballistic missiles launched by Russia to date, but according to Defense Express, they are not currently optimized to intercept ICBMs. If Russia began to regularly launch ICBMs, Ukraine's air defenses would need to be bolstered by more advanced air defense systems like the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), the outlet reported. 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. MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian air defence forces have shot down two British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, Russia's Defence Ministry said on Thursday in its daily report on events over the past 24 hours. "Air defences shot down two Storm Shadow cruise missiles manufactured by Britain, six HIMARS rockets manufactured by the USA and 67 unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type," the ministry said in a statement. Photos of apparent debris from a Storm Shadow missile had been posted by pro-Russian military bloggers on Telegram on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The posts on Telegram said the debris had been found in the village of Marino in Russia's Kursk region. Russia's defence ministry did not say on Thursday where the missiles were shot down. Storm Shadow missiles are made by European missile systems company, MBDA, which brings together core missile assets from France, Britain and Italy. According to MBDA, "Storm Shadow/SCALP is the air-launched long range, conventionally armed, deep strike weapon, designed to meet the demanding requirements of pre-planned attacks against high value fixed or stationary targets." MBDA said that Storm Shadow/SCALPs have been used in the Gulf, Iraq and Libya. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to comment about the reports on Wednesday. Britain had previously allowed Ukraine to use Storm Shadows, which have a range in excess of 250 km (155 miles), within Ukrainian territory. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Guy FaulconbridgeEditing by Andrew Osborn and Ros Russell) Russian troops launched an intercontinental ballistic missile RS-26 Rubezh in a morning attack on the city of Dnipro on 21 November. Source: Ukrainska Pravda "" pic.twitter.com/Cfx4ZlXhvA (@ukrpravda_news) November 21, 2024 Details: The missile's main purpose is to deliver nuclear warheads. However, a conventional high-explosive warhead may also be utilised. The warhead weighs 1.2 tonnes (the warhead in Iskander-M weighs nearly three times less, at 480 kg). According to accessible sources, the RS-26 Rubezh can hit targets from a distance of up to 6,000 km. This is a mobile ground system, and depending on the launch location, the missile can reach Kyiv in 8-10 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The missile's unique feature is that it is made up of four controllable fighting units that can be separated. During descent, the missile manoeuvres, making it more difficult for modern missile defence systems to intercept. Russia began developing the project of a mobile strategic missile system with an intercontinental ballistic missile RS-26 Rubezh about 18 years ago. This happened in violation of the treaty on the elimination of intermediate and short-range missiles, which was signed between the USSR and the USA in 1987. Rubezh is thought to have been developed using two stages of the Topol-M strategic missile system. The RS-26 Rubezh was created by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology. The missiles maiden test launch occurred in 2011. It was intended that in four years, it would be in the arsenal of the Russian army. However, in 2018, Russian propaganda media reported that the RS-26 Rubezh was omitted from the state arms programme until 2027 in order to redirect resources to other missile systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia is expected to have ample chances to rapidly deploy the production of RS-26 Rubezh missiles using current technology, supply chains, and manufacturing processes. The great majority of Russian long-range missiles can carry nuclear weapons. Iskander, Kindzhal, cruise missiles like the Kh-55 and Kh-102, and many more. Support UP or become our patron! President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Thursday that Russia used an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile in a strike on Ukraine for the first time, marking a dangerous new escalation in the conflict. In a video address, the Russian president also threatened to use the new weapon, called Oreshnik, in more attacks. He said the missile travels at hypersonic speed and cannot be intercepted. Putin said six non-nuclear warheads had hit the industrial city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine on Thursday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, there were no injuries in the attack. The Russian president said the use of the weapon was a reaction to the fact that the United States and other Western countries had allowed Ukraine to use long-range weapons on Russian territory. "This escalation, provoked by the West, has led to the regional conflict in Ukraine taking on global dimensions," he said. At the same time, he called the new system a response to the US wanting to deploy medium-range missiles in Europe and the Pacific. Putin said Russia would act in a "reciprocal manner" to "an escalation of aggressive actions," and would even consider carrying out missile attacks on Ukraine's partner countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We reserve the right to use our weapons against military targets of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against targets on our soil," he said. Putin added that in the event of further attacks using the Oreshnik, Russia would warn the civilian population so that people can leave the danger zone. The United Nations described Putin's announcement as a "worrying development." "All of this going in the wrong direction. What we want to see is for all parties to take urgent steps to de escalate the situation," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Kremlin emphasized the attack was not a nuclear one, experts consider the use of multiple warheads to be an indication that the missile could theoretically be equipped with a nuclear warhead. Russia on Tuesday updated its nuclear doctrine to allow the use of nuclear weapons not only in response to a nuclear attack, but also in the event of a conventional attack on Russia or its ally Belarus that "poses a critical threat to their sovereignty and/or territorial integrity." The Ukrainian Air Force had reported the use of the missile earlier on Thursday, believing it to be an intercontinental ballistic missile. "All the characteristics - speed, altitude - are those of an intercontinental missile," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video statement. "It is obvious that Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intermediate-range missiles have a range of up to 5,500 kilometres, while missiles with the capability to travel more than 5,500 kilometres are counted as intercontinental. According to the authorities in Dnipro, the same wave of strikes damaged an industrial plant in Dnipro and a centre for people with disabilities. Moscow accuses Kiev of using Storm Shadow cruise missiles The Defence Ministry in Moscow said on Thursday that Russia intercepted two Storm Shadow cruise missiles fired by Ukraine. If confirmed, this would be the first time Kiev has deployed the British-supplied missiles since the start of the Kremlin's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The air defence forces shot down two British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, six US-made HIMARS reactive missiles and 67 drones," the Russian military said in a statement. The Ministry of Defence did not provide any information on where or when the incident occurred. However, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on Wednesday evening that Ukraine appeared to have used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles against targets in Russia for the first time earlier that day. The Washington-based think tank, citing post-attack images, reported that Ukraine successfully targeted the headquarters of Moscow's Kursk counteroffensive in an overnight attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike allegedly hit the Russian-North Korean headquarters in the Kursk region of Russia, utilizing British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles and combat drones. The Russian military has reportedly amassed nearly 50,000 troops near Kursk, including around 10,000 North Korean personnel, for a counteroffensive aimed at reclaiming territory held by Ukrainian forces since the summer, though estimates vary as to the number of Koreans. The ISW analysis suggests that Washington's decision to permit Ukraine to use advanced weapons, reportedly the ATACMS long-range missiles, against targets on Russian territory may have paved the way for the deployment of similar systems from Britain. The British government has so far declined to comment on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow recently said it would view the use of Western-supplied long-range weapons as an escalation of the conflict. Various missiles used in wave of airstrikes A Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile was also reported to have struck the Dnipropetrovsk region in the wave of airstrikes in the early hours of the day, according to state news agency Ukrinform. The missile was said to have been launched from a MiG-31 fighter jet. In addition to the hypersonic Kinzhal missile, seven stealthy cruise missiles of the type Kh-101 were also used. These missiles, equipped with stealth technology, were likely fired from Tu-95 strategic bombers near the city of Engels in Russia's southern Saratov region, it said. Further details were not immediately available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kiev recently marked the 1000th day of the war, launched in February 2022 by the Kremlin. Moscow currently controls around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014. Russia's Foreign Ministry has condemned the opening of a US missile defence base in Poland, labelling it a provocation and threatening a possible strike against the facility. In response, Warsaw dismissed Moscow's claims as inadequate. Source: European Pravda, citing Polish news portal RMF 24 Source: Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, described the deployment of a US missile defence base in Poland as a provocation, claiming that it fits into a long-standing practice of placing NATO infrastructure closer to Russia's borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zakharova claimed that the deployment "raises the overall level of the nuclear threat" and that Russia considers the base a priority target and would be ready to strike it with its available means "if necessary". In response, Pawe Wronski, spokesman for the Polish Foreign Ministry, emphasised that the base is purely defensive in nature. "Its purpose is to intercept ballistic missiles, particularly from countries whose policies rely on constant threats and declarations of potential invasions. If Russia renews its threats, it means that in the future, the US and NATO will have to strengthen air defences along the entire eastern flank to make such threats unrealistic to carry out," Wronski said. He added that Russia's threats are based on incorrect assumptions and claims that the base houses nuclear weapons, "which is absurd". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: The US missile defence base in Redzikowo, located in Poland's Pomeranian Voivodeship, was officially inaugurated on 13 November. This marks the first permanent facility of the US Army on Polish soil. Support UP or become our patron! The Ukrainian Air Force claims that Russia launched a conventionally armed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) today at the city of Dnipro, in the center of the country. They offered no proof and some U.S. and Western officials are pushing back on the specific ICBM claim, stating that an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) was used. In either case, the act is unprecedented for the war in Ukraine and it would mark the first use of either one of these types of weapons in combat anywhere. Officials in Moscow had previously warned they might use a weapon never previously employed on Ukrainian territory, in response to the United States and other allies last week allowing Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia. New details have emerged about the missile the Russians fired. You can check out the latest on this story in our new article here. Among the conflicting claims about exactly what kind of missile was used, it appears that it was a ballistic missile with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capability. Videos emerging on social media show what appears to be six warheads hurtling toward the ground and multiple impacts as a result. This analysis could change as more information comes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another video of the ruSSian ICBM's multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles https://t.co/maEa5qFcQi pic.twitter.com/88fEGZHy1r (@TheDeadDistrict) November 21, 2024 The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that Russia struck the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with a conventionally armed ICBM this morning, marking the first combat use of an ICBM in history. Footage from Dnipro showed glowing reentry vehicles hitting the ground around 5 AM local time. pic.twitter.com/PWTGajH9bT OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) November 21, 2024 An explosion and the aftermath of the attack were captured in images photographed by Ukrainian emergency services. Russia hits Dnipro with ICBM followed by aeroballistic and cruise missiles, injuring two In its attacks, Russia has never used the ICBMs against Ukraine before.https://t.co/uNciidgt9u Emergency Service, https://t.co/bmDqujYT2Spic.twitter.com/02jcN1WMxp Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) November 21, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least one of the warheads reportedly struck a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities, wounding two people, according to Ukrainian emergency services. The impact site of one of the rods of the Russian ICBM RS-26 launched this morning at the city of Dnipro. State Emergency Service of Ukraine regarding the damage caused by attack: "In the morning, the enemy attacked Dnipro: 2 people were wounded The building of the https://t.co/8R8FX19eDf pic.twitter.com/kM6OrurJZ3 Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) November 21, 2024 The Ukrainian Air Force claimed Dnipro was attacked by an ICBM the longest-range, fastest flying ballistic missile class that otherwise carries a strategic nuclear warhead or warheads. On the morning of November 21, 2024, between 05:00 and 07:00, Russian troops attacked the city of Dnipro (enterprises and critical infrastructure) with missiles of various types, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed on Telegram. In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation. The Air Force added that eight ballistic and cruise missiles were also fired in this attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hedged that claim a bit. Today, it was a new Russian missile. Its speed and altitude suggest intercontinental ballistic capabilities, he said on X. Investigations are ongoing. Today, our insane neighbor has once again revealed its true natureits disdain for dignity, freedom, and human life itself. And, most of all, its fear. Fear so overwhelming that it unleashes missile after missile, scouring the globe for more weaponswhether from Iran or North pic.twitter.com/tEsZ0Uu1bt Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2024 A Western official told ABC News that the attack did not appear to be an ICBM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was instead a ballistic missile, which was aimed at Dnipro, in Ukraines southeast, the Western official told the network. Ukraines military says Russia launches ICBM, a claim denied by Western official https://t.co/F5dTg4n9Nv luis martinez (@LMartinezABC) November 21, 2024 U.S. officials told CBS News that the missile was not an ICBM, but an intermediate-range ballistic missile or IRBM. Two US officials told CBS News that Russia had launched a ballistic missile, but not an ICBM, with one saying it appeared to have been an intermediate range ballistic missile (!).https://t.co/2NQ4dXCsZM pic.twitter.com/SkGFZm6VAN Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) November 21, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A National Security Council official told @TBowmanNPR that Russia launched an experimental medium-range ballistic missile against Ukraine. NEW: An NSC official tells @TBowmanNPR that Russia launched an "experimental medium-range ballistic missile" against Ukraine. Geoff Brumfiel (@gbrumfiel) November 21, 2024 Adding to the mystery of the nature of this weapon, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova was interrupted during a press briefing. A hot mic captured Zakharovas phone conversation with an unidentified caller who instructed her not to comment on the ballistic missile strike,' The Guardian reported. Notably, the caller did not use the word intercontinental. In the brief telephone exchange footage of which remains available on the foreign ministrys official account on X the caller appears to disclose that the strike targeted the Yuzhmash military facility in Dnipro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement wow, in the middle of her press briefing just now, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova got a phone call from someone instructing her not to comment on todays ICBM allegations. Kevin Rothrock (@kevinrothrock.me) 2024-11-21T10:13:19.151Z Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat pushed back on statements that the missile was not an ICBM. Let them reject it, he told The War Zone. Do not call the rocket it has arrived! There are claims, as yet unverified, that Russia might have used its RS-26 Rubezh missile. While Russia has previously described this as an ICBM, its range is actually consistent with an IRBM. You can read more about Russias halting development of this weapon here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BREAKING: The ICBM fired at Ukraine today was a RS-26 Rubezh. Its a mobile-ground ballistic missile system derived from the RS-24 Yars. First tested in 2012, it has a range of more than 6000 km and can carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). pic.twitter.com/V0HLtC7oIH Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) November 21, 2024 This is my best guess on the makeup of the warhead that was carried by the RS-26 "Rubezh" last night. I believe it contained 6 inert simulated warheads with the shape and weight of a nuclear warhead that are intended solely for testing of the system. To save money, the casings pic.twitter.com/srrOx1bQwv OSINT (Uri Kikaski) (@UKikaski) November 21, 2024 TWZ spoke to Pavel Podvig, a Senior Researcher in the WMD Program at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), who noted that it would not be a problem to strike Dnipro with an ICBM or an RS-26, even given the relatively short range involved roughly 500 miles from the reported launch site at Kapustin Yar. Still, its worth noting that doing so would have required a very steep parabolic flight profile similar to what we see North Korea use for many of its test launches. Presumably traces of an ICBM launch, photographed early in the morning in the sky over the Talovsky district of the Voronezh region. According to Ukrainian sources, the missile was launched from the Kapustin Yar test site in the Astrakhan region. Although the Voronezh region pic.twitter.com/WHJCJXGPnj Clash Report (@clashreport) November 21, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in the day, even in the 1970s, you can see that those missiles [ICBMs] had a minimum range of about 1,000 kilometers. The maximum was about 11,000 kilometers [6,800 miles]. So I think it is entirely possible and shouldnt be a problem for modern ICBMs, like Topol-M or Yars, they should be able to do 800 kilometers [500 miles]. If were talking about RS-26 then its even less of a problem, because, of course, it is a shorter-range missile, an intermediate-range missile, and so 800 kilometers would be perfectly within its capabilities. But we dont know what kind of missile it is at this point. Bearing in mind the fact that Russia has previously described the RS-26 as an ICBM, it could be that this is the descriptor that Ukraine is using, as well. In the meantime, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey referred to reports that Russia had fired a new ballistic missile into Ukraine, which could also apply to the RS-26, or a related missile. The way it worked with RS-26 for example, was that the project was kind of stopped sometime in the mid-2010s, Podvig added. So maybe it could be a new type, similar to the RS-26, or maybe he meant that the RS-26 has never been deployed, has never been operational. So any kind of operational [RS-26] missile would be a missile of a new type. Thats hard to tell, but basically, there is not much you can do in terms of new types. The easiest thing is to take what they did before using the stages from Yars and basically make an RS-26 kind of missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As to whether the RS-26 program might have been revived, Podvig considers that a definite possibility. It is entirely possible that they are just going to revive the program, Podvig said. That is possible, especially after the demise of the INF Treaty, I wouldnt be surprised if there was some effort to create a missile that would be kind of similar to the RS-26, or SS-20 and things like that. Thats my take. I would not be surprised if design bureaus started putting together a project of that kind. Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project, Federation of American Scientists, added his thoughts on the possible missile used, in a post on X. Claim of Russian use of ICBM against Ukraine was not correct, he tweeted. Something else and speculations it might have been RS-26 canceled years ago. Launch location should tell us more. They might just have seen an opportunity to test a prototype. That didnt take long. Claim of Russian use of ICBM against Ukraine was not correct. Something else and speculations it might have been RS-26 canceled years ago. Launch location should tell us more. They might just have seen an opportunity to test a prototype. https://t.co/bM3S47uj9d Hans Kristensen (also on Bluesky) (@nukestrat) November 21, 2024 Meanwhile, video emerged on social media claiming to be fragments of the missile, which could give investigators more information about what type it was. Fragment of one of the missiles that hit Ukraines Dnipro last night. Could be part of alleged Russian ICBM. pic.twitter.com/WzxtCGckDv Clash Report (@clashreport) November 21, 2024 As TWZ Editor-in-Chief Tyler Rogoway pointed out, the use of this weapon would have triggered a series of alarms throughout the U.S. military and have been picked up by a wide array of sensors and exactly what the U.S. had in terms of intelligence prior to launch, or even notification from Russia, remains unclear. Couple things on the Russian MIRV'd ballistic missile strike in Ukraine: If the U.S. did not have clear intelligence or warning prior to the launch of the missile of its intent and payload, it would have set off a very concerning chain of events at STRATCOM that rippled Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) November 21, 2024 If Russia did use an ICBM or IRBM, it would be a very expensive method of attack. However, such weapons can provide a tactical advantage and certainly showcase a strategic message. Intercepting multiple warheads at the speed and angle of these weapons in the terminal phase is beyond what Ukraines donated Patriot batteries can defend against. Defeating these weapons requires a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) or Aegis Ashore air defense system, David Shank, a retired Army colonel and former commandant of the Army Air Defense Artillery School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma told us. The Ground-based Midcourse Defense missile defense system (GMD) would work best, he added. Ukraine has none of these systems. All the hubbub about nuclear threats means a lot of you are missing the fact that Russia may have just demonstrated a capability to strike strategic targets in Europe like airbases with a high impact cluster munition that evades 99% of NATO's air defense inventory. Decker Eveleth (@dexeve.bsky.social) 2024-11-21T15:18:44.288Z Deploying these weapons also sends a message that Russia is willing to take another step up the escalation ladder in the wake of having its territory struck by U.S.-donated ground-launched Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and U.K.-donated air-launched Storm Shadow long-range missiles. The strike itself proves: Russia does not seek peace, Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated on X. To the contrary, it makes every effort to expand the war. Were awaiting expert conclusions to determine the exact type of new missile that Russia fired at Ukraine this morning, which had all flight characteristics of an ICBM. The strike itself proves: Russia does not seek peace. To the contrary, it makes every effort to expand the war. Heorhii Tykhyi (@SpoxUkraineMFA) November 21, 2024 There are reports that Ukraine responded by attacking the Kapusin Yar facility in Russia that reportedly launched the missile. If true, it would mark at least the second strike against that facility. Ukrainian OWA-UAV's struck Russian 105th assembly and testing building at the site located at the Kapustin Yar Nuclear Missile Test site at Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome. This strike was in response to Russian ICBM strike on Dnipro. Kapustin Yar Cosmodrome is Russia's premier https://t.co/CyyuvWfRQr pic.twitter.com/HkVyW7Wr8R Intelschizo (@Schizointel) November 21, 2024 With Iran and China providing weapons and North Korea providing troops and weapons to aid Russias war on Ukraine, the former head of the Ukrainian military suggested that WWIII has already begun. World War III has already begun, former Commander-in-Chief of Ukrainian Army Valerii Zaluzhnyi says. I firmly believe that by 2024, we can say World War III has started. Ukraine now faces not just Russia but soldiers from North Korea. Lets be honestcivilian killings by pic.twitter.com/NMfgr8UKbt Clash Report (@clashreport) November 21, 2024 As analysis of this weapon pours in over the coming hours, we will have a better sense of what Russia used. Regardless, this attack has clearly rattled Ukraine and raised concerns in the U.S. and across NATO as both sides continue to escalate. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Russian leader Vladimir Putin has stated that the Russians used an Oreshnik medium-range missile during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November. Source: an address by Putin on 21 November; Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian media outlet Details: He said that this was a test launch of the "state-of-the-art missile". Putin claims that Russia used a non-nuclear hypersonic ballistic missile to strike the defence industry facility in Dnipro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He asserted that there are currently no means to counter Oreshnik missiles. Quote: "These missiles attack the target at Mach 10, which is 2.5 to 3 km per second. The modern air defence systems available globally, and the missile defence systems being developed by the Americans in Europe, cannot intercept such missiles. This is impossible." Putin said Russia had conducted the test in response to the Ukrainian Armed Forces' attacks on targets in Bryansk and Kursk oblasts on 19 and 21 November using American ATACMS and Franco-British Storm Shadow (SCALP) missiles. According to Putin, the Ukrainian attack on a command post in Kursk Oblast resulted in deaths and casualties, but no one was injured in the attack in Bryansk Oblast. Putin said the deployment of the Oreshnik missile was a response to US plans to produce and deploy intermediate- and short-range missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Earlier, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November, the Russians used an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time. It was noted that this may have been a Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile a potential carrier of nuclear warheads. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Ukraine said Russia launched a new kind of ballistic missile at the city of Dnipro, in the latest escalation of hostilities and an alarming signal to Kyivs Western backers. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weapon was an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile, Russia and the US said. It was based on the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said. Subscribe to the Bloomberg Daybreak podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the weapon had all the parameters of an ICBM. This is an obvious and serious increase in the scale and brutality of this war, Zelenskiy said on Telegram. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the weapon used was a new intermediate-range ballistic missile with a conventional warhead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In televised remarks, Putin said the attack was in retaliation for Ukraines use of American and British-made missiles on Russian territory earlier this week. Those weapons have ranges of only a few hundred miles, however, and the allies authorized their use inside Russia after it deployed thousands of North Korean troops in the fight against Ukraines forces. Oil, gold and wheat rose Thursday after Kyiv first reported the strike. Russia notified the US of the planned launch shortly before the missile took off through nuclear risk-reduction channels, the Pentagon spokeswoman said. The Russian missile was launched from the Astrakhan region by the Caspian Sea, a distance of around 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), as part of a larger barrage targeting central Ukraine early on Thursday, according to officials in Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a very powerful message from Putin, said Ruslan Pukhov, head of the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. Its a very calculated move as it does not require retaliation by the US. The US had warned Ukraine and its other allies that Russia might use the experimental weapon, an American official said, asking not to be identified discussing matters that arent public. The official said Moscow has used missiles with significantly larger warheads in its previous attacks. Ukraine is waiting for experts to confirm the type of missile that was used, the countrys Foreign Ministry said later on Thursday. Kyiv will ask its Western partners for air defense systems capable of intercepting ICBMs, the ministrys spokesman said. One of the systems Ukraine could ask for is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system produced by Lockheed Martin Corp, the spokesman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the start of the war, Ukraine has persuaded its western allies to provide the country other advanced air-defense systems, including the US-made Patriot batteries, despite initial hesitation on the part of its allies. Putin has lowered the threshold for the use of Moscows nuclear arsenal as President Joe Biden reversed course and allowed Ukraine to use US-supplied ATACMS missiles to strike Russia. Ukraine also used UK-made Storm Shadow missiles against Russian targets. Its a very dangerous position that the outgoing administration is taking, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of the US decision Thursday, according to Tass. There is a new escalation happening. Members of President-elect Donald Trumps circle have taken a similar stance, criticizing the Biden administrations approach as leading to a spiral of escalating attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An industrial facility was damaged in Dnipro Thursday, according to regional governor Serhiy Lysak, while other reports said that a rehabilitation center for veterans was damaged. Putin said the target was a military plant. Explosions were heard in the central city of Kryvyi Rih after a second nationwide alert was announced due to the threat of a new ballistic missile attack, city mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said on Telegram. There was no information on casualties or damage. The embassies of the US and some European Union countries in Kyiv temporarily closed on Wednesday in anticipation of a major retaliatory missile strike by Russia. The embassies reopened Thursday. Six of seven Kh-101 cruise missiles were downed during the morning attack, Ukraines Air Force command said on Telegram. They didnt provide additional information on the new missile they said was involved or the launch of a Kinzhal missile, another type of high-speed projectile that was used the attack, only saying they resulted in no significant consequences, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Half of the power consumers in the Dnipropetrovsk region are without electricity due to supply cuts after the attack, Serhii Kovalenko, a manager at Yasno distribution company said on Facebook. Some of Ukraines dollar bonds gained slightly. Despite the escalating conflict, the sovereign notes issued by the government in Kyiv have been boosted recently by investor bets that Trumps return to the White House will bring steps toward a truce between Ukraine and Russia. --With assistance from Tony Capaccio, Natalia Drozdiak, Jenny Leonard, Maxim Edwards, Andras Gergely, Thomas Hall, Ailbhe Rea, Henry Meyer and Olesia Safronova. (Updates with Pentagon comment from second paragraph) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Russia notified the US shortly before the launch of a medium-range ballistic missile designated by Russian leader Vladimir Putin as Oreshnik. Source: Reuters, citing a US official at a briefing, as reported by European Pravda Details: A US official revealed that the warning about the ballistic missile strike on Ukraine was delivered "through nuclear risk reduction channels". The official added that in recent days, the US had informed Ukraine and other close allies that Moscow might launch an experimental medium-range ballistic missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US believes this "experimental missile" is unlikely to significantly alter the situation in the war in Ukraine and that Russia likely possesses only a limited number of such missiles. The information about the warning was confirmed on the evening of 21 November by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov via the propaganda agency TASS. Peskov stated that Moscow had notified the Americans of the Oreshnik launch through the Russian National Center for Nuclear Risk Reduction. Quote: "The warning was sent automatically 30 minutes before the launch." Background: Ukraines Air Force reported that Russia used an ICBM during the latest missile attack on Dnipro. Ukrainska Pravda sources suggested it could have been the Rubezh missile, a potential nuclear-capable delivery system. However, two Western officials told Reuters that preliminary data did not confirm the use of an intercontinental ballistic missile by Russia. In his address on 21 November, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin essentially confirmed the US reports, stating that during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November, Russia used an Oreshnik medium-range missile. Support UP or become our patron! Andrei Kelin, Russia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, has accused London of supposedly "directly participating" in the war in Ukraine unleashed by the Kremlin, although he did not provide any evidence to support his claim. Source: Kelin in an interview with Sky News, as reported by European Pravda Details: Asked whether Kelin accuses the UK of participating in the war in Ukraine, the Russian ambassador said: "Absolutely." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Britain is now directly involved in this war, this fighting cannot happen without NATO and British stuff," he explained his logic. When the Sky News presenter reminded him of the assistance Russia is receiving from Iran, North Korea, and China in its war against Ukraine, Kelin initially claimed the interviewer "did not allow [him] to answer", before shifting the conversation to discussing "mercenaries" in Ukraine. "We have plenty of mercenaries from different countries that are fighting right now on the side of Ukraine. We have seen in the Kursk area the Polish unit so what does it matter?" Kelin concluded. Background: Kelin's claims come amid reports that Ukraine has used UK-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time. UK intelligence services are urgently investigating reports that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile on the city of Dnipro during the latest attack on Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russia launched an attack against the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Nov. 21, injuring at least 26 people, officials said. At least 10 people have been hospitalized, including a 24-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy. Other victims, including a 32-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, were provided medical assistance on-site, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two women are in serious condition. An administrative building, five residential buildings, a car, and two minibusses were damaged. The attack comes on the same day after Russia launched a large-scale missile attack against Dnipro, the regional center of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. According to the Air Force, Russia launched nine missiles against the city, including an intercontinental ballistic missile. This would mark the first time such a weapon was deployed in the war against Ukraine. Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky, remains a frequent target of Russia's missile attacks. With a population of around 660,000, it is the second-largest city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city lies about 70 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of the nearest front-line zone. Read also: Russia reportedly launches intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine what we know so far Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editor's note: The article was updated with the Air Force's report about Russia using an intercontinental ballistic missile. This is a developing story. Russian forces launched a large-missile missile attack early on Nov. 21, reportedly lifting Tu-95 bombers and MiG-31K Kinzhal carriers and attacking the central-eastern city of Dnipro. Russia attacked Dnipro with a conventional intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, the Air Force said. Six of the Kh-101 missiles were reportedly shot down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marks the first instance of Russia using an ICBM in its war against Ukraine. The missile was launched from Astrakhan Oblast, a Russian region 740 kilometers (460 miles) from Dnipro, the Air Force said. An industrial enterprise, two houses, and nine garages were damaged, and two fires broke out in the city, Governor Serhii Lysak said. A rehabilitation center for people with disabilities was damaged in the attack, Mayor Borys Filatov said. Two people were reported as injured. A 57-year-old man was treated on the spot, and a 42-year-old woman was hospitalized, officials said. Polish and NATO allies scrambled their fighter jets in Poland in response to the attack, a usual response during mass aerial strikes on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere across the country, Russian attacks killed at least three people and injured at least 22 over the past day, including a child, authorities reported. In Donetsk Oblast, a Russian attack against the village of Pershomarivka killed one person and injured two, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. Six people were reportedly injured during an attack against the town of Kostiantynivka. Read also: Panic grips Kyiv as embassy closures and Telegram rumors fuel fears of imminent attack Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast overnight and on Nov. 20 killed one person and injured 10, including a child, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. A 62-year-old woman was also killed during an attack against the Darivka village on the morning of Nov. 21, the governor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kharkiv Oblast, a 64-year-old woman was injured in an attack against the village Vysokyi, and two men aged 42 and 64 were wounded in strikes against the town of Kupiansk, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. A civilian was injured during Russian attacks against the Krasnopillia community in Sumy Oblast, the regional military administration said. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine reportedly strikes Russia with Storm Shadow missiles for first time Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Ballet fans and members of Russia's cultural elite on Thursday filed past the open casket of Vladimir Shklyarov, a principal dancer at the world-famous Mariinsky Ballet in St Petersburg, whose life they said had ended too soon at the age of 39. The body of Shklyarov, the recipient of a top state award and the leading man and male dancer in numerous classical Russian ballet productions at the Mariinsky, was found on Nov. 16 after CCTV footage captured him falling from a fifth floor balcony of the building where he lived. Police investigators have told state media they are looking into the circumstances of his death, but that initial information suggests he died as the result of an accident. Irina Bartnovskaya, who runs a Telegram channel focused on ballet called "The Devil in Ballet Shoes," said he had gone out on the balcony to get some air and to smoke but had lost his balance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shklyarov was variously reported to be suffering from severe back, foot and hip pain and had been due to have an operation on Nov. 18. Several media outlets in St Petersburg reported he had also been trying to navigate a split with Maria Shirinkina, his wife, the mother of his two children, and a first soloist at the Mariinsky. Dressed in black and visibly upset, Shirinkina greeted mourners at Thursday's farewell ceremony held at the Mariinsky, thanking them for coming to pay their respects. Valery Gergiev, general director of both the Mariinsky and the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, paid tribute to Shklyarov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This loss has hit all ballet lovers around the world. We are receiving a huge number of condolences and expressions of love and admiration for this amazing artist," said Gergiev. Shklyarov, who was widely respected for his flair in executing the classical Russian ballet repertoire, had also danced at the Royal Ballet in London, at the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich, and at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre. Fans and friends filed past his half-open casket to the strains of sombre classical music. 'GREAT FUTURE' At one stage, Alexei Bezobrazov, a ballet columnist and friend of the late dancer, sobbed as he knelt beside the casket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danila Korsuntsev, Shklyarov's trainer, told Reuters the dancer had had a great future ahead of him, but he had sometimes struggled to cope with the ups and downs of life as a top dancer. "...He was a big kid and required a lot of attention. Unfortunately, he left us at an early age, at a young age. He had great promise, but he couldn't cope," said the trainer. "I think psychologically he couldn't cope with this barrier when an artist dies twice as a creative person - once physically and once as a creative person...but I had no doubt that he had great potential and would do a lot of things." Some Kremlin critics have highlighted what they say was a condemnation of the Ukraine war made by Shklyarov in 2022 and posted on Facebook by someone else. However, Shklyarov's own social media feed contains no such post and Reuters was unable to verify the authenticity of the post made in his name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vladimir, a pensioner, said Shklyarov had been up there with the ballet greats. "For me he is greater than (George) Balanchine, (Rudolf) Nureyev and other great dancers. Because he hasn't had time to fully prove himself. "I think he would have made a wonderful choreographer...He really had a huge future, a huge creative potential." (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Ros Russell) Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova received a call during her Nov. 21 press briefing instructing her not to comment on the latest ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine. Zakharova gave the briefing following a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro earlier that day, allegedly involving an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). If confirmed, it would mark the first use of an ICBM in war, a weapon primarily designed for long-range nuclear strikes. During the briefing, Zakharova stood near the microphone, allowing a man's voice on the phone to be heard saying: "Masha, our strikes with ballistic missiles, which we did not talk about , are not commented on at all." Zakharova replied, "Yes, thank you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zakharova stood near the microphone, so an unnamed man on the phone could be heard telling her: "Masha, our ballistic missile strikes, which we didn't talk about, we don't comment on at all." Zakharova replied: "Yes, thank you." A recording of the exchange has circulated online and through various media outlets. Zakharova later told Russia's state-owned TASS news agency that the call was to "clarify whether the Foreign Ministry could comment on the topic." She added, "The answer was received during the briefing the Foreign Ministry does not comment. So, there is no intrigue." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia allegedly used the Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, during the Nov. 21 attack, Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing unnamed law enforcement sources. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the report. President Volodymyr Zelensky said an investigation is ongoing but noted that the missile's "speed and altitude suggest intercontinental ballistic capabilities." Read also: Russia reportedly launches intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine what we know so far Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has received a phone call during a press briefing on 21 November asking her not to comment on the allegations of a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile strike on Ukraine. Source: BBC Russian Service; Zakharova in a comment to RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet Details: Zakharova was holding a traditional press briefing on Thursday, 21 November, and during it answered a phone call, the content of which became known because of the microphones that were switched on: an unknown caller told her not to comment on reports of the use of an intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The missile without a nuclear warhead was fired on the city of Dnipro. None of the Russian officials, including Zakharova, have commented on this so far. In the middle of the briefing, which was broadcast live on social media and Russian state-run news outlets, Zakharova answered a call on her mobile phone, and the content of the conversation was heard by everyone. She did not explain what had happened in front of this large audience and continued with the briefing. This moment was posted on social media. RIA Novosti asked Zakharova for a comment, but she said there was nothing intriguing about the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Zakharova: "Before the briefing, there were questions about controversial reports on the Internet... I asked the experts if this topic was in our competence. The answer came during the briefing the Foreign Ministry has no comment. So there is no intrigue." Background: On the morning of 21 November, the Russians attacked the city of Dnipro, damaging an industrial company, a rehabilitation centre, residential buildings and garages. Two people were injured as a result of the strike. Later, Ukraines Air Force reported that during the morning attack on Dnipro, the Russians fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time. Ukrainska Pravda sources said that it was a Rubezh missile, which can potentially carry a nuclear warhead. Read also: Russia strikes Ukraine with RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile Support UP or become our patron! Russia using an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) against Ukraine would be a "clear escalation" by Moscow, EU foreign affairs spokesperson Peter Stano told reporters on Nov. 21 after Kyiv said Russian forces deployed the weapon. "While we're assessing the full facts, it's obvious that such (an) attack would mark yet another clear escalation from the side of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Stano said, according to AFP. The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia launched nine missiles, including a conventional ICBM, against the central-eastern city of Dnipro on the morning of Nov. 21, injuring at least two people and damaging several buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky later clarified that the investigation is ongoing but that the missile's "speed and altitude suggest intercontinental ballistic capabilities." If confirmed, it would mark the first occasion of Russia deploying an ICBM in the war against Ukraine, coming shortly after the U.S. permitted Ukraine to carry out strikes in Russia with Western long-range missiles and after Russia updated its nuclear deterrence policy. While an undisclosed Ukrainian official told ABC News that Ukraine was "95%" certain Russia deployed an ICBM, a Western official quoted by the news outlet disputed the claim, saying it resembled a regular ballistic missile. It remains unclear what type of ICBM was reportedly deployed. The missile was launched from Astrakhan Oblast in southern Russia, over 700 kilometers (435 miles) east of Dnipro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has not immediately commented. In a video clip widely shared in the media, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova received a phone call during a press conference apparently asking her not to comment on reports about "ballistic missile strikes." Zakharova later claimed she was merely asking "experts whether this was our topic," and the "answer came during the briefing: the Foreign Ministry does not comment. There is no conspiracy." If the use of such a weapon is confirmed, it would mark "quantitative and qualitative change" in the war, according to Stano. According to the spokesperson, Russia is "playing a nuclear gamble. Whether they really mean it, it's very hard to foresee." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We only know that this is irresponsible and this constitutes a global threat," he added. Read also: Russia reportedly launches intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine what we know so far Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. YAKUTSK, RUSSIA (Reuters) - The sabre-toothed cat cub is almost small enough to hold in one hand, but its discovery after 32,000 years is a momentous event for palaeontologists. It was around three weeks old when it died in what is now northeastern Russia - and the permafrost has kept it well-preserved ever since. Scientists from the Academy of Sciences in Yakutia in the Far East say it is a unique find. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Nowhere else has it been found in such good preservation" said the academy's Aisen Klimovsky who co-authored a paper on the cub published in the journal Scientific Reports this month. Unlike previous skeletal specimens unearthed in Texas, this cub still has its dark brown fur. "This is the first find that will show the world what they really looked like," said Klimovsky of the Department for the Study of Mammoth Fauna at the institute in Yakutsk, the regional capital. "It unlocks nature's big secret, so to speak." Researchers stumbled upon the cub four years ago while digging for mammoth tusks near the Badyarikha river in Sakha, also known as Yakutia and Russia's largest republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bordering the Arctic Ocean, Yakutia is a vast region of swamps and forests larger than Argentina, around 95% of which is covered in permafrost. Rising global temperatures caused by climate change are melting much of Russia's permafrost, revealing animal remains and other ancient traces. Earlier this year, scientists at the Yakutsk institute were able to study a 44,000-year-old wolf carcass pulled from the melted tundra. The cub is part of the homotherium genus, which lived across North America, Eurasia and Africa from around 4 million years ago to 12,000 years ago. The animals were about the size of lions when full grown and are known for their serrated upper incisors. Albert Protopopov, head of the Mammoth Fauna department and a co-author of the Nature paper, said the discovery would be a boon to palaeontologists around the world. "It's a real sensation," he told Reuters. (Reporting by Reuters in Yakutsk; Writing by Lucy Papachristou in London; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Heavens) MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman was phoned during a live briefing and told not to comment on reports that Russia had fired a ballistic missile at Ukraine, according to a video of the briefing that picked up the telephone conversation. Kyiv said earlier on Thursday that Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile during an attack on the city of Dnipro. Russian Telegram channels said Russia had attacked what is known in Ukraine as the missile and space rocket company Pivdenmash, which is headquartered in Dnipro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has yet to comment. While answering reporters' questions at a weekly briefing, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was phoned by a man who used the informal "Mash" instead of Maria. He told her not to comment on ballistic missiles. "Yes, hello," Zakharova said, according to the recording of the briefing. "Mash," said the man, who was not identified. "Yes, I am at a briefing," Zakharova said. "About the ballistic missile strike on Yuzhmash (rocket company Pivdenmash) that the Western media are talking about, we are not commenting at all," the man said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the conversation by Russian state news agencies, Zakharova said that while preparing for the briefing she had asked experts for clarification on certain topics as is standard practice. "The answer came during the briefing - the foreign ministry does not comment. So there is no intrigue," Zakharova was quoted by RIA state news agency as saying. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge, Editing by Andrew Osborn and Timothy Heritage) Russian forces are suspected of summarily executing a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported on Nov. 20. Lubinets said that the prisoners were "surrounded" but gave no other details, in particular on the number of victims. Reports of murders, torture, and ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs are received regularly by Ukrainian authorities and have spiked in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have sent letters to the U.N. and the ICRC about this crime," Lubinets said, reporting the suspected crime on his Telegram channel. "The international community must act immediately. The occupying country has once again violated the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war," he added. The Armyinform news outlet ties this announcement to a video taken by a drone camera purporting to show the execution. It shows 10 unarmed people lying on the ground with at least five armed men standing over them. At one point, they start shooting at the people on the ground. Heavy fighting has been ongoing in the Russian border region of Kursk since Ukraine launched an offensive there in early August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier the same day, the Prosecutor General's Office announced another shooting of captured Ukrainian military personnel by Russian troops in the Pokrovsk area in Ukraine. Former Prosecutor General Kostin on Oct. 15 called the killing of captured Ukrainian service members in captivity a "deliberate policy of the Russian Federation." The execution of prisoners of war constitutes a grave violation of the Geneva Convention. Russian forces had executed at least 124 Ukrainian prisoners of war since 2022 as of Nov. 6, authorities said at the time, while the number continues to grow. 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. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russians attacked Dnipro, damaging an industrial enterprise, a rehabilitation centre, residential houses, and garages. Two people were injured as a result of the strike. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov on Facebook Quote: "The aggressor launched a large-scale attack on the oblast early in the morning. The aftermath is still being determined. It is known as of now that an industrial facility in Dnipro was damaged. Additionally, two fires occurred in the city." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Lysak emphasised that the threat to the city was still ongoing and urged residents to stay in safe locations until the all-clear was given. Update: Later, Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov reported that a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities had been damaged in the shelling. The boiler room was destroyed, and window glass was shattered. At 10:20, Lysak added that a garage cooperative in Dnipro had also sustained damage. A fire broke out there, affecting nine garages. Additionally, two houses were damaged. One of them caught fire, but the blaze has since been extinguished. Early reports indicate that two people were injured: a man, 57, received medical assistance at the scene, while a woman, 42, was taken to hospital. Background: Russia attacked Ukraine with missiles on the morning of 21 November. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians have dropped aerial bombs on a residential area of the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, injuring six civilians. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: Russian forces struck the city of Kostiantynivka at 22:00 on 20 November. Early reports indicate that the Russians dropped two FAB-250 bombs with an UMPB module on the city. One of the explosive devices hit a residential area. [A UMPB module effectively converts an unguided bomb into a guided one ed.] Aftermath of the Russian attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Prosecutor's Office Five women aged 18 to 75 and a 56-year-old man sustained injuries as a result. They were in their homes at the time of the attack. Those affected were diagnosed with blast injuries, shrapnel wounds, concussion and contusions and received medical assistance. The attack also damaged the facades of 10 apartment buildings, a shop, a garage and a car. A pre-trial investigation has been initiated in connection with a criminal case regarding war crimes. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians used the Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November. This missile is a potential carrier of nuclear warheads. Source: Ukraine's Air Force; Ukrainska Pravda informed sources Quote: "Russian forces attacked the city of Dnipro (targeting businesses and critical infrastructure) with various types of missiles between 05:00 and 07:00 on the morning of 21 November 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from Russias Astrakhan Oblast, a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile was fired from a MiG-31K fighter jet from Tambov Oblast and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles were launched from Tu-95MS strategic bombers (in Volgograd Oblast). As a result of the combat efforts, Air Force anti-aircraft missile units destroyed six Kh-101 missiles. The other missiles did not cause any significant damage." Details: The Air Force added that no information about casualties has been received. They also urged media outlets and bloggers to act responsibly when sharing information regarding the combat activities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and any threats to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainska Pravda sources say the missile in question is the RS-26 Rubezh, a medium-range ballistic missile. Background: On 20 November, there was widespread speculation in the media about the possibility of Russia testing the RS-26 Rubezh ballistic missile. Reports suggested it could either be a test launch from the Kapustin Yar range in Astrakhan Oblast or a combat launch. For reference: The Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile is designed for carrying nuclear warheads. This development in Russia was highly secretive because it violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The development started in 2006, but the missile was supposedly excluded from the weapons programme in 2018 until 2027. And in the end, it was believed that Russia was focusing on the Iskander-K instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, the Kremlin threatened to resume production of medium- and shorter-range missiles, which include the Rubezh strategic missile, in July 2024. The Rubezh is believed to be based on two Topol-M stages. The developer of the Rubezh is the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, and the manufacturer is the Votkinsk Plant, which is also responsible for the Iskander ballistic missiles. The exact characteristics of the Rubezh missile are currently unknown. Among those that are quite possible are a launch weight of 40-50 tonnes, a range of up to 6,000 kilometres, and equipment in the form of four separate warheads with a capacity of 0.3 Mt each, similar to those used in the Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles. It is also believed that it can be equipped with a hypersonic Avangard-type glide unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the Russian long-range missiles may be equipped with nuclear warheads. The list includes Iskander and Kinzhal ballistic missiles, as well as Kh-102 and Kh-55 cruise missiles. Background: The Russians attacked the city of Dnipro, damaging an industrial facility and causing two fires. Support UP or become our patron! GREEN LAKE Authorities have confirmed Ryan Borgwardt is alive and well. His location is another matter. Law enforcement revealed at a press conference Thursday they've been in daily contact with Borgwardt since Nov. 11, but the "missing kayaker" who staged his death has no intention of returning home or giving up his whereabouts. In a 15-minute press conference at the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Mark Podoll said law enforcement initially made contact with Borgwardt through a woman "speaking Russian" before receiving a video from Borgwardt via email confirming he is alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the video, Borgwardt is heard saying the date "November 11" before showing himself inside what he called "his apartment." Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll addressing the media while playing a video of Ryan Borgwardt. Saying there are a number of reasons behind Borgwardt's disappearance, Podoll relayed how Borgwardt said he faked his death while confirming the 44-year-old Watertown resident appears to have no threat to his safety. Borgwardt's plan included: Stashing an eBike near the boat launch. Paddling a kayak and a child-size inflatable boat out into the lake. Overturning the kayak and dumping his phone in the lake. Paddling the inflatable boat to shore and then riding the eBike through the night to Madison. Boarding a bus in Madison, going to Detroit and then heading to the Canadian border. Continuing on the bus to the airport and getting on a plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Podoll, Borgwardt has not been in contact with his family, but he felt his decision to stage his death was in their best interest. Borgwardt took out a $375,000 life insurance policy, with his immediate family as the beneficiaries. "He had personal matters going on and felt this was the right thing to do," said Podoll of Borgwardt's plan. Referring to Borgwardt as a smart guy, Podoll revealed that Borgwardt chose Green Lake because it was the deepest lake in Wisconsin and didnt expect authorities to spend more than two weeks in the search. "I hate to tell you, he picked the wrong sheriff and the wrong department," said Podoll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borgwardt could face obstruction charges and authorities would likely be seeking restitution between $35,000 and $40,000 for their efforts. That number didnt include the costs incurred by nonprofit Bruces Legacy and a dive team that searched for him. The sheriff said authorities are pulling on his heartstrings in a continual attempt to get Borgwardt to return but the Watertown resident expressed concerns with how he would be received. Although it is unknown where Borgwardt is, the sheriff noted the United States does not have an extradition treaty with Uzbekistan. A 44-year-old woodworker from Watertown who is married and has three children, Borgwardt was initially reported missing Aug. 12 when he failed to return from kayaking on Green Lake a day earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An extensive search involving underwater drones, towable submersible sonar, divers and three K-9 cadaver teams did not turn up Borgwardts body after 54 days. Ryan Borgwardt But a shift in the investigation, starting Oct. 7, showed Borgwardts name had been checked by Canadian law enforcement Aug. 13 and revealed he had a second passport after reporting his first passport lost. With help from Customs and Border Patrol, Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations, authorities conducted a digital forensic analysis of his laptop and were able to uncover the following: The replacement of the hard drive on his laptop. The clearing of browsers on the day of his disappearance. Syncing the laptop with iCloud Aug. 11. Photos of passports. Inquiries about moving funds to foreign banks. Changed email addresses associated with financial accounts on the day of his disappearance. Communication with a woman from Uzbekistan. A new $375,000 life insurance policy taken out in January. A purchased airline gift card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A digital forensic analysis of his laptop revealed Borgwardt was in communication with a woman from Uzbekistan, replaced his laptops hard drive, inquired about moving funds to foreign banks and took out a life insurance policy worth $375,000 earlier this year. Timeline: Key events in the case of Ryan Borgwardt, Wisconsin man who may have faked his death Just last week, the sheriffs office refuted claims that Borgwardt was featured in a viral social media video posted in June. In the TikTok video, which has more than 4 million views, content creator Baylee Boomhower is holding an ask me for free advice sign before a guy who resembles Borgwardt rides up on a bicycle and asks her if he should go to Uzbekistan to meet a woman. The Borgwardt lookalike tells Boomhower he is married but his kids are out of the house now. In a Facebook post Nov. 13, the office said we have verified this is not Ryan by contacting people who know Ryan. Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Ryan Borgwardt, missing Wisconsin kayaker, in contact with authorities (FOX40.COM) In an effort to make university education more accessible to former foster youth, Sacramento State announced on Wednesday that it will soon make it easier for them to gain admission. Starting in the fall 2025 semester, students who were in foster care will be guaranteed admission to Sacramento State so long as they meet the admission requirements of the California State University. I dont think it was extremely difficult: 17-year-old girl youngest to pass California Bar Exam Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new program is called Guardian Scholars Promise, named for a long-running program at many university campuses, including at Sacramento State, that provides guidance and support to former foster youth. Each year, more than 23,000 teenagers age out of the foster care system, but only about 3-4% earn a college degree, according to the National Foster Youth Institute. We want to signal to foster youth everywhere that Sacramento State cares about you and your academic goals, President Luke Wood said in a statement. We have staff and faculty who are dedicated to treating you with the dignity and respect you deserve, you have a dedicated space on campus to build your own community, and you will have priority on-campus housing accommodations coming in. Sacramento State launches Native American College Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wood was in foster care in his youth, and during his time leading Sacramento State, he has expanded programs for students who also had the same experience. Most recently, the campus dedicated a space to the Guardian Scholars Program, giving students who were in foster care or who have experienced homelessness a place to socialize and study, receive help with housing, healthcare and other services, as well as receive food, clothing and other supplies. The program saw the number of student participants grow to 195 this past year and is expected to see more in the spring, according to the campus. Sacramento State said that any student interested in the Guardian Scholars Promise program can email gsp@csus.edu or call 916-278-6680. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. TOPEKA (KSNT) A downtown Topeka business is holding a bar-age sale this week after it was forced to close its doors earlier this month due to financial problems. 27 News caught up with Brew Bank which announced in October it would be shutting down operations in the downtown area. Ryan Cavanaugh, co-founder and president of Brew Bank, attributed the closure to financial issues brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Brew Bank is now selling everything from bar glasses and drink mixes to decorations. Cavanaugh told 27 News it still hasnt sunk in that its over for the business. He said that its tough to sell off everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, its over, Cavanaugh said. Thats hard to say, but its where were at. This was not supposed to happen. So, after five years, you know, were doing stuff thats real tough. If you have a home bar, weve got it for you, said co-owner James Lucatero. All of our glassware is for sale. If you need any pint glasses, coupe glasses, martini glasses, anything to make cocktails or drinks with, its all for sale. New breakfast restaurant opens soon in west Topeka Lucatero and Cavanaugh said they have bigger items like a walk-in cooler for sale also. Brew Banks doors will be open for the sale from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 21-22 and from noon to 5 p.m. on Nov. 23. You can find Brew Bank at 822 South Kansas Avenue. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. The sale of Karen Reads meticulously maintained Mansfield home closed this week as she prepares for a new trial in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend. Reads colonial-style, 2,516-square-foot home at 481 Gilbert Street was listed in July for $849,900, Boston 25 News confirmed through RE/MAX Platinum. The property sold for $810,000. Northern Bristol County Registry of Deeds records show that Read took out two $200,000 mortgages on the home as recently as September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read had not lived in the home for over a year, Boston 25 News learned. She purchased the home in 2017. A recent Vanity Fair interview revealed that Read is currently living off the remains of her 401 (k) and owes more than $5 million in deferred fees for her high-powered defense team. Read is accused of killing John OKeefe by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm in Canton in January 2022. She has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege Read and OKeefe had been drinking heavily before she dropped him off at a party at the home of Brian Albert, a fellow officer. They said she hit him with her SUV before driving away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense has sought to portray Read as the victim, saying OKeefe was actually killed inside Alberts home and then dragged outside and left for dead. Her high-profile, two-month-long murder trial ended in a mistrial in July. Judge Beverly Cannone has scheduled her retrial for January 2025. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Its that time of the year again, as the Salvation Army gets ready for this holiday season, they are asking for the publics help. The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign has begun for the year. The initiative has been around for over 130 years. It builds up the holiday spirit with jolly volunteers while raising money to help families in need. Artrageous show in Panama City for school program Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say volunteering with the organization is a great way to get involved with the community while spreading some Christmas fun. Its always great this time of the year for the Red Kettle volunteers to be out ringing the bell and taking the donation for the Red Kettle. Thats a lot of fun. You get to see your friends and the community and everything and everything that goes in those red kettles really helps to Salvation Army services right here in our area, Salvation Army PC Media Relations Jerry Brown said. The Salvation Army in Panama City is still looking for volunteers to help ring the bells this year. You can find the link to sign up 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 mypanhandle.com. ARNOLD, Mo. There is an urgent call for donations ahead of the holidays after a fire damaged a Salvation Army location in Jefferson County. Investigators said the blaze originated in a refrigerator around 7 a.m. Wednesday, causing the food pantry to catch fire, resulting in heavy smoke and water damage throughout the building. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Larry Hostetler, director of the Salvation Army in Jefferson County, said the fire will have a tremendous impact on those in need in the area, as an organization known for helping others is now calling on the community for assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every time the phone rings, somebody needs help, and we are not answering, he said. Where are they going to go? They are coming to us because we are the help! Dozens of families had to be turned away Wednesday, including James Shipleys family. Police confirm Clayton woman killed after kidnapping Its going to have a huge impact, he said. Sixty families that got turned away today. Thats 60 families who dont have no food for their next meal. Due to smoke exposure, all food in the pantry will have to be disposed of, and hundreds of donated toys stored in the building for the organizations Angel Tree Toy Town were also damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the worst time. We are ramping up to help hundreds of people and thousands of individuals with food and toys and other things, while we help with bills and other needs, and all that comes to a halt, Hostetler said. Volunteers with the James II Project, which serves meals each week at the Salvation Army location, are trying to figure things out as well. Its unfortunate. We have a huge Thanksgiving meal planned for next Thursday, Karin Kostich said. We are hoping to be back in here next week. If not, we will make sure that we relocate. We will do it. It does impact people who are expecting this. The Salvation Army is asking for monetary donations to replenish its pantry and provide other critical services to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Nov. 20Between state and federal programs aiming to get all New Mexicans reliable, high-speed internet access, there are still about 95,000 households left out of the mix. State broadband officials are looking for legislatively allocated dollars to fill the gap. And how would they use the money to fill the gap? Satellite technology. Nearly 100,000 households aren't eligible for federal broadband programs, a gap that state-provided vouchers and subsidies for satellite high-speed internet services could help address, said Drew Lovelace, acting director of the state's Office of Broadband Access and Expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His office on Tuesday asked for $70 million before the Legislative Finance Committee to accelerate the Connect New Mexico Fund, which aims to enhance connectivity for all New Mexicans. Satellite internet technology would particularly boost access in rural and hard-to-reach areas of New Mexico while the state waits for more reliable broadband technology deployment, according to the broadband office. The office would prioritize unserved areas locations with 25 megabits per second, or mbps, download and 3 mbps upload speeds or less and underserved areas locations with between 25 mbps/3mbps and 100 mbps download and 20 mbps upload speeds. Lovelace proposed household vouchers for necessary hardware for satellite internet services and $30 monthly subsidies for low-income households to ease their $120 monthly internet bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broadband office's one-time expenditure ask of $70 million would make sure "New Mexicans don't get left behind in the digital divide today" while also still looking toward the future, Lovelace said. The satellite vouchers and subsidies, if the appropriation request is approved in the 2025 Legislature and by the governor, would likely start at the earliest next year. The overall budget request for the broadband office for fiscal year 2026 is just over $3 million, which is a $650,0000 increase from the previous fiscal year, according to the broadband office. Overall, Lovelace said, broadband is infrastructure and needs to be funded longer term. "My big ask coming out of this is that we no longer get one- and two-year appropriations, that we look at three- to five-year appropriations and make sure that we can do the entire grant cycle," he said. EUREKA, Kan. (KSNW) According to the state Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) office, VFW posts around Kansas are seeing a rapid decline in younger veteran membership. Leaders of a post in Eureka say its making it difficult to keep the lights on. Since 1997, statewide membership has decreased from 42,000 to just 14,000. The Quartermaster for Post 2712 in Eureka, Drew Ramsey, says they are part of that statistic and that lack of young veterans joining may force them to close. Ramsey said that they are trying everything to keep the doors open, but the cost of insurance and repairs has outpaced their budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with volunteer labor, we do not generate enough to offset increasing overhead. Where were at is one major issue: a roof, HVAC. We buy that to fix it, and were essentially sealing our own fate, he said. Ramsey even started a fundraiser. A rally cry to save tradition. A call to arms, if you will, to save the post, he said. A last-ditch, Hey, dont be surprised if we dont get the participation, if we dont get younger members to participate. This isnt going to be around.' Ramsey believes the pressures of providing and the cost of living have taken the time away from those younger veterans to be able to be active in their local VFWs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tune into KSN News at 10 every Wednesday for our Veteran Salute Parents take on a lot more for their kids, whether its 4-H, whether its sports, whatever the case is, life is busier, he said. Post 2712s commander of more than 25 years, Don Scott, worries about the posts future. Were down to 60 members on our membership roster, and we used to have over 100 easy, he said. As a Vietnam veteran, he fears tradition will be lost if the post closes its doors. Expect a lot of us here in Eureka for parades and funerals, but if we had to close down, theyre going to lose all that participation here in town; it would hurt my feelings to shut down, said Scott. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once defending the country, now defending a different battle. Ramsey and Scott said that nearly $3,500 has been raised over the last couple of days. They say they hope to welcome younger veterans who served overseas, not to be afraid to reach out and get involved. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Dozens of Ottawa Hills High School students are competing for a chance at a scholarship. Its the first year of Grand Rapids Public Schools multiround competition known as the Ottawa Gauntlet. While theres a reward on the line, its also an opportunity for students to gain valuable life skills. Ottawa Hills students thrive in Early Middle College program Ottawa Hills junior Tanel Quinones is among dozens of students taking part in the competition. He said he has learned more communication and stepping out of my shell through the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stepping out, actually talking, getting to meet new people and (getting) to show them what type of person I am, he said. About 40 students applied to join the competition. Nearly 30 of them, grades nine through 12, took part in round one on Monday at Ottawa Hills. The top 20 students moved onto round 2, which was Wednesday at Grand Valley State Universitys Seidman Center in Grand Rapids. The competition includes tasks designed to resemble real-life situations that students may encounter down the road. On Wednesday, for example, they joined a mock talk show and discussed the role social media plays in their lives. In another scenario, they were asked to give a 60-second speech highlighting gratitude to someone in their lives. It was an exercise designed to build public speaking skills and appreciation. Quinones gave a speech dedicated to his family and thanked them for their support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not too late to sign up for GRPS Turkey Trot Other exercises included making a good impression on a college recruiter and making a sales pitch to a potential customer. Ottawa Hills art teacher Jennifer Sharp helped bring the idea to life. She was inspired by a similar program at a school in Atlanta. I thought, Oh my gosh, our kids need this,' she said. When the competition ends next month, the winner will get a $5,000 scholarship to pay for college or trade school. Thats made possible by a gift from an anonymous business in Grand Rapids. Three runners-up will each receive $2,000 scholarships, which were donated from New York Life Insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharp hopes everyone will gain something special. Im hoping theyre going to feel confident in their own skills that they already had inside them, she said. We werent working for scratch here. We were just trying to bring them out. Advocate: New GRPS board members attentive to critical issues She said the competition should help students express themselves in a way they havent been able to before. They need to be able to be articulate and dig deep sometimes and use personal experiences to help shape how they present themselves to the world, she said. I think it all comes down to their ability to believe in themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The top 10 finalists will compete Dec. 5 at Ottawa Hills High School. The top four will finish the competition later that month. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Road closures on Southern Boulevard due to a Thursday morning crash that killed two deputies will snarl after-school traffic at as many as seven schools far into the evening. The School District of Palm Beach County alerted parents Thursday afternoon that buses heading to multiple schools in and around Wellington and Royal Palm Beach may not be able to access the schools at all. The crash shut down Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road to traffic in both directions as deputies investigated the scene. The school district's note to parents said, "there is also expected to be significant traffic congestion in the area for several hours today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two PBSO deputies died and a third deputy was in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle near Loxahatchee Thursday morning, the agency said. The sheriff's office did not immediately identify the deputies or provide additional details about the crash. Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies man a roadblock at the intersection of Southern Blvd and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road November 21, 24 in Palm Beach County. Several PBSO deputies were involved in an accident. One is believe to be dead another is in serious conditions. More on the crash: Two PBSO deputies dead, one in critical condition after crash along Southern Boulevard School leaders encouraged parents to pick up their students from school by car on Thursday instead of expecting them to ride the bus, but the influx of extra cars is likely to make the backups worse. Parents picking up students who normally ride the bus should call the school to let school staff know. Students who remain on campus will remain supervised at school until buses are able to leave, according to the school district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affected area of Southern Boulevard is a main thoroughfare for families with students at multiple schools, including Loxahatchee Groves Elementary, Binks Forest Elementary, Wellington Landings Middle, Wellington High, New Horizons Elementary, Seminole Ridge High and Wellington Elementary. Elementary schools began dismissing students at 2:05 p.m. High schools release around 2:50 p.m. and middle schools release around 4:05 p.m. This story will be updated. Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Crash on Southern Boulevard to back up after school pick up traffic Nov. 21State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) is calling on the Senate to continue work on Senate Bill 3968, a bill that bans carbon sequestration activity in and around the Mahomet Aquifer. Schweizer says the time to act is now, as the House and Senate are both back in Session this week for the final week of Veto Session. "This legislation was filed after Gov. Pritzker signed SB 1289 into law this summer, despite bipartisan, bicameral opposition that noted the risks associated with the now law, including the lack of protections for the Mahomet Aquifer," Schweizer said. "I am disappointed by the Senate's actions to pause work on SB 3968. The purpose of this bill and others that I and other colleagues have filed, is to avoid any possible contamination of the Mahomet Aquifer. Unlike other parts of the state, 14 counties solely rely on this aquifer for all water needs, including drinking water and agricultural uses. If the Mahomet Aquifer becomes contaminated due to a carbon dioxide leak, there is not another easily accessible water option for one million central Illinoisans." Senate Democrat Leaders say the reason for the delay in legislative action to protect the aquifer is because of the two-year moratorium written in to the current law. With the two-year break, opponents to SB 3968 have argued that there will be plenty of time to put together stronger legislation than what is currently being presented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After meeting with advocates and constituents explaining their fears, I don't know how much clearer it can be that additional protections are needed. This is not a game, this is real life and not something that should be stuck in a drawer somewhere. Folks all over the state deserve clean water, not just in the Great Lakes Region. With lawmakers in town for Veto Session, this is the perfect time to protect the Mahomet Aquifer. Senate Leadership needs to get moving on this right away. In the event of an accident, my constituents would have to deal with the consequences of their government not taking the appropriate steps to protect drinking water. I refuse to give up on the one million people who rely on the Mahomet Aquifer. Let's get this done." For more information, contact Schweizer's office at 217-477-0104 or visit RepSchweizer.com. Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Scores of people were killed overnight in Israeli airstrikes on houses in two locations in northern Gaza where displaced people were sheltering, according to media reports and agencies run by Gaza's Hamas-led administration. The strikes near the Kamal Adwan hospital in Beit Lahia killed 66, including women and children. At least 22 others were killed when a house in the Sheikh Radwan district of Gaza City was struck, said the Civil Defense agency. To the south in Khan Younis, two dozen people were killed in Israeli military action in the area and in nearby Rafah, according to a hospital where the bodies were taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamal Adwan hospital director Hussam Abu Safia told Al Jazeera most of the victims of the attack in Beit Lahia were killed as they slept. "A very large number of casualties has arrived, and there are still many bodies hanging on the walls, ceilings. It's mostly children and women," said Abu Safia who added that staff had rushed to the scene, retrieving bodies, gathering up remains and rescuing people trapped beneath the rubble. "We are already operating with the bare minimum resources, that is why most of our staff are now busy rescuing the injured due to the lack of ambulances and resources," added Abu Safia, whose specialty is in pediactrics. "The situation is honestly very dire. We cannot cope with this massive number of injured and casualties that have arrived at Kamal Adwan hospital." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Figures published online Thursday by the enclave's Hamas-run health ministry put the number of people killed in Gaza since the start of the war at 44,056 and 104,268 injured. The Israeli action came hours after the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution on Wednesday calling for an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. Speaking ahead of the vote in New York in which the other 14 members voted in favor of the resolution, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood said Washington had worked tirelessly to avoid the impasse but ultimately "could not support" the resolution because the ceasefire it offered did not hinge on the release of the hostages who have been held in Gaza for more than 400 days. "We made clear throughout negotiations we could not support an unconditional cease-fire that failed to release the hostages. This resolution abandoned that necessity," said Wood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drew angry response from the Chinese, Russian and Algerian delegations which accused the United States of repeatedly upending cease-fire efforts while standing by as Israel committed egregious breaches of humanitarian law. Wood fended off the criticism saying it was Hamas that was standing in the way of a cease-fire and the resolution would have signalled to Hamas that it no longer needs to negotiate. Message sent this time unspoken. A week after pointedly calling on the University of Scranton to donate more money to the city in the form of a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, Scranton City Council silently killed a $204,000 state grant application for the college. Council accomplished this by not taking a final vote on a resolution that would have authorized the city to seek the grant for the property-tax-exempt universitys Nursing Simulation Laboratory Expansion Project at McGurrin Hall on Jefferson Avenue. When it came time to second a motion to take a final vote on the resolution, council was silent and the motion died for lack of a second. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution that council let die would have required passage in two separate votes for enactment. On Nov. 12, council voted 3-2 to introduce the resolution, with council President Gerald Smurl and council members Mark McAndrew and Jessica Rothchild in favor, and Tom Schuster and Bill King opposed. At that time, Smurl said, I do have a problem with this. The city of Scranton continually helps the University of Scranton. Everything they ask of us, we do, put grants in for them, whatever. I believe now its time for the University of Scranton to step up and help the city of Scranton with your donation in lieu of taxes. Schuster chimed in on Nov. 12, saying he would like to see the university increase its PILOT to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passed that night on first reading, the resolution advanced to a second reading this past Tuesday, but it never got to a vote. As the chairperson for the Committee on Community Development, I recommend final passage of the resolution, Rothchild said, according to an Electric City Television simulcast and video of the meeting posted on YouTube. Five seconds of silence from the council dais followed. We do not have a second., Smurl said. The motion fails. An image copied from Electric City Televisions video of Scranton City Council on Nov. 19, 2024, from left, Bill King, Tom Schuster, Gerald Smurl, Mark McAndrew and Jessica Rothchild, during five seconds of silence that killed a grant application for the University of Scrantons Nursing Simulation Laboratory Expansion Project. SCREEN GRAB IMAGE / ELECTRIC CITY TELEVISION Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reached Wednesday for comment, university spokesman Stan Zygmunt issued a statement saying, We are disappointed that City Council did not advance our grant application for state-of-the-art equipment to educate our nursing students, which would benefit our regional and state healthcare workforce. Over the years, the city has routinely acted as a pass-through sponsor of such grant applications for the university and other nonprofit entities for various projects and initiatives. For example, in September council passed a similar resolution to seek a $157,000 state LSA grant on behalf of the university for its Weiss Hall Workforce Development Project. In recent months, council also adopted several resolutions for grant applications from other entities. On Tuesday, council introduced several additional resolutions for grant applications. One of these was a resolution introduced unanimously for the city to seek a $1,020,000 LSA grant for a Marywood University campus renovation project. King indicated the city likely would ask Marywood for a PILOT. Marywood has a new president, Dr. Lisa Lori, and I think it would be appropriate for us to approve this (grant application) in good faith and then hopefully we can set up a meeting with the new president and talk about possible PILOTs moving into the future, King said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of all of the nonprofit entities and institutions in the city, the University of Scranton is among a handful that have annually contributed PILOTs. The University of Scrantons PILOT typically has been largest one contributed among all PILOTs in any given year, though its annual amount has decreased in recent years. So far this year, the city has received seven PILOTs totaling $232,494, according to the city Controllers Office, including: $150,000, from the University of Scranton, given on Jan. 3. $64,456, Scranton Housing Authority, May 31. $10,000, TSCI/Midtown Apartments, March 18. $5,551, Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources/state game lands, Aug. 22. $2,262, Goodwill Industries, April 16. $200, Society for the Preservation of the Tripp Family Homestead Inc., July 2. $25, Society for the Preservation of the Tripp Family Homestead Inc., July 16. What Thanksgiving Day table would be complete without a golden browned turkey, dressing, potatoes and cranberries? Don't forget the perfect ending for this annual feast pie! Whether you prefer traditional favorites like apple, pumpkin or mincemeat, or are looking for a creative alternative to the time-honored favorites, bakeries across Wisconsin have the perfect pie for your gathering. Check out these scratch bakeries across Wisconsin for the ultimate Thanksgiving Day pie. Be sure to put in your order as soon as possible. Where to find pies in Milwaukee and its suburbs Honeypie Cafe, 2569 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee, 414-242-6389 Although Honeypie Cafe has a full menu, its calling card is its bakery's pie. Customers can order pies year-round through its website. Pre-orders can also be place online for six seasonally flavored Thanksgiving pies, with pick-up at Honeypies sister location, Palomino, 2491 S. Superior St. Pickup times can be selected online. Mama Duckys Desserts, 290 W. Main St., Waukesha, 414-949-0222 With over a dozen pies to choose from, Mama Duckys Desserts in Waukesha is ready to provide dessert for your Thanksgiving Day table. Owner Melissa Lugo prides herself on using family favorite recipes reminiscent of grandma's creations including cream and fruit pies. She recommends customers pre-order their Thanksgiving pies before the end of the day on Nov. 24, as its only making a limited amount of pie. Pies can be picked up on Nov. 26 and 27. Aggies Bakery, 7328 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, 414-482-1288, aggiesbakery.com Aggie's offers a wide variety of pies, from classic pumpkin, pecan and apple to cherry, blueberry, peach and more. All pies require a minimum of at least 48 hours notice for pick-up through Nov. 22. Pies ordered online for Thanksgiving Day can be picked up Nov. 26 and 27. The Bake Sale, 6923 W. Becher St., West Allis, 414-543-4230 This West Allis bakery has a reputation for creating memorable pie varieties. From Pumpkin Gingersnap and Whiskey Chocolate Pecan to Caramel Apple and Double Chocolate French Silk. Gluten-free pie varieties are also available. Online and phone orders will be taken through Nov. 22. Pickup is set for Nov. 26 and 27. Black Shoe Bakery, Blue's Egg Milwaukee, 317 N. 76th St., Milwaukee, 414-336-1005 Black Shoe Bakery wears many hats, creating desserts and baked goods for sister businesses Maxies, Blues Egg, Story Hill BKC and Black Shoe Catering. Orders can be placed online through Nov. 22 for Dutch apple, bourbon pecan, pumpkin, salted brown butter, French silk, and key lime pies. Orders can be picked up on Nov. 27 on the south end of the Blue's Egg parking lot, 317 N. 76th St., Milwaukee. Miss Mollys Cafe & Pastry Shop, 9201 W. Center St., Milwaukee, 414-249-5665 Looking for unusual pies for your holiday gathering? Among pies offered by Miss Molly's for Thanksgiving Day pre-order are a pumpkin pie with spiced chai whipped cream or a caramelized pear and walnut galette. Pick-up is Nov. 23 at Sully's Sandwiches, 9211 W. Center St. (next door to Miss Molly's). MOR Bakery, 2018 S. First St., Milwaukee, 414-249-3316, morfoodsmke.com Along with traditional favorites, MOR Bakery, a small, local, woman-owned business, will offer several varieties of vegan and gluten-free pies for Thanksgiving. Online orders will close on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. with pickup scheduled for Nov. 26 and 27 at MOR Bakehouse, 5504 W State St., Milwaukee. Mr. Dyes Pies, 3rd Street Market Hall 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, 414-759-4992 Mr. Dye's Pies is currently taking orders for Thanksgiving pies including brandy old-fashioned cherry, Blueberry Hill, sweet potato, sweet potato with pecan topping, Purple Monster, N'Awlins Pecan and more. Pies can be ordered online or over the phone. Pick-up is at 3rd Street Market Hall on Nov. 27. The Elegant Farmer, 1545 Main St., Mukwonago, 262-363-6770 Pie in a brown paper bag? The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago has been baking apple pies in them for years. In addition to their famous apple pie, the bakery will be offering cranberry apple, cranberry walnut, pumpkin and cherry pies for Thanksgiving. The gourmet pies are available by visiting the farm kitchen bakery. The bakery will be closed Thanksgiving Day. All In Favor, Say Pie, 502 Mandan Drive, Waukesha, 262-549-6377 Waukesha bakery All In Favor, Say Pie is dedicated to creating a variety of pies, including Dutch apple pie and apple cranberry pie. Unfortunately, the deadline for Thanksgiving orders has passed, but the Waukesha business sells custom-baked pies throughout the year, with in-season ingredients, and a crust that owner Jenny Danks takes immense pride in. Pies can be ordered online or by phone. The crust on this pecan pie is a work of art. Where to find pies in Madison and its suburbs Rolling Pin Bake Shop, 2935 S. Fish Hatchery Road, Unit 4, Fitchburg, 608-663-2690 Those eager to order a pie for Thanksgiving from the Rolling Pin Bake Shop should place their order at least a week before the holiday. The Fitchburg-based bakery has several pies that are always available and can be pre-ordered at any time and are ready to pick up within 48 hours. Pie pickup for Thanksgiving is Nov. 26 and 27 until 6 p.m. Stellas Bakery, 2908 Syene Road, Madison, 608-663-2690 Stellas Bakery in Madison has a wide range of items that can be ordered for Thanksgiving, including four pie flavors: pumpkin, pecan, apple, and cherry. All of the bakerys pies are made with Stellas Bakery signature brown butter crust. Pre-ordered pies are available to be picked up Nov. 25, and pre-paid orders can be placed on the bakerys website. Batch Bakehouse, 1402 Williamson St., Madison, 608-257-1652 A word of warning to those looking forward to ordering a pie from Batch Bakehouse order early before they sell out. This scratch bakery offers seven different varieties of pie including apple cinnamon streusel, dark chocolate bourbon pecan, cherry streusel and more. Preorder by Nov. 21 for pickup on Nov 27. Pies are available for pickup and delivery. Norske Nook, 100 E. Holum St., DeForest, 608-842-3378 Norwegian food is Norske Nook's niche. But pie lovers can attest that the restaurant is a go-to for pie lovers around the state. Pie aficionados can stop at one of the restaurants three locations for a fresh slice of pie any day. Customers can pick up a pie from the restaurant any day its open, however, the deadline for ordering Thanksgiving pies has passed. Where to find pies in western Wisconsin Sweet Beet Bakery, 137 S. Knowles Avenue, New Richmond, 715-246-9866 Sweet Beet Bakery takes pride in its ingredients, including its pie fillings, which are all locally sourced. The bakery has eight varieties of pies available for Thanksgiving, including vegan and gluten-free options. Preorder by Nov. 21 for pickup on Nov 27. Stockholm Pie & General Store, N2030 Spring St., Stockholm, 715-442-5505 Recognized as the top-ranked pie shop in USA TODAY'S Reader's Choice Awards, Stockholm Pie & General Store, in the village of Stockholm in Pepin County, is a go-to for pie connoisseurs. This family-owned business will take orders for 12 different varieties of pie for Thanksgiving up until Nov. 20. Pies can be picked up by 4 p.m. on Nov. 27. Orders of more than six pies must be called in. Can't make it over to Stockholm Pie & General Store? The business offers whole-pie shipping within the continental United States. A variety of gourmet, deep dish pies topped with fruits, nuts and streusel are available at many scratch bakeries across Wisconsin. Norske Nook, 13804 W. Seventh St., Osseo, 715-597-3069 Norwegian food is Norske Nook's niche. But pie lovers can attest that the restaurant is a go-to for pie lovers around the state. Pie aficionados can stop at one of the restaurants three locations for a fresh slice of pie any day. Customers can pick up a pie from the restaurant any day its open, however, the deadline for ordering Thanksgiving pies has passed. Where to find pies in northwest Wisconsin Alicias Baked Goods, 2431 Greenfield Road, Spooner, 715-416-5252 Looking for a pie beyond the traditional apple and pumpkin variety? At Alicias Baked Goods in Spooner, you can order something a bit more unique: a bumbleberry pie made with a blend of blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. The cut-off for ordering pies for Thanksgiving is Nov. 21. Pickup dates for orders is Nov. 26 and 27. Orders can be placed over the phone. Lauras Bake Shop and Cafe, 237 Walnut St., Spooner, 715-416-0722 In the little community of Spooner, located in the heart of Washburn County, Lauras Bake Shop and Cafe is big on offering customers a wide array of bakery goods including fruit pies and Laura's banana cream pie and coconut cream pie. And if that wasn't enough she serves up strawberry, pineapple, blueberry and lemon cheesecake. "Whatever you want, I'll make it", is her motto. Call or order online two days before order pickup for the week of Thanksgiving. Where to find pies in southwest Wisconsin Crystal Cafe, 126 N. Main St., Iola, 715-445-9227 Last year, Crystal Cafe sold 74,271 slices of pie, cementing its catchphrase of Pies 2 Die 4. This third-generation Waupaca County family restaurant is known for hand-rolled pie crusts filled with all-natural ingredients. You can stop in any day for a slice of pie, but customers wanting one of 10 varieties of pie for Thanksgiving need to pre-order by Nov. 24. Pick-up is slated for Nov. 27. Take-and-bake apple pies are also available. Oakwood Fruit Farm, 31128 Apple Ridge Road, Richland Center, 608-585-2701 Nestled in the hills of southwest Wisconsin, the Oakwood Fruit Farm apple orchard has been a family tradition for five generations. Pre-orders for Apple, blueberry and cherry pies are due by Nov. 20 with pickup set for Nov. 27. Take-and-bake pies are also available. Orders can be placed online. Apple pie is a traditional favortie on my Thanksgiving Day celebrations. European settlers brought apple pie to the colonies, where it became a staple of American cuisine in the 18th and 19th centuries. Omega Bakery, 103 State St. Suite 101, Holmen, 608-373-4890 Although the date for pre-ordering pies for Thanksgiving has passed, Omega Bakery is open for business Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during the holiday week. A trip to this village of Holmen bakery in La Crosse County is worth the trip for its extensive offering of baked goods, including 18 varieties of pie fruit, cream, silk and meringue. While the bakery does not take calls, customers can visit the website or stop in. Where to find pies in central Wisconsin Mistys Menu, 9041 State 13 St., Saratoga, 715-325-2330 Mistys Menu, a cozy diner in Saratoga is known for its comfort food and pie. Owners Brian and Misty Nelson produce more than 100 pies to fill Thanksgiving orders. This year, customers can choose from apple, cherry, pecan banana or coconut cream pies. Call to order now for pickup on Nov. 27. Blue Willow Cafe, 1111 N. Fourth Ave., Wausau, 715-675-4543 Located on the west side of Wausau, the Blue Willow Cafe has a plethora of pies to satisfy anyone's craving including its decadent coconut cream pie. Varieties available for Thanksgiving preorder include pumpkin, apple, meringue, coconut cream and cherry. Orders should be called in by Nov. 26 with pickup on Nov. 27. A pie pan deposit is included in the price. Where to find pies in northeastern Wisconsin Nicolet Restaurant, 525 Reid St., De Pere 920-336-8726 Those who have visited Nicolet Restaurant in De Pere will swear by the lemon meringue pie on the menu which includes coconut cream and banana cream pies. After having a slice of pie, why not purchase a take-and-bake apple or pumpkin pie to bring home for Thanksgiving? La Sure's Cakes and Cafe, 3125 S Washburn St., Oshkosh, 920-231-5227 La Sure's Cakes and Cafe has built its reputation on elegantly decorated cakes. They've created over a million cakes since the business opened in 1974. Less known but just as delicious are the bakery's pies with crusts made with real lard to make them both flaky and savory. Pumpkin, apple, Dutch apple, meringue, coconut cream and cherry pies can be ordered before Nov. 26 for pickup on Nov. 27. Manderfield's Home Bakery, Appleton and Menasha Manderfield's Home Bakery invites you to step through the doors of its three locations to savor the aroma of a real hometown family bakery. The business boasts the largest selection of freshly baked products (including plenty of pie) in Wisconsins Fox Valley. Pies for pre-order include caramel apple, apple, mincemeat and pecan. Pies can be ordered online (by Nov. 23 for Thanksgiving) or by visiting any of the three locations: W3176 Springfield Drive, Appleton (east) 920-731-2181; 5100 W. Michaels Drive, Appleton (west) 920-882-6500; and 811 Plank Road, Menasha, 920-725-7794. Johnston's Bakery, 1227 Superior Ave., Sheboygan 920-458-3342 Theres a reason Johnstons Bakery in Sheboygan has won Best Bakery in the Sheboygan Press readers choice awards for four consecutive years. Known as the home of the Sheboygan Hard Roll, the bakery also makes a pretty delicious pie. While the Dutch apple and pumpkin are fall favorites, the blueberry pie is a year-round standout. Cut off for pre-orders is Nov. 22 with pickup on Nov. 27. To order, call or visit the bakery. This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Let these Wisconsin bakeries make your Thanksgiving Day pie Sean Diddy Combs legal team is accusing the feds of editing the now-infamous video of him beating up ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura ahead of the music moguls latest bail hearing Friday. Lawyers for the embattled rapper, 55, say federal prosecutors have attempted to make the 2016 surveillance footage appear more harrowing than it is, according to documents filed in Manhattan federal court on Thursday. His attorneys allege the feds have mischaracterized critical facts in an effort to ensure Combs bail request is denied. The Harlem-born rapper has been behind bars at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center since September, awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN published surveillance video in May of the brutal one-sided brawl, in which Diddy appears to grab, kick and drag Ventura in a hallway of a Los Angeles hotel in March 2016. Combs legal team claims the government has a more complete version of that footage, but instead presented the court with an edited sequence of events in attempt to offer more powerful evidence of danger and obstruction, reported TMZ. For weeks, Combs lawyers have denied the video proves that Ventura, now 38, was the victim of sex trafficking. Instead, theyve said its a minuteslong glimpse into a complex but decadelong consensual relationship. They allege the footage offers no evidence of a coerced freak off, but rather depicts a domestic dispute in which [Combs] ran down the hall of the hotel to recover his clothes and cell phone. His attorneys also deny he dragged Ventura down the hallway or threw a vase at her, as he appears to do in the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest court filing comes amid Diddys third attempt to be granted bail. Hes twice been denied, with two federal judges ruling he poses too many risks to be released, including the potential for witness tampering. Late last week, prosecutors accused Combs of relentless efforts to contact prospective witnesses and potential victims while behind bars. They said it was clear Combs goal is to blackmail victims and witnesses either into silence or providing testimony helpful to his defense. His legal team has denied those accusations, while claiming new evidence uncovered during the discovery process undermines the primary bases on which the feds initially sought for Diddy to be held without bail. In their latest motion for his immediate release, theyve said keeping Combs detained leaves him unconstitutionally handicapped in preparing for trial. His attorneys have proposed new conditions, including a $50 million bond agreement, round-the-clock home detention and strict limitations on his ability to contact anyone outside his legal team. Prosecutors have asked the judge to reject Combs request, saying he cannot be trusted to abide by rules or conditions and arguing his long history of violence demonstrates his dangerousness. This story was originally published by MyNorthwest.com. It truly marks the end of an era. Sears, a long-time provider of clothing, tools, and jewelry, is closing its last store in Washington. Only nine stores remain in the entire U.S. The store at the Westfield Southcenter Mall in Tukwila that opened in 1994 will close on Dec. 15. Employees were told last week. Sears and Montgomery Ward thats pretty much where you shopped, Kay Smith, 80, told The Seattle Times. I blame it all on online shopping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just days ago, the store was seen offering savings of 70%. Even 10 years ago, we knew it was only a matter of time before it was closing, Frank Sumrall, a content editor at MyNorthwest, said about his first job. I didnt know that there were only nine stores left nationwide. KIRO Newsradio: Dave Ross, Colleen OBrien retiring after co-hosting Seattles Morning News for a decade According to Britannica, Richard W. Sears established the R.W. Sears Watch Company in 1886. The following year, he moved the business from Minneapolis to Chicago, hired Alvah C. Roebuck to repair watches, and expanded into a mail-order business for watches and jewelry, releasing the first catalog in 1887. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After selling his business in 1889, Sears partnered with Roebuck again to start another mail-order venture, which became Sears, Roebuck and Company in 1893. In 1895, Julius Rosenwald, a wealthy clothing manufacturer, bought out Roebucks share and reorganized the business. Sears continued to write the companys famous catalogs, and the business thrived by offering a wide range of affordable merchandise to rural areas with limited retail access. The introduction of rural free delivery in 1896 and parcel post in 1913 by the U.S. Postal Service allowed Sears to reach even the most remote customers. Rosenwald succeeded Sears as president in 1909. Chokepoints: Fines for license plate covers start in 2025 From 1920 to 1943, Sears owned Encyclopedia Britannica, selling it through their catalog. In 1924, Gen. Robert E. Wood joined Sears and led the company for the next 30 years. Recognizing the impact of automobiles on retail accessibility, Wood opened the first Sears retail store in Chicago in 1925. By 1931, retail sales had surpassed mail-order sales. The company prospered after World War II and remained the largest U.S. retailer until the 1980s. In the 1980s, Sears diversified into real estate and financial services but began refocusing on its core retail operations by 1992, selling off subsidiaries. The general catalog was discontinued in 1993, and in 1995, Sears spun off its largest subsidiary, Allstate Corporation. Sears also offered repair services for automobiles and household items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2005, Kmart purchased Sears for about $12 billion, forming Sears Holdings Corporation. Despite initial prosperity, sales at Kmart and Sears stores declined. In October 2018, Sears Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In February 2019, a federal judge approved the sale of the holding company to Lamperts hedge fund, ESL Investments, for $5.2 billion. Once a dominant force with nearly 3,500 locations as recently as 2005, Sears continued to shrink until now, surviving on life support. Bill Kaczaraba is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here. Follow Bill on X, formerly known as Twitter, here and email him here. Gary Gensler Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler plans to resign on Jan. 20, a decision that paves the way for President-elect Donald Trump to reshape the agency into a more favorable environment for crypto and Wall Street. Gensler, a nominee of President Joe Biden who began his role in April 2021, led an agency that cracked down on cryptocurrencies and other regulatory issues. His resignation, announced on Thursday, allows Trump to select a replacement immediately. SEC commissioners serve five-year terms, so Gensler could have stayed longer. But Trump had pledged on the campaign trail to remove him. He has not named a replacement. Candidates under consideration have included Daniel Gallagher, a former SEC official now at financial services firm Robinhood, and current Republican SEC commissioners Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda, according to the Washington Post. Under Gensler, the SEC had several high profile disputes with the crypto industry, including a legal fight with Grayscale to block bitcoin ETFs, CNBC reported. Grayscale won, and billions of dollars have flowed into those funds since they launched in January, CNBC reported. The SEC also sued several large digital asset companies over how they were handling or selling crypto, including Coinbase, CNBC reported. Crypto corporations emerged as a major player in the 2024 election, pouring over $119 million into candidates' coffers accounting for 44% of all corporate political spending, according to data compiled by nonprofit watchdog Public Citizen. The industry sent hundreds of pro-crypto candidates to the U.S. House and some to the Senate, according to data compiled by Stand with Crypto tracker. Bitcoin has jumped 40% since Trump's win, The Associated Press reported, and was nearing $100,000 Thursday. It jumped again after Gensler's resignation was announced. Trump has promised to make the U.S. the "crypto capital of the planet." But industry watchers have raised questions about who will keep crypto donors in check and consumers safe. Crypto's resurgence comes two years after an industry-wide collapse resulted in failed exchanges and massive fraud at FTX. The firm's founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, is serving a 25-year prison sentence after he was convicted of defrauding customers. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, who was aggressive in his oversight of cryptocurrencies and other financial markets, will step down from his post on Jan. 20. Gensler pushed changes that he said protected investors, but the industry and many Republicans bristled at what they saw as overreach. President-elect Donald Trump had promised during his campaign that he would remove Gensler. But Gensler on Thursday announced that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated. Bitcoin has jumped 40% since Trumps victory. It hit new highs Thursday and was nearing $100,000. Bitcoin moved notably higher still after Gensler's resignation was announced. Gensler's stance on the rise of cryptocurrencies was captured during a speech he gave during the first year of his chairmanship in 2021 where he described the market as the Wild West. This asset class is rife with fraud, scams, and abuse in certain applications, he said in a speech at the Aspen Security Forum. Theres a great deal of hype and spin about how crypto assets work. In many cases, investors arent able to get rigorous, balanced, and complete information. Under Gensler, the SEC brought actions against players in the crypto industry for fraud, wash trading and other violations, including as recently as last month when the commission brought fraud charges against three companies purporting to be market makers, along with nine individuals for trying to manipulate various crypto markets. Yet access to cryptocurrencies became more widespread under Gensler. In January, the SEC approved exchange-traded funds that track the spot price of bitcoin. With such ETFs, investors could get easier access to bitcoin without the huge overlays required to buy it directly. Gensler, however, acknowledged the SEC had denied earlier, similar applications for such ETFs, including Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, among the first to eventually be approved by the SEC. Circumstances, however, have changed, Gensler said, pointing to a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that said the SEC failed to adequately explain its reasoning in rejecting Grayscales proposal. Even there, Gensler made sure not to endorse the merits of bitcoin. He pointed to how ETFs that hold precious metals are tracking prices of things that have consumer and industrial users, while in contrast bitcoin is primarily a speculative, volatile asset thats also used for illicit activity including ransomware, money laundering, sanction evasion, and terrorist financing. State Sen. Janet Buckner 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 second Colorado state senator will step down shortly after winning another four-year term. Sen. Janet Buckner, an Aurora Democrat, announced Thursday that she will resign from her seat in Senate District 29 on Jan. 9, one day after the start of the upcoming legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a personally challenging year, it is time for me to step aside and prioritize my family and health. I am grateful to my constituents in Senate District 29 for their trust, and to my colleagues in both the House and Senate who have graciously supported me. I leave with full confidence that SD29 will continue to thrive under thoughtful and dedicated leadership, she said in a statement. Buckner ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and general election this year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX She was first appointed to the House in 2015 to serve the remainder of her husbands term after his death. She served in the House until her election to the Senate in 2020. She is the chair of the Senate Education Committee and sits on the Senate Finance Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Gov. Jared Polis praised Buckners work on education and healthcare. Buckner sponsored various bills to establish Colorados universal preschool program. When her husband John passed away in 2015, Janet didnt hesitate to step up and powerfully build upon the legacy of his service. Janet and John are giants of the community and will leave a lasting legacy, the Democrat said. Last week, state Sen. Chris Hansen, a Denver Democrat, also said he will step down from the Legislature after he accepted a job with an electric cooperative in southwestern Colorado. Hansen beat his Libertarian challenger in the general election by about 60,000 votes. Both Buckner and Hansen will be replaced by a vacancy committee made up of Democrats from their district. Vacancy committees are often composed of highly-involved party insiders and range from a handful to over one hundred members. Those replacements will need to run for reelection in 2026 to serve the entirety of Buckner and Hansens new terms, per vacancy rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vacancy committee meetings will likely be in early January. Scrutiny on vacancy process Hansen told the Colorado Sun last week that he is supporting Rep.-elect Sean Camacho to replace him in the Senate. Camacho was just elected for his first term representing House District 6 in Denver. If Camacho is picked, another vacancy committee would need to meet to decide his replacement. Buckners announcement prompted a call for vacancy process reform from Shad Murib, the chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. In a statement, he said he intends to communicate with Polis, Secretary of State Jena Griswold and legislative leadership in the coming days to begin the conversation on reform. An analysis earlier this year by Colorado Politics found that nearly 30% of the General Assemblys 100 senators and representatives had been appointed to a legislative seat by a vacancy committee at some point in their tenure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The growing number of senators and representatives of both parties serving in office as a result of vacancy committee selections and not traditional elections should concern every Coloradan, and it certainly concerns me, Murib said. Regardless of the high standards we place on ourselves to run as great a vacancy committee process as law allows, the fact remains that vacancy committees are small and dont provide for the same type of public input and scrutiny as a traditional election. Colorado is one of five states that uses partisan vacancy committees to replace lawmakers. Other states either have a special election, governor appointment or county commissioner appointment. Special elections are most common, but they can be expensive and logistically difficult. Speculation that lawmakers strategize their resignations to hand-pick their replacements, or climb the ladder of elected office, is also a growing sentiment among the public, Murib said. While we have worked hard to prevent this from ever occurring, it is incumbent on us to do everything we can to bolster trust in our democracy by acknowledging and addressing this issue proactively. Last session, Democratic Rep. Bob Marshall of Highlands Ranch introduced a bill for a ballot measure that would have barred appointed lawmakers from running in the general election following their vacancy committee appointment. It did not get a floor vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Gwladys Fouche OSLO (Reuters) - A security guard working at the U.S. embassy in Norway has been arrested on suspicion of espionage on behalf of Russia and Iran, a Norwegian security police official said on Thursday. The man, a Norwegian citizen in his 20s, was arrested at his home on Wednesday, police said. On Thursday, a court ruled he could be detained for an initial four weeks, with the first week in isolation, while police investigate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The accused man was an employee, a security guard, at the U.S. embassy in Oslo," Thomas Blom, a lawyer for the security police service PST, told reporters. The man was cooperating and talking to officers, Blom said, adding that a "large" amount of digital material had been confiscated. "We have just scraped the top and we are working our way through it," said Blom. The man's lawyer, John Christian Elden, said his client had been in contact with Russian and Iranian intelligence officers. "He has explained himself about his contact with intelligence agents from Russia and Iran but it is unclear whether he has had secret information that would mean that anti-espionage laws could be used against him," Elden told Reuters. "Further investigation will show whether he is guilty of a crime or not." (Reporting by Gwladys Fouche; Editing by Alistair Bell) On 20 November, the brother of Perus President, did not attend a court session where he was sentenced to three years pre-trial detention for alleged influence peddling. End of preview - This article contains approximately 401 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Sedgwick Countys Family Law Self-Help Center is a place where people dealing with issues like child custody can get help from a lawyer. Judges say its needed to move cases through the courts smoothly. Back in the spring, every judge who handles family law cases in the county joined in asking for funding to pay for a lawyer to assist at the Family Self-Help Center. They say the role is essential for ensuring that people representing themselves in family law cases are properly prepared to avoid rescheduling or delays. For now, the county has a volunteer replacement. The departure of the former attorney and worries about finding a replacement prompted all the family law judges in the county to ask for funding for the position. They say the position is essential for helping people navigate the legal system, preventing delays caused by improperly filled paperwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motions were filed with the correct and complete supporting documentation. The first time it comes into court, were able to address the issues and make a ruling, said Jeff Dewey, the presiding judge at the Sedgwick County Family Law Self-Help Center. He says this fixes the problem they used to have years ago when people would come into court for family law cases with paperwork filled out wrong, forcing the judge to adjourn and reschedule. Luke Nath goes to the county self-help center every Monday and Friday to give people legal aid. It proved invaluable for the court that the pro se clients would come in prepared because theyre representing themselves. They would come in prepared for the court. They would know what theyre doing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Council spends hours discussing paid parking downtown, pushes decision to Dec. 10 He spent a year learning from his predecessor, who recently retired, helping fill out child support worksheets. I helped with that, of course, helping them make their presentation. These are people who have never before maybe spoken in public, said Charles Harris, a former attorney with the Sedgwick County Family Law Self-Help Center. While seemingly fast sessions are less than an hour, theyre typically expensive and inaccessible to many. The more complex the issue and issues involved, its thousands and thousands of dollars that they would be needing to spend to afford an attorney, said Nath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The service helps people prepare for court, which helps judges. If the paperwork isnt filled out correctly, a case can take twice as long to finish. We would go back to the days when the self-represented litigants would go into court without the necessary paperwork, and we would be back in the situation where we had to instruct them to get it and reschedule court and have them come back a second time, said Dewey. Nath says other counties have funding for this kind of service. Sedgwick Countys financial support will help recruit more lawyers so more cases can proceed. Nath will keep busy as a volunteer. The Sedgwick County Family Law Department files about 8,500 cases each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Earlier this year, The Arizona Republic set out to project how many state residents would vote in the November election. The projection formed the basis for a tool to help readers know how many votes were left to count in the presidential election and it proved on-target. The Republic's projection was that 3.37 million Arizonans (or 3,377,525 to be exact) would come out to vote this year, about 77% of the eligible electorate. The Arizona Secretary of State's Office reported this week that 3,389,319 people voted in the presidential contest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The difference between those numbers is about 0.35%. Not everyone who cast a ballot actually voted for one of the presidential candidates; among the total ballots cast, The Republic's projection was about 1.5% lower than the actual number. "Thats impressive! Paul Bentz, senior vice president for research at the Arizona political consulting firm HighGround, said. Before the election, Bentz told The Republic he expected that between 76% and 78% of eligible voters would turn out. More than 3,420,000 Arizona voters or about 78.5% of the states eligible electorate cast a ballot in this years general election, according to data from the Secretary of States office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most who participated did cast a vote in the presidential race: fewer than 40,000 Arizonans didnt pick a presidential candidate, figures from the Secretary of States office show. With more people mailing their ballots in late combined with Arizonas batch of Election Day drop-offs coming up with an accurate projection was "a little harder" this year than in the past, Bentz said. Having done this for 20 years we often say that there isnt an Election Day in Arizona, theres an election month, Bentz said. A lot of people made this almost more like an Election Day than what we're used to. How The Republic estimated voter turnout The Republics data team modeled and analyzed historical election data to come up with a turnout estimate, which was rounded down to the nearest 10,000th vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporters used a combination of several approaches from the simple to the complex to generate predictions, then averaged across them to create a rounded election turnout projection. Members of the data team worked with Christopher Weber, director of The Arizona Voter Project at the University of Arizona, to model turnout for the presidential election. Weber holds a doctorate in political science and has a background in statistics. With Weber's guidance, a reporter used data collected by L2, a research company that combines voter registration information from the Arizona Secretary of State's Office with demographic information on registered voters across the nation, to perform several regression analyses. The statistical methods allowed for a better understanding of the relationship between voting in prior presidential general elections and factors like an individual's age, voting history and party affiliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre going to predict whether someone votes or doesnt, I cant think of a better measure than did they vote in the last election, Weber told The Republic. You built a regression model that takes input from prior elections to predict the present. And because there is a remarkable degree of stability in whether people vote, particularly now, your indicator is probably as best as youve got. Reporters used cross-validation, a machine learning industry-standard method, to ensure their models would perform well on new data and generate more accurate predictions. Reach Sahana Jayaraman at Sahana.Jayaraman@gannett.com. Follow her on X @SahanaJayaraman This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona voter turnout projection from The Republic was just 0.35% off Nov. 21The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks data and comments on the proposal to list the Pecos pupfish as threatened with an accompanying 4(d) rule and on the proposal to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed rule also serves as the Service's 12-month finding on a petition to federally protect the Pecos pupfish. The proposed rule is now available in the Reading Room for public inspection and will be posted in the Federal Register tomorrow, opening a 60-day public period through Jan. 21, 2025. The Pecos pupfish is a desert fish endemic to the Pecos River Basin. The fish occurs in diverse water environments, both still and running water, including wetlands, sinkholes, streams, springs and the Pecos River mainstem. Historically the species was found in the Pecos River and adjacent floodplain from Chaves County, New Mexico, to Terrell County, Texas. Now the species' range is limited to Chaves County, New Mexico, and an isolated population in Salt Creek in Reeves County, Texas. The biggest threat to the Pecos pupfish is the non-native fish, sheepshead minnow, introduced into the rivers in the 1970s and 1980s. The Pecos pupfish and the sheepshead minnow readily hybridize. The hybrid fish is larger, grows faster and outcompetes the Pecos pupfish species for resources. Additional threats to the Pecos pupfish are the impacts of climate change, which lead to the loss and decline of surface-waters and the degradation of water quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The best available data indicate that the Pecos pupfish is threatened, facing multiple risks to its survival," said Amy Lueders, the Service's Southwest Regional Director. "The most secure populations of the species are found across public lands in New Mexico and Texas. In fact, if you get close to the sinkholes at Bottomless Lake State Park in New Mexico, you may get a chance to see the rare pupfish." The fish is small, no bigger than two inches and varies in color from gray to-brown to shiny blue. Individuals of the species vary in their appearances, which may provide adaptation advantages in the various, isolated occupied habitats. For instance, Pecos pupfish found in sinkholes have larger heads with mouths found lower on their heads compared to those found in marshland habitats. These differences in body shapes allows for more efficient feeding. The Service is proposing 136 river miles and 26,555 acres of five occupied units of critical habitat for the Pecos pupfish in Chaves and Eddy counties, New Mexico, and Culberson and Reeves counties, Texas. The river miles are lands surrounding the river and the proposed acres are numerous isolated sinkholes and wetland areas, representing a mix of federal, state, and private lands. Three of the units overlap with existing critical habitat for six other federally listed species. Critical habitat identifies geographic areas containing features essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species, and which may require special management considerations or protection. Designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership, nor does it establish a refuge or preserve, and designation has no impact on private landowners taking actions on their land that do not require federal funding or federal permits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed 4(d) rule would provide for the conservation of the Pecos pupfish by focusing on captive propagation in Texas, enhancing the genetic security of the pupfish in Salt Creek, Texas, and allowing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to conduct research on and relocate captive reared Pecos pupfish in Texas. A 4(d) rule is one of many tools in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that provides tailored protections for threatened species to facilitate recovery and prevent further decline. The Service is committed to collaborative conservation, transparency, and science-driven ESA findings. Supporting materials, such as the species status assessment report, are available on the Service's website at ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5162, at regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2024-0143, or both. The Service invites comments or information from other governmental agencies, Native American Tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties concerning this proposed rule. The public comment period runs through Jan. 21, 2025. Native aquatic ecosystems contain some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the Southwest. Their protection and conservation are critical to the survival of many species of aquatic insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, waterfowl and other wildlife, as well as humans. When the health and stability of aquatic habitats is improved, it benefits all life that depends on these water resources. HEBER CITY, Utah (ABC4) One adult and three minors who police say were a group of self-proclaimed gang members were taken into custody in Heber City on Tuesday, the Heber City Police Department announced. Police said the group on multiple occasions had violently assaulted victims throughout Heber City. The four allegedly would at times use brass knuckles and firearms in the assaults. These assaults reportedly started happening this past summer. All but one train crossing passes Quiet Zone inspections Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Heber City Police Department said the reports were passed over to the Wasatch Back Major Crimes Task Force. After an investigation led by the task force, the suspects were identified and search warrants were executed on Tuesday with the help of the Heber City SWAT team. Heber City confirmed that one adult male and three juvenile males were arrested and charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor, use of a dangerous weapon in a fight or quarrel, threats of violence, and possession of THC. All suspects were reportedly charged with gang enhancements. Their identities have not been publicly disclosed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A qualified nominee for the highest position in law enforcement in America must be honest and complete in disclosing his background. Mr. Gaetz did not meet that standard. Its time for Donald Trump to put forward a serious nominee for Attorney General who will fight for equal justice for all Americans. The Senate must uphold its constitutional responsibility of advice and consent on this critical position. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Senator Martin Heinrich pressed federal officials on Wednesday on the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire claims process. The fire destroyed 900 structures, including hundreds of homes, in northern New Mexico in 2022. It began as a prescribed burn. New Mexico Department of Cultural affairs proposes budget increase The federal government set aside billions of dollars to help people recover from the damage. During a Senate appropriations hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Senator Heinrich said many people are still waiting for FEMA to complete their claims for compensation. He asked the FEMA administrator what they are doing about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell: We continue to bring in our staffing, that we have the right amount of people, the right amount of resource, said Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator. Sen. Heinrich: It seems the people that were hit the hardest though, are at the tail end of getting compensated. That the simple claims have moved and the more complicated but also more devastated claims are often the ones not getting done in a timely way. Criswell: We are working with each person individually, senator, as each has their own unique experience, and the more complicated ones require more information. Thats why we want to have the appropriate amount of staff. Criswell said to date, they have paid $1.5 billion in claims. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., scolded two high-ranking members of the Biden administration on Thursday for refusing to provide public testimony at a scheduled security hearing on Capitol Hill. Peters blasted Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray for failing to show up for an annual hearing held by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Peters chairs to examine threats to the U.S. The hearing was scheduled for Thursday morning and was postoned to an indefinite time. For the first time in more than 15 years, the Homeland Security secretary and the FBI director have refused to appear before the committee to provide public testimony at our annual hearing on threats to the homeland," Peters said. "Their choice to not provide public testimony about their departments efforts to address wide-ranging national security threats robs the American people of critical information and the opportunity for public accountability of what the federal government is doing to keep Americans safe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americans deserve transparent, public answers about the threats we face," Peters added. In his statement, Peters suggested that Mayorkas and Wray claimed they would only discuss potential threats and their agencies' efforts to contain them in a classified setting. Peters called it "a shocking departure" from what has been long-standing tradition. Past hearings have zeroed in on terrorist threats, violent extremists, cyberattacks and more. Contacted by the Free Press, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided a statement saying, "DHS and the FBI have offered to the committee a classified briefing to discuss the threats to the homeland in detail, providing the committee with the information it needs to conduct its work in the months ahead. DHS and the FBI already have shared with the committee and other committees, and with the American public, extensive unclassified information about the current threat environment, including the recently published Homeland Threat Assessment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "DHS takes seriously its obligation to respond to congressional requests for testimony; in fact, Secretary Mayorkas has testified 30 times during his tenure," the statement said. Peters' comments, however, warned that appearing before the committee is vital despite that. "Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wrays refusal to speak publicly about their departments work will only increase the concerns that many Americans have about our nations security at a challenging time, flout the committees efforts to conduct responsible oversight, and will deal a serious blow to trust in our government," Peters added. It cannot be the practice of the executive branch to deny the public critical information and disregard Congress constitutionally recognized right to conduct oversight." Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler This story has been updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sen. Peters scolds Homeland Security, FBI heads who refuse to testify On 20 November Brazils Presidenthosted his Chinese counterpartin Brasilia, where government officials signed 37 bilateral agreements. End of preview - This article contains approximately 378 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options The Senate on Wednesday voted down an effort led by Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders to block a series of planned US weapons sales to Israel. The failure of the long-shot effort highlights that despite criticism from the left that the Biden administration and Israel are not doing enough to protect civilians in Gaza, there remains widespread bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for US military assistance to Israel. The Senate votes come as scrutiny over US support for Israels war against Hamas has intensified as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has grown worse amid Israels ongoing military campaign. The US is Israels biggest military supplier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war, which was triggered by Hamas October 7, 2023, terror attack, has raged for more than a year, killing at least 43,000 people, according to the Gazan health ministry. Efforts to secure a ceasefire and release of the Israel hostages held by Hamas have floundered, but there is more optimism about securing an end to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. What is happening in Gaza today is unspeakable, Sanders said at a press conference Tuesday on Capitol Hill. What makes it even more painful is that much of what is happening there has been done with US weapons and with American taxpayer support. The United States of America is complicit in these atrocities. That complicity must end and that is what these resolutions are about. Sanders, who is Jewish, said that Israel clearly had a right to respond to the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, but criticized the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the war. The White House actively lobbied against the effort to block the arms sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We strongly oppose this resolution and we have made our position clear to interested Senators, a White House National Security Council spokesperson told CNN in a statement. The Senate votes highlighted an issue that has provoked contentious debate within the Democratic Party. But the effort was unable to advance in the waning days of the Biden administration and the current Senate Democratic majority. President-elect Donald Trump, who returns to the White House in January, has already announced a strong defender of Israel as his pick for US ambassador to Israel former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who once argued that there was no such thing as a Palestinian. The House and Senate will also be in Republican hands starting in January, giving Trump a GOP government trifecta to carry out his agenda. Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell urged his colleagues not to support the resolutions ahead of the votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who mourn senseless human suffering should have no trouble assigning blame to the terrorists who exploit civilians, schools, hospitals and mosques as cover, he said in Senate floor remarks on Tuesday. I hope the Senate will reject the senators resolutions outright. The Senate failed to advance three separate measures known as resolutions of disapproval aimed at halting certain arms sales announced by the Biden administration in August. A resolution to block a sale of tank rounds was rejected by a vote of 18 to 79. A second resolution to block a sale of high-explosive mortar rounds was rejected by a vote of 19 to 78, and a third resolution to block a sale of joint direct attack munitions, otherwise known as JDAMS, was rejected by a vote of 17 to 80. The resolutions were backed by a group of independent and Democratic senators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sales of JDAMS and 120mm tank rounds are particularly concerning, given their indiscriminate use in Gaza, a fact sheet released by Sanders office stated. These systems account for many of the 40,534 deaths and nearly 94,000 injuries in Gaza so far 60 percent of whom are women, children, or elderly people. Reliable human rights monitors have documented numerous incidents involving these systems leading to unacceptable civilian death and harm. CNN and others have reported on Israels use of US-made munitions, including JDAMS, in incidents that killed dozens of Palestinians. Pro-Palestinian advocacy groups argued that the Senate votes were significant despite their failure and marked a shift for the Democratic Party. Todays first-ever vote to block weapons to Israel, through the leadership of Sen. Bernie Sanders, shows Democrats are starting to learn the lessons of this election and beginning to listen to their own voters, Hamid Bendaas, a spokesperson for the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project, a pro-Palestinian advocacy group, said in a statement. CNNs Morgan Rimmer, Ted Barrett, Jennifer Hansler and Sam Fossum contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) suggested President-elect Trump appointing former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to serve as the head of the Justice Department (DOJ) is somewhat of a power play against Senate Republicans. I think the bottom line here is that there is an element of Trump wanting to sort of subjugate Republican senators here, Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told CNNs Anderson Cooper on Wednesday. I think some of these candidates are essentially Trump challenging the Republican Senate to a crawl moment, he later added. And the stakes are getting higher and higher as more and more bad information comes out about these nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments come in the wake of the House Ethics Committee voting to withhold its report on an investigation into Gaetz over accusations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. The report also details the DOJs probe of the Florida Republican on allegations around the sex trafficking of minors. The committee, which held a two-hour meeting Wednesday, is expected to meet again Dec. 5. Some Republicans are privately suggesting Gaetz should consider withdrawing his nomination as attorney general in order to save himself the wrenching ordeal of an embarrassing confirmation hearing especially if hes unlikely to be confirmed in the end. Whitehouse expressed his desire to have the Ethics Committee report released during his Wednesday interview, calling it highly relevant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, we should get the House Ethics Report. We should get the Department of Justice files. Theres precedent for getting the House Ethics report, he said. Hes going to be overseeing the DOJ and the FBI, so what they have on him in House is highly relevant. So, I think the real issue here is how low the Republicans want to go, because this is just going to keep coming out, the Rhode Island senator added. The remarks also follow reports that a hacker gained witness testimony related to the probe. The file, which came from an unidentified person using the name Altam Beezley, contained 24 exhibits and is said to include testimony from a woman who said she had sexual relations with Gaetz when she was 17 years old, and another woman who said she witnessed the encounter, according to The New York Times, which was the first to report on the breach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitehouse said lawmakers who want to see the information will continue seeking to get it released. The information in the House Ethics files and in the DOJ report came in from witnesses who are available to us, and were going to keep digging, 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 The Hill. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Some Senate Republicans are fuming after the absence of some of their GOP colleagues, which is allowing Democrats to confirm judicial nominees at a fast pace with little resistance. These federal judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate with lifetime appointments to the bench. This week, several Senate Republicans skipped out on key judicial confirmation votes, letting judges nominated by President Joe Biden sail onto the federal judiciary with ease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We got to show up for work. What happened on Monday night Only occurred because Republicans were not here, said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Those absent at different points this week included Vice president-elect Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio.) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). Indiana Republican Senator Mike Braun also missed votes. Weve got to show up, folks. The American people expect us to show up for a job, added Tillis. Senate Democrats are racing to confirm as many federal judicial nominees as they can before President Biden leaves office. The Senate is going to keep prioritizing judicial and administrative confirmations this week, this month, and the rest of the year, said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with all Republican senators present, each nominee would likely get confirmed anyway since Democrats hold the majority, but Republicans would have enough votes to at least slow down the process. Theres no excuse to let Chuck Schumer force these judicial nominations down our throat, said Tillis. Senate Democrats could potentially confirm more than two dozen federal judges before the end of the year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Nov. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday evening against three resolutions, sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders that would have blocked the sale of certain U.S. weapons to Israel. The Senate voted 18 to 79 to defeat S.J. Res. 111, which would have blocked the sale of 120-millimeter tank rounds. The Senate also voted 19 to 78 against a second resolution that would have blocked the sale of high-explosive mortar rounds. And it voted 17 to 80 against blocking the sale of kits to transform "dumb" bombs into precision-guided weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders, 83, who is Jewish, sponsored the three resolutions in protest of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, claiming the United States cannot support countries that violate human rights. "It is time to tell the Netanyahu government that they cannot use U.S. taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of U.S. and international law and our moral values despite receiving $18 billion from U.S. taxpayers in the last year," Sanders, I-Vt., said. "According to the United Nations, much of the international community and every humanitarian organization on the ground in Gaza, Israel is clearly in violation of these laws," Sanders said in a speech from the Senate floor. ' "Under these circumstances, it is illegal for the U.S. government to provide Israel with more offensive weapons," Sanders added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's ongoing war in Gaza was triggered by Hamas' terror attack, on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people as hundreds more were taken hostage. "Israel clearly had a right to respond to the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7," Sanders said, while criticizing the Israeli government for its handling of the war that has killed more than 43,000 people, according to the Gazan health ministry. "What is happening in Gaza today is unspeakable," Sanders told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill. "What makes it even more painful is that much of what is happening there has been done with U.S. weapons and with American taxpayer support. The United States of America is complicit in these atrocities," Sanders added. "That complicity must end and that is what these resolutions are about." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-K.y., opposed the resolutions, and called on others to "reject the senator's resolutions outright." "Those who mourn senseless human suffering should have no trouble assigning blame to the terrorists who exploit civilians, schools, hospitals and mosques as cover," McConnell said Tuesday during remarks on the Senate floor. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin, D-Md., also voted against Sanders' proposals. "Israel is surrounded by enemies dedicated to its annihilation from Hamas and Hezbollah to the Houthis to most threateningly of all, Iran," Schumer warned. "These threats have been around for a long time and will persist for many years into the future." The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to reject three resolutions sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to block the sale of certain offensive weapons to Israel in protest of its ongoing military operations in Gaza. The Senate voted 18 to 79 to defeat S.J. Res. 111, which would have blocked the sale of 120-millimeter tank rounds. It also voted 19 to 78 against a resolution to block the sale of 120 mm high-explosive mortar rounds and 17 to 80 to defeat a proposal to block the sale of kits to transform dumb bombs into precision-guided weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders emphasized the resolutions were aimed at offensive weapons that have been used to devastating effects against the civilians of Gaza and Lebanon. He argued the restrictions would not affect Israels ability to defend itself from attacks, but colleagues who opposed his proposals disputed that claim. Sanders said under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Control Act, the United States cannot provide weapons to countries that violate internally recognized human rights or block U.S. humanitarian aid, which he accused Israel of doing. According to the United Nations, much of the international community, and every humanitarian organization on the ground in Gaze, Israel is clearly in violation of these laws, Sanders said on the floor. Under these circumstances, it is illegal for the U.S. government to provide Israel with more offensive weapons. Israel launched a war in Gaza against Hamas, which is the governing authority of Gaza. It did so after Hamas attacked Israel and killed more than 1,200 people, most of them civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders cited the deaths of more than 40,000 people in Gaza, a number compiled by the Palestinian Health Ministry, an agency in the Hamas-run government, and the destruction of most of Gazas infrastructure. The United States cannot be complicit to these atrocities, Sanders declared. Sanders has claimed that the destruction in Gaza is worse than what was inflicted on Dresden, Germany, a city that was firebombed, during World War II. J-Street, a center-left pro-Israel organization, supported Sanderss proposals, breaking with many other Jewish and Israel-supporting groups. This debate and vote signify another step toward a relationship in which the US can hold Israel accountable for its actions and its use of the weapons we provide in the same way we enforce US laws for all other recipients of US security assistance, said Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders received strong pushback from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin (D-Md.). Schumer said he was strongly opposed to Sanderss proposals, asserting that Israel needs weapons to defend against its enemies. He said providing such munitions to Israel has been a cornerstone of American policy for decades. Israel is surrounded by enemies dedicated to its annihilation from Hamas to Hezbollah to the Houthis to most threateningly of all, Iran. These threats have been for a long time and will persist for many years into the future, Schumer warned. Cardin also voiced his strong opposition to Sanderss proposals. He said that if implemented they would affect arms shipments years into the future. He warned the restrictions could have the unintended consequence of hamstringing Israel against unknown future adversaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These tank munitions have a deliver date three years from now. They are replenishments. This is so Israel has the capacity to defend itself against future threats that we know are in the region, that are real, he argued. And he said the restriction on high-explosive mortars might put Israel in a situation where they cant defend themselves against future threats. Cardin said restrictions on sales of kits for guide bombs would likely lead to more civilian casualties. Without precision guidance, he warned that bombs have a much higher likelihood of missing the target. I dont understand why we wouldnt want to prevent Israel from having the technology to have precision use of its munitions, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halie Soifer, the CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, which opposed the resolutions, applauded the majority of Senate Democrats for voting against the measures. As the Biden White House stated in a memo to the Senate, Now is the time to focus pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and stop the war. Cutting off arms from Israel would put this goal even further out of reach and prolong the war, not shorten it, Soifer said in a statement. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), a leading Republican voice on foreign policy who has visited Israel by his own recollection seven or eight times since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israeli settlements, argued that Hamas continues to pose an existential threat to Israel. Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing more Jews than any time since the holocaust. What were they up to? Their pledge to destroy the Jewish state theyre religious Nazis, he declared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben-Ami, the president of J Street, disputed the claims of Democratic senators who warned that limiting arms sales would put Israels security at risk. Contrary to opponents claims regarding todays vote, US support for Israels security was never at risk, he said. All of the Senators who voted for a resolution of disapproval today have supported tens of billions of dollars in security assistance to Israel throughout their careers. No Senators are calling for anything approaching an arms embargo and all of them endorse continued support for Iron Dome and other defensive systems, he added. Updated at 9:15 p.m. EDT Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Senate is set for a late night on Wednesday, as Democrats attempt to shepherd through a number of judicial nominees to fill vacancies weeks before they hand over control of the upper chamber to Republicans in January. The chamber is set to hold votes that could last into Thursday as part of the push, marking the second night where members will be burning the midnight oil. That judicial offensive kicked off on Monday, when Democrats unexpectedly sought to advance more than a dozen judges, including a highly contentious circuit court nominee. That prompted Republicans to pump the brakes and make life arduous for their colleagues by holding procedural votes to switch the chamber from executive to legislative session and back again, dragging out the votes in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The process will happen once again Wednesday night. Well continue working on judges throughout the day and into this evening, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) during his floor remarks. We have a lot of excellent nominees to work through, so I ask my colleagues to be flexible, to be ready to stay late and to keep the votes moving quickly. On top of the judicial votes taken Wednesday morning and early afternoon, senators are set to vote on a trio of resolutions offered by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that would block transfers of tank rounds, mortars and bomb guidance kits to Israel. This set will start around 6 p.m. Those would be followed by a vote on Sen. Rand Pauls (R-Ky.) resolution that would block the Biden administration from canceling more than $4.5 billion in repayments by Ukraine to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judicial votes are expected to eventually follow on the nominations of Sparkle Sooknanan and Brian Murphy to become district judges for the districts of D.C. and Massachusetts, respectively. One source noted that the list represented the current plan, but that it could be altered depending on changes in attendance. As they have all week, absences are expected to play a role once again for Republicans, which paved the way for a number of judicial nominees to win confirmation this week. Headlining that list was the vote on Embry Kidd, who was confirmed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday when five Senate Republicans were no-shows. If they had all shown up, the GOP could have defeated the nomination. The same situation came into play on Wednesday, when Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) separately voted against two district court nominees, leaving Democrats with only 50 votes and unable to break a tie, as Vice President Harris is in Hawaii. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, not all Senate GOP members were present. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) missed both, while Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) missed the morning vote. Cruz returned to Capitol Hill around lunchtime after traveling back from West Palm Beach, Fla., earlier in the day. He traveled with President-elect Trump on Tuesday for the SpaceX rocket launch in Brownsville, Texas. Braun has been attending a conference for incoming governors, two GOP sources said. He did not seek reelection to the Senate and will take over as governor of Indiana next month. Republicans were hopping mad about the voting absences on Monday and Tuesday, which were headlined by Vice President-elect JD Vance and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), President-elect Trumps choice to run the State Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not personally or directly. Just generally, said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) when asked if he got any guff from his colleagues at lunch about missing votes on Tuesday as he traveled with Cruz to see the rocket launch. We just had a good discussion about it now about making sure with some of these we actually have a shot at blocking, at making sure we can be here, Cramer said. I think theres pretty much a renewed commitment to everybody being 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 The Hill. Effects from the controversy surrounding millions of dollars in inappropriate funding by Orange County Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean are reaching the halls of Tallahassee as lawmakers prepare for the upcoming legislative session. The headlines began nearly two weeks ago when WFTV revealed Gilzean sent $2.1 million to Valencia College for scholarships, and were further fueled when CareerSource alerted the county they struck a $1.9 million deal with the elections office all behind commissioners backs. Voters reacted to the news angrily, recalling standing in hours-long lines to wait to cast a ballot in November. Poll workers complained their locations were understaffed and under-resourced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here we are at the end of this looking at this money that couldve been used for good consistent training, Commissioner Nicole Wilson said, That couldve been used to open up polling places so the lines werent like that. Mayor Jerry Demings chalked up the ordeal to bad governance. Read: Florida Wild Card law causing headaches for early voters, supervisors say Gilzean maintains he was allowed to spend the money his office was budgeted as he saw fit. Orange County attorneys dispute that and are preparing for legal action. Tuesday night, the attorneys cited several state statutes that deal with constitutional officer and election supervisor budgeting but dont explicitly say how money should be spent or when permission from a county was needed after the initial budget request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Realizing that, State Senator Jason Brodeur (R-Seminole) said local officials from his county reached out to him as they absorbed the updates, asking if anything could be done at the state level to prevent what he admitted was a loophole because this situation has never happened before. The folks who are the appropriators in this regard are actually the county commission and not the constitutionals themselves, Brodeur said, speaking of elected positions like a sheriff, tax collector or elections supervisor. We want to make sure that all of those incentives are aligned to protect the taxpayers. Read: This couldve ended so badly: Orlando father claims 3-year-old son was left alone in a daycare van Brodeur explained that hes had concerns about constitutional officers budgets for years because theres no uniformity when it comes to amending a budget. Some counties require their officers to seek permission from commissioners, while others from budget staff, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brodeur said he believed there was appetite for modifying the law to close any potential loopholes moving forward, citing a hypothetical example of a sheriff taking money designated for victims services and using it to purchase a helicopter. We believe very strongly that this is not our money, its the taxpayers money, he said. We want to make sure its being spent in a manner that is as efficient and is productive as it possibly can be. Incoming supervisor Karen Castor Dentel has promised to work with the county to recover the funds, which could include accepting Valencia Colleges offer to return its portion if asked. The legislative session begins in March, though lawmakers will begin to draft their bills in the coming weeks. Read: Bodycam footage shows parents assaulting school resource deputy Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Senegals ruling party, PASTEF, secured a resounding victory in the country's legislative elections, winning 130 of 165 seats, according to provisional results announced Thursday by the national vote counting commission. The win grants newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye a clear mandate to carry out ambitious reforms promised during the campaign, which include fighting corruption, revamping the fishing industry, and maximizing the countrys natural resource benefits. The main opposition coalition led by the former President Macky Sall won 16 seats. Sall congratulated PASTEF in a post on X on the election day, and two other major opposition leaders had already conceded defeat hours after the polls closed on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results will now have to be confirmed by the constitutional council, which is expected to do so in the coming week. Before Sundays legislative election, PASTEF only held 56 seats in the National Assembly while Salls coalition had a slim majority of 83 seats. Faye, who was elected in March on an anti-establishment platform, said the lack of a majority had prevented him from executing reforms he pledged during his presidential campaign. In September, he dissolved the opposition-led parliament, paving the way for an early legislative election. Voting in the West African nation known for its stability was calm and peaceful despite an electoral campaign that was marked by sporadic clashes between rival supporters. Observers from the international community, including the African Union and ECOWAS, praised the smooth voting process and the maturity of Senegalese democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faye, 44, became Africas youngest elected leader in March, less than two weeks after he was released from prison. The former tax inspectors rise has reflected widespread frustration among Senegals youth with the countrys direction a common sentiment across Africa, which has the worlds youngest population and a number of leaders accused of clinging to power for decades. ___ Associated Press writer Babacar Fall contributed reporting from Dakar, Senegal. State Sen. Anna Wishart, Gov. Jim Pillen and others at a press conference last year discussing the legislation that creates the new community clinics. (Courtesy of Governor's Office) LINCOLN Seven behavioral health care providers have been selected to launch a new certification program designed to improve mental health and substance use care across the state and provide around-the-clock crisis help for Nebraskans. Called the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics initiative, the effort has been described as transformational. To start, it will involve: CenterPointe, Community Alliance, Heartland Counseling Services, Heartland Family Services, Lutheran Family Services, South Central Behavioral Health Services and The Well. The CenterPointe Campus for Health and Well Being, recently completed in Lincoln. (Courtesy of Clark & Enersen) This is a significant step for Nebraska, said Matt Ahern, interim director of the Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid and Long-Term Care division. Were really excited about this model because it incentivizes a more integrated care a whole person approach rather than segmenting behavioral health from physical health and everything else happening in a persons life. Serves all Selection of providers, announced Wednesday, follows passage last year of Legislative Bill 276, the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Act, sponsored by State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln and signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a monumental step toward building healthier and stronger communities. State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln CCBHCs emerged from the Excellence in Mental Health Act, a federal law signed in 2014 to improve the nations mental health system. The model ensures that clinics provide a wide array of services, such as crisis response, medication management, psychotherapy and community and peer support. In return, providers are allowed to participate in a restructured payment model that better accounts for costs associated with services, according to a DHHS news release. Certified clinics are required to serve anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, regardless of their ability to pay, place of residence or age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the next year, the Nebraska DHHS divisions of Behavioral Health and Medicaid and Long-Term Care will work with the seven provider organizations to develop services needed to meet the state requirements and federal criteria determined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Programs are to be up and running by January 2026. The CCBHC model allows a clinic to truly focus on delivering the quality of care and breadth of services a person needs, said Thomas Janousek, director of DHHS Behavioral Health. It focuses on reducing administrative barriers for providers which ultimately results in better care for the individuals it serves. No-brainer By launching the initiative, Wishart said, the state is transforming the way Nebraskans access mental health and substance abuse care, in a coordinated and comprehensive way that fills service gaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a monumental step toward building healthier and stronger communities, she said Wednesday. Wishart has said she expects the CCBHCs to reduce emergency room visits and incarcerations. Data from other states that have implemented such clinics have shown reductions in law enforcement involvement and hospital usage, state officials have said. Pillen has called the legislation a no-brainer for Nebraska. His testimony at a legislative hearing in early 2023 surprised some, as the Republican governor stepped across the political aisle to speak on behalf of a bill introduced by a Democrat, Wishart. At the time, Pillen said that Nebraskans must come together to solve tough problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After completing the certification program, a provider is to be recognized as a CCBHC, offering integrated physical and behavioral health services to Nebraska families. Services are to include: around-the-clock crisis support; easy access to mental health and substance use care; tailored treatment plans; specialized care for veterans and military personnel; peer support; comprehensive psychiatric rehabilitation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Residents of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, who did not agree to evacuate in time, are making it difficult for the Ukrainian military to fight, as the Russians often dress in civilian clothes to mislead the Ukrainian forces. Source: Anastasiia Bobovnikova, spokesperson for the Luhansk Operational and Tactical Group, on Suspilne TV channel Details: She said that the situation in Toretsk is difficult now, with very heavy fighting taking place in the city. The Russians lost about 70 people killed and wounded over the past day: "The enemy is literally throwing cannon fodder assaults at our servicemen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bobovnikova stressed that civilians make the work of the Ukrainian military in that area very difficult because the Russians are dressed in civilian clothes. Quote: "We try to detect such attempts, but it is very difficult, morally and militarily. Because every time a serviceman has to think twice about whether he is facing a civilian or an enemy dressed in civilian clothes. We must admit that they have an advantage in manpower, weapons, ammunition, and shells. Therefore, we should not underestimate the enemy. This incredible number of personnel, unfortunately, is attacking our defenders on the Toretsk front." Background: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports that the Russians made seven attempts to penetrate Ukrainian defences on the Toretsk front. The Ukrainian forces fiercely repelled the Russians five times in the areas of Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. Support UP or become our patron! On 20 November Argentinas Presidenthosted Italys Prime Ministerat the Casa Rosada presidential palace. End of preview - This article contains approximately 401 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet is proving to be one of the most controversial in recent memory, including a number of people who face sexual misconduct allegations. Trump himself has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women. He has bragged about grabbing women by the p***y. A jury found him liable for sex abuse against former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll. Still, he has been elected twice to serve as president. He has denied all the accusations against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a good time for survivors or victims. People are not going to speak up because, look, its falling on deaf ears. No one cares, one of Trumps accusers previously told The Independent after he was re-elected. Now, hes nominated a number of individuals who also face claims of engaging in or tolerating sexual misconduct. Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman said: The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly-qualified men and women who have the talent, experience, and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again. Below we look at some of the contentious picks Trump has made for his inner circle. Matt Gaetz, Attorney General Matt Gaetz was Trumps choice for Attorney General - but that wont happen now (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The claims against Matt Gaetz, Trumps former pick for attorney general, have garnered the most attention so far and finally claimed his scalp after days of backlash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 42-year-old, who represented Floridas first congressional district until last week, was once at the center of two probes: one by the Justice Department and the other by the House Ethics Committee. The department which Gaetz would lead if he had been confirmed ended its sex trafficking investigation into him last year without pressing any charges. His associate Joel Greenberg pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes in 2021; he is serving an 11-year prison sentence. In his plea deal, Greenberg didnt name Gaetz, but he did admit introducing a minor to other adult men, who engaged in commercial sex acts, court documents say. The House panel has not agreed to release the findings, with some saying its against the chambers rules to release the report since he resigned from the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, some of the report has been leaked. Records obtained by the New York Times and ABC News suggest that Gaetz paid over $10,000 to two women who testified before the committee. The Republican made 27 Venmo and PayPal payments bearing descriptions like being awesome and just because from July 2017 through January 2019, the outlets reported. Both women were over 18 at the time of these transactions. Additionally, Gaetz also made payments to a 17-year-old girl when she attended one of the parties, the Times reported. The committee was probing whether Gaetz had sex with the minor. Records dont show that Gaetz paid the girl, but do show that Greenberg paid her $450. The girl was a high school student at the time and there were witnesses, her lawyer has said. One such witness appears to be one of the two women who testified before the committee; she said that she had seen Gaetz having sex with the 17-year-old but noted that she didnt think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, her attorney told the Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. Trumps communications director Steven Cheung told the Times: This purposeful leaking of classified investigative materials is the sort of politicized D.O.J. weaponization that Matt Gaetz will end. He added: The Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years, failed to find a crime and are now leaking material with false information to smear the next attorney general. Gaetz withdrew from the nomination on November 21. He wrote on X: I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance. Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing scrutiny over an alleged sexual assault (AP) Trump tapped Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his defense secretary. Hegeseth was accused of sexual assault in Monterey, California in October 2017, a police report obtained by The Independent reveals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman, identified in the report as Jane Doe, told police that Hegseth blocked the door to prevent her from leaving his hotel room and took her phone away before sexually assaulting her. She told police she told him no a lot during the assault. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing and faces no charges related to the allegation. He emphasized at the time there was always conversation and always consensual contact, the police report said. The 44-year-old paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to prevent a potential lawsuit, which he labeled as baseless. The report corroborates what Mr. Hegseths attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false, a Trump transition team spokesperson told the Associated Press on Thursday. Elon Musk, Department of Government Efficiency Trump and Elon Musk after become close, with the latter seen by some as the real vice president (Getty Images) While not part of the Cabinet per se, Trump has chosen the worlds richest person to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) along with billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also the subject of a June 2024 lawsuit brought by eight former SpaceX employees who claim Musk allegedly fired them after they accused the company of tolerating sexual harassment in the workplace. While working at SpaceX, each plaintiff experienced exposure to unwanted conduct and comments of a sexual nature by Elon Musk that created a hostile and abusive work environment, the suit, filed in California, states. Musk runs his company in the dark ages treating women as sexual objects to be evaluated on their bra size, bombarding the workplace with lewd sexual banter, and offering the reprise to those who challenge the Animal House environment that if they dont like it they can seek employment elsewhere. The suit came after a former SpaceX flight attendant accused Musk of offering to give her a horse in exchange for an erotic massage. The company then paid the woman $250,000 to settle a 2018 sexual misconduct claim against Musk, Business Insider reported in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk denied the allegation at the time, telling the outlet: If I were inclined to engage in sexual harassment, this is unlikely to be the first time in my entire 30-year career that it comes to light. Robert F Kennedy Jr, Secretary of Health HHS secretary nominee Robert F Kennedy Jr (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy, who Trump nominated to serve as secretary of health and human services, is also embroiled in a sexual misconduct allegation. Eliza Cooney told Vanity Fair in July that she was hired by RFK Jr and his then-wife as a part-time babysitter in 1994 to look after the couples four kids. The alleged incidents took place years later. In one instance, she recalled him moving his hand up and down her leg under the table during a meeting in his kitchen. In the back of my mind, I was hoping it wasnt what it actually was, she told the outlet. In a separate encounter, she said a shirtless RFK Jr walked into her bedroom and asked him to rub lotion on his back. She reluctantly obliged. It was totally inappropriate, she told the magazine. At the time, Cooney was 23 and he was 45. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months later, she said he stood behind her and began groping her, putting his hands on her hips and sliding them up to her rib cage and breasts, as she stood in the kitchen pantry in a bra and leggings after a yoga class. I was frozen. Shocked, she said. Two days after the bombshell story was published, the then-independent presidential candidate texted her an apology. \ 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, Kennedy wrote in texts obtained by the Washington Post. I never intended you any harm. If I hurt you, it was inadvertent. I feel badly for doing so. RFK Jr offered to meet face-to-face to make amends but she turned him down. It was disingenuous and arrogant, Cooney told the Post in response to his message. Im not sure how somebody has a true apology for something that they dont admit to recalling. I did not get a sense of remorse. Kennedy has never been charged with any crime in connection to this incident. Linda McMahon, Education Secretary Linda McMahon was head of Small Business Administration in the first Trump presidency (AFP via Getty Images) Linda McMahon, Trumps pick for education secretary, was accused in October of enabling sexual abuse that occurred at WWE, which she co-founded with her estranged husband Vince. She served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trumps first term. The civil lawsuit, seen by The Independent, details allegations of sexual abuse of underage boys by ringside announcer Melvin Phillips. It accuses the McMahons of allowing a rampant culture of sexual abuse. It was also well known throughout the WWE that Phillips had sexual fetishes for young boys; namely, and only partially, because Phillips didnt try to hide his recruiting and cavorting with underaged boys, the suit states. It was there for the WWE and its leaders to see in plain sight; yet no one did anything to stop Phillipss rampant and open abuse of young boys. Linda and Vince knew at least as early as the early or mid-1980s that Phillips had what Vince described as a peculiar and unnatural interest in young boys, the filing says. The couple fired Phillips after more allegations about his sex abuse of children surfaced, but inexplicably rehired him six weeks later on the condition that he steer clear from kids according to the suit. One former employee said the McMahons clearly knew what was going on, but really did nothing to stop it. . . . There was not a damn thing we could do about it. A lawyer for Linda branded the allegations as false, telling CNN: This civil lawsuit based upon thirty-plus year-old allegations is filled with scurrilous lies, exaggerations and misrepresentations regarding Linda McMahon. She added: Ms. McMahon will vigorously defend against this baseless lawsuit and without doubt ultimately succeed. She, her husband and Phillips do not face criminal charges related to these claims. (KRON) Three suspects from San Francisco were arrested in connection to a grand retail theft that happened Tuesday night at Lucky in Livermore, according to the Livermore Police Department. The theft happened around 8:45 p.m. when a woman walking her dog reported the crime. After leaving the grocery store on Portola Avenue, the suspects escaped in a white Honda CRV, according to LPD. The SUV had illegally-tinted windows, prompting a traffic stop by police. Once LPD officers conducted the traffic stop, they saw a large quantity of unopened toothpaste boxes and tote bags that were full of merchandise. LPD said the suspects admitted to stealing those items. They also confessed to stealing from Safeway on First Street, which is about a mile away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 707 items worth more than $8,500 were stolen from Lucky, LPD said. Thirty-four items worth more than $480 were stolen from the Safeway. Bay Area cities named among wealthiest and safest for retirement in US: study Police said suspects stole large quantity of toiletries from the Luckys on Portola Avenue. (Livermore Police Department) Three carts of merchandise of more than 740 items totaling nearly $9,000 were recovered by officers. (Livermore Police Department) Among the items stolen were laundry detergent, makeup, shampoo, deodorant, razors, beef jerky and coffee. Police said the suspects had plans to sell the stolen goods. The Hondas registered owner is a San Francisco resident. The ages of the suspects are 20, 20 and 22 years old. According to LPD, all three were charged with organized retail theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. SHARON, Pa. (WKBN) Police this week charged a second suspect in the August shooting death of a man on Ravine Place. Jamel Jordan, 31, faces charges of criminal homicide, first-degree murder and carrying firearms without a license. A criminal complaint against Jordan was filed Monday before District Justice Travis P. Martwinski. Jordan has yet to be taken into custody, according to online records at the Mercer County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan is charged with the shooting death of Terran Page-Hughes, who was shot about 11:55 p.m. Aug. 1 at a home in the 800 block of Ravine Place. Charged shortly after the death of Page-Hughes was Billy DeWayne Phillips. His case is pending, and he remains in the county jail. The criminal complaint said that Phillips and Page-Hughes were feuding because they had been dating the same woman, and earlier in the day, Page-Hughes got in a fight with Phillips cousin. Phillips, Jordan and a third person came to the house Page-Hughes was at, the complaint, and Phillips challenged Page-Hughes to a fight. When Page-Hughes came off the porch to fight, he was shot, the complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint said Jordan and the third suspect moved so they would be behind Page-Hughes and subsequently began firing multiple shots at him when he was approaching Billy Phillips. The three suspects then ran away, the complaint said. In the days following the shooting, investigators spoke to witnesses and obtained video that placed Jordan at the scene of the crime, the complaint said. The third suspect named in the complaint has yet to be charged. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Pristina Mok has worked at some of Singapore's top Michelin-star restaurants, like Odette and Zen. In 2023, she quit the big leagues and opened a small fine-dining restaurant in her home. Now, she serves up Southeast Asian-inspired dishes to 24 guests weekly and is happier than ever. As 7:30 p.m. drew close, Pristina Mok set her dining table for eight guests, assembled gold cutlery, dimmed the lights, and sliced up some turbot fish. From the quaint, cozy atmosphere, it looked like a dinner party with old friends. But this was the first time she would meet her guests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is Fragment a modern Southeast Asian fine-dining restaurant located in Mok's two-bedroom public housing home on the island's western coast. And the 28-year-old serves the food, plated fine-dining style, right out of her home kitchen. Quitting the restaurant grind Mok at home in her kitchen. Aditi Bharade / Business Insider Mok's culinary journey started when she was 19. She joined the team at Odette, a three-Michelin-star modern French restaurant at the National Gallery of Singapore. After a few years at Odette, she worked at Zen, a three-Michelin-star restaurant serving Nordic dishes with Asian influences. She also had stints at restaurants located inside luxury hotels like W Sentosa and Raffles Hotel. Mok said the adrenaline rush used to keep her going through long, 14- to 16-hour days in the kitchen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But as you start to grow older and you advance further into your career, your body starts to give up on you," Mok said. She questioned if she could last another 10 or 20 years working on the line. "My wrist was strained because we carry saute pots a lot. And especially when you're so busy, you don't really think about how heavy it is," Mok said. In 2023, she quit her job as a sous chef at Singapore's Raffles Hotel. She first became interested in private dining during the pandemic. And when she bought an apartment with her husband, Lionel Lim, the idea for Fragment finally panned out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She started hosting guests in February, and her schedule is booked through the end of the year. Fine dining, apartment-style Mok's cozy fine dining restaurant seats eight guests three times a week. Aditi Bharade Upon entering Fragment, guests are often greeted by Pebble, Mok's poodle. Mok seats eight guests three times a week, from Thursday to Saturday, for a 2.5-hour meal. Her eight-course menus, refreshed every three months, are priced at 168 Singapore dollars, or $130, before service taxes. The price does not include wine, though she offers a small selection of wines for an additional charge. A set of three starters from Mok's June menu. Aditi Bharade Her June menu consisted of dishes made from Hokkaido scallops, octopus and pork jowl, and roasted quail. Her husband, who works in sales, helps her with service after work. One of Mok's signature dishes is a sambal belacan curry with garlic naan. Aditi Bharade Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cozy take on fine dining Mok does not start service until all the guests have arrived. People are given a 7:30 p.m. arrival time, and the first courses start rolling out 30 minutes later. Two of Mok's courses in her eight-course tasting menu. Aditi Bharade Mok also tries to keep the experience casual. When BI visited Fragment, one of the couples dining there brought their golden retriever and their newborn baby in a stroller. A couple brought their golden retriever to the dinner. Aditi Bharade All the guests were barefoot, as is customary for visitors to Asian households. Mok told BI her guests are mostly millennials in finance and banking. She also encourages guests who may be sitting down at her table together for the first time to interact and make connections. Scaling down has its drawbacks While her husband helps her plate and serve the dishes, Mok handles most of the workload. Aditi Bharade Running her own restaurant from her home as a one-woman show hasn't been easy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The other day, I fell sick, and I didn't have anyone that could cover my shift or could cover me," she said. "And I had to, unfortunately, cancel or reschedule the guests." Mok and her husband assemble the small bites that make up the meal's first course. Aditi Bharade Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also doesn't have access to restaurant-capacity kitchen equipment. The couple had to buy three home-sized refrigerators instead because the ones used in restaurants use too much power, she said. And at the end of the night, her husband washes all the dishes by hand as the pair has yet to purchase a dishwasher. Mok also has to deal with everything from procuring the groceries to paying her suppliers and balancing the books herself, which can get difficult "when the work piles up," she said. Another thing she said she hadn't anticipated about the job was how intensely lonely it would be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's difficult being alone like 90% of the time," she said. "I live, and I work, and I sleep here," she told BI. But Mok said the freedom of being her own boss is worth it. "Fragment means piecing the different parts of my life together to create something that is unique and different," she said. "I love having my own business and doing private dining, and I have more control of my time," she added. Read the original article on Business Insider SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The Shelter Island boat launch will be closed to the public Thursday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. as crews work to remove an abandoned vessel, the Port of San Diego announced in a news release Wednesday. The boat sank in 15 feet of water and witnesses said the driver was operating the vessel erratically. He just kind of started maneuvering back and forth, back and forth, and ran us off back into the corner, because he didnt really know how to drive the boat, said Joe Morse, a boat captain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the port, the approximately 35-foot vessel was abandoned for unknown reasons at the launch ramp last Wednesday. Despite Harbor Police leaving a notice of violation and ordered the removal of the vessel, it was still there last Friday, leading authorities to call a tow service. However, while waiting for the tow service, the port said the vessel started to sink. Now, port authorities will be raising the boat and cleaning the toxic spillage during the daylight hours Thursday. Cal Fire unveiled a newly fire-resistant home in San Diego. Will more be retrofitted? Witnesses said the old 35-foot cruiser was also tethered to another 19-foot runabout that was ping-ponging off of the docks before spinning out into the open harbor. The wreck was seen just under the surface of the water and the operator has not claimed responsibility for the sunken vessel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He motored out of here, with the other boat attached to the side of his boat. The next day, we see it on Facebook, the boat had sunk and we said, That was the boat we were tied up next to,' said Morse. So I dont know if the other boat is still down there or if the other boat was the getaway boat. A vessel sank after being abandoned at the Shelter Island boat launch, according to the Port of San Diego. (FOX 5/KUSI) To further complicate matters, the king tides that happened over the weekend pushed the vessel under a section of the east side docks, the port explained in its news release. Imperial Beach tenants demand city council put an end to no fault evictions The port hopes to complete the removal and reopen the launch ramp in time for the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are other boat launching ramps on San Diego Bay located at Pepper Park in National City, Bayfront Park/J Street Marina Park in Chula Vista and Glorietta Bay in Coronado. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Austrias top energy official said its up to OMV AG executives and shareholders whether to extricate the firm from a long-term Russian natural gas contract, now that its sufficiently guarded against what she described as potential blackmail over supplies. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The supply deal signed in 2018, during Russian President Vladimir Putins last visit to Vienna, runs until 2040. Focus on the contract has increased since OMV won a 230 million ($242 million) arbitration decision against Gazprom PJSC, which promptly stopped delivering fuel after the Austrian company declared its intention to collect the settlement. Austrian Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler, who supervises a commission probing the conditions under which the contract was signed, said her country has adequately diversified gas supplies away from Russia and that the next steps will be up to OMV. The firms chief executive officer declined to discuss the future of its contract during an interview last week. My job was to make sure that we are no longer dependent on an autocrat that tries to blackmail us with gas and gas prices, she told Bloomberg Greens Zero podcast at the United Nations climate talks convened in Baku, Azerbaijan. She added that OMV will make its own economic decisions. Russian gas has powered Austrian industry and homes for some 56 years, but the energy crisis that ensued when Moscow cut supplies to Europe following its 2022 Ukraine invasion forced its partner to seek new suppliers. Even with Gazprom still covering about 80% of Austrian demand over the last year, OMV says it can meet all of its supply obligations through 2025 and beyond via alternative sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a large dependency on Russian gas supplies should not be allowed to happen again in Austria, said Gewessler, a Green Party politician who is likely to lose her ministry when a new coalition government is formed in the coming months. We have to learn from that mistake. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. California officials say they have identified the man they say is responsible for brutally raping and murdering a teenager in 1979. In February of that year, Esther Gonzalez, 17, was attacked while walking from her parents house to her sisters home in Riverside County, about 55 miles east of Los Angeles. The next day, the teenagers body was found dumped in a snowpack near a highway. Authorities at the time determined she had been raped and bludgeoned to death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case went cold for more than 45 years until officials were able to use forensic technology to find her killer. In a news release issued on Wednesday, the Riverside County District Attorney said that a man named Lewis Randolph Randy Williamson is now tied to the case. Williamson died in 2014. He served in the US Marine Corps and moved to Florida, according to the Los Angeles Times. He had a history of assault allegations but had no convictions for violent crimes, the outlet reported. Following Esthers murder, Williamson called the Riverside County Sheriffs Station to report finding a dead body. He told police he didnt know if the person was male or female. Officials noted the man was argumentative. Once investigators were able to identify the caller, they brought him in for a polygraph test five days later. Williamson agreed and passed the test, effectively clearing him of wrongdoing. A semen sample was recovered from Gonzalezs body but DNA testing wasnt available at the time. The sample was eventually uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a national DNA database widely used by law enforcement officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives continued to investigate the case for years. In 2023, members of the countys homicide cold case team sent various items to a lab in Texas for testing. Officials were later able to use a sample of Williamsons blood from an autopsy to determine his DNA matched the DNA found on Gonzalez, bringing closure to the girls family. Jason Corey, a county investigator, told the newspaper: This killing still haunts them, speaking of Gonzalezs family. But Esther was never forgotten by us all these years. Authorities are asking that anyone with information on the case or potential victims contact county officials. NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) A shooting in a Norfolk apartment complex Tuesday night left multiple residents with damaged property. According to the Norfolk Police Department, officers were called to the 7800 block of Dallas Street around 8:40 p.m. for a reported gunshot disturbance. Once on scene, officers found multiple apartment units and cars that had been struck by bullets. There were no injuries, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 10 On Your Side crews also saw bullet holes in porch doors, unit walls, car windows and even in the engine of a car. When we damage property, shooting guns, bullets dont have no eyes, said community activist Bilal Muhammad, whose son was shot and killed last year. Once you pull the trigger, you cant take it back. Once you pull that trigger, that bullet gonna go wherever you aim that gun for that bullet to go. Muhammad said he used to live in the area where this shooting took place. He said the news was painful to hear. Its telling us that the community is still not respecting the needs of the environment for human family, Muhammad said. These are families where people are trying to get up, go to work in the morning, trying to raise children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police ask anyone with any information to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a road rage incident that happened Tuesday night on Rt. 61 in West Brunswick Twp. The 7:15 p.m. incident involved two males, one age 29 and the other 30, who got into an altercation at a red light on Route 61 and Municipal Road, police said. One of the men fired multiple rounds in the direction of the other. No additional information was provided. A state police trooper at Schuylkill Haven said Wednesday no additional information was available. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Schuylkill Haven barracks at 570-754-4600 and ask to speak with the Criminal Investigation Unit. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The U.S. District Attorney announces the sentencing of a Shreveport street gang involving a scheme to defraud the United States of more than $2.2 million. According to U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown, the Shreveport Street gang and others plan to defraud the U.S. by fraudulently applying for and receiving relief through the Payment Protection Program (PPP) provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In March 2020, Congress enacted the CARES Act, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the CARES Act, the Small Business Administration (SBA) provided Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and low-interest financing to small businesses, renters, and homeowners in regions affected by declared disasters. The CARES Act also provided authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Brown, the 24 defendants were mainly from Shreveport and referred to themselves as Step or Die or SOD. According to the U.S. Attorney, the individuals were conducting fraud, funding 31 loans worth more than $600,000 and applying for 41 other loans seeking over $2.2 million. 24 alleged Step or Die gang members indicted in PPP fraud case On July 18, 2023, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced the indictment of 24 defendants who were all members or associates of a Shreveport street gang that refer to themselves as Step or Die or SOD. As of today, all 24 defendants have been sentenced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants falsely claimed to own businesses providing various services, such as trucking, towing, lawn care, daycare, and more. In truth, they either did not own these businesses or greatly inflated their revenues to qualify for PPP or EIDL loans. All of these defendants, some directly and indirectly, are linked to gang activity, acts of violent crime such as murder, attempted murder, and violations of state and federal firearm law. Although the federal government generally has no jurisdiction over murder and attempted murder charges, such as drive-by shootings, we vow to use any statute that exists in the federal criminal code to eradicate violent crime. This combination of sentences is a result of varying levels of culpability in this scheme and prior criminal histories, if any, of those convicted. Investigations such as these meet two priorities of the Department: (1) prosecuting those who steal from the government, and (2) holding those accountable responsible for acts of violence in our community, said U.S. Attorney Brown. The names and sentences of the defendants are as follows: Sirdell L. McCullough Age 26, Shreveport 30 months in prison $20,382 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Roderguiz Henry Age 27, Shreveport 24 months in prison $20,260 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,260 / PPP Johntrell Crutchfield Age 24, Shreveport 71 months in prison $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Deanthony D. Johnson Age 24, Shreveport 46 months in prison $28,575 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,575 / PPP $8,000 / EIDL Deaaundrakous Latrea Hagger Age 25, Shreveport 16 months in prison $1,500 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,833 / PPP $20,833 / PPP Nico J. Stewart Age 36, Shreveport 5 years of probation Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $4,000 / EIDL $1,000 / EIDL Timothy D. Vasher Age 22, Shreveport 19 months in prison $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Destane Glass Age 23, Shreveport 37 months in prison $104,160 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Xavien R. Beasley Age 24, Bossier City 15 months in prison $30,050 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $10,000 / EIDL Quinterrius D. Brown Age 23, Shreveport 24 months in prison Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud $30,800/ EIDLNot funded Toronco Rashard Loston Age 26, Shreveport 24 months in prison Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Not funded$201,100 / EIDLNot funded Dewonnie Brown Age 55, Shreveport 5 years of probation 60,498 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP$20,800 / PPP$20,833 / PPP$20,833 / PPP Joshua Dominique Age 25, Shreveport 16 months in prison $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Kardarius Jenkins Age 23, Shreveport 15 months in prison $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Jasmine Glass Age 23, Shreveport 15 months in prison $29,165 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $8,332 / PPP Tramaine Taylor Age 28, Shreveport 5 years of probation $20,832 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Antoria Johnson Age 26, Shreveport 5 years of probation $40,916 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,458 / PPP$20,458 / PPP Joketa Baulkman Age 41, Shreveport 5 years of probation $38,010 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $19,005 / PPP$19,005 / PPP Tyneal Johnson Age 37, Coushatta 5 years of probation $41,633 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,833 / PPP$20,800 / PPP Tyneal Johnson, Age 37, Coushatta 5 years of probation $20,207 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud $20,207 / PPP Tramarciea Ruffins Age 31, Shreveport 33 months in prison $20,415 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,415 / PPP Cierra Fleming, Age 23, Shreveport 3 years of probation $62,496 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,832 / PPP Samarrian Kingston Age 26, Shreveport 24 months in prison $101,360 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,272 / PPP Lakeah Gipson Age 28, Bossier City 5 years of probation $20,058 in restitution Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Wire Fraud $20,058 / PPP The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Treasury-Inspector General for Tax Administration, and United States Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Aaron Crawford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Churchill, Manitoba is a small, rural Canadian town that lives with neighboring predators and loves it. That is because the predators a polar bear population attract the visitors who saved the towns economy after a military base there closed. Tourists wanting to see the bears bring millions of dollars into the local economy. However, the bears are entering the town more often in search of food. Researchers say the sea ice where the bears normally hunt is shrinking. Geoff York is with Polar Bears International, a nonprofit environmental group based in Manitoba. York said: You're seeing more bears because there are more bears on the land for longer periods of time to be seen and they are willing to take more risks, getting closer to people. There are about 600 polar bears in this Western Hudson Bay population. Environmentalists say that is about half what it was 40 years ago. Humans in Churchill outnumber the bears although not by very many. It has been more than 10 years since a polar bear attacked anyone in Churchill. But townspeople look out for each other and tourists with a warning system and guards. There is even a polar bear jail. Controlling Churchills bears Sergeant Ian Van Nest is a Manitoba province conservation officer. He recently guarded the streets of Churchill in his truck. It was the beginning of polar bear season in Churchill. The vehicle is equipped with a rifle and a barred back seat to hold anyone he might have to arrest. Van Nest saw a crowd of people who were watching a bear. He looked around for trouble in the area and then quietly spoke to the group's leader. How are you today? Van Nest asked. The group leader answered that they were all right and then asked if their gathering place is acceptable to Van Nest. Youre good, the officer answered. You [have] got a lot of distance there, he added. So, the tour group continued to watch a polar bear on some nearby rocks. The importance of visitors Visitors interested in seeing the polar bears saved Churchill from shrinking out of existence when a military base there closed in the 1970s. The closure led to a drop in Churchills population, from a few thousand residents to about 870. A 2011 government study found that the average polar bear tourist spent about $5,000 per visit. The tourism adds more than $7 million yearly to the economy of the little town. Churchill has a few nice restaurants and more than 25 places where visitors can stay. Wereused to bears so (when you see one) you dont start to tremble, Mayor Mike Spence said. Its their area too. Its important how the community coexists with bears and wildlife in general to really get along. Were all connected. Churchill residents show polar bear pride in a way that mixes terror and fun. You know we're the polar bear capital of the world, right? We have the product, it's just about getting out there to see the bears safely, said Dave Daley, who owns a gift shop, runs dog sleds and promotes the city. He also is a former president of the Chamber of Commerce, an office that supports business activity. The former military base had a rocket launch area. It seemed to keep bears away. When it closed, the bears started entering the town more often, longtime residents said. So, Churchill and province officials put together a polar bear alert program to make sure the community members were looked after, [and] protected, said Spence who has been Churchill's mayor since 1995. The town's old curfew siren sounds nightly, warning people that it is time to go inside to be safe from bears. Georgina Berg recalls growing up in the 1970s near Churchill, where many First Nations people lived. First Nations is used in Canada to identify native people. She remembers how differently her father and mother would react to seeing a bear in the past. She said her father would not pay attention to them. He said, If you dont bother them, then they wont bother you," she recalled. When a bear came near in later years, after her father had died, her mom was frightened. Everybody was yelling, and all the kids had to come in and everybody had to go home. And then we stayed silent in the house for a long time until we knew for sure that bear was gone, Berg recalled. For Van Nest, the provincial officer, the recent meeting with a group of bear watchers was different. The group was about 100 meters away from the bear. He said the bear was putting on a bit of a show for the tourists. This is a great situation to be in," he said. The tourists are a safe distance away and the bears doing his natural thing and not being harassed by anybody. Im Jill Robbins. And I'm Caty Weaver. Seth Borenstein reported this story for the Associated Press. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. ___________________________________________ Words in This Story predator n. an animal that eats other animals to live tourist n. a person who visits places for enjoyment barred adj. equipped with bars to detain people resident n. a person who lives in a town, city, state or country tremble v. to shake uncontrollably pride n. a feeling of importance or happiness about something you have done dog sled n. a vehicle for the snow that is pulled by dogs and usually has runners promote v. to bring attention to something and to support its activities siren n. a loud device that is used to warn people over a large area bother v. to cause a person to feel worried, concerned or annoyed harass v. to repeatedly bother someone by creating a situation that causes them problems FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AP) Rice borders on the sacred in Sierra Leone. Unless a meal includes rice, people say, you havent eaten at all. But as prices soar, consumers in the West African nation are giving up other food to buy it. That's a major reason why 83% of the population is food insecure, according to the U.N.s World Food Program. In the capital, Freetown, 28-year-old nail technician Anima Mangola dug into rice with stewed cassava leaves. Id eat rice five times a day if I had me the money," she said even as its price has more than doubled this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not everyone can keep up, and people are suffering, she said. Experts blame soaring prices on a heavy reliance on imports, which supply 35% of Sierra Leone's rice and eat up $200 million annually in foreign currency. Even though West Africa has a long tradition of growing rice and often excellent places to do it, experts said the import dependency is due to a lack of investment in agriculture, booming population growth and cheap rice imports from Asia. Sierra Leone's agriculture minister, Henry Kpaka Musa, accused the International Monetary Fund of pressuring Sierra Leone in the 1980s to stop investing in agriculture and open its markets to imports as a condition for receiving loans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We used to export rice, Kpaka said in an interview. Now he and President Julius Bio plan to do it again. The government has raised over $620 million from global development banks this year to work towards food self-sufficiency, notably in rice, although Kpaka estimated the plan will cost $1.8 billion in all. Experts from the Ivory Coast-based research center Africa Rice have commended the plan as ambitious and forward-looking." But NGOs and academics warn it will favor international agribusiness and large-scale farms, to the detriment of the nations 5 million smallholder farms. They point to similar, failed attempts at food self-sufficiency in places such as Burkina Faso and Ghana. Self-sufficiency challenges and potential Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Africa has an ancient rice tradition dating back an estimated back 3,500 years. Historian Judith Carney said its farmers were taken as slaves to work plantations in the U.S. South, giving birth to a booming rice economy. Sierra Leone has the region's best climate and land for growing rice, with abundant annual rainfall in coastal regions. But Kpaka, the minister, highlighted obstacles to rice self-sufficiency: poor roads to connect rice-growing areas with markets, unreliable electricity for processing, climate change and poor access to finance. With the financial backing from development banks, he has approved plans to improve roads to the country's three main rice bowls," create large areas of irrigated land and provide fertilizers, seeds and pesticides to smallholder farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan starts with the infrastructure to attract the private sector to come," he said. He has promoted the plan to unspecified international investors, offering them thousands of hectares of irrigated land. But some believe smallholders, who make up 70% of the countrys population of 8 million, will be an afterthought. The view from the field Aboubacar Kowa, a farming leader in Bo district, gathered others to discuss their rice challenges, which also included access to land and a lack of storage, training and processing capacity. They were united in their lack of optimism about government help. Theyve heard these ambitious plans before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont get support from the government, said one smallholder and village chief, Eric Amara Manyeh. The most common concern was the lack of labor to create irrigated fields. Eliminating vegetation and digging channels is laborious, and an exodus of young people to urban areas means farmers have to employ laborers a cost out of reach for many. Although unemployment is high in towns, Manyeh said young people prefer easier jobs such as driving motorbike taxis. Some farmers have formed collectives to share labor, but poor tools slow progress. In one government-backed project in Bo, digging 60 hectares (148 acres) of channels took three months by 82 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cautionary tale Sierra Leone's goal to get chemical fertilizer, seeds and pesticides into the hands of smallholders is meant to replicate the Green Revolution in Asia, which increased rice production by over 100% in two decades. But Klara Fischer, a rural development professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences specializing in sub-Saharan Africa, warned that the approach exposes farmers to agribusiness giants such as Bayer Crop Science and Syngenta. An initiative called A Green Revolution for Africa. backed by the Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation and others, has spent over $1 billion since 2006 to increase access to fertilizers and seeds for smallholders, but its own evaluation in 2022 said it hasnt increased food security. The initiative is supporting Sierra Leone's efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One recent assessment by the German development ministry in Ghana and Burkina Faso found no evidence that providing fertilizer and seeds increased yield or profit for smallholders, and found that 41% of rice farmers struggled to pay off their debts. These fertilizer and seed packages are entangled with private interests, Fischer said. She also highlighted differences between Asia in the 1970s and the current situation in Africa. One is the cheap and available family labor in Asia compared to the rural exodus in Sierra Leone. Kpaka, a former employee in the Gates Foundation's agricultural department, acknowledged concerns but was convinced his plan has the missing ingredient to unlock growth: the critical infrastructure to help farmers process and sell their rice, incentivizing them to grow more. If we dont make the road, (farmers) will forever remain subsistence, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A different way Others believe that Sierra Leone should spend its funding on measures that empower smallholder farms rather than big business. Joseph Randall, director of an environmental NGO in Sierra Leone, Green Scenery, said the government should support sustainable practices such as organic compost instead of becoming dependent on imported chemical fertilizer, usually from Europe or North America, which contributes heavily to global warming. Randall opposes the distribution of modern seeds, even though they are higher yielding. The hybrid varieties of rice can't be saved and replanted each year because they are bred by agribusinesses and have patents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in Manyehs village, thunder echoed through the chiefs rice fields. He pointed to a swamp that might be cultivated as part of the self-sufficiency goal. The willingness is there, the potential is there, he said. But he knows it takes more than potential to feed a nation. ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) A Sioux City man pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on Wednesday. According to a release from the Department of Justice, Joshua Peterson, 42, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography between January 1, 2023 and October 18, 2023. The release said that during that time frame, he received, distributed, and possessed child porn. Officials received a CyberTip from Snapchat showing that Peterson had uploaded a file that contained child porn, according to the release. This led to law enforcement obtaining a search warrant for Petersons phone where they found more than 50 photos and videos of child porn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 dead after fiery rural Plymouth County crash The release states that Peterson would meet people on Snapchat and then talk with them via telegram. It also stated that he had admitted to sending underage pornography content to a user on Snapchat on five different occasions. The user who was the recipient was identified as a minor. There is currently no sentencing date for Peterson but he will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal until his sentencing. Peterson faces a possible maximum sentence of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, and a supervised release after imprisonment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Sioux City city council has approved a settlement in a lawsuit involving a former police employee suing over age discrimination. The decision was passed Monday in a resolution in the councils consent agenda. It passed unanimously. The citys legal team recommended the settlement to avoid the cost of litigation while also not admitting any wrongdoing. The resolution states that the city will pay a total of $40,000, which will be deducted from the tort fund. John Obermeyer, a former employee of the Sioux City Police Department, will be paid a total of $17,491.19, including more than $10,000 for damages and nearly $7,000 for lost wages. The remaining $22,508.81 will be paid to Obermeyers attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial was set to start on Tuesday, Nov. 19, but was canceled on Nov. 13 after the announcement that a settlement was reached. Judge set to reconsider former Plymouth County deputys prison sentence Obermeyer filed the lawsuit in Sept. 2023, alleging that he was laid off and was subsequently passed up on other jobs due to his age. Obermeyer started working at the Sioux City Police Department as a communications technician in May 2000. In 2019, the supervisor that Obermeyer reported to changed, and this new supervisor would regularly suggest that Obermeyer think about retiring, the lawsuit stated. Howver, Obermeyer planned to work until he was 68 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 19, 2021, at the age of 63, Obermeyer was told his position was being eliminated so that a new position could be created under the supervision of the Information Technology department of the Woodbury County Information & Communications Commission (WCICC). He was also told he could either retire or apply for the new position after his current position was eliminated. The city councils resolution said that Obermeyers position was eliminated due to technology advances and financial savings from outsourcing vehicle outfitting. In early Nov. 2021, Obermeyer was told he would be laid off, with his last day being Dec. 1, 2021. His position was the only one being eliminated. Police staff were also told that he was retiring and many wished him luck. The lawsuit states that he would be embarrassed at those moments because he wasnt planning to retire. Obermeyer applied for the new position on Jan. 1, 2022, with the lawsuit saying he was qualified as the position was nearly identical to his telecommunications technician position. He was not selected, and the position reopened for application later in January, with Obermeyer reapplying. He learned days later he would not be interviewed for the position. The position was eventually filled by a 50-year-old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodbury County Sheriff issues scam alert The city council resolution stated Obermeyer was not hired for 3 positions with WCICC which he applied for following the elimination of his position, and that he elected to official retire. The lawsuit originally named City of Sioux City, Woodbury County, WCICC, the Information Technology department of WCICC (WCICC-IT), and the Communications Center of WCICC (WCICC-CC) as defendants. WCICC-IT and WCICC-CC were dismissed from the case earlier in the year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Nov. 21FORT STOCKTON Skillpoint Alliance Permian Basin, a nonprofit organization that provides fast-paced, no-cost job training in the skilled trades to underserved and under-accessed populations, will offer a free pre-apprentice electrical training program at Midland College's William Regional Technical Training Center, 1309 W I-10, in Fort Stockton. The class will run from Jan. 27, 2025, through April 22, 2025, and will operate Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. "We are thrilled to partner with Midland College in Fort Stockton to offer our pre-apprentice electrical training program to the community," Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of Skillpoint Alliance, said in a news release. "By offering evening classes, this partnership opens up new opportunities for Fort Stockton residents who need to work during the day but want to pursue a career in the electrical field. Together with Midland College, we're empowering underserved individuals in the Permian Basin by providing flexible pathways to meaningful, family-sustaining careers that can help break the cycle of poverty and foster generational wealth." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants in Skillpoint Alliance programs are often returning to the workforce after time away, having experienced a previous hardship, or are looking to learn foundational skills that will set them on a new pathway to employment in a short amount of time. The pre-apprentice electrical class prepares students for work as entry-level electricians. The course covers electrical safety, hand tools, power tools, and the differences between residential and commercial employment job functions. Participants obtain their OSHA 10 certification during the program and will receive assistance to obtain their New Mexico Department of Licensing and Registration (NMDLR) Electrical Apprentice License. The pre-apprentice electrical class also aims to bolster soft skills like income management, resume writing and interviewing skills in order to create a well-rounded student and optimal employee. "Midland College Williams Regional Technical Training Center is excited to partner with Skillpoint Alliance to bring specialized training for pre-apprentice electricians to the Fort Stockton area," said Matt Tarpley, director of WRTTC at Midland College. "This continuing education opportunity allows our residents to expand their skill set for a high-demand career, aligning with the mission of Midland College and the WRTTC. With facility support from Fort Stockton ISD and the Fort Stockton Economic Development Corp., this initiative to build electrical trades expertise will enhance workforce diversity and meet Pecos County's needs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skillpoint Alliance was first established in 1994 in Austin when then Mayor Bruce Todd called upon the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce to create a solution to the lack of apprenticeship and craft training in the City of Austin. Since then, Skillpoint Alliance has become the premier provider of workforce training in Central Texas. Skillpoint Alliance expanded into the Permian Basin in 2022, establishing classes in Midland, Odessa, Pecos and Carlsbad, New Mexico. The expansion was made possible with support from the Permian Strategic Partnership. The PSP was created to strengthen and improve the quality of life for Permian Basin residents by partnering with federal, state, and local leaders to develop and implement strategic plans that foster superior schools, safer roads, quality healthcare, affordable housing and a trained workforce. Initial funds to expand the program to the Permian Basin were provided through a grant allocated by the PSP. The training program has been funded through its first four years. After the grant period, the training program will have become an established part of the workforce ecosystem in the Permian Basin, and will self-fund through a mix of philanthropic, state and local dollars. Interested parties can visit skillpointalliance.org/permian-basin for more information, including hiring details, about the training programs. Editors Note: A video that had been attached to this article has been removed because it included unauthorized names. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A pair of burglars suspected in a string of sledgehammer break-ins at small businesses across the county have struck again, according to law enforcement officials. Investigators believe the two may be responsible for more than a dozen burglaries. Surveillance video from Nov. 4 shows one burglar using a sledgehammer to break into Tierrasanta Mexican Restaurant. The business owner said the thief ransacked the restaurant before running to a silver sedan driven by an accomplice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another string of burglaries happened earlier this week, also in Tierrasanta. Tutuli Mexican Eatery and a Round Table Pizza were hit by the suspects. Home burglaries on the rise in Carlsbad: what police are saying Alejandro Ochoa and his wife, Isabel, bought Tutuli Mexican Eatery just weeks ago. Early Tuesday morning, Ochoa said one of the suspects smashed through the front glass of their restaurant. He shared a photo of their safe, which the thieves damaged to gain access. Its tough because we are actually working here, Ochoa said. We dont have all the money to hire people to run this place; we are running it ourselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar crimes were reported back in October at businesses in 4S Ranch, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. Police believe the burglars used the sledgehammer to gain access to the building and break open safes, some containing thousands of dollars in cash. After those crimes, Escondido police released a warning to business owners about a silver Toyota sedan with faded sunspots that is believed to be connected to the burglaries. Authorities said the driver is a woman and the cars license plates are covered. The crimes have been a significant financial blow to small businesses like Tutuli, which is struggling to recover. Imperial Beach tenants demand city council put an end to no fault evictions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Financially, it hurts us a lot, Ochoa said. This is our first restaurant, and its been tough. We have to pay rent, we have to pay employees. Isabel Ochoa added, We are trying to get this business going, and then this happens. It is a step back. Despite the setback, the Ochoas expressed gratitude for community support and urged anyone with information to contact San Diego police. Hopefully they get caught before someone gets killed, Alejandro Ochoa said. You never know whats going to happen next. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Crews made quick work of a wildland fire on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder on Wednesday night after it reportedly sparked at about 9 p.m. The fire was reported in the 1700 block of Flagstaff Road and prompted a quick response by Mountain View Fire Rescue, Boulder Fire Rescue, Boulder police and the Boulder County Sheriffs Office. At about 10:20 p.m., officials said the fire was extinguished. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews were in mop-up mode to ensure the area was safe, according to the sheriffs office. A small wildfire sparked on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Courtesy the Boulder County Sheriffs Office) A small wildfire sparked on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Courtesy Mountain View Fire Rescue) A small wildfire sparked on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Courtesy Mountain View Fire Rescue) A small wildfire sparked on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Courtesy Mountain View Fire Rescue) A small wildfire sparked on Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Courtesy Mountain View Fire Rescue) However, the roadway was set to remain closed between the 500 block of Baseline Road and the 2000 block of Flagstaff Road for the first responders. Boulder County Sheriffs Office said the closure was expected to last about two hours, and asked motorists to avoid the area. Highway 72, also known as Coal Creek Canyon Road, to Gross Dam Road is an alternative route to the top of Flagstaff Mountain, the sheriffs office reported. As of Wednesday night, no agencies had reported any injuries or threatened structures. There was also no information on what may have started the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boulder Fire Rescue had been conducting a prescribed burn near the intersection of South Cherryvale Road and South Boulder Road on Wednesday, but the fire operations were completed earlier in the day and the location is far from Flagstaff Mountain. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Sheila Dang (Reuters) - Snap on Thursday filed a motion to dismiss a New Mexico lawsuit that alleged the tech company enabled child sexual exploitation on its messaging app Snapchat, arguing there were inaccuracies to the state's investigation. The lawsuit, brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez in September, is among a series of efforts by U.S. lawmakers to hold tech companies accountable for harm to minors who use their services. In January, U.S. senators grilled the CEOs of Snap, Meta Platforms, TikTok, X and Discord, accusing the companies of failing to protect children from abuse and "sextortion," in which predators coerce minors into sending explicit photos or videos. As part of a months-long investigation, New Mexico set up a decoy account for a 14-year-old girl, which investigators said did not add any friends but quickly received suggestions from Snapchat to add users with explicit account names. In a filing in the first judicial court of New Mexico, Snap said the allegations were "patently false" and that the decoy account proactively sent many friend requests to certain users, contrary to the state's claims. New Mexico's lawsuit also accused Snap of failing to warn children and parents of the dangers of sextortion on Snapchat. The Santa Monica, California-based company responded that the claims were barred by the First Amendment because Snap cannot be compelled to speak. "Not only would Snap be required to make subjective judgments about potential risks of harm and disclose them, but it would have to do so with virtually no guidance about how to avoid liability in the future," Snap said in the filing. The state's lawsuit is also a clear violation of Section 230, a portion of a 1996 law that protects online platforms from civil liability over content posted by users and third parties, Snap said. The company said it "prioritizes not only its independent safety work but also its longstanding partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement, including in New Mexico."Snap added it has doubled the size of its trust and safety team and tripled its law enforcement operations team since 2020. (Reporting by Sheila Dang in Austin, Texas; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Diane Craft) MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) Australias communications minister introduced a world-first law into Parliament on Thursday that would ban children under 16 from social media, saying online safety was one of parents toughest challenges. Michelle Rowland said TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram were among the platforms that would face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts. This bill seeks to set a new normative value in society that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia, Rowland told Parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is wide acknowledgement that something must be done in the immediate term to help prevent young teens and children from being exposed to streams of content unfiltered and infinite, she added. X owner Elon Musk warned that Australia intended to go further, posting on his platform: Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians. The bill has wide political support. After it becomes law, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the age restriction. For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful," Rowland said. "Almost two-thirds of 14- to 17-years-old Australians have viewed extremely harmful content online including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm as well as violent material. One quarter have been exposed to content promoting unsafe eating habits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government research found that 95% of Australian care-givers find online safety to be one of their "toughest parenting challenges, she said. Social media had a social responsibility and could do better in addressing harms on their platforms, she added. This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them, and letting parents know that were in their corner when it comes to supporting their childrens health and wellbeing, Rowland said. Child welfare and internet experts have raised concerns about the ban, including isolating 14- and 15-year-olds from their already established online social networks. Rowland said there would not be age restrictions placed on messaging services, online games or platforms that substantially support the health and education of users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are not saying risks dont exist on messaging apps or online gaming. While users can still be exposed to harmful content by other users, they do not face the same algorithmic curation of content and psychological manipulation to encourage near-endless engagement, she 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 Schemes 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rowland said the platforms would also face fines of up to AU$50 million ($33 million) if they misused personal information of users gained for age-assurance purposes. Information used for age assurances must be destroyed after serving that purpose unless the user consents to it being kept, she said. Digital Industry Group Inc., an advocate for the digital industry in Australia, said with Parliament expected to vote on the bill next week, there might not be time for meaningful consultation on the details of the globally unprecedented legislation. "Mainstream digital platforms have strict measures in place to keep young people safe, and a ban could push young people on to darker, less safe online spaces that don't have safety guardrails," DIGI managing director Sunita Bose said in a statement. A blunt ban doesn't encourage companies to continually improve safety because the focus is on keeping teenagers off the service, rather than keeping them safe when they're on it. For more than four decades, scientists have noticed a mysterious chemical in the treated drinking water of millions of people in the United States, but no ones been able to pinpoint exactly what it is until now. The authors of a study published Thursday in the journal Science believe the chemical which they named chloronitramide anion is a decomposition byproduct of chloramine, a chemical that many treatment plants use to make water safe to drink. About 113 million people drink tap water that exposes them to chloronitramide anion, the study says. Its not clear whether the byproduct could be harmful to human health, but the study authors say its properties are similar to those of other molecules that are toxic enough for the government to regulate them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And there is some precedent, the researchers say, for chemicals that are used to purify drinking water creating byproducts that the US Environmental Protection Agency must regulate because they are likely carcinogens. In the early 20th century, many public water systems started using chlorine in low levels to make drinking water safe. It solved a major public health problem that had plagued leaders for centuries by ridding the water of cholera and typhoid, deadly germs that can spread through drinking water. But it also caused its own health problems. Epidemiological studies showed that some people who drink chlorinated water over a long period of time have a higher risk of colon and bladder cancers. For pregnant people who drink chlorinated water there was also a potential association with miscarriages and people who gave birth to babies with low birth weights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although chlorine itself is safe to consume at low levels, research showed that toxic byproducts were created when it came into contact with other elements that naturally occurred in the water. Water systems still use chlorine for purification, but the EPA monitors and limits the amount of byproducts in drinking water to ensure that it is safe for human consumption. Some systems switched to chloramine, a compound created when chlorine and ammonia are combined. Chloramine doesnt seem to have the same potentially dangerous byproducts as chlorine, and it was more stable and tended to last longer. More recently, scientists started noticing that chloramine also created byproducts. Some were familiar, but one remained a mystery, dogging study co-authors Dr. Julian Fairey and Dr. David Wahman for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres this outstanding mystery compound in the literature thats always been out there, Fairey said Tuesday. After graduate school at the University of Texas, Fairey and Wahman went on to study chloramine chemistry Wahman at the EPA and Fairey at the University of Arkansas and they decided they wanted to pin down this unnamed, unknown compound that had been showing up in research for about 40 years. It seemed straightforward at first, but it took them 15 years to solve the mystery. One of the first people they asked for help was Dr. Juliana Laszakovits, an expert in mass spectrometry, an analytical tool that can measure mass-to-charge ratio and determine a substances exact molecular weight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My first thought is, lets get this on a mass spectrometer, and lets try and determine its accurate mass, so then we can determine its chemical formula, said Laszakovits, a co-author of the study who works in the department of environmental chemistry at the Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich. But she quickly learned that there was a reason this substance had remained a mystery for so long. Water samples that contained the substance had high salinity, much higher than that of salt water. It was difficult to separate the compound from all the salts with the mass spectrometer. Laszakovits had to get creative and use a technique called ion chromatography, which separates and analyzes ions and polar molecules, coupled with mass spectrometry. This combination of techniques isnt so commonly used in environmental studies, Laszakovits said. But it did the trick: She was able to separate the compound to get its mass and then help figure out its chemical formula. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Kristopher McNeill, a co-author of the study and a professor of environmental chemistry at ETH Zurich, confirmed its structure, and Fairey then created the same compound using a different technique to show the similarities. Wanting to prove that the substance was a byproduct of disintegrating chloramines, Wahman looked for it in drinking water systems across the US that used the chemical and compared it with systems in Switzerland that didnt. He found chloronitramide anions in the water with chloramines but not in the Swiss water systems. Although the team learned a lot about chloronitramide anions, they couldnt determine whether it hurt human health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its toxicity is currently unknown, Fairey said. Its presence is expected, quite honestly, in all chlorinated drinking waters to some extent because of the chemistry, and it has similarity to other toxic molecules. Therefore, future research on chloronitramide anion is needed to understand its potential implications in drinking water. Water expert Dr. David Sedlak called the research a fascinating story and a very nice piece of science. Chloramines have their own families of disinfection byproducts that they make, and so maybe the last 30 years weve seen a little bit of buyers remorse for this switch from free chlorine to chloramines, because we keep discovering these chloramine disinfection byproducts, said Sedlak, vice chair for graduate studies and the Plato Malozemoff Professor of Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley, who was not involved with the new research. The challenge is, we dont really know about the health impacts, because unlike the free chlorine disinfection byproducts, there just hasnt been as much toxicology done on these compounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local water systems dont have the funding to investigate the health effects of these byproducts, Sedlak said, so it will be up to the federal government. Its pretty expensive to look at these things, and when you think about the kind of money that we spend on understanding whether new drugs are toxic to patients, we should be willing to spend that kind of money to understand whether our water is safe to drink or not, he said. Its the kind of thing that, when government is functioning well, it does a good job protecting us by looking at these things. But I dont think the EPA or CDC or NIH has the funding needed to answer these questions, he said. Oliver Jones, a professor of chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne, said the study does some elegant chemistry and he is quite convinced by their analytical evidence that the unknown compound is chloronitramide anion. Although he agrees that a toxicological investigation of the anion would be useful now that its identity is known, Im not overly worried about my tap water, Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The compound in question is not newly discovered, just newly defined, Jones told the Australian Science Media Centre. We should remember that the presence of a compound does not automatically mean it is causing harm. Everything can be toxic at the right amount, even water, he said. The question is, is it toxic at the level people are exposed to? I think the answer is probably not, Jones said. The authors of the study suggest that in the meantime, if people are concerned about their drinking water, while they dont know for sure if it would work, a simple filter may help. I think a Brita filter or something like that is probably logical, in terms of any kind of carbon-based filter that you have in your refrigerator would probably remove it if someone was concerned, Wahman said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A much-publicized art piece made up of a single banana taped to a wall has sold for $6.2 million. The sale happened Wednesday night during an auction in New York City at famous art seller Sothebys. The work, called Comedian, was sold to cryptocurrency businessman Justin Sun. He is a Chinese collector and founder of the cryptocurrency company Tron. Sun placed the winning bid over the phone and the sale was completed in cryptocurrency. Before the auction, Sothebys said the unusual art piece was expected to bring in at least $1.5 million. But the price quickly started rising after the auction began, with people bidding inside the auction room, as well as on the phone and online. The art piece had already sold three times for prices between $120,000 and $150,000, The Associated Press reported. Sun said in a statement after the auction that Comedian "is not just an artwork." He added that the piece "bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. Sun said he planned to eat the banana, as at least two onlookers did when the artwork was presented at places around the world. Sothebys says the fruit was always meant to be replaced repeatedly, along with the duct tape. The work was created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. It was first presented in 2019 at the Art Basel Miami Beach show in Miami, Florida. The piece quickly led to much public discussion about what should be considered art. Comedian belongs to a kind of art known as conceptual artwork. A conceptual piece is one in which the idea or meaning behind the work is more important than the finished object itself. The head of contemporary art at Sothebys is David Galperin. He told the AP he understands the pieces popularity because it is highly provocative. Provocative describes something likely to produce a strong reaction and much public debate. What Cattelan is really doing is turning a mirror to the contemporary art world, Galperin said. He added that he thinks Comedian can cause people to question what values should be attached to artworks and what can be defined as artwork. What you buy when you buy Cattelans Comedian is not the banana itself, but a certificate of authenticity, Galperin said. That document, he added, gives the owner permission to reproduce the banana and duct tape on their own wall as an original artwork by the artist. The sale of Comedian came shortly after Sothebys auctioned off a famed artwork in the Water Lilies series by French painter Claude Monet. That piece sold on Monday for $65.5 million. When asked to compare Cattelan's simple wall art to major works like Monet's, Galperin said that form of art, called impressionism, was not taken seriously when that movement first began. No important, profound, meaningful artwork of the past 100 years or 200 years, or our history for that matter, did not provoke some kind of discomfort when it was first unveiled, Galperin said. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. _____________________________________________ Words in This Story auction - n. a public sale at which things are sold to the people who offer to pay the most comedian n. a person who performs in front of an audience and makes people laugh by telling jokes or funny stories or by acting in a way that is funny bid v. to offer to pay a particular amount of money for something meme n. an idea, image, video, etc. that spreads very quickly on the internet duct tape n. a very strong tape that is often used to cover holes and other repair jobs mirror n. a piece of glass with a shiny, metal-covered back that reflects light and produces an image of whatever is in front of it certificate of authenticity n. document that prove an artwork, or something, is real original adj. an original piece of work, such as a painting, etc. is produced by the artist and not a copy profound adj. felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) South Carolina authorities have arrested a man wanted for a Sioux Falls homicide that happened earlier this year at Dunham Park. The big plan for Falls Park The Anderson County Sheriffs office in South Carolina arrested Lamont Burks Jr. Tuesday afternoon. He faces murder, attempted murder and assault charges that trace back to the shooting, which Sioux Falls authorities have been investigating for nearly three months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were multiple people that were there. People know exactly what happened, we rely on cooperation from the public to help us out in these circumstances, Sioux Falls Police Chief Jon Thum said on August 26th. The Anderson County Sheriffs Office tells KELOLAND News that a license plate reader caught Burks car. It alerted officials in South Carolina that he was wanted here in South Dakota. He was booked into the Anderson County Detention Center, where hell remain until an extradition hearing date is set by South Dakota agencies. Sioux Falls Police are working closely with South Carolina officials to bring Burks back to South Dakota. The Anderson County Sheriffs Office says Burks did not resist his arrest. An exact date for an extradition hearing is not scheduled yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Sioux Falls officials arrested 32-year-old Walter Stewart who also faces the same charges as Burks. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) Nearly every business eligible to pay unemployment tax in South Dakota could face a quadrupling of the administrative fee on wages that the state Department of Labor and Regulation is already charging them. State Labor Secretary Marcia Hultman sketched out the proposal on Wednesday to the South Dakota Reemployment Assistance Council. She said legislation was being drafted for state lawmakers to consider in the 2025 session that starts on January 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administrative fee would rise to .08% from the current .02%. New businesses would be exempt. The big plan for Falls Park In return for the $3 million increase, unemployment tax contributions that businesses pay would be reduced across the board by $3 million. Hultman and Emily Ward, the departments finance director, told the council that the departments unemployment insurance grant and administration fund would soon run short, while the reemployment trust fund itself remains healthy. Ward said that projections show the grant and administration fund would finish more than $1.3 million in the red in fiscal 2026 and go nearly $3.8 million in the hole in fiscal 2027, as a federal stimulus grant is exhausted while various expenses for the cost of living raises, technology services, postage and other categories have been rising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some council members hesitated on Wednesday when Hultman asked for an endorsement of the concept of raising the administrative fee to .08%. She in turn said a special meeting of the council would be called in the coming weeks so that members could view the draft version of the legislation and offer their opinions. The Legislature approved an $18 million decrease in unemployment tax contributions two years ago. On Wednesday, Hultman presented reemployment trust fund projections suggesting that the 2023 reduced tax-rate schedule can stay in place for another year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. AGENCY VILLAGE, S.D. The South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance became a nonprofit this year and is entering the next phase of its work, five years after it was started by the state's nine Native American tribes and dozens of other organizations to promote entrepreneurship in economically disadvantaged communities and preserve and promote Indigenous culture. Tourism is the state's second-largest industry and a primary economic engine in plenty of towns across the state. The idea is to connect more of those millions of tourists and their billions of dollars with South Dakota's rich Native American culture. "When you look at tourism and the idea of having a place for visitors to come that's just off the interstate, I think that is tourism gold," said Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate tribal archivist Tamara St. John. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tribal Historic Preservation Office in Agency Village in Roberts County features a growing collection of hundreds of historic artifacts and Native art. The collection is currently housed in the tribal administration building on the Lake Traverse Reservation in the northeast corner of the state. "The tribe has been very accommodating, but we have outgrown (this space)," St. John said. The tribe is in the early stages of developing a visitor center to house the collection. St. John's belief in the opportunity tourism can offer reservation communities spurred her to spend the past five years as a state representative. "Seeing that tourism is such a huge economic driver for the state of South Dakota, and it really could benefit our area," she said. "I believe that it is an act of sovereignty for a tribe to take control of their cultural history by telling their own story. And what better way to do that than tourism with people from your local community to even internationally?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around the same time St. Join joined the Legislature, other stakeholders were meeting to discuss the potential of Native American tourist attractions. "We've had fits and starts for decades with tribal tourism," Secretary of Tourism Jim Hagen said in an interview with South Dakota Public Broadcasting earlier this year. "About five years ago we really made a concerted effort to reach out to our tribes, tribal partners and friends and say, 'Let's really get this going.'" George Washington University helps South Dakota Native American tourism flourish The Tourism department sought outside help from the International Institute of Tourism Studies at George Washington University, which "has been specializing in helping Indigenous people create tourism on their reservations," Hagen said. The institute served as a facilitator of early meetings with an ad hoc group of local and tribal entities with an interest in developing tourism in their communities. That group eventually became the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance (SDNTA), which earned 501(c)(3) nonprofit status earlier this year. The alliance includes more than 50 network participants, including representation from tribes like St. John, the South Dakota Department of Tourism and businesses that operate in tribal communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Together, we represent and try to get representation from all nine tribes in our area," said Frank Kills in Water, SDNTA board chair. "It helps us as an alliance to have partners on every reservation to help bring tourism to each reservation in a good way." The early work with George Washington University also resulted in a five-year Native American Tourism Development and Management Plan specific to South Dakota. The 145 page plan includes existing attractions across the state's nine reservations, along with opportunities for further development. "Through these collaborations, we've come to find out that our experiences in Indian Country are very unique," said Kills in Water. "And GW helped us to kind of enrich those and point them out, not only to the tourism industry but to ourselves as well. So we came to the understanding in these meetings that our culture was the way that we were going to be able to show the rest of the world that we're still here." Native American tourism helps entrepreneurship Preserving and sharing tribal culture are not the only potential benefits of developing Native American tourism. There's no direct line between the state's nearly $5 billion dollar tourism industry and the economically disadvantaged reservation areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both St. John and Kills in Water see tourism as an economic and entrepreneurial opportunity for tribal communities, where jobs can be scarce. "The tourism that we want to start isn't going to make our tribes rich," said Kills in Water. "The ultimate goal is that ikce wicasa (common man) going out and using that skill and using something that he's learned through the work of our alliance and our partners in the industry to go and bring that dollar home to his family." One of the small businesses represented in the SDNTA is Tatanka Rez Tourz, touted as the only Native American-owned tour company in South Dakota. It's run by Guss and Tianna Yellow Hair, a father-daughter duo on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The two also hosted a training for other prospective Native American tour guides in May through the SDNTA. Guss Yellow Hair first suggested the idea for a tour guide business to his daughter in 2011, after his experience giving tours as a cultural consultant for the Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A lot of people were asking questions, and in my mind I was thinking, well, who better to tell our story than me, a Lakota-Cheyenne person who grew up on the reservation?" Guss remembered. Tianna Yellow Hair initially presented the idea during a business plan competition at the Lakota Nation Invitational and won. She and her father launched the business about nine years ago. They currently offer three tour packages that range in time commitment and the topics covered. "We try to accommodate you and take that into consideration, while still following who we are and why we started this," said Tianna Yellow Hair. "Which is to educate our visitors on that that have already been in the public but also to knock down a lot of those stereotypical views that people have of us." Native American tourism has room for growth The same difficulties that make developing a new industry in reservation communities appealing also make it a challenge from remote locations to infrastructure needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tianna Yellow Hair, who also serves as secretary of the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, sees common themes around the state. "A lot of times, people who come through South Dakota want to see an Indian reservation," she said. "And what we found in each of these reservations is we are open to the tourists, but we don't have the facilities to really host them. Which is, not only restrooms, ATMs. Also our roads are an issue, hotel stays, places to eat, restaurants. We really lack a lot of tourist accommodations." Investing in accommodations for visitors can be a hard sell, especially when so many residents have their own needs. Kills in Water said buy-in from the tribes has not been universal. "Our own people feel like when a bus comes through, they're looking at us like we're animals in cages," he said. "They come and they see all our trash, and our boarded-up houses, and the struggles of reservation life and some of our people, they see tourism in a negative light. They see that, 'Oh, we're selling ourselves out. We're selling our culture.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other proponents of tribal tourism, like St. John, have a different perspective. "I would say that by developing a tourism program, you're able to control those things. You're really able to define by your policies or your code where people can go. What would you like them to see? What would you like them to know? It's really a way of taking control." The South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance held its quarterly meeting at Crazy Horse Memorial earlier this month. Kills in Water hopes it becomes the go-to organization to help develop tourism opportunities for Native people in South Dakota. "The entrepreneurial aspect of this is giving individuals a chance to go out and become tour guides. It's giving them a chance to showcase their skills and what they do," he said. "And it's giving them a voice." How to watch 'South Dakota Focus' The next episode of "South Dakota Focus" airs at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. It can be viewed on SDPB-TV1, Facebook, YouTube and SD.net.This story is part of a series that Jackie Hendry, host and producer of South Dakota Public Broadcasting's "South Dakota Focus," will write to preview the upcoming show on South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit news organization. Read more in-depth stories at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email every few days to get stories as soon as they're published. Contact us at info@sdnewswatch.org. Frank Kills in Water, board chair of the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, said the organization is primed to enter the next phase of its work during an interview with SDPB on Oct. 12, 2024, in Rapid City, South Dakota. Tamara St. John said developing tourism programs and policies can help tribes take control of how their stories are shared with visitors. She spoke with SDPB on Nov. 3, 2024, in Agency Village, South Dakota. Estimated tourism money spent on South Dakota reservations in 2019 Tamara St. John (left) shows SDPB producer Jackie Hendry (right) around the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Administration Building on Nov. 3, 2024, in Agency Village, S.D. St. John is a member of the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: South Dakota Native Americans launch tourism around Indigenous culture It was surreal, Debra Coleman said, returning to her home after Hurricane Milton to find the line of sludge streaked across the walls. Pictures floated by in standing water. Just watching all of your belongings being carried out to the curb, its really devastating, she said, describing a scene now familiar to much of Tampa Bay. Her home in Parkland Estates, a hundred-year-old neighborhood in South Tampa, wasnt in a flood zone. But the area has had issues with drainage for decades. In a low-lying part of the upper peninsula, the community collects runoff from other neighborhoods. Engineers say the land is shaped like a bowl, trapping water without a natural outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why the Tampa City Council will vote Thursday on whether to contract with Kimmins Contracting Corp. to design and build a new stormwater system for the watershed. The estimated $64.5 million proposal involves installing huge box culverts through parts of the neighborhood and down South Howard Avenue, redirecting the water into Hillsborough Bay. But while just about everyone in the neighborhood is desperate for flood relief, the community is divided about whether the plan should move forward. Dozens of residents fear the construction will permanently damage the areas trees and historic homes and will irreparably disrupt the business district on South Howard establishments including Berns Steakhouse, the Epicurean hotel and several other bars and restaurants and put hundreds out of work. Its not that we dont think theres a need for remediation, said Jordan Warshavsky, a partner at Ciccio Restaurant Group, which manages 10 local brands, including Green Lemon and Daily Eats on South Howard. Its that we shouldnt be sacrificed at the altar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proponents note that even a 45-minute rainstorm turns streets into rivers, inundates cars and blocks emergency vehicle access. During Milton, city officials estimated between 150 and 250 homes were damaged in Parkland Estates and surrounding neighborhoods. The division is emblematic of the difficulty to updating stormwater infrastructure an issue at the forefront across Tampa Bay after recent storms devastated several inland communities unaccustomed to floodwaters. Without insurance, Coleman said her family is responsible for what she estimates is between $100,000 and $200,000 in repairs. She doesnt know if it will be worth it if the stormwater project isnt approved. In a few years, she fears her home on the corner of Parkland Boulevard and Lakeview Road could be in the same condition it is today. In making this decision, you feel a little bit paralyzed, she said. Like, do you say, Lets put this money into it knowing that the risk is there? Choosing a route The city has studied Parkland Estates and nearby neighborhoods since 2015, when a summer rainstorm flooded the community. Since then, consultants and engineers considered at least 21 routes to channel the areas stormwater, said Vik Bhide, the city mobility director. Ultimately, they recommended one down South Howard Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bhide told City Council members the route was best for a number of reasons. Mainly, it offers a more direct path without requiring many turns, so gravity can do most of the work. That also means less disruption and lower costs compared to the alternatives. Plus, two box culverts large concrete drainage structures are already located along the route, and can be more easily connected via South Howard than other streets, Bhide said. Using these existing culverts means the city wouldnt have to dig beneath the CSX railway to install one. The project will be partially funded by a $10 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority committed another $11 million, and $39 million will come from the city. And we have an opportunity to move this project as fast as possible, Bhide told the City Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote Thursday will allow Kimmins to design the official route and determine the exact cost, a process that Bhide said would take up to a year. No construction will take place during that time, which also frustrates critics who want a faster fix. Over the years, the issue has gotten more pressing, said David Adams, a Parkland Estates resident who has been advocating for a new stormwater system since 2015. Flooding is no longer tied to major storms. But many of his neighbors lack insurance because the area is in Zone X, a federal designation meaning it should have less than a 0.2% chance of flooding. Adams has lived in his yellow two-story home near Fountain Park for 25 years. He and his wife have filled the 1930s-era house with antiques a grandfather clock, a piano. But now, the place is mostly a gutted skeleton, its original wood floors warped and smelly after water overtook them during Milton. I really thought everyone would be excited about this, Adams said of the proposal. I was completely shocked by the backlash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the council votes no on Thursday, Adams fears the entire project could be pushed back years, causing more risk to homes and property values. Weve studied it for nine years, he said. How much more studying do we need? Business backlash Asked how shed move forward if council members approved the project, Joanie Corneil, owner of Bellas Italian Cafe, was at a loss. Figure out what were going to do in our next lives, I guess, she said. Opponents of the project dont discount the need for major stormwater remediation. Many of the businesses along South Howard dont carry flood insurance. But owners call the proposal a death knell for the corridor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Installing box culverts about 5 feet wide by 10 feet tall will require shutting down parts of the narrow, two-lane street completely. City officials say theyll also use the opportunity to widen sidewalks where possible, install more street lighting and create more on-street parking. But business owners reject that many of these enhancements are possible, and say the plans would cut off foot traffic, obstruct storefronts and disrupt deliveries, trash collection and utilities which could prevent shops from staying open. Its not just a disruption, its a cessation, said Warshavsky of the Ciccio Group. Shawn Routten, the Epicureans general manager, fears construction will deter guests from visiting. And, David Laxer, who helped create the hotel and owns Berns Steakhouse, added that the installation of underground culverts could cause vibrations that would damage the restaurants celebrated wine collection, with an estimated value between $20 million and $40 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business leaders also criticize the city for what they say has been a lack of transparency on the project. Several told the Tampa Bay Times they knew nothing of the proposal until about a year ago and that no economic impact study or traffic studies were completed. They say by the time they learned about the project, a route had already been chosen. It makes us really wary of working with the city on these things because were not getting this give and take on both sides to try to solve a problem, Laxer said. Bhide said its not unusual that the city would choose a route before meeting with businesses. He also noted that the project is following a typical timeline. Economic impact studies are not normally required for drainage projects such as these, he said. Thats how infrastructure projects happen, he said. Experts take a look at a lot of different options, get as much information as they can and put forth a recommendation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that construction down South Howard Avenue would be broken into one- or two-block sections, each taking between five and nine weeks at a time. Access via side streets would be available, and at no time would the entire street be closed. Business owners still fear patrons will avoid the road altogether. Homeowners have concerns, too. Some worry the culverts will damage the root structure of the neighborhoods grand oak trees and disturb historic homes, potentially affecting home values long term. They also raised concerns about street access being blocked to regular and emergency vehicles. Rock Scaglione, president of the Parkland Estates Civics Club, said that until recently, there were still a lot of unanswered questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any good design from a civil engineering perspective, you would think considers not only the logistics of the plan and whether its solving the problem its intended to solve, but what is the human impact? he said. After a two-hour public forum Monday, Scaglione felt many of his concerns were addressed but still worried about the neighborhoods immediate needs. If the project is approved, it wouldnt be complete until at least 2029. Bhide said some of the early construction will help, but there isnt much the city can do in the short term for an area where water has nowhere to go. Thats what we need to be working towards and whatever will help us to get there, he said. Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the first name of Joanie Corneil, the owner of Bellas Italian Cafe. VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) Southeast Asian defense chiefs met Thursday with their counterparts from China, the United States and other nations in Laos for security talks, which come as Beijings increasingly assertive stance in its claim to most of the South China Sea is leading to more confrontations. The closed-door talks put U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in the same room, a day after Dong refused a request to meet with Austin one-on-one on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit of defense ministers. The U.S. and China have been working to improve frayed military-to-military communications and Austin said he regretted Dong's decision, calling it a setback for the whole region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Chinese statement indicated that Beijing was unhappy with U.S. actions related to Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims. The U.S. recently approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system. The U.S. side cannot undermine Chinas core interests on the Taiwan issue while conducting exchanges with the Chinese military as if nothing had happened, Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said in a statement posted online Thursday. The ASEAN meetings come as member nations are looking warily toward the change in American administrations at a time of increasing maritime disputes with China. The U.S. has firmly pushed a free and open Indo-Pacific policy under outgoing President Joe Biden and it is not yet clear how the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump will address the South China Sea situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dong called for resolving issues through dialogue and not provoking disputes or introducing external forces, Chinas official Xinhua News Agency reported. Beijing believes that U.S. backing has emboldened the Philippines to act more assertively in its South China Sea disputes with China. Other nations attending the ASEAN meeting from outside Southeast Asia include Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The meetings with the ASEAN dialogue partners were also expected address tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the Russia-Ukraine war, and wars in the Middle East. Before heading to Laos, Austin concluded meetings in Australia with officials there and with Japans 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 Peoples Republic of China against Philippines and other coastal state vessels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. As China has grown more assertive in pushing its territorial claims in recent years, it and ASEAN 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Another thorny regional issue is the civil war and humanitarian crisis in ASEAN member Myanmar. The groups 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the defense meetings, the country is represented by Zaw Naing Win, director of the Defense Ministrys International Affairs Department. Meetings on Wednesday also discussed military cooperation, transnational haze, disinformation, border security and transnational crimes such as drugs, cyberscams and human trafficking, Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Thanathip Sawangsang said. ___ Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this report. Jacob Major CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. A Columbus man pleads guilty to child sex crimes. Friday, Jacob Major, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated internet trading in child porn, sexual exploitation of a child and indecent solicitation of a child. Southeast Kansas Man Charged with Child Sex Crimes Released on Bond As part of his plea deal, the prosecutor dismissed six other charges against Major. Major is scheduled to be sentenced on January 10. He was arrested back in December after authorities say he sexually assaulted a child under the age of 14 and also uploaded child porn involving a child under the age of 14 to the internet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. SENECA, Mo. Seneca police are looking for homes for eight puppies that were left abandoned in a tub today. Officers received a 911 call that a woman rang the doorbell of a home saying she had puppies she no longer wanted and couldnt care for. Police say the woman stated she didnt want to leave the dogs on the side of the road, so instead, she dropped them in front of a house and left. Investigators are now looking for the woman and plan to seek charges against her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen rescued from water after allegedly stealing alcohol from Joplin Caseys As for the puppies, Seneca police chief James Altic says they appear to be in good health, they just need good homes. Were going to hang onto them, were going to treat them like theyre our own, we take em to a vet, they get the shots they need and we attempt to adopt them out, its just a process, said Altic. Altic adds Seneca has two dog pounds run by part-time animal control, and both of those facilities are at capacity. He says anyone interested in adopting these puppies should contact the Seneca Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Firefighters in Washington, D.C., were called to the Cannon House Office Building on Thursday after a space heater caught fire. In a post on X, DC Fire and EMS said the call came in around 9:40 a.m. The fire department said companies found the small space heater in the hall. The fire was extinguished before crews arrived. ZooLights to transform Smithsonians National Zoo into winter wonderland for holidays Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the fire, the building was ventilated for smoke. Washington, D.C. fire engines parked outside of Cannon House Office Building after space heater fire on Nov. 21. (X/@dcfirems) (X/@dcfirems) The Cannon Building, completed in 1908, is the oldest congressional office building in the United States Congress and is an example of the Beaux Arts style of architecture. Currently, the Cannon Renewal Project is underway and involves a renovation of the buildings accessibility and structural issues. The project is expected to be completed in 2025. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Efforts urged to embrace brighter 'digital future' 08:31, November 21, 2024 By Cheng Yu, Li Jiaying and Chen Ye ( China Daily A bust of Wukong, the protagonist of the Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong, is displayed on Wednesday at the booth of Game Science, the developer of the popular game, at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province. The expo is part of the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit. (WANG JING/CHINA DAILY) China is willing to work with countries around the world to take the historical initiative in the information revolution and jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, in order to make the internet better benefit people and the world, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday. Xi made the remarks via video at the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, which opened in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, on Wednesday. Noting that a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation is rapidly advancing, Xi called for efforts to embrace digital, internet-based and smart development trends. He also called for accelerating innovative, safe, and inclusive growth in cyberspace, and jointly striving for a brighter "digital future". Addressing the event's opening ceremony, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang said that China will actively expand international cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain, and advance foundational research and innovation globally. The country's strong determination to build a better cyberspace not just for itself but for the global community as well has energized the digital sector, with domestic as well as international players pledging their support. Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Chinese technology company Xiaomi, said President Xi's call for an innovative, safe, and inclusive cyberspace was greatly inspiring. He pledged that Xiaomi will continue to take a leading role in ensuring that technology and the internet contribute meaningfully to the real economy and the world. That sentiment was echoed by Fang Ying, president of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson China, which has participated in the World Internet Conference since 2015. Fang reiterated the company's commitment to cooperating with telecommunication service providers and ecosystem partners in China and abroad to drive more good use of technology and AI. This year's Wuzhen summit, themed "Embracing a People-centered and AI-for-good Digital Future Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace", is expected to facilitate exchanges on hot issues like AI and cybersecurity. John Hoffman, CEO of mobile communication industry group GSMA, said, "China has emerged as a major player in AI, thanks to big investments, strong government support, and a booming tech landscape." Guo Kaitian, senior vice-president of Tencent Holdings, said that the company will continue to develop self-reliant technologies and prioritize information security to make AI "controllable, usable, and reliable". Xinhua contributed to this story. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) Every year around the Thanksgiving holiday, a strange ceremony happens in Washington, DC. The president stands outside the White House, gives a brief speech and then officially pardons a turkey. A pardon is a declaration that someone will not be punished. You might be asking yourself, "What is the connection between turkeys, Thanksgiving and grammar?" In today's report, we explore what turkeys can teach you about English verbs. In particular, we will show you how Thanksgiving can teach you to use stative verbs. We will also show you the difference between stative and progressive verbs. What is a stative verb? The term stative verb refers to a verb that has a stative meaning. In other words, these verbs show or describe conditions or situations that do not do anything but exist. Verbs that commonly have a stative meaning include: -verbs that show emotional states, such as love and dislike; -verbs that describe sense perceptions, such as smell or taste; -verbs that show existence, such as seem or look. In the present tense, a verb with a stative meaning is generally used in its simple form. "I love turkey," or "Americans like turkey" are two examples. Verbs that have stative meanings are generally not used in the progressive tense. So, you will probably not hear a native speaker say, "I am loving turkey," or "Americans are liking turkey." Thanksgiving and stative verbs Do not fear: we can use our Thanksgiving example to make the point clearer. Imagine you are at an American store. You hear a conversation between a customer and a store employee. The customer wants to buy a turkey that weighs 10 pounds, or 4.5 kilograms. Unlike the turkey from the pardoning ceremony, this turkey will have a sad fate: the dinner table. The conversation you hear might go like this: Customer: How much does that turkey weigh? Butcher: It weighs 10 pounds. Customer: How much does it cost? Butcher: It costs 20 dollars. In the dialogue, you can hear two examples of stative verbs: weigh and cost. The butcher said, "The turkey weighs 10 pounds, and "The turkey costs 20 dollars." In both cases, the verbs have a stative meaning: The butcher is describing a condition or situation that simply exists the weight and cost of the turkey. Now imagine you are eating Thanksgiving dinner with an American family. You might hear any one of the following sentences: "I love turkey!" "I dislike turkey." "The turkey smells wonderful!" "The food tastes great!" "The turkey seems undercooked." "The turkey looks awful." All these sentences include stative verbs. You might notice that the verbs are also in the simple present form. Why not use a progressive verb? So, why would an English speaker not say, "The turkey is seeming undercooked," or, "I am disliking turkey?" Susan Conrad and Douglas Biber are two English grammar experts. They say that, in general, English speakers use the progressive tense only when the subject of the verb actively controls the state or action. In addition, English speakers generally use the progressive only when the verb describes an action or state that happens over an extended period of time. So, you would not hear an English speaker say, "The turkey is seeming undercooked" because the subject of the verb, the turkey, does not control its state being undercooked. For the same reason, you would not hear an English speaker say, "I am disliking turkey," because the verb's subject, I, probably does not have control over the action of disliking turkey. Now, some verbs can have stative and progressive meanings. Consider these examples: "The food tastes good." "The president is tasting the food." In the first sentence, the food does not control whether it is good or bad. As a result, the verb taste has a stative meaning because it simply describes the condition of the food. In the second sentence, "The president is tasting the food," the subject of the verb, the president, has control over his action. In addition, the action takes place over an extended period of time: the president must think about tasting food, then raise the food to his mouth, then consider its quality. So, you could say that the verb taste in this example has a progressive meaning. What can you do? The next time you are reading or listening to the news, pay special attention to the verbs. Notice when the progressive form is used, and when the simple form is used. Then ask yourself why. Does the verb's subject control the action? Does the action occur over an extended period of time? Or does the verb simply describe a condition that exists? If you are still confused about whether you should use a simple or progressive verb in your own conversations, Conrad and Biber have one tip that might help you. They say that in conversations, English speakers use simple verbs around 120 times in every 1,000 words. Progressive verbs are much less common: they appear fewer than 20 times in every 1,000 words.* I'm Alice Bryant. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this lesson for Learning English. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. * See Conrad, Susan and Biber, Douglas. Real Grammar: A Corpus-Based Approach to English. Pearson-Longman. 2009. Pgs. 4-6 _______________________________________________ Words in This Story stative adj. expressing a state, condition, or relation progressive adj. of or relating to the progressive tense of a verb dislike v. to not like (something or someone) undercooked adj. not cooked enough MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish police have dismantled a gang based in the eastern city of Alicante that allegedly recruited Swedish and Danish teenagers to carry out murders as hitmen. Police said on Wednesday they had arrested a married Swedish couple and their 15-year-old son, who recruited other teenagers via the messaging app Telegram to commit murder, and are also accused of weapons and drugs trafficking and money laundering. The gang was dismantled before any murder was committed, a police spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early November, Swedish prosecutors detained one of the three in absentia - their identities are hidden - on suspicion of attempted murder, preparation for murder and weapons crimes in Sweden, Denmark and Spain. The alleged crimes took place during the spring and summer of 2024, prosecutors said. Sweden has faced a surge in organised crime which is spreading across Europe. In August, Denmark urged Sweden to do more to stop cross-border gang violence and put a stop to armed Swedish teenagers acting as "child soldiers". The 15-year-old son played a key role in the recruitment and payment of the other teenagers, the police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The probe started in May after police detained a Swedish teenager in Benalmadena, a town near Malaga, who had been recruited by the gang to kill a member of a rival biker gang, the police said. The teenager was sent an assault rifle and an escape plan involving an electric scooter, but he was arrested before he could carry out the murder. As part of a coordinated operation, Danish police also arrested two Swedish teenagers in May who had travelled to Denmark with the intent to kill, the Spanish police said. Police said their investigation had also revealed a major criminal network between Sweden and Eastern European countries. (Reporting by Javi West Larranaga, additional reporting by Johan Ahlander; editing by Inti Landauro and Christina Fincher) MIAMI, Okla. A Wyandotte special education teacher and her husband are in federal custody on allegations they abused their adopted and mentally disabled son. Jennifer Enyart, 44, is charged with child neglect in Indian Country and assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. She is a Special Education teacher at Wyandotte. Her husband, Keith, 52, is also charged with child neglect in Indian Country. Wyandotte Schools Superintendent, Brad Wade, said in a statement, On September 3, 2024, after learning of allegations against Mrs. Enyart, she was placed on administrative leave. The district has and will continue to cooperate with all investigating agencies. The school is working with its legal counsel to determine its next actions regarding Mrs. Enyarts employment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a 6-page federal criminal complaint and arrest affidavit, Jennifer Enyart is accused of using a stun gun on her 15-year-old mentally disabled sons genitals. A child abuse pediatric examination report showed that several of the childs injuries were consistent with the use of a taser or stun gun, court records show. The report concluded the teens injuries were likely the result of child abuse. The teen was discovered to have many visible injuries on his body, including bruises, cuts on his ears, scabs, and loop pattern injuries, the affidavit states. Loop pattern injuries are marks on the body caused by striking a person with a rope, cord, or electrical belt. Keith Enyart/Mugshot Tulsa County jail The Enyarts have three biological children and four adopted children. The alleged victim is one of the adopted children. The other adopted children are 16, 12, and 6, and two of the adopted children are members of the Choctaw Nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A witness reported to federal investigators Jennifer Enyart showed her a video from Enyarts cell phone of the teen being physically beaten by his older brother. Jennifer Enyart indicated she thought the video was funny and the teen deserved the beating, the affidavit states. Investigators reported the teens older brother and younger siblings physically beat the teen at the request of Jennifer and Keith Enyart. The 16-year-old sibling told investigators, (H)e used to be the main victim of physical abuse, but now he physically abuses his younger brother, court records reflect. When confronted about the injuries, the Enyarts told investigators their son received his injuries at their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the first time the Enyarts have been the subject of a child abuse investigation. In December 2023, Indian Child Welfare and state child investigators went to the Enyart residence to investigate allegations of abuse. An ICW staff member said Keith Enyart told them that there are cameras all over the house so that when something happens him or Jennifer knows. Investigators noted the cameras were still in the residence in September. The Enyarts are in federal custody. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) Theres a new place providing special care in the Valley. Watson Community Health Centre is open along Boardman-Canfield Road. It provides community support and health care services, including therapy and counseling. Watson Community Health Centres main headquarters is in Cleveland, and it saw a need to expand to the Youngstown area. Most of our services are mainly therapy, counseling, social services and crisis intervention. We utilize an evidence-based practice method for counseling and therapy, said Yaleita Watson, owner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watsons clinicians provide care to help clients achieve personal growth, handle lifes challenges, and enhance well-being. The office has been open for a couple of 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 WKBN.com. Spelman College announced on Thursday that its president will not be returning from her personal leave of absence. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Dr. Helene Gayle became Spelmans 11th college president in 2022. She took an extended leave on Oct. 18. The college expressed its deep admiration for Gayle and her service as president in a letter sent to the Spelman community. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roz Brewer will continue to serve as interim president. Brewer has been a longtime board of trustee member and is a graduate of Spelman. Gayle became Spelmans president after former president Mary Schmidt Campbell retired. The school is part of the Atlanta University Center, a consortium of four historically Black schools. Before working at Spelman, Gayle was president of the Chicago Community Trust, one of the nations largest community foundations. She is also an epidemiologist who spent decades fighting AIDS and HIV and led an international anti-poverty group. Brewer had been involved in overseeing the college for 17 years. She spent 12 years as board chair, where she worked with three Spelman presidents and chaired the two most successful fundraising campaigns in the colleges history. She also previously served as president and CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, chief operating officer of Starbucks and CEO of Sams Club. The Associated Press contributed to this article. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) A Spencer County woman has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after a jury convicted her for serious injuries to a three-year-old child. According to the Spencer County Prosecutors Office, on July 26, following a five-day trial, a Spencer County jury found Ariel Ragan, 31, of Rockport, guilty of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury for the serious injuries suffered by her three year old step-grandson. According to testimony elicited at trial, on July 20, 2023, while in the sole care of Ragan, the young child was discovered by next door neighbors lying unconscious on the doorsteps of Ragans residence suffering from a fractured spine, subdural bilateral hematoma brain injury, intra-oral tearing of the mouth and countless lacerations and bruising covering the entirety of his body. Woman charged in deadly Labor Day crash pleads guilty to all charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say Prosecutor Megan Bennet and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Eric Tempel presented evidence to the jury revealing Ragan failed to ever request emergency services despite the condition of the child and her neighbors, acting as Good Samaritans, intervened immediately upon their discovery. The neighbors rendered CPR to keep the child from dying while awaiting first responders. The Spencer County Prosecutors Office says Lieutenant Deputy Ryan Parsley, along with Paramedic Bruce Nanney, were among the first responders whom engaged in life-saving measures to the child. During subsequent emergency treatment, medical professionals determined that the injuries sustained by the victim were non-accidental. Indiana State Police Detective Josh Greer along with other law enforcement officials conducted a thorough investigation which revealed the Defendants role in being responsible for the injuries sustained by the child. Officials say upon Ragans conviction handed down by the jury, she faced a sentencing range of three years minimum to sixteen years maximum. During a sentencing hearing held on September 13, the state presented evidence and made pointed arguments for several aggravating factors while requesting a 15 year sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC). Spencer Circuit Court Judge Jon Dartt ultimately sided with the States position sentencing Ragan to serve 15 years executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Arrest made two years after Spencer County armed robbery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spencer County Prosecutors Office says the jury had previously deadlocked on additional charges including Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Less than 14 Years of Age, so the State sought another jury trial which was scheduled to begin on December 2. Ultimately, Ragan agreed on November 20 to plead guilty with admission to Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury to a Person Less than 14 Years of Age in exchange for waiving her appellate rights and being sentenced to a 10 year IDOC sentence to run concurrent to the previously ordered 15 years. Prosecutor Megan Bennet stated, Everyone involved from investigation to prosecution of this case was deeply impacted and emotionally invested to see this 3-year-old victim make a successful recovery after he suffered greatly at the hands of Ariel Ragan. No child should ever undergo the physical and emotional pain that this young victim endured and we are all thankful that he is thriving today. Justice was achieved in this case because of the hard work put in by all investigating agencies, medical personnel, and numerous service providers in Spencer County. The Prosecutors Office commends and thanks all for the joint efforts employed to ensure a just outcome occurred for this 3-year-old survivor of abuse and neglect. (Courtesy: Spencer County Prosecutors Office) Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Springfield city officials gathered on State Street in front of Central Library Wednesday to discuss ways to make street crossing safer for pedestrians. Springfield Public Schools Committee releases session FAQs and agreement on camera access with SPD The Springfield Central Library is located across the street from its parking lot which makes it difficult for the community to get across the street safely. To ensure the safety of those in the community, Springfield city officials announced some road improvements on State Street including a raised platform to slow drivers down, a crosswalk, and a light to direct pedestrians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement comes after numerous pedestrian accidents. Just a few years ago, Springfield City Librarian Gayle Ball was struck by a vehicle and killed while crossing State Street as she left work. The director at the Springfield Library Molly Fogarty spoke to 22News about what these improvements mean to the library. I think it shows the city is committed to everyones safety, Fogarty explained. It sends a message to drivers that they need to pay more attention when they are driving. I see people go through red lights when I am driving through State Street. As of October 3rd of this year, Springfield saw six deadly pedestrian crashes. And the number of pedestrian accidents continues to grow not just here in Massachusetts but across the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this new plan, city officials say they hope this minimizes the number of pedestrian accidents and deaths in the city. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) The city of Springfield will receive $100,000 in grant funding to help with issues arising from its time in the national spotlight. The grant from the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation will aid with translation services and increased security costs following bomb threats directed towards city hall, which caused uncertainty around the city. The Ohio Mayors Alliance, a bipartisan group of 31 area mayors, provided the grant through an Emergency Relief Fund established after a visit to Springfield in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bringing mayors together to support one another in a time of crisis is essential to our mission at the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation, said Executive Director Keary McCarthy in a press release. We are incredibly thankful for the timely support from the Ohio Mayors Alliance Foundation during this challenging period. This grant will play a crucial role in helping us address language barriers and better serve our Haitian community. In addition, the unforeseen security challenges weve faced over the past months have placed significant strain on our resources, and this funding will help alleviate some of the financial pressures associated with implementing enhanced security measures. Springfield Mayor Rob Rue DeWine sending OSP Field Force members to Springfield schools For more information on the mayoral alliance click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A Springfield man was sentenced to prison in connection with the distribution of approximately 50 ghost guns and 60 Glock switch machinegun conversion devices. Springfield man died after officer-involved shooting According to court documents, between February 22, 2022, and December 2, 2022, 24-year-old Edward Nathan Gale engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of approximately 50 privately manufactured firearms, commonly referred to as ghost guns, to individuals in Kansas and Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, between approximately October 11, 2022, and December 8, 2022, Gale imported Glock-style machinegun conversion devices, known as Glock switches, from China. Gale distributed approximately 60 of these conversion devices in Massachusetts and other locations, alongside other firearms and a silencer. A search of Gales residence in January 2023, led to the recovery of a Pioneer Arms semi-automatic rifle, numerous rounds of ammunition, various tools, parts, and accessories used for manufacturing ghost guns, and evidence of Gales importation and distribution of Glock switches. Gales previous felony conviction made his possession of the rifle, ammunition, and Glock switches illegal. Furthermore, Gale was not licensed to manufacture or distribute firearms, rendering his actions illegal. Gale pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, unlawful firearms dealing, and unlawful possession of machineguns. On Wednesday he was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Chicagos budget gap could grow even bigger thanks to a tax flap in Springfield that is expected to set the city back another $40 million in revenue next year. Following an amendment this week on the prepaid cellphone tax during the Illinois General Assemblys veto session, Mayor Brandon Johnsons budget headache seems likely to worsen as he tries to get the City Council to agree to a proposal to balance the 2025 spending package, several aldermen told the Tribune. Johnson administration lobbyists told aldermen the change, which was most recently updated in both chambers of the General Assembly this Wednesday, will cost Chicago about $40 million in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is extremely frustrating, Ald. Ruth Cruz, 30th, said. With this happening now, it means there is not a balanced budget. A change creating a distinction between taxes on prepaid phone services attached to a tangible item such as a calling card, phone and those on other prepaid phone plans had been set to go into effect Jan. 1. But state legislators delayed the start date, which the state Department of Revenue said was necessary to account for issues with implementation. The phone tax issue is just one part of the dilemma for Johnson amid an already uphill budget process thats seen him and the City Council butting heads over how to plug a nearly $1 billion budget gap for 2025. The bill now sits at Gov. JB Pritzkers desk for approval. Several aldermen told the Tribune state representatives will try to secure the funding Chicago expected with more legislative changes early next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnsons administration did not respond to questions about the budget blow Thursday. The mayors plan to balance a $17.3 billion budget has faced a series of hurdles, including delays to the timetable that push the final vote closer and closer to the required Dec. 31 deadline to finalize the spending plan. Last week, aldermen flexed their muscle when they voted 50-0 to shoot down his proposed $300 million property tax hike. The mayor has since lowered the number to $150 million, though some notable allies are still rejecting it. Along the way, Johnson has implored his state government counterparts to step up and help him shore up so-called progressive revenue to combat the citys structural deficit. But City Hall-Springfield relations, ever a delicate dance, have been strained throughout his tenure as hes made little inroads with advocating for his agenda there. To that end, aldermen on Thursday already began pointing the finger at how the Johnson administration has handled its intergovernmental affairs office, which is tasked with lobbying not only the City Council but also Springfield and other levels of government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That office has seen remarkable turnover, with two leaders and one interim head departing in the past year and a half, on top of several vacancies. Johnsons deputy IGA director who handles state government, Mike Ciaccio, also recently tendered his resignation, effective at the end of this month. It highlights the citys futility when it comes to a Springfield presence, Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, said. We really have no effective Springfield lobbying team, and that really shows up in moments like this. This is inexcusable. Cruz said she wants to hear from state senators why they made the change. Everybody deserves to know what happened, she said. I want to know who voted for this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rob Karr, president and CEO of Illinois Retail Merchants Association, a lobbying group that includes cellphone stores, applauded the update to the tax Thursday. IRMA did not kill the mayors proposed telecom tax increase, but we would be happy to take credit for protecting low-income users, Karr said in a statement. The city is not meaningfully nor consistently engaged in Springfield. IRMA remains ready to offer assistance on issues where we align as we have always done with previous administrations but prior to today, we have not seen a clear effort from the mayors office to do so. The Springfield fall veto session was expected to wrap up Thursday. This week, representatives from Johnsons administration, including chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas, were spotted at the statehouse during session. Sen. Celina Villanueva of Chicago, who chairs the Revenue Committee, on Thursday said she didnt know any dollar amount effect on the city of Chicago from revenue legislation passed this week and directed questions to the city, governors office and state agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committees vice chair, Sen. Robert Martwick of Chicago, said after the bill was passed he couldnt say for sure whether it would have a negative impact on Chicagos revenue, but if it did, without a doubt thats something that well have to look into amending. Thats definitely something we have to look into, because Chicago is not in a position we should not be stealing from Chicago to bolster our revenues here at the state, Martwick said. He also noted that no one with the city vocally opposed the revenue clean-up legislation at the Senate Revenue Committee hearing on it earlier this week. A lobbyist with the city of Chicago filed a witness slip in opposition to the bill but did not speak at the hearing. Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin contributed. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) A complex investigation into a Springfield mans murder has resulted in an arrest five years after the crime. The Springfield Police Department said every resource and division within the department was used to investigate the death of 45-year-old Joseph M. Sommer II. On April 29, 2019, officers responded to a home at 7th Street and Black Avenue and found Sommer dead, with a single gunshot wound to his upper body. Teenager found guilty in 2022 murder of Urbana Lyft driver Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Springfield Police said that after an investigative follow-up that included hours of interviews and processing of physical evidence, they arrested a 36-year-old woman in the case. Morgan C. Allin was arrested on Nov. 5 and was indicted by a grand jury five days later on three counts of first-degree murder. She made a court appearance on Thursday, where she was formally arraigned. Allin remains in custody at the Sangamon County Jail, and her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025. The Springfield Police Department was assisted in the investigation by several other federal and state agencies, which included the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Secret Service, the United States Marshals Service, the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Illinois State Police Crime Laboratory and the Sangamon County States Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Springfield Public School Committee is inviting the community to learn more about the agreement between the citys public schools and police department. Springfield city officials address ways to make State Street safer for pedestrians Just last week the committee hosted a public input session for the community to ask questions regarding the agreement. In the case of a public emergency, the citys police department can request access to view surveillance cameras inside and outside Springfield Public Schools. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A St. Louis County business owner discovered that an accountant had misused $40,000 in company funds on personal purchases and rent payments while covering the books during her vacation. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Adina Houska, 37, with 15 felony counts of fraudulent use of a credit/debit device after a lengthy investigation. According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Houska took a vacation for several weeks in the summer of 2023. During her absence, the business owner kept tracks of the books and discovered tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorized transactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eureka family loses home in fire, dog alerts them to flames Investigators say the first red flag came when the business owner noticed that Houska used the companys corporate account with Amazon to order merchandise that was delivered to her home address. A deeper investigation revealed that Houska used three company credit cards at several locations within the St. Louis region and for online purchases. Records indicated transactions at Amazon, Aldi, Target, Qdoba, Lions Choice and several other businesses. Court documents allege that Houska also used two corporate credits cards to pay her monthly rent on eight occasions, with transactions ranging from $1,700 to $3,700 per payment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Houska is accused of making at least $40,000 in unauthorized transactions from November 2021 to June 2023, according to investigators. Charges were formally filed on Wednesday after Houska turned herself in to authorities last week, according to court documents. While the name of her employer was not disclosed, court records state that Houska worked at the company for several years. Houska has a criminal setting hearing scheduled for Jan. 8, 2025, according to online Missouri court records. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. ST. LOUIS A groundbreaking effort to combat homelessness and health disparities in north St. Louis is now complete. Doorways is offering permanent housing for individuals living with HIV, aiming to reshape lives. Elliot Place is one of the 39 permanent housing units that are on Doorways campus that are for residents living with HIV. Now our folks can literally walk downstairs from their apartments. They have career services on site, we have a food pantry on site, we have behavioral health on site, and now they can get their medications at the BOCA pharmacy, President and CEO of Doorways Opal Jones said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the BOCA Pharmacy is open not only to the Doorways residents but also filling that essential gap to this pharmacy desert. Eureka family loses home in fire, dog alerts them to flames There is not another pharmacy within two square miles on here. So to think about the redevelopment of north St. Louis, its just a value add all the way around, Jones added. Doorways has officially completed its North Jefferson campus in north St. Louis with Elliot Place, a $40 million housing complex. These one and two-bedroom units are intentionally unfurnished, allowing residents to make the space their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of the designs sensibility space focuses on human health. So, were really interested in natural light in the space. There are a lot of biophilic elements, so connections to the landscape and nature are really important for someone who is living here, Senior Project Manager Neil Chance said. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, there are over 8,000 cases of HIV in the City of St. Louis. Addressing this pressing need, Elliott Place helps with housing for those referred through medical case management. By the end of the year, sometime in January well be full, but there is a really long wait list for Doorways services just in general. We cant build enough housing for what the need is, Jones said. Elliot Place units are equipped with a handicap-accessible bathroom, a peninsula-style kitchen, and in-unit laundry facilities, along with a community center. The president of Doorways expects to have 100 residents living on campus once they reach capacity, and she believes these facilities are transforming lives while strengthening the Jeff-Vander-Lou community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. ST. LOUIS Mayors of Missouris four largest cities, including St. Louis mayor Tishaura Jones, recently sent a letter to Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe, urging him to prioritize efforts to combat youth gun violence. Springfield (Mo.) Mayor Ken McClure led the letter, which was also co-signed by Jones, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe. The letter cites alarming trends in youth-related shootings across the entire state, noting that 21 reported shootings last year in Springfield involved suspects who were 18 or under. It also mentioned that 15 children have lost lives to gun violence in Kansas City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Louis-area accountant busted in $40K shopping spree while on vacation As of early November, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reports of 52 juvenile shooting victims in the 2024 calendar year. While juvenile shooting incidents and juvenile shooting victims continue to decrease in the City of St. Louis, Mayor Jones is hopeful that this letter will help underscore to the governor-elect the importance of working with local officials and passing common-sense legislation at the state level that establishes a prohibition of juveniles possessing a handgun, said Conner Kerrigan, a spokesperson for the St. Louis Mayors Office. The letter advocates for changing state law to align with federal regulations that prohibit minors from possessing handguns. The mayors also call for an improved system with reporting on weapons-related incidents in schools and the creation of a public database to inform parents of youth gun violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayors expressed a willingness to collaborate with Kehoe and local law enforcement on solutions to reduce crime and improve public safety. We hope that, as you convene your cabinet and your advisors, you will consider us willing partners and active collaborators to address public safety, and specifically, youth violence, the letter concludes. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Politics Kehoe has served as Missouris lieutenant governor in 2018 after predecessor Mike Parson assumed governorship following the resignation of Eric Greitens. He will again succeed Parson in January as the states 58th governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to then, Kehoe had a background in legislative roles in Missouri, spending seven years of experience in the Missouri Senate, three as a majority leader. After claiming victory in the Nov. 5 election, Kehoe reiterated that some of his top priorities were to crack down on crime, back law enforcement, strengthen public education, expand school choice options, and support tax cuts. A copy of the letter sent to Kehoe is attached in the slideshow below: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. The News The US has been called the Wild West when it comes to AI safety due to a lack of federal governance compared to other countries. But that hasnt impaired its status as the top AI ecosystem in the world, according to a Stanford University ranking. Stanfords Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) has created a tool that measures the strength of AI ecosystems based on a countrys economy, infrastructure, education, and yes governance. Those metrics led a panel of experts to designate the US as the worlds AI powerhouse by a landslide because of its high number of existing models, notable private investments, and research on responsible AI. China follows, with strengths in its number of patents granted, investment, and clear national strategy. Since the beginning, its been those two countries one, two. That hasnt changed, Ray Perrault, who co-directed the project, told Semafor. Those countries are both significantly above everyone else, and they were always significantly above everyone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stanford HAI began measuring national competencies and ranking countries in 2017. On Thursday, it released its tool where users can apply different weights to categories like available infrastructure over constituents public opinion of AI, for example to see how they impact the rankings. Stanfords own list has weights applied to different categories, assigning research and development, as well as the economy, as most important. Know More As the US and China battle for dominance in emerging technology that could have the same economic and geopolitical impacts as oil, Stanford HAIs analysis indicates the US is better positioned as an AI growth incubator. But both countries are pulling their regulatory strings to make headway. The US has restricted shipments of domestic chips to China and curbed investments in Chinese AI in the name of national security. The Chinese government has directed funds to domestic AI companies and worked to expand its data center infrastructure. Its a critical time for AI as President-elect Donald Trump is expected to relax regulations and beef up competition with China. Experts anticipate modifications to the CHIPS Act, which Trump called a bad deal. There is also chatter about an AI Manhattan Project, as Semafor covered Wednesday. Step Back While the US leads Stanford HAIs overall list, it ranks sixth in policy and governance, behind a series of European countries and South Korea. This is partly because Europe tends to pass laws ahead of the curve, whereas the US uses class-action lawsuits as a key tool for regulation. While Europe may have more upfront rules, it also struggles to keep pace with quickly evolving technologies. Other countries can benefit from watching how the regulations play out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not being at the bleeding edge of regulation is not necessarily a bad thing, Perrault said. Room for Disagreement While the tool attempts to quantify the state of AI in various countries, Perrault acknowledged gaps in the data. Some countries lacked available data in specific categories, which may impact the overall rankings. Chinas economic data, for example, isnt as complete as that of the US in the model. There is also no measure for the amount of public investment in AI research around the world. Benjamin Netanyahu accused International Criminal Court judges of holding anti-Semitic hatred toward Israel after it issued arrest warrants against him and the countrys former defence minister. The Israeli prime minister showed his contempt for the decision by launching a personal attack against Karim Khan, the ICCs chief prosecutor. The decision was made by a corrupt chief prosecutor attempting to save himself from serious allegations of sexual harassment, and by biased judges driven by anti-Semitic hatred toward Israel, Mr Netanyahu said on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, Israels former defence minister, have been accused by the ICC of crimes against humanity and war crimes for their role in the war against Hamas in Gaza. The ICCs decision means the politicians risk being arrested in any of the 124 countries that are signed up to the court. Both Israel and the US have argued the ICC does not have any jurisdiction over the Jewish state as it is not a member of the court. We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision, the White House said in a firm rebuke of the arrest warrants on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter. The court also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif, the Hamas military chief, who is seen as the orchestrator of the Oct 7 attacks. Israel claimed to have killed Deif earlier this year, which Hamas is yet to confirm. An Israeli official told The Telegraph that the arrest warrant was expected but that the government considers it an outrageous, political move. I find it hard to believe that any of Israels allies will arrest a sitting prime minister, but we are in touch with all of them now to figure out how to contain the situation, the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Netanyahu compared the arrest warrants to a modern-day Dreyfus trial and it will end in the same way. It was in reference to an infamous 19th century court case in which Alfred Dreyfus, a French Jewish army captain, was wrongly convicted of treason. Mr Netanyahu accused Mr Khan, the ICCs chief prosecutor, who is British, of lying when he told American senators that he would take no action until he had visited Israel. Instead, he cancelled his arrival in Israel last May, several days after suspicions of sexual harassment were made against him, and announced his intention to issue arrest warrants, the prime minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Gallant, who was recently fired by Mr Netanyahu, also delivered an angry reaction to his arrest warrant, saying it will be remembered in infamy. It places the State of Israel and the murderous Hamas leaders on the same level, thereby legitimising the murder of babies, the rape of women and the kidnapping of elderly people from their beds, said Mr Gallant. PM respects independence of the ICC Sir Keir Starmer backed the ICC after it issued the warrants. When asked about the issue, Sir Keirs official spokesman said the Government respected the independence of the court but declined to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived in the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesman said: We respect the independence of the ICC, which is the primary institutional institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes in relation to international law. This Government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terror groups. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza. Isaac Herzog, Israels president, described the ICCs decision as a dark day for justice and humanity and said the arrest warrants were issued in bad faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israels national security minister, echoed accusations of anti-Semitism against the ICC and said the government should respond by annexing the West Bank. Joe Biden, the US president, said: The ICC issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli leaders is outrageous. Let me be clear once again: whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence none between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security. Mike Waltz, Donald Trumps pick for national security adviser, said the court should expect a strong response to the anti-Semitic bias of the ICC and United Nations come January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator, called on Washington to sanction the ICC in response to its decision. The arrest warrants were welcomed by Hamas, who said they represented an important step towards justice. Basem Naim, a Hamas official, said: It can lead to redress for the victims in general, but it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, also praised the decision, which he said restores hope and trust not only in international law along with UN institutions, but also in the importance of justice, accountability and prosecution of war criminals. Beyond the reach of the law Some human rights groups also applauded the arrest warrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balkees Jarrah, the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, said they break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law. Peace Now, the Israeli NGO, said the war against Hamas has become disproportionate, allegedly using unlawful means such as starvation. Under Netanyahus leadership, Israel has become a pariah state, and this is a low point in our history as a people and a nation. The ICC has no power to enforce its warrants but any country that has signed the Rome Statute, which established the courts existence, would be obliged to arrest Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant. Mr Khan said in a statement: I appeal to all States Parties to live up to their commitment to the Rome Statute by respecting and complying with these judicial orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also called on countries that are not members of the ICC to work together towards upholding international law. 07:53 PM GMT Round-up of todays events Thank you for following our live blog. Here is a round-up of todays events. The International Criminal Courts most senior prosecutor has urged the bodys 124 members to act on arrest warrants issued against Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. Sir Keir Starmer has backed the ICCs decision to issue a warrant for Netanyahu. He declined to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived in the UK. The United States fundamentally rejects the ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, a White House national security council spokesman said and is deeply concerned by the decision to do so. Italys defence minister, Guido Crosetto, said his country would be obliged to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited. 07:34 PM GMT White House is deeply concerned by decision to issue arrest warrants The White House has said it remains deeply concerned by the ICCs decision to seek arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister. 07:19 PM GMT Italy is bound by ICC to act on arrest warrants, says Crosetto Italys defence minister, Guido Crosetto, said his country would be obliged to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited. Crosetto, whose country holds the G7 rotating presidency this year, told RAI televisions Porta a Porta programme said that if Netanyahu or Gallant were to come to Italy, we would have to arrest them. It was not a political choice but Italy was bound as a member of the ICC to act on the courts warrants, Crosetto said. 06:49 PM GMT Netanyahu: ICC warrant wont stop me from continuing to defend Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has said the warrant issued for his arrest by the ICC wont stop me from continuing to defend Israel. 06:35 PM GMT Dutchs Foreign Minister cancels trip to Israel Caspar Veldkamp, The Netherlands Foreign Minister, has cancelled his trip to Israel, the Dutch news agency ANP has said, citing leaked plans of the trip as the reason. 06:12 PM GMT Italian government will arrest Netanyahu if he came to country The Italian government would have to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to the country, its defence minister Guido Crosetto has said. 05:35 PM GMT ICC prosecutor urges its 124 members to act on arrest warrants The International Criminal Courts most senior prosecutor has urged the bodys 124 members to act on arrest warrants issued against Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The ICC has no power to enforce its warrants but technically, any country that has signed the Rome Statue would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu or Gallant. Karim Khan in a statement, the ICCs chief prosecutor, said in a statement:I appeal to all States Parties to live up to their commitment to the Rome Statute by respecting and complying with these judicial orders. He also called on countries that are not members of the ICC to work together towards upholding international law. Khan said his investigation into the situation in Gaza was continuing and his team was looking into additional lines of inquiry in areas under the Courts jurisdiction, which include Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. 05:30 PM GMT Turkey praises ICC decision to issue ICC arrest warrants. Hakan Fidan, Turkeys foreign minister, hailed as a very important step the decision by the ICC to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister He wrote on X: This decision is an extremely important step in bringing to justice the Israeli authorities who committed genocide against Palestinians. 05:20 PM GMT ICC prosecutor urges members to live up to their commitments Karim Ahmad Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, has urged members to comply with arrest warrants. He said that countries that belong to the court must live up to their commitments and has also called on the co-operation of non members. 04:45 PM GMT Trudeau: We will abide by rulings of the ICC Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, has said his government will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the International Criminal Courts. He told a televised news conference. Its really important that everyone abide by international law. We stand up for international law, and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts. 04:31 PM GMT Palestine welcomes arrest warrants for Netanyahu The Palestinian Authority welcomed the International Criminal Courts arrest warrants on Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICCs decision represents hope and confidence in international law and its institutions, it said in a statement published by official Palestinian news agency Wafa, and urged ICC members to enforce a policy of severing contact and meetings with internationally wanted individuals, Netanyahu and (Yoav) Gallant. 04:21 PM GMT Starmer backs ICC warrant Sir Keir Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. When asked about the issue, Sir Keirs official spokesman said the Government respected the independence of the court. He declined to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he arrived in the UK. The spokesman said: We respect the independence of the ICC, which is the primary institutional institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes in relation to international law. This Government has been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself in accordance with international law. There is no moral equivalence between Israel, a democracy and Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah, which are terror groups. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza. Under the Conservatives, the British government had told the court it intended to challenge the plans for the arrest warrants. However weeks after coming to power, Sir Starmers government reversed that position and said it would not object. 03:48 PM GMT US rejects ICC decision to issue arrest warrants The United States fundamentally rejects the ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, a White House national security council spokesman said. We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision, the spokesman added. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Donald Trump, called for the Senate to sanction the ICC, saying the court was a dangerous joke. It is now time for the US Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body. 03:33 PM GMT Suella Braverman: ICC is making a mockery of the law Suella Braverman has accused the ICC of making a mockery of the law, writes Dominic Penna. The Tory MP and former home secretary told The Telegraph: The issuing of an arrest warrant from the ICC for Israeli Ministers is outrageous and brings the ICC into disrepute. Israel is fighting for survival against Hamas terrorists who wish to wipe Jewish people off the face of the earth. To equate Hamas brutality with legitimate defensive measures of the democratically elected Israeli government is absurd and brings the ICC to shame. That this Labour government effectively supports the ICCs action puts the UK at odds with one of our closest allies in the Middle East. The ICC has lost credibility with this politicised decision which has no objective evidential basis. Theyve made a mockery of the law and undermined the international rules based system. 03:21 PM GMT UK should not enforce farcical arrest warrant, says Robert Jenrick Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said the ICC now has no credibility, writes Dominic Penna. Mr Jenrick said: The UK should not enforce this farcical arrest warrant from a politicised court that is itself mired in scandal. This latest decision will only fuel the growing perception the ICC is a kangaroo court. Equating Israels war of self defence with Hamas is absurd. The ICC has no credibility when it turns a blind eye to the crimes of tyrants like Khomeini and Putin. 03:14 PM GMT Irelands PM: ICC arrest warrants is extremely significant step Irelands prime minister has said the ICCs issuing of arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Dief is an extremely significant step. The court points to reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility for crimes perpetrated in the war in Gaza, Simon Harris said. Mr Harris also pointed to the arrest warrant for Hamas commander Mohammed Dief, who Israel claims to have killed earlier this year. The court points to reasonable grounds that Mr Deif ... is responsible for crimes against humanity, Mr Harris noted. The Irish leader said his government has long expressed profound concern that rules of international humanitarian law have not been upheld during the war in Gaza. 02:45 PM GMT Priti Patel: ICC decision is deeply concerning and provocative Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: The decision by the ICC to issue arrest warrants for the democratically elected leader of Israel and Israels former defence minister is deeply concerning and provocative. This will do nothing to bring about the release of all hostages held and the bringing of much-needed aid into Gaza. In issuing these warrants, the ICC are drawing a moral equivalence with the actions of the terrorist leadership of Hamas, which it is wrong to do. The Conservative Government did not believe the ICC has jurisdiction in this area, as Israel is not a signatory to the Rome statute, and because Palestine is not recognised as a state. The Labour Government must condemn and challenge the ICCs decision. 02:37 PM GMT Netanyahu compares ICC ruling to modern-day Dreyfus trial Benjamin Netanyahus office has released a statement comparing the ICCs ruling to the Dreyfus affair of 1894, when the French government wrongly convicted a Jewish army officer of treason. The anti-Semitic decision of the International Criminal Court is comparable to the modern-day Dreyfus trial -- and it will end in the same way, Netanyahu said, referencing the fact the French state eventually exonerated Albert Dreyfus. Mr Netanyahu added that the decision to issue an arrest warrant was made by a corrupt chief prosecutor attempting to save himself from serious allegations of sexual harassment. The ICC announced earlier this month that Karim Khan, its chief prosecutor, would face an external investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Mr Khan has denied all the allegations and vowed to cooperate with the investigation. 01:52 PM GMT Pictured: Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif As well as issuing arrest warrants for Israels prime minister and former defence minister, the ICC also sought the arrest of Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Israel has claimed that it killed Deif earlier this year. A shadowy figure, he had been on Israels most wanted list for nearly three decades and survived at least seven assassination attempts that left him with impaired sight and movement. Senior Hamas leader Mohammed Deif 01:28 PM GMT The ICC has turned universal justice into a laughing stock, Israeli president says Israels president has attacked the ICCs arrest warrant decision, saying the court has turned universal justice into a laughing stock. It makes a mockery of the sacrifice of all those who fight for justice - from the Allied victory over the Nazis till today, Isaac Herzog said. He added: It ignores the basic fact that Israel was barbarically attacked and has the duty and right to defend its people. It ignores the fact that Israel is a vibrant democracy, acting under international humanitarian law, and going to great lengths to provide for the humanitarian needs of the civilian population. 01:12 PM GMT Arrest warrants are assault on justice and truth, Israeli parliament speaker says The ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is an assault on justice, truth, and the universal right of self-defence, the Israeli parliament speaker has said. In a statement, Amir Ohana went on to say that the decision marks a dark day in the history of international law. Continuing, Mr Ohana said the ICC had chosen to politicise its mandate, turning itself into a tool of terrorists and those who seek to delegitimise Israels right to exist. He called on democracies across the world to take heed of the dangerous precedent this decision sets, threatening all nations fighting the scourge of terrorism. We reject this decision with the full moral force of our conviction and will continue to act decisively to defend our people and our sovereignty. Mr Ohana signed off the message by saying that the ICC didnt get the memo on Mohammed Deif. The ICC also issued an arrest for Deif, the leader of Hamas military wing, who Israel claims to have killed earlier this year. Benjamin Netanyahu arriving at the Netzarim Corridor, Israels main military supply route into the Gaza Strip, Nov 19 - Israeli government press office/AFP 12:59 PM GMT Human rights groups applaud Netanyahu arrest warrant Some human rights groups have applauded the ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law, the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. ActionAid, an international charity that works with women living in poverty, said it welcomed the ICCs move. It added: The Pre-Trial Chambers finding that Israeli officials Netanyahu and Gallant intentionally deprived civilians in Gaza of essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and fuel is a grave indictment of their barbaric actions in Gaza. Hundreds of people gather near the US Embassy building to demonstrate for a ceasefire in Gaza - Anadolu 12:51 PM GMT Benny Gantz condemns ICC decision Benny Gantz, a political rival to Benjamin Netanyahu, has condemned the ICCs decision to order the arrest of the Israeli prime minister and former defence secretary Yoav Gallant. Mr Gantz said the move showed moral blindness and was a shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten. 12:46 PM GMT House of Commons reacts to ICC arrest warrants Bob Blackman, the chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory MPs, shared a post saying the ICC gave Hamas a strategic win with its ruling. Two Labour MPs who are currently serving six-month suspensions from the party both called on Sir Keir Starmer to back the ICCs ruling. Jeremy Corbyn, who now sits as an independent MP after losing the Labour whip, said: The ICCs arrest warrants are long overdue. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary must immediately endorse this decision. That is the bare minimum. Will the UK Government now, finally, honour its international obligations to prevent genocide and end all arms sales to Israel? Zarah Sultana, the MP for Coventry South, said: The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The UK government must comply with the ICC, end all arms sales, impose economic sanctions & suspend its trade deal with Israel. Nothing less will do. Apsana Begum, the MP for Poplar and Limehouse, added: The ICC have now issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netayanhu and Yaov Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The UK Government needs to get behind the ICC now, uphold international law and end its own complicity. 12:43 PM GMT Farage: The ICC loses more credibility with each day that passes Nigel Farage has criticised the ICCs decision to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, saying the court loses more credibility with each day that passes. The Reform UK leader said in March that there was a growing prejudice against Israel and Israelis beginning to run through Britains public services. 12:33 PM GMT Arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism, Israeli opposition leader says Arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Courts (ICC) for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant are a reward for terrorism, Israels opposition leader has said. Yair Lapid, from the centrist Yesh Atid party, said he condemned the ICCs decision and that Israel had been defending itself against terrorist organisations that attacked, murdered and raped our citizens. 12:22 PM GMT Hello and welcome to our live coverage Were bringing you the latest updates after arrest warrants were issued for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, and Yoav Gallant, his former defence minister, by the International Criminal Court. 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. Sir Keir Starmer has relied on two blokes with a cup of tea and a calculator at BBC Verify to back up his figures over the inheritance tax raid on farmers, the head of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has said. Earlier this week, the Prime Minister insisted that most farmers would be unaffected by the policy, which will make farms worth more than 1 million eligible for inheritance tax. He said: All of you can check out what that means in terms of the impact. I think the BBC has already done it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But speaking at the CLAs annual conference on Thursday, Victoria Vyvyan, said a stupid row over the number of farmers was a distraction. She added: The Prime Minister is reduced to claiming that his numbers are backed up by BBC Verify, two blokes with a cup of tea and a calculator. Victoria Vyvyan has questioned the Prime Ministers citation of BBC Verify - CLA This Prime Minister has got a Treasury to rely on. He doesnt need BBC Verify to back him up. That is not a Treasury in which I have the greatest confidence, frankly, if it needs that support. The CLA has said that the 20 per cent tax on estates worth more than 1 million would affect 70,000 farms. It claims that in the Treasurys own figures, 20,000 farms would be affected over a generation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government claims only 550 farms a year will be affected by the policy. Speaking at the conference, Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, claimed that the Treasurys figures were based on hard data, for actual claims for the relief. His comments come after it emerged that BBC Verify had used a Labour party activist to back the Governments claims on the policy. The BBCs fact-checking service quoted Dan Neidle as an independent tax expert in a piece assessing the number of British farms that would be affected. Thousands people protested in London over changes to inheritance tax for farmers - Carl Court/Getty City lawyer Mr Neidle made headlines last year when he pursued Nadhim Zahawi then Conservative Party chairman over his tax affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When questioned over how many farms would be affected by the Budget tax rises, he sided with the Treasurys low estimate. The BBC story said: Dan Neidle, an independent tax expert, says the number of actual farms affected is likely to be below 500 per year. He has since dismissed the CLAs much higher estimate on X as hyperbolic fake stats. Despite this, the BBC Verify piece has since been amended, with Mr Neidles below 500 per year claim removed and his title amended to founder of the independent Tax Policy Associates. The policy has caused national outrage, with more than 10,000 farmers taking to the streets of London on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protestors some of whom arrived at Westminster in their tractors held placards stating no farmers, no food, no future as they called on the Government to reverse its plans. From 2026 inherited agricultural assets worth more than 1m will be liable to a 20 per cent tax - Dan Kitwood/Getty Among the crowd was Jeremy Clarkson, the television presenter turned farmer, who claimed 96 per cent of the countrys cultivators would be affected in a clash with BBC broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire. He also delivered an impassioned speech to fellow demonstrators, in which he described Octobers Budget and subsequent inheritance tax raid as a knee in the nuts for farmers. Some Labour MPs have since raised concerns about the plans for the first time by urging the Government to rethink the policy in order to protect family farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Sir Keir has doubled down and insisted the vast majority of farmers will not be affected. 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 drone maker received $74 million in a funding round involving a NATO-backed fund. Tekever's gear has been used in Ukraine, a vast proving ground for drone warfare. Its drones are not weapons, focusing on surveillance and intelligence. A dronemaking startup whose equipment is being used by the Ukrainian military got a cash injection from a NATO-backed fund. Tekever, a Portuguese firm, raised $74 million from a group of investors, including NATO's Innovation Fund a venture capital fund backed by 24 NATO allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company has said its equipment is being used in Ukraine though not which of its models were sent. Though its equipment has military uses, Tekever doesn't produce weapons: the drones are for intelligence-gathering. The war in Ukraine has become a proving ground for drone warfare. Drones are used for surveillance, to carry light supplies, for targeting assistance, and as weapons. The battlefield features drones from around the world, spanning cheap consumer drones, high-end military hardware, and improvised systems. The UK Ministry of Defence posted an image of Tekever's AR3 drone in March while announcing a support package for Ukraine perhaps giving a hint at what was sent. A new 60 million package of military support from the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine will provide advanced new surveillance drones to support 's Armed Forces. It will also include 20 million to provide air defence systems to help keep Ukraine's skies safe. pic.twitter.com/LyUCIdVYjZ Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) March 22, 2024 Tekever's CEO, Ricardo Mendes, said an interview with City A.M. in May that the firm "started working with Ukrainian forces some time ago, after the war started." Long range, resistant to jamming "All our products are very prepared to fly to long distances, to cover fast areas, and do surveillance," Mendes said. "And that's basically the primary mission that our drones are doing in Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're very resilient," said Mendes of the systems. "So they are very autonomous. They can fly even in situations where you don't have a GPS signal, or you don't have comms, and so they're very resistant to fly in very denied environments where there's jamming and all those military types of environments." Tekever advertises the AR3 as launchable either from ships or on land. Ukraine doesn't have a conventional navy, so it would likely not be able to use the ship-borne functionality. The company says it can fly for 16 hours, with a range of 62 miles. It weighs 55 pounds and has a wingspan of 11 feet. Mothership The company is working on its largest drone yet, the ARX, which can carry swarms of smaller drones to extend operational capabilities. Mendes calls this the "holy grail of surveillance," combining speed, payload capacity, and adaptability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine since early 2022 has redefined drone warfare. The key role of drones is fuelling a drone arms race between Russia and Ukraine, as well as their allies. Business Insider reported in September that a command in Ukraine predicted that AI advances would lead to drone warfare becoming "truly unmanned" within months. Tekever's drones have also been used by the British government to track migrant smugglers in the English Channel. Tekever did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for an interview. Read the original article on Business Insider RALEIGH This week, North Carolina Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr. announced the appointment of Terry Green as the new chief of the State Capitol Police. Green, a veteran law enforcement professional with nearly 35 years of experience, has served as the department's deputy chief for the past five years, according to a press release from DPS. Terry Green has earned the trust and respect of the departments personnel over the course of the last five years, pulling shifts on weekends and after hours for special events right alongside them, said Buffaloe. His collaborative spirit and willingness to work with our local, state and federal partners is especially valued. I welcome him to my leadership team in his new role. Prior to joining the State Capitol Police, Green served with the Wake County Sheriffs Office, progressing through the ranks as sergeant, lieutenant, captain and major and eventually retiring as chief of staff. In addition to his many years of law enforcement service, Green retired from the U.S. Army Reserves with the rank of sergeant major, according to the press release. Green holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice. He is also a graduate of North Carolina State University's Administrative Officer Management Program and of the Executive Leadership Development Program from the UNC Kenan-Flager Business School, according to the press release. Nov. 20SANTA FE The top state health official in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration abruptly resigned Wednesday, marking the latest exit from a Cabinet carousel at the state Capitol. State Health Secretary Patrick Allen, who was appointed by the governor in December 2022, stepped down after less than two years on the job in New Mexico. The Governor's Office announced Allen's departure but did not provide a reason for his resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lujan Grisham described Allen as a dedicated public servant and said she was grateful for his contributions as state Department of Health secretary. "I wish him well in his next endeavor," the governor said in a statement. The Governor's Office also said Gina DeBlassie, the governor's health policy adviser, would serve as interim secretary of the Department of Health. Robert Nott, a spokesman for the agency, said he was surprised by Allen's resignation. He also said he did not know what prompted Allen to step down. Before coming to New Mexico, Allen had served as Oregon's Health Care Authority director. He submitted his resignation from that job in 2022 after gubernatorial candidates suggested they would replace him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday, told the Journal last year the New Mexico job offer came about due to a mix of political and personal connections. He said he ultimately settled on the position after weighing other opportunities. As New Mexico's health secretary, Allen helped oversee a campaign that used billboards and newspaper ads to try to lure Texas doctors and nurses to the Land of Enchantment. He was also at the helm of the agency as abuse allegations rocked a state waiver program that provides support services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Wellness checks of all program participants were conducted in response to the abuse claims, and an outside investigation was also launched. Meanwhile, Allen's departure makes him the third Cabinet secretary in Lujan Grisham's administration to step down in the last three months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Aging and Long-Term Services Secretary Jen Paul Schroer stepped down from her job in September, just weeks after Public Education Secretary Arsenio Romero's departure. The resignation of Allen also comes just two months before the start of a 60-day legislative session in which health care issues are expected to be a prominent subject. The state Department of Health oversees New Mexico's medical cannabis program, the state's immunization program and disease response efforts. The agency is also in charge of treatment and long-term care facilities, including the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas and the State Veterans' Home in Truth or Consequences. State officials are investigating Mondays ride malfunction at Knotts Berry Farm that resulted in two thrill-seekers being transported to the hospital. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, Amusement Ride and Tramway Unit is investigating the matter, officials told KTLA. Riders were stranded for over two hours on Knotts Sol Spin, a ride that sends guests up to six stories in the air as they rotate independently on one of six spinning arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knotts officials confirmed to KTLA that the ride experienced a technical issue around 2 p.m. on Monday. Maintenance workers were called to the scene to get the ride moving again so they could safely evacuate the riders. Stuck riders begin to disembark the Sol Spin ride at Knotts Berry Farm after being trapped mid-air for more than two hours on Nov. 18, 2024. (KTLA) Stuck riders are seen suspended in air aboard the Sol Spin ride at Knotts Berry Farm on Nov. 18, 2024. (KTLA) Stuck riders are seen suspended in air aboard the Sol Spin ride at Knotts Berry Farm on Nov. 18, 2024. (KTLA) By 4:30 p.m., workers successfully lowered the ride to the ground, and the 22 trapped riders could disembark. Video from Sky5 showed when one person required a wheelchair while getting off the ride, but theme park officials initially said no injuries were reported. Later Monday evening, an updated statement from Knotts said two female riders were transported to a local hospital out of an abundance of caution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An official from the Orange County Fire Authority was dispatched to the Buena Park theme park, but the fire department said the incident was handled by park staff. In an updated statement on Thursday, Knotts officials confirmed that the two guests were treated and released Monday evening and not admitted to the hospital. Knotts officials also noted that Sol Spin will undergo inspection before reopening. Theme park maintenance crew are currently working to determine the cause of the technical difficulties. A reopening date has yet to be announced. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. California homeowners are finding it increasingly difficult to access affordable property insurance or even coverage at all as wildfires become an increasing concern in the state. But for those who want to leave the area for a safer living situation, that's no longer so easy, either. What's happening? According to Newsweek, the home sales market in California has stalled, with prospective homeowners less willing to buy real estate because of the problems associated with accessing appropriate insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing information from the California Association of Realtors, Newsweek observed that 13% of realtors have seen a transaction canceled in 2024 because of unavailable or unaffordable insurance. Why is this concerning? For starters, being unable to access home insurance in California is terrible news for homeowners, who won't have financial protection should the unthinkable happen and their house burn to the ground in a wildfire. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has reported that as of Nov. 14, the state has witnessed 7,617 wildfires in 2024, with over a million acres burned, 1,557 properties destroyed, and one civilian fatality. The conditions for wildfires to thrive are made worse by a warming climate. Dry vegetation, as a result of drought conditions, acts as kindling for even the smallest spark, such as from a discarded cigarette, machinery, or fireworks. Lightning strikes can also set a fire in motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 2024 set to be the hottest year on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization, it looks like there is little sign of the threat of wildfires easing for Californians. But being unable to sell your home to move to an area with a more tolerable and safer climate is also proving increasingly difficult, essentially trapping folks who live in the Golden State. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind Californians are truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. What's being done about insurance access? Newsweek obtained a statement from the state's Department of Insurance that read: "California is taking unprecedented action to lower risks and enhance insurance availability for consumers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It continued: "California has committed billions of dollars toward wildfire risk mitigation and has pioneered programs to reward homeowners for making their properties safer from wildfire, which is the first of its kind in the nation. We are actively addressing risk reduction, and it's time for insurance companies to recognize these efforts and step up for California." So, steps are seemingly being taken, but it's up to insurance companies to take a meaningful step up. In the meantime, it's important that we all take measures to reduce the production of pollution that makes the conditions for wildfires to thrive more favorable. For example, we can limit the number of single-use plastics we buy, or you could walk or cycle to work rather than driving a gas-guzzling car. Even switching off electronics at night can make a tangible difference. 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. Officials announced Wednesday that Pennsylvania will require precautionary bulk testing of milk for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) from state farms as an added measure to prevent the spread of avian influenza. No virus has been detected in Pennsylvania cattle, but cases continue to rise in other states. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is taking this preventative measure, at no cost to farmers, to pinpoint and contain the source of viral infections and prevent the spread of Influenza A, including HPAI. Several other states have implemented mandatory bulk testing of milk to reduce the spread of HPAI, including California, Colorado, Michigan and Oklahoma. This testing plan was developed in close consultation with dairy and poultry farmers to minimize the impact on their operations, state officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure is announced as more than 217 new cases in three states have been confirmed in dairy cattle in the last 30 days. Not typically fatal in dairy cattle, HPAI can severely affect milk production, lead to serious illness in some cows, and substantially strain farm operations. The virus is fatal in poultry. Taking this proactive step will ensure that we can protect our cattle, poultry, and farmworkers, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. We are taking this step after careful consideration, in consultation with dairy and poultry farmers, and after voluntary testing was not adequate to get samples necessary for detection and prevention. Pennsylvanias large number of farms with both dairy cattle and poultry present unique risks that demand extra vigilance. Milk samples will be collected from bulk milk tank trucks transporting milk from Pennsylvania farms to processing plants. If the receiving processing plant is in Pennsylvania, the sample will be collected at the plant by the processor. If the processing plant is outside Pennsylvania, the sample will be collected by the shipper, whether the shipper is an individual farmer or milk cooperative handling milk on behalf of farmers. Samples must have been taken by trained, certified personnel and submitted to a Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System lab within 48 hours of collection. Samples will be tested for HPAI. If the virus is detected, it will trigger further investigation to identify the source. Special quarantine measures will be established to contain and eliminate the virus at the source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania joins only three states without an active HPIA outbreak Arkansas, Massachusetts and Oklahoma in requiring precautionary testing at the processor level. Milk that has been pasteurized is safe to drink. Pasteurization destroys the virus. This measure will help ensure an adequate supply of milk in the marketplace. Poultry and dairy are the two largest sectors among Pennsylvanias $132.5 billion agriculture industry, which supports more than 593,000 jobs statewide. Lawmakers are asking plenty of questions about how Utah will fund and prioritize higher education in the years to come. Uncertainties aside, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams is bullish about the Beehive States public colleges and universities. But hes quick to add that forward-thinking is critical as legislators prepare for what could be a historic session for Utahs 16 institutions of higher learning. Higher education is the heartbeat of our economy, Adams, R-Layton, told the Deseret News, adding its essential that the state remains on the cutting edge of emerging technologies such as AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And our educational institutions can help us do that. When asked about possible cuts to Utahs public colleges and universities, Adams said reallocation is a more apt term. The state, he added, is witnessing high demand for jobs in health care, nursing, defense and biotech. Thats the future of our economy and we need to make sure that we provide the incentives and the motivation and maybe the reallocation of resources to meet those high-demand jobs. Adams spoke of attending a recent Unified Economic Opportunity Commission meeting chaired by Gov. Spencer Cox and receiving a report noting the demand for high-paying custom fit engineering jobs. Its an employer-need in Utah thats not being adequately filled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to embed those employers into the universities and we need to embed the universities in with the employers, he said. That sort of reallocation is an opportunity for us. The Beehive States higher education system should be designed to propel graduates into high-paying, high-demand or high-reward careers, he added. Teaching a classroom of Utah students, for example, may not be classified as a high-paying job. But that adrenaline rush you get from teaching is just second to none, said Adams, but we need to make sure we pay them, too. Adams leadership counterpart on Utahs Capitol Hill House Speaker Mike Schultz points to inefficiencies in the states higher education system that require remedies as lawmakers prepare for the fast-approaching 2025 Legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senate president agrees Utahs colleges and universities can do better. We need to reallocate and rethink about what we can do best in Utah and where the demands are, he said. This is an opportunity to sit back, reevaluate and then try to refocus on high-demand areas with high-paying jobs that our employers are asking for. Adams added hes hearing enthusiasm for such direction when he speaks to institution presidents. Schultz, R-Hooper, is calling for some four-year bachelors degrees to become three-year programs, arguing that such a shift would save Utah students and schools money while more efficiently placing, say, an engineering graduate into a high-demand job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats sound logic, said Adams If (students) can cut down their time in college to three years, it gives them a great opportunity to go on to get a masters degree or to be able to get into the workforce, he said. Embedding more apprentice programs into Utahs public colleges, added Adams, would also offer many students with essential skills and work experience that may not be gleaned from traditional classroom courses. So what would be the best-case scenario for Utahs higher education institutions when the highly-anticipated general 2025 legislative session concludes next March? For Adams, it would be a session of retooling while focusing on our strengths and satisfying the demand we have for critical industries in Utah. Across the aisle: :Reallocate with caution State Sen. Karen Kwan, D-Murray, sits across the political aisle from Adams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And like the Republican leader, Kwan believes in higher educations essential role in Utahs future. But Im quite cautious when I hear the word reallocation because I wonder where things will be reallocated, she told the Deseret News. Kwan said shifting more money into, say, Utahs technical colleges is a good form of reallocation. And aligning the higher education system to better position bachelors degree graduates for high-paying jobs in high-demand industries is a logical strategy. But there are some college majors that dont directly translate into a specific field or career at the bachelors level, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An emeritus professor at Salt Lake Community College, Kwan points to careers such as practicing law as an attorney that require higher or terminal degrees. An undergraduate student might pursue a variety of undergraduate programs to best prepare for law school. A psychology major, she added, may have few direct paths into the professional psychology field with only a bachelors degree but it is a key step toward graduate study leading to psychology careers. And many skills learned while pursuing a bachelors degree in psychology serve graduates well in many business fields. So we have to be careful that we dont go too far in saying that higher education is only good for a career in which you are trained, she said. Kwan hopes her fellow lawmakers wont act too quickly to recalculate traditional thoughts about the value of higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should not be throwing away our ability to educate our citizenry in all fields, she said. I think it would be a disservice not only to Utah, but to the nation if we are only going to focus on those fields that make the most money, she said. A three-year-degree program may be the best course for some college students. But again, Kwan calls for caution. Higher education study offers critical opportunities for a person to explore new ideas and fields, particularly for first-generation college students. If were only looking at how to be more efficient money-wise, then were not looking at the developmental value of education for a student to figure out who they are and what they want to do with their life. And what would be a best-case-end-of-legislative-scenario for Kwan? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would love to fully fund higher ed, she said. Research is very important, as well as our technical colleges. And Id love to see more students being supported with resources in ways that make sense for them. Kwan added that some of the states higher education institutions have gone beyond what House Bill 261 the so-called DEI bill calls for and closed some of the student support group centers. Id love to see the resources that were provided for all students, and are now gone, be offered in innovative ways. Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has been garnering national attention, most recently from talk show host Stephen Colbert. Though Walters never publicly acknowledged he hoped to be appointed President-elect Donald Trump's U.S. Education Secretary, many believe he wanted the role and was propelling himself into the spotlight to gain Trump's attention. While Trump nominated former administrator of the Small Business Administration, Linda McMahon, to the position, many across the nation took notice of Walters, including: his slew of national media appearances since Trump's reelection, his decision to spend nearly $25,000 on 500 "God Bless the USA" Bibles endorsed by Trump to put in Oklahoma classrooms and his recent demand that all Oklahoma schools play students a video featuring himself praying for Trump. Colbert: Walters is 'amping up the MAGA' after Trump's reelection State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during a special meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education at the Oliver Hodge Building on the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City, on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. On Tuesday night's episode of the Late Show, Colbert poked fun in his satirical monologue of Walters, who he said was "amping up the MAGA" since Trump was reelected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Walters is an ultra-conservative Christian nationalist who has caused a bit of stir for ordering Oklahoma's public schools to keep a Bible in each classroom," Colbert said. "Yes, because Bibles always make places more holy. That's why only wholesome stuff happens in motels." Colbert also pointed out that you can purchase a paperback Bible for $1.99, while Walters spent "a whopping $60 a piece" on Trump Bibles using state money. More: Oklahoma Supreme Court justice recuses herself from lawsuit over Ryan Walters' Bible mandate Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" Bible.Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. 'No surprise' Oklahoma schools refusing to play Walters prayer video Walters' video announcing his state agency's new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism, in which he asked students who felt comfortable to join him in a prayer for Trump, also saw the spotlight on the Late Show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dear God," Walters started the prayer, "thank you for all the blessings you've given our country. I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions. I pray in particular for president, Donald Trump and his team, as they continue to bring about change to the country." Colbert said it was "a weird thing to force public school kids to watch," before sending up a prayer of his own: "Dear Lord, you know Donald Trump? God help us." "It's no surprise, due to the whole separation of church thingamabob, a bunch of schools in Oklahoma are refusing to show the video," Colbert said. "And the Republican Oklahoma Attorney General released a statement saying, 'There is no statutory authority for the State School Superintendent to require all students to watch a specific video.' "Adding," Colbert began sarcastically, "'unless the teacher is really hung over, then they are legally required to pop in 'Braveheart' and cut out the lights.'" This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Stephen Colbert: Ryan Walters 'amping up the MAGA' in Trump prayer video A powerful storm, carrying high winds, rain and snow, left just under 300,000 people without power in Washington state late Wednesday. The major storm, which is considered a bomb cyclone, hit western Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday, causing more than 294,000 state residents to lose power, according to the latest number on poweroutage.us, a tracking website. Bomb cyclones occur when the pressure in the heart of the storm drops, adding to its power. AccuWeather said Wednesday morning that it is likely the strongest storm ever measured off the coast of Washington State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the storm blanketing the Pacific Northwest state, two people were killed. A woman in her 50s died after a large tree fell on a homeless encampment, according to South County Fire, which provides emergency medical and fire services to Snohomish County. A Bridle Trails neighborhood resident died after a tree fell onto a house, according to the Bellevue Fire Department. The caller was transported to safety until conditions near the home improved, the fire department said. We are thinking of the family, and community, which we know are impacted by this death. They warned residents on Tuesday that 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wind gusts reached speeds up to 101 mph off the coast of Vancouver Island, according to AccuWeather, with a foot of snow falling at several locations in Washington state. Several schools were closed in Seattle. The storm has brought blizzards and rainfall to Oregon and northwestern California. Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said the Seattle Public Library remains open as a community resource as our area recovers from this storm. If you need a place to warm up, charge your devices, and rest, visit one of their locations, she added Wednesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Henry County Sheriffs Office says an 18-year-old student has been charged after allegedly bringing a firearm onto school grounds on November 20. Around 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, the sheriffs office was alerted by Bassett High School officials of a handgun on school property. The sheriff said the threat was initially self-reported to the school by a student. The firearm was then found outside of the building by the School Resource Officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the incident, 18-year-old Charles Edward Mills was allegedly determined to be responsible for bringing the weapon to the school. Pittsylvania County Sheriff shares update in investigation for missing Soledad Najera He was taken into custody by the SRO and has been charged with the following: Possession of a Firearm on School Property. Mills has been released on a $3,000.00 un-secured bond. School officials said that Bassett High School will continue its regular schedule, and no active threats were made toward the school or anyone at the school. We understand that incidents of this nature heighten concerns for student safety. Please be assured that the Henry County Sheriffs Office and Henry County Public Schools are committed to taking every safety concern seriously and responding swiftly to ensure the security of students and staff, said the HCSO. We encourage all students, parents, and community members to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or safety concerns immediately. Together, we can maintain a safe environment for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WFXR News will update you with more information as it becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Giving Tuesday is already happening at Grand Valley State University as more students turn to the school for help. The Center for Women and Gender Equity runs the Replenish Basic Needs Center, which has served nearly 2,400 students in the last year. Lariesha Lee, the assistant director for the womens center, said the need continues to grow every year. We do expect to see growing numbers, because were seeing about 450 to 500 just in the fall, per month, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Replenish provides nutritious food, clothing, toiletries and other items to students for free. Two undergraduates started it in 2009 after hearing stories about friends and classmates skipping meals. The Giving Tuesday campaign has allowed it to keep growing. Online: Donate to GVSU Giving Tuesday Through that campaign, weve been able to expand and provide more services. Weve been able to provide more refrigeration. Also, we just recently purchased a system called PantrySoft, and PantrySoft allows us to know how much inventory we have, weigh our food, and so we are able to track how much food we have and its more sustainable, Lee said. Benjamin Ohene moved to Grand Rapids three months ago from Ghana to begin his first semester as a graduate student at GVSU. He now works part-time in the Replenish store. Benjamin Ohene works at the Replenish pantry at Grand Valley State University. (Nov. 20, 2024) Im an international student myself, so I see a couple of my colleagues coming around, picking stuff up because international students have limited working hours, Ohene said. One of my friends told me, Hey, this space has really helped me relieve stress on what Im going to eat in the next few semesters.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIST: Food drives, coat drives and more ways to give this season Many of the students who shop at Replenish are experiencing more than food insecurity. They may not have a place to live. A lot of these students are experiencing homelessness. Theyre experiencing lack of transportation. They may be disabled, Lee listed. All of these things can be contribute to them not being able to be sustainable, and our office is focused on students being holistically well. When a staff member discovers a student doesnt have housing, they initiate a care report, which alerts professors and other staff that the student is having a difficult time without giving personal details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then we kind of provide some wraparound support, whether that be the dean of student services, they provide a lot of case management to kind of help students problem solve. Im also a clinical social worker, so I provide a lot of support as well, Lee said. First two people housed through 100 in 100 Kent County program Ohene was surprised to find out students were facing problems like food insecurity or homelessness when he started at Replenish. Back home in Ghana, I was thinking the United States is this rosy place. I mean, everything is good, everything is fine. And I was quite surprised to see that homelessness is really huge here, and then students at GVSU are also facing such situations, he said. The Replenish pantry at Grand Valley State University. (Nov. 20, 2024) The Replenish pantry at Grand Valley State University. (Nov. 20, 2024) The Replenish pantry at Grand Valley State University. (Nov. 20, 2024) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee acknowledged many people misconceptions about what college is like. People think just because theyre college students, they have access to more things. And theres some truth in that, right, like students being able to get a college education is a privilege. However, two things can be true at the same time. A student can be a student and also be struggling with access to food, struggling with finding a place, she said. COVENANT HOUSE TO HOLD CANDLELIGHT VIGIL Covenant House is a national organization with a location in Grand Rapids that serves college-aged people facing homelessness. Covenant House says there is a need for temporary housing in Grand Rapids for young people between the ages of 18 and 24. In an effort to address that need, the organization says it houses 28 young people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We offer young people the opportunity to get on their feet to go on the next level of independence, said Carolyn Allen with Covenant House. In addition to housing, the nonprofit offers other services to young people, including documentation recovery and case workers who help with enrolling in school or the military. Sometimes our young people just need a little grace and a little accountability. We chisel it down to look like love. Sometimes that goes missing in a persons life. They just need another chance, even with bad decisions. Sometimes, we just need a do-over, and Covenant House is a place that offers them that, said Allen. Aaliyah Mitchell is currently taking part in the Covenant House program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The staff are amazing. You got your own room. You get help with a job. I got there on a Monday. I had a job the next Tuesday. Ever since I have been there, things have been smooth sailing, said Mitchell. Covenant House is holding a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Thursday at its location on 26 Antoine St. SW. The event will honor some of their young people and spotlight their needs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. WASHINGTON (AP) The federal FAFSA form used to apply for college financial aid opened to high school seniors nationwide on Thursday, a year after a disastrous rollout by the Biden administration delayed the application for months. After weeks of testing, the Education Department says there have been no major problems with the online form. Its opening to the public later than the traditional Oct. 1 start date, but far sooner than last year's late January launch. The department promised this year's form by Dec. 1. After months of hard work and lots of feedback from students, schools and other stakeholders, we can say with confidence that FAFSA is working and will serve as the gateway to college access and affordability to millions of students," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through four rounds of testing, more than 140,000 students have submitted the form, and their information has been sent to more than 5,200 colleges, the department said. An overhaul last year was meant to simplify the famously complex form, but technical problems blocked students from submitting forms or bungled the calculations. The federal government uses student applications to determine their eligibility for financial aid, and colleges and states use it to award their own scholarships. The delays left students wondering how much financial aid they could receive, a crucial factor for many families. Advocates say the frustration probably led thousands of students to give up on going to college at all. This fall, U.S. colleges saw a 5% decrease in freshmen enrollment over the previous year, and it was deeper at colleges with large numbers of low-income students, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Education Department said it fixed last years problems and hired an additional 700 call center workers to help families if they have trouble submitting the form. This week the Senate and House unanimously passed legislation requiring the Education Department to make the FAFSA available no later than Oct. 1. The Biden administration drew bipartisan scorn over its handling of the update, with Republicans accusing the administration of focusing on student loan cancellation at the expense of the FAFSA form. The overhaul came after Congress passed legislation in 2020 to simplify the form. The Education Department was ordered to reduce the number of questions from more than 100 to about 40, and change the formula to expand aid to more students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ The Associated Press education 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. OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (AP) A new study has found that systemic barriers to voting on tribal lands contribute to substantial disparities in Native American turnout, particularly for presidential elections. The study, released Tuesday by the Brennan Center for Justice, looked at 21 states with federally recognized tribal lands that have a population of at least 5,000 and where more than 20% of residents identify as American Indian or Alaska Native. Researchers found that between 2012 and 2022, voter participation in federal elections was 7 percentage points lower in midterms and 15 percentage points lower in presidential elections than among those living off tribal lands in the same states. Earlier studies show voter turnout for communities of color is higher in areas where their ethnic group is the majority, but the latest research found that turnout was the lowest on tribal lands that have a high concentration of Native Americans, the Brennan Center said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres something more intensely happening in Native American communities on tribal land, said Chelsea Jones, a researcher on the study. Jones said the study suggests some barriers may be insurmountable in predominately Native communities due to a lack of adequate polling places or access to early and mail-in ballots. Many residents on tribal lands have nontraditional addresses, meaning they don't have street names or house numbers, making mail-in voting even more difficult. As a result, many Native American voters rely on P.O. boxes, but the study notes that several jurisdictions will not mail ballots to P.O. boxes. Long distances to the polls that do exist on tribal lands and little to no public transportation creates additional hurdles for Native American voters. In far-flung Alaska Native villages, polling places sometimes simply don't open if there's no one available to run an election, and severe weather can make absentee voting unreliable, The Associated Press reported last month. When you think about people who live on tribal lands having to go 30, 60, 100 miles (up to 160 kilometers) to cast a ballot, that is an extremely limiting predicament to be in," Jones said. "These are really, truly severe barriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Jones said they found Native American voters were denied the ability to vote using their tribal IDs in several places, including in states where that is legally allowed. All of these roadblocks to the ballot can create a sense of distrust in the system, which could contribute to lower turnout, Jones said. The Brennan Center study also highlights on ongoing issue when it comes to understanding how or why Native Americans vote: a lack of good data. There are immense data inequities when it comes to studying Native American communities, especially as it pertains to politics," Jones said. Native American communities are often overlooked when it comes to polling data and sometimes when they are included those studies do not reflect broader trends for Indigenous voters, said Stephanie Fryberg, the director of the Research for Indigenous Social Action & Equity Center, which studies systemic inequalities faced by Indigenous people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Generally speaking, polling is not well positioned to do a good job for Indian Country, said Fryberg, who is also a professor of psychology at Northwestern University. There are ideas that are held up as the gold standard about how polling works that dont work for Indian Country because of where we live, because of how difficult it is to connect to people in our community. Fryberg, a member of the Tulalip Tribes in Washington state, was one of several Indigenous researchers who denounced a recent exit poll conducted by Edison Research that found 65% of Native American voters who participated said they voted for Donald Trump. The poll only surveyed 229 self-identified Native Americans, a sample size that she said is too small for an accurate reading, and none of the jurisdictions in the poll were on tribal lands. Right there, youre already eliminating a powerful perspective, Fryberg said. The Indigenous Journalists Association labelled that polling data as highly misleading and irresponsible, saying it has led to widespread misinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to the Associated Press, Edison Research acknowledged that the polling size is small, but said the "goal of the survey is to represent the national electorate and to have enough data to also examine large demographic and geographic subgroups." The survey has a potential sampling margin of error of plus or minus 9%, according to the statement. Based on all of these factors, this data point from our survey should not be taken as a definitive word on the American Indian vote, the statement reads. Native Americans are not just part of an ethnic group, they also have political identities that come with being citizens of sovereign nations. Fryberg said allowing those surveyed to self-identify as Native Americans, without follow-up questions about tribal membership and specific Indigenous populations, means that data cannot accurately capture voting trends for those communities. Both Fryberg and Jones said that in order to create better data on and opportunities for Native Americans to vote, researchers and lawmakers would have to meet the specific needs of Indigenous communities. Jones said passage of the Native American Voting Rights Act, a bill that has stalled in Congress, would ensure equitable in-person voting options in every precinct on tribal lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not an issue that we see across the country, Jones said. Its very specific to tribal lands. So we need provisions that address that uniquely. ___ This story has been updated to correct the name of the Tulalip Tribes. ___ Graham Lee Brewer is an Oklahoma City-based member of the AP's Race and Ethnicity team. Nov. 21JAMESTOWN The Stutsman County Park Board unanimously approved on Tuesday, Nov. 20, several projects to commit excess American Rescue Plan Act funds before Dec. 31. The park board approved a bridge project at the island at Jamestown Reservoir to be funded under a North Dakota Department of Transportation grant and deobligated $800,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds from the local share of the project. Other projects the park board approved include obtaining a master plan for the county's park system, replacing a bathhouse at Pelican Point, creating a walking path from Hondo's Hideaway to the shared-use area with North Dakota Farmers Union and installing speed bumps and signs near Hondo's. Approval for those projects is tentative and needs quotes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jessica Alonge, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer, said every dollar of American Rescue Plan Act funds has to be formally allocated by Dec. 31 with proof being in the form of a contract, invoice or purchase order. The island bridge project consists of replacing the bridge with a box culvert. The box culvert will be inserted in the area of the bridge going to the island. Once the box culvert is installed, water will be able to flow through it while providing a bridge to allow a road to be built over it. Alonge previously said $800,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds were set aside for the grade raise for the bridge project, which has an estimated cost of $1.36 million. The other $560,000 would have come from the park fund balance or any leftover American Rescue Plan Act funds from projects that come under budget. Stutsman County Commissioner Mark Klose said the intent of the $800,000 being allocated to the bridge project was because the county would not have to find any additional dollars. He said then the cost of the project increased and the county got the bridge funding from the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daren Peterka, senior project engineer and land surveyor with Interstate Engineering, said bids on the island bridge project aren't scheduled to be received until January 2026. The project is expected to be completed later in 2026, he added. Stutsman County Commissioner Levi Taylor said the group consisting of Commissioner Jerry Bergquist, park board member Merri Mooridian and himself met with Interstate Engineering about creating a master plan for the county park system. Taylor said Interstate Engineering hasn't yet provided a quote for the master plan yet. A list of potential 2025 projects estimates the cost to be $185,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The master plan would give the park board and the parks superintendent a general idea of what needs to be done in upcoming years. "The master plan we are talking about, we are not talking about just a master plan for the Jamestown Reservoir," Bergquist said. "It's all the properties." The bathhouse replacement at Pelican Point is estimated to cost $350,000, according to the list of potential 2025 projects. Alonge said she added an additional $30,000 to the $350,000 estimated cost to help cover additional costs. Bergquist said the bathhouse needs to be higher than 1,454 feet above mean sea level so it doesn't get flooded out again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost cannot exceed $175,000 for the walking path from Hondo's Hideaway to the shared-use area with North Dakota Farmers Union. Alonge said once the county gets the final quote for the walking path, the park board will need to give final approval to enter into a contract to create it. The cost cannot exceed $10,000 to install the speed bumps and signs near Hondo's Hideaway. The speed bumps will be able to be removed during the winter months. Taylor said the speed bumps and signs would make the area near Hondo's safer. MANATEE COUNTY (WFLA) Joseph Prevatte, 39, made appeared before a judge in Hillsborough County Wednesday. The substitute teacher is accused of having inappropriate relationships with students across two Tampa Bay area counties. I am lost: Tampa family says teen found dead near Courtney Campbell is missing student Manatee County deputies said they started investigating Prevatte after receiving a tip on Oct. 31 that he was sending inappropriate messages to a teen at Lakewood Ranch High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He first made contact with the teen through direct messages on Instagram. Deputies said that first contact took place after the teen followed him on the social media platform on his first day subbing at the school. Prevatte was accused of sending messages with sexual undertones and also sending the victim an image of himself naked with his genitals cropped out. He was charged in Manatee County with soliciting or engaging in lewd conduct with a student, which is a second-degree felony, and was arrested on Nov. 8. Through subsequent investigation, we found out that there was an open case that Hillsborough County had for similar circumstances. The only difference was we had information that he had actually offended on that student, said Lt. Mark Morie with MCSOs Crimes Against Children Unit. Prevatte was working as a substitute teacher at Lennard High School in early October, and was accused of sending inappropriate messages and having sexual interactions with a student on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested Tuesday and charged with lewd or lascivious battery and harmful explicit communication with a minor. The investigation in Hillsborough County started less than two weeks before deputies in Manatee County said Prevatte started working at Lakewood Ranch High School. Each school district works with different companies for its temporary workers Kelly Education for Hillsborough County Schools and ESS for Manatee County Schools. In both counties, substitute teachers are not employees of the district. Hillsborough County Schools sent us the following statement. Once the allegation was brought forward, he was pulled from the school. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office was immediately notified and they launched an investigation. We contacted Kelly Education, and they released him from his employment that day. Since he was only under investigation at the time, there was no mechanism or reporting agency to share investigative information between school districts or hiring agencies. This individual fully knew he was under investigation for having a relationship with a student. It is appalling that he took advantage of the situation and the timing, by not disclosing he was under investigation, and he likely did not put Hillsborough Schools as a reference when he was going through the hiring process with another agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly Education told News Channel 8 Prevatte passed all required background checks before he was placed on assignment. A spokesperson for the company sent us the following statement. Kelly Education considers student safety and well-being to be our top priorities. Upon notice that the substitute educator was a person of interest in an active law enforcement investigation, he was immediately removed from assignment eligibility pending the outcome of the investigation, and we continue to cooperate with the school district and law enforcement. We recognize the significant public trust placed in us to ensure our substitute educators maintain a safe learning environment. Our substitute educators undergo a rigorous screening process that is fully compliant with the Florida Department of Educations standards and includes screenings that go beyond state requirements. This includes comprehensive background and fingerprint checks, which include searches of local, state, and national criminal recordsincluding crimes against childrenand a search of the National Sex Offender Registry. Additionally, Florida is part of the FBI Rap Back program. This system provides continuous monitoring, ensuring that our district partners are immediately alerted if a substitute educator is arrested and fingerprinted by law enforcement. In Hillsborough County, Prevatte only worked at Lennard High School for three days. He did not work at any other schools in that district. In Manatee County, we are still waiting to learn if Prevatte subbed at any other schools aside from Lakewood Ranch High School. ESS has not returned our request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the two cases where arrests have been made, News Channel 8 has learned Hillsborough County deputies are investigating him for a case involving an elementary school-age child, however that case has no connection to his role as a substitute teacher. After learning of Manatee Countys case, HCSO detectives made additional phone notifications to Pasco County Public Schools, Pinellas County Public Schools, Polk County Public Schools and Hernando County Public Schools regarding their investigation. Deputies have reason to believe there could be other victims. Thats why we have this to say.. if you were in the school district of Manatee County, and you encountered this person as a substitute teacher, and he reached out to you in the same manner, we need to know, said Lt. Morie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to contact MCSO at 941-747-3011 or HCSO at 813-247-8200. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Superintendents are now warning of classes during school vacations and on weekends as teacher strikes on the North Shore of Massachusetts continue to drag on without a resolution. Gloucester, Beverly, and Marblehead informed parents on Wednesday night that classes would again be canceled for students on Thursday. For Gloucester and Beverly students, this is the ninth school day they will have missed. In Marblehead, its the eighth. For Gloucester students, Thursdays canceled day will be made up during February or April vacation, according to Superintendent Ben Lummis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all my years in public education I never imagined that I would see a situation like this that would impact our students in such a serious way, Lummis said. I am so sorry for our children. I am so sorry for our families. You all deserve so much better than this. Rachel Salvo Rex, co-president of the Union of Gloucester Educators, said teachers wont return to school until paraprofessionals are given a pay bump. Our union will not ratify a contract without living wages for our paraprofessionals we will not go back to school until our lowest paid para makes $33,000. Who has a problem with that? said Rachel Salvo Rex, co-president of the Union of Gloucester Educators. The Beverly School Committee expressed deep concern with the state of negotiations late Wednesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of words are being tossed around our community in these challenging times, a lot of harmful words, President of the Beverly School Committee Rachael O. Abell said. We have worked hard not to add to that, not to inflame that, not to use rhetoric which hurts but, rather, to use rhetoric which tries to bring us together. Like Lummis, Beverly Superintendent Sue Charochak warned of classes on vacation, as well as weekends. The District will be forced to hold classes during vacation, weekends, or other non-school time in order to meet the state-mandated 180 days of learning, Charochak stated in a letter sent home to parents. Charochak did not specify which specific days would hold classes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear if Marblehead schools will follow suit after Wednesday nights announcement. All three striking school districts are demanding better wages for teachers and paraprofessionals. As negotiations continue, all three teachers unions are facing hefty fines. Theyve given us the same wage proposal four times now, its just disrespectful, weve lowered what weve asked for several times and they just keep giving us the same thing, its like a slap in the face, said Janelle Jackson, a paraprofessional in Gloucester. The Marblehead School Committee announced late Wednesday night they filed a petition with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations for a strike investigation against four individuals who are striking members of the MEA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This strike, coordinated among three North Shore communities by the state teachers union, has gone on long enough, the school committee said in a joint statement. We need to get our teachers and students back in the classroom. We remain open to reasonable compromise and will stay at the bargaining table until we reach an agreement. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW You might not know who Andrew Kaineder is, but youve probably seen his work. The Australian filmmaker and director is best known for his work with Russell Bierke. The best mates have worked together since they were both teenagers, and the collaboration has produced some of Bierkes films like Berzerk, "Flow State" and the stone-cold classic "Outer Edge Of Leisure." The pair grew up in Ulladulla, on New South Wales' South Coast. The area has one of the greatest concentrations of quality waves in Australia, and its reefs, bombies and beachbreaks have produced a slew of incredible surfers. Recently Noa Deane, Harry Bryant and Shaun Manners have been drawn to its rural, sleepy environs and heaving slabs. And while the rocky coastline, sheltered inlets, crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches and headlands frame the incredible waves, the immediate hinterland is just as beautiful and perhaps even more raw. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I grew up in Mollymook and had absolutely no idea what has been happening west of the Princes Highway (the main artery that traces the coast from Sydney to the Victorian border) for decades, Kaineder told SURFER. Until I heard that Forestry Corporation had started logging the forest within six months of the horrific 2020 bushfires. The more I learned about this archaic practice, the less sense it made. Saving Big Spotty, the world's tallest Spotted Gum tree. Andrew Kaineder On the realisation that logging of old-growth forests was happening in his backyard, AK turned his back on the ocean and started using his film skills to document and protect the forest. His activism has coalesced around a campaign to save Big Spotty, the tallest known spotted gum in the world in the North Brooman State Forest. If youve ever been to Australia, you would have seen the tall eucalyptus with its distinctive silver-grey, spotted bark and white flowers. Thousands have been planted up and down Australias suburban streets from Darwin to Melbourne and Sydney to Perth. Most however are found in widespread open forests along the south and north coasts of New South Wales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Big Spotty, however, is the tallest recorded in the country and the world. Kaineder, with the assistance of forest experts, recently measured the tree at 70.93 metres, or 232 feet, high with an 11.5 metre wide base. It is more than 500 years old and has withstood centuries of bushfires, floods and human encroachment, becoming a symbol of strength and biodiversity. It is now under threat, not from private corporations or land developers, but our the taxpayer-funded Forestry Corporation of NSW, said Kaineder. The surrounding forest near Old Spotty, like a lot on the south coast forests, is due to be logged for low-grade timber products like woodchips, which are sent overseas to make throwaway products like paper and pallets. Related: El Salvador Gets It's First World Surfing Reserve The logging would also destroy critical habitats for the unique endangered animals like the Greater Glider, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Powerful Owls, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Koala and Swift Parrot. And yes, they are all real animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Save The Spotty campaign has set up several campaigns to help raise funds and awareness to protect the tree and surrounding forests. Theres been a beer specially brewed, the Big Spotty Australian Pale Ale, where for every can or schooner (a unique NSW-only measure of beer) sold, a buck goes to the campaign. And if you've ever heard of something more Aussie than drinking beer to help save a eucalptyus, then please let us know. Kaineder's contribution will come in the form of a feature-length documentary. Im making a film to answer all the questions and to show the damage that is being done to not only the beautiful forests of the South Coast, but the rest of NSW and Australia, he said. Through observational documentary scenes, in-depth interviews with experts, mixed media and his distinctive imagery, Kaineder wants to make a long-lasting film that will educate and entertain. I aim to keep an open mind, encapsulating all sides of the argument so we can all make an informed decision on where to go from here. Over 400 people have already raised $25,000, which has helped him secure important partnerships for the film, and get a massive head start on funding. Yet even with AK donating his time, the films budget will be around 100K, and the campaign needs all the help it gets. (https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/saving-big-spotty/) Russ and I were lucky enough to grow up in this wild and beautiful space, full of everything crucial for epic surf trips and good waves, said Kaineder. By donating even a small amount to the campaign, you are putting your name to the rapidly growing list of people opposing the logging of this specific forest and open to considering change. With plans to log the area within six months, time is running out. Related: Scientists Find Worlds Largest Coral Head, and Its Bigger Than a Blue Whale Originally appeared on E! Online Susan Smith will remain behind bars. Thirty years after killing her two young sons by drowning them in a South Carolina lake, the 53-year-old was denied parole in a unanimous decision by a South Carolina parole board on Nov. 20, according to CNN. Before the parole board meeting, Susan expressed her regret over the murders of her sons, 3-year-old Michael and 14-month-old Alex, saying she knows what she did "was horrible." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I would give anything if I could go back and change it," she told the parole board via video, per the outlet. "I'm sorry. I know that's not enough. I know they're just words but they come from my heart." Susan is currently serving a life sentence for the 1994 crime. On Oct. 25 of that year, she had strapped her boys into their car seats and let the car roll into a lake near her home. She then told police that a man had carjacked her and kidnapped her children. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, authorities were skeptical of her story and less than two weeks later she admitted to killing Michael and Alex. During her trial, prosecutors claimed that Susan was having an affair with another man, but that he had ended it because of her children. However, her attorney argued that she was suicidal and depressed, and had originally intended to kill herself as well. Getty Images During her parole hearing, the board reminded Susan that her case took resources away from the community as they searched for her children, to which she responded, "I'm sorry that I put them through that." "I wish I could take that back, I really do. I didn't lie to get away with it," she added. "I was just scared. I didn't know how to tell the people that love them that they'd never see them again." However, she believes she has made peace, saying, "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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement E! News has reached out to Susan's attorney for comment but has not heard back. William F. Campbell/Getty Images Susan's ex-husband and the children's father, David Smith, was also present for the meetingthey divorced in May 1995and was joined by relatives, including his current wife Tiffany Smith, as he urged the board to deny parole. "I'm not here to speak about what she's done in prison. You all have the records and accounts of all that," David began, per CNN. "I'm just here to advocate on Michael's and Alex's behalf and as their father." He was emotional as he added, "God gives us free choice, and she made free choice that night to end their lives. This wasn't a tragic mistake. She purposely meant to end their lives. I never have felt any remorse from her. She never expressed any to me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also expressed how he sees her victims as more than just their children. "What she did not only to Michael and Alex," he explained, "she came pretty close to causing me to end my life because of the grief she brought upon me." Brooks Kraft LLC/Sygma via Getty Images The 54-year-old also said that he doesn't believe Susan has served enough time, noting that 30 years is only "15 years per child." And as Susan is up for parole every two years going forward, David told the parole board, according to ABC News, "I will be here every two years going forward to ensure that their death doesn't go in vain." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tommy Popewho was the original prosecutor in Susan's 1995 casealso spoke out against granting her parole, telling the board, "Susan has always focused on Susan." "Susan made a horrible, horrible choice to choose a man over her family," he said. "If she could have put David in the car, he would've been there, too." The now-state representative also feels that for the murder she committed, "that punishment has not been achieved yet." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska visited the Vatican, where she had an audience with Pope Francis. The Ukrainian woman personally met with the bishop on November 20, World Children's Day and the 1001st day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT As President Zelenskyy's wife noted on her Instagram page, since February 24, 2022, Russian invaders have killed 592 Ukrainian children. The public figure thanked His Holiness for his prayers for peace in Ukraine. To talk to Pope Francis, she wore a suit by the Ukrainian brand ELENAREVA and a hat by designer Ruslan Baginskiy, which became a mandatory element of the look according to Vatican protocol. ADVERTISIMENT The First Lady also spoke about the traditional moment of the audience, which is the exchange of gifts. Olena Zelenska presented the pontiff with a handmade St. Nicholas plate. "With the hope that peace and security for Ukrainians will finally prevail not only in our wishes but also in reality," the Ukrainian wrote. ADVERTISIMENT The wife of the President of Ukraine also attended the general audience for guests from around the world, which takes place every Wednesday in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. According to Zelenska, this is a long-standing tradition of the Holy See, which symbolizes unity and mutual understanding. For the event, the public figure chose a restrained black dress with a navy blue jacket over her shoulders. She was joined by the first ladies of Lithuania, Serbia, and Armenia. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Almost 30 years after Susan Smith was convicted of drowning her two sons when she drove her car into a South Carolina lake, she asked a parole board to release her from prison on Wednesday. David Smith, her ex-husband, told TODAY he opposes her release, and that he doesn't feel she is sorry for what she did to their two sons, Michael and Alex Smith. "I just want to tell that parole board that they cant let her out 30 years, its just not enough," he said. "I mean, this wasnt an accident, a tragic event where she didnt mean to do it. She deliberately killed Michael and Alex." David and Susan Smith arrive at the Union County Sheriff's Office in Union, South Carolina, on Oct. 27, 1994. Susan Smith made headlines on Oct. 25, 1994, when she reported a Black man had carjacked her vehicle with her two sons inside in Union, South Carolina. For nine days she and her then-husband made pleas on national television for the safe return of 3-year-old Michael and 14-month old Alex, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an investigation and nationwide search for her sons, Susan Smith confessed on Nov. 3, 1994 to letting her vehicle roll into John D. Long Lake with her two sons inside, according to the Associated Press. In 1995, she was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, according to the Associated Press. The South Carolina Parole Board unanimously denied Susan Smith's request for parole during a virtual hearing on Nov. 20. Visitors walk down the ramp where Alex and Michael Smith were drowned in a car in 1994. David Smith said on TODAY he doesn't think his former wife has been rehabilitated after 30 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think she'll ever be rehabilitated," he said. "I don't think she's, even to me, she's never been really sorry for what she did." While in prison, Susan Smith has faced multiple disciplinary actions, including being caught with contraband in 1997 and using drugs in 2010 and 2015, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections. She was also transferred to another prison in 2000 after two prison guards pleaded guilty to having sexual encounters with her, NBC News reported. In 2015, Susan Smith wrote to local newspaper The State to defend herself and her actions on that night in 1994. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Something went very wrong that night," she wrote. "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 I am not the monster society thinks I am." David Smith said on TODAY there were "no signs" that she would ever hurt their children. "Thats why I believed her the whole nine days," he said. "I never doubted her." "Ive never denied that she was a great mother up until the moment that she killed 'em," he added. During Susan Smith's trial, David Smith told TODAY's Craig Melvin he thought about killing her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I 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," he said. "How quick could I get to her? Could I reach her before that officer reaches me or could I get to her before that person would jump in front of me before I got my hands on her?" When Craig asked if he still wanted her dead, David Smith responded: "Maybe I do." Still, David Smith, who has remarried and become a father again, said he has forgiven his ex-wife. "Thats the way I was taught. It doesnt make it any easier. It doesnt make the pain any less, but I had to forgive her, and move on with my life," he said. "I had to forgive her 'cause it was just gonna eat me up if I didnt." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "God gives us free will, free choice, and that was her choice that night," he added. "Nobody elses choice, nobody made it for her. She made the choice to murder Michael and Alex and I dont blame anybody else." He added that he still thinks of Michael and Alex, especially when certain songs come on. "Usually its a song that I hear. Not any particular song, just different songs," he said. "And it just makes me remember how much I miss them. How I wish I could tell them I miss you so much." When asked if he thinks his ex-wife is a danger to society, he replied: "What scares me is that she would get out and then running into her somewhere in the local Walmart or the local store somewhere." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because I dont wanna see her," he continued. "I dont ever want to have to face her in public like that." Susan Smith's attorney declined to comment to NBC News. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Smith was sentenced to life in prison for the death of their two sons in 1994 but eligible for parole this year Susan Smith's ex-husband David Smith tearfully pleaded for her not to be released from prison on parole after she was convicted of killing their two sons in 1994. During Susan's parole board hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 20, David shared an emotional statement to the committee, detailing what he has gone through since the tragedy, and why he believes Susan should remain in jail for the rest of her life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's been a tough 30 years," he began, per a video published by WCNC. "I'm not here to speak about what she's done in prison, you all have the records and accounts and all that. Just here to advocate on Michael and Alex's behalf as their father." He added that the crime was "not a tragic mistake," but that Susan intentionally wanted to "end [Michael and Alex's] lives." Brooks Kraft LLC/Sygma/Getty Susan Smith mugshot after her 1994 arrest Susan Smith mugshot after her 1994 arrest Related: Sex, Drugs and Sickness: Inside Susan Smith's Life in Prison After Drowning Her Sons "It wasn't something that she didn't mean to do. She purposely meant to end their life. I never have felt any remorse from her for it. She never expressed any to me. I've never seen it on paper," said David. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was overcome with emotion as he opened up about his life after losing his sons, sharing that he considered ending his own life due to the overwhelming grief. "She changed my life for the rest of my life that night. What she did, not only Michael and Alex, she came pretty close to causing me to end my life because of the grief that she brought upon me. But thankfully she didn't." Related: Susan Smith 'Cries For Her Children' Every Christmas Since Murdering Them, Says Source When she got sentenced to life in prison, I thought that meant, as so many others including the jury, that she would be in there for the rest of her natural life, David told news station WYFF prior to Wednesday's hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now that's different," David said on Wednesday. "But at that time, that's what counts. Ultimately to me, that's only 15 years per child. Her own children. It's just not enough." He cried as he pleaded with the board to not grant her parole today, or in the future, "but specifically today, do not let her out." 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. Dave Martin/AP; SC Department of Corrections David Smith departs the Union County Courthouse in Union, SC., on Monday, July 17, 1995 during a lunch break. Smith's ex-wife Susan Smith is on trial for the drowning death of their two boys last October. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) Susan Smith. Photo: SC Department of Corrections David Smith departs the Union County Courthouse in Union, SC., on Monday, July 17, 1995 during a lunch break. Smith's ex-wife Susan Smith is on trial for the drowning death of their two boys last October. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) Susan Smith. Photo: SC Department of Corrections On Oct. 25, 1994, Susan told police that a Black man had stolen her car with her and David's two sons, Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months, inside. She spent the following nine days making emotional pleas on national television for her children to be returned home safely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, she later confessed that she fabricated the carjacker story and that she instead let her car roll into a lake with her small children strapped inside their car seats. Authorities alleged at the time that Susan committed the crime because she was seeing a man who did not want children. Susan was denied parole during Wednesday's hearing, however, she can go before the board for her release every two years. "I miss them very much," David said of his late children. "And I love them very much. And I will be here every two years going forward to ensure that their death doesn't go in vain." During a press conference following the hearing, David said, "I haven't seen any remorse from [Susan]," adding that the parole committee "made the right decision." When TikToks favorite food critic reviewed a Seattle sushi restaurant, its co-owner called it the best thing thats ever happened to him but that all changed when internet sleuths spotted something amiss in the video. On Nov. 10, Keith Lee posted a glowing review of FOB Sushi Bar, located in Seattles Belltown neighborhood. The influencer recently visited the Emerald City to sample its restaurants, and one of FOBs locations was his very first stop. Lee, who has more than 16.8 million followers, sampled 10 different types of sushi sold by the pound at FOB, but singled out the salt and pepper hamachi as his favorite, rating it an 8.5 out of 10. This piece of sashimi would soon become the center of controversy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lees review initially led to a major uptick in business for FOB a phenomenon fans call the Keith Lee Effect. Vincent Chen, the sushi chains co-owner, told NBC affiliate KING-TV on Nov. 13 that hed seen a 50% increase in sales, a need for more inventory and visitors from far and wide. It really helps a small business like us, Chen told KING-TV at the time. Actually, its the best thing thats ever happened to me. Everything changed a few days later. Eagle-eyed viewers noticed movement on that piece of hamachi, and concerned comments about it snowballed. nah that fish definitely moved at 1:50, commented one TikTok user. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nooo there was a worm in one of them, wrote a second, and another added, I saw it moving. KEITH LEE ARE YOU OKAY?? asked one more. One TikToker posted a video pinpointing the exact moment of movement, and that was viewed 7.9 million times. Itll be interesting to see if he does an updated video after seeing this stuff, they said. Neither Keith Lee nor FOB Sushi Bar responded to TODAY.coms request for comment. But on Nov. 15, FOB posted a statement o Instagram, thanking Lee for visiting but denying that there was a worm in his sashimi. We want to address this claim directly and assure you that it is entirely false, the statement reads. At FOB Sushi, we are committed to upholding the highest health and safety standards to provide clean, fresh, and safe food for every customer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOB said its seafood is sourced from trusted suppliers who follow the FDAs Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points regulation, which ensures compliance with stringent safety standards, including freezing fish at specific temperatures to eliminate parasites. Regarding the video, the movement observed in the fish may result from natural elasticity or the pressure of chopsticks when applied to its structure, the statement continues. We want to assure our customers that this is not indicative of worms or any health concerns. The Washington State Department of Health inspected FOB in January and discovered no health violations and received a satisfactory rating, according to KING-TV. The chains other locations all have excellent or good health ratings, according to records found on the King County Department of Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 18, Lee posted a follow-up video addressing concerns and offering his perspective on the whole situation. 1,000% transparency, I didnt see anything until somebody pointed it out, Lee says. I cant confirm or deny what it was, but I can confirm I am okay. Lee mentions that he was driven to post an update after he saw a TikToker claim his girlfriend was hospitalized after they ate at FOB. I dont believe in tearing down any business, but at the same time, peoples health are on the line, Lee says, adding that there are always risks that come with eating raw food. He also denied he was at fault for the movement in the video. I just personally would wish that they would come out and they would be more accountable about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, FOB decided to temporarily close its locations in Seattle and Bellevue until further notice, citing the publics food-safety concerns. Your health and safety are our highest priorities, FOB wrote in another Instagram post. We are conducting a thorough investigation to address the situation and will take all necessary measures to prevent it from happening again. As of Nov. 21, all of FOB's locations remain shuttered. A public health information officer for Seattle and King County tells TODAY.com that its Food Safety Program received complaints in response to Lees video and sent the area health inspector to investigate on Nov. 18. The official attempted to conduct an inspection but found that FOB was closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will follow up with the restaurant regarding their adherence to the relevant food safety measures, the officer says. What the experts say Anytime someone chooses to consume raw fish, meat or poultry they are assuming some level of risk, Donald Schaffner, distinguished professor of food science at Rutgers University, tells TODAY.com. Schaffner says that the primary risk associated with eating raw fish is bacterial food poisoning, mainly microorganisms like salmonella, vibrio parahaemolyticus and other pathogenic vibrio species. Infections from these pathogens can cause gastroenteritis, diarrhea, nausea and sepsis, among other ailments. Nicole Richard, a researcher and food safety specialist in the Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Rhode Island, tells TODAY.com that hamachi aka yellowtail or amberjack is known to have the potential hazard of parasites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The processor and retail operation are responsible for ensuring preventive control strategies are conducted and that these strategies are appropriate, Richard says, adding that the FDA has guidance for seafood intended for consumption. Strategies to kill parasites include freezing the fish as well as cooking and pasteurizing it. When fish is correctly frozen cold enough for long enough, this mitigates the risk of parasites, but not bacteria, Schaffner says. Any reputable sushi restaurant should be freezing their raw fish. Different seafood species have different risks, Richard adds, noting that the FDAs Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance document has a table illustrating all the known species-related hazards, which may include parasites or even natural toxins from the water environment where the fish live. Both experts say customers should be educated to know the potential dangers associated with riskier foods and make appropriate choices for their health, pointing out that immunocompromised individuals are at a higher risk of foodborne illness. Sushi lovers should patronize reputable restaurants, which people can verify to the best of their ability by accessing inspection results for restaurants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of our experts stays away from sashimi as a matter of taste, regardless. I dont care for the texture of raw fish so when I eat sushi I choose to eat those types that are commonly cooked, Schaffner says. This article was originally published on TODAY.com PAW PAW, Mich. (WOOD) Deputies are investigating after they say a juvenile suspect called threats in to Paw Paw and Mattawan schools, prompting lockdowns Wednesday. The threats came in around 12:30 p.m., according to Paw Paw Middle School. The Van Buren County Sheriffs Office said the call indicated someone would come to the school and shoot it up. Both schools locked down, according to Mattawan Police Department. Police and deputy response was immediate and overwhelming to both schools and they began investigating. Law enforcement found that both threats came from the same source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives were able to track down the suspect, who admitted making the calls to both Paw Paw and Mattawan, as well as a school in Mississippi. The Van Buren County Sheriffs Office is working with Mississippi police about those threats. Police said the threats were deemed unsubstantiated and eventually, the lockdown was lifted for Paw Paw and Mattawan schools. Students were dismissed at the usual time alongside increased staff and law enforcement, the schools said. The Van Buren County Prosecutors Office is reviewing the case to determine if charges will be filed. The suspect was not identified by 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 WOODTV.com. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Overland Park police say they have arrested a suspect following a sexual assault incident that took place Tuesday morning. The Overland Park Police Department says with the help of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, a suspect has been arrested Wednesday. Suspect in Oak Park Mall shooting last year pleads guilty Police said the suspect will be taken to the Johnson County jail and the case will be turned over to the Johnson County District Attorneys Office for possible charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like to thank our community, our department members, along with the Johnson County Crime Lab, FBI Kansas City Career Criminal Task Force and local media partners for their assistance in sharing the information we provided yesterday regarding this horrific crime. I appreciate the collective efforts of all involved to ensure the safety of our community, Overland Park Police Chief Doreen Jokerst said. Investigators say the sexual assault and theft happened in a home near W. 97th Street and Reeder around 2:40 a.m. Tuesday in Overland Park. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android According to OPPD, the victim did not know the suspect but was able to provide a description. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) A man arrested in Antioch earlier this month is being held on a detainer by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping. According to an arrest affidavit, the incident unfolded on Nov. 6 in Antioch as a man was walking down the street. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) reported some neighbors believed the man could be a suspected car burglar, which led to an attack. Man charged with beating neighbor on a walk in Antioch Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 22-year-old did not want to be identified, but during a phone call with News 2 he said, I got pistol-whipped three times in the head. It was a very traumatic experience. According to the 22-year-old victim, who said he lives nearby and was walking that evening to clear his head, a car pulled up and three men jumped out. Police would later identify one of the men as 31-year-old Akeem Daley. The victim said the men who were allegedly armed with an AR-style rifle and a pistol accused him of being a car burglar. You werent breaking into cars were you? asked News 2s Andy Cordan during a phone call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, I was not breaking into cars, the victim responded. Sanctuary city proposal for undocumented immigrants in TN The 22-year-old claimed he even showed the men his car keys, telling them he has a car. However, thats when he was reportedly pistol-whipped by the men, which led to a deep gash in his head that required three staples. My mind was everywhere. I just really wanted to go home and I was praying to God that nothing was going to happen to me, said the 22-year-old. News 2 went to Daleys home on Wednesday, Nov. 20 and spoke with his cousin who was on the phone with him as she answered the door. She stated that Daley is being held in Metro Jail and is not doing well. According to her, Daley has a bond, but was recently informed by a bails bond company that ICE has put a hold on him because he is a Jamaican national and is in the country illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said he pulled a weapon and struck the guy in the head a couple of times. Did that happen? News 2 Andy Cordan asked. I dont know. I was not there, but he [Daley] said it did not happen that way, replied Kim Thomas, Daleys cousin. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee In addition, Thomas said Daley works in construction and sends money home to his mother and children in Jamaica. He is a caring father who does everything for his children and his family, she added. According to his cousin, Daley thought the victim was trying to steal a car and was attempting to help his neighborhood because someone previously stole the license plate off his vehicle. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com I understand they were trying to protect their neighborhood but at the end of the day, there is a better way to do things, said the victim. He [Daley] said if he sees me around his neighborhood he was going to kill me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daley was booked into the Metro Jail and charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which are both felony 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 WKRN News 2. A suspect was busted Thursday in the slashing of a Danish tourist on the Upper West Side after his mother identified him to cops, NYPD sources said Thursday. Cops recovered surveillance footage of the suspect wearing a T-shirt and shorts. After they released the footage to the media, 25-year-old Joshua Zinbergs mother came forward, telling police they were looking for her son, sources said. Zinberg lives with his parents in an apartment building just around the corner from where the attack took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cops in the 20th Precincts Public Safety Team found Zinberg in his car on the Upper West Side about 1 a.m. Thursday, taking him to custody without incident. He is charged with attempted murder, assault and weapon possession. The suspect spat at news reporters and photographers when he was led in handcuffs out of the precinct stationhouse Thursday afternoon to appear in Manhattan Criminal Court. Thats for all of you, he said to the gathered journalists. Do it for the clicks! You guys dont know st, he said after a reporter shouted a question about his mother turning him in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A relative in Zinbergs apartment declined to comment, saying their attorney told the family not to speak to press. The 55-year-old victim, visiting from Denmark, was attacked on W. 86th St. near Columbus Ave. at about 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, cops said. He is a former professional soccer player, ABC7 Eyewitness News says. Zinberg has no criminal record, police sources said. But ABC7 Eyewitness News reports hes had a handful of prior run-ins with police. A man who works in the area told the Daily News he had a fight with Zinberg last year over a repair he was supposed to make in the suspects familys apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He got too upset and was really complaining too much and he wants to come over to me and to fight with me, the man recalled. I didnt pay attention. I call over tenants to calm him down I knew that he had something wrong with him. Zinberg stormed off but the man was afraid he was going to come back to escalate things. I left because I didnt want any fight, the man said. After that I see him growing up more and getting a job and working. He used to say hello to me, talking to me normally. The police came last night and asked me about if I recognized that person, he added. I said, Yes, thats a young kid that I had some argument with him last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the 2023 quarrel Zinbergs father apologized, saying his son needs his medicine, the man said. His parents are very nice, the man said. They are probably trying to do their best for him. The man was surprised to learn of the slashing. I dont know if they had an argument or he was (having) a bad day, who knows? he said. Maybe they look straight at him and he react. But I didnt expect him to react like that. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement F you, guys! he reportedly shouted at the trio before running off. The victims friends, along with the super of a nearby building, aided him, giving him a shirt, towel and a rag to apply to his wound, before a nurse who lives in a nearby building gave the victim an ice pack. 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 said the attack was unprovoked. It was not immediately clear what set Zinberg off. A surveillance video of the incident acquired by the Daily News 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. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The man charged with firing a gun inside Oak Park Mall in Overland Park last year has pleaded guilty. Nery Alberto Gonzalez-Munoz, 19, appeared in Johnson County court Wednesday and plead guilty to two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor theft. According to the court documents, Overland Park police officers were conducting a retail crime enforcement operation at the mall on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just after 4 p.m. an Overland Park detective received word of two Hispanic male subjects concealing merchandise in a white shopping bag at Macys, one later being identified as Gonzalez-Munoz. Billie Eilish sends love to family of Kearney teens killed in multi-state police chase The two suspects were later seen walking quickly through the food court towards an exit at which time the food court was very busy with a large number of bystanders, including children. Two officers identified themselves and made contact with Gonzalez-Munoz, who immediately began resisting the officers, court documents say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a struggle on the floor of the food court between the two officers, Gonzalez-Munoz removed one of the officers weapon from its holster and the three fought for control of the weapon. Court documents say one officer saw and felt the weapon pointed at his abdomen during the struggle and feared for his life. The other officer also reported he feared for his life if Gonzalez-Munoz took sole control of the weapon. Court documents say during the struggle, the weapon was fired by Gonzalez-Munoz, with the expended round later located in the leg of a chair within the food court. After reviewing surveillance footage, it was determined a 5-7 year old girl had been in the seat only nine second before the shot was fired. Officers are working on identifying the child. The weapon was recovered by an officer as Gonzalez-Munoz ran towards an exit. One of the officers was able to catch up and took Gonzalez-Munoz to the ground in the entry way and the two officers continued to struggle with Gonzalez-Munoz. Court documents say Gonzalez-Munoz also had a firearm on him that fell out of its holster and was later recovered by officers. He continued to resist officers for five minutes with other officers and civilians needed to help in taking Gonzalez-Munoz into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One officer reported scrapes to his hands and soreness in his knees from the struggle. The other officer said Gonzalez-Munoz bit him in the shoulder, over his clothing during the struggle, leaving the officer with a sore and with a scratch on his stomach, left knee and bruising on his right thumb. The mall was placed on lock-down during the incident. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android The other suspect, who has not been identified since he was under the age of 18 at the time of the incident, said he had unexpectedly seen Gonzalez-Munoz at the mall and stated he was reluctant to place items in the bag at Macys but Gonzalez-Munoz encouraged him and stated he would leave the store carrying the merchandise. The juvenile suspect said he ran after seeing officers confront Gonzalez-Munoz and it was a reaction from growing up in his neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez-Munoz is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 10, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)- Following the work done to clear over two acres of invasive buckthorn on Make A Difference Day earlier this month, the Green Bay Conservation Corps wasted no time, getting right back to work to restore the woodlot of Red Smith Park in Green Bay. The volunteers recently visited the site and laid roughly 650 yards of mulch on the parks nature trails. Andy Gilsdorf, a Field Assistant with the Green Bay Conservation Corps, explained how the mulch would benefit the local ecosystem. Sustainably Speaking: Green Bay Conservation Corps holds Make A Difference Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putting mulch down will help protect the woodlot, concentrate traffic on the path and the wood chips will help protect the soil from compaction and allow a better surface for walking, Gilsdorf said. In the past, native species were planted around the woodlot, so concentrating foot traffic to the trails will help them thrive. Gilsdorf explains that the woodchips make the paths more comfortable to walk on than dirt and mud. Despite the extensive progress made so far, there is still work to be done at Red Smith Park. Gilsdorf said that about a third of the woodlot must still be cleared of invasive buckthorn, along with a few more steps that will take multiple years to complete. Sustainably Speaking: Donate instead of recycle your Halloween items Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a couple of years of follow-up treating buckthorn to make sure that all the seed that is currently in the soil doesnt regenerate and then we will finish up this trail system and from there we will do a bit of supplemental seeding to increase diversity in the woodlot, Gilsdorf explained. The Green Bay Conservation Corps is always looking for helping hands on any of their projects around northeast Wisconsin. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAINT JO (KFDX/KJTL) If youre looking to add a sweet girl to your life, look no further than Randi. Randi is believed to be about 18 months old and is a German Shepherd and Husky mix. She arrived at Easy Street with her four puppies who have all since been adopted. Leadership Wichita Falls seeks best class ever in 2025 Randi is very social. She loves people, even kids and other dogs. Shelter staff said she has become fast friends with a shy dog at the shelter who previously would not socialize with staff or other dogs and has brought him out of his shell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has not been around cats, so any home with cats will have to test her out before adopting. If you are interested in adopting Randi or any of her other friends at the shelter, call Easy Street at 940-613-6865. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. EDITORS NOTE: This story contains graphic information that may be disturbing to readers. The Mid City Inn could not have been mistaken for the Waldorf Astoria. At the cheap motel in Euless, about half of the guests paid weekly and were largely responsible for cleaning their own rooms. Customers who were short on money could pay by performing maintenance tasks like changing a shower head. Domestic fights were routine at the now-demolished motel, as was prostitution. Calls to the police were not unusual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a You go there if youre struggling, said Megan Hodge, who was a guest in 2021 when she met Jason Thornburg, who stayed in another room. Thornburg spent much of his free time reading the Bible in a chair outside his room in a first-floor nook next to a set of stairs. Inside room 113, Thornburg had a killing lair. The tile floor was nonporous, easy to clean and would not easily absorb blood. Over five days in September 2021, Thornburg cut the throats of two people and strangled another, chopped up their bodies and put them in garbage bags under his motel room bed. When his sport utility vehicle was back from a repair shop, Thornburg drove the dismembered bodies to a dumpster in Fort Worth and poured fuel from a gas can into the steel container to set them on fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He killed David Lueras, 42, Maricruz Mathis, 33, and Lauren Phillips, 34. Thornburg told two psychologists that he sexually abused Phillips corpse and had sex with Mathis and Lueras when they were alive. Thornburg said he drank the victims blood, ate a bite of Lueras heart and put the remaining part of the organ back inside his chest. A jury in Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 3 on Wednesday evening found Thornburg guilty of capital murder after about two hours of deliberation. Thornburgs attorneys argued that he was legally insane at the time of the killings. Severe mental disease or defect caused Thornburg not to comprehend that his conduct was wrong, they argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jason Thornburg is quite literally insane, his lead attorney, Bob Gill, told the jury in an opening statement on Monday as the defense began its case. With the guilty verdict, the panel will move into a second phase of the trial to hear punishment evidence. Thornburg, 44, told police that he separately killed two other people, his roommate, Mark Jewell, in Fort Worth in May 2021 and a girlfriend, Tanya Begay, in Arizona in 2017. Evidence of their deaths could be presented to the jury during the trials punishment phase. The jury will deliberate to consider two options, life in prison without parole or the death penalty. Jurors will consider the probability that the defendant poses to society a continuing threat of criminal violence, and whether there is mitigating evidence that a juror might regard as reducing Thornburgs moral blameworthiness that warrants a sentence of life without parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, Thornburg said he found a call to sacrifice. Rather than symbolism, Thornburg saw in the New Testament verse literal direction from God to kill and eat people. The biblical reference was among several signs that Thornburg assessed as directives to kill, according to testimony at the serial killing suspects capital murder trial. A bad brain stirred within Thornburg psychotic delusions, Gill suggested. He believed the sacrifices were the pathway to Gods kingdom for himself and the victims, who were, in Thornburgs view, willing participants, Gill said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Mendel, a psychologist hired by the defense to evaluate Thornburg, testified that in his opinion the defendant was insane at the time of the killings. Christine Reed, a psychologist hired by the state who testified on Tuesday, disagreed. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kim DAvignon, Emily Dixon and Amy Allin are prosecuting the case. Beyond Gill, Miles Brissette and Warren St. John were also appointed to represent Thornburg. The trial, at which Judge Doug Allen is presiding, will continue with the states punishment case on Thursday. PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) I believe in truth and I believe in facts, said Roy Paget, the now resigned candidate for Tazewell County Board Chairman, as he stood with his attorney. Paget, along with central Illinois Realtor Vivian Hagaman who was running for the county board, appeared in Tazewell County Circuit Court on the single misdemeanor count of disregarding election code. Hagaman is a former board member while Paget is currently sitting on the county board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tazewell County cyber incident nearly resolved, board chairman says The two pleaded guilty and were given 18 months of conditional discharge, which is a form of nonreporting probation, fined $25,000 along with $3,119 in court costs and fees. Additionally, they must perform 100 hours of community service. In the pages of petition signatures, Tazewell County residents signed their names and addresses, voicing their support to have the candidate on the ballot. But upon looking through the pages of signatures, you see something is off. Paget ran against Brett Grimm for board chairman in the county primary. However within the signatures for Paget to be on the ballot included two names that raise an eyebrow: Brett Grimms wife and daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only do they appear on Pagets petition, but they also appear on Hagamans petition as well, photocopied. As it turns out, the entire page of signatures that include Grimms family members was photocopied, all except where the candidates fill out their information. Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman stressed the seriousness and importance of the case. I think todays case shows that these are important documents, legal documents, Ackerman said. Ackerman went on to say that the case was lead by the office of Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and that the Tazewell County Clerks office did everything in their power to cooperate and provide documentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. CLEVELAND, (WJW) Video released to the FOX 8 I-Team shows a smoky scene after someone set fire in a local high school. That mystery remains unsolved. Thousands without power in 4 counties The new video gives us the first look at the damage. Cleveland Police body camera video takes you inside East Tech High School. Last month, someone broke into the school on a weekend and set a fire in the gym. You see the most noticeable damage along one wall in the gym. But, you also see the fire left an auditorium filled with smoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video also reveals police and firefighters trying to make sense of what happened. Can you call BOE (Board of Education) and see if they have on camera the suspect leaving the building? Do we know what door he exited out of? one officer says on his radio. Dispatch responds with Hes checking the cameras now. Alright, thank you. And, if the suspect had gloves on the officer says. I-Team: Sandusky man who was wifes caregiver charged in her death The suspect had his face covered. No one has been arrested yet. Weve learned investigators sent some evidence to a lab to be tested in the hopes of providing clues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) Ted James endorsed Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome for reelection Thursday morning before early voting starts Friday. James, who finished third in the Nov. 5 election, said Broome has the experience to tackle issues the city-parish faces. Ive said it many times over the campaign trail that it is my love for my hometown of Baton Rouge that led me to run and drove me to run and that same love is why Im standing here in Bonton Associates next to our mayor, said James. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 13, former Gov. John Bel Edwards endorsed Broome in the mayoral race. He said Broome has shown resilience and a deep commitment to the community. She knows how to work with people, whether theyre Republican, Democrats, or Independents, and shes demonstrated not just that she knows how, but shes willing to do the work even when it is hard because its necessary to keep Baton Rouge moving forward, he said. Broome seeks a third term in office in a runoff against Republican Sid Edwards. Edwards got 34% of the votes and Broome got 31% in the November election, according to results on the Louisiana Secretary of State website. Some tax credits restored as Louisiana Gov. Landrys tax plan shifts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read a statement from Broome below. I am honored to have the support of a man who has demonstrated time and again his deep love for our cityTed James. Thank you for your service, for your vision, and for this tremendous show of support. During this campaign, Ted elevated important conversationsconversations about equity, opportunity, and the future of our city. It is that kind of thought leadership that strengthens our community, and I look forward to working alongside him as we continue this important work. As we move forward to victory, I hear a clarion call for all of us to unite in action. For our babies, we must prioritize early childhood education. For our working families, we must collaborate with state and federal leaders to build stronger bridges of opportunity. And for our city, we must ensure Baton Rouges future remains bright, prosperous, and inclusive. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome Election Day is Dec. 7. Early voting will be from Nov. 22 to Nov. 30, excluding Nov. 24, 28 and 29. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A 16-year-old was charged with making a threat of mass violence on school property, Metro police announced Wednesday. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said the student allegedly posted threats to both bomb and shoot up Maplewood High School on a social media page. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Threats against schools, special events and businesses are taken very seriously by the MNPD, the department said in a Wednesday release. Those responsible, once identified, will be prosecuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrest is one of the latest arrests related to school threats, with the MNPD arresting a 27-year-old woman earlier this week for threatening mass violence against another Nashville school. Both follow a lawsuit filed against a Tennessee law making threats of mass violence against a school or on school property a Class E felony. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO A teen boy was hospitalized on Wednesday night after he was injured in a drive-by shooting on the citys Southwest Side. According to Chicago police, the gunfire erupted just before 6 p.m. in the 6900 block of South Wood Street in West Englewood. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Officers said the teen was walking along the sidewalk in the area when a vehicle approached and an individual inside displayed a gun before opening fire on the teen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the shooting, the shooter fled the scene in an unknown direction. Police said the teen sustained three gunshot wounds to his leg and was taken to the hospital in good condition. Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting, and officers said no arrests have been made. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact CPD Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or dial 911. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) An 18-year-old has been indicted on charges for shooting a man near the RTA bus hub in Dayton. Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. announced the indictment of Geneale Dareeke Galloway, 18 of Dayton, in relation to a shooting that occurred on Monday, Nov. 11. Vehicle involved in Trotwood crash led Moraine police on pursuit earlier: cops Dayton police officers were dispatched to the RTA Hub in downtown on the afternoon of Nov. 11. Upon arrival, they found a victim suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigation revealed Galloway and the victim had been in a verbal argument when the defendant pulled out a gun and fired three shots, striking the victim once. Video surveillance captured the shooting and Galloway fleeing the scene soon after. Within minutes of the shooting, police located Galloway after he had fled down and alley and disposed of the handgun in a dumpster. The Montgomery County Grand Jury has indicted the defendant on the following charges: Two counts of Felonious Assault (with three-year firearm specification) One count of Tampering with Evidence One count of Having Weapons While Under Disability prior offense of violence One count of Carrying Concealed Weapons One count of Obstructing Official Business Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant was previously convicted of burglary as a juvenile. In August 2024, as an adult, the defendant had been given Intervention in Lieu of Conviction on counts of Carrying Concealed Weapons and Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle. A revocation hearing will be held on Nov. 21 on that case. He is currently being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond. He is set to be arraigned on Nov. 26. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. The 17-year-old girl who died after a car she was in with her sister rolled down a boat ramp into Lake Washington was identified Friday morning. On Friday, the King County medical examiner identified the girl as Rasha Al Gburi, 17, of Seattle. She died from anoxic brain injury, asphyxia and drowning. Her death was ruled accidental. On Nov. 20, the Seattle Police Department announced that Gburi, who was critically injured when the driver rolled the car into the water at a boat launch in Lake Washington on Nov. 16, died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 16, Seattle police responded to calls about a car submerged in the waters of Lake Washingtons Atlantic City Boat Ramp. When police arrived, they found the driver, who was the victims sister, onshore but Gburi was still in the water. The victim was later pulled out of the water unresponsive. Crews performed lifesaving steps and took her to Harborview Medical Center where she died of her injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Authorities have identified the 18-year-old man fatally shot in south Minneapolis Tuesday evening. Officers responded to the shooting in the 2500 block of Ogema Place at around 8:40 p.m. and found the wounded victim, identified as as Lamar Lamount Davis, of St. Paul. Davis died at the scene, and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed his cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds to his head. Credit: Tony Webster, Flickr As of Wednesday, little information is available regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and 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: 18-year-old fatally shot in south Minneapolis Former Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai denied in his landmark national security trial yesterday 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 territorys 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 former leader Tsai Ing-wen and Hong Kongs last British governor, Chris Patten. 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. 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. Authorities have used a 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. 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. 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 Trumps 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. 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 today. 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. 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 ministrys spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters yesterday 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. KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP An investigation is underway after three people were found dead in a Warren County home, officials said. Chris Stanford, district attorney general of the 31st judicial district, said Wednesday afternoon in a Facebook statement that the people were found in the Merry Oaks Road area. "There does not appear to be any immediate threat of harm to the local community, based on currently available information," Stanford said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that the authorities are in the preliminary stages of the investigation and more information may be released later. He provided no further information about how the people died. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations sent agents to assist the Warren County Sheriff's Office in their investigation. Warren County is about an hour and a half south east of Nashville and 50 minutes from Murfreesboro. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Warren County officials: Three bodies found in Merry Oaks Road area The Yellowstone River flows north of Gardiner, Montana, in an area where bison migrated to during the hard winter of 2022-23. (Photo by Blair Miller) Democrats on the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday advanced U.S. Sen. Jon Testers Montana Headwaters Legacy Act out of the committee on a party-line vote, meaning the legislation can be heard in front of the full Senate or be included in a broader public lands package. The legislation would designate 326 total river miles from 19 rivers in Montana as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. If passed and signed into law, portions of the Gallatin, Yellowstone, Smith, Boulder, and Stillwater rivers and their headwaters would receive special classifications and lead to distinct management plans for each section, with a goal of protecting the wild and free-flowing nature and water quality of rivers in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the rivers contained in the bill have already been found eligible to be designated either as wild or scenic rivers by federal land management agencies. A coalition of groups in southwestern and southern Montana have been pushing support for the bill. The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act is a community-driven, broadly supported, and deeply vetted legislation crafted by Montanans through over a decade of public input, Charles Drimal of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition said in a statement. Tester, a Democrat who lost his re-election bid this month to Republican newcomer Tim Sheehy, first introduced the measure in 2020 and did so again in 2021, but neither bill made it out of an Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee. After the current version was heard by the committee this past June, Tester encouraged a full committee vote on the bill. Boaters on the Smith River in Meagher County (Photo by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks). The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 and generally creates a protective corridor of a quarter mile out from each riverbank that might inhibit development in or along the river in that designated section. For instance, it could bar the federal government from supporting dam construction in a designated area, but a designation does not interfere with water rights, recreation, or agricultural practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of the end of last year, about 13,467 river miles of 228 rivers in 41 states had designations under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. In Montana, designations include portions of the Missouri River, Flathead River, and East Rosebud Creek, the last of which was designated in August 2018. The Missouri and Flathead designations were made in 1976. In total, 388 river miles in Montana out of about 177,000 miles are currently designated under the act. The version of Testers legislation senators voted on Tuesday had stripped out some proposed designations in the Madison River system about 58 river miles from the original proposal were taken out to acquiesce to landowners and some county commissioners who voiced concerns, senators said during the meeting. A spokesperson for Tester did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the legislations movement on Wednesday. Montanas other U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican who led the effort to oust Tester this election cycle as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, voted against moving the legislation out of the committee, saying he had concerns about the measures far-reaching approach and had heard opposition from landowners, county commissioners, irrigators and other stakeholders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, weve seen these designations hinder or delay road work, aquatic restoration projects, grazing and fuel management projects, which is why legislation like this should be very carefully considered, Daines said. He said the East Rosebud designation had received support from Montanas entire congressional delegation and that he believed that designation had been thoroughly vetted. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines discusses the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act during a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources meeting on Nov. 19, 2024. (Screenshot courtesy US Senate) Committee Chairperson Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, countered by saying the committee had discussed and worked on the bill for quite some time and that he believed the amendments particularly regarding the Madison River designations had addressed the greatest concerns people had. The rivers that would be protected by the bill provide outstanding recreational opportunities and spectacular scenery, Manchin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daines said that addressing concerns on the Madison, partially coming from NorthWestern Energy, was good news but one of several issues raised by others. Theres eight counties that are affected by this. Half of those counties, their county commissioners specifically have weighed in in opposition to this, Daines said. Theyre very important voices in this process, and we need to keep working with them to get broader support, and thats why Im opposed at this moment. But the coalition of economic development, outfitter, conservation and governmental organizations that support the measure, numbering in the hundreds, say the vast majority of Montanans support Testers legislation, pointing to the 2024 Public Lands Survey from the University of Montana, which found 83% of respondents supported the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act. The poll results showed 59% said they strongly supported the measure, while only 16% said they either somewhat or strongly opposed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kristin Gardner of the Gallatin River Task Force said in a statement that polling showed the sentiment to protect Montanas rivers was strong across the political spectrum. Scott Bosse, the northern Rockies regional director for American Rivers, said the rest of Montanas federal delegation needed to work together to get the measure across the finish line. The group said in a statement the legislation could still be included in a public lands package before the end of the year and before the new Congress is seated in January. Given the importance of healthy rivers to our economy and way of life, its no surprise that Montanans from across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support efforts to protect Montanas most cherished waterways, Bosse said in a statement. We remain hopeful that Montanas congressional leaders can work together to ensure the MHLA is included in a public lands package by the end of the year. A Dallas anesthesiologist was sentenced to 190 years in federal prison for injecting drugs into IV bags, leading to at least one death. Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz was convicted in April on five counts of intentional adulteration of a drug, four counts of tampering with consumer products resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of tampering with consumer products. Leigha Simonton, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, compared Ortiz to a gunman "spraying bullets indiscriminately into a crowd" in a statement after the sentencing. "But he wielded an invisible weapon, a cocktail of heart-stopping drugs, concealed inside an IV bag designed to help patients heal," Simonton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortiz was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to 2,280 months, which the judge ordered he serve consecutively. A public defender for Ortiz said the defense "respectfully disagrees" with the verdict and intends to invoke Ortiz's right to appeal. Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz. From May to August 2022, several patients at Baylor, Scott & White SurgiCare North Dallas experienced cardiac emergencies during routine procedures, according to the U.S. attorneys office. During that time, Dr. Melanic Kaspar, an anesthesiologist who worked at the practice, died shortly after she used an IV bag to treat herself for dehydration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors began to suspect an issue with the IV bags in August 2022, after an 18-year-old patients condition became critical during a routine sinus operation, prosecutors said. A lab analysis of the IV bag used in the procedure found evidence of a drug cocktail that included a nerve-blocking agent, a stimulant and an anesthetic, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said at trial that Ortiz injected saline bags used for the IV drips with epinephrine, bupivacaine and other drugs before he placed them in a warming bin for colleagues to use. Video presented as evidence also showed Ortiz repeatedly retrieving IV bags from the warming bin and replacing them shortly before the bags were taken into surgery, prosecutors said. Doctors testified that the medical emergencies occurred shortly after new IV bags were hung during the procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaspars husband, John Kaspar, was one of several people who gave victim impact statements at Ortiz's sentencing, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported. Kaspar told the station that Ortiz killed his wife. It wasnt through malice, he said. It was through pure calculation. Ortiz has not been charged in Kaspars death. U.S. District Judge David Godbey said Wednesday that Ortiz caused her death and described his other conduct as tantamount to attempted murder. At the time of the cardiac emergencies, Ortiz was facing disciplinary action for an alleged medical mistake made in one of his own surgeries and faced losing his license, the prosecutors office said in April, citing evidence presented at trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas Medical Board suspended Ortiz's license in September 2022 "after determining his continuation in the practice of medicine poses a continuing threat to public welfare." His suspension was listed as temporary, but the status has not been updated with additional board actions. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Dallas anesthesiologist Raynaldo Riviera Ortiz Jr., 60, has been sentenced to 190 years in federal prison for tampering with IV bags, which led to at least one death. In April, Ortiz was convicted in federal court for "injecting dangerous drugs into patient IV bags, leading to one death and numerous cardiac emergencies," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Ortiz was found guilty on four counts of tampering with consumer products resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of tampering with a consumer product and five counts of intentional adulteration of a drug, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, a federal judge sentenced Ortiz to 2,280 months in prison, which were ordered to be served consecutively. Ortiz's public defender said the defense "respectfully disagrees" with the decision and implied there are plans to appeal it, according to NBC News. Poisoned IV bags killed fellow anesthesiologist While employed at Baylor Scott & White Surgicare's North Dallas facility from May to August 2022, Ortiz "surreptitiously injected IV bags of saline" with a nerve-blocking agent called bupivacaine, a stimulant called epinephrine and an anesthetic called lidocaine, the Justice Department said. During that period Dr. Melanic Kaspar, another anesthesiologist at the practice, used one of Ortiz's IV bags to treat dehydration. Kaspar died shortly after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her husband, John Kaspar, was among those who gave a victim impact statement at Wednesday's sentencing, saying Ortiz "got exactly what he deserved." "He killed my wife," Kaspar said, according to NBC News DFW. It wasnt through malice. It was through pure calculation. U.S. District Judge David Godbey agreed that Ortiz was responsible for Dr. Kaspar's death. He also said the other instances of poisoned IV bags were "tantamount to attempted murder." Despite these claims, Ortiz has not been charged in Dr. Kaspars death. Ortiz used 'invisible weapon' like 'spraying bullets indiscriminately into a crowd' In a statement after the sentencing Leigha Simonton, a U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, said Ortiz's actions were like that of a gunman "spraying bullets indiscriminately into a crowd," NBC News reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But he wielded an invisible weapon, a cocktail of heart-stopping drugs, concealed inside an IV bag designed to help patients heal," Simonton said. The drug cocktail injected in IV bags by Ortiz contributed to numerous patients at the surgical center suffering from cardiac emergencies during routine medical procedures performed by doctors, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Doctors at the surgical center became wary of the tainted IV bags in August 2022 after an 18-year-old patient had to be rushed to the intensive care unit during a routine sinus surgery, the Justice Department said. A lab at the University of North Texas in Denton analyzed fluid from the IV bag used during the teen's surgery and found the drug cocktail inside, according to a criminal complaint. The effects of the medley of drugs include "very high blood pressure, cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary edema," federal authorities said. A puncture in the bag was also found. 'I wasn't able to talk, breathe,' one of Raynaldo Ortiz's victims says Jack Adlerstein, now 19 years old, spoke with KDFW in Dallas about the horrifying experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The next 24 hours were really, really hard for me," Adlerstein told the TV station about how he felt after the incident. "I wasn't able to talk, breathe. They had to put me on a breathing mask." Adlerstein's father said he was told "there was a real fear that there might be lasting neurological damage," KDFW reported. Jack has since fully recovered, the TV station said. Raynaldo Ortiz caught on camera Ortiz's plan included injecting the IV bags with the drug cocktail, placing the bags into a warming bin at the facility and then waiting for his colleagues to use them during surgeries, the Justice Department said. Surveillance video introduced during the trial showed Ortiz repeatedly grabbing the IV bags from the warming bin and replacing them not long before they were carried into operating rooms, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Prosecutors also showed surveillance video of Ortiz mixing vials of medication and watching emergency responders wheel out victims, federal authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortiz was facing disciplinary action during the time of his crimes due to an "alleged medical mistake" he made during one of his surgeries that resulted in his patient not breathing during a routine procedure, the criminal complaint shows. Ortiz was at risk of losing his medical license due to the mistake, according to prosecutors. Ortiz believed the surgical center was trying to "crucify" him for the mistake, particularly since he would be financially devastated if he lost his job, the criminal complaint said. Ortiz 'assembled ticking time bombs' Doctors testified during the April trial about how confused they felt when their patients' blood pressure "suddenly skyrocketed," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. After reviewing medical records, the doctors noticed that all the emergencies happened right after new IV bags had been hung, according to the Justice Department. "Patients recalled waking up unexpectedly intubated in intensive care units they had been transported to via emergency medical transportation services, in pain and in fear for their lives," the doctors said during their testimonies, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The surgical center told authorities it had five transfers for emergency treatment during August 2022, which matched the facility's 2021 total, the criminal complaint said. Dr. Ortiz cloaked himself in the white coat of a healer, but instead of curing pain, he inflicted it, U.S. Attorney Simonton said in a news release. He assembled ticking time bombs, then sat in wait as those medical time bombs went off one by one, toxic cocktails flowing into the veins of patients who were often at their most vulnerable, lying unconscious on the operating table." USA TODAY contributed to this report. This story has been updated to correct a misspelling and to add a video. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Dallas doctor Raynaldo Ortiz sentenced to 190 years for IV poisoning Para leer esta nota en espanol, haz clic aqui. On Nov. 1, Texas hospitals that accept Medicaid or Childrens Health Insurance Plan coverage started asking all patients about their immigration status and whether they are lawfully present in the United States. The requirement is part of an executive order Gov. Greg Abbott issued this summer. The information is statistical only. No identifying information about the patient is passed along to the governors office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what you need to know. Do I have to answer hospitals questions about my citizenship or immigration status? No. According to several advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, while hospitals are required to ask patients about their citizenship or immigration status, they cannot force anyone to answer the question. Patients can either answer the question or tell the hospital that they dont wish to respond. Will I be denied treatment if I refuse to answer? You should not be denied health care treatment for refusing to answer questions about your citizenship or immigration status. Abbotts order says hospitals should inform patients that their response to this question will not affect their care as required by federal law. Harris Health in Houston, which includes Ben Taub and LBJ hospitals, said in a statement: Regardless of how they answer the citizenship status question, it will in no way interfere with their receiving healthcare at Harris Health emergency rooms or hospitals. What if a hospital employee pressures me to respond? What recourse do I have? A patient can ask to speak to the supervising nurse on duty, the hospitals guest relations staff or a patient rights advocate. If a patient believes the hospitals staff behaved improperly when asking for their citizenship or immigration status, they can contact the ACLU through this intake form. Why are hospitals doing this? Hospitals are required to do this because of the governors order. Abbott is requiring them to do this because he wants a clearer picture of how much money Texas hospitals spend caring for undocumented immigrants. Abbott has argued that the Biden administrations immigration policies have cost states more money and that the federal government should reimburse states for those costs What will hospitals do with this information? Abbotts order requires hospitals to count how many times they have asked the question of patients and keep track of the patient answers they receive. They are not sharing personal information about a patient to any state agency. At what point of the visit are they asking this question? Hospital staff can ask about their citizenship or immigration status at any point during the intake process but asking the question cannot impact patient care. Does the governors order apply to the urgent care clinics that are run by hospitals? It only applies to hospitals, not their clinics, according to the Texas Hospital Association. The Texas Tribune has not received any reports of urgent care clinics asking patients about their citizenship or immigration status. Are all patients being asked this question? Yes. Will I be asked this question regardless of my ability to pay for care? Yes. What if I dont feel comfortable asking for more information or discussing my rights in English? According to the ACLU, if you have concerns about your rights or care but dont feel comfortable discussing them in English, you should request an interpreter fluent in your native language. Disclosure: Texas Hospital Association 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. AUSTIN (Nexstar) Migrant crossings along the Texas border are at their lowest level in years, a dip achieved through seasonal trends, federal executive action and the states Operation Lone Star but state leaders are not pulling back from the border yet. Were not letting up at all, Gov. Greg Abbott told Fox News Sean Hannity Tuesday night. We have to get them out of our country as quickly as possible, but we have to multitask we have to at the same time ensure that we are building the barriers and denying the illegal entry into our country. Texas offers Trump recently purchased ranch for deportation facilities Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Abbott shared video of additional buoy barriers the state is placing in the Rio Grande River. A thousand feet of bright-orange balls have cut through the river in Eagle Pass for more than a year, designed to deter and redirect migrants considering walking across the shallow water. The Rio Grandes new reality: Kayaking through Operation Lone Star Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham also announced her office is offering a 1,400-acre plot of land in Starr County to the Trump administration. She says it would be an ideal spot for a deportation facility. I am 100 percent on board with the Trump administrations pledge to get these criminals out of our country, and we are more than happy to offer our resources to facilitate deportations of these violent criminals, Buckingham said. Were happy to make this offer and hope they take us up on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buckingham described the plot as essentially farmland, and easy to build on. Her office did not specify how much the state paid to acquire it. Texas immigration law back in appeals court after legal back-and-forth Last week, Abbott shared images of Texas troops conducting training exercises in preparation for what he calls potential mass migration. DHS reportedly considered the possibility that migrants may try to cross the border before President-elect Trump takes office. There has been no extraordinary surge reported at this point. Border Report Live: What the border could look like under Trumps 2nd presidency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas legislature is also preparing to take state border enforcement even further. State Sen. Bob Hall, for example, has filed bills to establish the Texas Department of Homeland Security and to authorize the Texas Department of Public Safety to deport migrants measures the Biden administration challenged as unconstitutional. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A federal grand jury has returned a six-count indictment charging the Houston-based energy business Phillips 66 Company with violating the Clean Water Act after the company allegedly discharged "hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater" from its Carson oil refinery into the Los Angeles County sewer system then failing to report the violations to authorities, the Justice Department announced today. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. The company is expected to be arraigned in the coming weeks in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, prosecutors say. Protecting our environment is key to protecting our community, said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. Just like the rest of us, corporations have a duty to follow the law, so when companies contaminate, they must be held accountable. My office will continue to be vigilant in safeguarding our natural resources for all to enjoy. Related: Gavin Newsom Unveils Punishment Plan for Big Oil Price Gouging The violation, prosecutors say, was a dangerous spill that occurred for nearly three hours in the early morning hours on Nov. 24, 2020, that dumped 310,000 gallons of oil and grease that was "more than 300 times the concentration," the company is allowed by permit to discharge into the L.A. County sewers. The company then covered up the spillage by failing to notify county officials of its noncompliance, prosecutors say. Months later, the company had another polluting event on the evening of Feb. 2, 2021, during which for approximately five-and-a-half hours, the Carson facility dumped approximately 480,000 gallons of non-compliant industrial wastewater, which contained at least 33,700 pounds of oil and grease, into LACSDs sewer system. Illegally discharging pollutants into the sewer system violates the Clean Water Act, said Special Agent in Charge Kim Bahney of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Criminal Investigation Division. The charges today illustrate EPAs commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring accountability for those that neglect or fail to abide by our nations environmental laws. Related: Authorities Close Miles of Orange County Beaches as a Giant Oil Spill Washes Ashore An attorney for the suspect in the fatal shooting of a gay man at a Tampa dog park has filed a motion arguing that text messages the alleged victim sent before the shooting bolster the defendants self-defense claim. Gerald Declan Radford was arrested and charged with second-degree murder more than a month after the Feb. 2 shooting that killed John Walter Lay, 54. Prosecutors said evidence showed Radford was the aggressor and are seeking a hate crime enhancement because, they say, he was motived by the fact that Lay was gay. Friends of both men told the Tampa Bay Times and investigators that Radford had been harassing Lay for months, calling him homophobic slurs and threatening him. Radford, who was 65 at the time of the shooting, has claimed the shooting was self-defense and that he didnt start the fight that ended when he shot Lay in the chest at the West Dog Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A text message that Lay sent to a friend at 6:11 p.m. on Feb. 1 shows he planned to attack Radford, attorney Matthew J. Futch argued in the motion filed Tuesday. He doesnt really intimidate me, Lay, who went by Walt, wrote in the message to Sue Jones, a friend with whom hed been corresponding about the ongoing dispute with Radford. I thought, if he blocks my path again, Ill try to tackle him. Hes really older than he looks. Hes weak and feeble. Ill keep you informed. This weekend should be drama. Lay sent another message to Jones about 13 minutes later. Hes eat up with bursitis! Lay texted. I think he wants me to beat him. In some weird crazy sex...I dont know. Lol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Futch notes in the motion that Lay sent the text messages after he recorded a selfie video that he made to document an encounter with Radford at the dog park that day. He comes up to me and screams at me, Youre going to die, youre going to die, and I asked him to just leave me alone, Lay states in the video, which he sent to another friend later in the evening of Feb. 1. Futch argues that the text messages show that hours after Lay claimed Radford threatened his life, Lay is meticulously planning his attack and relishing in the drama it will cause without any mention to Sue Jones of the alleged threats made to him that very morning. The text messages, sent 18 hours before the fatal confrontation between the two men, can only lead to one conclusion, Futch wrote, that Mr. Lay was looking to attack Mr. Radford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Futch argues in the motion that the text messages provide enough new evidence to merit giving Radford another bail hearing. During a pretrial detention hearing in March, a judge ordered Radford to be held in the county jail pending trial. In an email to the Tampa Bay Times on Thursday, Futch said the discovery of the texts seismically changes the tenor of this case and that the Hillsborough State Attorneys Office should dismiss the case. This is a miscarriage of justice, Futch said in the email. An innocent man has been sitting in jail since early March, the State now has direct evidence that 18 hours prior to the shooting, the alleged victim was outlining his plan to tackle a weak and feeble man who the alleged victim in his own words was not really intimidated by. The Hillsborough Clerk of Courts website showed that the State Attorneys Office had not yet filed a response to Futchs motion as of Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have reviewed the motion and maintain our position that the shooting was not an act of self-defense, Erin Maloney, a spokesperson for the State Attorneys Office, said in an email. It also does not change our position that the defendant should be held in custody prior to trial. A stand your ground hearing for Radford that had been scheduled for Nov. 12 was canceled after prosecutors requested a continuance. The hearing has not been rescheduled. Hours after the shooting, Radford texted to a mutual friend of his and Lays a photo of himself with what appeared to be bruising under one eye and an abrasion above one of his eyebrows. Im so sorry to tell you, Walt attacked me and I had to defend myself, Radfords text said. I never thought he would go for me. I really sorry. I really had no choice he was too crazy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a March news release announcing the charges against Radford, the State Attorneys Office said people from the community had approached the office with concerns about the time that had passed since the shooting without an arrest. They noted that Floridas stand your ground self-defense law makes such cases challenging. The controversial law states that a person who is not doing anything illegal and is attacked in a place where they have a right to be can use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary for their own defense. Throughout the course of this investigation, community members stepped forward with important information about ongoing tensions that helped add context to the incident, the news release stated. Combined with video recordings created by the victim before he was killed, investigators were able to build a strong case to bring to our office for prosecution. What this defendant did was based on hatred, Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement at the time. We felt it was appropriate to charge him as such and that is why the Legislature gave us this tool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Radfords first bail hearing in March, prosecutors argued that the bullet trajectory discovered during Lays autopsy was inconsistent with Radfords account of the shooting. Radford told detectives that Lay struck him in the head with an object and he fell. While laying on his back with Lay on top of him, Radford said he rolled over, pulled out his gun from a holster on his right hip and shot Lay. The medical examiner found the bullet entered the right side of Lays chest and traveled down and to the left before it lodged in his lower left lumbar. The state argued the bullets path refutes Radfords account that he pulled the gun and shot from his right side. Instead, the bullet traveled in the opposite direction of where Radford said he had shot Lay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lays body had multiple scrapes on his knees, according to the autopsy. Deputies said they found Radford at the scene with cuts and bruises on his face and around his eyes. In the initial 911 call, Radford said Lay attacked him with a metal bottle. Detectives found two metal travel cups at the scene. Radford identified one as his own and said he didnt know who owned the other one. A Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office homicide detective and the lead investigator in the case testified that a witness overheard Radford say, I just want to kill him, and using an expletive after walking away from an argument with Lay days before the shooting. The detective also told prosecutors witnesses had told him that Radford repeatedly referred to Lay as a common gay slur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the hearing, another of Radfords attorneys, Marie Taylor, argued that the states case is about politics, media attention and not evidence. The evidence brought by the state was enough to keep Radford in jail until his case is resolved, Judge Caroline Tesche Arkin ruled during that hearing. If Radford is found guilty as charged, he could face a sentence of life in prison. If a jury finds Radford guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter with a weapon, which typically carries a punishment of up to 30 years in prison, he also could be sentenced to life under the hate crime enhancement. BANGKOK (AP) A Thai court on Thursday threw out a lawsuit brought by a pro-democracy activist which alleged spyware produced by an Israeli tech firm had been used to hack his phone. The Civil Court in Bangkok said Jatupat Boonpattararaksa had failed to provide sufficient proof that his phone was infected with Pegasus spyware produced by NSO Group Technologies. Jatupat, also known as Pai Dao Din, had alleged that the NSO Group had violated his and other activists' constitutional rights by facilitating the use of Pegasus to allegedly target them and extract data from their devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had claimed his phone was infected on three occasions in 2021, a time of large-scale protests against the government that included unprecedented demands for reform of Thailands powerful but opaque monarchy. The NSO Group welcomed the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the lack of evidence to support the claims against our company. We remain committed to the responsible use of our technologies, which are exclusively provided to government agencies for the prevention of serious crimes and terrorism, spokesperson Gil Lainer said in an email to The Associated Press. "NSO operates under strict regulatory frameworks and ethical standards, and we will continue to cooperate with authorities to ensure our products are used lawfully and effectively. An investigation last year by Thai civil society group iLaw, Thai internet freedom organization DigitalReach and Canadian internet watchdog group Citizen Lab found that 35 individuals in Thailand were targeted by government surveillance using Pegasus in 2020 and 2021. The victims were predominantly activists and scholars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other activists alleged that Thai government agencies were behind the use of Pegasus, but officials have not commented directly on it. When pressed by the opposition in Parliament in 2022, the government acknowledged that state agencies had used Pegasus for activities related to security or narcotics. Speaking outside the court, Jatupat, who had been a leader of street protests in 2021, said he had brought the suit to fight for people's rights and freedoms. We fought for this because we wanted to prove whom the law will protect, he said. It is obvious today that the court chose to protect state security. Sutawan Chanprasert from DigitalReach called the ruling "disappointing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think theres a lesson learned, she said. "I think the reason the court gave will help us to prepare better for future cases. Amnesty International, which had filed a brief in support of Jatupat's suit and has investigated the use of Pegasus spyware around the world, called the ruling deeply alarming. However it wont deter the fight against the unlawful use of spyware and the fight for justice for the victims of spyware in Thailand and around the world," the rights group said in a statement. NSO Group has previously said it only develops the spyware and does not control its use. Its products, including the Pegasus software, are typically licensed to government intelligence and law enforcement agencies to investigate terrorism and serious crime, according to the companys website. A Thai court has handed down the death penalty to a woman accused of fatally poisoning at least a dozen people, the first ruling in a high-profile serial murder case that has gripped the nation. Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn killed her friend last year by spiking the victims food with cyanide, then stole property from her worth more than $4,400, according to a summary of the Bangkok courts judgment on Wednesday. The gambling addict had turned to murder and robbery to pay off her debts, the judge said during the three-hour long hearing, government-owned broadcaster NBT Connext reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National attention on the case has been fueled by Sararats ties to her ex-husband a former senior police officer and her pregnancy when she was arrested last May in connection with the suspicious death of Siriporn Khanwong, which sparked a sweeping investigation into a spate of other unsolved cyanide poisonings. The two women were seen together on CCTV footage before Siriporn fainted and died, police previously told CNN. Siriporns autopsy found traces of cyanide in her system, which a police probe later revealed to be a common factor among victims who ate or drank with Sararat prior to their deaths, police told CNN last year. Following Sararats arrest, a woman came forward to accuse her of poisoning her years earlier. The accuser said she had been resuscitated in hospital following the 2020 incident, but had been too afraid to speak out because of Saratats link to her ex-husband, who held the rank of police Lt. Colonel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sararat did not testify at her trial. The court convicted her of charges including premeditated murder, robbery causing death and spiking food or other consumables resulting in death. In addition to the death sentence, she was also ordered to pay compensation for unrecovered stolen items. Siriporns family wept and embraced when the sentence was read out, NBT Connext reported. Sararat did not make eye contact with the plaintiffs side of court, though she smiled and chatted with her lawyer during the hearing. Sararats lawyer and her ex-husband were also sentenced on Wednesday. Following Siriporns killing, the killers lawyer, Thanicha Eksuwanwat, urged her ex-husband, Witoon Rangsiwuthaporn, to destroy or conceal evidence that linked her to the crime, according to the judgment summary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witoon, the former police officer, was sentenced to one year and four months in prison, according to the summary. Thanicha, the lawyer, was sentenced to two years in prison. Thanicha and Witoon were both granted bail by the court pending their appeals. Thanicha told CNN on Thursday that Saratat denies the accusations against her and plans to appeal her conviction. My client is innocent She is not satisfied with the court verdict, Thanicha said. The national police agency will submit a string of additional murder cases against Sararat to the prosecutor next week, NBT Connext reported. Thailand lifted a de facto moratorium on the use of the death penalty in 2018, executing a man by lethal injection in the countrys first execution since August 2009, according to rights groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No executions have taken place since, but courts have handed down the death sentence in several cases, including the high-profile murders of two British backpackers in 2019. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (Bloomberg) -- Thailand is taking steps to attract more foreign investment to accelerate economic growth while preparing to adjust its policies to cope with potential changes to world trade under a Trump presidency, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Southeast Asian nation wants to position itself as a destination of choice for investments in data centers and semiconductors, Paetongtarn said, adding it has made some progress in this regard by securing commitments from companies such Alphabet Inc.s Google and Microsoft Corp. Thailands $500 billion economy is in a much better shape today than when her Pheu Thai-led coalition took power a year ago, the prime minister said. Seeking to assure the gathering of Thai and foreign business leaders at the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Bangkok on Thursday, Paetongtarn said the period of political uncertainty was over and that policy continuity is a priority for her administration. She came to power in September after her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was ousted in a court ruling that unleashed political turmoil. If politics is very stable, everything is going to be more stable, Paetongtarn said. People are going to trust more that Thailand isnt going to change too much. Theyll have more confidence to invest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The return of a civilian government after a near decade-long military backed rule has also led to a surge in investment pledges by private companies. But a raft of legal petitions against Paetongtarn and Pheu Thai Party have raised concerns about fresh political instability with the nations conservative royalist establishment seeking to reassert its grip on power. Complaints Against Thai PM Pile Up as Old Guard Wields Power Thailands Board of Investment has reported a 42% jump in the value of investment proposals to 723 billion baht ($21 billion) in the first nine months of this year, the highest level since 2015. Chip-designing firm Nvidia Corp. is set to unveil Thai investment plans in December, while companies such as Seagate Technology Holdings and Western Digital Corp. are looking to ramp up investment in local operations, according to officials. We need to make sure were ready for investments especially data centers and semiconductors, Paetongtarn said, adding Thailand needs to announce to the world were ready for future investments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The premier said her government is prepared to adjust policies to support its export sector if it gets hit by President-elect Donald Trumps trade policies. Her assurance came a day after a study showed Thailands economy could potentially lose about 160.5 billion baht, shaving off about 90 basis points from its projected 3% gross domestic product growth next year. Thaksins Views The country can beat the growth target for next year as the government lifts public investments and if it can ensure political stability, Paetongtarn told a separate seminar earlier on Thursday. She vowed to complete her governments remaining three years tenure and fresh stimulus measures early in December. The government is laying the foundation for the country to escape the middle income trap in five years, the premier said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarns father, said if the US and China engage in serious trade competition, business relocations will happen around the world. I already started to see the signs of Chinese manufacturers, American and Taiwanese companies wanting to relocate to Thailand, he told the Forbes conference. The two-time prime minister, who is seen as the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai party, said the Bank of Thailand should be doing more to help revive the economy and boost liquidity. While the central bank should remain independent, it should be willing to listen to the government, he said. Paetongtarns administration and the BOT have disagreed on how best to boost Southeast Asias second-largest economy thats lagged the expansion pace of its neighbors in the past decade. The two have sparred over monetary policy and inflation targets and the government has sought to tighten its grip over BOT by nominating a former minister as its new chairman. --With assistance from Suttinee Yuvejwattana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with comments from Thaksin from 12th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) An initiative is underway to drive out hunger among veterans this holiday season. Upstate Warrior Solution in Greenville is one of several locations accepting non-perishable food items through this Friday for the 3rd annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. The South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs and Harvest Hope Food Bank partnered to bring the effort to the Upstate. There are veterans that are most likely to experience hunger and food insecurities. Those include female, disabled, and unemployed veterans. Just based on those circumstances, said Brandon Wilson, a representative of the SC Department of Veterans Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers for the drive said rice, cereal, peanut butter, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables are among their most-needed items. All donations will be delivered to veterans who need it most. We pushed a lot of food into our Upstate area to really be deliberate on those families that need it, coming off of the disaster of Hurricane Helene. My whole goal is to have our state come together, said Erinn Rowe, CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank. According to Feeding America, one in nine veterans are experiencing some kind of food insecurity. As far as active-duty military, it could be related to military pay. Thats affecting those disparities as well, too, so thats one of the reasons why we think this drive is so important, Wilson added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said they collected more than 2,500 pounds of food in last years drive and the goal is to surpass that number this year. It will be delivered to Harvest Hope Food Bank on November 25. Its going to take everybody working together to really address food insecurity in our state. And, we are seeing a very vulnerable population increase, and that is our veterans population, Rowe added. Anyone who would like to help that is not able to drop donations off in person can support the drive by making a donation on the SCDVA Thanksgiving Food Drive 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 WSPA 7NEWS. AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) If youre hosting this Thanksgiving holiday, or bringing your pet along, there are some things to keep in mind. Plenty of holiday-related food is toxic or deadly to pets. So, no matter how much they beg, veterinarians say to be cautious about what you feed them. Turkey is the iconic dish of Thanksgiving, but it presents multiple health concerns. The twine, fat, skin, bones, and how we prepare the bird could be unhealthy or dangerous if consumed by pets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Food like onion, garlic, leeks, raw dough, and grapes are all toxic for our dogs. Most prepared dishes will be generally unhealthy for pets. Dr. Courtney ONeill, with Austintown Veterinary Clinic, says this can lead to costly emergency vet bills and its best to be prepared. Have our phone number available not just now but throughout the year. So, locally we do have a couple of emergency clinics. So, you need to find which one is closest to you and what their hours are. Some of them do have limited hours and maybe on the holidays theyre most limited, ONeil said. Even if youre not sharing holiday food this season, you will still need to keep an eye out. Some pets are counter surfers or can go through the trash, making it much more likely for them to get a hold of dangerous items like cans, string, or bones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just food we should look out for, but general holiday activity. It can be a lot of the food. Theres a lot going on. Theres people over, theres decorations, theres noises, theres so much going on. Or the ornaments on a Christmas Tree, Ive seen those ingested, ONeill said. Dr. ONeill suggests keeping an eye on decorations and lights. If you are looking to share some food, raw vegetables like carrots and green beans are good options. If you are hosting this season and have pets, it could be a good idea to have a dedicated quiet space with their food and water, lowering their anxiety and keeping them safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center is facing a third lawsuit involving an employee accused of swapping patients medication with tap water. One former patient and the estate of two now-dead patients filed the complaint against the Medford facility on Nov. 14. Plaintiffs are seeking $22,450,000 in the wrongful death suit. Bomb cyclone kills at least 2 people in Washington According to the complaint, former nurse Dani Schofield replaced patients intravenous drips of fentanyl with water or sometimes combined the two between fall 2022 and late summer 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documents said Asante began notifying patients and their relatives of the nurses actions later that year and in early 2024, but the toxic bacteria-contaminated tap water had already led to severe blood infections for each plaintiff two of whom later died. The complaint also alleges Schofield stole the fentanyl for her own benefit, and the Southern Oregon hospital should have prevented it after similar drug diversions through 2016 and 2017. Train crashes into cement truck in eastern Oregon Plaintiffs accused Asante of failing to conduct pre-employment background checks and neglecting to track inventory in its Intensive Care Unit and pharmacy, among other allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the third case filed against the medical center for the alleged drug diversion this year. In February, the estate of a dead patient hit the hospital and its former employee with an $11.5 million wrongful death suit. Court documents claimed the patient was receiving treatment after suffering from an injury at work, but Schofields actions worsened his already-exacerbating health. The patient told medical staff he no longer wished to live this way. Ex-Portland police officer among dozens charged in human trafficking sting In September, representatives filed a complaint on behalf of 18 patients some of which are now dead. The complaint solely listed Asante as a defendant, but also mentioned a former nurse had stolen medication from patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KOIN 6 reached out to the medical facility for a statement, but said they do not comment on pending litigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) You may not have heard of advanced energy, but this industry is providing over 400,000 jobs including many in East Tennessee and added $56 billion to Tennessees GDP in 2022, a report finds. What is the advanced energy industry? It includes any technology that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure, or more efficient including companies involved with renewable, nuclear, and natural gas electricity generation; distributed generation; advanced manufacturing; lightweight composites for the automotive industry; electric and hybrid vehicles; pollution control technologies; smart grid; and other related technologies, according to the report. It also includes supporting services. Neighbor left stunned by explosion that leveled home in Choto community Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday November 19, the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) released the fourth edition of the Tennessee Advanced Energy Economic Impact Report. The report revealed that the advanced energy industry: Employs 420,632 Tennesseans, nearly 15% of all jobs in the state Includes more than 22,500 businesses contributing nearly $56 billion to the Tennessees GDP, 11.5% of the total Pays an average salary of $74,000 per year, 31% higher than the states average Is growing faster than the states overall economy Most of the industry is concentrated in Tennessees metropolitan areas. The industrys annual payroll spending was about $31.1 billion, and the number of jobs its creating just keeps growing. According to the report, Total AE employment has grown by 6.8 percent since 2019, higher than growth in overall jobs across all sectors in the state over the same time period. Growth in the number of AE business establishments since 2019 was 10.9 percent almost twice the growth in total business establishments in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lenoir City woman charged $9,000 for work that looks like a five year old did it Many of these jobs are local to East Tennessee. Recently, a company announced plans to build a new multi-billion-dollar uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge that is expected to create more than 300 jobs. Additionally, a different company reported that it was investing $60 million to resume manufacturing centrifuges for uranium enrichment in their Oak Ridge factory. In the former Bull Run Fossil Plant in Knoxville, one company plans to work on fusion energy which would be an incredible breakthrough if successful. Maryville is also going to get new solar power plants, and L&N Stem Academy in Knoxville even launched a nuclear energy class. From Former Governor and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexanders recruitment of automotive OEMs like Nissan in the 1980s, to Silicon Ranch becoming one of the largest independent solar power producers in the world, to our current dominance in elective vehicles, batteries, and advanced nuclear technology, Tennessees leaders and our world-class research institutions and manufacturing facilities have positioned us to become the number one location in the Southeast for energy innovation and high-quality jobs. Cortney Piper, Executive Director of TAEBC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Construction of next-gen nuclear reactor Hermes begins in Oak Ridge The report also explains advanced energys contribution to taxes: AE state sales tax revenue totaled $1.5 billion and AE local sales tax revenue totaled $461.6 million in 2022, which is a 12.7 percent and 17.1 percent increase since 2019, respectively. TAEBC, who compiled the report, is an organization that champions advanced energy as an economic development and job creation strategy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Thousands of University of California workers on Wednesday began a two-day strike to protest what they say are unfair bargaining tactics by the university system and staff shortages. The university denies the allegations. The strike by 37,000 service and patient care workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 comes a month after the union filed a complaint with the states Public Employment Relations Board alleging that the university has engaged in illegal bad faith bargaining. AFSCME Local 3299 said in its complaint that the university illegally sidestepped bargaining to unilaterally increase healthcare costs by hundreds of dollars every month, refused to provide critical staff vacancy and financial information needed for constructive negotiations, and detailed a pattern of UC representatives repeatedly coming to bargaining sessions unprepared and without authority to negotiate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Filing a claim does not mean there has been a finding of wrongdoing by the university. The University disagrees wholeheartedly with their claims, the university said in a statement. The university said it has been negotiating a new contract with AFSCME Local 3299 since January and that the union has not responded to or acknowledged any UC proposals since May. It said the university and the union are in the final stage of the impasse process at the Public Employment Relations Board. The university offered all employees a minimum wage of $25 an hour starting July 1, 2025, and at least a 5% pay raise, it said. The contract for patient care workers expired July 31 and the one for service workers expired October 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Universitys serial lawbreaking at the bargaining table means that the epidemic of understaffing at UC facilities, and the related cost of living and housing affordability crises plaguing frontline UC workers are only getting worse, AFSCME Local 3299 President Michael Avant said in a statement. Another union representing 4,000 healthcare, research and technical workers at the University of California, San Francisco also went on strike Wednesday to demand the university address what they say are systemwide staff shortages that have resulted in overcrowded emergency rooms, longer wait times and research delays. The University Professional and Technical Employees, or UPTE, said union members at UCSF include physician assistants, pharmacists, case managers, rehabilitation specialists, mental health clinicians, clinical lab scientists, optometrists, staff research associates, language interpreters, IT workers and more. When patient demand goes up, hospitals need more staff. The UC system may not care to prioritize patient care, but our members do and are willing to hold UC accountable, UPTE president Dan Russell said in a statement. With hundreds of thousands of people without power, there are several important things to remember to stay safe. TRAFFIC SAFETY: Power outages throughout Washington could continue for days, but even if your lights come back on, stoplights on your way to work may still be out. Already, local police departments have put out notice that drivers have been failing to follow the rules of the road when it comes to stoplights without power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You must treat these intersections as a four-way stop. When you dont, you risk causing crashes and more chaos at a time when first responders are already stretched thin. These outages may mean your commute takes longer than normal. Plan ahead and give yourself more time than you might need, especially because debris may still be blocking roads. CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY: As hundreds of thousands remain without power, many are turning to generators and stoves for heat and electricity. Using them incorrectly can be deadly. Eastside Fire and Rescue reported three generator-related fires in its service area Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When using a generator, be sure to keep it outdoors and fuel it outside as well. Do not store fuel for the generator indoors. Before refueling, turn the generator off and let it cool down. Another concern: carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be caused by gas generators, outdoor grills, small gas stoves, and other devices. Use these devices outside only in well-ventilated areas away from doors and windows. Do not run your generator or your car in your garage, even when the garage door is open. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to hospitalization and death. You can buy battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors that can alert you to dangerous levels even when the power is out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOOD SAFETY: Some residents across Washington have been without power for more than 24 hours. The outages are already impacting your food. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours. After that, experts say you have entered the danger zone. It is especially dangerous to consume meat, poultry, leftovers, and eggs. You have more time with your freezer. A freezer that is half full should keep food safe for about 24 hours, while a full freezer should keep food safe for roughly 48 hours. It is important you do not open the freezer door, which allows cold air to escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the high cost of groceries, it can be tempting to ignore food safety guidelines. Experts warn that decisions can have serious consequences. Most people probably have had food poisoning, or what they might have thought was the stomach flu, said Melissa Molloy, Manager of Culinary & Nutrition Services at Valley Medical Center. Just multiple days of gastrointestinal-type symptoms. Unfortunately, theres some that are even more severe, where you could end up hospitalized, especially if youre getting dehydrated, because you cant keep anything in, including fluids. Even worse cases, some can lead to death. During a power outage, you can move your food to a cooler with ice. Be sure to constantly replace that ice as it melts. You can use a thermometer to ensure the temperature stays at or below 40F. You can find a full list of food safety details here. What might happen to federal checks on anti-Black violence once Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office in January? Maybe this question popped into your head after you read that the U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the killing of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot by a white deputy with Illinois Sangamon County Sheriffs Office (apparently, he was spooked by a pot of boiling water?). In a letter, the DOJ said that the shooting raises serious concerns about the offices interactions with Black people. Over the past four years, anti-Black violence has gotten plenty of federal attention. A White House spokesperson this week condemned a neo-Nazi march in Columbus, Ohio, calling it a sickening display and saying that President Joe Biden abhors the hateful poison of Nazism, antisemitism, and racism. And at the start of his term, Biden launched a dozen investigations into law enforcement agencies on the state and local level to address police misconduct and racial discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its possible that, under Trump, anti-Black threats, whatever form they might come in, wont be taken seriously or that theyll be ignored outright. In important ways, weve already seen how recklessly Trump grapples with threats to Black Americans safety. Recall his response to the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 that was planned by white nationalists: Both sides had some very fine people, Trump claimed. We also saw during Trumps first stint in the Oval Office that he was willing more than willing to bully the DOJ and try to force it to do his bidding, which never included protecting Black communities. He booted Jeff Sessions from his position as the attorney general (and head of the DOJ) because he recused himself from an investigation into pro-Trump meddling in the 2016 election. Sessions successor, William Barr, resigned from the post after he challenged Trumps lie that the 2020 election was stolen a lie that imperiled the lives of Black poll workers. Read More: The FBI Thwarted a Racist Terror Plot in Nashville Still, theres reason to think that things might be worse the second time around. Look no further than Trumps decision to pick former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to be the countrys next top law enforcement officer. Gaetz on Thursday said that hes withdrawing his name for consideration. But Trumps selection was still alarming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz has long made clear his hostility to efforts to advance racial equality. In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Gaetz told Fox News that racial justice activists are filled with hate, and that the movement to remove monuments to white nationalism amounted to cultural genocide. A DOJ steered by a Trump hard-liner is nothing short of disturbing, as Omar Wasow, an assistant professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley, told Capital B last month. He emphasized that a federal government under this kind of influence is very likely to apply the law unevenly, using it to target people it perceives to be foes. For Black Americans, this could mean that the DOJ or FBI stops inquiries into police departments that are seen to be violating civil rights, Wasow explained. It could also mean that their locally elected progressive prosecutor now has to tussle with the federal government the kind of thing that comes up in Project 2025. Already, current DOJ officials are hurrying to finalize reform agreements with police departments the result of those investigations Biden launched that are mentioned above because Trump has signaled that he plans on eliminating this key civil rights initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concern about the changes likely coming to federal oversight is widespread. In his first comments since Trumps selection of Gaetz, Attorney General Merrick Garland gave an address that was at once a loving farewell to the department hes led for nearly four years and a note of encouragement to its employees to stay strong under new management. I may be coming to the end of my tenure at the Justice Department, he said on Monday, but I know that all of you will continue in the departments mission what has always been its mission to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights. This story has been updated. The post The Threat of Unchecked Anti-Black Violence in 2025 and Beyond appeared first on Capital B News. There are three big reasons you are alive today. One: clean water. Congratulations! You and/or your ancestors didnt die of dysentery. You didnt die of cholera. You didnt die of typhoid fever. Two: antibiotics. Congratulations! You didnt die of scarlet fever. You didnt die of a urinary tract infection. You didnt die of a tooth abscess that turned into sepsis. You didnt die of the bubonic freaking plague. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three: vaccines. Congratulations! You didnt die of measles. You didnt die of tetanus. You didnt die of pertussis. You didnt die of polio. If youve been vaccinated against HPV, you almost certainly arent going to die of cervical or anal or throat cancer. You have survived COVID, the deadliest pandemic in a century. Vaccines are the most rigorously studied health interventions in the history of the world. Over the past 50 years, 13 childhood vaccines have together saved 154 million lives. One hundred and fifty-four million! Vaccines eliminated smallpox. Smallpox killed 500 million people! The most dangerous thing Donald Trump is poised to do in his second administrationunless he barges into a nuclear war, which there is a nonzero chance of him doingis elevate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a messianic, conspiracy-theorist, anti-vaccine menace to society. If Kennedy stands for confirmation as secretary of Health and Human Services, as Trump has announced, we should all march on the Capitol with tetanus-tipped pitchforks (metaphorically, of course) to protect global health and prevent us from going back a hundred years in health time. How the hecking heck did we get here? Who is this RFK Jr. guy? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First of all, obviously, is the name. No one has grifted more from or brought more shame to a respected family. (Hes the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy and the son of Robert F. Kennedy, who served as attorney general under JFK and was assassinated while campaigning for president.) He pulls a do you know who I am whenever he gets peeved, which is a lot. In two of my past jobsas the science editor of the Washington Post, and before that the science editor of this magazinehe called up my bosss boss to complain about our coverage of him. In both cases the bosss boss asked me to talk with him because hes a Kennedy, even though they knew he is wrong on vaccines and that the coverage I oversaw was right. There are plenty of anti-vaccine grifters out there, people who make a lot of money selling books or vitamins, but nobody has spread misinformation more effectively than Kennedy, because people take his name seriously. He gets invited to give lectures. He has always gotten much more media coverage than a crank should. The majority of anti-vaccine ads on Facebook a few years ago (before the platform changed its ad policy) were paid for by an organization Kennedy ran and one other anti-vax group. So-called vaccine skepticism isnt a grassroots movement of concerned parents who just want to do right by their kids. Its a well-funded conspiracy theory. People recognized Kennedys name and gave him a disturbing amount of support in early polls when he ran for president. His campaign was largely funded by conservative donors to serve as a spoiler for Joe Biden and then Kamala Harris. (His family hates him, and they endorsed Biden over Kennedy.) He pulled out of the race, endorsed Trump, and as spoils for that endorsement is now nominated to oversee HHS, which includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, Medicare, Medicaid, and basically all federal health infrastructure and medical research funding. Its a fucking catastrophe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy cant ban vaccines, but he can make it harder to get them. Even if you and yours are vaccinated, most vaccines dont provide perfect immunity, so you are at risk as diseases circulate among unvaccinated people. (This would be a good time to get boosters for measles and pertussis.) He has spoken out against fluoride, and for unpasteurized milk. Congratulationsthanks to advancements in milk hygiene, you have not died from salmonella. And, again, while he cant ban pasteurization, he can potentially weaken FDA oversight of raw milk, make it easier for people to buy it and serve it to their children, and interfere with the agencys messaging about whether its safe to drink (its not). Its bad! But it could get even worse. The H5N1 bird flu is now circulating in poultry, cows, and pigs. It has infected people. There is no better place for a virus to mix-and-match and become more virulent than in a pig farm. Pigs are considered mixing vessels for pathogens, and its possible that the last horrible pandemicthe 1918 flupassed through pigs on the way to people. That pandemic killed 50 million people. If H5N1 starts spreading easily among people, were going to need a lot of vaccines, clear public health messages, and federal experts who arent being contradicted, let alone actively hamstrung at their place of employment, by an anti-scientific crank. Theres still a chance Kennedy wont take the lead of the most powerful health agency in the world. He and Trump are both massive narcissists who cant stand to share attention, so maybe theyll fall out. Or maybe enough courageous senators will refuse to confirm a quack. But as long as Kennedy is in the spotlight and getting respectful coverage, public health is at risk. Brace yourselves. Were about to be deluged with the most brazen and dangerous lies of our lifetimes. Three apartment sites in the Parkland area recently gained new owners after more than 20 years. On Wednesday, Institutional Property Advisors, a division of Marcus & Millichap, announced the sale of three multifamily properties totaling 557 units. The properties are Monterra Apartments, 416 111th St. Ct. E., Miramonte Apartments, 11216 18th Ave. S., and Heatherstone Apartments, 1809 105th St. Ct. S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The seller was Goodman Real Estate of Seattle, which purchased the apartment properties in 2003 from the Pierce County Housing Authority. Bellevue-based American Capital Group purchased the sites for a total of $102.6 million. The sales were recorded Nov. 12. Located in a multifamily market with one of the largest housing imbalances in the nation, these acquisitions provide the buyers with opportunity to capitalize on embedded rental and operational upside, said Giovanni Napoli, IPA executive director, in Wednesdays news release. The sites are near state Route 512, and each property dates to the early 1990s. Goodman Real Estate is perhaps most recently known in Tacoma for its redevelopment of the former Kmart site on Sixth Avenue, which is now Gage on Sixth. That complex officially opened the first phase of its hundreds of units in May. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) announced earlier today that three universities have launched a new program to help simplify and streamline the admission process for students and families. Earlier today, PASSHE shared that Kutztown University, Shippensburg University, and Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) offer real-time acceptance and scholarship offers to high school seniors who meet each universitys admissions requirements. This is being done through a partnership with Niche Direct Admissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of this new partnership, High School seniors who meet each universitys admissions requirements will instantly learn if they have been accepted. Eligible students will also receive merit scholarship offers, detailed information about each university, and the option to begin the enrollment process. PASSHE is committed to innovating and expanding opportunities for students to get a college education that prepares them for success in Pennsylvania, Interim Chancellor Chris Fiorentino said. This direct admissions program at three universities will provide students and families with a more streamlined way to apply for college, saving students time so they can focus on choosing the college that is the best fit for them. The program is another example of PASSHEs dedication to serving students of all backgrounds and increasing access to higher education in order to ease worker shortages and strengthen the states economy. According to PASSHE, this is the first time that any PASSHE university has offered a direct pathway to admission. They add that direct admission helps to break down barriers to enrollment, especially for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented minority students. Currently, Kutztown, PennWest, and Shippensburg universities are now actively offering Niche Direct Admissions to the high school class of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students using the new direct admissions will not need to submit applications, letters of recommendation, or personal essays to be admitted to the three participating universities; however, students can still apply to these institutions the traditional way as well. The same admissions criteria will apply to all students, regardless of their chosen admissions process. Times have changed. Todays students expect a modern, personalized, and transparent admissions process, Luke Skurman, founder and CEO of Niche said. Forward-thinking schools like Kutztown, Shippensburg and PennWest, and the visionaries at the Richard King Mellon Foundation, recognize the need for higher education to innovate, especially if were to do a better job reaching first-gen, Pell Grant eligible students and underrepresented communities. abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) Senator John Thune will soon be in one of the most prominent positions in Washington. As Senate Majority Leader, he will wield a lot of power. But he will also have to balance that power with an incoming president used to getting his way. Thune will take over the top spot in the U.S. Senate in early January when the 119th congress is sworn in. South Dakota plane flight logs: May 31 to Nov. 6 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are just a lot of people out there who are desperately looking for a different direction, for change, said Thune. We asked Thune how he viewed his relationship with president-elect Trump going into this congress. Its good, I mean, obviously we have an opportunity going forward to do some good things for the country and that requires a partnership, said Thune. Thune says he and Trump have spoken before, and after the election and says they have a good line of communication. Trump has not always been a John Thune fan, at one point in 2021 threatening to support another Republican candidate for Thunes Senate seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People will point that stuff out and its there , but I dont want to re-litigate the past, to me this is about the future, said Thune. Thune says Trump called him after his fellow Republicans chose him to lead them in the senate I think with him there are lots of sort of runs in from time to time, but it tends to be temporary, said Thune. Thune says there is what he calls a real alignment of incentives. I think we want to see the same things get done when it comes to the economy and energy and the border, national security, said Thune. With Trump, it is clear Thune sees opportunity. Republicans will have control of the Senate, the House and the oval office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you have unified control of the government its a rare thing , it doesnt happen often and sometimes it doesnt last long so you have to make the most of it, said Thune. As Thune takes over as Majority Leader, Republican will have 53 seat majority in the senate. The current 6 year term for Thune and the 4 year term for President elect Trump will end in January of 2029. Thune can run again, Trump can not. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tom Homan, President-elect Trumps pick as border czar, said the incoming Republican administration will absolutely use the gifted Texas land as a part of their deportation program. We absolutely will. When we find somebody, a targeted enforcement operation, when they get arrested, theyll be detained, Homan said during his Wednesday appearance on Fox News The Ingraham Angle. They have to be detained for a short time while we get travel documents from their host country. [The] host country has to agree that, yeah, theyre our national we get travel documents. We get flight arrangements, flight agreements. So were going to detain them for a little while, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homans remarks come just a day after Texas officials offered Trump a 1,400-acre ranch for his mass deportation plan. Dawn Buckingham, the land commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, said on Tuesday her office is fully prepared to cooperate with federal agencies that will carry out Trumps immigration agenda. The 1,402-acre lot is in Starr County. Trump has vowed on the campaign trail to perform the largest deportation effort in American history. He signaled on Monday that he would declare an immigration national emergency and utilize military assets to carry out his deportation pledge. Despite Texas officials siding with Trumps immigration plan, some other parts of the country are looking to protect immigrants before the president-elects inauguration in January. Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a sanctuary city ordinance to shield migrants in the city. Homan said on Wednesday that the ordinance will not matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanctuary states said theyre not allowing any detention facilities in their state fine. Then well arrest them. Well fly them out of the state and detain them outside the state, again, away away from their families, their attorneys, Homan told host Laura Ingraham. Thats what you want, thats what you get. Youre not going to stop us doing what were going to do, he added on Wednesday. So well move them to a state where we can detain them. Theres plenty of sheriffs across this country who are willing to give us empty beds. They want the funding and we can put them in a jail all across the country. Homan, who said earlier this month that the GOP administration will perform workplace raids, argued that well have no problem finding a place to detain these people. Its going to cost money, so we got to have the money to do it, he said. But President Trumps going to do everything he can to make sure we had the funds to do this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville questioned the validity of the 2020 election during an appearance on Steve Bannons War Room podcast with an offensive rant in which he called President Joe Biden a bedridden dementia patient. Bannon, President-elect Donald Trumps former White House chief strategist, asked Tuberville about the Democrats, saying Theyre there to fully stop Donald Trump and hopefully take their plans to take the House in two years and impeach him, right? Tuberville said the Democrats plan was accelerated because they stole the election from President Trump and they were able to get four years with a bedridden dementia patient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A popular and baseless conspiracy theory on the right is that shadowy forces, and not Biden, are in charge of the U.S. government. Theres no evidence to suggest that the 2020 election was stolen. Bannon went on to ask if there was No doubt in your mind that the 2020 was stolen? Listen, Ive been up [here] for four years and I saw him maybe four or five times in the Capitol, Tuberville said of Biden, according to Mediaite. And somebody has got to hold his arm and he shuffles his feet around. Im thinking this guys making decisions about our country. You know, hes over there birdwatching the last week ... in the Amazon, and were shooting long-range missiles into Moscow. Tuberville was referencing a misleading viral clip that appears to show Biden ending a speech and walking into the rainforest in Brazil. Tommy Tuberville arrives for the Senate Republican leadership elections at the U.S. Capitol on November 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Alabama Senator has dismissed President Joe Biden as a bedridden dementia patient (Getty Images) Are you kidding me? I mean, these people should be arrested for what theyre doing, Tuberville argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senator went on to tell Bannon that Senate Republicans have a plan to confirm Trumps cabinet picks. The new Congress begins on January 3, when Republicans will take the majority in the Senate. Bannon suggested that Senate Republicans try to confirm Trumps cabinet picks before he is inaugurated on January 20. Bannon said that when the new Congress is sworn in, you've got to roll up as a group with these confirmation hearings before the 20th of January. And then on the 20th, you hit him with a third wave of flood the zone with executive orders and everything [the] president's going to do, Bannon added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would you be supportive of that to get the confirmations of at least these frontline, big things starting right after you guys are sworn in? the podcast host asked. We've already planned that, Tuberville claimed, mentioning the Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, and Secretary of the Treasury. Both of Trumps nominees for Secretary of Defence, Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General, former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, may face uphill battles to be confirmed even in a Republican-controlled Senate. Trump has yet to nominate anyone to lead the Treasury Department. Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter. The presumptive next Missouri House speaker on Wednesday opened the door for Republican lawmakers to potentially overhaul a ballot measure that enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution, despite recent comments he made about respecting the will of voters. House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson, a Lees Summit Republican, told reporters on Wednesday that one focus of Republicans this upcoming legislative session will be making changes to Amendment 3, which effectively overturned the states near-total abortion ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no amendment thats passed that cant be changed or improved upon, said Patterson, who last year was tapped by his colleagues to become the next House speaker. I think thats what our members are doing to go out and make Missouri the most pro-life state it can be. Patterson made the comments after a closeddoor winter caucus meeting of House Republicans in Jefferson City. His acknowledgment signals that Republican leadership is on board with lawmakers pursuing changes to the amendment, which 51.74% of voters approved earlier this month. The Lees Summit Republicans comments also appear to mark a departure from comments he made about the amendment ahead of the election, when he argued that we have to respect the wishes of the people. What Ive told people is that we should respect the will of the people and we will, Patterson said at a candidate forum hosted by the Lees Summit Chamber of Commerce ahead of the election. Itll be the law of the land and we have to go forward as the people decide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked on Wednesday whether he was walking back those comments, Patterson said absolutely not. We respect the will of the voters, he said. That doesnt mean that things cant be improved or changed. There are a number of things in there that members want to address, and theyll go forth right now and work on bills to address those things. Patterson made the comments as another Republican has mounted a long-shot challenge to his bid for the speakership, based in part on Pattersons comments about respecting the wishes of voters on Amendment 3. Rep. Justin Sparks, a Wildwood Republican, has called on Republicans to name him as speaker when they return to session in January. I simply lost confidence inthe speaker-elect, Sparks said on Wednesday. I had just come to the decision that I couldnt vote for himI wanted to give an alternative to anybody else that felt the same way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Wales, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, in a statement on Wednesday criticized Missouri lawmakers for targeting ballot measures that voters have approved. The Missouri legislature has a history of improving on citizen initiatives by undermining or refusing to implement them, and it didnt take long for Rep. Patterson to reverse course on his initial statement to respect the will of Missourians, Wales said. While not usually the practice of these extreme legislators to listen and learn from the people, Id recommend they try. In response to Pattersons comments, incoming House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, a Kansas City Democrat, said in a statement that Missourians just voted to fully protect reproductive rights. Full stop. End of conversation, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fights over abortion rights are likely to consume the Missouri Capitol during the next legislative session as GOP lawmakers remain steadfast in their push to undo Amendment 3. Any future changes to the amendment itself would have to be approved by voters through a separate constitutional amendment on a future ballot. The amendment legalizes abortion up to fetal viability, effectively overturning the states near-total ban on the procedure. Abortion providers have filed a lawsuit seeking to remove restrictions on abortion in the hope of restoring access as early as next month. What the Republican response will look like still remains unclear ahead of the legislative session, however Patterson signaled a willingness to make changes to its definition of fetal viability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those discussions are starting, he said. I think there are a number of things that can be addressed. The fetal viability, the definition, for one. But again, were just starting the process. Our membership is very concerned about Amendment 3. The measure defines fetal viability as the point in pregnancy when theres a significant chance a fetus can survive outside the womb without extraordinary medical measures. Laura Hogshead, the chief operating officer of the states Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), which oversees rebuilding efforts following hurricanes Florence and Matthew, is no longer employed by the embattled agency. A spokesperson for the states Department of Public Safety, which houses NCORR, confirmed to The News & Observer that Hogshead is no longer employed by the department. Pryor Gibson, who is deputy legislative counsel to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and was previously assigned to monitor NCORR, has been named interim director of the agency, the spokesperson said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coopers spokesperson, Jordan Monaghan, said in an email that NCORR had made substantial progress rebuilding houses and helping people impacted by the hurricanes. He said that the agency had rebuilt or repaired 2,897 houses, completing approximately 115 houses per month this year, and that Gibson would lead the office during the transition to Governor-Elect Josh Stein. As of Oct. 30, there were 1,523 families in the homeowner recovery program still waiting, according to the agency. Gov. Roy Cooper listens as Laura Hogshead, the chief operating officer of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, speaks about the adaptation of hurricane recovery efforts during the coronavirus pandemic during a briefing Monday, Jun. 15, 2020, at the N.C. Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, N.C. NCORR, also known as Rebuild NC, has faced heavy criticism for its failure to get Eastern North Carolina hurricane survivors back into their homes in a timely manner. Hogshead has borne the brunt of public scrutiny, most recently during a hearing at the General Assembly, where Rep. Brenden Jones, a Republican from Columbus County, called on her to resign after she accepted responsibility for agency shortcomings. During this hearing, lawmakers questioned how the agency had run through allotted federal dollars its now requesting state funding and why it had failed to pay contractors who had completed work. Members of Congress from North Carolinas delegation have also called for a federal probe of the troubled agency. It was not the first time Hogshead had been asked to resign before a subcommittee of the legislatures Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations. Known as Gov Ops, the committee is chaired by Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While NCORR was created by the legislature, it is overseen by Cooper. Hogshead previously worked at the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as chief operating officer from 2013 to 2017. Laura Hogshead, the chief operating officer of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency, speaks about the adaptation of hurricane recovery efforts during the coronavirus pandemic during a briefing Monday, Jun. 15, 2020, at the N.C. Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, N.C. The states Department of Public Safety is led by Secretary Eddie Buffaloe Jr., who is part of Coopers cabinet. In her leadership role within NCORR, Hogshead reported to DPS Chief of Staff Jane Gilchrist. Richard Trumper, former executive director of disaster recovery with the Office of State Budget and Management, joined DPS last year as senior adviser for disaster recovery. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. Topeka city leaders respond to new police chief hire TOPEKA (KSNT) After weeks of searching, the city of Topeka has named its new police chief. Topeka City Manager Robert Perez selected Chris Vallejo Wednesday as the next police chief of the Topeka Police Department (TPD). Hes currently the Commander of Investigations at the Austin Texas police department. Perez, whos also from Texas, said that him getting to know the community will be crucial. KSNT 27 News went straight to those who will be working with the new hire and got their thoughts on the hire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two candidates were both very very strong, District Two Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala said. And when he [Robert Perez] announced that it was going to be Chris Vallejo, I just let him know that I was supportive of his decision whatever that decision would be. Avoid the area: TPD investigate car-and-pedestrian fatal crash As far as communication with the community, thats also a priority I stress with Chris, Perez said. Insuring that we are being as open and transparent with the community as possible. So, transparency and communication is definitely at the top of the list. The {Fraternal Order of Police} FOP is ready to work with Chief Vallejo to make TPD the best law enforcement agency possible. The officers of TPD are dedicated to serving the community of Topeka and we are hopeful that Chief Vallejos leadership guides them in doing so. Statement from Topeka Fraternal Order of Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 27 News also talked to Vallejo on the phone. He tells us that he knows people have a lot of questions, and that he looks forward to answering them when he gets here. The city says he is expected to start his new role in mid-to late January. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Iberia launched the first long-haul Airbus A321XLR flight from Madrid to Boston on November 14. It's the world's first example of lie-flat business class on the highly anticipated new jet. The seats don't have a door or an extra-large front row, but I don't think either is necessary. Spanish flag carrier Iberia launched the first long-haul Airbus A321XLR flight on November 14, flying seven hours from Madrid to Boston. The new Airbus narrow-body looks like its A321neoLR predecessor but can fly about 800 miles further thanks to an extra fuel tank in the belly, extending the aircraft's range 11 hours nonstop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This plane is poised to open new routes for airlines they couldn't previously reach or couldn't profitably fly with a wide-body. Because the A321XLR will likely fly long-haul, many airlines plan to fit them with lie-flat business class to optimize comfort and choice. Business Insider toured Iberia's A321XLR in Boston after its inaugural flight to see the industry's first example of these new premium narrow-body cabins. It almost mirrors JetBlue Airways' Mint business class, minus two key features some passengers may miss but I don't think Iberia needs either of them. Iberia's A321XLR has 14 business-class seats. Iberia's A321XLR has wood-like finishes and a calm color scheme. Taylor Rains/Business Insider The Thompson Aero Vantage Solo seats are configured in a 11 layout, meaning all passengers have direct aisle access. Flyers will get the standard business-class perks, like priority boarding and hot meals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The section takes up about one-third of the cabin, while the rest of the plane hosts 168 economy seats in a 33 layout. There is no premium economy. Each seat is equipped with a lie-flat bed. The bed is narrow, but flyers can lay comfortably on their side or back. Taylor Rains/Business Insider The lie-flat beds are likely a welcome feature for flyers during the seven-hour trek between the US and Spain. Iberia provides plush linens for sleeping. I thought the beds were long enough for my five-foot, three-inch tall self, but they were too narrow to comfortably sleep on my stomach. Customers should have enough room to sleep on their side or back. The Bluetooth-enabled television is 18.5 inches. The author viewing the television from the first-row business class seat. It is full of movies, games, and other entertainment. Taylor Rains/Business Insider Few airlines offer Bluetooth-capable televisions so I was excited to see the option on Iberia which also extends to the economy cabin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would prefer to connect my AirPods, but customers without Bluetooth headphones can use the headset provided by Iberia. There is surprisingly plentiful storage space. There is storage under and beside the seat. Taylor Rains/Business Insider Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With minimal cabin real estate for business class, Iberia got creative with storage. Beyond the tabletop space and overhead bins, flyers have nooks beside the seat and below the television. A larger backpack likely won't fit, but chargers, books, electronics, and other small items needed during the flight can be at arm's length. There are no privacy doors as many airlines have added in recent years. Iberia's A321XLR has no sliding doors. Taylor Rains/Business Insider JetBlue Airways has the same business-class seat on its Airbus A321neoLR, but it comes complete with sliding doors something that has become a flyer-favorite perk in modern business-class cabins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iberia has not equipped its A321XLR with doors, instead relying on the seat's angle and high wings for privacy. I think the design easily does the job, and the swing-out television helps further cacoon passengers. A fully private space is preferred among many travelers, but I think adding a door would take up unnecessary space and add costly weight that Iberia likely didn't want to take on. There is no extra-large front row, either. The front row of Iberia's A321XLR. Taylor Rains/Business Insider Another popular trend among new business-class cabins is larger front-row seats, which typically have extra space for a bigger bed or a companion seat but come at an extra fee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JetBlue, for example, has its "Studio," while Virgin Atlantic Airways has the "Retreat Suite." Iberia's entire A321XLR business cabin is equipped with standard seats, which was likely the best way to optimize the cabin. Designating an extra-large front row would also likely decrease the number of Iberia's regular high-dollar seats available to sell. Business class won't have to fight for a lavatory. One of the three aft lavatories on Iberia. They will be difficult for travelers to access, given the tight space at the back of the plane. Taylor Rains/Business Insider The A321XLR is a smaller long-haul plane, so its likely more passengers will be visiting the lavatory during the flight. The front of the cabin has one lavatory for up to 14 people, which will be fine so long as the flight attendants keep it clean and stocked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business class passengers will likely be happy to have their own bathroom as the 168 economy flyers have to share the three at the back and there's very little room to queue. American and United are planning A321XLRs with lie-flat business class. American's new Flagship Suite on its A321XLR. American Airlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airlines like JetBlue and Ireland's Aer Lingus have flown narrow-body planes with lie-flat business class for years, and American has a lie-flat cabin on its transcontinental fleet. American is bringing that strategy to its future A321XLR with a new and improved business class and this time with sliding doors and direct-aisle access for all travelers. United is also planning a lie-flat cabin, though details are limited. Not every airline plans to have an A321XLR premium cabin. A Wizz Air Airbus A321neo, which will be the same cabin as its A321XLR. Thomas Pallini/Business Insider The A321XLR is a versatile plane that can fit into both mainline and low-cost fleets meaning some examples of the jet will not have business class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hungarian budget carrier Wizz Air recently announced a seven-hour A321XLR flight between London and Saudi Arabia. The flight will be all-economy with minimal legroom and no fancy amenities. Wizz Air CEO Jozsef Varadi said in September that the no-frills cabin will keep prices cheap, but customers will "have to create the fun for yourself." Read the original article on Business Insider Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect the District Attorneys Office is presenting its findings during a court hearing Thursday. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Travis County District Attorneys Office said Wednesday a man who has been incarcerated for decades should be granted a new trial and should be released from prison as he waits to hear a decision from the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals. Alvin Stewart was convicted 20 years ago of killing his former teacher and then robbing him of a VCR, according to the DAs office. In the trial, the state alleged Stewart was in a voluntary sexual relationship with his seventh-grade music teacher, which is why he was there the night of the murder, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart was convicted of manslaughter and robbery and was sentenced to 20 years for manslaughter and 60 years for robbery. This year, several witnesses, including prosecutors, the defense attorney, students and colleagues, were called to testify about the nature of the relationship between Stewart and the teacher, which included that it may have been sexual in nature and started as early as middle school, the release said. The defendant testified on the final day of the in-person hearings, the release said. The agreed-upon Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law find that the original defense attorney was ineffective for failing to investigate the nature of the relationship. Had an investigation been done, the defense would have been able to present to the jury evidence of grooming and sexual assault by the decedent to Mr. Stewart, the DAs office said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the DAs office said if the jury was aware of the relationship between Stewart and the teacher, then he would not have been sentenced to 60 years in prison. Therefore, the DAs office said had there been an investigation into the facts as alleged by Mr. Stewart, there was insufficient evidence of Robbery. These findings conclude that Mr. Stewart did not receive a fair trial, should be granted a new trial, and should be released from prison while awaiting a decision from the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals, the DAs office said in the release. The DAs office, along with the defense counsel, is presenting the findings at 10 a.m. Thursday at a hearing in the 299th District Court. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Russias third-largest bank, Gazprombank, and its subsidiaries were hit with U.S. sanctions Thursday, making it the largest bank not already targeted as the Russia-Ukraine war nears the three-year mark. The new sanctions are part of the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control and are targeting more than 50 internationally connected Russian banks, more than 40 Russian securities registrars and 15 Russian finance officials. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday the sanctions will further diminish and degrade Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This sweeping action will make it harder for the Kremlin to evade U.S. sanctions and fund and equip its military, Yellen said in a statement. We will continue to take decisive steps against any financial channels Russia uses to support its illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine. The department hit Gazprombank Joint Stock Company, along with its six foreign subsidiaries. The Treasury Department said the company is a conduit for Russia to purchase military material and to pay its soldiers and families of those killed in combat. The company is already sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The office is also issuing two licenses authorizing U.S. citizens to wind down transactions that involve Gazprombank. An alert was issued underscoring the sanctions risk for foreign financial institutions that join Russias transfer system for financial messages and any institution that works with it can be designated as operating in the Russian economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department also sanctioned 50 small-to-medium Russian banks to prevent the country from abusing the international financial system for its war. On Thursday, the department also targeted more officials in the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. The individuals include those who promote alternate financial pathways for Russia to pay for much-needed equipment and technology. Sanctions also have been imposed on four Russian nationals for operating in Russias financial sector. They include, Andrei Anisimov, who is Sberbank New Delhis deputy managing director. Three individuals with VTB Shanghai have been sanctioned: Elena Fedkina, Ilya Lishenko and Roman Logov. The sanctions come after President Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missiles to strike further into Russia, as North Korean troops have entered the battlefield to aid Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the sanctions will further curtail Russias use of the international financial system and the United States will continue to take all available steps to imposing and enforcing sanctions against Russia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The trial of a man charged with murder in the shooting death of a gay rights activist at Yokuts Park is scheduled to begin early next year. Judge David Wolf on Thursday set Jan 6 as the trial date for Fredi Rivera, whos charged with first-degree murder and violating a 10-year firearm prohibition. Rivera is being held on $1 million bail. Driver in Kason Guyton shooting sentenced, to be released in January Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement H.A. Sala was relieved as Riveras attorney during Thursdays hearing. The Public Defenders Office is now representing him. Rivera is accused of killing Daniel Landeros, who was shot the night of Sept. 18, 2023, while walking through the park with a male friend. The friend told police a man approached and called Landeros a gay slur. Landeros and the man argued while the friend waited near a bench, according to court documents. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage Soon after, the friend heard a single gunshot then saw Landeros stumble toward him, documents said. A vehicle sped away. Landeros was declared dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police linked Rivera to the suspect vehicle and arrested him in October 2023, documents said. Rivera was on probation for grand theft. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jurors reported that there were heated arguments during deliberations Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Sheila Agee Sheila Agee The trial of a woman accused of encouraging her son to kill a woman ended in a mistrial after issues with the jury including one juror who did crossword puzzles during testimony and deliberations. The juror issues occurred during the murder trial of Sheila Agee, according to reports from NBC 15, WKRG and the Pensacola News-Journal. Agee is accused of telling her son, Keith Agee, to kill the mother of his children, Brooklyn Sims, who was murdered in a Home Depot in August 2023, PEOPLE previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the outlets, the mistrial was declared on Wednesday, Nov. 20 after Judge Coleman Robinson ruled in favor of a motion submitted by the defense. "There is a particular juror who has not treated this case, and it's evident, with the seriousness it should have," Robinson told the jury, according to the News-Journal. "And it continued back into the deliberation room. GoFundMe Brooklyn Sims Brooklyn Sims Other jurors said that one juror had done a crossword puzzle during testimony and another during deliberations. The juror told WKRG that she could hear and was listening, despite doing the puzzle and that she didnt know that she wasnt supposed to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The News-Journal and NBC 15 reported that jurors also reported that there were racial issues with the jury and that one juror told the judge she didnt feel physically safe. Another juror told the judge he has a pacemaker and that the arguments in the deliberation room could affect it, NBC 15 reported. The outlet reports Sheila's new trial will begin Feb. 5. Keith Agee was arrested the day after the fatal shooting, which occurred at the Home Depot where Sims worked, PEOPLE previously reported. Sheila was arrested in Alabama days later. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The Escambia County Sheriffs Office released alleged text messages sent by Sheila to her son before he committed the crime. In them, police say she encouraged her son to kill Sims. "As long as you dont shoot me," Sheila wrote in one of the messages. In December, Keith was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, the outlets reported. WASHINGTON Native American tribal leaders urged lawmakers to increase federal funding and implement national reporting systems to help solve the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) on Wednesday. At a House Appropriations Subcommittee meeting, lawmakers heard testimony from tribal representatives and federal agency officials, expressing bipartisan support for allocating funds toward solutions. We have to write a check, and I want to make sure they get the resources they need, said House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crisis of MMIW has gained attention through grassroots movements over the past decade. Native American women face disproportionately higher rates of disappearance and murder compared to the national average, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). A National Institute of Justice report in 2016 found that more than four in five Native women face violence in their lifetime. Before the panelists gave their testimony, Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, pointed out an empty witness chair at the end of the table. Thats to represent the missing and murdered Indigenous women across this country, Simpson said. Theyre listening. Five female Native witnesses told the committee their personal stories of violence, rape and murder. They described the difficulties of getting justice under a legal system that creates a loophole for perpetrators of violent crimes against Native people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ranking Member Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said that the BIA estimates that there are approximately 4,200 MMIW cases that have gone unsolved, and less than half of victimization cases are even recorded. The MMIW crisis is exacerbated by legal jurisdiction issues, said Margo Hill-Ferguson, professor of urban and regional planning and director of American Indian Studies at Eastern Washington University Under federal law, tribal courts cannot prosecute bad actors who commit major crimes like murder, rape and arson on tribal land, Hill-Ferguson said. Instead, they rely on the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate these crimes and the U.S. Attorneys office to prosecute. Hill-Ferguson grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation and served as the in-house attorney for the Spokane Tribe for more than a decade. She experienced first-hand the legal barriers to holding perpetrators accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the tribal attorney, I received letters of declination where the U.S. Attorney's Office was declining to prosecute very violent crimes on the reservation, Hill-Ferguson said. These jurisdiction issues are the primary reason why so many MMIW cases go uninvestigated. Eugenia Charles-Newton, a delegate on the Navajo Nation council, said she remembers waking up in a shack unable to see, tied up by a man who had given her a Coke. He held her there for nearly nine days, raped her repeatedly and beat her. She was 17 years old. But this man was never prosecuted for his crimes because Charles-Newton didnt know the exact location of the shed, and therefore law enforcement couldnt determine the jurisdiction. That man walks free today, she said, and Charles-Newton represents him on the Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of cases dont ever get to see justice because nobody wants to work the cases, Charles-Newton said. Everybody wants to say it belongs to somebody else. Abigail Echo-Hawk, director of the Urban Indian Health Institute and member of the Pawnee Nation, reiterated Charles-Newtons points about jurisdiction issues and emphasized the need for measures to apply to Native people in urban areas as well as on reservations. The gray areas of jurisdiction and lack of law enforcement invite bad actors to commit crimes against Natives on tribal land where theyre less likely to be caught or punished, Echo-Hawk said. Some federal action has been taken on the MMIW crisis. Speakers cited the 1996 Violence Against Women Act, as well as the more recent Savannas and Not Afraid Acts, which passed in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speakers proposed several measures to increase awareness and accountability including a national alert system specifically for missing Native people and a cross-deputization bill that would allow tribal, state and local police to work across boundaries. Charles-Newton emphasized the need for more law enforcement in tribal nations. The Navajo Nation only has an estimated 218 police officers for a population of roughly 200,000, she said. The nation would need over double that number to meet the national average. Federal agency officials called for increased funding for BIA and the new Missing and Murdered Unit, established in 2021 by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. In terms of bridging the gap between Natives and federal law enforcement, Hill-Ferguson said theres some hope. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref, for one, has been working across jurisdictions in eastern Washington to prosecute drug dealers, she said. Waldref added Assistant U.S. Attorney Bree Black Horse to her team in February, who is dedicated to prosecuting MMIW cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill-Ferguson said that most of the progress made already in the MMIW crisis is because of grassroots efforts of Native women who call for No More Stolen Sisters. Despite the recent efforts of the federal government, Echo-Hawk said that implementation of the Savannas and Not Afraid Acts have been sparse. She called on the committee to take action to enforce these laws. This cannot depend on one person, Echo-Hawk said. This cannot depend on one organization. It must be a systematic approach that upholds accountability. About the Author: "Elyse Wild is Senior Health Editor for Native News Online, where she leads coverage of health equity issues including mental health, environmental health, maternal mortality, and the overdose crisis in Indian Country. Her award-winning journalism has appeared in The Guardian, McClatchy newspapers, and NPR affiliates. In 2024, she received the inaugural Excellence in Recovery Journalism Award for her solutions-focused reporting on addiction and recovery in Native communities. She is currently working on a Pulitzer Center-funded series exploring cultural approaches to addiction treatment." Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com ST. LOUIS Three people who used to run a St. Louis County home healthcare company appeared in federal court on Tuesday and were sentenced for Medicaid fraud. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Doriann Morgan, 59, Thalisa Walton, 47, and Barbara Jackson, 59, conspired to send fake reimbursement claims to the states Medicaid program for services they never provided. The plot ran from January 2018 to August 2021. Morgan, Walton, and Jackson admitted receiving $552,659 from Medicaid because of their scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgan owned and operated the business, A Mothers Touch In-Home Care LLC. Walton worked there as an office manager. Jackson served as the business manager and was responsible for recruiting clients. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News All three submitted phony claims for a woman who did not live in Missouri and received no actual care or services. They admitted filing claims for completed work, but their own social media posts showed them doing other activities at those times. Morgan, Walton, and Jackson all pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to commit health fraud. They also settled a separate civil case by agreeing to pay $910,000 for billing Missouri Medicaid using false timesheets and payroll records. Theyve paid $790,000 of that settlement thus far. The final $120,000 payment is due in March 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. District Court judge sentenced Morgan to two years in federal prison, while Walton and Jackson were each sentenced to a year and a day in prison. Morgan, Walton, and Jackson are no longer affiliated with A Mothers Touch In-Home Care. The company is under new ownership. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MONROE CENTER, Ill. (WTVO) Three semi trucks went off the road in a fiery crash early Thursday morning. Authorities said snowy conditions contributed to the crash. The Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Department responded to I-39 Southbound at mile marker 109 early Thursday and worked to extinguish the fire. Two people were transported to local hospitals, according to Lt. Ryan Schweitzer. Monroe Township Fire and Ambulance Protection District Monroe Township Fire and Ambulance Protection District Monroe Township Fire and Ambulance Protection District Monroe Township Fire and Ambulance Protection District Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As winter closes in on northern Illinois, Monroe Township Fire advises drivers to reduce speed on wet surfaces, cautioning that bridges will freeze first and black ice may occur, often going undetected, the Monroe Township Fire and Ambulance Protection, who also responded, 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Miami County man accused of having unregistered destructive devices is now facing potential prison time. According to the DOJs Southern District of Ohio, Steven Werling, 54 of Troy, has pleaded guilty to possessing unregistered destructive devices. Citing court documents, the DOJ claims a search warrant was reportedly conducted at his Barnhart Road home. Prior investigation revealed that Werling had researched and made purchases related to the construction of improvised explosive devices, said a release. Specifically, Werling possessed two plastic cylinders that had an explosive mixture of contents within. The cylinders and their contents are firearms under the National Firearms Act, specifically, destructive devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Werlings residence was searched earlier this year by FBI agents and local law enforcement after authorities learned of potential explosives at his home. As a part of his plea, the recommendation for Werlings sentence could be up to 24 months in prison. He will be sentenced Feb. 25, 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 WDTN.com. Mean Grocer President-elect Donald Trump successfully campaigned on lowering prices, especially at the supermarket. But this could be impossible to achieve if he wants to deliver on his other big promise: the mass deportation of millions of immigrants. As farmers and economists warn, carrying out this brutal policy would almost certainly cause food prices to skyrocket, CNN reports. The ugly truth of the matter is that the US agricultural industry is heavily dependent on labor performed by undocumented immigrants, who are vulnerable to exploitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Major moral questions aside, from a purely economic point of view, the consequences of the scale of deportation that Trump has promised are clear. With a shortfall of labor, less food will be produced. And that means higher grocery prices. "There's no question that mass deportation of immigrants will disrupt the agriculture and food processing industries, resulting in severe labor shortages, higher costs and thus higher prices for a wide variety of groceries," Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, told CNN. "The only question is how high prices will go." Job Hunting According to statistics from the US Department of Agriculture, between 2018 and 2020, 41 percent of all crop farmworkers in the country were immigrants without work authorization. Only 36 percent were US citizens, with the remainder being authorized immigrants. In this line of work, domestic workers are outnumbered by foreign-born ones roughly two-to-one. Overall, as of 2021, around 300,000 undocumented immigrants worked in the agriculture industry. At that scale, replacing the shortfall in labor is a pipe dream. It's not just the sheer volume that's a problem; it's that people born here aren't exactly lining up to do some of the most grueling work imaginable. Just ask the people who run the farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are no domestic workers that want those jobs," Fred Leitz, who owns a family farm in Michigan, told CNN. "It's seasonal. It's outside. It's hot. It's cold." "It's a demanding job. It's dirty at times. Physical in nature," echoed Rick Naerobout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen's Association. "And when you're sitting with unemployment rates as low as what we have, your domestic workforce kind of gets the pick of the jobs they want to take." Food for Thought According to Naerebout, as much as 90 percent of the dairy industry is made up of immigrants so those (raw) milk products that right-wing grifters are obsessed with pushing would probably be the first to suffer. "The impact to you in the supermarket would be a significant [price] increase in milk, cheese, yogurt," Naerbout told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That being said, it could be the case that Trump's deportations won't go as far as he says they will. Another big promise, his proposed global tariffs plus a ludicrous 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods, don't seem to be taken seriously by an optimistic Wall Street, which would directly suffer under such a policy. In any event, there will be many political obstacles to achieving those goals. But if the agriculture industry's alarm is any indication, even a softened version of Trump's vision could have dire consequences for the economy. More on Trump: Trump Reportedly Planning to Let Self-Driving Cars Loose The News Donald Trumps pick for US attorney general, Matt Gaetz, said Thursday he is withdrawing his nomination amid debate over allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use. Gaetz would have led the US Department of Justice in the role. It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, Gaetz wrote. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. The Justice Department had previously investigated Gaetz for alleged sex trafficking, although it brought no charges. He was also under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee, which prepared a report on the former Florida congressmans various allegations, but has not released it publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, a hacker who appeared to have obtained at least some of the documents in the ethics report revealed Gaetz had made several payments to women around the time of the allegations. The attorney of some of the women interviewed by the House committee later told reporters that Gaetz had paid his clients for sex and that one had witnessed the former congressman having sex with a minor but the attorney said he believes Gaetz did not know the woman was a minor. Gaetz has denied all the allegations. Know More The woman who says she had sex with Gaetz when she was 17 told the House Ethics Committee that she had two sexual encounters with him at a 2017 party, CNN reported Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz backed out from the nomination less than an hour after CNN reached out to him for comment on Thursday. Some names already being floated inside the Trump team to replace Gaetz include Todd Blanche, who is the current nominee for deputy attorney general, and Andrew Bailey, the attorney general of Missouri, Semafors Shelby Talcott reported. Trump considers the attorney general as perhaps the most important member of his cabinet, Semafor previously reported, because the DOJ head will be tasked with overseeing some of his key campaign promises, including mass deportations and prosecutions against those who Trump believes have wronged him. Getty Images In October 2017, a 30-year-old woman arrived at a hospital in Monterey, California, and requested a rape kit. According to a police report, she said she had been sexually assaulted four days earlier after attending a Republican womens conference at a Hyatt Regency hotel. The perpetrator, she told police, was Pete Hegseth, a Fox News commentator who had been a speaker at the convention. The encounter, which did not result in charges against Hegseth and which he has admitted occurred but claimed was consensual, is now in the spotlight due to Hegseths surprise nomination as president-elect Donald Trumps pick for Secretary of Defense. Will it affect his candidacy? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems unlikely. Its clear at this point that allegations of sexual misconduct are no hindrance to being considered for the upper echelons of American power. The Trump cabinet may well include multiple men who have allegations of sexual misconduct against them, and its not even a surprise. After all, just look at Trump himself, who was found liable by an Manhattan civil jury earlier this year of sexual abuse against author E. Jean Carroll. Trump has been accused over and over again of everything from making lewd comments to sexual assault, yet none of this disqualified him in the eyes of the millions of mostly men who chose him to fill the nations highest office for a second time. Still, the sexual misconduct claims floating around the members of the proposed Trump cabinet this time around seem particularly egregious. The claim against Hegseth came into clearer focus on Wednesday, when Mediaite reported the details of the redacted police report and shared it in full. According to the police report, the woman said she had gone to a bar attached to the hotel where she spotted Hegseth, who she had observed acting inappropriately with women throughout the day by doing things like rub their legs. In a text message, she typed that Hegseth gave off a creeper vibe, the report says. At the bar, she said, she approached Hegseth and commented on how she did not appreciate how he treated women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though she did not recall drinking to excess, the woman said, according to the police report, that things began to get fuzzy at the bar, and she remembers arguing with Hegseth by the pool after leaving the bar. The next memory she had was being alone with Hegseth in a hotel room. The report states she had her phone in her hand, and she claimed Hegseth asked her who she was texting and took it from her. She then claimed she tried to leave the room, saying no repeatedly, but Hegseth blocked the door with his body. Her next memory, according to the report, was Hegseth having sex with her, his dog tags hanging over her. She said he ejaculated on her stomach and threw a towel at her, before asking if she was okay. The woman went to the hospital four days later. She had been suffering nightmares and memory loss since the alleged assault, she said according to the report. When police interviewed Hegseth, he claimed the encounter was consensual, a claim his attorney repeated to Mediaite, saying, The incident was fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed. Indeed, charges were never filed against Hegseth, and he eventually paid the woman an undisclosed sum in a nondisclosure agreement. The allegation against Hegseth was reported before the Mediaite storyalthough not to the level of detail. But prior to Thursday, the allegations were a bit overshadowed by the sexual misconduct allegations against another (now former) Trump cabinet pick: Matt Gaetz. Vice President-Elect JD Vance On Capitol Hill For Lawmaker Meetings With Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz And Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images Gaetz, the now-ex Florida congressman who Trump announced last week hed be nominating for attorney general, has been under investigation since 2021 by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct (you can read the full breakdown of the allegations against him here, which he has denied). Until recently, Gaetz was also being investigated by the Justice Department for alleged sex trafficking involving underage girls, though no charges were filed and Gaetz has denied wrongdoing. The House Committee is still debating whether to release the findings of their investigation, following Gaetzs resignation from the House after his nomination, and Democrats are pushing to have the report released to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Gaetz abruptly announced he would be withdrawing from consideration, citing not wanting to be a distraction to the incoming Trump administration. However, CNN noted that the news came on the heels of their reporting another allegation against Gaetz involving sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl. But, incredibly, its not just these two men. Robert Kennedy Jr., the former independent presidential candidate and Trumps newly minted pick for the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, has also been accused of sexual misconduct. Over the summer his childrens former babysitter, Eliza Cooney, alleged to Vanity Fair the political scion had groped her while she was working for him as a 23-year-old, something Kennedy has declined to comment on. I know that there are hardworking people who dont have skeletons in their closet, Cooney told USA Today in an interview published Wednesday. And I wish we were electing people with fewer skeletons in their closet. There certainly are, but that doesnt mean that those with such skeletons are facing any real consequences for their alleged actions. Its been seven years since #MeToo, spurred in part from womens anger over Trumps ascendance, promised a national reckoning over sexual assault. Women shared their stories, screamed their pain, and tried to make a change in the way that we talk about rape and sexual violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now women may soon be living under a presidential regime that includes men who have been accused of all manner of sexual misconduct and have managed to reach the highest levels of power anyway. Looking at the proposed Trump cabinet, it feels as if little has changed. Originally Appeared on Glamour Donald Trump said he has no idea whos behind it. His presidential transition chair and the man he picked to be the secretary of commerce said he wouldnt touch it. They made themselves nuclear, he said. But the authors of Project 2025 a 900-page playbook from a right-wing think tank for the next Republican presidents agenda are all over Trumps incoming administration. Trump has nominated Russell Vought as the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, a key role that oversees spending across the administration. Vought also is among the architects of the Heritage Foundations plan and wrote the chapter on transforming the executive branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was among the authors of the blueprints playbook for the first 180 days of the administration, and his Center for Renewing American is on Project 2025s advisory board. Trump repeatedly tried to distance himself from the Heritage Foundations sweeping proposals on the campaign trail, claiming that he both knows nothing about it and has no idea who is behind it while also saying he disagrees with some of its absolutely ridiculous and abysmal proposals. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them, he added. Howard Lutnick, Trumps nominee for secretary of commerce, told CNBC in September that there is absolutely zero connection between Trumps campaign and Project 2025. Donald Trump speaks with Brendan Carr, his pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission. Carr also wrote the chapter on the agency in Project 2025, which Trump has tried to distance himself from (AP) I wont take a list from them, said Lutnick, referencing the Heritage Foundations policy proposals and vetted hires for Trumps administration. I wont take a topic from them. I wont touch them. They made themselves nuclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has since nominated several of the authors to key roles in his administration. Brendan Carr, Trumps nominee to chair the Federal Communications Commission, authored Project 2025s chapter on the agency, which regulates television, radio, internet, and communications. Trumps border czar Tom Homan a former acting director of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement who will lead Trumps plan for mass deportations also is listed among the contributors to Project 2025, and was a visiting fellow with the Heritage Foundations Border Security and Immigration Center, where he drafted a series of articles about immigration policy for the group. John Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence, was nominated as the next CIA director. He is included in Project 2025s chapter on US intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen Miller, the architect of Trumps anti-immigration agenda in his first term in office, will return to the Trump White House as a deputy chief of staff for policy, overseeing Trumps agenda. His organization America First Legal was initially listed among the contributors to Project 2025, but the groups name was removed from its website after Trump and his allies began to criticize the proposal. Project 2025 the name for the contents of the mammoth Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise was a key focus of Democratic campaigns leading up to Election Day, with Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz routinely amplifying its agenda in an effort to underscore the stakes of Trumps return to office. A series of segments throughout the Democratic National Convention even highlighted excerpts from the plan using oversized, printed-out hardcover versions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan calls for mass firings across the federal workforce, abolishing the Department of Education, slashing funds for federal law enforcement agencies, and using agencies that regulate the airwaves and campaign financing to silence dissent. It also proposes mass deportations and banning widely used abortion drugs in an effort to outlaw abortion nationally, among many other proposals. Democrats targeted Project 2025 throughout the 2024 campaign and on the stage of the Democratic National Committee (AP) Some on the right, severe right, came up with this Project 25, Trump said during a rally in September. I dont even know, some of them I know who they are, but theyre very, very conservative. Theyre sort of the opposite of the radical left. Trump campaign director Chris LaCivita said during the summer that Project 2025 had become a pain in the ass. But shortly after Trumps victory in the 2024 presidential election, the Heritage Foundation signaled it was done hiding in the shadows and prepared to re-enter Trumps orbit, while right-wing media personalities openly touted Project 2025s contents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that the election is over I think we can finally say that yeah actually Project 2025 is the agenda. Lol, far-right influencer Matt Walsh wrote after the election. Podcaster Benny Johnson said, It is my honor to inform you all that Project 2025 was real the whole time. Were so back, one Heritage official said. In a statement on Wednesday, Trump campaign press secretary and incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt continued to deny that Trump has anything to do with Project 2025. After months of lies to the American people, Donald Trump is taking off the mask: Hes plotting a Project 2025 Cabinet to enact his dangerous vision starting on day one, Democratic National Committee spokesperson Alex Floyd said in a statement on Wednesday. Host Pete Hegseth speaks onstage during the 2023 FOX Nation Patriot Awards at The Grand Ole Opry on Nov. 16, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Terry Wyatt/Getty Images) Pete Hegseth, president-elect Donald Trumps nominee for secretary of Defense, has close ties to an Idaho-based Christian nationalist church that aims to turn America into a theocracy. Hegseth is a member of a Tennessee congregation affiliated with Christ Church, a controversial congregation in Moscow, Idaho, that has become a leader in the movement to get more Christianity in the public sphere. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an appearance last year on the Christ Church-connected streaming show Crosspolitic, Hegseth talked about how building up fundamentalist Christian education systems is important in what he sees as a spiritual battle with the secular world. He sees Christian students as foot soldiers in that war and refers to Christian schools as boot camp. Were in middle phase one right now, which is effectively a tactical retreat where you regroup, consolidate and reorganize and as you do so, you build your army underground with the opportunity later on of taking offensive operations and obviously all of this is metaphorical and all that good stuff, he said on the show. Hegseth did not immediately respond to requests for an interview. Hegseth has spoken positively about Christ Church Pastor Doug Wilsons writings Christ Church is led by Pastor Doug Wilson, who founded the Calvinist group of churches called the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, or CREC. CREC has congregations in nearly all 50 states and several foreign countries. Hegseths church is a member of CREC, and Hegseth has spoken positively of Wilsons writings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson and his allies have a rigid patriarchal belief system and dont believe in the separation of church and state. They support taking away the right to vote from most women, barring non-Christians from holding office and criminalizing the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, Wilson has increased his influence nationally as hes built a religious, educational and media empire. His Association of Classical Christian Schools has hundreds of fundamentalist schools around the country, and his publishing outfit Canon Press churns out dozens of titles a year as well as popular streaming shows that highlight unyielding socially conservative ideals. In the recently released podcast, Extremely American (created by this reporter), Wilson says one of his goals is to get like-minded people into positions of influence. In an emailed response for this story, he said hes closer to that post-election and that he supports Hegseths nomination, though he downplayed any influence he has on him. I was grateful for Trumps win, and believe that it is much more likely that Christians with views similar to mine will receive positions in the new administration, he said. Hegseth nomination could threaten cohesion, diversity of U.S. military, experts say Thats what worries Air Force veteran Mikey Weinstein, who is the president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. Weinstein says Hegseth, if confirmed as secretary of Defense, would threaten the cohesion of a religiously and racially diverse U.S. military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pete Hegseth is a poster child for literally everything that would be the opposite of what you would want to have for someone whos controlling the technologically most lethal organization in the history of this country, he said. Weinstein sees Hegseths nomination as an example of the dangers of Project 2025, a 900-page policy paper written by far-right political activists. It lays out a plan to gut the federal government and install Christian nationalist ideals. Christian nationalism is an absolute fatal cancer metastasizing at light speed (for) the national security of this country, he said. It is a Christian version of the Taliban. Matthew D. Taylor, senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies, said Hegseth is one of the most extreme far right figures ever nominated to a cabinet post, at least in modern memory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor said hes broadly concerned about Christian nationalists, who tend to take a dim view of democracy, potentially having a lot of sway in this administration. I think we should expect a profound degradation of our democratic norms of the rule of law, and I think we are edging closer to a de facto Anglo Protestant establishment, of the kind where Anglo Protestant Christianity as the de facto official religion in the United States, he said. Hegseth faces some headwinds in his nomination process due to multiple marital sex scandals and the recent revelation that he paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault in exchange for her not speaking about it. He denies he assaulted her but admits he paid her. Hes also gotten criticism for tattoos that are symbols of the Crusades and wrote a book titled American Crusade, where he derides Muslims. Before becoming a TV personality, Hegseth led the conservative veterans group Concerned Veterans for America, which advocated for increased privatization of veterans health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has also said that women should not be allowed to serve in combat roles in the military, and has complained about what he terms woke policies in the military. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX President-elect Donald Trump distanced himself from Project 2025 on the campaign trail but has since nominated several authors or contributors from the controversial conservative presidential wishlist to his administration. Trump called the Project 2025 policy proposals -- which include restrictions on abortion pills, birth control pills and Medicare access, as well as eliminating a couple of federal agencies -- "extreme, seriously extreme" in a July 20 rally. "I don't know anything about it. I don't want to know anything about it," he previously said, despite having many connections to its authors and contributors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats pounced on Trump for Project 2025 during the election season, calling it a warning of what is to come under a second Trump term. "Project 2025 is the plan by Donald Trump's MAGA Republican allies to give Trump more power over your daily life, gut democratic checks and balances, and consolidate power in the Oval Office if he wins," the Biden campaign stated. Project 2025 is an over 900-page playbook of policy proposals created by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation intended to guide the next conservative administration. The organization behind the document told ABC News in a past statement that it was not intended to speak for any candidate during the election. Project 2025 and Trump's Agenda47 share similarities -- including proposals to eliminate the Department of Education, increase fossil fuel energy production, and begin mass deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the ABC News debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump reiterated his earlier sentiment on the project. "This was a group of people that got together, they came up with some ideas, I guess some good, some bad, but it makes no difference. I have nothing to do [with it]." Now, several Project 2025 authors and contributors are not just connected to Trump, but also nominated for roles in his administration. Russ Vought, who authored a chapter on "Executive Office of the President" for Project 2025's "Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise," is also under consideration for a cabinet-level position in the next administration and has been vetted by Trump's transition team, sources told ABC News. He was also the RNC platform committee's policy director. Here's a look at which Project 2025 contributors may have a place in the incoming Trump administration: Brendan Carr Brendan Carr, Trump's nomination for chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is credited as the author of Project 2025's FCC recommendations which include: a ban on TikTok, restrictions on social media moderation, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr would be tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Trump has suggested that he would expand the White House's influence over the FCC and potentially punish TV networks that cover him in a way he doesn't like. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC's general counsel and as the senior Republican for the FCC. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. PHOTO: In this June 24, 2020 file photo Commissioner of Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, answers questions during an oversight hearing to examine the Federal Communications Commission on in Washington, DC. (Jonathan Newton/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) John Ratcliffe Ratcliffe, listed as a contributor who assisted "in the development and writing" of Project 2025, has been nominated to serve as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Ratcliffe is a three-term Republican congressman from Texas and served as the director of national intelligence from mid-2020 until the end of Trump's first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project 2025's Intelligence Community chapter, credited to The Heritage Foundation's intelligence research fellow Dustin J. Carmack, notes that the "CIA's success depends on firm direction from the President and solid internal CIA Directorappointed leadership. Decisive senior leaders must commit to carrying out the President's agenda and be willing to take calculated risks." PHOTO: In this Dec. 12, 2020 file photo of Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe waits to board Marine One with President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (Patrick Semansky/AP, FILE) Tom Homan Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan has been designated as Trump's "border czar" -- which is not an official Cabinet position. Homan, who is expected to be in charge of the mass deportations promised by the Trump campaign, is listed as a contributor to Project 2025 who assisted in its "development and writing." Project 2025's Department of Homeland Security chapter, credited to Trump's former Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli, calls for full use of ICE's "expedited removal" authority and further development of immigrant detention spaces. This all aligns with Trump's immigration proposals on mass deportations and funds for the construction of detention centers. PHOTO: Former Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan speaks on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE) Other links to Project 2025 Christopher Miller is credited with the project's Department of Defense recommendations. Miller served as Acting Secretary of Defense and Special Assistant to the President under Trump from November 2020 to January 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Carson is credited with the project's Housing and Urban Development recommendations. He served as the Secretary of HUD under Trump's first administration. Adam Candeub is credited with the project's Federal Trade Commission recommendations. He served under the Trump administration as Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Telecommunications and Information. Bernard L. McNamee is credited with recommendations on the Department of Energy and Related Commissions. He was nominated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by Trump in October 2018. Cuccinelli -- who wrote the Department of Homeland Security section -- was also part of Trump's former administration as the Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RNC platform committee's Deputy Policy Director Ed Martin is also president of the Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, which is listed on the project's advisory board. Others connected to Trump, including Trump's United Nations Commission on the Status of Women appointee Lisa Correnti, are listed among the contributors. How Trump has infused parts of Project 2025 into his administration originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON -President-elect Donald Trump is poised to enact a dramatic expansion of "school choice" programs next year that would make it easier for hundreds of thousands of parents to send their children to private school. Though Trump will likely not be able to abolish the U.S. Department of Education as he has promised, experts say he stands a good chance of winning a tax break for programs that help pay for private tuition. That approach would not steer federal dollars directly to private schools but would still amount to a significant development in a decades-long fight over education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The consequence would be the biggest school choice victory ever in Washington," said Frederick Hess, an education expert at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute. Conservatives say the government should help parents pay for private school if they are unsatisfied with their public schools, while teachers' unions and many Democrats say school choice undermines the public system that educates 50 million U.S. children. More than one million U.S. students now participate in school choice programs, double the level before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered public schools, according to EdChoice, an advocacy group. Proponents say federal action could boost participation by hundreds of thousands. Trump said expanding school choice would be a top priority when he tapped former pro-wrestling magnate Linda McMahon to serve as his education secretary this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Linda will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every State in America," Trump said in a statement on Tuesday. McMahon served as Trump's small-business secretary during his first 2017-2021 White House term, and currently chairs the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned think tank that advocates for steering public money to private schools. The group did not respond to several requests for comment. When Trump's Republicans take control of both chambers of Congress next year, they are expected to advance legislation that would give tax credits to people or businesses who donate to private-school scholarship funds. "I think there's an enormous amount of momentum on it. It's going to happen," said Nate Bailey, who served as a senior official at the Department of Education during Trump's first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A version that passed the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee in October would allow people or businesses to get a credit of up to 10% of their tax liability for such donations. Families who earn up to three times the median income in their area would be able to apply for that money, which could be used for tuition, tutoring, books or other expenses. That would cost the federal government roughly $5 billion in lost tax revenue per year, the committee said. The scholarship funds, which would be independently run and not controlled by any government, would not be allowed to set aside money for specific students. The National Education Association, which represents three million public-school teachers, said the program would subsidize schools that cost more than public schools and do not have to reveal what they teach, who they serve and how they handle their money. Like other school-choice programs, the tax break would effectively take funding from public schools, the group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Regardless of the name, the impact is the same: Vouchers and voucher-inspired schemes erode public education, the foundation of our democracy," NEA lobbyist Marc Egan wrote the committee in September. NEW APPROACH The strategy marks a change from Trump's first term in office, when Education Secretary Betsy DeVos pushed to allocate federal money toward private-school tuition. Though she was unsuccessful, Republican-led states dramatically expanded voucher programs of their own in the years that followed. But voucher programs have run into resistance among voters in rural areas where there are few private schools. Voters in Nebraska, Colorado and Kentucky rejected voucher proposals in the Nov. 5 elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans in Washington are less sure about school vouchers than tax breaks. More than 100 of them voted against a proposal in March that would have turned the $18 billion Title I school aid program into a voucher program. Education Department funding tends to play a bigger role in Republican-leaning states. Federal money accounted for 15% of all public K-12 spending last year in states that voted for Trump, compared with 11% in states that backed his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, according to a Reuters analysis of U.S. Census figures. Opting for a tax break, rather than a voucher program, would unite Republicans and minimize the red tape associated with direct spending programs, advocates say. It also could be folded into a sweeping tax-cut bill that Trump aims to pass next year, making its chances of success in Congress more likely. The tax break would bolster existing state school-choice programs, but also would apply to families in Democratic-run states like New York that have not set up school choice programs of their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans who back the bill said it was modeled on existing state-level scholarship programs that have awarded $1.8 billion to 365,000 students so far. Democrats said it could effectively amount to an indirect voucher if families were able to get a tax break by funneling tuition payments through scholarship programs. Douglas Harris, an education and economics professor at Tulane University, said it could pave the way for more ambitious efforts. "When you're tweaking something, as opposed to introducing a radical idea, it's easier to make these smaller moves and expand over time." (Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone and Alistair Bell) On the campaign trail, Donald Trump hawked apparel and keepsakes promoting his presidential bid in what experts ABC spoke with characterized as an unprecedented effort to commoditize his political platform. Now, after his triumph at the polls, the president-elect is again seeking to cash in on his personal brand with a fresh line of goods, from a pair of $299 "Trump Landslide" boots to a $69.99 special inaugural edition of his God Bless the USA Bible. As the former president prepares to return to the Oval Office, experts warned that the opaque structure of the companies that produce these items could create fresh conflicts of interest for Trump -- with few public details about who Trump is in business with and how much he profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump endorses line of Bibles -- after selling shoes, NFTs and more "We've never seen a president merchandise like this," said Jordan Libowitz, a vice president at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonprofit watchdog group. "Tracking partners is very difficult unless they come forward, and there's no way to know for sure." Compared to his $3 billion stake in his social media company and his multimillion-dollar buildings, Trump's licensing deals comprise only a fraction of his portfolio -- but his opaque deals can be ethical "black boxes" that escape outside scrutiny according to Libowitz. Without knowing who the president-elect is in business with, it's impossible to know if he might use the power of his office to help his bottom line or benefit his business partners or whoever is contributing money to him, Libowitz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has entered into the licensing agreements through two companies -- CIC Ventures LLC and CIC Digital LLC -- that are fully owned by The Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust. According to a 2023 financial disclosure, Trump made more than $7 million though CIC Digital LLC, which entered a licensee agreement for the sale of nonfungible tokens or NFTs. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump takes the stage to introduce a new line of signature shoes at Sneaker Con at the Philadelphia Convention Center, Feb. 17, 2024, in Philadelphia. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Trump used CIC Ventures LLC to make more than $5 million through bible and book sales, and information is not yet public about how much Trump has made from other deals like his watches and shoes. Those companies quickly launched new items following Trump's electoral victory. Trump Sneakers unveiled a full line of "Trump Won" footwear, including a gold pair of low-top sneakers for $499. Trump Coins unveiled a one-ounce "Victory Gold Medallion" -- with the president-elect's face and signature pressed in solid gold -- for $3,645.47, a thousand-dollar upcharge compared to the price of an ounce of gold. And Trump Watches unveiled a "Victory Collection" priced between $599 and $1,299. "Donald Trump proved his greatest skill was as a salesman, selling mostly junk products, and he hasn't stopped," said Robert Weissman, co-president of the progressive watchdog group Public Citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Trump announced a new plan to sell electric and acoustic guitars with a company called "Trump Guitars." The instruments -- which include the phrase "Make America Great Again" in pearl inlay -- start at $1,250. A limited version of the guitars signed by Trump is on sale for $11,250. Details about where the guitars are made and how much profit, if any, Trump makes from the sales, were not immediately available, and Trump Guitars did not respond to a request for comment. Items like Trump sneakers and watches are distinct from the merchandise Trump sells through his campaign website, which offers everything from Make America Great Again hats to Christmas ornaments. The profit from those purchases goes toward Trump's joint fundraising committee, which is subject to rigorous reporting requirements for political contributions. PHOTO: A photo of Donald Trump from the Trump Guitars website. (Trump Guitars ) But the external companies that Trump licenses to sell his other items aren't subject to oversight. It's an approach that Trump has taken for decades: Making money from his brand by selling everything from steaks to vodka with limited involvement, by outsourcing the design, production, and distribution of the goods under license to separate companies, about which little is often known. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For someone in power, like the president, that arrangement can create "areas of potential concern," according to Weissman. Details about the terms of Trump's agreements with the merchandise companies -- such as JBCZ Group LLC for his coins or TheBestWatchesonEarth LLC for his watches -- are not public, and the LLCs are registered in states that offer few details about the companies' ownership. Some of Trump's merchandise -- such as his NFTs or watches -- also sell for wildly high prices that create an avenue for individuals, including potentially foreign actors, to channel money to Trump, according to Libowitz. Trump Watches is currently offering a "Trump Victory Tourbillon" watch for $100,000. "That kind of seems like it is a way to put money directly in his pockets," said Libowitz, who believes the watch is likely worth a fraction of its asking price. "It's an opportunity to give money directly to him and let him know that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Shares in Trump's social media company spike after president-elect says he won't sell stake Trump Watches, Trump Coins, Trump Sneakers, and God Bless The USA Bible did not respond to ABC News' request for comment, and nor did a spokesperson for Trump's transition team. When Trump entered the White House in 2017, he resigned as the trustee of Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust and passed control to his sons and a business partner to avoid potential conflicts of interest. The setup allowed Trump to still profit from his businesses while relinquishing control of day-to-day operations and decisions. While he regained control of the Trust when he left office in 2021, it's expected that he'll again hand over control when he returns to office in January -- although experts say the arrangement is unlikely to shed additional light on his licensing deals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's not constrained by any norms or regulations," said Weissman. "He'll disclose what he wants to disclose." And with Trump's presidency two months away, watchdog groups worry that weak enforcement of ethics rules could become pervasive throughout the federal government if Trump doesn't set a strong example. "This kind of thing trickles down," said Scott Amey, general counsel at the nonprofit Project on Government Accountability. "It would be great to lead from the top." Trump has made millions hawking merchandise. Now he could face conflicts of interest originally appeared on abcnews.go.com CNN reports that Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent turned conservative media B-lister, is up for consideration to run the agency for which he once worked. Bongino, who has periodically faced various social media sanctions for posting incendiary content over the years, is on Trumps Secret Service short list, along with the former head of his personal detail, Robert Engel, and the head of his current Secret Service detail, Sean Curran. Engel was with Trump on January 6, 2021, and testified to the House January 6 committee about Trumps speech at the Ellipse that day. Bongino has run for Congress three times, twice in Maryland and once in Florida; he lost all three times. After failing to launch a political career, he went into punditry, becoming a commentator on right-wing talk radio and social media. He quickly became known as a leading election denialist, January 6 insurrectionist defender, and Covid-19 conspiracist. Bongino would go on to host his own show on Fox News from 2021 to 2023, and today hosts The Dan Bongino Show on Rumble. He was critical of ousted Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle in the wake of the July assassination attempt against Trump, calling her utterly unqualified and accusing her of putting politics ahead of presidential protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That may well have endeared him to the president-elect, who has a personal stake in who takes over the agency in charge of protecting himself and his family. Trump also was a guest on Bonginos podcast in Octoberan encounter that could hardly be called a hard-hitting interview, with multiple compliments exchanged. Its no secret that Trump watches a lot of television and seems to be favoring a central casting approach to his second-term appointments. Among those peppered throughout his agency picks are former Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, daytime talk show host Dr. Mehmet Oz as head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and his pick for secretary of transportationformer congressman, Fox News host, and reality TV star Sean Duffy. Should Bongino get the nod to head the Secret Service, he will fit right in with all of those personalities. That said, heading up the Secret Service is not the best platform for maintaining ones media infamyunless, of course, Bongino warps the role to suit his personal needs and desires. The job, which normally has a low media profile, could very likely become part of Trumps media circus in the hands of someone whose first priority is maintaining their own high profile or remaining a fixture on right-wing media. For someone like Trump who loves high TV ratings, thats probably just what he wants. Whether that suits the numerous other people under Secret Service protection remains to be seen. President-elect Donald Trump selected Matthew Whitaker , his former acting attorney general for three months during his first term, as his ambassador to NATO on Wednesday. But before he was elevated to either position, Whitaker was involved with a sketchy company that marketed bizarre inventionsincluding a masculine toilet with extra space for well-endowed men. For about three years, Whitaker served on the advisory board for World Patent Marketing, a company promoting inventions that was investigated, fined, and eventually shut down by the Federal Trade Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the company billed itself as a marketing service for inventors to get their creations sold to the public, the FTC accused the company of taking money from inventors , not fulfilling their end of the bargain, and threatening them with threats, intimidation, and gag clauses when they complained. One of these inventions was the so-called Masculine Toilet, which was announced with a press release in 2014. World Patent Marketing eventually settled with the FTC in 2018, agreeing to pay almost $26 million in fines and shutting down business for good. After stringing consumers along for months or even years, the defendants did not deliver what they promised, and many people ended up in debt or lost their life savings with nothing to show for it, the FTC said in a statement after they reached the settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents eventually released by the FTC show Whitaker took a fairly active role in the company, even appearing in YouTube videos to market some of the companys products and in scripts for television commercials . Its unclear if these commercials were ever produced. Whitaker was even the recipient of angry emails and messages from clients accusing the company of bilking them out of millions. Before his involvement with the company, Whitaker was a federal prosecutor in his home state of Iowa during the Bush administration. He returned to government work in 2017, when he served as former Attorney General Jeff Sessions chief of staff before his resignation in November 2018. Donald Trump spent his presidential campaign running from Project 2025. Now, hes using it to stock his White House and administration. In recent days, Trump has tapped nearly a half-dozen Project 2025 authors and contributors, including Brendan Carr, who Trump picked this week to lead the FCC; former Rep. Pete Hoekstra, who got the nod for ambassador to Canada; and John Ratcliffe, who was tapped for director of the CIA. One of Trumps first selections Tom Homan as border czar was also a Project 2025 contributor. The next Project 2025 alum to join the administration could be Russ Vought, the president-elects former director of the Office of Management and Budget, who is being closely considered for a return to the role, POLITICO reported this week. Thats despite Trump once calling the groups work product absolutely ridiculous and abysmal, and the leader of his transition team, Howard Lutnick, saying the group had made itself nuclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not anymore. I don't think the Trump administration sees Project 2025 as toxic, said Michael Cannon, director of health policy at the CATO Institute, who advised The Heritage Foundation project but declined to be listed as one of its authors. So, it should not surprise us when some of the people who contributed to that effort get picked up by the administration. Now Project 2025 alums are slated to have key roles in his administration particularly on the economy, immigration and dismantling the administrative state. And with the most recent round of controversial Cabinet nominees, Cannon quipped, the Trump transition is doing their level best to make Project 2025 look reasonable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, there are limits. Roger Severino, an anti-abortion stalwart who held a prominent role at HHS during the first Trump administration and was the lead author of Project 2025s health care chapter, was rejected by Trumps transition team to fill the No. 2 job at the agency over his participation in the project. Anti-abortion groups had lobbied hard for his nomination, but Trumps team is trying to distance itself from the strict federal curbs on abortion Severino called for in Project 2025, after running on promises to leave the issue to the states. In some cases like Vought its unclear whether the influence of Project 2025 alumni ever truly ceased, even when Trump repeatedly disavowed the project on the campaign trail. Despite those pronouncements, Vought has played a key role behind the scenes, informally advising the Trump campaign on trade and economic policy alongside Trump loyalists like Vince Haley, the campaigns policy lead, and Robert Lighthizer, Trumps former trade chief. Vought wrote a section of the Heritage report on paring back federal spending and regulations, as well as Project 2025s 180-day transition paybook. In an appearance on Tucker Carlsons show on X, he said he would pursue a massive deregulatory agenda alongside Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy and be as radical or aggressive as you can in reducing full-time federal employees and contractors. Officials at The Heritage Foundation, amid a rocky summer where some prominent Republicans were criticizing the group namely, top operatives on the Trump campaign, like senior adviser Chris LaCivita were already anticipating that their standing would vastly improve after the election. Throughout much of 2024, the think tank took the position of were going to slide down a little bit and be quiet, said a Heritage official granted anonymity to speak freely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But by October, the official said, there were already signs that there was less cautiousness about Project 2025 and Heritage, giving way to quick nominations of Heritage fellows and Project 2025 contributors to Trumps new administration. At a book release party last week for Heritage President Kevin Roberts whose September publication date was pushed back until after the election, amid concerns about the Project 2025 brand Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) was among several members of Congress there to lend support for the organization. I told Kevin, I think it helps, Norman told POLITICO of all the backlash and hand wringing over Heritage and Project 2025 in recent months, arguing that the publicity would ultimately serve to be helpful to the organization implementing its agenda. Thats certainly not how Trumps team saw things for months, though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats proved successful in raising awareness of the groups plans, an effort that began in February and picked up traction by early summer. Voters began bringing up Project 2025 organically in focus groups conducted for President Joe Bidens reelection campaign. Google searches started picking up, peaking in July. That was around the time where Trump himself issued a statement on Truth Social, writing that some of the things theyre saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal, and claiming he had no idea who is behind it. Sensing a threat, MAGA Inc., the main super PAC supporting Trump, launchedits own Project 2025 website this summer, calling it a hoax and trying to capture concerned voters search traffic. But those close to Project 2025 stress that Trump isnt likely to adopt its recommendations wholesale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was never accurate to say that Project 2025 was the Trump agenda, Cannon said. But he's certainly friendly to parts of Project 2025 particularly the most concerning, repressive parts, like immigration restrictions. The trade chapter of the report, for instance, included separate arguments for free trade and protectionist policies, reflecting a deep divide within Trump world over tariffs. Remember, you had Heritage giving 30 pages to a defense of free trade, Cannon added. So, there are also things in there that Trump doesn't like and would never do. For Democrats, the spate of hires come as a deflating if not unexpected development in the transition. During the presidential campaign, Democrats went all in on linking Trump to the controversial blueprint, a controversial, hard-line conservative agenda. President Joe Bidens rapid response team decided in February to start hammering the issue, according to a person with direct knowledge of the strategy, eventually seeing the effort take off ahead of Bidens collapse in the June debate. Kamala Harris, after replacing Biden atop the Democratic ticket, spent at least $5 million tying Trump to Project 2025, according to AdImpact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Trump distanced himself from the project only now to turn to some of its authors for roles in his administration. Its the least surprising revelation that weve seen in this administration, said Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, the possible Democratic National Committee chair candidate who hoisted an oversized prop version of the 900-page policy plan at the Democratic National Convention and railed against it during prime time. You can't look at something that had 140 members of the previous Trump administration who had a hand in writing this, and believe for a second that he had no idea what this was. So, yeah, its, I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. Donald Trumps selection for the nations next top law enforcement official is expected to execute the retribution and vengeance he has promised against his political enemies. Now-former congressman Matt Gaetz a Trump loyalist who spearheaded legal threats among House Republicans against the prosecutors and judges overseeing the criminal investigations against the former president has withdrawn his name from consideration one week after Trump picked him for attorney general. A list of names in consideration for the role that circulated in the weeks leading up to Election Day did not include Gaetz, whose selection surprised members of Congress, where he remains under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The job now appears up for grabs. Former assistant attorney general Jeffrey Clark is reportedly on a list of potential nominees for Trumps attorney general (AP) Trumps next attorney general among the most critical roles in his administration is widely expected to defy the Justice Departments independence and work closely with the White House to protect the president-elects agenda. A planning document titled Transition Planning: Legal Principles that was crafted by Trumps top campaign advisers offered several potential picks for the job. The list includes Jeffrey Clark, who is among the president-elects criminally charged co-defendants in a sprawling election inference case in Georgia and an unindicted co-conspirator in the federal prosecution of the former president for his efforts to overturn election results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark, who previously served as assistant attorney general in Trumps first administration, also worked at a right-wing think tank founded by Russell Vought, among the authors of Project 2025 and Trumps pick for the next director of the Office of Management and Budget. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, floated among Trumps circle for next US attorney general, waves as Trump introduces him during a campaign rally (EPA) The transition document also names District Judge Aileen Cannon, who dismissed Trumps federal criminal case involving his possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Cannon was nominated to the judiciary in 2020. Former White House lawyer Mark Paoletta also appears on the list. Paoletta, who represented Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wife Ginni during the House select committee investigation into January 6, has previously said it is the constitutional duty of the Department of Justice to implement Trumps agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget in Trumps first term has previously demanded Justice Department lawyers be fully committed to implementing President Trumps policies or they should leave or be fired. The list also includes Trumps criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche, who ultimately was nominated for deputy attorney general, the second-highest role at the Justice Department. Emil Bove, who along with Blanche defended Trump during the still-active hush money trial, was also nominated as principal deputy attorney general. Trumps criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche was nominated for deputy attorney general but could fill an acting role for the top job (AP) Trump does not necessarily need to immediately fill the power vacuum for the top job. His two well-regarded attorneys who have thus far kept him out of having to face any consequences for his criminal convictions could fill acting roles at the top of the Justice Department while waiting for the nomination and confirmation of the next attorney general. Donald Trump Jr and Steve Bannon, meanwhile, have pushed for Trumps legal ally Mike Davis as attorney general. Davis has recently threatened New York Attorney General Letitia James (we will put your fat a** in prison) and has vowed a reign of terror during the incoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Whitaker was also considered a top contender for the role; Trump ultimately picked him for NATO ambassador. The former acting attorney general in Trumps first administration has said that judges need to have a biblical view of justice and questioned the judgment of a secular judiciary. He also is on the board of America First Legal and chairs America First Policy Institute, groups that drafted policy documents for Trumps administration while joining legal challenges against President Joe Biden. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed dozens of lawsuits against the Biden administration and injected himself into Trumps defense in his criminal cases (REUTERS) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Media outlets and right-wing personalities have also offered up the names of several state attorneys general who have vigorously defended the former president. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has launched dozens of lawsuits against the Biden administration, including litigation against the presidents student loan debt relief plans and Title IX changes. He has also tried to inject himself in Trumps criminal cases by demanding that judges lift gag orders against the former president. He testified in front of members of Congress about Trumps criminal cases and called on the Justice Department to turn over files related to the special counsels investigations. Earlier this year, Trump himself said that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton would make a good candidate for attorney general. Paxton joined state attorneys general who launched a failed attempt to challenge Trumps loss in four battleground states in 2020, and he spoke at the rally in Washington DC before a mob of Trumps supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6. Republican Senator Mike Lee is among Trumps fiercest defenders in the upper chamber of Congress (Getty Images) Paxton also has cast himself as a victim of political persecution in a way that Trump has characterized the mountain of cases against him. Last year, Paxton was impeached, then acquitted, on allegations that he abused his power in office, and in March, prosecutors agreed to drop three felony securities fraud charges against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator Mike Lee, a former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and a former federal prosecutor, has been floated among his GOP colleagues for next attorney general. The adversarial Republican from Utah is among Trumps biggest cheerleaders in the upper chamber of Congress, and already has the support of some of his colleagues who could hear him out during confirmation hearings. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who is also the states former solicitor general, has also been floated as a possible contender. In 2020, the woman who has become Donald Trumps pick to be the nations top spymaster met with one of the most infamous leakers of all time. Tulsi Gabbard, then in the midst of a failed bid for the Democratic nomination for president, met with Daniel Ellsberg, a military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers to The New York Times and The Washington Post in the 1970s and was charged with violations of the Espionage Act. He argued to her that it should be unconstitutional to charge officials who leak classified information to media outlets with espionage. Gabbard agreed, declaring the practice insanity. Later that year, she introduced a bill in the House called the Protect Brave Whistleblowers Act, designed to shield people like Ellsberg. She wrote two more bills that same week supporting Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, who were behind two of the biggest US national security leaks of the 21st Century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps selection of Gabbard to run the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has quickly drawn scrutiny because of her relative inexperience in the intelligence community and her public adoption of positions on Syria and the war in Ukraine that many national security officials see as Russian propaganda. But where she is perhaps most at odds with the agencies she may soon be tasked with leading is her distrust of broad government surveillance authorities and her support for those willing to expose some of the intelligence communitys most sensitive secrets. Its also where she may come into conflict with Trumps own past record even as she appears to represent an evolution of the MAGA movement toward a more youthful, techno-libertarian vision of the anti-surveillance faction of the Republican Party. It was the first Trump administration, after all, that in 2019 took the unprecedented step of charging Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, with Espionage Act violations for soliciting and publishing classified information. Tulsi Gabbard is a highly unusual pick for Director of National Intelligence in an administration that has nominated some very solid people, like Marco Rubio, Elise Stefanik and Mike Waltz, because shes somebody who clearly thinks that Edward Snowden should get away scot-free from stealing classified information, said Jamil Jaffer, a former George W. Bush administration associate White House counsel and founder and executive director of the National Security Institute at George Mason Universitys law school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard has fiercely defended Assange, introducing a bill in 2020 opposing his extradition and prosecution. And her legislation defending Snowden, the contractor who in 2013 revealed the existence of the bulk collection of American phone records by the National Security Agency before fleeing to Russia, called on the federal government to drop all charges. Both men are broadly seen as enemies of the state within the intelligence community. And the information they have exposed, officials say, has done grievous harm to Americas ability to collect and protect intelligence. But both are also causes that have drawn a curious cross-section of political support, from the far left Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also opposed the extradition of Assange to the libertarian-leaning right that contains both Trump allies like Sen. Rand Paul as well as critics such as former Rep. Justin Amash. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trumps pick to be attorney general, was one of two lawmakers to co-sponsor of Gabbards Snowden legislation. Its an unusual coalition that long predates and in some ways exists outside of Trumps own deep skepticism of the deep state intelligence community, fueled by his claims that the FBI and other intelligence agencies illegally surveilled him as part of a political witch hunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since arriving in Washington roughly a dozen years ago, Gabbard has evolved from a Democratic congresswoman who ran for president in 2020 to a Trump-endorsing Fox News regular who defected to the Republican Party earlier this year. Campaign items sit on a chair at a town hall meeting held by Tulsi Gabbard on Super Tuesday Primary night on March 3, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. - Bill Pugliano/Getty Images Interviews with former lawmakers and congressional aides who served with Gabbard as well as a reading of her 2024 memoir highlight a political chameleon who has maintained a populist and isolationist worldview, a willingness to buck party orthodoxy and a tendency to distrust authority figures that her critics say veers into outright conspiracy theory. People have core values and beliefs, and Tulsi, I believe, kind of lacks that, said one Democrat who was close to Gabbard while they were in Congress together. Gabbard did not respond to CNNs request for an interview. Trump in a statement announcing her selection said Gabbard would bring a fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Gabbard proposed repealing Patriot Act If confirmed, Gabbard will be the most markedly anti-surveillance official to lead the intelligence community in the post-9/11 era. Her animus towards what she has described as the national security state and its warmongering friends, hellbent on using the Espionage Act and other tools to punish its enemies, raises questions about whether she might seek to reshape the rules by which American intelligence agencies have been collecting, searching and using intelligence for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2020, shortly before she left Congress, Gabbard introduced legislation that would repeal the Patriot Act and Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, two of the most significant surveillance authorities passed by Congress after September 11, 2001. Like her other legislative attempts on spying issues, it went nowhere. Tulsi Gabbard walks down the steps of the House of Representatives at the US Capitol after the last votes of the week on January 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. - Drew Angerer/Getty Images The DNIs primary responsibility beyond his or her role in determining what intelligence the president sees every day in his daily brief is over the budget and priorities of the 18 agencies that make up the intelligence community. Because of that, it would be a complicated and difficult though not impossible task for Gabbard to unilaterally dismantle intelligence collection under Section 702. In theory, Gabbard could issue an order to the intelligence community not to use 702 at all, but the Defense Department and Congress would likely push back on that, said Glenn Gerstell, former general counsel at the National Security Agency. Getting rid of Section 702 entirely would address Gabbards concern shared by civil liberties advocates in both parties that the law offers too many ways for the intelligence community to surveil Americans without a warrant. But it would also dramatically curtail Americas ability to spy on foreign adversaries overseas, Gerstell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you were to eliminate just that one statute, you could take about 60% or 70% of the pages of (the presidents daily brief) and just throw it out before it even gets to the commander in chief, Gerstell said. And I cant imagine why any commander in chief would want to operate in this world blindfolded. Fighting against a cabal of warmongers As both a Democrat and a Republican, Gabbard has espoused a firmly isolationist, anti-war ideology an organizing principle that fit her identity both as an up-and-coming progressive star and then, later, an adherent to Trumps America First policy. Shes supported a hawkish foreign policy toward Islamist terrorist groups but has been notably anti-war toward US adversaries like Russia and Syria, along with her distrust of the US intelligence communitys spying apparatus. At least part of that fiercely doveish foreign policy appears to be driven by a longstanding conviction that the US is standing on the brink of nuclear war with Russia or China. In 2018, Hawaii residents received an accidentally sent alert on their phones warning of an incoming ballistic missile attack. The warning stemmed from a miscommunication during a state drill, not any action by an American adversary. But for Gabbard, the incident was a wake-up call that the threat of nuclear war was and is real and is even greater today, she wrote in her memoir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A consistent theme in Gabbards book is that the Democrat elite and neocons have formed a cabal of warmongers in permanent Washington. Politicians have plans in place to protect themselves so they can continue to wage a nuclear war from underground in the event of such an attack, she wrote. Those same warmongers in Washington from both political parties lie to us about the consequences of their warmongering and where it could lead. Current and former intelligence officials say theyre particularly concerned by what they see as an unnerving worldview that appears to give precedence to the views of foreign dictators over American leaders. In early 2022, Gabbard endorsed Russian President Vladimir Putins rationale for the invasion of Ukraine, pinning the blame not on Moscow but on the Biden administrations failure to acknowledge Russias legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraines becoming a member of NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also repeated a debunked Russian conspiracy theory about supposed American biolabs in Ukraine developing deadly pathogens. Tulsi Gabbard attends a live taping of Hannity at Fox News Channel Studios on September 13, 2023 in New York City. - Steven Ferdman/Getty Images Her public remarks have drawn attention in Russia, where panelists on a Russian state media television show cynically asked if she was a Kremlin state agent. Yes! the host said, without evidence. Some prominent Republicans like former Trump national security adviser John Bolton and former Trump UN ambassador and 2024 GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley have come out against her. This is not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer. DNI has to analyze real threats, Haley said Wednesday on her weekly radio program. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national intelligence agencies? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard has shown no compunction about courting controversy over her foreign policy ideas and the uproar over her empathetic posture towards Russia appeared not only to sharpen her turn to the right but harden her suspicions of the intelligence community. In 2020, former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton suggested, without evidence, that Russia was grooming Gabbard an accusation that appeared to profoundly offend Gabbard and give her a deep empathy for Trump. In her 2024 memoir, she wrote that Democrats had invented a conspiracy theory that (Trump) was colluding with the Russians to win the election. Hillary Clinton used a similar tactic against me. A meeting with Assad that blindsided Democrats Before coming to Washington, Gabbard joined in the Hawaii National Guard and deployed to Iraq in 2004. Her experience during the Iraq War appeared to shape her populist, anti-interventionist worldview in ways that would often put her at odds with the Obama administration and showcase her willingness to defy her party. Gabbard was elected to Congress at age 31. She found a natural place on the House Armed Services Committee both as a veteran and a lawmaker representing Hawaii, a state with a significant military presence. In this 2012 photo, Tulsi Gabbard attends a news conference with democratic freshmen members-elect at the US Capitol. - Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers and congressional aides who served with Gabbard on the committee told CNN Gabbard quickly became a reliable foil for Democrats on the committee. She was particularly focused on stopping the war in Syria and opposed the Obama administrations strategy of backing rebel groups against Syrian President al-Bashar Assad. She also opposed US military strikes in in 2014 after ISIS took over large swaths of Syrian territory. She was playing on her own team, said one former committee aide. In January 2017, Gabbard planned a trip to Lebanon and Syria sponsored by an Ohio-based Arab American economic group. Her original itinerary filed with the House Ethics Committee did not include any meetings with Assad. But Gabbard met Assad twice during her four days in Syria, according to travel documents she filed with the House after her trip. Her trip and meetings caught Democrats in Congress completely by surprise, former aides and lawmakers said, as she didnt inform committee leaders or then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Former aides said Gabbards colleagues were stunned and blindsided that she would meet with an adversary of the US. When she returned, Gabbard said in an interview with CNN that she met with Assad because there has to be a conversation with him for any viable peace agreement. When the opportunity arose to meet with him, I did so because I felt that its important that if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then weve got to be able to meet with anyone that we need to if there is a possibility that we can achieve peace, she said. Three months later, Gabbard opposed Trumps military strikes in Syria in response to a chemical weapons attack. She also criticized Trumps 2020 killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, saying after an intelligence briefing that there was no justification whatsoever for this illegal and unconstitutional act of war that President Trump took. Accountable to no one Gabbard left Congress in January 2021, after not running for reelection while she mounted a longshot Democratic presidential campaign that focused on her anti-war views. In October 2022, she announced that she was leaving the Democratic Party altogether. By October 2024, Gabbard had endorsed Trump, joined his transition team and officially switched parties. Donald Trump holds a town hall campaign event with Tulsi Gabbard on August 29 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. - Scott Olson/Getty Images Gabbard is in many ways a stranger to the intelligence community. Multiple current and former career officials who spoke to CNN were alarmed by some of her more controversial public statements but knew little about her beyond the headlines. As a member of Congress, Gabbard served on the House Armed Services Committee, but has had no formal oversight or work with the community she may be tasked with leading. Lawmakers who served alongside Gabbard in Congress say that it was often a challenge to figure out where she stood ideologically. But Gabbards disdain for government surveillance powers and her aggrieved sense that Americans have been lied to about those authorities are among her most coherent and consistent national security positions, even as Gabbard has transformed from a Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate to a potential Cabinet member in the new Trump administration. In 2017, when Trump was challenging the credibility of the FBIs investigation into his campaigns ties to Russia, Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer warned him: You take on the intelligence community, they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you. Gabbard, then a Democrat, heard a chilling message, she wrote in her memoir: The intelligence community and national security state are so supremely powerful and accountable to no one that even the president of the United States better not dare criticize them. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com After former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, withdrew his nomination to be President-elect Donald Trumps attorney general after allegations of sexual misconduct, Trump nominated former Attorney General of Florida Pam Bondi for the job. Although the GOP is expected to control the U.S. Senate 53-47 in the upcoming year, it became increasingly clear not enough Republicans were willing to back Gaetzs nomination. "It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz wrote on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz has been under investigation by the Department of Justice for allegations against him of committing statutory rape by paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl and for her to travel with him across state lines. Although that probe was dropped without charges, the House Ethics Committee was looking into the allegations as well. Trump has been filling his Cabinet at a breakneck pace, at times nominating controversial figures like Gaetz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz. Here is who Trump has picked for his Cabinet so far. Trumps picks so far: What we know Here are Trump's picks for key positions in his administration, as of Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What are the Cabinet positions? The Cabinet advises the president on issues related to their respective offices. These are the Cabinet positions from the 15 executive departments, which must be confirmed by the Senate: Secretary of State Secretary of Defense Attorney General Secretary of the Interior Secretary of Agriculture Secretary of Commerce Secretary of Labor Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary of Transportation Secretary of Energy Secretary of Education Secretary of Veterans Affairs Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary of Treasury Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Cabinet and presidential advisers can also include the vice president, the chief of staff, the ambassador to the United Nations, the director of National Intelligence, the U.S. trade representative, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, the head of the Office of Management and Budget, the head of the Council of Economic Advisors, the head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the head of the Small Business Administration. This story has been updated to add new information. Contributing: Anthony Robledo, James Powel, Aysha Bagchi, Zac Anderson, Darren Samuelsohn, Dan Morrison, Karen Weintraub, Alyssa Goldberg, Tom Vanden Brook, David Jackson, Savannah Kuchar, Victor Hagan, Bart Jansen, Riley Beggin, Michael Collins, Joey Garrison; Kaycee Sloan, the Cincinnati Enquirer; Jim Little; Pensacola News Journal. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's Cabinet picks: Pam Bondi nominated after Gaetz's exit Michigan GOP Chair Pete Hoekstra speaks ahead of former President Donald Trump at a campaign event in Detroit on Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols) President-elect Donald Trump has selected Michigan GOP Chair and former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Canada. Trump said in a written statement announcing the appointment Wednesday that hes grateful for Hoekstras help in delivering Michigan, a battleground state, for the Republican Party in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to serving nearly two decades in Congress representing Michigan from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands from 2018 to 2021. In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST, Trump said. 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. Thank you, Pete! With Hoekstra taking the role, the Michigan Republican Party will have to select a new leader. The state party had some difficulty in determining leadership earlier this year as the party went through a term of fragmentation after members of the party ousted then-chair Kristina Karamo from leadership in January. Weeks of legal proceedings followed as Karamo maintained she was the rightful chair of the party. In February, the Republican National Committee named Hoekstra, who had received Trumps approval for the position, as chair of Michigans Republican Party. Europe is bracing for the return to the White House of former U.S. President Donald Trump at a time when its own political house is in disorder, with many of its top political leaders teetering and a major war raging on its doorstep. The leadership of the trans-Atlantic alliance is about to be placed back in the hands of a U.S. president with little regard for multilateralism and even less interest in promoting the democratic ideals that made the West a beaconif a flawed oneto millions around the world. Who will lead Europe at this perilous time? Some of the regions leaders are well known. But others, including some that will play a pivotal role during the coming years, are less familiar. Here are three European figures worth watching in the coming months, as the new global reality takes shape during Trumps second term. Kaja Kallas To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 47-year-old Kallas resigned as Estonias prime minister in July in anticipation of a high-ranking position on the incoming European Commission. She is now awaiting confirmation by the European Parliament to become the European Unions top diplomatformally known as the high representative for foreign affairs and security policyas well as one of the commissions vice presidents. In her new role, she will be in a position to pick up the mantle that Trump is all but certain to surrender: to serve as the voice of inspiration for the Westand the worldto stand up against tyranny and for democracy. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kallasthen still the Estonian prime ministerbecame one of the most outspoken and persuasive figures in making the case that the West must support Kyiv or risk allowing an increasingly aggressive Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue his expansionist military adventures. Under her leadership, Estonia became one of Ukraines top donors by GDP, and she constantly urged other countries to follow suit. Once in office in Brussels, she is likely to take a high-profile approach not only to the Ukraine crisis but to European defense. When it comes to Trump, we can expect her to attempt more persuasion than confrontation, if her recent confirmation hearings before the European Parliament are any indication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isolationism has never worked for America, she began, an argument that admittedly is unlikely to register with Trump. But, she went on, If America is worried about China, they should be worried about Russia, because, she warned, if aggression pays off somewhere, it serves as an invitation to use it elsewhere. The linkage with China is more likely to get through to Trump and could be an indication of how Kallas plans to navigate the new landscape in Washington. But at the same time, Kallas also vowed to spare no effort in defending the EUs values, and if her efforts to stand up for Ukraine are any indication, we can take her on her word. Friedrich Merz The leadership of Germany, Europes largest, wealthiest country, is in disarray and about to change hands: Chancellor Olaf Scholzs governing coalition has collapsed, and the country is scheduled to hold national elections in February, if not sooner. The almost-certain winner will be Merz, the leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union, or CDU, who is set to stage a spectacular comeback after nearly two decades in political exile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz left politics in 2002, after Angela Merkel outmaneuvered him in an epic power struggle for control of the party, then in opposition. After becoming chancellor in 2005, Merkel moved the CDU to the center, and Merz moved to the business world to make a fortune. After Merkel retired in 2021, he returned to politics, quickly securing the partys leadership with a vow to move it to the right. Now Merzs CDU, in partnership with its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, or CSU, is leading decisively in the polls, with support from 33 percent of voters. Thats more than double the backing for Scholzs third-place SPD and comfortably ahead of the far-right party Alternative for Germany, or AfD, in second place. Merz is aiming to cut into the AfDs support, in part by blasting Merkels open-door policy toward migrants during the European refugee crisis in 2015. He has spoken disparagingly of Ukrainian refugees and vows to take Germany back to its conservative Christian roots. He is decidedly to the right of the SPD, but nowhere near as extreme as the AfD, an approach that seems clearly calculated to put him where he thinks the voters are. Despite his harsh words about Ukrainian refugees, he is firm in his support for Ukraines war of self-defense against Russia, arguing that the EU must pick up the slack in supporting Kyiv when Trump, as is expected, changes U.S. policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With no national leader wielding much influence in Brussels these days, especially now that French President Emmanuel Macron has lost his luster, Merz could serve as the EUs principal interlocutors with the U.S. during Trumps second term, while coordinating policy with the rest of the bloc. A sharp-elbowed, blunt politician, Merz will likely address Trump in a language that the incoming U.S. president will understand. Jordan Bardella The next presidential election in France is scheduled for 2027, a lifetime in politics. But the next few months will tell us if the far-right National Rally, or RNthe party of perennial presidential candidate Marine Le Penwill pass the torch to the 29-year-old Bardella. That would potentially put the him in line to become the next French president and most certainly make him a top figure among Europes anti-immigrant, nationalist far-right movements. Bardellas rise has been nothing less than meteoric. Le Pen, his mentor, installed the youthful but polished communicator as the RNs nominal leader in 2022. It was simply the latest step in her systematic effort to scrub the party founded by her fatherthe now-banished Jean-Marie Le Penof its image as a racist, antisemitic vehicle that appealed mainly to Frances older voters. When Macrons fortunes went into a nosedive after the RN finished first in European Parliament elections in June, he called snap legislative elections in July that Le Pen and Bardella expected to win. Bardella would have become prime minister, ready to work alongside Le Pen when she became, as they hoped, president come 2027. But they won only the first round, making the RN a kingmaker in a divided parliament, rather than Frances governing party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Le Pen, who has long faced allegations of ethics violations, is now in deep trouble. Along with two dozen RN officials, she is on trial for embezzlement, accused of stealing more than $4 million from the European Parliament in a scheme by which the RN paid its party employees using salaries from EU jobs they never showed up for. She claims the charges are politically motivated, but the case against her looks strong. Last week, prosecutors asked for a sentence of five years in prison, with three of them suspended. In addition, they asked the court to ban Le Pen from pursuing public office for five years. That would keep her out of the 2027 election and hand Bardella the leadership of the RN. Bardella, who grew up in poverty in housing projects he describes as riddled with crime, migrants and Islamicization, understands that Le Pen is the most popular figure in the party. He is careful to express his admiration and deference to his mentor. But if she falls, he rises. Perhaps to counteract Le Pens controversial ties with Moscow, he claims to support Ukraine against Russia. But many are skeptical of his sincerity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The verdict on Le Pens caseand Bardellas immediate futurewill come early next year. But, whatever happens, the young right-winger will remain someone to watch in the new era of rightward, nationalist drift in the U.S. and Europe. Frida Ghitis is WPRs senior columnist and a contributor to CNN and The Washington Post. Her WPR column appears every Thursday. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads at @fridaghitis. The post As Trump Returns, a New Cast of European Leaders Is on the Rise appeared first on World Politics Review. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trumps search for a Treasury secretary remains in flux, with the president-elect telling allies and advisers in recent days that hes yet to be completely sold on the candidates hes interviewed so far. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hedge fund executive Scott Bessent, Apollo Global Management Inc. executive Marc Rowan and former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh remain among the leading contenders for the post. Each met Wednesday with Trump, with Rowan flying from Hong Kong, but none of the conversations prompted him to finalize and announce his decision. As of Thursday morning, Trumps advisers said he was still ruminating over his options. Those close to the process underscored that a choice could be announced at any minute. But already, the extended deliberation highlights its importance to Trumps economic agenda, and his exacting yet at times contradictory requirements for the role. Allies believe Trump wants a candidate favored both by Wall Street, helping to buoy markets, but who also retains credibility with his electoral base, eager for him to actually implement sweeping new tariffs and embrace cryptocurrency. Theres also familiar Trump requirements for a candidate being loyal, telegenic and well-off. Listen and follow The Big Take DC on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elect has also indicated that conventional government credentials may be a detriment and that he prefers wealthy and innovative individuals who dont need the job. As he deliberated, none of the remaining roster of candidates were seen as perfect, according to people familiar with the discussions, leaving a major hole in his cabinet before a second term begins. Senator Bill Hagerty, the Tennessee Republican who served as the US ambassador to Japan during Trumps first-term, was seen as a dark horse candidate, spending time in Palm Beach earlier this week and traveling to Texas on Trumps plane to watch Elon Musks SpaceX launch its Starship rocket. Yet their interactions on Tuesday did not impress Trump enough to end the competition that day and name Hagerty to the highest-ranking economic job in the administration. Trump spent late Wednesday afternoon interviewing both Warsh and Rowan at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida with a tiny circle of advisers in the room, according to people familiar with the matter. He also met again with Bessent, who appeared to have momentum for the post last week before Trump widened the search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bessent did not reply to a request for comment. The Trump transition team declined to give a timeline for naming a nominee. President-elect Trump is making decisions on who will serve in his second administration. Those decisions will continue to be announced by him when they are made, transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. Outsider Pick Rowan, of the current Treasury contenders, is among the least connected to Trump. The Apollo executive did not contribute directly to the president-elects 2024 White House bid, though he did support a pro-Trump super political action committee, according to the latest Federal Election Commission records. He instead invested millions into congressional Republicans. In 2020, he donated to Trump, but in 2016 Rowan contributed to Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know how you pick a private equity guy, given all the damage private equity has done to workers in this country, how someone at Apollo is even on the shortlist, Steve Bannon, a close Trump ally, said on his War Room podcast Thursday. Rowan is a very smart guy some people may even say hes brilliant, right?, Bannon said. But I dont think he understands MAGA. The prolonged process, relative to Trumps other top picks so far, opens up the possibility that the president-elect, known to be impulsive in spurts, could just land on a name that has so far not been floated publicly. Thats what happened with his selection for attorney general. Trump was not enthralled with the candidates he personally interviewed, so then-Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida made a persuasive case for the job on a flight from Palm Beach to Washington and landed it, much to the surprise of his colleagues on Capitol Hill and even some of Trumps top aides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz the subject of a long-running inquiry over allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl in exchange for money, took illicit drugs, and accepted improper gifts could face a steep climb to confirmation even with a Republican-controlled Senate. He has denied wrongdoing. But that Trump would even consider him for his cabinet underscores the extent to which he emphasizes disruption in naming the leaders of his incoming administration, those familiar with the process say. Thats led to selections that have fanned consternation across Washington before what could be tough confirmation battles for Gaetz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, and Fox News host Pete Hegseth, whom the president-elect chose as secretary of Defense. Trump has relished the response to his choices of celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, former Republican congressman and reality television star Sean Duffy to lead the Department of Transportation and former Democratic congresswoman-turned-Fox News pundit Tulsi Gabbard as the director of National Intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public Battle Trump has also frowned at public lobbying for the role. Cantor Fitzgerald Chief Executive Officer Howard Lutnick, who is running Trumps transition and who sought the Treasury job, was instead named to lead the Commerce Department after Trump soured on his effort to secure public backing from allies for the role, people familiar with the matter have said. Some Trump allies and advisers have tried to make the case that Trump should select a Treasury secretary soon to send a signal to Wall Street that all will be well and calm. But others on his team feel he has a mandate to operate in an unconventional style that suits him. David Wessel, the director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution, said people on Wall Street, in the business community and in governments around the world are hoping that the Treasury secretary will be a conventional Republican pick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump chooses somebody really outside the box, thats going to frighten people, he added. When you are the worlds largest debtor, you want to be careful about who you pick to be the chief bond salesman for the US government. Trump may also be weighing whether contenders for the Treasury post could be interested in other economic positions in his administration. The president-elect has still not announced his choices for US Trade Representative, Labor secretary, Small Business administrator, or the head of his Council of Economic Advisers. --With assistance from Annmarie Hordern and Bill Allison. (Updates with additional details on Rowan donations) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The News WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. Donald Trump started over on his search for an attorney general on Thursday, ending up with former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi hours after Matt Gaetzs surprise withdrawal. Names of potential replacements were quickly swirling inside Trumps network. The president-elect had focused on his Treasury secretary pick this week, as well as who to choose to head up the FBI. Some outside Trump allies and transition team members had floated Todd Blanche, Trumps personal lawyer who is currently his pick to be deputy attorney general, as a possible new nominee to lead the Justice Department. Another name that resurfaced is Missouris attorney general, Andrew Bailey, who was originally being floated for the job. But Bondi ultimately prevailed, with Trump hailing her service on an opioid commission during his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If its not too late, Id call back Matt Whitaker, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., referring to a former Trump official whos already been tapped as the next US ambassador to NATO. I think hes built for this. I think he can do the job, I think he can be just as ball-busting as Matt Gaetz, but he can probably do it in a kinder, gentler way and be more effective at it. Other GOP senators were loath to weigh in on behalf of a specific candidate after the last few days of upheaval that followed the surprise Gaetz pick. And their silence made sense by Thursday night, when Trump announced a new attorney general choice in head-spinning fashion that fit the pace of the past few days. I dont have any advice. No advice youre not going to draw me into that. Ill leave it to the president, said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Both Hawley and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Thursday they want to stay in Congress rather than join the Trump administration. Fellow Senate Judiciary Committee member Mike Lee, R-Utah, had previously indicated he wants to remain a senator as well. Know More The president-elect tapped Gaetz, a close ally, on a whim last week coming to the decision over the course of a plane ride from Washington to West Palm Beach, and stunning lawmakers in the process. Allegations of sexual misconduct against Gaetz, combined with a very poor whip count in the Senate, proved too big to overcome: The former congressman, who resigned from Congress the day Trump announced his intention to nominate him as attorney general, said Thursday on X that it was clear his confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who said she was shocked by Gaetzs nomination last week, said Thursday that I am glad that he decided to withdraw. He clearly put the countrys interests first. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, who met with Gaetz this week, said he would leave the next AG choice up to them. Some people make it, some people dont, he said of Gaetzs fate. Gaetz spoke by phone with Trump on Thursday morning to discuss the decision to step aside. Many people close to Trump were surprised by the news his confirmation team was still being compiled as recently as Wednesday night, one person familiar with the process told Semafor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Republican also conducted meetings with senators this week, alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance, that suggested he would continue moving forward. Still, Republicans estimated there were more than a half-dozen private no votes already for Gaetz, whos still facing the possible release of a House Ethics Committee report into allegations of sexual misconduct. Given that, his withdrawal opens the door for Trump to pick a new nominee with a better chance of winning a confirmation vote. The View From Democrats Democrats were widely opposed to the Gaetz nomination and openly hoping Trumps next choice will be a serious nominee, as Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois put it. A qualified nominee for the highest position in law enforcement in America must be honest and complete in disclosing his background. Mr. Gaetz did not meet that standard, Durbin said. The Senate must uphold its constitutional responsibility of advice and consent on this critical position. Shelby and Burgess View Gaetzs decision to step aside is a small institutional win for Republican senators who were concerned about his inability to get confirmed and the possibility of a subsequent recess appointment. Its also an early blow to Trump, who had hoped to successfully lobby senators for his full slate of picks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump still has ample time to nominate an attorney general who Republicans can confirm more easily in January and Bondi may be that person. The bigger question, now, is whether Gaetzs withdrawal ends up helping or hurting when it comes to winning the votes to confirm Trumps other unorthodox picks, like Tulsi Gabbard as national intelligence director and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary. Room for Disagreement Not every senator appeared to see Gaetzs nomination as a disaster waiting to happen. After meeting with Gaetz earlier this week, Cruz said it was important that he have a full and fair hearing and the Senate move promptly. I assume, based on the announcement today, that there were significant challenges to Senate confirmation, Cruz added. More than two weeks after the 2024 election, the White House says President-elect Donald Trump and his team still havent executed the legal documents required to officially start the transition process. Trump is due to take the presidential oath of office on the Capitol steps in just under 60 days. Yet, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the Trump-Vance team not yet entered into the agreements with the White House and the General Service Administration despite ongoing efforts to negotiate involving White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and his incoming Trump administration counterpart, Susie Wiles. Last week, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said the Trump transition team was breaking the law by not signing the memoranda, which include required ethics agreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jean-Pierre said Zients has reached out to Trump transition co-chairs Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon and has consistently reiterated ... wanting to work together and making sure that they have what they need. So we're going to continue to engage with the Trump transition team to ensure that we do have that efficient, effective transition of power, and in those conversations, we certainly are stressing that the White House and the administration stand ready to provide assistance, and that access to services and information, she said. So those conversations continue, and we want this to go smoothly, and that's what we're trying to get to. Without the signed documents, Trumps team cannot access any government resources made available to incoming administrations. They cannot enter any government buildings or speak to any currently serving government personnel including the Biden administration officials they are replacing. Donald Trump and his transition team are already breaking the law. I would know because I wrote the law. Incoming presidents are required to prevent conflicts of interest and sign an ethics agreement, Warren wrote in a post on X/Twitter last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: This is what illegal corruption looks like. Before September 1, candidates are supposed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the General Services Administration to get a hold of support services. Before October 1, candidates are supposed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the federal government regarding conditions of access to agencies and that includes an ethics plan. As of now, neither document has been executed. The laws governing presidential transitions are set up to ensure both a peaceful transfer of power and to safeguard national security by allowing incoming officials to receive temporary security clearances required before they can be brought up to speed on threats facing the country. After the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington, the presidential commission charged with investigating the attacks found that the truncated transition between the Clinton administration and the George W Bush administration caused by the disputed 2000 election which ended up in a recount that took months to resolve by the Supreme Court resulted in delays before Bushs team was able to get up to speed. The commission said national security was harmed by the delays, particularly by how they hampered the confirmation of Bushs national security team. Republican President-elect Donald Trump Wednesday night announced his pick of Michigan GOP Chair and former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Canada. In a statement announcing his decision to nominate Hoekstra for the role, Trump praised the Michigan Republican and the work he did as the state party's leader to bolster the Trump campaign in the battleground state. "Pete is well-respected in the Great State of Michigan - A State we won sizably," Trump said in a statement. Trump received almost 50% of the vote to Vice President Kamala Harris' 48% in battleground Michigan, which amounted to around 80,000 more votes, according to unofficial results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoekstra made frequent appearances at Trump rallies in Michigan and was selected to lead the Michigan GOP after a tumultuous period of infighting that plagued the party heading into this year's presidential campaign. Michigan 2024 Election: County canvass widens gap in Battle Creek state House race to 61 votes, up from 58 Prior to his leadership post in the Michigan GOP, Hoekstra served as U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term in the White House and as a member of Michigan's congressional delegation from 1993-2011. During his time in Congress, he served as chair of the House Intelligence Committee. In announcing his selection of Hoekstra to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Trump highlighted his own efforts to overhaul U.S. trade relationships in North America. "We brought Trade with Mexico and Canada to a level playing field for our wonderful Farmers and Working Families. In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump picks Hoekstra for US ambassador to Canada (This story was updated to add new information.) Outgoing Indiana U.S. Sen. Mike Braun was among the GOP senators who missed confirmation votes in Washington D.C., this week on Democrat-supported judges, drawing the frustration of President-elect Donald Trump. Had Braun been present, he could have helped blocked their confirmation. Braun, who was elected governor of Indiana earlier this month, missed confirmation votes in Washington, D.C. on four U.S. District court judges that were confirmed this week, according to U.S. Senate voting records. A spokesperson for Braun's office said he made it to votes on the Senate floor late Wednesday after attending the Republican Governor's Association's annual conference in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican is balancing the role he is leaving in Washington, D.C., with the new job he will take over in January. Just in the last week, Braun's governor transition team announced a series of advisory transition councils and priorities for the upcoming legislative session. What's coming in 2025?: As lawmakers discuss priorities for 2025 legislative session, sexual allegations loom The absences, though, led Trump to post on X Wednesday demanding Republican senators "show up to block confirmations while Democrats still have a slim majority in the U.S. Senate. Republicans won the majority during the 2024 elections, but won't have that power until members are sworn in in January. "The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door, Trump said in a post on X. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line No more judges confirmed before Inauguration Day! 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! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2024 In one example of confirmation votes this week, a judicial nominee for the District of Columbia was confirmed on Wednesday by a vote of 50-49 largely along party lines with Braun absent. The nominees confirmation could potentially have been blocked if Braun was present and voted no, as Vice President Kamala Harris would have been unavailable to break a tie. (Harris is vacationing in Hawaii this week, according to Axios.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana U.S. Sen. Todd Young voted against all four judges confirmed this week, according to Senate voting records. Axios reported that GOP Senators at a lunch on Wednesday discussed whether Braun might resign so someone could fill his seat. Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks was elected this month to fill the open U.S. Senate seat due to Brauns campaign for governor, but Banks wont be sworn in until January. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mike Braun misses U.S. Senate votes as he preps for Indiana governor Donald Trumps secretary of defense nominee, Pete Hegseth, is having a hard time defending himself. The Fox News star has been the subject of increased scrutiny after a police report from 2017 surfaced, documenting an instance in which Hegseth allegedly assaulted an attendee at a Republican womens conference in Monterey, California. Speaking to a crowd of reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday ahead of a meeting with senators regarding his confirmation, Hegseth minced words about the attack, failing to say that he hadnt actually sexually assaulted anyone at the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as the media is concerned, its very simple, Hegseth said. The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared, and thats where Im gonna leave it. REPORTER: Did you sexually assault a woman in Monterey, California? PETE HEGSETH: I have -- ah -- as far as the media is concerned, it's very simple. The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared, and that's where I'm gonna leave it. pic.twitter.com/JovTk3kLyB Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 21, 2024 But specifying that he was completely cleared isnt wholly accurate. The 22-page police report, published by Mediaite on Wednesday, does not mention that Hegseth was cleared. Instead, it recommends that the case be forwarded to local prosecutors. Ultimately, no charges were filed in the case. In a statement to The Washington Post on Saturday, Hegseths attorney Tim Parlatore said that Hegseth had paid his accuser in exchange for her signing a nondisclosure agreement in order to stop her from filing a lawsuit and to protect his future at Fox News. A friend of the victim reportedly shared details of the attack with Trumps transition team in a memo last week, but the news apparently did not shake the MAGA leaders confidence in his nominee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This police report confirms what I have said all along that the incident was fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed, Parlatore told Mediaite in a statement. Meanwhile, Hegseths nomination may have already sunk. Reports from inside Trumps transition team indicate that the forty-seventh president-elect is quietly assembling a list of alternatives to the white nationalistconnected conservative. President-elect Donald Trump has asked a judge to dismiss the defamation lawsuit against him filed by the Central Park Five, claiming it is legally insufficient and meritless. Plaintiffs attempt to use the courts to silence political discourse is barred by Pennsylvanias robust protections for free speech, Trumps legal team wrote in a Tuesday letter to Judge Wendy Beetlestone. Pennsylvanias anti-SLAPP statute provides immunity for protected public expression on matters of public concern, including statements made during a political debate, shielding defendants from meritless lawsuits designed to chill free speech. The update came a month after the Exonerated Five Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown (formerly known as Antron McCray) and Korey Wise sued Trump for falsely stating in his September debate against Vice President Kamala Harris that the men initially pled guilty to the 1989 assault and rape, as opposed to merely admitting guilt during police questioning. His technically incorrect use of the legal terminology pled guilty does not render the statement substantially false, particularly where the effect on the lay audience listener would be the same as the truth (which is that Plaintiffs admitted guilt), Trumps lawyers wrote in the letter, which was obtained by TheWrap. Minor inaccuracies in terminology do not constitute defamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-Elect Trump further emphasized that his views reflected widespread public sentiment of the era, contextualizing his comments as part of a broader discussion on crime and justice, they continued. No reasonable listener would interpret these statements as newly asserting that Plaintiffs are guilty of the Central Park crimes, particularly since President-Elect Trump acknowledged during the debate that Plaintiffs were ultimately exonerated. Trumps team further insisted his comments during the debate contextualized his 1989 actions and relied on Plaintiffs own admissions at the time, with no misrepresentation of material facts. The former Celebrity Apprentice host infamously took out full-page ads in four New York City newspapers in May of 1989, calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty in the wake of the Central Park attack and has since refused to apologize including after the 2024 debate in question. The city of New York settled a civil rights lawsuit with the five men for $41 million in 2014. The formal request also came just days after he filed to have the first judge Judge Michael M. Baylson recused due to his relationship with the Exonerated Fives legal counsel. That filing occurred last Thursday, and he was replaced by Judge Beetlestone on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the case is not thrown out, the group of men is seeking a jury trial, as well as compensatory and punitive damages from Trump in excess of $75,000. Though not technically exonerated, their sentences were vacated in 2002. The post Trump Wants Central Park 5 Defamation Lawsuit Thrown Out, Argues They Pled Guilty Was Only a Minor Inaccuracy appeared first on TheWrap. Trump wants the power to refuse to spend federal dollars that Congress has already approved. He's pledged to challenge a Nixon-era law that constrains the president's "impoundment" powers. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have endorsed this approach as a way to implement their DOGE cuts. Donald Trump and his allies have long signaled that if elected to a second term, he would seek to reduce the constraints that presidents typically face when carrying out their agenda. That vision is beginning to take shape, with Trump's recent demand for recess appointments signaling a desire to bypass the Senate's role in confirming his nominees. But the president-elect doesn't just want more control over staffing he also plans to try to assert his power over government funding by simply refusing to spend money that Congress has already approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's called "impoundment," and it's been mostly illegal for the president to do since 1974, when Congress passed the Impoundment Control Act after President Richard Nixon refused to spend congressionally approved funds on programs he personally opposed. In a June 2023 campaign video, Trump argued that the law was unconstitutional and pledged to "do everything I can to challenge" the law in court and, "if necessary, get Congress to overturn it." If Trump successfully pushed for the elimination of that law, he could gain unilateral power to defund vast swaths of the federal government, refuse to dole out foreign aid, or withhold federal funds to pressure others to bend to his will. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the leaders of a newly announced Department of Government Efficiency, wrote in a joint op-ed article on Wednesday that they "believe the current Supreme Court would likely side with" Trump and declare the law unconstitutional. Impoundment has been floated as one way that Trump could singlehandedly enact DOGE's recommended cuts to the federal budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, lawmakers on Capitol Hill including those on the House and Senate appropriations committees that control government spending don't seem concerned about Trump's impoundment power grab. "I'm going to have to get back to you on that one," Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia told Business Insider. "I haven't dreamed about impoundment, and haven't really focused on it, so I don't know." "To be honest with you, I've not really followed it very closely," Republican Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama told BI, later adding in a statement issued via a spokesman that he "would be happy to work with" Trump on fixing what he called a "broken" budget process. Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, told BI that Trump "doesn't have the constitutional authority" to impound funds but that her "first order of business" is dealing with a government-funding deadline. 'The Congress can't just be pushed aside' Trump's quest for impoundment powers is likely to engender resistance, at least from Congress. Funding the government has long involved a complex set of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate, and spending bills typically contain a broad range of provisions designed to satisfy different groups of lawmakers. An ability to tinker with those arrangements unilaterally after the fact would represent a significant shift in power away from the legislative branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If it's something that further weakens Congress' ability to do its job the way they should be, then I'm going to look at that real carefully," Rep. Mark Amodei, a Nevada Republican who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, told BI. He added that there "would be a problem" if Trump tried to impound funding approved by both chambers of Congress. "The Congress can't just be pushed aside," said Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, a Democratic member of the committee. "I would hope that we wouldn't allow ourselves to be pushed aside, but we'll see." But Trump is also dealing with a far more obedient GOP than he was during his first term, and even Republican appropriators aren't fully ruling out impoundment. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the Republican chairman of the committee, has characterized impoundment as a "tool in the toolbox" for Trump, The Washington Post reported. What Trump could do with such sweeping powers Even if Congress won't grant Trump impoundment powers, he has another potentially more attractive avenue: the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear whether the Supreme Court would ultimately side with Trump and strike down the law, granting him the sweeping power to cancel government funding at his behest. "I think we're always very mindful of the fact that this court has broken tradition on a whole host of issues, whether it's reproductive rights or immunity," Morelle said. "When we talk about how the American people have not elected a king we don't have a sovereign this is what we're talking about." In general, Trump and other GOP supporters of impoundment have primarily described it as a means to simply reduce government spending he considers wasteful. "If it takes fewer resources to implement a program than what was appropriated, an agency should not be forced to waste taxpayer dollars," said a June op-ed article cowritten by Mark Paoletta, a GOP lawyer who served in the Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget. "If there is room for savings in federal programs, why should the president be restrained from ordering agencies to shrink the size of the federal government?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there's also concern that Trump could use that power in a more punitive way, withholding funds set aside for projects in individual lawmakers' districts in order to punish them for crossing him. Daniel Schuman, a Congress expert who's the executive director of the American Governance Institute, laid out a variety of scenarios in a July op-ed article. "The president's not supposed to be a super-legislator in that way," Schuman told BI in a recent interview. "The president shouldn't be able to blackmail members of Congress." A Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, did not address BI's inquiry about whether Trump might pursue such punitive measures, merely saying in a statement that the president-elect has "a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail" and that "he will deliver." Read the original article on Business Insider As a member of Congress, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (ROre.) teamed up with Vice President Kamala Harris and teachers union bosses to push a proposal that would effectively override state-level reforms to limit the power of public sector unionslike those championed by Republicans in Wisconsin and Florida. That might seem like it would make Chavez-DeRemer an unlikely choice for secretary of labor in a Republican administration. But President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering giving her exactly that gig. Politico reported earlier this week that Chavez-DeRemer was "in the mix" to run the Labor Department, and she has the backing of some high-profile labor union leaders including Teamsters President Sean O'Brien. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), tweeted approvingly of Chavez-DeRemer's consideration for the job on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outpouring of support for Chavez-DeRemer from labor unions probably reflects her record as one of the most pro-union Republicans in Congress. She's one of three House Republicans to endorse the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), a grab bag of big labor agenda items that would extend some of California's awful independent contractor regulations nationwide, abolish so-called "right to work" laws in the 27 states that have passed them, and expand the powers of the National Labor Relations Board, among other things. She's also one of a handful of Republicans to cosponsor the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which is best described as a federal power grab that allow public sector labor unions (like the AFT) to force their will on states that have limited the power of those unions. As Dominic Pino notes at National Review, the bill would "effectively rewrite labor-relations law in roughly half of the states, many of them Republican-governed, which currently either prohibit collective bargaining by public employees or don't explicitly authorize it." Trump's rise to political power has been helped by a shift in voting patterns among union workers, who are no longer the solidly Democratic cohort they once were. That shift, combined with Trump's willingness to make unorthodox staffing decisions, likely explains how someone like Chavez-DeRemer ended up on the transition team's short list. Even so, choosing Chavez-DeRemer would signal that Trump believes it is more important to signal support for labor unions than to stand up for American workers. The right-to-work laws that Chavez-DeRemer would like to use federal power to overturn merely ensure that workers cannot be coerced into joining unionsor funding them, via dues taken directly from workers' paychecks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To represent workers does not mean to copy the views of union bosses," wrote Mark Mix, president of the National Right To Work Committee, a nonprofit, in a letter to Trump on Wednesday, urging the incoming president to nix Chavez-DeRemer as labor secretary. "The next Trump Administration should seek to expand choice for workers so that every American can freely choose whether or not a union deserves their financial support." Chavez-DeRemer won't have a chance to vote for those pro-union bills in next year's Congress, because she lost her reelection bid earlier this month. There's no reason for Trump to throw her a political lifeline now. The post Will Trump's Labor Secretary Pick Be a Big Win for Public Sector Unions? appeared first on Reason.com. Donald Trump is wasting no time meddling in congressional oversight of his incoming administration, arranging for one of his favorite attack dogs to become his top doge. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) was chosen to lead a new House subcommittee that will work with the planned Department of Government Efficiency run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy . The House panel will reportedly be called the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiencyallowing it to also carry the DOGE acronym. I'm thrilled to announce I'll be chairing a brand new subcommittee to work hand-in-hand with @ElonMusk and @VivekGRamaswamys Department of Government Efficiency. I won't rest until we've rooted out every penny of waste and abuse. The American people deserve a government that pic.twitter.com/f0ajUTguWU Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) November 21, 2024 Im excited to chair this new subcommittee designed to work hand in hand with President Trump, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and the entire DOGE team, Greene said in a statement. Her subcommittee, she added, would lead to the dismissal of government bureaucrats, and provide transparency and truth to the American people through hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Greene announced the BIG NEWSsurrounded by six red sirenson X, Ramaswamy retweeted it, saying hes looking forward to working with the firebrand from Georgia Looking forward to working together with Congress. Proper oversight of agencies & public transparency are critical. https://t.co/K5ZoGLcdb8 Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 21, 2024 Greene and House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) have connected with DOGE leader-to-be Ramaswamy and are already working together. Comer aims to establish the subcommittee by early 2025. Fox News first reported the news Thursday. Much like its extra-governmental partner, the congressional DOGE panel has similar goals to investigate and reduce government waste and red tape. And, according to Comer, the subcommittee will work very closely with Musk and Ramaswamy. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) questions United States Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle as she testifies before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) said he wasnt surprised to hear that the strong arm of Trump is deciding how Congress should run its oversight of the executive branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its crazy, he told the Daily Beast. But thats efficiency for you, he joked. Cut out the middle manSpeaker Johnson. Thats what theyre going to do and Speaker Johnson will say, Yes, sir. How many more, sir? Ill have another, sir. Musk and Ramaswamys DOGE agency will provide advice and guidance to the White House and the Office of Management and Budget, and Greenes subcommittee gives the two billionaires and Trump a path to implementing their agenda in a Republican-controlled Congress. Elon Musk was tapped to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency alongside Vivek Ramaswamy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Wall Street Journal op-ed , the Trump fan boys laid out their plan to slash federal spending and regulations, arguing that most government enforcement decisions and discretionary expenditures arent made by the democratically elected president or even his political appointees but by millions of unelected, unappointed civil servants. We will serve as outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees, they wrote. Unlike government commissions or advisory committees, we wont just write reports or cut ribbons. Well cut costs. Among their ideas is ending remote work for federal employees, dubbing it a pandemic-era privilege that taxpayers shouldnt have to fund. A return to office mandate, they claim, would lead to a wave of voluntary resignations, shrinking the government workforce. The proposal could impact more than a million workers, although only about 10 percent of federal employees are working fully remote, according to the Office of Management and Budget. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Alabamas U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is throwing his full support behind President-Elect Donald Trumps cabinet picks. He said Wednesday he believes Senate Republicans should work together to quickly confirm the nominees. UHC announces multi-year deal keeping Huntsville Hospital System in network The Senates job is to advise and consent and to represent our constituents and our state, Tuberville said. The majority of Americans voted for President Donald J. Trump. They want President Trumps agenda now. I intend to do my part to ensure he has the people around him so we can work and work together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuberville praised Health and Human Services Secretary nominee RFK Jr., Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz, saying he believes they will work hard for the American people. Matt [Gaetz] is a highly qualified nominee with almost a decade a decade of experience in Congress, Tuberville said. Hes been on the Judiciary Committee. He is a warrior for the Constitution. 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. Some members of Congress have voiced displeasure at Trumps pick for attorney general, but Tuberville said he believes, that if the Department of Justice had proof of Gaetzs involvement in an underage sex trafficking scheme, he would have been charged with a crime already. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in the business of facts and not rumors, Tuberville said. Everybody up here has some kind of rumors thrown at them from the mainstream media. If you just go back to Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas, for instance, they hammered him, the media and the left hammered him and tried to get him not approved for the Supreme Court. Gaetz was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, but when he resigned his House seat last week, the committee lost its jurisdiction to continue the investigation. Tuberville said there are circumstances where he would revoke his support for Gaetz. If theres facts behind all these allegations, Ill be the first one to vote against Matt Gaetz, Tuberville said. Ive told him that weve got to get past these rumors if somebodys got some facts. I dont want the he said she said. The Senate is usually responsible for confirming a future presidents cabinet picks. The nominees are vetted by senate committees. They are questioned and can be voted down, but that does not happen very often. The last time it did was during the first Bush Administration in 1989. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuberville said Senate Republicans need to be prepared to work with Trumps transition team to confirm the nominees as soon as possible. Nows the time to put up or shut up, Tuberville said. We have to get President Trump, his team I mean, to end of the day and they cant be deep state. They cant be shadow government. They have to be people that believe in this country. I promise you, were not going to put anybody Im not going to vote for anybody thats not qualified that I dont think will work hard for the people of Alabama. Trump has said hes considering using recess appointments to circumvent the Senates role in the confirmation process. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants to give his senior defense and intelligence officials access to classified materials without first having them vetted by the FBI or some other federal agency. Legally, technically, can a president do thisjust let anyone of his choosing routinely see even the most highly classified secrets simply on his own authority, without any formal security review? The answer, it seems, is yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the first executive order defining the process by which information gets classified or declassified. Every president since has revised the order in small or large ways. But all of the versions have this in common: They make clear that the power to classify and declassify documentsand all issues related to that powerrests with, and is delegated to others by, the president. Thats why theyre called executive orders. The president cant give a classified document to someone who doesnt have a security clearance, but he can give that person a clearance and then give him the document, Eugene Fidell, a professor of military law at Yale University Law School, told me in a phone conversation Wednesday morning. If someone thinks the executive order is ambiguous on this point, Fidell went on, then the president can change the order with the stroke of a pen. And lets say someone thinks hes violated the order. Whos going to enforce it? The implicit answer to that question is: the attorney general. But if Matt Gaetz or someone equally loyal to Trump holds that post, he (or she) isnt likely to enforce it or investigate the matter at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These issues are pertinent to a degree that they never have been in U.S. history because Trump has said he will nominate Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. Gabbard, a former Democrat turned Republican House member and frequent Fox News guest, is an extreme MAGA loyalist who has frequently parroted Kremlin propaganda lines, especially about the war in Ukraine and the role of NATO, including the lie that the U.S. has set up bioweapons labs on Ukrainian soil. The host of the evening news show on the Kremlin-controlled Russia Channel 1 hailed the nomination, calling her our girlfriend. This doesnt mean shes a Russian agent. But her words often reflect Russian interestsand, if she is confirmed for the new job, her actions may soon do so as well. For this reason, among othersincluding the fact that she has no relevant experienceU.S. intelligence officials are alarmed at her nomination. The DNIs job is to supervise and coordinate the work of all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA, the FBI, and the National Security Agency. This means that she would have access to all the secrets collected and reported within all the intel agencies. The DNI also prepares the Presidents Daily Brief, notifying the commander in chief of new intelligence on various crises and other important developments in the world, which might in turn guide his policies. This has a few implications. First, whether by her incompetence or other agencies resistance, intelligence will not be well-coordinated. This is no small point. The office of DNI was created in 2004 after a special commission and several lawmakers concluded that the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001, happened in part because U.S. intelligence agencies didnt speak to one another and so didnt connect the dots in a way that might have revealed the plot to destroy the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many debated at the time whether DNI would truly coordinate the agencies or simply be another layer of bureaucracy, and this debate continues. But processes have been put in place. The office does coordinate findings; it does report the findings to the president. Under Gabbard, this process is unlikely to continue. I asked a former senior intelligence officer whether, for instance, the National Security Agencywhich handles the most highly classified information, including intercepts of foreign leaders communicationsmight be less willing to share intelligence with a DNI led by Gabbard. The former official replied, Thats a real possibility. Second, relations between U.S. and allied intelligence agencies would surely be weakened. This would particularly be true with the other Five Eyes nationsBritain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealandthat share extremely sensitive information, including communications intercepts, with one another and only with one another. The former senior intelligence officer told me, I am certain that the Five Eyes would exercise greater caution in sharing with the United States. And in return, Gabbard, who disdains alliances as much as Trump does, would also be less willing to share intel with the other Five Eyes nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means the United States would be kept in the dark about a lot of things going on in the world. In his new book, War, Bob Woodward reports that on a couple of occasions, senior Biden officials received extremely sensitive information based on conversations inside the Kremlini.e., based on a human source close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. That information came to Biden from the DNI in one of his daily briefings. Would the original recipient of the intel (probably the NSA) pass such intel along to Gabbard, knowing that she might ask about the identity of the Russian source, a question that the handler would have to answer? Maybe not. The information would probably get out somehow, maybe through a leak to Congress or the media. But would the president believe it if it didnt come from his own handpicked loyalists? Third, as a result of this new dynamic, many intelligence professionals are going to flee the government. Trump, of course, wants this to happen. He views them all as agents of the deep state, bent on blocking his agenda. The quality of intelligence collection and analysis will plunge. This leads to the fourth point: As someone who got the job entirely as a result of her loyalty, Gabbard would soon realize that her main job is to tell Trump what he wants to hear and not to contradict his beliefs. Intel officials learned this early on in Trumps first term in the White House and modified their briefings accordingly. Intelligence has been politicized, to some extent, in several past administrations. During the Iraq War, CIA director George Tenet (who ran the presidents briefing back then, before DNI was created) deliberately distorted intel reports to make it seem the U.S. military was succeeding more than it really was. He saw President George W. Bush as the CIAs sole client, and he thought the agency would be closed out of decisionmaking if he brought the client too much bad news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, no intel director has been quite so politically motivated as Gabbard would be. She would likely learn to bring Trump nothing but good news. All this would be the case even if Gabbard were put through a security clearanceand even if she passed it. But it would be all the more disastrous if she evaded it. And if Trump decides to let her see everything without going through the processbecause he views the FBI as a weaponized arm of the deep state, intent on thwarting his ambitions to blow the place upthere is nothing anyone can do about it. The most recently updated executive order on the subject states: A person is eligible for access to classified information provided that a determination of trustworthiness has been made by agency heads or designated officials. It does clarify that classified information originating in one agency may not be disseminated outside any other agency without the consent of the originating agency. However, that sentence is preceded by the clause: Except as provided by directives issued by the President In other words, to the extent restrictions are placed on the dissemination of classified information, the president can supersede them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked the professor of military law, Fidell, if any president has ever tried to circumvent the normal process of sending senior officials through a security review or to exploit any of the loopholes that the executive order has offered. He could think of only one, and it falls far short of the steps that Trump has said he wants to take. In 2003, during George W. Bushs presidency, Vice President Dick Cheney wanted to alter the classification of some documents, so he had Bush revise the executive order in a way that let him. The previous version of the EO read: The authority to classify information originally may be exercised only by: (1) the President; (2) agency heads and officials designated by the President in the Federal Register. The first clause of the Cheney-revised versionand every version sincereads: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authority to classify information originally may be exercised only by (1) the President and, in the performance of executive duties, the Vice President. [Italics mine.] So, if Trump grows addled on the job over the next four years, Vice President-to-be JD Vance can invoke this authority too. The point is this: There is only one way for the Senate to stop an unqualified, uncleared, untrustworthy person like Gabbard from ascending to a job where she handles extremely sensitive information. They must not confirm her nomination. President-elect Donald Trump's pick for the director of national intelligence, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, has little experience working with the nation's spy agencies and a long track record of echoing the Russian disinformation they work to expose and to counter -- a combination her critics claim should be disqualifying. Gabbard, 43, who represented Hawaii as a Democrat from 2013-2021 and ran for the party's presidential nomination in 2020 before becoming a Republican earlier this year, has been accused of harboring sympathies for the Kremlin and parroting propaganda generated by Russia to justify its invasion of Ukraine. At the outset of the conflict, Gabbard blamed the Biden administration and NATO, claiming they had provoked Russia's aggression by ignoring what she called its "legitimate security concerns" about Ukraine potentially becoming a member of the defensive alliance. PHOTO: Former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard attends a campaign rally of Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump at PPG Paints Arena, Nov. 4, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters) MORE: Tulsi Gabbard's transition from Democrat to high-profile role with Trump's 2024 campaign team Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2022, Gabbard posted a video to Twitter, now X, sharing what she said were "undeniable facts" about U.S.-funded biolabs in the war-torn country, claiming that "even in the best of circumstances" they "could easily be compromised." "Instead of trying to cover this up, the Biden-Harris administration needs to work with Russia, Ukraine, NATO, the U.N. to immediately implement a ceasefire for all military action in the vicinity of these labs until they're secured," she said. About the same time, a commentator on Kremlin state media referred to her as "Russia's girlfriend" and her comments have been featured on the country's state-run TV programs, along with those of Tucker Carlson, an outspoken critic of U.S. involvement with Ukraine. PHOTO: Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump claps as he leaves the stage after speaking alongside former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard during a town hall meeting in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Aug. 29, 2024. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images) Gabbard's claims closely mirror a false, decade-old Russian conspiracy theory that Washington is secretly funding the development of biological weapons in former Soviet countries, which has been repeatedly debunked by the U.S. and international organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although she later claimed her comments were about public health research labs in the conflict zone, she also expressed concerns that Ukraine was in possession of biological weapons during an interview with former Fox News host Carlson a few days before taking to social media. PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard stand behind President-elect Donald Trump as they watch a fight during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Nov. 16, 2024. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images) Democrats and opponents of the president-elect were quick to condemn Trump's choice of Gabbard -- who appeared regularly with him in the final months of his campaign. "You really want her to have all the secrets of the United States and our defense intelligence agencies when she has so clearly been in Putin's pocket?" Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, pressed during a recent interview. "Her judgment is non-existent," Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, now a fierce Trump critic, asserted on Sunday on CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The idea that somehow she would be put in charge of this critical function should be giving our adversaries in Moscow and Beijing a lot of relief," he continued. PHOTO: Tulsi Gabbard speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York City. (Alex Brandon/AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nikki Haley, the president-elect's most significant challenger in the 2024 Republican primaries and his envoy to the United Nation's during his first term in the White House, also slammed Gabbard -- declaring that director of national intelligence was "not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer." "DNI has to analyze real threats. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our intelligence agencies?" Haley said on her SiriusXM radio show, "Nikki Haley Live." Haley also emphasized the stark differences between Gabbard and Trump on foreign policy matters. "She opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran. She opposed designating the Iran military as terrorists who say death to America every single day," Haley said. "She said that Donald Trump turned the U.S. into Saudi Arabia's prostitute. This is going to be the future head of our national intelligence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in their criticisms of Gabbard, some Democrats have made their own unfounded claims. Florida Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz sparked backlash after she claimed Gabbard was a "Russian asset" that would "essentially would be a direct line to our enemies" in a television appearance on Friday. In 2019, Hillary Clinton suggested, without offering any evidence, that the Russians were "grooming" Gabbard to run as a third-party candidate for president in order to spoil Democrat's chances of winning the White House. Gabbard refuted the allegations and sued Clinton for defamation, but later dropped her compliant. In an interview with Fox News following her being named, Gabbard said that some of her former Democratic colleagues had reached out to her in what she hoped "could be and should be an effort for us to work together." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm actually pretty heartened," Gabbard said. In a statement announcing he had tapped her to lead the intelligence community, Trump lauded what described as "broad support in both Parties" for Gabbard. "I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength," Trump posted on his social media platform. "Tulsi will make us all proud!" If Gabbard ultimately becomes the director of national intelligence, she will oversee 18 U.S. intelligence agencies and play a critical role in determining what material is including in the president's daily intelligence briefings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is expected to face a confirmation battle in the Senate, but some hawkish Republicans in the chamber have expressed tepid support for her nomination. "While we have differences on foreign policy, I think she's extremely bright and capable," South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said in an X post on Wednesday. PHOTO: Tulsi Gabbard is seen in uniform in this undated photo posted to her Facebook page. (Tulsi Gabbard/Facebook) Gabbard has taken other controversial stances on foreign policy matters. In 2017, she journeyed to Syria to meet with its authoritarian leader Bashar al-Assad, whose government has carried out numerous deadly attacks on Syrian civilians through the course of the country's civil war, according to the U.N. The then-congresswoman said after meeting with al-Assad that he was not an enemy of the U.S. and opposed American intervention in the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, Gabbard also defended Russian airstrikes in Syria conducted at the request of the Assad regime, echoing Moscow's claim that the operation was focused on terrorist targets when in reality it focused on Syrian opposition strongholds. Gabbard has taken a much softer approach to China than the president-elect, calling on Trump to end his trade war against Beijing in 2019 and expressing her opposition to the remilitarization of Japan, a response to the strategic challenge posed by China. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for top intel role, draws scrutiny over Russia comments originally appeared on abcnews.go.com PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The two Bartonville men who allegedly derailed a train in the village appeared in court Wednesday, where they were granted release until their trial. Caleb Finley, 18, and Jimmy Johnson, III, 20, appeared in the Peoria County Circuit Court on Wednesday where Judge Mark Giles informed them of their charges of felony damage to railroad property. Prosecutors are not seeking to hold either man pending trial. Rather, they asked a judge who agreed for several conditions including them staying away from property belong to Union Pacific Railroad, to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and also to not possess any weapons. What Happened? Finley and Johnson, were booked into the Peoria County Jail on Monday in connection with the incident on 100 Sanitation Road. Both were being held on a charge of felony damage to railroad property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A railroad worker saw two men at the train derailment switch and called the Bartonville police, who found the two men walking near the area and arrested them and gave them to the Peoria County Sheriffs Office. After an investigation, it was decided the two men had intentionally moved the derailing device and continued to watch the train go off the tracks, he said. The moving of that device led to the trains derailment, the sheriff said. The damage to gravel, tracks and the train are estimated to cost more than $80,000 and a crane will be needed to get the train back on the tracks, Watkins said. Both are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 19 for their arraignment hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Waco, Tx (FOX 44) Two men are being held in the McLennan County Jail and vehicles have been recovered from thefts in multiple cities. Jail records indicate 50-year-old Jose Luis Santoy-Castro is being held on charges of theft over $30,000 and has an immigration detainer. Also, 24-year-old Jason Mitchell Santoy-Vasquez is being held on multiple counts of theft over $30,000. A jail spokesman said they two were arrested by Bellmead police but had Waco warrants for them as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Margaret Stewart gets 18 years in 2020 fatal shooting Waco PD spokesperson Cierra Shipley said the investigation began in August of this year and that the pair were suspected of stealing vehicles and trying to re-sell them. Shipley said four vehicles were recovered after having been stolen from different cities. She said they came from Irving, Dallas, Bellmead, and Waco. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) The GOP field of candidates who have filed to run for the congressional seat in Northwest Florida vacated by Matt Gaetz has expanded to six. Kevin Gaffney, a teacher at Rocky Bayou Christian School in Niceville who describes himself as a Reagan Republican and a fiscal and social conservative, announced overnight that he is running in Floridas 1st Congressional District. Kevin Gaffney (Photo from Kevin Gaffneys campaign website) According to his website, Gaffney has had several years of federal government experience, including work for the U.S. Attorneys Office and DOJ Criminal Unit in Chicago, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel, also in Illinois. He also worked at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaffney says he fully supports President Trump and his policies going forward. Also getting into the race is Bernadette Pittman, owner and CEO of Pittman Marine LLC and owner and CEO of Boots on the Ground Bikers for Trump in Northwest Florida. She describes herself as a staunch supporter of both Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz. Bernadette Pittman (from Bernadette Pittmans Facebook page) Gaffney and Pittman join four other candidates who have announced for the Congressional District 1 seat that Gaetz resigned from last week after President-elect Trump announced he was nominating him to serve as attorney general. If he is confirmed by the Senate, Gaetz will succeed Attorney General Merrick Garland, who led the Department of Justice as it carried out a sex-trafficking investigation into the congressman. Although the Justice Department dropped that investigation, the House Ethics Committee has continued to look into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use by Gaetz. The committee failed to reach an agreement Wednesday about whether to release that report to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other candidates include Northwest Florida House Republican Reps. Michelle Salzman and Dr. Joel Rudman, as well as former U.S. Senate candidate Keith Gross and John Frankman. Hes a former Green Beret who left the service rather than abide by the militarys COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis has also hinted that he may enter the contest. One Democrat has filed to run: gun safety advocate Gay Valimont, who lost to Gaetz in the general election in the overwhelmingly conservative district by more than 30 points earlier this month. Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said last week that his office would soon post a schedule for U.S. House special elections 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. Senior reporter Christine Sexton contributed to this story. ENCINITAS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Two North County cities are going through a series of shakeups this week. Effective Wednesday, the Encinitas City Council announced it has amicably agreed to end the employment contract of city manager Pamela Antil. The council also authorized payment of a severance package consistent with her employment agreement, according to a news release Wednesday. What will be closed on Thanksgiving in San Diego County? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Encinitas Mayor Tony Kranz, Antil played a role in the citys adoption of its first approved housing element, led staff through the completion of the El Portal Underpass and other projects. Pamela Antil and the Encinitas City Council have amicably parted ways, the city said Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (City of Encinitas) Its been my honor and pleasure to serve the Encinitas community, Antil said in the release. Assistant city manager Jennifer Campbell will fill her seat as the council works with the city attorney and the human resources department to find a permanent replacement. Meanwhile, Carlsbad city manager Scott Chadwick announced he is stepping down to pursue a new role. According to a release from the city of Carlsbad Thursday, Chadwick will be the next president and chief executive officer of the Port of San Diego. Carlsbad city manager Scott Chadwick will be president and CEO of the Port of San Diego. (City of Carlsbad) How to join waitlist for affordable housing units in North County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He spent seven years with the city, having joined in January 2018 from the city of San Diego where he spent five years as the chief operating officer. The city manager and city attorney are the only two positions appointed by the city council. I am proud of what Carlsbad has accomplished and especially want to thank the city council, past and present, for their strong commitment to developing thoughtful policies, focused on good government, fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability. This foundation will serve the city well long into the future, said Chadwick. According to the citys release, Carlsbad underwent numerous changes during Chadwicks time as city manager, including closing its structural deficit, building a new fire station and park, and becoming the first in the region to adopt its own e-bike safety law. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Two people were found dead and one injured at a house in Newark during a welfare check by Wise County sheriffs deputies on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Deputies responded to a home in the 200 block of County Road 4874, after a caller indicated they had not been able to contact one of the residents for several days, Chief Deputy Craig Johnson said in a news release. Upon arriving at the residence deputies knocked and announced their presence but there was no response. They entered and found two dead bodies inside, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injured person was transported to an area hospital. The bodies will be identified and the cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner. The Wise County Sheriffs Office is investigating the case with assistance from the Texas Rangers. At this time, authorities do not believe there is a continuing threat to the small town 23 miles northwest of Fort Worth. More top stories from our newsroom: Fort Worth ISD task force looks at which schools to close $25M pumped into Fort Worth businesses, many underserved Is downtown Fort Worth still a top destination? [Get our breaking news alerts.] Indiana tax task force co-leaders Rep. Jeff Thompson (left) and Sen. Travis Holdman talk to reporters after their group released legislative suggestions on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A two-year task force on Wednesday released broad suggestions for property and income tax changes, but left the specifics to business tax recommendations. Lawmakers created the State and Local Tax Review Task Force last year in hopes of ditching the states individual income tax. Thats now off the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 35 or 40 years, perhaps, but not in the foreseeable future, quipped Sen. Travis Holdman, the groups typically stern co-leader, in remarks to reporters. Holdman heads the Senates tax-focused committee during legislative sessions and authored the legislation creating the task force. Indianas tax task force released legislative suggestions on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) He still hopes to knock the income tax rate lower. But he has repeatedly pushed observers to moderate their expectations. Since its inception my concerns were that the expectations for the results of our work would far exceed our product, he told the task force Wednesday. Democrats assailed the recommendations as not providing enough relief to Hoosier taxpayers, and for giving handouts to businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final report was approved in a 9-1 vote, with two absences. It was edited slightly from the draft. Focus on residential property taxes The groups draft recommendations began with a vague directive: Enact more effective controls on property tax bills. Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, said he saw no focused relief for homeowners. He argued that homeowners have gradually shouldered a higher share of the states overall property tax burden even though its the only property type that doesnt produce income for owners unlike apartments, farms or others. We could deal with that, he told task force co-leader Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, who also heads the Houses powerful Ways and Means Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, and I hope to, Thompson replied. Were not dealing with it in this proposal, DeLaney countered. Thats correct, came the answer. The task force added more specific language to the first recommendation during the meeting. Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, suggested affixing particularly for homesteads to the end. It was approved by consent. Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, asks a question during a tax task force meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The final report also said that all eligible taxpayers older than 65 should receive a credit to ensure bill reductions, and that Indiana make progress toward a transparent and accountable property tax system in which taxpayers see bills drop when rates drop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the meeting, Thompson noted that local units can raise property tax rates without taxpayers seeing a difference in their bills but that the reverse is also true. If a local unit, (like) a local school, cuts the rate, the winner are the other units of government that its spread to, he said. I have counties that have asked to have a way to get rid of property taxes at the county level. They cant do it. They cant do it, Thompson continued. Because all the money just goes to other units, the taxpayer doesnt see a penny change. Thats the fundamental problem in my opinion. Its up to individual lawmakers on what bills addressing these objectives might look like, Thompson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if it wasnt possible for the 12-man group to reach agreement on more specific proposals, Thompson said, some of thats in the weeds. To get into a, you know, a 200-page report, to get into the weeds, (thats) probably not wise, he continued. Its just to give a general direction we want to go and leave it there and then let the bill-drafting process get us to the right spot. Benefits for businesses The report also urged an increase in the de minimis business personal property tax exemption. Right now, businesses with less than $80,000 worth of property qualify for it. Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, attacked that possibility in a letter; he was absent Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that de minimis is a Latin phrase that typically means something is trivial, writing, I do not think anyone would say that the current exemption of $80,000 is a negligible amount. Finally, the task force recommended reducing the 30% floor for all business personal property, positing that this would spur economic development. Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, speaks during a tax task force meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Republicans will give big businesses even more handouts, Porter said in a written statement. Although the task forces report didnt include parameters for its suggested changes, Porter said local units would take a $300 million hit. DeLaney echoed that accusation in his own statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve gouged the homeowners, he said. This report prefers business interests over our homeowners who continue to lose. Ordinary Hoosiers are paying for complex maneuvers that allow businesses to pay less. He added that the property tax caps enshrined in Indianas Constitution may be worsening the increasing burden on homeowners, describing them as failed. Holdman said the system could use tweaks but didnt agree it has failed. Farmland could also see changes. The report also urged refine(ment) of the base rate formula used to value agricultural land but didnt suggest how. Right now, the base rate is a rolling average with six years of capitalized net cash rent and net operating income. The Department of Local Government Finance drops the highest value of the six and averages the remaining five years. Stricter limits on local units The task force recommended that lawmakers phase in reductions to the overall local income tax (LIT) rate cap to match the states income tax rate. Larger municipalities could be permitted to adopt their own LIT rates under the cap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, counties have three categories of LIT to use, according to the Department of Revenues (DOR) most recent bulletin: an expenditure rate of up to 2.5% (2.75% for Marion County), a property tax relief rate of 1.25% and some county-specific special-purpose rates. The states income tax is 3.05% for 2024, according to DOR. Its scheduled to keep ticking down and hit 2.9% in 2027. Holdman said Indianas local units have $4.8 billion in untapped LIT capacity. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Local income tax is the backfill, he told reporters. If we do provide relief on the property tax side, if its not shifted to other taxpayers, the only other option is to go to local income tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also recommended using geographic information systems to improve collection and distribution of LIT revenue. Thompson said the technology is coming along. Task forces trajectory Indiana lawmakers entered the last legislative session hoping to ditch the income tax, which supplies about a third of the states revenue; they aimed to pay off the states biggest unfunded liability a public teacher pension fund and use freed-up dollars to plug the hole. Holdman, in an early 2023 missive, described authoring the task force to plan for the future and explore our options. Indianas budget chiefs offered a measured sense of optimism on the states finances at the groups first meeting that August, but former lawmakers and outside experts seemed skeptical Indiana could or should get rid of the income tax the next month, in September. Filling the income tax revenue gap with a higher sales tax would cost poor Hoosiers more, a liberal-leaning think tank told the group in October. Also at that meeting, conservative think tanks recommended that lawmakers keep to a recently approved schedule of gradual cuts and go further with caution telling the group that totally replacing $8 billion is definitely not possible, at least in the short term. In November, another conservative think tank described how other states had gotten on the path to zero income tax, according to presentation notes, and gave the task force 10 traps to avoid in tax reform, like offsetting cuts with new impositions. The group also heard from a property tax expert. But by December, Indianas Family and Social Services Agency delivered news of a major financial blow: a nearly $1 billion projected Medicaid shortfall. The state pulled from its reserves to cover the error. In its next meetings, the task force continued shifting its focus to property tax reform for schools and farmers, and examined taxes on sales and businesses. Now, as the groups activities draw to a close, the state faces sobering tax revenue news: collections have lagged projections from late last year by $243 million. Looking toward session Legislative leaders attempted to temper expectations on Monday, describing the upcoming budget-building session as a challenge featuring less money than in previous years to solve intractable issues. Still, Republican House Speaker Todd Huston highlighted significant property tax relief as a goal during sessions ceremonial start on Tuesday, while GOP Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray said he expected more than tweaks. Indiana will build its budget and its tax changes under Gov.-elect Mike Braun. Holdman said hes had numerous conversations with Brauns team. Braun has pushed to return property taxes to 2021 levels, but Holdman warned reporters that theres no messing around with assessed value, citing a court order. Braun also proposed capping bills to 3% increases annually, which Holdman said could be possible, especially elderly or low-income Hoosiers. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. The legal counsel of 34-year-old Tyron McAlpin, the deaf Black man with cerebral palsy who was repeatedly Tased by police, announced their intention to sue the city of Phoenix on Nov. 19. The notice of claim against the city is $3.5 million. McAlpin's attorneys said they will also be pursuing legal action against three Phoenix police officers for the events on Aug. 19, 2024, according to their statement. Racial profiling is one of the many claims alleged against Phoenix PD in the suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On that day, Phoenix police officers Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue responded to a trespassing call at a Circle K near Indian School Road and 12th Street. The white man they were asked to remove from the store claimed he had been attacked and pointed out McAlpin across the street. According to footage, Harris told McAlpin to stop and grabbed him within a few seconds. There was a struggle among the men, during which Harris used a stun gun on McAlpin four times. The officers collectively punched him over a dozen times, video showed. After the beating, McAlpin's attorneys claimed the police officers filed false reports that alleged McAlpin had committed aggravated assault while another officer wrote McAlpin stole his own cell phone. As a result, Alpin was in jail for three weeks and faced multiple charges that Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell later dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When video footage of the incident was released at the Oct. 1 court hearing, public outcry and criticism from local leaders reached national levels of attention. The officers involved were put on paid leave as the investigation continued. This attack followed in the wake of a report released in June 2024 by the Department of Justice that concluded policing in Phoenix is problematic in a number of ways. The report said the Phoenix Police Department systematically uses illegal excessive force. Republic reporters Jimmy Jenkins, Maritza Dominguez, Miguel Torres and Taylor Seely contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tyron McAlpin is suing the city of Phoenix after violent arrest 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this case, the setback requirements and other provisions are clearly safety standards, Koopmans said. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farming is economic development in Iowa, isnt it? Benton asked. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craig, in his rebuttal, said it was a fools errand to inquire into the motives of state law. 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. This story was originally published by Iowa Capital Dispatch. Like South Dakota Searchlight, its part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and X. MANILA (Reuters) - The U.S. military is supporting Philippine operations in the South China Sea via a special task force, a U.S. embassy official said on Thursday, an initiative Manila said involves intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Task Force-Ayungin, named after the Philippine designation for the contested Second Thomas Shoal, was first mentioned this week by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a visit to the Philippines. "Task Force-Ayungin enhances U.S.-Philippine alliance coordination and interoperability by enabling U.S. forces to support Armed Forces of the Philippines activities in the South China Sea," said U.S. embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This initiative aligns with multiple lines of cooperation between U.S. and Philippine forces," he said, without elaborating on what kind of support the task force provides. Defence ties between the Philippines and the United States have strengthened rapidly in the past few years, frustrating Beijing, which has a huge presence and vast claims in the South China Sea and sees Washington as an interfering power. The United States says it has legitimate interests in ensuring peace and freedom of navigation in Asia's most contested waters, through which more than $3 trillion of trade passes each year. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the task force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said Philippine activities in the South China, including its missions to resupply troops at the Second Thomas Shoal, remain a "purely Philippine operation". "They are providing support to us, for example, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), maritime domain awareness, but on actual direct participation, its purely a Philippine operation," Ano told reporters, referring to the U.S. task force. The Philippine ambassador to the United States has previously said the Philippines has not asked Washington for support in resupplying its troops, and the U.S. was providing only "visuals" to help. Confrontations between Beijing and Manila have been frequent of late, with China irked by Philippine resupply missions to soldiers on the Sierra Madre, a rusty warship that was intentionally grounded on the shoal 25 years ago to reinforce a territorial claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tensions there have boiled over several times, with China's coast guard accused of ramming vessels and using water cannon, injuring Filipino personnel. China says the Philippines is intruding on its territory and claims indisputable sovereignty over the reef, located 1,300 km (808 miles) off its mainland and about 200 km from the Philippine coast. The two countries have since reached a "provisional arrangement" for the resupply missions, with no altercations reported so far. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty) Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The Treasury Department Thursday sanctioned dozens of Russian banks and securities registrars as part of a broader move by G7 nations targeting Russia's war on Ukraine. Gazprombank, more than 50 internationally connected Russian banks, 40 Russian securities registrars and 15 Russian finance officials were included, according to the Treasury Department. "Today's sanctions targeting Russia's largest remaining non-designated bank, as well as dozens of other financial institutions and officials in Russia, will further diminish and degrade Russia's war machine," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. "This sweeping action will make it harder for the Kremlin to evade U.S. sanctions and fund and equip its military." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gazprombank and its six foreign subsidiaries were sanctioned for allegedly being a conduit for Russia to buy military material for its war on Ukraine. The bank is used to pay soldiers and families of Russian soldiers killed attacking Ukraine. The Treasury Department also issued an alert Thursday "underscoring the sanctions risk for foreign financial institutions that join Russia's System for Transfer of Financial Messages." That system, Treasury said, is used by Russia to maintain international financial connectivity, evade sanctions and fund its military attack against Ukraine. More than 50 small-to-medium sized Russian banks were sanctioned "to prevent Russia from abusing the international financial system to pay for the technology and equipment it needs to sustain its illegal and unjust war against Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eleven people working for the Central Bank of Russia were also sanctioned. They are: Alla Bakina, Director of the National Payment System Department of the CBR; Vladimir Chistyukhin, a First Deputy Governor of the CBR since 2022 and a member of the board of directors of the CBR since 2023; Elizaveta Danilova, Director of the Financial Stability Department at the CBR; Gulnara Khaidarshina, Director of the Department for Cooperation with International Organizations at the CBR; Mikhail Anatolyevich Kovrigin, Director of the International Settlements Department at the CBR; Ekaterina Lozgacheva, Director of the Financial Market Strategy Department of the CBR since 2023; Alexandr Morozov, Director of the Research and Forecasting Department at the CBR since 2015; Olga Vasilyevna Polyakova , a deputy governor of the CBR since 2016 and a member of the board of directors of the CBR since 2021; Kirill Pronin, Director of the Financial Market Infrastructure at the CBR; Bogdan Shablya, head of the CBR's Financial Monitoring and Currency Control Department; and Dmitry Tulin, a first deputy governor of the CBR. Treasury sanctions include the following people associated with VTB Bank Public Joint Stock Company's Shanghai branch and New Delhi's Sberbank: Andrei Anisimov, Sberbank New Delhi's Deputy Managing Director; VTB Shanghai Relationship Manager Elena Fedkina; Ilya Lishenko, VTB Shanghai's Senior Relationship Manager; and Roman Logov, VTB Shanghai's Deputy General Manager. The U.S. Department of Justice is urging a federal judge to break up Google, with regulators calling for the tech giant to sell its Chrome web browser in order to boost competition. The Wednesday evening filing comes after an industry-shaking ruling in August found Google broke antitrust laws in order to maintain a monopoly on web searches. The playing field is not level because of Googles conduct, and Googles quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired, DOJ lawyers wrote in a filing with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond selling Chrome, the DOJ called for two other big changes that would reshape Googles business and the tech landscape in general. The DOJ wants Judge Amit Mehta the same judge that sided with the department in August to prohibit Google from making deals with Apple and Samsung that make it the default search engine on their phones. Google, according to the government, pays Apple $20 billion per year to be the default search engine on iPhones. Chrome, according to stats provided by SimilarWeb, is the most popular web browser in the U.S., with 54% of Americans using it as their default browser; the next most-used browser is Apples Safari, which 33.4% of Americans use first. Googles exclusionary conduct has, among other things, made Google the near universal default for search and ensured that virtually all search access points route users valuable queries and interaction data to Google, the DOJ said in its filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other major change the DOJ is seeking is to bar Googles search engine from giving preferential access to its other businesses, like YouTube. Google, in a Thursday blog post from Kent Walker, its president of global affairs, said the wildly overbroad proposal would stifle its business. DOJ had a chance to propose remedies related to the issue in this case: search distribution agreements with Apple, Mozilla, smartphone OEMs, and wireless carriers, Walker said. Instead, DOJ chose to push a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and Americas global technology leadership. The DOJs proposal would harm Google in several ways, he said, including chilling the companys investment in artificial intelligence. American consumers would also be hurt, Walker said, because the changes would undermine the quality of products people love. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the measures mentioned above, the DOJ said Google uses its Android phones to favor its own search products in myriad obvious and not-so-obvious-ways. To change that, the DOJ said Google could spinoff Android from its core business, or present behavioral remedies that would block Googles ability to use its control of the Android ecosystem to favor its general search services. A hearing on the DOJs filing is set for April, and a decision is expected by mid-2025. The post U.S. Regulators Call for Google to Sell Off Chrome Browser appeared first on TheWrap. Why this matters: OBriens concerns highlight a broader shift in the tech industry, where employment dynamics are rapidly changing. Once flush with opportunities, tech has reportedly shed over 137,000 jobs this year alone, while postings for software roles are down more than 30% since 2020. The pivot toward AI is partly responsible; companies are investing heavily in large language models and cutting costs elsewhere. Meanwhile, Asian Americans, who make up only 7% of the U.S. population but constitute over 50% of Silicon Valleys workforce, are disproportionately affected by this contraction. In computer and math occupations, Asian Americans represent 23.3% of workers, an overrepresentation of 16.7%. This demographic is crucial to the knowledge economy yet faces the same diminishing returns on education as the rest of the workforce. Highlighting the growing number of tech workers losing their jobs, OBrien urges, We should be doing something about it today. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) The University of Illinois Police Department sent out a campus safety notice Tuesday after a student reported they were assaulted at the U of I Ice Arena. In an email statement, UIPD said they were informed Monday evening by a campus security authority that a student reported they were inappropriately touched at the ice arena, located at 406 E. Armory Ave in Champaign, on Nov. 16. The student said the offender grabbed their buttocks during an event which was held during the evening, and the offender was unknown to the victim. Teenager found guilty in 2022 murder of Urbana Lyft driver Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a collective responsibility to support people who have experienced sexual assault and, if we are able, to get involved in sexual assault prevention, the email said. Visit wecare.illinois.edu for more information. UIPD asks anyone with information on the incident to contact them at 217-333-1216. Witnesses wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477, visit 373tips.com or use the P3 Tips app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported on a meeting with a UK delegation led by Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: During the meeting with the UK delegation, Zelenskyy discussed bilateral defence cooperation, "focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Particular attention was given to Ukraines current military needs and the continued support from our partners. I am grateful to the people and government of the United Kingdom for their long-lasting support. Our countries maintain good contacts and strong cooperation." A video of the meeting shows that General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraines Armed Forces, was also present. I had a meeting with the UK delegation led by Chief of the Defence Staff @AdmTonyRadakin_. We discussed defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Particular pic.twitter.com/EcjqfTuR49 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2024 Background: Earlier in November, Radakin noted that in October 2024, the Russian army suffered its highest monthly losses since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russias ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, has accused London of alleged "direct involvement" in Russias war of aggression against Ukraine but provided no evidence to support his claims. Support UP or become our patron! U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey on Nov. 20 declined to confirm reports that Ukraine used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike targets within Russia. "We have seen, over recent weeks, a significant change in the action and in the rhetoric on Ukraine, and Ukraine's action on the battlefield speaks for itself," Healey told members of parliament on Nov. 20. Healey's comments followed reports that Ukraine struck a military facility in Russia's Bryansk Oblast with Storm Shadows, marking the first time Kyiv has used the long-range British missiles on Russian soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Healey did not confirm the reports, but said he had met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov the previous day to discuss "Ukraine's robust response to recent Russian escalations." Those escalations, Healey said, include Russia's mass attacks against Ukrainian cities and the deployment of North Korean troops alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast. The ministers discussed the U.K.'s plans to continue supporting Ukraine through the end of 2025, Healey said. "(A)t this point, I am not able to go into any further operational details," he said. The reported Storm Shadow strike came a day after Ukraine allegedly used U.S.-made ATACMS to attack Russian territory for the first time, following outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden's approval on Nov. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Different versions of Storm Shadow missiles have a range of 250-560 kilometers. Storm Shadows have previously been used to hit Russian military targets in occupied Crimea, a sovereign Ukrainian territory illegally annexed by Russia. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine reportedly strikes Russia with Storm Shadow missiles for first time Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. UK Defence Intelligence has assessed the change in the quality of Russia's Armed Forces since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine. Source: UK Defence Intelligence update dated 21 November on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: UK intelligence noted that before the full-scale invasion, Russia sought to create modern, professional armed forces capable of conducting complex operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UK Defence Intelligence added that after 1,000 days of war, Russia's Ground Forces are fundamentally different from those that initially invaded Ukraine. The update emphasised that the losses among Russian personnel, which amounted to more than 700,000 killed and wounded, have sharply undermined the quality of the Russian Armed Forces. UK intelligence highlighted that most soldiers currently serving in the Russian Armed Forces have received minimal training. Despite their high casualty rate, Russian commanders continue to rely on basic tactics to achieve success. The update noted that Russia has lost at least 3,500 main battle tanks and 7,500 armoured vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Large stockpiles of tanks and armoured vehicles, a legacy of the Soviet Union, have been the only means for Russia to be able to replenish these major losses," UK intelligence said. The update explained that, despite significant losses among Russia's Ground Forces, the pace of Russia's territorial gains in Ukraine had increased by 2024. "This has been underpinned by the Russian leadership's tolerance for casualties, and Russia's land forces quantitative overmatch relative to the Ukrainian Armed Forces," UK intelligence noted. The update also noted that the war zone is now more unstable than at any point since the war began. Background: Earlier, UK intelligence reported that Ukraine's successful actions against the Russian Black Sea Fleet had led to the destruction of around a quarter of Russian large vessels, including the flagship. This forced the fleet to retreat to the eastern part of the sea, yet it continued to play a role in supporting ground operations. A previous update explained that in October, Russia's average daily casualties at the front reached a record high. UK intelligence also pointed to the increasing pressure exerted by Russian forces on the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! UK Defence Secretary John Healey has spoken about the difficult situation on the battlefield in Ukraine, saying that the front line is now "less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale invasion" in February 2022. Source: John Healeys statement made during a speech in the UK Parliament, reported by Sky News; European Pravda Details: Healey said there is a "very clear escalation" from Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and his forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK defence secretary says Russia is increasing the number of attacks on civilian infrastructure, and he also referred to media reports that Russia has used a new type of missile against Ukraine. John Heale called it a "serious moment". Quote from John Healey: "Defence intelligence will reveal today that the frontline is now less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 22 and we've seen in recent weeks a very clear escalation from Putin and his forces." The defence secretary was asked if he could confirm that the Ukrainian military had attacked Russia with Storm Shadow cruise missiles for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, he said the UK was "stepping up" and "doubling down" on its support for Ukraine but refused to discuss any operational details. In addition, the ruling Labour Party and the opposition Conservative Party reportedly agreed on the need to continue supporting Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! The U.K. is prepared to send its soldiers to fight Russia if it invades a NATO country on the alliance's eastern flank, Rob Magowan, the deputy chief of the British defense staff, said on Nov. 21, Politico reported. Concerns over rising Russian aggression are growing in Europe, fueled by Moscow's advances in eastern Ukraine. Uncertainty about Europes readiness to defend itself has been compounded by Republican Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election. During his campaign, Trump repeatedly stated that the U.S. might not support allies that fail to meet NATO defense spending commitments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked how many British brigades could be deployed to NATO's eastern flank in the event of significant Russian escalation, Magowan assured lawmakers that the U.K. would respond immediately if called upon. "I don't think anybody in this room should be under any illusion that if the Russians invaded Eastern Europe tonight, then we would meet them in that fight," Magowan told the House of Commons defense committee. Magowan noted that the British Armed Forces possess "a range of operational risks and operational strengths." His comments follow the U.K. Defense Ministry's announcement on Nov. 21 that the British Army had completed live-fire testing of its Archer mobile howitzer, a rapidly deployable artillery system. The tests were conducted during a 12-day NATO exercise in Finland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, the British government has expressed concern over the state of its military, with the British Army now at its smallest size since the 1700s, Politico reported. In an interview last month, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said the condition of the armed forces was "far worse than we thought" when his Labor Party took office this summer. The government is currently conducting a Strategic Defense Review, according to the outlet. Read also: Ukraine aid key to battling Russian invasion Can Europe fill the gap if Trump pulls the plug? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- The UK government sanctioned three tycoons that it dubbed notorious kleptocrats in a fresh attempt to crack down on dirty money flows. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angolas former president, Dmitry Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch, and a Latvian businessman named Aivars Lembergs were added to the UK sanctions lists Wednesday. The trio and their advisers were hit with an asset freeze and travel ban under global anti-corruption measures, the government said. Dos Santos, once Africas richest woman, has already had hundreds of millions of pounds of assets frozen by a London court, after the Angolan state alleged that she had corruptly enriched herself during her fathers 38-year rule. Lawyers representing dos Santos said she intends to challenge the restrictions. Ms. Isabel dos Santos has not been afforded the opportunity to defend herself against these allegations, they said. She has not misappropriated any money. Meanwhile, Firtash, who has been living in Austria, has been a target of both international and Ukrainian investigations. He hid his ill-gotten gains in the UK property market, using his wife to hold assets including the site of a disused London Underground station, the government said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sanctions mark the first step in Foreign Secretary David Lammys attempt to tackle dirty money flowing through the UK, something that he campaigned heavily on while in opposition. These unscrupulous individuals selfishly deprive their fellow citizens of much-needed funding for education, health care and infrastructure - for their own enrichment, Lammy said in a statement. Firtash made his fortune in the gas trade, expanding into chemicals and television after the fall of the Soviet Union, becoming one of Ukraines most powerful men. He had deep ties to Russia, having profited from deals with gas giant Gazprom PJSC and businessmen from the inner circle of President Vladimir Putin. Since 2014, when Ukrainians ousted Viktor Yanukovych in mass protests a leader Firtash supported he has been investigated for alleged corruption in both Ukraine and the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firtashs lawyers called the UK sanctions baseless and politically motivated. There are no proper grounds for the sanctions imposed on Mr. Firtash in the United Kingdom, they said in a statement. Mr. Firtash has full confidence in the United Kingdom courts, and is sure that the rule of law will prevail. Lembergs was sanctioned by the US in 2019. A former mayor of the port city of Ventspils, a key outlet for Russian crude exports in the 1990s, he was found guilty in 2021 of crimes including extorting bribes, forgery and money laundering. His representatives couldnt immediately be reached for comment. --With assistance from Aaron Eglitis and Volodymyr Verbianyi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with comments from Firtashs lawyers in tenth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The U.K. has sanctioned Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash, along with Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos, and Latvian politician Aivars Lembergs, according to the U.K. governments website statement on Nov. 21. The statement noted that freezing their assets is part of a crackdown on global corruption and "dirty money." Firtash allegedly "extracted hundreds of millions of pounds from Ukraine" and invested significant amounts of the gains in U.K. properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His wife, Lada Firtash, was also sanctioned as she profited from his corruption and holds UK assets on his behalf. Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the sanctions as a step toward holding corrupt elites accountable for exploiting public resources. Firtash, formerly a close associate of pro-Russian ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, accumulated much of his wealth by buying Russian gas and selling it in his home country. U.S. prosecutors charged Firtash with racketeering and bribery in 2014 and he was briefly arrested in Austria before posting bail. The Ukrainian tycoon has so far avoided extradition from Austria's capital, where he resides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: EU preparing more sanctions against Russias shadow fleet, Bloomberg says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. UK Defence Intelligence is "urgently" investigating accusations that Russia struck Dnipro with an intercontinental ballistic missile during an attack on Ukraine. Source: the spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on condition of anonymity, writes The Guardian, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to the spokesperson, "it is a rapidly developing situation." Quote: "I dont want to get ahead of our intelligence services who are looking at these reports urgently, but if true, clearly this would be another example of grave, reckless and escalatory behaviour from Russia and only serves to strengthen our resolve," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Ukraines Air Force, the Russian Federation employed an intercontinental ballistic missile in its most recent missile attack on Dnipro. According to sources of Ukrainska Pravda, it could be a missile known as Rubezh, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. At the same time, as reported by the media, the West doubts that Russia used an intercontinental ballistic missile. The EU commented on the data, saying that if confirmed, "this will be another clear sign of escalation." Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine is "95%" ready to resume commercial flights, but the key remaining factor is to ensure the safety of passengers, Communities and Territories Development Minister Oleksii Kuleba said on Nov. 21. Speaking with the Suspilne broadcaster, the minister said: "The security architecture requires very serious air defenses... so when we have enough air defense for this or that airport, we will be able to talk about it. Unfortunately, today it is impractical." Ukraine closed its sky for civilian aviation at the start of martial law and the full-scale invasion in 2022, but some recent statements suggest the country could restart commercial flights as early as next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if it is possible to hope for the opening of air traffic in 2025, Kuleba said that it will depend on the situation on the front. "Of course, we can hope. But if we are realistic, then in principle, we can only talk about it with respect to the front-line situation. As with all other issues concerning the development of our country: first the front, then anything else," Kuleba said. Crispin Ellison, a senior partner at the Marsh McLennan insurance and risk management firm, said on Nov. 7 that at least one of Ukraine's airports, either in Lviv or Boryspil near Kyiv, could resume operations by the end of January 2025. "Opening Lviv is the beginning of a journey to opening up Boryspil," Ellison told a Kyiv Independent reporter at the Kyiv International Economic Forum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What we need is a confirmation around the (air) defenses and the military situation, which allows regulatory sign-off," Ellison added. Under favorable circumstances, according to Ellison, five or six airlines could agree to operate flights from Ukraine in January. Lviv lies in the western part of the country. While it has suffered a number of deadly attacks during the full-scale war, it has been targeted considerably less often than other major cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, or Odesa. Ukrinform reported that insurance companies are ready for political decisions on the resumption of air traffic with Ukraine. At the end of October, Ukraine presented a roadmap for the partial reopening of its airspace under martial law, outlining a step-by-step plan and requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International airlines, including LOT Polish Airlines, SkyUp Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air, and others, also joined the discussion on opening airspace in Ukraine during martial law. Read also: Ukraine presents roadmap for partially opening airspace during war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia launched a new non-nuclear ballistic missile with medium range on Ukraines Dnipro region on Thursday, Russias President Vladimir Putin said in a televised statement, marking another significant escalation in the 1,000-day-old war. According to US and Western officials, the ballistic missile carried multiple warheads, which may be the first time such a weapon has been used in war. At least three people were injured in the attack, the head of the Dnipros military administration had said earlier. A number of buildings were also damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what we know. What is Russia saying? Russian President Vladimir Putin said a Russian strike in Ukraine was carried out by a new non-nuclear ballistic missile, which has a medium range. In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons, on November 21 of this year the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the Ukrainian defense industry, Putin said in a televised statement on Thursday. In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was also tested, Putin said, apparently referring to the strike on Dnipro. In this case, with a ballistic missile in non-nuclear hypersonic equipment. Our missilemen called it Oreshnik. The tests were successful. The launch goal was achieved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes after a US official told CNN earlier on Thursday that Russia used an experimental medium-range ballistic missile in an attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. A medium-range missile can travel between 1,000 kilometers and 3,000 kilometers (620 miles to 1,860 miles), according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. Putin also said that Moscow considers itself entitled to use weapons against military targets belonging to countries that allow their weapons to be used against Russia. He said that Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked targets in Russias Bryansk region with six US-made ATACMS missiles on Tuesday and later fired British/French Storm Shadow systems on the Kursk region. From that moment, as we have repeatedly emphasized earlier, the regionally provoked conflict in Ukraine took on elements of a global nature, Putin said, adding that using such weapons without the direct involvement of military specialists from the countries that produce these weapons is impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against the military objects of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our objects, and in the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond just as decisively and in kind, he added. What is Ukraine saying? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russias use of the new missile is a clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war. In a post on X on Thursday, Zelensky accused Russia of a cynical violation of the UN Charter and taking a second step toward escalation of the conflict, adding that the first escalatory step was involving North Korean troops in the war. The Ukrainian leader also emphasized Kyivs right to strike Russia with long-range weapons under international law, adding that Putin is testing Kyivs partners with his actions and called on world leaders to put pressure on Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lack of tough reactions to Russias actions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable, he said. Russia must be forced into real peace, which can only be achieved through strength. Ukraines foreign ministry echoed Zelenskys comments, emphasizing Kyivs right to strike Russia with long-range weapons. Ukraine has used long-range capabilities against targets in its occupied territories many times, but Putin started to fuss only when targets in Russia were hit. So Putin knows the difference between the actual Russian territory and the territory he tries to steal from Ukraine, Ukraines foreign ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said in a Thursday post on X. Ukraines air force earlier accused Russia of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile at Dnipro at around 5 a.m. local time, from the Astrakhan region of southern Russia, without offering further detail. However, two Western officials disputed Ukraines assessment, saying that although the missile launched by Russia was likely a ballistic missile, it was not an intercontinental one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines military also said that an X-47M2 Kinzhal ballistic missile was launched alongside seven cruise missiles in the attack, adding that all but one of the cruise missiles were shot down. The other missiles didnt cause significant consequences, the military said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky framed the strike was evidence that Putin is so afraid, he is already using new missiles. Today, our crazy neighbor has once again shown who he really is and how he despises dignity, freedom, and human life in general, Zelensky said in a video posted to Telegram before Putins televised address. What is an MIRV? The missile fired at Dnipro carried multiple warheads, according to two US officials and one Western official, in what may be the first time such a weapon has been used in war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weapon, known as a Multiple Independently-targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV), carries a series of warheads that can each target a specific location, allowing one ballistic missile to launch a larger attack. MIRVs were developed during the Cold War to permit the delivery of multiple nuclear warheads with a single launch. The Minuteman III, which is the US intercontinental ballistic missile, is armed with MIRVs. The Russian missile attack on Dnipro was not armed with nuclear warheads, but it used a weapon designed for nuclear delivery to instead launch conventional weapons. Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said this was the first use of the experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile based on Russias RS-26 Rubezh missile model, though Singh declined to identify the specific type of missile or its capabilities. Tom Karako, the director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), says its likely the first time a MIRV has been used in combat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, MIRVS were exclusively for nuclear warheads, and everything thats more tactical is either singular or cluster munitions, Karako told CNN. The use of this type of missile armed with conventional warheads is an escalation of Russias nuclear saber-rattling, Karako said, which includes the recent update of its nuclear doctrine. This is a big rocket with payload capability - presumably MIRVs - and has the baggage associated with it of nuclear delivery vehicles, he said. Hans Kristensen, the director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, said the launch was significant. To my knowledge, yes, its the first time MIRV has been used in combat, Kristensen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations Secretary Generals spokesperson warned on Thursday that Russias use of a new, medium-range ballistic missile is yet another concerning and worrying development. All of this [is] going in the wrong direction. What we want to see is for all parties to take urgent steps to de-escalate the situation, Stephane Dujarric said in a regular briefing on Thursday, adding that what we want to see is an end to this conflict in line with General Assembly resolutions, international law, and territorial integrity. Why is this significant? Putins announcement comes during a tense week in the conflict, which is now more than 1,000 days old. This week, both US and British/French-made missiles have been fired into Russia by Ukraine, after US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine permission to use longer-range American missiles across the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Russias Defense Ministry and two US officials said Ukraine had fired the US-made ATACMS into Russia for the first time. Russias Defense Ministry also said its air defenses shot down two British/French-made Storm Shadow missiles, acknowledging Ukraines use of the longer-range weapons. In turn, Putin updated Russias nuclear doctrine, with the Kremlin saying the revised military doctrine would in theory lower the bar for first use of nuclear weapons. A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launcher rolls on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2024. - Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images/File How does Ukraine defend itself? Ukraine uses a Patriot missile defense system supplied by the US and Germany to intercept incoming ballistic missile warheads, according to the Missile Threat Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The Patriot system is designed to engage incoming warheads, either with an exploding warhead of its own, or with kinetic interceptors so-called hit-to-kill technology, which destroys the incoming warhead by striking it directly. Patriot interceptors have a vertical range of about 20 kilometers (12 miles) and defend an area of about 15 to 20 kilometers around the battery, according to the Congressional Research Service. But Ukraine has only a limited number of Patriots and batteries. Some cities, like the capital Kyiv, enjoy greater protection than others. Why was Dnipro targeted? The Dnipropetrovsk region has been a frequent target of Russian bombardment in recent months. It borders the partially occupied Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions and has become a hub for people who have fled areas that are now under Russian control. The region is now home to more than 400,000 internally displaced people. Dnipro, the fourth-largest city in Ukraine, is an important center of life in the eastern part of the country. It is relatively close to the front lines, yet still fairly well protected by air defenses. That, plus its transportation infrastructure links to the rest of the country, makes the city a key hub in Ukraines war effort. Residents walk at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Thursday. - Mykola Synelnykov/Reuters How much damage did the attack cause? The head of Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk military administration said Russia was massively attacking the region on Thursday morning. Three people were injured after houses were damaged, and a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities was also impacted in the attack, Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram. There were two fires in Dnipro and damage to an industrial enterprise, he added. This story has been updated with additional developments. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story gave the incorrect name for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. CNNs Oren Liebermann, Natasha Bertrand, Mariya Knight, Caitlin Hu, Zahra Ullah, Tara John, Brad Lendon, Christian Edwards, Anna Chernova, Haley Britzky, Ivana Kottasova, Jerome Taylor, Kosta Gak, Antoinette Radford and Lauren Kent contributed to this reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In a stark warning to Western countries arming Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he ordered an attack on Ukraine with a new intermediate-range ballistic missile in response to Ukraines firing U.S.- and British-supplied longer-range weapons to hit targets inside Russia. Putin said in a televised address that the strike was a test of a new weapon and that Russia reserved the right to strike at countries that provide weapons to Ukraine for attacks on Russian territory. Deputy Defense Department press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range ballistic missile based on the design of the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a new type of lethal capability that was deployed on the battlefield, so that was certainly of concern, Singh said. Russia notified U.S. officials about the imminent attack, using nuclear risk reduction communication channels, she said. The missile can carry a conventional or a nuclear warhead. In his speech, Putin warned countries sending weapons to Ukraine that Russia could target them, too. We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities, Putin said, according to The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has plenty of other less-sophisticated weapons that could have hit targets in eastern Ukraine without drawing on its strategic arsenal. By using an intermediate-range missile, a weapon able to strike far beyond Ukraine and can carry a nuclear warhead, Moscow was sending a warning signal to Ukraine, Washington and other NATO states, analysts said. Intermediate-range ballistic missiles have a range of less than 3,500 miles. Intercontinental ballistic missiles, which have a larger range of over 3,500 miles, were developed during the Cold War by both the Soviet Union and the U.S. as part of each sides nuclear arsenal. Biden administration officials briefed Ukraine and other allies in recent days about Russias possibly using the new weapon to help them prepare, according to a U.S. official. But the U.S. official said Russia would not be able to bully Ukraine, the U.S. or other countries helping Kyiv fend off invading Russian forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia may be seeking to use this capability to try to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters or generate attention in the information space, but it will not be a game changer in this conflict, the U.S. official said. The administration will continue to send air defense systems, ammunition and other military hardware to Ukraine through the end of President Joe Bidens term, officials said. The news comes as Ukrainian forces used their first long-range U.S. and British missiles to strike Russian soil after Washington and its allies lifted restrictions on Kyiv a move that Moscow had long warned would be met with a significant response. Putin this week lowered the bar for his countrys use of a nuclear weapon, a move that Western officials dismissed as the latest instance of Russian saber rattling in the war, which has lasted more than 1,000 days. 'Using Ukraine as a training ground' Earlier Thursday, Ukraine accused Moscow of launching an ICBM at the eastern city of Dnipro in an overnight attack, which would have been the first recorded use of an ICBM in an active conflict and the latest escalation by the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a U.S. official disputed that account, and then Putin himself came out and identified the weapon as an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Serhii Lysak, the head of the Dnipro regional authority, said on Telegram that two people were injured. Meanwhile, 15 people were injured in a separate attack on the eastern city of Kryvyi Rih, local authorities said. Ukraine said Russia attacked Dnipro with a range of missiles. Putin on Tuesday formally revised his countrys nuclear doctrine a document detailing the conditions under which Moscow would consider using nuclear weapons with the change justifying a nuclear strike by Russia if it were attacked by a nonnuclear country that was supported by a nuclear state. Ultimately, analysts say, the likelihood of the Kremlins opting to use nuclear weapons in its war with Ukraine is very slim particularly now, when its military is advancing and its opponent is worn down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces have seized the momentum in recent months and eked out a succession of territorial gains, particularly on the eastern front lines. They have also been bolstered by thousands of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's troops in their quest to retake occupied land in Russia's Kursk border region. The Wests relaxing restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons may boost Kyiv, but it is likely do little to transform the battlefield situation, analysts said, despite the dire nature of the Kremlin's rhetorical reaction. At this stage in the war, the risk of Russian nuclear use is lower than before. Political and battlefield developments favor Russia, so there is little to gain by escalating the conflict to the nuclear level, said Alexander Bollfrass, head of strategy, technology and arms control at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank. In addition to the unclear military benefits of deploying those weapons, there would also be diplomatic drawbacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nuclear weapons use would risk alienating China and other non-Western countries whose support or neutrality is key to maintaining the Russian war economy, Bollfrass said in an email Wednesday. It would also get the relationship with the incoming Trump administration off to a very dangerous start. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com In the acknowledgements for his new book on Russias subjugation of Ukraine, historian Eugene Finkel credits not just the usual rollcall of researchers and editors, but a promising former student of his at John Hopkins University, Victor Muller Ferreira. A bright, diligent graduate, Muller Ferreira emailed Finkel in 2020 to ask for a recommendation for an internship at the International Criminal Court in the Hague. Finkel happily obliged. It was a whole two years later, in June 2022 three months into Russias invasion of Ukraine that Muller Ferriera was unmasked as Sergei Cherkasov, a spy for Russias GRU military intelligence. It horrified his old professor not just because hed vouched for him, but because it suggested Cherkasovs handlers had known about the invasion for a long time. Was the GRU trying to infiltrate the ICC in 2020 because Moscow was already planning a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, [or] at least strongly thinking about it? Finkel writes. Its easy to see why Cherkasov sought out Finkel for a reference: hes Ukrainian-born, has written extensively on the Holocaust and was among the first scholars to argue that Moscows invasion met the legal definition of genocide. Finkels new book, Intent to Destroy: Russias 200-year quest to dominate Ukraine, was written to fight back against Cherkasovs deceit. It narrates Ukraines long and unhappy forced marriage to Russia, in which Moscow has been variously controlling partner, neighbour-from-hell and spurned lover the madness of Putins special military operation being a final fit of murderous jealousy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the mid-19th century, dominating Ukraine and denying Ukrainians an independent identity, let alone a state, have been the cornerstone of imperial, Soviet, and, eventually, post-Soviet Russian policies, Finkel writes. He adds: Nothing scares a Russian autocrat more than a democratic and free Ukraine, because if Ukrainians can build a democracy, then the supposedly fraternal Russians might too. The rot, Finkel argues, goes back nearly 1,000 years, to when Kyiv, not Moscow, was the capital of the ancient state Rus. After Kyiv was destroyed by the Mongols, Moscow gained the upper hand, from then on viewing Ukraine as its backyard, be it as a wheat-growing breadbasket or buffer zone against Europe. The Czars curbed the publication of Ukrainian language books, and institutionalised Russian as the tongue of the educated elite. Crucially, the relationship also acquired a spiritual dimension. When the Crimean war prevented young Czarist nobles going on grand tours of Europe, they would travel around Ukraine instead, re-imagining it as a Slavic Rome.In Russian travelogues of the era, Ukraine is often described as Russian Italy, writes Finkel. A land of antiquity and the cradle of Russias own civilisation. Members of the Civil Guards fly their flags after the USSR takeover of Latvia - Corbis Historical After the Soviet empire replaced the Czars, things improved at first. Lenin was happy to promote local languages and cultures as long as they championed Marxist ideology, calculating that to do so would also defang nationalist movements in the blocs republics. But that policy was reversed under Stalin, who felt that Ukrainianisation had become a movement against Russians in general. Stalin responded with the Holodomor, or Death by Hunger in 1932-1933, the Kremlin-orchestrated operation to dispossess Ukrainians of their land and grain. In the cities where educated Russophiles lived, food was kept available. But in rural areas, five million starved to death. Today, Ukrainians regard it as their genocide. Under Khrushchev who spent part of his boyhood in Ukraine restrictions on Ukrainian language were eased once more. But Ukrainian national identity only really flourished following independence in 1991. That, though, pitted a new generation of Ukrainians with no attachment to the Soviet Union against throwbacks like Putin inaugurated as Russias president in 2000 who wanted it restored. While Finkel blames this neo-imperialism mainly on the Red-Brown alliance of Soviet nostalgics and Russian ultra-nationalists, he points out that Moscows intellectual class never really accepted loss of empire either. The writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, for example, railed against Ukraines independence, whinging that Russia lost 12 million Russians and 23 million more Russian speakers. Intent to Destroy is published by Basic Finkels book is a well-written, accessible account of the Moscow-Kyiv dynamic, as well as a good general history of the region. He is as perceptive on Ukraines future as he is on its past, making a strong case for Kyivs Nato membership. The alternative, he warns, could be Ukraine becoming a big Israel, which will seek its own independent nuclear deterrent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israel model might unfortunately mean... a society where the memory of war and genocide is the key pillar of national identity, he adds. In this model, each threat and attack could trigger existential fears and drive violent overreaction. Cherkasov, the would-be Hague spy, was sentenced to 15 years in jail (now reduced to five). Finkel says that even if his former student one day reads the book he inspired, he doubts he will ever understand the damage and injustice carried out by the state he serves. For the rest of us, though, Intent to Destroy helps explain just why Putin has spilt so much blood on Ukraines soil. Intent to Destroy is published by Basic at 25. To order your copy for 19.99, call 0330 173 0523 or visit Telegraph Books 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. Veronika Velch, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ukraine, has commented on a statement by the international human rights organisation condemning the USs decision to supply Ukraine with anti-personnel mines. Source: Velch on Facebook Quote: "I have just spoken with representatives of Amnesty USA who issued the statement on anti-personnel mines. Their position is quite simple: the Biden administration is consistently lowering the threshold in terms of the application of international humanitarian law. This is not about Ukraine, but about US obligations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, no accusations are being made against Ukraine regarding the use of anti-personnel mines for self-defence." Details: Velch stated that international law is often impersonal. "However, we also rely on its norms when addressing questions of justice," she wrote. Velch emphasised that anti-personnel mines are extremely dangerous and will remain a danger to civilians, especially children, for many years after the war is over. Quote: "But faced with a choice between the terrible long-term consequences of anti-personnel mines and the immediate consequences of occupation, I am confident that anything that helps to protect Ukrainian civilians from aggression, torture and physical annihilation right now has a right to exist. And we are grateful for this assistance as well." Background: It was previously reported that US President Joe Biden has approved the supply of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine to bolster the countrys defence against advancing Russian occupation forces. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin explained that the Biden administrations decision to send anti-personnel mines for the first time was prompted by changes in Russian tactics on the battlefield. In a statement, Amnesty International condemned the decision as "reckless" and urged the Biden administration to reconsider. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine launched the British-French-made Storm Shadow missiles at targets inside Russia for the first time on Wednesday, according to a Russian military blog and Reuters, a day after Ukraine fired US-made ATACMS missiles into Russia. Ukraines use of the UK-supplied missiles to hit Russian territory was confirmed to Reuters by an official on condition of anonymity. British media also reported the use of the cruise missile on Wednesday, citing sources. Ukraines Defense Minister Rustem Umerov refused to confirm or deny the use of the UK-French-made missiles during a Wednesday news conference. Nor did a spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defense when asked by CNN. CNN has reached out to the French Ministry of Defense for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Umerov was asked if Ukraine used the Storm Shadow missiles to hit a target inside Russia, he replied, we are using all the means to defend our country, so well not go into detail. But we are just sending that we are capable and able to respond. Umerov added: Well be defending and giving punches back with all the means available. A Russian military blogger on Wednesday posted photos on Telegram of a Storm Shadow missile fragment, claiming that up to 12 of the missiles were fired on Russias Kursk region. According to the Russian blog, the fragment was photographed in the Russian village of Marino, which is about 35 miles from the Ukrainian border. The fragment has engravings that say Storm Shadow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fragments in the photo were confirmed to be from a Storm Shadow missile by weapons expert Trevor Ball, a former senior explosive ordnance technician for the US Army, who reviewed the image for CNN. However, CNN was unable to verify that the Telegram image was taken on Wednesday. A separate video posted on Telegram, which was verified and geolocated by CNN, shows explosions audible from the Russian village of Marino on Wednesday. A weapons expert who reviewed the video for CNN said there are no indications the explosions are from a different type of munition, but its not possible to definitively say they are from Storm Shadow missiles. The UK and France have previously supplied the longer-range Storm Shadow missiles for Ukraine to use inside its own borders. The missiles have a range of about 250 kilometers (155 miles), which is slightly shorter than the range of the American ATACMS (186 miles). BBCs diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams wrote on Wednesday that Ukraine has so far confined the use of Storm Shadow to the Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops continue to hold ground. He noted reports were still murky, and the target is not known but Storm Shadow is powerful enough to penetrate bunkers, with extreme accuracy. Ukraine used US missiles to hit ammo depot The attack comes a day after two US officials told CNN that Ukraine fired US-made ATACMS missiles for the first time across the border to hit a Russian weapons arsenal on Tuesday. The Biden administration on Sunday had given Kyiv the green light to use the longer-range American weapons against targets inside Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine used eight US missiles to successfully hit an ammunition depot deep inside Russia, according to two US defense officials. The facility struck is in Bryansk, north of the Kursk region, where Ukraine continues to hold Russian territory sezied in a counteroffensive. According to an initial assessment of the strike, the Ukrainian attack damaged the ammo depot, the officials said. One official added that the US had seen indications of secondary explosions, a common result of striking facilities housing large quantities of ammunition and weapons. Russia fired two interceptors at the incoming missiles and may have intercepted a pair of the ATACMS, the officials said, but the attack was still successful in hitting its target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US assessment contradicts the Russias claim that the Ukrainian attack did not cause any casualties or damage. The Russian Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that Ukraine had fired six ATACMS missiles at the facility in Bryansk, claiming five of the missiles were shot down and the sixth was damaged. The Ministry said fragments of the missiles fell on the territory of the military facility, causing a fire that was extinguished. Ukraine has yet to confirm or deny the use of the longer-range US missiles. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said: Ukraine has long-range capabilities. Ukraine has long-range drones of its own production. We now have a long Neptune (Ukrainian cruise missiles) and not just one. And now we have ATACMS. And we will use all of this. CNNs Christian Edwards contributed reporting For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ukraine is the first country in the world against which an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has been used, Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications (Stratcom) said on Nov. 21. "We will do everything to ensure that Russia is remembered in history only for its crimes," Stratcom said in a statement. Russian forces launched a missile attack on the city of Dnipro earlier in the day, allegedly using a conventional ICBM. The attack injured two people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Russia did use an ICBM against Ukraine, it would be the first use in war of a weapon designed to deliver long-range nuclear strikes. The missile was launched from Astrakhan Oblast, a Russian region 740 kilometers (460 miles) from Dnipro, according to Ukraine's Air Force. The attack damaged an industrial enterprise, two houses, and nine garages and caused two fires, said Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak. A rehabilitation center for people with disabilities was also damaged, Mayor Borys Filatov said. Russia allegedly used the Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing unidentified law enforcement sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the report. President Volodymyr Zelensky said an investigation is ongoing but noted that the missile's "speed and altitude suggest intercontinental ballistic capabilities." "It's clear that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground. It's also clear that he is terrified of normal life next to him. A life where people live with dignity," Zelensky said on the occasion of Ukraine's Day of Dignity and Freedom, commemorating the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the EuroMaidan Revolution in 2013-14. Read also: Russia reportedly launches intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine what we know so far Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Anastasiia Malenko, Tom Balmforth and Max Hunder KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine fired a volley of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia on Wednesday, the latest new Western weapon it has been permitted to use on Russian targets a day after it fired U.S. ATACMS missiles. The strikes were widely reported by Russian war correspondents on Telegram and confirmed by an official on condition of anonymity. A spokesperson for Ukraine's General Staff said he had no information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has said the use of Western weapons to strike Russian territory far from the border would be a major escalation in the conflict. Kyiv says it needs the capability to defend itself by hitting Russian rear bases used to support Moscow's invasion, which entered its 1,000th day this week. Accounts of Russian war correspondents on Telegram posted video they said included the sound of the missiles striking Kursk region, which borders northeastern Ukraine. At least 14 huge explosions could be heard, most of them preceded by the sharp whistle of what sounded like an incoming missile. The video, shot in a residential area, showed black smoke rising in the distance. The pro-Russian Two Majors channel on Telegram said Ukraine fired up to 12 Storm Shadows into the Kursk region and carried pictures of missile pieces with the name Storm Shadow clearly visible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to comment. Britain had previously allowed Ukraine to use Storm Shadows, which have a range in excess of 250 km (155 miles), within Ukrainian territory. The Kyiv government has been pressing Western partners for permission to use such weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia, and it obtained the all-clear from U.S. President Joe Biden to use the ATACMS this week, two months before Biden leaves office. As Ukraine's use of the missiles raised tensions, the United States shut its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday as a precaution due to what it called the threat of a significant air attack. It later said the embassy would reopen on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon on Wednesday also announced $275 million in military aid to Ukraine that included more ammunition for the HIMARS rocket system, and the Biden administration moved to forgive $4.7 billion in U.S. loans to Ukraine as outgoing officials sought to do what they could to bolster Kyiv before they leave office. ANTICIPATING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Biden's successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has said he will end the war, without saying how, and criticised billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine under Biden. The warring sides believe Trump is likely to push for peace talks - not known to have been held since the war's earliest months - and are trying to attain strong positions before negotiations. Kyiv says Moscow, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, has previously taken advantage of limits on Ukraine's use of weapons, particularly to strike Ukrainian cities from the air with heavy guided bombs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Western countries say the arrival of more than 10,000 North Korean troops to fight for Russia in recent weeks was an escalation that merited a response. The first use of the U.S. ATACMS on Tuesday, fired at a Russian arsenal in the Bryansk region on Ukraine's northern border, prompted firm words from Moscow, which announced a change to its nuclear doctrine to lower the threshold for the use of atomic weapons. Washington has said it sees no need to adjust its own nuclear posture and accused Moscow of resorting to irresponsible rhetoric. Military analysts have said the longer-range missiles are unlikely to give Ukraine a decisive edge in the war but could strengthen its position, especially in the battle for a sliver of land inside Russia's Kursk region it seized in August. An air raid siren in Kyiv in the early afternoon on Wednesday jangled nerves. But Ukraine's military spy agency said a widely reported threat of massive drone and missile attacks across the country was fake, and it accused Russia of trying to sow panic by circulating online messages about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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," it said. With the U.S. embassy's temporary closure, the Italian, Spanish and Greek embassies said they too had closed their doors in Kyiv. Canada said it suspended in-person services at its mission. The French embassy remained open but urged its citizens to be cautious. 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. 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 the future of Western aid under Trump, whose nominees for administration posts include sceptics of support for Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Russia staged a 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. (Writing by Peter Graff and Cynthia Osterman, Editing by Timothy Heritage, Alexandra Hudson and Rod Nickel) Russia launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile on Thursday toward Dnipro in Ukraine, an attack that officials in Kyiv initially said was an intercontinental ballistic missile. The experimental IRBM was based on a Russian RS-26 Rubezh missile, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed Thursday during a briefing, without going into any other specific details. She also confirmed that the U.S. was notified "briefly" before the launch. A U.S. official told ABC News that the United States briefed Ukraine and other close allies and partners in recent days on Russia's possible use of such a weapon in order to help them prepare. According to the official, Russia likely only possesses "a handful" of these experimental missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The launch raises the prospect of nuclear weapons; IRBMs and ICBMs can both be equipped with nuclear warheads. A U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that the ballistic missile Russia fired at Dnipro contained MIRVs, or multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, meaning it had multiple warheads that hit the target. MIRV technology is used in ICBMs to use multiple nuclear warheads atop the missile so they can strike multiple targets. The missile used Thursday did not carry nuclear warheads. MORE: Russia claims it shot down US-made ATACMS missiles and issues nuclear threat Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the missile launch Thursday during his evening address, saying a "new ballistic missile was used" and calling it "a clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war." Russian President Vladimir Putin, in remarks Thursday following the missile launch, said Russia has the right to use its weapons against the military facilities of countries employing their weapons against Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military objects of those countries that allow to use their own weapons against our objects. In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and in a mirror manner," Putin said. Putin said Russia used "one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems" in an attack on Ukraine, adding that it was a "ballistic missile with a non-nuclear hypersonic equipment" and that the "test was successful." Russia warned the U.S. 30 minutes before the launch of its new "Oreshnik" missile against targets in Dnipro, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news outlet TASS. PHOTO: This handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on Nov. 21, 2024, shows Ukrainian firefighters work on a spot following an air-attack, in Dnipro, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Why Biden's Ukraine ATACMS green light might mean peace talks pressure for Putin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin announced earlier this week that Putin had updated the country's nuclear doctrine, a move that lowered the bar for Russia to respond with nuclear weapons. Russian ICBMs are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, although it appeared the missile fired on Thursday was not equipped with one. Ukraine's military was "95% sure" the strike on Thursday was with an ICBM, a Ukrainian official told ABC News, but added that they were still examining the missile parts on the ground and had not yet reached a final conclusion. "Today it was a new Russian missile. All the parameters: speed, altitude -- match those of an intercontinental ballistic missile," Zelenskyy initially said in a statement on social media. "All expert evaluations are underway." The Ukrainian Air Force announced Thursday morning it had tracked the launch of the ICBM, along with six additional missiles, all of which were targeting the Dnipro region. The ICBM appeared to have been launched from the Astrahan region, in Russia's southwest, Ukrainian military officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the missiles were launched in about two hours, beginning at about 5 a.m. local time, Ukraine said. All were targeted at businesses and critical infrastructure, but only the missile that Ukraine identified as an ICBM struck the city, Ukraine said. The six other missiles were shot down. There were no reports of casualties or significant damage, officials said. PHOTO: This file photo, a screengrab taken from handout footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on March 1, 2024, purports to show the test firing of an ICBM belonging to the country's nuclear deterrence forces. (Russian Defence Ministry/AFP via Getty Images) U.S. officials said the assessment of the launch, the type of missile and warhead, and the damage in Dnipro was continuing. The distance from what Ukraine said was the launch point to the strike location in Dnipro is about 600 miles, a distance shorter than what an ICBM would be expected to travel. Two experts told ABC News the projectile, seen in video circulating online, looks likely to be "a ballistic missile with MIRV-ed capabilities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The missile launch arrives amid concerns that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could further escalate. This week, Ukraine's military for the first time launched U.S.-made ATACMS missiles toward targets within Russia, days after U.S. President Joe Biden allowed for such use of the long-range weapons. Putin, in his remarks Thursday, blamed the U.S. for escalating the conflict, saying: "I would like to emphasize once again that it was not Russia, but the United States that destroyed the international security system. And by continuing to fight, cling to their hegemony, they are pushing the whole world into a global conflict." MORE: Moscow warns US missile authorization may mark new level of involvement in conflict for Washington Kyiv on Tuesday launched six of the ATACMS at targets within Russian territory, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy said he would not confirm if Ukraine had used ATACMS to conduct a strike on an ammunition depot in the Bryansk region of Russia, but said Ukraine has ATACMS and "will use all of these" against Russia. PHOTO: In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with the Tax Service chief at the Kremlin in Moscow on Nov. 21, 2024. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Within hours of Russia announcing it had struck down five of the ATACMS on Tuesday, the Kremlin announced that Putin had updated the country's nuclear doctrine. Following that warning, Ukraine on Wednesday fired long-range British Storm Shadow cruise missiles into Russia for the first time, a Ukrainian military unit involved in the operation told ABC News. At least 10 of those missiles hit an estate in the village of Marino, the unit said. They were targeting a command post where North Korean army generals and officers were present, the unit said. A U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that a senior North Korean general was wounded in Wednesday's attack by Ukraine in Kursk that used the British Storm Shadow missiles. The official said the high-ranking general was one of several North Korean casualties in that incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 10,000 North Korean troops are said to be operating alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region. PHOTO: This handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on Nov. 21, 2024, shows Ukrainian firefighters work on a spot following an air-attack, in Dnipro, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine/AFP via Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Russia prepares counteroffensive with 50,000 troops, potentially including North Koreans, sources say Ukraine's 413th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion, which helped provide fire control for the strikes, told ABC News that there was intelligence showing high-ranking North Koreans were present. Zelenskyy cast the Russian strike on Thursday as a result of Russia and its leader being "terrified." "Obviously, Putin is terrified when normal life simply exists next to him. When people simply have dignity. When a country simply wants to be and has the right to be independent," Zelenskyy said. "Putin is doing whatever it takes to prevent his neighbor from breaking free of his grasp." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News' Joe Simonetti, Lauren Minore, Yulia Drozd, Natasha Popova, Tanya Stukalova and Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report. Russia launches new IRBM at Ukraine, Zelenskyy says Putin is 'terrified' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Vladimir Putin said Russia struck Ukraine with a new ballistic missile on Thursday. His remarks come after Kyiv said Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile at the country. The Pentagon said the weapon was an "experimental" intermediate-range ballistic missile. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow struck Ukraine with a new missile on Thursday after Kyiv said it had been hit by an intercontinental ballistic missile. Putin said that his military fired a medium-range ballistic missile with a "non-nuclear hypersonic warhead" at Ukraine. He characterized the strike as a "test" and said that there is no way to counter this weapon, a claim he often makes with new systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that the attack with the new weapon, which he identified as the "Oreshnik," was executed in response to Ukraine's use of American and British missiles in strikes on Russian soil earlier in the week. "The combat testing of the Oreshnik missile system is being conducted by us in response to NATO's aggressive actions against Russia," Putin said. The Ukrainian military said earlier on Thursday that Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile at the country. Had that been the case, it would have marked the first time an ICBM had ever been used in combat. A still from a video, shared by the Ukrainian military, of ATACMS in use by Ukraine. General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Screengrab via X The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia launched the ICBM at the centrally located city of Dnipro from its southeastern Astrakhan region, several hundred miles away. Kyiv's Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security said it's the "first time in history" that this weapon was fired in a war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the missile that struck Dnipro as "new," explaining that its speed and altitude matched those of an ICBM. He said the Kremlin is using Ukraine as "a testing ground." An ICBM is a ballistic missile that is generally considered to have a range of over 3,400 miles. It is fired into space from silos or road-mobile transporter erector launchers. Some carry multiple independent re-entry vehicles with separate warheads for greater devastation. The weapon is primarily strategic and intended for the delivery of a nuclear payload. Some Western officials pushed back on the claims, asserting that Russia had launched a ballistic missile but not an ICBM. A Pentagon spokesperson told reporters later on Thursday that Russia had launched an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile based on the RS-26 design. That older missile is an ICBM in name but an IRBM in application. Initial speculation was that Ukraine had been hit by an RS-26. Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine on November 21. Press Service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk Region / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images An IRBM has lower range parameters than an ICBM, somewhere between 1,800 and 3,400 miles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sabrina Singh, the deputy Pentagon press secretary, said the US was notified briefly before the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels. She said that the IRBM is a "new type of lethal capability that was deployed on the battlefield" and called it a "concern" to the US. Video footage said to be from the Dnipro attack shows multiple objects impacting the ground, though there do not appear to be any visible explosions. Some expert observers have said the warheads may have been inert, which would be consistent with testing. From this video of last nights Russian it seems HIGHLY LIKELY that Russia did in fact use an RS-26 ICBM without a nuclear payload to strike Dnipro. The video shows what appear to be MIRV impacts that are too simultaneous to be multiple independent ballistic missiles. pic.twitter.com/DIwGVLQPlo Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) November 21, 2024 As Ukraine said that it had been hit by an ICBM, Western officials told multiple media outlets that Russia had launched a ballistic missile but not an ICBM. Some said it was likely a shorter-range IRBM instead. Pavel Podvig, director of the Russian Nuclear Forces Project, said in a social media thread amid the confusion that the "intercontinental" claims should be approached with skepticism and caution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Using these kinds of missiles, whether RS-26 or a true ICBM, in a conventional role does not make a lot of sense because of their relatively low accuracy and high cost," he said. "But this kind of a strike might have a value as a signal." As for what that signal might be, Fabian Hoffmann, a doctoral research fellow at the Oslo Nuclear Project, said that the fact that the missile appeared to carry a MIRVed payload "is much more significant for signaling purposes and is the reason Russia opted for it. This payload is exclusively associated with nuclear-capable missiles." Those assessments were made prior to Putin's announcement about the weapons used. Emergency workers in Dnipro after the Russian missile strike. Press Service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk Region / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday's missile attack marks a significant moment in the conflict, which just passed the 1,000-day mark and came amid a series of major developments in the war. The US last weekend loosened restrictions on Ukraine's use of longer-range Western missiles to strike targets inside Russia, and Kyiv has since used American-made ballistic missiles and British-made cruise missiles to strike across the border for the first time. Putin said these attacks prompted Thursday's strike. Meanwhile, the Russian leader this week approved an update to the country's nuclear doctrine . The move seemed to directly respond to the Western missile policy reversal. Update: November 21, 2024 This article has been updated with new information provided by Russian leadership and the Pentagon. Read the original article on Business Insider Key developments on Nov. 21: Russia used new 'Oreshnik' intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine, Putin says Ukrainian UAVs reportedly strike Russian border regions, industrial facility hit Hungary deploys air defenses near Ukraine, cites war escalation after US allows strikes in Russia Russian troops suspected of executing Ukrainian POWs in Kursk Oblast, ombudsman says Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant faces 2nd blackout of the week after Russian attacks Russian President Vladimir Putin said that during the Nov. 21 strike on Dnipro, Russia tested a new intermediate-range ballistic missile Oreshnik (Hazel). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces launched a missile attack on the city earlier in the day, reportedly using a new type of ballistic missile. Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed the type of missile used in the strike. Putin claimed Ukraine targeted facilities in Russia's Kursk and Bryansk oblasts with long-range ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles on Nov. 19 and 20. In response, Russian forces launched a combined attack on a defense industry facility in Dnipro, according to the Russian president. The Oreshnik missile is designed to carry nuclear weapons. However, Putin said it was not armed with a nuclear warhead in this instance. Putin warned that Russia would use weapons against any country whose arms are used to strike Russian targets. Putin claimed that the U.S. was allegedly planning to produce and deploy medium- and shorter-range missiles in Ukraine. The Russian president also promised that he would warn Ukrainian civilians and citizens of other countries in advance to leave the area of possible weapons impact. President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that Putin is using Ukraine as "a testing ground" by launching missiles at Ukrainian cities. The recent attack against damaged an industrial enterprise, two houses, and nine garages and caused two fires, said Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak. A rehabilitation center for people with disabilities was also damaged, Mayor Borys Filatov said. Two people were injured in the strike. Read also: Russia reportedly uses new Oreshnik ballistic missile against Ukraine what we know so far Ukrainian UAVs reportedly strike Russian border regions, industrial facility hit Russian authorities reported Ukrainian drone strikes against the border regions of Rostov and Voronezh on Nov. 21, claiming that an industrial facility had been hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that its forces intercepted two drones over the two regions, making no mention of possible damage or whether some of the drones slipped through the defenses. Yuri Slyusar, the acting governor of Rostov Oblast, said on his Telegram channel that a fire broke out at an industrial facility in the central Konstantinovsky district because of a "drone crash." Slyusar claimed that firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. The type of the facility and the full extent of damage were not specified. Another drone was reportedly downed in Rostov Oblast's Myasnikovsky district, inflicting no damage. No casualties were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airport in the city of Volgograd, lying northeast of Rostov Oblast, temporarily suspended operations due to safety concerns, the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) reported. The Kyiv Independent could not verify all of the claims. Kyiv launches regular drone strikes against Russian territory, targeting military and industrial facilities to undermine Russia's war effort in Ukraine. Two industrial facilities including a factory producing cargo drones for the Russian military and a military arsenal were allegedly hit during drone attacks overnight on Nov. 20. Hungary deploys air defenses near Ukraine, cites war escalation after US allows strikes in Russia Hungary is deploying air defense systems near the Ukrainian border, citing increased risks after the West allowed the use of long-range weapons inside Russian territory, Defense Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Nov. 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister ordered the deployment of air defense systems in the country's northeastern regions, saying that "the war has entered its most dangerous phase." Szalay-Bobrovniczky attributed this escalation namely to the easing of restrictions on Ukrainian strikes with Western arms and linked it to Russian President Vladimir Putin's approval of an updated nuclear doctrine. This decision comes after two Russian missiles were shot down on Nov. 17 in Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine's westernmost region bordering Hungary and home to an estimated 75,000 ethnic Hungarians. On that occasion, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that it was necessary to "strengthen efforts to bring peace" as "each day brings with it the risk of escalating war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budapest has consistently criticized and obstructed Western military support for Ukraine, claiming it would lead to an escalation, and has maintained warm ties with Moscow throughout the full-scale war. Previously, Russian drones and missiles launched during strikes on Ukraine have crossed into the airspace of other countries, namely Poland, Latvia, Romania, Moldova, and Belarus. The latest development in Hungary follows a series of increasingly strong resolutions by Ukraine's Western allies. After U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged that the Biden administration would bolster support for Kyiv before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden on Nov. 17 allowed Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles to strike deep inside Russian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine reportedly used ATACMS missiles to strike a Russian military arsenal in Bryansk Oblast on Nov. 19 and allegedly also used U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow on Nov. 20, marking the first instance of these weapons being used on Russian soil. Other Western allies have expressed their position on their own supplied weapons. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Nov. 18 that Paris "remained open" to allowing Ukraine to use French long-range missiles to strike military targets inside Russia, reported Le Monde. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that she "understands" the U.S. response to Russia, but Rome makes a "different choice" and focuses on air defenses for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Orbans hold on Hungary weakens as opposition unites behind unlikely challenger Russian troops suspected of executing Ukrainian POWs in Kursk Oblast, ombudsman says Russian forces are suspected of summarily executing a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported on Nov. 20. Lubinets said that the prisoners were "surrounded" but gave no other details, in particular on the number of victims. Reports of murders, torture, and ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs are received regularly by Ukrainian authorities and have spiked in recent months. "I have sent letters to the U.N. and the ICRC about this crime," Lubinets said, reporting the suspected crime on his Telegram channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The international community must act immediately. The occupying country has once again violated the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war," he added. The Armyinform news outlet ties this announcement to a video taken by a drone camera purporting to show the execution. It shows 10 unarmed people lying on the ground with at least five armed men standing over them. At one point, they start shooting at the people on the ground. Heavy fighting has been ongoing in the Russian border region of Kursk since Ukraine launched an offensive there in early August. Earlier the same day, the Prosecutor General's Office announced another shooting of captured Ukrainian military personnel by Russian troops in the Pokrovsk area in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Prosecutor General Kostin on Oct. 15 called the killing of captured Ukrainian service members in captivity a "deliberate policy of the Russian Federation." The execution of prisoners of war constitutes a grave violation of the Geneva Convention. Russian forces had executed at least 124 Ukrainian prisoners of war since 2022 as of Nov. 6, authorities said at the time, while the number continues to grow. 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. Read also: Russia preparing a 50,000-people-strong offensive in latest attempt to push Ukrainian army out of Kursk Oblast Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant faces 2nd blackout of the week after Russian attacks The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is on the verge of a blackout after Russian attacks on power lines left the plant connected to only one line, the Energy Ministry reported on Nov. 21. This is the second time this week that the plant has been seriously threatened by a blackout, which could compromise conditions for safe operation and cause an accident. At the moment, the plant is connected to the Ukrainian power grid by only one transmission line. Similar incidents have been reported throughout the full-scale war, with Kyiv accusing Russia of threatening the security of the plant. Russia has occupied the Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear station in Europe, since March 2022. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed that if the last line is cut off, there will be a complete blackout, as reported by the Energy Ministry's Telegram channel. The Zaporizhzhia plant is not the only one causing concern. The Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and Southern Ukrainian plants were forced to decrease output on Nov. 17 after a massive Russian aerial strike targeted several substations critical to their power supply. Greenpeace warned that Ukraine's power grid was at "heightened risk of catastrophic failure" after the mass missile and drone attack targeted the electrical substations. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, confirmed in a statement on Nov. 17 that Ukraine's nuclear power plants had to reduce their electricity production as a precautionary measure due to large-scale missile attacks. The attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure led to "increased nuclear safety and security risks," Grossi agreed. Allowing Ukraine to regain control "is the only way to ensure the safe operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant," Halushchenko said. Read also: Explainer: 38 years after Chornobyl, Ukraine relies on nuclear for more than half its energy production Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Aviation Service of Ukraine is 95% ready to resume flights, but ensuring passenger safety remains a key factor. Source: Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Rebuilding of Ukraine and Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Details: Kuleba said that it will take around 45-50 days from the moment the decision to resume air traffic is made to flights starting to operate from Lviv or Boryspil airports. He said passenger safety was a key concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Security architecture requires advanced air defence, which at the moment are deployed elsewhere in the country. When we have enough air defence for one of the airports, we will be able to talk about this. As of today, unfortunately this is not possible," Kuleba said. When asked whether there was hope that air traffic will resume in 2025, Kuleba said that this depends on what happens on the front. "Of course we can hope. But if were being realistic, we can discuss this only with regard to whats happening on the front. Just like every other question that concerns the development of our country, the front is the first thing that needs to be considered, and only then any sort of development," Kuleba said. Background: On 15 November, Reuters reported that Ukraine's State Aviation Administration is exploring the possibility of gradually and partially reopening airspace to civil aviation, with Lviv in the countrys west potentially becoming the first city to resume airport operations. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking diplomatic steps in response to Russia's use of a new type of weapon that had all the flight characteristics of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Source: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi at a briefing in Kyiv, as quoted by Interfax-Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: Tykhyi said that the Foreign Ministry had contacted its partners to inform them of what had happened and what Ukraine knew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are also already using UN and NATO mechanisms," Tykhyi said at a briefing in Kyiv. He stressed that the Foreign Ministry also plans to engage OSCE mechanisms to respond to this event. "There will be formal appeals, correspondence, and convening of separate formats to wake up the world and draw attention," the speaker said. Tykhyi reiterated that Ukraine is currently awaiting expert opinions to determine the specific type of the new missile used by Russia, which fell near the city of Dnipro in the morning. "So far, we know that according to flight characteristics, it is an ICBM, but we are waiting for more expert opinions to confirm with specific facts what type of missile it was," he said, adding that it has been confirmed that it is a new type of missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Tykhyi, if the use of ICBMs is confirmed, Ukraine believes that "it will be possible to state that Putin's Russia has degraded to the state of the DPRK, which, as you know, periodically launches such missiles, frightening its neighbours". "We call on the international community, every country and every leader who respects the UN Charter to respond immediately to Russia's use of a new type of weapon, to increase the level of armaments in general, without waiting for expert opinions," the speaker said. Background: Two Western officials told Reuters that preliminary evidence shows that Russia did not use an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to strike Ukraine on the morning of 21 November. Some media reported that the West had doubts that Russia used an ICBM in their attack on the city of Dnipro. According to Ukraines Air Force, the Russian Federation employed an intercontinental ballistic missile in its most recent missile attack on Dnipro. According to sources of Ukrainska Pravda, it could be a missile known as Rubezh, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The EU commented on the data, saying that if confirmed, "this will be another clear sign of escalation." Support UP or become our patron! President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday that the Philippine government is considering clemency for Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina convicted of drug trafficking in Indonesia. We will see. We will see This is the first time something like this has happened, President Marcos stated. - Advertisement - Veloso, who spent years on Indonesias death row, was arrested in 2010 for smuggling heroin. She has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming that a human trafficking syndicate duped her. Mr. Marcos credited the strong diplomatic ties with Indonesia and efforts spanning multiple Philippine administrations for Velosos eventual return. He highlighted the cooperation of both former Indonesian President Joko Widodo and current President Prabowo Subianto in finding a resolution. Our relations with Indonesia and its leaders made this possible, he said. They had no interest in executing or detaining Mary Jane, so they found a way to help us, he added. The president acknowledged the years-long advocacy by Velosos family and legal team, as well as the collective efforts of previous presidents in securing her commutation and eventual repatriation. Velosos family has expressed gratitude for her release and hope for clemency, which could formally clear her name and allow her to fully rebuild her life after years of separation. Ukraines Unmanned Systems Forces have released footage showing a successful strike on a Russian command post near the village of Maryino in Kursk Oblast. Source: Ukraines Unmanned Systems Forces on Telegram Quote: "Operators of the Unmanned Systems Forces successfully carried out an operation to adjust and document the results of fire damage inflicted on the enemy's command post in the vicinity of Maryino, Kursk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mission was completed by the Harpoon crew of the 413th Separate UAS Battalion Raid, in coordination with a consolidated unit of the 78th Separate Air Assault Battalion Dzhmil (Bumblebee) using equipment from the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Main Command." pic.twitter.com/L4rE76b7am (@ukrpravda_news) November 21, 2024 Details: The Unmanned Systems Forces did not specify when the strike occurred. However, on 20 November, Russian sources reported that Ukraine had used Storm Shadow missiles in Kursk Oblast. Background: Media reports previously revealed that the United Kingdom had privately approved the use of Storm Shadow cruise missiles by Ukraine against Russian targets. This decision reportedly came in response to Russia deploying North Korean troops. Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov declined to confirm or deny the use of Storm Shadow missiles. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, reported that a high-ranking North Korean general was injured as a result of Ukraines strikes on Russias Kursk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Russian leader Vladimir Putin, in his latest statement, effectively acknowledged that the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are not actually Russian territory, despite Russias official claims to the contrary. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasised that Ukraine has the full right to target any legitimate military objectives in Russia under international law, as per Article 51 of the UN Charter. Source: Heorhii Tykhyi, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, as reported by European Pravda Details: Tykhyi recalled that Ukraine has repeatedly used long-range weapons against targets in temporarily occupied territories. However, he noted that "Putin started to make a fuss only when targets in the territory of Russia were hit". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Thus, he [Putin ed.] clearly understands the difference between actual Russian territory and the territories he is attempting to steal from Ukraine." "Russia can only blame itself for the consequences of its decision to attack Ukraine," the spokesperson concluded. Background: Ukraines Air Force reported that during the latest missile attack on the city of Dnipro, Russia used an intercontinental ballistic missile. Ukrainska Pravda sources reported that it could have been a Rubezh missile, a potential carrier of nuclear warheads. However, Western sources argued that it was, in fact, an "experimental medium-range ballistic missile". On the evening of 21 November, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin claimed that during the morning attack on Dnipro, Russia used an Oreshnik medium-range missile. He also threatened Western nations with strikes following their authorisation for Ukraine to use their missiles to target Russian territory. Support UP or become our patron! A scheduled session of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) for 22 November has been cancelled. Members of parliament were warned of a potential Russian strike targeting the government quarter. Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources among MPs; MP Oleksii Honcharenko on Telegram Details: Ukrainska Pravda sources revealed that MPs were notified about the threat of bombardment and urged to limit their presence, as well as that of their families, in the government quarter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honcharenko stated that the session was supposed to include a question hour with the government. The next session is planned for December. Background: Russian leader Vladimir Putin has stated that the Russians used an Oreshnik medium-range missile during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November. He also claimed that in the future, Ukrainian civilians will supposedly be warned about the use of Oreshnik medium-range missiles. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian and Russian forces have clashed 114 times throughout the war zone since the beginning of the day on 21 November. Fighting also rages in Russia's Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian troops are conducting an operation. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 16:00 on 21 November Quote: "The operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast continues. Russian warplanes have conducted 15 strikes on their own territory with 22 guided aerial bombs since the beginning of the day." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Ukrainian soldiers also repelled 11 Russian attempts to break through defences. The fighting continues. The Pokrovsk front has seen the most combat engagements since the beginning of the day on 21 November. The Russians made 30 attempts to push Ukrainian troops from their positions. Ukraine's defence forces successfully repelled 22 Russian attacks, and eight combat engagements are still in progress. The Russians are also trying to advance on the Kurakhove front, launching 21 attacks in the area. The fighting continues. The Russians dropped seven bombs on the settlement of Andriivka. On the Kupiansk front, Russian soldiers attacked Ukrainian forces 12 times near the settlements of Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove and Lozova. Five combat engagements are still in progress. Background: Ukrainian and Russian forces clashed 147 times throughout the war zone on 20 November. Russian troops were actively engaged on the Pokrovsk front. Support UP or become our patron! Russian authorities reported Ukrainian drone strikes against the border regions of Rostov and Voronezh on Nov. 21, claiming that an industrial facility had been hit. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that its forces intercepted two drones over the two regions, making no mention of possible damage or whether some of the drones slipped through the defenses. Yuri Slyusar, the acting governor of Rostov Oblast, said on his Telegram channel that a fire broke out at an industrial facility in the central Konstantinovsky district because of a "drone crash." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slyusar claimed that firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. The type of the facility and the full extent of damage were not specified. Another drone was reportedly downed in Rostov Oblast's Myasnikovsky district, inflicting no damage. No casualties were reported. The airport in the city of Volgograd, lying northeast of Rostov Oblast, temporarily suspended operations due to safety concerns, the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) reported. The Kyiv Independent could not verify all of the claims. Kyiv launches regular drone strikes against Russian territory, targeting military and industrial facilities to undermine Russia's war effort in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two industrial facilities including a factory producing cargo drones for the Russian military and a military arsenal were allegedly hit during drone attacks overnight on Nov. 20. Read also: Ukraine strikes Russia with Storm Shadows for the first time, Bloomberg reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has issued a travel advisory to its international students and faculty, urging them to strongly consider returning to the U.S. before the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20 if they are planning to go abroad during the winter holidays. In a statement released Friday by the schools Office of Global Affairs, the school, which has more than 5,000 international students, said it was urging the consideration out of an abundance of caution due to past travel bans ordered by former President Donald Trump, who will take office again in January. Given that a new presidential administration can enact new policies on their first day in office (January 20), and based on previous experience with travel bans that were enacted in the first Trump Administration in 2016, the Office of Global Affairs is making this advisory out of an abundance of caution to hopefully prevent any possible travel disruption to members of our international community, the UMass office said. We are not able to speculate on what a travel ban will look like if enacted, nor can we speculate on what particular countries or regions of the world may or may not be affected. A representative of the university, whose spring semester starts on Jan. 30, offered no further comment on the matter when reached by HuffPost on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UMass Amherst isnt the only school expressing concerns, however. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology issued a similar travel advisory to its international students following Trumps reelection, stressing that any new executive order he issues could affect travel and visa processing times. This could result in some international students needing to travel abroad to wait for a new entry visa before theyre able to return, the schools International Students Office said. A representative of MIT told HuffPost on Wednesday that it is working to keep its community updated on any official developments. They further advised students to rely on official sources of information to follow developments. The University of Massachusetts Amherst has advised its international students to return to the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. John Greim via Getty Images In his first administration, Trump issued a number of anti-immigration travel bans and policies that negatively impacted international students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His policies included travel bans on nearly a dozen countries, first in 2017 that ultimately barred nearly all travelers from five mainly Muslim countries, as well as from North Korea and Venezuela. Three years later, in 2020 he expanded that ban so that it severely limited immigrant visas for people from six other countries with substantial Muslim populations. Though his travel ban was not designed to target student visas, international students still reported travel issues while trying to return to the U.S. Several post-graduate and undergraduate students from affected countries told NPR in 2017 of being detained at airports or being returned to their home country due to the ban, including an Iranian man who had a U.S. green card. Trump also unsuccessfully tried to prohibit foreign students from living in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic if their classes were switched to being entirely online. That rule, which was ultimately rescinded after eight federal lawsuits and opposition from hundreds of universities, would have required students already in the U.S. to either transfer schools or leave the country voluntarily. Though its not yet clear what actions the next Trump administration could take, earlier this year he vowed to expel international students who are caught demonstrating in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing I do is, any student that protests, I throw them out of the country. You know, there are a lot of foreign students. As soon as they hear that, theyre going to behave, Trump told donors at a closed-door event in May, according to The Washington Post. He made similar comments about anti-Israeli protesters during a campaign rally that same month, saying he would immediately deport them. The U.S. this past year saw a record number of in-person international students, more than 1.1 million, with total admissions rising by 7%, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The majority of the students arrived from India (29%) and China (25%), and most were enrolled at New York University, Northeastern University, Columbia University and Arizona State University, according to the centers findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives of those four schools did not immediately respond to HuffPosts requests for comment on potential guidance being offered to international students. Related... VIENNA (AP) The U.N. nuclear watchdogs board on Thursday condemned Iran for failing to cooperate fully with the agency, the second time it has done so in just five months. The International Atomic Energy Agency also called on Tehran to provide answers in a long-running investigation into uranium particles found at two locations that Tehran has failed to declare as nuclear sites. Nineteen members of the IAEA board voted for the resolution, while Russia, China and Burkina Faso opposed it, and 12 abstained and one did not vote, according to diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the outcome of the closed-doors vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution was put forward by France, Germany and Britain, supported by the United States. It comes at a critical time, ahead of Donald Trumps return to the White House. Trumps first term in office was marked by a particularly tense period with Iran, when the U.S. president pursued a policy of maximum pressure against Tehran. In 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew America from Irans nuclear deal with world powers, and imposed even harsher sanctions that have since hobbled Iran's economy further. The resolution comes on the heels of a confidential report earlier this week in which the IAEA said Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. That report, seen by the AP on Tuesday, said that as of Oct. 26, Iran has accumulated 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 17.6 kilograms (38.8 pounds) since the last IAEA report in August. Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution approved on Thursday requires the IAEA to now produce a comprehensive and updated assessment of Irans nuclear activities, which could eventually trigger a referral to the U.N. Security Council to consider more sanctions on Tehran. In a joint statement issued after the approval of the resolution, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the Iranian foreign ministry condemned the passing of the resolution, saying that Irans nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami has issued orders to launch new and advanced centrifuges, powerful machines that spin rapidly to enrich uranium. In the past, the IAEA has named two locations near Tehran Varamin and Turquzabad where there have been traces of processed uranium, according to IAEA inspectors. Thursdays resolution honed in on those locations, asking Tehran to provide technically credible explanations for the presence of the uranium particles at the sites." The IAEA has urged Iran to also provide answers about the origin and current location of that nuclear material in order for it to be in a position to provide assurance that Irans nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Western officials suspect that the uranium traces discovered by the IAEA could provide evidence that Iran had a secret nuclear weapons program until at least 2003. Tehran insists its program is peaceful. One of the sites became known publicly in 2018 after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed it at the United Nations and called it a clandestine nuclear warehouse hidden at a rug-cleaning plant. Iran denied that, though IAEA inspectors later found the man-made uranium particles there. While the number of sites about which the IAEA has questions has been reduced from four to two since 2019, lingering questions have been a persistent source of tensions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the subject of Varamin, the IAEA said that inspectors believe Iran used the site from 1999 until 2003 as a pilot project to process uranium ore and convert it into a gas form, which then can be enriched through spinning in a centrifuge. The IAEA said buildings at the site had been demolished in 2004. Turquzabad, the second location, is where the IAEA believes Iran brought some of the material from Varamin amid the demolition, though it said that alone cannot explain the presence of the multiple types of isotopically altered particles found there. Thursdays resolution before the 35-member board at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, called on Tehran to explain the presence of the uranium particles at Varamin and Turquzabad, inform the U.N. nuclear watchdog about the current whereabouts of that nuclear material, and grant access to IAEA inspectors to all Iranian nuclear locations. A draft of the resolution was seen by the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tehran continues to maintain that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and has told the IAEA that it has declared all of the nuclear material, activities and locations required under a so-called Safeguard Agreement it has with the IAEA. Iranian officials have vowed to retaliate immediately if a resolution is passed. In the past, Tehran has responded to IAEA resolutions by stepping up its nuclear activities. The resolution also requires IAEA director general Rafael Grossi to provide an updated assessment of Irans nuclear program including the possible presence of undeclared nuclear material at the two locations by spring 2025 at the latest. The assessment could be a basis for possible further steps by European nations, diplomats said, leading to potential escalation in tensions between Iran and the West. It could also provide a basis for European countries to trigger sanctions against Iran ahead of October 2025, when the original 2015 Iran nuclear deal expires, the diplomats said. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has begun a three-day board meeting in Vienna to discuss Iran's nuclear programme. The summit comes just days after Director-General Rafael Grossi held meetings in Tehran with the Iranian government in an attempt to improve cooperation. A confidential report seen by The Associated Press showed that Iran defied international pressure to rein in its nuclear programme, and increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to levels needed to make a bomb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive element, has to be enriched "in order to produce fuel for certain types of nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons," the UN watchdog says. Under the IAEA's definition, one atomic weapon can be created when 42 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% are further enriched to 90%. IAEA nations will discuss at the summit whether to vote on a resolution against Iran. The move would be an embarrassment for Tehran's leaders, and a boost for supporters of taking a tough stance against Iran. Several media outlets report that two confidential reports by the UN watchdog show that Iran offered not to expand its uranium which had been enriched to up to 60% purity, on the conditional offer that Western powers drop their push for the resolution against Iran. Indonesia: Transfer process to PH may begin in December Overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso, who was sentenced to death in Indonesia on drug charges, will be handed over to the Philippines following years of long and difficult negotiations, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. said Wednesday. The Indonesian government said it is eyeing to initiate the transfer process of Veloso next month once the conditions set for the Philippine government are met. - Advertisement - The conditions include Veloso serving the remainder of her sentence in the Philippines; Manilas recognition of the Indonesian courts final decision on her case; and the Philippine government agreeing to shoulder the cost of her return. 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, Mr. Marcos said in a statement. The President said Velosos story resonates with many: 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, he added. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the aim of the government would be not just for her to be transferred but for the president, our president, to be able to issue clemency. He said Jakarta has not sought anything in exchange for Velosos transfer of detention. It is possible that President Marcos will grant pardon and change her sentence to life imprisonment, considering that the death penalty has been abolished in the Philippine criminal code, so this step is within the full authority of the President of the Philippines, he said. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla added: If she has to serve a life term, she will serve the life term but we are against the notion of death penalty. It is something that we oppose. Indonesias law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said President Prabowo Subianto had approved the transfer of prisoner policy on Velosos case. Apart from the Philippines, the countries that have proposed transferring the prisoner are Australia and France, Indonesias Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correction said in a statement. Veloso, was arrested in Indonesia in 2010 carrying a suitcase lined with 2.6 kilograms of heroin and later sentenced to death by firing squad. The mother-of-twos case sparked an uproar, with her family and supporters saying she was innocent and had been set up by an international drug syndicate. They said she was duped into signing up for a non-existent job abroad as a domestic worker and was not aware the suitcase her recruiter gave her contained hidden drugs. The Philippine government won a last-minute reprieve for Veloso in 2015 after a woman suspected of recruiting her was arrested and put on trial for human trafficking in which Veloso was named as a prosecution witness. De Vega said the Department of Justice and the DFA will coordinate to establish a delegation to oversee the details of Velosos return. DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano confirmed that while specific plans are still under discussion, one potential location for Velosos detention upon her return is the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. As for her transfer from Indonesia, Clavano said the National Bureau of Investigation has been assigned to ensure Velosos safety during transit, working closely with the DFA. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines hailed Velosos forthcoming return to the Philippines. We celebrate a moment of immense joy and relief as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has confirmed that after 14 long years of imprisonment, Mary Jane Veloso will finally be transferred back home to the Philippines, CBCP-Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) vice chair Bishop Ruperto Santos said in a statement. Mary Janes journey is a testament to the answered prayers of many. It is where the power of faith, perseverance, and the unwavering support of a united community prevailed, the Antipolo prelate added. Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez thanked the President for his resolute diplomatic endeavor that secured the return of Veloso. This achievement highlights the Presidents firm commitment to protecting and upholding the rights of our overseas Filipino workers, even in the most difficult of circumstances, Romualdez said. His determination to engage in meaningful diplomacy reflects the governments priority to put our peoples welfare above all else. The return of Mary Jane Veloso to the Philippines is a triumph of hope, diplomacy, and justice. Her case symbolizes the enduring struggle of many Filipinos abroad who are driven by the desire to uplift their families, only to face extraordinary challenges, he added. In particular, Mr. Marcos and Prabowo have met twice this year first when the then Indonesian president-elect visited Manila and then again when Marcos flew to Indonesia to attend Prabowos inauguration. OFW Rep. Marissa Magsino added: Mary Jane is a symbol of many Filipinos who have been victims of human trafficking and illegal activities, but remain steadfast in their search for justice and hope. Her return to her home and return to the Philippines gives way and hope for a new chapter in his life. Senate President Francis Escudero said the Philippines owes immense gratitude to President Prabowo and to the entire Indonesian government for its compassion. We call on the authorities concerned to ensure the safety of Mary Jane upon her return to the Philippines and to reach out to her family and allay whatever fears or concerns they may have about her transfer, he said. This initiative reflects the administrations commitment to safeguarding the welfare and dignity of every Filipino, especially those facing challenging circumstances abroad, added Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada. Senator Raffy Tulfo commended Mr. Marcos for his successful diplomatic efforts that facilitated Velosos impending return. As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, I am grateful that under the leadership of PBBM, the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in different parts of the world is always protected and prioritized, he added. With AFP Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Mary Jane Veloso will return to the PhilippinesMarcos. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images Two fiber-optic undersea internet cables connecting Scandinavia to mainland Europe were severed within 24 hours of one another. European officials suspect the cuts are a sign of sabotage. The cables connected Finland to Germany and Lithuania to Sweden were running under the Baltic Sea. According to CNN, while damage to submarine cables does happen, it is rare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU officials do not believe this was accidental. "Nobody believes that these cables were accidentally severed," said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. "We have to know that, without knowing specifically who it came from, that it is a hybrid action and we also have to assume that, without knowing by whom yet, that this is sabotage." Finnish and German foreign ministers released a join statement that reads "the fact that such an incident immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage speaks volumes about the volatility of our times. They added, Our European security is not only under threat from Russias war of aggression against Ukraine but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors. The immediate leap to accusations of sabotage are more than likely being stoked by reports (Business Insider) from August when Russian officials warned that undersea cables and disrupting the global internet had become a "legitimate target for Russia." At the time, analysts posited that Russia is mapping the undersea cable network. An investigation in 2023 found that Russia was operating a fleet of purported intelligence boats in Nordic waters that was suspected to be targeting wind farms and submarine cables. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right before the cables were cut the United States government gave permission to Ukraine to use long-range US weapons to attack the Kursk region in its ongoing war with Russia. The AP reported that Moscow issued a warning that the decision would add "fuel to the fire" in a war that is nearing its third year. A Russian official called any accusations "absurd" and seemed to hint that Ukraine may have sabotaged the cables China also suspected Today, a Chinese-flagged cargo shipped dubbed the Yi Peng 3 was provoking interest as the the ship was in the area of both cables around the time they were damaged. Perhaps a bit too cheekily, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis tweeted, "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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Yi Peng 3, departed the Russian port of Ust-Luga on November 15, with the suspected cable cutting occuring on November 17. It is supposed to arrive at Egypt's Port Said on December 3rd. As of this writing that boat is anchored in Danish waters with the Denmark military confirming that they are maintaining a "presence near the vessel." No other details have been released. In 2023, a fiber optic cable between Finland and Estonia was cut. That incident was blamed on the anchor of a Chinese ship and allegedly also damaged a Russian cable connecting the country to the Kaliningrad enclave, nestled between Lithuania and Poland on the Baltic sea. At the time, a Finnish minister claimed the damage was done on purpose. "I would think that you would notice that youre dragging an anchor behind you for hundreds of kilometers," Finland's Minister of European Affairs Anders Adlecreutz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why China might be targeting Nordic countries and telecommunications lines there is mostly up for speculation, hence the more immediate blame being placed on Russia's doorstep. Disruption For now, it sounds as though the damaged cables haven't completely altered internet access in Finland or Sweden. Telia Lithuania, which operates the cable connecting Lithuania and Sweden has said that the damaged cable provided nearly a third of the country's internet capacity. That traffic has reportedly been restored. Cinia, which manages the Finland-Germany connection, confirmed a similar status. Still, NATO allies are working to secure the undersea cables, partially by no longer working with companies that have ties to Russia or China. Whether or not these cuts were accidental or testing the waters remains to be seen, but it can't be denied that in any war, hybrid or not, disrupting lines of communication is an important factor in gaining the upper hand on opposing forces. 11 Investigates has new details about an undocumented immigrant charged with attempted homicide in Pittsburgh. Rawvil Brito Chirinos was arrested last week after Pittsburgh Police say he randomly robbed a 70-year-old man of his gold wedding band and cash and shot him in the stomach. The victim survived. Police say he was trying to visit his brother at the Corner View Nursing and Rehab Center in Larimer at the time of the attack. >> 70-year-old man shot, robbed outside Pittsburgh nursing home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE tells 11 Investigates that Brito Chirinos is a Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally on Jan. 4 near El Paso, Texas. ICE says when U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered him, he was given notice to appear before an immigration judge and was released the same day. Its not clear if he showed up for court or not. Officers with enforcement and removal operations placed a detainer with the Allegheny County Jail on Nov. 15 following Brito Chirinos arrest. ICE says that a detainer is to ensure an undocumented immigrant who is accused of committing a crime is not released from local custody and cannot pose a risk to the public before being taken into federal custody and ultimately deported per federal law. A spokesperson for ICE sent 11 Investigates the following statement regarding Brito Chirinos: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rawvil Yamil Brito Chirinos is a Venezuelan national who entered the United States Jan. 4 near El Paso, Texas, and was encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He was given a notice to appear before an immigration judge by CBP and released the same day. Officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations placed a detainer with Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburg Nov. 15 after Brito was arrested by the Pittsburgh Police Department on local charges. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW HONOLULU (KHON2) The recent discovery of historic streetcar tracks beneath Kapiolani Boulevard during a repaving project has unearthed a forgotten chapter of Honolulus history. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Hawaiian Railway Society historian Jeff Livingston believes the street car tracks are literally a path to the past, when streetcars shaped the daily lives of Honolulus residents and fueled the citys development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The HRT was electrified, and it was a people mover. They got people from point A to point B within the city, out as far as Diamond Head and over as far as Fort Shafter, said Livingston. The Honolulu Rapid Transit company launched its electric streetcar system in 1901, replacing the horse-drawn carriages. The streetcars were a large, thriving operation, but they eventually were replaced by buses in 1941 and all the streetcars were burned. None were saved. The steel parts were kept for scrap and sold, explained Livingston. Hawaiis Unsolved Murders: Kallen Agliam The citys $11 million repaving project on Kapiolani Boulevard is on hold while the Department of Design and Construction and the states Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) are still working on a plan on what to do with the recently uncovered tracks found in mid September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not really up to us. We need to work with SHPD to come up with the best solution, said Haku Milles, Director of the Department of Design and Construction. SHPD said its not able to comment on what options they are considering at this time, but Livingston said the streetcars, like the railway, tell a broader story of Oahus development. History is important. Everybody thinks about sugar, they think about pineapple. Without the railroad, neither of those two industries could have grown to the point that they did, said Livingston. And the streetcars also played their part. They moved people, supplies, equipment, building materials. They all helped build Honolulu and Oahu into what it is today. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news If the tracks are in decent shape, Livingston said the Hawaiian Railway Society would accept it as part of the museum they hope to build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. A union boss said he is preparing to go to war with Elon Musk over his plans to cut federal jobs and end work from home privileges. Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, which represents 110,000 government workers, said he was also calling members of Congress to join the fight. Were rallying them and getting prepared for a really, really big fight, he said. Mr Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy plan to cut the government workforce as part of their newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two men, who are close political allies of Donald Trump, have vowed to go after Covid-era remote working policies, demanding that government employees turn up to the office five days a week. Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump embrace - AP/Matt Rourke It is part of a wider cost-cutting plan that they say will cut $2 trillion from the federal budget.If federal employees dont want to show up, American taxpayers shouldnt pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home, they wrote in an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal. WFH could be scrapped by Jan 20 Sources close to their freshly-minted department say work from home policies could be scrapped as soon as Jan 20, the day Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term in office. They believe removing remote-working privileges will usher in a huge number of voluntary resignations, leading to an initial decrease in the number of federally-employed workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Ramaswamy has claimed as much as a quarter of the entire workforce could quit as a result of the changes. Randy Erwin He wrote on X on Monday: Im hearing via allies that federal government unions are scrambling to update their collective bargaining agreements to avoid getting fired. The prospect of being asked to return to the office five days per week like most working Americans apparently has them in tears. The costs of empty offices have become a concern for the incoming administration. Last year, the Government Accountability Office said that 17 of the 24 largest federal agencies used on average only a quarter of their office space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Musk has previously argued the laptop class should get off their moral high horse when it comes to their work from home bull---t. NEW: Trump's Dept. of Government Efficiency is planning to crack down on remote work, which would push useless federal workers to quit@elonmusk even went as far to call work-from-home "bullsh*t," saying "the laptop class is living in la la land." According to reports, pic.twitter.com/IKiemZYR2j Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 20, 2024 Two-thirds of Americas 2.2million federal workers are still approved to work from home, eighteen months after the coronavirus pandemic ended. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), however, says those eligible to telework are in the office 60 per cent, while just about 10 per cent of workers are fully remote. One of the worst offenders, according to OMB figures, is the Department of Education, which is set to be targeted by Mr Trumps administration for overhaul. 98% of employees can work from home Figures released in August suggested 98 per cent of the departments employees were eligible for work from home and more than half were working remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite having generous work-from-home permissions, it does not necessarily lead to government employees not spending time in their offices. At the State Department, some 80 per cent of their working hours are spent in the office. For Defence Department employees, the average is 64 per cent. At the departments of Education, Treasury and Urban Development, the figure is between 36 and 39 per cent. Washingtons mayor Muriel Bowser has spent time lobbying Joe Biden, the outgoing president, to bring more government workers back to the office. How we can make sure that our federal workforce is back to work is one big thing, she said, after revealing she has requested a meeting with Mr Trump to raise the same issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Union bosses argue that teleworking policies should be kept in place to stop the federal government losing out on talented employees. These kinds of broadsides from Ramaswamy and Elon Musk show a really tremendous level of ignorance about the operations of the federal government, said Jacqueline Simon, policy director for the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents 800,000 workers. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man who drove impaired on a suspended license and crashed into a bicyclist, killing him, while allegedly going nearly double the speed limit, agreed Thursday to serve at least four years in prison, documents said. On Oct. 3 around 4 p.m., officers responded to a report of a collision between a car and a person riding an electric bicycle near Harmon Avenue and Lamar Circle just east of the Las Vegas Strip. Witnesses told police the driver, later identified as Luis Fernandez, 27, drove off after the crash. Fernandez was driving with a suspended license, police said. The state suspended it indefinitely as of January 2022. Witnesses estimated he was driving between 60 and 70 miles per hour in the 35-mile-per-hour zone, documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers told Fernandez someone had died, he reportedly replied, That fool died? police said. Fernandez agreed to plead guilty to a charge of DUI resulting in death and serve between four and 10 years in prison, documents said. A sentencing date was not available as of Thursday. Fernandez was out of custody on $10,000 bail. It was not immediately clear why Fernandezs license was 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 KLAS. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A direct message that said You can unlock the door, Im close is the last known communication from a woman who disappeared while walking to a friends Columbus home nearly seven years ago. LeShay Dungey was 19 years old when she vanished on Jan. 24, 2018. At the time, LeShay had recently graduated from the South-Western City School District and was working at a hotel in Dublin. At a 2019 news conference, Jason Brammer, a Columbus police detective, described her as a free spirit who moved around between family members homes frequently. Before LeShay vanished, she was living with her aunt, according to her father Duane Dungey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was laid back, to herself, Dungey said. Right after she graduated, she wanted to get a job and be independent and show me her independence. (Photo courtesy/NamUs) (Photo courtesy/Ohio Attorney Generals Office) On the Wednesday she vanished, LeShay spent the day looking for a new job in Columbus. She also had plans to meet a friend, so she took the No. 22 COTA bus that evening heading toward their home on the 1900 block of Summit Street, according to Brammer. LeShay did not have a data plan on her cellphone and used WiFi to communicate with others, mostly through Facebook Messenger. At 8:19 p.m., she messaged her friend through the app, giving them an update on where she was on the bus route. At 8:25 p.m., she sent another message that said You can unlock the door, Im close. Brammer said he assumed she was still on or close to the bus when she sent the message since she was using WiFi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After 20 minutes passed, LeShays friend messaged her asking where she was. She never answered. A map that shows the route of the COTA bus LeShay was on and her friends home she was walking to (Photo courtesy/Columbus Division of Police). A 2018 Columbus police report listed a 30-year-old man as living at the address LeShay was walking to, but does not specify if this was the friend she was meeting, and does not list the individual as a suspect. The police report states Leshays aunt reported her missing to the Dublin Police Department that January. Dublin police claimed they then forwarded that information to the Columbus Division of Police, but Columbus police said they did not receive it and the case was not brought to their attention until LeShays aunt called them in June. Dungey said he realized LeShay was missing when he began moving out of the apartment they previously shared and was trying to get in contact with his daughter so she could pack her belongings. He began calling family members, who all told him they had not seen her recently. This was in early spring of 2018, according to the Columbus police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, I went bonkers and I was driving the streets, running out of gas like three to four tanks of gas a night, Dungey said. Everybody started to look like her. I was walking up to strangers. Dungey described himself as a protective father, who previously tracked his daughters phone, but had stopped and was trying to give her space at the time of her disappearance. When I finally let up, this is what happens dads nightmare, he said at the 2019 news conference. Dungey said LeShay was very into social media, and had numerous online friends, some of whom lived out of the country. He believes this may be connected to her disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really think something sinister has happened, Dungey said. LeShays stepmother, Mia Johnson, said at the 2019 news conference that she believes LeShay was abducted. Johnson said LeShay was fearless and likely would not have known if she was in danger. Brammer echoed that sentiment, stating LeShay was open to anybody and could have possibly been lured into a situation she was not prepared for. Police said in 2019 that they conducted DNA testing and digital forensics, which did not amount to anything useful. LeShay has not opened any messages on her Facebook account since she vanished, nor has she had any credit activity, according to Dungey. Columbus police told NBC4 they do not have any updates on the case to share at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I pray to God that my daughter is still alive, Dungey said. I dont have closure. At the time of her disappearance, LeShay was 5 feet 9, 129 pounds, and had brown eyes and black hair, according to the Ohio Attorney Generals Office. As of Thursday, she would be 26 years old. Columbus police ask anyone with information on the disappearance of LeShay Dungey to contact them at 614-645-4545 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 614-461-8477. If youre a family member of an individual with an unsolved missing persons or homicide case in Ohio, reach out to aboldizar@wcmh.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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. BERLIN (AP) Ursula Haverbeck, a prominent German far-right activist who accumulated a string of convictions for denying the Holocaust, has died. She was 96. Haverbeck died on Wednesday, her lawyer Wolfram Nahrath told German news agency dpa on Thursday. Haverbeck repeatedly asserted that Auschwitz was just a work camp. In fact, historians say at least 1.1 million Jews were murdered there by the Nazis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was first convicted and fined in 2004, and several further convictions for incitement followed some of them carrying prison sentences. In one of those cases, she served more than two years in prison in the western city of Bielefeld between 2018 and 2020. A small far-right party, The Right, chose her as as candidate for the 2019 European Parliament election. Haverbeck was convicted in June for incitement and sentenced to a year and four months in prison by the Hamburg state court for comments about Auschwitz. She appealed against that verdict. By Lucinda Elliott MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) - Uruguayan Alvaro Delgado, a 55-year-old former senator and the conservative ruling coalition's continuity candidate for president, is counting on support from an eliminated ally to triumph against the center-left frontrunner in Sunday's run-off election. Delgado trained as a vet and until recently was Cabinet chief for President Luis Lacalle Pou. He will take on Yamandu Orsi in the Nov. 24 second-round race after neither secured more than 50% of the vote in the first round. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delgado has asked voters to "re-elect a good government," seeking to capitalize on the popularity of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for immediate re-election. Orsi got 43.9% of votes in the first round, and Delgado was some way behind on 26.8%. But third-placed candidate Andres Ojeda, who received 16%, has thrown his support behind Delgado. Opinion polls show that Orsi remains in the lead, but that the combined conservative vote is only a few points behind him. Ojeda told Reuters in an interview ahead of the election that his centrist Colorado Party was closely aligned politically with Delgado's National Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have each other's back," he said. "We will always be partners." The 40-year-old Ojeda has told his supporters to back Delgado in order to block Orsi's center-left Broad Front from returning to power. Delgado has played up his credentials as the continuity and stability candidate. He wants to push ahead with the current government's goals for free-trade deals, including with China, hold taxes down, and deepen a fight against organized crime. "I want to be the president of certainties and of a Uruguay that advances. I want to be president to continue the course that began with our government," Delgado said from the campaign trail in the country's rural interior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What this government has done allows us to dream big and be more ambitious so that Uruguay takes a leap and becomes the most developed country in Latin America." He wants more video surveillance and a larger police force to increase security, a key voter concern. He also needs to address accusations of corruption that have hit the government's popularity. A robust economy, however, is helping him. SWAY THE UNDECIDED Uruguay's former central bank chief Diego Labat, an ally and likely finance minister if Delgado wins, said the candidate had bags of experience and strong negotiating skills that meant he could build relationships across the political aisle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's been behind all the big decisions during this administration," Labat said. Political insiders described Delgado as a stickler for detail and pointed to his track record in government. Voters cited his steadiness, but some said he lacked charisma and has not captured the public imagination in the same way Lacalle Pou did in 2019. If elected, Delgado could struggle to govern without a majority in parliament. Neither coalition has an absolute majority in the lower house following October's elections, but the Broad Front won 16 of 30 Senate seats. "I'm personally in favor of forming a space for political coordination in which all parties are represented," Delgado said, adding that he hoped to "manage our differences" if elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delgado's immediate challenge is to attract those who voted for his rivals, including the roughly 8% of first-round voters who went for smaller, unaligned parties, as well as Uruguayans who did not vote in October. He also must upend a global trend as Uruguay closes a bumper 2024 election year: hurt by the rising cost of living, incumbent parties have lost seats or vote share from the last election in democracies around the world, including Britain, Japan and the United States. (Reporting by Lucinda Elliott. Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) BAKU, AZERBAIJAN A fresh draft of a climate pact unveiled Thursday at COP29 failed to break an impasse over money, with time running out for nations to reach a long-sought trillion-dollar finance agreement. The UN climate summit in Azerbaijan is supposed to conclude on Friday but the latest draft only underlines divisions as nations return to the negotiating table. - Advertisement - As for the text overall, Im not going to sugarcoat it it is clearly unacceptable as it stands now, said EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. I am sure theres not a single ambitious country that thinks this is nearly good enough. The nearly 200 countries in Baku are supposed to agree on a new target to replace the $100 billion a year that rich nations pledged for poorer ones to fight climate change. Many developing countries are pushing for $1.3 trillion, mostly from government coffers, though wealthy nations have balked at such demands and insisted private money helps meet any final goal. The latest draft recognises that developing countries need a commitment of at least USD [X] trillion per year, leaving out the crucial exact figure sought in Baku. Ali Mohamed, the chair of the African Group of Negotiators, an important negotiating bloc, said the elephant in the room was the missing concrete number. This is the reason we are here but we are no closer and we need the developed countries to urgently engage on this matter, said Mohamed, who is also Kenyas climate envoy. Other key sticking points including who contributes and how the money is raised and delivered were left unresolved in the slimmed-down 10-page document. Many nations have also expressed concern that a pledge to move away from fossil fuels made at last years COP28 was being neglected in Baku. Irelands climate minister Eamon Ryan insisted negotiations on finance were advancing in backroom discussions. This text is not the final text, that is clear. It will be quite radically different. But I think there is room for further agreement, he told AFP. Norways climate minister also offered a rosier view: The deadline isnt here yet, he told AFP. The draft entrenches the broad and opposing positions of developed and developing countries that have largely persisted since COP29 opened over a week ago. Developed countries want all sources of finance, including public money and private investment, counted toward the goal, and for wealthy countries not obligated to pay, like China, to chip in. Developing countries want the money to mostly come from rich government budgets in the form of grants or money without strings attached, not loans that add to national debt. The new finance text presents two extreme ends of the aisle without much in between, said Li Shuo, director of the China climate hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Current and former NATO officials are still struggling to get a read on President-elect Donald Trumps pick for ambassador to the alliance a foreign policy neophyte. But theres one common refrain: It could have been worse. On Wednesday, the incoming president tapped Matthew Whitaker, an avowed Trump loyalist who briefly served as his acting attorney general, to be his next ambassador to NATO. Whitaker is virtually unknown in Brussels, according to interviews with six current and former alliance defense officials. But, many of them argue, at least theyre getting a nominee with a direct line to Trump, and someone who isnt himself openly hostile to the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we are forced to pick, well take the guy who doesnt know much about NATO but Trump will actually pick up the phone for, said one European official. Well take what we can get. Like others, the official was granted anonymity to discuss the matter candidly. Others whove worked with NATO expressed relief that Trump had at least tapped someone for the post. Whitakers appointment so early into Trumps transition does signal that its a post that the U.S. does see as a priority, said Camille Grand, a former senior NATO official now at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Hes an unknown. Were not really sure who he is and cant say whether thats a bad or good thing, said one NATO-based European defense official. The official added: At least he actually picked an ambassador, instead of letting the post go unfilled for months or years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitaker has no prior experience in diplomacy or national security beyond his stints in the Trump Justice Department. In that role, he was involved in Justice Department investigations into national security-related cases and made a name for himself in Trump circles by being highly critical of the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into whether Trumps 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia. Some officials said they would rather have a close Trump ally in Brussels even absent working knowledge of NATO rather than a bona fide NATO expert who isnt in Trumps inner circle. And some of Trumps other picks for top national security or foreign policy positions have created much more consternation, including Tulsi Gabbard to be Trumps top intelligence chief and Pete Hegseth to be his defense secretary. But the alliance is already girding for the Trump administration to get combative with NATO, given the president-elects statements during his first term and during his campaign about the mutual defense group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on the 2024 campaign trail said he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to NATO allies that dont meet the alliance threshold of spending two percent of GDP on defense. During his first term, he repeatedly railed against allies over their laggard defense spending and threatened to leave NATO, though he did not withdraw from the alliance. If confirmed, Whitaker would be the face of Trumps expected renewed campaign to cajole, bully and threaten NATO allies into boosting their defense spending once he takes office. Whitakers glaring lack of any knowledge or experience on transatlantic security issues alarms some analysts. We have nothing from him on NATO, nothing on Europe, nothing on foreign policy, said Jim Townsend, a former senior Pentagon official who managed NATO policy. Its clear he has a direct line to the Trump camp which is good but on the other hand, now is not the time to have someone who is totally a novice when it comes to NATO and comes from an administration that looks at NATO as being on thin ice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If hes confirmed as NATO ambassador, Whitaker would be charged with leading the U.S. mission to NATO as the alliance faces down the third year of Russias ongoing war in Ukraine a conflict that is posing its gravest security crisis in decades. Trump has vowed to broker peace early into his administration but provided no details on how. Some European countries fear a peace deal would only serve to give Russia time to regroup before re-launching the war. Whitaker would also also be responsible for addressing mounting concerns in Europe over how Trump will manage ties with Russia and fears that the incoming president could cut U.S. aid to Ukraine. Grand, the former senior NATO official, said that the key thing NATO members need is someone who can provide clarity about whatever stance Trump plans to take. They don't expect the person to reassure them, he said. They expect the person to tell them the truth. The worst case is an ambassador who says nice things and then the president says something completely different. The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are eating away at critical U.S. weapons stockpiles and could hamper the militarys 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 number of munitions in reserve. By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) - U.S. law enforcement on Wednesday arrested a homeless Florida man and charged him with plotting to bomb the New York Stock Exchange after an undercover employee recorded him saying, "I feel like Bin Laden," federal officials allege. The suspect, Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, took steps to set off a bomb outside the stock exchange on Wall Street in lower Manhattan, according to an FBI affidavit. The affidavit was filed in support of a criminal complaint charging Yener with attempting to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce by means of an explosive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yener has been assigned a federal public defender in the Southern District of Florida whose office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for a statement regarding his defense. Yener's motives remained unclear. The FBI said that besides making the comment about Osama bin Laden, the former al Qaeda leader and mastermind of the 2001 attacks on the United States, Yener also described an attempt to join right-wing militias and expressed general anti-government sentiment, saying: "This country is due for a revolution." The FBI had been investigating the suspect, described as unhoused and living in Coral Gables, Florida, since February after receiving a tip he was storing bomb-making schematics in a storage unit, the FBI said. FBI agents found bomb-making sketches, timers, circuit boards and other electronics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In conversations with at least three undercover employees, Yener said setting off an improvised explosive device would lead to a "reboot" or "reset" of the U.S. government. "The Stock Exchange, we want to hit that, because it will wake people up," he added, according to the FBI affidavit. Yener wanted a device powerful enough to blow off the doors so that "anything existing in there will be killed," Yener told two undercover employees who had told him they had access to commercial-grade explosives, the FBI said. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta, editing by Ross Colvin and Lincoln Feast.) BAKU, Azerbaijan Theres no getting around the awkwardness of these climate talks. American officials made their travel plans for COP29 and sketched out their negotiating points before they knew who would win the election. Then days before the conference began they were jolted into reverse: U.S. negotiators no longer faced sealing a deal that would be celebrated by President Joe Biden, but agreeing to one whose fate is in the hands of a president-elect who says climate change is a conspiracy. Republicans who flew to Baku foreshadowed the imminent about-face for U.S. climate policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any commitments made by the Biden Administration at COP29 will simply be lip service to climate groups, Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), who led a bipartisan delegation to the summit, said in a statement. The shockwaves of President-elect Donald Trumps victory came as U.S. climate experts cycled in and out of this city, sometimes hearing the news about the people that Trump had chosen to lead their agencies along the way. People in attendance include officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, which could be led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic who has called for banning fluoride in drinking water. Trump nominated him four days into the talks. Also here are officials with the Department of Energy, which Trump has chosen Chris Wright to lead. A fracking executive, Wright would oversee permitting of liquefied natural gas export terminals. He has said there is no climate crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously the U.S. is in a very structurally difficult position, said Todd Stern, the U.S. climate envoy during the Obama administration. Nevertheless, he believes, the Americans negotiating skills and established relationships can be leveraged to keep a deal from failing. American whiplash The U.S. has long been a key player in shaping the outcome of these annual negotiations, whether for good or bad in the eyes of some countries. The Obama administration laid the groundwork for the 2015 Paris Agreement, and even after Trump announced in 2017 that he would withdraw from that accord, U.S. diplomats continued to finalize the rules guiding it. Sometimes they had to do Trump-like things, said Stern, referring to a coal event held by the incoming Trump administration on the sidelines of the climate talks in Poland in 2018. The talks this year are taking place not just in Trumps shadow but as the world breaks heat records, as global climate pollution continues to increase, and as countries remain deeply divided over COP29s main target: setting a goal for climate finance that could reach hundreds of billions of dollars annually, or higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this goes to the question of the role that the U.S. plays in a world where Trump is coming fast, so its a little bit complicated, said Stern. That means the points U.S. officials are negotiating at COP29 hundreds of billions in global climate assistance, the rules governing a worldwide carbon market and reaffirming a fossil fuel phase down are ones the U.S. likely wont be working to deliver on. At least for the next four years. Political appointees here will leave the government, while career diplomats face the unknown: working for a president who continues to call climate change a hoax, being reassigned or, potentially, being fired. Yet senior officials say theyre negotiating for the future of these talks and what they mean for long-term action as they race to finish their work before the conference ends Friday. They hope those deals will be waiting for the next president in 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bottom line from our perspective is the U.S. is here, we are committed to contributing while we are here to a productive conversation, to one that leaves lasting value, Jake Levine, senior director for climate and energy on Bidens National Security Council, told reporters. One problem for the talks is that a U.S. retreat from global climate cooperation over the next four years could put the burden of delivering climate aid on other countries particularly the Europeans. The U.S. has been an active participant, but the EU has a fundamental role in these negotiations, said a European negotiator granted anonymity to discuss issues around the talks. The prospect of the U.S. returning to the table is why other countries still take Washington seriously, the negotiator said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Biden urged leaders attending the Group of 20 meeting in Brazil to keep going in their fight against climate change, calling it the single greatest existential threat to humanity. In the near term, however, Trump has deprived the U.S. of its coveted leadership position even before taking office. For now the U.S. presence remains highly visible. The U.S. co-chaired a ministerial meeting supporting transparency reports that outline the actions countries are taking to meet their climate targets. Officials from the Department of Energy were spotted in the corridors Tuesday in conversation with Chinese officials. The U.S. delegation office, nestled along a curving hall in the bowels of an Olympic stadium that has never hosted an Olympics, continues to hold media briefings. The U.S. pavilion a barebones version compared with earlier years has regular panels with a rotating roster of American officials who laud the administrations climate work and call for its continuance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. diplomats say they still have a stake in whatever gets decided here, since it will likely extend the new finance goal to 2035. If Democrats win back the White House in four years, theyll be on the hook to meet the new agreement. They want it to be achievable. That's on a decadal time scale, so it goes beyond any given U.S. administration over four years, Rick Duke, one of the State Departments lead negotiators, told POLITICO. One senior administration official speaking to reporters on background said there seems to be more urgency from some countries to finalize an agreement because of U.S. uncertainty even if the U.S. itself says its priorities havent changed. And the relationships and expertise of U.S. climate officials give the nation good standing with other governments, even with the White House changing over to Trump, say past and present officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to finding text to a conundrum, the United States has Sue Biniaz, said the lead negotiator of another G7 country, referring to the State Departments longtime climate negotiator. Michai Robertson, lead finance negotiator for a bloc of small island states, said U.S. officials have acknowledged the awkward position theyre in, noting during negotiations that the U.S. will likely recede from the global stage when Trump returns. It's really sad that one country, because of its system, can decide multiple times when to leave the Paris Agreement and then come back into it, Robertson said. This sort of in and out kind of behavior is not helpful to the ambition. Zia Weise contributed reporting. By Douglas Gillison (Reuters) - A federal judge in Texas on Thursday struck down the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's overhaul of Treasury dealer rules adopted earlier this year, finding that the agency had overstepped its legal authority in issuing the regulations, according to court records. The decision marked at least the third time in a year that a court had vacated prominent SEC regulations and the latest blow from a conservative-leaning judiciary to policy goals under President Joe Biden, who is due to step down in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changed legal environment has hampered the SEC's ability to pursue its regulatory agenda this year. "The Court holds that the Rule is in excess of the Commission's authority based on the text, history, and structure" of the SEC's founding statutes, U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor of the Northern District of Texas said in an opinion. Adopted in February over Republican officials' objections, the rule required proprietary traders and others who routinely deal in government bonds and other securities to register as broker-dealers. The rule aimed to address liquidity problems in the $26 trillion Treasury market, something market players said was part of the biggest market structure overhaul in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An SEC spokesperson said the agency was reviewing the decision before deciding on next steps. The case was brought by the Managed Funds Association and other trade groups representing the investment industry. O'Connor also reached the same outcome on Thursday in a separate case brought by the Blockchain Association and the Crypto Freedom Alliance of Texas, two cryptocurrency organizations. The Alternative Investment Management Association, which had brought suit with MFA, hailed the news, saying the decisions spared hedge fund managers from "severe and adverse consequences" from what it said would have been sweeping and unprecedented changes. Courts in December and June also struck down SEC rules on share buybacks and disclosures by private fund advisers. At least three other rules remain subject to legal challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However observers say they expect President-elect Donald Trump's administration may simply settle them in favor of industry after taking office next year. (This story has been refiled to add a missing word in paragraph 2) (Reporting by Douglas Gillison; Editing by Alistair Bell) One of the most pressing national security issues facing the incoming Trump administration is the resilience of our defense industrial base. The United States has the most lethal and capable fighting force in the world. However, recent experiences have demonstrated profound difficulties in our industrial base. Unless we get our defense industrial base on a war footing now, we face potentially catastrophic consequences should the balloon go up to use a phrase first popularized in World War I to signify the imminent start of conflict in East Asia or elsewhere. Repeated war games have demonstrated that our munitions stocks will be decimated within a couple weeks in the event of major conflict. Significant production challenges supplying precision guided missiles to Ukrainian forces have underscored our inability to rapidly replenish weapons and major systems. While significant resources and attention have been focused on addressing these shortcomings recently, past mobilizations demonstrate that we are not doing enough. To deter our potential adversaries, we recommend three major actions that should be pursued in the coming term. 1. Speed. Despite a decades focus on innovating with commercial technology and using faster contract vehicles, the defense acquisition system largely remains focused on developing exquisite systems that take much too long to deliver. The Navy, for example, selected the mature design of the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri Maritime Marine for its future frigate program back in 2020. One of the major reasons for its selection was the variant built for the U.S. Navy in a Wisconsin shipyard would have 85% commonality with existing models already in service in numerous foreign navies. Design alterations made by Navy engineers, however, dramatically reduced the commonality to 20% and added 3 years to construction timelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to turbocharge our efforts to change how we design and acquire capabilities. This starts with simplifying requirements to harness leading commercial solutions, rapidly iterating technologies, and delivering capabilities at speed. We also have to design systems for production, such as the Air Force is doing in its Enterprise Test Vehicle effort. While more resources will help increase speed to a degree, DoD needs to work with Congress to transform the budget structure to increase flexibility in budgetary execution as the Congressional Commission on PPBE Reform outlined earlier this year. Additionally, our forces have gotten the prototyping game down, but we need to dramatically increase the use of follow-on production, Other Transaction contracts to rapidly transition prototypes to the battlefield. 2. Scale. Our industrial base can produce at the scale needed to succeed, but only if we change how we do business. For example, DoD went from the drop of the request for proposals to having over 16,000 Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles roll off the assembly line within three years during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Delivering life-saving capabilities at this speed and scale required tremendous leadership, simplified requirements, utilizing existing designs, and multi-sourcing. Similar efforts are needed now across munitions, unmanned systems, and selected major systems critical to future contingencies. We need to build more production flexibility into contracts by establishing surge-related line items to reduce the time required to ramp production. Second sourcing and multi-sourcing can also be beneficial as shown with last years 155mm ammunition awards to nine companies, including three based outside of the United States. Creating more financing options like the Office of Strategic Capital and accelerating depreciation could also help attract private sector capital investment to scale production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another way to increase mass and scale capabilities in theater is to maximize the use of unmanned and attritable systems. The focus on unmanned and autonomous systems to increase fielded capacity has grown significantly in the past few years, but the fact is that we need vast numbers of attritable systems to meet near-term threats. This priority of scale cannot become victim to efforts focused on exquisite systems. 3. Sustain. Our sustainment challenges, from contested logistics and supply chains to sustaining forces at great distance, are probably the hardest facing us and unfortunately have the least developed solutions. AUKUS programs and the recent Regional Sustainment Framework are beginning to address this challenges, but sustainment requires much more attention and resources to ensure the resilience of our deployed forces and systems. In all these actions, the partnership between government and industry will be critical. Fortunately, our existing authorities such as the Defense Production Act are strong and can be used now to create a modern-day War Production Board to facilitate that close collaboration. Our experience with Ukraine, Israel and beyond has also made it crystal clear that the United States cannot do it all. We need a larger industrial base, involving our closest allies with whom we go to war, with robust international industrial partnerships that build the systems needed for current and future contingencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, time is not on our side. If the Davidson window is correct, we have two years. The incoming administration and Congress, in partnership with industry and our close allies, must harness innovation, manufacturing capacity, and other means to unleash the true strength of our military and our defense industrial base to deter our adversaries in todays very dangerous world. The time to do this is now, before the balloon goes up. Jerry McGinn is the Executive Director of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting in George Mason Universitys Costello College of Business and the author of Before the Balloon Goes Up: Mobilizing the Defense Industrial Base Now to Prepare for Future Conflict. Near Space Labs, a startup based in Brooklyn, New York, has achieved a significant milestone with the nationwide deployment of its Swift robots across the United States. This accomplishment marks the establishment of the first network of stratospheric robots delivering ultra-high-resolution aerial imagery throughout the continental US. The Swift robots now offer enhanced resolution capabilities of 7 centimeters, which match or surpass traditional aerial survey quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Swift is a zero-emission robot that can capture up to 1,000 square kilometers of imagery in a single flightan area equivalent to the combined size of New York Citys five boroughs. Operating at altitudes between 60,000 and 85,000 feet, this compact 12-pound autonomous system provides insurance companies, urban planners, and government agencies with unprecedented access to highly detailed and frequently updated aerial imagery, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. First-ever deployment Near Space Labs' nationwide expansion and improvements in imaging are crucial for the US home insurance industry. In 2023, the industry experienced its worst crisis in decades, with net combined ratios exceeding 110 percent and losses surpassing $101 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These results are largely driven by the increased frequency and severity of weather events, including devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, and catastrophic wildfires. Consequently, major insurance companies are withdrawing from high-risk states such as Florida, California, and Texas, threatening homeownership and regional economies. The root of this crisis is the growing gap between escalating climate risks and insurers' ability to assess them accurately. "Many insurance companies are still relying on aerial data collection methods from the 1950s to assess 2024's climate risks," said Rema Matevosyan, CEO of Near Space Labs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When you consider that only six percent of the $250 billion in losses from Hurricane Helene may be covered by insurance, it becomes clear that outdated risk assessment methods are creating a domino effect: poor data leads to inadequate policy pricing, which leads to carrier losses, which ultimately forces insurers to abandon entire marketsleaving homeowners stranded and unable to secure mortgages." Autonomous robots Near Space Labs is launching a nationwide deployment of top-quality imaging capabilities to address a significant challenge for insurance carriers. This initiative will provide detailed, up-to-date property data every quarter. The unprecedented frequency of these updates allows insurers to monitor changing conditions, assess risks more accurately, and price policies appropriately. This could enable them to re-enter markets they previously abandoned. This rollout marks the first-ever nationwide deployment of ultra-high-resolution aerial imagery at scale, surpassing all existing commercial options such as satellites, drones, and airplanes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this initiative and the backing of Fortune 500 insurers, Near Space aims to tackle Americas home insurance crisis. This crisis is exacerbated by inadequate data that leads to substantial losses and market exit. With our balloons and our Swifts, insurance companies are able to get access to information right after the catastrophe and assess the damage and pay out claims within days instead of weeks and months, said Matevosyan. The giant weather balloons ascend to altitudes twice as high as those of cruising airplanes. According to the company, the cameras deliver high-resolution imagery across thousands of square miles. Our balloons capture what 800,000 drones would with one flight, Matevosyan said. An airplane would be flying in a snake like pattern, back and forth, back and forth for weeks to capture the data that we can capture within hours. This means that we can be faster, better and cheaper for our customers. ROME (AP) The U.S. special envoy for Sudan said Thursday, just days after his first visit to the war-wrecked country since taking his post, that he doesn't see enough of political appetite from the warring parties to reach a resolution to the conflict. The African nation plunged into conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital of Khartoum and spread to other regions, including western Darfur. The fighting has left tens of thousands of dead, forced millions from their homes, and pushed a large swath of the population to starvation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Perriello, who was appointed as special envoy in February, travelled to Port Sudan on Monday to meet with Sudanese officials, including the head of the military Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, whose troops have been battling the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces around the country for the past 19 months. Multiple attempts to broker a cease-fire have fallen apart, most recently in August, when the Sudanese military refused to attend U.S.-mediated talks in Geneva. Since then, fighting has only accelerated, and RSF forces have been accused by the United Nations of carrying out atrocities including killings of civilians and rapes in several parts of the country. We do not yet see enough political appetite from the parties to find a real resolution to this conflict, Perriello said in an interview with The Associated Press in Rome. He said any solution has got to be about handing control back to the people. Sudan had been trying to establish a civilian government after a popular uprising forced the removal of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. The short-lived transition to democracy was derailed when Burhan and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the RSF, joined forces to carry out a military takeover in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Burhan and Dagalo soon fell out, and their long-simmering struggle for control erupted into battles in Khartoum in April 2023 and spread the other parts of the country. Since then, more than 20,000 people have been killed in the conflict, according to the U.N.. Some 14 million people 30% of the population have been forcibly displaced, either to other parts of the country or abroad in what the U.N. says is one of the world's worst displacement crises. The U.N. recently warned that the country has been pushed to the brink of famine, and more than 26.5 million people face acute hunger. The numbers are so large that you cant even get your head around the scale of human suffering, Perriello said. He decried the situation in which the warring parties continue to commit atrocities while civilians are trapped in the chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we know is the numbers are astronomical, Perriello noting that, the death toll is probably more than anything thats been estimated. He pointed to reported atrocities carried out by RSF fighters last month in the Gezira state, southeast of Khartoum. These are horrific, horrific abuses against women and children, in this case, primarily committed by the Rapid Support Forces, and multiple attacks on civilians, murdering of civilians," he said. During his visit, Perriello met with members of Sudanese civil society and humanitarian aid workers in an effort to improve movement of food and medicines to people across the country. He said the United States is working to stop countries that are arming the warring parties despite a U.N. arms embargo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudans ruling Sovereign Council, led by Burhan, accuses the United Arab Emirates, a U.S. ally, of arming the RSF a charge that a U.N. panel of experts said was credible, though the UAE denies it. The RSF has also reportedly received support from Russias Wagner mercenary group. We wont speak to specific conversations, but the United States has been very clear with countries all over the world that we believe its time to stop fueling this war with more weapons, Perriello said. Burhan has received Russian support and is a close ally of neighboring Egypt and its president, former army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. In February, Sudans foreign minister held talks in Tehran with his Iranian counterpart amid unconfirmed reports of drone purchases for government forces. We have way too many countries that are pouring weapons into Sudan who should be pouring in food and medicine," Perriello said. "We have way too many countries deciding to get involved, not in the interests of the Sudanese people, but to take advantage of the fragility of the state. Perriello, who has worked on crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone, said he had never been involved in a disaster on such a massive scale that is getting so little attention from the rest of the world. The United States has imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, one of the few major Russian lenders not yet blacklisted, in an effort to limit the Kremlin's ability to finance its war effort. Source: The Financial Times Details: The list announced on Thursday effectively excludes state-owned Gazprombank, the main conduit for Russian energy payments, and its six international subsidiaries from the global financial system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the United States, Russia used Gazprombank as a conduit for the purchase of military equipment for the war in Ukraine, as well as for payments to soldiers and compensation to the families of those killed in the fighting. The UK and Canada imposed sanctions on Gazprombank in the first weeks of the war in 2022. Previously, the US had avoided following suit, mainly so that European countries could continue to pay for Russian gas supplies. The US sanctions will close one of Russia's few remaining windows for international banking transactions by prohibiting Gazprombank from conducting dollar transactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US has also imposed sanctions on more than 50 small Russian banks and 40 securities registrars, as well as 15 technocrats. Background: The United States is considering imposing sanctions on Russia's largest state-owned bank, Gazprombank, which still has access to the SWIFT international system and foreign exchange payments. Support UP or become our patron! The News US prosecutors indicted Indias second-richest man on Wednesday for allegedly bribing Indian government officials to gain lucrative contracts, and concealing them from US investors. Billionaire Gautam Adani and other executives allegedly paid more than $250 million in bribes to obtain solar energy supply contracts with New Delhi, ultimately raising capital on false statements. The indictment comes just weeks after the Adani Group pledged to invest $10 billion in US energy and infrastructure projects. The Kenyan government on Thursday said it was scrapping two Adani deals worth $2.6 billion, including one to manage the countrys biggest airport, citing credible information of corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adani Group has denied the charges, calling them baseless, according to AFP. The Indian government is yet to respond, although opposition parties have called for a full investigation. SIGNALS Modi government sees rise in big-ticket corruption Sources: Frontline Magazine, Bloomberg TV Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power promising to be a crusader against corruption, after the previous government had been rocked by several scandals, yet big ticket corruption has risen under his leadership, particularly among Indias elite, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta argued in Frontline magazine. Indias two richest men, Mukesh Ambani and Adani, have close ties to Modi, and have allegedly benefited from his governments policies, he wrote. Although the Adani group has managed to shrug off activist short-seller Hindenburg Researchs allegations of improper use of tax havens and stock manipulation, the conglomerate will find it harder to walk away from accusations by the US government, the Wilson Centers Michael Kugelman told Bloomberg TV. Adani firm at center of charges is major backer of Indias green expansion Sources: Bloomberg, Atlantic Council, Scroll.in Adanis renewables company, which is at the heart of the charges, is the main backer behind a significant portion of Modis solar energy development projects, and in the next three years, India is expected to produce over half of the worlds new capacity for renewable energy. Adanis infrastructure deals in Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh appeared to have been facilitated by the Indian governments diplomatic ventures, Scroll.in reported, prompting Indias opposition leader to say, This is not Indias foreign policy. This is Adanijis foreign policy. In this episode of Against the Stream, Hamid Alizadeh and Niklas Albin Svensson, from the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International, discussed the reckless escalation of the Ukraine war by Biden, Trumps controversial picks for his administration, and the death of the American Dream. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind in world politics. As the hosts of Against the Stream have discussed, the German government has collapsed, the Spanish monarch has been pelted with mud, Trump has returned to power, and Biden has now escalated the Ukraine war by permitting the Ukrainians to strike into Russia with American long-range missiles. In order to penetrate the fog created by the hysterical media and liberal establishment, Hamid and Niklas focused on the incoming Trump presidency and its implications for world imperialism relations. As we have discussed in previous weeks, Trumps victory was based on his demagogic appeal to the working class, as well as his promise to pull the US out of the costly war in Ukraine. Now, months away from power, he has started to appoint a coterie of loyalists, all set on purging the state of any opposition to Trumps programme of tariffs and deportations. In the meantime, Biden has tried to undermine his arch nemesis Trump by enabling Ukraine to strike into Russia with American missiles, to which Russia has responded with the launch of an ICBM. All this chaos, on the backdrop of the crisis of the world economy will usher in mighty class struggles which will shake American imperialism to its foundations. Well be back next week for a special episode on the world economy. As per usual, well be streaming live to YouTube from 3pm GMT. WASHINGTON (AP) U.S. intelligence officials warned American defense companies on Thursday to increase security precautions following several acts of sabotage in Europe that officials have blamed on Russia. The public bulletin issued by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center advised companies involved in defense work particularly those providing support to Ukraine in its war against Russia to step up their defenses in the face of Russia's escalating aggression toward Ukraine's allies. Russias sabotage activities in Europe increase the risk to U.S. companies abroad and potentially at home," the officials wrote in the warning. Such sabotage operations can sow fear and doubt, damage important infrastructure, disrupt commerce, or cause injury and death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. and European intelligence officials have said Russia perpetrated several recent acts of sabotage targeting European defense companies, logistics facilities, public utilities and military installations. Often, the officials said, Russian intelligence has hired local criminals to carry out the acts, which include arson attacks in the United Kingdom and Poland. Earlier this month, security officials blamed Russia for a plot to smuggle incendiary devices onto cargo planes headed to North America, including one that caught fire at a courier hub in Germany and another that ignited in a warehouse in England. Along with disinformation and propaganda, it's part of a larger hybrid effort to undermine the ability of Ukraine's allies to support its defense against Russia's invasion. Russia has denied the allegations. A message left with Russia's embassy in Washington was not immediately returned Thursday. The National Counterintelligence and Security Center is an agency within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, focused on protecting national assets from intelligence threats. Thursday's bulletin was jointly issued by the FBI and several Department of Defense agencies. By Andrew Goudsward -The U.S. Justice Department found that police in the New Jersey city of Trenton routinely use unreasonable force and stop and arrest drivers and pedestrians without legal justification, according to a report made public on Thursday. The Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, following a 13-month investigation, found that Trenton police officers often use physical force, including pepper spray, against people who are not threatening them and unnecessarily escalate situations with aggressive tactics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police officers must respect peoples civil and constitutional rights and treat people with dignity, said Kristen Clarke, the head of the Civil Rights Division, in a statement. The probe found police in Trenton, New Jerseys capital city of about 90,000 residents, engaged in a pattern of violations under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which bars unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. The Justice Department said Trenton and its police department cooperated with the probe and adopted certain reforms, including disbanding two street enforcement units involved in the violations. Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora said the city provided the Justice Department broad access to the police department for its investigation and pledged to implement reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Even prior to the USDOJ review, the City and the TPD had already begun to change policies and practices that prioritize community safety, accountability and respect for civil liberties," Gusciora said in the statement. The report found Trenton has paid more than $7 million since 2021 to resolve lawsuits over officer misconduct. A 64-year-old man died of respiratory failure days after being slammed on his porch and pepper-sprayed despite posing no threat to officers, according to the report. The investigation is one of 12 launched by the Justice Department during Democratic President Joe Bidens administration into claims of systemic civil-rights abuses by state and local police departments. Much of that work could be scrapped when Republican President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. His first administration sharply curtailed probes into police departments and his allies have criticized the investigations as unfairly hostile to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department has yet to secure court-approved settlements, known as consent decrees, to enforce reforms following any of the five completed investigations. Trenton committed to further changes, but there was no indication the city agreed to a negotiated settlement. "Our expectation is that the work on this investigation and promoting a remedy will continue under the next administration," Philip Sellinger, the U.S. attorney in New Jersey, whose office worked on the probe, told reporters. The Justice Department recommended Trenton take a series of steps to address its findings, including overhauling use-of-force policies and improving officer training. Seven other probes into police departments remain pending. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Rod Nickel) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States rejected a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense chief, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said. "The United States fundamentally rejects the Courts decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials. We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutors rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision," the spokesperson said, adding the U.S. is discussing next steps with its partners. (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Doina Chiacu; Editing by) The News The US imposed sanctions Thursday on Gazprombank, the biggest Russian bank that had not yet been censured by Washington, as US President Joe Biden ramps up pressure on Moscow before he leaves office in January. The US Treasury Department also targeted more than 50 small-to-medium banks and dozens of individuals connected to Russias financial sector. This sweeping action will make it harder for the Kremlin to evade U.S. sanctions and fund and equip its military, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US authorities said Russia has used Gazprombank to pay its soldiers and to purchase military equipment for the Ukraine war. The Biden administration had previously avoided sanctioning the bank for fear of impacting global energy markets, Bloomberg reported. SIGNALS Russias economy sputters as defense spending hits record highs Sources: Moscow Times, Atlantic Council, The Bell Russias State Duma approved on Thursday a three-year budget allocating nearly 40% of total spending to defense, The Moscow Times reported. The countrys economy is creaking under the pressure of wartime conditions, but is not yet close to collapse, a finance expert wrote for the Atlantic Council. Russias central bank hiked interest rates to 21% to try and slow the rampant inflation being fueled by military spending and recruitment. Stagflation a combination of low growth and high inflation remains a constant threat for the Russian economy, Russian economics outlet The Bell noted. But because no one can criticize the war in Ukraine openly, the central bank has chalked the current problems up to external factors, while private businesses blame the banks high interest rates. Wests economic pressure has failed to cause a nosedive Sources: CBS News, BBC, The New York Times, Hudson Institute While Western sanctions have made a serious dent in Russias economy, even White House officials have conceded they have not led to the nosedive they had imagined at the beginning of the war. Russia has circumvented some sanctions on key technology restrictions, and has largely succeeded at evading a price cap aimed at forcing Russia to sell oil at a discount. To bolster the current sanctions regime, The Hudson Institutes Luke Coffey said the incoming Trump administration should crack down on sanctions evasion to truly cripple the Russian economy. (Bloomberg) -- The US said its forces are backing Philippine military operations in the disputed South China Sea, where Manila and Beijing have clashed over competing claims. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Task Force-Ayungin enhances US-Philippine alliance coordination and interoperability by enabling US forces to support Armed Forces of the Philippines activities in the South China Sea, Kanishka Gangopadhyay, spokesperson at the US Embassy in Manila, said in a statement on Thursday. Ayungin is Manilas name for Second Thomas Shoal, where the Southeast Asian nation grounded a World War II-era vessel in 1999 to serve as its military outpost. The Philippines resupply missions to Filipino troops stationed on the ship previously led to confrontations with Chinese ships. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin this week visited a command and control center in the western Philippine province of Palawan, which faces the disputed waterway. In a post on social media platform X, Austin said he met with some American service members deployed to US Task Force Ayungin, in what appeared to be the first public acknowledgment of its existence. The Philippine military said on Thursday the US troops provide technical assistance that helps enhance Manilas maritime domain awareness. Its a critical task that aids in planning and implementing programs and activities to protect our interests in the West Philippine Sea, spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla said in a statement, using the term for areas of the South China Sea that are within the Philippines exclusive economic zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two allies on Monday signed an agreement that allows them to share classified defense information amid growing assertiveness from Beijing over the South China Sea and Taiwan. In August, US Indo-Pacific Command head Admiral Samuel Paparo said Washington was willing to escort Philippine vessels during resupply missions amid recurring run-ins with Chinese ships. The Philippines and China in July reached a provisional arrangement on Manilas resupply operations to the Second Thomas Shoal, paving the way for missions without untoward incidents even as encounters between the two nations were reported in other parts of the disputed waterway in recent months. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. NEW YORK (AP) For about 50 years, adding cavity-preventing fluoride to drinking water was a popular public health measure in Yorktown, a leafy town north of New York City. But in September, the towns supervisor used his emergency powers to stop the practice. The reason? A recent federal judges decision that ordered U.S. regulators to consider the risk that fluoride in water could cause lower IQ in kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its too dangerous to look at and just say Ah, screw it. Well keep going on, said the town supervisor, Ed Lachterman. Yorktown isnt alone. The decision to add fluoride to drinking water rests with state and local officials, and fights are cropping up nationwide. Communities in Florida, Texas, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming and elsewhere have debated the idea in recent months the total number is in the dozens, with several deciding to stop adding it to drinking water, according to Fluoride Action Network, an advocacy organization against water fluoridation. In Arkansas, legislators this week filed a bill to repeal the states fluoridation program. The debates have been ignited or fueled by three developments: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, a federal agency reported with moderate confidence that there is a link between high levels of fluoride exposure more than twice the recommended limit and lower IQ in kids. In September, the federal judge ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because high levels could pose a risk to the intellectual development of children. This month, just days before the election, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that Donald Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day as president. Trump later picked Kennedy to run the Department of Health and Human Services. In Durango, Colorado, there was an unsuccessful attempt to stop fluoridating the water during Trumps first term in office. A new push came this year, as Trump saw a surge of political support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just kind of the ebb and flow of politics on the national level that ultimately affects us down here, said city spokesman Tom Sluis. Fluoride is a public health success story but opposition persists Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1950, federal officials endorsed water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay, and the addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water has long been considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century. Fluoride can come from a number of sources, but drinking water is the main source for Americans, researchers say. Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population gets fluoridated drinking water, according to CDC data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a recommended fluoridation level, but many communities exceed that, sometimes because fluoride occurs naturally at higher levels in certain water sources. Opposition is nothing new, though for decades it was considered a fringe opinion. Adherents included conspiracy theorists who claimed fluoridation was a plot to make people submissive to government power. Health officials could point to studies that showed that cavities were less common in communities with fluoridated water, and that dental health worsened in communities without it. But fluoride isn't just in water. Through the years it became common in toothpaste, mouthwash and other products. And data began to emerge that there could be too much of a good thing: In 2011, officials reported that 2 out of 5 U.S. adolescents had at least mild tooth streaking or spottiness because of too much fluoride. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, the CDC recommended that communities revisit how much they were putting in the water. Beginning in 1962, the government recommended a range of 0.7 milligrams per liter for warmer climates where people drink more water to 1.2 milligrams in cooler areas. The new standard became 0.7 everywhere. Over time, more studies pointed to a different problem: a link between higher levels of fluoride and brain development. The August report by the federal governments National Toxicology Program summarizing studies conducted in Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and Mexico concluded that drinking water containing more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter was associated with lower IQs in kids. Theres no question that fluoride prevents cavities, said Dr. Tom Frieden, who was director of the CDC when the agency changed the recommended fluoride levels. Theres also no question were getting more fluoride than we were 50 years ago, through toothpaste and other things. Frieden said a legitimate question has been raised about whether fluoride affects brain development, and studies making that link need to be looked at carefully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. towns wrestle with what to do Many people in health care strongly embrace water fluoridation. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirmed their endorsement of current CDC recommendations in the wake of the federal report and the judges ruling. Colorados health department, which weighed in during a Nov. 5 Durango city council meeting, said in a statement that it seeks to align its public health recommendations with the latest scientific research. The facts of this court ruling are not sufficient to revise current fluoridation levels. Durango officials are waiting to see what the EPA does in reaction to the recent court decision, said Sluis, the city spokesman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We follow the science, he said. It wouldnt be in the best interest of the city to stop fluoridation based on one judges interpretation. In Yorktown, Lachterman concluded the judges decision was enough to halt fluoridation. He recalled a community discussion several years ago in which most people in the room clearly favored fluoridation, but recently it seems public comment has reversed. Its like a total 180, he said. But not all public pressure these days is against the idea. In September, Buffalo, New York, announced it would resume water fluoridation after not having it for nearly a decade. News reports had described an increase in tooth decay and families sued, seeking damages for dental costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Buffalo Sewer Authoritys general manager, Oluwole McFoy declined to discuss the decision with The Associated Press, citing the litigation. For its part, the EPA is in the process of reviewing the district courts decision, spokesman Jeff Landis said this week. Debates have become heated In Monroe, Wisconsin, fluoridation has become a very hot issue, said its mayor, Donna Douglas. The small city, near Madison, started fluoridating its drinking water in the early 1960s. But in the late summer, some residents began calling and emailing Douglas, saying she needed to do something about what they saw as a public health danger. The first call was more like a threat, she recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Douglas said she did not take a position on whether to stop, but decided to raise it to the city council for discussion. The discussions were unusually emotional. Few people tend to speak during public comment sessions at council meetings, said Douglas. But more than two dozen people spoke at a city council meeting last month, most of them in favor of fluoridation. At a subsequent meeting, about a dozen more people all opposed to fluoridation came out to speak. This is the first time weve had any debates at all like this, Douglas said. I didnt realize it would be such a heated discussion. ___ AP video journalist Brittany Peterson and AP reporter Andrew DeMillo contributed to this report. ___ 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. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted cooperative agreements to support Oklahoma's historic Black towns through the Rural Development Program, the federal agency announced. The Greenwood Community Development Corporation received $250,000 to be used for economic development in Oklahoma Black townships in low- and moderate-income communities through financial literacy and entrepreneurial training, while the Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project received $150,000 to focus on empowering socially disadvantaged rural residents, the USDA stated in a news release. "This means a lot," said Freeman Culver, president of Greenwood Community Development Corp., who accepted the award on behalf of the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenwood Community Development Corp., a nonprofit in Tulsa, aims to help rural towns historically founded by Black communities keep small, local businesses open. Culver said organizations like his have been keeping these areas preserved for a hundred years, and he wants to do the same for younger generations. Federal funding, like these awards, helps move that mission forward. "That's why this effort that's before us now [is so important]," Culver said. "We're going to help these rural communities not just dream, but make those dreams a reality when it comes to starting a small business. We know that is the dream of America." Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project also awarded The other awardee was the Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project, an Oklahoma City-based organization that works to ensure the sustainability of Oklahoma's small farmers, rural landowners and rural business owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The thing I've really taken to heart about this program is the response we are receiving from rural communities," said Willard Tillman, executive director of the organization, who executed the agreement for the organization. Tillman said the grants will help residents, mainly those age 62 and older, be able to pay for renovations to their homes that they might otherwise not be able to afford. Many residents in the communities were not aware of financial aid to fix their properties, despite monthly meetings, he mentioned. The award money, which will grant individuals around $10,000, will create proper living conditions for senior residents. "We're actually able to help these people fix their homes," he said. More: Despite health care labor growth, minorities need better access to care, advocates say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both awards will be used to generate commerce and provide assistance through the USDA's Rural Development Program, the department stated. These grants aim to tackle the two pain points in building long-term financial success by investing in our entrepreneurial spirit and home ownership," said Kenneth Corn, USDA Rural Development Oklahoma state director. The partnerships target 30 businesses in the historic communities, offering resources for financial planning, business development and marketing. Oklahoma's historic Black towns also will be able to access technical assistance and training. Funds will be used to build strategic plans to support land retention and estate planning while guiding community development efforts, according to the USDA. Through these cooperative agreements, were not just investing in economic potential were reinforcing a sense of belonging and hope for the future, Corn said in the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: This Oklahoman 'kicked open' doors for Black women in STEM: 'I was blazing the path for other people' The USDA has invested $50 million to help fund 118 partnerships across the country with the goal of expanding access to conservation assistance for climate-smart agriculture and forestry in 2022, including the Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project in Oklahoma and Texas. Other awardees in the state included Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Indian Land Tenure Foundation, National Women in Agriculture, and The Learning Center at the Euchee Butterfly Farm. Culver said the recent awards, focused on rural communities in the nation, help keep towns thriving. "We want not only for these towns to grow, but for their lineage the young people," he said. "When they go off to college, we want them to come back. We want them to thrive in these towns. And so, this, in a sense, is a seed project." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: USDA awards thousands to Oklahoma rural communities, historic Black towns Nov. 20AUSTIN The University of Texas System Board of Regents' Academic Affairs Committee gave preliminary approval Wednesday to provide UT undergraduates attending any of its nine academic institutions, whose families have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $100,000 or less, with tuition-free education, beginning next fall. After the full Board's consideration and vote tomorrow, the plan will include a new, immediate infusion of $35 million directly to the campuses to make the UT System the first in Texas, and one of the few in the U.S., to offer such a sweeping financial aid benefit. It also directs additional investment in its endowments supporting financial aid, ensuring the commitment of tuition relief in perpetuity. The combination of these actions today will ensure that average student debt at UT academic institutions continues to decline. Today it is the lowest across Texas public four-year universities. This is a next significant step in the Regents' ongoing commitment to guarantee that every qualified Texan who aims to earn a bachelor's degree from a UT institution can do so, regardless of financial circumstances. In 2019, the Regents established a $167 million endowment at UT Austin to completely cover tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students from families with an AGI of up to $65,000, and with support to alleviate much of tuition costs for families earning up to $125,000. In 2022, the Regents doubled down with a second endowment of almost $300 million collectively called "Promise Plus" to extend the program to all UT academic institutions. The Promise Plus endowment supplemented the universities' existing financial aid programs to reach more need-based qualified students, with eligibility thresholds at $65,000 and above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today's board vote now establishes a new baseline of $100,000 for all of UT's academic institutions, meaning any student whose family has an AGI of that amount or less, will not be charged any tuition or mandatory fees, regardless of the UT academic institution they attend. Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the Board of Regents, described today's action as one of the most meaningful and rewarding actions the Regents would ever undertake during their terms. "To be in a position to make sure our students can attend a UT institution without accruing more debt is very important to all of us, and as long as we are here, we will continue our work to provide an affordable, accessible education to all who choose to attend a UT institution," he said. "By making both immediate campus allocations as we did today, as well as continued long-term investments in our Promise Plus endowments, we want hard-working Texas families and students to know that we will do everything in our power to support their higher education aspirations today and always," added Eltife. The Promise Plus program has had profound and immediate impact on UT institutions, even in its first year of implementation in 2022. For example, UT El Paso was able to increase no-cost tuition opportunities to 450 additional students in 2022 over 2021, and it raised the threshold of eligibility from $60,000 to $75,000, reaching 75 percent of households in the region. UT Rio Grande Valley covers over 90 percent of its resident undergraduates, making it the largest no-cost tuition program in Texas and one of the largest in the U.S. Similar leaps were made at all UT institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken expressed gratitude to the UT Regents for their commitment to Texas students both now and over the long-term. "What is particularly gratifying to me, and to UT presidents, is that the Regents are not only addressing immediate needs of our current students, but they are taking the long view, ensuring that future generations will continue to benefit from this remarkable program," Milliken said. "Across UT institutions, enrollment is growing, and student debt is declining, indicating success in both access and affordability. That's a rare trend in American higher education, and I'm proud the UT System is in a position to be a leader." At UT institutions, the average student debt not only has steadily declined over the past five years, but it is also 10% lower, on average, than across Texas public four-year universities. Moreover, the percentage of UT graduates with debt has declined from 53.6 percent in 2019 to 47.8 percent in 2023. According to seekUT a UT System free online tool for families that provides data on the earnings and educational outcomes of UT graduates the numbers are even more impressive in critical workforce degree programs like nursing, computer science, accounting, and biology, where fewer than 45% of UT graduates take on debt. The Regents' $35 million campus investment will come from endowment distributions, the Available University Fund and other resources offering immediate benefits next fall to eligible Texans. Additionally, the UT System Regents are investing more in the endowments that support the Promise Plus program in perpetuity, ensuring long-term financial support for future generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To qualify for Promise Plus and the institutional programs it makes possible, students must be Texas residents, enroll full-time in undergraduate programs, and apply for applicable federal and state financial aid. To view the full press release, please visit www.utsystem.edu/news. This story was updated with new information. In-state undergraduate students whose families make an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less will get free tuition at any of the University of Texas System's nine academic institutions, under a plan the Board of Regents approved Thursday morning. After the Academic Affairs Committee on Wednesday advanced the plan and the board approved it Thursday, students who meet the threshold will not be charged tuition or mandatory fees starting next fall. The plan would not apply to graduate students or those seeking to attend any of the system's five health institutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new threshold raised by $35,000 marks the most "sweeping" investment in financial aid from a Texas university system, the UT System said in a news release. More than 7 million Texas families are eligible for free tuition under the new threshold, according to the system's data. This academic year, UT Austin serves 14,500 students total in Texas Advanced Commitment 1 and TAC 2 scholarships. The school estimates, based on data from fall 2024 enrollment, that it will serve an additional 3,000 students with the new $100,000 threshold. University of Texas System Chancellor James Milliken, left, speaks to Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife during a meeting Wednesday in Austin. Board Chairman Kevin Eltife told the American-Statesman in an interview that the $100,000 threshold will last in "perpetuity" thanks to a boost to the system's Promise Plus endowments, providing hope for Texas families to gain better access to higher education. It would also be made possible by an "immediate" infusion of $35 million into the system's academic campuses. "It's the proudest accomplishment since I've been on the board that I've been a part of," Eltife said. "This is a huge deal for families across the state of Texas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal comes after Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter to university chancellors Nov. 13 saying he would not support any tuition or fee increases at public higher education institutions over the next two years. He called on public universities to "take every step possible to ease the financial burden on our students and their families," echoing a statewide push for creating pathways to higher education as tuition prices skyrocket nationally. Eltife said this initiative is "absolutely in line" with the governor's goals, and that it, combined with no tuition or fee increases for the next two years, will be a "one-two punch" for families across the state who want to go to a UT System institution. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board set a goal in its strategic plan to ensure 60% of Texans aged 25 to 64 have a credential of value by 2030 to meet the state's changing and growing workforce needs. UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken said financial complications is the No. 1 reason students don't graduate, and he said this plan will help improve student success at UT institutions as well as boost Texas' competitiveness in higher education. "Thirty-five years of being in higher education, this is one of the most exciting moments," Milliken said. "This is such an incredible action by the Board of Regents to do this, and not only to provide the $35 million now to bring our institutions level, but to increase also the amount in the endowments so that in perpetuity we can promise to Texans that this will be in place for their siblings, their children, etc." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the announcement, state Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, who worked in the Trump administration in 2016 and has been a recent vocal critical of LGBTQ-related minors and courses at UT-Austin and beyond, decried the decision in multiple posts on the social media platform X, calling it a "liberal, regressive and possibly unconstitutional proposal." Eltife said the system does not set taxes, and the money for the endowment came from the system's resources such as its endowment distributions, philanthropy and the Available University Fund, which draws money from university-owned lands. Eltife declined to further respond to Harrison's claims. "There's no better way to spend (this system money) than helping students," Eltife said. Students can apply for the grants as soon as next fall. Students must be full-time undergraduates and qualify for federal and state aid to participate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milliken said UT Rio Grande Valley covers more than 90% of tuition for in-state families, and this effort was a concrete way for the board to level the threshold for all its academic institutions. The board hopes to raise the threshold further in the future, Milliken and Eltife said. "Our ultimate goal is that Texans who want to attend college are not limited because of their resources," Milliken said. "The more we can keep dropping those debt levels down, the more people are going to be able to see that they can go to college and not be burdened by it unduly." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: University of Texas System expands free tuition program for undergrads Ballots whiz through a processing machine at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) A panel of Utah lawmakers have given an initial nod to a draft bill that would criminalize accessing and disclosing certain information about how or when individual voters return their ballots. The Government Operations Interim Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to endorse the first iteration of the legislation, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain. The vote tees the bill up for prioritized consideration when the Legislature convenes in its 2025 general session on Jan. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation comes as some elected officials including Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, who was recently elected to the Senates new Republican leadership team as majority assistant whip have expressed concerns about Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson tracking information on how at least two politicians returned their ballots. What would the bill do? Gricius bill, as currently drafted, would make it unlawful for a person to access an election record to determine whether a specific voter or a small, identifiable group of voters voted in person or otherwise, the method they used to return their ballot, or the date they voted or returned their ballot. Under the bill, an election official who already has lawful access to such election records may only access or disclose the information to the extent necessary to fulfill a duty within their capacity as an election official, to comply with a court order, or if the specific voter requests in writing that the election official access the information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What this bill essentially says is you cannot do a looky-loo at someones information for fun, Gricius said. If you dont have a specific election-related purpose, then you cant just look up specific individuals. A violation of the bill would be a class B misdemeanor. If the Legislature approves it, it would take effect on May 7. Where is this coming from? Gricius did not specifically name Davidson when she explained the legislation in the interim committee meeting Wednesday, but she alluded to him. This came as the result of a county clerk releasing information to the media about specific individuals and the way that they cast their ballots, Gricius said, adding that some of the voter records disclosed were not classified as private, but some were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Davidson told the Deseret News he tracks how politicians cast their ballots. He specifically named McKell who has criticized Davidson for discouraging voters from putting their ballots in the mail and called McKell out for not putting a stamp on his ballot envelope in the primary. McKell said he first learned of the issue when a Deseret News reporter contacted him, and that alarmed him because he said he has opted to classify his voter records as private. McKell said he believes Davidson violated state law for revealing information about his voter status. The Utah County Attorneys Office has said its investigating those claims. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Giricus was also apparently on Davidsons list, which she decried to FOX 13 as inappropriate because she said he was using his position as clerk to look up specific ballots with the purpose of collecting information on those individuals to be used against them in the political arena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Utah News Dispatch on Wednesday, Davidson said he told Gricius in a personal conversation, because I felt that she was sincere about election integrity, that he noticed she mailed her ballot. I said to her, Stephanie, you used the U.S. Postal Service also, and I just want you to know that I really do believe that returning it through our drop boxes and mail is more secure. I just would encourage you to use those methods, Davidson said, adding that shes the one that publicly announced we had a personal conversation about it. In response to Gricius bill, Davidson dismissed it as her doing the bidding of Michael McKell, and he attributed it to a feud between himself and the senator. The two have clashed over Davidsons earlier decision that Utah County would no longer automatically pay return postage for by-mail ballots, and Davidson instead encouraged voters to pay the $0.73 for their stamps. If they didnt, the U.S. Postal Service would still deliver the ballot, but charge the county. That data point of how somebody returns their ballot is not designated as a private record, and Mike McKell is butthurt that I revealed it, and so now since he has the power to make something designated illegal, he decided that he wanted to make it illegal because he was too cheap to put a stamp on it, Davidson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKell, however, told Utah News Dispatch that Gricius opened the bill file on her own after she learned Davidson was tracking certain elected officials voting methods. I wasnt even aware she opened the bill file, McKell said, adding that Davidsons claims that shes doing his bidding is complete nonsense. Aaron needs to focus on running elections instead of looking up private records of elected officials, McKell said. It was an incredibly problematic way he ran that election. Davidson has argued he hasnt done anything wrong, and that the information Gricius bill would restrict is already publicly available on the existing Who Has Voted report that the state offers on a paid subscription basis for voter information thats not classified as private. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Who Has Voted report includes bulk voter information including names, party affiliation, method of voting (like whether they voted early or by mail), and the date the voter returned the ballot it doesnt include information voters have chosen to classify as private. It also doesnt include whether a voters ballot envelope had a stamp on it or not. Because Davidson knew which envelope McKells ballot came in and whether it had paid postage, that suggests his efforts to track politicians voting methods is very different than the Who Has Voted report, McKell said, and it took a lot of effort on his part. I specifically, affirmatively made the choice to have my ballot be private, McKell said. And disclosing that I voted at all is a violation of that statute, and thats why hes being investigated. Asked why Gricius bill is necessary, McKell said lawmakers are considering it to add clarity to the constitutional right to a secret ballot with statutory protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gricius, during Wednesdays committee meeting, acknowledged that as the bill progresses through the legislative session, it may need to be tweaked to ensure the legislation doesnt restrict the existing Who Has Voted report. But, she said shes committed to working through that as we keep it going through the process. Ultimately what her bill is focused on, though, is actions to target and disclose information about individuals or a small group of individuals and for accessing that information without a professional reason. Basically, if you do not have an official purpose for searching a specific individual, Gricius said, You should not be doing it. Committee debate The committees chair, Sen. Daniel Thatcher, R-West Valley City, spoke in favor of the bill, saying elections and voting are kind of a big deal to me. I would argue that without getting our elections right, nothing else we do matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea that a county clerk could (disclose information) whether for a noble crusading idea or whether out of malice or spite is irrelevant, Thatcher said. The idea that someone could access that protected, sacred right to vote and weaponize it against opponents or enemies, real or perceived, is unthinkable. Marilyn Momeny, of American Fork, also spoke in favor of the bill, saying she worked in elections part time in 2022 and 2023, and she had access to voter databases. She said its concerning that an election official would target individuals voting methods and disclose that information. It is definitely a violation, Momeny said. It didnt even occur to me to look people up and see whether they mailed in their ballot or voted in a voting center. One would hope all election workers and anyone who has the data has that kind of discretion, but obviously some people have different judgements about what they should keep private and what they shouldnt. Let us know what you think... Davidson said he has been busy finalizing the countys election results this week, otherwise he would have attended Wednesdays committee meeting. His comments to Utah News Dispatch, however, were mainly focused on criticizing McKell and other elected officials who have been critical of him. He also fixated on defending his stance against voting by mail and the money he said it saved Utah County taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davidson said this election year, about 76% of Utah County voters returned their ballots through ballot drop boxes, which he said resulted in nearly $45,000 in savings to taxpayers. Of those who did mail their ballots, he said almost 79% of them put a stamp on their envelope, saving the county nearly $29,000. Changing to not paying for return postage saved Utah County taxpayers about $73,000 this election cycle, he said. Those that didnt put the stamp on cost the Utah County taxpayers $6,600. I allocate a large majority of that to Mike McKell. Utah Countys total 2024 budget includes over $133 million in revenue, according to the county auditor. McKell said hes not focused on Davidson or this side show, which he said takes away from the fact we need to run elections fairly and that voters have a right to a secret ballot. Thats my focus, he said. My focus isnt Aaron Davidson. My focus is we run elections efficiently and we have that privacy thats guaranteed by the constitution. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Coal is stored outside the Hunter coal-fired power plant, operated by PacifiCorp, in Emery County on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Splitting up the multistate electrical utility PacificCorp would be expensive and politically difficult, officials are warning Utah lawmakers. Utah Republican officials are pressing hard to break up the six-state system arguing that moves by other states away from coal and natural gas cost Utah consumers money and threaten the states efforts to protect the coal industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Dick Garlish, president of Rocky Mountain Power, tells lawmakers that no state can unilaterally break up PacificCorp, which was created by merging business units that are now Pacific Power, which serves California, Oregon and Washington, and Rocky Mountain Power, which covers Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. Both entities are regulated by the public utilities commission of each state and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. All six states have to approve such changes. Top shareholders also need to agree to it. And, he said, there hasnt been a high-level policy discussion to explore what the appetite for restructuring is. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A whole restructuring, or partial restructuring might be an answer to get policy alignment, to get clear direction, to be able to manage the impacts to customers, make sure that states are advancing their policies and keeping an investor engaged in wanting to make investments in big machines for now in the future, Garlish told lawmakers at a contentious hearing this week. But it has challenges. You know, its costly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmakers said Utah doesnt want to bear the cost of the policies of blue Pacific Coast states that are aiming to move away from fossil fuel resources. But, a more detailed report, which could take about 18 months to produce, may shine a light on whether the cost of the separation would be worth it. There are benefits to the split, according to the report drafted by Rocky Mountain Power. It could potentially narrow the set of policies that govern PacifiCorp, providing customers with more control over the utilitys planning, and offer financial barriers between entities in the case of adverse events. But, with that come potential risks, including reduced financial and operational efficiencies and large impacts on ratepayers in the event of unexpected costs, since they would be divided among a smaller subset of customers. Let us know what you think... Oregon requested a similar analysis in 2017, but to explore eliminating coal-fueled resources from its rates, Rocky Mountain Power wrote in the report. Ultimately, the state didnt move forward with its plans to separate from states that use coal because of the financial challenges that would arise, Garlish said. Refinancing the entity then would have cost $4 billion. Clashing coal policies In Utah, PacifiCorp updated its Integrated Resource Plan this year, scheduling to keep two major coal plants operating for four to 10 years longer than expected. It also cut back on investments in renewables. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The set of bills the legislature passed this year to protect coal generators in the state didnt play a major role in that update, a PacifiCorp spokesperson said then. But, the action was consistent with Utahs all-of-the-above approach, which has at times prioritized coal resources because of its cost and reliability. While Utah officials bet that coal will keep the states electricity prices low, Rocky Mountain Power is forecasting its expenses will go up, mostly because of increased costs of fuel and wholesale power, tied with new electric transmission and generation projects. That led the company to propose an about 30.5% increase for residential rates, prompting harsh reactions from legislative leaders and Gov. Spencer Cox, who described the proposal as laughable if it wasnt so dangerous. The rate hike proposal was later decreased to about 18% amid public outcry, but the two-digit number along with other additional fees isnt still sitting well with Utah legislators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Republican elected officials have questioned whether that increase is meant to subsidize cleaner energy efforts made by states like California, as well as its wildfire-related costs. These guys, Sen. David Hinkins, R-Ferron, said referring to Pacific Power states, they dictate what type of power theyre going to use but yet, they dont produce no power. They get it all from us, from the western states, and they complain about us polluting. The Republican House and Senate leadership and the executive branch agree on their desire for a separation, Rep. Carl Albrecht, R-Richfield, told Garlish. Utah is serious about this, and we are serious, Albrecht said. We think it would be better for you. We think itd be better for the citizens of the state of Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature seems so dissatisfied with Rocky Mountain Powers operations, its already considering removing a benefit for the utility that was sponsored by now Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, in 2016. Albrecht presented a bill proposal to be discussed in the 2025 general session to eliminate how Rocky Mountain Power funds its Energy Balancing Account, a market adjustment fee covered by ratepayers, that can be used to make up for the utilitys deferred costs. Every state in PacifiCorp, except for Utah, has a sharing band with the utility, Albrecht said. That means PacifiCorp and its customers share the responsibility to pay to recover deferred unexpected costs that werent covered by electricity rates. This year the Energy Balancing Account rates went up by 11.6% overall, making summer electricity bills soar. Currently, electrical corporations are allowed to recover 100% of their prudently incurred costs in an energy balancing account. Before the 2016 bill, customers covered 70% of the adjustment and shareholders absorbed 30% of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albrechts bill would also prohibit cost recovery from Utah ratepayers for facilities and programs primarily benefiting other states. Rocky Mountain Power is not very happy with this, but based on what weve heard today and what weve heard in the past, and how the public feels about this, I think there needs to be some discussion, Albrecht said. And I think the leadership and both the Senate and the House are in favor of this. The utility doesnt have any comment on the proposed legislation, a PacifiCorp spokesperson said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Attorney Lindsay Layer speaks with Ralph Leroy Menzies after the first day of his competency hearing in 3rd District Court in West Jordan on Monday, Nov 18, 2024. (Pool photo by Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune) Medical experts commissioned by the state say Utah death row inmate Ralph Menzies is competent enough to be executed medical experts commissioned by Menzies attorneys say he isnt. So far, a handful of experts have testified to Menzies mental state. But there is still no consensus whether the 65-year-old convicted killer with dementia is competent enough to face execution by firing squad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, 3rd District Court Judge Matthew Bates will decide. To meet that standard, Menzies must be aware of his impending execution and understand his murder conviction is the reason. Menzies attorneys say the requirement goes further he must make a connection between his crime and the punishment, and understand that his murder of Hunsaker was especially heinous, even in relation to other murders. Menzies was sentenced to death in 1988 for kidnapping Maurine Hunsaker, who was working at a gas station in Kearns at the time, and taking her up Big Cottonwood Canyon. She was later found tied to a tree with her throat slashed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Wednesday, five medical experts who evaluated Menzies have testified three neuropsychologists, a neurologist, and a forensic psychologist. And while all agree that Menzies is cognitively impaired in some way, whether they believe he is competent enough to face execution is a different story. Both Michael Brooks, a forensic psychologist with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, and Ryan Green, a neuropsychologist contracted by the state, say Menzies is competent. And both were subjected to lengthy cross-examination by Menzies attorneys. Brooks determined Menzies was competent to be executed after evaluating him twice in the last year. He understands that an execution is pending, he understands that its pending on the charge of murder he knows that the state wants to kill me because I killed a person and killing people is wrong, Brooks told the court on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his evaluation, Brooks said Menzies told him the wrong date, made mistakes when asked to repeat a sentence, talked about experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations, used filler words and vague terms when talking about his case and had a bad headache. Menzies often forgets to shower, telling Brooks that his fellow inmates were complaining about his body odor. He recalled being sentenced 50 years ago (he was sentenced in 1988, 36 years ago), though he didnt remember the actual sentencing hearing or the judges rationale, and was struggling to remember basic details of Maurine Hunsaker. He admitted he gets easily agitated and sometimes forgets what hes talking about, but doesnt know why. When asked why he was facing execution, Menzies would say things like, Im not guilty and its wrong to kill me, because Im worthless, or I dont know. They say I killed one person. I dont really think its society. I think people just want to make a name for themselves, according to Brooks testimony. Menzies attorney, Eric Zuckerman, said his answers dont demonstrate an understanding of the two main motivations behind the death penalty deterrence and retribution. Nor did his answers suggest Menzies understood why his murder of Hunsaker warranted the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was never, with you, able to express an understanding that his death sentence was related to the severity of the crime, and not just the fact that he committed murder? Zuckerman asked. Correct, Brooks replied. But Brooks told the court that the evaluation itself was likely stressful for Menzies, putting him under pressure and impacting his memory and ability to think clearly. When questioned by the states attorney, Brooks said Menzies still understood the basic facts surrounding his case. He knows all the material facts of the crime and he knows that hes going to be killed and why? asked Andrew Peterson with the Utah Attorney Generals Office, to which Brooks responded, yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Green, the neuropsychologist, spent a pair of eight-hour days with Menzies during his evaluation, and like Brooks, reached a similar conclusion. The individual has to understand the crime that they committed and the rational connection to the punishment for that crime, Green said. I concluded that he was competent. During the evaluation, Menzies gave Green a tour of his cell, showed Green his tablet that he uses to manage his finances and listen to the radio, and talked about his prison duties, which include overseeing the laundry room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cognitively speaking, he was a relatively high functioning person, said Green who, unlike the other medical professionals, did not believe Menzies was suffering from a major neurocognitive disorder like vascular dementia. I didnt see an inability to engage in activities of daily living, he said. Zuckerman, when questioning Green, took issue with that diagnosis just because Menzies can use his tablet or organize the laundry room doesnt mean he goes about basic, daily activities without issue. Zuckerman pointed to other reports and testimony from prison staff that suggest Menzies cognitive health has been in steady decline. He stated that he does not run the laundry machines anymore because he forgot how they work, right? Zuckerman asked. Forgetting how to operate or forgetting how to use tools, that was one of those examples for major neurocognitive disorder, right? If Menzies is determined to be competent, he could face execution by firing squad sometime in the spring. He will likely be able to appeal his case to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, but the competency hearing is the last major hurdle for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Utah, death row inmates sentenced before May 2004 had a choice between lethal injection and firing squad. For those sentenced after 2004, the default method of execution is lethal injection, unless the necessary drugs are not available. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE An image from Virginia Tech during a protest over the Israel-Hamas war (Photo courtesy of the office of Del. Sam Rasoul) House lawmakers studying how some of Virginias universities handle campus protests and free speech policies faced criticism Wednesday after arranging a hearing that some in attendance felt leaned heavily toward institutional and pro-Israeli perspectives. However, House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, who chairs the House Select Committee tasked with reviewing campus safety and free speech at Virginias colleges and universities, addressed public concerns by emphasizing that this was just the first in a series of meetings aimed at providing a comprehensive review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herring said the next meeting is slated for December with a final report due afterwards. We are not here to solve the issues that spark conversations, protests and public displays. We are not equipped to do that in this venue, Herring said. However, we are here to make sure that we are working toward campuses continuing to be safe places and learning for all of our students, while ensuring there are safe places to speak out and engage in civil discourse. The committee convened for the first time on Wednesday after canceling two prior meetings which had left the public without answers. Herring attributed the delays to low attendance. The postponents frustrated some students and faculty members who had hoped that lawmakers would introduce legislation for the upcoming General Assembly session, which begins in January. Some had also called for earlier hearings to address public concerns about new university policies as well as demands for independent investigations and legislative oversight to safeguard First Amendment rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration urged Virginias colleges and universities in the spring to take proactive steps to update policies and improve communication channels before students return this fall. The directive came in the wake of demonstrations at five universities, sparked by responses to an attack by Hamas, a Palestinian militant organization, on Israel near the Gaza Strip in October. According to reports, Hamas killed 1,200, injured hundreds, and took hostages. In the resulting aftermath of the attack, Israel declared war, resulting in the death of over 41,000 Palestinians, while nearly 100,000 were injured and the health care system in Gaza has collapsed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public response to the conflict prompted the creation of both the House committee and a parallel Senate group to examine campus policies and ensure free speech protections. Last spring, demonstrators across Virginia called for a cease-fire and staged protests at five universities in the commonwealth last spring: The protests resulted in more than 125 arrests at four campuses: the University of Mary Washington, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia. Wednesdays two-hour hearing in Richmond, hosted by the House committee, featured testimony from a law enforcement official and a representative from the governors administration, along with updates from the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University regarding the campus protests. The committee also heard a presentation on the history of the First Amendment followed by remarks from a pro-Israeli student from Virginia Tech who shared her personal experience with the protests and the universitys policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kiera Schneiderman, student body president at Virginia Tech, called for a more peaceful and constructive approach to the campus protests. After the encampment at Virginia Tech, Schneiderman recounted visiting the protest site where she and others were met with chants of shame and witnessed a large crowd chasing a Jewish student. She also reported three students were punched in the face. There is nothing wrong with criticizing Israel. There is nothing wrong with advocating for a better future for Palestinians and trying to preserve their livelihood, Schneiderman said. I want to be very clear when I say that this is not what is happening in our current state of campus protest. Speakers lining up at House Select Committee hearing on Nov. 20. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) During a 30-minute public comment period, community organizers, faculty members and students shared their concerns about the protests, with some alleging excessive use of force by law enforcement and questioning the safety of students facing hate and intimidation. Others advocated for policies that protect free speech as well as for greater accountability and reform. I stand before you in the year 2024 and ask you to tell me which Virginia college will my son be safe in attending, said Yael Levin, a Jewish mother of two, recounting violent acts in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Select committee also invited law enforcement to speak on Wednesday. Jonathan Schleffer, deputy secretary of Virginia Public Safety and Homeland Security, explained that the administration has been actively collaborating with law enforcement and universities throughout the surge in protests. He emphasized the importance of ensuring student safety while addressing the underlying causes of the protests. Lt. Col. Kirk Marlowe, deputy superintendent of the Virginia State Police, told the committee that law enforcement faces challenges in managing crowd sizes and identifying individuals protesting unlawfully. He noted that some unlawful protestors can blend in with larger groups and carry items that can be used as weapons. Scott Ballenger, special advisor to the Provost on Free Expression and Inquiry at the University of Virginia, provided an overview of the First Amendment at the Nov. 20 House Select Committee meeting in Richmond. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) When asked by a committee member, Marlowe was unable to confirm if any state police officers were injured during the protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want protesters, spectators and law enforcement all to be safe, and we want to create a safe space for people to lawfully exercise their first amendment rights, Marlowe said. However, some speakers expressed frustration that the hearing included presentations from representatives of institutions and law enforcement. They argued that guest speakers advocating for free speech, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, should have been included. Youve invited and given an extensive platform to the very perpetrators of the violence, including the police and administrations that have inflicted violence upon myself and my peers, allowing the space for full presentations, said Selma Ait-Bella, a senior at VCU. Meanwhile, the advocates of free speech, those that have been punished for speaking out, are all relegated to short testimonies in the public hearing. Shahed Sanuri, a graduate student at Virginia Tech, criticized the committee for showing a lack of empathy in the way it organized the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people selected and presented were the exact people that are systematically and continuously suppressing Palestinian voices on campuses, people that have called for extreme brutality against their own students, faculty and staff, Sanuri said. When we chant Free Palestine, we are fighting for the Liberation of Palestine from the occupation and settler colonialism by Israel on Palestine. Free Palestine has never and will never mean hate towards Jews. After the meeting, Herring said that the committee is laying the groundwork in this initial hearing for potential future legislation. Im not saying its anyones priority, but maybe theres no need for legislation. But this at least gives us something, some knowledge as we move forward, Herring said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) After more than 20 years of planning and tens of millions of dollars raised waiting to be spent, Valencia County is now finally breaking ground on its long-sought hospital. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys been sitting on roughly $28 million in operational funds for this hospital for the last decade. Now, theyre finally taking a huge step forward in using it. The population here has increased tremendously. Health care in New Mexico and all over the country right now is challenging so us to be able to have this facility here going to be able to address the needs of our community is just wonderful, said Chairman Gerard Saiz, Valencia County Commission. Local and state leaders broke ground on the new facility on Wednesday right off the main I-25 Los Lunas exit. Crews will spend the next year and a half building out the facility which will eventually be run by a partnership between Community Hospital Corporation and Lovelace Health Systems. The hospital will have its own emergency department and two operating rooms along with 11 in-patient rooms for overnight stays. Patients will have access to MRIs, X-rays and a pharmacy, something patients today have to go to Albuquerque for. People are able to stay in this facility on an in-patient care basis and not have to leave the community. Theyre able to get a surgery done. Theyre able come in with a loved one with a stroke in the middle of the night and get a TPA and that stroke might not be life devastating for them cause they got care in an urgent fashion, said Jim Kendrick, president and CEO of Community Health Systems. Construction is being paid for with $50 million from the state legislature meanwhile the county has around $28 million saved up to help operate the facility. The building should be finished in spring 2026 and the companies planning to run the hospital think they can start seeing patients there within a month of construction wrapping up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Carlos Mazon, head of the regional government in Valencia, the worst-hit region in devastating floods that hit eastern Spain three weeks ago, on Thursday sacked regional Justice and Interior Minister Salome Pradas. Pradas had come in for criticism for failing to take measures ahead of the storm and subsequent flooding that hit the region on October 29 and claimed at least 228 lives, despite her responsibility for emergencies in the region. In dismissing Pradas, Mazon made no mention of her openly acknowledged ignorance of the existence of a warning system, but instead praised her "great work" as minister and her "political generosity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alerts went out on mobile phones only after 8 pm, hours after roads had been turned into rivers in the region. Prada subsequently admitted that she had learnt of the existence of the so-called "ES-Alert" warning system only during the night of the disaster. At least 228 people died in the floods, with 220 bodies recovered in the Valencia region alone, according to the latest figures from the regional government. Eight people died in other regions, with a further eight still reported missing. Damage has been put at a minimum 9.3 billion ($9.8 billion). There have been mass protests at perceived failings on the part of the authorities amid wrangling between Mazon's regional government and the central government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid over responsibility for rescue and clean-up. Mazon announced that he intends to remain in office and said a government reshuffle following the disaster had now been completed with the dismissal of two ministers. After rarely being seen in public in the two weeks since he delivered a brief, 46-second victory speech on election night, JD Vance reemerged this week to play one of the most important roles he will be expected to fill as Donald Trumps No. 2: His point person on Capitol Hill. The first-term Ohio senator has been tasked by the president-elect to help oversee his policy priorities and ensure lawmakers dont stand in the way of enacting his agenda, multiple sources familiar with the discussions told CNN. That includes a concerted push to shore up support for Trumps Cabinet picks, starting with two of the most controversial, both of whom face allegations of sexual misconduct that they deny. On Wednesday, Vance brought former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trumps choice for attorney general, to the Hill to meet with the senators who will be crucial during his confirmation process. And on Thursday, hell do the same for former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick to run the Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort marks an early test of Vances influence in the Senate, a body he joined less than two years ago. His ability to help secure the confirmation of Trumps Cabinet choices, especially the most unorthodox ones, will be a key measure of the vice president-elects political acumen and sway. Congressional Republicans acknowledge that Vance hasnt necessarily developed longstanding relationships on Capitol Hill during his abbreviated time in Washington. He doesnt have long relationships. But we all like people who have done what weve done. Theres sort of a natural kinship, just not as long, said North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer. But some Republicans also built pipelines directly to Trump from his first term in the Oval Office and may choose to go directly to the president-elect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I call the White House, if I left a message for five people who work there, the one most likely to call me back and the one that will do it first is Donald Trump, Cramer added, noting that as a team, they will be very good. And they will divide and conquer. Theyll divide names up, you know, who has the most persuasion. Vance set the tone for his return to the Hill with a public message aimed at his GOP colleagues. Donald J. Trump just won a major electoral victory. His coattails turned a 49-51 senate to a 53-47 senate, Vance wrote on X on Wednesday. He deserves a cabinet that is loyal to the agenda he was elected to implement. The quip served as a reminder for senators who will soon have to vote on Trumps Cabinet picks. Vance also issued a colorful broadside the previous day, following online criticism of his absence during a Senate vote for one of President Joe Bidens judicial nominations. Responding to Grace Chong, a staffer for Trump ally Steve Bannons War Room podcast, who had urged him and other GOP senators expected to serve in Trumps second term to do your fricking job, Vance fired back, calling her a mouth-breathing imbecile. Both Chong and Vance have since deleted their posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance defended his absence by arguing that his vote wasnt crucial given Democrats current majority in the Senate and noted he was instead meeting with Trump and potential candidates to run the FBI, even though the current director is still in the middle of a 10-year term. Not long after the exchange, Trump, too, urged GOP senators to block further judicial confirmations. Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line, Trump wrote on social media. No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day! Vances transition involvement The vice president-elect, who has met with Trump most days since Election Day, has been closely involved in his top Cabinet picks, including weighing in on the selection of Trumps former acting ICE director, Tom Homan to serve as the administrations border czar as well as former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence, multiple sources close to Trump and Vance told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance has spent the majority of his time since the election at Mar-a-Lago as part of a small group of Trump officials and allies, which includes Elon Musk and Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who have sat in on nearly every key transition meeting. The three developed a bond that predates the campaign and has carried into the early days of Trumps transition. The Ohio senator has disappeared from the airwaves amid the busy transition a stark departure from the cable media appearances he maintained during the campaign. The expectation is that Vance will once against be a constant presence on TV and leading defender of Trump as the transition slows and Inauguration Day approaches, a person close to him said. One Trump adviser noted that one of the president-elects key priorities which he has made clear in the decisions he has made for other top Cabinet roles is to ensure Vance is consistently defending him and his policies on television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously President Trump is the best champion of his agenda. But when you look at the effectiveness of JD in the campaign, theres no better surrogate for President Trumps agenda, the adviser said. As Trump continues to build out his Cabinet and top roles for his second term, arming his picks with agendas to carry out on his behalf, it remains unclear what portfolio will occupy Vances time. This decision carries weighty implications that may ripple far beyond the next four years, particularly for a 40-year-old whos increasingly seen as a leading heir to Trumps MAGA movement. Over the past four months, Trump and Vance sharply criticized Vice President Kamala Harris handling of one of her key assignments tackling the root causes of illegal immigration from Central America pinning the blame for the surge in border crossings squarely on her stewardship. Multiple people close to Trump and Vance maintained it is too early for the transition team to begin having discussions about what his priorities will be, but insisted Vance will take his cues directly from Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Vance has publicly and privately acknowledged the issues he cares most about particularly the ones he clamored to be a leading voice on during his short time in the Senate. In JDs view, his role of VP is to take on any issue that President Trump would like him to take on, the person close to Vance told CNN. With that said, its no secret that JD strongly cares about issues immigration, tech, and the economy. Vance is also waiting for Trump to build out his White House team before announcing staff hires for his office. One of his top aides, deputy chief of staff James Braid, was tapped by Trump to serve as the White House director of legislative affairs, making one of Vances key allies his liaison to Capitol Hill. Together, the two are assigned to push Trumps agenda through Congress and lobby members to carry out what Trump has repeatedly referred to behind closed doors as the mandate voters have given him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance is integral to a process that already includes the Hill and probably will continue. Theres a big slate of nominees, and then theres going to be a big agenda, a senior Trump adviser told CNN. That is the president delivering on the promises that represent the platform that we got an overwhelming mandate to apply. That is going to involve Capitol Hill, and for all those reasons, youll see JD as part of that. CNNs Ted Barrett contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Vermont State Police trooper who fatally shot a man in June during a struggle over a sawed-off shotgun will not be charged. Choguel Maiga has been dismissed as Malis Prime Minister. A presidential decree, announced on state television ORTM on Wednesday, November 20, by the Secretary General of the Presidency, also dissolved the Government. The decision followed Maigas critical remarks on November 16, where he accused the ruling military of sidelining him in decisions and unilaterally delaying elections meant to restore constitutional order. After three and a half years in the regime, Maiga may struggle to reposition himself politically for future elections. His dismissal could lead to further challenges, as pro-junta groups recently accused him of high treason and destabilization. He now faces potential legal action or even preventive detention, which would limit his political activities. This mirrors the fate of other detained Malian political figures, whom Maiga himself did not support during his tenure. Appointed in June 2021 after Malis second coup, Maiga initially criticized the military regime but later joined as Prime Minister following the ousting of President Bah NDaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane. Despite gaining international attention with statements like his rebuke of France at the UN, Maiga wielded little real power, and his relationship with the military leadershipnow generalsdeteriorated over time. Tensions peaked earlier this year when one of his close allies was jailed for undermining the credit of the state. Editors note: Some of the details are disturbing and graphic. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The autopsy of Veronica Butler has been released less than a week after officials said it would be another six months until it was made public. On Wednesday, a judge denied a motion to keep it sealed. Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, were murdered earlier this year after they traveled from Hugoton to pick up Butlers children in Oklahoma. Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley (Courtesy: OSBI) The women never made it to the children. They disappeared on March 30, and their bodies were found buried in a freezer about two weeks later. Five people have been arrested and charged in the case, including the childrens grandmother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, documents revealed that both women had been stabbed to death, placed in a freezer and driven to the burial site in Texas County, Oklahoma. The medical examiner released her complete report on Kelleys murder on Nov. 5. On Thursday, she released the 14-page autopsy report detailing Butlers death. One thing that is different in this report is that a lasso-style rope was found loosely wrapped around Butlers waist. The presence of the rope is not explained in the report. One thing that is the same is that the medical examiner believes Butlers death was also quick. Given the extent of Ms. Butlers injuries it is my opinion that her death was very quick and likely occurred before she was placed inside the freezer and buried, Dr. Celia Cobb, Oklahoma medical examiner, wrote. This opinion is additionally supported by the fact that her body appeared to have remained exactly how it was placed inside the freezer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, the report says the manner of Butlers death is homicide. It says Butler had 30 cuts and stab wounds to her head, neck, shoulder, back, torso, hands, arm, and thigh. Cobb believes a third of the cuts indicate Butler was trying to defend herself. There was also one blunt force injury to the top of her head and possible stun gun marks to the lower neck. Cobb put the time of death as unknown. The report provides very specific information about each wound and also discusses the freezer. It says investigators found the freezer under a concrete slab buried up to eight feet below ground. The freezer measured 4.5 feet long by 27 inches wide by 35 inches high and was sealed in yellow ratchet straps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the freezer, investigators found and collected clothing, a stun gun, a roll of tape and a sheathed knife. The investigators briefly opened the freezer to confirm the bodies were inside, then closed it, wrapped it in a clean red tarp and transported it inside a sealed, covered trailer. When the freezer was opened again, investigators found that Butlers body was on top of Kelleys body. Also in the freezer were dirt, hay, an Apple watch, a pair of soiled shoes on the freezer floor, and two soiled gloves (one leather, one cloth). The criminal cases against the childrens grandmother, Tifany Adams, and the other four defendants, Tad Cullum, Cole and Cora Twombly, and Paul Grice, are proceeding through the court system. Tifany Adams, Tad Cullum, Cora Twombly, Cole Twombly, and Paul Grice (Courtesy: Texas County Sheriffs Office) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) President-elect Donald Trumps second administration nominees are getting a lot of attention, and not all of it is positive. Four of the nominees have been accused of sexual misconduct in the past. Three of them deny the claims, but the selections still send a message. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth was investigated in 2017. Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz has been under investigation by The House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct with a minor that allegedly occurred that same year. There have also been sexual-related allegations against Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Elon Musk. We certainly are alarmed any time theres a public official that there are allegations of sexual violence because we know that political officials and officials alike sometimes can use their positions of authority in ways that are not safe for people, Executive Director of The Compass Center, Michelle Trent said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Compass Center in Sioux Falls is the only rape crisis center in the state. Thune says good line of communication with Trump So we function as first responders. So we have an on-call team that responds 24 hours a day, seven days a week to any reports of sexual violence. Typically, that means were going to hospitals or the law enforcement center to meet with victims. We also can meet with victims in other locations, depending on the circumstances, Trent said. The South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault also helps direct victims to the right services. No matter the political climate, we have work to do and we want to believe survivors. We want survivors to come forward. There are support services available all across the state of South Dakota, South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, prevention specialist, Brandi Storgarrd said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Call to Freedom is another non-profit that deals mainly with human trafficking, but sexual assault can also fall under its lens. I think its really important for survivors to know that their voice needs to be heard and that there are organizations like Call to Freedom and many other nonprofits within the community that we believe whats happening to you and its important for you as a survivor to know that there are safe places for you go, Call to Freedom CEO, Becky Becky Rasmussen said. The Compass Center says theyve helped thousands of victims with resources throughout nearly 50 years. Unfortunately, we get busier and busier every year and we see more and more rape victims about usually in the on any given year, about 50% to 60% of the services we provide are to victims of sexual violence. And so thats thats alarming and certainly is indicative of the problem that we have in our state, Trent said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for more information about the Compass Center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. MANHATTAN (PIX11) Vigils were held across the tri-state area Wednesday night to mark National Transgender Day of Remembrance. Since 1999, it has been held on November 20th. Dozens of people gathered at New Yorks City Hall for a ceremony in the Council Chambers. More Local News Gia Love, a transgender activist was honored for her advocacy. When youre trans, you have to advocate, all the time, so like self-advocacy is all I have and I will continue to do that unapologetically, said Love. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Center on West 13th Street in Chelsea also held an event Wednesday night. The names of 29 transgender people were read aloud. All have died in the last year nationwide from transphobic violence. This is really a significant day for folks to grieve and be empowered, said Camila Rueda, who works at the Center. Trans people, by a significant amount, face a lot more violence, are ostracized; they are one of the populations that are most marginalized by society. What to know about Transgender Day of Remembrance and violence against trans people Mayor Eric Adams posted on X, I want to send a strong message that we will always stand up for our transgender community in New York City. You are safe here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. There are things that happen in the world that just cant be explained. The sun, the moon and how humans cheat death. What police said happened in Virginia is hard to believe for so many reasons. Virginia police arrested a couple after a pizza shop worker left the food joint in an ambulance suffering from severe stab wounds to the abdomen. Authorities accused the couple of a heinous crime over a simple misunderstanding. Norfolk police responded to a MOD Pizza restaurant located at 1541 Premium Outlets Blvd this weekend following a report of a stabbing. They arrived to find the unnamed 24-year-old employee suffering from multiple stab wounds, appearing to have been disemboweled, per WAVYs report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was rushed to the hospital and luckily, his injuries were not considered to be life-threatening, the report says. Police say the employee was in an argument with 45-year-old Catherine Harper over what she believed to be a botched order. She allegedly called her husband, Corey, to come handle the situation, per court documents. When he arrived, he was alleged to have stabbed the pizza shop worker several times, cutting across his torso, exposing his intestines. The couple then fled the scene, police said. Mr. Harper was charged with malicious wounding and brandishing a firearm while his wife was charged with conspiracy to commit malicious wounding, per jail records. A magistrate ruled against granting the couple bond. They are currently being held Norfolk City Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the restaurant is cooperating with the police investigation. We were dismayed to learn about an argument inside our Norfolk-area Lake Wright restaurant involving one of our employees and two guests. The altercation resulted in one of our MOD squad members being hospitalized and the arrest of one of the guests. MOD Pizza has zero tolerance for behavior that escalates conflicts, whether initiated by a guest or a team member, said the restaurant in a statement. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Virginia joins federal and state efforts to dismantle Googles monopoly, following an August 2024 court ruling that found the tech giant violated antitrust laws. (Courtesy of Google) Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has joined the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of 38 state attorneys general in proposing sweeping remedies to dismantle Googles unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and restore competition in the digital marketplace. The push follows a landmark ruling in August 2024 by a federal district court in Washington, D.C., which found that Google violated federal antitrust laws by maintaining a monopoly in online search and search advertising through anticompetitive practices. The courts decision marked a significant win in the ongoing efforts to curb Big Tech dominance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remedies proposed are reasonable, measured steps to restore competition and protect consumers, Miyares said in a statement Thursday. Virginia is proud to help produce a balanced resolution that benefits consumers and competitors alike. Attorney General Jason Miyares (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) Virginia initially joined the fight against Google in December 2020, alleging in a lawsuit that the tech giant used illegal contracts and other conduct to suppress competition and secure its monopoly power. That case complemented a similar federal antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department in October of that year. A multi-day hearing to consider the proposed remedies is scheduled for April 22, 2025, and is expected to conclude by May 2, 2025, according to a news release by the attorney generals oOffice.The outcome of this case will likely have far-reaching implications for competition in the tech industry and consumer choice in digital services. Kent Walker, Googles chief legal officer, sharply criticized the Justice Departments latest move, accusing the agency of pushing a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and Americas global technology leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOJs wildly overbroad proposal goes miles beyond the courts decision. It would break a range of Google products even beyond Search that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives, Walker wrote in a blog post Thursday. The proposed final judgment, or PFJ, filed with the courts seeks to dismantle Googles dominance by prohibiting its lucrative search distribution contracts and revenue-sharing agreements. If the legal challenge proves successful, Google would no longer be allowed to pay manufacturers, device makers, or browsers to make Google Search the default search engine. Additionally, the company would be required to share data and information obtained through its monopoly with competitors. The PFJ also calls for Google to divest Chrome, its popular browser that accounts for a substantial share of the portals search traffic and powers its targeted advertising to users. Furthermore, the judgment opens the door to additional divestitures, including Googles Android operating system, if the company fails to comply with remedies or if the proposed measures prove ineffective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judgment further prohibits Google from leveraging its ownership of Android to stifle competition. The company specifically would be barred from mandating the use of Google Search or Google AI on Android devices, degrading the performance of rival services, or using its control over distributors to favor its products. In a measure proposed solely by the states, Google would also be required to fund a public education campaign to inform consumers about the companys anticompetitive practices, the resulting legal action, and the alternatives available to them for search engines and digital tools. The order establishes a five-member technical committee tasked with overseeing the implementation, monitoring and enforcement of these remedies over a ten-year period. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Virginia Wesleyan University is offering a new scholarship for low-income incoming freshmen pursuing science, technology, engineering or math degrees. The university recently received a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to fund 30 scholarships through the Marlins IMPACT Scholarship Program. In addition to the financial aid, the program offers academic and career resources such as internship stipends and mentoring. Eligible students will receive $11,000 each year for four years to help cover tuition and related expenses. VWU offers STEM degrees in earth and environmental sciences, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, cybersecurity and math. Visit the financial aid page at vwu.edu. for information and to apply. Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com Tulsi Gabbards nomination to be the next director of national intelligence may not be making you happy, but its certainly making someone happy: Russian President Vladimir Putin. In Russia, the response to the former Hawaii representatives nomination has been gleeful, The New York Times reported Tuesday. Komsomolskaya Pravda, a Russian newspaper, fawned over Gabbard in an article last week, noting that the CIA and FBI are trembling. The article also noted that Ukrainians considered Gabbard to be an agent of the Russian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps decision to nominate Gabbard, of all people, signals his distinct willingness to cozy up to Putin. Nominating Gabbard for director of national intelligence is the way to Putins heart, and it tells the world that America under Trump will be the Kremlins ally rather than an adversary, authoritarian scholar Ruth Ben-Ghiat told the Times. Gabbard has defended Russias incursion into Ukraine, claiming that the U.S. had provoked Russian aggression and that Ukraine housed U.S.-funded biolabs that were developing secret bioweaponsa piece of foreign state propaganda that earned her the reputation as a Russian asset. Virginia Representative Abigail Spanberger sounded the alarm about Gabbard on MSNBC, noting that, if confirmed, Gabbard would be responsible for putting together the presidents daily briefings, and would likely include Russian propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former CIA Director John Brennan also voiced his concerns about Gabbard on MSNBC Tuesday. [Gabbard] has done things and said things over the years that really [have] caused great concern about where her sympathies and sentiments lie, but also she has no experience and background in the intelligence profession, he said. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy told MSNBC that Gabbard had been known to toe the line of brutal despotic regimes. Russia isnt the only authoritarian state Gabbards defended: Shes also backed Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Egypts Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. Access to an iconic Icelandic tourist attraction is now mostly submerged in lava, according to The Iceland Monitor, after the Reykjanes Peninsula volcano erupted for the seventh time in under 12 months. At around 11:14 p.m. local time on Wednesday night, a fissure of lava nearly two miles high began spewing from the volcano, which sits about 30 miles from Reykjavik. As of Thursday morning, the parking lot of the countrys famous Blue Lagoon was completely submerged in molten lava with the exception of a few street lamps. Photos show a sign in the parking lot wilted and nearly felled from the lavas heat. The parking lot is a massive plot of land which holds up to 350 cars in addition to spaces for buses. Those who work at the Blue Lagoon are considering other ways in which they and guests can access the facilities should the lava completely erode the roadways. The lagoon itself is protected by a defensive wall, and current information does not indicate that lava will reach the famed geothermal spa itself. Over 700,000 people visit the lagoon annually. Video showing the lava taking over the Blue Lagoon car park....pic.twitter.com/MvMowaTuwz Volcaholic (@volcaholic1) November 21, 2024 "It is impossible to tell the damage at this point, but we will see this better as time goes on and how we can respond, Helga Arnadottir, Blue Lagoons manager of sales, operations, and services explained. There are some parking options at the reservoir, but we need to take a closer look at it in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aerial views show the lava flow and its proximity to the lagoon. Though the Reykjanes Peninsula was laid dormant for 800 years, its been experiencing a geological renaissance, according to Newsweek. Unfortunately, experts advise it wont stop anytime soon. "This activity will go on for maybe a decade, possibly decades," Tamsin Mather, a professor of Earth sciences at the University of Oxford, told the outlet. "Volcanism doesn't happen in a smooth fashion; it happens in pulses of activity and then quiet again." A volcano near Icelands capital Reykjavik erupted for the tenth time in three years, spewing fountains of lava and smoke, the countrys meteorological office said https://t.co/QRKOuqdFmU pic.twitter.com/vDv1KJDuvX Reuters (@Reuters) November 21, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Four days after his controversial arrest in Kenya and subsequent extradition, veteran Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared before a military Court in Kampala on Wednesday, November 20. The Court formally charged him with offenses including endangering national security and engaging in subversive activities abroad aimed at destabilizing Uganda. Besigye, who had been missing since his arrest on November 16 in Nairobi, reemerged at the hearing where four charges, all linked to national security, were presented. Prosecutors allege that he participated in meetings in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi to secure logistical support for actions intended to destabilize Uganda. Additionally, he faces accusations of illegal firearm possession, a charge shared with his associate Hajj Lutale Kamulegeya, who was arrested alongside him. The charges stem from a raid by Ugandan security agents on an apartment in Nairobi, where Besigye and Kamulegeya were reportedly attending a book launch by politician Martha Karua. According to the prosecution, two pistols and ammunition were found at the scene. Besigye has denied the allegations, calling them fabricated, and pleaded not guilty. During the hearing, Besigye also contested the military courts jurisdiction, arguing that, as a civilian no longer serving in the army, his case should be tried in a civilian court. WASHINGTON, Okla. (KFOR) As the saying goes, if you build it, they will come. In Washington, Oklahoma, they built the ball fields and the crowds did indeed come. But so did a man named John, who takes care of those fields for hours each day free of charge. The signs welcoming you to Washington boast of the Warriors excellence in sports. One reason for their success? Immaculate ball fields. The signs welcoming you to Washington prove the Warriors know their sports! Photo: KFOR. John Farquharson is the warrior of the fields. The veteran and former professional motorcycle racer now rides a different kind of hog riding equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more than eight hours each day, and for the past 11 years, he tends the grounds for free. Youll see him down there like clockwork every day, said Duane Branham. John epitomizes community. I think he is the definition of what it means to be a community pillar. Town resident Mica Lunt added, Hes very, very sensitive about the moisture level inside of the soil to make sure the balls bounce appropriately. I mean, hes an advocate for the kids. John spends 8 hours per day maintaining ball fields for Washington Warriors. Photo: KFOR. Thats why Duane and Mica both nominated the selfless servant for a Pay It 4Ward award from First Fidelity Bank. Its great to be able to recognize someone as selfless as John, who gives so much of his time back to his community. On behalf of First Fidelity Bank, were happy to help pay it forward with this $400, said bank representative Haley Allred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PAY IT 4WARD: Woman living in tent pays it forward to woman who helps the unhoused News 4 surprised John at the ball fields, along with Duane and Mica. Duane began, We nominated you, John, because of all the time and effort you put in for our community, and just the good heart youve got, man. You really are a standup guy. John, youre amazing! said Mica. I just want to say thank you so much for being such an incredible role model for everybody in the town. John replied with a soft spoken, Thank you. John is honored with a $400 Pay It 4Ward Award from First Fidelity Bank. Photo: KFOR. When the fields flooded in 2016, John had to start from scratch. Just imagine six foot of water and three foot of sludge, Duane said. They were completely destroyed. Floods destroyed the fields in 2016. Photo: Duane Branham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With help from the community, John rebuilt the fields from the ground up. This is sand and gravel mixture, John said, sifting through it with his hands. I always put a design in it to make it look better. Related Stories Pay it 4Ward His passion started several years back when a slide to base scraped his granddaughters leg. Shes in college now, yet John continues to knock it out of the park. Rather than being a taker, I try to give, and down here, I try to give to the kids, he said. John says the four fields of daily mowing, sweeping, dragging, watering, raking, trash collecting, and bathroom cleaning keep him young but he keeps his true age a secret. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they knew how old I was, then theyd start treating you like an old person, he said. The Town of Washington also honored John with a plaque and more than $2,000 in donations as a thank you to the man who is the real diamond on the diamond. The softball field is dedicated to me and Im not even dead yet! John said laughing. If you know of someone deserving, you can nominate them for Pay It 4Ward by clicking the link below. Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity Bank. Nominate someone for Pay it 4Ward Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered her services as a trained medical doctor when a passenger became unwell during a flight to Brussels from Zurich, an EU spokeswoman confirmed to dpa on Thursday. "As is common in cases like this, the airline crew asked whether there was a passenger on board with medical expertise," she said. Von der Leyen, who worked as an assistant doctor for a number of years after qualifying, assisted the passenger until arrival in Brussels, when airport medical personnel took over. Swiss news website 20 Minuten had earlier reported the incident. Von der Leyen and her team were returning from the G20 summit in Rio, a spokeswoman told 20 Minuten. There's political fallout and finger-pointing within the Indiana Democratic Party after state Sen. Greg Taylor was reelected by his peers to the position of Senate Minority Leader hours after IndyStar revealed the Indianapolis Democrat had been accused of sexual harassment by three women. The private caucus leadership vote, which resulted in Taylor's reelection, revealed deeper schisms within the already fractured party. After the vote, four of 10 Indiana Senate Democrats Indianapolis Sen. JD Ford, Indianapolis Sen. Andrea Hunley, Chesterton Sen. Rodney Pol and Bloomington Sen. Shelli Yoder have said publicly they didn't support Taylor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I stand with the women who bravely reported their experiences," Ford said in a statement after the vote. The remaining caucus members, besides Taylor, are Indianapolis Sens. Fady Qaddoura and La Keisha Jackson, East Chicago Sen. Lonnie Randolph, South Bend Sen. David Niezgodski and Gary Sen. Mark Spencer. None of those senators have outright said they supported Taylor, but Taylor required their support to be reelected on Monday as he needed a simple majority of caucus members to vote for him. "Sexual harassment, in any form or setting, is unacceptable," Qaddoura posted on social media after the vote. "I firmly believe in the importance of due process to seek justice for victims and to address these issues thoroughly and fairly." Nevertheless, the vote led to criticism from some Democrats on social media. For example, Jocelyn Vare, chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, called for Democrats to "please stop hiding and fix this" in a post on X. Jenna Stewart, an Indiana attorney, said on X that Senate Democrats "lost the moral authority." Indiana lawmakers gather in the Indiana Statehouse on Org Day, or organization day, ahead of the upcoming legislative session on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Indianapolis. Then on Wednesday, a group of 40 women, many of whom are associated with the Democratic leadership group Hoosier Women Forward, sent a letter to Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl, calling for "immediate, thorough, and transparent investigations" into alleged sexual misconduct by members of the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Leadership consistently sweeps these issues under the rug and allows perpetrators to remain in power, knowingly placing women in vulnerable and dangerous situations," according to the letter from the women. "Words of condemnation alone are not enough. Meaningful action is the only way the party can regain the trust of Indiana women." So far this year, IndyStar reporting has revealed harassment allegations involving several prominent Democratic Party members: Taylor, Niezgodski and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett's former chief of staff Thomas Cook. Grateful to the survivors who told their story. Ashamed of our leadership in @INDems for yet again not doing more. Proud to stand with these 40 women. pic.twitter.com/cznrXwUxBh Morgan Mickelson (@MickelsonMorgan) November 20, 2024 Taylor and Cook apologized for their past behavior. In Taylor's case, women alleged that he engaged in unwanted physical contact and a romantic pursuit of an intern. In Cook's case, three of his former subordinates alleged he harassed them; one said he assaulted her. Niezgodski, meanwhile, described the accusation against him as a "private personnel matter" but paid a woman a settlement after she alleged the South Bend Democrat entered her home without her permission during an unwelcome romantic pursuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor was reelected by his peers to caucus leadership on Monday after winning an uncontested reelection where he also faced no primary opponent. Niezgodski handily defeated a general election and primary challenger. Both were sworn in to new terms in the Legislature on Tuesday, Organization Day. Loretta H. Rush, chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court (not shown) swears in Indiana Senators on Org Day, or organization day, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. The fallout over Taylor also reignited existing criticism of the state party for lack of action on harassment issues. In an August statement, Hunley criticized the state party for lacking the "organizational will to address sexual harassment prevention head on." In addition, Lauren Roberts, who alleged that Cook harassed her while she was deputy campaign manager for Hogsett's first mayoral campaign, said she's requested to meet with Schmuhl about how to improve the party's response to harassment allegations "to support survivors better going forward" but the meeting hasn't happened. She said it's important to "discuss what went wrong in my case" under former state party leadership. Schmuhl said in a statement to IndyStar on Wednesday that more action was coming from the party related to addressing harassment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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," Schmuhl said. "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." (This story was updated to add information). Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Who reelected Senate minority leader after harassment claims? What we know Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, a Democrat, poses in her Mason, Mich., office. Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline This story was originally published by The 19th. The 19th is committed to covering the unfinished business of voting rights. Read more about how were approaching that in this pivotal election. In the days following the 2024 presidential election, Barb Byrum of Michigan watched open skepticism pour in online about former President Donald Trumps win over Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some questioned how there could be lower overall voter turnout compared to four years ago, especially when there was record early voting in some states. Others wondered how enthusiasm for Harris who packed campaign rallies in the final weeks of the election could translate into more votes for Trump. And yet others raised the possibility that their votes hadnt actually been recorded. There is no proof of widespread voter fraud, and officials who oversee the countrys decentralized election system have praised how smoothly the process played out this year. That hasnt stopped suspicions from manifesting on several social media platforms. But Byrum herself a Harris supporter and a former Democratic state representative does nonpartisan work as the chief elections official in Ingham County, which includes part of the state capital of Lansing. Byrum was wearing that hat as she started debunking conspiracy theories, something she also did in 2020 when Trump challenged the election results and some of his supporters began spreading unfounded doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, we must combat mis- and disinformation, Byrum told The 19th. No matter who is saying it, it is imperative that we bring truth and shed light. Byrum has been addressing the incoming false narratives that she encounters on different social media accounts since the election. No, results were not manipulated or sent via the internet, she explained. And yes, there are multiple ways for voters in the state to know whether their vote was counted or not, as Byrum provided in a step-by-step explainer that included screenshots of the status page. I dont think its election denialism yet, but if its allowed to persist, it will go in that direction, she said of the narratives floating around. Right now, people are grieving the loss of their candidate and theyre trying to understand. Byrums efforts show the lengths to which some election officials a predominantly women-led workforce are taking to restore trust in how elections are administered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while allegations of widespread voter fraud did not derail vote counting for the presidential race nor pose serious security issues like some experts had worried, Byrums debunking still signals the bumpy road ahead for those who will grapple with future claims and theres no immediate end to the work. Were at such a low point of trust in institutions and media, said Isabel Linzer, an elections and democracy fellow at the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), a research and policy organization that works to improve technology in spaces like elections. Its not a surprise that we see election denialism continuing. Trump won more votes than Harris in the Electoral College, and he is on track to win the popular vote. The president-elects margin of victory in key battleground states was wide enough that major media outlets were able to project his win in the early morning hours after election night a stark contrast to 2020 when it took several days to determine President Joe Biden had won. Votes are still being counted and processed in several states during the post-election canvassing period, but there is enough information available that indicates Trump made in-roads with voters across race, gender and ethnicity, among other demographics. And irrespective of rally sizes and on-the-ground enthusiasm for the candidates, most polls showed a close race going into Election Day. The final tally of votes is expected to reflect that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Narratives about widespread voter fraud flourished in the lead-up to November 5, in part because Trump has spread unfounded conspiracy theories about it over several years. That contributed to a more organized election denialism movement that now includes some election officials. Its also a message that members of Congress concluded directly led to the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Election officials have been on the receiving end of the conspiracy theories. After 2020, they reported harassment, intimidation and threats of violence. They advocated for federal support and policies to protect their safety. They tried to bring transparency to the election process, offering tours of ballot processing facilities and other public events. They still dealt with a flood of disinformation. Tina Barton is a senior election expert for The Elections Group, which aims to build trust and stronger relationships between election officials and law enforcement. She believes the scope of election denialism in the post-November 5 sphere has been contained in part because of the work that election officials have done to prepare, including running through security scenarios and efforts to debunk lies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have come a long way from where we were four years ago, and I give a lot of credit to the election officials for the work that they have done, and so many partners and groups who have been dedicated to the election process and democracy, she said. Trump said during his third bid for the presidency this year that he would not fully accept the results of the election. Early on November 5, he claimed without evidence that cheating was taking place in Philadelphia and that there was related police presence in Detroit two cities with large populations of Black voters who tend to vote for Democrats. For those reasons, voting experts expected Trump to challenge the results if he lost. But as incoming vote tallies on election night showed Trump in the lead, his messaging on the subject stopped. He has primarily turned his attention to announcing his picks for Cabinet and other government roles. Harris never publicly questioned the results, and like Hillary Clinton in 2016, she conceded the day after the election ensuring the peaceful transfer of power. Still, other forms of election denialism are playing out elsewhere on the internet. Some of Trumps supporters are pointing to Trumps win as proof that he also won in 2020. He did not, as determined by audits, lawsuits and his own administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Byrum did similar debunking following Trumps loss to Biden, she was surprised at the verbal vitriol that came in response. This time, Byrum is seeing something different: people are thanking her for the explanations. Theyre trying to process the information, she said. And the response that Ive received thus far has been very positive. In recent days, billionaire investor Elon Musk has also claimed without evidence that Democrats are trying to cheat in the close Pennsylvania Senate race between Republican Dave McCormick and Democratic Sen. Bob Casey. McCormick leads Casey in unofficial results that are within half of a percentage point triggering a legally required statewide recount that is scheduled to be completed later this month. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum | Susan J. Demas photo The Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ have called the race for McCormick. But Casey has not conceded in the race amid ongoing ballot counting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk who endorsed Trump, financially supported his candidacy and has since been tapped by the president-elect to co-lead a newly proposed Department of Government Efficiency claimed on the social media platform that he owns that noncitizens voted in Pennsylvania. There is no proof of such widespread voter fraud. Trump won the state this year. In a close Wisconsin Senate race, Republican Eric Hovde, who challenged Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, claimed without evidence that there were voting inconsistencies on Election Day. The Associated Press and Decision Desk HQ have called the race for Baldwin. Hovde conceded on Monday. Its unclear for now to what degree election denialism will shape future elections or policy. Trump posted on his Truth Social account on November 8 that he planned to advocate that Americans show proof of citizenship and voter identification to cast a ballot. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in state and federal elections. Thirty-six states require some form of identification to vote, and the remaining others use other methods to verify identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannah Fried, executive director of All Voting is Local, a nonpartisan organization that works to protect voting access, said its too early to know how the new administration might try to implement voting policy. But she said in some way, changing the law may not be the point. It is to create enough doubt in our elections that you can use that doubt to consolidate your own power, or create this sort of undergirding to pass laws that a state legislature, for example, can pass that can be really harmful to voters, she said. Byrum in Michigan has been relieved by the reduction in threats and intimidation following this years election. But she knows that weaponized denialism can fester over time and create future problems for the election workforce. She wants to remind people that the vast majority of election officials are public servants who are trying to follow election laws and rules. Theyre also just humans. We are your neighbors. We sit beside you at church. We are behind you in the drop-off line at school, she said. We are dedicated to promoting safe and secure elections. Republican senators not attending the last few days of the legislative session are facing criticism from colleagues as Democrats work to fill as many judicial vacancies as possible before they lose the majority in January. That includes Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, the Ohio Senator. Senate Republicans shared their ire after Vance and some other Republican Senators skipped some votes Monday when Democrats worked late into the night to confirm their nominees to the federal bench. Republicans worked to slow down the voting headed by outgoing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York to push through more than a dozen judicial nominees. However, the GOP Senators were unsuccessful as some members of their conference didnt attend the session, which ended near midnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance and President-elect Trumps nominee to lead the State Department, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, were two of the GOP Senators who were absent. If we dont show up, we lose, North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis said on Tuesday, according to The Hill. 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 added. Tillis cited a nominee to the fourth circuit who could be appointed unless Republicans attend the sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got to talk to these folks like adults and show up, the North Carolinian said. JD Vance returns to meetings with former Congressman Matt Gaetz following a vote at the U.S. Capitol on November 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. Vance faced criticism after missing some votes on Biden judicial nominees (Getty Images) One of the nominees is Embry Kidd, who was confirmed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals by a vote of 49 to 45. If all members of the Senate GOP conference had been present, and Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman had remained absent, the Republicans could have held up Kidds nomination. With all Senators present, a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Kamala Harris would likely have been required. But with Harris heading to Hawaii on Tuesday, Democrats now have temporarily lost their tie-breaker. Vance also didnt appear for the morning vote on Tuesday. Fellow Republican Senators such as Ted Cruz of Texas and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee instead joined Trump for a SpaceX launch in Brownsville, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about his level of frustration, Republican Louisiana Senator John Kennedy said: On a scale of 1 to 10, a 12. 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, he added, according to The Hill. Their performance in committee demonstrated that none of them were Oliver Wendell Scalia, he added, naming some names of former Supreme Court justices. 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. Vance responded to the criticism, saying that he was meeting with Trump about who to nominate as the director of the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 4946 rather than 4945, he said, before backtracking and removing his post on X and attending the afternoon votes on Tuesday. 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, Republican West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said. The third round of negotiations in the wage dispute at the ailing German automotive giant Volkswagen ended without a breakthrough on Thursday, a union official said. The IG Metall metal-workers' union is now preparing for possible strikes in December, said its negotiator Thorsten Groger after five hours of talks. He said progress could still be made when the sides meet next on December 9, but described the differences between their positions as "huge." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they fail to strike a deal, Groger said, the plan was to call strikes at VW sites from December 1, when a mandatory labour peace period, which prohibits strikes during initial negotiations, is to expire. As labour leaders met the company management in Wolfsburg on Thursday, thousands of angry VW workers from across Germany assembled outside the arena where the talks took place to protest possible plant closures at the carmaker. The IG Metall trade union said more than 7,000 workers joined the protests from all 10 VW plants in Germany. Volkswagen, Europe's largest carmaker, is mired in a deep crisis, and management has threatened potential plant closures and mass lay-offs in a bid to drastically cut labour costs. Management is reportedly also demanding across-the-board 10% pay cuts from VW workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labour leaders, meanwhile, have vowed to mount a bitter and what they warn could be unprecedented fight against any attempt to push through such savings at the expense of workers. The trade union and the VW Works Council on Thursday called for a deal to be struck by Christmas, warning that initial strikes at VW could loom in the coming weeks if management didn't make concessions in that day's talks. "Future instead of cutbacks" and "All plants must remain" were among the slogans on banners. As potential strikes loom at Volkswagen in the coming weeks, the workers chanted "We are ready!" "This is just a foretaste of what will happen from December onwards if the company does not take our concrete proposals for solutions seriously," said VW Works Council Chairwoman Daniela Cavallo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groger and Cavallo publicly pitched a proposal for workers to forgo salary increases and agree to flexibility to reduce hours at VW's German plants in exchange for job protections, a package they contended would save the company about 1.5 billion ($1.6 billion). They said executives at Volkswagen would also need to agree to forgo bonuses and likewise give up raises as part of the offer. VW management reacted with initial caution and scepticism to the proposal but signalled openness to talks. The company said it remains committed to cost-saving targets. "Today is the very last chance for Volkswagen to find a good solution without plant closures and mass lay-offs before the end of the peace period," warned Thorsten Groger, IG Metall's chief negotiator. Otherwise there is a risk of escalation from December 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If no solution is found today, there will be no further chance in November," Groger said. "Then we will prepare for industrial action." "Volkswagen can prepare itself from the beginning of December: There will be a surprise behind every Advent calendar door," he added. The VW brand is a major subsidiary of the larger Volkswagen Group, which also owns other brands including Audi, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda and Scania, among others. Performance at the VW core brand has lagged behind other marques in the VW Group portfolio, and executives have said the company has struggled with high labour costs, excess production capacity and difficulties in transitioning toward electric vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost-cutting measures are intended to increase the core brand's return to 6.5% profit margins by 2026. Corporate leaders argued such returns are necessary to fund needed investments, including launching new electric models. The company recently signalled openness to solutions that do not involve plant closures and mass lay-offs in Germany - but only if such a deal allows Volkswagen to still achieve its cost-cutting targets. The VW in-house wage agreement applies to around 120,000 employees at the six major VW plants in the western German states of Lower Saxony and Hesse. Workers at additional VW plants in the eastern German state of Saxony are covered by a separate wage deal, although labour leaders have also sought to address the future security of jobs at those plants during the talks as well. The state Capitol building in Olympia. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard) A half-dozen state Senate committees will have new chairpersons heading into the 2025 session, with Democrats releasing the lineup on Thursday. The caucus also outlined who will hold other leadership positions and unveiled a change to the structure of the budget-writing Ways & Means Committee. Democrats will likely have eight new Senate members come January following seven retirements and a possible pickup in the 18th Legislative District where Democrat Adrian Cortes is leading Republican Brad Benton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington voters sent a clear message this year they want quality public schools, affordable housing and health care, a clean environment, and safe communities, Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, said in a statement. With an expanded majority, were ready to tackle these priorities in the 2025 legislative session. Pedersen was elected to his new post earlier this month. The Ways and Means Committee will get a new vice chair of finance position. Sen. Noel Frame, of Seattle, will hold that job. In her time as a legislator, Frame has put an emphasis on fixing Washingtons regressive tax code, including by pushing for the capital gains tax now in effect and a wealth tax proposal that has not passed. The committee will have two other vice chairs. Sen. Derek Stanford, of Bothell, will be the vice chair of the operating budget, and Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, of Tacoma, will be the vice chair of the capital budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The caucus is getting some new faces in its leadership as well. Sen. Liz Lovelett, of Anacortes, will join Sen. Manka Dhingra, of Redmond, as deputy majority leader. Sen.-elect Marcus Riccelli, of Spokane, will become the majority floor leader, replacing Pedersen. In a statement after the vote, Riccelli said he was looking forward to being a voice for the Spokane area in the Democrats leadership. Eastern Washington needs strong voices for growing and protecting good, living-wage jobs, increasing housing access and affordability, and improving our health care system, he said. The chamber will also see a new president pro tempore following Sen. Karen Keisers retirement next month. Sen. Steve Conway, of Tacoma, will take over that role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at other leadership changes hitting the caucus this year: Nov. 20WABASHA, Minn. Amid questions about his work, the Wabasha County commission moved to lower the salary of the county attorney, Matt Stinson. In a 3-2 vote during the Wabasha County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19, commissioners carried a motion to reduce Stinson's salary by $20,000. However, the motion may violate state law. Stinson's salary is currently $130,900. During a previous board meeting on Nov. 5 when elected county officials presented their requested salary for the following year, Stinson requested a salary increase of more than $20,000 for 2025. He said the salary increase request was based on "market trends." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a part of discussions on Nov. 5 surrounding Stinson's salary, commissioners questioned Stinson about his relationship with other department heads, including his responsiveness to them. He was also asked questions about why there were no jury trials in the county in 2023 and five in 2024. Stinson said he believes his relationship with other department heads is strong, but he did not address his lack of responsiveness. The lack of jury trials, Stinson said, was due to the court being backlogged and reliant on plea negotiations. Stinson concluded his presentation offering a time to discuss his proposal further and to answer any more questions. When Stinson's salary was discussed again during the Nov. 19 meeting, three commissioners Rob Walkes, Don Springer, and Mike Wobbe voted in favor of a motion to reduce Stinson's salary by $20,000. The commissioners cited claims of poor communication, as well as a lack of legal assistance and a lack of support for other county departments. Commissioner Don Springer said he sent a list of questions to Stinson regarding his salary request. Many of the questions pertained to how the Wabasha County Attorney's Office handles criminal cases, victims' rights, juvenile cases, plea agreements and communication with other department heads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The citizens in this county are not getting what they're paying for," Springer said after presenting a motion to reduce Stinson's salary on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Springer alleged that law enforcement is concerned with how the county attorney's office has handled criminal cases, specifically those involving minors and sex offenders. Springer continued to cite complaints he received from department heads regarding Stinson, though none of the departments were directly named. The complaints were sent in an email to Stinson that Springer read at the meeting. Springer said county department heads claimed it was difficult to receive legal assistance from the attorney's office. Others told Springer that Stinson was providing "too many lenient plea agreements," leading to a lack of offender accountability. Law enforcement officers told Springer they don't receive efficient communication from the attorney's office. Other departments said there's a lack of prosecution of juvenile cases and department heads are concerned that there is not a juvenile diversion program, which is a required program by state law. Law enforcement also told Springer that they do not believe Stinson takes their jobs seriously. Springer said he's also been told that the county attorney's office rarely puts people on probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springer also cited concerns from community members about how the county attorney's office handles sex offenses. After seconding Springer's motion, Wobbe said complaints described Stinson as "unorganized," "unresponsive" and "lacking knowledge." "This is a review of his duties and responsibilities, and he's not fulfilling them," Walkes said. Legally, however, the reduction may not be allowed. Commissioners Cheryl Key and Rick Powers rejected the motion, noting that it's against Minnesota statute to reduce a county attorney's salary. According to Minnesota law, a county attorney's salary can be held level, but cannot be reduced in the middle of their term. The proposed $20,000 reduction would place Stinson's salary at $110,900. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law says a county attorney can appeal the board's decision "on the grounds that the determination of the county board in setting such salary or budget was arbitrary, capricious, oppressive, or in unreasonable disregard for the responsibilities and duties of said office, and the county attorney's experience, qualifications, and performance." "To cut his salary, I don't believe in that," Powers said. "But I certainly wouldn't give him a penny more." Stinson, who was not present at the Nov. 19 meeting, told the Post Bulletin he was in a jury selection when the salary discussion happened. He said he requested to have an in-person discussion regarding Springer's emailed questions. "There were a lot of questions that probably had nuance and needed to be responded to and a dialogue had," Stinson said. "I was disappointed that they did that without me being present or having an opportunity to truly respond in the moment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stinson said he has not made any determinations on his next steps. Before the discussion of Stinson's salary moved to the board, Walkes invited Marci Bamlet to speak. Bamlet is the mother of Spencer Sommerfield, a 26-year-old who died in a car crash on July 19, 2023. The other driver was a 16-year-old, whom Bamlet claims swerved into her son's vehicle. After the crash, the 16-year-old was cited in Wabasha County District Court for failing to maintain his lane, the Post Bulletin previously reported. Bamlet claimed Stinson ignored conflicts of interest with the 16-year-old's family. She also claimed the county attorney's office did not educate her or her family about victims' rights. She questioned whether anyone else in the county was told about their rights as a victim in a legal setting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On top of experiencing grief, I was treated like a defendant and not the victim. The cover-up is excruciatingly painful and always will be. Mr. Stinson must be held accountable for his failures regarding my son's case file," she said. In an email to the Post Bulletin, County Administrator Michael Plante said the board is statutorily required to set the salaries of its elected officials each year. "The Board considers the responsibilities and duties of the office, and the actual experience, qualifications, and performance of the elected officer in question," Plante wrote. "After carefully and thoroughly considering those factors the County Board adopted a salary for the County Attorney that they felt was appropriate." Plante did not immediately respond to a Post Bulletin inquiry late Thursday afternoon about the legality of the board's vote to decrease Stinson's salary. HONOLULU (KHON2) Sammy, a 1.5-year-old dog with a heart full of love, is still waiting for his forever family after being surrendered to the Maui Humane Society in May. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Sammys previous family was said to be overwhelmed by the number of dogs they were caring for and made the difficult decision to give him up. Now, six months later, Sammy continues to dream of finding an ohana to call his own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Sammy can be a bit shy with new people and situations, he quickly warms up with patience and treats. Snake found in Christmas tree shipment to Hilo Hes made significant strides in overcoming fears, including learning to get in and out of the car, which once seemed daunting to him. Sammy is said to be a total treat lover and has a soft spot for other dogs. He loves running, playing, and cooling off in the pool with his canine companions. The Maui Humane Society is hopeful that Sammy will find a family willing to show him the love and joy hes been waiting for. Sammy is ready to return that love tenfold to a home that will cherish him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news To find more information on Sammy and the other adoptable pets at MHS visit their website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A 36-year-old prison escapee who fired his lawyer attempted to appeal his conviction because the court allowed him to represent himselfclaiming that the court violated his constitutional right to representation. Michael McKerchie, from Otsego, was initially arrested and charged in September 2020 for stealing a car while its owner was inside a business in the 3000 block of Okemos Road in Alaideon Township. Michael McKerchie Ingham County deputies were speaking with the victim when McKerchie drove back by the scene in the stolen car and traveled westbound onto I-96. He then merged onto northbound US-127, causing a crash and crossing over the southbound lanes before ditching the car and running away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found him hiding in a pond in a wooded area northwest of the US-127 Dunckel Road exit, where he was arrested after a short standoff. In the crash, both McKerchie and the other driver were seriously injured, with McKerchie having to undergo surgery to remove his ruptured spleen before being sent to the Ingham County Jail to await trial. Escape, crash, and conviction Then, on Nov. 12, he escaped from jail. How? There had been a change in procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an uptick in jail cases, leading staff to try and reduce the chances for exposure and spread of the virus. As a result, staff stopped doing daily physical inspections of the cells, and Over several days, McKerchie used items inside his cell to break out of a window and escape. He then stole another car in Eaton Rapids on Nov. 21, before once again crashing during a police chase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, when McKerchie was arrested, he told police That old a** jail aint going to hold me. Ill do it again, watch me. At trial, in his testimony, McKerchie admitted that he was in a stolen vehicle, got into a crash, and had his spleen removed as a result. He stated he learned he was more likely to die from viruses due to not having a spleen, saying that after there was an outbreak in the jail, he was Scared for [his life] and cut the window out and ran. The jury convicted him as charged. McKerchies argument On the first day of trial, McKerchie was represented by a public defender but represented himself on the second and third daysarguing that his constitutional right to legal representation was violated as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would be true if McKerchie did not give an unambiguous, knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver to legal representation as he claimed, but court documents show that not only did he request to represent himselfhe did so multiple times, even before the trial began. When he made these requests before trial, the court advised him to speak with his lawyer, and McKerchie reaffirmed his desire to represent himself on the first day of trial, but then told the court he would choose to be represented by a lawyer if he could choose his lawyer, saying he was unhappy with his lawyer and the public defenders office. At the time, his request was determined to not be unambiguousand so his lawyer represented him on the first day of trial. On the second day, McKerchie then told the court that he would like to represent [himself] fully. This exchange followed: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court: Yesterday I reviewed with you, in connection with this request for self-representation, the charges that are asserted against you and the penalties. Do you recall that? McKerchie: Yes, Your Honor. The Court: You dont have a question about that. You know what the charges are and you know the penalties; correct? McKerchie: Yes, Your Honor COA 367418 PEOPLE OF MI V MICHAEL DAVID MCKERCHIE Opinion Per Curiam The court then explained the risks of self-representation including following court procedures and rules of evidence, and McKerchie stated he knew how to follow them. When the court pointed out additional logistical difficulties in self-representation, McKerchie replied But its my right. His request was approved. Appeal: Denied The Michigan Court of Appeals denied his appeal Wednesdayfinding not only his claims regarding his allegedly violated right to a lawyer illegitimate but several other claims as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKerchie claimed that the court abused its discretion by stopping him from using the defenses of duress and necessity. As McKerchies trial got underway, he filed a notice, arguing that the removal of his spleen left him immunocompromised and at significant risk of serious injury or death from COVID-19 and that there was a high risk of contracting it in the Ingham County Jail. The trial court shot down this argument since COVID-19 was too general a risk, he did not attempt to voice his concerns to authorities before his allegedly necessary escape, and he did not turn himself into authorities after reaching safety. The Court of Appeals upheld their argument, saying that McKerchie needed to present proof of threatening conduct by another individual to claim duresswhich he did not do. McKerchies lawyer argued that McKerchie had made formal complaints to his therapist and a deputy about his perceived danger of contracting COVID and that he had been turning himself in when he was arrested, but the Court of Appeals found both of these claims inaccurate when compared to court records. Finally, McKerchie challenged the courts decision to impose an outside-the-guidelines sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, the Court of Appeals concurred with the lower courts decision to sentence McKerchie to a minimum of 72 months, when his prior sentencing guidelines were 1248 months, due to his extensive criminal history, the danger he poses to public safety and general lack of remorse for his crimes. The Court of Appeals says that McKerchie escaped from various facilities multiple timesfrom residential facilities three times, from a juvenile facility twice, and a separate escape from prison before he escaped from Ingham County Jail. When he escaped from jail, he left a note boasting about how he planned and executed his escape in an attempt to get the deputy in charge of him fired. While in custody at the jail and hospital, he would threaten others, throw feces and urine, spit at those in his vicinity, punch deputies, and attempt to disable cameras in his cell. Overall, when fashioning McKerchies sentence, the court found that McKerchie was a walking terror, who had acted out at pretty much every opportunity. The court considered that, in light of McKerchies pattern of conduct, he was unlikely to be rehabilitated. In light of the record in this case, the courts decision to impose an outside-the-guidelines sentence was warranted, as was the extent of the departure imposed. COA 367418 PEOPLE OF MI V MICHAEL DAVID MCKERCHIE Opinion Per Curiam Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKerchies earliest possible release date is June of 2037. He could remain behind bars until September of 2085. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Angolan President Joao Lourenco has enacted a series of significant Government changes, dismissing key officials on Wednesday, November 20, for convenience of service. Antonio Assis, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, and Paula Oliveira, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, were relieved of their duties. Isaac dos Anjos, formerly Secretary for the Productive Sector in the Presidency, has been appointed as Minister of Agriculture, while Albano Ferreira takes over the Higher Education portfolio. The reshuffle also saw Agostinho da Rocha Fernandes da Silva removed as Deputy Governor of Cabinda Province for Technical Services and Infrastructure, with Juliano Cuabi Niongue Capita named as his replacement. These decisions form part of a broader government overhaul. On October 31, Lourenco dismissed Interior Minister Eugenio Laborinho, appointing Manuel Homem, then Governor of Luanda, to the role. Luis Nunes, Governor of Benguela, was assigned to replace Homem in Luanda, while former Minister of Economic Coordination Manuel Nunes Junior assumed the governorship of Benguela. In mid-October, Lourenco also dismissed the national directors of the Migration and Foreigners Service and the Criminal Investigation Service. These actions followed his State of the Nation address on October 15, where he accused politicians and parliamentarians of involvement in crimes such as fuel smuggling, illegal mineral and wood exploitation, and the vandalism of public property. He called for a national crusade against such offenses, citing their severe environmental and economic impacts. On November 1, Lourenco dismissed Ana Celeste Januario, Secretary of State for Human Rights and Citizenship in the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, replacing her with Antonia Cruz Yaba. These ongoing changes reflect the Presidents commitment to addressing systemic challenges and reinforcing governance. DUPLIN COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) The North Carolina Department of Public Safety Probation and Patrol Officers, Duplin County deputies, the Wallace Police Department and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol assisted in the arrest of a Wallace man on November 19. The NC Department of Public Safety Probation and Patrol Officers were attempting to arrest Demarcus Carney for a probation violation when Carney became agitated, barricading himself in his residence. Deputies with the Duplin County Sheriffs Office were notified of the incident. Once the deputies arrived they noticed that Carney was breaking windows and trying to throw what seemed to be hot grease on officers. Negotiators with Duplin County attempted to talk Carney down to no avail. The Duplin County Sheriffs Office Special Response Team was then deployed and they used less lethal munitions to try and get Carney outside. After this, the Special Response Team was able to make their way into the residence to detain Carney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4) Following Marcus Stevensons resignation, Midvale City is looking for qualified candidates to fill the vacancy left in the mayors office. Stevenson was elected in Nov. 2021. He resigned last week citing a drastically changed personal life. He was set to finish his term at the end of next year. Midvale City mayor resigns immediately, citing drastically changed personal life Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Dahl, Midvale City Manager said the city had received a written notice about a week before Stevenson resigned, accusing him of potentially violating the law or Midvale ordinance. Paul Glover, who serves as Mayor Pro Tempore, has taken the reins in the short term. The selected candidate would serve from Dec. 10, 2024 through Jan. 5, 2026. Then, the mayor elected in Nov. 2025 would be sworn in. In a press release Wednesday afternoon, the city announced the job listing with the following: Midvale City is seeking qualified candidates to fill the current Mayoral vacancy. Residents interested in serving as Mayor must meet the statutory requirements of an elected official. Candidates must apply and are also encouraged to submit a letter of interest that includes their background and reasons for seeking the position. Applications are available on the Midvale City website and at the Midvale City Offices. All applications must be submitted in person to the Midvale City Recorder located on the second floor of City Hall in Administration. Midvale City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Midvale City notes online that the application deadline is Dec. 5 and the interview will be during a public meeting held by Midvale City Council on Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. The appointment will be made during that meeting by majority vote from the City Council. If a mayor is not selected during the meeting, Governor Spencer J. Cox will appoint a replacement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister and a top Hamas official puts them in a small group of leaders to be accused of crimes against humanity. The court issued warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, and Mohammed Deif, a Hamas leader Israel claims it killed. A three-judge panel from the court said the warrants were based on reasonable grounds that Netanyahu and Gallant bear responsibility for a war crime and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, where more than 44,000 people have reportedly been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the 13-month war between Israel and Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu condemned the warrant, saying Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions. The warrant against Deif said there was reason to believe he was involved in murder, rape, torture and the taking of hostages amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity for the militant group's Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in those attacks, and another 250 were abducted. Hamas said it welcomed the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant after what it called decades of injustice by a fascist occupation. The Hamas statement did not refer to the warrant for Deif. Israel claims it killed him in an airstrike, but Hamas has never confirmed his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a closer look at the ICC and its accusations against Israeli and Hamas leaders: What is the ICC? The ICC is the permanent court of last resort, established in 2002 to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression. The court's 124 member states have signed on to the treaty that created the court. Dozens of countries did not sign and do not accept the courts jurisdiction. They include Israel, the United States, Russia and China. The ICC becomes involved when nations are unable or unwilling to prosecute crimes on their territory. Israel argues that it has a functioning court system, and disputes over a nations ability or willingness to prosecute have fueled past disputes between the court and individual countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the warrants could complicate travel abroad for Netanyahu and Gallant, they are unlikely to face judges in The Hague anytime soon. Member countries are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to enforce that. ICC judges have issued about 60 arrest warrants, and 21 people have been detained and appeared in court, according to its website. Some 30 people remain at large. The court has issued 11 convictions and four acquittals. What are the Israeli warrants about? The court said there are reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant, who was replaced earlier this month, bear responsibility as co-perpetrators of the war crime of starvation and crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court said that while it couldn't reach a finding on the crime against humanity of extermination, it said the murder accusation was supported by allegations that Gaza residents were deprived of basic necessities such as food, water, electricity and medical supplies. That created conditions calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza," that led to deaths of children and others from malnutrition and dehydration. The court also found that by preventing hospital supplies and medicine from getting into Gaza, doctors were forced to operate and carry out amputations without anesthesia or unsafe means of sedation that led to great suffering. The court said it found two incidents in which evidence provided by the prosecution allowed it to make a finding that attacks were intentionally directed against civilians. It said there were reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant failed to prevent those attacks. While the arrest warrants are classified as secret to protect witnesses, the court said it provided some information because the conduct that inspired the warrants appeared to be ongoing. It also said it wanted victims and their families to be notified of the warrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What's behind the Hamas warrant? Deif, who had been highest-ranking commander of Hamas' military wing, was alleged to have ordered the Oct. 7 attack and failed to prevent it. The court said the mass slaughter of people at several Israeli settlements and an outdoor concert amounted to a crime against humanity and the war crime of murder. It also found that those attacks qualified as the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against civilians. In addition, the judges found that allegations of sexual assault of captives and hostages mostly women provided reasonable grounds for crimes against humanity and the war crimes of both torture and rape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has happened with other arrest warrants? Last year, the court issued a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges that he was responsible for the abductions of children from Ukraine. Russia responded by issuing its own arrest warrants for Khan and ICC judges. The chances of Putin facing trial at the ICC are highly unlikely because Moscow does not recognize the courts jurisdiction or extradite its nationals. Former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was captured and killed by rebels shortly after the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest on charges linked to the brutal suppression of anti-government protests in 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Africas most notorious warlords, Joseph Kony, was issued an arrest warrant from the ICC in 2005. As the leader of the Lords Resistance Army in northern Uganda, he faces 12 counts of crimes against humanity including murder, sexual enslavement and rape, and 21 counts of war crimes. Despite an internationally backed manhunt and a $5 million reward, Kony remains at large. Sudans former President Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the ICC over accusations related to the conflict in Darfur. Al-Bashir was served with arrest warrants in 2009. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) The Warren man accused of setting the fire he was rescued from had his first appearance in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Lonnie Culver pleaded not guilty to an aggravated arson charge. His bond was set at $15,000. The charge stems from a fire at a four-plex at the corner of McMyler Street and Ohio Avenue in Warren. Fire officials say Culver later admitted to setting a bedroom pillow on fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A Warren woman pleaded guilty to a charge of abandoning animals and was sentenced in Warren Municipal Court on Thursday. Hannah Bishop was sentenced to probation for one year and has to surrender the dogs which were found alone in a home on Forest Street NE. She was also prohibited from owning animals during her probation period, according to court records. A charge was filed against Bishop in October after two dogs were found in the house on Forest Street NE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the interior of the home was dilapidated and covered in trash, urine and feces. A half-eaten cat was also found upstairs. Nadine Grimley contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A Washington County man has been located in Georgia and taken into custody. On August 20th, the Washington County Sheriffs Office was contacted about a welfare check. Family members stated they tried to get in touch with 21-year-old Andrew Lamar Wilson several times and were unsuccessful. According to a news release, family members asked WCSO investigators to consider this a missing persons case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Go picking for early Christmas gifts in Chipley An investigation was conducted and found that Wilson was facing charges of lewd and lascivious molestation out of Bay County. He also did not appear for his court date, investigators said. Further investigation revealed Wilson had traveled to Lawrence County, Georgia where he had been on the run to avoid criminal charges. Warrants were issued out of Bay County for his arrest. Wilson was located Wednesday morning and taken into custody along with the failure to appear charged. Wilson is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail waiting to be extradited to Bay County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) It has been almost two months since Jonesborough woman Nancy Tucker was last seen during the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Her nephew, Johnny Horton, said he is frustrated with the lack of updates and search efforts from local authorities. Nancys husband, Jimmy Tucker, was found dead a few days after the flood. Horton said he and the rest of the Tucker family have not heard anything from local authorities in weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steven Cloyd, another Jonesborough resident, is also still missing. Horton said he reached out to Cloyds wife. Then, he got connected with one of Cloyds sons. I talked to him for about an hour a couple of nights ago, Horton said. He told me a lot more than anybody has as far as whats been going on, the searches and everything, and how the states not really been involved. Its really been up to volunteers and other groups and stuff. I wasnt aware of that. I thought the sheriffs department and maybe a state agency was still out there looking, but apparently thats not the case. Horton did find out that a volunteer group is in the area searching for Cloyd, and now Tucker, as well. The group is called Sierra 55 and formed out of Nashville when they heard about the catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sierra 55s Chief Technical Officer Nolan Quinton said they originally came to the area to search for Cloyd but found out about other missing people, as well. Weve been at this for about two weeks now, and we have dug for about a six-mile radius on land and then about 20 river miles on the river, Quinton said. Just this past weekend, we found a spot, we got double confirmation from our dogs on. We have not dug the spot up yet. Were waiting on dig permits for that. Quinton said they were able to find one lead regarding Nancy Tucker. We found a prescription bottle that was hers several miles down river from her house. We found that and we are still searching for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nancy and her husband Jimmy lived in a house with their son on Tittle Circle on the south end of Washington County, Tennessee. Their son was not home at the time of the flooding. Their house was swept away by the floodwaters, and Nancy and Jimmy were still inside. Image of the Tuckers house floating away from a video from Diane Shelton [The house] floated down river, down current for it looks like at least half a mile and we are not sure exactly where it is right now, Quinton said. Were working on that as we speak. Horton said when he talked to Nancy on the phone that day, she was worried about her dogs. Two of three dogs were found alive and are with Nancys son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nancy had packed dog food and stuff like that for the animals in the car, Horton said. I guess they were doing that as the water was rising. Horton told News Channel 11 that he is frustrated with the lack of search efforts by local and state authorities. Some state agency should be involved to help search, Horton said. I know theres limited manpower, of course, but we just need some closure on this. I dont want to go years down the road and some fisherman or somebody floating in a river ends up finding them. News Channel 11 has reached out to the Washington County Sheriffs office, which said at this stage, the Washington County EMA office is handling search efforts now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also reached out to the Washington County EMA office but have not received a response. Quinton said Sierra 55 is also searching in Western North Carolina for missing individuals. However, he said the teams headquarters will be in Northeast Tennessee. Many of them are moving to this area to continue helping with search efforts. Sierra 55 search team (Photo: Nolan Quinton) Sierra 55 search team (Photo: Nolan Quinton) Sierra 55 search team (Photo: Nolan Quinton) The Sierra 55 search team is asking for help getting more K9 cadaver dogs and also a side-by-side vehicle to assist in their searches. Quinton asks that anyone wanting to help search for missing individuals first contact their team as a safety precaution. When asked why the Sierra 55 team came to the region to help, Quinton explained it was out of selflessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because to do it is an act of selflessness, and selflessness is pleasing unto the Lord, Quinton said. You can reach the Sierra 55 search team by calling or messaging 850-591-3557. Horton and the rest of Tuckers family and loved ones hope to get closure soon. We really miss them, Horton said. Its going to be hard on Thanksgiving because we usually spend Thanksgiving together. So its going to be really difficult not having them here. For the searchers still out there looking. Please dont give up. Theyve got to be located soon. (WCSO) (WCSO) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN) Drivers on a major road in Montgomery County found themselves having to turn around. Around 1:09 p.m., our 2 NEWS crew spotted water spraying in the area of W. Alex Bell Road, just before Mad River Road in Washington Township. Megan OLeary, public information officer for MCES, confirmed to 2 NEWS that crews were performing flushing of the fire hydrants. At the scene, multiple crews from Montgomery County Environmental Services (MCES) had the road blocked. Drivers in the area were being forced to turn around on Alex Bell, while others further back in traffic utilized Ladera Trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The roadway has since reopened to traffic. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 man was rescued after being discovered clinging to a cliff and screaming for help at a San Francisco beach. Authorities have reported the man, whose name has not been released, was found immobile and trapped shortly before 1:00 pm on Sunday, November 17th, 2024. He was found on a popular hiking spot above Baker Beach near the Golden Gate Bridge by a bystander who called 911. The San Francisco Fire Department and California Highway Patrol arrived at the scene and dispatched a helicopter rescue team. The rescue team successfully hoisted the man to safety where he landed on the beach. However, it still remains unknown how he ended up trapped on the cliffs. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has sentenced Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz, an extremist leader of an al-Qaeda-linked Ansar al-Din armed group, to 10 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Mali. Al Hassan was convicted in June on charges including torture, rape and sexual slavery, as well as destroying religious and historic buildings, whereby he was blamed for carrying out these crimes during the 2012-13 period while heading the Islamic police in the historic desert city of Timbuktu in the West African country. Among the crimes the 47-year-old committed back then were cruel treatment as a war crime for flogging one person, mutilation for amputating a hand, and torture as a crime against humanity and a war crime. The people of Timbuktu lived in an atmosphere of fear, violence, oppression, [and] humiliation and that period remains present in the minds of victims in a deep-seated trauma, presiding Judge Kimberly Prost said. Prost described the sentence as proportionate to the gravity of the crimes, acknowledging the harm caused to the victims. To the disappointment of many human rights groups, the ex-Ansar a-Din leader, who denies guilt, was, however, acquitted of the war crimes of rape and sexual slavery, the crime against humanity of forced marriage and as well as the destruction of Timbuktus ancient mausoleums. Both sides have appealed the ICCs ruling. Mali, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has for over a decade battled an insurgency fought by numerous armed groups. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will brief the press Thursday afternoon following the return of President Biden, who turned 82 this week, from a six-day trip to South America. Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the last time while in Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and, over the weekend, gave a historic speech on climate change with the backdrop of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. With two months left until he leaves the White House, the president is looking to cement his legacy. Global tensions have also been high amid the ongoing wars in the Middle East and eastern Europe. The administration earlier this week lifted restrictions that prevented Ukraine from using U.S.-made long-range missiles inside Russia. It also comes as the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a Hamas leader, alleging war crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The briefing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EST. Watch the live video above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (WJET/WFXP) A great picture of a shelf cloud from Tamara in North East earlier Wednesday evening, signaling the beginning of the rain, wind and drop in temperature. Both flights, American and Breeze, were diverted Wednesday evening because of the weather. The Breeze flight from Florida has made it back in, while the American flight landed in Buffalo. Wind gusts to around and a little above 50 MPH in some places have caused power outages across the region. The numbers on that map represent households without power. Falling temperatures are expected through the night with off-and-on rain in Erie and along the lakeshore over the next few days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winter weather advisories kick in Thursday night for Warren, Forest, Elk and McKean Counties for up to 3-5 inches of snow in portions of those areas Thursday night into Friday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Complete forecast and interactive radar 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Visit Knoxville celebrated the opening of the Sunsphere Welcome Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. The base of the Sunsphere was repainted last year, returning it to its original blue color from the 1982 Worlds Fair. Phase two of the enhancement project created the welcome center, which is located on the third floor. This is ground level on Clinch Avenue. Visit Knoxville President Kim Bumpas hopes the new center will help increase tourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of these are our people: Sevier County cities donate $500K for Helene recovery Tourism is the No. 2 industry in the state, and so when you think about what that means in Knoxville, Knox County, its a big deal. The Sunsphere plays into that as one of our most awesome visitor experiences, and so having a way for people to engage with the venue at that base, I think is going to be paramount for visitation and also just for everyone to be able to know what to do at Sunsphere, she said. The new welcome center features staffed ticketing, a small gift shop with information and brochures about the Sunsphere and Knoxville as a whole. Richard and Janis Paul live in Knoxville and came to the ribbon cutting to see the new features. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its great. We were very excited when they painted the Sunsphere last year and I think a lot of the stuff that they have down here, a lot of activity going on, I think its really great for people that live here as well as people are coming to visit, Richard said. The Sunsphere was built for the 1982 Worlds Fair in Knoxville. Additions to the observation deck, including memorabilia from the fair, pay tribute to the event. Georgia mom arrest controversy: Lawyer explains laws on latchkey kids Bo Roberts, president of the 1982 Worlds Fair, Bo Roberts, and former Knoxville Mayor Randy Tyree, who was in office at the time, attended Wednesdays ribbon cutting. The event also featured the Budweiser Clydesdales, who were also present at the fair in 1982. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bumpas hopes the upgrades will be more welcoming to visitors. I think Knoxville is a great place to visit because its got a little bit of everything. We have such a walkable downtown with restaurants and shopping and attractions. All of our arts and culture, our historic homes. Theres so many reasons why people visit Knoxville and the Sunsphere is just one more way to tell that story, she said. The Pauls encourage anyone considering Knoxville as their next vacation spot to give it a visit. See more top stories on WATE.com This scruffy little city always surprises me with all the wonderful and amazing things it offers, come on down and check it out, Janis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sunsphere will have free days for Knox County residents throughout the year. These days will be announced periodically on Visit Knoxvilles 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) An estimated 15.5 million U.S. adults have used injectable diabetes medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight, according to a Gallup poll released this year. The drugs have been shown to be effective in the fight against obesity and diabetes, but now there are warnings about an unintended consequence of the drugs surging popularity a growing market of knock-off pharmaceuticals that could put your health at risk. Increasing demand for semaglutide products, has meant not only shortages of the real thing across the country, but a whole, new marketplace of websites and overseas shops, selling fakes. The genuine drug helps people to lose weight by curbing cravings in the brain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, though, the Federal Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agents say they are becoming increasingly concerned about many Americans unknowingly buying counterfeit products. People are really taking a risk by ordering these products online and not knowing really, the supplier thats sending it to them, said Salvatore Ingrassia, a Port Director with Customs and Border Protection. We have tested these pharmaceutical products and found things like antifreeze, too much of the active ingredient, too little of the active ingredient and other fillers, that, in some cases, are dangerous. Border Patrol agents are working each day to catch the counterfeit shipments as they come into the country. Meanwhile, the FDA has warned website operators selling the fakes, to shut down or face legal action. When it comes to actually spotting the bogus drugs themselves, experts say there are a few, key giveaways. That includes packaging that looks off, misprinted labels, and label ink on the injectable pens themselves, that smears when its touched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, experts say that the biggest red flag of a counterfeit product will likely be its price. The real products can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars per month, so experts say if the cost of the product youre purchasing sounds too good to be true, it probably is. U.S. consumers and insurance companies pay so much more for drugsten times more in this case, than residents and insurance companies in other countries, said Renu Rayasam, Senior Correspondent at KFF Health News. These drugs have tons of health uses and benefits and demand has skyrocketed. J.P. Morgan estimates that 30 million Americans are gonna be on these drugs by 2030. Thats 9% of the entire, U.S. population. Several of the genuine drug makers have tools on their websites that let you check the authenticity of your product. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has also set up a Safe Site Search Tool which allows users to verify if a website selling medications has been vetted or accredited. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) On Wednesday, Nov. 20, members of the Salt Lake City Police Gang Unit arrested a 16-year-old, who is accused of shooting a gun at West High School, wounding a 15-year-old. The name of the teen is not being released, this is often attributed to their age. The teenager is charged with felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious bodily injury and aggravated assault. Leak in 48-year-old gas main cause of South Jordan home explosion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SLCPD says the investigation started around 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7. Police interviewed the patient who was shot at the hospital and started searching the parking lot of West High School for evidence. Based on SLCPDs preliminary investigation, a group of teens gathered in a parking at West High, many appeared to know one another and were reportedly involved in a conflict. At some point, a gun was fired and struck the 15-year-old. After that, everyone fled the parking lot. The 15-year-old suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting. According to SLCPD, despite several witnesses being involved, no one reported the incident to SLC911, SLCPD SROs, or school officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our Gang Unit did an incredible job of aggressively and urgently pursuing this case, Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown said in a press release. Todays arrest is an achievement resulting from our detectives commitment to justice, their knowledge of our community, and the trust and reputation theyve established in Salt Lake City and beyond. Detectives booked the 16-year-old male into the Salt Lake County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of felony discharge of a firearm resulting in serious bodily injury and aggravated assault. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A new group made up of West Michigan tipped workers and local restaurant owners is calling on the legislature to make changes to an upcoming increase in the states minimum wage. West Michigan Hospitality United says raising the minimum wage for tipped workers will mean less money for those workers. Restaurant owner fears domino effect of minimum wage increase Roselyne Clayton is a server and bartender at the Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids and is concerned about what she could be earning next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are just very concerned about what the next year or two is really gonna become for us. Im already considering what other work I might have to go into, Clayton said. Rosaline Clayton behind the bar at The Mitten Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids on Nov. 20, 2024. Clayton is part of the group and wants the legislature to make changes to a 2018 voter-approved ballot proposal that would increase the minimum wage for tipped workers starting on Feb. 21 of next year. That just really kind of goes to taxes we dont really see a paycheck at all from that. It goes to state and federal right away so most of our checks are zero. We live basically 100% off tips, Clayton said. We dont really work that many hours as servers too. We work hard during the hours that were here so its gonna be a scramble to make 40 hours on that minimum wage and thats gonna be a huge pay cut for a lot of us. The group One Fair Wage that was behind the initiative disagrees and says restaurant workers and bar tenders will make more because people will continue to tip, according to Dave Woodward, an advisor with the group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What would a $15 minimum wage mean for servers, restaurants? Hundreds of thousands of voters across the State of Michigan signed a petition saying they wanted this and if the legislature wasnt going to take it up, they wanted a chance to vote on it, Woodward said. You look at Minnesota, a state very similar to Michigan, has had this similar law in place for decades. People go there, they tip, tipping is a custom. The group said the change will be phased in over five years. It can easily be absorbed by the industry. It is going to strengthen the restaurant industry long term and at the end of the day workers are going to be able to earn more to meet their basic needs, Woodward said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The co-owner of Mitten Brewing Company, Chris Andrus, said the change will hurt small businesses the most because they do not have the financial resources of the major restaurant operators. Group behind $15 minimum wage optimistic despite court decision Im afraid of the overnight, dramatic increase in cost, the lost wages for my staff and, the way I see it, $35-an-hour servers are not gonna stick around to become $15-an-hour cashiers. Theyll just leave the industry and what we consider service in the service industry will change dramatically and permanently, Andrus said. Opponents of the increase say it will mean higher prices on the menu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restaurants will close as a direct result of this, Andrus 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. WEST PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A West Pittston man was arrested early Thursday morning on charges accusing him of downloading and uploading child pornography. Edward Neil Jr., 27, of West Pittston was arrested when members of the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office served a search warrant at his home in the 100 block of Lacoe Street around 6:30 a.m. Luzerne County Correctional Facility The investigation began over the summer when agents say they became aware of someone using an IP address, or internet connection, registered to Neil Jr.s address downloading multiple pictures and videos of child porn between July and August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arresting agent says Neil Jr. agreed to an interview and admitted he had been viewing the explicit material for about one year. He told police he would watch the material for his own gratification before deleting the files from his phone, according to the arrest affidavit. Neil Jr. is charged with possession and dissemination of child pornography and criminal use of a communication device. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. West Virginia Head Start, which offers education and wraparound services to thousands of low-income children, serves 7,784 eligible children in 385 centers across the state. (Johner Images | Getty Images) The director of West Virginia Head Start, which offers education and wraparound services to thousands of low-income children, is optimistic that the program will continue despite concerns it could be eliminated under President-elect Donald Trump. Head Start serves 7,784 eligible children in 385 centers across the state. The program focuses on school readiness through high-quality early learning and offers wraparound services, like dental care and mental health support. Erin Tuckers son, Oliver, attended a Head Start Program in Parkersburg. (Courtesy photo) Erin Tuckers son, Oliver, attended a Head Start program in Parkersburg a few years ago. Oliver, now seven years old, is diagnosed with autism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With their assistance we were able to get him used to going to school and used to being around other kids, Tucker said, adding that Oliver was nonverbal during his time in the program. There are kids like my kiddo who need the extra attention that if these programs go away, my child would be left behind. Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025 a blueprint written by his former administration officials that calls for an elimination of Head Start. (The Washington Post reported that some of Trumps picks for his administration are credited by name in Project 2025.) Lori Milam, executive director of the West Virginia Head Start Association, said that the program made significant gains during the last Trump administration. Its not something that is coming from the president-elect or his transition team, Milam said. I dont think anyone wants to see funding cut to children and families who are struggling already. I dont think thats on anybodys agenda, and I pray its not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milam noted that the program brings in $84 million in federal funding to the state. It plays a vital role in providing child care as the state is woefully short on day care spots. It would require Congressional action. Since we have that long, deep-rooted support for Head Start, we are optimistic and we are going to work with Congress and the incoming administration to strengthen Head Start to ensure a bright future, she said. In 2019, then-president Trump proposed a 25% cut to Head Start programs over 10 years. Congress rejected the measure and increased funding to the program, saying Head Start remains one of the most effective early intervention programs for children from at-risk backgrounds. U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., now in the No. 4 Senate spot, has championed the program, appropriating millions of dollars for Head Start programs across the state. She declined to provide a comment for this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families who make at or below the federal poverty line are eligible for Head Starts early education services. Milam noted the programs work is essential as West Virginia grapples with a drug crisis, which is linked to children needing special education and other services available in the preschool program. The program serves foster children along with grandparents raising their grandchildren. Its extremely important because we provide those unique community needs. We address food insecurities, housing, health care. We help parents secure jobs, Milam said, adding that the program has served an increased number of families experiencing homelessness or doubling up with family members or friends. Milam noted that Head Start provided 43,000 home visits in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tucker, whose son is now in elementary school, said that her local Head Start employees helped her advocate for her sons special education services in his elementary school. They were really there with me to push through so he was getting what he needed, and they were really there to support me, she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A citizenship and naturalization ceremony was held Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse in Charleston, W.Va. At the ceremony, 55 new U.S. citizens from 34 countries took the Oath of Allegiance. (Christopher Millette | Charleston Gazette-Mail) Legal proceedings are amazing things. The Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Wheeling, West Virginia, where the 1907 Beaux Arts Classicism architecture flows into the 2004 glass-curtained annex, is an unsubtle reminder of not only the importance and power of the law but of the march of time and history. Thirty-seven individuals walked past that combination of historic and modern to assemble in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia on Nov. 15. After singing, speeches, paperwork and an Oath of Allegiance, 37 newly minted United States citizens filed out into the country that legally was now theirs. Americans who were not two minutes before, now endowed with all the same rights as any other citizen in the 248 years the republic has stood. But these folks also being newly minted West Virginians, they now get to sing our song and have extra meaning vocalizing about the home those country roads brought them to. Citizens who are equal as U.S. Senator Joe Manchin remarked to the gathering and President Joe Biden pointed out via a video to that of every other American, including the President of the United States of America. A proud day for the naturalized citizens, their families and their fellow Americans. A small legality that is essential to keeping America the great country it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both men know of what they speak. President Biden frequently touts his Irish immigrant family history, even visiting his ancestral home place during his presidency. Joe Manchin, whose stints as governor and an influential U.S. Senator makes him one of the national faces of the current generation of West Virginians, and has a family lineage of Italian and Czechoslovakian immigrants coming to the mountains in the early 20th century. His grandfather Guiseppe Mancina and father John Manchin served as mayors of Farmington, and his flamboyant uncle A. James preceded Joe the third into statewide office, forming a unique political dynasty. Joe Manchins family story is amplified, but still mirrors many West Virginia immigrant families that came from somewhere else but became integral threads to the fabric of the state. Statistically, however, West Virginia sees shockingly little of immigrants these days, or new U.S. citizens. Or immigrants of any type. Or, for that matter, much population growth of any kind. While illegal immigration and undocumented people remain the hottest of hot button issues, the Mountain State is far behind the rest of the country in legal immigration. The Department of Homeland Security reports West Virginia ranks 50th out the 50 states and four territories in naturalizations, 51 in lawful permanent residents, 50th in new arrivals, 52nd in nonimmigrant arrivals, 51st in those granted or legally pursing asylum and 51st in adjustment of status lawful permanent residents Those rankings stand out for a state that was the only one in the latest census to lose population. Births are trailing deaths in West Virginia, which has the third highest average age of citizen, by just under 34,000 in the three year census period. There is some good news in that the net migration of folks coming and going has creeped to the positive by a bit, but every little bit helps. Still, the reality is the Mountain State doesnt have enough people and faces having even less with each passing year. Declining population has obvious downsides, like the loss of a congressional district and that representation and voting power in Washington, D. C. and in the economic impact of not having businesses or the workers to run them. But the ripple effect of the population loss is the undercurrent to most of the major issues in West Virginia like the constant consolidation of schools, fights over funding public services and PEIA, and the balance of funding and servicing an electorate that contributes less and less revenue from fewer and fewer citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the answers to West Virginias population woes should be all of the above to try and solve the people problem, immigration and naturalized citizens is a good place to start. Any scheme to increase the birth rate by its very nature is a generational plan that will take decades to show improvement. Aligning that birth rate closer to the death rate in an aging state with perpetual financial troubles is a big ask of the state government. Advertising, recruiting and making the state inviting for the diaspora of folks born and raised in West Virginia but who ventured elsewhere for whatever reason to return home should be a priority. But becoming more friendly and inviting to legal immigration and turning new Americans into lifelong West Virginians is an immediately attainable goal. West Virginia will probably never be top of the legal immigration table with the New Yorks, New Jerseys, Californias and Floridas of the country. But with the difference in birth rate and death rate being less than 34,000, just getting West Virginias immigration rankings up into the 40s might be enough to get the state out of the population red. Such a shift would need to be based in pro-legal immigration policy and efforts at all levels of state government. But also, such a change requires a positive attitude from the population of the entire state in a time where too much of the discourse over immigration tends towards the ugly and outrage that leaves the legal immigrants that are doing the right things the right way overlooked, underserved, and terribly underappreciated. Historically, the major immigration waves that made West Virginia what it is today were folks that came for many reasons from many places, but found a place in the mountains when they had nowhere else to go. There is an entire world full of billions of humans who would jump at the chance to become Americans. A good number of them if given the opportunity surely would find Mountaineers are always free to be something worth building a new life upon as generations have before. A fraction of a fraction of those billions coming to the Mountain State could change the demographic fortunes of West Virginia for generations to come. Which could be the catalyst to turn around the economic fortunes of a state which needs some kind, any kind of catalyst to change the slow decline of the status quo. If West Virginians are to avoid becoming an endangered species of Americans, we need some new Americans who are also committed to becoming new West Virginians. The economy of the state needs it. The future of the state needs it. People yearning for a fair chance and a fresh start in one of the most special places on earth in the greatest country on earth need it. Then, at future legal proceedings when legal residents file into a courtroom, hear some speeches, say an Oath of Allegiance, and do some paperwork, freshly minted Americans can also become lifelong West Virginians starting their own stories of how their families found a home among the hills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the stats and math do not move you, just think of how good our song will sound with even more of us singing it. Most of the world knows the words; we just have to explain how it means that much more when you call here home, and welcome them in. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Western North Carolina Democrats are blasting wide-ranging legislation passed this week that they describe as a power grab shrouded in a disaster relief package. The disaster-relief portion of Senate Bill 382 fails to meet the moment for storm battered Western North Carolinians who need immediate help to keep businesses afloat and keep paying rent, they say. This bill did, really, nothing for the relief efforts and to get money in the hands of people who need it in Western North Carolina, Rep. Eric Ager, a Buncombe County Democrat, said during a Wednesday press conference at the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Titled Disaster Relief 3/Budget/Various Law Changes, the legislation sent $227 million from the states rainy day fund to its Helene fund, which was created in a past bill for recovery efforts. Should the bill become law, it would bring the General Assemblys total Helene relief spending to about $1.1 billion. SB382 shifts the new money to the Helene fund, but does not specify what it will be spent on. In addition, the bill sends $25 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to clean debris out of streams; and makes $100 million in loans available for local governments. Since Helene brought torrential rainfalls, devastating flooding and mudslides to the mountains on Sept. 27, Western North Carolina officials have pushed for grants for small businesses instead of loans and for housing protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The updated version of Senate Bill 382 provides neither. Whats in SB 382? Much of the bill focuses on taking power from Democrats who won election to Council of State seats earlier this month and giving it to Republicans. Negotiated by a small number of Republicans and released to the public only about 90 minutes before reaching the House floor, the 131-page bill, among other changes, would: Give incoming State Auditor Dave Boliek, a Republican, power to appoint members to the State Board of Elections, taking all appointments from the governor. Ban incoming Attorney General Jeff Jackson, a Democrat, from taking any position on state laws in court that is inconsistent with one taken by the General Assembly. Prevent incoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green, a Democrat, from appealing decisions made by the N.C. Charter School Review Board. Sen. Julie Mayfield, an Asheville Democrat, opposed the bill. Ideally, there would have been separate pieces of legislation, one focusing on relief and the other on the provisions shifting powers around, Mayfield said Wednesday before the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My view is that all of these changes move us even further down the road than we already are toward an authoritarian state. The General Assembly is pulling power into it and elevating itself as the center of power in North Carolina, Mayfield said. Tuesday evening, the House passed the legislation 63 to 46. Every Democrat in the chamber voted against the bill, as did the states three western-most Republicans: Rep. Mike Clampitt of Bryson City, Rep. Karl Gillespie of Macon County and Rep. Mark Pless of Haywood County. Pless told Blue Ridge Public Radio that he asked for disaster relief to be removed from the bills title because he didnt see how it benefited the storm-stricken region. Wednesday, the Senate passed the bill with a 30 to 19 vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill next goes to Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers desk where he can veto it, approve it or let it pass without his signature. During Wednesdays debate, Sen. Ralph Hise, a Spruce Pine Republican, lashed out against criticism of the legislatures funding for Helene. Before Tuesdays bill, the GOP-led legislature had passed two relief packages totaling about $877 million for Helene recovery with the second bill providing about $50 million in loans. Those funds, Hise said, are best used filling in where the federal government cant or wont help with the recovery. For instance, matching transportation repairs could take about $2 billion alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, Hise said, during the Senate floor debate. Defending the bill Rep. Destin Hall, the newly elected Speaker of the House, told reporters Tuesday that lawmakers had not separated Helene measures from other provisions because the state had already done that with about a billion dollars in Helene relief. We want to do this in a way that were certainly going to give the funding they need, but we want to make sure the funding is actually going to putting people back in their homes, to rebuilding businesses, Hall said. House Speaker Tim Moore speaks with House Speaker-Designate Destin Hall during debate on a bill at the General Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. Hise said additional relief funding in December would depend on Congressional actions. If federal funding were provided through an appropriation rather than a continuing resolution or a temporary spending bill state lawmakers would have time before the Christmas break to respond to that, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, he said that federal funding tends to move slowly, and with the continuing resolution deadline set for Dec. 20, it is more likely that the state will address additional funding needs in January. Republican lawmakers maintain more relief is coming. Originally, the General Assembly was supposed to return on December 11. But an adjournment resolution passed Wednesday brings the General Assembly back for votes on December 2. It will not be enough Considering the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, Mayfield, the Asheville Democrat said, that resolution does not inspire confidence that a substantive relief package is coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not sure how much is going to get done, how much time there is to really pull together a meaningful package that would contain the relief that we need, Mayfield said. Cooper proposed an initial $3.9 billion relief package in late October, while his Office of State Budget and Management estimates Helenes damage in Western North Carolina at $53 billion. Ager, the Buncombe Democrat, also stressed the importance of expediency. While the state would not be able to fund all the needs and would have to rely on future federal dollars, the states rainy day fund should be used more, Ager said. Speed matters, and getting that money out quickly is really important to the recovery, Ager said. The N.C. General Assembly has passed Senate Bill 382, an effort that allocates $227 million to the Helene relief fund but that Western North Carolina Democrats say falls short. Here, the storms destruction is shown near a local business along US 70 in Swannanoa, NC on Monday, October 21, 2024. Multiple business owners spoke at Wednesdays press conference on the hardships they or others they knew were experiencing due to lacking grants and aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joseph Hackett, founder of Black Wall Street AVL, highlighted the lasting impacts of urban renewal in Ashevilles East Riverside area, which saw the loss of thousands of homes and multiple businesses. The neighborhood built back up and became something Western North Carolina could be proud of, said Hackett, who also owns The Grind Coffee Shop in the River Arts District, heavily damaged by the storm. Helene, washed away everything, and and the people are rebuilding. But they cannot do it without the participation and the support of those that have power and influence, he said. Many businesses are struggling to rebuild, particularly those without flood insurance or the documentation needed for Small Business Administration loans, he said. The SBA announced in mid-October it had exhausted funds for its disaster loan program. Until Congress appropriates more funding, the SBA is pausing new loan offers, though its application portal is open. It will be difficult for many of those small businesses to pay back loans, Ager said, because of the reality of losing revenue from the month of October, which is akin to losing three to six months of annual revenue for many of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without the month of October and the money that that provides, its really hard to see a clear cash flow model in the next couple of months, Ager said. Also needed is either an eviction moratorium or rental assistance, said Mayfield. Asheville risks losing its service economy workforce, many of whom havent worked since Helene hit and now face eviction, potentially forcing them to leave the area, Mayfield said. When they are gone, they are gone. Asheville is not like Raleigh or Charlotte where if you lose this apartment you can go get another one over here. That is not the way our city works, Mayfield said. Aisha Adams, founder of the Aisha Adams Media Group, which supports small businesses and nonprofits, spoke about her experience moving from being on welfare to business ownership, saying I moved to Western North Carolina. I own a business. I paid cash for my son to go to college, and now the rain has come and wiped out my business. I dont want to pull myself up by the bootstraps. I want the people who have been elected to do their jobs or be held accountable, she said. 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: More than half of U.S. adults want doctors to address mental health directly. West Health-Gallup Survey on Mental Health in America, Oct. 1-13, 2024. Credit: West Health-Gallup Survey on Mental Health in America, Oct. 1-13, 2024. A majority of Americans (70%) say they would prefer to be asked about both their physical and mental health during medical appointments with their primary care providers (PCPs). The finding from the new "West Health-Gallup Survey on Mental Health in America" comes as more than one in five U.S. adults, or 59.3 million people, were living with a mental illness in 2022, and little more than half of them (50.6%) received treatment within the prior year. According to the survey, the majority of men (65%) and women (76%) are eager to discuss both their mental and physical health with their primary care doctor. Women are 11 percentage points more likely than men to want to talk about both types of health concerns. Additionally, mental health conditions don't just impact those diagnosed; 53% of Americans in the survey report having someone in their household or a close family member diagnosed with a mental health condition, and nearly 60% say the mental health condition has negatively affected their daily life. Americans, however, want more than just talk; if a mental health condition is diagnosed, 57% consider it very important for the doctor to either address it themselves or provide a referral. The new survey also reveals over half of Americans find it very important for doctors to screen patients for anxiety and depression. "We can do a better job making the diagnosis and treatment of a mental health condition more accessible, affordable and integrated, and the solution may lie in primary care settings, where patients are most likely to interact with a health professional and less likely to feel stigmatized," said Tim Lash, president of West Health Policy Center, a nonprofit focused on health care and aging. "Patients would benefit from earlier and more proactive management of conditions, and the system would benefit from a more efficient, effective and interconnected approach to care." Most Americans (74%) are generally comfortable discussing mental health issues with a primary care provider (41% are "very comfortable" and 33% "somewhat comfortable"). Women and men are equally comfortable, though men are less likely to say they prefer that their doctor ask them about both mental and physical health. "While it is positive to see the stigma around talking about mental health eroding, America continues to struggle with having enough available primary care providers to have these critical conversations," said Dan Witters, director of well-being research at Gallup. "Many physicians say they are experiencing burnout and are frustrated that they can't provide the quality of care they want to due to high caseloads." "The demand for high-quality care for some of the most common mental health conditions continues to grow," said Lash. "West Health and collaborators are working on new integrated models now that could be adopted by health systems across the country, which would both increase access and stem the mental health crisis in America. Data show that primary care physicians working in tandem with mental health professionals leads to earlier intervention and better outcomes for patients." The West Health-Gallup Survey on Mental Health in America was conducted by web and mail from Oct. 1 to 13, 2024, with 2,389 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia as part of the Gallup Panel. Provided by West Health Institute Two Western officials have told Reuters that preliminary evidence shows that Russia did not use an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to strike Ukraine on the morning of 21 November. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Reuters sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that this assessment was "based on initial analysis". They did not rule out that the conclusions could change in the future. Background: Earlier, some media reported that the West had doubts that Russia used an ICBM in their attack on the city of Dnipro. According to Ukraines Air Force, the Russian Federation employed an intercontinental ballistic missile in its most recent missile attack on Dnipro. According to sources of Ukrainska Pravda, it could be a missile known as Rubezh, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The EU commented on the data, saying that if confirmed, "this will be another clear sign of escalation." Support UP or become our patron! WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) This an exciting time for the Wichita Falls Police Department as they congratulate new graduates from the Citizens Police Academy. On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the WFPD congratulated 23 graduates of the 49th Citizens Police Academy. Obedience Training Club to host auction to continue mission This great program offers the free course twice a year and encourages anyone 18 or older to apply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People accepted into the academy go through a 12-13-week course, immersing themselves in an exciting and memorable introduction to the law enforcement world. Trainees get to go through an obstacle course, witness drug dogs in action, get behind the wheel of a cop car, fire automatic weapons, and much more. This experience teaches people how police departments operate and how they serve the community. If you are interested in the WFPD Citizens Police Academy, visit the city website or give them a call at (940) 720-5090. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Milwaukee families in need can find help putting Thanksgiving food on the table this holiday from local churches, community groups and others. Those groups have organized giveaways of whole turkeys and other traditional Thanksgiving foods, often with the help of food banks, sponsors and plenty of volunteers. Here's where Milwaukee-area residents can get a free turkey or holiday meal ahead of Thanksgiving and on the day of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Note that some events have registration requirements or are limited to only certain groups of people. Thursday, Nov. 21 Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2207 N. 2nd St., Milwaukee 11 a.m. In partnership with Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, HeartLove Place is giving away free turkeys and food boxes to families for Thanksgiving. No registration is required. The event is a drive-thru and is first-come, first-served. Only one turkey will be provided per family. Capuchin Community Services House of Peace, 1702 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee 3 p.m. This annual event will distribute 150 turkeys and Thanksgiving meals to House of Peace guests who are registered for the event. Unregistered guests are welcome to participate with a valid ID. The distribution, hosted by the Milwaukee Bucks and Gruber Law Offices, will take place in the alley behind House of Peace. Friday, Nov. 22 Brentwood Church of Christ, 6425 N. 60th St., Milwaukee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2-4 p.m. Brentwood Church of Christ is holding its annual turkey giveaway, while supplies last. For questions, call 414-353-6757. Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services, 5233 W. Morgan Ave., Milwaukee 10:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Only Oneida tribal members may pick up a turkey at the SEOTS office, while supplies last. Oneida elders ages 55 and up may pick up a turkey starting at 10:30 a.m. All other Oneida members 18 years and older may pick one up starting at 2:30 pm. A limited number of turkeys will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If picking up a turkey for another member, bring their tribal ID and a note. Only one additional pickup is permitted. Saturday, Nov. 23 Salam Elementary, 815 W. Layton Ave., Milwaukee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 11 a.m. 2 p.m. Hanan Refugee Relief Group will be handing out up to 700 Halal turkeys, as well as canned and dry goods, to people in need. This is a drive-thru event and is sponsored by Islamic Relief USA. Everyone is welcome. Online registration is requested at https://forms.gle/fV3gxESYRtLbbecN8. Those who register in advance may show up at 11 a.m., while the unregistered can sign up the day of the event starting at 11:30 a.m. Hayat Pharmacy will also have COVID and flu shots available. Monday, Nov. 25 King Community Center, 1531 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Families will receive a free, frozen turkey for the holiday, while supplies last. This event is a drive-thru and is first-come, first-served. Quantities are limited. For details, call the King Community Center at 414-344-5600. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee, 1609 W. North Ave., Milwaukee 4 p.m. While supplies last, come to United Neighborhood Centers to pick up a free turkey and pumpkin pie. 3041 North, 3041 W. North Ave., Milwaukee 6-8 p.m. Join Connect Community Outreach for a free community dinner celebrating Thanksgiving. Tuesday, Nov. 26 Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative, 6300 W. National Ave., West Allis 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative is distributing Thanksgiving meal boxes to veterans, while supplies last. Participants must present a DD214 or VA identification. Boxes will include turkey or ham, vegetables, stuffing, potatoes, cornbread, gravy, cranberry sauce, mac and cheese and dessert. Meal boxes are limited to one per household. For questions, call 414-257-4111. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dominican Center for Women, 2470 W. Locust St., Milwaukee 12-2 p.m. Residents of the Amani neighborhood are invited to pick up a bag of free groceries for Thanksgiving. The giveaway is meant for families living in Amani or the 53206 ZIP code. On-site registration is required; bring an ID and a piece of mail as proof of residence in the 53206 ZIP code. Organizers recommend arriving early. The event is first-come, first-served. Mitchell Street Library, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., Milwaukee 5:30-7 p.m. Join the Milwaukee Public Library for a holiday community meal and games and other activities. Registration is required. Go to mpl.org/calendar to sign up. If there is space, walk-ins are welcome. More information here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Journey House, 2110 W. Scott St., Door #4, Milwaukee 5:30 p.m. Journey House is holding its annual Thanksgiving dinner. Registration is required by calling 414-647-0548. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner starts at 5:30 and doors close at 6. Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center, 930 W. Historic Mitchell St., Milwaukee 3-6:30 p.m. Native families and patients of the Ignace Indian Health Center are invited to its annual harvest feast. Participants will receive to-go meals, including a main course, traditional sides and pie. Traditional food bags are for the first 100 Native families who provide tribal ID. No RSVP is required. Meal pick-up is in the community room on the 2nd floor. Thursday, Nov. 28 Northcott Neighborhood House, 2460 N. 6th St., Milwaukee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8 a.m. noon Families can pick up a free, home-cooked dinner, enough to feed a family of four. Dinners for individuals will also be provided. Heating instructions will be included. The annual event is a partnership between Northcott Neighborhood House, Bader Philanthropies and WestCare. No pre-registration is required. McBobs Pub & Grill, 4919 W. North Ave., Milwaukee 10:30 a.m. 4 p.m. McBobs is a holding its annual Thanksgiving community dinner, a free event open to anyone. Meals will be served between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., including turkey, ham and more. North 35th and West Center streets, Milwaukee 12-3 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This annual community Thanksgiving feast will include a Thanksgiving meal, as well as a giveaway of winter clothing and groceries, while supplies last. Food will include turkey, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, corn, rolls and a dessert. A heated tent will be on site, and community members are welcome to eat at the site or take food to-go. Winter clothing includes coats, hats and gloves in sizes for both adults and children. The event is hosted by Dream Team United WI, Embassy Center MKE and Ald. Russell Stamper II. For more information, email dreamteammke@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where to get a free turkey or Thanksgiving meal in Milwaukee for 2024 ST. LOUIS The federal government gave nearly $500 million to the City of St. Louis over three years ago. Now, a citizen-led petition is requesting the State of Missouri to step in and conduct an audit on the city, led by sixth-generation St. Louisan and small business owner Andrew Policek. The transparency of where that money is going is a very large concern. The good thing about when you follow the money is, it tells you very clearly where things went, Policek said. Over 7,000 residents, along with 10 of the 14 aldermen, signed the petition asking for a performance audit. The audit would investigate all 22 departments Mayor Tishaura Jones oversees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A financial audit says where the numbers tie. A performance audit says did the money go where it was supposed to go, and did it meet the parameters it was supposed to meet, Policek said. St. Louis-area accountant busted in $40K shopping spree while on vacation Since the city has been given hundreds of millions in federal money over the last three years, Policek said its time to see where its going. Like many, he believes if the money is used correctly, it could transform the landscape of the city. Its an enormous opportunity weve never had, and when you see it squanderedand I think that is the right term, it seems like its being squanderedits a lost opportunity that could affect generations, and I think its an absolute travesty, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman from the mayors office sent FOX 2 the following statement: The City of St. Louis would be happy to cooperate with an audit from the Missouri State Auditors office. One of the departments in the city many have questioned is the St. Louis Development Corporation. Tameka Stigers has been the owner of Locs of Glory, a salon on Delmar, for 15 years. She applied for a grant through SLDC in September 2023 and learned she wasnt awarded financial assistance when the department posted on its website. After filling out the application correctly online and corresponding with her alderwoman, she continues to wonder why a business open less than two years was awarded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you have a business that was just formed in August of 2023 on the list to receive not one, but two grants thats almost $800,000, thats a slap in my face. Thats a slap in any business owner who suffered through COVID, had to close their doors, and, by the grace of God, was able to continue in business and then not receive a grant, but a business like that to receive such a large allocation, she said. Eureka family loses home in fire, dog alerts them to flames Stigers thinks there is a conflict of interest in the grant selection process. The mayor continues to say there are no legal or compliance issues with what theyre doing, but theres a moral issue. Youre not being true to the word that you want to support small businesses, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We reached out to the SLDC but did not hear back. Stigers believes an audit of all 22 city departments is needed for transparency. This audit will help do that. Because its going to see, where are the inconsistences? Youre telling the public one thing, then behind your back youre doing something different. Thats not good governance at all, Stigers said. The audit could provide what her and the thousands of other residents who signed it are looking for. Who knows, right? Maybe were wrong. But lets see, Policek said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) With snowfall in the forecast, the city of Youngstown is laying out its plan of attack when city roads become snow-covered. When you are wondering in the coming months where the snowplows are after heavy snow, keep in mind that the city has a priority list. The Youngstown Street Department (YSD) will tackle freeway systems, roads around and leading to Mercy Health Main Campus first and all primary roads hills and bridges. Then they hit side streets and rural streets. After that, crews will rerun all routes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of our trucks are up and ready to ride. Our crew has been trained. Out number one priority is safety, not only for our staff but the motoring public that visits our city on a daily basis, said Kevin Flinn, with the Youngstown Street Department. Keep in mind that if four inches of snow or more is predicted in a 24-hour period, there will be a street parking ban. Cars parked on the street at that time can be towed. Residences on the streets or alleys with a width of 25 feet or less and without driveways are exempt. Crews can be assigned to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week to keep the roads clear. If the snowfall gets really bad, then a snow emergency will be declared and workers from other city departments will chip in to help out with snow removal. The other departments are assigned certain areas: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building and Grounds and Park Depts. will focus on the downtown business district. Waste Water, Traffic Engineering and contractors are dispatched to the areas most affected by the winter weather The Youngstown Street Department is currently on standby to mobilize in the event of winter weather. The city clears 958 city streets, 52 miles of expressway, and 38 miles of state routes adding up to about 1,180 total lane miles. Gerry Ricciutti contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. The US said that it would continue to provide new arms packages to Ukraine and work to speed up their delivery amid Russia's attack with an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile. Source: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during a briefing Details: During the briefing, Jean-Pierre confirmed that the US had informed Ukraine and its allies in advance about Russias planned launch of a medium-range missile. She emphasised that the US sees no indications of Russia preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press secretary referenced President Joe Bidens earlier announcement this year about providing Ukraine with 100 additional missiles to strengthen its air defence capabilities. Quote: "Many of these are air defence missiles have been delivered already, and deliveries of additional air defence missiles to Ukraine are ongoing. And so we're going to continue to do that to make sure they're strengthening their capabilities, including air defence and putting Ukraine in the best possible position on the battlefield." Background: Russian leader Vladimir Putin has stated that the Russians used an Oreshnik medium-range missile during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November. He also claimed that in the future, Ukrainian civilians will supposedly be warned about the use of Oreshnik medium-range missiles. Support UP or become our patron! A young British man is in legal trouble in the United Arab Emirates after a romance that started on vacation went horribly wrong. Marcus Fakana, an 18-year-old from London, traveled with his family to Dubai when he began a secretive sexual relationship in September with a 17-year-old girl also from London who was staying at the same hotel. According to a report from the BBC, the girls mother called the Dubai police after finding pictures and text messages on her daughters phone when she returned to the United Kingdom. Dubai police then arrested Fakana at his hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really liked each other but she was secretive with her family because they were strict, Fakana told Detained in Dubai, an organization of legal experts who advocate for foreigners experiencing legal issues in the UAE. 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. Fakana added that his parents have had to leave him in Dubai since his arrest so they could return to London and work to pay for his legal expenses and the Airbnb he is staying in while out on bail. 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, he told Detained in Dubai. Although Fakanas relationship with the girl, who has since turned 18, would not be illegal in the UK, the laws in Dubai are different. According to the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website, a consensual sexual relationship in the UAE between two people outside of marriage is only legal if both are over 18 years old. Now, Fakana could face a sentence of 20 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dubai has only recently legalized out-of-wedlock sex for tourists but still hosts a strict Islamic legal system, Radha Stirling, Detained in Dubais CEO, told The Guardian. Sterling hopes that by bringing international attention to the case, they will be able to get justice for Marcus Fakana. We are not talking about any abuse or taking advantage of anyone, she told the BBC. This is clearly just a case of two older teenagers, both of them now the same age, who have been caught up because a mother reported the behavior. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Ken Martin, the chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, addresses party faithful on election night this year in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has led the state party for over a decade. Christopher Mark Juhn/Getty Images Ken Martin, the chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party as his states Democratic Party is known on Tuesday officially announced his candidacy to head the Democratic National Committee, becoming the second person to unveil their bid to lead Democrats out of the wilderness. Martin, who also currently serves as a vice chair of the DNC and leads the Association of State Democratic Committees, is running on his record of success in Minnesota. He took over the state party in 2011, turning it from an indebted entity into a fundraising powerhouse that engineered total control of Minnesota government twice and has not lost a statewide race on his watch. In every crisis, theres an opportunity, Martin said. For me, its really about getting the DNC out of D.C. And we build a party to win and to last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin joins Martin OMalley, the Social Security Administration commissioner and former Maryland governor, who announced his bid to lead the DNC on Monday. Ben Wikler, the chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, is expected to join the race as well. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Democratic consultant Chuck Rocha and former DNC Vice Chair Michael Blake are also considering runs. Mitch Landrieu, the former New Orleans mayor and co-chair of Vice President Kamala Harris campaign for the White House, has ruled out running, as has New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Martin did not spell out the exact details of how he plans to achieve his goal of shifting the partys vision from Washington to the states, but he identified two areas that Democrats need to work on. First, he sees a major deficiency in Democratic engagement in new media spaces, such as with podcasters, social media influencers and niche news sites. Most people are not getting their information, their news, from the traditional spaces that the Democratic Party is competing in, Martin said. And [GOP President-elect] Donald Trump and the Republicans for the last four years have been spreading misinformation and lies on all of these different platforms that were not really engaged in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And even when we were, we were just there for the final few months of the election, and we were bringing in politicians and talking heads, which were not trusted validators and messengers on these platforms, he added. So the reality is, we need to be more sophisticated in our tactics and our messaging operation. In addition, Martin cited the 2024 general election results as evidence that a critical mass of voters believe Democrats no longer champion the poor and the working class. Polling indeed suggests that voters dont see Democrats as tribunes of working people. Harris lost among those whose families earn between $30,000 and $100,000 a year, even though Democrat Joe Biden narrowly won them in the 2020 presidential election, according to exit polling. That is so surprising to me, because thats not who our party is. Our party has always fought for working-class people, has always fought for the poor and for the oppressed and the marginalized, said Martin, who got his start in politics as an intern for Paul Wellstones first, populist campaign for the Senate in 1990. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin, like OMalley, is calling for an after-action report on what Democrats got right and what they got wrong in this years presidential race. Its something Martin thinks Democrats should undertake even when they win. But in practice, neither the DNC nor any other central party body conducted a serious postmortem analysis following the partys crushing defeat in 2016. Unlike some internal critics who argue that Democrats need to moderate on select cultural issues, or others who believe the party still hasnt embraced economic populism enough, Martin sees the partys primary challenge as a branding problem. He previewed his perspective in a Monday op-ed for Fox News, noting that Missourians simultaneously voted Republican for every statewide office and approved by referendum paid sick leave, a $15 minimum wage and a constitutional right to abortion. I reject the idea that we need a wholesale change in our policies or our message, he told HuffPost. When a party occupies the White House, a sitting president typically is given priority over whom to appoint as the chair of their partys main convening body. Biden selected Jaime Harrison, a political ally from South Carolna and former DNC associate chair, to lead the DNC. Harrison plans to step down upon completion of the new election for chair in early February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But after a loss in a presidential election, the race for who will lead the party in political exile often becomes a fight over its future direction and its leadership. Martin confers with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on election night in St. Paul. No Democrat has lost a bid for statewide office on his watch far from a given in prior years. Abbie Parr/Associated Press The last time there was a competitive race for DNC chair, in 2017, the contest became something of an extension of the ideologically charged 2016 presidential primary between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). With help from former President Barack Obamas team, former Labor Secretary Tom Perez defeated the more progressive Keith Ellison, then a U.S. representative for Minnesota and now the states attorney general. Perezs election nonetheless led to the eventual disempowerment of superdelegates and near elimination of caucuses in the partys presidential nominating process. There is little indication to date that this years race for DNC chair will take on such an ideological tenor though by refusing to campaign as a centrist, Martin, a self-described pro-labor progressive, might pick up some support on the left by default. He told HuffPost that he probably would not have attended a rally for an anti-abortion Democrat as Ellison and Sanders did in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2017, but emphasized that anti-abortion Democrats and other people outside of the partys mainstream are welcome in the big-tent party he envisions. As an example, he cited his support for former Rep. Collin Peterson, a conservative, anti-abortion Democrat who represented northwestern Minnesota from 1991 to 2021. Martin is instead likely to be the choice of numerous state party chairs and other DNC members who appreciate his advocacy on behalf of smaller state-level parties within the national structure. He helped lead a fight against the DNCs takeover of voter data controlled by state parties in 2018, and was critical of Bidens intervention to change the presidential primary schedule in December 2022. (Martin would not say whether he plans to back changes to the primary schedule, which currently has South Carolina as the first contest, when the DNCs Rules and Bylaws Committee convenes this December.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin told HuffPost that he has more than 100 commitments of support from voting DNC members. He would need the votes of 227 members to get a majority of the DNCs 453-person membership. Martin, whose Minnesotan accent and soft-spoken demeanor disguise the combative instincts of a hardened political operative, took a preemptive swipe at those who might be seeking the chair role in the hopes of reviving their political career. Running the DNC or a state party is the political equivalent of being a fire hydrant you get pissed on all the time. You get none of the credit when you win, all the blame when you lose, he said. So if anyone whos seeking this job at the DNC or a state party chairs role is in it for the glory or trying to get a platform for themselves, theyre in for a rude awakening. Asked why DNC members should back him over Wikler, who runs an actual swing-state party, Martin responded, The biggest difference between Ben and I is that Im winning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wikler, who took office in 2019, presided over Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers reelection in 2022, a liberal takeover of the state Supreme Court in 2023, and the successful defense of Sen. Tammy Baldwins seat in 2024. But Wisconsin did not vote for Harris this year, and the state Democratic Party narrowly failed to unseat Republican Sen. Ron Johnson in 2022. Thats not a shot at Ben. Hes moved the needle, and hes a great friend and colleague. And I think hes done an amazing job in Wisconsin, Martin said. But hes also benefited from a tremendous amount of national investment that other states, including Minnesota, havent. BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) The deadly collapse of a concrete roof at a rail station in Serbia has raised tensions across the Balkan county, fueling widespread anger toward the government and protests after the failure claimed 15 lives in the northern city of Novi Sad. The station, a major hub, was recently renovated as part of a Serbian-Chinese partnership. Critics allege that corruption, poor oversight and inadequate construction work contributed to the Nov. 1 tragedy. Officials have offered conflicting information about whether the roof was part of the renovation, and its maintenance is under scrutiny. The collapse became a flashpoint for broader dissatisfaction with Serbia's authoritarian rule, reflecting growing public demands for transparency while the country undertakes large infrastructure projects, mostly with Chinese state companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What do we know about the collapse? Very little. The rail station was built in 1964 and renovated twice in recent years as part of a wider deal between China, Serbia and Hungary to establish a fast rail connection between Belgrade and Budapest. Initially, authorities said the outer roof was not renovated during the work on the station, but they gave no explanation for why. Later, experts denied that, and images emerged that suggested at least some roof work was done after all. One of the protesters' demands has been to make public all documentation in connection with the reconstruction project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Has there been an investigation? Authorities opened a probe immediately after the collapse, promising it would be thorough and would not spare anyone regardless of position. On Thursday, 11 people were detained. The suspects, who have not been identified, face charges "of committing criminal acts against public security, causing public danger and irregular conducting of construction work, the Higher Prosecutors Office in Novi Sad said in a statement. Serbian media reported that Goran Vesic, who resigned as construction minister after the collapse, was among those detained. Prosecutors said earlier that several dozen people have been questioned. The only information about the investigation so far has come from Serbian media, which published unconfirmed reports about the companies involved in the reconstruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why are people protesting? In the first days after the tragedy, Serbians protested mostly in silence, holding vigils for the victims. But as time passed, grief gave way to anger, leading to a wave of demonstrations at various locations and by different groups. Most recently, protesters blocked a courthouse in Novi Sad, demanding that judicial authorities do their jobs. Riot police pushed them away from the entrance, which led to scuffles and a two-day standoff this week. Chants such as corruption kills also marked the protests that demanded the dissolution of the entire government over the tragedy. Protesters left symbolic handprints in red paint on government buildings, accusing authorities of having blood on their hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How did authorities react to the protests? Analysts say the government has sought to cushion the damage to its image by prolonging the investigation and apparently hoping that public anger will ease as time goes by. Serbias authoritarian president, Aleksandar Vucic, has repeatedly urged calm and called on people to trust institutions. He has said the investigation is complicated and takes time. But Vucic also said that responsibility cannot be avoided. At the same time, police detained several activists who took part in recent protests and warned that they would not tolerate any disruptions of public order, which is widely seen as an attempt to discourage people from protesting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why are Serbia and China teaming up on construction projects? By building roads, railways and other infrastructure, Serbia seeks to enhance its transportation links with neighboring states, while China seeks to strengthen its economic footprint in Europe. Serbia and China negotiate agreements mostly on a governmental level without the participation of outside bidders. Chinese state banks frequently provide loans to fund those projects. The loans may come with strings attached, such as the mandatory involvement of Chinese companies and their workers. Although such partnerships have brought billions of dollars in investments into the developing Balkan economy, questions surrounding quality, safety and financial sustainability often remain, as highlighted by the roof collapse. The Chinese companies that took part in the reconstruction said the concrete canopy that collapsed was not part of their work. ___ Associated Press writer Jovana Gec contributed to this report. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo at the inaugural convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes in San Francisco on Nov. 20, 2024. Credit - Jeff ChiuAP AI is a technology like no other in human history, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Wednesday in San Francisco. Advancing AI is the right thing to do, but advancing as quickly as possible, just because we can, without thinking of the consequences, isnt the smart thing to do. Raimondos remarks came during the inaugural convening of the International Network of AI Safety Institutes, a network of artificial intelligence safety institutes (AISIs) from 9 nations as well as the European Commission brought together by the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State. The event gathered technical experts from government, industry, academia, and civil society to discuss how to manage the risks posed by increasingly-capable AI systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raimondo suggested participants keep two principles in mind: We cant release models that are going to endanger people, she said. Second, lets make sure AI is serving people, not the other way around. Read More: How Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo Became Americas Point Woman on AI The convening marks a significant step forward in international collaboration on AI governance. The first AISIs emerged last November during the inaugural AI Safety Summit hosted by the UK. Both the U.K. and the U.S. governments announced the formation of their respective AISIs as a means of giving their governments the technical capacity to evaluate the safety of cutting-edge AI models. Other countries followed suit; by May, at another AI Summit in Seoul, Raimondo had announced the creation of the network. In a joint statement, the members of the International Network of AI Safety Instituteswhich includes AISIs from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, and Singaporelaid out their mission: to be a forum that brings together technical expertise from around the world, to facilitate a common technical understanding of AI safety risks and mitigations based upon the work of our institutes and of the broader scientific community, and to encourage a general understanding of and approach to AI safety globally, that will enable the benefits of AI innovation to be shared amongst countries at all stages of development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the lead-up to the convening, the U.S. AISI, which serves as the networks inaugural chair, also announced a new government taskforce focused on the technologys national security risks. The Testing Risks of AI for National Security (TRAINS) Taskforce brings together representatives from the Departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services. It will be chaired by the U.S. AISI, and aim to identify, measure, and manage the emerging national security and public safety implications of rapidly evolving AI technology, with a particular focus on radiological and nuclear security, chemical and biological security, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and conventional military capabilities. The push for international cooperation comes at a time of increasing tension around AI development between the U.S. and China, whose absence from the network is notable. In remarks pre-recorded for the convening, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Chinese Communist Party does not get to write the rules of the road. Earlier Wednesday, Chinese lab Deepseek announced a new reasoning model thought to be the first to rival OpenAIs own reasoning model, o1, which the company says is designed to spend more time thinking before it responds. On Tuesday, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which has provided annual recommendations to Congress since 2000, recommended that Congress establish and fund a Manhattan Project-like program dedicated to racing to and acquiring an Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) capability, which the commission defined as systems as good as or better than human capabilities across all cognitive domains that would surpass the sharpest human minds at every task. Many experts in the field, such as Geoffrey Hinton, who earlier this year won a Nobel Prize in physics for his work on artificial intelligence, have expressed concerns that, should AGI be developed, humanity may not be able to control it, which could lead to catastrophic harm. In a panel discussion at Wednesdays event, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodeiwho believes AGI-like systems could arrive as soon as 2026cited loss of control risks as a serious concern, alongside the risks that future, more capable models are misused by malicious actors to perpetrate bioterrorism or undermine cybersecurity. Responding to a question, Amodei expressed unequivocal support for making the testing of advanced AI systems mandatory, noting we also need to be really careful about how we do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, practical international collaboration on AI safety is advancing. Earlier in the week, the U.S. and U.K. AISIs shared preliminary findings from their pre-deployment evaluation of an advanced AI modelthe upgraded version of Anthropics Claude 3.5 Sonnet. The evaluation focused on assessing the models biological and cyber capabilities, as well as its performance on software and development tasks, and the efficacy of the safeguards built into it to prevent the model from responding to harmful requests. Both the U.K. and U.S. AISIs found that these safeguards could be routinely circumvented, which they noted is consistent with prior research on the vulnerability of other AI systems safeguards. The San Francisco convening set out three priority topics that stand to urgently benefit from international collaboration: managing risks from synthetic content, testing foundation models, and conducting risk assessments for advanced AI systems. Ahead of the convening, $11 million of funding was announced to support research into how best to mitigate risks from synthetic content (such as the generation and distribution of child sexual abuse material, and the facilitation of fraud and impersonation). The funding was provided by a mix of government agencies and philanthropic organizations, including the Republic of Korea and the Knight Foundation. While it is unclear how the election victory of Donald Trump will impact the future of the U.S. AISI and American AI policy more broadly, international collaboration on the topic of AI safety is set to continue. The U.K. AISI is hosting another San Francisco-based conference this week, in partnership with the Centre for the Governance of AI, to accelerate the design and implementation of frontier AI safety frameworks. And in February, France will host its AI Action Summit, following the Summits held in Seoul in May and in the U.K. last November. The 2025 AI Action Summit will gather leaders from the public and private sectors, academia, and civil society, as actors across the world seek to find ways to govern the technology as its capabilities accelerate. Raimondo on Wednesday emphasized the importance of integrating safety with innovation when it comes to something as rapidly advancing and as powerful as AI. It has the potential to replace the human mind, she said. Safety is good for innovation. Safety breeds trust. Trust speeds adoption. Adoption leads to more innovation. We need that virtuous cycle. Contact us at letters@time.com. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain An international clinical trial of more than 3,600 patients in 74 hospitals, and involving Monash University researchers, has shown that a traditional long course of antibiotics for bloodstream infection is not necessary. Associate Professor Benjamin Rogers, from Monash's Centre for Inflammatory Diseases and Monash Health, said deaths from bloodstream infection totaled around three million deaths per year globally and was a serious, life-threatening condition, so the "tradition" for decades has been to administer longer treatments. "Patients with bloodstream infections are often very sick at diagnosis and even with rapid administration of antibiotics they may take a while to start improving," he said. "The longstanding practice has been to treat them for two weeks with antibiotics. The key learning from our study is that it's not how sick you are at the start that determines how long you should be treated for." The results of the studythe largest ever randomized trial of bloodstream infectionare now published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It shows that treating adult patients hospitalized with sepsis due to bloodstream infection with a one-week short course of antibiotics is no different to a traditional two-week course. The research was led by the Sunnybrook Research Institute in Canada, with the Australian sites coordinated by Monash Health and Monash University. Associate Professor Rogers said using fewer antibiotics would help to stem rising antibiotic resistance, reduce the number of patients who may suffer side effects and may save costs for our health system. This week is World Antibiotic Awareness Week. Associate Professor Rogers said antibiotics were extremely important at early stages of infections, "but what we didn't know is that in many patients you could actually just stop them after a week." He said it was a "very robust finding" from a large randomized controlled trial. The final measure was the number of patients who were alive 90 days after the infection. "We showed that whether you had one week or two weeks of treatment, a similar proportion of people were still alive," he said. One of the principal investigators in the trial, Dr. Nick Daneman, of the Tory Trauma Research Program at Sunnybrook, said sepsis and antibiotics were under-researched, noting, "Our aim was to determine if shorter or longer treatment durations had an impact on patient outcomes to help inform future treatment recommendations." The trialcalled BALANCE (Bacteremia Antibiotic Length Actually Needed for Clinical Effectiveness)included 3,608 patients. Death at 90 days occurred in 14.5% of those who were randomized to a seven-day treatment and 16.1% of those who were randomized to a 14-day treatment. The Australian and Canadian researchers were joined by researchers from New Zealand, the Middle East and Europe. "One week of antibiotic therapy is just as good as two weeks," said Dr. Rob Fowler, chief scientist of Sunnybrook's Tory Trauma Program and co-principal investigator. "These results can help inform decisions that improve systems of care like increasing savings in drug costs and reducing antimicrobial resistance at an individual and population-level." More information: Antibiotic Treatment for 7 versus 14 Days in Patients with Bloodstream Infections, New England Journal of Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2404991 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine Provided by Monash University ODESSA Employees at the Ector County Courthouse follow one rule particularly seriously: Keep food in a sealed container. Any other form of storage may lead to formal discipline. This stringent rule, established nine years ago, helps prevent mice and roaches from swarming the floor in the dilapidating building where pests congregate and water pipes burst. County officials hope their employees wont have to worry about those problems once a newly constructed courthouse opens in 2027. On Tuesday, county commissioners approved taking on $325 million in new debt to build the courthouse and a juvenile detention facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county took the extraordinary step of taking on this new debt after voters previously rejected a similar proposal. Local governments traditionally ask voters to take on new debt with bond elections. In certain instances, theyll also seek approval to raise taxes to pay for the new debt. Ector County is the epicenter of West Texas, known to provide a home to tax-weary residents. Voters here have routinely rejected tax increases and bond requests to pay for upgrades to roads, government buildings and schools. Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett poses for a portrait on Sept. 13, 2023 in Odessa. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune Opponents of the decision said county officials have circumvented the will of voters. Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett, the countys chief executive, said the anti-tax mindset has prevented the county from making long-term investments. The countys $105 million budget can only provide bandaids to the growing infrastructure challenges the courthouse faces. We have not had good, thoughtful financial practices as a county, and it comes from a laissez-faire approach to the government, he said. There's a lot of different ways of thinking through these things in governance, but oftentimes what you see is people get elected to office, and all they want to do is go in and vote for no new taxes, lower taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To finance the building of the new courthouse and a juvenile detention facility, Fawcett and the countys four commissioners used a form of borrowing known as certificates of obligation, or COs. These certificates are a form of debt that local governments use either in the case of an emergency or to address infrastructure issues. Ector County will increase property taxes to pay for the construction. A family that owns an average home valued at $196,500 will see a $204 increase on their annual tax bill, county officials said. Texas counties borrowed about $526 million in this kind of debt in 2022. In 2023, they borrowed $486 million. The money will enable the county to purchase the land it has selected to build a new courthouse and build it. Plans for the design have not been publicly released. County officials plan to release them in about three months. The current courthouses' exterior honeycomb design is a unique sight in Odessa, a remnant of the style of the 1930s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 20 departments work in the building, from the district attorney to the environmental enforcement and pre-trial services. Inside, the countys prosecutors prepare and organize their caseload. It is where residents go to court over family disputes, misdemeanors and civil cases. Residents can also seek personal records, like birth and death certificates. Also inside the courthouse are five district judges who preside over cases and enforce state law. About 700 people, including the courthouses staff, use the building on a daily basis. At the entrance, two guards welcome the residents, trickling in. Every person walks through a single metal detector that leads down the hall to two elevators, which often break down. Aerial view of the Ector County Courthouse on Nov. 7, 2024. Credit: Eli Hartman Visitors collect their belongings after passing through security at the Ector County Courthouse in Odessa. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune Senior Deputy Clerk Minerva Samaniego answers a phone call while courthouse visitors walk through the Justice of the Peace office at the Ector County Courthouse on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Odessa. Samaniego has worked at the courthouse for only a year but has already seen the need for a new courthouse. We need more space for all our trials, she said. When we have weddings or hearings, they have to sit outside until we can get them in the [courtroom]. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ector County Clerk bookkeepers Christina Dominguez, left, and Freddie Tijerina work at their desks in the Ector County Courthouse. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune When the metal detector broke once this year, the security guards hand-screened every person who was called for jury duty that day. The courthouse has closed twice because of flooding. When the building floods, the employees must find shelter for hundreds of boxes containing court transcriptions and county business. Some leaks were so widespread that the employees have started to use small portable dumpsters to catch every droplet. Once, a squirrel fell through the roof, the county clerk said. The courthouse was built in the 1930s and has since been expanded two times: once in 1968 and a second in the 1980s to add new departments. Most of the facilitys infrastructure was inherited from the 1960s, including cast iron and copper pipes. Previous county judges of the fast-growing West Texas community tried and failed to renovate the courthouse. In 2013, then County Judge Susan Redford asked voters to approve $95 million in debt. Voters rejected the proposal. Her successor, Ron Eckert, unsuccessfully asked commissioners to approve $85 million in 2018.They did not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eckert, at the time, told commissioners the building was structurally unsound. We dont know when that building is going to collapse. When are we going to have a real problem there where we cant hold court, he told YourBasin, a local news outlet. In 2020, County Judge Debi Hays borrowed $26 million for the juvenile detention facility, money that was never spent that the county has been paying back. When COVID-19 spread throughout the nation and disrupted the economy, the money Hays secured was not enough to buy land to build a facility. Hays would have needed to borrow more money or call a bond election to make up the difference. Kevin Mann, the facilitys director since 2016, said the challenges he and his staff face have increased. He said the detention center no longer has enough space to process the detainees, which include children aged 10 to 16 years old. The Ector County Youth Center in Odessa. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune In one of the building's quarters, there is a room where family members can speak to the detainees through arranged visits. Behind that room, officers will guide a row of new detainees to process them into the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees repurposed a courtroom to conduct meetings and training for new staff members after they outgrew the conference room, which is now a lunch room. Across the building, employees find vacant spaces to place filing cabinets that dont fit anywhere else. Mann also said the offenses are more severe and lead to longer detention sentences, which the facility cannot handle. This building is not designed for what were dealing with, he said. The intake room at the Ector County Youth Center. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune Lead Juvenile Supervision Officer Sandra Guzman walks down a resident wing at the Ector County Youth Center while conducting door checks. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The visitation room at the Ector County Youth Center. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune Ector County Youth Center residents walk back to their rooms after lunch on Friday, Nov. 8, in Odessa. When walking throughout the facility, residents are required to walk in silence with their hands clasped behind their backs. Credit: Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune Communities that trust their governments are likelier to support efforts to borrow money for infrastructure and new amenities, said Tim Bray, director of the Institute for Urban Policy Research at the University of Texas at Dallas. He said residents establish trust through the agencies they can see, such as law enforcement or roads. The relationship a resident has with a particular agency can determine whether they trust the county to make decisions for them. You can't rely on every single resident to be intimately familiar with how public finance works, so that trust matters, Bray said. Seeking improvements through taxes is a difficult proposition in West Texas, a conservative community that prefers its government small and its expenses low. Only recently did the Ector County School District pass a $400 million bond after voters rejected multiple attempts over the last decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fawcett, the county judge, said he wanted to ask voters. He wanted to spend two years evaluating the condition of the building before taking the issue to the voters. The worsening conditions of the courthouse compelled him to seek debt without voter approval first. He said voters elected him to make those decisions. Fawcett, who is up for reelection in 2026, said he believes voters will understand why he made that decision. I'm a constitutionalist, he said. We can only do what the Legislature allows us to do, and they have allowed us to do this. Ill let the election take care of itself. Jeff Russell, the former vice president of the local economic development corporation and local business owner, has opposed many bond proposals in the past. He said the plans the county judges and commissioners brought forward were not robust enough to justify the cost. The county judge and commissioners should release the plan first before approving the debt and let voters decide in a bond election, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historically, Ector County voters have not liked big debt issues, he said. When they get their first tax bill, thats when its going to hurt. Disclosure: University of Texas - Dallas 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. Correction, Nov. 22, 2024 at 11:25 a.m. : A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the annual increase to an Ector County resident's property tax bill. It will be about $204 for the average home valued at $196,500. When labor activists came to D.C. demanding higher wages for restaurant workers, they clashed with an unexpected adversary: restaurant workers. A few decades ago, waiting tables or bartending in the nation's capital could be quite lucrative. "The money was amazing. At the end of a good bar shift, what some people had to spend an entire week scraping in an office nine to five, I could make that in a night," says Damon Dixon, a restaurant worker of 30 years. In 2016, a national movement started pushing to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. But D.C.'s tipped workers, including servers and bartenders, weren't affected, thanks to a carve-out that let restaurants pay employees a fraction of the minimum wage as long as their tips covered the difference. Known as the "tip credit," this policy is common across the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labor activists aimed to eliminate the tip credit, arguing that workers should receive the full minimum wage on top of any tips they earned. Saru Jayaraman, founder and president of One Fair Wage, has led the movement. When D.C. voters passed a referendum to eliminate the tip credit in 2018, the city council overturned it at the urging of restaurant workers. "The tipping system works well for everybody. It works well for guests, for them to show their direct appreciation," says Joshua Chaisson, a bartender who runs the advocacy group Restaurant Workers of America. "Most importantly, [it] allows us to maximize our income." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022 D.C. waiters and waitresses were making on average $50,790 a year, including tipsthe highest wage for restaurant workers in the country. Asked about this figure at a local press conference, Jayaraman told Reason that the data were wrong. "We have a research department. We look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We look at Square, which tells you how much people earn in tips. That's so not true. I'm happy to send you the data," she said. Her team didn't respond to any follow-up requests. One Fair Wage got the measure back on D.C.'s ballot in 2022, and it passed by a wide margin. "Seventy-five percent of them voted for it because it was a free toaster," says Geoff Tracy, the owner of two D.C. restaurants. "I would say that 98 percent of voters don't understand the compensation structure for full-service restaurants." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The elimination of the tip credit is happening gradually, but restaurants are already feeling the pressure. Tony Tomeldenowner of The Pug, a beloved dive barsays he's feeling the strain. "It is daunting trying to figure out how to make all these ends meet," he says. "For the first time in 17 years, I raised prices." He is currently required to pay $10 an hour, double what it was two years ago. By 2027, that will likely climb to around $18 an hour before tips. Meanwhile, Tracy estimates the wage hike will add $400,000 to his payroll per location each year. "That's like doubling my rent," he says, adding that these costs will inevitably get passed on to customers. "We're watching a beloved bar back, a beloved busser, a dishwasher have their jobs taken away," says restaurant worker Valerie Graham. "Not because our owner-operator is an evil billionaire but because they're an independent business owner who had to make some business decisions and there's a callousness with which our industry is talked about." Jayaraman claims that restaurant closures and job cuts in D.C. aren't caused by the elimination of the tip credit. "Since the initiative, more restaurants have opened, more workers hired," she explains, referencing a report that One Fair Wage published last year, titled "The Sky Is Not Falling; the Floor Is Rising." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While restaurant employment did initially rise after the measure passed, jobs have decreased by 4.3 percent since their December peak, according to Federal Reserve data. Jayaraman challenged those numbers too. "If you look at government data that the D.C. Attorney General has approved, we have 10 percent more restaurants in the District of Columbia, seven percent more restaurant jobs, and 6.8 percent higher wages. And that data was confirmed by The New York Times in April of this year," she told Reason. The New York Times article that she cited (actually published in March) in fact contained inaccuracies about the number of restaurant employees in the District. When Reason asked the Times about the errors, the paper ran a correction. As D.C. restaurant jobs decline, some establishments are introducing "service charges" to help cover wage expenses. Yet servers are often taking home less, and some believe the policy caps their earning potential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters, Dixon argues, are "on a savior complex trying to save people that didn't need saving in the first place. The tips is the main reason why we got into this industry." Despite dictating how restaurants are supposed to work, Jayaraman has yet to operate a successful restaurant. In 2006, a group she cofoundedthe Restaurant Opportunities Centerlaunched a New York City establishment called Colors that tried to pay its wages along the lines Jayaraman has been demanding. It quickly faced financial trouble, cut salaries, faced lawsuits, and ultimately closed. The group's two other restaurant ventures also failed. One Fair Wage aims to end the tip credit in at least 25 states by 2026. Those jurisdictions would do well to take note of what is happening in D.C. Formerly thriving businesses are now grappling with closures, vacant storefronts, staff shortages, and escalating prices. "Put the pieces together in the puzzle," says Graham, "and we can see that this is not working." 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Officials with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a heartbreaking update about the future of giraffes. The service announced on Nov. 20 that certain giraffes will need additional protection under the United States Endangered Species Act. Under the proposal, West African, Kordofan and Nubian giraffes are to be listed as endangered while Reticulated, Masai, Angolan and South African will be classified as threatened. The latter group of giraffes falls under the 4(d) rule, which means the FWS will enact protective policies it deems necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the affected species. Though Angolan and South African giraffes are threatened rather than endangered, they would still be treated as such because they look so similar to endangered giraffe species and are therefore hard to distinguish by authorities. The measure will provide a limited amount of money for conservation in addition to increased research efforts surrounding the conservation of giraffes and creating an awareness regarding their decline in numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This action supports giraffe conservation while ensuring the United States does not contribute further to their decline, Martha Williams, director of the FWS, said. Though there are roughly 117,000 giraffes around the world, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation reports that those numbers have dropped drastically since the 1980s. The total number of giraffes has decreased by 30 percent, while northern giraffes have seen a population decline of 77 percent. There are some West African countries in which giraffes are completely extinct. The decline in numbers is due to poaching, climate change, drought, and the urbanization of land. A controversial head lice policy in Williamson County is off the table for now after parents and other community members spoke against it during a recent school board meeting. The district's current policy requires a student with a head lice infestation to be immediately sent home from school, and it's one that's in line with many districts across Tennessee. Williamson County's school leadership proposed a revised policy that would have allowed students with head lice infestations to remain in school until the end of the day. Students would be allowed to return to class with proof of treatment following an examination by the school nurse. The board said it came up with the revised policy as a way to minimize student absences as the result of head lice infestations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Tennessee Department of Health, between 6 to 12 million head lice infestations occur each year in the United States, primarily affecting children between the ages 3 to 11. The bugs travel through person to person contact, spreading when hair meets hair or head meets head. And they multiply very quickly. Females can lay up to 8 eggs, or nits, per day and adults can live for up to 30 days on a person's head, according to the Centers for Disease Control. During a Monday school board meeting, Williamson County Schools Superintendent Jason Golden said more discussion and further research was needed on the policy before board members could come to a final decision on whether to implement it. We want to make sure, especially within that context of pediculosis or head lice, that we honor our familys need to not allow that to spread while still respecting every individual students privacy, Golden said during the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board originally announced last week that they were reviewing the head lice policy. Now that the policy has been sent back for more research, it is unclear when it could come back before the board again. No plans have been announced, according to school officials. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Williamson Schools pauses head lice policy change amid public outcry For our most recent Student of the Week poll, we asked Middle Tennessee high schools to nominate students who go above and beyond for their community. After 4 days of voting, we finally have a winner, and the timing couldn't be more perfect as we prepare for Thanksgiving next week. Katrina Ward, of Wilson Central High School, is an active member of Beta Club and helps at the local animal shelter all while continuously contributing to the community's Trunk or Treat and Wilson Countys Christmas for All organization. Earlier this month. Ward and another student won 1st place in a chili cooking contest. Ward also serves her student community as a member of the National Honor Society and she's always quick lend a hand to someone in need, school officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson Centrals Library Media Specialist Cindy Sharp originally nominated Ward because she said that Ward continues to make Wilson Central a friendlier and better place. Be sure to check out our next poll, which will highlight the songbirds of Middle Tennessee. Things will look a little different because of the holiday. We are giving school officials an extra week to get their nominations in, due to the holiday. The poll will go live on Tennessean.com on Monday, Dec. 2. In the meantime, check out what each of our schools said about the other nominees this week: Chesney Rhodes, James Lawson Lawson High School Chesney is a current junior who spends a majority of her free time at The Lodge, an assisted living and memory care facility, on Hwy 100. Chesney will often be found helping with the residents free time, serving ice cream, and conversing with the residents. Before her homecoming dance, Chesney went to The Lodge just so they could see her dress. She has a great personality and the residents love her. It is clear that Chesney has a heart for service and therefore would be a great candidate for your award. Belen Vazquez, Riverdale High School Belen is the current senior Student Body President who leads by example while modeling community service with dedication and compassion. She volunteers with multiple groups in the school and beyond, is a large fundraiser and advocate for St. Baldrick's at RHS and does her best to make sure every voice in the school is heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Riverdale she is involved in SkillsUSA, Riverdale Honors College and Student Council which all serve our community. Outside of Riverdale she is involved with A Soldier's Child Foundation and she also canvassed for St. Baldricks Brave the Shave at Riverdale High. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Wilson Central's Ward snags The Tennessean Student of the Week A subtropical Spanish archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are best known for their year-round sunshine. Yet each island also has its own distinctive identity, deep-rooted customs and cuisine, shaped by the millennia of visitors and colonisers drawn to this strategic location in the Atlantic. This is best demonstrated in the archipelagos wine and cheese offerings, which reflect each islands natural landscapes and age-old traditions. Any journey into Canarian viticulture should start on the largest island, Tenerife. Wine grapes here are grown using the cordon trenzado method, where vines are braided in long horizontal rows. Listan Negro is one of the most widely grown varieties, producing reds with black pepper and red fruit characteristics. Sample it with a tasting at the Casa del Vino in El Sauzal, or swing by La Recova market in the islands capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, to grab a bottle from an independent wine shop. East of Tenerife, Gran Canaria is famed for its cheese namely Flor de Guia, which comes from a tiny town in the north of the island. Its made using a base of 60% sheeps milk, mixed with cows or goats milk and blended with thistle flower to produce a creamy cheese with a slight bitterness. Buy it at the municipal market in the old capital of Galdar. And for a prime accompaniment? While around 70% of the wines on the island are red, keep your eyes peeled for Vijariego Blanco, a fresh white with bright, citrus notes. Vinofilos wine bar in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria offers a range of local bottles. On the island of Lanzarote, vines are surrounded by small stone walls to protect the grapes from the elements as they grow. Further east still, youd think that the arid, desert-like plains of Fuerteventura wouldnt be able to sustain vines. However, the island has one commercial vineyard, Conatvs, which produces a bright rose blend of Listan Prieto and Listan Negro grapes thats full of ripe red fruits. And while grapes may be harder to find here, goats arent. The symbol of the island, the Majorero goat has been reared here for hundreds of years and its milk produces the wonderfully nutty-flavoured, officially protected, Majorero goats cheese. At Queseria La Casa del Queso Cabrera Perez, you can make it yourself milking the goats, pressing the cheese and enjoying a tasting session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast to Fuerteventuras minimal vineyards, the soils of Lanzarote became the perfect place for vines following the volcanic eruption of the 1730s. Here, grapes are grown in deep pits or surrounded by stone walls to protect them from the strong winds and avoid evaporation, as the picon (volcanic ash) works well to maintain moisture. Look out for the classic Malvasia Volcanica, a fresh mineral white wine thats characteristic of the island. Pair it with some semi-cured goats cheese from one of the stalls at the weekly Teguise market, or head to SeBE restaurant in Costa Teguise for an extensive local wine list and small plates. In the west of the archipelago, La Palma enjoys similar verdant vegetation and rich volcanic soil. Make for the Casa Museo del Vino to learn about varieties such as Negramoll an earthy red wine bursting with fruit flavours. The islands speciality, Queso Palmero (La Palma cheese) is often made with goats milk and in very large wheels. Though delicious by itself, its frequently used for baked or fried cheese dishes served with the iconic green and red mojo sauces and miel de palma (palm honey). Try it at classic Canarian Restaurante Chipi-Chipi in the islands capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma. Queso Palmero is La Palma's speciality cheese, typically used for baked or fried cheese dishes. Photograph by Donhype, Getty Images While around 70% of Gran Canaria's wines are red, Bodega Los Berrazales winery produces both red and white wines. Photograph by Lex Thoonen Those that like to savour a richer flavour should head to El Hierro, the most southwestern Canary Island, where the local Herreno cheese is characterised by is distinctive smokiness. Its made using mostly goats milk, mixed with cows and sheeps milk and often smoked using wood from local fig trees and trunks of prickly pears, which give it a subtle tang and toast. Visit local cheese cooperative, Cooperativa de Quesos Herrenos in Valverde to try and buy. Pair with Baboso Negro wine from the Tanajara winery possibly the most southerly and westerly vineyard in Europe which has black fruit and violet notes. Goats cheese also holds great significance in La Gomera, another island with a deep history of shepherding. Try the often-tangy cheese as part of the classic Gomeran cheese paste almogrote, where its mixed with dried red peppers, garlic and olive oil. Pair with a local Forastera Blanca a grape variety unique to La Gomera, which makes a fresh, dry white wine. For a final feast, head to the elegant Parador de La Gomera hotel restaurant for Canarian and Gomeran cuisine with spectacular views over the sea. This paid content article was created for The Canary Islands. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). Updated 4:30am Thursday, November 21st, 2024 WINTER STORM WARNINGS: Are in effect for Eastern Nicholas, Eastern Fayette, Western Greenbrier, and Western Pocahontas County now through 7pm Saturday. Measurable snow from Thursday late afternoon through Saturday morning is expected with hazardous driving conditions expected. 4-6 inches of snow for many mountain top communities from Thursday to Saturday with a few in the highest mountains of Pocahontas picking up 6-8 inches by then. WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES: Are in effect now through 7pm Saturday for Western Nicholas, Western Fayette, all of Raleigh, Wyoming, McDowell, Tazewell, Mercer, Summers, Eastern Greenbrier, Eastern Pocahontas, and Monroe county for black ice conditions Thursday morning, wintry mix Thursday afternoon leading to slick roads, then refreezing and 1-2+ inches of snow Thursday night into Friday morning. Use caution while traveling. Thursday starts, oddly enough, with sunshine and bitterly cold temperatures. Air temperatures near freezing wont matter much as wind chills make it feel like were in the teens and 20s all day. While the winds of Thursday wont be a strong as Wednesday afternoon, they will still be elevated at times today westerly 15-20mph with occasional gusts 25-35mph. Localized power outages can still be problematic for some making it a good day to check on neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check power outages with the Stormtracker 59 Power Outage Map updated every 5 minutes! The clearer skies of the morning quickly become cloudy by mid-morning as rain, sleet, and snow showers push in from the northwest. Luckily, our road temperatures will be too warm for any accumulations until 3pm, wet roads and windy conditions still cause travel issues on their own. However, as the sun dips low in the sky with sunset around 5pm, untreated bridges and overpasses will begin to freeze. As temps drop below freezing near sunset, wintry mix turns all snow for everyone and will last through Friday morning. This is where our accumulating snows will start to overtake mountain roads and create slick conditions even for the lowlands. Traveling? Weve got you covered with the StormTracker 59 Travel Forecast for roads & air! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday night will be a snowy night with temps in the 20s and wind chills in the teens. While most will see light to moderate snow showers in the lowlands, the mountains will see snow squalls putting a quick half to one inch per hour of snow on the ground. Most of our snow accumulations will occur Thursday night into Friday. Travel conditions will deteriorate quickly and stay treacherous. Use caution while traveling at night. Friday morning we catch a small break in snow, but it wont last long. By sunrise, heavy snows push through the higher elevations in Pocahontas, western Greenbrier, Eastern Nicholas, and Eastern Fayette counties causing visibility issues, blowing snow, and snow covered roadways. Plows will have a hard time keeping up so use caution while driving. For the lowlands, snow showers, some heavy at times, will cause many issues from frozen bridges/overpasses, wind swept snow over roads, and icy travel. While snow totals will be far less than the mountains, travel will be difficult. Wind chills will once again be in the 20s all day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday evening, as winds change direction and our system moves farther east, warmer air wraps in for our western counties. Snow to icy sleet and rain will create more of a headache for drivers no matter where they are. For many, snows of Friday morning begin to melt in the late afternoon, but the mountains will continue to be cold enough for all snow adding an inch or two more into Friday night. Overnight lows, however, are cold enough for all to see wet roads refreeze. Snow and rain showers will tapper off into the night for the lowlands, but the westward facing ridgelines in our northern counties will continue to see bursts of snow come and go. Lows dip into the upper 20s and low 30s. Saturday, our mountain counties continue to deal with upsloping snow showers, mainly Nicholas & Pocahontas counties. The rest of our viewing area will begin to clear up through the day with sunshine trying to peek through the thinning clouds. Temps rise into the 40s for the lowlands giving us a chance to melt away snow and ice from the previous days. Slick mornings but wet roads for the afternoon. Mountains will continue to deal with black ice, snow covered roads, and winds for a cooler day in the 30s. Saturday night, well see our system finally kick east and out of the region for a drier night with lows in the 20s. Watch for refreezing once again. Sunday the sunshine returns and starts to thaw us out. For those with measurable snows on the grounds still will see temps in the mid to upper 40s and a stiff chill on the air. For those not in the mountains, air temps push into the low 50s. At 50 degrees, 2-4 inches of snow can melt per hour so itll be hard to find much snow in the lowlands by Sunday aside from a few shady spots. Roads will be wet and well be muddy through the day. With clear skies Sunday night, however, what melts again refreezes for some tricky travel where runoff waters and snowmelt still sits on/over roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday will be sunny for the dayside but increasing clouds late evening mark another system inching its way in. With southwesterly winds, we soar into the mid and upper 50s. A few rain showers are expected into late night through Tuesday morning with lows in the 40s. Tuesday will be a soggy, wet, rainy morning with steady showers pushing through. As a cold front crosses mid afternoon, winds will increase and temperatures begin to from the upper 40s to the freezing mark by late Tuesday night. Rain changing to passing snow showers for the mountains are a good bet, while a few rural towns see roads begin to refreeze. Wednesday morning will feature some icy travel before sunrise which melts after. Wet roads with passing rain showers at times are likely but not as extensive as Tuesdays rains. Winds will still be elevated as cooler air moves in. Lows Wednesday night drop below freezing again so some icy overnight travel can be expected heading into Thanksgiving day. Thanksgiving Thursday is looking to be soggy once again as another rain maker moves in. Morning mountain snows and freezing rain will impact those traveling to family in the morning. All rain for the afternoon through the evening hours before snow showers return Thursday night as temps drop from the low 40s during the day back into the 20 at night. It wont be the greatest day for road travel, but well have a few windows where we just deal with wet roads from sunrise through 3pm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In your extended forecast, we bounce between seasons for a while with several cold days only broken up by a dotting of 50 degree days here and there. While this is great for the drought left over from summer, traveling and shopping season is looking a little soggy from time to time. Well keep you posted for changes in the long range regarding another snow storm. THURSDAY Increasing clouds, wintry mix PM, heavy snow late. Highs in the mid 30s. FRIDAY Heavy Snow AM, wintry mix/rain PM. Highs in the upper 30s. SATURDAY Breezy, sct. snow/rain showers. Highs near 40 lowlands / 30s mtn. SUNDAY Sunshine returns with a few clouds. Highs in the low 50s. MONDAY Muddy from snow melt, warmer. Highs in the upper 50s. TUESDAY Rainy, mtn snow/ice, windy. Highs in the upper 40s. WEDNESDAY Snow, rain, icy at times, some dry time. Highs in the low 40s. THANKSGIVING THURSDAY Rainy day, late change to ice/snow. Highs in the 40s. BLACK FRIDAY Morning showers, some clearing PM. Highs in the low 40s SHOP SMALL SATURDAY Becoming sunny, cold & breezy. Highs in the 40s. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GREEN LAKE, Wis. (AP) A Wisconsin man who faked his own drowning this summer so he could abandon his wife and three children has been communicating with authorities daily from Eastern Europe, even telling them how he did it, but has not committed to returning home, a sheriff said Thursday. Ryan Borgwardt has been talking with authorities since Nov. 11 after disappearing for three months, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said at a news conference. The sheriff later showed a video that Borgwardt had sent the sheriff's office that day. The great news is we know that he is alive and well, Podoll said. The bad news is we dont know where Ryan exactly is, and he has not yet decided to return home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borgwardt, wearing an orange T-shirt and not smiling, looked directly into the camera in the video, which appears to have been taken on his phone. Borgwardt said he was in his apartment and briefly panned the camera but mostly showed just a door and bare walls. Im safe and secure, no problem, Borgwardt said. I hope this works. Borgwardt told authorities he fled because of personal matters," the sheriff said. Podoll did not elaborate. He was just going to try and make things better in his mind, and this was the way it was going to be, Podoll said. Borgwardt told authorities he traveled about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from his home in Watertown to Green Lake, where he overturned his kayak, dumped his phone in the lake and then paddled an inflatable boat to shore. He told authorities he picked that lake because it's the deepest in Wisconsin at 237 feet (over 72 meters). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After leaving the lake, he rode an electric bike about 70 miles (110 kilometers) through the night to Madison, the sheriff said. From there, he took a bus to Detroit, then boarded a bus to Canada and got on a plane there, the sheriff said. Police were still verifying Borgwardts description of what happened, Podoll said. The sheriff suggested Borgwardt could be charged with obstructing the investigation into his disappearance, but so far no counts have been filed. The sheriff's office said the search for Borgwardt's body, which lasted more than a month, cost at least $35,000. Podoll said that Borgwardt told authorities that he didn't expect the search to last more than two weeks. Whether Borgwardt returns will be up to his free will," Podoll said. Borgwardts biggest concern about returning is how the community will react, the sheriff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He thought his plan was going to pan out, but it didnt go the way he had planned, the sheriff said. And so now were trying to give him a different plan to come back. The sheriff said authorities keep pulling at his heartstrings to return home. Christmas is coming," Podoll said. And what better gift could your kids get than to be there for Christmas? Borgwardts disappearance was first investigated as a possible drowning after he went kayaking on Green Lake, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee, in August. But subsequent clues including that he obtained a new passport three months before he disappeared led investigators to speculate that he faked his death to meet up with a woman he had been communicating with in Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff declined to comment when asked what he knew about the woman, but he said police contacted Borgwardt through a female that spoke Russian. Prior to the sheriff's office speaking with Borgwardt last week, he had not been heard from since the night of Aug. 11 when he texted his wife in Watertown shortly before 11 p.m., saying he was headed to shore after kayaking. Deputies located his vehicle and trailer near the lake. They also found his overturned kayak with a life jacket attached to it in an area where the lakes waters run more than 200 feet (60 meters) deep. The search for his body went on for more than 50 days, with divers on several occasions exploring the lake. In early October, the sheriffs department learned that Canadian law enforcement authorities had run Borgwardts name through their databases the day after he was reported missing. Further investigation revealed that he had reported his passport lost or stolen and had obtained a new one in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff's office said the analysis of a laptop revealed a digital trail that showed Borgwardt planned to head to Europe and tried to mislead investigators. The laptops hard drive had been replaced and the browsers had been cleared the day Borgwardt disappeared, the sheriff's office said. Investigators found passport photos, inquiries about moving money to foreign banks, and communication with a woman from Uzbekistan. They also discovered that he took out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January, although the policy was for his family and not him, the sheriff said. Authorities tried every phone number and email address on the laptop in a blitz fashion, Podoll said. They eventually reached the Russian-speaking woman, who connected them with Borgwardt. It's unclear whether she is the woman in Uzbekistan. Podoll said he wasn't sure how Borgwardt was supporting himself but speculated he has a job: He's a smart guy. ___ Associated Press writer Scott Bauer in Madison contributed to this report. Ryan Borgwardt, the husband and father of three who authorities said faked his own death at a Wisconsin lake and fled the country, is speaking to police but isn't revealing where he is, the local sheriff said. In recent weeks, as authorities worked to track Borgwardt down, they made contact with a woman who speaks Russian, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said at a news conference Thursday. "On Nov. 11, we got in contact with Ryan through her. That was a big turning point," he said. PHOTO: An undated photo of Ryan Borgwardt, who authorities believe faked his own death in a Wisconsin lake and fled to Europe. (Green Lake County Sheriff's Office) MORE: Missing Wisconsin kayaker likely faked his own death, fled to Europe; charges are possible: Sheriff Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When authorities reached Borgwardt, they asked him questions only he would know and asked him to film a video of himself, Podoll said. In the selfie-style video, which was played at the news conference, Borgwardt appears to be in an apartment. He said the date was Nov. 11 and he was safe. PHOTO: Ryan Borgwardt filmed a video of himself at the request of authorities. He said he is safe but did not reveal his location. (Released by Green Lake County Sheriffs Office) MORE: Idaho college killings to remain a death penalty case Authorities believe he in Eastern Europe, Podoll said, adding that he doesn't appear to be in danger. "We do not know where Ryan exactly is," the sheriff said. "He has not yet decided to return home." "We've had nearly daily communications with Ryan," the sheriff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borgwardt has not spoken to his wife or children, Podoll said. MORE: Laken Riley case: Suspect found guilty by judge in campus killing, sentenced to life The mysterious case began on the night of Aug. 11, when Borgwardt last texted his wife. He told her he was turning his kayak around on Green Lake and was heading to shore soon, Podoll said. The 45-year-old was reported missing the next day. After Borgwardt's overturned kayak and life jacket were discovered in the lake, responders believed the missing dad drowned, officials said. PHOTO: Green Lake County authorities and volunteers search for missing kayaker Ryan Borgwardt. (WBAY) Crews scoured the lake for weeks using divers, drones, sonar and cadaver K-9s, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case took a turn in October when investigators discovered Borgwardt's name had been checked by law enforcement in Canada on Aug. 13, the sheriff said. Authorities also learned Borgwardt had been communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan, the sheriff said. PHOTO: Green Lake County authorities and volunteers search for missing kayaker Ryan Borgwardt. (WBAY) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other behavior included clearing his browsers the day he disappeared, inquiries about moving funds to foreign banks, getting a new life insurance policy, obtaining a new passport and replacing his laptop hard drive, the sheriff said. Podoll said Borgwardt revealed to authorities how he faked his death at the lake and fled the country. "He stashed an e-bike near the boat launch. He paddled his kayak in a child-sized floating boat out into the lake. He overturned the kayak and dumped his phone in the lake," the sheriff said. "He paddled the inflatable boat to shore and got on his e-bike and road through the night to Madison, [Wisconsin]. In Madison, he boarded a bus and went to Detroit, and then the Canadian border. He continued on the bus to an airport and got on a plane." "We are continuing to verify this information," the sheriff added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Susan Smith denied parole 30 years after killing her 2 sons One of the reasons Borgwardt picked Green Lake is because its one of the deepest lakes in the state, Podoll said. Borgwardt told authorities he didnt think responders would spend more than two weeks searching for him, the sheriff said. "He feels bad about the amount of hours weve put in," Podoll noted. PHOTO: A drone is seen searching for missing kayaker Ryan Borgwardt, in Green Lake, Wisc. (WBAY) The family wants Borgwardt home, and Podoll said he wants Borgwardt back to "clean up the mess that he has created." The sheriff said authorities will keep "pulling at his heartstrings." "He needs to come home to his kids," Podoll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff, appearing emotional, ended the news conference by saying, "Christmas is coming, and what better gift he could give his kids is to be there for Christmas with them?" Borgwardt could potentially face an obstruction charge, the sheriff said. The county is seeking around $35,000 to $40,000 for restitution, the sheriff said. Wisconsin kayaker who faked death reveals how he staged drowning, fled US: Sheriff originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Ryan Borgwardt, who has been missing since August, appears in a video shared by the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office. Authorities have contacted a 44-year-old Wisconsin man suspected to have staged his own death and fled the country, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said at a Thursday press conference. Podoll said the "great news" is that Ryan Borgwardt, a Watertown resident and married father of three, is "alive and well." Borgwardt filmed a video of himself in what he called "his apartment" that played at the press conference. The "bad news" is that authorities don't know where Borgwardt is in Europe and he hasn't yet decided to return home, Podoll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff's chief deputy has a "good relationship" with Borgwardt, Podoll said, and communicates with him nearly daily for the past 10 days. Authorities first got in contact with Borgwardt on Nov. 11 through a woman who spoke Russian. Few details about her were available, other than that she and Borgwardt met on the internet. "In our communications, we are expressing the importance of his decision to return home (and) clean up the mess that he has created," Podoll said, adding that his family wants him to come home. Borgwardt has told authorities that his biggest concern is how the community is going to react to him, Podoll said. Here are the updates from the Thursday press conference and what's happened in the case: What charges is Ryan Borgwardt facing? Podoll said the sheriff's office is looking at an obstruction charge. He said he couldn't address any charges "that may or may not be filed through our federal partners." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No warrants have been issued, and Podoll says he thinks warrants won't be needed if Borgwardt cooperates and decides to return home soon. Will the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office seek restitution for the costs of the search of Ryan Borgwardt? Podoll said this was one of the most important questions the office has gotten. The county will seek $35,000 to $40,000, Podoll said, not including the costs incurred by search and recovery efforts from the Bruce's Legacy nonprofit organization. "We're looking at about $7,000 in equipment expenses, along with the wages," he said. The 54-day search for Borgwardt involved underwater drones, towable submersible sonar, divers and three K-9 cadaver teams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borgwardt "feels bad about the amount of hours that we have put in" as a community, Podoll said, and didn't expect they would search for him for more than two weeks. "He picked the wrong sheriff from the wrong department," Podoll said. How did Ryan Borgwardt stage his disappearance on Green Lake? Podoll said Borgwardt decided to share details of how he staged his disappearance. He left an e-bike hear the boat launch, then paddled his kayak in a child-sized inflatable boat out into the lake. He overturned the kayak and dumped his phone in the lake. He paddled the inflatable boat back to shore, got on his e-bike and "rode through the night to Madison," Podoll said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Madison, he boarded a bus, went to Detroit and reached the Canadian border. He continued on the bus to an airport and got on a plane, Podoll said. "We are continuing to verify this information, trying to put the dots together," Podoll said. "We feel that this was Ryan's way that he could tell the entire country how he did it." When did Ryan Borgwardt disappear in Wisconsin? Borgwardt was first reported missing Aug. 12 and was last known to be on Green Lake in his kayak. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Bruce's Legacy assisted with the search. Efforts to search the area were continued through August with no signs of Borgwardt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Key events in the case of Ryan Borgwardt, Wisconsin man who may have faked his death What do authorities think happened to Ryan Borgwardt? Authorities learned that Borgwardt had reported his passport lost or stolen and had obtained another passport issued in May 2024. Digital forensic analysis of a laptop showed a digital trail, with Borgwardt planning his disappearance to Europe and his attempt to conceal his efforts. Authorities found a replacement of the hard drive on the laptop, and that he cleared the browsers on the day of the disappearance. Authorities also discovered inquiries about moving funds to foreign banks, communication with a woman from Uzbekistan and a new $375,000 life insurance policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although it's unknown where Borgwardt is, Podoll said the United States doesn't have an extradition treaty with Uzbekistan. Was Ryan Borgwardt seen in a viral TikTok video? Authorities reviewed a viral TikTok that showed a man who looked like Borgwardt but determined it wasn't him by contacting people who know Borgwardt. In the video, a man comes up to the TikTok creator, who is holding an "ask me for free advice" sign, and asks if he should go to Uzbekistan to meet a woman. Several other content creators and social media users found the connection odd, prompting the sheriff's office to debunk the theory on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Ryan Borgwardt isnt the man in viral TikTok video, Green Lake County sheriff says Justin Marville of the Fond du Lac Reporter contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin man who faked death talks with police: Ryan Borgwardt update This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The members of the Amyloid imaging to prevent Alzheimer's disease (AMYPAD) have announced the publication of a perspective review on the interpretability and clinical application of the Centiloid (CL) scale, a robust method for measuring amyloid plaques in the brain, a key hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, this work includes the context-of-use recommendations and aims to provide guidelines for the implementation of the CL scale in clinical practice, ensuring its reliability and accuracy for diagnosing and monitoring AD across different settings. Dr. Lyduine Collij, Researcher at Amsterdam UMC and Lund University, commented that "we have summarized the available literature and AMYPAD's Centiloid Working group endeavors to propose context-of use recommendations regarding the clinical use of Centiloid to prepare the European field for the arrival of disease-modifying therapies, which will require highly accurate diagnosis to avoid unnecessary burden for patients and their families and costs for our health care system." "In addition to the four Centiloid use scenarios we described, we set out to identify the remaining knowledge gaps and gathered first evidence of longitudinal investigations using the Centiloid scale, which is important as the field is moving towards early intervention," added Dr. Ariane Bollack, scientific advisor at GE Health care and honorary researcher at University College London. In recent years, AMYPAD researchers have played a pivotal role in validating the CL scale as a robust and reliable method for quantifying amyloid deposition in the brain, independent of the radiotracer used in PET imaging. The CL scale provides a unified and standardized framework for comparing data across different PET imaging tracers and quantification pipelines, enabling a more accurate assessment of amyloid burden. This recently published AMYPAD work, conducted across multiple clinical sites, demonstrated improvement in diagnostic accuracy, particularly when assessing equivocal cases. Dr. Mahnaz Shekari, researcher at the Neuroimaging Research Group at the BBRC center, explains that "we have demonstrated the precision of the Centiloid metric in memory clinic patients, establishing it as a reliable biomarker for diagnosing and tracking Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, we offer a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guideline for using the Centiloid metric in amyloid PET quantification, making it accessible to both clinicians and researchers." These findings have been consolidated into an application for a Biomarker Qualification Opinion (BQO) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recognized the Centiloid unit for measuring brain amyloid levels as a validated measure of global amyloid load in the brain, if properly used with quality control procedures. "The qualification opinion is a regulatory endorsement of this methodology. It lends credibility for it to be used as an outcome measure in clinical trials, and it's a stepping stone to possible future use in routine clinical practice," said Gill Farrar, medical director at GE Health care, who was the project lead of AMYPAD on the industry side. The emerging era of anti-amyloid therapies relies heavily on amyloid-PET imaging for patient selection, evaluation of target engagement and assessment of drug effectiveness. For these therapies, the Centiloid scale offers a robust, tracer-independent and validated metric that accurately reflects the degree of amyloid pathology in the brain, making it an ideal tool for use in clinical settings. According to Frederik Barkhof, professor of Neuroradiology at VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam and University College London, who was the academic lead of the AMYPAD project, "There are treatments being developed for Alzheimer's disease that remove amyloid plaques from the brain. When this works, there is less amount of radioactive tracer visible on the scan. People can return to an almost normal scan, sousing the Centiloid scalethe effect of the treatment can now be measured." The Centiloid (CL) approach provides a universal means of calibrating standard uptake value ratios (SUVr) measures of A deposits into a tracer and quantification method-independent unbounded scale. This quantification in 'absolute' units can be leveraged into the definition of thresholds differentiating stages of AD pathology. More specifically, the CL method allows the transformation of amyloid PET data acquired at individual sites using the individual settings and processing into standard CL units using a two-step scaling process. The key principle involves calibrating the SUVr of 18F-labeled tracers to match those of [11C]PiB, which are then transformed into the CL scale. The scale is anchored to the mean amyloid load of a reference young healthy control group (CL=0) and to the mean amyloid load of a typical mild-moderate AD population (CL=100), available through the open-source GAAIN reference dataset, but values may be below zero and above 100. AMYPAD was a public-private research initiative launched in 2016. The project aimed to improve the understanding, diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease through the utilization of -amyloid PET imaging. The collaboration brought together 15 European partners across Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries Associations (EFPIA), academic, and "Small and Medium-sized enterprises" (SME) who aimed to optimize the use of amyloid-PET in both clinical and research settings. To this end, two trials were set-up: the "Diagnostic and Patient Management study (DPMS)" including a memory clinic population; and the "Prognostic and Natural History Study (PNHS)," focused on a pre-dementia and mainly pre-clinical population. AMYPAD has made significant contributions to the field of Alzheimer's disease by deepening our understanding of amyloid deposition in the brain and the optimal methodology to measure this process. More information: Lyduine E. Collij et al, Centiloid recommendations for clinical contextofuse from the AMYPAD consortium, Alzheimer's & Dementia (2024). DOI: 10.1002/alz.14336 Ariane Bollack et al, Investigating reliable amyloid accumulation in Centiloids: Results from the AMYPAD Prognostic and Natural History Study, Alzheimer's & Dementia (2024). DOI: 10.1002/alz.13761 Mahnaz Shekari et al, Stress testing the Centiloid: Precision and variability of PET quantification of amyloid pathology, Alzheimer's & Dementia (2024). DOI: 10.1002/alz.13883 EMAQualification opinion for Centiloid measure of Amyloid PET to quantify brain amyloid deposition (EMADOC-1700519818-1200791) https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/qualification-opinion-centiloid-measure-amyloid-pet-quantify-brain-amyloid-deposition_en.pdf More information about the AMYPAD project can be found at www.amypad.eu. Journal information: Alzheimer's & Dementia GREEN LAKE, Wis. (WFRV) The Green Lake County Sheriffs Office in Wisconsin revealed new information on Thursday about Ryan Borgwardt, the missing kayaker who allegedly faked his own death and planned his disappearance on August 12, 2024. Deputies have been able to make contact with Borgwardt, 45, after being connected to through a woman who speaks Russian. (Borgwardts location is still unknown, but authorities believe he is somewhere in Eastern Europe.) The great news is that we know hes alive, stated Sheriff Mark Podoll. The bad news is we do not know where [Borgwardt] exactly is, and he has not yet decided to return home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Green Lake County Sheriffs Office has urged Borgwardt to return to the United States and clean up the mess hes made, emphasizing the importance of his return for his wife and, more importantly, his children. Sheriff Podoll suggested Borgwardt may fear the communitys reaction to his actions. I can see that, Podoll said. He staged his death, and unfortunately, one of the things he did say is that he didnt expect us to go more than two weeks searching for him. I hate to tell him that he picked the wrong sheriff and the wrong department. Wisconsin man hit by 2 vehicles, killed trying to remove deer he crashed into from road Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borgwardt was first reported missing on Aug. 12 after he failed to return home from kayaking on Big Green Lake, the Green Lake County Sheriffs Office said at the time. Deputies found an unoccupied kayak with a life jacket attached to it when they went searching for Borgwardt. His vehicle was also found near Big Green Lake. For 54 days, numerous search efforts were conducted to find Borgwardt. But in early November, authorities announced that they believed Borgwardt planned his Aug. 12 disappearance and tried to conceal his efforts to mislead investigations. (Green Lake County Sheriffs Office) Investigators revealed that Borgwardts name had been run on Aug. 13 by law enforcement in Canada. An analysis of a laptop given to them by Borgwardts wife also indicated suspicious activity: Borgwardt is alleged to have replaced his hard drive and cleared the browser on the date of his disappearance, syncing it into the cloud on Aug. 11, and he had taken photos of his passports. Authorities said he also moved funds into a foreign bank and changed his email address while communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan. In addition, Borgwardt reportedly took out a $375,000 life insurance policy and purchased airline cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Podoll clarified during Thursdays press conference that the insurance policy was intended to provide support for Borgwardts family, and not himself. Hunters asked to help search for missing Wisconsin man during gun deer season Deputies were ultimately able to make contact with Borgwardt on Nov. 11 during their investigations into his disappearance. Borgwardt confirmed he had attempted to fake his own death. Borgwardt also provided a video to officials confirming he is alive and safe, and residing in an apartment. The apartments location remains undisclosed. Authorities have developed a relationship with Borgwardt, maintaining daily communication. During these interactions, Borgwardt detailed how he faked his death and fled the country: Borgwardt had decided to go missing on Big Green Lake because it was the deepest lake in Wisconsin. He then allegedly stashed an electric bike near the boat launch, paddled to the center of the lake in a kayak, overturned it, threw his phone into the water, and used an inflatable device to return to shore. From there, he rode the e-bike to Madison, Wisconsin a nearly seven-hour journey and then took a bus to Detroit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borgwardt reportedly crossed into Canada before boarding a flight to another destination. Authorities are now working to identify anyone who may have assisted Borgwardt in faking his death. FBI arrests man whos been charged with planning an attack on NYSE Borgwardt could face an obstruction charge in Wisconsin and may be required to repay the $35,000$40,000 spent on search efforts. Federal charges are also possible, though no decision has been made. While a warrant is not currently in place, authorities noted that could change as the investigation progresses. Sheriff Podoll concluded Thursdays press conference on an emotional note, choking up as he delivered a heartfelt message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christmas is coming, and what better gift he could give his kids than to be there for Christmas with them, Podoll 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. Eric Hovde speaks in a video posted on X Tuesday, Nov. 12, in which he questions how ballots were counted in his election loss to Sen. Tammy Baldwin that was called early Nov. 6. Hovde did not concede then, only doing so on Monday, Nov. 18.. (Screenshot | Hovde campaign on X) Poor Eric Hovde. His protestations that the election was rigged against him have fallen on deaf ears. Hovdes grudging concession to Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who beat him by 29,000 votes to hang onto her seat in the U.S. Senate, came as Republicans across the country rejoiced at winning control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. Like his Tom Selleck mustache, Hovdes election denial is way out of style. Hovdes baseless accusations during his very tardy concession speech about the questionable legitimacy of absentee ballots that were dropped in Milwaukee at 4 a.m. is so 2020. This year, Trump won all the swing states and, unlike last time, when he lost to Joe Biden, allegations of illegal voting, fraud, recounts, court challenges and death threats aimed at election officials have disappeared like morning dew in the Southern California sun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hovde heads home to Laguna Beach, California, a lonely, sore loser instead of storming the U.S. Capitol as a champion for MAGA grievance with his Trump-supporting friends. I entered the race for the U.S. Senate because I love our country and Im deeply concerned about its direction, Hovde declared in his concession speech Monday. By then, the countrys direction had taken a sharp right turn. The top concerns that Hovde, an enthusiastic Trump supporter, said motivated him to run government spending, border security and international relations are now firmly in MAGA hands. Lastly, as Ive repeatedly expressed, Im very worried about the political divisions and rhetoric that are tearing our country apart, Hovde declared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This last worry led him, Hovde said, to run a campaign that focused on issues instead of personal attacks. He followed this assertion by besmirching the integrity of Wisconsin election officials, denouncing his opponent as a liar and blaming Democrats for underhandedly stealing the election from him by allowing third-party candidates to run and by spreading rumors that hes a California bank owner (a verifiable fact). For good measure, he added, Equally concerning is the large segments of the press that dont care to fact-check these lies and even helped propagate misinformation to help their preferred candidate. Anyone who watched the debate between Hovde and Baldwin might be surprised to hear Hovde congratulate himself for running a high-minded campaign rooted in the values of integrity and morality. The one thing youve perfected in Washington is your ability to lie, Hovde sneered at Baldwin at the start of the debate. While Baldwin focused on her long record of detailed policy work, reaching across the aisle to pass bills that helped Wisconsinites, Hovde relied heavily on unsubstantiated accusations and repeatedly called out Baldwins girlfriend, a Wall Street investment adviser, demanding that she release financial information she is not required to disclose and unsubtly calling attention to the fact that Baldwin, an out lesbian, is in a same-sex relationship. This week, Baldwin is back in Washington doing what she does best focusing on unsexy issues that matter to her constituents (see her Wednesday press release: Baldwin Calls on USDA to Provide Emergency Aid for Gamebird Farmers Hit By Tornadoes). Hovde, who admitted during the debate that he doesnt know much about whats in the Farm Bill and then griped afterward to rightwing talk radio host Vicky McKenna: Like, Im supposed to study [the bill] in depth?! cant imagine why Wisconsin chose Baldwin over him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was nothing nefarious about Baldwins win. She received a predictable boost from absentee voters in heavily Democratic Milwaukee, and as she has done in her previous statewide races, and she got a lot of votes in Republican-leaning areas of the state where she has spent a great deal of time listening to her constituents and championing their interests in bills that help Wisconsin agriculture and manufacturing. Thats the kind of work that made her the only Democrat to win the endorsement of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. Hovde distinguished himself, according to The New York Times, by becoming the first prominent Republican in the nation to suggest the election was rigged, parroting Trumps 2020 conspiracy theories. Fortunately, this year Hovdes complaints are just one mans sour grapes. But in his incivility, his poor grasp of policy, and, most of all, in refusing to concede for so long and, even when he did, questioning the integrity of the election, Hovde made a divisive political environment more toxic. As Sam Liebert, Wisconsin state director of All Voting is Local told Erik Gunn, The rhetoric of questioning our democracy is more than just words. It contributes to chaos and confusion, which undermines public trust in our elections and the officials who administer them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Hovde himself might put it, the kind of campaign he ran is tearing our country apart. Fortunately for Wisconsin, in this case, its over. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The town of Wolcott is planning to build its first sewer system, and for its roughly 1,600 residents, its a big deal. Local leaders say it could mean an opportunity for businesses to expand and for the town to develop new housing. For property owner Fred Martin, a new sewer system could mean a world of new possibilities for him and one of his tenants, the Wolcott Store & Deli. Martin says, with a septic system, the store could finally expand its services to include sit down seating, or in the best case, develop into a fully-fledged diner. The property owner also says he may look into creating more apartments in some of his buildings. He says neither of these options would be possible without a new system, which could support a higher output of waste from homes and businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town is just literally dying on the vine and now, once the system is in place, its going to open up a lot of things, he said. Selectboard Chair, Linda Martin (no relation to Fred Martin), says many Wolcott residents have individual wastewater systems which often cannot support more than one residence, and in the case of businesses, such as the general store, need to be pumped weekly. The new system will involve connecting individual septic tanks to a common leach field located on a hill near the towns elementary school. According to Martin, the site will be far beyond any flood zones, a key measure taken by the town after residents suffered severe sewage backups from summer flooding. Wolcotts newest Pastor, John Hawkins, joined the Wolcott United Methodist Church in August but says he has been hearing about the project since day one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think almost every Sunday, leading up to the election, we had people discussing why they thought it was a good idea I dont think anyone said it was a bad idea. The pastor says the church currently shares its sewer system with the house next door and has trouble hosting larger events due to challenges with wastewater. Martin says the sewer project has been on the towns radar for years, but it was only after they received close to $5 million from state and federal programs, such as the American Rescue Plan Act, that the project became possible. Over the summer, the town approved two bond votes for the new system, yet after securing an additional $750,000 from the Northern Border regional commission, Martin says residents wont have to pay for its construction. At the end of the day, Martin tells me, shes looking forward to whatever residents choose to do with the system, although shes personally hoping for a cafe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just see a brighter downtown village for Wolcott, not just some place for people to drive through. While the system is still in early planning stages, Martin says the town is aiming for it to be completed by 2026. Until then the residents will be left to ponder the possibilities of what can come next. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36, was found guilty of murdering her friend with the chemical during a court hearing in Bangkok on Wednesday, Nov. 20 LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Thailand's deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn (C) leads a press conference regarding the case of Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn Thailand's deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn (C) leads a press conference regarding the case of Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn A woman in Thailand has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering one person with cyanide and accused of fatally poisoning 13 others. On Wednesday, Nov. 20, a court in Bangkok convicted Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn, 36 dubbed Am Cyanide by Thai media of killing her friend Siriporn Kanwong with the chemical while they were on a trip to release fish into the Mae Klong river as part of a Buddhist ritual in April 2023, per outlets including the Bangkok Post, the BBC and The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traces of cyanide were found in the victim's body and her money, phone and bags were missing, the BBC reported, citing police. Rangsiwuthaporn has pleaded not guilty to the crimes. The Bangkok Post reported there were "fatal levels of potassium cyanide in the victims blood, stomach and liver" and that experts think Kanwong could have ingested the chemical in the car before they headed down to the river. The outlet reported police said there was evidence Rangsiwuthaporn had ordered potassium cyanide and that traces of the chemical had been found in "several spots in her car." NARONG SANGNAK/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Thongpin Kiatchanasiri, Siriporn Khanwong's mother, holds a picture of her daughter outside court in Bangkok on Nov. 20 Thongpin Kiatchanasiri, Siriporn Khanwong's mother, holds a picture of her daughter outside court in Bangkok on Nov. 20 During the hearing, the judge accused Rangsiwuthaporn of being a gambling addict who "turned to murder and robbery to pay off her debts," CNN reported, citing Thai broadcaster NBT Connext. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy national police chief, Surachate Hakparn, said of Rangsiwuthaporn's conviction, per The Guardian, "She asked people she knows for money because she has a lot of credit card debt and if they asked her for their money back, she started killing them. According to the outlet, police have linked Rangsiwuthaporn to previously unsolved cyanide poisonings dating back as far as 2015. Victim Kanwong's mother, Tongpin Kiatchanasiri, told reporters after the verdict was announced, per the outlet The courts decision is just. I want to tell my daughter that I miss her deeply and justice has been done for her today." LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Thailand's deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn (C) leads a press conference regarding the case of Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn in June 2023 Thailand's deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn (C) leads a press conference regarding the case of Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn in June 2023 Sararat's ex-husband, Vitoon Rangsiwuthaporn a former police officer who surrendered last year after officers issued an arrest warrant over his alleged links to the crime was sentenced to one year and four months in prison for hiding evidence, the BBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believe Vitoon may have helped his ex-wife after she allegedly poisoned her ex-boyfriend, Suthisak Poonkwan, the outlet added. Sararat's lawyer, Thanicha Eksuwanwat accused of urging Vitoon to destroy evidence linking his ex-wife to Kanwong's killing was sentenced to two years in prison, CNN reported, citing a judgment summary. The outlet stated Vitoon and Eksuwanwat had both been granted bail by the court pending their appeals. According to the BBC, both have pleaded not guilty. 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. My client is innocent She is not satisfied with the court verdict, Eksuwanwat told CNN of Sararat after the verdict was announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the first of 14 murder trials for Sararat. Per CBS News, another person who she attempted to poison with "herb capsules" survived, police said. Along with her sentencing, Sararat has been ordered to pay Kanwong's family two million baht (around $57,700), per the BBC. The Royal Thai Police did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE. Nov. 21An Indiana woman who reportedly embezzled close to $380,000 from a Miamisburg business pleaded guilty a week before she was scheduled to go to trial. Corinna C. Bystrom, 45, of Liberty, Ind. was convicted of one count of aggravated theft in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. She entered a guilty plea on Nov. 12, just over a week before her Nov. 20 trial was scheduled to begin. Bystrom is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was accused of stealing from Stateline Medical Equipment where she worked in Miamisburg. "An internal audit by Stateline Medical uncovered the defendant, an employee, had been writing unauthorized checks to herself since 2016, totaling approximately $380,000," the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office stated. The checks were written between Nov. 1, 2016, and April 11, 2023, according to court records. Ashley Walton KNOTTS ISLAND, N.C. (WAVY) A woman has been arrested in connection to the summer disappearance of a Knotts Island man, Virginia Beach Police said. Ashley Walton, 35, also of Knotts Island, has been arrested and charged with the concealment of a dead body and accessory after the fact to homicide in connection to the disappearance of Martrell Andre Lamar, 42, who has not been located, according to police. Virginia Beach Police said they are now treating Lamars disappearance as a homicide investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lamar was last seen July 2 in Knotts Island walking toward a convenience store, according to the Currituck County Sheriffs Office. Martrell Andre Lamar (Photo collage courtesy of Virginia Beach Police) Police are still actively investigating Lamars disappearance and presumed death. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call the VBPD Detective Bureau at 757-385-4101, or call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Because of the unique nature of Knotts Island, being separated by water from the rest of North Carolina, Virginia Beach Police shares jurisdiction of the small, unincorporated community with the Currituck County Sheriffs Office, which has a physical address on the island but does not usually staff the location. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. WELLINGTON, Ohio (WJW) Michelle Knight, now known as Lily Rose Lee, tells the Fox 8 I-Team she was stunned Wednesday when agents with the Friendship APL and Lorain County Sheriff Deputies showed up at her Unleashed Animal Rescue Shelter and took several animals. I-Team: First look at damage from arson fire inside local school I have a hole in my heart, Lee said. They took my babies. They never gave me a warning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friendship APL released the following statement: After receiving complaints about animal neglect occurring at a property in Wellington, the Friendship Animal Protective League began an investigation. Failing to gain the cooperation of the suspect, the Friendship APL humane agent executed a search warrant issued by the Oberlin Municipal Court. This matter is a pending investigation. Further details cannot be released at this time. Lee said the agents took mainly birds and rabbits. She said she was told the cages she had were not in good shape and she needed new ones. A bird Lee said APL took during the raid A guinea pig Lee said APL took during the raid A rabbit Lee said APL took during the raid Lee said Unleashed Animal Rescue is a non-profit that takes in abandoned and surrendered rescue animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee spent a decade with two other women held hostage in a home on Clevelands west side. The women all escaped in 2013. I need donations of cages for birds, large, medium and small, Lee added. I need cages for rabbits, small, medium and large. I need reptile containment, small, medium, and large. I love my animals with all my heart. I treat them like my child because I cant have children. I-Team: Sandusky man who was wifes caregiver charged in her death She said the agents did not take all her animals. They left her dogs, cats, and barn animals. Lee says she is hoping to get her animals back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement God is with me, Lee said. God is guiding me. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OMAHA, Neb. (KCAU) A Walthill woman was federally sentenced to more than seven years for a deadly crash in February. The U.S. Attorneys Office of Nebraska said in a release that Dawnika Walker, 30, was sentenced Wednesday for involuntary manslaughter in Indian country. Walker was driving a minivan in the Winnebago Indian Reservation in February when she hit and killed a 63-year-old male motorcyclist on Highway 75. She was trying to turn left at the time of the crash, even though she lacked the right of way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lab testing found that Walker was intoxicated well above the legal limit, the release said. She also has multiple prior convictions for driving while under the influence. The judge cited the prior convictions when sentencing Walker. 2 hospitalized after crash near Stanton Walker was sentenced to 80 months in prison (six years and eight months). In the federal system, there is no chance of parole. Once released, she will then serve three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay about $23,000 in restitution to the victims family. This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted in federal court because it occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska and was a felony offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. San Bernardino County Fire Department crews rescued a woman who fell 15 to 20 feet into a manhole at the former site of the Carousel Mall on Wednesday morning. Firefighters were dispatched to the area around 11 a.m. after a passerby reported hearing screams for help from the manhole. Upon arrival, they discovered an adult woman trapped at the bottom of the hole who said she fell in the night before. Fire crews rescue a woman who fell 15 to 20 feet into a manhole at the abandoned Carousel Mall site on Nov. 20, 2024. (San Bernardino County Fire Department) Fire crews rescue a woman who fell 15 to 20 feet into a manhole at the abandoned Carousel Mall site on Nov. 20, 2024. (San Bernardino County Fire Department) Fire crews rescue a woman who fell 15 to 20 feet into a manhole at the abandoned Carousel Mall site on Nov. 20, 2024. (San Bernardino County Fire Department) Fire crews rescue a woman who fell 15 to 20 feet into a manhole at the abandoned Carousel Mall site on Nov. 20, 2024. (San Bernardino County Fire Department) A technical rescue team of 20 personnel responded, successfully lifting the woman out of the manhole after an hour and a half. She was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries, including possible lower extremity injuries, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The once-bustling Carousel Mall closed in 2017 and was demolished last year after it became a magnet for illegal crimes, including multiple fires, fatal shootings and even a deadly electrocution. The area remains fenced off to the public and its currently unclear how the woman got into the site. Officials could not confirm if the woman was homeless. Crews remained at the scene to secure the manhole and no additional details have been released at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. DENVER (KDVR) A woman is recovering after she was shot in the leg while walking her dog late at night near Jefferson Park, only a few blocks from Empower Field at Mile High. Courtney Lauer, 29, said the bullet shattered her femur and was only recently released from the hospital. She was in town to visit her twin sister, but on the night of Nov. 14, she was afraid for her life. Can you help identify this Jefferson County bank robbery suspect? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lauer loves to walk her dog, Sawyer, in the park and said shes always seen Denver as a dog-friendly place. Thursday, she was walking to Jefferson Park with Sawyer when she saw two juveniles checking cars for unlocked doors. I very quickly realized they were dangerous, Lauer said. Its definitely hard to have that sense of safety, and then have it ripped away from you. The pair of juveniles spotted her and gave chase. Lauer attempted to make it back to the apartment, but the pair caught up. Thats when they shot her in the thigh, shattering her femur. As Im running back to my apartment, I knew I wasnt going to make it in time, Lauer said. And its just circling in my head, what is going to happen when they find me, whats going to happen when they catch up to me?' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After she was shot, Lauer said she went into survival mode and managed to hide between two vehicles and call 911. Meanwhile, a good Samaritan who lived nearby came to her aid. Theres this wonderful neighbor that came out and he held my hand, he kept me calm the entire time, Lauer said. The numbers are staggering: Food bank use reaches 10-year peak ahead of holidays Lauer was rushed to the hospital, and later detectives arrested two juveniles in connection to the shooting. Now out of the hospital, Lauer has a long way to go in her recovery. However, after almost a week to reflect on her experience, Lauer cant help but be thankful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denvers a wonderful, beautiful place and I had a great experience, she said. In one moment, was so sad for humanity that this was real, and then in the next moment I was truly restored with humanity, because of all of the kindness of people who put themselves in danger; to run out of their homes where they were safe in and they had no idea really what had happened, but they were willing to sit there with me. Lauer is now striving to recover to a point where she can walk unaided by a cane or individual. She credits her attention to detail in helping police capture the suspects. If you would like to help Lauer with medical expenses, a GoFundMe was started to help cover the costs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: RDNE Stock project from Pexels A bipartisan panel of Georgia lawmakers on Wednesday endorsed a plan recommending the state spend up to $5 million studying the effects of ecstasy, psychedelic mushrooms and other mind-altering drugs on mental health treatments for military veterans. The proposal was one of 16 recommendations from the Senate Study Committee on Veterans, Mental Health and Housing. And while it sounds radical, Georgia would not be the first state to do something like this. Oregon and Colorado have already legalized psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in some mushrooms. And last year the California Legislature passed a bill that would have legalized possession of certain psychedelicsonly for it to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. "Veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress and brain injuries have very few reliable options for treatment," said state Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Democrat from Atlanta and a member of the panel that endorsed the plan. "A growing body of research shows that psychedelicswhen administered carefully in clinical settingsmay be a total game changer." Lawmakers heard testimony from veterans who have traveled outside the United States for treatment. Still, it's been difficult to win over Georgia's mostly conservative Legislature, where many members have spent a lifetime preaching the "just say no" doctrine of illegal drugs. The committee's recommendation is a baby step toward funding. Any budget allocation would have to be vetted and approved by the General Assembly. That discussion is likely to be more precarious, but the endorsement from this panel shows there is growing support for the idea. Post-traumatic stress disorder is more common among military veterans, especially those who have faced life-threatening situations in combat. The symptomsincluding nightmares, severe anxiety and difficulty concentrating and sleepingare difficult to treat. Researchers, including those at Atlanta's Emory University, have been studying how psychedelics, when combined with psychotherapy, can help patients. A crucial component of the debate is the mainstream acceptance of the idea, which has been slowly gaining steam as more influential people get on board. That includes Bob Parsons, a Vietnam veteran and the founder of the internet domain registry GoDaddy who has invested millions of his own dollars to support research. That was enough to convince state Sen. Ed Harbison, D-Columbus, who said he had been hesitant about the idea at first but is more open to supporting it now. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' top doctor has said the agency is ready to administer the therapy as soon as it's approved by regulators. But that was derailed in August after federal regulators declined to approve MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Other recommendations from the panel included temporarily waiving or reducing property taxes for returning veterans and creating a program to help service members navigate the complexities of the health care system. 2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A Montgomery County woman will appear in Cambria County court on drug charges after police officers reportedly found a body in the bathtub in a Richland Township hotel room, authorities said. Summer Sheree Bechtold, 27, of Mont Clare, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge Susan Gindlesperger, of Upper Yoder Township. Richland Township police charged Bechtold with possession of fentanyl and possession of drug paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a complaint affidavit, police were called Nov. 6 to Comfort Inn & Suites, 455 Theatre Drive, for a reported death. When officers arrived, they allegedly found a man face-down in a bathtub that was half-full of water. He was identified as Eric Carll, a Florida man in his 30s, police Detective Kevin Gaudlip said. Police allegedly found an aluminum foil pipe and a lighter in his right hand. Police also found burnt aluminum foil, commonly used to ingest illicit drugs, and one piece of aluminum foil that contained white powder residue, according to the affidavit. The victims cellphone allegedly contained a phone number that police traced to Bechtold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said that both agreed to meet in a hotel room, and a hotel security camera allegedly showed Bechtold entering the room and leaving about one hour later. Bechtold is being held in Cambria County Prison in Ebensburg on $100,000 percentage bond. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The man accused of the fatal shooting at a Woodburn grocery store last year was found guilty of second-degree murder by a Marion County jury on Wednesday. The jury determined that Jose Gustavo Garcia-Rivera, 38, shot and killed Noel Romero-Orozco, 39, on June 4, 2023, at the Mega Foods grocery store in Woodburn. Heaven spot turned deadly for teen tagger in PNW Garcia-Rivera was also found guilty of recklessly endangering another person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentencing is set for Nov. 26. Second-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, without the possibility of parole prior to 25 years, according to Oregon law. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A worker was found dead at a JBS meat packing plant in Tolleson on Wednesday morning. Officers arrived at the plant near 91st Avenue and Buckeye Road around 8:45 a.m. after getting a call about an unresponsive employee, according to Tolleson police and fire officials.Officials attempted to resuscitate the worker but were not able to do so, according to Lt. Lee Garrett with the Tolleson Police Department. The cause of death was unknown as of Wednesday afternoon.This is an active investigation. Please check back for updates. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Police investigating death of worker at Tolleson meat packing plant Thousands of angry Volkswagen (VW) workers from across Germany descended on the company's headquarters to protest threatened mass layoffs at the automaker on Thursday, as labour leaders met with the company for negotiations. The IG Metall trade union said more than 6,000 workers joined the protests from all 10 VW plants in Germany, demonstrating outside the doors of the arena in Wolfsburg where collective bargaining talks are being held. "Future instead of cutbacks" and "All plants must remain" were among the slogans on banners. As potential strikes loom at Volkswagen in the coming weeks, the workers chanted "We are ready!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is just a foretaste of what will happen from December onwards if the company does not take our concrete proposals for solutions seriously," said VW Works Council Chairwoman Daniela Cavallo. A mandatory labour peace period, which prohibits strikes during initial negotiations, is due to expire at the end of the month. "Today is the very last chance for Volkswagen to find a good solution without plant closures and mass layoffs before the end of the peace period," warned Thorsten Groger, IG Metall's chief negotiator. Otherwise there is a risk of escalation from December 1. "If no solution is found today, there will be no further chance in November," Groger said. "Then we will prepare for industrial action." Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's Ambassador to the UK and former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, believes that with the direct involvement of Russia's autocratic allies in the war against Ukraine, it can be considered that World War III has commenced. Source: Zaluzhnyi speaking at the Ukrainska Pravda-100 award ceremony Quote: "I believe that in 2024, we can absolutely assume that World War III has begun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason is that in 2024, Ukraine is no longer facing Russia. Ukraine is facing soldiers from North Korea. Let's be honest. Iranian-made Shaheds [loitering munitions] are killing civilians in Ukraine quite openly. It's missiles made in North Korea that are being launched onto Ukraine, and they are openly declaring this. Chinese-made shells are exploding in Ukraine, and Chinese parts are used in Russian missiles." Details: Zaluzhnyi stressed that most military officers would agree that all these factors suggest that a world war has already begun and that the world should be bracing for it. Quote: "What we've expected for so long has started. But I want to say that God Himself is giving a chance, not only to Ukraine but to the whole world, to have time to draw the correct conclusions now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's still possible to stop it here, on the territory of Ukraine. But for some reason, our partners do not want to understand this. It's obvious that Ukraine already has too many enemies. Ukraine will survive through technology, but it is unclear whether it can win this battle alone. So I believe that the world war has already begun." Support UP or become our patron! HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) After a Hays County Emergency Services District decided to break with San Marcos Hays County Emergency Medical Services (SMHCEMS) the largest provider of emergency services in the county some are concerned this may lead to gaps in services. North Hays County EMS which primarily serves Dripping Springs, Driftwood and Henly decided to terminate its contract with SMHCEMS, citing the areas explosive growth and concern over leadership within SMCEMS. Weve been kind of slowly moving towards [becoming independent]. In the past year or two, there have been some events some issues that have cropped up and led to this being a more palatable decision for us, Bob Luddy, North Hays County EMS new chief, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe that were going to be able to provide a higher level of service at the same or relatively same price point to our citizens, Luddy said. While Luddy and his board think seceding from SMHCEMS was the best move for its jurisdiction, Zack Phillips, the president of the Hays County EMS association, said he believes this action could negatively impact the people in the region. Theyve never provided services previously, so its untested, Phillips said. Starting an EMS service is relatively simple, but maintaining it is going to be the bigger challenge. Phillips said he believes without the support of SMHCEMS, he thinks people may be stuck waiting longer for EMS during busier periods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [EMS] is not an easy business. And at the end of the day, if you fail, people can die, Phillips said. Its concerning. While SMHCEMS is the largest EMS provider in the county, it is not the sole entity. Both Buda and Wimberly have independently operated ESDs. Emergency medical services in Hays County have been fractured for a number of years, Luddy said. I think this is a very good move for the [North Hays County EMS]. I think its a necessary move to continue growing for our citizens, 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 KXAN Austin. Hearst Magazines home to a wide array of publications like Esquire, Cosmopolitan and Mens Health is the latest media company to lay off dozens of employees. Debi Chirichella, Hearsts president, said in a memo to staff on Thursday the company would be cutting jobs as it looks to reimagine its approach. The publisher will be letting go of more than 60 employees, according to Caley Fretz, the editor-in-chief of Escape Magazine. It is unclear which departments will be most affected by the layoffs. After a thorough review of our business, weve decided to reallocate resources to better support our goals and continue our focus on digital innovation while strengthening our best-in-class print products, Chirichellas memo said. We will scale back in areas that do not support our core strategy and will eliminate certain positions as we reimagine our team structures to drive long-term growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sam Wheeler, the director of the Writers Guild of America East, said the consistently anti-union company is just the latest to enact needless, irresponsible and cruel layoffs. Unsurprisingly, the small army of senior executives with make-work jobs and self-important titles, who add little to nothing to build Hearsts brands, apparently made it through today relatively unscathed, he said in a Thursday statement. Wheeler continued: Readers go to Hearst because of the talent and craft of its editorial employees. These workers make Hearst what it is. Until Hearst and the rest of the media industry recognize that the workers are the most valuable part of their companies and brands, they will continue their race to the bottom with no one to blame but themselves. Hearst joins a growing list of high-profile media outlets to cut jobs recently. Dotdash Meredith cut 53 employees last week and KFI 640 AM in Los Angeles had its newsroom nearly gutted due to layoffs at iHeartRadio. And earlier this week, The Hollywood Reporter replaced co-editor-in-chief Nekesa Mumbi Moody on Tuesday with Shirley Halperin after THR let go of a number of employees over the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursdays job cuts come a month after Hearst struck a new content licensing partnership with OpenAI, allowing the tech company to integrate the media companys newspaper and magazine content into its artificial intelligence products. Chirichella, in her memo, said the cuts will enable us to take care of our business for the long term. Well prioritize areas where we can deliver the highest impact and drive growth and continue to focus on producing the highest-quality storytelling, advertising solutions and digital experiences. Hearst did not immediately return TheWraps request for comment. The post Writers Guild Accuses Hearst of Being Anti-Union Following Irresponsible and Cruel Round of Layoffs appeared first on TheWrap. DANIELS, WV (WVNS) With StormTracker 59 meteorologists calling for snowy roadways on Thursday, November 21, 2024, the Z-Way construction site on U.S. Route 19 in Daniels was a concern on Wednesday for some motorists. Ryland Musick, the Chief Engineer for West Virginia Department of Highways District 10 and District 11, reassured motorists that U.S. Route 19 is already a high alert area for WVDOH workers during the annual Snow Removal and Ice Control (SRIC) season. On Wednesday, he said WVDOH truck crews were on stand-by, ready to keep the Z-Way construction zone clear of ice and snow in case of a snowstorm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things to consider before gifting someone a gun Mr. Musick urged drivers to be aware of their surroundings. He added that State Division of Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wristons goal is to have zero accidents in work zones across the state. Oh deer! Buck firearm season is underway soon Our workers have to be safe, our contractors have to be safe, and our motorists have to be safe, said Mr. Musick. So please pay attention. Slow down. Put the telephone down and get through the work zone safely and effectively. He said U.S. Route 19 was ranked just under the West Virginia Interstate in terms how much attention it received from WVDOH crews in Raleigh County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. A video had resurfaced of the WWE co-founder getting in the ring with former Hall of Fame wrestler Glenn Jacobs Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Linda McMahon in 2019 Linda McMahon in 2019 A video had resurfaced of WWE co-founder Linda McMahon President-elect Donald Trump's choice for education secretary getting in the ring with Glenn Jacobs, a former Hall of Fame wrestler who is now a Tennessee mayor. In the now-viral clip from an undated episode of Monday Night Raw, which has racked up over 15 million views on social media, the 76-year-old WWE co-founder can be seen confronting Jacobs a.k.a Kane, who picks her up and flips her upside down before body slamming her onto the floor as a part of a skit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sports Illustrated reported that McMahon who also served as the former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration during the first half of Trump's first term and her children appeared in a number of sketches for WWE more than a decade ago, playing a fictionalized version of herself getting into fights. Jacobs, 57, is now the Republican mayor of Knox County, Tenn. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, he posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), soon after McMahon's education secretary candidacy was announced, to congratulate his former sparring partner on her nomination. "Congrats to @Linda_McMahon, our new Secretary of Education!" he wrote. "Honored to call you a friend and can't wait to see all you accomplish with @realDonaldTrump over the next four years." Ethan Miller/Getty Linda McMahon and her husband and co-founder Vince appear in the ring during his 64th birthday special in 2009. Linda McMahon and her husband and co-founder Vince appear in the ring during his 64th birthday special in 2009. Related: Donald Trump's Cabinet Picks: Who He's Already Chosen and Who He Might Choose Next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, 78, first announced he anticipates bringing McMahon into his upcoming administration on Tuesday, writing that she is doing an "incredible" job as transition team co-chair. "As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand 'Choice' to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families," Trump said, later adding, "We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort." The WWE co-founder also serves as board chair at the right wing think tank, the America First Policy Institute. She resigned from her role at WWE in 2009 as she was running for one of Connecticut's U.S. Senate seats, but ultimately lost the election. CNN's Kristen Holmes reported soon after the announcement that McMahon was nominated for education secretary after Trump passed her over for her first-choice cabinet position of commerce secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Donald Trump Nominates WWE Co-Founder Linda McMahon as Education Secretary 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. McMahon may be tasked to oversee Trump's plans for the abolition of the Department of Education a federal department that Trump has expressed interest in abolishing. The president-elect has previously criticized the Department of Education for being ineffective and staffing employees who hate our children. In July 2024, Trump proposed closing the agency and to cut federal funding for any school or program pushing critical race theory, gender ideology or other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said he wants to find and remove the radicals who have infiltrated the federal Department of Education, as well as keep men out of womens sports. Trump has announced several other selections for his cabinet over the past few weeks, including Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security, Billionaire businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as co-leaders of the new Department of Government Efficiency, and Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary. CHEYENNE The Wyoming Republican Party has once again issued a censure of Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee, and is now calling for her resignation. The county clerk maintains that she has never acted unlawfully and denies the claims from the GOP. If she does not resign by Dec. 1, party leaders say they plan to petition Gov. Mark Gordon to remove her. The latest censure resolution was passed Saturday at the Wyoming GOPs Central Committee meeting. Among other complaints, party leaders claim Lee should be censured because she failed to notify Laramie County GOP Chairman Taft Love about the testing of voting machines on Oct. 4, prior to the November general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love said he was unaware of the tests until after they occurred. He believes Lee may have emailed an account that he had previously told her that the LCGOP no longer has access to. He further noted that Lee has previously corresponded with him on his updated email, once in August and once in October of this year, but she did not send the notice of the tests to that address. While it isn't against state statute to fail to notify the county parties of the testing of the voting machines, Love said it is more of an issue with transparency. Love told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that he is not trying to speak against Lee, and only offered testimony of his experiences to the state GOP when asked about it. He said the LCGOP has no intention to call for the censure or resignation of Lee. Tim Stubson, a lawyer representing Lee, said Lee had emailed all local party organizations for every machine testing procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every single test that was done, even the ones that were not required by statute, and in an effort to meet their concerns, she's sent notice, and I have the documentation of it, he said. When the GOP attended the testing of the machines in August, they filed a lawsuit after identifying what they believed to be an error that was not compliant with Wyoming state statute. After the lawsuit was filed, Lee released a public statement claiming there were no errors with the voting test and that the lawsuit sought to disrupt the primary election process. I believe, by and large, Wyoming has safe and secure elections, Love said Tuesday. I believe things happen, though, and when things happen, we have to address those things, and that is exactly what we're doing with the instance ... we identified and witnessed something that was not in compliance with our state statute. ... We, from the Laramie County GOP side, are allowing this to play out the way it's supposed to in the legal system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love said he did not believe Lee should be called to resign unless the legal system finds that she had acted unlawfully. The resolution passed by the Wyoming GOP also claims that Lee failed to test express vote ballot cards, which are the most common type of ballot cards used by most in-person voters across the county, in full compliance with statutory requirements. This came after the test ballots all had the same number of votes for each candidate when tested the first time in August. Per state statute, the test ballots must show a different number of votes on each ballot to demonstrate that the tabulator machines can count a different number of votes for each candidate. After this was identified, Lee retested the machines with a different number of votes on each ballot and saw no error in the results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each of these elections were certified without any objection. If there was an issue, they certainly could have raised it. But instead, they wait until after the (election), Stubson said. They wait until after everything is done and bring up what I believe to be bogus issues. If anybody should be concerned about calling into question election integrity, it's certainly not the actions of the county clerk. It would be the actions of the (Wyoming Republican) Party. The Wyoming GOP did not respond to a WTE request for comment prior to publication. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Ketamine carries risks, say researchers. Yet for some patients, it's "the only thing that works." At the Ketamine Clinic for Depression at Massachusetts General Hospital, patients make their way each day to receive intravenous infusions of the powerful anesthetic that has become an alternative therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Many of the clinic's patients have not been helped by traditional treatments, including psychological counseling, antidepressant medication, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and electroconvulsive therapy. With its rapid antidepressant effects, ketamine is sometimes the only option that provides relief, said clinic founder and director Cristina Cusin, who has been researching depression and mood disorders for the past 25 years. "We don't have good weapons to treat some severe forms of depression, just like we don't have treatments for advanced-stage cancer," said Cusin, who is also an associate professor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. "We're always looking for the next thing so that we can continue to offer hope to patients who don't respond to standard treatments." In 2000, after a study reported that small doses of IV ketamine rapidly reversed symptoms of depression while standard antidepressants often took several weeks to have an effect, ketamine became the next new thing. In 2019, based on years of research, the FDA approved a nasal spray medication, derived from ketamine, to be administered under medical supervision. Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by feelings of sadness and hopelessness, that affects 18% of Americans. One-third of those diagnosed with depression don't respond to standard treatments, with acute consequences to their personal and professional lives. The stigma associated with depression makes it harder for people to seek treatment, said Cusin. "In our society, if you suffer from depression, you may be told to 'try harder,' 'stop complaining,' 'pick yourself up by your bootstraps,' and so on," Cusin said. "But there are some forms of depression that have a strong biological component; there are neurocircuits in the brain that are not functioning right. In many cases, it's not for lack of trying." Patients follow a strict protocol to be admitted to the MGH Ketamine Clinic; not only do they have to be referred by their primary prescribers, but also prior treatments for depression must have failed. Ketamine therapy is integrated with other treatments and is done in the clinic under medical supervision and in coordination with patients' primary medical teams. The clinic doesn't admit self-referred patients or those with active substance use disorders or a history of psychosis. Ketamine produces hallucinogenic effects and dissociation, which can exacerbate psychotic symptoms. Other risks associated with ketamine are the possibility of developing addiction and a host of medical problems, but for patients who experience rapid relief from their symptoms of depression after treatment, ketamine is a game-changer, said Cusin. "Our patients have failed other treatments, so they don't have a lot of other options," she said. "If this is the only thing that works, they keep coming." Scientists continue researching ketamine's antidepressant effects on treatment-resistant depression. A recent clinical trial found that ketamine was as effective for non-psychotic treatment-resistant depression as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which has long been the gold standard for hard-to-treat depression. Conducted by Amit Anand, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, the study found that 55% of those receiving ketamine and 41% of those receiving ECT had at least a 50% improvement in their self-reported depression symptoms. Anand co-authored the pivotal 2000 study that revealed the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine. Encouraged by his recent study's results, Anand is conducting a follow-up clinical trial comparing ketamine and ECT treatments among patients with suicidal depression. If ketamine can affect suicidal thoughts, it could be lifesaving. "What we're trying to see is that if ketamine can cause a very rapid reversal of the troubling kind of depression leading to suicidality," he said. "People are suffering, and even if it is for a short time, it is beneficial to provide a rapid change." Even though doctors and researchers are hopeful regarding the promise of ketamine, there is growing concern about the proliferation of private ketamine clinics, which began to crop up around the country after restrictions on telemedicine relaxed during the pandemic. These clinics offer IV ketamine infusions, with prices ranging from $600 to $800 per infusion. Most ketamine private clinics operate in a gray zone, with almost no oversight, and function as for-profit businesses, said Peter Grinspoon, a primary care physician, educator, and cannabis specialist at MGH. "The end result is that now our population has broad access to ketamine, and it's a little bit of an uncontrolled experiment," said Grinspoon. "Whether it's going to alleviate many people's depression or whether it's going to get a lot of people addicted to ketamine is going to be an open question. We don't know how much it is going to help or harm things." Ketamine is not nearly as addictive as alcohol or opioids, but its use as a recreational drug poses serious risks. Actor Matthew Perry died last year of "acute effects of ketamine." His autopsy also found opioids in his blood, but the level of ketamine found was equivalent to the amount that would be used during general anesthesia. The other troubling issue for Grinspoon is affordability. "I work as a primary care doctor in an inner-city clinic," he said. "None of my patients can afford six $800 injections. The last thing we need is for ketamine to be another treatment for just the well-to-do. This has got to be affordable." At the MGH clinic, patients receive low doses of ketamine in long intervals and have mixed experiences. While some report feeling relaxed, others find it unpleasant, but most said their symptoms of depression improve and don't interfere with day-to-day functioning. Still, Cusin warns that ketamine should not be a first-option treatment for depression. "If someone is depressed or suicidal, there are alternatives out there," said Cusin. "There are 50, 80 different treatments to consider. It's rare that somebody has tried everything. Usually, there are entire classes of medications or treatments that have not been considered. There is always hope." Provided by Harvard Gazette This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) The YMCAs Retired Mens Club unloaded trees in preparation for its yearly fundraiser. Trees were dropped off in an open lot at the intersection of North Alpine and Highcrest Roads. Funds for the sale of trees and wreaths will go toward services at the YMCA and to help purchase supplies and make programs more affordable. Its more than just purchasing a Christmas tree and a wreath at this lot, said Rock River Valley YMCA CEO Brent Pentenburg. We are grateful for the community that has, over the years, purchased their Christmas tree or their wreaths from this lot. Its a special place, and provides tremendous support to the YMCA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sales begin on Saturday and will not stop until all the trees are sold. They are open every day of the week starting at 11 a.m. They will be closed on Thanksgiving. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Plans for a new pumped storage hydroelectric project in York County have been granted preliminary permit approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and many local leaders arent happy about it. Earlier today, FERC voted to grant preliminary permit approval for the project proposed by York Energy Storage, LLC (YES). According to a permit application submitted by YES in January 2024, this project would consist of a 25-foot high dam that would run 1.8 miles long. The proposed facility would also feature a power turbine-pumped storage facility at Cuffs Run Ravine and Creek, which is a tributary to the Susquehanna River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement YES says upon the projects completion, it would have a total capacity of 858 Megawatts of both input and output. As a result of FERCs granted preliminary permit, organizations and public servants alike have spoken out against the project, citing several possible ramifications of the $2.8 billion hydroelectric project. According to the Lancaster Conservancy, the proposed facility would displace over 40 residents and destroy preserved farmlands and forested lands critical to the health of the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape and waterways. The conservancy adds that the project would also impact sections of the Mason-Dixon Trail, Enola Low-Grade Trail, and the Susquehanna River Water Trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, the proposed project would take about 1,100 acres of land from property owners and flood 580 acres along the Susquehanna River. The decision today by FERC to grant York Energy Storage a preliminary permit to study a pumped storage project at Cuffs Run is disappointing and disregards the valid concerns and strong objections raised by so many community members, businesses, and organizations, Fritz Schroeder, Lancaster Conservancys President and CEO said. We will continue to organize and oppose this project that would have a profoundly negative impact on our community, the Susquehanna River, and the natural landscape we have fought so hard to protect. This is not the future we want to leave the next generation trading our forested river hills for concrete and destruction. Other voices of opposition to this hydroelectric project include State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill and Congressman Lloyd Smucker. This project, if allowed to proceed, would destroy preserved farms, a regional scenic trail, the viewshed of a popular multimodal rail trail, and forested lands needed to help protect the ecological health of this landscape and an already impaired waterway, Rep. Smucker said. More than $100 Million has been invested in this scenic area over the last decade to preserve our rich agricultural heritage and make the Susquehanna region a tourist and outdoor recreation hub. We cannot sacrifice that growth in the name of clean energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unelected bureaucrats at FERC made it crystal clear that one of the Biden Administrations last acts in office will be to green light a project that will destroy lives and livelihoods in southern York County, Sen. Phillips-Hill added. What message are we sending when we reward irresponsible policies and punish the very people who put food on our tables? When neighboring states continue to consume more energy than they generate, it puts an unnecessary and irresponsible burden on Pennsylvania to come up with the difference. I look forward to working with the Trump Administration to put an end to this project that has the potential to eliminate preserved and pristine farmland from the map for good, as well as detrimentally impact electric generation already occurring along the Susquehanna River. The State Houses outgoing minority leader Bryan Cutler also weighed in on FERCs decision as well, saying their decision to grant a preliminary permit for the proposed project is disappointing. The community at large, stakeholders and legislators from the area have made it clear that the planned project would have far more negatives than benefits, Rep. Cutler said. With over $100 million having already been invested into Cuffs Run to protect the scenic land and encourage tourism to the area, this planned project would destroy preserved farms, a regional scenic trail, the viewshed of a popular multimodal rail trail, and forested lands needed to help protect the ecological health of this landscape and an already impaired waterway. Moving forward, the Lancaster Conservancy says YES will have at least four years to raise about $12.5 million and complete multiple studies about the project. In the coming days, the conservancy says they will review FERCs order and determine how to proceed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A York County veteran who dropped everything to help those in need after Tropical Storm Helene hit now needs help of his own. Larry Globokar said the shed where he kept most of the tools he used to help burned down. Globokar said he lost nearly $50,000 worth of equipment last Friday due to an electrical fire. Man, that was my sanctuary, Globokar expressed. He said the loss doesnt phase him too much though, because his mind is mostly on his other work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Peace of mind: First responders balance mental health with harrowing efforts after Helene For the past month, Globokar has been in western North Carolina helping with search, rescue, and recovery efforts. Globokar, an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, said that was nothing compared to what he had seen. Its just as bad as a war zone over there; the only difference is were not getting shot at, Globokar elaborated. It was while he was in western North Carolina doing that work when the fire started. His dog Luna woke his wife, who eventually delivered the news to him. She started acting crazy, jumping on the bed, and started biting at the remote to turn the TV on, Globokar said. Things happen. Just all materialistic stuff. Those people up there need real help. They need closure. You can buy materialistic things. You cant buy closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday morning, Globokar is heading back to western North Carolina to continue helping. When hes done there, he will then head to eastern Tennessee. If youd like to help Globokar, you can donate to his GoFundMe at this link. VIDEO: Peace of mind: First responders balance mental health with harrowing efforts after Helene The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is on the verge of a blackout after Russian attacks on power lines left the plant connected to only one line, the Energy Ministry reported on Nov. 21. This is the second time this week that the plant has been seriously threatened by a blackout, which could compromise conditions for safe operation and cause an accident. At the moment, the plant is connected to the Ukrainian power grid by only one transmission line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar incidents have been reported throughout the full-scale war, with Kyiv accusing Russia of threatening the security of the plant. Russia has occupied the Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear station in Europe, since March 2022. Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed that if the last line is cut off, there will be a complete blackout, as reported by the Energy Ministry's Telegram channel. The Zaporizhzhia plant is not the only one causing concern. The Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and Southern Ukrainian plants were forced to decrease output on Nov. 17 after a massive Russian aerial strike targeted several substations critical to their power supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenpeace warned that Ukraine's power grid was at "heightened risk of catastrophic failure" after the mass missile and drone attack targeted the electrical substations. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, confirmed in a statement on Nov. 17 that Ukraine's nuclear power plants had to reduce their electricity production as a precautionary measure due to large-scale missile attacks. The attacks on Ukraines infrastructure led to "increased nuclear safety and security risks," Grossi agreed. Allowing Ukraine to regain control "is the only way to ensure the safe operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant," Halushchenko said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Russia threatens to expel UN monitors from Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is on the verge of blackout for the second time in a week due to Russian attacks. Source: Ministry of Energy on Telegram Quote from Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko: "For the second time this week, the ZNPP is under a real threat of blackout due to Russian attacks." Details: It is reported that one of the two power lines of the occupied ZNPP is currently cut off from the power grid, which means the plant is connected to the Ukrainian power grid by only one power transmission line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry stressed that if the last line is disconnected, another complete blackout will occur at the ZNPP, which is a "serious violation of safe operation conditions and could cause an accident". "Power engineers will start restoring full power supply to the plant as soon as safety conditions allow," the ministry said. Halushchenko also said that a meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be held in Vienna on 21 November. At the meeting, Ukraine will insist on the immediate full implementation of the resolution on the return of the occupied plant to Ukrainian control to ensure the safe operation of the ZNPP. Support UP or become our patron! MARYLAND (DC News Now) Zaxbys, the southern fast-food franchise, is making its way to Marylands Eastern Shore. The establishment, known for its chicken fingerz, wings and signature sauces, announced its expansion to the state on Oct. 11. Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley founded the restaurant in 1990 in Statesboro, Ga. Although there are no current locations in Maryland, the eatery is seen throughout Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New pickleball courts open in Silver Spring Franchise co-owners Curtis and Teresa Snyder and Teresas father, Thomas Mitchell, signed a territory agreement to open three locations along the shore. According to a news release, the first location will open in Cambridge in 2025, with locations in Easton and the West Ocean City/Berlin area to follow. The Cambridge location is slated to have a modern farmhouse design. The Snyder-Mitchell family said they envision these locations serving residents and the many travelers who pass through the areas on Route 50. The family also plans to expand further into Maryland, potentially in the Salisbury area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve always wanted to bring something special to the Eastern Shore, and Zaxbys is the perfect fit. The quality of the product, combined with the brands growth strategy, convinced us this was the right move. Maryland residents, along with travelers from Baltimore and D.C. heading to the shore, are going to love it, said Curtis Snyder. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) A ban on New Zealanders wearing or displaying symbols of gang affiliation in public took effect on Thursday, with police officers making their first arrest for a breach of the law three minutes later. The man was driving with gang insignia displayed on the dashboard of his car and was among more than a dozen people arrested or summoned to appear in court for exhibiting such symbols since the law took force, New Zealands police said Friday. The prohibition on displaying gang insignia anywhere outside private homes, including on clothing or in vehicles, is among a suite of new measures intended to bolster police powers to disrupt the groups. Wearing or displaying the insignia of 35 listed gangs will now prompt a fine of up to 5,000 New Zealand dollars ($2,940) or up to six months in jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Zealands center-right government, which pledged ahead of last Octobers election to tackle gang crime, says the measures will reduce the membership of groups responsible for violence and drug offenses. But detractors say the law breaches civil liberties and could drive gang activities underground. "Gangs arent community groups. Theyre not a Rotary club," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote on social media Thursday. They thrive on destroying the lives of other New Zealanders, whether thats by peddling drugs or through brutal acts of violence that leave communities in fear. Under the new law, officers can also disperse public gatherings of three or more members, bar some gang affiliates from associating with each other, and enter homes of those who keep breaking the law to search for banned items. Gang membership will now be considered by the courts when sentencing offenders. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told reporters Thursday that two people were arrested hours after the law took effect for wearing gang patches, which are large insignia often worn by gang members on the backs of leather jackets or vests. The government says the patches are intimidating because members are required to earn them through violent acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measures shift New Zealand's response to gangs closer to that of neighboring Australia, which also uses a law to suppress the public visibility of gangs, and away from jurisdictions like the U.S. and Britain, which use criminal law to respond to specific activities carried out by organized crime groups, according to a report published by Treasury officials in February. Facial tattoos that display gang insignia are exempt from the ban, as is the wearing of gang colors. The government was criticized by some for not including white supremacist groups in its list of 35 organizations targeted by the new law. That means displaying swastikas and making Nazi salutes remains legal in New Zealand - unlike in Australia, which banned both in a law that took effect in January. There are nearly 9,400 people on a New Zealand police list of known gang members. New Zealands population is 5 million. Successive governments have vowed to tackle criminal gangs, which often are linked to poverty and other deprivation. The previous center-left government was decried by Luxons administration for working with gangs on social initiatives, including COVID-19 vaccination efforts, while the current government has been denounced for advancing policies that are likely to ensnare some of New Zealands most marginalized groups, including Indigenous Maori. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Official reports say three-quarters of those on the national gang list are Maori, who make up less than 20% of New Zealanders, and that 80% to 90% of those in two of the most notorious gangs are former wards of the state. Luxon made a formal apology this month for the widespread abuse of children and vulnerable adults in state care over the past seven decades. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, stated that all of the features of the missile used by Russia to attack the city of Dnipro this morning suggest that it was an intercontinental ballistic weapon. Source: Zelenskyy on Twitter (X) Quote: "Today, our insane neighbour has once again revealed its true nature its disdain for dignity, freedom, and human life itself. And, most of all, its fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fear so overwhelming that it unleashes missile after missile, scouring the globe for more weapons whether from Iran or North Korea. Today, it was a new Russian missile. Its speed and altitude suggest intercontinental ballistic capabilities. Investigations are ongoing." Read also: Russia strikes Ukraine with RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile Background: The Russians used the Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November. This missile can potentially carry nuclear warheads. Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reacted to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's announcement about the use of an Oreshnik medium-range missile against Ukraine. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter) Quote: "Today, Putin has admitted taking the second step this year towards escalating and expanding this war. A new ballistic missile was used. Putin struck our city of Dnipro one of the largest cities in Ukraine. This is a clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war - a cynical violation of the UN Charter by Russia. Let me emphasise: this is already Russias second step towards escalation this year. The first such step was involving North Korea in the war against Ukraine with a contingent of at least 11,000 soldiers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The president said that Putin has taken both of these steps while ignoring global calls to avoid escalation. "He disregards calls from China, Brazil, European countries, the US and other countries," Zelenskyy stated. The president also recalled that Ukraine has used long-range weapons before, which is not a new development. Quote: "And we have every right to do so under international law. Our right to self-defence is the same as that of any other nation. When Russian missiles hit our cities, when Iranian-made Shahed drones attack Ukraine every night, when a North Korean contingent is deployed on our border, Putin is not only prolonging the warhe is spitting in the face of those in the world who genuinely want peace to be restored. The world must respond. Right now, there is no strong reaction from the world. Putin is very sensitive to such reactions. He is testing you, dear partners. It is clear to everyone who the sole culprit of this war is who started it on 24 February and who continues to pour all resources into its continuation. He must be stopped. A lack of tough reactions to Russias actions sends a message that such behaviour is acceptable. This is what Putin is doing." Support UP or become our patron! This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Zuwaira Muhammad sat beside her emaciated 10-month-old twins on a clinic bed in northern Nigeria, caring for them as they battled malnutrition and malaria. She will have her babies vaccinated if they regain their strength, but for many in Kanoa hotbed of anti-vaccine sentimentthe choice is not an obvious one. The infants have been admitted to the 75-bed clinic in the Unguwa Uku neighborhood, one of only two in the city of 4.5 million run by French aid agency Doctors Without Borders (known by its French acronym MSF). Kano has the highest malaria burden in Nigeria, but the city has long been known for a deep-seated suspicion of vaccinations against several diseases. People in the conservative north of the country tend to look to the guidance of their own religious leaders, given in their native Hausa language, over international campaigns associated with federal authorities. Last month, Nigeria secured 846,000 doses of malaria vaccine in its campaign to fight the parasitic scourge, long a major concern in Africa's most populous nation. The malaria vaccine, which requires four doses, should be administered to children under one year as part of Nigeria's routine immunization schedule, according to United Nations children's fund UNICEF. It remains to be seen if Kano can put aside its doubts. "I will allow them to receive the malaria vaccine when the immunization starts because I know how bad malaria is," Zuwaira Muhammad, 26, told AFP. "I almost lost them to malaria but for the intervention I received here," she said. Fever and sweating Malaria is caused by a plasmodium parasite which is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. It is characterized by chills, fever and sweating and can be fatal if not treated quickly. Nigeria accounts for 27 percent of the global malaria burden, the highest in the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its 2022 World Malaria Report. It also accounts for 31 percent of global malaria mortality: In 2021, Nigeria recorded 68 million malaria cases and 194,000 deaths, with 80 percent of the mortality among under-fives, according to WHO data. Kano State has the highest number of cases in Nigeria, recording 6.8 million or 10 percent of all infections in 2021, the Malaria Consortium, a UK-based medical charity working to eradicate malaria in Kano says on its website. Kano is a breeding ground for mosquitoes due to poor sanitation. Ubiquitous refuse dumps and open sewers crisscross the city, which the charity blames for a malaria prevalence rate of 32.4 percent, the highest in Nigeria. The state government's free distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets has not contained the disease. "Malaria is a concern, there is a correlation between malnutrition and malaria," Hemmed Lukonge, MSF project coordinator in Kano, told AFP. "For every 10 malnutrition cases we receive, eight come with malaria." Kano has seen a 15-percent increase in infant malaria deaths this year compared to last year, Lukonge said. "The malaria vaccine is a game changer," he said. Vaccine suspicion Kano has a history of suspicion and rejection of vaccines. The state suspended polio immunization for 13 months between 2003 and 2004 following claims that polio vaccine was laced with substances that could render girls infertile as part of a Western plot to depopulate Africa. The suspension made Kano the epicenter of the transmission of the virus to other regions of the world that had already been declared polio-free. Although authorities have now resumed polio vaccination, suspicion about vaccine safety persists. Last year, two mothers created a stir in the city when they appeared on a local radio station claiming their children developed kidney and renal complications after taking a diphtheria vaccine. Health authorities in the city admitted the claim did substantial damage to their fight against a diphtheria epidemic they were trying to contain. "I will not take the malaria vaccine, nor will I administer it to my child because I'm not convinced it has no adverse effects," Lubabatu Abubakar said. "I agree malaria is a huge health problem, but it can be contained if the government takes care of the mountains of refuse everywhere which breed mosquitoes," the 40-year old mother of six said. Kano resident Umar Shehu said the government was putting the "cart before the horse" by prioritizing malaria vaccination over easing the high costs of living. "We need to get rid of malaria, but hunger is a more pressing problem. How can vaccine work on starving people," the 34-year-old father said. "Many people will not be keen to take the vaccine." Nigeria is experiencing economic turmoil following the liberalization of its currency and the end of a decades-long fuel subsidy under government economic reforms. But MSF's Lukonge said he was confident that vaccine resistance would be overcome with the Kano government's reactivation of a special task force for routine immunization and health education promotion to combat vaccine misinformation. Ibrahim Musa, a consultant hematologist at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in the city, agreed. "With adequate groundwork engagement with the people through the media and religious leaders, a substantial number of people will take the vaccine," Musa said. 2024 AFP (This Nov. 21 story has been corrected to reflect that Entergy is building its first gas-fired power plant in Mississippi in a half century, in paragraph 15) By Valerie Volcovici and Laila Kearney BAKU, Azerbaijan/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A spike in electricity demand from the world's big data providers is raising a worrying possibility for the world's climate: a near-term surge in fossil-fuel use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utilities, power regulators and researchers in a half-dozen countries told Reuters the surprising growth in power demand driven by the rise of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is being met in the near-term by fossil fuels like natural gas, and even coal, because the pace of clean-energy deployments is moving too slowly to keep up. In the United States, home to a third of world data centers, utilities are adding new gas plants and delaying the retirements of fossil-fuel power plants as a slew of sprawling new data centers plug in to the grid. In Poland, Germany and Malaysia, coal could also be in the mix, according to interviews with company executives, regulators and analysts. The outlook poses a new obstacle to world governments, now gathered at the UNs annual climate conference in Baku, which are already struggling to meet ambitious targets to decarbonize power systems. COP29 host Azerbaijan held the first-ever Digitalization Day at a world climate summit and launched a declaration, endorsed so far by 68 countries including China and Korea, to limit the environmental impact of digitalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlook also reveals the shortcomings of data-company pledges to be green. Companies including Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Amazon.com are committing to sourcing renewable energy and zeroing out emissions with clean power and offset credits - but often that only means siphoning clean power out of the grid that could have been used somewhere else. Meanwhile, agreements by data providers to power new data centers with advanced nuclear reactors or resurrected nuclear plants are uncertain and years off. "I think everyone agrees that we need more and more renewable energy to keep up with a growing demand," said Meta spokesman Jim Cullinan. "I think it is up to the utilities to comment on how they will fill the supply." Amazon told Reuters that investing in new renewable energy for the grid, including in regions relying heavily on fossil fuels, is part of its strategy to decarbonize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investment bank Morgan Stanley projects the global data-center industry will produce around 2.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent through the end of the decade, the equivalent of Russia's annual emissions. PUMPING THE GAS Northern Virginia in the U.S. has the biggest concentration of data centers in the world. Utility Dominion, which serves the area, has an answer: gas. The utility is building a 1,000-megawatt gas plant in Chesterfield County and recently slashed its 15-year projection for renewables to 80% from 95% of its power mix. "Overall, power demand in our service territory is growing at an unprecedented pace," said spokesman Aaron Ruby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other U.S. utilities said they are keeping on fossil-fired power plants longer and building new facilities as data-center demand grows, according to a Reuters review of recent company earnings calls. Entergy, for example, began building its first natural gas-fired power plant in Mississippi in a half-century, the company said. The 754-MW power station will serve two Amazon data-center complexes being built in Mississippi. Nearly half of utility NiSource's new $19.3 billion capital expenditure plan through 2029, meanwhile, will be spent on natural gas system improvements, the company said. NiSource covers some of the most quickly developing data center markets in parts of Indiana, Ohio and Virginia. Rob Thummel, senior portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, said natural gas is a clear answer for data centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's just the lowest cost, most reliable and it is decarbonizing in terms of it replacing coal," he said. "Is it perfect solution? No. But I don't know if we have a perfect solution to power these data centers." S&P said data centers could add between 3 billion and 6 billion cubic feet per day to U.S. natural gas demand by the end of the decade. That will worsen the U.S. performance on emissions, possibly for decades, clean-energy consultancy RMI said. "Data centers are just a warm-up act compared to the amount of electrification were going to have going forward. And if our first instinct is to start building gas plants and nuclear plants in order to do that, we're just going to create an energy system we cannot afford," RMI CEO Jon Creyts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump has said he intends to boost the U.S. power system when he takes office, and sources close to his transition team have said his plans are likely to prioritize gas development over renewables. COAL IN THE MIX? Research firm McKinsey said in a report last month most of the increase in data-center power consumption in the European Union by 2030 will be supplied low-carbon sources. McKinsey declined to elaborate when asked whether low-carbon sources included natural gas, and whether the trend could prolong the life of coal. In some parts of Europe, data centers will need coal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Poland, for example, a rush of new datacenter projects will need to run at least partially off baseload sources like coal because of the still-low volume of renewables in the country, according to Szymon Kowalski, deputy head of Re-Source Poland, a platform for corporate renewable energy sourcing. The share of coal in Polands energy mix has been falling for years as it ramps up renewables, but still stood above 60% in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency. In Ireland, meanwhile, data centers now account for over 20% of electricity consumption, according to the IEA. System operator EirGrid told Reuters it will meet demand with 650 MW of temporary emergency generation capacity, and by delaying the retirement of older generators. It said natural gas would be an important part of the mix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irelands only coal station, ESB Groups 915 MW Moneypoint plant, extended its retirement date last year to 2029 from 2025, but intends to burn fuel oil instead of coal during that period. In Germany, Microsoft this year announced plans to expand data-center capacity with a 3.2 billion euro ($3.38 billion) investment, near the 400-meter-deep Hambach coal mine. Microsoft declined to say whether the project would rely on coal. "We are still in an early stage of the project, that's why we do not comment," spokesperson Jo Klein said. In Malaysia, some data companies are taking power from the coal and gas-dominated grid instead of paying a premium for renewables, according to a government official familiar with the matter. Less than 50% of the green power Malaysia has sought to auction this year has been purchased, the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ($1 = 0.9467 euro) (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Baku, Laila Kearney in New York, Nina Chestney and Susana Twidale in London, Marek Strzelecki in Warsaw, Riham Alkoussa in Berlin, Sudarshan Varadhan in Singapore; Writing by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Matthew Lewis) When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Catholic Church City of Lucerne A church in Switzerland has an AI Jesus taking confession and offering advice The church worked with a local university to design and deploy the AI The AI is trained on the New Testament to mimic Jesus A Swiss church is trying a new way of connecting with Jesus in the confessional. It uses AI to simulate the personality of the 1st-century Galileleean for visitors as part of a religiously themed art project called Deus in Machina (God in a Machine). The digital simulacrum of Jesus Christ engages with visitors and offers spiritual guidance based on what people say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you enter the confessional, you'll see the AI Jesus displayed on a screen. The decidedly Swiss-looking man from the Roman-run Middle East of two millennia ago listens to people voice their questions or concerns. The AI model underlying the simulation was built by a team from the church working with the Immersive Realities Research Lab at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts using the New Testament as the basis for how Jesus thinks and speaks. So far, it's performed well. "AI fascinates us. But it also has its limits and raises ethical questions," St. Peter's theologian Marco Schmid explained in a statement (translated from German by Google). "In all previous tests, his answers have matched our theological understanding of St. Peter's Chapel." Reach out and touch faith The video of people reacting to AI Jesus shows some mixed reviews. One parishioner expressed surprise at how easy it was and how good the advice they received was. Another said it was very generic and not very impressive. A disagreement over religious interpretation suggests AI Jesus is performing exactly as it should. Now that AI Jesus is here, the question is, what comes next? If you want to experience the other side of the religious experience, you can try Social AI, an entire universe where you are the only real person, and everyone you talk to is just an AI character. Or you could go for being a kind of priest yourself for the traumatized AI personalities you encounter at Friend.com. If you're truly uncertain about how to use AI ethically in a religious context, you can always ask the Pope. He and IBM have put together a whole guide for ethical AI use. Nvidia raked in more than $19 billion in net income during the last quarter, the company reported on Wednesday, but that did little to assure investors that its rapid growth would continue. On its earnings call, analysts prodded CEO Jensen Huang about how Nvidia would fare if tech companies start using new methods to improve their AI models. The method that underpins OpenAI's o1 model, or "test-time scaling," came up quite a lot. It's the idea that AI models will give better answers if you give them more time and computing power to "think" through questions. Specifically, it adds more compute to the AI inference phase, which is everything that happens after a user hits enter on their prompt. Nvidia's CEO was asked whether he was seeing AI model developers shift over to these new methods and how Nvidia's older chips would work for AI inference. Huang indicated that o1, and test-time scaling more broadly, could play a larger role in Nvidia's business moving forward, calling it "one of the most exciting developments" and "a new scaling law." Huang did his best to ensure investors that Nvidia is well-positioned for the change. The Nvidia CEO's remarks aligned with what Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said onstage at a Microsoft event on Tuesday: o1 represents a new way for the AI industry to improve its models. This is a big deal for the chip industry because it places a greater emphasis on AI inference. While Nvidia's chips are the gold standard for training AI models, there's a broad set of well-funded startups creating lightning-fast AI inference chips, such as Groq and Cerebras. It could be a more competitive space for Nvidia to operate in. Despite recent reports that improvements in generative models are slowing, Huang told analysts that AI model developers are still improving their models by adding more compute and data during the pretraining phase. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei also said on Wednesday during an onstage interview at the Cerebral Valley summit in San Francisco that he is not seeing a slowdown in model development. "Foundation model pretraining scaling is intact and it's continuing," said Huang on Wednesday. "As you know, this is an empirical law, not a fundamental physical law, but the evidence is that it continues to scale. What we're learning, however, is that it's not enough." That's certainly what Nvidia investors wanted to hear, since the chipmaker's stock has soared more than 180% in 2024 by selling the AI chips that OpenAI, Google, and Meta train their models on. However, Andreessen Horowitz partners and several other AI executives have previously said that these methods are already starting to show diminishing returns. Taiwan is planning to inject $1 billion a year into its AI industry, its technology minister said. Wu Cheng-wen told Nikkei Asia that "AI sovereignty" is critical and benefits Taiwan's security. The nation has been diversifying away from semiconductors and China to strengthen its economy. Taiwan is planning to spend about $1 billion a year on artificial intelligence as part of its efforts to shift its economy away from semiconductors. On Thursday, Taiwan's science and technology minister told Nikkei Asia that the government would spend $3 billion over 3 years to ramp up AI data centers and their computing ability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "AI sovereignty is a critical issue," Wu Cheng-wen told the outlet, adding that it "benefits Taiwan's security." He also said that the country aims to generate at least a "tenfold" return on its investments. This is a significant development for the Taiwanese economy the world's leading producer of advanced chips. Taiwan's semiconductor industry accounts for over 90% of the global market, and contributed roughly 13 to 15% of Taiwan's GDP in recent years. The move comes as the country is not only trying to diversify its economy toward industries like AI, but also away from China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan has stepped up exports to the US, India, and Southeast Asian countries in recent years, but it still heavily relies on exports to China, its main trading partner. Wu told Nikkei Asia that the pivot to AI could help his country secure better trade relations with other countries in what he termed the "democratic camp." Earlier this month, multiple outlets, including the Financial Times, reported that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., or TSMC, notified its Chinese clients it would no longer be providing them with its cutting-edge AI chips and that the US would likely be involved in the approval process for any future supplies to Chinese businesses. President-elect Donald Trump's victory earlier this month and the threat of 60% tariffs on US imports from China are also pushing Taiwan to help its companies relocate production away from China, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US overtook China as Taiwan's top export destination at the end of 2023, for the first time since 2003, Bloomberg reported in April, citing data from Taiwan's finance ministry. Wu told Nikkei Asia that he is looking forward to cooperating with the US after Trump takes office in January. He told the outlet that if TSMC's 2-nanometer chip plant enters "mass" production as scheduled next year, and matures successfully, "we can plan on building similar state-of-the-art 2-nanometer plants in allied nations." TSMC announced in April it would build a third facility in Arizona to meet strong customer demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Taiwanese government and the US work very closely together," Wu said. Taiwan's latest moves come amid growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and concerns about a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which some military analysts and defense officials said could happen in the next few years. Read the original article on Business Insider This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In most doctors' offices these days, you'll find a pattern: Everybody's Googling, all the time. Physicians search for clues to a diagnosis, or for reminders of the best treatment plans. Patients scour WebMD, tapping in their symptoms and doomscrolling a long list of possible problems. But those constant searches leave something to be desired. Doctors don't have the time to sift through pages of results, and patients don't have the knowledge to digest medical research. Everybody has trouble finding the most reliable information. Optimists believe artificial intelligence could help solve those problems, but the bots might not be ready for prime time. In a recent paper in PLOS Digital Health, Dr. Gary Franklin, a University of Washington research professor of environmental & occupational health sciences and of neurology in the UW School of Medicine, described a troubling experience with Google's Gemini chatbot. When Franklin asked Gemini for information on the outcomes of a specific procedure decompressive brachial plexus surgerythe bot gave a detailed answer that cited two medical studies, neither of which existed. Franklin wrote that it's "buyer beware when it comes to using AI Chatbots for the purposes of extracting accurate scientific information or evidence-based guidance." He recommended that AI experts develop specialized chatbots that pull information only from verified sources. One expert working toward a solution is Lucy Lu Wang, a UW assistant professor in the Information School who focuses on making AI better at understanding and relaying scientific information. Wang has developed tools to extract important information from medical research papers, verify scientific claims, and make scientific images accessible to blind and low-vision readers. UW News sat down with Franklin and Wang to discuss how AI could enhance health care, what's standing in the way, and whether there's a downside to democratizing medical research. Each of you has studied the possibilities and perils of AI in health care, including the experiences of patients who ask chatbots for medical information. In a best-case scenario, how do you envision AI being used in health and medicine? Franklin: Doctors use Google a lot, but they also rely on services like UpToDate, which provides really great summaries of medical information and research. Most doctors have zero time and just want to be able to read something very quickly that is well documented. So from a physician's perspective, trying to find truthful answers, trying to make my practice more efficient, trying to coordinate things betterif this technology could meaningfully contribute to any of those things, then it would be unbelievably great. I'm not sure how much doctors will use AI, but for many years, patients have been coming in with questions about what they found on the internet, like on WebMD. AI is just the next step to patients doing this, getting some guidance about what to do with the advice they're getting. As an example, if a patient sees a surgeon who's overly aggressive and says they need a big procedure, the patient could ask an AI tool what the broader literature might recommend. And I have concerns about that. Wang: I'll take this question from the clinician's perspective, and then from the patient's perspective. From the clinician's perspective, I agree with what Gary said. Clinicians want to look up information very quickly because they're so taxed and there's limited time to treat patients. And you can imagine if the tools that we have, these chatbots, were actually very good at searching for information and very good at citing accurately, that they could become a better replacement for a type of tool like UpToDate, right? Because UpToDate is good, it's human-curated, but it doesn't always contain the most fine-grained information you might be looking for. These tools could also potentially help clinicians with patient communication, because there's not always enough time to follow up or explain things in a way that patients can understand. It's an add-on part of the job for clinicians, and that's where I think language models and these tools, in an ideal world, could be really beneficial. Lastly, on the patient's side, it would be really amazing to develop these tools that help with patient education and help increase the overall health literacy of the population, beyond what WebMD or Google does. These tools could engage patients with their own health and health care more than before. Zooming out from the individual to the systemic, do you see any ways AI could make health systems as a whole function more smoothly? Franklin: One thing I'm curious about is whether these tools can be used to help with coordination across the health care system and between physicians. It's horrible. There was a book called "Crossing the Quality Chasm" that argued the main problem in American medicine is poor coordination across specialties, or between primary care and anybody else. It's still horrible, because there's no function in the medical field that actually does that. So that's another question: Is there a role here for this kind of technology in coordinating health care? Wang: There's been a lot of work on tools that can summarize a patient's medical history in their clinical notes, and that could be one way to perform this kind of communication between specialties. There's another component, too: If patients can directly interact with the system, we can construct a better timeline of the patient's experiences and how that relates to their clinical medical care. We've done qualitative research with health care seekers that suggests there are lots of types of questions that people are less willing to ask their clinical provider, but much more willing to put into one of these models. So the models themselves are potentially addressing unmet needs that patients aren't willing to directly share with their doctors. What's standing in the way of these best-case scenarios? Wang: I think there are both technical challenges and socio-technical challenges. In terms of technical challenges, a lot of these models' training doesn't currently make them effective for tasks like scientific searches and summarization. First, these current chatbots are mostly trained to be general-purpose tools, so they're meant to be OK at everything, but not great at anything. And I think there will be more targeted development towards these more specific tasks, things like scientific search with citations that Gary mentioned before. The current training methods tend to produce models that are instruction-following, and have a very large positive response bias in their outputs. That can lead to things like generating answers with citations that support the answer, even if those citations don't exist in the real world. These models are also trained to be overconfident in their responses. If the way the model communicates is positive and overconfident, then it's going to lead to lots of problems in a domain like health care. And then, of course, there are socio-technical problems, like maybe these models should be developed with the specific goal of supporting scientific search. People are, in fact, working toward these things and have demonstrated good preliminary results. Franklin: So are the folks in your field pretty confident that that can be overcome in a fairly short time? Wang: I think the citation problem has already been overcome in research demonstration cases. If we, for example, hook up an LLM to PubMed search and allow it only to cite conclusions based on articles that are indexed in PubMed, then actually the models are very faithful to citations that are retrieved from that search engine. But if you use Gemini and ChatGPT, those are not always hooked up to those research databases. Franklin: The problem is that a person trying to search using those tools doesn't know that. Wang: Right, that's a problem. People tend to trust these things because, as an example, we now have AI-generated answers at the top of Google search, and people have historically trusted Google search to only index documents that people have written, maybe putting the ones that are more trustworthy at the top. But that AI-generated response can be full of misinformation. What's happening is that some people are losing trust in traditional search as a consequence. It's going to be hard to build back that trust, even if we improve the technology. We're really at the beginning of this technology. It took a long time for us to develop meaningful resources on the internetthings like Wikipedia or PubMed. Right now, these chatbots are general-purpose tools, but there are already starting to be mixtures of models underneath. And in the future, they're going to get better at routing people's queries to the correct expert models, whether that's to the model hooked up to PubMed or to trusted documents published by various associates related to health care. And I think that's likely where we're headed in the next couple of years. Trust and reliability issues aside, are there any potential downsides to deploying these tools widely? I can see a potential problem with people using chatbots to self-diagnose when it might be preferable to see a provider. Wang: You think of a resource like WebMD: Was that a net positive or net negative? Before its existence, patients really did have a hard time finding any information at all. And of course, there's limited face time with clinicians where people actually get to ask those questions. So, for every patient who wrongly self-diagnoses on WebMD, there are probably also hundreds of patients who find a quick answer to a question. I think that with these models, it's going to be similar. They're going to help address some of the gaps in clinical care where we don't currently have enough resources. More information: Gary M. Franklin et al, Google's new AI Chatbot produces fake health-related evidence-then self-corrects, PLOS Digital Health (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000619 Tal August et al, Paper Plain : Making Medical Research Papers Approachable to Healthcare Consumers with Natural Language Processing, ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction (2023). DOI: 10.1145/3589955 Nikhil Singh et al, FigurA11y: AI Assistance for Writing Scientific Alt Text, Proceedings of the 29th International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces (2024). DOI: 10.1145/3640543.3645212 Journal information: PLOS Digital Health Provided by University of Washington This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain A longitudinal study from the University of Toronto reveals the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults living with migraine. The findings are published in the Journal of Pain Research. Using a sample of more than 2,000 older adults with migraine from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, researchers examined changes in depression status among this population during the pandemic. More than one in seven older adults with migraine experienced depression for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, while approximately one in two with a previous history of depression experienced a recurrence during this period. "People living with migraine are already known to be highly vulnerable to adverse mental health outcomes, such as depression," said senior author Esme Fuller-Thomson, a professor at the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) and director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging (ILCA). "Considering the increases in stressors during the pandemic, such as disruptions to medication and health care access, we wanted to understand how this may have impacted the mental health of those with migraine." The researchers looked at risk factors for depression to better understand the subpopulations of people with migraine that had the highest risk of pandemic-related depression. Increased family conflict during the pandemic was associated with a five-fold risk of incident depression and a three-fold risk of recurrent depression. "Many families experienced increased discord and conflict during periods of lockdown, which were coupled by declines in access to important coping mechanisms that can mitigate family stress, such as physical activity outside and time spent socializing with friends. This likely impacted the mental health challenges observed during the pandemic," said co-author Andie MacNeil, Ph.D. student at FIFSW. Other pandemic-related stressors that were associated with incident depression among older adults with migraine included experiencing difficulty accessing health care. "Access to comprehensive health care was already recognized as a major challenge for people with migraine prior to the pandemic," said co-author Aneisha Taunque, a research assistant at the Institute for Life Course and Aging. "We know access to health care worsened during the pandemic, which may have exacerbated mental health challenges among this population." Increased time spent caregiving and/or challenges linked to caregiving were also associated with incident depression, which, like difficulties in accessing health care, approximately doubled the risk of incident depression. "Caregiving responsibilities can be extremely challenging for people living with debilitating pain, such as that caused by migraineand many people reported increases in their caregiving responsibilities during the pandemic," said co-author Ying Jiang, Senior Epidemiologist at the Public Health Agency of Canada. Other contributors to the study include Sarah Leo, a recent MSW graduate from FIFSW, Dr. Grace Li, who was a research associate with ILCA, and Margaret de Groh, a retired Scientific Manager at the Public Health Agency of Canada. The authors emphasized the importance of ongoing research to examine depression among people with migraine. "It will be important to identify if the observed increases were a temporary occurrence due to pandemic-related stressors, or if these trends have persisted after the pandemic," said Fuller-Thomson. "This knowledge can help inform targeted screening and intervention for people with migraine." More information: Andie MacNeil et al, The Mental Health Toll of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults with Migraine: A Prospective Analysis of Depression Using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Journal of Pain Research (2024). DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S469798 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In March, newly installed Social Security chief Martin O'Malley criticized agency "injustices" that "shock our shared sense of equity and good conscience as Americans." He promised to overhaul the Social Security Administration's often heavy-handed efforts to claw back money that millions of recipientsincluding people who are living in poverty, are elderly, or have disabilitieswere allegedly overpaid, as described by a KFF Health News and Cox Media Group investigation last year. "Innocent people can be badly hurt," O'Malley said at the time. Nearly eight months since he appeared before Congress and announced a series of policy changes, and with two months left in his term, O'Malley's effort to fix the system has made inroads but remains a work in progress. For instance, one change, moving away from withholding 100% of people's monthly Social Security benefits to recover alleged overpayments, has been a major improvement, say advocates for beneficiaries. "It is a tremendous change," said Kate Lang of Justice in Aging, who called it "life-changing for many people." The number of people from whom the Social Security Administration was withholding full monthly benefits to recoup money declined sharplyfrom about 46,000 in January to about 7,000 in September, the agency said. Asked to clarify whether those numbers and others provided for this article covered all programs administered by the agency, the SSA press office did not respond. Another potentially significant changerelieving beneficiaries of having to prove that an overpayment was not their faulthas not been implemented. The agency said it is working on that. Meanwhile, the agency seems to be looking to Congress to take the lead on a change some observers see as crucial: limiting how far back the government can reach to recover an alleged overpayment. Barbara Hubbell of Watkins Glen, New York, called the absence of a statute of limitations "despicable." Hubbell said her mother was held liable for $43,000 because of an SSA error going back 19 years. "In what universe is that even legal?" Hubbell said. Paying down the overpayment balance left her mother "essentially penniless," she added. In response to questions for this article, Social Security spokesperson Mark Hinkle said legislation is "the best and fastest way" to set a time limit. Establishing a statute of limitations was not among the policy changes O'Malley announced in his March congressional testimony. In an interview at the time, he said he expected an announcement on it "within the next couple months." It could probably be done by regulation, without an act of Congress, he said. Speaking generally, Hinkle said the agency has "made substantial progress on overpayments," reducing the hardship they cause, and "continues to work diligently" to update policies. The agency is underfunded, he added, is at a near 50-year low in staffing, and could do better with more employees. The SSA did not respond to requests for an interview with O'Malley. O'Malley announced the policy changes after KFF Health News and Cox Media Group jointly published and broadcast investigative reporting on the damage overpayments and clawbacks have done to millions of beneficiaries. When O'Malley, a former Democratic governor of Maryland, presented his plans to three congressional committees in March, lawmakers greeted him with rare bipartisan praise. But the past several months have shown how hard it can be to turn around a federal bureaucracy that is massive, complex, deeply dysfunctional, and, as it says, understaffed. Now O'Malley's time may be running out. Lang of Justice in Aging, among the advocacy groups that have been meeting with O'Malley and other Social Security officials, said she appreciates how much the commissioner has achieved in a short time. But she added that O'Malley has "not been interested in hearing about our feelings that things have fallen short." One long-standing policy O'Malley set out to change involves the burden of proof. When the Social Security Administration alleges someone has been overpaid and demands the money back, the burden is on the beneficiary to prove they were not at fault. Cecilia Malone, 24, a beneficiary in Lithonia, Georgia, said she and her parents spent hundreds of hours trying to get errors corrected. "Why is the burden on us to 'prove' we weren't overpaid?" Malone said. It can be exceedingly difficult for beneficiaries to appeal a decision. The alleged overpayments, which can reach tens of thousands of dollars or more, often span years. And people struggling just to survive may have extra difficulty producing financial records from long ago. What's more, in letters demanding repayment, the government does not typically spell out its case against the beneficiarymaking it hard to mount a defense. Testifying before House and Senate committees in March, O'Malley promised to shift the burden of proof. "That should be on the agency," he said. The agency expects to finalize "guidance" on the subject "in the coming months," Hinkle said. The agency points to reduced wait times and other improvements in a phone system known to leave beneficiaries on hold. "In September, we answered calls to our national 800 number in an average of 11 minutesa tremendous improvement from 42 minutes one year ago," Hinkle said. Still, in response to a nonrepresentative survey by KFF Health News and Cox Media Group focused on overpayments, about half of respondents who said they contacted the agency by phone since April rated that experience as "poor," and few rated it "good" or "excellent." The survey was sent to about 600 people who had contacted KFF Health News to share their overpayment stories since September 2023. Almost 200 people answered the survey in September and October of this year. Most of those who said they contacted the agency by mail since April rated their experience as "poor." Jennifer Campbell, 60, a beneficiary in Nelsonville, Ohio, said in late October that she was still waiting for someone at the agency to follow up as described during a phone call in May. "VERY POOR customer service!!!!!" Campbell wrote. "Nearly impossible to get a hold of someone," wrote Kathryn Duff of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who has been helping a disabled family member. Letters from SSA have left Duff mystified. One was postmarked July 9, 2024, but dated more than two years earlier. Another, dated Aug. 18, 2024, said her family member was overpaid $31,635.80 in benefits from the Supplemental Security Income program, which provides money to people with little or no income or other resources who are disabled, blind, or at least 65. But Duff said her relative never received SSI benefits. What's more, for the dates in question, payments listed in the letter to back up the agency's math didn't come close to $31,635.80; they totaled about a quarter of that amount. Regarding the 100% clawbacks, O'Malley in March said it's "unconscionable that someone would find themselves facing homelessness or unable to pay bills, because Social Security withheld their entire payment for recovery of an overpayment." He said that, starting March 25, if a beneficiary doesn't respond to a new overpayment notice, the agency would default to withholding 10%. The agency warned of "a short transition period." That change wasn't automated until June 25, Hinkle said. The number of people newly placed in full withholding plummeted from 6,771 in February to 51 in September, according to data the agency provided. SSA said it would notify recipients they could request reduced withholding if it was already clawing back more than 10% of their monthly checks. Nonetheless, dozens of beneficiaries or their family members told KFF Health News and Cox Media Group they hadn't heard they could request reduced withholding. Among those who did ask, roughly half said their requests were approved. According to the SSA, there has been almost a 20% decline in the number of people facing clawbacks of more than 10% but less than 100% of their monthly checksfrom 141,316 as of March 8 to 114,950 as of Oct. 25, agency spokesperson Nicole Tiggemann said. Meanwhile, the number of people from whom the agency was withholding exactly 10% soared more than fortyfoldfrom just over 5,000 to well over 200,000. And the number of beneficiaries having any partial benefits withheld to recover an overpayment increased from almost 600,000 to almost 785,000, according to data Tiggemann provided. Lorraine Anne Davis, 72, of Houston, said she hasn't received her monthly Social Security payment since June due to an alleged overpayment. Her Medicare premium was being deducted from her monthly benefit, so she's been left to pay that out-of-pocket. Davis said she's going to need a kidney transplant and had been trying to save money for when she'd be unable to work. A letter from the SSA dated April 8, 2024, two weeks after the new 10% withholding policy was slated to take effect, said it had overpaid her $13,538 and demanded she pay it back within 30 days. Apparently, the SSA hadn't accounted for a pension Davis receives from overseas; Davis said she disclosed it when she filed for benefits. In a letter to her dated June 29, the agency said that, under its new policy, it would change the withholding to only 10% if she asked. Davis said she asked by phone repeatedly, and to no avail. "Nobody seems to know what's going on" and "no one seems to be able to help you," Davis said. "You're just held captive." In October, the agency said she'd receive a paymentin March 2025. 2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The two most dangerous months of the war in Ukraine lie ahead, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday, noting that he has convened the country's Defence Council in light of "alarming news". "The threat of escalation and the expansion of the war is greater than ever," Orban said in a video posted on his social media page after being briefed at a meeting of the Defence Council. He said Donald Trump's impending presidency had made the prospect of peace, or at least a ceasefire, tangible. But a pro-war US administration was "still in power" and would remain so for the next two months, he added. "In practice this means that Ukrainians fired long-range missiles into Russian territory on Tuesday, and Russia responded by adopting a stricter nuclear doctrine," Orban said. The prime minister said that in the next few weeks and months Hungary must draw on "all its knowledge and diplomatic experience" in order to "stay out of this war". Orban: 'We are ahead of extremely risky times' Prime Minister Viktor Orban gave a reception to members of the Diaspora Council attending a meeting in Budapest, the PM's press chief, Bertalan Havasi, said on Wednesday. Regarding world politics, Orban told participants that while the election of Donald Trump had ended progressive-liberal government in the US, the two months until he is inaugurated "will hold a lot of insecurity in the US and Europe, and that may be a source of enormous risks." "Those on the side of war still haven't acknowledged the new reality. We must do everything in our power against an escalation of the war in Ukraine -- a ceasefire and peace talks have never been more important than now," Orban said. "That is all the more important" because the Hungarian government has prepared a "peace budget" to help its new economic policy to success, he said. "Based on that [budget], people and companies may look into the future more positively," he added. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below. The "ecosystem" of Hungary's space industry is undergoing notable developments, Szabolcs Szolnok, the deputy state secretary for technology, said at an EU Space Days 2024 event held in the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). The space industry is a potential key component of economic competitiveness, and various government schemes have supported its expansion, while more are planned in future, the national economy ministry official said, adding that Hungarian space industry suppliers were "putting themselves on the map". The ministry handles key technological areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technology, he noted, adding that when it came to space, the focus was on making use of new technologies and innovations. Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises are set to benefit from opportunities to provide space-dependent services such as international telecommunications and satellite navigation, he said. BME rector Charaf Hassan said the university was part of the space industry ecosystem, with many research groups there involved in space research. He referred to its own small MRC-100 satellite which entered Earth orbit on June 12 last year, while the university also helped to prepare the European Space Agency's asteroid probe Hera, among other projects. Rodrigo da Costa, executive director of EU space agency EUSPA also addressed the opening of the two-day event, noting that political decision-makers, space industry players and entrepreneurs were gathering to share their knowledge and experiences regarding how businesses, governments and society could benefit from the EU space programme. Meanwhile 4iG Announces Launch of HUSAT Satellite Programme Listed ICT company 4iG on Wednesday announced the launch of its HUSAT satellite programme, the largest privately-funded one in the region. 4iG Space and Defence Technologies plans to launch one geostationary telecommunication satellite (HUGEO) and eight low Earth orbit VHR Earth observation satellites (HULEO). The HULEO constellation will consist of six electro-optical satellites (HUEOP) and two synthetic aperture radar satellites (HUSAR) by 2032, it added. 4iG Space and Defence Technologies plans to manufacture the low Earth orbit satellites in the satellite integration centre of Martonvasar, on the outskirts of the capital, funded jointly by 4iG Space and Defence and REMRED and slated to start operating by 2026. The HUGEO and the first HUEOP satellite will be in orbit by the end of 2028, according to the plan. The HUSAT programme will offer Earth observation, data processing and telecommunications services. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. South Korean-owned CJ Foods will build a HUF 31bn food plant in Hungary, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto announced. The government is supporting the investment, which will create 200 jobs, with HUF 5.3bn, Szijjarto said. Most of the plant's products will be exported to Western Europe, while feedstock will come from Hungarian suppliers, he added. He said there had been "tough competition" to bring the plant, a unit of South Korea's biggest food company, to Hungary. He added that the weight in the global economy was shifting from West to East and that Asian companies were "setting the pace". More than 300 South Korean companies are present in Hungary, having invested close to EUR 10bn. In a separate statement, CJ Foods said the plant would start making frozen dumplings and fried chicken products in H2 2026. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. Cooperation in agriculture and trade must be further strengthened between Hungary and the UK, the minister of agriculture said in London. Istvan Nagy met Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner and Alistair Carmichael, the chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, the ministry said in a statement. After the talks, Nagy said that despite the challenges affecting agriculture, Europe must be able to provide healthy food for its residents and maintain its role in global food supplies. Nagy briefed Zeichner on the Hungarian EU presidency's agriculture-related goals, and said that reducing food waste was one of the presidency's priorities. Hungary set up a scheme in 2016 which has resulted in a more than 25 percent cut in food waste per person over 8 years, he added. He said there was room for further cooperation in R and I and D, and in trade. The UK has remained a valuable market for Hungarian premium foodstuff, bottled wine, fruit, vegetables and animal feed, he added. At talks withCarmichael, Nagy said Hungary was committed to promoting farmer-focused agrarian policies and competitive, crisis-proof, sustainable and knowledge-based agriculture for the future. The Hungarian agrarian support system reflected social demand for making the environment better, for instance by further improving soil structures, he said. "Farming is not just work but a way of life which is also taken into consideration in legal regulations," he said. All efforts must be made to strengthen safe food supplies and maintain a liveable rural environment, he added. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. Budapest's landmark Chain Brindge is illuminated with the colours of the Ukrainian flag with the message "we must not lose our moral compass and we must not lose our friends", Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony said. Karacsony noted on Facebook that "the most destructive war in Europe since the second world war" has been under way for a thousand days. He said there was no moral or political excuse for Putin-led Russia's total war against Ukraine. "Standing on Ukraine's side cannot be a matter of deliberation or calculation, only a matter of conviction," he added. Since the first days of the war, Budapest has been "trying to maintain the closest possible cooperation" with international and Hungarian partners that organise humanitarian aid, including the capitals of the Visegrad region, local councils from Transcarpathia and UNICEF, he said. Ukraine crisis - DefMin: Diplomacy 'only solution' to end war Diplomacy is the only solution to end the war in Ukraine, Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky said on Tuesday after a meeting of European Union defence ministers in Brussels. Szalay-Bobrovniczky said Hungary was still being attacked for its "pro-peace" stance calling for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks. He also called for a strategic debate "as the approach employed so far is not working. Despite weapon deliveries and other military support, the front is moving increasingly swiftly to the west rather than withdrawing towards the east," he said. The result of the US presidential election may bring "definitive change to policy" and a pro-peace approach, he said. Szalay-Bobrovniczky said the war was threatening with escalation "any day". "As long as there is armed conflict, events can get out of control." Measures such as moving the EU training of Ukrainian soldiers to Ukraine, and member states allowing the country to use weapons delivered by them on Russian territory could also threaten with escalation, he said. Regarding a recent cyber-attack on Hungary's National Defence Purchase Agency (VBU), the minister said an international team of hackers had stolen data from the company for financial gain. The attack was not perpetrated by a foreign secret service, he said. VBU is a company conducting purchases, and its servers "are not, were not and never will be" connected to the system of the Hungarian Armed Forces or the Defence Ministry, he said. "The stolen data may violate business confidentiality but does not threaten national security," he said. "After the incident, we have filed a police report, strengthened cyber-protection and information-security procedures and are closely monitoring the case," Szalay-Bobrovniczky said. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. New Delhi: Actress Barkha Singh, known for her versatility, recently portrayed Shloka, Vikrant Masseys love interest, in 'The Sabarmati Report.' Her dedication to her craft and ability to express subtle emotions make her the perfect fit for the role. Through her performance, she beautifully conveyed a story of love, loss, and human connections set against dramatic real-life event. In the film, the love story that Barkha and Vikrant share is filled with warmth, drama, and intensity, showcasing their genuine emotions which struck cords with the audiences and we would definitely want to see more of them together. The song 'Tere Mere Darmiyan,' featuring Barkha Singh and Vikrant Massey, captivated fans with its beautiful chemistry and garnered 5.5 million views. Watch The Full Song Below! Fans are raving about Barkha's captivating cameo, praising how she brings her character to life with powerful emotions. Her striking big-screen presence has left audiences eager for more, calling it one of the most exciting and promising performances. Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and Vikir Films, and distributed by Zee Studios, The Sabarmati Report features stellar performances by Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna, and Ridhi Dogra. Directed by Dheeraj Sarna, the film is now playing in theatres nationwide. Barkha has received significant acclaim for her remarkable performances in popular series such as "Engineering Girls," "Maja Ma," "Please Find Attached," and "Masaba Masaba 2," among others. Her nuanced performances have captivated audiences, expanding her devoted fanbase. On work Front, Barkha Singh has announced her upcoming project titled "Lafangey" with Amazon MiniTV. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Preschool children who struggle to control their emotions and behavior have more symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorderknown as ADHDat age seven, a study suggests. Children aged between three and seven who are slower at acquiring skills to manage their intense emotions were also found to be at risk of displaying more conduct issues. They were also more likely to show internalizing behaviors, such as sadness and worries, at age seven, experts say. The study, led by the University of Edinburgh, is among the first to examine the links between early patterns of emotion regulation and school-age mental health. The study is published in the journal Development and Psychopathology. The findings could help tailor targeted support for children who may benefit from enhanced preventative care before mental health issues emerge, researchers say. Researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh, Northumbria and Oxford analyzed a large dataset to test whether the progression of emotional development among children aged three to seven is related to the risk of common mental health issues. Childhood mental health They examined data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study which follows the lives of around 19,000 young people born in 20002002. The researchers analyzed questionnaires and interviews which surveyed parents on their children's conduct, social behaviors, and emotional regulation skills. They used statistical techniques to measure the link between emotional problems, conduct problems and ADHD symptoms at age seven. Findings showed that a tendency to have extreme emotional responses and slower development in the ability to regulate those emotions was significantly associated with ADHD symptoms, internalizing symptoms, and conduct problems in both male and female children at age seven. This was the case even when other factors such as data on any pre-existing neurodevelopmental and mental health issues were taken into account. "Emotion regulation skills are acquired from early in life and are thought to strengthen gradually over childhood. Children, however, acquire these skills at different rates and slower acquisition may serve as a marker for neurodevelopmental and mental health issues. Our findings suggest that monitoring trajectories of emotion regulation over development could help identity which children are at risk of mental health issues," says Dr. Aja Murray, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences. More information: Aja Louise Murray et al, Early emotion regulation developmental trajectories and ADHD, internalizing, and conduct problems symptoms in childhood, Development and Psychopathology (2024). DOI: 10.1017/S0954579424001263 Journal information: Development and Psychopathology Provided by University of Edinburgh New Delhi: Adani Green Eneregy in an exchange filing on Thursday informed that it will not proceed with the proposed USD denominated bond offerings. "The United States Department of Justice and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission have issued a criminal indictment and brought a civil complaint, respectively, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, against our Board members, Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani. The United States Department of Justice have also included our Board member, Vneet Jaain, in such criminal indictment. In light of these developments, our subsidiaries have presently decided not to proceed with the proposed USD denominated bond offerings," Adani Green Energy Limited said in a BSE filing. Adani Chairman Gautam Adani and his accomplices have been charged by US Prosecutors with defrauding investors, hiding plan to bribe Indian officials It has been alleged that Adani duped investors by concealing that his company's huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. A five-count criminal indictment has been unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York, "A five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in federal court charging Gautam Adani, Sagar R. Adani, and Vneet S. Jaain, with conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud and substantive securities fraud for their roles in a multi-billion-dollar scheme to obtain funds from U.S. investors and global financial institutions on the basis of false and misleading statements." Others being charged in the indictment include Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable-energy company with securities that had traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the U.S. Issuer), and Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, former employees of a Canadian institutional investor, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the alleged bribery scheme. "As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from U.S. and international investors," stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. The case involves a lucrative arrangement for Adani Green Energy Ltd. And another firm to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power to the Indian government enough to light millions of homes and businesses. The indictment paints Adani and his co-defendants as playing two sides of the deal. It accuses them of portraying it as rosy and above-board to Wall Street investors who poured several billion dollars into the project over the last five years while, back in India, they were paying or planning to pay about USD 265 million in bribes to government officials to help secure billions of dollars' worth of contracts and financing, AP has reported. "The business executives allegedly bribed the Indian government to finance lucrative contracts designed to benefit their businesses. Adani and other defendants also defrauded investors by raising capital on the basis of false statements about bribery and corruption, while still other defendants allegedly attempted to conceal the bribery conspiracy by obstructing the government's investigation," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy. With Agency Inputs New Delhi: Yet another blow was dealt to Gautam Adani, as the billionaire Indian businessman was charged by US Prosecutors with defrauding investors, hiding plan to bribe Indian officials It has been alleged that Adani duped investors by concealing that his company's huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. A five-count criminal indictment has been unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York, "A five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in federal court charging Gautam Adani, Sagar R. Adani, and Vneet S. Jaain, with conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud and substantive securities fraud for their roles in a multi-billion-dollar scheme to obtain funds from U.S. investors and global financial institutions on the basis of false and misleading statements." Others being charged in the indictment include Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable-energy company with securities that had traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the U.S. Issuer), and Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, former employees of a Canadian institutional investor, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the alleged bribery scheme. "As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and Gautam S. Adani, Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from U.S. and international investors," stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. The case involves a lucrative arrangement for Adani Green Energy Ltd. And another firm to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power to the Indian government enough to light millions of homes and businesses. The indictment paints Adani and his co-defendants as playing two sides of the deal. It accuses them of portraying it as rosy and above-board to Wall Street investors who poured several billion dollars into the project over the last five years while, back in India, they were paying or planning to pay about USD 265 million in bribes to government officials to help secure billions of dollars' worth of contracts and financing, AP has reported. "The business executives allegedly bribed the Indian government to finance lucrative contracts designed to benefit their businesses. Adani and other defendants also defrauded investors by raising capital on the basis of false statements about bribery and corruption, while still other defendants allegedly attempted to conceal the bribery conspiracy by obstructing the government's investigation," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy. With Agency Inputs New Delhi: Kenyan President Willian Ruto has taken a strong stance on major projects involving the Adani Group. On Thursday, he announced the suspension of the procurement process for expanding Kenyas main airport, which included a proposal from the Adani Group. Ruto also revealed the cancellation of a 736-million dollars, 30-year public-private partnership deal with an Adani Group unit for building power transmission lines, signalling a shift in the countrys approach to such agreements, Reuters reported on Thursday. Kenyan President William Ruto, in his state of the nation address, stated, "I have directed agencies within the ministry of transport and within the ministry of energy and petroleum to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement," citing "new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations" as the reason for the decision. Adani Energy Solutions, led by Gautam Adani had signed a 30-year, 736 million dollars public-private partnership deal with the Kenya Electrical Transmission Company in October. However, the agreement was suspended by a court later that same month. On November 21, Kenya's energy minister clarified that there was no evidence of bribery or corruption in awarding a contract to a unit of the Adani Group for constructing power lines in the country. The Adani Group has responded to allegations against directors of Adani Green made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. In a release, a spokesperson stated, "The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied." The group also confirmed its intention to pursue "all possible legal recourse." After a US District Court in New York charged Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, linking him and others to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that Adani has violated both Indian and American law and committed a scam worth approximately Rs 2000 Crore. Lok Sabha LoP also criticised the Prime Minister, accusing him of protecting Mr Adani and being involved in corruption. "I am wondering why Mr Adani is running around a free man in this country. CMs have been arrested...Adani has done apparently one Rs 2000 Crore scam and multiple others probably but he is running scot-free...We have been raising this again and again...It is a vindication of what we have been saying, the PM is protecting Mr Adani and the PM is involved in corruption with Mr Adani," Gandhi said. LIVE: Congress party briefing by Shri @RahulGandhi at AICC HQ. https://t.co/qTBOTILpr6 Congress (@INCIndia) November 21, 2024 On US prosecutors charging Gautam Adani and others in alleged Solar Energy contract bribery case, Congress leader questions why Adani is not in jail. "American agency has said that he has committed crime in India, he has offered bribes, sold power at inflated prices. PM is not doing anything, he can't do anything. Even if he wants to do something, he can't because he is under the control of Adani," he added. Reacting to Adani's arrest or investigation, Gandhi said, "Note it down, he has done a scam of Rs 2000 Crores. But I guarantee you, this man will neither be arrested nor face an investigation because PM is linked to him." Acharya Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the Peethadhishwar of Bageshwar Dham, on Thursday proposed that the national song "Vande Mataram" be sung after the Aarti in both temples and mosques. He believes this practice would help identify true patriots and differentiate them from anti-nationals. "In temples and even in mosques, Vande Mataram should be sung. If this is implemented, it will clearly show who are true patriots and who are anti-nationals," he told to ANI. Shastri further added that this initiative would not only instil patriotism but also bring clarity to the intentions and loyalties of people, Shastri said that such steps could foster national unity and strengthen bonds among citizens, transcending religious barriers. "This Hindu spirit is growing and becoming a unique identity. There is a surge of fervent Hindus, reminiscent of the atmosphere during the time of independence. The current environment is one of Hindu unity. People are excited and participating enthusiastically. We feel truly revitalised," he added. Addressing the issue of religious conversions among Adivasis, Acharya rejected the term "Adivasi" and suggested referring to them as "Anadiwasis" to highlight their timeless connection to Indian culture. "We want to give them a new identity. They are not just Adivasis; they are Anadiwasis--eternal members of this land who have always been with us. They stood with Bhagwan Shri Ram and are from Mata Sabari's lineage. These are remarkable people, and they must be honoured and included," he said, ANI reported. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), implementing stricter measures to combat rising air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). - Under the revised GRAP, it is now mandatory for NCR states to suspend physical classes up to Class V during GRAP Stage III and up to Class XII during GRAP Stage IV. This represents a major policy shift, eliminating the discretionary power previously granted to state governments. - The revised GRAP also introduces a new directive under Stage III, mandating state governments to implement staggered timings for public offices and municipal bodies to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce emissions. This measure underscores the commission's commitment to proactive, coordinated efforts to combat worsening air quality in the region. - A "mask advisory" has now been introduced under GRAP Stage IV, 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. Earlier on Monday, environmentalist Vimlendu Jha described the GRAP Stage IV measures as "similar to a lockdown" but cautioned that they are merely temporary solutions. The amendments come amid growing concern over Delhi-NCR's air pollution, which recently escalated to the 'Severe+' category, with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels surpassing 450. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate to dense fog over Delhi-NCR in the coming days, which could worsen the pollution crisis by trapping particulate matter near the ground. (With ANI Inputs) Dominica has conferred its top award on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contributions to the Caribbean nation during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to enhancing the bilateral partnership between India and Dominica. The prime minister, who is in Guyana on the last leg of his three-nation visit, was conferred the "Dominica Award of Honour" by President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica during the India-CARICOM Summit here on Wednesday. "Honoured to be conferred with highest national award by Dominica. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India," Modi said in a post on X. "This honour is dedicated to my sisters and brothers of India. It is also indicative of the unbreakable bond between our nations," he said in a separate post. "The award is a recognition of PMs statesmanship and contribution to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic and his commitment to strengthening India-Dominica ties," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X. Replying to an X post by Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Modi said, "Your kind words have touched me, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. With deep humility and gratitude, I accept the Dominica Award of Honour'." "You spoke about the support during COVID-19. It fills my heart with joy to see how our solidarity during COVID-19 strengthened bonds across borders and continents. We will keep working closely with Dominica in the times to come," he added. "In 2021, during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, your generous provision of 70,000 AstraZeneca vaccines became a lifeline for Dominica," Prime Minister Skerrit said in his post on X. He said the accolade was more than a symbol: "It is a tribute to your enduring legacy of leadership, your commitment to humanity, and the indelible mark you have left on nations, including ours, far beyond your shores." Skerrit asserted that it "transcended a donation; it was a powerful reminder that true leadership knows no borders". "This singular act of solidarity echoed the essence of global partnership and South-South collaboration," he said. "This honour also reflects the shared values that unite Dominica and India our unwavering dedication to democracy, resilience in the face of adversity, and belief in the power of unity. Today, we recognise that your inspiration extends far beyond the oceans that separate us. Like Dominica, the world owes you a debt of gratitude for your tireless efforts to uplift humanity," he said. Guyana and Barbados will also confer their top awards on Prime Minister Modi, bringing his tally of international honours to 19. Dominica announced its top award to Modi a few days ago. According to a statement released by Skerrit's office on the award's announcement, it also recognises India's support for Dominica in healthcare, education and information technology under Modi's leadership and his role in promoting climate resilience-building initiatives and sustainable development on a global level. The statement quoted Prime Minister Skerrit as saying that the award is an expression of Dominica's gratitude for Modi's solidarity with Dominica and the wider region. In accepting the offer of the award, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of collaboration in tackling global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical conflicts and affirmed India's commitment to working alongside Dominica and the Caribbean in addressing these issues, the statement underlined. According to an update from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been arrested by US authorities and is currently detained at the Pottawattamie County Jail in Iowa. In an official statement to ANI, ICE confirmed that Bishnoi was detained at the facility but mentioned that they could not disclose any further information at this time. Anmol Bishnoi's arrest comes as part of ongoing investigations into his alleged involvement in various criminal activities. Earlier on Monday, the US State Department declined to comment on the possible deportation of Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, who is wanted in connection with a shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence. This development follows Anmol Bishnoi's detention in California by the US Immigration Department last week, with reports indicating that FBI officials and Indian security agencies have deliberated on the possibility of deporting him to India. In a statement, the State Department clarified that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). According to ANI reports, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "It would be appropriate, if anyone is going to comment on such a report, it would be the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, not the State Department. I prefaced it that way because they may decline to comment, but I certainly am not going to comment on something that falls within their jurisdiction." (With ANI Inputs) The BJP launched a sharp counterattack against the Congress Thursday after US prosecutors charged industrialist Gautam Adani and others with bribery and fraud, pointing out that the states named in the indictment were governed by opposition parties at the time of the alleged offenses. BJP Questions Opposition's Role The BJP IT cell head, Amit Malviya, took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask why the indictment has come now when, as he alleged, it coincides with the start of the Parliament session and former U.S. President Donald Trump's return to the limelight. "This raises several questions," Malviya said while accusing Congress of being "a prop in the hands of George Soros and his cabal." He was responding to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh who earlier claimed the indictment vindicated Congress's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into alleged "Modani scams". Opposition-Ruled States Implicated The bribes allegedly were paid to government officials in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh between July 2021 and February 2022, Malviya noted, citing the US indictment. "All these states were ruled by the opposition then," said Malviya. Odisha and Andhra Pradesh were ruled by regional parties, BJD and YSR Congress which are not affiliated with BJP or Congress. Tamil Nadu was in the government of the Congress ally DMK, and the Congress ruled Chhattisgarh. Malviya took a dig at Jairam Ramesh, saying, "It is always good to read before one reacts." He further underlined the fact that the U.S. document states that the charges are just allegations, and until proved guilty, defendants are presumed innocent. Adani Bribery Allegations U.S. prosecutors say that amount Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and other officials of the group collectively paid out in bribes to obtain the solar energy contracts between 2020 and 2024 exceeds $250 million. The terms provided for those contracts would fetch over $2 billion. None of the allegations has been denied by the Adani Group through any statement. Congressional leaders have been grilling the BJP-led government for its favors to the Adani Group, often touted as the first choice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the BJP has rejected these allegations and countered that the Adani Group has invested in several opposition-governed states. "Should we allow law to take its course, or should we plant ourselves in the domestic politics of a foreign country?" Malviya asked as Congress was urged not to get needlessly excited. The case has once again ignited more debates over corporate governance and political influence in India. As Congress demands transparency and accountability, it has turned the tables for BJP's opposition as they accused BJP of playing politics over the international development. The parliament session is approaching, but allegations against Adani may receive some heated argument in the political world. BJP Slams Congress Over Graft Charges, Raises Questions About Opposition Hand in Adani Case The BJP on Thursday launched a sharp counterattack against the Congress over bribery charges filed by US prosecutors against industrialist Gautam Adani and others. It questioned whether all these states, named in the indictment were opposition ruled at the time of alleged offense. BJP Questions Opposition's Role BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya attacked the timing of the indictment, saying that it is happening just around the time when the Parliament session is beginning and former U.S. President Donald Trump again resurfacing as political factor. "This raises several questions," Malviya said, accusing the Congress of acting "a prop in the hands of George Soros and his cabal." He was replying to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who had earlier claimed that the indictment vindicated Congress's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into alleged "Modani scams." Quoting the U.S. indictment, Malviya said that between July 2021 and February 2022, bribes were paid to government officials of Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh. "All of these states were opposition-ruled then," said Malviya. The BJD and the YSR Congress that ruled Odisha and Andhra Pradesh respectively, are both regional parties not affiliated to BJP or Congress. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand was under the ally of Congress DMK and Chhattisgarh was ruled by Congress itself. Malviya targeted Jairam Ramesh, saying, "It is always good to read before one reacts." According to Malviya, the U.S. document "confirms the charges are allegations, not guilty unless proven so by evidence.". Prosecutors in the US claim Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani as well as other officials of the group allegedly made more than $250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to win solar energy contracts whose terms may fetch more than $2 billion in profits. To date, the Adani Group hasn't brought out a statement about the allegations. The Congress has regularly accused the BJ-led government of doing favoritism towards the Adani Group, with Rahul Gandhi often linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the industrialist. However, the party refused to buy this saying Adani Group has invested in many Oppositionruled states. "Should we let law take its course, or should we plant ourselves in the domestic politics of a foreign country?" Malviya asked while asking Congress not to get "overly excited". True, this case has reignited debates over corporate governance and political influence in India. But while Congress is demanding greater transparency and accountability, the BJP has gone on to double down on its claim that the opposition is leeching international developments for purely political reasons. PM Modi In Guyana: India has never moved forward with the idea of expansionism and has always stayed away from the idea of resource-capturing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, stating that this is not time for conflict but to identify and remove conditions that create conflicts. Addressing a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament, PM Modi said the relations betwen India and Guyana are very deep and it is a relation of soil, sweat, diligence. "We have never moved forward with the idea of expansionism. We have always stayed away from the idea of resource capturing. I believe whether it is space or sea, this should be the subject of universal cooperation, not universal conflict. For the world also, this is not time for conflict, this is the time to identify the conditions that create conflicts and remove it," he said. Referring to global challenges, he said the the best approach to move forward is 'democracy first and humanity first'. "The kind of situation that is there before the world, the best way to move forward is 'democracy first and humanity first'. The idea of 'democracy first' teaches us to take everyone along and move forward with the development of everyone. The idea of 'Humanity first' decides the direction of our decisions," he said. "When decisions are taken based on the idea of 'humanity first', results will be in the interest of humanity...for the formation of an inclusive society, there is no other bigger medium than democracy...both the countries have together shown that democracy is not just a system, we have shown that democracy is in our DNA, vision, conduct and behaviour," he added. PM Modi said that in the last 200-250 years, India and Guyana have witnessed similar kind similar kinds of struggle. "Today both countries are strengthening democracy in the world. That's why, in the Guyanese Parliament, I am greeting you all on behalf of 140 crore people of India," he said. "The relation of India and Guyana is very deep, it is the relation of soil, sweat, diligence. Around 180 years ago, an Indian came to Guyana land and after that, both in happiness and sadness, India and Guyana's relation has been filled with intimacy," he added. PM Modi arrived in Guyana on the third leg of his three-nation visit. It is the first visit to Guyana by an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years. During this visit, PM Modi joined leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain An online program of t'ai chi, qigong and meditation has been shown to be helpful in reducing lower back pain and related discomforts, potentially offering a safe and low-cost treatment option to the hundreds of millions of people suffering from low back pain. In a randomized clinical study, jointly conducted by The Center for Taiji & Qigong Studies, Och Spine at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Medical College, researchers found that patients who attended online classes for twelve weeks reported less pain, easier movement and better sleep after participating in the program. The findings are published today in the North American Spine Society Journal. "It's well-established that t'ai chi and qigong help to reduce pain and to improve strength, balance, immune function, sleep and mood," said t'ai chi grandmaster Yang Yang, Ph.D., founder and director of the Center for Taiji and Qigong Studies, in New York. "Our new research shows how modern toolsvirtual classes streamed on Zoomare an effective way to deliver these ancient practices and to realize their health benefits." Participants in the study, all of whom suffered from lower back pain, participated in twice-weekly, hour-long classes via Zoom that focused on meditation practices and on gentle movements aimed at increasing relaxation, spinal flexibility, posture, balance and core strength. Participants also learned about acupressure points for back, neck, sciatica, energy and sleep. All were instructed to adapt the curriculum to their individual needs and to continue practicing at home on their own time, at their own pace. Throughout the program and afterwards, researchers assessed participants on such factors as pain-related disability, pain intensity, and sleep quality. The researchers found that, compared to a control group, program participants experienced statistically significant improvement on all counts. Improvements persisted at least one month after treatment concluded. "The mind-body connection is essential for managing back pain, as stress, anxiety, and negative emotions can exacerbate physical discomfort. Practices like t'ai chi, qi gong, meditation, and relaxation techniques can help to reduce muscle tension and improve the body's response to pain, creating a holistic approach to healing and pain relief," said Jaspal Ricky Singh, M.D., vice chair of strategy and clinical operations and associate professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and director of Interventional Spine at Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "This study highlights the novel approach of integrating both stillness and movement equally, offering a true mind-body practice that not only improves back pain but also has the potential to reduce reliance on pain medications, including opioids, which is a critical public health issue," said principal investigator Kenneth A. Knapp, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences and Practice, New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY. "Back pain is one of the most frequent reasons for disability and suffering in our population. As a spine surgeon, it has always been my goal to limit the use of spinal surgery to those patients who will really benefit from a surgical intervention. This study helps us understand which patients do well with nonoperative treatment," said senior investigator Roger Hartl, M.D., director of Neurosurgery Spine and the Hansen-MacDonald Professor of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, and co-director of Och Spine, director, neurosurgery spine at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "The participants receiving the virtually delivered mind-body intervention experienced greater pain reduction and enhanced QOL than the control group across all time points, reinforcing the value of mind-body practices in chronic pain management," said Mohamad Bydon, M.D., Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. More information: Yang Yang et al, A Tai chi and qigong mind-body program for low back pain: A virtually delivered randomized control trial, North American Spine Society Journal (NASSJ) (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100557 Vientiane: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday attended the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus forum at Vientiane in Lao PDR, where he emphasized that India stands for rule-based international order for peace and prosperity in Indo-Pacific. Sharing his insights on the discussions on the Code of Conduct, Singh stated that India would like to see a Code that does not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations which are not party to these deliberations. The code should be fully consistent with international law, in particular the UN Convention Law of Sea 1982, he added, as per a statement by the Defence Ministry. "India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," Singh said while addressing the ADMM Plus, the statement said. On the ongoing conflicts and challenges to international order, Raksha Mantri asserted that it is "providential" that the 11th ADMM-Plus is being held in Lao PDR, which has internalised the Buddhist principles of non-violence and peace. He was of the view that it is time that the Buddhist doctrines of peaceful co-existence be embraced more closely by all, as the world is increasingly getting polarised into blocks and camps, leading to increasing strain on the established world order, the statement said. "India has always advocated and practiced dialogue for resolving complex international issues. This commitment to open communication and peaceful negotiation is evident in India's approach to a wide range of international challenges, from border disputes to trade agreements. An open dialogue promotes trust, understanding, and cooperation, laying the foundation for sustainable partnerships. The power of dialogue has always proven effective, yielding tangible results that contribute to stability and harmony on the global stage. India believes that genuine, long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations engage constructively, respecting each other's perspectives and working toward shared goals in the spirit of cooperation," said Singh. Describing 21st century as the 'Asian Century', the Minister said the ASEAN region, in particular, has always been economically dynamic and bustling with trade, commerce and cultural activities. He added that all through this transformational journey, India has remained a trusted friend of the region. Citing a quote by Rabindranath Tagore, while he visited South East Asia in 1927, 'Everywhere I could see India, yet I could not recognise it', Singh stressed that the statement symbolises the deep and widespread cultural and historical ties between India and South East Asia. On India celebrating a decade of the Government's Act East policy, Rajnath Singh pointed out that the dividends are paying out in the strengthening of India's ties with ASEAN and Indo-pacific nations. This vision re-emphasised the pivotal role of ASEAN as a cornerstone of the nation's policy, he added. In view of the natural disasters wreaking havoc in different parts of the world, Raksha Mantri stated that it reminds of the perils of climate change. He complimented the chair for choosing the most relevant topic in today's scenario for the 11th ADMM-Plus Joint statement. "Strengthening resilience to climate change in the defence domain requires multi-stakeholder engagement, from developing innovative solutions to managing the adverse impacts of climate change. This includes protecting vulnerable populations as well as safeguarding our defence installations," he added. Raksha Mantri highlighted the need to deepen the understanding of the interlinkages between climate change and threats to security. He called for developing an ADMM-Plus Defence Strategy on Climate Change. Singh drew attention to the Global Commons - the shared natural resources and ecosystems essential to sustaining life and bringing prosperity on the planet. He underscored the need to safeguard these Global Commons in a just and balanced manner by not resorting to unilateral actions. These resources provide invaluable ecological, economic, and social benefits that extend beyond national boundaries, he said. The 11th ADMM-Plus forum consisted of 10 ASEAN countries, eight Plus countries, and Timor Leste. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Laos General Chansamone Chanyalath. Karnataka Lokayukta was conducting raids on Thursday in 25 locations across the state in a disproportionate assets (DA) case involving four government officers. According to Lokayukta sources, the raids were conducted in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Chikkaballapur, Davanagere, Mandya and other locations across the state. The residences and offices of a director attached to the Bengaluru Urban Planning Department were raided in the state capital and other locations. The sleuths have also been raiding the residences of his wife in Davanagere and surrounding areas. Lokayukta Inspector Prabhu and his team were conducting raids. As per sources, a team headed by Lokayukta SP Srinath Joshi was conducting raids at the unnamed director's house in Bengaluru where a large proportion of gold and silver has been found. The residences of a Managing Director of the Cauvery, Neeravari Nigama and his relatives in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya and Malavalli were raided simultaneously. The sleuths have also raided the petrol bunk in KRS village owned by the wife of the Managing Director. The residence of a woman officer attached to the Mining and Geology department in Mangaluru city has also been raided. Sources stated that the officer was transferred to the post two months ago from Chikkaballapura town. The officers are verifying documents at the office and residence. The villa and properties of an SP attached to the State Excise department in Vajarahalli were being raided. A team of 15 officers was conducting raids and the officers took his wife to the bank. The Lokayukta has yet to issue an official statement regarding the raids and inspections. Karnataka Lokayukta sleuths had conducted multiple raids across the state on residences and offices of the government officers in Bidar, Belagavi, Dharwad, Mysuru, and Davanagere districts on November 12. The raids were conducted following information on amassing disproportionate wealth by the officers. Kerala Lottery Results Thursday 21-11-2024 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Karunya KN-548" Lucky Draw Result today Karunya KN-548, November 21, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Karunya KN-548" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Karunya KN-548 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 80 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Karunya KN-548 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 21-11-2024 Nov: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA PLUS KN-548 Draw LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 80 LAKHS IS: PH 592907 LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKHS IS:PJ 661828 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 LAKHS ARE: 1) PA 817605 2) PB 750977 3) PC 359322 4) PD 358812 5) PE 309202 6) PF 295092 7) PG 225703 8) PH 265387 9) PJ 522358 10) PK 355252 11) PL 269610 12) PM 505925 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: PA 592907 PB 592907 PC 592907 PD 592907 PE 592907 PF 592907 PG 592907 PJ 592907 PK 592907 PL 592907 PM 592907 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0029 0072 0301 0398 0766 2201 2481 3847 4393 4433 5813 5959 6126 6172 7355 7857 7931 7943 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0290 0333 0349 0635 0738 0916 1600 1951 2163 3279 3873 4035 4297 4422 4907 5018 5149 5226 5372 5453 5997 6053 6406 6427 6785 7012 7950 7976 8855 8921 9314 9442 9682 9911 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0236 0494 0749 0819 0870 0930 1163 1269 1417 1439 1474 1923 2062 2156 2302 2556 2578 2852 2855 2906 2950 2955 3098 3280 3302 3320 3332 3439 4017 4118 4130 4218 4246 4271 4321 4327 4400 4434 4620 4667 4734 4766 5019 5045 5051 5089 5172 5881 6206 6332 6703 6846 7019 7081 7142 7161 7278 7351 7358 7585 7696 7731 7876 7937 7958 8056 8396 8610 8621 8639 8992 9058 9133 9447 9552 9665 9793 9813 9842 9941 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0019 0062 0123 0208 0232 0246 0270 0308 0779 1118 1133 1202 1309 1326 1613 1667 1669 1975 2012 2084 2193 2225 2355 2356 2438 2566 2616 2623 2717 2778 2804 2819 2874 3086 3142 3170 3382 3388 3408 3590 3617 4026 4149 4151 4264 4342 4359 4490 4536 4567 5053 5060 5143 5158 5177 5260 5270 5302 5332 5346 5353 5365 5384 5481 5521 5522 5575 5689 6081 6103 6123 6169 6401 6526 6571 6599 6822 6830 6923 7013 7050 7088 7172 7216 7258 7341 7343 7425 7476 7485 7486 7735 7754 7816 7922 7961 8019 8068 8134 8173 8192 8270 8279 8461 8492 8504 8519 8531 8570 8733 8905 8926 9195 9263 9390 9567 9585 9612 9788 9797 9875 9896 9898 9909 9963 9999 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY 21-11-2024 Oct: KARUNYA PLUS KN-548 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 80 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 (NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) Seven people were killed and several others injured when a Patna-bound bus overturned in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district on Thursday, police said. Officials said the accident took place near Gorhar Police Station when the bus attempted to take a turn 50 km from the district headquarter. Police Confirm Casualties "Seven deaths have been confirmed so far. We are also investigating the possibility that some passengers may still be trapped inside the overturned bus," said Hazaribag Superintendent of Police Arvind Kumar Singh, talking to PTI. There were nearly 50 passengers inside the bus, which was travelling from Kolkata to Patna. Emergency services attended to the accident within an hour after its occurrence, and rescuers were already working with vigor to extricate the injured from the battered vehicle. Several injured passengers were taken to neighboring hospitals. The number of injured is still unknown as rescuers and relief teams are working out their routines. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest the bus may have been speeding when it lost control on the turn. Police seized 10,080 kg of silver from a truck in Maharashtra's Dhule district on the day of polling for the state assembly elections, an official said. Polling for 288 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra was held between 7 am and 6 pm on Wednesday. The seizure was made from the truck headed towards Nagpur under Thalner police station limits at around 6 am on Wednesday during a routine check-up, Special Inspector General of Police, Nashik, Dattatray Karale said. Poll expenditure observers and the Income Tax department have been informed by the police. Prima facie, the silver is owned by a bank, the official said, adding further action will be taken after verification. Since October 15, state and central agencies have seized assets of Rs 706.98 crore as part of enforcement activities. These include illegal cash, liquor, narcotics and precious metals, poll authorities said on Wednesday. UP Bypolls 2024: The Samajwadi Party on Thursday alleged that rigging and administrative bias were the order of the day during voting in the by-elections to nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, claims dismissed by the BJP which accused the opposition of pursuing politics of "arrogance and negativity". SP president Akhilesh Yadav took to X to claim that despite the BJP's efforts, the opposition alliance has secured a moral victory. He congratulated the alliance's supporters, party workers, and media for their efforts, stating, "This election was a battle of 90 per cent of the state's population against the BJP, who denied the unity, dignity, and rights of the PDA." He added that the people's spirit remained steadfast, despite the BJP's "negative" tactics and the "autocratic" government. Senior SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav also expressed confidence in the party's victory, claiming that it would secure five to six seats despite what he described as dishonest efforts by the ruling BJP and its use of administrative support. He warned that when the INDIA bloc assumes power in 2027, strict action would be taken against the officials involved in assisting the BJP. SP's general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav made more severe allegations of election rigging, accusing the BJP of using district officials and police to manipulate the vote. In a post on X, he claimed the by-election was "between the Samajwadi Party and the district police, not between the SP and BJP". He claimed that voters, particularly from the Muslim community, were intimidated and prevented from voting at gunpoint in areas like Meerapur, Kundarki, Sisamau, and Katehari. Ram Gopal Yadav called for the by-election results to be annulled and re-polling conducted under the supervision of paramilitary forces, citing concerns over the administration's conduct. In response to the opposition's claims, Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya dismissed the SP's accusations. He took to X to target Akhilesh Yadav and his ally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of fostering politics of arrogance and negativity. Maurya asserted that the public would reject their claims, stressing that the country needed development, not "allegations and counter-allegations". He emphasized that the BJP remained committed to serving the people under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP candidate from Ghaziabad, Sanjeev Sharma, also expressed confidence in his victory, claiming a margin of 50,000 votes. He told PTI that after casting his vote, he felt relaxed and looked forward to celebrating his anticipated win with party supporters ahead of counting. Meanwhile, Azad Samaj Party MP Chandrashekhar Azad accused the BJP government of misusing its administrative machinery in a manner never seen before. He said the by-election was a matter of prestige for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, stressing that the BJP's performance in this election would be closely scrutinized by the party's leadership in Delhi. Voting for the nine assembly seats - Meerapur, Kundarki, Sisamau, Katehari, Phulpur, Majhawan, Ghaziabad, Karhal and Khair, took place on November 20. Counting will be done on November 23. In the 2022 assembly elections, the SP had secured victory in Sisamau, Katehari, Karhal, and Kundarki, while the BJP won in Phulpur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, and Khair. The Meerapur seat was won by the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), part of the NDA. MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Shirsat on Thursday said his party leaders will follow Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in any direction he goes post-assembly poll results and decisions taken by him will be acceptable to them. He asserted the party will solidly back Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, as it trusts his leadership, comments coming two days ahead of the state assembly poll results. Asked what if Shinde goes with rival NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar to become the chief minister for a second time, Shirsat said, "We are committed to (follow) whatever Eknath Shinde decides. We will be solidly with him. We trust him and it will always be there." The MLA from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (West) was responding to the question asked on a TV channel. Shirsat said Shinde, who took over as CM in June 2022 after revolting against the then leadership of the Shiv Sena, only goes in the "right direction" and this has been the experience of party leaders. Shirsat was one of the Shiv Sena MLAs who sided with Shinde at the time of the revolt. Asked about the comments of his ally, BJP leader Pravin Darekar said, "Shirsat's remarks do not reflect the official stance of the party. Eknath Shinde's party contested against Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP). Such an alliance with the MVA was inconceivable." The BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena and NCP headed by deputy CM Ajit Pawar are members of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. On the other hand, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) consists of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). Asked what if Shinde is not made the CM again if Mahayuti retains power, Shirsat said, "A decision on this will be taken only by Eknath Shinde. It's his right and we cannot even comment on it. Whatever decision Shinde takes will be acceptable to us." Voting for the 288-member state assembly concluded on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23. A user on social media platform Instagram is facing flak for sharing a video of himself doing a prank on the staff of SpiceJet and fellow passengers after his flight to Mumbai was delayed. The video was shared by digital content creator Anuj, in which he was seen complaining about his flight being delayed for over three hours. "Now I get to do something that I have always wanted to do, which is to be a part of an angry mob shouting at helpless airline staff," Anuj was heard saying in the clip before showing the annoyed crowd at the terminal. "The mob is growing. Once it is at optimal capacity, I will start raging," he further said. The user, who creates content on social media, escalated the prank by reaching out to a SpiceJet ground staff member with a fake story about the birth of his child. "It's very important for me to be on this flight. I will miss the birth of my child. My wife is in the hospital. I have to go to Bombay," the user said in his fake plea. "I scheduled my flight in such a way that I won't miss it. It looks like my wife will have to deliver alone," he went on to say as the staff member reassured him that the boarding would begin soon. The situation, however, took a serious turn after the other passenger believed his fake story and began fighting with the ground staff for him. "They are fighting with staff about how emotional I am, so I have to continue crying," he stated. The video was shared by Anuj last week. Since then, it has garnered around 5,000 likes and has been viewed by over 180,000 people. After the video went viral, the social media content creator faced heat and was criticized for his prank. Reacting to the post, a user slammed Anuj saying, "I mean this not right such cheap behavior just for content you would do anything you want to." "Seriously, people would do anything for content," commented another. "Jhut jhut me dada nana ko maarte huye dekha hai, biwi delivery fresh hai. (I have seen people lie about their grandparents' deaths, but lying about a baby delivery is fresh)," wrote a third user. "Never book SpiceJet flights when you have some urgent or important work. They delay 99% of their flights. I have only booked twice, and both times the flight was delayed," shared another. Mumbai: AR Rahman and Saira Banu announced their separation after 29 years of marriage and this came as a shocker to their close ones and fans. However, one more announcement came under notice AR Rahmans bassist Mohini Dey too dropped her divorce announcement hours after the music composer and this led to speculation about the connection between the divorce announcements. Saira Banus lawyer Vandana Shah has dismissed the connection between these two parties' divorces and speaking to Republic TV she mentioned that Saira has been going through ups and downs and that divorce is not a celebration for anyone. Sairas lawyer spoke about the connection between Rahman's and Mohini Dey's divorce, "Not at all. There is no link between the two. Saira and Mr Rahman have taken this decision on their own. There is no link between the two news at all.". 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 Further adding, "When a marriage ends, it is a painful decision. No one is happy when a marriage ends. Divorce is not an occasion to be celebrated. Saira has been through her ups and downs in this marriage." ALSO READ: Celebs Who Parted Ways In 2024 Vandana insisted both Rahman and Saira are dignified individuals and respect their privacy," Its been a long marriage and every marriage goes through its ups and downs and I am extremely happy that if it has come to an end, it has come to an end in such a dignified manner and we have put out a joint press release and I think it speaks volumes for both of them that they both are extremely dignified people and as everyone knows, both of them have been very private and personal about their personal lives. I can just say that both of them wish well for each other and they both will continue to support each other." AR Rahman too expressed his disappointment after his wife Saira's lawyer released the divorce statement in public. New Delhi: Arjun Kapoor shared heartfelt words about his close friend and Gunday co-star Ranveer Singh, highlighting the latter's exceptional qualities as a husband to Deepika Padukone as the Gunday duo share a close bond on and off screen. In an recent candid interview, Arjun spoke about his strong bond with Ranveer Singh, emphasizing his deep admiration for the actor both personally and professionally. Describing their relationship, Arjun expressed how their connection has remained untouchable since they first worked together on the film Gunday. Despite the physical distance that sometimes separates them with busy schedules, Arjun made it clear that they are always in touch and that their friendship remains strong. "We might not meet each other for days, but I love the guy. I have highest regard for the work he does and the way he has been with me. Arjun went on to praise Ranveer's role as a devoted husband to Deepika, describing him as amazing. He acknowledged the deep bond that Ranveer and Deepika share, highlighting that they make a "great couple." Recently, the couple welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Dua, into their lives. Arjun extended his blessings to the couple, saying, Now they have a child and live happily ever after, and I pray that all the joy in the world reaches them. Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh were recently seen together in Rohit Shettys directorial Singham Again. The film also starred an ensemble of cast including Deepika Padukone who debuted in Shettys copy universe as Shakti Shetty Lady Singham. All three stood out with their performances and garnered massive praise. Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Sngh share a close ans fun-filled friendship, often displaying their camaraderie in public. The duo have been seen sharing lighthearted banter on social media and in intervirews. Mumbai: Actress Nayanthara, known as the Lady Superstar of South Indian cinema, recently shared insights about her journey of converting from Christianity to Hinduism and her decision to have a Hindu wedding with an English touch. Nayanthara in her documentary Beyond The Fairytale On Netflix revealed her unique wedding that was attended by many dignitaries including superstar Shah Rukh Khan. Nayanthara revealed how her mother, being a Christian, had always envisioned her in a traditional Christian wedding gown. However, after embracing Hinduism, Nayanthara felt it was important to honour her new faith while still respecting her Christian roots. She explained, Because I am a born Christian, my mom always wanted to see me in that Christian attire the wedding gown kind of a thing. But, since I have become a Hindu, and we have to do a Hindu wedding, I just thought it should be like a beautiful mix of both a Hindu and a Christian wedding. So we kept it Hindu with an English touch. Nayanthara and her husband, director Vignesh Shivan, tied the knot in a grand ceremony that reflected this fusion of traditions. The wedding was rooted in Hindu rituals, yet its decor and ambiance carried subtle Western influences, creating a harmonious blend of both cultures. Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale has become the talk of the town and watching the lady superstar shine throughout her struggles has become an inspiration. New Delhi: Versatile actress and activist Shabana Azmi is in France to participate in the '46th Festival des 3 Continents,' a prestigious event celebrating global cinema. The festival, held annually in Nantes, honors films and filmmakers from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, spotlighting their contributions to the art of storytelling. This year, Shabana Azmi is being celebrated with a special retrospective marking her illustrious 50-year journey in Hindi cinema. The retrospective features screenings of her iconic films. The honor underscores her legacy as one of Indias most versatile and socially conscious artists. Azmi took to social media and shared her excitement on social media, posting: Roaming the streets in #Nantes. Perfect weather. Had screenings of #Ankur and #Mandi to packed audiences. #ShyamBenegal wish you were here. Her heartfelt mention of filmmaker Shyam Benegal reflects the creative partnership that shaped some of her most memorable performances. Have A Look At The Post: The retrospective will feature a selection of her most acclaimed films, including 'Ankur', 'Mandi', 'Masoom', and 'Arth', paying tribute to her exceptional talent and versatility as an actress. Azmi's films have long resonated with audiences in France, where she has previously received acclaim at esteemed venues such as the Centre Pompidou and the Cinematheque, as well as the Nantes Festival des 3 Continents, where her film Godmother was the opening night feature. Have A Look At The Post: This year marks 50 glorious years of Azmi's career, a remarkable achievement recently acknowledged with a prestigious award for Excellence in Cinema at the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI). She is the only actress to have won five National Film Awards for Best Actress and has also received numerous Filmfare Awards. Her international acclaim includes notable performances in Madame Sousatzka (1988) and City of Joy (1992). More recently, Azmi has appeared in Shekhar Kapur's What's Love Got to Do with It, starring Emma Thompson and Lily James, showcasing how she continues to dazzle audiences. She also featured in Steven Spielberg's series Halo, highlighting her versatility across different mediums. In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she has been awarded the Padma Shri (1988) and the Padma Bhushan (2012), two of India's highest civilian honors. In addition to her cinematic achievements, Shabana Azmi is recognized for her commitment to social causes. In 1989, she was honored at the Biennale of Human Rights in France, selected as one of 16 women alongside notable figures such as Mother Teresa, Rigoberta Menchu, and Albertina Sisulu. The honor, presented by President Francois Mitterrand, acknowledged her significant work as a housing rights and womens rights activist, demonstrating her dedication to using cinema as a powerful medium for social change. The Festival des 3 Continents, held annually in Nantes, showcases films from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, promoting cultural diversity and fostering dialogue among filmmakers and audiences from around the world. Mumbai: Swara Bhasker, known for her unapologetic stance on social issues, recently addressed the online criticism surrounding her wardrobe choices after her marriage to political activist Fahad Ahmad. Taking to social media, Swara responded to trolls who seemingly had issues with her embracing more traditional outfits like sarees and kurtas. She shared a meme that has been circulating on the Internet for a while, where netizens are taking a dig at her changed look post marriage to Muslim politician Fahad Ahmad," I didnt realise my wardrobe choices post-marriage are a national cyber debate (bizarre!). Here are more pics of me post-marriage to give Sanghi vermin more fodder for their dung. Im sorry @FahadZirarAhmad doesnt fit your stereotype of a conservative Muslim husband. Lol! I didnt realise my wardrobe choices post marriage are a national cyber debate (bizarre!).. Here are more pics of me post marriage to give Sanghi vermin more fodder for their dung Im sorry @FahadZirarAhmad doesnt fit your stereotype of a conservative Muslim husband. Lol! pic.twitter.com/z5SshleHCB Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) November 20, 2024 Her witty yet pointed response quickly gained traction, with fans and supporters applauding her for shutting down the negativity. Swaras statement highlights her defiance against stereotypes and criticism, emphasizing that personal choices should not be subject to public scrutiny. This isnt the first time Swara has taken on trolls with humour and confidence, further cementing her image as a fearless voice in Bollywood. Mumbai: Vijay Deverakonda has finally addressed his dating rumours but did not mention being in a relationship with actress Rashmika Mandanna. During a recent interview with Curly Tales, the actor admitted to being in a relationship, though he refrained from naming his partner. Vijay did not directly confirm the speculation about Rashmika, but fans were quick to connect the dots, given their close bond and frequent appearances together, both on and off-screen. The actor seemingly confirmed the rumours of his relationship with the Pushpa 2 actress and said to Curly Tales, "I am 35 years old; you think I will be single? He further added," I know what it feels like to be loved, and I know what it is to love. I don't know unconditional love because my love comes with expectations, so clearly my love isn't unconditional. I feel everything is over-romanticized." Speaking about how marriage is more challenging to a woman, he added, "It is more challenging for women. It necessarily doesn't have to interfere with a career. But, it is harder on women and also largely depends on the profession they are in." Rashmika and Vijay have worked together in hit films like Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade, and their chemistry has often fuelled rumours of a romantic relationship. Fans are now eagerly waiting for Rashmikas response to Vijays revelation, as the duo continues to be one of the most talked-about pairs in the industry. Whether or not they confirm their relationship, their fans seem thrilled by the possibility of them being together. New Delhi: Siddhi Sharma, who plays the energetic and fearless Gulki in Sun Neos popular show 'Ishq Jabariya', recently opened up about her experience of shooting romantic scenes with her co-actor Lakshay Khurana, who plays the role of her husband, Aditya on screen. Romantic scenes on-screen often look effortless, but behind the camera, they require a perfect mix of comfort, chemistry, and creativity. Sharing her thoughts on performing romantic scenes, Siddhi said, First and foremost, it's very important for me to feel comfortable with my co-actor. Being comfortable behind the scenes makes a lot of things easier, including doing romantic scenes. For me, that comfort level is crucial. I am the kind of person who places a lot of importance on vibes. Whether it's the vibe of a place, a scene, or real life, it really matters to me because Im someone whos always bouncing around like a playful monkey. She further added, So, for me, its really important what kind of person someone is. Luckily, Lakshay, who plays my husband Aditya in my Sun Neo show Ishq Jabariya, is a wonderful person. Hes kind, sweet, and caring, which I like, and my character Gulki likes too. His vibes are great, and since Im comfortable with him off-screen, it becomes easier to do romantic scenes on-screen." Siddhi also shared a fun tidbit about the music played during these scenes, When we do romantic scenes, the director usually plays a song in the background. But sometimes, the director gets stuck on just one song, and I feel the music should keep changing. So, I often suggest new romantic songs to the director to keep things fresh. Ishq Jabariya, is a compelling love story that follows the journey of Gulki, a spirited young woman with ambitious dreams. Featuring a talented cast including Kamya Panjabi, Siddhi Sharma, and Lakshay Khurana, the show delivers a gripping narrative filled with passion, determination, and heartfelt emotions. After a series of nok-jhok moments, Aditya and Gulki are finally coming close, and in recent episodes, Aditya has even confessed his feelings for her, taking their love story to a new height. Tune into Sun Neo to watch Ishq Jabariya, every Monday to Saturday at 7:30 PM. Jhumkas are iconic and timeless earrings that hold a special place in South Asian culture, particularly in India. Characterised by their bell-shaped design, jhumkas are known for their intricate craftsmanship and elegance. These traditional earrings often feature delicate embellishments like beads, pearls, and gemstones, creating a beautiful, graceful movement as they sway when worn. Jhumkas have been a staple in Indian jewellery for centuries, symbolising beauty, tradition, and femininity. Worn with ethnic attire like saris and lehengas, jhumkas add a touch of charm and sophistication, making them an essential accessory for both everyday wear and special occasions. 1. OOMPH Gold-Toned & Pink Meenakari Enamel Pearls Ethnic Jhumka Image Source: Myntra.com Order Now The OOMPH Gold-Toned & Pink Meenakari Enamel Pearls Ethnic Jhumka is a stunning piece of traditional jewellery that combines intricate artistry with vibrant colours. This jhumka features a beautiful gold-toned base adorned with delicate Meenakari enamel work in shades of pink, creating a striking contrast. The bell-shaped design of the jhumka is enhanced by the addition of small, lustrous pearls that dangle gracefully, adding a touch of elegance and movement. Key Features: Gold-Toned Finish: The earrings feature a luxurious gold-toned base, giving them a classic and elegant look Meenakari Enamel Work: Intricate pink Meenakari enamel detailing adorns the surface, adding vibrant colour and traditional charm Pearl Embellishments: The jhumka is beautifully accented with small pearls that add sophistication and enhance its overall appeal Bell-Shaped Design: The signature bell shape of the jhumka allows for a graceful sway when worn, creating an eye-catching effect 2. PANASH Gold Plated Kundan Studded & Beaded Drop Earrings Image Source: Myntra.com Order Now The PANASH Gold Plated Kundan Studded & Beaded Drop Earrings are a stunning combination of luxury, elegance, and traditional craftsmanship. These earrings feature a classic gold-plated design, accented with exquisite Kundan stonework that adds a sparkling touch to the overall aesthetic. The intricate detailing of the Kundan stones is paired with a delicate array of beads that dangle beautifully, creating an elegant drop effect. Key Features: Gold Plated Base: The earrings feature a rich gold-plated finish that exudes luxury and complements a variety of traditional outfits Kundan Stonework: The earrings are studded with high-quality Kundan stones Beaded Drop Design: A cascade of beads enhances the drop style of the earrings. Traditional Aesthetic: Combining the timeless beauty of Kundan with modern design elements, these earrings reflect traditional Indian jewellery 3. Priyaasi Gold-Plated Contemporary Drop Earrings Image Source: Myntra.com Order Now The Priyaasi Gold-Plated Contemporary Drop Earrings are a perfect blend of modern design and traditional elegance. These earrings feature a sleek gold-plated base with a contemporary drop design that exudes sophistication. The minimalist yet striking style makes them versatile for both everyday wear and special occasions. The earrings are designed to offer a bold, fashionable look while maintaining a sense of timeless beauty. With their smooth finish and clean lines, they effortlessly complement a variety of outfits, from casual to formal, adding a touch of glamour and finesse. Key Features: Gold-Plated Finish: The earrings are coated with a high-quality gold plating, giving them a luxurious and polished appearance Contemporary Drop Design: The earrings feature a modern drop style, with a clean, sleek silhouette Minimalist Aesthetic: The simple yet elegant design makes these earrings versatile enough to pair with a wide range of outfits Versatile for Various Occasions: These earrings are suitable for daily wear, parties, office wear, and even evening events 4. Estele Gold-Plated Floral Drop Earrings Image Source: Myntra.com Order Now The Estele Gold-Plated Floral Drop Earrings beautifully combine nature-inspired design with refined elegance. These earrings feature a delicate gold-plated base shaped into intricate floral patterns, creating a timeless and feminine appeal. The floral motif is complemented by a drop design that enhances the earrings' graceful movement when worn. Ideal for adding a touch of sophistication to any look, these earrings are perfect for weddings, festive events, or formal occasions. The classic yet contemporary design ensures they can be paired effortlessly with a range of outfits. Key Features: Gold-Plated Finish: The earrings are crafted with high-quality gold plating, offering a luxurious shine and durability Floral Motif: The design features a beautiful, intricately detailed floral pattern Drop Design: The earrings include a graceful drop feature Versatile for Occasions: These earrings are perfect for weddings, parties, festive gatherings, or any occasion Elegant and Feminine: The floral design and soft gold finish Conclusion Jhumkas are a quintessential part of South Asian jewellery, celebrated for their timeless beauty and cultural significance. These traditional earrings, with their bell-shaped design and intricate embellishments, have been adored for centuries and continue to be a popular choice for various occasions. Whether crafted in gold, silver, or with vibrant enamel and gemstone accents, jhumkas add elegance, charm, and movement to any attire. Disclaimer Above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Womens heels are a type of footwear that feature a raised heel, elevating the back of the foot higher than the toe. Designed to enhance posture and create a more elongated silhouette, heels have become a staple in womens fashion, symbolising elegance, confidence, and sophistication. From stilettos and pumps to wedges and block heels, these shoes come in a variety of styles and heights, each offering different levels of comfort and support. Heels are often worn for formal events, professional settings, or special occasions, but can also be incorporated into casual wear. Despite their stylish appeal, they are sometimes associated with discomfort, sparking debates about their impact on foot health and overall well-being. 1. MANGO Mid-Top Stiletto Heels Image Source: Myntra.com Order Now MANGO Mid-Top Stiletto Heels are a stylish and sophisticated footwear choice, designed to add a touch of elegance to any outfit. These heels combine the allure of stiletto elegance with the practicality of a mid-top design, offering a balance of height and comfort. The sleek and slender stiletto heel gives an elongated look to the legs, while the mid-top height provides additional ankle support, making them a perfect option for both formal and semi-formal occasions. Key Features: Stiletto Heel:The signature stiletto heel adds height and a sleek, refined look, perfect for creating a glamorous, elongated silhouette Mid-Top Design:The mid-top style offers a unique balance, providing extra ankle support compared to traditional high heels, while still maintaining a fashionable appearance Chic and Versatile:The simple yet sophisticated design makes these heels versatile,easily paired with dresses, skirts, trousers, or even casual chic outfits Comfortable Fit:Despite the high heel, the shoe is designed to offer comfort, with materials and construction aimed at reducing discomfort during wear 2. Saint G Embellished Leather Stiletto Heels Image Source: Myntra.com Order Now Saint G Embellished Leather Stiletto Heels are a luxurious and statement-making pair of shoes, designed to elevate any outfit with their exquisite craftsmanship and bold embellishments. Made from high-quality leather, these heels combine sophisticated style with eye-catching details, making them perfect for special occasions, evening events, or anytime you want to make a fashionable impact. The sleek stiletto heel enhances your posture, while the embellished design adds a unique touch of glamour. Key Features: Premium Leather Construction:Crafted from high-quality leather, these heels provide durability, a smooth finish, and a refined, polished appearance Embellished Detailing:Adorned with eye-catching embellishments, such as crystals, studs, or intricate embroidery, these heels add a touch of luxury and sparkle to any outfit Stiletto Heel:The signature stiletto heel offers a high-fashion look, elongating the legs and adding a sophisticated, glamorous touch to your overall appearance Comfortable Fit:Despite their high heel, Saint G prioritises comfort, with features like cushioned insoles and a contoured shape designed to offer better support throughout wear Versatile Elegance:These heels are perfect for formal events, parties, or evening dinners, easily pairing with dresses, skirts, or tailored pants for a chic, upscale look 3. DressBerry Black Open Toe Stiletto Heels Image Source: Myntra.com Order Now DressBerry Black Open Toe Stiletto Heels are the perfect blend of elegance, style, and sophistication. Designed for women who appreciate a versatile, chic look, these heels are ideal for both formal events and casual outings that call for a touch of glamour. The open-toe design adds a modern and airy feel, while the stiletto heel provides a sleek silhouette, elongating the legs and adding a bold statement to any outfit. Key Features: Sleek Stiletto Heel:The stiletto heel offers a striking, high-fashion look, adding height and creating a polished, elongated appearance Open-Toe DesignThe open-toe feature adds a contemporary and feminine touch, perfect for showcasing pedicures and enhancing the shoe's overall style Classic Black Color:The timeless black colour makes these heels incredibly versatile, easily pairing with a wide range of outfits, from cocktail dresses to casual jeans Comfortable Fit:Designed for both style and comfort, these heels provide a supportive fit with a cushioned insole that makes wearing them more comfortable throughout the day or night High-Quality Materials:Made with durable, premium materials such as faux leather or synthetic fabrics, these heels ensure long-lasting wear while maintaining their chic look 4. Shoetopia Square Toe Suede Platform Pumps with Ankle Loop Image Source: Myntra.com Order Now Shoetopia Square Toe Suede Platform Pumps with Ankle Loop are a stylish and contemporary footwear choice that combines comfort, elegance, and a bold design. These pumps feature a square toe and a sturdy platform, offering a unique twist on classic pump styles. Made from soft suede, they provide a luxurious feel while the ankle loop adds extra security and fashion-forward flair. Perfect for both day-to-night wear, these pumps are ideal for women who want to make a statement with their footwear. Key Features: Square Toe Design:The square toe provides a modern and trendy look, offering a roomy and comfortable fit compared to traditional pointed-toe pumps. It adds a touch of architectural sophistication to the shoe Suede Upper:Made from high-quality suede, these pumps have a luxurious texture and a soft feel, enhancing both style and comfort Platform Sole:The platform provides added height and support, balancing out the stiletto heel to ensure greater comfort and stability without compromising on style Ankle Loop:The ankle loop strap adds both style and practicality, providing extra security and ensuring the shoes stay in place while adding a fashionable detail Stiletto Heel:The stiletto heel adds a sleek, feminine silhouette and an elegant lift, perfect for elongating the legs and enhancing posture Conclusion Womens heels are a timeless and versatile element of fashion that can enhance an outfit and boost confidence. From the sleek stiletto to the more practical block heel, heels offer a wide range of styles to suit different occasions, personal tastes, and comfort levels. While they are often associated with elegance and sophistication, they also come in various designs that combine comfort with style, making them suitable for both formal and casual settings. Disclaimer Above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Lip care is an essential part of daily skincare, especially in harsh weather conditions. A good lip balm provides moisture, smoothness, and protection from external elements. The market is flooded with many brands, offering a variety of options for every need. These products can easily be added to your daily routine for healthier lips. In this article, we cover the top lip balms that provide deep hydration and care. 1. Swiss Beauty Kiss Kandy Lip Balm with Olive Oil | Moisturising | Non-Sticky - Water Melon, 10ml Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now Swiss Beauty Kiss Kandy Lip Balm with Olive Oil is a great choice for anyone looking to keep their lips hydrated and smooth. It offers deep nourishment with the power of olive oil, ensuring your lips stay soft and healthy throughout the day. The balms non-sticky formula makes it perfect for daily use, while the watermelon shade adds a refreshing tint. Key Features: -Enriched with olive oil for deep hydration -Non-sticky formula for smooth, comfortable wear -Available in a fruity watermelon shade -Keeps lips soft and moisturized all day long -Convenient 10ml size for on-the-go use 2. SUGAR POP Nourishing Lip Balm 06 Strawberry - 4.5 gm | Hydrating | Moisturizing | SPF Protection | Intense Care Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now SUGAR POP Nourishing Lip Balm in Strawberry offers both care and protection for your lips. The balm is infused with nourishing ingredients that hydrate and soothe, while the added SPF ensures protection from the suns harmful rays. The strawberry scent gives a pleasant, refreshing touch. Key Features: -Infused with SPF for sun protection -Provides long-lasting hydration and moisture -Contains nourishing ingredients for soft lips -Fruity strawberry fragrance for a fresh feel -Portable 4.5 gm size that fits in your bag 3. Oshea Herbals Nourishing Cherry Lip Balm with SPF 15 l (Pack of 2) 4.5 g Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now Oshea Herbals Nourishing Cherry Lip Balm is a great option for people with dry, cracked lips. The balm offers instant hydration and relief, enriched with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and castor oil. It also provides SPF 15 protection, ensuring that your lips are shielded from the suns harmful rays. Key Features: -Contains shea butter and castor oil for deep nourishment -SPF 15 protection to keep lips safe from the sun -Relieves dry, chapped lips and provides instant hydration -Pleasant cherry scent for a refreshing feel -Pack of 2, each 4.5 gm, offering great value 4. Minimalist 8% L-Ascorbic Acid Lip Treatment Balm with Vitamin E, 12 gm Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now Minimalist 8% L-Ascorbic Acid Lip Treatment Balm is specifically designed for individuals with pigmented or dark lips. Its active ingredients, including Vitamin E and L-ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), help lighten dark lips while keeping them hydrated. The balm is also enriched with glycerine to maintain moisture levels. Key Features: -Contains 8% L-Ascorbic Acid for lightening pigmentation -Enriched with Vitamin E for nourishment -Glycerine ensures long-lasting hydration -Perfect for both men and women -12gm size for extended use Conclusion: Lip balms are essential for keeping your lips hydrated, protected, and healthy, especially in harsh weather conditions. The top picks in this category offer a balance of nourishment, long-lasting moisture, and soothing care. Ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, and natural oils are key to locking in hydration and preventing chapping. Some also provide added benefits like SPF protection or a subtle tint. Whether you prefer a simple, all-natural formula or a multitasking balm, there's a perfect option for every need. Choosing the right lip balm ensures your lips stay soft, smooth, and ready to face the day. Disclaimer: Above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Nail clippers are essential tools for maintaining well-groomed hands and feet. Whether for everyday care or special grooming, a high-quality nail clipper ensures clean, smooth cuts. The market offers various brands and designs, giving consumers a wide range of choices. Among them, some brands stand out for their reliability and durability. In this article, we cover some of the best nail clippers that offer precision, ease of use, and comfort. 1. Oblivion Sharp Fingernail Clippers Toenail Clippers Nail Cutter Stainless Steel with Plastic Grip for Men and Women (Multicolor) Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now The Oblivion Sharp Nail Clippers offer a sleek, stylish design and high functionality. Crafted with stainless steel and featuring a plastic grip, they provide a firm, comfortable hold. This makes clipping your nails a more precise and safer task. Suitable for both fingernails and toenails, these clippers offer great versatility for daily grooming. Key Features: -Stainless Steel Construction: Durable and rust-resistant, ensuring long-lasting sharpness. -Plastic Grip: Non-slip, ergonomic handle for a comfortable, secure hold. -Multi-Functionality: Suitable for both fingernails and toenails. -Sharp Blades: Designed for a clean, smooth cut without any pain or discomfort. -Compact Size: Portable and easy to store, perfect for travel or home use. 2. INSIME Nail Cutter Set for Adults | Big & Small Toe Nail Cutter Nail Clippers Set for Men Women Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now The INSIME Nail Cutter Set is a complete grooming solution, featuring both large and small clippers. Crafted with stainless steel, this set offers precision cutting for both toenails and fingernails. The ergonomic design and variety of sizes make it a great choice for both men and women. If you need a set that handles all your nail trimming needs, this is an excellent option. Key Features: -Multi-Size Set: Includes both large and small clippers for different nail sizes. -Ergonomic Design: Ensures comfort and ease of use, preventing hand strain. -High-Quality Stainless Steel: Offers sharpness and durability for smooth cuts. -Side Fingernail Clippers: Perfect for cutting hard-to-reach areas. -Portable and Lightweight: Easy to store and carry, making it perfect for on-the-go use. 3. Beaute Secrets Nail Cutter for Men Toe Nail Cutter for Thick Nails Cutting Clipper Trimmer Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now The Beaute Secrets Nail Cutter is perfect for those with thick nails or stubborn toenails. Its wide-opening jaws make it ideal for cutting thicker nails with ease. Made from stainless steel, this clipper is durable and features a sharp cutting edge. It also comes with a nail file for smooth finishing, providing a complete grooming solution. Key Features: -Wide-Opening Jaws: Ideal for thick or tough nails, providing a clean cut. -Sharp Stainless Steel Blades: Ensures a precise and effortless cut. -Nail File Included: Comes with a nail file for added finishing and smoothness. -Ergonomic Handle: Provides a comfortable grip to reduce strain during use. -Versatile Use: Suitable for both toenails and fingernails. 4. Victorinox, Nail Clipper in RED Colour Image Credit: Amazon.in Order Now The Victorinox Nail Clipper is known for its premium design and functionality. Featuring a vibrant red color, it adds a touch of style to your grooming routine. Made by the trusted Swiss brand, it offers high precision and durability. Whether youre at home or traveling, this clipper ensures that your nails are always perfectly groomed. Key Features: -Swiss Engineering: Reliable and crafted for precision by Victorinox. -Compact Size: Easy to carry and store, perfect for travel. -Durable Construction: High-quality materials ensure long-lasting performance. -Comfortable Grip: Ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hand. -Stylish Design: The red color adds a sleek, modern touch to your grooming tools. Conclusion: Choosing the right nail clipper can make a big difference in your daily grooming routine. The options listed above offer great functionality, durability, and precision. Select the one that best suits your needs, and keep your nails looking neat and healthy. Disclaimer: Above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Amid the raging Israel-Hezbollah conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found himself in fresh trouble on Thursday after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity over their 13-month war in Gaza and the October 2023 attack on Israel, respectively. A similar warrant was also issued to his former Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Hamas officials. The decision taken by the ICC was rejected by Netanyahus office, dubbing them "anti-Semitic. Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions leveled against it by the ICC," his office said in a statement, as quoted by news agency AP. Israel wont give in to pressure in the defense of its citizens, the statement further stated. Following the warrants issued by the ICC, Netanyahu and the others were turned into internationally wanted suspects and are likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a ceasefire to end the fighting. The practical implications of the warrants, however, could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and two of the Hamas officials were killed in the conflict. Condemning ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khans request for warrants, Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders dubbed it disgraceful and antisemitic. Expressing support for Israels right to defend itself against Hamas, U.S. President Joe Biden blasted the prosecutor. The request was also slammed by Hamas. The three-judge panel issued a unanimous decision to issue warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant. The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, the decision said, as quoted by AP. The court also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, one of the leaders of Hamas, over the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israels offensive in Gaza. The ICC chief prosecutor withdrew his request for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, after they were both killed in the conflict. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September 2024 that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICCs jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants. No other democracy with an independent and respected legal system like that which exists in Israel has been treated in this prejudicial manner by the prosecutor, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote on X. He said Israel remained steadfast in its commitment to the rule of law and justice and would continue to protect its citizens against militancy. The ICC is a court of last resort that only prosecutes cases when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate. Israel is not a member state of the court. The country has struggled to investigate itself in the past, rights groups say. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague anytime soon. The court itself has no police to enforce warrants, instead relying on cooperation from its member states. Even so, the threat of arrest could make it difficult for Netanyahu and Gallant to travel abroad, although Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently showed he could still visit an ally when he traveled to Mongolia, one of the courts member states, and was not arrested. Member countries are required to detain suspects if a warrant has been issued if they set foot on their soil, but the court lacks a mechanism to enforce its warrants. Khan sought warrants in May, accusing Netanyahu and Gallant of crimes including murder, intentionally attacking civilians, and persecution. In a statement at the time, Khan alleged that Israel has intentionally and systematically deprived the civilian population in all parts of Gaza of objects indispensable to human survival by closing border crossings into the territory and restricting essential supplies, including food and medicine. At the same time, he accused three Hamas leadersSinwar, Deif, and Haniyehof crimes linked to the October 7, 2023, attacks, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and abducting another 250. The three leaders are accused of crimes including murder, extermination, taking hostages, rape, and torture. The Chamber found reasonable grounds to believe that Deif, born in 1965, the highest commander of the military wing of Hamas (known as the al-Qassam Brigades) at the time of the alleged conduct, is responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder, extermination, torture, and rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture, taking hostages, outrages upon personal dignity, and rape and other forms of sexual violence, a statement said, as quoted by AP. Haniyeh was assassinated in what was believed to be an Israeli strike in Iran in July. Israel also claims to have killed Deif, but Hamas hasnt confirmed his death. Sinwar, who was promoted to succeed Haniyeh as Hamas leader, was killed in a chance front-line encounter with Israeli troops in October. (With AP Inputs) Missoula's homelessness service providers are working on a cost and workload estimate to establish and operate an authorized campsite to serve the city's homeless population, but it is unclear if that could become a reality any time soon. The city's urban camping law passed in June directs Missoula's mayor to propose an authorized camping site if it is "feasible, practicable, and in the public interest." There hasn't been an authorized campsite for the homeless in Missoula since summer 2022. Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis said during a Wednesday city committee quarterly update on homeless programs that city council would need to approve any proposed authorized campsite, and discussions taking place now are only preliminary. "Folks are taking a look at what it would take," Davis said, adding current law allows for one to be established. Authorized campsite talks Jill Bonny, director of the Poverello Center, told city council on Wednesday that most of the city's service providers have been collaborating on a "pro forma" document that will estimate the resources and cost for a service provider-run camp. "It could be that it's not possible, it could be that it's possible in certain ways, we are just continuing to have that conversation," Bonny said. Ward 6 Councilor Kristen Jordan pushed for the city to support an authorized campsite. She has previously called for a campsite to alleviate the impact of camping in parks and other city-owned lands. There are not enough shelter beds to accommodate Missoula's homeless population, Jordan said, adding the city can't afford to build another shelter. "An authorized campsite really is a good solution," Jordan said. "I am disappointed that it is not a part of the conversation." Emily Armstrong, the city's houseless programs manager, said at the meeting that the city has not been focusing on establishing an authorized campsite, and instead is looking to complete plans to transition more shelter residents to housing units. "Is the solution creating a controlled camping site? Or is the solution creating some sort of approach that really focuses on moving those folks into housing solutions that they would like to see?" Armstrong questioned. "Lots of continued conversation there." City Council President Amber Sherrill requested Bonny return in the next few weeks with a presentation on the proposed service provider-run camp that outlines what the city would need to contribute funding-wise, among other needs. Discussions around an authorized campsite are taking place as the city council looks to revise its urban camping law to ban camping in city parks, among other restrictions. The current law includes regulations that any proposed authorized camping site would need to follow as well. One proposed change to the current law would require the city to make public land available for an authorized campsite, which could provide a pathway for a service provider-run campsite. "If a service provider organization is willing to operate a designated camping or parking site, the City may make a City-owned parcels available to that organization to operate such a site or sites if the City and the organization agree on program terms and conditions," the proposed change reads. The council is expected to make any final changes to the law on Dec. 2. New strategies Starting this fall, both the Poverello Center and Johnson Street Shelter have implemented quotas for placing shelter guests into housing. They've also begun conversations with individuals about their shelter barriers and goals. Data on the number of residents who have been placed in housing after passing through the shelters is not yet available, said Armstrong, citing increased demand on staff. "It's new and asks a lot more resources and a lot more of their staff, so we are really grateful for all the time spent and all the energy spent to make that happen," Armstrong said. A city-funded community strategy to address homelessness is also nearing completion. It aims to identify the number of shelter beds needed for the city, how to securing funding for homeless programs, and how to prioritize more "capacity" for service providers. "They need more resources, they need more support, they need more internal capacity," Armstrong said. That plan is expected to be released by the end of the year on the city's engagement website at engagemissoula.com. Capacity concerns More than 160 people slept overnight at the Johnson Street Shelter on Nov. 7, a small jump from the usual nightly count of 150, Bonny said on Wednesday. There is still capacity at the shelter, as the site can hold up to 180 people with some less-than-ideal options like sitting beds. Bonny noted that the city does not have enough shelter beds for the entire Missoula homeless community, which was listed at 644 households (individuals and families) in October. While incoming winter weather might increase demand at both shelters, Bonny highlighted some positives. The Poverello is awaiting a grant to renovate the old Clark Fork Inn by Scott Street for homeless veterans housing. The Poverello must keep a certain number of beds open for veterans, and the expansion would allow for more overnight shelter opportunities. The Poverello has also secured off-the-ground beds for the Johnson Street Shelter, which previously relied on sleeping mats on the floor. The beds are expected to arrive in Missoula next month, Bonny said. "That might increase our demand at Johnson Street, but time will tell," Bonny said. Pakistan News: The death toll in the gun attack carried out on Thursday by militants at three vans carrying passengers in the lower Kurram area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rose to 38, Dawn reported, citing police. Speaking to Dawn, Ahmady Shama Station House Officer Kaleem Shah said that 38 people were killed, including three women, and 11 were injured. While speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that he gave the same toll. This past week has been difficult and upsetting; now 38 people have been martyred in Kurram, he said. According to earlier reports, the death toll was reported at 33, with 14 others injured when they were targeted by militants. The militants ambushed the vehicles in the Kurram district of restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. The vehicles were travelling in a convoy from Parachinar to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when gunmen opened fire, the officials said, as reported by news agency PTI. This comes a day after at least 12 security personnel from the Pakistan Army were killed and another 10 critically injured in a suicide attack on a security check post in MaliKhel in Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. As per Pakistan military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the deadly attack took place late Tuesday night when a joint security post of Pakistan Army and the Frontier Constabulary (FC) was attacked by at least six men, who rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the wall of the post. "The attempt to enter the post was effectively thwarted by troops. The suicide blast led to collapse of portion of perimeter wall and damaged adjoining infrastructure, resulting in shahadat (martyrdom) of 12 brave sons of soil that include 10 soldiers of Frontier Constabulary," read a statement issued by the ISPR. "Sanitization operation is being conducted in the area and the perpetrators of this heinous act will be brought to justice. Security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve," the statement added. (With agencies Inputs) KYIV: Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia has tested a new intermediate range missile in a strike on Ukraine on Thursday, and warned that Moscow could use it against countries that have allowed Kyiv to use their missiles to strike Russia. Putin said in a nationwide TV address that the Russian strike on Ukraine on Thursday came in response to Ukrainian strikes on the Russian territory with US and British missiles earlier this week. The Russian leader declared that Russia would issue advance warnings before strikes on other countries to allow civilians to evacuate to safety. He warned that US air defence systems wouldn't be capable of intercepting Russian missiles. Ukraine claimed on Thursday that Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile overnight at one of its cities, but American officials said an initial US assessment indicated the strike was carried out with an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Ukraine did not provide any evidence that an ICBM was used in the attack on the central city of Dnipro, apparently armed with conventional warheads. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a missile used matches the speed and altitude of an ICBM. The Kremlin refused to comment on the strike. But an initial US assessment shows the strike came from an intermediate-range ballistic missile not an ICBM, according to two US officials familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly about it. A third US official also said it did not appear to be an ICBM. The attack comes in a week when tensions have repeatedly soared, as the US eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of American-made longer-range missiles inside Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for launching nuclear weapons. The range of an ICBM which can exceed 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) is beyond what is needed to attack Ukraine. But such missiles are designed to carry atomic warheads, and the use of one, even with a conventional payload, would serve as a chilling reminder of Russia's nuclear capability. It also appears to send a message to Ukraine's Western allies that Moscow has the ability to target them. If confirmed, it would be the first time Moscow has used such a weapon in the war. In a statement Thursday on the Telegram messaging app, Ukraine's air force said an intercontinental ballistic missile was fired at Dnipro, along with eight other missiles, and that the Ukrainian military shot down six of them. Two people were wounded in the attack, and an industrial facility and a rehabilitation centre for people with disabilities were damaged, according to local officials. The air force statement said it was launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea. Today, our crazy neighbour once again showed what he really is, Zelenskyy said. And how afraid he is. UK officials did not immediately confirm what kind of missile Russia fired. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesman, Dave Pares, called the reports deeply concerning but added that intelligence services were still looking into them. If true, clearly this would be another example of grave, reckless and escalatory behavior from Russia and only serves to strengthen our resolve, he said. Defence Secretary John Healey said there were unconfirmed reports of Russia firing a new ballistic missile into Ukraine, which we know they have been preparing for months. Ballistic missiles can have a range of anywhere from under 500 kilometers (310 miles) to over 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) in the case of intercontinental ones. Ballistic refers to the shape of their trajectory. Since the Cold War era, Moscow and Washington have given each other advance notice about ICBM launches to prevent the other side from perceiving a test launch as a nuclear attack. They have stuck to exchanging such warnings despite increasing tensions which ratcheted up again in recent days. Earlier this week, the Biden administration authorised Ukraine to use US-supplied, longer-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia a move that drew an angry response from Moscow. Days later, Ukraine fired several of the missiles into Russia, according to the Kremlin. The same day, Putin signed a new doctrine that allows for a potential nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. The doctrine is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons. In response, Western countries, including the US, said Russia has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behaviour throughout the war to intimidate Ukraine and other nations. They have also expressed dismay at the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine. Also Thursday, Russia also struck Zelenskyy's home city of Kryvyi Rih, wounding 26 people, said the head of regional administration, Serhii Lysak. The missile strike caused damage to an administrative building, at least five multi-story residential buildings, and civilian vehicles. The Russian Defence Ministry, meanwhile, said in a statement that its air defence systems shot down two British-made Storm Shadow missiles, six HIMARS rockets, and 67 drones. The statement didn't say when or where the Storm Shadows were shot down or what they were targeting. Russia earlier reported downing some of the missiles over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula. More than 1,000 days into war, Russia has the upper hand, with its larger army advancing in Donetsk and Ukrainian civilians suffering from relentless drone and missile strikes. Analysts and observers say that the loosening of restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western missiles is unlikely to change the the course of the war, but it puts the Russian army in a more vulnerable position and could complicate the logistics that are crucial in warfare. Putin has also warned that the move would mean that Russia and NATO are at war. It is an important move and it pulls against, undermines the narrative that Putin had been trying to establish that it was fine for Russia to rain down Iranian drones and North Korean missiles on Ukraine but a reckless escalation for Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons at legitimate targets in Russia, said Peter Ricketts, a former UK national security adviser who now sits in the House of Lords. The United States will arm Ukraine with anti-personnel landmines, a policy shift in response to Warsaw's interpretation of recent Moscow's military tactics. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that this is because of "changes in Russian strategy." He made the announcement during a visit to Laos. Tactical Turn Provokes U.S. Response "They don't lead with their mechanized forces anymore," Austin said, pointing to Russia's reliance on infantry. "They lead with dismounted forces who are able to close and do things to kind of pave the way for mechanized forces." The new tranche of U.S. military aid, valued at $275 million, will include what is called "non-persistent" landmines, which self-destruct or deactivate after their battery life ends, thus minimizing long-term risks to civilians. "Within two weeks, if they haven't been detonated, they become inert," said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. Controversy Over Landmine Policy: Human rights groups have condemned the move to supply the landmines, which is worse since the President Joe Biden's administration earlier restricted their use. In 2022, the Biden administration emphasized a nearly complete ban on the U.S. deployment of landmines compared to Russia's landmine usage in Ukraine. Ukraine also did not go out of the spotlight. According to a report by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Kyiv is probing allegations it has conducted activities that break the treaty in 2022. Neither the U.S. nor Russia has signed the treaty, and both of these countries have been criticized for the use of mines in the past. Geopolitical Stakes and the Coming Trump Presidency The move also indicates an urgency within the Biden administration to enhance Ukraine's battlefield position before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Trump has been vocal about his criticisms of US support for Ukraine, claiming he could negotiate a ceasefire "within hours," though he has provided no specifics on what that looks like. Kyiv and European allies are spooked by the cuts in U.S. support, while both Ukraine and Russia redouble efforts to gain the edge. This week, Ukraine conducted its maiden launch of U.S.-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles on Russian territory. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken away any remaining minimal barriers on the deployment of nuclear weapons, bringing tension to a simmering boil. Austin's words have historical weight since Laos continues to deal with unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War. According to The Halo Trust, more than 20,000 people have been killed or injured by remnants of U.S. bombing campaigns in the region over the past half-century. Benefits Package Details Apart from the Sappers, it consists of HIMARS rocket Ammunition, TOW Missile, and small arms in service to equip Ukraine for its continued defense against Russian Aggression. As the war drags on and the political landscape shifts globally, the U.S.'s choice underscores the high stakes on Ukraine's frontlines and the Biden administration's determination to provide critical support before potentially a transformative transition takes place in Washington. ICBM Strike: In a significant escalation of the ongoing war, Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the RS-26 "Rubezh," at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. The attack, carried out from Astrakhan in southern Russia at 5 a.m. local time, marks the first known use of an ICBM in the conflict, signalling a chilling warning to NATO and Ukraine alike. The strike occurred on November 21, hours after marking 1,000 days since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While the warheads were reportedly non-nuclear, the deployment of such a high-capability missile underscores the deepening intensity of the conflict, which shows no signs of resolution. The stunning videos of the attack has gone viral on social media. BREAKING: Incredible video footage shows Russian ICBM missile strikes against Dnipro in east central Ukraine. This is the first time in human history that ICBMs have been used in war. We are inching closer to WWIII by the day. pic.twitter.com/FUgh2tbkUN DK (@1Nicdar) November 21, 2024 A Response to Ukraines Long-Range Strikes The missile strike follows Ukraines use of advanced long-range weapons, including U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and U.S.-made ATACMS, to target Russian territory. Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned these actions, warning of further escalation and reiterating President Vladimir Putins nuclear warnings. Lavrov also highlighted Russias updated nuclear doctrine, raising fears of broader implications. What Is the RS-26 "Rubezh"? The RS-26 "Rubezh" is a mobile-ground ballistic missile system derived from the RS-24 "Yars," itself a modernized version of the older Soviet Topol-M system. First tested in 2012, the RS-26 is essentially a shorter version of the RS-24 with one fewer stage. With a range of 5,0006,000 kilometers, the RS-26 has the capability to target Europe, the U.S., and even the Asia-Pacific region. Designed primarily to deliver nuclear warheads, the RS-26 carries a massive payload of 1.5 tons, making it a formidable weapon even with conventional warheads. The missile follows a high ballistic trajectory, complicating interception and heightening its threat level. Legacy of the RSD-10 "Pioneer" The RS-26 is considered a modern iteration of the Soviet RSD-10 "Pioneer" missile, which was dismantled under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in the 1990s. However, Russia resumed production of these missiles under President Putin, a move seen as a violation of the now-defunct treaty. A Message to NATO By deploying the RS-26 in a conventional strike, Russia is sending a clear signal to NATO and its allies about the stakes in Ukraine. The missiles range and capabilities underline its potential as a deterrent against any further Western intervention. With its ability to carry nuclear warheads and strike vast distances, the RS-26 represents a grim reminder of how the conflict could escalate further. The march to force down Adani deals on Kenyans is facing a bumpy ride, after one of the central arguments on why the government chose the controversial Indian falls apart. Despite repeating multiple times that Adanis deal is above board, the president and the line ministries involved in the deals have refused to provide the contracts. Adani is lined up for hundreds of billions in deals, among them Ketraco, JKIA and SHIF. Now overnight, we learnt that the Indian billionaire behind all this, Gautam Adani and several of his executives have been indicted in New York for their involvement in an alleged multi-billion-dollar fraud related to the development of a major solar power plant. The news was announced by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday. The charges involve allegations that Adani, a key ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with seven other executives, including his nephew Sagar Adani, promised more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts. The alleged bribery scheme took place between 2020 and 2024, with Adani reportedly meeting personally with a government official to advance the plan. The DOJ further alleged that the bribery and fraud aimed at securing solar energy supply contracts that were projected to generate more than $2 billion in profits over an approximate 20-year period. Adani and his associates allegedly tried to hide these schemes from US investors to obtain financing, including funding the solar contracts procured through bribery. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lisa Miller stated on Wednesday, This indictment alleges schemes to pay over $250 million (Ksh32.4 billion) in bribes to Indian government officials, to lie to investors and banks to raise billions of dollars, and to obstruct justice. Miller also noted that senior executives and directors allegedly committed these offenses to secure and finance state energy supply contracts through corruption and fraud, which harmed US investors. The impact of these allegations on Adani Group was immediate, with shares in the conglomerates listed firms plummeting between 10% and 20% on Thursday. This development comes over a year after a US short-seller accused Adani Group of stock manipulation and accounting fraud. The Indian National Congress, a rival of Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has renewed its calls for a parliamentary investigation into Adanis companies. The DOJs investigation revealed extensive documentation related to the bribery scheme, including photographs of documents summarizing various bribe amounts, as well as PowerPoint and Excel analyses detailing options for making and concealing bribe payments. Evidence from several phones was also referenced, indicating frequent meetings among the defendants to discuss the bribery scheme. In a parallel action, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also charged Gautam and Sagar Adani, along with Cyril Cabanes, an executive at Azure Power Global, with their involvement in the scheme. The SEC said Adani Green Energy Ltd raised more than $175 million from US investors on misrepresentations stemming from the alleged bribery scheme. Adanis reputation has been under pressure since January 2023, when US short-seller Hindenburg Research accused Adani Group of engaging in a brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme. Following these allegations, Adanis fortune plummeted by over $80 billion, having previously been valued higher than Jeff Bezos wealth at one point in 2022. The Hindenburg investigation took two years and raised questions about Adani companies sky-high valuations and their substantial debt, which, according to Hindenburg, put the entire group on a precarious financial footing. Adani Group responded with a 400-page rebuttal, dismissing the allegations as nothing but a lie. Adani, who is Asias second-richest person after Mukesh Ambani according to Bloombergs Billionaires Index, founded the conglomerate Adani Group, which has businesses in sectors including ports, power, media, and clean energy. He began his career in diamond trading before setting up a commodity trading business in 1988, which eventually evolved into Adani Enterprises. The Kenyan government has spent Kes.2.1 billion on the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, despite previous assurances that no taxpayer money would be used for the peace mission. A letter from the Treasury to the National Assembly revealed that the government allocated a total of Kes.17.6 billion under Article 223, which allows spending without parliamentary approval. Of this amount, Kes.2 billion was directed toward supporting Kenyas peacekeeping efforts in Haiti. This disbursement, made on September 18th, has raised concerns due to the earlier commitment that taxpayer funds would not fund the mission. In response, Treasury CS John Mbadi clarified that the funds used would be reimbursed by the United Nations. We are spending this money on behalf of the UN. Since these are our officers, we make the payments from our exchequer, he explained. Mbadi emphasized that while Kenya initially bears the cost, the UN will refund the expenses. He also noted that the expenditure, though not in the budget, would be accounted for in supplementary budgeting, reflecting both income and expenditure as required by law. We pay and they refund. However, we must recognize the expenditure because it was not included in the budget. The law mandates that no more than two months should pass, and when we do supplementary budgeting, we will reflect it as both income and expenditure, Mbadi added. In a landmark ruling, a Mombasa-based woman, Fatuma Ahmed Ali, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison and fined Kes. 825,642,000 for trafficking heroin valued at Kes. 275 million. The sentence, delivered by Senior Resident Magistrate David Odhiambo on behalf of Principal Magistrate Martin Rabera, marks a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) presented overwhelming evidence linking Fatuma to the illicit trade. The prosecution, led by Senior Prosecution Counsel Barbara Sombo, revealed that on September 20, 2018, Fatuma, her late husband Swaleh Yusuf Ahmed, and others trafficked 91,738 grams of heroin concealed in two brown suitcases and a gunny bag at Kikambala Housing Estate in Kilifi County. Swaleh Yusuf Ahmed, also known as Candy Rain or Kandereni, was a notorious drug baron facing additional charges for trafficking psychotropic substances. However, the court dropped his charges after he died under mysterious circumstances. His body was discovered near Vipingo in Kilifi County nine days after being reported missing. At the time of his death, the court had placed him on his defense, citing a prima facie case against him. During the trial, the prosecution argued against a non-custodial sentence, emphasizing the significant volume of narcotics recovered. Counsel Sombo highlighted the devastating societal impact the drugs could have caused, stating that 91,000 lives could have been ruined had the heroin reached the market. Magistrate Rabera commended the prosecution for presenting compelling evidence, including detailed testimonies from officers who conducted the raid. The officers described how the narcotics were recovered in the presence of the public, ensuring the integrity of the evidence. 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 judgment reflects the courts strict stance on drug trafficking and its commitment to upholding the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act. Authorities hope this sentence serves as a deterrent to others involved in narcotics trafficking. This case underscores the growing resolve of Kenyan law enforcement and judicial systems to combat the narcotics trade and protect communities from its harmful effects. The government has enhanced the security features of title deeds to prevent fraud and combat the production of counterfeit documents. On Wednesday, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome confirmed that these new measures were implemented after 367 security documents, used to print title deeds, mysteriously disappeared from the government printer in September. The Ministry of Lands blamed the incident on land cartels. We have added security features to the titles, making it impossible for them to be printed elsewhere, Wahome explained during a Senate plenary hearing. While she did not specify the exact security enhancements, Wahome assured the public that the government would address any future cases of fake deeds. She also emphasized the importance of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in uncovering fraud, including identifying forged signatures from both active and retired officers. Fraudsters will continue printing, thats why the DCI is important in our work. They help us identify malpractices including forged signatures of our officers both living and dead, retired officersthey copy, the CS said. The CS further clarified it was the land security papers that went missing and not title deeds. The security papers can only become a title deed after they are handed over to the ministry and then filled with spatial and non-spatial attributes of information, signed by the registrar and sealed with the respective registry seals after all the processes have been followed, CS Wahome stated. President William Ruto has called for swift action by criminal justice actors to hold perpetrators of femicide accountable. Speaking on Wednesday at State House during a meeting with women leaders, Ruto emphasized his administrations dedication to ending all forms of violence, including gender-based violence. As leaders, we are united in ensuring justice is swift and efficient. I have directed criminal justice actors to act without delay and hold perpetrators of femicide fully accountable, Ruto said. The President also highlighted the need to strengthen gender desks in police stations and introduced plans to offer similar services in hospitals, aiming to provide victims with immediate care and support. Ruto stressed the importance of equipping young people with the skills and awareness needed to navigate societal risks, particularly those posed by social media. Noting that platforms like social media have become avenues for exploitation, he urged the youth to be cautious when engaging with strangers online. Parents, schools, churches, and community organizations must step up to provide life skills, counseling, and guidance on these critical issues, he added. The President also called on religious leaders to advocate for womens rights and promote positive messages about womens empowerment. He emphasized that womens rights are human rights and urged religious leaders to foster an environment that supports women and children. In his commitment to protecting survivors, Ruto reassured the public that the government would ensure structures supporting survivors do not re-victimize them. Psychosocial support and safe spaces for women and children are a priority in my office, he emphasized. Safe Homes, Safe Spaces campaign Ruto also announced the launch of the Safe Homes, Safe Spaces campaign, which will run during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, starting November 25, 2024. His office, through the Womens Rights Advisor, has pledged Kes. 100 million to fund the campaign. This campaign will receive full support from my government, and we are committing Ksh 100 million to it. I urge every Kenyan to join this movement, speak out, educate others, and stand united against femicide, Ruto stated. The President highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the signs of abuse and the resources available to victims, including safe spaces and toll-free hotlines like GBV 1195, the child helpline 116, and the DCI anonymous reporting number 0800 722 203. These resources will help victims find protection and the support they need, Ruto said. Reaffirming his commitment to a safer Kenya, Ruto assured the public that the governments efforts to combat violence and ensure justice will continue to grow, making the country safer for all. As the semester winds down and the holiday season begins, there are plenty of arts events on campus to keep your days merry and bright. Peruse the galleries The Carlos Museum hosts a Bodhi Day celebration on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 12 p.m., as part of its Sunday FUNday programming. Bodhi Day, celebrated by many Buddhists, commemorates the day Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment. Guests can view Buddhist artwork and images, as well as a heart-shaped Bodhi leaf while enjoying a cookie snack. The Michael C. Carlos Museums monthly Relaxed Mornings continue Saturday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. Relaxed Mornings are designed for those who want a quieter tour through the galleries. Sensory-friendly bags are provided and include fidget toys, emotion/needs cards and noise-canceling headphones. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Rose Library hosts the December edition of its open house series, Miscellaneous Monthly, featuring the librarys photographer/artist collection. Guests can stop by from 1-3 p.m. and view a selection of archival items; no appointments are necessary. Ring in the holidays with musical performances The Emory Big Band and Jazz Combos perform on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. The ensemble features Emory Jazz student performers under the direction of Gary Motley, Randy Hunter, Chris Riggenbach and Penelope Williams. This 8 p.m. event is free, and no tickets are required. Emory Composition students will showcase their work at the Emory Fall Composition Showcase on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Studio. Students will present work from a wide range of disciplines, namely chamber, large ensemble, electronic, multimedia and other collaborative projects. This event is free, and no tickets are required. The Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta (ECMSA) hosts pianist Norman Krieger on campus for the Cooke Noontime Concert on Friday, Dec. 6, at 12 p.m. in the Carlos Museums Ackerman Hall. Admission is free, but registration is required. Krieger will lead a masterclass on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. in Tharp Rehearsal Hall of the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. This is a free event, and no registration is required. Various Emory ensembles perform holiday-themed programs throughout December. Enjoy the Holiday Concert with the Oxford Chorale, Oxford Soul Collective and Oxford Chamber Ensemble on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in Williams Hall. Tickets for this performance must be reserved in advance. On Friday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m., Music at Emory hosts a favorite campus holiday tradition, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The choral concert takes place at Glenn Auditorium of Glenn Memorial United Church and is based on a traditional service at Kings College Chapel in Cambridge, England. Additional concerts will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, at 4 and 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and Emory students receive a discount. ECMSA leads a holiday sing-along on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 4 p.m. in the Carlos Museums Ackerman Hall as part of the Lawless Family Concert Series. The performance is free and open to the public. During the event, Old Saint Nick himself will share some of his favorite works of classical music and lead a holiday sing-along with pianists Julie Coucheron and William Ransom. Finally, the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts offers one more holiday treat. Christmas with the Atlanta Master Chorale takes place Friday, Dec. 13, through Sunday, Dec. 15. Performances take place at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 4 p.m. on Sunday. Each performance is held in Emerson Concert Hall and tickets must be purchased in advance. A livestream of the concert is also available. Check out screenings and dance performances The fall 2024 season of Emory Cinematheque, exploring the Southern Gothic in filmmaking, concludes on Wednesday, Dec. 4, with a showing of the first two episodes season one of True Detective. This screening is free and takes place at White Hall, Room 208, starting at 7:30 p.m. Oxford Colleges Dance Company, led by faculty member Alejandro Abarca, performs Monday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Williams Hall. This program is free to attend. Emory Dance students perform work created or learned during fall semester on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Informal Dance Showing. This event begins at 6 p.m., at the Schwartz Centers Dance Studio, and is free to attend. PRNewswire Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], November 21: Amity University Rajasthan celebrates its accomplishment of being ranked #278 in the prestigious QS Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia 2025 and being featured in the band of 851-900 in the Asian University Rankings. This outstanding achievement demonstrates Amity University Rajasthan's ongoing dedication to providing exceptional academics and fostering important research collaborations. The QS Asia University Rankings, a worldwide recognized benchmark for evaluating higher education institutions, assesses universities across several criteria. Established in 2004, the QS World University Rankings portfolio has become the leading source of comparative data on university excellence and performance. Speaking about the recognition, Prof. (Dr.) Amit Jain, Vice-Chancellor, Amity University Rajasthan, said, "We are pleased to have been recognized in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025: Southern Asia. This success illustrates our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality education and facilitating significant research collaborations. Amity University Rajasthan stays devoted to academic excellence and making significant contributions in the space of research, education and innovation." The university recently secured a spot in the 1001-1200 rank band Overall (World) in the Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings 2025. Despite stiff competition, the university attained the 46th rank Overall (India) and the 287th rank in the Quality Research (World) categories, demonstrating its commitment to providing top-notch education. Amity University Rajasthan provides students with a plethora of opportunities, enabling them to learn from industry experts and combine theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. With its numerous foreign partners and research collaborations, the university steams ahead, making waves in national and international domains. About QS World University Rankings The QS World University Rankings portfolio, established in 2004, stands as the world's foremost source of comparative data on university performance. Widely trusted in the educational landscape, it evaluates institutions across a multitude of parameters including Research & Discovery, Learning Experience, Global Engagement and Employability. About Amity University Rajasthan Amity University Rajasthan is a NAAC A+ accredited clean green 150-acre picturesque campus, situated amidst the oldest mountain ranges of the Aravali, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. courses across various disciplines. The university is a hi-tech institution with air-conditioned amphitheatre-style classrooms. The University offers students hi-tech labs for languages, media studies, education, pharmacy, biotechnology, engineering, hotel management, business management, and scientific research with modern facilities for various research ventures. The university nurtures student talent in a way that complements their academic pursuits. The university has a well-connected and established alumni network, with Amitians being placed in premier national and international companies such as Thomson Reuters, Wipro technologies and the Trident Group. The university has been awarded by ASSOCHAM for 'Best University Campus' and has been featured among the top universities in the world in THE IMPACT Rankings 2023 under sustainable development goals (clean water and sanitation (201-300), affordable and clean energy (401-600) and climate action (401-600)). Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2563685/Amity_University_Rajasthan_Campus.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2529600/5041202/Amity_Uni_Rajasthan_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) NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 21: As we enter the International Fraud Awareness Week 2024, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the critical issue of insurance fraud along with the collective efforts required to combat it. The general insurance sector is intricately linked to most of the industries, such as infrastructure, automotive, healthcare, agriculture, and society as a whole. It is pivotal in strengthening the economy by providing essential financial security to individuals and businesses. Understanding why people hesitate to buy insurance despite its advantages is crucial. Why does the industry, despite a combined ratio exceeding 100%-indicating it pays out more in claims than the premium it earns-still face scepticism about its willingness to pay claims? One primary reason for this paradox is the prevalence of insurance fraud, costing the Indian insurance industry crores of rupees annually. Fraudulent claims push claim ratios higher, resulting in increased premium costs and a trust deficit. Such deceitful practices stifle industry growth and adversely affect society. At the heart of every insurance contract is the principle of "utmost good faith," requiring all parties to act honestly and disclose relevant information. Quick claims processing and efficient payments help claimants recover from financial setbacks without delays, improving public perception and motivating more individuals to consider insurance. However, fraud undermines this trust and hampers insurers' ability to handle genuine claims efficiently. With past experiences of fraud, insurance companies have developed systems to track and mitigate fraudulent activities. Nevertheless, fraud consumes valuable operational resources, such as workforce and financial reserves. Some of Common types of insurance fraud which affect good relations include: * Staged Accidents: Fraudsters deliberately cause accidents to file false claims for vehicle damage and personal injuries. For example, some may stage a fire accident at their factory when revenue declines. They aim to recover losses and benefit from insurance claims by staging such an accident. * Phantom Billing: A fraudulent practice where healthcare providers inflate or create charges for services that were never provided to the patient. This is often used to exploit insurance benefits, resulting in unjust financial gains for the provider while driving up costs for insurers and patients alike. * Fake Policies: Perpetrators pose as authentic insurance entities to sell fake policies, collecting premiums for non-existent or invalid policies. exploiting the trust of individuals seeking genuine coverage. Since these policies are fraudulent, they hold no legal validity, leaving victims without actual coverage and often unaware until they attempt to make a claim. * Non-existent Damage: Insured individuals exaggerate claim amounts by intentionally damaging or misrepresenting the condition of insured property to receive higher pay out. To avoid becoming victims of fraud, customer should follow these protocols: * Verify Policy Authenticity: Ask for the insurance intermediary's valid license and confirm their authorization. Visit the official website and contact the company to verify the policy's authenticity. * Check the Channel: Purchase policies from reliable sources. If buying online, verify the insurer's official website domain, as fraudsters often create fake websites to deceive customers Verify the insurer's official website domain and use secure 'https' websites. * Use Empanelled Services: Avail services from empanelled hospitals and motor garages for quality care and discounted rates. * Opt for Safe Payment Methods: Pay the insurer directly via cheque, debit/credit card, or online modes to create a clear transaction trail. While vigilant customers can prevent many instances of fraud, insurers also leverage forensic science, data analytics, and advanced technology to detect and prevent fraudulent activities. In collaboration with the government, regulators and institutions like Insurance Information Bureau (IIB), VAHAN, UIDAI, RTO, CCTNS, court records, and the Medical Council the industry is actively working to address this issue to enhance fraud detection, risk identification and prevention. This integration would allow insurers to receive early claim notifications, leading to faster settlements and reduced litigation. By staying informed and cautious, customers can protect themselves from fraud. Together with the industry's efforts, we can create a more secure and trustworthy insurance environment. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance is committed to fighting fraud and ensuring that genuine customers receive the protection and benefits they deserve. We strive to build a robust and transparent insurance ecosystem through continuous innovation and collaboration with stakeholders. As we mark International Fraud Awareness Week 2024, let's pledge to stay vigilant and work together to combat fraud, ensuring a safer and more reliable insurance landscape for everyone. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) New Delhi [India], November 21: Doodhvale Farms, a leading innovator in India's premium dairy sector, today announced the successful closure of a $3 million funding round. The round was led by Atomic Capital, with Singularity Early Opportunities Fund joining as a major co-investor. The round also saw participation from Bharat Founders Fund and Indigram Labs Foundation. Select angel investors participating in this round include Ramakant Sharma (Co-Founder, Livspace), Ankit Tandon (CBO, OYO), Saurabh Jain (CEO, Livspace), and Arjun Vaidya (Co-Founder, V3 Ventures), among other industry veterans. "This strategic investment marks a significant milestone in our journey to revolutionize India's dairy industry," said Aman J Jain, CEO and Co-founder of Doodhvale Farms. "With this funding, we are poised to expand our reach and enhance our commitment to delivering pure, farm-fresh dairy products to Indian households." Doodhvale Farms has maintained an impressive growth trajectory, achieving 100% year-over-year growth, consistent profitability on an EBITDA basis for three consecutive years, and successful launch of innovative products including Gaon Jaisa Safed Makkhan, 100% Pure Milk Khoya, and Desi Treats. The fresh capital will be strategically deployed to accelerate Doodhvale Farms' expansion, strengthen distribution networks, diversify its product portfolio, and upgrade technology infrastructure. Atomic Capital is an early-stage consumer-focused fund, established with a differentiated operating VC playbook. Apoorv Gautam, Founder and Managing Partner at Atomic Capital bring a strong track record with notable exits in the consumer sector, making the fund uniquely positioned to support emerging consumer brands. Commenting on the partnership, Apoorv shared his vision: "We are thrilled to partner with Doodhvale Farms on their ambitious journey to bring world-class quality milk and allied products to India. As one of India's first vertically integrated online subscription platforms for these products, Doodhvale Farms has demonstrated exceptional capital efficiency." Suyash Kela from Singularity Early Opportunities Fund, the round's major co-investor, added, "Premiumization of large consumption categories like F&B is a theme we are very bullish about. Doodhvale Farms, with its premium, unadulterated milk and allied products offering, strong hold on the supply chain, and founders with their feet and ear to the ground, really appealed to us." (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) PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 21: C2C Advanced Systems Limited specialises in development of complex systems for defence, homeland security and aerospace sectors. It also delivers bespoke, cutting-edge solutions to all the arms of the defence forces involving integration of complex weapons and sensors. The company proposes to open its Initial Public Offering on November 22, 2024, aiming to raise Rs 99.07 Crore with shares to be listed on the NSE Emerge platform. The issue size is 43,83,600 equity shares with a price band of Rs 214- Rs 226 Per Share and face value of Rs 10 each. Equity Share Allocation - QIB Anchor Portion - Not more than 12,49,200 Equity Shares - Qualified Institutional Buyer - Not more than 8,32,800 Equity Shares - Non-Institutional Investors - Not Less than 6,24,600 Equity Shares - Retail Individual Investors - Not Less than 14,57,400 Equity Shares * Market Maker - 2,19,600 Equity Shares The net proceeds from the IPO will be utilized for Funding capital expenditure for upgrading the existing Experience Centre and setting up a Training Centre in Bengaluru, along with a new Experience Centre in Dubai, fit-outs at the new premises at both Bengaluru and Dubai, Payment of Security Deposit for the new premises at Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, working capital requirements, general corporate purpose and issue expenses. The anchor bidding will open on November 21, 2024 and the issue will close on November 26, 2024. Mark Corporate Advisors Private Limited & Beeline Capital Advisors Private Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers to the Issue, while Link Intime India Private Limited is Registrar to the Issue. Lakshmi Chandra, Chairperson and Managing Director of C2C Advanced Systems Limited expressed, "As we prepare for our IPO, this milestone represents a transformative step in our journey as one of the leading provider of advanced technology solutions across defense, security, aerospace, and complex sensor integration domains. The growing emphasis by the government on indigenous equipment for the armed forces presents significant opportunities for our innovative offerings, and our ability to deliver reliable and secure systems positions us with a distinct competitive edge. The funds will strengthen our working capital, providing financial flexibility to execute our strategic goals and enhance our client engagement and support our expanding customer base." (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 Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], November 21: The much-anticipated Creators and Influencers Awards 2024, presented by Truzon Solar by Suntek, concluded with grandeur and glamour at the HICC Novotel, Hyderabad, bringing together South India's most talented Telugu digital creators. Organized by the Telugu Digital Media Federation (Telugu DMF), this landmark event celebrated creativity, innovation, and the impact of digital creators across various categories. The awards recognized and honored influencers who have inspired millions with their content. With over 2 million online votes, the event showcased overwhelming support from the digital community. Awards were presented in 15 categories, including Best Digital Influencer, Best Digital Creator, Best Food Blogger, Best Kid Influencer, Best Fashion Influencer, and Best Tech Influencer, among others. The evening was marked by electrifying performances, inspiring speeches, and heartfelt moments that underscored the transformative power of digital platforms. Distinguished guests and celebrities graced the event, adding a touch of prestige to the celebration. As part of this year's initiatives, Telugu DMF announced a strategic partnership with Cinematica Expo to provide technical support for digital creators, empowering influencers with cutting-edge tools and resources to elevate their content. Additionally, leading brands collaborated with Telugu DMF, opening doors to exciting opportunities for talented creators and influencers to grow their reach and impact. Conclusion The Creators and Influencers Awards 2024 was more than an event - it was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the limitless potential of the digital world. With its successful conclusion, Telugu DMF reaffirmed its commitment to empowering South India's digital community and fostering a culture of excellence in the digital space. (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) PNN Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], November 21: JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) reaffirms its commitment to excellence in healthcare education with its distinguished Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) program. Renowned for its comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) stands as one of the top BPT colleges in Bangalore, offering a pathway to success for aspiring physiotherapists. BPT Colleges in Bangalore: JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) Paves the Way As one of the best BPT colleges in Bangalore, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) has established itself as a leader in physiotherapy education. With a focus on academic excellence and practical training, the university prepares students to meet the challenges of the dynamic healthcare industry. The BPT program at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent physiotherapy professionals capable of making a positive impact on patient care. For students aspiring to pursue physiotherapy colleges in Bangalore without NEET, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) provides an excellent opportunity. As one of the best physiotherapy colleges in Bangalore, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) admits students based on merit, making quality education accessible to all. The university's transparent admission process ensures that talented individuals have the opportunity to pursue their passion for physiotherapy without the constraints of entrance exams. At JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), affordability meets excellence. The university's fees, compared to other physiotherapy colleges in Bangalore fees, are conducive and affordable to aspirants coming in from all corners of the country, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to quality education. With various scholarship opportunities and financial aid programs available, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) strives to make physiotherapy education accessible to students from all backgrounds. Why Choose JAIN? For those scanning through the options in the bachelor of physiotherapy colleges in Bangalore list, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) stands out in that elite list for providing the best experience for students. The university combines rigorous academics with specialised training in the basics of advanced techniques such as Trigger Point Therapy, Cupping Treatment, Dry Needling, and Chiropractic. This comprehensive approach ensures that students graduate with an edge in their field. Mr Mackey Agarwal, Head of Admissions & Marketing at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), believes that students who graduate from Jain should be fully equipped with the skills and expertise needed to become successful physiotherapists, whether working in a hospital(s) or running their own private clinic." JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) is also recognised as one of the best BPT colleges in India, drawing students from across the nation who aspire to excel in physiotherapy. The combination of academic rigor, hands-on training, and industry connections positions the university as a trusted name in healthcare education. How to Apply? For further details and to embark on a bright and successful medical career, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the official website: https://sahs.jainuniversity.ac.in or contact +91 9606978661 for all admission-related queries. Join JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), known for its best-allied health science courses and top paramedical colleges, and chart your course to a thriving and fulfilling medical profession. (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) PNN New Delhi [India], November 21: With increasing demand for personalized interactions, live streaming has emerged as a necessary medium for content creators to engage directly with their audiences. However, not all applications offer the necessary support for this feature, limiting the capability of creators to interact with viewers. To address this, you can explore the top 10 video streaming SDKs available, which can help integrate broadcasting capabilities into your apps. Best 10 Video Streaming SDKs for App Integration As discussed, web streaming delivers an interactive platform to reach a broader audience while also opening doors for monetization. Users aiming to grow their business or build a deeper connection with their fans can benefit from this list of the best live-streaming APIs to achieve the purpose. 1. ZEGOCLOUD As one of the leading live-streaming SDKs provider, ZEGOCLOUD empowers content creators and businesses to engage their target audiences through seamless broadcasting. Its APIs and SDKs can be easily integrated into web and mobile applications, enabling creators to reach up to 10 million viewers simultaneously. With ultra-low latency, businesses can deliver smooth live-streaming experiences across 212 countries. For marketers, ZEGOCLOUD SDKs & APIs offers real-time interaction with viewers during live auctions, boasting latency as low as 600ms. Additionally, its virtual gifting feature allows audiences to show their appreciation, enhancing engagement during live sessions. Most importantly, the SDKs include real-time stream monitoring, ensuring uninterrupted and high-quality broadcasts. Key Features * While carrying out live concerts, creators will be able to benefit from 3s standard latency rates. * Marketers get the ability to utilize its watermarking feature to brand their streams with logos and other branded images. * Features like co-hosting and guest invitations help attract larger audiences to your streams. * During the live broadcasting sessions, viewers get to send messages and bullet-chats to interact with each other and even streamers. * Additionally, this live-streaming SDK for iOS lets you share your whole screen or selected part with other participants. 2. api.video The flexible APIs delivered by api.video allows you to integrate personalized live streaming into your software or apps. This live-streaming SDK's CDN includes over 100 servers to help marketers enjoy a global reach. It lets you optimize your live streams and broadcast them on various social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitch. Moreover, its DVR feature allows viewers to rewind the live stream by up to an hour for personalized viewing. Key Features * api.video provides a secure streaming atmosphere with advanced security measures, including RTMPS and SRT. * SDKs offered by this platform can help you enjoy latency rates as low as 3 seconds for a smooth broadcasting experience. * With this API, developers will be able to transform RTMP streams into HLS, with video quality ranging from 240p to 2160p. Pricing Plans - Video Delivery: Approx. $0.0017 per minute of video delivered - Video Hosting: Around $0.00285 per minute of video stored 3. Dyte As one of the best video streaming SDK providers, Dyte.io offers scalable and highly customizable streaming solutions to content creators. Through its advanced features, this platform lets users share their screens with the audience to help them showcase products or services during the stream. Plus, streamers can enhance interaction by integrating features like chat, emojis, and quizzes into their live broadcasts. Key Features * It also provides custom layouts and multi-platform support to assist businesses and brands in effectively engaging with their target audience. * This iOS video streaming SDK offers an in-depth analysis of user engagement and stream performance during live broadcasts. * With Dyte, you can stream to up to 10,000 viewers while maintaining a latency of just 2 seconds. Pricing Plans - Streaming Plan: $0.002 per user for every minute (for viewers) - Streaming for Ingestion: $0.04 for every minute 4. BytePlus While talking about the best live streaming APIs, BytePlus stands out due to its ability to moderate streams by allowing hosts to clear the screen or removing inappropriate comments. You can incorporate these advanced video-streaming SDKs into your apps to help you broadcast directly from mobiles. Furthermore, users can easily switch between portrait and landscape modes to suit different streaming scenarios. Key Features * Additionally, it lets hosts access live room details and mute audience members' microphones during the stream. * BytePlus also offers APIs that enable streaming via the phone's camera or screen-sharing function. * Other than that, its SDK even includes beauty AR effects and special filters to enhance the broadcaster's appearance. Pricing Plans - Contact Sales Team 5. Amazon IVS Amazon's Interactive Video Service is an advanced live-streaming SDKs provider that enables users to create interactive broadcasts. With its built-in polling and voting capabilities, streamers can receive real-time feedback from viewers during low-latency streams. Apart from that, content creators and marketers can also stream live with latency of less than 300 milliseconds to any audience member. Key Features * Additionally, the API's chat feature allows streamers and audiences to communicate with each other during a stream to create a sense of community. * It supports broadcast-level video delivery to millions of viewers at a time for amplified reach. * Moreover, developers can benefit from its video streaming SDK by building applications that merge video and audio from several broadcasters. 6. VideoSDK While discussing live streaming API providers, VideoSDK comes to our mind, as it enables you to create two-way interactive streams without compromising on quality. It supports up to 25 co-streamers, which proves valuable for enhanced interaction during podcasts and interviews. Other than that, the APIs provided by this platform even let you switch viewers into co-hosts during the stream. Key Features * With VideoSDK, you have the flexibility to choose from various video stream resolutions. * Apart from that, you can personalize the visual elements during a stream to align with your brand's style. * This secure video streaming SDK offers cross-platform compatibility, making it ideal for every type of streamer and content creator. Pricing Plans - Live Streaming: $0.0015 per viewer for a minute 7. VONAGE With its advanced live streaming solutions, VONAGE supports broadcasting to popular social platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube. Moreover, it enables marketers to engage with over fifteen thousand viewers in real-time and reach millions more with its live streaming SDK. Besides that, the APIs delivered by this platform let you stream various content types, including talking heads, motion graphics, and slides. Key Features * These SDKs integrate Full HD WebRTC and HLC technology into both web browsers and mobile apps to enhance your streaming quality. * Additionally, its dynamic layout allows you to interact with your audience seamlessly without needing to leave the screen. * Using this API, streamers can offer an immersive audio experience to their viewers with advanced 3D sound technology. Pricing Plans - HLS Streaming Up to HD: $0.0015 per viewer for a minute - HLS Streaming Full HD: $0.003 per viewer for a minute 8. Sendbird Sendbird's live streaming SDKs enable seamless broadcasting from both mobile and desktop applications. Through these APIs, streamers can enjoy an impressively low latency rate of just 100ms, delivering near real-time streaming experiences. Other than that, the platform can handle up to a hundred thousand participants during a live-stream event to boost audience engagement. Key Features * They provide specific iOS video streaming SDKs designed to integrate advanced streaming features into your iPhone apps. * It includes advanced live chat features to help streamers actively engage with their audience throughout the stream. * The cloud infrastructure of this platform is supported by 6 AWS regions, which enhances global streaming performance. Pricing Plans - Talk to Sales 9. MUXUsers seeking a developer-friendly API for building live streaming capabilities on web or mobile applications can opt for MUX. Other than broadcasting your live streams, it even automatically records your streams and makes them available right after the event. Moreover, this video streaming SDK imposes no maximum limits on live streams, allowing you to broadcast from various sources. Key Features * Streamers and marketers can further enhance video delivery by utilizing MUX's multiple CDNs. * Using these APIs, you can stream from any device, including mobile apps, hardware encoders, and broadcast software with RTMP support. * Additionally, this API offers a live simulcasting feature to help you restream to specific platforms. Pricing Plans - Starter: $10 per month - Custom: Starting from around $3000 per month 10. Agora Agora provides marketers and content creators with live-streaming SDKs with ultra-low latency for global broadcasts. To cater to the diverse needs of the users, these APIs support streaming at both low and high bitrates for a buffer-free experience. While carrying out streams on this platform, users can utilize its AI-powered noise suppression feature to make sure that annoying background noise does not disrupt your stream. Key Features * Additionally, this platform features cross-channel co-hosting to let streamers broadcast live across up to four different channels in one go. * These APIs and SDKs enable smooth, real-time interaction between hosts and audiences through both video and audio. * Using APIs delivered by this platform, you can record your live broadcasts for future sharing on other social media sites. Pricing Plans - Interactive Live Streaming: Starts from $0.99 for 1000 minutes - Broadcast Stream: Starts from $0.59 for 1000 minutes Conclusion As we summarize, video streaming SDKs facilitate the smooth integration of broadcasting abilities into a wide range of services. With numerous API options at your disposal, you can easily initiate, manage, and control live streaming sessions. Among these options, ZEEGOCLOUD stands out as the top choice, thanks to its user-friendly live streaming SDKs that make integration effortless. (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) PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 21: Shri Venkatesh Refineries Limited(BSE - 543373), is a premier edible oil company, engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of a diverse range of products, including Soyabean Oil, Cottonseed Oil, and other cooking oils, as well as their associated by-products has reported its Unaudited Financial Results for H1 FY25. Key Financial Highlights Commenting on the Financial performance, Dinesh Ganapati Kabre, Chairman and Managing Director, Shri Venkatesh Refineries Limited said, "We are pleased to share our H1 FY25 performance, demonstrating steady resilience in a dynamic market environment. While total revenue showed growth from the previous period, our EBITDA and net profit remained stable despite slight adjustments in margins, reflecting our focus on sustainable and efficient operations. The edible oils industry is an essential part of India's agricultural economy, with India being one of the world's largest producers of oilseeds, contributing about 5-6% of global production. The sector is crucial to the livelihoods of millions and plays a significant role in food security. With the market demand for quality edible oils continuing to rise, we remain committed to refining and trading a diverse range of products, including Soybean Oil, Cottonseed Oil, and other cooking oils, along with their by-products. Our upcoming 200 TPD expansion at our Jalgaon facility is a strategic move to increase our capacity and meet this growing demand. This Rs40 crore investment, funded through a blend of debt, equity, and internal accruals, reflects our confidence in the long-term potential of the edible oils market. As we continue to optimize our operations, we remain focused on delivering solid financial performance and long-term value." Key Operational Highlights: (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) PNN Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], November 21: In today's fast-paced, visually driven world, design has become more than aesthetics--it's a powerful tool for innovation, transformation, and creating impact. At the School of Design, Media, and Creative Arts (SDMCA) at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) in Bangalore, aspiring designers are empowered to unlock their creative potential and shape the future through the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program. Recognized among the best B.Des colleges in Bangalore, SDMCA provides a dynamic learning environment where creative ambitions are nurtured and transformed into real-world skills. A Leading Institution in Design Education The School of Design, Media, and Creative Arts stands proudly among the best design colleges in Bangalore, known for its forward-thinking curriculum and exceptional faculty. The programs offered under the B.Design umbrella are structured to provide a well-rounded education in various design disciplines, including Fashion Design, Interior Design, Product Design, and Communication Design. Each program is tailored to meet industry demands, equipping students with skills that allow them to excel in diverse design fields. As one of the top B.Des courses in Bangalore, SDMCA's curriculum balances theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience, ensuring students gain deep insights into both the creative and practical aspects of design. Innovative Learning for a Transformative Experience SDMCA's approach to design education is rooted in the philosophy that innovation and creativity are born out of curiosity and freedom. The school combines studio-based learning, critical design thinking, and real-world projects to prepare students for the fast-evolving design industry. Bangalore has long been a hub for creativity and technology, and studying at one of the best design colleges in Bangalore places students in an inspiring environment, surrounded by some of the brightest minds and cutting-edge opportunities. At SDMCA, design students are encouraged to go beyond traditional boundaries, explore new ideas, and experiment with different media and technologies. From working with advanced digital tools to exploring traditional hand-crafted techniques, students at SDMCA learn to blend modern and traditional design methods, ensuring they are versatile designers ready to meet global industry standards. Why Choose B.Design at JAIN-SDMCA? 1. Comprehensive Curriculum and Specializations The Bachelor of Design program at SDMCA offers diverse specializations, allowing students to tailor their education according to their passion and career goals. Whether you are drawn to the elegance of Fashion Design, the functionality of Interior Design, the ingenuity of Product Design, or the storytelling aspect of Communication Design, the B.Design programs at JAIN-SDMCA provide specialized pathways to achieve mastery. Known as one of the best B.Des colleges in Bangalore, our school provides students with a structured yet flexible education in design. 2. Industry-Relevant Skills Design is no longer limited to the creation of physical objects. SDMCA equips students with essential design thinking skills, which are vital for strategic problem-solving and innovation in today's industry. Recognized among the top B.Des courses in Bangalore, the program focuses on a range of skills, from research-driven design to user experience, enabling students to address real-world challenges with creative solutions. This practical exposure prepares graduates for a variety of design careers and ensures they are highly sought after by employers. 3. Exposure to Interdisciplinary Learning and Collaboration As one of the best design colleges in Bangalore, SDMCA encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, which helps students gain a broader perspective and enhances their creative flexibility. Working on collaborative projects with peers across different design disciplines fosters a well-rounded understanding of the design world and enhances problem-solving abilities. Such cross-disciplinary interactions are invaluable, as they mirror the collaborative nature of the design industry, where teams with diverse skills often work together to create exceptional solutions. 4. World-Class Facilities and Expert Faculty The SDMCA campus is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and studios, providing students with an environment that fuels creativity and innovation. Under the guidance of highly experienced faculty, who are experts in their respective fields, students receive mentorship that bridges the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements. This dedication to quality education further cements SDMCA's reputation as one of the best design colleges in Bangalore. 5. A Gateway to Exciting Career Opportunities Graduates of the Bachelor of Design program from SDMCA are equipped to enter various roles in industries such as fashion, media, advertising, interior design, and more. With Bangalore's thriving design industry and its reputation as a creative hub, students studying at design colleges in Bangalore enjoy a unique advantage in accessing internship and employment opportunities. The skills and experience acquired at SDMCA prepare graduates for successful careers, placing them among the best-trained designers in India. 6. A Nationally Recognized Institution As one of the premier institutions offering B des courses in India, SDMCA ensures students receive an education that is recognized for excellence both nationally and internationally. With cutting-edge programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and industry integration, SDMCA stands as a beacon for aspiring designers looking for the bachelor of design course in India. Enroll in a Premier Program for Future-Ready Designers The Bachelor of Design program at SDMCA is crafted for students who aspire to push boundaries and shape the future of design. Recognized among the best BDes colleges in Bangalore, SDMCA is a nurturing ground for the next generation of designers who are prepared to make a difference through creativity, innovation, and impact. As one of the top institutions for design courses in India, SDMCA at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) is committed to helping students cultivate their unique creative voice and prepare for successful careers in the global design industry. If you're a parent or student with a passion for design, take this opportunity to explore the top B.Des course in Bangalore and transform that passion into a career at SDMCA. Join us at one of the bachelor of design colleges in India that truly understands the importance of creativity, critical thinking, and industry-relevant education. The Bachelor of Design program at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) offers a promising start for those ready to make their mark in the world of design. Choose SDMCA at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) for a Bachelor of Design program that not only promises excellence but delivers it. Here, creativity meets opportunity, and students are empowered to become visionary designers who redefine the future. Enroll at one of the top B.Des colleges in Bangalore and embark on a journey that will shape your career and inspire your creative potential. Contact Information: * Website: https://www.jainuniversity.ac.in/sdmca* Email: sdmca@jainuniversity.ac.in (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 Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], November 21: Jayesh Logistics Limited, the leading player in Cross-Border Cargo Movement across the Indo-Nepal Corridor and the Nepal hinterland, announced their partnership with the Indian Institute Of Management (IIM) Sirmaur by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a grand event organized at The Park Hotel (Park Street, Kolkata) this Monday evening. Dignitaries like Dr Amitabh Bhattacharjee (Head Business Development & Business Excellence, Metallics Division, TATA Steel), Nirmalya Deb (Executive Editor, Bigmint Technologies Pvt Ltd), Ravikanth Yamarthy (CEO, Logistic Sector Skill Council), Ambika Jain (Director of Finance, Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited), Gopal Krishna Sharan (Chief Mentor, Sai Group of Companies, Super Shakti Metallics Division, Super Smelters), Jai Shankar Kumar (Head of Sales & Marketing, Cement & Steel, Shyam Steel), Arnab Nandan (Head of East Region Sales, TATA Motors), and many more along with Dr PraFulla Y Agnihotri (Director, IIM Sirmaur), ProF. Mohita Sharma (Operations and Supply Chain Area, IIM Sirmaur), and Dr Manish Sarkhel (Asst. Professor, IIM Sirmaur) graced this event to discuss the role and responsibilities of Industries and Academia in Manufacturing-driven Sectors and Logistics & Supply Chain Sectors. Top officials from Jayesh Logistics - Sanjay Kumar Kundalia (Founder), Bishnu Bajaj (Founder), Rishi Maheshwari (Director), Swagat Bose (Head of Strategy) and Puja Chirania (Head of HR) also joined in the discussions adding key insights and business strategies to help develop this sector in India. This collaboration marks a significant step towards fostering stronger ties between industry and academia, with the aim of driving innovation and enhancing skill development in the manufacturing-driven and supply chain sectors. Through joint research, internships, and knowledge exchange programs, the two entities seek to develop solutions to optimize supply chain processes, improve logistics efficiency, and create more robust business models for manufacturers. Ardent supporters of technology and innovation, Jayesh Logistics and IIM Sirmaur, both have set a goal to enhance the understanding of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Automation, and Data Analytics within the logistics, manufacturing and supply chain domains. This collaboration will provide students and professionals with hands-on experience and insights into real-world challenges while offering manufacturers cutting-edge solutions to streamline operations and reduce costs. Key Benefits Of the Collaboration: 1. Knowledge Exchange: Sharing best practices, research findings, and industry insights to equip students and professionals with the skills required to solve real-world logistics, manufacturing and supply chain challenges. 2. Research & Development: Joint research programmes focused on using technology to enhance supply chain resilience, and exploring sustainable practices within the manufacturing-driven industry. 3. Talent Development: Internships and placement opportunities for IIM Sirmaur students at Jayesh Logistics, fostering the next generation of logistics professionals. 4. Industry Impact: By aligning academic learning with real-time industry needs, this partnership will result in actionable insights to directly benefit businesses in the manufacturing-driven and supply chain sectors. Dr PraFulla Y Agnihotri, Director Of IIM Sirmaur, expressed excitement about the collaboration, saying, "This partnership with Jayesh Logistics allows our students to gain invaluable industry exposure and hands-on experience in logistics and supply chain sectors, further reinforcing our commitment to academic excellence and industry relevance." Jayesh Logistics Founder, Sanjay Kumar Kundalia, echoed these sentiments, adding, "We are thrilled to partner with IIM Sirmaur in a shared vision to bridge the gap between academia and industry. This collaboration will help us not only advance the logistics and supply chain ecosystem but also provide valuable learning opportunities to the leaders of tomorrow." And Jayesh Logistics Founder, Bishnu Bajaj, continued the chain of thought pointing out, "Logistics is one of the fastest growing segments contributing to over 14% of India's GDP yet the quality of life for the base level people working does not improve. We have taken this initiative as we are committed to making the lives of our truck drivers better. We already have provisioned for their safety, health, wealth and child education; and we are continuously looking for ways to improve their lives further. We believe this partnership will help us achieve our purpose." "The scale at which the impact of technology is changing all sectors, not just logistics, is unprecedented. Technology can alleviate a lot of challenges we have in our country and our partnership with IIM Sirmaur will ensure we keep innovating to optimize our operations, enhancing the experience for our clients and in turn enriching the lives of our people", appended Rishi Maheshwari, Jayesh Logistics Director. While Jayesh Logistics Head of Strategy, Swagat Bose, commented, "Without innovation and technology adoption, we cannot hope to achieve great things, and this collaboration is a key part of Jayesh's plans to develop solutions to revolutionize the way we do business and cater at a Pan-India level." The leaders of Jayesh Logistics, being IIM-IIT alumni themselves - Bishnu Bajaj and Swagat Bose from IIM Ahmedabad and Rishi Maheshwari from IIT Roorkee, believe quality education and skill development are paramount. Their enthusiasm for this partnership depicts their core beliefs and vision for building a smarter workforce to lead future generations. Jayesh Logistics also plans to establish a research grant to further nurture this partnership, and through this strategic collaboration with IIM Sirmaur, aim to contribute to the growth and modernization of India's rapidly growing logistics industry, ensuring it remains globally competitive and responsive to the challenges of the future. https://jayeshlogistics.com https://linkedin.com/company/jayesh-logistics (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], November 21: Over the years, Delhi-NCR has emerged as a hotspot for premium luxury residences with its flourishing economy and world-class infrastructure. The area now caters to the aspirations of HNIs, expats, and the urban elite seeking unparalleled living experiences. A CBRE report reveals the luxury housing market in India experienced a significant boom during the first nine months of 2024, with sales of high-end residential units soaring by 37.8% year-on-year. Delhi-NCR is a leading market significantly contributing to the total luxury home sales across the top seven cities in the country. The region led the surge with 5,855 units sold during the period, displaying a 72% increase from 3,410 units sold in the same timeframe in 2023. The momentum was evident in the July-September 2024 quarter, with the region leading the pack with 2,590 units sold, a more than five-fold increase from just 480 units in the same quarter last year. The data underscores how the surge in luxury home sales is largely driven by a shift in buyer preferences towards properties with enhanced amenities and spacious living areas that cater to the evolving lifestyles of affluent individuals. These luxury residences in NCR stand out for their exceptional lifestyle amenities, smart technologies, architectural brilliance, and premium locations. Their emphasis on advanced smart home technology is another hallmark that offers buyers a seamless living experience. Besides, luxury residential projects in NCR are now embracing architectural styles, offering homeowners a distinct and elegant living experience. These residences often take inspiration from global themes, bringing the world's different cultures to the region. This thematic approach not only enhances the visual appeal of these projects but also caters to the living standards of NCR's affluent buyers. The unique designs elevate the living experience, making each residence a personal statement of luxury and distinction. Several real estate developers contribute to this evolution of luxury housing in NCR, each bringing their unique vision and expertise. Among notable developers, Prateek Group has been at the forefront of this evolution, redefining premium luxury housing in the region. The group's upcoming premium residences in Siddharth Vihar, Ghaziabad, centered around a fantasy world theme epitomize this shift, offering buyers a unification of design, innovation, and quality and catering to their aspirations for luxury living. Moreover, infrastructure development is also one of the factors contributing to the region's luxury housing growth. Major projects like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Dwarka Expressway have significantly enhanced regional connectivity, making commuting seamless and convenient. The proximity to world-class airports, such as Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) and the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar, adds another layer of appeal for global citizens and frequent travelers. These advancements position NCR as a desirable location for premium living, combining convenience with connectivity. Looking ahead, as NCR continues to set new benchmarks in premium housing, it is not merely offering homes but curating lifestyles that resonate with modern aspirations and global standards. This transformative journey underscores the region's ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive, solidifying its position as a leader in India's luxury real estate landscape. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Just over a month after the death of Liam Payne, mourners gathered on Wednesday for a private funeral service held at an undisclosed location near London, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Payne, a former member of 'One Direction', passed away on October 16 at the age of 31 after he fell from a third-floor balcony at his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The service was attended by Payne's former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan, along with his family, close friends, and other notable figures. Simon Cowell, who formed and signed 'One Direction' on 'The X Factor' in 2010, and television presenter James Corden were also present. Zayn Malik rescheduled dates on his U.K. tour to attend the funeral. Payne's sudden death sent shockwaves through the music world. As per The Hollywood Reporter, the 'One Direction' member suffered internal and external injuries from the fall, and investigations revealed he was under the influence of narcotics at the time. The incident led to the arrests of a hotel staff member and an alleged drug dealer, according to local reports from Argentina. In the days following Payne's death, his 'One Direction' members shared a tribute on the band's Instagram account. Days after Payne's death, fellow 'One Direction' members took to their Instagram account to share shared a tribute that read, "We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. 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." https://www.instagram.com/p/DBPRvpVveEx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Each of the four members also shared personal tributes on their own social media accounts. Payne's family released a statement expressing their grief: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul." Payne rose to fame as part of 'One Direction', one of the world's most successful boy bands. Formed on The X Factor, the group achieved global stardom with hits like What Makes You Beautiful and Story of My Life, releasing five albums before going on hiatus in 2016. Payne also had a successful solo career, with chart-topping tracks such as Strip That Down. (ANI) Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who never shies away from speaking his mind, believes that the today's youth knows how to deal with problems and have "desire in them to engage with society." In a conversation with ANI, he said, "I think the youth of today are much more connected, much more, there's a desire in them to engage with their society, with, in being part of the solution. I think then my generation was at my time." Khan was speaking during the second edition of the Dialogues on Development Management (DoDM) conference, where he shared that the best thing about young generation is that they love to solve problems. "I think one of the things that excite young people most is being given a problem. Because they love problem solving and and you can then, you know, wrestle with different kinds of problems that come your way. But you'll be much more equipped having been through training. So this is a great place for young people to come and learn," said the 'Sarfarosh' actor. The ace star emphasised on the importance of training when it comes to development management in social sector. He added, "I am a part of this conference to share what we have done in Paani Foundation in water and agricuture..We shared what our learnings are and we also learnt from other people from different sectors to find out how they have tackled different problems...The fact is that in any social issue that we have faced as a society, the more trained we are in management and development, the better we are equipped to tackle issues. So, ISDM (Indian School of Development Management) is an institute which conducts training and teaches young minds...This is a great place for young people to learn..." The event brought together over 80 changemakers, including thought leaders, policymakers, and practitioners "from civil society (Samaaj), government (Sarkaar), and business (Bazaar), to discuss Development Management and its strategies for advancing social impact in India," as per the press release. The Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) hosted the Dialogues on Development Management (DoDM) 2024 at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on November 21. (ANI) Veteran actor Nagarjuna is currently in Goa for the ongoing 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India. On Thursday, he graced the launch of the second season of celebrated animated series 'Krish, Trish, and Baltiboy: Bharat Hain Hum' along with Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Information & Broadcasting; Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO of Prasar Bharati; Yogesh Baweja, DG, CBC; creators of the show Munjal Shroff and Tilak Shetty of Graphiti Studios; Mahima Kaul, Director of Public Policy, Netflix India, and Shilangi Mukherji, Director & Head - SVOD, Prime Video. Season 2 of the animation series, like Season 1, will premiere simultaneously across Doordarshan, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, as per a press statement. The series will be available in 12 Indian languages--including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Assamese, and Odia--and seven international languages - French, German, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Chinese and Arabic making it accessible to a global audience in 150 countries, further amplifying its reach. Season 2 also available on Waves, the newly launched Prasar Bharti's OTT platform, continues the mission to highlight unsung heroes from all across the country, including Taji Dele and Ponge Dele from Arunachal Pradesh, Wazir Ram Singh Pathania from Himachal Pradesh, and Birsa Munda from Jharkhand, among others. Speaking about the launch of the second season, Nagarjuna said, "I have grown up watching a lot of mythology, and stories of Shri Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, Arjun, but stories on our freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for our country is equally important. With the new show Bharat Hai Hum, the children and the next generation will get to know about our heroes." Nagarjuna also spoke with ANI and shared his experience about attending the festival."We are all enjoying this and it is bringing back so many nostalgic memories. To relive the work of all the legends, Raj Kapoor ji's films, listen to the songs of Mohammed Rafi ji, Tapan Sinha ji's films...," he said. The Secretary, highlighted the importance of such initiatives in nurturing national pride among India's younger generation. "The diversity of India's freedom struggle needs to be communicated in ways that appeal to children. By using animation, we're making these rich histories not only accessible but also engaging. Through these animated stories, we're offering young minds a chance to learn about the unsung heroes who played pivotal roles in shaping India's destiny," Jaju said. Krish, Trish, and Baltiboy: Bharat Hain Hum will also be available in an innovative format: a radio series and a podcast. The Krish, Trish and Baltiboy- Bharat Hain Hum Radio Series will premiere on December 1 on All India Radio (AIR), broadcasting in 12 languages across India. (ANI) Actor Gauahar Khan has expressed her feelings for her upcoming show 'Fauji 2' at IFFI 2024. Talking to ANI, Gauahar shared that she is fortunate to be a part of this show. She said, "I am fortunate to be a part of this show and it's an even bigger privilege to be a big part of this show. I am playing the role of Lieutenant Colonel Simarjeet Kaur and giving training to everyone to all faujis." Gauhar also talked about that the show. She said, "The show will not look like a serial because the stories that have been portrayed are very relatable, unique and inspiring." She also praised filmmaker Sandeep Singh's mindset and thanked him for casting her in the show. "If we talked about cadets, people usually only think of men, but a girl or woman will come to train cadets. So, it is a different perception and this type of perception can think by Sandeep Sir," she said. Filmmaker Sandeep Singh also told ANI about the show. He said, "When Doordarshan called and asked me what do you want, so, I said I want Fauji 2. This show has 150 episodes and we tried to showed importance of choosing people from different state." He added, "We want not only mothers and sisters will watch the show, our youth should also watch this show." 'Fauji,' which first brought Shah Rukh Khan to the forefront in 1989, is being reimagined as 'Fauji 2'. Sandeep has teamed up with the national broadcaster Doordarshan to breathe new life into this classic show. With the series set to premiere on Doordarshan this November, anticipation is building among fans eager for a modern twist on a beloved classic. Recently, the creators of 'Fauji 2' have unveiled an exhilarating trailer that showcases a fresh cast ready to revive this iconic series. The trailer hints at a gripping storyline that intertwines nostalgia with contemporary themes, celebrating the bravery and unity of India's armed forces in a way that resonates with both longtime followers and new viewers. 'Fauji 2' is produced and creatively directed by Sandeep Singh, with Vicky Jain and Zafar Mehdi as co-producers. The series features Sameer Hallim as the Creative Head and its title track is composed by Shreyas Puranik, with vocals by Sonu Nigam. The series is based on a story by Vishal Chaturvedi, with the screenplay penned by Amarnath Jha and dialogues crafted by Anil Choudhary and Chaitanya Tulsyan. This revival also marks the directorial debut of Abhinav Pareek, who is known for his previous works like 'Sab Moh Maaya Hai' and 'A Wedding Story'.Additionally, Nishant Chandrashekhar serves as a director for this ambitious project. 'Fauji 2' is set to air starting November 18, with episodes scheduled for Mondays through Thursdays at 9 PM on DD National. The series will be broadcast in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Bengali. (ANI) After hosting an impressive 47 lakh devotees this season, the Badrinath Nagar Panchayat initiated a comprehensive cleaning drive to restore the sacred shrine and its surroundings to their pristine condition ahead of the winter closure. A dedicated team of 50 'Paryavaran Mitra' conducted the cleanup, collecting 1.5 tonnes of waste from key areas such as Brahm Kapal, Astha Path, Tapt Kund, Main Bazaar, and Mana village. This effort underscored the commitment of local authorities to maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the revered Char Dham pilgrimage site. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a consistent advocate for cleanliness at Char Dham shrines, praised the initiative. Highlighting the importance of sustainable waste management, the municipality reported earnings of Rs8 lakh from the disposal of 110 tonnes of inorganic waste collected during the Yatra season. The post-season cleanup at Badrinath Dham exemplifies the adage "Cleanliness is next to godliness," blending devotion with environmental responsibility. Earlier, on Monday, November 18, the sacred thrones of Uddhav, Kuber, and Shankaracharya began their winter journey from Badrinath Dham to their designated locations. According to temple officials, the palanquins, accompanied by the tunes of an army band and rights holders, departed for their winter sojourn. They halted at Pandukeshwar for the night, where Uddhav Ji and Kuber Ji will remain in the Yogadhyan Temple for winter worship, allowing devotees to offer prayers to Lord Badri Vishal during the off-season. The throne of Shankaracharya Ji has been placed in the Narsingh Temple at Joshimath, while Narad Ji will perform worship in Badrinath Dham, adhering to the scriptures that dictate six months of worship by humans and six months by gods. Meanwhile, the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, in collaboration with the District Police Administration, reported a record-breaking influx of pilgrims during the 2024 Yatra season. Badrinath Dham welcomed 14,35,341 visitors from May 12 to November 17, including 11,170 on the final day. Kedarnath Dham received 16,52,076 pilgrims between May 10 and November 3, with 1,26,393 traveling by helicopter. Additionally, 1,83,722 pilgrims visited Shri Hemkunt Sahib and Lokpal Tirtha Shri Laxman Mandir before their gates closed on October 10. Temple authorities and local administration lauded these numbers as a testament to the successful management of the Yatra. "These figures for the year 2024 have been released by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee with the cooperation of the District Police Administration," the official statement read. (ANI) Feature: Skin disease patients in South Sudan find cure from Chinese medical team Xinhua) 09:23, November 21, 2024 Chinese dermatologist Zheng Jianfeng operates on a South Sudanese patient at the Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Nov. 8, 2024. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua) NAIROBI, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Patients with fungal skin infections in South Sudan are increasingly flocking to the Juba Teaching Hospital, drawn by the expertise of Zheng Jianfeng, a Chinese dermatologist from the 12th batch of the Chinese medical team stationed in the country. Benson Kocho, a 32-year-old teacher at Bethel Secondary School in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, is among the patients seeking treatment from Zheng. With a tumor on his upper lip, Kocho came to the hospital on Nov. 8 after local doctors reached their wit's end over his medical situation. "The tumor started small but it kept on developing in late September. It grew so big that I could not close my mouth. It gave me a stigma because everybody was asking me what this is," he told Xinhua on Tuesday, adding that the condition had even forced him to wear a face mask before his students. Kocho said he was lucky to meet Zheng, because the Chinese doctor with "a true spirit of humanity" sympathized with his condition and performed an operation on him the same day. Following the successful operation with the laser machine introduced last year by the Chinese medical team, Kocho is now relieved and no longer bothered about the concerns of his students and onlookers. "The wound is recovering well and I have come to see the doctor to receive my routine medicine," he said. Zheng treats about 60 patients on a daily basis. With such a packed schedule, he sometimes has to sacrifice his breaks. Madaya Hassan, a Sudanese national who fled the ongoing conflict and arrived in Juba last November with her husband and two children, said the team of Chinese dermatologists has been kind to treat her son Sadiq Al-Amin, who has been suffering from chronic eczema for about eight years. "I tried to seek medication but could not find it. Some people advised me to bring my child to the Chinese doctors. When we came here for the first time in July, my son was given medicine and the child recovered," she said. A relapse, however, pushed Hassan to seek help from Chinese dermatologists for a second time. "The child experiences intense itching, which forces him to scratch his rough skin until it bleeds. I sometimes had to tie the hands of the child to prevent him from scratching," Hassan said. Zheng promptly examined the child, provided the medicine to alleviate the itching, and advised Hassan to return with her son for a follow-up in two weeks. Joseph Kenyi Okumu, an assistant dermatologist who works with Zheng, said Chinese doctors are very dedicated and professional, adding that they have treated patients with common fungal skin diseases such as scabies, tinea, eczema and chronic dermatitis, as well as diseases like cutaneous larva migrans which occur mostly during the rainy season. "We are giving free medication because the patients coming to us cannot afford medication outside this hospital," Kenyi said. Chinese dermatologist Zheng Jianfeng meets a South Sudanese patient at the Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan, on Nov. 19, 2024. (Photo by Denis Elamu/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) He stated that infiltrators would be barred from entering Jharkhand and West Bengal once a "double-engine" government is established in these states. "A double-engine government will be formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi in both Jharkhand and Maharashtra. When the government is formed, infiltrators entering Jharkhand through Bengal will be stopped, and when we form the government in West Bengal, we will deport infiltrators from Bengal as well," he said. As the high-stakes assembly election polls concluded, Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 62.05 per cent, while Jharkhand saw 68.01 per cent, surpassing the 67.04 per cent turnout in the 2019 assembly elections, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI reported that simultaneous polling for all 288 seats in Maharashtra and 38 seats in Jharkhand (Phase 2) was conducted peacefully. Polling progressed smoothly even in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas of both states, including Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and Giridih in Jharkhand. With this, elections have concluded for the Jharkhand and Maharashtra legislative assemblies as well as bypolls in 48 assembly constituencies and two parliamentary constituencies across 15 states in two phases. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, closely monitored every aspect of the poll process, including measures to enhance voter participation. As of 5 pm, a voter turnout of 58.22 per cent was recorded in Maharashtra, while Jharkhand saw 67.59 per cent. The first phase of polling in Jharkhand took place on November 13 in 43 of the state's 81 assembly constituencies. The results for all 81 constituencies in Jharkhand, along with those for the Maharashtra assembly elections and bypolls across several states, will be declared on November 23. (ANI) Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole, speaking to ANI on Wednesday, expressed confidence in winning the Maharashtra Assembly elections. He stated that public anger against the BJP-led administration and its alliance was evident. "In Maharashtra, people are angry with the BJP and its alliance. This anger has been reflected in their votes. The vote percentage has increased," he said. Addressing allegations of involvement in a Bitcoin scam, Patole remarked that the BJP's actions had not only failed to intimidate but had also generated sympathy for his party. "The people are laughing at this move by the BJP. We have gained public sympathy. The people of Maharashtra know my character. Regarding the audio shared by BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, people believe the BJP is acting out of fear of defeat. We filed an FIR last night," he said. Earlier on Tuesday, Bharartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sudhanshu Trivedi held a press conference accusing Congress leader Nana Patole and NCP MP Supriya Sule of conspiring to use illegal Bitcoin transactions to influence the election results in favour of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Trivedi also presented an alleged audio clip linked to these transactions, claiming it involved "big names." "An accused dealer contacts a former police officer, previously jailed, stating his intention to conduct Bitcoin transactions in cash. The officer refuses, but 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 audio clips," Trivedi said. He continued, "According to the dealer, the audio clips mention a need for money for elections. We now have five questions for the Congress Party: First, are you involved in Bitcoin transactions? Second, are you in contact with individuals named Gaurav Gupta or Mehta? Third, are the chats in question those of your leaders? Fourth, is the audio in the clips authentic? Fifth, who are the 'big people' mentioned?" Additionally, retired IPS officer Ravindranath Patil from Pune accused Supriya Sule and Nana Patole of involvement in a cryptocurrency fraud case dating back to 2018. He alleged that funds from this fraud were used to finance election campaigns. (ANI) One person died while eight others were injured after a car met with an accident in the Assar block area of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda. As per the officials, the accident happened on the evening of Wednesday. Eight injured were admitted to the Government Medical College, Doda. Medical Superintendent, GMC Doda, Tanveer told ANI, "A car met an accident in Assar block. There were nine people in the car, one of them - Devendra, lost his life. The other eight people who were injured were admitted to GMC Doda. Two patients, Kamaljeet and Sanjeev Kumar, who have been admitted here - they have sustained head injuries. The rest of the patients have minor injuries. We have not referred any patients yet." BJP MLA from Doda West, Shakti Raj Parihar visited the hospital and met injured people. He said, "Two of the injured are serious and the condition of the other injured are stable... Doctors are doing their best. I pray for the departed soul... We will try to identify such sensitive locations and if needed we will build crash barriers." Earlier, a fire broke out in the Abi Gurpora area of Rainawari on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to structures. Visuals from the spot showed distressed people sitting amid the remains of their houses. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the massive fire. 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." (ANI) After the air quality in the national capital reeled into 'severe' and 'severe plus' category for the past few days, the level of air pollution slightly improved on Thursday as the air quality fell into to 'very poor' category with a thin layer of smog reducing visibility in several parts of Delhi. According to the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in Delhi was 379, categorised as 'very poor, as of 8 am on Thursday. As of 8 am, according to the data of the CPCB, the AQI measured at Chandani Chowk is 338, IGI Airport (T3) is 370, ITO is 355, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is 354, RK Puram is 387, Okhla Phase 2 is 370, Patparganj is 381, Sonia Vihar is 394 and Aya Nagar is 359, categorized as 'very poor'. However, various places in Delhi are still in the cap of 'severe' category air pollution, as the AQI in Anand Vihar is 405, Ashok Vihar is 414, Bawana is 418, Dwarka Sector-8 is 401, Mundka is 413 and Wazirpur is 436. This situation has affected the rail movements in the region with several trains either getting late or rescheduled. Visuals from the Kartavya Path show the people following their morning routines of jogging and exercising amid the increased pollution while visuals from Connaught Place, AIIMS, and Dhuala Kuan show the area shrouded in the layer of smog, reducing visibility in the area. Speaking to ANI, one of the tourists visiting India, Justin, said, "I'm from the USA and it's my second day in India. Before I came here, my friends from India warned me of 'smog' and pollution, but in spite of that, I wanted to visit New Delhi because it is such a beautiful city... with a rich history...Therefore I came here...I hope Delhi will overcome this pollution issue soon..." Locals demanded the government to take steps in order to curb this pollution, as it is affecting their daily life activities and deteriorating their health. "Delhi Government should take a major step to control the pollution as it affects us and create problems when we go for a morning walk," an elderly local said. Mahaveer Kumar said, "The level of pollution has increased a lot. Earlier, the level of pollution didn't go this much higher. The problem is government is not taking a step to curb the pollution. People are getting affected, its deteriorating our health, children cannot go to schools and colleges. For now, the government has changed the physical mode of classes to online mode, but how long it will go? Government should take some steps regarding this..." Toxic foam continued to persist on the surface of the Yamuna River for the past several days in the Kalindi Kunj area, as the pollution level in the river continues to remain high. Meanwhile, a thin layer of fog also covered the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra as the winter season set in gradually, however, the air quality remained in the 'moderate' category in the city, as per CPCB. A layer of haze also engulfed the Moradabad city on Thursday morning. Earlier on Wednesday, Delhi Police directed social media and e-commerce platforms to immediately cease the online sale and delivery of firecrackers within the National Capital Territory (NCT) amid rising air pollution levels. According to an official statement, the directive comes in a bid to protect the health and well-being of citizens directly due to increasing pollution and to prevent sale of firecrackers through e-commerce platforms. The Delhi government announced that all government offices functioning under the Delhi Government and Municipal Corporation of Delhi will operate with 50 per cent of the staff strength and the remaining 50 per cent of staff will work from home in view of the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. Keeping in view the rising level of pollution, 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) The NIA raids are being conducted at various locations in Reasi, Doda, Udhampur, Ramban, and Kishtwar districts. Earlier on Wednesday, the probe agency arrested an accused wanted in a 2020 Kashmir narco-terror case linked with a conspiracy of the banned Pakistan-based terrorist organisations to procure and sell narcotic drugs to raise funds for promoting terrorism, said NIA. Muneer Ahmad Banday, who had been evading arrest for the last four years, was a key part of the conspiracy, aimed at generating funds to spread terror in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India. The funds were to be used for the furtherance of terrorist activity in Jammu and Kashmir through a network of over-ground workers (OGWs). "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 the seizure of 2 kgs of heroin and Rs 20 lakhs in cash during checking of vehicles at Kairo Bridge," said the NIA. The 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. (ANI) Delhi's Patiala House court has passed a warrant for attachment of Delhi's Bikaner House, which is owned by the Nagar Palika Nokha of Rajasthan. This order has been passed in an execution matter for an arbitral award passed in favour of M/s Infra Engineers Private Limited. District Judge (Commercial) Vidya Prakash passed the order of attachment after noting the non-compliance of directions. "Keeping in view the aforesaid facts and circumstances and the fact that the Judgement Debtor (JD) had failed to comply with the direction for furnishing an affidavit of their assets despite the grant of repeated opportunities, Court while agreeing with the submissions made on behalf of Decree Holder (DH), finds it a fit case for issuance of warrants of attachment against immovable property of JD namely Bikaner House, New Delhi. "Whereas you have failed to satisfy an Award passed against you on the 21st day of January 2020, in favour of M/s Enviro Infra Engineers Pvt. Ltd. for Rs. 50,31,512, It is ordered that you, the said Nagar Palika, Nokha, State of Rajasthan, be, and you are hereby, prohibited and restrained, until the further order of this Court, from transferring or charging the property specified in the schedule hereunto annexed, by sale, gift or otherwise, and that all persons be, and that they are hereby, prohibited from receiving the same by purchase, gift or otherwise," the Court said in the order passed on November 18. The court has also directed the JD to appear on the next date of hearing on November 29. The present execution petition is filed seeking enforcement of the arbitral award dated21-01-2020 passed by Ld. Arbitral Tribunal. It is an undisputed fact that the JD had preferred petition u/s 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 bearing OMP(COMM) NO.178/2023 titled "Nagar Palika, Nokha, State Of Rajasthan v. M/S Enviro Infra Engineers Pvt. Ltd." against the aforesaid arbitral award. However, the said petition was dismissed on 24-01-2024, the court noted. The Counsel of DH had pressed for the issuance of warrants of attachment in respect of the immovable property of JD Bikaner House, New Delhi. (ANI) Political parties responded with mixed reactions to exit poll predictions for the upcoming state elections, with some embracing the forecasts as a sign of victory, and others dismissing them and calling them speculative and inaccurate. Exit poll predictions for the state assembly elections sparked varied reactions across political parties. While some parties celebrated favourable forecasts, others questioned their accuracy, labelling them premature and unreflective of ground realities. After the release of exit polls for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections, NDA leaders expressed confidence in their alliance securing victories in both states. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh dismissed doubts, claiming the NDA will form governments. BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo also predicted a historic majority in Jharkhand, while opposition leaders like Dr Ajoy Kumar and Dr Nitin Raut contested the predictions, alleging discrepancies in surveys and electoral malpractice. After the exit polls were released for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh exuded confidence in the alliance victory and said that the NDA will form the government in both the states. Speaking to ANI, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said, "We know this since earlier, we know that in both states NDA is going to form the government. The Congress was not ready to accept the Haryana (result) as well in the Lok Sabha polls, they thought they were going to form the government there, but what happened?" Likewise, BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo also expressed confidence in the NDA alliance and said that the BJP is going to be the strongest government in the history of Jharkhand. "We differ from the exit polls. We are going to cross 50-55 seats. It is going to be the strongest government in the history of Jharkhand. People were fed up with this government. There were allegations of corruption. The CM went to jail for five months. The mandate is in favour this will prove to be true on the 23rd of November when the counting begins," Deo told ANI. Meanwhile, Congress candidate from Jamshedpur East, Dr Ajoy Kumar also responded to the exit polls and said, "We have to wait till November 23. Different reports (Exit Polls) have come from different places. Exit Polls do show a trend but for the past few elections, it has been facing difficulties. We are awaiting the result day. But we are fully confident that JMM-Congress government will be formed in Jharkhand because parties and candidates also conduct their surveys." Another Congress candidate from Nagpur North, Dr Nitin Raut also reacted to the exit poll predictions and said, "Many a time in Exit Polls if someone has actually voted for Congress, they feel that why should they reveal that they voted for Congress. So, in the Exit Polls, they say that they have voted for the BJP." "As per the feedback coming to me, Maha Vikas Aghadi will take the lead. But Mahayuti also facilitated bogus voting and used all tactics. They also used the Home Department, Police force, money, and Electricity Board, and lights were turned off at several booths. So, with all this rigging, they want to win elections. This Mahayuti Government is a Government of rigging. They were formed by breaking other parties, this is not original. They have no originality. So, Exit Polls can show anything, the public's first choice will be Maha Vikas Aghadi," he alleged. JMM leader Manoj Pandey also joined in to give his reaction on the exit polls and said, "They (NDA) gave a slogan of '400 paar' in the Lok Sabha elections. The survey agencies competed among themselves, who would give more seats during the Lok Sabha elections, in such a situation, they are no longer credible. As per our internal survey, we are going to be 50+ in Jharkhand." The ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra and the NDA also has an edge to form government in Jharkhand, exit polls predicted on Wednesday as polling concluded in the two states. Most exit polls also predicted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would put up a strong show in polls but is unlikely to cross the majority mark in the 288-member assembly. According to the P-MARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance would win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi would get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats. Mahayuti includes BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Maharashtra polled 58.22 per cent votes till 5 pm on Wednesday. The elections saw a keen contest between Mahayuti and MVA. It was the first assembly poll in the state after splits in Shiv Sena and NCP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held several rallies in Maharashtra to boost prospects of BJP and Mahayuti candidates. He strongly attacked Congress in his rallies and emphasised the 'hum ek hain to safe hain' slogan. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also campaigned the state. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also campaigned extensively in the state. In Jharkhand, exit polls predicted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could come to power replacing the JMM-led alliance. While most exit polls said that the BJP-led alliance will have a shot at the government formation, some predicted that the ruling JMM-led alliance will be ahead. Elections were held in two phases for 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand. The BJP-led alliance includes 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 the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist). The election is largely a fight between the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Leaders of all parties held extensive campaigns in the state. PM Modi, Amit Shah, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and JMM chief and Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressed rallies in the state. 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) After a US Prosecutors charges the Chairman of Adani Group, Gautam Adani, and in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme, BJP leader Amit Malviya said on Thursday that the timing of the report, just before the Parliament session and Donald Trump's "Impending" Presidency raises several questions. Malviya came down hard on the Congress after Jairam Ramesh demanded a JPC investigation into the matter. "But be as it may, the essence of the charge is that US and Indian companies agreed to supply 12 GW of power to the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). This was subject to SECI entering into PPA with State electricity distribution companies (SDCs). There was a collaboration between Adani Green Energy with a US renewable energy, Azure Power, under which Azure was allotted 4 GW and Adani Green Energy 8 MW," Malviya said on X. He pointed out that all states mentioned in the alleged bribery scandsl where those ruled by the opposition. "Therefore, the Adanis (in collusion with Azure Power; a US firm) paid the equivalent of US $265 million to SDCs based in Odisha (BJD ruled), Tamilnadu (DMK), Chattisgarh (Congress) and Andhra Pradesh (YSRCP) between Jul 21 and Feb 22 (by far the largest to AP)," he added. "All the States mentioned here were Opposition ruled during that time. So, before you pontificate, answer on the bribes the Congress and its allies accepted," Amit Malviya added. The BJP leader also mentioned that an Indian Court can similarly, on legitimate grounds, accuse American firms of bribing US government officials, to deny access to Indian markets. "Should we then allow the law to take its course and the concerned corporate to defend or plant ourselves in the domestic politics of a foreign country? Don't get needlessly excited. The timing of the report, just before the Parliament session and Donald Trump's impending Presidency raises several questions. That the Congress is willing to be a prop in the hands of George Soros and his cabal speaks volumes," Malviya said on X. Earlier today, Jairam Ramesh said that it vindicated the demand that the Congress was making for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation into the various alleged scams. Meanwhile, in its first reaction, Adani Green Energy responded by saying that it had decided not to proceed with the proposed USD-denominated bond offerings. In an exchange filing on Thursday, Adani Green Energy Limited said, "The United States Department of Justice and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission have issued a criminal indictment and brought a civil complaint, respectively, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, against our Board members, Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani. The United States Department of Justice have also included our Board member, Vneet Jaain, in such criminal indictment. In light of these developments, our subsidiaries have presently decided not to proceed with the proposed USD denominated bond offerings." According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York, "A five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in federal court charging Gautam Adani, Sagar R. Adani, and Vneet S. Jaain, with conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud and substantive securities fraud for their roles in a multi-billion-dollar scheme to obtain funds from U.S. investors and global financial institutions on the basis of false and misleading statements." The indictment also charges Ranjit Gupta and Rupesh Agarwal, former executives of a renewable-energy company with securities that had traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the U.S. Issuer), and Cyril Cabanes, Saurabh Agarwal and Deepak Malhotra, former employees of a Canadian institutional investor, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with the alleged bribery scheme. The US Attorney's office says that the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. (ANI) "The visit featured captivating aerial displays by various aircrafts, demonstrations by Quick Reaction Team, Dog Squad, fire fighting, Medical Units and Cardiopulmonary Resucitation Techniques (CPR). The event aimed to inspire young minds to consider a career in the armed forces," Eastern Naval Command wrote in a post on X. The Navy Day, celebrated on December 4, annually, commemorates the Indian Navy's pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, specifically its triumph in 'Operation Trident'. The Indian Navy Day is observed to commemorate the attack and pay tribute to the navy personnel who sacrificed their lives while serving the nation. Meanwhile, in Odisha, the Indian Navy will demonstrate it's maritime capabilities and operational strength at the 'Operational Demonstration (OpDemo2024)' at Blue Flag Beach in Puri on December 4. President Droupadi Murmu will grace the event as the chief guest, an official release stated. This event will showcase the Navy's multifaceted competencies, enhances maritime awareness among citizens and honours India's rich seafaring heritage, the release stated. The OpDemo2024 to be held against the backdrop of the pristine Blue Flag Beach, symbolises the connection between the Indian Navy and the maritime legacy of the State of Odisha. The Indian Navy is working closely with the Odisha State Government and local authorities to ensure the smooth execution of the event, the release stated. Seating arrangements would be made to accommodate local spectators and tourists, offering everyone a chance to witness the live demonstration from the beach. The event will also be broadcast live on National television and streamed via the Indian Navy's YouTube channel to reach a wider audience, the release stated. (ANI) Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandhair informed that the farmers sitting in protest at the Shambhu border (Punjab-Haryana border) will march towards Delhi on December 6 to press their demands including a guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). "Tomorrow we will hold a meeting at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi...We will present a blueprint also. On December 6, we will be marching towards Delhi from the Shambhu Morcha. This struggle will go on until our demands are met," said Sarwan Singh Pandhair in a self-made video. The two forums - Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and KMSC - will hold a meeting in the afternoon to make people aware of the future plans, he added while stating that the protest has completed 284 days. Reacting to the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, farm leader Pandhair took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying that the saffron party would forget about the temple-mosque issues from today. "When the elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and by-elections in other states are over, BJP which is in power in Delhi (centre) will forget the temple mosque issue from today. Hindus will not be in danger for some time. When elections come, they will divide the people," Pandhair, General Secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) said. The farm leader also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pay attention to Manipur amid the ongoing violence in the northeast state. "The way we are seeing Manipur burning, the local people there are alleging that the police and security forces are torturing their youth and the people there. The boys are missing from their village. We appeal to the Prime Minister himself to pay attention to them. Will the country run like this? All parties should rise above politics and see the fate of Manipur. The way humanity is being disgraced is very painful. Attention should be paid to it," Pandhair said. On October 26, farmers gathered in large numbers from Badhrukha in Sangrur district to protest against the government and press on their multiple demands including timely paddy procurement. The protesters have blocked the national highway in Phugwara, Sangrur, Moga, and Batla areas of the state. The farmers associated with Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and its sister organisations have started their march to block the Bathinda Chandigarh National Highway near a police post. Farm leader Jaswinder Soma Ugrahan said that the farmers have blocked the national highway at four places because neither the Punjab government nor the central government can find a solution to their problem.(ANI) In a remarkable rescue operation that took place on Thursday, six elephants were rescued after they were trapped in a brick factory pit for almost eight hours near the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Jorhat. The incident came to notice when the locals spotted the elephants struggling to climb out of the deep pit. Information was sent to the forest department, who swiftly mobilized a rescue team and with the help of a JCB machine pulled out the elephants out of the pit, making sure no harm was caused to them. None of the rescued elephants have suffered from any injuries, the forest department confirmed. The herd is believed to be a part of a larger group that inadvertently wandered into human settlements while searching for food and water. "Last night, a herd of wild elephants were playing in a water filled pit dug by a brickfield owner in the Samtal area near the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. I got to know about the incident at around 4:30 a.m. There was a small calf among the rescued elephants. With the help of my staff and a JCB machine, we rescued the herd successfully. No elephant was injured," said Anshuman Bhuyan, Mariai range Forest ranger. "The department has been committed to protecting the wildlife. We also urge residents to remain vigilant, as the human-wildlife interactions have increased due to habitat encroachment," a senior forest official said. Efforts are currently underway to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is known for it's rich biodiversity and is home to numerous species of animals, including the endangered hoolock gibbon. Earlier, on November 19, a tusker from a herd of around 50 elephants was radio-collared in the Baksa district of Assam on Monday mid-day as part of an ambitious initiative led by Assam Forest Department, and Baksa Forest Division, under Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam with active support from District Administration and police, Baksa. (ANI) Union Minister and BJP President JP Nadda on Thursday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being conferred with the Dominica's highest national award, the 'Dominica Award of Honour'. Praising PM Modi, Nadda said that this award is a testament to India's "growing global influence" under the leadership of PM Modi. He added that this award symbolizes the deepening friendship between India and Dominica. "Heartfelt congratulations to Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi ji on being conferred Dominica's highest national award, the 'Dominica Award of Honour,' by President Sylvanie Burton. This prestigious recognition is a testament to India's growing global influence under PM Modi ji's leadership and symbolizes the deepening friendship between India and Dominica. This marks the 18th international award bestowed upon him, celebrating not only his statesmanship but also the aspirations of 140 crore Indians," Nadda posted on X. https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1859468924649091389/photo/1 Earlier EAM Jaishankar also congratulated PM Modi, "Another great moment for India as PM Modi is awarded the highest national award of Guyana, "The Order of Excellence". Noting PM's championing of the rights of the Global South and sharing India's development journey with the world, the award is a true recognition of his visionary leadership." Notably, the Commonwealth of Dominica conferred its highest national honour, the Dominica Award of Honour, upon PM Modi. President Sylvanie Burton presented the award to PM Modi in recognition of his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the relationship between India and Dominica. Upon receiving the prestigious award, PM Modi expressed his gratitude, saying, "This honour is not only mine but of 140 crore people of India, their efforts, their values and their tradition. We are two democracies, and we together are role models of women's empowerment for the world. It is a matter of deep satisfaction that we were able to help the people of Dominica during a pandemic like Covid-19." This recognition follows a long-standing history of cooperation between India and Dominica. Prime Minister Modi, during his visit to Guyana, also met with Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in Georgetown for bilateral talks. The meeting highlighted India's commitment to fostering stronger ties with Caribbean nations. India and Dominica have maintained cordial diplomatic relations since 1981, with numerous high-level exchanges between the two countries. PM Modi and PM Skerrit first met during the India-CARICOM Leaders' Meeting in New York in 2019. The relationship has been marked by continued collaboration on several initiatives, including India's support to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic. India's Vaccine Maitri initiative, for example, saw the donation of 70,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Dominica in 2021. Additionally, India has been proactive in supporting Dominica's development. Through the India-UNDP Project in Kalinago, India has provided USD 1 million to strengthen sustainable livelihoods in the Kalinago community. India has also committed an additional USD 1 million for the second phase of the Community Resilience Project in 2024. The Indian diaspora in Dominica, which includes nearly 500 people of Indian-origin, plays a significant role in enhancing cultural and economic relations between the two countries. Members of the diaspora are involved in retail businesses, medical professions, and academic institutions like Ross Medical University. (ANI) Raut asserted Maha Vikas Aghadi will secure 160 seats and form the government. Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Raut said, "Exit Polls in this country are a fraud. We saw the '400 paar' data of Exit Polls during Lok Sabha elections, we saw Congress crossing 60 in Haryana Elections. Now, they are giving data for Maharashtra. Don't trust Exit Polls. We are winning 160 seats and Maha Vikas Aghadi is forming the Government." His comments came after various exit polls on Wednesday projected that the ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by BJP, would retain power in Maharashtra, with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) falling short of a majority. Most exit polls also predicted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would put up a strong show in polls but is unlikely to cross the majority mark in the 288-member assembly. According to the P-MARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance would win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi would get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats. 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. Chanakya Strategies projected that Mahayuti will win 152-150 seats, MVA 130-138 seats, and others 6-8 seats. In Maharashtra, 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). This election is significant as it is the first assembly poll in the state following the splits in Shiv Sena and NCP. Voting for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly took place on Wednesday with a voter turnout of 62.05%. The results will be announced on November 23. (ANI) According to the police, the MD drugs seized are worth Rs 1.3 crores. The accused Zishan Pawale had been involved in eight serious offences in the past and remains wanted in at least two more serious offences, officials said. The police also seized two weapons, 40 live rounds/cartridges and Rs 18 lakhs from the Danilimda area. The police are investigating the matter further. Earlier this week, Eight Iranian nationals arrested in a joint operation by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Indian Navy, and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) with 700 kg of contraband drugs have been remanded to four days of police custody. Public prosecutor Shailesh Parmar said, "In a joint operation by the Gujarat ATS, Navy, and NCB, eight Iranian nationals were arrested with 700 kg of contraband drugs. The accused have been remanded to four days of police custody. Further investigation is underway." Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the security agencies for dismantling an international drug trafficking cartel and seizing 700 kg of methamphetamine in Gujarat. In a post on X, Shah highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a drug-free Bharat, calling the drug bust a "stellar example" of the government's commitment. "Pursuing PM Narendra Modi's vision for a drug-free Bharat, our agencies have today busted an international drug trafficking cartel and seized approximately 700 kg of contraband meth in Gujarat," the post read. "The joint operation carried out by the NCB, Indian Navy, and Gujarat Police is a stellar example of our commitment to this vision and the seamless coordination among our agencies. My heartiest congratulations to the agencies on this landmark breakthrough," he added. In the operation, a vessel carrying approximately 700 kg of methamphetamine was intercepted in Indian territorial waters by the NCB, Indian Navy, and Gujarat ATS. (ANI) Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, said on Thursday that the committee's report is ready and they will submit it on time to the House. A meeting of the JPC was held on Thursday at the Parliament House Annexe. Speaking to the media, Pal said, "This is not the last meeting. If the questions raised by the members are answered, then their opinions will be taken on the proposed amendment and a consensus will be formed. Our report is ready and the committee will submit its report on time." The JPC committee is expected to present its report on the bill to the House by the end of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament, which will run from November 25 to December 20. The JPC's efforts are part of a larger national initiative to reform the Waqf Act and ensure that waqf properties are used for the greater good of the community. Since August 22 of this year, the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has held 25 meetings. The JPC reviewed the work of six ministries and heard from 123 stakeholders, including representatives from six states, eight Waqf boards, and four minority commissions. It is pertinent to note that The Waqf Act, 1995, which was created to regulate waqf properties, has long faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is holding a series of meetings to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members and community representatives from different states and Union Territories, aiming for the most comprehensive reform possible. (ANI) Amid alleged bribery and fraud charges by the US against Gautam Adani, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called for Adani's arrest and said that it is "clear" and "established" that the Adani Group Chairman has broken both American and Indian laws. Earlier, a five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging prominent Indian executives including Chairman of the Adani Group Gautam Adani by linking them to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. "Wherever there is corruption, investigation should be done. But investigation will begin with Adani. Unless he is arrested, it won't be credible. So, begin it from there. Arrest Adani, interrogate him and then nab whoever is involved. In the end, Narendra Modi's name will come out because BJP's entire funding structure is in his hands. So, even if the PM wants, he can't do anything. In a way, Adani has hijacked the country. India is in Adani's grip,." Rahul Gandhi said. Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi said, "It is now pretty clear and established in America that Adani has broken both American law and Indian law. He is being indicted in the United States and I am wondering why Adani is still running around a free man in this country. Chief Ministers have been arrested and Adani has apparently done one 2000 cr scam and multiple others probably but there is no investigation." "We have been demanding for many days that Adani ji should be arrested. He should be arrested today itself. Madhabi Buch (SEBI Chairperson) who is his protector, who did not do any investigation, should be removed and an investigation should be done," he further added. The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition also alleged that the Prime Minister is protecting Adani and is involved in corruption with him. "This has been clearly indicated. Narendra Modi gave the slogan "Ek hai to Safe hai". In India, if Adani and Modi are one, they are safe. Nothing can be done against Adani in Hindustan. Chief Minister has been jailed for 10-15 crores but Adani does a scam of 2000 crores and he is roaming free," Rahul said. He also asserted that it is his responsibility as the Leader of the Opposition to raise this issue. "The Prime Minister is 100% protecting this individual. Adani ji fully supports the BJP. These are established facts. Our demand is for a JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee), but we also want Adani ji to be arrested," he added. Rahul Gandhi also claimed that it is not about only Adani but an entire network. "Young people in India are not getting jobs, and if someone commits even a minor crime, they end up in jail. But we want to show the country that this is not just about one individual--it's an entire network. We have clearly exposed Madhabi Puri Buch, and we will reveal more such individuals in the future," the Congress MP said. Rahul Gandhi, further asserted that wherever such scams happen, whether under an Opposition government or BJP, there should be an investigation, and punishment must be given. "But the investigation must begin with Adani ji because the BJP's entire funding structure is in his hands. In a way, Adani ji has hijacked India. We have successfully proven to every youngster in the country that Adani ji and Modi ji are the same thing. We will reveal the entire network to the country. The truth will come out, and we are not going to back down," he said. The LoP also mentioned that retail investors are being put at risk. "This is why we raised the issue of Madhabi Buch, as her responsibility is to protect retail investors. Adani ji has lied to investors in both America and India. When America is saying that he committed crimes, why are the CBI and SEBI silent here?" Rahul asked further. However, in its first reaction, the spokesperson of Adani Group denied all allegations made by the US prosecutors. "The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied. As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, "the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty." All possible legal recourse will be sought. The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," a statement from Adani group said. (ANI) According to an official release, the exercise, conducted with precision by security forces, highlighted inter-agency collaboration and rapid operational readiness in countering evolving security threats. The scenario, orchestrated by non-state actors, began with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) acting as the first responders. Their swift action contained the initial threat and initiated tactical operations. Reinforcement units from neighbouring CISF contingents strengthened perimeter security and ensured effective crowd management. The Indian Army played a pivotal role by deploying sniper teams at key vantage points to provide precision overwatch and neutralize high-risk targets. Their expertise proved crucial in maintaining control over the high-stakes scenario. The management of Victoria Memorial further facilitated the operation by granting real-time access to site layouts, security systems, and logistical support, enabling security forces to plan and execute manoeuvres with minimal risk to public safety and heritage property. The seamless coordination between the Indian Navy, CISF, Indian Army, and Victoria Memorial management resulted in the successful neutralization of the simulated threat. The VVIP and hostages were safely rescued, and normalcy was restored promptly. Sea Vigil-24 exemplifies the importance of inter-agency cooperation, site-specific preparedness, and rapid response in reinforcing national security mechanisms. This high-level exercise underscores India's commitment to staying prepared for emerging security challenges and safeguarding its people and heritage. (ANI) As exit polls predicted victory for BJP-led NDA in Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections, Bharatiya Janata Party leader RP Singh said on Thursday that people want a double-engine government so that the Centre and state can work together and benefit people. Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "Exit polls are showing that we are going to form the government in both places. People have given us a huge blessing. We will win more than 40 seats in Jharkhand and Mahayuti will get more than 160 seats in Maharashtra. People want a double-engine government so that the Centre and the state work together and benefit people." In Maharashtra, the ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra and the NDA also has an edge to form government in Jharkhand, exit polls predicted on Wednesday as polling concluded in the two states. Most exit polls also predicted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would put up a strong show in polls but is unlikely to cross the majority mark in the 288-member assembly. According to the P-MARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance would win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi would get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats. 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. Elections were held in two phases for 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand. The BJP-led alliance includes 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 the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist). 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) Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday questioned the Congress government's genuineness in safeguarding the interests of the common and poor people in Karnataka after the state government decided to review eligibility for Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders there. The Union Minister questioned what was the fault of the people, noting that the state government needs to properly implement food security in the state. "Where is the fault? Where is the genuineness to safeguard the interests of the common man, poor people? They have to properly bring into effect the implementation of food security," Kumaraswamy stated. This came following a row regarding the cancellation of BPL cards, which had been politicised by the BJP, as claimed by the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivkumar. On Monday, the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister lashed out at the BJP for "politicising the government's decision to review eligibility for Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders". Speaking to reporters, he said, "We are not taking anyone's food away. BJP has no other business than politicising. The percentage of BPL card holders in many constituencies is around 90 per cent. My constituency has 90 per cent, and Holenarasipura has 92 per cent BPL card holders. Hence, we need to ensure that genuine and needy people get BPL cards. Some BPL cards have been cancelled after review." On Sunday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also clarified the issues and stated that only ineligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards would be retrieved, and there would be no impact on eligible cardholders. He stated, "The claim that BPL cards are being cancelled is entirely incorrect. We are looking into retrieving cards that have been issued to ineligible persons. The Food Department is currently verifying these cases, and no final decision has been taken yet. Ineligible individuals will not retain cards, but eligible beneficiaries will not be denied their entitlements." Meanwhile, on the matter of the hike in charges at the Bengaluru government hospitals, Kumaraswamy said, "In all the issues, the state government is putting the burden on the common man to implement the five guarantee programmes. For that, they are unnecessarily burdening the common man. This is not good." Speaking on the results of the by-election in the Channapatna, the Union Minister said, "I participated in the campaign there for 15 days. I know how people feel. There is no doubt. NDA candidate will win." (ANI) Amid the chaos over the Karnataka government cancelling ration (below poverty line) cards, state Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa on Thursday assured that the BPL cards of families that remain eligible would not be cancelled. This comes after the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised the issue of BPL card cancellation, asking the Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies minister to resign. The Karnataka government is undertaking a BPL card revision process reviewing the eligibility of these ration card holders, hoping to retrieve ineligible cards. Speaking on this, Karnataka Minister Muniyappa said that only one or two per cent of BPL cards have been converted to Above Poverty Line (APL) cards. "Today we have decided (that there is) no question of cancelling (the BPL cards). Every card is eligible. They will get the rice after one week. We have got enough money to disburse for the DBT (direct bank transfer). There is no money-related problem. The only thing is that while we are doing this one or two per cent of BPL cards have been converted to APL (Above Poverty Line). That's why today we have decided, the honourable Chief Minister has taken a decision that all the (BPL) cards must be restored except for government employees and income tax payers," Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa told ANI. Reacting to BJP demanding his resignation over the issue, he said that BJP was an opposition party and it was their duty to ask (for resignation). "It is not required," the minister added. "We have decided to convert BPL cards belonging to tax payers and government employees. 4,036 government employee cards have been revised. 1,02,509 cards are being reviewed and 8,647 BPL cards have been cancelled," Muniyappa said. Earlier, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday lashed out at the BJP for "politicising the government's decision to review eligibility for Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders". Speaking to reporters, he said, "We are not taking anyone's food away. BJP has no other business than politicising. The percentage of BPL card holders in many constituencies is around 90%. My constituency has 90%, and Holenarasipura has 92% BPL card holders. Hence, we need to ensure that genuine and needy people get BPL cards. Some BPL cards have been cancelled after review." He was replying to the BJP's allegation that the government was robbing people of their food. (ANI) Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav exuded confidence in peope's trust in leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) including Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) supremo Sharad Pawar, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray as Maharashtra awaits results for the assembly elections held on November 20. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Yadav alleged that the BJP "stirred tensions" between communities in Maharashtra adding that the exit polls signal the latter's defeat. "In Maharashtra, the BJP stirred tensions between the Marathi and Gujarati communities, but people have placed their trust in Sharad Pawar, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Uddhav Thackeray," he said. "Just watch how Ajit Pawar's situation unfolds, considering the personal attacks on Sharad Pawar's family. The BJP has targeted his sister, and this is one of the most disgraceful acts they could have done. Attacking a woman for political gains is a shame," he added. Yadav also spoke on the situation in Jharkhand, saying, "As for Jharkhand, historically, after the state's formation, no government was ever formed again, but the people of Jharkhand have given their answer. The public has responded by rejecting the goons, ensuring that control over water, land, forests, energy, and resources won't be taken away. The tribal culture and politics won't be destroyed." "The mothers, daughters, and sisters of Jharkhand have trusted Hemant and Kalpana Soren. The youth have decided to end the politics of hatred, eliminate the goonism of Hemanta Biswa Sarma, stop the looting of public funds, and rid the state of the culture of meat, alcohol, and corruption," he added. Yadav added that the promises made by Rahul Gandhi, like reducing gas cylinder prices and electricity costs, have been backed by the government. On Purnea airport project, the Purnea MP said, "It was a long-time dream. This is the result of the struggles of the people of Purnea, not the BJP or JD(U). I thank the people of Purnea for giving the land for the project and making it possible." He also claimed that all five of his promises had been fulfilled." "I have made five promises, and I have delivered on all five: the airport, medical facilities, railways, etc. You will soon see significant progress in Purnea, Kosi, and Seemanchal," he added. The independent MP from Bihar's Purnea further urged the JD(U) and BJP to cooperate in making Purnea a sub-capital and establishing a High Court bench there. He then lashed out at the central government for allegedly ignoring the development of the airport and other infrastructure in the region. "Why has the airport not been functional? Why hasn't it been developed?" he asked. On recieving threats, he said that he has written to Home Minister Amit Shah asking for security. "I am asking for the safety of my family and the people who support me. The authorities are aware of these threats, but they have not acted," he said. The Purnea MP also vowed to continue speaking out against 'corruption' and 'injustice' in the government despite the "threats". (ANI) The Supreme Court suggested on Thursday to explore setting up a makeshift courtroom in jail for conducting a trial against terror convict, Yasin Malik in two cases related to abduction and murder. The court also remarked that Ajmal Kasab was given an opportunity for fair trial. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih suggested that a courtroom could be set up at the jail to conduct cross-examination of the witnesses in the case and said that a fair trial was given even to Ajmal Kasab in the country. The top court also sought to know how many witnesses were in the case and the need for security arrangements for those witnesses. The court observation came when it was hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea against the Jammu court's order calling for Malik's physical presence in trial proceedings. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the central agency does not wish to take Malik, who is at present at Tihar Jail in Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir due to security reasons. He also presented a photograph where Malik was seen sharing dias with Hafiz Saeed and said he is not an ordinary criminal. The top court permitted the CBI to implead all the accused in the case as respondents in the petition and posted the matter for hearing next week. CBI has filed an appeal against the order of Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu(TADA/POTA) dated September 20 and September 21 issuing a production warrant against him in two different cases. Jammu Court has sought Malik's physical appearance for cross-examination of witnesses in relation to the killing of four IAF personnel and abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed in 1989. However, the top court in the last hearing stayed Jammu's court order. Earlier Solicitor General Tushar Mehta expressed his concern over Yasin Malik's presence in the Supreme Court and wrote a letter to the Home Secretary stating that Yasin Malik's presence in the Supreme Court was a serious security lapse raising apprehension that he could have escaped, forcibly taken away or could have been killed. In the letter, it was mentioned an order passed by the Ministry of Home Affairs about Yasin Malik under section 268 Criminal Code of Procedure which prevents the jail authorities from bringing the said convict out of the jail premises for security reasons. (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut dismissed Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole's alleged remarks on Thursday that a Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government will be formed in the state and said that "no one will accept this." Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Raut said that the matter needs to be collectively discussed with the alliance. "I will not accept this, and no one else will accept this. We will sit together and decide if Nana Patole has said this and whether Nana Patole has the Congress high command's backing. The Congress high command has said that if you (Patole) are becoming the Chief Minister, then Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sonia Gandhi should announce it," Raut said. Earlier, Patole had claimed that Congress would lead the MVA government in Maharashtra based on the voting trends and public feedback. The Congress Maharashtra Chief said, "Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will be formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of Congress." "The way voting trends are coming in and what people are saying, most Congress candidates will be elected in the state. There is no doubt the MVA government will be formed, and the Chief Minister will be from MVA," Patole stated. He also accused the BJP of violating election norms. "The BJP's national general secretary was seen distributing money. He didn't follow the code of conduct. Devendra Fadnavis's PA, contesting from Wardha, had liquor bottles found in his warehouse. Wardha is a liquor-ban district. Is the BJP engaging in 'note jihad' by distributing liquor and money? BJP does not believe in the constitutional system," Patole added. Most exit polls have predicted the Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP will return to power, with the MVA, which includes Congress, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT), putting up a good show but falling short of a majority. This is the first assembly poll in the state after the splits in Shiv Sena and NCP. The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on November 23. (ANI) After US prosecutors charged Gautam Adani and others in an alleged bribery scam, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Thursday called on the Central government to do a thorough investigation in the matter. "JPC has been demanded and I hope that the Centre will take this seriously and a thorough investigation will be done in the matter. He has been accused earlier also," Abdullah said. Earlier today, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi called for Adani's arrest and said that it is "clear" and "established" that the Adani Group Chairman has broken both American and Indian laws. "Wherever there is corruption, investigation should be done. But investigation will begin with Adani. Unless he is arrested, it won't be credible. So, begin it from there. Arrest Adani, interrogate him and then nab whoever is involved. In the end, Narendra Modi's name will come out because BJP's entire funding structure is in his hands. So, even if the PM wants, he can't do anything. In a way, Adani has hijacked the country. India is in Adani's grip," Rahul Gandhi said. However, the Adani Group strongly refuted bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of the Adani Green as baseless. The Adani Group spokesperson in an official statement said all legal recourse will be taken. "The US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," the statement read. The group further highlighted a key aspect of the legal proceedings, noting, "As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, 'the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.' All possible legal recourse will be sought." Amid these allegations, Adani Green Energy also informed stock exchanges that its subsidiaries have decided to defer their planned US dollar-denominated bond offerings. It said "In light of these developments, our subsidiaries have presently decided not to proceed with the proposed USD denominated bond offerings". US prosecutors had charged Gautam Adani and others in an alleged Solar Energy contract bribery case. A five-count criminal indictment has been unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging prominent Indian executives including Chairman of the Adani Group Gautam Adani by linking them to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday met Danish Ambassador to India Freddy Svane at the Chief Minister's Office in Jaipur. The meeting was held in connection with the upcoming 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024, which is scheduled to be held in Jaipur in December. During the meeting, CM Sharma and Ambassador Svane held detailed discussions on various investment opportunities in Rajasthan and explored ways to further strengthen bilateral trade ties between the two countries. https://x.com/BhajanlalBjp/status/1859518169670381843 "Today, I paid a courtesy visit to the Ambassador of Denmark, Freddy Svane, in connection with the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024 to be held in Jaipur in the month of December. On this occasion, detailed discussions were held with him regarding various investment opportunities in Rajasthan and strengthening bilateral trade relations," Rajasthan CM said on X. The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit is being organised on December 9, 10 and 11in the state capital, Jaipur. The 3-day Summit will string together state's opportunity showcase, strategic thematic sessions, country sessions, one-on-one business meetings and much more. Earlier on Wednesday, BJP national president JP Nadda also met Danish Ambassador Freddy Svane. They discussed ways to deepen cooperation between India and Denmark, especially in the healthcare sector. https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1859254992923983896 "Met with Freddy Svane, the Ambassador of Denmark to India, today. During our insightful discussion, we reaffirmed the strong and friendly relations between our two nations and expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration in the healthcare sector. We agreed to further strengthen this partnership, particularly in areas such as the recruitment of healthcare professionals, including nurses, as well as in digital health, mental health, and the pharmaceuticals sector. Looking forward to advancing this partnership for the betterment of both nations," JP Nadda said on X. (ANI) As part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, the Gujarat government under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is promoting extensive tree plantation efforts to increase Gujarat's green cover, a release said on Wednesday. As per the release, the state has set an ambitious target of planting 17 crore trees by March 2025. Halol Municipality in Panchmahal district has undertaken a commendable initiative as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. In partnership with the Panchmahal Forest Department, Halol municipality is leading efforts to cultivate the rare 'Krishna Vad' tree species across municipalities in Gujarat. Dedicated to the happiness of its citizens, Halol Municipality launched 'Vad Vruksh Yatra' on August 27, 2024, coinciding with Nand Mahotsav in Dakor, the land of Krishna. Hiral Thaker, Chief Officer of Halol Municipal Corporation and a strong supporter of the conservation of rare tree species has urged more people to participate in the Krishna Vad Abhiyan. Always committed to nature, Hiral Thaker shared her vision for Mission Krishna Vad. Inspired by the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she aims to conserve rare and endangered tree species. The Krishna Vad, which is native to India, is critically endangered, with only 15 remaining places in Gujarat. She donated cuttings of Krishna Vad branches from her field to the forest nursery at Halol Ranipura, where over 200 new cuttings were successfully grown, the release said. This initiative has been supported by Regional Commissioner SP Bhagora, DFO of the Forest Department Minal Jani, RFO Nidhi Dave, and Forester Rohit Makwana from the Halol Forest Department. As part of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign launched by the Prime Minister, Halol Municipality's initiative to plant the rare Krishna Vad is evolving from concept to reality. The primary purpose of this initiative is to remove Krishna Vad from the endangered species list. By January 26, trees will be planted in all 157 municipalities across the state, spreading the message of nature protection and the conservation of rare species like Krishna Vad to as many people as possible, it said. Under this campaign, Krishna Vad trees have been planted in all municipalities of the Vadodara Zone, and a total of 40 Krishna Vad trees have been planted across municipal areas in five other zones of Gujarat. This 'Vad Vruksh Yatra,' which began in Dakor, will conclude in the city of Dwarka, the land of Lord Shri Krishna, on January 25, 2025. However, Hiral Thaker remarks that the journey as a nature lover will continue indefinitely. Hiral Thakar elaborates on Halol Municipality's choice of Krishna Vad for tree plantation under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign: "Nature is divine and has been revered in ancient Sanatan civilization. In Gita, Lord Krishna refers to himself as 'Ashvattha', which signifies the Peepal tree. Krishna Vad is the tree associated with Krishna, having both religious and scientific significance. Therefore, it is crucial to promote the conservation message for this rare species." The banyan tree is celebrated for its wide range of health benefits, thanks to its medicinal properties. The Krishna Vad is highly beneficial for the prevention of skin diseases, dental issues, stomach ailments, diabetes, and more. Banyan leaves are packed with essential nutrients, including protein, fibre, calcium, and phosphorus, and they have significant religious importance in Hinduism. The roots, known as 'Vadawai', are effective in stabilizing loose teeth, while the Banyan milk is traditionally used as a remedy for women experiencing infertility, it said. Additionally, the banyan fruit attracts various bird species. Krishna Vad, a rare type of banyan, requires many years to reach its full growth potential. Interestingly, folklore associated with Krishna Vad indicates that its twisted, bowl-shaped leaves were utilized by Lord Krishna to conceal and relish butter, which is why Krishna Vad is also affectionately called 'Makhan Katora Vad' (Butter Bowl Tree), added the release. (ANI) According to the police the murder took place on Wednesday night. The accused were identified as Sanjeet, 31, a resident of Suraj Park and his brother Rohit, 26. The victim, who was stabbed to death, has been identified as Lallan. He is a neighbor of the accused persons. Surender, the brother of the victim, told police that the accused Sanjeet used abusive remarks against him and when he questioned it, Sanjeet along with his brothers Lalit and Rohit started beating him up. Surender then called his family members namely Lallan (brother), Ravi (son), and Ranjeet (son-in-law) and they reached there to save him. During the brawl, Sanjeet stabbed Lallan with a knife in his possession and ran away from the spot. The police team nabbed Sanjeet from BSA Hospital and his brother Rohit was nabbed from Suraj Park, Badli. Sanjeet also sustained a minor injury in the brawl. The police reported that the accused and the victim's families had a history of quarrelling before the incident. Further investigation of the case is ongoing. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla offered prayers at Mahakaleshwar temple located in Ujjain district on Thursday and prayed for the peace and prosperity of the state. Deputy CM Shukla paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, worshipped Baba Mahakal (Lord Shiva) and was seen engrossed in the devotion while sitting in the Nandi hall of the temple. The assistant administrator of Mahakaleshwar Temple Management Committee Pratik Dwivedi welcomed him by presenting him Prasad and a picture of Baba Mahakal. "Today, I reached Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain and worshipped the divine Jyotirlinga. I prayed to Baba Mahakal for the peace and prosperity of the state," Shukla said in a post on X. Besides, the Deputy CM said that CM Mohan Yadav would dedicate a gift to the Ujjain on Thursday as he would perform a groundbreaking ceremony of a Medicity which will be constructed here. It will be completed in the next two years. According to a video issued by the Mahakal temple committee, Shukla can be heard saying, "On arriving in Ujjain today, I got an opportunity to offer prayers at Baba Mahakaleshwar temple. Also, today CM Mohan Yadav is going to dedicate a gift to the city. He will perform bhoomi pujan of a Medicity, which will include a medical college as well as a hospital, being constructed here. It will be complete in two years." The highest number of devotees in the country visit Mahakal ki Nagri Ujjain. So, in view of the expansion of health services facilities, a big task is being done in the Ujjain city on Thursday. CM Yadav will perform the Bhoomi-Pujan and we will be present there, he added. The proposed Medicity in Ujjain will include a medical college along with comprehensive facilities such as nursing, paramedical services, research centres, and accommodations for doctors, specialists, and staff. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav reacted over the exits polls of the recently concluded Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections on Thursday saying, Mahayuti government is going to be formed again in Maharashtra and Bharatiya Janata Party will be winning in Jharkhand. CM Yadav also highlighted that the favourable results are coming in all the by-elections held in the several states across the nation, adding that the atmosphere created across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is favourable for the BJP. In democracy, people's opinion is everything and people are with BJP. "Be it Jharkhand or Maharashtra, in the whole country, the atmosphere has been formed in favour of BJP. I am satisfied that now the trust which the people show towards BJP is brought to the vote. This is the reason we all are seeing that the Mahayuti government is going to be formed once again in Maharashtra. Similarly, BJP is winning in Jharkhand and almost all the by-elections are getting good favourable results. Though this is the trend in democracy, we will wait till November 23," CM Yadav told reporters. "The atmosphere created across the country under the leadership of PM Modi is favourable for the BJP and in democracy, people's opinion is everything and people are with BJP," he added. Meanwhile, Deputy CM of Madhya Pradesh Jagdish Devda also expressed confidence that Mahayuti government would be formed in Maharashtra with a huge majority as well as the BJP would form government in Jharkhand as well. "I had visited Maharashtra and the Mahayuti government would be formed in Maharashtra, with a huge margin. People have immense enthusiasm and unwavering faith and I definitely think that our government will be formed in Jharkhand as well as in Maharashtra," Devda told ANI. He further took a potshot at the Congress party saying people rejected the party and they would know after the poll results. "People have rejected the Congress and they will get to know that once the result comes," he added. Notably, the ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) also putting up a strong show in assembly polls, exit polls predicted on Wednesday after conclusion of polling on 288 seats in the state. According to Republic TV-PMARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance could win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi could get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats. Mahayuti includes BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). 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. Chanakya Strategies 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 and the elections saw a keen contest between Mahayuti and MVA. It was the first assembly poll in the state after splits in Shiv Sena and NCP. In Jharkhand, exit polls predicted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could come to power replacing the JMM-led alliance. Elections were held in two phases for 81 assembly seats in Jharkhand. According to Chanakya Strategies exit poll, BJP-led NDA is likely to win 45-50 seats in the state while JMM-led alliance would 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 included 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. 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) Refusing to stay trial court proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal in money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam, Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate on a plea filed by the former Delhi chief minister. The bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri scheduled the matter for hearing on December 20 to consider arguments on both the stay application and the plea seeking the quashing of the trial court's order taking cognizance of the ED's charge-sheet against Kejriwal in the alleged excise policy scam. The former CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Kejriwal has approached the High Court on Wednesday, challenging the trial court's decision to take cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate's prosecution complaints in the alleged excise policy scam, citing lack of sanction. Appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, opposed Kejriwal's plea, asserting that the proper sanction had been obtained when the prosecution complaint (chargesheet) was filed. Kejriwal is seeking the court's direction to quash the trial court's order and halt the proceedings. The plea argued that the trial court judge, in the impugned order, erred in taking cognizance of the offence under Section 3 of the PMLA, punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA, without obtaining prior sanction under Section 197(1) of the CrPC for the prosecution of the petitioner. This was particularly relevant as the petitioner, Arvind Kejriwal, was a public servant (the Chief Minister) at the time of the alleged offence. On November 12, the Delhi High Court sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding a plea filed by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, challenging the summons issued to him in connection with the agency's money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam. Kejriwal is currently out on bail in both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases related to the now-scrapped excise policy. According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Excise Policy was deliberately designed with loopholes to benefit AAP leaders and foster cartel formations. The ED accused AAP leaders of receiving kickbacks from liquor businesses in exchange for preferential treatment, including discounts, license fee waivers, and relief during the Covid-19 disruptions. The ED further alleged that the "scam" involved awarding wholesale liquor distribution rights to private entities with a fixed 12% margin, in return for a 6% kickback. Additionally, AAP leaders were accused of using the kickbacks in Punjab and Goa asembly polls in early 2022. (ANI) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, which is currently hearing the Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) terror funding case, has recommended the transfer of the case to a special court designated for MPs/MLAs, considering that one of the accused, Engineer Rashid, is now an MP. The court urged the District Judge of Patiala House Court that the case be sent to a specially designated judge for MPs/MLAs, who will take up the matter on November 25. The court, while making recommendations for transfer, also sent all pending applications, including the regular bail plea of Engineer Rashid to the District Judge. Engineer Rashid, an Independent Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, has recently surrendered at Tihar Jail after his interim bail expired. This is related to the Jammu and Kashmir terror funding case currently being investigated by the NIA. In August 2019, Rashid was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). During his incarceration, he filed his nomination for the 2024 parliamentary elections from jail and won by a margin of 204,000 votes, defeating former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. In 2022, the NIA Court of Patiala House Court ordered the framing of charges against Engineer Rashid and several other key figures, including Hafiz Saeed, Syed Salahuddin, Yasin Malik, Shabbir Shah, Masrat Alam, Zahoor Ahmed Watali, Bitta Karate, Aftab Ahmed Shah, Avtar Ahmed Shah, Naeem Khan, and Bashir Ahmed Butt (also known as Peer Saifullah). The charges are part of an ongoing investigation into terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir, where the National Investigation Agency (NIA) alleges that various militant organizations, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and JKLF, collaborated with Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, to orchestrate attacks on civilians and security forces in the region. The NIA's investigation claims that in 1993, the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) was formed to further separatist activities, with funding channelled through hawala and other covert methods. Hafiz Saeed, along with Hurriyat leaders, is accused of using these illicit funds to fuel unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, targeting security forces, inciting violence, burning schools, and damaging public property. The agency contends that these operations were designed to destabilize the region and promote terrorism under the guise of political resistance. (ANI) The Delhi Chapter of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur Alumni Association in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, is organizing the Startup Master Class (SMC) 2024. The one-day master class will be held at the Dr Ambedkar International Center (DAIC) in New Delhi on Saturday, November 23, a release said on Thursday. As per the release, the master class aims to inspire and empower entrepreneurs nationwide while spotlighting their cutting-edge innovations. Supported by IBM, the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), TiE, the Indian Angel Network (IAN), and several leading companies, SMC 2024 will create a robust platform to encourage innovation and promote the development of world-class deep-tech products from India. SMC 2024 will feature a series of impactful sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurial growth. Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog; Ms Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder of the Indian Angel Network; and Dr Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST will deliver keynote addresses among others, the release said. A Demo Day with select founders allowed to pitch their products to leading investors, as well as personalized mentorship opportunities that provide strategic insights to help entrepreneurs refine their approaches will all be part of SMC 2024. Over 500 startup delegates are expected to participate, making the master class a vibrant hub of ideas and collaboration, read the statement further, it said. The conference has been designed to benefit a diverse audience, including startup founders, investors, venture capitalists, policymakers, and academicians. Startups will gain direct access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and collaborations with leaders from academia, government, and the private sector. Investors will have the opportunity to connect with high-impact startups focused on deep-tech areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and cyber-physical systems, all of which are aligned with India's future tech roadmap, the release said. This year's edition builds on this legacy by aligning with four of India's key National Missions: The National Quantum Mission, the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), the Waste to Wealth Mission, and the National Geospatial Programme. These initiatives are designed to drive advancements in quantum research, robotics, AI, sustainability, and geospatial technologies, contributing to India's global leadership in these domains, it added. (ANI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar said on Thursday that the country aims to be a constructive global force through peacemaking, peacekeeping and climate action initiatives while giving an address at the National Defence College in New Delhi. The Vice President also drew attention to India's 'ancient wisdom' of practising harmony, tolerance and coexistence and said that these principles might be the solution to the various challenges and problems the world is facing. "As global peace fractures, wars intensify, and hostilities harden into doctrine - all while climate crisis looms - humanity teeters on a precipice. Salvation may lie in embracing India's ancient wisdom: millennia-old principles of harmony, tolerance and coexistence," said VP Dhankar during his address. https://x.com/VPIndia/status/1859522027914403874 According to a statement by the Vice President's Secretariat, the VP also highlighted how India celebrates its diversity of languages, religions, and ethnicities under one Constitution which ensures freedom and equality. "Peaceful coexistence finds reflection in our philosophy over the ages. India's foreign policy emphasises respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity of nations and the primacy of dialogue over conflict. Unity in Diversity has been ever exemplified both in thought and action. India embraces differences across festivals, cuisines, languages, and cultures as strengths, inclusive and distanced from divisiveness," VP Dhankar said. Calling India as the spiritual capital of the world and cradle of sublimity and divinity, Shri Dhankhar underscored that India is a nation that seeks well-being not just for itself but for the entire humanity. "Recently as G20 Chair, India, spurred by its core values, championed a shift from GDP-focused to human-centred global progress, emphasising unity over division ... .Integrating the African Union as a permanent G20 member was a landmark achievement. Voice of Global South Summits hosted by India during its G20 Presidency brought Global South on the international radar. India aims to be a constructive global force through peacekeeping and climate action initiatives," he added. Dhankar also said that India's interests are driven by the welfare of its people and global peace while emphasising that the menace of terrorism and fundamentalism be combated in tandem and togetherness. Further highlighting being committed to gender justice, he added, "India is committed to gender justice, this being vital to economy and societal values, as also harmony. This has resulted in not only the empowerment of women, it has graduated to the next level, women-led empowerment. Distinguished audience, Constitutional prescription of one-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislatures is both epochal and game changer with the prospect of larger participation of women in governance, policy-making and administration." Stressing the need for nations to focus on strategic security through strong defence capabilities, Dhankhar underlined that a peaceful environment is the quintessence of growth. Stating that peace disruption or conflagration in any part of the globe has the potential to upset and unsettle growth, harmony and development making the focus on national security imperative, he said that a robust national security architecture based on a clear national security strategy is a precondition for achieving our developmental goals. Referring to India's ambition to become 'Viksit Bhart in 2047', VP Dhankhar said, " The vision of India's centenary of independence encompasses prosperity, self-reliance, advanced infrastructure, and technological leadership....India is known to have had the largest economy of the ancient and mediaeval world, controlling between one-third and one-fourth of the world's wealth. India seeks to so attain this in present times. This togetherness will define Viksit Bharat in 2047. India's core values, interests, and objectives resonate with the aspirations of humanity as a whole." (ANI) The Delhi High Court has rejected a petition that sought the quashing of the registration granted to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalimeen (AIMIM) as a political party by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The court upheld the legality of the party's registration, dismissing the challenge against it. Petitioner Tirupathi Narshima Murari challenged the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to register and recognize AIMIM as a political party. The petitioner argued that AIMIM does not meet the requirements set out under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The petitioner contended that AIMIM's constitution primarily seeks to advance the interests of a single religious community--Muslims--thereby violating the secular principles mandated by the Constitution and the Act, which require all political parties to adhere to the principles of secularism. The court observed that the purpose of defining "corrupt practices" is to address disputes during the election process, including election petitions and the disqualification of candidates under Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act. It further clarified that the provisions of Section 123 of the Act are not relevant to the criteria for registering a political party, but are instead concerned with the outcome of specific elections and the disqualification of individuals from participating in the electoral process. Therefore, the court rejected the petitioner's argument based on Section 123. (ANI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday inaugurated the Tri Hills Ensemble in the presence of Arts and Culture Minister, Paul Lyngdoh and Head of India for the Welsh Government, Mitchell Theaker at U Soso Tham Auditorium Shillong. The third edition of the Tri Hills Ensemble showcased the rich arts, crafts and culture of Meghalaya's three tribes-- Khasi, Jaintia and Garo. It also commemorated the observation of Jan Jatiya Gaurav Diwas. "The festival is a celebration of our culture, our society and our people. Through this festival, we aim to showcase the rich diversity and cultural identity of our people," the Meghalaya Chief Minister said, in his inaugural remark. Talking about the importance of culture, Conrad Sangma said, "Culture has a lot of power and potential as it connects us to our roots, our past, our unique identity and distinguishes us from the crowd." "As a form of soft power, we are trying as a Government to harness this potential and release it for constructive purposes," he added. The Chief Minister further said that the government has envisioned a road map to inspire the younger generation to be proud of the culture and the diversity of the state. He informed that the government has tailored programmes that promote culture, different forms of art, music, literature and ancient knowledge and wisdom. "We want our people to be proud of our culture, customs and language," he added. He lauded the arts and culture department for taking the initiative to facelift the Captain Williamson Sangma Museum and encouraged the department to use technology for a better immersive experience on the different facets and lives of the people of the state. "Our events and festivals celebrate the richness of the state," he emphasized. He also urged the Department of Education to make it mandatory for education institutes to visit the museum and learn about the rich heritage and diversity of our state. Talking about the Chief Minister's Research Fellowship program, he said that 50 scholars have been shortlisted, who are already documenting different topics of relevance to the people and culture of the state. "Our identity is our culture, our pride, it is imperative that we showcase and conserve the wisdom of our forefathers in different fields, and take it to global prominence," Conrad Sangma said. He further said that the power of culture has the power to connect us with other cultures from around the globe and the convergence of all these aspects would bring and foster the further growth of tourism in the State. During the event, the official web portal of the arts and craft village was launched and awards and recognition were announced to achievers in different categories. (ANI) Stating that the Congress had put all possible efforts to fight the bye-elections in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that the fruits of labour will depend on God's will. "The fruits of labour is God's will. I believe that God will bless us in all three places," Shivakumar told reporters after offering prayers to Kollur Mookambike temple. Votes polled in the byelections for Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur will be counted on November 23. Asked about surveys which are projecting one seat each for the three major parties in the state, Shivakumar said he does believe in surveys. "What did the surveys of Karnataka and Haryana elections show? I don't believe in election surveys. We can't do politics based on the surveys. People will support those who win their trust." Asked about allegations that defectors have been accommodated rather than the original Congressmen in the Administrative Board of the Kollur temple, he said, "We had given them our word during elections. Let them administer for some time." Replying to a query on BPL card controversy, he said, "We will not let down BPL card holders at any cost. We have already instructed the minister concerned to give us a list of genuine people who have lost BPL cards. And, we have conveyed they should re-apply for new BPL cards if their cards have been cancelled wrongly. We will ensure that not even a single poor family is affected by this review. This is my promise as a representative of the government and KPCC president. Opposition is busy making a hue and cry because it is their job." Asked about the police encounter which killed the Naxal leader, he said he would not want to comment on another department. Asked about the slashing of Nabard loan by the Centre, he said, "The Chief Minister has already submitted an appeal to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding this in Delhi." Replying to allegations of the Opposition leaders that the guarantee schemes would be stopped, he said, "Guarantees will continue for another 3.5 years. We will continue them for another five years if we come back to power. We are able to provide the guarantee and schemes to the people, thanks to the blessings of Goddess Mookambike. I prayed for the welfare of the state." (ANI) After Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that voters were threatened by the policeman in Muzaffarnagar's Kakrouli on Wednesday, the SP chief appreciated the brave mothers and sisters, who showed the bravery and did not get scared. "Police showed pistols, will you stop women now? I want to appreciate those brave mothers and sisters, they showed that bravery and did not get scared...now I have got to know that those policemen were arrested from Rajasthan...camera can't lie," Akhilesh Yadav told reporters. This comes after the Samajwadi Party chief accused the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kakrouli police station of threatening voters with force and a revolver and stopping them from casting their vote in Meerapur. On Wednesday, the Samajwadi Party chief demanded the Election Commission (EC) to suspend the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kakrouli police station, located in Uttar Pradesh's Meerapur and accused him of threatening voters with force and revolver and stopping them from casting their vote. "The Election Commission should immediately suspend SHO of Kakrouli police station area of Meerapur because he is stopping voters from casting their votes by threatening them with a revolver," the SP chief said sharing a video on X. The District Magistrate Muzaffarnagar in a post on X stated that a clash broke out during the Meerapur Assembly by-election when a mob pelted stones at the police in the Kakarouli area. "It is to be informed that today on 20.11.2024, during the Meerapur Assembly by-election, information was received that a clash broke out between two parties near village Kakaroli of police station area Kakaroli. On this information, the police force immediately reached the spot and efforts were made to remove them by convincing them, but they pelted stones at the police team. The police removed all the people who were creating a ruckus from there by using subtle force," District Magistrate Muzaffarnagar posted on X. The DM stated that legal action would be taken by registering a case under relevant sections in relation to pelting stones at the police team. "Police station in-charge Kakaroli Shri Rajiv Sharma, who was present on the spot, took action to normalize the law and order situation with anti-riot equipment. No one has been threatened in this action. Legal action will be taken by registering a case under relevant sections in relation to pelting stones at the police team," it added. The voting was held on Wednesday in the constituencies of Katehari, Karhal, Meerapur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, Sisamau, Khair, Phulpur, and Kundarki and ended at 5 pm. 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 will be announced on November 23. (ANI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding a suspected food poisoning incident at a shelter home for mentally ill and destitute women in Patel Nagar area of Bihar's Patna between November 7 and 11, officials said. According to reports, 13 women inmates fell ill, and three died after consuming dinner. The victims complained of vomiting and diarrhoea and were subsequently admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). According to an NHRC statement, the shelter home is reportedly funded by the Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of Bihar. The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of human rights violation of the victims. As the lawful custodians of the inmates, the authorities of the Shelter Home are responsible for providing proper care to the inmates, the NHRC said in its statement. Accordingly, it has issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar calling for a detailed report within two weeks. The report is expected to include the status of the victims' health. The Commission would also like to know whether any compensation has been provided to the victims or their families by the administration, the NHRC said. The Chief Secretary is also expected to inform the Commission regarding the steps taken/ proposed to ensure that such incidents do not recur, it said. According to the media report, carried on 14th November 2024, during the inspection of the Shelter Home, the authorities found that the inmates were living in unhygienic conditions. Proper hygiene was not being maintained in the preparation of food also at the Shelter Home, the NHRC added in its release. (ANI) He was produced before the Thiruvananthapuram JFMC-IV Court and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. The incident reportedly occurred at the officer's residence. According to the complaint, the woman officer had experienced physical discomfort during her duty last week. Wilfer, offering to drop her home, accompanied her and allegedly assaulted her at her residence. The complaint was lodged directly with the State Police Chief, prompting an immediate investigation. Following the directive of the DGP, the case was handed over to the Crime Branch's Thiruvananthapuram Unit for further probe. The accused was arrested based on the complaint submitted last Wednesday. Further investigations are underway. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday held a meeting with 21 public delegations to discuss development projects. The meeting took place at the Dak Bungalow in Poonch. Later, speaking to reporters, CM Omar Abdullah said, "My intention in coming to Poonch today was to assess the ground reality after the elections. This is the first district in Jammu where we have met with officials, MLAs and DDC chairpersons... I met various delegations as well." Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmad Rana, along with other cabinet ministers and senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir, also attended the meeting. The meeting came a day after CM Omar Abdullah inaugurated the National Agriculture Summit & Mela-2024 at SKUAST-Jammu. https://x.com/diprjk/status/1859244340930814355 In a post on X, Information and PR, Jammu and Kashmir said on Wednesday," CM Omar Abdullah inaugurated National Agriculture Summit & Mela-2024 at SKUAST-Jammu, highlighting the role of agriculture in tackling climate change and boosting J&K's economy. He stressed modern practices, research, and local production to transform the sector." Meanwhile, one person died while eight others were injured after a car met with an accident in the Assar block area of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda. As per the officials, the accident happened on the evening of Wednesday. Eight injured were admitted to the Government Medical College, Doda. Medical Superintendent, GMC Doda, Tanveer told ANI, "A car met an accident in Assar block. There were nine people in the car, one of them - Devendra, lost his life. The other eight people who were injured were admitted to GMC Doda. Two patients, Kamaljeet and Sanjeev Kumar, who have been admitted here - they have sustained head injuries. The rest of the patients have minor injuries. We have not referred any patients yet." (ANI) Showcasing the strong ties between the two countries, Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi was on Thursday conferred with the prestigious rank of Honourary General of the Nepali Army. This exchange of honourary generalship, a unique and cherished tradition between the Indian and Nepali Armies, highlights the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and military ties between the two nations. General Dwivedi reached Kathmandu on Wednesday on a five-day official visit upon the invitation of General Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepali Army. The tradition of conferring honourary generalships between the Indian and Nepali Armies dates back to the 1950s. Every three years, the Chief of the Indian Army is made an Honourary General of the Nepali Army, and vice versa. This practice reflects the mutual respect and enduring friendship between the two countries, particularly in the realms of military cooperation, defence collaboration, and shared strategic interests, a release said. This symbolic exchange of titles goes beyond mere ceremony--it is a powerful testament to the longstanding solidarity, trust, and commitment to peace and stability in the region. The tradition underscores the strong strategic partnership between the two forces, who work closely on a variety of fronts, including joint training, military exercises, and disaster response. Both armies share similar values and a commitment to regional security, making this gesture of honour a reflection of their unity and shared purpose. The Honourary Generalship is particularly meaningful given the unique socio-cultural bonds and open borders between India and Nepal. With shared security interests and a deep sense of camaraderie, the exchange of titles serves as a reminder of the close ties that transcend formal diplomatic relations. It reinforces the enduring friendship and cooperation that have defined the relationship between the two nations for decades. General Dwivedi's visit and the conferral of this honour will not only strengthen military ties but also serve as a reflection of the deep respect between the two countries' armed forces, further advancing the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding. (ANI) The CBI took over the investigation at the request of the Assam Government. The case, initially registered as FIR No. 288/2024 at Paltan Bazar Police Station on August 21, involves allegations of defrauding investors through irregular deposit schemes. The complaint alleged a massive financial scam orchestrated by an organization named D B Stock Consultancy. The organization, owned by the accused Deepankar Barman along with Monalisa Das and 7-8 employees, is accused of defrauding numerous investor clients across India. On November 18, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Monalisa Das in connection with the case. In another related case, the Special Judge for CBI Cases in Guwahati rejected the bail application of accused Sumi Bora on November 19. The investigation into these cases is ongoing. (ANI) Delhi's Rouse Avenue court dismissed the regular and interim bail pleas of a woman accused in a money laundering case linked to Rs 1200 crore alleged bank fraud. Special CBI Judge Amitabh Rawat on Wednesday dismissed the bail pleas of Aparna Puri considering the gravity of the allegations against her and the fact that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation is ongoing. "Considering the submissions of the ED and the overall facts and circumstances of the case and the role of the accused ascribed and the submissions of her counsel, it cannot be said that the accused has been able to satisfy the Court that there are reasonable grounds for believing that accused is not guilty of the alleged offences," Special Judge Rawat said in the order passed on November 20. "Hence, I am not inclined to allow the present application filed on behalf of applicant Aparna Puri for grant of bail. The bail application is accordingly dismissed," the judge said. The court noted that the investigation is still pending and a prosecution complaint (Chargesheet) is yet to be filed. The court observed, "Aparna Puri was not a dummy Director and played a key role in the key affairs of Amira Pure Food Private Limited (APFPL). During the investigation, she claimed to have not known about the transfer of funds to various shell entities from the accounts of APFPL." The court noted that she also submitted that she was not looking after the financial affairs of the company. However, other related persons, submitted that she took over the finance operations of the company after Anita Daing left. While dismissing the pleas the court noted that as per ED's case, the accused Aparna Puri was the Director of the said company and was also handling finance and authorized signatory in respect of financial transactions. The court said that It is not denied by the Counsel for the accused that she was an authorized signatory or had signed cheques/authorized transactions whereby amounts were transferred from APFPL to various shell companies. The only argument advanced by the Counsel for the accused was that she was not aware of the intentions of her cousin Karan A Chanana, Managing Director and main accused and had become Director and authorized signatory in good faith, the court noted. "The argument that she kept on doing things and continuing in the accused company and following instructions of accused Karan A Chanana as she wanted to keep monthly salary/income as she was not in good financial health, is only a submission which cannot, at this stage, be taken for meeting requirements of Section 45 of PMLA," the court said. She had sought bail on the basis of the judgment of the Supreme Court of India in Kalvakuntla Kavitha vs Directorate of Enforcement in the Delhi Excise Policy case. She sought interim bail on medical grounds. It was submitted by the counsel for the accused that she was in poor financial health and her marriage was not working, The main accused Chanana, cousin of the applicant, offered her a job in his company as General Manager (Corporate) in 2013. In 2014, she was promoted to Plant Head General Manager and her salary was raised to Rs 3 lakh per month. In 2015, she separated from her husband and in February 2015, she became a Director on the asking of Chanana without understanding the consequences of the same. In November 2016, she stopped visiting the office and in February 2017, she refused to sign cheques. On March 1, 2018, she resigned from the company since no salary was paid for the last 6-8 months, the counsel added. Special public prosecutor Manish Jain, Simon Benjamin and Advocate Snehal Sharda appeared for the ED. The ED, while opposing the bail plea, said that there is no absolute principle that a lady accused has to be granted bail due to the proviso of Section 45 of PMLA. The judgment of K Kavitha (Supra) states that there is no automatic extension of benefit of proviso to Section 45 PMLA and it would depend upon the facts and circumstances of the case. As per ED, the accused was working in APFPL since 2013 and was appointed as Director on February 5, 2016, by the main accused Chanana. She was one of the key managerial and important persons of the company; she was made authorized signatory of one of the Bank Accounts of APFPL and her role was to sign the cheques/documents processed through the Accounts department and authorize the payments to the entities. It said that she admitted to signing all kinds of cheques of the company viz. payments to the entities. This fact was revealed and admitted by Aparna Puri herself during the course of a statement dated May 15, 2023, before the Directorate under Section 50 of PMLA, 2002 and stands corroborated by statements of other related persons recorded under Section 50 of PMLA. It is further alleged that the document of the company retrieved from the website of MCA revealed that Aparna Puri also attended board meetings of APFPL. Although, the board meetings did not happen in real mostly, but on paper, Aparna Puri has marked her attendance in all the Board meetings of APFPL which she was entitled to attend as evident from the excerpts of the MCA documents. The court noted that It is aptly clear that she was involved/assisted in day to day affairs of the company. It is not possible that she was not aware of the Bank funds that were transferred to the various shell entities from the various Bank accounts of APFPL during her tenure. Then, she has not revealed/disclosed all the facts privy to her. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR on November 23, 2020, under sections 120B, 420 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Act, 1860 and the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988 on the basis of complaint dated 17.11.2020 filed by Canara Bank. In the FIR, it has been alleged that the accused company through its Directors/Promoters/Employees and others have committed fraud by siphoning and diverting funds, criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, cheating, fraud, etc. causing wrongful loss to the tune of approximately Rs 1201.85 crores to the consortium of banks leading by Canara Bank. The account of the company is declared as fraud by all the member Banks to the tune of approximately Rs 1201 crores. The company not only defaulted in repayment of interest but also failed to submit its financial statements, and net worth particulars of guarantors, routed transactions outside consortium lenders, did not enable stock audits etc, it is alleged. (ANI) In an effort to understand and implement any potential artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in India's agriculture industry, the School of Business of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati organized a seminar on "Implementing AI Solutions in Agriculture: Navigating Challenges and Harnessing Opportunities for Viksit Bharat@2047" on Thursday. This event was designed to explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture, contributing to India's vision for comprehensive development by 2047. The seminar was organised under the ICSSR-sponsored project titled 'Development and Implementation of AI-Driven Smart Farming Solutions Utilizing IoT and Digital Extension Services for Enhanced Agricultural Productivity: A Study on Assam, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh'. Attended by participants from across India, the seminar was conducted in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual engagement. This inclusive approach ensured broader participation and fostered an environment for knowledge-sharing and collaboration. The event was hailed as a platform for academic exchange, inspiring meaningful dialogues about the role of technology in shaping the future of agriculture. The project is a collaborative initiative between IIT Guwahati, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) Allahabad, and several other universities, aligning with the vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047. Paban Kumar Borthakur (Retd.), former Chief Secretary of Assam and current Chairman of Assam's Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), also attended the event as the Chief Guest. During his address Borthakur shared valuable insights on agricultural policy, governance, and the importance of initiatives like Kisan Sewa Kendra. Highlighting the transformative role AI can play in achieving agricultural self-sufficiency in India, Borthakur emphasized how AI can enhance sustainability and efficiency in farming, in line with India's development goals for 2047. Bhupati Kumar Das, a renowned management consultant, former Managing Director of Numaligarh Refinery Limited and Bharat Oman Refinery Limited, and Honorary Professor at IIT Guwahati, was the Guest of Honour. He discussed the profound impact of AI on business and daily life, underscoring the need for strategic implementation of AI to address agricultural challenges and improve the quality of life for farmers. In his welcome address, Pratul Chandra Kalita, Principal Investigator of the project and Professor at IIT Guwahati, stressed the importance of a strategic management approach to overcome technology acceptance and adaptation challenges in agricultural contexts. Ganesh Prasad Sahu, Co-Principal Investigator of the project from MNNIT Allahabad, presented critical insights on the current landscape and potential of AI applications in agriculture, outlining the project's aims and objectives. The seminar also featured key contributions from domain experts, including Sudip Mitra, Head of the School of Agro & Rural Technology, IIT Guwahati, who discussed the intersection of agriculture and AI's impact on farmers. Deepak Sharma from the School of Business at IIT Guwahati highlighted the transformative potential of AI and IoT technologies, while also addressing the barriers to their adoption in the agricultural sector. Debanga Raj Neog from the Mehta Family School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at IIT Guwahati elaborated on cutting-edge developments in AI and IoT, calling for supportive policy frameworks to facilitate the integration of these technologies into agricultural practices. The seminar included paper presentations that explored various applications, challenges, and policy requirements related to AI in agriculture. These sessions fostered rich discussions and the exchange of ideas among participants. The event concluded with a dynamic group discussion that encouraged collaboration, focusing on leveraging AI for a prosperous agricultural future. The seminar underscored IIT Guwahati's commitment to advancing research and innovation in AI, particularly in the agriculture sector, as part of India's journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat@2047. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology and Electronics Nara Lokesh on Thursday announced in the State Assembly that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is setting up its unit in Visakhapatnam (Vizag ) very soon. "In the past five months, I had discussions with representatives of various IT companies which resulted in the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) setting up its unit in Visakhapatnam very soon. The company also agreed to set up a campus in Vizag. I also requested Infosys to set up another campus. We are now in search of necessary land for them and I am confident that within six months they will take off," Nara Lokesh said in the Assembly. Replying to the questions raised in the Assembly by the members, Vamsi Krishna, Srinivas, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Vishnukumar Raju and Eswara Rao, the IT Minister said that Chandrababu Naidu, who was the Chief Minister of the previous TDP regime too, moved ahead with the slogan of 'one capital and decentralisation of development'. As part of this, he made every effort for the progress of the IT sector in Visakhapatnam, Lokesh told the Assembly. He said that it is really gratifying that of the total employees in the entire IT sector across the globe, 20 per cent are Telugu. He said that at least 150 companies were set up in the State between 2014 and 2019, providing jobs to 50,000 youth. "We have even entered into an agreement then with the industrialist, Mr Adani, to establish a data centre in the State and have organised a conclave in Vizag with several IT giants," Nara Lokesh said. At a time when the IT industry was moving much further, there was a sudden halt due to the policies adopted by the previous government, he said. Perhaps for the first time in the history of the country, the government had demanded shares in IT companies following which units like NICSI and STBI have left the State as a result of which the youth lost employment opportunities, Lokesh said. "In the past five months, I had discussions with representatives of various IT companies which resulted in the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) setting up its unit in Visakhapatnam very soon. The company also agreed to set up a campus in Vizag. I also requested Infosys to set up another campus. We are now in search of necessary land for them and I am confident that within six months they will take off," Lokesh declared. Maintaining that the State Government is functioning with a target of providing five lakh jobs in five years in the IT sector, Nara Lokesh felt the need to create the ecosystem necessary for IT companies. Recalling that he has held discussions with owners of various Data centres during his recent visit to the United States, the IT Minister said that since the previous government did not focus on setting up data centres they moved to neighbouring States like Karnataka and Telangana besides Mumbai. At least $300 billion will be invested in this sector per annum, Lokesdh said and stated that of this his target is to attract at least $100 billion to the State. The data centre owners had raised several issues during discussions like data security and taxation, he said, adding that now talks are on to resolve these issues. Lokesh informed the House that the Bhogapuram airport works are moving at a fast pace and the biggest convention centre in the country which is part of the social ecosystem is going to be established in Visakhapatnam very soon. He also felt the need for more and more hotels along with such companies. Expressing confidence that the discussions that he held with the top 100 IT companies in the country will be fruitful, Mr Lokesh said that these companies also will be invited to Vizag. He also stressed the need for a new policy for setting up global delivery centers of Fortune 500 companies which is likely to be adopted next month. Lokesh admitted that payment of incentives to certain companies is due and announced that Rs 500 cr has been released recently for the purpose. Maintaining that now the focus is on 'Speed of Doing Business', Lokesh said that the issue of granting permissions to the IT companies is being closely monitored. Reliance BioEnergy company has come forward to establish its unit with 700 unit capacity, Lokesh said and expressed his readiness to discuss with any company if the members bring any such proposals. At least two data companies are going to set up their units in Visakhapatnam in a couple of months, Nara Lokesh said and stated that efforts are on to get NICSI to Vizag. The IT Minister felt that if a national-level data policy is adopted data companies will certainly come to the State with massive investments. (ANI) BJP workers staged protests in Kalaburagi and Haveri districts of Karnataka on Thursday against the alleged encroachments of farmers' lands by the state Waqf Board. Besides, BJP workers, farmers and seers participated in the Kalaburagi protest. Chalavadi Narayanswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council accused the Waqf Board of "snatching" farmers' lands. "You can see the situation, farmers' lands' are being snatched. Today this protest is being held in Kalaburagi. We are protesting against Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan and the Congress government," Narayanswamy told ANI. In the Haveri protest, the BJP workers were seen raising slogans against the Congress government in the state. Visuals show police forcibly loading protesters into a vehicle while clearing the protest site. Following a significant rise in land claims by the Waqf Board, affecting farmers' ancestral lands, temples, government buildings, and even centrally protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in several parts of Karnataka has given rise to a political row in the state. This situation has caused severe distress among local farmers and landowners, who are witnessing their generational land rights challenged without proper notification or due process. More than 15,000 acres in Vijayapura District alone have been claimed, including ancestral farmland vital for local farmers' livelihoods. Over 1,500 acres of farmland across 89 survey numbers in Honavada village in Tikota Taluk alone have been unilaterally claimed as Waqf property, according to a press statement. Many farmers in Babaleshwar Taluk have also received notices stating that their lands are now classified as Waqf property under the Waqf Act. Claims extend to temples and mutt lands, such as the Someshwara Temple (Chalukyan era) and Virakta Mutt (dating to the 12th century), added the statement. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Government's Principal Secretary, the Revenue Department, has written to all Regional Commissioners and District Commissioners related to the Waqf issue. The letter warns of disciplinary action against officials who alter land mutation records and issue eviction notices to farmers under the Waqf Act. The order issued on November 9 states to withdraw all notices served to farmers and to immediately take back the land mutation orders served by any authority and also to stop mutation work. (ANI) YSRCP spokesperson Gadikota Srikanth Reddy slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for allegedly betraying the people of Rayalaseema "as he deprived them of High Court". Speaking to the media here on Thursday, he said as per the Sribagh agreement, the High Court should be in Rayalaseema but Chandrababu Naidu has decided to go back and has betrayed the people by going for just the High Court bench. The allied courts like Lokayukta are also being moved from Kurnool, which shows that he has betrayed the people of Rayalaseema, the release added. Chandrababu Naidu did not complete the irrigation projects of the region and has no intention to take forward the Handi Neva and Galeru Nagari projects, he said. On social media activists, he said, that TDP's official handle has been posting objectionable material on our Party leaders and family members and no action is being initiated, as per press release. Polavaram is a living example of his negligence and his compromise on the reduction of dam height shows his lack of commitment, he said. Chandrababu Naidu has failed to manage the state finances and has been spreading lies about the previous government while YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has the record of maintaining a growth rate despite the pandemic which had taken a toll on the economy worldwide, he said. (ANI) Congress on Thursday hit out at BJP-led government after the Kenya government cancelled the procurement process for the expansion of a key international airport - an announcement that has implications for the Adani Group. In a post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the cancellation of the deal was expected and that nation's foreign policy cannot be "subordinated" to the interests of just one "business conglomerate." . "It was expected to happen and it has today. Kenya has cancelled the airport and power transmission deals of the Modani Group. The non-biological PM's long-standing relationship with the Adani Group is globally well-known - and poses a tremendous risk for India's foreign policy and economic interests overseas. Remember, former Kenyan PM Railo Odinga - who is under attack for favouritism to the Adani Group - admitted that he was introduced to the businessman over a decade ago by the-then CM of Gujarat, who also lobbied aggressively for the A Group," Jairam Ramesh posted on X. The Congress leader said High Court in Dhaka yesterday ordered an inquiry into Bangladesh's "controversial" power purchase agreement with Adani. "Modani's sweetheart deals just bring us disrepute. This is a foreign policy disaster which will cloud our soft power for years to come," he said. Congress leader and former CM Bhupesh Baghel supported the demand for JPC over the alleged bribery allegations in the US which have been denied by the Adani Group. "I support demand for JPC. There is no matter relating to my tenure as CM between 2020-2023. If there was any deal between the new govt in the state and Adani, then I don't know about it...Korba Waste Power Plant, Raigarh, GMR Power Plant, Raipur and Lenco Power Plant, Korba were given to Adani Group by the Centre and due to this banks had to suffer losses. The agreement with Chhattisgarh Electricity Board was done during the tenure of Raman Singh. Sambit Patra (BJP MP) is making allegations against his own government," Baghel said. Kenya government on Thursday decided not to proceed with airport expansion project with the Adani Group, Reuters reported. This announcement comes close on the heels of US Prosecutors indicting Gautam Adani and others in an alleged bribery case. While addressing the nation during a joint sitting of the parliament, Kenyan President William Ruto directed the procurement agencies within the transport and energy ministries to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) deals and immediately commence the process of onboarding other partners. "I now direct according to article 10 of constitution on transparency and accountability and based on new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations that the procuring agencies under the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy are immediately cancelled for the procurement process of JKIA expansion as well as the recently concluded KETRACO deals," said Ruto as the Kenyan House broke into loud cheers. Under the proposed deal to expand the Nairobi airport, the Adani group was to add a second runway and upgrade the passenger terminal. In September, a Kenyan court temporarily blocked a proposed airport lease deal. In a separate deal, the Adani group had also signed a PPP deal with the Energy Ministry to construct Power transmission lines. Both the projects now stand cancelled. Reuters quoted Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi as saying that there was no bribery or corruption involved in the award of the transmission lines contract. Earlier, the Adani Group strongly refuted bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of the Adani Green terming them baseless. Adani Group spokesperson, in an official statement, said all legal recourse will be taken. "The US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," the statement read. The group further highlighted a key aspect of the legal proceedings. "As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, 'The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.' All possible legal recourse will be sought," the statement said. Amid these allegations, Adani Green Energy also informed stock exchanges that its subsidiaries have decided to defer their planned US dollar-denominated bond offerings. It said, "In light of these developments, our subsidiaries have presently decided not to proceed with the proposed USD-denominated bond offerings". US prosecutors had charged Gautam Adani and others in an alleged Solar Energy contract bribery case. A five-count criminal indictment has been unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging a few prominent Indian executives including the Chairman of the Adani Group Gautam Adani by linking them to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. (ANI) After US prosecutors charged Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and others in an alleged bribery scam, the Congress student wing National Students' Union of India (NSUI) held a protest against the industralist on Thursday. The students raised slogans against Adani calling him a "thief". This comes after, a five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging prominent Indian executives including Gautam Adani by linking them to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. However, the Adani Group strongly refuted bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of the Adani Green as baseless. The Adani Group spokesperson in an official statement said all legal recourse will be taken. "The US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," the statement read. Earlier on Thursday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi called for Adani's arrest and said that it is "clear" and "established" that the Adani Group Chairman has broken both American and Indian laws. "Wherever there is corruption, investigation should be done. But investigation will begin with Adani. Unless he is arrested, it won't be credible. So, begin it from there. Arrest Adani, interrogate him and then nab whoever is involved. In the end, Narendra Modi's name will come out because BJP's entire funding structure is in his hands. So, even if the PM wants, he can't do anything. In a way, Adani has hijacked the country. India is in Adani's grip,." Rahul Gandhi said. Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi said, "It is now pretty clear and established in America that Adani has broken both American law and Indian law. He is being indicted in the United States and I am wondering why Adani is still running around a free man in this country. Chief Ministers have been arrested and Adani has apparently done one 2000 cr scam and multiple others probably but there is no investigation." "We have been demanding for many days that Adani ji should be arrested. He should be arrested today itself. Madhabi Buch (SEBI Chairperson) who is his protector, who did not do any investigation, should be removed and an investigation should be done," he further added. However, BJP MP Sambit Patra said that the company will defend itself on its own and the law will take its own course. Addressing a press conference, Patra said, "Today, since morning, we have been seeing in the media an issue regarding a company. There is a case against that company in the US. There are allegations and counter-allegations. We clearly believe that as far as the company and the case against it are concerned, the company will issue a statement and defend itself on its own. Law will take its own course... BJP MP Patra further lashed out at Rahul Gandhi and accused him of "sensationalizing things." Patra remarked that Rahul Gandhi, in the same way has raised allegations about the Rafael deal and during Covid-19 time-period, but at the end, he had to apologise. Patra said, "Today, Rahul Gandhi has done a press conference again. Today, he has again showed same behaviour and presented the topic in the same way he used to present. This isn't a new PC. He has used same names and same ways through which he tried to put a new allegation of PM Modi. He always tries to sensationalize things and describe it in the way that how big the matter is. He did same before 2019, where he raised the issue of Rafael fighter planes, he had claimed that a big revelation will be made, this topic has geared a momentum in whole world, 'Chowidar Chor Hai', etc... During the Covid 19, he used to do press conferneces in the same way, but at the end, he has to go to the Supreme Court and apologise... Its his way to attack the structure of India and the people who save it." (ANI) Nagaland's Health and Family Welfare Minister P Paiwang Konyak inspected Longlend district hospital on Thursday. The minister reached Longleng District Hospital Thursday morning and had a meeting with the district administration, civil society representatives, district hospital authority and the department officials at PPCA Mission Centre. Following the inspection of the on-going Longleng district hospital construction, the minister said that district hospitals should have larger land as it ensures space for future expansion and urged the Phom civil societies to acquire bigger land for Longleng hospital assuring of his commitment to develop the hospital. He urged to expedite the construction stating that the ongoing construction should not be dearth of anything at any cost. Dwelling on the shortage of specialist's doctors which was the core issue in almost all the districts hospitals in Nagaland, the minister informed that the department is working out modalities on two-cadre-system (Specialised and non-specialised doctors) and said recruitment drive will take place once government approves the modalities and assured that the core issue will be addressed soon. Konyak also stated that owing to random creation and upgradation of Sub Centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centre (CHC) by the department over the years without proper survey and scrutiny, there are many shortfalls of doctors and nurses which compelled him to ban the creation and upgradation of these centres. He said upgradation and creation will be taken up on need-base while also the existing centres will be surveyed and if found redundant, the department will notify for down-grade of the centre. Asserting that the tour was an exercise of the department to take on-site verification, the minister informed that he will cover the entire district in phase wise manner. He also informed that along with the tour, inspection of food safety and pharmacies will be carried out as conducted in the already covered districts of Dimapur and Mokokchung. The minister also expressed concern on the flow of foreign food without the manufacture of an expiry date and said if this can be controlled, more employment opportunities can be taken up by local entrepreneurs. Also on formalin fishes, Konyak said if fishes flowing in from other states are found to have high contain of formalin, state government could ban and promote only local fishes which will be another opportunity for the local youths. He said the exercise is for public awareness which will continue even in the days to come. While acknowledging the Phom Peoples' Council, Phom Womens' Organization and Phom Students' Conference for their presence and concern, the Minister also lauded Dr Hantok Phom who has been serving the Nagas patients in Delhi over the years. Meanwhile the Minister also commended the Longleng DH and the doctors for delivering excellent service to the citizens through the CMHIS which according to the minister was far better that the other districts and encouraged to let health care service accessible to all the citizens.(ANI) By Ghulam Ali Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong recently criticized the repeated attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan, calling them unacceptable and citing security as the biggest challenge to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). His comments followed two fatal incidents within six months, which claimed seven Chinese lives. Pakistans Foreign Office, instead of addressing the concerns, dismissed the remarks as perplexing, revealing underlying tensions in the bilateral relationship. Despite Chinas role as Pakistans key economic partner, security lapses and strained diplomacy are testing the limits of their traditionally strong ties, highlighting deeper challenges to the CPEC and broader cooperation. These tensions point to a more complex dynamic in bilateral relations, revealing that mutual dependency alone may not be sufficient to sustain smooth cooperation amidst mounting challenges. BACKGROUND: The diplomatic row between China and Pakistan intensified during a seminar in Islamabad on October 30, when Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong openly rebutted remarks by Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Dar claimed that China prioritized security in its overseas investments but made Pakistan an exception due to its friendship. The ambassador firmly countered, stating that President Xi Jinping consistently emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects in Pakistan, reiterating that security remains Chinas top concern and a major constraint to the CPEC. This marked the first public expression of such sentiments by China and an equally unprecedented response from Pakistan's Foreign Office, which described the remarks as perplexing and surprising. Pakistan's English-language media reflected the gravity of the situation, with Dawn describing the exchange as rare and The Nation advising restraint from the Foreign Office. Further complicating matters, Pakistan canceled President Asif Ali Zardaris planned visit to China on November 2, citing a dubious pretext of a foot injury, signaling deeper strains in the relationship amid growing concerns over security and diplomatic discord. This is not the first time China has urged Pakistan to ensure the security of its nationals. In several meetings with Pakistani leaders, China has consistently emphasized the importance of safeguarding Chinese citizens and interests in Pakistan. During his meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in June 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated the need for Pakistan to create a safe and stable environment, stressing the protection of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions. In line with this, Beijing also sent Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, to Islamabad, where he echoed similar concerns regarding security during discussions with Pakistans political leaders. China has faced numerous attacks on its citizens in Pakistan, with over 21 Chinese nationals killed since 2017. The Balochistan Liberation Army, a separatist group seeking independence for the underdeveloped Balochistan province, which hosts the strategic Gwadar Port, is behind many of these attacks. The Balochi population has long expressed grievances over marginalization and resource extraction without benefiting from the regions wealth, fueling insurgent movements. Currently, Balochistan is experiencing its fifth wave of insurgency. Another key source of attacks on Chinese nationals is the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group primarily based in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. While the TTP has denied responsibility, Pakistani authorities have attributed the March 2024 suicide bombing that killed five Chinese engineers to the group. Allegations suggest that the TTP may be collaborating with Uyghur separatists, given their shared religious ideology, further complicating the security landscape for Chinese nationals in Pakistan. IMPLICATIONS: The Chinese ambassadors public expression of frustration and his direct reprimand of Pakistani officials highlighted Chinas increasing impatience with Pakistans handling of security for Chinese nationals. By emphasizing the gravity of the situation and warning against future incidents, the ambassador signaled that China would no longer shy away from bluntly addressing its concerns. This shift in tone underscores the growing tension in the bilateral relationship, with the potential for global attention if the situation deteriorates further. The security situation in Pakistan will be pivotal in determining Chinas future investment decisions. If the security environment remains unstable, China may choose to complete ongoing projects but refrain from launching new ones. This was evident during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's mid-October visit to Pakistan for the SCO conference, where he did not explicitly endorse the second phase of the CPEC or any new initiatives. This lack of commitment signals that security concerns could heavily influence Chinas willingness to deepen its involvement in Pakistan moving forward. China and Pakistan had already planned to review their counterterrorism cooperation, and recent developments are likely to expedite this process through three key trends. First, China may increase its security support by providing bomb-proof vehicles for the safe transport of Chinese engineers, offering specialized security training to Pakistani personnel, and expanding intelligence sharing and consultation between the two countries. Second, the idea of involving Chinese private security companies (PSCs) or establishing joint security arrangements with Pakistani counterparts could gain traction. China has expressed interest in deploying PSCs, especially in conflict zones worldwide, to safeguard its growing investments. However, the deployment of PSCs to Pakistan faces both legal and practical obstacles. Pakistani law prohibits foreign security companies from operating within its borders. Even if this hurdle is overcome, the concept is likely to face challenges due to the countrys security realities. The Pakistani military and intelligence agencies, despite having the necessary resources and capabilities, have struggled to protect Chinese nationals. Given this, private companies, with far fewer resources, may not be effective in improving security. Additionally, bringing in foreign security personnel, whether from Chinas armed forces or private firms, could expose them to the same risks from terrorist groups that have targeted Chinese nationals in the past. Third, the worsening security situation in Pakistan could provide the military with a pretext for launching another large-scale military operation, something it has long advocated. In June 2024, the Pakistani government approved the counter-terrorism operation Azm-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability), but its implementation was delayed due to opposition from political parties and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), which advocates for the rights of Pashtuns. However, conducting a military operation during a period of economic difficulties, political polarization, and significant opposition would reduce its likelihood of success. Additionally, such an operation would come with substantial economic costs and the risk of collateral damage, particularly in already unstable regions, further complicating its execution and effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Although a seemingly minor incident, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong's remarks have exposed long-standing issues between China and Pakistan, revealing underlying challenges in their relationship. These comments have sparked debate, both within Pakistan and internationally, regarding the durability of their "all-weather" friendship. If one factor has most damaged the Sino-Pakistani partnership, it is terrorism. Likewise, if there is one issue that will significantly determine the future of this relationship, it is the ongoing challenge of terrorism and its impact on security for both nations. AUTHORS BIO: Dr. Ghulam Ali is the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Research Center for Asian Studies (www.rcas.top). He received his PhD from Monash University in Australia and completed a postdoc at Peking University in Beijing. He has authored or edited four books and published articles in academic journals and media outlets. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, emphasized on Thursday that Northeast India is a vital 'gateway' to Southeast Asia with vast potential for growth and enhanced connectivity with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. "Northeast India is a strategic location and it's a gateway to Southeast Asia. The region is endowed with natural resources, culture, history and a strong legacy. So being a gateway to the region, we have immense potential, that is why our government's policy is Act East policy. The process has practically begun already as PM Modi took charge, the initiatives taken by the stakeholders and supported by concerned ministries, from trade and commerce to the Ministry of External Affairs," Margherita said while speaking to the media. "This export promotion meeting will enhance the business volume. This has become the meeting point where buyers and sellers from neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Lao PDR, and all the organisations and representatives have assembled here. So we are optimistic," he added. Margherita was speaking the 3rd 'Northeast export promotional meet' at the NEDFi house in Assam's Guwahati, where he underscored India's commitment to peace, stability, and growth in the region. While addressing the occasion, he also encouraged participants to explore growing industries in the country, such as green technology, sustainable trade, digital infrastructure like UPI, and digital commerce. "These areas will use potential to further integrate South and Southeast Asian regions which in turn will promote efficient utilisation of the resources, helping fight climate change and resource scarcity the world is facing," he added. He also lauded the semiconductor manufacturing facility in Assam, calling it a game-changer for the region. "The upcoming semiconductor manufacturing facility in Assam under the government of India in incentive will open a vista of opportunities for the northeastern states and our neighbouring countries. This semiconductor plant will position the whole of the Northeast region as a technological hub in eastern India and is expected to attract more investments from advanced countries. This in turn will open up huge opportunities for businessmen based in northeast India as well as our neighbouring countries in the east. Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming decades, northeast India desires to be one of the major growth drivers in India," Margherita said. Ruhul Amin, Bangladesh's Assistant High Commissioner in Guwahati, also attended the event. He highlighted that Dhaka values connectivity with the region. "I see a huge potential between Bangladesh and northeast in terms of trade and connectivity, but due to lack of air connectivity, a lot of things are not happening which could happen. We are always in favour of having a Dhaka-Guwahati flight. I am sure the Assam government and the government of India are also in on it. Once we have that then people will come closer, trade will grow, it will be a win-win situation," Amin said while speaking to the media. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on November 21, according to a release from the Ministry of Defence. The two leaders praised the progress achieved in the India-US defence partnership, which is underpinned by enhanced operational coordination, information-sharing, and industrial innovation, the release noted. "Both sides recognised the remarkable progress made under the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, including ongoing collaboration to advance priority co-production arrangements for jet engines, munitions, and ground mobility systems," the release stated. The Defence Minister highlighted his recent successful visit to the US in August 2024, during which two significant agreements were signed - the Security of Supplies Agreement (SOSA) and the Memorandum of Agreement regarding the deployment of Liaison Officers. "Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to deepen the military partnership and interoperability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific," the release added. Referring to the QUAD Summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 21, Singh stressed the importance of working together on agreed initiatives, including the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), the first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, and the launch of a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project. These initiatives aim to support rapid and efficient civilian responses to natural disasters across the Indo-Pacific, the statement said. "Both sides affirmed their commitment to fostering defence innovation collaboration between the two governments, businesses, and academic institutions, as facilitated by the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem. They agreed to provide more joint challenges, funding opportunities, and visibility to drive this collaboration further. Both sides also committed to sustaining the momentum achieved over the last two and a half years through growing convergence in strategic interests and enhanced defence cooperation," the release stated. The Defence Minister expressed his gratitude to Secretary Austin for his lasting contribution to deepening and expanding the India-US defence partnership. In a post on X, Rajnath Singh described Secretary Austin as a "great friend to India" and commended his exemplary role in strengthening the defence partnership between the two nations. He also extended his best wishes for Austin's future endeavours. https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859545955126870399 "It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, Lloyd Austin. He has been a great friend to India. His contribution towards strengthening the India-US defence partnership has been exemplary. I wish him the very best in all his future endeavours," Singh wrote on X. (ANI) Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his remarks following allegations by US prosecutors against Gautam Adani and others in a purported bribery scam. Majumdar claimed that several Congress-ruled states have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Gautam Adani. "Rahul Gandhi is a brand that is 'Made in Italy'. So, when something happens abroad, he makes a lot of noise. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Adani in many Congress-ruled states. In Kerala too, the state government has signed an MoU with Adani for the development of ports," Majumdar told ANI. He added, "Because of what happened in America, he [Rahul Gandhi] is creating chaos in the country." On Thursday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi demanded Adani's arrest, asserting that it was "clear" and "established" that the Adani Group Chairman had violated both American and Indian laws. Earlier, a five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, implicating prominent Indian executives, including Gautam Adani, in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. Gandhi stated, "Wherever there is corruption, an investigation should be conducted. But it must begin with Adani. Unless he is arrested, the probe won't be credible. Arrest Adani, interrogate him, and then identify others involved. In the end, Narendra Modi's name will surface because the BJP's entire funding structure is under his control. Even if the Prime Minister wants to act, he cannot. In a way, Adani has hijacked the country. India is in Adani's grip." At a press conference, Gandhi added, "It is now evident and established in America that Adani has violated both American and Indian laws. He is being indicted in the US, yet he continues to roam freely in India. Chief Ministers have been arrested, and Adani has allegedly committed a Rs2,000 crore scam and possibly many others, yet no investigation has been initiated." He further demanded, "Adani should be arrested today. SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch, who shielded him by failing to investigate, must be removed, and an impartial investigation must be conducted." In response, the Adani Group strongly denied the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission against its directors, calling them "baseless." A spokesperson for the Adani Group stated, "The charges by the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are unfounded and have been denied. As noted by the US Department of Justice, 'the charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.' We will explore all possible legal recourse." Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra remarked that the company would defend itself, and the law would follow its due course. Speaking at a press conference, Patra said, "Since morning, the media has been reporting on an issue concerning a company facing allegations in the US. We believe the company will defend itself, and the legal process will unfold accordingly." Patra also criticised Rahul Gandhi for "sensationalising" issues. He compared Gandhi's approach to past allegations, including those about the Rafale deal and statements during the COVID-19 pandemic, for which Gandhi later apologised. Patra stated, "Today, Rahul Gandhi held another press conference, repeating the same tactics of sensationalism. He has consistently used similar allegations against Prime Minister Modi to create hype. Whether it was the Rafale fighter jet deal before 2019 or his statements during COVID-19, he ultimately had to apologise to the Supreme Court. This is his pattern of attacking India's institutions and those who protect them." (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said there is widespread support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following exit polls predicting an National Democratic Alliance (NDA) majority in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. He expressed confidence in forming governments in both states, affirming public support for the BJP. "Whether it is Jharkhand or Maharashtra, there is an atmosphere of support for the BJP across the nation. The exit polls indicate that the Mahayuti government will be re-formed in Maharashtra, and we are also winning in Jharkhand. The public is with the BJP," said Yadav. Meanwhile, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul voiced similar confidence, asserting that the BJP governments in Jharkhand and Maharashtra would be established due to the developmental work carried out in those states, unlike in West Bengal, where she alleged that Trinamool Congress leaders monopolise housing scheme benefits. Paul also stressed the importance of a strong central government, drawing parallels with situations in Palestine, Ukraine, and Bangladesh. "We formed the government in Haryana, and we will do so in Jharkhand and Maharashtra too. The reason is development. In West Bengal, poor people don't get homes; only TMC leaders benefit. Women's safety is also a critical issue," she said on Thursday. According to the Republic TV-PMARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance could secure 137-157 seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) may get 126-147 seats, with others gaining 2-8 seats. The Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, while the opposition MVA comprises Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP). The Matrize exit poll projected 150-170 seats for Mahayuti, 110-130 seats for MVA, and 8-10 seats for others. Chanakya Strategies predicted Mahayuti would win 152-160 seats, MVA 130-138 seats, and others 6-8 seats. 'Peoples Pulse' exit poll projected a decisive victory for Mahayuti with 175-195 seats, while MVA was estimated to get 85-112 seats, and others 7-12 seats. The majority mark in the Maharashtra Assembly is 145. This election is the first in the state following splits in Shiv Sena and NCP. In Jharkhand, exit polls suggested the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) might replace the JMM-led alliance. The elections, held in two phases for 81 assembly seats, indicated a strong showing for the BJP-led alliance. According to Chanakya Strategies, the NDA is expected to win 45-50 seats, the JMM-led alliance 35-38 seats, and others 3-5 seats. Peoples Pulse exit poll predicted 44-53 seats for the NDA, 25-37 for the JMM-led alliance, and 5-9 seats for others. The BJP-led alliance in Jharkhand includes the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), Janata Dal (United), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while the JMM-led alliance consists of Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist). Matrize exit poll estimated the NDA could win 42-47 seats, the INDIA bloc 25-30 seats, and others 1-4 seats. The first phase of polling in Jharkhand covered 43 of 81 assembly seats on November 13. The results for all 81 constituencies in Jharkhand, along with those for the Maharashtra Assembly elections and bypolls in several states, will be declared on November 23. (ANI) Reacting to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Gautam Adani, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Bhopal, Rameshwar Sharma, stated that the Indian judiciary, legal system, and constitution are impartial and do not discriminate. After US prosecutors charged Gautam Adani and others in an alleged bribery case, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded Adani's arrest, claiming it is "clear" and "established" that the Adani Group Chairman has violated both American and Indian laws. The Leader of the Opposition also expressed concern, questioning why Adani remains a "free man" in India. He said, "Chief Ministers have been arrested, and Adani has allegedly committed a Rs2,000 crore scam among others, but there is no investigation." Responding to the statement, BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma remarked, "No government can deliberately imprison any Chief Minister. Actions are taken only if crimes are committed or fall under the purview of the law. The Supreme Court and the Constitution of India are paramount. Those found guilty under the Constitution face legal consequences." Addressing Adani's case, Sharma added, "When the Congress was in power in Rajasthan, the Ashok Gehlot government also awarded contracts to Adani. Rahul Gandhi should write a letter to demand an investigation into that. When Congress seeks Adani's involvement in projects, he is acceptable; now, they demand an investigation. Gandhi has been criticising Adani for years without evidence. Prove it. The Indian judiciary, legal system, and Constitution are fair and unbiased." At a press conference in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi said, "Wherever there is corruption, it should be investigated. But the investigation must begin with Adani. Unless he is arrested, it won't be credible. Arrest Adani, interrogate him, and identify everyone involved. Ultimately, Narendra Modi's name will emerge, as BJP's funding structure is tied to him. Even if the Prime Minister wants to act, he cannot, as Adani has effectively hijacked the country. India is in Adani's grip." Meanwhile, the Adani Group strongly refuted the bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, labelling them baseless. An Adani Group spokesperson stated that all legal options would be pursued. "The allegations by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and unfounded," the statement read. The group emphasised a key aspect of the legal proceedings, noting, "As stated by the US Department of Justice, 'the charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.' We will pursue all possible legal recourse." Amid these allegations, Adani Green Energy informed stock exchanges that its subsidiaries have decided to defer their planned US dollar-denominated bond offerings. "In light of these developments, our subsidiaries have decided not to proceed with the proposed USD-denominated bond offerings," it said. US prosecutors had charged Gautam Adani and others in an alleged solar energy contract bribery case. A five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, implicating prominent Indian executives, including Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. (ANI) M. Keivom, currently serving as a Director in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Djibouti, according to an official press release by the MEA. He is expected to assume his new role shortly, marking a significant step in strengthening India's diplomatic ties with Djibouti. Keivom's appointment comes at a time when the relationship between India and Djibouti is deepening. Historical and cultural linkages between the two nations date back to a time well before their respective independences. For centuries, Indian seafarers and traders, primarily from Gujarat and Kerala, frequented the port of Adulis, engaging in trade involving spices, silk, gold, and ivory. These early interactions laid the foundation for the strong diplomatic ties that exist today. In 1969, even before Djibouti's independence in 1977, the Honorary Consul of India began operations in the country, marking the initiation of formal diplomatic relations. Djibouti established its embassy in New Delhi in 2004, and India followed by opening its resident mission in Djibouti in 2019, underlining the growing importance of the bilateral relationship. Beyond trade and diplomacy, the two nations have demonstrated critical cooperation in times of crisis. One notable example was Operation Rahat in April 2015, during which Djibouti provided exceptional support in evacuating Indian nationals and others from war-torn Yemen. This act of solidarity underscored the mutual trust and support between the two nations, which continue to shape their diplomatic and strategic priorities. In recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties, Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh was conferred India's second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, in March 2019. India's bilateral trade with Djibouti has also shown significant growth. In the financial year 2020-21, the trade volume between the two countries reached USD 367.23 million, with India's exports accounting for USD 347.06 million. Major export items included rice, engineering goods, fruits, vegetables, machinery, metals, and food products. Between April 2021 and January 2022, India's exports to Djibouti surged to USD 619.03 million, reflecting a 117% increase. Imports from Djibouti also rose by 133% to USD 34.57 million during the same period, further highlighting the strengthening economic ties between the two nations. (ANI) As per an update by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of the infamous gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has been arrested by US law enforcement and is currently under detention at the Pottawattamie County Jail in the city of Iowa, United States. In an official statement to ANI, ICE stated that Bishnoi was detained at the faciility and that they could not share any further information at this time. The arrest of Anmol Bishnoi comes amid ongoing investigations into his involvement in various criminal activities. Earlier on Monday (local time), the US State Department had declined to comment on the potential deportation of Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi, who is wanted in connection with a firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence. In a statement, the State Department indicated that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller commented, "It would be appropriate, if anyone is going to comment on such a report, it would be the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, not the State Department. I prefaced it that way because they may decline to comment, but I certainly am not going to comment on something that falls within their jurisdiction." This development follows Anmol Bishnoi's detention in California by the US Immigration Department last week, with reports suggesting that FBI officials and Indian security agencies have discussed the possibility of deporting him to India. This comes after the Mumbai Police Crime Branch initiated the extradition process to bring Anmol Bishnoi back to India. Anmol Bishnoi is a wanted gangster involved in the firing at Salman Khan's residence and the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Earlier, on October 25, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for his arrest. He is charged in two NIA cases registered in 2022 and is also wanted for the shooting incident outside Salman Khan's residence earlier this year. Anmol Bishnoi has been linked to numerous criminal activities and is considered a significant figure in organised crime. (ANI) India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, addressed the issue of veto power in the UN Security Council during his statement at the UN General Assembly, emphasising the need for fairness in its distribution. "During the last eight decades, all five permanent members of the Council have used the veto to achieve their respective political ends. Over this period the veto has been used nearly 200 times. Today, there are many options on the table for the use of veto within a reformed UN Security Council. We are ready to work with other delegations on the way forward..." said Harish. Harish highlighted India's consistent stance on the matter, asserting the importance of equity among permanent members. "Mr President, India's position on veto has been that as long as veto exists, it must be held by all permanent members as a matter of fairness and justice. We therefore support the common African position on the veto," he stated. Referring to the broader implications of the veto's existence, Harish remarked, "The use of veto has been a provision available to only five Member States, although it goes against the concept of sovereign equality of UN member states." Calling for a comprehensive approach to reform, Harish further stated, "Therefore, we continue to urge strongly that all five aspects of the UN Security Council reform, including the question of veto, must be addressed in a comprehensive manner through clearly defined timelines in the IGN process." He also emphasised the need for progress in negotiations, adding, "By beginning text-based negotiations at the earliest, India remains fully committed to supporting any initiative that genuinely furthers the objective of achieving meaningful and comprehensive reform of the United Nations architecture." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, for a bilateral discussion in Georgetown, Guyana. The meeting, held during PM Modi's visit to Guyana, is part of India's ongoing engagement with Caribbean nations to strengthen ties and foster cooperation. India and the Commonwealth of Dominica have enjoyed traditionally cordial bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1981. While Dominica does not maintain a diplomatic mission in India, it is concurrently accredited to India's mission in Port of Spain. The relationship has been marked by numerous high-level exchanges, including interactions between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Skerrit during the India-CARICOM Leaders' Meeting in New York in September 2019, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Additionally, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar held tele-talks with Dominica's Foreign Minister Kenneth Darroux on April 30, 2020, addressing the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, Vince Henderson, Dominica's Minister for Foreign Affairs, also participated in several key events, including the India-COFCOR Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Georgetown, and the India-UN for Global South event during India's G20 Presidency in New York. India has been proactive in supporting Dominica's development, exemplified through the India-UNDP Project in Kalinago. The project, initiated in February 2021 with a USD 1 million grant, aimed to strengthen sustainable livelihoods and resilience in the Kalinago community. Earlier in 2024, India committed an additional USD 1 million for the second phase of the Community Resilience Project. Furthermore, India's Vaccine Maitri initiative resulted in the donation of 70,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Dominica, which were personally received by Prime Minister Skerrit in February 2021. The Government of India has also provided medical supplies, including aid during the Covid-19 pandemic and grant-in-aid medicines for public hospitals in 2016. The Indian diaspora in Dominica includes nearly 70 Indian nationals engaged in retail businesses and medical professions, especially in Ross Medical University. Approximately 500 people of Indian-origin currently reside in the island nation, further strengthening the cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries. (ANI) The Commonwealth of Dominica has conferred its highest national honour, the Dominica Award of Honour, upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Sylvanie Burton presented the award to PM Modi in recognition of his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the relationship between India and Dominica. Upon receiving the prestigious award, PM Modi expressed his gratitude, saying, "This honour is not only mine but of 140 crore people of India, their efforts, their values and their tradition. We are two democracies, and we together are role models of women's empowerment for the world. It is a matter of deep satisfaction that we were able to help the people of Dominica during a pandemic like Covid-19." This recognition follows a long-standing history of cooperation between India and Dominica. Prime Minister Modi, during his visit to Guyana, also met with Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit in Georgetown for bilateral talks. The meeting highlighted India's commitment to fostering stronger ties with Caribbean nations. India and Dominica have maintained cordial diplomatic relations since 1981, with numerous high-level exchanges between the two countries. PM Modi and PM Skerrit first met during the India-CARICOM Leaders' Meeting in New York in 2019. The relationship has been marked by continued collaboration on several initiatives, including India's support to Dominica during the COVID-19 pandemic. India's Vaccine Maitri initiative, for example, saw the donation of 70,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to Dominica in 2021. Additionally, India has been proactive in supporting Dominica's development. Through the India-UNDP Project in Kalinago, India has provided USD 1 million to strengthen sustainable livelihoods in the Kalinago community. India has also committed an additional USD 1 million for the second phase of the Community Resilience Project in 2024. The Indian diaspora in Dominica, which includes nearly 500 people of Indian-origin, plays a significant role in enhancing cultural and economic relations between the two countries. Members of the diaspora are involved in retail businesses, medical professions, and academic institutions like Ross Medical University. (ANI) By Rafis Abazov Kazakhstan has long sought to establish itself as a "middle power" in Eurasia, though its geographic and political significance has often been overshadowed by rivalries among major powers like Russia, China, and the West. Recent developmentssuch as the rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), expanded Eurasian transport links, and deeper global economic integrationoffer new opportunities to realize this ambition. These themes were explored at the Kazakhstan Economic Freedom Conference held in Astana in September 2024, where experts debated whether Kazakhstan can effectively capitalize on these trends to enhance its global standing. BACKGROUND: In international relations, a "middle power" refers to a state that, while not a superpower, exerts significant regional influence and acts as a bridge between larger global powers. Kazakhstan, Central Asia's largest economy with a GDP of US$ 261 billion (2023), has pursued this status through a strategy of balancing relations with major neighbors like Russia and China while fostering strong ties with the West. Astana emphasizes principles of non-alignment and multivector diplomacy, enabling the country to mediate regional conflicts, support global non-proliferation, and contribute actively to international organizations. Kazakhstans vision as a middle power is rooted in its economic potential, particularly its vast reserves of oil, gas, and minerals, which have attracted substantial foreign investment over the past three decades. This influx of investment has supported infrastructure development and economic diversification, bolstering its regional standing. By leveraging its natural resources, strategic geographic position, and diplomatic engagement, Kazakhstan aspires to shape regional and global dynamics. Nevertheless, as global economic systems and technological innovations transform the international landscape, Kazakhstans ability to adapt and capitalize on these changes will be crucial in achieving its middle-power ambitions. IMPLICATIONS: Three key developments hold the potential to bolster Kazakhstans status as a middle power, with one of the most transformative being the rise of CBDCs. As digital equivalents of national currencies issued by central banks, CBDCs promise to revolutionize global financial systems by improving transactional efficiency, strengthening monetary policy, and significantly reducing the costs of cross-border payments. Kazakhstan is actively examining the potential of CBDCs, drawing lessons from countries like China, which has advanced in developing the digital yuan. For Kazakhstan, adopting a CBDC could modernize its financial infrastructure, enhancing its integration into global and regional financial networks. A national CBDC would not only streamline domestic payment systems but also facilitate faster, cheaper, and more secure international transactions. This shift could play a pivotal role as Kazakhstan seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas, attracting foreign direct investment in emerging sectors such as advanced technology, green energy, and financial services. Additionally, a CBDC would enable Kazakhstan to exercise greater control over its monetary system, reducing reliance on foreign currencies in trade and cross-border finance. Amid increasing geopolitical tensions and the impact of sanctions on global trade flows, such autonomy within a digital financial ecosystem could significantly enhance Kazakhstans economic resilience and reinforce its strategic positioning as a middle power. The second key development bolstering Kazakhstan's middle-power aspirations is its role in bridging East and West. Strategically located at the center of Eurasia, Kazakhstan has long been pivotal in regional transportation and logistics. This role is being strengthened by the expansion of Eurasian transportation corridors, particularly the 4,200-km Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). Positioned at the intersection of major trade routes connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Kazakhstan's importance has grown amid disruptions in global supply chains caused by geopolitical tensions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and shifting trade partnerships. Initiatives such as Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) project further underscore Kazakhstans centrality in facilitating overland trade between China and Europe. Investments in infrastructureincluding railways, highways, and portsenhance Kazakhstans potential to capture a larger share of international trade flows, boosting its economy and geopolitical relevance. Discussions at the Astana conference highlighted how these transportation corridors present a critical opportunity for Kazakhstan to redefine its middle-power role. By strengthening economic ties with major global actors such as China, the European Union, and Turkey, Kazakhstan not only solidifies its position as a regional logistics hub but also enhances its capacity as a mediator. This dual role, connecting East and West through both trade and diplomacy, reinforces Kazakhstans strategic standing in an increasingly interconnected world. The third development shaping Kazakhstans aspirations as a middle power is its integration into the global economy amidst ongoing global shocks. Like many nations, Kazakhstan has faced significant economic disruptions in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and environmental crises. Mark Uzan, director of the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee and co-organizer of the Astana conference, noted that these shocks have disrupted global supply chains, heightened financial market volatility, and altered trade patterns. They have also exposed vulnerabilities in Kazakhstans economic model, particularly its reliance on natural resource exports. Kazakhstans response to these challenges has been twofold. Domestically, the government has emphasized economic diversification, with investments in renewable energy, agriculture, and digital technologies. Internationally, Kazakhstan has pursued deeper integration into global and regional economic systems, including active participation in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Astana conference underscored the urgency for Kazakhstan to accelerate its diversification efforts and strengthen resilience to external shocks. Policies promoting advanced technology transfer, improved governance, and enhanced participation in global value chains were identified as critical steps. Successfully navigating these challenges could not only stabilize Kazakhstans economy but also enhance its credibility and influence as a middle power on the global stage. CONCLUSIONS: At the international conference in Astana, experts emphasized the transformative potential of CBDCs in positioning Kazakhstan as a financial hub in the region and a key player in the emerging digital economy. By adopting CBDCs and advancing digital finance, Kazakhstan could assert itself as a middle power by actively shaping global financial norms and practices. Moreover, integrating regional transportation corridors with technologies like blockchain and digital logistics platforms could improve efficiency and transparency in trade, giving Kazakhstan a competitive edge. With strategic control over vital transportation routes and a commitment to digital innovation, Kazakhstan is well-positioned to influence the reconfiguration of global trade networks in the 21st century. Kazakhstans rise as a middle power should therefore be reinterpreted beyond its diplomatic and geopolitical role, focusing on its capacity to navigate and shape the regional economic order. The interplay of CBDC adoption, transportation network expansion, and integration into regional and global economic systems creates new pathways for Kazakhstan to enhance its influence on the international stage. However, Kazakhstans ability to secure middle-power status will depend on well-calibrated economic policies that address internal challenges while responding to global economic, technological, and geopolitical shifts. The conference underscored the importance of embracing digital finance, expanding its transportation hub role, and building economic resilience. By doing so, Kazakhstan can solidify its position as a pivotal actor in the future of the Eurasian region and the global economy. AUTHORS BIOS: Rafis Abazov, PhD, is a director of the Institute for Green and Sustainable Development at Kazakh National Agrarian Research University. He is the author of The Culture and Customs of the Central Asian Republics (2007) and The Stories of the Great Steppe (2013). He was executive manager for the Global Hub of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) on Sustainability in Kazakhstan between 2014 and 2019 and organized the International Model UN New Silk Way conference in Afghanistan in 2014 and 2015. He served as a UNDP project manager (joint project UNDP, FAO, and UNICEF) between 2019 and 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit on the final leg of his three-nation tour. In a post on X, PM Modi said that they talked about to diversify trade linkages between both the nations. PM Modi also commended PM Rowley for adopting UPI platforms and welcomed the signing of MoU relating to agro and food processing. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1859426939523477969 "Had a very fruitful meeting with Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago. We talked about how to diversify trade linkages between our nations. Areas like science, healthcare, education, renewable energy and agriculture offer great potential for cooperation. It is a matter of immense joy that Trinidad and Tobago has adopted UPI. The signing of an MoU relating to agro and food processing is also a welcome step," PM Modi said. Sharing details of the talks, MEA in a post on X, said that the leaders discussed ways to strengthen relations of both nations in areas of digital transformation, health, defence and maritime security, transportation and cultural exchanges. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1859359052259610877 "PM congratulated PM Rowley for adopting 's flagship UPI platform. The leaders discussed ways to strengthen India-Trinidad and Tobago relations in areas of digital transformation, health, defence and maritime security, transportation and cultural exchanges. The Prime Ministers witnessed exchange of an MoU on setting up of Integrated Automatic Fruit and Vegetable Primary Processing Activities in Trinidad and Tobago," the post mentioned. The relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago has deep roots, dating back to May 30, 1845, when the first ship, Fatel Razack, brought 225 Indian indentured workers to Trinidad, then a British colony. Their descendants, now the largest ethnic group in the country, account for nearly 42 per cent of the population, contributing significantly to the nation's political, economic, and social fabric. This sizable Indian-origin population has helped foster close bilateral relations, reinforcing ties that span over 170 years. Bilateral exchanges between the two countries have been significant, marked by visits from leaders such as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who attended the CHOGM Summit in Trinidad and Tobago in November 2009, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's state visit to India in January 2012. These visits led to the signing of numerous agreements, further solidifying the bond. In recent years, PM Modi and PM Rowley met in 2018 during the CHOGM Summit in London, where they discussed opportunities for enhanced cooperation. Additionally, the first-ever India-CARICOM Summit in September 2019 in New York resulted in a USD 150 million Line of Credit for renewable energy and climate change projects, and the creation of a joint task force to advance trade and regional development. PM Modi's current visit is also part of the broader CARICOM engagement, which aims to further deepen cooperation with the Caribbean community. The Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago, numbering around 600 families, continues to play a crucial role in strengthening the relationship between the two nations. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recently waived visa requirements for Indian nationals visiting for tourism and business purposes, further promoting bilateral ties. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the highest national award of Guyana, 'The Order of Excellence' during his visit to nation on the final leg of his three-nation tour. The Award was presented to him by Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The Order of Excellence, was awarded to PM Modi for his exceptional service to the global community, statesmanship and contribution to deepening the India-Guyana ties. Sharing the details of the honour recieved by the Prime Minister, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called it "another feather in the cap for India." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1859415313118347349 "President @DrMohamedIrfaa1 @presidentaligy of Guyana conferred PM @narendramodi with the highest national award of Guyana 'The Order of Excellence', for his exceptional service to the global community, statesmanship and contribution in deepening - ties," the post mentioned. In his speech after receiving the award, PM Modi thanked his "friend" Guyanese President Ali for the honour and dubbed it a "living proof" of the nation's deep commitment to the relations between both the countries. "I express my heartfelt gratitude to my friend President Irfaan Ali for conferring upon me Guyana's highest award. This is a living proof of your deep commitment to our relations which will continue to inspire us to move forward in every field," he said. "India-Guyana relations are based on our shared history, cultural heritage and deep mutual trust," he added. Highlighting the dedication of the Guyanese President during his address to the august gathering, PM Modi said, "President Irfaan Ali has personally contributed to taking these relations to unprecedented heights. Under his leadership, we are continuously moving forward in every direction. Even in today's discussions, I felt his affection and respect for the people of India". "India is ready to walk shoulder to shoulder with Guyana in every field. Our cooperation as two democracies is important not only for bilateral relations but for also the entire global south," PM Modi noted affirming his steadfast support to Guyana. He expressed deep regard to the people of Guyana, "I dedicate the honour bestowed upon me to these very historical relations between India and Giuayana and our unbreakable friendship". Extending his thanks, PM Modi also shared the same in a post on X, and said, "PM Modi also took it to the social media platform X, and said, "Sincerely thank President Irfaan Ali, for conferring upon me Guyana's highest honour, 'The Order of Excellence.' This is a recognition of the 140 crore people of India". Earlier, the Commonwealth of Dominica conferred its highest national honour, the Dominica Award of Honour, upon PM Modi. President Sylvanie Burton presented the award to PM Modi in recognition of his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the relationship between India and Dominica. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Gaston Browne on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown on Thursday, where the two leaders discussed key issues related to trade, investment, and climate change action. The MEA on X said, "PM @narendramodi met PM @gastonbrowne of Antigua and Barbuda on the margins of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit today. PM congratulated PM Browne for successfully hosting the 4th SIDS conference. PM Browne appreciated the 7 pillar CARICOM plan put forth by the PM at the Summit." "The leaders exchanged views on issues of trade & investment, capacity building for SIDS, and climate change action. PM Browne announced support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council," the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal added in his post. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1859377707634577779 Earlier, PM Modi had bilateral talks with Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago during the same summit. In a post on X, PM Modi shared that the two leaders discussed ways to diversify trade linkages between the two countries. PM Modi also commended PM Rowley for adopting the UPI platform and welcomed the signing of an MoU on agro and food processing. "Had a very fruitful meeting with Prime Minister Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago. We talked about how to diversify trade linkages between our nations. Areas like science, healthcare, education, renewable energy, and agriculture offer great potential for cooperation. It is a matter of immense joy that Trinidad and Tobago has adopted UPI. The signing of an MoU relating to agro and food processing is also a welcome step," PM Modi said. Sharing more details of the talks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the leaders also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations in areas such as digital transformation, health, defence, maritime security, transportation, and cultural exchanges. "PM congratulated PM Rowley for adopting India's flagship UPI platform. The leaders discussed ways to strengthen India-Trinidad and Tobago relations in areas of digital transformation, health, defence, maritime security, transportation, and cultural exchanges," the MEA's post stated. The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of an MoU on setting up Integrated Automatic Fruit and Vegetable Primary Processing Activities in Trinidad and Tobago. The relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago has deep historical roots, dating back to May 30, 1845, when the first ship, Fatel Razack, brought 225 Indian indentured workers to Trinidad, then a British colony. Today, their descendants form the largest ethnic group in the country, making up nearly 42 per cent of the population. This Indian-origin population has played a significant role in shaping the political, economic, and social fabric of Trinidad and Tobago. Bilateral exchanges between the two countries have been ongoing for over 170 years. Visits by leaders such as former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who attended the CHOGM Summit in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009, and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's state visit to India in 2012 have helped solidify these ties. In recent years, PM Modi and PM Rowley have met on several occasions, including at the CHOGM Summit in London in 2018, where they discussed opportunities for enhanced cooperation. Additionally, the first-ever India-CARICOM Summit in September 2019 in New York resulted in a USD 150 million Line of Credit for renewable energy and climate change projects. A joint task force was also created to advance trade and regional development. PM Modi's current visit is part of a broader engagement with the Caribbean, aiming to deepen cooperation with the region. The Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago, which numbers around 600 families, continues to play a crucial role in strengthening the relationship between the two nations. Recently, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago waived visa requirements for Indian nationals visiting for tourism and business, further promoting bilateral ties. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will mark a special occasion on his visit to Guyana later on Friday when he addresses a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament, marking yet another significant moment in his global diplomatic outreach. PM Modi is visiting Guyana as a part of his three-nation tour wherein he previously was in Nigeria and then Brazil. His visit to Guyana becomes significant as he is the first Indian PM to visit the country in over 50 years. During his visit he will also address the Guyanese Parliament. This will be the 14th such instance when PM Modi will speak on behalf of the people of India in the Parliaments of foreign nations. He holds the distinction of being the Indian PM with the highest number of addresses to foreign Parliaments. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had delivered 7 such addresses while PM Modi has delivered 14 addresses to foreign Parliaments. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had addressed foreign legislatures four times, while former PM Jawaharlal Nehru did it three times. Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee delivered two such addresses while others like Morarji Desai and PV Narsimha Rao addressed only once. Over the years, PM Modi has delivered speeches in legislative chambers across the world, from the Americas to Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. His addresses, which transcend continents, are a testament to India's growing influence on the global stage. PM has addressed the joint session of the US Congress twice, once in 2016 and then again in 2023. In 2014, the PM addressed the Parliaments of Australia and Fiji and also addressed the British Parliament in 2015. In Africa, PM Modi addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius in 2015 and the Parliament of Uganda in 2018. In Asia, the PM addressed the Parliament of the joint session of the Bhutanese Parliament and Nepal Constituent Assembly in 2014, the Parliaments of Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Afghanistan in 2015, and the Parliament of Maldives in 2019. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the highest national award of Guyana, 'The Order of Excellence' during his visit to nation on the final leg of his three-nation tour. The Award was presented to him by Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The Order of Excellence, was awarded to PM Modi for his exceptional service to the global community, statesmanship and contribution to deepening the India-Guyana ties. The Commonwealth of Dominica also conferred its highest national honour, the Dominica Award of Honour, upon PM Modi. President Sylvanie Burton presented the award to PM Modi in recognition of his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening the relationship between India and Dominica. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday attended the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM) in Vientiane, Lao PDR. During the meeting, Singh underscored India's commitment to dialogue in resolving complex issues and emphasised that India firmly believes in constructive engagement among nations to achieve genuine, long-term solutions to global problems. Sharing a post on X, the office of the Defence Minister of India wrote, "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh attending the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus at Vientiane, Lao PDR." https://x.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/1859433606151888936 Singh said, "India has always advocated and practiced dialogue for resolving complex international issues. This commitment to open communication and peaceful negotiation is evident in India's approach to a wide range of international challenges, from border disputes to trade agreements." He added, "India believes that genuine, long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations engage constructively, respecting each other's perspectives and working toward shared goals in the spirit of cooperations." He further said, "As we are sitting here in the ADMM Plus forum, I wish to emphasise that this, and other similar forums, provide us a platform and an opportunity to discuss and deliberate issues of cooperation and contest in an open, frank and honest manner." Emphasising on the need for dialogue, Singh said, "An open dialogue promotes trust, understanding, and cooperation, laying the foundation for sustainable partnerships. The power of dialogue has always proven effective, yielding tangible results that contribute to stability and harmony on the global stage." The defence minister reiterated India's commitment to the promotion of peace and prosperity in the Indo-pacific and said, "In the context of promotion of peace and prosperity in the Indo-pacific, India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law." On the ongoing discussions on the Code of Conduct, Singh said, "India would like to see a Code that should not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations, which are not party to these discussions. The code should be fully consistent with international law, in particular the UN Convention Law of Sea 1982." "Speaking about climate change leads us to the critical concept of 'Global Commons' -- the shared natural resources and ecosystems essential to sustaining life and bringing prosperity on the planet. These resources provide invaluable ecological, economic, and social benefits that extend beyond national boundaries," he added. Singh also expressed his condolences on the Typhoon Yagi and emphasised India's humanitarian assistance through Operation Sadbhav. He said, "At the outset, I express my deep condolences to those affected by the tragic incidence of "Typhoon Yagi" in September. During this challenging time, India has been working together with the affected nations to provide humanitarian assistance through Operation Sadbhav. Among other things, disasters like this remind us of the perils of Climate Change." Speaking up on ASEAN,the defence minister stated, "I am sure this eminent gathering would agree that the 21st century is the 'Asian Century.' The ASEAN region, in particular, has always been economically dynamic and bustling with trade, commerce and cultural activities spanning millennia. All through this transformational journey, India has remained a trusted friend of the region." "As India celebrates a decade of Our Act East policy, we see the dividends paying out in the strengthening of India's ties with ASEAN and Indo-pacific nations. This vision re-emphasised the pivotal role of ASEAN as a cornerstone of our nation's policy." He added, "Before I conclude, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Lao PDR for the successful chairmanship of ASEAN and ADMM Plus. I also thank them for their wonderful hospitality." Rajnath Singh further said that India is poised to strengthen its partnership with ASEAN, owing to the adoption of the Joint Statement and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He said that India's vision for the partnership is based on creating a stable, safer, and more secure world for generations to come. "The Joint Statement being adopted today and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN will, of course, lay the groundwork for our partnership in future. In the days ahead, India looks forward to working with all of you towards a stable, safer and more secure world for our future generations," Singh said. A day before, Singh also interacted with the Indian community in Vientiane, expressing his gratitude for their warm welcome. Sharing a post on X, Singh wrote, "Grateful to the dynamic Indian community in Vientiane (Lao PDR) for the warm welcome!" https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859251741348520123 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 emphasised 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 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 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. Singh on Wednesday 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. He also participated in 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 to make India fully developed by 2047. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit which took place in Guyana. Sharing the details of the meeting in a post on the social media platform, X, PM Modi said, "Had an excellent meeting with Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana. The President himself enjoys a strong bond with India". https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1859368985403457844 He said that the two countries touched upon various aspects in their deliberations. "In our talks, we reviewed the developmental cooperation between our nations. This includes cooperation in sectors like skill development, capacity building, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, education and energy". In a post on X, PM Modi also shared photos from the ceremonial welcome he received in Georgetown earlier in the day. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1859329847857692741 Addressing the media with PM Modi, Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali had noted, "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." PM Modi will also address the Gyuana Parliament later on Thursday marking a significant milestone in global outreach. (ANI) India has always advocated and practised dialogue for resolving complex international issues, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Laos PDR on Thursday. He was addressing the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus) in Laos. Rajnath Singh said, "This commitment to open communication and peaceful negotiation is evident in India's approach to a wide range of international challenges, from border disputes to trade agreements." "Considering the ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world and challenges to the international order, it is providential that we are meeting in Laos, which has internalized the Buddhist principles of non-violence and peace for long," he said. Rajnath Singh said that in the context of the promotion of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law. He further said that India believes that genuine, long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations engage constructively, respecting each other's perspectives and working toward shared goals in the spirit of cooperation. "The Joint Statement being adopted in the meeting and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN will, of course, lay the groundwork for our partnership in future. In the days ahead, India looks forward to working with all of you towards a stable, safer and more secure world for our future generations," added Rajnath Singh. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday attended the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM) in Vientiane, Lao PDR. During the meeting, Singh underscored India's commitment to dialogue in resolving complex issues and emphasised that India firmly believes in constructive engagement among nations to achieve genuine, long-term solutions to global problems. Sharing a post on X, the office of the Defence Minister of India wrote, "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh attending the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus at Vientiane, Lao PDR."Singh said, "India has always advocated and practised dialogue for resolving complex international issues. This commitment to open communication and peaceful negotiation is evident in India's approach to a wide range of international challenges, from border disputes to trade agreements."He added, "India believes that genuine, long-term solutions to global problems can only be achieved when nations engage constructively, respecting each other's perspectives and working toward shared goals in the spirit of cooperation." He further said, "As we are sitting here in the ADMM Plus forum, I wish to emphasise that this, and other similar forums, provide us a platform and an opportunity to discuss and deliberate issues of cooperation and contest in an open, frank and honest manner." Emphasising the need for dialogue, Singh said, "An open dialogue promotes trust, understanding, and cooperation, laying the foundation for sustainable partnerships. The power of dialogue has always proven effective, yielding tangible results that contribute to stability and harmony on the global stage." The defence minister reiterated India's commitment to the promotion of peace and prosperity in the Indo-pacific and said, "In the context of promotion of peace and prosperity in the Indo-pacific, India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law." On the ongoing discussions on the Code of Conduct, Singh said, "India would like to see a Code that should not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of nations, which are not party to these discussions. The code should be fully consistent with international law, in particular the UN Convention Law of Sea 1982." "Speaking about climate change leads us to the critical concept of 'Global Commons' -- the shared natural resources and ecosystems essential to sustaining life and bringing prosperity on the planet. These resources provide invaluable ecological, economic, and social benefits that extend beyond national boundaries," he added. Singh also expressed his condolences on Typhoon Yagi and emphasised India's humanitarian assistance through Operation Sadbhav. Speaking up on ASEAN, the defence minister stated, "I am sure this eminent gathering would agree that the 21st century is the 'Asian Century.' The ASEAN region, in particular, has always been economically dynamic and bustling with trade, commerce and cultural activities spanning millennia. All through this transformational journey, India has remained a trusted friend of the region." "As India celebrates a decade of Our Act East policy, we see the dividends paying out in the strengthening of India's ties with ASEAN and Indo-Pacific nations. This vision re-emphasised the pivotal role of ASEAN as a cornerstone of our nation's policy," he said. A day before, Singh also interacted with the Indian community in Vientiane, expressing his gratitude for their warm welcome. The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus where Singh emphasised 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 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 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. Singh on Wednesday 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. He also participated in 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 to make India fully developed by 2047. (ANI) On being conferred with the highest national award of Guyana, 'The Order of Excellence' during the visit to the country on the final leg of the three-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to President Dr Irfaan Ali and asserted that the honour belongs to the citizens of India. He underlined the bond between the two countries and said that the friendship between them will "grow even stronger." Sharing a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "I am grateful to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Government and the people of Guyana for conferring 'The Order of Excellence.' This honour belongs to the people of India. "May the India-Guyana friendship grow even stronger in the times to come," the post added. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1859460794502484451 Additionally, PM Modi also expressed the development of India's ties with the Caribbean countries. In another post, PM Modi said, "Here are highlights from the programmes in Guyana. I am confident that India's ties with the Caribbean nations will get even more robust in the times to come." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1859463050039787625 Notably, a day before, PM Modi participated in the second India-CARICOM Summit and stated that it demonstrated a common commitment to boosting relations with the Caribbean nations and enhancing collaboration across several sectors. On X, he wrote, "With CARICOM leaders at the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana. This Summit reflects our shared commitment to strengthening ties with the Caribbean nations, fostering cooperation across diverse sectors. Together, we are working to build a bright future for the coming generations!" https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1859369650733113815 Notably, PM Modi will mark a special occasion later on Thursday when he addresses a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament, marking yet another significant moment in his global diplomatic outreach. PM Modi is visiting Guyana as a part of his three-nation tour wherein he previously was in Nigeria and then Brazil. His visit to Guyana becomes significant as he is the first Indian PM to visit the country in over 50 years. During his visit, he will also address the Guyanese Parliament. This will be the 14th such instance when PM Modi will speak on behalf of the people of India in the Parliaments of foreign nations. He holds the distinction of being the Indian PM with the highest number of addresses to foreign Parliaments. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh delivered seven such addresses while PM Modi has delivered 14 addresses to foreign Parliaments. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had addressed foreign legislatures four times, while former PM Jawaharlal Nehru did it three times. Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee delivered two such addresses while others like Morarji Desai and PV Narsimha Rao addressed only once. Over the years, PM Modi has delivered speeches in legislative chambers across the world, from the Americas to Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia. His addresses, which transcend continents, are a testament to India's growing influence on the global stage. PM has addressed the joint session of the US Congress twice, once in 2016 and then again in 2023. In 2014, the PM addressed the Parliaments of Australia and Fiji and also addressed the British Parliament in 2015. In Africa, PM Modi addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius in 2015 and the Parliament of Uganda in 2018. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on being conferred with the 'Dominica Award of Honour', the highest national award of Dominica, during his state visit to Guyana. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, " Congratulate PM @narendramodi on being conferred with Dominica's highest National Award - "Dominica Award of Honour"." The External Affairs Minister noted that the award recognises, "PM's statesmanship, especially support to Dominica during the Covid-19 pandemic". He observed, "The award reinforces PM @narendramodi's leadership in being a true partner and voice of the Global South". https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1859426466913562719 After being conferred with the award, Prime Minister Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude. He said, "This honour is not only mine. but also of the 1.4 billion people of India, their efforts, their values, their traditions". He thanked President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica for her special gesture to come to Guyana and confer the award on him. "India and Dominica are role models for the world in the field of women empowerment. Both the countries have women presidents. You both are a source of inspiration for women across the world", PM remarked while he received the award. PM Modi said, "India and Dominica have longstanding historic and cultural relations. In the 19th century, many Indians made Dominica their home. The cornerstone laid down by them lays the strong groundwork for our friendship. Inspired by their actions, we want to support Dominica's development and capacity building actively". PM Modi also highlighted, "It has been a great source of satisfaction for India that during the time of the COVID pandemic, we were able to help the people of Dominica. Dominica is our valuable partner in the CARICOM region and in the upcoming times, we are committed to taking our relationship to greater heights. After being conferred with this award, our responsibility becomes even more".. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also conferred with the highest national award of Guyana, 'The Order of Excellence' during his visit to nation on the final leg of his three-nation tour.The Award was presented to him by Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The Order of Excellence, was awarded to PM Modi for his exceptional service to the global community, statesmanship and contribution to deepening the India-Guyana ties. (ANI) The US, UK, and Australian governments, along with the United Nations, condemned the sentencing of 45 democracy activists and former lawmakers to up to 10 years in prison for "subversion." This came amid increasing demands for tougher sanctions on Hong Kong and the broadening of visa programmes to assist those escaping the city's ongoing political repression. According to a Radio Free Asia report, rights activists, family members, and Hong Kong's former colonial governor also denounced the sentences, which were imposed on pro-democracy activists for organising a primary in July 2020. They described the sentencing as part of an "unrelenting attack" on democracy and other freedoms in the region since its transfer from Britain to China in 1997. In a statement on Tuesday, the US Department of State announced it is taking action to impose new visa restrictions on several Hong Kong officials involved in enforcing the 2020 National Security Law, which has been used to prosecute the activists. The statement called for the immediate and unconditional release of the 45 individuals and other political prisoners. It emphasised that these severe sentences undermine trust in Hong Kong's judicial system and damage the city's global standing. British Foreign Office minister Catherine West also condemned the sentencing, calling it a clear example of Hong Kong authorities using the National Security Law to criminalise political dissent. She stated that those sentenced simply exercised their rights to freedom of speech, assembly, and political participation. Senator Penny Wong, Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs and leader of the government in the Senate, expressed deep concern in a statement over the sentencing of the activists, including Australian citizen Gordon Ng. She called on China to end its suppression of freedoms such as expression, assembly, media, and civil society, in line with recommendations from the Human Rights Committee and Special Procedures. Wong also urged the repeal of the National Security Law in Hong Kong. According to the report, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) stated that High Commissioner Volker Turk had called for an "urgent review" of the convictions and urged Hong Kong authorities to ensure they adhere to international human rights law, including safeguarding freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and association. The OHCHR emphasised that national security laws should be precise in their scope and definition, allowing human rights restrictions only when absolutely necessary for a legitimate purpose and in a proportionate manner. In response to the criticism during a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Li Jian stated that "no one should be allowed to use 'democracy' as an excuse to engage in illegal activities and evade justice." He reiterated that the Central Government strongly supports Hong Kong in protecting national security and punishing any actions that threaten it, in accordance with the law. Li also expressed strong opposition to certain Western countries interfering in China's internal matters and attempting to tarnish Hong Kong's legal system. Tuesday's sentencing was also condemned by Lord Patten of Barnes, the last British colonial governor of Hong Kong, who described it as "an affront to the people of Hong Kong." In a statement, he strongly criticised the "sham sentences," which followed a non-jury trial, highlighting the erosion of freedoms of assembly, expression, and the press in Hong Kong. He urged the UK government not to let the outcome of this case go unnoticed or unchallenged. Canadian Senator Leo Housakos, a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, called the sentences a "grave injustice." In a statement shared by the London-based rights group Hong Kong Watch, he argued that the National Security Law and the prosecution of these activists undermine the core principles of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. Former politics lecturer Chan Kin-man, who co-founded the 2014 Occupy Central pro-democracy movement with key defendant Benny Tai, stated that none of those imprisoned, many of whom have been incarcerated for over three years, should have spent even a single day in jail. Referring to Tai, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Hong Kong High Court on Tuesday, Chan said, "Benny worked tirelessly as a constitutional scholar to broaden the pro-democracy movement through peaceful means." (ANI) You are here: Arts People visit Kuwait's 47th International Book Fair in Hawalli Governorate, Kuwait, on Nov. 20, 2024. The book fair kicked off here on Wednesday, with the participation of more than 500 publishing houses. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua) The 47th Kuwait International Book Fair kicked off on Wednesday in Kuwait's Hawalli Governorate under the theme "The World in a Book." The event, organized by Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters, features 544 publishing houses from 31 countries and regions, according to the Kuwait News Agency. In his opening remarks, Minister of Information and Culture Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi described the book fair as one of Kuwait's most important cultural events, stressing its significance in promoting Kuwait's vibrant cultural heritage, which he described as a "way of life and a framework for enlightened thinking." Running until Nov. 30, this year's book fair features approximately 90 cultural activities, including seminars, panel discussions, and training workshops. Al-Mutairi highlighted the fair as a testament to Kuwait's commitment to fostering intellectual growth and cultural exchange and underscored the importance of encouraging younger generations to embrace reading as a tool for expanding their intellectual and literary horizons. Karma Samdrup, a prominent Tibetan environmentalist and philanthropist, has been released from prison after serving a 15-year sentence. Reports suggest that his imprisonment officially ended on November 19, 2024, though some sources indicate that his release may have occurred a day earlier, on November 18. Samdrup's release is marked by a further restriction, a five-year deprivation of political rights that takes effect immediately. However, details about his current whereabouts and well-being remain unclear. Samdrup was arrested on January 3, 2010, following his efforts to advocate for the release of his brothers, Rinchen Samdrup and Chime Namgyal, both of whom were detained for exposing illegal poaching activities in Tibet. Karma Samdrup's arrest occurred after he visited his brothers in prison, signalling that his detention may have been an act of retaliation for his environmental advocacy. Initially, Karma Samdrup was charged with tomb excavation and cultural relic theft, allegations that dated back to 1998 but were revived during his arrest in 2010. Despite the charges being previously cleared, he was sentenced by the Yanqi Hui Xinjiang District Court in June 2010 to 15 years in prison. The case of Karma Samdrup testified to China's controversial judicial practices as he accused police officers of systematic torture during his detention, challenging the government's new regulations in May 2010 against the illegal collection of evidence. He disclosed during his trial on 22 June 2010 that Chinese officers repeatedly beat him, ordered fellow detainees to beat him, denied him sleep for days on end, and drugged him with a substance that caused his eyes and ears to bleed, all to extract a confession from him. Karma Samdrup and his brothers were founders of the Achung Senge Namgyal Voluntary Environmental Protection Association, a group that earned recognition for its environmental advocacy. Despite his imprisonment, Samdrup's case has drawn international attention to the suppression of environmental and human rights activism in Tibet. Samdrup's brothers also faced legal repercussions for their activism Rinchen Samdrup was sentenced to five years in prison and released in 2014, while Chime Namgyal served a sentence in a labor camp. As of now, the full extent of Samdrup's health and conditions following his release remains uncertain, raising concerns among human rights groups about his treatment while in custody. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and External Affair, Kirti Vardhan Singh emphasised on ways to drive the net-zero transition and decarbonise industries through green technology at the LeadIT Summit at COP 29. At the summit, Vardhan underscored India's dedication to balancing industrial growth with environmental preservation in pursuit of climate targets under the Paris Agreement. Notably, Kirti Vardhan Singh, together with Swedish Minister for Climate and Environment, Romina Pourmokhtari, co-chaired the Annual Summit of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), held on the sidelines of COP29 to the UN Climate Change Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan on Wednesday. Sharing a post on X, Vardhan wrote, "Co-chaired the LeadIT Summit at COP 29 with Swedish Minister for Environment and Climate Ms. Romina Pourmokhtari." "Effective pathways for industry transition were deliberated upon by the members, both from the government and the industry side. The India-Sweden Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) stands as a beacon of sustainable industry innovation. In my remarks, I highlighted the ambitious pathways to drive the net-zero transition and decarbonize industries through green technology," the post added. He further said, "India is committed to forging partnerships that balance industrial growth with environmental preservation, driving progress towards our climate targets under the Paris Agreement." https://x.com/KVSinghMPGonda/status/1859426281508766091 The minister also underscored India's commitment to advancing the low-carbon transition in industrial sectors. He emphasised the importance of collaborative public-private partnerships and North-South cooperation in fostering an inclusive, just, and sustainable transition of hard-to-abate industries. Reflecting on LeadIT's first five years, Vardhan Singh acknowledged the impactful progress made by members. The India-Sweden Industry Transition Partnership launched under LeadIT 2.0 at COP 28 in 2023, a model for international cooperation, was highlighted as a key mechanism for co-developing technologies, sharing knowledge, and driving the transition of industries such as steel and cement. Notably, the LeadIT Summit brings together the country and company members to discuss low-carbon industrial transition. The objective is to support plans that align heavy industry with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The summit spotlighted the critical role of transforming sectors such as steel and cement. A tour de table showcased insights from representatives of countries and companies on industrial low-carbon transition strategies and activities. Selvin Hart, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General called upon the industry to be the advocates of climate commitments and be vocal about the prerequisites for action at their end. The Summit concluded with a call to the global community to strengthen its resolve towards a low-carbon industrial future. Singh stressed that industrial low-carbon transition not only supports climate targets but also creates economic opportunities, jobs, and resilient communities. India remains committed to advancing the industry transition agenda through international cooperation and believes that, together, countries can achieve a sustainable and prosperous future. (ANI) United States President-elect Donald Trump nominated former US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to serve as the United States' Ambassador to Canada. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Trump said, "I am very pleased to announce that former Ambassador, and former Congressman, Pete Hoekstra, has been nominated as my United States Ambassador to Canada". "Pete is well-respected in the Great State of Michigan - A State we won sizably. He represented Michigan's 2nd District in Congress for nearly 20 years, where he was also Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and was a great help to our Campaign as Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party," the statement mentioned. "I overhauled the disastrous NAFTA Agreement, the worst Trade Deal in the History of the United States, which was switched to the USMCA (Mexico/Canada), which no one thought could be done. We brought Trade with Mexico and Canada to a level playing field for our wonderful Farmers and Working Families", Trump added. He noted that during his second term, Hoekstra would help him once again put "AMERICA FIRST". He lauded Hoekstra, saying that the former Ambassador did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during the Trump Administration's first four years, and expressed great confidence in Hoekstra. "He will continue to represent our Country well in this new role. Thank you, Pete!," Trump said. In a post on X, Pete Hoekstra expressed his gratitude and said he was "honoured for the opportunity." "Honored for the opportunity to serve. Thank you, Mr. President!," Hoekstra said. https://x.com/petehoekstra/status/1859405210772439120 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) Baloch political activists Mahrang Baloch and Sabiha Baloch on Wednesday held a meeting with a European Union delegation to bring attention to human rights abuses in Balochistan. They discussed issues such as enforced disappearances, harassment, and restrictions on peaceful political activities. Mahrang Baloch shared details of the meeting in a post on X, stating, "Sabiha Baloch and I recently met with the EU delegation to address the urgent situation in Balochistan." https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1859226652963971132 She also expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you, EU, for your time and attention. We call on the EU to take action on the urgent human rights violations, enforced disappearances, and the repression of peaceful activism in Balochistan." The EU Delegation to Pakistan recognised the meeting in a statement shared on X, noting, "Ahead of an intense week of EUPK bilateral consultations, Deren Derya, Head of Pakistan & Afghanistan Division EU officials, welcome the opportunity to connect with human rights defenders, incl. from Balochistan to discuss fundamental rights & socio-economic situation." https://x.com/EUPakistan/status/1858920995018461443 The statement further highlighted that the discussions included topics such as "fundamental rights and the socio-economic conditions in Balochistan." This meeting took place amidst increasing global concern over human rights abuses in Balochistan, such as the harassment of women and children, suppression of free speech, and the rise in enforced disappearances. The activists urged the EU to take decisive action to address these violations and ensure accountability in Balochistan. Human rights violations in Balochistan have been a persistent and significant issue for decades. Ethnic Baloch people in Pakistan's Balochistan province have long accused the state of systemic discrimination, marginalisation, and the denial of political autonomy. The Pakistani government has been criticised for forcibly suppressing Baloch nationalist movements, with reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture of activists, journalists, and civilians. The Pakistani military, intelligence agencies, and paramilitary forces have been implicated in these abuses, often targeting Baloch insurgents and pro-independence groups under the guise of counter-insurgency operations. In addition to the violence, Balochistan suffers from widespread economic underdevelopment, despite its wealth of natural resources such as oil, gas, and minerals. This economic disparity, combined with limited access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure, has fueled growing discontent among the Baloch people. (ANI) The Ukrainian Air Force on Thursday said that Russia launched a massive missile attack on the city of Dnipro, involving intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It further reported that the attack involved a range of missiles, including an intercontinental ballistic missile launched from the Astrakhan region of Russia, a Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missile fired from a MiG-31K fighter jet in the Tambov region, and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles fired from Tu-95MS strategic bombers in the Volgograd region. In a statement on telegram channel, the Ukrainian Air Force wrote, "On the morning of November 21, 2024, between 05:00 and 07:00, Russian troops attacked the city of Dnipro (enterprises and critical infrastructure) with missiles of various types." It added, "In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, an Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missile from a MiG-31K fighter jet was launched from the Tambov region, seven Kh-101 cruise missiles were fired from Tu-95MS strategic bombers (launch area - Volgograd region)." The Ukrainian Air Force further said that as a result of anti-aircraft combat, units of anti-aircraft missile forces destroyed six Kh-101 missiles. It further informed that information about victims has not yet been received. "Once again, we ask citizens not to delay with air warning signals! And we call on all media people and bloggers to responsibly spread this or that information about the combat work of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and any threats to the Ukrainian state," the Air Force said. Notably, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is a long-range weapon that is fired into space and then releases a warhead or warheads that reenter the atmosphere to drop on their targets. They are considered to have a minimum range of 5,500 kilometres (3,400 miles), but some versions can go much farther, more than 9,000 kilometres, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. The first ICBM rocket was launched in 1957 by the then-Soviet Union, followed by the United States in 1959. Meanwhile, the United States on Wednesday confirmed that it will provide Ukraine with non-persistent anti-personnel landmines to aid in the country's defence against Russian attacks. The US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the decision to provide anti-personnel landmines is a response to Russia's military advances in eastern Ukraine. Notably, there were news reports that US President Joe Biden authorised the provision of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine. Addressing the US State Department press briefing on Wednesday, Miller said, "So I can confirm that we are providing the Ukrainian government with non-persistent anti-personnel landmines. We have been providing them with anti-tank landmines for some time, but this is the first time we are providing them with anti-personnel landmines." He added, "There are a few things that I think are important to note about this new provision of equipment to the Ukrainians. One is that, as you have heard the Secretary say many times, we always adapt and adjust our policies based on real-world events. And the real-world events that we have seen are Russian advances, specifically Russian infantry advances in eastern Ukraine, and these non-persistent anti-personnel landmines are designed to blunt those types of infantry advances. They are very different from the landmines that the Russians have deployed and that you have seen other militaries, including our own military, deploy decades ago." (ANI) Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley opposed the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) by the United States President-elect Donald Trump and called Gabbard being sympathetic to countries like Russia, Syria, Iran, and China. Haley also criticised Gabbard for opposing the end of the Iran nuclear deal, her scepticism of Bashar al-Assad's involvement in chemical weapons attacks in Syria, and her comments on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Gabbard blamed NATO for Russia's invasion. The remarks by Haley came during a podcast which she shared on her X handle. She said, "What are the facts about Tulsi Gabbard? She opposed ending the Iran nuclear deal. She opposed sanctions on Iran, she opposed designating the Iran military as terrorists who say death to America every single day. This is going to be the future head of our national intelligence in Congress. Tulsi criticised Trump's authoritarian strike against Qasem Soleimani. Now I will remind you, he was considered the master of death in Iran." Haley further said, "She called for Trump to end the destructive war, the trade war with China. So now, she has defended Russia, she has defended Syria, she has defended Iran and she has defended China. Now, she has not denounced any of these views, none of them. She hasn't taken one of them back. DNI is not a place for Russian, Iranian, Syrian, or Chinese sympathiser. DNI has to analyse real threats. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national intelligence agencies." In order to prevent the US from punishing Iran, Haley during the podcast claimed that Gabbard attempted to reduce the US' yearly defence budget. "She (Gabbard) tried to limit Trump's war powers against Iran. She tried to cut our annual defence budget so that we could not punish Iran and hinder their influence. Reminder, Iran is our number one sponsor of terrorism and Tulsi Gabbard was defending Iran. She went to Syria in 2017 for a photo-op with Bashar al-Assad while he was massacring his own people. She said she was sceptical that he was behind the chemical weapons attacks. Now, this to me is disgusting..." Haley also spoke on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and criticised Gabbard for blaming NATO for the Russian attack on Ukraine. She said, "After Russia invaded Ukraine, Tulsi Gabbard literally blamed NATO. Our western alliance that's responsible for countering Russia. She blamed NATO for the attack on Ukraine. And the Russians and the Chinese echoed her talking points and her interviews on Russian and Chinese television." Haley further said, "She pushed for dropping charges against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and pardoning National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, both of whom were accused of leaking highly sensitive US secrets." Notably, while announcing Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Trump praised Gabbard's commitment to fighting for the country and the freedoms of all Americans over the past two decades. "I am pleased to announce that former Congresswoman, Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, will serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans," he said. "As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties She is now a proud Republican! I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!" said Trump. Notably, 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. (ANI) The ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh has severely disrupted trade at the Fulbari Indo-Bangladesh border, significantly impacting import and export activities between India and Bangladesh. According to traders, the import and export activities between India and Bangladesh have been severely affected because of the fund crunch in the neighbouring country Bangladesh. The export of boulders and stone clips from India to Bangladesh has gone down to 10 to 15 per cent. Only a few Bangladesh Nationals are coming to India through the Fulbari Integrated Check Post (ICP) with their medical VISAs. As a result, the function of the exchange counters at the Fulbari land customs station is seen as almost empty. Moreover, the number of tourists visiting Darjeeling and Sikkim has decreased significantly after the imposition of restrictions on tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens. As a result, the tour operators are also incurring huge losses. Speaking with ANI, Brij Kishore Prasad, Secretary of the North Bengal Exporters Association said that they are in crisis following the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. "There is no stable government and because of the recent unrest, the situation created a financial crisis in Bangladesh. As a result, a huge amount has been stuck and not getting any response from the counterpart. So the exporters of the region have gone to court to get back the money. We welcome the decision over which Governments of Bangladesh and India agreed to start trade of rice and boiled rice." "But the Government of India should take immediate action to normalise the import-export business between the two countries," Prasad added. Suvankar Naskar, a trader at Fulbari, Indo-Bangladesh border said, "The condition of the trade at Fulbari is becoming very bad. A smaller number of Indian trucks carrying boulders and stone clips are exported to Bangladesh. The exchange counters are becoming empty. In this situation, we need government intervention." Notably, on August 5, a student-led movement ousted Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, after weeks of protests and clashes that killed over 600 people, Hasina, 76, fled to India and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed. Bangladesh faced a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina resigning from her post in the wake of mounting protests. The protests, majorly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests. (ANI) Australia and India have signed an arrangement to enable the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Indian Armed Forces to conduct air-to-air refuelling, a statement by the Australian Defence Ministry said. Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy MP, and Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh announced the arrangement during bilateral discussions on Thursday, as per the statement. Under the arrangement, RAAF's air-to-air refuelling aircraft, the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, will be able to refuel Indian Armed Forces aircraft. Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Reynolds, AM, signed the arrangement on Tuesday in Delhi at Australia-India Air Staff Talks, the statement said. Reynolds welcomed the arrangement, saying it strengthens the defence relationship between Australia and India. "India is a top-tier security partner for Australia, and through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership we are continuing to prioritise practical and tangible cooperation that directly contributes to Indo-Pacific stability," Reynolds said. "The ability to conduct air-to-air refuelling with the Indian Armed Forces elevates our interoperability and enables us to cooperate more effectively in a range of different scenarios. This arrangement is a significant step forward in our relationship with India, and will provide valuable opportunities for our personnel to work closely together, share knowledge and expertise, and build trust and understanding," the statement quoted Reynolds as saying. RAAF also conducts training and engagement activities with Indian Navy P-81 Neptune surveillance aircraft. The signing of this arrangement is the first step towards KC- 30A refuelling the P-81, increasing India's reach and persistence in the Indo-Pacific region, as per the statement. Singh met Conroy on the sidelines of ADMM Plus. In a post on X on Thursday, he said, "Glad to have met the Australian Defence Minister Mr. Pat Conroy on the sidelines of ADMM Plus. Our defence partnership has achieved significant milestones in the recent years. We look forward to take our defence engagements to a higher level." https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859543106896666971 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday attended the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus forum at Vientiane in Lao PDR, where he emphasized that India stands for rule-based international order for peace and prosperity in Indo-Pacific. (ANI) Baku [Azerbaijan], November 21 (ANI/WAM): Emirati women have made a strong impact at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, showcasing their leadership in climate decision-making. Their participation highlights the UAE's commitment to empowering women in shaping the future of climate action. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, UAE's Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), praised the strong participation of Emirati women, which is facilitated by the unwavering support of the UAE leadership and the tireless efforts of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (Mother of the Nation), Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, to engage women in international forums. Dr. Alanoud Alhaj, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), said she is working on the UAE Net Zero strategy, developed in collaboration with multiple sectors. She noted that the UAE's leadership continues to drive climate action, which was evident during COP28 when the country secured the historic "UAE Consensus." Amal Abdulrahim, Chief AI Officer at the MOCCAE, highlighted the significant female representation in the UAE delegation at COP29, reflecting the leadership's trust in women's abilities. Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at MOCCAE, noted the vital role of women in biodiversity conservation and climate initiatives, with over 70 per cent of the ministry's biodiversity sector led by Emirati women. (ANI/WAM) Human rights activist Amjad Ayub Mirza has strongly condemned the recent presidential ordinance banning all political rallies, gatherings, and protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) as "outrageous." the ordinance was issued in PoJK, banning all political rallies, gatherings, and protests. The Deputy Commissioner of PoJK was granted sweeping new powers, including the authority to impose sentences of up to three years for those who violate the ordinance. The ordinance also allows the designation of any area as a "Red Zone," effectively barring people from entering. Dr Mirza informed ANI that since the issuance of this ordinance, protests have erupted across PoJK, with the latest demonstration taking place on November 19 in Rawalakot, Poonch division. This protest turned violent after police deployed tear gas and attacked peaceful demonstrators. Hundreds of peaceful protesters, including leaders from various organisations, were arrested. The protests, organised by the Joint Awami Action Committee, have been held in multiple cities, with dozens of protesters detained in Mirpur, Hajira, and Rawalakot. In response to the police violence in Rawalakot, the Joint Awami Action Committee has called for an indefinite general strike, which is set to begin on December 5. The group's demands include the abolition of privileges for civil servants and members of the legislative assembly in PoJK, the release of all political prisoners, and compensation for those killed and injured during police and Pakistani Rangers' firing on peaceful protesters in Muzaffarabad between May 11 and 13. This incident occurred during a massive long march with nearly half a million participants. The Joint Awami Action Committee has also called for the repeal of the presidential ordinance that restricts civilians' right to peaceful assembly. Dr. Mirza further emphasised that the people of PoJK are being denied basic human rights and have now lost the fundamental right to protest under this new ordinance. He expressed concern over the uncertain situation in PoJK and warned that protests could spread across the region. Meanwhile, the PoJK High Court has endorsed the PoJK Peaceful Assembly Public Ordinance 2024. Rather than addressing the legitimate concerns of the protesters, the Pakistani authorities have responded with force, employing baton charges, tear gas, and arbitrary detentions to suppress the dissenting voices. The crackdown has led to the arrest of numerous civilians, including members of the Potohari Pahari Muslim community, who were detained by local police and confined to jail in Rawalakot. Human rights organisations and activists have expressed alarm over the growing trend of repression and the shrinking space for peaceful advocacy in the region. In light of these developments, human rights advocates are calling on the Indian government, international human rights organisations, and the global community to urgently address these violations. There are calls for pressure to be applied on Pakistan to repeal the oppressive laws in PoJK and PoGB, ensuring that the fundamental rights of the people in these regions are protected and respected. https://x.com/JavedBeigh/status/1859291339151626308 Javed Beigh, a political activist from Jammu and Kashmir, expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that the people of PoJK deserve to live with dignity, free from fear, and with the ability to voice their concerns without repression. He emphasised that freedom of speech and peaceful assembly are essential pillars of any democratic society and must be safeguarded at all costs. As the crackdown continues, the international community must take note of the increasing human rights violations in PoJK and stand in solidarity with the people of the region. The voices of the civilians, demanding justice and the restoration of their rights, should not be silenced through intimidation and violence. (ANI) 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." At least 38 people were killed and 11 others were injured in a gun attack on passenger vans in the Ochat area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP) Lower Kurram district on Thursday, the Dawn reported, citing the police. Station House Officer of Ahmady Shama, Kaleem Shah, confirmed the death toll and the number of people who got injured, which included three women, the Dawn reported. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court, also confirmed the same figures, describing the attack as part of a troubling series of incidents in recent days. "This past week has been difficult and upsetting; now 38 people have been martyred in Kurram," he said. He assured that authorities were in close contact with provincial officials, emphasising that the government would support Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in any way possible, the Dawn reported. "We see a new incident every day now and are in constant contact with the KP authorities, the KP inspector general of police, and the chief minister. They need help," Naqvi said. "They are one of our provinces, a part of our country, and we will not leave them behind...We are going to help however we can," he added. According to KP government spokesperson Barrister Saif, the attack began with an assault on police personnel before targeting the passenger convoy from both sides. The convoy reportedly consisted of around 200 vehicles, Saif said. He said that the area was attended by district officials, senior police officers, and emergency responders, and an investigation is currently underway, the Dawn reported. Speaking to Dawn, Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud suggested that while sectarian violence had occurred in the region before, the targeting of civilians in this attack raised the possibility of terrorism. Earlier, the medical superintendent at Alizai Hospital, Dr Muhammad Ishaq, reported 33 fatalities and 30 injuries, with many of the injured being referred to hospitals in the district and others transferred to Peshawar. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari described the assault on innocent passengers as a "cowardly and inhumane" act and called for swift punishment of those responsible. "Attacking innocent passengers is a cowardly and inhumane act," he quoted in a post on X by Pakistan Peoples Party's media cell. "The President stressed on the need to provide timely medical aid to the injured and take action against those responsible," the post further read. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, stressing the importance of providing the best medical care to the injured and promising to identify and punish the perpetrators. "The enemies of the peace of the country attacked the convoy of innocent citizens, which is tantamount to brutality. All attempts of anti-national elements to destroy the peace of the beloved country will be thwarted...The evil elements involved in the incident will be identified and punished accordingly. Saboteurs cannot demoralise the brave Pakistani nation by such cowardly actions," Sharif said, as reported by Dawn. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also condemned the attack and dispatched a delegation to Kurram to assess the situation. Last month, two terrorists were killed in an operation in North Waziristan, and 12 security personnel were killed in a checkpost attack in Bannu. (ANI) The International Criminal Court on Thursday issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and a senior Hamas official over alleged war crimes committed during the conflict that followed the October 7 attacks on Israel last year, a statement by the ICC said. The court believed it had 'reasonable grounds' to believe that the Netanyahu, Gallant and Mohammed Diab Ibrahim AL-MASRI, more commonly known as DEIF (Commander-in-Chief of the military wing of Hamas, known as the Al-Qassam Brigades) committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, as per the statement. The charges include- Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health, intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population, other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity, among other charges, as per the statement. "The war crimes alleged in these applications were committed in the context of an international armed conflict between Israel and Palestine, and a non-international armed conflict between Israel and Hamas (together with other Palestinian Armed Groups) running in parallel. We submit that the crimes against humanity charged were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the Palestinian civilian population pursuant to State policy. These crimes, in our assessment, continue to this day," the court noted. https://x.com/IntlCrimCourt/status/1859563977455366501 This will be the first time the ICC ever issued warrants against leaders of a democratic country, Times of Israel said, adding that Netanyahu and Gallant would be liable of arrest if they travel to any country that is party to the ICC. Israel is not a party to the ICC. Israel says Deif was killed by an IDF strike in Gaza in July, as per Times of Israel. The Court charged Yahya Sinwar, Head of the Islamic Resistance Movement ("Hamas") in the Gaza Strip, DIEF, and Ismail Haniyeh for 'crimes against humanity', including rape and other acts of sexual violence, outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime, in the context of captivity, among other charges, as per the ICC. (ANI) The Ministry of Defence stated that the aircraft and vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 am (UTC+8). Nine of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and eastern ADIZ. In a post on X, the MND said, "11 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1859401344777351191 Chinese incursion in the Taiwan strait has risen. The MND detected 14 Chinese aircraft and six vessels on Wednesday. The Taiwanese MND said in a post on X, "14 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 7 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central, southwestern and southeastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1859038956068942215 Taiwan stepped up security on its maritime borders. In a post on X, the MND said, "Always standing on the front line of defending our maritime borders." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1858361992383475749 Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude towards the US, Japan, and Australia for their joint statement calling for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan News reported. This statement followed the 14th Trilateral Defence Ministers' Meeting (TDMM) in Darwin, Australia, where defence ministers from the three nations, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III reaffirmed their commitment to regional security. https://x.com/TaiwanPresSPOX/status/1858435843511427524 Taiwan Presidential Office Spokesperson shared the joint statment on X, and wrote, "Presidential Office responds to joint statement following trilateral meeting of US, Japanese, and Australian defence ministers." (ANI) The Kenya government on Thursday cancelled the procurement process for the expansion of a key international airport - an announcement that has implications for the Adani Group, reports Reuters This announcement comes close on the heels of US Prosecutors indicting Gautam Adani and others in an alleged bribery case. While addressing the nation during a joint sitting of the parliament, Kenyan President William Ruto directed the procurement agencies within the transport and energy ministries to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) deals and immediately commence the process of onboarding other partners. "I now direct according to article 10 of constitution on transparency and accountability and based on new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations that the procuring agencies under the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy are immediately cancelled for the procurement process of JKIA expansion as well as the recently concluded KETRACO deals," said Ruto as the Kenyan House broke into loud cheers. Under the proposed deal to expand the Nairobi airport, the Adani group was to add a second runway and upgrade the passenger terminal. In September, a Kenyan court temporarily blocked a proposed airport lease deal. In a separate deal, the Adani group had also signed a PPP deal with the Energy Ministry to construct Power transmission lines. Both the projects now stand cancelled. Reuters quoted Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi as saying that there was no bribery or corruption involved in the award of the transmission lines contract. Earlier, the Adani Group strongly refuted bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of the Adani Green terming them baseless. Adani Group spokesperson, in an official statement, said all legal recourse will be taken. "The US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," the statement read. The group further highlighted a key aspect of the legal proceedings. "As stated by the US Department of Justice itself, 'The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.' All possible legal recourse will be sought," the statement said. Amid these allegations, Adani Green Energy also informed stock exchanges that its subsidiaries have decided to defer their planned US dollar-denominated bond offerings. It said "In light of these developments, our subsidiaries have presently decided not to proceed with the proposed USD denominated bond offerings". US prosecutors had charged Gautam Adani and others in an alleged Solar Energy contract bribery case. A five-count criminal indictment has been unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging prominent Indian executives including Chairman of the Adani Group Gautam Adani by linking them to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. (ANI) India has never moved forward with the idea of expansionism and has always stayed away from the idea of resource-capturing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, stating that this is not time for conflict but to identify and remove conditions that create conflicts. Addressing a Special Session of the Guyanese Parliament, PM Modi said the relations betwen India and Guyana are very deep and it is a relation of soil, sweat, diligence. "We have never moved forward with the idea of expansionism. We have always stayed away from the idea of resource capturing. I believe whether it is space or sea, this should be the subject of universal cooperation, not universal conflict. For the world also, this is not time for conflict, this is the time to identify the conditions that create conflicts and remove it," he said. Referring to global challenges, he said the the best approach to move forward is 'democracy first and humanity first'. "The kind of situation that is there before the world, the best way to move forward is 'democracy first and humanity first'. The idea of 'democracy first' teaches us to take everyone along and move forward with the development of everyone. The idea of 'Humanity first' decides the direction of our decisions," he said. "When decisions are taken based on the idea of 'humanity first', results will be in the interest of humanity...for the formation of an inclusive society, there is no other bigger medium than democracy...both the countries have together shown that democracy is not just a system, we have shown that democracy is in our DNA, vision, conduct and behaviour," he added. PM Modi said that in the last 200-250 years, India and Guyana have witnessed similar kind similar kinds of struggle. "Today both countries are strengthening democracy in the world. That's why, in the Guyanese Parliament, I am greeting you all on behalf of 140 crore people of India," he said. "The relation of India and Guyana is very deep, it is the relation of soil, sweat, diligence. Around 180 years ago, an Indian came to Guyana land and after that, both in happiness and sadness, India and Guyana's relation has been filled with intimacy," he added. PM Modi arrived in Guyana on the third leg of his three-nation visit. It is the first visit to Guyana by an Indian Prime Minister in over 50 years. During this visit, PM Modi joined leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit. (ANI) Established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of France Francois Hollande on November 30, 2015, ISA's objective is to scale up solar energy, reduce the cost of solar power generation through aggregation of demand for solar finance, technologies, innovation, research and development, and capacity building. Sharing a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "Armenia becomes the 104th full member of the International Solar Alliance. The Republic of Armenia handed over the @isolaralliance Instrument of Ratification, during the meeting of Amb. Vahagn Afyan of Armenia to India with @Abhishekifs, Joint Secy (ED&MER) and Head of Depository, in New Delhi today." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1859544268244738362 A treaty-based international intergovernmental organisation, International Solar Alliance (ISA), aims at mobilising more than USD 1000 billion of investment needed by 2030 for the massive deployment of solar energy. Earlier on June 26 this year, Republic of Paraguay officially became its 100th full member. Headquartered in India, the ISA has brought together several countries to collectively address barriers related to technology, finance, and capacity in scaling up solar energy. India is playing a crucial role in shaping the sustainable energy future by providing renewable energy solutions to the world, especially the Global South. Under India's Presidency of the ISA, it has undertaken numerous impactful projects, including solarisation of Malawi's Parliamentary building, solar-powered healthcare centres in Fiji, solar-powered cold storage facility in Seychelles, and solar PV rooftop systems in Kiribati. The Alliance has also facilitated technical training for experts from member countries to enhance solar energy capabilities. India's leadership of ISA exemplifies its commitment to sustainable energy solutions and environmental stewardship. Through technology transfer, capacity building initiatives, and bilateral agreements within the ISA framework, India continues to promote global adoption of affordable and sustainable solar energy solutions. The ISA serves as a vital platform for international collaboration, uniting nations in their efforts to combat climate change and transition towards clean energy sources on a global scale. (ANI) General Dwivedi was presented a sword and a scroll at a special ceremony organized at the Office of President Sheetal Niwas, release from the Office of the President stated. Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and Defence Minister Manbir Rai were among those who attended the event. "General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM laid a wreath and paid homage to Martyrs at Army Pavilion, Tundikhel. Later, the Gen was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the NA HQ, where he also met with Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, NA and discussed furthering military bilateral relations between India and Nepal," Indian Embassy in Nepal said. "In a gesture of everlasting friendship between the two armies the Gen Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM COAS IA gifted military horses and military dogs to Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS NA. The Gen also planted a Rudraksha sapling in the premises of NA HQ," it added. https://x.com/IndiaInNepal/status/1859524607696642118 https://x.com/IndiaInNepal/status/1859524611538338034 Nepal and India have a tradition of conferring Army Chiefs of each other's country with the honorary title for the past over seven decades. General Dwivedi, who arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday on a five-day official visit, will hold other meetings, besides receiving the honorary rank. The five-member delegation, led by him, also includes Sunita Dwivedi, chairperson of the Army Wives Welfare Association of the Indian Army. According to the Ministry of Defence, General Dwivedi is scheduled to address the student officers of Nepali Army Command and Staff Course, Shivapuri on Friday. On Saturday, Dwivedi will attend an Ex-Servicemen Rally at Pokhara, wherein the COAS will felicitate Veer Naris and Gallantry Awardees and he will also interact with the Indian Army veterans. "The COAS will visit Western Division HQ, Nepali Army and will be briefed in presence of General Officer Commanding, Western Division, Nepali Army," it said. (ANI) US President-elect Donald Trump's National Security Advisor nominee, Mike Waltz, stated that the US government has refuted allegations made by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Waltz asserted that Israel had lawfully defended its citizens. In a post on X, he said, "The ICC has no credibility, and these allegations have been refuted by the US government. Israel has lawfully defended its people & borders from genocidal terrorists. You can expect a strong response to the antisemitic bias of the ICC & UN come January." https://x.com/michaelgwaltz/status/1859589936967512244 France and the Netherlands stated that they would respect the ICC warrants. The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, emphasised that the court's decision "has to be respected and implemented," describing it as "binding" on all state parties, including all EU members, according to the Times of Israel. Although Israel and the US are not members of the ICC, they are privy to its laws. The court lacks an enforcement mechanism and depends on cooperation from its member states, as reported by the Times of Israel. According to the Times of Israel, Attorney Yuval Kaplinsky, a former head of the International Law Department at the State Attorney's Office, stated that the warrants imply that if either Netanyahu or Gallant travel to countries that are ICC members, "there is a chance they will be arrested and extradited [for trial in The Hague]. I assume they will act with caution and avoid such situations." Netanyahu's office denounced the ICC's decision as "antisemitic," per the Times of Israel. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office pledged that the court's ruling would not deter Israel from protecting its citizens. It rejected the charges as "false" and "absurd," claiming they originated from ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's attempts to "deflect attention from serious allegations against him for sexual harassment" and from "biased judges motivated by antisemitic hatred of Israel." "That is why the prosecutor lied when he told American senators that he would not act against Israel before hearing its side. That is why he abruptly canceled his planned visit to Israel last May, shortly after allegations of sexual harassment were raised against him, and announced his intention to issue arrest warrants against the prime minister and former defence minister," the statement read, as reported by the Times of Israel. On Thursday, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and a senior Hamas official over alleged war crimes committed during the conflict following the October 7 attacks on Israel last year, according to an ICC statement. (ANI) Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Founder, Imran Khan in a video message said on Thursday that in the political environment of Pakistan, Khan was like the lotus flower, emerging from mud. Bushra Bibi said that Khan is suffering because he is fighting for the sake of real freedom and justice of the nation. "In the whole political system of Pakistan, Khan is like the lotus flower emerging from mud. We must save Khan because the difference between these people and Khan is that they want to come to power, and Khan only comes to please Allah. He is fighting for real freedom and justice only. Many people say that we in our meetings raise slogans of Al-Jahad. We never ask our workers to raise slogans of Jihad. It comes from their hearts and do it themselves. Khan is being punished for his resolve for country's freedom and justice," she said. https://x.com/PTIofficial/status/1859621584945791442 Bushra Bibi called on party supporters from all walks of life to join the protest on November 24. "Today I have come to give a message for Khan. He has appealed from all Pakistan that on November 24, everyone should become a part of the protest. This war is not just for Khan, but it is the real war of freedom in your country. Khan has invited people from all walks of life to join this protest. He called on students, teachers, farmers, human rights activists and even rickshaw drivers to join the protest. He said that if children join the protest, then God willing we will succeed. Khan has told Judges and appealed to Lawyers that I am in jail today for violating the law, so it is your duty to become a part of the protest. From every place and organization lawyers should lead in their uniform and reach Islamabad on November 24. Khan has sent us many messages but we will bring them with time in front of you," she said. Bushra Bibi said that the only condition when Khan would change the date of the protest is when he comes out of the jail and addresses the nation himself and gives the plan of action to the people. "Many people are saying that the date of November 24 should be changed. And we will make fun of Khan. Only one condition can change the date, that Khan comes out and himself tells the line of action to people. Apart from that, the date will not change at any cost. Therefore, if you receive any wrong message, you should not believe it. Because Khan has sent a special message that the date will not be cancelled until he himself doesn't talk to the people of this nation himself," she said. Bibi called on to all people to participate in the protest and questioned the officials, appealing in an emotional tone that the protesters are their family. She appealed to them to not hurt them, or oppress them. She also said that PTI has never taken the law in their hands, nor would they ever do so. "It is your duty for all of us and our community as we as a society are witnesses of such things about how PTI has been tortured. I want to question the officials and the police personnel that these are your brothers and sisters that have come out to protests. Why do you oppress them? It is their legal right. How do you take laws in your own hands? You oppress, you shell, vandalise things and arrest people unlawfully. You don't care about the laws. But, on top of that, we are blamed and jailed. Why? We have never taken laws in our hands, and will never do so," she said. Bibi said that lawyers and judges must protest for Imran Khan because he is jailed for fighting for the country's sake. "Today, Khan is jailed for the country to get justice. So, is it not the duty of the lawyers and judges to become a part of the protests? Or does Pakistan belong just to Khan? Does Khan have to make all the sacrifices? Do you all not belong to this country? And do you not trade here? Is this not your home, or don't you have children here? Have you ever thought that Khan is 72-years-old? Does he not feel like staying at home with all the comforts and enjoy his life? Today he stays in a small jail, where he has been staying since over 1.5 years. He is staying there so that this place gets justice. Is it not the duty of the judges and lawyers, who claim to uphold the law, to protest for a person who wants justice? They sit quietly. We also got to know that there's a petition being filed to stop Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. No law states that one can be stopped from protesting. We are asking you to stop this injustice. These protesters are your brothers, sisters and children... How long will you do such things to your country, and how many people shall be punished?" she said. Bushra Bibi also said that Khan will not take revenge, as he feels it is wrong for a person in power to do so. She also appealed the party supporters and workers to not take the law in their hands. "We are requesting you to not take the law in your hands. This is wrong news that Khan will take revenge. He says that to take revenge after coming to power means to attract the wrath of God. Khan said that all the time that I spent the jail, I have felt a connection with Allah. I have learnt to open the door of forgiveness after coming to power, not that of oppression. Whoever is saying that Khan will take revenge, is lying. Khan has always said that he never thought of taking revenge. Because not only does God like taking revenge, nor should a man take revenge after coming to power," she said. Earlier in the day, Anti-terrorism court (ATC) handed over Imran Khan to police on a five-day physical remand in a New Town police station case, ARY News reported. According to ARY News, the case includes charges of arson, resistance against law enforcement, damage to property, and other related offences. Anti-terrorism clauses have also been added to the case against Imran Khan. (ANI) https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859534753030086963 The event was part of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) and was attended by key leaders, including US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III. Speaking at the ADMM-Plus, Singh reiterated India's support for a rule-based international order and the importance of a fair and inclusive Code of Conduct in the Indo-Pacific region. Highlighting the need to ensure the legitimacy of all nations, he remarked, "India stands for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce and adherence to international law for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific." Singh stressed that dialogue and peaceful negotiation remain India's core approaches to resolving global challenges, drawing attention to the increasing polarisation of international relations and the need for unity grounded in shared principles. The Defence Minister also held bilateral meetings with several counterparts, including US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III. Both leaders acknowledged the progress in India-US defence ties, particularly through enhanced operational coordination and industrial collaboration. https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859545955126870399 Singh highlighted the success of his visit to the US earlier this year, where key agreements like the Security of Supplies Agreement (SOSA) and the Memorandum of Agreement for Liaison Officers were signed. "Both sides welcomed ongoing efforts to deepen the military partnership and interoperability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific," a statement noted. Singh commended Austin as a "great friend to India" and lauded his role in strengthening bilateral defence cooperation. Singh's engagements extended to discussions with counterparts from South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. In his meeting with South Korea's Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun, he emphasised opportunities for co-production and invited Korean companies to invest in India's defence corridors. https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859541906222702631 With Australia, Singh highlighted shared strategic interests and the implementation of an air-to-air refuelling arrangement to bolster interoperability. Meanwhile, discussions with New Zealand's Defence Minister Judith Collins centred on finalising a Defence Cooperation Agreement and enhancing collaboration in shipbuilding. https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1859543106896666971 The ADMM-Plus forum also addressed climate change and its implications for global security. Singh called for multi-stakeholder engagement to build resilience in defence systems against climate impacts and proposed the development of an ADMM-Plus Defence Strategy on Climate Change. Citing shared regional histories and cultural ties, Singh celebrated ASEAN's pivotal role in India's Act East policy, reaffirming India's commitment to fostering partnerships for a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. (ANI) Chinese baritone Liao Changyong (R) and German pianist Hartmut Holl give a performance in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 19, 2024. The New Zealand audience was treated to an extraordinary cultural feast as renowned Chinese baritone Liao Changyong and brilliant German pianist Hartmut Holl performed together in Auckland on Tuesday evening. (Xinhua/Long Lei) The New Zealand audience was treated to an extraordinary cultural feast as renowned Chinese baritone Liao Changyong and brilliant German pianist Hartmut Holl performed together in Auckland on Tuesday evening. The Chinese Art Song Recital, presented by the Shanghai Conservatory Of Music and AUSFENG Event, featured 16 outstanding Chinese Art Songs based on classic poetry from the Tang Dynasty to the present. Liao captivated the audience with his powerful and expressive voice. The recital featured a harmonious blend of music, poetry, and visual art. Each Chinese song was accompanied by a piece of Chinese calligraphy and a traditional Chinese ink painting, creating a magnificent interplay of poetry, music, and painting. The three-dimensional presentation offered the New Zealand audience a rich, immersive experience of traditional Chinese culture. The audience was deeply moved by the seamless integration of music and visual art, which brought the timeless beauty of Chinese poetry to life. Mike Dawson, president of the New Zealand China Friendship Society Auckland Branch, told Xinhua that he enjoyed the aesthetic atmosphere offered by the beautiful songs, the calligraphy and the painting in the stage background. The Cloud Chamber New Zealand presented opening songs to the concert. Ruhul Amin, Bangladesh's Assistant High Commissioner in Guwahati, attended the 3rd North East Export Promotional Meet at the Nedfi House in Guwahati. He stated that India has prospered significantly in the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Speaking to ANI, Amin expressed confidence in India achieving its economic goals. "According to its aspirations and goals, the Indian economy is growing rapidly. I believe India will achieve its economic targets. Politically, it has gained greater stature both regionally and globally. India is playing its due role on the world stage, and this progress will continue under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. Amin also highlighted India's elevated political standing on the global stage. "Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has prospered over the past decade. Economically, India has grown and attained global recognition, being the fifth-largest economy in the world. As I understand, the Indian government envisions becoming the third-largest economy globally," he added. Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, was also present at the event. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Margherita shared his enthusiasm for the event: "Delighted to participate in the 3rd North East Export Promotional Meet at Guwahati, organised by ICC Chamber with the support of MEA India. Welcomed and urged participants from North East India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand, and Lao PDR to further strengthen trade relations," he wrote. The 3rd Edition of the North East Export Promotional Meet was held at the Assam Administrative Staff College in Guwahati. The event served as a business development platform, offering opportunities to showcase products and services, connect with new suppliers and buyers, and link MSMEs to larger enterprises. A key feature of the event was the Buyer-Seller interaction, which provided detailed insights into buyers' requirements for sellers. Additionally, the meet facilitated one-on-one interactions between entrepreneurs from North-East India and Bhutan. The focused countries for the North East Buyer-Seller Meet included Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand, and Laos PDR, with an emphasis on key sectors of North-East India, according to a statement by the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (ANI) Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz announced on Thursday that he is withdrawing as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General, citing concerns that his nomination "was unfairly becoming a distraction." The announcement followed meetings with Republican senators as Trump's transition team assessed whether Gaetz could secure sufficient GOP support for confirmation, CNN reported. "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback--and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. I remain fully committed to seeing that Donald J. Trump becomes the most successful President in history. I will forever be honoured that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice, and I'm certain he will Save America," he added. https://x.com/mattgaetz/status/1859649045553402285 Gaetz's decision was welcomed by several Senate Republicans, shedding light on the hurdles he faced due to ongoing controversies and a strained relationship with some members of his own party. Democrats had been pushing for the release of a House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz, which included allegations of sexual misconduct and other alleged crimes. Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations, including claims that he had sexual relations with a woman in 2017 when she was a minor. Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that the woman testified to the Ethics Committee about two encounters with Gaetz in 2017, when she was 17 years old, one of which reportedly involved another adult woman. Gaetz's legal team had previously denied these accusations, CNN reported. As Gaetz formalised his decision to withdraw, Trump and his team were already informed. Gaetz also separately notified Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. While his meetings with GOP senators were not overtly negative, sources indicated that there were too many "hard Nos" to secure confirmation. Additionally, the anticipated release of the ethics report was expected to reveal further damaging information that could jeopardise his confirmation prospects. Trump offered supportive remarks following Gaetz's announcement. "Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!" Trump posted on X, noting that while Gaetz had been progressing well in his confirmation efforts, he chose to step back to avoid detracting from the transition team's critical work. Despite Gaetz's withdrawal, Trump's transition team now faces the challenge of selecting a new nominee for Attorney General. Trump has reiterated his commitment to appointing a leader who will "strongly defend the Constitution," although no clear replacement has been identified, CNN reported. Several Republican senators expressed relief at Gaetz's decision. "It's a good thing," said outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Maine Senator Susan Collins remarked that she was "pleased" with the development, while Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin described it as "probably a good decision." South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds also noted that Gaetz's confirmation would have been "problematic." However, not all Republicans shared the sentiment. Florida Senator Rick Scott expressed disappointment, saying, "I've known Matt since I started running for governor, and he's a smart guy who worked hard." The future of Gaetz's political career remains uncertain, as questions linger over whether he will return to the House of Representatives following his resignation earlier this month. Although he stated in his resignation letter that he did not intend to take the oath of office in January, legal technicalities surrounding his resignation might allow him to reclaim his seat. Democrats expect the Ethics Committee report may be shelved due to Republican opposition, although some GOP members have suggested they might push for its release if Gaetz were to return to Congress. (ANI) SPRINGFIELD, OHIO Its been two weeks since Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, in part on a pledge to aggressively purge the small city of Springfield, Ohio, of its large Haitian immigrant population. To the president-elect, it doesnt matter that the Haitian workers and families are there legally; he has vowed that were going to have the largest deportation in the history of our country and were going to start with Springfield. In September after Trump, his running mate J.D. Vance, and so many other Republicans spread racist lies about the citys Haitian immigrants eating their neighbors pets Rolling Stone visited Springfield, and found a city paralyzed by fear as its residents faced bomb threats and school evacuations. It got so bad that the citys Republican mayor was practically begging Team Trump to stop demagoguing the Haitian residents during the tail-end of his campaign. After spending time with members of the Haitian community and their allies, one thing became clear: Trump hadnt even won the election yet, but his blitz of racist terror on the small Ohio city was working. Many Haitians were suddenly afraid to be in public. Some felt the need to follow their children to and from school, out of concerns of violent retribution. Now, Trump has won, with significant political backing in Clark County, where Springfield sits, and things have only gotten worse. When Rolling Stone returned to Springfield in recent days to meet with members of the Haitian community and support network, very few, if any, would allow their names to be printed in this story. There is widespread uncertainty about how much Trump will follow through on his promise to rid Springfield of its Haitian immigrants, which would involve, as Trump has publicly stated, stripping them of the federal Temporary Protected Status (TPS) that allowed them to call Ohio their new home. There is, of course, pervasive fear and panic. There are lots of tears, and still enduring affection for a county, a state, and a nation that just resoundingly abandoned the Haitian immigrant community at the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is coming for us, one Haitian family man says. We dont want to leave. We love this place It is home. While in Springfield, Rolling Stone was shown multiple group messages some of which included hundreds of Haitians who flocked to the city that had erupted in shock and horror on election night early this month. In the days since, these community threads were flooded with questions about what to do next. Some members shared information on safe states and cities run by Democratic politicians who have pledged to resist the second Trump administrations mass deportation plans and some Haitians have suggested that they should flee now, before Trump is inaugurated next year. Some shared tips on how to emigrate from the United States, potentially to Canada. Others urged their Haitian friends to be extremely careful about whom they talk to, refrain from giving out private and personal information, and avoid talking about politics altogether. Several wondered what will happen to their kids. Some of the information and best practices thrown into these group conversations centers on the roughly two-month sprint toward Inauguration Day 2025, and what Haitians should do to try to protect themselves before President Joe Biden leaves office. Several stressed that if any of the Haitian immigrants had not yet applied for asylum, they needed to do that now, now, now, now, as a possible insurance policy against Trump extinguishing or allowing the expiration of their temporary status. In the days immediately following Trumps 2024 victory, multiple families used these chats to inform their friends and neighbors that they werent waiting around to be hauled out by Trumps forces they had already left for a different city or a safe blue state. Some said they packed up their cars, and took their children and spouses, terrified about what the near future may hold. (Even before Trumps win, a number of Haitians had already left, or were strongly weighing leaving, citing concern for their loved ones safety.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other members of these large group discussions pleaded: Please come back. Stay here with the community that loves and supports you, and we will find a way forward. We will protect you. Its unclear if any of these families will return. Rolling Stone spoke to one parent who fled in the wake of Trump defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. This parent says they and their family were scared and felt they had no choice but to flee. Like so many other Haitians in the area have said, it pained them to leave. They have friends they love in Springfield. Theyd come to adore the city and their neighbors, even when the now-most powerful person on the planet put a target on their backs and tried to turn the entire country against them. This parent had to do what they thought was best for their family, and that meant sparing them they hope from Trumps coming wrath. They say they were heartbroken. The fright and flight that is rippling through Springfields Haitian immigrant community is, in fact, the point of so much of Trump and his lieutenants draconian program to deport migrants and cut off immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to various sources familiar with the matter and Trump transition officials, there are members of the president-elects inner circle who are convinced that the new administration wont be able to hit Trumps goal of millions in deportations. Regardless, Trump and his anti-immigration ideologues particularly incoming White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller will certainly try to go as big as possible, and plan to take a chainsaw to both legal and illegal immigration to the U.S. But in conjunction with any new policy or radically expanded deportation regime which Trump says hes prepared to ramp up using the U.S. military theres another factor that the president-elect and his apparatchiks are counting on: creating a climate of sustained fear and dread that they hope will do much of their work for them, whether or not they ultimately deport the many millions that Trump repeatedly says he wants to expel. Trump advisers, as well as other Republican sources whove recently discussed immigration policy with the president-elect, say that creating a massive propaganda drumbeat via traditional media, right-wing media, and the federal governments communications apparatus during the presidential transition and in the opening weeks of Trumps new term will be, as one Trump adviser describes, essential to making undocumented immigrants consider leaving the U.S. preemptively, and dissuading people who may want to come to America on Trumps watch. These Trump advisers and allies say that if the president-elect is going to mount anything close to the history-making scale of deportations that he, Vance, and other elite conservatives have been promising, it is something the administration is going to have to build up to over time. Creating a culture of fear and intimidation is key, especially in the interim, to the crackdown and some of Trumps brass have been telegraphing that throughout the presidential campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a guy who spent 34 years deporting illegal aliens, I got a message to the millions of illegal aliens that Joe Bidens released in our country in violation of federal law: You better start packing now. Youre damn right Youre going home, former Trump administration official Tom Homan who the president-elect has now appointed as his new border czar said on-stage at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Katie Kersh, an immigration attorney based in Dayton, Ohio, says she and her colleagues have been in Springfield regularly, conducting legal clinics and presentations for the Haitian immigrants. She says that in the aftermath of Trumps 2024 win, People are really scared. I think a lot of the Haitians are concerned that their rights will be violated. We are right now trying to make sure that people understand their rights, and allay their fears that theyll be on a plane back to Haiti on Jan. 21, which is not how the law works. This past Sunday, Kersh says she helped lead a know-your-rights presentation at a church, where her legal group received many questions from the Haitians in attendance: What if we get deported before our hearings? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happens to my children if Im deported? How can I get a passport for my child if I need to leave the United States quickly, so I dont have to leave my child here? Can I apply for asylum if I have TPS? Can Trump really cancel TPS? She says that there have been a lot of questions about being stopped by state police, including highway patrol. The attorney continues, This is going to be a time when peoples due process rights are threatened, and its important that, as a country, we stick up for and defend these people in any way we can. In my conversations with the dozens of people we see at the clinics every week, and Haitian community leaders, and people who come up to ask me questions, it seems like a lot of immigrants feel that the country doesnt want them here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kersh adds, People who care about whats happening need to show up for these individuals, even if its not in their immediate community, to show that thats not the case. Existing alongside the heartbreak, and the severe anxiety about Trumps reascension to power, are shows of incredible solidarity within the Haitian community and among their friends and allies. When Rolling Stone visited Springfield two months ago, this reporter spent time at the local welcome center for St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic social services nonprofit serving the citys poor, including many Haitian immigrants. At the time, when asked what she would say to Ohio Sen. Vance if he were sitting in front of her, Casey Rollins, the executive director of the Springfield District Council of St. Vincent de Paul, replied: You admittedly continue to encourage untruths and to provoke hatred among us all; politically posturing, and pawning Springfield for political gain. It is hurting all of Ohio, the nation, and our world; not just Springfield and the Haitians who are here with us. I wonder how that makes anyone in Springfield safer or more stable than we were yesterday? Last week, Rolling Stone went back to that welcome center and saw that the nonprofit, including its Haitian volunteers, was still busy helping Haitian immigrants and workers fill out different types of paperwork, regardless of what happens after Trump gets sworn into office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the corner of the center, one young Haitian girl was flipping through a childrens book and playing with a small, blonde doll. She wasnt bothering anyone or hurting anyone in any way. Yet, she is, to the President Trumps of the world, a quintessential example of someone who should be easily demagogued for electoral gain, rounded up, and purged from our country. Trump won promising exactly that. His second inauguration in Washington, D.C., is two months away. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. European officials are looking toward Russia after two submarine internet cables in the Baltic Sea were suddenly disrupted in an apparent sabotage operation, just weeks after the United States warned that Moscow was likely to target critical undersea infrastructure. A cable between Lithuania and Sweden was cut on Sunday, according to Telia Lithuania, the telecommunications company that runs the link. Separately, the state-controlled Finnish telecoms company Cinia said one of its cables, which connects Finland and Germany, was disrupted on Monday. The Swedish Prosecution Authority said Tuesday that the countrys National Unit against International and Organized Crime had opened a preliminary investigation into suspected sabotage over the cut cables. Finlands National Bureau of Investigation also said it had launched an investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the exact causes of the incidents are still being investigated, Germanys Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he believed it was likely sabotage. Nobody believes that these cables were accidentally severed, he told reporters on Tuesday morning ahead of a ministerial meeting in Brussels, Belgium. We have to know that, without knowing specifically who it came from, that it is a hybrid action and we also have to assume that, without knowing by whom yet, that this is sabotage, Pistorius said. His comments came after the foreign ministers of Finland and Germany said in a joint statement on Monday evening that they were deeply concerned about the severed cable between their nations, and raised the possibility of the incident being part of a hybrid warfare. The fact that such an incident immediately raises suspicions of intentional damage speaks volumes about the volatility of our times. A thorough investigation is underway, the statement continued. Our European security is not only under threat from Russias war of aggression against Ukraine, but also from hybrid warfare by malicious actors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, two US officials familiar with an initial assessment told CNN Tuesday that as yet there were no indications of nefarious activity, nor intentional damage to seafloor infrastructure and suggested the disruption was likely caused by an anchor dragged from a passing vessel. Tracking data from Kpler and Spire did not show any ships near the area where the cables are believed to have been cut. All vessels above a certain tonnage are required by international law to have automatic identification systems that allow them to be tracked, and must keep them on at all times. There are some instances where these might be turned off, and military ships are not required to have it turned on. Vessels that have it turned off are frequently involved in illicit operations such as oil smuggling and illegal fishing. However, ship tracking data analyzed by CNN shows at least one ship crossing the Lithuania-Sweden cable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cutting of the cables on Sunday and Monday fits the pattern of attacks that have been linked to Russia. Additionally, it is no secret that Russia has been showing increased interest in undersea cables in recent months, patrolling close to critical maritime infrastructure often far from its shores. Two US officials told CNN in September that the United States believed Russia was now more likely to carry out potential sabotage operations. They said Moscow has been beefing up its dedicated secretive marine unit that deploys fleets of surface ships, submarines and naval drones to survey the seabed. Known as GUGI, the Russian acronym for the General Staff Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research, the unit was previously spotted lurking around critical infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A joint investigation by the public broadcasters of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland found in April 2023 that Russia had deployed a fleet of suspected spy ships in Nordic waters as part of a program of potential sabotage of underwater cables and wind farms in the region. Hybrid warfare European security officials and experts have been warning for months that Russia was waging a hybrid war against the West accusations prompted by a series of seemingly random arson attacks, hackings and explosions that occurred across multiple European cities in recent months. These included arson attacks against a bus garage in the Czech capital of Prague, the Museum of Occupation in Riga, Latvia, a warehouse of a Ukrainian company in London and a shopping center in Warsaw, Poland. Multiple hacking attacks and spying incidents have also been reported in different European countries. As the same time, the European Union has accused Russia and Belarus of weaponizing migration by pushing asylum seekers from third countries to its borders. Rod Thornton, a senior lecturer in defense studies at Kings College London, said that Moscow has been using sabotage as an alternative to a full-on war with NATO, which would be disastrous for Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Russia is trying to cause disruption without crossing the threshold that would trigger a forceful response from NATO. The principle that an attack against one member country is an attack against the whole alliance is the cornerstone of the groups defense pact. Thornton said it was telling that the disruption happened at the time Russia is trying to increase pressure on Ukraine and the West. It could be seen as Russia ramping up the war and the effects of the war in Ukraine before (US President-elect Donald) Trump comes into power to increase the willingness of Western powers to bring an end to the war, he told CNN in an interview. You can see how Trump wants to bring an end to the war, and if the Russians increase pressure on other Western countries and show them the effects of the war, then those Western countries might be more amenable to supporting Trump in his desire to have a ceasefire, he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody has so far claimed responsibility for the damage. If Russia was behind it, it is unlikely to admit so. All of the sabotage attacks that have been linked to Russia earlier this year had one thing in common: they were done in a way that allowed Moscow to deny any involvement, usually by low-level operatives or common criminals paid to conduct them. This is important because international institutions like the UN cant blame Russia because the evidence isnt there. The circumstantial evidence is there, but not the real evidence, theres no actual kind of smoking gun that can be linked back to them, Thornton said. Oleksandr V. Danylyuk, an associate fellow at Royal United Services Institute, a UK defense and security think tank, and a former Ukrainian defense and foreign intelligence official, said this kind of deniability has long been Russias strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea is to conduct the operation in the way that everybody understands that it was done by Russia, but at the same time, it leaves some room for the victim to pretend they didnt know, because the victim is not interested in escalation, he said, also pointing to the events leading to the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea by Russia in 2014. Those little green men, everybody knew that they were Russian forces, but because the West wasnt ready, you know, to do anything, they could say oh, its not certain, we should check whats going on, maybe its some kind of local militia, he said. Limited disruption The extent of the disruption, if any, caused by the damage to the cables is unclear. Accidents that cause damage to undersea cables are rare, but they do happen, so most providers run services through several different routes to avoid blackouts. The limited disruption could have been intentional, making the impact serious enough to be seen as an escalation, but not enough to spiral out of control, for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does take it that that one stage further, but its cutting a cable that isnt going to offend too many countries. They could have gone to the Atlantic and cut a cable there between the US and the UK, or between Europe and the US, which could have major, major consequences, so this is a kind of warning shot, Thornton said. Cinia said in a statement that services running through the C-Lion1 cable that connects Helsinki with Rostock were down, but added that Finlands international telecommunication connections were routed via multiple links. The company said a repair vessel had been dispatched to the scene and, while it did not yet know how long it would take to fix the issue, added that it typically takes between five and 15 days for submarine cables to be repaired. Telia Lithuanias chief technology officer Andrius Semeskevicius was quoted by Lithuanian media as saying that the cable that was disrupted BCS East-West handled roughly a third of Lithuanias internet capacity. He added that traffic has been restored since the disruption. CNNs Stephanie Halasz, Billy Stockwell, Paul P. Murphy and Jim Sciutto contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Wendell Smallwood Jr., a former NFL running back for the Philadelphia Eagles and a Wilmington-area native, has been charged with fraud tied to COVID-19 relief programs, according to court documents. Federal prosecutors claim that Smallwood submitted fraudulent information to government agencies in order to receive tens of thousands of dollars in payments tied to businesses he controlled. They also claim he engaged in a kickback conspiracy with others aimed at defrauding COVID-19 relief funds and lied to taxing authorities, according to a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors in the District of Delaware. He is charged with three felonies: wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service. The charges carry a maximum of 50 years in prison, though defendants with no criminal convictions like Smallwood are rarely given such severe punishment if found guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Smallwood has not yet been arraigned and has not entered a plea in the case. A hearing for that is scheduled to occur in December. Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood plays in a game in 2017. "Wendell has cooperated fully with this investigation. We will have more to say when we appear in December," said Mark B. Sheppard, a Philadelphia-area attorney representing Smallwood. The case was brought by prosecutors under David Weiss, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware. Kim Reeves, a spokesperson for Weiss, declined to comment on the case. From 2016: Delaware native Wendell Smallwood: 'Football saved my life' Smallwood played high school football at Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 and played five seasons in the league with three different teams through 2020. What the feds claim in the charging documents In 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic raged, the federal government approved several relief programs to disburse trillions of dollars intended to help small businesses and households weather the economic shutdown brought about by the health crisis. Advertisement Advertisement One such program was the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which offered low-interest loans to small businesses to cover specific expenses. Federal prosecutors claim that Smallwood applied to that program using "defunct or recently registered businesses" and submitted fraudulent information about the businesses' operations from May 2020 through June 2021. Wendell Smallwood presents a check for $15,000 to Wilmington's parks and recreation to help build a score board at the newly renovated Eden Park football field in 2019. Under that program, prosecutors claim he received $46,000 that they describe as "fraudulent" loan proceeds. The complaint states the funds were not spent on business expenses and were partially withdrawn as cash from ATMs in Delaware and surrounding states, according to the criminal complaint. Prosecutors also accuse him of submitting false information to the Paycheck Protection Program, another COVID-era relief program that offered forgivable loans to cover business expenses like payroll, rent and utilities. The program aided small businesses as well as businesses owned and operated by a single person, known as a sole proprietor. Advertisement Advertisement Editor's Note: Read a copy of the criminal complaint at the end of this story. The criminal complaint states that Smallwood conspired with another, unnamed person to submit fraudulent applications in the names of 13 separate sole proprietors. The applications either falsely stated the existence of the business or inflated the business's operations and generated $269,000 in proceeds, according to the complaint. Smallwood and the unnamed conspirator arranged kickbacks from the sole proprietors receiving those loan proceeds, prosecutors claim. He personally received kickback payments ranging from $4,000 to $12,000, according to prosecutors. He is also accused of a tax fraud conspiracy in which prosecutors claim he recruited tax filers in Delaware and elsewhere and prepared tax documents that included lies about things like income. About $110,000 in tax refunds were issued by the IRS tied to these applications, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement The criminal complaint against Smallwood was signed by prosecutors on Oct. 28. It is unclear when it was unsealed and made available on the court's public docket. One of thousands of COVID fraud cases Smallwood's case is not unique and is small-money compared to the scale of other COVID-19 fraud allegations. Federal prosecutors have claimed COVID-19 fraud against unsophisticated cons, a highly organized group of dozens, as well as doctors, medical manufacturers, a reality television star and a person who wanted a pricey Pokemon card. Locally, a former University of Delaware student was accused of fraudulently receiving some $1.4 million in COVID-19 loans for sham businesses. Advertisement Advertisement In April, the Justice Departments COVID-19 Enforcement Task Force reported that authorities policing COVID-19 fraud had charged more than 3,500 people with federal crimes, recovered more than $1.4 billion in stolen pandemic funds and reached more than 400 civil settlements and judgments. In June 2023, the Office of the Inspector General for the Small Business Administration the agency responsible for administering the programs in Smallwood's case estimated that it disbursed more than $200 billion in potentially fraudulent loans and advances across several COVID-era programs. The report estimated some 17% of the $1.2 trillion disbursed from the two programs tied to Smallwood's case went to "potentially fraudulent actors." Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Criminal complaint by Xerxes Wilson on Scribd This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Former Eagles running back, Delaware native charged with COVID fraud Former Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn is launching a new political group to mobilize working-class voters and support their campaigns for office just two weeks after he lost to Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) by single digits. Osborn, a steamfitter who ran a surprisingly competitive Senate bid against Fischer, is rolling out a new group called the Working Class Heroes Fund, which looks to throw its weight behind working-class people running for office particularly patriots who have served their country, who are building cross partisan coalitions to give the working class a seat at the table, according to the group. The group also seeks to mobilize working-class voters and advocate for policies to further working-class people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group is a hybrid committee, meaning that it operates two separate bank accounts one that raises and spends money on independent expenditures and another that gives contributions to candidates. Osborns new group comes just weeks after losing to Fischer, though the margin of that race was closer and more contested than expected: Osborn only lost to her by close to 7 points, while President-elect Trump won Nebraska by more than 20 points. Osborn leaned into his working class background as a political newcomer during his campaign while arguing that Fischer was beholden to those who gave her money. Osborn incorporated policy positions aimed at attracting both Republicans and Democrats and said he would be an independent voice if elected to the Senate. Meanwhile, Republicans argued he was a Democrat in sheeps clothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Osborns defeat underscores the increasingly difficult terrain independent candidates must navigate, particularly in Senate campaigns. Independent candidate Evan McMullin sought to give Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) a run for his money in 2022, but he later lost by over 10 points. Still, Osborns candidacy has also suggested there could be an environment for independent candidates to defy political gravity. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A brand of a popular household spice used to add a sweet flavor to many foods is being recalled. IHA Beverage issued a voluntary recall for Super Cinnamon Powder due to elevated lead levels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the recall alert on Monday, Nov. 18. The brand for the Super Cinnamon Powder is Super Brand. Super Brand, which is distributed by IHA Beverage, is primarily sold to retail stores throughout California, the alert said. The alert also revealed that the product is sold in a few stores across the country. The cinnamon powder was not sold online. Super Brand, which is distributed by IHA Beverage, is being recalled for elevated lead levels. Elevated lead levels discovered in routine sampling In the alert, the FDA said this recall was initiated due to routine sampling by the Arkansas Department of Health. The department found that the finished products contained elevated levels of lead, the alert said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before IHA Beverage issued a voluntary recall for the Super Cinnamon Powder on Nov. 18, the product was featured in a longer list of recalled cinnamon products announced by the FDA on Nov. 1. The Super Cinnamon Powder is featured alongside 10 other products that have been recalled for elevated lead levels. The company has ceased the distribution of the product as they continue their investigation as to what caused the problem, the FDA said in the alert. USA TODAY reached out to the Arkansas Department of Health for comment. Here is what you need to know about the Super Cinnamon Powder recall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See map of cases: E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots leaves 1 dead, 15 hospitalized What cinnamon powder is being recalled? The Super Brand has Vitamin A and C on the Nutrition Facts label. According to the FDA recall alert on Nov. 18, the type of cinnamon powder that is being voluntarily recalled is Super Cinnamon Powder 4oz packaged in a plastic bag and labeled as Super Dried Cinnamon Powder. The alert said the product's UPC number is 610232012476, and the nutrition facts label lists vitamins A and C. How many people have gotten sick? As of Monday, Nov. 18, the FDA alert said that no illnesses have been reported. FDA issued a public health alert for ground cinnamon products On Nov. 1, the FDA issued an updated public health alert on Super Brand and other ground cinnamon products due to elevated levels of lead. The original public health alert was issued on July 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exposure to these products may be unsafe, the alert said. The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy these ground cinnamon products. Some of the products, including Super Brand, were voluntarily recalled. Cant see the table? Click here to view it. 'Throw it away': High traces of lead found in 12 brands' cinnamon, spice powders, report says What should you do if you have the recalled cinnamon powder? Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should do the following if they have any of the recalled ground cinnamon products: Do not eat, sell, or serve any of the recalled ground cinnamon products listed in the table above. Discard the ground cinnamon products that are listed immediately. Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you believe you have been exposed to elevated levels of lead. If you have symptoms of lead exposure, contact your healthcare provider for medical assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the FDA recall alert, consumers who purchased the Super Cinnamon Powder are encouraged to dispose of the product or return it for a full refund. If you have any questions, you may contact the company at 323-724-8551 on Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT. What is lead? Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can be found in small amounts in the earth's crust, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains. Although the CDC outlines some of the bluish-gray metal uses, like burning fossil fuels, mining, and the production of batteries, this heavy metal can be very harmful to humans if there is long-term exposure of lead or consuming products that are contaminated with the metal. The CDC said that the symptoms of lead exposure are: Exposure to elevated levels of lead for a short period of time Metallic taste Abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting Diarrhea or constipation Dehydration, headache, exhaustion, irritability or weakness Appetite loss Memory loss Pain or tingling in your hands or feet Exposure over extended periods of time Abdominal pain, nausea, and constipation Depression, irritability, and altered moods or behaviors Distraction and forgetfulness Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahjane Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjane covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, food recalls, health, lottery, and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com . Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Super Cinnamon Powder voluntarily recalled over elevated lead levels PROVIDENCE Gov. Dan McKee has named a new housing secretary: Deborah J. Goddard. Who is she? Goddard, the former managing director for policy and program development at MassHousing, currently leads the Massachusetts-based DJ Goddard Consulting, which has done consulting work for the Rhode Island Department of Housing among other public, quasi-public and nonprofit agencies, according to a press release from the McKee administration. Prior to this role, Goddard served at the executive vice president for capital projects at the New York City Housing Authority from 2016 to 2019, where she oversaw $3 billion of construction builds and helped advance the agencys energy and sustainability programs, the press release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is scheduled to start her new $238,597 job on Dec. 2. In the interim, her name has been submitted to the Rhode Island Senate, which is in recess, for advice and consent after the legislature convenes in January. "Deborah Goddard is a deeply committed and accomplished housing professional whose work has benefitted people from all backgrounds, said McKee. Housing affordability and availability in Rhode Island have never been more important than they are right now. I am confident Deborahs knowledge and experience will guide the department to achieving our housing goals. Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said he "look[s] forward to the Senates thorough review of Ms. Goddards appointment through the advice and consent process. House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said he met with Goddard for the first time a day earlier "and she was very impressive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her own turn, Goddard said her career has been "dedicated to creating and preserving housing opportunities ... for the unhoused, for renters and homeowners, alike, with attention to equity." As such, she said, "I am very aware of the persistent headwinds that we face in this arena, but they are not unique to Rhode Island nor are they new." The Rhode Island Department of Housing has been run by an interim chief former Senate Majority Leader Daniel Connors since Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor's last day in July in one of the state's most critical jobs. A former Senate majority leader, Connors who quit a job as a top aide in the Raimondo administration after his arrest for driving under the influence had most recently been chief of staff in the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services, making $184,000 annually. On the day of his interim appointment, the governor's office said: "He is not being considered for the permanent position and will return to his role at EOHHS at the end of this process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pryor is now a partner in Palm Venture Studios, which "works to rescue and build companies that positively impact human and planetary health,'' according to his LinkedIn profile.. How did we get here? Spokesman Andrea Palagi told The Journal at that time that McKee's office would interview local candidates for the permanent position over the coming weeks, and a national search would only be initiated if a qualified candidate could not be found. As it turned out, there was no national search. Pryor announced that he was leaving in late June after close to a decade leading Rhode Island's economic development efforts as its first commerce secretary and, for a year-and-a-half as head of its Department of Housing, The hunt for his replacement stretched out over several months, amid significant jockeying between the many arms of Rhode Island's housing community for advantage and appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Housing is responsible for managing hundreds of millions of previously dedicated state dollars and the newly approved $120-million housing bond. But the picture that has emerged in the wake of Pryor's departure was of an agency beset by employee infighting, leaks about end-runs in the award of contracts, and complaints to the governor's office about the management styles of both Pryor and Assistant Secretary Hannah Moore, whom Pryor brought into the department with him. More recently, Rhode Islands deputy housing secretary, Deborah Flannery, resigned to take a job with the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. Her last day is imminent. On Friday, the Department of Housing disclosed that the state paid Guidesoft/Knowledge Services $173,201.86 for Goddard's consulting services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for her role, department spokeswoman Emily Marshall listed several non-specific duties, such as: "drafting regulations for internal review, and co-authoring multiple grant applications, among other responsibilities." This story has been updated with new information This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: McKee picks new housing secretary for Rhode Island Trump taps former acting U.S. attorney general to serve as NATO ambassador Xinhua) 09:25, November 21, 2024 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) When pianist Luis Fernando Perez gave a recital during the 12th Shenzhen Piano Music Festival on Nov 2, he captivated the audience with his passionate celebration of Spanish classical music. Perez opened with two piano sonatas by 18th-century composer Antonio Soler, setting a tone of elegance and authenticity. The first half of the program continued with three pieces selected from Twelve Spanish Dances, Op 37, by pianist and composer Enrique Granados, Scenes d'enfants (Scenes of Children), a nostalgic composition by Frederic Mompou, and selections from Manuel de Falla's ballet, The Three-Cornered Hat. In the second half, Perez performed excerpts from Isaac Albeniz's celebrated Suite Iberia, followed by selections from another of De Falla's ballets, El Amor Brujo (Love, the Magician). With each touch of the keys, Perez brought the essence of Spanish music alive. His skilled hands conjured its vivid textures and rhythms, evoking the lively strum of guitars, the clack of castanets, and the melodic chime of bells. His expressive and nuanced performance drew sustained applause. "It was a very special moment. I saw my audience smiling and visibly touched. I wanted to bring music from my country, from Spain, to the Chinese audience," he says. He also says that initially, he planned to play a mix of Chopin and some Spanish piano music but after discussing the program with Sun Yue, the deputy director of the Shenzhen Piano Music Festival, he was strongly encouraged to present an entirely Spanish program. The pianist first performed in China around 10 years ago. "One of my dreams is to know every beautiful place in China. China is so big. I remember beautiful Beijing and impressive Shanghai. This time I was able to enjoy the city of Shenzhen and its beautiful parks and buildings and amazing friends and food," Perez says. "There were both beautiful communication and silence during my recital in Shenzhen. The Chinese public is very emotional and warm. "The pentatonic scale in Chinese music very much influenced impressionists and Spanish composers of the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. It was the fashion of the time for Western impressionists to borrow many things from Asian music. So impressionist music owes a lot to Chinese and Asian music, and Spanish composers were also very much influenced by this," he says. "Moreover, both Chinese and Spanish music are born out of our traditions, of our dances and our unique and special instruments. We are both very rich countries in terms of folklore." According to French newspaper Le Monde, Perez is known for his virtuosity, colorful playing and ability to clearly communicate to his public, and he is considered one of the most exceptional artists of his generation. "The message I think music gives is much higher and stronger than we can ever describe. It is said that it cures. It puts us at peace. It comforts our solitude, our insides, our soul," he says. "I always try to bring to my audience the work of the great masters, and to allow everybody to experience its message in the particular moment, in that particular hall, and with that particular audience." Perez began to learn to play the piano with his father, who introduced him to Canzone Napoletana a traditional genre of Neapolitan song that emerged in Naples in the 19th century when he still didn't know how to read music. When Perez was 15, he was accepted into the Reina Sofia School of Music in Madrid where, as he says, he "had to make many decisions". "My professor, Dmitri Bashkirov, asked me why I wanted to learn to play the piano. I, then a 15-year-old boy, answered: 'I want to be the best pianist!' He replied: 'I don't know if you'll be the best, but maybe one of the best. Will you work like crazy?'. I answered: 'Yes!'," Perez says. He also mentions that he met the legendary pianist Alicia de Larrocha for the first time when he was 16 during a master class and went on to work with her until the end of her life. "Alicia de Larrocha was one of the greatest pianists ever in Spain's history. I was very lucky to work with her for many years, from 1994 to 2006," he says. "Perez's playing is not only technically excellent but also deeply moving, fully displaying the beauty and depth of Spanish music. As a universal language, music can transcend linguistic, cultural and geographical barriers, fostering closer connections between artists and audiences from different countries," says Yang Suxian, director of the organizing committee of the Shenzhen Piano Music Festival. "Through the platform of the festival, musical and cultural exchange between Shenzhen and Spain have become increasingly vibrant." Since its inception 12 years ago, the Shenzhen Piano Music Festival has been dedicated to promoting international musical and cultural exchange. The 27-year-old son of Norways Crown Princess has been arrested on suspicion of rape, Norwegian police said Tuesday. Marius Borg Hiby was born before his mother Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon and became a princess in 2001. He was arrested for violating the criminal code which concerns sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons is unable to resist the act. Police specified that he is accused of carrying out a sexual act without intercourse on a victim said to have been unable to resist the act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged victim is a woman in her 20s who did not know Hiby before she met him on the day of the alleged incident, her lawyer Hege Salomon told CNN. She was not in a relationship with Hiby. Hiby was arrested late on Monday night, police said, and was being held in a detention center on Tuesday morning. His lawyer, yvind Bratlien, told CNN that he denies the allegation. Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that Hiby has now been charged with various offences against five different people four women and a man. Three of the women have been in a relationship with Hiby, NRK reported, adding that he has been accused of abuse in close relationships against all three women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, police charged Hiby with assault and criminal damage after a violent incident at an apartment in Oslo that allegedly involved one of the three women. This woman was in a car with Hiby when he was arrested on Monday, police said. Hiby has also been charged with threatening to kill a man in his 20s, NRK reported. Hibys lawyer told CNN that he only pleads guilty to a case of one incident of bodily harm against his last girlfriend, criminal damage in her apartment and a threat. For the other circumstances, he does not admit criminal guilt. The Royal House of Norway declined to comment on the allegations when approached by CNN. This story has been updated. CNNs Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou contributed to this reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com OAKDALE, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in western Wisconsin arrested a man from Illinois after three kilograms of cocaine were found after he fled in a vehicle. According to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, on November 16 around 10 p.m., a vehicle was seen driving 100 mph on I-94. The driver was identified as a 43-year-old man from Illinois. Woman in Wisconsin arrested for 7th OWI after deputy determines she was under the influence of a controlled substance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle was stopped, and authorities reportedly saw indicators of drug use. Authorities spoke with the driver who was later able to run from authorities and get back into his vehicle and flee. A police chase went on for over two miles before the vehicle crashed and the driver ran on foot, according to the release. A K-9 was able to help take the driver into custody. The passenger in the car later told authorities that he forced the driver to crash by grabbing the steering wheel. Officials searched the vehicle and the area the driver had run, which resulted in three kilograms of cocaine and over 30 grams of marijuana. Authorities say that the street value of the items is over $300,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He should be held accountable: Community sounds off on missing Green Lake County kayaker case The driver was charged with multiple drug-related crimes and had a $100,000 cash bond set. No additional information was provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. 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 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Two brown bears, a lion, a couple of yaks, five cockatoos, 25 pheasants and 40 mandarin ducks. These were among dozens of wild animals Russia sent to North Korea in the latest display of the growing diplomatic relationship between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. A Russian government statement said the animals, described as a "gift to the Korean people," were escorted Wednesday by Putin's environment minister, Alexander Kozlov, and various other Russian officials and wildlife experts from Moscow Zoo to North Korea's capital Pyongyang aboard a cargo plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Animals have historically occupied an important place in interstate relations. They were given as a sign of support, kindness and care," Kozlov said in a separate statement published on his official Telegram channel. What's it mean for the war? Biden lets Ukraine launch long-range missiles into Russia. The gift comes as officials in the U.S. and South Korea have confirmed in recent weeks that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to fight alongside Russian forces amid its ongoing war in Ukraine. Kim has also sent artillery shells and missiles to Russia to bolster Moscow's invasion that will hit the three-year mark in February. Russia and North Korea were close allies during the Cold War. Relations cooled with the breakup of the Soviet Union. Their alliance has strengthened over the last three years as both countries have faced sanctions from the West. For North Korea, these sanctions relate to its missiles and weapons program and burgeoning Russia ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin has previously gifted animals to North Korea including pure bred horses, eagles and parrots. Earlier this week President Joe Biden lifted a ban on Ukraine using U.S. long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia. Moscow has been warning for months it would see that move as a major escalation. On Thursday, Ukraine's military said Russia had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile in a conventional strike on the city of Dnipro. The use of an ICBM was not immediately confirmed by the U.S. or other Western allies. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vladimir Putin sends wild animals as 'gift' to Kim Jong Un TOKYO, Nov 22 (News On Japan) - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries held an emergency meeting to address the rapid outbreak of avian influenza, urging prefectural governments to strengthen hygiene management measures. Agriculture Minister Eto said, "If avian flu spreads as it did during the 2022 season, it could significantly impact egg supply, prices, and the meals of people across the country." Since the first positive case was confirmed on October 17th, ten cases have been reported across eight prefectures through November 20th, resulting in the culling of approximately 1.21 million chickens. The ministry proposed new preventive measures, such as spraying water while ventilating chicken coops to reduce airborne dust. It also called for minimizing unnecessary construction work in chicken coops to prevent virus transmission by external workers. The pace of outbreaks this year rivals the record-high levels of 2022, raising concerns over a potential rise in egg prices. Source: ANN Coby Yee poses for a photograph. [Photo courtesy of Round Space Studio] Luka Yuanyuan Yang never imagined a chance encounter in Las Vegas would spark a six-year journey to preserve a forgotten slice of Chinese American history. The Chinese visual artist and self-taught director met 92-year-old dancer Coby Yee, whose vibrant performance captivated her instantly. "It was like love at first sight," Yang recalled. "She was full of energy, in great shape, and very creative. It felt like watching an entire life unfold, gracefully spinning on stage." Yee, once a burlesque star of San Francisco's Chinatown nightclub scene, became the central figure in Yang's documentary "Chinatown Cha-Cha." The film celebrates a group of elderly women whose passion for dance defies time and aging while grappling with the erasure of Chinese American cultural history. Coby Yee poses in a self-designed dress in her younger years as a dancer. [Photo courtesy of Round Space Studio] Yang's journey began in 2018 during a six-month residency as a visiting scholar in the United States, researching Chinese artists in American history. She found herself drawn to Esther Eng, a trailblazing Chinese American filmmaker whose 1939 film "It's a Women's World" championed independent women with an all-Chinese, all-female cast. However, the film is now presumed lost and has faded into obscurity much like the performers it celebrated. "Eng's legacy had almost been erased," Yang told China.org.cn, noting how anti-Asian racism in early 20th-century Hollywood stifled talents like Eng and Anna May Wong. Inspired by Eng, Yang sought to shine a spotlight on overlooked Chinese American women. (Left to right) Dancers Mimi Chen, Cynthia Yee and Emily Chen from the Grant Avenue Follies. [Photo courtesy of Round Space Studio] In San Francisco, she discovered the Grant Avenue Follies, a troupe of women aged from 70 to 90 led by 73-year-old Cynthia Yee (no relation to Coby). "I thought, this is a very contemporary version of 'It's a Women's World,'" Yang said. "Their energy and vitality were irresistible. I knew I had to make a documentary about them." The film follows the troupe as they embark on a musical road trip spanning San Francisco, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Havana, Beijing and Shanghai. Notably, in Cuba, the troupe visited Havana's vanishing Chinatown and performed for the local Chinese community. In Shanghai, Coby Yee danced on the Bund, tearfully fulfilling her father's unrealized dream of returning to China with his whole family. The Grant Avenue Follies members perform in Shanghai. [Photo courtesy of Round Space Studio] The documentary also captures the bittersweet realities of the dancers' lives. Coby Yee, a second-generation immigrant, was a nightclub owner and costume designer in San Francisco during Chinatown's heyday. Despite her talent and being hailed by newspapers as a "daring Chinese dancing doll," she faced marginalization, and her intricate costume designs, which blended diverse Asian cultural motifs, went largely unnoticed. However, Yang's film does more than document history; it builds connections. "What I wanted to find was the link between us Chinese and Chinese Americans, past and present," she explained. "These women lived through an era of profound unfairness, yet they created possibilities and persisted with grace. Their resilience and passion, even in old age, is what I hope to share." A poster for the documentary "Chinatown Cha-Cha." [Image courtesy of Round Space Studio] Coby Yee sadly passed away in 2020, just a week after her final performance. She never stopped dancing, while her death marked the end of an era but not the spirit of the Grant Avenue Follies. The troupe continues to dance, earning new recognition for their viral rap video against anti-Asian hate in 2021 and appearances on television shows. Reflecting on Yee's passion for dance and life, Yang recalled a poignant moment during a visit to the Forbidden City in Beijing. "Coby left her wheelchair, walked down the stairs, began humming, and the other grandmas joined in song. Without music, she started dancing. It was one of my favorite shots." Coby Yee walks down stairs in the Forbidden City in Beijing. [Photo courtesy of Round Space Studio] For Yang, "Chinatown Cha-Cha" is more than a film; it's a testament to the vitality of life. "Coby is gone, but her spirit inspires us still," she said. "I hope this film reminds people to embrace resilience and joy, no matter their age." The story of these dancing grandmas offers not just a window into history but a mirror reflecting timeless truths about perseverance, creativity and the human spirit. "We'll die, but the story goes on," said Stephen King, Coby Yee's partner, in the film. Through "Chinatown Cha-Cha," it surely will. OSAKA, Nov 22 (News On Japan) - A male caretaker at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka has been sent to prosecutors on suspicion of stealing vegetables and fruits used as monkey feed. The 47-year-old caretaker allegedly placed the feed items, stored in the zoos kitchen, into his bag and took them in October this year. The vegetables and fruits were intended for the zoo's monkeys. According to the zoo, feed had been going missing for over a month prior to the incident, prompting the facility to report the theft to the police. The police have not disclosed whether the caretaker has admitted to the allegations. The zoo stated, We will take strict measures after confirming the facts. Source: YOMIURI Simon Ekpa By Adam Mosadioluwa Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, has been detained in Finland alongside four others over allegations of terrorism-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism. According to Finnish publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Paijat-Hame District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests on Thursday, revealing that the other suspects are accused of financing terrorist activities. The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent, authorities said. Ekpa, known for his provocative statements, is alleged to have orchestrated violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigerias South-East region. Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who heads the investigation, stated, The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels. Two of the suspects reside in Helsinki, and charges against the group include terrorism financing, as confirmed by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation. This latest arrest is not Ekpas first run-in with Finnish law enforcement. In 2023, he was briefly detained over allegations of fundraising fraud. He has also gained popularity for his separatist campaigns, including calls to disrupt Nigerian elections. In one widely circulated 2023 video, he declared, No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory. Finnish police emphasised the importance of international collaboration in advancing the investigation, adding that the hearings for Ekpa and the other suspects are scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 21. A visitor interacts with a smart robotic dog at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2024. [Photo/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. The International Criminal Court has issued a 10-year prison sentence to Al-Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud for war crimes committed during his leadership of Timbuktus Islamic police. The 47-year-old defendant was found guilty of orchestrating torture and overseeing brutal punishments during the 2012 occupation by the Ansar Dine group. While convicted of organizing public amputations and floggings, including against children, Al-Hassan was acquitted of charges relating to sexual violence and the destruction of historic mausoleums. The court acknowledged the occurrence of sexual crimes during Ansar Dines rule but determined he bore no direct responsibility. The presiding judge deemed the sentence proportionate to the crimes gravity, considering mitigating factors including limited assistance to civilians and cooperation with prosecutors. The defendants six years in detention will count toward his sentence. Both prosecution and defense teams have filed appeals against various aspects of the verdict. Human rights organizations expressed disappointment regarding the sexual violence acquittals, citing victim testimonies of detention center assaults. The case highlights the extensive damage inflicted on Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its Islamic scholarship from the 13th to 17th centuries. This verdict follows the earlier nine-year sentence of another Ansar Dine member for destroying ancient shrines. The court will address victim reparations in subsequent proceedings. The decision represents a significant step in addressing war crimes in Malis ongoing conflict. At least 50 Boko Haram insurgents were killed during an ambush on a Nigerian infrastructure security convoy, while seven officers from the Civil Defense Corps remain missing. The incident occurred during a routine patrol monitoring power grid installations, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region. The attack, involving approximately 200 Boko Haram fighters, demonstrated the groups continued operational capacity despite military pressure and internal conflicts over the past 15 years. The Nigerian Civil Defense Corp spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, confirmed that several additional security personnel sustained injuries during the engagement. Though Boko Haram traditionally operates in northeastern Nigeria, authorities report the group has established cells in Niger state, where Muslim populations provide potential support bases. This expansion of operations threatens critical infrastructure and civilian populations beyond their traditional area of influence. The incident coincides with a separate attack in Borno state, where five soldiers lost their lives to suspected insurgents on Saturday, underscoring the persistent nature of the security threat. These coordinated attacks suggest the group maintains significant offensive capabilities despite government claims of weakening their organization. The Civil Defense Corp continues search efforts for the missing officers in surrounding bushland. This latest confrontation illustrates the ongoing challenges facing Nigerian security forces in protecting vital infrastructure and maintaining regional stability against determined insurgent forces. Morocco is hosting this November 21-22 a retreat of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). This event takes place under Moroccos presidency of the Council and marks the first time such a meeting is held in the MENA region and only the second on the African continent. According to a statement released by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Rabat Retreat aims to create a space for dialogue to foster reflections on the process of reviewing the status of the Human Rights Council by the General Assembly, in line with the resolution that established the Council. This retreat provides an opportunity to highlight proposals from the presidency regarding the rationalization and efficiency of the HRC, issues currently being discussed under the guidance of numerous co-facilitators. It will also emphasize coordination among UN bodies with human rights mandates in Geneva and New York to ensure greater coherence in the UNs human rights efforts. Launched in 2010 in Bangkok, this format has since been adopted by countries that have chaired the Human Rights Council, including Germany, Slovenia, Senegal, Switzerland, and Austria. These retreats have proven valuable for fostering in-depth discussions, which have notably led to the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution on the functioning of the HRC. The retreats offer successive HRC presidents a unique opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders to identify and explore solutions for enhancing the Councils effectiveness and efficiency. These meetings delve deeply into current challenges, gather diverse perspectives, and propose pathways for improvement that contribute to optimizing the HRCs functioning and impact in the field of human rights. These gatherings, which bring together member states, regional group coordinators, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and representatives of civil society, will enable broad and in-depth exchanges of views, the statement concludes. The autonomy plan presented by Morocco for the Sahara focuses on dialogue and international law, and promotes the well-being of the populations concerned, said Romenio Pereira, Secretary for International Relations of Brazils ruling party, Workers Party (PT). A more explicit support for the autonomy plan presented by Morocco can, of course, be considered, since this autonomy is based on dialogue, on a commitment to international law and will contribute to the well-being of the populations concerned, Romenio Pereira told MAP. I think that Brazil should continue to support these efforts and initiatives that promote peace and stability in the region, he added. According to Pereira, who will visit Morocco shortly, Brazil maintains a balanced and constructive position on the issue (of the Sahara), while supporting the efforts of the United Nations seeking a peaceful, consensual and mutually acceptable political solution. In this regard, he recalled the support expressed by the Brazilian Senate, in June 2023, for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007. He also recalled the visit of the Brazilian Foreign Minister to Rabat, a year later, during which he commended the kingdoms serious and credible efforts to advance towards a resolution of this dispute. Pereira described the future of relations between Rabat and Brasilia as promising as there are several cooperation opportunities in various fields. The recent visits of high-ranking Brazilian representatives to Morocco and the reopening of the Casablanca-Sao Paulo airline (next December) reflect the growing interest in strengthening bilateral ties, he continued. This momentum will strengthen trade and collaboration, particularly in the areas of food security, green economy, tourism, culture, and technology. It will also help address the challenges of climate change, to the benefit of both nations, he said. Moroccos pioneering role in strengthening African health sovereignty and in managing pandemic crises was highlighted Wednesday before an extraordinary session of the African Unions Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC). In an address before the session, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the AU and the UNECA, Mohamed Arrouchi, focused on the success behind the Moroccan approach, which is based on innovation and regional collaboration. He recalled in this connection that in response to the health emergency posed by Mpox, Morocco developed a PCR diagnostic kit capable of detecting the virus with unrivalled accuracy. He pointed out that this initiative benefited from Africa CDCs technical and scientific support, demonstrating the continents ability to produce competitive solutions tailored to its realities. Morocco and Africa CDC, which has endorsed the first Mpox PCR kit developed in Morocco, are thus paving the way for greater health sovereignty in Africa in the management of emerging pandemic crises, he said. In this regard, he noted that Africa CDCs Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya congratulated Morocco on making the first Mpox PCR, a statement reflecting Africa CDCs commitment to promoting endogenous solutions to pandemics, while fostering the continents economic accessibility and autonomy. This breakthrough illustrates the need for greater coordination between African states and regional institutions to anticipate and respond effectively to health crises, the diplomat noted, adding that this Moroccan initiative is a concrete example of Africas potential to transform challenges into opportunities, and thus strengthen the continents collective resilience to future pandemics. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images With speculation growing that Matt Gaetzs nomination for attorney general might be dead on arrival in the U.S. Senate, Gaetz himself put an end to the discussion, announcing Thursday that he was withdrawing himself from consideration for the countrys highest law-enforcement role. In a statement, Gaetz said that while he had excellent meetings with senators on Wednesday, his nomination had become a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trumps DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1, he said. Last week, Donald Trump stunned the political world by announcing that he had nominated Gaetz. Critics noted the Florida representatives significant lack of legal experience as well as well-established antagonism of the very congressional members who would need to confirm him. Gaetzs personal liabilities are well known: He has been dogged by numerous investigations looking into allegations of an improper sexual relationship with a teenager as well as claims of sex trafficking. Trump acknowledged Gaetzs withdrawal in a post on TruthSocial, writing, I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do! Gaetzs withdrawal comes amid a growing debate on Capitol Hill on whether to release the House Ethics Committees final report on its investigation into his conduct. Congressional Republicans have argued that the panel no longer has jurisdiction over Gaetz, who resigned from office soon after being tapped for attorney general. Others, including many leading Democrats, have said that having a fuller picture of the committees findings is necessary considering the high-profile role that Gaetz was being considered for. The panel reached an impasse during a Wednesday meeting as Republicans on the committee voted against the reports release. Soon after Gaetz dropped out, CNN reported that it was set to run a story reporting that the ethics committee had learned of a second encounter between Gaetz and the 17-year-old girl hes accused of having a relationship with. According to CNN, Gaetzs withdrawal came after the outlet requested comment on their report. As for Gaetzs future, its unclear if hell be able to return to his seat in the House of Representatives after his hasty resignation. As noted by the Downballot, Gaetz recently won reelection for the next session of Congress that has yet to be sworn in. Theres a novel argument to be made that his resignation might count for this term but doesnt preclude him from taking the oath come January. However, Gaetz could have his sights on another position entirely. Theres been speculation that he might attempt a bid to succeed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who will be term-limited in 2026. The state will also have an Senate special election in 2028 to fill the seat left by Marco Rubio who Trump nominated for Secretary of State after an appointee finishes out his term. Lisa Murkowski benefited from ranked-choice voting in 2022, and may rely on it again in 2028. Photo: Ting Shen/Bloomberg/Getty Images For a while there, the electoral reform known as ranked-choice voting (or as some call it, instant runoff voting) had some momentum. The idea was that traditional first-past-the-post general elections often disenfranchise popular majorities and promote major-party hegemony along with partisan and ideological polarization. Often combined with the abolition of party primaries (replaced by nonpartisan primaries that let four or five candidates proceed to general elections), the reform idea broke into public view via successful ballot initiatives in two states (Maine and Alaska) and a variety of localities (notably New York City and San Francisco). Often, if not always, RCV has been opposed by leaders in both major political parties, who are loathe to endanger their duopoly, and backed by wealthy good-government types and those representing ideological minorities. But its safe to say the bitterest opponents of RCV recently have been conservative Republicans who view the system as a way to eliminate their veto power over GOP general-election candidates. RCV proponents hoped that 2024 was going to be a breakthrough year for their movement, with statewide ballot initiatives to introduce the system on the ballot in four states (Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada with Nevada having already approved an initiative earlier but requiring a second approval for enactment). But at the same time, conservatives sponsored anti-RCV ballot measures in Alaska (aimed at repealing the RCV-Top 4 Primary system voters approved in 2020) and in Missouri (a constitutional ban on RCV for the state and for localities, though with an effective date that would allow St. Louis to continue to use RCV). In keeping with the national rightward trend on November 5, the new statewide RCV ballot measures all lost (by a 5446 percent margin in Colorado, a 5346 percent margin in Nevada, a 7030 percent margin in Idaho, and a 5842 percent margin in Oregon). Meanwhile, Missouri voters approved the proposed ban on RCV by a robust 6832 percent margin. Arguably, the most important ballot battle was in Alaska, where RCV (with a Top 4 nonpartisan primary) was utilized in 2022 and was widely credited with making possible statewide victories by centrist Democrat Mary Peltola (running for the states open at-large House seat) and centrist Republican Lisa Murkowsi (an incumbent senator running for reelection), both of whom defeated Trump- and state-GOP-backed conservatives. To underline the upheaval the new electoral system represented, Peltola and Murkowski (who shared a base in Alaskas large Native population) endorsed each other. Peltolas defeated opponent, Sarah Palin, spearheaded a drive to repeal the system that undid her comeback bid. A repeal measure was on the 2024 ballot and looked to be succeeding on Election Night. But final returns showed RCV surviving by 664 votes out of 340,110 cast. This RCV victory didnt carry over to prior beneficiary Peltola, who narrowly lost her seat to Republican Nick Begich III (who finished third in the 2022 balloting), helping the GOP maintain control of the House. But it was very good news for Murkowski, the maverick Republican who is up for reelection in 2028. If she chooses to stick around, Alaskas system gives her a fighting chance to win, while shed be toast (Donald Trump really dislikes her, and she has committed multiple heresies against MAGA conservatism) in a traditional party primary. Perhaps RCV opponents in the state will try again to repeal it, but usually once voters learn to navigate RCV, it becomes less controversial. In the meantime, national supporters of this election reform will lick their wounds and perhaps find a way to regroup. A file photo shows the Chinese-built Maputo Cross-sea Bridge in Maputo, Mozambique. [Photo/Xinhua] China's non-financial outbound direct investment (ODI) increased 10.6% year on year to $115.83 billion in the first 10 months of the year, data from the Ministry of Commerce showed on Thursday. The data showed that Chinese companies' non-financial ODI in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) reached $26.65 billion, up 3% from the previous year. During the period, the turnover of contracted overseas projects by Chinese companies amounted to $124.38 billion, an increase of 2%, and the value of newly signed contracts rose 15.3% to $177.65 billion. In particular, the turnover of contracted projects undertaken by Chinese companies in BRI participating countries stood at $100.82 billion during the period, up 0.8% year on year, while the value of Chinese companies' newly signed contracts in these countries reached $148.64 billion, up 15.7%, the data showed. Photo: realDonaldTrump/Truth Social Donald Trump has been on a merch spree this year to rival his mid-2000s run of branded energy drinks, cologne, vodka, and steaks. It began in February, when he began selling $400 gold sneakers. In April, he started promoting the God Bless the USA Bible; while it is not gold, it does include the U.S. Constitution and is Lee Greenwoodbranded. By September, he was all-in on $100,000 watches. Its a tourbillon watch with almost 200 grams of gold and more than 100 real diamonds, he explained in a video. Thats a lot of diamonds. I love gold. I love diamonds. We all do. Then in October came the World Liberty Financial token that seemed like just another meme cryptocurrency but actually contained fine print alerting investors that the asset is non-transferable indefinitely. Adding to this historic spree on Wednesday, the president-elect announced a new item on Truth Social that he called the Limited Edition 45 Guitar. Trump said 1,300 acoustic guitars and 1,300 electric versions will be produced. The acoustic guitar looks to be a standard shape, while the electric looks like a Gibson Les Paul. Both models feature a body with an eagle and an American flag painted on, as well as a fretboard that reads Make America Great Again in pearl inlay with extremely weird spacing. Some personally signed! Trump says. The acoustic guitars go for $1,250, and the electric versions go for $1,500. A signed guitar sells for $10,000. Coming Soon! The Limited Edition 45 Guitar. Only 1,300 of each Acoustic and Electric Guitars MADE Some personally signed! https://t.co/DY4LkF4feh pic.twitter.com/0ghYmjLxKo Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 20, 2024 While technical specs for the guitars were not available, the electric guitars look like they have a humbucker pickup system, which is standard for the Les Paul it appears to be based on. Trumps website promises that the guitars will be delivered by Christmas. Tabs for the Village People sold separately. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. COP29 serves as a platform for both green initiatives and controversial fossil fuel discussions, highlighting the complexities of the global climate crisis. While discussions on containing global warming have bogged down inside the blue zone at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Caspian Basin and Central Asian states have been busy on the sidelines looking for ways to boost green trade. The Middle Corridor, an emerging trade route linking China and Europe via the Caucasus and Central Asia, has been a major topic of discussion on the fringes of COP29. In the spirit of the climate gathering, participants say they are intent on developing a sustainable green energy corridor, involving the construction of new infrastructure and the digitization of trade systems. There is a large financial incentive for such agreements. With the Russia-Ukraine war passing the 1,000-day milestone, the corridor has become attractive as an alternative route that bypasses Russia. The World Bank estimates that trade along the corridor will triple by 2030. The first major Middle Corridor development during COP29 occurred on November 13, two days after the gatherings start, when the presidents of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a Strategic Partnership in the Development and Transmission of Green Energy. While light on firm commitments, a post-signing briefing by the presidents gave some clues about their intentions. Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev confirmed that the partnership is related to an ongoing effort to build an underwater power line across the Caspian Sea. The project was unveiled last May and is designed to facilitate the trilateral sharing of electricity generated from renewable sources, and, most importantly, the export of power to Europe. The feasibility study for this project is nearing completion, so we will connect Central Asia, the Caucasus, Europe, the Caspian and the Black seas with a single energy corridor, Aliyev said. Aliyev also noted progress on another crucial link in that corridor an underwater Black Sea cable passing from Georgia to European Union territory. Such projects are important for Azerbaijans ongoing efforts to diversify its fossil fuel exports-dependent economy and become an alternative power source for Europe. At the news conference, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev directly linked the power line projects to the development of the Middle Corridor. The practical fruition of this agreement will contribute to the development of the Middle Corridor as a green bridge connecting our economies, said Tokayev after the signing. Close cooperation in this key area will step up the exchange of experience and advanced technologies among the three states and contribute to the further strengthening of our energy security. COP29 has also proved to be a fruitful venue for inking other Middle Corridor-related business deals, and, in tandem, a platform for China to demonstrate its growing economic role in the Caspian Basin. Another infrastructure agreement signed on the sidelines of the conference underscores the point. On November 12, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and China established a joint venture to build a new intermodal cargo terminal at the Port of Baku. China is additionally helping to build a container hub on the other side of the Caspian Sea at the Kazakh port city of Aktau. At a Middle Corridor-focused roundtable held on November 20 under COP29s auspices, Rashad Nabiyev, an Azerbaijani development official, said Azerbaijan expects to double the number of Chinese cargo trains passing through its territory in 2025. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the UN agency in charge of promoting regional economic contacts, also endorsed the regional initiatives during the roundtable discussion. ESCAP will continue to support the development of sustainable and digital transport corridors, including the Middle Corridor, said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, an agency representative. Meanwhile, a sting operation conducted by a transparency watchdog group, Global Witness, alleges that Azerbaijan has used its hosting status of COP29 to hold talks with potential partners on the development and expanded export of fossil fuels seen as the primary source of global warming. A report distributed by Global Witness, relying on undercover reporting in which a researcher for the group posed as a representative of an energy investment firm when conducting a video call with Elnur Soltanov, the COP29 CEO and Azerbaijans deputy energy minister, appears to show a conflict of interest in which the Azerbaijani official does not draw a clear distinction between his COP role and his governmental position. COP29 officials abused their positions by facilitating talks about oil and gas deals at a climate conference, Global Witness alleges in a statement. Petrostates are perfecting a sinister playbook which sees COP as just another business opportunity for polluters. By Brawley Benson via Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The future of the United States natural gas sector hangs in the balance as a cluster of competing variables cloud the crystal ball. The upcoming regime change in the United States is certain to significantly reshape domestic production, consumption, and export trends but myriad global factors make exact projections tricky. U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas have slowed a bit this year after the Biden administration pumped the brakes on the sectors previously breakneck growth. In 2023, the United States became the worlds biggest natural gas exporter, exporting a whopping an average of 11.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of LNG on average, representing a 12% increase from 2022. But on January 26th of this year, President Biden announced that the United States would pause approvals of new licenses to export LNG to give the U.S. Department of Energy the opportunity to review and assess whether the nations prodigious LNG exports are undermining domestic energy security, raising consumer costs and damaging the environment. The pause has since been halted by a federal judge, but the sentiment has galvanized Bidens political opponents to lean into LNG exports. Trump has long promised to swiftly overturn this pause, which came in part as a reaction to mounting evidence that liquefied natural gas may be much, much worse for the environment than previously thought, challenging its positioning as a bridge fuel in the global clean energy transition. When Trump enters the oval office he is sure to ramp up exports, but this action will not be immediate. It will take time for the Department of Energy (DOE) to re-staff and satisfy requisite legal and environmental reviews, despite Republicans likely control of both legislative branches, said Wood Mackenzie chair and chief analyst Simon Flowers. New permits might only be issued after the spring, enabling projects to [final investment decision] in the second half of the year. Increased imports could play a pivotal role in the United States trade negotiations with Europe, as the continent is looking toward diversified natural gas sources to help wean its economy off of its continued reliance on imported Russian energy resources. For developers, the idea of an expanded European market is encouraging news. We look forward to working with the incoming Trump administration to cement Americas role as the worlds leading supplier of clean liquefied natural gas, Michael Sabel, CEO of U.S.-based developer was recently quoted by the Financial Times. In recent years, Europe has moved swiftly to build out the necessary infrastructure needed to support a surge of LNG into the region and with the necessary policy support and regulatory certainty the United States is well positioned to meet that long-term demand, he said. However, the Trump presidency will also usher in a new era of tariffs, which will likely have a great impact on natural gas markets around the world. Reuters reports that these tariffs could go so far as to undercut the Trump administrations goals to ramp up exports, as China might reciprocate by avoiding new contracts and re-exporting U.S. cargoes to other nations. Moreover, the United States is facing increasing competition from other natural gas exporters who are rushing to expand their own production and export potential. Guyana and Suriname are poised for an export boom and boast key advantages to export to Asian buyers. Mexico and Canada, too, have majorly expanded their own LNG sectors, with Mexico potentially on track to surpass Canada in the coming years. Increased natural gas exports from Mexico, coupled with a marked increase in pipeline natural gas shipments from the United States to Mexico are expected to boost natural gas prices up from their currently low levels in the coming years. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Among the many projects in Iraqs energy sector that could each make it much-needed billions of dollars a year in profits, the Nebras Petrochemical Plant is around the top of the list in terms of its potential. British supermajor Shell signed the original memorandum of understanding to develop the idea back in 2012 and then signed the official deal to do so in January 2015, with high hopes on both sides for the project. For Shell, it would offer the opportunity to build out its then-upstream operations in Majnoon and West Qurna 1 into a flagship value-added downstream capability. These massive fields offered huge additional oil and associated gas feedstock to add to that which could come from Shells 44 percent stake in the US$17 billion 25-year Basrah Gas Company project. Shells design plans for Nebras were for a project that could produce at least 1.8 million metric tonnes per year (mtpa) of various petrochemicals. This would make it Iraq's first major petrochemicals project since the early 1990s and one of only four major petrochemicals complexes across the entire country at that point. Following years of wrangling with the various Iraqi governments since 2012, Shell finally withdrew from the Nebras project in February this year. News emerged last week that U.S. powerhouse engineering and energy consultancy KBR has now begun a comprehensive technical and economic review to map an optimal implementation path for the project, building on previous studies. Related: Oil Falls After EIA Confirms Small Crude Inventory Build To save our friends at KBR some time, OilPrice.com has summarised all the key points (they are always the same) from all the previous major studies of the Nebras project as follows (using specific elements from a major Russian oil and gas firms petrochemical divisions all-encompassing study a few years ago to illustrate each). The first point is that Iraq has vast oil and gas resources, which can be used to feed a petrochemical plant. Specifically, it holds an estimated 145 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves - around 9 percent of worlds total although this is a very conservative estimate, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. Its proven natural gas reserves total around 131 trillion cubic feet - the 12th largest in the world - but again there may be a lot more. The rate of exploration for non-associated (with oil drilling) gas reserves has not matched that for oil, and the associated gas resources it might have may also be massive but remain largely untapped. The second point is that there is every benefit to Iraq using these energy flows in the production of high-value petrochemicals rather than low-value oil and gas exports or -- as happens now for a huge proportion of its associated (with oil) gas flows rather than being flared (essentially, burning money). At the time of the Russian analysis, Iraq was flaring 12.4-16.4 billion cubic metres a year (Bcm/y) of associated gas at a then-oil production rate of around 4.1 million barrels per day (bpd). In 2023, it burned off 17.7 Bcm. The third key part of the studies focus on the technical needs for optimising flows of feedstock for a fully-functioning Nebras Petrochemical Plant. This would require increasing (as it was at the time of the big Russian study) gas volumes up to an average of one billion standard cubic feet per day (Bscf/d) so that ethane can be extracted on a sustainable and reliable basis and that would give sufficient volume for a major petrochemicals plant to be viable. Even by 2019/2020, Shells gas project with the Basrah Gas Company had reached a peak production rate of over this required level (1.035 Bscf/d to be exact). The Russian oil and gas giants petrochemical division highlighted that ethane not naphtha, as Iraqs Oil Ministry has often suggested be used, as it was in the development of Saudi Arabias master gas system that captured associated gas, which was then fractionated and supplied as primary feedstock to the flagship Jubail Industrial City. This is also advantageous in Iraq, as the highest concentration of ethane (up to 10 percent and slightly over) is usually found in associated gas streams (which Iraq has a lot of), and processing ethane produces the highly-bankable ethylene with few by-products (mainly fuel gas) to process and manage. Additionally, this reduces the capital required for construction and minimises the complexity of the logistics and distribution requirements. Later, as the industry and corresponding infrastructure grows, heavier feed streams can be utilised, as happened with the use of propane, butane and naphtha in Jubail. Overall, according to the previous major feasibility reports on the Nebras Petrochemical Plant, a world-class petrochemicals sector in Iraq would require around US$40-50 billion to develop but would yield exponentially more than that in pure profits over the years. In the grand scale of the worlds oil and gas sector, this is a snip at the price, so why has it not already happened? Iraq is among the worst countries on corruption and governance indicators, with corruption risks exacerbated by lack of experience in the public administration, weak capacity to absorb the influx of aid money, sectarian issues and lack of political will for anti-corruption efforts, according to previous entries in the Corruption Perceptions Index by the independent non-governmental organisation, Transparency International. It added: Massive embezzlement, procurement scams, money laundering, oil smuggling and widespread bureaucratic bribery that have led the country to the bottom of international corruption rankings, fuelled political violence and hampered effective state-building and service delivery. It concluded: Political interference in anti-corruption bodies and politicization of corruption issues, weak civil society, insecurity, lack of resources and incomplete legal provisions severely limit the governments capacity to efficiently curb soaring corruption. Consequently, when the latest Iraqi government paid its regular yearly visit to Washington recently to ask for money in exchange for the same promises it never has any intention of keeping, Washington made it very clear that the U.S. would only consider working with Iraq in the field of oil and gas provided that certain conditions were met. The first part of this risk-reward matrix involves cohesion, which aims to ensure that Iraq guarantees that each key element in a project will be completed in full, regardless of whether there is a change of government during the lifetime of a project. The second part is security, relating to the safety of U.S. personnel on the ground and to the legal and accounting soundness of the business and legal practices involved in any agreement. And the third factor is streamlining, which involves the decision-making and work-implementation processes in any project functioning seamlessly throughout its lifetime. According to a senior figure working closely with the U.S.s sanctions complex for Iraqi and Iranian issues exclusively spoken to by OilPrice.com, any major agreements signed by big U.S. oil and gas firms in Iraq will have to be agreed in full by U.S. lawyers, all accounts will have to be checked by U.S. accounting firms, working processes will have to be checked by U.S. project consultancy firms, and security issues of any nature will have to be worked through and then monitored on an ongoing basis with U.S. security organisations. Whether KBR reaches all the same conclusions remains to be seen, of course. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Donald Trump is back and so is the maximum pressure campaign against Iran to drastically throttle Iran's oil sales to kill Tehrans nuclear program and its ability to fund regional proxies. But Trump aide Brian Hook who ran the anti-Iran campaign in Trumps first term claimed Trump has no interest in regime change. That may be true but Iran, and everyone else, probably doesnt believe it. The Trump 47 officials may soon learn that 2025 is not 2018 and, while Iran was on the ropes as Trumps first term ended, things are different now. To start, open-handed American support for Israels campaigns against the Palestinian and Lebanese people has eroded support for U.S. moves by Middle East governments that might normally favor limits on Irans behavior. Saudi Arabs crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), declared Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. By using the G-word, MbS has made it hard for his government to walk back his remarks or reverse course absent a cease fire and implementation of something like the Arab Peace Initiative (which has been gathering dust since 2002 and may need a reboot). MbS also warned Israel against attacking Iran. Arab-Sunni Saudi Arabia and Persian-Shia Iran have been drawing closer since 2023 they agreed to resume ties after seven years of tensions. That the deal was brokered by China is a sign the regional powers had little confidence in a U.S. role, possibly suspecting it is in Washingtons (and Jerusalems) interest to keep the countries of the region divided. The countries military chiefs recently held defense talks, and planned a joint military exercise in the Red Sea (that probably wont be interrupted by Yemens Houthi rebels.) In the civil realm, the countries are moving toward increased economic ties. The presidents of the United Arab Emirates and Iran held their first face-to-face talks in October, and UAE Iran trade is on the upswing, and the Saudi crown prince (and de facto ruler) recently spoke to Irans new president. Related: The Oil Market Surplus May Be Smaller Than Feared Qatar (which shares a natural gas field with Iran) and Iran are trying to broaden their economic ties that are largely based on hydrocarbons, and Iran supported Qatar during the Saudi-led 2017-2021 attempt to isolate Doha for allegedly supporting terrorism, though criticism of Riyadh by Doha-based Al Jazeera and friendship with Iran are the likely reasons. After a recent exchange of fire by Israel and Iran, Iran warned its neighbors not to attack Iran or to help the Israelis, and the Gulf Cooperation Council promptly declared, Our focus has been on de-escalation. The Gulf states are dubious about maximum pressure and are concerned it will upend warming relations with Iran and increase regional tensions. Middle Eastern governments are sensitive to public anger over American support for Israels killing of civilians in Gaza and Lebanon, so will avoid any display of support for a U.S. campaign that may target Arab or Muslim peoples. The countries that signed up for the Abraham Accords may soon look pretty foolish, so when MbS accused Israel of genocide in Gaza he was demonstrating Saudi Arabia's distaste for the U.S. line, unlike the UAE which has increased daily airline flights to Israel. Also wary of a renewed U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran and the Central Asian republics. The republics are growing their trade ties to Iran, a market of 90 million people, and the host of seaports at Bandar Abbas and Chabahar, essential for Central Asia trade with Asia and Africa. Iran also hosts the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a 7,200-kilometer multi-modal transport corridor that connects India to Europe, and is Plan B if a transport route through Afghanistan and Pakistan is not reliable. Iran has been actively working to strengthen its relations with Central Asian countries as part of its Look East strategy which has seen increased relations with China, Russia, and to offset the effect of Western sanctions. Iran's Foreign Minister has engaged in discussions with his counterparts in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the other republics and the newly-elected president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, has met the presidents of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. In Central Asia. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan have all increased trade links with Iran, in Tajikistans case to include a defense pact. The republics dont want to sacrifice the opportunity in Iran, a country with a consumer market projected to grow 11% by 2030. Iran's focus on Central Asia includes improving trade ties, developing infrastructure projects, and increasing connectivity through transportation networks. For example, Iran has proposed linking the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project to its own network, which would provide Central Asian countries with access to the Persian Gulf and beyond. And the oil market has changed since 2018. According to Argus Media, Irans oil exports, which were below 500,000 b/d through the second half of 2019 and 2020 due to Trump-era sanctions, began increasing in 2021 and have increased every year since: Exports averaged around 1.6mn b/d in January-October [in 2024]. If the U.S. again sanctions Iran, it may find it hard going as the remaining buyers may be those who do not necessarily fear sanctions. Iran has built out its network to bypass sanctions, and has expanded its tanker fleet, though the clandestine effort is not without substantial costs, such as Chinese customers demanding a substantial discount, and the cost of rebranding the oil to disguise its origin. Iran has an oil export terminal on the Gulf of Oman, which was inaugurated in July 2021, and can export 1 million barrels per day of oil. The facility cannot replace Irans main export terminal at Kharg, which can handle 8 million barrels per day, but it allows Iran to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint and will require the Americans to try to cover two terminals instead of just the main facility at Kharg if Washington decides to attack Iran The U.S. may try to interdict Irans oil exports to China, but what will Chinas response be if it considers the interdiction an act of piracy? Beijing may decide to provide a naval escort for the oil shipments or may reflag the vessels as Chinese, upping the ante for the Americans. If the Peoples Liberation Army Navy, the worlds largest navy with newer vessels than the U.S. Navy, deploys to escort the tankers it will refine its blue water operating skills. The increased operating tempo will also stress the U.S. fleet which for the second time in a year has no aircraft carrier in the Middle East. A recent U.S. Navy report noted on the material readiness of Navy ships: several functional areas and subsystems remained degraded or showed declining trends since 2017, and the U.S. Government Accountability Office noted in 2021 the Navy needed to improve its limited capacity for battle damage repair, in the event the U.S. and any foe come to blows. And if the U.S. seizes a China-bound cargo, then what? The ship will have to be anchored somewhere, the cargo will possibly be offloaded and stored, the crew will need to be housed and fed, consular support will need to be provided, and someone will have to guard the vessel. China is the biggest trading partner for every country between the Persian Gulf and the South China Sea, so the U.S. may be unable to find volunteers for these low-return chores. The U.S. ignored the warning of former national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski who said the U.S. should avoid actions that would create a grand coalition of China, Russia, and perhaps Iran, an 'antihegemonic' coalition. The U.S. has masterfully created that coalition by expanding NATO, ignoring the One China Policy, and sponsoring the 1953 coup in Iran that has freighted the Iranian people with more and more authoritarian rulers. But the ascension of new presidents in Tehran and Washington may be an opportunity to start rebuilding relations. After his election in July 2024, President Masoud Pezeshkian announced his program in My Message to the New World and declared his intent to strengthen relations with Irans neighbors, specifically mentioning Iraq, Turkiye, and the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. He emphasized the need for a strong region, said he hoped for constructive dialogue with Europe, criticized the U.S. for exiting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and urged Washington come to terms with reality. In October, President-elect Trump declared, "I would like to see Iran be very successful. The only thing is, they can't have a nuclear weapon." In 2023, then-Senator JD Vance said that Republican senators who wanted at attack Iran were living in the past. In 2024, Republican Vice-President candidate JD Vance said, And our interest very much is in not going to war with Iran. It would be a huge distraction of resources. It would be massively expensive to our country, Those are hopeful signs of a desire to reach a negotiated solution, but can the U.S. abide by any deal once the ink is dry? Neither Russia, China, nor Iran believe the U.S. will abide by the spirit and letter of any agreement as it has a record of bailing out of any commitments when it is convenient, to wit, Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty NATO expansion (not one inch eastward) Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Paris Agreement (Paris Climate Accord) Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Minsk agreements Open Skies Treaty Algiers Accord One China Policy U.S. intervention in Iran started with the 1953 coup. The U.S. then supported Iraq during 1980-1988 war after the U.S. and Iran agreed on the Algiers Accords (January 1981) where the U.S. pledged, it is and from now on will be the policy of the United States not to intervene, directly or indirectly, politically or militarily, in Iran's internal affairs, but this did not stop the U.S. from backing Iraq when the war starting to go in Irans favor in 1982. The U.S. killed General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq when he was carrying a message to Saudi Arabia in an effort to defuse tensions between Tehran and Riyadh. Many Iranians and Saudis probably think Soleimani was killed because he was working to reduce tensions in the region, which they think only benefits the U.S. and Israel. Then there is the killing of civilian Iranian scientists involved in nuclear power research. No one has taken the credit, but the Iranians no doubt believe it was the Americans or the Israelis with American connivance. Last is the STUXNET virus, a joint U.S.-Israel effort to attack break Iranian nuclear centrifuge equipment which leaked and infected computers worldwide. The Chair of the NATO Military Committee recently admitted the only reason NATO troops are not is Ukraine fighting Russian troops is because Russia has nuclear weapons, which no doubt confirmed the views of Iranians who think the country should have nuclear weapons. Then there is the cautionary tale of Libyas surrender of its nuclear program, and the mystery of why North Korea, one of the poorest and most isolated countries in the world, has not been attacked by the U.S. Irans relations with Russia and China have strengthened which adds to the countrys resilience. China and Iran signed a 25-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement in March 2021. This agreement aims to enhance bilateral relations and includes significant investments from China in Iran's economy. China plans to invest $400 billion in Iran's oil, gas, petrochemicals, transportation, and manufacturing sectors. In return, China will receive a steady and heavily-discounted supply of Iranian oil. The agreement allows China to deploy security personnel to protect its projects in Iran. The investments will also go towards upgrading Iran's infrastructure, and the agreement supports China's One Belt One Road Initiative, by enhancing connectivity and trade routes. Russia has supplied Iran with Su-35 fighter jets, Mi-28 attack helicopters, Yak-130 pilot training aircraft; Iran has sent Russia drones, and ballistic missiles. Non-military trade is also increasing. The Moscow Times reports, Russian exports to Iran rose 27% last year, and Russian imports from Iran increased 10%. Both sides have agreed to scale up trade in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, while Russia has pledged to invest an unprecedented $40 billion in Irans oil and gas sector. The Times also notes, Perhaps the most important changes, however, have been in transport networks. As a result of the fighting in Ukraine, and in a bid to bypass Western sanctions, Russia has begun shifting trade routes southward. This is why Iran and Russia have ramped up work to develop the much-touted and ambitious International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which will stretch from the Persian Gulf to the Baltic Sea. Despite its economic problems, Iran has increased its military budget, no doubt anticipating attacks by America or Israel. At the same time Iran has signaled it is willing to negotiate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but not under pressure. Irans foreign minister Abbas Araqchi clarified that when he told state television, "There is still an opportunity for diplomacy, although this opportunity is not much. It is a limited opportunity. A recent IAEA report notes Iran has begun implementing measures "aimed at stopping the increase of its stockpile [of near bomb-grade uranium] though the IAEA also noted that Iran increased its inventory of 60% enriched uranium by 60% since the last report in August 2024. Iran's President Pezeshkian has indicated he is open to U.S. engagement: "Whether we like it or not, we will face the United States in regional and international arenas, and it's better that we manage this arena ourselves. And opinion leaders in Iran are saying their government should engage with Trump, with Shargh, the reformist daily newspaper editorializing that President Pezeshkian, must avoid past mistakes and assume a pragmatic and multidimensional policy, though others are skeptical anything will change under Trump. Even the Quds Force commander, General Qassem Soleimani, once mused: maybe its time to rethink our relationship with the Americans, though in the end it didnt do him much good. All that said, maximum pressure is a slogan, not a strategy. If Iran says Yes, will Washington finally produce a coherent, executable strategy for its future dealings with Iran? Up to now its only strategy has been more sanctions, hoping some liberals will miraculously appear and (democratically) seize power when in fact the Revolutionary Guard may take over and finally dispense with Vilayat-e Faqih. Whatever strategy Washington produces will be overshadowed by the disastrous retreat from Afghanistan in 2021, so the U.S. should favor a policy that increases regional connectivity and economic growth rather than carrying water for Israel or satisfying its desire to avenge the humiliation of 1979. Iran wont surrender its hard-won nuclear expertise and has increased cooperation with the IAEA, but will it ever dash to the bomb? Israel claims it destroyed key Iranian nuclear fabrication facilities but the head of the IAEA said of the attack, as far as the IAEA is concerned, we do not see this as a nuclear facility. Trump will not want to start a war with Iran over its nuclear program as he will be sensitive to the impact on the U.S. economy, so sanctions (and the occasional Israeli attack) will be all he has left. If that is the case, and Irans economy and oil export scheme is resilient enough, and Russia and China remain constant, we may be looking at years of low-level endless wars to the joy of the Iran hawks in Washington. And there is a deadline of sorts for negotiations with Iran: 18 October 2025 sees the end of the JCPOA snapback mechanism, the last opportunity for world powers to initiate the snapback mechanism, returning all the sanctions that were lifted in the JCPOA agreement If the U.S. rejoins any sort of nuclear deal, it will have to be a new deal as Iran blew past the JCPOA 1.0 conditions after the U.S. abandoned the agreement. If the Americans want to expand a 2.0 deal to include ballistic missiles or Irans foreign policy, Iran may suggest similar limits on other countries in the region, and then demand that 2.0 be a treaty to bound future U.S. action, and to exploit differences in the U.S. on what is a good deal that will be all too evident once the Senate takes up the treaty for ratification. So far, each side has demonstrated a lack of empathy for the other, the result of years of successful propagandizing, leaving each feeling more sinned against than sinning. And the hard-liners in each capital believe in the others perfidy, see conflict as key to their continued influence, and reap economic rewards from the status quo. On the U.S. side, Washington has never explained to American citizens its role in the 1953 coup that stifled Irans economic and political development, though Secretary of State Madeleine Albright admitted the U.S. role in overthrowing Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953 and called the coup a setback for Irans political development. To many Americans, the 1979 revolution and the hostage crisis appeared out of thin air. The U.S. needs to think long-term. Irans mullahs wont rule forever and Americas association with economic hardship and violence wont benefit it in the future. The U.S. should adopt a parallel effort to President Pezeshkians strong region plan to emphasize trade and connectivity which will help the region make up the gains sacrificed in the lost decades of the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. Despite all the talk about what Trump might do, Biden is still the U.S. president until 11:59 on 20 January 2025. If both sides stick to what is feasible, keep their emotions and hard-liners in check, and Iran offers Trump a deal that he feels only he could have made, we may see stability and more economic opportunity for the regions youth and the start of the banishment of the legacies of 1953 and 1979 By James Durso for Oilprice.com Exxon, Hess, and CNOOC plan to add a fourth production vessel to the ones already operating in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, Hess Corp.s CEO has said, as quoted by Reuters. The floating production, storage, and offloading vessel should reach its destination in the first quarter of next year, John Hess said, speaking at the Wolfe Research oil and gas conference. The start of operation for the new FPSO is scheduled for later in the year. Exxon is currently producing a total of 665,000 barrels of crude daily in Guyana but over the longer term eyes production of over 1 million bpd. Total oil production in the country is seen rising to over 1.6 million barrels daily by 2030, as the government seeks to maximize returns from the industry before the predicted demand growth peak. If the peak demand predictions fail to materialize, the outlook for Guyanas oil industry is even brighter. Over the shorter term, Exxon was planning to boost production by 18,000 barrels daily by increasing the capacity of one already operating FPSO in the Stabroek Block. A senior company executive said last month this boost was in the plans but needed to get the green light from the Guyanese government first. The new FPSO, for its part, will be stationed at the Yellowtail discovery, which is seen adding some 300,000 bpd to total production from the block, to a total of around 900,000 barrels daily. This, Reuters noted in its report, would make Guyana the fourth-largest oil producer in Latin America, after Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela. The Exxon-led consortium was the first to start drilling for oil offshore Guyana. It had secured very favorable fiscal and tax terms for the Stabroek block before billions of barrels of oil were found in place, enjoying solid profits from the discoveries. Since then Guyana has tweaked its contracts to have the governments share double to 27.5% but these terms apply for oil contracts outside the Stabroek block. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM) will drill a well off Cyprus in January in pursuit of natural gas, a senior executive told Reuters on Thursday. "We've spent the last two years collecting very detailed, three dimensional seismic data ... We've identified several large prospects, and the next stage is to bring in a drilling rig and to test those," said John Ardill, Vice-president for global exploration at ExxonMobil. "We'll spud our first well in mid-January, so we are very excited about that," he told a conference in Nicosia. Back in July, China-based CPP-Metron Consortium pulled out of a contract with the government of Cyprus for the construction of what was to be the islands first natural gas import terminal, claiming non-payment by the government. According to the consortium, the government has failed to honor its commitments despite promising to do so in a March meeting chaired by President Nikos Christodoulides. No contractor can be expected to work indefinitely on credit, the consortium said, as cited by AP. That was not the deal CMC signed up to. However, an official with deep knowledge of the issue told Reuters that both sides mutually agreed to break the contract with the consortium facing a cash crunch. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official claimed that CPP-Metron underbid competitors to win the contract but soon found itself underwater due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The consortiums parent company was unable to finance the cash shortall, forcing two key project subcontractors to leave, bringing work to a standstill. The consortiums parent company refused to come to its rescue with a cash infusion, according to the report. Billed as Cyprus costliest energy project, work on the 289 million euro (~$319 million) terminal kicked off in July 2020 and was scheduled to be completed two years later. The European Union chipped in with a generous 101 million euro (~$110 million) grant. The Cypriot government projecting the gas terminal would cut power generation costs by 15%-25% and reduce Cyprus carbon footprint by 30%. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Kenyas President William Ruto has canceled multimillion-dollar energy and airport expansion deals with Indian industrial conglomerate Adani Group shortly after Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of Adani, and other executives were indicted in New York on Wednesday for their alleged roles in a multi-million-dollar bribery and fraud scheme involving a major solar power project. In a state of the nation address, Ruto said the decision was made based on new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations but didnt specify the United States. Last month, the Adani Group signed a$736-million public-private partnership deal with the energy ministry to construct power transmission lines. The giant conglomerate also signed an agreement to modernize Kenyas main airport in the capital, Nairobi, in exchange for the group running the airport for 30 years. Back in June, Ruto was forced to abandon Finance Bill 2024 containing controversial tax hikes, including a proposed fuel tax increase, after countrywide protests left dozens dead and saw parliament set ablaze. Among the controversial tax hikes was a proposal to increase the Road Maintenance Levy from KSh 18 to KSh 25 per liter on fuel, a move that would further hike already exorbitant fuel prices. Fuel prices in the country have hit record levels in recent years, with a liter of petrol currently averaging 193.84 shillings ($5.76 per gallon), nearly double the price five years ago. Meanwhile, Adanis indictment in the United States leaves his plans for the country hanging in the balance. Last week, Gautam Adani, said in a social media post on platform X on Wednesday that the company will invest $10 billion in energy and infrastructure projects in the United States. Adani has revealed that his company also aims to create up to 15,000 jobs in the country, but did not give the time period or details of the projects. Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump. As the partnership between India and the United States deepens, the Adani Group is committed to leveraging its global expertise and invest $10 billion in US energy security and resilient infrastructure projects, aiming to create up to 15,000 jobs, Adani wrote on X. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com China is set to import this month the highest crude oil volumes since August, as oil prices slumped amid demand concerns in early September when most November cargoes were likely contracted. The worlds top crude oil importer is estimated to import about 11.4 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude, Reuters columnist Clyde Russell reports, citing tanker-tracking and port data compiled by LSEG Oil Research and commodity analysts Kpler. If these estimates pan out, China would have imported in November the highest crude volumes since the August imports of 11.56 million bpd. However, the uptick in imports is likely due to the low oil prices in the first half of September, when concerns about demand especially Chinese consumption dragged down international crude oil prices, with Brent Crude settling below $70 per barrel on September 10. The market has yet to see actual signs of a recovery in Chinese oil demand, which has trended lower than forecasts for most of the year. October marked the sixth consecutive month in which crude cargo arrivals have lagged behind the imports in the same months of 2023, official Chinese data showed in early November. Last month, China imported a total of 10.53 million bpd of crude oil, per data from the General Administration of Customs. Thats 9% lower compared to October 2023 and 2% below the import level of 11.07 million bpd in September 2024. Reduced capacity at a PetroChina refinery and continued weak demand from Chinas independent refiners, the so-called teapots, weighed on the imports into the worlds top crude importer in October. Underwhelming demand this year has lowered oil refining output as independent Chinese refiners are particularly sensitive to low margins and prefer to reduce refinery throughput when margins and demand are weak. Refinery run rates in China fell for the seventh month in a row in October, down by 4.6% from a year earlier, data from the countrys statistics agency showed last week. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com An outage has forced the third train of BPs Tangguh LNG project offline, Indonesias upstream regulator said on Thursday, amid rising LNG demand as Europe and Asia stock up for the winter. A trip at the third train at BPs facility in West Papua occurred earlier this week, with operations due to restart from Saturday, Hudi Suryodipuro, a spokesperson for Indonesian regulator SKK Migas, told Reuters on Thursday. After repairs by the BP team and startup was carried out, a leak was found in the actuator which required repair and replacement of parts, the spokesperson told Reuters. The third train of Tangguh LNG has a processing capacity of 3.8 million metric tons per year and was commissioned in the summer of 2023. The first cargo from Tangguh Train 3 was shipped in the autumn of last year. In February this year, Train 3 at Tangguh LNG was offline for about a week, due to a broken component which had to be replaced. Tangguh LNG is a unitized development of six gas fields located in the Wiriagar, Berau, and Muturi Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) in Bintuni Bay in Indonesia. The outage at the Indonesian plant comes just as the northern hemisphere is preparing for the winter and demand for LNG is rising. In recent days, nearly a dozen LNG cargoes are said to have been diverted away from Asia and Egypt to Europe, where the benchmark natural gas price is at a premium compared to Asian spot LNG prices. European gas prices have jumped to the highest in a year, with the start of the winter heating season, a massive lull in wind speeds in northwestern Europe, a contractual dispute between Austrias OMV and Russias Gazprom, and the end of the gas transit deal via Ukraine which expires on December 31, 2024. Ukraine has said that it would not pursue talks about renewing the agreement with Russia. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com You are here: Business Workers unload e-commerce parcels from a bullet train at Shuangliu West Railway Station in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 11, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China's railway sector transported 73,000 tonnes of parcels in the first 20 days of November thanks to the launch of rail express services to cope with "Double 11" online shopping peak season, up 7.4% year on year, data from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway) showed Thursday. China Railway has actively adapted to market demand, scientifically allocated transportation capacity, optimized service measures and effectively reduced social logistics costs, it added. During this year's "Double 11" online shopping peak, over 1,500 high-speed trains with surplus cabin space and express delivery compartments were arranged daily to provide high-speed rail express services, according to China Railway. A total of 252 normal-speed passenger trains, equipped with luggage cars, operated daily during the same period to provide express services, the group said. Moreover, China Railway has innovated its services by expanding the "high-speed rail urgent delivery" service which enabled "door-to-door" delivery within four hours, and by deploying convenient drop-off lockers to make it easier for passengers to send items. First held in 2009, "Double 11" has continued to stimulate robust spending streams in one of the world's largest consumption markets. Russian natural gas flows to Europe via Ukraine have remained stable this week despite the fact that Gazprom cut off supply to Austrias OMV over the weekend. Gazprom is sending 42.4 million cubic meters of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Thursday, Reuters quoted the Russian gas giant as saying. This volume has not changed since early last week when Austrian energy company OMV said it would seek enforcement of the award it won against Gazprom in an arbitration dispute over Russian gas supply. Nominations from companies in Austria and Slovakia have not changed this week, but they were still 12% below last weeks levels, which was prior to Russian gas giant Gazprom halting supply to OMV. It is not clear yet which customers in Austria are now buying the gas previously supplied to OMV. The EU gas market has been on edge since OMV said last week it was awarded $242 million (230 million euros), plus interest and costs, in an arbitration case against Gazproms irregular German gas supplies and take "the necessary next steps to enforce the arbitral award with immediate effect. In light of the arbitration award, OMV warned that It is expected that there may be a deterioration of the contractual relationship under the Austrian supply contract of OGMT with Gazprom Export, including a potential halt of gas supply. Indeed, Gazprom halted supply to OMV as of Saturday. The European gas market is also 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 state 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. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com As Europes benchmark natural gas prices have hit a one-year high, their premium over with the U.S. benchmark gas price has widened well above 2024 averages, signaling that U.S. LNG exporters will likely further boost deliveries to Europe to take advantage of the widening spread. Currently, the price of the U.S. benchmark, Henry Hub, is about 80% lower compared to the Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures, the benchmark for Europes gas trading, according to data cited by Reuters columnist Gavin Maguire. The wide premium of European prices against U.S. prices is set to incentivize LNG exporters to ship more cargoes to Europe this winter season. Last week, the European benchmark price surged to the highest since November 2023 as Austrias OMV warned of a potential halt to Russian pipeline gas supply and as colder weather drives stronger demand for heating and electricity. Russias Gazprom did indeed cut off supply to OMV, but Russian gas flows to Austria havent fallen off a cliff, yet. 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, the OMV-Gazprom dispute, and the end of the gas transit deal via Ukraine which expires on December 31, 2024. Ukraine has said that it would not pursue talks about renewing the agreement with Russia. As European prices rise, the volume of natural gas flowing to the seven U.S. LNG export plants was on track to hit a 10-month high earlier this week. The higher European prices are also diverting LNG cargoes initially bound for Asia, as Europe currently commands a premium in prices. In the past week alone, at least 11 cargoes diverted from either Asia or Egypt to Europe, Argus reported earlier this week, citing vessel-tracking data from Vortexa. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The volume of natural gas flowing to the United States' seven liquefied natural gas (LNG) export plants was on track to hit a 10-month high on Wednesday, according to data from financial firm LSEG. The surge in feedgas was partly chalked up to flows to Venture Global LNG's Plaquemines plant in Louisiana as the company tests equipment at the plant. Plaquemines is set to become the country's eighth big LNG export plant once it starts producing LNG, which analysts have said could happen any day now. Last year, the U.S. became the worlds largest LNG exporter ahead of Qatar and Australia. However, overall U.S. gas production has declined in the current year. Total U.S. shale gas production from January through September 2024 fell 1% Y/Y to 81.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), while other U.S. dry natural gas production increased by about 6% to 22.1 Bcf/d. Total U.S. dry natural gas production from January through September 2024 averaged 103.3 Bcf/d, essentially flat compared with the same period in 2023. Low natural gas prices in the early part of the year prompted producers to cut back on production, with large declines recorded in the Haynesville and Utica plays. From January through September 2024, shale gas production decreased by 12% (1.8 Bcf/d) in the Haynesville and by 10% (0.6 Bcf/d) in the Utica compared with the same period in 2023. At the same time, shale gas production in the Permian play grew by 10% (1.6 Bcf/d). Production in the Marcellus play, which leads U.S. shale gas production, remained flat. According to the EIA, the high drilling costs of Haynesville wells, at depths of 10,500 feet to 13,500 feet, are largely to blame for the drop in production. Shale natural gas production in the Haynesville clocked in at 13.0 Bcf/d in September 2024, 14% less than the peak in May 2023. The Haynesville is the third-largest shale gas-producing play in the United States, behind the Marcellus and the Permian plays. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Alterra, the worlds largest private climate investment fund of $30 billion launched by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last year, sees a lack of investment opportunities in the energy transition and has only spent a small part of its money, the funds chief executive Majid Al Suwaidi told Bloomberg. There arent attractive investment deals in the clean energy sector right now, especially in emerging and developing markets, the executive told Bloomberg, declining to go into details how much the fund has spent over the past year. The UAE, a major oil producer in the Middle East, launched Alterra at the COP28 summit in Dubai last year. The funds goals are to drive forward international efforts to create a fairer climate finance system, with an emphasis on improving access to funding for the Global South. With $30 billion committed, Alterra became the worlds largest private investment vehicle for climate change action. The fund has stated its goal to mobilize as much as $250 billion globally by 2030 and help bridge the gap in investment into the solutions needed to keep the world on the 1.5 degrees Celsius pathway, drive investment into the Global South, and create new investment opportunities and strategies for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). In collaboration with BlackRock, Brookfield, and TPG as inaugural launch partners, Alterra has so far committed $6.5 billion to climate-dedicated funds for global investments. However, the actual money spent on funds is significantly lower than this initial commitment, Alterras CEO Majid Al Suwaidi told Bloomberg in Azerbaijan, which is currently hosting the COP29 climate summit. The project financing of energy transition projects is often complicated because of the mix of public and private investments needed. According to Alterras Al Suwaidi, it is difficult to mobilize financing from the public sector, which is often experiencing financial troubles, while private investors and banks are averse to taking a lot of risk. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Japan Tip of the Day (Stripes Okinawa) While youre in Korea, take advantage of the opportunity to explore the Pacific region. Traveling to other Asian countries from the peninsula is affordable and definitely worth trying! I recently went to Japan and noticed some things I wish I knew before traveling there. Booking a flight Use Skyscanner to compare ticket prices and find the most cost-effective options. Skyscanner is accessible through both mobile apps and website. Be aware that many budget airline tickets may not include checked baggage. A budget ticket price can quickly increase if youre paying for a checked bag separately, making it more expensive than a pricier ticket, checked bags included, on another airline. So, carefully review what is included and choose the option that best suits your needs and wallet. Prepare cash Whether you exchange currency in Korea or Japan, avoid exchanging money upon arrival at the airport, as they often charge the highest rates. If you cant find a reasonable exchange place around, try ATM machines at convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Although Japan boasts an advanced technological society, it remains cash-driven in many places, so have enough cash on hand. Also, Japan has six types of coins, so carry a coin purse to keep them organized. Data options Purchase a SIM card, eSIM, or pocket Wi-Fi device before your trip or at the airport for internet connection during your stay. Buying one in Japan tends to be more expensive. To find suitable data options, browse online travel shops like Klook and Trazy. If your phone is compatible for eSIM, this option would be the best as its cheaper and simpler. - SIM cards: Choose a plan with data sizes and durations that suit your usage and decide whether you only need data, which is the cheaper, or also want a phone number for calling and texting. Since inserting a new SIM card replaces your original one, store your original SIM card in a safe place. - ESIM cards: Functioning like SIM cards but digital, eSIMs allow you to activate a plan over the internet without a physical card. This option is more convenient as it doesnt require picking up and swapping SIM cards. Its available for compatible phones, so please check if your phone supports eSIM cards. It can be purchased at online travel shops or mobile operator websites. When eSIM doesnt activate immediately, ensure to change name, APN, user name and password in Access Point Name according to the guide provided by the shop you purchased it from. - Pocket Wi-Fi: Renting a pocket Wi-Fi device can be cost-effective when traveling with a group of people as it allows you to share data with multiple devices. However, theres a distance limit so everyone must stay close to the person carrying the device to be connected. Remember, its a rental service, so youll need to return it before leaving Korea. Electrical plug Japan uses electrical sockets with a voltage of 100V and the same plug type as the United States, so be sure to bring appropriate adapters for your devices. Bring a power bank Finding places to charge your phone outside your hotel can be challenging in Japan. Using outlets at restaurants, cafes, or public places may not be acceptable. Its recommended to carry a power bank to keep your devices charged throughout the day. Transportation cards Currently, purchasing an IC transportation card in Tokyo is unavailable. If youre an iPhone user, you can easily use a digital transportation card with your wallet app. Download the Suica or Pasmo app from the app store and use it through Apple Pay. You may want to buy the Welcome Suica card, which can be purchased at Narita Airport and Haneda Airport train stations. This card allows short-term visitors to use the physical transportation card but is only valid for 28 days after activation, and any remaining balance wont be refunded after it expires. More about Welcome Suica Luggage storage Dont worry, if youre traveling with a large suitcase and want to explore on your last day in Japan, there are places to store it. Most subway stations in Japan offer lockers for storing luggage and many hotels will hold your bags even after you check out. Restrooms Public restrooms are easily accessible throughout Japan, including subway stations. Unlike in Korea, convenience stores in Japan usually have restrooms available, making them a reliable option during your travels. 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. [Photo/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. China's Ministry of Education and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) co-hosted an event in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Wednesday to mark World Children's Day and reaffirm their commitment to realizing children's rights. The event, held at the Less and More School of Tianfu New Area, was on the theme of listening to children's inner voices and brightening their future. The 2024 World Children's Day highlights children's mental health. Over 600 schools in 55 cities and counties across China marked the day with a variety of activities aimed at raising public awareness of children's mental health. "Every child has the right to grow up in a loving, nurturing and safe environment," said UNICEF Representative to China Amakobe Sande. More than one in seven children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 are living with a diagnosed mental health condition globally, she said. With the right interventions, care and support, many of these conditions can be successfully prevented or treated, said Sande. Zhou Li, an official with the Ministry of Education, said the ministry is working with the National Health Commission and other relevant departments to advance mental health initiatives for students. In recent years, a series of policies, coupled with a special campaign in 2023, have helped schools nationwide implement mental health education and enhance their mental health programs, noted Zhou. "To take action on children's mental health, we can build a better future for all," said Sande. The activities related to World Children's Day this year spanned nearly a month, aiming to raise public awareness of children's mental health, encouraging listening to children's voices, including their mental health challenges in schools, and exploring effective solutions. Additionally, on World Children's Day, UNICEF released this year's State of the World's Children Report, exploring three megatrends that will profoundly impact children's lives between now and 2050: demographics shifts, the climate and environmental crises, and frontier technologies. World Children's Day commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Nov. 20, 1989. China ratified the convention in 1992. 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: Left side of figure shows the process of individual-particle cryo-electron tomography (IPET) where RNA samples are frozen on a grid, then imaged by tilting the sample at different angles. The images are then used to reconstruct the 3D shape of the particle. Right side of figure shows the 3D shape of individual RNA molecules. Credit: Aarhus University In a groundbreaking development, researchers from the United States and Denmark have successfully captured 3D images of individual RNA nanoparticles in the midst of their folding process. Utilizing a cutting-edge electron microscopy technique, the team has unlocked new insight into the intricate folding dance leading to the final shape of RNA molecules. The flexibility of RNA makes it notoriously challenging to study, as its structure can shift into numerous forms depending on environmental conditions. Traditional imaging methods, such as cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) single-particle averaging (SPA) analysis, rely on averaging data from thousands of selected molecules with common shapes, making it difficult to capture the unique shapes of individual RNA molecules. In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers from the Molecular Foundry at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center at Aarhus University explored the folding process of flexible RNA molecules. They employed an innovative technique capable of studying the 3D shape of individual molecules without averaging. This technique builds on advanced Individual-Particle cryo-Electron Tomography (IPET), a specialized approach that focuses on single molecule 3D imaging in cryo-preserved samples. The video shows the process of focusing on a single molecule to reveal its 3D shape using the IPET method. It then shows the analysis of 120 particles and an animation to illustrate the dynamic and intricate folding process of RNA origami particles. Credit: Aarhus University Previously, this technique has been used to study how nucleosomes fold DNA and induce phase transitions. Historically, scientists believed that obtaining 3D images from a single molecule was impossible due to weak signals. "It was considered a dead-end method since the 1970s," said Gang Ren, a staff scientist at the Molecular Foundry, who co-led the research alongside Ebbe Andersen from Aarhus University. In the current study, the researchers used IPET to study RNA origamiartificially structured RNA molecules engineered to fold into specific nanoscale shapes. Andersen and colleagues had previously used the cryo-EM SPA method to study the 3D structure of RNA origami but the folding process remained elusive. IPET allowed the researchers to capture a snapshot of RNA's folding landscape through capturing molecules in various stages of folding, from immature states to their optimal shape. The researchers were able to observe a folding trap and a shift to a more compact form, enabling the creation of a video depicting RNA's dynamic folding process. "The IPET technique provides us with a more dynamic view of the molecular world. It is our hope that this insight will enable us to engineer the folding of more effective RNA vaccines and dynamic sensors for molecular medicine," explains Andersen. More information: Jianfang Liu et al, Non-averaged single-molecule tertiary structures reveal RNA self-folding through individual-particle cryo-electron tomography, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52914-1 Journal information: Nature Communications This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: AI-RACS advances mining soil microbial resources. Credit: Liu Yang Researchers from the Single-Cell Center at the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with collaborators, developed an artificial intelligence-assisted Raman-activated cell sorting (AI-RACS) system. This innovative system automated the isolation and functional analysis of aluminum-tolerant microorganisms (ATMs) from acidic soil, marking a shift from manual, labor-intensive procedures to high-throughput automated workflows. This study was published in Analytical Chemistry. Microbiomes, dynamic communities of microorganisms, offer untapped potential for advancing biotechnology and environmental sustainability. However, their complexity poses challenges for the isolation and detailed study of specific functional microbes. To address this issue, the AI-RACS system integrated optical tweezers, single-cell Raman spectroscopy (SCRS), and artificial intelligence. This integration enabled the precise identification, sorting, and collection of single cells, transforming microbial single-cell research from low-throughput manual operations to high-throughput automated workflows. The researchers utilized the system to identify ATMs from acidic soil samples. By employing SCRS to assess cellular metabolic activity under aluminum stress, the researchers successfully identified and isolated 13 aluminum-tolerant strains, including Burkholderia spp., Rhodanobacter spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. These strains exhibited higher metabolic activity compared to those identified through traditional cultivation methods. The use of SCRS as a quantitative biomarker allowed the researchers to pinpoint and categorize metabolically active microbes with unmatched precision. "Our goal is to develop a system that automates single-cell analysis while improving precision and throughput needed for studying complex microbial communities," said Dr. Diao Zhidian, first author of the study from Single-Cell Center. "This system enables researchers to explore microbiomes under near in situ conditions with high efficiency." The AI-RACS system opens up new possibilities in fields such as resource recovery, environmental management, and industrial biotechnology. More information: Zhidian Diao et al, Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Automatic Raman-Activated Cell Sorting (AI-RACS) System for Mining Specific Functional Microorganisms in the Microbiome, Analytical Chemistry (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c03213 Journal information: Analytical Chemistry This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In her doctoral research, Outi Niemensivu explores how arts universities' principles of internationalization and social sustainability intersect and are realized in local, intercultural contexts. Niemensivu has studied how higher music education institutions within arts universities promote social well-being, diversity, inclusion, justice and social cohesion through engaging with difference. In her dissertation, she analyzes the activities at Uniarts Helsinki and the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. As part of their societal mission, arts universities have the potential to positively impact the interaction and sense of belonging among people with different cultural backgrounds. However, Niemensivu's research highlights that music education needs to evolve in order to support social sustainability. This requires strategic changes, including by questioning the dominant position of Western classical music in higher music education. "Traditional music education needs fresh perspectives to operate in a socially sustainable way. It's important to increase collaboration with local communities and other stakeholders to achieve genuine change," Niemensivu states. At the Sibelius Academy, the concept of social sustainability is more familiar than at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, where the proportion of international students is significantly higher. Niemensivu notes that social sustainability as a whole has been relatively under-researched. In the study, the Sibelius Academy's Global Music Programme stands out, but otherwise, socially sustainable internationalization is fairly fragmented. Both universities aspire to engage closely with society, but progress is slow. Niemensivu suggests that a large number of international students might even hinder the implementation of social sustainability. "Students who have come to Finland or elsewhere from abroad have invested time and money into succeeding in their studies, and they may not have the enthusiasm or energy to engage, for example, with local intercultural communities," Niemensivu explains. In her research, Niemensivu observes that while arts universities aim to foster diversity, the student body remains quite homogeneous in practice. For instance, there are only a few students with African heritage at both universities. The Sibelius Academy's Global Music Programme breaks with the tradition of expecting students to be familiar with the Western musical tradition and, for example, to be able to read music. "In addition to global music, offering the possibility to study popular music might bring the desired diversity to higher music education. It is crucial that all students learn how to promote social sustainability during their studies," says Niemensivu. More information: Outi Niemensivu, Internationalization of Arts UniversitiesTowards Social Sustainability Provided by University of the Arts Helsinki This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The star WOH G64, taken by the GRAVITY instrument on the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope Interferometer (ESO's VLTI). This is the first close-up picture of a star outside our own galaxy, the Milky Way. The star is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, over 160 000 light-years away. The bright oval at the center of this image is a dusty cocoon that enshrouds the star. A fainter elliptical ring around it could be the inner rim of a dusty torus, but more observations are needed to confirm this feature. Credit: ESO/K. Ohnaka et al. Located a staggering 160,000 light-years from us, the star WOH G64 was imaged thanks to the impressive sharpness offered by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope Interferometer (ESO's VLTI). The new observations reveal a star puffing out gas and dust in the last stages before it becomes a supernova. "For the first time, we have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in a galaxy outside our own Milky Way," says Keiichi Ohnaka, an astrophysicist from Universidad Andres Bello in Chile. "We discovered an egg-shaped cocoon closely surrounding the star," says Ohnaka, the lead author of a study reporting the observations published today in Astronomy & Astrophysics. "We are excited because this may be related to the drastic ejection of material from the dying star before a supernova explosion." While astronomers have taken about two dozen zoomed-in images of stars in our galaxy, unveiling their properties, countless other stars dwell within other galaxies, so far away that observing even one of them in detail has been extremely challenging. Up until now. The newly imaged star, WOH G64, lies within the Large Magellanic Cloud, one of the small galaxies that orbits the Milky Way. Astronomers have known about this star for decades and have appropriately dubbed it the "behemoth star." With a size roughly 2,000 times that of our sun, WOH G64 is classified as a red supergiant. Ohnaka's team had long been interested in this behemoth star. Back in 2005 and 2007, they used ESO's VLTI in Chile's Atacama Desert to learn more about the star's features, and carried on studying it in the years since. But an actual image of the star had remained elusive. For the desired picture, the team had to wait for the development of one of the VLTI's second-generation instruments, GRAVITY. After comparing their new results with other previous observations of WOH G64, they were surprised to find that the star had become dimmer over the past decade. "We have found that the star has been experiencing a significant change in the last 10 years, providing us with a rare opportunity to witness a star's life in real time," says Gerd Weigelt, an astronomy professor at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn, Germany and a co-author of the study. In their final life stages, red supergiants like WOH G64 shed their outer layers of gas and dust in a process that can last thousands of years. "This star is one of the most extreme of its kind, and any drastic change may bring it closer to an explosive end," adds co-author Jacco van Loon, Keele Observatory Director at Keele University, UK, who has been observing WOH G64 since the 1990s. The team thinks that these shed materials may also be responsible for the dimming and for the unexpected shape of the dust cocoon around the star. The new image shows that the cocoon is stretched-out, which surprised scientists, who expected a different shape based on previous observations and computer models. The team believes that the cocoon's egg-like shape could be explained by either the star's shedding or by the influence of a yet-undiscovered companion star. As the star becomes fainter, taking other close-up pictures of it is becoming increasingly difficult, even for the VLTI. Nonetheless, planned updates to the telescope's instrumentation, such as the future GRAVITY+, promise to change this soon. "Similar follow-up observations with ESO instruments will be important for understanding what is going on in the star," concludes Ohnaka. More information: K. Ohnaka et al, Imaging the innermost circumstellar environment of the red supergiant WOH G64 in the Large Magellanic Cloud, Astronomy & Astrophysics (2024). DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202451820 Journal information: Astronomy & Astrophysics Provided by ESO This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Nothing seemed to stop Wolf 04D. The wildlife biologists thought they had ended a decades-long struggle between rancher and wolf when they built a 7.5-mile fence in the heart of Minnesota's wolf territory. Even the rancher, Wes Johnson, had high hopes when he came across a wounded deer on his land and saw that the wolves chasing the deer could not find a way around the fence. Maybe they were gone for good, he thought. But only a few weeks after the fence was finished, Thomas Gable of the Voyageurs Wolf Project figured out that Wolf 04D had slipped through a gap near the front gate. He plugged the gap. A short while later the wolf was back on the ranch, this time through a hole in the fence near a creek. Gable filled that hole with logs. Then he went back, the next day, to find that Wolf 04D had already methodically torn out the logs and made her way back on the ranch. This time, Gable filled the hole with stones that the wolf could not move. That worked until the creek flooded, and all the driftwood gathered in the rising water created a small curl at the base of the fence. The wolf squeezed under the curl. When the curl was fixed, 04D traveled a few miles to the other side of the ranch where she found soft-enough ground to pull out the anchors that attached the apron of the fence to the ground and snuck in again. After the anchors were reinforced, Wolf 04D found another small gap where the fence runs into the Black Duck River near the entrance to the ranch. For more than a year, from the fall of 2022 to late 2023, the wolf prodded, dug, squeezed and tunneled her way onto the ranch more times than Gable can count. "It was frustrating, it was so frustrating," he said. But last week, standing in the tall grass of the ranch as a dozen cows lazily grazed, Gable said he realizes how lucky it was that the one wolf in all of northern Minnesota most determined to get on the ranch happened to be a wolf that had a GPS collar around its neck. It was placed years before as part of the Voyageurs Wolf Project's research. Gable likened it to a security firm hiring a hacker to find the flaws in its system. "She showed us exactly where to find every weak spot we had," Gable said. There were 192 calves born on the ranch this spring. On Nov. 11, Johnson counted 192 calves still grazing on his ranch. "It's the first time nothing's disappeared," he said. "We never had none get sick and never lost any to wolves." There have been no signs of wolves breaching the fence this year. No 04D. No other collared wolves. No paw prints, or scat. The most obvious sign they haven't been around is in the behavior of the cows, Johnson said. When predators are constantly around, the cows get stressed, especially during calving season. In those two to three days after calves are born, anxious cows can be dangerous, overly defensive and nervous. They charge ranchers. They accidentally step on their own calves. They panic and get twisted up and break their legs. They don't eat and lose weight. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "There's years that them cows are trying to kill you," Johnson said. But this spring, the cows were calm. None charged. And, for the first time in at least two decades, no wolves had to be hunted down and killed, either. Wolves that kill livestock in Minnesota almost always pay with their lives. To protect both livestock and wildlife, researchers have been trying to find ways for nearly a century to keep wolves in the state from entering people's ranches. Johnson's ranch sits in the densest part of the state's wolf territory, and is surrounded on all sides by five active packs south of Voyageurs National Park. At 1,600 acres with 750 head of cattle, it's not just the biggest ranch in wolf territory, but one of the trickiest terrains. It's hilly, and has marshy land on one of its borders. Ninemile Creek and the Black Duck River run through it. If a fence can keep wolves out here, Gable said, it can keep them out pretty much anywhere. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been trying out similar fences over the last four years. The fences built have been much smallerenclosing 40 acres or less. They work more as pens, where cows can give birth in peace and then the calves can rotate out when they're older and less vulnerable. The state reports no wolves have made it inside the six fences that have been installed. Fences are no small investment, however. Johnson's 7.5-mile fence cost roughly $70,000 in materials, plus hundreds of man-hours provided by Gable, his research partner, Austin Homkes, Johnson and the USDA to install it. If they had to contract out the installation work, the fence would have cost several hundred thousand, Gable said. But shooting problem wolves is expensive, too. Every spring, Johnson would lose a handful of calves to wolves soon after they were born. The public has to pay to reimburse ranchers for any wolf-killed livestock, and it pays federal trappers to hunt problem wolves. In Johnson's case, the trappers were called in after each incident to kill up to a dozen wolves in the area. Johnson also lost tens of thousands of dollars over the last two decades to lost cattle. Wolves don't always leave enough of a trace of their prey for ranchers to be able to claim their losses. Johnson estimates he only got reimbursed for one out of every three calves he lost over the years. And no matter how many wolves the federal trappers killed each spring, new wolves would return the next year, kill a handful of Johnson's calves and start the cycle again. The killings became a problem for Gable and the Voyageurs Wolf Project because they kept disrupting their research. The biologists spend weeks trapping and collaring wolves in the area hoping to study pack behaviors and dynamics, and their impact on deer, beaver and the rest of the natural world, only to see several of their collared wolves get shot by federal trappers each year. They gathered support from the University of Minnesota, the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, the Humane Society and other groups to work with Johnson and the USDA to see if the fence could be a more permanent solution. Standing in a field as 13 bulls walked down to take a sip from the creek that had caused so many problems with the fence last year, both Johnson and Gable seem to think the peace will last. Wolf 04D won't be able to test for any weaknesses or try their patience. She was killed by a car this summer at the age of 8, very old for a wild wolf. Before her death, Gable and Johnson brought in one final measure of protection to wolf-proof the fencea pair of large guard dogs. The dogs, a male and a female both with stark white fur, are twice the size of any wolf. Gable tried to name them, but Johnson just calls them dog and dog. They offer a double layer of protection should any new gaps in the fence be exposed. Wolf packs are highly territorial and try not to venture into another pack's zone. So the dogs' scent, and vicious gravely bark, should be enough to ward off all but the most bold wolves. They're big enough to chase off any wolf that does sneak in, Gable said. They've seen the dogs sniff the air, then run off barking to the fence when they smell a wolf approach the border. The dogs were bred and trained to keep their distance from humans. They bond with cows. But one of the dogs, the male, couldn't help but walk up to Johnson. "He's my buddy," Johnson said and patted him on the head. The dog started with a tail wag that turned into a whole body wiggle. Then he sniffed the air and sat back down. All was calm on the ranch. 2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This photo taken in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, shows Li Junhua, UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, addressing the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit via video link on 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, 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. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Gradually, then suddenly is how Ernest Hemingway described going bankrupt. The climate crisis could be on a similar trajectory. "It took a century for the globe to warm the first 0.3C, but the world has warmed by 1C in just the last 60 years," says Ed Hawkins, a professor of climate science at the University of Reading. Record-high emissions of greenhouse gas from fossil-fired power plants, cars and boilers mean that our planet is heating faster than at any time in at least the last half a billion years. This blistering temperature rise appeared to accelerate further in 2023 and 2024, threatening sudden shifts in the Earth systemlike the collapse of the Amazon rainforestthat could transform our world. It was a fear of triggering such tipping points that motivated signatories of the 2015 Paris agreement, particularly delegates from small island states, to strive to limit long-term warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Some experts believe that humanity has left cutting emissions too late to stop global heating at this threshold. So what hopes rest on COP29, the latest UN climate summit in Azerbaijan? Fossil fuel emissions are still rising Countries agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, the overwhelming cause of climate change, at Cop28 in Dubai, which was the last time the world met to discuss global heating. A year on, the dominance of coal, oil and gas has not shifted. "CO emissions from fossil fuels continue to increase, year on year," says Pep Canadell, chief research scientist of CSIRO Environment, and his team who led the assessment. They predict that humanity will emit 37.4 billion tonnes of CO in 2024. Coal emissions are close to stagnant (up 0.2%), though India saw strong growth. Gas (up 2.4%) and oil emissions (0.9%) drove this year's peak, as international aviation, a big oil consumer, nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Drought in the Amazon and unprecedented fires in Canada (strengthened by El Nino, a warm phase in a natural cycle centered on the Pacific Ocean which affects the global climate) account for land use emissions that were slightly higher than the last decade's average4.2 billion tonnes, or 10% of all emissions from human activity in 2024. There are glimmers of good news amid these findings. The growth of fossil CO emissions is slowing: they grew 1.1% in 2023 and 0.8% this year. Norway, New Zealand and South Korea joined the US and 17 other countries (mostly in the EU) whose emissions are falling. Their secret? More renewable electricity powering more electric vehicles and heat pumps. China, the world's largest emitter, installed more solar panels last year than the US has in its entire history. China's emissions could even plateau in 2024. Meanwhile, emissions from land use (think farming and forestry) have plateaued, after a decade of steady growth. "This shows humanity is tackling deforestation and the growth of fossil CO emissions is slowing," the team say. "However, this is not enough to put global emissions on a downward trajectory." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. No more distractions The Earth system is working hard to absorb these emissions and balance out their effects. The strain is evident in a vast network of ocean currents called the great ocean conveyor belt, which redistributes the excess heat humans have introduced. Melting ice in the Arctic is dumping freshwater into the north Atlantic portion of this conveyor, diluting the regional contrast in water salinity that is its engine. The current is slowing down, and may be more sluggish now than at any time during the last millennium. "It could be 30% weaker by 2040. That's 20 years earlier than initially projected," say Laurie Menviel and Gabriel Pontes at UNSW Sydney's Climate Change Research Center. "This means we have even less time to stabilize the climate." Scientists are reporting the consequences of inaction with a mounting sense of urgency. If the UN process for brokering a limit to global heating is failing, what needs to change? One proposal is to ban authoritarian states that sell fossil fuels, like Azerbaijan, from hosting future summits. Even in supposedly healthy democracies, however, corporate lobbyists are allowed to treat these conferences as networking events. And the influence of big business on climate policy doesn't end at the convention center door. "In the UK, briefing by a thinktank linked to fossil fuel money helped the government draft recent anti-protest laws aimed at climate activists," says Christina Toenshoff, an assistant professor of European politics and political economy at Leiden University. Donald Trump's return as US president dims the prospects of international collaboration. His brash climate skepticism also provides cover for people who profit from the climate crisis by making them appear reasonable. Annie Snelson-Powell, an expert in corporate sustainability at the University of Bath, suggests that ExxonMobil chief executive Darren Woods may have had ulterior motives when he recently urged president-elect Trump to honor the Paris agreement. It's important not to get distracted. The problem has remained the same since this process began, says Lisa Vanhala, a professor of political science at UCL. The countries that got rich carbonizing the atmosphere must compensate the countries that were impoverished, and help them decarbonize and adapt to a deteriorating climate. While it may seem expedient to deny it in the short term, there is nothing gained by downplaying political realityas the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, recently did when he said his country could cut its emissions without an upheaval. "Tackling climate change effectively requires a shift to a more equal society, where happiness is prioritized over consumption," say Sam Hampton (University of Oxford) and Lorraine Whitmarsh (University of Bath) who study low-carbon lifestyle change. "It necessitates radical behavioral changes, particularly from the wealthiest, and policies that enable these changes." Provided by The Conversation This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Markus Winkler from Pexels As America takes stock after Donald Trump's re-election to the presidency, it's worth highlighting the AI-generated fake photos, videos and audio shared during the campaign. A slew of fake videos and images shared by Trump and his supporters purported to show his opponent, Kamala Harris, saying or doing things that did not happen in real life. Of particular concern are deepfake videos, which are edited or generated using artificial intelligence (AI) and depict events that didn't happen. They may appear to depict real people, but the scenarios are entirely fictitious. Microsoft warned in late October that "Russian actors continue to create AI-enhanced deepfake videos about Vice President Harris. In one video, Harris is depicted as allegedly making derogatory comments about former President Donald Trump. In another [] Harris is accused of illegal poaching in Zambia. Finally, another video spreads disinformation about Democratic vice president nominee Tim Walz, gaining more than 5 million views on X in the first 24 hours." AI has enabled the mass creation of deepfake videos, which poses a threat to democratic processes everywhere. If left unchallenged, political deep fake videos could have profound impacts on Australian elections. It's getting harder to spot a deepfake Images have stronger persuasive power than text. Unfortunately, Australians are not great at spotting fake videos and images. The prevalence of deepfakes on social media is particularly concerning, given it is getting harder to identify which videos are real and which are not. Studies suggest people can accurately identify deepfake facial images only 50% of the time (akin to guessing) and deepfake faces in videos just 24.5% of the time. AI-based methods for detection are marginally better than humans. However, these methods become less effective when videos are compressed (which is necessary for social media). As Australia faces its own election, this technology could profoundly impact perceptions of leaders, policies, and electoral processes. Without action, Australia could become vulnerable to the same AI-driven political disinformation seen in the US. Deepfakes and disinformation in Australia When she was home affairs minister, Clare O'Neil warned technology is undermining the foundations of Australia's democratic system. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Senator David Pocock demonstrated the risks by creating deepfake videos of both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. The technology's reach extends beyond federal politics. For example, scammers successfully impersonated Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli in a fake video call. We've already seen deepfakes in Australian political videos, albeit in a humorous context. Think, for example, of the deepfake purporting to show Queensland premier Steven Miles, which was released by his political opponents. While such videos may seem harmless and are clearly fabricated, experts have raised concerns about the potential misuse of deepfake technology in the future. As deepfake technology advances, there is growing concern about its ability to distort the truth and manipulate public opinion. Research shows political deepfakes create uncertainty and reduce trust in the news. The risk is amplified by microtargetingwhere political actors tailor disinformation to people's vulnerabilities and political views. This can end up amplifying extreme viewpoints and distort people's political attitudes. Not everyone can spot a fake Deepfake content encourages us to make quick judgments, based on superficial cues. Studies suggest some are less susceptible to deepfakes, but older Australians are especially at risk. Research shows a 0.6% decrease in deepfake detection accuracy with each year of age. Younger Australians who spend more time on social media may be better equipped to spot fake imagery or videos. But social media algorithms, which reinforce users' existing beliefs, can create "echo chambers". Research shows people are more likely to share (and less likely to check) political deepfake misinformation when it shows their political enemies in a poor light. With AI tools struggling to keep pace with video-based disinformation, public awareness may be the most reliable defense. Deepfakes are more than just a technical issuethey represent a fundamental threat to the principles of free and fair elections. Provided by The Conversation This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Reindeer herder Peter Sjaggo standing next to a tree marked with crosses and geometric patterns. Credit: Lars Ostlund, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Archaeologists analyzed trees engraved by the Indigenous Sami of Arctic Europe, revealing the significance of these rare remnants of Sami culture and the importance of preserving them from ongoing deforestation. The Sami are the Indigenous people of Sapmi, a region in northern Europe that encompasses northern Fennoscandia and north-west Russia. They followed an animistic religion, but a concentrated effort by the Scandinavian Church in the 17th century AD led to the destruction of religious artifacts and a decline in the Sami oral tradition, meaning their culture and history is under threat. However, one important aspect of the Sami culture managed to survive this repression. Some trees throughout Sapmi were incised with markings holding social and religious significance. "Unlike most other sacred objects, standing trees are not easy to collect and they have generally eluded the ambitions of the Church to erase the traces of the Indigenous religion," states co-author of the research, Dr. Ingela Bergman from INSARC/Silvermuseet. To identify the significance of these trees, Professor Lars Ostlund from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Bergman and Professor Olle Zackrisson from INSARC Silvermuseet identified trees engraved with Sami symbolism, comparing them with ethnographic accounts of Sami culture. Their results are published in the journal Antiquity. They identified hundreds of Scots pine trees in the northern boreal forests of Fennoscandia, predominantly in national parks, engraved with X-marks and geometric patterns. According to the ethnographic research, trees were seen by the Sami as mediators between people and deities. They also had pragmatic uses, acting as boundary markers and navigational aids in the harsh, seasonal landscape of the northern boreal forests. X-marks also played a significant role in Sami ritual practice, with crosses being carved on antlers and reindeer blood smeared in X-shapes on sacrificial wooden objects. Therefore, the engraving of trees with crosses likely took place while offerings were made to deities, with the trees acting as mediators. "The spiritual and pragmatic natures of trees were not mutually exclusive," says Professor Ostlund. "X-marks on trees could define a family's territory, while simultaneously indicating its spiritual connection to the land." These trees are clearly important symbols of Sami religion and culture, but are also under threat. Extensive deforestation for lumber since the 19th century has massively reduced the number of ancient Scots pines, including those with X-marks. Before the 20th century, thousands of these trees were present across Sapmi. As they decline, so too does the transmission of experience and knowledge from generation to generation. "Culturally marked trees bear silent witness to (pre)historic land use, movement patterns and sacred spaces," conclude Dr. Bergman and Professor Ostlund. "Therefore, there is an urgent need for the documentation, interpretation and protection of all remaining culturally marked trees." More information: Ingela Bergman et al, X-marked trees: carriers of Indigenous Sami traditions, Antiquity (2024). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2024.184 Journal information: Antiquity Provided by Antiquity 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: Figure 1: LocationRajmahal Hills (Barharwa), India; DateSeptember 2023; Image taken by Avinash Kumar Ranjan during field visits, showing vegetation destruction and landscape transformation due to stone mining. Credit: Avinash Kumar Ranjan Forests are often called the lungs of our planet, absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and playing a crucial role in regulating the climate. But what happens when mining operations carve through these vital ecosystems? A recent study conducted by researchers Avinash Kumar Ranjan and Prof. Amit Kumar Gorai of the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, sheds light on this pressing issue, revealing via satellite datasets that mining activities cleared an area of forest almost the size of Kuwait or Eswatini country between 2000 and 2019. This deforestation has not only released massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere but also weakened the planet's ability to combat climate change. The findings, published in the Journal of Environmental Management, raise urgent questions: How can we balance the demand for minerals with the need to protect forests? And what steps must be taken to prevent further environmental damage? The research estimated that globally 16,785 km2 mining-induced deforestation has led to the release of approximately 490 million tons of CO, almost equivalent to Brazil's or more than Australia's and South Africa's annual emissions in 2023. Furthermore, this deforestation has reduced the planet's ability to absorb carbon by 36 million tons annually, an amount that offsets the emissions of 8 million cars each year. Forests are natural "climate shields" that absorb harmful CO, regulate weather and support countless species. The loss of forest cover not only affects local ecosystems but also reduces the Earth's natural capacity to sequester carbon, contributing to a rise in atmospheric CO levels. The study highlights that mining-related deforestation is concentrated in some of the world's most vital ecosystems, including: Indonesia: Tops the list with more than 3,600 km of forest lossleading to carbon emissions of approximately 132 million tons. Brazil: The Amazon lost 1,600 km, releasing 53 million tons of CO annually. Canada and the U.S.: Together accounted for nearly 3,000 km of deforestation, emitting a combined 79 million tons of CO. Africa, South America and Australia also reported significant forest losses, harming ecosystems and communities that rely on forests for their livelihoods. See figure 2 and figure 3 for country and continent-wise forest cover loss and subsequent CO 2 emission statistics. Figure 2: (a) FCL across different countries due to mining activity (Note: country with value zero is removed from map. Map not to scale), (b) Top 10 countries with highest FCL across the globe due to mining activity, and (c) FCL across different continents due to mining activity. (Source: Ranjan and Gorai, 2024). Credit: Journal of Environmental Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123271 The study further highlights that mining activities have disproportionately affected forest land in certain countries between 2000 and 2019. Suriname, Guyana, Armenia, New Caledonia, Ghana and Peru saw a particularly high percentage of their total forest loss linked to mining. This finding stresses the urgent need for policies to minimize mining's environmental impact and protect forests. In places like Suriname and Guyana, where mining-related forest loss is especially alarming, sustainable practices and stronger conservation efforts are crucial to safeguard these vital ecosystems. Figure 3: (a) CSL due to mining-induced FCL across different countries (Note: country with zero CO2 emissions is excluded from the map. Map not to scale), (b) Top 10 countries with CSL emissions across the globe due to mining activity, and (c) CSL across different continents due to mining activity. (Source: Ranjan and Gorai, 2024). Credit: Journal of Environmental Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123271 The authors further emphasize that these estimates are limited to areas with forest heights of 5 meters, as shorter vegetation was not included. "If we consider all vegetation types, these figures for forest cover loss, carbon emissions and carbon sequestration loss would be significantly higher," noted researcher Ranjan. This limitation suggests that the true extent of mining's environmental impact could be significantly greater, underscoring the urgency of addressing the issue. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. When forests are cut down, the stored carbon in trees is released, contributing to climate change. Worse, the planet loses a key tool to absorb CO in the future. The CO emissions from mining-induced deforestation could derail global efforts to combat climate change, including the COP26 pledge to halt deforestation by 2030. "Mining is often overlooked as a cause of deforestation," said Prof. Gorai. "Yet it's clear that the environmental cost is enormousboth locally and globally." Prof. Gorai added, "The climate impact is global, and as our study shows, regions rich in biodiversity and carbon storage are under immense threat." The road ahead: Sustainable mining and climate action The researchers emphasize that it's not too late to act. Governments, NGOs, businesses, and communities must: Strengthen regulations: Enforce strict rules to limit deforestation in mining areas. Promote land restoration: Require mining companies to replant forests and restore ecosystems after operations. Expand global efforts: Support initiatives like the UN's REDD+ program, which encourages conservation. "Mining doesn't have to come at the cost of forests," said researcher Ranjan. "With sustainable practices and global cooperation, we can protect these vital ecosystems while meeting resource demands. Mining activities in densely forested areas have compounded the issue of deforestation, worsening the climate crisis by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. These losses are particularly concerning as they come from some of the world's most biodiverse and carbon-rich forests, like those in the Amazon and Southeast Asia." The researchers hope that their work will inform policy decisions and inspire global efforts to balance resource extraction with environmental sustainability. This study is a wake-up call to rethink how mining affects our planet. While resources are essential, preserving forests is equally critical to safeguarding the climate, biodiversity and communities worldwide. This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about Science X Dialog and how to participate. More information: Avinash Kumar Ranjan et al, Assessment of global carbon dynamics due to mining-induced forest cover loss during 20002019 using satellite datasets, Journal of Environmental Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123271 Journal information: Journal of Environmental Management Avinash Kumar Ranjan is PhD researcher at Department of Mining Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela-India. His research is centered on remote sensing of the environment, focusing on using satellite data for mapping and monitoring terrestrial ecosystem dynamics under changing climate and land use. Most of his linking of remote sensing data, mathematical models, and ground surveys aims to characterize spatial-temporal changes in vegetation structure and the agricultural environment. 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: RNA-seq analysis of green and purple tea samples. A Phenotypes of parents ZJ and JX and their offspring used in the experiment. B PCA analysis of RNA-seq results of green and purple tea samples. C Clustering heat map of DEGs, normalization. D Volcano plot of DEGs. E Bubble chart of GO enrichment of DEGs. F Bubble chart of KEGG pathway enrichment of DEGs. Credit: Horticulture Research (2024). DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae191 Purple tea, the product of long-term natural evolution, stands out for its high anthocyanin content, known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects. Unlike traditional green tea, purple tea is increasingly valued for its potential to boost metabolic health and offer disease prevention benefits. However, unraveling the molecular basis of anthocyanin accumulation has proven difficult, with past studies often limited to single cultivars, offering only a narrow view of the complex genetic landscape. Given these hurdles, comprehensive research into the genetic pathways of purple tea is crucial to unlock its full potential. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have addressed this gap, with their study published on July 10, 2024, in Horticulture Research. Using advanced genomic techniques such as RNA-seq, BSA-seq, and BSR-seq, they analyzed a hybrid tea population bred from "Zijuan" (purple leaves) and "Jinxuan" (green leaves). This comprehensive approach led to the discovery of pivotal genes, CsMYB75 and CsANS, which govern anthocyanin biosynthesis, along with key mutations that regulate pigment accumulation and leaf coloration. The research examined 30 hybrid tea individuals with extreme leaf color variations through high-throughput sequencing. A total of 459 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, with critical structural genes like CHS, F3H, and ANS showing higher expression in purple leaves, driving anthocyanin production. One major breakthrough was the identification of the transcription factor CsMYB75, whose silencing caused anthocyanin levels to drop significantly. Notably, a 181-bp InDel in the CsMYB75 promoter was found to increase its expression in purple tea. The study also highlighted genes like GST, MATE, and ABCC, implicated in anthocyanin transport. Using BSA-seq and BSR-seq, researchers pinpointed SNP and InDel mutations on chromosomes 2 and 14 associated with purple leaf traits, advancing the understanding of genetic regulation and offering a roadmap for breeding high-anthocyanin tea varieties. Liang Chen, a senior author of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings, "Our research provides a critical leap in understanding the genetic drivers of anthocyanin accumulation in purple tea. Identifying CsMYB75 and its associated mutations marks a substantial step forward, laying a foundation for developing new tea cultivars with amplified health benefits. These genetic markers open up opportunities to breed varieties with higher anthocyanin content, meeting the rising consumer demand for health-promoting beverages." Beyond academic value, this research holds promising applications. The genetic markers identified can speed up breeding programs for purple tea cultivars with enhanced anthocyanin content, targeting the expanding global market for functional health drinks. These new tea varieties could deliver natural antioxidants, benefiting metabolic health, anti-aging, and chronic disease prevention. Moreover, a deeper understanding of anthocyanin biosynthesis mechanisms could enhance agricultural biotechnology, enabling the cultivation of tea plants with optimized phytochemical profiles, transforming the tea industry and boosting economic prospects. More information: Yueqi Wang et al, Association analysis of BSA-seq, BSR-seq, and RNA-seq reveals key genes involved in purple leaf formation in a tea population (Camellia sinensis), Horticulture Research (2024). DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae191 Journal information: Horticulture Research Provided by Chinese Academy of Sciences This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In Bossou, Guinea, eight-year-old Jeje watches and learns about using a toolset from his mother Jire: a stone hammer and stone anvil used to crack nuts. Credit: Tetsuro Matsuzawa In recent decades, scientists have clearly demonstrated that chimpanzees, like humans, pass on complex cultures such as tool use from generation to generation. But human culture has become vastly more sophisticated, from the Stone Age to the Space Age, as new advances have been incorporated. Chimpanzee cultures haven't changed in the same way, which suggests that only humans have the remarkable ability to build more sophisticated cultures over time. Scientists studying chimpanzees in the wild, however, have disputed this, suggesting that some of chimpanzees' most complex technologies, in which they use multiple tools in sequence to extract hidden food sources, were probably built on previous knowledge over time. A new, multidisciplinary study led by the University of Zurich suggests that some of their most advanced behaviors may have been passed down and refined through generations. The team's paper on this topic appears in the journal Science. Tracing genetic links "As most chimpanzee tools, such as sticks and stems, are perishable, there are few records of their history to confirm this hypothesisunlike human cases such as the evolution of the wheel or computer technology," says lead author Cassandra Gunasekaram from the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Zurich. For the new study, a team of anthropologists, primatologists, physicists and geneticists from universities and research institutions in Zurich, St. Andrews, Barcelona, Cambridge, Konstanz and Vienna joined forces to trace genetic links between chimpanzee populations over thousands of years, using new discoveries in genetics to uncover key pieces of chimpanzee cultural history in ways never before imagined. Early stages of cumulative culture The authors collected information on markers of genetic similaritygenetic evidence of links between different groups of chimpanzeesas well as a range of foraging behaviors previously reported to be culturally learned, from a total of 35 chimpanzee study sites across Africa. They grouped these behaviors into those that required no tools; those that required simple tools, such as using a leaf sponge to get water from a tree hole; and the most complex behaviors that relied on a toolset. Trading toolsets across generations "As an example of such a toolset, chimpanzees in the Congo region first use a strong stick to dig a deep tunnel through hard soil to reach an underground termite nest," explains Gunasekaram. "Next, they make a 'fishing' probe by pulling a long plant stem through their teeth to form a brush-like tip, pressing it into a point and deftly threading it down the tunnel they've made. They then pull it out and nibble off any defending termites that have bitten into it." "We made the surprising discovery that it is the most complex chimpanzee technologiesthe use of entire 'toolsets'that are most strongly linked across now distant populations," says corresponding author Andrea Migliano, professor of evolutionary anthropology at UZH. "This is exactly what would be predicted if these more advanced technologies were rarely invented and even less likely to be reinvented, and therefore more likely to have been transmitted between groups." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. How female migrations spread innovation In chimpanzees, it is sexually maturing females, rather than males, who migrate to new communities to avoid inbreeding. In this way, genes are spread between neighboring groups and then further afield over the years, centuries and millennia. The study authors discovered that it would be these same female migrations that could spread any new cultural advances to communities that lacked them. The study also showed that when both complex toolsets and their simpler versions (i.e., mostly the components of the toolsets) occur at different study sites, the genetic markers indicate that the sites were connected in the past by female migrations. This suggests that the complex versions were built cumulatively by adding to or modifying the simple ones. "These groundbreaking discoveries provide a new way to demonstrate that chimpanzees have a cumulative culture, albeit at an early stage of development," Migliano adds. More information: Cassandra Gunasekaram et al, Population connectivity shapes the distribution and complexity of chimpanzee cumulative culture, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adk3381 Journal information: Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Experimental schematic diagram. Credit: Qiyun Ma and Patrick Scholz A team of climate scientists in Germany and China has found evidence, using a climate model, that in the coming years, freshwater inputs to the Irminger Sea Basin will have the biggest impact on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Their paper is published in the journal Science Advances. The AMOC is the primary ocean current in the Atlantic Ocean. It is made up of northward flows of warm, saltier water in the upper layers of the Atlantic Ocean and southward return flows of cold, denser, deeper water, and it includes the Gulf Stream. Prior research has shown that it plays a major role in the global climate system, especially for weather in Europe. Research has also shown that climate change is affecting the AMOC, which could lead to unpredictable changes in weather patterns. These effects are thought to be due to changes in freshwater inputs to the AMOC, either due to changes in rainfall or snowmelts. Freshwater reduces the density of surface water, preventing it from sinking into a lower water layer, reducing the southern return flow. In this new study, the research team wondered which source of freshwater inputs is having the most impact on the AMOC. To find out, they added features of the region to the Alfred Wegener Institute Climate Model, looking at each of the major sources of freshwater flow into the AMOC. They found that freshwater inputs into the Irminger Sea Basin due to Greenland snowmelts are having the biggest impact of all known freshwater inputs. This, they note, is because of the unique position of the Irminger Sea Basinit is located at the point in the AMOC where it makes its U-turnchanging course from north to south. Because of that, cold freshwater pouring directly into the current remains near the surface, slowing the current. Such a slowdown is not overcome when the AMOC turns around again in the tropics, resulting in slowed warmer water moving north. The result is a slowdown of the entire AMOC, which reduces its strength, the impact of which is still uncertain. More information: Qiyun Ma et al, Revisiting climate impacts of an AMOC slowdown: dependence on freshwater locations in the North Atlantic, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adr3243 Journal information: Science Advances 2024 Science X Network 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: In this image provided by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, two dolphins are stranded along Ellis Landing, Nov. 9, 2024, in Brewster, Mass. An unprecedentedly bad year for beached dolphins on Cape Cod might have to do with warming waters changing the availability of the animals' food, said scientists hoping to curb the strandings. Credit: International Fund for Animal Welfare via AP An unprecedentedly bad year for beached dolphins on Cape Cod might have to do with warming waters changing the availability of the animals' food, said scientists hoping to curb the strandings. Cape Cod, the Massachusetts peninsula beloved by beach tourists and seafood lovers, has a long history of marine mammal strandings. That is partially because of dramatic changes in the tide that sometimes trap wayward dolphins if they swim too close to shore. But this year is different. The International Fund for Animal Welfare, which responds to marine mammal strandings, said Thursday it has responded to 342 live, stranded dolphins this year, and that is five times more than its annual average of 67. An already bad year got worse earlier this month when the organization was inundated with calls about beached dolphins. More than 50 of the animals were stranded on multiple beaches and waterways in the span of a week, the organization said. The massive number of strandings has stretched the group's resources and supplies, said Brian Sharp, marine mammal rescue team lead for the organization and a biologist by training. Scientists are still trying to determine what is causing the strandings, but they have noticed that the small fish the dolphins eat in high numbers have been swimming close to the shore, he said. In this image provided by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a stranded dolphin is attended to near Skaket Beach, Orleans, Nov. 9, 2024, in Orleans, Mass. An unprecedentedly bad year for beached dolphins on Cape Cod might have to do with warming waters changing the availability of the animals' food, said scientists hoping to curb the strandings. Credit: International Fund for Animal Welfare via AP The dolphins seem to be following that food source and getting themselves in jeopardy, Sharp said. "Any effect of climate change on ocean temperature, salinity, is going to affect the prey resource of the fish," he said. "That as part of the food web is going to have kind of that ripple, that cascade effect throughout the food web, which eventually leads to marine mammals." Cape Cod is located near important dolphin feeding grounds, and the peninsula is popular with summer whale watchers because of its diversity of species. Most of the stranded dolphins have been common dolphins, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, Risso's dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, Sharp said. Of the 342 stranded dolphins, 293 were able to be released back into the wild, Sharp said. More than 90 additional dolphins were found dead upon stranding, he said. In this image provided by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a stranded dolphin is attended to near Skaket Beach, Orleans, Nov. 9, 2024, in Orleans, Mass. An unprecedentedly bad year for beached dolphins on Cape Cod might have to do with warming waters changing the availability of the animals' food, said scientists hoping to curb the strandings. Credit: International Fund for Animal Welfare via AP In this image provided by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, 12 dolphins, which were stranded near Lieutenant Island, are attended to in a mobile dolphin rescue vehicle, Nov. 14, 2024, in Wellfleet, Mass. An unprecedentedly bad year for beached dolphins on Cape Cod might have to do with warming waters changing the availability of the animals' food, said scientists hoping to curb the strandings. Credit: International Fund for Animal Welfare via AP This year's strandings included a mass stranding event of more than 100 dolphins in the summer that rescuers said was the largest event of its kind in recorded U.S. history. The Cape can be difficult for the animals to navigate because of its sloping sandbars, hooked shape and sticky mudflats. While the factors influencing the strandings are complex, a changing climate is clearly driving prey and predators to new areas at times of the year they were not previously expected, said Regina Asmutis-Silvia, executive director of conservation group Whale and Dolphin Conservation North America. "We have had noticeable unseasonably warm temperatures on land lately around Cape Cod to remind us we are facing changes in the climate. But those changes don't stop at the shoreline. They are being felt in the ocean too," she said. This month's rescue operations were made difficult by rough winds and surf and cold weather, the International Fund for Animal Welfare said in a statement. The dolphins that stranded this month might have been part of the same pod, or group, but why the group became stranded is still unclear, the organization said. "Though Cape Cod has always seen more live dolphin strandings than anywhere else in the world, the numbers this year have reached historic highs," the group said in a statement. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Anna Shvets from Pexels As social media continues to redefine how we connect, new research is exploring the role of "micro-influencers" and how this powerful group is reshaping the influencer landscape and the relationship between brands and their consumers. Defined as everyday people with moderate yet highly engaged online followings, micro-influencers are tipped to grow, with calls to better educate those navigating social media as a professional pathway. Written by digital communications researcher Dr. Lisa Harrison from Flinders University, the book "Unpacking Micro-Influence within the Australian Creative Sectors," provides comprehensive guidance for understanding how everyday people can effectively build influence through social media, while maintaining authenticity. "With 58% of social media users aged 1664 now relying on social media platforms as their primary resource for researching brands and products, the impact of micro-influencers has never been more profound," says Dr. Harrison, from Flinders' College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. "Unlike traditional celebrities, micro-influencers foster a sense of trust and connection with their followers, often building closer, more authentic relationships. "They have redefined the concept of influence and their ability to genuinely connect with their audiences creates a level of trust and relatability that big-name influencers can't always achieve." The book offers practical advice for those looking to enter the world of micro-influencing, with the framework incorporating five key dimensions: network building, personal attributes, content creation, strategic approaches, and measurable outcomes. However, Dr. Harrison also highlights the key industry shifts and the positive and negatives of this growing market, especially for the content creators themselves. "As brands increasingly seek out influencers to market their products, micro-influencers must maintain their integrity and authenticity, a delicate balancing act that's at the heart of their effectiveness," says Dr. Harrison. "That balance is what makes them powerful yet vulnerable to the pressures of commercial interests." One key area of concern is the impact of constant online presence on the mental health of micro-influencers, with female influencers especially facing higher levels of stress and harassment. The book sheds light on the clear gender disparities in social media experiences, highlighting that women influencers face more frequent trolling and often require different coping strategies compared to their male counterparts. "It's essential to recognize the distinct challenges female influencers face online, from harassment to relentless expectations for content creation," says Dr. Harrison says. "These realities can impact mental health and raise the need for protective measures for those who engage online." While the book encourages awareness of these challenges to anyone looking to enter the social media fray, Dr. Harrison also explores the broader social impact of social media on identity construction and career development in Australia. "With the creative industries contributing $111.7 billion to the economy, micro-influencers are becoming increasingly vital for marketing strategies," says Dr. Harrison. "Social media is now a critical tool for career development, but it's essential to be strategic and mindful of the boundaries we establish between personal and professional spaces. Ultimately, we need to help people navigate these platforms professionally while protecting their well-being." Provided by Flinders University 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: Researchersas well as a toy Cy the Cyclonetest their nanoink and printer technologies during a NASA microgravity flight. Pictured, left to right, are: Fei Liu, Yanhua Huang, Matthew Marander, Xuepeng Jiang and Pavithra Premaratne. Credit: Shan Jiang An Iowa State University engineer floats in the air while other researchers hang tight to a metal frame surrounding and supporting their special printer. It's not the usual photo you see in a research paper. Tests aboard microgravity flights aren't your typical materials experiments, either. The flight path to these experiments began when a research team led by Iowa State's Shan Jiang, an associate professor of materials science and engineering, and Hantang Qin, formerly of Iowa State who's now an assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, wondered if their ink and printer technologies would work in the zero gravity of space. The ink features silver nanoparticles synthesized with biobased polymers. After heat treatment, the ink can conduct electricity and can therefore print electric circuits. The printer uses electrohydrodynamic printing, or 3D printing that jets ink under an electric field at resolutions of millionths of a meter. The electric field could eliminate the need for gravity to help deposit ink. If the technologies work together in zero gravity, astronauts could use them to make electric circuits for spacecraft or equipment repairs. And astronauts might manufacture high-value electronic components in the special, zero-gravity environment of space. NASA wondered if it would work, too. Credit: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07592 Diving into microgravity Researchers bolted the printer to the floor of a jet and prepared for a "roller coaster, basically," Jiang said. The NASA plane would continuously climb and dive, going in cycles from about 24,000 feet over Florida to 32,000 feet, then back to 24,000. The dive phase produced about 10 seconds of pure zero gravity. "It was exciting and new," Jiang said. Motion sickness was a problem for some. Others enjoyed the thrill of it. Jiang felt "frozen" the first time he experienced microgravity. "I was blank." But that didn't last. "There was so much time and investment in this project. We wanted to achieve good results." But printing for a few seconds at a time on a microgravity flight "is a very challenging experiment," Jiang said. "It's so easy on the ground where everything is stable. But if anything gets loose during the flight, you lose your printing." The first microgravity flight was a good example. The printer wasn't adequately secured against the plane's shakes and vibrations. "These are very intense experiments that require a lot of teamwork and preparation," Jiang said. So, the team went back to work, made some changes, made more test flights and produced better results. "This proof-of-concept microgravity experiment proves the unique capability of (electrohydrodynamic) printing under zero-gravity conditions and opens a new venue for future on-demand manufacturing in space," the researchers wrote in a paper published in Applied Materials & Interfaces. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Making a new nanoink The key innovation by Jiang's research group was developing a new laboratory method to synthesize the ink with its silver nanoparticles. "This is a new combination of materials and so we needed a new recipe to make the ink," Jiang said. Both programs "strive to support innovative and leading research in Iowa," said Sara Nelson, director of the programs and an Iowa State adjunct assistant professor of aerospace engineering. "We are thrilled to have supported Dr. Jiang's research. His work has helped to build Iowa's research infrastructure and is an important part of NASA's strategic mission." The project also makes use of an abundant Iowa resource, plant biomass. The ink includes a biobased polymer called 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, which is typically used as a thickening agent. But it is also a cost-effective, biocompatible, versatile and stable material for the inks necessary for high-resolution ink jet printing under an electric field. "There is a lot of biomass in Iowa," Jiang said. "So, we're always trying to use these biobased molecules. They make a wonderful polymer that does all the tricks for us." Jiang called that "the biggest surprise of this research. We didn't know that before. Now we know what we can do with these biobased polymers." The Iowa State University Research Foundation has filed a patent on the new nanoink and the technology is currently available for licensing. "This success is really just the beginning," Jiang said. "As humanity ventures deeper into space, the need for on-demand manufacturing of electronics in orbit is no longer science fiction; it is a necessity." Next up for the researchers could be the development of 3D space printing for other electronic components such as semiconductors. After all, Jiang said, "You can't just make one component and assemble an electronic device." More information: Tyler Kirscht et al, Silver Nano-Inks Synthesized with Biobased Polymers for High-Resolution Electrohydrodynamic Printing Toward In-Space Manufacturing, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07592 Journal information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces Provided by Iowa State University The southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, has unveiled a draft plan on public toilets that aims to address issues such as long queues at women's restrooms and encourages the repurposing of more toilets into gender-neutral facilities. The Guangzhou public sanitation toilet layout plan (2024-2035), released on the website of the city's bureau of coordinated administrative law enforcement for urban management, has been open for public comments since Monday. It specifically targets the repurposing of male toilets with low utilization, facilities with an imbalanced ratio of male-to-female stalls or those in need of renovation into gender-neutral restrooms. The draft also covers child-friendly restrooms, with a call for better facilities and amenities tailored for families with young children. According to the plan, the city, with a population of over 18 million, aims to construct or expand 933 public toilets by 2035. China launched the "toilet revolution" in 2015 to increase both the number and sanitation levels of toilets at tourist sites. The campaign expanded to also focus on improving public toilets in cities and building better private toilets in rural areas. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Police radio transmissions contain personally identifiable information that could pose privacy risks for members of the public, especially Black males, according to a new study by researchers at Penn State and the University of Chicago. "This study provides a window into police activity as events unfold," said Shomir Wilson, associate professor of information sciences and technology at Penn State and study co-author. "We found that because police radio transmissions disproportionately involve Black suspects, there's a proportionally higher privacy risk for Black people in these communications." The researchers studied a total of 24 hours of human-transcribed and annotated broadcast police communications transmitted on a single day in three Chicago dispatch zones, or regions used to coordinate police activity. According to U.S. census data, one zone was majority non-Hispanic white, one majority Hispanic and one majority non-Hispanic Black. The team found that broadcast police communications mentioned males nine times more frequently than females and that Black males were most often mentioned of all groups, even in the majority white zone. The researchers presented their findings at the 27th Association for Computing Machinery Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing on Nov. 9-13 in Costa Rica. The team received a diversity, equity and inclusion recognition from the conference's awards committee. "The typical police radio transmission is short and serves a coordinating purpose, something like "Car 54, where are you?'" said Chris Graziul, research assistant professor at the University of Chicago, study co-author and one of two principal investigators leading the project. "These transmissions try to communicate what's happening and describe who's involved. In the process, sensitive information is often disclosed." The researchers obtained 9,115 transmissionswhat they called "utterances"that occurred when police or dispatch communicated via radio broadcast. They manually transcribed the transmissions and then randomly chose 2,000 utterances from across the three zones to analyze further. They developed a qualitative annotation scheme to label the text. They divided the annotated data into six categories, ranging from event information, such as "residential alarm break in" or "traffic stop," and procedural transmissions, such as the "Car 54" example, to casual transmissions like "Morning, squad." The researchers found that event utterances contained the most referencesabout 60%to gender, race/ethnicity, age and protected health information, which can be used to identify individuals. Nearly 68% of utterances that included a sociodemographic indicator used male gendered terms, and approximately 69% of those utterances referred to Black people, according to the researchers. "Our findings contribute to a larger body of evidence about racial disparities in policing. What is novel here is the data source: radio transmissions," Graziul said. "Despite prolific use by police systems around the world, few have explored what this means of communication can tell us about how policing operates in practice. "Disproportionate mentions of Black people reflect a novel way to observe how officers' attention is unevenly distributed across racial/ethnic groups, and identifying this disparity helps us understand challenges to the ethical use of this data source for research, like preventing leakage of sensitive personal information, which would impact Black communities substantially more than other communities." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. After examining the utterances, the team tested a large language model (LLM), a widely used artificial intelligence tool, to determine its capacity to find personal information in the transcripts. Despite the unique nature of the language involved with broadcast police communications, the LLM detected personally identifiable information with high accuracy, highlighting the risk of privacy vulnerability. Bad actors, such as identity thieves, could use AI technology to quickly find and misuse the personal information in transcripts of police radio activity, according to the researchers. "This work reveals a concerning trend of racial inequality in terms of the exposure of sensitive information during police radio transmissions," said Pranav Narayanan Venkit, graduate student pursuing a doctoral degree in informatics in the College of Information Sciences and Technology and first author on the paper. "This study may help researchers and developers give more thought to interactions between LLM and different segments of societythe policing community, minority populations and various other populationsto identify biases and protect personal information." Miranda Goodman, who graduated with her bachelor's degree from Penn State this past summer, and fourth-year Penn State student Samantha Kenny also contributed to this work. More information: Pranav Narayanan Venkit et al, Race and Privacy in Broadcast Police Communications, Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction (2024). DOI: 10.1145/3686921 Provided by Pennsylvania State University 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: Julian Fairey, associate professor of civil engineering. Credit: University Relations A team of researchers from the United States and Switzerland has reported the discovery of a previously unknown compound in chloraminated drinking water. Inorganic chloramines are commonly used to disinfect drinking water to safeguard public health from diseases like cholera and typhoid fever. It's estimated that more than 113 million people in the United States alone drink chloraminated water. The researchers have now identified chloronitramide anion, chemically expressed as ClNNO 2 , as an end product of inorganic chloramine decomposition. While its toxicity is not presently known, its prevalence and similarity to other toxic compounds is concerning and warrants further study to assess its public health risk. Simply identifying the compound has been a challenge and breakthrough. Julian Fairey, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Arkansas, was the first co-author on the paper published in Science. Fairey noted that researchers have known about the compound for decades but have been unable to identify it. He himself began trying to unravel the mystery 10 years ago. "It's a very stable chemical with a low molecular weight," Fairey said. "It's a very difficult chemical to find. The hardest part was identifying it and proving it was the structure we were saying it was." This included being able to synthesize the compound in his lab, which had never been done before. Samples were then sent for analysis to his colleague and co-first author on the paper, Juliana Laszakovits, a postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich. Inevitably, there will be questions about the health risks posed by this new compound, which could not be previously evaluated in any toxicity studies. Fairey, who studies the chemistry of drinking water disinfectants, explained in a previous interview, "It's well recognized that when we disinfect drinking water, there is some toxicity that's created. Chronic toxicity, really. A certain number of people may get cancer from drinking water over several decades. But we haven't identified what chemicals are driving that toxicity. A major goal of our work is to identify these chemicals and the reaction pathways through which they form." Identifying this compound is an important step in that process. Whether chloronitramide anion will be linked to any cancers or has other adverse health risks will be assessed in future work by academics and regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. At the very least, toxicity studies can now be completed on this compound thanks to this discovery. "Even if it is not toxic," Fairey explained, "finding it can help us understand the pathways for how other compounds are formed, including toxins. If we know how something is formed, we can potentially control it." Joining Fairey and Laszakovits as co-authors on the paper are Huong Pham, Thien Do, Samuel Hodges, Kristopher McNeill and David Wahman. Pham, Do and Hodges are all former Ph.D. students at the University of Arkansas who contributed to this research in Fairey's lab. In 2022, McNeill hosted Fairey at ETH Zurich as a visiting professor as part of his sabbatical where they worked with Laszakovits on this study. Wahman is a longtime collaborator with Fairey's lab group and is an environmental research engineer at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. More information: Julian L. Fairey et al, Chloronitramide anion is a decomposition product of inorganic chloramines, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adk6749. Journal information: Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain An enduring challenge facing science around the world is how to best include and engage Indigenous communities. In Australia, for example, 0.5% of Indigenous peoples held a university STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) qualification in 2021, compared to 4.9% of the Australian population. Studies have also shown that while researchers are increasingly engaging Indigenous communities, they often do so disrespectfully and with a lack of goodwill. Addressing this challenge was the focus of a research summit I attended earlier this month. The Tri-Academy Partnership on Indigenous Engagement: A Research Summit on Cultural Heritage in an Era of Reconciliation was the first of three annual events bringing together academics from Canada, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. It showed how the scientific community can be more inclusiveand how increased Indigenous engagement and participation will benefit everybody. Leading minds from across the world Leading Indigenous academics from all three nations attended the summit. They gave talks on topics such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous leadership in academic institutions and the role of Indigenous engagement in expanding and improving research and education. Many of the issues Indigenous academics raised at the summit were common to all three nations. We heard of structural issues such as lack of recognition and protection of Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Protocols. We also heard about the problem of research being about us but without us and the barriers to increasing the number of Indigenous academics. One of these barriers is the historical erasure and suppression of Indigenous cultures and their associated knowledges. Another is the education pipeline: only 68% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 2024 have completed Year 12 or equivalent. A third barrier is the cultural safety for both university students and staff. These barriers were highlighted by deeply personal stories shared throughout the summit, including from residential school survivors and academics who had experienced racism in their workplace. Fundamentally, these issues are all rooted in the same thing: the significant power imbalance between Indigenous communities and the academic community seeking to engage them. This has resulted in previous engagement being a purely extractive process. Researchers have taken knowledge from Indigenous communities, without giving anything back. This has eroded trust. There is movement to improve engagement by moving from projects done "on us" to projects done "with us" and "by us." But achieving this goal will require long-term, strategic engagement of Indigenous communities to move from merely nice-to-have representation to genuine partnership. It will take time to rebuild that trust. And it may require non-Indigenous researchers to spend years simply sitting with and listening to Indigenous communities. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Mutual benefits But even though it may take time, this is worthwhile work. For communities with genuine partnership and benefit sharing, engagement with academia and the learned academies could meaningfully uplift communities. For example, Indigenous-led organization Trioda Wilingi employs Indigenous people at all levels and is working with scientists from the University of Queensland to produce medical gels from spinifex grass. These gels can treat painful conditions such as arthritis. For academia, Indigenous communities hold a great depth and breadth of knowledge which is recognized in Australia's Science and Research Priorities. It can improve our lives and better connect us with the places we live. A mountain to climb As the summit began, we heard of the passing of the First Nations Canadian politician and lawyer the Honorable Murray Sinclair. His presence looms large in matters of Indigenous engagementhe chaired the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada. Thanks to his extensive work in this area, his presence and words echoed through every talk and panel. The most notable are two quotes from his time chairing the commission. One describes the commission's work: "We have described for you a mountain. We have shown you the way to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing." The second quote reflects on the role of education in reconciliation: "Education got us into this mess, and education will get us out of it." These are statements that reverberate across the three nations that took part in the summit. They highlight the ongoing issues in the engagement of the learned academies and academia more broadly with Indigenous peoples. Transformational education There is still a mountain to climband education remains key. But to overcome history, education must be developed in the communities' interests with their voices at the table to create genuinely transformational education. For the academic sectorand society more broadlyeducation is key to understanding why climbing the mountain is important. Hampering the climb is easy, but it doesn't make the mountain disappear. The summit in Vancouver was supported by the Royal Society of Canada, the Australian Academy of Science, and the Royal Society Te Aparangi (Aotearoa New Zealand). There will be another summit next year in Aotearoa New Zealand. The final one will be in 2026 in Australia. Provided by The Conversation This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain In late 2024, more than 20 years after the birth of Facebook, the impact of social media on our lives cannot be overstated. Initially underestimated by many in business, social media eventually came to be recognized for its power to enable workers to share solutions, ideas and perspectives. While companies took time to see its potential, younger generations have been living part of their lives through social platforms for years. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey reveals that a majority of US youth aged 13 to 17 visit YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat at least "about once a day," with roughly 15% saying they visit these platforms "almost constantly." This widespread use of social media has brought with it an increased focus on its effects on young people, particularly adolescents. Over the past year, we collaborated with our former doctoral student Elena Fumagalli to review research in this area and its potential impact on policymaking. Our findings were surprising and, at times, conflicting. While many studies share evidence of the negative impacts of social media use on adolescent well-being, the research we reviewed also showed conflicting findings and a dearth of high-quality research designs. And yet, policy decisions and media coverage are often based on them. In response to this, we recently published a paper focusing on the most rigorous studies on this topic. Our goal was to identify research that we believe offers valid and dependable conclusions. Through this review, we discovered that social media's effects on adolescent well-being are complex, varying by age, gender and the type of platform use. The 'moving target' of social media research A critical challenge in this area is what we call the "moving target" problem. Social media platforms are constantly evolving, making it difficult to generalize research findings from one period to another. For example, Facebook today is not what it was 10 or 15 years agoits functionality, user base and even its name have changed. Similarly, platforms like Instagram have gained popularity, while others such as Friendster, Vine and Google's Orkut have disappeared. Given this ever-changing landscape, it's nearly impossible to draw definitive conclusions from older studies. That's why we focused our review on research conducted in the past five years, a period marked by significant advances in data collection and analysis. We limited our scope to adolescents and young adults aged 13 to 21 to better understand how social media affects well-being during these critical developmental years. Developmental sensitivity to social media One of the most significant findings from our paper is that the negative effects of social media vary by age and gender, something which is rarely taken into consideration by authorities and the media. For girls, the most vulnerable period appears to be between 11 and 13 years old, while for boys it is between 14 and 15. These age ranges coincide with the onset of puberty, which we believe plays a significant role in how adolescents experience social media. The beginning of puberty is already a challenging time for most young people, and social media seems to amplify these challenges. For example, body image issues, which often emerge during adolescence, are exacerbated by the highly curated and idealized content found on platforms like Instagram. While social media didn't create these issues, it amplifies them like never before, making it harder for adolescents to ignore them. Interestingly, we also found negative psychological effects for both boys and girls at age 19. This age corresponds to major life transitions such as leaving home, entering college or starting a job, all of which can induce anxiety. Social media appears to intensify these anxieties, possibly by fostering unrealistic expectations about life or creating a sense of inadequacy. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Active versus passive use Another challenge we encountered in our research is the lack of clear definitions for what constitutes "social media use." Furthermore, platforms vary significantly in their design, function, and audience, and these differences matter when it comes to their effects on well-being. For instance, image-based platforms like Instagram tend to have a more significant negative impact on body image than text-based platforms such as X (formerly Twitter). Moreover, the way adolescents and young adults use social media also matters. We found that active use, where individuals post and engage with others, is linked to more positive self-esteem. In contrast, passive use, where users merely scroll through content without interacting, is associated with negative effects on well-being. These differences are crucial to understanding social media's impact and need to be better accounted for in future research. A further factor is the intentional addictiveness of these platforms. Whistleblowers have revealed that many social media companies design their products to be habit-forming, encouraging users to spend more time on their platforms. This makes social media more invasive than previous technologies like television or radio, and its influence is likely to extend into the workplace as today's adolescents enter the job market. Beyond adolescence Our study highlights the need for more long-term, rigorous research to better understand social media's impact on well-being. Recent studies suggest that various moderatorssuch as the type of platform and patterns of usecan either worsen or mitigate the negative effects of social media. These must be taken into account in evaluating measures to take against these negative consequences. We also believe it's important to look beyond adolescence. As the next generation enters the workforce, their social media habits are likely to follow them, potentially affecting their productivity and mental health. This is why we advocate for more longitudinal studies that track social media use over time and examine its long-term effects on well-being. As we have found, despite the complexities and inconsistencies in social media research, politicians and the media often draw simplistic conclusions. For example, the Kids Off Social Media Act, a US bipartisan effort to ban social media for children under 13, reflects a tendency to make blanket statements about the dangers of social media. While it's true that younger adolescents are more vulnerable to its negative impacts, age is not the only factor that matters. The type of platform, how it's used, and individual psychological differences also play significant roles. Therefore, we must be careful not to jump to conclusions or implement one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we need nuanced, data-driven policies that account for the many variables at play. Finally, as social media continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of its effects. More detailed, high-quality research can help guide interventions and programs that protect the well-being of adolescents and young adults. With the right approach, we can better understand and mitigate the risks associated with this powerful technology. Provided by The Conversation This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Professor Chris Zevenbergen, "Create a vision for people to believe in and work towards." Credit: LOLA Landscape Architects and De Urbanisten, in collaboration with the TU Delft group Redesigning Deltas In a new npj Ocean Sustainability article, ten researchers advocate the use of imagination in tackling the climate crisis. They focus specifically on urbanizing river deltas, which are of great social and economic importance and highly vulnerable to climate change. "We scientists should not merely outline doomsday scenarios," says Professor Chris Zevenbergen. "Create a vision for people to believe in and work towards." Due to the climate crisis, urban river deltas are facing hazards such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and soil subsidence. Prosperous regions like the Netherlands are facing increasing costs and complexity for improving systems. Deltas in low- and middle-income countries additionally struggle with rapid urbanization and limited resources. Traditional models are often insufficient to prepare deltas for our unpredictable future, necessitating more flexible approaches. "Fortunately, the scientific community is already showing a greater focus on optimism and visions of the future, which helps to inspire and motivate people." According to Zevenbergen and his co-authors, scientists should more often use imagination and "design-based research." "Ask the wider society: what do we want our country to look like in 100 years? What do we really care about? And then visualize possible futures," says Zevenbergen. In this way, we encourage civic engagement and make climate adaptation both tangible and motivating. "Ask the wider society: what do we want our country to look like in 100 years? What do we really care about?" Inspiration from the Netherlands The Netherlands can serve as a role model for deltas worldwide, according to the authors. "Take for instance Johan van Veen, visionary designer of the Delta Works," says Zevenbergen. "Johan was not thinking in years, but in generations. He had deep knowledge of natural processes such as sedimentation. And when the 1953 North Sea Flood struck, he had an appealing vision of the future ready at hand." Or consider the recent Room for the River program, which applies natural solutions to increase the capacity of rivers while simultaneously improving biodiversity. These words of praise must come with a caveat. Zevenbergen says, "Many Dutch people considered the Delta Works a permanent solution, but according to Johan they were always meant as a necessary step in a process. Today, we need a new long-term vision." Fortunately, work is underway on new visions for our coastal areas, including three scenarios for 2100. Zevenbergen asks, "Do we want to preserve our current coasts, flexibly adapt to change, or give way completely to the rising sea? This is how we use the power of design and imagination. "Johan van Veen did not think in years, but in generations; he had deep knowledge of natural processes; and he had an appealing vision for the future." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Measures for science, policy, and education The authors offer clear advice to scientists, policymakers, and universities: strengthen the role of design in delta management. Scientists should integrate imagination and interdisciplinary approaches into climate adaptation research. Zevenbergen says, "Be like Johan van Veen. Unite professional knowledge with long-term thinking, visualization, and an understanding of nature." Policymakers should invest in vision and creative research, because "after all, these plans will amount to billions of euros when implemented." And universities should fuel creativity and include "design thinking" in the curriculum. "We want students with the ability to create and the motivation to realize visions of the future: who seek large-scale and unique solutions," says Zevenbergen. More information: Chris Zevenbergen et al, Uniting imagination and evidence by design to navigate climate survival in urbanizing deltas, npj Ocean Sustainability (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44183-024-00094-2 Journal information: npj Ocean Sustainability Provided by Delft University of Technology 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 new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A volcano in southwestern Iceland that has roared back to life after eight centuries of silence has erupted for the seventh time since December, sending molten lava flowing towards the Blue Lagoon spa, a major tourist attraction. The eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula started with little warning at 11:14 p.m. (2314 GMT) Wednesday and created a fissure around 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long. The activity is estimated to be considerably smaller than the previous eruption in August, according to Iceland's meteorological office that monitors seismic activity. Most of the previous eruptions have subsided within days. "In the big picture, this is a bit smaller than the last eruption, and the eruption that occurred in May," Magnus Tumi Gumundsson, a professor of geophysics who flew over the scene with the Civil Protection agency to monitor the event, told national broadcaster RUV. While the eruption poses no threat to air travel, authorities warned of gas emissions across parts of the peninsula, including the nearby town of Grindavik, which was largely evacuated a year ago when the volcano came to life after lying dormant for 800 years. Around 50 houses were evacuated after the Civil Protection agency issued the alert, along with guests at the Blue Lagoon By Thursday afternoon lava had spread across parking lot of the geothermal spa, one of Iceland's biggest tourist attractions, consuming a service building. A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco This photograph provided by Civil Protection in Iceland shows a new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: Civil Protection in Iceland via AP A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula as seen from Grindavikurvegur, the road to Grindavik in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A press reporter watching a new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula the from Grindavikurvegur, the road to Grindavik in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula as seen from Grindavikurvegur, the road to Grindavik in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula as seen from Grindavikurvegur, the road to Grindavik in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula as seen from Grindavikurvegur, the road to Grindavik in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco A new volcanic eruption that started on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Wednesday, Nov.20, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Marco di Marco Lava also reached the pipeline that supplies the peninsula with hot water for heating, the meteorological office said, though the pipes were built to withstand lava flow. The repeated volcanic eruptions close to Grindavik, which is about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, and had a population before the eruptions of 3,800, have damaged infrastructure and property, forcing many residents to relocate to guarantee their safety. "Grindavik is not in danger as it looks and it is unlikely that this crack will get any longer, although nothing can be ruled out," Magnus Tumi said. Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, averages one eruption every four to five years. The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and disrupted trans-Atlantic air travel for months. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Chimpanzee social play interaction and play face. Credit: Liran Samuni/Tai Chimpanzee Project Compared to children, adults don't play as much, but social play into adulthood is considered a universal human trait. Play has a role in building tolerance, cohesion, bonding, and cooperation. By comparison, play in adults of other species has been considered rare, and yet a new study reported in Current Biology shows that some chimpanzees, like people, continue to play often throughout their entire lives and especially before engaging in acts that require collective cooperation. "We show that adult social play in chimpanzees can foster a range of cooperative behaviors, from dyadic interactions to complex, risky activities requiring the coordination of multiple individuals," says Liran Samuni of the German Primate Center in Gottingen, Germany, and the Tai Chimpanzee Project in Cote d'Ivoire. "We have identified a strong link between this positive social behavior, known to elicit joyous emotions, and some of the more intricate forms of cooperation seen in non-human species." Samuni and her colleagues have been studying three cohesive groups of chimpanzees living in the Tai Forest of Cote d'Ivoire. While earlier studies of play in wild adult chimpanzees had been lacking, they recognized that adult males and females in these groups play together regularly. Social play fosters cooperation in wild chimpanzees. Credit: Liran Samuni/Tai Chimpanzee Project Their play often involves physical actions like wrestling, mock biting, slapping, pulling, and chasing. The positive nature of these interactions is emphasized through "play faces" and panting vocalizations, which the researchers liken to human smiles and laughter. "Though adult-adult social play was not a daily occurrence, it consistently emerged under specific conditions," Samuni says. To understand better how play functions in chimpanzee society, they studied the play of 57 adult chimpanzees. The researchers found that adult chimpanzees were more likely to engage in social play before participating in group activities, such as monkey hunting or territorial defense against hostile outsiders. Those who played together were more likely to collaborate in these endeavors, indicating that play can signal cooperative motivation and enhance collective cooperation. When chimpanzees played with only one other individual, it often involved close social partners, illustrating the strong connection between play, familiarity, and trust. Play also happened more often during times of increased social tension, such as during competition for mates or following recent disputes, suggesting to the researchers that play might offer a means to relieve tension and resolve conflicts. The findings in the chimpanzees under study may or may not reflect play in other populations of chimpanzees. Samuni explains that's because chimpanzees are behaviorally diverse and flexible, with different populations displaying unique strategies and behaviors. The prevalence of adult play in this especially cohesive population may strengthen the notion that "societies characterized by cohesion and tolerance also exhibit higher frequencies of adult play," Samuni says. In future work, they'd like to learn more about how play in the Tai Forest chimpanzees compares to that in other chimpanzee groups. They also are curious to know whether chimpanzees consciously decide to play as an intentional strategy to foster engagement or if the positive effects of play naturally promote cooperation without the chimpanzees meaning to do so. A remote sensing satellite group composed of three satellites carried by a Long March-2D carrier rocket is launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province July 27, 2023. [Photo/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. Gabryelle Eley is the operations manager at Big Creek Coffee Roasters, but she always had an inkling to pursue something even more healing than a cup of coffee medicine. Eley is getting the chance to go after the dream of a career in neuroscience thanks to a new training initiative started by Bitterroot Health called the Medical Assistant Pathways Program. The program offers hands-on training and hourly pay for students coming in with different levels of experience looking for a career in health care. Hospital top brass says this program helps with staffing by training new employees already in the community as the high cost of housing in the region can make it hard to recruit from elsewhere. The first class of students is made up of nine medical assistant apprenticeships and the inaugural cohort has mixed backgrounds, according to program educator Christy Ellis. We've got people from all walks of life some people with some health care experience, some with absolutely none, one recent high school graduate, a couple of people with just career changes, she said. Students are set to take the National Healthcare Association exam on Jan. 20 to become certified clinical medical assistants, according to Eley. Students divide their time going through online modules from the NHA and learning hands on with dummy bodies and shadowing in patient rooms, she said. Ellis said the hospital currently has about 14 open positions and the hope is to have the students certified and ready to go by March. This is really going to go a long way to helping us fill our shortage, she said. Ellis said students are paid as non-productive employees for the first 10 weeks as they get trained, but the hospital believes itll be worth the investment in the long run, with better retention and better trained employees. Ellis said the hope is for the program to expand to pathways to give opportunities for people to advance to become certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse and then a Registered Nurse. She said this opportunity has the potential to really change lives. Executive Director of the Bitterroot Health Foundation Al Garver said regional colleges offer these certifications but that doesnt mean those students will land in Ravalli County. We had to figure out how to grow our own, he told the Ravalli Republic in an interview. It's so expensive, housing wise, we also need to find people who live here. Eley said the idea of going back to school was daunting, and if I didn't like it, then I was gonna kind of be stuck. But after recently spending time in a Colorado hospital caring for a family member, it solidified in her mind this was what she wanted to do. With my previous work experience at Big Creek (Coffee Roasters) and owning a retail shop, I know that I love interpersonal relationships and showing up for people, she said. Eley also previously owned the downtown Hamilton shop Flora + Fauna MT. She said its exciting to be a part of this first cohort but also makes her a little nervous. There's a lot of material to cover, and we only have 10 weeks to do it, and it feels good she said. But when you zoom out and you look at everything we have to learn it's scary. From learning the ins and outs of insurance and administration, to drawing blood and CPR, shes learning every day. But making the leap from retail to medicine came naturally, she said. It's all customer service to an extent, she said. Shes currently being paid a little more than $17 an hour for her time at Bitterroot Health, which she says is appropriate as the pay increases seem fair to her. Garver said students also receive employee benefits. But Eley also recognizes shes lucky she owns her home with her husband who works as a commercial plumber and with no kids theyre in a good spot financially. Ellis said after the six-month probationary period and if students pass their certification exam they can earn an additional $2 per hour for about $19.50 an hour. The program is funded in part through a $108,000 donation made by retired tech entrepreneur Rob Ryan and his wife, Terry, through the Rob And Terry Ryan Foundation. What inspired the donation was an interaction Terry Ryan had with an X-ray technician who had been trained for his job by the hospital, she told the Ravalli Republic in an email. She said he was enthusiastic and professional. It was clear how grateful he was for the opportunity he had been given, she said. That encounter was what inspired us to sponsor this training program. Terry Ryan told the Ravalli Republic in an email the foundation has previously donated to medical training programs at Bitterroot Community College. The donation to the Bitterroot Health pathways program covers half of the programs expenses, and Garver is hoping to bring in other funders to cover the $208,000 total cost of the program. Garver said they would not be asking the state for funding during the upcoming legislative session. Eley says she sees herself staying in the Bitterroot for at least another four years or so. Shes originally from Portland, Maine, and spent a lot of time in Colorado before moving to Hamilton. I kind of like the idea of going to medical school, kind of flirting with that idea, she said. I feel like I'm on the precipice of learning a lot about myself and my future career right now.